Novel Core-Shell Metal Oxide Nanofibers with Advanced Optical and Magnetic Properties Deposited by Co-Axial Electrospinning.

Co-axial electrospinning is one of the facile methods for the fabrication of core-shell metal oxides for environmental applications. Indeed, core-shell architectures featuring a magnetic core and a photocatalytic shell represent a novel approach to catalytic nanostructures in applications such as water treatment and pollutant removal via magnetic separation. This study focuses on the fabrication of novel FeO-FeNiO/NiO core-shell nanofibers with enhanced optical and magnetic properties using co-axial electrospinning.

Swarm Control with RRT-APF Planning and FNN Task Allocation Tested on Mobile Differential Platform.

This paper presents a novel method for centralized robotic swarm control that integrates path planning and task allocation subsystems. A swarm of agents is managed using various evaluation methods to assess performance. A feedforward neural network was developed to assign tasks to swarm agents in real time by predicting a suitability score.

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in sediments in Africa: Status, ecological risks, extraction and analytical techniques.

This review synthesized literature (2012-2024) about the occurrence of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in sediments from waterbodies in Africa while highlighting the sources and analytical techniques used. A total of 35 PPCP classes constituting 142 compounds were identified. Eastern Africa reported 21 classes with 60 compounds, Western Africa 17 classes with 69 compounds, Southern Africa 18 classes with 19 compounds, and Northern Africa 1 class with 19 compounds.

Optimal model-based insulin bolus advisor for subjects with type 1 diabetes using continuous glucose monitoring.

This paper presents an optimal model-based bolus advisor aimed at improving insulin therapy for individuals with type 1 diabetes who actively utilize continuous glucose monitoring systems. The proposed approach serves as an advanced advisory system, facilitating decision-making for insulin administration. Unlike traditional artificial pancreas systems, which rely on continuous insulin delivery and equidistant control decisions at each sampling interval, this bolus advisor considers sparse and impulse-like insulin administration without the basal component, solely disturbance-triggered to optimally reject the carbohydrate intake.

The Cross-Infectious Degradation of Plasticized Poly (Vinyl Chloride) and Cellulosic Materials.

Plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC-P), widely used in the 20th century, poses significant risks to numerous artifacts preserved in cultural heritage institutions due to the release of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and plasticizers. While previous studies have examined the impact of PVC-P emissions on cellulose, this study is the first to investigate cross-infectious degradation in systems where PVC-P is in direct contact with cellulosic materials. The interaction between PVC-P and two types of cellulosic materials-pure cellulose paper (Whatman paper) and lignin-containing acidic paper (NOVO paper)-under accelerated aging at 90 °C is examined.

Copper(II) complex with a redox-noninnocent Schiff base bearing a tetraphenyldisiloxane unit: synthesis, structure and catalytic oxidation of cyclohexane.

An organic-inorganic diamine, 1,3-bis(aminopropyl)tetraphenyldisiloxane, was prepared and introduced as a flexible spacer into the structure of a salen-type Schiff base (H2L7) extending the available small library of similar compounds derived from 1,3-bis(aminopropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane and substituted 2-hydroxybenzaldehydes (H2L1-H2L6). Like the previously reported mononuclear copper(II) complexes [CuL1]-[CuL6], the new copper(II) complex [CuL7], obtained by reaction of Cu(OAc)·HO with H2L7 in a mixture of organic solvents, has a tetrahedrally distorted square-planar (NO) coordination geometry. X-ray crystallography has shown that compared to [CuL1]-[CuL6] the Si-O-Si angle in [CuL7] is even closer to linear due to stronger intramolecular interactions between Ph groups than between Me groups in the central-RSi-O-SiR- fragment (R = Ph and Me, respectively).

Wettability Study of Soldered Joints in SiC Ceramics and Combined Ni-SiC Using SnSbTi-Based Solder and Electron Beam Heating.

The reactive soldering of silicon-carbide (SiC) ceramics to a Ni-SiC composite was investigated using an Sn-5Sb-3Ti active solder and electron-beam heating at 750 °C, 850 °C and 950 °C. Wettability: The average contact angle decreased from 94 ± 4° (750 °C) to 60 ± 3° (850 °C) and further to 24 ± 2° (950 °C), demonstrating progressively improved spreading of the filler with increasing temperature. Interfacial reactions: Continuous layers of Ni(Sn,Sb) and Ti(Sn,Sb) formed along the Ni-SiC/filler interface, the latter confirming Ti diffusion that activates the wetting of the composite surface.

β-Galactosidase-Catalyzed Transglycosylation of Tyrosol: Substrates and Deep Eutectic Solvents Affecting Activity and Stability.

β-Galactosidase, a glycoside hydrolase enzyme, also possesses glycosyl transferase activity and can glycosylate various aglycones, including tyrosol, a phenylethanoid with antioxidant and health-promoting effects. This study examines the effect of lactose, tyrosol and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) as co-solvents on the stability and activity of β-galactosidase during the enzymatic synthesis of tyrosol β-d-galactoside (TG). The enzyme's thermal stability was assessed using nanoDSF and circular dichroism spectroscopy, while the enzyme's activity and specificity toward different glycosyl acceptors were investigated using the initial rate method.

Adaptation Under Pressure: Resistance and Stress Response Interplay in Clinical Isolates.

Understanding the interplay between antifungal resistance, stress adaptation, and virulence in is critical for more effective treatment outcomes. In this study, we investigate six clinical isolates of from the hospitals of the Czech Republic, focusing on their resistance profiles, stress responses, and survival mechanisms under antifungal pressure. Notably, we have shown that azole-susceptible strains were able to form persister cells under supra-MIC concentrations, highlighting an emerging non-genetic survival mechanism.

Agar Composition Modulates Production of Trichoderma Peptaibols, Affecting Antibacterial and Antiproliferative Activity.

Current antibiotics and chemotherapeutics are becoming ineffective because pathogenic bacteria and tumor cells have developed multiple drug resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to find new substances that can be used in treatment, either alone or as sensitizing molecules in combination with existing drugs. Peptaibols are bioactive, membrane-active peptides of non-ribosomal origin, mainly produced by filamentous fungi such as Trichoderma spp.

Graphene-ZnO Thin-Film Heterostructure-Based Efficient UV Photosensors.

Graphene-based ZnO thin-film hybrids (GR-ZnO) have shown interesting properties for electronic and optoelectronic applications, such as enhanced UV photodetection and photocatalysis. The interaction and explicit role of large-area single-layer chemical vapor deposition (CVD)-grown graphene in the improved photophysical properties in such a kind of GR-ZnO hybrids have not been well-understood in recent reports. In the present work, we fabricated a photosensor made with large-area monolayer CVD GR-ZnO thin-film hybrids, which showed improved UV photodetection with high values of UV sensitivity and responsivity compared to bare ZnO films.

Antibody Aggregate Removal by Multimodal Chromatography.

The growing demand for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has heightened the need for efficient and scalable purification strategies. A major challenge in downstream processing is the removal of antibody aggregates, which can compromise drug safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance. This review explores the use of multimodal chromatography for aggregate separation, providing an in-depth analysis of commercially available resins and emerging adsorbent prototypes.

Bio-Based Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Blends for 3D Printing: Rheological, Mechanical, Biocompatibility, and Biodegradation Properties.

This study develops highly flexible, biodegradable polymer blends using bio-based polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) polymers for Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printing. A Design of Experiment (DoE) approach optimized blend compositions by varying crystallinity levels of three PHAs, processed via twin-screw extrusion. Rheological analysis revealed that PHA blends exhibited 30-50% lower viscosity than PLA at low shear rates, ensuring improved processability.

Overview of Torsion Tests on Fiber-Reinforced Concrete Beams.

The article presents the results of laboratory tests published in dozens of publications. These tests focused on reinforced concrete beams with additional dispersed reinforcement that were loaded with torsional moments. The results of cracking and ultimate stress were presented depending on various factors influencing the beam's load-bearing capacity, i.

Acquired Resistance to Decitabine Associated with the Deoxycytidine Kinase A180P Mutation: Implications for the Order of Hypomethylating Agents in Myeloid Malignancies Treatment.

The backbone of therapy for elderly patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia consists of hypomethylating agents 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC) and 5-azacytidine (AZA). However, resistance frequently emerges during treatment. To investigate the mechanisms of resistance, we generated DAC-resistant variants of the acute myeloid leukemia cell lines, MOLM-13 and SKM-1, through their prolonged cultivation in increasing concentrations of DAC.

The sample size matters: evaluating minimum and reasonable values in prevalence studies.

Estimating sample size is important for prevalence studies, as it directly influences the validity of the research outcomes. Our objective was to highlight constraints in the prevalence assessment and to provide guidance on the delineation of minimum and reasonable sample size. We also assess the prevalence properties as a function of sample size visualizing the median prevalence, confidence intervals, precision, and changes in precision.

Predicting the Fate of Bisphenol A During Electrochemical Oxidation: A Simple Semiempirical Method Based on the Concentration Profile of Hydroxyl Radicals.

The efficiency of electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) is fundamentally governed by hydroxyl-radical (•OH) generation. While direct experimental measurements of these transient species remain complex and impractical, robust computational methods for predicting their temporal profiles are notably scarce. This work presents a semi-empirical methodology based on HO measuring experiments that enables indirect •OH quantification.

Silver Nanoparticles for Biosensing and Drug Delivery: A Mechanical Study on DNA Interaction.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted tremendous attention in recent years due to their unique physicochemical properties, including pronounced surface plasmon resonance, tunable size, and amenability to functionalization. These attributes underpin the growing interest in AgNPs as SMART nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery and as active components in biosensing platforms. In this work, we discuss various synthesis strategies for AgNPs-ranging from conventional chemical methods to green approaches-and highlight their subsequent functionalization with anticancer drugs, notably doxorubicin (DOX).

Reduction of tar, sulfur, chlorine and CO in syngas produced by gasification of refuse-derived fuel pellets.

Effective waste management is an increasingly urgent global challenge, with gasification emerging as promising alternative to conventional disposal methods. However, the major challenge in thermochemical waste processing is the presence of contaminants in the product streams. Therefore, this study focuses on the experimental gasification of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) pellets, with the aim of characterizing the products, analyzing contaminant distribution, and purifying the syngas from multiple contaminants simultaneously.

Utilisation of stir bar sorptive extraction for the analysis of biogenic amines in wines.

Wine intolerance primarily concerns the body's ability to process histamine, sulphites, tannins, and alcohol. Histamine, a biogenic amine, is involved in immune responses and helps regulate stomach acid. The legal limits for histamine in wine range from 2 to 10 mg/mL.

On the flexibility of the multipole model refinement. A DFT benchmark study of the tetrakis(μ-acetato)diaquadicopper model system.

In this study, the flexibility of the multipole Hansen-Coppens (HC) model refinement is investigated on calculated structure factors from a DFT reference for the tetrakis(μ-acetato)diaquadicopper model system (CCDC reference 1811668). The effect of the resolution [sin(θ)/λ], the Cu scattering factor, the inclusion of anisotropic displacement parameters and the positions of the atoms in the refinement are considered in terms of statistical error analysis, residual and deformation density maps, Atoms In Molecules parameters, d-orbital populations, and others. The choice of the neutral Cu scattering factor in the HC refinement is found to give the most satisfactory results for most of the monitored parameters, despite the formal Cu nature of copper in the studied complex.

Advanced Digital Skills for Health Professionals: 20 Joint Learning Objectives.

Healthcare workplaces lack vital digital skills. In 2023, co-design sessions identified 20 essential learning objectives (LOs) aligned with EU policies.

Digital image-based chemometrics for food analysis: a practical tutorial and roadmap.

Digital images have become a powerful tool for developing analytical methods in food quality control. Unlike conventional analytical signals, images can be processed to extract relevant chemical information, with chemometric techniques enhancing their utility. This review synthesizes applications of digital imaging in food analysis, providing a roadmap from univariate methods to multivariate classification/calibration approaches, illustrated through three case studies demonstrating their potential for food safety and quality.

Green Analytical Method Using Single-Drop Microextraction Followed by Gas Chromatography for Nitro Compound Detection in Environmental Water and Forensic Rinse Water.

The extensive use of nitro compounds in agriculture, industry, armaments, and pharmaceuticals, along with their toxic effects on living organisms, necessitates efficient and environmentally sustainable analytical methods. Traditional extraction techniques often involve practices that are not eco-friendly, such as the use of large volumes of solvents, toxic chemicals, and the generation of significant waste; therefore, the single-drop microextraction technique was involved in overcoming these limitations. This study shows an environmentally friendly method for nitro compound analysis focusing on NB (Nitrobenzene), 2-NT (2-Nitrotoluene), 3-NT (3-Nitrotoluene), 4-NT (4-Nitrotoluene), 1,3-DNB (1,3-Dinitrobenzene), 1,2-DNB (1,2-Dinitrobenzene), 2,4-DNT (2,4-Dinitrotoluene), and TNT (Trinitrotoluene).

Molecularly Imprinted Adsorbent and Its Magnetic Version for Solid Phase Extraction of D-Panthenol: Comparison of Synthesis Approaches, Properties, and Applicability for Different Real Samples Extraction.

This study demonstrates the development of HPLC-DAD method for determination of D-panthenol incorporating the molecularly imprinted solid-phase extraction for sample preparation. Two types of adsorbents, molecularly imprinted polymers synthesized by bulk polymerization (MIPs) and precipitation polymerization on the surface of magnetic particles (Fe₃O₄@MIP), were compared in terms of adsorption properties and application potential. D-panthenol, a bioactive compound of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, was used as the template for imprinting.