Search Results (2,008)

Construction sites generate large volumes of contaminated wastewater, yet sustainable treatment solutions remain limited. This study presents a case study focusing on the wastewater produced from washing construction equipment at an industrial site in northern Morocco. Initial characterization revealed a chemical oxygen demand of 3125 mg O₂/L, a five-day biochemical oxygen demand of 980 mg O₂/L, and a total suspended solids concentration of 676 mg/L, values that exceed national discharge standards. An electrocoagulation process using aluminum electrodes was employed, alongside electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, to investigate the treatment mechanisms. Under optimal conditions (30 min at 142.85 A/m²), the removal of chemical oxygen demand reached 88%, alongside significant reductions in dissolved solids and electrical conductivity. Analysis of the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy identified two relaxation phenomena associated with ionic migration and flocculation, with efficiency decreasing beyond 0.3 A. These results demonstrate that electrocoagulation is an effective and sustainable technology for treating construction site wastewater. This study highlights its potential for practical application in the built environment and its relevance for improving the environmental performance of the construction sector. Full article

Nanobubbles have attracted increasing interest in food systems because they can modify gas dispersion, interfacial transport, washing performance, preservation processes, and the structures of dispersed matrices. However, their behavior cannot be interpreted based on bubble size alone. Proteins, polysaccharides, lipids, salts, colloidal particles, gas composition, and processing conditions can alter interfacial adsorption, gas transfer, bubble persistence, and matrix organization in food systems. This review examines the physicochemical mechanisms proposed to explain nanobubble persistence and functionality, with an emphasis on surface charge, interfacial adsorption, gas supersaturation, confinement, and interactions with food biopolymers. A central distinction is made between passive nanobubble-containing systems and externally activated systems involving hydrodynamic cavitation, ultrasound, plasma, pressure fluctuations, and reactive gases. Under passive conditions, nanobubbles mainly act as gas–liquid interfaces that influence local transport and adsorption. In activated systems, microbial inactivation, reactive oxygen species formation, and apparent mass-transfer enhancement often arise from external energy input, gas chemistry, turbulence, and transient supersaturation rather than from nanobubbles alone. Interfacial stability is used here as an organizing concept to connect nanobubble persistence, food-matrix interactions, generation methods, characterization limitations, and interpretation of reported technological effects. Current methods, such as dynamic light scattering and nanoparticle tracking analysis, provide useful size and concentration estimates but cannot unambiguously distinguish nanobubbles from protein aggregates, fat droplets, micelles, polysaccharide assemblies, and other colloidal structures in complex matrices. Therefore, reliable interpretation requires complementary methods, appropriate controls, and standardized reporting of gas composition, generation method, energy input, matrix properties, and processing conditions. Thus, nanobubble-containing technologies show promise for food processing; however, their value depends on the separation of nanoscale interfacial effects from concurrent hydrodynamic, chemical, and matrix-dependent phenomena. Full article

The rapid growth in the use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRPs) and fused-deposition-modeled (FDM) polylactic acid (PLA) has generated substantial non-biodegradable and thermoplastic waste streams, creating urgent needs for scalable recycling and valorization strategies. This study develops and evaluates an integrated route that chemically recovers carbon fibers (CFs) from CFRP waste and converts them into high-performance reinforcements for recycled PLA matrices. CFRP fragments were pre-swollen in acetic acid (120 °C, 1 h), then depolymerized by means of oxidation with 1 M KMnO₄ (100 °C, 2 h), washed, dried (100 °C, 24 h), and size-reduced by means of cryogenic milling. Recycled CFs (treated) and untreated CFRP fragments were blended with 3D-printing PLA waste at 10, 20 and 30 wt.% via melt mixing (175 °C, 5 min, 70 rpm) and molded into ASTM D638 dog-bone specimens. Materials were characterized via XRD, FTIR, Raman, SEM and mechanical testing. XRD and Raman confirmed retention of the graphitic backbone after treatment; FTIR and Raman revealed oxygen-containing surface functionalization consistent with oxidation, while SEM showed effective removal of epoxy and improved fiber surface cleanliness. Compared with neat PLA (tensile strength 45.4 MPa; modulus 2.6 GPa; elongation 6.3%), composites reinforced with chemically recycled CFs exhibited marked mechanical enhancement: at 30 wt.% treated CF, the tensile strength increased to 102.6 MPa (+126%), elastic modulus to 11.7 GPa (+350%), and toughness to 250.3 MPa, while ductility decreased to 2.9%. Equivalent composites with untreated CFRP exhibited smaller gains (30 wt.%: tensile 87.3 MPa; modulus 10.3 GPa), highlighting the benefit of epoxy removal and surface activation for fiber–matrix adhesion. The proposed chemical recycling pathway is operationally simple and cost-effective, produces reusable CFs with preserved graphitic structure and enhanced surface chemistry, and enables the fabrication of high-performance, waste-derived PLA composites suitable for structural and engineering applications. This work demonstrates a viable waste-to-value approach that advances circularity for both CFRP and 3D-printing polymer waste streams. Full article

Whisky is well-known worldwide owing to its unique flavor, and its fermentation and distillation conditions have a significant effect on its aroma. In this paper, new-make spirits were prepared by four fermentation conditions (two distilling yeasts and two fermentation temperatures), and the different stages (wort, wash, low wine, and new-make spirit) of the samples were collected. The main aroma compounds and their precursors were initially determined in wort and wash samples by GC-MS, UPLC-MS and HPLC. Results showed that Strecker degradation, reduction, and esterification occurred during the fermentation process, leading to decreased contents of amino acids and increased contents of volatile esters, alcohols, and acids. Moreover, the two distilling yeasts exhibited their respective optimal fermentation temperatures. Then, the distillation process was evaluated by two-dimensional gas chromatography–olfactory–mass spectrometry (GC×GC-O-MS), and 74 aroma compounds were found in different stages of new-make whiskies fermented by the two distilling yeasts and one brewer’s yeast. The contents of most compounds were enhanced by at least ten times after two distillations, while the contents of some sulfur compounds decreased. Finally, the feature aroma-active compounds of each new-make whisky were identified according to rOAV. These results provided theoretical and methodological support for yeast selection and process control in whisky production. Full article

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with Toxoplasma gondii infection in blood donors from the Brazilian Semiarid region, and to explore its implications for transfusion safety. Samples were collected from 646 donors at blood donation centers in the states of Ceará and Paraíba. Serological diagnosis was performed using BIOLISA TOXOPLASMOSE ELISA kits for anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies, and molecular diagnosis was conducted by conventional PCR targeting a 529-bp noncoding repetitive fragment. Epidemiological questionnaires on variables associated with infection were administered, and statistical analysis was performed in univariate and multivariate stages, using multiple logistic regression. Among the 646 donors, 43.4% (281/646) were positive for anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies, 0.3% (2/646) for IgM antibodies, and none tested positive by PCR. In the univariate analysis, age, family income, educational level, salad washing practices, water source, raw milk consumption, and duration as a donor were significantly associated, whereas in the multivariate analysis only “age” and “salad washing practices” remained significant. A substantial IgG seroprevalence was observed among blood donors in the Brazilian Semiarid. The low IgM frequency, concurrent IgG positivity, and negative PCR results are consistent with a low transfusion risk in the region. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously, as negative PCR results do not completely rule out the presence of circulating parasites. Age was identified as a risk factor, whereas proper salad washing showed a protective effect. Full article

Effective hand washing takes time and hand sanitizers that contain alcohol have a number of drawbacks, and frequent use of alcohol may cause skin damage. The objective of this study is to formulate nanostructured lipid carrier systems containing chlorhexidine digluconate to be applied topically for hand hygiene, especially for people sensitive to alcohol. A cytotoxicity experiment was conducted to ascertain the safe dosage for each of the three nano-cream formulas (F1, F2 and F3). Following each treatment, the viral titer was assessed using tissue culture infectious dose₅₀ and standard plaque assays. The selected formulation was characterized rheologically. Furthermore, fifteen volunteers of various ages and genders participated in the vivo antimicrobial test of the selected formulation as a hand sanitizer. All of the formulas were found to be safe. Using the disc diffusion method, the three formulations exhibited in vitro antimicrobial effects against different microbes. F1 showed biphasic release, reasonable skin deposition and spherical droplets under a microscope. F1 exhibited a non-Newtonian shear thinning flow behavior. After 30 min, the reduction values for rotavirus and Phix-174 were 21 and 4%, respectively. Additionally, the impact of F1 was assessed on the infectivity of simian rotavirus sa-11 (ds RNA) and Phix-174 (ss DNA) bacteriophage. According to the findings of the in vivo study, the percentage of total bacterial counts that were removed varied from 91 to 100%. Moreover, the range of the removal percentage of total fungi was 95.38 to 100%. In summary, F1 can be used as an economic, safe, and effective hand antiseptic. It can also completely replace alcohol in the market. Full article

This paper develops a bi-level optimization framework for community energy systems to improve grid stability and strengthen resilience against supply–demand mismatches, with potential applicability to weather-driven operational stress. By incorporating demand-side response resources, with particular emphasis on the thermal storage potential of buildings, the proposed framework enhances the operational security and regulation capability of the system. At the upper level, energy operators determine dynamic electricity pricing strategies aimed at not only maximizing economic returns but also shaping load profiles toward smoother and more stable operation. At the lower level, a building thermal dynamic model is established, and the schedulable characteristics of flexible appliances, including electric water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, are exploited to reduce user-side energy costs while supporting peak load mitigation. Through iterative coordination between the two levels, the proposed method enables effective joint optimization of supply and demand. Simulation results indicate that the framework increases operator revenues through differentiated pricing and, at the same time, substantially lowers users’ electricity expenditures. In addition, by aggregating distributed flexible resources as a virtual buffering capacity, the proposed strategy helps reconcile the interests of both operators and users and further improves the resilience of the local power community energy system. Full article

Introduction: Lutein+Zeaxanthin (L+Z) are the major constituents of macular pigments of the retina. There is a lack of information on the bioavailability of the two compounds in the presence and absence of omega-3 fatty acids in L+Z supplements which are commonly prescribed to treat macular degeneration. Despite growing interest in L+Z supplementation, there remains a limited understanding of their short-term bioavailability dynamics and the potential added value of omega-3 co-supplementation. This pilot study reports on the bioavailability of serum responses to L+Z supplements in the presence of omega-3 fatty acids and evaluates time-resolved analytical approaches using Area Under the Curve. Subjects/Methods: A total of 10 men and six women with an average age of 31.38 ± 1.27 years participated in this randomised, non-blinded, controlled study for a total of 19 days (7-day wash-out period plus 12-day intervention period). The control group (n = 9) consumed the L+Z supplement (12 mg/d) only, while the intervention group (n = 7) consumed the L+Z supplement along with 900 mg/d of an omega-3 supplement (540 mg EPA + DHA 360 mg). Each group adhered to a comprehensive low-carotenoid and omega-3 diet list (LCOD) for the 7-day wash-out period and the 12-day intervention period. The participants reported the foods they consumed daily in their diet logbooks, online logs, and the ASA 24 diet assessment log over the study period. The body composition of each subject in the two groups was assessed before and after the study using a SECA body composition analyser, and the relative serum L+Z response in both groups was determined using Area Under the Curve (AUC and incremental AUC) by trapezoidal approximation. Results: The mean ± SEM baseline serum lutein+zeaxanthin (L+Z) concentrations measured at the end of the wash-out period (Day 7) were 2.23 ± 0.65 µg/mL in the control group and 1.20 ± 0.53 µg/mL in the intervention group. Following wash-out, serum L+Z concentrations increased in both groups, reaching 2.81 ± 0.90 µg/mL (control) and 2.63 ± 1.21 µg/mL (intervention) at Day 13, and 2.98 ± 0.69 µg/mL (control) and 3.02 µg/mL (intervention) at Day 19. Total exposure assessed by AUC_7–13 and AUC_13–19 did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05). Incremental exposure analyses identified the post-wash-out period as the primary biologically responsive window, with higher mean incremental L+Z bioavailability in the intervention group (4.36 µg/day/mL) compared with the control group (3.00 µg/day/mL), although this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). No significant effect of omega-3 co-supplementation on oxidative stress biomarkers was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Omega-3 co-supplementation did not demonstrate a consistent additional benefit on L+Z bioavailability or oxidative stress markers. Day-resolved analyses using iAUC revealed temporal patterns not captured by conventional AUC measures. These exploratory findings should be interpreted with caution and confirmed in larger, longer-term studies. Full article

Polyphenol-rich Oenanthe javanica (Blume) DC. is widely consumed in Asia but its impact on platelet activation, a cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), is unclear. Collagen-driven platelet activation requires intracellular Ca²⁺ mobilization and thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) production—rational targets for CVD prevention. A hot water extract of O. javanica (OJWE) was profiled by HPLC and tested on collagen-stimulated washed human platelets. Aggregation, Fura-2 [Ca²⁺]_i, and TXB₂ were measured, including combinations with verapamil, aspirin, caffeic acid (CA), and chlorogenic acid (CGA). Coagulation (PT/APTT) and ex vivo effects in Sprague–Dawley rats given OJWE (1 or 5 mg day⁻¹, 30 days) were also evaluated. OJWE dose-dependently inhibited collagen-induced aggregation in a Ca²⁺-dependent manner, synergizing with verapamil, and suppressed [Ca²⁺]_i mobilization and TXA₂ production. CA and CGA synergistically enhanced aspirin-mediated COX-1 inhibition. PT/APTT were unaffected in vitro and ex vivo. Dietary OJWE modestly but significantly reduced rat platelet aggregation without altering coagulation. OJWE attenuates platelet activation by selectively targeting Ca²⁺ mobilization and TXA₂ biosynthesis without compromising hemostasis, supporting O. javanica as a functional food with cardiovascular potential at dietary intake. Full article

The microstructure of metal matrix composites is inherently governed by fabrication routes and processing parameters, yet technological and physical constraints often prevent the realization of intended structural designs. In particle-reinforced composites produced via casting, interactions between the solidification front and inclusions frequently lead to agglomeration, segregation, and hence, a non-uniform distribution of the inclusions concentration. To mitigate these effects, post-processing techniques such as Friction Stir Processing offering particular promise for cast materials by refining microstructures and enhancing phase homogeneity. This study addresses these challenges by application of Fourier transform analysis to characterize stochastic inclusion distributions. Building on the Windows Washing method, we extend its application to heterogeneous media with varying inclusion concentrations. Through computer simulations and experimental analysis of real composites, we demonstrate that discrete Fourier transform can reveal hidden stochastic periodicity. The proposed framework provides a pathway toward improved predictive models and optimization strategies for metal matrix composites processing and performance. Full article

The pressing issues of organic pollutants contamination of aquatic ecosystems challenges current research. Herein, we prepared three melamine-based POFs, to remove organic dyes from water. Melamine was polymerized with 1,4-dibromobutane (POF-1,4), terephthalaldehyde (POF-TerA) and trimesic acid (POF-TriA), obtaining POFs of different structural order degree and aromaticity. POFs were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, BET, powder X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. They were employed to remove cationic (Rhodamine B, RhB and Methylene Blue, MB) and anionic dyes (Methyl Orange, MO and Eosin Yellow, EY), using UV-vis investigation. The adsorption process was studied from the kinetic and thermodynamic points of view and reusing the best adsorbent was also considered. Data collected evidence that adsorption capacity depends on the POF structure, with maximum adsorption capacity, according to Langmuir isotherm model, of 329 mg/g for POF-1,4/MO and 472 mg/g for POF-TerA/RhB. Interactions involved in the adsorption were also elucidated. Comparison with reported data demonstrates that our materials show comparable performance to some previously reported systems. Furthermore, POF-TriA, is effective for dye mixtures and reusable three times without performance loss, after washing with methanol, avoiding harsh acidic/basic treatments. Results obtained systematically relate the adsorption efficiency to structural features of melamine-based POFs, representing useful support in designing such materials to remove selected classes of contaminants. Full article

Recovered graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries is an important secondary resource that can reduce reliance on primary graphite and lower the environmental footprint of battery production. In this work, graphite obtained as a carbon-rich residue after industrial hydrometallurgical leaching of NMC111 black mass (2 M H₂SO₄ + 3% H₂O₂) is subjected to three post-leaching washing treatments to assess how far simple, low-intensity steps can further clean the leach residue while preserving the carbon structure. The washing routes are water washing (GW), water washing with ultrasonication (GU) and mild sulfuric-acid washing with 0.1 M H₂SO₄ (GA). ICP-OES and SEM–EDX show that, relative to the leached black mass, all washing treatments reduce residual transition-metal contents by two to three orders of magnitude, and that the mild acid wash provides the lowest bulk metal levels, with several elements at or below detection limits. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy indicate graphite-dominated patterns and improved structural order, with the ID/IG ratio decreasing from 0.62 (GW) to 0.11 (GA) and the corresponding in-plane crystallite size increasing from 30.6 nm to 168 nm. Overall, the mild acid washing step is the most effective low-impact post-leaching purification route, yielding a thoroughly cleaned low-metal graphite fraction that preserves the graphite framework and constitutes a suitable intermediate for further upgrading or reuse in secondary applications. Full article

The present study investigates the development of antimicrobial textile coatings by encapsulating zinc oxide (ZnO) particles within electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fibers. Electrospinning was used to produce uniform fibrous coatings with effective incorporation of ZnO. ZnO reduced solution viscosity and increased conductivity, resulting in thinner and more homogeneous fibers. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed high encapsulation efficiency (up to 95%) and a significant loading capacity (47.71 ± 1 mg ZnO/g fiber), while scanning electron microscopy revealed uniform fiber structures with high-contrast regions that are qualitatively consistent with the presence of ZnO-rich domains. The release behavior of ZnO was assessed under simulated washing and perspiration conditions. Results showed limited release under sweat conditions (R < 0.07), indicating strong ZnO retention under perspiration-related exposure, whereas washing increased release from the free-standing coatings (up to 0.32), indicating partial ZnO retention under more aggressive aqueous surfactant conditions. Kinetic modeling using first-order, Higuchi, and Korsmeyer–Peppas models indicated that ZnO release was predominantly diffusion-controlled, with the Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas models showing the best fit to the experimental data. Following thermal bonding onto textile substrates, the coatings achieved successful macroscopic integration; however, washing simulation of the bonded coatings resulted in more pronounced ZnO loss, while sweat exposure caused only limited release. The antimicrobial activity of the coatings was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ISO 20743:2021). The PLA/ZnO (5% w/v) system showed strong broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, with values of 4.71 and 3.37, respectively. Overall, electrospun PLA/ZnO coatings show potential as antimicrobial textile coatings, offering controlled release behavior, strong antibacterial activity, and condition-dependent ZnO retention. Full article

Evidence suggests that physical activity promotes bone health through mechanical loading and biochemical signaling between bone and muscle tissues. A class of signaling molecules known as exerkines is a key mediator of bone–muscle crosstalk. Although exercise regulates osteokines, the acute exerkine responses across different exercise modalities remain unclear. This randomized repeated-measures crossover study compared acute changes in serum sclerostin (SCL), dickkopf-1 (DKK-1), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), osteopontin (OPN), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) following circuit training (CT) (cycle ergometer, push-up, step-ups, medicine ball twist, and front squats with kettlebell for three rounds) and traditional resistance (TR) exercise (3 sets 10 repetitions 50–60% 1 RM for leg press, seated cable row, barbell bench press, dumbbell deadlifts, and dumbbell seated shoulder press) in healthy young adults (n = 12). Participants performed two protocols separated by 2-week wash-out periods. Blood samples were analyzed before exercise training (pre), immediately post-exercise (IP), and 30 min post-exercise (30P) for all exerkines using ELISA. There was a significant interaction between protocol, timepoint, and sex (p = 0.038) for SCL levels. In males, SCL levels increased from Pre to IP under both training protocols (CT: 0.10 ± 0.02 ng/mL to 0.14 ± 0.02 ng/mL; TR: 0.20 ± 0.02 ng/mL to 0.21 ± 0.02 ng/mL). In both protocols, SCL levels decreased from IP to 30 P (CT: 0.14 ± 0.02 to 0.10 ± 0.01 ng/mL; TR: 0.22 ± 0.02 to 0.17 ± 0.02 ng/mL). In females, SCL levels increased from Pre to IP under both training protocols (CT: 0.03 ± 0.02 ng/mL to 0.06 ± 0.02 ng/mL; TR: 0.07 ± 0.02 ng/mL to 0.13 ± 0.02 ng/mL). There was a significant time effect for OPN and RANKL concentrations. Marginal means for the time point showed that OPN was significantly higher at the Pre time point. Post hoc analyses showed that OPN levels significantly decreased from 30P to Pre (18.84 ± 0.92 to 15.69 ± 1.32 pg/mL) (p = 0.01). RANKL showed a significant increase from Pre (0.38 ± 0.04 pg/mL) to 30P (0.57 ± 0.06 pg/mL) (p = 0.02); otherwise, there were no significant differences between protocols or sexes. Irisin significantly decreased from Pre (28,761.73 ± 238.52 pg/mL) to IP (2364.85 ± 243.79 pg/mL) in both protocols (p = 0.01). DKK-1, BDNF, and IL-6 levels were only different between protocols (p < 0.01). SCL and BDNF levels were expressed higher in the TR protocol, whereas DKK-1, IL-6, and Irisin levels were expressed higher in the CT protocol. Overall, the findings suggest that SCL, RANKL, OPN, and irisin responded to the exercise bout, while the other exerkines did not show meaningful changes over time. Full article

Cotton fabrics are widely used due to their comfort and biodegradability; however, their intrinsic hydrophilicity limits their performance in advanced applications. In this work, a fluorine-free approach for imparting durable hydrophobicity to cotton was developed based on thiol-ene crosslinking of polysiloxane networks formed on the fiber surface. Two thiol-functional polysiloxanes differing in –SH group content were combined with four vinyl-functional organosilicon crosslinkers under UV (2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone (DMPA)) and thermal (2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile) (AIBN)) initiation. FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of siloxane structures, while SEM-EDS revealed stable silicon- and sulfur-containing layers. SEM observations showed continuous coatings without blocking the textile structure. Water contact angle (WCA) measurements demonstrated that hydrophobic performance strongly depends on thiol content and crosslinker structure, with the highest values obtained for the thiol-rich polysiloxane and tetrafunctional vinyl crosslinker. All modified fabrics exhibited high durability, with minimal changes in WCA and complete droplet stability (1800 s) after washing. In the case of the lower-functionality polysiloxane, an increase in hydrophobicity after washing was observed, attributed to the reorganization of siloxane chains. These results demonstrate that thiol-ene crosslinking provides an effective strategy for designing durable, fluorine-free hydrophobic coatings on cotton. Full article