The fruit processing industry generates large quantities of by-products well known to be rich in bioactive compounds with numerous nutritional properties and beneficial effects for human health. We developed a strategy to valorise raspberry seeds and obtain valuable ingredients with potential application in cosmetic skincare formulas. Cold press extraction technology was applied to extract oil, and the remaining defatted raspberry seed cake was treated with three proline based deep eutectic solvents (DES) to extract polyphenols. The most potent was proline/citric acid extract, with free and total ellagic acid content (52.4 mg/L and 86.4 mg/L), total phenolic content (TPC, 550.1 mg GAE/L) and radical scavenging activity (RSA, 4742.7 mmol TE/L). After the direct mixing of the extract and after encapsulation with starch as a carrier, the skincare emulsion and microemulsion were characterised by irritation potential (Zein test), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), red blood cell (RBC), and DPPH antioxidant test. The resulting preparations were of improved quality in comparison to the control hand cream, with a low skin irritation effect, lower TEWL, and higher antioxidant potential. This work complies with circular economy principles and green technology standards, and represents the efficient model on how to reuse natural resources through waste minimization. Full article

The effect of coating a flat blade surface with titanium nitride nano coatings (TiN), nano tantalum carbide (TaC), Fiberglass (Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer) (GFRP), Galvanized Steel (GAS), and St37 (SST37) was investigated in order to decrease the adhesion of soil on tilling tools, external friction and, ultimately, the draft force. The soil tank, which was filled with soil of the desired conditions, was pulled on the bearing on the rail. A S-shaped load cell was used to measure the draft force. Tests were conducted at a distance of 2 m and speeds of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 m·s⁻¹ at a depth of 10 cm. A model based on input factors, including blade travel speed, rake angle, and cohesion and adhesion of soil–blade, was developed in an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), and draft force was the output parameter. To verify the performance of the developed model using ANFIS, a relative error(ε) of 6.1% and coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.956 were computed. It was found that blades coated with Nano (TiN-TaC), due to its hydrophobic surface, flatness, and self-cleaning properties, have considerable ability to decrease adhesion in wet soils and showed a linear relationship with draft force reduction. Full article

Background: Nigeria is among the top five countries that have the highest gap between people reported as diagnosed and estimated to have developed tuberculosis (TB). To bridge this gap, there is a need for innovative approaches to identify geographical areas at high risk of TB transmission and targeted active case finding (ACF) interventions. Leveraging community-level data together with granular sociodemographic contextual information can unmask local hotspots that could be otherwise missed. This work evaluated whether this approach helps to reach communities with higher numbers of undiagnosed TB. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of the data generated from an ACF intervention program in four southwestern states in Nigeria was conducted. Wards (the smallest administrative level in Nigeria) were further subdivided into smaller population clusters. ACF sites and their respective TB screening outputs were mapped to these population clusters. This data were then combined with open-source high-resolution contextual data to train a Bayesian inference model. The model predicted TB positivity rates on the community level (population cluster level), and these were visualised on a customised geoportal for use by the local teams to identify communities at high risk of TB transmission and plan ACF interventions. The TB positivity yield (proportion) observed at model-predicted hotspots was compared with the yield obtained at other sites identified based on aggregated notification data. Results: The yield in population clusters that were predicted to have high TB positivity rates by the model was at least 1.75 times higher (p-value < 0.001) than the yield in other locations in all four states. Conclusions: The community-level Bayesian predictive model has the potential to guide ACF implementers to high-TB-positivity areas for finding undiagnosed TB in the communities, thus improving the efficiency of interventions. Full article

Let F be a field of characteristic, not 2 or 3. The first Tits construction is a well-known tripling process to construct separable cubic Jordan algebras, especially Albert algebras. We generalize the first Tits construction by choosing the scalar employed in the tripling process outside of the base field. This yields a new family of non-associative unital algebras which carry a cubic map, and maps that can be viewed as generalized adjoint and generalized trace maps. These maps display properties often similar to the ones in the classical setup. In particular, the cubic norm map permits some kind of weak Jordan composition law. Full article

The imaging of high-speed high-squint synthetic aperture radar (HSHS-SAR), which is mounted on maneuvering platforms with curved trajectory, is a challenging task due to the existence of 3-D acceleration and the azimuth spatial variability of range migration and Doppler parameters. Although existing imaging algorithms based on linear range walk correction (LRWC) and nonlinear chirp scaling (NCS) can reduce the range–azimuth coupling of the frequency spectrum (FS) and the spatial variability of the Doppler parameter to some extent, they become invalid as the squint angle, speed, and resolution increase. Additionally, most of them ignore the effect of acceleration phase calibration (APC) on NCS, which should not be neglected as resolution increases. For these issues, a modified frequency nonlinear chirp scaling (MFNCS) algorithm is proposed in this paper. The proposed MFNCS algorithm mainly includes the following aspects. First, a more accurate approximation of range model (MAARM) is established to improve the accuracy of the instantaneous slant range history. Second, a preprocessing of the proposed algorithm based on the first range compression, LRWC, and a spatial-invariant APC (SIVAPC) is implemented to eliminate most of the effects of high-squint angle and 3-D acceleration on the FS. Third, a spatial-variant APC (SVAPC) is performed to remove azimuth spatial variability introduced by 3-D acceleration, and the range focusing is accomplished by the bulk range cell migration correction (BRCMC) and extended secondary range compression (ESRC). Fourth, the azimuth-dependent characteristics evaluation based on LRWC, SIVAPC, and SVAPC is completed to derive the MFNCS algorithm with fifth-order chirp scaling function for azimuth compression. Consequently, the final image is focused on the range time and azimuth frequency domain. The experimental simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. With a curved trajectory, HSHS-SAR imaging is carried out at a 50° geometric squint angle and 500 m × 500 m imaging width. The integrated sidelobe ratio and peak sidelobe ratio of the point targets at the scenario edges approach the theoretical values, and the range-azimuth resolution is 1.5 m × 3.0 m. Full article

For the complex structure of fibrous network materials, it is a challenge to analyze the network strength and deformation mechanism. Here, we identify a failure mode transition within the network material comprising brittle fibers and bonds, which is related to the strength ratio of the bond to the fiber. A failure criterion for this type of fibrous network is proposed to quantitatively characterize this transition between bond damage and fiber damage. Additionally, tensile experiments on carbon and ceramic fibrous network materials were conducted, and the experimental results show that the failure modes of these network materials satisfy the theoretical prediction. The relationship between the failure mode, the relative density of network and strength of the components is established based on finite element analysis of the 3D network model. The failure mode transforms from bond damage to fiber damage as increasing of bond strength. According to the transition of the failure modes in the brittle fibrous network, it is possible to tailor the mechanical properties of fibrous network material by balancing the competition between bond and fiber properties, which is significant for optimizing material design and engineering applications. Full article

This study aimed to synthesize molybdenum complexes coordinated with an aroyl hydrazone-type ligand (H₂L), which was generated through the condensation of 2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzaldehyde with benzhydrazide. The synthesis yielded two types of mononuclear complexes, specifically [MoO₂(L)(MeOH)] and [MoO₂(L)(H₂O)], as well as a bipyridine-bridged dinuclear complex, [(MoO₂(L))₂(4,4’-bpy)]. Those entities were thoroughly characterized using a suite of analytical techniques, including attenuated total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (IR-ATR), elemental analysis (EA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). Additionally, solid-state impedance spectroscopy (SS-IS) was employed to investigate the electrical properties of these complexes. The mononuclear complexes were tested as catalysts in the epoxidation of cyclooctene and the oxidation of linalool. Among these, the water-coordinated mononuclear complex, [MoO₂(L)(H₂O)], demonstrated superior electrical and catalytic properties. A novel contribution of this research lies in establishing a correlation between the electrical properties, structural features, and the catalytic efficiency of the complexes, marking this work as one of the pioneering studies in this area for molybdenum coordination complexes, to the best of our knowledge. Full article

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was coupled with an advanced statistical strategy combining the response surface method (RSM) and the propagation of error (PoE) approach to optimize and test the robustness of the co-firing of ammonia (NH₃) and coal in a fluidized bed reactor for coal phase-out processes. The CFD model was validated under experimental results collected from a pilot fluidized bed reactor. A 3^k full factorial design of nine computer simulations was performed using air staging and NH₃ co-firing ratio as input factors. The selected responses were NO, NH₃ and CO₂ emissions generation. The findings were that the design of experiments (DoE) method allowed for determining the best operating conditions to achieve optimal operation. The optimization process identified the best-operating conditions to reach stable operation while minimizing harmful emissions. Through the implementation of desirability function and robustness, the optimal operating conditions that set the optimized responses for single optimization showed not to always imply the most stable set of values to operate the system. Robust operating conditions showed that maximum performance was attained at high air staging levels (around 40%) and through a balanced NH₃ co-firing ratio (around 30%). The results of the combined multi-optimization process performance should provide engineers, researchers and professionals the ability to make smarter decisions in both pilot and industrial environments for emissions reduction for decarbonization in energy production processes. Full article

Background: Plant-based diets are not inherently healthy. Similar to omnivorous diets, they may contain excessive amounts of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats, or lack diversity. Moreover, vegans might be at risk of inadequate intake of certain vitamins and minerals commonly found in foods that they avoid. We developed the VEGANScreener, a tool designed to assess the diet quality of vegans in Europe. Methods: Our approach combined best practices in developing diet quality metrics with scale development approaches and involved the following: (a) narrative literature synthesis, (b) evidence evaluation by an international panel of experts, and (c) translation of evidence into a diet screener. We employed a modified Delphi technique to gather opinions from an international expert panel. Results: Twenty-five experts in the fields of nutrition, epidemiology, preventive medicine, and diet assessment participated in the first round, and nineteen participated in the subsequent round. Initially, these experts provided feedback on a pool of 38 proposed items from the literature review. Consequently, 35 revised items, with 17 having multiple versions, were suggested for further consideration. In the second round, 29 items were retained, and any residual issues were addressed in the final consensus meeting. The ultimate screener draft encompassed 29 questions, with 17 focusing on foods and nutrients to promote, and 12 addressing foods and nutrients to limit. The screener contained 24 food-based and 5 nutrient-based questions. Conclusions: We elucidated the development process of the VEGANScreener, a novel diet quality screener for vegans. Future endeavors involve contrasting the VEGANScreener against benchmark diet assessment methodologies and nutritional biomarkers and testing its acceptance. Once validated, this instrument holds potential for deployment as a self-assessment application for vegans and as a preliminary dietary screening and counseling tool in healthcare settings. Full article

A 77-year-old-man with arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II presented at our clinic for a routine ophthalmological exam. He complained of intermittent double vision. The ophthalmic examination revealed paralysis of III (n. oculomotorius) and VI (n. abducens) cranial nerves with ptosis, deficit in elevation and abduction of the left eye. The patient underwent urgent MRI imaging of the brain/orbits and paranasal sinuses, and urgent neurological assessment. MRI revealed a volume-occupying process, starting from the posterior wall of the left maxillary sinus with perineural diffusion and involvement of the homolateral trigeminal nerve, intracranial spread in the medial cranial fossa and involvement of the cavernous, sphenoidal sinuses and the orbital apex on the left side. Biopsy was performed, and the histology resulted in sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma with intracranial spread. Full article

This study aims to analyze the changes in the agrifood supply chain (AFSC) configurations in Latin America (LATAM) imposed by the markets as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper analyzes the results of mobility trends, production rates, logistics performance, and the strategies developed by managers and decision makers of the organizations of the agro-industrial sector for supply chain configurations during the early stages of the pandemic in a food-exporting region that contributes 14% of the world’s production of agricultural and fishery products. Through a literature review of reports and scientific articles on the behavior of the pandemic published by international organizations, research centers, and researchers around the AFSC in LATAM, the impacts on logistical disruptions, configuration strategies, and disruptive technologies applied in Latin American agrifood supply chains during the lockdown are identified. As a result of this reconfiguration of the AFSC, the development of short supply chains and the digitalization of supply based on electronic commerce were the most used strategies during COVID-19 in LATAM. The results of this study show that Mexico, Chile, and Brazil maintained a prominent position as leaders in the different logistics indicators for the AFSC by developing strategies that include short supply chains and the digitalization of supplies based on electronic commerce. Finally, this study also highlights the imminent need to address new research and theories on the reconfiguration of the AFSC, which allows expanding analytical capabilities in organizations to face future risks and challenges that will enable the reconfiguration of the supply chain in the face of catastrophic scenarios such as COVID-19. Full article

Recent studies in turbomachinery have shown that the phase of acoustic wave reflection within an intake can have either positive or negative effects on the aeroelastic stability of fan rotor blades. However, the typical flow structures, such as the shock wave, within rotor blade passages with acoustic wave reflection remain unclear. The aim of this research was to address this gap by investigating how these flow structures impact blade aeroelastic stabilities with acoustic wave reflections. The focus of this study was the NASA Rotor 67 blade with an extended intake. Moreover, a bump is incorporated on the shroud at different distances from the fan to reflect acoustic waves of varying phases. Utilizing the energy method, variations in the aerodynamic work density on blade surfaces were calculated under different phases of reflected acoustic waves. Analysis indicates that the spatial position of the shock wave undergoes periodic changes synchronized with the phase of acoustic reflection, marking the first instance of such an observation. This synchronization is identified as the primary factor causing variations in the aeroelastic stability of blades due to acoustic wave reflection, contributing to a deeper understanding of the mechanism behind acoustic flutter. The acoustic–vortex coupling at the blade tip leads to unpredictable variations in unsteady pressures on the blade suction surface, although its effect on blade aeroelastic stabilities is relatively limited compared to that of the shock wave. Full article

While gas nitriding of steel is currently used in industry, nitriding of aluminum alloys remains an open challenge. The main obstacle is aluminum’s high susceptibility to passivation. The oxide film provides an effective barrier to nitrogen diffusion. Attempts to overcome this problem have mainly focused on glow discharge nitriding using cathode sputtering of an oxide layer. The produced AlN layers exhibit no diffusion zone and show limited performance properties. In this work, the effect of hybrid treatment aimed at producing diffusion layers of nitrides other than AlN on aluminum alloys was investigated on the model system of iron nitride–aluminum substrate. Hybrid treatment combines an electrochemical process involving the removal of the aluminum oxide layer from the substrate, its subsequent iron plating, and a further gas nitriding in high-purity ammonia. The obtained results prove that the hybrid treatment allows the production, at 530 °C/10 h, of diffusion layers of Fe₃N iron nitrides on aluminum substrates with a nitrogen diffusion zone range in aluminum of ca. 12 µm. In alloys containing magnesium, its unfavorable effect on the nitrogen diffusion and the functional properties of the layers was observed. An interesting direction for further research is hybrid treatment of precipitation-hardened alloys without magnesium. Full article

The amount of heat input during welding impacts the weld’s thermal and mechanical behavior and the joint’s properties. The current study involved conducting AA 6061 and AZ31B Mg dissimilar welding, using friction stir lap welding (FSLW) and ultrasonic vibration-enhanced FSLW (UVeFSLW). The comparison and analysis of the welding load, the weld’s macro-microstructure, intermetallic compounds (IMCs), and joint properties were conducted by adjusting the process parameters. The study also examined the effect of ultrasonic vibration (UV) variations on welding heat input. The study demonstrated that it is possible to reduce the welding load by employing UV. Moreover, this impact becomes more pronounced as the welding heat input decreases. Additionally, the material flow in the weld, the width of the weld nugget zone, and the continuous IMC layer are significantly influenced by ultrasonic vibration, irrespective of the heat input during welding. However, the impact on large areas of irregular IMCs or eutectic structures is relatively small. Furthermore, achieving better joint properties becomes more feasible when a higher welding speed is employed for the Al alloy placed on top. Specifically, the impact of UV becomes more evident at higher welding speeds (≥220 mm/min). Full article

This purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between crack growth equations based on Elber’s original plastic wake induced crack closure concept and the fatigue threshold as defined by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) fatigue test standard ASTM E647-15el. It is shown that, for a number of conventionally manufactured metals, the function U(R), where R is the ratio of the minimum to maximum applied remote stress, that is used to relate the stress intensity factor ΔK to the effective stress intensity factor ΔK_eff is inversely proportional to the fatigue threshold ΔK_th(R). This finding also results in a simple closed form equation that relates the crack opening stress intensity factor K_o(R) to ΔK, K_max, and the fatigue threshold terms ΔK_th(R) and ΔK_eff,th. It is also shown that plotting da/dN as function of ΔK/ΔK_th(R) would appear to have the potential to help to identify the key fracture mechanics parameters that characterise the effect of test temperature on crack growth. As such, for conventionally manufactured metals, plotting da/dN as function of ΔK/ΔK_th(R) would appear to be a useful addition to the tools available to assess the fracture mechanics parameters affecting crack growth. Full article

In the rapidly evolving domain of conversational agents, the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) into Chatbot Development Platforms (CDPs) is a significant innovation. This study compares the efficacy of employing generic and fine-tuned GPT-3.5-turbo models for designing dialog flows, focusing on the intent and entity recognition crucial for dynamic conversational interactions. Two distinct approaches are introduced: a generic GPT-based system (G-GPT) leveraging the pre-trained model with complex prompts for intent and entity detection, and a fine-tuned GPT-based system (FT-GPT) employing customized models for enhanced specificity and efficiency. The evaluation encompassed the systems’ ability to accurately classify intents and recognize named entities, contrasting their adaptability, operational efficiency, and customization capabilities. The results revealed that, while the G-GPT system offers ease of deployment and versatility across various contexts, the FT-GPT system demonstrates superior precision, efficiency, and customization, although it requires initial training and dataset preparation. This research highlights the versatility of LLMs in enriching conversational features for talking assistants, from social robots to interactive chatbots. By tailoring these advanced models, the fluidity and responsiveness of conversational agents can be enhanced, making them more adaptable and effective in a variety of settings, from customer service to interactive learning environments. Full article

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of two anesthetic agents, alfaxalone and propofol, on maternal physiological parameters (heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and temperature) on either ovariohysterectomies or cesarean sections in bitches. A total of 34 healthy and pyometra-affected females (classified as ASA II), were induced with IV propofol (4 mg/kg), while 35 females, both healthy and pyometra affected, were induced with IV alfaxalone (1 mg/kg). For cesarean sections, females (ASA II) were induced with propofol (n = 14) or alfaxalone (n = 14). Additionally, the neonatal viability and modified Apgar score were recorded at 5, 60, and 120 min post-delivery. There were no significant differences in the physiological parameters when comparing the use of propofol and alfaxalone in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomies, regardless of their health status, nor when comparing cesarean sections. It was observed that bitches induced with propofol occasionally required an additional dose for maintenance of the anesthesia. Neonatal mortality rates were similar for both groups; however, alfaxalone was associated with higher neonatal viability as indicated by the Apgar scores. The findings suggest that both anesthetic protocols are effective and safe for use in canine reproductive surgeries, with no major differences in basic physiological parameters’ alteration or neonatal outcomes between the two agents. Full article

(1) Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at higher risk of cancer but how these two diseases associate is still debated. The goal of this study was the assessment of the overall incidence of cancer among patients with newly diagnosed T2DM in Hungary. (2) Methods: A nationwide, retrospective, longitudinal study was performed using a Hungarian database. After exclusion of cases of age < 18 years, with gestational diabetes, with polycystic ovary syndrome, and with type 1 and prevalent type 2 diabetes mellitus, the incident T2DM (approx. 50,000 cases yearly) and for comparison, the diabetes-free Hungarian adult population (approx. 7,000,000 cases yearly) was included in the study. The primary endpoints were the overall and site-specific incidence and annual percentage change of the incidence of cancer in both populations. (3) Results: The overall incidence of cancer in patients amounted to 29.4/1000 and 6.6/1000 with or without T2DM, respectively, and the OR (95%CI) of cancer of the T2DM group was 4.32 (4.14–4.53), p < 0.0001. The risk of having cancer was age dependent. The incidence of cancer was declining in the non-diabetic but was unchanged in the T2DM population. The average lag time of diagnosing cancer after the detection of T2DM was 3.86 months. (4) Conclusions: Incident T2DM is associated with a significantly higher overall risk of incident cancer, with a reverse correlation of age. Newly registered T2DM patients were suggested to be screened for cancer within 6 months. Full article

This study addresses the challenge of performance degradation in waterjet pumps due to non-uniform suction flow. Utilizing the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) method, it decomposes and reconstructs the flow features within a waterjet pump under non-uniform inflow into a series of modes ranked in descending order of energy. By analyzing the modes with dominant energy, which contain complex information about the flow field, it is revealed that modes 1 and 2 predominantly represent the formation of a concentrated vortex, whereas modes 3 and 4 illustrate its spatial offset. Notably, in the hub section, mode 3 exhibits a delayed flow separation caused by the reduction of circumferential vortex (CV), with a consequent lift in blade loading at the leading edge and a higher head compared to mode 1. In the shroud section, the delayed flow separation in mode 3 suppressed reverse flow and the concentrated separation vortex (CSV) and then increased the blade loading, ultimately enhancing the pump head. The findings provide significant insights into optimizing waterjet pump performance by detailing the interactions between various flow structures and pump components, effectively filling a knowledge gap in applying dimensionality reduction techniques within the distorted flow fields of water jet pumps. Full article

A noteworthy advancement within the discipline of q-special function analysis involves the extension of the concept of the monomiality principle to q-special polynomials. This extension helps analyze the quasi-monomiality of many q-special polynomials. This extension is a helpful tool for considering the quasi-monomiality of several q-special polynomials. This study aims to identify and establish the characteristics of the 2-variable q-Hermite–Appell polynomials via an extension of the concept of monomiality. Also, we present some applications that are taken into account. Full article

This study aims to enhance urban sustainability by analyzing the spatial distribution and underlying causes of vacant homes in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. Various statistical methods were employed to analyze date concerning the number of vacant stores, population changes, land use complexity, and the physical characteristics of land and buildings; these factors were found to influence the prevalence of vacant homes across Asan. Additionally, it was found that distinct factors differentially affect specific regions, such as old downtown areas versus rural villages. This indicates that reducing vacant homes in these areas requires distinct policies tailored to the unique circumstances of each region. For instance, in old town areas, small lot ratios and land use complexity are significant, while in rural villages, the average number of floors and land use complexity play a major role. This study highlights the diverse factors influencing the prevalence of vacant homes and suggests that to effectively address this issue, policies should be developed that are tailored to the unique characteristics of each area, categorized at both the city and local levels. Full article

Loneliness has become a pressing topic, especially among young adults and during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a randomized controlled trial with 253 healthy adults, we evaluated the differential efficacy of two 10-week app-delivered mental training programs: one based on classic mindfulness and one on an innovative partner-based socio-emotional practice (Affect Dyad). We show that the partner-based training resulted in greater reductions in loneliness than the mindfulness-based training. This effect was shown on three measures of loneliness: general loneliness assessed with the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale, state loneliness queried over an 8-day ecological momentary assessment in participants’ daily lives, and loneliness ratings required before and after daily practice. Our study provides evidence for the higher efficacy of a mental training approach based on a 12 min practice conducted with a partner in reducing loneliness and provides a novel, scalable online approach to reduce the increasing problem of loneliness in society. Full article