Search Results (9,341)

In response to escalating climate change concerns, this study evaluates the ecological impact and efficiency of medical sample transportation using drones, combustion cars, and electric cars across various terrains and weather conditions in Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Through a comparative analysis, we found that combustion cars emit the highest average CO₂ at 159.5 g per kilometer (g/km), while electric cars significantly reduce emissions to an average of 3.43 g/km, representing just 2.15% of the emissions from combustion vehicles. Drones emerged as the most environmentally sustainable option, with an average CO₂ emission of 0.09 g/km, which is only 0.07% of combustion car emissions and 2.6% of electric car emissions. Drones also demonstrated superior transport efficiency, covering routes that were, on average, 17% shorter in flat terrain and 24% shorter in mountainous regions compared to cars. Additionally, drones achieved substantial time savings, ranging from 13% to 80% faster delivery times depending on the terrain and traffic conditions. These findings highlight the potential of drone technology to revolutionize healthcare logistics by significantly reducing carbon footprints, optimizing transport routes, and improving delivery efficiency. Integrating drones into healthcare transportation networks offers a promising pathway toward a more sustainable and resilient healthcare system. Full article

Abstract: Soil salinization is a major limiting factor for cotton growth in Southern Xinjiang. Studying technologies and mechanisms to improve cotton salt tolerance is of significant importance for the development and utilization of saline–alkaline land. In this study, ‘Xinluzhong 40’ cotton was used as the material, and 150 mmol·L⁻¹ sodium chloride (NaCl) and 1.2% natural saline–alkaline soil extract were employed to simulate single-salt (SS) and mixed-salt (MS) stresses, respectively. The effects of different exogenous substances (sodium nitrophenolate, 24-epibrassinolide, and γ-aminobutyric acid) on the growth characteristics of cotton under salt stress were investigated. The results show that: (1) Under salt stress, the height and biomass of cotton (50 d old) were reduced. Both SS and MS stresses led to increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, elevated proline (PRO) content (with an increase of 50.01% and no significant difference), and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content (with increases of 63.14% and 32.42%, respectively). At the same time, catalase (CAT) activity decreased, Na⁺ and Cl⁻ contents increased, K⁺ content decreased, and the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio was reduced. (2) Application of sodium nitrophenolate (S), 24-epibrassinolide (E), and γ-aminobutyric acid (G) significantly improved SOD activity and PRO content while reducing MDA content (decreased by 29.33%, 25.48%, and 30.47% compared to SS treatment; and 1.68%, 5.21%, and 5.49% compared to MS treatment, respectively). They also increased CAT activity (increased by 75.97%, 103.24%, and 80.79% compared to SS treatment; and 91.06%, 82.43%, and 119.68% compared to MS treatment, respectively) and K⁺/Na⁺ ratio (increased by 57.59%, 66.35%, and 70.50% compared to SS treatment; and 38.31%, 42.97%, and 66.66% compared to MS treatment, respectively), reduced Cl⁻ content, and promoted increases in plant height and biomass. The effects of exogenous substances on antioxidant capacity and ion balance under salt stress were significant, particularly under SS stress. (3) Principal component analysis revealed that under SS and MS stresses, principal component 1 mainly reflects cotton’s antioxidant capacity, with SOD, CAT, and PRO having high weights; principal component 2 mainly reflects cotton’s ion balance and nutrient absorption, with root Na⁺, stem Na⁺, leaf Na⁺, root K⁺, and root Cl⁻ having high weights. These findings highlight the potential of exogenous substances to improve cotton salt tolerance and provide scientific evidence for cotton cultivation on saline–alkaline land, offering new insights into cultivation techniques from an applied research perspective. Full article

Digitalization has been increasingly recognized for its role in addressing numerous societal and environmental challenges. However, the rapid surge in data production and the widespread adoption of cloud computing has resulted in an explosion of redundant, obsolete, and trivial (ROT) data within organizations’ data estates. This issue adversely affects energy consumption and carbon footprint, leading to inefficiencies and a higher environmental impact. Thus, this opinion paper aims to discuss the challenges and potential solutions related to the environmental impact of file storage on the cloud, aiming to address the research gap in “digital sustainability” and the Green IT literature. The key findings reveal that technological issues dominate cloud computing and sustainability research. Key challenges in achieving sustainable practices include the widespread lack of awareness about the environmental impacts of digital activities, the complexity of implementing accurate carbon accounting systems compliant with existing regulatory frameworks, and the role of public–private partnerships in developing novel solutions in emerging areas such as 6G technology. Full article

Cu interconnect chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) technology has been continuously evolving, leading to increasingly stringent post-CMP cleaning requirements. To address the environmental pollution caused by traditional post-CMP cleaning solutions, we have explored the use of photocatalytic processes to remove citric acid, which is a commonly used complexing agent for CMP. In this study, CeO₂ abrasives, characterized by a hardness of 5.5, are extensively employed in CMP. Importantly, CeO₂ also exhibits a suitable band structure with a band gap of 2.27 eV, enabling it to photocatalytically remove citric acid, a commonly used complexing agent in Cu CMP. Additionally, the integration of H₂O₂, an essential oxidant in Cu CMP, enhances the photocatalytic degradation efficiency. The research indicates that the removal rate of single-phase CeO₂ was 1.78 mmol/g/h and the degradation efficiency increased by 40% with the addition of H₂O₂, attributed to the hydroxyl radicals generated from a Fenton-like reaction between H₂O₂ and CeO₂. These findings highlight the potential of photocatalytic processes to improve organic contaminant removal in post-CMP cleaning, offering a more sustainable alternative to conventional practices. Full article

Early attention to individuals who suffer falls is a critical aspect when determining the consequences of such accidents, which are among the leading causes of mortality and disability in older adults. For this reason and considering the high number of older adults living alone, the development of automatic fall alerting systems has garnered significant research attention over the past decade. A key element for deploying a fall detection system (FDS) based on wearables is the wireless transmission method employed to transmit the medical alarms. In this regard, the vast majority of prototypes in the related literature utilize short-range technologies, such as Bluetooth, which must be complemented by the existence of a gateway device (e.g., a smartphone). In other studies, standards like Wi-Fi or 3G communications are proposed, which offer greater range but come with high power consumption, which can be unsuitable for most wearables, and higher service fees. In addition, they require reliable radio coverage, which is not always guaranteed in all application scenarios. An interesting alternative to these standards is Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, which minimize both energy consumption and hardware costs while maximizing transmission range. This article provides a comprehensive search and review of that works in the literature that have implemented and evaluated wearable FDSs utilizing LPWAN interfaces to transmit alarms. The review systematically examines these proposals, considering various operational aspects and identifying key areas that have not yet been adequately addressed for the viable implementation of such detectors. Full article

The ubiquity and pervasiveness of mobile network technologies has made them so deeply ingrained in our everyday lives that by interacting with them for very simple purposes (e.g., messaging or browsing the Internet), we produce an unprecedented amount of data that can be analyzed to understand our behavior. While this practice has been extensively adopted by telcos and big tech companies in the last few years, this condition, which was unimaginable just 20 years ago, has only been mildly exploited to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. In this paper, we discuss the possible alternatives that we could leverage in the current mobile network ecosystem to provide regulators and epidemiologists with the right understanding of our mobility patterns, to maximize the efficiency and extent of the introduced countermeasures. To validate our analysis, we dissect a fine-grained dataset of user positions in two major European countries severely hit by the pandemic. The potential of using these data, harvested employing traditional mobile network technologies, is unveiled through two exemplary cases that tackled macro and microscopic aspects. Full article

Electric road systems (ERSs) are a group of technologies that allow powering adequately equipped road transport vehicles with electricity from the road infrastructure while in motorway traffic. They can be categorised into three technology groups: overhead catenary, ground conductive, and ground inductive, depending on the mode of power transfer used. The supplied energy is used for propulsion and for charging the vehicle batteries to be used once the vehicle leaves the electrified road section. Also, another energy source, e.g., diesel, natural gas, or hydrogen, can be used while away from the ERS. This research investigates the potential impacts of implementing the different ERS technologies on the Rotterdam–Antwerp motorway corridor that links the two largest ports in Europe. The aim is to identify which of the routes between the ports is best suited for the implementation of an ERS, whether there are substantial differences in the economic performance of the different ERS technologies, determine what ERS vehicle traffic volumes are required and potentially available for successful implementation, what investment is required to build the system and whether the ERS operator can be profitable, and whether transport operators could operate their trucks on ERS profitability in this corridor setting. The research shows that the route between Rotterdam and Antwerp that runs on motorway E19 is the best to be electrified from an economic standpoint. Our calculations show that the traffic on the Rotterdam–Antwerp corridor is sufficient for economically justifying ERS infrastructure rollout and operation. For transport operators who happen to have specific client bases, e.g., those who usually serve clients from one of the ports along the electrified route, the construction of an ERS on the route could prove to be very lucrative if they adopt the technology early. Full article

Terahertz (THZ) spectroscopy has emerged as a superior label-free sensing technology in the detection, identification, and quantification of biomolecules in various biological samples. However, the limitations in identification and discrimination sensitivity of current methods impede the wider adoption of this technology. In this article, a meticulously designed metasurface is proposed for molecular fingerprint enhancement, consisting of a periodic array of lithium tantalate triangular prism tetramers arranged in a square quartz lattice. The physical mechanism is explained by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. The metasurface achieves a high quality factor (Q-factor) of 231 and demonstrates excellent THz sensing capabilities with a figure of merit (FoM) of 609. By varying the incident angle of the THz wave, the molecular fingerprint signal is strengthened, enabling the highly sensitive detection of trace amounts of analyte. Consequently, cinnamoylglycine can be detected with a sensitivity limit as low as $1.23 \mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{g}·{\mathrm{c}\mathrm{m}}^{-2}$. This study offers critical insights into the advanced application of THz waves in biomedicine, particularly for the detection of urinary biomarkers in various diseases, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Full article

The ion-adsorption-type rare earth element (iREE) deposits dominantly supply global resources of the heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), which have a critical role in a variety of advanced technological applications. The initial enrichment of REEs in the parent granites controls the formation of iREE deposits. Many Mesozoic and Cenozoic granites are associated with iREE mineralization in the Tengchong block, Southwest China. However, it is unclear how vital the mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of these granites are to the formation of iREE mineralization. We conducted geochronology, geochemistry, and Hf isotope analyses of the Yingpanshan–Damanbie granitoids associated with the iREE deposit in the Tengchong block with the aims to discuss their petrogenesis and illustrate the process of the initial REE enrichment in the granites. The results showed that the Yingpanshan–Damanbie pluton consists of syenogranite and monzogranite, containing REE-bearing accessory minerals such as monazite, xenotime, apatite, zircon, allanite, and titanite, with a high REE concentration (210–626 ppm, mean value is 402 ppm). The parent granites have Zr + Nb + Ce + Y (333–747 ppm) contents and a high FeO^T/MgO ratio (5.89–11.4), and are enriched in Th (mean value of 43.6 ppm), U (mean value of 4.57 ppm), Zr (mean value of 305 ppm), Hf (mean value of 7.94 ppm), Rb (mean value of 198 ppm), K (mean value of 48,902 ppm), and have depletions of Sr (mean value of 188 ppm), Ba (mean value of 699 ppm), P (mean value of 586 ppm), Ti (mean value of 2757 ppm). The granites plot in the A-type area in FeO^T/MgO vs. Zr + Nb + Ce + Y and Zr vs. 10,000 Ga/Al diagrams, suggesting that they are A₂-type granites. These granites are believed to have formed through the partial melting of amphibolites at a post-collisional extension setting when the Tethys Ocean closed. REE-bearing minerals (e.g., apatite, titanite, allanite, and fluorite) and rock-forming minerals (e.g., potassium feldspar, plagioclase, biotite, muscovite) supply rare earth elements in weathering regolith for the Yingpanshan–Damanbie iREE deposit. Full article

The integration of electric vehicles (EVs) into the electricity grid through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology represents a promising opportunity to improve energy efficiency and stabilize grid operations in the context of building sustainable cities. This paper provides a systematic review of the literature to assess the status of the research and identify the road ahead. Using bibliometric analysis and systematic assessment, the critical factors that influence the charging behavior of electric vehicles, the adoption of V2G, and the effective use of EVs as dynamic energy resources are identified. The focus is particularly on the ecological transitions toward sustainability, travel characteristics, technical specifications, requirements, and barriers in real use, and the behavioral and psychological aspects of stakeholders. The results lay the foundation for accurate forecasts and the strategic implementation of V2G technology to support the needs of the electric grid. They emphasize the importance of considering the psychological and behavioral aspects of users in the design of V2G strategies and define the key factors to predict the demand for electric vehicle charging. Furthermore, they highlight the main barriers to V2G adoption, which are primarily related to concerns about battery degradation and economic issues. Privacy and security concerns, due to data sharing with electric vehicle aggregators, also limit the adoption of V2G. Addressing these challenges is essential for the successful integration of electric vehicles into the grid. Full article

Presently, ethylene oxide (EtO) is posing a significant threat to both human health and the environment due to occasional or deliberate emissions. However, few works so far have focused on this issue. It is urgent to explore novel and effective technology to protect against the threat of EtO. Herein, a series of AC/ZSM-5 composites were prepared to improve the adsorption performance for EtO, evaluated by dynamic breakthrough experiments. Particularly, the AC/ZSM-20% composite demonstrated a more excellent adsorption capacity of 81.9 mg/g at 25 °C and 50% RH than that of pristine AC and ZSM-5 with 32.5 and 52.3 mg/g, respectively. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of the AC/ZSM-20% composite remained constant even after five adsorption-desorption cycles. The adsorption mechanism of EtO on the composite is further revealed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Full article

Integrated energy systems (IESs) considering power-to-gas (PtG) technology are an encouraging approach to improve the efficiency, reliability, and elasticity of the system. As the evolution towards decarbonization is increasing, the unified coordination between IESs and PtG technology is also increasing. PtG technology is an option for long-term energy storage in the form of gas, but, compared to other technologies, it is economically expensive at the present time to optimize the technology. This article presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research and of the developments regarding integrated energy systems considering PtG technology. This presented review emphasizes planning and economic analysis, including system integration enhancements focusing on optimization, conversion technologies, and energy storage to improve the operation and stability and to enhance the facilities for consumers. The role of a PtG system in generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption is discussed. By emphasizing planning, integration, and the role, this paper aims to guide researchers, scientists, engineers, and policy makers towards effective research and broad strategies that sustain an IES-PtG. Full article

Acerola fruit has great nutritional and economic relevance; however, its rapid degradation hinders commercialization. The use of coatings reduces post-harvest biochemical modifications and provides physical and biological protection for vegetables such as acerola. This study developed and characterized an edible coating made from pearl pineapple peel flour (PPPF) and yam starch (YS) to preserve the quality standards of acerola fruits during storage at room temperature and under refrigeration. The edible coating, composed of 4 g of PPPF, 3 g of starch, and 10% glycerol, presented excellent moisture content (11%), light tone (L* 83.68), and opacity (45%), resistance to traction of 27.77 Mpa, elastic modulus of 1.38 Mpa, and elongation percentage of 20%. The total phenolic content of the coating was 278.68 ± 0.45 mg GAE/g and the antioxidant activity by DPPH was 28.85 ± 0.27%. The quality parameters of acerolas were evaluated with three treatments: T1—uncoated fruits; T2—fruits coated with 1% glycerol; and T3—fruits coated with PPPF-YS. The T3 treatment reduced the weight loss of stored acerolas, maintaining the light and bright color of the fruits, and delayed the decrease in soluble solids, especially in refrigerated fruits. Therefore, edible coatings based on pineapple flour and yam starch are effective technologies for controlling the physical and physicochemical parameters of acerolas during storage, benefiting the post-harvest quality of this fruit. Full article

(Background) Over the years, there has been increasing interest in adopting a quality approach in radiology, leading to the strategic pursuit of specific and key performance indicators (KPIs). These indicators in radiology can have significant impacts ranging from radiation protection to integration into digital healthcare. (Purpose) This study aimed to conduct a narrative review on the integration of key performance indicators (KPIs) in radiology with specific key questions. (Methods) This review utilized a standardized checklist for narrative reviews, including the ANDJ Narrative Checklist, to ensure thoroughness and consistency. Searches were performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar using a combination of keywords related to radiology and KPIs, with Boolean logic to refine results. From an initial yield of 211 studies, 127 were excluded due to a lack of focus on KPIs. The remaining 84 studies were assessed for clarity, design, and methodology, with 26 ultimately selected for detailed review. The evaluation process involved multiple assessors to minimize bias and ensure a rigorous analysis. (Results and Discussion) This overview highlights the following: KPIs are crucial for advancing radiology by supporting the evolution of imaging technologies (e.g., CT, MRI) and integrating emerging technologies like AI and AR/VR. They ensure high standards in diagnostic accuracy, image quality, and operational efficiency, enhancing diagnostic capabilities and streamlining workflows. KPIs are vital for radiological safety, measuring adherence to protocols that minimize radiation exposure and protect patients. The effective integration of KPIs into healthcare systems requires systematic development, validation, and standardization, supported by national and international initiatives. Addressing challenges like CAD-CAM technology and home-based radiology is essential. Developing specialized KPIs for new technologies will be key to continuous improvement in patient care and radiological practices. (Conclusions) In conclusion, KPIs are essential for advancing radiology, while future research should focus on improving data access and developing specialized KPIs to address emerging challenges. Future research should focus on expanding documentation sources, improving web search methods, and establishing direct connections with scientific associations. Full article

Lately, the inclusion of additional lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains to cheeses is becoming more popular since they can affect cheese’s nutritional, technological, and sensory properties, as well as increase the product’s safety. This work studied the effect of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus L33 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum L125 free cells and supernatants on feta cheese quality and Listeria monocytogenes fate. In addition, rapid and non-invasive techniques such as Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and multispectral imaging (MSI) analysis were used to classify the cheese samples based on their sensory attributes. Slices of feta cheese were contaminated with 3 log CFU/g of L. monocytogenes, and then the cheese slices were sprayed with (i) free cells of the two strains of the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in co-culture (F, ~5 log CFU/g), (ii) supernatant of the LAB co-culture (S) and control (C, UHT milk) or wrapped with Na-alginate edible films containing the pellet (cells, FF) or the supernatant (SF) of the LAB strains. Subsequently, samples were stored in air, in brine, or in vacuum at 4 and 10 °C. During storage, microbiological counts, pH, and water activity (a_w) were monitored while sensory assessment was conducted. Also, in every sampling point, spectral data were acquired by means of FTIR and MSI techniques. Results showed that the initial microbial population of Feta was ca. 7.6 log CFU/g and consisted of LAB (>7 log CFU/g) and yeast molds in lower levels, while no Enterobacteriaceae were detected. During aerobic, brine, and vacuum storage for both temperatures, pathogen population was slightly postponed for S and F samples and reached lower levels compared to the C ones. The yeast mold population was slightly delayed in brine and vacuum packaging. For aerobic storage at 4 °C, an elongation in the shelf life of F samples by 4 days was observed compared to C and S samples. At 10 °C, the shelf life of both F and S samples was extended by 13 days compared to C samples. FTIR and MSI analyses provided reliable estimations of feta quality using the PLS-DA method, with total accuracy (%) ranging from 65.26 to 84.31 and 60.43 to 89.12, respectively. In conclusion, the application of bioprotective LAB strains can result in the extension of feta’s shelf life and provide a mild antimicrobial action against L. monocytogenes and spoilage microbiota. Furthermore, the findings of this study validate the effectiveness of FTIR and MSI techniques, in tandem with data analytics, for the rapid assessment of the quality of feta samples. Full article