Search Results (640)

The objective of this study is to analyze microphysical parameters affecting visibility parameterizations of a freezing fog case that occurred on 19 February 2022, during the Cold Fog Amongst Complex Terrain (CFACT) project conducted in a high-elevation alpine valley in Utah, USA. Observations are collected using visibility, droplet spectra, ice crystal spectra, and aerosol spectral instruments, as well as in-situ meteorological instruments. Particle phase is determined from relative humidity with respect to water (RH_w) as well as ground cloud imaging probe (GCIP), ceilometer (CL61) depolarization ratio, and icing accumulation on the platforms. Results showed that freezing droplet density can affect visibility (Vis) up to 100 m during Vis less than 1 km. In addition, increasing volume can lead to up to a 2 μm increase in droplet radius due to a change in the chemical composition of aerosols from Sodium Chloride (NaCl) to Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃). Overall, comparisons suggested that Vis parameterizations are highly variable, and freezing fog conditions resulted in lower Vis values compared to warm fog microphysical parameterizations. Furthermore, riming of freezing fog conditions can lead to more than 50% uncertainty in Vis. It is concluded that changing aerosol composition and freezing fog droplet density and riming can play a major role in Vis simulations. Full article

Sodium chloride is a chemical compound that has been encountered by people for thousands of years, and plays a significant role in their lives. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of table salt from the perspective of health, food technology, and cultural heritage. The article discusses salt extraction and production, its composition and consumption, and its effects on the human body. The authors draw attention to new trends, such as the use of micronized salt, microencapsulated salt, and salt with colors and shapes that differ from those of typical table salt. Scientific studies on the presence of undesirable substances and the use of salt additives were reviewed. The role of salt in dairy, meat, and bakery technology was illustrated. Gaps in research on salt were highlighted. In the last part, all types of salt with geographical indications are shown. The paper suggests that producers with a long tradition in the salt sector should apply for the European geographical indications to enhance their national and cultural heritage and promote their region. The review highlights the need for further research on all aspects discussed. Full article

Background: Core laboratory chemistry analyzers typically use plasma and serum samples, while blood gas instruments use whole blood for electrolyte and metabolite tests. Due to high costs to back up the core lab chemistry analyzers, especially in the remote small community hospitals, we have verified the interchangeability of serum/plasma electrolytes and metabolites on blood gas instruments (GEM4000 and Radiometer ABL90) vs. chemistry analyzers. In this study, we sought to extend the investigation to another blood gas device—Radiometer ABL837. Methods: One plasma separator tube and one serum separator tube were drawn from 20 apparently healthy individuals and outpatients and 20 intensive care unit patients. All the samples were run on Roche Cobas8000, and then were run on three Radiometer ABL837 analyzers for sodium (Na⁺), potassium (K⁺), chloride (Cl⁻), glucose, lactate (plasma only), and creatinine parameters. Paired measurements between the ABL837 and Cobas8000 were compared, and their difference were assessed for statistical and clinical significance. Results: ABL837 demonstrated statistical significance (p < 0.05) vs. Cobas8000 on all the plasma and serum parameters. However, no parameter differences were found when comparing the plasma/serum results on ABL837 to those on Cobas8000, indicating that none were clinically significant. ABL837 also demonstrated good–excellent correlations with Cobas8000 on all the parameters. Conclusions: When comparing metabolite and electrolyte values with plasma and serum sample types, the ABL837 blood gas instruments and Cobas 8000 chemistry analyzer are interchangeable. These data proves that ABL837 can be used as a backup for a chemistry analyzer in measuring plasma and serum electrolyte and metabolite concentrations. Full article

Background: The global increase in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cases necessitates the need for early detection of metabolic changes. This study investigated variations in liver enzymes, renal markers, electrolytes, and lipid profiles among T2DM patients stratified by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) categories to support early identification and better management of diabetes-related complications. Methods: A retrospective observational study at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, included 621 adult patients diagnosed with T2DM categorized into four HbA1c groups: normal (<5.7%), prediabetes (5.7–6.4%), controlled diabetes (6.5–7.9%), and uncontrolled diabetes (≥8.0%). Biochemical parameters included the liver profile: alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and bilirubin, renal profile: creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose, sodium, and chloride, and lipid profile: cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. Regression models identified predictors of ALP, cholesterol, and LDL. Results: ALP was higher in uncontrolled diabetes (89.0 U/L, Q1–Q3: 106.3–72.0) than in the prediabetes group (75.0 U/L, Q1–Q3: 96.8–62.3). Sodium and chloride were lower in uncontrolled diabetes (Na: 138.3 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 140.3–136.4; Cl: 101.1 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 102.9–99.4) compared to the normal group (Na: 139.5 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 142.4–136.9; Cl: 103.5 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 106.1–101.7). LDL was lower in uncontrolled diabetes (2.1 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 2.8–1.7) than in the normal group (2.8 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 3.7–2.2), while triglycerides were higher in patients with uncontrolled diabetes compared to the normal group (1.45 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 2.02–1.11 vs. 1.26 mmol/L, Q1–Q3: 1.44–0.94). Regression models showed low explanatory power (R² = 2.1–7.3%), with weight, age, and sex as significant predictors of select biochemical markers. Conclusions: The study observed biochemical variations across HbA1c categories in T2DM patients, likely reflecting insulin resistance. Monitoring these markers in conjunction with HbA1c can enhance early detection and improve the management of complications. Full article

Precipitation-hardenable stainless steels (PHSS) are widely used in various applications in the aeronautical industry such in as landing gear supports, actuators, and fasteners, among others. This research aims to study the pitting corrosion behavior of passivated martensitic precipitation-hardening stainless steel, which underwent passivation for 120 min at 25 °C and 50 °C in citric and nitric acid baths before being immersed in solutions containing 1 wt.% sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and 5 wt.% sodium chloride (NaCl). Electrochemical characterization was realized employing electrochemical noise (EN), while microstructural analysis employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The result indicates that EN reflects localized pitting corrosion mechanisms. Samples exposed to H₂SO₄ revealed activation–passivation behavior, whereas those immersed in NaCl exhibited pseudo-passivation, indicative of an unstable oxide film. Current densities in both solutions ranged from 10⁻³ to 10⁻⁵ mA/cm², confirming susceptibility to localized pitting corrosion in all test conditions. The susceptibility to localized attack is associated with the generation of secondary oxides on the surface. Full article

The use of chloride-based deicing salts, particularly sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl₂), is a common practice in cold regions for maintaining road safety during winter. However, the accumulation of salt residues in adjacent soils poses serious environmental threats, including reduced pH, increased electrical conductivity (EC), disrupted soil structure, and plant growth inhibition. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effect of activated carbon (AC) and Pennisetum alopecuroides, a salt-tolerant perennial grass, in alleviating salinity stress under deicer-treated soils. A factorial greenhouse experiment was conducted using three fixed factors: (i) presence or absence of Pennisetum alopecuroides, (ii) deicer type (NaCl or CaCl₂), and (iii) activated carbon mixing ratio (0, 1, 2, 5, and 10%). Soil pH, EC, and ion concentrations (Na⁺, Cl⁻, Ca²⁺) were measured, along with six plant growth indicators. The results showed that increasing AC concentrations significantly increased pH and reduced EC and ion accumulation, with the 5% AC treatment being optimal in both deicer systems. Plant physiological responses were improved in AC-amended soils, especially under CaCl₂ treatment, indicating less ion toxicity and better root zone conditions. The interaction effects between AC, deicer type, and plant presence were statistically significant (p < 0.05), supporting a synergistic remediation mechanism involving both adsorption and biological uptake. Despite the limitations of short-term controlled conditions, this study offers a promising phytomanagement strategy using natural adsorbents and salt-tolerant plants for sustainable remediation of salt-affected soils in road-adjacent and urban environments. Full article

Biological control employs beneficial microorganisms to suppress phytopathogens and mitigate the incidence of associated plant diseases. This study investigated the in vitro development and survival of Trichoderma spp. isolates derived from commercial formulations under different temperatures, pH levels, and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentrations and with synthetic fungicides with distinct modes of action. Three isolates were analyzed: URM-5911 and TRA-0048 (T. asperellum) and TRL-0102 (T. longibrachiatum). The results revealed substantial variability among the isolates, with the optimal mycelial growth temperatures ranging from 24.56 to 29.42 °C. All the isolates exhibited broad tolerance to the tested pH (5–9) and salinity levels (250–1000 mM), with TRL-0102 demonstrating the highest salt resistance. The fungicide treatments negatively affected mycelial growth across all the isolates, with Azoxystrobin + Difenoconazole and Boscalid causing growth reductions of up to 50%. Notably, Boscalid enhanced conidial production more compared to the control (126.0% for URM-5911, 13.7% for TRA-0048, and 148.5% for TRL-0102) and decreased the percentage of inactive conidia to less than 10% in all the isolates. These results provide strategic information for the application of Trichoderma spp. in agricultural systems, supporting the selection of more adapted and suitable isolates for integrated disease management programs. Full article

A modified activated carbon (AC) was developed by modifying with poly(diallyldimethylammonium) chloride (PDADMAC) to enhance its adsorption performance for water treatment applications. Different PDADMAC concentrations were explored and evaluated using methyl red as a model contaminant, with 8 w/v% PDADMAC yielding the best adsorption performance. The kinetics data were well described by the pseudo-first-order equation and homogeneous surface diffusion model. The Freundlich isotherm fit the equilibrium data well, indicating multilayer adsorption and diverse interaction types. The removal efficiency remained similar across a pH range of 5–9 and in the presence of background inorganic (NaCl)/organic compounds (sodium acetate) at different concentrations. Rapid small-scale column tests were performed to simulate continuous flow conditions, and the PDADMAC-modified AC effectively delayed the breakthrough of the contaminant compared to raw AC. Regeneration experiments showed that 0.1 M NaOH with 70% methanol effectively restored the adsorption capacity, retaining 80% of the initial efficiency after five cycles. Quantum chemical analysis revealed that non-covalent interactions, including electrostatic and Van der Waals forces, governed the adsorption mechanism. Overall, the results of this study prove that PDADMAC-AC shows great potential for enhanced organic contaminant removal in water treatment systems. Full article

Based on an integrated analysis, this study summarized the current status of soil quality in Yantai apple orchards, developed a multivariate regulation model for key soil physicochemical properties, and proposed optimized fertilization strategies to improve soil quality in the region. The study analyzed the physicochemical properties of the topsoil (0–30 cm) in 19 representative apple orchards across Yantai, including indicators like pH, organic matter (OM), major nutrient ions, and salinity indicators, using standardized measurements and multivariate statistical methods, including descriptive statistics analysis, frequency distribution analysis, canonical correlation analysis, stepwise regression equation analysis, and regression fit model analysis. The results demonstrated that in apple orchards across the Yantai region, reductions in pH were significantly mitigated under the combined increased OM and exchangeable calcium (Ca). Exchangeable potassium (EK) rose in response to the joint elevation of OM and available nitrogen (AN), and AN was also positively influenced by EK, while OM also exhibited a promotive effect on Olsen phosphorus (OP). Furthermore, Ca increased with higher pH. AN and EK jointly contributed to the increases in electrical conductivity (EC) and chloride ions (Cl), while elevated exchangeable sodium (Na) and soluble salts (SS) were primarily driven by EK. Accordingly, enhancing organic and calcium source fertilizers is recommended to boost OM and Ca levels, reduce acidification, and maintain EC within optimal limits. By primarily reducing potassium’s application, followed by nitrogen and phosphorus source fertilizers, the supply of macronutrients can be optimized, and the accumulation of Na, Cl, and SS can be controlled. Collectively, the combined analysis of soil quality status and the multivariate regulation model clarified the optimized fertilization strategies, thereby establishing a solid theoretical and practical foundation for recognizing the necessity of soil testing and formula fertilization, the urgency of improving soil quality, and the scientific rationale for nutrient input management in Yantai apple orchards. Full article

Limulus amoebocyte lysate (LAL) assays have emerged as among the most effective approaches for detecting endotoxins and fungi in vitro since they were first tested 50 years ago. Although detailed protocols are publicly available, conventional LAL collection methods (3% sodium chloride) waste as much as 80% of the total LAL during blood accumulation, confirming the incompatibility of these methods with the lasting survival of the American horseshoe crab. For this reason, new implementations of blood collection–suspension buffer combinations are critical. Here, we evaluated the ability of different blood collection solutions to inhibit exocytosis and subsequently treated the cells with CaCl₂ to stimulate exocytosis and improve the yield of LAL. Two test methods, chromogenic and turbidimetric tests for LAL activity, were evaluated. Crabs were bled during the bleeding season. The crab blood samples were collected with the following blood collection solutions: citric acid buffer, malic acid buffer, PBS buffer, and PBS–caffeine buffer. The cell pellets were washed with 3% NaCl and subsequently resuspended in LRW or CaCl₂ to facilitate degranulation. Both the chromogenic test and the turbidimetric assay were used to evaluate the LAL enzyme activity. Citric acid buffer, malic acid buffer, PBS buffer, and PBS–caffeine buffer blocked exocytosis, resulting in the high yields of LAL. There was no observable effect on the activity output of crab size via a chromogenic test with PBS–caffeine buffer during the bleeding season. This protocol substantially benefited prior processes, as the PBS–caffeine collection mixture decreased amoebocyte aggregation/clot formation during processing. Furthermore, we evaluated the specific biochemical parameters of PBS–caffeine-derived LAL. We developed an accessible, promising phosphate–caffeine-based blood collection buffer that prevents amoebocyte degranulation during blood collection, maximizing the LAL yield. Moreover, our analysis revealed that phosphate–caffeine-derived LAL is uniquely adaptable to compatibility with chromogenic and turbidimetric assay techniques. By employing this method for LAL blood extraction, our same-cost approach fostered significantly greater LAL yields, simultaneously ensuring a healthy limulus polyphemus population. Full article

Non-conventional water sources (saline and brackish water) are viable options for crop cultivation. Current salt-tolerance research largely focuses on Na⁺ and Cl⁻, while other ions in these waters remain ill-understood. Synthetic seawater was a representative of saline and brackish water in a Design of Experiments (DoE) treatment design used to evaluate the effects of factors [synthetic seawater (0, 15, 30, or 45%, v/v, Instant Ocean^®), total inorganic nitrogen (0, 14, or 28 mM; 1 NH₄⁺:8 NO₃⁻ ratio), potassium (0, 9, or 21 mM), calcium (0, 2, or 5 mM), silicon (0, 0.03, or 0.09 mM) and zinc (0, 0.05, or 2 mM)] on seedlings for two varieties of Brassica juncea [‘Carolina Broadleaf’ (CB) and ‘Florida Broadleaf’ (FB)] using a hydroponic assay. In 30–45% synthetic seawater, 0.09 mM of silicon or 2 mM of calcium alleviated salt stress. In FB, 0.04–0.06 mM of silicon was optimal for the production of new leaves. The CB variety showed greater production of new leaves with 0.09 mM of silicon and 28 mM of potassium. Potassium and calcium are components of seawater, and a sodium chloride assay would not account for their interactions without a multivariate approach to evaluate salt tolerance. The seedling assay identified factors and established criteria for larger-scale harvest experiments. Full article

With water availability being one of the world’s major challenges, this study aims to propose a Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) system for treating saline effluents from an urban wastewater treatment plant (UWWTP), thereby supplementing into the existing water cycle. The system, which employs membrane (nanofiltration and reverse osmosis) and thermal technologies (multi-effect distillation evaporator and vacuum crystallizer), has been installed and operated in Cyprus at Larnaca’s WWTP, for the desalination of the tertiary treated water, producing high-quality reclaimed water. The nanofiltration (NF) unit at the plant operated with an inflow concentration ranging from 2500 to 3000 ppm. The performance of the installed NF90-4040 membranes was evaluated based on permeability and flux. Among two NF operation series, the second—operating at 75–85% recovery and 2500 mg/L TDS—showed improved membrane performance, with stable permeability (7.32 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 7.77 × 10⁻¹⁰ m·s⁻¹·Pa⁻¹) and flux (6.34 × 10⁻⁴ to 6.67 × 10⁻⁴ m/s). The optimal NF operating rate was 75% recovery, which achieved high divalent ion rejection (more than 99.5%). The reverse osmosis (RO) unit operated in a two-pass configuration, achieving water recoveries of 90–94% in the first pass and 76–84% in the second. This setup resulted in high rejection rates of approximately 99.99% for all major ions (Cl⁻, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺), reducing the permeate total dissolved solids (TDS) to below 35 mg/L. The installed multi-effect distillation (MED) unit operated under vacuum and under various inflow and steady-state conditions, achieving over 60% water recovery and producing high-quality distillate water (TDS < 12 mg/L). The vacuum crystallizer (VC) further concentrated the MED concentrate stream (MEDC) and the NF concentrate stream (NFC) flows, resulting in distilled water and recovered salts. The MEDC process produced salts with a purity of up to 81% NaCl., while the NFC stream produced mixed salts containing approximately 46% calcium salts (mainly as sulfates and chlorides), 13% magnesium salts (mainly as sulfates and chlorides), and 38% sodium salts. Overall, the ZLD system consumed 12 kWh/m³, with thermal units accounting for around 86% of this usage. The RO unit proved to be the most energy-efficient component, contributing 71% of the total water recovery. Full article

Two types of chito were evaluated: non-pressed (NP, immediate consumption) and pressed (P, for sale). The characteristics were analysed in samples of three years (2021–2023). The pH, water activity (a_w), proximate composition, heme iron, sodium chloride (NaCl), water soluble nitrogen (WSN), color, metmyoglobin (MMb), texture, lipid oxidation (Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS), and microbiological analysis were evaluated, while volatile compounds were identified in NP and P. The a_w value showed a mean value of 0.70 in NP and P, values reported for typical commercial dried meat samples. However, P showed higher pH values (5.65–5.75), as well as a high level of fat (6.44–15.03%), NaCl (10.93–11.21%), lipid oxidation (3.88–6.32 mg MDA/kg meat), and hardness (223.67–574.01 N), with a browner color than NP, whereas microbial counts were similar between NP and P. Typical breakdown products derived from lipid oxidation were the main volatile compounds detected in chito, with aldehydes and alcohols being the most detected in P. The results suggest that some of the physicochemical characteristics, as well as the volatile profile, showed some differences between both types of chito, which suggests that there was a variation in the meat product associated with the making processes. Full article

Gel-polymer electrolytes offer a promising route toward safer and more stable sodium-ion batteries, but conventional polymer systems often suffer from low ionic conductivity and limited voltage stability. In this study, we developed composite GPEs by embedding methylammonium lead chloride (CH₃NH₃PbCl₃, MPCl) into a UV-crosslinked ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (ETPTA) matrix, with sodium alginate (SA) as an ionic conduction enhancer. Three types of membranes—GPE-P, GPE-El, and GPE-Eh—were synthesized and systematically compared. Among them, the high-MPCl formulation (GPE-Eh) exhibited the best performance, achieving a high ionic conductivity of 2.14 × 10⁻³ S·cm⁻¹, a sodium-ion transference number of 0.66, and a wide electrochemical window of approximately 4.9 V vs. Na⁺/Na. In symmetric Na|GPE|Na cells, GPE-Eh enabled stable sodium plating/stripping for over 600 h with low polarization. In Na|GPE|NVP cells, it delivered a high capacity retention of ~79% after 500 cycles and recovered ~89% of its initial capacity after high-rate cycling. These findings demonstrate that the perovskite–polymer composite structure significantly improves ion transport, interfacial stability, and electrochemical durability, offering a viable path for the development of next-generation quasi-solid-state sodium-ion batteries. Full article

Utilizing deep eutectic solvents (DESs) combined with microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) provides a sustainable method for extracting bioactive compounds from the macroalgae Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria hyperborea. Two DES formulations, choline chloride/lactic acid (ChCl/LA) and sodium acetate/lactic acid (AcNa/LA), were evaluated under varying extraction conditions. For L. hyperborea, ChCl/LA at 150 °C for 10 min yielded a total phenolic content (TPC) of 15.34 mg GAE/g DW, with antioxidant activities measured by DPPH (34.55 mg TE/g DW) and ABTS (27.06 mg TE/g DW). Extending the extraction to 20 min at 130 °C increased the TPC to 19.12 mg GAE/g DW. A. nodosum exhibited higher bioactivity, with the TPC reaching 47.51 mg GAE/g DW under the same conditions. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified significant phenolics such as 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (678.05 µg/g DW) and vanillin (6718.5 µg/g DW). Antimicrobial assays revealed strong inhibition (zones > 20 mm) against Clostridium perfringens, moderate activity against Staphylococcus aureus, and selective activity against Escherichia coli. FT-IR confirmed the presence of phenolics, polysaccharides, and lipids. Thermal and structural characterization revealed that A. nodosum residue showed an amorphous structure, while L. hyperborea retained crystallinity with decomposition profiles indicating potential bioenergy potential. SEM images revealed significant cell wall disruption correlating with extraction efficiency. These results demonstrate DES–MAE as an effective, green strategy for producing high-value algal extracts and valorizing residual biomass for biotechnological applications. Full article