Search Results (4,208)

The corrosion phenomenon can cause negative allergic and cytotoxic reactions in the human body, inflammation, and, in the future, the development of cancer. Their sources may be corrosion products, metal ions released during the corrosion process, and galvanic currents that penetrate the surrounding tissues. In order to avoid the negative effects of using metal alloys, their surface can be modified by applying coatings. The aim of this study is to determine and compare the amount of ion release from Si(C,N) coatings with varying carbon and nitrogen contents, as well as from the uncoated substrate alloy (Group A) in various aqueous environments. Si(C,N) coatings were applied to the surface of the prosthetic alloy. Si(C,N) coatings with different carbon and nitrogen contents were deposited using the reactive magnetron sputtering (RMS) method. The research included determining the amount of ions released into the environment: distilled water, 0.9% NaCl and artificial saliva. Assessments were made at 10, 30 and 90 days. All tested Si(C,N) coatings significantly limit the amount of metal ions in the surrounding medium. Due to the lack of statistically significant differences in the number of ions released by individual coatings, when selecting them, other properties related to the operating conditions of the elements should also be taken into account. Full article

Botrytis cinerea is a major phytopathogenic fungus responsible for substantial economic losses in horticultural crops, underscoring the need for sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides. This study investigated the influence of physical, chemical and biological culture parameters on the antifungal activity of culture filtrates produced by Trichoderma harzianum BOL-12QD. Culture conditions were sequentially optimised by evaluating light-filter exposure, carbon and nitrogen source composition, potato ecotype selection, co-cultivation with Botrytis cinerea, and volatile-mediated interactions. Antifungal activity was assessed using mycelial growth inhibition assays against Botrytis cinerea. Among the individual factors, violet-filter illumination, a medium containing 5 g L⁻¹ glucose and 250 g L⁻¹ potato extract, the Leke Pek’e potato ecotype, ammonium nitrate as nitrogen source, and co-cultivation with Botrytis cinerea at 10⁴ conidia mL⁻¹ produced the highest inhibitory effects. Sequential integration of these optimised conditions resulted in enhanced antifungal activity, reaching up to 62% inhibition. Volatile organic compounds produced by Trichoderma harzianum BOL-12QD exhibited only minimal antifungal activity under the conditions tested, suggesting that volatile-mediated antagonism plays a limited role in this system. In contrast, culture-dependent modulation of extracellular metabolite profiles was evidenced by comparative ¹H NMR fingerprinting, which revealed condition-specific spectral differences, with the optimised treatment displaying a distinct metabolic signature relative to all other conditions. Cytotoxicity assays in murine peritoneal macrophages showed no significant reduction in cell viability at concentrations up to 200 μg mL⁻¹. In vivo exposure to the optimised culture filtrate (250 mg kg⁻¹ d⁻¹ for 10 days) induced transient treatment-related clinical observations without mortality, indicating a need for further detailed toxicological characterisation. Overall, these findings demonstrate that the antifungal activity of Trichoderma harzianum BOL-12QD is strongly modulated by interacting environmental, nutritional and biological culture parameters. The results support the potential of optimised culture filtrates as a source of bioactive metabolites for biocontrol applications, while highlighting the importance of integrated biochemical and toxicological evaluation. Full article

Aerosols emitted by biomass burning represent one of the largest sources of uncertainty in our current understanding of the Earth’s radiative balance. We investigate the climatic influence of biomass burning aerosols emitted from six key regions of biomass burning by using GEOS-Chem coupled with the rapid radiative transfer model. We evaluate our model using AERONET observation, with the model reproducing data with 87% observed spatial and seasonal variability with a low negative bias of 7%. The radiation sensitivity is generally highest for North Asia (NAS) and for North America (NCC); lowest for South America (SAM) and South and Southeast Asia (SSA); and moderate for Africa (AFR) and Oceania (OCE). These regional differences are related to the main burning types of the regions. When we consider the global radiation influence, AFR dominates the global picture due to the comparatively large biomass burned. We estimate the global mean radiation influence of biomass burning aerosol is −0.116 W m⁻². For monthly features, in summer, due to higher incident energy obtained in NAS and NCC, high negative radiation sensitivity of biomass burning, biomass burning aerosols, and biomass burning organic aerosol are shown in these regions. Meanwhile, the radiation sensitivity peak of black carbon for these two regions occurs earlier in late spring (NAS) or early summer (NCC), when large incident energy and large high reflectance snow cover coexist in these two high-latitude regions. A significant yearly difference in radiation influence, rather than radiation sensitivity, is found, with the relative difference between the maximum year and minimum year reaching 90% of the maximum radiation influence year. Specifically, two regions affected by El Niño (OCE and SSA) have the most significant yearly variation in all factors, with anomalies occurring in El Niño years. Full article

Urban sustainable development increasingly depends on interactions among multiple urban subsystems, yet existing studies often overlook cross-regional linkages and nonlinear development processes. This study investigates the coordinated development of urbanization, smart development, resilience, and low-carbon transition (USRL) from an efficiency perspective. Using panel data from 278 Chinese cities during 2010–2023, this work integrates the Super-SBM model, the Local–Tele Coupling Coordination Degree (LTCCD) framework, Dagum Gini decomposition, and machine learning techniques to examine the spatiotemporal evolution, spatial disparities, and driving mechanisms of coordinated development. The results show that coordinated development improved steadily over time, although subsystem evolution remained uneven, with resilience lagging behind other dimensions. Regional disparities gradually narrowed, but inter-regional differences remained the dominant source of spatial inequality. Innovation intensity, industrial upgrading, and high-quality foreign investment positively contributed to coordinated development, whereas fiscal and financial factors exhibited nonlinear effects. Interaction analysis further revealed that coordinated development is shaped by the combined influence of multiple drivers rather than by individual factors alone. Our findings suggest that urban sustainable development is jointly influenced by subsystem coordination, cross-regional interactions, and nonlinear development dynamics, highlighting the importance of integrating local and tele-coupling processes in urban sustainability research. Full article

Background: Uncontrolled hemorrhage, especially at non-compressible sites, remains a major cause of preventable trauma deaths. This study reports the development of fibrinogen-loaded calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) microparticles that combine hemostatic activity with self-propelling capability for targeted delivery against blood flow, with a focus on understanding formulation-dependent trade-offs among particle yield, protein loading, clotting performance, and transport behavior. Methods: Microparticles were synthesized via a precipitation method using different carbonate sources and characterized for yield, morphology, size, and fibrinogen encapsulation. Hemostatic function was assessed using rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) in fibrinogen-deficient plasma. Propulsion behavior was evaluated following exposure to protonated tranexamic acid (TXA⁺), which triggers CO₂ generation. Particle size and encapsulation were examined by microscopy and fluorescence imaging. Results: The precipitation method produced spherical micrometer-sized particles, with fibrinogen inclusion reducing yield and particle size relative to unload controls. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed successful encapsulation. Encapsulation efficiency varied with formulation, with sodium carbonate-based particles showing higher relative fibrinogen loading. ROTEM analysis demonstrated that fibrinogen-loaded particles significantly improved clot formation, increasing maximum clot firmness compared to fibrinogen-free particles, although performance remained formulation-dependent. TXA⁺-triggered propulsion achieved maximum speeds up to 4.221 cm/s. Fibrinogen-loaded particles exhibited longer activation lag times than unloaded particles, indicating a trade-off between hemostatic functionality and propulsion kinetics. Conclusions: Fibrinogen-loaded CaCO₃ microparticles exhibit both hemostatic activity and chemically triggered motion in vitro. The study identifies key formulation-dependent trade-offs between particle yield, fibrinogen loading, clotting performance, and propulsion behavior. While these findings support the feasibility of combining localization and clot stabilization mechanisms, further studies under physiologically relevant flow conditions and in vivo models are required to evaluate their potential for active delivery in non-compressible hemorrhage. Full article

The greenhouse effect poses a severe environmental challenge to global sustainable development. Carbon emissions, as a major source of greenhouse gases, make their reduction a crucial goal of urban renewal. This paper provides a systematic literature review of over 100 empirical studies published in the Web of Science over the past decade. The results show that the impact of urban form on carbon emissions exhibits spatial heterogeneity and nonlinearity, while urban compactness reduces emissions in small and medium-sized cities but may increase emissions in some large mega cities. Meanwhile, three-dimensional morphological indicators (e.g., building height, sky view factor) exhibit a U-shaped effect on operational carbon emissions, and are primarily mediated by local microclimate effects. In addition, this study also summarized the differences in carbon emissions throughout the entire life cycle of urban renewal and across different climate zones. Only a few studies adopt a full life-cycle assessment, and most of them focused on operational rather than embodied carbon. This review credits itself as the first one of its kind to examine the relationship between urban form, urban function, and carbon emissions from the perspective of urban renewal, providing both theoretical reference and practical insights for low-carbon strategies. Full article

This study investigates the influence of organic matter properties in surface waters on the efficiency of single- and two-stage coagulation processes in drinking water treatment plants. The research was conducted at three treatment plants supplied by different surface water sources over a 15-month monitoring period. The analyzed parameters included total and dissolved organic carbon (TOC and DOC), biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), water color, UV absorbance, zeta potential, and molecular weight distribution of organic substances. The results showed that coagulation efficiency depends strongly on both the concentration and the molecular characteristics of organic matter. The highest removal efficiency was observed for high-molecular-weight fractions (>2.0 kDa), mainly humic substances, whereas low-molecular-weight compounds were removed less effectively. The study also demonstrated that surrogate spectrophotometric parameters, particularly UV₂₅₄ absorbance and color at 410 nm, can be used to monitor and optimize the coagulation process. Given the increasing frequency of extreme climate events and rapid shifts in raw water quality, optimizing single- and two-stage coagulation configurations has become an urgent operational necessity. This work provides a novel direct linkage between simple spectrophotometric indexes and precise chromatographic molecular ranges, delivering an immediate, high-impact predictive tool for real-time dosage optimization in water treatment engineering. Full article

Shortwave infrared (SWIR) imagery plays an important role in land–water boundary delineation, coastal monitoring, and complex aquatic environment observation. However, the spatial resolution of SWIR bands is usually lower than that of visible bands, which limits their capability to represent fine-scale targets and boundary structures. To address this problem, this study proposes MLE-ResUNet, a SWIR image super-resolution method that integrates along-track oversampling with visible-light-guided deep learning. The proposed method first exploits dual-view SWIR observations with sub-pixel displacement generated by increasing the sampling line rate in the push-broom imaging process. A maximum likelihood estimation (MLE)-based physical prior module is then introduced to transform multi-view degraded observations into a physically consistent latent high-resolution prior. Finally, high-resolution visible images are used to provide edge, texture, and structural guidance, and a ResUNet-based network is employed for multi-source feature fusion and residual reconstruction. Based on multi-region measured data acquired by the LHRSI (Lightweight High-Resolution Spectral Imager) payload onboard the BlueCarbon-1A satellite, a SWIR super-resolution dataset covering typical urban, farmland, and coastal scenarios was constructed. Comparative experiments were conducted against PCA, BDSD, PanNet, GPPNN, and two additional lightweight-guided deep learning baselines, namely LGPConv and a CANConv-style visible-guided baseline. The results show that MLE-ResUNet achieves the best performance across different scenarios and consistently outperforms the comparison methods in terms of SSIM, SAM, ERGAS, and Q-index. The proposed method effectively enhances spatial detail recovery while maintaining favorable spectral consistency. Ablation experiments further demonstrate that both along-track oversampling information and the MLE-based physical prior contribute to improved reconstruction quality and more stable training convergence. These findings indicate that the proposed method can enhance fine-scale SWIR observation capability without substantially increasing hardware complexity, providing an effective technical solution for shoreline identification, land–water boundary extraction, and complex surface target monitoring. Full article

Background/Objectives: Animal-source protein consumption in Saudi Arabia has increased substantially over the last two decades, raising concerns regarding its environmental impact in a country with among the highest per capita carbon emissions globally. Despite growing interest in sustainable diets, empirical evidence on dietary carbon footprint (CF) in Gulf Cooperation Council countries remains limited. This study aimed to quantify the CF associated with the consumption of animal- and plant-based protein foods among Saudi adults and to identify sociodemographic and lifestyle predictors of dietary CF, with attention to sex differences. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1624 Saudi adults (47.1% males; 52.9% females). A newly developed, expert-reviewed, and pilot-tested food frequency questionnaire covering 21 protein-containing food items (13 animal-based; 8 plant-based) was used to estimate daily intake. CF values were calculated using Life Cycle Assessment-derived greenhouse gas emission factors (kgCO₂e/kg food) obtained from peer-reviewed sources. Sex-stratified multiple linear regression models and a pooled sex × animal-source protein food interaction model was used to identify independent predictors of daily CF. Results: Animal-source protein foods contributed 45,641.8 kgCO₂e/week to cumulative CF—a 64-fold excess over plant-based sources (708.33 kgCO₂e/week). Mean individual protein-food CF was 4.07 kgCO₂e/day, of which 98.5% derived from animal sources. Lamb and beef carried the highest emission intensities; nuts the lowest. Animal-source intake was the strongest independent predictor of CF in both sexes, with a significantly stronger association in males than females. High consumers substantially exceeded EAT–Lancet red meat targets across all consumption strata. Conclusions: Red meat dominates protein-food-related GHG emissions among Saudi adults. Even a partial dietary shift toward plant-based proteins, embedded within a coordinated food-system transformation framework, could substantially reduce per capita emissions in alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and One Health targets. Full article

Cities in climatic transition zones face coupled radiative and evaporative stresses, and their carbon emission mechanisms differ significantly from those in humid regions. Taking Xi’an, a typical megacity in the transition zone, as a case study, this research utilises a 500 m × 500 m grid to integrate multi-source data for carbon emission accounting. By applying spatial autocorrelation and the Multi-scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model, this study examines the spatial heterogeneity of carbon emissions and the mechanisms through which urban planning influences them. The results indicate that carbon emissions in Xi’an exhibit a “core–periphery” agglomeration pattern, with commercial land use exhibiting the highest emission intensity. Carbon emissions and land surface temperature are spatially coupled, consistent with a hypothesised positive feedback loop of the “dry heat island” effect. Morphological factors exhibit spatial non-stationarity: floor area ratio is positively associated with emissions in the old city centre, whereas mutual shading among super-high-rise buildings in the High-Tech Zone coincides with a weaker effect. Building density shows a positive association only where ventilation is limited. Land use mix and blue–green spaces show non-linear negative associations with emissions, with higher marginal benefits in arid–hot environments. This study proposes carbon reduction strategies for the renewal of old urban areas, business cores, and new ecological districts, providing empirical evidence and decision-making references for low-carbon spatial planning in cities within the climatic transition zone. Full article

Dentin-derived biomaterials are hierarchical collagen–mineral composites increasingly used as bio-based scaffolds for bone regeneration. However, the effect of prolonged storage of extracted teeth on their physicochemical integrity remains unclear. This study evaluated the stability of dentin-derived biomaterials following long-term refrigerated storage (up to six years) using Raman spectroscopy. Extracted human teeth were processed using three preparation systems (BonMaker, Tooth Transformer, and Smart Dentin Grinder), and Raman-derived indices describing mineral and collagen structure were compared with freshly extracted controls. No time-dependent changes were observed in mineral crystallinity, carbonate substitution, or collagen-related parameters, indicating preservation of the collagen–mineral interface during storage. In contrast, the observed differences were primarily associated with processing pathways. Tooth Transformer and Smart Dentin Grinder exhibited Raman profiles closely resembling native dentin, whereas BonMaker showed reduced mineral content and altered mineral–matrix balance consistent with its demineralization protocol. These findings demonstrate that dentin behaves as a structurally stable hierarchical composite, reflecting intrinsic structural organization that limits physicochemical degradation over time. Long-term storage does not compromise dentin integrity, supporting its use as a reliable source of biomaterial for regenerative applications and future tooth banking strategies. Full article

Critical metals such as gallium and germanium are strategic mineral resources widely used in advanced technology, including semiconductors and solar cells. These metals are recovered as by-products from the processing of Zn–Pb and bauxite ores. In China, the Sichuan–Yunnan–Guizhou (SYG) region is abundant in Zn–Pb and bauxite ore deposits, such as the Huize Zn–Pb–Ge deposit and the Wuchuan–Zheng’an–Daozhen (WZD) area Al–Ga deposit. Although previous studies have proposed models to explain the enrichment mechanisms of critical metals in this area, the metal sources of these deposits remain controversial. In this study, samples were collected from the Paleoproterozoic Kunyang Group to the Permian Emeishan basalts, and the metal sources of these deposits were traced by comparing the Pb isotopic ratios and Zn/Cd ratios of potential source rocks and deposits. The findings indicate: (1) The Pb isotopic compositions of most samples are relatively homogeneous, but certain differences exist among strata from different geological periods. (2) The metal sources of the Yunnan and Guizhou bauxite may both have been controlled by the underlying carbonate rocks, but the specific source horizons differ significantly between the two regions. (3) Based on the Pb isotopic compositions of regional strata and Zn–Pb deposits, it appears that the regional basement and sedimentary cover likely contributed significantly to the ore-forming metals, whereas the Emeishan basalts may have played a relatively minor role. However, due to the complex lithology and substantial thickness of the basement and cover strata in the SYG region, there may be issues of sampling inadequacy. Nonetheless, this study provides important foundational data and insights for tracing the metal sources of deposits in this region using Pb isotopes and Zn/Cd ratios. Full article

Twelve white-rot fungal isolates were evaluated for their potential to produce mycelium leather from rice straw, based on growth characteristics, biomass production, and mechanical properties. Among these, Trametes sp. SW25-2 exhibited rapid growth on culture medium and dense mycelial formation on rice straw substrate. The effects of nutrient supplementation, substrate-to-medium ratio, and processing conditions on mycelium-leather formation were systematically examined. No significant differences were observed among different carbon (glucose, maltose, and sucrose) and nitrogen sources (yeast extract, peptone, and ammonium sulphate), indicating that the fungus effectively utilised rice straw as the primary substrate. An optimal ratio of 1 g rice straw to 10 mL culture medium (90.9% moisture content) enabled complete colonisation and the formation of a compact mycelial structure, achieving a maximum tensile strength of 2.78 MPa under optimised hot-pressing conditions (120 °C, 60 s, 1 MPa). Hot-pressing conditions significantly influenced material properties. A higher temperature (120 °C) increased tensile strength but reduced elongation at break, while a lower temperature (60 °C) produced more flexible materials. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that post-treatment and hot pressing transformed the mycelial network into a dense and cohesive structure. The resulting mycelium leather demonstrated suitable physical properties and was successfully fabricated into prototype products, highlighting its potential as a sustainable bio-based material derived from agricultural waste. Full article

Urban expansion is a major anthropogenic driver of ecosystem service degradation, and its effects differ significantly among expansion patterns and city types. This study selects Jinan, a megacity in Shandong Province, and Dongying, a resource-based city, as study areas. Based on 2000–2020 land cover data, we identified the key urban expansion patterns that lead to ecosystem service losses. We used a built-up land source matrix to analyze the land composition of newly developed built-up areas and adopted the Landscape Expansion Index (LEI) to classify urban expansion into three types: edge-expansion, infilling, and leapfrog expansion. We quantified losses of five core ecosystem services—carbon sequestration, water yield, food production, habitat quality, and soil retention—to identify which expansion pattern exerted the most significant impact on ecosystem service degradation. We further compared loss differences and underlying mechanisms to propose differentiated urban strategies. The results indicate that cultivated land was the primary source in Jinan, while Dongying’s sources were more diverse. Edge-expansion dominated both cities, with a higher proportion in Dongying. Jinan showed a greater increase in leapfrog expansion, and infilling expansion was limited. Leapfrog expansion caused the most severe losses for most services, while edge-expansion dominated food production loss via farmland occupation. This study provides a scientific basis for optimizing spatial development and coordinating urban expansion with ecological conservation. Full article

Seaweed-derived biostimulants are a promising strategy for improving crop performance in sustainable agriculture. In this context, this study evaluated the effects of foliar application of Kappaphycus alvarezii extracts, obtained from two Brazilian regions (São Paulo: Kal-SP and Santa Catarina: Kal-SC), at different concentrations (1%, 3%, 5%, and 7%) on the growth, biochemical profile, essential oil yield, and rhizosphere microbiome of Ocimum basilicum under field conditions. Morphological analysis indicated that the 5% and 7% concentrations increased plant height, biomass, root development, and inflorescence production, with biomass gains of up to 51% and essential oil production increases of up to 142% compared to the control. Biochemical responses varied by extract origin, with Kal-SC promoting greater increases in photosynthetic pigments, antioxidant activity, and carbon-related metabolites, whereas Kal-SP induced only minor metabolic changes. The algal biostimulant modulated essential oil yield and composition, promoting treatment-dependent shifts in major terpenoid compounds. Microbiome analysis showed no significant changes in alpha diversity, but significant shifts in beta diversity and functional groups, such as Bacillaceae, indicating rhizosphere reorganization. Overall, the effectiveness of K. alvarezii-based biostimulants depends on concentration and biomass source, highlighting their potential as sustainable agricultural bioproducts and the importance of standardized extraction for consistent outcomes. Full article