Search Results (5,579)

Satellite monitoring of agricultural crops plays a crucial role in ensuring food security and in the sustainable management of agricultural resources, particularly in regions dominated by rainfed farming, such as the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. Many satellite monitoring tasks rely on remote identification of different types of cultivated crops. In developing the proposed method, we accounted for the temporal characteristics of crop growth and development in various climatic zones of rainfed agriculture, analyzed the dynamics of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) together with ground-based data, and identified effective time periods and patterns for successful crop recognition. This study aims to develop and comparatively assess two methods for the automatic identification of cultivated crops in rainfed zones using Sentinel-2 satellite data for the years 2018 and 2022. The first method is based on detailed classification of pre-digitized field boundaries, providing high accuracy in satellite-based mapping. The second method represents a fully automated approach applied to large rainfed areas, emphasizing operational efficiency and scalability. The results obtained from both methods were validated against official national statistics, ground-based field surveys, and farm-level data. The findings indicate that the field-boundary-based method delivers significantly higher accuracy (average accuracy of 91.1%). While the automated rainfed-zone approach demonstrates lower accuracy (78%), it still produces acceptable results for large-scale monitoring, confirming its suitability for rapid assessment of sown areas. This research highlights the trade-off between the accuracy achieved through detailed field boundary digitization and the efficiency provided by an automated, scalable approach, offering valuable tools for agricultural production management. Full article

Natural bioactive compounds found in Momordica charantia including polysaccharides, saponins, polyphenols, alkaloids, and notably polypeptide-p (often referred to as “plant insulin”)—have shown promising potential in shaping nutritional and therapeutic strategies for managing diabetes, metabolic disorders, and other nutrition-related diseases. Both retrospective and prospective analyses of bitter gourd’s functional properties such as its antioxidant, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial effects highlight its innovative use as a food ingredient in developing targeted nutritional therapies. Assessing its applicability in the food industry, particularly through the fortification of products with bitter gourd powders, pulp, juice, or extracts, could enhance consumer acceptance and elevate the perceived quality of nutritionally superior foods. The nutrifunctional attributes revealed by its nutritional profile support the strategic integration of bitter gourd into various food formulations, contributing to a broader and more diverse range of dietary options. This diversification is especially valuable in addressing the dietary monotony often associated with diabetic nutrition plans, which continue to present significant challenges. The foundation laid by this review drawing on both theoretical insights and practical applications serves as a springboard for future research into the fortifying potential of bitter gourd-based preparations. Ultimately, such products may be recommended not only as nutritional supplements but also as part of clinical and hygienic-dietetic practices. Full article

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) frequently induce user discomfort due to high mainstream smoke temperatures. To address this challenge and improve the inhalation experience, this experiment designed and prepared a cage-shaped braided tube as the cooling section of the filter for HTPs. The thermal, cooling, suction resistance, and smoke composition properties of the filter were tested and analyzed. Thermal analysis (DSC/TG) revealed a 116.53 J/g increase in endothermic enthalpy for PEG-impregnated samples, accompanied by maintained thermal stability (decomposition temperature ≈ approximately 350 °C). The 0.8 wt% Carbon Nanotube (CNT) composite achieved exceptional thermal conductivity (0.597 W/m·K), representing a 521% improvement over untreated controls. The braided tube optimal performance (3 mm inner diameter, 30% PEG/0.8% CNT) reduced the highest smoke temperature to 47.8 °C while maintaining acceptable suction resistance (68.5 Pa, 56.4% reduction vs. commercial IQOS filters). GC-MS analysis confirmed negligible alterations in smoke composition (p > 0.05). This innovation offers an effective thermal management solution that does not compromise sensory experiences. Full article

The demand for clean energy to improve waste valorization and enhance resource utilization efficiency has been increasingly recognized in the last few years. In this context, the co-carbonization of different waste streams, aiming at solid fuel production, appears as a potential strategy to address the challenges of the energy transition and divert waste from landfills. In this work, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) samples were subjected to the co-carbonization process with low-quality animal fat waste in different proportions to assess the synergistic effect of the mixture on producing chars with enhanced fuel properties. Dry (DC) and hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) tests were conducted at 425 °C and 300 °C, respectively, with a residence time of 30 min. The RDF sample and produced chars with different animal fat incorporation were analyzed for their physical, chemical, and fuel properties. The results demonstrated that increasing the fat proportion in the samples leads to an increase in mass yield and apparent density of the produced chars. Furthermore, char samples with higher fat addition presented a proportional increase in high heating value (HHV). The highest values for the HHV corresponded to the char samples produced with 30% fat incorporation for both carbonization techniques (27.9 MJ/kg and 32.9 MJ/kg for dry and hydrothermal carbonization, respectively). Fat addition also reduced ash content, improved hydrophobicity in hydrochars, and lowered ignition temperature, although additional washing was necessary to reduce chlorine to acceptable levels. Furthermore, fat incorporation reduced concentrations of elements linked to slagging and fouling. Overall, the results demonstrate that incorporating 30% fat into RDF during DC or HTC is the most effective condition for producing chars with improved physical, chemical, and fuel properties, enhancing their potential as alternative solid fuels. Full article

Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) is expected to play a relevant role in decarbonising our cities, both in new buildings and retrofit projects, making them more sustainable, resilient and pleasant. However, BIPV remains a niche market. To understand the reasons and help boost its development, this paper provides insights into BIPV through a holistic and systematic analysis that considers BIPV’s dual nature as both photovoltaic and building product. The methodology is based on the analyses of several BIPV technological innovation systems (TISs) developed in six countries, as well as extensive comparative assessments and investigations to identify key global features of BIPV. Social aspects, market status and forecast, perspectives from the photovoltaic and building sectors, and related regulations and standardisation are key aspects analysed to develop recommendations for policymakers. Outcome examples are low to moderate acceptance of BIPV among building owners, who give cost reasons for choosing building-added photovoltaics (BAPV) over BIPV, as well as a need for information, official guidance, skilled personnel, improved cross-sector collaboration, availability of BIPV products, proper digital tools and specific regulation to improve BIPV’s legitimacy in the construction sector. Essential is developing policies that encourage the adoption of BIPV, including standardisation, promotion and financing. Full article

The food additive sodium benzoate (SB) has been used for decades as an antimicrobial to prevent food spoilage. SB has been deemed to pose no risk to human health when consumed at levels under 5 mg/kg body weight per day; however, when many of the supporting studies were conducted, the importance of the gut microbiome to human health was not yet appreciated. Given SB’s known antimicrobial qualities, it is important to assess the effect of this food additive on the human gut microbiome. The ex vivo SIFR^® (Systemic Intestinal Fermentation Research) technology was used to test the effect of SB on microbial communities from 24 donors, aged infants to older adults. A dose of 3.5 g/L SB elicited a drop in the Pseudomonadota phylum for multiple age groups but did not alter the alpha or beta diversity within any of these groups. This was accompanied by changes in the functional outputs that included an overall rise in butyrate and a drop in propionate production. This higher butyrate correlates with an increase in the abundance of several known butyrate producers in the presence of SB, although the genetic potential for its production in the community did not change. Overall, despite using a dose ten times higher than the accepted daily intake limit, the effect on the gut microbiome was minimal. Full article

The storage characteristics of folic acid and NaFeEDTA fortified in a refractance window-dried turmeric powder base and its subsequent application to the formulation of nutritionally functionalized golden milk have not been addressed in previous studies. Golden milk is a staple food and ideal matrix for the fortification of important nutrients such as iron and folic acid. With this motivation, the present study assesses refractance window (RW)-dried turmeric powder fortified with folic acid and NaFeEDTA in terms of its moisture isotherm, permeability of packing material, and storage parameters to calculate its shelf life. Further, a sensory analysis was conducted based on the fuzzy logic method to obtain the best constitution of RW-dried turmeric powder in milk. For the best formulation of golden milk, the characteristics of the product under unrefrigerated and refrigerated conditions were evaluated in addition to the storage study. Additionally, moisture content (MC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant activity (AA), curcumin content (CC), color indices, bulk densities, solubility, swelling power, and water binding capacities were studied with respect to time. The results demonstrated a healthy shelf life of 184, 187, and 183 days for RW-dried, folic acid-fortified, and NaFeEDTA-fortified RW-dried turmeric powder samples, respectively, in the zipper pouch system. The fuzzy scores ranked the sample with 1 g concentration of turmeric powder as the best, considering taste, aroma, mouthfeel, aftertaste, consistency, and overall acceptability. The TPC, TFC, AA, and CC values for RW-dried turmeric powder in milk were 876.21 mg GAE/100 mL, 784.61 mg quercetin/100 mL, 24.50% and 4.20% w/w, respectively. Marginal alterations were found for the RW-dried fortified and unfortified turmeric samples. This fortified golden milk has the potential for use as a health drink. Full article

The reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) offers a sustainable solution for water management in agriculture, particularly in arid regions like Saudi Arabia. However, its success depends on farmers’ acceptance, influenced by perceptions of economic benefits, social acceptability, environmental impacts, and health risks. This study surveys 391 farmers across five regions in Saudi Arabia to assess their attitudes toward TWW reuse in irrigation, exploring how advanced wastewater treatment technologies can improve acceptance. Results show that 65% of farmers use TWW, with usage peaking at 72% in Al-Ahsa and Qatif, driven by water scarcity and lack of alternatives. While 78% are satisfied with TWW, concerns persist regarding pests, consumer acceptance, health risks, and soil quality. Advanced technologies can mitigate these issues by enhancing water quality and safety. The highest positive impact of the use of TWW in irrigation from was the impact on productivity, reduction in the cost of fertilizers and savings in the cost of water abstraction. With only 57% of farmers receiving extension services, integrating education on these technologies could further boost confidence. This study highlights key acceptance factors, underscoring the need for technological and educational interventions to promote sustainable TWW reuse in agriculture. Full article

The anaerobic co-digestion of agricultural residues emerges as a promising strategy for energy recovery and nutrient recycling within circular agricultural systems. This study aimed to optimize co-digestion parameters for vinegar residue (VR) and cattle manure (CM) using an orthogonal experimental design. Three key variables were investigated which are the co-substrate ratio (VR to CM), feedstock-to-inoculum (F/I) ratio, and total solids (TS) content. Nine experimental combinations were tested to evaluate methane yield, feedstock degradation, and digestate characteristics. Results showed that the optimal condition for methane yield comprised a 2:3 co-substrate ratio, 1:2 F/I ratio, and 20% TS, achieving the highest methane yield of 267.84 mL/g volatile solids (VS) and a vs. degradation rate of 58.65%. Digestate analysis indicated this condition generated the most nutrient-rich liquid digestate and solid digestate, featuring elevated N, P, and K concentrations, acceptable seed germination indices (GI), and moderate humification levels. While total nutrient content did not meet commercial organic fertilizer standards, the digestate is suitable for direct land application in rural settings. This study underscores the need to balance energy recovery and fertilizer quality in anaerobic co-digestion systems, providing practical guidance for decentralized biogas plants seeking to integrate waste treatment with agricultural productivity. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable, nutritionally adequate plant-based foods has driven innovation in meat analogues. This study presents a novel approach to upcycling potato juice protein—a by-product of starch production—into plant-based gyros (PBG) enriched with iron and dietary fiber. Four formulations (PBG1-PBG4) were developed using a blend of potato, rice, wheat, and pea proteins, and fortified with either ferritin-rich sprout powder or ferrous sulfate. Comprehensive analyses were conducted to assess nutritional composition, mineral content, glycoalkaloid safety, antioxidant activity, texture, water mobility, sensory appeal, and microbiological stability. All variants met high-protein labeling criteria and exhibited favorable fiber and mineral profiles. In vitro digestion significantly enhanced antioxidant bioaccessibility, particularly phenolic acids. Sensory evaluations favored ferritin-enriched variants, which also demonstrated superior texture and consumer acceptance. Microbiological assessments confirmed safety for up to 10 days under refrigeration. These findings highlight the potential of potato juice protein as a sustainable, functional ingredient in next-generation plant-based meat analogues. Full article

Improved irrigation guidelines are needed to maximize crop water use efficiency. Combining field data with simulation models can provide information for better irrigation management. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two flood irrigation treatments on fiber yield (FY) and quality during the 2023 and 2024 growing seasons in Maricopa, Arizona, USA. Two irrigation treatments, denoted as F100% and F80%, were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Then, AquaCrop was used to simulate cotton yield (Y_Tot), water use (ET_obs), and total soil water content (WC_Tot) for the two irrigation treatments. Six statistical metrics, including the coefficient of determination (R²), the normalized root-mean-square error (NRMSE), the mean absolute error (MAE), simulation error (S_e), the index of agreement (D_index), and the Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSE), were employed to assess model performance. The results of the field trial demonstrated that reducing the irrigation rate to 80% of ET_c negatively impacted cotton FY and ET water productivity (ETWP); the FY declined by 45.2% (ETWP = 0.097 kg·ha⁻¹) in 2023 and by 38.1% (ETWP = 0.133 kg·ha⁻¹) in 2024. Conversely, F100% produced a more uniform and stronger fiber than F80%, with the uniformity index (UI) and fiber strength (STR) measuring 81.7% and 29.5 g tex⁻¹ in 2023 and 82.2% and 30.0 g tex⁻¹ in 2024, indicating that UI and STR were well correlated with soil water during both growing seasons. AquaCrop showed an excellent performance in simulating cotton CC during the two growing seasons. The R², NRMSE, D_index, and NSE were between 0.97 and 0.99, 8.45% and 14.36%, 0.98 and 0.99, and 0.96 and 0.98, respectively. Moreover, the AquaCrop model accurately simulated Y_Tot during these seasons, with R², NRMSE, D_index, and NSE for pooled yield data of 0.93, 8.05%, 0.95, and 0.78, respectively. The model consistently overestimated Y_Tot, ET_obs, and WC_Tot, but within an acceptable S_e (S_e < 15%) during both growing seasons, except for WC_Tot under the 80% treatment in 2023 (S_e = 26.4%). Consequently, AquaCrop can be considered an effective tool for irrigation management and yield prediction in arid climates such as Arizona. Full article

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) urgently requires new therapeutic strategies due to the limited efficacy of conventional treatments. Recently, PANoptosis, an integrated form of apoptosis, necroptosis, and pyroptosis, has emerged as a promising target in cancer therapy, though effective agents remain scarce. Paclitaxel, a Taxus-derived natural product, is often combined with other drugs to enhance efficacy, yet optimal combinations are limited. This study investigates the synergistic antitumor effects of paclitaxel and cephalomannine in TNBC, focusing on oxygen-regulated cell death pathways. Network pharmacology and molecular docking revealed that the combination targets multiple cell death- and inflammation-related proteins, including BCL2L1, MAPK14, SYK, TNF, and ADAM17, suggesting multi-target synergy. In vitro, the combination significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell viability, proliferation, and migration, while inducing apoptosis and necrosis. Mechanistically, co-treatment markedly increased intracellular ROS levels and γ-H2AX expression, indicating oxidative stress and DNA damage, both of which were reversible by ROS inhibition. Further analysis demonstrated that the treatment activated the p38 and p53 pathways, regulated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and initiated mitochondrial apoptosis. It also promoted RIPK1/RIPK3/MLKL phosphorylation and MLKL membrane translocation, triggering necroptosis, as well as upregulated NLRP3, cleaved Caspase-1, and GSDMD, inducing pyroptosis. The use of specific inhibitors partially reversed these effects, confirming the involvement of ROS-mediated PANoptosis. Similar antitumor effects were also observed in BT-549 cells, indicating the broad applicability of this combination in TNBC. MCF-10A cells exhibited mild but acceptable cytotoxicity, reflecting manageable side effects typical of chemotherapeutic agents. In vivo experiments further validated the combination’s antitumor efficacy and safety. In summary, paclitaxel and cephalomannine synergistically induce PANoptosis in TNBC through oxygen-regulated cell death pathways, offering a novel therapeutic strategy based on oxidative stress modulation by natural compounds. Full article

This study focuses on the design, development and quality assessment of an innovative shelf-stable olive paste dip, aiming at the valorization of by-products of tomato processing and olive oil production (Product 1: OPD). Bioactive compounds (BACs), i.e., total carotenoids and phenolic components, were extracted from tomato and olive pomace, respectively. For further enrichment, BACs were incorporated in olive paste dips into a second product (OPDEnr) in encapsulated form (Product 2: OPD_Enr). The total carotenoids (TC) of OPD and OPD_Enr were 20.0 ± 2.0 and 30.2 ± 1.0 mg/kg, respectively. Similarly, the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity (AA) were 1.62 ± 0.08 and 3.05 ± 0.10 mg GAE/g, and 0.801 ± 0.075 and 0.976 ± 0.032 mg Trolox/g, respectively. The quality of the developed olive paste dip product prototypes was assessed using the Accelerated Shelf Life Testing (ASLT) methodology at a temperature range of 20–40 °C. Both OPD_Enr and OPD were microbiologically stable during storage (i.e., not exceeding 4 logCFU/g for total mesophilic counts), and no lipid oxidation evolution was observed (Peroxide Value, PV did not exceed 4 meq O₂/kg), while TC, TPC and AA values remained stable. The shelf life of OPD_Enr and OPD was determined based on the overall sensory quality and was found to be 120 and 211 d at 25 °C, respectively. OPD_Enr and OPD were characterized by a high quality (color and texture), with an overall sensory score of 8.0/9.0 and 9.0/9.0, respectively, in the acceptability–hedonic scale 1 (dislike extremely)-9 (like extremely), and they could potentially be consumed as an antioxidant-enriched olive paste dip. Full article

The Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) live attenuated vaccines, the PPR virus (PPRV) Nigeria 75/1 strain (lineage II) and PPRV India Sungry 96 strain (lineage IV), currently used for control and eradication programme are very efficient vaccines as they provide the host, sheep and goats, a lifelong immunity after a single minimum recommended dose of 10^2.5 TCID₅₀/mL. Unfortunately, both live attenuated vaccines are thermolabile and their use requires maintaining the cold chain from the manufactory premises to the field as most PPR-infected regions are facing of hot climate, with poor infrastructure, and the maintenance of an effective cold chain remains a challenge. To address this challenge, efforts have focused on developing thermotolerant (ThT) PPR vaccines using different stabilisers and improving the freeze-drying process. This study aimed to define the criteria for the evaluation of the stability of ThT PPR vaccines. A total of 37 batches of freeze-dried PPR vaccines using the PPRV Nigeria 75/1 strain, including eight (8) and twenty-nine (29) vaccines labelled as ThT and conventional formulations, respectively, were tested to evaluate the stability at temperatures of 40 °C to simulate the field conditions in some hot climate regions. All the vaccine batches included in this study initially showed acceptable levels of residual moisture, below 3%, and titres above the minimum WOAH standard requirement of 10^2.5 TCID₅₀/mL. Following the incubation at 40 °C, 56.7% and 46% of the 37 vaccine batches tested retained titres above 10^2.5 TCID₅₀/mL on day 3 and day 5, respectively. These vaccines use stabilisers such as skimmed milk, lactalbumin–sucrose, trehalose and one unnamed product (which may be protected for patent). The mean of titre loss among the PPR vaccines maintaining titres above 10^2.5 TCID₅₀/mL was 0.78 log10 at day 3 and 0.99 log10 at day 5, suggesting a significant early degradation during the first 3 days. Based on these data, it is proposed that thermotolerant PPR vaccines should maintain a minimum titre of 10^2.5 TCID₅₀/mL for vaccine dose on day 5 post-incubation at 40 °C with a titre loss below 1 log10 per mL. Preliminary immunogenicity test results showed that the PPR ThT vaccine meeting this criterion could be used in the field without maintaining a cold chain for up to 3 weeks, offering a practical solution for vaccination in remote areas. Full article

Fermentation, a traditional method for enhancing nutritional value and functionality, has significant potential for improving the quality, safety and acceptability of farmed insect products. In this study, yellow mealworm, house cricket and migratory locust were fermented using Lactobacillus plantarum and a commercial starter culture for 48 h. Samples were analyzed for proximate composition, amino and fatty acid profiles, elemental composition and oxidation stability. Fermentation reduced total dietary fiber in yellow mealworm (33%) and house cricket (12%), and increased non-protein nitrogen (38% and 16%), while total and protein nitrogen remained unaffected. Fatty acid profiles also remained unchanged, whereas the amino acid composition varied depending on the species and fermentation culture. Essential mineral concentrations varied depending on species and fermentation culture Fe (19–23%), K (25%), Mg (12–23%), Mn (36–378%), Na (20–49%) and P (22%) increased, levels of Se (15%), and Cu (16%) decreased, while Zn levels showed inconsistent trends among treatments. Oxidation stability of yellow mealworm (41–42%) and migratory locust (21–29%) decreased, but improved for house cricket (153–167%). Overall, fermentation enhanced the nutritional value of edible insects, although the extent of improvement varied by species and fermentation culture. Full article