Optimization of chitosan-assisted flocculation for Porphyridium cruentum harvesting: Response surface methodology for identifying optimal operation parameters

The harvesting steps are still one of the major economic bottlenecks in microalgae-based bioprocesses accounting 20–30% of the overall production costs. In the present study, chitosan aided flocculation was optimized for harvesting of red microalga Porphyridium cruentum by Plackett–Burman design followed by response surface methodology. A statistically significant quadratic response surface model was obtained (R2 = 0.9639, p = 0.0003) which indicates highly significance of operational parameters in relation to flocculation efficiency.

dlvr.it

Women's experiences of the implementation of the world health organization's intrapartum care model: A qualitative study

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the need to introduce evidence-based, medically oriented care during childbirth. In its 2018 recommendations on intrapartum care for a positive childbirth experience, WHO emphasized the importance of high-quality care. Since quality care requires a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms that support positive childbirth experiences, this study aimed to explore women's experiences of the implementation of the WHO-recommended intrapartum care model and its key components in clinical practice in Tabriz, Iran.

dlvr.it

Efficacy of modified cardiac rehabilitation programs on myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery patients: A systematic review

there is a lack of consensus regarding the optimal approach to cardiac rehabilitation, particularly in terms of how different interventions impact the cardiac, respiratory and psychological characteristics of patients who have experienced myocardial infarction or have undergone heart surgery.

dlvr.it

The role of appearance comparison and body dissatisfaction in influencing passability judgements across body and non-body apertures in VR

Body dissatisfaction, a core feature of body image disturbance (BID), is prevalent among women both with and without eating disorders. Recently, research has demonstrated that individuals with BIDs show alterations in the body schema, a sensorimotor representation essential for movement and action planning. For example, individuals with BIDs overestimate their body size when judging whether they can pass through doorways in an environment. Body dissatisfaction has been closely linked to appearance comparison, particularly in social contexts where other bodies are present.

dlvr.it

Right coronary and SA nodal artery dissection during percutaneous coronary intervention: A case report

Right coronary artery (RCA) dissection is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Involvement of the sinoatrial nodal (SAN) artery is particularly uncommon and can pose significant technical challenges. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with a history of palpitations and chest discomfort who underwent elective PCI. During the procedure, a dissection was identified in the proximal RCA, extending into the SAN branch. Despite multiple procedural complications, including SAN artery dissection and device entrapment, successful management was achieved, and the patient was discharged without further issues.

dlvr.it

COVID-19 autopsy findings during the pandemic waves of 2021-2023: A case series from a single institution in Kanagawa, Japan

Japan has experienced 8 waves of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) with different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants during the pandemic. The prevalent virus lineage (variant) was Wuhan type from the first to third waves, followed by Alpha in the fourth wave, Delta in the fifth wave, and Omicron from the sixth to eighth wave. The multiple waves of the pandemic differed in terms of clinical presentation. We herein present histopathology results focusing on bronchopulmonary findings in 9 autopsy cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the 8 waves of the pandemic in Japan.

dlvr.it

Maternal education-related inequalities in son preference in India: Evidence from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey

The preference for sons is a tradition-based form of gender discrimination that hinders the establishment of gender equality, particularly in India. This bias stems from the combined effects of cultural, social, and economic factors. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the inequalities associated with son preference and maternal education level and to examine the disparities across two wealth classes: poor and non-poor. The study also evaluates how sociodemographic factors contribute to these disparities.

dlvr.it

Chemical bath deposition and comprehensive characterization of CdSxSe1-x solid solution films with tunable properties

This work explores a chemical bath deposition (CBD) route to fabricate cadmium sulfide-selenide (CdSxSe1-x) solid solution films with tunable composition and properties for optoelectronics. Theoretical calculations of the boundary conditions for the CdS and CdSe formation in the citrate-ammonia-thiourea-selenosulfate system were made. The boundary conditions of CdSxSe1-x were defined by the overlap area between the constructed CdS and CdSe formation zones. Single-phase CdSxSe1-x films were successfully deposited at a cadmium salt concentration of 0.005 mol/L and a thiourea concentration of 0.05 mol/L, with sodium selenosulfate concentrations varying from 0.001 to 0.025 mol/L, corresponding to (NH2)2CS: Na2SeSO3 molar ratios of 50 : 1, 20 : 1, 10 : 1, 5 : 1, and 2 : 1, as confirmed by XRD analysis.

dlvr.it

Metabolomic signatures associated with the risk of secondary cardiovascular events in patients post-myocardial infarction

Patients who experience myocardial infarction (MI) are at a higher risk of subsequent major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), highlighting the need for better risk-assessment strategies. Traditional clinical markers fail to fully capture the evolving biochemical shifts associated with negative cardiovascular outcomes. This longitudinal pilot study investigated metabolic alterations in post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients using targeted longitudinal metabolomics profiling with LC-MS/MS (Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) approach).

dlvr.it

Assessing the presence of recombinant DNA in a genome-edited tomato line: A case study

Genome editing is a powerful tool for altering specific target genomic regions, making it promising for crop improvement. However, the vectors used to deliver genome-editing reagents can leave recombinant DNA fragments in the edited plants as foreign DNA insertions. Current regulations for the cultivation of genome-edited crops in open fields differ among countries; however, under some regulatory frameworks, including that of Japan, developers are expected to demonstrate that no detectable residual foreign DNA remains.

dlvr.it

Impact of agricultural practices on the population dynamics of African weaver ant Oecophylla longinoda Latreille in cashew agroecosystems in Tanzania

Arboreal ants play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of agroecosystems, contributing to pest regulation and serving as indicators of environmental health. Understanding the impact of agricultural practices on African weaver ant (AWA) populations is essential for optimising their beneficial effects. However, the correlation between these practices and AWA abundance in cashew orchards remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the effects of weed management and pruning practices on AWA populations in cashew orchards.

dlvr.it

Culture-based analysis of vaginal microbiota and its link to pregnancy outcomes: An observational cohort study in France

Increasing evidence links vaginal microbiota composition and preterm birth (PTB). However, most metagenomic studies are relatively small-sized, do not systematically adjust for confounders, and are difficult to transpose in clinical settings.

dlvr.it

Dissolved oxygen analysis in hydrodynamic cavitation pre-treatment for enhanced biological decomposition of sedimented municipal wastewater

Municipal wastewater treatment plants in developing countries frequently experience ineffective performance due to inadequate treatment facilities. This leads to significant environmental pollution from untreated or partially treated wastewater discharge. This study addresses this challenge by introducing a novel method for pre-treatment sedimented wastewater by combining hydrodynamic cavitation with Dudar brown coal or zeolite as adsorbents. The rationale for combining HC and adsorption lies in their potential synergistic effect: HC promotes the disintegration of particulate matter and cell lysis, increasing the solubilization of organic compounds and improving oxygen transfer, while adsorption facilitates the removal of slowly biodegradable and soluble organic substances.

dlvr.it

Plasma phospholipid profile of two subspecies of a long-distance migratory songbird, the Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe

Birds have specific metabolic adaptations that affect their migratory performance and enable them to cope with the challenges of long-distance migration. A novel field in assessing these adaptations is lipidomics, which allows analysing the composition, function, and dynamics of lipids within cells, tissues and organisms. To date, lipidomic studies in birds have mostly focused on poultry and little is known about how specific lipid species reflect fuel loads in wild birds during migration and how different migratory strategies, i.e.

dlvr.it

The reliance of countries on ecosystem services acquired through large-scale land acquisition

Large-Scale Land Acquisitions (LSLAs) phenomenon recorded a spike after the 2007-2008 global financial crisis due to increased agricultural prices. LSLAs have previously been studied through the ecosystem services viewpoint, mapping the transfer of biocapacity economic value (BEV) across countries, especially from the Global South to Global North. In this paper, the international LSLA deals involving agricultural cropland included in Land Matrix database are considered with the involved monetary flow linking countries acquiring BEV to countries ceding it.

dlvr.it

Unlocking the profitability of indigenous fruits and vegetables in West Africa: Evidence from a nine-country study on gender and institutional determinants

Over the years, indigenous fruits and vegetables (IFVs) have been considered crucial for enhancing food security, improving nutrition, and supporting rural incomes across the West Africa sub-region. However, empirical evidence on their economic viability remains limited, particularly across diverse country contexts. This article examines the profitability of IFVs using cross-country survey data from 1711 farmers in nine West African countries. Using descriptive statistics, logit models, and Tobit ordinary least squares (OLS) regression with robust standard errors on inverse hyperbolic sine (IHS)-transformed gross margins, the paper estimates gross margins for IFV production and identifies key drivers of profitability, including gender, farm size, land ownership, fertilizer use, training, and market access.

dlvr.it

Morphological, physiological, and biochemical changes of herbaceous ornamental plants subjected to drought stress and recovery

Drought episodes, which are very frequent in the Mediterranean region, have negative effects on plant growth. To reduce irrigation, which is no longer sustainable today, it is necessary to identify plants capable of resisting water shortage. The aim of the experiment was to investigate the eco-physiological and biochemical changes in three herbaceous plants, Dimorphotheca hybrida, Pelargonium peltatum, and P. hybridum, which are widely adopted for ornamental purposes in Mediterranean gardening. Their ability and the mechanisms they adopt to recover after water stress, following periodic suspension and restoration of the water supply, were studied.

dlvr.it

Health-related quality of life and leisure-time participation in Chilean youth with disabilities: A cross-sectional study from the 2022 National Disability and Dependency Survey

Children with disabilities face marked inequities in well-being globally, yet population-based evidence on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and leisure-time participation among Chilean youth is scarce in the Latin American context. This study aimed to estimate the association between disability severity and (i) HRQoL and (ii) leisure-time participation among children and adolescents in Chile.

dlvr.it

Emotions in play: A length and sentiment analysis of steam reviews by player engagement mode

In video game development, it can be challenging to predict the emotional responses players may have to newly released video games. While prior research has examined emotions in games, few studies have addressed how diverse gameplay structures shape emotional expression. Understanding players' emotions and experiences can help developers and researchers enhance gameplay. Therefore, this study investigates the sentiment and length of player reviews on the Steam platform across ten player engagement modes (PEMs) such as single-player, cooperative, and massively multiplayer games, among others.

dlvr.it

Socioeconomic and climatic factors of tropical cyclone damage in South Korea

Climate change has increased both the frequency and intensity of natural disasters globally, particularly tropical cyclones (TCs), resulting in substantial socio-economic losses. In response, central and local governments have begun implementing climate adaptation measures aimed at reducing TC-related damage. To effectively apply these adaptation policies and measures, a better understanding of the driving factors behind increasing TC damage trends and the quantitative effectiveness of adaptation strategies is essential.

dlvr.it

An activation likelihood estimation meta-analysis of elite athletes’ brain morphology characteristics

Published studies had proved that reorganization happened in athlete brain morphology, this study aims to investigate the structural brain plasticity induced by long-term motor training in elite athletes. Specifically, we seek to clarify whether such neuroplastic changes are positive or negative and to identify the brain regions consistently affected across different sports disciplines.

dlvr.it

Dietary synergy of chub mackerel and quinoa in reducing cognitive decline and retinal degeneration in the 5XFAD Alzheimer's mouse model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by cognitive decline and retinal degeneration. This study aimed to explore the potential of dietary chub mackerel (Scomber colias), rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin B12, and quinoa, as a source of vitamin B9, to prevent or delay these effects in a 5XFAD mouse model of AD. Thirty-two five-week-old male mice were divided into four groups: control, 10% chub mackerel, 5% quinoa, and 10% chub mackerel plus 5% quinoa, over 28 weeks. After 28 weeks, behavioural tests confirmed that none of the tested diets induced confounding effects related to anxiety-like behaviour or motor impairment.

dlvr.it

Microwave plasma treatment for seed-borne bacterial fruit blotch control and seed germination assessment in watermelon

Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB), caused by the seed-borne pathogen Acidovorax citrulli, poses a serious threat to watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) production worldwide. This study evaluates the efficacy of a custom-built microwave plasma system for simultaneous seed disinfection and assessment of germination responses. Watermelon seeds artificially inoculated with A. citrulli were treated with microwave plasma under vacuum at 240 W for 30, 60, and 90 min. Quantitative PCR and colony-forming unit (CFU) analyses revealed significant reductions in pathogen levels across all treatment durations, with up to 98.1% reduction following 90 min of exposure.

dlvr.it

Design and methods of the “Understanding pre-exposure prophylaxis modalities for HIV prevention in European communities” (PROTECT) survey - exploring the sexual health of men who have sex with men, trans and non-binary people

European men who have sex with men (MSM), trans* and non-binary individuals experience unique sexual health challenges and are disproportionally affected by HIV. Despite efforts to improve sexual health among these communities, gaps remain in the coverage of HIV prevention strategies at a population level.

dlvr.it

The food well-being Triptych: A disambiguation

This research seeks to elucidate and disentangle the multiple meanings of food well-being (FWB) and address the challenge of untestable conceptualization. A semi-structured literature review and design science-based syntheses were conducted using the PICO method (problem-intervention-comparison-outcome). The results reveal inconsistent and conflicting interpretations of FWB, contributing to theoretical confusion. The study identifies three distinct uses of ‘food well-being’: as a scientific paradigm, a theoretical framework, and a conceptual variable.

dlvr.it

Effect of land use history on white clover establishment as influenced by Rhizobium concentration and nematode pressure

White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is a valuable legume in sustainable dairy farming. This research aimed to investigate the influence of different land use histories on its establishment, as influenced by the concentration of Rhizobium bacteria and nematode pressure in soil. In a first experiment (Experiment I), a white clover growth assay was used to determine Rhizobium concentrations in soils with a land use history of either arable or grass-clover crops. In a follow-up experiment (Experiment II), the influence of Rhizobium inoculation and nematicide application on white clover establishment were assessed using three different soils in a greenhouse pot experiment.

dlvr.it

Proximal and distal factors influencing performance in mental and written calculations: A study with the network analysis

In the present study, we aimed to provide a first estimate of the general relationships among math skills through network analysis. Using clinically validated instruments, we examined the performance of a group of 166 typically developing Italian children attending 4th and 5th grade in several math abilities (mental and written calculation, arithmetic facts retrieval, magnitude processing, number transcoding, knowledge of computation procedures, and computation strategies), and domain-general factors (working memory, processing speed, verbal fluency, and visuospatial reasoning).

dlvr.it

Influence of tillage on soil penetration resistance and maize performance in Ghana's coastal savannah agro-ecological zone

Tillage practices tend to influence soil physical characteristics and the performance of crops. This study assessed the impacts of different tillage systems (i.e. two conservation tillage systems (no-tillage (NT) and harrowing only (H)) and two conventional tillage systems (ploughing only (P) and ploughing followed by harrowing (PH)) on soil penetration resistance and their impact on abontem maize variety growth and yield. Initial measurements indicated higher penetration resistance in no-tillage plots at the onset of the growing season.

dlvr.it

Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts in chemically induced urolithiasis and renal injuries in rats

Urolithiasis, a growing global health concern attributed to calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal formation in the urinary tract, was explored for its potential treatment using garlic (Allium sativum L.) extracts. This study evaluated the antilithiatic efficacy of aqueous and ethanolic garlic extracts in a rat model with chemically-induced urolithiasis, involving forty-two male Wistar rats divided into seven groups, including control, induced urolithiasis, vehicle and various treatment groups with differing doses of garlic extracts.

dlvr.it

Molecular profiling of solid tumors by next generation sequencing and challenges faced in the healthcare setting

The paradigm of molecular diagnostics has long been shifted to multi-gene panel testing from standard single-gene testing. Despite the known utilities and advantages identified in comprehensive genomic profiling, there remains challenges to implement panel testing in healthcare setting. Forty-two advanced stage solid tumor cases were enrolled and examined with next-generation sequencing (NGS). All the patients had at least one variant detected and 31 out of 42 patients (31/42, 73.8% of cohort) harboured at least 1 clinically significant variant (tier I and tier II).

dlvr.it