Search Results (601)

Nine technology-related metal(loid)s (Ag, Co, Fe, Mo, Pt, Rh, Sb, Se and Y) were monitored in 137 topsoil samples from urban parks, industrial areas and gardens in Alcalá de Henares (Spain) using ICP–MS. Selenium was not detected, while Mo, Sb and Rh showed a high proportion of values below the detection limit, indicating generally low contamination. In contrast, Fe, Co and Y were detected in all samples, with industrial soils showing about two-fold higher median Co and Fe than urban soils. Garden soils displayed marked silver enrichment (median 0.439 vs. 0.068 mg kg⁻¹ in urban soils), with Ag pollution indices up to 71 and enrichment factors up to 69; around 17% of garden samples exceeded EF > 40, and more than one-quarter had EF > 10. Principal component analysis suggested a predominantly geogenic association for Co, Fe and Y and an anthropogenic component for Ag, Mo, Rh and Sb, while Pt was mainly linked to vehicular emissions. Under standard US EPA exposure scenarios applied to the 2001 topsoil concentrations, oral and inhalation hazard quotients for elements with available benchmarks remained <0.2 and inhalation cancer risks for Co were ≤2.5 × 10⁻⁷, indicating low estimated risk within the model assumptions. However, quantitative risk characterisation remains constrained by benchmark gaps for Pt and Rh and by limited consensus toxicity values for Y, which introduces uncertainty for these technology-related elements. These results should therefore be interpreted primarily as a baseline (2001) in surface soils for Alcalá de Henares rather than as a direct representation of current exposure conditions. Full article

Electric-field-sensitive dielectrics play a crucial role in electric field induction sensing and related capacitive conversion, with interfacial polarization and charge accumulation largely determining the signal output. This paper introduces graphene/transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) (MoSe₂, MoS₂, and WS₂) heterojunctions as functional fillers to enhance the dielectric response and electric-field-induced voltage output of flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to evaluate the stability of the heterojunctions and interfacial electronic modulation, including binding behavior, charge redistribution, and Fermi level-referenced band structure/total density of states (TDOS) characteristics. The calculations show that the graphene/TMD interface is primarily controlled by van der Waals forces, exhibiting negative binding energy and significant interfacial charge rearrangement. Based on these theoretical results, graphene/TMD heterojunction powders were synthesized and incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Structural characterization confirmed the presence of face-to-face interfacial contacts and consistent elemental co-localization within the heterojunction filler. Dielectric spectroscopy analysis revealed an overall improvement in the dielectric constant of the composite materials while maintaining a stable loss trend within the studied frequency range. More importantly, calibrated electric field induction tests (based on pure PDMS) showed a significant enhancement in the voltage response of all heterojunction composite materials, with the WS₂-G/PDMS system exhibiting the best performance, exhibiting an electric-field-induced voltage amplitude 7.607% higher than that of pure PDMS. This work establishes a microscopic-to-macroscopic correlation between interfacial electronic modulation and electric-field-sensitive dielectric properties, providing a feasible interface engineering strategy for high-performance flexible dielectric sensing materials. Full article

Near-infrared (NIR) photodetectors are essential for LiDAR, optical communication, and sensing technologies requiring fast response and low power consumption. This work reports a PN photodiode incorporating a co-sputtered MoS₂–Al₂O₃ composite layer to enhance NIR photoresponse for LiDAR and environmental sensing applications. The composite layer improves device performance through defect passivation, dielectric screening, and modified carrier transport behavior. Under 100 mW·cm⁻² illumination at 4 V, the device delivers a photocurrent of 10 mA with a response time of 155 µs, corresponding to an approximately threefold (~300%) improvement compared to a reference structure. Spectral measurements show peak responsivity at 970 nm with extended sensitivity up to 1100 nm. These results indicate that embedding Al₂O₃ within the MoS₂ improves the MoS₂/Si interface and facilitates infrared photon absorption in the Si substrate, leading to enhanced vertical carrier collection and reduced recombination compared with conventional surface-passivated MoS₂/dielectric layers-based devices. The proposed device demonstrates a low-cost, broadband photodiode architecture suitable for eye-safe LiDAR and environmental monitoring applications. Full article

Around eight million people—mainly in cities—die prematurely from pollution-related diseases; thus, studies of urban dust have become increasingly relevant over the last two decades. In this study, an assessment of heavy metal and metalloid contamination in urban dust was conducted in downtown Murcia, Spain. The objectives were to evaluate the level of contamination and the associated health risks, both with a spatially explicit focus. One hundred and twenty-eight urban dust samples were collected, each from a 1-square-meter area, using plastic tools to prevent contamination. The dust was dried and weighed, then acid-digested before analysis via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Corresponding maps were then generated using a geographic information system. The elements analyzed in the urban dust (with their median concentrations, given in mg/kg) were As (2.14), Bi (14.06), Cd (0.38), Co (1.88), Cr (71.17), Cu (142.60), Fe (13,752), Mn (316.64), Mo (3.90), Ni (21.94), Pb (106.27), Sb (6.54), Se (4.34), Sr (488.08), V (28.05), and Zn (357.33). The sequence of median concentrations for the analyzed elements was Fe > Sr > Zn > Mn > Cu > Pb > Cr > V > Ni > Bi > Sb > Se > Mo > As > Co > Cd. The pollution assessment reveals that the city is moderately polluted. Using local background levels, the elements with median values exceeding the threshold for considerable contamination were As, Cu, Pb, Sb, Se, and Zn. Using the global background level, the elements with median values exceeding the threshold for considerable contamination were Bi, Cu, Mo, Pb, Sb, Se, and Zn. The median value of the sum of the hazard index (1.82) indicates a risk to children’s health. The hazard index revealed that 43% of the sites pose a relative risk to children. In contrast to previous global studies, the present research provides a multi-scale assessment of urban pollution and health risks. Pollution is evaluated by metal, city, zone, and site, while health risks are assessed by metal, city, and site. We recommend a strategy for both local authorities and residents. Full article

Background/Objectives: Frailty is a common geriatric syndrome associated with adverse outcomes such as disability, hospitalization, and mortality. This study aimed to assess the association between body mass index (BMI) trajectories over ten years and frailty among community-dwelling older adults in Brazil. Methods: This population-based longitudinal study used data from the COMO VAI? cohort, conducted with individuals aged ≥60 years in Pelotas, southern Brazil. Frailty was defined in 2024 using Fried’s phenotype, which evaluates weight loss, exhaustion, low physical activity, slowness, and weakness. BMI categories were defined as underweight (BMI < 22.0 kg/m²), eutrophy (22.0–27.0 kg/m²) and overweight (>27.0 kg/m²). BMI trajectories were identified using group-based trajectory modeling for 789 participants with data from at least two of three assessments (2014, 2019, 2024). Only trajectory groups comprising at least 5% of the sample were retained. Associations of baseline BMI and BMI trajectories with frailty were analyzed using Poisson regression with robust variance, adjusted for confounders and calf circumference. Results: Baseline underweight and overweight prevalence were 9.2% and 56.2%, respectively. Trajectory modeling identified three BMI groups: eutrophic (31.6%), overweight (56.4%), and obesity (12.0%). Obesity emerged as a distinct longitudinal trajectory rather than a baseline BMI category. Underweight did not emerge as a distinct BMI trajectory due to its low prevalence over time. Frailty prevalence in 2024 was 36.5%. Overweight trajectory participants had lower frailty prevalence after ten years (PR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.54–0.99), while baseline underweight was associated with higher frailty ten years later (PR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.05–2.84), consistent with the known risk of underweight and the potential protective effect observed in overweight older adults. Conclusions: Baseline underweight increased frailty risk, whereas an overweight trajectory showed a potential protective effect, consistent with the “obesity paradox” in older populations. Full article

Precise morphology engineering is essential for enhancing the charge-storage capabilities of cobalt molybdate (CoMoO₄). In this study, cobalt molybdate (CoMoO₄, abbreviated as CoMo), cobalt molybdate–cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CoMo-CTAB), and cobalt molybdate–cetyltrimethylammonium bromide/polyethylene glycol (CoMo-CTAB/PEG) electrodes were synthesized through a cationic–nonionic surfactant-assisted hydrothermal route. he introduction of CTAB promoted the formation of well-defined nanoflake structures, whereas the synergistic CTAB/PEG system produced a highly porous and interconnected nanosheet architecture, enabling enhanced electrolyte diffusion and redox accessibility. As a result, the CoMo-CTAB/PEG electrode delivered a high areal capacitance of 10.321 F cm⁻² at 10 mA cm⁻², markedly outperforming CoMo-CTAB and pristine CoMo electrodes. It also exhibited good rate capability, maintaining 63.64% of its capacitance at 50 mA cm⁻². Long-term cycling tests revealed excellent durability, with over 83% capacitance retention after 12,000 cycles and high coulombic efficiency, indicating highly reversible Faradaic behavior. Moreover, an asymmetric pouch-type supercapacitor device (APSD) assembled using the optimized electrode demonstrated robust cycling stability. These findings underscore surfactant-directed morphology modulation as an effective and scalable strategy for developing high-performance CoMoO₄-based supercapacitor electrodes. Full article

This paper investigates the applicability of plasma transferred arc (PTA) cladding for extending the service life of biomass shredder tools. The study evaluates the possibility of replacing Hardox 500 steel with a lower-cost structural steel S355J2 whose functional surfaces are modified by PTA cladding. Three commercially available powder fillers were examined: CoCrWNi (PL1), FeCoCrSi (PL2), and NiCrMoFeCuBSi (PL3). The quality and performance of the cladded layers were assessed through hardness measurements, microstructural analysis using SEM and EDX, and tribological testing focused on abrasive and adhesive wear at room temperature. The results showed that the PL1 cladding achieved the highest surface hardness, reaching up to 602 HV0.1, due to the presence of hard carbide phases. In contrast, the PL2 cladding exhibited the best resistance to abrasive wear, demonstrating the lowest mass loss for both as-deposited and machined surfaces. The PL3 cladding showed intermediate performance in terms of wear resistance. Overall, the findings indicate that PTA cladding using an FeCoCrSi-based filler on an S355J2 substrate represents a promising and cost-effective alternative to Hardox 500 for biomass shredder applications. Full article

Magnesium–sulfur (Mg-S) batteries represent a novel category of multivalent energy storage systems, characterised by enhanced theoretical energy density, material availability, and ecological compatibility. Notwithstanding these benefits, the practical implementation of this approach continues to be hindered by ongoing issues, such as polysulfide shuttle effects, slow Mg²⁺ transport, and significant interfacial instability. This study emphasises recent progress in utilising transition metal chalcogenides (TMCs) as cathode materials and modifiers to overcome these challenges. We assess the structural, electrical, and catalytic characteristics of TMCs such as MoS₂, CoSe₂, WS₂, and TiS₂, highlighting their contributions to improving redox kinetics, retaining polysulfides, and enabling reversible Mg²⁺ intercalation. The review synthesises results from experimental and theoretical studies to offer a thorough comprehension of structure–function interactions. Particular emphasis is placed on morphological engineering, modulation of electronic conductivity, and techniques for surface functionalisation. Furthermore, we examine insights from density functional theory (DFT) simulations that corroborate the observed enhancements in electrochemical performance and offer predictive direction for material optimisation. This paper delineates nascent opportunities in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced materials discovery and hybrid system design, proposing future trajectories to realise the potential of TMC-based Mg-S battery systems fully. Full article

In this study, the advanced oxidation system of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was activated by molybdenite supported on biochar (Molybdenite@BC), and the degradation efficiency, influencing factors and degradation mechanism of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) were explored through experiments. Molybdenite@BC, a composite material used in the study, was prepared by pyrolysis at high temperature. The optimum pyrolysis temperature was 700 °C, and the mass ratio of molybdenite to biochar (BC) was 1:3. By changing dosage of Molybdenite@BC, pH value, initial concentration of PMS, and the types and concentration of inorganic anions, the effects of various factors on SMX degradation were systematically studied. The optimum reaction conditions of the Molybdenite@BC/PMS process were as follows: Molybdenite@BC dosage was 100 mg/L, PMS concentration was 0.2 mM, pH value was 6.9 ± 0.2, and initial SMX concentration was 6 mg/L. Under these conditions, the degradation rate of SMX was 97.87% after 60 min and 99.06% after 120 min. The material characterization analysis showed that Molybdenite@BC had a porous structure and rich active sites, which was beneficial to the degradation of pollutants. After the composite material was used, the peaks of MoO₂ and MoS₂ became weaker, which indicated that there was some loss of molybdenum from the material structure. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and radical quenching experiments revealed that Molybdenite@BC effectively catalyzed PMS to generate various reactive oxygen radicals and non-free radicals, including singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydroxyl radical (^•OH), sulfate radical (SO₄^•−) and superoxide radical (^•O₂⁻). ¹O₂ played a leading role in the degradation of SMX, while ^•OH and SO₄^•− had little influence. The intermediate products of the degradation of SMX in Molybdenite@BC/PMS system were analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS). The results showed that there were nine main intermediate products in the process of degradation, and the overall toxicity tended to decrease during the degradation of SMX. The degradation path analysis showed that with the gradual ring opening and bond breaking of SMX, small molecular compounds were generated, which were finally mineralized into H₂O, CO₂, CO₃²⁻, H₂SO₄ and other substances. The research results confirmed that the Molybdenite@BC/PMS process provided a feasible new method for the degradation of SMX in water. Full article

Monitoring trace metals in commercially important fish species provides an early warning of anthropogenic contamination and potential risk to consumers. This study semi-quantified and quantified essential, non-essential, and toxic elements in the muscle of wild meagre (Argyrosomus regius) captured in the Tagus estuary (Portugal), which is used as a nursery and spawning aggregation area. Dry muscle was microwave-digested and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy. Semi-quantified screening detected Al, B, Ca, Fe, K, Mg, Na, P, S, Si, Sr, and Ti, and eight elements were determined using multielement calibration (As, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Se, and Zn); Cd, Pb (toxic elements), Co, and Mo were not detected in this study. Arsenic was detected in all individuals, with a minimum value of 0.348 mg/kg wet weight. A mercury level above the European Commission regulatory limit (0.5 mg/kg wet weight) was only detected in one individual, corresponding to 2% of the samples. Although other metals remain well below regulatory limits, continued biomonitoring is recommended to track temporal trends and safeguard seafood safety in transitional coastal systems, which is important for commercially relevant fish species. Full article

Background: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is a well-tolerated and effective procedure that can improve a patient’s mobility and quality of life. A main concern, however, is the release of metal ions into the body due to wear and corrosion. Commonly reported ions are Co and Cr, while others, such as Ti, Mo, and Ni, are less frequently studied. The objective of this study was to characterize compartmentalization and time-dependent ion behaviors across serum, whole blood, and urine after hip prosthetic implantation. The goal of using Random Forest (RF) was to determine whether machine learning modeling could support temporal trends across data. Methods: Data was gathered from the literature of clinical studies, and we conducted a pooled analysis of the temporal kinetics from cohorts of patients who received hip prosthetics. Mean ion concentrations were normalized to µg/L across each fluid and weighted by cohort sample size. RF was used as a study-level test of predictive accuracy across ions. Results: For serum and whole blood, Co and Cr displayed one-phase association models, while Ti showed an exponential rise and decay. Ions typically rose quickly within the first 24 months postoperatively. Serum Co and whole blood had similar patterns, tapering off just under 2 µg/L, but serum Cr (~2.02 µg/L) was generally higher than that of whole blood (~0.99 µg/L). Mean urinary Co levels were greater than those of Cr, suggesting a larger, freely filterable fraction for Co. RF was implemented to determine predictive accuracy for each ion, showing a stronger fit for Co (R² = 0.86, RMSE = 0.57) compared to Cr (R² = 0.52, RMSE = 0.50). Conclusions: Sub-threshold exposure was prevalent across cohorts. Serum and whole blood Co and Cr displayed distinct kinetic profiles and, if validated, could support fluid-specific monitoring strategies. We present a methodology for interpreting ion kinetics and show potential for machine learning applications in postoperative monitoring. Full article

In this study, the feasibility of tetracycline (TC) degradation in water using Fe–Mo co–supported biochar (FeMoBC) as catalyst combined with ozone and peroxymonosulfate (O₃/PMS) system is discussed. The experiment showed that the mineralization rate of TC by O₃/PMS/FeMoBC process reached 60.1% within 60 min, which was significantly higher than the treatment effect of O₃ or O₃/PMS system alone. Meanwhile, this process showed higher degradation efficiency under the background of raw water, and the loss of FeMoBC cycle attenuation performance was small. Twelve intermediates in the degradation of TC were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC–MS/MS), and the possible degradation paths were inferred by quantum chemical calculation. In addition, the toxicity of intermediate products was evaluated by ecological structure–activity relationships (ECOSAR) and toxicity estimation software tool (T.E.S.T.) software, and the results showed that with the degradation of TC, its toxicity showed a downward trend as a whole. Therefore, this study confirmed that O₃/PMS/FeMoBC had high efficiency in degrading TC in actual water, which provided a new idea for the treatment of high concentration organic wastewater. Full article

Insomnia and depression are severe sequelae of COVID-19 and often occur simultaneously. Our study examined associations of insomnia and/or depression with cognitive impairments, white matter changes, and serum biomarkers. In total, 76 long COVID patients and 22 healthy controls were examined using neuropsychiatric (ISI, HADS, and HDRS) and cognitive (MoCA, Stroop, WMT, and TMT) tests, with their blood biomarkers (anti-SARS-CoV-2, BDNF, anti-S100, anti-MBP, and anti-PLP) investigated, and underwent MRI using macromolecular proton fraction (MPF) mapping to quantify myelination. The Insomnia (n = 14), Depression (n = 12), InsDep (comorbid insomnia–depression, n = 13), and PostCovid (long COVID without depression and insomnia, n = 32) groups were identified based on psychiatric/neurological diagnoses and neuropsychiatric assessment. Cognitive performance was most affected in the Insomnia group in the MoCA and CW Stroop tests. The Depression group underperformed in the TMT and W Stroop task; the InsDep group underperformed in the WMT. The Insomnia group showed the greatest demyelination, affecting commissural (CC and tapetum), projection (CR, IC, CST, cerebral peduncles, CP, and ML), and some association pathways (SLF, SFOF), as well as most juxtacortical regions, the thalamus, and the midbrain; these changes correlated with insomnia severity. The Depression and InsDep groups showed smaller but significant overall demyelination correlated with depression severity. The Depression group exhibited the highest MPF decrease in the globus pallidus, putamen, and external capsule, while the InsDep group demonstrated the highest demyelination of the association pathways IFOF, UF, and cingulum. The anti-PLP levels were the highest in the Insomnia group and correlated with both the persistence of insomnia/depression symptoms and demyelination. Demyelination in long COVID is associated with high levels of myelin-specific autoantibodies, but symptoms of insomnia and/or depression are associated with demyelination of a different set of brain structures. Full article

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a class of multi-principal element materials composed of five or more elements in near-equimolar ratios. This unique compositional design generates high configurational entropy, which stabilizes simple solid solution phases and reduces the tendency for intermetallic compound formation. Unlike conventional alloys, HEAs exhibit a combination of properties that are often mutually exclusive, such as high strength and ductility, excellent thermal stability, superior corrosion and oxidation resistance. The exceptional mechanical performance of HEAs is attributed to mechanisms including lattice distortion strengthening, sluggish diffusion, and multiple active deformation pathways such as dislocation slip, twinning, and phase transformation. Advanced characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atom probe tomography (APT), and in situ mechanical testing have revealed the complex interplay between microstructure and properties. Computational approaches, including CALPHAD modeling, density functional theory (DFT), and machine learning, have significantly accelerated HEA design, allowing prediction of phase stability, mechanical behavior, and environmental resistance. Representative examples include the FCC-structured CoCrFeMnNi alloy, known for its exceptional cryogenic toughness, Al-containing dual-phase HEAs, such as AlCoCrFeNi, which exhibit high hardness and moderate ductility and refractory HEAs, such as NbMoTaW, which maintain ultra-high strength at temperatures above 1200 °C. Despite these advances, challenges remain in controlling microstructural homogeneity, understanding long-term environmental stability, and developing cost-effective manufacturing routes. This review provides a comprehensive and analytical study of recent progress in HEA research (focusing on literature from 2022–2025), covering thermodynamic fundamentals, design strategies, processing techniques, mechanical and chemical properties, and emerging applications, through highlighting opportunities and directions for future research. In summary, the review’s unique contribution lies in offering an up-to-date, mechanistically grounded, and computationally informed study on the HEAs research-linking composition, processing, structure, and properties to guide the next phase of alloy design and application. Full article

The Cimabanshuo deposit, situated in the western Gangdese Belt, is a recently discovered porphyry Cu deposit formed in a post-collisional setting, approximately 10 km from the giant Zhunuo porphyry Cu deposit. Despite its proximity to Zhunuo, Cimabanshuo remains poorly studied, and the current exploration depth of 600 m leaves the potential for deeper resources uncertain. In this study, 840 samples from four drill holes along the NW-SE section (A-A′) were analyzed using portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF). Based on the geochemical characteristics of primary halos, the deep mineralization potential of Cimabanshuo was evaluated. The results show that Co, Pb, and Ag are near-ore indicator elements; Zn, Cs, Hg, Sb, As, and Ba represent the frontal elements; and Te, Sn, and Bi occur as tail elements. Based on these distributions, a 14-element zoning sequence is defined along the A-A′ profile according to Gregorian’s zoning index, showing Mo-Co-Cu-Pb-Bi-Ag-Sn-Te-Sb-Hg-Cs-Zn-Ba-As from shallow to deep. This sequence shows a distinct reverse zonation pattern, in which tail elements occur in the middle and frontal elements appear at depth, suggesting the existence of a concealed ore body in the lower part of the deposit. Horizontally, the geochemical ratios Ag/Mo and Ag/Cu decrease from northwest to southeast along the profile, implying hydrothermal flow from southeast to northwest. Vertically, the ratios As/Bi, (As × Cs)/(Bi × Te), (As × Ba)/(Bi × Sn), and (As × Ba × Cs)/(Bi × Sn × Te) display a downward-decreasing then upward-increasing trend, further indicating hidden mineralization at depth. This inference is supported by the predominance of propylitic alteration and the deep polarization anomaly revealed by audio-magnetotelluric imaging. pXRF analysis provides a fast, efficient, and environmentally friendly approach, showing strong potential for rapid geochemical evaluation in porphyry Cu exploration. Full article