Search Results (10,663)

This study was conducted to investigate a novel quaternary hybrid nanocomposite (QHNC) that can successfully remove Mn(VII) ions from contaminated water. The nanocomposite was analyzed using FTIR, XRD, BET, TGA/DTG and FESEM/EDX techniques to investigate whether the synthesis led to an outcome with optimal properties that will enable it to effectively remove Mn ions from aqueous solutions. Optimal results have been achieved by conducting the analysis at a pH level of 2, using 25 mg of the adsorbent material, an interaction time of 60 min and a concentration of 500 mg/L. The Freundlich isotherm best described the adsorption equilibrium. Further analysis through advanced computational simulations indicated that a sorption process underpins the phenomenon based upon a complex geometry mechanism with a preferential horizontal to inclined orientation of the adsorbate upon the surface. The techno-economic assessment reveals the biosorbent’s viability—with a production cost that is highly competitive at USD 9.95/kg, yet with a stable removal efficiency of nearly 60% over five cycles. Such factors lead to a treatment cost of around USD 7.3 for 1 m³ of 500 mg/L Mn(VII)—confirming both the economic viability and scalability for advanced tertiary wastewater remediation applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress, leading to severe systemic complications. Medicinal plants rich in polyphenolic compounds have gained increasing attention as complementary therapeutic agents. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the chemical composition, as well as the antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant effects of Polygonum persicaria and Vaccinium myrtillus in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Although Vaccinium myrtillus has been more extensively investigated for its antidiabetic potential, the pharmacological relevance of Polygonum persicaria in diabetes remains insufficiently characterized, particularly in direct comparison with a recognized phytotherapeutic comparator. Methods: Hydroalcoholic tinctures prepared from Polygonum persicaria L. herb and Vaccinium myrtillus L. leaves were subjected to phytochemical analysis using High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) for the identification of flavonoids and phenolcarboxylic acids, alongside spectrophotometric determination of total polyphenol and flavonoid content. Experimental diabetes was induced in CD1 mice by streptozotocin administration. Animals were treated orally for 35 days, and glycemic parameters, lipid profile, body weight, food and water intake, and oxidative stress markers (MDA, SOD, TAC, and GPx) were evaluated. Results: HPTLC/CSS screening indicated the presence of rutin, chlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid in Polygonum persicaria, while Vaccinium myrtillus showed stronger densitometric signals for phenolcarboxylic acid-type compounds, particularly chlorogenic and caffeic acids. Total polyphenol and flavonoid content were also higher in Vaccinium myrtillus (433.89 ± 8.67 mg/L GAE; 154.38 ± 3.08 mg/L QE) compared to Polygonum persicaria (269.28 ± 5.25 mg/L GAE; 132.75 ± 2.65 mg/L QE). Functionally, Vaccinium myrtillus demonstrated a significant antihyperglycemic effect from day 14 (p = 0.009) and improved lipid parameters, while Polygonum persicaria showed a delayed glycemic effect, significant only at day 35 (p = 0.014), without significant hypolipidemic activity. In contrast, Polygonum persicaria exerted a marked antioxidant effect, significantly increasing GPx activity (p = 0.025) and reducing MDA levels (p = 0.053). Conclusions: Vaccinium myrtillus showed stronger antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, while Polygonum persicaria was mainly associated with antioxidant-related biochemical changes. These differences may be influenced by phytochemical composition, but they cannot be attributed solely to total polyphenol or flavonoid content. Full article

Green synthesis of KGM-capped CeO₂ nanoparticles was successfully achieved through a simple coprecipitation method using Konjac Glucomannan (KGM) as a biopolymeric capping and stabilizing agent. The reaction conditions were optimized by varying pH (9–11) and temperature (30–70 °C) to evaluate their influence on nanoparticle formation and photocatalytic performance. The synthesized KGM–CeO₂ nanoparticles were comprehensively characterized using FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM–EDS, TEM, DLS, and ZP analysis to investigate their structural, optical, morphological, and surface properties. The characterization results confirmed the successful formation of porous sponge-like branched CeO₂ nanostructures with irregular morphology. XRD analysis revealed the crystalline nature of the nanoparticles with an average crystallite size of approximately 7.7 nm, while DLS analysis showed an average hydrodynamic particle size of 29.7 nm with a biomodal particle size distribution. The positive zeta potential value (+16.75 mV) confirmed good colloidal stability and reduced agglomeration due to effective capping by KGM. The synthesized nanoparticles also exhibited favorable optical properties with band gap values suitable for photocatalytic applications. The adsorption and photocatalytic degradation performance of the KGM–CeO₂ nanoparticles was investigated against synthetic textile dyes, including Naphthol Blue Black (NBB), Methyl Orange (MO), and a mixed NBB–MO dye system under acidic conditions. Using an adsorbent dosage of 50 mg and dye concentrations of 100 mg/L, the material achieved degradation efficiencies of approximately 99% for NBB, 91% for MO, and 52% for the mixed dye system under UV irradiation for 120 min. Adsorption kinetic studies indicated that the pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit, suggesting that chemisorption is the dominant adsorption mechanism involving multifunctional surface interactions. These findings are particularly relevant for industrial wastewater treatment, since actual textile effluents typically contain complex mixtures of dyes and organic contaminants rather than single dye pollutants. The mixed dye experiments, therefore, provide a more realistic simulation of industrial wastewater conditions. Overall, the synthesized KGM–CeO₂ nanoparticles demonstrate excellent potential as an eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable multifunctional material for adsorption-assisted photocatalytic treatment of dye-contaminated wastewater. Further optimization of operational conditions and catalyst surface properties may enhance its efficiency in multicomponent wastewater systems. Full article

La-MOFs exhibit strong affinity toward anions such as F⁻ and phosphate. However, conventional La-MOFs show limited regeneration performance when used as CDI electrodes, posing a major challenge for practical applications. In this study, a high-performance sulfur and nitrogen co-doped La-BDC-140-derived carbon electrode (La-CNS₃) was fabricated via a coupled carbonization and doping strategy. The optimized La-CNS₃ electrode possessed abundant defects, a mesoporous structure, favorable hydrophilicity, and rapid charge-transfer capability, which collectively enhanced fluoride electrosorption. At 1.4 V, La-CNS₃ achieved a fluoride removal capacity of 31.86 mg·g⁻¹ for 10 mg·L⁻¹ F⁻ solution and up to 195 mg·g⁻¹ at an initial F⁻ concentration of 100 mg·L⁻¹. More importantly, partial fluoride desorption was realized solely under reverse voltage, and the electrode maintained favorable defluoridation performance over 50 adsorption–desorption cycles. In actual groundwater treatment, the effluent fluoride concentration decreased to below 1.0 mg·L⁻¹ after 120 min. XPS analysis and DFT calculations revealed that fluoride removal was mainly governed by La-F coordination, surface hydroxyl/water ligand exchange, and interfacial charge redistribution. The La₂O₂S/g-C₃N₄ structure provided a favorable balance between fluoride adsorption strength and desorption reversibility. This work offers a promising strategy for designing efficient, selective, and electrically regenerable rare-earth-based CDI electrodes for fluoride-contaminated water treatment. Full article

Tetranychus urticae is a highly destructive, polyphagous mite that has developed resistance to multiple acaricides, necessitating the evaluation of new compounds. Isocycloseram is a novel insecticide with potential to control this mite; the effects of its sublethal concentrations are still uninvestigated. In this study, an age-stage, two-sex life table model was used to evaluate the sublethal effects of isocycloseram concentrations (LC₁₀ and LC₃₀) on population growth, reproduction, and development of the two-spotted spider mite. The results showed that the LC₁₀ and LC₃₀ values were 0.012 mg/L and 0.022 mg/L, respectively. Sublethal concentrations of LC₁₀ significantly affected population growth by reducing fertility, while LC₃₀ significantly prolonged the immature stage and reduced average fecundity by 37%. With the LC₃₀ treatment, the net reproductive rate R₀ decreased by 43%, and the intrinsic rate of increase r decreased significantly, from 0.152 day⁻¹ to 0.117 day⁻¹. The doubling time DT was extended by 30%, from 4.55 days to 5.92 days. This study covers the importance of life table analysis for investigating sublethal effects and for ensuring that, when isocycloseram is incorporated into integrated pest management, both its direct toxicity and its effects on population dynamics are considered. Full article

This study evaluates the characteristics and environmental behavior of river sediments impacted by coal mining in the southern coal region of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Sediments accumulated in mining-affected rivers represent an environmental liability due to the presence of potentially toxic elements and their limited management options. In this context, ceramization is investigated as an alternative strategy for reducing contaminant mobility through thermal treatment of sediments collected at four sampling points (PU1–PU4) along the Urussanga River. Initially, leaching and solubilization tests were performed to assess the mobility of chemical elements, and the raw sediments were further characterized by chemical, mineralogical, and thermal analyses. Subsequently, ceramic specimens were produced from the sediments and subjected to thermal treatment at 1100 °C. After firing, the specimens were re-evaluated through leaching and solubilization assays to verify changes in contaminant mobility after the ceramization process. The results showed that raw sediments exhibited aluminum, iron, and manganese concentrations in the solubilized extract that exceeded regulatory thresholds, particularly for iron, which reached up to 21.91 mg/L. After thermal treatment, a substantial reduction in the solubility of these elements was observed, with concentrations falling below the established limits at all sampling points. This reduction in mobility is likely associated with physicochemical transformations occurring during firing, including matrix densification and the incorporation of elements into less soluble phases, as reported in previous ceramic processing studies. Overall, the findings demonstrate that ceramization represents a promising strategy for reducing contaminant mobility in coal mining-impacted river sediments, offering a viable and environmentally friendly alternative for sediment management and valorization. Full article

To efficiently degrade tetracycline (TC) antibiotic pollution, cobalt-based (Co-OMCs/F) and cobalt–copper bimetallic ((Co+Cu)-OMCs/F) monolithic mesoporous carbon catalysts were synthesized using resorcinol–formaldehyde resin as a carbon precursor, with hexamethylenetetramine (HMT) and formaldehyde (CH₂O) as crosslinking agents, followed by high-temperature carbonization under N₂. The materials were characterized by XRD, SEM-EDX, HRTEM, and EPR. Key factors-metal loading, PMS concentration, initial pH, and flow rate-were investigated for their effects on TC degradation. Degradation mechanisms and stability were assessed via radical quenching and continuous-flow cycling tests. Results show optimal performance at a cobalt loading of 0.6 g. Compared to CH₂O, HMT favors a three-dimensional interconnected mesoporous carbon framework with uniform metal distribution and high crystallinity. Under conditions of 25 mg/L TC, 0.33 mmol/L PMS, pH 7, and 2 mL/min flow rate, the (Co+Cu)-OMCs/F (HMT) catalyst achieved ~93% TC degradation over 9 h of continuous operation, and 95% after three reuse cycles, significantly outperforming the single-metal Cu-OMCs/F catalyst. Radical quenching and EPR identified superoxide radicals (·O₂⁻) as the dominant active species (~78% contribution), with sulfate radicals (SO₄^·−), hydroxyl radicals (·OH), and singlet oxygen (¹O₂) playing synergistic roles. The synergistic Co-Cu bimetallic effect, combined with the confinement effect of the mesoporous carbon support and HMT-induced uniform nucleation, endows the catalyst with high activity and long-term stability. This work provides a theoretical basis for designing efficient, reusable, monolithic mesoporous carbon-based PMS activation catalysts for advanced antibiotic wastewater treatment. Full article

Low-rank ultrafine flotation clean coal typically yields filter cake moisture above 20% due to abundant oxygen-containing functional groups and strong surface hydrophilicity. Conventional polyacrylamide (PAM) flocculants are hydrophilic and improve dewatering only by altering cake porosity, not by reducing particle surface hydrophilicity, so they remove little adsorbed water. In this study, hydrophobically modified anionic polyacrylamides (HMAPAM) were synthesized by grafting lauryl acrylate onto APAM. FTIR, ¹H NMR, XPS, and SEM confirmed the grafting and progressive enrichment of hydrophobic alkyl chains on the surface. Moderate hydrophobic modification markedly improved solid–liquid separation. HMAPAM-D (APAM/LA = 4.5:0.5) achieved a settling velocity of 0.817 cm/s at 9 mg/L, 50.2% higher than APAM, and reduced filter cake moisture to 16.64% at 1 mg/L under 0.6 MPa versus 19.39% for unmodified APAM. Excessive modification (HMAPAM-E, 4:1) promoted intramolecular self-association, producing heterogeneous flocs and higher filtration resistance that degraded dewatering efficiency. The performance gain stems from hydrophobic association combined with adsorption bridging. These results clarify how hydrophobic group content controls flocculation and dewatering, informing the design of better flocculants for this type of coal slurry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Neoagarotetraose (NA4), a marine-derived tetrasaccharide, holds promise as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent; however, its oral bioavailability and systemic exposure mechanisms require elucidation. Methods: This study characterizes the biopharmaceutical profile of NA4 after oral and intravenous administration using a validated near-infrared fluorescence method based on covalent conjugation with Cy7. Results: Following oral gavage (200 mg/kg), NA4-Cy7 was rapidly absorbed (Tmax: 1.0 h; Cmax: 35.6 mg/L), with prolonged systemic exposure (mean residence time: 13.1 h) and an elimination half-life of 8.9 h. Intravenous administration (25 mg/kg) revealed a low volume of distribution at steady state (Vss: 0.0132 L/kg) and a shorter MRT (4.3 h). Tissue distribution at 24 h showed preferential accumulation in the kidney, liver, and lung, with direct visualization of intact NA4 crossing the intestinal epithelium. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that fluorescently labeled NA4-Cy7 can cross the intestinal epithelial barrier and reach systemic circulation, supporting its potential as an orally active agent with organ-specific targeting properties. Full article

This study explores the case of the Wuhan East Lake National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone (East Lake High-Tech Zone), investigating an advanced-scale stormwater and sewage co-treatment system alongside a “low-position, differentiated, vacuum” sewage collection approach. These systems operate within the framework of the “five-builds-one-management” model, which covers sewage collection, treatment, sludge disposal, reclaimed water utilization, tailwater discharge, and operation and maintenance management. The proposed system was associated with measurable before–after improvements: the sewage collection rate increased by 17%, the influent BOD₅ concentration at the sewage treatment plant rose from approximately 92 mg/L to 112 mg/L (~+22%), and water level fluctuations in the tailwater receiving area were reduced by 75%. This planning framework offers a valuable reference for similar urban areas, though calibration based on local hydrological conditions, industrial structure, and population size is essential. Full article

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is increasingly used in exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (ebCR) after myocardial infarction (MI), yet the temporal sequence of physiological, cardiac, biochemical, and functional adaptations remains incompletely characterized. Methods: Stable post-STEMI (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, MI-group) and previously inactive participants without known cardiovascular, metabolic or systemic disease (CTRL group) completed 12-week supervised outpatient HIIT (4 × 4 min intervals at 85–90% HRpeak (peak heart rate), ~80–90% of VO₂peak, 3 sessions/week). Assessments were performed at baseline (T1), 4 (T2), 8 (T3), and 12 weeks (T4), including cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), echocardiography, blood biomarkers, body composition, six-minute walk test (6MWT), and RAND-36. Longitudinal changes were analyzed using Friedman tests with Dunn post hoc comparisons; between-group differences used Mann–Whitney U tests with Holm correction. Results: VO₂peak increased significantly in both groups (p < 0.001), increasing by ~22% from T1 to T4 in MI (median 20.1 to 24.5 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) and ~23% from T1 to T4 in CTRL (median 22.3 to 27.6 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹). LVEF (left ventricular ejection fraction) improved early in MI, increasing from 52.5% (50.0–55.0) at T1 to 57.5% (55.2–58.7) at T2 and up to 60% (55.8–60.0) at T4 (all p < 0.001), while LV dimensions remained stable. NT-proBNP (N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide) showed no significant longitudinal change (p = 0.510), and CRP (C-reactive protein) decreased from 2.1 to 0.7 mg·L⁻¹ (p = 0.008) in MI. Both groups improved body fat % and 6MWT distance (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In low-risk stable post-STEMI patients, longitudinal changes during supervised HIIT-based ebCR were consistent with improved VO₂peak and LVEF, without clinically relevant increases in cardiac stress biomarkers. However, due to the observational design and absence of clinical comparator groups, these findings should be interpreted as descriptive and support further evaluation in larger randomized studies. Full article

Background: Oxycodone is a widely prescribed semi-synthetic opioid central to pain management. However, establishing its role in death when detected in postmortem toxicology is challenging. Quantitative evidence to support forensic interpretation remains limited. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed and Scopus were searched through 3 March 2026, for studies reporting quantitative postmortem oxycodone concentrations in human biological matrices. Peripheral blood was predefined as the primary matrix for quantitative synthesis. Random-effects meta-analysis with restricted maximum likelihood estimation was performed on logarithmically transformed concentrations to compare fatal intoxications versus non-intoxication deaths and mono- versus mixed-intoxication cases. Pooled estimates were reported as geometric mean concentrations with 95% confidence and prediction intervals. Secondary analyses evaluated metabolite-to-parent ratios, alternative matrices, and postmortem interval (PMI). Results: Twenty-three studies comprising 4335 oxycodone-positive decedents were included in the qualitative synthesis, and 14 studies in the quantitative meta-analysis. Fatal intoxication cases (n = 1555) showed a pooled geometric mean peripheral blood oxycodone concentration of 0.37 mg/L (95% CI: 0.24–0.58; I² = 93.5%), compared with 0.08 mg/L (95% CI: 0.04–0.15; I² = 98.5%) in non-intoxication deaths (n = 1409). Mono-intoxication cases (n = 135) exhibited higher concentrations (0.52 mg/L; 95% CI: 0.22–1.21; I² = 82.3%) than mixed-drug fatalities (n = 511; 0.29 mg/L; 95% CI: 0.13–0.65; I² = 93.1%). Metabolite data indicated that noroxycodone and oxymorphone patterns may assist in distinguishing acute intake and metabolic variability. Alternative matrices, particularly vitreous humor and solid tissues provided complementary interpretative information, while PMI contributed concentration variability. Conclusions: The key quantitative findings of this meta-analysis indicate higher peripheral blood oxycodone levels in fatal intoxications than in non-intoxication deaths. However, substantial heterogeneity precludes the definition of absolute concentration cut-offs, emphasizing the need to approach postmortem oxycodone interpretation within a probabilistic forensic framework integrating circumstantial evidence, sampling time, metabolite ratios, and data from alternative biological matrices. Full article

Hydrogen-rich water (HRW) is an aqueous solution containing dissolved molecular hydrogen. This study evaluated its effects on juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) under acute low-temperature stress. A total of 480 juveniles (2.4 ± 0.5 g) were randomly assigned to four groups: the control group was reared in standard water; the treatment groups were exposed to different hydrogen concentrations, specifically H1 (0.3 mg/L), H2 (0.5 mg/L), and H3 (0.9 mg/L). The fry were reared at 26 ± 0.5 °C for 30 days, followed by acute low-temperature stress (11 ± 0.5 °C) for 48 h. Samples were collected at 0, 8, 24, and 48 h. Results showed that after 30 days of HRW rearing, the final body weight (FBW), specific growth rate (SGR), and condition factor (CF) of the H1 group were significantly increased, while the H3 group only increased CF. No significant differences were observed in hepatopancreas somatic index (HSI) and survival rate (SR) among groups. Acute low-temperature stress induced liver and intestinal damage, which were alleviated in the H1 group. The H1 group exhibited significantly increased SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities in the liver, as well as CAT and SOD in the intestine and gills, while reducing MDA levels, thereby enhancing the antioxidant capacity. The H1 group significantly upregulated the antioxidant genes expression (sod, cat, and gsh-px mRNA levels) in the liver and gills but downregulated them in the intestine. 16S rDNA analysis revealed that HRW increased intestinal microbiota and the relative abundance of Bacillota. In conclusion, the H1 group significantly improved growth performance, mitigated acute low-temperature damage, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and increased the relative abundance of Bacillota in the intestines. This provides an innovative, safe, and effective solution for aquaculture industries confronting low-temperature challenges. Full article

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a typical endocrine disruptor that poses a significant threat to ecosystems. Therefore, it is crucial to develop an efficient and environmentally friendly degradation technology. In this study, a novel bimetallic oxide-loaded GAC (Granulated Activated Carbon) particle electrode (CuFe₂O₄@GAC) was designed and applied to a three-dimensional electro-Fenton (3D-EF) system for efficient removal of BPA. The bimetallic synergistic effect of Cu and Fe was used to promote the Fenton reaction and enhance the efficiency of hydroxyl radical ·OH generation. The results show that under conditions of 20 g/L CuFe₂O₄@GAC, pH = 3, 10 mA/cm², and an electrode spacing of 2.0 cm, a BPA removal rate of over 93% (20 mg/L) was achieved within 45 min. The prepared CuFe₂O₄@GAC exhibits good stability, maintaining an 86.2% BPA degradation rate over five cycle experiments. The catalytic mechanism and degradation pathways were further analyzed through characterization methods such as radical quenching experiments, XPS analysis, EPR, and LC-MS detection. Radical quenching experiments confirmed that ·OH radicals play a significant role in the decomposition of BPA. Based on the identification of intermediates, a possible decomposition pathway for BPA was proposed. Toxicity analysis indicated that the toxicity of most intermediates was significantly lower than that of BPA. This work provides an efficient and energy-saving strategy for BPA removal. Full article

Partial nitrification (PN) is a promising strategy for reducing aeration demand and improving the energy efficiency of biological nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment. However, maintaining stable PN in continuous-flow activated sludge reactors remains challenging due to the recovery of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) and the absence of cyclic operational phases that naturally promote microbial selectivity in sequencing batch reactors. This study proposes a model-based multi-criteria optimization framework to identify and classify feasible operating conditions for stable PN in continuous-flow activated sludge reactors. A modified Activated Sludge Model No. 1 (ASM1) was used to describe the dynamics of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria, nitrite-oxidizing bacteria, and heterotrophic biomass, while equilibrium points were determined through steady-state optimization and evaluated using a multi-criteria feasibility analysis based on nitrite accumulation ($\beta$), ammonium oxidation efficiency ($\alpha$), oxygen uptake rate (OUR), hydraulic retention time (HRT), and sludge retention time (SRT). Seasonal variability was incorporated through summer and winter operating scenarios. Results indicate that stable PN can be achieved under operating conditions of pH 7.5–8.5, dissolved oxygen concentrations between 0.3 and 2.5 mg/L, HRT values of approximately 2–3 h, and SRT values between 10 and 20 d. Under these conditions, high nitrite accumulation ($\beta >0.8$) and ammonium oxidation efficiency ($\alpha >0.8$) were maintained with moderate oxygen demand, although seasonal differences revealed greater operational flexibility in summer and tighter constraints in winter. The proposed framework provides a systematic approach for identifying robust and energy-efficient operating regions in continuous-flow PN systems and establishes a foundation for future supervisory control implementation in full-scale wastewater treatment applications. The study also shows that over 40% energy savings could be achieved at optimal equilibrium points for partial nitrification compared to full nitrification. Full article