Search Results (30,095)

The extensive use of antibiotics in animal husbandry leads to the release of unmetabolised residues and the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) in manure, posing environmental and public health challenges. Conventional treatment technologies, including hydrolysis, photodegradation, and phytoremediation, are often constrained by incomplete mineralisation, high cost, and environmental variability. Biocatalytic and microbially mediated processes are increasingly recognised as sustainable alternatives. Enzymes, which in clinical contexts confer resistance, can, in environmental matrices, catalyse the dismantling of antibiotic scaffolds, attenuating bioactivity and promoting detoxification. Catalytic classes such as hydrolases, transferases, and oxidoreductases mediate diverse transformations, including hydrolytic cleavage, functional group transfer, and oxidative modification. Microbial consortia and bioaugmentation further enhance biodegradation, while biochar and other amendments reduce ARG persistence. Advances in multi-omics, enzyme engineering, and immobilisation have expanded catalytic repertoires, improved stability, and enabled integration with composting, anaerobic digestion, and hybrid bioprocesses. Nonetheless, incomplete degradation, recalcitrant intermediates, and horizontal gene transfer remain challenges. Importantly, since degradation products may leach into soils and aquatic systems, optimising these processes is critical to prevent residues from entering the water cycle. This review synthesises advances in microbial and enzymatic degradation strategies, highlighting opportunities for sustainable manure management while mitigating water pollution risks. Full article

Preschool children develop essential mathematical concepts through play, yet little is known about how traditional board games can support this process. This small-scale microgenetic case study investigates how children unfamiliar with the Ethiopian game Gebeta (a mancala-type game) learn to play the game and what mathematical competencies emerge. Video observations were conducted with 5-year-olds in Norway as they engaged in repeated play sessions. Event logs and transcripts were analysed with a focus on children’s developing strategies and difficulties. The results show that children quickly understood the basic rules but faced challenges with directionality (i.e., maintaining the correct direction of play) and differentiating between different types of game moves. Over time, they demonstrated evident progress in following the rules. They began to treat groups of counters as units, moving from one-by-one counting to bundling and unitising. These developments align with Bishop’s fundamental activities locating and counting. We conclude that Gebeta provides a playful context in which children can practice directionality and bundling, both of which are crucial for avoiding common errors in later school mathematics, such as off-by-one counting errors and misunderstandings of the number system. The study suggests that Gebeta can be introduced in early childhood settings without simplifying the rules, providing an engaging resource for early mathematics education. Full article

Background and Objectives: Although various regional anesthesia techniques are commonly used for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), to date, no randomized controlled trial has compared the effectiveness of Quadratus Lumborum Plane Block (QLB) and External Oblique Intercostal Plane Block (EOIPB) in LC. Our aim was to compare the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided QLB and EOIPB in providing postoperative analgesia after LC. Materials and Methods: In this two-center, randomized controlled trial, patients undergoing LC were divided into QLB and EOIPB groups. Our primary outcome was the postoperative pain scores measured using the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at predetermined intervals. Secondary outcomes included opioid consumption, Riker Sedation–Agitation Scale (RSAS) score, and patient satisfaction. Results: The NRS pain scores at postoperative 30th minute, 4th, 12th, and 24th hours were significantly lower in the QLB group (p < 0.05). Patients in the QLB group required significantly less tramadol compared to the EOIPB group (p < 0.000). The QLB group also demonstrated lower RSAS scores (p = 0.005), indicating a smoother recovery process. Patient satisfaction scores were markedly higher in the QLB group (p < 0.000). Although both blocks were well-tolerated with no differences in side effects, EOIPB was associated with higher opioid consumption, indicating its relatively limited effectiveness. Conclusions: To conclude, this study highlights that QLB is a more effective option for postoperative analgesia and improves patient satisfaction after LC. EOIPB may serve as a viable alternative for some patients; however, given the advantages of QLB in pain control and recovery, it stands out as a more preferable method. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global health challenge. Among resistant pathogens, the group of bacteria collectively referred to as ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) is of particular concern due to their ability to evade multiple classes of antimicrobials. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and resistance patterns of ESKAPE bacteria in wild birds from Northern and Central Italy sites, and to assess the presence of other bacteria of public health relevance. Methods: Cloacal swabs were collected from 141 wild birds. Samples were processed on selective and differential media, and bacterial identification was performed using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated through Minimum Inhibitory Concentration assays and interpreted according to international guidelines. Results: Thirty-seven isolates belonging to the ESKAPE group were identified: E. faecium (n = 10), K. pneumoniae (n = 9), P. aeruginosa (n = 8), Enterobacter spp. (n = 7), S. aureus (n = 2), and A. baumannii (n = 1). Multidrug-resistant isolates were observed among K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter hormaechei. Escherichia coli, although not included in the ESKAPE group, was frequently detected and often co-isolated with clinically relevant bacteria, highlighting its potential role as a reservoir of resistance genes. Conclusions: Wild birds can harbor resistant bacteria of clinical importance, including multidrug-resistant ESKAPE species. Their presence in avian populations underscores the role of wildlife in the environmental dissemination of antimicrobial resistance, with implications for both animal and human health. Full article

Background: The climate impacts of health professionals’ work are significant. The potential role and opportunities for regulators of health professionals’ work to drive behavioural and practice change have not been adequately explored in the literature. The objective of this research was to examine regulators’ perspectives on the potential role of health professions’ regulatory bodies in advancing the adoption of climate-conscious professional practice. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 19 regulators overseeing the practice of health professionals in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and dentistry in Canada were undertaken. Constant comparative data analysis using nVivo v15 was undertaken to identify common themes. The COREQ framework was applied to ensure the quality of the research processes used. Results: Participants highlighted their belief that there are only limited opportunities for health professions’ regulators to lead climate-positive practice change, despite their personal beliefs in the importance of the topic. The use of educational approaches, rather than legal or regulatory tools, was emphasized. Concerns were raised regarding regulatory overreach, practitioner blowback, and practical/logistical considerations. Coalition building across different facets of a profession (including educational institutions, unions, workplaces, and professional/advocacy groups) was identified as potentially most impactful. Conclusions: Previous research had highlighted practitioners’ beliefs that regulators had significant legal and practice-directed levers that could drive behavioural change towards more climate-friendly health care work. This research has highlighted regulators’ discomfort with assuming a legalistic role. Instead, they favoured persuasive techniques such as education and coalition building that may nudge, rather than compel, practitioners towards more climate-friendly practice. Full article

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive genetic condition affecting nearly 1 in 4000 newborns. Early diagnosis and treatment have been shown to improve the care of individuals with CF, which is enhanced through newborn screening (NBS). The state of Florida has been performing CF NBS since 2007, and in 2022, Florida implemented enhanced next generation sequencing (NGS). The goal of this change was to identify individuals from under-represented racial and ethnic groups, who may have rare or de novo variants. NBS screening for CF involved a first tier with immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT) ≥ 50 or the top 4% of daily specimens, whichever is lower, reflexing to a second tier. As of 2022, the second tier has evolved to an expanded sequence with an Agena 74-variant panel. Single variants would then reflex to the third tier utilizing NGS. NGS is able to confirm what is detected in second-tier testing, adding variants not included in the Agena panel, and refining the TG replications for Poly-T variants to determine pathogenicity of 5T results. When there is a variant of varying clinical consequence between the two databases, the most conservative classification is selected. Individuals with variants would then be referred to one of the contracted CF NBS referral centers for confirmatory sweat chloride testing (sweat). With implementation of NGS, referrals nearly tripled in 2022–2024, with 538 referrals in 2019; 485 in 2020; and 805 in 2021; followed by 1223 referrals made in 2022; 1146 in 2023; and 1294 in 2024. In 2022–2024, 71% of referrals to the contracted NBS CF referral centers were for single variant results, and no cases of CF were identified from these referrals. The number of CF cases remained about the same, ranging from 23 to 40 through the years 2019–2024. The number of CRMS/CFSPID cases, however, tripled going from 10 to 12 in 2019–2022 to over 100 in 2024. The reason for this change seems to be related to complex heterozygous genetic variants as opposed to abnormal sweat. Implementation of NGS for CF in Florida led to a significant increase in the identification of CFTR variants which affected all aspects of the NBS CF process, from an increased workload on the NBS laboratory and follow-up staff, to an increase in referrals to the NBS CF referral centers. The majority of referrals were for single-variant results, which meant the infants had a very low likelihood of having CF. It is recommended that when an algorithm involving NGS is utilized, one should verify that there are appropriate processes for sweat, including the manner in which single-variant CF results are handled, avoiding unnecessary healthcare utilization. Full article

The digitization of healthcare has enabled the application of advanced analytics, such as process mining and machine learning, to electronic health records (EHRs). This study aims to identify workflow inefficiencies, temporal bottlenecks, and risk factors for delayed recovery in surgical pathways using the open-access MOVER dataset. A multi-stage framework was implemented, including heuristic control-flow discovery, Petri net-based conformance checking, temporal performance analysis, unsupervised clustering, and Random Forest-based classification. All analyses were simulated on pre-discharge (“preliminary”) patient records to enhance real-time applicability. Control-flow models revealed deviations from expected pathways and issues with data quality. Conformance checking yielded perfect fitness (1.0) and moderate precision (0.46), indicating that the model generalizes despite clinical variability. Stratified performance analysis exposed duration differences across ASA scores and age groups. Clustering revealed latent patient subgroups with distinct perioperative timelines. The predictive model achieved 90.33% accuracy, though recall for delayed recovery cases was limited (24.23%), reflecting class imbalance challenges. Key features included procedural delays, ICU status, and ASA classification. This study highlights the translational potential of integrating process mining and predictive modeling to optimize perioperative workflows, stratify recovery risk, and plan resources. Full article

Seaweeds are increasingly valued in the food industry for their bioactive compounds, mainly hydrocolloids like carrageenan. This study investigates E. perplexum, a red seaweed, as a unique and sustainable source of carrageenan with promising functional properties. Using response surface methodology (RSM), the extraction process was optimized through alkaline extraction, identifying optimal conditions of 85 °C for 3 h with 2.58 M KOH, which yielded 77.10% carrageenan. The extracted carrageenan exhibited strong emulsifying activity (71.53 ± 2.41) and color properties comparable to commercial carrageenan, highlighting its viability for food applications. Chemical evaluation revealed a higher sulfate content (8.45 ± 0.16) and slightly reduced carbohydrate levels, which may influence its gelling and stabilizing abilities. Structural examination through ATR-FTIR spectroscopy corroborates the presence of key functional groups, including sulfate esters and galactose derivatives, inferring molecular integrity. These results emphasize the importance of RSM in optimizing extraction and underscore the ability of E. perplexum as a promising source of the derived carrageenan, which is a high-performance additive in food systems. Further research on purification, functional enhancement, and safety assessment is recommended to facilitate its integration into commercial food systems. Full article

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of digital health intervention (DHI) or/and personalized healthy breakfast guidance (PHBG) on the breakfast behavior and body composition of young adults in Tianjin, and to explore the underlying behavioral mechanisms using the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) framework. Methods: In this single-blind, stratified RCT, 160 participants (n = 40/group) were randomly assigned to a control group, DHI group, PHBG group, or DHI + PHBG group. Breakfast behavior (primary outcome), HAPA constructs, and body composition were assessed at baseline and after 1 month. Group differences were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test, chi-square test, and linear mixed-effects models. Mediation analysis assessed indirect effects via HAPA variables. Results: After a 1-month intervention, adherence to healthy breakfast guidelines was highest in the DHI + PHBG group (80%), followed by the PHBG (72.5%) and DHI (50%) groups, compared to 7.5% in the control group (χ² = 51.127, p < 0.001, DHI + PHBG group > DHI group: χ² = 7.912, p < 0.05). All interventions advanced participants along HAPA stages (H = 34.678, p < 0.001) and improved self-efficacy and planning. PHBG and DHI + PHBG further enhanced outcome expectations, intention, and, for the DHI + PHBG group, self-monitoring. Self-efficacy mediated 17.636% of the PHBG effect and 13.305% of the DHI + PHBG effect, and self-monitoring mediated 7.401% of the DHI + PHBG effect. Waist-to-hip ratios decreased modestly in all intervention groups (β = −0.015 to −0.013, p < 0.05), but no significant changes were observed in other body composition indices. Conclusions: DHI, PHBG, and especially their combination, improved breakfast habits in young adults, with self-efficacy as a key mediator. However, the effects of these interventions on body composition were limited due to the short duration of the trial. Full article

Microplastic particles exhibit multiple toxic effects, disrupting physiological processes in fish, such as Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a widely cultured species. Probiotics could help counter polyamide microplastic toxicity while promoting fish health and sustainable aquaculture. A 6-week experiment was conducted on Nile tilapia included four treatments: (1) without polyamide microplastics and/or probiotics (control) and (2) with polyamide microplastics (PA-MP), (3) probiotics (Pr.), or (4) polyamide microplastics and probiotics (PA-MP + Pr.). The outcomes demonstrate that exposure to polyamide microplastics caused poorer growth performance and survivability along with reduced hemoglobin, and upregulated glucose levels, which were restored by probiotics application. The prevalence of erythrocytic abnormalities increased in the polyamide microplastic group but probiotics supplementation reduced the anomalies. Fish exposed to polyamide microplastics exhibited a lower frequency of goblet cells than other groups. Moreover, expression of antioxidant genes (SOD and CAT) and immune genes (IL-1β, IFN-γ, and TNF-α) was higher during polyamide microplastic exposure, which was downregulated in the polyamide microplastics along with probiotics group. These findings suggest that multi-species probiotics relieve microplastic-induced stress and hindrance of growth in Nile tilapia, which will help sustainable aquaculture practices safeguard fish health and maintain aquaculture productivity by alleviating adverse impacts of microplastic pollution in waterbodies. Full article

This research successfully synthesized a novel n-n heterojunction Bi₂O₂CO₃/AgVO₃ nanocomposite photocatalyst via the in situ chemical deposition process. Characterization results strongly confirmed the formation of a tight heterojunction at the Bi₂O₂CO₃/AgVO₃ interface. The nanocomposite exhibited characteristic XRD peaks and FT-IR vibrational modes of both Bi₂O₂CO₃ and AgVO₃ simultaneously. Electron microscopy images revealed AgVO₃ nanorods tightly and uniformly loaded onto the surface of Bi₂O₂CO₃ nanosheets. Compared to the single-component Bi₂O₂CO₃, the composite photocatalyst exhibited a red shift in its optical absorption edge to the visible region (515 nm) and a decrease in bandgap energy to 2.382 eV. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra demonstrated the lowest fluorescence intensity for the nanocomposite, indicating that the recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs was suppressed. After 90 min of visible-light irradiation, the degradation efficiency of Bi₂O₂CO₃/AgVO₃ toward methylene blue (MB) reached up to 99.55%, with photodegradation rates 2.51 and 2.79 times higher than those of Bi₂O₂CO₃ and AgVO₃, respectively. Furthermore, the nanocomposite exhibited excellent cycling stability and reusability. MB degradation was gradually enhanced with increasing the photocatalyst dosage and decreasing initial MB concentration. Radical trapping experiments and absorption spectroscopy of the MB solution revealed that reactive species h⁺ and ·O₂⁻ could destroy and decompose the chromophore groups of MB molecules effectively. The possible mechanism for enhancing photocatalytic performance was suggested, elucidating the crucial roles of charge carrier transfer and active species generation. Full article

The transition to a circular economy depends on the widespread adoption of sustainable products by consumers. However, the point-of-sale purchase decision is a complex process, influenced not only by ethical arguments but also by sensory cues. This study investigates how the aesthetics (visual design) and materiality (tactile sensation) of green products shape value perception and purchase intention. Using a qualitative methodology based on a focus group, the research directly compares consumer reactions to green products (e.g., a bamboo toothbrush) versus their conventional alternatives (e.g., plastic). Thematic analysis of the data reveals a fundamental dichotomy among consumers: while one segment associates high-tech aesthetics and perfect finishes with quality and hygiene, another segment values natural materials and their “imperfections” as signs of authenticity and responsibility. The results demonstrate that there is no single, universally accepted “sustainable aesthetic” and highlight the need for designers and marketers to align the visual and tactile language of products with the value system of the target consumer segment. The study provides a framework for understanding how design can act as either a barrier to or a catalyst for the adoption of sustainable products. Full article

The restoration of waterways is increasingly understood as an endeavor that could (and should) be beneficial for both ecosystems and people. Researchers have already explored several ways that restoration can mediate in favor of environmental justice goals, while simultaneously acknowledging the dangers of green gentrification. This paper extends the inquiries about waterway restoration and environmental justice to include a focus on one of society’s most frequently marginalized groups, unhoused people. Working inductively, we conduct a scoping study that examines published studies, news stories, and examples from the field that explore the intersection among waterway restoration and environmental justice, in the context of the interests of unhoused people. We argue that further work on the topic is necessary, and it should include both systematic investigations as well as design guidance material; this exploration represents the first step in outlining the direction of that work. Follow-on studies will center on clarifying the social dynamics in play, including identifying contested policy narratives, describing the regulatory context of the existing cases, definition(s) of what constitutes unhoused/homeless, and what impacts they have on decision-making. The future research we anticipate will develop information and propose strategies that can be used by practitioners including planners and landscape architects, in the process of organizing project work, to help advance environmental justice and human rights goals. Full article

The classification of urban residential settlements through Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) remains a complex task due to the intrinsic heterogeneity of urban environments and the scarcity of large, accurately labeled training datasets. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces a novel GIS-based unsupervised classification framework that exploits Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering for the detection and interpretation of urban morphologies. Compared to unsupervised classification approaches that rely on crisp-based clustering algorithms, the proposed FCM-based method more effectively captures heterogeneous urban fabrics where no clear predominance of specific building types exists. Specifically, the method applies fuzzy clustering to census units—considered the fundamental scale of urban analysis—based on construction techniques and building periods. By grouping census areas with similar structural features, the framework provides a flexible, data-driven approach to the characterization of urban settlements. The identification of cluster centroids’ dominant attributes enables a systematic interpretation of the spatial distribution of the built environment, while the subsequent mapping process assigns each cluster a descriptive label reflecting the prevailing building fabric. The generated thematic maps yield critical insights into urban morphology and facilitate evidence-based planning. The framework was validated across ten Italian cities selected for their diverse physical, morphological, and historical characteristics; comparisons with the results of urban zone classifications in these cities conducted by experts show that the proposed method provides accurate results, as the similarity to the classifications made by experts, measured by the use of the Adjusted Rand Index, is always higher than or equal to 0.93; furthermore, it is robust when applied in heterogeneous urban settlements. These results confirm the effectiveness of the method in delineating homogeneous urban areas, thereby offering decision makers a robust instrument to guide targeted interventions on existing building stocks. The proposed framework advances the capacity to analyze urban form, to strategically support renovation and urban regeneration policies, and demonstrates a strong potential for portability, as it can be applied to other cities for urban scale analyses. Full article

Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) is commonly employed as an antioxidant and preservative in food processing, but excessive intake of SO₂ can pose significant health risks. Therefore, accurate detection of sulfite content in food is crucial for ensuring food quality and safety. A novel fluorescent probe, BODIPY-Y, composed of a BODIPY derivative and an ethyl cyanoacetate group linked by a carbon–carbon double bond, was synthesized for detecting sulfur dioxide derivatives. When the BODIPY-Y probe interacts with SO₃²⁻, the probe exhibits enhanced fluorescence at 514 nm. Spectrometric experiments show that the probe exhibits high sensitivity (LOD: 0.263 μmol/L), a fast response time (50 s) and excellent selectivity for SO₃²⁻. Mechanistic studies confirm that the BODIPY-Y probe operates via an intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanism. The carbon–carbon double bond in BODIPY-Y undergoes nucleophilic addition with SO₃²⁻, blocking the ICT process and resulting in a blue shift in the fluorescence spectrum. In addition, the probe was applied to quantify SO₃²⁻ levels in real food samples. The measured concentrations of SO₂ in the white sugar and red wine were 15.93 μmol/L and 7.30 μmol/L, respectively, with recovery rates of 77.9–98.1%. This work presents a prospective chemical tool for monitoring sulfur dioxide derivatives in food products. Full article