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Abstract: The largest seismic event ever recorded on Mars, with a moment magnitude of 4.7 ± 0.2, is the first event to produce both Love and Rayleigh wave signals. We measured their group velocity dispersion between about 15 and 40 s period and found that no isotropic depth‐dependent velocity model could explain the two types of waves wave simultaneously, likely indicating the presence of seismic anisotropy. Inversions of Love and Rayleigh waves yielded velocity models with horizontally polarized shear waves traveling faster than vertically polarized shear waves in the top 10–25 km. We discuss the possible origins of this signal, including the preferred orientation of anisotropic crystals due to shear deformation, alignment of cracks, layered intrusions due to an impact, horizontal layering due to the presence of a large‐scale sediment layer on top of the crust, and alternation of sedimentation and basalt layers deposits due to large volcanic eruptions.

We detected surface waves from two meteorite impacts on Mars. By measuring group velocity dispersion along the impact-lander path, we obtained a direct constraint on crustal structure away from the InSight lander. The crust north of the equatorial dichotomy had a shear wave velocity of approximately 3.2 kilometers per second in the 5- to 30-kilometer depth range, with little depth variation. This implies a higher crustal density than inferred beneath the lander, suggesting either compositional differences or reduced porosity in the volcanic areas traversed by the surface waves. The lower velocities and the crustal layering observed beneath the landing site down to a 10-kilometer depth are not a global feature. Structural variations revealed by surface waves hold implications for models of the formation and thickness of the martian crust.

Broadband acoustic analysis of scattering from sharp density gradients in the water column generally treat the interfaces as smooth surfaces. However, these interfaces may exhibit roughness owing to external water column forcing and local convective processes. In this work we extend broadband backscatter analysis methods to consider interface roughness by drawing upon methods developed for sea surface and seabed acoustic backscattering. The one-dimensional acoustic model from Weidner and Weber [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 150(6), 4353-4361 (2021)], which predicts a decay in the reflected wave amplitude from stratification interfaces with increasing frequency, was expanded for surface applications. The expanded model was used to analyze the scattered pressure field from interfaces over a range of surface roughness magnitudes. Analysis of model results indicate that stratification interface roughness, quantified by the root-mean-squared interface slope angle and root-mean-squared height of the interface, modifies the model-predicted frequency-dependent backscattering. A broadband acoustic inversion procedure to remotely measure the magnitude of the vertical extent of stratification gradients and the corresponding sound speed perturbation was defined. The broadband inversion method was tested on data collected in the Baltic Sea with well-documented, strong salinity-driven stratification., (© 2024 Acoustical Society of America.)

Purpose: To follow the development of the microsporidian Spraguea americanus within the nervous tissue of Lophius. An attempt to determine when and how the infection begins., Methods: Acquiring different age groups of Lophius and recovering the infected sites, particularly the supramedullary neuron fibers and preparing them for microscopy., Results: The youngest juvenile Lophius recovered were 140 mm long with established infections. These infections consisted of meronts and sporoblasts but no spores. The evidence indicates these infections began a month or so earlier., Conclusions: Early stages of S. americanus development occur only in juvenile Lophius and not present in older fish. The prediction is infections of all Spraguea species begin early in the life of benthic juvenile Lophius. The high incidence of infection among these fish is an indicator that the location where the infection begins is likely rich in infective spores., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Purpose: Most eukaryotic cells have a plasma membrane with glycoproteins on the outer leaflet and cytoplasmic proteins on the inner leaflet. However, the microsporidians examined have a peculiar outer membrane with cytoplasmic proteins on the surface. His study was to determine if this is true and identify the presence of key cytoplasmic proteins on the exterior of the sporoplasm and spore stages., Methods: Specific probes including GFP-labeled genes, antibodies, and electron microscopy were applied to studies on the sporoplasm and spore stages of different microsporidian species., Results: Cytoplasmic membrane proteins cadherin, intermediate filaments, dynactin p150Glued and tubulin were identified on the outer leaflet of the exterior membrane of the sporoplasm or spore stages of Spraguea americanus, Anncaliia algerae, Ameson michaelis and Thelohania sp., Conclusion: The invasive sporoplasm stage of microsporidians acquires an outer membrane from a cytoplasmic organelle and it has been shown that the outside surface of this membrane bears cytoplasmic proteins. This membrane retains these cytoplasmic proteins even on the spore stage. For an intracellular parasite that locates directly within the cytoplasm of a host cell, the presence of these cytoplasmic proteins on the surface of the parasite appears to have a significant effect on the host's response., (© 2021. Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Postoperative delirium is common especially in the elderly and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Non-pharmacological multicomponent interventions are effective in reducing the incidence and to a degree the duration of postoperative delirium and are recommended in international guidelines on postoperative delirium as first line intervention for management of delirium. Non-pharmacological management of postoperative delirium consists of strategies for risk stratification, risk reduction by non-pharmacological bundle interventions, early recognition of delirium by screening protocols and immediate therapy of underlying causes of delirium and continuation of non-pharmacological bundles. Non-pharmacological bundle interventions address common perioperative risk factors. Bundles comprise strategies for oxygenation, mobilization, hydration and nutrition, sensory and cognitive stimulation, reorientation, modifications of environmental factors such as design aspects and noise reduction, adequate analgesia, management of agitation and anxiety, protecting circadian rhythms for example by adequate light exposure during daytime, family involvement and timely reduction of unnecessary catheters and anticholinergic drugs. The article aims at providing an overview of non-pharmacological management of postoperative delirium in the hospital., Competing Interests: Erklärung zu finanziellen Interessen Forschungsförderung erhalten: ja, von einer anderen Institution (Pharma- oder Medizintechnikfirma usw.); Honorar/geldwerten Vorteil für Referententätigkeit erhalten: ja, von einer anderen Institution (Pharma- oder Medizintechnikfirma usw.); Bezahlter Berater/interner Schulungsreferent/Gehaltsempfänger: nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an im Bereich der Medizin aktiven Firma: nein; Patent/Geschäftsanteile/Aktien (Autor/Partner, Ehepartner, Kinder) an zu Sponsoren dieser Fortbildung bzw. durch die Fortbildung in ihren Geschäftsinteressen berührten Firma: nein Erklärung zu nichtfinanziellen Interessen Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

The wastewater pollution of tanneries is of high concern. The investigation of technologies to minimize the consumption of chemicals in the leather production process can reduce the environmental burden. We focus on the reduction of ammonium salts in the leather production process. Salt-free deliming of animal hides with compressed carbon dioxide as deliming agent is performed for the first time in a technical scale 20-L drum. As a result, CO 2 -deliming at 30 bar and 30 °C is two times faster than conventional deliming. In addition, the deliming efficiency is slightly improved. The initial calcium (Ca) content of the hides of 8 g/kg reaches the lowest value of 2 g/kg after a process time of 3 h. However, a process time of 60 min is sufficient to reach an elimination of 50 wt% of the initial lime. The resulting Ca-content of 4 g/kg after 60 min CO 2 -deliming at 30 bar is comparable with the Ca-content of conventional delimed hide. We clarify that the ampholytic character of the collagen itself enables a buffering of the pH-value at pH-7. The stable pH-value supports the selection of specific bating enzymes that decompose non-collagen proteins. No buffering salts contaminate the wastewater. The high-pressure CO 2 -deliming process has high potential to reduce wastewater emissions, save costs for chemicals, and process time in industrial beamhouse applications.

On their spore surfaces, Microsporidia often develop a canopy of filaments with characteristics of intermediate filaments (IF), as we demonstrated in previous studies on Thelohania sp., Ameson michaelis, and Spraguea lophii. Genomic studies indicate that among invertebrates, lamins that may localize in the cytoplasm or nucleus, are the only known IF type. These IFs can bind to the substrate containing cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) cadherins, associated with β and γ catenins. The objects of this study were to determine whether microsporidia have CAMs with the attached IFs on their envelopes and to find out if these proteins are provided by the host. An examination was made for localization of lamins and CAMs on the spores of the mentioned above species and Anncaliia algerae, plus in the host animals. Then, we determined whether the spores of A. michaelis and A. algerae could bind vertebrate nuclear lamin onto the spore surface. We also tested transgenic Drosophila melanogaster stocks bearing cadherin-GFP to see whether developing A. algerae parasites in these hosts could acquire host CAMs. The tests were positive for all these experiments. We hypothesize that microsporidia are able to acquire host lamin IFs and cell adhesion catenin-cadherin complexes from the host., (© 2020 International Society of Protistologists.)

Introduction: Postoperative delirium (POD) is seen in approximately 15% of elderly patients and is related to poorer outcomes. In 2017, the Federal Joint Committee (Gemeinsamer Bundesausschuss) introduced a 'quality contract' (QC) as a new instrument to improve healthcare in Germany. One of the four areas for improvement of in-patient care is the 'Prevention of POD in the care of elderly patients' (QC-POD), as a means to reduce the risk of developing POD and its complications.The Institute for Quality Assurance and Transparency in Health Care identified gaps in the in-patient care of elderly patients related to the prevention, screening and treatment of POD, as required by consensus-based and evidence-based delirium guidelines. This paper introduces the QC-POD protocol, which aims to implement these guidelines into the clinical routine. There is an urgent need for well-structured, standardised and interdisciplinary pathways that enable the reliable screening and treatment of POD. Along with effective preventive measures, these concepts have a considerable potential to improve the care of elderly patients., Methods and Analysis: The QC-POD study is a non-randomised, pre-post, monocentric, prospective trial with an interventional concept following a baseline control period. The QC-POD trial was initiated on 1 April 2020 between Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin and the German health insurance company BARMER and will end on 30 June 2023., Inclusion Criteria: patients 70 years of age or older that are scheduled for a surgical procedure requiring anaesthesia and insurance with the QC partner (BARMER). Exclusion criteria included patients with a language barrier, moribund patients and those unwilling or unable to provide informed consent. The QC-POD protocol provides perioperative intervention at least two times per day, with delirium screening and non-pharmacological preventive measures., Ethics and Dissemination: This protocol was approved by the ethics committee of the Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany (EA1/054/20). The results will be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal and presented at national and international conferences., Trial Registration Number: NCT04355195., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2023. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

γ-Alumina with incorporated metal oxide species (including Fe, Cu, Zn, Bi, and Ga) was synthesized by liquid-assisted grinding-mechanochemical synthesis, applying boehmite as the alumina precursor and suitable metal salts. Various contents of metal elements (5 wt.%, 10 wt.%, and 20 wt.%) were used to tune the composition of the resulting hybrid materials. The different milling time was tested to find the most suitable procedure that allowed the preparation of porous alumina incorporated with selected metal oxide species. The block copolymer, Pluronic P123, was used as a pore-generating agent. Commercial γ-alumina (S BET = 96 m 2 ·g -1 ), and the sample fabricated after two hours of initial grinding of boehmite (S BET = 266 m 2 ·g -1 ), were used as references. Analysis of another sample of γ-alumina prepared within 3 h of one-pot milling revealed a higher surface area (S BET = 320 m 2 ·g -1 ) that did not increase with a further increase in the milling time. So, three hours of grinding time were set as optimal for this material. The synthesized samples were characterized by low-temperature N 2 sorption, TGA/DTG, XRD, TEM, EDX, elemental mapping, and XRF techniques. The higher loading of metal oxide into the alumina structure was confirmed by the higher intensity of the XRF peaks. Samples synthesized with the lowest metal oxide content (5 wt.%) were tested for selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH 3 (NH 3 -SCR). Among all tested samples, besides pristine Al 2 O 3 and alumina incorporated with gallium oxide, the increase in reaction temperature accelerated the NO conversion. The highest NO conversion rate was observed for Fe 2 O 3 -incorporated alumina (70%) at 450 °C and CuO-incorporated alumina (71%) at 300 °C. The CO 2 capture was also studied for synthesized samples and the sample of alumina with incorporated Bi 2 O 3 (10 wt.%) gave the best result (1.16 mmol·g -1 ) at 25 °C, while alumina alone could adsorb only 0.85 mmol·g -1 of CO 2 . Furthermore, the synthesized samples were tested for antimicrobial properties and found to be quite active against Gram-negative bacteria, P. aeruginosa (PA). The measured Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values for the alumina samples with incorporated Fe, Cu, and Bi oxide (10 wt.%) were found to be 4 µg·mL -1 , while 8 µg·mL -1 was obtained for pure alumina.

Background: Measuring pain intensity in patients unable to communicate is a challenge on general wards. Observation-based pain scoring tools have been used for patients with dementia or in critically ill intensive care unit (ICU) patients. However, there is no established or validated assessment tool for non-ICU patients without dementia related cognitive deficiencies who cannot communicate. The "Behavioural Pain Scale Non-Intubated" (BPS-NI) and the "Pain Assessment In Advanced Dementia-German" (PAINAD-G) are potential tools to fill this gap., Methods: This study was performed with verbal non-ICU patients on general wards at Charité Berlin. Two assessors independently rated pain intensity using the BPS-NI and the PAINAD-G along with patients' self-ratings on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). The interrater-reliability of BPS-NI and PAINAD-G was calculated and ROC-analyses were performed to identify cut-off values for medium and intense pain for each score. Effectiveness was calculated using percentage agreement. In total, 126 patients were included into analysis., Results: The BPS-NI showed substantial congruence in interrater-reliability (Cohens-Kappa 0.71), whereas the PAINAD-G showed moderate congruence (Kappa 0.48). Based on ROC-analyses, for medium pain levels a cut-off 4 (BPS-NI) or 2 (PAINAD-G) and for severe pain levels cut-off 5 (BPS-NI) and 3 (PAINAD-G) would result in good accordance with self-reported NRS for pain., Conclusion: The BPS-NI shows a good validity in measuring pain intensity in patients on general wards and may possibly be used for patients unable to communicate. Using defined cut-off values for BPS-NI and PAINAD-G, clinically relevant pain intensities in patients can reliably be detected., Significance: Measuring the pain intensity in patients unable to communicate is a common challenge on general wards. This study assessed reliability and applicability BPS-NI and the PAINAD-G in a general ward setting. Furthermore, it provides cut-off values in order to estimate pain intensity and support analgesic response., (© 2022 The Authors. European Journal of Pain published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of European Pain Federation - EFIC ®.)

This study concerns the fabrication of CTAB- and N,N-dimethyltetradecylamine-grafted zirconia and evaluation of their ability to adsorb vanadium ions. The effectiveness of ZrO 2 functionalization and the different nature of the modifiers used were confirmed by differences in the porosity (ZrO 2 : S BET = 347 m 2 /g; ZrO 2 -CTAB: S BET = 375 m 2 /g, ZrO 2 -NH + : S BET = 155 m 2 /g), types of functional groups, and isoelectric points (the ZrO 2 and CTAB-modified samples have IEPs = 3.8 and 3.9, ZrO 2 -NH + has IEP = 7.1) of the prepared adsorbents. The designed materials were tested in batch adsorption experiments involving the removal of vanadium ions from model wastewaters at various process parameters, among which pH proved to be the most important. Based on equilibrium and kinetic evaluations, it was proved that the sorption of V(V) ions followed pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models, and the data were better fitted to the Langmuir model, suggesting the following order of the sorbents in terms of favorability for V(V) ion adsorption: ZrO 2 -NH +  > ZrO 2 > ZrO 2 -CTAB. The estimated maximum monolayer capacity of ZrO 2 -NH + for V(V) (87.72 mg/g) was the highest among the tested materials. Additionally, it was confirmed that adsorption of V(V) ions onto synthesized materials is a heterogeneous, exothermic, and spontaneous reaction, as evidenced by the calculated values of thermodynamic parameters. The key goals included the transfer of experimental findings obtained using model solutions to the adsorption of V(V) ions from solutions arising from the leaching process of spent catalysts. The highest adsorption efficiencies of 70.8% and 47.5% were recorded for the ZrO 2 -NH + material in acidic solution; this may be related to the protonization of -NH + groups, which favors the sorption of V(V) ions. Based on desorption tests as well as the results of infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, irrespective of the process conditions, the physical nature of the adsorbent/adsorbate interaction was confirmed., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Novel alumina-based materials enriched with vanadia and lanthana were successfully synthesized via in situ modification using a mechanochemical method, and were applied in ammonia-induced selective catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides (SCR process). The synthesis was optimized in terms of the ball milling time (3 or 5 h), vanadium content (0.5, 1 or 2 wt% in the final product), and lanthanum content (0.5 or 1 wt% in the final product). Vanadium (V) oxide was immobilized on an alumina support to provide catalytic activity, while lanthana was introduced to increase the affinity of nitrogen oxides and create more active adsorption sites. Mechanochemical synthesis successfully produced mesoporous materials with a large specific surface area of 279-337 m 2 /g and a wide electrokinetic potential range from 60 to (- 40) mV. Catalytic tests showed that the incorporation of vanadia resulted in a very large improvement in catalytic performance compared with pristine alumina, increasing its efficiency from 14 to 63% at 400 °C. The best SCR performance, a 75% nitrogen oxide conversion rate at a temperature of 450 °C, was obtained for alumina enriched with 2 and 0.5 wt% of vanadium and lanthanum, respectively, which may be considered as a promising result., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

This paper discusses the properties of metal oxide/biochar systems for use in wastewater treatment. Titanium, zinc, and iron compounds are most often combined with biochar; therefore, combinations of their oxides with biochar are the focus of this review. The first part of this paper presents the most important information about biochar, including its advantages, disadvantages, and possible modification, emphasizing the incorporation of inorganic oxides into its structure. In the next four sections, systems of biochar combined with TiO 2 , ZnO, Fe 3 O 4 , and other metal oxides are discussed in detail. In the next to last section probable degradation mechanisms are discussed. Literature studies revealed that the dispersion of a metal oxide in a carbonaceous matrix causes the creation or enhancement of surface properties and catalytic or, in some cases, magnetic activity. Addition of metallic species into biochars increases their weight, facilitating their separation by enabling the sedimentation process and thus facilitating the recovery of the materials from the water medium after the purification process. Therefore, materials based on the combination of inorganic oxide and biochar reveal a wide range of possibilities for environmental applications in aquatic media purification., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

Stable fluid bodies, such as the ocean and atmosphere, are composed of a series of increasingly dense layers, defined by density stratification interfaces in which the medium properties (e.g., temperature, salinity) change. The intensity of the stratification between the layers influences the internal mixing dynamics and entrainment, facilitating the transport of dissolved constituents within the fluid medium. Acoustic systems offer the means for high resolution observations of these interfaces, which allow for continuous data collection over broad spatial scales. Here, a one-dimensional acoustic scattering model is presented for predicting acoustic backscatter from stratification interfaces, which is widely applicable to the acoustic water column data collected with ship-mounted sonars. Model predictions based on hydrographic profiles suggest that in many oceanic cases, the density gradient perturbations can be disregarded, and sound speed perturbations alone drive the majority of the acoustic scattering. A frequency-dependent scattering intensity based on the sharpness of the stratification interface is predicted by the model, suggesting a path to remote estimations of the physical medium properties through broadband acoustic inversion.

Due to the brittle nature of poly(lactic acid) many attempts have been made to flexibilize this polyester for applications such as thin films and foils. However, due to complex phase behavior, many drawbacks for plasticizer and blend components are described. To overcome miscibility, post crystallization and migration issues a principle of click-chemistry was employed to change the molecular characteristics from external to internal plasticization by fixation of a plastisizing unit with help of a stereocomplex crystallization. Hydroxyl terminated polycaprolactone oligomers were used as a macroinitiator for the ring opening polymerization of d-lactide, resulting in blockcopolymers with plasticizing unit polycaprolactone and compatibilizing poly(d-lactic acid)-blocks. The generated block copolymers were blended with a poly(l-lactic acid)-matrix and formed so called stereocomplex crystals. In comparison to unbound polycaprolactone the polycaprolactone blocks show a lower migration tendency regarding a solution test in toluene. Besides that, trapping the plasticizing units via stereocomplex also improves the efficiency of the plasticizer. In comparison to polymer blends with the same amount of non-bonded polycaprolactone oligomers of the same molecular weight, block copolymers with poly(d-lactic acid) and polycaprolactone can shift the glass transition temperature to lower values. This effect can be explained by the modulated crystallization of the polycaprolactone-blocks trapped into the matrix, so that a higher effective amount can interact with the poly(l-lactic acid)-matrix.

Representatives of the genus Anncaliia are known as natural parasites of dipteran and coleopteran insects, amphipod crustaceans, but also humans, primarily with immunodeficiency. Anncaliia algerae-caused fatal myositis is considered as an emergent infectious disease in humans. A. (=Nosema, Brachiola) algerae, the best studied species of the genus, demonstrates the broadest among microsporidia range of natural and experimental hosts, but it has never been propagated in Drosophila. We present ultrastructural analysis of development of A. algerae in visceral muscles and adipocytes of Drosophila melanogaster 2 wk after per oral experimental infection. We observed typical to Anncaliia spp. features of ultrastructure and cell pathology including spore morphology, characteristic extensions of the plasma membrane, and presence of "ridges" and appendages of tubular material at proliferative stages. Anncaliia algerae development in D. melanogaster was particularly similar to one of A. algerae and A.(Brachiola) vesicularum in humans with acute myositis. Given D. melanogaster is currently the most established genetic model, with a fully sequenced genome and easily available transgenic forms and genomic markers, a novel host-parasite system might provide new genetic tools to investigate host-pathogen interactions of A. algerae, as well to test antimicrosporidia drugs., (© 2019 International Society of Protistologists.)

Scientific development has increased the awareness of water pollutant forms and has reawakened the need for its effective purification. Oxyanions are created by a variety of redox-sensitive metals and metalloids. These species are harmful to living matter due to their toxicity, nondegradibility, and mobility in aquatic environments. Among a variety of water treatment techniques, adsorption is one of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective. Since metal-oxide-based adsorbents poses a variety of functional groups onto their surface, they were widely applied in ions sorption. In this paper adsorption of harmful oxyanions by metal oxide-based materials according to literature survey was studied. Characteristic of oxyanions originating from As, V, B, W and Mo, their probable adsorption mechanisms and comparison of their sorption affinity for metal-oxide-based materials such as iron oxides, aluminum oxides, titanium dioxide, manganium dioxide, and various oxide minerals and their combinations are presented in this paper.

Microsporidia comprise a large phylum of single-cell and obligate intracellular parasites that can infect a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts including humans. These fungal-related parasites are characterized by a highly reduced genome, a strong energy dependence on their host, but also by their unique invasion organelle known as the polar tube which is coiled within the resistant spore. Upon appropriate environmental stimulation, the long hollow polar tube (ranging from 50 to 500 μm in length) is extruded at ultra-fast speeds (300 μm/s) from the spore acting as a harpoon-like organelle to transport and deliver the infectious material or sporoplasm into the host cell. To date, seven polar tube proteins (PTPs) with distinct localizations along the extruded polar tube have been described. For example, the specific location of PTP4 and PTP7 at the tip of the polar tube supports their role in interacting with cellular receptor(s). This chapter provides a brief overview on the current understanding of polar tube structure and dynamics of extrusion, primarily through recent advancements in cryo-tomography and 3D reconstruction. It also explores the various mechanisms used for host cell invasion. Finally, recent studies on the structure and maturation of sporoplasm and its moving through the tube are discussed., (© 2024 International Society of Protistologists.)

Although there is enough heat contained in inflowing warm Atlantic Ocean water to melt all Arctic sea ice within a few years, a cold halocline limits upward heat transport from the Atlantic water. The amount of heat that penetrates the halocline to reach the sea ice is not well known, but vertical heat transport through the halocline layer can significantly increase in the presence of double diffusive convection. Such convection can occur when salinity and temperature gradients share the same sign, often resulting in the formation of thermohaline staircases. Staircase structures in the Arctic Ocean have been previously identified and the associated double diffusive convection has been suggested to influence the Arctic Ocean in general and the fate of the Arctic sea ice cover in particular. A central challenge to understanding the role of double diffusive convection in vertical heat transport is one of observation. Here, we use broadband echo sounders to characterize Arctic thermohaline staircases at their full vertical and horizontal resolution over large spatial areas (100 s of kms). In doing so, we offer new insight into the mechanism of thermohaline staircase evolution and scale, and hence fluxes, with implications for understanding ocean mixing processes and ocean-sea ice interactions.

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide is usually studied in aqueous solutions under ambient conditions. However, the main disadvantages of this method are high hydrogen evolution and low faradaic efficiencies of carbon-based products. Supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 ) can be used as a solvent itself to suppresses hydrogen evolution and tune the carbon-based product yield; however, it has received little attention for this purpose. Therefore, the focus of this study was on the electrochemical reduction of scCO 2 . The conductivity of scCO 2 was increased through the addition of supporting electrolyte and a cosolvent (acetonitrile). Furthermore, the addition of protic solutions of different pH to scCO 2 was investigated. 1 m H 2 SO 4 , trifluoroethanol, H 2 O, KOH, and CsHCO 3 solutions were used to determine the effect on current density, faradaic efficiency, and selectivity of the scCO 2 reduction. The reduction of scCO 2 to methanol and ethanol are reported for the first time. However, methane and ethylene were not observed. Additionally, corrosion of the Cu electrode was noticed., (© 2017 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Bioelectrochemical power-to-gas (BEP2G) is considered a potentially convenient way of storing renewable surplus electricity in the form of methane. In methane-producing bioelectrochemical systems (BESs), carbon dioxide and electrical energy are converted into methane, using electrodes that supply either electrons or hydrogen to methanogenic archaea. This review summarizes the performance of methane-producing BESs in relation to cathode potential, electrode materials, operational strategies, and inoculum. Analysis and estimation of energy input and production rates show that BEP2G may become an attractive alternative for thermochemical methanation, and biochemical methanogenesis. To determine if BEP2G can become a future power-to-gas technology, challenges relating to cathodic energy losses, choice of a suitable electron donor, efficient reactor design/operation, and experience with large reactors need to be overcome., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Micro composites are commonly characterized in bulk. Here we study the temperature triggered release of a bioactive compound from single isolated microcapsules. We monitor the release process in real-time using a novel thermal microscopy method combining laser-induced heating and fluorescence imaging.

This research was designed to evaluate the performance of the CuFe12O19/CuS/Xenon system in the degradation of tetracycline in aqueous solutions. In this study, after green synthesis of nanocomposite using the extract of the Artemisia plant, its properties were determined by XRD, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, BET, XPS, DRS, DLS, EDS, VSM, and PL. In addition, parameters affecting the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline, including time, pH, TC initial concentration, and nanocomposite dose, were assessed. The findings showed that the degradation efficiency increases with increasing pH and catalyst dosage. Under optimum circumstances (pH = 9, nanocomposite dose of 0.5 g/L, and time 200 min), the process efficiency with concentration of 20 mg/L was 100%. The kinetics of the degradation rate of tetracycline obeyed the pseudo-first-order equation. In addition, the results show that after six consecutive cycles, the synthesized catalyst's ability did not significantly reduce. The results of the mineralization tests revealed that the COD and TOC degradation of the synthetic solution of tetracycline with a concentration of 20 mg/L reached 87.25% and 73.06%, respectively, in the optimal reaction conditions. The scavenger experiments confirmed that OH plays the most crucial role in the decomposition process of tetracycline. Generally, the CuFe12O19/CuS/Xenon photocatalytic system can effectively degradation tetracycline from aqueous environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional leather chromium tanning requires long process time, excessive water usage and results in low float exhaustion of chrome salts. Our study aimed to eliminate the negative aspects of chromium tanning by designing a vacuum operated reaction vessel/drum and suitable production recipe for sheepskins. Tanning time decreased from 10 h to 6 h under vacuum. Float uptake was increased almost 30% according to the chrome oxide (Cr2O3) contents in leather and residual floats. Using the process water was also considerably saved. Process success was proved with Cr2O3 contents in leather and wastewater by chemical analyses after tanning operations. Shrinkage temperature (Ts) controls as hydrothermal stability indicator of collagen were also realized on the tanned skins. Pollution loads of conventional and vacuum operated chromium tanning were discussed with chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), conductivity and salinity in the tanning baths. Physico-mechanical properties were also compared of the final products by tensile strength and tear load analyses. The results showed that vacuum operated chromium tanning was highly effective and promised for the sustainable production of leather products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, the companies that make commercial use of bamboo culms produce different kinds of solid waste rich in lignocellulosic biomass, which in some cases is not used and is discarded in landfills or incinerated in the open air; losing the possibility of recovering them and using them in other productive sectors. The research objective were to produce a biochar from Guadua agustifolia Kunth sawdust, evaluate its potential environmental and agricultural use, obtain a biochar/TiO2 composite to inactivate Escherichia coli and use the biochar as a soil conditioner in medicinal plants producing phenolic compounds and flavonoids. Biochar composite (produced at 300 °C for 1 h) involved TiO2 at 450 °C for 1 h for inactivation of E. coli (initial concentration: 6.5 ± 0.3 Log10 CFU mL− 1). For agriculture, 2% biochar was used to evaluate B. pilosa L. and G. angustifolia plant growth for 90 days. The biochar/TiO2 composite had a high photocatalytic activity on E. coli, generating a final count of 1.97 ± 0.2 Log10 CFU mL− 1 after 60 min. Biochar (2%) increased the total phenol and flavonoid content in the medicinal plant B. pilosa L. and total phenols in G. angustifolia, tested at the nursery stage. This study provides new information on the conversion and use of G. angustifolia sawdust as an alternative for new bio-based materials with environmental and agricultural applications. In addition, obtaining biochar and composite could positively impact the bamboo production chain in Colombia because of renewable and globally accepted alternatives that help capture gaseous emissions causing the greenhouse effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) have numerous negative effects on both the environment and human health. They are major contributors to photochemical smog and acid rain. As a result, researchers are increasingly focused on developing de-NOx technologies. One effective method for removing NOx from the environment is selective catalytic reduction (SCR), with ammonia serving as the reductant (NH3–SCR). Rare earth-based catalysts have emerged as viable options for low-temperature NH3–SCR. Currently Ce-based NH3–SCR catalysts, such as CeO2–TiO2, CeO2–WO3, CeO2–MoO3, Ce–Mn–TiO2, CeO2–MnO2, Ce0.67Zr0.33O2, and CeO2–Fe2O3 have focused significant attention from researchers. The 4f orbitals of rare earth elements (REEs) are devoid of full electron occupancy. This attribute contributes to their distinct catalytic efficacy when employed as catalyst substrates. The oxygen storage capacity of Ce-based catalysts has further enhanced their popularity. Various methods, including microwave, hydrothermal, precipitation and sol–gel techniques, have been used by researchers to prepare catalysts in order to reduce the NOx emission. The paper has covered the impact of the preparation technique on rare earth catalyst performance and the NH3–SCR reaction mechanism to achieve a wide operating temperature. The global production and reserves of rare earth elements (REEs) worldwide have been thoroughly examined, and catalysts for the reduction of NOx emissions in automobiles by Ce and La have been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) dyeing technology for natural fabrics and their blended fabrics is essential for the textile industry due to environmental and economic considerations. Wool (W), polyester (PET) and nylon (N) fabrics and their wool/polyester (W/PET) and wool/nylon (W/N) blended fabrics were dyed in SC-CO2 medium with a synthesized reactive disperse dye containing a vinylsulphone (VS) reactive group, which behaves as a disperse dye for synthetic fibers and a reactive dye for protein fibers. The SC-CO2 dyeing performance of all fabrics was investigated in terms of color strength, fixation, colorimetric and fastness measurements and compared with the conventional aqueous dyeing method. The results obtained indicate that the VS reactive disperse dye structure and non-polar PET component mainly improved colour strength (K/S) values of the dyed PET fabric and W/PET blended fabrics in SC-CO2 compared with those in the aqueous medium. Also, SC-CO2 dyeing has a notable influence on a*, b* and C* values of the dyed PET, N and W/PET fabrics and showed that the uptake of the VS reactive disperse dye and their appearance colors are higher and more saturated than the aqueous dyed samples. The levelling and fastness properties of all dyed fabrics in SC-CO2 medium are similar to those obtained in the aqueous medium. It was observed that VS reactive disperse dye penetrates well into the PET fabric and is chemically bound with the W fabric using both SC-CO2 and aqueous media and did not display significant color difference (∆E) values of W, PET and W/PET fabrics even after 20 washing cycles. The study claims that the VS reactive disperse dye structure and dyed PET-based wool blended fabric are good candidates for industrially SC-CO2 dyeing technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, experimental carry out of liquid–vapor and solid–liquid phase transitions were conducted for the ternary system {CO2 (1) + ethanol (2) + acetaminophen (3)} at different concentrations of paracetamol in ethanol for temperatures from 313 to 333 K and pressures up to 12 MPa. Experimental high pressure phase transition data were obtained using the static method in a variable volume view cell. Experimental data were compared with the literature for systems containing acetaminophen in a saturated solution. The presence of paracetamol in the binary system {CO2 (1) + ethanol (2)} significantly alters the behavior of the phase under the conditions of temperature and concentration studied. It was observed that in the ternary system {CO2 (1) + ethanol (2) + acetaminophen (3)} with a saturated solution at the lowest temperature, 313 K, CO2 acts as a cosolvent for mole fractions lower than 0.6. Thermodynamic simulations employing the Perturbed Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory (PC-SAFT) Equations of State (EoS) aligned the experimental results adequately. The observed minimal deviations in pressure and temperature validate the efficacy of the thermodynamic models applied in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intracellular protozoan, the Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infects nucleated cells, in which it triggers the formation of a specialized membrane-confined cytoplasmic vacuole, named the parasitophorous vacuole (PV). One of the most prominent events in the parasite's intracellular life is the congregation of the host cell mitochondria around the PV. However, the significance of this event has remained largely unsolved since the parasite itself possesses a functional mitochondrion, which is essential for its replication. Here, we explore several fundamental aspects of the interaction between the PV and the host cell mitochondria. They include the detailed features of the congregation, the nature and mechanism of the mitochondrial travel to the PV, and the potential significance of the migration and congregation. Using a combination of biochemical assays, high-resolution imaging, and RNAi-mediated knockdown, we show that: (i) mitochondrial travel to the PV starts very early in parasite infection, as soon as the smallest PV takes shape; (ii) the travel utilizes the contractile microtubular network of the host cell; and (iii) near the end of the parasitic life cycle, when most PVs have reached their largest sustainable size and are about to lyse in order to release the progeny parasites, the associated mitochondria change their usual elongated shape to small spheres, apparently resulting from increased fission. Intriguingly, despite the well-known mitochondrial role as a major producer of cellular ATP, the parasite does not seem to use cellular mitochondrial ATP. Together, these findings may serve as foundations for future research in host–parasite interaction, particularly in the elucidation of its mechanisms, and the possible development of novel antiparasitic drug regimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]