Search Results (24,405)

Biodiesel, as one of the alternatives to fossil fuels, faces significant challenges in large-scale industrial production due to its high production costs. In addition to raw material costs, catalyst costs are also a critical factor that cannot be overlooked. This review summarizes various methods for preparing biodiesel catalysts from solid waste. These methods not only enhance the utilization rate of waste but also reduce the production costs and environmental impact of biodiesel. Finally, the limitations of waste-based catalysts and future research directions are discussed. Research indicates that solid waste can serve as a catalyst carrier or active material for biodiesel production. Methods such as high-temperature calcination, impregnation, and coprecipitation facilitate structural modifications to the catalyst and the formation of active sites. The doping of metal ions not only alters the catalyst’s acid-base properties but also forms stable metal bonds with functional groups on the carrier, thereby maintaining catalyst stability. The application of microwave-assisted and ultrasound-assisted methods reduces reaction parameters, making biodiesel production more economical and sustainable. Overall, this study provides a scientific basis for the reuse of solid waste and ecological protection, emphasizes the development potential of waste-based catalysts in biodiesel production, and offers unique insights for innovation in this field, thereby accelerating the commercialization of biodiesel. Full article

This paper examines the wettability and interactions between ceramic and composite materials soldered with Bi-based solder containing 11 wt.% of silver and 3 wt.% titanium using indirect electron beam soldering technology. The Bi11Ag3Ti solder, with a melting point of 402 °C, consisted of a bismuth matrix containing silver lamellae. Titanium, acting as an active element, positively influenced the interaction between the solder and the joined materials. SiC and Ni-SiC substrates were soldered at temperatures of 750 °C, 850 °C, and 950 °C. Measurements of wettability angles indicated that the lowest value (20°) was achieved with SiC substrates at 950 °C. A temperature of 750 °C appeared to be the least suitable for both substrates and was entirely unsuitable for Ni-SiC. It was also observed that the Bi11Ag3Ti solder wetted the SiC substrates more effectively than Ni-SiC substrates. The optimal working temperature for this solder was determined to be 950 °C. The shear strength of the joints soldered with the Bi11Ag3Ti alloy was 23.5 MPa for the Al₂O₃/Ni-SiC joint and 9 MPa for the SiC/Ni-SiC joint. Full article

Water treadmill (WT) exercise is used for horses’ rehabilitation and training. Given that each training needs to be individualized for each horse, the goal is to assess whether infrared thermography (IRT) can serve as a non-invasive tool for daily monitoring of individual training and rehabilitation progress in horses undergoing WT exercise. Fifteen Polish Warmblood school horses were subjected to five WT sessions: dry treadmill, fetlock-depth water, fetlock-depth water with artificial river (AR), carpal-depth water, and carpal-depth water with AR. IRT images, collected pre- and post-exercise, were analyzed for the mean temperature (Tmean) and maximal temperature (Tmax) across 14 regions of interest (ROIs) representing the body surface overlying specific superficial muscles. While on a dry treadmill, Tmean and Tmax increased post-exercise in all ROIs; wetting of the hair coat limited surface temperature analysis in ROIs annotated on limbs. Tmax over the m. brachiocephalicus, m. trapezius pars cervicalis, m. triceps brachii, and m. semitendinosus increased during walking in carpal-depth water, which therefore may be suggested as an indirect indicator of increased activity related to forelimb protraction and flexion–extension of the limb joints. Tmax over the m. latissimus dorsi and m. longissimus increased during carpal-depth WT exercise with active AR mode, which may be suggested as an indicator of increased workload including vertical displacement of the trunk. Full article

Background: Pain is a complex phenomenon characterized by unpleasant experiences with profound heterogeneity influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors. According to the National Health Interview Survey, 50.2 million U.S. adults (20.5%) experience pain on most days, with the annual cost of prescription medication for pain reaching approximately USD 17.8 billion. Theranostic pain nanomedicine therefore emerges as an attractive analgesic strategy with the potential for increased efficacy, reduced side-effects, and treatment personalization. Theranostic nanomedicine combines drug delivery and diagnostic features, allowing for real-time monitoring of analgesic efficacy in vivo using molecular imaging. However, clinical translation of these nanomedicines are challenging due to complex manufacturing methodologies, lack of standardized quality control, and potentially high costs. Quality by Design (QbD) can navigate these challenges and lead to the development of an optimal pain nanomedicine. Our lab previously reported a macrophage-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoemulsion (PFC NE) that demonstrated analgesic efficacy across multiple rodent pain models in both sexes. Here, we report PFC-free, biphasic nanoemulsions formulated with a biocompatible and non-immunogenic plant-based coconut oil loaded with a COX-2 inhibitor and a clinical-grade, indocyanine green (ICG) near-infrared fluorescent (NIRF) dye for parenteral theranostic analgesic nanomedicine. Methods: Critical process parameters and material attributes were identified through the FMECA (Failure, Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) method and optimized using a 3 × 2 full-factorial design of experiments. We investigated the impact of the oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) with three different surfactant systems on the colloidal properties of NE. Small-scale (100 mL) batches were manufactured using sonication and microfluidization, and the final formulation was scaled up to 500 mL with microfluidization. The colloidal stability of NE was assessed using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and drug quantification was conducted through reverse-phase HPLC. An in vitro drug release study was conducted using the dialysis bag method, accompanied by HPLC quantification. The formulation was further evaluated for cell viability, cellular uptake, and COX-2 inhibition in the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line. Results: Nanoemulsion droplet size increased with a higher oil-to-surfactant ratio (w/w) but was no significant impact by the type of surfactant system used. Thermal cycling and serum stability studies confirmed NE colloidal stability upon exposure to high and low temperatures and biological fluids. We also demonstrated the necessity of a solubilizer for long-term fluorescence stability of ICG. The nanoemulsion showed no cellular toxicity and effectively inhibited PGE2 in activated macrophages. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first instance of a celecoxib-loaded theranostic platform developed using a plant-derived hydrocarbon oil, applying the QbD approach that demonstrated COX-2 inhibition. Full article

Root phenology significantly influences ecosystem processes yet remains poorly characterized across biomes. This study synthesized data from 59 studies spanning Arctic to tropical ecosystems to identify woody plants root phenological patterns and their environmental drivers. The analysis revealed distinct climate-specific patterns. Arctic regions had a short growing season with remarkably low temperature threshold for initiation of root growth (0.5–1 °C). Temperate forests displayed pronounced spring-summer growth patterns with root growth initiation occurring at 1–9 °C. Mediterranean ecosystems showed bimodal patterns optimized around moisture availability, and tropical regions demonstrate seasonality primarily driven by precipitation. Root-shoot coordination varies predictably across biomes, with humid continental ecosystems showing the highest synchronous above- and belowground activity (57%), temperate regions exhibiting leaf-before-root emergence (55%), and Mediterranean regions consistently showing root-before-leaf patterns (100%). Winter root growth is more widespread than previously recognized (35% of studies), primarily in tropical and Mediterranean regions. Temperature thresholds for phenological transitions vary with climate region, suggesting adaptations to environmental conditions. These findings provide a critical, region-specific framework for improving models of terrestrial ecosystem responses to climate change. While our synthesis clarifies distinct phenological strategies, its conclusions are drawn from data focused primarily on Northern Hemisphere woody plants, highlighting significant geographic gaps in our current understanding. Bridging these knowledge gaps is essential for accurately forecasting how belowground dynamics will influence global carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and ecosystem resilience under changing climatic regimes. Full article

Members of the heat shock protein 20 (HSP20) family of proteins play an important role in responding to various forms of stress. Here, the expression of ClaHSP17.4 was induced by heat stress in watermelon. Then, a floral dipping approach was used to introduce the pCAMBIA1391b-GFP overexpression vector encoding the heat tolerance-related gene ClaHSP17.4 from watermelon into Arabidopsis thaliana, and we obtained ClaHSP17.4-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants. Under normal conditions, the phenotypes of transgenic and wild-type (WT) Arabidopsis plants were largely similar. Following exposure to heat stress, however, the germination rates (96%) of transgenic Arabidopsis plants at the germination stages were significantly higher than those of wild-type idopsis (17%). Specifically, the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of transgenic Arabidopsis was half that of the control group, while the activities of peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were 1.25 times those of the control group after exposure to high temperatures for 12 h at the seedling stages. The proline content in ClaHSP17.4-overexpressing transgenic Arabidopsis increased by 17% compared to WT plants (* p < 0.05), while the soluble sugar content rose by 37% (* p < 0.05). These results suggest that ClaHSP17.4 overexpression indirectly improves the antioxidant capacity and osmotic regulatory capacity of Arabidopsis seedlings, leading to improved survival and greater heat tolerance. Meanwhile, the results of this study provide a reference for further research on the function of the ClHSP17.4 gene and lay a foundation for breeding heat-tolerant watermelon varieties and advancing our understanding of plant adaptation to environmental stress. Full article

Alkali-activated aluminosilicate matrices are increasingly studied for their ability to stabilize hazardous metal contaminants via alkali activation at room temperature. In this study, metakaolin-based geopolymers were used to immobilize chromium and nickel salts, with systematic variation of key synthesis parameters, Na/Al molar ratio, metal concentration, anion type, and alkaline solution aging time, which have not been previously studied. A Design of Experiments approach was employed to study the effect of factors on metal leaching behavior and to better understand the underlying immobilization mechanisms. The analysis revealed that higher Na/Al ratios significantly enhance geopolymerization and reduce metal release, as supported by FTIR spectral shifts and decreased shoulder intensity. Notably, aging time had an influence on chromium behavior due to its effect on early silicate network formation, which can hinder the incorporation of chromium species. All tested formulations achieved metal immobilization rates of 98.8% or higher for both chromium and nickel. Overall, this study advances our understanding of geopolymer-based heavy metal immobilization. Full article

The drying process plays a crucial role in enhancing the shelf life of food products by reducing moisture content. As climate change contributes to rising temperatures, alternative drying methods, such as solar drying, offer promising solutions for sustainable food preservation. This study investigates the solar drying of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) slices, with a focus on the effect of salting pretreatment on drying efficiency. Eggplant slices were subjected to salting pretreatment for partial moisture removal prior to drying. Drying kinetics were monitored to construct the characteristic drying curve. The dried eggplant slices were evaluated for their proximate composition and rehydration capacity, as well as textural and thermal properties. The results showed that salting pretreatment significantly enhanced the solar drying process by accelerating moisture removal. Notably, water activity (aw) decreased significantly from 0.978 to 0.554 for the control sample and to 0.534 for the saltedsample. Significant differences were observed between the dried and salted dried slices, particularly in rehydration capacity, which decreased following salting. Additionally, the salted dried samples showedreductions in protein, carbohydrate, and potassium contents. In contrast, ash content and hardness increased as a result ofosmotic pretreatment. These findings suggest that while dry salting pretreatment effectively reduces solar drying time, it may adversely affect several nutritional and textural properties. Full article

This study presents the development and optimization of a functional soy sauce fermented with Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris), a medicinal fungus known for its high cordycepin and polysaccharide content. Using C. militaris as the sole starter culture, the process aimed to improve both nutritional and functional properties. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize the entire fermentation process. During the koji stage, temperature, aeration, and inoculum concentration were adjusted to maximize protease activity and cordycepin production. In the fermentation stage, temperature, brine concentration, and water-to-material ratio were optimized to increase amino acid nitrogen and bioactive compound levels. Under optimal conditions (24 °C, 679.60 LPM aeration, 9.6% inoculum for koji; 32 °C, 12% brine, 1.53:1 water-to-material ratio for fermentation), the resulting soy sauce contained 1.14 ± 0.05 g/100 mL amino acid nitrogen and 16.88 ± 0.47 mg/100 mL cordycepin. Compared with traditionally fermented soy sauce, the C. militaris product exhibited a darker color, enhanced umami taste, and a distinct volatile profile featuring linoleic acid, methyl palmitate, and niacinamide. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using C. militaris in soy sauce fermentation and its potential as a novel functional condiment with improved bioactivity and sensory quality. Full article

Polysaccharides and phenols are commonly co-localized in various plant-derived foods, including highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L. var. nudum Hook. f.). The interactions between these compounds can influence multiple characteristics of food products, including their physicochemical properties and functional performance, such as bioavailability, stability, and digestibility, which may support promising application of the phenol and polysaccharide complex in health food industry. In this study, two complexes with potential existence in highland barley, such as β-glucan-ferulic acid (GF) and β-glucan-quercetin (GQ), were prepared using the equilibrium dialysis method in vitro. FTIR and SEM results showed that ferulic acid and quercetin formed complexes with β-glucan separately, with covalent and non-covalent bonds and a dense morphological structure. The pH value, reaction temperature, and concentration of phosphate buffer solution (PBS) were confirmed to have an impact on the formation and yield of the complex. Through the test of the response surface, it was found that the optimum conditions for GF and (GQ) preparations were a pH of 6.5 (6), a PBS buffer concentration of 0.08 mol/L (0.3 mol/L), and a temperature of 8 °C (20 °C). Through in vitro assays, GF and GQ were found to possess good antioxidant activity, with a greater scavenging effect of DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical than the individual phenolic acids and glucans, as well as their physical mixtures. Taking GF as an example, the DPPH radical scavenging capacity ranked as GF (71.74%) > ferulic acid (49.50%) > PGF (44.43%) > β-glucan (43.84%). Similar trends were observed for ABTS radical scavenging (GF: 54.56%; ferulic acid: 44.37%; PGF: 44.95%; β-glucan: 36.42%) and hydroxyl radical elimination (GF: 39.16%; ferulic acid: 33.06%; PGF: 35.51%; β-glucan: 35.47%). In conclusion, the convenient preparation method and excellent antioxidant effect of the phenol–polysaccharide complexes from highland barley provide new opportunities for industrial-scale production, development, and design of healthy food based on these complexes. Full article

High-performance hydrogen gas sensors have gained considerable interest for their crucial function in reducing H₂ explosion risk. Although MoS₂ has good potential for chemical sensing, its application in hydrogen detection at room temperature is limited by slow response and incomplete recovery. In this work, Pd-doped MoS₂ thin films are deposited on a Si substrate, forming Pd-doped MoS₂/Si heterojunctions via magnetron co-sputtering. The incorporation of Pd nanoparticles significantly enhances the catalytic activity for hydrogen adsorption and facilitates more efficient electron transfer. Owing to its distinct structural characteristics and sharp interface properties, the fabricated Pd-doped MoS₂/Si heterojunction device exhibits excellent H₂ sensing performance under room temperature conditions. The gas sensor device achieves an impressive sensing response of ~6.4 × 10³% under 10,000 ppm H₂ concentration, representing a 110% improvement compared to pristine MoS₂. Furthermore, the fabricated heterojunction device demonstrates rapid response and recovery times (24.6/12.2 s), excellent repeatability, strong humidity resistance, and a ppb-level detection limit. These results demonstrate the promising application prospects of Pd-doped MoS₂/Si heterojunctions in the development of advanced gas sensing devices. Full article

The growth of urban and industrial areas is accompanied by an increase in vehicle traffic, resulting in rising concentrations of various air pollutants. This is a global issue that causes environmental damage and risks to human health. The dataset presented in this research contains records with measurements of the air pollutants ozone (O₃) and carbon monoxide (CO), as well as meteorological parameters such as temperature (T), relative humidity (RH), and barometric pressure (BP). This dataset was collected using a set of low-cost sensors over a four-month study period (March to June) in 2024. The monitoring of air pollutants and meteorological parameters was conducted in a city with high industrial activity, heavy traffic, and close proximity to a petrochemical refinery plant. The data were subjected to a series of statistical analyses for visualization using plots that allow for the identification of their behavior. Finally, the dataset can be utilized for air quality studies, public health research, and the development of prediction models based on mathematical approaches or artificial intelligence algorithms. Full article

During the period from 2020 to 2024, 900 springs were mapped on the southern slopes of Medvednica Mountain Nature Park. Physicochemical parameters (temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity) were measured at 701 of these springs using a portable multimeter, and results were analyzed in relation to local lithology and human activities. This research provides the first results of this kind in this study area, aiming to expand the knowledge on local springs and to support the future protection and management of spring ecosystems. Springs on the Medvednica mountain showed substantial variation in measured parameters. The temperature ranged from 3.4 to 18.9 °C, reflecting local hydrological conditions, aquifer characteristics, and seasonal variability. Electrical conductivity (EC) ranged between 41 μS/cm and 2062 μS/cm, determined by both hydrogeological settings and anthropogenic impacts such as winter road salting. The pH values showed moderate variability, remaining mostly within neutral levels. These results emphasize the importance of continued monitoring and further research of Medvednica springs, in order to highlight their importance and to preserve their ecological and hydrological roles. Full article

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis is a potentially inexpensive and efficient source of hydrogen production as it uses effective low-cost catalysts. The catalytic activity and performance of nickel iron oxide (NiFeO_x) catalysts for hydrogen production in AEM water electrolyzers were investigated. The NiFeO_x catalysts were synthesized with various iron content weight percentages, and at the stoichiometric ratio for nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄). The catalytic activity of NiFeO_x catalyst was evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and chronoamperometry for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). NiFe₂O₄ showed the highest activity for the OER in a three-electrode system, with 320 mA cm⁻² at 2 V in 1 M KOH solution. NiFe₂O₄ displayed strong stability over a 600 h period at 50 mA cm⁻² in a three-electrode setup, with a degradation rate of 15 μV/h. In single-cell electrolysis using a X-37 T membrane, at 2.2 V in 1 M KOH, the NiFe₂O₄ catalyst had the highest activity of 1100 mA cm⁻² at 45 °C, which increased with the temperature to 1503 mA cm⁻² at 55 °C. The performance of various membranes was examined, and the highest performance of the tested membranes was determined to be that of the Fumatech FAA-3-50 and FAS-50 membranes, implying that membrane performance is strongly correlated with membrane conductivity. The obtained Nyquist plots and equivalent circuit analysis were used to determine cell resistances. It was found that ohmic resistance decreases with an increase in temperature from 45 °C to 55 °C, implying the positive effect of temperature on AEM electrolysis. The FAA-3-50 and FAS-50 membranes were determined to have lower activation and ohmic resistances, indicative of higher conductivity and faster membrane charge transfer. NiFe₂O₄ in an AEM water electrolyzer displayed strong stability, with a voltage degradation rate of 0.833 mV/h over the 12 h durability test. Full article

Surface and sub-surface atomic configurations are critical for catalysis as they host the active sites governing electrochemical processes. This study employs density functional theory (DFT) calculations and Monte Carlo simulations combined with the cluster-expansion approach to investigate atom distribution and Pt segregation in Pt-Fe alloys across varying Pt/Fe ratios. Our simulations reveal a strong tendency for Pt atoms to segregate to the surface layer while Fe atoms enrich the sub-surface region. Crucially, the calculations predict the stability of a periodic Pt₂Fe alloy surface model, characterized by specific defect structures, at low platinum content and low annealing temperatures. Electronic structure analysis indicates that forming this Pt₂Fe surface alloy lowers the d-band center of Pt atoms, weakening CO adsorption and thereby enhancing resistance to CO poisoning. Although defect-induced strains can modulate the d-band center, crystal orbital Hamilton population (COHP) analysis confirms that such strains generally strengthen Pt-CO interactions. Therefore, the theoretical design of Pt₂Fe alloy surfaces and controlling defect density are predicted to be effective strategies for enhancing catalyst resistance to CO poisoning. This work highlights the advantages of periodic Pt₂Fe surface models for anti-CO poisoning and provides computational guidance for designing efficient Pt-based electrocatalysts. Full article