Recovering phosphorus (P) through combustion from waste streams, like wastewater sludge and animal manure, offers a promising solution. This research explores the P release patterns in different ashes derived from secondary raw materials, using a long-term soil incubation lasting 160 days. The study evaluated the P release dynamics in five types of ashes from enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) systems and pig slurry burned at different temperatures. According to the results, a primary effect was observed on P bioavailability during the initial incubation period. All tested ashes release more than 50% of the total P applied between days 5 and 10. Ashes from EBPR exhibited higher P release than those from pig manure, indicating ash origin as a key factor in P release. Additionally, combustion temperature was crucial, with higher temperatures resulting in increased P release rates. Furthermore, the Pearson correlation revealed a strong relationship between the characteristics of the ashes and the amount of P release. Overall, these findings suggest that ashes could be a valuable P-source for agriculture avoiding the process of wet chemical P extraction, thus reducing both economic and environmental costs. Full article

The field of peripheral nerve regeneration is a dynamic and rapidly evolving area of research that continues to captivate the attention of neuroscientists worldwide. The quest for effective treatments and therapies to enhance the healing of peripheral nerves has gained significant momentum in recent years, as evidenced by the substantial increase in publications dedicated to this field. This surge in interest reflects the growing recognition of the importance of peripheral nerve recovery and the urgent need to develop innovative strategies to address nerve injuries. In this context, this article aims to contribute to the existing knowledge by providing a comprehensive review that encompasses both biomaterial and clinical perspectives. By exploring the utilization of nerve guidance conduits and pharmacotherapy, this article seeks to shed light on the remarkable advancements made in the field of peripheral nerve regeneration. Nerve guidance conduits, which act as artificial channels to guide regenerating nerves, have shown promising results in facilitating nerve regrowth and functional recovery. Additionally, pharmacotherapy approaches have emerged as potential avenues for promoting nerve regeneration, with various therapeutic agents being investigated for their neuroprotective and regenerative properties. The pursuit of advancing the field of peripheral nerve regeneration necessitates persistent investment in research and development. Continued exploration of innovative treatments, coupled with a deeper understanding of the intricate processes involved in nerve regeneration, holds the promise of unlocking the complete potential of these groundbreaking interventions. By fostering collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and industry partners, we can accelerate progress in this field, bringing us closer to the realization of transformative therapies that restore function and quality of life for individuals affected by peripheral nerve injuries. Full article

Desmoplastic melanoma accounts for 5% of all cases of melanoma, but its diagnosis can be difficult due to its frequent clinical presentation with amelanotic lesions. Histologically, spindled melanocytes surrounded by a collagenous stroma are observed. Compared with other types of melanoma, the desmoplastic types presents greater local aggression, and is more prone to local recurrence, but has a lower risk of lymph node metastasis. Early detection, accurate staging, and proper surgical management are the main factors associated with higher survival rates in melanoma patients. Reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) has proven to be a valuable imaging tool in the diagnosis of skin neoplasms, being useful for orientating practitioners towards the diagnosis of melanoma and indicating the necessity of performing a diagnostic biopsy. We present the case of 52-year-old woman, who presented to the dermatology department with an irregular, dark-colored plaque in the right deltoid region. Dermoscopy showed asymmetry with an atypical network and some areas of regression. RCM revealed pagetoid cells in the upper epidermis, cell atypia, non-edged papillae, dermal inflammation, and nucleated cells in the dermis, which are highly suggestive of melanoma. A biopsy was also performed. A histopathology exam confirmed the diagnosis of superficially spreading melanoma with a desmoplastic component, and revealed a Breslow index of 0.9 mm, Clark level IV, an absence of mitoses, angiolymphatic invasion and regression, and complete excision. The CT and PET-CT scans were negative. A biopsy of the axillary sentinel lymph node was conducted, with a negative result obtained, establishing the IB stage of the disease. The patient will remain under follow-up to look for a recurrence or a new primary melanoma. Full article

Over the years, the overconsumption of natural resources has been an issue of concern. Companies have been inducing sustainable practices and approaches to help the environment. By specifically applying the sustainability theory of planned behavior, this study sought to extensively investigate behavioral preference and intention to buy green and sustainable products across name-brand businesses in a developing country. Utilizing Structural Equation Modeling, this study examined responses from 300 valid participants. The results revealed that consumers’ purchasing preferences and intentions are affected by customer expectation for the products, by the government, and by customer concern for the environment. It was seen that customers are prepared to pay extra for name-brand stores that sell eco-friendly or sustainable goods. In accordance, consumers’ purchase intentions are greatly affected by the customer preference or expectation for a product, as the findings indicate that customer-perceived value has the highest influential and consequential relationship to behavioral purposes. Customers are inclined to purchase eco-friendly goods if the sustainable product meets the requirements and expectations of the consumer. Furthermore, consumers’ purchasing intentions in buying green products from name-brand shops are also affected by the government, individuals’ environmental concerns and awareness, individuals’ personal needs and beliefs, society, and individual attitudes. For name-brand stores, consumers’ behavioral intentions to purchase environmentally friendly and sustainable goods are the most strongly associated with their perception of their own value, followed by perceived authority support and perceived environmental concern. The findings and results of this study can be relevant in understanding and exploring consumers’ behavioral intentions to purchase green products from name-brand shops. Full article

The chromatin organization and its dynamic remodeling determine its accessibility and sensitivity to DNA damage oxidative stress, the main source of endogenous DNA damage. We studied the role of the VRK1 chromatin kinase in the response to oxidative stress. which alters the nuclear pattern of histone epigenetic modifications and phosphoproteome pathways. The early effect of oxidative stress on chromatin was studied by determining the levels of 8-oxoG lesions and the alteration of the epigenetic modification of histones. Oxidative stress caused an accumulation of 8-oxoG DNA lesions that were increased by VRK1 depletion, causing a significant accumulation of DNA strand breaks detected by labeling free 3′-DNA ends. In addition, oxidative stress altered the pattern of chromatin epigenetic marks and the nuclear phosphoproteome pathways that were impaired by VRK1 depletion. Oxidative stress induced the acetylation of H4K16ac and H3K9 and the loss of H3K4me3. The depletion of VRK1 altered all these modifications induced by oxidative stress and resulted in losses of H4K16ac and H3K9ac and increases in the H3K9me3 and H3K4me3 levels. All these changes were induced by the oxidative stress in the epigenetic pattern of histones and impaired by VRK1 depletion, indicating that VRK1 plays a major role in the functional reorganization of chromatin in the response to oxidative stress. The analysis of the nuclear phosphoproteome in response to oxidative stress detected an enrichment of the phosphorylated proteins associated with the chromosome organization and chromatin remodeling pathways, which were significantly decreased by VRK1 depletion. VRK1 depletion alters the histone epigenetic pattern and nuclear phosphoproteome pathways in response to oxidative stress. The enzymes performing post-translational epigenetic modifications are potential targets in synthetic lethality strategies for cancer therapies. Full article

Technological advancements are propelling medical technology towards automation through the application and widespread use of automatic control, sensing, and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. Currently, IoT technology has been extensively applied in medical devices, aiming to ensure patient safety through more real-time detection and more effective management. In the monitoring of intravenous infusion, accurately sensing the infusion conditions in real time is particularly important. This article introduces a low-cost smart infusion device based on IoT technology, which controls the infusion rate with a peristaltic pump and monitors the volume of fluid delivered. It uses an improved, self-calibrating weighing sensor to achieve the real-time closed-loop control of the flow rate, ensuring patient safety. Additionally, the Blynk dashboard can be used for monitoring and controlling the flow rate and infusion volume. Full article

The concept of nature positive has recently emerged from the widespread recognition of the global scale at which nature is being lost and the threat this poses to the collective survival of the human race. Much of the interest in nature positive reflects the initial commitment to it by conservation organisations and by a number of international political initiatives. However, the pursuit of nature positive approaches by businesses has received little attention in the business and management literature. Building upon an analysis of secondary sources, this entry paper first examines how three international organisations suggest a nature positive strategy could be pursued. This paper then focuses on two multinational companies and how they plan to pursue a nature positive approach to their business activities. This article identifies a number of critical factors in developing a nature positive strategy: incorporating suppliers in this strategy, assessing corporate dependencies and impacts on nature, and reporting on nature positive initiatives and outcomes. At the same time, this article raises concerns that nature positive approaches could be driven more by business imperatives rather than fundamental corporate concerns about biodiversity and that many business commitments to nature positive could be seen as mainly aspirational. Full article

In recent years, discourses on photography have undergone a transformative shift from a focus on the individual photograph’s connection to memory, pastness, loss, and death towards exploring photographic imagery as shared, networked, and continuously circulating in a ubiquitous present. The general claim for the temporal dimension in this shift is that photography is no longer seen as a mere witness or reservoir of the past but instead points to or participates in an active present. Against this claim, the article argues for broadening the perspective, drawing on resources across C.P. Snow’s “two cultures”—the arts and humanities vs. the natural sciences—to develop a better conception of time and a more varied and useful selection of photographic practices. In this connection, the article provides a reading of Paul Ricoeur’s compound concept of “the third time”, cutting across the two cultures. Drawing on insights from Patrick Maynard and Kelley Wilder, basic premises for photographic practices in the natural sciences are brought into the discussions of the discursive shift from a preoccupation with photography and the past to an interest in photography and the present. The purpose of this paper is to develop a better ground for navigating intricate questions about the relationship between photography and time. Full article

In an era where digital transformation (DGT) is pivotal for organizational resilience and competitiveness, integrating sustainability into the digitalization process has emerged as a strategic imperative. By employing the resource-based view (RBV) and the dynamic capability theory (DCT), this study delves into the micro-foundations of DGT in medium- and large-sized enterprises, highlighting the synergistic role of managerial digital literacy in fostering digital transformation through the mediation role of digital readiness and the moderation role of the top management team (TMT). To fulfill the objectives of this study, data were collected through a cross-sectional mail survey, yielding responses from 235 senior and mid-level managers across medium- and large-sized firms in various industries within Turkey. Results have confirmed that digital literacy significantly enhances digital transformation and readiness, laying the groundwork for successful digital transformation initiatives. Digital readiness significantly mediates the relationship between digital literacy and digital transformation, indicating that enhancing digital literacy is a crucial step that indirectly influences digital transformation through improving digital readiness. The moderating effect of top management team (TMT) behavioral integration on the digital literacy and digital readiness link is affirmed, highlighting its critical role in facilitating organizational digital adaptation. TMT behavioral integration does not positively moderate the direct relationship between digital literacy and digital transformation. The study’s findings offer a novel lens on digital transformation, revealing that the interplay between digital literacy, readiness, and TMT behavioral integration crafts a strategic scaffold for enhancing organizational agility and competitive edge in the digital era. Full article

All over the world, especially in Western societies, table salt intake that is inordinately higher than the acceptable level has been observed. An excess of Na in the human diet, mostly from processed foods, is becoming the “number one killer”, leading to increased blood pressure. Therefore, the food industry is faced with a need to reduce Na in human nutrition in an effort to raise public health protection to a higher level. In this study, a commercially available combination of Na/K salts (COMB) at different concentrations was used as a NaCl substitute in the production of a modified, healthier, Na-reduced cheese. Samples of the modified low-Na white soft-brined cheese (WSBC) were produced by adding four different concentrations of COMB to production lots PL-1 to PL-4, and the control (CON) samples were prepared by salting with the usual, non-reduced concentration of NaCl. The effects of NaCl replacement on the physical–chemical parameters, major- and micro-elements, and microstructural and sensory properties of the WSBC were investigated. The obtained results indicated that there was no significant influence on the ash content, pH, and a_w. The Na and K levels differed among treatments (p < 0.001). The lowest Na level in this study was recorded in PL-4 (only COMB was added) and was 334.80 ± 24.60 mg/100 g. According to the Na content, WSBC PL4 can be labeled with the nutrient claim “reduced amount of Na”. A significant difference (p < 0.05) was noticed in overall acceptance between the CON and PL-4, with no statistically significant difference found amongst other WSBC production lots. The replacement of NaCl resulted in a slightly greater firmness of the WSBC. The results confirm the possibility of producing low-Na WSBC when optimal amounts of a suitable mineral salt are used as a substitute for NaCl, thus reducing the risk of high Na intake in the human body through the consumption of evaluated cheese. Full article

Veno-arterial (V-A) and Veno-venous (V-V) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is increasingly utilized for acute cardiogenic shock and/or respiratory failure. Echocardiography and point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) play a critical role in the selection and management of these critically ill patients, however, there are limited guidelines regarding their application. This comprehensive review describes current and potential application of echocardiography and POCUS for pre-ECMO assessment and patient selection, cannulation guidance with emphasis on dual-lumen configurations, diagnosis of ECMO complications and trouble-shooting of cannula malposition, diagnosis of common cardiac or pulmonary pathologies, and assessment of ECMO weaning appropriateness including identification of the aortic mixing point in V-A ECMO. Full article

Coccolithophores play a significant role in marine calcium carbonate production and carbon cycles, attributing to their unique feature of producing calcareous plates, coccoliths. Coccolithophores also possess a haplo-diplontic life cycle, presenting distinct morphology types and calcification states. However, differences in nutrient acquisition strategies and mixotrophic behaviors of the two life phases remain unclear. In this study, we conducted a series of phagocytosis experiments of calcified diploid and non-calcified haploid strains of coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa huxleyi under light and dark conditions. The phagocytosis capability of each strain was examined based on characteristic fluorescent signals from ingested beads using flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The results show a significantly higher phagocytosis percentage on fluorescent beads in the bacterial prey surrogates of the non-calcified haploid Gephyrocapsa huxleyi strain, than the calcified diploid strain with or without light. In addition, the non-calcified diploid cells seemingly to presented a much higher phagocytosis percentage in darkness than under light. The differential phagocytosis capacities between the calcified diploid and non-calcified haploid Gephyrocapsa huxleyi strains indicate potential distinct nutritional strategies at different coccolithophore life and calcifying stages, which may further shed light on the potential strategies that coccolithophore possesses in unfavorable environments such as twilight zones and the expanding coccolithophore niches in the natural marine environment under the climate change scenario. Full article

Cardiac conduction involves electrical activity from one myocyte to another, creating coordinated contractions in each. Disruptions in the conducting system, such as left bundle branch block (LBBB), can result in premature activation of specific regions of the heart, leading to heart failure and increased morbidity and mortality. Structural alterations in T-tubules and the sarcoplasmic reticulum can lead to dyssynchrony, a condition that can be treated by cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), which stands as a cornerstone in this pathology. The heterogeneity in patient responses underscored the necessity of improving the diagnostic approach. Vectocardiography, ultra-high-frequency ECG, 3D echocardiography, and electrocardiographic imaging seem to offer advanced precision in identifying optimal candidates for CRT in addition to the classic diagnostic methods. The advent of His bundle pacing and left bundle branch pacing further refined the approach in the treatment of dyssynchrony, offering more physiological pacing modalities that promise enhanced outcomes by maintaining or restoring the natural sequence of ventricular activation. HOT-CRT emerges as a pivotal innovation combining the benefits of CRT with the precision of His bundle or left bundle branch area pacing to optimize cardiac function in a subset of patients where traditional CRT might fall short. Full article

In this work, we apply single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy to probe plasmon-enhanced fluorescence and Förster resonance energy transfer in a nanoscale assemblies. The structure where the interplay between these two processes was present consists of photoactive proteins conjugated with silver nanowires and deposited on a monolayer graphene. By comparing the results of continuous-wave and time-resolved fluorescence microscopy acquired for this structure with those obtained for the reference samples, where proteins were coupled with either a graphene monolayer or silver nanowires, we find clear indications of the interplay between plasmonic enhancement and the energy transfer to graphene. Namely, fluorescence intensities calculated for the structure, where proteins were coupled to graphene only, are less than for the structure playing the central role in this study, containing both silver nanowires and graphene. Conversely, decay times extracted for the latter are shorter compared to a protein—silver nanowire conjugate, pointing towards emergence of the energy transfer. Overall, the results show that monitoring the optical properties of single emitters in a precisely designed hybrid nanostructure provides an elegant way to probe even complex combination of interactions at the nanoscale. Full article

The work presents the research results regarding the development of an innovative technology for the production of lithium perrhenate. The new technology is based entirely on hydrometallurgical processes. The source of lithium was solutions created during the processing of Li-ion battery masses, and the source of rhenium was perrhenic acid, produced from the scraps of Ni-based superalloys. The research showed that with the use of lithium carbonate, obtained from post-leaching solutions of Li-ion battery waste and properly purified (by washing with water, alcohol, and cyclic purification with CO₂), and perrhenic acid, lithium perrhenate can be obtained. The following conditions: room temperature, time 1 h, 30% excess of lithium carbonate, and rhenium concentration in the acid from 20 g/dm³ to 300 g/dm³, allowed to produce a compound containing a total of 1000 ppm of metal impurities. The developed technology is characterized by the management of all aqueous waste solutions and solid waste and the lack of loss of valuable metals such as rhenium and lithium after the initial precipitation step of lithium carbonate. Full article

Background: Substance use in adolescents has been separately related to personality traits and parental socialization styles; in this study, our objective was to study these variables in an integrated way. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in five institutes in a final sample of 331 students, excluding those with gaming disorder. The sample was stratified into three subgroups: ‘no addiction’, ‘low risk’, and ‘high risk’ of Substance Use Disorders (SUD). Results: 12.9% of the adolescents presented a low risk of SUD, while 18.3% showed a high risk, with both being older (F = 9.16; p < 0.001) than the no addiction group. Adolescents with high risk scored lower in control and structure variables and higher in maternal and paternal indifference factors. Non-addicted subjects presented higher scores in conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness and lower scores in neuroticism. The probability of SUD increased with age (OR = 2.187; p = 0.022), sensation seeking (OR = 1.084; p < 0.001), and neuroticism (OR = 1.049; p = 0.042), while conscientiousness was a protective factor (OR = 0.930; p = 0.008). Conclusions: These results reflect that personality traits are directly related to the development of substance abuse in adolescents. Full article

During the oncological care path, breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy suffer from a number of psycho-physical changes, and appearance-related side effects are among the primary determinants of psychosocial impairment. Appropriate interventions are needed due to the fact that treatment-induced transformations have been associated with a decline in overall quality of life, interpersonal and sexual difficulties, and adverse effects on therapeutic adherence. In the framework of integrative oncology, beauty therapy is an affordable and straightforward intervention that could be used in the clinical management of breast cancer side effects. This study aims to comprehend the emotional and lived experiences of women undergoing chemotherapy after a brief beauty therapy intervention with licensed beauticians. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used as a methodological guideline. Sixteen women were purposefully recruited in a day hospital of a cancer unit, where the beauty therapy was implemented. At the end of the intervention, data were gathered using a semi-structured interview with open-ended questions. A thematic analysis was performed on verbatim transcriptions. Findings support the proposal of beauty therapy for patients undergoing chemotherapy. Assuming a relational viewpoint, beauty therapy could improve patients’ feelings about themselves and the way they feel about others, even if they do not declare a specific interest in their outward appearance. Full article

Nicotine activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), which are overexpressed in numerous cancer types, leading to signaling pathways that increase lung cancer invasiveness and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. In this study, the effects of APS12-2, a synthetic analog of marine sponge toxin that acts as an antagonist of nAChRs, was investigated in vitro on A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells and non-tumorigenic human lung epithelial BEAS-2B cells. In addition, gelatin nanoparticles (GNPs) loaded with APS12-2 (APS12-2-GNPs) were prepared and their effects were compared with those of free APS12-2. Nicotine reduced cytotoxicity, the formation of reactive oxygen species, and the formation of lipid droplets caused by cisplatin on A549 cells. The effects of nicotine on the decreased efficacy of cisplatin were reduced by APS12-2 and APS12-2-GNPs. APS12-2-GNPs showed a substantial advantage compared with free APS12-2; the cytotoxicity of APS12-2 on BEAS-2B cells was greatly reduced when APS12-2 was loaded in GNPs, whereas the cytotoxicity on A549 cells was only slightly reduced. Our results suggest that both APS12-2 and APS12-2-GNPs hold promise as supportive agents in the cisplatin-based chemotherapy of lung cancer. Full article

Background: Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of childhood overweight/obesity. However, it remains unclear whether this protective effect persists among high-risk populations. This study aims to investigate the association of breastfeeding with the risk of overweight/obesity in early childhood and whether this association is altered by gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or size at birth. Methods: Feeding practices during the first 12 months of age and weight and length at 12–36 months of age were collected. Full breastfeeding includes exclusive and predominant breastfeeding. Children with body mass index (BMI) values greater than 1 standard deviation from the mean of sex- and age-specific BMI were classified as overweight/obese. Multiple generalized estimating equations models were applied to analyze the associations of full breastfeeding duration with overweight/obesity risk. Results: Among all participants (n = 9329), infants with a longer full-breastfeeding duration had a reduced risk of overweight/obesity in early childhood compared with those breastfed for less than one month. Infants exposed to GDM and those born large for gestational age (LGA) had a higher risk of overweight/obesity in early childhood. Among infants of mothers with GDM (n = 1748), infants with full breastfeeding for greater than 6 months (aOR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.44, 0.78) showed a decreased risk of overweight/obesity in early childhood compared with those breastfed for less than one month. Among LGA infants (n = 1279), infants with full breastfeeding for 3–5 months (aOR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.76) and greater than 6 months (aOR: 0.70; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.88) showed a decreased risk of overweight/obesity in early childhood. Similar results were observed among LGA infants of mothers with GDM. Conclusions: Initiating and prolonging breastfeeding would reduce the risk of overweight/obesity in early childhood, and LGA infants and infants born to mothers with GDM would experience greater benefits. Full article

Introduction: The rate of isolated locoregional recurrence after surgery for pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC) approaches 25%. Ablative radiation therapy (A-RT) has improved outcomes for locally advanced disease in the primary setting. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of salvage A-RT for isolated locoregional recurrence and examine the relationship between subsequent patterns of failure, radiation dose, and treatment volume. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all consecutive participants who underwent A-RT for an isolated locoregional recurrence of PDAC after prior surgery at our institution between 2016 and 2021. Treatment consisted of ablative dose (BED10 98–100 Gy) to the gross disease with an additional prophylactic low dose (BED10 < 50 Gy), with the elective volume covering a 1.5 cm isotropic expansion around the gross disease and the circumference of the involved vessels. Local and locoregional failure (LF and LRF, respectively) estimated by the cumulative incidence function with competing risks, distant metastasis-free and overall survival (DMFS and OS, respectively) estimated by the Kaplan–Meier method, and toxicities scored by CTCAE v5.0 are reported. Location of recurrence was mapped to the dose region on the initial radiation plan. Results: Among 65 participants (of whom two had two A-RT courses), the median age was 67 (range 37–87) years, 36 (55%) were male, and 53 (82%) had undergone pancreaticoduodenectomy with a median disease-free interval to locoregional recurrence of 16 (range, 6–71) months. Twenty-seven participants (42%) received chemotherapy prior to A-RT. With a median follow-up of 35 months (95%CI, 26–56 months) from diagnosis of recurrence, 24-month OS and DMFS were 57% (95%CI, 46–72%) and 22% (95%CI, 14–37%), respectively, while 24-month cumulative incidence of in-field LF and total LRF were 28% (95%CI, 17–40%) and 36% (95%CI 24–48%), respectively. First failure after A-RT was distant in 35 patients (53.8%), locoregional in 12 patients (18.5%), and synchronous distant and locoregional in 10 patients (15.4%). Most locoregional failures occurred in elective low-dose volumes. Acute and chronic grade 3–4 toxicities were noted in 1 (1.5%) and 5 patients (7.5%), respectively. Conclusions: Salvage A-RT achieves favorable OS and local control outcomes in participants with an isolated locoregional recurrence of PDAC after surgical resection. Consideration should be given to extending high-dose fields to include adjacent segments of at-risk vessels beyond direct contact with the gross disease. Full article