Search Results (1,953)

This study investigated the efficacy of electrochemical treatment of a water-soluble cutting fluid (SCF) solution using Al, Fe, and stainless steel (SUS304) scraps as three-dimensional (3D) electrode packing materials. The SCF solution had an initial COD_Cr of approximately 109,000 mg·L⁻¹, a TOC of approximately 25,000 mg·L⁻¹, and an initial pH of 9.65. During treatment, the pH remained in the alkaline range (9.99–10.67), and the solution conductivity was approximately 1000 μS·cm⁻¹. Using a conventional two-dimensional (2D) configuration, Al exhibited the highest removal efficiencies (TOC: 58.55%; COD_Cr: 57.12%). An applied current of 0.8 A, corresponding to a current density of 5.00 mA·cm⁻² based on the geometric electrode area, and an inter-electrode distance of 40 mm provided an optimal balance between treatment performance and energy consumption. Under these optimized conditions, the introduction of metal scraps as 3D packing media significantly enhanced treatment efficiency. Al scrap (20 g) achieved the highest TOC removal (69.55%), while Fe scrap showed superior COD_Cr removal (87.42% at 40 g) with the lowest specific energy consumption (0.27 kWh·kg⁻¹ COD_removed). The energy consumption of the baseline D system was 0.46 kWh·kg⁻¹ COD_removed(cage O) and 0.72 kWh·kg⁻¹ COD_removed(cage X). Overall, scrap-based 3D electrodes effectively improved organic removal and energy performance, demonstrating their potential as low-cost and sustainable electrode materials for the electrochemical pre-treatment of high-strength oily wastewater. Full article

The “Double High—Double Extra High” stage of offshore oilfields, where large pumps lift liquids, leads to a rapid rise in water concentration, which triggers a decrease in rock strength and exacerbates the risk of sand production; this leads to a blockage of the reservoir, thus restricting the release of production capacity. In this paper, for the typical weak cementation strength of unconsolidated sandstone of a Class I reservoir in the P oilfield, numerical simulation and indoor experimental methods are utilized to explore the plugging mechanism and law of the water-contenting conditions, with micro-sand and mud conditions, on the screen. Considering the combined effects of reservoir particulate transport plugging and near-well sand control media plugging, the additional pressure drop and skin factor calculation model is constructed, and a dynamic capacity prediction model for sand control wells is formed. By matching the physical properties of the target reservoir and optimizing the sand control method, the production capacity prediction model and the sand control optimization design method for the high water-content period of the unconsolidated sandstone reservoir are finally obtained. The results show that the median sand size of well A1 in the P oilfield Class I reservoir is 220 μm, the sand transportation diameter is about 15–20 m, the serious plugging area near the well is distributed in 2–2.5 m, and the predicted loss of production capacity is about 18%. The use of a foam metal screen can significantly reduce the plugging pressure and increase the flow of crude oil, which is 2.2 and 1.2 times higher than that of the precision mesh and pre-filled screen, respectively. These research results can provide technical support and theoretical guidance for the sustained, efficient, and stable production of sand reservoirs in the Bohai Oilfield. Full article

Cut flowers of Matthiola incana ‘Mera’ are widely used in floristics but because of wilting, premature leaf yellowing, and flower/inflorescence drying their ornamental value quickly drops. The postharvest performance of this valuable cut flower in terms of symptoms of wilting, relative water content (RWC), carbohydrate content, enzyme activity, and free proline content was studied in relation to the different preservative added to the vases with flowers. The tested preservatives were based on two biocides: 200 mg/L 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate (8-HQC) and nanosilver (NS) in two concentrations, 1 and 5 mg/L, with the addition of 2% sucrose (S). Control inflorescences were kept in distilled water alone. The above preservatives did not prolong vase life, but, on the contrary, decreased it, so flowers placed in distilled water lasted the longest. The contents of both total soluble and reducing sugars increased during flower senescence, reaching the highest level in flowers held in the solution of 5 mg/L NS plus 2% S. Similarly, the content of free proline increased, especially in flowers held in the 8-HQC with 2% S (standard preservative). The contents of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) varied in flowers from different solutions; however, they kept increasing during senescence in flowers from all the treatments. The highest activity of the antioxidative enzymes was found in flowers placed in water. Full article

Plasma-assisted nitrogen fixation is emerging as a promising alternative to the dominant industrial method of the Haber–Bosch (H–B) process, which is energy-intensive and environmentally detrimental. Nonthermal plasma technology represents a cutting-edge innovation with the potential to revolutionize nitrogen fertilizer (N-fertilizer) production, offering a more sustainable approach by operating under mild conditions, making it suitable for decentralized N-fertilizer production. Toward the goal, in this study, we demonstrate our development and test of a novel nonthermal plasma system for continuous on-site production of N-fertilizer. This technology results in a product of aqueous N-fertilizer on-site, from only air, water, and electricity without carbon emissions, directly applicable to plants, bypassing costly and hazardous multiple steps in the production and transportation of the industrial N-fertilizers. Full article

To address the challenges in wound healing, clinical management increasingly demands targeted, adaptive, responsive, and patient-centered strategies. This is especially true for wounds characterized by delayed healing and a high risk of infection. Advances in regenerative medicine and biomaterial technologies are fostering the development of multifunctional approaches that integrate tissue regeneration, antibacterial/antibiofilm activity, immunomodulation, and real-time monitoring. This paper surveys emerging platforms, including both natural and synthetic scaffolds, hydrogels enriched with platelet-derived growth factors, glycosaminoglycan mimetics, bioactive peptides (such as GHK-Cu and antimicrobial peptides), nanoscaffolds, and stimuli-responsive systems. The paper also explores cutting-edge technologies such as water-powered, electronics-free dressings that deliver localized electrical stimulation; biodegradable bioelectric sutures that produce self-sustained mechano-electrical signals; and sensory bandages that monitor pH, moisture, temperature, and bacterial contamination in real-time while enabling on-demand drug release with pro-regenerative, antibacterial, and other therapeutic functionalities. Further therapeutic approaches include natural matrices, exosomes, gene editing, 3D bioprinting, and AI-assisted design. Particular attention is paid to orthopedic applications and orthopedic implant infection. A brief section addresses the still unresolved challenge of articular cartilage regeneration. Interdisciplinary innovation, integrating insights from molecular biology through engineering, plays a central role in translating novel strategies into tailored, clinically effective wound management solutions. Full article

Microplastics are increasingly recognized as contaminants of emerging concern in wastewater systems, where treatment plants act both as sinks and as point sources. However, Central Asian wastewater infrastructures are under-represented in the literature, and global syntheses are hindered by strong methodological heterogeneity (sampling regimes, size cut-offs, QA/QC). This PRISMA-guided critical review compiles and harmonizes data from 63 WWTP studies worldwide (402 matrix-stage observations), including the few available case studies from Kazakhstan and neighboring countries, to benchmark Central Asian plants against a global envelope and identify methodological and infrastructure gaps. Globally, influent concentrations cluster around a median ≈65 particles/L, while final/tertiary effluents show a median ≈2.2 particles/L. Median removal efficiency is 85.5% for secondary and 95.0% for tertiary/advanced trains, with ≈10³–10⁵ particles/kg DW typically retained in sludge. Across influent, effluent and sludge, fibers and fragments of PE, PP and PET dominate polymer morphology patterns, with similar PET/PE/PP signatures also reported in downstream river water. Central Asian influents fall within global interquartile ranges, but secondary-only facilities tend to yield effluents in the upper half of the global distribution. Overall, the review provides a first integrated, methodologically explicit assessment of WWTP microplastics in Central Asia and underscores the need for protocol harmonization, longitudinal monitoring, and targeted upgrades of polishing steps and sludge management in arid hydrosystems. Full article

This study examines how varying the isolated pea protein (IPP) levels (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50%) together with key extrusion conditions, including moisture level, barrel heating profile, and screw rotation speed, affect the physicochemical attributes and textural characteristics of high-moisture meat analogs (HMMAs). Results indicated that increased IPP content reduced the fiber structure, springiness, cohesiveness, chewiness, cutting strength, and integrity index of HMMAs. Processing conditions resulted in pronounced changes in both the physicochemical attributes and texture of HMMAs. The increase in moisture content resulted in a decrease in HMMA fiber structure and textural properties. In contrast, increases in barrel temperature and screw speed were associated with higher TPA values, greater cutting strength in both vertical and parallel orientations, and an improved integrity index in HMMAs. Furthermore, the gelation behavior of IPP played a critical role in the formation of the fibrous structure, with optimal gel strength and water retention achieved under specific extrusion conditions. These findings underscore the importance of protein gelation in structuring IPP-based meat analogs and provide insights into the gel-based mechanisms underlying their textural properties. Overall, the optimum IPP content to produce HMMAs in this experiment was 30%, and the process variables were 55% moisture content, barrel temperature of 160 °C, and screw speed of 250 rpm. Full article

The study presents a sustainable approach to valorizing hazelnut processing by-products, specifically skins and shells, through their conversion into bioactive polyphenol-rich extracts using pressurized hot water extraction (PHWE), an environmentally friendly green technology. PHWE yielded extracts with total phenolic contents of 25.4 mg GAE/g dw (shell) and 83.7 mg GAE/g dw (skin), which were incorporated into biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol)/carboxymethyl cellulose (PVA/CMC) films at concentrations of 1–3% (w/v). The resulting composites were comprehensively characterized in terms of structural, mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. FTIR, DSC, and XRD analyses demonstrated strong hydrogen bonding, increased thermal stability, and reduced crystallinity due to polyphenol–polymer interactions. Phenolic incorporation enhanced UV-blocking capability, increased antioxidant activity by up to five-fold, and reduced oxygen permeability from 0.048 to 0.015 (cm³·mm·m⁻²·day⁻¹·atm⁻¹) (69% reduction, p < 0.05), compared to neat PVA while maintaining desirable transparency (>70%). Optimal formulations (HSkE-II) exhibited a 39% increase in elongation at break and improved flexibility without compromising film integrity. Application tests using fresh-cut apples, watermelon, and chicken revealed significant reductions in microbial growth (up to ~1.2 log CFU/g), lipid oxidation, and weight loss during storage, confirming the films’ potential for active food packaging. This work highlights an efficient valorization strategy for nut industry by-products and demonstrates their functional integration into sustainable biodegradable packaging systems. Full article

Bottom-water coning is a core challenge in the development of high-temperature, high-pressure, high-permeability, and fractured bottom water reservoirs. Taking the Carboniferous reservoir in Xinjiang as the research object, this work uses numerical simulation to optimize key parameters of artificial barriers, water drainage, and nitrogen injection technologies. The results show that an artificial barrier with a 30-m radius and intervention at 60% water cut placed at the reservoir top reduces water coning height by over 40%; water drainage starting after the third production year delays water cut rise by more than 2000 days; and nitrogen injection in the eighth production year at 65 MPa cuts water coning height by 30% to 40%. This work proposes a full-life-cycle phased synergy strategy, integrating early artificial barrier water blocking, mid-term intelligent water drainage pressure reduction, and late nitrogen injection oil stabilization. This work provides a direct and feasible technical paradigm for the efficient development of similar high-temperature, high-pressure, and fractured bottom water reservoirs worldwide. Full article

With global energy systems shifting toward sustainable solutions, Dubai faces the challenge of meeting rising energy needs while minimizing environmental impacts. This study explores long-term (LT) strategic planning for Dubai’s power sector through a techno-environmental–economic lens. Using PLEXOS^® modelling software (Version 9.20.0001) and official data from Dubai’s main utility provider, a comprehensive model examines medium- and LT energy pathways. The analysis identifies solar photovoltaic (PV) technology as central to achieving Dubai’s goal of 100% clean energy by 2050. It also highlights the need to cut emissions from natural gas (NG) infrastructure, targeting a goal of 14.5% retirement of NG energy generation capacities by the mid-century. Achieving zero-emission goals will require complementary technologies such as carbon capture (CC), nuclear energy, and energy storage as part of a broader decarbonization strategy. This study further assesses the economic effects of climate policy, showing that moderate carbon pricing could increase the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) by an average of 6% across the forecast horizon. These findings offer valuable guidance for decision-makers and stakeholders, particularly the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), in advancing a carbon-neutral energy system. By 2050, Dubai’s total installed generation capacity is projected to reach 53.3 GW, reflecting the scale of transformation needed to meet its clean energy ambitions. Full article

Implementing effective water control measures in horizontal wells is essential for sustaining stable production in offshore oilfields. However, due to complex reservoir geological characteristics and diverse water control technologies, significant variability exists in the effectiveness of such measures, posing challenges for strategy selection. To address this gap, this study establishes a comprehensive and standardized multi-dimensional indicator system for describing treated wells, integrating geological, operational, and production parameters—an aspect seldom systematized in previous research. A major innovation of this work lies in developing a hybrid correlation evaluation framework that combines Pearson, Spearman, and canonical correlation analyses, enabling a more robust quantification of the relationships between influencing factors and water control effectiveness. This framework not only identifies the dominant indicators but also mitigates the limitations of single-method correlation analysis. Building upon these insights, the study proposes a machine learning-driven prediction system using Random Forest and Gradient Boosting algorithms, achieving classification accuracy exceeding 80% and effective regression prediction of measure duration. This represents a practical advancement over traditional empirical or single-feature decision approaches. The results reveal that overall field water cut percentage, 30-day pre-treatment water cut percentage, and daily liquid production are the key indicators governing treatment performance. Furthermore, water control measures in edge water reservoirs show significantly better performance than those in bottom water reservoirs. The developed prediction model provides a generalizable, data-driven decision-support tool, offering significant value for optimizing water control technologies in offshore horizontal wells. Full article

The irreducible water saturation of reservoirs seriously restricts the efficient drainage of unconventional energy sources. NMR logging can be used to determine parameters such as total porosity, effective porosity, irreducible water saturation, and permeability, which play an important role in oil and gas identification. T_{2 cut off} value identification using the NMR T₂ spectrum is the key to clarifying the irreducible water saturation of unconventional reservoirs. In this paper, saturation and centrifugal T₂ spectra of sandstone and coal samples are used to study and calculate the T_{2 cut off} value, with methods including single fractal dimension, multi-fractal dimension, and spectrum morphological discrimination; in addition, the applicability of these three methods in characterizing T_{2 cut off} is discussed. According to the morphological difference of the saturated T₂ spectrum, relationships between morphological parameters and the T_{2 cut off} of four types of sample are described. The parameters related to T_{2 cut off} can be divided into two types: (1) the first type includes morphological parameters main peak position (T_M) and smaller-pore volume percentage (SPVP); with an increase of T_{2 cut off}, T_M increases linearly and SPVP decreases exponentially, and the correlation between SPVP and T_{2 cut off} is stronger than that of T_M. (2) The other type includes fractal parameters D₂ (fractal dimension of larger pore), D₋₁₀ – D₁₀, and D₋₁₀/D₁₀; with the increase of T_{2 cut off}, single and multi-fractal dimensions all increase linearly, and the correlation between D₂ and T_{2 cut off} is stronger than that of the multi-fractal dimension. When calculating the T_{2 cut off} of samples with macro-pores developed, spectrum morphological methods should be used preferentially, while the fractal dimension discrimination methods need be used for the T_{2 cut off} of samples with developed micro-pores. Then, the T_{2 cut off} value prediction and evaluation system are described. The overall results of this work can provide a theoretical basis for the inversion of bound water content in the original formation. Full article

Functionalized edible coatings represent a promising strategy to mitigate postharvest losses in fresh and fresh-cut fruits. This study developed a novel, ternary active coating by integrating pectin with a cationic antimicrobial polypeptide (ε-polylysine) and a hydrophobic plant flavonoid (luteolin). The resulting composite film demonstrated transformative improvements in hydrophobicity, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities as compared with conventional pectin-based films. Specially, the ternary composite film exhibited enhanced barrier performance, reducing water vapor, oxygen and carbon dioxide permeability by 49.1%, 68.6%, and 26.5%, respectively. When applied to fresh-cut apples, the coating effectively suppressed the browning and microbial proliferation while maintaining the hardness, total phenols and flavonoids, total soluble solids, and titratable acids over a 12-day refrigerated storage period. Comprehensive characterization via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and molecular docking simulations revealed that these superior functionalities originate from synergistic electrostatic interactions and hydrogen-bonding networks within the ternary matrix. This work provides a practical strategy for designing high-performance, plant-based coatings to reduce food waste and improve the quality of fresh-cut produce. Full article

This study investigated the mechanism by which combined vacuum packaging and 0.5% (w/v) ascorbic acid treatment (VP-AsA) preserves fresh-cut potatoes at 4 °C, integrating physiological and transcriptomic analyses. Transcriptome sequencing revealed 2246 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the VP-AsA group. Notably, key genes involved in glutathione metabolism and NADPH regeneration—encoding glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC)—were significantly up-regulated. This transcriptional reprogramming, which was associated with increased glutathione (GSH) content, provides a molecular basis for the enhanced antioxidant capacity observed in the treated samples, including elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, DPPH/ABTS radical scavenging capacity, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Concurrently, VP-AsA treatment reduced water migration, inhibited polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activities, and maintained key textural properties (hardness, fracturability, springiness, chewiness) during the first 9 days of storage. These results suggest that VP-AsA treatment preserves quality at least in part by transcriptionally activating glutathione-mediated antioxidant pathways, providing insights for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables quality control. Full article

Inter-basin water transfer projects are core infrastructure for achieving sustainable water resource allocation and addressing regional water scarcity, and pumping station units, as their critical energy-consuming and operation-controlling components, are vital to the projects’ sustainable performance. With the growing complexity and scale of these projects, pumping station units have become more intricate, leading to a gradual rise in failure rates. However, existing fault diagnosis methods are relatively backward, failing to promptly detect potential faults—this not only threatens operational safety but also undermines sustainable development goals: equipment failures cause excessive energy consumption (violating energy efficiency requirements for sustainability), unplanned downtime disrupts stable water supply (impairing reliable water resource access), and even leads to water waste or environmental risks. To address this sustainability-oriented challenge, this paper focuses on the fault characteristics of pumping station units and proposes a comprehensive and accurate fault diagnosis model, aiming to enhance the sustainability of water transfer projects through technical optimization. The model utilizes advanced algorithms and data processing technologies to accurately identify fault types, thereby laying a technical foundation for the low-energy, reliable, and sustainable operation of pumping stations. Firstly, continuous wavelet transform (CWT) converts one-dimensional time-domain signals into two-dimensional time-frequency graphs, visually displaying dynamic signal characteristics to capture early fault features that may cause energy waste. Next, the multi-head attention mechanism (MHA) segments the time-frequency graphs and correlates feature-location information via independent self-attention layers, accurately capturing the temporal correlation of fault evolution—this enables early fault warning to avoid prolonged inefficient operation and energy loss. Finally, the improved convolutional neural network (CNN) layer integrates feature information and temporal correlation, outputting predefined fault probabilities for accurate fault determination. Experimental results show the model effectively solves the difficulty of feature extraction in pumping station fault diagnosis, considers fault evolution timeliness, and significantly improves prediction accuracy and anti-noise performance. Comparative experiments with three existing methods verify its superiority. Critically, this model strengthens sustainability in three key ways: (1) early fault detection reduces unplanned downtime, ensuring stable water supply (a core sustainable water resource goal); (2) accurate fault localization cuts unnecessary maintenance energy consumption, aligning with energy-saving requirements; (3) reduced equipment failure risks minimize water waste and environmental impacts. Thus, it not only provides a new method for pumping station fault diagnosis but also offers technical support for the sustainable operation of water conservancy infrastructure, contributing to global sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to water and energy. Full article