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Editor’s Choice articles are based on recommendations by the scientific editors of MDPI journals from around the world. Editors select a small number of articles recently published in the journal that they believe will be particularly interesting to readers, or important in the respective research area. The aim is to provide a snapshot of some of the most exciting work published in the various research areas of the journal.
Background:Intravascular stent infections are often associated with high risks of morbidity and mortality. We report here a case of a patient with an arterial stent and recurrentPseudomonassepticaemias successfully treated with phage–meropenem combination therapy.Methods:A 75-year-old female with arteriosclerosis and[...] Read more.
Background:Intravascular stent infections are often associated with high risks of morbidity and mortality. We report here a case of a patient with an arterial stent and recurrentPseudomonassepticaemias successfully treated with phage–meropenem combination therapy.Methods:A 75-year-old female with arteriosclerosis and comorbidities went through a femoropopliteal bypass with prosthesis in the right inguinal area. After the bypass, she developed a recurringPseudomonas aeruginosainfection and also neutropenia during different antibiotics. A rapidly growing pseudoaneurysm in the right inguinal area led to an emergency intra-arterial stent placement during blood stream infection, later suspected to host aP. aeruginosabiofilm. Removing the stent was deemed precarious, and phage therapy was considered as a compassionate treatment option. A three-phage cocktail infecting theP. aeruginosastrain was prepared and administered intravenously together with meropenem for two weeks, after which, a ten-month follow-up was carried out.Results:No adverse reactions occurred during the phage therapy treatment, while infection markers were normalized. In addition, recovery was seen in a PET-CT scan. During the 10-month follow-up, no furtherP. aeruginosasepticaemias occurred.Conclusions:Phage–meropenem combination therapy was thus found safe and effective in the treatment of recurrentPseudomonassepticaemia in a patient with an arterial stent.Full article
In this study, the degradation of naphthalene in water was performed via photocatalysis with two different configurations: UV-irradiated TiO2deposited on cellulosic tissue and photocatalytic luminous textiles. The photocatalytic performance of these configurations was evaluated in terms of pollutant removal and mineralization[...] Read more.
In this study, the degradation of naphthalene in water was performed via photocatalysis with two different configurations: UV-irradiated TiO2deposited on cellulosic tissue and photocatalytic luminous textiles. The photocatalytic performance of these configurations was evaluated in terms of pollutant removal and mineralization yield. Moreover, the influence of key operating parameters, such as the initial pollutant concentration, solution turbidity, the number of tissues,and the type of irradiation, was investigated. The results showed a complete removal of 8 mg/L of naphthalene with photocatalytic luminous textiles after 4 h of UV irradiation, with a mineralization yield of 80%. The impact of the turbidity shows that at 90 NTU,reductions in photocatalytic activity of 30% and 10% were recorded for the UV-irradiated TiO2deposed on cellulosic tissue and photocatalytic luminous textiles, respectively. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) concentrations were monitored during photocatalysis to better understand the contribution of each active species in the mechanism reaction of naphthalene oxidation. The results show that the hydroxyl radical (•OH) is responsible for 70% of pollutant oxidation. A scaling up of the water treatment with photocatalytic luminous textiles was performed. The extrapolation confirmed the same trends observed at the laboratory scale in terms of degradation and mineralization.Full article
This study thoroughly investigated the compressive and tensile strength characteristics of black shale using both experimental and analytical approaches. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted to determine the elastic constants of black shale modeled as idealized, linear elastic, homogeneous, and transversely isotropic. Additionally, Brazilian[...] Read more.
This study thoroughly investigated the compressive and tensile strength characteristics of black shale using both experimental and analytical approaches. Uniaxial compression tests were conducted to determine the elastic constants of black shale modeled as idealized, linear elastic, homogeneous, and transversely isotropic. Additionally,Brazilian tests were carried out on shale, considering it a transversely isotropic material. Strain measurements were recorded at the center of disc specimens subjected to diametric loading. By placing strain gages at the disc centers,the five elastic constants were accurately estimated. The effects of experimental methods and diametric loading on the elastic constant determination were evaluated and analyzed, and the indirect shear strength of the black shale, considering anisotropy,was determined using the estimated stress concentration coefficient. This study revealed that the indirect tensile strength of black shale is significantly influenced by the angle between the anisotropic planes and the diametric loading direction. Moreover, it was revealed that the stress concentration coefficients for anisotropic rocks vary from those of isotropic rocks, depending on the inclination angle of the bedding planes. This study confirms that the shear (tensile) strength of anisotropic black shale is not constant but varies with the orientation of the anisotropic planes in relation to the applied load.Full article
The development of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites incorporating urchin-like WO3particles through a cost-effective solution-casting method has led to significant enhancements in structural, thermal, optical, and rheological properties. The incorporation of these WO3particles up to 7 wt% resulted in the[...] Read more.
The development of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanocomposites incorporating urchin-like WO3particles through a cost-effective solution-casting method has led to significant enhancements in structural, thermal, optical, and rheological properties. The incorporation of these WO3particles up to 7 wt% resulted in the formation of an irregular honeycomb-like morphology with broad pore sizes ranging from 14.1 to 24.7 µm, as confirmed by SEM and EDX analysis. The urchin-like WO3particles acted as effective nucleating agents, increasing the crystallinity of PLA from 40% to 50% and achieving an impressive overall crystallinity rate of 97%. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed an 11 K reduction in the crystalline phase transition temperature while maintaining stable melting (Tm) and glass transition (Tg) temperatures. Thermal analysis indicated a significant decrease in the onset of degradation and maximum thermal stability (Tmax), with a reduction of 21 K due to the incorporation of the WO3particles. Optical measurements showed enhancement of UV-blocking properties from 9% to 55% with the WO3particle loading. Rheological tests demonstrated substantial improvements in viscoelastic properties, including a remarkable 30-fold increase in storage modulus, suggesting enhanced gel formation. Although the nanocomposites showed minimal antibacterial activity againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus, they exhibited significant antifungal activity againstCandida albicans. These results underscore the potential of the PLA/WO3nanocomposites for advanced material applications, particularly where enhanced mechanical, thermal, optical, and antifungal performance is required.Full article
Backgroud:Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 females. Various treatments have been explored; however, no effective treatments have been reported to date, except for trofinetide, a synthetic analog of glycine-proline-glutamic acid, which was approved by the FDA in[...] Read more.
Backgroud:Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 females. Various treatments have been explored; however, no effective treatments have been reported to date, except for trofinetide, a synthetic analog of glycine-proline-glutamic acid,which was approved by the FDA in 2023. Serological biomarkers that correlate with the disease status of RTT are needed to promote early diagnosis and to develop novel agents.Methods:In this study, we performed a high-depth proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles containing preparations extracted from patient plasma samples to identify novel biomarkers.Results:We identified 33 upregulated and 17 downregulated candidate proteins among a total of 4273 proteins in RTT compared to the healthy controls. Among these, UBE3B was predominantly increased in patients with Rett syndrome and exhibited a strong correlation with the clinical severity score, indicating the severity of the disease.Conclusions:We demonstrated that the proteomics of high-depth extracellular vesicles containing preparations in rare diseases could be valuable in identifying new disease biomarkers and understanding their pathophysiology.Full article
In the search for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapies, most animal models focus on familial AD, which accounts for a small fraction of cases. The majority of AD cases arise from stress factors, such as oxidative stress, leading to neurological changes (sporadic AD). Early[...] Read more.
In the search for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapies, most animal models focus on familial AD, which accounts for a small fraction of cases. The majority of AD cases arise from stress factors, such as oxidative stress, leading to neurological changes (sporadic AD). Early in AD progression, dysfunction in γ-secretase causes the formation of insoluble Aβ1-42peptides, which aggregate into senile plaques, triggering neurodegeneration, cognitive decline, and circadian rhythm disturbances. To better model sporadic AD, we used a new AD rat model induced by intracerebroventricular administration of Aβ1-42oligomers (icvAβ1-42) combined with melatonin deficiency via pinealectomy (pin). We validated this model by assessing spatial memory using the radial arm maze test and measuring Aβ1-42and γ-secretase levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus with ELISA. The icvAβ1-42+ pin model experienced impaired spatial memory and increased Aβ1-42and γ-secretase levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, effects not seen with either icvAβ1-42or the pin alone. Chronic melatonin treatment reversed memory deficits and reduced Aβ1-42and γ-secretase levels in both structures. Our findings suggest that our icvAβ1-42+ pin model is extremely valuable for future AD research.Full article
The paper considers a bidimensional continuous-time risk model with subexponential claims and Brownian perturbations, in which the price processes of the investment portfolio of the two lines of business are two geometric Lévy processes and the two lines of business share a common[...] Read more.
The paper considers a bidimensional continuous-time risk model with subexponential claims and Brownian perturbations, in which the price processes of the investment portfolio of the two lines of business are two geometric Lévy processes and the two lines of business share a common claim-number process, which is a renewal counting process. The paper mainly considers the claims of each line of business having a dependence structure. When the claims have subexponential distributions, the asymptotics of the finite-time ruin probabilitiesandhave been obtained. When the distributions of claims belong to the intersection of long-tailed and dominatedly varying-tailed distribution classes, the asymptotics of the finite-time ruin probabilityis given.Full article
(1) Background: Most nations struggle to close significant income gaps between high and low earners. While the adoption of farm machinery rental services and off-farm employment may be beneficial, it is unclear whether jointly applying both approaches can raise income levels in rural[...] Read more.
(1) Background: Most nations struggle to close significant income gaps between high and low earners. While the adoption of farm machinery rental services and off-farm employment may be beneficial,it is unclear whether jointly applying both approaches can raise income levels in rural households or help narrow the income gap within the farm sector. This study investigated scenarios involving both participation in farm machinery rental markets and in off-farm work, analyzing their varied impacts on household incomes based on survey data from 1027 rice producers in rural China. (2) Methods: We employed a two-stage econometric procedure encompassing a bivariate ordered probit model with an endogeneity-corrected unconditional quantile regression model. (3) Results: Rice farmers often simultaneously rent farm machinery services and engage in off-farm work. Both activities positively affect their household incomes; however, these effects vary across different income levels. Renting farm machinery provides greater marginal benefits for lower-income households, while off-farm employment has a stronger impact on higher-income households. Farm machinery rental services appear to benefit disadvantaged households more than off-farm employment opportunities do. (4) Suggestions: To enhance the welfare of lower-income households, policymakers should focus on expanding access to farm machinery rental services.Full article
Given the increasing popularity of CrossFit®as a high-intensity functional training program and the potential benefits of citrulline malate (CM) in enhancing exercise performance through its role as a precursor to L-arginine and nitric oxide production, this study aimed to investigate the[...] Read more.
Given the increasing popularity of CrossFit®as a high-intensity functional training program and the potential benefits of citrulline malate (CM) in enhancing exercise performance through its role as a precursor to L-arginine and nitric oxide production, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of CM supplementation on CrossFit®performance and cardiovascular function. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, 21 recreationally active participants (mean age 22.2 ± 2.6 years, mean body weight 75.9 ± 10.4 kg) with CrossFit®experience completed the “Cindy” workout under CM and placebo conditions. Participants consumed 4.4 g of CM or a placebo 60 min before the workout, and the performance was measured by the number of rounds completed. Secondary outcomes included heart rate response, time spent in different heart rate intensity zones, and post-exercise recovery time. The results indicated no significant difference in the number of rounds completed between the CM and placebo conditions (13.5 ± 5.2 vs. 13.8 ± 6.7 rounds, respectively;p= 0.587). However, the time spent in zone 4 (80–90% of HR max) was significantly increased in the CM condition (527 ± 395 s vs. 453 ± 334 s;p= 0.017), suggesting a potential benefit for aerobic capacity and anaerobic threshold. No significant differences in post-exercise recovery time were observed (6.6 ± 4.7 h vs. 6.9 ± 4.7 h;p= 0.475). This study highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes, both genders, and different CM dosages to clarify these findings and better understand CM’s role in enhancing athletic performance.Full article
The ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to cause DNA damage in infected humans requires its study as a potential indicator of COVID-19 progression. DNA damage was studied in leukocytes of 65 COVID-19 patients stratified by sex, age, and disease severity in relation to[...] Read more.
The ability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to cause DNA damage in infected humans requires its study as a potential indicator of COVID-19 progression. DNA damage was studied in leukocytes of 65 COVID-19 patients stratified by sex, age, and disease severity in relation to demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters. In a combined group of COVID-19 patients, DNA damage was shown to be elevated compared to controls (12.44% vs. 5.09%,p< 0.05). Severe cases showed higher DNA damage than moderate cases (14.66% vs. 10.65%,p< 0.05), and males displayed more damage than females (13.45% vs. 8.15%,p< 0.05). DNA damage is also correlated with international normalized ratio (INR) (r = 0.471,p< 0.001) and creatinine (r = 0.326,p< 0.05). In addition to DNA damage, severe COVID-19 is associated with age, C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatinine. Receiver operating characteristic analysis identified age, INR, creatinine, DNA damage, and CRP as significant predictors of disease severity, with cut-off values of 72.50 years, 1.46 s, 78.0 µmol/L, 9.72%, and 50.0 mg/L, respectively. The results show that DNA damage correlates with commonly accepted COVID-19 risk factors. These findings underscore the potential of DNA damage as a biomarker for COVID-19 severity, suggesting its inclusion in prognostic assessments to facilitate early intervention and improve patient outcomes.Full article
Embedded fiber Bragg gratings are increasingly applied for in-situ strain measurement in fiber-reinforced plastics, integral to high-end aerospace equipment. Existing research primarily focuses on in-plane strain measurement, limited by the fact that fiber Bragg gratings are mainly sensitive to axial strain. However, out-of-plane[...] Read more.
Embedded fiber Bragg gratings are increasingly applied for in-situ strain measurement in fiber-reinforced plastics, integral to high-end aerospace equipment. Existing research primarily focuses on in-plane strain measurement, limited by the fact that fiber Bragg gratings are mainly sensitive to axial strain. However,out-of-plane strain measurement is equally important for comprehending structural deformation. The birefringence of fiber Bragg gratings shows promise for addressing this problem; yet, the strain transfer relationship between composites and optical fibers, along with the decoupling method for multi-directional strains,remains inadequately explored. This study introduces an innovative method for multi-directional strain measurement in fiber-reinforced plastics using the birefringence of a single-fiber Bragg grating. The strain transfer relationship between composites and embedded optical fibers was derived based on Kollar’s analytical model,leading to the development of a multi-directional strain decoupling methodology. This method was experimentally validated on carbon fiber/polyetherimide laminates under thermo-mechanical loading. Its reliability was confirmed by comparing experimental results and finite element simulations. These findings significantly broaden the application scenarios of fiber Bragg gratings, advancing the in-situ measurement technology crucial for the next generation of high-end aerospace equipment.Full article
A spillway is a hydraulic structure of major importance in dam safety, and its current analysis usually involves a hybrid approach combining CFD modeling with experimental research, either using well-known WES design charts or conducting new model experiments in the laboratory. Flow over[...] Read more.
A spillway is a hydraulic structure of major importance in dam safety, and its current analysis usually involves a hybrid approach combining CFD modeling with experimental research, either using well-known WES design charts or conducting new model experiments in the laboratory. Flow over spillway crests involves fluid accelerations, making irrotationality an adequate simplification of the Navier–Stokes (NS) equations. However, an efficient tool using this method is currently lacking for spillway flow, particularly for ogee spillway flow. This work focuses on this aspect of the problem,and a new method for computing irrotational flow solutions over ogee spillways is proposed by developing flow net computational solutions. The proposed method entails a new iterative procedure in the complex potential plane where free surface pressures are exactly set to zero, contrary to other methods,and an automatic determination of the critical point, the unknown energy head, and the free surface profile. The model generates solutions efficiently in only a few seconds on a personal workstation, permitting a fast estimate of spillway flow operation,and is thus an effective complement to experimental and NS-CFD modeling. The solutions produced are compared with observations of a high operational head equal to five times the design head of the ogee crest,resulting in reasonable agreement. The application of the new model to investigate the limitations of analytical equations used in spillway flow, like Jaeger’s theory, establishes limits for its use by relating its curvature parameter to the spillway chute slope.Full article
Context:Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are progenitor cells that shape the tissue’s biological properties.Objective:To examine the dipocytes differentiated from the ADMSCs of lean and obese individuals with/without a metabolic syndrome (MetSx) cytokine secretory profile, as to date, little is known[...] Read more.
Context:Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are progenitor cells that shape the tissue’s biological properties.Objective:To examine the dipocytes differentiated from the ADMSCs of lean and obese individuals with/without a metabolic syndrome (MetSx) cytokine secretory profile, as to date, little is known on this topic.Methods:Interleukin, chemokine and growth factor levels in the culture medium were determined using the Human Cytokine kit.Results: We observed a characteristic secretory fingerprint displayed by the cells from the MetSx group and identified a set of putative markers (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-7, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, VEGF, FGF, GM-CSF, TNF-α, IFN-γ) of the condition. Surprisingly, the concentrations of most of the molecules (except for IL-6, IFN-γ, IP-10, VEGF) decreased when compared with the cells from the lean group. We postulate that the difference stemmed from the fact that in vivo cytokines were mostly secreted by the activated monocytes/macrophages and not adipocytes per se. This may also suggest that the aforementioned upregulated cytokines (IL-6, IFN-γ, IP-10, VEGF) might have been the ones that attracted monocytes and triggered the vicious cycle of tissue inflammation.Conclusions: Our study indicated that the adipocytes newly derived from the ADMSCs of obese patients with metabolic syndrome displayed a secretory fingerprint that may be characteristic to the early stages of the condition.Full article
Recent investigations in the upper Lower–Middle Pleistocene deposits of the Megalopolis Basin (Greece) led to the discovery of several sites/findspots with abundant faunal material. Here, we provide an updated overview including new results on the micro- and macro-mammal fauna. Important new discoveries comprise[...] Read more.
Recent investigations in the upper Lower–Middle Pleistocene deposits of the Megalopolis Basin (Greece) led to the discovery of several sites/findspots with abundant faunal material. Here, we provide an updated overview including new results on the micro- and macro-mammal fauna. Important new discoveries comprise partial hippopotamus skeletons from Marathousa 1 and the new Lower Pleistocene site Choremi 6, as well as a second partial elephant skeleton from Marathousa 1,including a complete tusk and the rarely found stylohyoideum. Based on the first results from the newly collected micromammals, we discuss age constraints of the sites,and we provide biostratigraphic/biochronologic remarks on key mammal taxa for the Middle Pleistocene of Greece and southeastern Europe. The presence of mammals highly dependent on freshwater for their survival, together with temperate-adapted ones in several stratigraphic layers of the basin, including those correlated with glacial stages,when conditions were colder and/or drier, indicate the capacity of the basin to retain perennial freshwater bodies under milder climatic conditions, even during the harsher glacial periods of the European Middle Pleistocene, and further support its refugial status. Yet,the smaller dimensions of the Megalopolis hippopotamuses may represent a response to the changing environmental conditions of the epoch, not optimal for hippopotamuses. Overall, the Megalopolis Basin comprises a unique fossil record for southeastern Europe and provides valuable insights into the Middle Pleistocene terrestrial ecosystems of Europe,and hominin adaptations in particular.Full article
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health challenge; although low–middle income countries carry the heaviest burden, its diagnosis and treatment can be challenging in any country. The clinical picture can be complex and vary from person to person, with autoimmune complications[...] Read more.
Background: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant global health challenge; although low–middle income countries carry the heaviest burden, its diagnosis and treatment can be challenging in any country. The clinical picture can be complex and vary from person to person, with autoimmune complications that can hinder TB diagnosis and treatment.Case Presentation: We report the case of a 38-year-old man from Bangladesh who had recently arrived in Italy through the Balkan route. He presented with TB in the cervical lymph nodes and long-standing chronic myalgias. While a wide range of TB-triggered autoimmune entities can be found in the literature, this case is the first to describe immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) triggered by active TB.Conclusions: IMNM has been previously associated only with other infections like SARS-CoV-2 and Dengue. The successful diagnosis and management of TB-induced IMNM was achieved through a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach involving rheumatologists, immunologists, and infectious diseases specialists, showcasing an innovative treatment strategy and adding new insights into the complexities of TB and IMNM.Full article
Background:The treatment for pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD) has shifted over the years from steroids and immunomodulators to biologics with the goal of histological and clinical remission. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) has been utilized for stricturing disease, even in the pediatric population. EBD[...] Read more.
Background:The treatment for pediatric Crohn’s disease (CD) has shifted over the years from steroids and immunomodulators to biologics with the goal of histological and clinical remission. Endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) has been utilized for stricturing disease, even in the pediatric population. EBD has been shown to be effective and minimally invasive, though historically, has been performed on patients with persistent mucosal inflammation. As such, intralesional corticosteroid (ILC) injections have been traditionally utilized during EBD. However, intralesional corticosteroid efficacy among pediatrics patients in deep endoscopic remission is unknown.Case Presentation:We report four patients that demonstrated at least initial successful dilations without intralesional steroid injections.Conclusions:The use of ILC injections during routine EBDs in pediatric patients should be further explored in randomized control trials.Full article
Ballistic helmets are individual pieces of armor equipment designed to protect a soldier’s head from projectiles and fragments. Although very common, these helmets are responsible for several casualties due to their significant back face deformation and low ballistic resistance to projectiles. Therefore, to[...] Read more.
Ballistic helmets are individual pieces of armor equipment designed to protect a soldier’s head from projectiles and fragments. Although very common, these helmets are responsible for several casualties due to their significant back face deformation and low ballistic resistance to projectiles. Therefore, to enhance helmet performance, studies have focused on the development of new materials and new ballistic protection solutions. The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a new ballistic solution using thermoplastic-based matrices. The first matrix was based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The second matrix was based on HDPE modified with exfoliated montmorillonite (MMT). The main manufacturing processes of a thermoplastic-based ballistic helmet are presented, along with its ballistic performance, according to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) standard 0106.01 and an investigation of its failure mechanisms via a non-destructive technique. All the helmets resulted in level III-A ballistic protection. The postimpact helmets were scanned to evaluate the back face deformation dimensions,which revealed that the global cone deformation was deeper in the HDPE than in the HDPE/MMT helmet. The failure analysis revealed an overall larger deformation area in the HDPE and HDPE/MMT helmet delamination zones in the regions with a large radius of curvature than in the zones with the lowest radius,which is in accordance with previous simulations reported in the literature.Full article
Polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) have been blended with adhesive-grade ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), propylene elastomer (VMX), isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR) and an acrylic block copolymer (MMA-nBA-MMA). The blends were prepared using a two-roll mill and injection molding. The mechanical properties[...] Read more.
Polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) have been blended with adhesive-grade ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), propylene elastomer (VMX), isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR) and an acrylic block copolymer (MMA-nBA-MMA). The blends were prepared using a two-roll mill and injection molding. The mechanical properties of the blends, such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at maximum load, and impact resistance, were investigated. The water contact angle, melt flow rate (MFR), and differential scanning calorimetry were ascertained to evaluate the blends. The blend samples exhibited the following properties: all POM/EVA blends showed reduced crystallinity compared to neat POM; the 80% PMMA/20% MMA-nBA-MMA blend showed improved impact resistance by 243% compared to the neat PMMA. An antiplasticization effect was observed for POM/EVA 1% blends and PMMA/EVA 1% blends, with MFR reduced by 1% and 3%, respectively. The MFR of the PP/IIR 1% blend increased by 5%, then decreased below the MFR near the polymer for the remaining IIR concentrations.Full article
Small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) is a critical economic fish species in South Korea, where effective management is essential due to concerns over declining populations. This study aims to enhance fishery management strategies by applying machine learning techniques to classify the[...] Read more.
Small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) is a critical economic fish species in South Korea, where effective management is essential due to concerns over declining populations. This study aims to enhance fishery management strategies by applying machine learning techniques to classify the maturity stages and estimate the length at first maturity (L50 and L95), comparing these results with those obtained using traditional macroscopic methods. Five machine learning models, including Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), LightGBM (LGBM), EXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) and Support Vector Machine (SVM), were developed and evaluated for their effectiveness in predicting maturity stages. The XGB model demonstrated superior performance with the highest evaluation final score and low computation time. Using generalized linear models (GLM), this study estimated L50 and L95 for both machine learning predictions and macroscopic observations. The results showed that machine learning models, particularly XGB,provided more precise estimates with narrower confidence intervals and better model fit than the traditional macroscopic methods. These findings can support more sustainable fisheries management practices by offering reliable tools for setting appropriate regulatory measures, such as minimum landing sizes,which contribute to the conservation of marine resources.Full article
The remediation of contaminated groundwater is a critical component of environmental management. In situ bioremediation (ISB) is a technique used to treat contaminated groundwater by promoting the activity of microorganisms, which transform harmful substances into less toxic or non-toxic forms. The present study[...] Read more.
The remediation of contaminated groundwater is a critical component of environmental management. In situ bioremediation (ISB) is a technique used to treat contaminated groundwater by promoting the activity of microorganisms, which transform harmful substances into less toxic or non-toxic forms. The present study investigates social issues regarding the sustainability approach applied to the remediation of contaminated sites by analyzing occupational health and safety (OH&S) impacts on workers involved in the remediation process. Occupational chemical risk is analyzed by comparing two techniques for the remediation of groundwater contaminated by chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs): the pump-and-treat system and biological barriers. A contaminated Italian site, located near an industrial waste disposal site, was analyzed, applying a quantitative approach for chemical risk assessment. This approach is based on the use of a validated algorithm (SNPA software) and environmental measurement campaigns of chemical agents. This study (as far as the authors know) is the first research carried out in this field and shows that the adoption of bio-barriers for remediation is intrinsically safer in terms of OH&S impacts on workers.Full article
Excessive sodium consumption is a worldwide problem, prompting the industry to develop sodium-reduced products and substitute salts. High sodium consumption is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Excessive sodium intake also impairs the immune system in[...] Read more.
Excessive sodium consumption is a worldwide problem, prompting the industry to develop sodium-reduced products and substitute salts. High sodium consumption is a significant risk factor for high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Excessive sodium intake also impairs the immune system in the gastrointestinal tract. Potassium chloride (KCl) is the most commonly used mineral salt due to its similarity to sodium chloride (NaCl), and its consumption has been shown to lower blood pressure when consumed in adequate amounts. The aim of this study was to partially replace NaCl with KCl at levels of 25%, 50% and 75% in the brine used to make white brined cheese. Parameters such as acidity, total dissolved solids, salinity, conductivity, colour, texture and sensory properties were evaluated during a 28-day refrigerated storage period. KCl can replace NaCl by 50%, and no significant differences in physicochemical and sensory parameters were observed during cheese storage compared to the control sample. In addition, the study investigates the use of Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models to predict certain brine and cheese properties. The study successfully developed four different ANN models to accurately predict various properties such as brine pH, cheese colour and hardness over a 28-day storage period.Full article
Nono is a traditional cultured dairy product consumed across West Africa. In this study, five cultures isolated from Nigerian-produced nono and three purified lactic acid bacteria from the USDA-NRRL were examined for use in preparing nono starter cultures. Isolated cultures were characterized using[...] Read more.
Nono is a traditional cultured dairy product consumed across West Africa. In this study, five cultures isolated from Nigerian-produced nono and three purified lactic acid bacteria from the USDA-NRRL were examined for use in preparing nono starter cultures. Isolated cultures were characterized using microbiological and biochemical tests, including 16s rDNA sequencing to identify the genotype. Each isolated strain was cultured and inoculated into UHT milk (1%v/v) and allowed to ferment for 24 h at 25 °C. Fermented products were evaluated for pH, moisture content, water activity, and viscosity,and their descriptive sensory properties were noted. The isolate that resulted in sensory properties most similar to traditional nono was then used as the primary strain for subsequent starter culture blends made with the NRRL cultures. These blends were used for the fermentation of nono and compared with commercial nono samples. Isolates obtainedfrom nono were as follows:Lactobacillus fermentum,Lactobacillus paracasei, and, surprisingly,Lactobacillus rhamnosus, which has not been previously reported as a part of the nono microflora. There was no significant difference in the physical parameters of nono made from the individual indigenous isolates and a similar pattern was observed for the organisms from NRRL, except that their total titratable acidity and viscosities were significantly (p< 0.05) higher than those of the indigenous organisms. Compounded starter made withL. rhamnosusand NRRL cultures was then used to make nono that showed significantly (p< 0.05) different pH and viscosity values than commercially purchased nono, while sensory evaluation showed that nono made from the new starter culture had a high overall consumer acceptance score.Full article
Conventional passive packaging plays a crucial role in food manufacturing by protecting foods from various external influences. Most packaging materials are polymer-based plastics derived from fossil carbon sources, which are favored for their versatility, aesthetic appeal, and cost-effectiveness. However, the extensive use of[...] Read more.
Conventional passive packaging plays a crucial role in food manufacturing by protecting foods from various external influences. Most packaging materials are polymer-based plastics derived from fossil carbon sources, which are favored for their versatility, aesthetic appeal, and cost-effectiveness. However,the extensive use of these materials poses significant environmental challenges due to their fossil-based origins and persistence in the environment. Global plastic consumption for packaging is expected to nearly triple by 2060, exacerbating the ecological crisis. Moreover,globalization has increased access to a diverse range of foods from around the world, heightening the importance of packaging in providing healthier and safer foods with extended shelf life. In response to these challenges,there is a growing shift to eco-friendly active packaging that not only protects but also preserves the authentic qualities of food, surpassing the roles of conventional passive packaging. This article provides a comprehensive review on the viability, benefits,and challenges of implementing bio-based biodegradable polymers in active food packaging, with the dual goals of environmental sustainability and extending food shelf life.Full article
Members of theB. cereusgroup are spore-forming organisms commonly associated with spoilage of milk and dairy products. We have determined the genetic identity and growth characteristics of 57B. cereusisolates collected from a Norwegian ice cream production plant. Our findings revealed[...] Read more.
Members of theB. cereusgroup are spore-forming organisms commonly associated with spoilage of milk and dairy products. We have determined the genetic identity and growth characteristics of 57B. cereusisolates collected from a Norwegian ice cream production plant. Our findings revealed persistence ofB. cereusspp. strains for up to 19 months, suggesting the plant’s susceptibility to long-term colonization. One of the mesophilic isolates, NVH-YM303, carried a complete cereulide synthetase operon. To assess the potential food poisoning risk associated with the presence of cereulide-producing strains in the production line,we examined the production of cereulide in ice cream and milk at different temperatures by NVH-YM303 and by the emetic psychrotrophicB. weihenstephanensisstrain BtB2-4. Our findings revealed that NVH-YM303 produced higher levels of cereulide in ice cream as compared to milk. Furthermore, it was observed that NVH-YM303 produced more cereulide in ice cream at 25 °C compared to 15 °C. Conversely, BtB2-4 produced more cereulide in ice cream at 15 °C than at 25 °C. The results obtained in this study contribute to knowledge important for risk assessment of the potential hazards posed by the presence ofB. cereuswithin ice cream production facilities.Full article
