Search Results (1,416)

Polyester fibers are extensively used in textiles, packaging, and industrial applications due to their durability and excellent mechanical properties. However, high-crystallinity polyester fibers represent a major challenge in plastic waste management due to their resistance to biodegradation. This study evaluated the biodegradation potential of environmental Bacillus isolates, obtained from mold-contaminated black bean plastic bags, toward polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and industrial-grade polyester fibers under mesophilic conditions. Among thirteen isolates, five (Bacillus altitudinis N5, Bacillus subtilis N6, and others) exhibited measurable degradation within 30 days, with mass losses up to 5–6% and corresponding rate constants of 0.04–0.05 day⁻¹. A combination of complementary characterization techniques, including mass loss analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), together with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC), and water contact angle (WCA) analysis, was employed to evaluate the biodegradation behavior of polyester fibers. Cross-analysis of mass loss, surface morphology, molecular weight reduction, and degradation products suggests a surface erosion-dominated degradation process, accompanied by ester-bond hydrolysis and preferential degradation of amorphous regions. FTIR, TGA/DSC, and WCA analyses further reflected chemical, thermal, and surface property changes induced by biodegradation rather than directly defining the degradation mechanism. The findings highlight the capacity of mesophilic Bacillus species to partially depolymerize polyester fibers under mild environmental conditions, providing strain resources and mechanistic insight for developing low-energy bioprocesses for polyester fiber waste management. Full article

N-Acetyl-D-mannosamine (ManNAc) and N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac) are important components of glycosylation, affecting numerous physiologic processes. The effects of age, body mass index (BMI), race, or sex on serum levels of ManNAc and Neu5Ac are poorly understood. However, these associations are of substantial interest. Simultaneous quantification of ManNAc and Neu5Ac, using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), was developed and validated for human serum samples. This method has high sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility, with limits of detection as low as 1.02 ng/mL for ManNAc or 1.14 ng/mL for Neu5Ac. A set of 155 serum samples from the Adventist Health Study 2 (AHS-2) cohort was analyzed. Concentrations of conjugated Neu5Ac were 35.1 ± 9.4 µg/mL and 33.0 ± 9.5 µg/mL in black and white participants, respectively. Conjugated and total Neu5Ac levels were significantly higher in women, with p-values of 0.029 and 0.026, respectively. The free forms of Neu5Ac were 594 ± 421 ng/mL and 439 ± 168 ng/mL in black and white participants, respectively. Similarly, conjugated and total ManNAc levels were higher in black participants, at 1.81 ± 0.81 µg/mL and 1.90 ± 0.83 µg/mL, compared to 1.32 ± 0.52 µg/mL and 1.41 ± 0.53 µg/mL in white participants (both cases, p < 0.001). Free ManNAc was 93.1 ± 36.2 ng/mL in black and 89 ± 20.2 ng/mL in white participants. Subjects with higher BMI tend to have higher free ManNAc (p = 0.041). Furthermore, older subjects tend to have higher free (p ≤ 0.001) and total (p = 0.045) ManNAc. The improved LC-MS/MS quantification method should facilitate further investigations. Full article

Airborne micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs) are increasingly recognized as a potential occupational exposure hazard, yet substance-specific workplace data remain limited. This study quantified airborne MNP concentrations during polyester microfiber production using a correlative SEM–Raman approach that enabled chemical identification and size-resolved particle characterization. The aerosol mixture at the workplace was dominated by sub-micrometer particles, with PET—handled onsite—representing the main process-related MNP type, and black tire rubber (BTR) forming a substantial background contribution. Across both sampling periods, total MNP particle number concentrations ranged between 6.2 × 10⁵ and 1.2 × 10⁶ particles/m³, indicating consistently high particle counts. In contrast, estimated MNP-related mass concentrations were much lower, with PM₁₀ levels of 12–15 µg/m³ and PM_2.5 levels of 1.3–1.6 µg/m³, remaining well below applicable occupational exposure limits and near or below 8 h-equivalent WHO guideline values. Comparison with earlier workplace and indoor studies suggests that previously reported concentrations were likely underestimated due to sampling strategies with low efficiency for small particles. Moreover, real-time optical measurements substantially underestimated particle number and mass in this study, reflecting their limited suitability for aerosols dominated by small or dark particles. Overall, the data show that workplace MNP exposure at the investigated site is driven primarily by very small particles present in high numbers but low mass. The findings underscore the need for substance-specific, size-resolved analytical approaches to adequately assess airborne MNP exposure and to support future development of MNP-relevant occupational health guidelines. Full article

Black spot disease substantially impairs both the aesthetic quality and commercial viability of affected Pingguoli pears. Previous studies have shown that Alternaria alternata and A. tenuissima are the pathogens that cause black spot disease. Essential oils represent novel alternatives to synthetic fungicides to control these pathogens. This study extracted Artemisia sieversiana essential oil (AsEO) by hydro-distillation using a crystal tower pure dew essential oil machine. The chemical compositions of AsEO were analyzed via gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). A total of 42 compounds were detected. 1,8-cineole, trans-caryophyllene, (1R,4S)-1,7,7-trimethylbicyclo [2.2.1] heptan-2-yl acetate, (±)-camphor, and β-myrcene were identified as the five main constituents. Moreover, the antifungal activity of AsEO was assessed against black spot on Yanbian Pingguoli pear in China. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) values were determined as 0.10% (v/v) and 0.12% (v/v), respectively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that treatment with AsEO induced significant morphological aberrations in A. alternata and A. tenuissima mycelia, including surface roughening, hyphal collapse, and loss of structural integrity. Concurrently, a marked increase in alkaline phosphatase (AKP) enzyme activity and electrical conductivity was observed, a key indicator of cell wall and plasma membrane permeabilization and damage. When the concentration of AsEO was less than 120 µg/mL, there was no toxicity to keratinocytes (HaCaTs) and skin fibroblasts (NHSFs). In summary, this study provides a theoretical basis for the development of AsEO as a fungicide against black spot disease on Pingguoli pear in China. Full article

With rising efforts to enable a circularity of valuable resources of lithium-ion batteries, a growing number of recycling companies in Europe are expanding their capacities and developing new recycling technologies. The European Union (EU) has set a benchmark for battery recycling by publishing recycling targets. These targets require precise mass determination of the individual battery components, making disassembly of the battery mandatory for characterization. The paper puts forth a semi-automated disassembly procedure for determining the composition of the components at the module and cell levels across a range of designs. Our analysis incorporates the introduction of TGA as a novel, direct method for determining the cathode active material with an accuracy above 99%. This approach is intended to define the recycling input for all extant recycling routes by providing quantitative experimental results with statistical significance. The results indicate a black mass proportion of 61.6% at the module level and 53–74% at the cell level. Additionally, there are significant differences in value creation, ranging from 0.80 to 1.81 USD kg⁻¹ black mass, depending on the cell chemistry. The procedure can be used for EoL and scrap material, and enables greater transparency and comparability in battery recycling, opening up new perspectives for the resource-efficient and targeted use of various recycling technologies. Full article

Vicia faba L. is a widely cultivated legume known to contain numerous specialised metabolites. In this study, the seed coats and cotyledons of two ancient V. faba L. varieties, historically consumed in southern Italy and distinguished by black and purple seed coats, were extracted using 80% methanol and 80% ethanol. Extracts were analysed for total polyphenol, flavonoid and proanthocyanidin contents, and antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays. The purple seed coats exhibited the highest levels of phenolics and antioxidant capacity, exceeding those of black seed coats. Next, liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HR-MS) was used to characterise the bioactive metabolites in both seed coats and cotyledons. The purple variety showed a higher phytochemical content, with a greater level of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins in methanolic extract. Furthermore, the purple seed coat exhibited in vitro anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH), a key enzyme in the arachidonic acid cascade, with an IC₅₀ of 31.51 ± 1.16 µg/µL. Elemental analysis was performed for both varieties to assess their nutritional value. Specifically, the purple seed coats were found to represent a valuable source of bioactive compounds and micronutrients, highlighting their potential applications in nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food supplement sectors. Full article

The model of a liquid desiccant dehumidification air conditioning (LDAC) system is one of the key foundations for achieving efficient cooling, dehumidification and regeneration, and saving energy consumption. The data-driven modeling method does not need to understand the complex heat and mass transfer mechanism and equipment physical information, thus the modeling complexity is greatly reduced. This paper proposes a temperature and humidity prediction model integrating the Black Kite Algorithm (BKA), Bidirectional Temporal Convolutional Network (BiTCN), Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (BiLSTM), and Self-Attention mechanism (SA). The model extracts local spatiotemporal features from sequence data through BiTCN, enhances the understanding of contextual dependencies in temporal data using BiLSTM, and employs the SA to assign dynamic weights to different time steps. Furthermore, BKA is adopted to optimize the hyperparameter combinations of the neural network, thereby improving prediction accuracy. To validate the model performance, an experimental platform for an LDAC system was established to collect operational data under multiple working conditions, constructing a comprehensive dataset for simulation analysis. Experimental results demonstrate that compared to conventional time-series prediction models, the proposed model achieves higher accuracy in predicting outlet temperature and humidity across various operating conditions, providing reliable technical support for system real-time control and performance optimization. Full article

Ultrasound pretreatment offers a promising approach for improving spice drying efficiency while preserving bioactive compounds. This study explores the optimization of ultrasound pretreatment parameters for black pepper processing, using response surface methodology (RSM) to maximize piperine retention, drying efficiency, and moisture reduction. Compared to traditional one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) screening, RSM identifies a multi-objective optimal balance that achieves superior results for all three responses. Our optimized conditions (35 kHz, 40 min, 50 °C, 80 W/cm³) achieved 18.64 mg/g DW piperine, a drying time of 444.51 min, and a 9.6% moisture content, demonstrating significant improvements in both bioactive preservation and energy efficiency compared with conventional methods. Compared to control samples requiring 600.69 ± 12.5 min drying time, optimal conditions reduced drying time by 26% to 444.51 min (a net process time reduction of 19%, including a 40 min pretreatment) while achieving the target moisture content (9.6%) and limiting piperine loss to approximately 6% in dried samples. Dual-method validation using UV spectrophotometry and HPLC confirmed model predictions with relative errors below 1%, establishing a consistent UV:HPLC ratio (1:2.12). Multi-analytical characterization revealed that ultrasound-induced cavitation selectively disrupted cellular structures, enhancing mass transfer without significant degradation of piperine’s functional groups. Scanning electron microscopy showed increased porosity and microfractures, while FTIR confirmed preservation of key chemical bonds with minor spectral shifts. The process achieved a five-fold improvement in product consistency (reducing the standard deviation from 0.68 to 0.12 mg/g) compared to conventional drying. These findings demonstrate that optimized ultrasound pretreatment provides a reproducible, scalable, and energy-efficient method for spice processing, supporting industrial adoption where consistent quality and bioactive stability are critical. Full article

The Dendrobium genus originates from tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, extending to northern Australia. Species and hybrids of this genus, including Dendrobium phalaenopsis Sa-Nook ‘Thailand Black’, are the second most popular cultivars worldwide. To meet this demand, it is necessary to implement techniques such as micropropagation, which allows the mass production of plants. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of plant growth regulators (NAA, BA, and TDZ) on the in vitro regeneration of D. phalaenopsis Sa-Nook ‘Thailand Black’ plants, their acclimatization, and production costs. Rootless shoots of 1–1.5 cm in height were grown on 50% MS medium supplemented with BA (0, 2.22, 4.44, or 8.88 µM), TDZ (0, 2.27, 4.54, or 9.08 µM), and NAA (0 or 2.69 µM), individually or in combination. After the second phase of in vitro shoot growth, the highest number of shoots per explant (8.5) was observed with 9.08 µM of TDZ. Plants regenerated with this concentration of TDZ showed the highest survival rate (96%) at 90 days of greenhouse cultivation, as well as the formation of new shoots (0.9), and the lowest production cost per plant (0.49 USD). Full article

This work explores a geometric description of black holes in which spacetime terminates on a curvature-triggered hypersurface rather than extending to an interior singularity. We study the implications of a scenario in which, upon reaching a critical curvature threshold, the three-dimensional spatial geometry compresses into a thin, closed boundary identified here as the wafold. Beyond this, the manifold would no longer continue, and all mass–energy and information would be confined to the hypersurface itself. This framework combines two well-explored paths: (1) curvature-driven geometric compression, in which extreme curvature forces the bulk degrees of freedom to become supported on a thin hypersurface (without altering the underlying dimensionality of spacetime), and (2) the motivation underlying the holographic principle, namely that black-hole entropy scales with surface area rather than volume, suggesting that information is governed by a boundary geometry rather than a bulk volume. We elaborate a dimensional conversion law that would be required to describe the collapse of spatial volume into surface area as a conserved flux of geometric capacity across the wafold, and we analyze the resulting consequences of treating this hypersurface as the terminal boundary of the manifold. Full article

Background: Cancer survivors represent a growing proportion of the UK population and often experience higher multimorbidity and healthcare needs. However, limited research in the UK has explored ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare resource use among long-term cancer survivors. Methods: Using linked primary care (Clinical Practice Research Data) and secondary care (Hospital Episode Statistics–Admitted Patient Care) data between 2010 and 2020, this population-based cohort study compared healthcare utilisation among 170,352 cancer survivors and 415,975 matched controls without a cancer diagnosis. Outcomes included primary care consultations and hospital admissions (planned and emergency). Analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, ethnicity, and the Index of Multiple Deprivation. Negative binomial models were used to estimate incidence rate ratios (IRRs). Results: Cancer survivors averaged 33 more primary-care consultations over ten years than controls, with Pakistani, Indian, and White survivors recording the higher rates. Hospital admissions were consistently higher among survivors across all age groups, peaking in those aged 60–75 years. Planned admissions were highest among Black Caribbean (IRR 1.80 (95% CI 1.73–1.87)), Pakistani (IRR 1.71 (1.63–1.78)), and Bangladeshi (IRR 1.66 (1.53–1.80)) groups. Emergency admissions followed a similar trend, remaining statistically significant only for Pakistani survivors (IRR 1.23 (1.16–1.30)). A strong socioeconomic gradient was observed, with healthcare utilisation increasing as deprivation worsened. Conclusions: Cancer survivors experience substantially greater healthcare use than matched controls, with persistent ethnic and socioeconomic disparities. Strategies to reduce disparities should focus on earlier diagnosis, enhanced long-term care coordination, and culturally informed interventions addressing both cancer survivorship and multimorbidity. Full article

The utilization of tuned mass dampers (TMDs) is subject to numerous restrictions. In general, the control performance of a TMD is limited by the ratio of the mass block to the effective mass of the main structure (mass ratio). These dampers also require precise tuning to the required target frequency to absorb the host structure’s vibrational energy. Due to their unique geometric gradient forms, acoustic black hole (ABH) structures can slow the propagation speed of bending waves and concentrate them at the apex, thereby significantly enhancing the suppression of broadband vibration. In this paper, we combine the above two methods to form a single novel device named ABH-TMD. Firstly, a mechanical model of the proposed device is established. The bending-wave control equation is derived, followed by a numerical analysis and experimental tests for further verification. Secondly, a series of numerical simulations are conducted. The response of the controlled beam is determined based on time histories and the frequency domain. Lastly, parameter analysis is carried out to investigate the control’s effectiveness. Based on the numerical and experimental results, we conclude that the proposed ABH-TMD can successfully concentrate elastic waves, thereby surpassing the traditional TMD under broadband frequency conditions. Full article

The growing demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is driving a rapid increase in the volume of spent cells which—as hazardous waste—must be managed effectively in accordance with circular-economy principles. Hydrometallurgical recycling allows the recovery of critical metals at far lower environmental cost than primary mining. This paper presents a method for obtaining metallic nickel from sulfate leach solutions produced by leaching the so-called “black mass” derived from shredded LIBs. Nickel electrodeposition was performed on a stainless-steel cathode with Ti/Ru-Ir anodes at 60 °C and pH 3.0–4.5. Two process variants were examined. Variant A—with a decreasing Ni²⁺ concentration (49 → 25 g L⁻¹)—achieved a current efficiency of 60–88%, but the deposits were non-uniform and prone to flaking. Variant B—in which the bath was stabilized by the continuous dissolution of Ni(OH)₂ (maintaining Ni²⁺ at 35–40 g L⁻¹) and amended with PEG-4000, H₃BO₃ and Na₂SO₄—reached higher efficiency (78–93%) and produced uniform, bright deposits up to 0.5 mm thick with a purity >90%. The results confirm that keeping the nickel concentration constant and appropriately modifying the electrolyte significantly improve both the qualitative and economic aspects of recovery, highlighting electrolysis as an efficient way to process LIB waste and close the nickel stream within the material cycle. Full article

This study investigated the ability of an electronic nose system (E-nose) to detect early signs of fungal contamination in the red plum variety ‘Black Splendor’. We focused on identifying changes in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that occur with decay. For this purpose, we compared two groups of plums: a control group (healthy plums) and a group inoculated with Monilinia laxa. VOCs from both groups were analyzed and quantified using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In parallel, E-nose signals were recorded at two key moments of fungal development: an early and an intermediate phase. The results revealed a strong correlation between E-nose signals and the aromatic profile characteristic of fungal contamination in plums. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) models, developed from the E-nose data, achieved 100% differentiation between healthy and infected samples. Furthermore, these models discriminated with 100% accuracy between healthy plums and those with incipient contamination. These findings demonstrate that E-nose technology serves as a reliable, non-destructive approach for real-time assessment of plum quality throughout storage. Full article

Measuring supermassive black hole (SMBH) masses is fundamental to understanding active galactic nuclei (AGN) and their coevolution with host galaxies. Among existing techniques, H₂O megamaser observations with Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) provide the most direct and geometric determinations of SMBH masses by tracing molecular gas in sub-parsec Keplerian disks. Over the past two decades, the Megamaser Cosmology Project (MCP) has surveyed thousands of nearby AGNs and obtained high-sensitivity VLBI maps of dozens of maser disks that lead to accurate SMBH masses with uncertainties typically below 10%. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review that summarizes the essential elements required to obtain accurate black hole masses with the H₂O megamaser technique—including the physical conditions for maser excitation, observational requirements, disk modeling, and sources of SMBH mass uncertainty—and we discuss the implications of maser-based measurements for exploring SMBH demographics. In particular, we will show that maser-derived black hole masses, largely free from the systematic biases of stellar or gas-dynamical methods, provide critical anchors at the low-mass end of the SMBH population (M_BH∼10⁷M_⊙), and reveal possible deviations from the canonical M_BH–σ_∗ relation. With forthcoming spectroscopic surveys and advances in millimeter/submillimeter VLBI, the maser technique promises to extend precise dynamical mass measurements to both larger local samples and high-redshift galaxies. Full article