The use of decentralized wastewater treatment technologies is a reasonable solution for rural areas. As a decentralized treatment technology, the multi-soil-layering (MSL) system has recently drawn an increasing amount of attention owing to its merits, such as a high hydraulic load rate, small land area occupation, low probability of clogging, low investment, and low operation cost. This review summarizes the progress in MSL systems in the past decade, focusing on the directions of efforts for system optimization, the latest applications of MSL systems to various wastewater treatments, and the integration of MSL with other technologies. The great application potential of MSL systems is illustrated, and future research directions regarding better application of MSL systems are provided. Full article

Topography significantly affects remotely sensed reflectance data and subsequently impacts the retrieval of the leaf area index (LAI) from surface reflectance data over rugged terrains. However, most LAI inversion algorithms ignore the influence of terrain. This paper quantitatively analyzes the topographic effects on LAI values retrieved from remote sensing data at various spatial scales (30, 90, 270, 540, 1080, and 5400 m) over rugged terrains. The PRO4SAILT (PROSPECT + 4SAILT) model and the Proy algorithm were used to simulate multiscale surface reflectance for different LAI values over rugged terrains. Based on Gaussian process regression (GPR), an LAI inversion algorithm that ignores terrain effects was first developed. The simulated multiscale reflectance data were subsequently input into the inversion algorithm to retrieve LAI values. Finally, the retrieved LAI values were compared with the corresponding reference LAI values. The results demonstrate that the finer the spatial resolution is, the more significant the topographic effects on the retrieved LAI values are. When the reference LAI is five, as the spatial resolution increases from 5400 m to 30 m, the mean percentage error (MPE) of the retrieved LAI increases from 10.46% to 13.72%, and the root mean square error (RMSE) increases from 0.5376 to 1.005. Regardless of the spatial resolution, the error in the retrieved LAI values increases with an increasing terrain slope. When the reference LAI is five and the spatial resolution is 30 m, the MPE at a slope of 15°–30° is close to 5%, and the RMSE is close to 0.3. The MPE at a slope of 30°–45° is close to 20%, and the RMSE is close to one. In addition, the accuracy of the retrieved LAI values is closely related to the sky view factor (SVF). In general, the larger the SVF is, the smaller the error in the retrieved LAI values. In addition, the conversion relationships between the retrieved LAI values using the algorithm that ignores terrain effects and the true LAI values are provided in this study. Full article

The current study outlines the advancement of an innovative technique for the simultaneous detection of E. coli O157:H7 and its Shiga-like toxins in food samples by utilizing a photonic label-free biosensor coupled with a microfluidic system. This detection method relies on ring resonator transduction that is functionalized with specific bioreceptors against O157:H7 on silicon nitride surfaces capable of binding specifically to the antigen bacterium and its verotoxins. This experiment included the characterization of selected monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies employed as detection probes through ELISA immunoassays exposed to target bacterial antigens. A thorough validation of photonic immunosensor detection was conducted on inoculated minced beef samples using reference standards for E. coli O157:H7 and its verotoxins (VTx1 and VTx2) and compared to gold-standard quantification. The lowest limit-of-detection values of 10 CFU/mL and 1 ppm were achieved for the detection of bacteria and its verotoxins. In this study, the lowest limit of quantification (LoQ) achieved for bacterial quantification was 100 CFU/mL, and, for verotoxins, it was 2 ppm. This study confirmed the effectiveness of a new quality control and food hygiene method, demonstrating the rapid and sensitive detection of E. coli O157:H7 and its verotoxins. This innovative approach has the potential to be applied in food production environments. Full article

Gastrojejunostomy is the principal method of palliation for unresectable malignant gastric outlet obstructions (GOO). Gastrojejunostomy was traditionally performed as a surgical procedure with an open approach butrecently, notable progress in the development of minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic gastrojejunostomies have emerged. Additionally, advancements in endoscopic techniques, including endoscopic stenting (ES) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE), are becoming more prominent. ES involves the placement of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) to restore luminal patency. ES is commonly the first choice for patients deemed unfit for surgery or at high surgical risk. However, although ES leads to rapid improvement of symptoms, it carries limitations like higher stent dysfunction rates and the need for frequent re-interventions. Recently, EUS-GE has emerged as a potential alternative, combining the minimally invasive nature of the endoscopic approach with the long-lasting effects of a gastrojejunostomy. Having reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of these different techniques, this article aims to provide a comprehensive review regarding the management of unresectable malignant GOO. Full article

The purpose of this paper was to develop novel biocomposites with biocidal properties in microorganisms, with enhanced mechanical strength and hydrophobicity as well as with increased biodegradation rates. The main idea and the novelty of this work was to use cross-linking compounds and, at the same time, biocidal compounds—natural compounds of plant origin with biocidal properties. The authors assumed that the modification of flax fiber by natural plant compound will reduce the hydrophilicity of novel biocompositie. Biopolymer based on thermoplastic starch reinforced with flax fibres modified with tannic acid (TA) was prepared by extrusion and injection molding processes. The effects of TA modification on the mechanical and structural properties of biocomposites were analyzed through DMA, tensile tests, DSC, and TG. The biocidal and wettability properties of the biocomposites were investigated. The article also discusses the outcomes of research conducted on the structural characteristics and rates of the biodegradation of biocomposites. Full article

This paper proposes a learning-based control approach for autonomous vehicles. An explicit Takagi–Sugeno (TS) controller is learned using input and output data from a preexisting controller, employing the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) algorithm. At the same time, the vehicle model is identified in the TS model form for closed-loop stability assessment using Lyapunov theory and LMIs. The proposed approach is applied to learn the control law from an MPC controller, thus avoiding the use of online optimization. This reduces the computational burden of the control loop and facilitates real-time implementation. Finally, the proposed approach is assessed through simulation using a small-scale autonomous racing car. Full article

Screening newborns using genome sequencing is being explored due to its potential to expand the list of conditions that can be screened. Previously, we proposed the need for large-scale pilot studies to assess the feasibility of screening highly penetrant genetic neurodevelopmental disorders. Here, we discuss the initial experience from the GUARDIAN study and the systemic gaps in clinical services that were identified in the early stages of the pilot study. Full article

The production of Explorer roses has historically been attractive due to the acceptance of the product around the world. This species of roses presents high sensitivity to physical contact and manipulation, creating a challenge to keep the final product quality after cultivation. In this work, we present a system that combines the capabilities of intelligent computer vision and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to identify the state of roses ready for cultivation. The system uses a deep learning-based approach to estimate Explorer rose crop yields by identifying open and closed rosebuds in the field using videos captured by UAVs. The methodology employs YOLO version 5, along with DeepSORT algorithms and a Kalman filter, to enhance counting precision. The evaluation of the system gave a mean average precision (mAP) of 94.1% on the test dataset, and the rosebud counting results obtained through this technique exhibited a strong correlation (R² = 0.998) with manual counting. This high accuracy allows one to minimize the manipulation and times used for the tracking and cultivation process. Full article

Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian parasite, as one of the stressors that contribute to honey bee decline, has a significant negative impact on the longevity, productivity, and reproductive capacity of honey bee colonies. There are several different strategies for Nosema infection control, including natural-based and antibiotic-based products. In this study, we tested wormwood and oak bark-based supplement “Medenko forte” on survival, Nosema infection, oxidative stress, and expression of immune-related genes in artificially N. ceranae-infected bees. The results revealed a positive influence on the survival of Nosema-infected bees, irrespectively of the moment of supplement application (day 1, day 3, or day 6 after bee emergence), as well as reduction of Nosema loads and, consequently, Nosema-induced oxidative stress. Supplementation had no negative effects on bee immunity, but better anti-Nosema than immune-stimulating effects were affirmed based on expression levels of abaecin, defensin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin, and vitellogenin genes. In conclusion, the tested supplement “Medenko forte” has great potential in the health protection of Nosema-infected bees. However, further investigations need to be performed to elucidate its mechanisms of action. Full article

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) remain a significant factor in hospitals, with implant surfaces often becoming contaminated by highly resistant strains of bacteria. Recent studies have shown that electrical plasma discharges can reduce bacterial load on surfaces, and this approach may help augment traditional antibiotic treatments. To investigate this, a cold atmospheric plasma was used to deposit tobramycin sulphate onto various surfaces, and the bacterial growth rate of K. pneumoniae in its planktonic and biofilm form was observed to probe the interactions between the plasma discharge and the antibiotic and to determine if there were any synergistic effects on the growth rate. The plasma-deposited tobramycin was still active after passing through the plasma field and being deposited onto titanium or polystyrene. This led to the significant inhibition of K. pneumoniae, with predictable antibiotic dose dependence. Separate studies have shown that the plasma treatment of the biofilm had a weak antimicrobial effect and reduced the amount of biofilm by around 50%. Combining a plasma pre-treatment on exposed biofilm followed by deposited tobramycin application proved to be somewhat effective in further reducing biofilm growth. The plasma discharge pre-treatment produced a further reduction in the biofilm load beyond that expected from just the antibiotic alone. However, the effect was not additive, and the results suggest that a complex interaction between plasma and antibiotic may be at play, with increasing plasma power producing a non-linear effect. This study may contribute to the treatment of infected surgical sites, with the coating of biomaterial surfaces with antibiotics reducing overall antibiotic use through the targeted delivery of therapeutics. Full article

Metabolites are at the end of the gene–transcript–protein–metabolism cascade. As such, metabolomics is the omics approach that offers the most direct correlation with phenotype. This allows, where genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics fail to explain a trait, metabolomics to possibly provide an answer. Complex phenotypes, which are determined by the influence of multiple small-effect alleles, are an example of these situations. Consequently, the interest in metabolomics has increased exponentially in recent years. As a newer discipline, metabolomic bioinformatic analysis pipelines are not as standardized as in the other omics approaches. In this review, we synthesized the different steps that need to be carried out to obtain biological insight from annotated metabolite abundance raw data. These steps were grouped into three different modules: preprocessing, statistical analysis, and metabolic pathway enrichment. We included within each one of them the different state-of-the-art procedures and tools that can be used depending on the characteristics of the study, providing details about each method’s characteristics and the issues the reader might encounter. Finally, we introduce genome-scale metabolic modeling as a tool for obtaining pseudo-metabolomic data in situations where their acquisition is difficult, enabling the analysis of the resulting data with the modules of the described workflow. Full article

Ciprofloxacin (CIP), a broad-spectrum fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is commonly used in aquaculture to prevent and treat bacterial infections in aquatic animals. For this reason, aquatic environments contain CIP and its derivatives, which lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria. In the present study, copper nanoparticles were prepared using Garcinia mangostana extract (GME-CuNPs) as a reducing agent and evaluated for their CIP removal efficiency (CRE). The results demonstrate that within 20 min, GME-CuNPs at 25 mM possess a CRE of 92.02 ± 0.09% from CIP-containing aqueous media with pH 6–7. The CRE is influenced by both monovalent and divalent salts. A high salt concentration significantly reduces the CRE. Contaminants in fish wastewater can reduce the CRE, but phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, and ammonia do not affect the CRE. Our results reveal that the CRE is controlled by electrostatic attraction between the negatively charged GME-CuNPs and the cationic species of CIP. The CRE is reduced by wastewater with a pH higher than 8.0, in which the CIP molecules have a negative charge, resulting in a repulsive force due to the negative charge of GME-CuNPs. In fish wastewater with a pH lower than 7.0, GME-CuNPs show the potential to achieve a CRE above 80%. Therefore, pH adjustment to a range of 6–7 in fish wastewater before treatment is deemed imperative. It is concluded that the newly developed GME-CuNPs possess excellent activity in CIP elimination from actual fish wastewater samples. Our findings suggest that GME-CuNPs can be a promising tool to effectively eliminate antibiotics from the environment. Full article

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), characterized by clinical diversity, poses diagnostic challenges often reliant on subjective assessments. Metabolomics presents an objective approach, seeking biomarkers for precise diagnosis and targeted interventions. This review synthesizes existing metabolomic insights into ADHD, aiming to reveal biological mechanisms and diagnostic potentials. A thorough PubMed and Web of Knowledge search identified studies exploring blood/urine metabolites in ADHD-diagnosed or psychometrically assessed children and adolescents. Synthesis revealed intricate links between ADHD and altered amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter dysregulation (especially dopamine and serotonin), oxidative stress, and the kynurenine pathway impacting neurotransmitter homeostasis. Sleep disturbance markers, notably in melatonin metabolism, and stress-induced kynurenine pathway activation emerged. Distinct metabolic signatures, notably in the kynurenine pathway, show promise as potential diagnostic markers. Despite limitations like participant heterogeneity, this review underscores the significance of integrated therapeutic approaches targeting amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitters, and stress pathways. While guiding future research, this overview of the metabolomic findings in ADHD suggests directions for precision diagnostics and personalized ADHD interventions. Full article

Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) represents an important step forward in the field of minimally invasive surgery. However, the learning curve of RAS is steep, and a systematic planning of surgical robot setups should be performed to leverage the features of RAS. For this reason, in this paper we show the design and implementation of a mixed-platform collaborative system, creating an interactive virtual shared environment that simulates RAS during the surgery planning phase. The proposed system allows one or more experts to plan together the different phases of an RAS-based surgical procedure, while integrating different levels of immersion to enhance computer-assisted training. We have tested our system with a total of four domain experts. Our results show that experts found the system excellent in terms of usability and useful to prepare and discuss surgical planning with RAS. Full article

This paper describes and defends the counter-hegemonic methods applied to the investigation of a high-profile national policy for Early Education and Care (ECCE) in Ireland. The policy, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) seeks to ensure the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities in mainstream, state funded ECCE. It makes a significant contribution to data and debate on how research about inclusion can become inclusion in the context of policy evaluation. The design of the policy evaluation included surveys, in depth interviews and qualitative case studies of pre-schools and children supported by AIM which were deliberately designed to be counter-hegemonic through the recruitment of practitioners as co-researchers (as expert representatives within a feminised workforce), and the use of a participative method of elicitation that sough the perspectives and lived experiences of inclusion among fourteen children supported by AIM. This method was multi-modal mapping. With a focus on these counter-hegemonic elements, the paper poses questions about how the approach was counterhegemonic in terms of its theoretical underpinning, practical approach, and outcomes. Thematic analysis of the data collected by practitioner researchers for the child case studies showed that the approach did achieve counter-hegemony through the achievement of redistribution, representation, and recognition in both the enactment of the research, and in the reporting of children’s lived experience in the study as a whole. However, the extent of counter-hegemony achieved was limited when practitioner researchers were unable to deploy the multi-modal mapping method because of limited time, or because the child was not a speaker of English or was as yet, non-speaking. In a context where policy makers have a preference for positivist and rationalist approaches to evaluating the impact of policies, we assert that research about policies for inclusion, should be enacted as inclusion and social justice through the deliberate deployment of participatory and counter-hegemonic methods. We also assert that multi-modal mapping holds particular promise for researching the lived experience of inclusion and participation from the perspective of children and argue that more work needs to be done on developing these methods so that they are effective with all children, including those who are non-speaking. Finally, we posit that Fraser’s triune model of social justice can be applied as a benchmark for designing and evaluating counter-hegemonic modii and outcomes. Full article

Cement concrete pavements are crucial to urban infrastructure, significantly influencing road safety and environmental sustainability with their anti-skid and noise reduction properties. However, while texturing techniques like transverse grooving have been widely adopted to enhance skid resistance, they may inadvertently increase road noise. This study addressed the critical need to optimize pavement textures to balance improved skid resistance with noise reduction. Tests were conducted to assess the influence of surface texture on skid resistance and noise, exploring the relationship between texture attributes and their performance in these areas. The investigation examined the effects of texture representation methods, mean profile depth, and the high-speed sideway force coefficient (SFC) on noise intensity and pavement skid resistance. The findings revealed that transverse grooves significantly improved the SFC, enhancing skid resistance. In contrast, longitudinal burlap drag, through its micro- and macro-texture adjustments, effectively reduced vibration frequencies between the tire and pavement, thus mitigating noise. Utilizing the TOPSIS multi-objective optimization framework, an optimization model for pavement textures was developed to augment skid resistance and noise reduction at varying speeds. The results indicated that at 60 km/h, an optimal balance of groove width, depth, and spacing yielded superior skid resistance with a minimal noise increase. At 80 km/h, increased groove spacing and depth were shown to effectively decrease noise while maintaining efficient water evacuation. The optimal pavement texture design must consider the specific context, including traffic volume, vehicle types, and operating speeds. This study provides essential guidance for optimizing urban cement concrete pavement textures, aiming to diminish traffic noise and bolster road safety. Full article

Reverse zoonotic transmission events of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been described since the start of the pandemic, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) designated the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in animals a reportable disease. Eighteen domestic and zoo animals in Great Britain and Jersey were tested by APHA for SARS-CoV-2 during 2020–2023. One domestic cat (Felis catus), three domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and three Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) from a zoo were confirmed positive during 2020–2021 and reported to the WOAH. All seven positive animals were linked with known SARS-CoV-2 positive human contacts. Characterisation of the SARS-CoV-2 variants by genome sequencing indicated that the cat was infected with an early SARS-CoV-2 lineage. The three dogs and three tigers were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of concern (B.1.617.2). The role of non-human species in the onward transmission and emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 remain poorly defined. Continued surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in relevant domestic and captive animal species with high levels of human contact is important to monitor transmission at the human−animal interface and to assess their role as potential animal reservoirs. Full article

Ljubljana was the first post-socialist city awarded with the title European Green Capital. The title awarded by the European Commission is given to a city that is achieving high environmental standards, is setting ambitious goals for further environmental improvement and sustainable development, and can act as a role model to inspire other cities and promote best practices to all other European cities. The article is based on a hypothesis that at the moment when Ljubljana applied for (and was awarded) the European Green Capital title, it had strong strategic spatial planning and successful territorial governance, as well as the interweaving of both. To prove the hypothesis, the timetable and characteristics of the strategic spatial planning and territorial governance in Ljubljana are presented in this article and critically evaluated. Critical evaluation and analyses are also assessed using a qualitative research method, i.e., semi-structured in-depth interviews among experts from four professional fields including spatial planning, urbanism, architecture, and management. The results confirmed the hypothesis: Ljubljana’s sustainability-oriented strategic spatial plan prepared by a variety of stakeholders, experts, and citizens, as well as the effective governance system established by the mayor, a manager by profession, were two factors that coincided at a crucial moment. This was recognized by the European Commission and Ljubljana was awarded a prestigious title. Ljubljana can therefore serve as an excellent sustainable example for other post-socialist cities in terms of strategic spatial planning and governance. Full article

Recently, a mixed redundancy was introduced among the redundant design strategies to achieve a more reliable system within the equivalent resources. This study deals with a lifetime distribution for a mixed redundant system with an imperfect fault detector/switch. The lifetime distribution model was formulated using a structured continuous Markov chain (CTMC) and considers the time-to-failure (TTF) distribution of a component as a phase-type distribution (PHD). The model’s versatility and practicality are enhanced because the PHD can represent diverse degradation patterns of the components exposed to varied operating environments. The model provides accurate reliability for a mixed redundant system by advancing the approximate reliability function suggested in previous studies. Furthermore, the model would be useful in system design and management because it provides information such as the n_th moment of the system’s lifetime distribution. In numerical experiments on some examples, the mixed redundancy was confirmed to devise a more reliable system than the existing active and standby redundancies, and the improvement effect increased as the number of redundant components decreased. The optimal structure for maximizing the expected lifetime of the system changes depends on the reliability of the components and fault detector/switch. Full article

This paper presents a systematic literature review investigating the integration of lightweight blockchain and fog computing technologies to enhance the security and operational efficiency of drones. With a focus on critical applications such as military surveillance and emergency response, this review examines how the combination of blockchain’s secure, decentralized ledger and fog computing’s low-latency, localized data processing can address the unique challenges of drone operations. By compiling and analyzing current research, this study highlights innovative approaches and solutions that leverage these technologies to improve data integrity, reduce communication latency, and facilitate real-time decision-making in drone missions. Our findings underscore the significant potential of this technological integration to advance the capabilities and reliability of drones in high-stakes scenarios. Full article

Existing studies on electric bus (EB) scheduling mainly focus on the arrangement of bus charging at the bus terminals, which may lead to inflexible charging plans, high scheduling costs, and low utilization of electricity energy. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a dynamic bus replacement strategy. When the power of an in-service EB is insufficient, a standby EB stationed at nearby charging stations is dispatched in advance to replace this in-service EB at a designated bus stop. Passengers then transfer to the standby bus to complete their journey. The replaced bus proceeds to the charging station and transitions into a “standby bus” status after recharging. A mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) model is established to determine the dispatching plan for both standby and in-service EBs while also designing optimal charging schemes (i.e., the charging time, location, and the amount of charged power) for electric bus systems. Additionally, this study also incorporates the strategy of time-of-use electricity prices to mitigate the adverse impact on the power grid. The proposed model is linearized to the mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model and efficiently solved by commercial solvers (e.g., GUROBI). The case study demonstrates that EBs with different energy levels can be dynamically assigned to different bus lines using bus replacement strategies, resulting in reduced electricity costs for EB systems without compromising on scheduling efficiency. Full article

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) techniques use specialized hand-held instruments for applying controlled mechanical forces to the body with the goal of facilitating healing, improving range of motion, and reducing pain. Nevertheless, an optimal range of forces for achieving clinical outcomes has yet to be established. A barrier to advancing research on IASTM force optimization is the lack of commercially available instruments that quantify treatment forces. The aim of the current study was to assess the feasibility of attaching a flexible force sensor to a commercially available IASTM instrument to obtain valid force measurements. The validity of this novel approach was assessed by comparing data between the flexible force sensor and a force plate during a simulated treatment. Intraclass correlation coefficients, linear regression models, and Bland Altman plots all indicated excellent agreement between the force plate and flexible sensor when the instrument was used at 45°, 65°, and 90° treatment angles. Agreement between measures decreased when the instrument was held at 30°. Thus, commercially available instruments with attached sensors could make force measurement more accessible and feasible for a wider range of research settings, facilitating the advancement of IASTM research and ultimately informing clinical decision-making to improve patient care. Full article