Search Results (290)

Food safety concerns related to pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables have increased globally, particularly in regions where monitoring programs are scarce or inconsistent. This study provides the first multi-year evaluation of pesticide contamination and associated dietary risks in Cape Verde, an African island nation increasingly reliant on imported produce. A total of 570 samples of fruits and vegetables—both locally produced and imported—were collected from major markets across the country between 2017 and 2020 and analyzed using validated multiresidue methods based on gas chromatography coupled to Ion Trap mass spectrometry (GC-IT-MS/MS), and both gas and liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (GC-QqQ-MS/MS and LC-QqQ-MS/MS). Residues were detected in 63.9% of fruits and 13.2% of vegetables, with imported fruits showing the highest contamination levels and diversity of compounds. Although only one sample exceeded the maximum residue limits (MRLs) set by the European Union, 80 different active substances were quantified—many of them not authorized under the current EU pesticide residue legislation. Dietary exposure was estimated using median residue levels and real consumption data from the national nutrition survey (ENCAVE 2019), enabling a refined risk assessment based on actual consumption patterns. The cumulative hazard index for the adult population was 0.416, below the toxicological threshold of concern. However, when adjusted for children aged 6–11 years—taking into account body weight and relative consumption—the cumulative index approached 1.0, suggesting a potential health risk for this vulnerable group. A limited number of compounds, including omethoate, oxamyl, imazalil, and dithiocarbamates, accounted for most of the risk. Many are banned or heavily restricted in the EU, highlighting regulatory asymmetries in global food trade. These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened residue monitoring in Cape Verde, particularly for imported products, and support the adoption of risk-based food safety policies that consider population-specific vulnerabilities and mixture effects. The methodological framework used here can serve as a model for other low-resource countries seeking to integrate analytical data with dietary exposure in a One Health context. Full article

Environmental persistent free radicals (EPFRs) represent a class of long-lived, redox-active species with half lives spanning minutes to months. Emerging as critical environmental pollutants, EPFRs pose significant risks due to their persistence, potential for bioaccumulation, and adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This review critically synthesizes recent advancements in understanding EPFR formation mechanisms, analytical detection methodologies, environmental distribution patterns, and toxicological impacts. While progress has been made in characterization techniques, challenges persist—particularly in overcoming limitations of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and spin-trapping methods in complex environmental matrices. Key knowledge gaps remain, including molecular-level dynamics of EPFR formation, long-term environmental fate under varying geochemical conditions, and quantitative relationships between chronic EPFR exposure and health outcomes. Future research priorities could focus on: (1) atomic-scale mechanistic investigations using advanced computational modeling to resolve formation pathways; (2) development of next-generation detection tools to improve sensitivity and spatial resolution; and (3) integration of EPFR data into region-specific air-quality indices to enhance risk assessment and inform mitigation strategies. Addressing these gaps will advance our capacity to mitigate EPFR persistence and safeguard environmental and public health. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), lauded for their unique antibacterial and physicochemical attributes, are proliferating across industrial sectors, raising concerns about their environmental fate, in aquatic systems. While “green” synthesis offers a sustainable production route with reduced chemical byproducts, the safety of these AgNPs for aquatic fauna remains uncertain due to nanoparticle-specific effects. Conversely, mast cells play crucial roles in fish immunity, orchestrating innate and adaptive immune responses by releasing diverse mediators and recognizing danger signals. Goblet cells are vital for mucosal immunity and engaging in immune surveillance, regulation, and microbiota interactions. The interplay between these two cell types is critical for maintaining mucosal homeostasis, is central to defending against fish diseases and is highly responsive to environmental cues. This study investigates the acute dermatotoxicity of environmentally relevant AgNP concentrations (0, 0.031, 0.250, and 5.000 μg/L) on zebrafish epidermis. A 96 h assay revealed a biphasic response: initial mucin hypersecretion at lower AgNP levels, suggesting an early stress response, followed by a concentration-dependent collapse of mucosal integrity at higher exposures, with mucus degradation and alarm cell depletion. A rapid and generalized increase in epidermal mucus production was observed across all AgNP exposure groups within two hours of exposure. Further mechanistic insights into AgNP-induced toxicity were revealed by concentration-dependent alterations in goblet cell dynamics. Lower AgNP concentrations initially led to an increase in both goblet cell number and size. However, at the highest concentration, this trend reversed, with a significant decrease in goblet cell numbers and size evident between 48 and 96 h post-exposure. The simultaneous presence of neutral and acidic mucins indicates a dynamic epidermal response suggesting a primary physical barrier function, with acidic mucins specifically upregulated early on to enhance mucus viscosity, trap AgNPs, and inhibit pathogen invasion, a clear defense mechanism. The subsequent reduction in mucin-producing cells at higher concentrations signifies a critical breakdown of this protective strategy, leaving the epidermis highly vulnerable to damage and secondary infections. These findings highlight the vulnerability of fish epidermal defenses to AgNP contamination, which can potentially compromise osmoregulation and increase susceptibility to threats. Further mechanistic research is crucial to understand AgNP-induced epithelial damage to guide sustainable nanotechnology. Full article

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an established global health problem, with the increased prevalence of vascular inflammation, accelerated atherogenesis, and thrombotic risk all contributing to overall cardiovascular risk. The major CKD-specific risk factor is presumed to be the accumulation of uremic toxins in circulation and tissues, further accelerating the progression of CKD and its co-morbidities, including those of bone mineral disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: In our narrative review, we focused on non-traditional cardiovascular risk factors, as they evolve with declined kidney function and are potentially further modulated by the choice of kidney replacement therapy. Results: Based on the data from the literature to date, the pre-eminent role of non-traditional risk factors emerges to mediate inflammation and increased cardiovascular mortality. In particular, patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) display dramatically increased CVD-mediated mortality. This intensified state of inflammation may be linked to the direct exposure of the bloodstream to a bio-incompatible environment in HD; for both complement-mediated and non-complement-mediated reactions, the possible contribution of neutrophil extracellular traps and complement activation-related pseudoallergy are reviewed in detail. Conclusions: Our narrative review emphasizes key elements of a bio-incompatible HD environment that may contribute to increased cardiovascular mortality in patients receiving HD. Summarizing these results may provide conceptual opportunities to develop new therapeutic targets. Full article

Silicon Photomultipliers (SiPMs) are optical sensors widely used in space applications due to their high photon detection efficiency, low power consumption, and robustness. However, in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), their performance degrades over time due to prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation, primarily from trapped protons and electrons. The dominant radiation-induced effect in SiPMs is an increase in dark current, which can compromise detector sensitivity. This study investigates the potential of thermal annealing as a mitigation strategy for radiation damage in SiPMs. We designed and tested PCB-integrated heaters to selectively heat irradiated SiPMs and induce recovery processes. A PID-controlled system was developed to stabilize the temperature at 100 °C, and a remotely controlled experimental setup was implemented to operate under irradiation conditions. Two SiPMs were simultaneously irradiated with 9 MeV protons at the EDRA facility, reaching a 1 MeV neutron equivalent cumulative fluence of (9.5 ± 0.2) × 10⁸ cm⁻². One sensor underwent thermal annealing between irradiation cycles, while the other served as a control. Throughout the experiment, dark current was continuously monitored using a source measure unit, and I–V curves were recorded before and after irradiation. A recovery of more than 39% was achieved after only 5 min of thermal cycling at 100 °C, supporting this recovery approach as a low-complexity strategy to mitigate radiation-induced damage in space-based SiPM applications and increase device lifetime in harsh environments. Full article

In Tanzania, dengue outbreaks have occurred almost annually over the past decade, with each new outbreak becoming more severe. This study investigated the prevalence of dengue virus (DENV) serotypes in the wild Aedes aegypti and their blood sources to determine human exposure risk in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A two-year longitudinal survey was conducted in the Ilala, Kinondoni, and Temeke districts of Dar es Salaam to sample Ae. aegypti mosquitoes using Biogents Sentinel trap (BGS), Prokopack aspiration, and Gravid Aedes trap (GAT). Collected mosquitoes were pooled in groups of 10 and tested for DENV1–4 serotypes using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Blood meal sources were identified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of 854 tested pools, only DENV-2 was detected and was found in all three districts: Temeke (3/371 pools), Ilala (1/206 pools), and Kinondoni (1/277 pools). Blood meal analysis showed a strong preference for humans (81%) as well as for mixed blood meals that contained human blood and other hosts (17%). Out of 354 collected hosts seeking Ae. aegypti, 78.5% were captured outdoors and 21.5% indoors. This study confirms the circulation of DENV-2 in Ae. aegypti populations, indicating a potential dengue outbreak risk in Tanzania. This study also demonstrates that xenomonitoring may be feasible in this setting. The mosquitoes’ strong preference for human hosts and predominance in outdoor settings pose challenges for dengue control efforts. Full article

The greenhouse effect, responsible for trapping heat in Earth’s atmosphere, has a parallel thermal phenomenon at the indoor scale known as the Room-Level Greenhouse Effect (RGHE), where solar radiation elevates room temperatures and increases energy consumption. The RGHE contributes to indoor temperature increases of 4–10 °C and elevates energy demands by 15–30% in high solar exposure zones, the effect being even worse in tropical zones. To address this problem, an innovative analog microarchitecture is proposed for real-time RGHE detection by sensing the sunlight intensity radiation factor (SIR). A compact analog system is introduced, comprising three stages: a Sensing Circuit Stage (SCS) that isolates the dynamic sunlight signal f (r) from static room condition factors (RCFs), an Amplification Stage (AS) that shifts and boosts the signal, and a Stabilized Peak Detection Stage (SPDS) that captures the peak solar intensity. The microsystem was tested across fixed f (m) levels of 0.75 V, 1.0 V, and 1.5 V, and varying f (r) values of 3 mV, 4 mV, and 5 mV. It successfully detects peak voltages ranging from 1.69 V to 1.92 V, with stabilization achieved within 60 µs, enabling accurate detection of the f (r) signal. The proposed microarchitecture offers a scalable approach to localized thermal monitoring in smart building environments using fully analog circuitry, designed and simulated in Cadence Virtuoso using the TSMC 180 nm technology library. Full article

Asbestos cement materials represent a persistent source of environmental contamination, particularly in urban areas where weathering facilitates the release of hazardous chrysotile fibres. Despite extensive research on the human health impacts of asbestos, ecological interactions remain poorly understood. This paper explores the dual role of bryophytes colonising asbestos cement roofing as passive filters that trap airborne fibres and as vulnerable organisms subjected to asbestos-induced stress. Using a synthesis of recent findings, we assess the capacity of mosses to immobilise chrysotile fibres through their dense, mat-like structures, potentially reducing local dispersion. Simultaneously, we examine physiological and biochemical responses to prolonged fibre exposure, including reduced photosynthetic activity and signs of oxidative stress. The findings highlight a paradoxical function of bryophytes: while they contribute to pollution mitigation, they also accumulate contaminants and suffer from sublethal damage. These interactions may have broader implications for contaminant redistribution, particularly through decomposition and trophic transfer. Understanding these dynamics is essential for advancing ecological risk assessments and developing sustainable remediation strategies in asbestos-contaminated habitats. Full article

The viability and host-seeking behavior of Strongyloides larvae are significantly influenced by soil conditions, emphasizing the critical role of environmental control in disease management. This is particularly relevant given the growing concerns about drug resistance resulting from mass chemotherapy or the use of chemical nematicides. Strongyloides stercoralis was effectively inactivated by exposure to 50 °C for both 12 and 24 h (long-term exposure). Strongyloides ratti was inactivated by 50 °C for 20 min (short-term exposure), 9% saline for 50 min, and a combination of 4% saline and 40 °C for 50 min. The combined treatment successfully inactivated S. ratti in four soil mediums using 5% saline at a central temperature of 40 °C. Thermotaxis responses to noxious heat revealed attraction at 40 °C, increased localized searching at 45 °C, and complete inactivation at 50 °C. Larvae migrating within agar at 45 °C were more readily inactivated. Long-range heat attraction at 5 cm resulted in the inactivation of up to 50% of incoming larvae; however, heat-high concentration saline traps at 3 cm distance proved ineffective. Thermal–saline agar trapping demonstrated promise for larval removal in sand, loam, and laterite soils. This method offers a promising approach to larval removal while minimizing hazards to non-target organisms. Full article

Recent exploration efforts in the Qiongdongnan Basin have revealed hydrocarbon resources within granitic basement rocks in buried hill traps. However, the formation mechanisms and primary controlling factors of these reservoirs remain poorly understood. In this study, we utilized data from six wells in the Qiongdongnan Basin, including sidewall cores, thin sections, imaging logging, and seismic reflection profiles, to analyze the petrological characteristics, pore systems, and fracture networks of the deep basement reservoir. The aim of our study was to elucidate the reservoir formation mechanisms and identify the key controlling factors. The results indicate that the basement lithology is predominantly granitoid, intruded during the late Permian to Triassic. These rocks are characterized by high felsic mineral content (exceeding 90% on average), with them possessing favorable brittleness and solubility properties. Fractures identified from sidewall cores and interpreted from image logging can be categorized into two main groups: (1) NE-SW trending conjugate shear fractures with sharp dip angles and (2) NW-SE trending conjugate shear fractures with sharp angles. An integrated analysis of regional tectonic stress fields suggests that the NE-trending fractures and associated faults were formed by compressional stresses related to the Indosinian closure of the ancient Tethys Ocean. In contrast, the NW-trending fractures and related faults resulted from southeast-directed compressional stresses during the Yanshanian subduction event. During the subsequent Cenozoic extensional phase, these fractures were reactivated, creating effective storage spaces for hydrocarbons. The presence of calcite and siliceous veins within the reservoir indicates the influence of meteoric water and magmatic–hydrothermal fluid activities. Meteoric water weathering exerted a depth-dependent dissolution effect on feldspathoid minerals, leading to the formation of fracture-related pores near the top of the buried hill trap during the Mesozoic exposure period. Consequently, the combination of high-density fractures and dissolution pores forms a vertically layered reservoir within the buried hill trap. The distribution of potential hydrocarbon targets in the granitic basement is closely linked to the surrounding tectonic framework. Full article

Stable and efficient inorganic lead-free double perovskites are crucial for high-reliability optoelectronic devices. However, dual-doped perovskite phosphors often suffer from poor color stability due to differences in thermal activation energies and electron–phonon interactions between the doped ions. To address this, single-doped Sb³⁺-incorporated Rb₂HfCl₆ perovskite crystals were synthesized via a co-precipitation method. Under UV excitation, Rb₂HfCl₆:Sb exhibits broad dual emission bands, attributed to singlet and triplet self-trapped exciton radiative transitions induced by Jahn–Teller distortion in [SbCl₆]³⁻ octahedra. This dual emission endows the material with high sensitivity to excitation wavelengths, enabling tunable luminescence from cyan to orange-red across 400–800 nm. Utilizing this dual emission, a white LED was fabricated, showcasing a high color rendering index and excellent long-term stability. Remarkably, the material exhibits breakthrough thermal stability, maintaining more than 90% of its emission intensity at 100 °C, while also exhibiting remarkable resistance to humidity and oxygen exposure. Compared to co-doped phosphors, Rb₂HfCl₆:Sb offers advantages such as environmental friendliness, simple fabrication, and stable performance, making it an ideal candidate for WLEDs. This study demonstrates notable progress in developing thermally stable and reliable optoelectronic devices. Full article

Using mineral prospectivity mapping (MPM), the mineral systems approach enables the identification of geological indicators linked to ore formation. This approach streamlines exploration by minimizing the time and cost required to identify areas with the highest mineral potential. With its extensive till cover and dense forests limiting bedrock exposure, New Brunswick provides an ideal environment to test this approach. The New Brunswick portion of the Canadian Appalachians hosts a diverse range of gold deposits and occurrences that formed during various stages of the Appalachian orogeny. In northern New Brunswick and the adjacent Gaspé Peninsula, the Tobique–Chaleur Zone contains several orogenic and epithermal gold systems that are closely associated with a large-scale crustal fault and its offshoots, i.e., the long-lived trans-crustal Rocky Brook–Millstream Fault system. To identify favorable zones for epithermal gold mineralization in northwestern New Brunswick, this study employed MPM by translating key mineral system components—such as ore metal sources, fluid pathways, traps, and geological controls—into mappable criteria for regional-scale analysis. The data were modeled through the integration of knowledge-based and data-driven methods, including fuzzy logic, geometric average, and logistic regression approaches. The concentration–area (C–A) fractal model was applied to reclassify the final maps based on prospectivity values obtained from these three approaches, dividing the mineral prospectivity maps into six classes, with threshold values emphasizing high-favorability zones. The fuzzy overlay model had the highest predictive accuracy (AUC 0.97), followed by the geometric average model (AUC 0.93), whereas the logistic regression identified more tightly constrained high-potential zones. In the prospectivity models, known epithermal gold mineralization consistently overlaps with regions of high favorability. This suggests a positive result from the use of MPM, indicating that this approach could be applicable to other regions and types of ore deposits. Full article

Semiconductor photocatalytic technology demonstrates strong potential as a solution to defend environmental systems while converting energy. The photocatalytic behavior of traditional ZrO₂ catalysts suffers a major disadvantage because their activity remains low in visible light applications. XRD together with SEM, as well as EDX and EIS techniques, were utilized to evaluate the synthetic materials. This study demonstrated that the development of RGO-modified ZrO₂ heterostructures delivered substantial increases in photocatalytic functionality through effective photogenerated charge separation mechanisms. Tests showed the RGO/ZrO₂ heterostructures exhibited outstanding photocatalytic behavior that led to an 80% MB solution breakdown in 120 min while exceeding electrocatalytic parameters in multiple tests. The experimental data from UV–vis spectroscopy combined with electrochemical analysis and radical trapping methods demonstrated that heterostructure improvement resulted from higher light absorption rates and effective active site exposure while providing better electron/hole pair separation. This research establishes S-scheme heterostructures to enable advancements in environmental protection alongside energy conversion technologies. Full article

Traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) remains a concern for public health. However, the exact mechanisms through which TRAP affects the respiratory system are still not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the nasal microbiome change in healthy adults after short-term exposure to TRAP, contributing to the understanding of the adverse health effects associated with TRAP. A randomized crossover controlled trial was conducted from 9 March to 30 March 2024 among college students aged 19–24 years. Twenty healthy students were recruited through a baseline questionnaire survey and randomly assigned into two groups. One group followed a crowed-testing procedure: the park portion, a three-week washout period, and then the road portion, while the other group experienced the opposite procedure. Both groups were fully exposed to either a park environment or a road environment with high traffic volume. Nasal mucus samples were collected from the participants at the end of the trial, and then 16SrRNA sequencing was performed to analyze the differences in compositional structure and diversity of the nasal microbiome when volunteers were exposed to different levels of TRAP. The α-diversity indices, including the Chao1 index (p = 0.0097), observed species index (p = 0.0089), and Faith’s PD index (p = 0.0255), demonstrated a significant increase in the nasal microbiome of healthy adults following short-term exposure to TRAP. Visualization through a two-dimensional NMDS plot (stress value < 0.2) indicated that nasal bacterial species distribution became richer after TRAP exposure. Furthermore, the relative abundance of nasal Firmicutes (Bacillota), Bacteroidota, and Actinobacteriota phyla, especially Firmicutes phylum, exhibited a richer distribution after conducting the trial in the road environment with high levels of TRAP, which was shown in the significance test of signature species. Collectively, our study indicates that short-term exposure to TRAP can affect the composition of the nasal microbiota in healthy adults. These findings offer a scientific basis for understanding how TRAP causes respiratory diseases. Full article

In this study, a TiO₂/(MA)₂SnCl₄ nanocomposite film was synthesized using a sustainable, sunlight-driven approach, demonstrating enhanced photocatalytic performance for environmental remediation. TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) were dispersed in ethanol and mixed with a methylammonium (MA) and SnCl₂ precursor solution, followed by drop-casting onto a glass substrate and exposure to direct sunlight for 2 h. Sunlight served as an energy source, facilitating in situ structural modifications and leading to the formation of a well-integrated TiO₂/(MA)₂SnCl₄ hybrid structure, where TiO₂ was effectively encapsulated. Characterization revealed a band gap reduction from 3.1 eV (TiO₂-NPs) to 2.6 eV in the nanocomposite, extending light absorption into the visible range. The formation of Sn–O–Ti interactions enhanced charge separation, minimized electron–hole recombination, and improved charge carrier dynamics. Photocatalytic degradation tests using methylene blue (MB) under sunlight showed that the nanocomposite film achieved 90% MB degradation within 60 min, outperforming TiO₂-NPs, which achieved only 75% degradation. The presence of oxygen vacancies (OVs) generated during sunlight exposure further enhanced photocatalytic efficiency by acting as charge traps and reaction sites. This study introduces a green synthesis strategy leveraging sunlight as a renewable energy source, marking the first integration of (MA)₂SnCl₄ with TiO₂-NPs for enhanced photocatalysis. The synergistic effects of extended visible-light absorption, defect engineering, and efficient charge separation make TiO₂/(MA)₂SnCl₄ nanocomposite films a scalable, cost-effective solution for water purification applications, offering a promising solar-driven approach to addressing global water contamination challenges. Full article