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This experiment investigated the feasibility of using n-butanol with Deccan hemp oil methyl ester derived from Hibiscus cannabinus. Deccan hemp oil, from warm countries like India is an eco-friendly alternative energy source since it is reusable and easy to locate. The Acetone-Butanol-Ethanol (ABE) process made the n-butanol. Further, 60% Deccan hemp oil methyl ester and 40% diesel were mixed and injected directly into the engine's cylinders. The engine's performance was evaluated by adding varying quantities of n-butanol (10%, 20%, or 30%) to the intake pipe at various intervals throughout the experiment. The results showed that using pure Deccan hemp oil or its methyl ester was much better for the engine's performance than regular diesel fuel. This was compared to how well the engine worked when diesel was used. However, the engine ran much better when fed a mix of 60% Deccan hemp oil methyl ester and 40% diesel (B60). Even though it couldn't compete with diesel engines in speed, this was still the case. The engine was running in dual fuel mode when n-butanol was added to the mixture. This made the carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and smoke outputs go down. All of these decreases happened without making the engine less able to work. NOx emissions from the B60Bu10 (10% n-butanol share), B60Bu20, and B60Bu30 dual fuel combinations went up by 2.65%, 6%, and 8.9%, respectively, at full load, while smoke emissions went down by 18.33%, 23.75%, and 30.83%, in that order. The study's results show that adding Deccan hemp oil methyl ester to diesel fuel and injecting n-butanol into a dual-fuel diesel engine could help lower emissions without affecting the engine's performance., Competing Interests: Declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Essential biosensor use has become increasingly important in drug discovery and recognition, biomedicine, food safety, security, and environmental research. It directly contributed to the development of specialized, reliable diagnostic instruments known as biosensors, which use biological sensing components. Traditional biosensors have poor performance, so scientists need to develop advanced biosensors with promising selectivity, sensitivity, stability, and reusability. These are all parameter modifications associated with the characteristics of the sensing material. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and MXenes are promising as targeted sensing agents in advanced functional materials because of their promising chemical and physical properties and limited toxic effects. Based on available data and sensing performance, MXene is better for biosensing applications than CNTs. Because of their large specific surface area (SSA), superior electrical conductivity, and adaptable surface chemistry that facilitates simple functionalization and robust interactions with biomolecules, MXenes are typically regarded as the superior option for biosensors. Additionally, because of their hydrophilic nature, they are more suited to biological settings, which increases their sensitivity and efficacy in identifying biological targets. MXenes are more suitable for biosensing applications due to their versatility and compatibility with aquatic environments, even if CNTs have demonstrated stability and muscular mechanical strength. However, MXenes offer better thermal stability, which is crucial for applications in diverse temperature environments. This study reviews and compares the biosensing capabilities, synthesis methods, unique properties, and toxicity of CNTs and MXenes. Both nanomaterials effectively detect various pollutants in food, biological substances, and human bodies, making them invaluable in environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics. In conclusion, CNTs work better for biosensors that must be strong, flexible, and long-lasting under different conditions. MXenes, on the other hand, work better when chemical flexibility and compatibility with wet environments are essential.

Dye wastewater consists of high solids concentrations, heavy metals, minor contaminants, dissolved chemical oxygen demand, and microorganisms. Nanoflowers are nanoparticles that resemble flowers when viewed at a microscopic level. Inorganic metal oxide nanoflowers have been discovered to be a potential source for overcoming this situation. Their flower-like features give them a higher surface area to volume ratio and porosity structure, which can absorb a significant amount of dye. The metal oxide nanoflower synthesized from different synthesis methods is used to compare which one is cost-effective and capable of generating a large scale of nanoflower. This review has demonstrated outstanding dye removal efficiency by applying inorganic nanoflowers to dye removal. Since both adsorption and photocatalytic reactions enhance the dye degradation process, complete dye degradation could be achieved. Meanwhile, the inorganic metal oxide nanoflowers' exemplary reusability characteristics with negligible performance drop further prove that this approach is highly sustainable and may help to save costs. This review has proven the momentum of obtaining high dye removal efficiency in wastewater treatment to conclude that the metal oxide nanoflower study is worth researching., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests:Yie Hua Tan reports financial support was provided by Curtin University. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This research paper aims to optimize the TIG welding parameters to join dissimilar metals of AA5083 and AA7075 using the Taguchi technique. The TIG welding current and root gap of butt geometry configuration are considered input parameters, and welding characteristics such as tensile strength, 0.2% of yield strength, hardness, and impact energy are output responses. The base metals are joined according to the Taguchi L-09 design of experiments. The welded samples were inspected using the X-ray radiography method for internal defects. Tensile properties, hardness number, and impact energy of different welding coupons were evaluated by conducting the uni-axial testing, a Brinell hardness test, and an Izod impact test, respectively. A better weld strength of 224 MPa was observed at 210 A welding current, and the root gap of 1.5 mm was maintained. Better hardness and impact energy values were observed when the root gap of 1.5 mm and welding current of 220 A were maintained. The root gap is the primary factor influencing tensile strength enhancement, which accounts for 44.78% of the effect, followed by 40.5% welding current. Root gap is the parameter that affects the tensile properties, hardness number, and impact toughness the most. The findings of this paper suggest the optimal parameters for welding AA5083 and AA7075 dissimilar base metals, which are suitable for complex structures requiring both durability and resistance to harsh environments., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Brunei, similar to other nations, encounters difficulties in effectively managing solid waste, with 70% of the waste ending up in landfills, 2% through composting, and the remainder being disposed of through conventional methods. The current landfill site is anticipated to reach its maximum capacity in 2025. Energy recovery from waste is crucial for Brunei since it can improve waste management, mitigate environmental consequences, produce economic advantages, bolster energy security, and promote a circular economy. This study aims to identify the potential for energy recovery through landfill gas generated from solid waste disposal in Brunei Darussalam. The study finds that Brunei Darussalam can produce 129 thousand tonnes of CO 2 e/year landfill gas. Utilising gas to generate electricity of 367 GWh could save 1.6 million USD annually. In addition, it also identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the existing solid waste management in Brunei Darussalam. Furthermore, it formulates a waste management policy in Brunei Darussalam by identifying relevant stakeholders to overcome the weakness. Lastly, the framework for waste management is designed to consider short-, intermediate- and long-term goals and targets, with actions to be taken by respective stakeholders., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Lifestyle medicine (LM) should be incorporated as part of routine clinical work and medical education programs., Objective: To develop and test the validity and reliability of a questionnaire that measures the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of LM domains among medical trainees through practicing physicians., Methods: The KAP questionnaire sections covered the nine domains of LM. The validation process included face and content validity. A total of 151 individuals from the medical field residing in Saudi Arabia were recruited through a convenient sampling technique to participate in the study. Item response theory (IRT) was applied to validate the knowledge domain, while exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was used to assess attitude and practice. Cronbach's alpha was performed to test the reliability of the three sections., Results: The questionnaire contained 37 items of knowledge, 45 attitudes, and 28 practice items. According to the IRT analysis, 27 items of knowledge were within the acceptable range of difficulty and discrimination. The EFA analysis resulted in 6 factors, including all the items in the attitude domain, and 4 factors, for a total of 27 items in the practice domain, with satisfactory factor loading (>0.4). The Cronbach's alpha for the three domains was very high (≥0.88)., Conclusions: The KAP questionnaire for LM is valid and reliable across a spectrum, from medical trainees to practicing physicians. This tool could serve as an instrument to evaluate and develop adequate educational programs for medical doctors.

The present work deals with developing a method for revalorizing steel residues to create sunlight-active photocatalysts based on iron oxides. Commercial-grade steel leftovers are oxidized under different combinations of pH and temperature (50-90 °C and 3 ≥ pH ≤ 5) in a low energy-intensive setup. The material with the highest production efficiency (yield > 12%) and magnetic susceptibility (χ m  = 387 × 10 -6  m 3 /kg) was further explored and modified by diffusion of M 2+ (Zn and Co) ions within the structure of the oxide using a hydrothermal method to create ZnFe 2 O 4 , CoFe 2 O 4 and combined Co-Zn ferrite. (Co-Zn)Fe 2 O 4 displayed a bandgap of 2.02 eV and can be activated under sunlight irradiation. Electron microscopy studies show that (Co-Zn)Fe 2 O 4 consists of particles with diameters between 400 and 700 nm, homogeneous size, even distribution, and good dispersibility. Application of the developed materials in the sunlight catalysis of black liquors from cellulose extraction resulted in a reduction of the Chemical Oxygen Demand (- 15% on average) and an enhancement in biodegradability (> 0.57 BOD/COD) after 180 min of reaction. Since the presented process employs direct solar light, it opens the possibility to large-scale water treatment and chemical upgrading applications., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Water contaminated with arsenic presents serious health risks, necessitating effective and sustainable removal methods. This article proposes a method for removing arsenic from water by impregnating biochar with iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) from brown seaweed (Sargassum polycystum). After the seaweed biomass was pyrolyzed at 400 °C, iron oxide was added to the biochar to increase its adsorptive sites and surface functional groups, which allowed the binding of arsenic ions. Batch studies were conducted to maximize the effects of variables, including pH, contact time, arsenic concentration, and adsorbent dosage, on arsenic adsorption. The maximum arsenic adsorption efficiency of 96.7% was achieved under optimal conditions: pH 6, the adsorbent dosage of 100 mg, the initial arsenic concentration of 0.25 mg/L, and a contact time of 90 min. Langmuir and Freundlich's isotherms favored the adsorption process, while the kinetics adhered to a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the controlling step. Column studies revealed complete saturation after 200 min, and the adsorption behavior fits both the Adams-Bohart and Thomas models, demonstrating the potential for large-scale application. The primary mechanism underlying the interaction between iron-modified biochar and arsenic ions is surface complexation, enhanced by increased surface area and porosity. This study highlights the significant contribution of iron-modified biochar derived from macroalgae as an effective and sustainable solution for arsenic removal from water., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) were developed by carrying out the cocktail solution of Template ((Salata, 2004)-Gingerol), monomer, crosslinker, and Ag 2 S Quantum Dots (QDs) by ex-situ dissolved in an appropriate solvent, resulting in an efficient crosslinked polymer composite. Degradation of Alizarin red S (ARS) dye and yellowish sunset (SY) azo dye under visible light irradiation was reported first time by the introduction of prepared MIPs composite. In this research, the result shows efficient photocatalyt activity of Ag 2 S-MIPs composite for the degradation of AR and SY dye with degradation% (80%) and (84%) in the aqueous wastewater. The degradation efficiency of the Ag 2 S-MIPs composite and the Ag 2 S QD associated with non-imprinted polymers (NIPs) (i.e.Ag 2 S-NIPs composite) were calculated by using different parameters such as catalyst dose, pH value, optimum time and concentration variation and the observations are evocative. Moreover, the density functional theory (DFT) approach was also used to analyze the structural, stability/energetics, and electronic features of the organic-inorganic hybrid composites of the Ag 2 S QD with the MIPs based on (Salata, 2004)-gingerol extract. The proposed QD and MIPs (EGDMA and (Salata, 2004)-Gingerol) composite model has been detected to be the most stable because it shows the largest binding energy (BE) among the three chosen composite models. It was found out that imprinted polymers were superior in enhancing the degradation of dyes when compared to non imprinted polymers. Introducing MIPs into the valence band accelerates the catalysis properties to stabilize newly fashioned excitons that are basically generated as a result of light excitation in presence of Ag 2 S Quantum Dots (QDs) and molecular imprinted polymer (MIPs). Motivation behind this work is to address the challenges related to environmental pollution causing by organic dyes. These toxins are known to cause diverse symptoms (e.g., skin irritation, eye infection, respiratory disorders, and even cancer) once exposed through ingestion and inhalation. Through incorporation of Ag 2 S QD into MIP,the purpose of this research is to enhance the selectivity, specificity and photocatalytic activity for dyes and that work holds a potential towards environmental remediation by developing a cost effective and sustainable method for controlling pollution in water., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The world is facing water crises because freshwater scarcity has become a global issue due to rapid population growth, resulting in the need for more industries, agriculture, and domestic sectors. Therefore, it is challenging for scientists and environmental engineers to treat wastewater with cost-effective treatment techniques. As compared to conventional processes (physical, chemical, and biological), advanced oxidation processes (AOP) play an essential role in the removal of wastewater contaminants, with the help of a powerful hydroxyl (OH•) through oxidation reactions. This review study investigates the critical role of O 3 -based Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) in tackling the complex difficulties of wastewater treatment. Effective treatment methods are critical, with wastewater originating from various sources, including industrial activity, pharmaceutical manufacturing, agriculture, and a wide range of toxins. O 3 -based AOPs appear to be powerful therapies capable of degrading a wide range of pollutants, including stubborn organics, medicines, and pesticides, reducing environmental and human health risks. This review sheds light on their efficacy in wastewater treatment by explaining the underlying reaction mechanisms and applications of several O 3 -based AOP processes, such as O 3 , O 3 /UV, and O 3 /H 2 O 2 . Ozone, a powerful oxidizing agent, stimulates the breakdown of complex chemical molecules by oxidation processes, which are aided further by synergistic combinations with ultraviolet (UV) radiation or hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ). Notably, while ozonation alone may not always produce the best outcomes, it acts as an essential pretreatment step prior to traditional treatments, increasing total treatment efficiency. Furthermore, O 3 -based AOPs' transformational capacity to convert organic chemicals into simpler, more stable inorganic forms with little sludge creation emphasizes its sustainability and environmental benefits. This study sheds light on the processes, uses, and benefits of O 3 -based AOPs, presenting practical solutions for sustainable water management and environmental protection. It is a valuable resource for academics, engineers, and politicians looking for new ways to combat wastewater contamination and protect water resources., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Recent advancements in polymer science and engineering underscore the importance of creating sophisticated soft materials characterized by well-defined structures and adaptable properties to meet the demands of emerging applications. The primary objective of polymeric composite technology is to enhance the functional utility of materials for high-end purposes. Both the inherent qualities of the materials and the intricacies of the synthesis process play pivotal roles in advancing their properties and expanding their potential applications. Polypyrrole (PPy)-based composites, owing to their distinctive properties, hold great appeal for a variety of applications. Despite the limitations of PPy in its pure form, these constraints can be effectively overcome through hybridization with other materials. This comprehensive review thoroughly explores the existing literature on PPy and PPy-based composites, providing in-depth insights into their synthesis, properties, and applications. Special attention is given to the advantages of intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) and PPy in comparison to other ICPs. The impact of doping anions, additives, and oxidants on the properties of PPy is also thoroughly examined. By delving into these aspects, this overview aims to inspire researchers to delve into the realm of PPy-based composites, encouraging them to explore new avenues for flexible technology applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Ionic liquids (ILs) are highly effective for capturing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ). The prediction of CO 2 solubility in ILs is crucial for optimizing CO 2 capture processes. This study investigates the use of deep learning models for CO 2 solubility prediction in ILs with a comprehensive dataset of 10,116 CO 2 solubility data in 164 kinds of ILs under different temperature and pressure conditions. Deep neural network models, including Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), were developed to predict CO 2 solubility in ILs. The ANN and LSTM models demonstrated robust test accuracy in predicting CO 2 solubility, with coefficient of determination (R 2 ) values of 0.986 and 0.985, respectively. Both model's computational efficiency and cost were investigated, and the ANN model achieved reliable accuracy with a significantly lower computational time (approximately 30 times faster) than the LSTM model. A global sensitivity analysis (GSA) was performed to assess the influence of process parameters and associated functional groups on CO 2 solubility. The sensitivity analysis results provided insights into the relative importance of input attributes on output variables (CO 2 solubility) in ILs. The findings highlight the significant potential of deep learning models for streamlining the screening process of ILs for CO 2 capture applications., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study evaluated Aloe vera extract as a green inhibitor to prevent corrosion in seawater environments. A. vera extract was produced by maceration with methanol-water at room temperature. Electrochemical techniques were used to evaluate the corrosion inhibitor effectiveness of the A. vera extract. The morphology of the corrosion products was analyzed by FE-SEM equipped with EDS and AFM. FT-IR and LCMS characterized the functional and structural groups in this extract. The electrochemical measurements show that A. vera extract could effectively reduce the corrosion of API 5L steel in seawater environments. Inhibition efficiency (IE) increases with increasing concentration. Optimal corrosion inhibition efficiency of around 83.75% (PDP) and 88.60% (EIS) was obtained by adding 300 mg L -1 of extract at 310 K. Furthermore, the higher the concentration of A. vera extract, the greater the activation energy (E a ), with the highest activation energy being 48.24 kJ mol -1 for the concentration of 300 mg L -1 . Conversely, increasing the temperature and exposure duration reduces the corrosion inhibition efficiency (IE) values; the best exposure period was 30 min with 88.34% IE by a concentration of 300 mg L -1 at 300 K. This corrosion inhibition is achieved by the adsorption process of A. vera bioactive on metal surfaces with a mixed inhibitor through a physisorption-chemisorption mechanism. This finding was confirmed by the smoother surface morphology of the steel treated with A. vera extract than without. This unveiling investigation found that A. vera extract has the potential to be an environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitor in the seawater environment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Our knowledge of fluorine's unique and complex properties has significantly increased over the past 20 years. Consequently, more sophisticated and innovative techniques have emerged to incorporate this feature into the design of potential drug candidates. In recent years, researchers have become interested in synthesizing fluoro-sulphonamide compounds to discover new chemical entities with distinct and unexpected physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The fluorinated sulphonamide molecules have shown significant biomedical importance. Their potential is not limited to biomedical applications but also includes crop protection. The discovery of novel fluorine and Sulfur compounds has highlighted their importance in the chemical sector, particularly in the agrochemical and medicinal fields. Recently, several fluorinated sulphonamide derivatives have been developed and frequently used by agriculturalists to produce food for the growing global population. These molecules have also exhibited their potential in health by inhibiting various human diseases. In today's world, it is crucial to have a steady supply of innovative pharmaceutical and agrochemical molecules that are highly effective, less harmful to the environment, and affordable. This review summarizes the available information on the activity of Fluorine and Sulphonamide compounds, which have proven active in pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals with excellent environmental and human health approaches. Moreover, it focuses on the current literature on the chemical structures, the application of fluorinated sulphonamide compounds against various pathological conditions, and their effectiveness in crop protection., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacterial strains and biofilm-associated diseases have heightened concerns about exploring alternative bactericidal methods. The WHO estimates that at least 700 000 deaths yearly are attributable to antimicrobial resistance, and that number could increase to 10 million annual deaths by 2050 if appropriate measures are not taken. Therefore, the increasing threat of AR bacteria and biofilm-related infections has created an urgent demand for scientific research to identify novel antimicrobial therapies. Nanomaterials (NMs) have emerged as a promising alternative due to their unique physicochemical properties, and ongoing research holds great promise for developing effective NMs-based treatments for bacterial and viral infections. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of NMs based mechanisms combat bacterial infections, particularly those caused by acquired antibiotic resistance. Furthermore, this review examines NMs design features and attributes that can be optimized to enhance their efficacy as antimicrobial agents. In addition, plant-based NMs have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections due to their reduced toxicity compared to other NMs. The potential of plant mediated NMs for preventing AR is also discussed. Overall, this review emphasizes the importance of understanding the properties and mechanisms of NMs for the development of effective strategies against antibiotic-resistant bacteria., Competing Interests: We confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this work, and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. Furthermore, we ensure that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that we have all approved the authors' order listed in the manuscript. Due care has been taken to ensure the integrity of the work., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Food waste has been identified as one of the major factors that constitute numerous anthropogenic activities, especially in developing countries. There is a growing problem with food waste that affects every part of the waste management system, from collection to disposal; finding long-term solutions necessitates involving all participants in the food supply chain, from farmers and manufacturers to distributors and consumers. In addition to food waste management, maintaining food sustainability and security globally is crucial so that every individual, household, and nation can always get food. "End hunger, achieve food security and enhanced nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture" are among the main challenges of global sustainable development (SDG) goal 2. Therefore, sustainable food waste management technology is needed. Recent attention has been focused on global food loss and waste. One-third of food produced for human use is wasted every year. Source reduction (i.e., limiting food losses and waste) and contemporary treatment technologies appear to be the most promising strategy for converting food waste into safe, nutritious, value-added feed products and achieving sustainability. Food waste is also employed in industrial processes for the production of biofuels or biopolymers. Biofuels mitigate the detrimental effects of fossil fuels. Identifying crop-producing zones, bioenergy cultivars, and management practices will enhance the natural environment and sustainable biochemical process. Traditional food waste reduction strategies are ineffective in lowering GHG emissions and food waste treatment. The main contribution of this study is an inventory of the theoretical and practical methods of prevention and minimization of food waste and losses. It identifies the trade-offs for food safety, sustainability, and security. Moreover, it investigates the impact of COVID-19 on food waste behavior., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Plastic waste is being manufactured for the production of hydrogen. The amount of plastic waste collected annually is 189,953 tonnes from adjacent nations like Indonesia and Malaysia. Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and Polystyrene (PS) are the five most prevalent forms of plastic found in most waste. Pyrolysis, water gas shift and steam reforming reaction, and pressure swing adsorption are the three main phases utilized and studied. In this research, authors examines the energy consumption on every stage. The plastic waste can be utilized to manufacture many hydrocarbons using the pyrolysis reaction. For this process, fast pyrolysis is being used at a temperature of 500 °C. A neutralization process is also needed due to the presence of Hydrochloric acid from the pyrolysis reaction, with the addition of sodium hydroxide. This is being carried to prevent any damage to the reactor during the process. Secondly, the steam reforming process continues after the water gas shift reaction has produced steam and carbon monoxide, followed by carbon dioxide and hydrogen formation. Lastly, pressure swing adsorption is designed to extract H 2 S and CO 2 from the water gas shift and steam reforming reaction for greater purity of hydrogen. From the simulation study, it is observed that using various types of plastic waste procured (total input of 20,000 kg per hour of plastics) from, Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia and Indonesia, can produce about 340,000 tons of Hydrogen per year. Additionally, the annual profit of the Hydrogen production is estimated to be between $ 271,158,100 and $ 358,480,200. As per the economic analysis, it can be said that its a good to start hydrogen production plant in these regions., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The stress of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) discharging to water bodies and the environment due to increased industrialization has reduced the availability of clean water. This poses a potential health hazard to animals and human life because water contamination is a great issue to the climate, plants, humans, and aquatic habitats. Pharmaceutical compounds are quantified in concentrations ranging from ng/Lto μg/L in aquatic environments worldwide. According to (Alsubih et al., 2022), the concentrations of carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, Lutvastatin, ciprofloxacin, and lorazepam were 616-906 ng/L, 16,532-21635 ng/L, 694-2068 ng/L, 734-1178 ng/L, and 2742-3775 ng/L respectively. Protecting and preserving our environment must be well-driven by all sectors to sustain development. Various methods have been utilized to eliminate the emerging pollutants, such as adsorption and biological and advanced oxidation processes. These methods have their benefits and drawbacks in the removal of pharmaceuticals. Successful wastewater treatment can save the water bodies; integrating green initiatives into the main purposes of actor firms, combined with continually periodic awareness of the current and potential implications of environmental/water pollution, will play a major role in water conservation. This article reviews key publications on the adsorption, biological, and advanced oxidation processes used to remove pharmaceutical products from the aquatic environment. It also sheds light on the pharmaceutical adsorption capability of adsorption, biological and advanced oxidation methods, and their efficacy in pharmaceutical concentration removal. A research gap has been identified for researchers to explore in order to eliminate the problem associated with pharmaceutical wastes. Therefore, future study should focus on combining advanced oxidation and adsorption processes for an excellent way to eliminate pharmaceutical products, even at low concentrations. Biological processes should focus on ideal circumstances and microbial processes that enable the simultaneous removal of pharmaceutical compounds and the effects of diverse environments on removal efficiency., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that no known competing financial interests or personal relationships could have appeared to influence the work presented in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

A numerical analysis of a CdTe/Si dual-junction solar cell in terms of defect density introduced at various defect energy levels in the absorber layer is provided. The impact of defect concentration is analyzed against the thickness of the CdTe layer, and variation of the top and bottom cell bandgaps is studied. The results show that CdTe thin film with defects density between 10 14 and 10 15  cm -3 is acceptable for the top cell of the designed dual-junction solar cell. The variations of the defect concentrations against the thickness of the CdTe layer indicate that the open circuit voltage, short circuit current density, and efficiency (ƞ) are more affected by the defect density at higher CdTe thickness. In contrast, the Fill factor is mainly affected by the defect density, regardless of the thin film's thickness. An acceptable defect density of up to 10 15  cm -3 at a CdTe thickness of 300 nm was obtained from this work. The bandgap variation shows optimal results for a CdTe with bandgaps ranging from 1.45 to 1.7 eV in tandem with a Si bandgap of about 1.1 eV. This study highlights the significance of tailoring defect density at different energy levels to realize viable CdTe/Si dual junction tandem solar cells. It also demonstrates how the impact of defect concentration changes with the thickness of the solar cell absorber layer., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

This study synthesized a highly efficient KOH-treated sunflower stem activated carbon (KOH-SSAC) using a two-step pyrolysis process and chemical activation using KOH. The resulting material exhibited exceptional properties, such as a high specific surface area (452 m 2 /g) and excellent adsorption capacities for phenol (333.03 mg/g) and bisphenol A (BPA) (365.81 mg/g). The adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic, benefiting from the synergistic effects of hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, and stacking interactions. Comparative analysis also showed that KOH-SSAC performed approximately twice as well as sunflower stem biochar (SSB), indicating its potential for water treatment and pollutant removal applications. The study suggests the exploration of optimization strategies to further enhance the efficiency of KOH-SSAC in large-scale scenarios. These findings contribute to the development of improved materials for efficient water treatment and pollution control., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The utilization of natural fibres often entails a lesser environmental impact when compared to synthetic fibres. Biodegradable natural fibres minimize waste and pollution, and promote sustainability, but their weaker bonds limit their resilience. These issues can be addressed by customizing the composite's mechanical properties with natural and synthetic fibres. In this study, hybrid composites were created using the hand layup method with a novel dissimilar layer arrangement of neem (N), sisal (S), and glass (G) fibre and analyze its mechanical and thermal properties. Experimental observation shows that the GN composite had a higher maximum ultimate tensile strength of 26 N/mm 2 than the GS, GNS, and GSN composites. The GN composite had a percentage elongation of 6.33%, similar to the percentage elongation of the GS composite (6.833%), and it also had a higher ultimate shear strength of 50 MPa. The composite GS absorbed 6.6 J energy, higher than the composites GN, GNS, and GNS, which absorbed 6.1 J, 4.5 J, and 4.5 J, respectively. The fractured surface's SEM images were obtained and analyzed for failure. The results demonstrated that the hybridization was effective, and better properties can be obtained by combining neem, sisal, and glass fiber, and it can be used for other requirements, including strength, weight, cost, and ecological impact., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Although the ecotoxicity of carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) is known, the potential effect of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) on edaphic organisms has been insufficiently explored. Thus, we aimed at the ecotoxicity of CNFs (at 10 and 100 mg/kg) in Lumbricus terrestris earthworms naturally infected with Monocystis sp. After 28 days of exposure, treatments did not affect the survival rate. However, we observed a significant loss of body biomass, and Monocystis sp. infection in seminal vesicles was potentiated by exposure to CNFs. Earthworms exposed to CNFs showed a redox imbalance in the seminal vesicle, muscle, and intestine and an alteration in nitric oxide production in these organs. In muscles, we also noticed a significant reduction in AChE activity in earthworms exposed to CNFs. The histopathological analyses revealed the treatments' significant effect on the structures of the different evaluated tissues. Although we did not notice a concentration-response for several of the biomarkers, when taken together and after the application of Integrated Biomarker Response (IBR) and principal component analysis (PCA), we noticed that the response of earthworms to CNFs at 100 mg/kg showed a more significant deviation from the unexposed group. This was mainly determined by inhibiting antioxidant activity in the seminal vesicle, biochemical biomarkers assessed in muscle and intestine, and histomorphometric muscle biomarkers from earthworms exposed to CNFs at 100 mg/kg. Thus, we demonstrate that CNFs increase the parasite load of Monocystis sp. of adult L. terrestris earthworms and induce biochemical and histopathological changes, especially at 100 mg/kg. Our results point to the additional impact these nanomaterials can have on the health of earthworms, signaling the need for greater attention to their disposal and ecotoxicological effects on soil organisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this work, and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. Furthermore, we ensure that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that all have approved the order of authors listed in the manuscript of us. Due care has been taken to ensure the integrity of the work., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Research studies have been carried out to accentuate Fennel Seed Spent, a by-product of the Nutraceutical Industry, as an inexpensive, recyclable and operational biosorbent for bioremediation of Acid Blue 113 (AB113) in simulated water-dye samples and textile industrial effluent (TIE). The physical process of adhesion of AB113 on the surface of the biosorbent depends on various parameters, such as the initial amount of the dye, amount and expanse of the biosorbent particles, pH of the solution and temperature of the medium. The data obtained was analyzed using three two-parameter and five three-parameter adsorption isotherm models to glean the adsorbent affinities and interaction mechanism of the adsorbate molecules and adsorbent surface. The adsorption feature study is conducted employing models of Weber-Morris, pseudo 1st and 2nd order, diffusion film model, Dumwald-Wagner and Avrami model. The study through 2nd order pseudo and Avrami models produced complementary results for the authentication of experimental data. The thermodynamic features, ΔG 0 , ΔH 0 , and ΔS 0 of the adsorption process are acclaimed to be almost spontaneous, physical in nature and endothermic in their manifestation. Surface characterization was carried out using Scanner Electron Microscopy, and identification and determination of chemical species and molecular structure was performed using Infrared Spectroscopy (IR). Maximum adsorption evaluated using statistical optimization with different combinations of five independent variables to study the individual as well as combined effects by Fractional Factorial Experimental Design (FFED) was 236.18 mg g -1 under optimized conditions; pH of 2, adsorbent dosage of 0.500 g L -1 , and an initial dye concentration of 209.47 mg L -1 for an adsorption time of 126.62 min with orbital shaking of 165 rpm at temperature 49.95 °C., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

In this study, zeolite Y was synthesised using a novel method. The heat generated from the reaction of H 2 SO 4 with metakaolin was used as a heat source instead of applying external heat for the dealuminated process. The synthesised zeolite Y produced was analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Zeolite Y synthesis was mesoporous because of its pore diameter (30.53 nm), as shown in the BET results. Surface area and pore size decrease after adsorption due to dye deposition on the adsorbent's surface. FTIR has bonds like O-H, C-H, -CH 3 , and -COOH responsible for adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of eosin yellow (EY) and methyl orange (MO) on to zeolite Y by the Langmuir isotherm was 52.91 mg/g and 20.62 mg/g respectively, at pH 2.5 and 8 for EY and MO dye. The batch adsorption studies were conducted, and the influence of different parameters (i.e., adsorbent dose, adsorption time, initial dye concentration, pH and temperature) was investigated. Experimental data were analysed by two linear model equations (Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms), and it was found that the Langmuir isotherm model best describes the adsorption data for methyl orange and Freundlich isotherm for eosin yellow, respectively. Adsorption rate constants were determined using linear pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order. The results showed that MO and EY dye adsorption onto zeolite Y followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic studies show that adsorption was an exothermic reaction (enthalpy < 0) and feasible ([Formula: see text]) at various temperatures under investigation., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Pollution problems are increasingly becoming e a priority issue from both scientific and technological points of view. The dispersion and frequency of pollutants in the environment are on the rise, leading to the emergence have been increasing, including of a new class of contaminants that not only impact the environment but also pose risks to people's health. Therefore, developing new methods for identifying and quantifying these pollutants classified as emerging contaminants is imperative. These methods enable regulatory actions that effectively minimize their adverse effects to take steps to regulate and reduce their impact. On the other hand, these new contaminants represent a challenge for current technologies to be adapted to control and remove emerging contaminants and involve innovative, eco-friendly, and sustainable remediation technologies. There is a vast amount of information collected in this review on emerging pollutants, comparing the identification and quantification methods, the technologies applied for their control and remediation, and the policies and regulations necessary for their operation and application. In addition, This review will deal with different aspects of emerging contaminants, their origin, nature, detection, and treatment concerning water and wastewater., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The engine tests aimed to produce comparable data for fuel consumption, exhaust emissions, and thermal efficiency. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) program FLUENT was used to simulate the combustion parameters of a direct injection diesel engine. In-cylinder turbulence is controlled using the RNG k-model. The model's conclusions are validated when the projected p-curve is compared to the observed p-curve. The thermal efficiency of the 50E50B blend (50% ethanol, 50% biofuel) is higher than the other blends as well as diesel. Diesel has lower brake thermal efficiency among the other fuel blends used. The 10E90B mix (10% ethanol, 90% biofuel) has a lower brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) than other blends but is slightly higher than diesel. The temperature of the exhaust gas rises for all mixtures as the brake power is increased. CO emissions from 50E50B are lower than diesel at low loads but slightly greater at heavy loads. According to the emission graphs, the 50E50B blend produces less HC than diesel. NOx emission rises with increasing load in the exhaust parameter for all mixes. A 50E50B biofuel-ethanol combination achieves the highest brake thermal efficiency, 33.59%. The BSFC for diesel is 0.254 kg/kW-hr at maximum load, while the BSFC for the 10E90B mix is 0.269 kg/kW-hr, higher than diesel. In comparison to diesel, BSFC has increased by 5.90%., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The growing use of synthetic chemical compounds/substances in vector control of mosquitoes, associated with their adverse effects on the environment and non-target organisms, has demanded the development of eco-friendly alternatives. In this context, this study aimed to evaluate the larvicidal action of different cellulose microcrystalline (CMs) concentrations and investigate their toxicity mechanisms in Culex quinquefasciatus fourth instar larvae as a model species. Probit analysis revealed that the median lethal concentrations (LC 50 ) for 24 h and 36 h exposure were 100 and 58.29 mg/L, respectively. We also showed that such concentrations induced a redox imbalance in the larvae, marked by an increase in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), as well as a reduction in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, different alterations in the external morphology of the larvae were associated with the ingestion of CMs. On the other hand, exposure of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) to LC 50 24h and LC 50 36h for seven days did not induce any behavioral changes or alterations mutagenic, genotoxic, biochemical, or in the production of cytokines IFN-γ and IL-10. Thus, taken together, our study demonstrates for the first time that the use of CMs can constitute a promising strategy in the control of C. quinquefasciatus larvae, combining insecticidal efficiency with an "eco-friendly" approach in the fight against an important mosquito vector of several human diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest We confirm that there are no known conflicts of interest associated with this work, and there has been no significant financial support for this work that could have influenced its outcome. Furthermore, we ensure that the manuscript has been read and approved by all named authors and that there are no other persons who satisfied the criteria for authorship but are not listed. We further confirm that all have approved the order of authors listed in the manuscript of us. Due care has been taken to ensure the integrity of the work., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Recently, most service or product-oriented industries have been focusing on their activities to uphold the green and sustainable environment protocol owing to the increased environmental pollution. Concerning this issue, industries are now concentrating on developing recyclable or waste materials products. This research advocates developing and validating a banana fiber sandwich composite to promote the beneficial usage of bio-waste. The composite sandwich specimens were fabricated with resin-impregnated woven banana fiber mat as a skin, and the core was reinforced with three different weight percentages (5, 7.5 and 10%) of chopped banana fiber. The sandwich specimens were pressed into a three-point bending test to validate the structural integrity. The flexural characteristics like flexural strength and modulus were examined experimentally, whereas the key strength indices like flexural stiffness and core shear modulus were evaluated analytically. Post-fracture surfaces were studied through a scanning electron microscope to investigate the failure mechanism. The experimental and analytical results indicate that 10% banana fiber content in the sandwich core increases the flexural strength and flexural modulus to 225% and 147%, respectively, compared to the neat epoxy core. The numerical simulation was also performed through FEA to validate the experimental findings. The numerical results are in good concurrence with the experimental one., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Epoxides were primarily derived from petroleum-based sources. However, there has been limited research on optimizing the process parameters for epoxidized palm oil-derived oleic acid, resulting in its underutilization. Therefore, this study aimed to optimize the catalytic epoxidation of palm oleic acid concerning the oxirane content by applying ion exchange resin as a catalyst. Epoxidized oleic acid was produced using in-situ-formed performic acid by combining formic acid as the oxygen carrier with hydrogen peroxide as the oxygen donor. The findings revealed that the optimal reaction conditions for producing epoxidized oleic acid with the highest oxirane content were an Amberlite IR-120 catalyst loading of 0.9 g, a molar ratio of formic acid to oleic acid of 1:1., and a molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to oleic acid of 1:1.1. By employing these optimal conditions, the maximum relative conversion of palm oleic acid to oxirane was achieved at 85%. The reaction rate constants (k) based on the optimized epoxidized oleic acid are determined as follows: k 11  = 20 mol L -1  min -1 , k 12  = 2 mol L -1  min -1 , and k 2  = 20 mol L -1  min -1 . The findings validated the kinetic model by showing good agreement between the simulation and experimental data., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

A comprehensive understanding of physiochemical properties, thermal degradation behavior and chemical composition is significant for biomass residues before their thermochemical conversion for energy production. In this investigation, teff straw (TS), coffee husk (CH), corn cob (CC), and sweet sorghum stalk (SSS) residues were characterized to assess their potential applications as value-added bioenergy and chemical products. The thermal degradation behavior of CC, CH, TS and SSS samples is calculated using four different heating rates. The activation energy values ranged from 81.919 to 262.238 and 85.737-212.349 kJ mol -1 and were generated by the KAS and FWO models and aided in understanding the biomass conversion process into bio-products. The cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin contents of CC, CH, TS, and SSS were found to be in the ranges of 31.56-41.15%, 23.9-32.02%, and 19.85-25.07%, respectively. The calorific values of the residues ranged from 17.3 to 19.7 MJ/kg, comparable to crude biomass. Scanning electron micrographs revealed agglomerated, irregular, and rough textures, with parallel lines providing nutrient and water transport pathways in all biomass samples. Energy Dispersive X-ray spectra and X-ray diffraction analysis indicated the presence of high carbonaceous material and crystalline nature. FTIR analysis identified prominent band peaks at specific wave numbers. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that these residues hold potential as energy sources for various applications, such as the textile, plastics, paints, automobile, and food additive industries., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Toxic dyes in water bodies and bacterial pathogens pose serious global challenges to human health and the environment. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) demonstrate remarkable photocatalytic and antibacterial potency against reactive dyes and bacterial strains. In this work, PVP-ZnO NPs have been prepared via the co-precipitation method using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a surfactant. The NPs' microstructure and morphology were studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), having a size of 22.13 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) analysis showed spherical-shaped PVP-ZnO NPs with sizer ranging from 20 to 30 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) confirmed the hybrid nature of the NPs, and UV-Vis spectroscopy showed an absorption peak at 367 nm. The PVP-ZnO NPs exhibited high photocatalytic activity, achieving 88% and nearly 95% degradation of reactive red-141 azo dye with 10 mg and 20 mg catalyst dosages, respectively. The antibacterial properties of the NPs were demonstrated against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, with inhibition zones of 24 mm and 20 mm, respectively. These findings suggest that PVP-ZnO NPs can be effectively used for water treatment, targeting both dye and pathogenic contaminants., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Discharging untreated dye-containing wastewater gives rise to environmental pollution. The present study investigated the removal efficiency and adsorption mechanism of Acid Red 18 (AR18) utilizing hexadecyl-trimethyl ammonium chloride (HDTMA.Cl) modified Nano-pumice (HMNP), which is a novel adsorbent for AR18 removal. The HDTMA.Cl is characterized by XRD, XRF, FESEM, TEM, BET and FTIR analysis. pH, contact time, initial concentration of dye and adsorbent dose were the four different parameters for investigating their effects on the adsorption process. Response surface methodology-central composite design was used to model and improve the study to reduce expenses and the number of experiments. According to the findings, at the ideal conditions (pH = 4.5, sorbent dosage = 2.375 g/l, AR18 concentration = 25 mg/l, and contact time = 70 min), the maximum removal effectiveness was 99%. The Langmuir (R 2  = 0.996) and pseudo-second-order (R 2  = 0.999) models were obeyed by the adsorption isotherm and kinetic, respectively. The nature of HMNP was discovered to be spontaneous, and thermodynamic investigations revealed that the AR18 adsorption process is endothermic. By tracking the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent for five cycles under ideal conditions, the reusability of HMNP was examined, which showed a reduction in HMNP's adsorption effectiveness from 99 to 85% after five consecutive recycles., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

Ionogels are hybrid materials comprising an ionic liquid confined within a polymer matrix. They have garnered significant interest due to their unique properties, such as high ionic conductivity, mechanical stability, and wide electrochemical stability. These properties make ionogels suitable for various applications, including energy storage devices, sensors, and solar cells. However, optimizing the electrochemical performance of ionogels remains a challenge, as the relationship between specific capacitance, ionic conductivity, and electrolyte solution concentration is yet to be fully understood. In this study, we investigate the impact of electrolyte solution concentration on the electrochemical properties of ionogels to identify the correlation for enhanced performance. Our findings demonstrate a clear relationship between the specific capacitance and ionic conductivity of ionogels, which depends on the availability of mobile ions. The reduced number of ions at low electrolyte solution concentrations leads to decreased ionic conductivity and specific capacitance due to the scarcity of a double layer, constraining charge storage capacity. However, at a 31 vol% electrolyte solution concentration, an ample quantity of ions becomes accessible, resulting in increased ionic conductivity and specific capacitance, reaching maximum values of 58 ± 1.48 μS/cm and 45.74 F/g, respectively. Furthermore, the synthesized ionogel demonstrates a wide electrochemical stability of 3.5 V, enabling diverse practical applications. This study provides valuable insights into determining the optimal electrolyte solution concentration for enhancing ionogel electrochemical performance for energy applications. It highlights the impact of ion pairs and aggregates on ion mobility within ionogels, subsequently affecting their resultant electrochemical properties.

A typical ferrite/martensitic heat-resistant steel (T91) is widely used in reheaters, superheaters and power stations. Cr 3 C 2 -NiCr-based composite coatings are known for wear-resistant coatings at elevated temperature applications. The current work compares the microstructural studies of 75 wt% Cr 3 C 2 - 25 wt% NiCr-based composite clads developed through laser and microwave energy on a T91 steel substrate. The developed clads of both processes were characterized through a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) attached with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and assessment of Vickers microhardness. The Cr 3 C 2 -NiCr based clads of both processes revealed better metallurgical bonding with the chosen substrate. The microstructure of the developed laser clad shows a distinctive dense solidified structure, with a rich Ni phase occupying interdendritic spaces. In the case of microwave clad, the hard chromium carbide particles consistently dispersed within the soft nickel matrix. EDS study evidenced that the cell boundaries are lined with chromium where Fe and Ni were found inside the cells. The X-ray phase analysis of both the processes evidenced the common presence of phases like chromium carbides (Cr 7 C 3, Cr 3 C 2 , Cr 23 C 6 ), Iron Nickel (FeNi 3 ) and chromium-nickel (Cr 3 Ni 2 , CrNi), despite these phases iron carbides (Fe 7 C 3 ) are observed in the developed microwave clads. The homogeneous distributions of such carbides in the developed clad structure of both processes indicated higher hardness. The typical microhardness of the laser-clad (1142 ± 65HV) was about 22% higher than the microwave clad (940 ± 42 HV). Using a ball-on-plate test, the study analyzed microwave and laser-clad samples' wear behavior. Laser-cladding samples showed superior wear resistance due to hard carbide elements. At the same time, microwave-clad samples experienced more surface damage and material loss due to micro-cutting, loosening, and fatigue-induced fracture., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

We aimed to evaluate the possible effects of the application of zinc oxide nanoparticles [ZnO NPs; 68.96 ± 33.71 nm; at 100 and 500 mg/kg in a soil mixture of the Typic Dystrophic Red Latosol type and sand (2:1 ratio)] in the cultivation of Panicum maximum (until 125 days), using different biomarkers in addition to evaluating the uptake of Zn by the plants. Furthermore, we assessed the possible transfer of ZnO NPs from P. maximum leaves to zebrafish and their potential. Plants cultivated in substrates with ZnO NPs at 500 mg/kg showed reduced germination rate and growth. However, at 100 mg/kg, plants showed higher biomass and productivity, associated with higher Zn uptake, without inducing oxidative and nitrosative stress. Zinc content in zebrafish was not associated with ingesting leaves of P. maximum cultivated in substrate containing ZnCl 2 or ZnO NPs or with genotoxic, mutagenic, and biochemical effects. In conclusion, ZnO NPs (at 100 mg/kg) are promising in the cultivation of P. maximum, and their ingestion by zebrafish did not cause changes in the evaluated biomarkers. However, we recommend that studies with other animal models be conducted to comprehensively assess the ecotoxicological hazard associated with applying ZnO NPs in soil., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A limited experimental work was on multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-water nanofluid with surfactant in the solar parabolic collector at low volume concentrations. At high-volume concentrated nanofluid, the pressure drop was more due to an increase in the viscosity of the working fluid and an increase in the nanoparticle cost; hence it is not economical. This report attempted to use Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate (SDBS) surfactant in the low-volume concentrated MWCNT-water nanofluid to establish effective heat transfer in solar parabolic collector applications. The stable MWCNT-water nanofluid was prepared at 0.0158, 0.0238, and 0.0317 volume concentrations. The experiments were conducted from 10:00 to 16:00 at 6, 6.5 and 7 L/min flow rates concerning ASHRAE Standards. At the 7 L/min flow rate of the working fluid, having a minimum temperature difference between the working fluid and absorber tube leads to better heat transfer. The increased volume concentration of MWCNT in the water enhances the surface area interaction between water and MWCNT nanoparticles. This results in maximum solar parabolic collector efficiency at 0.0317 vol% with a 7 L/min flow rate and 10-11% higher than the distilled water., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Bacterial strains belonging to Citrobacter spp. were reported to produce polysaccharides consisting of N-acetylglucosamine and glucosamine like chitosan, with high flocculation activity. In this work, the flocculation dewatering performance of activated sludge conditioned by a novel cationic chitosan-like bioflocculant (BF) named BF01314, produced from Citrobacter youngae GTC 01314, was evaluated under the influences of flocculant dosage, pH, and temperature. At BF dosage as low as 0.5 kg/t DS, the sludge dewaterability was significantly enhanced in comparison to the raw (untreated) sludge, featuring well-flocculated characteristic (reduction in CST from 22.0 s to 9.4 s) and good sludge filterability with reduced resistance (reduction in SRF by one order from 7.42 × 1011 to 9.59 × 10 10  m/kg) and increased compactness of sludge (increase in CSC from 15.2 to 23.2%). Besides, the BF demonstrated comparable high sludge dewatering performance within the pH range between 2 and 8, and temperature range between 25 °C and 80 °C. Comparison between the BF, the pristine chitosan and the commercial cationic copolymer MF 7861 demonstrated equivalent performance with enhanced dewaterability at the dosage between 2.0 and 3.0 kg/t DS. Besides, the BF demonstrated strong flocculation activity (>99%) when added to the sludge suspension using moderate to high flocculation speeds (100-200 rpm) with at least 3-min mixing time. The BF's reaction in sludge flocculation was best fitted with a pseudo first-order kinetic model. Electrostatic charge patching and polymer bridging mechanisms are believed to be the dominant mechanistic phenomena during the BF's sludge conditioning process (coagulation-flocculation)., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Contamination of water resources by industrial effluents containing heavy metal ions and management of solid waste from agricultural and food industries is a serious issue. This study presents the valorization of waste walnut shells as an effective and environment-friendly biosorbent for sequestrating Cr(VI) from aqueous media. The native walnut shell powder (NWP) was chemically modified with alkali (AWP) and citric acid (CWP) to obtain modified biosorbents with abundant availability of pores as active centers, as confirmed by BET analysis. During batch adsorption studies, the process parameters for Cr(VI) adsorption were optimized at pH 2.0. The adsorption data were fitted to isotherm and kinetic models to compute various adsorption parameters. The adsorption pattern of Cr(VI) was well explained by the Langmuir model suggesting the adsorbate monolayer formation on the surface of the biosorbents. The maximum adsorption capacity, q m, for Cr(VI) was achieved for CWP (75.26 mg/g), followed by AWP (69.56 mg/g) and NWP (64.82 mg/g). Treatment with sodium hydroxide and citric acid improved the adsorption efficiency of the biosorbent by 4.5 and 8.2%, respectively. The endothermic and spontaneous adsorption was observed to trail the pseudo-second-order kinetics under optimized process parameters. Thus, the chemically modified walnut shell powder can be an eco-friendly adsorbent for Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The presence of heavy metal, chromium (VI), in water environments leads to various diseases in humans, such as cancer, lung tumors, and allergies. This review comparatively examines the use of several adsorbents, such as biosorbents, activated carbon, nanocomposites, and polyaniline (PANI), in terms of the operational parameters (initial chromium (VI) concentration (C o ), temperature (T), pH, contact time (t), and adsorbent dosage) to achieve the Langmuir's maximum adsorption capacity (q m ) for chromium (VI) adsorption. The study finds that the use of biosorbents (fruit bio-composite, fungus, leave, and oak bark char), activated carbons (HCl-treated dry fruit waste, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) PEI-KOH alkali-treated rice waste-derived biochar, and KOH/hydrochloric acid (HCl) acid/base-treated commercial), iron-based nanocomposites, magnetic manganese-multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites, copper-based nanocomposites, graphene oxide functionalized amino acid, and PANI functionalized transition metal are effective in achieving high Langmuir's maximum adsorption capacity (q m ) for chromium (VI) adsorption, and that operational parameters such as initial concentration, temperature, pH, contact time, and adsorbent dosage significantly affect the Langmuir's maximum adsorption capacity (q m ). Magnetic graphene oxide functionalized amino acid showed the highest experimental and pseudo-second-order kinetic model equilibrium adsorption capacities. The iron oxide functionalized calcium carbonate (IO@CaCO 3 ) nanocomposites showed the highest heterogeneous adsorption capacity. Additionally, Syzygium cumini bark biosorbent is highly effective in treating tannery industrial wastewater with high levels of chromium (VI)., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

A reliable and accurate diagnosis and identification system is required to prevent and manage tea leaf diseases. Tea leaf diseases are detected manually, increasing time and affecting yield quality and productivity. This study aims to present an artificial intelligence-based solution to the problem of tea leaf disease detection by training the fastest single-stage object detection model, YOLOv7, on the diseased tea leaf dataset collected from four prominent tea gardens in Bangladesh. 4000 digital images of five types of leaf diseases are collected from these tea gardens, generating a manually annotated, data-augmented leaf disease image dataset. This study incorporates data augmentation approaches to solve the issue of insufficient sample sizes. The detection and identification results for the YOLOv7 approach are validated by prominent statistical metrics like detection accuracy, precision, recall, mAP value, and F1-score, which resulted in 97.3%, 96.7%, 96.4%, 98.2%, and 0.965, respectively. Experimental results demonstrate that YOLOv7 for tea leaf diseases in natural scene images is superior to existing target detection and identification networks, including CNN, Deep CNN, DNN, AX-Retina Net, improved DCNN, YOLOv5, and Multi-objective image segmentation. Hence, this study is expected to minimize the workload of entomologists and aid in the rapid identification and detection of tea leaf diseases, thus minimizing economic losses., (© 2023. The Author(s).)