Ensuring national food security is a perennial topic, and securing the grain planting area is an essential solution. Cost savings at scale from agricultural insurance policy adjustments could be a powerful incentive for grain production. In this study, 527 data sets from 31 provinces in China from 2006 to 2022 were used as the sample, and the author applied a multi-stage DID model to measure the effects of agricultural insurance policy adjustments on the grain planting area and planting structure, as well as the influence mechanisms behind them. The results can be summarized as follows: Firstly, agricultural insurance policy adjustments can make a significant contribution to increasing the grain planting area, with some positive impact on the `grain-oriented’ planting structure. Secondly, agricultural insurance policy adjustments can significantly increase the grain planting area by increasing the application of agricultural machinery, but this mechanism does not affect the `grain orientation’ planting structure. Thirdly, agricultural insurance policy adjustments can have a significant positive impact on the grain planting area and `grain—oriented’ planting structure in both high- and low-risk areas, with low-risk areas being more affected than high-risk areas. Full article

There is more and more research focusing on the removal of dioxane by advanced oxidation technology at this stage, and this study investigated the efficacy of an advanced oxidation system with UV-activated persulfate (UV/PDS). This method had the advantages of fast reaction rate, simple equipment and convenient operation. Free radical quenching test and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis showed that the main active radicals in the reaction system were SO4- and ·OH. This study also investigated that the optimal parameters were the initial PDS dosage of 3 mM, the UV intensity of 0.190 mM/cm², the pH between 5 and 7 and the initial dioxane concentration of 50 mg/L. Additionally, after a reaction time of 150 min, the total organic carbon (TOC) content still remained at 83.53%, which revealed that the mineralization degree of organic matter was not fully achieved through UV/PDS treatment. The concentration of SO42- in the reaction system was 74.69 mg·L⁻¹, which complied with the standard concentration specified. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of the system exhibited an initial increase followed by a subsequent decrease, under the influence of the intermediates. It showed that the technology could efficiently degrade organic pollutants. Full article

In-training racehorse physiological data can be leveraged to further explore race-day performance prediction. To date, no large retrospective, observational study has analysed whether in-training speed and heart rate recovery can predict racehorse success. Speed (categorised as ‘slow’ to ‘fast’ according to the time taken to cover the last 600 m from a virtual finish line) and heart rate recovery (from gallop to 1min after exercise) of flat racehorses (n = 485) of varying age, sex and type according to distance (e.g., sprinter, miler and stayer) were obtained using a fitness tracker from a single racing yard in Australia. Race-pace training sessions on turf comprised ‘fast gallop’ (n = 3418 sessions) or ‘jumpout’ (n = 1419). A posteriori racing information (n = 3810 races) for all 485 racehorses was extracted and combined with training data. Race performance was categorised as win/not-win or podium or not, each analysed by logistic regression. Colts (p < 0.001), stayers (p < 0.001) and being relatively fast over the last 600 m of a benchmark test in training (p < 0.008) were all predictive of race performance. Heart rate recovery after exercise (p = 0.21) and speed recorded at 600 m of a 1 km benchmark test in training (p = 0.94) were not predictive. In-training physiological data analytics used along with subjective experience may help trainers identify promising horses and improve decision-making. Full article

The geometry of a laryngoscope’s blade determines the forces acting on the pharyngeal structures to a relevant degree. Knowledge about the force distribution along the blade may prospectively allow for the development of less traumatic blades. Therefore, we examined the forces along the blades experienced during laryngoscopy with the C‑MAC D‑BLADE and blades of the Macintosh style. We hypothesised that lower peak forces are applied to the patient’s pharyngeal tissue during videolaryngoscopy with a C-MAC D‑BLADE compared to videolaryngoscopy with a C-MAC Macintosh-style blade and direct laryngoscopy with a Macintosh-style blade. Beyond that, we assumed that the distribution of forces along the blade differs depending on the respective blade’s geometry. Methods: After ethical approval, videolaryngoscopy with the D‑BLADE or the Macintosh blade, or direct laryngoscopy with the Macintosh blade (all KARL STORZ, Tuttlingen, Germany), was performed on 164 randomly assigned patients. Forces were measured at six positions along each blade and compared with regard to mean force, peak force and spatial distribution. Furthermore, the duration of the laryngoscopy was measured. Results: Mean forces (all p < 0.011) and peak forces at each sensor position (all p < 0.019) were the lowest with the D-BLADE, whereas there were no differences between videolaryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy with the Macintosh blades (all p > 0.128). With the D-BLADE, the forces were highest at the blade’s tip. In contrast, the forces were more evenly distributed along the Macintosh blades. Videolaryngoscopy took the longest with the D-BLADE (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Laryngoscopy with the D‑BLADE resulted in significantly lower forces acting on pharyngeal and laryngeal tissue compared to Macintosh-style blades. Interestingly, with the Macintosh blades, we found no advantage for videolaryngoscopy in terms of force application. Full article

Beam stability and timing jitter in modern linear accelerators are becoming increasingly important. In particular, if a magnetic or radio-frequency (RF) compression regime is employed, the beam time of arrival jitter at the end of the linac can be strictly correlated with the phase noise of the accelerating fields of the RF structure working off-crest. For this reason, since 2008, an RF fast-feedback technique, which acts within each RF pulse, has been successfully employed at LNF-INFN (Laboratori Nazionali di Frascati dell’Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare) in the SPARC_LAB (Sources for Plasma Accelerators and Radiation Compton with Laser And Beam) facility on S-band ( 2856 MHz) klystrons powered by pulse-forming network (PFN) modulators, as reported in this paper. However, in order to meet the more stringent requirements of plasma wakefield acceleration schemes, some upgrades to this feedback system have been recently carried out. The first prototype has been experimentally tested on a C-band ( 5712 MHz) klystron, driven by a solid-state modulator, in order to investigate the possibility for additional improvement resulting from the inherently more stable power source. In this paper, the design, realization and the preliminary measurement results obtained at SPARC_LAB after such upgrades will be reviewed. Full article

Electrochemical (EC) detection is a powerful tool supporting simple, low-cost, and rapid analysis. Although screen printing is commonly used to mass fabricate disposable EC chips, its mask is relatively expensive. In this research, we demonstrated a method for fabricating three-electrode EC chips using 3D printing of relatively high-viscosity paste. The electrodes consisted of two layers, with carbon paste printed over silver/silver chloride paste, and the printed EC chips were baked at 70${}^{\circ }$C for 1 h. Engineering challenges such as bulging of the tubing, clogging of the nozzle, dripping, and local accumulation of paste were solved by material selection for the tube and nozzle, and process optimization in 3D printing. The EC chips demonstrated good reversibility in redox reactions through cyclic voltammetry tests, and reliably detected heavy metal ions Pb(II) and Cd(II) in solutions using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry measurements. The results indicate that by optimizing the 3D printing of paste, EC chips can be obtained by maskless and flexible 3D printing techniques in lieu of screen printing. Full article

The relevance of involving substandard raw materials for the production of composite phosphorus-containing fertilizer production is significant due to the problem of providing food products for the growing population of the Earth. The main raw materials for phosphorus and composite phosphorus-containing fertilizer production are natural phosphate ores—phosphorites. However, in the process of mining and crushing, ~55–60% phosphorite ore fines are formed—a fraction of less than 10 mm, which is unsuitable for traditional processing into composite phosphorus-containing fertilizers. This article presents the results of physicochemical studies of the substandard fine fraction of phosphorite ore and the results of the studies of the possibility of their direct processing into phosphorus and composition of phosphorus-containing fertilizers using methods of mechanical and mechanochemical activation in the “Activator 4” planetary mill. The findings of the studies performed confirm the rather high efficiency of phosphorite ore fines’ mechanical activation and phosphorite-containing mixtures’ mechanochemical activation, which make it possible to significantly increase the content of assimilable phosphorus pentoxide P₂O₅ in composite phosphorus-containing fertilizers. The proposed innovative technology has fundamental differences from existing technologies, since the mechanochemical activation of a mixture of phosphorite ore fines and functional components will allow for direct acid-free and waste-free processing into phosphorus and composite phosphorus-containing mineral fertilizers. Full article

This study aimed to investigate whether the use of food delivery applications is related to food consumption practices. Methods: Data collection was carried out between 5 and 20 June 2020 in a Brazilian capital with a final sample of 2113 individuals. The instrument included questions about socioeconomic characteristics, anthropometric data, and information about eating practices and the use of delivery apps. Logistic regression models were developed with the consumption of each food group as the outcome variable and the use of the application as the exposure variable. Results: Of those interviewed, 78.1% used delivery apps to purchase food. The frequencies of the consumption of foods considered markers of healthy eating were higher for individuals who did not use the applications (59.7% vs. 38.7% for the daily consumption of fresh fruit, respectively, p < 0.0001). The frequencies of the consumption of items considered markers of unhealthy eating were higher for individuals who used apps to purchase food prepared outside the home compared to those who did not (53.7 vs. 38.1 for weekly consumption of hamburgers, respectively, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The use of delivery applications influenced the users’ eating practices through the acquisition of food within the digital scope and is related to a greater frequency of the consumption of unhealthy items by users. Full article

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is known as the most hazardous species of chromium. Speciation analysis of Cr in foods is of a great significance for assessing its influences on human health. In this study, a fast HPLC-ICP-MS method for the determination of Cr(VI) was developed for determining the content of Cr(VI) and also investigating its transformation in foods. The developed method employs an alkali extraction and weak anion-exchange column separation for distinguishing the Cr species, facilitating accurate Cr(VI) quantification within 1.5 min. This technique was applied to determine the Cr(VI) levels in a range of food products, including yoghurt, milk powder, rice flour, orange juice, green tea, white vinegar, and whole wheat bread. The results showed that no Cr(VI) was detected in these food products. Spiking experiments revealed that the recovery rate of Cr(VI) decreased with the increase in its contact time with food products. A further exploration of Cr(VI) in various food components such as vitamin C, tea polyphenols, whey proteins, gelatin, fructose, and cellulose indicated the conversion of Cr(VI) to organic Cr(III) over a period from 20 min to 60 h. It was found that high temperatures and acidic conditions accelerated the rate of Cr(VI) conversion to organic Cr(III) in the six food components mentioned above. This evidence suggests that natural reducing substances in foods probably prevent the occurrence of Cr(VI). Full article

With the escalating demand for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), there is a growing need for sustainable and autonomous power solutions to energize low-powered devices. Consequently, there is a critical imperative to mitigate dependency on batteries during passive operation. This paper proposes the conceptual framework of rectenna architecture-based radio frequency energy harvesters’ performance, specifically optimized for low-power device applications. The proposed prototype utilizes the surroundings’ Wi-Fi signals within the 2.4 GHz frequency band. The design integrates a seven-stage Cockroft-Walton rectifier featuring a Schottky diode HSMS286C and MA4E2054B1-1146T, a low-pass filter, and a fractal antenna. Preliminary simulations conducted using Advanced Design System (ADS) reveal that a voltage of 3.53 V can be harvested by employing a 1.57 mm thickness Rogers 5880 printed circuit board (PCB) substrate with an MA4E2054B1-1146T rectifier prototype, given a minimum power input of −10 dBm (0.1 mW). Integrating the fabricated rectifier and fractal antenna successfully yields a 1.5 V DC output from Wi-Fi signals, demonstrable by illuminating a red LED. These findings underscore the viability of deploying a fractal antenna-based radio frequency (RF) harvester for empowering small electronic devices. Full article

This article presents the results of almost nine months of ethnographic research on the relationship between physical exercise and health in older people in the post-COVID-19 context. Via exploratory–descriptive qualitative research and the use of a convenient sample, I shed light on this relationship using the stories and life experiences of 40 older people (10 men and 30 women, including two women instructors for senior classes) who exercise regularly. The meanings they attributed to physical exercise during COVID-19 and after it are explained, emphasising first that there is no health in a context of not feeling safe; once there is a feeling of security, the most relevant meanings can be exposed in three directions. First, exercise produces a sense of identity linked to “being an athlete” and “belonging to a group”. Second, exercising is valued as participating in something meaningful (the meanings range from self-realisation, independence, and autonomy to feelings of happiness). Finally, and linked to the sense of identity, those who train alone show more commitment and total hours spent in physical exercise and physical activity than those who train in groups. Even though older people are not a homogeneous group, they generally faced the pandemic as an ageist situation that affected their lives and how they saw sports and health. This article describes the strategies they used during COVID-19 related to exercise and well-being and those used once the pandemic restrictions were no longer present. The qualitative aspects that physical exercise brings to this population are highlighted. The research results give voice to older people, showing their heterogeneity and the meanings and practices that unite them. These inputs are rich material for studies on physical activity, older people, and well-being. Full article

Recent experiments devoted to characterizing the behavior of sessile ferroelectric liquid droplets on ferroelectric solid substrates have shown the existence of a droplet electromechanical Rayleigh-like instability. The instability is induced by the bulk polarization of the ferroelectric fluid, which couples to the polarization of the underlying substrate through its fringing field and solid–fluid interface coupling. With the aim of characterizing this phenomenon, namely the coupling between the polarizations of a fluid and a solid material, we studied the behavior of ferroelectric liquid droplets confined between two solid substrates, arranged in different configurations, realized to generate fringing fields with different profiles. The results show that the features of the droplets instability are indeed affected by the specific fringing field shape in a way dominated by the minimization of the electrostatic energy associated with the bulk polarization of the ferroelectric fluid. Full article

PD-L1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) has become an established method for predicting cancer response to targeted anti-PD1 immunotherapies, including breast cancer (BC). The alternative PD-1 ligand, PD-L2, remains understudied but may be a complementary predictive marker. Prospective analysis of 32 breast cancers revealed divergent expression patterns of PD-L1 and PD-L2. PD-L1-positivity was higher in immune cells than in cancer cells (median = 5.0% vs. 0.0%; p = 0.001), whereas PD-L2-positivity was higher in cancer cells than immune cells (median = 30% vs. 5.0%; p = 0.001). Percent positivity of PD-L1 and PD-L2 were not correlated, either in cancer cells or immune cells. Based on a cut-point of >1% positivity, ER+ tumors (n = 23) were frequently PD-L2-positive (73.9%), whereas only 40.9% were PD-L1-positive. These data suggest differential control of cellular PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression in BC and a potential role for PD-L2 IHC as a complementary marker to PD-L1 to improve selection of aggressive ER+ BC that may benefit from anti-PD-1 therapy. Full article

By producing high quality food with a low environmental impact, organic farming plays an essential role in developing sustainable food systems. Over time, consumer interest in organic food is systematically growing, which results in a generally positive attitude towards organic products. Many studies that are devoted to analysing organic food consumers’ behaviour aim to generalise the studied trends to the population of a given country or region. Given the varying rates of organic market development between countries, there is a need for more narrowly focused research, which could more profoundly facilitate local development of organic market. The aim of this study was to investigate the opinions of Polish consumers about organic fruit and to identify the socioeconomic and sociodemographic determinants of the propensity to choose and purchase organic fruit. Respondents were recruited via a market research agency using a consumer access panel. To collect responses, a formal, structured questionnaire was developed and distributed using the CAWI method. The general acceptance of price increases for organic apples amounts to less than around 30% (89% of responses). The effect of income and package size tend to interact with regard to the purchase preference of apples (p < 0.001). The highest frequency of organic fruit purchases were indicated for physical stores, in particular supermarkets (5.35 times/month, 95%CI). A relationship between willingness to consume organic fruits and the self-described economic situation (p = 0.005), as well as true household income (p = 0.007), has been shown. A relationship between the frequency of organic fruit purchases and the number of household members (p = 0.006), as well as number of household members under the age of 18 (p = 0.011), has also been shown. Marketing techniques for organic products should emphasize family welfare and be directed at younger consumers, especially at retail outlets where customers are most likely to buy them, namely physical supermarkets, local grocery stores and discount stores. Full article

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) can utilize food by-products or residues for growth, benefiting farm animal’s diets’ production sustainability. The experiment aimed to assess the effect of different substrate compositions on larval growth, chemical composition, and substrate temperature. BSFL were allocated to one of the four diets (control, vegetable, carnivorous, and omnivorous) for the entire experiment (8 days). The temperature was measured twice daily using a thermal-imaging camera, and the accumulated degree hours (ADH) was calculated. The results showed that the larvae fed the vegetable diet exhibited a significantly reduced growth performance, with a biomass reduction of 26.3% compared to the control diet; furthermore, vegetable-fed larvae showed a lower dry matter content (−30% compared to the average of other diets) due to lower fat content (−65% compared to average of other diets). The nutritional composition of larvae fed an omnivorous diet was similar to larvae fed a high-quality substrate diet (control diet-chicken feed), indicating that the omnivorous diet could be an ideal solution for rearing BSFL larvae; however, the current European legislation prohibits the use of animal meal. The study also revealed that substrate temperatures did not have a discernible influence on larval growth, further emphasizing the importance of diet in BSFL rearing strategies. Full article

Methionine dipeptide (Met-Met) could improve milk protein synthesis in bovine epithelia mammary cells and lactating mice, while the effects of Met-Met on lactation performance, rumen fermentation and microbiota profile in lactating dairy cows have not been explored. For this reason, 60 Chinese lactating Holstein cows were allocated into three treatment groups: control group (CON), 6 g/d methionine dipeptide group (MM), and 6.12 g/d rumen-protected methionine dipeptide group (RPMM). The experiment lasted for 10 weeks to monitor lactation performance, plasma amino acid profile and rumen fermentation parameters and microbiota profile. Results showed that MM increased the energy-corrected milk (ECM), and RPMM increased both milk yield and ECM (p < 0.05). The milk protein concentration and yield were increased by MM and RPMM (p < 0.05). The rumen fermentation showed that RPMM increased total volatile fatty acids, acetate and valerate concentrations (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Firmicutes, including Succiniclasticum, Selenomonas and Clostridium_XlVa, were enriched and the Prevotella was decreased by RPMM (p < 0.05). In summary, daily supplementing with 6 g of MM or RPMM in lactating dairy cows could improve milk yield and both percentage and yield of milk protein, and RPMM benefited the rumen fermentation and altered the bacterial composition. These results provided the first evidence that Met-Met supplementation can improve lactation performance of dairy cows. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics are emerging pollutants widely found in aquatic environments, potentially causing environmental harm. MPs may act as carriers for antibiotics, affecting their environmental distribution. This study investigates the adsorption of four macrolide antibiotics and a metabolite onto two types of MPs: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE). Results revealed a linear isotherm adsorption model, with higher adsorption to PET than to PE (R² > 0.936 for PE and R² > 0.910 for PET). Hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonding could be the main adsorption mechanisms, with pore filling potentially involved. Reduced particle size enhances adsorption due to the increase of active adsorption sites. This increasement is more pronounced in PE than in PET, leading to an 11.6% increase in the average adsorption of all macrolides to PE, compared to only 5.1% to PET. Dissolved organic matter inhibits adsorption (azithromycin adsorption to PE was reduced from 12% to 5.1%), while salinity enhances it just until 1% salinity. pH slightly influences adsorption, with maximal adsorption at neutral pH. Results in real samples showed that complexity of the matrix decreased adsorption. Overall, these findings indicate that PE and PET MPs can be a vector of macrolides in aquatic environments. Full article

Derangement of the epidermal barrier lipids and dysregulated immune responses are key pathogenic features of atopic dermatitis (AD). The Th2-type cytokines interleukin IL-4 and IL-13 play a prominent role in AD by activating the Janus Kinase/Signal Transduction and Activator of Transcription (JAK/STAT) intracellular signaling axis. This study aimed to investigate the role of JAK/STAT in the lipid perturbations induced by Th2 signaling in 3D epidermal equivalents. Tofacitinib, a low-molecular-mass JAK inhibitor, was used to screen for JAK/STAT-mediated deregulation of lipid metabolism. Th2 cytokines decreased the expression of elongases 1, 3, and 4 and serine-palmitoyl-transferase and increased that of sphingolipid delta(4)-desaturase and carbonic anhydrase 2. Th2 cytokines inhibited the synthesis of palmitoleic acid and caused depletion of triglycerides, in association with altered phosphatidylcholine profiles and fatty acid (FA) metabolism. Overall, the ceramide profiles were minimally affected. Except for most sphingolipids and very-long-chain FAs, the effects of Th2 on lipid pathways were reversed by co-treatment with tofacitinib. An increase in the mRNA levels of CPT1A and ACAT1, reduced by tofacitinib, suggests that Th2 cytokines promote FA beta-oxidation. In conclusion, pharmacological inhibition of JAK/STAT activation prevents the lipid disruption caused by the halted homeostasis of FA metabolism. Full article

Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(L-lactide) (MPEG-b-PLLA) has a wide range of applications in pharmaceuticals and biology, and its structure and morphology have been thoroughly studied. In the experiment, we synthesized MPEG-b-PLLA with different block lengths using the principle of ring-opening polymerization by controlling the amount of lactic acid added. The thermodynamic properties of copolymers and the crystallization properties of blends were studied separately. The crystallization kinetics of PDLA/MPEG-b-PLA and PLLA/MPEG-b-PLA composite films were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicate that the crystallization kinetics of composite films are closely related to the amount of block addition. The crystallinity of the sample first increases and then decreases with an increase in MPEG-b-PLLA content. These results were also confirmed in polarized optical microscope (POM) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) tests. When 3% MPEG-b-PLLA was added to the PDLA matrix, the blend exhibited the strongest crystallization performance. Full article

To explore the evolution in patterns of urban water consumption (UWC) accompanying socio-economic development, historical data on socio-economic conditions and water consumption in developed cities worldwide were collected. stages of evolution and patterns in UWC were identified through Pettitt tests. Through correlation analysis, the main socio-economic indicators influencing UWC were identified, and their threshold values for different trends in the evolution of UWC were statistically analyzed. The use of these patterns of evolution for UWC prediction was explored taking Changsha, China as a case study. Results indicate the following: (1) UWC typically increases in the early stage of development and then stabilizes or decreases later; (2) when UWC stabilizes or decreases, socio-economic indicators, namely per capita GDP, tertiary industry’s contribution to GDP, and urbanization rate, range from [USD 10,000, 60,000], [60%, 80%], and [85%, 95%], respectively, entering or approaching the developed economy stage. (3) Using patterns in this evolution, Changsha’s UWC is predicted to increase until the turning point, which will occur between 2027 and 2035 (earlier than that predicted using genetic programming) and then decrease earlier than that of Hunan Province or the entirety of China. Predicted values are lower than those obtained using the quota method. This study provides a new perspective on relationships between UWC and socio-economic conditions, supporting water resources planning. Full article

The reliability of friction stir welded joints is a critical concern, particularly given their potential applications in the aerospace manufacturing industry. This study offers a quasi-in situ observation of the microstructural response during fatigue crack growth (FCG) of a friction stir welded AA2024-T4 joint, aiming to correlate fatigue crack growth behavior with mechanical properties investigated using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Notched compact tension (CT) specimens corresponding to the morphology of the stir zone (SZ), advancing side (AS), and retreating side (RS) were meticulously designed. The findings indicate that the welding process enhances the joint’s resistance to fatigue crack growth, with the base metal exhibiting a shorter fatigue life (i.e., ~10⁵ cycles) compared to the welding zones (SZ ~ 3.5 × 10⁵ cycles, AS ~ 2.5 × 10⁵ cycles, and RS ~ 3.0 × 10⁵ cycles). Crack propagation occurs within the stir zone, traversing refined grains, which primarily contribute to the highest fatigue life and lowest FCG rate. Additionally, cracks initiate in AS and RS, subsequently expanding into the base metal. Moreover, the study reveals a significant release of residual strain at the joint, particularly notable in the Structural-CT-RS (Str-CT-RS) sample compared to the Str-CT-AS sample during the FCG process. Consequently, the FCG rate of Str-CT-AS is higher than that of Str-CT-RS. These findings have significant implications for improving the reliability and performance of aerospace components. Full article