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The aim of this study was to develop new materials with adsorbent properties that can be used for the adsorption recovery of Au(III) from aqueous solutions. To achieve this result, it is necessary to obtain inexpensive adsorbent materials in a granular form. Concomitantly, these materials must have a high adsorption capacity and selectivity. Other desired properties of these materials include a higher physical resistance, insolubility in water, and materials that can be regenerated or reused. Among the methods applied for the separation, purification, and preconcentration of platinum-group metal ions, adsorption is recognised as one of the most promising methods because of its simplicity, high efficiency, and wide availability. The studies were carried out using three supports: cellulose (CE), chitosan (Chi), and diatomea earth (Diat). These supports were functionalised by impregnation with extractants, using the ultrasound method. The extractants are environmentally friendly and relatively cheap amino acids, which contain in their structure pendant groups with nitrogen and sulphur heteroatoms (aspartic acid—Asp, l-glutamic acid—Glu, valine—Val, DL-cysteine—Cys, or serine—Ser). After preliminary testing from 75 synthesised materials, CE-Cys was chosen for the further recovery of Au(III) ions from aqueous solutions. To highlight the morphology and the functionalisation of the material, we physicochemically characterised the obtained material. Therefore, the analysis of the specific surface and porosity showed that the CE-Cys material has a specific surface of 4.6 m2/g, with a porosity of about 3 nm. The FT-IR analysis showed the presence, at a wavelength of 3340 cm−1, of the specific NH bond vibration for cysteine. At the same time, pHpZc was determined to be 2.8. The kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best describes the adsorption process of Au(III) ions on the CE-Cys material. A maximum adsorption capacity of 12.18 mg per gram of the adsorbent material was achieved. It was established that the CE-Cys material can be reused five times with a good recovery degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need to develop advanced wastewater treatment techniques and their use has become a priority, the main goal being the efficient removal of pollutants, especially those of organic origin. This study presents the photo-degradation of a pharmaceutical wastewater containing Kabi cytarabine, using ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and a synthesized catalyst, a composite based on bismuth and iron oxides (BFO). The size of the bandgap was determined by UV spectroscopy, having a value of 2.27 eV. The specific surface was determined using the BET method, having a value of 0.7 m2 g−1. The material studied for the photo-degradation of cytarabine presents a remarkable photo-degradation efficiency of 97.9% for an initial concentration 0f 10 mg/L cytarabine Kabi when 0.15 g of material was used, during 120 min of interaction with UV radiation at 3 cm from the irradiation source. The material withstands five photo-degradation cycles with good results. At the same time, through this study, it was possible to establish that pyrimidine derivatives could be able to combat infections caused by Escherichia coli and Candida parapsilosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalation of global obesity is driving research to understand environmental influences on this process, particularly during vulnerable developmental stages such as childhood and adolescence. Efforts include the development of various structured data collection tools. We aimed to adapt a series of previously validated questionnaires from the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE), the Child Feeding Questionnaire, and elements from the World Health Organization Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) in order to assess local lifestyle patterns among Romanian high school students and their families that may predispose them to obesity. To this goal, an expert committee was formed as part of a research partnership to oversee the questionnaire's translation and adaptation. It consisted of education and school management specialists, clinical research professionals, language experts, and public health experts. The adapted questionnaires were then applied to 114 students enrolled in the 9th and 10th grades attending a high school situated in Sibiu, and their parents. The variables measured were investigated for correlations with overweight and obesity and, as a secondary objective, academic performance. The study revealed several critical findings, including suboptimal sleep durations and physical activity levels among students, a significant amount of screen time, and correlations between weight status and physical activity, sedentary time, and maternal weight status and education levels. The adapted questionnaires proved to be effective tools in capturing the multifaceted factors implicated in adolescent obesity, providing a foundation for targeted interventions and broader public health strategies to address this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an actual economic context, the demand for scandium has grown due to its applications in top technologies. However, further development of new technologies will lead to an increase in the market for Sc related to such technologies. The present study aims to improve and upgrade existing technology in terms of efficient scandium recovery, proposing a new material with selective adsorptive properties for scandium recovery. To highlight the impregnation of Amberlite XAD7HP resin with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide extractant by the solvent-impregnated resin method, the obtained adsorbent material was characterized by physico-chemical techniques. Further, the specific surface of the adsorbent and the zero-point charge of the adsorbent surface have been determined. Different parameters, such as initial concentration, adsorbent amount, contact time, or temperature, have been studied. The initial pH effect was investigated when a maximum adsorption capacity of 31.84 mg g−1 was obtained at pH > 3, using 0.1 g of adsorbent and a contact time of 90 min and 298 K. An attempt was made to discuss and provide a clear representation of the studied adsorption process, proposing a specific mechanism for Sc(III) recovery from aqueous solutions through kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies. Adsorption/desorption studies reveal that the prepared adsorbent material can be reused five times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Caraș-Severin County, Romania, the integration of sustainable agricultural practices with organic dairy production represents a unique opportunity to promote agro-tourism farms and guesthouses. This study examines the synergy between the chemical composition of pastures from three farms in different alleys and the impact on the chemical composition of dairy products produced on those farms. Thus, the comparative analysis of two types of traditional cow's cheeses (soft and mature) from three different areas of Caraș-Severin County was pursued, as well as of the feed given to the animals from which the raw material for obtaining the cheeses originated. Initially, the physicochemical profile of the pastures (fresh grass and grass hay) was analyzed in terms of proximate composition (moisture, lipids, proteins, ash and carbohydrates), and the content of bioactive compounds (total polyphenols, antioxidant activity using the DPPH method). The proximate composition of the cheese samples, including moisture, lipids, proteins, ash and carbohydrates was analysed, and the content of fatty acids. A correlation was also made between the content of bioactive compounds in feed samples and fatty acid profile of the cheese samples. Our findings demonstrate that the geographical area and the chemical composition of the pasture have a considerable influence on the physicochemical characterization and fatty acid composition of the cheese. The cheese from the mountain area had a higher fat, protein and polyunsaturated fatty acid content compared to the samples from the hill and plain areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard milling is being increasingly used as an alternative to EDM due to its high productivity. The present paper presents the results of theoretical-experimental research on the face milling of hard steel 55NiCrMoV7. A comprehensive analysis of cutting temperatures and forces during single-tooth milling and a morphological examination of the resulting chips are conducted for roughing and semi-finishing operations. The temperature is analyzed in the chip formation area, and the detached chips and the cutting force are analyzed through their tangential, radial, and penetration components, depending on the contact angle of the cutter tooth with the workpiece. The analysis of chip morphology is carried out based on the dimensional and angular parameters of chip segmentation and their degree of segmentation. Based on the central composite design and the response surface method, it is shown that it is possible to mathematically model the dependence of the macroscopic dimensions of the detached chips on the cutting parameters. The determined process functions, the maximum chip curling diameter, and the maximum chip height allow for establishing the influence of the cutting parameters' values on the chips' macroscopic dimensions and, thus, guiding the cutting process in the desired direction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the ever-increasing demand for gallium(III) as a crucial precursor in the fabrication of advanced materials, there arises an imperative to devise efficient recovery processes from primary and secondary sources. In the present investigation, the retrieval of gallium(III) from aqueous solutions through the mechanism of adsorption was investigated. Materials with superior adsorbent properties play an important role in the dynamics of the adsorption process. To enhance these properties, select materials, such as Amberlite-type polymeric resins, are amenable to functionalization through impregnation with extractants featuring specialized active groups, designed for the selective recovery of metal ions—specifically, Ga(III). The impregnation method employed in this study is the Solvent-Impregnated Resin (SIR) method, utilizing the amino acid DL-valine as the extractant. The new material was characterized through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Elemental Analysis via X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to elucidate the presence of the extractant on the resin's surface. Concurrently, the material's pHPZC was determined. The adsorptive prowess of the synthesized material was investigated through kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies. The influence of specific parameters in the adsorption process—namely, pH, contact time, temperature, and Ga(III) initial concentration—on the maximal adsorption capacity was determined. The optimal adsorption conditions were established using the Taguchi method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The precipitation-hardenable nickel-based superalloy Rene 41 exhibits remarkable mechanical characteristics and high corrosion resistance at high temperatures, properties that allow it to be used in high-end applications. This research paper presents findings on the influence of thermal shocks on its microstructure, hardness, and thermal diffusivity at temperatures between 700 and 1000 °C. Solar energy was used for cyclic thermal shock tests. The samples were characterized using microhardness measurements, optical microscopic analysis, scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDS elemental chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, and flash thermal diffusivity measurements. Structural transformations and the variation of properties were observed with an increase in the number of shocks applied at the same temperature and with temperature variation for the same number of thermal shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we analyze the correlation between GDP/capita variation, primary and renewable energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions on the one hand, and green taxes on the other. Green taxes are the main instruments used to limit activities that have a negative impact on the environment. These consist of taxes paid by producers and/or consumers for any activity that generates pollution. The results of dynamic regressions, validated by the applied robustness tests, indicate a significant and positive correlation between primary energy consumption and total environmental taxes, respectively energy taxes. At the same time, this shows that variation in GDP/capita significantly and positively influences transport taxes and pollution taxes. In contrast, net greenhouse gas emissions and the supply, transformation and consumption of renewable sources and waste do not significantly influence the total green taxes and their components. This finding is useful to both academic research and government policies for the realistic substantiation of the levels of green tax revenues and for establishing appropriate measures meant to reduce CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry represents a fundamental component of modern society, with the generation of massive amounts of industrial waste being the inevitable result of development activities in recent years. Red mud is an industrial waste generated during alumina production using the Bayer process of refining bauxite ore. It is a highly alkaline waste due to the incomplete removal of NaOH. There are several opinions in both the literature and legislation on the hazards of red mud. According to European and national legislation, this mud is not on the list of hazardous wastes; however, if the list of criteria are taken into account, it can be considered as hazardous. The complex processing of red mud is cost-effective because it contains elements such as iron, manganese, sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, strontium, lead, copper, cadmium, bismuth, barium and rare earths, especially scandium. Therefore, the selection of an extraction method depends on the form in which the element is present in solution. Extraction is one of the prospective separation and concentration methods. In this study, we evaluated the kinetic modelling of the solid–liquid acid extraction process of predominantly scandium as well as other elements present in red mud. Therefore, three acids (HCl, HNO3 and H2SO4) at different concentrations (10, 20 and 30%) were targeted for the extraction of Sc(III) from solid red mud. Specific parameters of the kinetics of the extraction process were studied, namely the solid:liquid ratio, initial acid concentration, contact time and temperature. The extraction kinetics of Sc(III) with acids was evaluated using first- and second-order kinetic models, involving kinetic parameters, rate constants, saturation concentration and activation energy. The second-order kinetic model was able to describe the mechanism of Sc(III) extraction from red mud. In addition, this study provides an overview on the mechanism of mass transfer involved in the acid extraction process of Sc(III), thereby enabling the design, optimization and control of large-scale processes for red mud recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of the school environment on childhood weight status has garnered significant attention in recent years. This study aimed to adapt and validate the International Study of Childhood Obesity, Lifestyle and the Environment (ISCOLE) School and Environment questionnaire in order to assess the potential obesogenic impact of school environments in Sibiu County, Romania. The ISCOLE questionnaire was chosen for its rigorous methodology. It was derived from a comprehensive study conducted across 12 countries which aimed to capture multifaceted influences on childhood weight while emphasizing educational settings in the collection of data. To guide the translation and adaptation of the questionnaire, a multidisciplinary committee was assembled which comprised experts in teaching and school administration to ensure target responder relevance, experts in clinical research to ensure methodological robustness, experts in language adaptation to preserve the original intent of the survey, and experts in public health to steer the interpretation of the results, with potential policy implications. The data were analyzed by distinguishing between urban and rural settings, and a two-step cluster analysis was implemented to identify potential intervention targets. To assess the validity of the adapted tool, the questionnaire's construct validity and internal consistency were explored. A response rate of 71.2% of the approached schools in Sibiu County was achieved. Of the 84 responding school representatives, 37 (44%) were from a rural setting. The rural schools had significantly more limited access to gymnasiums, secured lockers, showers, and bicycle racks, and exhibited more serious problems regarding the inadequate disposal of garbage in the school vicinity. A two-step cluster analysis revealed distinct school categories, providing opportunities for public policy interventions. One of these primarily concerned rural schools with limited infrastructure but with proactive practices and policies which were termed "unable but willing"; on the opposing spectrum, the category "able but unwilling" mainly comprised urban schools which had available facilities but lacked local proactive initiatives. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted measures to bridge these discrepancies by investing in infrastructure in rural schools and promoting active school practices and policies in urban settings. The assessment of obesogenic school environments in Sibiu County provides a pilot model for broader applications due to the diverse school landscape and supportive local authorities. The results, which were achieved using low-cost methods, can guide future educational policies, health promotion initiatives, and preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The remediation of arsenic contamination in potable water is an important and urgent concern, necessitating immediate attention. With this objective in mind, the present study investigated arsenic removal from water using batch adsorption and fixed-bed column techniques. The material employed in this study was a waste product derived from the treatment of groundwater water for potable purposes, having a substantial iron composition. The material's properties were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The point of zero charge (pHPZC) was measured, and the pore size and specific surface area were determined using the BET method. Under static conditions, kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies were carried out to explore the influencing factors on the adsorption process, namely the pH, contact time, temperature, and initial arsenic concentration in the solution. It was found that the adsorption process is spontaneous, endothermic, and of a physical nature. In the batch adsorption studies, the maximum removal percentage was 80.4% after 90 min, and in a dynamic regime in the fixed-bed column, the efficiency was 99.99% at a sludge:sand = 1:1 ratio for 380 min for a volume of water with arsenic of ~3000 mL. The kinetics of the adsorption process conformed to a pseudo-second-order model. In terms of the equilibrium studies, the Sips model yielded the most accurate representation of the data, revealing a maximum equilibrium capacity of 70.1 mg As(V)/g sludge. For the dynamic regime, the experimental data were fitted using the Bohart–Adams, Thomas, and Clark models, in order to establish the mechanism of the process. Additionally, desorption studies were conducted, serving as an essential step in validating the practical applicability of the adsorption process, specifically in relation to the reutilization of the adsorbent material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) is a significant public health concern that requires efficient risk estimation to optimize patient care and resource allocation. The purpose of this retrospective study was to show the correlation of NLR (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio) and PESI (pulmonary embolism severity index)/sPESI (simplified PESI) in determining the risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with pulmonary thromboembolism. (2) Methods: A total of 160 patients admitted at the County Clinical Emergency Hospital of Sibiu from 2019 to 2022 were included and their hospital records were analyzed. (3) Results: Elevated NLR values were significantly correlated with increased in-hospital mortality. Furthermore, elevated NLR was associated with PESI and sPESI scores and their categories, as well as the individual components of these parameters, namely increasing age, hypotension, hypoxemia, and altered mental status. We leveraged the advantages of machine learning algorithms to integrate elevated NLR into PE risk stratification. Utilizing two-step cluster analysis and CART (classification and regression trees), several distinct patient subgroups emerged with varying in-hospital mortality rates based on combinations of previously validated score categories or their defining elements and elevated NLR, WBC (white blood cell) count, or the presence COVID-19 infection. (4) Conclusion: The findings suggest that integrating these parameters in risk stratification can aid in improving predictive accuracy of estimating the in-hospital mortality of PE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The paper has application potential in the bakery and related industries, considering that the proposed solutions offer improved products in terms of the nutritional and functional points of view. This study aimed to compare the nutritional, phytochemical, and sensory characteristics of wheat flour (WF) cookies enriched with different proportions of lupin sprout flour (LSF) and those with different proportions of lupin green sprout (LGS). To achieve this, a control cookie (CC); three cookies with 10%, 20%, and 30% of LSF, respectively, CLSF1, CLSF2, and CLSF3; and three other cookies (CLGS1, CLGS2, and CLGS3) with 10%, 20%, and 30%, respectively, were produced. The proximate composition of each cookie was analyzed using AOAC methods. Also, the measurements of the total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, individual polyphenols, glycemic index, and a sensory analysis were carried out using recent and accurate methods. The contribution of the main nutrients from 100 g of product to the required daily dose was also calculated. Data analysis revealed that cookies with LSF were richer than cookies with LGS in protein, fat, and energy values. CLGS3 was 35.12%, 1.45%, and 5.0% lower in protein, fat, and energy content than CLSF3, respectively. On the other hand, CLSF3 was lower than CLGS3, with 48.2% and 12.4% in moisture and mineral substances, respectively. Both cookies were lower in carbohydrates than the CC (65.20 g/100 g). Still on the subject of micro- and macronutrients, cookies with LSF were richer than those with LGS in all the minerals analyzed. The study also revealed improvements in phytochemical properties, such as total and individual polyphenols and antioxidant activity with the percentage of lupin sprout flour addition. The sensory analysis revealed that, for LSF and LGS cookies, the 10% samples were the most appreciated by consumers, irrespective of the sensory attributes studied. The glycemic index of the CLSF2 product was lower compared to the CC. This study shows that the LSF cookies have better nutritional, phytochemical, and sensory values than the LGS cookies. LSF is, therefore, better suited than LGS to the enrichment of bakery products in general and cookies in particular. The paper provides significant information to estimate the contribution of the consumption of functional products based on lupin sprouts to the required daily dose of food nutrients and the impact on the glycemic index of fortified products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a prevalent global cardiovascular disease and leading cause of mortality, is significantly correlated with meteorological factors. This study aims to analyze the impact of short-term changes in meteorological factors on the risk of ACS, both with and without ST-segment elevation, and to identify vulnerable subgroups. Materials and Methods: Daily ACS admissions and meteorological variables were collected from October 2016 to December 2021. A generalized linear model (GLM) with a Poisson distribution was employed to examine how short-term fluctuations in meteorological parameters influence ACS hospitalizations. Subgroup analyses were conducted to identify the populations most vulnerable to climate change. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that short-term fluctuations in atmospheric pressure (≥10 mbar) and air temperature (≥5 °C) seven days prior increased the number of ACS hospitalizations by 58.7% (RR: 1.587; 95% CI: 1.501–1.679) and 55.2% (RR: 1.552; 95% CI: 1.465–1.644), respectively, notably impacting ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions (STEMIs). The least pronounced association was observed between the daily count of ACS and the variation in relative air humidity (≥20%), resulting in an 18.4% (RR: 1.184; 95% CI: 1.091–1.286) increase in the risk of hospitalization. Subgroup analysis revealed an increased susceptibility among men and older adults to short-term variations in weather parameters. Conclusions: The findings indicate that short-term changes in weather conditions are associated with an increased risk of ACS hospitalizations, particularly STEMIs. Male and older adult patients exhibit heightened susceptibility to variations in climatic factors. Developing effective preventive strategies is imperative to alleviate the adverse consequences of these environmental risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Betulin is a birch bark-derived lupane-type pentacyclic triterpene with a wide spectrum of biological activities. Given their enhanced antiproliferative potential and enhanced pharmacological profile, betulin derivatives are continuously investigated in scientific studies. The objective of the current study was to in vitro assess the antiproliferative properties of novel synthesized 1,2,4-triazole derivatives of diacetyl betulin. The compounds were investigated using three cancer cell lines: A375 (melanoma), MCF-7 (breast cancer), HT-29 (colorectal cancer), and HaCaT (human keratinocytes). Bet-TZ1 had the lowest recorded IC50 values (ranging from 22.41 to 46.92 μM after 48 h of exposure) than its precursor and other tested compounds in every scenario, with the highest cytotoxicity against the A375 cell line. Bet-TZ3 demonstrated comparable cytotoxicity to the previously mentioned compound, with an IC50 of 34.34 μM against A375. Both compounds caused apoptosis in tested cells, by inducing specific nuclear morphological changes and by increasing the expression of caspase 9, indicating significant cytotoxicity, which was consistent with the literature and viability evaluation. Bet-TZ1 and Bet-TZ3 inhibit cancer cell migration, with the former having a stronger effect than the latter. The HET−CAM test indicated that all compounds have no irritative potential, suggesting that they can be used locally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth oxides were synthesized from bismuth carbonate using the sol-gel method. Studies have described the formation of Bi2O3, as a precursor of HNO3 dissolution, and intermediate oxides, such as BixOy when using H2SO4 and H3PO4. The average size of the crystallite calculated from Scherrer's formula ranged from 9 to 19 nm, according to X-ray diffraction. The FTIR analysis showed the presence of specific Bi2O3 bands when using HNO3 and of crystalline phases of "bismuth oxide sulphate" when using H2SO4 and "bismuth phosphate" when using H3PO4. The TG curves showed major mass losses and specific thermal effects, delimited in four temperature zones for materials synthesized with HNO3 (with loss of mass between 24% and 50%) and H2SO4 (with loss of mass between 45% and 76%), and in three temperature zones for materials synthesized with H3PO4 (with loss of mass between 13% and 43%). Further, the thermal stability indicates that materials have been improved by the addition of a polymer or polymer and carbon. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed decreased roughness in the series, [BixOy]N > [BixOy-6% PVA]N > [BixOy-C-6% PVA]N, and increased roughness for materials [BixOy]S, [BixOy-6% PVA]S, [BixOy-C-6% PVA]S, [BixOy]P, [BixOy-6% PVA]P and [BixOy-C-6% PVA]P. The morphological analysis (electronic scanning microscopy) of the synthesized materials showed a wide variety of forms: overlapping nanoplates ([BixOy]N or [BixOy]S), clusters of angular forms ([BixOy-6% PVA]N), pillars ([BixOy-6% PVA]S-Au), needle particles ([BixOy-Au], [BixOy-6% PVA]S-Au, [BixOy-C-6% PVA]S-Au), spherical particles ([BixOy-C-6% PVA]P-Pt), 2D plates ([BixOy]P-Pt) and 3D nanometric plates ([BixOy-C-6% PVA]S-Au). For materials obtained in the first synthesis stage, antimicrobial activity increased in the series [BixOy]N > [BixOy]S > [BixOy]P. For materials synthesized in the second synthesis stage, when polymer (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA) was added, maximum antimicrobial activity, regardless of the microbial species tested, was present in the material [BixOy-6% PVA]S. For the materials synthesized in the third stage, to which graphite and 6% PVA were added, the best antimicrobial activity was in the material [BixOy-C-6% PVA]P. Materials synthesized and doped with metal ions (gold or platinum) showed significant antimicrobial activity for the tested microbial species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: The paper has application potential in the bakery and related industries, considering that the proposed technological solutions can be implemented in the profile units in order to diversify the assortment range of flour products. To provide people with celiac disease with nutrient-rich gluten-free foods, this study aimed to produce cookies based on buckwheat and baobab flours, which were then subjected to nutritional, phytochemical, and sensory analyses. Results demonstrate that baobab flour (BF) and buckwheat flour (BWF) work together to enhance the nutritional properties of the cookies, in that nutrients that BWF is deficient in, BF provides sufficiently, and vice versa. BF is rich in minerals and carbohydrates, while BWF contains comparatively higher fat and protein levels. As for macro- and micro-elements, potassium (K) is the predominant macro-element in BF and BWF, with 13,276.47 ± 174 mg/kg and 1255.35 ± 58.92 mg/kg, respectively. The polyphenol content is higher in BF than BWF, at 629.7 ± 0.35 mg/100 g as opposed to 283.87 ± 0.06 mg/100 g. Similarly, the total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of BF was greater than that of BWF, while BF exhibited 213.13 ± 0.08 mg/100 g and 86.62 ± 0.04%, in contrast to BWF, which had 125.36 ± 1.12 mg/100 g and 79.72 ± 0.01%, respectively. BF significantly enhanced the phytochemical composition of the cookies, with the richest sample being BBC3 containing 30% baobab. Buckwheat and baobab have the most abundant phenolic compounds of rutin and epicatechin, respectively. About the analysis of sensory attributes of the cookies, the partial substitution of BWF by BF of up to 20% (BWF3) significantly increased the scores for all attributes. Indeed, the appearance (physical aspect of the cookie: whether it is firm or not) and color (influence of baobab addition on cookie coloration) of the cookies were significantly improved with the addition of BF of up to 20%, but above 20% they were less appreciated. Similarly, up to 20% BF, the texture, flavor, and overall acceptability of the cookies were significantly improved. Taste, on the other hand, was not significantly improved, maybe due to the acidic taste provided by the baobab. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to evaluate the influence of drying methods, extraction solvent, and extraction methods on the phytochemical profile of Sambucus nigra L. flowers harvested from the western region of Romania. Two drying methods for plant conditioning (room temperature and lyophilization), two extraction solvents (70% ethyl alcohol and water), and three extraction methods (conventional extraction (C), ultrasound-assisted extraction, and microwave extraction) were used. For the evaluation of the phytochemical profile, the following spectrophotometric methods were investigated: total polyphenol content, total antioxidant activity using the DPPH and FRAP methods, and flavonoid content. In addition to the spectrophotometric methods, the individual polyphenols were evaluated using the LC/MS method. Using atomic absorption spectrometry, the macro and microelement content of Sambucus nigra L. flowers was assessed. The results showed that the drying method, the solvent used for extraction, and the extraction method influenced the phytocompound content. The analyses showed that in terms of polyphenols, flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity, high values were recorded for lyophilization-dried samples compared to samples dried at room temperature. Also, higher values were recorded for alcoholic extracts compared to aqueous extracts, but also for extracts obtained by the ultrasound-assisted method, followed by extracts obtained via microwave compared to extracts obtained by conventional extraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hedera helix L. contains phytochemicals with good biological properties which are beneficial to human health and can be used to protect plants against different diseases. The aim of this research was to find the most suitable extraction method and the most favorable parameters for the extraction of different bioactive compounds from ivy leaves. Different extraction methods, namely microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and conventional heating extraction (CHE), were used. The most suitable method for the extraction of saponins is MAE with an extraction efficiency of 58%, while for carbohydrates and polyphenols, the best results were achieved via UAE with an extraction efficiency of 61.7% and 63.5%, respectively. The antioxidant activity (AA) of the extracts was also determined. The highest AA was obtained via UAE (368.98 ± 9.01 µmol TR/gDM). Better results were achieved at 50 °C for 10 min of extraction, using 80% ethanol in water as solvent. In order to evaluate their in vitro cytotoxicity, the extracts richest in bioactive compounds were tested on NCTC fibroblasts. Their influence on the DNA content of RAW 264.7 murine macrophages was also tested. Until 200 µg/mL, the extracts obtained via UAE and MAE were cytocompatible with NCTC fibroblasts at 48 h of treatment. Summarizing the above, both MAE and UAE can be employed as green and efficient methods for producing extracts rich in bioactive compounds, exhibiting strong antioxidant properties and good noncytotoxic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study focuses on the synthesis via combustion of dysprosium-doped cobalt ferrites that were subsequently physicochemically analyzed in terms of morphological and magnetic properties. Three types of doped nanoparticles were prepared containing different Dy substitutions and coated with HPGCD for higher dispersion properties and biocompatibility, and were later submitted to biological tests in order to reveal their potential anticancer utility. Experimental data obtained through FTIR, XRD, SEM and TEM confirmed the inclusion of Dy3+ ions in the nanoparticles' structure. The size of the newly formed nanoparticles ranged between 20 and 50 nm revealing an inverse proportional relationship with the Dy content. Magnetic studies conducted by VSM indicated a decrease in remanent and saturation mass magnetization, respectively, in Dy-doped nanoparticles in a direct proportionality with the Dy content; the decrease was further amplified by cyclodextrin complexation. Biological assessment in the presence/absence of red light revealed a significant cytotoxic activity in melanoma (A375) and breast (MCF-7) cancer cells, while healthy keratinocytes (HaCaT) remained generally unaffected, thus revealing adequate selectivity. The investigation of the underlying cytotoxic molecular mechanism revealed an apoptotic process as indicated by nuclear fragmentation and shrinkage, as well as by Western blot analysis of caspase 9, p53 and cyclin D1 proteins. The anticancer activity for all doped Co ferrites varied was in a direct correlation to their Dy content but without being affected by the red light irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 1 diabetes, a chronic condition characterized by insulin deficiency, is associated with various complications and reduced life expectancy and is increasing in global prevalence. Maintaining glycaemic control in children with type 1 diabetes, as reflected by glycated hemoglobin levels (A1C), is a challenging task. The American Association of Diabetes (ADA), the Pediatric Endocrine Society, and the International Diabetes Federation (ISPAD) recommend the adoption of a harmonized A1C of <7.5% across all pediatric groups. Our retrospective study included 79 children with type 1 diabetes and aimed to identify determinants pivotal to forecasting glycemic control, focusing on a single A1C cut-off value and exploring how machine learning algorithms can enhance clinical understanding, particularly with smaller sample sizes. Bivariate analysis identified correlations between glycemic control and disease duration, body mass index (BMI) Z-score at onset, A1C at onset above 7.5 g/dL, family income, living environment, maternal education level, episodes of ketoacidosis, and elevated cholesterol or triglyceride. Binary logistic regression stressed the association of ketoacidosis episodes (β = 21.1, p < 0.01) and elevated A1C levels at onset (β = 3.12, p < 0.01) and yielded an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.916. Two-step clustering emphasized socioeconomic factors, as well as disease complications and comorbidities, and delineated clusters based on these traits. The classification and regression tree (CART) yielded an AUROC of 0.954, slightly outperforming binary regression, providing a comprehensive view of interactions between disease characteristics, comorbidities, and socioeconomic status. Common to all methods were predictors regarding ketoacidosis episodes, the onset of A1C levels, and family income, signifying their overarching importance in glycaemic control. While logistic regression quantified risk, CART visually elucidated complex interactions and two-step clustering exposed patient subgroups that might require different intervention strategies, highlighting how the complementary nature of these analytical methods can enrich clinical interpretation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), previously termed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), has emerged as a prominent global cause of chronic liver disease and is increasingly recognized as associated with atherosclerotic vascular illness, consolidating its position along traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Individuals with MASLD exhibit a combination of metabolic syndrome risk factors, carotid atherosclerosis, and increased arterial stiffness, hinting at shared pathogenesis. In this study, we aim to explore liver involvement and arterial stiffness within metabolic syndrome. We enrolled 75 patients (30 male and 45 female) with either liver steatosis on conventional ultrasound, altered liver function tests, or the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors after excluding liver pathology other than MASLD. Clinical evaluation, laboratory measurements, abdominal and carotid ultrasounds, vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE, Fibroscan), and assessment with the Arteriograph (Tensiomed) were performed. The 26 patients diagnosed with MetS had significantly higher liver involvement as quantified via the hepatic steatosis index (HSI), Fibrosis-4 (FIB4), aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) category, and VCTE measurements, as well as Agile 3+ and Agile 4 scores which use a combination of clinical and laboratory parameters together with results obtained from VCTE to reflect the probability of advanced liver fibrosis or cirrhosis. Patients with MetS also exhibited more pronounced vascular involvement as quantified via arterial stiffness measurements and CIMT (carotid intima–media thickness). We applied a two-step clustering algorithm to enhance our analysis, which gave us pertinent insight into the interplay between metabolic syndrome elements and typologies of hepatic steatosis and arterial stiffness degrees. Notably, of the three obtained clusters, the cluster showing increased levels of hepatic steatosis and arterial stiffness also exhibited the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its constituting components. The results have significant clinical implications, advocating for a comprehensive diagnostic approach when MetS or MASLD is suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aimed to determine the chemical composition, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity as well as the antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative and two fungal Candida ATCC strains of a commercial Boswellia essential oil (BEO) containing Boswellia carteri, Boswellia sacra, Boswellia papryfera, and Boswellia frereana. Additionally, molecular docking was carried out to show the molecular dynamics of the compounds identified from the essential oil against three bacterial protein targets and one fungal protein target. The major components identified by GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) were represented by α-pinene, followed by limonene. Evaluation of antioxidant activity using the DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl) method showed high inhibition comparable to the synthetic antioxidant used as a control. Oxidative stability evaluation showed that BEO has the potential to inhibit primary and secondary oxidation products with almost the same efficacy as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). The use of BEO at a concentration of 500 ppm provided the best protection against secondary oxidation during 30 days of storage at room temperature, which was also evident in the peroxide value. Regarding the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the membrane lysis assay and the protein denaturation test revealed that even if the value of protection was lower than the value registered in the case of dexamethasone, the recommendation of using BEO as a protective agent stands, considering the lower side effects. Gram-positive bacteria proved more sensitive, while Pseudomonas aeruginosa presented different sensitivity, with higher MICs (minimal inhibitory concentration). Haemophilus influenzae demonstrated a MIC at 2% but with consecutive inhibitory values in a negative correlation with the increase in concentration, in contrast to E. coli, which demonstrated low inhibitory rates at high concentrations of BEO. The computational tools employed revealed interesting binding energies with compounds having low abundance. The interaction of these compounds and the proteins (tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, DNA gyrase, peptide deformylase, 1,3-β-glucan synthase) predicts hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues, which are reported in the active sites of the proteins. Even so, compounds with low abundance in BEO could render the desired bioactive properties to the overall function of the oil sustained by physical factors such as storage and temperature. Interestingly, the findings from this study demonstrated the antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of Boswellia essential oil against food-related pathogens, thus making the oil a good candidate for usage in food, feed or food-safety-related products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lingonberries represent a valuable resource for many sectors of the food industry in a wide variety of both organic and conventional products. In the context of little information on the use of dried and ground lingonberries mixed with flour in bakery processing, this study aimed to evaluate how the use of spelt wheat flour fortified with dried lingonberry powder in the preparation of cookies, muffins, and brioches with different types of dough can improve their nutritional, functional, and sensory properties, and the degree to which the rheological properties of the dough are affected. The results of the proximate composition analysis revealed that the use of fortified flour in the pastries matrix led to a significant increase in mineral content by an average of 9% and a reduction in protein content up to 7% progressively with the concentration of fruit powder in fortified flour, relative to control samples. The phytochemical profile of pastry products led to a statistically significant enhancement by using fortified flour in their manufacturing formula, with results showing increases of 10 times in total flavonoids content, 9.3 times in total phenolic content, up to 2 times in DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical inhibition ability, and for FRAP (ferric-reducing antioxidant power), with values of 14.8 times relative to the control in cookies. The rheological behavior highlighted that the mixing of lingonberry powder with spelt flour is suitable for dough prepared with liquid in order to form gluten up to 15% of fruit addition. The best rated from a sensory point of view were muffins prepared from flour fortified with 10% lingonberry powder. The data resulted from this research suggest that the inclusion of lingonberry powder in spelt wheat flour consists of a promising solution to develop innovative pastry products with improved functional properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide nanobelts were prepared via the alkali-hydrothermal method for application in chemical gas sensing. The formation process of TiO2-(B) nanobelts and their sensing properties were investigated in detail. FE-SEM was used to study the surface of the obtained structures. The TEM and XRD analyses show that the prepared TiO2 nanobelts are in the monoclinic phase. Furthermore, TEM shows the formation of porous-like morphology due to crystal defects in the TiO2-(B) nanobelts. The gas-sensing performance of the structure toward various concentrations of hydrogen, ethanol, acetone, nitrogen dioxide, and methane gases was studied at a temperature range between 100 and 500 °C. The fabricated sensor shows a high response toward acetone at a relatively low working temperature (150 °C), which is important for the development of low-power-consumption functional devices. Moreover, the obtained results indicate that monoclinic TiO2-B is a promising material for applications in chemo-resistive gas detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, during industrial development, the expanding discharge of harmful metallic ions from different industrial wastes (such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, selenium, silver, or zinc) into different water bodies has caused serious concern, with one of the problematic elements being represented by selenium (Se) ions. Selenium represents an essential microelement for human life and plays a vital role in human metabolism. In the human body, this element acts as a powerful antioxidant, being able to reduce the risk of the development of some cancers. Selenium is distributed in the environment in the form of selenate (SeO42–) and selenite (SeO32–), which are the result of natural/anthropogenic activities. Experimental data proved that both forms present some toxicity. In this context, in the last decade, only several studies regarding selenium's removal from aqueous solutions have been conducted. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to use the sol–gel synthesis method to prepare a nanocomposite adsorbent material starting from sodium fluoride, silica, and iron oxide matrices (SiO2/Fe(acac)3/NaF), and to further test it for selenite adsorption. After preparation, the adsorbent material was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The mechanism associated with the selenium adsorption process has been established based on kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies. Pseudo second order is the kinetic model that best describes the obtained experimental data. Also, from the intraparticle diffusion study, it was observed that with increasing temperature the value of the diffusion constant, Kdiff, also increases. Sips isotherm was found to best describe the experimental data obtained, the maximum adsorption capacity being ~6.00 mg Se(IV) per g of adsorbent material. From a thermodynamic point of view, parameters such as ΔG0, ΔH0, and ΔS0 were evaluated, proving that the process studied is a physical one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption recovery of precious metals on a variety of solid substrates has steadily gained increased attention in recent years. Special attention was paid to the studies on the characterization of the adsorptive properties of materials with a high affinity for gold depending on the nature of the pendant groups present in the structure of the material. The aim of the present work was to synthesize and characterize a new material by using the sol-gel synthesis method (designated as BCb/CB). In this case, synthesis involved the following precursors: bismuth carbonate (III), carbon black, and IGEPAL surfactant (octylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol). Immobilization of the heterojunction as bismuth oxide over a flexible support such as carbon black (CB) can prevent their elution in solution and make it versatile for its use in a system. In this work, a new adsorbent material based on bismuth carbonate supported over carbon black (BCb/CB) was developed and used further for gold recovery from aqueous solutions. The required material was characterized physically/chemically by scanning electron microscopy (SEM); energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX); X-ray diffraction (XRD); thermal analysis (DTG/DTA); atomic force microscopy (AFM). The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method was used to determine the specific surface area indicating a value of approximately 40 m2/g, higher than the surface of CB precursor (36 m2/g). The adsorptive properties and the adsorption mechanism of the materials were highlighted in order to recover Au(III). For this, static adsorption studies were carried out. The parameters that influence the adsorption process were studied, namely: the pH, the contact time, the temperature, and the initial concentration of the gold ions in the used solution. In order to establish the mechanism of the adsorption process, kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies were carried out. Experimental data proved that the gold recovery can be conducted with maximum performance at pH 3, at room temperature. Thermodynamic studies proved that the gold adsorption on BCb/CB material is a spontaneous and endothermal process. The results indicate a total adsorption capacity of 13.1 mg Au(III)/g material. By using this material in real solutions, a recovery efficiency of 90.5% was obtained, concomitant with a higher selectivity (around 95%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to provide a simple and efficient photoassisted approach to synthesize silver nanoparticles, and to elucidate the role of the key factors (synthesis parameters, such as the concentration of TSC, irradiation time, and UV intensity) that play a major role in the photochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles using TSC, both as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Concomitantly, we aim to provide an easy way to evaluate the particle size based on Mie theory. One of the key advantages of this method is that the synthesis can be "activated" whenever or wherever silver nanoparticles are needed, by premixing the reactants and irradiating the final solution with UV radiation. UV irradiance was determined by using Keitz's theory. This argument has been verified by premixing the reagents and deposited them in an enclosed space (away from sunlight) at 25 °C, then checking them for three days. Nothing happened, unless the sample was directly irradiated by UV light. Further, obtained materials were monitored for 390 days and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, UV-VIS, and transmission electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, sustainability has promoted new research to develop reformulation strategies for value-added food products by exploiting grape pomace. Grape pomace powder (GP) was used to substitute spelt flour (SF) at 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% to obtain three types of fortified pastry products: biscuits and cakes involving a chemical leavening agent, and rolls leavened by yeast. Proximate composition, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoids content (TFC), 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) along with physical characteristics and sensory analysis of the enriched products were considered. The retention rate of the functional attributes of formulations in response to baking was also evaluated. Significant improvements in TPC, TFC and both antioxidant tests were achieved in the fortified products by the incremental incorporation of GP. With a substitution of 25% SF by GP, the following increases were recorded in biscuits, cakes and rolls over the control samples: 7.198-, 7.733- and 8.117-fold for TPC; 8.414-, 7.000- and 8.661-fold for TFC; 16.334-, 17.915- and 18.659-fold for FRAP and 16.384-, 17.908- and 18.775-fold for DPPH. The retention rates of TPC, TFC, FRAP and DPPH relative to the corresponding dough were 41–63%, 37–65%, 48–70% and 45–70%. The formulas leavened by yeast revealed higher functionality than those produced with a chemical raising agent. With the increase in GP, the elasticity and porosity gradually decreased for cakes and rolls, while the spread ratio of biscuits increased. Regarding sensory evaluation, all formulations with incorporated GP up to 10% were rated at an extremely pleasant acceptability level. The solutions derived from this study have great practical applicability for the development of new pastry formulations with improved functionality from GP valorisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to assess land use and land use change (LULC). For this purpose, supervised mapping on satellite imagery, using the European Space Agency (ESA) SNAP programme from LANDSAT databases, publicly accessible through the European Copernicus portal, was used. At the same time, an analysis of the degree of landscape fragmentation in the study area was carried out, which revealed that, because of the particular fragmentation of small polygons, the best results were obtained via analysis/supervised mapping on satellite images. This method, once validated in the field, reflects the most accurate land use pattern in the analysed area, with wide applications in studies of agriculture, biodiversity, geography, etc. Between 2000 and 2010, significant changes were registered. Artificial surfaces decreased by approximately 400 ha, showing a negative trend in the last period of the interval. Coniferous forests reached their maximum threshold in 2000 (with 114,400 ha) in conjunction with the "Grassland" class, which exceeded 16,700 ha. In 2010, a drastic decrease in "Grassland" was recorded, reaching half of the values of 1990 and 2000, now having only 15,684 ha. Land cover changes were significant when comparing the period before 1989 with 2021. This fact was due to socio-economic changes in society, in large part caused by changes in professions and the way of life of the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are inextricably linked conditions, both of which are experiencing an upward trend in prevalence, thereby exerting a substantial clinical and economic burden. The presence of MetS should prompt the search for metabolic-associated liver disease. Liver fibrosis is the main predictor of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Non-invasive tests (NIT) such as the Fibrosis-4 index (FIB4), aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), aspartate aminotransferase-to-alanine aminotransferase ratio (AAR), hepatic steatosis index (HIS), transient elastography (TE), and combined scores (AGILE3+, AGILE4) facilitate the detection of liver fibrosis or steatosis. Our study enrolled 217 patients with suspected MASLD, 109 of whom were diagnosed with MetS. We implemented clinical and biological evaluations complemented by transient elastography (TE) to discern the most robust predictors for liver disease manifestation patterns. Patients with MetS had significantly higher values of FIB4, APRI, HSI, liver stiffness, and steatosis parameters measured by TE, as well as AGILE3+ and AGILE4 scores. Machine-learning algorithms enhanced our evaluation. A two-step cluster algorithm yielded three clusters with reliable model quality. Cluster 1 contained patients without significant fibrosis or steatosis, while clusters 2 and 3 showed a higher prevalence of significant liver fibrosis or at least moderate steatosis as measured by TE. A decision tree algorithm identified age, BMI, liver enzyme levels, and metabolic syndrome characteristics as significant factors in predicting cluster membership with an overall accuracy of 89.4%. Combining NITs improves the accuracy of detecting patterns of liver involvement in patients with suspected MASLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents research on the degradation processes of the fresco painting in the cave church of Corbii de Piatră Hermitage under the influence of meteoric infiltration water and environmental factors. The medieval fresco dates from the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century, being painted on a sandstone wall. The infiltration of meteoric water through this wall, the temperature variations, the environment and the repeated wetting/drying processes determined the degradation of the fresco, resulting in its detachment from large surfaces. This research established correlations between the processes that take place, the structural transformations, the changes in composition and the adhesion of the fresco to the sandstone wall. The results have been made available to conservation and restoration specialists, in order to choose appropriate materials and technologies. This paper presents findings regarding the pictorial material and introduces new analysis techniques in research on the degradation processes of the fresco painting in the cave church of Corbii de Piatră Hermitage under the influence of meteoric infiltration water and environmental factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to improve the nutritional quality of bakery products by replacing wheat flour (WF) with different proportions (10%, 20%, and 30%) of baobab flour (BF). The composite flours and bread obtained were evaluated from nutritional, physical-chemical, phytochemical, organoleptic, and rheological points of view. The results obtained show that BF is a rich source of minerals (K: 13,276.47 ± 174 mg/kg; Ca: 1570.67 ± 29.67 mg/kg; Mg: 1066.73 ± 9.97 mg/kg; Fe: 155.14 ± 2.95 mg/kg; Na: 143.19 ± 5.22 mg/kg; and Zn: 14.90 ± 0.01 mg/kg), lipids (1.56 ± 0.02 mg/100 g), and carbohydrates (76.34 ± 0. 06 mg/100 g) as well as for the phytochemical profile. In this regard, the maximum contents for the total polyphenols content (TPC) were recorded in the case of bread with 30% BF (297.63 ± 1.75 mg GAE/100 g), a total flavonoids content (TFC) of 208.06 ± 0.002 mg QE/100 g, and 66.72 ± 0.07% for antioxidant activity (AA). Regarding the physical-chemical, rheological, and organoleptic analysis, the bread sample with 10% BF (BWB1) was the best among the samples with different proportions of BF. It presented a smooth, porous appearance (73.50 ± 0.67% porosity) and an elastic core (85 ± 0.27% elasticity) with a volume of 155.04 ± 0.95 cm3/100 g. It had better water absorption (76.7%) than WF (55.8%), a stability of 5.82 min, and a zero-gluten index. The scores obtained by BWB1 for the organoleptic test were as follows: Appearance: 4.81; color: 4.85; texture: 4.78; taste: 4.56; flavor: 4.37; and overall acceptability: 4.7. This study shows that BF improved the nutritional quality of the product, organoleptic properties, α-amylase activity, viscosity, and phytochemical profile, resulting in composite flour suitable for the production of functional bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vanadium is considered a strategic metal with wide applications in various industries due to its unique chemical and physical properties. On the basis of these considerations, the recovery of vanadium (V) is mandatory because of the lack of raw materials. Various methods are used to recover vanadium (V) from used aqueous solutions. This study develops a clean and effective process for the recovery of vanadium (V) by using the adsorption method. At the same time, this study synthesizes a material starting from silica matrices and iron oxides, which is used as an adsorbent material. To show the phase composition, the obtained material is characterized by X-ray diffraction showing that the material is present in the amorphous phase, with a crystal size of 20 nm. However, the morphological texture of the material is determined by the N2 adsorption–desorption method, proving that the adsorbent material has a high surface area of 305 m2/g with a total pore volume of 1.55 cm3/g. To determine the efficiency of the SiO2FexOy material for the recovery of vanadium through the adsorption process, the role of specific parameters, such as the L-to-V ratio, pH, contact time, temperature, and initial vanadium concentration, must be evaluated. The adsorption process mechanism was established through kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies. In our case, the process is physical, endothermic, spontaneous, and takes place at the interface of SiO2FexOy with V2O5. Following equilibrium studies, the maximum adsorption capacity of the SiO2FexOy material was 58.8 mg (V)/g of material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indium and its compounds have many industrial applications and are widely used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, semiconductors, low temperature soldering, and infrared photodetectors. Indium does not have its own minerals in the Earth's crust, and most commonly, indium is associated with the ores of zinc, lead, copper and tin. Therefore, it must be recovered as a by-product from other metallurgical processes or from secondary raw materials. The aim of this study is to investigate the adsorption properties for recovering indium from aqueous solutions using iron–magnesium composite (MgFe2O4). In addition, the results show that the material offers very efficient desorption in 15% HCl solution, being used for 10 adsorption–desorption cycle test. These results provide a simple and effective process for recovering indium. Present study was focuses on the synthesis and characterization of the material by physico-chemical methods such as: X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, followed by the adsorption tests. The XRD indicates that the MgFe2O4 phase was obtained, and the crystallite size was about 8 nm. New prepared adsorbent materials have a point of zero charge of 9.2. Studies have been performed to determine the influence of pH, initial indium solution concentration, material/solution contact time and temperature on the adsorption capacity of the material. Adsorption mechanism was established by kinetic, thermodynamic and equilibrium studies. At equilibrium a maximum adsorption capacity of 46.4 mg/g has been obtained. From kinetic and thermodynamic studies was proved that the studied adsorption process is homogeneous, spontaneous, endothermic and temperature dependent. Based on Weber and Morris model, we can conclude that the In (III) ions takes place at the MgFe2O4/In (III) solution–material interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antibacterial activity of zinc oxide particles has received significant interest worldwide, especially through the implementation of technology to synthesize particles in the nanometer range. This study aimed to determine the antimicrobial efficacy of silica-based iron oxide matrix (SiO2FexOy) synthesized with various amounts of ZnO (SiO2FexOyZnO) against various pathogens. It is observed that, with the addition of ZnO to the system, the average size of the porosity of the material increases, showing increasingly effective antibacterial properties. Zinc-iron-silica oxide matrix composites were synthesized using the sol–gel method. The synthesized materials were investigated physicochemically to highlight their structural properties, through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). At the same time, surface area, pore size and total pore volume were determined for materials synthesized using the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. Although the material with 0.0001 g ZnO (600 m2/g) has the highest specific surface area, the best antimicrobial activity was obtained for the material with 1.0 g ZnO, when the average pore volume is the largest (~8 nm) for a specific surface of 306 m2/g. This indicates that the main role in the antibacterial effect has reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the ZnO that are located in the pores of the composite materials. The point of zero charge (pHpZc) is a very important parameter for the characterization of materials that indicate the acid-base behaviour. The pHpZc value varies between 4.9 and 6.3 and is influenced by the amount of ZnO with which the iron-silica oxide matrix is doped. From the antimicrobial studies carried out, it was found that for S. aureus the total antibacterial effect was obtained at the amount of 1.0 g ZnO. For Gram-negative bacteria, a total antibacterial effect was observed in S. flexneri (for the material with 0.1 g ZnO), followed by E. coli (for 1.0 g ZnO). For P. aeruginosa, the maximum inhibition rate obtained for the material with 1.0 g ZnO was approximately 49%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we studied the scandium adsorption from aqueous solutions on the surface of low-temperature-activated alumina products (GDAH). The GDAH samples are industrially manufactured, coming from the Bayer production cycle of the Sierra Leone bauxite as aluminium hydroxide, and further, by drying, milling, classifying and thermally treating up to dehydroxilated alumina products at low temperature. All experiments related to hydroxide aluminium activation were conducted at temperature values of 260, 300 and 400 °C on samples having the following particle sizes: <10 µm, 20 µm, <45 µm and <150 µm, respectively. The low-temperature-activated alumina products were characterised, and the results were published in our previous papers. In this paper, we studied the scandium adsorption process on the above materials and related thermodynamic and kinetic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to remove arsenic from an aqueous medium by adsorption on a nanocomposite material obtained by the sol–gel method starting from matrices of silica, iron oxide and NaF (SiO2/Fe(acac)3/NaF). Initially, the study focused on the synthesis and characterization of the material by physico–chemical methods such as: X-ray diffraction, FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and magnetization. Textural properties were obtained using nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements. The zero load point, pHpZc, was also determined by the method of bringing the studied system into equilibrium. In addition, this study also provides a comprehensive discussion of the mechanism of arsenic adsorption by conducting kinetic, thermodynamic and equilibrium studies. Studies have been performed to determine the effects of adsorbent dose, pH and initial concentration of arsenic solution, material/arsenic contact time and temperature on adsorption capacity and material efficiency. Three theoretical adsorption isotherms were used, namely Langmuir, Freundlich and Sips, to describe the experimental results. The Sips isotherm was found to best describe the experimental data obtained, the maximum adsorption capacity being ~575 µg As(III)/g. The adsorption process was best described by pseudo-second order kinetics. Studies have been performed at different pH values to establish not only the optimal pH at which the adsorption capacity is maximum, but also which is the predominantly adsorbed species. The effect of pH and desorption studies have shown that ion exchange and the physiosorption mechanism are implicated in the adsorption process. From a thermodynamic point of view, parameters such as ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were evaluated to establish the mechanism of the adsorption process. Desorption studies have been performed to determine the efficiency of the material and it has been shown that the material can be used successfully to treat a real-world example of deep water with a high arsenic content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals like cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), resulting from anthropogenic activities, are elements with high persistence in nature, being able to accumulate in soils, water, and plants with significant impact to human and animal health. This study investigates the phytoremediation capacity of Silphium perfoliatum L. as a specific heavy metal hyperaccumulator and the effects of Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb on some physiological and biochemical indices by growing plants under floating hydroponic systems in nutrient solutions under the presence of heavy metals. One-year-old plants of S. perfoliatum grown for 20 days in Hoagland solution with the addition of (ppm) Cu-400, Zn-1200, Cd-20, Pb-400, and Cu+Zn+Cd+Pb (400/1200/20/400) were investigated with respect to the control. The level of phytoremediation, manifested by the ability of heavy metal absorption and accumulation, was assessed. In addition, the impact of stress on the proline content, photosynthetic pigments, and enzymatic activity, as being key components of metabolism, was determined. The obtained results revealed a good absorption and selective accumulation capacity of S. perfoliatum plants for the studied heavy metals. Therefore, Cu and Zn mainly accumulate in the stems, Cd in the roots and stems, while Pb mainly accumulates in the roots. The proline tended to increase under stress conditions, depending on the pollutant and its concentration, with higher values in leaves and stems under the associated stress of the four metals and individually for Pb and Cd. In addition, the enzymatic activity recorded different values depending on the plant organ, its type, and the metal concentration on its substrate. The obtained results indicate a strong correlation between the metal type, concentration, and the mechanisms of absorption/accumulation of S. perfoliatum species, as well as the specific reactions of metabolic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fresco of the Corbii de Piatră Cave Church, dating from the end of the 13th century and the beginning of the 14th century, is applied to the sandstone wall. The degradation of the fresco on large surfaces, with many areas of detachment, has been determined by the infiltration of meteoric water through the sandstone wall on which it is applied, as well as temperature variations, and repeated wetting/drying processes. However, there are small portions of fresco that show good adhesion to the wall. The present research, aimed at providing scientific data to restorers and historians, involves the advanced characterization of a fragment of fresco with good adhesion to the wall and is being carried out by an interdisciplinary team. The stratigraphy, microstructure, compaction defects, chemical composition, and variation of chemical composition in the fresco from the pictorial surface to the mortar-sandstone interface were determined. Correlations were established between degradation processes and wall adhesion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the project was the rehabilitation and expansion of one bridge, located on the DN28 (a national road) in Sarca, Iasi County. The solution includes an atypical use of the flexible galvanized steel structure. The main challenge in this case was to finish the works without any traffic interruption on this section of the national road, as well as the assembly of the said corrugated steel structure under the existing bridge. The work was executed in record time and with reduced costs in comparison with the classic alternative solutions, such as concrete bridges. The paper highlights practical aspects from the key moments of the project and presents the major challenges and how they were solved for both the design and the construction stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruthenium, as an industrial by-product or from natural sources, represents an important economical resource due to its specific applications. A complex problem is represented by ruthenium separation during reprocessing operations, therefore, different materials and methods have been proposed. The present study aims to develop a new material with good adsorbent properties able to be used for ruthenium recovery by adsorption from aqueous solutions. Absorbent material was obtained using chitosan (Ch) surface modification with dibenzo-30-crown-10 ether (DB30C10). Chitosan represents a well-known biopolymer with applicability in different adsorptive processes due to the presence of hydroxyl-, carboxyl-, and nitrogen-containing groups in the structure. Additionally, crown ethers are macromolecules with a good complexation capacity for metallic ions. It is expected that the adsorptive efficiency of newly prepared material will be superior to that of the individual components. New synthesized material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis (BET), and determination of point of zero charge (pZc). Results obtained from the performed kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies confirmed the good adsorptive capacity of the prepared material, Ch-DB30C10, obtaining a maximum adsorption capacity of 52 mg Ru(III) per gram. This adsorption capacity was obtained using a solution with an initial concentration of 275 mg L−1, at pH 2, and 298 K. Ru(III) adsorption kinetics were studied by modeling the obtained experimental data with pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models. Desorption studies established that the optimum eluent was represented by the 5M HNO3 solution. Based on the performed studies, a mechanism for recovery of ruthenium by adsorption was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vegetable consumption is recommended and encouraged by all nutritionists and doctors across the planet. However, in addition to minerals which are beneficial to the body, certain minerals with a negative influence on human health can sneak in. It is very important that in the case of some minerals their content in vegetables is known, so that the recommended limits are not exceeded. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the macro elements (Na, K, Ca, Mg) and trace elements (Cu, Mn, Fe, Cd, Pb, Zn, Co) in 24 samples of vegetables from four botanical families (Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, Apiaceae and Amaryllidaceae), purchased from the market in Timișoara, Romania, both imported products as well as local products. The atomic-absorption-spectrometry technique (FAAS) was used to evaluate the macro elements and trace elements. The values obtained for the macro elements and trace elements were used as input data for the analysis of multivariate data, the principal component analysis (PCA) in which the vegetable samples were grouped according to their contribution of certain mineral elements, as well as according to some of the botanical families to which they belong. At the same time, based on the values obtained for trace elements, an assessment of the risk to human health in terms of consumption of the vegetables studied was carried out. The risk assessment for human health was determined on the basis of the estimated daily dose (EDI), the values of the target hazard coefficient (THQ), the values of the total target hazard coefficient (TTHQ) and the carcinogenic risk (CR). Following the determination of THQ, the values obtained followed the order THQWith > THQCd > THQPb > THQCo > THQMn > THQZn > THQFe. The results on the content of macro elements and trace elements, as well as the assessment of the risk to human health when consuming the assessed vegetables, were within the limits of European Union (EU) and World Health Organization and Food and Agriculture Organization (WHO/FAO)legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the treatment of Clostridioides Difficile (CD)-infected patients given the increasing number of co-infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this context, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) shows promise in modulating the immune system's function and alleviating the burdens associated with this condition. Methods: To achieve this goal, we performed a comparative, retrospective, single-center study on 86 patients (admitted between January 2020 and March 2022). We based our approach on specific inclusion criteria: 1. The study group included 46 co-infected patients (COVID-19 and CD) receiving antibiotics and FMT; 2. In the control group, 40 co-infected patients received antibiotics only. Our results showed no significant group differences in terms of gender, age, risk factors such as cardiovascular and neurological diseases, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (p > 0.05), or in pre-treatment inflammatory status, evaluated by white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. We report a significant decrease in inflammatory syndrome (CRP, WBC) in coinfected patients receiving FMT in addition to antibiotics (p < 0.05), with a lower relapse rate and mitigation of cramping and abdominal pain (91.3%). In addition, a higher level of fibrinogen, persistent moderate abdominal pain (82.5%), and a significantly higher CD infection relapse rate (42.5%) were recorded in co-infected patients treated only with antibiotics (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Our study provides new data to support the multiple benefits of FMT in the case of COVID-19 and CD co-infection by improving patients' quality of life and inflammatory syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In actual context, when the terms of biomass and bioenergy are extensively used, it becomes clear that the comparative study of some biopolymers, such as cellulose and chitosan, can offer a large usage range, based on the scientific progress obtained in the biomaterials field. Starting from the structural similarity of these two polymers, we synthesized composite materials by grafting on their surface biocide substances (phosphonium salts). After testing the biocidal effect, we can conclude that the antibacterial effect depends on the ratio of support to phosphonium salt, influenced by the interaction between the cationic component of the biocides and by the anionic component of the bacterial cellular membrane. It was also observed that for the materials obtained by cellulose functionalization with tri-n-butyl-hexadecyl phosphonium bromide, the bacterial effect on E. coli strain was much better when chitosan was used as the support material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) surface modification technique was employed for improving the mechanical and anti-corrosion properties of the AZ63 magnesium alloy. Different PEO processing times (5, 10 and 20 min) in a 10 g/L NaAlO2 electrolyte, with no other additives, led to the formation of ceramic coatings with mean thicknesses between 15 and 37 microns. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the porosity of the coatings decreased with processing time, but an increase in roughness was observed. X-Ray diffraction phase analysis indicated a coating structure composed of majority magnesium aluminate spinel. The corrosion rate of the coated samples decreased with an order of magnitude compared with the bare alloy. The average micro-hardness values of the PEO-coated samples was up to five times higher than those of the AZ63 alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work studies the efficiency of new innovative quaternized polysulfone (PSFQ)/ionic liquid (IL) membranes in the treatment process of water containing cadmium ions (Cd(II)). The design and development of the polysulfone membranes with morphology tailored by the use of ILs (Cyphos 101 IL and Aliquat 336) was based on the rheological study of the casting solutions that dictated the optimal compositions of ILs and facilitated the preparation of the membranes for performance tests. Thus, according to the variation of the rheological functions obtained (G′, G″), it was demonstrated that Aliquat 336 has better compatibility with PSFQ, facilitating the workability of the solution and improving the final properties of the membranes relative to Cyphos 101 IL. However, the casting solutions consisting of 5 wt.% Ph-IL and 15 wt.% Am-IL content produce membranes with superior physico-chemical properties. Also, the surface chemistry and morphology analysis of the membranes obtained were investigated in order to understand the relationship between the PSFQ and ILs, as well as their surface properties, as indicators for their future applications. Additionally, the results obtained from the kinetic studies regarding Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions and the amount of Cd(II) accumulated onto the membranes showed that the ILs enhance the filtration efficiency of the membranes studied and underlined the positive effect of IL in the structure of the quaternized polysulfone membranes. A content of 15 wt.% Aliquat 336 in PSFQ membranes shows the best properties for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions; the maximum amount of Cd(II) accumulated on the membrane studied was 3300 mg/m2. This behaviour was maintained for two cycles of washing/filtration, and then the efficiency decreased by 20%. The results obtained showed that the membranes functionalized with ionic liquid could be used efficiently in the treatment of water containing trace concentration of cadmium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A metallomesogen based on an Zn(II) coordination complex was employed as precursor to obtain a complex matrix nanoplatform for the fabrication of a high-performance electrochemical hybrid sensor. Three representative paste electrodes, which differ by the weight ratio between Zn(II) metallomesogen and carbon nanotubes (CNT), i.e., PE_01, PE_02 and PE_03, were obtained by mixing the materials in different amounts. The composition with the largest amount of CNT with respect to Zn complex, i.e., PE_03, gives the best electrochemical signal for uric acid detection by cyclic voltammetry in an alkaline medium. The amphiphilic structure of the Zn(II) coordination complex likely induces a regular separation between the metal centers favoring the redox system through their reduction, followed by stripping, and is characterized by enhanced electrocatalytic activity towards uric acid oxidation. The comparative detection of uric acid between the PE_03 paste electrode and the commercial zinc electrode demonstrated the superiority of the former, and its great potential for the development of advanced electrochemical detection of uric acid. Advanced electrochemical techniques, such as differential-pulsed voltammetry (DPV) and square-wave voltammetry (SWV), allowed for the highly sensitive detection of uric acid in aqueous alkaline solutions. In addition, a good and fast amperometric signal for uric acid detection was achieved by multiple-pulsed amperometry, which was validated by urine analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, when the supply chain of natural compounds for the production of value-added meat products is limited, the use of by-products from vegetable processing could become an attractive solution, contributing to the concept of circular economy. In this regard, our study investigated the effectiveness of yellow and red bell pepper processing by-products used in dried form (DYBPB, DRBPB) in the sausages recipe, instead of synthetic nitrites, to enhance their oxidative stability during cold storage (4 °C) for 20 days. Two types of nitrite-free sausages were obtained, such as smoked and dried sausages (I) and smoked and blanched sausages (II). Nitrite-free sausage formulations were designed by adding DYBPB and DRBPB at a dose to ensure a total phenolic compounds (TPC) level of 50, 90, 180, and 270 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/kg of processed meat. The formulations developed were compared with control samples of sausages obtained with added sodium nitrite or without any additive. The DYBPB and DRBPB were investigated for total and individual phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. The obtained sausages were investigated in terms of proximate composition as well as lipid oxidation progression based on specific chemical indices such as peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AV), TOTOX index, and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test during cold storage for 1, 10, and 20 days. The antioxidant activity of DYBPB and DRBPB has been shown to be closely related to their total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. It was found that a higher inhibitory potential against oxidative damage was evidenced in smoked and scalded sausages compared to smoked and dried formulations when the same dose of bell pepper processing by-products was applied. Our results showed that the use of dried bell pepper processing by-products in a dose that provides a TPC of a minimum of 180 mg GAE/kg processed meat for DRBPB and 270 mg GAE/kg processed meat for DYBPB have the potential to ensure lipid oxidative stability during cold storage of sausages for 20 days and can be considered for obtaininginnovative nitrite-free sausage formulations. Bearing in mind that the meat industry is currently looking for natural and sustainable ingredients to replace synthetic ones, our research recommends bell pepper processing by-products as promising substitutes for sodium nitrite to develop value-added meat products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]