Introduction. Iron deficiency is common in patients with non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD-CKD). Oral iron supplementation is recommended in these patients, but it is associated with a higher incidence of gastrointestinal adverse reactions. Liposomal iron therapy has been proposed as a new iron formulation, improving iron bioavailability with less side effects; however, few data are available in patients with NDD-CKD. Methods. We designed a single-arm pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of liposomal iron administered for six months in correcting iron deficiency (defined as serum ferritin < 100 ng/mL and/or transferrin saturation < 20%) in patients with NDD-CKD stages 1–5. The primary endpoints were the achievement of serum ferritin ≥ 100 ng/mL and transferrin saturation ≥ 20%. Secondary outcomes were hemoglobin (Hb) changes and the safety of liposomal iron. Results. The efficacy population included 34/38 patients, who completed at least one visit after baseline. Liposomal iron increased the achievement of transferrin saturation targets from 11.8% at baseline to 50.0% at month 6 (p = 0.002), while no significant correction of serum ferritin (p = 0.214) and Hb was found (p = 0.465). When patients were stratified by anemia (Hb < 12 g/dL in women and Hb < 13 g/dL in men), a significant improvement of transferrin saturation was observed only in anemic patients (from 13.3 ± 5.8% to 20.2 ± 8.1%, p = 0.012). Hb values slightly increased at month 6 only in anemic patients (+0.60 g/dL, 95%CI −0.27 to +1.48), but not in those without anemia (+0.08 g/dL, 95%CI −0.73 to +0.88). In patients taking at least one dose of liposomal iron (safety population, n = 38), the study drug was discontinued in eight patients due to death (n = 2), a switch to intravenous iron (n = 2), and the occurrence of side effects (n = 4). Conclusions. The use of liposomal iron in patients with NDD-CKD is associated with a partial correction of transferrin saturation, with no significant effect on iron storage and Hb levels. Full article

Efficient wireless power transfer (WPT) requires closedloop control to perform maximum efficiency point tracking (MEPT) against the dynamic changes of operating conditions. In this paper, we took the latest deltasigma pulse-density-modulated (PDM) WPT system as the plant and presented a systematic control design procedure. The WPT system was modeled by the reducedorder dynamic phasor method and further decoupled under the tuned condition. It was identified that the coupled resonators behave like a secondorder system, and its natural frequency is much lower than the resonant frequency. This was considered in the closedloop design to derive a suitable loop gain and ensure stability. The nonlinearity caused by the dualside PDM control is limited to a small inner loop so that the entire loop is linear and simple. Experimental results showed that the closedloop voltage regulation and MEPT took only about 10 ms after load stepping. The system DC output voltage was always tightly regulated, and the steadystate efficiency was very close to the theoretical maximum value under different coupling conditions. Full article

People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality due to vaccine-preventable diseases. At the same time, they are less likely to respond to vaccinations, and might have a higher rate of vaccine adverse event and faster waning of protective effect. International and national guidelines emphasize the importance of vaccinating people living with HIV against respiratory system disease pathogens including seasonal influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and COVID-19, as well as against sexually transmitted infections, i.e., Hepatitis A and B (HAV, HBV) and human papillomavirus (HPV). This narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive examination of the current knowledge regarding the immune and clinical responses elicited by vaccinations in the older adult population living with HIV. Full article

Thermoresponsive sol–gel transition polymers are of significant interest because of their fascinating biomedical applications, including as drug reservoirs for drug delivery systems and scaffolds for tissue engineering. Although extensive research has been conducted on lower critical solution temperature (LCST)-type sol–gel transition polymers, there have been few reports on upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-type sol–gel transition polymers. In this study, we designed an ABA-type triblock copolymer composed of a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block and zwitterionic polymer blocks that exhibit UCST-type thermoresponsive phase transitions. A sulfobetaine (SB) monomer with both ammonium and sulfonate (–SO₃) groups in its side chain or a sulfabetaine (SaB) monomer with both ammonium and sulfate (–OSO₃) groups in its side chain was polymerized from both ends of the PEG block via reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer (RAFT) polymerization to obtain PSB-PEG-PSB and PSaB-PEG-PSaB triblock copolymers, respectively. Although an aqueous solution containing the PSB-PEG-PSB triblock copolymer showed an increase in viscosity upon cooling, it did not undergo a sol-to-gel transition. In contrast, a sol-to-gel transition was observed when a phosphate-buffered saline containing PSaB-PEG-PSaB was cooled from 80 °C to 25 °C. The PSaB blocks with –OSO₃ groups exhibited a stronger dipole–dipole interaction than conventional SB with –SO₃ groups, leading to intermolecular association and the formation of a gel network composed of PSaB assemblies bridged with PEG. The fascinating UCST-type thermoresponsive sol–gel transition properties of the PSaB-PEG-PSaB triblock copolymer suggest that it can provide a useful platform for designing smart biomaterials, such as drug delivery reservoirs and cell culture scaffolds. Full article

Lower urinary tract dysfunction is clinically important because it may cause urinary tract infections, mainly due to accumulation of residual urine, and adversely affect renal function. In addition, it may cause urinary incontinence, strongly affecting the child’s quality of life. The function of the lower urinary tract is closely associated with function of the bowel because constipation is commonly present with bladder dysfunction. The interplay between the lower urinary tract and bowel function, coupled with common conditions such as detrusor overactivity and voiding dysfunction, requires a nuanced diagnostic approach. Detrusor overactivity, a benign but socially harmful condition, is the principal cause of daytime urinary incontinence in childhood. It needs to be differentiated from more serious conditions such as neurogenic bladder dysfunction or urethral obstruction. Voiding dysfunction, a habitual sphincter contraction during voiding, is common in children with detrusor overactivity and may be self limiting but may also result in residual urine and urinary tract infections. It may resemble, in severe cases, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, most often caused by spinal dysraphism, which very often leads to recurrent urinary tract infections and high intravesical pressures, jeopardizing renal function. A voiding diary is crucial in the initial evaluation of lower urinary tract function in children. Full article

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a lethal disease that requires innovative therapeutic approaches to enhance the survival outcomes. Neoadjuvant treatment (NAT) has gained attention for resectable and borderline resectable PC, offering improved resection rates and enabling early intervention and patient selection. Several retrospective studies have validated its efficacy. However, previous studies have lacked intention-to-treat analyses and appropriate resectability classifications. Randomized comparative trials may help to enhance the clinical applicability of evidence. Therefore, after searching the MEDLINE database, this scoping review presents a comprehensive summary of the evidence from published (n = 14) and ongoing (n = 12) randomized Phase II and III trials. Diverse regimens and their outcomes were explored for both resectable and borderline resectable PC. While some trials have supported the efficacy of NAT, others have demonstrated no clear survival benefits for patients with resectable PC. The utility of NAT has been confirmed in patients with borderline resectable PC, but the optimal regimens remain debatable. Ongoing trials are investigating novel regimens, including immunotherapy, thereby highlighting the dynamic landscape of PC treatment. Studies should focus on biomarker identification, which may enable precision in oncology. Future endeavors aim to refine treatment strategies, guided by precision oncology. Full article

The study aimed to enhance the solubility of the poorly water-soluble drug, fenofibrate, by loading it onto mesoporous silica, forming amorphous solid dispersions. Solid dispersions with 30% fenofibrate were prepared using the solvent evaporation method with three solvents (ethyl acetate, acetone, and isopropanol) at different temperatures (40 °C, boiling point temperature). Various characteristics, including solid-state properties, particle morphology, and drug release, were evaluated by different methods and compared to a pure drug and a physical mixture of fenofibrate and silica. Results revealed that higher solvent temperatures facilitated complete amorphization and rapid drug release, with solvent choice having a lesser impact. The optimal conditions for preparation were identified as ethyl acetate at boiling point temperature. Solid dispersions with different fenofibrate amounts (20%, 25%, 35%) were prepared under these conditions. All formulations were fully amorphous, and their dissolution profiles were comparable to the formulation with 30% fenofibrate. Stability assessments after 8 weeks at 40 °C and 75% relative humidity indicated that formulations prepared with ethyl acetate and at 40 °C were physically stable. Interestingly, some formulations showed improved dissolution profiles compared to initial tests. In conclusion, mesoporous silica-based solid dispersions effectively improved fenofibrate dissolution and demonstrated good physical stability if prepared under appropriate conditions. Full article

Cinmethylin is a potential pre-emergence herbicide that could be used to control grass weeds in winter cereals. To determine the herbicidal activity of cinmethylin against common gramineous weeds in wheat fields in China and its level of safety on wheat, we conducted the following experiments: (i) assessing the efficacy of cinmethylin against 11 grass weeds and (ii) determining its safety against 19 wheat varieties. The results showed that cinmethylin had good herbicidal efficacy against annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.), shortawn foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis Sobol.), slender meadow foxtail (Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.), Japanese foxtail (Alopecurus japonicus Steud.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), British timothy (Phleum paniculatum Huds.), Asia Minor bluegrass (Polypogon fugax Nees ex Steud.), Helictotrichon tibeticum (Roshev.) Holub., and wild oat (Avena fatua L.), with a GR₅₀ (the herbicide dose resulting in 50% growth inhibition) value of 4.50–99.21 g a.i. ha⁻¹ in plant height and 1.43–70.34 g a.i. ha⁻¹ in fresh weight. However, cinmethylin cannot control Japanese brome (Bromus japonicus L.) or Tausch’s goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii Coss.) at a dose of 200 g a.i. ha⁻¹. Different wheat varieties varied in their phytotoxicity to cinmethylin. Overall, there is a phytotoxicity risk when using cinmethylin on wheat, mainly to wheat roots, with a reduction in root length of 40.81–64.09% at a dose of 400 g a.i. ha⁻¹. These findings indicate that the pre-emergence herbicide cinmethylin provides good efficacy against most grass weeds and may possess potential for weed management in wheat fields. However, attention should be given to the application dosage and the sensitivity of wheat varieties when using cinmethylin in wheat fields. Full article

Zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (ZLS) is utilized as a material for prosthetic tooth crowns, offering enhanced strength compared to other dental glass-ceramics. In this study, we investigate a commercial ZLS material, provided in a fully crystallized form. We examine the effects of an optional post-processing heat treatment on micro-contact damage using controlled indentation tests simulating the primary modes of contact during chewing: axial and sliding. Our findings indicate that the heat treatment does not affect mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus, hardness and indentation fracture toughness. However, it does enhance the resistance to contact damage by fracture and chipping in both axial and sliding modes, as well as the resistance to crack initiation measured from sliding tests. This improvement is attributed to the refinement of the flaw population achieved through the heat treatment. The results are analysed using principles of contact and fracture mechanics theory, discussing their significance in prosthetic dentistry. Full article

This study investigates audiogenic epilepsy in Krushinsky-Molodkina (KM) rats, questioning the efficacy of conventional EEG techniques in capturing seizures during animal restraint. Using a wireless EEG system that allows unrestricted movement, our aim was to gather ecologically valid data. Nine male KM rats, prone to audiogenic seizures, received implants of wireless EEG transmitters that target specific seizure-related brain regions. These regions included the inferior colliculus (IC), pontine reticular nucleus, oral part (PnO), ventrolateral periaqueductal gray (VLPAG), dorsal area of the secondary auditory cortex (AuD), and motor cortex (M1), facilitating seizure observation without movement constraints. Our findings indicate that targeted neural intervention via electrode implantation significantly reduced convulsive seizures in approximately half of the subjects, suggesting therapeutic potential. Furthermore, the amplitude of brain activity in the IC, PnO, and AuD upon audiogenic stimulus onset significantly influenced seizure severity and nature, highlighting these areas as pivotal for epileptic propagation. Severe cases exhibited dual waves of seizure generalization, indicative of intricate neural network interactions. Distinctive interplay between specific brain regions, disrupted during convulsive activity, suggests neural circuit reconfiguration in response to escalating seizure intensity. These discoveries challenge conventional methodologies, opening avenues for novel approaches in epilepsy research and therapeutic interventions. Full article

With the advent of the big data era, the size and complexity of data continue to increase, which makes the requirement for data privacy and security increasingly urgent. However, traditional encryption methods cannot meet the demand for efficient searching in large-scale datasets. To solve this problem and enable users to search within encryped data and without decrypting the entire dataset, trapdoor functions and other cryptograhic techniques are introduced in searchable encryption. However, searchable encryption still cannot meet the needs in the real world. Therefore, researchers have introduced the concept of attribute-based encryption into searchable encryption, resulting in attribute-based searchable encryption (ABSE). This approach aims to achieve efficient search by attributes in encrypted datasets. ABSE has a wide range of applications in the fields of privacy protection, data sharing, and cloud computing. In this paper, we describe the trends in development, focusing on enhancing security, improving computational efficiency, and increasing flexibility. We also present the related schemes. In addition, several common application areas are introduced and the relevant schemes proposed by researchers are summarized. Moreover, the challenges and future directions of ABSE are discussed in this paper. Full article

Blockchain has revolutionized the field of supply chain management, allowing firms to optimize their operations and achieve enhanced levels of efficiency and environmental responsibility. This study investigates the relationships between the functionalities of the blockchain-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) and many aspects of the supply chain, namely, supplier integration, internal integration, customer integration, and sustainable logistic capabilities. It also analyses the impact of these correlations on the supply chain performance and sustainability of firms. This study is grounded in an empirical inquiry carried out using a questionnaire survey of the retail industry in Pakistan. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to analyze the data. The findings indicate a direct correlation between the use of BC-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) capabilities and the integration of the supply chain, as well as logistic capabilities. Furthermore, there is a strong and meaningful correlation between blockchain-enabled supply chain integration and sustainable logistic capabilities and firm performance. The research findings indicate that the combined impact of digital innovations results in higher levels of corporate performance and sustainability. By embracing digitization through blockchain technology, business organizations can attain supply chain excellence. This integration enhances the adoption of environmentally beneficial actions, minimizes waste, and decreases carbon emissions across supply chains, thus reinforcing the connection between sustainable firm performance and environmental sustainability. As a result, the enterprises may execute sustainably through improved logistical capabilities and effective integration. The results hold great theoretical and practical significance for improving supply chain management efficacy and accomplishing multiple SDGs, including SDG-8, SDG-9, SDG-11, and SDG-12. Full article

The osteogenic differentiation process, by which bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and osteoprogenitors transform into osteoblasts, is regulated by several growth factors, cytokines, and hormones. Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF) is a blood-derived preparation consisting of a plethora of bioactive molecules, also susceptible to containing epigenetic factors such as ncRNAs and EVs, that stimulates tissue regeneration. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the PRGF clot formulation on osteogenic differentiation. Firstly, osteoblast cells were isolated and characterised. The proliferation of bone cells cultured onto PRGF clots or treated with PRGF supernatant was determined. Moreover, the gene expression of Runx2 (ID: 860), SP7 (ID: 121340), and ALPL (ID: 249) was analysed by one-step real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Additionally, alkaline phosphatase (ALPL) activity determination was performed. The highest proliferative effect was achieved by the PRGF supernatant in all the study periods analysed. Concerning gene expression, the logRGE of Runx2 increased significantly in osteoblasts cultured with PRGF formulations compared with the control group, while that of SP7 increased significantly in osteoblasts grown on the PRGF clots. On the other hand, despite the fact that the PRGF supernatant induced ALPL up-regulation, significantly higher enzyme activity was detected for the PRGF clots in comparison with the supernatant formulation. According to our results, contact with the PRGF clot could promote a more advanced phase in the osteogenic process, associated to higher levels of ALPL activity. Furthermore, the PRGF clot releasate stimulated a higher proliferation rate in addition to reduced SP7 expression in the cells located at a distant ubication, leading to a less mature osteoblast stage. Thus, the spatial relationship between the PRGF clot and the osteoprogenitors cells could be a factor that influences regenerative outcomes. Full article

Compact photonic devices that integrate metasurfaces with light sources have been widely studied. However, experimental demonstrations of a higher efficiency of integration are still lacking. To enhance the efficiency of light sources integrated with metasurfaces, we employed a forward design optimization method and index matching between the light source and metasurface substrate to design metagratings. To optimize the overall diffraction efficiency, we manipulated the degrees of freedom in phase, the lattice constants, and the number of unit cells. The same material was utilized for the nanostructures and substrate (homo-metagrating) for index matching, while Si and GaAs materials were used for working at 1550 and 940 nm, respectively. The experimental homo-metagratings operating at 1550 nm and made of Si exhibited an overall average efficiency of 51.3% at diffraction angles of 60.3°. On the other hand, experimental homo-metagratings operating at 940 nm and made of GaAs exhibited an overall average efficiency of 52.4% at diffraction angles of 49.3°. This suggests that the future integration of metagratings with a polarization-specific laser can further enhance the overall diffraction efficiency. Full article

Background: Sinonasal cancer represents a challenging disease because of its difficult diagnosis and different histology. Despite a multidisciplinary evaluation and treatments, a poor prognosis is still present. We retrospectively analyzed patients with sinonasal cancer treated in our institution, paying attention to histology and real-life prognosis. Methods: A total of 51 consecutive patients were included in the study. Clinical features were described. Overall, disease-free, and disease-specific survival (OS, DFS, DSS) according to histology were calculated. Kaplan–Meyer estimator curves were reported. Results: The most prevalent primary tumor was squamous cell carcinoma, followed by adenocarcinoma. Global 2- and 5-year OS was 68.80% and 54.58%, respectively. Global 2- and 5-year DFS was 48.53% and 29.56%, while global 2- and 5-year DSS was 82.86% and 74.57%, respectively. The median OS was 74 and 43 months for early- and late-stage cancer, respectively. The Cox multivariate regression analysis did not reveal any statistically significant effects of age, stage, or histology on survival outcomes. Conclusions: The diagnosis is often late and the prognosis poor. An appropriate treatment, which is always quite multimodal, allows us to achieve a global 5-year OS slightly higher than 50%. An adequate diagnosis to increase the percentage of early-stage tumors is mandatory to improve prognosis. Full article

Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus) mainly damages cruciferous crops and causes huge economic losses. Presently, chemical pesticides dominate its control, but prolonged use has led to the development of high resistance. In contrast, the sterile insect technique provides a preventive and control method to avoid the development of resistance. We discovered two genes related to the reproduction of Plutella xylostella and investigated the efficacy of combining irradiation with RNA interference for pest management. The results demonstrate that after injecting PxAKT and PxCDK5, there was a significant decrease of 28.06% and 25.64% in egg production, and a decrease of 19.09% and 15.35% in the hatching rate compared to the control. The ratio of eupyrene sperm bundles to apyrene sperm bundles also decreased. PxAKT and PxCDK5 were identified as pivotal genes influencing male reproductive processes. We established a dose-response relationship for irradiation (0–200 Gy and 200–400 Gy) and derived the irradiation dose equivalent to RNA interference targeting PxAKT and PxCDK5. Combining RNA interference with low-dose irradiation achieved a sub-sterile effect on Plutella xylostella, surpassing either irradiation or RNA interference alone. This study enhances our understanding of the genes associated with the reproduction of Plutella xylostella and proposes a novel approach for pest management by combining irradiation and RNA interference. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the main global threats to human health in the 21st century due to the rapid appearance of bacterial resistance and the lack of novel bioactive compounds. Natural products, especially from Actinomycetes, remain the best source to refill the drug industry pipeline. Different strategies have been pursued to increase the chances of discovering new molecules, such as studying underexplored environments like arthropod symbionts, which represent a relevant reservoir for active metabolites. This review summarizes recent research on the identification of bioactive molecules produced by Actinomycetes associated with arthropods’ microbiome. The metabolites have been categorized based on their structural properties and host, highlighting that multidisciplinary approaches will be the key to fully understanding this complex relationship. Full article

(1) Background: Spinal cord injuries and diseases necessitate sophisticated tools for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. However, the lack of reliable phantoms mimicking the complex structure of the spinal cord hinders the development and validation of advanced imaging techniques. This study aims to address this critical unmet need by exploring the application of electrospinning to create polymeric fibers resembling the human spinal cord; (2) Methods: Direct jet coaxial electrospinning (DJ-co-ES) is a specialized electrospinning process characterized by the presence of solely the straight segment of a fluid jet. The research firstly investigates the effects of various solution properties and process parameters on the formation and characteristics of core/shell fibers with polycaprolactone (PCL) as the shell and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as the core. Furthermore, the study explores the potential of these DJ-co-ES fibers as phantoms by measuring various diffusion MRI parameters; (3) Results: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the successful production of hollow PCL microfibers (2–12 μm diameter) with smooth, cylindrical morphology and high orientation. The DJ-co-ES process demonstrated optimal stability when utilizing 10 w/v% PCL in DCM/DMF for the shell and 4 w/v% PEO in deionized water for the core. Additionally, the high miscibility between core and shell solvents in other core and shell solutions cases facilitated the production of fibers with smaller diameters. The findings demonstrate that the measured values fall within the range observed in both healthy and diseased spinal cord tissues; (4) Conclusions: This research paves the way for utilizing DJ-co-ES technology to develop reliable phantoms for spinal cord applications, ultimately fostering advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and research related to spinal cord conditions. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant disruptions in various healthcare systems. In Romania, the elective procedures in the orthopedic and traumatology specialty were one of the most affected. The study aims to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient perceptions of quality in these departments. Standardized assessment tools were used, which consist of satisfaction questionnaires addressed to patients in order to assess the quality of health services in orthopedics and traumatology departments. Thus, a retrospective study was conducted using satisfaction questionnaires addressed to patients admitted to the orthopedics and traumatology departments of the County Clinical Emergency Hospital Bihor between January 2019 and December 2022. Eight reports, based on 746 questionnaires conducted during the studied period, were evaluated. To gauge patient satisfaction, Likert scales featuring five response options were used. A total of 627 questionnaires were valid, the exclusion criteria being incomplete questionnaires (the patients did not respond on all questions, n = 119). Four domains were analyzed: demographic data, hotel conditions, quality of medical care, and overall satisfaction. Demographic data highlight that patients exhibited an equitable distribution across residences, with 50.2% hailing from urban locales, while 53.5% (n = 333) were female. Regarding the overall impression, in 2020, there was a decline in the top rating of 5 compared to 2019, dropping to just 45.10% from 53.45%. Scores of 4 increased to 41.83%, while scores of 3 stayed under 8.5%. Scores of 2 and 1 were negligible. In 2021 and 2022, we can observe a sustained increase in the number of patients who awarded 5 points for overall impression and a decrease in the number of patients who awarded 4 points compared to previous years. The maximum difference between 2020 and 2021 and the period before and after this period was 27.24% (p-value < 0.001). The results indicate that while overall impressions of the hospital remained positive throughout the studied period, there were notable fluctuations in satisfaction levels during the pandemic. Patient satisfaction with attending physicians dipped in 2020 from 86.70% to 77.78% but recovered by 2022. The same trend can be observed with nurses and caregivers, as well as hotel services, during this period. These findings underscore the importance of addressing patient concerns and improving the quality of care delivery, particularly during times of crisis. Full article

TiO₂-Al₂O₃ supports with different incorporation methods of titania were synthesized via three methods: impregnation (TA-I), co-precipitation (TA-CP), and co-precipitation–hydrothermal treatment (TA-HT). And the NiMoP catalysts prepared on the corresponding supports were evaluated for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) reactions. The results demonstrated that the Ti atoms in TA-I are attached to alumina through hydroxyl groups, while the Ti atoms in TA-CP and TA-HT can be dispersed in the alumina skeleton. Variations in the incorporation modes of TiO₂ affect the support properties, consequently influencing the nature of the active metal on the supports. The Ti atoms dispersed in the Al₂O₃ skeleton allow an increase in the basic hydroxyl groups. Meanwhile, TiO₂ in TA-CP and TA-HT can absorb hydrogen molecules and be partially reduced. Furthermore, metal species supported on the TA-CP and TA-HT are more easily reduced and better dispersed. For the NiMoP catalysts prepared with TA-CP and TA-HT, the Ti element promotes the sulfidation degree of Mo, besides shortening the average (Ni)MoS₂ slab. The catalysts prepared with TA-CP exhibited superior activity for 4,6-DMDBT hydrodesulfurization. This can be ascribed not only to the relatively high sulfidation degree of Mo and proportion of the NiMoS active phase but also to the well-dispersed (Ni)MoS₂ slabs. Moreover, the Ti⁴⁺ ions dispersed in the Al₂O₃ skeleton can be partially reduced to act as electron donors, enhancing the metallic character of the S layers in MoS₂, which facilitates the improvement of the hydrogenation desulfurization activity. Full article

This cross-sectional study investigates the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): its prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and molecular characteristics in healthy swine populations in central Portugal. A total of 213 samples were collected from pigs on twelve farms, and MRSA prevalence was assessed using selective agar plates and confirmed via molecular methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole genome sequencing (WGS) were performed to characterize resistance profiles and genetic determinants. Among the 107 MRSA-positive samples (83.1% prevalence), fattening pigs and breeding sows exhibited notably high carriage rates. The genome of 20 isolates revealed the predominance of the ST398 clonal complex, with diverse spa types identified. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing demonstrated resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents, including penicillin, cefoxitin, and tetracycline. WGS analysis identified a diverse array of resistance genes, highlighting the genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance. Moreover, virulence gene profiling revealed the presence of genes associated with pathogenicity. These findings underscore the significant prevalence of MRSA in swine populations and emphasize the need for enhanced surveillance and control measures to mitigate zoonotic transmission risks. Implementation of prudent antimicrobial use practices and targeted intervention strategies is essential to reducing MRSA prevalence and safeguarding public health. Continued research efforts are warranted to elucidate transmission dynamics and virulence potential, ultimately ensuring food safety and public health protection. Full article

With the rapid development of high and new technology, rubidium and its compounds show broad application prospect and market demand with their unique characteristics. At present, the production of rubidium metal is mainly prepared by calcium thermal reduction of rubidium chloride. Rubidium metal obtained by reduction requires multi-step vacuum distillation to obtain high-purity rubidium metal. The purity of rubidium metal depends on the purity of the raw material rubidium chloride. Rubidium metal is relatively active and is easy to oxidize and explode in air. Therefore, a method combining vacuum decomposition and vacuum distillation to reduce impurity elements in rubidium chloride from raw materials is proposed in this paper. The experimental results show that under the conditions of pressure of 5–10 Pa, distillation temperature of 823 K and vacuum distillation time of 60 min, the contents of Si and Zn impurities are reduced from 1206 mg/kg and 310 mg/kg to less than 0.1 mg/kg, and the removal rates are 99.99% and 99.97%, respectively. Rubidium chloride has almost no loss, and through one-step vacuum distillation, the impurity elements silicon and zinc can be deeply removed, reducing the flammability and explosiveness, high cost, long process and other problems caused by the subsequent preparation of high-purity rubidium metal. Full article