Search Results (2,332)

Managing eutrophic waterbodies produced large quantity of cyanobacterial sludge (CS), a biomass rich in nitrogen (N) that can be recycled through composting. However, how this management affects the compost fertility and ammonia (NH₃) volatilization is little known. This study used a chicken manure and wheat straw mixture with struvite, as the control composting treatment (CK). Subsequently, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% of the chicken manure was substituted with CS at the initiation of composting, which were named CS10%, CS20%, CS30%, and CS40%, respectively. The results showed that compost pH decreased by 0.2–0.5 units, while total N content significantly increased by 10.4–20.8% under all CS amended treatments compared to the CK. Furthermore, cumulative NH₃ volatilization in the CS amended treatments increased with higher CS substitution rates, showing a significant increase of 21.3–110.0%. In CS amended treatments, the initial contents of microcystin–RR and –LR were 82.0–328.0 μg kg⁻¹ and 48.0–192.0 μg kg⁻¹, respectively, which were degraded by 35.7–79.5% and 30.2–77.8%, peaking at 30% CS substitution. Notably, the CS40% treatment showed degradation rates dropping to 62.3% and 60.7%, accompanied by a significant increase in microcystin content. Meanwhile, the heavy metals (total arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, and lead) contents of all composts complied with organic fertilizer standard (NY/T 525–2021) of China. Interestingly, the CS10% had significantly lower heavy metal concentrations compared to the CK, thus enhancing compost safety. In conclusion, 10% was an optimal CS incorporating ratio to improve the quality of compost derived from chicken manure, wheat straw and struvite, while reducing NH₃ emissions, which provided a feasible technical pathway for recycling the CS. Full article

The pH shift generated by mixing alkaline shellac (SH) and acidic chitosan (CS) solutions may drive the formation of nanocomposites with interfacial activity. However, how the solution addition sequence affects their formation and properties remains unclear. In this study, we systematically investigated the influence of addition order on the formation, physicochemical properties, and interfacial activity of SH-CS nanocomposites. The results showed that pH variation during mixing promoted nanocomposite formation, with optimal electrostatic interactions occurring at a final pH near 5.0. The most efficient assembly was achieved at an SH: CS mass ratio of 2:3. FTIR and dissociation experiments confirmed that hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects, and electrostatic interactions jointly governed the assembly process. Importantly, the addition sequence determined the nanocomposite structure: adding SH to CS produced core–shell structures, whereas the reverse order yielded co-assembled hybrid nanocomposites. These distinct structures directly impacted interfacial behavior. The co-assembled nanocomposites effectively balanced the inherent hydrophobicity of SH and hydrophilicity of CS, achieving moderate wettability. This balance significantly reduced interfacial tension, thereby enhancing emulsifying performance. Overall, this study underscores the critical role of addition sequence in tailoring the properties of pH-driven SH-CS nanocomposites and highlights their strong potential as high-performance Pickering emulsifiers. Full article

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess clinical-functional vulnerability (CFV) and associated factors in community-dwelling older adults treated in primary care. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with non-institutionalized elderly individuals ≥60 years randomly selected from five Health Units in Jundiaí/SP, Brazil, in 2023. Sociodemographic data, health behaviors, and data on oral health (number of teeth; chewing: good/fair/poor), cognitive function (10-CS), nutritional status (MNA), health literacy (HLS-14), sarcopenia (SARC-F+CC) and frailty (IVCF-20) were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses between the outcome (CFV) and the independent variables were performed using the chi-squared test and binary logistic regression models (p < 0.05). Results: A total of 211 older adults participated in this study; 72% were female and the mean age was 70.41 years (±7.45). Regarding CFV, a high risk was identified in 9.5% of the participants (n = 19), a moderate risk in 34.6% (n = 73), and a low risk in 55.9% (n = 118). After adjusting the regression model, the following variables were associated with CFV: lower income (OR = 1.90; 95%CI: 1.02–3.55), poor (OR = 5.18; 95%CI: 2.13–12.63) and fair (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.10–5.05) chewing, risk of malnutrition or malnourished (OR = 2.36; 95%CI: 1.23–5.52), and low literacy (OR = 1.86; 95%CI: 1.09–3.45). Conclusion: Socioeconomic factors, nutritional status (underweight or malnourished), poor or fair chewing, and low health literacy were associated with CFV among older people. Strengthening primary health care through targeted interventions may help prevent frailty or delay its progression. Understanding the predictors of frailty can guide health professionals, managers, and researchers in designing preventive and health promotion strategies, as well as public policies within Primary Health Care. Full article

This work focuses on research into innovative lead-free perovskite materials to be employed as a sensitive layer for a new generation of solar cells, exploiting their potential applications in covering greenhouses to move toward an eco-friendly environment. Two types of lead-free perovskites—yellow and orange double-cation Cs₂AgBiBr₆, synthesized with an innovative method without chemical thinners—have been used, for the first time, as a cover for greenhouses in indoor experiments by analyzing the incident electromagnetic radiation. Two plant species, Solanum lycopersicum L. and Artemisia annua L., were cultivated indoors under controlled light, temperature, and humidity, covering the greenhouses with yellow (PY+) and orange (PO+) panels for comparison with control plants (P−) roofed by a glass panel. The growth and development parameters of all plants were investigated, referring to the aerial and root parts. Significant differences were found in terms of the plant growth parameters and photosynthetic pigments of both PY+ and PO+ compared to P− and also between them, with the yellow panel being less invasive. These results, dealing with two different plant species, confirm the feasibility of using perovskite-based panels for indoor cultivation and pave the way for outdoor application in greenhouses under sunlight. Full article

Background and Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in speckle tracking velocity vector analysis (VVI) values within the descending thoracic aorta (DTA) in patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) who are on mechanical ventilation (MV), under varying levels of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Materials and Methods: Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed during incremental increases in positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) from 0 to 15 cmH₂O over 15 to 30 min. The effects of increased PEEP on velocities, displacement, strain (S), and strain rate (SR) were evaluated. DTA speckle tracking values were analyzed to determine their association with patient mortality. A control group of healthy individuals was used to establish normal DTA variables. Results: Sixty-two mechanically ventilated patients were included in this study. The mean age was 62.48 ± 11.22 years. The highest values for various parameters were obtained with 5 cmH₂O PEEP. The values obtained for DTA using speckle tracking at increasing PEEP levels (ZEEP, PEEP 5, PEEP 10, and PEEP 15 cm H₂O) were as follows: DTA rotational velocity [55.18 ± 14.60, 107.39 ± 19.33, 60.05 ± 0.28, and 42.11 ± 0.34°/s], DTA radial velocity [0.80 ± 0.09, 2.21 ± 0.27, 0.99 ± 0.16, 0.56 ± 0.17 cm/s], DTA rotational displacement [5.68 ± 0.40, 15.71 ± 0.13, 5.98 ± 0.35, 6.64 ± 3.45°], circumferential strain for DTA [−8.55 ± 0.92, −11.86 ± 0.07, −9.88 ± 0.25, −8.76 ± 0.6%], and DTA circumferential SR [−0.87 ± 0.1, −1.91 ± 0.03, −1.21 ± 0.12, −0.97 ± 0.05/s]; all p-values < 0.05. Logistic binary regression found left ventricular strain and DTA rotational displacement on 5 cmH₂O PEEP level were associated with death. Conclusions: Changes in PEEP levels affect the speckle tracking measurements of the DTA. Speckle tracking can be used to assess the thoracic aorta, and certain parameters, such as rotational displacement, may relate to the prognosis of cardiogenic shock. Full article

Traditional emotion decoding methods typically rely on short sequences with limited context and coarse-grained emotion categories. To address these limitations, we proposed the Semantic and Emotion Decoding Generative Pre-trained Transformer (SED-GPT), a non-invasive method for long-sequence fine-grained semantics and emotions decoding on extended narrative stimuli. Using a publicly available fMRI dataset from 8 participants, this exploratory study investigates the feasibility of reconstructing complex semantic and emotional states from brain activity. SED-GPT achieves a BERTScore-F1 of 0.650 on semantic decoding and attains a cosine similarity (CS) of 0.504 and a Jensen–Shannon similarity (JSS) of 0.469 for emotion decoding (p < 0.05). Functional connectivity analyses reveal persistent coupling between the language network and the emotion network, which provides neural evidence for the language–emotion interaction mechanism in Chinese. These findings should be interpreted as pilot-level feasibility evidence. Full article

Citrus peels, long used in traditional food preservation, are rich in bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, a systematic comparison of the efficacy of different citrus varieties and the underlying mechanisms in meat preservation remains limited. This study investigated the chemical composition of peels from four citrus varieties (Citrus reticulata, CR; C. sinensis, CS; C. bigarradia, CB; and C. macrocarpa, CM) and their efficacy in preserving beef quality during refrigerated storage. GC-MS analysis revealed limonene as the predominant volatile component (59.6~77.1%), with CR peel exhibiting the highest content (77.1%). CR extract also demonstrated superior antioxidant activity (DPPH: 60.8%; ABTS: 66.0%) and antimicrobial effects against five common meat microbial species. Beef samples treated with CR peel extract significantly (p < 0.05) reduced lipid oxidation (TBARS: 2.88 vs. 4.83 mg MDA/kg in control) and protein degradation (TVB-N: 270 vs. 371 mg/kg). Microstructural integrity was better maintained, as evidenced by lower surface hydrophobicity, higher sulfhydryl content, and reduced carbonyl formation. Furthermore, CR treatment suppressed microbial growth (TBC and TAC reduced by ~30%) and the accumulation of spoilage-related biogenic amines, particularly putrescine (12~18.8 vs. 27.4 mg/kg). Correlation analysis identified limonene content as strongly correlated with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. This work validates the scientific basis of using citrus peel, particularly CR, as a natural preservative, effectively bridging traditional culinary practice with modern food science by elucidating its multi-target role in extending the shelf life and enhancing the safety of beef. Full article

Corn stover (CS) is a highly abundant type of agricultural biowaste, largely composed of lignocellulosic material. CS may be a particularly rich pool of hydroxycinnamates, represented primarily by p-coumaric acid and ferulic acid; yet, these compounds are bound onto the lignocellulosic matrix, and their release requires an appropriate acid and/or alkaline catalysis. This being the case, this study herein aimed to develop an effective process to boost hydroxycinnamate recovery by employing acid-catalyzed hydrothermal and organosolv treatments. To this end, oxalic acid was tested as a benign, natural acid catalyst, along with the well-examined sulfuric acid. A kinetic assay showed that both the acid catalyst and the use of an organic solvent (ethanol) may greatly impact the rate and level of polyphenol recovery. Under optimized conditions, determined by implementing response surface methodology, it was demonstrated that the organosolv treatment was far more effective than the hydrothermal one, with regard to total polyphenol recovery, while the oxalic acid catalysis was equally efficient as the sulfuric acid one. This treatment afforded 17.8 ± 2.3 mg gallic acid equivalents per g of dry CS mass. However, a thorough insight into the polyphenolic composition of the extracts produced revealed that hydrothermal treatment may enable, apart from p-coumaric and ferulic acid release, the formation of a compound tentatively identified as an ester of p-coumaric acid with a pentose. Furthermore, it was shown that sulfuric acid-catalyzed organosolv treatment provided almost 25 and 34% higher yields for p-coumaric and ferulic acid, respectively, but it strongly inhibited p-coumaric acid-pentose ester formation. These compositional differences appeared to impact the antioxidant activity of the corresponding extracts. It was concluded that the oxalic acid-catalyzed ethanol organosolv treatment of CS may have important potential in a biorefinery context, but improvements are required to further enhance treatment performance. This would lead to replacing corrosive catalysts, such as sulfuric acid, with benign ones, thereby establishing a fully sustainable process for the recovery of bioactive phytochemicals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cesarean section (CS) is among the most common surgical procedures worldwide and is associated with a markedly increased risk of postpartum infection, including surgical site infection (SSI). International guidelines recommend routine prophylaxis for all CSs, but in Slovenia, it has traditionally been reserved for high-risk procedures, with limited SSI surveillance data. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of SSI within 30 days after CS and to evaluate the impact of universal prophylaxis implemented in a regional secondary care teaching hospital. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study including all CS performed during 2023 (risk-based-only prophylaxis) and 2024 (universal prophylaxis) at Izola General Hospital, Slovenia. SSI was defined according to ECDC criteria and identified from inpatient and outpatient records up to 30 days postoperatively. Logistic regression was used to assess associations between prophylaxis, clinical variables, and SSI. Results: Among 1055 deliveries (208 CS; 99 in 2023, 109 in 2024), the rate of antimicrobial prophylaxis increased from 58.6% to 89.0% (p < 0.001). The overall 30-day SSI incidence was 7.2%, with no significant difference between the pre- and post-implementation periods (8.1% vs. 6.4%, p = 0.644). Most infections (86.7%) were diagnosed after discharge and were superficial incisional SSI (60%). In multivariable analysis, prophylaxis was independently protective (adjusted OR 0.11; 95% CI 0.02–0.58; p = 0.009), while prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM) and higher maternal weight significantly increased SSI risk. Conclusions: Antibiotic prophylaxis was independently associated with a reduced risk of SSI following SC; however, the absolute infection rate did not decline significantly and remained moderate after implementation. PROM and higher maternal weight were additional independent risk factors. These findings support universal prophylaxis with optimization for high-risk women and ongoing hospital and national surveillance to improve CS safety. Full article

Amid the rise of the knowledge economy, accelerated informatization, and the emergence of artificial intelligence, Philosophy for Children (P4C) has been promoted as an effective educational project to enhance children’s cognitive development, especially higher-order thinking skills. However, empirical evidence regarding its efficacy remains inconclusive. This three-level meta-analysis synthesizes 53 effect sizes derived from 33 experimental and quasi-experimental studies involving 4568 participants to assess P4C’s cognitive effects and potential moderators. The results reveal a statistically significant and moderate-to-strong overall effect (g = 0.59). Significant and robust effects were specifically observed for reasoning, critical thinking, and creativity. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses identified sample size as a significant moderator: smaller samples tended to report larger effect sizes. Additionally, cultural context and session length showed marginally significant moderating effects. Crucially, P4C’s cognitive impact remained consistent across grade levels, research designs, and publication years, demonstrating robustness and stability across diverse implementation conditions. These findings provide updated and nuanced evidence for the effectiveness of P4C, underscoring its cross-contextual robustness and specific value in fostering cognitive abilities. Implications for policymakers, educators, and future researchers aiming to implement or investigate P4C in varied educational settings are discussed. Full article

Phycocyanin (PC) is a type of alga-derived protein which exerts the role of light harvesting in Spirulina and Cyanophyta cells. Studies have widely proved that phycocyanin exhibits antineoplastic functions, while investigations on its bioactive peptides remain poorly documented. In previous work, three phycocyanin-derived peptides (PCPs: PCP1-3), which exerted anticancer effects in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, were successfully identified. In consideration of the in vitro instability of bioactive peptides, this study firstly investigated the stabilization and function of phycocyanin-derived peptides loaded by nanoparticles (NPs). Herein, Lipid-core NPs (PCPs@LEC–CS–PEG, diameter less than 100 nm) were prepared by interfacial deposition of a polymer using lecithin (LEC, liposome core shell), chitosan (CS, coating material) and polyethylene glycol (PEG, stabilizer). The results indicate that the embedding of LEC liposomes could significantly increase the stability of PCPs through promoting their resistance to high temperature (68.256 ± 3.26%), pH (60.17 ± 3.67%) and protease. Moreover, the modification of NPs by PEG and CS could enhance the protective effects on PCPs. Furthermore, in vitro phenotypic experiments confirmed that the inclusion of PCPs@PEG-CS–LEC NPs also significantly increased the inhibitory activities of PCPs against multiple NSCLC cells including A549, H1299 and LTEP-a2 cells, compared with non-embedded PCPs. The results of this work could lay a theoretical foundation for the further development and utilization of peptides derived from phycocyanin, and also for the investigation of the antineoplastic effects of bioactive peptides. Full article

Tomato gray leaf spot (TGLS), caused by Stemphylium spp., is a common disease leading to significant economic losses in tomato production. Pydiflumetofen is a novel succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI) fungicide that has been registered for TGLS management. To evaluate the susceptibility of S. lycopersici to pydiflumetofen in tomato-producing regions of Hebei Province, we determined the sensitivity of 212 S. lycopersici isolates using mycelial growth inhibition. The sensitivity distribution exhibited a multimodal pattern. Resistance to pydiflumetofen was observed in some field isolates, with highly resistant isolates being identified in Chengde, Hengshui, and Tangshan. After removing outliers, the baseline sensitivity of S. lycopersici to pydiflumetofen was established, with a mean EC₅₀ value of 1.0400 ± 0.0515 μg/mL. Sequence analysis revealed point mutations only in SdhC (SdhC^S73P, SdhC^G79R, SdhC^H134R, SdhC^S135R) among the resistant isolates. No significant differences were observed between certain resistant isolates (FQSL1-10 and FQSL1-14) and the sensitive isolates in temperature adaptability, mycelial growth rate, or pathogenicity. These results suggest that pydiflumetofen has high activity against TGLS, but integrated fungicide application is necessary for delaying resistance evolution in TGLS management. Full article

Resveratrol (RES), a naturally occurring polyphenolic compound with well-documented anticancer potential, is limited in clinical application due to its poor aqueous solubility and low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop RES-loaded liposomes coated sequentially with chitosan (CS) and hyaluronic acid-chitosan (HA) (RES-HA-CS-Lip) to enhance RES stability, delivery, and anticancer efficacy in breast cancer cells. HA-CS-coated liposomes were prepared using a thin-film hydration technique. Their physicochemical characteristics were thoroughly investigated through dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. The optimized RES-HA-CS-Lip exhibited spherical morphology with an average particle size of 212 nm, a narrow polydispersity index (<0.4), a zeta potential of +9.04 ± 1.0 mV, and high entrapment efficiency of 82.16%. Stability studies demonstrated superior retention of size, surface charge, and encapsulation efficiency over 28 days at both 4 °C and 25 °C. In vitro release profiles at physiological and acidic pH revealed sustained drug release, with enhanced release under acidic conditions mimicking the tumor microenvironment. Antioxidant activity, assessed via DPPH and ABTS radical-scavenging assays, indicated that RES retained its radical-scavenging potential upon encapsulation. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated markedly improved anticancer activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with an IC₅₀ of 13.08 μg/mL at 48 h, while maintaining high biocompatibility toward normal HaCaT keratinocytes. RES-HA-CS-Lip demonstrated excellent stability against degradation and aggregation. Overall, these findings highlight HA-CS-coated liposomes as a promising polysaccharide-based nanocarrier that enhances stability, bioactivity, and therapeutic efficacy of RES, representing a potential strategy for targeted breast cancer therapy. Full article

Steel production is a major contributor to resource use and greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, with structural steel accounting for more than half of this share. As the construction sector moves toward decarbonization, strategies for reuse, particularly within Modular and Offsite Construction (MOC), are receiving growing attention. This study presents a digitally integrated framework for the recovery, testing, and reuse of structural steel in MOC, grounded in Circular Economy (CE) principles. The framework is based on a systematic review of 162 academic, industry, and case study records and is structured across four stages: (1) material recovery, (2) testing and certification, (3) integration into MOC, and (4) performance evaluation. Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Material Passports (MPs) provide digital infrastructure for traceability, documentation, and compliance with established protocols, such as SCI P427 and P440. Reuse outcomes are assessed using the Modular Reuse Ratio (MRR), Carbon Savings (CS), Lifecycle Cost Savings (LCS), and a tailored Material Circularity Indicator (MCI). By aligning certification requirements with digital processes, the framework addresses current gaps in traceability, standardization, and decision support. It provides a scalable and replicable model that advances structural steel reuse, contributes to sector-wide decarbonization, and supports alignment with emerging CE and performance-based certification schemes. Full article

Miscanthus, a perennial grass, is renowned for its remarkable tolerance to abiotic stress. Excessive levels of drought severely impair plant growth and yield. Plant nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factors (TFs) play pivotal roles in regulating responses to drought stress in species such as Arabidopsis and maize. However, their functional roles in conferring drought tolerance in Miscanthus remain largely unexplored. This study’s genome-wide analysis and gene expression profiling of Miscanthus under dehydration/osmotic stress identified a transcription factors gene, MsNF-YA4, which was significantly upregulated under dehydration/osmotic stress. MsNF-YA4 overexpression in Arabidopsis significantly enhanced drought tolerance, leading to increased transcription of stress- and antioxidant enzyme-related genes. Compared with the wild type (WT), the transgenic lines exhibited markedly higher relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll content, proline level, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, the MsNF-YA4/MsNF-YB3/MsNF-YC2 improved the transactivation of the Miscanthus P5CS1, SOD (Cu/Zn) and CAT1 promoters in the transient system. These results offer fresh perspectives on the role of Miscanthus NF-YAs in drought tolerance and offer promising genetic resources for developing drought-tolerant crops through breeding programs. Full article