Search Results (630)

Seawater intrusion into coastal river systems poses increasing challenges for freshwater availability and estuarine ecosystem integrity, especially under evolving climatic and anthropogenic pressures. This study presents a multidisciplinary investigation of marine intrusion dynamics within the Magra River estuary (Northwest Italy), integrating field monitoring, isotopic tracing (δ¹⁸O; δD), and multivariate statistical modeling. Over an 18-month period, 11 fixed stations were monitored across six seasonal campaigns, yielding a comprehensive dataset of water electrical conductivity (EC) and stable isotope measurements from fresh water to salty water. EC and oxygen isotopic ratios displayed strong spatial and temporal coherence (R² = 0.99), confirming their combined effectiveness in identifying intrusion patterns. The mass-balance model based on δ¹⁸O revealed that marine water fractions exceeded 50% in the lower estuary for up to eight months annually, reaching as far as 8.5 km inland during dry periods. Complementary δD measurements provided additional insight into water origin and fractionation processes, revealing a slight excess relative to the local meteoric water line (LMWL), indicative of evaporative enrichment during anomalously warm periods. Multivariate regression models (PLS, Ridge, LASSO, and Elastic Net) identified river discharge as the primary limiting factor of intrusion, while wind intensity emerged as a key promoting variable, particularly when aligned with the valley axis. Tidal effects were marginal under standard conditions, except during anomalous events such as tidal surges. The results demonstrate that marine intrusion is governed by complex and interacting environmental drivers. Combined isotopic and machine learning approaches can offer high-resolution insights for environmental monitoring, early-warning systems, and adaptive resource management under climate-change scenarios. Full article

Background/Objectives: Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), projected to surpass infectious diseases as the leading cause of mortality. This shift reflects a complex public health challenge driven by changing dietary patterns and persistent social and gender inequities. Women of reproductive age are particularly vulnerable due to biological and sociocultural factors, with diet playing a central role in NCD development and maternal health. This scoping review explores dietary determinants of NCDs in this population and identifies evidence gaps to support context-specific, gender-responsive interventions. Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for studies published between January 2010 and May 2025. After removing duplicates, 577 articles were screened, and 19 met the inclusion criteria. Data were synthesized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. An adapted conceptual framework informed by the ecological model was developed to illustrate the multilevel pathways linking dietary determinants to NCD outcomes. Results: Frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, salty snacks, processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages was consistently associated with increased NCD risk. Central obesity was prevalent among nearly half of the women studied, and a high intake of sugary drinks was common across diverse populations. Among pregnant women, overweight was observed in approximately one-quarter of participants, despite the inadequate intake of protein and iron. Vitamin A deficiency was moderately prevalent, and urban residence was linked to a twofold increase in the coexistence of obesity and micronutrient deficiencies. These patterns were shaped by poverty, food insecurity, and the cultural norms influencing dietary behaviors and access to nutritious foods. Conclusion: Dietary determinants significantly contribute to the rising NCD burden among women of reproductive age in SSA, yet adolescent women remain underrepresented in research. Addressing these gaps through culturally sensitive, multisectoral interventions and biomarker-informed longitudinal studies is essential for guiding inclusive policies and sustainable health strategies for this vulnerable population. Full article

Upcycling, or utilizing materials that would otherwise go to waste, enables the creation of novel products that offer sustainability advantages and generate additional value. This study evaluates the feasibility of producing alcoholic beverages using yogurt acid whey (YAW) and grape pomace (GP), byproducts of the dairy and wine industries, respectively, and compares them to commercial grape pomace beverages (piquettes) in terms of sensory attributes and chemical composition. Two YAW-GP piquettes were produced, and five commercial piquettes were obtained. Sugars and organic acids were quantified using HPLC-RID, and semi-quantitative volatile composition was determined using HS-SPME-GC-MS/MS. Descriptive analysis was conducted using a trained panel of 11 individuals. The YAW products had higher ratings for dairy, salty, acidic, and umami attributes, and lower ratings for bitterness, sweetness, red fruit, dried fruit, and overall fruity characteristics. YAW beverages were higher in titratable acidity (TA), lactose, lactic acid, citric acid, galactose, hexanoic acid, 3-methylpentanol, 1-octanol, and 1-octen-3-ol, and lower in ethanol and linalool. The commercial products were differentiated based on ethanol content, red fruit, dried fruit, fruitiness, chemical, and barnyard aromas. These results can be used to understand the breadth of chemical and organoleptic signatures of this new beverage category, which can be leveraged by stakeholders interested in entering the market. Full article

Background: New tools for monitoring diets, such as the Diet Quality Questionnaire (DQQ), may help reduce the costs and burden associated with traditional methods of diet assessment. However, its proposed sentinel foods require validation in target populations. This study aimed to validate the Chilean sentinel foods and describe the performance of DQQ, as well as its Global Dietary Recommendation (GDR) indicators, in two Chilean cohorts. Methods: We analyzed dietary data from 1418 pregnant women and 799 children using 24 h recalls. Foods and beverages were classified and ranked into 29 DQQ food groups. Food items that accounted for more than 95% of the total consumption within each of the 29 food groups were selected and identified as sentinels. We estimated the proportion of consumers in each food group and calculated the indicators, as well as their relationship with the consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs). Results: The pregnant women had a mean age of 29.1 (SD 6.6), and the children had a mean age of 6.2 (SD 0.5). The sentinel foods of six groups (grain-based sweets, other sweets, salty snacks, deep-fried food, and sweet tea/coffee/cocoa) captured under 95% of the group’s total consumption. The pregnant women had a higher frequency of consumption of staple and healthy foods, and the mean GDR score was 9.3 (SD 2.20). The children had higher consumption of unhealthy food groups, and the mean GDR score was 8.1 (SD 2.05). The GDR-protect scores showed a moderate but statistically significant negative correlation with ultra-processed food consumption (p-value < 0.0001). Conclusions: The DQQ is a suitable tool for collecting dietary data to estimate diet quality using food group-based indicators. Additionally, it is possible to identify different dietary patterns at a crucial stage of life, such as childhood and pregnancy. However, it requires some adaptations of sentinel foods and further testing on other populations before it can be implemented to monitor Chilean diets. Full article

Meat quality critically influences product value and consumer preferences. Here, the effect of long-term saline adaptation on flesh nutritional quality, sensory value, texture, and flavor was evaluated in a new Micropterus salmoides salt-tolerant population. The results showed that the salt-tolerant population exhibited decreased lipid, saturated fatty acid, and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid contents but increased monounsaturated fatty acid content, accompanied by upregulated elongase 5 and fatty acid desaturase 6 mRNA levels. The meat color of the new population was brighter and fresher, with a slightly less red tint, and the increased 2,3-butanedione content resulted in a desirable creamy aroma. 3-Pentanone was the most abundant volatile substance in both populations. Regarding taste parameters, the salt-tolerant population had improved hardness, stickiness, chewiness, resilience, cooking loss, myocyte space, and collagen content. Alanine, proline, and histidine were the main amino acids responsible for flavor presentation. The salt-tolerant population was found to have lower bitter and higher sweet amino acid contents. Higher umami nucleotides and lower pH intensified umami and sourness in salt-tolerant meat. The saltiness of the new-population meat was enhanced. This study comprehensively evaluated the flesh quality of a salt-tolerant M. salmoides population with the potential for cultivation, thereby providing a reference for its potential development as an alternative aquaculture strain. Full article

The North Atlantic Ocean is vital to Earth’s climate system. Scientific investigations have identified the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) as a significant factor influencing global climate change. This circulation involves ocean currents that carry relatively warm, salty water northward in the upper layers, while transporting colder, less salty water southward in the deeper layers. The AMOC relies on descending water at deep convection sites in the high-latitude North Atlantic (NA), where warmer water cools, becomes denser, and sinks. A concern regarding the AMOC is that the freshening of the sea surface at these convection sites can slow it by inhibiting deep convection. Researchers have used oceanographic observations and models of Earth’s climate and ocean circulation to investigate decadal shifts in the AMOC and NA. We examined these findings to provide insights into these models, observational analyses, and palaeoceanographic reconstructions, aiming to deepen our understanding of AMOC variability and offer potential predictions for future climate change in the North Atlantic. While the influence of high-latitude freshwater is crucial and may slow the AMOC, evidence also shows a complex feedback mechanism. In this mechanism, the negative feedback from wind stress can stabilize the AMOC, partially counteracting the positive feedback effects of freshwater at high latitudes. Although some models predict significant shifts in AMOC dynamics, suggesting imminent and possibly severe deceleration, recent observational research presents a more cautious view. These data analysis studies acknowledge changes, but highlight the robustness of the AMOC, particularly in its upper arm within the Gulf Stream system. While it cannot be entirely dismissed that the AMOC may reach its tipping point within this century, an analysis of data concerning the decadal variability in the AMOC’s upper arm indicates that a collapse is unlikely within this timeframe, although significant weakening remains quite possible. Furthermore, deceleration of the AMOC’s upper arm could lead to less stable and more vulnerable North Atlantic Ocean climate patterns over extended periods. Full article

We investigate the partial differential equation system which describes the double-diffusion convection phenomena with the reduction formalism. Double-diffusion refers to when two scalar quantities with different diffusivity, such as heat and solute concentration, contribute to density gradients within a fluid under the influence of gravity. The time-dependent self-similar trial function is applied and analytic results are presented for the dynamical variables and analyzed in detail. Additionally, the entropy production was derived as well. In the second part of the study we investigate the role of an additional heat source. Full article

Salty wheat crackers prepared from wheat white (WF) and whole grain flour (WG) were enriched with 5, 10, and 15% cricket powder (CRPW). According to the content of dietary fiber and fat, two types of wheat flour and CRPW differed in terms of darkness “100 − L*” and redness a*. The color of the baked products reflected these differences, but the darkening of the whole grain crackers was less intense; the shades of wheat–cricket 90:10 and whole grain 100:0 cracker variants were comparable. Within the WF subset, the hardness diminished insignificantly, with the reverse occurring in the WG group (from 25 to 22 N and from 31 to 35 N, respectively). The flexibility of the crackers was independent on type of wheat flour and the proportion of CRPW, as shown by a 90% confidence interval of 0.97–1.06 mm. By Principal Component Analysis, the primary role of wheat flour type in distinguishing the crackers was confirmed. As expected, the darkness “100 − L*” and the redness a* of the cracker surface could be used to predict the results of the texture breaking test and fragility in general (P = 95%). The 90:10 WF–cricket crackers and 95:5 WG–cricket crackers had similar properties, and both could be adopted in baking practice without modification. Full article

This research seeks to reduce wind-blown sand hazards in saline deserts by introducing hyperbranched PVAc copolymer emulsion as a novel ecological sand-fixing material. The study began with the preparation of the emulsion, then evaluated its fundamental properties and the salt tolerance of latex films through FTIR, SEM, and mechanical strength assessments. The sand-fixing properties (compressive strength, anti-water erosion, anti-wind erosion, thermal aging, freeze–thaw stability, and water retention) were evaluated. In addition, their effects on increasing both the growth of microbes and plants in salty deserts have been evaluated by field experiments to understand their ecological effects. The experimental results showed that the hyperbranched PVAc copolymer emulsion has excellent salt resistance and can be used as an ecological sand-fixing material in salty deserts. The research findings demonstrate that the hyperbranched PVAc copolymer emulsion exhibits superior salt tolerance, rendering it an effective ecological sand-fixing material for saline deserts. Notable attributes encompass its capacity to significantly mitigate NaCl-induced aggregate damage to sand-fixing materials, thereby enhancing sand fixation performance; its robust thermal aging resistance, freeze–thaw stability, and salt tolerance, which enable it to withstand environmental temperature variations; and experimental assessments of sand-based plant and microbial growth confirming favorable ecological impacts. This study presents novel methodologies for designing ecological sand-fixing materials in saline deserts to combat desertification. Full article

This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of food insecurity and food literacy and examined food intake among low-income Saudi families. It provides valuable insights into the association between food literacy, food insecurity, and food intake, contributing to a better understanding of the food-related challenges faced by vulnerable families. Conducted in June 2024, this study involved 483 low-income adults in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Data were collected through an online questionnaire distributed via charitable organizations. Overall, 35% of the participants experienced severe food insecurity, while 91.5% demonstrated adequate food literacy. No significant association was found between food literacy and food insecurity levels (p = 0.586). However, severe levels of food insecurity were significantly associated with reduced intake of fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, bread and cereals, sugar-sweetened beverages, potato crisps or salty snacks, sweets, and fast food (p < 0.001). Additionally, a significant difference was observed in the consumption of potato crisps or salty snacks, with individuals exhibiting adequate food literacy consuming slightly more than those with poor food literacy (0.25 ± 0.28 vs. 0.21 ± 0.30, p = 0.04). These findings highlight the need for interventions that not only build food knowledge but also address affordability, access, and cultural food norms among low-income Saudi families. Full article

The northern South China Sea has abundant frontal systems near coastal and island regions, which play crucial roles in regional ocean dynamics and ecosystem. While previous studies have established preliminary understanding of their spatial distribution, seasonal variability, and dynamic characteristics, the atmospheric response to these frontal systems remains poorly understood. This study integrates observations from a moored buoy deployed on the continental shelf of the South China Sea with satellite remote sensing data to analyze oceanic and atmospheric variations during frontal passage. The results reveal that the ocean front can not only induce pronounced oceanic changes characterized by significant cooling, saltiness, and surface current acceleration, but also exert substantial influence on the overlying atmosphere, with consistent decreasing trends in air temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, all of which rapidly recovered following frontal retreat. Notably, when the front directly traversed the buoy location, diurnal temperature cycles were markedly suppressed, while turbulent heat flux and downfront wind-stress curl reached peak magnitudes. These findings demonstrate that ocean fronts and associated sea surface temperature gradients can trigger intense air–sea exchange processes at the ocean–atmosphere interface. Full article

Pea protein isolate (PPI) is a plant protein with high nutritional value, but its application in food is limited by an unpleasant beany flavor. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of improving the flavor of PPI through fermentation with Enterococcus faecalis 07. PPI was subjected to fermentation by E. faecalis 07 for different durations (0 H, 24 H, 48 H, and 72 H). After fermentation, pH, viable cell counts, free amino acid contents, electronic tongue analysis, and volatile organic compounds were determined. The results showed that fermentation significantly reduced the bitterness of PPI and enhanced its umami intensity. A total of 64 volatile organic compounds were identified in the fermented samples, 42 more than in the unfermented sample. Quantitative analysis revealed that hexanal (grass-like odor) decreased by 92% after 72 h of fermentation, 1-octen-3-ol (mushroom-like odor) decreased from 6.94 mg/kg to 1.73 mg/kg, and trans-2-octenal decreased to 0.59 mg/kg; meanwhile, aromatic compounds such as esters and ketones were produced. Along with changes in the physicochemical properties, organic acids, and free amino acid composition of PPI, correlation analysis between electronic tongue data and volatile compounds further indicated that changes in volatile components simultaneously affected the perception of five taste attributes of PPI (bitterness, sourness, sweetness, saltiness, and umami). In conclusion, this study demonstrated the feasibility of fermenting PPI with E. faecalis 07, which effectively improved its sensory attributes and physicochemical properties to a certain extent. Full article

Traditional Douchiba (DCB), a bacterial-type fermented soybean condiment, suffers from pronounced bitterness and limited functional attributes, hindering its broader application. To address these challenges, this study innovatively compounded matured Bacillus subtilis-fermented adlay (BFA) with DCB at varying ratios to develop a fermented adlay-DCB seasoning (FADS). Key physicochemical, nutritional, functional, and sensory parameters were systematically analyzed, and a multidimensional quality evaluation system was established via the Entropy Method for composite scoring. Results revealed that BFA integration enhanced the brightness and increased the content of total triterpenoid (by 16-fold) and γ-aminobutyric acid (by 9-fold) in FADS. Notably, electronic tongue analysis demonstrated that BFA significantly reduced the bitterness, after-bitterness, and saltiness intensities of DCB, achieving maximum reductions of 90.12% for bitterness and 87.63% for after-bitterness. Meanwhile, GC-MS profiling identified 89 volatile compounds, with pyrazines, alcohols, and acids as the primary volatile components in FADS. Additionally, the S4 sample (the BFA:DCB ratio = 6:4) achieved the highest composite score (0.64), with pyrazines contributing 0.13 points to the evaluation. In summary, BFA not only significantly mitigated bitterness in DCB but also substantially enhanced its bioactive properties. The results offer a scientific basis for the flavor improvement of fermented seasonings. Full article

This study examines the relationship between dietary patterns, specifically the Mediterranean diet (MD) and the Western diet (WD), and sensory perception among nursing students at the University of Valladolid, Spain. The study aims to understand how these dietary patterns affect taste sensitivity and preferences, contributing to the fields of nutrition and sensory science. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 students participated in this study, following ethical guidelines. Food-grade materials such as refined salt, sucrose, monosodium glutamate, water, and breadsticks were used in sensory assessments. The study involved structured sensory evaluations along with dietary habit questionnaires. Sensory tests were conducted to measure taste perception, and statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0, with descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Results: The findings revealed significant differences in taste perception across diet adherence levels. Specifically, higher adherence to the MD was associated with a higher perceived intensity and enjoyment of saltiness and umami, while a higher adherence to the WD showed a preference for sweetness. Significant correlations were found between diet adherence and taste enjoyment, with stronger positive associations for saltiness and umami under the MD. Conclusions: This study emphasized the impact of dietary habits on taste perception. Adherence to the MD enhanced sensitivity to moderate taste intensities, while adherence to the WD resulted in decreased perception at lower concentrations and heightened sensory responses at higher intensities. These results suggest that long-term dietary patterns influence taste receptor adaptation, potentially affecting food choices and overall health. Full article

The presence of ciprofloxacin antibiotic in water is a threat to humans and aquatic life since antibiotics are currently regarded as emerging contaminants of major concern. This work reported the use of Nexar^TM film, a sulfonated pentablock copolymer, to effectively remove ciprofloxacin antibiotic from water in a sustainable approach. The removal efficiency of Nexar film was evaluated in aqueous or salty (NaCl 0.5 M) ciprofloxacin solutions as a function of contact time and the initial ciprofloxacin concentration. In the investigated conditions, the polymeric film totally removed ciprofloxacin in MilliQ solution while its removal efficiency in salty solution was approximately 73%. This lower value is due to the presence of Na⁺ ions that compete with antibiotic molecules for adsorption on active surface sites of the polymeric film. No further release of adsorbed antibiotic molecules occurred. The kinetic studies, conducted for ciprofloxacin adsorption on Nexar film in both MilliQ and salty solutions, revealed that the overall sorption process is controlled by the rate of surface reaction between ciprofloxacin molecules and active sites on Nexar surface. Furthermore, at equilibrium conditions, the isotherm model that best fits experimental parameters was not linear. This indicates that the competition between the solute and the solvent for binding sites on the adsorbent should be considered to describe adsorption processes in both MilliQ and salty solutions. Full article