Search Results (1,087)

Wetlands are delicate ecosystems that host diverse species and face ongoing environmental stress. The “Carlos Anwandter” Ramsar Site in Valdivia, Chile, is the world’s main breeding ground for the black-necked swan, which strongly relies on the aquatic plant Egeria densa. This area has been impacted by anthropogenic activities that have increased particulate iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) deposition. However, standard protocols for metal analysis encourage eliminating any particles on the plant’s surface, neglecting the contribution of deposited particulate contaminants. Appropriate sample treatment is therefore essential to quantify metal concentrations and the potential impact on herbivore species. This study aimed to evaluate how sample treatments and plant sectioning affect Fe and Zn concentrations in E. densa. Samples were collected from both the Ramsar site (Cruces River) and a control site (Calle-Calle River). Results showed that washing samples (both in the field and lab) significantly reduced reported metal concentrations, underscoring the importance of standardised sampling and pre-treatment protocols. Fe concentrations were notably higher at the Ramsar site (11,155 mg kg⁻¹) compared to the control (3783 mg kg⁻¹). The same is true for Zn (108 mg kg⁻¹ and 60 mg kg⁻¹, respectively). Over time, Fe concentrations remained stable, while Zn concentrations declined, suggesting a consistent Fe input and a decreasing Zn trend in the wetland. These findings are crucial for interpreting metal pollution and understanding spatial–temporal variability in aquatic plant contamination. Full article

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor found in food-contact materials and, even at very low concentrations, poses a serious risk to human health. Therefore, its presence in food should be monitored. Optical fiber sensors are a highly advantageous option for detecting chemical contaminants; however, due to the low concentrations at which these compounds are found, the surface needs to be modified to promote interaction with the target compound. In this work, we present an optical fiber sensor incorporating a microstructured fiber that is sensitive to external media and, therefore, to refractive index variations. To increase sensitivity, the sensor was coated with a chitosan film, a polysaccharide with high biosorbent ability that has been proposed as an effective adsorbent for several contaminants, including BPA. The sensor was then characterized by its response to variations in BPA concentration from 0 to 0.1 mg/mL. The chitosan-coated sensor exhibited a sensitivity over three times higher than that of the uncoated sensor, with a resolution of 9.98 × 10⁻⁴ mg/mL. Washing assays revealed that, although the coating cannot be fully regenerated, the sensor can be reused without requiring a complex or time-consuming procedure. Full article

Agro-industrial chestnut waste derived from chestnut processing is usually discharged without further use. However, these residues are attractive due to their high-value composition, rich in sugars and lignin. Among these residues, chestnut burrs (CB) represent a promising feedstock for biorefinery applications aimed at maximizing the valorization of their main constituents. In this study, we propose an environmentally friendly approach based on deep eutectic solvents (DES) formed by choline chloride and urea (ChCl/U) (1:2, mol/mol) for the selective deconstruction of lignocellulosic architecture, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis to release second-generation (2G) fermentable sugars. Pretreatments were applied to raw CB, washed CB (W-CB), and the obtained solid fraction after prehydrolysis (PreH). Structural and morphological modifications, as well as crystallinity induced by DES pretreatment, were characterized using attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Remarkable results in terms of effectiveness and environmental friendliness on saccharification yields were achieved for PreH subjected to DES treatment for 8 h, reaching approximately 60% glucan and 74% xylan conversion under the lower enzyme loading (23 FPU/g) and liquid-to-solid ratio (LSR) of 20:1 studied. This performance significantly reduces DES pretreatment time from 16 h to 8 h at mild conditions (100 °C), lowers the LSR for enzymatic hydrolysis from 30:1 to 20:1, and decreases enzyme loading from 63.5 FPU/g to 23 FPU/g, therefore improving process efficiency and sustainability. Full article

Mimotope-based immunoassays offer an eco-friendly alternative to chemically synthesized antigens for the quantitative analysis of small molecules, but their use for practical on-site and high-throughput residue monitoring remains limited. Herein, we report the selection, production, and application of a phage display–derived mimotope targeting an anti-uniconazole monoclonal antibody (UCZ-mAb), with the aim of developing two complementary immunoassays that enable sensitive, eco-friendly detection of UCZ residues in agricultural samples. A 12-mer phage-displayed peptide library was screened to identify UCZ-specific mimotopes, and a selected sequence was genetically fused to SpyTag and expressed in Escherichia coli to generate a SpyTagged mimotope. Leveraging the SpyCatcher/SpyTag self-assembly system, the SpyTagged mimotope was directionally conjugated onto SpyCatcher-functionalized time-resolved fluorescence beads (TRFBs) and subsequently used as a signal-labeled competitive antigen in a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) designed for rapid on-site screening. In parallel, a wash-free magnetic separation immunoassay (MSIA) suitable for green, high-throughput screening in routine laboratories was established using self-assembled mimotope-TRFB probes. The LFIA and MSIA exhibited half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀) of 3.70–6.72 μg/kg and 16.4–18.3 μg/kg, respectively, in real samples. Spiked-sample recoveries ranged from 91.1 to 107.8% for LFIA and 92.6–115.7% for MSIA, demonstrating acceptable accuracy and precision. These results indicate that the SpyTagged mimotope–based LFIA and MSIA provide complementary, reliable, and sensitive platforms for on-site screening and high-throughput monitoring of UCZ residues in agricultural samples, while avoiding the drawbacks associated with traditional chemical antigen synthesis. Full article

As by-products rich in flavonoids and phenolic compounds, onion peels are globally undervalued and often discarded. This study reports the synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from onion peels and evaluates their antimicrobial effectiveness against key foodborne pathogens and biofilms on common food contact surfaces, including plastic, stainless steel, and rubber. The CQDs exhibited a quasi-spherical shape with particle sizes ranging from 1.7 to 9.0 nm and contained abundant oxygen- and nitrogen-functional groups, as confirmed by FT-IR and XPS analyses. The CQDs showed significant antimicrobial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157: H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus of 2200/2800 µg/mL, 1400/2000 µg/mL, 1200/1800 µg/mL, and 400/600 µg/mL, respectively. Time-kill assays confirmed these results. In biofilm tests, S. typhimurium formed biofilms more easily than L. monocytogenes. Washing with CQD solution for 5 min reduced biofilm presence by 81.6–91.5% for S. typhimurium and over 74% for L. monocytogenes, with more than 94% reduction after 10 min of treatment (over 94% for S. typhimurium; 95.8–98.8% for L. monocytogenes) across all surfaces, especially on plastic and stainless steel. These findings indicate that onion peel-derived CQDs are promising, eco-friendly agents for disrupting biofilms and turning undervalued waste into valuable products. Full article

Livestock manure is currently one of the major sources of non-point source pollution. Reasonably determining the impact of rainfall runoff on free-range livestock areas and identifying the rainfall interception time for different pollutants are of great significance for managing watershed water environments. Using the Yongchuan District of Chongqing as a case study, the runoff water pollution scouring results (M(V) curve) of typical areas, including free-range livestock and poultry breeding areas and park impermeable road, were tested and analyzed by using an artificial rainfall simulation device under 45 and 90 mm/h, aiming to provide a reference for the efficient interception of main pollutants in different livestock and poultry breeding areas. The results of the M(V) curve analysis revealed the following: (1) Among the 15 pollutants in the livestock and poultry breeding area of the study area, the first flushing effect of total dissolved phosphorus and nitrite nitrogen was the most obvious. After 24 min of rainfall, the cumulative load of total dissolved phosphorus in this area accounted for 85.71% of the total load, while the cumulative load of nitrite nitrogen accounted for 83.41% of the total load at this time. (2) The first flush effect of pollutants at 45 mm/h is higher than that at 90 mm/h. At 45 mm/h, the first flush effect of pollutants is in the order of total dissolved phosphorus > nitrite nitrogen > total nitrogen > ammonia nitrogen > permanganate index, while at 90 mm/h, it is nitrite nitrogen > permanganate index > ammonia nitrogen > total dissolved phosphorus > total nitrogen. This phenomenon can be attributed to the distinct existence forms of pollutants in road runoff (dissolved and particulate phases), combined with the smaller raindrop diameter and steeper wash-off slope under 45 mm/h. (3) Distinct patterns in total pollution load and first flush effects were observed across different livestock and poultry breeding areas. The highest total pollutant load was recorded in the hen farm, whereas the most intensive first flush occurred in large-scale pig and goose farms. Furthermore, 52.68 to 82.63% of pollutants in Yongchuan District’s livestock and poultry breeding areas can be effectively intercepted by setting the initial rainfall interception time to within 18~24 min after rainfall runoff, as indicated by comparative analysis with relevant water quality standards. Research demonstrates significant first flush effects in livestock and poultry breeding areas of Yongchuan District, Chongqing. It is recommended to implement rainfall interception measures within 18~24 min after rainfall runoff. These findings provide valuable references for effective pollution control of rainfall runoff from impervious surfaces. Full article

The growing consumption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electronic devices and electric vehicles has led to a significant increase in waste containing valuable metals such as lithium and cobalt. Recovering these metals is essential to reducing dependence on primary sources and minimizing environmental impact. In this study, the leaching of the cathode active material from discarded LIBs was evaluated using oxaline, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of oxalic acid and choline chloride in a 1:1 molar ratio. The process began with the collection, discharge, washing, drying, and dismantling of the LIBs, followed by the separation of their components. Subsequently, the cathode active material was characterized, revealing a primary composition of cobalt (54.5%) and lithium (6.5%), with the presence of LiCoO₂ confirmed by XRD analysis. Leaching experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature, time, and solid percentage, demonstrating that oxaline is effective for the selective leaching of lithium and cobalt. Under optimal conditions (90 °C, 1–2 wt.% cathode active material, 400 rpm), lithium underwent complete dissolution within the first hour, while cobalt achieved complete leaching by 4 h. Both metals were recovered as oxalates and separated based on differences in solubility. Oxaline proves to be an efficient and environmentally friendly alternative for the selective recovery of lithium and cobalt from LIB waste, supporting a circular economy in the management of critical metals. Full article

With the growing popularity of leisure travel, small recreational vehicles have gained significant attention for their flexibility and cost-effectiveness. A crucial aspect of recreational vehicle design is the interior space, which heavily influences the users’ satisfaction. This paper introduces a novel approach to designing recreational vehicles’ interior space based on users’ behavior data analysis. Firstly, drawing on the properties of the correlation coefficient in statistics, the correlation degree between different functional facilities is defined according to the usage time interval to establish the correlation degree matrix; then, the correlation degree matrix is proved to be a real symmetric positive definite matrix; finally, based on the correlation degree matrix, the factor analysis method is adopted for grouping all the functional facilities to maximize the correlation degrees between functional facilities in the same group and minimize the ones between different groups so as to better satisfy the users’ needs for convenience. A case study using the CCHW–Weiman recreational vehicle demonstrates the effectiveness of this method. Male passengers’ average movement distances during typical activities—washing, cooking, and sleeping—decreased by 17.18%, 36.34%, and 30.68%, respectively, while female passengers’ average movement distances decreased by 13.75%, 37.70%, and 18.82%, respectively. The results suggest that the proposed method offers a data-driven, user-centered approach to improving the interior space of recreational vehicles. Full article

Background/Objectives: Ergot alkaloids are mycotoxins produced mainly by fungi of the genus Claviceps, infecting a wide variety of plants, especially cereals. These toxins usually manifest as black, hardened sclerotia (ergots), though they may also be invisible when dispersed in grain. They pose a significant risk to animals and humans when present in contaminated cereals. They can cause ergotism, with vasoconstriction, ischemia, hallucinations, and in severe cases gangrene. This study was carried out in response to the European legislative actions which determine the permissible levels of ergot alkaloids in cereals. Historically, consumers manually removed visible sclerotia from grain, and farmers applied fertilizers or timed harvests to specific periods to mitigate contamination. However, these traditional methods have proven insufficient. We therefore explored advanced techniques for detecting and quantifying ergot-contaminated cereals, as well as methods for reducing ergot alkaloid concentrations. Methods: Searches were conducted in scientific databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus to identify research articles, reviews, and experimental studies published mainly between 2012 and August 2025, including accepted or in-press manuscripts, with special attention to works from 2021 onward to capture the most recent advancements. Results/Conclusions: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) is the reference method for confirmatory, epimer-aware quantification of ergot alkaloids, and is already standardized. Recent QuEChERS-UHPLC-MS/MS workflows in cereal matrices, including oat-based products, routinely achieve limits of quantification of about 0.5–1.0 µg/kg with single-run analysis times of about 5–15 min. Rapid screening options complement, rather than replace, confirmatory mass spectrometry: magnetic bead-based immunoassays that use magnetic separation and a smartphone-linked potentiostat provide sub-hour turnaround and field portability for trained quality-assurance staff, although external validation and calibration traceable to LC-MS/MS remain prerequisites for routine use. In practice, operators are adopting tiered, orthogonal workflows (e.g., immunoassay or electronic-nose triage at intake followed by DNA-based checks on grain washings and LC–MS/MS confirmation, or hydrazinolysis “sum parameter” screening followed by targeted MS speciation). Such combinations reduce turnaround time while preserving analytical rigor. Biotechnology also offers potential solutions for reducing ergot alkaloid concentrations at the source. Finally, to enhance consumer safety, artificial intelligence and blockchain-based food traceability appear highly effective. These systems can connect all stakeholders from producers to consumers, allowing for real-time updates on food safety and rapid responses to contamination issues. This review primarily synthesizes advances in analytical detection of ergot alkaloids, while mitigation strategies and supply chain traceability are covered concisely as supporting context for decision making. Full article

This study deals with the painting Snowy Stream, which is often used to represent the style of the poet painter Wang Wei (699–761). This album leaf, with several colophons by Dong Qichang, was long believed to have been in his collection. It played a significant role in giving form to “painter Wang Wei” as the founding patriarch of the Southern School and thereby helped Dong shape his theoretical reorientation of Chinese landscape painting. First, the paper examines the social life of this painting during the time of Dong Qichang and argues that it underwent major remodeling and renovation that significantly changed its format and appearance before being acquired by Cheng Jibai. Dong’s unreserved approval of this painting was largely motivated by financial concerns for the benefit of Cheng. Second, the paper explores the rationale behind the warm reception of this image despite its dubious provenance and severe condition. The author argues that the remodeled image echoes the pastoral theme and level perspective that is a signature of Wang’s poetry, embodies the key doctrines and aesthetics of Chan Buddhism, and demonstrates the visual effect of using a pure ink wash to replace linear outlines and patternized texture strokes. Full article

The effective deconstruction of lignocellulosic biomass is essential for sustainable biorefineries. In this study, corn stover was pretreated by low-alkali (1–5 wt% NaOH) pre-impregnation assisted instant catapult steam explosion (ICSE) to investigate its influence on enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency and the mechanism of lignin-derived anti-enzymatic factors. The results showed that this pretreatment effectively enhanced glucose yield. Under 4–5% NaOH conditions, washed samples achieved glucose yields above 98%. At 4% NaOH, the glucose yields of washed and unwashed groups were 98.88% and 56.34%, respectively, indicating that washing removed soluble inhibitors. LC-MS analysis identified three major water-soluble inhibitory compounds-vanillin, syringaldehyde, and 2-carboxybenzaldehyde-confirming their negative effects on cellulase activity. The alkali-soluble lignin content of unwashed samples (43.28%) was 1.36 times higher than that of washed samples (31.93%), demonstrating its role as a water-insoluble inhibitory factor. Moreover, SEM, XRD, FTIR, and contact angle analyses revealed that 5% NaOH treatment enhanced lignin solubilization, induced structural rearrangement and interfacial hydrophilic reconstruction, and increased cellulose crystallinity and enzyme accessibility. These findings elucidate the mechanistic pathways of lignin transformation and inhibition mitigation, providing valuable insights for efficient and sustainable biomass conversion. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim of the study is to first evaluate mid- to long-term changes in shoulder range of motion (ROM) and functional performance in activities of daily living (ADLs) after arthroscopic Bankart repair using three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis. Methods: We prospectively analyzed five patients (mean age: 31.8 years) pre- and postoperatively at 8.4 months and eight patients retrospectively at 12.1 years (mean age: 40.4 years). Fifteen asymptomatic adults served as controls. Shoulder kinematics were assessed using the Heidelberg Upper Extremity (HUX) model during maximum ROM and four ADL tasks (apron, neck, wash, and book). Results: At short-term follow-up, forward flexion improved by 31° (p < 0.05) and abduction improved by 70° (p < 0.05), while other movements showed non-significant trends toward improvement. Long-term follow-up demonstrated sustained or increased gains in flexion (+9°) and abduction (+7°) but significant declines in external rotation (−5°) and internal rotation (−30°). ADL analyses showed significant postoperative gains in abduction/adduction during “apron” (+6.7°) and “neck” (+49.8°) tasks. The long-term results remained comparable to or better than postoperative values in most planes, although external/internal rotation during the “wash” task decreased over time. Compared with normative controls, patients employed a larger ROM during some ADLs, suggesting compensatory mechanisms. Conclusions: Arthroscopic Bankart repair yields sustained mid- to long-term improvements in shoulder ROM and ADL performance. Rotational deficits persist despite maintained flexion and abduction in the long run, underscoring the need for targeted rehabilitation strategies. Full article

The non-antibacterial effects of the tetracycline antibiotic minocycline on human erythrocytes are currently under investigation. Our data indicate alterations in the surface structure of erythrocytes; the antibiotic promotes the redistribution of cellular transformational forms during preliminary in vitro incubation (1 h and 24 h) with the modifier. The degree of surface relief changes increases over time, leading to the formation of erythrocytes displaying outgrowths and ridges, spherulation, and “deflated ball”-shaped cells (after 1 day). These alterations are largely reversible, as washing the erythrocyte suspensions with a 1% bovine serum albumin solution reduces the number of echinocytes and irreversibly transformed spherocytes with spikes. Spectrophotometric analysis has shown that minocycline stabilizes the spatial organization of hemoprotein molecules, as it does not lead to increased methemoglobin formation in the samples over time. The antibiotic appears to bind primarily to amino acid residues within heme pockets, as confirmed by molecular docking. Our findings suggest a potential risk of reduced oxygen transport function in red blood cells when taking this antibiotic, highlighting the need to consider potential erythrocyte-related side effects during long-term minocycline therapy. Full article

Road-marking operations generate alkaline wash water with intense color and soluble cationic additives. A new biomass adsorption material (LML) was developed to address dye pollution in road-marking wash water effectively. Enzymatically hydrolyzed lignin was used as the raw material for the first time. L-lysine was modified to the structure of the lignin benzene ring using a simple one-step synthesis method, which endowed lignin with a large number of active carboxyl and amino functional groups to improve its adsorption capacity. The adsorption performance of LML for methylene blue in water was also investigated. The experimental results show that the LML has a high dye removal rate under alkaline conditions. The fitted adsorption model shows that the saturated adsorption capacity of LML for methylene blue (MB) is 129.4 mg g⁻¹ and malachite green (MG) is 244.9 mg g⁻¹, which is in line with the Langmuir isotherm adsorption model. The adsorption process is endothermic, which means that the adsorption capacity increases with increasing temperature. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process reached equilibrium within 120 min following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The cycle experiment shows that the removal efficiency of the adsorbent for dyes can still reach 90% after five cycles, indicating a good practical application value for the polishing of road-marking wash water. Full article

Postharvest operations are cost intensive in microalgae production, and when electrocoagulation–electroflotation (EC/EF) with aluminum anodes is used, aluminum can remain associated with biomass and wash streams; hence, a selective postwash process is needed. Accordingly, this study defined an operational window for aluminum desorption that preserves the energetic advantage of EC/EF. A response-surface design (I-optimal/CCD) was used to evaluate the effects of the EDTA concentration (1–100 mM), contact time (5–20 min), mixing speed (100–300 rpm), and pH (6–10) on EC/EF-harvested Chlorella sp. biomass, with ANOVA and model diagnostics supporting adequacy. EDTA concentration and mixing emerged as significant factors, whereas time and pH acted mainly through interactions; moreover, quadratic terms for EDTA and mixing indicated diminishing returns at high levels. Consequently, the surface predicted an optimum near EDTA ≈ 65 mM, time ≈ 20 min, pH 10, and 100 rpm, corresponding to ~97% aluminum removal. Importantly, a confirmation run under these conditions across eight chlorophyte strains consistently achieved >95% removal, revealing narrow dispersion yet statistically distinguishable means. Taken together, coupling EC/EF with an EDTA postwash operation in the identified window effectively limits aluminum carry-over in microalgal biomass and, therefore, provides a reproducible basis for downstream conditioning and potential recirculation within biorefinery schemes. Full article