Search Results (1,952)

This study uses life cycle analysis (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of co-firing bituminous coal with agricultural biomass waste, such as coconut and rice husks, emphasising circular economy principles. Seven experimental scenarios with different coal-to-biomass ratios were designed, ranging from pure coal to pure biomass. The results show that Scenario B (100% rice husk) achieved the best overall environmental performance, with the lowest global warming potential (300 kg CO₂ equivalent), eutrophication potential (4.742 kg PO₄ equivalent), and smog formation potential (0.012 kg C₂H₄ equivalent). Additionally, Scenario F (15% biomass mix) recorded the lowest acidification potential (57.39 kg SO₂ eq), indicating that even partial substitution can yield significant environmental benefits. In contrast, Scenario C (100% coal) exhibited the highest acidification (164.08 kg SO₂ eq) and eutrophication (8.82 kg PO₄ eq) potential. Overall, the results demonstrate that co-firing biomass waste significantly reduces pollutant emissions compared to burning coal alone. This study highlights the effectiveness of biomass waste co-firing in mitigating environmental impacts, promoting resource recovery, and supporting a sustainable energy transition within a circular economy framework. Full article

In this study, a highly cadmium (II)-resistant bacterium strain, C10-4, identified as Bacillus altitudinis, was isolated from a sediment sample collected from Baiyangdian Lake, China. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cd(II) for strain C10-4 was 1600 mg/L. Factors such as the contact time, pH, Cd(II) concentration, and biomass dosage affected the adsorption of Cd(II) by strain C10-4. The adsorption process fit well to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, based on the Cd(II) adsorption data obtained from the cells of strain C10-4. This suggests that Cd(II) is adsorbed by strain C10-4 cells via a single-layer homogeneous chemical adsorption process. According to the Langmuir model, the maximum biosorption capacity was 3.31 mg/g for fresh-strain C10-4 biomass. Cd(II) was shown to adhere to the bacterial cell wall through SEM-EDS analysis. FTIR spectroscopy further indicated that the main functional sites for the binding of Cd(II) ions on the cell surface of strain C10-4 were functional groups such as N-H, -OH, -CH-, C=O, C-O, P=O, sulfate, and phosphate. After the inoculation of strain C10-4 into Cd(II)-contaminated soils, there was a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in the exchangeable fraction of Cd and an increase (p < 0.01) in the sum of the reducible, oxidizable, and residual fractions of Cd. The results show that Bacillus altitudinis C10-4 has good potential for use in the remediation of Cd(II)-contaminated soils. Full article

A modular strategy for the molecular design of silicone-based antifoaming agents was developed by precisely controlling the architecture of poly (methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS). Sixteen PMHS variants were synthesized by systematically varying the siloxane chain length (L1–L4), backbone composition (D₃T₁ vs. D₃₀T₁), and terminal group chemistry (H- vs. M-type). These structural modifications resulted in a broad range of Si-H functionalities, which were quantitatively analyzed and correlated with defoaming performance. The PMHS matrices were integrated with high-viscosity PDMS, a nonionic surfactant, and covalently grafted fumed silica—which was chemically matched to each PMHS backbone—to construct formulation-specific defoaming systems with enhanced interfacial compatibility and colloidal stability. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization via FT-IR, ¹H NMR, GPC, TGA, and surface tension analysis revealed a nonmonotonic relationship between Si-H content and defoaming efficiency. Formulations containing 0.1–0.3 wt% Si-H achieved peak performance, with suppression efficiencies up to 96.6% and surface tensions as low as 18.9 mN/m. Deviations from this optimal range impaired performance due to interfacial over-reactivity or reduced mobility. Furthermore, thermal stability and molecular weight distribution were found to be governed by repeat unit architecture and terminal group selection. Compared with conventional EO/PO-modified commercial defoamers, the PMHS-based systems exhibited markedly improved suppression durability and formulation stability in high-viscosity environments. These results establish a predictive structure–property framework for tailoring antifoaming agents and highlight PMHS-based formulations as advanced foam suppressors with improved functionality. This study provides actionable design criteria for high-performance silicone materials with strong potential for application in thermally and mechanically demanding environments such as coating, bioprocessing, and polymer manufacturing. Full article

Dry Turkish oak (Quercus cerris) sawdust, untreated and treated with three activators, (H₃PO₄, NaOH and H₂O₂) was pyrolyzed under limited-oxygen conditions to obtain biochar samples. The electrochemical properties of these samples were tested and compared to the properties of several commercial carbon blacks. The electrochemical characterization was performed via cyclic voltammetry, analyzing the response toward two commonly used redox probes, [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/−4− and [Ru(NH₃)₆]^2+/3+. The influence of the scan rate on this response was investigated, and the resulting data were used to obtain the values of the heterogenous charge transfer constant, k₀. Higher k₀ values were observed for carbon blacks than for investigated biochar samples. The detection of 4-nitrophenol and heavy metal ions was used to assess the applicability of biochars for electroanalytical purposes. The response of untreated biochar was comparable with the response of Vulcan carbon black, which showed the best response of all analyzed carbon blacks. Full article

This study investigates the behavior of phosphate ion transport through two structurally distinct anion-exchange membranes—AMV (homogeneous) and HC-A (heterogeneous)—in an electrodialysis system under both static and stirred conditions at varying pH levels. Chronopotentiometric and current–voltage analyses were used to investigate the influence of pH and hydrodynamics on ion transport. Under underlimiting (ohmic) conditions, the AMV membrane exhibited simultaneous transport of H₂PO₄⁻ and HPO₄²⁻ ions at neutral and mildly alkaline pH, while such behavior was not verified at acidic pH and in all cases for the HC-A membrane. Under overlimiting current conditions, AMV favored electroconvection at low pH and exhibited significant water dissociation at high pH, leading to local pH shifts and chemical equilibrium displacement at the membrane–solution interface. In contrast, the HC-A membrane operated predominantly under strong electroconvective regimes, regardless of the pH value, without evidence of water dissociation or equilibrium change phenomena. Stirring significantly impacted the electrochemical responses: it altered the chronopotentiogram profiles through the emergence of intense oscillations in membrane potential drop at overlimiting currents and modified the current–voltage behavior by increasing the limiting current density, reducing electrical resistance, and compressing the plateau region that separates ohmic and overlimiting regimes. Additionally, both membranes showed signs of NH₃ formation at the anodic-side interface under pH 7–8, associated with increased electrical resistance. These findings reveal distinct ionic transport characteristics and hydrodynamic sensitivities of the membranes, thus providing valuable insights for optimizing phosphate recovery via electrodialysis. Full article

Background/Objectives: The incorporation of bioactive molecules into mesoporous carriers is a promising strategy to improve stability, solubility, and therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we report for the first time the encapsulation of the synthetic chalcone 4-Cl into KIT-6 mesoporous silica and evaluate its cytotoxicity, toxicological profile, and pharmacological activities (antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and anxiolytic) using an in vivo zebrafish (Danio rerio) model. Methods: Zebrafish were orally dosed with 4-Cl, 4-Cl/KIT-6, or KIT-6 (4, 20, 40 mg/kg) and mortality was recorded for 96 h. For analgesia, zebrafish pretreated with 4-Cl, 4-Cl/KIT-6, KIT-6, or morphine received a tail stimulus (0.1% formalin). Locomotor activity (quadrant crossings) was monitored for 30 min to assess analgesia (neurogenic: 0–5 min; inflammatory: 15–30 min). For inflammation, abdominal edema and weight gain were assessed 4 h after intraperitoneal carrageenan (1.5%). Zebrafish (n = 6/group) received 4-Cl, 4-Cl/KIT-6, or KIT-6 (4, 20, 40 mg/kg, p.o.). Controls received ibuprofen (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or 3% DMSO. Weight was measured hourly for 4 h post-carrageenan (difference between baseline and hourly weights). Results: Physicochemical characterizations confirmed successful encapsulation without compromising the ordered structure of KIT-6, as evidenced by a significant reduction in surface area and pore volume, indicating efficient drug incorporation. In vivo assays demonstrated that the 4-Cl/KIT-6 formulation maintained the pharmacological activities of the free chalcone, reduced toxicity, and, notably, revealed a significant anxiolytic effect for the first time. Conclusions: These findings highlight KIT-6 as a promising platform for chalcone delivery systems and provide a solid basis for future preclinical investigations. Full article

RNA-seq analysis of the highly differentiated human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell-line ARPE-19, cultured on transwells for ≥4 months, yielded 44,909 genes showing 83.35% alignment with the human reference genome. These included mRNA transcripts of RPE-specific genes and those involved in retinopathies. Monolayers were fed photoreceptor outer segments (POS), designed to be synchronously internalised, mimicking homeostatic RPE activity. Cells were subsequently fixed at 4, 6, 24 and 48 h when POS were previously shown to maximally co-localise with Rab5, Rab7, LAMP/lysosomes and LC3b/autophagic compartments. A comprehensive analysis of differentially expressed genes involved in proteolysis revealed a pattern of gene orchestration consistent with POS breakdown in the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. At 4 h, these included elevated upstream signalling events promoting early stages of cargo transport and endosome maturation compared to RPE without POS exposure. This transcriptional landscape altered from 6 h, transitioning to promoting cargo degradation in autolysosomes by 24–48 h. Longitudinal scrutiny of mRNA transcripts revealed nuanced differences even within linked gene networks. POS exposure also initiated transcriptional upregulation in ubiquitin proteasome and chaperone-mediated systems within 4–6 h, providing evidence of cross-talk with other proteolytic processes. These findings show detailed evidence of transcriptome-level responses to cargo trafficking and processing in RPE cells. Full article

This study investigated the effects of six cap management protocols targeting contrasting oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) evolutions during alcoholic fermentation of Pinot noir wines. Treatments included twice-daily punch-downs (PD) and pump-overs (PO), 1 h air or N₂ injections (AirMix, N₂Mix), air injections triggered by ORP ≤ −40 mV (RedoxConAir), and equal N₂ injections concurrent to RedoxConAir wines (RedoxConN₂). AirMix wines maintained ORP values above 0 mV throughout fermentation, showed an oxidatively favored glutathione-to-glutathione disulfide ratio (GSH:GSSG) of 0.3:1, and had 21% lower total phenolics and 24% lower anthocyanins than PD wines. In contrast, N₂Mix wines maintained the lowest ORP, near −100 mV, and showed a reductively favored GSH:GSSG ratio (7:1). PD wines extracted 48% more flavan-3-ols than PO wines, consistent with greater berry integrity disruption and seed submersion. Volatile composition was also impacted: ethyl n-octanoate showed the highest OAV among esters, ranging from 147 in PO wines to 116 in AirMix wines. Results suggest the GSH:GSSG ratio served as an indicator of redox history, with potential implications for color and aroma preservation during aging. Inert gas mixings resulted in equal or greater total phenolic content, while excessive air injections may provide a tool to soften astringency. Full article

Corrosion fatigue damage significantly affects the long-term service of marine platforms such as propellers. Fatigue testing of pre-corrosion specimens is essential for understanding damage mechanisms and accurately predicting fatigue life. However, traditional seawater-based tests are time-consuming and yield inconsistent results, making them unsuitable for rapid evaluation of newly developed equipment. This study proposes an accelerated corrosion testing method for ZCuAl₈Mn₁₃Fe₃Ni₂ nickel–aluminum bronze, simulating the marine full immersion zone by increasing temperature, adding H₂O₂, reducing the solution pH, and preparing the special solution. Coupled with the fatigue test of pre-corrosion specimens, the corrosion damage characteristics and their influence on fatigue performance were analyzed. A numerical simulation method was developed to predict the fatigue life of pre-corrosion specimens, showing an average error of 13.82%. The S–N curves under different pre-corrosion cycles were also established. The research results show that using the test solution of 0.6 mol/L NaCl + 0.1 mol/L H₃PO₄-NaH₂PO₄ buffer solution + 1.0 mol/L H₂O₂ + 0.1 mL/500 mL concentrated hydrochloric acid for corrosion acceleration testing shows good corrosion acceleration. Moreover, the test methods ensure accuracy and reliability of the fatigue behavior evaluation of pre-corrosion specimens of the structure under actual service environments, offering a robust foundation for the material selection, corrosion resistance evaluation, and fatigue life prediction of marine structural components. Full article

In this study, we examined the capacity of magnesium-amended biochar to recover nutrients from dairy processing wastewater (DPW). Our results suggest that biochar engineered with magnesium (Mg–BC) was successful at recovering over 3 mg of PO₄³⁻-P per gram of biochar (96%) in synthetic and raw DPW through a combination of adsorption and chemical precipitation. The addition of Mg–BC to increase the pH of the synthetic and raw DPW was likely important in promoting chemical precipitation and increased nutrient recovery. The Mg-dosed biochar also recovered 1.7 mg of NH₄⁺-N per gram of biochar (24%) from raw DPW. However, the raw biochar (R-BC) was only capable of recovering a maximum of 0.5 mg of PO₄³⁻-P and an insignificant amount (˂0.1 mg) of NH₄⁺-N per gram of biochar. Full article

Phosphorus (P) availability is a major constraint on plant growth in many forest ecosystems, yet the strategies by which different tree species acquire and utilize various forms of soil phosphorus remain poorly understood. This study investigated how coexisting tree species with contrasting mycorrhizal types, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations, respond to different phosphorus forms under field conditions. An in situ root bag experiment was conducted using four phosphorus treatments (control, inorganic, organic, and mixed phosphorus) across four subtropical tree species. A comprehensive set of fine root traits, including morphological, physiological, and mycorrhizal characteristics, was measured to evaluate species-specific phosphorus foraging strategies. The results showed that AM species were more responsive to phosphorus form variation than ECM species, particularly under inorganic and mixed phosphorus treatments. Significant changes in root diameter (RD), root tissue density (RTD), and acid phosphatase activity (RAP) were observed in AM species, often accompanied by higher phosphorus accumulation in fine roots. For example, RD in AM species significantly decreased under the Na₃PO₄ treatment (0.94 mm) compared to the control (1.18 mm), while ECM species showed no significant changes in RD across treatments (1.12–1.18 mm, p > 0.05). RTD in AM species significantly increased under Na₃PO₄ (0.030 g/cm³) and Mixture (0.021 g/cm³) compared to the control (0.012 g/cm³, p < 0.05), whereas ECM species exhibited consistently low RTD values across treatments (0.017–0.020 g/cm³, p > 0.05). RAP in AM species increased significantly under Na₃PO₄ (1812 nmol/g/h) and Mixture (1596 nmol/g/h) relative to the control (1348 nmol/g/h), while ECM species showed limited variation (1286–1550 nmol/g/h, p > 0.05). In contrast, ECM species displayed limited trait variation across treatments, reflecting a more conservative acquisition strategy. In addition, trait correlation analysis revealed stronger coordination among root traits in AM species. And AM species exhibited high variability across treatments, while ECM species maintained consistent trait distributions with limited plasticity. These findings suggest that AM and ECM species adopt fundamentally different phosphorus acquisition strategies. AM species rely on integrated morphological and physiological responses to variable phosphorus conditions, while ECM species maintain stable trait configurations, potentially supported by fungal symbiosis. Such divergence may contribute to functional complementarity and species coexistence in phosphorus-limited subtropical forests. Full article

ABG analysis is the gold standard for assessing acid–base balance, oxygenation, and ventilation in critically ill patients, but it is invasive and associated with patient discomfort and potential complications. Venous blood gas (VBG) analysis offers a less invasive alternative, although its clinical utility remains debated. This review evaluates the current evidence on VBG analysis, exploring its correlation with ABG, clinical applications, and limitations. Studies show a strong correlation between ABG and VBG for pH and a good correlation for bicarbonate and base excess in most cases, while the correlation for pCO₂ remains controversial. Predictably, pO₂ values differ significantly due to oxygen consumption gradients between the arterial and venous blood. VBG analysis is especially valuable for initial assessments, monitoring therapeutic responses, and guiding resuscitation in intensive care settings. It is not merely an alternative to ABG but a complementary tool that can provide unique insights, such as mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO₂) or indices that require combined ABG and VBG data, like the pCO₂ gap. This review highlights the diagnostic equivalence of VBG in appropriate contexts and advocates for its use when arterial sampling is unnecessary or impractical. Furthermore, VBG analysis could enhance patient care by enabling the timely, less invasive assessment of hemodynamic and metabolic conditions. Future research should focus on refining interpretation algorithms and expanding the clinical applications of VBG to fully realize its potential in critical care practice. Full article

Reducing the application of chemical fertilizers and remediating heavy metal pollution in soil are important directions in current agricultural research. Utilizing the plant-growth-promoting and remediation capabilities of bacteria can provide more environmentally friendly assistance to agricultural production. In this study, the Burkholderia alba YIM B08401 strain was isolated and identified from rhizospheric soil, subjected to whole-genome sequencing and analysis, and its Cd²⁺ adsorption efficiency and characteristics were confirmed using multiple experimental methods, including atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results showed that the genome of strain YIM B08401 has a total length of 7,322,157 bp, a GC content of 66.39%, and predicts 6504 protein-coding sequences. It contains abundant functional genes related to nutrient conversion (phosphate solubilization, sulfur metabolism, zinc solubilization, siderophore production), plant hormone regulation (indole-3-acetic acid secretion, ACC deaminase production), phenolic acid degradation, root colonization, heavy metal tolerance, pathogen antagonism, and the production of antagonistic secondary metabolites. Additionally, strain YIM B08401 can specifically bind to Cd²⁺ through various functional groups on the cell surface, such as C-O-C, P=O, and O-H, enabling biosorption. In conclusion, strain YIM B08401 is an excellent strain with plant-growth-promoting, disease-resistant, and bioremediation capabilities, warranting further development as a biofertilizer for agricultural applications to promote green and sustainable agricultural development. Full article

(1) Background: The urate-lowering effects of three iridoid glycosides, which are paederosidic acid, paederosidic acid methyl ester, and paederoside, isolated from Paederia foetida and the protection they provide against hyperuricemia-induced kidney injury were investigated in a rat model. (2) Methods: A hyperuricemia (HUA) rat model was established in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats through intraperitoneal potassium oxonate (PO) and intragastrical adenine for 2 weeks. Subsequently, rats in the pharmaceutical intervention groups received corresponding drug treatments at a concentration of 40 mg/kg/day, maintained consistently for 7 days. (3) Results: The results showed that three compounds reduced serum urate (SU), creatinine (CRE), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and that the urinary excretion levels of uric acid, urine urea nitrogen, and creatinine increased. Furthermore, the administration of three iridoid glycosides enhanced renal filtration capacity, as demonstrated by the elevated 24 h creatinine clearance rate (CCR) and 24 h uric acid clearance rate (CUA); improved the fraction excretion of uric acid (FEUA); and attenuated renal damage. Finally, three iridoid glycosides promoted uric acid excretion in HUA rats by downregulating URAT1 and GLUT9 and upregulating ABCG2, OAT1, and OAT3. Moreover, the molecular docking results further corroborated the finding that the three compounds can bind to multiple sites of the uric acid transporter via hydrogen, P-π, and hydrophobic bonds. (4) Conclusions: The three iridoid glycosides were found to lower SU levels by increasing uric acid excretion. They are promising natural products for the prevention of HUA and HUA-induced kidney injury. Full article

With increasing global challenges related to water scarcity and phosphorus depletion, the recovery and reuse of wastewater-derived nutrients offer a sustainable path forward. This study evaluates the dual role of lanthanides (Ce³⁺ and La³⁺) in recovering phosphorus from municipal wastewater and supporting corn (Zea mays) cultivation through lanthanide phosphate (Ln-P) and lanthanide-reclaimed wastewater (LRWW, wastewater spiked with lanthanide). High-purity precipitates of CePO₄ (98%) and LaPO₄ (92%) were successfully obtained without pH adjustment, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). Germination assays revealed that lanthanides, even at concentrations up to 2000 mg/L, did not significantly alter germination rates compared to traditional coagulants, though root and shoot development declined above this threshold—likely due to reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) production and elevated total dissolved solids (TDSs), which induced physiological drought. Greenhouse experiments using desert-like soil amended with Ln-P and irrigated with LRWW showed no statistically significant differences in corn growth parameters—including plant height, stem diameter, leaf number, leaf area, and biomass—when compared to control treatments. Photosynthetic performance, including stomatal conductance, quantum efficiency, and chlorophyll content, remained unaffected by lanthanide application. Metal uptake analysis indicated that lanthanides did not inhibit phosphorus absorption and even enhanced the uptake of calcium and magnesium. Minimal lanthanide accumulation was detected in plant tissues, with most retained in the root zone, highlighting their limited mobility. These findings suggest that lanthanides can be safely and effectively used for phosphorus recovery and agricultural reuse, contributing to sustainable nutrient cycling and aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of zero hunger and sustainable cities. Full article