Search Results (1,995)

Population growth drives increasing energy demands, agricultural production, and organic waste generation. The organic waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and increasing landfill burdens, highlighting the need for novel closed-loop technologies that integrate water, energy, and food resources. Within the context of the Water–energy–food Nexus (WEF), wastewater can be recycled for food production and food waste can be converted into clean energy, both contributing to environmental impact reduction and resource sustainability. A novel household-scale, closed-loop WEF system was designed, installed and operated to manage organic waste while retrieving water for irrigation, nutrients for plant growth, and biogas for energy generation. The system included a biodigester for energy production, a sand filter system to regulate nutrient levels in the effluent, and a hydroponic setup for growing food crops using the nutrient-rich effluent. These components are operated with a daily batch feeder coupled with automated sensors to monitor effluent flow from the biodigester, sand filter system, and the feeder to the hydroponic system. This novel system was operated continuously for two months using typical household waste composition. Controlled experimental tests were conducted weekly to measure the nutrient content of the effluent at four locations and to analyze the composition of biogas. Gas chromatography was used to analyze biogas composition, while test strips and In-Situ Aqua Troll Multi-Parameter Water Quality Sonde were employed for water quality measurements during the experimental study. Experimental results showed that the system consistently produced biogas with 76.7% (±5.2%) methane, while effluent analysis confirmed its potential as a nutrient source with average concentrations of phosphate (20 mg/L), nitrate (26 mg/L), and nitrite (5 mg/L). These nutrient values indicate suitability for hydroponic crop growth and reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizers. This novel system represents a significant step toward integrating waste management, energy production, and food cultivation at the source, in this case, the household. Full article

Service or community engaged learning has gained momentum as a strategy for developing engineering students’ professional skills while facilitating engagement with the real-world complexities of engineering problem-solving. Along with other critical scholars of engineering education, we argue that embedding social justice frameworks into engineering education, including sensibility around difference, power, and privilege, is required in order for engineering to meet the great sustainability and equity challenges of our time. This paper investigates how social justice course content and community engaged learning experiences can change engineering student attitudes toward civic engagement and social responsibility. We also explore how such content increases interest in engineering among students underrepresented in the field. Using pre-/post-survey data and focus group discussions, we conducted a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of student experience in an advanced undergraduate engineering course at a public research university that integrated social justice content with hands-on community engaged projects. Our analysis of survey results show that (1) students placed greater importance on justice-oriented civic engagement and socially responsible engineering after completing the course; (2) women and underrepresented racial/ethnic groups demonstrated greater interest in community engaged projects, and women indicated a greater interest in engineering at the end of the course than men; and (3) participation in a community engaged project also increased students’ interest in engineering, humanized problems that might have traditionally been construed as technological, and deepened the value students placed on non-technical forms of knowledge and their sense of moral and ethical responsibilities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) three-dimensional (3D) printing offers a versatile approach for fabricating personalized oral dosage forms. This study aimed to develop and optimize losartan potassium tablets produced via SSE 3D printing, focusing on the effects of polymer composition, tablet geometry, drug loading, and superdisintegrant concentration on printability and performance characteristics. Methods: Formulations containing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) 4500 at various concentrations were evaluated for suitability in an ethanol–water (9:1 v/v) solvent system. The optimized formulation (5% w/w HPMC 4500) was used to print tablets with varying shapes, drug loadings (5–15% w/w; approximately 50–150 mg losartan potassium per tablet), and croscarmellose sodium concentrations (0–3% w/w). Printed tablets were characterized for dimensional accuracy, mass uniformity, disintegration time, and drug release behavior. Drug release kinetics were modeled to elucidate the release mechanism. Results: All SSE-printed tablets exhibited excellent dimensional precision (SD < 0.8 mm) and mass uniformity (SD < 0.12 g). Increasing drug loading enhanced the initial release rate, reaching up to 63% in 45 min for 15% loading. The addition of 1% croscarmellose sodium reduced disintegration time to approximately 25 min. Drug release profiles were best described by the Korsmeyer–Peppas model (R² > 0.96), indicating diffusion-controlled release. Conclusions: SSE 3D printing demonstrated robustness and flexibility in producing losartan potassium tablets with consistent quality, tunable release properties, and strong potential for personalized pharmaceutical manufacturing. Full article

Background/Objectives: Comparative studies examining postoperative pain and cosmetic outcomes following single-port laparoscopic appendectomy (SLA) and three-port laparoscopic appendectomy (TLA) in pediatric patients with appendicitis have produced inconsistent results. We aimed to determine whether SLA offers practical benefits over TLA in terms of recovery-phase pain relief and long-term cosmetic satisfaction in pediatric patients. Methods: This prospective comparative study included children aged 15 years or younger who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy for uncomplicated acute appendicitis. The degree of pain reduction was compared between the SLA and TLA groups on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 2, and 7, both at rest and during coughing and ambulation, using the Visual Analog Scale for Pain (VASP). Global cosmetic satisfaction was assessed at 1 month and 3 years postoperatively using the Visual Analog Scale for Cosmesis (VASC). Scar perception was evaluated with the Patient and Parental Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS). The primary outcome was the degree of pain reduction during ambulation on POD7. The secondary outcome was global cosmetic satisfaction at 3 years. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used as a sensitivity analysis to control for baseline differences. Continuous variables were assessed for normality using the Shapiro–Wilk test. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar among 238 patients (127 SLA and 111 TLA). SLA resulted in significantly greater pain reduction during ambulation on POD7 (deltaVASP7_walk: −6.22 ± 2.60 vs. −5.06 ± 3.23, p < 0.01, mean difference = −1.16, Cohen’s d = 0.39). However, this difference did not reach the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) threshold of 1.3. PSM analysis with 82 matched pairs confirmed the results, with even larger effect sizes. At 3 years, the SLA group reported significantly higher cosmetic satisfaction (VASC: median 10 [9–10] vs. 8 [6–9], p < 0.001, r = 0.44), surpassing the MCID of 1.5. The TLA group scored worse in scar perception regarding color, stiffness, thickness, and irregularity. Mediation analysis indicated that 66% of the overall effect on cosmetic satisfaction was mediated by scar perception. Conclusions: Although SLA offers statistically significant yet clinically marginal benefits in early postoperative pain reduction, it provides substantial benefits in long-term cosmetic satisfaction compared with TLA in pediatric patients. Full article

A novel methodology for hybrid energy management in aquaculture is introduced, aimed at enhancing self-sufficiency and optimizing grid-related cash flows. Wind and solar energy generation are modeled using calibrated turbine performance curves and PVGIS data, respectively, with a photovoltaic capacity of 120 kWp. The system also incorporates a 250 kW small hydroelectric plant and a wood drying kiln that utilizes surplus wind energy. This study conducts a comparative analysis between HY4RES, a research-oriented simulation model, and HOMER Pro, a commercially available optimization tool, across multiple hybrid energy scenarios at two aquaculture sites. For grid-connected configurations at the Primary site (base case, Scenarios 1, 2, and 6), both models demonstrate strong concordance in terms of energy balance and overall performance. In Scenario 1, a peak power demand exceeding 1000 kW is observed in both models, attributed to the biomass kiln load. Scenario 2 reveals a 3.1% improvement in self-sufficiency with the integration of photovoltaic generation, as reported by HY4RES. In the off-grid Scenario 3, HY4RES supplies an additional 96,634 kWh of annual load compared to HOMER Pro. However, HOMER Pro indicates a 3.6% higher electricity deficit, primarily due to battery energy storage system (BESS) losses. Scenario 4 yields comparable generation outputs, with HY4RES enabling 6% more wood-drying capacity through the inclusion of photovoltaic energy. Scenario 5, which features a large-scale BESS, highlights a 4.7% unmet demand in HY4RES, whereas HOMER Pro successfully meets the entire load. In Scenario 6, both models exhibit similar load profiles; however, HY4RES reports a self-sufficiency rate that is 1.3% lower than in Scenario 1. At the Secondary site, financial outcomes are closely aligned. For instance, in the base case, HY4RES projects a cash flow of 54,154 EUR, while HOMER Pro estimates 55,532 EUR. Scenario 1 presents nearly identical financial results, and Scenario 2 underscores HOMER Pro’s superior BESS modeling capabilities during periods of reduced hydroelectric output. In conclusion, HY4RES demonstrates robust performance across all scenarios. When provided with harmonized input parameters, its simulation results are consistent with those of HOMER Pro, thereby validating its reliability for hybrid energy management in aquaculture applications. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by glioblastoma multiforme and other types of cancer cells are key factors contributing to the aggressiveness of the disease and its resistance to therapy. Chloroquine (CHQ), a lysosomal inhibitor, has shown potential as an enhancer of temozolomide (TMZ) cytotoxicity against glioblastoma cells. Since both CHQ and TMZ are known to modulate EV secretion, we sought to investigate their potential interplay in this process. Simultaneous treatment of TMZ-sensitive (U87-MG) and TMZ-resistant (U138-MG) glioblastoma cells with TMZ and CHQ led to a synergistic upregulation of EV secretion. Although CHQ did not enhance the TMZ cytotoxicity in U87-MG cells, it synergized with the latter to upregulate the release of extracellular nucleic acids implicating activation of unconventional secretory pathways. Synergistic upregulation of the autophagy markers LC3B-II and p62 by CHQ and TMZ in both cells and EVs indicates that secretory autophagy is likely involved in the observed unconventional secretion. Moreover, a significant enrichment of caveolin-1 in small EVs highlights their potential role in modulating tumor aggressiveness. The synergy in EV upregulation was not confined to the specific biological activity of TMZ and CHQ; similar effects were observed upon co-treatments with CHQ and etoposide (a topoisomerase inhibitor) and TMZ and Bafilomycin A1 (another lysosomal inhibitor). Heightened EV release was also observed in THP-1 monocytes and macrophages treated with Bafilomycin and TMZ, highlighting a broader, cell-type-independent mechanism. These findings indicate that combined DNA damage and lysosomal inhibition synergistically stimulate secretory autophagy and EV release, potentially impacting the tumor microenvironment and driving disease progression. Full article

This umbrella review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence on the relationship between digital device use and adolescent sleep. It summarizes results from systematic reviews and meta-analyses, presenting the magnitude and direction of observed associations. A total of seven systematic reviews, including five qualitative reviews and two meta-analyses, were included, comprising 127 primary studies with a combined sample of 867,003 participants. The findings suggest a negative impact of digital device use on various sleep parameters, including sleep duration, bedtime procrastination, and sleep quality. Devices such as smartphones and computers were found to have a greater adverse effect, while television use showed a weaker association. The most significant disruptions were observed in relation to social media and internet use, with problematic usage leading to delayed bedtimes, shorter sleep duration, and increased sleep onset latency. The review also highlights the role of timing and duration of device use, with late-night use particularly contributing to sleep disturbances. Biological, psychological, and social mechanisms are proposed as potential pathways underlying these effects. Despite moderate evidence supporting the negative impact of digital media on sleep, there is considerable heterogeneity across studies, and many relied on self-reported data, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research should aim to standardize exposure and outcome measures, incorporate objective data collection methods, and explore causal relationships through longitudinal studies. This umbrella review underscores the importance of developing targeted public health strategies, parental guidance, and clinical awareness to mitigate the potential adverse effects of digital device use on adolescent sleep and mental health. Full article

Several experimental and numerical studies have been conducted on the towing behavior of floating offshore wind turbines (FOWTs); however, these studies mainly focus on tension-leg platform (TLP) and semi-submersible designs with cylindrical features. The University of Maine’s VolturnUS+ concept is a cruciform-shaped barge-type FOWT with distinctive hydrodynamic properties that have not been characterized in previous research. This study presents basin-scale experiments that characterize the hydrodynamic drag properties of the VolturnUS+ platform, as well as observing the motion behavior of the platform and added resistance during towing in calm water and waves. The towing experiments are conducted in two towing configurations, with differing platform orientations and towline designs. The basin experiments are supplemented with a numerical study using computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations to explore flow-induced motion (FIM) on the platform during towing. In both the experiments and the CFD simulations, it was determined that the towing configuration significantly impacted the drag and motion characteristics of the platform, with the cruciform shape producing FIM phenomena. Observations from the towing tests confirmed the feasibility of towing the VolturnUS+ platform in the two orientations. The results and observations developed from the experimental and numerical towing studies will be used to inform numerical models for planning towing operations, as well as develop informed recommendations for towing similar cruciform-shaped structures in the future. Full article

Climate adaptation convenings have emerged in the last decade to share knowledge and accelerate learning in the field. Convenings provide a wealth of information for understanding what issues are being researched and addressed, for evaluating what practices and key components of convenings are considered particularly valuable to practitioners, and for understanding where there are gaps in our knowledge or trends in learning that should be supported. We analyzed survey and attendance data from online and in-person climate convenings in the U.S. to assess perceived outcomes and future intentions, as well as explored thematic changes in sessions at in-person conferences. We performed descriptive analyses on survey and attendance data and conducted thematic analysis of sessions at in-person conferences. Both online and in-person formats achieved high levels of learning and satisfaction reported by respondents, but with higher connectivity and relationship building at in-person events. Topics addressed in forums showed small but meaningful shifts, as some areas of interest increased (e.g., social justice, nature-based solutions) while others decreased (e.g., decision-making tools, infrastructure) or showed variable responses. These trends and feedback provide a foundation for continuing to grow effective practices to support climate adaptation practitioners with the knowledge and opportunities for connection needed to advance the adaptation field. Full article

The digital transformation of civic life has created new opportunities for older adults to engage in virtual volunteer activities. However, their participation still remains limited. This study investigates the factors that influence older adults’ interest in virtual volunteering. It integrated theoretical framework combining the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Self-Efficacy, and Digital Divide Theories to examine the drivers of virtual volunteerism interest among this target population. This study presents ordered logistic regression models with data on 814 adult volunteers in multiple imputation procedures. The final reduced model identifies two key predictors: a preference for virtual activities and interest in technology training, respectively, representing TAM and the Digital Divide Theory. While the self-efficacy-related variable showed statistical significance in earlier models, its explanatory power diminished when controlling for other factors. The findings indicate that older adults’ interest in virtual volunteering is primarily shaped by perceived usefulness of digital tools and their willingness to improve technical competence. This study confirms the relevance of the TAM and Digital Divide theories regarding virtual volunteerism. In practical terms, the findings indicate that program design should combine usability-focused platform features and targeted support that lower both technological and motivational barriers for older adults interested in virtual volunteering. Full article

The protein SNAIL has been widely studied for its roles in promoting cancer invasion and resistance to apoptosis. There are multiple contributors to its expression, including self- and circadian regulation, and it has been posited that SNAIL oscillates in a circadian manner. Given the multiple factors involved, we sought to determine whether this is indeed the case. We developed a luciferase reporter that was used to demonstrate SNAIL’s rhythmic nature (SNAIL:luc) in the circadian model cell line, U2OS. Considering SNAIL’s relevance in breast cancer, we also assessed its oscillations in cellular models representing different levels of aggression. We incorporated the SNAIL:luc reporter in MCF10A breast epithelial cells, and MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, which are less and more aggressive, respectively. We found that SNAIL oscillations were present but weak in MCF7 and arrhythmic in MDA-MB-231 cells, correlating with those of core clock genes (BMAL1 and PER2) in these models. Surprisingly, MCF10A cells, whose core clock genes possess robust circadian expression patterns, did not have rhythmic oscillations of SNAIL. Our findings suggest that SNAIL is under circadian control, but this is cell line/tissue dependent, setting the stage for additional studies to better understand the impacts of various factors contributing to its expression. Full article

Background/Objectives: Escherichia coli is one of the leading causes of surgical site infections (SSIs) and poses a growing public health concern due to its increasing antimicrobial resistance. High rates of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production among E. coli strains complicate treatment outcomes and emphasize the need for effective surveillance and control strategies. Methods: A total of 691 E. coli isolates from general surgery clinics (2020–2025) were identified using MALDI-TOF MS. Antibiotic susceptibility data and patient variables were cleaned, encoded, and used to predict resistance using the Random Forest, CatBoost, and Naive Bayes algorithms. SMOTE addressed class imbalance, and model performance was assessed through various validation methods. Results: Among the three machine learning models tested, Random Forest (RF) showed the best performance in predicting antibiotic resistance of E. coli, achieving median accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-scores of 0.90 and AUC values up to 0.99 for key antibiotics. CatBoost performed similarly but was less stable with imbalanced data, while Naive Bayes showed lower accuracy. Feature importance analysis highlighted strong inter-antibiotic resistance links, especially among β-lactams, and some influence of demographic factors. Conclusions: This study highlights the potential of simple, high-performing models using structured clinical data to predict antimicrobial resistance, especially in resource-limited clinical settings. By incorporating machine learning into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance systems, our goal is to support the advancement of rapid diagnostics and targeted antimicrobial stewardship approaches, which are essential in addressing the growing challenge of multidrug resistance. Full article

Background: The growing interest in the field of platelet-rich fibrins has led to the development of novel generations of these concentrates, with one of the newest additions being advanced platelet-rich fibrin plus (A-PRF+). The updated centrifuge protocol utilized for the preparation of A-PRF+ has been shown to provide blood clots with more white blood cells and growth factors trapped in the fibrin matrix, presenting a more homogenous distribution. The objective of this study was to assess the available randomized clinical trials (RCTs), in order to evaluate the effects that the addition of A-PRF+ can have on postoperative quality of life and soft tissue healing after dental surgery. Materials and Methods: To perform a systematic review based on high-quality results, only RCTs were taken into consideration. The search included articles published between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2024, indexed in the PubMed, Cochrane, Library, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Nine full texts were finally acquired after the screening of articles, from which relevant data were extracted. Results: A-PRF+ positively influenced the postoperative quality of life in patients. The subjective analysis of pain and its management via painkiller intake indicated that, in general, the addition of A-PRF+ into protocols results in less pain, pain that lasts for a shorter time, and pain that is more easily managed through medication, as a lower number of pills was needed to restore comfort. Furthermore, the occurrence of facial swelling and trismus was also reported to be lower in the A-PRF+ groups. As for soft tissue healing, A-PRF+ significantly enhanced the epithelialization process, total wound area reduction, and inflammation in the surrounding tissues. This positive effect was most noticeable at 7- and 14-day follow-ups. The addition of A-PRF+ also had a positive effect on postoperative bleeding by significantly reducing the bleeding time, providing benefits for patients undergoing antiplatelet drug therapy in particular. Conclusions: The addition of A-PRF+ into the surgical protocol can positively enhance the patient’s quality of life, reduce the need for postoperative medication, and improve the patient’s confidence by reducing potential swelling and trismus. A-PRF+ also positively influences soft tissue wound healing, further enhancing the postoperative well-being of patients, and provides an excellent hemostatic effect even in patients that are on antiplatelet drug therapy. Full article

Background/Objectives: Poor glycemic control is reaching an epidemic prevalence globally. It is associated with significantly morbid health concerns including retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Probiotics have shown promise in reducing health complications associated with poor blood glucose control. We tested a novel approach to designing a precision probiotic cocktail for improving blood glucose homeostasis. Methods: We tested the in vitro glucose consumption rate of twelve mouse microbiome bacterial strains and selected three with the greatest glucose consumption for the probiotic cocktail. The in vivo metabolic impact of ingesting the selected probiotic cocktail was evaluated in twelve C57BL/6J male mice fed a high-fat diet for eight weeks. Results: Compared to a control group, the probiotic group (L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri, and L. salivarius) exhibited significantly lower blood glucose levels, body weight, and body fat percentage. Moreover, the probiotic cocktail also demonstrated the ability to reduce serum insulin, total cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein ratio. For further mechanistic investigation, untargeted metabolomics analyses uncovered overall downregulations in energy substrates and producing pathways like gluconeogenesis, acylcarnitine synthesis, glycolysis, the mitochondrial electron transport chain, the TCA cycle, and the building blocks for ATP formation. Partial least squares-discriminant analyses also confirmed clear group differences in metabolic activity. 16S rRNA sequencing from extracted gut microbiota also showed significant increases in Faith’s phylogenetic diversity, Lachnospiraceae bacterium 609-strain, and the genus Muribaculaceae as well as group β-diversity differences after probiotic intake. Conclusions: As such, we successfully developed a blend of three probiotics to effectively reduce blood glucose levels in male mice, which could further mitigate adverse health effects in the host. Full article

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are rapidly gaining recognition as critical mediators of inter-cellular communication during viral infections. To contribute to fill the gap in knowledge regarding the role of EVs in adenovirus infection, we used human adenovirus type 4 of species Mastadenovirus exoticum (HAdV-E4), a prevalent respiratory and ocular pathogen, and characterized the cargo and biological properties of EVs released by HAdV-E4-infected A549 lung epithelial cells at a pre-lytic stage of infection. Using immunocapture-based isolation and multi-omics approaches, we found that infection profoundly alters the EV uploaded proteome and small non-coding RNA repertoire. Mass spectrometry identified 268 proteins unique to EVs purified from infected cells (AdV-EVs), with enrichment in pathways supporting vesicle trafficking and viral protein translation, and importantly also a few virus-encoded proteins. A small RNA transcriptome analysis showed differential uploading in AdV-EVs of various small non-coding RNAs, including snoRNAs, as well as the presence of virus associated RNAs I and II. Notably, AdV-EVs contained viral genomic DNA and could initiate productive infection upon delivery to naïve cells in the absence of detectable viral particles. Our data suggest that EVs released during the HAdV-E4 infection may serve as vehicles for non-lytic viral dissemination and highlight their possible role in intra-host dissemination Full article