Current challenges and future perspectives for the full circular economy of water in European countries.

This paper reviews the current problems and prospects to overcome circular water economy management challenges in European countries. The geopolitical paradigm of water, the water economy, water innovation, water management and regulation in Europe, environmental and safety concerns at water reuse, and technological solutions for water recovery are all covered in this review, which has been prepared in the frame of the COST ACTION (CA, 20133) FULLRECO4US, Working Group (WG) 4. With a Circular Economy approach to water recycling and recovery based on this COST Action, this review paper aims to develop novel, futuristic solutions to overcome the difficulties that the European Union (EU) is currently facing. The detailed review of the current environmental barriers and upcoming difficulties for water reuse in Europe with a Circular Economy vision is another distinctive aspect of this study. It is observed that the biggest challenge in using and recycling water from wastewater treatment plants is dealing with technical, social, political, and economic issues. For instance, geographical differences significantly affect technological problems, and it is effective in terms of social acceptance of the reuse of treated water. Local governmental organizations should support and encourage initiatives to expand water reuse, particularly for agricultural and industrial uses across all of Europe. It should not also be disregarded that the latest hydro politics approach to water management will actively contribute to addressing the issues associated with water scarcity.

Designing appropriate site determination criteria for installing constructed wetland treatment system based on multi-criteria decision-making analyses.

Constructed wetlands have recently started to be applied as the most important type of nature-based solution against the effects of climate change. This study investigates the determination of the most suitable site determination criteria for the application of this important nature-based solution tool by multiple decision-making methods. For this purpose, first of all, the literature was reviewed and the ten most important criteria for constructed wastelands were determined. Then, fieldwork was carried out according to these determined criteria, and a location was determined in the field according to each criterion. The global positioning system device is used to mark 10 locations that have been determined as waypoints for 10 criteria. The determined waypoints were then scored using the relevant criteria, and the best location was determined using the Multiple Attribute Utility Theory methods. Waypoint 1 received the highest score, 8.4, according to the results. Later, waypoint 7 received a score of 6.2, and waypoint 9 received a score of 5.7.

CXC chemokine KC fails to induce neutrophil infiltration and neoangiogenesis in a mouse model of myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Chemokines and neutrophils, known as important players in the inflammatory cascade, also contribute to heart tissue recovery and scar formation after myocardial infarction (MI). The objective of this study was to determine the importance of ELR-containing CXC chemokine KC in neutrophil infiltration and neoangiogenesis, in a mouse model of chronic MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: MI was induced in mice divided in four groups: control (untreated), anti-KC "later" (anti-KC antibody injections started 4 days after MI and then delivered every 72 hours for 3 weeks, to inhibit angiogenesis), anti-KC "earlier" (anti-KC antibody injections 1 day before and 1 day after MI, to block neutrophil infiltration), anti-KC (anti-KC antibody injections 1 day before and 1 day after MI, and then every 72 hours for 3 weeks). The efficiency of the anti-KC treatment was determined by the measurement of KC serum concentration and immunofluorescence staining, in each of the four groups. Surprisingly, we did not find any difference in neutrophil infiltration in the infarcted area between untreated and treated animals. Moreover, the heart function, infarct size, and neoangiogenesis were not different between the four groups. As expected, a comparable anti-CXCR2 treatment of mice before and after MI was able to significantly reduce neutrophil infiltration into the infarcted area and angiogenesis, but also to reduce the infarction size after long or "later" treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The major finding of our study is that KC, a potent neutrophil chemoattractant and an established angiogenic factor, failed to interfere in the post-infarction inflammatory response, in wound healing and scar formation after MI. Therefore, these aspects need to be carefully taken into account when devising therapeutic strategies for myocardial infarction and ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Determination of natural antibodies, beta-hydroxybutyric acid, and non-esterified fatty acid levels in the serum of peripartum Tuj and Hemsin sheep.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Many metabolic and immunological changes occur during the transition period. Innate immunity plays an important role against to infections and natural antibodies (NAb) are important in immunity. This study aims to determine a connection between serum NAb titers, beta-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA), and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations in Tuj and Hemsin sheep during the peripartum period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum NAb, BHBA, and NEFA levels were determined from the blood samples collected from Tuj and Hemsin sheep on days 30 and 15 before birth, on the day of birth (day 0), and on days 15 and 30 after birth. RESULTS: NAb titers were found to be higher in Tuj than in Hemsin sheep (p<0.001). No statistically significant difference was found in serum BHBA concentrations of both breeds on all sampling days (p>0.05). The serum NEFA level was lower in Tuj sheep in the last 15 days of pregnancy compared to Hemsin sheep (p<0.05), while no difference was found in samples collected at the other time points. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that serum NAb titers significantly changed in Tuj and Hemsin sheep during the transition period. Serum BHBA and NEFA concentrations increased during the last stages of pregnancy and decreased after birth. Based on these findings, it is suggested that the immunological status could vary by the breed of sheep or various factors that affect the sheep's metabolic state.

Oestrus Synchronisation with Progesterone-containing Sponge and Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin in Pirlak Ewes During the Non-breeding Season: Can Toryum Improve Fertility Parameters?

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the vitamins, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and minerals in the supplement Toryum administered before and during oestrus synchronisation on some fertility parameters of ewes during the non-breeding season. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The experimental animals were clinically healthy Pirlak ewes, 55-75 days postpartum, aged 2-4 years and weighing 40-50 kg. A sponge was inserted into the vagina for 10 d (G1, n = 30; G2, n = 30) or 14 d (G3, n = 30; G4, n = 30) for oestrus synchronisation, and on the day of removal, 400 IU equine chorionic gonadotropin was injected. Toryum soft capsules were administered individually (1 capsule/ewe p.o.) to G1 and G3 ewes seven days before the sponge was inserted and on the day it was removed. Oestrus detection was started 12 h after sponge removal. Pregnancy was diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography on the 30th day after mating. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate was statistically different between G1 and G4 (P < 0.05). The onset of oestrus was statistically different (P < 0.001) between the 10-d groups (G1 and G2) and the 14-d groups (G3 and G4). The litter size and oestrus, conception, lambing, multiple birth, and survival rates were not significantly different between the groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Toryum administered to Pirlak ewes during progesterone-based oestrus synchronisation protocols during the non-breeding season may increase pregnancy rates. The relationship between Toryum and fertility parameters in ewes would be better understood by comprehensive studies.

Analysis of time-resolved interaction force mode AFM imaging using active and passive probes.

We present an in-depth analysis of time-resolved interaction force (TRIF) mode imaging for atomic force microscopy (AFM). A nonlinear model of an active AFM probe, performing simultaneous topography and material property imaging on samples with varying elasticity and adhesion is implemented in Simulink®. The model is capable of simulating various imaging modes, probe structures, sample material properties, tip-sample interaction force models, and actuation and feedback schemes. For passive AFM cantilevers, the model is verified by comparing results from the literature. As an example of an active probe, the force sensing integrated readout and active tip (FIRAT) probe is used. Simulation results indicate that the active and damped nature of FIRAT provides a significant level of control over the force applied to the sample, minimizing sample indentation and topography error. Active tip control (ATC) preserves constant contact time during force control for stable contact while preventing the loss of material property information such as elasticity and adhesive force. Simulation results are verified by TRIF mode imaging of the samples with both soft and stiff regions.

Subclinical mastitis causes alterations in nitric oxide, total oxidant and antioxidant capacity in cow milk.

The aim of this study was to investigate total antioxidant (TAC), and oxidant capacity (TOC) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in milk of cows with subclinical mastitis. Brown Swiss and Holstein breed cows were screened with California Mastitis Test (CMT) to determine mammary glands with subclinical mastitis. Moreover, somatic cell counts (SCC) were determined electronically in all milk samples. Mammary quarters were classified as healthy (n=25) or subclinical mastitis (n=35) based on CMT scores and somatic cell count (SCC: < or =200,000/ml or >200,000/ml) in milk. Nitric oxide, TOC and SCC levels were significantly higher (p<0.001, p<0.005 and p<0.001, respectively) in milk from mammary quarters with subclinical mastitis compared to those from healthy mammary quarters. In conclusion, subclinical mastitis results in higher NO concentrations, TOC and SCC, and NO and TOC were positively correlated with SCC. Moreover, alterations in NO levels and TOC in milk could be used as an alternative diagnostic tool to screen for subclinical mastitis.