Search Results (2,540)

Essential oils are widely recognised for their bioactive properties and therapeutic effects. Despite their potential, their practical application is often limited by intrinsic physicochemical constraints, including volatility, chemical instability, hydrophobicity and, most of all, compositional complexity. The development of effective delivery systems is therefore key to stabilise essential oil constituents, improve bioavailability and enable controlled release. Here we provide a comprehensive analysis of formulation strategies for essential oils, focusing on emulsification and encapsulation techniques. Emulsion-based delivery systems, including nanoemulsions and microemulsions, are discussed in relation to their interfacial behaviour, surfactant interactions and preparation methods. In parallel, encapsulation systems, such as vesicular systems, lipid-based carriers, polymeric nanoparticles and inclusion complexes, are evaluated according to their structural characteristics, protective capabilities, encapsulation efficiencies and release profiles. Collectively, these approaches are examined in the context of their influence on the stability, functionality, and overall performance of essential oil formulations. Emphasis is placed on essential oil-specific challenges that arise when preparing a formulation, especially the heterogenous nature of their chemical composition and its impact on physicochemical properties, partitioning, loading capacity, stability and safety. To contextualise these principles, representative examples of essential oil-based formulations (e.g., thyme, clove, rosemary and mint), formulated singular metabolites (e.g., carvacrol, eucalyptol, limonene and eugenol) and essential oil patent applications (>20,000) and products are outlined to illustrate behaviour and performance within the respective delivery system. Overall, the fundamental design considerations that guide the rational selection, preparation and evaluation of formulations for essential oil-based applications are discussed. Considerations for future directions are also outlined. Full article

Whether the marketization of data as a production factor can be redirected toward environmental ends is a central question for the governance of the digital economy. This study investigates whether and how the pilot policy for big data trading platforms improves corporate green development performance (CGDP). Using A-share firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2010 to 2024, this paper treats the pilot policy for big data trading platforms as a quasi-natural experiment and applies a staggered difference-in-differences (DID) design to estimate its effect on CGDP, together with the transmission channels and boundary conditions that govern it. Because the rollout is staggered, we complement the two-way fixed-effects benchmark with the heterogeneity-robust estimators of Callaway and Sant’Anna, Sun and Abraham, and the Goodman–Bacon decomposition, and cluster standard errors at the city level. The policy raises CGDP by 0.076, about 6.1% of the sample mean. The estimate remains robust to an event-study/parallel-trend test, placebo tests, propensity score matching (PSM), the Oster selection-on-unobservables bound, alternative and broader green outcome measures—including a significant reduction in chemical oxygen-demand emissions—controls for concurrent digital and innovation policies, exclusion of the 2020 pandemic year, and industry fixed effects. Mechanism evidence shows that the effect operates through stronger green dual innovation, upgraded human capital, and heightened scrutiny from media outlets and securities analysts. The impact is stronger for firms whose executives exhibit greater green awareness and whose internal control is of higher quality, and in more competitive industries and regions with stricter environmental regulation. By showing that a market for data can be redirected toward environmental ends, this study links data-factor marketization to corporate green transition and provides policy evidence for aligning digital economy reform with sustainable development. Full article

This study investigates the synthesis, phase evolution, and high-temperature oxidation behavior of multi-component aluminide coatings on EP670 (Fe-Ni base), EP718 (Ni-Fe base), and EP648 (Ni-base) superalloys. The coatings were produced using an economical hot-dip aluminizing method, followed by diffusion heat treatment at 1100 °C. In the as-deposited state, the coatings exhibit a heterogeneous structure consisting of an aluminum matrix with various Al-rich intermetallic inclusions. Subsequent heat treatment promotes the redistribution of chemical elements, leading to the elimination of free aluminum and the stabilization of a protective β-phase matrix. Long-term oxidation tests were performed at 900 °C, 1100 °C, and 1300 °C for up to 1000 h. At 1100 °C, the coatings on EP670 and EP648 demonstrated high stability, following a near-parabolic oxidation law and significantly reducing mass gain compared to uncoated substrates. However, at 1100 °C, the EP718 alloy underwent catastrophic failure within 200 h due to pest oxidation, disintegrating into an oxide powder—a phenomenon quantitatively confirmed by the kinetic exponent dropping below 1.0. At 1300 °C, the thermal limit for all coatings was established, with protective properties failing after 50 h. Based on the aluminum depletion kinetics, the service life at 1100 °C was estimated at 1300 h for EP670 and 2200 h for EP648. Scratch testing confirmed a complete absence of interfacial adhesive cracks across all systems. Contact loading triggered only cohesive cracks localized within the near-surface zone of the coatings. The results highlight the superior thermodynamic compatibility of the EP670 and EP648 systems with aluminide coatings, making them the most suitable candidates for extreme high-temperature applications. Full article

This study presents a controllable alkaline degradation strategy for preparing biomimetic archaeological Chinese fir through potassium hydroxide (KOH) impregnation, addressing the limitations of scarce and heterogeneous authentic archaeological wood for conservation research. Four KOH concentrations (5%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) combined with different treatment cycles (2–6 cycles) were applied to induce controlled degradation states under laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated that KOH concentration and treatment cycles effectively controlled the structure–property evolution of Chinese fir. Mass loss increased to 42.14%, while maximum water content reached 427.35%, accompanied by reductions in oven-dry and basic densities. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a decrease in cellulose crystallinity from 34.10% to approximately 24%–26%, indicating partial disruption of cellulose crystalline domains, while Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed preferential degradation of hemicellulose through alkaline hydrolysis and relative preservation of lignin structures. Scanning electron microscopy further demonstrated tracheid deformation, lumen collapse, and enhanced pore connectivity after severe treatment. Based on the combined evaluation of physical, chemical, mechanical, and microstructural parameters, a three-level biomimetic archaeological wood grading system was established to correlate KOH treatment conditions with different degradation states. This study provides a reproducible approach for fabricating standardized biomimetic archaeological wood models and offers a reliable platform for conservation material evaluation and degradation mechanism studies. Full article

Alternating marine inflow and continental outflow make southern Sweden a suitable region for investigating natural and anthropogenic contributions to background particulate matter (PM). However, interpreting dust and marine aerosol sources remains challenging because their source signatures often overlap during atmospheric transport. This study investigated aerosol sources at the Vavihill and Hyltemossa background stations using source apportionment, elemental analysis, transport modelling, reanalysis data, and particle-resolved microscopy. At Vavihill, filter samples provided elemental composition, while TEOM measurements provided PM${}_{10}$ and PM${}_{2.5}$ mass concentrations. The combined data were analysed using Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF). At Hyltemossa, online XACT elemental measurements were combined with FIDAS coarse PM observations to evaluate coarse PM source contributions. HYSPLIT backward trajectories, CAMS diagnostics, and SEM/EDX analysis supported the interpretation of selected dust-related episodes and particle mixing states. The analysis identified mineral- and marine-related aerosols, regional pollution, and mixed combustion particles as important components of background PM. Mineral-associated contributions increased markedly during spring, accounting for 39% of the measured coarse PM at Vavihill and 29% at Hyltemossa. In contrast, marine aerosol made its largest contribution to measured coarse PM during winter, accounting for 48% at Vavihill and 40% at Hyltemossa. The mineral-related factor reflected multiple source regions and transport pathways rather than a single recurring dust source. At both sites, mineral, marine, and anthropogenic components frequently co-occurred and underwent atmospheric processing and mixing. Together, these results highlight the chemically heterogeneous and seasonally variable nature of background PM in southern Sweden. Full article

Microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) is a promising biotechnology for environmental remediation; however, the high cost of conventional chemical-grade calcium sources limits its large-scale scalability. This study evaluated the feasibility of utilizing an aqueous extract of natural attapulgite clay as a sustainable, low-cost calcium source for MICP-mediated arsenic (As) immobilization in both aqueous and soil systems. Among the tested minerals, Baiyin attapulgite (group B) exhibited the highest calcium content (62,808.94 mg kg⁻¹) and minimal toxic metal impurities, providing a favorable chemical matrix for biomineralization. At an optimal solid-to-liquid ratio of 1:10, Lysinibacillus fusiformis LF and Enterococcus LZU-1 successfully induced calcite precipitation driven by the attapulgite extract. In batch aqueous remediation experiments (20 days), the attapulgite extract significantly enhanced As removal efficiency compared to the controls; As removal rates peaked at 66.4% for strain LZU-1 (with LZ1 extract) and 65.8% for strain LF (with group B extract), drastically outperforming the standard CaCl₂ groups (31.2–37.3%) and blank controls (21.8–24.5%). Concurrently, soil incubation experiments (30 days) demonstrated that the combined application of attapulgite and MICP bacteria reduced the highly bioavailable exchangeable As fraction from 0.115 to approximately 0.03 mg kg⁻¹, while effectively driving its transformation into more stable carbonate-bound and organic-bound fractions without causing secondary soil salinization. Morphological and mechanistic analyses revealed that, compared to the well-defined euhedral crystals in the CaCl₂ control, the precipitates mediated by the clay extract exhibited distinctly irregular, defect-rich rhombohedral structures. This structural disruption was governed by the natural matrix effect of attapulgite, which simultaneously supplied dissolved Ca²⁺ and provided an abundance of fine clay fragments, calcite micro-grains, and associated amorphous Fe/Al/Mn-bearing phases. These constituents acted as physical scaffolding and heterogeneous nucleation sites that became embedded in the growing CaCO₃ lattice, driving the formation of highly reactive, defect-rich clay-calcite-arsenic composite precipitates that efficiently encapsulated arsenate. Mantel analysis further revealed that the remediation efficiency was significantly correlated with key environmental variables including Ni, V, Ca. These findings highlight the dual-system potential of natural attapulgite as an inexpensive, eco-friendly calcium alternative for sustainable MICP-based remediation of As-contaminated water and agricultural soils. Full article

The Huaibei region is a critical grain and energy–chemical base in northern China, characterized by substantial water demand for industrial and agricultural production. Karst groundwater systems constitute the primary water supply source in this area. Under the superimposed impacts of intensive exploitation, climate change, and anthropogenic activities, karst aquifers have encountered a series of geo-environmental problems, including groundwater level decline and expansion of cones of depression. Most previous studies have predominantly focused on water quality assessment and groundwater resource quantification, yet systematic investigations into the multi-scale characteristics and driving mechanisms of karst groundwater level dynamics remain insufficient. In this study, based on long-term groundwater level and rainfall monitoring data (2014–2024) from three monitoring wells representing different types of karst aquifers, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and wavelet coherence (WTC) approaches are introduced to identify the periodic patterns of karst groundwater levels and reveal the dominant controlling factors of groundwater level dynamics. The results demonstrate that groundwater levels in all types of karst aquifers exhibit distinct multi-scale periodic variations. The groundwater levels of HB01 and HB02 share dominant oscillation periods of 18~19 months and 9 months with regional rainfall, while the groundwater level at HB03 displays a more complex, multi-scale, periodic combination of 41 months, 18~19 months, and 9 months. Periodic variations in regional rainfall serve as the dominant controlling factor for the intra-annual and inter-annual periodic fluctuations of karst water levels, with a prominent resonance relationship identified between the two variables at dominant periodic scales. Distinct heterogeneity is observed in the response magnitude and lag time of different karst aquifer types to rainfall; specifically, the lag time of water level response to rainfall on the annual periodic scale ranges from 2.7 to 2.9 months. The correlation between annual average water level and pumping discharge is moderate for boreholes HB01 and HB03, whereas a strong correlation is detected for borehole HB02, implying that its water level regime is likely subjected to pronounced pumping disturbance. The degree of karst development, aquifer burial depth, and overlying stratum architecture are the key geological factors accounting for such heterogeneous response patterns. For the first time, this study utilizes long-term water level time series data from the karst water exploitation zone of the Huaibei Plain, complemented by synchronous precipitation and pumping records. Integrated with regional hydrogeological settings, wavelet analysis is employed to conduct an in-depth investigation into the dynamic variations in karst water levels in the Huaibei region from the perspective of groundwater recharge–discharge relationships. The results provide a scientific underpinning for the remediation of karst water over-exploitation and the optimal allocation of water resources. Specifically, pumping and artificial recharge schemes can be proactively adjusted based on periodicity forecasts. Zoned management strategies for water resources are put forward: artificial regulation and storage are recommended for zones with sensitive hydrological responses, while preventive protection is prioritized for zones with sluggish responses. By incorporating periodic characteristics and lag durations, targeted pumping strategies for dry and wet seasons can be developed, and a coupled water level–rainfall–pumping early warning system can be established to realize the long-term sustainable regulation of karst water resources. Full article

Fresh ginseng is a high-value medicinal root crop whose postharvest quality is affected by field heterogeneity, washing, packaging, and storage. This study evaluated two packaging films—50 µm polyethylene (PE50) and a 30 µm polyethylene/30 µm oriented polypropylene laminate (PE30/OPP30)—and a post-wash 80 ppm peracetic acid (PAA) spray applied at 20 °C at approximately 60 mL kg⁻¹ fresh root mass. Field-sorted six-year-old roots from one commercial ridge were stored at −2 °C for 14 weeks. The primary factorial design comprised film and PAA treatment, while farmer grade class was retained as a stratification factor and tissue position as a within-root factor for destructive analyses. Package atmosphere, post-storage ambient CO₂ evolution, cumulative weight loss, tissue moisture, color and visual marketability, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content (TPC), and targeted liquid chromatography (LC) quantification of Rg1 and Rb1 were evaluated using three independent biological replicates. PE30/OPP30 generated lower O₂ and higher CO₂ than PE50 and reduced cumulative weight loss; however, O₂ reached 0.63% and CO₂ reached 14.04% at 4 weeks, indicating potentially hypoxic conditions. PAA did not consistently improve the measured physicochemical traits, and microbial efficacy was not evaluated. Fine roots showed the lowest moisture status but the highest Rg1 and Rb1 contents. These findings provide a single-field baseline for integrating packaging response, tissue water status, and chemical markers, but require validation across production sites, seasons, and packaging-film types before broad commercial application. Full article

Aqueous zinc metal batteries are promising for safe and cost-effective energy storage. However, their practical application is limited by the intrinsic instability of the Zn/electrolyte interface, including water-induced hydrogen evolution, Zn corrosion, and dendrite-prone Zn deposition. Herein, glutaronitrile (GLN) is introduced as a multifunctional dinitrile additive to stabilize Zn metal anodes through coupled regulation of solvation chemistry and interfacial evolution. The polar C≡N groups of GLN can coordinate with Zn²⁺, to replace part of the water molecules in the primary solvation shell, thereby suppressing the activity of coordinated water. Meanwhile, uncoordinated C≡N groups act as hydrogen-bond acceptors to reorganize the surrounding water network, further suppressing free-water participation in hydrogen evolution and corrosion. This dual regulation optimizes the Zn/electrolyte interfacial environment, improves electrolyte wettability on Zn, homogenizes Zn²⁺ flux, and promotes compact, dendrite-suppressed Zn deposition. Additionally, GLN promotes the formation of a chemically heterogeneous interfacial structure enriched with ZnF₂ in the inner region, which further protects the Zn surface and stabilizes the Zn plating/stripping process. The optimized ZHG6 electrolyte enables Zn||Zn symmetric cells to cycle stably for over 900 h at 1 mA cm⁻² and 1 mAh cm⁻², while Zn||Cu cells maintain high Coulombic efficiency during long-term cycling. Furthermore, Zn||V₆O₁₃ full cells exhibit enhanced cycling stability and rate capability, achieving stable operation for 3200 cycles at 5 A g⁻¹. As evidenced in this work, dinitrile-based molecular additives provide an effective and scalable strategy to fabricate durable aqueous zinc metal batteries. Full article

There is an urgent and persistent need to design efficient and sustainable methods to manufacture chemicals on a large scale. Heterogeneous photocatalysts use light to drive organic reactions and offer high recyclability and improved efficiencies for chemical synthesis. However, a detailed study of these photocatalysts using standard laboratory analytical techniques is challenging due to their poor solubility. Successful application of heterogeneous photocatalysts in the chemical industry requires the development of a robust analytical technique that can be used as a predictive and scalable tool for their photocatalytic performance. Herein, we report a simple approach that uses the color of cotton-bound heterogeneous photocatalysts as a potential indicator of their performance. These photocatalysts were synthesized by covalently attaching perylene-based molecular photocatalysts to the surface of cotton using amino-substituted triethoxysilane as the linker. Colorimetry coupled with NMR analysis revealed two important findings: (i) cotton-bound photocatalysts catalyzed sulfide oxidation to sulfoxide under blue-light illumination, and (ii) a general relationship was observed between color intensity and catalytic performance, with darker samples generally exhibiting faster reaction rates. These findings suggest that color may serve as a simple and rapid tool for assessing photocatalyst performance. Future studies will focus on enhancing the reproducibility of photocatalyst binding procedures and validating the color–performance relationships in a wider range of color intensities of the cotton-bound photocatalysts. Full article

CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-based genome engineering is reshaping how environmental contamination can be interrogated and remediated, offering a level of programmability and specificity that conventional physicochemical workflows seldom match. Microplastics polymer fragments below 5 mm that now pervade virtually every ecosystem are especially difficult to monitor and remove because of their chemical heterogeneity, sub-millimeter size, and capacity to adsorb co-pollutants. This review examines how the molecular logic of CRISPR-Cas systems is being repurposed for two complementary goals: sensitive analytical detection and microbially driven degradation of plastic particles. We first outline the biochemistry of Cas-mediated cis- and trans-cleavage that underpins isothermal, amplification-free biosensing, and then survey direct strategies, in which polymer-binding DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) aptamers are coupled to Cas12a (CRISPR-associated protein 12a), alongside indirect strategies that read out the molecular stress signatures provoked by microplastic exposure in sentinel organisms and plastisphere communities. On the remediation side, we discuss how targeted editing, CRISPR interference, and rationally assembled microbial consortia enhance enzymatic depolymerization and redirect carbon flux toward valuable bioproducts. By integrating detection and remediation within a single conceptual framework, we identify the principal bottlenecks, aptamer selectivity in complex matrices, reagent stability under field conditions, and host metabolic burden, and outline research priorities for translating these tools from proof of concept toward deployable environmental technologies. Full article

Street sweeping waste (SSW) represents a heterogeneous urban material rich in road-deposited particles and associated contaminants, including heavy metals. Although SSW is generated systematically in all cities and constitutes a relevant indicator of diffuse urban pollution, research addressing its chemical composition, especially its temporal dynamics, remains limited. This study investigates the annual variability of total and leachable concentrations of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cd) in SSW collected monthly over a one-year period in a medium-sized city. Total metal content was determined using aqua regia digestion, while leachability was assessed through standardized extraction tests. Statistical evaluation included correlation analysis, variability indices and assessment of metal mobility. Results confirm that both total and leachable metal concentrations exhibit distinct seasonal patterns, strongly influenced by traffic intensity, winter maintenance practices, and fluctuations in particle size distribution. Several metals demonstrated a high mobility factor, highlighting the potential environmental risk associated with their transport to urban soils and stormwater systems. The findings emphasize the necessity of incorporating temporal dynamics into SSW management strategies and demonstrate the importance of monitoring mobile metal fractions rather than relying solely on total concentrations. Due to the scarcity of annual-scale studies on SSW contamination, this research contributes novel insights into the environmental behavior of heavy metals in urban settings. Full article

Medicinal plant research increasingly combines heterogeneous public data, but data leakage and unsupported biological inference remain major risks. We developed a leakage-aware framework separating taxon–compound evidence ranking from environmental niche characterization. Six taxa and ten molecules or broad classes formed 60 taxon–compound pairs (27 supported and 33 below-threshold background); primary modeling used 36 specific-molecule pairs (8 supported and 28 unlabeled background) and five compound-matched pathway/chemical predictors. Under leave-one-taxon-out validation, the prespecified balanced random forest achieved a balanced accuracy of 0.621 (95% fold interval: 0.500–0.800; accuracy: 0.694; precision: 0.250; recall: 0.500; permutation: p = 0.154). Matched-pathway-only and molecular-weight-only benchmarks achieved 0.662 and 0.358, respectively, and a post hoc logistic comparator achieved 0.646. The cross-molecule balanced accuracy was 0.746 (fold interval: 0.516–0.975). Evidence scores correlated moderately with out-of-fold probabilities (Spearman: ρ = 0.39, p = 0.017). Environmental analyses used 248 SoilGrids and 324 NASA POWER taxon × exact-cell rows. The spatially restricted PERMANOVA was non-significant for soil (R² = 0.257, p = 0.067) and climate (R² = 0.233, p = 0.075), whereas grouped taxon classifiers achieved balanced accuracies of 0.479 and 0.547 (permutation: p = 0.005 for both). Environmental-only compound controls were non-significant. The outputs provide an auditable exploratory ranking workflow, but predictive validity for taxon–compound prioritization was not established. Full article

The tunable structural and chemical properties of graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) provide a promising route toward tailored activity in photocatalytic applications. A primary challenge in optimizing gCN toward this end is its intrinsically heterogeneous structure, due in part to the many parameters employed in its synthesis. Variability in type and density of chemical and structural defects simultaneously change the electronic, photocatalytic, and optical properties of gCN. Here, we elucidate the complicated structure–function relationship in a series of three related gCN samples by correlating photochemical activity to a host of structural, chemical, and spectroscopic characterization techniques. Of the 22 physical properties measured, we find that transient absorption spectroscopy lifetimes are the only observable that trends with photochemical activity across the series. These results show that a key challenge to photocatalytic material optimization stems from covariant material properties that have competitive influences on photocatalytic activity, making the determination of a robust structure–function relationship challenging. Full article

Global plastic production and inadequate waste management have led to widespread environmental contamination with microplastics (MPs), now detected in food, water, and air. Their small size, diverse polymer composition, and capacity to carry chemical additives and co-pollutants facilitate intestinal uptake and raise concerns about their potential impact on gut microbiota. This review synthesizes current evidence on how MPs influence gut microbial composition and function, gut barrier integrity, and associated inflammatory and metabolic pathways. We conducted a narrative review of in vivo animal studies, in vitro simulated gut systems, and human observational studies that assessed MP exposure, gut microbiota profiles, and downstream toxicological outcomes. MPs originate from primary and secondary sources and can act as vectors for metals and organic pollutants. Following ingestion, they may cross the intestinal barrier via endocytic and persorption routes, acquire a protein corona, and be recognized by immune cells, activating TLR/NF-κB, and MAPK pathways alongside oxidative stress. In these models, MP exposure induces dysbiosis, characterized by loss of beneficial SCFA-producing bacteria (e.g., Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides) and expansion of pathobionts (e.g., Escherichia/Shigella, Staphylococcus, Enterobacteriaceae), accompanied by altered bile acid metabolism. These microbiota and metabolic alterations are linked to increased gut permeability, intestinal inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and, in some studies, reproductive and neurobehavioral effects. Current evidence supports MPs as emerging modulators of gut microbial and intestinal homeostasis. However, heterogeneity across experimental models, reliance on high exposure doses, and lack of standardized MP characterization limit robust risk assessment. These limitations underscore the need for harmonized methodologies, longitudinal large-scale human studies, and the development of targeted mitigation strategies. Full article