Search Results (577)

The United States of America could build 20,000 bases for the Statue of Liberty every year using its construction and demolition waste, and 456 bases using waste glass from jars and bottles. However, some sectors of the population still face a shortage of affordable housing. The challenges of disposing of such large amounts of waste and solving the housing shortage could be addressed together if these materials, considered part of a closed-loop system, were integrated into new building blocks. This research studies compressed earth blocks that incorporate soils and gravels excavated in situ, river sand, crushed concrete from demolition waste, and recycled glass sand. To stabilize the blocks, cement is used at 5, 10, and 15% (by weight). The properties studied include the following: density, apparent porosity, initial water absorption, simple compression, modulus of elasticity, and thermal conductivity. Optical image analysis proved to be a tool for predicting the values of these properties as the stabilizer changed. To assist in decision making regarding the best overall performance of the total 12 mix designs, a ranking system is proposed. The best blocks, which incorporate the otherwise waste materials, exhibited simple compression values up to 7.3 MPa, initial water absorption of 8 g/(cm² × min^0.5) and thermal conductivity of 0.684 W/m·K. Full article

Recently, there has been a growing interest in using agricultural and forestry residues to cultivate Flammulina filiformis. However, there is limited research on cultivating F. filiformis with soybean straw as a substrate. This study systematically optimized the cultivation formula for F. filiformis using soybean straw as the raw substrate and explored the effects of the water content, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N ratio), substrate particle size, and substrate loading on its growth and development. By replacing corncob, wheat bran, and soybean hulls with soybean straw and increasing the proportion of rice bran, the cultivation formula for growing F. filiformis was optimized. We found that the maximum fruiting body yield of 405 g (330 g dry substrate per bottle) and a biological efficiency of 122.73% were achieved using a substrate mixture of 25% soybean straw, 20% corncob, 20% cottonseed hull, 25% rice bran, 8% wheat bran, 1% CaCO₃, and 1% shellfish powder. The yield and biological efficiency of fruiting bodies cultivated on the substrate containing 25% soybean straw did not show significant differences compared to the control group. However, the cultivation formula containing 25% soybean straw yielded F. filiformis with significantly higher levels of amino acids, essential amino acids, and fat. These findings suggest that the 25% soybean straw substrate formulation can serve as a viable alternative to the control formulation for the cultivation of F. filiformis, although variations in the nutritional composition exist. Based on this optimized formula, an optimal biological efficiency can be achieved with a substrate-to-water ratio of 1:1.7, a wet substrate loading amount of 940 g (in a 1250 mL cultivation bottle), and a soybean straw particle size range of 6–8 mm. The optimal C/N ratio for cultivating F. filiformis using soybean straw ranges from 27:1 to 32:1. Additionally, orthogonal experiments revealed that the nitrogen content significantly affected the fruiting body yield, stipe length, and stipe diameter, while the water content mainly affected the pileus diameter, pileus thickness, and number of fruit bodies. Under defined conditions (dry substrate loading volume of 337 g (in a 1250 mL cultivation bottle), a substrate-to-water ratio of 1:1.6, and a C/N ratio of 26:1), the maximum yield and biological efficiency per bottle reached 395 g and 117.21%, respectively. Our findings indicate that the F. filiformis cultivation using soybean straw as the raw substrate exhibits a promising performance and extensive application potential. Full article

Water is essential to human civilization and development, yet its quality is increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and resource mismanagement. This work introduces an empirical, non-invasive framework for assessing water potability using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) combined with a novel equivalent circuit model. A customized sensor holder was designed to reduce impedance magnitude and enhance phase sensitivity, improving detection accuracy. Various water samples, including seawater, groundwater, and commercially bottled water, were analyzed. The proposed method achieved a 100% classification accuracy in distinguishing among water types, as validated by extracted circuit parameters and verified by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) measurements. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated the ability to detect compositional changes as small as 10%, highlighting a strong potential for fine discrimination of ionic contents. The extracted parameters, such as resistance, capacitance, and inductance, showed clear correlations with ionic composition, enabling reliable potability classification in accordance with WHO guidelines. The approach is rapid, label-free, and suitable for field applications, offering a promising tool for real-time water quality monitoring and supporting sustainable water resource management. Full article

While the Ankom RF system facilitates efficient high-throughput in vitro fermentation studies, its high cost and limited flexibility constrain its broader applicability. To address these limitations, we developed and validated a low-cost, modular gas monitoring system (FerME), assembled from commercially available components. To evaluate its performance and reproducibility relative to the Ankom RF system (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA), in vitro rumen fermentation experiments were conducted under strictly controlled and identical conditions. Whole rumen contents were collected approximately 2 h post-feeding from individual mid- or late-lactation dairy cows and immediately transported to the laboratory. Each fermenter received 50 mL of processed rumen fluid, 100 mL of anaerobically prepared artificial saliva buffer, and 1.2 g of the donor cow’s diet. Bottles were sealed with the respective system’s pressure sensors, flushed with CO₂, and incubated in a 50 L water bath maintained at 39 °C. FerME (New Taipei City, Taiwan) and Ankom RF fermenters were placed side-by-side to ensure uniform thermal conditions. To assess the effect of filter bag use, an additional trial employed Ankom F57 filter bags (Ankom Technology, Macedon, NY, USA; 25 μm pore size). Trial 1 revealed no significant differences in cumulative gas production, volatile fatty acids (VFAs), NH₃-N, or pH between systems (p > 0.05). However, the use of filter bags reduced gas output and increased propionate concentrations (p < 0.05). Trial 2, which employed filter bags in both systems, confirmed comparable results, with the FerME system demonstrating improved precision (CV: 4.8% vs. 13.2%). Gas composition (CH₄ + CO₂: 76–82%) and fermentation parameters remained consistent across systems (p > 0.05). Importantly, with 12 pressure sensors, the total cost of FerME was about half that of the Ankom RF system. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that FerME is a reliable, low-cost alternative for real-time rumen fermentation monitoring and could be suitable for studies in animal nutrition, methane mitigation, and related applications. Full article

Microplastics are pervasive environmental pollutants that pose risks to human health through ingestion and inhalation. This review synthesizes current practices to reduce exposure and toxicity by examining major exposure routes and dietary interventions. More than 130 papers were analyzed to achieve this aim. The findings show that microplastics contaminate a wide range of food products, with particular concern over seafood, drinking water, plastic-packaged foods, paper cups, and tea filter bags. Inhalation exposure is mainly linked to indoor air quality and smoking, while dermal contact poses minimal risk, though the release of additives from plastics onto the skin remains an area of concern. Recommended strategies to reduce dietary exposure include consuming only muscle parts of seafood, moderating intake of high-risk items like anchovies and mollusks, limiting canned seafood liquids, and purging mussels in clean water before consumption. Avoiding plastic containers, especially for hot food or microwaving, using wooden cutting boards, paper tea bags, and opting for tap or filtered water over bottled water are also advised. To mitigate inhalation exposure, the use of air filters with HyperHEPA systems, improved ventilation, regular vacuuming, and the reduction of smoking are recommended. While antioxidant supplementation shows potential in reducing microplastic toxicity, further research is needed to confirm its effectiveness. This review provides practical, evidence-based recommendations for minimizing daily microplastic exposure. Full article

The uMlazi River receives effluents from wastewater work before feeding the Shongweni Dam. However, local communities are consuming fish from this dam for protein supplements. This study was undertaken to investigate the metal concentrations in the water and sediment, the general health of Coptodon rendalli and Oreochromis mossambicus, and metal bioaccumulation. Sampling was conducted during the dry (July–August) and wet seasons (November and December) in 2021. Water was sampled using acid-pre-treated sampling bottles, whereas sediment was collected using the Van Veen grab at the inflow, middle, and dam wall. Fish were collected, and their tissues were digested using aqua regia. Metal concentrations were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). This data manuscript reports the physical parameters of the water and concentrations of antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, lead, selenium, and strontium in the water and sediment from the Shongweni Dam. Moreover, the fish morphometric data and metal concentrations observed in the muscle are also presented. This data could be used as baseline information on metal concentrations in the Shongweni Dam. Moreover, it provides insight into the potential impact of wastewater effluents on metal increases in freshwater bodies. Full article

Due to the growing issue of plastic pollution over recent decades, it is essential to establish well-defined and appropriate methodologies for their extraction from diverse environmental samples. These particles can be found in complex agricultural matrices such as compost, sediments, agricultural soils, sludge, and wastewater, as well as in less complex samples like tap and bottled water. The general steps of MPs extraction typically include drying the sample, sieving to remove larger particles, removal of organic matter, density separation to isolate polymers, filtration using meshes of various sizes, oven drying of the filters, and polymer identification. Complex matrices with high organic matter content require specific removal steps. Most studies employ an initial drying process with temperature control to prevent polymer damage. For removal of organic matter, 30% H₂O₂ is the most commonly used reagent, and for density separation, saturated NaCl and ZnCl₂ solutions are typically applied for low- and high-density polymers, respectively. Finally, filtration is carried out using meshes selected according to the identification technique. This review analyzes the advantages and limitations of the different methodologies to extract microplastics from different sources, aiming to provide in-depth insight for researchers dedicated to the study of environmental samples. Full article

The development of deep coalbed methane (buried depth > 2000 m) in the Yan’an block of Ordos Basin is limited by low permeability, the pore structure of the coal reservoir, and the gas–water occurrence relationship. It is urgent to clarify the key control mechanism of pore structure on gas migration. In this study, based on high-pressure mercury intrusion (pore size > 50 nm), low-temperature N₂/CO₂ adsorption (0.38–50 nm), low-field nuclear magnetic resonance technology, fractal theory and Pearson correlation coefficient analysis, quantitative characterization of multi-scale pore–fluid system was carried out. The results show that the multi-scale pore network in the study area jointly regulates the occurrence and migration process of deep coalbed methane in Yan’an through the ternary hierarchical gas control mechanism of ‘micropore adsorption dominant, mesopore diffusion connection and macroporous seepage bottleneck’. The fractal dimensions of micropores and seepage are between 2.17–2.29 and 2.46–2.58, respectively. The shape of micropores is relatively regular, the complexity of micropore structure is low, and the confined space is mainly slit-like or ink bottle-like. The pore-throat network structure is relatively homogeneous, the difference in pore throat size is reduced, and the seepage pore shape is simple. The bimodal structure of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance shows that the bound fluid is related to the development of micropores, and the fluid mobility mainly depends on the seepage pores. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed that the specific surface area of micropores was strongly positively correlated with methane adsorption capacity, and the nanoscale pore-size dominated gas occurrence through van der Waals force physical adsorption. The specific surface area of mesopores is significantly positively correlated with the tortuosity. The roughness and branch structure of the inner surface of the channel lead to the extension of the migration path and the inhibition of methane diffusion efficiency. Seepage porosity is linearly correlated with gas permeability, and the scale of connected seepage pores dominates the seepage capacity of reservoirs. This study reveals the pore structure and ternary grading synergistic gas control mechanism of deep coal reservoirs in the Yan’an Block, which provides a theoretical basis for the development of deep coalbed methane. Full article

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as pervasive environmental contaminants due to their widespread presence across various ecosystems, including their use in single-use plastic food ware and table salt dispensers. This issue coincides with the presence of heavy metals in water sources in Doha, Qatar. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed that the plastic plate and spoon were composed of polyolefin, with the spoon exhibiting additional peaks that indicated oxidation or the presence of additives. Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) revealed that the spoon exhibited higher thermal stability, retaining approximately 10% of its mass at 700 °C, than the plate, which retained 2%, indicating the presence of complex additives or contamination. MPs in food-grade salt samples were verified through filtration and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, identifying polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). These MPs likely stem from exposure to packaging or environmental contaminants. FTIR spectra confirmed the integrity of the polymers after treatment. Inductively Coupled Plasma–Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis revealed varying levels of heavy metals in bottled and tap water, with notable findings including detectable arsenic and lead in both, higher calcium and magnesium in bottled water, and the presence of copper present in tap water only, highlighting potential health and infrastructure-related concerns. These results highlight the possible risks associated with exposure to MPs and heavy metals from everyday products and water sources, underscoring the need for enhanced regulatory oversight and safer material choices to ensure protection. Full article

This research assesses the impacts of five cleaner production (CP) profiles of soap products and the overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) of liquid detergent production lines. A simulation model was built to depict the “As-Is” condition, and then the overall equipment effectiveness was calculated. Results showed high rejection rates and bottlenecks, resulting in long average cycle times and waiting times, as well as low production rates and machine utilization. Consequently, lean, agile, and resilient actions were utilized to enhance the OEE of the line’s processes. The improvement results showed that the bottle placement, filling, labeling, and taping processes were enhanced by 237%, 4.67%, 5.41%, and 26.02%, respectively. Moreover, the smallest percentages of availability, quality, and performance were 97.46%, 99.82%, and 81.56%, respectively, indicating a considerable enhancement in the performance of the line’s processes. Further, cleaner production assessment was performed on soap products to estimate environmental profile indices for raw material, energy, product, waste, and packaging. The estimated overall environmental index was 107.93, with liquid waste contributing the largest index value. Therefore, a proposal for a water treatment system was suggested and then assessed. In conclusion, lean, agile, and resilient actions were found to be effective in enhancing the OEE of production processes. Moreover, cleaner production provided valuable support to decision-makers in determining the appropriate actions for improving the OEE and environmental performance of the technological processes and products of detergent production lines. Full article

School-aged children are routinely exposed to additional physical stress due to carrying school backpacks. These backpacks often exceed recommended limits and can contain not only books and notebooks but also laptops, water bottles, and other personal items. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of different backpack loads (10%, 15%, and 20% of body weight) on dynamic gait parameters in 7-year-old girls and boys. Twenty-six children (13 girls, 13 boys) participated in the study. Gait analysis was performed using the Footscan® system (RSscan International, Olen, Belgium; 2 m × 0.4 m × 0.02 m, 16,384 sensors) equipped with Footscan software version 7 (Gait 2nd generation), examining peak force (FMAX), peak pressure (PMAX), contact area (CA), and time to peak force (Time to FMAX) across five anatomical foot zones. The study revealed significant changes in all parameters, particularly at loads of 15% and 20% of body weight. Increases in plantar pressure, contact area, and asymmetry were observed, along with delays in time to peak force. These findings support the recommendation that children’s backpack loads should not exceed 10% of their body weight to prevent potential adverse effects on postural and musculoskeletal development. Full article

This review contains a compilation of data about the occurrence, mining, refining, and biological actions of lithium, without claiming completeness of knowledge. This should give a baseline for judging future pollutions of environmental and agricultural items and human nutrition and may show still existing gaps of screening. Emerging electromobility and use of computers leads to a steep increase in Li-based batteries, which are a source of hazardous waste unless recycled. Lack of recovery methods from effluents and sewage, however, will increase pollution with soluble Li-salts from increasing mining and waste in the future; therefore, biochemical effects of levels out of ambient range have been included. Many published data are hidden in multi-element tables, including the data of the author. Mobile fractions of soils and soil-to-plant transfer, as well as retainment in animal tissues, are low. A lot of data, starting from geology via soils, plants, water, and human nutrition, lead to a largely unknown average daily intake for men. With respect to nutrition of dairy cows, the contribution of Li from water was highest among all elements investigated, but only 4% of intake. Main sources for human nutrition are mineral water and table salt. Li is not labelled on mineral water bottles, nor table salt, which are the main sources. Though some data have been gathered, for human nutrition, the average daily intake is uncertain to estimate because some mineral waters are quite high in Li. Full article

Background/Objectives: Scapular adaptations have been associated with shoulder pain. However, conflicting findings have been reported after scapular-focused interventions. The present study aims to evaluate scapula-related outcomes before and after a scapular therapeutic exercise program. Methods: Eighteen adult volunteers with chronic shoulder pain participated in an 8-week scapular therapeutic exercise program that was personalized according to their pain condition and the presence of scapular dyskinesis. This program included preparation and warm-up, scapular neuromotor control, and strengthening and stretching exercises. Both self-reported (shoulder pain and function, psychosocial factors, and self-impression of change) and performance-based outcomes (scapular muscular stiffness and activity level, tridimensional motion, rhythm, and movement quality, measured while participants drank a bottle of water) were used for analysis. Results: After the intervention, participants presented reduced shoulder pain (p < 0.0001) and pain catastrophizing (p = 0.004) and increased shoulder function (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the participants presented changes in scapular winging (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.043), increased scapular downward rotation (p < 0.0001) and depression (p = 0.038), and decreased global movement smoothness (p = 0.003). These were associated with changes in serratus anterior activity (p = 0.016 to p = 0.035), decreased middle (p < 0.0001 to p = 0.002) and lower trapezius (p < 0.0001) and levator scapulae (p = 0.048) activity levels, and decreased middle trapezius muscle stiffness (p = 0.014). Patients’ self-perception of change was rated favorably. Conclusions: After a scapular therapeutic exercise program, changes were observed in both self-reported and performance-based outcomes. These results need to be confirmed by a randomized controlled trial. Full article

Non-conformities—deviations from established standards or procedures—can significantly impact product quality and process performance. Although various tools and methodologies exist, current research lacks an integrated, deferred, and corrective approach to non-conformance management that bridges day-to-day operations with systematic quality control. The proposed tool aims to address this gap by providing a practical framework that combines batch data processing using the “Daily Challenge” tool with structured problem solving and corrective strategies. It serves as a comprehensive decision-making tool for systematically managing deviations. The methodology begins with identifying non-conformities through data collection and direct observation, followed by focused reporting and active discussion during departmental meetings. Issues are then categorized based on their frequency, operational impact, and resource requirements to determine the appropriate resolution path—whether through immediate correction or detailed analysis using structured tools such as the “Daily Challenge” sheet. It integrates well-established methodologies such as 5M and PDCA into a structured, daily workflow for resolving non-conformities. Implemented solutions are evaluated for effectiveness with ongoing monitoring to ensure continuous improvement. A key feature of this system is the use of the “Daily Challenge” form, which facilitates documentation, accountability, and knowledge retention—helping to reduce the recurrence of similar situations. The case studies illustrate the methodology through two examples: a labeling issue involving the omission of quantity information on product labels due to operator oversight and the management of production downtime caused by equipment and sensor failures. Although a standard existed, the errors revealed the need for reinforced procedures. Corrective actions included revising procedures, retraining personnel, repairing and recalibrating equipment, enhancing maintenance protocols, and using visual documentation to enhance process understanding. The “Daily Challenge” tool provides a replicable framework for managing non-conformities across various industries, aligning operational practices with quality assurance goals. By integrating structured analysis, clear documentation, and corrective strategies, it fosters a culture of continuous improvement and compliance. Full article

Italy is a global top wine producer, with emphasis on high-quality wines. This study investigates the Carbon Footprint (CF), Water Footprint (WF), and Ecological Footprint (EF) of twelve red wine producers in Piedmont, Northern Italy. The analysis was based on a 0.75 L wine bottle as functional unit (FU). Twelve producers were interviewed and given questionnaires, which made it possible to gather primary data for the environmental evaluation that described vineyard and agricultural operations and wine production. The average CF was 0.88 ± 0.3 kg ${CO}_{2eq},$ with 44% of CF associated with the glass bottle, 20% to the diesel fuel fed to the agricultural machines, 32% to electricity consumption, and 4% to other contributions. The average WF was 881 ± 252.4 L, with 98% Green WF due to evapotranspiration, and 2% Blue and Grey WF. The average EF was 81.3 ± 57.2 global ha, 73% ascribed to the vineyard area and 27% to CO₂ assimilation. The obtained CF and WF values align with existing literature, while no comparison is possible for the EF data, which are previously unknown. To reduce the environmental impacts of wine production, actions like using recycled glass bottles, electric agricultural machines and renewable energy can help. However, high-quality wine production in Piedmont is deeply rooted in tradition and mostly managed by small producers. Further research should investigate the social acceptance of such actions, and policies supporting economic incentives could be key enablers. Full article