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The shipping industry faces the challenge of expanding its capabilities and mitigating its environmental impact. The utilization of adhesive bonding techniques has the potential to facilitate the construction of lighter ships with a reduced carbon footprint. In this work, a complete methodology has been established to study the properties of an adhesive bond between naval steel and the behavior of the bulk adhesive when introduced into seawater. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has been used to determine the thermal properties. Single-lap-joint and tensile tests have been performed showing the negative influence of temperature on the mechanical properties. Seawater absorption has been studied by gravimetric tests. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and mechanical bulk tests have been carried out before and after aging. The water absorption is Fickian, and when a constant load is applied, the absorption occurs faster and in greater quantity, decreasing the stiffness and strength. An increase in the glass transition temperature was observed in the absence of a load, with no discernible change upon the application of load condition. Also, aged specimens with constant load exhibited a reduction in water content. These phenomena may be attributed to several diffusion processes.

Neurological disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Schizophrenia (SCH), Bipolar Disorder (BD), and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affect millions of people worldwide, yet their molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study describes the application of the Comparative Analysis of Shapley values (CASh) to transcriptomic data from nine datasets associated with these complex disorders, demonstrating its effectiveness in identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs). CASh, which combines Game Theory with Bootstrap resampling, offers a robust alternative to traditional statistical methods by assessing the contribution of each gene in the broader context of the complete dataset. Unlike conventional approaches, CASh is highly effective at detecting subtle but meaningful molecular patterns that are often missed. These findings highlight the potential of CASh to enhance the precision of transcriptomic analysis, providing a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying these disorders and establishing a solid basis to improve diagnostic techniques and developing more targeted therapeutic interventions.

In this work, we present the exact equations for the back and effective focal lengths of a plano-concave thick lens. These equations are derived through a detailed ray-tracing approach, calculating the meridional ray’s path parallel to the optical axis while taking into account lens thickness, refractive index, and surface curvature. Our analysis bridges the gap between paraxial approximations and exact ray behavior, highlighting how traditional models (e.g., thin-lens equations) can be extended to thick lenses. Additionally, we review recent advancements in negative refraction and surface phase manipulation techniques to demonstrate how our equations compare to modern numerical methods and metacoating-enhanced designs. This work provides a comprehensive and exact framework for understanding the optical properties of plano-concave thick lenses, offering new insights into their application in precision optics.

In this research work, the feasibility of using fusel oil, a by-product of the sugar–alcohol industry, as an LVLC solvent in blends with straight vegetable oils (SVOs) and diesel was investigated. Concretely, diesel/fusel oil/sunflower oil (D/FO/SO) and diesel/fusel oil/castor oil (D/FO/CO) triple blends were prepared and characterized by measuring the most important physicochemical properties, i.e., viscosity, density, cold flow properties, flash point and cetane number. An appreciable improvement in cold flow values has been achieved with triple blends, without compromising properties such as calorific value and cetane number. Likewise, the triple blends meet the viscosity and density requirements specified by the European quality standard EN 14214 and the American standard ASTM D6751. After characterization, the triple blends were used on a diesel engine, evaluating different parameters such as power output, opacity, exhaust emissions (CO and NOx) and consumption at different engine loads. The results indicate that as the biofuel content in the blend increases, engine power decreases while fuel consumption rises. Nevertheless, the values obtained with D/FO/CO are better than those for D/FO/SO and are also very similar to those of fossil diesel. Regarding opacity values and NOx emissions obtained with the utilization of the triple blends, they are lower than those produced by diesel. However, in the case of CO emissions, it depends on the type of oil used, with the samples prepared with castor oil exhibiting the best results.

The World Health Organization (WHO) cancer agency predicts that more than 35 million cases of cancer will be experienced in 2050, a 77% increase over the 2022 estimate. Currently, the main cancers diagnosed are breast, lung, and colorectal. There is no standardized tool for cancer diagnoses; initially, clinical procedures are guided by the patient symptoms and usually involve biochemical blood tests, imaging, and biopsy. Label-free non-linear optical approaches are promising tools for tumor imaging, due to their inherent non-invasive biosafe contrast mechanisms and the ability to monitor collagen-related disorders, and biochemical and metabolic changes during cancer progression. In this review, the main non-linear microscopy techniques are discussed, according to three main contrast mechanisms: biochemical, metabolic, and structural imaging.

The enhancement of cultural heritage for tourism can greatly benefit from the opportunities offered by Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), promoting greater interaction and integration between all stakeholders and service providers. In recent years, ICT applications and platforms have tended to provide a platform to translate the strategic goals and performance metrics of cultural heritage tourism into comprehensive services tailored to stakeholders’ needs by participating stakeholders. A successful co-designed platform integrates explicit services—requiring specialized software tools—and implicit services, facilitating evaluation processes. This adaptability ensures continuous improvement and alignment with evolving strategies and business objectives. As part of the European project, the development of the TExTOUR open ICT platform marks a significant advancement in leveraging technology within cultural tourism. It exemplifies the creation of a sustainable and adaptable framework, co-designed specifically to support and amplify the strategic objectives of cultural heritage tourism. This approach not only fosters better engagement and management within the sector but also sets a new standard for innovation in cultural tourism practices.

This research explores the efficacy of the YOLOR (You Only Learn One Representation) algorithm integrated with the Deep Sort algorithm for real-time vehicle detection, classification, and counting in Morelia, Mexico. The study aims to enhance traffic monitoring and management by leveraging advanced deep learning techniques. The methodology involves deploying the YOLOR model at six key monitoring stations, with varying confidence levels and pre-trained weights, to evaluate its performance across diverse traffic conditions. The results demonstrate that the model is effective compared to other approaches in classifying multiple vehicle types. The combination of YOLOR and Deep Sort proves effective in tracking vehicles and distinguishing between different types, providing valuable data for optimizing traffic flow and infrastructure planning. This innovative approach offers a scalable and precise solution for intelligent traffic management, setting new methodologies for urban traffic monitoring systems.

Adolescence is a period of special significance for the development of personal and social values. Positive adolescent development (PYD) can be an ideal perspective from which to promote values in young people through their sports practice. The aim of the study was to adapt and analyse the measurement properties of the Values Scale for Positive Youth Development for use in the context of sport in young athletes. A total of 599 adolescents, competitors of different sports modalities, participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis and reliability and invariance analyses were performed. The results confirmed a good model fit, with adjustment indexes (CFI, GFI and AGFI) above 0.90 and error (RMSEA and SRMR) below 0.08. The factor loadings above 0.50 were obtained for all items. Adequate reliability of the scales was also confirmed, between 0.72 and 0.89, and gender, age and sport invariance were confirmed. In conclusion, the analysed scale is a valid and reliable instrument with adequate psychometric properties, which makes it an appropriate assessment tool to be used in sports contexts, based on the positive adolescent development approach.

Campylobacter jejuni plays a significant role in human health, food production, and veterinary practice. Biofilm formation is a likely mechanism explaining the survival of C. jejuni in seemingly unfavourable environments, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We propose a mathematical model to unify various observations regarding C. jejuni biofilm formation. Specifically, we present a cellular automaton with stochastic dynamics that describes both the probability of biofilm initiation and its subsequent growth. Our model incorporates fundamental processes such as cell rearrangement, diffusion of chemical compounds, accumulation of extracellular material, cell growth, lysis, and deactivation due to nutrient scarcity. The model predicts an optimal nutrient concentration that enhances population survival, revealing a trade-off where higher nutrient levels may harm individual cells but benefit the overall population. Our results suggest that the lower biofilm accumulation observed experimentally in aerobic conditions compared to microaerobic conditions may be due to a reduced surface invasion probability of individual cells. However, cells that do manage to invade can generate microcolonies of a similar size under both aerobic and microaerobic conditions. These findings provide new insights into the survival probability and size of C. jejuni biofilms, suggesting potential targets for controlling its biofilm formation in various environments.

This article employed pupillometry as a non-invasive technique to analyze pupillary light reflex (PLR) using LED flash stimuli. Particularly, for the experiments, only the red LED with a wavelength of 600 nm served as the light stimulation source. To stabilize the initial pupil size, a pre-stimulus (PRE) period of 3 s was implemented, followed by a 1 s stimulation period (ON) and a 4 s post-stimulus period (POST). Moreover, an experimental, low-cost pupillometer prototype was designed to capture pupillary images of 13 participants. The prototype consists of a 2-megapixel web camera and a lighting system comprising infrared and RGB LEDs for image capture in low-light conditions and stimulus induction, respectively. The study reveals several characteristic features for classifying the phenomenon, notably the mobility of Hjórth parameters, achieving classification percentages ranging from 97% to 99%, and offering novel insights into pattern recognition in pupillary activity. Moreover, the proposed device successfully captured the PLR from all the participants with zero reported incidents or health affectations.

COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, but long COVID’s effects are yet to be fully understood. Hence, globally, SARS-CoV-2 is still a profound threat to public health and of perilous nature as a zoonotic disease. Timely vaccination provided to individuals worldwide during the pandemic phase was under a certain degree of control; however, few studies have reported the effectiveness of vaccines administered in Mexico, and its surveillance is paramount. Furthermore, an unknown proportion of Mexican individuals have not yet received any vaccine, and the circulation of the Omicron, Pirola, and FLiRT variants is ongoing. A cross-sectional serology survey study design was employed, involving 150 individuals from Southern Mexico (Oaxaca) whose humoral immune responses after vaccination were tested by an ELISA; the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein served as a recombinant antigen in the ELISA. One hundred thirty-nine out of 150 individuals (92.6%; 95%-CI = 87–95%) examined were positive for the ELISA, but in 11 individuals, the vaccines did not induce any immune response. Interestingly, the immune responses (antibody prevalence and levels) of females (58%) were higher (T= −2.21; p-value = 0.02) than those of males (41%). However, in this sample population of Southern Mexico, age, vaccine type, comorbidity, and body mass index did not have any effect (p > 0.05) after COVID-19 vaccination. Taking all results together, here, we present factors that affected immune responses of individuals during the first vaccination campaign in Oaxaca, Mexico; however, vaccine surveillance during the post-pandemic phase needs further investigation.

Tuberculosis is a highly lethal bacterial disease worldwide caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Caespitate is a phytochemical isolated from Helichrysum caespititium, a plant used in African traditional medicine that shows anti-tubercular activity, but its mode of action remains unknown. It is suggested that there are four potential targets in Mtb, specifically in the H37Rv strain: InhA, MabA, and UGM, enzymes involved in the formation of Mtb’s cell wall, and PanK, which plays a role in cell growth. Two caespitate conformational structures from DFT conformational analysis in the gas phase (GC) and in solution with DMSO (CS) were selected. Molecular docking calculations, MM/GBSA analysis, and ADME parameter evaluations were performed. The docking results suggest that CS is the preferred caespitate conformation when interacting with PanK and UGM. In both cases, the two intramolecular hydrogen bonds characteristic of caespitate’s molecular structure were maintained to achieve the most stable complexes. The MM/GBSA study confirmed that PanK/caespitate and UGM/caespitate were the most stable complexes. Caespitate showed favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics, suggesting rapid absorption, permeability, and high bioavailability. Additionally, it is proposed that caespitate may exhibit antibacterial and antimonial activity. This research lays the foundation for the design of anti-tuberculosis drugs from natural sources, especially by identifying potential drug targets in Mtb.

Over the last two decades, a considerable amount of equipment has been acquired (spreaders, seeders, sprayers, among others) to respond to the challenges of the precision agriculture (PA) concept. Most of this equipment has been purchased at a high cost. However, many of them, despite still being functional and equipped with sensors, actuators, and electronic processing units capable of adjusting to variations in speed, have become obsolete in terms of communication and incompatible with new monitoring and control systems based on the “Isobus” protocol. This work aims to present a solution for updating the control system (“Ferticontrol”) of a “Vicon RS-EDW” spreader with variable rate application (VRA), making it compatible with the “InCommand” system from “Ag Leader”. The solution includes serial protocol mediation using low-cost tools such as “Arduino” and “Raspberry Pi” microcontrollers and open-source software. The development shows that it is possible to implement a solution that is accessible to farmers in general. It also provides a niche business opportunity for young researchers to set up small technology-based enterprises associated with universities and research centers. These partnerships guarantee permanent innovation and represent a decisive step towards modern, technological, competitive, and sustainable agriculture.

In today’s food industry, optimizing the recovery of high-value compounds is crucial for enhancing quality and yield. Multivariate methods like Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) play key roles in achieving this. This review compares their technical strengths and examines their sustainability impacts, highlighting how these methods support greener food processing by optimizing resources and reducing waste. RSM is valued for its structured approach to modeling complex processes, while ANNs excel in handling nonlinear relationships and large datasets. Combining RSM and ANNs offers a powerful, synergistic approach to improving predictive models, helping to preserve nutrients and extend shelf life. The review emphasizes the potential of RSM and ANNs to drive innovation and sustainability in the food industry, with further exploration needed for scalability and integration with emerging technologies.

Biotemplating technique allows the synthesis of catalysts, recreating the sophisticated structure of nature templates. In this work, some biotemplated TiO2 semiconductors were synthesized using Olea europaea leaves as templates. Then, g-C3N4 was coupled to materials to later incorporate Pt on the surface or as dopant in the structure to evaluate the efficiency of the solids in two photocatalytic applications to valorize biomass: hydrogen production through glycerol photoreforming, and photoacetalization of cinnamaldehyde with 1,2-propanediol. In glycerol photoreforming, the presence of Pt (superficial or dopant) enhanced hydrogen production, being Pt@AOLCN (a heterojunction containing biotemplated TiO2, g-C3N4, and Pt) the system that exhibited the highest efficiency (3053.4 µmol·gcat−1·h−1). For photoacetalization, while Pt reduced cinnamaldehyde conversion, it improved selectivity when incorporated on TiO2. Notably, carbon nitride (CN) exhibited the highest yield after 16 h of testing. The study emphasizes the importance of tailoring catalyst selection to specific reactions, as efficiency is closely tied to the structural and chemical properties of the materials. These findings contribute to the development of efficient photocatalysts for sustainable biomass valorization processes.

Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in donkeys is observed to be secondary to colic, diarrhea or pleuropneumonia, among other disorders. Horses with SIRS develop secondary disturbances such as hyperlipemia, laminitis, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, and hemodynamic and cardiac derangements, which impair their prognosis and increase the mortality rate. In donkeys, no information is available on the effect of experimentally induced endotoxemia in the cardiovascular system. Acute experimental endotoxemia was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion in six healthy adult non-pregnant jennies. Physical signs, arterial (systolic, diastolic and mean) and central venous pressure were monitored during 360 min. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations were measured in blood samples, and echocardiography was performed. LPS infusion caused an increase in cTnI, hypotension and diminution of central venous pressure, cardiac dysfunction, with a decrease in stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index, and impairment of ultrasonographic ventricular function parameters. Intravenous meloxicam administration prevented the cTnI increase, hypotension, diminution of SV and CO, and changes in ultrasonographic parameters related to ventricular dysfunction. Thus, meloxicam could be proposed as an effective therapeutical option to control the hemodynamic and cardiac derangements observed in donkeys with SIRS.

Soccer is a team sport in which players expend high-intensity intermittent efforts that require the production of sprints, accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and jumps. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of training with portable and low-cost flywheel devices, using multi-directional exercises over 8 weeks, on the performance of linear sprint, curve sprint, and change of direction in senior soccer players. Thirty-three players participated in the research, divided into a control group and an experimental group. The latter group performed the training protocol in addition to the technical–tactical soccer training. Before and after the application of the training protocol, the linear and curve sprint and change of direction (V-cut) were evaluated. At the end of the training program, significant improvements (p < 0.05) were found in change of direction and in curve sprint with respect to the control group. The results suggested that resistance training with flywheel devices with low training volumes improves performance in change of direction and in curve sprint, which are key performance variables in soccer. Therefore, this type of training could be added to technical–tactical soccer training to enhance the variables that are essential to reach high-performance metrics in soccer.

This study evaluates the performance of biofuels created from triple blends of fossil diesel, sunflower or castor oil (SVOs), and 2-Ethylhexyl Nitrate (EHN), a low-viscosity, high-cetane (LVHC) solvent. EHN reduces the viscosity of SVOs to enable their use in conventional diesel engines without compromising fuel properties. The results show that the power output from these blends is similar to or greater than that of fossil diesel, with comparable fuel consumption. Furthermore, the blends significantly reduce emissions of carbon monoxide (CO) and soot, though NOx emissions are slightly higher due to the nitrogen content in EHN. However, NOx levels remain within permissible limits. The substitution of fossil diesel could be further enhanced if EHN were produced using green hydrogen and lignocellulosic biomass, making it a renewable and sustainable biofuel component. These findings support the potential of EHN/SVO biofuel blends to replace a significant portion of fossil diesel in conventional diesel engines while maintaining performance and reducing harmful emissions, except for a slight increase in NOx.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cancer are significant contributors to morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies have increasingly highlighted the potential of phytochemicals found in plants and plant-based foods for preventing and treating these chronic diseases. Mexico’s agrobiodiversity provides a valuable resource for phytochemistry. This review presents an examination of essential phytochemicals found in plants and foods within Mexican agrobiodiversity that have shown promising anti-cancer and anti-diabetic properties, including their roles as antioxidants, insulin sensitizers, and enzyme inhibitors. Notable compounds identified include flavonoids (such as quercetin and catechins), phenolic acids (chlorogenic, gallic, and caffeic acids), methylxanthines (like theobromine), xanthones (such as mangiferin), capsaicinoids (capsaicin), organosulfur compounds (like alliin), and various lipids (avocatins). Although these phytochemicals have shown promise in laboratory and animal studies, there is a significant scarcity of clinical trial data involving humans, underscoring an important area for future research.

Background: Advancements in metabolomic technologies have revolutionized our understanding of feed efficiency (FE) in livestock, offering new pathways to enhance both profitability and sustainability in ruminant production. Methods: This review offers a critical and systematic evaluation of the metabolomics methods used to measure and assess FE in ruminants. We conducted a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, covering publications from 1971 to 2023. This review synthesizes findings from 71 studies that applied metabolomic approaches to uncover the biological mechanisms driving interindividual variations in FE across cattle, sheep, goats, and buffaloes. Results: Most studies focused on cattle and employed targeted metabolomics to identify key biomarkers, including amino acids, fatty acids, and other metabolites linked to critical pathways such as energy metabolism, nitrogen utilization, and muscle development. Despite promising insights, challenges remain, including small sample sizes, methodological inconsistencies, and a lack of validation studies, particularly for non-cattle species. Conclusions: By leveraging state-of-the-art metabolomic methods, this review highlights the potential of metabolomics to provide cost-effective, non-invasive molecular markers for FE evaluation, paving the way for more efficient and sustainable livestock management. Future research should prioritize larger, species-specific studies with standardized methods to validate identified biomarkers and enhance practical applications in livestock production systems.

Multipolarized nanoantennae are promising for terahertz applications due to their ability to support multiple resonance and polarization sensitivity. This study investigates the behavior of multipolarized gold nanoantennae placed on a Si-SiO2 substrate and compares their performance with antennae in air. The results show that the resonance frequency shifts from 27 THz in the air to 26 THz on the SiSiO2 substrate. SEM and FTIR analysis confirmed the antenna dimensions and optical response, with experimental reflectance spectra revealing resonance at 21 THz and 26 THz. The multi-polarized antenna demonstrated stable performance across different polarization angles compared to traditional dipole antennae, making it suitable for various terahertz applications. These findings provide insights into optimizing nanoantenna design for advanced sensors and communication systems.

Currently, a global health crisis is being caused by microbial resistance, in which Acinetobacter baumannii plays a crucial role, being considered the highest-priority microorganism by the World Health Organization (WHO) for discovering new antibiotics. As a result, phytochemicals have emerged as a potential alternative to combat resistant strains, since they can exert antimicrobial activity through various mechanisms and, at the same time, represent a more natural and safe option. This study analyzes the antimicrobial effects of guava leaf extract in ten clinical isolates of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) A. baumannii, using the agar diffusion technique and the microdilution method to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Additionally, possible improvements in antimicrobial activity after the purification of polyphenolic compounds and potential synergy with the antibiotic gentamicin are examined in this research. Moreover, the effect of the plant extract in cell line A549 derived from lung tissue was also evaluated. The extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against all the strains studied, and the purification of polyphenols along with the combination with gentamicin improved the extract activity. The presence of the plant extract induced morphological changes in the lung cells after 24 h of exposure. Therefore, Psidium guajava L. leaf extract is a potential antimicrobial agent.

Currently, many digital elevation models (DEMs) are derived from airborne LiDAR data acquisition flights. The vertical accuracy of both products has typically been evaluated using methods based on randomly sampled control points. However, due to the superficial nature of the DEM, logic suggests that it is more appropriate to use a superficial object as an evaluation and control element, that is, a “control surface” or “control patch”. Our approach proposes a method for obtaining each patch from a georeferenced point cloud (PC) measured with a terrestrial laser scanner (TLS). In order to reduce the dilution of precision due to very acute angles of incidence that occur between the terrain and the scanner′s rays when it is stationed on a conventional tripod, a system has been created that allows the scanner to be placed face down at a height of up to 7 m. Stationing the scanner at that height also has the advantage of reducing shadow areas in the presence of possible obstacles. In our experiment, the final result is an 18 m × 18 m PC patch which, after resampling, can be transformed into a high-density (10,000 points/m2) and high-quality (absolute positional uncertainty < 0.05 m) DEM patch, that is, with a regular mesh format. This DEM patch can be used as the ground truth to assess the surface accuracy of DEMs (DEM format) or airborne LiDAR data acquisition flights (PC format).

In the pursuit of operational excellence and enhanced competitiveness, a wide range of industries have turned to methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma; however, in the chemical sector, their application is very limited. This paper presents a Lean Six Sigma framework to identify and reduce sources of variability occurring in the final product composition of a Spanish SME fertilizer manufacturer. The company faced important challenges related to product variability, adversely affecting overall productivity. A real-life case of the Lean Six Sigma implementation was conducted over two years, and its applicability and ability to improve productivity performance were thoroughly assessed. The proposed framework successfully integrated Lean and Six Sigma methodologies, i.e., process mapping (value stream mapping), root cause analysis (Ishikawa cause–effect diagram), project management (SIPOC and DMAIC), and statistical process control, and demonstrated practical benefits for the case company by identifying the key variables affecting product variability and determining their optimal levels. A substantial 50% reduction in the variability of several products and a 42% reduction in material preparation time were achieved. These reductions resulted in a 40% reduction in costs associated with product losses and a 54% reduction in costs from raw material losses.

This paper explores the application of Inverse Reinforcement Learning (IRL) in robotics, focusing on inferring reward functions from expert demonstrations of robot arm manipulation tasks. By leveraging IRL, we aim to develop efficient and adaptable techniques for learning robust solutions to complex tasks in continuous state spaces. Our approach combines Apprenticeship Learning via IRL with Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO), expert-trajectory-based features, and the application of a reverse discount. The feature space is constructed by sampling expert trajectories to capture essential task characteristics, enhancing learning efficiency and generalizability by concentrating on critical states. To prevent the vanishing of feature expectations in goal states, we introduce a reverse discounting application to prioritize feature expectations in final states. We validate our methodology through experiments in a simple GridWorld environment, demonstrating that reverse discounting enhances the alignment of the agent’s features with those of the expert. Additionally, we explore how the parameters of the proposed feature definition influence performance. Further experiments on robotic manipulation tasks using the TIAGo robot compare our approach with state-of-the-art methods, confirming its effectiveness and adaptability in complex continuous state spaces across diverse manipulation tasks.

Cereal crops play a critical role in global food security, but their productivity is increasingly threatened by climate change. This study evaluates the feasibility of using PlanetScope satellite imagery and a UAV equipped with the MicaSense RedEdge multispectral imaging sensor in monitoring winter wheat under various fertilizer treatments in a Mediterranean climate. Eleven fertilizer treatments, including organic-mineral fertilizer (OMF) pellets, were tested. The results show that conventional inorganic fertilization provided the highest yield (8618 kg ha⁻1), while yields from OMF showed a comparable performance to traditional fertilizers, indicating their potential for sustainable agriculture. PlanetScope data demonstrated moderate accuracy in predicting canopy cover (R2 = 0.68), crop yield (R2 = 0.54), and grain quality parameters such as protein content (R2 = 0.49), starch (R2 = 0.56), and hectoliter weight (R2 = 0.51). However, its coarser resolution limited its ability to capture finer treatment-induced variability. MicaSense, despite its higher spatial resolution, performed poorly in predicting crop components, with R2 values below 0.35 for yield and protein content. This study highlights the complementary use of remote sensing technologies to optimize wheat management and support climate-resilient agriculture through the integration of sustainable fertilization strategies.

Expanding projects to reclaim marginal land is the most effective way to reduce land use pressures in densely populated areas, such as Egypt’s Nile Valley and Delta; however, this requires careful, sustainable land use planning. This study assessed the agricultural potential of the El-Dabaa area in the northern region of the Western Desert, Egypt. It focused on assessing land capability, evaluating crop suitability, mapping soil variability, and calculating crop water requirements for twenty different crops. In this work, we evaluated land capability using the modified Storie index model and assessed soil suitability using the land use suitability evaluation tool (LUSET). We also calculated crop water requirements (CWRs) utilizing the FAO-CROPWAT 8.0 model. Additionally, we employed ArcGIS 10.8 to create spatial variability maps of soil properties, land capability classes, and suitability classes. Using a systematic sampling grid, 100 soil profiles were excavated to represent the spatial variability of the soil in the study area, and the physicochemical parameters of the soil samples were analyzed. The results indicated that the study area is primarily characterized by flat to gently sloping surfaces with deep soils. Furthermore, there are no restrictions on soil salinity or alkalinity, no sodicity hazards, and low CaCO3 levels. On the other hand, the soils in the study area are coarse textured and have low levels of CEC and organic matter (OM), which are the major soil limiting factors. As a result, the land with fair capability (Grade 3) accounted for the vast majority of the study area (87.3%), covering 30599.4 ha. Land with poor capability (Grade 4) accounted for 6.5% of the total area, while non-agricultural land (Grade 5) accounted for less than 1%. These findings revealed that S2 and S3 are the dominant soil suitability classes for all the studied crops, indicating moderate and marginal soil suitabilities. Furthermore, there were only a few soil proportions classified as unsuitable (N class) for fruit crops, maize, and groundnuts. Among the crops studied, barley, wheat, sorghum, alfalfa, olives, citrus, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, sunflowers, safflowers, and soybeans are the most suitable for cultivation in the study area. The reference evapotranspiration (ETo) varied between 2.6 and 5.9 mm day−1, with higher rates observed in the summer months and lower rates in the winter months. Therefore, the increase in summer ETo rates and the decrease in winter ones result in higher CWRs during the summer season and lower ones during the winter season. The CWRs for the crops we studied ranged from 183.9 to 1644.8 mm season−1. These research findings suggest that the study area is suitable for cultivating a variety of crops. Crop production in the study area can be improved by adding organic matter to the soil, choosing drought-resistant crop varieties, employing effective irrigation systems, and implementing proper management practices. This study also provides valuable information for land managers to identify physical constraints and management needs for sustainable crop production. Furthermore, it offers valuable insights to aid investors, farmers, and governments in making informed decisions for agricultural development in the study region and similar arid and semiarid regions worldwide.

Boron (B) is an essential element for an adequate development of citrus orchards. However, citrus trees are vulnerable to high B concentrations, generating morphological and physiological alterations incompatible with the proper production of citrus. In this sense, citrus rootstocks can provide valuable capabilities to citrus trees including tolerance to different stresses. The objective of this work is the characterization of 2247 × 6070–02–2 citrus rootstock using as a reference Carrizo citrange rootstock under B toxicity conditions (2.5 mM boric acid). Carrizo citrange is a diploid hybrid, and 2247 × 6070–02–2 is a novel low-HLB-sensitive tetraploid. B excess effects were analyzed after four weeks of treatment using 0.05 (control) and 2.5 mM (toxicity) H3BO3 concentrations, respectively, in hydroponic growth conditions. The characterization of 2247 × 6070–02–2 rootstock compared to Carrizo citrange was performed by measuring physiological parameters in leaves related to photosynthesis, stress oxidative responses, B content, and gene expression. The lower transpiration rate and, especially, the higher expression of the CsXIP1;1 gene and the better antioxidant defense mechanisms shown by 2247 × 6070–02–2 make this rootstock more tolerant to high B content than Carrizo citrange.

Chronic hemorrhagic anemia (CHA) and anemia of chronic inflammation (ACI) are difficult to differentiate in small animals using hematology. Advanced hematological parameters (RET-He, Delta-He and %Hypo-He) are used in humans to discriminate between types of non-regenerative anemia. Whether they could be useful in the diagnosis of CHA and ACI in small animals is unknown. We evaluated these parameters in the Sysmex XN-1000V analyzer in a population of non-anemic and anemic dogs and cats. Delta-He was significantly different between dogs with CHA and ACI. Moreover, Delta-He and RET-He were different between healthy and non-anemic dogs with inflammation. Neither of these two statements was true for cats. We also report the reference ranges for these parameters using the Sysmex XN-1000V. Although additional clinical and laboratory information should always be considered, the measurement of these parameters using this analyzer can help clinicians to classify type of anemia.

There is growing international interest in assessing population exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields, especially those generated by mobile-phone base stations. The work presented here is an experimental study in which we assess exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields in a university environment, where there is a site with mobile-phone antennas and where a large number of people live on a daily basis. The data were collected with a personal exposure meter in two samplings, one walking at ground level and the other using an aerial vehicle at a height higher than the buildings. The geo-referenced electric-field data were subjected to a process in which a theoretical model was adjusted to the experimental variograms, and heat maps were obtained using kriging interpolation. The research carried out is of great relevance, since it provides detailed measurements of the electromagnetic radiation levels both at ground level and at significant heights, using innovative methodologies such as the use of drones. Furthermore, the results obtained allow for contextualizing the exposures in relation to international safety limits, highlighting the importance of rigorous monitoring in everyday environments.

The increasing integration of distributed generation (DG) and the rise of microgrids have reshaped the operation of distribution systems, introducing both challenges and opportunities for optimization. This study presents a methodology that combines network reconfiguration with the integration of buses with flexible power in order to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of distribution networks. Flexible buses, which aggregate multiple microgrids or controllable distributed resources, function as control points that can dynamically adjust active and reactive power within predefined limits. This capability allows for more precise management of power flows, enabling the system to respond to fluctuations in generation and demand. The proposed optimization framework aims to minimize the total operational costs, including power losses and the use of flexible power, while adhering to system constraints. The methodology is evaluated through case studies on two distribution systems: the Kumamoto and IEEE-33 systems. The results indicate a 43.9% reduction in power losses for the Kumamoto system and a 66.6% reduction for the IEEE-33 system, along with notable cost savings in both cases. These outcomes demonstrate the potential benefits of incorporating flexible power buses in modern radial distribution networks, showing their role in adapting to various operational scenarios and supporting the integration of distributed generation and microgrids.

In software engineering, pattern papers serve the purpose of providing a description of a generalized, reusable solution to recurring design problems, based on practical experience and established best practices. This paper presents an architectural pattern for a Secure Auditable Registry service based on Message-Oriented Middleware to be used in large-scale IoT systems that must provide auditing capabilities to external entities. To prepare the pattern, the direct experience in applying the pattern solution in an industry-funded R&D project has been a key aspect because it has allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the problem and the solution, and it has contributed to the correctness and real-world applicability of the pattern as described. To further improve the quality of the paper, we have followed the commonly accepted practices in pattern development (including peer reviews) to ensure that the core aspects of the solution are correctly represented and that the description allows it to be applicable to similar problems in other domains, such as healthcare, autonomous devices, banking, food tracing or manufacturing to name a few. The work done in applying this pattern confirms that it solves a recurring problem for IoT systems, but also that it can be adopted in other domains, providing an effective solution in order to achieve enhancement of the auditability capabilities of the target systems. This pattern will be part of a pattern language (i.e., a family of related patterns) that we are developing for transitioning from legacy systems to IoT with an emphasis on security.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of healthcare-associated infections, which are related to substantial morbidity and mortality. The incidence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQR) determinants has been previously reported in this bacterium. However, there is limited information regarding the presence of PMQR and carbapenemase-encoding genes simultaneously. This study aims to analyze the prevalence of these determinants on P. aeruginosa strain isolated from clinical patients in the State of Aguascalientes, Mexico. Fifty-two P. aeruginosa isolates from nosocomial patients were collected from Centenario Hospital Miguel Hidalgo. This is a retrospective observational study conducted at a single center. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested using the Vitek-2 system. Only carbapenem-resistant isolates were included in this study. Carbapenemase-encoding genes and PMQR determinants were screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Resistance rates of 100% were found on tigecycline and ceftriaxone. Of the 52 isolates, 34.6% were positive for the qnr genes, 46.2% for the oqxA gene, and 25% for the aac-(6′)-lb gene. The most frequent carbapenemase genes found in the samples were blaOXA-51 (42.3%), blaOXA-1 (15.4%), and blaVIM (15.4%). blaOXA-51 co-carrying oqxA was detected in 21.1% of the isolates, blaOXA-51 co-carrying aac-(6’)-lb in 11.5%, blaVIM co-carrying aac-(6′)-lb in 3.8%, and blaKPC co-carrying oqxA in 5.8%. Systematic surveillance to detect carbapenemase-encoding genes and PMQR determinants, and rational prescription using the last-line drugs could help in preventing the dissemination of multidrug-resistant determinants.

Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the leading cause of inherited blindness in adults, is marked by the progressive degeneration of rod photoreceptors in the retina. While gene therapy has shown promise in treating RP in patients with specific mutations, no effective therapies currently exist for the majority of patients with diverse genetic backgrounds. Additionally, no intervention can yet prevent or delay photoreceptor loss across the broader RP patient population. Resveratrol (RES), a naturally occurring polyphenol, has shown cytoprotective effects in various neurodegenerative disease models; however, its therapeutic potential is limited by low bioavailability. Methods: In this study, we synthesized novel RES derivatives and assessed their retinoprotective effects in a murine model of RP (rd10 mice). Results: Among these derivatives, piceid octanoate (PIC-OCT) significantly delayed photoreceptor degeneration in the RP model, demonstrating superior efficacy compared to RES. Conclusions: PIC-OCT shows strong potential as a leading candidate for developing new therapeutic strategies for RP.

The objective was to evaluate the evolution of the population structure, reproductive performance, inbreeding, and genetic diversity in Charolais cattle. Official genealogical information from the Ecuadorian Charolais Association was divided into five populations: (a) historical (total), (b) 2008–2012 (natural mating period), (c) 2013–2017 (natural mating + artificial insemination period), (d) 2018–2022 (artificial insemination + embryo transfer period), and (e) the reference (known sires and dams) from which the population structure was evaluated using pedigree completeness and the generation interval (GI). Meanwhile, for genetic diversity (GD), inbreeding (F), average relatedness (AR), and the effective population size (Ne) were estimated. The gene origin probability (number of founders, effective number of founders/ancestors, and number of founder genomes) explaining genetic variability, reproductive efficiency, the number of offspring per sire and dam, and the average ages of parents at the birth of their offspring were determined. The database was analyzed using the ENDOG, POPREP, and CFC software programs. The results indicate that pedigree completeness and the GI decreased over time among populations, although the first generation showed higher values. The sire gametic pathway was greater in all populations. F increased over time, although not markedly. Although Ne variations were observed, the levels remained above the recommended limit value. The GD loss increased progressively over time although the most recent population was not significantly affected. Finally, the female reproductive efficiency increased over time as well. In conclusion, the Charolais cattle GI should be reduced. After 2012, the use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies and breeding schemes raised the GD loss. Finally, the F increased over time although it could be reduced using foreign genetic resources in the current Ecuadorian Charolais population.

The increasing variability of precipitation, higher temperatures, and recurring droughts in the semi-arid regions due to climate change are leading to increased aridity, resulting in scarcer water resources for crops. The present study aimed to analyse the spatial distribution of climate variables related to water resources in the olive-growing areas throughout Extremadura, southwestern Spain. To perform this task, three climate variables were used: the potential evapotranspiration of the crop, the FAO aridity index, and the annual water requirement. Considering data from 58 weather stations located throughout Extremadura and 17 along boundaries with at least a 30-year length (within the 1991–2021 period), each variable was computed at each station. After calculating some descriptive statistics, a multivariate geostatistical (regression-kriging) algorithm, incorporating secondary information on elevation and latitude, was used to accurately map each climate variable. Later, temporal trends and their magnitude were analysed using the Mann–Kendall test and the Sen’s estimator, respectively. The highest evapotranspiration and water requirements are located in the southern part of the region, which has large areas dedicated to olive cultivation. In the northern part of the region, there is greater spatial variability in evapotranspiration and, consequently, in water requirements for olive groves due to the more rugged topography. Similarly, the olive-growing areas with the highest aridity are also in the south of Extremadura. In most areas of Extremadura, olive cultivation requires appropriate irrigation for optimal productivity. According to evapotranspiration trends, the water requirements will become greater in the future. However, it is not guaranteed that the water supply will be sufficient in olive-growing areas where aridity is higher and water resources are scarce. The results of this study are very important for evaluating water deficit and water resources in vulnerable olive-growing areas throughout Extremadura.

Background: The gold standard for diagnosing sleep bruxism (SB) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is polysomnography (PSG). However, a final hypermotor muscle activity often occurs after apnea episodes, which can confuse the diagnosis of SB when using portable electromyography (EMG) devices. This study aimed to compare the number of SB episodes obtained from PSG with manual analysis by a sleep expert, and from a manual and automatic analysis of an EMG and electrocardiography (EKG) device, in a population with suspected OSA. Methods: Twenty-two subjects underwent a polysomnographic study with simultaneous recording with the EMG-EKG device. SB episodes and SB index measured with both tools and analyzed manually and automatically were compared. Masticatory muscle activity was scored according to published criteria. Patients were segmented by severity of OSA (mild, moderate, severe) following the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) criteria. ANOVA and the Bland–Altman plot were used to quantify the agreement between both methods. The concordance was calculated through the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: On average, the total events of SB per night in the PSG study were (8.41 ± 0.85), lower than the one obtained with EMG-EKG manual (14.64 ± 0.76) and automatic (22.68 ± 16.02) analysis. The mean number of SB episodes decreases from the non-OSA group to the OSA group with both PSG (5.93 ± 8.64) and EMG-EKG analyses (automatic = 22.47 ± 18.07, manual = 13.93 ± 11.08). However, this decrease was minor in proportion compared to the automatic EMG-EKG analysis mode (from 23.14 to 22.47). The ICC based on the number of SB episodes in the segmented sample by severity degree of OSA along the three tools shows a moderate correlation in the non-OSA (0.61) and mild OSA (0.53) groups. However, it is poorly correlated in the moderate (0.24) and severe (0.23) OSA groups: the EMG-EKG automatic analysis measures 14.27 units more than PSG. The results of the manual EMG-EKG analysis improved this correlation but are not good enough. Conclusions: The results obtained in the PSG manual analysis and those obtained by the EMG-EKG device with automatic and manual analysis for the diagnosis of SB are acceptable but only in patients without OSA or with mild OSA. In patients with moderate or severe OSA, SB diagnosis with portable electromyography devices can be confused due to apneas, and further study is needed to investigate this.

The cornea is the optical window to the brain. Its optical and structural properties are responsible for optical transparency and vision. The shape, elasticity, rigidity, or stiffness are due to its biomechanical properties, whose stability results in ocular integrity and intraocular pressure dynamics. Here, we report in vivo observations of shape changes and biomechanical alterations in the human cornea induced by acoustic wave pressure within the frequency range of 50–350 Hz and the sound pressure level of 90 dB. The central corneal thickness (CCT) and eccentricity (e2) were measured using Scheimpflug imaging and biomechanical properties [corneal hysteresis (CH) and intraocular pressure (IOP)] were assessed with air-puff tonometry in six young, healthy volunteers. At the specific 150 Hz acoustic frequency, the variations in e2 and CCT were 0.058 and 7.33 µm, respectively. Biomechanical alterations were also observed in both the IOP (a decrease of 3.60 mmHg) and CH (an increase of 0.40 mmHg).

COVID-19 has caused over seven million deaths globally due to its high transmission rate. The virus responsible for the disease requires a transmembrane protease serine type II (TMPRSS2-7MEQ) to infiltrate host cells and has been linked to several cancers, particularly prostate cancer. To investigate COVID-19 potential therapies, a series of Casiopeina-like copper complexes containing 1,10-Phenanthroline and amino acids were investigated as TMPRSS2 inhibitors. The molecular structures of twelve Phenanthroline copper complexes were calculated, and their global reactivity indices were analyzed using DFT and conceptual DFT methods. Three molecular docking algorithms were employed to identify the most effective inhibitors by examining their interactions with amino acid residues in the target protein’s catalytic activity triad (Asp345, His296, and Ser441). All complexes are docked above the catalytic site, blocking the interaction with substrates. The Phenanthroline complexes showed better interactions than the Bipyridine complexes, likely due to increased hydrophobic contacts. Analogs’ cationic nature and amino acids’ basic side chains bring them near the active site by interacting with Asp435. The top complexes in this study contain Ornithine, Lysine, and Arginine, making them promising alternatives for researching new drugs for COVID-19 and cancers like prostate cancer.

Due to their nature, using shear thickening fluids (STFs) in engineering applications has sparked an interest in developing energy-dissipating systems, such as damping devices or shock absorbers. The Rheinforce technology allows the design of customized energy dissipative composites by embedding microfluidic channels filled with STFs in a scaffold material. One of the reasons for using microfluidic channels is that their shape can be numerically optimized to control pressure drop (also known as rectifiers); thus, by controlling the pressure drop, it is possible to control the energy dissipated by the viscous effect. Upon impact, the fluid is forced to flow through the microchannel, experiencing the typical entry flow until it reaches the fully developed flow. It is well-known for Newtonian fluid that the entrance flow is responsible for a non-negligible percentage of the total pressure drop in the fluid; therefore, an analysis of the fluid flow at the entry region for STFs is of paramount importance for an accurate design of the Rheinforce composites. This analysis has been numerically performed before for shear-thickening fluids modeled by a power-law model; however, as this constitutive model represents a continuously growing viscosity between end-viscosity plateau values, it is not representative of the characteristic viscosity curve of shear-thickening fluids, which typically exhibit a three-region shape (thinning-thickening-thinning). For the first time, the influence of these three regions on the entry flow on an axisymmetric pipe is analyzed. Two-dimensional numerical simulations have been performed for four STFs consisting of four dispersions of fumed silica nanoparticles in polypropylene glycol varying concentrations (7.5–20 wt%).

Understanding the relationship between Raramuri Criollo cattle (RC) and their microbial ruminal ecosystem will help identify advantageous characteristics of adapted cattle as alternatives to achieve sustainable beef production systems. Our objective was to characterize the rumen microbiome of RC in comparison to Angus and Hereford breeds (European, E) and the cross between them (E × RC). Ruminal fluid was collected from 63 cows in their second productive cycle after grazing in the same paddock for 45 d, in the dry (n = 28) and rain (n = 35) seasons. DNA from ruminal fluid was isolated for 16s rRNA gene next-generation sequencing. The data were analyzed with QIIME2 and compared against the SILVA 16s rRNA database. Beta diversity was different (p < 0.05) between RC and E in both seasons. A microbial core was represented by the most abundant phyla. Planctomycetes and Spirochaetes represented above 1% in the rain season and below 1% in the dry one, whereas Euryarchaeota was below 1% and around 3%, respectively. LEfSe analysis identified differentiated (p < 0.05) key microbial groups that explain the differences between lineages at different taxonomic levels, reflecting the ability of the rumen ecosystem of RC cattle to adapt to hostile environmental conditions by having microbial groups specialized in the degradation of highly fibrous content.

Background/objetives: Mexican people use Smilax dominguensis as a traditional medicine for diabetes control. Some reports have shown an anti-hyperglycemic effect in animal models. In the current research, a chemical bio-guided fractionation in vitro and in silico was performed to identify compounds with anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects through PPARγ/α dual agonist activity because they regulate genes involved in energy storage and burning, such as GLUT4 and FATP. Methods: The S. dominguensis extract was evaluated in mice through oral glucose tolerance tests. The bioactive extract was fractionated by open-column chromatography, and seven final fractions (F1–F7) were obtained and evaluated. C2C12 myoblasts were treated with the fractions, and the mRNA expression levels of PPARs, GLUT-4, and FATP were quantified. The most active fractions were evaluated on GLUT-4 translocation and lipid storage in C2C12 cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, respectively. Results: The F3 fraction increased the expressions of PPARγ, GLUT-4, PPARα, and FATP, and it induced GLUT-4 translocation and decreased lipid storage. F3 was then analyzed by NMR, identifying three flavonoids: luteolin, apigenin, and kaempferol. These compounds were analyzed by molecular docking and on PPAR expressions. Luteolin, apigenin, and kaempferol produced a discrete increase in the mRNA expression of PPARs. Luteolin and kaempferol also decreased lipid storage. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the compounds identified in S. dominguensis exhibit dual agonist activity on PPARγ/PPARα and have the potential for the development of new therapeutic agents helpful in diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome.

Market competitiveness drives the electric motors industry, which in turn necessitates the selection of optimal production scenarios, particularly in the context of packaging. This is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and meeting the rigorous quality and logistical demands that are characteristic of this industry. This paper presents a systematic analysis of the packaging production chain for electric motors, employing the SAPEVO-M method as a decision aid tool. The study examines various strategic options, including outsourcing and internalizing processes, with a particular focus on their impacts on logistics, quality control, and overall supply-chain efficiency. The research conducts a comprehensive evaluation of these strategies to ascertain the most effective approach for managing the complexities of packaging production. The SAPEVO-M method facilitated a structured decision-making process, allowing for the aggregation and prioritization of diverse criteria such as cost, quality, flexibility, environmental impact, and supply risk. A sensitivity analysis was performed to validate the robustness of the decision-making outcomes under varying alternatives. The findings highlight the benefits of internalizing certain processes, particularly the assembly (with a score of 43.27%), to gain direct control over production variables, leading to enhanced operational efficiency and product competitiveness. This paper contributes to the literature by demonstrating the application of MCDA in enhancing strategic decisions within the electric motors industry, providing insights for analyzing other manufacturing factors in the improvement of supply-chain processes.

This study evaluates two expedient electronic sensors, a rising plate meter (RPM) and a “Grassmaster II” capacitance probe (GMII), to estimate pasture dry matter (DM, in kg ha−1). The sampling process consisted of sensor measurements, followed by pasture collection and a laboratory reference analysis. In this comparative study, carried out throughout the 2023/2024 pasture growing season, a total of 288 pasture samples were collected in two phases (calibration and validation). The calibration phase (n = 144) consisted of measurements on three dates (6 December 2023, 29 February and 10 May 2024) in 48 georeferenced sampling areas of the experimental field “Eco-SPAA” (“MG” field), located at Mitra farm (Évora, Portugal). This pasture is a permanent mixture of various botanical species (grasses, legumes, and others) grazed by sheep, and is representative of biodiverse dryland pastures. The validation phase (n = 144) was carried out between December 2023 and April 2024 in 18 field tests (each with eight pasture samples), in three types of representative pastures: the same mixture for grazing (“MG” field), a commercial and annual mixture for cutting (mowing) and conservation (“MM” field), and legumes for grazing (“LG” field). The best estimation model for DM was obtained based on measurements carried out in February in the case of the GMII probe (R2 = 0.61) and December 2023 and February 2024 in the case of RPM (R2 = 0.76). The estimation decreased very significantly for both sensors based on measurements carried out in May (spring). The validation phase showed greater accuracy (less RMSE) in “MG” field tests (RMSE of 735.4 kg ha−1 with GMII and 512.3 kg ha−1 with the RPM). The results open perspectives for other works that would allow the testing, calibration, and validation of these electronic sensors in a wider range of pasture production conditions, in order to improve their accuracy as decision-making support tools in pasture management.

This study evaluated the possibility of using two complementary electronic sensors (rising plate meter (RPM) and active optical sensor (AOS)) to obtain a global indicator, pasture crude protein (CP) in kg ha−1. This parameter simultaneously integrates two essential dimensions: pasture dry matter availability (dry matter (DM) in kg ha−1) measured by RPM, and pasture quality (measured by AOS), and supports management decisions, particularly those related to the stocking rates, supplementation, or rotation of animals between grazing parks. The experimental work was carried out on a dryland biodiverse and representative pasture, and consisted of sensor measurements, followed by the collection of a total of 144 pasture samples, distributed between three dates of the pasture vegetative cycle of 2023/2024 (Autumn—December 2023; Winter—February 2024; and Spring—May 2024). These samples were subjected to laboratory reference analysis to determine DM and CP. Sensor measurements (compressed height (HRPM) in the case of RPM, and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) in the case of AOS) and the results of reference laboratory analysis were used to develop prediction models. The best correlations between CP (kg ha−1) and “HRPM × NDVI” were obtained in the initial and intermediate phases of the cycle (autumn: R2 = 0.86 and LCC = 0.80; and Winter; R2 = 0.74 and LCC = 0.81). In the later phase of the cycle (spring), the accuracy of the forecasting model decreased dramatically (R2 = 0.28 and LCC = 0.42), a trend that accompanies the decrease in the pasture moisture content (PMC) and CP. The results of this study show not only the importance of extending the database to other pasture types in order to enhance the process of feed supplement determination, but also the potential for the research and development of proximal and remote sensing tools to support pasture monitoring and animal production management.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, and it is currently the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. It is characterized by the extracellular aggregation of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) into oligomers and fibrils that cause synaptotoxicity and neuronal death. Aβ exhibits a dual role in promoting oxidative stress and inflammation. This review aims to unravel the intricate connection between these processes and their contribution to AD progression. The review delves into oxidative stress in AD, focusing on the involvement of metals, mitochondrial dysfunction, and biomolecule oxidation. The distinct yet overlapping concept of nitro-oxidative stress is also discussed, detailing the roles of nitric oxide, mitochondrial perturbations, and their cumulative impact on Aβ production and neurotoxicity. Inflammation is examined through astroglia and microglia function, elucidating their response to Aβ and their contribution to oxidative stress within the AD brain. The blood–brain barrier and oligodendrocytes are also considered in the context of AD pathophysiology. We also review current diagnostic methodologies and emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation, thereby offering potential treatments for halting or slowing AD progression. This comprehensive synthesis underscores the pivotal role of Aβ in bridging oxidative stress and inflammation, advancing our understanding of AD and informing future research and treatment paradigms.

The estuarine anemone Anthopleura hermaphroditica and its symbiont Philozoon anthopleurum are continuously exposed to intense fluctuations in solar radiation and salinity owing to tidal changes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the tidal cycle, solar radiation, and salinity fluctuations on the photosynthetic and cellular responses (lipid peroxidation, total phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity) of the symbiont complex over a 24 h period in the Quempillén River Estuary. Additionally, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the specific photobiological responses to photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), ultraviolet radiation (UVR), and salinity. Our field results showed that the photosynthetic parameters of the symbiont complex decreased with increasing ambient radiation; however, no relationship was observed with changes in salinity. Increased peroxidative damage, total phenolic compound levels, and antioxidant activity were mainly related to increased UVR and, to a lesser extent, PAR. During the dark period, only PAR-exposed organisms returned to the basal levels of photosynthesis and cell damage. Laboratory exposure confirmed the deleterious effects of UVR on the photosynthetic response. The present study suggests that the ability of A. hermaphroditica to acclimate to natural radiation stress is mediated by the concerted action of various physiological mechanisms that occur at different times of the day, under varying levels of environmental stress.

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) include two families of molecules that, in recent years, have been shown to be involved in a wide range of biological functions, such as seed and pollen germination, the development and regulation of root architecture, stomatal movement, senescence, flowering, and fruit formation and ripening [...]

This study explores innovative methodologies for estimating the energy baseline (EnBL) of a university classroom building, emphasizing the critical roles of data quality and model selection in achieving accurate energy efficiency assessments. We compare time series models that are suitable for buildings with limited consumption data with univariate and multivariate regression models that incorporate additional variables, such as weather and occupancy. Furthermore, we investigate the advantages of dynamic simulation using the EnergyPlus engine (V5, USDOE United States) and Design Builder software v7, enabling scenario analysis for various operational conditions. Through a comprehensive case study at the UAO University Campus, we validate our models using daily monitoring data and statistical analysis in RStudio. Our findings reveal that model choice significantly influences energy consumption forecasts, leading to potential overestimations or underestimations of savings. By rigorously assessing statistical validation and error analysis results, we highlight the implications for decarbonization strategies in building design and operation. This research provides a valuable framework for selecting appropriate methodologies for energy baseline estimation, enhancing transparency and reliability in energy performance assessments. These contributions are particularly relevant for optimizing energy use and aligning with regulatory requirements in the pursuit of sustainable building practices.

This paper presents a novel parallel manipulator capable of generating two translations (2T), inside a vertical plane, and two rotations (2R), about horizontal axes, which are required in aerospace, manufacturing and rehabilitation fields. These four degrees of freedom are reached by means of a unique RRU and three RSS kinematic chains connected to a rhomboid-shaped mobile platform. The kinematic analysis of the new manipulator is provided, which includes the resolution of the inverse position problem and the velocity equations relating to input and output variables. Additionally, a methodology is proposed for obtaining the workspace free of singularities, collisions and kinematic joint range limitation. This systematic methodology allows designers to identify the critical factors affecting the workspace and, thus, to rearrange the mechanical design accordingly for optimum path planning. We represent the workspace using its two-dimensional subspaces (i.e., translational and rotational workspace). The results are analyzed for different working modes of the manipulator to see its potential use in applications wherein 2T2R motion is necessary.