It was the aim of this study to examine whether the usage of the vaccine COXEVAC^® (Ceva Santé Animale) could reduce the consumption of antibiotics in Q-fever-positive dairy farms. Additionally, the effects of other herd-level factors on the consumption of antibiotics were investigated. A total of 36 farms with vaccination and 13 farms without vaccination participated in this longitudinal cohort study. In all herds, Coxiella burnetii had been directly or indirectly diagnosed. To compare the treatment frequency of antibiotics between the vaccinated group and the non-vaccinated group, the consumption of antibiotics for each farm was collected using the veterinary documents about the application and delivery of antibiotics. To gather detailed information about herd data, nutrition, milking management, housing, and animal health, the farmers were interviewed with the help of a questionnaire. The results thereof suggest that there might be an association between the vaccination against Q fever and a reduced consumption of antibiotics. Neither herd size nor milk yield level influenced the consumption of antibiotics in the study herds. Type of flooring and udder-cluster disinfection while milking were associated with a lower and higher therapy frequency, respectively. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the cause–effect relationship between vaccination and the consumption of antibiotics. Full article

Background: Obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome and fat accumulation in various organs such as the liver and the kidneys. Our goal was to assess, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Dual-Echo phase sequencing, the association between liver and kidney fat deposition and their relation to obesity. Methods: We analyzed MRI scans of individuals who were referred to the Chaim Sheba Medical Center between December 2017 and May 2020 to perform a study for any indication. For each individual, we retrieved from the computerized charts data on sex, and age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia). Results: We screened MRI studies of 399 subjects with a median age of 51 years, 52.4% of whom were women, and a median BMI 24.6 kg/m². We diagnosed 18% of the participants with fatty liver and 18.6% with fat accumulation in the kidneys (fatty kidneys). Out of the 67 patients with fatty livers, 23 (34.3%) also had fatty kidneys, whereas among the 315 patients without fatty livers, only 48 patients (15.2%) had fatty kidneys (p < 0.01). In comparison to the patients who did not have a fatty liver or fatty kidneys (n = 267), those who had both (n = 23) were more obese, had higher systolic BP, and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus. In comparison to the patients without a fatty liver, those with fatty livers had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.91 (97.5% CI; 1.61–5.25) to have fatty kidneys. In total, 19.6% of the individuals were obese (BMI ≥ 30), and 26.1% had overweight (25 < BMI < 30). The obese and overweight individuals were older and more likely to have diabetes mellitus and hypertension and had higher rates of fatty livers and fatty kidneys. Fat deposition in both the liver and the kidneys was observed in 15.9% of the obese patients, in 8.3% of the overweight patients, and in none of those with normal weight. Obesity was the only risk factor for fatty kidneys and fatty livers, with an adjusted OR of 6.3 (97.5% CI 2.1–18.6). Conclusions: Obesity is a major risk factor for developing a fatty liver and fatty kidneys. Individuals with a fatty liver are more likely to have fatty kidneys. MRI is an accurate modality for diagnosing fatty kidneys. Reviewing MRI scans of any indication should include assessment of fat fractions in the kidneys in addition to that of the liver. Full article

The dengue virus is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that infects ~400 million people worldwide. Currently, there are no approved antivirals available. CRISPR-based screening methods have greatly accelerated the discovery of host factors that are essential for DENV infection and that can be targeted in host-directed antiviral interventions. In the present study, we performed a focused CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats) library screen to discover the key host factors that are essential for DENV infection in human Huh7 cells and identified the Protein Activator of Interferon-Induced Protein Kinase (PACT) as a novel pro-viral factor for DENV. PACT is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein generally known to activate antiviral responses in virus-infected cells and block viral replication. However, in our studies, we observed that PACT plays a pro-viral role in DENV infection and specifically promotes viral RNA replication. Knockout of PACT resulted in a significant decrease in DENV RNA and protein abundances in infected cells, which was rescued upon ectopic expression of full-length PACT. An analysis of global gene expression changes indicated that several ER-associated pro-viral genes such as ERN1, DDIT3, HERPUD1, and EIF2AK3 are not upregulated in DENV-infected PACT knockout cells as compared to infected wildtype cells. Thus, our study demonstrates a novel role for PACT in promoting DENV replication, possibly through modulating the expression of ER-associated pro-viral genes. Full article

Viscoelastic relaxation measurements on styrene-butadiene rubbers (SBRs) doped with carbon nanotube (CNT) at different concentrations around the sol-gel transition show the time–temperature superposition (TTS). This process is described in terms of the mode coupling theory (MCT) approach to viscoelasticity by considering the frequency behavior of the loss modulus $E^{″}\left(\omega \right)$ and showing that the corresponding TTS is linked to ${\omega }^{1/2}$ decay. From the analysis of the obtained data, we observe that the interaction between SBRs and CNT determines different levels of decay according to their concentration. Systems with the lowest CNT concentration are only characterized in the studied T-range by their fragile glass-forming behavior. However, at a specific temperature $T_L$, those with the highest CNT concentration show a crossover towards pure Arrhenius that, according to the MCT, indicates the presence of kinetic glass transition (KGT), where system response functions are characterized by scaling behaviors. Full article

Precise water management is essential for the efficient development of irrigated agricultural crops in the Hetao Irrigation Area of Inner Mongolia. Given the severe water scarcity in the region and the significant use of intercropping as a cropping method, the development of rational irrigation scheduling is crucial. The objective of this work was to combine the ISAREG model with wheat–sunflower intercropping crops in order to enhance the effectiveness of irrigation scheduling in intercropping systems. This was achieved by changing and verifying crucial parameters for simulating irrigation patterns in intercropping. We conducted an assessment of nine irrigation schedules for a wheat–sunflower intercropping system in order to provide a range of irrigation scenarios that effectively fulfill the water requirements of the system. In light of this, we suggested implementing restrictions on the dates and volumes of irrigation based on the demand for agricultural irrigation. This approach aimed to establish irrigation schedules that are highly efficient and tailored to the specific crops in the area. As a result, we achieved a water use efficiency rate of 100%, saved 28.78% of water resources, optimized crop irrigation schedules, and enhanced crop economics by 6.7%. This study presents a novel and efficient method to optimize agricultural irrigation schedules, boost agricultural water use efficiency, and maximize crop yields in order to promote sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Skeletal muscle unloading occurs during a wide range of conditions, from space flight to bed rest. The unloaded muscle undergoes negative functional changes, which include increased fatigue. The mechanisms of unloading-induced fatigue are far from complete understanding and cannot be explained by muscle atrophy only. In this review, we summarize the data concerning unloading-induced fatigue in different muscles and different unloading models and provide several potential mechanisms of unloading-induced fatigue based on recent experimental data. The unloading-induced changes leading to increased fatigue include both neurobiological and intramuscular processes. The development of intramuscular fatigue seems to be mainly contributed by the transformation of soleus muscle fibers from a fatigue-resistant, “oxidative“ “slow” phenotype to a “fast” “glycolytic“ one. This process includes slow-to-fast fiber-type shift and mitochondrial density decline, as well as the disruption of activating signaling interconnections between slow-type myosin expression and mitochondrial biogenesis. A vast pool of relevant literature suggests that these events are triggered by the inactivation of muscle fibers in the early stages of muscle unloading, leading to the accumulation of high-energy phosphates and calcium ions in the myoplasm, as well as NO decrease. Disturbance of these secondary messengers leads to structural changes in muscles that, in turn, cause increased fatigue. Full article

The solid volume fraction of a slurry requiring solid–liquid separation often fluctuates in industrial cake filtration processes. For low solid volume fractions, particle segregation arises, resulting in an inhomogeneous filter cake structure. Particle segregation has significant impacts on cake formation such as a longer cake formation time compared to homogeneous cakes. This work addresses the impact of this effect on vibration compaction, which is an alternative deliquoring method applying oscillatory shears to the filter cake. The dewatering results of homogeneous and segregated cakes made of the same material with a broad particle size distribution are compared. Although cake deliquoring is achievable despite particle segregation, vibration compaction is more effective for homogeneous cakes. The reason is that no particle size homogenization within segregated cakes occurs due to oscillatory shear, as particle size analyses indicate. The particle size measurements of cakes before and after vibration compaction reveal that the material’s particle size distribution is preserved despite vibration application. Vibration compaction achieves higher deliquoring than the common compaction method by squeezing, as elastic recovery effects after squeezing lead to the reabsorbing of liquid, already expressed and stored in the filter cloth. This demonstrates that vibration compaction is a real alternative for cake deliquoring. Full article

Background: Taeniosis and cysticercosis are human infections caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. This study is a baseline for community-based intervention. We determined the prevalence of human cysticercosis and associated risk factors following a deworming program conducted throughout the country, with Mbulu District being among the districts in Northern Tanzania. Methods: Human cysticercosis was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag- ELISA). Household interviews and observations were conducted to identify risk factors for cysticercosis transmissions among households and communities. Results: Three hundred individuals participated in this study. The age ranged from 5 to 89 years, with a median of 19 years. The prevalence of human cysticercosis was 23 (7.67%). The prevalence was high with 6 (11.76%) among individuals aged 26 to 35 years and ±45 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence by age group, sex, or occupation. Among the 300 participants, 82 (27.3%) had received anthelmintics during the previous year; among these, 5 (21.7%) were infected. The likelihood of infection was low among anthelmintic users by 28% [0.72 (0.26–2.01)], but the protection was not significant. The communities differed in risk factors on the availability of a clean and safe water supply; 52.7% (46/86) of households visited had no pit latrine. The cysticercosis prevalence showed a significant difference in communities. Conclusions: The prevalence of human cysticercosis was high and associated with higher age groups. The prevalence was low among those who had taken anthelmintics and was associated with lower age groups. The current school deworming program has a positive effect on school children, while the elderly are at higher risk because the intervention did not target them. It is recommended to scale up anthelmintic intervention to higher age groups. Full article

Detection and segmentation of brain metastases (BMs) play a pivotal role in diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up evaluations for effective BM management. Given the rising prevalence of BM cases and its predominantly multiple onsets, automated segmentation is becoming necessary in stereotactic radiosurgery. It not only alleviates the clinician’s manual workload and improves clinical workflow efficiency but also ensures treatment safety, ultimately improving patient care. Recent strides in machine learning, particularly in deep learning (DL), have revolutionized medical image segmentation, achieving state-of-the-art results. This review aims to analyze auto-segmentation strategies, characterize the utilized data, and assess the performance of cutting-edge BM segmentation methodologies. Additionally, we delve into the challenges confronting BM segmentation and share insights gleaned from our algorithmic and clinical implementation experiences. Full article

The availability of pure individual betalains in sufficient quantities which permit deeper understanding is still a challenge. This study investigates the high-yielding semisynthesis of betaxanthins using betalamic acid from a natural source (Opuntia dillenii), followed by condensation with ʟ−amino acids and further purification. Moreover, the color stability of the four synthesized individual betaxanthins, namely proline (ʟ−ProBX), alanine (ʟ−AlaBX), leucine (ʟ−LeuBX), and phenylalanine (ʟ−PheBX) betaxanthins, was investigated at different pHs. Their relative contribution to free radical scavenging was also scrutinized by TEAC and DPPH. ʟ−AlaBX and ʟ−LeuBx showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity, whereas ʟ−ProBX was the most resistant to the hydrolysis of betaxanthin and hence the least susceptible to color change. The color stability was strongly influenced by pH, with the color of ʟ−ProBX, ʟ−LeuBX, and ʟ−AlaBX at pH 6 being more stable, probably due to the easier hydrolysis under acid conditions. The semisynthesis and purification allowed us to have available remarkable quantities of pure individual betaxanthins of Opuntia dillenii for the first time, and to establish their color properties and antioxidant capacity. This study could be a step forward in the development of the best natural food colorant formulation, based on the betalain structure, which is of special interest in food technology. Full article

In the dynamic field of radiopharmaceuticals, innovating targeted agents for cancer diagnosis and therapy is crucial. Our study enriches this evolving landscape by evaluating the potential of radioiodinated anastrozole ([¹²⁵I]anastrozole) and radioiodinated epirubicin ([¹²⁵I]epirubicin) as targeting agents against MTHFD2-driven tumors. MTHFD2, which is pivotal in one-carbon metabolism, is notably upregulated in various cancers, presenting a novel target for radiopharmaceutical application. Through molecular docking and 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we assess the binding efficiency and stability of [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin with MTHFD2. Molecular docking illustrates that [¹²⁵I]epirubicin has a superior binding free energy (∆G_bind) of −41.25 kJ/mol compared to −39.07 kJ/mol for [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and −38.53 kJ/mol for the control ligand, suggesting that it has a higher affinity for MTHFD2. MD simulations reinforce this, showing stable binding, as evidenced by root mean square deviation (RMSD) values within a narrow range, underscoring the structural integrity of the enzyme–ligand complexes. The root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) analysis indicates consistent dynamic behavior of the MTHFD2 complex upon binding with [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin akin to the control. The radius of gyration (RG) measurements of 16.90 Å for MTHFD2-[¹²⁵I]anastrozole and 16.84 Å for MTHFD2-[¹²⁵I]epirubicin confirm minimal structural disruption upon binding. The hydrogen bond analysis reveals averages of two and three stable hydrogen bonds for [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin complexes, respectively, highlighting crucial stabilizing interactions. The MM-PBSA calculations further endorse the thermodynamic favorability of these interactions, with binding free energies of −48.49 ± 0.11 kJ/mol for [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and −43.8 kJ/mol for MTHFD2-. The significant contribution of Van der Waals and electrostatic interactions to the binding affinities of [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin, respectively, underscores their potential efficacy for targeted tumor imaging and therapy. These computational findings lay the groundwork for the future experimental validation of [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin as MTHFD2 inhibitors, heralding a notable advancement in precision oncology tools. The data necessitate subsequent in vitro and in vivo assays to corroborate these results. Full article

Silicate and borate bioactive glasses have been reported to create alkaline conditions by rapidly releasing ions when reacting in aqueous solution. At certain levels, this alkaline solution can negatively affect cell viability. Adding phosphate ions to the glass composition can control the degradation rate of bioactive glasses and create a neutral pH environment. This study evaluated a series of borophosphate bioactive glasses (BPBGs) with nominal molar compositions 16Na₂O-24CaO-xB₂O₃-(60-x)P₂O₅, where x = 0, 40, or 60. The phosphate (X0) glass (PBG) produced an acidic solution when dissolved in water; the borate (X60) glass (BBG) produced an alkaline solution, and the BPBG glass produced a pH-neutral solution. These three glasses were evaluated using adipose stem cells (ASCs), a cell population known for their therapeutic abilities. The effects of each glass on the pH of cell culture, ions released during degradation, and on ASC functions, including viability, migration, angiogenic ability, differentiation, and protein secretions, were evaluated. The X40 BPBG created a physiologically neutral pH in cell culture media after 24 h. The X0 phosphate glass promoted ASC migration, while the highly alkaline X60 borate increased the angiogenic ability of ASCs. These results indicate that BPBG can be used safely in cell culture studies and customized for specific biomedical applications. Full article

This paper explores the impact of an increasing number of prosumers in electricity supply systems and investigates how market mechanisms can mitigate the negative effects. The Regional Energy Market Model simulates a supply system based on cellular structures, employing agent-based modeling to capture individual behaviors and simulate real market dynamics. This study includes various supply scenarios, such as a solely photovoltaic scenario and a technically diversified scenario with biogas-fueled combined heat and power units. For each scenario, fixed and flexible pricing scenarios are simulated to analyze their effects. The findings reveal that systems heavily reliant on photovoltaics experience negative effects at certain points due to seasonal limitations, while technically diversified supply scenarios demonstrate fewer drawbacks. Flexible pricing systems stimulate demand in a manner beneficial to the system, creating regional added value, and contributing to the balance between generation and consumption, depending on the supply scenario. However, the study underscores that economic incentives alone are insufficient for balancing generation and consumption. The results highlight the importance of exploring opportunities through the interplay of economic incentive mechanisms and technical possibilities. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in psychological distress in the general population, but contrasting results have been shown regarding its impact on psychological symptoms in clinical and non-clinical samples. Consequently, the aim of the present study was to compare in a longitudinal design (September–November 2020 and February–April 2021) the mental health outcomes of a clinical and a control sample and to determine the implications of various risk and protective factors in this regard. A total of 234 participants from the general population and 80 psychiatric patients took part in the present online study using the following measurements: the Brief Symptom Checklist (BSCL); Three-Item Loneliness Scale (TILS); Resilience Scale-13 (RS-13); and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy—Spiritual Well-Being Scale—Non-Illness (FACIT-Sp Non-Illness). The results show an overall decrease in active suicidal ideation as well as “peace”, a subscale of spiritual well-being, as well as increases in passive suicidal activation in the clinical sample, which did not change in the control sample. Psychological symptoms did not significantly change in either group. Significant group effects show an increase in resilience in the clinical sample. Resilience and peace turned out to be protective factors for negative mental health outcomes. However, loneliness, which interestingly increased only in the control sample, was shown to be an overall potential risk factor. Our results highlight the complex implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health outcomes of different groups in the population, demonstrating the necessity of further research, specifically regarding the risk of active and passive suicidal activation. Highlighted protective factors are discussed in regards to spirituality (i.e., peace), which is not strictly related to religion but rather personal spirituality related to the meaning of situations of one’s life, as well as in terms of mental health interventions. Full article

This study investigates the potential of the plate-shaped Zn-22 wt.% Al (Zn-22Al) alloy as an innovative energy dissipation material for seismic damping devices, since plate-shaped material is more suitable to fabricate large-scale devices for building structures. The research begins with the synthesis of Zn-22Al alloy, given its unavailability in the commercial market. Monotonic tensile tests and low-cycle fatigue tests are performed to analyze material properties and fatigue performance of plate-shaped specimens. Monotonic tensile curves and cyclic stress–strain curves, along with SEM micrographs for microstructure and fracture surface analysis, are acquired. The combined cyclic hardening material model is calibrated to facilitate finite element analysis. Experimental results reveal exceptional ductility in Zn-22Al alloy, achieving a fracture strain of 200.37% (1.11 fracture strain). Fatigue life ranges from 1126 to 189 cycles with increasing strain amplitude (±0.8% to ±2.5%), surpassing mild steel by at least 6 times. The cyclic strain–life relationships align well with the Basquin–Coffin–Manson relationship. The combined kinematic/isotropic hardening model in ABAQUS accurately predicts the hysteretic behavior of the material, showcasing the promising potential of Zn-22Al alloy for seismic damping applications. Full article

Nutritional therapy (NT) based on a controlled protein intake represents a cornerstone in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, if a CKD patient is at the same time affected by cancer, oncologists and nutritionists tend to suggest a dietary regimen based on high protein intake to avoid catabolism and malnutrition. International guidelines are not clear when we consider onco-nephrological patients and, as a consequence, no clinical shared strategy is currently applied in clinical practice. In particular, no precise nutritional management is established in nephrectomized patients for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a specific oncological cohort of patients whose sudden kidney removal forces the remnant one to start a compensatory mechanism of adaptive hyperfiltration. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a low–normal-protein high-calorie (LNPHC) diet based on a Mediterranean model in a consecutive cohort of nephrectomized RCC patients using an integrated nephrologist and nutritionist approach. A consecutive cohort of 40 nephrectomized RCC adult (age > 18) patients who were screened for malnutrition (malnutrition screening tool, MST < 2) were enrolled in a tertiary institution between 2020 and 2022 after signing a specific informed consent form. Each patient underwent an initial nephrological and nutritional evaluation and was subsequently subjected to a conventional CKD LNPHC diet integrated with aproteic foods (0.8 g/Kg/die: calories: 30–35 kcal per kg body weight/die) for a period of 6 months (±2 months). The diet was structured after considering eGFR (CKD-EPI 2021 creatinine formula), comorbidities, and nutritional status. MST, body mass index (BMI), phase angle (PA), fat mass percentage (FM%), fat-free mass index (FFMI), body cell mass index (BCMI), extracellular/intracellular water ratio (ECW/ICW), extracellular matrix/body cell mass ratio (ECM/BCM), waist/hip circumference ratio (WHC), lab test exams, and clinical variables were examined at baseline and after the study period. Our results clearly highlighted that the LNPHC diet was able to significantly improve several nutritional parameters, avoiding malnutrition and catabolism. In particular, the LNPHC diet preserved the BCM index (delta on median, ΔM + 0.3 kg/m²) and reduced the ECM/BCM ratio (ΔM − 0.03 *), with a significant reduction in the ECW/ICW ratio (ΔM − 0.02 *), all while increasing TBW (ΔM + 2.3% *). The LNPHC diet was able to preserve FFM while simultaneously depleting FM and, moreover, it led to a significant reduction in urea (ΔM − 11 mg/dL **). In conclusion, the LNPHC diet represents a new important therapeutic strategy that should be considered when treating onco-nephrological patients with solitary kidney due to renal cancer. Full article

Acquiring resistance against antiviral drugs is a significant problem in antimicrobial therapy. In order to identify novel antiviral compounds, the antiviral activity of eight plants indigenous to the southern region of Hungary against herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) was investigated. The plant extracts and the plant compound carnosic acid were tested for their effectiveness on both the extracellular and intracellular forms of HSV-2 on Vero and HeLa cells. HSV-2 replication was measured by a direct quantitative PCR (qPCR). Among the tested plant extracts, Salvia rosmarinus (S. rosmarinus) exhibited a 90.46% reduction in HSV-2 replication at the 0.47 μg/mL concentration. Carnosic acid, a major antimicrobial compound found in rosemary, also demonstrated a significant dose-dependent inhibition of both extracellular and intracellular forms of HSV-2. The 90% inhibitory concentration (IC₉₀) of carnosic acid was between 25 and 6.25 μg/mL. Proteomics and high-resolution respirometry showed that carnosic acid suppressed key ATP synthesis pathways such as glycolysis, citrate cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation also suppressed HSV-2 replication up to 39.94-fold. These results indicate that the antiviral action of carnosic acid includes the inhibition of ATP generation by suppressing key energy production pathways. Carnosic acid holds promise as a potential novel antiviral agent against HSV-2. Full article

This study aims to compare the effectiveness of ultrasonically and sonically activated irrigation in terms of extrusion risk, root canal debridement, and biofilm removal, considering distinct apical preparation sizes, through an ex vivo study in human teeth. Instrumented teeth, to an apical size of 35/.06 or 50/.06, were assigned to three different irrigation procedures: ultrasonically activated irrigation, sonically activated irrigation, and conventional manual irrigation. Apical extrusion risk was evaluated by quantifying irrigant and debris extrusion (n = 10/group). Debris evaluation and smear layer removal from the root canal wall were conducted by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) (n = 5/group), and the elimination of a mature biofilm of Enterococcus faecalis was assessed through resazurin assay and SEM (n = 10/group). For statistical analyses, Student’s paired t-test and the ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey were used. Activated irrigations exhibited a higher risk of extrusion for the larger apical size, while the risk for manual irrigation remained independent of the apical size. Substantially fewer residual debris and smear layers were observed after the activation of the irrigant, and there was a notable enhancement in biofilm elimination compared to manual irrigation (p < 0.05). Notably, the effectiveness of both activated irrigations was more pronounced in root canals prepared to a size 50/.06, with ultrasonic activation showing enhanced improvements. The findings of this study underscore the substantial impact of both ultrasonically and sonically activated irrigation on the effectiveness of root canal disinfection and debridement. This impact is especially prominent with larger apical size, albeit accompanied by an increased risk of extrusion. Full article

The polyphenol–Maillard reaction is considered one of the important pathways in the formation of humic-like substances (HLSs). Glucose serves as a microbial energy source that drives the humification process. However, the effects of changes in glucose, particularly its concentration, on abiotic pathways remain unclear. Given that the polyphenol–Maillard reaction requires high precursor concentrations and elevated temperatures (which are not present in soil), gibbsite was used as a catalyst to overcome energetic barriers. Catechol and glycine were introduced in fixed concentrations into a phosphate-buffered solution containing gibbsite using the liquid shake-flask incubation method, while the concentration of glucose was controlled in a sterile incubation system. The supernatant fluid and HLS components were dynamically extracted over a period of 360 h for analysis, thus revealing the influence of different glucose concentrations on abiotic humification pathways. The results showed the following: (1) The addition of glucose led to a higher degree of aromatic condensation in the supernatant fluid. In contrast, the supernatant fluid without glucose (Glu0) and the control group without any Maillard precursor (CK control group) exhibited lower degrees of aromatic condensation. Although the total organic C (TOC) content in the supernatant fluid decreased in all treatments during the incubation period, the addition of Maillard precursors effectively mitigated the decreasing trend of TOC content. (2) While the C content of humic-like acid (C_HLA) and the C_HLA/C_FLA ratio (the ratio of humic-like acid to fulvic-like acid) showed varying increases after incubation, the addition of Maillard precursors resulted in a more noticeable increase in C_HLA content and the C_HLA/C_FLA ratio compared to the CK control group. This indicated that more FLA was converted into HLA, which exhibited a higher degree of condensation and humification, thus improving the quality of HLS. The addition of glycine and catechol without glucose or with a glucose concentration of 0.06 mol/L was particularly beneficial in enhancing the degree of HLA humification. Furthermore, the presence of glycine and catechol, as well as higher concentrations of glucose, promoted the production of N-containing compounds in HLA. (3) The presence of Maillard precursors enhanced the stretching vibration of the hydroxyl group (–OH) of HLA. After the polyphenol–Maillard reaction of glycine and catechol with glucose concentrations of 0, 0.03, 0.06, 0.12, or 0.24 mol/L, the aromatic C structure in HLA products increased, while the carboxyl group decreased. The presence of Maillard precursors facilitated the accumulation of polysaccharides in HLA with higher glucose concentrations, ultimately promoting the formation of Al–O bonds. However, the quantities of phenolic groups and phenols in HLA decreased to varying extents. Full article

This paper investigates the application of ensemble learning in improving the accuracy and reliability of predictions in connected vehicle systems, focusing on driving style, road surface quality, and traffic conditions. Our study’s central methodology is the voting classifier ensemble method, which integrates predictions from multiple machine learning models to improve overall predictive performance. Specifically, the ensemble method combines insights from random forest, decision tree, and K-nearest neighbors models, leveraging their individual strengths while compensating for their weaknesses. This approach resulted in high accuracy rates of 94.67% for driving style, 99.10% for road surface, and 98.80% for traffic predictions, demonstrating the robustness of the ensemble technique. Additionally, our research emphasizes the importance of model explanation ability, employing the tree interpreter tool to provide detailed insights into how different features influence predictions. This paper proposes a model based on the algorithm GLOSA for sharing data between connected vehicles and the algorithm CTCRA for sending road information to navigation application users. Based on prediction results using ensemble learning and similarity in driving styles, road surface conditions, and traffic conditions, an ensemble learning approach is used. This not only contributes to the predictions’ transparency and trustworthiness but also highlights the practical implications of ensemble learning in improving real-time decision-making and vehicle safety in intelligent transportation systems. The findings underscore the significant potential of advanced ensemble methods for addressing complex challenges in vehicular data analysis. Full article

The aim of this study is to develop a rapid and accurate method for simultaneous analysis of multi-residue pesticides and conduct pesticide monitoring in agricultural products produced by the production and distribution stage in Korea. The representative agricultural products were selected as brown rice, soybean, potato, mandarin, and green pepper and developed using gas chromatography with tandem mass (GC-MS/MS) for the analysis of 272 pesticide residues. The experimental samples were extracted by the QuEChERS-EN method and then cleaned up by using d-SPE, including MgSO₄ and primary secondary amine (PSA) sorbents. The established method was validated in accordance with Codex CAC-GL/40, and the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was determined to be 0.01 mg/kg. A total of 243 pesticides satisfied the guidelines in five samples at three levels with values of 60 to 120% (recovery) and ≤45% (coefficient of variation, CV). The remaining 29 pesticides did not satisfy the guidelines, and these pesticides are expected to be used as a screening method for the routine inspection of agricultural products. As a result of analyzing 223 agricultural products in South Korea by applying the simultaneous analysis method, none of the detected levels in the samples exceeded the standard values based on maximum residue limits (MRLs). The developed method in this study will be used to inspect residual pesticides in agricultural products, and it is anticipated to contribute to the distribution of safe agricultural products to consumers. Full article

To mitigate the adverse impacts of urban stormwater on streams, watershed managers are increasingly using low-impact development and green infrastructure (LID-GI) stormwater control measures, such as rain gardens—vegetated depressional areas that collect and infiltrate runoff from rooftops and driveways. Their catchment-scale performance, however, can vary widely, and few studies have investigated the cumulative performance of residential rain gardens for event runoff control in intermediate-sized (i.e., 1–10 km²) suburban catchments. We modeled three years of continuous rainfall-runoff from a 3.1 km² catchment in Columbia, MD, USA, using the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). Various extents of rain garden implementation at residential houses were simulated (i.e., 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% coverage) to determine the effects on peak flow, runoff volume, and lag time. On average, treating 100% of residential rooftops in the catchment reduced peak flows by 14.3%, reduced runoff volumes by 11.4%, and increased lag times by 3.2% for the 223 rainfall events during the simulation period. Peak flow reductions were greater for smaller storm events (p < 0.01). Our results show that residential rain gardens can significantly improve the runoff response of suburban catchments, and that they represent an effective and relatively low-cost option for urban watershed management and restoration. Full article