Search Results (1,759)

Effective water infrastructure planning and management is key to sustainable water supply globally. This research assesses water infrastructure planning and management in Gauteng, South Africa, amid growing challenges from rapid urbanisation, high water demand, climate change, and resource scarcity. These challenges threaten the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 11; hence, an integrated approach is required for water sustainability. The study responds to a gap in the literature, which often treats planning and management separately, by adopting an integrated, multi-institutional approach across the water value chain. A mixed-methods triangulation strategy was employed for data collection whereby surveys provided quantitative data, while two sets of structured interviews were conducted: the first round to determine causal relationships among the critical success factors and the second round to validate the proposed framework. The findings reveal a misalignment between infrastructure planning and implementation, contributing to infrastructure backlogs and a short- to medium-term focus. Infrastructure management is further constrained by inadequate system redundancy, leading to ineffective maintenance. External factors such as delayed adoption of 4IR technologies, lack of climate resilient strategies, and fragmented institutional coordination exacerbate these issues. Using Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) analysis, the study identified Strategic Alignment and a Value-Driven Approach as the most influential critical success factors in water asset management. The research concludes by proposing an integrated water infrastructure and planning framework that supports sustainable water supply. Full article

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and blockchain technologies within the digital economy presents transformative opportunities for promoting low-carbon urban development. However, a systematic understanding of how these digital innovations influence urban carbon mitigation remains limited. This study addresses this gap by proposing two research questions (RQs): (1) What are the key success factors for artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain in urban carbon emission reduction? (2) How do these technologies interact and support the transition to low-carbon cities? To answer these questions, the study employs a hybrid methodological framework combining the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) and interpretive structural modeling (ISM) techniques. The data were collected through structured expert questionnaires, enabling the identification and hierarchical analysis of twelve critical success factors (CSFs). Grounded in sustainability transitions theory and institutional theory, the CSFs are categorized into three dimensions: (1) digital infrastructure and technological applications; (2) digital transformation of industry and economy; (3) sustainable urban governance. The results reveal that e-commerce and sustainable logistics, the adoption of the circular economy, and cross-sector collaboration are the most influential drivers of digital-enabled decarbonization, while foundational elements such as smart energy systems and digital infrastructure act as key enablers. The DEMATEL-ISM approach facilitates a system-level understanding of the causal relationships and strategic priorities among the CSFs, offering actionable insights for urban planners, policymakers, and stakeholders committed to sustainable digital transformation and carbon neutrality. Full article

Background: This study was performed to validate the addition of capacitive-based pressure sensors to an existing smart sock developed by the research team. This study focused on evaluating the accuracy of soft robotic sensor (SRS) pressure data and its relationship with laboratory-grade Kistler force plates in collecting ground force reaction data. Methods: Nineteen participants performed walking trials while wearing the smart sock with and without shoes. Data was collected simultaneously with the sock and the force plates for each gait phase including foot-flat, heel-off, and midstance. The correlation between the smart sock and force plates was analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and R-squared values. Results: Overall, the strength of the relationship between the smart sock’s SRS data and the vertical ground reaction force (GRF) data from the force plates showed a strong correlation, with a Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.85 ± 0.1; 86% of the trials had a value higher than 0.75. The linear regression models also showed a strong correlation, with an R-squared value of 0.88 ± 0.12, which improved to 0.90 ± 0.07 when including a stretch-SRS for measuring ankle flexion. Conclusions: With these strong correlation results, there is potential for capacitive pressure sensors to be integrated into the proposed device and utilized in telehealth and sports performance applications. Full article

Research on raw materials for Al₂O₃-SiC-C refractory castables used in blast furnace troughs is relatively well established. However, gaps remain in both laboratory and industrial trials concerning the performance of castables incorporating SiC-modified flake graphite and alternative carbon sources. This study investigated the sintering behavior, mechanical properties, and service performance of Al₂O₃-SiC-C castables utilizing varying contents of modified flake graphite, pitch, and carbon black as carbon sources. Samples were characterized using SEM, XRD, and EDS for phase composition and microstructural morphology analysis. Key findings revealed that the thermal expansion mismatch between the SiC coating and flake graphite in SiC-modified graphite generated a microcrack-toughening effect. This effect, combined with the synergistic reinforcement from both components, enhanced the mechanical properties. The SiC modification layer improved the wettability and oxidation resistance of the flake graphite. This modified graphite further contributed to enhanced erosion resistance through mechanisms of matrix pinning and crack deflection within the microstructure. However, the microcracks induced by thermal mismatch concurrently reduced erosion resistance, resulting in an overall limited net improvement in erosion resistance attributable to the modified graphite. Specimens containing 1 wt.% modified flake graphite exhibited the optimal overall performance. During industrial trials, this formulation unexpectedly demonstrated a water reduction mechanism requiring further investigation. Full article

After the first release of synthalin B (dodecamethylenbiguanide) in 1928 and its later retraction in the 1940s in Germany, the retraction of phenformin (N-Phenethylbiguanide) and of Buformin in the USA (but not outside) because of the lethal complication of acidosis seemed to have put an end to the era of the biguanides as oral antidiabetics. The strongly hygroscopic metformin (1-1-dimethylbiguanide), first synthesized 1922 and resuscitated as an oral antidiabetic (type 2 of the elderly) compound first released in 1959 in France and in other European countries, was used in the first large multicenter prospective long-term trial in England in the UKPDS (1977–1997). It was then released in the USA after a short-term prospective trial in healthy overweight “young” type 2 diabetics (mean age 53 years) in 1995 for oral treatment of type 2 diabetes. It was, however, prescribed to mostly multimorbid older patients (above 60–65 years of age). Metformin is now the most used oral drug for type 2 diabetes worldwide. While intravenous administration of biguanides does not have any glucose-lowering effect, their oral administration leads to enormous increase in their intestinal concentration (up to 300-fold compared to that measured in the blood), to reduced absorption of glucose from the diet, to increased excretion of glucose through the stool, and to decrease in insulin serum level through increased hepatic uptake and decreased production. Intravenously injected F18-labeled glucose in metformin-treated type 2 diabetics accumulates in the small and even more in the large intestine. The densitometry picture observed in metformin-treated overweight diabetics is like that observed in patients after bowel-cleansing or chronically taking different types of laxatives, where the accumulated radioactivity can even reach values observed in colon cancer. The glucose-lowering mechanism of action of metformin is therefore not only due to inhibition of glucose uptake in the small intestine but also to “attraction” of glucose from the hepatocyte into the intestine, possibly through the insulin-mediated uptake in the hepatocyte and its secretion into the bile. Furthermore, these compounds have also a diuretic effect (loss of sodium and water in the urine) Acute gastrointestinal side effects accompanied by fluid loss often lead to the drugs’ dose reduction and strongly limit adherence to therapy. Main long-term consequences are “chronic” dehydration, deficiency of vitamin B12 and of iron, and, as observed for all the biguanides, to “chronic” increase in fasting and postprandial lactate plasma level as a laboratory marker of a clinical condition characterized by hypotension, oliguria, adynamia, and evident lactic acidosis. Metformin is not different from the other biguanides: synthalin B, buformin, and phenformin. The mechanism of action of the biguanides as antihyperglycemic substances and their side effects are comparable if not even stronger (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fluid loss) to those of laxatives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Although both the MEL90 (Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany) and WaveLight EX500 (Alcon Laboratories, Inc., Fort Worth, TX, USA) are two widely used excimer lasers, comparisons between the two remain limited. This study evaluates visual and refractive outcomes from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval trials of these platforms in the treatment of myopia with and without astigmatism, hyperopia with and without astigmatism, and mixed astigmatism. Methods: Clinical outcomes from FDA premarket approval trials were compared between the recently approved MEL90 and the WaveLight (now termed EX500) excimer lasers. Results: A total of 714 eyes (358 patients) from MEL90 and 1353 eyes (706 patients) from EX500 were analyzed up to 6 months postoperatively. In the hyperopia/hyperopic astigmatism cohort, the EX500 demonstrated greater efficacy relative to MEL90, with more eyes achieving a postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) of 20/20 or better (48.6% vs. 68.7%, respectively; p < 0.001). In both the MEL90 and EX500, at least 85% of eyes with myopia/myopic astigmatism and 68% with mixed astigmatism achieved a postoperative UDVA of 20/20 or better. For all refractive cohorts, more than 95% of eyes achieved a UDVA of 20/40 or better at 6 months (all p > 0.05). The EX500 was more likely to demonstrate an improvement of more than two lines of UDVA compared to baseline CDVA (all p < 0.05). In contrast, the MEL90 showed greater predictability of spherical equivalent within ±0.50 D and ±1.00 D for the hyperopia/hyperopic astigmatism cohort (both p = 0.007), as well as within ±0.50 D for the myopia/myopic astigmatism cohort (p < 0.001). Postoperatively, both platforms were associated with decreased glare and halos, although findings were variable in the EX500 mixed astigmatism cohort. Conclusions: Both excimer lasers demonstrated safe and effective outcomes that exceed the threshold set by the FDA. Full article

The aim of this study was to improve the efficiency of in situ uranium leaching by developing a specialized methodology for selecting rational parameters for the chemical treatment of production wells. This approach was designed to enhance the filtration properties of ores and extend the uninterrupted operation period of wells, considering the clay content of the productive horizon, the geological characteristics of the ore-bearing layer, and the composition of precipitation-forming materials. The mineralogical characteristics of ore and precipitate samples formed during the in situ leaching of uranium under various mining and geological conditions at a uranium deposit in the Syrdarya depression were identified using an X-ray diffraction analysis. It was established that ores of the Santonian stage are relatively homogeneous and consist mainly of quartz. During well operation, the precipitates formed are predominantly gypsum, which has little impact on the filtration properties of the ore. Ores of the Maastrichtian stage are less homogeneous and mainly composed of quartz and smectite, with minor amounts of potassium feldspar and kaolinite. The leaching of these ores results in the formation of gypsum with quartz impurities, which gradually reduces the filtration properties of the ore. Ores of the Campanian stage are heterogeneous, consisting mainly of quartz with varying proportions of clay minerals and gypsum. The leaching of these ores generates a variety of precipitates that significantly reduce the filtration properties of the productive horizon. Effective compositions and concentrations of decolmatant (clog removal) solutions were selected under laboratory conditions using a specially developed methodology and a TESCAN MIRA scanning electron microscope. Based on a scanning electron microscope analysis of the samples, the effectiveness of a decolmatizing solution based on hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids (taking into account the concentration of the acids in the solution) was established for the destruction of precipitate formation during the in situ leaching of uranium. Geological blocks were ranked by their clay content to select rational parameters of decolmatant solutions for the efficient enhancement of ore filtration properties and the prevention of precipitation formation. Pilot-scale testing of the selected decolmatant parameters under various mining and geological conditions allowed the optimal chemical treatment parameters to be determined based on the clay content and the composition of precipitates in the productive horizon. An analysis of pilot well trials using the new approach showed an increase in the uninterrupted operational period of wells by 30%–40% under average mineral acid concentrations and by 25%–45% under maximum concentrations with surfactant additives in complex geological settings. As a result, an effective methodology for ranking geological blocks based on their ore clay content and precipitate composition was developed to determine the rational parameters of decolmatant solutions, enabling a maximized filtration performance and an extended well service life. This makes it possible to reduce the operating costs of extraction, control the geotechnological parameters of uranium well mining, and improve the efficiency of the in situ leaching of uranium under complex mining and geological conditions. Additionally, the approach increases the environmental and operational safety during uranium ore leaching intensification. Full article

The covalent cross-linking of caseins by the enzyme transglutaminase (Tgase) stabilizes the structure of casein micelles. In our study, the effects of a pretreatment of skim milk (SM) by Tgase on milk protein fractionation by microfiltration were tested. Tgase was found to induce amount-dependent modifications of all milk proteins in SM and a reduction in deposit resistance for laboratory dead-end filtrations of up to 20%. This improvement in process performance could partially be confirmed in pilot-scale cross-flow filtrations of Tgase-pretreated SM and micellar casein solutions (MCC). These comparative trials with untreated retentates under a variation of ΔpTM (0.5–2 bar) at 10 and 50° revealed distinct differences in deposit behavior and achieved the reduction in deposit resistance in a range of 0–20%. The possibility of pre-fouling with enzymatically pretreated MCC prior to SM filtration was also investigated. Under different pre-fouling conditions, practical modes of retentate change, and pre-foulant compositions, a switch to untreated SM consistently resulted in an immediate and major increase in deposit resistance by 50–150%. This was partially related to the change in the ionic environment and the protein fraction. Nevertheless, our results underline the potential of Tgase pretreatment and pre-fouling approaches to alter filtration performance for different applications. Full article

Sourdough fermentation, driven by the biochemical activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), presents a scientifically promising approach to addressing nutritional limitations in cereal-based staples. This review critically examines both the underlying mechanisms by which LAB enhance the nutritional profile of sourdough and the translational challenges in realizing these benefits. Key improvements explored include enhanced mineral bioavailability (e.g., up to 90% phytate reduction), improved protein digestibility, an attenuated glycemic response (GI ≈ 54 vs. ≈75 for conventional bread), and the generation of bioactive compounds. While in vitro and animal studies extensively demonstrate LAB’s potential to reshape nutrient profiles (e.g., phytate hydrolysis improving iron absorption, proteolysis releasing bioactive peptides), translating these effects into consistent human health outcomes proves complex. Significant challenges hinder this transition from laboratory to diet, including the limited bioavailability of LAB-derived metabolites, high strain variability, and sensitivity to fermentation conditions. Furthermore, interactions with the food matrix and host-specific factors, such as gut microbiota composition, contribute to inconsistent findings. This review highlights methodological gaps, particularly reliance on in vitro or animal models, and the lack of long-term, effective human trials. Although LAB hold significant promise for nutritional improvements in sourdough, translating these findings to validated human benefits necessitates continued efforts in mechanism-driven strain optimization, the standardization of fermentation processes, and rigorous human studies. Full article

The complexity of assessment is a significant problem in designing renewable energy source (RES) products, especially when one wants to take into account their various aspects, e.g., technical, environmental, or social. Hence, the aim of the research is to develop a model supporting the decision-making process of RES product development based on meeting the criteria of quality, environmental impact, and social responsibility (QES). The model was developed in four main stages, implementing multi-criteria decision support methods such as DEMATEL (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory) and TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution), as well as criteria for social responsibility and environmental impact from the ISO 26000 standard. The model was tested and illustrated using the example of photovoltaic panels (PVs): (i) five prototypes were developed, (ii) 30 PV criteria were identified from the qualitative, environmental, and social groups, (iii) the criteria were reduced to 13 key (strongly intercorrelated) criteria according to DEMATEL, (iv) the PV prototypes were assessed taking into account the importance and fulfilment of their key criteria according to TOPSIS, and (v) a PV ranking was created, where the fifth prototype turned out to be the most advantageous (QES = 0.79). The main advantage of the model is its simple form and transparency of application through a systematic analysis and evaluation of many different criteria, after which a ranking of design solutions is obtained. QES ensures precise decision-making in terms of sustainability of new or already available products on the market, also those belonging to RES. Therefore, QES will find application in various companies, especially those looking for low-cost decision-making support techniques at early stages of product development (design and conceptualization). Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, imposes growing clinical and socioeconomic burdens worldwide. Despite landmark discoveries in dopamine biology and α-synuclein pathology, translating mechanistic insights into effective, personalized interventions remains elusive. Recent advances in molecular profiling, neuroimaging, and computational modeling have broadened the understanding of PD as a multifactorial systems disorder rather than a purely dopaminergic condition. However, critical gaps persist in diagnostic precision, biomarker standardization, and the translation of bench side findings into clinically meaningful therapies. This review critically examines the current landscape of PD research, identifying conceptual blind spots and methodological shortfalls across pathophysiology, clinical evaluation, trial design, and translational readiness. By synthesizing evidence from molecular neuroscience, data science, and global health, the review proposes strategic directions to recalibrate the research agenda toward precision neurology. Here I highlight the urgent need for interdisciplinary, globally inclusive, and biomarker-driven frameworks to overcome the fragmented progression of PD research. Grounded in the Accelerating Medicines Partnership-Parkinson’s Disease (AMP-PD) and the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), this review maps shared biomarkers, open data, and patient-driven tools to faster personalized treatment. In doing so, it offers actionable insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers working at the intersection of biology, technology, and healthcare delivery. As the field pivots from symptomatic relief to disease modification, the road forward must be cohesive, collaborative, and rigorously translational, ensuring that laboratory discoveries systematically progress to clinical application. Full article

We propose a dynamic monitoring and precision fertilization decision system for agricultural soil nutrients, integrating UAV remote sensing and GIS technologies to address the limitations of traditional soil nutrient assessment methods. The proposed method combines multi-source data fusion, including hyperspectral and multispectral UAV imagery with ground sensor data, to achieve high-resolution spatial and spectral analysis of soil nutrients. Real-time data processing algorithms enable rapid updates of soil nutrient status, while a time-series dynamic model captures seasonal variations and crop growth stage influences, improving prediction accuracy (RMSE reductions of 43–70% for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compared to conventional laboratory-based methods and satellite NDVI approaches). The experimental validation compared the proposed system against two conventional approaches: (1) laboratory soil testing with standardized fertilization recommendations and (2) satellite NDVI-based fertilization. Field trials across three distinct agroecological zones demonstrated that the proposed system reduced fertilizer inputs by 18–27% while increasing crop yields by 4–11%, outperforming both conventional methods. Furthermore, an intelligent fertilization decision model generates tailored fertilization plans by analyzing real-time soil conditions, crop demands, and climate factors, with continuous learning enhancing its precision over time. The system also incorporates GIS-based visualization tools, providing intuitive spatial representations of nutrient distributions and interactive functionalities for detailed insights. Our approach significantly advances precision agriculture by automating the entire workflow from data collection to decision-making, reducing resource waste and optimizing crop yields. The integration of UAV remote sensing, dynamic modeling, and machine learning distinguishes this work from conventional static systems, offering a scalable and adaptive framework for sustainable farming practices. Full article

Background and Objectives: Severe sepsis complicated by refractory shock is associated with high mortality. Adding continuous hemofiltration to venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may accelerate clearance of inflammatory mediators and improve haemodynamic stability, but evidence remains limited. We analysed 44 consecutive septic-shock patients treated with combined ECMO-hemofiltration (ECMO group) and compared them with 92 septic-shock patients managed without ECMO or renal replacement therapy (non-ECMO group). Methods: This retrospective single-centre study reviewed adults admitted between January 2018 and March 2025. Demographic, haemodynamic, laboratory and outcome data were extracted from electronic records. Primary outcome was 28-day mortality; secondary outcomes included intensive-care-unit (ICU) length-of-stay, vasopressor-free days, and change in Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at 72 h. Results: Baseline age (49.2 ± 15.3 vs. 52.6 ± 16.1 years; p = 0.28) and APACHE II (27.8 ± 5.7 vs. 26.9 ± 6.0; p = 0.41) were comparable. At 24 h, mean arterial pressure rose from 52.3 ± 7.4 mmHg to 67.8 ± 9.1 mmHg in the ECMO group (mean change [∆] + 15.5 mmHg, p < 0.001). Controls exhibited a modest 4.9 mmHg rise that did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.07). Inflammatory markers decreased more sharply with ECMO (IL-6 ∆ −778 pg mL⁻¹ vs. −248 pg mL⁻¹, p < 0.001). SOFA fell by 3.6 ± 2.2 points with ECMO versus 1.6 ± 2.4 in controls (p = 0.01). Twenty-eight-day mortality did not differ (40.9% vs. 48.9%, p = 0.43), but ICU stay was longer with ECMO (median 12.5 vs. 9.3 days, p = 0.002). ΔIL-6 correlated with ΔSOFA (ρ = 0.46, p = 0.004). Conclusions: ECMO-assisted hemofiltration improved early haemodynamics and organ-failure scores and accelerated cytokine clearance, although crude mortality remained unchanged. Larger prospective trials are warranted to clarify survival benefit and optimal patient selection. Full article

Background: Despite recent advances in the management of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), real-world outcomes remain heterogeneous, and early treatment failure is common. Predictive biomarkers for time to treatment failure (TTF) outside clinical trials are poorly characterized. Objective: To identify clinical and laboratory predictors associated with early treatment failure in a real-world cohort of mRCC patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), or combination regimens. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, single-center analysis of patients with metastatic non-urothelial RCC treated between 2018 and 2023. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to evaluate the association between baseline biological parameters and TTF for each treatment regimen. Results: Among 137 patients receiving first-line therapy, 50 received Ipilimumab + Nivolumab, 49 Sunitinib, and 17 Avelumab + Axitinib. For Ipilimumab + Nivolumab, elevated AST was significantly associated with shorter TTF. For Avelumab + Axitinib, shorter TTF was associated with lymph node metastases, low lymphocyte count, low creatinine, low BMI, and low hemoglobin. For Cabozantinib in subsequent lines, a higher platelet count, ALT, and presence of liver metastases were associated with shorter TTF. No statistically significant predictors were found for Nivolumab used in the second-line setting. Conclusions: Routine, accessible biomarkers such as AST, hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, and creatinine may serve as predictors of treatment failure in specific therapeutic contexts. These findings support risk-adapted strategies and individualized monitoring in real-world clinical practice, though further validation in larger cohorts is warranted. Full article

The development of slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) based on production residues is a promising strategy to improve nutrient use efficiency and promote circular economy practices in agriculture. In this study, a series of experimental formulations were designed and tested using pumice scraps, liquid and dried blood, and bone meal, aiming at producing sustainable and low-cost N-P-K SRFs. These were processed through mixing and granulation, both in the laboratory and on a semi-industrial scale. The formulations were evaluated through release tests in 2% citric acid solution simulating the acidic conditions of the rhizosphere, and in acetic acid to assess potential nutrient leaching under acid rain conditions. The results showed a progressive cumulative release of macronutrients (NPKs), ranging from approximately 8% at 24 h to 73% after 90 days for the most effective formulation (WBF6). Agronomic trials on lettuce confirmed the effectiveness of WBF6, resulting in significant biomass increases compared with both the untreated control and a conventional fertilizer. The use of livestock waste and minerals facilitated the development of a scalable product aligned with the principles of sustainable agriculture. The observed release behavior, combined with the simplicity of production, positions these formulations as a promising alternative to conventional slow-release fertilizers. Full article