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During UV disinfection, the required UV dose in terms of fluence depends upon the species of bacteria spore and protozoa. To rank their UV disinfection sensitivity, spore sensitivity index (SPSI) and protozoan sensitivity index (PSI) are defined. For spores, shoulder effect exists, therefore, SPSI is defined as the ratio between the ki of any spores for the linear portion of the dose response curve to the kir of Bacillus subtilis as the reference spore. After statistical analysis, the fluence of any spore can be predicted by SPSI through equation, H = (0.8358 ± 0.126)*LogI*SPSI + H0. PSI is defined as the ratio between the inactivation rate constants of a protozoa in reference to that of Cryptosporidium parvum. The equation predicting the fluence of any protozoa in reference to Cryptosporidium parvum is: H = 107.45*(3.86 ± 2.68)*LogI/PSI. Two regression equations suggest that protozoa require significantly higher UV dose than bacteria spores.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an extremely aggressive neuroendocrine tumor, accounting for approximated 13% of all lung cancer cases. SCLC is characterized by rapid growth and early metastasis. Despite marked improvements in the number and efficacy of targeted, therapeutic options and overall survival rates in SCLC have remained nearly unchanged for almost three decades. The lack of significant progress can be attributed to our poor understanding of the biology of SCLC. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors were recently approved as front-line therapies for SCLC, we still need to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the selective vulnerability of some SCLCs to these inhibitors. Recent work utilizing sequencing data and single cell analyses identified four distinct subsets of SCLC, based on the expression levels of the transcription factors ASCL1, NEUROD1, POU2F3 and YAP1. Each subset was found to have its own distinct biology and therapeutic vulnerabilities. However, these subsets appear to be phenotypically unstable, representing snapshots in the gradual evolution of a tumor that exhibits significant plasticity. Tumor evolution, a product of this plasticity, results in the emergence of significant intratumoral heterogeneity which plays an important role in multiple aspects of SCLC development and progression, including cell survival and proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis. The recent paradigm shifting discoveries in the biology of SCLC are now beginning to inform the design of new therapeutic strategies for the management of this intractable disease.

Novel black oxygen deficient bismuth oxide (Bi2O3-Bi2O3–x) photocatalytic material is successfully prepared by a two zone temperature controlled muffle furnace method. The lanthanum, cerium and erbium ions are successfully doped into Bi2O3-Bi2O3–x with the average contents of 10.77%, 7.62% and 8.14%, respectively. The results show that a large number of oxygen vacancies existence in Bi2O3-Bi2O3–x. La3+, Ce3+ and Er3+ act as electron acceptors to temporarily trap the photo-generated electrons. The XPS spectrum show Bi-O band in Bi2O3-Bi2O3–x and the O 1s peak of Ce/Bi2O3-Bi2O3–x move toward the direction of low binding energy. These phenomena fully proved that the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs will be more effectual, so as to reduce the possibility of charge carrier recombination. The radical scavenging experiments and Electron spin resonance detections confirmed the conduction band of the original Bi2O3 can easily receive photogenerated electrons, while the valence band of the modified Bi2O3-Bi2O3–x tend to accept photogenerated holes and then form the circulation system. Therefore, Ce/Bi2O3-Bi2O3–x can degrade tetracycline hydrochloride up to 90.15%. This research provides some new insights into developing green and recyclable photocatalysts for the remediation of antibiotic contamination.

A sophisticated finite element analysis (FEA) method for modeling interior permanent magnet (IPM) electric motors is presented. Based on this method, a coupled structural-acoustic analysis procedure was developed to simulate the motor dyno vibroacoustic responses with improved accuracy and reliability for NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) behavior prediction over a wide range of torques and frequencies under the operational electromagnetic forces. The proposed motor modeling and analysis method is detail-oriented with high fidelity in modeling the structure and complex material representation. To effectively deal with the motor stator core constructed with large numbers of electromagnetic laminae, the unit-cell approach was employed to derive the core material properties by homogenizing the laminated core as an equivalent orthotropic material. Meanwhile, the windings were modeled by capturing the precise geometry for accuracy improvement. Additionally, the method facilitates modeling the varnish fill details between the core, linings, and the windings, such as bonded locations, area coverage, and fill rate. Guidelines pertinent to FEA modeling of motor components related to element type selection, mesh size determination, acoustic domain definition, and structure-acoustic interface connection are also provided. The stator analysis model was first correlated with the free-free modes and frequency response functions (FRF) obtained from the vibrometer test before being incorporated into the motor dyno system to simulate the radiated noise for critical motor whine orders and other NVH-related behavior. Finally, the simulated results were verified against motor dyno test data over a wide range of torque and frequency. This high-fidelity motor model can further be used for advanced studies in objectively assessing the influence of airgap eccentricity, rotor skew configuration, stator attachment architecture, etc., on motor NVH behavior.

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STK11 (liver kinase B1, LKB1) is the fourth most frequently mutated gene in lung adenocarcinoma, with loss of function observed in up to 30% of all cases. Our previous work identified a 16-gene signature for LKB1 loss of function through mutational and nonmutational mechanisms. In this study, we applied this genetic signature to The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) lung adenocarcinoma samples and discovered a novel association between LKB1 loss and widespread DNA demethylation. LKB1-deficient tumors showed depletion of S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e), which is the primary substrate for DNMT1 activity. Lower methylation following LKB1 loss involved repetitive elements (RE) and altered RE transcription, as well as decreased sensitivity to azacytidine. Demethylated CpGs were enriched for FOXA family consensus binding sites, and nuclear expression, localization, and turnover of FOXA was dependent upon LKB1. Overall, these findings demonstrate that a large number of lung adenocarcinomas exhibit global hypomethylation driven by LKB1 loss, which has implications for both epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy in these cancers.Significance:Lung adenocarcinomas with LKB1 loss demonstrate global genomic hypomethylation associated with depletion of SAM-e, reduced expression of DNMT1, and increased transcription of repetitive elements.

Activated sludge process is the common industrial wastewater treatment scheme. However, intensive aeration requirements made it impossible for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to be energy- positive. The current study designed energy positive industrial wastewater treatment trains by using innovative technologies such as micro-sieving, up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB), and partial nitrification/Anammox (PN/A). Excel-based models were developed to compare the innovative treatment systems and the activated sludge system based on unit energy, cost and environmental indicators. Results showed that the innovative systems could save unit energy and cost by 67–85% and 59–85%, respectively. Innovative technologies increase the average unit energy production for meat processing, tannery, and textile wastewater treatment up to 1.71, 1.63, and 1.58 kWh/kg BODremoved. Furthermore, the high energy recovery reduces the overall global warming potential of these systems. Electrical self-sufficiency in industrial wastewater treatment could be obtained by using innovative technologies, which present great potential for future designs of industrial wastewater treatment.

Micro-sieving is an effective way to prevent organic pollutants enter the main biological process and reduce aeration intensity and sludge production. However, few researchers quantified the effect of micro-sieving on meat processing wastewater treatment. The current study developed Excel-based models to compare the energy consumption and production of historical, conventional and innovative systems. Historical and conventional systems employ activated sludge (AS), nitrification, and denitrification as the main biological processes. Innovative systems are designed by using up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) and partial nitrification/Anammox (PN/A) as the main treatment processes. Results show that the CH

Electrochemical processes have proven their potential as effective technologies to treat wastewater from industrial, urban and agricultural activities, and thus, contribute towards a cleaner environment. In this study, we aimed to assess the effectiveness of the leading electrochemical technologies, such as electro-oxidation, electrochemical coagulation and electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs), statistically for different types of anodes for the removal of various pollutants from wastewater along with their treatment efficiency. Anode is considered as a source of electron and an essential part of electrochemical processes. So, we have evaluated the relationship between different anode features such as anodic material, surface area versus removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and colour in various wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) by IBM SPSS Statistics 26. Apart from that, various process characteristics such as inter-electrode distance, system pH, reactor volume, current density and voltage were also considered in this investigation. From the regression analysis of the electrochemical coagulation system, it was found that the removal efficiency of pollutants is enhanced by the surface area of the electrodes along with the inter-electrode distance. Regarding electro-oxidation, it was seen that COD and colour removal are both dependent on the reaction time of the system, while the DOC removal rate of different EAOPs was strongly related to the reactor volume. Furthermore, the uncertainty of the regression analysis on pollutant removal efficiency prediction was assessed. Finally, sensitivity analysis was done by Monte-Carlo method to check modest changes from input variables.

Unit energy consumption per kg pollutant removed (kWh/kgCODremoved) is used for the first time in assessing and ranking the sustainability of main treatment technologies of 1215 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in China. The metric better measures the sustainability of main treatment technologies in WWTPs than unit energy consumption per cubic meter treated (kWh/m3). The energy consumption data of these WWTPs were selected from the database of 1399 WWTPs to evaluate the energy efficiency of different treatment technologies. 80.3% of the WWTPs applied anaerobic-oxic plus anaerobic-anoxic-oxic, oxidation ditch, and sequencing batch reactor as main technologies. Statistical analysis shows that the unit energy consumption of WWTPs decreases with increasing design flow rate, operation loading rate, and influent COD concentration. For example, the average unit energy consumption of SBR decreases from 2.76 kWh/kgCODremoved to 0.83 kWh/kgCODremoved when the design flow rate increases from less than 10,000 m3/d to 100,000-200,000 m3/d. The mean unit energy consumption of SBR decreases from 1.71 kWh/kgCODremoved to 1.32 kWh/ kgCODremoved and 2.85 kWh/ kgCODremoved to 0.63 kWh/kgCODremoved as the operation loading rate and COD removal increase from 40% to 100% and from less than 150 mg/L to over 450 mg/L, respectively. SBR has the lowest unit energy consumption among all the technologies. Therefore, SBR might be the most appropriate technology in small and medium-scale WWTPs in China. Regression equations were developed to predict the unit energy consumption for sustainable design treatment trains by input variables such as design flow rate, operation loading rate, and influent COD concentration.

Activated sludge (AS) process has been used as the conventional industrial wastewater treatment process in the past decades. However, intensive aeration requirements made it impossible for WWTPs to be energy positive. In addition, there are few cases of research assessing the efficiency and economic feasibility of innovative technologies in treating industrial wastewater to achieve energy positive. This study tries to assess the effect of different kinds of industrial wastewater on treatment efficiency, unit energy, environmental sustainability, and unit cost of treatment systems using innovative technologies such as micro sieving, UASB, and PN/A. Our Excel model showed that micro-sieving could remove 32.50-39.72% of COD from industrial wastewater. UASB reactor could removes 15.8%-53.5%, 14.0%-49.0% and 22.9%-51.0% of COD from three different wastewater streams. Mean unit energy production by the innovative system could reach 1.80, 1.77, and 1.73 kWh/kg BODremoved, respectively. The average unit cost of three kinds of wastewater is 0.54, 0.57, and 1.12 $/kg CODremoved, respectively. Treating meat processing wastewater with innovative technologies is the economical treatment method. However, this method could not be considered as the sustainable design due to the high effluent COD concentration. The economic advantages and limitations of innovative technologies in treating industrial wastewater have been quantified by energy, cost and environmental indicators. These metrics provide valuable references for future sustainable design of industrial wastewater treatment systems.

Algal biodiesel is one of the most promising renewable and eco-friendly source of energy for transportation, when algae is produced from wastewater. During the process, both goals of biodiesel production and wastewater treatment could be achieved simultaneously. However, the optimal condition for algae production remained unanswered. Algal biodiesel could be produced from various wastewater treatments. In this study the relationship between biomass production versus lipid productivity in various wastewater sources is statistically analyzed. Chemical oxidation demand, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and CO2 sequestration could be achieved during the production of different algal biomass in numerous type of wastewater effluent. The regression of different system models and interpretation of linear coefficients were represented in this statistically approached studies. Apart from that the paper also discuss the uncertainty of linear regressions using Monte Carlo method, influence of physical parameters on biomass production, energy potential and efficiency of nutrient removal using different phototrophic systems.

One of the challenging tasks of the century is to clean up the contaminants of the environment by ecofriendly, sustainable and economically adoptable technologies. The application of quantum dots (QDs) is growing rapidly in to the field of nanotechnology. The electronic properties such as the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital (EHOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (ELUMO), the energy gap ΔE are correlated to the size of quantum dots (QDs) such as CdSe in the presence of different ligands. Linear regression equations were developed through statistical analysis using SPSS. In terms of correlation coefficient R2, both the size and nature of organic ligand capping affect the EHOMO, ELUMO and ΔE levels of QDs. Among all QDs, CdSe has the strongest correlation between its frontier molecular orbital energy levels with the QDs size. The R2 value is greater than 0.63 for a regression equation with a coefficient value of −0.17 and a constant of 2.9. This result implies that a unit decrease of size in the range lower than 7 nm would increase the band gap ΔE by 17%. Potential environmental applications of QDs are presented.

Background. Depression treatments are typically less effective for young people than for adults. However, extant treatments rarely target loneliness, which is a key risk factor in the onset, maintenance, and development of depression. Aims. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel loneliness intervention, GROUPS 4 HEALTH (G4H), relative to best-practice treatment Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) in reducing loneliness and depression over a 12 month period. Methods. The study was a Phase 3, randomised non-inferiority trial comparing G4H to dose-controlled group CBT. Participants were 174 young people aged 15-25 years experiencing loneliness and clinically significant symptoms of depression, who were not in receipt of adjunct treatment. Participants were recruited from mental health services in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Randomisation was conducted using computer software. Follow-up assessments and statistical analyses were blind to allocation. Both interventions consisted of 5 x 75 min group-based psychotherapy sessions. The primary outcomes were depression and loneliness, with a non-inferiority margin of 2.20 for depression. The trial was prospectively registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry (ACTRN12618000440224) on 27 March 2018 and is closed to new participants. Results. 174 participants were enrolled between 24 April 2018 and 25 May 2019, with 84 in the G4H condition and 90 in the CBT condition. All randomised participants were included in the intention-to-treat analyses (N=174). The pre-post effect sizes for depression were d=-.71G4H and d=-.91CBT. For loneliness, they were d=-1.07G4H and d=-0.89CBT. At 12-month follow-up, the absolute difference between groups in depression was 1.176 (95%CI: -1.94, 4.29), and in loneliness was -0.679 (95%CI: -.1.43, .07). No adverse effects were observed. Conclusions. G4H was non-inferior to CBT for depression and showed a slight advantage over CBT for loneliness that emerged after treatment completion.

STK11 (Liver Kinase B1, LKB1) is the fourth-most frequently mutated gene in lung adenocarcinoma, with loss of function observed in up to 30% of all cases. Our previous work identified a 16-gene signature for LKB1 loss of function through mutational and non-mutational mechanisms. In this study, we applied this genetic signature to TCGA lung adenocarcinoma samples and discovered a novel association between LKB1 loss and widespread DNA demethylation. LKB1-deficient tumors showed depletion of S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM-e), which is the primary substrate for DNMT1 activity. Lower methylation following LKB1 loss involved repetitive elements (RE) and altered RE transcription, as well as decreased sensitivity to azacytidine. Demethylated CpGs were enriched for FOXA family consensus binding sites, and nuclear expression, localization, and turnover of FOXA was dependent upon LKB1. Overall, these findings demonstrate that a large number of lung adenocarcinomas exhibit global hypomethylation driven by LKB1 loss, which has implications for both epigenetic therapy and immunotherapy in these cancers.

Anaerobic co-digestion of lignocellulosic biomass and food waste (FW) has been extensively applied. However, whether hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) of lignocellulosic biomass can enhance the performance in co-digestion deserves further investigation. In this study, corn cob (CC) was adopted as a typical lignocellulosic biomass for co-digestion with FW at different VS ratios of 1:3 (S1–S4) and 1:6 (S5–S8), attempting to evaluate the effect of HTP of CC at different temperature gradients (125, 150 and 175 °C) on the co-digestion performance. The emphasis was placed on hydrolysis, acidification and methanogenesis for different feedstock conditions. Results illustrated that the HTP had a certain destroying effect on the lignocellulose structure in CC and the crystallinity of cellulose decreased, significantly facilitating its co-digestion with FW. For FW/CC co-digestion at the VS ratio of 1:3, the S3 group (CC was pretreated at 150 °C) reached the maximum cumulative biogas yield (CBY) of 4660 mL and the maximum specific methane yield (SMY) of 316.9 mL/g·VS. Moreover, at 1:6, S7 group (pretreated at 150 °C) exhibited the optimal CBY of 4100 mL while achieving the SMY of 277.6 mL/g·VS among the digesters, indicating that the co-digestion of pretreated CC and FW could achieve higher methane production, and 150 °C refers to the optimal pretreatment temperature. Moreover, the peak values of the accumulated VFAs in digesters S1–S4 (2000–3000 mg/L) is higher than that in digesters S5–S8 (800–1500 mg/L). As suggested from microbial community and diversity date, the HTP expedited the enrichment of system hydrolyzing and acidogenic bacteria. These results are significant and provide certain guidance for optimizing the co-digestion of FW and CC in actual engineering.

The intensification of milk production in Brazil in the past decade has imposed great stress on the environment. Therefore, it is very important to find a balance between economic, social, and environmental objectives. The paper assesses the economic costs by production systems: confined feedlot, semi-confined feedlot, and pasture in the south of the country. The economic assessment was realized on some investment analysis tools and the GHG emissions costs for the different production systems indicated. Our results show that hectare and the total area of rural properties were lower in the confined feedlot system, followed by the semi-confined feedlot system and pasture-based grazing system. However, the reduction of the need for feed inputs in the pasture system resulted in lower feeding costs when compared to the other systems. The hectare analysis suggested that the superior productivity of the semi-confined system conditioned higher emission costs in relation to the other systems. However, considered the total emissions of the systems, the pasture system obtained higher values, justified by the greater need for an area for production. The results showed that the higher the food efficiency of a system, the greater the profitability.

Remediation of uranium (U) contamination in the deep vadose zone (VZ) sediments abundant in calcite mineral is a challenging task considering the formation of highly stable and mobile uranyl complexes with carbonate and calcium in pore water composition. There is a concern that uranium contamination in the VZ can serve as a continued source for groundwater pollution, creating a risk to human health and the environment through the groundwater pathway. This requires in-situ remediation of the radionuclide-contaminated VZ to convert soluble U species to low solubility precipitates that are stable in the natural environment. Injection of reactive gasses (e.g., NH3) is a promising technology to decrease U mobility in the unsaturated zone without the addition of liquid amendments. The NH3 injection creates alkaline conditions that can alter the sediment pore water composition due to a release of elements from minerals (via desorption and dissolution) that are present in the sediment. However, it is not known how VZ pore water constituents (Si, Al3+, HCO3−, and Ca2+) would affect U(VI) removal/precipitation in alkaline conditions. This study quantified the role of major pore water constituents typically present in the arid and semi-arid environments of the western regions of the U.S and identified solid uranium-bearing phases that could potentially precipitate from solutions approximating pore water compositions after pH manipulations via ammonia gas injections. Triplicate samples were prepared using six Si (5, 50 100, 150, 200, and 250 mM), six HCO3− (0, 3, 25, 50, 75, and 100 mM), and two Ca2+ (5 and 10 mM) concentrations. The concentration of aluminum and uranium was kept constant at 5 mM and 0.0084 mM, respectively, in all synthetic formulations tested. Results showed that the percentage of U(VI) removal was controlled by the Si/Al molar ratios and Ca2+ concentrations. Regardless of the bicarbonate concentration tested, the percentage of U(VI) removed increased as the Si/Al ratios were increased. However, higher Ca concentrations correlated with higher U(VI) removal, ranging between 96% and 99%, at low Si/Al ratios. The SEM images of dried precipitates displayed dense amorphous regions high in silica content, where EDS elemental analysis unveiled higher U atomic percentages. The formation of uranyl silicate and carbonate minerals was also predicted by the speciation modeling. XRD analysis revealed the presence of uranyl carbonate mineral phases (andersonite, grimselite); however, uranyl silicates predicted (Na-boltwoodite) were not identified experimentally, possibly due to the amorphous nature of the silica solid phases observed in our experiments.

Bleaching technology by ozone dissolved in water offers alternative measures to prevent pollution in the textile industry for sustainable development at organizational and economic levels. In this paper, jeans fabric was treated with ozone injected in water combined with ultrasound and H2O2. Effectiveness of Fenton process regarding dye degradation was also tested with confirmation of hydroxyl radicals detected by fluorescence and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Results showed that individual ozone was more effective regarding the bleaching of the jeans samples than the hydroxyl radicals especially when coupled with ultrasound. The mechanical action of ultrasonic cavitations enhanced the diffusion of ozone through the fabric which increased the degradation of the indigo dye. The fading degree of samples treated with ultrasound and 100 g/Nm3 of ozone for 60 min in acidic condition reached 64.49 which gave a full bleach appearance. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultimate tensile strength and fastness tests were performed in order to evaluate the effect of such treatment on the cotton fabric. The said tests proved that moderated concentrations of ozone caused no damage to the cotton fiber and results were very close to those obtained with ordinary bleaching processes.

These days electrodialysis is recognized as a promising process for the removal and recovery of nutrients from wastewater. However, the electrodialysis process for nutrient recovery is different from traditional desalination electrodialysis, and limited knowledge exists regarding its new application. Therefore, a comprehensive review and critical comparison of the different parameters and optimal operation conditions for nutrient recovery by electrodialysis in various studies are discussed in this manuscript. The relationship between the nutrient recovery rate and critical operating parameters such as voltage, the total effective area of the membrane, number of cell pairs, and feed composition in various wastewater sources is statistically analyzed. Regression results showed that increasing voltages, membrane, and cell numbers improved the recovery rate, respectively. However, it should be mentioned that different mobility behavior of ions are influenced by an electric double layer, selectivity, repulsion of the ion-exchange membrane, and operation conditions including voltage, current density, operation time, and ion concentrations. Hybrid processes enhance the electrodialysis efficiency in wastewater by increasing the feed concentration. The capital and operating costs of the electrodialysis process can be significantly affected by the pump, electrode, and ion-exchange membrane characteristics. Fouling and scaling as a challenge in electrodialysis are investigated in our study.

The present study investigated the effects of acid/alkali pretreatments on wheat straw mono-digestion and its co-digestion with waste activated sludge (WAS). The effects of pretreatment conditions on different anaerobic digestion (AD) stages (hydrolysis, acidogenesis, acetogenesis and methanogenesis) were discussed. At first, this study analyzed the impacts of acid/alkali pretreatments on wheat straw morphology, lignocellulosic components and evaluated these impacts on subsequent AD process by SEM, XRD, FT-IR and 3D-EEM analysis. The results of AD process showed that both acid and alkali pretreatments can enhance the hydrolytic performance of substrates. W12 (0.01 mol/L NaOH pretreated wheat straw mono-digestion) obtained the highest cumulative specific methane yield (CSMY) of 227.4 mL/g·VS. However, due to the formation of humic substances in liquid fraction, 0.1 mol/L NaOH pretreated wheat straw (W13) presented inhibition in converting propionic acid into acetic acid process. Co-digestion with sludge can relieve this inhibition and obtain the highest CSMY of 221.4 mL/g·VS. This study also exhibited the effects of pretreatments on microbial community and diversity: the inhibition of acetogens in AD process was revealed. Eventually, this study summarizes the positive and negative effects of acid/alkali pretreatments on the different digestive stages, aiming to provide references for future research and engineering implementation.

Fenton reaction was used to produce hydroxyl radicals under conditions similar to AOPs with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline- N -oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap agent in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis. A theoretical kinetics model was developed to determine conditions under which the spin-adduct DMPO-OH is not further oxidized by Fe 3+ and excessive radicals, so that hydroxyl radicals concentration could be accurately inferred. Experiments were designed based upon the model and H 2 O 2 and Fe 2+ concentrations were varied from 1 to 100 mM and from 0.1 to 10 mM, respectively, with a constant H 2 O 2 : Fe 2+ ratio of 10:1. Results confirmed that DMPO concentration should be at least 20 times higher than the concentration of H 2 O 2 and 200 times higher than iron concentration to produce stable DMPO-OH EPR signal. When DMPO: H 2 O 2 ratio varied from 1 to 10, DMPO-OH could generate intermediates and be further oxidized leading to the apparition of an additional triplet. This signal was attributed to a paramagnetic dimer: its structure and a formation mechanism were proposed. Finally, the utilization of sodium sulfite and catalase to terminate Fenton reaction was discussed. Catalase appeared to be compatible with DMPO. However, sodium sulfite should be avoided since it reacted with DMPO-OH to form DMPO-SO 3 .

The aim was to determine whether treatment with BAY 60-2770, a selective activator of oxidized soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), near the end of an ischemic event would prevent postischemic inflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in wild-type (WT) and heme oxygenase-1 KO (HO-1−/−) mice. This protocol prevented increases in leukocyte rolling (LR) and adhesion (LA) to intestinal venules along with elevated TNFα and circulating neutrophil levels that accompany ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in both animal models. We further hypothesized that a component of BAY 60-2770 treatment involves maintenance of mitochondrial membrane integrity during I/R. Measurements on isolated enterocytes of calcein fluorescence (mitochondrial permeability) and JC-1 fluorescence ratio (mitochondrial membrane potential) were reduced by I/R, indicating formation of mitochondrial permeability transition pores (mPTP). These effects were abrogated by BAY 60-2770 as well as cyclosporin A and SB-216763, which prevented mPTP opening and inhibited glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), respectively. Western blots of WT and HO-1−/− enterocytes indicated that GSK-3β phosphorylation on Ser9 (inhibitory site) was reduced by half following I/R alone (increased GSK-3β activity) and increased by one-third (reduced GSK-3β activity) following BAY 60-2770. Other investigators have associated phosphorylation of the GSK-3β substrate cyclophilin D (pCyPD) with mPTP formation. We observed a 60% increase in pCyPD after I/R, whereas BAY 60-2770 treatment of sham and I/R groups reduced pCyPD by about 20%. In conclusion, selective activation of oxidized sGC of WT and HO-1−/− during ischemia protects against I/R-induced inflammation and preserves mucosal integrity in part by reducing pCyPD production and mPTP formation.

Hydrophobicity, as measured by Log P, is an important molecular property in assessing toxicity and carcinogenicity of disinfection by-products (DBPs). With increasing public health concerns of DPBs, there are considerable benefits in developing Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, capable of accurately predicting Log P, which could be used in health risk assessment of DBPs. In this research, Log P values of 46 halogenated alkanes, as one class of DBP compounds, were used to develop QSAR models for this class. Three molecular descriptors, namely, Energy of the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (ELUMO), Number of Chlorine (NCl) and Number of Carbon (NC) were used in Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) analysis. The QSAR models developed were validated according to the principles set up by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Model Applicability Domain (AD) of the developed QSAR models was defined and mechanisms were interpreted. Considering large number of halogenated alkane compounds, the established QSAR models performed very well in terms of goodness-of-fit, robustness and predictability. The predicted values of Log P of DBPs by the QSAR models have correlation coefficient R2 from 81 % to 98 % with the observed Log P. The leverage approach by Williams plot was applied to detect and remove outliers. As a result, the correlation coefficient, R2, of the QSAR models increased by approximately 2 % to 13 %, before and after removing the outliers, respectively. The developed QSAR model was statistically validated for its predictive power of Log P by the Leave-One-Out (LOO) and Leave-Many-Out (LMO) cross validation methods.

In research, design, and validation of UV disinfection systems of a given bacteria, shoulder effect makes prediction of fluence required difficult. This study theoretically analyzes the fluence required to inactivate any bacteria vs. E. coli as the reference bacteria, at the same Log I. Bacteria sensitivity index (BSI) is defined as the ratio between the inactivation rate constant ki of any bacteria for the linear portion of the dose response curve to that kir of E. coli. Among three sets of fluence requirement reported by the US EPA [4] , Sommer et al. [5] , [20] , and Chang et al. [6] , the fluence required from the EPA is selected as the most suitable reference according to its predictive power as well as regulatory purpose. In the present study, shoulder broadness (SB), H0, is approximated with the intercept of the linear portion at the Log I = 0. A universal equation which can be used to predict the fluence required of any bacteria with a shoulder: H = (0.914 ± 0.055) * (BSI)E * (Log I) + H0. Furthermore, shoulder broadness index (SBI) is defined as the ratio between the fluence difference of any bacteria and the reference bacteria such as E. coli divided by the SB of E. coli. To validate the equation, an independent set of fluence data during UV disinfection of four different ARBs reported by McKinney and Pruden [8] was used. When the predicted fluence by using BSI of the ARBs is compared with the reported fluence at different Log I levels with less than 10% error with Log I up to 5.

Decolorization of Acid Blue 161 (AB161) by solid peroxides such as CaO2 and Na2O2 catalyzed by iron in aqueous solution was investigated. The effect of initial pH, concentration of H2O2, Fe2+, and AB161 on the decolorization kinetics was investigated and compared with the results by liquid H2O2. The experimental results show that decolorization of AB161 follows the second-order kinetic. The second decolorization rate constants and oxidation efficiency at different initial pH, Fe2+, H2O2, and AB161 concentration were correlated with dimensionless ratios such as H2O2/Fe2+ or H2O2/AB161. About two dozens of correlation equations are developed in this paper to quantify the effect of the variables on the decolorization rate constants of AB161. Among solid peroxides such as CaO2 and Na2O2 and liquid H2O2, the optimal pH and [Fe2+] are 2.5 and 5.0 × 10−4 mol L−1, while the concentration of CaO2, Na2O2, and H2O2 is 0.30, 0.25 g L−1 and 3.1 × 10−3 mol L−1, respectively. Our experimental results show that d...

El objetivo del estudio fue estimar la prevalencia de helmintiasis gastrointestinal en cuyes de producción familiar-comercial del distrito de Matahuasi, provincia Concepción, Junín-Perú; así como determinar los géneros y especies de helmintos gastrointestinales; carga y tipo de parasitismo (monoparasitismo, biparasitismo o poliparasitismo), grado de concordancia entre el recuento diferencial de parásitos al examen post mortem vs las técnicas coprológicas y la sensibilidad/especificidad de las técnicas coprológicas en el diagnóstico de la helmintiasis gastrointestinal en cuyes. Se adquirieron 262 tractos gastrointestinales de centros de acopio de cuyes provenientes de crianzas familiar-comercial entre enero y marzo de 2017. Se evaluaron los segmentos de estómago, intestino delgado e intestino grueso para determinar la carga parasitaria y se colectaron muestras fecales del recto. El procesamiento de muestras se realizó mediante el recuento diferencial de parásitos al examen post mortem y técnicas coprológicas complementarias (Flotación y Dennis modificado). La prevalencia de helmintos gastrointestinales fue de 82.8 ± 4.6%. Se identificaron Paraspidodera uncinata, Capillaria spp, Trichostrongylus axei y Trichuris spp con frecuencias de 74, 34, 6.1 y 3.4%, respectivamente. El número promedio de helmintos por animal fue 24.7, donde P. uncinata, Capillaria spp, Trichostrongylus axei y Trichuris spp mostraron promedios de 23.5, 8.7, 1.2 y 1.2, respectivamente. El monoparasitismo fue 50.4% y el biparasitismo fue 30.2%. El grado de concordancia entre las técnicas coprológicas presentó valores de Kappa (K) igual a 0.19 y 0.13 indicando que fue del tipo pobre. Las técnicas de flotación y Dennis modificado presentaron una sensibilidad de 39.6 y 29.5% y una especificidad de 89.9 y 93.3%, respectivamente.

Global awareness regarding the effects of Climate Change has led to a more restrictive society and demanding concerned with Greenhouse Gas Emissions associated with consumption. In this context, the livestock sector is seen as a major contributor to various impacts, as it is implemented throughout different climatic zones, with high variations in production and food systems, which, in turn, present direct impacts on productivity and environmental externalities. In this context, the aim of this study was to rank possible improvement actions that allow the reduction of the Carbon Footprint originated from Brazilian beef exports considering multiple criteria, from the identification of the impact profile associated with the final product. Thus, the Carbon Footprint was first estimated considering the production phase, in the Brazilian Central-West, and beef processing and transport until its delivery at three main final export destinations: Rotterdam, Shanghai and St. Petersburg. Subsequently, multicriteria decision-making methods were applied in order to quantify and rank possible improvement actions, with the joint application of the Fuzzy Set Theory and the TOPSIS method. Finally, the criteria are presented in the form of a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) matrix for each evaluated alternative. The animal production stage represented the main impacts of Climate Change on the product system (over 96% for all export destinations) due to the digestive fermentation of the animals, leading to methane emissions. The option to implement improvement actions for the evaluated productive arrangement, the use of protein-energetic supplementation and pasture fertilization-rotation in the animal production phase, alongside the replacement of road transport units by more modern vehicles in the industrial phase, were identified as alternatives that decrease the impact potential and facilitate the animal production phase. In this sense, the results point to possible improvements that, in addition to presenting low restrictions for implementation, can significantly reduce the beef Carbon Footprint. Improving Brazilian efficiency in terms of Carbon Footprint in this production chain can, in addition to provide a strategic differential concerning production and commercialization, contribute to reduce environmental impacts resulting from the sector at a global level. However, it is necessary to search for measures that facilitate the implementation of these actions, mainly at the rural producer level, considering both technical aspects and the qualification, training, consulting and financial aspects, such as credit and subsidies, improving the environmental performance of this arrangement with a view to balancing it with the other dimensions.

Degradation kinetics of azo dye, Acid Blue 161 (AB161), by Fenton and photo-Fenton processes in aqueous solution was investigated. At pH 3.5, the effects of H2O2, Fe2+, and H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratios, on the AB161 decolorization kinetic rates, were evaluated. Experimental results confirmed that the optimal H2O2/Fe2+ molar ratio of 12 is close to the theoretical value of 11 as predicted by previously developed model. The influence of azo bond loading (L azo bond), from 0.25 to 1.0, and pH values from 2.5 to 4.0 were evaluated on AB161 decolorization kinetic rates. A correlation between the natural logarithm of the decolorization rates and L azo bond was established at the different pH values. The decolorization rate increased linearly with decreasing L azo bond, in the order of pH: 3.5 > 3.0 > 2.5 > 4.0. UV radiation of Fenton processes increases degradation of AB161 more than 40 % due to the regeneration of Fe2+ through photo-catalytic reactions. This phenomenon was confirmed by measuring H2O2 concentration during the photo-Fenton processes. The results suggest that Fenton processes can effectively decolorize or degrade wastewater containing azo dye, AB161. Photo-Fenton processes may further increase the degradation efficiency of AB161 by 40 %.

The present paper describes a green and economic approach to explore EDTA/DTPA-functionalized magnetic chitosan as adsorbents for the removal of aqueous metal ions, such as Cd(II), Pb(II), Co(II), and Ni(II). EDTA and DTPA play roles not only as cross-linkers but also as functional groups in chelating metal ions. The morphology, structure, and property of the magnetic adsorbents were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, EDS, FT-IR, TGA, and VSM techniques. Their adsorption properties for the removal of metal ions by varying experimental conditions were also investigated. The kinetic results revealed that the transportation of adsorbates from the bulk phase to the exterior surface of adsorbents was the rate-controlling step. The obtained maximum adsorption capacities of magnetic adsorbents for the metal ions ranged from 0.878 to 1.561 mmol g–1. Bi-Langmuir and Sips isotherm models fitting well to the experimental data revealed the surface heterogeneity of the adsorbents. More significantly, the resulting EDTA-/...

A novel magnetic hydroxamic acid modified polyacrylamide/Fe 3 O 4 adsorbent (M-PAM-HA) was prepared with acrylamide by microemulsion polymerization and then nucleophilic substitution of hydroxamic acid. The morphology, structure of the magnetic adsorbents before (M-PAM) and after modification (M-PAM-HA) were characterized and their adsorption properties for the removal of metal ions by varying test conditions were also investigated. The modified M-PAM exhibited lower swelling property and less magnetic leaching than M-PAM. Their adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order model. The maximum adsorption capacities of metal ions ranged from 0.11 to 0.29 mmol g −1 for M-PAM and 0.88–1.93 mmol g −1 for M-PAM-HA, respectively. Sips model fitting well to experimental data revealed the surface heterogeneity of the prepared adsorbents. In multi-metal systems, M-PAM-HA showed the relative selectivity toward Pb(II), although Pb(II) was adsorbed the least in their corresponding one-metal systems. The adsorption mechanism was proposed based on the results of FTIR and density functional theory (DFT) calculation.

Lake Okeechobee is a large shallow lake with over 44% (as of 2006) being underlain with phosphorus-enriched mud sediments. Wind-induced sediment re-suspension may play a significant role in the nutrient cycling of this lake. It is critical to develop optimal models with low uncertainty to map the distribution and changes of total phosphorus (TP) over time. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) is a powerful spatial regression method that examines the details of relationship between the target variable and independent variables and their changes over space. The calibrated GWR models were applied to data sets of organic mud sediment from Lake Okeechobee collected in 1988, 1998 and 2006. Three sets of ancillary data were also used in the models: total iron (Fe), which was strongly and positively correlated to TP (0.69–0.72); mud thickness, which was moderately and positively correlated to TP (0.57–0.72); and site elevation, which was weakly but negatively correlated to TP (−0.46- −0.55). The GWR models we...