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In the recent past, the COVID-19 epidemic has impeded global economic progress and, by extension, all of society. This type of pandemic has spread rapidly, posing a threat to human lives and the economy. Because of the growing scale of COVID-19 cases, employing artificial intelligence for future prediction purposes during this pandemic is crucial. Consequently, the major objective of this research paper is to compare various deep learning forecasting algorithms, including auto-regressive integrated moving average, long short-term memory, and conventional neural network techniques to forecast how COVID-19 would spread in Saudi Arabia in terms of the number of people infected, the number of deaths, and the number of recovered cases. Three different time horizons were used for COVID-19 predictions: short-term forecasting, medium-term forecasting, and long-term forecasting. Data pre-processing and feature extraction steps were performed as an integral part of the analysis work. Six performance measures were applied for comparing the efficacy of the developed models. LSTM and CNN algorithms have shown superior predictive precision with errors of less than 5% measured on available real data sets. The best model to predict the confirmed death cases is LSTM, which has better RMSE and R 2 values. Still, CNN has a similar comparative performance to LSTM. LSTM unexpectedly performed badly when predicting the recovered cases, with RMSE and R 2 values of 641.3 and 0.313, respectively. This work helps decisionmakers and health authorities reasonably evaluate the status of the pandemic in the country and act accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) is effective in improving postural stability and balance in different clinical populations. However, there is no evidence of these effects in soccer players. A single-blind, two-arm (1:1), randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study on 14 soccer players was performed with the main aim of assessing the effect of IMT on static balance, and secondarily, of examining changes in the respiratory muscle function. The experimental group (EG) received an IMT program with progressive intensity, from 20% to 80%, of the maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP). The sham group (SG) performed the same program with a fixed load of 20% of the MIP. Static balance and respiratory muscle function variables were assessed. A two-factor analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to assess differences after training. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Significant increases were observed in the EG on length of sway under eyes open (from 2904.8 ± 640.0 to 3522.4 ± 509.0 mm, p = 0.012) and eyes closed (from 3166.2 ± 641.3 to 4173.3 ± 390.8 mm, p = 0.004). A significant increase in the maximal voluntary ventilation was observed for both groups (EG p = 0.005; SG p = 0.000). No significant differences existed between the groups. IMT did not improve the static balance in a sample of soccer players. Conducting a high-scale study is feasible and could refine the results and conclusions stemming from the current pilot study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multi-principal element alloys and high-entropy alloys (HEAs) are emerging metallic materials with unprecedented structures and properties for various applications. In this study, we tuned the microstructure and mechanical performance of a recently designed high-performance Co-rich TRIP-HEA via thermomechanical processing (TMP). The microstructures of the HEA after various TMP routines were characterized, and their correlation with room-temperature tensile performance was clarified. The results showed that grain refinement is an effective strategy for enhancing strength while retaining satisfactory ductility. The formation of incoherent precipitates slightly improves the strength but inevitably sacrifices the ductility, which needs to be considered for optimizing the TMPs. The room temperature tensile yield strength and ultimate tensile strength were increased from 254.6 to 641.3 MPa and from 702.5 to 968.4 MPa, respectively, but the tensile elongation retains a satisfactory value of 68.8%. We herein provide important insights into the regulation of the microstructure and mechanical properties of TRIP-HEAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the continuous elevation of living standards, dining-out behavior has become increasingly prevalent among urban residents. The acceleration of lifestyle rhythms has prompted fast food to emerge as a frequently considered dietary option for urban residents when dining out. This study aims to investigate the current status and characteristics of dining-out habits for fast-food consumption among urban residents in Beijing. Methods: Urban residents in Beijing were selected using a stratified sampling method to survey restaurants. A database of fast-food items was created, and data were collected through a combination of field observations and qualitative interviews. Nutrient intake from fast food was systematically analyzed. Results: Residents consuming fast food while dining out exhibited high per-meal energy intake (737.5 kcal) and protein (44.8 g) consumption; however, the intakes of vitamin A (147.6 μg RAE), vitamin C (22 mg), vitamin E (3.2 mg), and calcium (89.5 mg) were inadequate. Western fast-food meals had higher protein (57.2 g) and sodium (251.5 mg) content compared to Chinese fast food. Conclusions: This study provides essential data to guide urban residents toward rational dining choices, offering key insights for the fast-food industry to develop balanced meal options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), metalloprotease 17 (ADAM17), Interleukin-17A (IL-17A), transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2), apelin (AP), and vitamin D (VD) biomarkers in nasopharyngeal swab (NPS), serum, and saliva, as well as the change in their values depending on the health status of individuals. Material and methods: The analysis was performed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Results: Comparing the levels of the investigated markers in saliva, we found significantly elevated ACE2 values in vaccinated patients, followed by those with severe COVID-19, compared to healthy, previously infected, and mild COVID-19 groups. For TMPRSS2, IL-17A, ADAM-17, and AP, values were significantly higher in all non-healthy groups (previously infected, mild, and severe COVID-19) compared to healthy individuals. Serum levels of VD were consistently low across all five studied groups, suggesting values below normal ranges. Analysis of marker data in saliva, NPS, and serum revealed a positive correlation between NPS and serum and saliva and serum, as well as between saliva and NPS for all studied markers. Conclusions: In summary, monitoring changes in biomarkers present in Saliva holds promise as a predictive tool for various diseases. This approach enables the early implementation of preventive measures and protective strategies, potentially improving overall health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Narrow Fluvial Sand Bodies are primarily developed along the river center, with horizontal wells for injection and production in some Bohai waterflooded oilfields. This results in a rapid increase in water cut due to a single injection–production direction. Over time, dominant water breakthrough channels form between wells, and the remaining oil moves to deeper regions, which makes conventional profile control measures less effective. We developed a quantitative method based on integrated dynamic and static big data to identify these breakthrough channels and measure the flow intensity between injection and production wells. To address deep remaining oil mobilization, we performed micro-analysis and physical simulations with heterogeneous core models, which led to the development of a deep profile control system using emulsion polymer gel and self-assembling particle flooding. Experiments show that the combined technology can reduce oil saturation in low-permeability layers to 45.3% and improve recovery by 30.2% compared to water flooding. Field trials proved to be completely effective, with a cumulative oil increase of over 23,200 cubic meters and a 12% reduction in water cut per well. This deep profile control technology offers significant water cut reduction and enhanced oil recovery. It can provide technical support for efficient water control and profile management in similar reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to enhance the efficiency and surface quality of shear-thickening polishing (STP) for optical glass through optimizing the polishing parameters. Sixteen orthogonal experiments were conducted to assess the effects of polishing speed ( V ), angle ( θ ), and slurry concentration ( C ) on the material removal rate (MRR) and surface roughness (Ra). Grey relational analysis simplified the multi-objective optimization problem, and a regression model was formulated to determine the optimal combination of polishing parameters. The results indicate that slurry concentration has the most significant impact on the optimization objective, followed by polishing angle, whereas polishing speed has the least effect. Under the optimal combination of polishing parameters—polishing speed of 70 rpm, polishing angle of 70°, and slurry concentration of 12%—the surface roughness (Ra) of optical glass was significantly reduced to 8.23 nm during a 20 min polishing process, while the material removal rate (MRR) reached 813.63 nm/min. Shear-thickening polishing under the optimized process parameters can effectively remove scratches from the workpiece surface and significantly enhance surface quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Campania region (Southern Italy), in the Matese Mts. (Albian to Turonian/Coniacian) and Caserta district (Albian to Cenomanian), two karst bauxite deposits outcrop, consisting of flat lenses over shallow karst carbonate. Although the mineralogy and geochemistry of Campania bauxite deposits have been widely studied in recent years, new major and trace elements relationships were provided to highlight paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions that occurred during their formation. The purpose of this research is to provide for the first time information on the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental conditions that affected the bauxites of Campania. These deposits formed during different periods since the Matese deposit formed during intense weathering processes with more abundant precipitation while the Caserta district deposit experienced a more long-lasting exposure event. During the formation of the studied bauxites, the drier conditions favored the replacement of kaolinite by boehmite. R-mode factor analysis showed geochemical affinity among Al2O3, TiO2, and Nb. REEs minerals are mainly associated with the bauxite matrix while Zr, Hf, and V were mainly concentrated in detrital minerals during the later stages of bauxitization. Parental affinity indices (Eu/Eu* vs. Sm/Nd; Eu/Eu* vs. TiO2/Al2O3) assessed the origin of the protolith of the Campania bauxites by rejecting the hypothesis of the dissolution of the bedrock carbonate. The results confirmed the eolian transport of parental material with an Upper Continental Crust and an intermediate to mafic magmatic composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the future spatiotemporal distribution of landslide susceptibility in the Chishan river watershed (CRW) in southwestern Taiwan under four future climate change scenarios. On the basis of 10 landslide-related factors, landslide susceptibility models were constructed using the frequency ratio method and logistic regression method, and the model with better performance was selected for subsequent analysis. This study estimated past (2000–2023) and future (2024–2100) daily CRW rainfall values with return periods of 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 years. Daily rainfall is expected to increase considerably in the mid-future under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) 3-7.0 scenario and in the far future under the SSP 1-2.6, SSP 2-4.5, SSP 3-7.0, and SSP 5-8.5 scenarios. Under these four scenarios, daily rainfall with a return period of 50–100 years in the far future is expected to exceed the daily rainfall in the CRW during Typhoon Morakot (917.8 mm) in 2009. The intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall events in the CRW are expected to increase in the far future under climate change. Finally, areas with high landslide susceptibility are expected to be distributed in the upstream regions of the CRW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste drilling fluids produced from oil extraction can cause serious harm to the ecological environment; thus, the treatment of waste drilling fluids is urgent and important to ensure the sustainability and development of the oil extraction. In this work, we used the Fenton-like reaction method to degrade waste drilling fluids with SiO2-supported MnO2@Fe2O3 composite material as a catalyst in the presence of H2O2. During the Fenton-like reaction process, the MnO2@Fe2O3 interface exhibits exceptional activity by facilitating the production of ·OH species with high activity and strong oxidizing properties, which degrade the organic substances in the waste drilling fluids into smaller inorganic molecules, thereby reducing its COD value. Compared to the reaction only with H2O2, after reacting with sufficient SiO2-supported MnO2@Fe2O3 catalyst for 4 h at 60 °C in the presence of H2O2, the COD value of the waste drilling fluids is reduced by 36,495 mg L−1, a decrease of more than 95%. This performance is significantly superior to that of the traditional Fenton reagent FeSO4, which reduced the COD by 32,285 mg L−1, a decrease of 84%. This work provides an important composite catalyst, which is practically useful for the treatment of waste drilling fluids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mono- and di-substituted cerium oxide catalysts, viz. Ce0.95Cu0.05O2-δ, Ce0.90Cu0.10O2-δ, Ce0.90 Cu0.05Mn0.05O2-δ, Ce0.85Cu0.10Mn0.05O2-δ, and Ce0.80Cu0.10Mn0.10O2-δ, were synthesized via a one-step urea-assisted solution combustion method. The elemental composition and textural and structural properties of the catalysts were determined by various physical, electronic, and chemical characterization techniques. Hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction showed that co-doping of copper and manganese ions into the CeO2-δ lattice improved the reducibility of copper. Powder XRD, XPS, HR-TEM, and Raman spectroscopy showed that the catalysts were a singled-phased, solid-solution metal oxide with a cerium oxide cubic fluorite (cerianite) structure, and evidence of oxygen vacancies was observed. Catalytic results in the preferential oxidation of CO in a hydrogen-rich stream showed that complete CO conversion occurred between 150 and 180 °C. Furthermore, at 150 °C, Ce0.90Cu0.05Mn0.05O2-δ, Ce0.90 Cu0.10O2-δ, and Ce0.85Cu0.10Mn0.05O2-δ catalysts were the most active, achieving complete CO conversion and CO2 selectivity of 81, 79, and 71%, respectively. The catalysts performed moderately in the presence of CO2 and water, with the Ce0.90Cu0.05Mn0.05O2-δ catalyst giving a CO conversion of 80% in CO2, which decreased to about 60% when water was added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nigella sativa, also known as black cumin, is esteemed for its rich reservoir of health-benefitting phytoconstituents nestled within its seeds. The composition of its seeds can be influenced by factors such as genotype diversity and agricultural practices. Understanding these dynamics is important for maximizing the nutritional and medicinal attributes of the seeds. This study investigated how different genotypes, growing densities, and sowing times affect oil yield and phytoconstituents of Nigella seeds in Northern Australia. The aim was to find the optimal combination of these factors to maximize desirable compounds. Our findings revealed variability in oil yield and phytoconstituents among different genotypes, growing densities, and sowing times. No single genotype stood out as having elevated levels of all desired compounds. For instance, genotype AVTKS#5 had high total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant capacity, while AVTKS#8 and AVTKS#7 excelled in thymoquinone (TQ) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), respectively. Planting density had a nuanced impact, with no significant effect on oil yield and CUPRAC values, but higher densities decreased TPC, FRAP, and TQ. Interestingly, seeds cultivated at 20 and 30 plants/m2 had higher ratios of MUFAs/SFAs, PUFAs/SFAs, and (MUFAs + PUFAs)/SFAs, indicating the importance of planting density in shaping fatty acid profiles. Sowing times also had a noticeable effect, with late sowing leading to a decrease in oil yield from 19% to 14%. May-sown seeds had higher TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and fatty acid ratios, while TQ levels peaked in June-sown seeds. Our study highlighted positive correlations among TPC, FRAP, CUPRAC, and TQ, emphasizing their collective contribution to the nutritional and medicinal potency of Nigella seeds. Fatty acids, on the other hand, showed no significant correlation with these parameters, indicating independent regulation. In summary, our comprehensive analysis provides insights into the factors (genotype and agronomic practice) that shape the phytochemical profile of Nigella seeds, and suggests better genotype, planting density, and time of sowing for the cultivation and quality production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological control of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) at the micro/nanoscopic scale is critical for optimizing the electrochemical properties of them and their derivatives. In this study, manganese organic phosphate (Mn-MOP) with three distinct two-dimensional (2D) morphologies was synthesized by varying the molar ratio of Mn2+ to phenyl phosphonic acid, and one of the morphologies is a unique palm leaf shape. In addition, a series of 2D Mn-MOP derivatives were obtained by calcination in air at different temperatures. Electrochemical studies showed that 2D Mn-MOP derivative calcined at 550 °C and exhibited a superior specific capacitance of 230.9 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 in 3 M KOH electrolyte. The aqueous asymmetric supercapacitor and the constructed flexible solid-state device demonstrated excellent rate performance. This performance reveals the promising application of 2D Mn-MOP materials for energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suspension bridges are the most common type of bridge used to cross the ocean. The cable clamps in suspension bridges clamp the main cables by bolt preload, but the elastic interaction of the bolts reduces the preload, which is detrimental to the force in suspension bridges. However, research on the factors influencing the elastic interaction of cable clamp bolts in suspension bridges is currently limited. This paper aims to explore the law of influence of external factors on the elastic interaction of bolts through a combined approach of theoretical analysis, full-scale experiment, and finite element simulation. The results indicate that the average preload loss was reduced by about 27% when the elastic modulus was increased by about 110%. The average preload loss was reduced by about 45% when the bolt center distance was increased by 75%. The number of bolts has a small effect on the elastic interaction, which can be ignored. When the preload of bolt installation was increased by 133%, the average preload loss was reduced by approximately 125%, which was almost a linear relationship. Tightening the bolt from the center bolt creates greater elastic interaction. The conclusions can provide suggestions for reducing the elastic interaction of bolts in the design and construction of suspension bridge cable clamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the automotive industry undergoes a phase of rapid transformation driven by technological advancements, the integration of driving simulators stands out as an important tool for research and development. The usage of such simulators offers a controlled environment for studying driver behavior; the alignment of data, however, remains a complex aspect that warrants a thorough investigation. This research investigates driver state classification using a dataset obtained from real-road and simulated conditions, recorded through JINS MEME ES_R smart glasses. The dataset encompasses electrooculography signals, with a focus on standardizing and processing the data for subsequent analysis. For this purpose, we used a recurrent neural network model, which yielded a high accuracy on the testing dataset (86.5%). The findings of this study indicate that the proposed methodology could be used in real scenarios and that it could be used for the development of intelligent transportation systems and driver monitoring technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the inherent intermittency, variability, and randomness, photovoltaic (PV) power generation faces significant challenges in energy grid integration. To address these challenges, current research mainly focuses on developing more efficient energy management systems and prediction technologies. Through optimizing scheduling and integration in PV power generation, the stability and reliability of the power grid can be further improved. In this study, a new prediction model is introduced that combines the strengths of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), long short-term memory (LSTM) networks, and attention mechanisms, so we call this algorithm CNN-LSTM-Attention (CLA). In addition, the Crested Porcupine Optimizer (CPO) algorithm is utilized to solve the short-term prediction problem in photovoltaic power generation. This model is abbreviated as CPO-CLA. This is the first time that the CPO algorithm has been introduced into the LSTM algorithm for parameter optimization. To effectively capture univariate and multivariate time series patterns, multiple relevant and target variables prediction patterns (MRTPPs) are employed in the CPO-CLA model. The results show that the CPO-CLA model is superior to traditional methods and recent popular models in terms of prediction accuracy and stability, especially in the 13 h timestep. The integration of attention mechanisms enables the model to adaptively focus on the most relevant historical data for future power prediction. The CPO algorithm further optimizes the LSTM network parameters, which ensures the robust generalization ability of the model. The research results are of great significance for energy generation scheduling and establishing trust in the energy market. Ultimately, it will help integrate renewable energy into the grid more reliably and efficiently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As satellite capabilities have evolved and new observation requirements have emerged, satellites have become essential tools in disaster relief, emergency monitoring, and other fields. However, the efficiency of satellite scheduling still needs to be enhanced. Learning and optimization are symmetrical processes of solving problems. Learning problem knowledge could provide efficient optimization strategies for solving problems. A knowledge-guided parallel hybrid local search algorithm (KG-PHLS) is proposed in this paper to solve time-dependent agile Earth observation satellite (AEOS) scheduling problems more efficiently. Firstly, the algorithm uses heuristic algorithms to generate initial solutions. Secondly, a knowledge-based parallel hybrid local search algorithm is employed to solve the problem in parallel. Meanwhile, data mining techniques are used to extract knowledge to guide the construction of new solutions. Finally, the proposed algorithm has demonstrated superior efficiency and computation time through simulations across multiple scenarios. Notably, compared to benchmark algorithms, the algorithm improves overall efficiency by approximately 7.4% and 8.9% in large-scale data scenarios while requiring only about 60.66% and 31.89% of the computation time of classic algorithms. Moreover, the proposed algorithm exhibits scalability to larger problem sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing chronic non-healing wounds presents a significant clinical challenge due to their frequent bacterial infections. Mesoporous silica-based materials possess robust wound-healing capabilities attributed to their renowned antimicrobial properties. The current study details the advancement of mesoporous silicon-loaded MnO and CaO molecules (HMn-Ca) against bacterial infections and chronic non-healing wounds. HMn-Ca was synthesized by reducing manganese chloride and calcium chloride by urotropine solution with mesoporous silicon as the template, thereby transforming the manganese and calcium ions on the framework of mesoporous silicon. The developed HMn-Ca was investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible), and visible spectrophotometry, followed by the determination of Zeta potential. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was determined by using the 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation reaction. The wound healing effectiveness of the synthesized HMn-Ca is evaluated in a bacterial-infected mouse model. The loading of MnO and CaO inside mesoporous silicon enhanced the generation of ROS and the capacity of bacterial capture, subsequently decomposing the bacterial membrane, leading to the puncturing of the bacterial membrane, followed by cellular demise. As a result, treatment with HMn-Ca could improve the healing of the bacterial-infected wound, illustrating a straightforward yet potent method for engineering nanozymes tailored for antibacterial therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, core and core–shell microparticles formed by Ni-Mn-Co oxides with controlled composition were fabricated by an oxalate-assisted co-precipitation route, and their properties were analysed by diverse microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The microparticles exhibit dimensions within the 2–6 μm range and mainly consist of NiO and NiMn2O4, the latter being promoted as the temperature of the treatment increases, especially in the shell region of the microparticles. Aspects such as the shell dimensions, the vibrational modes of the spinel compounds primarily observed in the shell region, the oxidation states of the cations at the surface of the microparticles, and the achievement of a Ni-rich 811 core and a Mn-rich 631 shell were thoroughly evaluated and discussed in this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oligosaccharides, as a wide type of polysaccharide, have a broad antimicrobial spectrum and promote development as plant growth stimulants. To investigate the regulation effects of different oligosaccharides on the dynamic changes of chlorophyll content, leaf fluorescence, root activity and morphology, and chloroplast ultrastructure, as well as the yields and yield components of strawberry and cucumber, typical greenhouse experiments were conducted over two years (2021–2022). The experimental plants were foliar sprayed with tap water (CK), chitosan oligosaccharide (CSOS), and mixed oligosaccharides (MixOS) five times before flowering. The conventional management (CM) was conducted as a conventional control. The findings of the present study suggest that the application of MixOS has the greatest regulation effects on delayed leaf senescence, well-developed roots, and higher fruit productions of strawberry and cucumber. Exogenous MixOS resulted in significant increases in SPAD values, maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), and photochemical quenching coefficiency (qP); they were increased by 1.94–28.96%, 5.41–33.89%, and 9.93–62.07%, compared to the CSOS, CM, and CK treatments, respectively. The orderly and steady structure of thylakoids in the chloroplast, and the randomly distributed starch grains, could be clearly observed in the MixOS treatment, while the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was correspondingly reduced by 19.04–45.92%. Meanwhile, the remarkable promotion of root activity and root surface morphology indicators (i.e., root length, surface area, average diameter, and volume) could be observed when exposed to the MixOS treatments, and the total yields of strawberry and cucumber were all increased by 12.40–25.57%. These findings suggest that the mixed oligosaccharides mainly promote the coordinated growth of root and shoot, which leads to the improved yields of strawberry and cucumber. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a series of heterogeneous Fenton catalysts, Cu doped MnO2 (CDM), with different Cu/Mn molar ratios were prepared via a hydrothermal reaction. Meanwhile, detailed characterizations were used to study the structures of CDM, and it is amazing that the morphology of CDM changed from nanowires to nanoflowers with an increasing amount of Cu doped. Apart from this, both the specific surface area and oxygen vacancy increased obviously with the increasing Cu/Mn molar ratio. Then, the degradation of different dyes was utilized to evaluate the catalytic activity of different CDM with H2O2 used as the oxidizing agent, and the 50%-CDM with the highest content of Cu doped displayed the best catalytic activity. Herein, the degradation efficiency (D%) of Congo red (CR) solution with low concentration (60 mg/L) reached 100% in 3 min, while the D% of CR solution with a high concentration (300 mg/L) reached 99.4% after 5 min with a higher dosage of H2O2. Additionally, the 50%-CDM also displayed excellent reusability, for which the D% values were still higher than 90% after the 14th cycles. Based on the structure characteristics and mechanism analysis, the excellent catalytic capacity of 50%-CDM was due to the combined influence of large specific surface area and abundant oxygen vacancy. Thus, a promising heterogeneous Fenton catalyst was developed in this study, which proved the treatment efficiency of actual dye wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study demonstrates the current advancements in battery management systems (BMSs), emphasizing the need for precise temperature monitoring within battery packs to enhance safety and performance through efficient thermal management. The increased demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has driven the development of temperature sensors with improved accuracy and stability. In particular, Ni-Co-Mn-based spinel oxides are commonly used due to their stable negative temperature coefficient (NTC) behavior. However, challenges arise in manufacturing due to the high cost and uncertain supply of critical cathode components (e.g., Co, Ni, and Mn) for LIBs. This research focuses on developing spinel-type (Ni0.6Co0.4Mn2)O4 using recycled Ni-Co-Mn oxides obtained from end-of-life (EOL) LIBs, demonstrating temperature resistance behavior suitable for temperature sensing. The oxides are prepared through hydrometallurgy, oxalate synthesis, and post-heat treatment. Successful integration into spinel-type NTC thermistors suggests broader applications in various industrial fields. A systematic investigation into the synthesis and characterization of recovered Ni-Co-Mn oxides from EOL LIB cathode materials (Li(Ni0.33Co0.33Mn0.33)O2) is presented for NTC thermistor application. Thermogravimetric analysis-derivative thermogravimetry (TGA-DTG) identifies the optimal post-heat treatment temperature. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirm a cubic spinel structure of the Ni-Co-Mn oxides, supported by scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showing a uniform microstructure. Also, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping confirms homogeneous element distribution. Recovered oxide pellets from the sintering process exhibit a single spinel structure, with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis revealing changes in the valence states for Ni and Mn. Resistivity measurements demonstrate semiconductive behavior, which shows a B value (3376.92 K) suitable for NTC thermistor applications. This study contributes valuable insights to black powder recycling from EOL LIBs and its potential in temperature-sensitive electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sol–gel method, adapted to aqueous media, was used for the synthesis of BaMn0.7Cu0.3O3 (BMC) and Ba0.9A0.1Mn0.7Cu0.3O3 (BMC-A, A = Ce, La or Mg) perovskite-type mixed oxides. These samples were fully characterized by ICP-OES, XRD, XPS, H2-TPR, BET, and O2–TPD and, subsequently, they were evaluated as catalysts for CO oxidation under different conditions simulating that found in cars exhaust. The characterization results show that after the partial replacement of Ba by A metal in BMC perovskite: (i) a fraction of the polytype structure was converted to the hexagonal BaMnO3 perovskite structure, (ii) A metal used as dopant was incorporated into the lattice of the perovskite, (iii) oxygen vacancies existed on the surface of samples, and iv) Mn(IV) and Mn(III) coexisted on the surface and in the bulk, with Mn(IV) being the main oxidation state on the surface. In the three reactant atmospheres used, all samples catalysed the CO to CO2 oxidation reaction, showing better performances after the addition of A metal and for reactant mixtures with low CO/O2 ratios. BMC-Ce was the most active catalyst because it combined the highest reducibility and oxygen mobility, the presence of copper and of oxygen vacancies on the surface, the contribution of the Ce(IV)/Ce(III) redox pair, and a high proportion of surface and bulk Mn(IV). At 200 °C and in the 0.1% CO + 10% O2 reactant gas mixture, the CO conversion using BMC-Ce was very similar to the achieved with a 1% Pt/Al2O3 (Pt-Al) reference catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen vacancy formation behavior and electrochemical and thermal properties of Ba0.5Sr0.5Fe1−xMnxO3−δ (BSFMnx, x = 0–0.15) cathode materials were investigated. For thermogravimetric analysis, the weight decreased from 1.98% (x = 0) to 1.81% (x = 0.15) in the 400–950 °C range, which was due to oxygen loss from the lattice. The average oxidation state of the B-site increased, the Oads/Olat ratio decreased, and the binding energy of the Olat peak increased with Mn doping. These results indicate that Mn doping increases the strength of the metal–oxygen bond and decreases the amount of oxygen vacancies in the lattice. The electrical conductivity of BSFMnx increased with the temperature due to the thermally activated small-polaron hopping mechanism showing a maximum value of 10.4 S cm−1 (x = 0.15) at 450 °C. The area-specific resistance of BSFMn0.15 was 0.14 Ω cm2 at 700 °C and the thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) gradually decreased to 12.7 × 10−6 K−1, which is similar to that of Ce0.8Sm0.2O2 (SDC) (12.2 × 10−6 K−1). Mn doping increased the metal–oxygen bonding energy, which reduced the oxygen reduction reaction activity but improved the electrical conductivity and thermal stability with SDC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we aimed to optimize the ethanol extraction technology for Yujin powder (YJP) and evaluate its safety. The ultrasonic-assisted ethanol reflux extraction method refluxing was used to extract YJP. The parameters were optimized through a combination of single-factor and response surface methodology (RSM). The comprehensive Y value score calculated using the content of 13 active ingredients in YJP ethanolic extracts (YEEs) and the yield of the dry extract were used as measuring criteria. RSM with a Box–Behnken design using three factors and three levels was adopted to optimize the ethanol extraction technology for YJP. Finally, acute and subchronic toxicity tests were performed to evaluate its safety. The results revealed the best technological parameters: a liquid–material ratio of 24:1, an ethanol concentration of 69%, assistance of ultrasound (40 °C, 50 kHZ, 30 min), reflux time of 53 min, and reflux temperature of 50 °C. In acute toxicity tests, the maximum administration dosage in mice was 28.21 g/kg, which is higher than 10 times the clinical dosage. Adverse effects in the acute and subchronic toxicity tests were not observed. All clinical indexes were normal. In conclusion, the RSM based on AHP–CRITIC weight analysis could be used to optimize the ethanol extraction technology for YJP and YEEs prepared under the above conditions and ensure high safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal-driven refrigeration technologies, e.g., absorption- or adsorption-type, are gathering momentum since they can utilize low-grade heat from industrial, solar or geothermal energy. However, heat sources and end users are usually mismatched, which could lead to potential heat pollution and increased carbon emissions. Long-distance thermal energy transportation is good for district heating and cooling, which is of great significance if it can achieve a high energy-transportation density and low heat loss. In this paper, a compression-assisted chemisorption chiller driven by a low-temperature heat source for cold transportation is initially proposed, which aims to transport liquid ammonia with chemical potential and generate a cooling effect for end users. A feasibility analysis of the compression-assisted chemisorption chiller is preliminarily performed for 2 km cold transportation. The results show that the highest theoretical coefficient of performance and the energy efficiency of the compression-assisted adsorption chiller using a sodium bromide–ammonia working pair can reach 0.46 and 0.25, respectively, when the evaporation temperature is 20 °C. Among the three selected low-temperature salts, ammonium chloride–ammonia shows the best performance, which is up to about 40% higher than those of sodium bromide–ammonia and barium chloride–ammonia. It is demonstrated that compared with common absorption chillers, a compression-assisted adsorption system has a reasonable working efficiency to transport cold energy when the low- or ultralow-temperature heat source, e.g., lower than 60 °C, is required to be utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study establishes typical Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRL) values and assesses patient doses in computed tomography (CT)-guided biopsy procedures. The Effective Dose (ED), Entrance Skin Dose (ESD), and Size-Specific Dose Estimate (SSDE) were calculated using the relevant literature-derived conversion factors. A retrospective analysis of 226 CT-guided biopsies across five categories (Iliac bone, liver, lung, mediastinum, and para-aortic lymph nodes) was conducted. Typical DRL values were computed as median distributions, following guidelines from the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) Publication 135. DRLs for helical mode CT acquisitions were set at 9.7 mGy for Iliac bone, 8.9 mGy for liver, 8.8 mGy for lung, 7.9 mGy for mediastinal mass, and 9 mGy for para-aortic lymph nodes biopsies. In contrast, DRLs for biopsy acquisitions were 7.3 mGy, 7.7 mGy, 5.6 mGy, 5.6 mGy, and 7.4 mGy, respectively. Median SSDE values varied from 7.6 mGy to 10 mGy for biopsy acquisitions and from 11.3 mGy to 12.6 mGy for helical scans. Median ED values ranged from 1.6 mSv to 5.7 mSv for biopsy scans and from 3.9 mSv to 9.3 mSv for helical scans. The study highlights the significance of using DRLs for optimizing CT-guided biopsy procedures, revealing notable variations in radiation exposure between helical scans covering entire anatomical regions and localized biopsy acquisitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mont-Saint-Michel is known worldwide for its unique combination of the natural site and the Medieval abbey at the top of the rocky islet. But the Mont is also located within an estuarine complex, which is considerably silting up. For two decades, large-scale works were planned to prevent the Mont from being surrounded by the expanding salt meadows. The construction of a new dam over the Couesnon River, the digging of two new channels, and the destruction of the causeway were the main operations carried out between 2007 and 2015. The remote sensing approach is fully suitable for evaluating the real impact of the engineering project, particularly the expected large-scale hydrosedimentary effects of reestablishing the maritime landscape around the Mont. The migration of the different channels and the erosion-progradation balance of the vegetation through space and time are the main features to study. Between 2007 and 2023, the erosion of the salt meadows was significant to the south-west of the Mont but more limited to the south-east. During the same period, the sedimentation considerably increased to the north-east of the Bay, which seems to be facing the same silting-up problem. At this stage, the remote-sensing survey indicates mixed results for the engineering project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we analyzed the role of a series of BaMn1−xNixO3 (x = 0, 0.2, and 0.4) mixed oxide catalysts, synthesized using the sol–gel method, in NOx-assisted diesel soot oxidation. ICP-OES, XRD, XPS, and H2-TPR techniques were used for characterization and Temperature-Programmed Reaction experiments (NOx-TPR and Soot-NOx-TPR), and isothermal reactions at 450 °C (for the most active sample) were carried out to determine the catalytic activity. All samples catalyzed NO and soot oxidation at temperatures below 400 °C, presenting nickel-containing catalysts with the highest soot conversion and selectivity to CO2. However, the nickel content did not significantly modify the catalytic performance, and in order to improve it, two catalysts (5 wt % in Ni) were synthesized via the hydrothermal method (BMN2H) and the impregnation of nickel on a BaMnO3 perovskite as support (M5). The two samples presented higher activity for NO and soot oxidation than BMN2E (obtained via the sol–gel method) as they presented more nickel on the surface (as determined via XPS). BMN2H was more active than M5 as it presented (i) more surface oxygen vacancies, which are active sites for oxidation reactions; (ii) improved redox properties; and (iii) a lower average crystal size for nickel (as NiO). As a consequence of these properties, BMN2H featured a high soot oxidation rate at 450 °C, which hindered the accumulation of soot during the reaction and, thus, the deactivation of the catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ba0.9A0.1MnO3 (BM-A) and Ba0.9A0.1Mn0.7Cu0.3O3 (BMC-A) (A = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ce, La) perovskite-type mixed oxides were synthesised, characterised, and used for soot oxidation in simulated Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine exhaust conditions. The samples have been obtained by the sol-gel method in an aqueous medium and deeply characterised. The characterization results indicate that the partial substitution of Ba by A metal in BaMnO3 (BM) and BaMn0.7Cu0.3O3 (BMC) perovskites: (i) favours the hexagonal structure of perovskite; (ii) improves the reducibility and the oxygen desorption during Temperature-Programmed Desorption (O2-TPD) tests and, consequently, the oxygen mobility; (iii) mantains the amount of oxygen vacancies and of Mn(IV) and Mn(III) oxidation states, being Mn(IV) the main one; and (iv) for Ba0.9A0.1Mn0.7Cu0.3O3 (BMC-A) series, copper is partially incorporated into the structure. The soot conversion data reveal that Ba0.9La0.1Mn0.7Cu0.3O3 (BMC-La) is the most active catalyst in an inert (100% He) reaction atmosphere, as it presents the highest amount of copper on the surface, and that Ba0.9Ce0.1MnO3 (BM-Ce) is the best one if a low amount of O2 (1% O2 in He) is present, as it combines the highest emission of oxygen with the good redox properties of Ce(IV)/Ce(III) and Mn(IV)/Mn(III) pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition in critically ill patients is a global concern, especially those who undergo abdominal surgery, as it is associated to higher infectious complications, prolonged hospital stays, and increased morbidity. Despite the importance of proper nutrition, guidelines remain broad, and practical implementation is often inadequate. We aimed to assess the effects of strict nutritional provision and investigate the appropriate target for nutrition support. A prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units following abdominal surgery. The intervention group received targeted protein and calories, with consultation from a nutritional support team upon admission. In total, 181 patients in the intervention and 144 in the control group were analyzed. The intervention group demonstrated improved nutrition provision and subsequently better clinical outcomes, including a reduced 60-day mortality (4.4 versus 15.3, p = 0.001), postoperative complications (24.9 versus 47.2, p < 0.001), and in-hospital mortality (5 versus 17.4, p < 0.001). High modified nutrition risk in the critically ill scores [odds ratio (OR) = 2.658, 95% CI = 1.498–4.716] were associated with increased 60-day mortality, while active nutritional intervention (OR = 0.312, 95% CI = 0.111–0.873) was associated with lower mortality rates. Notably, the provision of targeted energy and protein alone did not exhibit a significant association with mortality outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carbonaceous material obtained from wood wastes (SW-Mn) was initially used for the removal of pharmaceuticals in water by a carbocatalytic system. The SW-Mn material adsorbed only 41% of the diclofenac (DCF) and 3% of the valsartan (VAL). Interestingly, SW-Mn activated peroxymonosulfate (PMS) and presented a significant increase in the removal rate of DCF, surpassing 90%, while VAL achieved a 24% removal rate at 20 min of treatment. The carbonaceous material was not effective in activating peroxydisulfate or hydrogen peroxide. Nevertheless, the addition of ultrasound waves at 40 kHz to the carbocatalytic system (SW-Mn +PMS) significantly enhanced VAL degradation, exhibiting a high synergy index (4.98). The routes of the degradation were determined using scavengers, and XPS and EPR analyses, evidencing the main action of singlet oxygen in both carbocatalytic and sonocarbocatalytic systems. It is important to note that radicals also participated in the sonocarbocatalytic process, albeit with a minor contribution. The reuse of SW-Mn was tested during various cycles, showing up to a 39.2% VAL degradation rate after the third consecutive reuse. Moreover, the sonocarbocatalytic system was applied to a sample of irrigation crop water spiked with VAL. The treatment induced a partial elimination of the pollutant due to some interfering effects of the matrix components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the aroma profiles of Sorbara and Spergola grapevine prunings roasted at different temperatures (120, 140, 160, 180, 200, and 240 °C). One potential application of grapevine prunings is their use as infusion chips to enhance and improve the aging processes of alcoholic beverages and vinegars. Aromatic compounds impart unique flavors and contribute to the complexity of the final products. Thermogravimetry–mass spectrometry coupled with evolved gas analysis (TGA-MS-EGA) was conducted to identify the thermal steps at which substantial changes occurred in the wood matrix. Solid-phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS) was used for the analysis of volatile compounds. Several key volatile compounds were identified, showing variations in their concentrations as a function of cultivar and roasting temperature. Furan derivatives, such as furfural, and phenolic compounds, such as guaiacol and vanillin, were the two main chemical classes of volatile compounds that predominantly defined the aroma of grapevine chips roasted above 180 °C. At lower roasting temperatures, some aldehydes, such as hexanal and terpenes, defined the aroma profiles of the samples. By repurposing waste materials, this application offers a pathway for environmentally conscious viticulture and sustainable practices within the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the influence of time and precipitation as covariates on the flood frequency distribution in the Songhua River tributaries under the nonstationarity assumption and to investigate the possibility of nonstationary models' application in river management scope demarcation work. Nonstationary flood frequency analysis (NS-FFA) was conducted in three typical basins of the Songhua River (in Northeastern China) based on the generalized additive models for location, scale, and shape (GAMLSS), and stationary flood frequency analysis was used as a comparison. Under the stationarity assumption, the Pearson type Ⅲ (P-Ⅲ) distribution is the main theoretical distribution for the flood extremum at hydrological stations, followed by a lognormal (LN) distribution. Under the nonstationarity assumption, when time is considered a covariate, the optimal theoretical distribution of the flood extremum is mainly LN (with 63.75%), followed by the Weibull distribution (with 18.75%). When precipitation is considered as a covariate, the optimal theoretical distribution of the flood extremum is mainly LN (with 57.5%). We attempted to apply several FFA methods to calculate the design frequency in this study, referring to the work requirements for river management scope demarcation in three typical basins, and came to the following conclusions. From the simulation results of the p = 10% flood at the export stations of typical basins, it can be seen that time-covariate NS-FFA obtained the best simulation results. Two cases of the simulation under the stationarity assumption are positive, which will lead to a high design scale. The time-covariate GAMLSS in NS-FFA has the advantages of higher calculation accuracy and simpler processes. To better balance construction costs and disaster protection requirements, NS-FFA can be used to determine the design scale of water conservation projects; additionally, it can be used to demarcate the scope of river management. The accuracy of GAMLSS for FFA is also influenced by the complexity of the terrain, with basins with relatively simple terrain having higher calculation accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a new method to inject backdoors in RSA (the public-key cryptosystem invented by Rivest, Shamir, and Adleman) and other cryptographic primitives based on the integer factorization problem for balanced semi-primes. The method relies on mathematical congruences among the factors of the semi-primes based on a large prime number, which acts as a "designer key" or "escrow key". In particular, two different backdoors are proposed, one targeting a single semi-prime and the other one a pair of semi-primes. This article also describes the results of tests performed on a SageMath implementation of the backdoors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new dimeric sorbicillinoids (1–3) and one new 3,4,6-trisubstituted α-pyrone (5), along with seven analogues (4 and 6–11), were isolated from the mangrove endophytic fungus Trichoderma reesei SCNU-F0042 under the guidance of molecular networking approach. Their chemical structures were established by 1D and 2D NMR HR-ESI-MS and ECD analysis. In a bioassay, compound 2 exhibited moderate SARS-CoV-2 inhibitory activity with an EC50 value of 29.0 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The traditional sintering of metallic components shaped via Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing (MEAM) is a time-consuming process that involves sophisticated energy-intensive heating systems. This work describes a novel induction heater capable of efficiently tailoring temperature profiles to densify MEAM powder compacts. In situ sintering within the same device is achieved indirectly by heating a graphite crucible, whereby the heater is based on an inverter with a half-bridge topology using the Zero-Voltage Switching (ZVS) technique. The system comprises a bank of capacitors that, in conjunction with a work coil, form a parallel-topology resonant circuit. This design allows the inverter to be used as a current amplifier, thereby increasing its efficiency to deliver an output power of up to 5 kW. The device operates at a 62.86 kHz resonant frequency, achieving a 2.01 mm penetration depth and a 1365.7 °C crucible temperature with only 1.313 kW of consumption, providing an increase in efficiency compared to other low-cost systems. Equipped with a feedback circuit, it offers five distinct control techniques that enable the self-tuning of the crucible temperature. The results indicate that the Cohen–Coon tuning method is more robust compared to the Ziegler–Nichols, damped, no overshoot, and mixed techniques. Sintering with this novel induction heater provides an alternative method for reducing the processing times for MEAM geometries, paving the way for increased efficiency and reduced energy consumption. Circuit diagrams, simulations, and experimental data on the temperature, time, and output voltage are provided in this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Barley is an important feed crop in Iran and is threatened by an increased frequency of drought. Increasing diversity in the form of evolutionary populations (EPs) and mixtures is one strategy to increase the resilience of crops. Four barley EPs, which have evolved in different locations over 7 to 10 years from the same original population, were evaluated for agronomic trait and stability together with two landraces, and one improved variety for three cropping seasons in four locations. Modest but significant differences were found only for plant height with a range of less than 4 cm. Stability, measured with cultivar superiority, as well as environmental variance and reliability measures generally indicated a superior stability of EPs—with two of them ranking first and second for grain yield reliability—but also differences between the EPs. The effect of recurrent droughts on the diversity within EPs is discussed as a possible explanation for the lack of divergent evolution. The seed management of Eps, including seed exchange between farmers, is suggested as a possible strategy to avoid the reduction in diversity within populations. Future research will address the nutritional value of the EPs, which is often quoted by sheep owners as superior to commonly grown varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are significant background changes and complex spatial correspondences between multi-modal remote sensing images, and it is difficult for existing methods to extract common features between images effectively, leading to poor matching results. In order to improve the matching effect, features with high robustness are extracted; this paper proposes a multi-temporal remote sensing matching algorithm CMRM (CNN multi-modal remote sensing matching) based on deformable convolution and cross-attention. First, based on the VGG16 backbone network, Deformable VGG16 (DeVgg) is constructed by introducing deformable convolutions to adapt to significant geometric distortions in remote sensing images of different shapes and scales; second, the features extracted from DeVgg are input to the cross-attention module to better capture the spatial correspondence of images with background changes; and finally, the key points and corresponding descriptors are extracted from the output feature map. In the feature matching stage, in order to solve the problem of poor matching quality of feature points, BFMatcher is used for rough registration, and then the RANSAC algorithm with adaptive threshold is used for constraint. The proposed algorithm in this paper performs well on the public dataset HPatches, with MMA values of 0.672, 0.710, and 0.785 when the threshold is selected as 3–5. The results show that compared to existing methods, our method improves the matching accuracy of multi-modal remote sensing images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foods enriched with nutritional compounds and biological activities, especially antioxidants, are considered healthier for human and/or animal consumption. Seaweeds are rich sources of biologically active metabolites and are used as functional foods. In this study, proximate compositions, physicobiochemical characteristics and oil oxidative stability were analyzed for 15 abundant tropical seaweeds (four green—Acrosiphonia orientalis, Caulerpa scalpelliformis, Ulva fasciata, Ulva lactuca; six brown—Iyengaria stellata, Lobophora variegate, Padina boergesenii, Sargassum linearifolium, Spatoglossum asperum, Stoechospermum marginatum; and five red—Amphiroa anceps, Grateloupia indica, Halymenia porphyriformis, Scinaia carnosa, Solieria chordalis). All seaweeds were analyzed for the proximate composition, including moisture content, ash content, total sugar content, total proteins, total lipids, crude fiber, carotenoid content, total chlorophyll content, proline, iodine content, nitrogen-free extract, total phenolic content and total flavonoid content. Green seaweeds showed higher nutritional proximate composition, followed by brown and red seaweeds. Among the different seaweeds, Ulva, Caulerpa, Sargassum, Spatoglossum and Amphiroa showed high nutritional proximate composition compared to other seaweeds. High cation scavenging, free radical scavenging and total reducing activities were observed for Acrosiphonia, Caulerpa, Ulva, Sargassum, Spatoglossum and Iyengaria. It was also observed that 15 tropical seaweeds contained negligible amounts of antinutritional compounds, including tannic acid, phytic acid, saponins, alkaloids and terpenoids. Nutritionally, green and brown seaweeds provided higher sources of energy (150–300 calories per 100 g) compared to red seaweeds (80–165 calories per 100 g). Additionally, this study also confirmed that tropical seaweeds improved the oxidative stability of food oils and, therefore, might be recommended as natural antioxidant additives. The overall results confirm that tropical seaweeds are potential sources of nutrition and antioxidants and may be explored as functional food, dietary supplementation or animal feed. Additionally, they may also be explored as food supplements for fortifying food products, as food toppings or for garnishing and seasoning foods. However, a human or animal toxicity analysis is required before any conclusive recommendation for daily food or feed intake can be made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, high-activity manganese oxide was prepared from electrolytic manganese anode slime to realize the efficient removal of antibiotics. The effects of sulfuric acid concentration, ethanol dosage, liquid–solid ratio, leaching temperature and leaching time on the leaching of manganese from electrolytic manganese anode slime were systematically studied. Under the optimal conditions, the leaching rate of manganese reached 88.74%. In addition, a Mn3O4 catalyst was synthesized and used to activate hydrogen persulfate (PMS) to degrade tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH). The synthesized Mn3O4 was characterized by XRD, XPS, Raman, SEM and HRTEM. As a result, the prepared Mn3O4 is spherical, with high purity and crystallinity. The catalytic activity of Mn3O4 for PMS to degrade TCH was increased to 82.11%. In addition, after four cycles, the performance remained at 78.5%, showing excellent stability and recyclability. In addition, O2− and 1O2 are the main active species in the degradation reaction. The activity of Mn3O4 is attributed to it containing Mn(II) and Mn(III) at the same time, which can quickly realize the transformation of high-valence and low-valence manganese, promote the transfer of electrons and realize the degradation of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forty-seven elements in leafy green vegetables were studied to estimate the daily intakes from this food category in different scenarios (average and high consumers) and age groups of the Canary Islands population. The contribution of the consumption of each type of vegetable to the reference intakes of essential, toxic and potentially toxic elements was assessed and the risk–benefit ratio was evaluated. The leafy vegetables that provide the highest levels of elements are spinach, arugula, watercress and chard. While spinach, chard, arugula, lettuce sprouts and watercress were the leafy vegetables with the highest concentrations of essential elements (38,743 ng/g of Fe in spinach, 3733 ng/g of Zn in watercress), the high levels of Mn in chard, spinach and watercress are noteworthy. Among the toxic elements, Cd is the element with the highest concentration, followed by As and Pb. The vegetable with the highest concentration of potentially toxic elements (Al, Ag, Be, Cr, Ni, Sr and V) is spinach. In average adult consumers, while the greatest contribution of essential elements comes from arugula, spinach and watercress, insignificant dietary intakes of potentially toxic metals are observed. Toxic metal intakes from the consumption of leafy vegetables in the Canary Islands do not show significant values, so the consumption of these foods does not pose a health risk. In conclusion, the consumption of leafy vegetables provides significant levels of some essential elements (Fe, Mn, Mo, Co and Se), but also of some potentially toxic elements (Al, Cr and Tl). A high consumer of leafy vegetables would see their daily nutritional needs regarding Fe, Mn, Mo, and Co covered, although they are also exposed to moderately worrying levels of Tl. To monitor the safety of dietary exposure to these metals, total diet studies on those elements with dietary exposures above the reference values derived from the consumption of this food category, mainly Tl, are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

YMnO3 is a P-type semiconductor with a perovskite-type structure (ABO3). It presents two crystalline systems: rhombohedral and hexagonal, the latter being the most stable and studied. In the hexagonal system, Mn3+ ions are coordinated by five oxygen ions forming a trigonal bipyramid, and the Y3+ ions are coordinated by five oxygen ions. This arrangement favors its ferroelectric and ferromagnetic properties, which have been widely studied since 1963. However, applications based on their optical properties have yet to be explored. This work evaluates the photoelectric response and the photocatalytic activity of yttrium manganite in visible spectrum wavelengths. To conduct this, a rod-obelisk-shaped yttrium manganite with a reduced indirect bandgap value of 1.43 eV in its hexagonal phase was synthesized through the precipitation method. The synthesized yttrium manganite was elucidated by solid-state techniques, such as DRX, XPS, and UV-vis. It was non-toxic as shown by the 100% leukocyte viability of mice BALB/c. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to climate change, 2/3 of the world's population will face water shortage problems by 2025, while a 50% increase in food production is required in 2050 to feed nine billion people. In addition, the intensified anthropogenic activities have significantly increased water resource pollution. In this condition, wastewater reuse for crop irrigation to reduce water scarcity is currently becoming global, while it often causes soil pollution and heavy metal accumulation in agricultural areas. This situation has increased public concern over its environmental impact. Thus, an integrated framework was conducted to discuss the status of water availability in China, wastewater treatment and reuse in irrigation systems, and the potential health risks. Avenues for new research toward sustainable agriculture were discussed. We emphasize that wastewater reuse reduces the freshwater deficit and increases food productivity. However, adequate treatment should be applied before use to reduce its adverse impacts on human health risks and environmental pollution. Facilities and policies should support more accessible access to reclaimed water used in industries and urban facilities from secondary municipal wastewater treatment plants. This could be a long-term solution to eradicate water scarcity and inefficient water resources in agricultural systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinone organic materials are promising electrodes for the next lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to their versatile molecular designs, high theoretical capacity, flexibility, sustainability, and environmental friendliness. However, quinone organic electrode materials can easily dissolve in organic electrolytes during the cycling process, which leads to the decay of capacity and poor cycling stability. Here, two metal-organic frames (MOFs), one-dimensional (1D) linear structural anthraquinone-2,3-dicarboxylate zinc coordination polymer (ZnAQDC) and two-dimensional (2D) structural anthraquinone-2,3-dicarboxylate manganese coordination polymer (MnAQDC), are synthesized by using anthraquinone 2,3-dicarboxylic acid, zinc acetate, and manganese acetate in a simple hydrothermal reaction. The formed 1D and 2D structures facilitate the insertion and extraction of lithium ions in and from carbonyl groups of anthraquinone. When MnAQDC is used as cathodes for LIBs, MnAQDC electrodes show an initial discharge capacity of ~63 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1. After 200 cycles, the MnAQDC electrode still maintains the specific capacity of ~45 mA h g−1, which exhibits good cycle stability. the ZnAQDC electrode displays a initial discharge capacity of ~85 mA h g−1 at 50 mA g−1, and retains the specific capacity of ~40 mA h g−1 after 200 cycles, showing moderate cyclic performance. The lithium-inserted mechanism shows that lithium ions are inserted and extracted in and from the carbonyl groups, and the valences of the Zn and Mn ions in the two MOFs do not change, and coordination metals do not contribute capacities for the two MOFs electrodes. The strategy of designing and synthesizing MOFs with 1D and 2D structures provides guidance for suppressing the dissolution and improving the electrochemical performance of quinone electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TS-1 zeolite with desirable pore structure, an abundance of acidic sites, and good thermal stability promising as a support for the selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3 (NH3-SCR). Herein, a series of Mn–Fe/TS-1 catalysts have been synthesized, adopting tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) as a metal complexing agent using the one-pot hydrothermal method. The introduced TEPA can not only increase the loading of active components but also prompts the formation of a hierarchical structure through decreasing the size of TS-1 nanocrystals to produce intercrystalline mesopores during the hydrothermal crystallization process. The optimized Mn–Fe/TS-1(R-2) catalyst shows remarkable NH3-SCR performance. Moreover, it exhibits excellent resistance to H2O and SO2 at low temperatures. The characterization results indicate that Mn–Fe/TS-1(R-2) possesses abundant surface Mn4+ and Fe2+ and chemisorbed oxygen, strong reducibility, and a high Brønsted acid amount. For comparison, Mn–Fe/TiO2 displays a narrower active temperature window due to its poor thermostability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research was carried out to examine the health and environmental impacts associated with coal mining activities in the Makarwal coal mining area in Pakistan. To achieve the objectives, 41 soil samples were collected from the coalmine-affected areas and analyzed for major and toxic trace elements (TTEs) using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Most of the soil samples have extremely high concentrations of toxic metals such as Ni, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, and Pb. The positive correlations and high concentration of trace elements in the Makarwal coalmine-affected region suggest an analogous origin of soil contamination. The factor analysis (FA) showed two components, i.e., F1 (53.4%) and F (74.21%), of total variability for soil. The F2 was loaded with Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr, which was similar to cluster 2, while the F1 was loaded with Cu and Cr, having a similar pattern to cluster 1. This proves that the contamination in the surrounding area is mostly associated with geological ore strata existing in the Makarwal coalfield. Based on geoaccumulation (Igeo), the elemental concentration in the studied soil sample could be categorized as follows: (1) Pb, Ni, and Zn are moderate to severely polluted and (2) Cr and Cu are in the moderately polluted category. The ecological risk indices (ERIs) of the single trace element contamination index highlighted that Cd, Pb, Ni, and Cr pose a high risk to humans and the ecosystem. Based on different statistical tools performed for the source identification and distribution of metal contamination, it seems that the exposed sedimentary rocks, including limestone, dolomite, sandstone, and coal, are responsible for the toxic metal contamination in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The connection between the heat transfer and characteristic flow velocities of planetary core-style convection remains poorly understood. To address this, we present novel laboratory models of rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection in which heat and momentum transfer are simultaneously measured. Using water (Prandtl number, P r ≃ 6 ) and cylindrical containers of diameter-to-height aspect ratios of Γ ≃ 3 , 1.5 , 0.75 , the non-dimensional rotation period (Ekman number, E) is varied between 10 − 7 ≲ E ≲ 3 × 10 − 5 and the non-dimensional convective forcing (Rayleigh number, R a ) ranges from 10 7 ≲ R a ≲ 10 12 . Our heat transfer data agree with those of previous studies and are largely controlled by boundary layer dynamics. We utilize laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) to obtain experimental point measurements of bulk axial velocities, resulting in estimates of the non-dimensional momentum transfer (Reynolds number, R e ) with values between 4 × 10 2 ≲ R e ≲ 5 × 10 4 . Behavioral transitions in the velocity data do not exist where transitions in heat transfer behaviors occur, indicating that bulk dynamics are not controlled by the boundary layers of the system. Instead, the LDV data agree well with the diffusion-free Coriolis–Inertia–Archimedian (CIA) scaling over the range of R a explored. Furthermore, the CIA scaling approximately co-scales with the Viscous–Archimedian–Coriolis (VAC) scaling over the parameter space studied. We explain this observation by demonstrating that the VAC and CIA relations will co-scale when the local Reynolds number in the fluid bulk is of order unity. We conclude that in our experiments and similar laboratory and numerical investigations with E ≳ 10 − 7 , R a ≲ 10 12 , P r ≃ 7 , heat transfer is controlled by boundary layer physics while quasi-geostrophically turbulent dynamics relevant to core flows robustly exist in the fluid bulk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For dielectric energy storage materials, high polarization and high breakdown strengths are a long-standing challenge. A modulating crystalline/amorphous phase structure strategy is proposed by Mn-doping and annealing temperature to enhance the energy storage performance of pure BaTiO3 (BT) films. In this study, lead-free Mn-doped BT films were prepared on Pt/Ti/SiO2/Si substrates via the sol-gel method, and the effects of the crystalline/amorphous phase ratio on polarization and electric properties were analyzed. A small amount of Mn-doping in BT could reduce the annealing temperature and enhance polarization with an Mn content of 8%. In addition, the energy storage properties of BT-8%Mn films achieve the best energy storage performance in terms of energy density and efficiency of 72.4 J/cm3 and 88.5% by changing the annealing temperature to 640 °C. BT-8%Mn energy storage films also possess good stability over a wide temperature range of 20 °C–200 °C, which demonstrates that crystalline/amorphous engineering is a simple and effective way to enhance energy storage applications of dielectric films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Menispermi Rhizoma, the rhizome of Menispermum dauricum DC., is a traditional Chinese medicine, which has the effect of clearing away heat and detoxification, dispelling wind, and relieving pain. It is often used in the treatment of sore throat, enteritis, dysentery, and rheumatism. The chemical constituents of M. Rhizoma mainly include alkaloids, phenolic acids, quinones, cardiotonic glycosides, and so on. Modern pharmacological studies have proved that M. Rhizoma has the effects of anti-tumour, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, bacteriostasis, cardio-cerebrovascular protection, anti-depression and anti-Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, the chemical constituents of M. Rhizoma have been found continuously, and the pharmacological studies have deepened gradually. This paper reviews the research progress on the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of M. Rhizoma, to provide a basis for further research and development of its medicinal value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]