Global Utilization Research Articles

Perceived barriers and facilitators affecting utilisation of radiation therapy services: Scoping review findings - Patient and department level influences.

Existing evidence supports the benefits of radiation therapy (RT) for cancer patients however, it is underutilised. This scoping review aims to synthesise the current literature investigating patient and department level barriers and facilitators influencing the utilisation trends of RT. A systematic search strategy was developed to identify articles dated from 1993 to 2023. Four online databases (Medline, Embase, Scopus and CINAHL) were searched using key words. Eligible studies needed to report outcomes related to barriers and facilitators influencing utilisation of RT. Data was extracted and categorised into health professional, patient, and department level influences. The review resulted in 340 included studies with 298 (88%) studies reporting on patient influences. More than half of these studies (n=164; 55%) reported accessibility concerns including distance and travel burden. Patient acceptability was reported in 88 (30%) studies, patient affordability in 138 (46%) studies, patient knowledge, and education in 92 (31%) studies and patient health and demographics in 235 (79%) studies. Of the department level influence papers (n=242, 71%), department availability such as infrastructure, staffing and waitlists were reported in 167 (69%) papers. Department adequacy, including the quality, reputation and technology suitability of departments was reported in 60 (25%) papers. Clinical pathway use was reported in 107 (44%) papers. This scoping review identifies the broad range of patient and department level influences and facilitators affecting the global utilisation of RT. Recognition of such influences reducing access to RT will inform proposed interventions or educational strategies to overcome and address such barriers.

Hematological Changes in Clozapine Users: A Study in a Brazilian Community Sample.

Clozapine is the only antipsychotic with proven superior efficacy for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, global utilization rates remain suboptimal due to concerns about hematological side effects. This study aimed to investigate hematological abnormalities among clozapine users at a large community center in the Brazilian countryside. This study adopts a real-world approach and was conducted based on a retrospectively analyzed complete blood counts from clozapine users in Goiás, Brazil. We describe the total number and percentage of participants presenting blood dyscrasias. Logistic regression models, using Stata v.18, were employed to evaluate whether sex or age were associated with the presentation of neutropenia. Data from 6,160 complete blood counts from 486 patients taken between 2011 and 2018 were analyzed. Blood dyscrasias were observed in 37.4% of patients, with anemia being the most common (23.6%), followed by thrombocytopenia (9.46%) and eosinophilia (13.7%). Neutropenia occurred in 4.52% of patients, primarily mild (3.9%) and moderate (0.62%), with no cases of agranulocytosis identified. Clozapine users showed a higher prevalence of blood dyscrasias compared to the overall Brazilian population. Most cases of neutropenia were mild and transient. Our results suggest a lower risk of severe neutropenia and emphasize the need to investigate other blood dyscrasias.

ESTIMATION OF PLASTIC PRODUCTION, CONSUMPTION, AND WASTE GENERATION IN NIGERIA: 2020 TO 2050

Global utilization of different types of plastics has been increasing over the years due to its many useful properties. However, disposal of plastic waste has been a challenge all over the world and Nigeria is not an exception. As the most populous country in Africa, Nigeria is among the highest consumer of plastic products. Plastic waste generation was considered using three different scenario that considered forecasted gross domestic production up to 2050. The results indicated that plastic production rate in Nigeria is linear as against plastic consumption rate which is exponential. The result estimates from 2020 to 2050 revealed that plastic consumption in Nigeria doubles every 9 years which was validated using the doubling time equation. However, substantial reduction was achieved if enhanced plastic waste management technologies is adopted. Further reduction is achievable through reuse, recycle and implementation of hierarchical waste management strategies.

Spatiotemporal Variation and Driving Mechanisms of the Global Production-Living-Ecological Space Coupling Coordination Degree

The coupling coordination degree (CCD) of the production-living-ecological space (PLES) functional index is an indicator of regional sustainable development potential. However, previous studies have failed to reveal the driving mechanisms of the CCD of PLES functional index on a global scale. Therefore, this study employed the CCD model to evaluate the CCD of the PLES functional index and spatial regression models to measure the heterogeneous drivers using multi-source data in 2000, 2010, and 2020. The results demonstrated that ecological spaces dominated (85%) globally, while living spaces comprised the smallest share (3%). The ecological functional index was higher than the production and living functional indices. Further analyses revealed that topographic factors were the main restricting factors for PLES; the proportion of production and living spaces decreased with increasing altitude and slope, whereas ecological spaces showed the opposite trend. The global CCD values of the PLES functional index in 2000, 2010, and 2020 were 0.186, 0.189, and 0.198, respectively, showing an increasing trend. High CCD was generally observed in areas with dense population and industry where human activity systems interact with natural ecosystems. The formation of the CCD of the global PLES functional pattern results from the joint action of natural and socioeconomic factors, with pronounced spatial heterogeneity. Our findings can help optimize global territorial space utilization, improve territorial space utilization efficiency, and realize global sustainable development goals.

The potential of the amaranth collection maintained at VIR in the context of global plant breeding and utilization trends.

Amaranth is an ancient crop of the family Amaranthaceae, but it is fairly new to Russia. Its seeds and leaf biomass contain a high-quality gluten-free protein, fatty acids, squalene (a polyunsaturated hydrocarbon), flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals. A comprehensive study of amaranth, enhancement of its breeding, and development of new cultivars will contribute to food quality improvement through the use of plant raw materials enriched for wholesome and highly nutritious components. At present, selection and hybridization still remain the main amaranth breeding techniques. Meanwhile, mutation breeding and polyploidy have been successfully employed to increase its seed yield and protein content. The genes encoding amaranth proteins have been used to produce transgenic plants of potato, bread wheat, and maize. Despite the great potential of amaranth, little research has been dedicated to the study of its genomics, concentrating mainly on the identification of its species diversity. Targets of breeding practice for amaranth include such characteristics as large size and nonshattering of seeds, short stem, earliness, high yield, cold hardiness, synchronized maturation, resistance to pests and diseases, and high nutritional value, including the content and quality of protein, lipids, squalene, and bioactive compounds. A unique collection of amaranth maintained at the N.I. Vavilov All-Russian Institute of Plant Genetic Resources (VIR) currently incorporates 570 accessions from various countries. For 70 years it has been replenished with local varieties, commercial cultivars, and wild species supplied by collecting missions, research centers, botanical gardens, genebanks, and experimental breeding stations from all over the world. Long-standing studies have resulted in the formation of trait-specific groups of accessions, with high yields of seeds and leaf biomass, earliness, cold hardiness, high protein content in seeds and biomass, short stems, and resistance to seed shattering, earmarked for vegetable or ornamental purposes. The gene pool of amaranth preserved at VIR can provide unlimited opportunities for breeding and meet the needs of the country's population, enriching the human diet with ingredients produced from such a health-friendly and useful crop.

OGC SO16 - International upper GI robotic fellowship on the CMR Versius platform

Abstract Background The impetus for UGI surgery trainees to attain skills in robotic surgery is likely to increase following the global acceptance and utilisation of robotic platforms. UGI robotic fellowship programs are few in number and highly desirable providing trainees with a unique selling point when embarking on independent consultant practice. We describe the first UGI robotic surgery fellowship on the CMR Versius platform at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital which has the largest experience of UGI robotic surgery on the CMR Versius platform in the UK, having performed over 200 cases including the first robot assisted minimally invasive oesophagectomy. Method A structured robotic training curriculum was created in collaboration with CMR Versius. It consists of a pre-clinical phase of E-learning (10 modules), simulator training (16 assessed tasks) and dry-laboratory training (a two-day course encompassing robotic system set-up, bed-side assist and assessed dry lab practical tasks). The clinical phase begins with bed-side assisting of robotic cases followed by supervised operating on the console. Operations performed on the console are recorded for review and evaluation. The videos will be scored by two independent surgeons using the modified Global Evaluation Assessment of Robotic Skills (mGEARS) score to track growth and progress. Results The E-learning modules and assessments were completed prior to commencement of the fellowship. The remainder of the pre-clinical phase of the curriculum were completed within 4 weeks of commencement followed by bed-side assisting. Once competent at bed-side assisting and able to demonstrate proficiency in set-up (selecting port site placement, docking, arm spacing and configuration), supervised console training was commenced 6 weeks into the fellowship. Console training began with robotic assisted laparoscopic assisted cholecystectomy to gain familiarity, confidence, and efficiency. After 6 cases as the only console surgeon, the surgical complexity of cases was progressed to hiatal surgery and Heller’s cardiomyotomy Conclusion A structured training curriculum with defined phases provides a feasible and effective framework for robotic fellowship training. Adherence to the pre-clinical phase of training allows safe and efficient progression to hands-on console experience. This is achievable within relatively short timeframe to allow for ample independent console surgeon experience and the development of proficiency within a 12-month fellowship period.

Analysis and Design of a Recyclable Inductive Power Transfer System for Sustainable Multi-Stage Rocket Microgrid with Multi-Constant Voltage Output Characteristics—Theoretical Considerations

After a traditional one-time rocket is launched, most of its parts will fall into the atmosphere and burn or fall into the ocean. The parts cannot be recycled, so the cost is relatively high. Multi-stage rockets can be recovered after launch, which greatly reduces the cost of space launches. Moreover, recycling rockets can reduce the generation of waste and reduce pollution and damage to the environment. With the reduction in rocket launch costs and technological advances, space exploration and development can be carried out more frequently and economically. It provides technical support for the sustainable use of space resources. It not only promotes the sustainable development of the aerospace field but also has a positive impact on global environmental protection, resource utilization, and economic development. In order to adapt to the stage-by-stage separation structure of the rocket, this paper proposes a new multi-stage rocket inductive power transfer (IPT) system to power the rocket microgrid. The planar coil structure is used to form wireless power transfer between each stage of the rocket, reducing the volume of the magnetic coupling structure. The volume of the circuit topology structure is reduced by introducing an auxiliary coil. An equivalent three-stage S/T topology is proposed, and the constant voltage output characteristics of multiple loads are analyzed. A multi-stage coil structure is proposed to supply power to multiple loads simultaneously. In order to eliminate undesired magnetic coupling between coils, ferrite cores are added between coils for effective electromagnetic shielding. The parameters of the magnetic coupling structure are optimized based on the finite element method (FEM). A prototype of the proposed IPT system is built to simulate a multi-stage rocket. A series of experiments are conducted to verify the advantages of the proposed IPT system, and the three-stage rocket system efficiency reached 88.5%. This project is theoretical. Its verification was performed only in the laboratory conditions.

Sildenafil citrate induces prostatic hyperplasia in BPH model rats and aged rats

Erectile dysfunction (ED), a prevalent disease among middle-aged and elderly males, significantly impacts both patient and partner quality of life. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i) represents an effective therapeutic method for ED. Given their widespread global utilization, concerns arise regarding potential reproduction-related problems arising from clinical use. During the extensive development of PDE5i, we speculated that the potential of these inhibitors to variably induce prostatic hyperplasia, but this field remains unexplored. In order to verify the male reproductive toxicity of PDE5i, sildenafil citrate at doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg was administered in BPH model rats and aged rats. Anatomical and pathological analyses indicate a compelling association between sildenafil citrate administration and the promotion of prostatic hyperplasia in both BPH model rats and aged rats. Serum analysis showed that serum prostate-binding protein (PBP) exhibited a non-significant but increasing trend following administration of sildenafil citrate to BPH model rats. Furthermore, significant increase in serum levels of E2 and T, as well as T in dorsal lobe prostate tissue of aged rats, were observed compared to the model control group. These results confirm the hypothesis that sildenafil citrate has reproductive toxicity in males.

Integrating temporal deep learning models for predicting screen-out risk levels in hydraulic fracturing

Amid the transformative shift in global energy structures, the exploitation and utilization of shale gas, an essential unconventional natural gas resource, have drawn widespread attention from both industrial and academic circles. However, screen-out incidents during hydraulic fracturing operations pose significant obstacles to extraction efficiency and safety. Traditional prediction methods, which rely on empirical estimations and simplified models, are deficient in accuracy and real-time applicability. Addressing this, our study introduces a novel deep learning ensemble integrating Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), Transformer, and One-Dimensional Convolutional Neural Networks (1D-CNN) for precise screen-out prediction. This approach markedly improves predictive accuracy by efficiently processing time-series data and capturing the complex dynamics of fracturing processes. Furthermore, the application of the correlation coefficient method and random forest algorithm for feature selection optimizes model input and further enhances prediction accuracy and operational efficiency. Our comparative analysis demonstrates the model’s superiority, achieving an F1 score of 0.951 and a loss of 0.430, clearly surpassing traditional and other deep learning methods. This integration of advanced neural architectures and feature selection techniques not only advances screen-out prediction but also yields practical insights for optimizing shale gas extraction strategies and enhancing safety.

A tale of two times: an exploration of healthcare utilization patterns before and during COVID-19 in Iran

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted global healthcare utilization patterns. This study aimed to examine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on utilization rate of healthcare services in Iran.MethodIn this quasi-experimental study, data on the utilization rates of laboratory services, sonography exams, CT scans, MRIs, and EKGs was collected from the Social Security Organization (SSO)’s insurance information system. This data, covering 47 months prior to the pandemic and 25 months during it, was analyzed to assess the pandemic’s impact on healthcare utilization among insured individuals in Iran. The data was categorized into direct, indirect, and total sectors, and an Interrupted Time Series Analysis (ITSA) model was employed for data analysis, examining both total and sector-specific utilization rates.Findings: The study for single group indicated that in the total sector, Utilization rate per 1000 insured significantly decreased by 25.25 for laboratory services, decreased by 3.99 for sonography, decreased by 1.08 for MRIs and decreased by 1.01 for EKGs, but increased by 2.28 for CT scans in the first pandemic month. Over following months, monthly utilization trends per 1000 insured increased significantly- laboratory services + 1.08, sonography + 0.11, CT scans + 0.12, MRIs + 0.06, and EKGs + 0.05. Pre-pandemic, monthly utilization per 1000 insured was 62.68 labs, 14.47 sonography, 0.72 CT scans, 2.06 MRIs, with all significantly higher in the indirect over direct sector except EKGs which were 2.08 higher in the direct sector. In the first pandemic month, there were significant between-sector differences per 1000 of -4.4 for sonography, + 1.89 CT scans, -1.01 MRIs and + 1.29 EKGs.ConclusionThe COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant decline in healthcare service utilization, particularly in total and direct sectors, while CT scans remained unaffected. To address these challenges and meet patient needs, Iran’s health system should adopt alternative delivery methods like telemedicine.

International Distribution and Development of Rock Mass Classification: A Review

AbstractSince the 1950s, numerous rock mass classification systems (RMCS) have emerged for applications such as tunneling, mining, and slope engineering. The continued proliferation of these systems reflects the complexity of the issue and the absence of a universally accepted approach within the rock engineering community. This review offers an up-to-date examination of the global utilization of RMCS across applications such as tunnels, caverns, mining slope stability, and more. A “family tree of rock mass classification systems” is presented that traces their evolution over the decades. The family tree illustrates a prolific period of system development between 1970 and 2000, followed by a decline in progress and increasing specialization of systems. Based on surveys within the rock engineering community carried out between 2022 and 2024, the dominant systems for underground engineering and slope-related tasks were found to be GSI, RMR, and the Q-system, which have demonstrated their practical efficacy over 5 decades. Based on the surveys, two “world maps of rock mass classification” have been produced that visualize the international RMCS distribution. However, the survey shows that only some new or derived systems developed in the last 25 years have gained global acceptance. The paper closes with an outlook to possible future developments in rock mass classification and characterization.

Chemical Characteristics of Zirconium Chloride and Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles Driving Toxicity on Lemna minor

The increasing global production and utilization of zirconium (Zr) compounds, including zirconium chloride (ZrCl4) and zirconium oxide nanoparticles (NPs-ZrO2), raises concerns about their potential environmental impact. This study investigated the toxicity mechanisms of ZrCl4 and NPs-ZrO2 on the aquatic plant Lemna minor. The physicochemical properties of NPs-ZrO2 in the test medium were characterized, revealing concentration-dependent changes in the hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, and solubility over time. The analysis of Zr speciation showed the predominance of Zr(OH)4(aq) species from ZrCl4. Plants of L. minor exposed to ZrCl4 and NPs-ZrO2 exhibited differential Zr bioaccumulation, growth inhibition, oxidative stress, and antioxidant responses. ZrCl4 induced a higher toxicity than NPs-ZrO2, with bioaccumulation strongly correlating with adverse effects. The differential toxicity impact between these two Zr-compounds was also determined by the lowest observed-effect doses for growth and biochemical parameters. The scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed internalization of NPs-ZrO2 and Zr uptake in the L. minor plant. Therefore, these findings highlighted the importance of chemical speciation, environmental transformations, and biological responses in assessing the ecological impact of Zr-compounds for effective risk assessment and management strategies for protecting aquatic ecosystems.

Efficient anatomical labeling of pulmonary tree structures via deep point-graph representation-based implicit fields

Pulmonary diseases rank prominently among the principal causes of death worldwide. Curing them will require, among other things, a better understanding of the complex 3D tree-shaped structures within the pulmonary system, such as airways, arteries, and veins. Traditional approaches using high-resolution image stacks and standard CNNs on dense voxel grids face challenges in computational efficiency, limited resolution, local context, and inadequate preservation of shape topology. Our method addresses these issues by shifting from dense voxel to sparse point representation, offering better memory efficiency and global context utilization. However, the inherent sparsity in point representation can lead to a loss of crucial connectivity in tree-shaped structures. To mitigate this, we introduce graph learning on skeletonized structures, incorporating differentiable feature fusion for improved topology and long-distance context capture. Furthermore, we employ an implicit function for efficient conversion of sparse representations into dense reconstructions end-to-end. The proposed method not only delivers state-of-the-art performance in labeling accuracy, both overall and at key locations, but also enables efficient inference and the generation of closed surface shapes. Addressing data scarcity in this field, we have also curated a comprehensive dataset to validate our approach. Data and code are available at https://github.com/M3DV/pulmonary-tree-labeling.

Effective CO2 Thermocatalytic Hydrogenation with High Coke Resistance on Ni-CZ/Attapulgite Composite

Converting CO2 into methane is considered a promising and economically viable technology for global transportation and utilization of this greenhouse gas. This study involves the preparation of a Ni-CZ (CeO2-ZrO2)/ATP (attapulgite) catalyst through the co-precipitation and impregnation methods. XRD, SEM, TEM, N2 absorption-desorption isotherms, XPS, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, TG/DSC, and Raman were adapted to characterize the obtained samples. Real-time GC was used to measure the catalytic performances and to intensively study the impact of Ni loading content and ATP to CZ ratio on the catalytic performance of the products. DRIFTs was used to monitor the interstitial radicals in the catalytic reactions and to deduce the catalytic mechanisms. The results indicate that the composite catalytic matrix composed of CZ assembled on ATP demonstrated higher CO2 methanation stability and better carbon deposition resistance ability than the single CZ or ATP as the carrier, which should be attributed to the improved specific surface area and pore volume of the ATP assembled matrix and the enhanced dispersibility of the CZ and Ni species. The adoption of CZ solid solutions improves the oxygen storage capability of the catalyst, thereby providing continued mobile O2− in the matrix and accelerating the molecular exchange rate in the catalytic reactions. The ideal loading quantity of nickel contents on the CZA matrix is 15%, as the CO2 conversion decreases at elevated temperatures when the Ni loading content reaches 20%. Among the tested samples, the 15Ni-0.8CZA sample showed the best catalytic performance of 75% CO2 conversion and 100% CH4 selectivity at 400 °C. After 50 h of stability tests, the CO2 conversion rate still remained 70.84%, and the CH4 selectivity obtained 97.46%. No obvious coke was detected according to the Raman spectra of the used catalyst. The in situ DRIFTS experiment showed that formate is the main intermediate of the CO2 hydrogenation reaction on the 15Ni-0.8CZA catalyst.

Enhanced MPPT approach for grid-integrated solar PV system: Simulation and experimental study

The global solar energy utilization has significantly risen, mostly due to the technological, economic, and environmental advantages it offers, particularly through the implementation of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The energy output of PV systems is contingent upon climate conditions. A new hybrid two-stage maximum power point tracking (MPPT) system developed to optimize power extraction and increase efficiency in PV systems. The system consists of two stages: a perturb and observe (P&O) MPPT for regulating the reference voltage in the first stage, and an enhanced model reference adaptive controller (EMRAC) for adjusting the DC-DC converter duty cycle in second stage. This system is designed primarily for 100.7 kW three-phase grid-integrated PV systems operating in environments with rapidly changing solar irradiation and temperature levels. In order to demonstrate efficacy of the suggested approach, a probabilistic evaluation is conducted across three levels of uncertain scenarios, namely ropp, step irradiance profile, and rapid changing irradiation and temperature profile. The proposed approach attained maximum power point (MPP) in 0.11 s and had an average tracking efficiency of 98.28 %. Quantitative, statistical, comparative and experimental analyses utilizing the dSPACE 1202 reveal the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy and demonstrate the superior performance over P&O, INC and ANN based on the power output, response time, power loss, efficiency, and error rates.

Pollen morphology reveals genetic diversity between some superior sour cherry (Prunus cerasus L.) genotypes; an opportunity for expanding breeding possibilities

AbstractPreservation of the genetic diversity of sour cherry in Iran is imperative for the development of improved cultivars tailored to specific ecological conditions. Addressing gaps in research concerning ecological adaptation, resource management and international collaboration related to sour cherry genetic resources in Iran is essential. Bridging these research lacunae can facilitate the implementation of sustainable cultivation practices, optimize production systems and enhance the global utilization of sour cherry genetic diversity. A comprehensive analysis of the morphology and ultrastructure of pollen grains from ten native sour cherry genotypes in Iran was conducted over a two-year period using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The examination revealed that all pollen grains were unipolar, radially symmetrical and tricolpate. The length and width of pollen grains varied among genotypes, with lengths ranging from 42.17 to 57.57 μm and widths from 20.28 to 28.13 μm. Furthermore, all genotypes exhibited prolate pollen grains, with differing colpus lengths. Examination of pollen exine revealed striate shapes with varying numbers of ridges, ranging from 18.5 to 8.5 furrows per 50 m2. The horizontal area of pollen grains varied from 333.28 to 1491.69 μm. Polar perspective analysis showed considerable variation in the distance between mesocolpium endpoints. Sour cherry displays significant genetic diversity in Iran, and the application of SEM has proven instrumental in characterizing this diversity. This understanding will aid in further breeding research aimed at enhancing sour cherry varieties and their adaptation to specific ecological conditions.

Box-Behnken assisted RSM and ANN modelling for biodiesel production over titanium supported zinc-oxide catalyst

Global utilization of Green fuels mitigates the harmful effects of climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels. Biodiesel was identified as an alternative fuel to satisfy the growing need for energy. Waste cooking oil is applied as a feedstock due to legitimate worries about using food crops to produce fuel. In this study, optimization of biodiesel synthesized from waste cooking soybean oil in the presence of a novel enhanced titanium-supported zinc oxide (ZnO/TiO2) catalyst had been reported. The aim was to use DOE to correlate relationships between optimal biodiesel productivity and the operating parameters. The influence of catalyst loading, methanol-to-oil ratio, and reaction temperature were investigated using a time-efficient Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology and artificial neural network. The predicted and experimental yield was comparable with 94.04 % (BBD-RSM), 93.99 % (ANN), and 94.42 % respectively. A significant biodiesel yield of 94.93 % was obtained at optimal operating conditions of catalyst loading (21.9 wt%), reaction temperature of 55 OC, and methanol oil ratios of 8:1. Comparative analysis indicates higher prediction capabilities for RSM than the ANN model in terms of lowest error functionality and highest correlation coefficient. However, the obtained FAME has properties within the standard limits set for biodiesel.

Accelerated aging behavior of degradable and non-degradable microplastics via advanced oxidation and their adsorption characteristics towards tetracycline

The increasing global utilization of biodegradable plastics due to stringent regulations on traditional plastics has caused a significant rise in microplastic (MPs) pollution in aquatic ecosystems from biodegradable products. However, the environmental behavior of biodegradable MPs remains inadequately elucidated. This study explored the aging processes of polylactic acid (PLA) and polystyrene (PS) under a heat-activated potassium persulfate (K2S2O8) system, as well as their adsorption characteristics towards tetracycline (TCs). In comparison to PS, the surface structure of PLA experienced more pronounced changes over aging, exhibiting evident pits, cracks, and fragmentation. The carbonyl index (CI) and oxygen/carbon ratio (O/C) of PS displayed exponential growth over time, whereas the values for PLA showed linear and exponential increases, respectively. The adsorption capacity of TCs by PS and PLA aged for 6 days increased from 0.312 mg‧g−1 and 0.457 mg‧g−1for original PS and PLA, respectively, to 0.372 mg‧g−1 and 0.649 mg‧g−1. Meanwhile, the adsorption rate (k2 values) for TCs decreased by 42.03 % for PS and 79.64 % for PLA compared to their initial values. The findings indicated that biodegradable PLA-MPs may exhibit higher tetracycline carrying capacities than PS, potentially increasing environmental and organismal risks, particularly in view of aging effects.

Production performance and biochemical profile of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca): Influence of site-specific ecological factors and cultivation strategies

Production performance and biochemical characteristics of seaweed under varying cultivation strategies and ecological conditions provide crucial insights for improving sustainable farming practices. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the production performance and biochemical profile of sea lettuce (Ulva lactuca) under three farming systems, namely floating long-line (FLL), off-bottom long-line (OBLL), and off-bottom net (OBN), and three site-specific (Khurushkul, Nuniachora, and Sonapara) ecological conditions for a period of nine months (October 2022 to June 2023). Depending on the site suitability for different cultivation systems, 15 plots (5 FLL, 5 OBLL, and 5 OBN) were established in Nuniachora, 10 plots (5 FLL, 5 OBLL) were established in Sonapara, and 5 plots (FLL) were established in Khurushkul of the Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh. Depending on the cultivation months, we partially harvested U. lactuca every 15–30 days once it reached 25–35 cm in length. Results showed that the gross weight biomass (GWB) of U. lactuca cultured in the FLL (F = 200.43, p < 0.001) cultivation system was 45.38% and 39.85% higher compared to OBN and OBLL, respectively. The average daily growth rate (DGR) was found to be 11%–13% higher in the FLL method (F = 236.11, p < 0.001). Location-based comparisons indicated a significantly higher (p < 0.05) U. lactuca production in Khurushkul, followed by the Nuniarchora, and the lowest was observed in Sonapara. Seasonality influenced the production performances of U. lactuca, with significantly higher (p < 0.05) growth observed from December to March due to favourable physio-chemical parameters. Multivariate analysis revealed that high salinity, pH, and nutrient concentrations positively influenced growth performances, while high temperature, turbidity, and total suspended solids (TSS) had negative effects. U. lactuca harvested from the FLL and OBN systems contained 14.3% and 9.44% higher amounts of protein (F = 36.77, p < 0.001) than the OBN system. The fatty acid analysis showed that U. lactuca from the FLL and OBN systems contained a significantly lower amount of saturated fatty acids but a higher amount of monounsaturated and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to the OBLL system. Among the heavy metals and minerals analyzed, U. lactuca harvested from the FLL system contained significantly (p < 0.05) higher amounts of Na and K and lower amounts of Pb, Cr, Co, and Fe. The findings of the present study underscore the superiority of the floating long-line cultivation system for U. lactuca, highlighting its potential for sustainable farming practices to address global food security and utilization in various industrial applications.

Discrepancies in Global Utilisation of Intravascular Imaging—A Systematic Review of Contemporary Registry Data

Discrepancies in Global Utilisation of Intravascular Imaging—A Systematic Review of Contemporary Registry Data