Beneficios y limitaciones de la planificación centrada en la persona en el campo de la discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo: una revisión sistemática según las directrices de PRISMA / Benefits and limitations of person-centered planning in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities: a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines

La metodología de Planificación Centrada en la Persona (PCP) cada vez tiene mayor impacto en España. Comenzando desde las distintas legislaciones que regulan la atención a este colectivo en las diferentes autonomías y terminando en los centros que proveen este servicio. No obstante, existe escasa literatura internacional de estudios empíricos a grandes escalas que sitúen este enfoque metodológico en una posición relevante que garantice la eficacia de la PCP. El objetivo principal de este estudio es conocer el estado del uso de la metodología de PCP a través de estudios avalados empíricamente que sostengan tanto beneficios como limitaciones durante los últimos 10 años (2012-2022). Para ello, se ha realizado una revisión sistemática desde las directrices de PRISMA (2020), que incluye un total de 31 artículos. Como conclusión, se han descubierto más beneficios que limitaciones entre las que destacan las ventajas en su uso para las personas con discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo y las mejoras de aspectos relacionados con la autodeterminación. No obstante, las limitaciones prevalecen por la falta de apoyos y recursos adecuados de las organizaciones para responder a una planificación centrada en la persona y la necesidad de formación de las personas implicadas en la elaboración de la PCP, lo que genera la incógnita de si se están realizando buenas prácticas en el uso de dicha metodología. (AU)

The methodology of Person Centered Planning (PCP) is having an increasing impact in Spain. Starting from the different legislations that regulate the attention to this group in the different autonomous regions and ending in the centers that provide this service. However, there is little international literature on large-scale empirical studies that place this methodological approach in a relevant position to guarantee the efficacy of PCP. The main objective of this study is to know the status of the use of PCP methodology through empirically supported studies that sustain both benefits and limitations during the last 10 years (2012-2022). For this purpose, a systematic review has been conducted since the PRISMA guidelines (2020), including a total of 31 articles. As a conclusion, more benefits than limitations have been found, among which the advantages in its use for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and improvements in aspects related to self-determination stand out. However, limitations prevail due to the lack of adequate support and resources from organizations to respond to person-centered planning and the need for training of the people involved in the development of the PCP, which raises the question of whether good practices are being carried out in the use of this methodology. (AU)

Beneficios y limitaciones de la planificación centrada en la persona en el campo de la discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo: una revisión sistemática según las directrices de PRISMA / Benefits and limitations of person-centered planning in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities: a systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines

La metodología de Planificación Centrada en la Persona (PCP) cada vez tiene mayor impacto en España. Comenzando desde las distintas legislaciones que regulan la atención a este colectivo en las diferentes autonomías y terminando en los centros que proveen este servicio. No obstante, existe escasa literatura internacional de estudios empíricos a grandes escalas que sitúen este enfoque metodológico en una posición relevante que garantice la eficacia de la PCP. El objetivo principal de este estudio es conocer el estado del uso de la metodología de PCP a través de estudios avalados empíricamente que sostengan tanto beneficios como limitaciones durante los últimos 10 años (2012-2022). Para ello, se ha realizado una revisión sistemática desde las directrices de PRISMA (2020), que incluye un total de 31 artículos. Como conclusión, se han descubierto más beneficios que limitaciones entre las que destacan las ventajas en su uso para las personas con discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo y las mejoras de aspectos relacionados con la autodeterminación. No obstante, las limitaciones prevalecen por la falta de apoyos y recursos adecuados de las organizaciones para responder a una planificación centrada en la persona y la necesidad de formación de las personas implicadas en la elaboración de la PCP, lo que genera la incógnita de si se están realizando buenas prácticas en el uso de dicha metodología. (AU)

The methodology of Person Centered Planning (PCP) is having an increasing impact in Spain. Starting from the different legislations that regulate the attention to this group in the different autonomous regions and ending in the centers that provide this service. However, there is little international literature on large-scale empirical studies that place this methodological approach in a relevant position to guarantee the efficacy of PCP. The main objective of this study is to know the status of the use of PCP methodology through empirically supported studies that sustain both benefits and limitations during the last 10 years (2012-2022). For this purpose, a systematic review has been conducted since the PRISMA guidelines (2020), including a total of 31 articles. As a conclusion, more benefits than limitations have been found, among which the advantages in its use for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and improvements in aspects related to self-determination stand out. However, limitations prevail due to the lack of adequate support and resources from organizations to respond to person-centered planning and the need for training of the people involved in the development of the PCP, which raises the question of whether good practices are being carried out in the use of this methodology. (AU)

Preparation strategies of mussel-inspired chitosan-based biomaterials for hemostasis.

Chitosan (CS) has been extensively studied in wound care for its intrinsic hemostatic and antibacterial properties. However, CS has limiting hemostasis applications on account of its drawbacks such as poor adhesion in humid environments and water solubility at neutral pH. CS-based biomaterials, inspired by mussel-adhesive proteins, serve as a suggested platform by biomedical science. The reports show that the mussel-inspired CS-based hemostatic structure has negligible toxicity and excellent adhesiveness. Biomedicine has witnessed significant progress in the development of these hemostatic materials. This review summarizes the methods for the modification of CS by mussel-inspired chemistry. Moreover, the general method for preparation of mussel-inspired CS-based biomaterials is briefly discussed in this review. This work is expected to give a better understanding of opportunities and challenges of the mussel-inspired strategy for the functionalization of CS-based biomaterials in hemostasis and wound healing. This review is hoped to provide an important perspective on the preparation of mussel-inspired CS-based hemostatic materials.

Interpretation and utility of the Animal Health Loss Envelope as part of the Global Burden of Animal Diseases analytical process.

The Global Burden of Animal Diseases (GBADs) programme follows a multistage process to produce disease burden estimates in livestock and farmed aquatic animal production systems. The GBADs programme has broad goals of inclusivity, transparency and rigour. Meeting those goals means providing users of all levels of technical expertise with a clear explanation of the programme's output. In this way, the meaning and limitations of those results are clearly communicated, minimising the risk of misinterpretation. The first published estimates of disease burden have been calculated at farm level using a new metric called the Animal Health Loss Envelope. This metric estimates the cost of lost productivity and expenditure on disease control for profit-maximising producers by comparing current system performance to a hypothetical â€Ëœideal health'scenario. This ideal is a farm-specific concept and is critically different from an ideal health state when physiologically defined. The metric and its key concepts are described in this article.

Le programme " Impact mondial des maladies animales " (GBADs) procède par analyses successives pour générer des estimations de l'impact des maladies dans les systèmes de production d'animaux terrestres et aquatiques. Le programme GBADs s'est fixé des objectifs ambitieux d'inclusivité, de transparence et de rigueur. Pour que ces objectifs soient tenus, tous les utilisateurs du programme, quel que soit leur niveau de compétences techniques, doivent y trouver une explication claire des résultats produits. La signification et les limites de ces résultats sont ainsi clairement exposées, ce qui minimise les risques d'erreurs d'interprétation. Les premières estimations publiées de l'impact des maladies ont été calculées à l'échelle des élevages, en faisant appel à un nouvel indicateur dénommé " enveloppe des pertes sanitaires animales ". Cet indicateur estime le coût des pertes de productivité et les dépenses liées au contrôle des maladies chez des éleveurs cherchant une maximisation des profits, en comparant les performances du système actuel avec ceux d'un scénario hypothétique de " santé idéale ". Cet idéal est un concept forgé spécifiquement pour chaque exploitation et diffère donc radicalement de la situation sanitaire idéale définie par des critères physiologiques. L'auteur décrit l'indicateur et ses concepts essentiels.

El programa sobre el Impacto Global de las Enfermedades Animales (GBADs) sigue un proceso de varias etapas para elaborar estimaciones del impacto de las enfermedades en los sistemas de producción ganadera y de animales acuáticos. El programa GBADs tiene como objetivos generales la inclusión, la transparencia y el rigor. Cumplir dichos objetivos implica proporcionar a los usuarios, independientemente de su nivel de conocimientos técnicos, una explicación clara de los resultados del programa. De esta manera, el significado y las limitaciones de dichos resultados se comunican con claridad, lo que minimiza el riesgo de interpretaciones erróneas. Las primeras estimaciones publicadas sobre el impacto de las enfermedades se han calculado a nivel de explotación utilizando una medida denominada "cartera de pérdidas en sanidad animal". Dicha medida calcula los costos de la pérdida de productividad y los gastos en control de enfermedades para los productores que buscan la maximización de los beneficios comparando el desempeño actual del sistema con un escenario hipotético de "sanidad ideal". Este ideal es un concepto específico de cada explotación y difiere mucho del estado de sanidad ideal en términos fisiológicos. En este artículo se describen tanto la medida como sus conceptos clave.

Antibacterial evaluation of garlic extracts on chitosan/starch packaging film using response surface methodology and its application for shelf-life extension of bell peppers (Capsicum annuum).

In this study, garlic extract (GE) was assessed as a potential additive in chitosan/starch (Ch/De) coatings, focusing on phenolic and flavonoid content analyses and antibacterial properties. Using response surface methodology approach, an optimization method was employed to achieve the optimal antibacterial formulation, with Ch, De, and GE identified as key variables in the Design of Experiment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses elucidated interactions among these primary components within the films, while thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the enhanced thermal stability of GE-coated film formulations (Ch/De/GE). The Ch/De/GE exhibited antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) with an inhibition zone of 7.2 mm at optimized concentrations of 2% w/v Ch, 1.5% w/v starch, and 0.5% v/v GE. In silico molecular docking studies provided insights into GE's inhibitory role as an antibacterial agent. Evaluation of green and yellow bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) over 18 days showed that coated peppers maintained better visual appearance and mass stability, with a weight loss decrease of 40.54%-48.96%, compared to uncoated ones. Additionally, the Ch/De/GE coating effectively inhibited bacterial growth, reducing it by 1-1.23 log CFU, during the storage period. In conclusion, the Ch/De/GE coating effectively extends the shelf-life of bell peppers and maintains their quality, demonstrating its potential for use in food packaging to preserve perishable items. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The optimized chitosan/starch/garlic extract (Ch/De/GE) film developed in this study shows promising potential for application in the food packaging industry, particularly in extending the shelf life of perishable items like bell peppers. Its enhanced antibacterial properties, along with its ability to maintain visual appearance and reduce weight loss, make it an effective natural preservative that could replace synthetic additives in food packaging. By incorporating this biodegradable film into packaging solutions, producers can offer safer, more sustainable products that meet consumer demand for natural and environmentally friendly options.

Test-retest reliability of Doppler ultrasound-based leg blood flow assessments during exercise in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Doppler ultrasound may be used to assess leg blood flow ( Q ̇ leg ${{\dot{Q}}_{{\mathrm{leg}}}}$ ), but the reliability of this method remains unexplored in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where between-subject variability may be larger than healthy due to peripheral vascular changes. This study aimed to investigate the reliability of Doppler ultrasound in quantifying Q ̇ leg ${{\dot{Q}}_{{\mathrm{leg}}}}$ during single-leg knee-extensor exercise (KEE) in COPD patients compared with those obtained from healthy matched controls. In this case-control study, 16 participants with COPD were matched based on sex and age with 16 healthy controls. All participants underwent measurement of Q ̇ leg ${{\dot{Q}}_{{\mathrm{leg}}}}$ using Doppler ultrasound in a KEE set-up at various intensities on two separate visits. Confounding factors on Q ̇ leg ${{\dot{Q}}_{{\mathrm{leg}}}}$ were controlled for, and the ultrasound scans were consistently performed by the same sonographer. During exercise, smallest real difference (SRD) ranged from 367 mL to 583 mL in COPD and 438 mL to 667 mL in the control group. The coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 7.9% to 14.3% in COPD and 9.4% to 10.4% in the control group. The intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.75 to 0.92 in COPD and 0.67 to 0.84 in the control group. CV was lower in the control group during exercise at 0 W, but apart from that, reliability was not different between groups during exercise. Doppler ultrasound showed nearly equal reliability when evaluating Q ̇ leg ${{\dot{Q}}_{{\mathrm{leg}}}}$ in COPD patients and healthy individuals with a CV below 15% during exercise for both groups. HIGHLIGHTS: What is the central question of this study? What is the between-day reliability of Doppler ultrasound when quantifying leg blood flow during single-leg knee-extensor exercise in COPD patients compared to healthy matched controls? What is the main finding and its importance? This study demonstrates a coefficient of variation ranging from 7.9 to 14.3% during single-leg knee-extensor exercise for between-day reliability when applying Doppler ultrasound to assess leg blood flow in patients with COPD. Furthermore, it offers insights into the peripheral circulatory constraints in COPD, as evidenced by diminished leg blood flow. This study is the first of its kind to evaluate the reliability of Doppler ultrasound in the assessment of the peripheral circulation during exercise in COPD.

Methodological approaches in developing and implementing digital health interventions amongst underserved women.

BACKGROUND: Minority populations are utilizing mobile health applications more frequently to access health information. One group that may benefit from using mHealth technology is underserved women, specifically those on community supervision. OBJECTIVE: Discuss methodological approaches for navigating digital health strategies to address underserved women's health disparities. DESCRIPTION OF THE INNOVATIVE METHOD: Using an intersectional lens, we identified strategies for conducting research using digital health technology and artificial intelligence amongst the underserved, particularly those with community supervision. DESCRIPTION OF ITS EFFECTIVENESS: We explore (1) methodological approaches that combine traditional research methods with precision medicine, digital phenotyping, and ecological momentary assessment; (2) implications for artificial intelligence; and (3) ethical considerations with data collection, storage, and engagement. DISCUSSION: Researchers must address gendered differences related to health, social, and economic disparities concurrently with an unwavering focus on the protection of human subjects when addressing the unique needs of underserved women while utilizing digital health methodologies. PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Women on community supervision in South Central Texas helped inform the design of JUN, the mHealth app we reported in the case exemplar. JUN is named after the Junonia shell, a native shell to South Texas, which means strength, power, and self-sufficiency, like the participants in our preliminary studies.

Nymphaea alba leaf powder effectiveness in removing nisin from fermentation broth using docking and experimental analysis.

The accumulation of nisin in the fermentation medium can reduce the process's productivity. This research studied the potential of Nymphaea alba leaf powder (NALP) as a hydrophobic biosorbent for efficient in-situ nisin adsorption from the fermentation medium by docking and experimental analysis. Molecular docking analysis showed that di-galloyl ellagic acid, a phytochemical compound found in N. alba, had the highest affinity towards nisin. Enhancements in nisin adsorption were seen following pre-treatment of NAPL with HCl and MgCl2. A logistic growth model was employed to evaluate the growth dynamics of the biosorption capacity, offering valuable insights for process scalability. Furthermore, optimization through Response Surface Methodology elucidated optimal nisin desorption conditions by Liebig's law of the minimum, which posits that the scarcest resource governs production efficiency. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy pinpointed vital functional groups involved in biosorption. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the changing physical characteristics of the biosorbent after exposure to nisin. The findings designate NALP as a feasible adsorbent for nisin removal from the fermentation broth, thus facilitating its application in the purification of other biotechnological products based on growth and production optimization principles.

The Dose-Response Relationship of an Exercise-Based Injury Prevention Program: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial on Athletics (Track-and-Field) Athletes Over a 39-Week Follow-Up.

Despite exercise-based injury prevention programs (EIPPs) being widely researched and used, several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have failed to show their protective effect on injury risk. This is potentially due to underappreciating the EIPP dose-response relationship, by not controlling the analysis for the injuries sustained during the early EIPP implementation period, before the EIPP becomes efficacious. To determine the dose-response relationship of EIPP by controlling for the effects of injuries sustained before it became efficacious. We conducted a secondary analysis of an RCT analyzing the EIPP efficacy in athletics over a 39-week follow-up on 840 athletes, by including only those with 100% response rate. We controlled the statistical analyses for a range of lengths of early EIPP implementation period by either excluding the athletes with early injuries (i.e., exclusion approach) or adjusting for the early injuries' effects (i.e., inclusion approach). We estimated the EIPP's dose-response relationship by measuring the EIPP's effect at each length of the controlled period. When we considered no early controlled period, the EIPP showed no effect (OR = 0.85 [95% CI: 0.67-1.09]; p = 0.209). However, both exclusion and inclusion approaches showed that the EIPP effect increased significantly after 5-6 weeks of controlled period. This relationship plateaued at 7-12 weeks of controlled period, peaking at 10 weeks with the exclusion approach (OR = 0.28 [95% CI: 0.16-0.48]; p < 0.001), and 7 weeks with the inclusion approach (OR = 0.37 [95% CI: 0.25-0.55]; p < 0.001). Acknowledging the dose-response relationship of EIPPs could help researchers to design and analyze RCTs and practitioners to plan EIPP implementation timely. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03307434.

Adsorption Parameters Optimization of Spent Coffee Ground Biochar for Methylene Blue Removal Using Response Surface Methodology.

The disposal of spent coffee grounds (SCG) in landfills is a common practice. However, owing to their unique porous structure, SCGs can be transformed into biochar for use as a cost-effective adsorbent. Methylene blue (MB), a dye employed in textile and printing sectors, poses risks to both aquatic life and human health. To mitigate these effects, efficient treatment of MB prior to environmental release is essential. This research assesses the suitability of spent coffee ground biochar (SCGB) as an adsorbent for MB. The design of experiment (DOE) employed two approaches, classical and response surface optimization, considering adsorbent dosage, solution pH, contact time, temperature, and MB removal percentage as factors. Notably, adsorbent dosage and temperature emerged as critical factors for MB removal, with a well-fitting linear model. The optimum conditions for MB removal by SCGB were 0.99 g adsorbent, 30 min contact time, 30°C, and pH 7. The predicted MB removal was 99.99%, with a desirability of 1.000. The 0.02% discrepancy between predicted and experimental values confirmed the accuracy of the experimental parameter prediction by DOE. SCGB demonstrated robust adsorption capacity, attributed to its carbonaceous and highly porous structure, leading to significantly enhanced MB removal efficiency.

(Re)thinking about self-harm and autism: Findings from an online qualitative study on self-harm in autistic adults.

LAY ABSTRACT: There is a higher prevalence of self-harming behaviours within the autistic community than is experienced by the general population, in addition to co-occurring mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. To date, research has focused on quantifying and categorising the numbers of autistic people self-harming, what types of harming they are engaging in and what functions the harming performs. Autism research has historically focused on the opinions and experiences of parents, carers and clinicians, with a belief that autistic people are unable to present their own experiences and thoughts accurately. This study adopted a qualitative method to develop themes arising from online forum discussions, using the words of autistic adults talking about how they experience and understand their self-harming behaviours. The analysis discovered that self-harming behaviours are used by autistic people as a way of coping with anxiety and depression and to relieve the build up of stress and sensory or mental overload that can otherwise lead to a meltdown. Repetitive behaviours such as stimming are also used to relieve the buildup of sensory over-stimulation and anxiety, but both stimming and meltdowns can also be self-harming behaviours if they cause tissue damage, and are believed to be childhood presentations which are stigmatised if expressed by an autistic adult. Many autistic adults find it hard to get help with self-harming behaviours because they are not taken seriously by professionals, as it is seen as part of autism and cannot be helped, or the professionals do not have enough knowledge of autism.

Establishment of LC-MS/MS Methodology for the Determination of Rapamycin Concentration in Rat Whole Blood.

BACKGROUND: The establishment and validation of methods for testing biological samples are crucial steps in pharmacokinetic studies. Currently, several methodological reports have been published on the detection of rapamycin plasma concentrations. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore an effective method for detecting rapamycin in rat whole blood biological samples. METHOD: In this study, we designed a rapid, sensitive, and specific liquid chromatograph-mass spectrometer/mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) methodology for detecting rapamycin in rat whole blood biological samples. We comprehensively validated the specificity, linear range, lower limit of quantification (LLOQ), precision, accuracy, recovery, and stability of this method. RESULTS: The findings of this study confirmed the successful implementation of LC-MS/MS for the detection of rapamycin, demonstrating its sensitivity, specificity, and reliability in quantitative analysis. This method ensures the accuracy and reliability of subsequent study data through our validated LC-MS/MS approach. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrated the successful implementation of an LC-MS/MS method for sensitive, specific, and reliable quantitative analysis of rapamycin in rat whole blood samples. This method ensures the accuracy and reliability of subsequent study data. SIGNIFICANCE: The importance of this study lies in the successful establishment of a rapid, sensitive, and specific LC-MS/MS method for detecting rapamycin concentration in rat whole blood, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of subsequent research data. This provides a crucial tool and foundation for further understanding the metabolism and pharmacological effects of rapamycin in vivo, aiding in the advancement of drug research and clinical applications in related fields.

APAQ at Forty: Publication Trends.

The purpose of the present study was to analyze Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly (APAQ) publications over the journal's fourth decade (2014-2023) and compare them with previous documentary analyses of the first 3 decades. Consistent with prior documentary analyses, publications were coded and analyzed based on the use of theory, research participants, topic, whether the study was an intervention, first-author country affiliation, and research method. The total number of published research papers increased substantially (n = 61) from the third to the fourth decade. Similar to prior documentary analyses, most of the research was quantitative (n = 140; 57.5%), followed by qualitative research (n = 96; 39.5%). There were far more qualitative-research publications in the fourth decade compared with the third decade (n = 34). This may reflect the continued acceptance and growth of qualitative research compared with 10-20 years ago. It may also reflect the value of rich in-depth exploratory research using small samples. Additional trends included more review papers and meta-analyses, possibly reflecting the increased knowledge base in particular areas requiring synthesis. The diversity of topics also increased, with papers on dignity, classification, coaching, and the Paralympics playing more prominent roles. The number of international publications also grew substantially. In brief, the current paper outlines both similarities and differences in APAQ's published research over the 4 decades of its existence.

How to Conduct Clinical Research in Cardiovascular Imaging: A Primer for Clinical Cardiologists and Researchers. A Statement of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC.

This statement from the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the ESC aims to address the fundamental principles that guide clinical research in the field of cardiovascular imaging. It provides clinical researchers, cardiology fellows, and Ph.D. students with a condensed, updated, and practical reference document to support them in designing, implementing, and conducting imaging protocols for clinical trials. Although the present article cannot replace formal research training and mentoring, it is recommended reading for any professional interested in becoming acquainted with or participating in clinical trials involving cardiovascular imaging.

Microplastics in urban water cycles: Looking for a more scientific approach for sampling and characterization in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants.

Specific campaigns to detect microplastics (MPs) in the urban water cycle were carried out in three drinking water plants and two wastewater treatment plants. A self-designed sampler for MPs detection in water matrices was in this study preliminary validated and then tested in long term campaigns sampling up to 1000 L. Raw drinking water and wastewater show microplastics (MPs) concentrations of 2-11 and of 480-801 MPs/m3, respectively, and MPs removals of 47-78 % and of 84-98 %, correspondingly. Specific roles of chemical and physical conventional processes in microplastics removals were investigated. Solid-liquid separation, flotation and filtration are the main processes for achieving high microplastics removal. Regarding concentrated matrices, MPs concentrations in sludge samples varied in the range of 5000-500,000 MPs/m3. Finally, shapes, size classes and polymers' typologies were investigated in the extracted MPs. The detected sizes are mainly 0.5-0.1 mm in drinking waters while 5-1 mm in wastewaters. Wastewaters were predominated by synthetic fibers (polyester type), while drinking waters were mainly characterized by fragments and the fibers were mostly of natural origin. Finally, the results of this study supported best practices and guidelines for a representative assessment of MPs in water (sampling methods, extraction procedures, characterization and quantification).

Performance analysis of floating bifacial stand-alone photovoltaic module in tropical freshwater systems of Southern Asia: an experimental study.

The optimization of floating bifacial solar panels (FBS PV) in tropical freshwater systems is explored by employing response surface methodology (RSM) and central composite design (CCD). Previous studies have yet to explore the long-term durability, environmental impact, economic viability, and performance of FBS PV systems under various climatic conditions. This study addresses this gap by focusing on panel height, water depth, and tilt angle to improve performance. The quadratic model reveals significant non-linear relationships impacting FBS PV power generation with freshwater cooling. Our models demonstrate high explanatory power, with R-squared values of 0.9831 for output power and 0.9900 for Bi-Facial gain. Experimental validation using conventional white surface (CWS) and proposed freshwater surface (PFS) indicates notable improvements in power generation, achieving a 4.34 to 4.86% gain in bifacial efficiency across various irradiation levels. Under 950 W/m2 irradiation, freshwater cooling achieves a 3.19% higher bifacial gain compared to CWS cooling. Panel temperature analysis shows consistent reductions with freshwater cooling, ranging from 1.43 to 2.72 °C, enhancing overall efficiency and longevity. This research highlights the potential of freshwater cooling in optimizing bifacial solar systems, offering actionable insights for sustainable energy solutions in tropical regions.

Pomegranate seed as a novel source of plant protein: Optimization of protein extraction and evaluation of in vitro digestibility, functional, and thermal properties.

This research was carried out to optimize the extraction process of proteins from pomegranate seeds and characterize their in vitro digestibility as well as their thermal and functional properties. For this purpose, the study screened five parameters (liquid/solid ratio, pH, temperature, NaCl concentration, and time) that could potentially influence the extraction process. This screening was conducted using a two-level Placket-Burman design (PBD). The significant parameters (pH and NaCl concentration) were subsequently optimized using a three-level face-centered central composite design (FCCD) to determine the optimum extraction conditions. A maximum protein recovery of 83.8% was obtained at pH 11.0 and NaCl concentration of 0.0 M. Pomegranate seed protein isolate (PSPI) with a protein content of 92.4% (w/w) was obtained through the isoelectric precipitation of pomegranate seed protein extracted under the optimized conditions. An emulsifying activity index of 14.1 m2 g-1 was observed at the isoelectric pH, where the emulsion stability index was at 8.2%. PSPI also showed high water- and oil-holding capacities (3.7 and 4.3 g g-1, respectively). The essential amino acid levels in PSPI (except for valine and isoleucine) exceeded the recommended amounts set by WHO/FAO/UNU for adults, highlighting its high nutritional value. Based on thermal analysis data, denaturation of PSPI could occur at 89.5°C. The in vitro digestibility of PSPI was found to be 74.3%. PSPI shows a potential as a novel ingredient for substituting animal-based proteins in various food applications.

Chemical respiratory sensitization-Current status of mechanistic understanding, knowledge gaps and possible identification methods of sensitizers.

Respiratory sensitization is a complex immunological process eventually leading to hypersensitivity following re-exposure to the chemical. A frequent consequence is occupational asthma, which may occur after long latency periods. Although chemical-induced respiratory hypersensitivity has been known for decades, there are currently no comprehensive and validated approaches available for the prospective identification of chemicals that induce respiratory sensitization, while the expectations of new approach methodologies (NAMs) are high. A great hope is that due to a better understanding of the molecular key events, new methods can be developed now. However, this is a big challenge due to the different chemical classes to which respiratory sensitizers belong, as well as because of the complexity of the response and the late manifestation of symptoms. In this review article, the current information on respiratory sensitization related processes is summarized by introducing it in the available adverse outcome pathway (AOP) concept. Potentially useful models for prediction are discussed. Knowledge gaps and gaps of regulatory concern are identified.

Impact of adding papain to sous vide cooking on texture and sensorial traits of marinated semitendinosus beefsteaks.

Sous vide meat is an emerging food category, the consumption of which has increased owing to greater convenience, sensory traits, elderly consumers acceptance, and low-cost cuts use. However, required prolonged thermal treatment to achieve desired tenderness, impact energy-consumption besides triggering lipid oxidation, undesired off-flavors, and cooked meat profiles. Using a response surface methodology (RSM), this study evaluated the effects of the vegetal proteolytic papain (0 to 20 mg/kg) and low-temperature sous vide cooking (SVC) time (1 to 8 h at 65°C) in low-value marinated M. semitendinosus beefsteaks on technological characteristics associated with tenderness, and lipid oxidation. Additionally, the sensory profile traits of the pre-selected treatments were described using check-all-that-apply (CATA) and preference mapping. Shear force (WBsSF) was reduced with greater papain addition, whereas higher cooking losses (CL) were observed with longer SVC cooking times. Both the released total collagen and TBARS values increased with increasing papain concentrations and SVC times. Combining high levels of papain (>10 mg/kg) and SVC time (>6 h) resulted in lower WBsSF values (<20 N) but higher CL (>27%) and the CATA descriptors "aftertaste" and "mushy." The optimized conditions (14 mg/kg papain; 2 h SVC) also reduced WBsSF values (<26 N) with lower CL (<20%) and were most preferred and described as "juicy" and "tender" by consumers. Observed results suggest that combined mild SVC and papain may potentiate tenderness, conjointly favor juiciness and oxidation, further representing a promising tool for reducing SVC time without compromising valued sous vide sensory traits.