Search Results (795)

Background/Objectives: Compared to in the general pregnant population, pregnancy in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is still associated with an increased number of perinatal complications affecting both the fetus and the mother. The Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity Foundation (GOCCF) program enables the use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) enhanced by a hypo-stop function and real-time continuous glucose monitoring (rtCGM) during the preconception or early pregnancy period in patients with T1D. This observational study aimed to analyze the association between pregnancy planning and pregnancy outcomes in patients who qualified for the GOCCF program. Methods: Ninety-eight women with T1D, aged 21–41 years, who began using the CSII + rtCGM system at the planning/early pregnancy stage or at a later stage in the case of an unplanned pregnancy, were eligible for this study. We analyzed glucose control, the insulin requirements, the pregestational BMI, the maternal weight gain, the occurrence of preterm births, congenital malformations and the birthweight of newborns. Results: Women who planned their pregnancies had significantly better glycemic control before and throughout the entire pregnancy, and a significantly higher proportion of them achieved a TIR (time in range) > 70% (58.7% vs. 28.9%, p = 0.014) and TAR (time above range) < 25% (65.2% vs. 24.4%, p < 0.001). Their glucose variability at the end of the pregnancy was significantly lower (29.4 ± 5.5 vs. 31.9 ± 5.1, p = 0.030). They also gave birth later, at a mean of 37.8 ± 0.9 weeks compared to 36.9 ± 1.8 weeks in the non-planned group (p = 0.039). Preterm birth occurred in five women (10.4%) who planned their pregnancies and in fifteen women (30%) who did not, with p = 0.031. Conclusions: Pregnancy planning in women with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is associated with better glucose control before conception and throughout the entire pregnancy, resulting in better pregnancy outcomes. Full article

The applicability of the in-situ pyrolysis of oil-rich coal is highly dependent on regional geological conditions. In this study, six major geological factors and 19 key parameters influencing the in-situ pyrolysis of oil-rich coal were systematically identified. An analytic hierarchy process incorporating index classification and quantification was employed in combination with the geological features of the Tiaohu mining area to establish a feasibility evaluation index system suitable for in-situ development in the study region. Among these factors, coal quality parameters (e.g., coal type, moisture content, volatile matter, ash yield), coal seam occurrence characteristics (e.g., seam thickness, burial depth, interburden frequency), and hydrogeological conditions (e.g., relative water inflow) primarily govern pyrolysis process stability. Surrounding rock properties (e.g., roof/floor lithology) and structural features (e.g., fault proximity) directly impact pyrolysis furnace sealing integrity, while environmental geological factors (e.g., hazardous element content in coal) determine environmental risk control effectiveness. Based on actual geological data from the Tiaohu mining area, the comprehensive weight of each index was determined. After calculation, the southwestern, central, and southeastern subregions of the mining area were identified as favorable zones for pyrolysis development. A constraint condition analysis was then conducted, accompanied by a one-vote veto index system, in which the thresholds were defined for coal seam thickness (≥1.5 m), burial depth (≥500 m), thickness variation coefficient (≤15%), fault proximity (≥200 m), tar yield (≥7%), high-pressure permeability (≥10 mD), and high-pressure porosity (≥15%). Following the exclusion of unqualified boreholes, three target zones for pyrolysis furnace deployment were ultimately selected. Full article

Land consolidation (LC) is a sustainability-oriented policy tool designed to address land fragmentation, inefficient spatial organization, and ecological degradation in rural areas. This research proposes a Production–Living–Ecological (PLE) spatial utilization efficiency evaluation system, based on an integrated methodological framework combining Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Entropy Weight Method (EWM), Attribute-Weighting Method (AWM), Linear Weighted Sum Method (LWSM), Threshold-Verification Coefficient Method (TVCM), Jenks Natural Breaks (JNB) classification, and the Obstacle Degree Model (ODM). The framework is applied to Qian County, located in the Guanzhong Plain in Shaanxi Province. The results reveal three key findings: (1) PLE efficiency exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity. Production efficiency shows a spatial pattern characterized by high values in the central region that gradually decrease toward the surrounding areas. In contrast, the living efficiency demonstrates higher values in the eastern and western regions, while remaining relatively low in the central area. Moreover, ecological efficiency shows a marked advantage in the northern region, indicating a distinct south–north gradient. (2) Integrated efficiency consolidation potential zones present distinct spatial distributions. Preliminary consolidation zones are primarily located in the western region; priority zones are concentrated in the south; and intensive consolidation zones are clustered in the central and southeastern areas, with sporadic distributions in the west and north. (3) Five primary obstacle factors hinder land use efficiency: intensive utilization of production land (PC1), agricultural land reutilization intensity (PC2), livability of living spaces (PC4), ecological space security (PC7), and ecological space fragmentation (PC8). These findings provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for formulating tar-gated LC strategies, optimizing rural spatial structures, and advancing sustainable development in similar regions. Full article

Phage therapy shows promise as an adjunct to antibiotics for treating Staphylococcus aureus infections. We previously reported a combined flucloxacillin/two-phage cocktail treatment selected for resistance to podovirus phage 66 in a rodent model of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) endocarditis. Here we show that resistant clones harbor mutations in tarS, which encodes a glycosyltransferase essential for β-GlcNAcylation of wall teichoic acid (WTA). This WTA modification has been described in vitro as critical for podoviruses adsorption. Transcriptomics confirmed continued tarS expression in resistant clones, supporting a loss-of-function mechanism. Accordingly, phage 66 binding and killing were restored by WT tarS complementation. In addition, we investigated the counterintuitive innate susceptibility to phage 66 of the tarM + Laus102 strain used in the endocarditis model. We show that it likely results from a significant lower tarM expression, in contrast to the innate resistant strain RN4220. Our findings demonstrate that tarS-mediated WTA β-GlcNAcylation is critical for podovirus infection also in vivo and identify tarM transcriptional defect as a new mechanism of podoviruses susceptibility in S. aureus. Moreover, and since tarS disruption has been previously shown to enhance β-lactam susceptibility, our results support the development of combined podovirus/antibiotic strategies for the management of MRSA infections. Full article

Gasification of municipal solid waste and other biogenic residues (e.g., biomass and biowaste) is increasingly recognized as a promising thermochemical pathway for converting non-recyclable fractions into valuable energy carriers, with applications in electricity generation, district heating, hydrogen production, and synthetic fuels. This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of major gasification technologies, including fixed bed, fluidized bed, entrained flow, plasma, supercritical water, microwave-assisted, high-temperature steam, and rotary kiln systems. Key aspects such as feedstock compatibility, operating parameters, technology readiness level, and integration within circular economy frameworks are critically evaluated. A comparative assessment of incineration and pyrolysis highlights the environmental and energetic advantages of gasification. The valorization pathways for main product (syngas) and by-products (syngas, ash, tar, and biochar) are also explored, emphasizing their reuse in environmental, agricultural, and industrial applications. Despite progress, large-scale adoption in Europe is constrained by economic, legislative, and technical barriers. Future research should prioritize scaling emerging systems, optimizing by-product recovery, and improving integration with carbon capture and circular energy infrastructures. Supported by recent European policy frameworks, gasification is positioned to play a key role in sustainable waste-to-energy strategies, biomass valorization, and the transition to a low-emission economy. Full article

Background: Acute Stanford Type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) often requires total arch replacement (TAR) with frozen elephant trunk (FET) to address entry tears and support aortic remodeling. In select cases, AMDS may provide a simpler option. The present meta-analysis aims to compare surgical outcomes between these two approaches. Methods: A comprehensive search in the Pubmed, ScienceDirect, SciELO, DOAJ, and Cochrane library databases was performed until February 2025. We included studies that reported the outcomes of patients with ATAAD undergoing TAR with AMDS or FET. To enable a meaningful comparison, we only included FET studies where patients met the same inclusion criteria as those with the AMDS. Results: Thirty-eight articles met our inclusion criteria, with a total of 319 patients in the AMDS group and 4129 in the FET group. Patients undergoing an AMDS procedure experienced significantly higher bleeding requiring surgery (21.2% vs. 6.4%, p < 0.001) and a higher hospital mortality (14.5% vs. 10.0%, p = 0.037) compared to FET. The individual patient data of 1411 patients were constructed. Overall survival at 1 and 3 years was 81.9% ± 3.3% vs. 88.8% ± 0.9% and 81.9% ± 3.3% vs. 85.2% ± 1.0% between AMDS and FET, respectively. A flexible parametric survival model demonstrated a significant mortality drawback for AMDS compared to FET up to 31 days, beyond which the difference was no longer evident. Conclusions: The comparison between AMDS and FET for ATAAD treatment remains debated, with FET favored for its lower mortality and stronger long-term evidence. AMDS, as a newer technique, shows promise but lacks sufficient data to confirm its safety and efficacy. Full article

This work deals with the catalytic steam reforming of raw syngas to increase the efficiency of coupling gasification with downstream processes (such as fuel cells and catalytic chemical syntheses) by producing high-temperature, ready-to-use syngas without cooling it for cleaning and conditioning. Such a combination is considered a key point for the future exploitation of syngas produced by steam gasification of biogenic solid fuel. The design and construction of an integrated gasification and gas conditioning system were proposed approximately 20 years ago; however, they still require further in-depth study for practical applications. A 3D model of the freeboard of a pilot-scale, fluidized bed gasification plant equipped with catalytic ceramic candles was used to investigate the optimal operating conditions for in situ syngas upgrading. The global kinetic parameters for methane and tar reforming reactions were determined experimentally. A fluidized bed gasification reactor (~5 kWth) equipped with a 45 cm long segment of a fully commercial filter candle in its freeboard was used for a series of tests at different temperatures. Using a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) description, the relevant parameters for apparent kinetic equations were obtained in the frame of a first-order reaction model to describe the steam reforming of key tar species. As a further step, a CFD model of the freeboard of a 100 kWth gasification plant, equipped with six catalytic ceramic candles, was developed in ANSYS FLUENT^®. The composition of the syngas input into the gasifier freeboard was obtained from experimental results based on the pilot-scale plant. Simulations showed tar catalytic conversions of 80% for toluene and 41% for naphthalene, still insufficient compared to the threshold limits required for operating solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). An overly low freeboard temperature level was identified as the bottleneck for enhancing gas catalytic conversions, so further simulations were performed by injecting an auxiliary stream of O₂/steam (50/50 wt.%) through a series of nozzles at different heights. The best simulation results were obtained when the O₂/steam stream was fed entirely at the bottom of the freeboard, achieving temperatures high enough to achieve a tar content below the safe operating conditions for SOFCs, with minimal loss of hydrogen content or LHV in the fuel gas. Full article

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common endocrine disorders in dogs. Glycated albumin (GA), a biomarker of short-term glycemia, may offer a valuable tool for assessing glycemic control in dogs with DM. This pilot study evaluated the correlation between GA and conventional glycemic markers and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)-derived metrics in dogs. A total of 30 dogs were included in this prospective pilot study, comprising dogs with diabetes mellitus (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 20). Of these, 11 dogs that lacked anemia, hypoalbuminemia, or azotemia and whose owners consented to 14-day CGM were analyzed for sensor-based metrics (dogs with diabetes, n = 7; controls, n = 4). Across the full cohort, GA showed significant correlations with fructosamine and HbA1c, while within the CGM subset, GA was significantly associated with mean glucose level, TIR2, and TAR2. These findings suggest that GA, in conjunction with fructosamine and HbA1c, offers valuable insights into glycemic control over a 2-week period and could serve as a reliable biomarker for glucose monitoring in dogs with diabetes. Full article

Photocatalysts for applications in different sectors, e.g., civil and environmental, are already developed to a mature extent and allow, for example, the purification of gaseous and liquid streams or the self−cleaning surfaces. The application of photocatalysts in the industrial sector is, however, quite limited. The review addresses the specific topic of the photocatalytic reforming of methane and biomass derivates. In this regard, recent advances in materials science are reported and discussed, in particular regarding doped and modified oxides (TiO₂ and ZrO₂) or non−oxidic ceramics. Concerning process integration, a comparison between traditional two−dimensional photoreactors and fluidized bed systems is proposed and design guidelines are drawn, with indications of the possible benefits. Photocatalytic fluidized beds appear more suitable for small− and medium−scale integrated processes of reforming, operating at lower temperatures than traditional ones for distributed hydrogen generation. Full article

Sheep wool is a natural fiber from various sheep breeds, mainly used in clothing for its insulation properties. It makes up a small share of global fiber production, which is declining as synthetic fibers replace wool and meat farming becomes more profitable. Wool from slaughter sheep, often unsuitable for textiles, is treated as biodegradable waste. The aim of the study was to develop a fully biodegradable composite of natural origin from a polylactide (PLA) matrix reinforced with sheep wool and to select the optimal modifications (chemical) of sheep wool fibers to obtain modified properties, including mechanical properties. The behavior of the composites after exposure to aging conditions simulating naturally occurring stimuli causing biodegradation and thus changes in the material’s performance over its lifespan was also examined. Dynamic thermal analysis was used to describe and parameterize the obtained data and their variables, and the mechanical properties were investigated. The research culminated in a microscopic analysis along with changes in surface properties. The study demonstrated that wool-reinforced composites exhibited significantly improved resistance to UV degradation compared to pure PLA, with samples containing 15% unmodified wool showing a 54% increase in storage modulus at 0 °C after aging. Chemical modifications using nitric acid, iron compounds, and tar were successfully implemented to enhance fiber–matrix compatibility, resulting in increased glass transition temperatures and modified mechanical properties. Although wool fiber is not a good choice for modifications to increase mechanical strength, adding wool fiber does not improve mechanical properties but also does not worsen them much. Wool fibers are a good filler that accelerates degradation and are also a waste, which reduces the potential costs of producing such a biocomposite. The research established that these biocomposites maintain sufficient mechanical properties for packaging applications while offering better environmental resistance than pure polylactide, contributing to the development of circular economy solutions for agricultural waste valorization. So far, no studies have been conducted in the literature on the influence of sheep wool and its modified versions on the mechanical properties and the influence of modification on the degradation rate of PLA/sheep wool biocomposites. Full article

Crinum thaianum, commonly known as water onion, is an endangered species which is primarily threatened by flood-control-related habitat destruction and illegal harvesting for export, resulting in a sharp population decline; its genetic data still remains poorly studied. Retrotransposon-based markers have received significant attention due to their higher potential informativeness compared to conventional marker methods in genetic diversity studies. This study focused on the screening of Ty1-copia retrotransposons, which have been widely studied and are commonly used as molecular markers in various plant species. Ty1-copia reverse transcriptase (rt) fragments were amplified using degenerate primers targeting conserved regions, followed by cloning and sequencing. Sequences were screened for rt gene homology and translated into amino acid sequences. Lineages were assigned by alignment, and phylogenetic analysis was performed for each isolated sequence with a set of well-classified rt genes. The p-distance values were calculated between the isolated sequences and their closest homologous sequences. A total of 123 isolated sequences were analyzed, representing conserved domains in the rt gene of Ty1-copia elements from C. thaianum and four other Crinum species. The results revealed sequence homology to the Ale, TAR, or Angela lineages, which showed the closest resemblance to 9, 4, and 110 isolated rt sequences, respectively. The conserved rt domain SIYGLKQA was mostly found in Angela (87.27%), while SLY/HGLKQS/L and SLYG/ELKQF/S were mostly found in Ale (66.67%) and TAR (75.00%), respectively. The p-distance values obtained from comparisons with Ty1-copia elements in other plants suggest that the Angela and TAR lineages are more evolutionarily conserved than the Ale lineage. Whilst our study sheds light on the variety of Ty1-copia retrotransposons in C. thaianum and other Crinum species, further research on additional Crinum species and other plants is required to enhance our understanding and facilitate future retrotransposon-based marker development. Full article

This review thoroughly evaluates gasification as a transformative alternative to conventional methods for managing municipal solid waste (MSW), highlighting its potential to convert carbonaceous materials into syngas for energy and chemical synthesis. A comparative evaluation of more than 350 papers and documents demonstrated that gasification is superior to incineration and pyrolysis, resulting in lower harmful emissions and improved energy efficiency, which aligns with sustainability goals. Key operational findings indicate that adjusting the temperature to 800–900 °C leads to the consumption of CO₂ and the production of CO via the Boudouard reaction. Air gasification produces syngas yields of up to 76.99 wt% at 703 °C, while oxygen gasification demonstrates a carbon conversion efficiency of 80.2%. Steam and CO₂ gasification prove to be effective for producing H₂ and CO, respectively. Catalysts, especially nickel-based ones, are effective in reducing tar and enhancing syngas quality. Innovative approaches, such as co-gasification, plasma and solar-assisted gasification, chemical looping, and integration with carbon capture, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), show promise in improving process performance and reducing technical and economic hurdles. The review identifies research gaps in catalyst development, feedstock variability, and system integration, emphasizing the need for integrated research, policy, and investment to fully realize the potential of gasification in the clean energy transition and sustainable MSW management. Full article

Current tourism route recommendation systems often overemphasize popular destinations, thereby overlooking geographical accessibility between attractions and the experiential coherence of the journey. Leveraging multidimensional attribute perceptions derived from tourist reviews, this study proposes a Spatial–Semantic Integrated Model for Tourist Attraction Representation (SSIM-TAR), which holistically encodes the composite attributes and multifaceted evaluations of attractions. Integrating these multidimensional features with inter-attraction relationships, three relational metrics are defined and fused: spatial proximity, resonance correlation, and thematic-sentiment similarity, forming a Tourist Attraction Multidimensional Association Network (MAN-SRT). This network enables precise characterization of complex inter-attraction dependencies. Building upon MAN-SRT, the Tourism Sentiment Chain (TSC) model is proposed that incorporates geographical accessibility, associative resonance, and thematic-sentiment synergy to optimize the selection and sequential arrangement of attractions in personalized route planning. Results demonstrate that SSIM-TAR effectively captures the integrated attributes and experiential quality of tourist attractions, while MAN-SRT reveals distinct multidimensional association patterns. Compared with popular platforms such as “Qunar” and “Mafengwo”, the TSC approach yields routes with enhanced spatial efficiency and thematic-sentiment coherence. This study advances tourism route modeling by jointly analyzing multidimensional experiential quality through spatial–semantic feature fusion and by achieving an integrated optimization of geographical accessibility and experiential coherence in route design. Full article

Waste biomass gasification can contribute to the production of alternative and environmentally sustainable green fuels. Research at the CREC–UWO (Chemical Reactor Engineering Center–University of Western Ontario) considers an integrated gasification process where both electrical power, biochar, and tar-free syngas suitable for alcohol synthesis are produced. In particular, the present review addresses the issues concerning tar removal from the syngas produced in a waste biomass gasifier via a catalytic post-gasification (CPG) downer unit. Various questions concerning CPG, such as reaction conditions, thermodynamics, a Tar Conversion Catalyst (TCC), and tar surrogate chemical species that can be employed for catalyst performance evaluations are reported. Catalyst performance-reported results were obtained in a fluidizable CREC Riser Simulator invented at CREC–UWO. The present review shows the suitability of the developed fluidizable Ni–Ceria γ-alumina catalyst, given the high level of tar removal it provides, the minimum coke that is formed with its use, and the adequate reforming of the syngas exiting the biomass waste gasifier, suitable for alcohol synthesis. Full article

Biomass gasification is an effective process for converting organic wastes into syngas. Syngas is a biofuel that possesses several potential applications in the energy sector. However, the major bottleneck for the commercialization of this technology is tar production in biomass gasification, which affects gasifier performance and syngas yield/quality. Tar can be destructed by adopting in situ or ex situ modes of utilizing catalysts in biomass gasification. The added advantage of tar reduction is enhanced syngas energy content. Despite their advantages, catalysts face challenges such as high costs, declining performance over time, and difficulties in regeneration and recycling. Deactivation can also occur due to poisoning, fouling, and carbon buildup. While some natural materials have been tested as alternative materials, the financial sustainability and affordability of catalysts remain crucial for large-scale syngas production. This paper offers an overview of tar reduction strategies and the role of various catalysts in the gasification process and future perspectives on catalyst development for biomass gasification. Full article