Cost-effective

Developing cost-effective and efficient photo-Fenton catalysts is crucial for advancing photo-Fenton technology. MoS2 is a representative transition metal disulfide with attractive photoresponsiveness, making it ideal for preparing composite photo-Fenton catalysts. In this study, natural molybdenite was innovatively utilized as a source of MoS2 (OM) to synthesize a low-cost and efficient Fe@MoS2 (OMF) composite photo-Fenton catalyst by comminution and adsorption, which was then applied to the remediation of antibiotic-contaminated water...

Halide methyltransferases (HMTs) provide an effective way to regenerate S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) from S-adenosyl homocysteine and reactive electrophiles such as methyl iodide (MeI) or methyl toluene sulfonate (MeOTs). Compared with MeI, the cost-effective unnatural substrate MeOTs can be accessible directly from cheap and abundant alcohols, but shows only limited reactivity in SAM production. Herein, we developed a dynamic cross-correlation network analysis (DCCNA) strategy for quickly identifying hot spots influencing the enzyme's catalytic efficiency, and applied it to the evolution of HMT from Paraburkholderia xenovorans...

AIMS: Prediction and early detection of heart failure (HF) is crucial to mitigate its impact on quality of life, survival, and healthcare expenditure. Here, we explored the predictive value of serum metabolomics (168 metabolites detected by proton nuclear magnetic resonance [1 H-NMR] spectroscopy) for incident HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: Leveraging data of 68 311 individuals and >0.8 million person-years of follow-up from the UK Biobank cohort, we (i) fitted per-metabolite Cox proportional hazards models to assess individual metabolite associations, and (ii) trained and validated elastic net models to predict incident HF using the serum metabolome...

An efficient method for the radical difunctionalization of aromatic alkynes has been developed, resulting in the synthesis of a range of valuable triarylethenes. This approach utilizes strategically designed aryldiazonium salts with tertiary alcohol substitution as bifunctional reagents, along with cost-effective cuprous chloride as a catalyst. The method demonstrates remarkable Z -selectivity and is capable of gram-scale preparation. Additionally, a novel spin-trapping reagent has been developed based on the synthesized product...

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds significant promise in transforming medical imaging, enhancing diagnostics, and refining treatment strategies. However, the reliance on extensive multicenter datasets for training AI models poses challenges due to privacy concerns. Federated learning provides a solution by facilitating collaborative model training across multiple centers without sharing raw data. This study introduces a federated attention-consistent learning (FACL) framework to address challenges associated with large-scale pathological images and data heterogeneity...

The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to examine the impact of the pumping system in a photovoltaic solar water pumping system, while operating under ideal conditions. The input parameters for optimizing the pump performance of the PV water pump include three parameters: Solar irradiance (550-950, W/m2 ), temperature (30-45, °C), and voltage (420-540, V). The experimental values of PV water pump efficiency showed that the efficiency of PV water pumps was in the range of 55.24-80.80% of the experiment...

Ochratoxin A (OTA) contamination in grape juice has attracted widespread concern as OTA can lead to kidney disease and cause adverse neurological effects. An effective method to remove OTA is to make use of highly adsorbent materials that are able to remove the toxic contaminant. Recently, inactivated Lactobacillus plantarum- based biosorbents have shown to be an efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly bioremediation method in removing toxic pollutants such as OTA. We used five chemical thiol-modification methods to improve the adsorption efficiency of OTA in grape juice...

BACKGROUND: The scope and number of disasters have increased over the years. This has called for more robust disaster preparedness training and plans. The use of virtual reality exercises in addition to tabletop exercises is considered a new approach to the preparation of disaster preparedness plans. Virtual reality exercises are being developed to either replace or complement current traditional approaches to disaster preparedness training. OBJECTIVES: To review and summarize the current existing literature regarding the effectiveness, advantages and limitations of using virtual reality exercises in disaster preparedness as a complementary/replacement mechanism for real-time drills and tabletop exercises...

Independently run single microgrids (MGs) encounter difficulties with inadequate self-consumption of local renewable energy and frequent power exchange with the grid. Combining numerous MGs to form a multi-microgrid (MMG) is a viable approach to enhance smart distribution networks' operational and financial performance. However, the correlation and coordination of intermittent power generation within each MG network pose many techno-economic challenges for energy sharing and trading. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of these challenges within the framework of MMG operations...

The dish stirling technology holds great promise as a renewable energy solution for remote and off-grid electric regions, particularly in the southern areas of North Africa. In this research, we conducted simulations of a 100 kw Dish Stirling system to evaluate its feasibility in comparison to photovoltaic technology at five distinct locations in southern Algeria: Adrar (Bordj Badji Mokhtar), Illizi (Djanet), Tamanrasset (Ain Mertoutek), Tindouf, and Bechar. Our findings underscore the substantial potential of Dish Stirling Solar Power technology, with the Sahara region standing out as particularly promising...

The potential of Aspergillus niger , to enhance non-exchangeable potassium (K+ ) release from mineral structures were investigated as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional chemical fertilizers. Optimizing the culture medium for maximum K+ release, alongside identifying potential mechanisms of action of the A. niger including the production of various organic acids and pH reduction in the minerals feldspar and phlogopite, were among the primary objectives of the present study...

OBJECTIVE: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of trials comparing trimodal therapy (TMT) and radical cystectomy (RC), evaluating differences in terms of oncological outcomes, quality of life, and costs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In July 2023, a literature search of multiple databases was conducted to identify studies analysing patients with cT2-4 N any M0 muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC; Patients) receiving TMT (Intervention) compared to RC (Comparison), to evaluate survival outcomes, recurrence rates, costs, and quality of life (Outcomes)...

Connecting genes to phenotypic traits in bacteria is often challenging because of a lack of environmental context in laboratory settings. Laboratory-based model ecosystems offer a means to better account for environmental conditions compared to standard planktonic cultures, and can help link genotypes and phenotypes. Here, we present a simple, cost-effective, laboratory-based model ecosystem to study aerobic methane-oxidizing bacteria (methanotrophs) within the methane-oxygen counter gradient typically found in the natural environment of these organisms...

Layered transition metal oxides are highly promising host materials for K ions, owing to their high theoretical capacities and appropriate operational potentials. To address the intrinsic issues of KxMnO2 cathodes and optimize their electrochemical properties, a novel P3-type oxide doped with carefully chosen cost-effective, electrochemically active and multi-functional elements is proposed, namely K0.57Cu0.1Fe0.1Mn0.8O2. Compared to the pristine K0.56MnO2, its reversible specific is increased from 104 to 135 mAh g-1...

Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is hybrid imaging modality with good optical contrast and spatial resolution. Portable, cost-effective, smaller footprint light emitting diodes (LEDs) are rapidly becoming important PA optical sources. However, the key challenge faced by the LED-based systems is the low light fluence that is generally compensated by high frame averaging, consequently reducing acquisition frame-rate. In this study, we present a simple deep learning U-Net framework that enhances the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast of PA image obtained by averaging low number of frames...

BACKGROUND: Although clinical guidelines prioritize the treatment of depression and anxiety in young persons, there is accumulating evidence that the presence of symptoms of borderline personality disorder (BPD) is associated with the limited effectiveness of these standard treatments. These findings stress the need for interventions addressing early-stage BPD in young people with presenting symptoms of anxiety and depressive disorders. The aim of this study is to investigate the (cost-)effectiveness of an early intervention programme for BPD (MBT-early) compared to first-choice psychological treatment for depression and anxiety according to Dutch treatment guidelines (CBT), in adolescents with either depression, anxiety, or both, in combination with early-stage BPD...

BACKGROUND: Many advantages of hospital at home (HaH), as a modality of acute care, have been highlighted, but controversies exist regarding the cost-benefit trade-offs. The objective is to assess health outcomes and analytical costs of hospital avoidance (HaH-HA) in a consolidated service with over ten years of delivery of HaH in Barcelona (Spain). METHODS: A retrospective cost-consequence analysis of all first episodes of HaH-HA, directly admitted from the emergency room (ER) in 2017-2018, was carried out with a health system perspective...

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the lower airways, bronchial hyperactivity, and (reversible) airway obstruction. The Global Initiative of Asthma Guideline recommends a flowchart to diagnose asthma with first-step spirometry with reversibility and a bronchial challenge test (BPT) with histamine or methacholine as a second step [1]. The BPT is considered burdensome, time-consuming for patients and staff, can cause side effects, and is expensive...

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to examine pre-treatment and post-treatment hemogram-derived inflammatory biomarkers in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who received anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The data of 1182 patients with RA were screened. Among them, 207 patients who met the eligibility criteria were included in the retrospective study. Demographic parameters, disease activity, and blood cell-derived indexes were evaluated...

T cells are instrumental in protecting the host against invading pathogens and the development of cancer. To do so, they produce effector molecules such as granzymes, interleukins, interferons, and perforin. For the development and immunomonitoring of therapeutic applications such as cell-based therapies and vaccines, assessing T cell effector function is paramount. This can be achieved through various methods, such as 51 Cr release assays, flow cytometry, and enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISpot) assays...