Search Results (1,995)

Elevated particulate matter (PM) concentrations pose severe health risks, necessitating green infrastructure mitigation. While deposition is well documented, wind-induced remobilization remains insufficiently quantified. This study establishes a size-fractionated (PM_1–2.5 and PM_2.5–10) wind-induced resuspension and net removal values for six Central European shrub and climbing species (Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Hedera helix, Viburnum opulus, Viburnum lantana, Ligustrum ovalifolium, and Cornus mas) under controlled laboratory conditions. Following standardized aerosol chamber loading, leaves were subjected to constant, laminar airflow velocity of 3 m/s. Numerical quantification of particle counts per unit area (cm²) was performed via scanning electron microscopy with backscattered electron signal processing. Results demonstrate significant interspecific variations. Parthenocissus quinquefolia was most efficient, retaining the highest particle counts (121.6 × 10³ particles/cm² for PM_2.5–10) and achieving net removal rates of 46.3% and 60.5% for PM_1–2.5 and PM_2.5–10, respectively, relative to initial deposition. Cornus mas exhibited the lowest net removal efficiency for coarse particles (21.2% for PM_2.5–10), while Hedera helix showed the highest fractional resuspension rates (k = 1.93 × 10⁻⁴ ∙ s⁻¹ and 2.01 × 10⁻⁴ ∙ s⁻¹, respectively). These species-specific traits are vital for optimizing urban green infrastructure. Ultimately, these findings provide actionable recommendations for targeted plant selection to maximize urban air purification. Full article

The valorization of agri-food by-products generated during juice extraction represents a key strategy within circular economy frameworks, as it reduces the environmental impact of waste disposal while creating added value and improving the food supply chain. In this work, five betaine-based natural deep eutectic solvents (NaDES) differing in their hydrogen-bond donors, namely citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, glycerol, and ethylene glycol, were used for the green extraction of blueberry pomace, a largely underutilized by-product that is nevertheless rich in bioactive compounds. The extracts were characterized by liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array and tandem mass spectrometric detection, allowing targeted profiling of anthocyanins and non-anthocyanin phenolics, including phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phenolic aldehydes. The extraction performance of NaDES was benchmarked against conventional solvents (water and ethanol) to evaluate differences in selectivity and efficiency toward distinct phenolic classes. Antioxidant capacity was determined using DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Among the NaDES systems, the betaine–citric acid NaDES extract exhibited notable phenolic recovery together with marked radical scavenging activity. After evaluating its inhibitory activity against elastase and tyrosinase, enzymes involved in the skin aging process, the selected NaDES extract was incorporated into a natural-based antiaging cosmetic formulation, and its main physicochemical properties were assessed to verify suitability for topical application. This study demonstrated that the use of NaDES represents an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to transform blueberry by-products into high-value, safe, and ready-to-use cosmetic functional ingredients without the need for solvent removal. Full article

Head and neck lymphedema (HNL) is a common complication of head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. Surgery and radiation, the backbones of HNC treatment, disrupt lymphatic networks through direct injury and fibrosis, leading to accumulation of lymphatic fluid in interstitial spaces. This causes swelling of external and internal structures, leading to decreased quality of life, cosmetic distress, social withdrawal, and functional deficits such as dysphagia, dysphonia, and reduced cervical mobility. In this narrative review, we provide a broad overview of the pathophysiology, assessment, and prevention of HNL. Key surgical factors include the extent of neck dissection, including specific levels removed. Radiation compounds surgical injury through lymphatic fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner. Emerging radiation de-escalation strategies may reduce HNL, though lymphedema is rarely studied as a trial endpoint. Moreover, assessment of HNL remains challenging due to the absence of a gold standard—patient-reported outcome measures, clinician-reported scales, and instrumental tests each capture distinct components of external and internal HNL. Currently, the cornerstone of HNL treatment is conservative management with complete decongestive therapy, which shows mixed efficacy and does not address internal HNL. Surgical options including lymphovenous anastomosis and vascularized lymph node transfer show early promise but remain limited to case reports and small series. Lymphatic imaging, particularly indocyanine green lymphography, represents a promising emerging modality for guiding personalized treatment planning, though application to the head and neck remains challenging. Ultimately, current management of HNL remains largely reactive, with a noticeable lack of preventative therapies. Future research may benefit from better defining surgical options, including HNL as an endpoint in radiation de-escalation trials, and validate emerging lymphatic imaging techniques in order to improve outcomes for HNC survivors. Full article

Sustainability in higher education plays a crucial role in shaping future professionals with an eco-conscious mindset. This study focuses on developing and simulating a portable solar food dehydrator as a practical application of sustainability principles in technology education. By integrating sustainability into the curriculum, this research enhances students’ technical skills while promoting the use of renewable energy and effective food preservation methods. Furthermore, the project aligns with green campus initiatives by encouraging energy-efficient practices and reducing food waste. This study emphasizes the significance of education for sustainable development by offering learners hands-on experience in designing eco-friendly solutions, promoting innovation, and equipping them to contribute to a more sustainable future. A food dehydrator is a device that removes moisture from food to aid in its preservation, utilizing a heat source and airflow to reduce its water content. The researchers used two methods to dehydrate food: direct sunlight (sun drying) and indirect sunlight (solar drying). The study used a developmental research design. Simulations revealed that, with solar-powered electricity, the longer the drying time, the greater the reduction in the moisture content. This was evident in the eighth experiment, which was conducted on fruits and vegetables. While drying with direct sunlight, the same trends, albeit to a lesser extent, were observed in the reduction in the moisture content of the fruits and vegetables. These insights can inform future design improvements, making the products more visually appealing and distinctive, thereby enhancing their attractiveness and novelty. Full article

Objective: Rapid vertical manoeuvres and intermittent vibration in autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can provoke pronounced psychological anxiety in passengers. To address this, we propose a closed-loop adaptive system that integrates an in-ear wearable sensor with dynamic regulation of the cabin microenvironment, enabling real-time monitoring of each passenger’s autonomic state and delivering individualised mitigation through a continuous sense–analyse–intervene–feedback loop. Methods: The system is built around a pair of custom in-ear modules that integrate dual-wavelength photoplethysmography (PPG; 525 nm green and 940 nm infrared), galvanic skin response (GSR), and a six-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) sampled at 200 Hz. To suppress the 20–80 Hz vibration generated by the distributed electric propulsion system, a compliant silicone damping sleeve attenuates high-frequency components at the hardware level, while a Kalman filter fuses the IMU and PPG streams and an adaptive notch filter removes residual rotor harmonics. The pipeline raises the heart-rate-variability (HRV) signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to 24.1 dB, with a Pearson correlation of 0.96 against a medical-grade chest strap. A hybrid CNN–LSTM network—two convolutional layers (32 filters each) followed by two LSTM layers (128 hidden units)—predicts impending anxiety from HRV time-domain features (RMSSD, pNN50) and frequency-domain features (LF/HF ratio), triggering intervention 8.2 s in advance on average. According to the predicted anxiety level (mild/moderate/severe), a fuzzy controller modulates transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (1–5 mA), the binaural-beat frequency (4–8 Hz, theta band), and the cabin lighting colour temperature (2700–6500 K) in real time. The intervention parameters are continuously refined by SPSA-based stochastic optimisation of the HRV recovery rate (step size 0.01; updated every 30 s). Results: In a randomised controlled experiment conducted in a simulated flight environment (N = 50; aged 22–45 years; 1:1 sex ratio), the active group reached physiological recovery in 52.3 s on average, compared with 98.6 s for the sham-controlled group—a 47% reduction (Cohen’s d = 1.24, p < 0.001). User acceptance reached 94%. Conclusions: The proposed in-ear platform enables closed-loop adaptive regulation of anxiety in the eVTOL cabin and overcomes the limitations of conventional passive mitigation strategies. By combining vibration-tolerant physiological sensing with multimodal environmental control, the work offers a practical pathway for improving passenger experience in urban air mobility and provides a useful reference for human-factors standards governing autonomous aircraft. Full article

This study proposes an integrated and more circular management approach, grounded in the principles of sustainable and green chemical processes, for the food waste leachates management, combining the assessment of biomethane production potential via anaerobic digestion with the evaluation of value-added compound recovery through extraction processes. The food waste leachates were characterized, while total carotenoid profile and total phenolic content were quantified using liquid–liquid extraction with mixed organic solvents. An HS-SPME coupled with GC–MS was employed to identify volatile organic compounds present in the leachates. Prior to the extraction procedure, D-limonene exhibited the highest abundance among identified volatiles. Crucially, the subsequent solvent extraction is highly likely to have effectively removed this inhibitory terpene from the liquid matrix. Extracted leachates exhibited a total carotenoid content of 0.64 mg/100 g and a total phenolic content of 127.0 μg/g, acting as preliminary indicators of significant potential for recovery and utilization in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Biomethane potential tests were conducted in laboratory-scale anaerobic bioreactors using both raw food waste leachate and extracted food waste leachate. Comparable biomethane yields were obtained for both substrates, with FWL yielding 442.5 NmL/g VS_added and FWL_extr yielding 452.2 NmL/g VS_added. These results demonstrate that the liquid–liquid extraction of value-added compounds does not adversely affect biomethane production from food waste leachates enabling the recovery of valuable by-products. Full article

This work introduces a textile-based platform for biocatalysis by integrating a copper-based hybrid domain onto aminated/amidine-functionalized acrylic textile (TAC–Cu), producing a functional bio-textile capable of high-performance enzyme immobilization. The textile substrate was chemically modified with ethylenediamine to generate amine/amidine-type functional groups, enabling in situ formation of copper-based hybrid structures through either a conventional solvothermal approach or a plant-mediated route employing Costus speciosus extract. The green-synthesized TAC–Cu composite exhibited superior structural uniformity, improved porosity, and enhanced surface chemistry, resulting in a higher horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilization yield (92%) compared with the chemically synthesized analogue. The resulting HRP-functionalized bio-textile demonstrated markedly improved catalytic behavior, including a reaction rate constant nearly twice that of the free enzyme, and strong operational robustness. As a technical textile engineered for environmental applications, the composite achieved 90% bisphenol A (BPA) removal within 90 min and retained substantial enzymatic activity even at 80 °C, whereas free HRP was almost fully deactivated. Overall, this study highlights the potential of eco-engineered TAC–Cu materials as a new class of functional and sustainable bio-textiles, combining enzyme stabilization, high catalytic efficiency, and suitability for wastewater treatment and other technical textile applications. Full article

Porous hydrogels are critical for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, as they mimic the native extracellular matrix to support cell infiltration and mass transport. A common strategy for engineering pore structures involves the incorporation and subsequent removal of sacrificial porogen templates (e.g., crystals or microspheres). Although this approach offers excellent control over pore architecture, it often suffers from complex procedures and biosafety concerns arising from incomplete template removal. In this work, we present a simple, biocompatible, and versatile templating approach. By systematically investigating the coacervation parameters, we produced gelatin microspheres (GSs) with tunable diameters from 7 µm to 300 µm via a green, instrument-free, and scalable process. Using GSs of 20–160 µm as porogens, we obtained alginate hydrogels with adjustable viscoelasticity, stiffness, and pore sizes. We then validated two cell-loading strategies for bulk porous alginate hydrogels using immortalized human T (Jurkat) cells: (i) post-seeding into pre-formed pores supported high-density, long-term, and organized cell aggregates with >90% viability; (ii) in situ encapsulation (prior to pore formation) yielded >80% viability and preserved the cluster-forming growth characteristics of Jurkat cells. Moreover, composites of smaller GSs (7–20 µm) with alginate could be syringe-extruded into stable, sub-millimeter porous filaments, demonstrating the potential for 3D printing. Collectively, this work provides a promising platform for three-dimensional culture of immune cells. Full article

This work reports the synthesis, characterization, and photocatalytic performance of multifunctional spheres based on AgNP-doped TiO₂-Fe₃O₄ embedded in an alginate–chitosan biopolymeric matrix for the removal of organic contaminants from water. The composite powders exhibited a nanocrystalline structure composed of anatase TiO₂ (~20 nm) and magnetite (~25 nm), with homogeneously dispersed Ag nanoparticles, as observed by SEM. The spheres presented a mainly submicrometric particle size distribution (0.55–0.92 µm), favoring high surface area and colloidal stability. Under simulated solar irradiation, the material achieved efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue, with a pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.112 h⁻¹ and ~46% decolorization after 5 h. UV-Vis spectra showed progressive attenuation of the dye absorption band without accumulation of intermediates. Magnetic recovery tests confirmed rapid separation and reuse without performance loss. The enhanced activity is attributed to the synergistic interaction among plasmonic Ag, photocatalytic TiO₂, redox-active Fe₃O₄, and the adsorptive carbon–biopolymer matrix. The material exhibited strong antibacterial activity, achieving over 90% removal of fecal coliforms after 5 h of irradiation. Therefore, the developed AgNP-doped TiO₂-Fe₃O₄ spheres represent a sustainable, reusable, and efficient material for solar-assisted water sanitation. Full article

Three biodegradable organic acids, citric acid (CA), malic acid (MA), and oxalic acid (OA), were evaluated for their ability to remove cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) from contaminated soils. The effects of organic acid concentration, solution pH, and treatment time on metal removal were systematically investigated. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize these parameters. Sequential extraction was performed to track changes in heavy metal speciation. Under single-factor conditions (75 mmol/L CA, pH 5.0, 60 min), the removal efficiencies were 12.81% for Cd, 10.36% for Pb, and 14.94% for Cu, respectively. Under the optimized conditions (70 mmol/L, pH 5.0, 100 min), the removal efficiencies were further enhanced. The organic acids preferentially targeted bioavailable fractions (water-soluble, exchangeable, and carbonate-bound), which lowered ecological risk. Although CA was less efficient than chemical chelators such as EDTA, it caused much less nutrient loss. Organic acids, especially CA, provide an environmentally friendly alternative for heavy metal extraction with minimal side effects on soil fertility. They represent a promising low-impact option under the tested laboratory conditions. Nevertheless, the absolute removal values in a single washing step remained below 20% for all three metals, indicating that while the method is sustainable and eco-friendly, it is not suited for heavily contaminated soils as a standalone treatment. Full article

Oily sludge is one of the most challenging solid wastes generated during petroleum production and wastewater treatment, posing long-term environmental risks and demanding effective resource-recovery strategies. This study systematically investigated the physicochemical characteristics, compositional differences, and oil–solid interaction mechanisms of oily sludge (OS) from three representative Chinese oilfields, Panjin, Daqing and Xinjiang, through integrated analyses of elemental composition, oil composition, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Gas chromatograph (GC), and Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The results revealed pronounced regional variations in oxidation degree, hydrocarbon composition, and mineralogy that critically influenced oil occurrence and removal behavior. The Panjin OS sample (PJ-OS) exhibited a high oxidation degree, enriched resins and asphaltenes, and compact film-like oil–solid structures, resulting in the lowest oil mobility and recovery potential. The Daqing OS (DQ-OS) was dominated by light saturates and showed the weakest oil–solid bonding, while the Xinjiang OS (XJ-OS) displayed moderate oxidation and intermediate properties. A novel room-temperature high-speed stirring cleaning method was applied to evaluate oil removal performance under ambient conditions. The residual oil contents after treatment were 4.43% (PJ-OS), 1.65% (DQ-OS), and 1.22% (XJ-OS), corresponding to removal efficiencies of 80.86%, 86.74%, and 90.33%, respectively. The cleaning efficiency was strongly governed by the sludge composition and oxidation state: higher O/C ratios and enrichment of polar heavy fractions enhanced oil–solid adhesion and hindered oil detachment, whereas higher saturate contents and lower oxidation degrees facilitated rapid oil separation. Overall, the findings demonstrate that the treatability of oily sludge is controlled by its intrinsic physicochemical properties. The proposed high-speed stirring technique provides a promising, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable approach for oily sludge remediation and resource recovery, offering valuable insights for optimizing treatment parameters and scaling up green petroleum waste management technologies. Full article

Increasing volumes of dye-containing wastewater generated by the textile industry have become a serious environmental issue, particularly in Indonesia, where textile production contributes substantially to industrial activity. Among synthetic dyes, methylene blue (MB) is widely used because of its low cost and high solubility in water; however, its persistence, toxicity, and potential carcinogenicity make its removal from wastewater highly important. Conventional treatment methods are often limited by incomplete degradation and secondary waste generation. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) were synthesized through a green route using Psidium guajava leaf extract as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. Characterization by PSA, UV-Vis, SEM-EDX, and XRD confirmed the formation of magnetite-like iron oxide particles with sizes ranging from 209.2 to 291.4 nm. Photocatalytic experiments showed high MB degradation efficiency (94.7–99.0%) under UV irradiation, highlighting the potential of guava leaf-mediated IONPs as low-cost, sustainable photocatalysts for wastewater treatment. Full article

Cobalt oxide (Co₃O₄), a transition metal oxide with a cubic spinel structure, shows high potential in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, while its catalytic efficiency is often limited by sluggish interfacial charge transfer. In this study, a chlorine-doped Co₃O₄ (Cl-Co₃O₄) was synthesized via a hydrothermal method for the degradation of bisphenol A (BPA) through PMS activation. Systematic characterizations and electrochemical tests demonstrated that chlorine doping could effectively modulate the surface electronic structure of the catalyst, significantly reducing the interfacial charge transfer resistance. Degradation performance evaluations revealed that, compared to pristine Co₃O₄, Cl-Co₃O₄ exhibited a significantly enhanced BPA degradation, achieving near-complete removal of BPA within 15 min under neutral to weakly alkaline conditions. The optimal operational parameters were determined as catalyst dosage of 0.20 g/L, PMS concentration of 0.10 mM and initial pH of 7.0–9.0, with the pseudo-first-order rate constant reaching 0.37 min⁻¹. High-concentration NO₃⁻ showed weak inhibition, while Cl⁻ showed moderate inhibition; 50 mM HCO₃⁻ drastically reduced the rate constant to 0.05 min⁻¹ and almost completely suppressed the reaction. Sulfate (SO₄•⁻) and superoxide (O₂•⁻) radicals were the primary reactive species in this system, explicitly excluding the role of the non-radical electron transfer pathway. Furthermore, three plausible BPA degradation pathways involving C-C bond cleavage, hydroxylation and C-O bond breakage were proposed with 19 intermediates identified. Ecotoxicological assessments based on ECOSAR verified that both acute and chronic toxicity of the intermediates to fish, daphnid and green algae decreased gradually, and the final small-molecule products exhibited significantly lower toxicity than the parent BPA. This study provides a novel strategy for enhancing the PMS activation performance of cobalt-based catalysts by modulating their electronic structures via halogen doping. Full article

Plasticizers enhance polymer flexibility and durability, yet many leach into aquatic environments as persistent contaminants. Phthalate esters (PAEs), the most widely used plasticizers, are of particular concern due to weak polymer binding, high mobility, and documented ecological and human health risks. Conventional analytical techniques such as GC–MS and HPLC provide high accuracy but rely on expensive instrumentation and laboratory-based analysis, limiting rapid and on-site monitoring. In response, electrochemical approaches have emerged as promising alternatives for both the detection and removal of PAEs, especially when coupled with sustainable and environmentally benign materials. This review summarizes recent advances in the electrochemical sensing and treatment of PAEs, highlighting green electrode materials, eco-friendly functionalization strategies, sensing mechanisms, and analytical performance. Key challenges, including matrix effects, environmental interferences, and gaps between laboratory studies and real-sample applications, are critically discussed. Sustainable electrochemical removal strategies—such as advanced oxidation, reductive degradation, and hybrid material-based processes—are also evaluated. Overall, integrating greener materials, molecular imprinting, and data-driven signal enhancement supports the development of robust, field-deployable, and environmentally responsible PAE monitoring and mitigation technologies. Full article

Urban trees constitute a key component of sustainable urban green infrastructure, providing ecosystem services related to climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and human well-being. At the same time, mature and veteran trees in public spaces are frequently perceived as a safety risk due to visible structural defects, often resulting in precautionary removal decisions based solely on visual assessment. This study evaluates the applicability of acoustic tomography as a non-invasive diagnostic tool supporting sustainable urban tree management using the city of Jarocin (western Poland) as a case study. Following preliminary Visual Tree Assessment (VTA), 20 mature urban trees were identified, of which six representative specimens were subjected to detailed analysis using the PiCUS Sonic Tomograph 3. The internal condition of tree trunks, sound wave propagation velocity, residual wall thickness (t/R ratio), and structural stability were analysed in relation to species characteristics and site conditions. The results demonstrated considerable variation in the internal condition of the analysed trees and revealed that visible external defects did not necessarily correspond to a critical reduction in mechanical stability. Five out of six examined trees met or approached the accepted safety threshold (t/R ≥ 0.30), supporting their retention rather than removal. In several cases, acoustic tomography identified substantially larger zones of structurally sound wood than suggested by visual inspection alone. The findings confirm that integrating acoustic tomography into urban tree risk assessment can improve decision-making accuracy, reduce unnecessary tree removal, and support biodiversity-oriented and climate-adaptive urban green space management. The proposed approach may serve as a transferable framework for sustainable management of mature urban trees in medium-sized cities. Full article