{"type": "FeatureCollection", "features": [{"id": "10.1007/s00436-025-08483-3", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-09-20T16:14:24Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-04-08", "title": "Implementation of real-time PCR assays for diagnosing intestinal protozoa infections", "description": "Abstract

Intestinal protozoa infections present a major public health challenge, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Effective diagnostic methods are critical, yet traditional microscopy, though widely used for its simplicity, lacks the sensitivity and specificity of modern techniques like real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), making the latter a more effective tool for monitoring and assessing the burden of intestinal protozoa diseases. In this study, we implemented two duplex qPCR assays to detect Entamoeba dispar\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium spp.\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89Chilomastix mesnili, along with singleplex assays for Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis spp., using a 10 \uffc2\uffb5L reaction volume. This marks the first molecular detection of Chilomastix mesnili by qPCR, enhancing diagnostic precision. Using these, we analyzed stool samples from 70 patients on Pemba Island, Tanzania, before and 54 samples after treatment with 20, 25, or 30\uffc2\uffa0mg of emodepside or placebo, aiming to assess protozoa prevalence for this region and emodepside\uffe2\uff80\uff99s potential antiprotozoal effects. Our qPCR reliably detected protozoa in 74.4% of samples, with Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in 31.4% of cases. Notably, one-third of these infections were caused by Entamoeba histolytica. No significant reduction in protozoa was observed after emodepside treatment compared to placebo. The study highlights the utility of qPCR in providing species-level differentiation and improving the speed and cost-effectiveness of testing. The high prevalence of protozoa in this region underscores the need for continued monitoring and control efforts, though emodepside was not effective against protozoa infections. 2 nanoparticles on human fetal lung fibroblasts MRC-5. We examined individual nanoparticle-treated cells by Raman spectroscopy and analyzed Raman spectra using non-negative principal component analysis and k-means clustering. In this way, we determined dose-dependent differences between treated cells, which were reflected through the intensity change of lipid, phospholipid and RNA-related Raman modes. Performing standard biological tests for cell growth, viability and induction of apoptosis in parallel, these changes were correlated with nanoparticle-induced apoptotic processes. The cells with specific spectral characteristics, referring to non-apoptotic, but possibly autophagic cell death modality, were also detected. Additionally, Raman imaging combined with principal component and vertex component analysis was used to map the spatial distribution of biological molecules in treated and untreated cells. This work provided the description of different resulting states of the treated cells depending on the dextran-coated CeO2 nanoparticles dose, which can be later used in the design of the nanoparticles for industrial or medical applications. The wide content of information resulting from single-cell Raman spectroscopy has the potential to detect biochemical changes caused by nanoparticles that would otherwise require a series of expensive and time-consuming standard biological techniques.", "keywords": ["PCA", "Principal Component Analysis", "Cell Survival", "Metal Nanoparticles", "Dextrans", "Apoptosis", "Cerium", "Fibroblasts", "Spectrum Analysis", " Raman", "VCA", "Cell Line", "Raman spectroscopy", "MRC-5 fibroblasts", "Humans", "Nanoparticles", "Single-Cell Analysis", "Lung", "CeO2"], "contacts": [{"organization": "Mi\u0107evi\u0107, Mirjana, Sonja, \u0106alija, Koricanac, Lela, \u017dakula, Jelena, Viloti\u0107, Aleksandra, Radovic, Marko, Golic, Igor, Korac, Aleksandra, Nacka-Aleksi\u0107, Mirjana, Stojadinovic, Bojan, Doh\u010devi\u0107-Mitrovi\u0107, Zorana,", "roles": ["creator"]}]}, "links": [{"href": "https://doi.org/10.1080/17435390.2025.2453576"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Nanotoxicology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1080/17435390.2025.2453576", "name": "item", "description": "10.1080/17435390.2025.2453576", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1080/17435390.2025.2453576"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-01-02T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.1785/0220210080", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-09-20T16:18:20Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2021-06-30", "title": "Contamination of Frequency\u2013Magnitude Slope (b-Value) by Quarry Blasts: An Example for Italy", "description": "Abstract

Artifacts often affect seismic catalogs. Among them, the presence of man-made contaminations such as quarry blasts and explosions is a well-known problem. Using a contaminated dataset reduces the statistical significance of results and can lead to erroneous conclusions, thus the removal of such nonnatural events should be the first step for a data analyst. Blasts misclassified as natural earthquakes, indeed, may artificially alter the seismicity rates and then the b-value of the Gutenberg and Richter relationship, an essential ingredient of several forecasting models.

At present, datasets collect useful information beyond the parameters to locate the earthquakes in space and time, allowing the users to discriminate between natural and nonnatural events. However, selecting them from webservices queries is neither easy nor clear, and part of such supplementary but fundamental information can be lost during downloading. As a consequence, most of statistical seismologists ignore the presence in seismic catalog of explosions and quarry blasts and assume that they were not located by seismic networks or in case they were eliminated.

We here show the example of the Italian Seismological Instrumental and Parametric Database. What happens when artificial seismicity is mixed with natural one?

", "keywords": ["13. Climate action", "0211 other engineering and technologies", "seismic catalog", " seismic network", " quarry blasts", " b-value", " seismicity rates", "magnitude", "02 engineering and technology", "01 natural sciences", "0105 earth and related environmental sciences"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://cris.unibo.it/bitstream/11585/841153/4/Gulia_Gasperini_draft.pdf"}, {"href": "http://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/ssa/srl/article-pdf/92/6/3538/5452390/srl-2021080.1.pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.1785/0220210080"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Seismological%20Research%20Letters", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.1785/0220210080", "name": "item", "description": "10.1785/0220210080", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.1785/0220210080"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2021-06-30T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.3389/fsufs.2024.1410205", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-09-20T16:18:59Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-08-26", "title": "Building a solid foundation: advancing evidence synthesis in agri-food systems science", "description": "

Enhancing the reliability of literature reviews and evidence synthesis is crucial for advancing the transformation of agriculture and food (agri-food) systems as well as for informed decisions and policy making. In this perspective, we argue that evidence syntheses in the field of agri-food systems research often suffer from a suite of methodological limitations that substantially increase the risk of bias, i.e., publication and selection bias, resulting in unreliable and potentially flawed conclusions and, consequently, poor decisions (e.g., policy direction, investment, research foci). We assessed 926 articles from the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence Database of Evidence Reviews (CEEDER) and recent examples from agri-food systems research to support our reasoning. The analysis of articles from CEEDER (n\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff89926) specifically indicates poor quality (Red) in measures to minimize subjectivity during critical appraisal (98% of all reviews), application of the eligibility criteria (97%), cross-checking of extracted data by more than one reviewer (97%), critical appraisal of studies (88%), establishment of an a priori method/protocol (86%), and transparent reporting of eligibility decisions (65%). Additionally, deficiencies (Amber) were found in most articles (>50%) regarding the investigation and discussion of variability in study findings (89%), comprehensiveness of the search (78%), definition of eligibility criteria (72%), search approach (64%), reporting of extracted data for each study (59%), consideration and discussion of the limitations of the synthesis (56%), documentation of data extraction (54%) and regarding the statistical approach (52%). To enhance the quality of evidence synthesis in agri-food science, review authors should use tried-and-tested methodologies and publish peer-reviewed a priori protocols. Training in evidence synthesis methods should be scaled, with universities playing a crucial role. It is the shared duty of research authors, training providers, supervisors, reviewers, and editors to ensure that rigorous and robust evidence syntheses are made available to decision-makers. We argue that all these actors should be cognizant of these common mistakes to avoid publishing unreliable syntheses. Only by thinking as a community can we ensure that reliable evidence is provided to support appropriate decision-making in agri-food systems science.

This paper reports on preliminary yet consistent studies and results around the concept of meta-material applied to the protection of buried gas transmission pipelines. The capacity of the proposed meta-material layout in attenuating and dissipating the energy induced by a surface explosion is described in general terms, and then it is examined for a set of nine realistic cases. The formulation of the band gaps, which are considered zones of mitigation for the incident waves of certain frequencies, composes the core of the analysis. For the calculation of the band gaps that target a specific range of frequencies, the 1D periodic structures\u2019 theory is adopted, and the results have been verified numerically via COMSOL. The layout is tested for nine cases of surface explosions via finite element analyses in ABAQUS, using the CONWEP model for simulating the surface explosions. Extremely satisfying results are demonstrated regarding the reduction in the vertical and horizontal displacements of the buried steel pipe. The outer goal of the present study is to spotlight the implementation of meta-material concepts for the efficient blast protection of underground structures, addressing a major hazard for this type of structure and a gap in the current literature.

", "keywords": ["Dynamic and structural geology", "band gaps", "0203 mechanical engineering", "blast waves", "periodic layering", "meta-material", "surface explosion", "QE500-639.5", "02 engineering and technology", "buried steel pipes", "meta-material; buried steel pipes; surface explosion; blast waves; band gaps; periodic layering"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/2/2/20/pdf"}, {"href": "https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/2/2/20/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics2020020"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Geotechnics", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/geotechnics2020020", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/geotechnics2020020", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/geotechnics2020020"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2022-05-31T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10.3390/geotechnics3030032", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-09-20T16:19:05Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2023-07-03", "title": "Meta-Material Layout for the Blast Protection of Above-Ground Steel Pipes", "description": "

The current study investigates the capacity of the proposed meta-material layout for the blast protection of above-ground steel pipes against explosions. The philosophy of the meta-material layout\u2019s design is described adequately, and the 1D periodic structures\u2019 theory is adopted for the analytical prediction of the layout\u2019s band-gaps. The special characteristics of the blast loading are explained, and specific time-related parameters are calculated. The layout is tested numerically for nine explosion scenarios of various magnitude via the finite element program ABAQUS, and the CONWEP model is selected for the simulation of the explosions. The results demonstrate a significant reduction in the maximum displacements developed on the pipe\u2019s spring line and crown within a blast loading. This study composes an extension of the author\u2019s previous research on buried steel pipes and surface explosion, advancing now the applicability of the meta-material layouts for the cases of above-ground steel pipes towards explosions and blast hazards. The outer goal is the investigation and the further spreading of the beneficial exploitation of meta-materials concepts for the scope of the pipelines\u2019 effective blast protection, readdressing that this way is a major hazard for this type of structure and a gap in the current literature.

", "keywords": ["Dynamic and structural geology", "0203 mechanical engineering", "meta-material; pipelines; explosion; blast loading; band-gaps; periodic layering", "periodic layering", "meta-material", "band-gaps", "QE500-639.5", "02 engineering and technology", "explosion", "blast loading", "pipelines", "0201 civil engineering"]}, "links": [{"href": "http://www.mdpi.com/2673-7094/3/3/32/pdf"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics3030032"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Geotechnics", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "10.3390/geotechnics3030032", "name": "item", "description": "10.3390/geotechnics3030032", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/10.3390/geotechnics3030032"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2023-07-01T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "10261/375649", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-09-20T16:21:44Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2024-08-26", "title": "Building a solid foundation: advancing evidence synthesis in agri-food systems science", "description": "

Enhancing the reliability of literature reviews and evidence synthesis is crucial for advancing the transformation of agriculture and food (agri-food) systems as well as for informed decisions and policy making. In this perspective, we argue that evidence syntheses in the field of agri-food systems research often suffer from a suite of methodological limitations that substantially increase the risk of bias, i.e., publication and selection bias, resulting in unreliable and potentially flawed conclusions and, consequently, poor decisions (e.g., policy direction, investment, research foci). We assessed 926 articles from the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence Database of Evidence Reviews (CEEDER) and recent examples from agri-food systems research to support our reasoning. The analysis of articles from CEEDER (n\uffe2\uff80\uff89=\uffe2\uff80\uff89926) specifically indicates poor quality (Red) in measures to minimize subjectivity during critical appraisal (98% of all reviews), application of the eligibility criteria (97%), cross-checking of extracted data by more than one reviewer (97%), critical appraisal of studies (88%), establishment of an a priori method/protocol (86%), and transparent reporting of eligibility decisions (65%). Additionally, deficiencies (Amber) were found in most articles (>50%) regarding the investigation and discussion of variability in study findings (89%), comprehensiveness of the search (78%), definition of eligibility criteria (72%), search approach (64%), reporting of extracted data for each study (59%), consideration and discussion of the limitations of the synthesis (56%), documentation of data extraction (54%) and regarding the statistical approach (52%). To enhance the quality of evidence synthesis in agri-food science, review authors should use tried-and-tested methodologies and publish peer-reviewed a priori protocols. Training in evidence synthesis methods should be scaled, with universities playing a crucial role. It is the shared duty of research authors, training providers, supervisors, reviewers, and editors to ensure that rigorous and robust evidence syntheses are made available to decision-makers. We argue that all these actors should be cognizant of these common mistakes to avoid publishing unreliable syntheses. Only by thinking as a community can we ensure that reliable evidence is provided to support appropriate decision-making in agri-food systems science.2 nanoparticles on human fetal lung fibroblasts MRC-5. We examined individual nanoparticle-treated cells by Raman spectroscopy and analyzed Raman spectra using non-negative principal component analysis and k-means clustering. In this way, we determined dose-dependent differences between treated cells, which were reflected through the intensity change of lipid, phospholipid and RNA-related Raman modes. Performing standard biological tests for cell growth, viability and induction of apoptosis in parallel, these changes were correlated with nanoparticle-induced apoptotic processes. The cells with specific spectral characteristics, referring to non-apoptotic, but possibly autophagic cell death modality, were also detected. Additionally, Raman imaging combined with principal component and vertex component analysis was used to map the spatial distribution of biological molecules in treated and untreated cells. This work provided the description of different resulting states of the treated cells depending on the dextran-coated CeO2 nanoparticles dose, which can be later used in the design of the nanoparticles for industrial or medical applications. The wide content of information resulting from single-cell Raman spectroscopy has the potential to detect biochemical changes caused by nanoparticles that would otherwise require a series of expensive and time-consuming standard biological techniques.", "keywords": ["PCA", "Cell Survival", "Metal Nanoparticles", "Dextrans", "Apoptosis", "Cerium", "Fibroblasts", "Spectrum Analysis", " Raman", "VCA", "Cell Line", "Raman spectroscopy", "MRC-5 fibroblasts", "Humans", "Nanoparticles", "Single-Cell Analysis", "Lung", "CeO2"]}, "links": [{"href": "https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/17435390.2025.2453576"}, {"href": "https://doi.org/39840838"}, {"rel": "related", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/Nanotoxicology", "name": "related record", "description": "related record", "type": "application/json"}, {"rel": "self", "type": "application/geo+json", "title": "39840838", "name": "item", "description": "39840838", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main/items/39840838"}, {"rel": "collection", "type": "application/json", "title": "Collection", "name": "collection", "description": "Collection", "href": "https://repository.soilwise-he.eu/cat/collections/metadata:main"}], "time": {"date": "2025-01-02T00:00:00Z"}}, {"id": "40198454", "type": "Feature", "geometry": null, "properties": {"updated": "2026-09-20T16:23:06Z", "type": "Journal Article", "created": "2025-04-08", "title": "Implementation of real-time PCR assays for diagnosing intestinal protozoa infections", "description": "Abstract

Intestinal protozoa infections present a major public health challenge, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Effective diagnostic methods are critical, yet traditional microscopy, though widely used for its simplicity, lacks the sensitivity and specificity of modern techniques like real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), making the latter a more effective tool for monitoring and assessing the burden of intestinal protozoa diseases. In this study, we implemented two duplex qPCR assays to detect Entamoeba dispar\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium spp.\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89Chilomastix mesnili, along with singleplex assays for Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis spp., using a 10 \uffc2\uffb5L reaction volume. This marks the first molecular detection of Chilomastix mesnili by qPCR, enhancing diagnostic precision. Using these, we analyzed stool samples from 70 patients on Pemba Island, Tanzania, before and 54 samples after treatment with 20, 25, or 30\uffc2\uffa0mg of emodepside or placebo, aiming to assess protozoa prevalence for this region and emodepside\uffe2\uff80\uff99s potential antiprotozoal effects. Our qPCR reliably detected protozoa in 74.4% of samples, with Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in 31.4% of cases. Notably, one-third of these infections were caused by Entamoeba histolytica. No significant reduction in protozoa was observed after emodepside treatment compared to placebo. The study highlights the utility of qPCR in providing species-level differentiation and improving the speed and cost-effectiveness of testing. The high prevalence of protozoa in this region underscores the need for continued monitoring and control efforts, though emodepside was not effective against protozoa infections. Intestinal protozoa infections present a major public health challenge, particularly in areas with poor sanitation and limited access to clean water. Effective diagnostic methods are critical, yet traditional microscopy, though widely used for its simplicity, lacks the sensitivity and specificity of modern techniques like real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), making the latter a more effective tool for monitoring and assessing the burden of intestinal protozoa diseases. In this study, we implemented two duplex qPCR assays to detect Entamoeba dispar\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium spp.\uffe2\uff80\uff89+\uffe2\uff80\uff89Chilomastix mesnili, along with singleplex assays for Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis spp., using a 10 \uffc2\uffb5L reaction volume. This marks the first molecular detection of Chilomastix mesnili by qPCR, enhancing diagnostic precision. Using these, we analyzed stool samples from 70 patients on Pemba Island, Tanzania, before and 54 samples after treatment with 20, 25, or 30\uffc2\uffa0mg of emodepside or placebo, aiming to assess protozoa prevalence for this region and emodepside\uffe2\uff80\uff99s potential antiprotozoal effects. Our qPCR reliably detected protozoa in 74.4% of samples, with Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar in 31.4% of cases. Notably, one-third of these infections were caused by Entamoeba histolytica. No significant reduction in protozoa was observed after emodepside treatment compared to placebo. The study highlights the utility of qPCR in providing species-level differentiation and improving the speed and cost-effectiveness of testing. The high prevalence of protozoa in this region underscores the need for continued monitoring and control efforts, though emodepside was not effective against protozoa infections.