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The use of robust design techniques such as the one based onandfor tuning proportional integral (PI) and proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers have been limited to address a small set of processes. This work addresses the problem by considering a wide set of possible plants, both first- and second-order continuous-time systems with time delays and zeros, leading to PI and PID controllers. The use of structured uncertainties to handle neglected dynamics allows to expand the range of processes to be considered. The proposed approach takes into account the robustness of the controller with respect to these structured uncertainties by using the small-gain theorem. In addition, improved performance is sought through the minimisation of an upper bound to the closed-loop systemnorm. A Lyapunov–Krasovskii-type functional is used to obtain delay-dependent design conditions. The controller design is accomplished by means of a convex optimisation procedure formulated using linear matrix inequalities. In order to illustrate the flexibility of the approach, several examples considering recycle compensation, reduced-order controller design and a practical implementation are addressed. Numerical experiments are provided in each case to highlight the main characteristics of the proposed design method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of relationships between variation in early plant growth and soil nutrient supply is needed for effective site‐specific management of no‐till fields. This study assessed relationships between soil test phosphorus (STP) and potassium (STK) with early plant growth and P or K content of young corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] plants in eight no‐till fields. Composite soil (0–15 cm depth) and plant (V5‐V6 growth stages) samples were collected from 400‐m2 areas at the center of 0.14‐ha cells of a 16‐cell square grid and from 2‐m2 areas spaced 3 m along each of two 150‐m intersecting transects. Correlation, regression, multivariate factor analyses were used to study the relationships between the variables. Variability was higher for samples collected from the transects. Plant dry weight (DW), P uptake (PU), and K uptake (KU) usually were correlated with STP and STK but the correlations varied markedly among fields. Relationships between soil and plant variables could not always be explained by known nutrient sufficiency levels for grain production. Plant P concentration (PC) was not always correlated with STP and sometimes it increased linearly with STP, but other times increased curvilinearly until a maximum was reached. Plant K concentration (KC) usually was correlated with STK, however, and increased linearly with increasing STK even in fields with above‐optimum STK. The results suggest greater susceptibility of early growth to STP than to STK and greater plant capacity to accumulate K compared with P over a wide range of soil nutrient supplies. Variation in STK likely is a major direct cause of variation in KC over a wide range of conditions but variation in STP is not likely a major direct cause of variation in PC when high STP predominates. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The dominant periods in time series of sea surface temperature (SST) of the south-eastern North Atlantic are determined and related to atmospheric forcing and ocean dynamics. We analyse five-day composite images of a 10.5-year-long (from 10 July 1981 to 31 December 1991) time series of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) onboard NOAA satellites. The dominant signal present in the whole region is the annual cycle. It explains 70% of the SST variance in the northern region and 40% in the southern. The pattern of the annual amplitudes is related to the seasonal cooling and warming cycle in the region. The second dominant period is a semi-annual frequency, estimated by means of periodograms of the residual time series with the annual cycle subtracted. This semi-annual frequency is responsible of making short springs and long autumns. The semi-annual frequency is present in 44% of the time series in the region, contrary to the generalized idea that a time series must always contain it. The geographical distribution of the semi-annual component of SST suggests that it is associated with the curl of the wind stress. The third dominant period is four years, found in three different areas: south of the Canary islands, off the Cape Verde islands and towards the northwest of Lanzarote Island. The main effect of this signal is to increase the maximum temperature every four years and to decrease the minimum temperature two years later. The 4-year signal does not seem to be associated with any atmospheric forcing field. The presence of a signal in the curl of the wind stress with periodicities of 25–30 days located south of the Canary Islands led us to conclude that the curl of the wind stress is important for the generation and shedding of eddies downstream these islands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the finite-time boundedness (FTB) of linear time-invariant systems that are affected by a disturbance generated by an exosystem. By using a time-invariant quadratic Lyapunov function, Finsler's lemma and a dual system approach, new sufficient linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) conditions are given for analysis and synthesis for FTB. These results are extended: first, to finite-time stability (FTS) of linear time-invariant systems, second, to their input–output FTS associated, or not, to FTB. All the conditions are given in terms of LMIs, which make them easily tractable. Finally, the computational efficiency and the conservatism reduction of our approach are illustrated through an illustrative example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the global efforts to mitigate climate change, policymakers are designing measures to reduce the carbon emissions of the freight transport system. As global agreements for decarbonisation specify strict time windows, it is important to understand the speed at which the transport system is capable of changing. Our paper proposes a causal loop diagram based on System Dynamics that qualitatively maps the system's causal and dynamic responses to five key decarbonisation strategies. As the main contribution, this conceptual model provided a broad overview of the freight system, formed by subsystems that interact with each other through feedback loops, forming its dynamic behaviour. Through this conceptual modelling effort, we can identify the rebound effects of policies over the whole system, which could defeat the desired decarbonisation results. The model pointed out policies and feedback loops as the dynamic levers to promote freight decarbonisation and influence the system's dynamic responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the ever-increasing world population, there is a need for the agri-food industry to adopt sustainable practices with a reduced environmental footprint. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an established methodology to determine and evaluate the environmental impacts of production activities (commodity or service) on human health, ecosystem quality, global warming, resources and water with the ultimate goal of eliminating or decreasing those undesired impacts. Over the past decade, the LCA method has been vastly applied to estimate the environmental loads in various industries, including agri-food, to evaluate all stages of activities, such as extraction, production, transportation, consumption, recycling and reuse. The present work aims to contribute to the ongoing efforts in enhancing the efficiency of agri-food production systems by reviewing the environmental impacts in the commercial poultry industry using the LCA methodology. Our focus is on assessing the environmental impact of meat and egg production across different commercial poultry species, specifically chicken, ostrich and turkey, as well as poultry egg production systems. The findings underscore the considerable role of inputs such as feed and energy, as well as farming processes, in the environmental footprint of commercial poultry systems. To improve sustainability, stakeholders must prioritise enhancing feed and energy efficiency while reducing farm emissions. Future trends and potential applications of LCA are also discussed to advance sustainable practices within poultry production systems. The outcome of the present study provides valuable insights for decision-makers and stakeholders seeking to reduce the environmental footprint of poultry production. By integrating LCA methodologies across all production stages, informed choices can be made to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of agri-food production systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an acidic by-product that is created during the production of phosphoric acid using the sulfuric acid route. The management of PG poses a significant environmental challenge worldwide due to its large quantity and chemical composition. While PG primarily consists of calcium sulfate dihydrate, it also contains various impurities such as phosphorus, fluoride, heavy metals, and radionuclides. These toxic impurities, when present in high concentrations, can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. In this review, we provide a detailed examination of the behavior of the most abundant impurities found in PG. Furthermore, we discuss the factors that influence the presence of different types of impurities in PG. Understanding the overall behavior of these impurities is crucial for selecting appropriate environmental methods for PG management and identifying suitable avenues for its valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-corrosive effect of the extract in ethanol of Justicia brandegeeana (Acanthaceae) against carbon steel AISI 1020 in sulfuric acid medium 1 mol L-1 was investigated. In addition to the effect of seasonality, several techniques were used to investigate the anti-corrosive activity, such as electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization (PP), linear polarization resistance (LPR), and weight loss. The chelating effect was analyzed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and the surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that the inhibition efficiency is dependent on the concentration of the extract, reaching its maximum at 1500 ppm and despite having good thermal stability (82.41% inhibition at 70°C), it decreases with increasing temperature, indicating a physisorption behavior. The extract obeyed the Langmuir isotherm and the Tafel curves characterized it as a mixed inhibitor, with a tendency to cathodic region. It also presented a 52% chelating effect against Fe+2 ions, and the SEM analysis indicated a protection with the presence of plant extract, thus minimizing surface roughness. These results indicated the J. brangeeana ethanol extract as a green anti-corrosive agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the intensification of urbanization and the growth of agricultural areas in most of the river basins, the concern about the sustainable use and maintenance of the water quality of this environmental resource has become growing. This work proposes to evaluate the water quality of the San Francisco River, in the region of Submiddle, verifying the impact of the use and occupation of the soil and the seasonality on this hydric body, besides the attendance to the limits of the standard recommended by CONAMA 357/2005 for Class 2. Samples were collected at sixteen points during the dry and rainy season, and the nine parameters for determining the Water Quality Index (WQI) and the Trophic State Index (TSI) were analyzed. First, the descriptive statistics of the parameters were calculated. Friedman's non-parametric statistical tests were then applied to analyze water quality as a function of land use and seasonality, followed by the test of multiple comparisons, at a 5% significance level, against the asymmetric behaviour of the data. The analysis of seasonality pointed out significant differences in variables, turbidity, total solids, total phosphorus, TC/E.coli, total nitrogen, temperature, and the TSI of water. Regarding compliance with the legislation and the framework, it was identified that TP (0.03–0.55 mg.L−1), TC/E.Coli (292.39–1600 NMP.100 mL−1), and BOD (1.20–14.00 mgO2.L−1) were in dissonance with what is recommended by the resolution CONAMA 357/2005. Analyzing the effect of land occupation on water quality, significant differences were found according to rural, urban, and domestic sewerage areas. It is expected that this work will help in understanding the characteristics of this water resource, generating data that can be a tool for its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The power quality (PQ) literature contains abundant methodologies for the classification of PQ disturbances that show the significance of the problem and the necessity to design a reliable method that will accurately and quickly identify the type of disturbance. However, most of the available methods are not suitable for real-time applications as they are sensitive to noise, require more memory, computationally complex, and are also time-consuming. This work suggests an approach using Artificial Bee Colony Algorithm (ABC) for concurrent feature and classifier parameters selection to reduce execution time and enhance classification accuracy. An integrated feature set consisting of features extracted using two signal processing techniques namely Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Discrete Hilbert Transform (DHT) is proposed for clear discrimination of disturbances in contrast to the conventional single feature extraction tool commonly employed. To authenticate the effectiveness of the proposed dual set features, this method has been tested on both simulated and real-time PQ data and is found to perform better than methods using a single signal processing tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benefits of job satisfaction include increased productivity, performance, creativity, innovation, motivation, and involvement. The current study examines a global sample from 37 countries to examine the effects of work-life balance, intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, and work relations on job satisfaction for public and private sector employees, using data from the International Social Survey Program. Descriptive results show a significant difference between these workers in the study's main variables, with several areas higher for public workers. Additionally, regression analyses identify significant differences, mostly favoring public workers. A key contribution of the study is the finding that a one-size-fits-all model of job satisfaction does not work equally across the globe (context matters). However, the findings do lead to specific, actionable items for managers. Future research should examine more detailed country-specific variations and the corresponding causes and explore private/public sector determinants on a global basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In psychotherapy, strength-based methods (SBM) represent efforts to build on patients' strengths while addressing the deficits and challenges that led them to come to therapy. SBM are incorporated to some extent in all major psychotherapy approaches, but data on their unique contribution to psychotherapy efficacy is scarce. First, we conducted a systematic review and narrative synthesis of eight process-outcome psychotherapy studies that investigated in-session SBM and their relation to immediate outcomes. Second, we conducted a systematic review and multilevel comparative meta-analysis contrasting strength-based bona fide psychotherapy vs. other bona fide psychotherapy at post-treatment (57 effect sizes nested in 9 trials). Despite their methodological variability, the pattern of results in the process-outcome studies was generally positive, such that SBM were linked with more favorable immediate, session-level patient outcomes. The comparative meta-analysis found an overall weighted average effect size of g = 0.17 (95% CIs [0.03, 0.31], p <.01) indicating a small but significant effect in favor of strength-based bona fide psychotherapies. There was non-significant heterogeneity among the effect sizes (Q(56) = 69.1, p =.11; I2 = 19%, CI [16%, 22%]). Our findings suggest that SBMs may not be a trivial by-product of treatment progress and may provide a unique contribution to psychotherapy outcomes. Thus, we recommend integration of SBM to clinical training and practice across treatment models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess whether having religious beliefs, attending religious services and using spiritual-religious coping (SRC) are longitudinally associated with cognitive decline in community-dwelling older adults. A 4-year longitudinal study of 261 Brazilian older adults was conducted. Hierarchical adjusted linear regression models and logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the longitudinal effects of religious beliefs, church attendance and positive and negative SRC on cognitive decline. The findings revealed that spiritual and religious beliefs at baseline could affect cognitive function in two different ways. When older adults use religiosity and spirituality (RS) in a functional positive manner, it results in better cognitive outcomes and a slower rate of decline. However, when used in a negative manner, it results in worse cognitive outcomes. These results could help health care professionals address SRC among older adults, particularly those at a higher risk of cognitive decline. Considering that RS is very important for older adults, health care professionals should be aware of the beliefs of their patients and address RS in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Successful potato (Solanum tuberosum) cultivation depends on a variety of factors, of which fertilization forms an important component. Phosphorus (P) fertilizers differ not only in formulation (solid or liquid), but also in chemical form (orthophosphate or polyphosphate). To evaluate the response of potatoes to P sources, a study was performed to assess the productivity of potatoes under different ratios of orthophosphate and polyphosphate as P fertilizer. Potato cultivars (Mondial, Sifra, Lanorma, Innovator, Destiny, and Eos) were grown over two seasons using either 100% orthophosphate, 75% orthophosphate + 25% polyphosphate, 50% orthophosphate + 50% polyphosphate, or 100% polyphosphate. Plants demonstrated rapid vegetative development at the beginning when supplied with a balanced nutrient solution at an electrical conductivity (EC) of 1.5 mS cm−1. Phosphorus applied as either 100% orthophosphate or 100% polyphosphate resulted in an increase in tuber number (24.5 and 20.8 tubers per plant, respectively) compared to 17.5 and 15.4 tubers per plant when 25% and 50% of the P was applied as polyphosphate. In both seasons the results indicated that applying P as orthophosphate had a superior effect on potato tuber fresh yield in comparison to applying P as polyphosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how extroversion diversity influences group service innovation helps hospitality firms achieve service excellence. We developed a multilevel model of the link between extroversion diversity and group service innovation and the mediation and moderation mechanisms underlying the direct relationship. We collected data from China and Australia. We utilized multilevel structural equation modeling for model validation. Results from both samples demonstrated that extroversion diversity was positively related to group service innovation. Creative role identity was a mediator between extroversion diversity and group service innovation. Chinese result showed that adhocracy culture positively moderated the link between creative role identity and group service innovation. However, adhocracy culture was not a moderator on such a link among Australian employees. Therefore, we advanced the stream of diversity innovation in the hospitality discipline and offer managers suggestion to improve service innovation among work groups by building group diversity via recruitment and trainings. 了解外向型多样性如何影响集团服务创新, 有助于酒店公司实现卓越服务. 我们开发了外向多样性和群体服务创新之间联系的多层次模型, 以及直接关系背后的中介和调节机制. 我们收集了来自中国和澳大利亚的数据. 我们利用多级结构方程建模进行模型验证. 两个样本的结果都表明, 外向多样性与群体服务创新呈正相关. 创造性角色认同是外向多样性和群体服务创新之间的中介. 中国的研究结果表明, 专治文化对创造性角色认同和群体服务创新之间的联系起到了正向调节作用. 然而, 对于澳大利亚员工之间的这种联系, 专治文化并不是一个调节因素. 因此, 我们在酒店学科中提出了多元化创新流, 并为管理者提供建议, 通过招聘和培训建立团队多样性, 以提高工作团队之间的服务创新. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the experimental design and characterization of an optimized radio-frequency energy-harvesting prototype device to operate in the GSM 900 band. The energy harvesting device is based on an off-the-shelf GSM antenna, Schottky diode rectifier, and was implemented on a standard FR4 substrate. The experimental results show that the harvesting device is capable of generating 0.3 V DC voltage at an input power of −17 dBm at 956 MHz frequency. The measured efficiency of the developed energy harvesting system was 68%, at RL = 1.6 kΩ, which is a very significant performance relative to other prototypes of the same class reported in literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-growing modern smart grid with more distributed energy resources is providing efficient energy supply while facing several challenges that include harmonics induced among many. Previous and present literature shows that various machine and deep learning models are superior and accurate as compared to the traditional and conventional signal processing techniques. Obtaining accurate results becomes extremely important especially the fact that harmonics are essentially nonlinear, nonparametric, and adaptive in nature. This paper proposes a novel forecasting model that aggregates two deep learning models: convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short term memory (LSTM) recurrent neural network (RNN) detect and forecast harmonics in a power system. CNN-LSTM hybrid forecasting model for harmonics in the power grid system has achieved significantly superior performance in collaborative data mining on spatiotemporal measurement data. Sample features are extracted using CNN before they are passed through LSTM for prediction. To show the superiority of the hybrid CNN-LSTM deep neural prediction network model, it is compared with CNN, LSTM and NARX (Non-Linear Autoregressive with External (Exogenous) Input). CNN-LSTM forecasting performance is superior as compared to the other four models. MSE and RMSE for CNN-LSTM are 0.00038 (〖3.8 × 10〗^ (−4)) and 0.0000014917 (1.4917 × 10^(−6)) respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jaborandi (Pilocarpus microphyllus), an endemic species of the Brazilian flora threatened with extinction, is the only natural source of pilocarpine, an alkaloid widely used in the pharmaceutical industry. This compound is extracted from the leaf tissue and may be affected by edaphic and nutritional variations. The aim of this study was to correlate soil chemical parameters and leaf nutrient contents with pilocarpine production in Pilocarpus microphyllus plants collected from areas of the Carajás National Forest. In samples collected from 83 plants, pilocarpine, leaf nutrients (N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, B, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn), and soil chemical attributes (P, K, S, Mg, Ca, B, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, organic matter, pH, and Al) were evaluated. The mean values of pilocarpine varied between 0.4% and 2.2% of the leaf dry matter, which are rare. In general, the soils presented low nutrient availability, marked acidity, and very high Fe and Mn values. In the leaves, low concentrations of N, P, and K and high leaf concentrations of Fe (2239.13 mg kg−1) and Mn (2095.46 mg kg−1) were observed, which suggested that P. microphyllus is a metal accumulator species. Through multivariate analysis, the model that best predicted pilocarpine production was composed of leaf N, leaf Mg, soil Fe (positive predictors), soil S, and leaf P (negative predictors). The nutritional management for large-scale cultivation of P. microphyllus should be focused mainly on the amounts of N, Fe, and Mg. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent genomic evidence suggest that kea (Nestor notabilis) have a non-functional RH2 opsin gene potentially leading to impaired vision in the green region of the electromagnetic spectrum. In New Zealand, it is standard procedure to add green dye to aerial poison baits used in mammalian predator control operations to deter native birds from eating toxic bait. A visual deficiency could impact how kea perceive and interact with green-dyed baits and thus have unforeseen consequences for kea conservation. Here, we sequenced the partial RH2 gene of seven wild kea and re-analysed the kea genome raw sequencing data of the RH2 locus. We demonstrate that the reported premature stop codon is most likely an assembly artefact. An extended analysis of the published genomes of all three extant New Zealand parrots of the superfamily Strigopoidea confirms that the RH2 gene is functional in this entire group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to analyze the mechanical and chemical effects that contaminants can have prior to curing of the silicone adhesive, if they are in the substrate or surrounding environment at adhesive application, as well as after curing when they appear during the service life of the joint. In this case, the contaminants are water and a surfactant present in detergents used to clean oils from aluminum surfaces. For this, 2%, 5%, and 10% of contaminant was added to the adhesive prior to curing and neat adhesive after curing was immersed in contaminant at different temperatures. For all cases, the effect on the mechanical properties was evaluated through bulk tensile tests, the effect on the chemical profile was evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and the morphology of the materials was studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The water immersion increased slightly the mechanical properties of the adhesive, which returned to their initial value upon redrying. However, high immersion temperatures introduce irreversible damage in the material. Water added prior to curing introduces voids in the adhesive, decreasing its strength. The surfactant added prior to curing changes the adhesive morphology, showing a variation in the C-H bond. These changes translate into a lower strength and stiffness of the mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is defined as a set of metabolic disorders, including central obesity, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, and hyperglycemia. The prevalence of MetS is increasing in epidemic proportions in both developed and developing countries. MetS increment has been paralleled by the growing epidemic of type-2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Raman spectroscopy is a noninvasive optical technique that has been used in MetS and associated diseases as an alternative to more invasive routine laboratory studies. Raman Spectroscopy's medical diagnosis application is based on the fact that the molecular composition of healthy tissues or biofluids changes due to disease. Identifying biomarkers with this technique can be used for early diagnosis, monitoring disease evolution, and response to treatment. This article reviews recent applications which demonstrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy in the assessment of MetS diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetric properties of metaphosphate glass system were investigated. The glass system of (Er2O3)1-(SrO)24-(B2O3)25-(P2O5)50 was prepared using a melt quenching technique. The glass system was characterized using different techniques. The internal structure of the system was probed with XRD and FTIR technique was used to identify the types of bonds between the involved atoms. The analysis of TL glow curve was studied by different methods and was found to be composed of six trap peaks at energies 0.817, 0.846, 0.958, 1.190, 1.248, and 1.347 eV. The TL dose–response signal was found to be linear in the range of 0.22–55 Gy. The activation energies were determined by three methods: glow curve deconvolution (CGCD), Tmax-Tstop method and Peak shape (PS) methods. The results of the three methods exhibited a good agreement with each other. Highlights The thermoluminescence properties of metaphosphate glass were investigated. The glass samples were irradiated to different doses of beta particles. The deconvolution indicated the presence of six overlapping glow peaks. The activation energies were determined by three methods and the results of all the methods exhibited a good agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) tree (Myrtaceae family) bears fruit rich in vitamins, fiber, and other nutrients. While native to Latin America, guava is grown in many tropical and subtropical regions across the globe where it has long been used in traditional medicine to treat a myriad of ailments. Guava has been shown to exhibit a number of biological and pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties. Several parts of the plant, including the leaves, fruits, seeds, peels, pulp, bark, and oil, produce phytochemicals with medicinal properties. Emerging research has found that guava bioactive phytochemicals exert antitumorigenic effects against various human malignancies through multiple mechanisms. While there are numerous individual studies that document the anticancer effects of guava constituents, an up-to-date, comprehensive, and critical review of available research data has not been performed. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to present a complete analysis of the cancer preventive and anticancer therapeutic potential of guava-derived products and guava constituents, with a focus on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action. The bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity of guava as well as limitations, challenges, and future directions of research have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many antimicrobial compounds in mouthwashes can have a negative impact on the oral microbiome. O-cymen-5-ol, a compound derived from a phytochemical, has a targeted mode of action and is being used as an alternative. However, its effect on the native oral microbiome is unknown. Aim: To assess the effect of a mouthwash formulated with o-cymen-5-ol and zinc chloride on the oral microbiome of healthy individuals. Methods: A mouthwash formulated with o-cymen-5-ol and zinc chloride was administered to a cohort of 51 volunteers for 14 days, while another cohort of 49 volunteers received a placebo. The evolution of the oral microbiome in both groups was analysed using a metataxonomic approach. Results: Analysis of the oral microbiome showed that the mouthwash selectively targeted potential oral pathogens while maintaining the integrity of the rest of the microbiome. Specifically, the relative abundance of several potentially pathogenic bacterial taxa, namely Fusobacteriota, Prevotella, Actinomyces, Granulicatella, Abiotrophia, Lautropia, Lachnoanaerobaculum, Eubacterium (nodatum group) and Absconditabacteriales (SR1) decreased, while the growth of Rothia, a nitrate-reducing bacterium beneficial for blood pressure, was stimulated. Conclusions: The use of o-cymen-5-ol and zinc chloride as antimicrobial agents in oral mouthwashes is a valuable alternative to classical antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A research model grounded in social capital theory was tested to examine the influence of social media on the formation of social capital. Facets of social capital in cultivating knowledge sharing were hypothesized to have a relationship with routine and innovative job performance. The analysis uses a structural equation modeling to examine the behavior of 290 faculty members at one higher education institution in Kuwait. The results reveal that social media has a significant role in the formation of social capital. However, trust and shared vision were the only social capital facets that emerged as determinants of knowledge sharing. Knowledge sharing had an impact on innovative job performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the great variations in altitude, humidity, hours of exposure to the sun, chemical and microbiological composition of the soil, the Andean and Amazon regions of Peru have a great diversity of microclimates, thus allowing the development of a wide variety of species of plants producing edible fruits. In addition to their nutritional value, these fruits are characterized by the presence of high levels of compounds beneficial to health, particularly polyphenols, such as flavonoids, lignans, phenolic acids, and stilbenes, and natural pigments, such as betalains. Several studies have shown that these compounds have antioxidant, antimicrobial, antitumor, and immunogenic activities and, therefore, can contribute to the prevention of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Given the accumulated evidence, we believe that the consumption of fresh fruits from these regions, or even those preserved through industrial processes that maintain their properties, should be strongly encouraged. This manuscript aims to present and discuss the literature relevant to the benefits of consuming fruits from the Amazon and Andean regions of Peru for health maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centrifuge modelling has been widely used to study the geotechnical behaviour of structures built on soft soils and to calibrate and validate numerical models. In the finite element method (FEM), the mechanical behaviour of the soils is established through a constitutive model, and the correct selection and calibration of its parameters are essential to obtain accurate results. In this article, the mechanical parameters of an artificial reconstituted soft soil proposed for centrifuge modelling are obtained, calibrated and validated for the hardening soil (HS) model based on laboratory test results. The reconstituted soil consists of 50% kaolin clay and 50% diatomaceous soil from Bogotá, Colombia. First, geotechnical characterization of the reconstituted soil is presented. The model preparation technique to generate the effective stress profile for the centrifuge model is described. The strength and compressibility parameters are obtained from CU triaxial tests and a one-dimensional consolidation test, respectively. Finally, the obtained parameters are calibrated via explicit numerical modelling using the FEM and the SoilTest module of Plaxis software. It is concluded that the reconstituted artificial soft soil proposed herein mimics most of the natural lacustrine deposits of soft soils worldwide and can be modelled using the HS model for FEM analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid oxidation in vegetable oils is the primary concern for food technologists. Modification of oils like hydrogenation, fractionation, inter-esterification, and blending are followed to improve nutritional quality. Blending non-conventional/conventional vegetable oils to obtain a synergistic oil mixture is commonly practiced in the food industry to enhance the nutritional characteristics and stability of oil at an affordable price. Microencapsulation of these oils provides a functional barrier of core and coating material from the adverse environmental conditions, thereby enhancing the oxidative stability, thermo-stability, shelf-life, and biological activity of oils. Microencapsulation of oils has been conducted and commercialized by employing different conventional methods including emulsification, spray-drying, freeze-drying, coacervation, and melt-extrusion compared with new, improved methods like microwave drying, spray chilling, and co-extrusion. The microencapsulated oil emulsion can be either dried to easy-to-handle solids/microcapsules, converted into soft solids, or enclosed in a gel-like matrix, increasing the shelf-life of the liquid oil. The omega-rich microcapsules have a wide application in confectionery, dairy, ice-cream, and pharmaceutical industries. This review summarizes recent developments in blending and microencapsulation technologies in improving the stability and nutritional value of edible oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diclofenac is a highly toxic anti-inflammatory detected in effluents and wastewater treatment plants. Adsorption is one of the most widely applied technologies to remove micropollutants using activated carbon, but requires a costly and inefficient separation stage, compromising adsorption. In this respect, a novel process is proposed based on ionic micellar flocculation-assisted adsorption (IMFA) using the surfactant sodium dodecanoate to increase adsorption capacity and facilitate phase separation. The efficiency of adsorption and IMFA was assessed based on a kinetic study, equilibrium isotherms, thermodynamic and kinetic separation properties. Adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second model indicating a process governed by ionic exchange between sodium diclofenac and the ions present in the activated carbon layers and dodecanoate, with velocity constants of 8.51 and 5.24 g.mg−1.min−1, respectively. Based on the equilibrium isotherms, the maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 49.43 and 51.85 mg.g−1 in adsorption and IMFA, respectively, best represented by the Langmuir adsorption model, assuming adsorption on homogeneous surfaces in the form of monolayers. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the processes occurred spontaneously, exothermically and that randomness declines at the solid-solution interface. Sedimentation analysis showed that the higher the surfactant concentration the greater the compaction height, higher the decantation speed, and shorter the wastewater clarification time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a new, improved third-order finite difference weighted essentially non-oscillatory scheme is presented for one- and two-dimensional hyperbolic conservation laws and associated problems. The parameter p which is regulate dissipation is introduced in the nonlinear weights in the framework of the conventional WENO-Z scheme, and the higher-order global smoothness indicator is obtained by the idea of Wang [Wang, Y. H., Y. L. Du, K. L. Zhao and L. Yuan. 2020. 'A Low-dissipation Third-order Weighted Essentially Nonoscillatory Scheme with a New Reference Smoothness Indicator'. International Journal for Numerical Methods in Fluids. 92 (9): 1212–1234.], the sufficient condition of nonlinear weights is proved by using Taylor expansions. Finally, the value range of parameter p is obtained. The proposed scheme is verified to achieve the optimal order near critical points by linear convection equations with different initial values, and the high-resolution characteristic of the present scheme is proved on a variety of one- and two- dimensional standard numerical examples. Numerical results demonstrate that the proposed scheme gives better performance in comparison with the other third-order WENO schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work is intended to give an overview of issues related to the numerical simulation of adhesive spreading for liquid to semi-liquid adhesives. The advantages and limitations are presented in order to guide the choice of the suitable approach depending on the case under consideration. It is shown that methods are of two categories, whether they are grid-based or meshless. In the first, the movement of the matter is directly dependent on the mesh size and distribution. Contrariwise, in the meshfree methods, the particles are free to move and each carries its properties. Besides, cases of application are presented to provide a database for calculating adhesive spreading with the particulate SPH method. It is shown that it is possible to use simple behaviour laws to win this case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, one fifth of individuals aged 15–24 are 'not in employment, education or training' (NEET). NEETs have become an increasingly important notion in international debate, although criticisms are directed at its all-encompassing nature and lack of concern with the intergenerational, gendered, social and systemic inequalities that influence young people becoming NEETs. Prevalence of youth NEETs is especially high in Latin America, with women disproportionally affected. Brazil has one of the highest absolute numbers of NEETs in LAC. This paper uses data from the last Brazilian census to examine contextual drivers of NEETs in Brazil, and to critically assess broader implications for policy. In Brazil, states with higher coefficients of social inequality and levels of criminality are more likely to have higher proportion of youth NEET. Globally, social inequalities associated with gender, race and crime are pervasive drivers of young NEET status. Latin American youth are in a particularly disadvantageous position. Policies that aim to overcome social exclusion and marginalisation of youth need to focus on systemic drivers of the NEET condition among vulnerable subgroups of young people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing environmental crises due to climate change calls for bridging the research and operational logics of spatial planning and humanitarian response. This article explores how long-term spatial planning and short-term humanitarian responses relate to three facets of uncertainty that are particularly relevant in developmental contexts, namely epistemic uncertainty, ontic uncertainty, and ambiguity. The authors explore these facets through a case study of uncertainty, that of unexpected monsoon floods in 2018 and 2019 in Wayanad, a peri-urban hill district in Kerala, India. Through the case, they show that compounded uncertainty leads to ambiguity in action, but that this ambiguity can be ameliorated by a contextualised contingency planning approach. The authors conclude the article by outlining the approach in spatial planning that prioritises flexible and adaptable decision-making to enhance iterative organisational learning and action, as well as cross-sectoral dialogue to deal with uncertainty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Due to the interesting potential of essential oils (EO) against cholinesterases and their close relation in Alzheimer's disease, the EO of Lepechinia betonicifolia (Lam) Epling (Lamiaceae), a native shrub from Ecuador, was assessed. Chemical profiling and enantiomeric distribution were also recorded for the first time. Objective: To analyse the chemical profile including the enantiomeric composition and anticholinesterase effect exerted by EO of L. betonicifolia. Materials and methods: The EO of L. betonicifolia fresh aerial parts was obtained by hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus. Physical properties were determined according to standard norms. The chemical composition was determined by GC-MS and GC-FID. Enantioselective GC-MS analysis was carried out by using a capillary chiral column. Anticholinesterase effect was assessed by Ellman's method with acetylthiocoline as substrate and Ellman's reagent (DTNB) to detect its hydrolysis at 405nm for 60 min. Donepezil was used as a reference drug. EO was dissolved in methanol to reach 10 mg/mL concentration and two more 10° dilutions were included. Results: Thirty-nine constituents were identified corresponding to 97.55% of the total oil composition. The main components were b-pinene (30.45%), sabinene (27.98%), a-pinene (4.97%), b-phellandrene (4.79%), E-caryophyllene (4.44%) and limonene (3.84%). L. betonicifolia EO exerted a strong inhibitory effect over the AChE enzyme with an IC50 value of 74.97 ± 1.17 lg/mL. Discussion and conclusions: Current chemical characterisation and anticholinesterase effect of EO of L. betonicifolia encourage us to propose this EO as a candidate for the preparation of functional foods or as adjuvant therapy for Alzheimer's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stingless bees are the most species-rich group of eusocial bees and show great diversity in behaviour, ecology, nest architecture, colony size, and worker morphology. How this variation relates to varying selection pressures and constraints is not well understood. Variation can be caused by selection acting on behavioural or morphological traits, both alone and in correlation across traits. Here we tested whether behavioural and morphological traits important for foraging and defence are linked to nest-entrance architecture, an extended phenotype relevant to both foraging and nest defence. Using 23 species we investigated whether eye size, nest entrance size, landing behaviour and foraging method show cross-species correlations. A phylogenetically-controlled comparative analysis revealed that species with relatively smaller eyes build relatively larger entrances, which in turn are associated with faster landing approaches and fewer landing errors by foragers, both of which could reduce predation risk. Concerning foraging, mass-recruiting species have c. 10-times larger entrance holes than species with a solitary foraging strategy. Larger entrances could help species with mass recruitment to rapidly increase forager traffic or mount a strong defensive response when under attack. Our results show that studying correlations among different traits helps understand phenotypic diversity in species rich groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]