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The current study was conducted on the inhabitants living in the area adjacent to the Hudiara drain using bore water and vegetables adjacent to the Hudiara drain. Toxic heavy metals badly affect human health because of industrial environmental contamination. Particularly hundreds of millions of individuals globally have faced the consequences of consuming water and food tainted with pollutants. Concentrations of heavy metals in human blood were elevated in Hudiara drainings in Lahore city, Pakistan, due to highly polluted industrial effluents. The study determined the health effects of high levels of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Zn, Fe, Pb, Ni, Hg, Cr) on residents of the Hudiara draining area, including serum MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguanosine, and creatinine levels. An absorption spectrophotometer was used to determine heavy metals in wate water, drinking water, soil, plants and human beings blood sampleas and ELISA kits were used to assess the level of 8-hydroxyguanosine, MDA, 8-Isoprostane in plasma serum creatinine level. Waste water samples, irrigation water samples, drinking water samples, Soil samples, Plants samples and blood specimens of adult of different weights and ages were collected from the polluted area of the Hudiara drain (Laloo and Mohanwal), and control samples were obtained from the unpolluted site Sheiikhpura, 60 km away from the site. Toxic heavy metals in blood damage the cell membrane and DNA structures, increasing the 8-hydroxyguanosine, MDA, creatinine, and 8-Isoprostane. Toxic metals contaminated bore water and vegetables, resulting in increased levels of creatinine, MDA, Isoprostane, and 8-hydroxy-2-guanosine in the blood of inhabitants from the adjacent area Hudiara drain compared to the control group. In addition,. This study also investigated heavy metal concentrations in meat and milk samples from buffaloes, cows, and goats. In meat, cow samples showed the highest Cd, Cu, Fe and Mn concentrations. In milk also, cows exhibited elevated Cu and Fe levels compared to goats. The results highlight species-specific variations in heavy metal accumulation, emphasizing the need for targeted monitoring to address potential health risks. The significant difference between the two groups i.e., the control group and the affected group, in all traits of the respondents (weight, age, heavy metal values MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguaniosine, and serum creatinine level). Pearson's correlation coefficient was calculated. The study has shown that the level of serum MDA, 8-Isoprostane, 8-hydroxyguaniosine, or creatinine has not significantly correlated with age, so it is independent of age. This study has proved that in Pakistan, the selected area of Lahore in the villages of Laloo and Mohanwal, excess of heavy metals in the human body damages the DNA and increases the level of 8-Isoprostane, MDA, creatinine, and 8-hydroxyguaniosine. As a result, National and international cooperation must take major steps to control exposure to heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the realm of cement production, traditional fuels are steadily giving way to alternative sources. While this shift yields economic and ecological advantages, it introduces notable technological challenges. Specifically, there is an escalation in certain chemical elements, leading to variability in the mineralogical composition. This variability is subsequently manifested in the characteristics of Portland clinker. It becomes imperative, therefore, to synthesize pure clinker minerals. This synthesis is essential for both understanding their behavior in industrially manufactured cement and creating analytical standards for mineral identification through XRD. The primary focus of the research is on the production of pure tricalcium aluminate, a key clinker mineral, within laboratory conditions. A direct laboratory methodology involving solid-phase synthesis is used. The investigation meticulously tracks the impact of homogenizing the raw material mixture on the resultant mineral's purity. To achieve this, a high-speed Pulverisette 6 planetary mill is utilized along with two types of grinding bodies. A corundum grinding capsule with corundum grinding bodies is employed to prevent contamination by foreign ions. Simultaneously, a highly efficient steel grinding capsule with steel grinding bodies is utilized. The raw material mixture is then subjected to sintering at six different temperatures ranging from 1 200 to 1 450 °C, and the purity of the produced mineral is quantified using Rietveld analysis. Laser granulometry results indicate a strikingly similar comminution of the raw material in both grinding cases. Iron contamination, as revealed by XRF analysis, is minimal, accounting for only 0.21 %. The purity of 97.6% C3A, is achieved at 1 450 °C using a steel grinding capsule, with 2.4% unreacted lime Conversely, when using a corundum capsule, a purity of 93.6% is achieved, accompanied by residues of 2.2% mayenite and 3.8% lime. This discrepancy may be attributed to an insufficient degree of raw material comminution in the corundum capsule. Intriguingly, a slight iron contamination during the grinding of the raw material mixture exerts a positive influence on purity. In this case, iron acts as a flux, fostering a more favorable reaction of the mineral mayenite. This multifaceted exploration enhances our understanding of clinker mineral synthesis, offering insights into optimizing purity based on grinding methods, sintering temperatures, and the impact of minor contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most crucial methods for understanding the state of any aquatic ecosystem is the use of test organisms such as fish or invertebrates. The water flea, Daphnia magna, is commonly used as a model species for ecotoxicological studies. In the current examination, D. magna neonates were exposed to concentrations of metals similar to those previously reported to occur in the ecosystem. The 48-h acute toxicity tests of FeCl3, PbCl2, and their mixture at different concentrations were applied to D. magna. The Probit analysis was used to calculate the 48-h median lethal concentration (LC50) for each of Fe, Pb, and their mixture. The results revealed that Fe was more hazardous than Pb, with 48-h LC50 values of 6.47 and 13.14mg/l, respectively. Furthermore, the Fe-Pb mixture had a synergetic impact on Daphnia magna (mixture 48-h LC50 was 3.9mg/l). This study indicated that the realistic levels of Fe and Pb may trigger the lethal impacts of freshwater crustaceans, causing devastating impacts on the ecosystem and food web. These results may be valuable in elaborating water quality criteria and standards to protect the national aquatic systems that are drastically affected by anthropogenic industrial contamination. Because of the unexpected responses of multi-contaminant scenarios, there is a need for more thorough, environmentally appropriate research on the mixture impacts of the pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE Feline infectious peritonitis is fatal, and due to lack of approved treatments, unregulated antiviral drugs are used to treat this disease. This study set out to determine the purity of various batches of these drugs from several companies, characterize them, and note any impurities or other unusual characteristics. We also developed a method to qualitatively assess the primary components before administration. SAMPLES We tested 30 vials from 17 brands of GS-441524 and 5 vials from 1 brand of GC376. We compared the GS-441524 to a control standard from Ambeed and the GC376 to a standard from Cayman Chemical. METHODS We recorded physical appearance, pH, absorbance, HPLC retention times, and thin-layer chromatography retention factors for all of the samples. Some samples were used for nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometric analysis. RESULTS Some of the GS-441524 vials were 10% to 25% more concentrated than advertised, but most of the GS-441524 samples tested were similar in purity and composition, both between batches and between brands. We also tested 5 vials of GC376 and found that 1 of the 5 vials contained GS-441524 rather than GC376 and the other 4 vials contained molnupiravir. CLINICAL RELEVANCE While all of the GS-441524 vials contained GS-441524, none of the GC376 vials tested contained GC376. GC376 is used in cats that are unresponsive to GS-441524, and use of the wrong antiviral can cause serious side effects. We provide suggested methods for distinguishing one drug from the other in new batches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Soil VOCs concentration in YRCIP decreased significantly from winter to summer. • Built deposition resistance and partitioning coupling models show higher gas flux. • Combined correlation analysis shows gas dry deposition is major in winter and spring. • Source profiles for five production zones were established to identify PMF factors. • Seasonal variations affect traceability results due to pollutions' sorption capacity. Accurate source apportionment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil nearby petrochemical industries prevailing globally, is critical for preventing pollution. However, in the process, seasonal effect on contamination pathways and accumulation of soil VOCs is often neglected. Herein, Yanshan Refining-Chemical Integration Park, including a carpet, refining, synthetic rubber, and two synthetic resin zones, was selected for traceability. Season variations resulted in a gradual decrease of 31 VOCs in soil from winter to summer. A method of dry deposition resistance model coupling partitioning coefficient model was created, revealing that dry deposition by gas phase was the primary pathway for VOCs to enter soil in winter and spring, with 100 times higher flux than by particle phase. Source profiles for five zones were built by gas sampling with distinct substance indicators screened, which were used for positive matrix factorization factors determination. Contributions of the five zones were 14.9%, 20.8%, 13.6%, 22.1%, and 28.6% in winter and 33.4%, 12.5%, 10.7%, 24.9%, and 18.5% in spring, respectively. The variation in the soil sorption capacity of VOCs causes inter-seasonal differences in contribution. The better correlation between dry deposition capacity and soil storage of VOCs made root mean square and mean absolute errors decrease averagely by 8.8% and 5.5% in winter compared to spring. This study provides new perspectives and methods for the source apportionment of soil VOCs contamination in industrial sites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Escalating proportions of industrially contaminated sites are one of the major catastrophes faced at the present time due to the industrial revolution. The difficulties associated with culturing the microbes, has been circumvent by the direct use of metagenomic analysis of various complex niches. In this study, a metagenomic approach using next generation sequencing technologies was applied to exemplify the taxonomic abundance and metabolic potential of the microbial community residing in Amlakhadi canal, Ankleshwar at two different seasons. All the metagenomes revealed a predominance of Proteobacteria phylum. However, difference was observed within class level where Gammaproteobacteria was relatively high in polluted metagenome in Summer while in Monsoon the abundance shifted to Betaproteobacteria. Similarly, significant statistical differences were obtained while comparing the genera amongst contaminated sites where Serratia, Achromobacter, Stenotrophomonas and Pseudomonas were abundant in summer season and the dominance changed to Thiobacillus, Thauera, Acidovorax, Nitrosomonas, Sulfuricurvum, Novosphingobium, Hyphomonas and Geobacter in monsoon. Further upon functional characterization, the microbiomes revealed the diverse survival mechanisms, in response to the prevailing ecological conditions (such as degradation of aromatic compounds, heavy metal resistance, oxidative stress responses and multidrug resistance efflux pumps, etc.). The results have important implications in understanding and predicting the impacts of human-induced activities on microbial communities inhabiting natural niche and their responses in coping with the fluctuating pollution load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Private companies and sovereign States have begun mining the deep sea for polymetallic nodules that contain precious minerals, including cobalt, nickel, copper, and magnesium. In 2021, the small island nation of Nauru triggered a procedural "two-year rule" that requires the ISA to finalize regulations for deep sea mining (DSM) or consider the provisional approval of commercial exploitation applications. This two-year deadline passed in July 2023 without any resolution. ISA Members States continue to debate a precautionary moratorium on deep sea mining operations in light of inadequate scientific and environmental information about deep sea ecosystems. Meanwhile, advocates argue for scaled-up commercial mining operations in the next few years. Mining proponents argue that harvesting valuable metals from the ocean floor is essential to facilitate a transition to a new green economy and causes less damage than land-based mining. But marine scientists warn that DSM will cause irreversible environmental damage, impacting biodiversity, migratory species, fisheries, and carbon cycling. Scientific research shows that a combination of sediment plumes, industrial contamination, and anthropogenic noise from deep sea mining have harmful impacts on marine life both on the seabed (benthic fauna) and in the waters above (pelagic fauna). Mining even alters the water chemistry of the deep sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) distinguish themselves from conventional materials by their exceptional combination of characteristics, including a well‐defined crystalline structure, inherent porosity, substantial surface area, remarkable design flexibility, capacity for functionalization, and chemical tunability. These attributes collectively contribute to the distinctiveness and versatility of COFs compared to traditional materials. This opens up exciting possibilities for multiple applications including energy storage, sensing, gas extraction and catalysis. The extraordinary stability of COFs in aqueous solutions and under harsh climatic conditions opens up new applications for them, including water treatment. COFs are attractive materials for tackling water pollution concerns and expanding their applications in related fields as a result of their distinctive attributes, like remarkable adsorption ability and adjustable architectures. The use of COF membranes in effluent management can improve the elimination of harmful dyes, resulting in better water quality and environmental protection. The creation of COF‐based membranes is a significant step forward in the field of water filtration and shows great potential for solving the issues faced by industrial wastewater contamination. Many published techniques provide continuous COF‐based membranes that fully utilize COFs for separations. Performance and characterization of COF‐membranes can be arbitrated with the help of various analytical and spectroscopic methods. The present study marks the most important structural characteristics and functional design methodologies of COFs in the form of thin membranes for dye separation. A discussion on the characteristics of COFs responsible for membrane separation with their synthesis and characterizations has also been done. Various reported fabrication methods of COF based membranes for dye removal are discussed concisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technologies were proposed for rapid monitoring of properties (density; viscosity; and contents of water, chloride salts, and sulfur) of oils pumped through oil pipelines by a hardware and software system using proton magnetic resonance relaxometry. A mechatronic plant and technologies for removing impurities from oil using a rotating magnetic field were described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The application of amine method gas desulfurization process in a natural gas purification plant was prone to producing solution pollution, foaming, and other issues. The introduction of mechanical filtration and MDEA ion exchange purification and reactivation technology partly alleviated the problem of solution oxidation degradation pollution. However, mature application experience has not yet been formed for the removal of organic impurities that are prone to foaming in the solution, such as hydrocarbons and surfactants. In order to solve the problems of organic impurity pollution and frequent foaming of desulfurization amine solution in the middle and later stages of gas field development, experimental research was conducted on the removal technology of hydrocarbon impurities in amine solution. Methods The activated carbon adsorption experiments and foaming performance evaluation of amine solution were carried out, and the optimal activated carbon suitable for natural gas purification was selected. Results The results of filtration experiments and foaming experiments of activated carbon materials indicated that coconut shell activated carbon had a better adsorption effect. Coconut shell activated carbon with higher iodine value and smaller particles had a higher adsorption effect. However, too small particle size would bring secondary pollution to amine solution, resulting in increased risk of downstream pipeline blockage. According to the comparison of the turbidity of amine solution, oil removal rate and foaming experiment results before and after filtration, the coconut shell activated carbon with 30-40 mesh（380-550 μm） and iodine value of 1 142 mg/g was selected from the samples sent by the manufacturer as the filter material for removing hydrocarbon impurities from the amine solution for desulfurization of natural gas in gas field. Conclusions The coconut shell activated carbon with appropriate iodine value and strength was preferred as the activated carbon filter element material for natural gas desulfurization amine solution, and a mechanical filter was added downstream to further remove mechanical impurities and activated carbon powder in the solution and reduce the foaming frequency of solution pollution. After optimization and transformation, the device runs smoothly, and the foaming and liquid blocking conditions are significantly improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tokamak start-up is strongly dependent on the state of the initial plasma formed during plasma breakdown. To acquire a better understanding of the process and to estimate the influence of the impurity of beryllium on the ohmic heating tokamak start-up process, one-dimensional particle-in-cell coupled with a Monte Carlo collision method has been developed. The main aim is to investigate the plasma performance under various amounts of beryllium with different discharge parameters. Tokamak breakdown with the impurity of beryllium in the ohmic heating strategy has been simulated. The simulation results show that with the impurity of beryllium, the increase of plasma density is suppressed compared with the case without beryllium. The breakdown time is delayed by the impurity. Moreover, the successful breakdown has a much higher requirement on discharge parameters with a low electric field operational scenario, since in the low electric field discharge the influence of beryllium impurity is greater. As the plasma density increases, the effect of beryllium impurity on plasma becomes more critical. It indicates that impurities cannot be neglected in the high plasma density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impurities found in active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and pharmaceutical products are of ever‐increasing interest. According to several regulatory agencies, purity and impurity profiles are essential. An impurity is defined as any additional inorganic or organic material, residual solvents other than the medicinal components, or undesired compounds that remain with APIs. Impurities and degradation products in bulk drug materials and pharmaceutical formulations are identified, their structures are clarified, and their quantitative determination is part of impurity profiling. Unrecognized, poisonous impurities are dangerous to health and should be identified by selective procedures to increase the safety of drug therapy, and impurity profiling has become more significant in pharmaceutical analysis. This review briefly introduces process and product‐related impurities and emphasizes the creation of cutting‐edge analytical techniques for identifying them. It discusses the use of analytical methods, particularly high‐performance thin‐layer chromatography, liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry (MS), ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography–MS, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the identification of contaminants and degradation products. It has discussed the importance of the quality, efficacy, and safety of drug substances and products, including the origin, types, and quality control of impurities, the need for the development of impurity profiling methods, impurity identification, and regulatory aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of co-existing impurities in phosphogypsum limit its large-scale and high-value utilization. This paper summarizes the common contents of major impurity components (silicon and phosphorus) and trace impurity components (fluorine, iron, aluminum, and carbon) in phosphogypsum and discusses the harm of impurity components to the comprehensive utilization of harmless phosphogypsum chemical resources. The occurrence status of impurity components in phosphogypsum and the research progress of various impurity removal technologies are summarized, and the effects of these impurity removal technologies on different contents of impurity components are evaluated. On this basis, the goal of improving the whiteness of phosphogypsum samples and the development of technology for further removal of impurities in phosphogypsum to improve the purity of the main content of calcium sulfate are speculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faisalabad industrial units discharge effluents and associated toxic chemicals into the environment, deteriorating ecological conditions and ecosystem health. Morphoanatomical changes in some medicinally important native species (Calotropis procera, Eclipta alba, Phyla nodiflora, and Ranunculus sceleratus) exposed to heavy industrial pollution gained evaluation. These species of choice were due to their widespread distribution in the area. Ten sites selected in the River Chenab, Chiniot, had three near point source pollution of Faisalabad industries within the 500-m radius (polluted) at three drains and two sites inside the river after each drain point source with the control site at 14 km after from the first industrial drain point source. The general response of all plants to effluents was growth retardation. Plant height increased significantly in all species from river sites. An increase in tallness was more prominent in species like C. procera and P. nodiflora. An increase in stem sclerification in C. procera and E. alba from polluted sites occurred, which indicated a better ability to tolerate industrial pollution. Remarkable increases in stem and leaf epidermis, intensive stem sclerenchyma, and closely packed stem vascular bundles in C. procera appeared, which could increase resistance to industrial pollution. Most of the morphoanatomical parameters notably attained a decrease in E. alba, the most vulnerable species. Plant survival depends on particular structural changes in dermal, mechanical, parenchymatous, and vascular tissues. Overall, industrial pollution adversely impacts plant morphological and micromorphological features, although the reaction of specific species to industrial contamination varies. The study determined that stem and leaf anatomical features, such as, epidermis size and storage tissue thickness, are suitable morphoanatomical markers for industrial pollution biomonitoring. Internal modifications of plants vegetating different industrial contaminated sites played a significant role in high tolerance levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the accuracy of tobacco impurity detection and removal, a cascade detection method for tobacco impurity images based on computer vision and machine learning was designed. This method used color features and gradient energy computer vision methods to locate tobacco impurities. Combining HOG and LBP features with a cascade Adaboost classifier, a multi-window detection algorithm was designed to detect tobacco impurities in real time. The experimental results showed that the accuracy of the static impurity detection method based on color features was higher than that of the gradient energy method. After combining HOG features and multi-level cascade Adaboost classifier algorithm, the detection results were very stable, and the accuracy of tobacco impurity detection reached 97. 33%. In the actual operation process, there was no need to manually adjust the algorithm parameters, ensuring the accuracy and effectiveness of the algorithm while reducing the time cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of heavy metal contamination in industrial effluents requires new and environment-friendly agents for wastewater treatment. In this study, we developed fused nanogranular polyaniline-sawdust (PANI/ SD) composites for lead ion removal through the adsorption process. To prevent the aggregation of polyaniline (PANI), coconut (Cocos nucifera) sawdust (SD), an agricultural waste, was used as a substrate via in situ chemical polymerization in varied sawdust-to-aniline ratios. The scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of the obtained PANI/SD composites revealed a nanogranular structure that indicated the complete coating of polyaniline on sawdust. Furthermore, the PANI/SD composites were verified to be in the emeraldine oxidation state through Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Among the formulations studied, the PANI/SD composite with a sawdust-to-aniline ratio of 1.2 g/mL was found to have the highest adsorption capacity of 738.9 mg/g. This study presents the promising potential of PANI/SD as a novel and cost-effective adsorbent material to remove lead from contaminated water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contamination of industrial wasteland soils affects microbial diversity, but little is known about the dose–response effects of such contaminants on taxonomic and functional diversities of rhizospheric and plant endophytic bacteria. This study focused on the response of soil and root bacterial communities associated to poplar grown in a contamination gradient of phenanthrene (PHE). It was hypothesized that the increase in contamination would modify gradually the bacterial diversity and functions. The effects of the PHE contamination were limited to soil communities and did not affect the poplar root endophytome where Streptomyces and Cutibacterium were the most abundant genera. Along the PHE gradient, alpha-diversity indices decreased and the community structure of soil bacteria at the taxonomic level shifted. The abundance of genes involved in PAH-degradation pathways and the relative proportion of certain microbial taxa such as Polaromonas, Sphingopyxis, Peredibacter, Phenylobacterium, Ramlibacter, Sphingomonas , and Pseudomonas , often described as potential PAH biodegraders, increased with the PHE concentration in the soil community. Conversely, the contamination negatively impacted other taxa like Nocardioides, Streptomyces, Gaiella, Solirubrobacter, Bradyrhizobium , and Nitrospira. Functional inference and enzymatic activity measurements revealed that some bacterial functions related to carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles were modified in soil throughout the PHE gradient. This study allowed a deeper understanding of the complex plant–bacteria interactions in the case of soil PAH contamination and the potential impact on soil functioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the article, the author discusses legal issues regarding the safety and effectiveness of dietary supplement and how a standardized federal testing seal in the U.S. can ensure the quality of said supplements. Also cited are the move by Congress to relax the regulations for dietary supplements to increase access to wellness products and the quality issues on supplements like the cases of contamination.

Background: This study focused on the evaluation of the quality of borehole water in Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria, considering that groundwater serves as the primary source of potable water in the country. However, the vulnerability of groundwater to contamination raises concerns regarding its suitability for consumption. Methods: Water samples were obtained from Okota, Ayo, Osi, Oke-Afa, Ajao, Oshi, and Iso-Aye Streets in Oshodi and assayed for the presence of heavy metals and microorganisms. The heavy metals analyzed in the samples included zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and cadmium (Cd). Additionally, the water samples were examined for the presence of bacteria, coliforms, and fungi as representative microorganisms. To evaluate the potential health risks associated with the heavy metals detected, non-carcinogenic risks were assessed. This involved determining parameters such as average daily dermal exposure (ADDE), average daily ingestion (ADI), and hazard quotient (HQ). Further, the carcinogenic risks (CR) of the heavy metals were determined. Results: The analysis of the water samples revealed that the levels of Pb and Mn, exceeded the recommended limits. However, ADI values for these heavy metals were found to be within permissible limits. The HQ of dermal exposure to Zn, Mn, and Pb during the dry season, as well as for Cr, Mn, Zn, and Pb during the wet season, were higher than recommended limits. The CR (dermal) of Pb and Cr during the wet season and Pb during the dry season were also above recommended limits. In terms of microorganisms, the presence of bacteria, coliforms, and fungi in the water samples was found to be within permissible limits. Conclusions: Given the identified presence of heavy metals exceeding recommended limits and the potential health risks associated with dermal exposure and ingestion, it is evident that the water from the assessed boreholes in Oshodi poses health hazards to consumers. Therefore, it is imperative to implement decontamination measures to mitigate these risks and ensure the provision of safe and potable water to the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of the pump power on the photoluminescence intensity for dislocation-related luminescence centers is studied in p-type silicon containing oxygen precipitates. Oxygen precipitates are induced as a result of three-stage annealing used for formation of a getter for fast diffusing impurities in microelectronics technology while D1 and D2 dislocation-related luminescence centers were produced during subsequent annealing in a flow of argon at 1000°C. The photoluminescence excitation efficiencies for the D1 and D2 lines were measured at a temperature of liquid helium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main task of the impurity removal process is to control the oxidation reduction potential (ORP) within the range of the optimized set value. The impurity removal process is essentially an oxidation-reduction process. Oxidation reduction potential (ORP) is an external reflection of reaction state inside the impurity removal reactor. However, actual industry is time-varying, nonlinear and multimode. It is difficult to determine the appropriate dosage of impurity remover in practice. This will lead to large fluctuations in the operation mode, affecting the safety and stability of the process and the final product quality. To solve these problems, an intelligent dynamic setting control framework (IDSCF) for the multimode impurity removal process is proposed in this paper. It includes a preset module of the dosage of impurity remover based on impurity remover utilization (IRU) estimation, an operation mode detection module based on autoencoder, a normal mode adjustment module based on fuzzy logic, and an unsteady mode adjustment module based on case-based reasoning (CBR). The framework can determine the reasonable preset dosage of impurity remover and adjust the dosage according to the current operation mode of the impurity removal process. Because the operation mode is related to the residual dosage of impurity remover added over a period of time, that is, the accumulative effect of the large-scale metallurgical reactor. When calculating the preset dosage of impurity remover, the reactant accumulation ratio (RAR) is calculated, which makes the calculation of the preset value more reasonable. In addition, it can detect the unsteady modes causing large fluctuations in the process and adjust them in time. Experiments are carried out in accordance with the data of an actual cobalt removal process. The results show that this method can effectively improve the stability of the impurity removal process, control the ORP within the set range and cope with complex mode changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous absorption is a potential technology for Hg0 contamination control in flue gas, in which the gas-liquid mass transfer of Hg0 (GLMT-Hg0) is a key problem that needs to be solved. In this work, an alcohol-enhanced MoS2/H2O system was proposed and investigated for Hg0 removal. The results showed that adding alcohol can improve Hg0 removal efficiency. Especially, adding 60 mM butanol can reach 94% of Hg0 removal efficiency. In addition, the effect of adding long carbon chains and monohydric alcohols is better than adding short carbon chains and polyhydric alcohols. The kinetics of Hg0 removal revealed that adding butanol increases E and KG(Hg0)/kG(Hg0), which can enhance GLMT-Hg0. The fate of Hg0 and the mechanism of its removal were revealed as Hg0 first being oxidized by Mo4+ to form a [Hg-Mo] complex, which reacts with an adjacent S site to form stable HgS. Most of the removed Hg was absorbed on MoS2, which is more favorable to be separated from the solution for recycle and reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study aims to investigate the environmental effect of industrial activities on floral coverage within the major industrial district of 6th October City, Egypt. Additionally, assess the Detoxification enzymatic activity of Cataglyphis saviginyi as a pollution biomarker. To achieve this objective, soil samples on seasonal bases were collected from the investigated areas to assess heavy metal concentrations. Furthermore, seasonal specimens of C. saviginyi were collected to study the enzymatic activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). Heavy metal contamination pollution indices were calculated, and Nine plant species were identified at investigated study sites for four successive seasons from 2020 to 2021. The accumulation of heavy metal contamination in soil at investigated sites followed the order: As >Ni > Pb > Hg. Heavy metal contamination was significantly higher at industrial locations than at the control site. Pollution indices were calculated in study sites, with Cf and Igeo indices highlighting the contamination of minerals, ordered as Hg > As > Ni > Pb from high to low. Calculated Cdeg and PLI for industrial 1 and 4 revealed a very high level of pollution, attributed to the increase in industrial activity resulting from the chemical, Ceramic, Paints, and metallic industries that characterize this region. The current results highlight the inhibition of GST levels in C. saviginyi at the industrial site compared to the control site. In contrast, AChE activity increased. Consequently, the antioxidant enzymatic activities are useful as biomarkers for assessing and monitoring environmental contamination. In conclusion, to our knowledge, this is the first enzymatic activity of C. saviginyi evaluated as a bioindicator for industrial pollution in study sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the literature and experimental results, three kinds of soil amendments, namely rice biochar, hydroxyapatite and potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4), and deeper ploughing were selected to evaluate the field application effect of soil amendments and agronomic measures on the remediation of Cd contamination in greenhouse vegetable fields. Cd-contaminated greenhouse screening was conducted from 2015 to 2017. In September 2017, comparative tests of eight treatments were performed, and a preferred test was performed in September 2018. The screening results of the contaminated areas indicated that the distribution of over-standard sites was uneven, and Cd content was significantly different. Over-standard rate of No. 4 greenhouse was 83. 33% and was the highest, and the average content of Cd in soil was 0. 535 mg/kg. It was used as a comparative test greenhouse for eight treatments. No. 1 greenhouse was selected as the preferred test greenhouse, with three over-standard plots having average Cd concentrations of 0.530, 0.568 and 0. 792 mg/kg. The comparative test results showed that after 8 months of remediation, the content of available Cd in the treatment of hydroxyapatite +rice biochar + deeper ploughing (T6) was reduced by 32. 55% compared with CK (the control) and 24. 96% than 2 months of remediation. The content of available Cd using the treatment of potassium dihydrogen phosphate +rice biochar + deeper ploughing (T7) decreased by 47. 88% compared with CK and 31.00% than 2 months of remediation. The preferred remediation test results showed that in the treatment of hydroxyapatite -trice biochar + deeper ploughing; the mean Cd content decreased from 0.489 to 0. 372 mg/kg, reducing by 23.86%, and the mean did not exceed the standard. Compared with CK, the mean content of available Cd decreased by 10.71% after 8 months, and the lowest content of available Cd in three treatments was 0. 133 mg/kg. In addition, the Cd content, bioconcentration factor (BCF) and translocation coefficient (TF) of bean aboveground plants were decreased by 15.86%, 23.68% and 25.77%, respectively when compared with CK. Rice biochar + hydroxyapatite + deeper ploughing is a favoured technology for the remediation of Cd-contaminated greenhouse vegetable fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The etiologies of Parkinson's disease (PD) remain unclear. Some, such as certain genetic mutations and head trauma, are widely known or easily identified. However, these causes or risk factors do not account for the majority of cases. Other, less visible factors must be at play. Among these is a widely used industrial solvent and common environmental contaminant little recognized for its likely role in PD: trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is a simple, six-atom molecule that can decaffeinate coffee, degrease metal parts, and dry clean clothes. The colorless chemical was first linked to parkinsonism in 1969. Since then, four case studies involving eight individuals have linked occupational exposure to TCE to PD. In addition, a small epidemiological study found that occupational or hobby exposure to the solvent was associated with a 500% increased risk of developing PD. In multiple animal studies, the chemical reproduces the pathological features of PD. Exposure is not confined to those who work with the chemical. TCE pollutes outdoor air, taints groundwater, and contaminates indoor air. The molecule, like radon, evaporates from underlying soil and groundwater and enters homes, workplaces, or schools, often undetected. Despite widespread contamination and increasing industrial, commercial, and military use, clinical investigations of TCE and PD have been limited. Here, through a literature review and seven illustrative cases, we postulate that this ubiquitous chemical is contributing to the global rise of PD and that TCE is one of its invisible and highly preventable causes. Further research is now necessary to examine this hypothesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its high theoretical specific capacity and lower working potential, silicon is regarded as the most promising anode material for the new generation of lithium-ion batteries. As a semiconductor material, silicon undergoes large volume changes on lithium insertion during cycling, causing electrode pulverization and thickening of the SEI film; thus, lowering the conductivity of the silicon anode and limiting the use of silicon-based anode materials. We used semiconductor diffusion technology and an impurity compensation method to convert the intrinsic silicon semiconductor into an impurity semiconductor. The n-type P,B-co-doped silicon anode showed higher electrical conductivity than the n-type P-doped single-crystal silicon. The EIS Nyquist plots indicated that the co-doped silicon anode showed a considerable improvement in conductivity, and an initial capacity of 3037.3 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.42 A g−1. After 100 cycles, the specific capacity of the co-doped silicon anode was maintained at 847.7 mAh g−1, i.e., two and three times greater than that of P-doped and pristine Si anodes, respectively. Furthermore, the fabrication process we report herein is straightforward and quick, facilitating the commercial use of silicon-based negative electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Chemical vitiligo is a special variant of vitiligo where the destruction of melanocytes occur at the basal layer of the epidermis and it is initiated by phenolic chemicals either part of industrial contamination of workers or during the course of using monobenzone as a topical depigmenting agent. Objective To report and evaluate all patients with chemical vitiligo and to delineate the different triggering factors. Methods This is a case series descriptive study where all patients with chemical vitiligo were gathered during the time from 2014-2021 years. A careful history and full examination were carried including the history of facial chemical exposure and other triggering offending agents. Woods light examination was applied to confirm the clinical diagnosis. All patients with facial leukoderma were treated by topical methoxsalen 1% lotion followed by sunlight exposure (3 times weekly) combined with topical mometasone furoate ointment 0.1% daily and pimecrolimus cream 1% at night for two months. Results Thirty-two patients were seen with chemical vitiligo, their ages ranged from 20 -50 with a mean of 35 years, with twenty-three (71.8%) females and nine (28.2%) males. Topical monobenzone was applied for 18 (56.25%) patients for the treatment of facial pigmentation mainly for melasma and some cases for lichen planus actinicus. The white areas appeared after 3-6 months of monobenzone cream use. While six (18.75%) cases followed black hair dying and four (12.50%) patients with unknown causes as used multiple cosmetic procedures. Also, one (3.12%) patient gave a history of using rubber sandals that induced contact dermatitis that was followed by chemical vitiligo on the dorsa of both feet. One (3.12%) female patient had linear depigmentation along the leg that followed a triamcinolone intralesional injection of the heel. In addition, one (3.12%) patient had a history of laser used for melasma. While in one (3.12%) patient, his problem followed multiple intralesional triamcinolone injections for melasma. All 31 patients with facial leukoderma showed confetti-like depigmentation of the face but no distant metastatic leukoderma was revealed. These patients with facial leukoderma responded very well to their treatment. Conclusion Chemical vitiligo is still a medical problem that is commonly induced by the topical application of monobenzone as therapy for melasma. Black hair dying was reported for the first time as a cause of chemical vitiligo. These patients often present with confetti-like depigmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution has become a global environmental problem. Textile microplastics are an important component of microplastic pollution, but little is known about their contamination in the industrial environment. The lack of standardized methods for detecting and quantifying textile microplastics is a major obstacle to determining the risks they pose to the natural environment. This study systematically examines the pretreatment options for the extraction of microplastics from printing and dyeing wastewater. The effectiveness of potassium hydroxide, nitric acid–hydrogen peroxide mixed solution, hydrogen peroxide, and Fenton's reagent for the removal of organic matter from textile wastewater is compared. Three textile microplastics, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, and polyurethane, are studied. The effects of the digestion treatment on the physicochemical properties of textile microplastics are characterized. The separation efficiency of sodium chloride, zinc chloride, sodium bromide, sodium iodide, and sodium chloride-sodium iodide mixed solution on the textile microplastics is tested. The results showed that Fenton's reagent achieved a 78% removal rate of organic matter from printing and dyeing wastewater. Meanwhile, it has less of an effect on the physicochemical properties of textile microplastics after digestion and is the best reagent for digestion. The zinc chloride solution achieved a 90% recovery for separating textile microplastics with good reproducibility. It does not affect the subsequent characterization analysis after separation and is the best solution for density separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Very little is known about the impacts of Anthropocene environmental change on aquatic systems in the mountains of southern Africa. The Maloti-Drakensberg region forming the border between South Africa and Lesotho is not generally associated with natural, permanent lakes, but there are dammed wetland lakes with evidence that natural water bodies were present before lake levels were raised, including Mountain Lake in the Eastern Cape in South Africa. In order to address a regional lack of long-term monitoring data, here we present evidence from lake sediment records spanning over 50 years from Mountain Lake that industrial signals of contamination associated with distant coal fired power stations are transported across the region, including trace metals, mercury (reaching 95 ng·g−1) and spheroidal carbonaceous particles. In addition, high concentrations of the organochlorine pesticides DDT (ΣDDT = 166.3 ng·g−1) and methoxychlor (39.3 ng·g−1), most likely from catchment sources, are recorded in recent sediments. Finally, the diatom record indicates shifts in assemblages within the last 20 years indicative of possible nutrient enrichment, which is consistent with known intensification of agricultural and other human activity within the catchment, shown by increasing sediment enrichment of P, Mn, Fe, As and Co. Hence there are multiple lines of evidence for increasing environmental pressures on the ecosystems of Mountain Lake and its catchment over the period of the proposed Anthropocene. Further studies are required to assess the magnitude of threats to the unique but largely unstudied biodiversity associated with lakes in the region, including those in protected areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a new technology for determining impurities in the air and air purification (for the city of Apatity), and also an experimental installation. Bubbling the test gasthrough a layer of distilled water using neodymium magnets to concentrate impurities is considered. The proposed technology makes it possible to more accurately determine the amount of impurities in the air and also improve air purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenges of sustainability and maintainability to implement the industrial filtration technologies in the natural gas industry necessitate a systematic and practical assessment. With the target of balance between the issues in the context of sustainability and maintainability policies, criteria (principles) including economic, environmental, social, and maintainability aspects are taken into consideration. This work aims at developing a novel hybrid decision support system (DSS) namely q-rung orthorpair fuzzy set-based MAIRCA (Multi-Attributive Ideal-Real Comparative Analysis). The proposed DSS is applied to prioritize industrial filtration technologies considering the sustainability and maintainability principles. These technologies are considered for controlling contaminants produced by the natural gas industry in Iran. The prioritization of the considered technologies is obtained from the most to least preferred as: Cyclo-filter, Cyclone separator, Backwash, Gravity separator, and Basket strainer, respectively. The Cyclo-filter technology is selected as the preferable alternative. The adaptability of this technology with the regional and local states of the study area has assisted to make it the most suitable technology. The decision-making framework can help to give a new and practical insight for the policymaking in the field of process energy and environmental systems especially in the natural gas industry to control contamination. [Display omitted] • Industrial filtration technologies for the natural gas processing plant are prioritized. • A novel decision support system based on q-rung orthopair fuzzy set is introduced. • Sustainability and maintainability aspects are the criteria of the decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many chemically synthesized xenobiotics can significantly inhibit the vitality of parasitic nematodes. However, there is yet too little research on the toxicity of such contaminating compounds toward nematodes. Compounds that are present in plants are able to inhibit the vitality of parasitic organisms as well. According to the results of our laboratory studies of toxicity, the following xenobiotics caused no decrease in the vitality of the larvae of Strongyloides papillosus and Haemonchus contortus: methanol, propan-2-ol, propylene glycol-1,2, octadecanol-1, 4-methyl-2-pen-tanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, butyl glycol, 2-pentanone, cyclopentanol, ortho-dimethylbenzene, dibutyl phthalate, succinic anhydride, 2-methylfuran, 2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole. Strong toxicity towards the nematode larvae was exerted by glutaraldehyde, 1,4-diethyl 2-methyl-3-oxobutanedioate, hexylamine, diethyl malonate, allyl acetoacetate, tert butyl carboxylic acid, butyl acrylate, 3-methyl-2-butanone, isobutyraldehyde, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl pyruvate, 3-methylbutanal, cyclohexanol, cyclooctanone, phenol, pyrocatechin, resorcinol, naphthol-2, phenyl ether, piperonyl alcohol, 3-furoic acid, maleic anhydrid, 5-methylfurfural, thioacetic acid, butan-1-amine, dimethylformamide, 1-phenylethan-1-amine, 3-aminobenzoic acid. Widespread natural compounds (phytol, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone, maleic acid, oleic acid, hydroquinone, gallic acid-1-hydrate, taurine, 6-aminocaproic acid, glutamic acid, carnitine, ornithine monohydrochloride) had no negative effect on the larvae of S. papillosus and H. contortus. A powerful decrease in the vitality of nematode larvae was produced by 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, isovaleric acid, glycolic acid, 2-oxopentanedioic acid, 2-methylbutanoic acid, anisole, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl alcohol, furfuryl alcohol. The results of our studies allow us to consider 28 of the 62 compounds we studied as promising for further research on anti-nematode activity in manufacturing conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work studied a new carbon paste electrode modified with peony‐like CuO : Tb3+ nanostructure (P−L CuO : Tb3+ NS/CPE) for electrochemical detection of sumatriptan and naproxen using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry. Based on the findings, there was an improvement in the voltammetric behavior of sumatriptan and naproxen on the P−L CuO : Tb3+ NS/CPE surface when comparing with the bare CPE. The correlation of oxidation currents with the pH value, concentration and sweep rate of supporting electrolyte were determined for the optimization of conditions to detect the sumatriptan and naproxen. The surfaces of modified and unmodified electrodes were characterized as well. The diffusion‐control processes were confirmed on the basis of anodic peak findings. The results also revealed a two‐electron transfer process. The sumatriptan and naproxen were co‐detected via the modified electrode, with a range of 0.01‐800 μM and 0.01–700 μM respectively, and a detection limit of 3.3 nM and 2.7 nM, sequentially. An accuracy was found by the differential pulse voltammetry for co‐detection of these two drugs in pharmaceutical preparations and pathological specimens. In conclusion, we suggest the proposed approach for electrical determinations in the management of environmental contamination and industrial quality because of its unique properties like facile sample preparation, and appreciable sensitivity, repeatability and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor hygiene and sanitary practices among poultry meat sellers can lead to the contamination of meat. This contamination can occur as a result of contamination from the contact surfaces in the cold room and retail outlet. The aim of the present study was to assess the sanitary quality of Broiler meat and its contact surfaces (apron, butcher hand, butcher table, bowl, butcher knife and weighing scale) in cold room and retail outlet. Swab samples were assessed for total bacteria count, total coliform count, total staphylococcus count and total fungal counts using Standard Microbiology methods. Mean Total viable count of each sample ranged from Log 10 cfu/cm2/g 3.64 to7.94 and 3.14 to 4.75 from the retail outlets and Cold-room respectively. Mean Total Staphylococcus count. of each sample ranged from Log 10 cfu/cm2/g 1.67to 4.67 and 2.01 to 3.87 from the retail outlets and Cold-room respectively. Counts from the retail outlets were significantly higher than counts in the cold room. Organisms isolated included; Staphylococcus sp, Bacillus sp, Escherichia coli, Proteus sp, Salmonella sp, Aeromonas sp, Pseudomonas sp, Klebsiella sp and Enterobacter sp. Fungi isolated was Aspergillus sp, Saccharomyces sp, Penicillium sp and Rhodotorula sp. Antibiogram was carried out on the isolated organisms it was observed that Klebsiella sp and Enterobacter sp were resistant to most of the antibiotics used. In order to prevent cross-contamination of meat with isolated bacteria, appropriate cleaning and sanitization steps are required. According to the study, meat contact surfaces that were not thoroughly cleaned before usage, could function as a source of cross contamination. It is recommended that meat sellers especially in developing countries need proper education and training on good hygiene practice. Regulating agencies are also advised to ensure strict compliance by meat sellers to safety standards by embarking on routine inspection at retail outlets and market places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the industrial production of NF3, the impure substance tetrafluoromethane (CF4) will be introduced together with the raw material fluorine gas (F2), which seriously afiects the quality of NF3 ・ It is necessary to develop a cost-effective separation and purification technology method for NF3 and CF4. The two gases between CF4 and NF3 have very similar physical properties, so it is difficult to separate them by traditional techniques. The research progress of the separation and purification technology for CF4 impurities in NF3 is summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages of five purification technologies including cryogenic distillation, adsorption, membrane separation, extractive distillation and absorption are compared and analyzed from the perspectives of purity, efficiency, cost and safety ・ Cryogenic rectification usually needs to be operated at a very low temperature of 一 100 〜-192 T：, while membrane technology and adsorption technology using zeolite and molecular sieves are significantly affected by the performance of the separation material in terms of energy consumption, maintenance costs, continuity and processing capacity limit. On this basis, a potential separation and purification method that overcomes the current industrial challenges is proposed・ It is pointed out that the methods based on absorption and extractive distillation are the suitable candidates of the technological route for purifying CF4 impurities from NF3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peru evidences one of the main environmental problems and this refers to mining, metallurgical and industrial contamination basically by heavy metals such as copper, zinc, iron, cadmium, lead, mercury and others, these compounds can reach various bodies of water by leaching or runoff. Fish have the capacity to store in their organism a higher concentration of these compounds compared to what is present in the environment, which is why they are important indicators of contamination. The objective of this study was to determine the mean lethal concentration LC50-96h of the fish species Poecilia reticulata under the action of the heavy metal iron. The bioassays were carried out using 10 juveniles of the "guppy" under the tested concentrations of FeSO4.7H2O of: 50,00; 74,76; 111,79; 171,04 and 250 mg/L, with three replicates for each concentration, observing mortality at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of exposure. The LC50-96h concentration for iron in juveniles was found to be 97,131 mg/L with lower and upper confidence limits of 85,765 and 109,333 mg/L. The Probit statistical program and the analysis of variance methodology were used, which are used in toxicity tests for static acute tests. These results can be useful for the elaboration of water quality criteria and standards for the protection of national aquatic systems drastically affected by mining, metallurgical and industrial contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stabilization/solidification of contaminated soil is a process that allows simultaneous strengthening of the soil structure, disposal of contamination and recycling of industrial waste, implemented as substitutes for Portland cement or additives to improve the properties of the final product obtained. Extremely intensive development of studies pertaining to the S/S process prompted the authors to systematize the binders used and the corresponding methods of binding the contamination, and to perform an analysis of the effectiveness expressed in geomechanical properties and leachability. The study pays close attention to the types of additives and binders of waste origin, as well as the ecological and economic benefits of their use. The methods of preparing and caring for the specimens were reviewed, in addition to the methods of testing the effectiveness of the S/S process, including the influence of aging factors on long-term properties. The results of the analyses carried out are presented in the form of diagrams and charts, facilitating individual evaluation of the various solutions for the stabilization/solidification of soils contaminated with heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of 28 elements (Na, Ca, Sc, Cr, Fe, Co, Zn, As, Br, Rb, Sr, Ag, Sb, Cs, Ba, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Yb, Lu, Hf, Ta, Au, Th, U) in a maternal organism (the liver), the placenta and fetuses of the bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) from the vicinity of a large copper smelter and from the background territories (Russia, the Middle Urals) has been analyzed. It was shown that the level of trace element contamination (TEC) of the environment had no significant effect on the levels of elements in different types of samples. The exception was Br: its concentrations in the liver, placenta and fetuses from contaminated territories exceeded twofold the respective background values. At the same time, the type of accumulation of most elements depended on the sample type: the maximum concentrations of Cr, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sb, La, Ce accumulated in the liver of maternal individuals; Co, Ag, Eu, Tb, Th accumulated in the placenta; Na, Ca, Br, Ba, Ta accumulated in fetuses, and the levels of As, Cs, Nd, Lu, U did not vary between the samples compared. It was concluded that the TEC components under consideration in effective concentrations had no significant negative impact on the bank vole offspring quality in the area of the copper smelter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalized superwetting materials that are able to deal with the contamination problems of industrial and domestic oily wastewater are urgently demanded in the field of oil–water separation. In this work, we fabricated superhydrophobic absorbent with excellent electrothermal conversion performance through the liquid-phase reduction and hierarchically assemble methods. The adhesive layer of poly-dopamine (PDA), Cu/carbon microspheres composites (Cu/CMSs) and the fluoride-free hydrophobic reagents were successively assembled on the absorbent cotton to obtain the intelligent absorbent with excellent superhydrophobicity (WCA = 154°), satisfactory oil–water separation efficiency (> 98.3%) and high oil absorption capacity (12–20 g/g). Surprisingly, this intelligent absorbent displayed an excellent electrothermal conversion capacity, which provided the basis for the collection of high-viscosity oil and the low-melting solid oil. On the basis of the excellent electrothermal conversion performance, it also could be utilized as a filter to effectively realize the continuous separation process of high-viscosity crude oil/water mixture under low-voltage conditions. Therefore, this intelligent absorbent possesses broad application prospects in high-viscosity oil–water separation, oily wastewater treatment, oil spill cleaning, crude oil extraction, petrochemicals and other fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the technical capabilities of lab-scale electrodialysis (ED) and the electrodeionization (EDI) processes on removing ammonia from synthetic wastewater were investigated. The overall performance of ED and EDI process in the removal of ammonia from high ammonia concentration synthetic wastewater was assessed by applied electric potential, feed concentration, and energy consumption. Under the conditions of working electric potential, ED showed that ammonia concentration could be reduced from 1,000 to 309 mg/L with a best removal efficiency of 69.1%, EDI showed that the ammonia concentration could be reduced from 1,000 to 120.9 mg/L with a best removal efficiency of 87.91%, the energy consumption of ED and EDI were in the range of 1.7–12.96 Wh/L and 6.2–149.2 Wh/L , respectively. Under the conditions of feed concentration, ED and EDI obtained a best removal efficiency of 57.93% and 98.5%, respectively, the energy consumption was in the range of 9.36–53.55 Wh/L and 62.7–218.1 Wh/L , respectively, excessive applied electric potential and concentration will lower current efficiency and increase energy consumption. The ammonia removal efficiency of EDI was found to be higher than ED, but the current efficiency of EDI was lower than ED, and the stack current of EDI increased quickly under constant voltage when the feed concentration was over 1,000 mg/L. The results showed that EDI was suitable for low concentration solution treatment, whereas ED was suitable for high concentration solution treatment. As a novel technology of groundwater contamination treatment, the process was proved to be feasible and provided foundation for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By proposing an effective method for the coupled modified Dirac equation, the effects of structure inversion asymmetry on the confined states in quantum dots of three-dimensional topological ultrathin films are investigated. It is found that the presence or absence of the quantized edge states can be controlled by the inversion asymmetry potential. The tuning of the potential to the spins of edge and nonedge states is quite different. In the presence of impurities, the mixing between the edge and nonedge states can be largely enhanced and effectively tuned by the potential. The finding will be useful to design relevant nanodevices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Specificity is one of the main tasks in reliable validation of analytical methods. Experience has shown that this problem is often treated rather formally in the case of using chromatographic methods for the determination of organic impurities so that the specificity of a proposed method is not fully proven. This article discusses key points for reliable assessment of the specificity of methods used for determining impurities. Practical recommendations and numerical values for decision making are given. The specificity of a method must be tested by conducting stress testing in such a way that the given API under stress degrades, i.e., the content of drug in the primary substance decreases, by greater than 0.5%. This is necessary at a minimum for noticing the growth of existing impurities in the API and the formation of new impurities. On the other hand, the API degradation should not exceed 2% under oxidative stress and photodegradation conditions and should not exceed 5% for other stress factors (so as to minimize secondary reactions). The condition of permissible overlap of impurity peaks in the validation of method specificity has been substantiated as follows: the peak-to-valley (p/v) ratio should be ≥1.5 for overlapping impurity peaks. This is usually sufficient for ensuring reproducibility of the overlapping peak areas. If the overlapping peaks are close in height, then the p/v ratio can be <1.5 provided that the relative standard deviation of the area of overlapping peaks does not exceed 6% for successive injections (RSD ~ 6%). This condition corresponds to a baseline signal-to-noise ratio S/N = 10, i.e., the limit of quantification. Issues related to validation of the specificity of methods for determining impurities in combined drugs are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article is the investigation of heavy metals pollution on surface water in Ikoli River and Epie creek in Yenagoa, metropolis, Bayelsa State. Pb, Cd, Ni, Cr, Fe, Zn was determined and evaluated using Geographical Information System. Zinc concentration was below the permissible limit of 3 mg/L in all the locations sampled. Iron is 77.78% below the limit of WHO 2011 of 0.3 mg/L while other heavy metals examined in Ikoli River and Epie creek are highly polluted. The pollution index for contamination index shows 11.11% sample are high and 88.89% are low while the evaluation of heavy metal index and the pollution index load of the heavy metals contain 22.11% of the sample are low and 77.78% are high which imply the Ikoli River and Epie creek is polluted. Multivariate treatment of the result revealed a good correlation between the PCA and HCA, which showed activities of natural processes and man influenced environmental sources of the heavy metals which were mainly products of automobiles exhaust, water tank leakages as well as dumping of radioactive wastes and burning. The study investigated successfully the potential use of GIS with the help of multiple criteria decision analysis to predict and characterize areas of high pollution, medium, and low pollution in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grains and oilseeds are essential basic foods in human life. However, some of these products are susceptible to contamination by mycotoxins, posing significant threats to economic development and human health. Early warning technologies can help detect potential toxin contamination in agricultural products, enabling timely prevention and control measures to ensure their safety. This article provides a comprehensive review of early warning monitoring technologies for mycotoxins at various stages of fungal contamination. It includes monitoring the fungal bioburden (physicochemical approaches), fungal life activities, biomarkers related to mold toxicity production, toxin content, and risk warning systems. The working principles and applications of these technologies are summarized, and factors affecting their effectiveness and limitations are discussed. This review thoroughly categorizes early warning technologies for mycotoxin contamination risk in grains and oilseeds, along with their corresponding detection indicators. The effectiveness of various detection methods in identifying toxin contamination risks early is evaluated, and the challenges and future research directions for each method are analyzed. To improve the timeliness of practical application of warning technologies, the development trend of early warning should focus on detecting risk indicators before toxin production. • Early warning aids timely control of mycotixins production in grains and oilseeds. • Early warning of mycotoxins can be achieved in several ways. • The detection technology of markers for toxin production affects the warning effectiveness. • Current research limitations and future prospects of mycotoxin warning technology are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With industrialisation and the rapidly growing agricultural demand, many organic compounds have been leaked into the environment, causing serious damage to the biosphere. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are a type of toxic chemicals that are resistant to degradation through normal chemical, biological or photolytic approaches. With their stable chemical structures, POPs can be accumulated in the environment, and transported through wind and water, causing global environmental issues. Many researches have been conducted to remediate POPs contamination using various kinds of biological methods, and significant results have been seen. Microalgae-bacteria consortium is a newly developed concept for biological technology in contamination treatment, with the synergetic effects between microalgae and bacteria, their potential for pollutants degradation can be further released. In this review, two types of POPs (polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) are selected as the targeted pollutants to give a systematic analysis of the biodegradation through microalgae and bacteria, including the species selection, the identification of dominant enzymes, as well as the real application performance of the consortia. In the end, some outlooks and suggestions are given to further guide the development of applying microalgae-bacteria consortia in remediating POPs contamination. In general, the coculturing of microalgae and bacteria is a novel and efficient way to fulfil the advanced treatment of POPs in soil or liquid phase, and both monooxygenase and dioxygenase belonging to oxygenase play a vital role in the biodegradation of PCBs and PAHs. This review provides a general guide in the future investigation of biological treatment of POPs. [Display omitted] • Compilation of PCBs and PAHs degradative microalgae, bacteria, and their consortia combinations. • Key enzymes, metabolic pathways and related intermediates in PCBs and PAHs remediation. • Advanced omics techniques are helpful in elucidating degradation processes. • Future perspective in converting after-processing biota to bioresources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and Polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are a broad class of synthetic compounds that have fluorine substituted for hydrogen in several or all locations and are globally categorized as PFCs (perfluorochemicals; commonly called fluorinated chemicals). These compounds have unique chemical and physical properties that enable their use in non-stick surfaces, fire-fighting efforts, and as slick coatings. However, recent concerns over the health effects of such compounds, specifically perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOA, PFOS; PFOA/S), have led to increased attention and research by the global community into degradation methods. In this study, soil samples from PFAS-contamination sites were cultured and screened for microbes with PFOA/S degradation potential, which led to the identification of Delftia acidovorans. It was found that D. acidovorans isolated from PFAS-contaminated soils was capable of growth in minimal media with PFOA as a sole carbon resource, and an observable fluoride concentration increase was observed when cells were exposed to PFOA. This suggests potential activity of a dehalogenase enzyme that may be of use in PFOA or PFAS microbial remediation efforts. Several associated haloacid dehalogenases have been identified in the D. acidovorans genome and have been engineered for expression in Escherichia coli for rapid production and purification. These enzymes have shown potential for enzymatic defluorination, a significant step in biological degradation and removal of PFOA/S from the environment. We hypothesize that bioremediation of PFAS using naturally occurring microbial degradation pathways may represent a novel approach to remove PFAS contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth, with the reputation of "industrial vitamins", has become a strategic key metal for industrial powers with increasingly significant industrial application value. As a unique rare earth resource, ionic rare earth ore (IREO) has the outstanding advantages of complete composition, rich resource reserves, low radioactivity, and high comprehensive utilization value. IREO is the main source of medium and heavy rare earth raw materials, which are in great demand all over the world. Since the discovery of IREO, it has attracted extensive attention. Scientists in China and the around world have carried out a lot of research and practical work and achieved a series of important breakthroughs. This paper introduces the discovery process, metallogenic causes, deposit characteristics, and the prospecting research progress of IREO, so as to deepen the understanding of the global distribution of ionic rare earth resources and the prospecting direction of ionic rare earth deposits. The leaching principle of IREO, the innovation of leaching process, the influencing factors and technological development of in situ leaching process, and the technical adaptability of in situ leaching process are reviewed. The development of leachate purification and rare earth extraction technology is summarized. We aim to provide guidance for the industrial development of IREO through the above review analysis. Additionally, the problems existing in the development of IREO are pointed out from the aspects of technology, economy, and the environment. Ultimately, a series of suggestions are put forward, such as the development of ammonium free extraction technology in the whole exploitation process of in situ leaching and leachate purification and rare earth precipitation, research on enhancing of seepage and mass transfer process, and research on the development of new technologies for impurity removal of leachate and extraction of rare earth, so as to promote the development of green and efficient exploitation new technologies and sustainable development of ionic rare earth ore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infectious and Medical Waste (IMW) management is one of the challenges of urban management in coronavirus pandemics. Many cities in Iran do not have the necessary infrastructure for rapid and emergency management of IMW in this time frame. Other challenges, such as increasing the generation rate of IMW and further contamination of this waste, increase the need for rapid and principled action. The IMW's sources were divided into concentration and production volume: large and concentrated sources include hospitals, and small scattered sources include clinics and laboratories. To evaluate and choose the most proper short-time solution, after wide-field visits, different waste management scenarios were predicted. The final was selected by examining different indicators by the Analytical Hierarchy Process model. The main problem of IMW management in Kerman city is collecting and disposing of IMW in small and scattered centers supervised by the Medical Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran. According to the obtained results, the private contractor company collects hazardous waste from the clinics and laboratories and sends them to the hospitals' decontamination units. Then, Kerman Municipality receives the decontaminated waste from hospitals and transfers it to the particular burial landfill. The proposed scenario can certainly lead to a short-term problem of improving Kerman's IMWM, especially in the coronavirus pandemic, relying on the available facilities. Moreover, based on the sensitivity analysis, social indicators have the highest level, and financial indicators have the lowest sensitivity for the proposed solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]