Search Results (2,151)

Background/Aim: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of oxygen-based adjunct therapies in patients with periodontitis, including ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and local oxygen delivery, as adjuncts to subgingival instrumentation. These interventions have been proposed to counteract tissue hypoxia and inflammation, which sustain an environment favorable to anaerobic pathogens in periodontitis. Methods: An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE PubMed, the Cochrane Library, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and SciELO. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2. Standardized mean difference was calculated for gains in clinical attachment level, and a random effects model was applied due to high variability. Results: The meta-analysis of adjunct ozone therapies presented a pooled standardized mean difference of 0.53 (95% CI [−0.14, 1.19]), indicating a clinically relevant medium effect in favor of ozone therapies, though this effect was not statistically significant and substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 70%, p < 0.01). Meta-analysis was restricted to adjunct ozone therapies due to the limited availability of qualifying studies for hyperbaric oxygen therapy and local oxygen therapies. Conclusions: While the medium effect size in favor of ozone therapies could be clinically relevant, the statistical non-significance underscores the need for more evidence before widespread adoption. Individual studies reported significant benefits for adjunct HBOT and ozonated olive oil, but comparison between oxygen delivery modes was not possible due to heterogeneous protocols. Full article

This study investigates the materials and fabrication selection criteria for 3D-printed aluminosilicate components aimed for passive cooling and CO₂ adsorption in indoor conditions, considering their manufacturing environmental impact. The dual-function components were fabricated using Liquid Deposition Modelling (LDM), an Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique utilising customised slurry-based feedstock materials. To assess the environmental implications of the production process, the study employs the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, a standardised framework used to quantify potential environmental impacts across the product’s life cycle. The study outlines a systematic approach to materials and fabrication processes selection, focusing on the functional properties required, the importance of locally sourced materials, and the constraints imposed by the fabrication techniques. The fabrication methodology was analysed for material/energy efficiency and waste generation. Post-processing stages were evaluated to identify opportunities for energy savings, particularly by exploring Low-Temperature Firing (LTF). The selected criteria proved efficient in enhancing shaping control and minimising shrinkage variability, with a recorded weight loss of 3.04% via LTF. The LCA results indicated that the 23% reduction in climate change impact was primarily driven by the lower electricity demand of the LTF Protocol, demonstrating that energy-efficient post-processing is a critical lever for sustainable ceramic fabrication. Full article

Low-dose psychedelics have shown potential in modulating chronic pain in humans, yet their application in veterinary medicine remains unexplored. This study protocol proposes to investigate the therapeutic potential of low-dose oral administration of 1-cyclopropionyl-D-lysergic acid diethylamide (1cp-LSD), a legal LSD analogue in certain countries, for the management of chronic pain in privately owned dogs with osteoarthritis. The study will employ a randomized, placebo-controlled design with caregivers blinded to treatment allocation. A cohort of about 24 dogs previously diagnosed with osteoarthritis, will orally receive sub-perceptual, intermittent doses of 1cp-LSD over a 30-day period, while maintaining their standard analgesic regimens to safeguard animal welfare. Outcome measures will include the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and caregiver-reported assessments, including the Treatment Expectation Questionnaire (TEX-Q), to evaluate both pharmacological efficacy and the influence of caregiver expectations as an indirect indicator of placebo effects as a secondary aim. The study anticipates a reduction in pain scores among treated dogs, potentially modulated by caregiver expectations. However, the sustained effect of 1cp-LSD in osteoarthritis remains uncertain due to interactions with inflammatory mediators. Limitations include the lack of established dose–response relationships, small cohort size, and variability in caregiver perceptions, which will be analyzed descriptively. The protocol establishes a comprehensive and methodologically framework to evaluate both the pharmacological therapeutic effects of low-dose psychedelics in managing chronic osteoarthritic pain and the psychological factors that may influence perceived outcomes. Full article

Iris setosa is a characteristic perennial wild herbaceous flower in the Changbai Mountain region of China, boasting significant ornamental and medicinal values. Given the increasing scarcity of its wild resources, this study developed an efficient in vitro regeneration system using shoot tips as explants via the direct organogenesis pathway. The optimal surface sterilization protocol was achieved with a treatment of 0.1% HgCl₂ for 8 min, resulting in an explant survival rate of 57.78%. The highest multiple shoot induction rate (88.89%) of shoot tips was achieved on MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), and 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). The optimal shoot differentiation and proliferation medium was MS + 2.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-BA + 0.3 mg·L⁻¹ NAA, achieving a proliferation coefficient of 3.37. The optimal medium for rooting was confirmed to be 1/2 MS + 0.5 mg·L⁻¹ indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), exhibiting a high rooting rate reached 98.33%. During transplantation, plantlets exhibited high survival rates (over 90%) and vigorous growth across all three tested substrates, with no significant differences in survival rates among substrates. The key advance of this study lies in the development of a highly efficient and stable regeneration protocol for I. setosa derived from shoot tip explants, providing critical technical backing for the conservation and sustainable exploitation of its wild-type germplasm. Full article

Understanding the function of enzymes before their use as additives in ruminant diets is essential for achieving sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. Ruminants such as cattle, sheep, and goats are vital for global food production because of their ability to convert fibrous plant materials into high-quality proteins through enteric fermentation. Various datasets were carefully selected from four scientific databases: Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar. The rigorous Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) protocol was employed to ensure the eligibility of the selected articles used in the analysis. A systematic review showed that the administration of various types of enzymes can increase dry (DMD) and organic (OMD) matter, neutral (NDFD), and acid (ADFD) detergent fibre, and crude protein (CPD) digestibility in both in vitro and in vivo tests in individual studies. However, the pooled meta-analysis indicated that their overall effect on CPD was not significant (p > 0.05). The OpenMEE approach was used to calculate the effect size (Hedges’ g) for each experimental unit for various parameters. Across enzyme types and doses in the meta-analysis, the administration of enzymes did not have any significant effect (p > 0.05) on DMI, OMI, and CPD, but it did have a significant effect (p < 0.05) on DMD, OMD, ADFD, NDFD, pH and gas production at 24, 48, and 72 h, as assessed by in vitro experiments. Ruminant in vivo studies indicated that the administration of enzymes has significant impacts (p < 0.05) on digestibility parameters (DMD, OMD, NDFD, ADFD), milk production, milk lactose content, acetate, and propionate, but it had non-significant impacts on milk protein and rumen total volatile fatty acids and acetate: propionate ratio. Full article

Background: Hospital In The Home (HITH), also called Hospital at Home or Virtual Hospital, delivers hospital-level care in patients’ homes to enhance outcomes and reduce hospital bed occupancy. Despite widespread implementation, strategic guidance for managing HITH initiatives remains limited. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a systematic review (protocol not registered) searching ScienceDirect and Scopus (inception to December 2023) using the terms “hospital in the home,” “HITH,” “hospital at home,” “virtual care” AND “lesson,” “management,” “governance.” Peer-reviewed studies reporting lessons learned, best practices, or governance strategies for HITH programs with sufficient implementation detail were included; we excluded studies focusing solely on clinical effectiveness without organizational aspects, conference abstracts, and editorials. Two researchers independently screened records, extracted data, and conducted thematic analysis. Quality assessment used the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Sixteen studies (12 high-quality, 3 moderate, 1 low) were included. The studies were moderate overall, based on predominantly observational program evaluations and case studies. Results: Forty-two lessons were identified and classified into nine categories: combining care modalities, technology integration, impact on patient outcomes, training and specialized knowledge, care coordination, governance structures, financial sustainability, cross-sector collaboration, and patient selection. These categories fall under four themes: care delivery models; staffing and team dynamics; governance and financial sustainability; and patient selection and safety. Conclusions: This framework provides healthcare executives and program managers with evidence-based guidance for implementing and enhancing HITH programs, addressing a critical gap in governance and management literature. Full article

The end-of-life phase of a building, which includes demolition and waste disposal, represents a crucial aspect of sustainable construction. In Europe, construction and demolition (C&D) waste accounts for approximately 40% of the total waste generated in the EU, making its management a global challenge. The EU Construction & Demolition Waste Management Protocol (2024) emphasizes the importance of evaluating, before proceeding with the demolition of a building, whether renovation could be a more efficient solution, considering economic, environmental, and technical aspects. From an economic perspective, demolition costs vary depending on several factors, including project size, structural complexity, techniques employed (conventional or non-conventional), materials to be removed, and local regulations. In addition to the direct costs of the intervention, it is essential to consider indirect impacts, such as the management of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, the removal of hazardous substances, and potential environmental damage to be mitigated. This study analyzes a case located in Italy, in the municipality of Caivano (Metropolitan City of Naples, in Campania region), concerning a building that required energy efficiency improvements and seismic upgrades. The decision to demolish and rebuild proved to be economically more advantageous than renovation, while also allowing a 35% increase in volume, enabling the creation of a greater number of housing units. Through the analysis of this real case study, the aim is to highlight how investments in demolition, if properly planned, designed, assessed, and managed, can effectively contribute to building redevelopment, supporting the transition towards a sustainable construction model in line with the principles of the circular economy. Full article

Brainwave entrainment (BWE) through Binaural Beats (BBs) has been proposed as a non-invasive method to modulate cortical activity by enhancing oscillatory power at specific frequencies. Despite growing interest, empirical evidence regarding the efficacy of BBs remains inconsistent. This study aimed to assess long-term effects of BBs stimulation using a personalized protocol. Eleven healthy university students (7 males, 4 females; mean age 24.8 ± 1.6 years) participated in three EEG acquisition sessions over two weeks, each including Baseline, Stimulation, and Post-Stimulation phases. Personalized audio tracks were created based on each participant’s Individual Alpha Frequency (IAF) and applied daily during a 10-day training period. EEG signals were analysed in time and frequency domains using linear and complexity-based metrics. Multivariate processing combining Principal Component Analysis and K-means clustering revealed high classification accuracy distinguishing Baseline from Stimulation (>81%) and Baseline from Post-Stimulation (>89%) phases, with consistent results across sessions and in pooled data. Statistical significance was confirmed via non-parametric permutation testing. Alpha rhythm analysis showed significant frontal effects (F3, F4), including increased spindle incidence, reduced duration, decreased alpha power, and lowered $\alpha$ exponent via Detrended Fluctuation Analysis. Although the dataset was relatively small, these findings suggest that BBs may modulate brain activity, with sustained effects observable post-stimulation, particularly in frontal regions. Full article

Aircraft turnaround efficiency is a key determinant of the sustainability of air transport systems. Each stage of ground handling—passenger disembarkation, baggage handling, refuelling, and ancillary services—contributes to the total turnaround time, with direct implications for airport capacity, operating costs, and environmental performance. Using empirical records from ground operations, the study characterizes the duration and variability of individual activities and identifies the main process bottlenecks. Building on this evidence, a comparative PERT-COST protocol with explicit threshold rules (quantized billing steps for selected resources) is developed and applied across predefined scenarios (remote versus gate, day versus night, low versus high fuel uplift, with versus without a second baggage team) under both linear and threshold cost models. The protocol aligns with ITS-enabled decision support by mapping stochastic activity times to cost-of-crashing functions and by providing harmonized performance metrics: final time T, total cost ∑ΔC, and efficiency η (EUR/min). The results show that moderate time reductions are attainable at reasonable cost, whereas aggressive targets that lie below the structural minimum are infeasible under current constraints; gate stands reduce the attainable minimum time but increase the marginal price near the minimum, and night operations raise costs without improving that minimum. These findings delineate the most productive intervention range and inform operational choices consistent with sustainability objectives. Full article

Indonesia’s beef cattle sector plays a central role in achieving food security, enhancing rural livelihoods, and fostering economic resilience. However, it faces fragmented governance, import dependence, and persistent challenges of low productivity levels. To capture the evolving evidence base, this study conducted a scoping review of 61 peer-reviewed publications (2019–2025) drawn from six major databases. This study employed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review Protocol and Arksey and O’Malley’s framework. Key patterns, advances, and gaps, along with evidence and research recommendations, were identified using the PAGER analytical approach. The dominant themes include production efficiency, environmental sustainability, policy, market linkages, and technological innovation. The results show that most studies employed quantitative or system modelling designs. In the global literature, multidimensional sustainability frameworks have shifted away from production-centric ones, with regional studies highlighting different emphases, such as carbon metrics in South America and market access and livelihood resilience in Asia and Africa. Integrated crop, livestock, and forestry systems; legume-based nutrient management; genotype-specific feeding and breeding; and enabling policies within inclusive markets were revealed through the synthesis of the PAGER framework as four calculated levers for sustainable transformation. However, actors inadequately integrate feed, genetic, climate interactions, and governance mechanisms. According to this review, technological innovation must align with adaptive governance. Climate-resilient, low-carbon beef systems also require the development of inclusive institutional frameworks. Indonesia’s experience demonstrates the benefits of integrating science, policy, and the market to improve productivity, resource stewardship, and equity in tropical livestock systems, thereby enhancing a resilient agri-food supply chain in Indonesia. Full article

Background: Transition from paediatric to adult care in congenital heart disease (CHD) represents a pivotal and vulnerable phase that critically influences long-term survival, morbidity, and quality of life. Advances in paediatric cardiology and surgery have generated a rapidly growing population of adults with congenital heart disease who exhibit complex, lifelong, and multidisciplinary needs. However, survival does not equate to cure, and discontinuity of care during adolescence remains a major predictor of adverse outcomes. Despite widespread recognition of their importance, transition programmes are heterogeneous worldwide, and standardised, evidence-based protocols are missing. Objective: This review calls for action acknowledging the urgent need for structured and standardised transition programmes in CHD care, integrating the key elements that should be addressed in any programme to optimise outcomes. Content: Transition should be understood as a multidisciplinary, longitudinal process integrating medical management, patient and family education, psychological preparation, and societal inclusion. Core domains include tailored physical activity, nutritional counselling, cardiovascular risk factor management, infective endocarditis prevention, reproductive health, psychosocial support, and engagement of primary care providers, educators, and employers. Evidence demonstrates that structured transition programmes enhance health literacy, adherence, and self-management, while reducing loss to follow-up. The active involvement of primary care providers, psychologists, educators, and employers is essential to sustain holistic and equitable care. Conclusions: Transition should be reframed as an essential, lifelong component of CHD care. The development and implementation of standardised, multidisciplinary, evidence-based transition protocols are urgently required to ensure continuity, empower patients, and optimise long-term clinical and psychosocial outcomes for adults with CHD. Full article

The silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus), widely distributed across the Indo-West Pacific and prevalent in China’s coastal waters, has experienced significant resource decline due to anthropogenic impacts such as habitat alteration and overfishing, which disrupt its natural reproduction and growth. Cryopreservation technology overcomes spatiotemporal constraints by enabling the long-term storage of high-quality sperm for future use. This study optimized cryopreservation protocols for silver pomfret sperm, evaluation key parameters including extenders, cryoprotectants, dilution ratios, cooling heights, and thawing temperatures. Sperm quality was assessed post thaw via enzyme activity assays and electron microscopy. Results demonstrated that modified plaice Ringer solution (MPRS) extender yielded the highest post-thaw motility (95.98 ± 1.59)%. The optimal cryopreservation conditions for silver pomfret sperm were established as follows: MPRS diluent, 20% EG, a 1:6 dilution ratio, a 7 cm cooling height, and a 28 °C thawing temperature. This protocol yielded post-thaw sperm with motility and motion parameters most closely resembling those of fresh sperm. Ultrastructural observations and enzyme activity assays, however, confirmed that cryopreservation induced sublethal damage, including significant reduction in ATPase activity, as well as structural anomalies such as head deformation, membrane damage, and organelle disarray. This work establishes a foundational cryopreservation protocol, providing critical tools for conserving the genetic resources of this declining species and supporting sustainable aquaculture and wild population restoration efforts. Full article

The accelerating integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Industrial Automation has established Reinforcement Learning (RL) as a transformative paradigm for adaptive control, intelligent optimization, and autonomous decision-making in smart factories. Despite the growing literature, existing reviews often emphasize algorithmic performance or domain-specific applications, neglecting broader links between methodological evolution, technological maturity, and industrial readiness. To address this gap, this study presents a bibliometric review mapping the development of RL and Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) research in Industrial Automation and robotics. Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol to guide the data collection procedures and inclusion criteria, 672 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2017 and 2026 were retrieved from Scopus, ensuring high-quality, interdisciplinary coverage. Quantitative bibliometric analyses were conducted in R using Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny, including co-authorship, co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic network analyses, to reveal collaboration patterns, influential works, and emerging research trends. Results indicate that 42% of studies employed DRL, 27% focused on Multi-Agent RL (MARL), and 31% relied on classical RL, with applications concentrated in robotic control (33%), process optimization (28%), and predictive maintenance (19%). However, only 22% of the studies reported real-world or pilot implementations, highlighting persistent challenges in scalability, safety validation, interpretability, and deployment readiness. By integrating a review with bibliometric mapping, this study provides a comprehensive taxonomy and a strategic roadmap linking theoretical RL research with practical industrial applications. This roadmap is structured across four critical dimensions: (1) Algorithmic Development (e.g., safe, explainable, and data-efficient RL), (2) Integration Technologies (e.g., digital twins and IoT), (3) Validation Maturity (from simulation to real-world pilots), and (4) Human-Centricity (addressing trust, collaboration, and workforce transition). These insights can guide researchers, engineers, and policymakers in developing scalable, safe, and human-centric RL solutions, prioritizing research directions, and informing the implementation of Industry 5.0–aligned intelligent automation systems emphasizing transparency, sustainability, and operational resilience. Full article

This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of recent advances in miniaturized Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation techniques applied across food, environmental, and biological matrices. Covering developments within 2020–2025, it focuses on analytical performance, environmental impact, and alignment with principles of sustainable and green analytical chemistry. Central to this review is the significant reduction in solvent and sample volumes achieved through miniaturization, thus decreasing the reagent consumption and hazardous waste generation. The integration of eco-friendly extraction solvents and sorbent materials enhances selectivity and reduces the environmental footprint. These methods are often coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometers, enabling sensitive, multi-residue, and suspect analysis. Challenges associated with complex matrices, low analyte concentrations, and the need for robust clean-up procedures are addressed through innovative hybrid workflows and advanced materials, e.g., polymeric electrospun fibers and deep eutectic solvents. The growing adoption of greener protocols is highlighted. Moreover, it underscores their potential to improve routine analytical workflows while reducing environmental burden. Future research should focus on the development of sustainable sample preparation with improved sensitivity, broader applicability, and minimal ecological impacts. This comprehensive assessment supports the ongoing transformation of analytical chemistry towards more sustainable practices without compromising analytical reliability and efficacy. Full article

Alkaline delignification is a keystone pretreatment that governs carbohydrate accessibility, energy use, and yields across pulp and biorefinery value chains, yet its kinetic understanding remains fragmented and largely confined to bench-scale studies. This review provides an integrated assessment of the evolution and current state of kinetic approaches applied to alkaline delignification of lignocellulosic biomass, aiming to bridge academic research and industrial application. A systematic review following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta Analyses) guidelines identified 74 peer-reviewed articles and 359 patents published between 1995 and 2025. Kinetic models were classified into conventional (nth-order and pseudo-first-order) and emerging categories (Avrami/Š–B, diffusion-based, mechanistic multistep, isoconversional, and ML/statistical). The results show that pseudo-first-order kinetics and batch-scale studies dominate the literature, while pilot-scale validation and hybrid mechanistic data-driven frameworks remain limited. Patent analysis revealed technological convergence within D21C and C08B IPC domains, reflecting growing industrial interest in alkaline pulping and cellulose valorization. Unlike previous reviews, this work uniquely integrates conventional and emerging kinetic models with a patent-based technological perspective, providing a unified view of academic and industrial progress. The insights presented here provide a foundation for advancing future research, particularly by encouraging the development of standardized experimental protocols and the validation of kinetic models across multiple scales. Moreover, this review provides a consolidated reference for both academic researchers and industrial practitioners seeking to enhance delignification efficiency, reduce reagent consumption, and improve the sustainability of biorefinery processes. Full article