Paleo-oncology studies neoplastic diseases in fossilised animals, including human remains. Recent advancements have enabled more accurate diagnoses of ancient pathologies despite the inherent challenges in identifying tumours in fossils—such as the rarity of well-preserved specimens, the predominance of bone remains, and the difficulty in distinguishing neoplastic from non-neoplastic lesions. This study compiles reports of tumours in fossilised animals, highlighting that neoplasms are present in a wide range of vertebrates and drawing comparisons to modern instances of similar diseases. The findings underscore the multifactorial aetiology of tumours, which involves genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, and suggest that tumours have been around for at least 350 million years. Full article

Germanate tellurite glasses doped with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ were synthesized by the conventional melt-quenching method. There is no indication of the energy transfer between dopant ions in this host, but the co-dopants exhibit excellent color purity of 100% for Eu³⁺ and 80% for Tb³⁺. The co-doped glass exhibits yellow luminescence. The quantum yield of the Eu³⁺ emission is equal to 23% under 395 nm excitation. The thermal quenching of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ luminescence occurs at different temperature ranges, which enables the thermal sensing properties of the material. The relative fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) sensitivity of 0.16% K⁻¹ was recorded in the wide range of temperatures spanning from −193 °C up to 0 °C. The temperature dependence of the decay times was also studied. The lifetime-based temperature sensitivity was determined to be 0.95% K⁻¹ at 250 °C for Tb^3+ 5D₃ level emission and 0.3% K⁻¹ at 225 °C for Eu^3+ 5D₁ level emission. Full article

Emotion detection holds significant importance in facilitating human–computer interaction, enhancing the depth of engagement. By integrating this capability, we pave the way for forthcoming AI technologies to possess a blend of cognitive and emotional understanding, bridging the divide between machine functionality and human emotional complexity. This progress has the potential to reshape how machines perceive and respond to human emotions, ushering in an era of empathetic and intuitive artificial systems. The primary research challenge involves developing models that can accurately interpret and analyze emotions from both auditory and textual data, whereby auditory data require optimizing CNNs to detect subtle and intense emotional fluctuations in speech, and textual data necessitate access to large, diverse datasets to effectively capture nuanced emotional cues in written language. This paper introduces a novel approach to multimodal emotion recognition, seamlessly integrating speech and text modalities to accurately infer emotional states. Employing CNNs, we meticulously analyze speech using Mel spectrograms, while a BERT-based model processes the textual component, leveraging its bidirectional layers to enable profound semantic comprehension. The outputs from both modalities are combined using an attention-based fusion mechanism that optimally weighs their contributions. The proposed method here undergoes meticulous testing on two distinct datasets: Carnegie Mellon University’s Multimodal Opinion Sentiment and Emotion Intensity (CMU-MOSEI) dataset and the Multimodal Emotion Lines Dataset (MELD). The results demonstrate superior efficacy compared to existing frameworks, achieving an accuracy of 88.4% and an F1-score of 87.9% on the CMU-MOSEI dataset, and a notable weighted accuracy (WA) of 67.81% and a weighted F1 (WF1) score of 66.32% on the MELD dataset. This comprehensive system offers precise emotion detection and introduces several significant advancements in the field. Full article

This study investigated compensation in skeletal Class III subjects to compare various severities of abnormal jaws. A retrospective analysis of 137 skeletal Class III cephalograms (63 males and 74 females) was conducted, with cephalometric assessments determining skeletal and dental values. The results were compared with Class I cephalograms. Incisor compensation was examined by pairing normal jaws with varied abnormal jaws, classified by severity using one standard deviation (SD). Statistical analyses included Kruskal–Wallis tests, Bonferroni tests, Spearman’s correlations, and multiple linear regression. Four skeletal Class III groups were identified: OMx+PMd, RMx+OMd, OMx+OMd, and PMx+PMd (P = prognathic; O = orthognathic; R = retrognathic; Mx = maxilla; Md = mandible.). The upper central incisor (U1) showed proclination, and the lower central incisor (L1) showed retroclination across all groups except for U1 in PMx+PMd and L1 in OMx+OMd, which exhibited normal inclination. U1 exhibited limited compensation even with progressive maxillary retrognathism, while L1 showed limited compensation after one SD of mandibular prognathism. Maxilla (SNA) and jaw discrepancy (ANB) were inversely related to the U1 degree, whereas only jaw discrepancy (ANB) was positively related to the L1 degree. U1 in PMx+PMd and L1 in OMx+OMd showed no incisor compensation. U1 had limited compensation even with progressive maxillary retrognathism while L1 showed limited compensation after one SD mandibular prognathism. Full article

Under the new development model, the digital economy has become a new engine to promote the green development of the economy and realize the goal of “double carbon”. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2020, this paper empirically investigates the impact of the development of the digital economy on energy and carbon emissions using a series of econometric models such as baseline regression, a mechanism test, and the spatial Durbin model, etc. Common prosperity plays an intermediary role between digital economy development and carbon emissions; digital economic development optimizes resource allocation, effectively solves the problem of uneven resource distribution, and reduces energy and carbon emissions while achieving common prosperity. In addition, green innovation, industrial structure, urbanization level, R&D intensity, and the degree of marketization also have different degrees of influence on energy and carbon emissions. Therefore, the government should accelerate the construction of new digital infrastructure and implement the digital economy development strategy according to local conditions, so as to promote the digital economy to produce a more significant carbon emission reduction effect. Full article

Background: The identification of novel therapeutic strategies for ovarian cancer (OC), the most lethal gynecological neoplasm, is of utmost urgency. Here, we have tested the effectiveness of the compound 2c (4-hydroxy-2,6-bis(4-nitrobenzylidene)cyclohexanone 2). 2c interferes with the cysteine-dependent deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) UCHL5, thus affecting the ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent degradation of proteins. Methods: 2c phenotypic/molecular effects were studied in two OC 2D/3D culture models and in a mouse xenograft model. Furthermore, we propose an in silico model of 2c interaction with DUB-UCHL5. Finally, we have tested the effect of 2c conjugated to several linkers to generate 2c/derivatives usable for improved drug delivery. Results: 2c effectively impairs the OC cell line and primary tumor cell viability in both 2D and 3D conditions. The effectiveness is confirmed in a xenograft mouse model of OC. We show that 2c impairs proteasome activity and triggers apoptosis, most likely by interacting with DUB-UCHL5. We also propose a mechanism for the interaction with DUB-UCHL5 via an in silico evaluation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. 2c also reduces cell growth by down-regulating the level of the transcription factor E2F1. Eventually, 2c activity is often retained after the conjugation with linkers. Conclusion: Our data strongly support the potential therapeutic value of 2c/derivatives in OC. Full article

Acorn flour is a rich source of nutrients and is beneficial to human health due to, among other things, its low glycemic index and polyphenol content. In order to obtain more accurate data on the levels and activities of the substances tested after ingestion and digestion, it may be beneficial to use a simulated in vitro digestion method. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to elucidate the content of polyphenols, individual phenolic acids, flavonoids and antiradical properties of acorn flour and pasta enriched with acorn flour before and after simulated in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The results indicate that the total polyphenol content (TPC), flavonoid content and radical scavenging activity exhibited an increasing trend following the initial digestion stage and a decreasing trend following the second stage. Nevertheless, the levels of phenolic acids demonstrated an increase in both digestion phases. The digestion processes of polyphenols in acorn flour differ significantly from those in pasta. In the case of pasta, total polyphenols , phenolic acids and flavonoids, as well as free radical scavenging properties, demonstrated a decreasing trend following each digestion stage. Full article

Over the past few years, rural revitalization has become a focal point of interest in the discourse of sustainable development. However, there exists a gap in understanding the factors that foster economic sustainability in rural settings. The current study seeks to investigate the influence of digital economic transformation on rural revitalization in the context of China by employing a serial mediation model encompassing green entrepreneurship and green innovation. Data were collected from rural entrepreneurs using a stratified sampling method, with strata identified based on geographical and socioeconomic factors, which allowed for a comprehensive examination of various business sizes and stages across sectors. The authors analyzed the structural paths using multivariate analytical techniques by utilizing SmartPLS-SEM. The empirical findings provide support to the hypothesized relationships that: (1) digital economic transformation significantly promotes green entrepreneurship, which in turn, cultivates green innovation; and (2) green entrepreneurship and green innovation serially mediate the association between digital economic transformation and rural revitalization. Our study provides a holistic model that can inform regulatory frameworks and governmental strategies to support sustainable rural development in China. Full article

Identifying bridge damage using a movable test vehicle is highly regarded for its mobility, cost-effectiveness, and broad monitoring coverage. Previous studies have shown that the residual contact-point (CP) response between connected vehicles is free of the impact of vehicle self-vibrations and road roughness, making it particularly suitable for the indirect extraction of bridge modal properties. However, most experimental campaigns regarding contact-point (CP) responses focus on a single-axle testing vehicle within a non-moving state. This study aims to theoretically and experimentally identify bridge damage using the instantaneous amplitude squared (IAS) extracted from the residual CP response of a two-axle passing vehicle. First, the closed-form solution of the residual CP acceleration was derived for a two-axle vehicle interacting with a simply supported beam. The IAS index was constructed from the driving frequency of the residual CP acceleration. Then, numerical investigations using finite element simulation were conducted to validate using the IAS index for indirect bridge damage identification. The application scope of the approach under various vehicle speeds and road roughness grades was examined. Finally, a laboratory vehicle–bridge interaction system was tested to validate the approach. Numerical studies demonstrated that bridge damage could be directly determined by observing the IAS abnormalities, which were baseline-free. The IAS from the residual CP response outperformed the IAS from CP responses in identifying bridge damage. However, it was better to use the IAS when the vehicle speed was no greater than 2 m/s and the grade of the road surface roughness was not high. Laboratory tests showed that it was possible to identify bridge damage using the IAS extracted from the residual CP acceleration under perfect road surfaces. However, it fell short under rough road surfaces. Hence, further experiments are required to fully examine the capacity of the IAS for bridge damage identification in practical applications. Full article

The performance of long baseline (LBL) positioning systems is significantly impacted by the distribution and positional calibration accuracy of underwater acoustic beacon arrays. In previous calibration methods for beacon arrays based on autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) platforms, the slant range information of each beacon was processed independently, and each beacon was calibrated one at a time. This approach not only decreases the calibration efficiency but also leaves the positional calibration accuracy of each beacon highly susceptible to the navigation trajectory of the AUV. To overcome these limitations, an equivalent virtual LBL (EVLBL) positioning model is introduced in this paper. This model operates by adjusting the positions of each beacon according to the dead reckoning increments computed during the AUV’s reception of positioning signals, effectively forming a virtual beacon array. Consequently, the AUV is capable of mitigating LBL positioning errors that arise from its motion by simultaneously receiving positioning signals from all beacons. Additionally, an overall calibration method for beacon arrays based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) is proposed. In this approach, the minimization of the deviation between the EVLBL trajectory and the dead reckoning trajectory is set as the optimization objective, and the coordinates of each beacon are iteratively optimized. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed EVLBL-based PSO algorithm (EVPSO) significantly enhanced the calibration efficiency and positional accuracy of the beacon array. Compared with conventional methods, the estimation error of the beacon positions was reduced from 6.40 m to within 1.00 m. After compensating for the beacon array positions, the positioning error of the LBL system decreased from approximately 5.00 m (with conventional methods) to around 1.00 m (with EVPSO), demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Full article

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection continues to present a global health issue. Recent studies have explored the potential role of the gut microbiome in HIV infection for novel therapeutic approaches. We investigated the gut microbiome composition of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Asia–Pacific region. This review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. An electronic search was conducted in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases using keywords such as “HIV”, “PLHIV”, “AIDS”, “gut microbiome”, “gut dysbiosis”, and “metagenomics”. Only peer-reviewed and full-text studies published in English were included. A total of 15 studies from the Asia–Pacific region were included for analysis. Compared to healthy controls, PLHIV showed an increased abundance of Proteobacteria and its genera, which may be considered pathobionts, and decreased abundances of Bacteroidetes and several genera under Firmicutes with known short-chain fatty acid and immunoregulatory activities. Predominant taxa such as Ruminococcaceae and Prevotellaceae were also associated with clinical factors such as CD4 count, the CD4/CD8 ratio, and inflammatory cytokines. This review highlights gut microbiome changes among PLHIV in the Asia–Pacific region, indicating potential bacterial signatures for prognostication. The partial restoration of the microbiome toward beneficial taxa may ensure the long-term success of treatment, promoting immune recovery while maintaining viral load suppression. Full article

Older adults living in nursing homes (NH) are considered a population group that could be at risk in terms of nutrition, even more so than their community-dwelling peers. Evidence on the nutritional status of NH residents is scarce, as they are commonly excluded from population-based dietary studies. This is also the case in Slovenia. In the presented pilot study, we assessed the intake of macronutrients as well as the intake and status of vitamin D and vitamin B12 on a sample of NH and NH daycare center users to explore the need for a larger representative study. The pilot study included 37 participants from three Slovenian NH (20 participants) and their daycare centers (17 participants). Daycare centers offer daytime care services for older adults, where users are also provided with major meals during their stay. Intakes of energy and nutrients were estimated by three 24 h dietary records. Fasting blood samples were collected for the assessment of vitamin D and vitamin B12 status. Over 90% of the participants had daily energy and protein intakes below recommendations (reference values: energy intake: males 2100 kcal and females 1700 kcal; protein intake > 1 g/kg body mass). The males’ median daily intakes of vitamin D were 1.7 µg (1.5 µg females), and 2.3 µg for vitamin B12 (2.0 µg females). None of the participants had adequate vitamin D intake (>20 µg), and 92.3% males and 87.5% females had inadequate vitamin B12 intake (<4 µg). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-OH-D conc. < 30 nmol/L) was 100% among NH residents and 53% among NH daycare center users. The prevalence of vitamin B12 deficiency was found in 20% of NH residents. The study results highlighted that certain nutrients might be critical in this population, especially among NH residents; however, a more thorough investigation with the inclusion of other important markers of nutritional status should be performed on a larger, representative sample to support the development and implementation of appropriate public health interventions. Full article

We theoretically demonstrate a scheme to generate circularly polarized (CP) isolated attosecond pulses (IAPs) with tunable helicity using a polarization gating laser field interacting with the CO molecule. The results show that a broadband CP supercontinuum is produced from the oriented CO molecule, which supports the generation of an IAP with an ellipticity of 0.98 and a duration of 90 as. Furthermore, the helicity of the generated harmonics and IAP can be effectively controlled by modulating the laser field and the orientation angle of the CO molecule. Our method will advance research on chiral-specific dynamics and magnetic circular dichroism on the attosecond timescale. Full article

High voltage (HV) generators are used in multiple industrial and scientific facilities. Recent publications have demonstrated that triggering industrial thyristors (relatively slow switching devices) in overvoltage mode, also called impact ionization mode, significantly enhances their dU/dt and dI/dt characteristics. This novel triggering methodology necessitates the application of substantial overvoltage between the thyristor’s anode and cathode, delivered with a swift slew rate exceeding 1 kV/ns. The adoption of compact pulse generators constructed from commercially available off-the-shelf components (COTS) opens up avenues for deploying this technology across various domains, including the implementation of high-speed kicker generators in particle accelerators. In our methodology, we employed commercially available high-voltage SiC MOSFETs along with a custom-designed fast gate driver. This driver was conceptualized based on the recent development of gate boosting techniques, featuring a driving voltage exceeding 600 V. The gate driver for these MOSFETs comprises three key components: a level-shifter with NMOS and PMOS transistors, a compact Marx generator with two avalanche transistors, and a GaN HEMT in a high input and low output impedance configuration. The proposed gate-boosting driver achieves a slew rate exceeding 1 kV/ns for the driving pulse. Furthermore, we demonstrate that with this driver, a $1.7$ kV rated SiC MOSFET can produce an output pulse of $1.45$ kV and a maximum slew rate of ≈$2.5$ kV/ns. This gate-boosting driver aims to minimize commutation times, achieves a slew rate of over 1 kV/ns, and handle higher loads, making it ideal for impact ionization triggering of industrial thyristors. Full article

Objective: To determine whether early structural brain trajectories predict early childhood neurodevelopmental deficits in complex CHD patients and to assess relative cumulative risk profiles of clinical, genetic, and demographic risk factors across early development. Study Design: Term neonates with complex CHDs were recruited at Texas Children’s Hospital from 2005–2011. Ninety-five participants underwent three structural MRI scans and three neurodevelopmental assessments. Brain region volumes and white matter tract fractional anisotropy and radial diffusivity were used to calculate trajectories: perioperative, postsurgical, and overall. Gross cognitive, language, and visuo-motor outcomes were assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and with the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence and Beery–Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual–Motor Integration. Multi-variable models incorporated risk factors. Results: Reduced overall period volumetric trajectories predicted poor language outcomes: brainstem ((β, 95% CI) 0.0977, 0.0382–0.1571; p = 0.0022) and white matter (0.0023, 0.0001–0.0046; p = 0.0397) at 5 years; brainstem (0.0711, 0.0157–0.1265; p = 0.0134) and deep grey matter (0.0085, 0.0011–0.0160; p = 0.0258) at 3 years. Maternal IQ was the strongest contributor to language variance, increasing from 37% at 1 year, 62% at 3 years, and 81% at 5 years. Genetic abnormality’s contribution to variance decreased from 41% at 1 year to 25% at 3 years and was insignificant at 5 years. Conclusion: Reduced postnatal subcortical–cerebral white matter trajectories predicted poor early childhood neurodevelopmental outcomes, despite high contribution of maternal IQ. Maternal IQ was cumulative over time, exceeding the influence of known cardiac and genetic factors in complex CHD, underscoring the importance of heritable and parent-based environmental factors. Full article

Tone-mapping algorithms aim to compress a wide dynamic range image into a narrower dynamic range image suitable for display on imaging devices. A representative tone-mapping algorithm, Retinex theory, reflects color constancy based on the human visual system and performs dynamic range compression. However, it may induce halo artifacts in some areas or degrade chroma and detail. Thus, this paper proposes a Retinex jointed multiscale contrast limited adaptive histogram equalization method. The proposed algorithm reduces localized halo artifacts and detail loss while maintaining the tone-compression effect via high-scale Retinex processing. A performance comparison of the experimental results between the proposed and existing methods confirms that the proposed method effectively reduces the existing problems and displays better image quality. Full article

Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology has emerged as a promising solution for enhancing the integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into the electric grid, offering benefits, such as distributed energy resource (DER) integration, grid stability support, and peak demand management, among others, as well as environmental advantages. This study provides a comprehensive review of V2G systems, with a specific focus on the role of the communication, as they have been identified as key enablers, as well as the challenges that V2G must face. It begins by introducing the fundamentals of V2G systems, including their architecture, operation, and a description of the benefits for different sectors. It then delves into the communication technologies and protocols in V2G systems, highlighting the key requirements in achieving reliable and efficient communication between EVs and the different agents involved. A comprehensive review of communication standards is described, as well as the main communication technologies, which are evaluated in terms of their suitability for V2G applications. Furthermore, the study discusses the challenges and environmental implications of V2G technology, emphasizing the importance of addressing strong and reliable communications to maximize its potential benefits. Finally, future research directions and potential solutions for overcoming challenges in V2G systems are outlined, offering useful insights for researchers, policymakers, and administrations as well as related industry stakeholders. Full article

Epigenetics defines changes in cell function without involving alterations in DNA sequence. Neuroepigenetics bridges neuroscience and epigenetics by regulating gene expression in the nervous system and its impact on brain function. With the increase in research in recent years, it was observed that alterations in the gene expression did not always originate from changes in the genetic sequence, which has led to understanding the role of epigenetics in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Epigenetic alterations contribute to the aberrant expression of genes involved in neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, and neuronal death. Natural phytochemicals have shown promise as potential therapeutic agents against NDDs because of their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects in cellular and animal models. For instance, resveratrol (grapes), curcumin (turmeric), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG; green tea) exhibit neuroprotective effects through their influence on DNA methylation patterns, histone acetylation, and non-coding RNA expression profiles. Phytochemicals also aid in slowing disease progression, preserving neuronal function, and enhancing cognitive and motor abilities. The present review focuses on various epigenetic modifications involved in the pathology of NDDs, including AD and PD, gene expression regulation related to epigenetic alterations, and the role of specific polyphenols in influencing epigenetic modifications in AD and PD. Full article

A novel ternary eutectic salt, NaNO₃-KNO₃-Na₂SO₄ (TMS), was designed and prepared for thermal energy storage (TES) to address the issues of the narrow temperature range and low specific heat of solar salt molten salt. The thermo-physical properties of TMS-2, such as melting point, decomposition temperature, fusion enthalpy, density, viscosity, specific heat capacity and volumetric thermal energy storage capacity (E_TES), were determined. Furthermore, a comparison of the thermo-physical properties between commercial solar salt and TMS-2 was carried out. TMS-2 had a melting point 6.5 °C lower and a decomposition temperature 38.93 °C higher than those of solar salt. The use temperature range of TMS molten salt was 45.43 °C larger than that of solar salt, which had been widened about 13.17%. Within the testing temperature range, the average specific heat capacity of TMS-2 (1.69 J·K⁻¹·g⁻¹) was 9.03% higher than that of solar salt (1.55 J·K⁻¹·g⁻¹). TMS-2 also showed higher density, slightly higher viscosity and higher E_TES. XRD, FTIR and Raman spectra SEM showed that the composition and structure of the synthesized new molten salt were different, which explained the specific heat capacity increasing. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation was performed to explore the different macroscopic properties of solar salt and TMS at the molecular level. The MD simulation results suggested that cation–cation and cation–anion interactions became weaker as the temperature increased and the randomness of molecular motion increased, which revealed that the interaction between the cation cluster and anion cluster became loose. The stronger interaction between Na-SO₄ cation–anion clusters indicated that TMS-2 molten salt had a higher specific heat capacity than solar salt. The result of the thermal stability analysis indicated that the weight losses of solar salt and TMS-2 at 550 °C were only 27% and 53%, respectively. Both the simulation and experimental study indicated that TMS-2 is a promising candidate fluid for solar power generation systems. Full article

In this study, we investigated the micromechanical deformation and damage behavior of commercially extruded and additively manufactured 316L stainless steels (AMed SS316L) by combining experimental examinations and crystal plasticity modeling. The AMed alloy was fabricated using the laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technique with an orthogonal scanning strategy to control the directionality of the as-fabricated material. Optical microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction measurements revealed distinct grain morphologies and crystallographic textures in the two alloys. Uniaxial tensile test results suggested that the LPBFed alloy exhibited an increased yield strength, reduced elongation, and comparable ultimate tensile strength in comparison to those of the extruded alloy. A microstructure-based crystal plasticity model was developed to simulate the micromechanical deformation behavior of the alloys using representative volume elements based on realistic microstructures. A ductile fracture criterion based on the microscopically dissipated plastic energy on a slip system was adopted to predict the microscopic damage accumulation of the alloys during plastic deformation. The developed model could accurately predict the stress–strain behavior and evolution of the crystallographic textures in both the alloys. We reveal that the increased yield strength in the LPBFed alloy, compared to that in the extruded alloy, is attributed to the higher as-manufactured dislocation density and the cellular subgrain structure, resulting in a reduced elongation. The presence of annealing twins and favorable texture in the extruded alloy contributed to its excellent elongation, along with a higher hardening rate owing to twin–dislocation interactions during plastic deformation. Moreover, the grain morphology and defect state (e.g., dislocations and twins) in the initial state can significantly affect strain localization and damage accumulation in alloys. Full article

Contamination by pharmaceuticals adversely affects the quality of natural water, causing environmental and health concerns. In this study, target drugs (oxazepam, OZ, 17-α-ethinylestradiol, EE2, and drospirenone, DRO), which have been extensively detected in the effluents of WWTPs over the past decades, were selected. We report here a new photoactive system, operating under visible light, capable of degrading EE2, OZ and DRO in water. The photocatalytic system comprised glass spheres coated with nanostructured, solvothermally treated WO₃ that improves the ease of handling of the photocatalyst and allows for the implementation of a continuous flow process. The photocatalytic system based on solvothermal WO₃ shows much better results in terms of photocurrent generation and photocatalyst stability with respect to state-of-the-art WO₃ nanoparticles. Results herein obtained demonstrate that the proposed flow system is a promising prototype for enhanced contaminant degradation exploiting advanced oxidation processes. Full article