Search Results (719)

A solar-assisted thermochemical cycle to store concentrated solar energy in solid elemental sulfur via the reversible interconversion of sulfuric acid and sulfur is being developed within the SULPHURREAL project. This process enables long-term, transportable energy storage through internal recycling of sulfur oxides. A central objective is to integrate SO₂ capture and conversion in separation-friendly steps that support closed-loop operation with minimal additives and limited downstream purification, while remaining compatible with industrial sulfuric acid and sulfur feedstocks. The method presented in this paper can also be feasible for SO₂ removal from fossil fuels and industrial emissions. With this purpose, indirect SO₂ conversion via bisulfite disproportionation was investigated using elemental sulfur as a heterogeneous auto-catalyst. Batch tests were performed in a pressurized, Teflon-lined autoclave with concentrated bisulfite solutions (3 M) at 140–180 °C for 3 h. Sodium bisulfite showed no conversions at 140–160 °C, whereas sulfur auto-catalysis was observed at T ≥ 170 °C. Ammonium bisulfite was also evaluated as a separable SO₂-capture intermediate; due to thermal instability, operation was limited to 170 °C, where sulfur formation remained detectable. For loop closure, NH₃ and H₂SO₄ must be recovered from the produced sulfate. This was addressed by reacting (NH₄)₂SO₄ with metal oxides in a tubular furnace at 500 °C. The evolved NH₃ was trapped in acid and quantified by ion chromatography. Near-quantitative NH₃ recovery (≈92–98%) was achieved with MgO and ZnO, and the corresponding metal sulfates were identified by XRD. These results support integrated process development and motivate kinetic and mass-balance studies toward continuous operation and scale-up. Full article

The use of alternative water sources in construction, especially in regions with limited freshwater availability, makes the influence of mixing water composition on the durability of cement mortars a critical issue, particularly under aggressive conditions such as ammonium exposure (XA3). A clear difference in material behavior was observed before and after exposure to an aggressive aqueous environment, highlighting the importance of durability assessment under realistic service conditions. Cement mortar specimens prepared with tap water, distilled water, and modified waters containing Cl⁻, Ca²⁺, SO₄²⁻, and PO₄³⁻ ions were tested. The experimental program included flexural and compressive strength, water absorption, and residual properties after exposure to an NH₄Cl solution. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA, correlation analysis, a heatmap, and PCA. Compressive strength varied within a narrow range (33.85–47.24 MPa), while flexural strength showed larger differences (5.21–10.40 MPa). After exposure, residual flexural strength decreased to 1.16–5.87 MPa and compressive strength to 23.92–37.68 MPa. The most severe degradation was observed for sulfate- and chloride-modified waters. Correlation analysis revealed weak dependence between flexural and compressive strength. ANOVA confirmed a significant influence of water composition (p < 0.05), with the strongest effect observed for residual compressive strength (η² = 0.81). The results demonstrate that mixing water composition is a key factor controlling durability in an XA3 environment. Compressive strength alone is not a reliable durability indicator. Durability is governed primarily by transport properties and microstructure. A multi-parameter approach is required for an accurate durability assessment. Full article

The role of mangrove root exudates in mediating the nitrogen cycle, particularly under high dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) input, in coastal ecosystems remains unclear. This research investigated variation in the root exudates, and nitrogen transformation and output, in constructed mangrove wetlands planted with Kandelia obovata under high, moderate, and low nitrogen-input levels (PCWs-H, PCWs-M, and PCWs-L, respectively). PCWs-H promoted increased root density and biomass accumulation, enhancing soil nitrogen sequestration, whereas PCWs-L induced greater specific root length, specific root surface area, and number of root tips. These changes directly influenced denitrification efficiency. Hydroxymethoxyphenylcarboxylic acid-O-sulfate and Arg-Ser released in root exudates under PCWs-H might act as potential denitrification inhibitors, thereby suppressing denitrifiers and impairing dissolved nitrogen purification. Elevated nitrogen loading predominantly limited denitrification, resulting in relative NO₃⁻-N removal rates of PCWs-H < PCWs-M < PCWs-L (p < 0.05). Compared with PCWs-H and PCWs-L, the enhanced soil organic nitrogen storage under PCWs-M was associated with flavonoids in root exudates. Metagenomic analysis showed that denitrification was the dominant nitrogen removal pathway. Nitrogen loading influenced the effects of root exudates on the microbial community. Under PCWs-H, triterpenoids promoted norBC and nirK/S abundance but depressed amoABC abundance. Sterols and flavonoids in exudates under PCWs-L depressed nosZ abundance, instead activating dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium. Compared with PCWs-H and PCWs-L, N₂O emissions were minimal under PCWs-M. This study revealed that mangrove root exudates mediate the nitrogen cycle in mangrove wetlands, providing a theoretical basis for local authorities to manage DIN inputs and mitigate N₂O emissions. Full article

Lameness in cattle is generally described as a condition characterized by an abnormal walking or posture which is often managed with copper sulfate (CuSO₄) hoofbaths, e.g., in case of digital dermatitis (DD). This review evaluates in vivo trials from the last 15 years (January 2010–March 2026) and the efficacy of CuSO₄ hoofbaths, their environmental impact, and the availability and performance of alternative products and agents (e.g., nanomaterials), with the aim of identifying sustainable management strategies for dairy farms and One Health goals. The selection criteria focused on peer-reviewed references and technical reports published in English. Hoofbath wastes can introduce high copper (Cu) loads into manure (500–2000 mg/L), leading to soil accumulation, impaired non-pathogenic microbial populations, and potential co-selection for pathogen resistance. Therefore, CuSO₄ can be effective but poses environmental risks due to Cu accumulation in soil and water, with mean concentrations reaching 5.7 ± 6.6 ppm Cu in areas where hoofbath effluent is discharged. Cu-free alternatives (e.g., quaternary ammonium compounds, organic acids) show comparable efficacy in some studies, but independent data on their environmental degradation and ecotoxicity are lacking. Although CuSO₄ hoofbaths pose environmental risks, they remain the most effective solution in improving hoof health. Controlled in vivo trials revealed that weekly 5% CuSO₄ hoofbaths can reduce the occurrence of lameness caused by hoof problems including DD by over 50%. Full article

The orthogonal design further optimized the culture medium to a combination of ammonium nitrate, sucrose, and magnesium sulfate, achieving a mycelial growth rate of 1.379 mm/d. The mycelia of Gerhardtia borealis contained 26.01% crude protein, 6.03% crude fat, and 1.24% crude polysaccharides. A total of 17 amino acids were detected, with a total content of 26.09 g/kg. The iron and zinc contents in the mycelia were 28.09 mg/kg and 22.17 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead were all below the national food safety limits. This study provides fundamental data supporting the domestication and functional utilization of Gerhardtia borealis as an edible and medicinal resource. Full article

Soilless horticultural media offer a solution to limited arable land but are often nutrient-inert, requiring efficient nutrient management strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of seaweed biochar-amended vermicompost (VC) as a nutrient-supplying growing medium for tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) seedling establishment and vegetative growth. Coco peat was progressively replaced with VC (0–100%, w/w) under fertilized and unfertilized conditions during seedling development, and selected treatments were further evaluated during vegetative growth. Growth parameters, including emergence, plant height, leaf area, stem diameter, biomass, and chlorophyll content, were measured. Treatments significantly affected (p < 0.05) all parameters. The highest VC level (100%) reduced seedling emergence by 10.42% compared to the control but significantly improved seedling height (13.69 cm) and leaf area (49.45 cm² plant⁻¹) under fertilized conditions. During vegetative growth, the control (0% VC) produced the highest biomass (9.55 g) and plant height (67.43 cm), while higher VC rates (75–100%) enhanced chlorophyll content and maintained acceptable plant growth. Overall, VC showed potential as a sustainable growing medium component for tomato production, although plant responses varied according to growth stage and incorporation rate. Reduced emergence at higher VC levels indicates that further research is needed to optimize substrate management strategies for seedling establishment. Full article

In this study, a methodology that combines ultrasound-enhanced extraction with the use of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and three-phase partitioning (TPP) was presented for the green isolation of polysaccharides from longan shells (LSP). The extraction system was a DES composed of an equal molar ratio of dodecanoic acid and octanoic acid, which was used as the separation medium. Generally, the main phase separation mechanisms involved in the purification of the polysaccharide were investigated. The ideal operational parameters were found through systematic optimization by the single-variable experiment with the response surface methodology, i.e., the extraction temperature of 63.8 °C, the phase volume ratio of 1:1.04 (v/v), and the ammonium sulfate concentration of 26.3%. The extraction efficiency is 2.42 ± 0.03% for LSP when the above operational parameters are used. The structural characterization showed that the isolated LSP is an acidic heteropolysaccharide rich in galacturonic acid and arabinose. It was also shown that the molecular architecture of LSP includes both types of glycosidic bonds, which are also of importance for its physicochemical properties. The polysaccharide exhibits an open fibrous network structure. Notably, the DES maintained stable performance over five successive reuses without significant degradation. Concerning the antioxidant capacity, LSP at 0.4 mg/mL showed 96.6 ± 2.0% inhibition of ABTS radical, and showed an iron-reducing capacity of 68.67 ± 2.02 micromol Trolox per gram (concentration-dependent effect). These results are present a new method for the sustainable extraction of bioactive macromolecules. Full article

Catalytic oxidation has become a crucial technology for removing CO from industrial flue gas. However, the complex composition of flue gas (including NH₃, NO, SO₂, H₂O, etc.) poses significant challenges to the catalytic activity and stability of catalysts. In this work, we propose a new strategy for constructing highly efficient catalysts by loading a Pd component onto TiO₂ nanosheets (NSs) with predominantly exposed {001} facets. It has been revealed that the well-connected channels, abundant oxygen vacancies and Ti³⁺ species on the TiO₂(NS) support facilitate the formation of highly dispersed and electron-rich Pd nanoparticles. The weak adsorption of impurities such as NH₃, SO₂, NO and H₂O on these active sites promotes the adsorption and activation of the target reactants (CO and O₂), thereby enhancing catalytic activity. Furthermore, such reduced adsorption inhibits the aggregation of Pd nanoparticles and synergizes with the intrinsically weak NH₃ adsorption of TiO₂(NS) to suppress ammonium sulfate species deposition, thereby enhancing long-term catalytic stability. This work advances TiO₂ facet engineering in catalysis and offers new design concepts for efficient CO oxidation catalysts in complex atmospheres. Full article

Micron-sized plate-like TS-1 zeolites are designed to combine the mass transfer efficiency of MFI straight channels along the b-axis by maximizing the exposure of these channel openings on the a-c crystal surface with the recoverability advantage of micrometer-scale crystals. In this study, micron-sized plate-like TS-1 was successfully synthesized by introducing sodium persulfate (Na₂S₂O₈) as an inorganic morphology-regulating additive. Through comparative experiments with ammonium persulfate, potassium persulfate, sodium carbonate, and sodium sulfate, the regulatory role of persulfate anion (S₂O₈²⁻), rather than the sodium cation, was identified. By varying the Na₂S₂O₈/SiO₂ molar ratio from 0.03 to 0.07, plate-like crystals with a- and c-axis dimensions in the micrometer range and b-axis thickness of 400–1100 nm were obtained. This morphology-regulation strategy was shown to be universal in both steam-assisted crystallization (SAC) and hydrothermal synthesis methods. Furthermore, post-treatment with tetrapropylammonium hydroxide (TPAOH) was applied to introduce additional textural porosity and construct a hierarchical pore structure. The optimized sample (TS-1-0.06SP-HT-P) achieved a total surface area of 444 m² g⁻¹ and a pore volume of 0.28 cm³ g⁻¹. The catalytic performance of the hierarchically porous samples was evaluated using 1-hexene epoxidation and phenol hydroxylation as model reactions. Catalytic stability tests using phenol hydroxylation (cat. 300 mg, phenol 36 mmol, n(phenol):n(H₂O₂) = 2, H₂O 4 mL, 353 K, 1 h) showed that TS-1-0.06SP-HT-P maintained stable performance over five consecutive cycles, with phenol conversion remaining at 20.8–22.3% and hydroquinone plus catechol selectivity at 73.0–78.1%. This work provides a feasible approach for the plate-like morphology regulation and performance optimization of TS-1 zeolites. Full article

Females with iron overload suffer from follicular dysplasia, and effective therapeutic strategies for preserving fertility remain lacking. As a natural aliphatic polyamine, spermidine exerts antioxidant activity and plays an anti-ferroptosis role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. However, the role and underlying mechanism of spermidine in iron overload-induced ovarian ferroptosis remain largely elusive. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of spermidine against iron overload-induced ferroptosis in ovarian granulosa cells and elucidate its molecular mechanism. As a result, iron overload models were established in female mice (in vivo, ferrous sulfate) and porcine ovarian granulosa cells (in vitro, ferric ammonium citrate), with spermidine administered at 3 mM (in vivo) or 150 μM (in vitro). Ferritin heavy chain (FHC) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) silencing were performed via siRNA transfection, and relevant controls were set. In vivo studies showed that spermidine elevated serum estradiol and progesterone levels, enhanced ovarian catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, improved granulosa cell mitochondrial morphology, and increased estrous cycle regularity from 35.6% (high-iron group) to 63.1%. In vitro, spermidine improved ferric ammonium citrate (FAC)-impaired cell viability; attenuated reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation; upregulated FHC, Nrf2/p-Nrf2/GPX4, SLC7A11 and anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) expression; and inhibited excessive autophagy (decreased LC3BII/I ratio). Mechanistically, spermidine activated AKT-mediated autophagy, modulated iron homeostasis and glutathione (GSH) synthesis via FHC, alleviated ferroptosis-related Nrf2/p-Nrf2/HO-1 pathway overactivation, reduced lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, and restored mitochondrial function. SLC7A11 silencing disrupted glutathione metabolism, induced mitochondrial ROS accumulation, and inhibited autophagy. Proteomic analysis identified microsomal glutathione S-transferase 3 (MGST3) as a potential key downstream target of spermidine in suppressing SLC7A11-mediated ferroptosis. This study reveals a novel therapeutic strategy wherein spermidine protects against ovarian ferroptosis and preserves ovarian function by regulating iron homeostasis through the FHC/SLC7A11 axis. Full article

Gaseous nitrogen losses and residual soil nitrogen accumulation are primary drivers of low nitrogen use efficiency in alkaline irrigated cropping systems. A two-year field experiment (2019–2020) in the Hetao Irrigation District under alkaline flood-irrigated maize evaluated the effects of nitrogen rate, fertilizer formulation, and enhanced-efficiency fertilizers—urea with urease inhibitor NBPT and ammonium sulfate with nitrification inhibitor DMPP—on NH₃ volatilization, N₂O emissions, post-harvest soil mineral nitrogen, and grain yield. A soil pH manipulation sub-experiment (±0.5 units, ambient pH ~8.8) was conducted to quantify the direct effect of alkalinity on volatilization. NH₃ volatilization was insensitive to fertilizer formulation and inhibitor inclusion but strongly responsive to soil pH; a 0.5-unit increase in soil pH elevated volatilization efficiency by up to 25% relative to ambient conditions. N₂O emissions were around 18% higher under ammonium sulfate than under urea and were reduced by 21–32% with inhibitor treatments, without increasing NH₃ volatilization. Inhibitor-assisted optimized management (urea + NBPT and ammonium sulfate + DMPP) achieved higher yields and lower emission intensity than urea alone. These results confirm that NH₃ and N₂O losses are governed by distinct controls, and that concurrent mitigation of both pathways requires interventions that independently target each loss driver, beyond rate optimization and inhibitor application alone. Full article

While the association between criteria air pollutants and sleep duration is well-documented, evidence on the impact of fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) chemical components on sleep remains limited. This study investigated the effects of intermediate- (6-month) and long-term (2-year) exposure to PM_2.5 and its five major components—black carbon (BC), organic matter (OM), sulfate (SO₄²⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and ammonium (NH₄⁺)—on nocturnal sleep and daytime napping duration. We included 19,505 participants aged ≥ 45 years from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS, 2011–2018). Residential PM_2.5 and component concentrations were estimated via the Tracking Air Pollution in China dataset, and sleep data were collected through self-reported questionnaires. Linear mixed-effects models and quantile-based g-computation (qgcomp) were used to assess single- and multi-pollutant effects. Results showed that both intermediate- and long-term exposure to PM_2.5 components was associated with shorter nocturnal sleep and longer daytime napping. Subgroup analyses revealed greater susceptibility among rural residents, solid fuel users, and individuals without pensions. These findings emphasize the need for component-specific PM_2.5 control strategies and targeted public health interventions to reduce sleep-related health inequalities, especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. Full article

Xylitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol of industrial interest due to its applications as a food sweetener and sugar substitute. In this study, artificial neural networks combined with a genetic algorithm were evaluated as a data-driven approach for modeling and exploring xylitol production by Spathaspora boniae and Spathaspora brasiliensis during fermentation of sugarcane bagasse hemicellulosic hydrolysate. The dataset comprised 20 experimental points obtained from a face-centered central composite design, using urea, yeast extract, peptone, and ammonium sulfate as input variables. The neural network models showed high goodness-of-fit, with R² values of 0.9952 for S. boniae and 0.9930 for S. brasiliensis. Experimental validation of the optimized conditions resulted in xylitol production of 11.54 ± 0.52 g L⁻¹ for S. boniae and 9.29 ± 0.24 g L⁻¹ for S. brasiliensis. Comparison with response surface methodology showed that both approaches provided strong predictive performance, although the statistical model predicted the optimum conditions more accurately. For S. boniae, however, the ANN-GA approach identified an alternative condition associated with lower nitrogen supplementation and higher experimental xylitol production. Given the limited dataset, this study should be regarded as a proof-of-concept for the application of data-driven optimization tools to xylitol fermentation. The results indicate that ANN-GA can complement classical statistical methods by helping to identify alternative operating conditions in bioprocess optimization. Full article

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) is caused by the FMD virus. Indirect Sandwich Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (IS-ELISA) was standardized to characterize the FMD serotype “O” virus. Total protein content in the guinea pig serum (whole serum), ammonium sulfate precipitated guinea pig serum (ASPGPS) protein and ion-exchange-based purified guinea pig serum (IEGPS) protein was measured as 52 µg/mL, 24 µg/mL and 10 µg/mL respectively. The whole serum of guinea pigs and rabbits showed the 1:32 and 1:64 anti-FMD serotype “O” virus neutralizing antibody titers, while the anti-FMD serotype “O” virus neutralizing antibody titer was 1:128 in the IEGPS proteins. IEGPS protein with 1:128 neutralizing antibody titers were used as capture/trapping antibodies in the standardization of the assay. The IEGPS protein 1:1000 diluted with 10 µg/mL of protein content was found to be optimum for capture/trapping antibodies. To cover residual blank spaces, different available blocking buffers were evaluated and Skimmed Milk Solution 5% in Phosphate-Buffered Saline (PBS5%) proved best amongst blocking buffers. Coating of 1:1000 diluted IEGPS at 37 °C for 1 h followed by storage at 4 °C for overnight was best for incubation time. FMD serotype “O” virus 1:100 diluted was optimum in IS-ELISA. Similarly rabbit anti-FMD serotype “O” virus specific immune serum 1:10,000 diluted and goat anti-rabbit IgG horseradish peroxidase conjugate 1:4000 diluted were found to be optimum during the standardization of the assay. Lastly ELISA plates proved to be best amongst the available plates for assay. In each experiment, the plateau region, test background and plate background were recorded. Lastly it became possible for the establishment of an optimized and potentially cost-effective IS-ELISA requiring further diagnostic validation in research and diagnostic laboratories in the country. Full article

We evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant capabilities of a bacteriocin purified from a recently identified marine Lactococcus lactis (L. lactis) NAN6399 strain, a lactic acid bacterium recovered from Mediterranean coastal waters near Alexandria, Egypt, and identified by combined API 50 CHL phenotypic profiling and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Bacteriocin purification was achieved by sequential ammonium sulfate precipitation and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The purified bioactive fraction had an approximate molecular weight of 20 kDa by SDS-PAGE and a 106-amino-acid N-terminal sequence that, upon BLAST alignment, returned 98.1% overall identity to the Lactococcin 972 family bacteriocin AAK06118.1 from L. lactis IL1403, with divergence confined exclusively to the terminal two C-terminal residues. This sequence is structurally and functionally distinct from canonical Lcn972 (L. lactis IPLA 972): the two peptides share an identical 25-residue signal peptide but diverge entirely in their mature bioactive domains, which exhibit only 9.1% sequence identity. Canonical Lcn972 operates through Lipid II-mediated septum disruption and inhibits only Lactococcus species; the NAN6399 peptide, correctly designated as a novel member of the Lcn972-like peptide family, demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial efficacy against multiple indicator organisms (Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterococcus faecalis), producing inhibition zones of up to 30 mm and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values as low as 1.25 μg/mL against S. aureus. Antioxidant capacity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, with the purified preparation achieving 73.14 ± 0.34% inhibition. Collectively, these data establish L. lactis NAN6399 as the producer of a bifunctional Lcn972-family bacteriocin with both antimicrobial and antioxidant potential, provide the first experimental characterization of the antimicrobial activity of this Lcn972-family branch, and highlight marine LAB as a productive reservoir for novel bioactive peptide discovery. Full article