Search Results (12,170)

Antibiotic residues pose a serious threat to environmental safety. In this study, nitrogen/boron co-doped biochar (NBLB) was successfully prepared using lignosulfonate, an industrial byproduct, as the precursor via a one-step impregnation–pyrolysis method. NBLB was applied to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to degrade tetracycline (TC) in water. The results showed that NBLB-activated PMS degraded 93.4% of TC within 60 min, which was 42.6%, 20.4%, and 27.8% higher than those of undoped biochar, nitrogen-doped biochar, and boron-doped biochar, respectively. Additionally, the NBLB/PMS system exhibited high tolerance to common aqueous anions such as Cl⁻, $\mathrm{C}{\mathrm{O}}_3^{2-}$, ${\mathrm{PO}}_4^{3-}$, ${\mathrm{NO}}_3^{-}$ and $\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_4^{2-}$. BET tests indicated that the specific surface areas of undoped, N-doped, B-doped, and NBLB were 133.98, 280.22, 304.13, and 342.35 m² g⁻¹, respectively, exhibiting a significant enhancement in the specific surface area of NBLB. The co-doping of N and B constructed a hierarchical pore structure, providing an efficient dispersion platform for active sites such as C = O, BC₂O, and pyridinic-N. Quenching experiments and EPR detection demonstrated that the degradation of tetracycline (TC) in the NBLB/PMS system followed a synergistic oxidation mechanism dominated by ¹O₂ and ${\mathrm{O}}_2^{\text{•}-}$, supplemented by ^•OH and $\mathrm{S}{\mathrm{O}}_4^{\text{•}-}$. This study prepared high-performance nonmetallic catalysts through a solid waste resource utilization strategy, providing a green and feasible path for the treatment of antibiotic pollution. Full article

Some mutants of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, including the cia3 mutant deficient in the carbonic anhydrase CAH3 in the thylakoid lumen, strongly require high CO₂ supplementation for survival, which is usually explained by disruption at some step(s) of the carbon-concentrating mechanism. This study aimed to determine whether CAH3 contributes to photosystem II (PSII) functional stability under low CO₂ conditions. Two wild-type C. reinhardtii strains and the cia3 mutant were compared for PSII photoinhibition sensitivity, D1 protein stability, pigment content, and PSII photoprotective responses before and after short-term acclimation to low CO₂ growth conditions. Compared with the two wild-type strains, the cia3 mutant exhibited greater PSII sensitivity to increased light intensity after acclimation to low CO₂. In addition, this was accompanied by more pronounced degradation of the D1 protein of PSII, indicating that the absence of CAH3 also affects the structural stability of PSII. At the same time, no differences in pigment content were observed between the strains, and a low contribution of PSII photoprotective mechanisms was detected, indicating that the growth light conditions used were non-stressful for the algal photosynthetic apparatus. The observed data indicate that CAH3 contributes to maintaining the functional and structural stability of PSII under low CO₂, even under non-stressful light growth conditions. Full article

A key distinction between open and laparoscopic surgery is the use of CO₂ insufflation to create pneumoperitoneum and establish the operative field. This study compared the effects of laparoscopic and open ovariectomy (OVE) on plasma cortisol, oxidative stress (OS), systemic inflammation, and systemic CO₂ dynamics in healthy dogs anesthetized under a standardized protocol. Thirty-eight healthy female dogs were enrolled in the study and allocated to the laparotomy (LPTOVE, n = 19) or laparoscopic (LAPOVE, n = 19) OVE group. OS was assessed using total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI). Systemic inflammation was evaluated by TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations, whereas systemic CO₂ dynamics were assessed using plasma total CO₂ (TCO₂) and end-tidal CO₂ (EtCO₂). Blood samples were collected prior to sedation (T0), prior to surgical incision (T1), prior to surgical closure in the LPTOVE group or CO₂ desufflation in the LAPOVE group (T2), and 2 h postoperatively (T3). Cortisol concentrations at T2 and T3 were significantly higher in the LPTOVE group than in the LAPOVE group. No significant intergroup differences were observed in TOS, TAS, OSI, or TCO₂. In the LPTOVE group, TOS significantly decreased at T3, whereas in the LAPOVE group, TOS mildly increased at T1 and OSI significantly decreased at T2. No measurable TNF-α or IL-6 concentrations were detected at the evaluated time points. EtCO₂ levels were higher in the LAPOVE group at the end of surgery. These findings suggest that laparoscopic OVE was associated with lower perioperative cortisol concentrations, while systemic redox status, TNF-α and IL-6 concentrations, and carbon dioxide-related parameters remained largely comparable between surgical approaches. Full article

The carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L., Fabaceae) is an ecologically and economically significant species of the Mediterranean basin, yet its cytogenetic and genomic organisation have remained largely uncharacterised. Here we present the first comprehensive molecular cytogenetic characterisation of C. siliqua, combining conventional karyotyping, fluorochrome banding, fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), and flow cytometric genome size estimation across 29 accessions spanning the Mediterranean basin. A uniform diploid chromosome number of 2n = 24 was confirmed across all 14 populations examined, including Algerian, French, and Lebanese accessions, with no karyotypic variation detected regardless of geographic origin, altitude, or cultivation status. Karyotype analysis revealed a bimodal chromosome set comprising two large metacentric pairs and ten smaller pairs, with an intermediate asymmetry class (AsI = 60.09; R = 2.71). Physical mapping of ribosomal RNA gene families by FISH identified three chromosome pairs bearing 35S rDNA loci, all co-localising with GC-rich CMA₃-positive heterochromatin at satellite regions, and a single 5S rDNA locus at the telomeric region of a distinct chromosome pair, corresponding to the S-type arrangement. DAPI staining revealed an additional class of AT-rich constitutive heterochromatin at centromeric positions, compositionally and positionally independent of the rDNA arrays. Genome size was strikingly conserved across all 23 accessions assessed (2C = 1.10–1.23 pg; overall mean 1.14 ± 0.03 pg), with no significant variation attributable to geographic origin, altitude along an Algerian gradient (162–950 m a.s.l.), cultivation status, or sex. The near-identical genome sizes recorded in female and male individuals provide no cytometric evidence for heteromorphic sex chromosomes in this dioecious species. These results establish a stable genomic and cytogenetic baseline for C. siliqua across its Mediterranean range and provide a reference framework for future comparative cytogenetics, molecular marker development, and breeding programmes targeting this increasingly valued climate-resilient crop. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health threat that requires the discovery of new antimicrobial agents. Environmental microbiomes from understudied regions represent a valuable source of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) candidates. This study aimed to identify and prioritize AMP candidates from South American genomic and metagenomic datasets and to investigate the antimicrobial potential of bioactive secretomes obtained through bacterial co-culture. Methods: A total of 853 genomes and 360 metagenomes were analyzed using a reproducible genome- and metagenome-mining pipeline combined with machine learning-based AMP prediction. Predicted AMP candidates were further characterized using complementary bioinformatic tools to assess physicochemical, structural, hemolytic, toxicological, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties. Selected environmental isolates were subjected to bacterial co-culture, followed by SPE-C18 and HPLC fractionation. Antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, hemolysis, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and LC-MS/MS peptidomic analyses were performed on bioactive secretome fractions. Results: Genome and metagenome mining identified diverse AMP candidate sequences associated with bacterial genera including Streptomyces, Bacillus, Burkholderia, and Shewanella. Structural predictions revealed a predominance of α-helical conformations among prioritized candidates. Several secretome fractions obtained from co-cultures displayed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Active fractions showed no detectable hemolytic activity and exhibited antioxidant activity in DPPH assays. MIC analyses indicated broad-spectrum activity against Escherichia coli ATCC 11229, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumoniae, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and MRSA, with an apparent MIC of 10,000 mg/L. LC-MS/MS analysis of bioactive fractions identified peptide sequences by de novo sequencing, including KTESHHK, KRVGPRR, GLFPRLGVSPR, and HHAEHLVHFR. Conclusions: Integrated genome mining, bacterial co-culture activation, and peptidomic analyses provide a useful framework for prioritizing antimicrobial peptide candidates from environmental microbiomes. The identification of peptide-containing bioactive fractions with antimicrobial and antioxidant activities highlights the potential of South American bacterial resources for the discovery of novel antimicrobial compounds. Further purification, peptide synthesis, and biological validation will be required to determine the contribution of individual peptides to the observed activities. Full article

As a core component of vitamin B12, Co²⁺ is closely associated with the health, life performance, and productivity of ruminants. Therefore, the selective and sensitive detection of Co²⁺ is of great significance. In this work, using the Au–S bond as an “anchor”, a ternary nanocomposite (CDs-AuNPs-GSH) with synergistic functions was constructed by combining gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with glutathione (GSH) through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions with functional groups on the surface of carbon dots (CDs). The resulting nanocomposite was employed as a fluorescence sensor for Co²⁺ detection. Under optimal conditions at pH 6.0, the sensor exhibited a good linear relationship over the Co²⁺ concentration range of 0.5–125.0 mM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.38 mM. The interaction mechanism between Co²⁺ and the composite was systematically investigated using various characterization methods. The results indicated that Co²⁺, owing to its strong coordination ability, enriches on the surface of the composite, subsequently triggering dynamic fluorescence quenching via an electron transfer pathway. The sensor was successfully applied to determine Co²⁺ in mixed livestock and poultry feed samples, with recovery rates ranging from 89.4% to 103.9%, demonstrating its potential for on-site detection in feed analysis. Full article

Coal ash-slag waste from coal-fired power plants is a high-volume technogenic material whose resource potential is controlled by particle-size heterogeneity, mineralogical composition, and the occurrence modes of valuable elements. This study investigated Au occurrence in ash-slag waste derived from Ekibastuz coal and evaluated gravity–magnetic preconcentration as a diagnostic first stage for separating Au- and Fe-bearing products. The material was characterized by particle-size analysis, X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, optical and electron-probe microscopy, atomic absorption analysis (AAS), kinetic spectral analysis (KSA), gravity concentration, and magnetic separation. The feed was an aluminosilicate–ferruginous material dominated by mullite, magnetite, quartz, and hematite. In the coarse material, liberated native Au co-reported with heavy Fe-bearing phases: the vibratory spiral concentrate contained 0.99 g/t Au and 39.00% Fe, corresponding to 52.58% Au recovery and 66.49% Fe recovery. The combined spiral and centrifugal concentrates yielded 1.04 g/t Au at 63.22% recovery, representing an approximately eightfold upgrade relative to the 0.13 g/t feed. In contrast, gravity recovery from the finest fraction was approximately 1%, indicating ultrafine, poorly liberated, or matrix-associated Au. KSA gave higher Au values than AAS, reflecting matrix heterogeneity and method-dependent preparation and detection effects rather than analytical superiority. The results support a size-selective gravity–magnetic preconcentration route followed by targeted mineralogical verification and product-specific downstream extraction. Full article

Chaunocephalus ferox (Rudolphi, 1795) is an intestinal trematode of the family Echinostomatidae that commonly infects waterbirds, including the Asian Openbill (Anastomus oscitans). Despite its wide geographic distribution and ecological relevance in migratory birds, molecular data for this species remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the genetic variation and phylogenetic position of C. ferox recovered from a deceased Asian Openbill in Thailand. Adult flukes were examined using nuclear (28S rDNA and 5.8S–ITS2) and mitochondrial (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1; CO1) markers. Sequence analyses revealed low intraspecific variation among Thai isolates, with a single variable site detected in each marker. However, comparisons with sequences from Egypt, China, and Ukraine demonstrated measurable genetic divergence, suggesting possible geographic and host-associated structuring among C. ferox populations. Phylogenetic analyses based on nuclear and mitochondrial datasets consistently supported the monophyly of C. ferox within Echinostomatidae and confirmed its distinct genetic lineage among echinostomes. These findings provide baseline molecular data for a trematode parasite of migratory waterbirds, highlighting the potential role of avian hosts in the long-distance dispersal of helminths across wetland ecosystems. Broader geographic sampling is needed to better understand the population structure and evolutionary dynamics of this parasite. Full article

The increasing generation of textile cotton waste (TCW) and textile wastewater sludge (TWS) presents significant environmental management challenges. This study evaluates the conversion of TCW and TWS into biofuel pellets for waste recovery and coal substitution. Pellets were prepared at TWS ratios of 20:80, 40:60, 60:40, and 80:20 and assessed through combustion emission analysis, ash characterization, cradle-to-gate carbon assessment, and equal-energy cost comparison with imported bituminous coal. Increasing the TWS fraction prolonged combustion duration and increased SO₂ and NO_x emissions; however, all oxygen-normalized emissions remained within Sindh Environmental Quality Standards (SEQS) limits under the tested conditions. The 20:80 blend exhibited the lowest emission factors, with CO, SO₂, NO_x, and CO₂ emissions of 1.03 g kg⁻¹, 3.81 g kg⁻¹, 1.57 g kg⁻¹, and 1.42 kg kg⁻¹, respectively. Ash analysis showed that Cd and Pb were not detected, while measured heavy-metal concentrations remained below U.S. EPA regulatory limits and relevant EU limit values. The 20:80 pellet achieved a cradle-to-gate carbon intensity of 6.6 g CO₂e MJ⁻¹, approximately 59% lower than upstream coal production. Equal-energy fuel-cost savings relative to imported coal were 37.6% for the binder-based 20:80 pellet and 83.1% for the binder-free 40:60 pellet. Overall, the results indicate that TCW–TWS pellets, particularly those containing 20–40% TWS, can support textile waste utilization and partial coal substitution while reducing fuel costs. Full article

Unsafe water sources contaminated with fecal bacteria and antibiotic-resistant pathogens represent a critical public health challenge in rapidly urbanizing regions. This study investigates the occurrence, distribution, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of Escherichia coli across interconnected water sources in Guwahati, India, including river water, wells, municipal supply, and groundwater. A total of 87 samples were analyzed using membrane filtration, biochemical identification, and automated confirmation, followed by antibiotic susceptibility testing and phenotypic detection of β-lactamase production. Total coliforms were detected in 64.4% of samples, while E. coli was confirmed in 51.7%. According to World Health Organization risk thresholds, 93.3% of river water samples and 50% of groundwater samples fell within the very-high-risk category (>1000 CFU/100 mL), indicating widespread fecal contamination in sources used for domestic purposes. Antibiotic-resistant E. coli was identified across all water types, with 14.1% of isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance (MAR index > 0.2). Notably, 20.6% of isolates produced β-lactamases, including one extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producer, while no carbapenemase-producing strains were detected. The co-occurrence of multidrug-resistant E. coli across surface and groundwater systems is consistent with the interconnected nature of urban water contamination and suggests the potential for widespread exposure through drinking water pathways, though direct transfer between water systems was not experimentally confirmed in this study. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved wastewater management, protection of groundwater resources, and strengthened antibiotic stewardship within a One Health framework to mitigate the environmental dissemination of AMR. Full article

Mangrove ecosystems store large amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, degradation processes associated with invasive species can alter vegetation structure, hydrological conditions, and carbon cycling, with uncertain consequences for SOC storage and greenhouse gas emissions. This study evaluated changes in SOC stocks to 0–50 cm depth, soil CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O fluxes, and early restoration responses four years after ecological restoration in the Térraba–Sierpe National Wetland, Costa Rica. Comparisons were conducted among a conserved mangrove, a degraded mangrove dominated by Acrostichum aureum, and three restored sites subjected to hydrological rehabilitation with contrasting reforestation intensities. The degraded site showed significantly higher SOC contents (171 ± 31 Mg C ha⁻¹; p < 0.0001) compared to the conserved site (103 ± 26 Mg C ha⁻¹). CO₂ fluxes did not differ significantly between March and October. CH₄ and N₂O fluxes remained below the detection limits in most measurements. Redundancy analysis identified a significant association between vegetation composition and the measured environmental variables (p = 0.005). Higher CO₂ emissions were associated with the dominance of A. aureum. Plant density was positively related to SOC content (R² = 0.78). MR1 site, where hydrological rehabilitation was combined with high-density reforestation, had significantly higher SOC content than the degraded site (242 ± 24.3 Mg C ha⁻¹; p < 0.001). Soil CO₂ emissions at MR1 were also significantly lower than at the degraded site (p = 0.001). This study provides a pioneering field assessment of mangrove restoration through the control of A. aureum invasion. The results suggest that restoration design may influence soil carbon storage during the early stages of recovery. Full article

The field of competitive strategy has attracted growing academic interest in recent years; however, the intellectual framework and thematic evolution of this research area remain fragmented. This study aims to systematically map the evolution of competitive strategy research using an unsupervised machine learning framework. Drawing on a dataset of approximately 3900 journal articles indexed in the Scopus database between 2015 and 2025, the study employs probabilistic topic modeling, specifically Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA), together with keyword co-occurrence network analysis, thematic mapping, and community detection techniques to identify the latent thematic structure of the field. The findings reveal a modular and interconnected conceptual landscape in which capability-based strategic perspectives, particularly dynamic capabilities and the resource-based view, continue to occupy central positions in the literature. At the same time, themes related to digital transformation, artificial intelligence, supply chain resilience, environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-oriented management, and sustainability-focused strategic capabilities demonstrate substantial growth and emerging prominence. Temporal analyses further indicate a gradual reconfiguration toward digitally integrated, sustainability-oriented, and capability-driven strategic frameworks. By integrating topic modeling with network-based bibliometric analysis, the study provides a comprehensive and data-driven mapping of the field’s intellectual evolution. The study contributes to competitive strategy research by synthesizing the latent thematic structure of the field and by showing how complementary computational and bibliometric techniques can support large-scale literature mapping in a rapidly evolving research domain. Full article

Duck hepatitis B virus (DHBV), Duck adenovirus 3 (DAdV-3) and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus (SGSP) are three distinct pathogens associated with infectious diseases in waterfowl. Clinical differentiation among these agents is often difficult due to overlapping signs, underscoring the need for accurate, rapid, and simultaneous diagnostic tools to support early detection and effective disease surveillance. In this study, we developed and validated a triplex TaqMan real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the simultaneous detection and quantification of DHBV, DAdV-3, and SGSP. The assay indicated high analytical sensitivity, achieving detection limits of 10 copies/µL for each target, with all standard curves showing excellent linearity (R² = 0.999). The evaluation of specificity showed that the triplex qPCR assay had high specificity for the three target pathogens, as it did not yield any cross-reactive signals with other pathogens examined. Intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation for recombinant plasmid standards were consistently <2%, indicating high reproducibility. Meanwhile, the assay was employed to investigate the epidemiology of the three pathogens in ducks. The positive rates for DHBV, DAdV-3 and SGSP were 73.95% (159/215), 11.16% (24/215) and 37.21% (80/215), respectively. The co-infection rates were 5.58% (12/215) for DHBV and DAdV-3, 27.91% (60/215) for DHBV and SGSP, 2.33% (5/215) for DAdV-3 and SGSP, and 2.33% (5/215) for all three pathogens. In summary, this triplex qPCR assay displays excellent specificity, sensitivity and repeatability, which may serve as a reliable testing tool for routine clinical diagnosis, epidemiological monitoring and co-infection screening of the three target pathogens in locally sampled duck populations. Full article

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNSs) are major opportunistic pathogens in healthcare settings, particularly affecting immunocompromised patients and those with indwelling medical devices. Their growing antimicrobial resistance and ability to form biofilms present significant therapeutic challenges. This study analyzed 148 clinical CoNS isolates to determine species distribution, antimicrobial resistance, resistance genes, and biofilm production. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most prevalent species (49.3%), followed by Staphylococcus hominis (27.0%) and Staphylococcus capitis (6.8%). Penicillin (83.8%), erythromycin (72.3%), and cefoxitin (66.2%) showed the highest resistance rates. Notably, 60.8% of isolates were resistant to fusidic acid and 45.3% to clindamycin, with inducible resistance in 12.1%. Among aminoglycosides, tobramycin resistance (45.3%) was most frequent. Resistance to ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole reached 45.9%, while mupirocin resistance was 17.6%. Among isolates resistant to penicillin and/or cefoxitin (n = 128), the mecA gene was detected in 69.5%; the mecC gene was absent. Only 38.5%% of mupirocin-resistant isolates carried the mupA gene. Trimethoprim resistance was mainly associated with dfrA (60.3%) and dfrG (14.7%). Biofilm super-producers accounted for 64.9% of isolates and non-producers for 7.4%, with no significant link between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance. These findings reinforce the clinical relevance of multidrug-resistant, mupirocin-resistant, and biofilm-forming CoNSs, underscoring the need for improved surveillance and infection control. Full article

Accurate instance segmentation of recyclable waste is important for automated sorting and circular economy applications. Mixed metal and glass municipal waste is challenging because metal surfaces are often reflective, while glass objects have transparent boundaries and high visual variability. This paper presents a controlled computer vision framework that uses instance segmentation as an object-level perception layer for mixed metal and glass waste and links eligible detections to screening-level WARM-based environmental interpretation. A seven-class annotated dataset of 1667 images was evaluated using a fixed train/validation/test split. Model development used the validation split for architecture screening, optimization tuning, transfer learning analysis, seed selection, and NMS selection, and the held-out test set was used only for final evaluation. Using mask mAP@50:95 as the primary segmentation metric, the selected YOLOv8m-seg model achieved 0.9435 on the locked test set and obtained a higher mask mAP@50:95 than Mask R-CNN and RF-DETR-Seg under the same locked test protocol. Image-level bootstrap 95% confidence intervals were also used to characterize uncertainty around the locked test segmentation comparison. For environmental reporting, mass-bearing detections were mapped to class-specific mass priors and EPA WARM v16 factors rather than direct mask area-to-mass conversion; the masks were used for instance-level separation, localization, and visual verification, not as direct physical mass measurements. Under the stated assumptions, the framework produced screening-level environmental estimates of 1113.57 MJ of energy savings and 70.20 kg CO₂e of avoided emissions, decreasing to 445.67 MJ and 28.62 kg CO₂e after applying recycling rate priors. Overall, the framework provides a leakage-aware workflow linking instance segmentation to material-specific WARM-based environmental screening. Full article