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Everyday life conveniences and activities such as washing clothing made of synthetic fibers, tire wear, and plastic packaging break down in the environment may serve as an abundant source of microplastic (MP). There is plenty of evidence that microplastic is a problem due to its shape, size, and concentration and the fact that it can easily enter the food chain which causes negative impacts on human health and the environment. An important aspect of this problem is also the fact that microplastic and other contaminants of emerging concern (CEC) present in water can interact, in terms of the adsorption of CEC onto the MP surface. The adverse effect of MP in water is therefore influenced by factors affecting adsorption capacity: particle size, specific surface area, hydrophobicity, and polarity of MP as well as CEC. The aim of this study was to investigate the aquatic toxicity of pristine and photooxidative (UV) aged microplastics and pesticide atrazine samples after the sorption. For that purpose, we investigated the impact of UV aging on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles and correlated it with surface properties. Polyethylene terephthalate was inspected for morphology changes using Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy. The specific surface was investigated by using Brunauer-Emmet-Teller Analyzer to determine the adsorption capacity of MP. The fragmentation of PET bottles into microplastic particles has also been investigated. In adsorption tests, using pristine and aged PET MP, the concentration of atrazine in the aqueous phase was monitored using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis. Aquatic toxicity samples were assessed by exposing freshwater organisms to the aqueous dispersion of pristine and aged MP, without and with adsorbed pollutants. Acute toxicity bioassays were performed with the microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Selenastrum capricornutum) and the crustacean Daphnia magna according to standard procedures (ISO). Obtained results indicated that UV aging resulted in changes in PET bottle morphology and structure. Carboxyl groups are confirmation of surface degradation. The adsorption capacity of MP increases with a higher aging degree. Adsorption capacity is decreasing with an aging degree. Toxicity is increasing with the complexity of samples but decreases with the aging degree. Mixture (MP and CEC) confirmed higher toxicity in comparison to the individual components.

Sources of microplastic (MP) in the environment are various including inefficient wastewater treatment plants, and stormwater runoff. Also, everyday activities that produce municipal plastic waste due to unregulated waste management end up in the aquatic environment which with time can be degraded and fragmented into MP particles. Due to its shape and size, MP can easily enter the food chain and cause negative effects on the organisms. Also, it is important to notice that in atmospheric conditions waste polymer material as well as MP can release additives that are mostly residue from the synthesis or even can be produced in the process of recycling. The aim of this study was to investigate the qualitative content and aquatic toxicity of samples during the leaching process. For that purpose pristine and photooxidative (UV) aged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles were exposed to the enhanced atmospheric conditions. In leaching tests, using pristine and aged MP, the concentration of bisphenol A (BPA) in the aqueous phase was monitored using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis. Heavy metal concentration was monitored using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Acute toxicity bioassays were performed with the freshwater microalgae Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Selenastrum capricornutum) and the crustacean Daphnia magna as well as marine bioluminiscent bacteria Vibrio fischeri, according to standard procedures (ISO). Obtained results indicate that the fragmentation of PET bottles is enhanced for pristine PET bottles in terms of a higher percentage of smaller particles. Leachates that are released from both pristine and aged PET samples were BPA and antimony. The release of antimony was much lower from the UV-aged sample. In general, presence of leached constituents enhances overall toxicity effects in comparison with the samples that consisted of only MP particles. These results will serve as preliminary study for the further investigation of microplastic behaviour in the aquatic environment and the goal is to step forward to the more complex environmentally relevant samples which are considered as a mixture of microplastics and other pollutants.

Extractive industries (mining, oil and gas) are one of the sectors that are most exposed to changes that governments may be making in order that climate change can be restricted. This report looks at the annual reports of extractive companies around the world to gauge how well and completely they are communicating that exposure to their investors and other stakeholders. The study looks at 60 of the most carbon-intensive extractive companies and at the extent and quality of disclosures they make in the management report and in the financial statements about the potential impact of climate change on their business. Clearly there are risks to the long-term viability of their activities which would impact their mineral or hydrocarbon reserves and the related infrastructure and leave them with ‘stranded’ assets. Overall the findings are that the reporting is not good enough and that annual reports lack clarity of and depth in climate change related disclosures. In the management report (the ‘front end’of the annual report) though most make reference to the issue, not all by any means provide adequate information for example about their reserves, the impact of different climate change scenarios or how their business model is adjusting to the risks. The visible impact on the financial statements is scantier still. Only 10% refer to climate change when considering impairment of their assets and none acknowledge its impact on their estimates of the useful lives of the assets.

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) were decorated on a three-dimensional (3D) MoS2–reduced graphene oxide (rGO) framework via a facile hydrothermal method. The distribution of N-GQDs on the 3D MoS2–rGO framework was confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray elemental mapping, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. The resultant 3D nanohybrid was successfully demonstrated as an efficient electrocatalyst toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) under alkaline conditions. The chemical interaction between the electroactive N-GQDs and MoS2–rGO and the increased surface area and pore size of the N-GQDs/MoS2–rGO nanohybrid synergistically improved the ORR onset potential to +0.81 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE). Moreover, the N-GQDs/MoS2–rGO nanohybrid showed better ORR stability for up to 3000 cycles with negligible deviation in the half-wave potential (E1/2). Most importantly, the N-GQDs/MoS2–rGO nanohybrid exhibited a superior methanol tolerance ability even under a high concentration of methanol (3.0 M) in alkaline medium. Hence, the development of a low-cost metal-free graphene quantum dot-based 3D nanohybrid with high methanol tolerance may open up a novel strategy to design selective cathode electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell applications.

Carbonate radical (CO3•-), a selective oxidant, reacts readily with electron-rich compounds through electron transfer and/or hydrogen abstraction. In this study, the role of CO3•- in degrading oxytetracycline (OTC) by UV only, UV/H2O2 and UV/persulfate (UV/PS) advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in the presence of HCO3- or CO32- was investigated. For UV only process, the presence of photosensitizers, i.e., nitrate (NO3-) and natural organic matter (NOM), had different impacts on OTC degradation, i.e., an enhancing effect by NO3- due to the generation of HO• and a slight inhibiting effect by NOM possibly due to a light scattering effect. Differently for UV/H2O2 and UV/PS processes, the presence of NO3- hardly influenced the destruction of OTC. Generation of CO3•- presented a positive role on OTC degradation by UV/NO3-/HCO3-. Such influence was also observed in the two studied AOPs in the presence of both bicarbonate and other natural water constituents. When various natural water samples from different sources were used as reaction matrices, UV only and UV/H2O2 showed an inhibiting effect while UV/PS demonstrated a comparable or even promoting effect in OTC decomposition. After elucidating the potential contribution of UV direct photolysis via excited state OTC* at an elevated reaction pH condition, putative OTC transformation byproducts via CO3•- reaction were identified by ultra-high definition accurate-mass quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (QTOF/MS). Five different reaction pathways were subsequently proposed, including hydroxylation (+16 Da), quinonization (+14 Da), demethylation (-14 Da), decarbonylation (-28 Da) and dehydration (-18 Da). The significant role of UV at high pH and CO3•- on OTC removal from contaminated water was therefore demonstrated both kinetically and mechanistically. •Generation of CO3•- enhanced the kinetics of OTC degradation in UV/NO3-/HCO3-.•CO3•- had a positive role in AOPs even in the presence of other water constituents.•Comparable or enhanced OTC removal was observed in natural waters using UV/S2O82-.•CO3•- and UV photolysis showed a different preferable mechanism than HO.• or SO4•-.•Paths, e.g., quinonization, demethylation and decarbonylation, etc., were proposed. 95 195 204

Drawing on symbolic interactionism, we propose a process model for the creation and recreation of routines. Our model extends the performative perspective by exploring how routines, as collective accomplishments, are (re)created from within. In particular, we examine the mutual constitution of routines' constituent parts (performative and ostensive) through interaction, and we develop endogenous explanations of routine (re)creation grounded on the actions and understandings of mutually susceptible participants. Mead's concept of role taking, with its strong emphasis on the relational aspect of agency, enables us to account for the fitting together of individual lines of action (performative) and the sharing of participants' schemata (included in the ostensive) as mutually constituted processes that occur as participants develop distinct selves in the context of a routine. Moreover, we account for the content and structure of the ostensive aspect and propose a conceptualization that does justice to it as a...

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This paper outlines the major components and function of the Integrated Oncosimulator developed primarily within the ACGT project. The latter is an information technology system simulating in vivo tumor response to therapeutic modalities within the clinical trial context. It aims at supporting patient individualized optimization of cancer treatment. The spatiotemporal simulation module embedded in the Oncosimulator is based on the multiscale, predominantly top-down, discrete entity – discrete event cancer simulation technique developed by the In Silico Oncology Group. Chemotherapeutic treatment in the neoadjuvant setting, according to two real clinical trials concerning nephroblastoma and breast cancer, respectively, has been considered. The technology modules include multiscale data handling, image processing, invocation of code execution via a spreadsheet-inspired environment portal (RecipeSheet), execution of the code on the grid and visualization of the predictions. Parameter values have been adapted to multiscale clinical trial data in a consistent way, thus supporting the predictive potential of the Oncosimulator. Clinical adaptation and validation are in progress. Initial results have already been published. Completion of these time demanding phases is expected to pave the way for the clinical translation of the system. A refining scenario for the eventual coupling of the Oncosimulator with immunological models is also presented.

This study evaluates the feasibility of UV-C-driven advanced oxidation process induced by sulfate radicals (SO4-) in degrading erythromycin (ERY) in secondary treated wastewater. The results revealed that 10 mg L-1 of sodium persulfate (SPS) can result in rapid and complete antibiotic degradation within 90 min of irradiation, while ERY decay exhibited a pseudo-first-order kinetics pattern under the different experimental conditions applied. ERY degradation rate was strongly affected by the chemical composition of the aqueous matrix and it decreased in the order of: ultrapure water (kapp = 0.55 min-1) > bottled water (kapp = 0.26 min-1) > humic acid solution (kapp = 0.05 min-1) > wastewater effluents (kapp = 0.03 min-1). Inherent pH conditions (i.e. pH 8) yielded an increased ERY degradation rate, compared to that observed at pH 3 and 5. The contribution of hydroxyl and sulfate radicals (HO and SO4-) on ERY degradation was found to be ca. 37% and 63%, respectively. Seven transformation products (TPs) were tentatively elucidated during ERY oxidation, with the 14-membered lactone ring of the ERY molecule being intact in all cases. The observed phytotoxicity against the tested plant species can potentially be attributed to the dissolved effluent organic matter (dEfOM) present in wastewater effluents and its associated-oxidation products and not to the TPs generated from the oxidation of ERY. This study evidences the potential use of the UV-C/SPS process in producing a final treated effluent with lower phytotoxicity (

Wastewater reuse is currently considered globally as the most critical element of sustainable water management. The dissolved effluent organic matter (dEfOM) present in biologically treated urban wastewater, consists of a heterogeneous mixture of refractory organic compounds with diverse structures and varying origin, including dissolved natural organic matter, soluble microbial products, endocrine disrupting compounds, pharmaceuticals and personal care products residues, disinfection by-products, metabolites/transformation products and others, which can reach the aquatic environment through discharge and reuse applications. dEfOM constitutes the major fraction of the effluent organic matter (EfOM) and due to its chemical complexity, it is necessary to utilize a battery of complementary techniques to adequately describe its structural and functional character. dEfOM has been shown to exhibit contrasting effects towards various aquatic organisms. It decreases metal uptake, thus potentially reducing their bioavailability to exposed organisms. On the other hand, dEfOM can be adsorbed on cell membranes inducing toxic effects. This review paper evaluates the performance of various advanced treatment processes (i.e., membrane filtration and separation processes, activated carbon adsorption, ion-exchange resin process, and advanced chemical oxidation processes) in removing dEfOM from wastewater effluents. In general, the literature findings reveal that dEfOM removal by advanced treatment processes depends on the type and the amount of organic compounds present in the aqueous matrix, as well as the operational parameters and the removal mechanisms taking place during the application of each treatment technology. •Effects and challenges associated with dEfOM and wastewater reuse are discussed.•The efficiency of advanced treatment in removing dEfOM is assessed.•dEfOM can reduce metal bioavailability or can induce toxicity to microorganisms.•SMPs are mainly responsible for membrane fouling and formation of DBPs.•UV-driven AOPs are an attractive option to minimize dEfOM. 77 213 248

This paper investigates the large and diverse discounts in UK open offers and placings. Large discounts are a substantial cost to shareholders who do not buy new shares. The existing literature mainly examines US firm-commitment offers and private placements. The institutional setting differs in the UK, in ways that make the theory of inelastic demand for shares more important as an explanation for discounts than in the US. The paper finds that inelastic demand, or illiquidity of the issuer's shares, and financial distress, are key determinants of the discount. We expect these results to apply to other stock markets.

The extensive production and usage of antibiotics have led to an increasing occurrence of antibiotic residuals in various aquatic compartments, presenting a significant threat to both ecosystem and human health. This study investigated the degradation of selected β-lactam antibiotics (penicillins: ampicillin, penicillin V, and piperacillin; cephalosporin: cephalothin) by UV-254 nm activated H2O2 and S2O82− photochemical processes. The UV irradiation alone resulted in various degrees of direct photolysis of the antibiotics; while the addition of the oxidants improved significantly the removal efficiency. The steady- state radical concentrations were estimated, revealing a non-negligible contribution of hydroxyl radicals in the UV/S2O82− system. Mineralization of the β-lactams could be achieved at high UV fluence, with a slow formation of SO42− and a much lower elimination of total organic carbon (TOC). The transformation mechanisms were also investigated showing the main reaction pathways of hydroxylation (+16 Da) at the aromatic ring and/or the sulfur atom, hydrolysis (+18 Da) at the β-lactam ring and decarboxylation (–44 Da) for the three penicillins. Oxidation of amine group was also observed for ampicillin. This study suggests that UV/H2O2 and UV/S2O82− advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are capable of degrading β-lactam antibiotics decreasing consequently the antibiotic activity of treated waters.

•Degradation of atrazine was investigated in UV, UV/H2O2, UV/HSO5− and UV/S2O82− AOPs.•UV/S2O82− process was found to be more efficient as well as more economical.•The pH affected UV/S2O82− but had no significant influence on UV, UV/H2O2 and UV/HSO5−.•Second order rate constants of atrazine with SO4− and OH were found to be comparable.•Degradation mechanism was investigated by GC–MS and LC–MS/MS analysis. Degradation of atrazine was investigated under UV-254nm irradiation, alone or in combination with peroxides, i.e., hydrogen peroxide, persulfate (PS) or peroxymonosulfate (PMS). UV/PS was found to be the most efficient process in this study, which was probably due to its higher radical quantum yield under UV irradiation, considering atrazine’s comparable second order rate constant of 2.59×109M−1s−1 and 2.25×109M−1s−1 with sulfate radical and hydroxyl radical, respectively. The pH values showed no significant effect on direct photolysis of atrazine, with observed UV fluence based pseudo-first-order rate constant (kobs) of 7.59×10−4, 7.73×10−4 and 6.72×10−4cm2mJ−1 at pH 3.0, 5.7 and 11.0, respectively. Performance of UV/H2O2 and UV/PMS were more independent of initial pH values while that of UV/PS appeared to be more efficient at neutral pH condition. UV/PS was observed as a less energy consumption process. Eight new degradation by-products were identified in this study, namely, 2-chloro-4-acetamido-6-(2-hydroxy-isopropylamino)-s-triazine (CDHT), 2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (ONIT), 2-chloro-4-vinylamino-6-isopropylamino-s-triazine (CVIT), 2-hydroxy-4-vinylamino-6-(2-hydroxy-isopropylamino)-s-triazine (OVHT), 2-hydroxy-4-acetamido-6-isopropenylamino-s-triazine (ODPT), 2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-6-vinylamino-s-triazine (ONVT), 2-hydroxy-4-(2-hydroxy-ethylamino)-6-methylamino-s-triazine (ONMT) and 2-chloro-4-vinylamino-6-amino-s-triazine (CVAT). Potential degradation pathways were further proposed. 252 393 403

In this study, the photochemical degradation of the antibiotic oxytetracycline (OTC) at different pH values was investigated in aqueous solution under visible and solar light irradiation. Particular emphasis was given to the kinetics and mechanism during the photolytic and photocatalytic degradation of OTC. A comparative study of the photolysis of OTC under solar light, with different initial concentrations and in the presence of scavengers of reactive oxygen species (ROS), revealed a self-photosensitization pathway with evidence of singlet oxygen generation at pH 8.5 and 11.0 during OTC photolysis. The three-dimensional fluorescence spectra of OTC at different pH values demonstrate that OTC only exhibits significant emission spectra at pH 8.5 and 11.0. The change of the internal electrostatic force between the electron withdrawing group and the dehydrogenation moiety of OTC as a function of solution pH values was proposed as a critical factor influencing the energy states and observed reaction pathways of OTC under light irradiation. Moreover, the mechanism of photochemical degradation of OTC was investigated with nitrogen and fluorine doped titanium dioxide (NF-TiO2) film at different pH values under visible and solar light in the presence of tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), sodium azide (NaN3), potassium iodine (KI) and catalase as scavengers. Five pathways, including direct photolytic degradation, UV/vis light-induced photocatalytic oxidation and reduction, and visible light-induced self-photosensitized oxidation and reduction, were proposed and verified during the photocatalytic degradation of OTC with NF-TiO2 film. " 134 83 92

This short paper provides a brief outline of the main components and the developmental and translational process of the ACGT Oncosimulator. The Oncosimulator is an integrated software system simulating in vivo tumor response to therapeutic modalities within the clinical trial environment. It aims at supporting patient individualized optimization of cancer treatment.