Search Results (647)

The efficacy of natamycin (Fruitgard Nat 20) and Proallium (an extract of allium including propyl thiosulfinate oxide (PTSO)) against sour rot and green mold in mandarins was evaluated under controlled and commercial conditions. The study involved artificial inoculation of Nova, Tango, Orri, Afourer, Murcott, and Nules Clementine mandarins with isolates of Penicillium digitatum resistant to imazalil and pyrimethanil and an isolate of Geotrichum citri-aurantii susceptible to propiconazole fungicides. Under laboratory conditions, natamycin applied at 1500 µg mL⁻¹ significantly reduced green mold by 61.2% in Orri and sour rot by 62.8% in Nova and 80% in Tango. Increasing the concentration to 2000 µg mL⁻¹ further improved control of sour rot in Nova to 92.8%. In commercial trials, natamycin at 1500 µg mL⁻¹ was ineffective on Afourer; however, 2000 µg mL⁻¹ reduced sour rot by 39% on Nules Clementine. Proallium (12–16 µg mL⁻¹ PTSO) applied under controlled conditions effectively reduced green mold by 33% in Nova and 31% in Nules Clementine, and sour rot by 19%, 41%, and 36% in Nules Clementine, Nova, and Afourer, respectively. Under commercial conditions, using the same dose of Proallium, there was a 51.5% reduction in the incidence of imazalil and pyrimethanil-resistant P. digitatum strains and a 36.5% reduction in sour rot. Both natamycin and PTSO showed promising results for managing green mold caused by fungicide-resistant strains, but further research is needed to optimize control of sour rot in mandarins. Full article

The need for energy efficiency in neighborhood-scale architectural design is driven by environmental imperatives and escalating energy costs. This study identifies three key phases in a design process framework where machine learning can be applied to optimize energy consumption in early design stages. The overall framework integrates machine learning tools into the design workflow, enhancing design exploration from concept level and enabling targeted energy assessments. This paper focuses on the first phase (Phase 1) of the framework, which employs machine learning for building energy forecasting using only the few inputs available in a business-as-usual early-stage design workflow. The CatBoost model was selected for its high accuracy in predicting energy consumption using minimal input data. A preliminary application to a case study in New York City showed high predictive accuracy while reducing the input needed, with R² scores of 0.88 for both cross-validation and test datasets. Shapely additive explanation analysis validated the selection of key influencing parameters such as building area, principal building activity, and climate zones. The test demonstrated discrepancies between the test data-driven model and a physics-based energy model values ranging from −8.69% to 11.04%, which can be considered an acceptable result in early-stage design. The remaining two phases, though outside the scope of this study, are introduced at a conceptual level to provide an overview of the full framework. Phase 2 will analyze building shape and elevation, assessing the total energy use intensity, while Phase 3 will apply district-level energy optimization across interconnected buildings. The findings from Phase 1 underscore the potential of machine learning to integrate energy efficiency considerations into neighborhood-scale design from the earliest stages, providing reliable predictions that can inform sustainable design. Full article

We develop a new analytical and numerical approach, based on existing models, to describe the onset of lateral–torsional buckling (LTB) for simply supported thin-walled steel members. The profiles have uniform I cross-sections with variable lengths of the flanges, to describe also H cross-sections, they are prestressed by external tendons, and they are subjected to fire and various loadings. Our approach manages to update the value of the prestressing force, accounting for thermal and loads; the critical multipliers result from an eigenvalue problem obtained applying Galërkin’s approach to a system of nonlinear equilibrium equations. Our results are compared to buckling, steady state, and transient state analyses of a Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation, in which an original expression for an equivalent thermal expansion coefficient for the beam–tendon system that accounts for both mechanical and thermal strains is introduced. Our aim is to find estimates for the critical conditions with no geometric imperfections and accounting for the decay of material properties due to fire, thus providing limit values useful for conservative design. This approach can surpass others in the literature and in the existing technical norms. Full article

Recombinant aequorin has been extensively used in mammalian and plant systems as a powerful tool for calcium monitoring. While aequorin has also been widely applied in yeast research, a notable gap exists in the literature regarding comprehensive reviews of these applications. This review aims to address that gap by providing an overview of how aequorin has been used to explore calcium homeostasis, signaling pathways, and responses to stressors, heavy metals, and toxic compounds in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also discuss strategies for further developing the aequorin system in yeast, with particular emphasis on its use as a model for human calcium signaling studies, such as the reproduction of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter. By highlighting previous research and pinpointing potential future applications, we discuss the untapped potential of aequorin in yeast for drug screening, environmental toxicity testing, and disease-related studies. Full article

To date, the percentage composition of the lung microbiome in bronchopulmonary cancer has not been summarized. Existing studies on identifying the lung microbiome in bronchopulmonary cancer through 16S rRNA sequencing have shown variable results regarding the abundance of bacterial taxa. Objective: To identify the predominant bacterial taxa at the phylum and genus levels in bronchopulmonary cancer using samples collected through bronchoalveolar lavage and to determine a potential proportional pattern that could contribute to the diagnosis of bronchopulmonary cancer. Data Sources: A systematic review of English articles using MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science. Search terms included lung microbiome, lung cancer, and bronchoalveolar lavage. Study Selection: Studies that investigated the lung microbiome in bronchopulmonary cancer with samples collected via bronchoalveolar lavage. Data Extraction: Independent extraction of articles using predefined data fields, including study quality indicators. Data Synthesis: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria, focusing on those that utilized a percentage expression of the microbiome at the phylum or genus level. There was noted heterogeneity between studies, both in terms of phylum and genus, with a relatively constant percentage of the Firmicutes phylum and the genera Streptococcus and Veillonella being mentioned. Significant differences were also observed regarding the inclusion criteria for study participants, the method of sample collection, and data processing. Conclusions: To date, there is no consistent percentage pattern at the phylum or genus level in bronchopulmonary cancer, with the predominance of a phylum or genus varying across different patient cohorts, resulting in non-overlapping outcomes. Full article

In this paper, we propose the application of semiconductor technology processes to fabricate integrated silicon devices that demonstrate the piezoelectric energy harvesting effect. The harvesting structure converts thermal energy into electricity using a piezoelectric transducer, which generates electrical signals owing to the dynamic bending under pressure caused by the explosive boiling of the working fluid within the harvester. The challenges of previous works that included complex manufacturing processing and form limitations were addressed by the use of semiconductor technology based on laser beam processing, which led to simplification of the device’s fabrication. The electrical characterization of the fabricated harvester prototype proved its functionality in energy conversion and potential for integration with a step-up converter or power management integrated circuit (PMIC) generating stable impulses ranging from 0.4 to 1.5 V at a frequency of 7 Hz. Full article

Several studies have used aerial images to predict physiological maturity (R8 stage) in soybeans (Glycine max (L.) Merr.). However, information for making predictions in the current growing season using models fitted in previous years is still necessary. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm and time series of RGB (red, green, blue) and multispectral images taken from a drone, this work aimed to study, in three breeding experiments of plant rows, how maturity predictions are impacted by a number of factors. These include the type of camera used, the number and time between flights, and whether models fitted with data obtained in one or more environments can be used to make accurate predictions in an independent environment. Applying principal component analysis (PCA), it was found that compared to the full set of 8–10 flights (R² = 0.91–0.94; RMSE = 1.8–1.3 days), using data from three to five fights before harvest had almost no effect on the prediction error (RMSE increase ~0.1 days). Similar prediction accuracy was achieved using either a multispectral or an affordable RGB camera, and the excess green index (ExG) was found to be the important feature in making predictions. Using a model trained with data from two previous years and using fielding notes from check cultivars planted in the test season, the R8 stage was predicted, in 2020, with an error of 2.1 days. Periodically adjusted models could help soybean breeding programs save time when characterizing the cycle length of thousands of plant rows each season. Full article

Background and objectives: Nephrocalcinosis (NC) is a common condition characterized by the deposition of calcium salts in the kidneys of very preterm infants due to tubular immaturity, intensive treatment and nutritional supplements. However, optimal vitamin D supplementation remains unclear. In most patients, NC spontaneously resolves within the first year of life, but long-term kidney function data are lacking. The aim was to study nephrocalcinosis in very preterm infants, assess risk factors and evaluate vitamin D’s impact during the first month with a 2-year follow-up. Material and Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted over a 3-year period in infants with a gestational age of less than 32 weeks. The patients’ data were compared between the NC and control groups based on kidney ultrasound results at discharge. In the first month, the mean vitamin D intake from all sources as well as biochemical markers of calcium metabolism were collected. Patients diagnosed with NC were referred to a pediatric nephrologist after discharge. Results: NC was found in 35% of a cohort of 160 infants, more common in those with a gestational age <28 weeks. Risk factors were associated with higher morbidity and necessary treatment. At 28 days, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels differed between NC and control groups (p < 0.05). The NC group with GA ≥ 28 weeks had higher vitamin D intake (p < 0.05), hypercalciuria and calcium/creatinine ratio (p < 0.01) and lower parathyroid hormone levels (p < 0.05). Follow-up showed resolution in 70% at 12 months and 90% at 24 months. Conclusions: The prevalence of NC in very preterm infants is significant, associated with lower maturity and higher morbidity. Careful vitamin D supplementation and biochemical monitoring of Ca metabolism from the first month of life should support bone health and limit the risk of nephrocalcinosis. Due to the high incidence of NC in very preterm infants, long-term follow-up is essential. Full article

Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (post-COVID-19) syndrome represents a cluster of persistent symptoms following Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that can severely affect quality of life. The pathogenic mechanisms and epidemiology in different regions are still under evaluation. To assess the outcomes of post-COVID-19 syndrome, we performed a questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study in previously infected individuals. Out of 549 respondents, (male:female ratio: 0.32), 29.5% had persistent symptoms at 3 months, 23.5% had persistent symptoms at 6 months, and 18.3% had persistent symptoms at 12 months after the initial infection. The most common symptoms included fatigue (8.7%), sleep disturbances (7.1%), and cognitive impairment (6.4%). The risk of developing post-COVID-19 syndrome increased for those with more symptoms in the acute phase (OR 4.24, p < 0.001) and those experiencing reinfections (OR 2.405, p < 0.001), while SARS-CoV-2 vaccination halved the risk (OR = 0.489, p = 0.004). Individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome had a 5.7-fold higher risk of being diagnosed with a new chronic condition, with 44% reporting cardiovascular disease, and a 6.8-fold higher likelihood of needing medical care or leave. Affected individuals reported significant impairments in mobility, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression, with 20.7% needing to adjust their work schedules. Overall, patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome require ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation, and further socio-economic impact studies are needed. Full article

This study addresses the challenges associated with conventional plywood shear testing by introducing a novel miniaturized shear test method. This approach utilizes a controlled router toolpath for precise sample fabrication, enabling efficient material use and data acquisition. Miniaturized samples, designed with double shear zones, were tested for τ_xy, τ_xz, and τ_yz configurations using a universal testing machine. Results revealed a mean ultimate shear strength ranging from 5.6 MPa to 7.3 MPa and a mean shear modulus ranging from 0.039 GPa to 0.095 GPa, confirming the orthotropic nature of plywood. The resulting shear behavior was determined with stress–strain curves correlated with failure patterns. The miniaturized tests effectively captured the material’s heterogeneous behavior, particularly at smaller scales, and demonstrated consistent load-bearing capacity even after substantial stress reduction, suggesting suitability for bracing applications. This method allows for increased sample sizes, facilitating robust data collection for developing and validating finite element models. Future work will focus on evaluating the scalability of the observed orthotropic behavior and data scatter at larger scales and assessing the potential for this method to replace conventional full-scale plywood shear testing. Full article

In this study, the production of functional beverages of Zuccagnia punctata Cav. (jarilla), a native medicinal plant from Argentina, and Vaccinium corymbosum (blueberry), with lemon honey as a sweetener, is described. The beverage was formulated by using jarilla extract and blueberry juice with maltodextrin as an encapsulant material. The beverage was dried by both spray-drying and freeze-drying. Both beverages showed high water solubility with adequate features for handling, transport, and storage. The chromatic parameters indicate tones of mauve. Both the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents were retained after being spray-dried (92 and 100%, respectively). The anthocyanins were less stable under spray-dried conditions (58% retained). Both beverages showed high scavenger capacity on ABTS^•+, HO^•, and H₂O₂ (SC₅₀ between 3.56 and 36.90 µg GAE/mL) and exhibited in vitro inhibitor potential of α-glucosidase, α-amylase, and lipase activities (IC₅₀ of between 2.97 and 27.19 µg GAE/mL). The powdered beverage obtained by spray-drying presented the greatest preference in sensory tests. The beverages were neither toxic nor mutagenic in the concentration range with biological activity. During short-term storage, both beverages showed stability. The results obtained would support the use of a powdered beverage made from an Argentinean native plant and blueberries as a functional food. Full article

This study evaluated the corrosion inhibitory effects of Ruta graveolens leaf extract for 304 stainless steel in 1 M HCl. The analysis of the leaf extract using HPLC indicated that the primary compounds present in the leaf extract were rutin, caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, and apigenin. The inhibition efficiency (IE%) of the extract was studied using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and computational simulation (density functional theory, DFT). The effects of the inhibitor concentration and solution temperature were investigated. The results indicated that the IE% increased for increasing concentrations of the extract, while the reverse was true with increasing temperatures. At 25 °C and a 600 ppm extract concentration, the results indicated a maximum inhibition efficiency of 95%, 98%, and 96% by weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization, and EIS techniques, respectively. SEM observations showed a significant change in the surface morphology of the 304 SS with and without the addition of the inhibitor compound. At all temperatures, the adsorption of the inhibitor components onto the 304 SS surface was found to follow the Langmuir isotherm model, and the inhibition process was governed by physical adsorption. Furthermore, chemical interactions between the inhibitor and the 304 SS steel surface were elucidated via density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Full article

Ruta corsica is a rare and endemic plant native to Corsica. Due to its limited distribution and the priority to preserve natural sites, has been insufficiently studied. In vitro cultures provide an opportunity to research R. corsica under controlled conditions. In the present study, in vitro cultures of R. corsica were conducted in Plantform^TM bioreactors. The study aimed to assess the effects of growth cycle length (5 and 6 weeks) and different concentrations of plant growth regulators (NAA and BAP) at 0.1/0.1, 0.1/0.5, 0.5/0.5, 0.5/1.0, and 1.0/1.0 mg/L on biomass growth and secondary metabolite accumulation. HPLC analysis identified compounds in the furanocoumarin and furoquinoline alkaloid groups, with furanocoumarins being the primary secondary metabolites (maximum total content: 1571.5 mg/100 g DW). Among them, xanthotoxin, psoralen, and bergapten were dominant, with maximum concentrations of 588.1, 426.6, and 325.2 mg/100 g DW, respectively. The maximum total content of furoquinoline alkaloids was 661 mg/100 g DW, with γ-fagarine as the primary metabolite, reaching 448 mg/100 g DW. The optimal conditions for secondary metabolite accumulation in R. corsica cultures were a 5-week growth cycle and the LS 0.1/0.1 medium variant. Full article

Background: Ambient particulate matter of ≤2.5 μm in diameter (PM_2.5) is named as a risk factor for cerebrovascular diseases. This investigation aimed to evaluate the impact of ambient air pollution with PM_2.5 on stroke occurrence. Methods: The study was performed in Kaunas, Lithuania, from 2010 to 2022. The daily numbers of ISs, subarachnoid hemorrhages (SAHs), and intracerebral hemorrhages (ICHs) were obtained from the Kaunas Stroke Register. The association between stroke occurrence and PM_2.5 exposure was assessed by time- and seasonally stratified Poisson regression. Results: Among middle-aged persons, 3377 had a stroke, of which 2686 (79.5%) had an IS, 469 (13.9%) had an ICH, and 222 (6.6%) had SAH. The relative risk (RR) of SAH was increased by 1.7% with an increase in daily PM_2.5 by 1 μg/m³ on the same day and at a lag of 1 day, and by 2.2% with an increase in mean PM_2.5 concentration at a lag 0–1 days by 1 μg/m³. The RR of having a SAH was increased by 0.7% with an increase in daily PM_2.5 by 1 μg/m³ on the same day. Conclusions: Significant associations between stroke occurrence and air pollution with PM_2.5 were found in the SAH and HS patients, and only in middle-aged subjects. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor, characterized by poor outcome and limited therapeutic options. During tumor progression, GBM may undergo the process of vasculogenic mimicry (VM), consisting of the formation of vascular-like structures which further promote tumor aggressiveness and malignancy. The resulting resistance to anti-angiogenetic therapies urges the identification of new compounds targeting VM. Extracts of natural plants may represent potential therapeutic tools. Among these, components of Ruta graveolens water extract (RGWE) display a wide range of biological activities. To test the effect of RGWE on human GBM and rat glioma cell line VM, tube formation on a gelled matrix was monitored. Quantitative assessment of VM formation shows the clear-cut inhibitory activity of RGWE. Unlike rutin, one of the most abundant extract components, the whole RGWE strongly reduced the migration and invasion of GBM tumor cells. Moreover, RGWE induced cell death of GBM patient-derived cancer stem cells and impaired VM at sub-lethal doses. Overall, our data reveal a marked RGWE-dependent inhibition of GBM cell survival, migration, invasion, and VM formation. Thus, the clear-cut ability of RGWE to counteract GBM malignancy deserves attention, holding the promise to bring natural products to clinical use, thus uncovering new therapeutic opportunities. Full article