Over the last few decades, policy changes have resulted in changes in family structure and cyclical changes within families. The structure of multi-child families will have a significant influence on housing demand and supply, necessitating a thorough demand study. This study examines the requirements of 739 multi-child families in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region at different stages and graphically displays the variables influencing their level of housing satisfaction, offering a scientific reference for the design and optimization of housing. Firstly, the residential elements that impact families with multiple children were categorized into 3 categories, 14 subcategories, and 65 influencing elements based on expert consultation and word frequency data. Secondly, 739 families in the YRD region were chosen for investigation, and importance–performance analysis (IPA) was employed to study and assess the residential elements of multi-child families. The IPA study findings were compared to those obtained from on-site surveys and network data crawling. Finally, the residential elements to be optimized were quantitatively determined, and the relevant optimization techniques were provided in conjunction with door-to-door interviewing. This study examines the needs of multi-child families at various phases, as well as the factors that impact their residential satisfaction, and provides optimization solutions for the long-term use and renewal of residential structures. Full article

A numerical approach assisted by machine learning was developed for screening and optimizing soil remediation strategies. The approach includes a reactive transport model for simulating the remediation cost and effect of applicable remediation technologies and their combinations for a target site. The simulated results were used to establish a relationship between the cost and effect using a machine learning method. The relationship was then used by an optimization method to provide optimal remediation strategies under various constraints and requirements for the target site. The approach was evaluated for a site contaminated with both arsenic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at a former shipbuilding factory in Guangzhou City, China. An optimal strategy was obtained and successfully implemented at the site, which included the partial excavation of the contaminated soils and natural attenuation of the residual contaminated soils. The advantage of the approach is that it can fully consider the natural attenuation capacity in designing remediation strategies to reduce remediation costs and can provide cost-effective remediation strategies under variable constraints for policymakers. The approach is general and can be applied for screening and optimizing remediation strategies at other remediation sites. Full article

Coastal lagoons are highly productive transitional water bodies threatened by human factors and vulnerable to global climate change effects. Monitoring biophysical parameters in these ecosystems is crucial for their preservation. In this work, we used Sentinel-2 and Landsat imagery combined with in situ data to (1) develop preliminary algorithms for retrieving the Chl-a concentration and water surface temperature of six lagoons located in the Ebro Delta (NE Mediterranean Sea, Spain), and to (2) compute maps and trend lines for analysing their spatiotemporal evolution from 2015 to 2022. Our findings showed that the algorithms’ accuracy ranged from 72% to 78% and had limited potential under high Chl-a concentration regimes. Even so, they revealed the lagoons’ trophic status, usual fluctuations, and deviations of both parameters attributed to seasonal (i.e., light and temperature) and short-term physical (i.e., winds) forcing, as well as valuable spatial patterns potentially useful for conservation efforts and land use planning. Future work will focus on the acquisition of a larger in situ data sample under a range of environmental conditions to improve the algorithms’ robustness, which in turn will allow the investigation of natural and human factors controlling the dynamics of the two investigated parameters. Full article

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) ensure future human well-being. However, they face challenges due to the pressing need to reduce carbon emissions, with nearly 40% originating from the construction sector. With the current global environmental and energy crisis, there is a pressing need to address building carbon emissions and prioritise investments in passive strategies for improving indoor thermal comfort. Exploring fast-growing bio-based materials like bamboo, straw, hemp, and flax directly addresses these concerns, fostering environmental sustainability. Material selection in construction is crucial for advancing the SDGs, for example, promoting sustainable cities and communities (SDG11) and responsible consumption and production (SDG12). This paper proposes a comparative analysis of conventional and bio-based construction materials, focusing on their production stages through life cycle analysis. Tools such as Building Emissions Accounting for Materials (BEAM) and the Methodology for Relative Assessment of Sustainability (MARS) enable a detailed comparison. The results highlight the benefits of bio-based materials in storing carbon more rapidly and their lower environmental impact compared to conventional alternatives. Moreover, bio-based materials contribute to indoor moisture regulation and a healthier indoor environment, underscoring their potential to accelerate progress towards the UN SDGs through informed material choices in design practices. Full article

Pulmonary adenocarcinoma (PADC) treatment limited efficacy in preventing tumor progression, often resulting in malignant pleural effusion (MPE). MPE is filled with various mediators, especially interleukin-8 (IL-8). However, the role of IL-8 and its signaling mechanism within the fluid microenvironment (FME) implicated in tumor progression warrants further investigation. Primary cultured cells from samples of patients with MPE from PADC, along with a commonly utilized lung cancer cell line, were employed to examine the role of IL-8 and its receptor, CXCR1, through comparative analysis. Our study primarily assessed migration and invasion capabilities, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. Additionally, IL-8 levels in MPE fluid versus serum, along with immunohistochemical expression of IL-8/CXCR1 signaling in tumor tissue and cell blocks were analyzed. IL-8/CXCR1 overexpression enhanced EMT and CSC properties. Furthermore, the immunocytochemical examination of 17 cell blocks from patients with PADC and MPE corroborated the significant correlation between upregulated IL-8 and CXCR1 expression and the co-expression of IL-8 and CXCR1 in MPE with distant metastasis. In summary, the IL-8/ CXCR1 axis in FME is pivotal to tumor promotion via paracrine and autocrine signaling. Our study provides a therapeutic avenue for improving the prognosis of PADC patients with MPE. Full article

Currently, the subfamily Meconematinae encompasses 1029 species, but whole-mitochondrial-genome assemblies have only been made available for 13. In this study, the whole mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of nine additional species in the subfamily Meconematinae were sequenced. The size ranged from 15,627 bp to 17,461 bp, indicating double-stranded circular structures. The length of the control region was the main cause of the difference in mitochondrial genome length among the nine species. All the mitogenomes including 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), 2 ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and a control region (CR). The majority strand encoded 23 genes, and the minority strand encoded 14 genes. A phylogenetic analysis reaffirmed the monophyletic status of each subfamily, but the monophysitism of Xizicus, Xiphidiopsis and Phlugiolopsis was not supported. Full article

In the analysis of tribological contacts, the focus is often on a singular question or result. However, this entails the potential risk that the overall picture and the relationships could be oversimplified or even that wrong conclusions could be drawn. In this article, a comprehensive consideration of test results including component and lubricant analyses is demonstrated by using the example of rolling contact. For this purpose, thrust cylindrical roller bearings of type 81212 with unadditized base oils were tested in the mixed-friction area. Our study shows that by using an adapted and innovative surface analysis, a deeper dive into the tribo-film is feasible even without highly sophisticated analytical equipment. The characterization of the layers was performed by the three less time-consuming spatially resolved analysis methods of µXRF, ATR FTIR microscopy and Raman spectroscopy adapted by Schaeffler. This represents a bridge between industry and research. The investigations show that especially undocumented and uncontrolled contamination of the test equipment could lead to surprising findings, which would result in the wrong conclusions. Simple substances, like hydrocarbons, are demanding test specimens. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of upper limb control exercises on upper limb function, respiration, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with stroke. Materials and Methods: The 28 patients who met the selection criteria were randomly assigned to two groups of 14 patients each. Subsequently, upper limb control exercises using real-time feedback were applied. The same interventional exercise was applied to both the less-affected and affected limbs of the study participants, who were classified into a less-affected side upper limb control group and an affected side upper limb control exercise group. Interventional exercises, 30 min each, were performed five times weekly for 4 weeks, and follow-up examinations were performed 2 weeks after the end of exercise. Electronic muscle strength measurements and an electronic goniometer were used to evaluate upper limb function. A spirometer was used to measure respiration. Balance ability was evaluated using a force plate pressure distribution measuring system with a sensor that detects the movement of the body center on the ground. Daily life movements were evaluated using the Korean version of the modified Barthel index. Results: When examining the results, the upper limb function on the paralyzed side showed an increase in the electromyographic strength of shoulder joint depression and flexion angle. Improvements were also observed in respiration (forced vital capacity [L] and forced expiratory volume in 1 s [L]), balance (95% confidence ellipse area [mm²] and center of pressure displacement [mm]), and daily life activities, all of which showed statistically significant differences in the time × group interaction effect (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Thus, it was found that the upper limb control exercise on the less-affected side had a significant effect when the exercise was performed together with treatment on the affected side in patients with stroke. It is anticipated that this study will provide basic data for evaluating both the trunk and upper limbs of the less-affected and affected sides. Full article

Background and Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most common types of cancer. Although the disease is treatable in its early stages, five-year survival falls below 20% in the later stages. CEA and CA19-9 are tumor markers used in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease in clinical practice; however, their diagnostic effectiveness is insufficient. Therefore, the identification of biomarkers that can be easily studied from serum and can diagnose CRC and determine its severity is highly important. In this context, dickkopf1 (DKK1) and cytoskeleton-associated protein 4 (CKAP4) are both promising biomarkers. Materials and Methods: Serum DKK1 and CKAP4 levels were measured in 55 patients with CRC and 40 healthy controls. The patients with CRC were divided into groups based on pathological stages and histological differentiation. The serum levels of both proteins in patients with CRC were measured preoperatively and 10 and 30 days postoperatively. Results: Serum DKK1 and CKAP4 were significantly higher in the CRC group than in the healthy controls (p < 0.05). Serum levels of both proteins rose in line with the disease stage and grade but decreased following surgical resection. A positive correlation was observed between tumor diameter and protein blood levels. The diagnostic efficacy of DKK1 and CKAP4 in CRC (approximately 95%) was higher than that of markers such as CEA and CA19-9. Conclusions: The DKK1 and CKAP4 serum values of patients with CRC are promising biomarkers. They can potentially be used in CRC management, namely, in the diagnosis and treatment of tumor response access and in tumor aggressiveness prediction. Full article

Background and Objectives: The aim of the present work was to compare the characteristics of delta and omicron variants of COVID-19 infection in pregnant women, the association of infection with comorbidity, clinical manifestation of the disease, type of delivery, and pregnancy outcome. Material and Methods: The study was designed as an observational, retrospective study of a single center. The analysis included the cohort of women who had SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy and/or childbirth in the period from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2023. Results: Out of a total of 675 pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 130 gave birth with the delta and 253 with the omicron variant. In our retrospective analysis, pregnant women with both SARS-CoV-2 variants had a mild clinical history in most cases. In the omicron period, a significantly lower incidence of pregnancy loss (p < 0.01) and premature birth (p = 0.62) admission of mothers and newborns to the intensive care unit (p < 0.05) was recorded. Conclusions: In our retrospective analysis, pregnant women with COVID-19 infection generally exhibited a milder clinical manifestation with both variants (delta and omicron) of the viral infection. During the delta-dominant period, ten percent of affected pregnant women experienced a severe clinical history. However, during the omicron-dominant period infection, a significantly lower incidence of complications, pregnancy loss, preterm delivery, and admission of mothers and neonates to the intensive care unit was recorded. This can be partly explained by the greater presence of pregnant women with natural or induced vaccine immunity. Full article

Background and Objectives: Options for treatment-resistant bipolar depression (TRBPD) are limited. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has shown efficacy in TRBPD. However, the cognitive deficits and memory concerns associated with ECT are problematic for a significant number of patients. It remains unclear what the next step is for patients with TRBPD who fail ECT. Materials and Methods: In this case report, we present a patient with TRBPD who sequentially received 12 sessions of brief-pulse right unilateral ECT, 22 sessions of ketamine infusion at 0.5–0.75 mg/kg for 40 min, and 39 sessions of deep repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS). Results: The patient had some benefit from ECT, but declined continuation of ECT due to memory concerns. The patient tolerated ketamine infusion well but had limited benefit. However, the patient responded well to acute treatment with dTMS and maintained relative stability for more than 2 years. Conclusions: This case suggests that patients with TRBPD who fail ECT and/or ketamine infusion might benefit from dTMS. Full article

I propose that a deficiency of essential fatty acids (EFAs) and an alteration in their (EFAs) metabolism could be a major factor in the pathogenesis of sepsis and sepsis-related mortality. The failure of corticosteroids, anti-TNF-α, and anti-interleukin-6 monoclonal antibodies can be attributed to this altered EFA metabolism in sepsis. Vitamin C; folic acid; and vitamin B1, B6, and B12 serve as co-factors necessary for the activity of desaturase enzymes that are the rate-limiting steps in the metabolism of EFAs. The altered metabolism of EFAs results in an imbalance in the production and activities of pro- and anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines resulting in both hyperimmune and hypoimmune responses seen in sepsis. This implies that restoring the metabolism of EFAs to normal may form a newer therapeutic approach both in the prevention and management of sepsis and other critical illnesses. Full article

This paper addresses the enhancement of multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) swarm formation control in challenging terrains through the novel fractional memetic computing approach known as fractional-order velocity-pausing particle swarm optimization (FO-VPPSO). Existing particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithms often suffer from premature convergence and an imbalanced exploration–exploitation trade-off, which limits their effectiveness in complex optimization problems such as UAV swarm control in rugged terrains. To overcome these limitations, FO-VPPSO introduces an adaptive fractional order β and a velocity pausing mechanism, which collectively enhance the algorithm’s adaptability and robustness. This study leverages the advantages of a meta-heuristic computing approach; specifically, fractional-order velocity-pausing particle swarm optimization is utilized to optimize the flying path length, mitigate the mountain terrain costs, and prevent collisions within the UAV swarm. Leveraging fractional-order dynamics, the proposed hybrid algorithm exhibits accelerated convergence rates and improved solution optimality compared to traditional PSO methods. The methodology involves integrating terrain considerations and diverse UAV control parameters. Simulations under varying conditions, including complex terrains and dynamic threats, substantiate the effectiveness of the approach, resulting in superior fitness functions for multi-UAV swarms. To validate the performance and efficiency of the proposed optimizer, it was also applied to 13 benchmark functions, including uni- and multimodal functions in terms of the mean average fitness value over 100 independent trials, and furthermore, an improvement at percentages of 29.05% and 2.26% is also obtained against PSO and VPPSO in the case of the minimum flight length, as well as 16.46% and 1.60% in mountain terrain costs and 55.88% and 31.63% in collision avoidance. This study contributes valuable insights to the optimization challenges in UAV swarm-formation control, particularly in demanding terrains. The FO-VPPSO algorithm showcases potential advancements in swarm intelligence for real-world applications. Full article

A one-dimensional model for fluid and solute transport in poroelastic materials (PEMs) is studied. Although the model was recently derived and some exact solutions, in particular steady-state solutions and their applications, were studied, special cases occurring when some parameters vanish were not analysed earlier. Since the governing equations are nonintegrable in nonstationary cases, the Lie symmetry method and modern tools for solving ODE systems are applied in order to construct time-dependent exact solutions. Depending on parameters arising in the governing equations, several special cases with new Lie symmetries are identified. Some of them have a highly nontrivial structure that cannot be predicted from a physical point of view or using Lie symmetries of other real-world models. Applying the symmetries obtained, multiparameter families of exact solutions are constructed, including those in terms of elementary and special functions (hypergeometric, Whittaker, Bessel and modified Bessel functions). A possible application of the solutions obtained is demonstrated, and it is shown that some exact solutions can describe (at least qualitatively) the solute transport in PEM. The obtained exact solutions can also be used as test problems for estimating the accuracy of approximate analytical and numerical methods for solving relevant boundary value problems. Full article

Polyoxometalates (POMs) with transition metals (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni) of Keggin structure and lamellar-stacked multi-layer morphology were synthesized. They were subsequently explored as bifunctional electrocatalysts for oxygen electrodes, i.e., oxygen reduction (ORR) and evolution (OER) reaction, for aqueous rechargeable metal-air batteries in alkaline media. The lowest Tafel slope (85 mV dec⁻¹) value and the highest OER current density of 93.8 mA cm⁻² were obtained for the Fe-POM electrocatalyst. Similar OER electrochemical catalytic activity was noticed for the Co-POM electrocatalyst. This behavior was confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, where Fe-POM gave the lowest charge transfer resistance of 3.35 Ω, followed by Co-POM with R_ct of 15.04 Ω, during the OER. Additionally, Tafel slope values of 85 and 109 mV dec⁻¹ were calculated for Fe-POM and Co-POM, respectively, during the ORR. The ORR at Fe-POM proceeded by mixed two- and four-electron pathways, while ORR at Co-POM proceeded exclusively by the four-electron pathway. Finally, capacitance studies were conducted on the synthesized POMs. Full article

A Silicon Photonics modulator is a high-speed photonic integrated circuit for optical data transmission in high-capacity optical networks. Silicon Photonics modulators in the configuration of a Mach–Zehnder interferometer, in which a PN-junction rib-waveguide phase shifter is inserted in each arm of the interferometer, are studied in this paper because of their superior performance of high-quality optical data generation in a wide range of spectral bands and their simplicity in fabrication processes suitable to production in foundries. Design, fabrication, and fundamental characteristics of Silicon Photonics Mach–Zehnder modulators are reviewed as an introduction to these high-speed PICs on the Silicon Photonics platform. Modulation speed, or modulation bandwidth, is a key performance item, as well as optical loss, in the application to high-speed optical transmitters. Limiting factors on modulation speed are addressed in equations. Electrical resistance–capacitance coupling, which causes optical modulation bandwidth–optical loss trade-off, is the most challenging limiting factor that limits high-speed modulation. Expansion of modulation bandwidth is not possible without increasing optical loss in the conventional approaches. A new idea including quantum-mechanical effect in the design of Silicon Photonics modulators is proposed and proved in computational analysis to resolve the bandwidth loss trade-off. By adding high-mobility quantum-well overlayers to the side slab wings of the rib-waveguide phase shifter, the modulation bandwidth is doubled without increasing optical loss to achieve a 200 Gbaud modulation rate. Full article

Dietary intake of natural substances to regulate physiological functions is currently regarded as a potential way of promoting health. As one of the recommended dietary ingredients, phytosterols that are natural bioactive compounds distributed in plants have received increasing attention for their health effects. Phytosterols have attracted great attention from scientists because of many physiological functions, for example, cholesterol-lowering, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. In addition, the physiological functions of phytosterols, the purification, structure analysis, synthesis, and food application of phytosterols have been widely studied. Nowadays, many bioactivities of phytosterols have been assessed in vivo and in vitro. However, the mechanisms of their pharmacological activities are not yet fully understood, and in-depth investigation of the relationship between structure and function is crucial. Therefore, a contemporaneous overview of the extraction, beneficial properties, and the mechanisms, as well as the current states of phytosterol application, in the food field of phytosterols is provided in this review. Full article

Background: Alveolar preservation techniques for esthetic or functional purposes, or both, are a frequently used alternative for the treatment of post-extraction sockets, the aim of which is the regeneration of the lesion and the preservation of the alveolar bone crest. Methods: Studies published in PubMed (Medline), Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases up to January 2024 were consulted. Inclusion criteria were established as intervention studies, according to the PICOs strategy: adult subjects undergoing dental extractions (participants), with alveoli treated with bone mineral grafts and collagen membranes (intervention), compared to spontaneous healing (comparison), and observing the response to treatment in clinical and radiological measures of the alveolar bone crest (outcomes). Results: We obtained 561 results and selected 12 studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool, and methodological quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute. Due to the high heterogeneity of the studies (I² > 75%), a random-effects meta-analysis was used. Despite the trend, no statistical significance (p > 0.05) was found in the experimental groups. Conclusions: The use of bone mineral grafts in combination with resorbable collagen barriers provides greater preservation of the alveolar ridge, although more clinical studies are needed. Full article

There is evidence to support the links between lead and cadmium exposure with hypertension and also with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). The objective of this study is to investigate the role that LTL may play in the relationship between lead and cadmium exposure and hypertension. This study consisted of 3718 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2002. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between blood metals with hypertension, and the mediating model was used to evaluate the mediating effect of LTL. In the fully adjusted model, both blood lead and cadmium ln-transformed concentrations were significantly positively associated with hypertension risk, as were all quartiles of blood lead. Additionally, we observed positive linear dose–response relationships with hypertension by restricted cubic spline analysis (both p overall < 0.001, p non-linear = 0.3008 for lead and p non-linear = 0.7611 for cadmium). The ln-transformed blood lead and cadmium concentrations were associated with shorter LTL. LTL was inversely related to hypertension and the OR was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.47 to 0.89). Furthermore, LTL had mediating effects on the associations of blood lead and cadmium with hypertension risk, and the mediation proportions were 2.25% and 4.20%, respectively. Our findings suggested that exposure to lead and cadmium raised the risk of hypertension, while LTL played as a mediating factor. Full article

: This study reports new types of passive mode-locked Er-doped fiber laser (EDFL) based on a segment of doped fiber saturable absorber (DFSA) with Tm/Ho-doped fiber (THDF), Yb-doped fiber (YDF), and Er-doped fiber (EDF). By employing THDF-SA, a bright pulse sequence with a fundamental repetition rate of 17.86 MHz was obtained. In addition, various mode-locked output states, including dark pulses, dark–bright pulse pairs, bright–dark pulse pairs, and second-harmonic pulses, were obtained through polarization modulation and gain modulation, and the orthogonality of dark–bright pulses in both polarization directions was verified. Furthermore, using EDF-SA and YDF-SA, dark pulses and dark–bright pulses were obtained. A comparison of the three experiments revealed that THDF-SA effectively reduces the mode-locked threshold and improves the average output power. Compared with bright pulses, dark pulses offer several advantages such as resisting noise, increasing propagation speed, and suppressing nonlinear scattering (such as pulse-intrinsic Raman scattering); thus, the EDFL can find broad application in long-distance transmission, precision measurement, and other fields. Full article

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) significantly predisposes individuals to diabetes and is a prognostic factor for the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of (-)–gallocatechin gallate (GCG) in alleviating signs of MetS-associated DN in db/db mice. We administered GCG and monitored its effects on several metabolic parameters, including food and water intake, urinary output, blood glucose levels, glucose and insulin homeostasis, lipid profiles, blood pressure, and renal function biomarkers. The main findings indicated that GCG intervention led to marked improvements in these metabolic indicators and renal function, signifying its potential in managing MetS and DN. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis revealed substantial modifications in gene expression, notably the downregulation of pro-inflammatory genes such as S100a8, S100a9, Cd44, Socs3, Mmp3, Mmp9, Nlrp3, IL–1β, Osm, Ptgs2, and Lcn2 and the upregulation of the anti-oxidative gene Gstm3. These genetic alterations suggest significant effects on pathways related to inflammation and oxidative stress. In conclusion, GCG demonstrates therapeutic efficacy for MetS–associated DN, mitigating metabolic disturbances and enhancing renal health by modulating inflammatory and oxidative responses. Full article

The objective of this study was to develop a dried apple snack enriched with probiotics, evaluate its viability using Refractance Window (RW^TM) drying, and compare it with conventional hot air drying (CD) and freeze-drying (FD). Apple slices were impregnated with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus and dried at 45 °C using RW^TM and CD and FD. Total polyphenol content (TPC), color (∆E*), texture, and viable cell count were measured, and samples were stored for 28 days at 4 °C. Vacuum impregnation allowed for a probiotic inoculation of 8.53 log CFU/gdb. Retention values of 6.30, 6.67, and 7.20 log CFU/gdb were observed for CD, RW^TM, and FD, respectively; the population in CD, RW^TM remained while FD showed a decrease of one order of magnitude during storage. Comparing RW^TM with FD, ∆E* was not significantly different (p < 0.05) and RWTM presented lower hardness values and higher crispness than FD, but the RW^TM-dried apple slices had the highest TPC retention (41.3%). Microstructural analysis showed that RW^TM produced a smoother surface, facilitating uniform moisture diffusion and lower mass transfer resistance. The effective moisture diffusion coefficient was higher in RW^TM than in CD, resulting in shorter drying times. As a consequence, RW^TM produced dried apple snacks enriched with probiotics, with color and TPC retention comparable to FD. Full article