Search Results (190)

The 1.9 billion metric tons of steel globally manufactured in 2023 justify the steel industry’s pivotal role in modern society’s growth. Considering the rapid development of countries that have not fully taken part in the global market, such as Africa, steel production is expected to increase in the next decade. However, the environmental burden associated with steel manufacturing must be mitigated to achieve sustainable production, which would align with the European Green Deal pathway. Such a burden is associated both with the GHG emissions and with the solid residues arising from steel manufacturing, considering both the integrated and electrical routes. The valorisation of the main steel residues from the electrical steelmaking is the central theme of this work, referring to the steel electric manufacturing in the Dalmine case study. The investigation was carried out from two different points of view, comprising the action of a plasma electric reactor and a RecoDust unit to optimize the recovery of iron and zinc, respectively, being the two main technologies envisioned in the EU-funded research project ReMFra. This work focuses on those preliminary steps required to detect the optimal recipes to consider for such industrial units, such as thermodynamic modelling, testing the mechanical properties of the briquettes produced, and the smelting trials carried out at pilot scale. However, tests for the usability of the dusty feedstock for RecoDust are carried out, and, with the results, some recommendations for pretreatment can be made. The outcomes show the high potential of these streams for metal and mineral recovery. Full article

The construction of hydroelectric dams leads to substantial land-cover alterations, particularly through the removal of vegetation in wetland and valley areas. This results in exposed sediment that is susceptible to erosion, potentially leading to dust storms. While the reintroduction of vegetation plays a crucial role in restoring these landscapes and mitigating erosion, such efforts incur substantial costs and require detailed information to help optimize vegetation densities that effectively reduce dust storm risk. This study evaluates the performance of drones for measuring the growth of introduced low-lying grasses on reservoir beaches. A set of test flights was conducted to compare LiDAR and photogrammetry data, assessing factors such as flight altitude, speed, and image side overlap. The results indicate that, for this specific vegetation type, photogrammetry at lower altitudes significantly enhanced the accuracy of vegetation classification, permitting effective quantitative assessments of vegetation densities for dust storm risk reduction. Full article

Mesoporous silicon dioxide films have been shown to be well suited as adhesion-promoting interlayers for generating high-strength polymer–metal interfaces. These films can be fabricated via microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition using the precursor hexamethyldisiloxane and oxygen as working gas. The resulting mesoporous structures enable polymer infiltration during overmolding, which leads to a nanoscale form-locking mechanism after solidification. This mechanism allows for efficient stress transfer across the interface and makes the resulting adhesion highly dependent on the morphology of the deposited film. To gain a deeper understanding of the underlying deposition mechanisms and improve process stability, this work investigates the growth behavior of mesoporous silica films using a multiple regression analysis approach. The seven process parameters coating time, distance, chamber pressure, substrate temperature, flow rate, plasma pulse duration, and pause-to-pulse ratio were systematically varied within a Design of Experiments framework. The resulting films were characterized by their free surface area, mean agglomerate diameter, and film thickness using digital image analysis, white light interferometry, and atomic force microscopy. The deposited films exhibit a wide range of morphological appearances, ranging from quasi-dense to dust-like structures. As part of this research, the free surface area varied from 15 to 55 percent, the mean agglomerate diameter from 17 to 126 nm, and the film thickness from 35 to 1600 nm. The derived growth model describes the deposition process with high statistical accuracy. Furthermore, all coatings were overmolded via injection molding and subjected to mechanical testing, allowing a direct correlation between film morphology and their performance as adhesion-promoting interlayers. Full article

In this work, we evaluated the silvicultural and ecological parameters of Populus bolleana Lauche trees growing in conditions of anthropogenic pollution, using the example of one of the largest megacities of the Donetsk ridge, the city of Donetsk. The objectives of this study included determining the level of anthropogenic load of the territory; conducting dendrological studies to assess morphometric and allometric parameters, age structure, and condition of P. bolleana stands under the influence of environmental factors; as well as completing biomechanical studies to assess and predict the mechanical stability of stands. A total of 1109 plants growing in areas with increased anthropogenic load and in the control areas were studied. The model territories of the study were located in the city of Donetsk on Fallen Communards Avenue (length of field routes: 2.6 km) and Ilyicha Avenue (length of field routes: 9.7 km). Control plantings grew on the territory of the Donetsk botanical garden and residential (dormitory) districts of the city. The age structure of P. bolleana plantations remained uniform throughout the city for 50–55 years due to the fact that the landscaping was under a single state program. In the steppe zone in the south of the East European Plain, with a high level of anthropogenic load and severe natural climatic factors, the critical age of P. bolleana (55 years) was determined. The condition of plantations and their morphometric indices correlate with the level of anthropogenic load of the city (H, Dbase, DBH). Under control conditions, the plants are in good condition with signs of weakening (2 points). Under conditions of increased anthropogenic load, the plants are in a severely weakened condition (3 points). A total of 25% of the plants in the sample are in critical condition (4–5 points). The main damages to the crowns and trunks of plants include core rot, mechanical damage to bark and tissues, the development of core rot through the affected skeletal branch, crown thinning, and drying. P. bolleana trees are valued for their crown area and ability to retain dust particles from the air. The analysis of experimentally obtained data on the crown area showed that in the initial phases of ontogenesis, the average deviation in the crown area of plants does not depend on the place of growth. Due to artificial narrowing and sanitary pruning of the crown, as well as skeletal branches dying along the busiest highways, the values do not exceed 22–23 m² on average, with an allometric coefficient of 0.35–0.37. When comparing this coefficient in the control areas, the crown area in areas with a high level of anthropogenic load is 36 ± 11% lower. For trees growing under the conditions of the anthropogenic load of an industrial city and having reached the critical age, mechanical resistance varied depending on the study area and load level. At sites with a high level of pollution of the territory, a significant decrease in indicators was revealed in comparison with the control (mcr—71%, EI—75%, RRB—43%). Having analyzed all the obtained data, we can conclude that, until the age of 50–55 years, P. bolleana retains good viability, mechanical resistance, and general allometric ratios, upon which the stability of the whole plant depends. Even with modern approaches and tendencies toward landscaping with exotic introductions, it is necessary to keep P. bolleana as the main species in dendrobanocenoses. Full article

Four different yeast strains were isolated from industrial gluten-free bread (GFB) purchased from a local supermarket. These strains, including Hyphopichia burtonii, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, and Cyberlindnera fabianii, are responsible for spoilage, which consists of white powdery and filamentous colonies due to the fragmentation of hyphae into short-length fragments (dust-type spots) that is typical of the spoilage produced by chalk yeasts. The isolated strains were identified using genomic analysis. Among them, C. fabianii was also isolated, which is a rare ascomycetous opportunistic yeast species with low virulence attributes, uncommonly implicated in bread spoilage. The yeast growth was studied in vitro on Malt Extract Agar (MEA) at two temperatures (20 and 25 °C) and at different Aws (from 0.99 to 0.90). It was inferred that the temperature did not influence the growth. On the contrary, different Aws reduced the growth, but all the yeast strains could grow until a minimum Aw of about 0.90. Different preservatives (ethanol, hop extract, and sorbic and propionic acids) were used to prevent the growth. In MEA, the growth was reduced but not inhibited. In addition, the vapor-phase antimicrobial activity of different preservatives such as ethanol and hop extract was studied in MEA. Both preservatives completely inhibited the yeast growth either at 20 or at 25 °C. Both preservatives were found in GFB slices. Contrary to hop extract, 2% (v/w) ethanol completely inhibited all the strains. The spoilage was also confirmed by the presence of various compounds typically present in yeasts, derived from sugar fermentation and amino acid degradation. These compounds included alcohols, ketones, organic acids, and esters, and they were identified at higher concentrations in the spoiled samples than in the unspoiled samples. The concentration of acetic acid was low only in the spoiled samples, as this compound was consumed by yeasts, which are predominately present in the spoiled samples, to produce acetate esters. Full article

Drought is one of the main environmental disturbances limiting the growth and production of turfgrass in China and around the world. To study the performance under drought conditions of different mixing ratios (Lolium perenne L., Festuca elata Keng., Poa pratensis L.), a water-controlled pot experiment was conducted. The mixing ratios used were 2:3:5, 2:6:2, and 2:2:6 for Lolium perenne, Festuca elata, and Poa pratensis, respectively. The relative water content (RWC), proline (Pro) content, and other physiological and ecological variables of three turfgrass monocultures and their three ratio mixtures (a total of six different treatments) were measured under drought as well as dust stress at various time points. The results revealed that, under drought stress, the dust retention performance of the mixing ratio treatments was better than the monocultures, with the best performance in the 2:6:2 mix and the worst in the Poa pratensis monoculture. Additionally, during the 21 days of drought stress, as time increased, the appearance quality (TQ) of the turfgrass gradually declined over time; its RWC gradually decreased; its chlorophyll (Chl) content, peroxidase (POD) activity, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity all showed a trend of initially increasing then decreasing; and its soluble sugar (Sol), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Pro content increased continuously. A comprehensive evaluation of physiological and ecological variables, using the membership function method, showed that the six types of turfgrass treatments ranked as follows (from strongest to weakest) in drought resistance: 2:6:2 mix > Festuca elata monoculture > 2:3:5 mix > 2:2:6 mix > Lolium perenne monoculture > Poa pratensis monoculture. The dust retention capability was assessed through quantitative measurements, and the ranking of dust retention amounts in descending order was as follows: Festuca elata > 2:6:2 mix > 2:2:6 mix > Poa pratensis > Lolium perenne > 2:3:5 mix. We conclude that, in practical applications, the degree of drought can be appropriately controlled within a certain range to achieve maximum dust retention benefits from turfgrass. Full article

This research explored the potential of pressurised liquid extraction techniques for valorising herbal orange peel dust (OPD) waste from the filter tea industry. A series of experiments were conducted, varying the temperature (120–220 °C) and solvent (water and 50% (v/v) ethanol), while pressure and time were kept constant. Afterward, the obtained extracts were analysed by LC-ESI-MS/MS for determining the chemical composition. The highest concentrations of the most dominant compounds, the antioxidants hesperidin (662.82 ± 22.11 mg/L) and naringin (62.37 ± 2.05 mg/L), were found at specific temperatures using subcritical water extraction. In silico studies indicated that these compounds could interact with sirtuin-1 and growth factor beta receptors, suggesting potential anti-ageing benefits for skin. In vitro experiments on rat hepatoma cells (H4IIE) revealed that OPD extracts had antitumor potential, inhibiting cell proliferation and altering cell morphology. These findings underscore the importance of temperature and extraction technique in obtaining antioxidant-rich extracts with pharmacological potential. The resulting extracts, obtained using green solvents, show promise for cosmetic applications, though further in vivo studies are needed to confirm their therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Native plant species used for ecological restoration in urban and degraded areas are typically cultivated by ornamental and forestry nurseries. In the face of climate change, it is crucial to produce plants that can withstand transplant stress while promoting the use of sustainable materials, such as peat-free substrates. Replacing peat with locally sourced organic materials offers a promising strategy to enhance plant resilience to abiotic stress while improving sustainability. This study evaluated the effects of alternative growing media on the growth and post-transplant performance of Viburnum lantana L. under standard nursery conditions. Three substrate mixtures were tested: (i) peat:pumice 70:30 v:v (PP); (ii) coconut coir dust:pumice 70:30 v:v (CP); (iii) coconut coir dust:green compost 55:45 v:v (CGC). After one year in the nursery, half of the plants were sampled in late spring for biometric, eco-physiological, and nutrient analyses, while the remaining plants were transplanted into a degraded area providing only a single irrigation event during the trial. Approximately 100 days after transplant, biometric and eco-physiological parameters were assessed. Plants grown on CGC demonstrated the highest transplant success, while those grown on PP and CP exhibited greater leaf necrosis, with PP plants also showing significant defoliation. These findings highlight CGC as a viable and sustainable alternative to peat-based substrates, particularly for post-transplant survival in degraded areas prone to drought stress. Full article

Since epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors were introduced in 2004, various driver gene mutations have been identified in non-small cell lung cancer, particularly adenocarcinoma, where mutations are typically mutually exclusive. EGFR and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) mutations are most prevalent in Japan, with routine testing now standard. However, hematoxylin and eosin staining often fails to detect mutations, except in cases such as ALK fusion lung cancer. We report a 76-year-old non-smoking Japanese woman diagnosed with adenocarcinoma confirmed as KRAS G12D/S-positive. Histological features, including thanatosomes (hyaline globules), nuclear pleomorphism, and cytoplasmic clearing, may aid in identifying mutations. Numerous thanatosomes were identified, some containing nuclear dust. Thanatosomes revealed periodic acid–Schiff reactivity with diastase resistance, fuchsinophilia with Masson’s trichrome stain, and dark blue-black color with Mallory’s PTAH stain. This is the first report linking thanatosomes in KRAS-mutant pulmonary adenocarcinoma to apoptosis via cleaved caspase-3 staining. Full article

Pleated filter media are widely used in particulate filtration, but the particle deposition and pressure drop during particle loading remain insufficiently explored. This study visualizes the particle deposition patterns in pleated filter media, along with the evolution of pressure drop and the effective filtration area (EFA) using simulations. The results indicate that, as the volume of deposited particles increases, the pressure drop of the pleated filter media initially grows linearly, but this rate of increase accelerates as particle deposition continues. The particle deposition characteristics are related to the pleat ratio. A smaller pleat ratio results in a smaller initial EFA, leading to a high initial resistance growth rate. Conversely, a larger pleat ratio leads to faster aggregation of particles, resulting in a faster rise in the resistance growth rate. The dust-holding capacity is optimal at a pleat ratio of 6.67. When the inlet flow rate or the particle size increases, it is more favorable to reduce the pleat ratio. The reliability of the results is verified using experiments, and the error is within 20%. The findings provide theoretical and practical insights for optimizing the design of pleated filter media for better performance in particulate filtration. Full article

Diseases in pig houses not only hinder the growth and productivity of pigs but also result in significant economic losses for farmers due to high mortality rates. Although viral infections, including PRRS and PCV-2, are the primary causes, the likelihood of disease onset is closely linked to the pigs’ immune status, which is often compromised by environmental stressors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between environmental conditions and pig mortality through detailed field monitoring in a commercial pig house with 600 growing pigs. The facility, which experienced a surge in mortality after a ventilation system change, was analyzed for various environmental parameters, including ammonia concentration (range: 7.0–10.7 ppm), dust levels (PM10: 106 µg/m³, PM2.5: 45 µg/m³), ventilation rates (0.49 AER, 67% of design capacity), air temperature (mean: 22.3 °C, range: 18.1–28.7 °C), and relative humidity (mean: 67.4%, range: 55.3–83.2%). Pig mortality and its spatial distribution were recorded, while viral infections were identified using RT-PCR, detecting pathogens such as PRRS, PCV-2, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, and Salmonella. Our findings revealed that although dust and ammonia concentrations remained within permissible limits, mortality was significantly correlated with thermal instability. Chronic respiratory diseases were observed in regions where ventilation was concentrated, resulting in daily temperature variations as high as 6.64 °C. The combination of improper ventilation and frequent temperature fluctuations weakened the pigs’ immunity, facilitating the onset of disease. This research underscores the critical role of maintaining stable microclimatic conditions in reducing mortality and highlights the need for advanced automated environmental control systems in smart livestock barns. The insights gained from this study provide a foundational framework for developing precision ventilation and thermal management strategies to enhance productivity and animal welfare. Full article

Orchids produce tiny, light seeds (dust-like seeds without endosperm) that rely on specific symbiotic fungi for successful germination. Plant roots often release small signaling molecules or bioactive compounds to attract arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, promoting fungal growth and hyphal branching. However, until now, no such bioactive or signaling molecules have been identified in orchids that help recruit fungi for seed germination. In this study, we used metabolomics and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, combined with a molecular network approach, to explore potential bioactive/signaling molecules in the seeds of the achlorophyllous orchid Gastrodia elata Bl. Our analysis revealed the presence of amino acids, nucleotides, lipids, organic acids, saccharides, phospholipids, and lignanamides. Specifically, organic acids, saccharides, and lignanamides were shown to promote the growth of Mycena osmundicola, a fungus important for seed germination. Additionally, lignanamides inhibited the plant pathogen Fusarium oxysporum and exhibited strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This is the first systematic identification of bioactive/signaling molecules in G. elata Bl. seeds, providing new insights into the symbiotic relationship between orchids and fungi. Full article

The article presents the results of developing carbon-silicon sorbents that demonstrate high efficiency in capturing various types of dust particles, along with partial antibacterial activity. Dust particles ranging from 0.65 to 150 microns were effectively retained by the sorbent, with organic dust capture efficiency varying between 74% and 98%, making these sorbents suitable for air purification in highly polluted indoor environments. The antibacterial activity was tested on Bacillus paramycoides and Pseudomonas koreensis strains using the diffusion method on a solid nutrient medium. Testing showed that sorbent samples with different concentrations of the active ingredient exhibited varying degrees of bacterial growth suppression, with Sample No. 2 demonstrating the highest activity. Optimizing the sorbent composition and increasing the concentration of active components may enhance its antibacterial properties. These sorbents hold great potential for use in air purification systems with additional protection against bacterial contamination, making them promising for environments with high standards for air hygiene and cleanliness. Full article

Biochar is produced from a wide variety of feedstocks (algal biomass, forest, agricultural and food residues, organic fraction of municipal waste, sewage sludge, manure) by thermochemical conversion. In general, it is a dark, porous material with a large surface area, low density, high cation exchange capacity, and alkaline pH. By reducing the content of harmful substances in the soil, the application of biochar increases the activity, number, and diversity of microorganisms and improves plant growth in contaminated areas. The aim of the review was to explore the advantages and drawbacks of biochar use in soil bioremediation. General issues such as methods of biochar production, its physical and chemical properties, and various applications are presented. As biochar is an efficient adsorbent of heavy metals, the review focused on its benefits in (I) soil bioremediation, (II) improvement of soil parameters, (III) reduction of metal toxicity and bioaccumulation, (IV) positive interaction with soil microorganisms and soil enzymatic activity, and (V) promotion of plant growth. On the other hand, the potential risks of biochar formulation and utilization were also discussed, mainly related to the presence of heavy metals in biochar, dust hazard, and greenhouse gases emission. Full article

Dust containing lead and zinc is a harmful contaminant, which causes serious harm to the natural environment and human health. At present, it is believed that the microscopic morphology of lead-zinc dust is intimately related to its biological toxicity. Chemical composition serves as a pivotal factor influencing the structural characteristics of dust. However, research on the impact of chemical composition variations on the microscopic morphology of dust containing lead and zinc remains inadequate. The particle size analysis reveals that as PbO content increases and ZnO content decreases, the particle size of the dust diminishes, but some samples exhibit a larger agglomeration structure. Combined with the results of the box number method, it is evident that at lower magnifications, an increase in PbO content leads to a decrease in image complexity and a loosening of aggregated structures. The similarity in pile shapes amplifies this trend, resulting in a decline in the box-counting dimension (D value) within the PbO/ZnO ratio range of 26.45 to 138, accompanied by an inverse change in the corresponding goodness of fit R-sq value. At the observation multiple of 30,000 times (30 K), smaller particles within the sample become visible, and the presence of relatively larger particles and complex sizes enhances the fractal characteristics of the sample, leading to a higher D value. Within the PbO/ZnO ratio range of 90/10 to 99/1, a coupling relationship exists between the chemical composition of the sample and the morphology of the dust. Specifically, the PbO/ZnO ratio exhibits a positive correlation with the D value. Conversely, the diversity of corresponding fractal features is negatively correlated with the D value. When the PbO content surpasses 99%, this correlation weakens, and the diversity of graphical representations displays an alternating pattern of growth and decrease. Notably, the D value and the goodness of fit (R-sq) of the D value are negatively correlated, indicating that as the complexity of the graph increases, the goodness of fit decreases. Full article