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Environmental pollution, such as water contamination, is a critical issue that must be absolutely addressed. Here, three different morphologies of tungsten-based photocatalysts (WO 3 nanorods, WO 3 /WS 2 nanobricks, WO 3 /WS 2 nanorods) are made using a simple hydrothermal method by changing the solvents (H 2 O, DMF, aqueous HCl solution). The as-prepared nanocatalysts have excellent thermal stability, large porosity, and high hydrophilicity. The results show all materials have good photocatalytic activity in aqueous media, with WO 3 /WS 2 nanorods (NRs) having the best activity in the photodegradation of bisphenol A (BPA) under visible-light irradiation. This may originate from increased migration of charge carriers and effective prevention of electron‒hole recombination in WO 3 /WS 2 NRs, whereby this photocatalyst is able to generate more reactive •OH and •O 2 – species, leading to greater photocatalytic activity. About 99.6% of BPA is photodegraded within 60 min when using 1.5 g/L WO 3 /WS 2 NRs and 5.0 mg/L BPA at pH 7.0. Additionally, the optimal conditions (pH, catalyst dosage, initial BPA concentration) for WO 3 /WS 2 NRs are also elaborately investigated. These rod-like heterostructures are expressed as potential catalysts with excellent photostability, efficient reusability, and highly active effectivity in different types of water. In particular, the removal efficiency of BPA by WO 3 /WS 2 NRs reduces by only 1.5% after five recycling runs and even reaches 89.1% in contaminated lake water. This study provides promising insights for the nearly complete removal of BPA from wastewater or different water resources, which is advantageous to various applications in environmental remediation. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, Collective Intelligence has been widely applied to solve a wide range of complex problems. The underlying mechanism behind this notion is a group of individuals as a whole can display abilities not shown by individuals. In addition, the main aim of Collective Intelligence is to maximize groups' potential. Many studies have investigated analyzing the roles of collective characteristics in fostering collective intelligence. Independence is an important principle of collective intelligence beside diversity, decentralization, and aggregation. By independence, one can have in mind the phenomenon in which collective members are freely in providing individual solutions to a given problem. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of independence on collective performance. For such a task, we propose an independence measure by taking into account individual reputations and graph theory. Then computational experiments have been conducted to determine the impact of independence on collective performance. The findings have revealed the positive role of independence in fostering collective intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Recently, Collective Intelligence has been widely applied to solve a wide range of complex problems. The underlying mechanism behind this notion is a group of individuals as a whole can display abilities not shown by individuals. In addition, the main aim of Collective Intelligence is to maximize groups’ potential. Many studies have investigated analyzing the roles of collective characteristics in fostering collective intelligence. Independence is an important principle of collective intelligence beside diversity, decentralization, and aggregation. By independence, one can have in mind the phenomenon in which collective members are freely in providing individual solutions to a given problem. This paper presents an analysis of the impact of independence on collective performance. For such a task, we propose an independence measure by taking into account individual reputations and graph theory. Then computational experiments have been conducted to determine the impact of independence on collective performance. The findings have revealed the positive role of independence in fostering collective intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as a key focus in water treatment and monitoring due to their unique structural features, including extensive surface area, customizable porosity, reversible adsorption, and high catalytic efficiency. While numerous reviews have discussed MOFs in environmental remediation, this review specifically addresses recent advancements in modifying MOFs to enhance their effectiveness in water purification and monitoring. It underscores their roles as adsorbents, photocatalysts, and in luminescent and electrochemical sensing. Advancements such as pore modification, defect engineering, and functionalization, combined synergistically with advanced materials, have led to the development of recyclable MOF-based nano-adsorbents, Z-scheme photocatalytic systems, nanocomposites, and hybrid materials. These innovations have broadened the spectrum of removable contaminants and improved material recyclability. Additionally, this review delves into the creation of multifunctional MOF materials, the development of robust MOF variants, and the simplification of synthesis methods, marking significant progress in MOF sensor technology. Furthermore, the review addresses current challenges in this field and proposes potential future research directions and practical applications. The growing research interest in MOFs underscores the need for an updated synthesis of knowledge in this area, focusing on both current challenges and future opportunities in water remediation. [Display omitted] • Highlights the latest advancements in the modification of MOF-based materials. • Addresses the practical limitations of MOF-based adsorbents, photocatalysts, and sensors. • Enhances MOF uses via pore modification, recyclability, and multifunctionality. • Suggests future research directions for MOF-based materials in several aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the use of the wisdom of crowds (WoC) for finding solutions to a wide range of real-life problems has dramatically expanded. Prior studies have revealed that diversity, independence, decentralization, and aggregation are the determinants of collective wisdom. However, these findings are often based on the so-called point estimates - single values are used as the representations of individual predictions on the task of estimating unknown quantities or predicting outcomes of future events. In some situations, interval values, which are often called interval estimates, can be used for such representations. Accordingly, one can provide an individual prediction in the form of an interval value including a lower and an upper bounds. Taking into account this kind of representation, in this paper, we present a case study in which collectives of randomly selected predictions can outperform those of most accurate predictions. Then, we evaluate the WoC level by taking into account diversity and cardinality. The computational experiments have indicated that diversity is positively related to collective wisdom. Finally, we discuss some related theoretical and practical implications for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic water dissociation consists of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is an efficient process to create valuable fuels. But the slow OER reaction kinetics attributed to the multiple proton-coupled electron transport reaction and a high theoretical potential to a big challenge in industrial application. Hollow structures of cobalt-based electrocatalysts were considered a promising solution because of their inexpensiveness, low toxicity, large surface area, abundant exposed active sites, and adjustable elemental components. Also, hollow architectures could be used as ideal platforms for coating electrocatalysts to create beneficial effects. This study presented various strategies for generating hollow electrocatalysts, including template-assisted and template-free campaigns. Also, we summarized recent studies of Co-based electrocatalyst's hollow architectures for water splitting, which involves cobalt oxides, cobalt phosphides, cobalt selenides, cobalt sulfides, and cobalt-layered double hydroxides. Finally, the challenges and application prospects of hollow structural electrocatalysts for water dissociation are discussed. • Outstanding properties of hollow materials were introduced. • Potential properties of Co-based materials were presented. • Different Co-based hollow architectures for water splitting were discussed. • Future developments on hollow structures for water electrolysis have been suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, the complex degradation behavior of natural organic matter (NOM) was explored using photocatalytic oxidation systems with a novel catalyst based on a hybrid composite of zinc-bismuth oxides and g-C 3 N 4 (ZBO-CN). The photooxidation system demonstrated the effective removal of NOM under low-intensity visible light irradiation, presenting removal rates of 53–74% and 65–88% on the basis of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and the UV absorption coefficient (UV 254), respectively, at 1.5 g/L of the catalyst. The NOM removal showed an increasing trend with a higher ZBO-CN dose. Comparative experiments with the hole and OH radical scavengers revealed that the direct oxidation occurring on the catalyst's surface might be the governing photocatalytic mechanism. Fluorescence excitation emission matrix-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) revealed the individual removal behavior of the different constituents in bulk NOM. Different tendencies towards preferential adsorption and subsequent oxidative removal were found among dissimilar fluorescent components within a bulk terrestrial NOM, following the order of terrestrial humic-like (C1) > humic-like (C2) > microbial humic-like (C3) components. The result suggests the dominant operation of π-π and/or hydrophobic interactions between the NOM and the catalyst. The discriminative removal behavior was more pronounced in visible light versus UV-activated systems, probably due to the incapability of visible light to excite è - h+ pairs of ZnO and the triplet state of NOM. The high photoactivity and structural stability of ZBO-CN under visible light implies its potential for an effective, low-cost and energy-saving treatment technology to selectively remove large sized humic-like substances from water. Graphical abstract Image 1 Highlights • A novel photocatalyst, ZBO-CN, showed a good performance in NOM removal. • First study of NOM removal using g-C 3 N 4 -based photocatalyst under visible light. • Direct oxidation on the catalyst operates as a dominant removal mechanism. • Selective removal is more pronounced for visible light vs. UV-activated systems. • ZBO-CN system can be an effective energy-saving technology for NOM removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel synthesis and application of mpg-C3N4/EP as an effective floating photocatalyst. • Application of a floating visible light photocatalyst for NOM treatment for the first time. • Description of the complex NOM degradation mechanisms by EEM-PARAFAC. In-situ application of powdered photocatalysts in water systems is particularly challenging owing to intrinsic hurdles, such as submersion in water without stirring, limited light penetration, limited material recovery, and metal-leaking from the metallic materials used. In this study, a floating mpg-C 3 N 4 /extended perlite (EP) photocatalyst was synthesized and applied for the first time in the treatment of natural organic matter (NOM) under visible light, overcoming the majority of limitations of conventional powdered photocatalysts. With the addition of 0.8 mM H 2 O 2 , the mpg-C 3 N 4 /EP photocatalytic system generated active species · OH and · O 2 −, and removed 41.8 ± 1.3% of the starting NOM at 2 g L−1 after 5 h of operation. Fluorescence measurements revealed a pronounced adsorption affinity of the photocatalyst and more effective destruction of NOM towards its constituents with higher degrees of aromaticity and functionalization. This was accompanied by the production of low-molecular-weight phenolic structures as a result of the incomplete mineralization of humic-like substances. Significant correlations between two fluorescent components (i.e., C1 and C2) and dissolved organic carbon were found, suggesting that the identified components could be utilized as reliable optical surrogates for monitoring the decomposition of the heterogeneous NOM by photocatalysis using floating mpg-C 3 N 4 /EP. Some of the advantages of the floating mpg-C 3 N 4 /EP complex over conventional powdered mpg-C 3 N 4 for NOM treatment were: easy recovery, high performance without interference from common anions, and low dependency on stirring. Finally, the simple procedure to synthesize mpg-C 3 N 4 /EP facilitates its prospective industrial applications on a large scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humification is an environmentally important process that converts organic matter and/or pollutants into structurally refractory substances through various catalytic mechanisms. Humification is a major carbon sequestration strategy that can be enhanced using many biotic and abiotic catalysts. With the application of catalysts during composting, the content of humic substances can increase by more than 100% compared to control samples. Despite growing interest, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews of the different humification pathways driven by adding various types of catalysts. In this review, we consulted recent literature to compare catalysts with respect to their humification potentials, pathways, products, and operating conditions. We critically evaluated the advantages and limitations of individual catalysts to elucidate gaps in current knowledge and future research directions. In general, biotic catalysts show higher performance compared to metal oxides, whereas abiotic catalysts can be produced at a lower cost. Among the biotic catalysts, laccase is particularly attractive due to its eco-friendliness and high performance. Among abiotic catalysts, MnO 2 had the highest humification activity compared to other metal oxides, such as Fe 2 O 3 or Al 2 O 3 , whereas clays with a 2:1-layered structure demonstrated higher potential than did those with a 1:1 structure. More research is recommended using advanced techniques to provide a more comprehensive comparison of catalyst performance. Finally, we have discussed the potential of novel catalysts to enhance humification. [Display omitted] • Biotic catalysts have relatively high potential, while abiotic catalysts are cost-effective. • Laccase is more beneficial than other enzymes due to its eco-friendliness and high performance. • Among metal oxides, MnO 2 exhibits the highest humification potential due to its higher oxidation potential. • 2:1 layer silicates show a higher humification potential than 1:1 layer silicates. • Advanced catalysts, such as LDH, can replace conventional catalysts for humification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • First application of a magnetic visible light photocatalyst for NOM treatment. • The composite integrates the individual benefits of mpg-C 3 N 4 , Bi 2 WO 6 , and CuFe 2 O 4. • Optimal composite CBC-5 showed the highest performance in NOM removal. • First molecular-level investigation of NOM under a visible-light mediated photocatalysis. Despite growing interest in research on visible-light-driven photocatalysts, reusable photocatalysts have not been extensively developed for the treatment of natural organic matter (NOM), because such development requires an understanding of the complex NOM structures. In this study, we combined the individual benefits of CuFe2O4, Bi2WO6, and mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (mpg-C3N4) to prepare a magnetic, visible-light-driven photocatalytic composite, CBC-5, for effectively removing NOM in a short period of time. The degradation mechanisms were further explored at the molecular level through ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry. Broad light absorbance and charge transmission based on a dual S-scheme pathway allowed CBC-5 to generate multiple active agents, OH (49.7 %), O2− (27.6 %), and h+ (24.8 %), which ultimately led to the removal of 7.9 mgC of NOM per 0.9 g of CBC-5 in 6 h. Humic-like fluorophores were preferentially degraded, followed by the generation of simple phenolic components as by-products. Molecular-level investigation revealed that the NOM structures with high degree of unsaturation and functionalization were preferentially attacked by the radicals. Oxygenic groups were formed upon the oxidation of the unsaturated bonds and the functional groups having a low oxidation state of carbon (OSc) before the degradation of the carboxyl-rich alicyclic molecules. NOM degradation was prioritized in the following order: CHON > CHO > CHOS. Oxidative deamination is attributed to the preferential degradation of N -containing compounds, which are partially transformed to CHO compounds. CHOS compounds enriched with aliphatic organosulfates were recalcitrant to photocatalytic oxidation. Thus, CBC-5 demonstrated convenient magnetic recovery, stable performance, and high recyclability and can be applied as a promising NOM treatment agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic ZnFe 2 O 4 /BiVO 4 /g-C 3 N 4 (ZBC) composites were prepared via a facile hydrothermal and calcination method for the degradation of a representative antibiotics lomefloxacin (LFX) under visible light irradiation. The optimal photocatalyst ZBC-10 with a ZnFe 2 O 4 :BiVO 4 :g-C 3 N 4 mass ratio of 1:8:10 performed 96.1% removal of LFX after 105 min of illumination. The excellent performance is ascribed to the effective construction of heterojunctions and its capacity to form a double Z-scheme charge transmission pathway among the hosts in ZBC-10. The composite enhanced the separation and migration of photoexcited charge carriers and the effective generation of multiple active radicals including · OH, · O 2 −, and 1O 2. The LFX degradation process, identified based on an integrated HPLC-Q-TOF-MS analysis and density functional theory computation of the Fukui indices, comprised of three pathways initiated by the opening of the piperazinyl ring, separation of piperazinyl and quinoline moieties, and cleavage of the pyridine ring on the quinoline moieties. Ecotoxicological evaluation confirmed the reduced toxicity of transformation intermediates over photocatalysis. Convenient magnetic recovery, high performance, and high recyclability made ZBC-10 a promising visible-light-activated photocatalyst for practical implementation in eliminating antibiotics from wastewater. [Display omitted] • An efficient photocatalyst was synthesized for LFX removal under visible light. • Optimal composite ZBC-10 showed an excellent performance in LFX removal. • It featured wide-range VL-harvesting ability and effective double Z-scheme separation. • Degradation pathways were unraveled using HPLC-Q-TOF-MS and DFT computation. • Ecotoxicity of LFX and its intermediates are evaluated using multiple methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an integrated system of self-enhanced membrane distillation (MD) with H 2 O 2 oxidation was explored for the efficient treatment of landfill leachate, in which the heat energy required for MD operation was harvested for H 2 O 2 activation. Organic composition of the leachate was explored during the filtration processes via fluorescence excitation emission matrix combined with parallel factor analysis, which identified three different organic fractions (i.e., tryptophan-like C1, fulvic-like C2, and humic-like C3) in the extracted membrane foulants as well as in the membrane concentrate. C1 was the main organic fraction in the foulant, while C3 was dominant in the leachate concentrate. Moreover, H 2 O 2 was successfully activated by the in situ thermal energy (i.e., temperature difference) and pristine Fe ions in the leachate, resulting in significant (48%) oxidation of bulk organic matter. Preferential removal of the main fouling fraction (i.e., C1) from the bulk landfill leachate occurred under the optimal H 2 O 2 dose of 1.5 g/L. With respect to the H 2 O 2 dose on the feed side of the assisted MD setup, there was a considerable increase in the membrane flux, a 24% higher membrane flux recovery, and 1.5 times more filtered volume, as compared to the reference run without oxidation. The addition of H 2 O 2 to the conventional MD also led to a significant (93%) removal of the bio-refractory humic-like C3 fraction from the membrane concentrate. The results of this study demonstrated the successful operation of assisted MD based on the in-situ energy utilization for H 2 O 2 activation, which led to a drastic improvement in the performance of the system and the production of low-strength, reclaimable leachate concentrate. [Display omitted] • In-situ thermal energy was utilized to trigger H 2 O 2 oxidation in MD system. • Low MW (tryptophan-like) component was highly associated with organic fouling. • Assisted oxidation mitigated membrane fouling by 24% and enhanced filtered volume up to 1.5 times. • Produced membrane concentrate from assisted MD was lower in DOC (∼63%) and more biodegradable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) has received significant attention as a non-metallic, visible-light-activated photocatalyst for treating water and wastewater by degrading contaminants. Accordingly, previous review articles have focused on the photocatalytic properties of g–C 3 N 4 –based materials. However, g-C 3 N 4 has several other notable features, such as high adsorption affinity towards aromatic substances and heavy metals, high thermal and chemical resistances, good compatibility with various materials, and easily scalable synthesis; therefore, in addition to simple photocatalysis, it can be widely used in other decontamination systems based on activation of oxidants and electrocatalysis. This critical review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in g–C 3 N 4 –based materials and their use in treating polluted water and wastewater via the following routes (1) activation of oxidizing agents (e.g., hydrogen peroxide, ozone, peroxymonosulfate, and persulfate): and (2) photoelectrocatalysis using fabricated g–C 3 N 4 –based photocathodes and photoanodes. For each route, we briefly summarize the primary mechanisms, distinctive features, and performances of various water treatment systems using g–C 3 N 4 –based catalysts. We also highlight the specific roles of g-C 3 N 4 in improving the efficiencies of these treatment processes. The advantages and limitations of previously reported water treatment systems using g–C 3 N 4 –based materials are also described and compared in this review. Finally, we discuss the challenges and prospects of improving g–C 3 N 4 –based water purification applications. [Display omitted] • Recent advancements of g–C 3 N 4 –based materials in activation of oxidants and photoelectrocatalysis. • Basic mechanisms, unique features, and performance of C 3 N 4 -based systems are investigated. • Specific roles of g-C 3 N 4 in water treatment systems are discussed. • Challenges and prospects for improving g–C 3 N 4 –based water purification are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main contribution of this work consists of combining a heuristic method for propagation of matchable concepts and using consensus techniques for conflict resolution for fuzzy ontology integration. Two central observations behind this approach are as follows: (1) if two concepts across different source ontologies equivalently match each other, then their neighboring concepts will be often matched as well; and (2) conflicts regarding integration of multiple ontologies can be resolved by creating a consensus among the conflict ontological entities. The key idea of the first observation is to start from an aligned pair of concepts (calledmedoids) to determine so-called potentially common parts to provide additional suggestions for possible matching concepts. This approach is used to obtain pairs of matchable concepts and to avoid pairs of mismatching concepts. On the other hand, the second observation is used to discover a new merged concept from matched concepts by making a consensus among conflict ontological entities. This idea is to determine the best representative as the merged version of the component ones. A combination of both observations for fuzzy ontology integration is a significant contribution of this work. The results of the experiments imply that the proposed approach is effective with regard to both completeness and accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • First study on EfOM removal using NGQD/nsC 3 N 4 /Bi 2 WO 6 photocatalyst under visible light. • Optimal microsphere composite NCB-1 showed a high performance in EfOM removal. • Wide-range visible light-harvesting ability and effective Z-scheme separation enhanced the performance. • Complex EfOM removal behavior was unraveled by using EEM-PARAFAC and SEC-OCD. The diminishing availability of clean water resources has led to a high demand for advanced, effective wastewater effluent reclamation techniques. In this study, a new microsphere composite of nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots, nanosheet C 3 N 4 , and Bi 2 WO 6 was synthesized and characterized to examine its feasibility as a visible light-activated photocatalyst for wastewater reclamation. At the optimal dose of 1 g•L−1 under 6 h of illumination, the composite exhibited a high removal capability for effluent organic matter (82.8 ± 1.6%). Its high performance and stability over multiple cycles are attributed to two factors: (1) its harvesting ability over a wide range of the visible light region and (2) its ability to separate photoinduced charge carriers effectively, which is driven by the efficient interfacial contact of the hosts and inclusion of the photosensitized nitrogen-doped graphene oxide quantum dots in the structural network. The complex effluent organic matter removal process of the compound was further examined by fluorescence spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed that humic-like components with a higher degree of aromatic condensation and greater molecular size were preferentially removed by photocatalysis. Protein-like components were removed more rapidly than the humic-like components due to the synergetic effects of OH and 1O 2 on the rapid decomposition of low-molecular-weight compounds. Size exclusion chromatography revealed that the photocatalytic system preferentially removed larger molecules via adsorption and oxidation; however, smaller size fractions might be produced via the breakdown of biopolymer and humic substance fractions in effluent organic matter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many research results have documented the powerful role of collective intelligence solving a wide range of problems. Such a role has been often called collective intelligence, which is commonly considered as a group of members acting as single unit can outperform any single individual (even an expert). Arguably, the main objective of collective intelligence is to maximize the ability of a collective of members that is not shown by members acting individually. However, not all collectives are intelligent, an intelligent collective is characterized by diversity, independence, decentralization, and aggregation. In this paper, we present recent research results on the use of collective intelligence in social networks. Then, a framework for collective intelligence in social networks with these characterizations is also introduced. Finally, research challenges on enhancing collective intelligence in social networks have also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humification offers a promising avenue for sequestering dissolved organic carbon while facilitating environmental cleanup. In this study, CuMgFe layered double oxides (LDO) were applied as a catalyst to replace conventional enzymes, such as laccase, thereby enhancing the in vitro polyphenol-Maillard humification reaction. CuMgFe LDO was synthesized through calcination of CuMgFe layered double hydroxides (LDH) at 500 °C for 5 h. A suite of characterization methods confirmed the successful formation into mixed oxides (Cu 2 O, CuO, MgO, FeO, and Fe 2 O 3) after thermal treatment. A rapid humification reaction was observed with CuMgFe LDO, occurring within a two-week span, likely due to a distinct synergy between copper and iron elements. Subsequent analyses identified that MgO in CuMgFe LDO also played a pivotal role in humification by stabilizing the pH of the reaction. In the absence of magnesium, LDO's humification activity was more pronounced in the early stages of the reaction, but it rapidly diminished as the reaction progressed. The efficiency of CuMgFe LDO was heightened at elevated temperatures (35 °C), while light conditions manifested a discernible effect, with a modest decrease in humification efficacy under indoor light exposure. CuMgFe LDO surpassed both laccase and MgFe LDH in performance, boasting a superior humification efficiency relative to its precursor, CuMgFe LDH. The catalysts' humification activity was modulated by their crystallinity and valence dynamics. Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) results suggested that introducing the amino acid, glycine, expedited the CuMgFe LDO-fueled humification, enhancing the formation of C–N and C–C bonds in the resultant products. The humic-like substances derived from the catalyst-enhanced reaction displayed an elevated presence of aromatic configurations and a richer array of oxygen functional groups in comparison to a typical commercial humic material. [Display omitted] • CuMgFe LDO is introduced as a novel humification catalyst, replacing laccase. • CuMgFe LDO outperforms other comparable catalysts in humification efficiency. • CuMgFe LDO exhibits the high crystallinity and the valence cycling between Cu and Fe. • The role of MgO in CuMgFe LDO is highlighted. • CuMgFe LDO promotes glycine's role in the polyphenol-Maillard reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new method utilizing fluorescent ratiometry is proposed for detecting putrescine and spermidine. The method involves the use of a fluorescent probe comprising a 2D halide perovskite synthesized from octadecylamine-iodine and PbI2via a grinding-sonicating technique, along with a Eu3+-complex. Upon excitation at 290 nm, the probe fluoresces at two distinguishable wavelengths. The addition of putrescine and spermidine significantly decreases the emission of the 2D halide perovskite at 496 nm, while the emission of the Eu3+-complex at 618 nm remains stable. The color changes of the probe depend on the concentration of putrescine and spermidine, and the assay offers linearity over a wide concentration range (30–4000 ng mL−1), a low detection limit (4 ng mL−1 for putrescine, and 7 ng mL−1 for spermidine), and a quick response time. Furthermore, a portable device based on a smartphone can be used to record the color change of the paper test strip using the prepared fluorescent materials. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of the probe is explained as dynamic quenching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a nano-sheet C 3 N 4 -WO 3 composite (nsCW21) was applied as a visible-light active photocatalyst to degrade natural organic matter (NOM). The nsCW21 photocatalyst exhibited a higher removal efficiency for NOM than the bare host and other composite counterparts due to the effective separation of the charge carriers in the Z-scheme pathway. The addition of H 2 O 2 resulted in the enhanced photocatalytic performance via the generation of hydroxyl radicals from the catalyst with an NOM removal rate of up to 71% for 5 h. The catalyst showed a considerable stability, which held a good NOM degradation efficiency during five cycle runs. The complex NOM removal behavior was unraveled by using a fluorescence excitation emission matrix-parallel factor analysis and a two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The large sized and the terrestrial humic-like component exhibited a high adsorption tendency toward the catalyst and was degraded primarily by h+, while a typical humic-like component, which is mainly removed by .OH, displayed a high degradation rate constant (k = 0.159 h−1). The 2D-COS revealed the sequence of the preferable removal among the different NOM functional groups in the nsCW21 system with H 2 O 2 addition, which occurred in the order of open ring reaction > oxygenated functional groups > the transformation into aliphatic compounds/inorganic moieties. Meanwhile, the hybrid system that employed ultrafiltration as a post-treatment demonstrated synergetic effects on the improved effectiveness for NOM removal in the overall system, which was a total of 91%, of the residuals from the precedent photocatalysis as well as alleviating the membrane fouling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, fly ash (FA) and biochar (BC), two common industrial byproducts, were activated and surface-modified with polyethyleneimine (PEI) to enhance their capacities to remove natural organic matter (NOM) from water via adsorption. Different fluorescent components were identified using fluorescence excitation-emission matrix coupled with parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC) to explore the individual adsorption behaviors of different organic constituents in a bulk NOM. The NOM adsorption was quantitatively examined via adsorption isotherm and kinetics models. Compared to the pristine adsorbents, the functionalized adsorbent with increased surface area and positive surface charge achieved higher NOM adsorption. By evaluating the adsorptive behaviors of UV-absorbing and fluorescent moieties, it was concluded that the operative mechanism of adsorption included electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interaction. At the optimal pH of 3, the surface-modified FA and BC (i.e., FA-PEI and BC-PEI) had adsorption capacities for NOM that were ∼3 times higher than the capacities of the pristine materials. Due to its aromatic features, π-π interaction may have enhanced BC and BC-PEI selective adsorption of aromatic NOM components compared to FA and FA-PEI. Kinetic modelling showed that the mesopores of FA-PEI were available for NOM adsorption and diffusion of NOM molecules into the mesoporous structures was rate-limiting. On the other hand, PEI-modification may have further reduced NOM diffusion through the narrow micropores in BC such that external adsorption primarily occurred on BC-PEI. The modified adsorbents showed a faster adsorption kinetics than the pristine counterparts and a high durability in repeated adsorption-desorption cycles. Image 1 • Two industrial by-products are activated and surface-modified for NOM removal. • FA-PEI and BC-PEI showed enhanced adsorption for NOM than the pristine ones. • PEI-modification increased surface areas and positive surface charges of adsorbents. • Preferential adsorption of aromatic molecules may occur through π-π interaction. • Reduced NOM diffusion through micropores led to fast adsorption onto BC-PEI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of connecting billions of people around the world through network is the main characteristic of cyber‐physical systems production. To date, social web, virtual communities, and information sharing have been considered as additional sources of information, knowledge which is often referred to as the wisdom of crowds for information retrieval. In these cases, there exists a need to integrate all individual knowledge states originating from different sources concerning some common problems in the real world. Knowledge integration is considered as the key to improve decision quality and enhance the core competency of organizations. For such a task, the most important issue is processing inconsistency of knowledge. The first part of the paper presents an overview of consensus‐based approaches to processing collective inconsistency arising in the integration process. In addition, some issues concerning knowledge integration such as multi‐level integration and knowledge increase in a collective are also devoted. Furthermore, we will investigate the research problem concerning the role of collective knowledge in Collective Intelligence. This article is categorized under:Technologies > Data PreprocessingFundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Knowledge RepresentationFundamental Concepts of Data and Knowledge > Big Data Mining [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Green synthesis and nanomaterials have been the current trends in biomedical materials. In this study, Piper chaudocanum L. leaf extract-doped ZnO nanoparticles (PLE-doped ZnO NPs), a novel nanomaterial, were studied including the synthesis process, and the biomedical activity was evaluated. PLE-doped ZnO NPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method, with differences in the synthesis procedures and dosages of the extract. The X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectrum analysis results showed that the biosynthesized PLE-doped ZnO NPs were pure and in a hexagonal wurtzite phase. The PLE-doped NPs were synthesized by adding the extract to the zinc acetate solution before adjusting the pH and exhibited the smallest size (ZPS50 was 22 nm), the richest in the surface organic functional groups and the best optical activity. The highest antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa and S. aureus was observed at 100 µg/mL of ZPS50 NPs, and the inhibition zone reached 42 and 39 nm, respectively. Moreover, ZPS50 NPs showed a moderate effectiveness against KB cancer cells with an IC50 value of 43.53 ± 2.98 µg/mL. This present study's results suggested that ZPS50 NPs could be a promising nanomaterial in developing drugs for treating human epithelial carcinoma cells and infectious illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Perovskite LaZnO 3 photocatalyst was synthesized for SMZ removal under visible light. • Good light absorption and suitable energy levels eased the creation of radicals. • Degradation pathways were unraveled using RP-HPLC/Q-TOF-MS and DFT computation. • Toxicity of SMZ and its intermediates was evaluated using QSAR. In this work, the perovskite LaZnO 3 was synthesized via sol-gel method and applied for photocatalytic treatment of sulfamethizole (SMZ) antibiotics under visible light activation. SMZ was almost completely degraded (99.2% ± 0.3%) within 4 hr by photocatalyst LaZnO 3 at the optimal dosage of 1.1 g/L, with a mineralization proportion of 58.7% ± 0.4%. The efficient performance of LaZnO 3 can be attributed to its wide-range light absorption and the appropriate energy band edge levels, which facilitate the formation of active agents such as · O 2 −, h+, and · OH. The integration of RP-HPLC/Q-TOF-MS and DFT-based computational techniques revealed three degradation pathways of SMZ, which were initiated by the deamination reaction at the aniline ring, the breakdown of the sulfonamide moieties, and a process known as Smile-type rearrangement and SO 2 intrusion. Corresponding toxicity of SMZ and the intermediates were analyzed by quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR), indicating the effectiveness of LaZnO 3 -based photocatalysis in preventing secondary pollution of the intermediates to the ecosystem during the degradation process. The visible-light-activated photocatalyst LaZnO 3 exhibited efficient performance in the occurrence of inorganic anions and maintained high durability across multiple recycling tests, making it a promising candidate for practical antibiotic treatment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collective knowledge is often determined on the basis of the knowledge states of members of a collective about a subject in the real world. The real knowledge state about this subject exists, but it’s not known by the collective members. With the objective case, we assume that the real knowledge state about this subject exists independently of the knowledge states given by the collective members, whose knowledge states reflect the real knowledge state to some degree because of incompleteness and uncertainty. The inconsistency degree is understood as the coherence level of the knowledge states of the collective members. In this study we analyze the influence of the inconsistency degree of a collective on the quality of collective knowledge for the objective case. The quality measure is based on the distance from the collective knowledge to the real knowledge state. For this aim, based on the Euclidean space, the hypothesis “the higher the inconsistency, the better the quality of collective knowledge” will be proved. Also, the upper limit of the difference between the real knowledge state and the collective knowledge is also investigated. The upper limit means the maximal value that the difference between them does not exceed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social TV represents a new form of shopping that enables consumers to view, select and buy products. This highlights the need for a collaborative video annotation technique. This paper proposes a collaborative algorithm for semantic video annotation using consensus-based social network analysis (SNA). The collaborative video annotation process is organized based on social networks. Here, the media content is shared with friends of friends who collaboratively annotate it. This study used an ontology-based approach to semantically describe the media content and allow sharing between users. A consensus-based method was used to reconcile conflicts between participants’ annotations. The experimental results indicated that the use of SNA-based collaboration criteria to evaluate the collaborative process enhances the completeness and consistency of collaborative annotation. The more the collaboration criteria are satisfied by the collaborative group, the faster the group will reach a consensus. In addition, the consensus-based method is an effective approach for resolving conflicts on collaborative annotation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Aminobenzoate-defected UiO-66(Zr)–NH 2 was produced by continuous-flow synthesis. • Defective AUiO-66-NH 3 + exhibited enhanced adsorption capacity for NCCs in n -octane. • AUiO-66-NH 3 + pellets treated NCCs effectively under continuous fixed-bed conditions. • The adsorption mechanisms of NCCs onto the adsorbents were revealed. In this work, imperfection UiO-66-NH 2 frameworks (AUiO-66-NH 2) were engineered and scalably produced by a continuous flow method with the assistance of 4-aminobenzoate (ABA) modulators. ABA modulators competed with MOF ligands to bond to Zr4+ clusters under continuous flow conditions, producing AUiO-66-NH 2 frameworks containing aminobenzoate linkers and ligand-missing defects. The average ligand deficiency per Zr 6 unit of defective AUiO-66(Zr)–NH 2 framework ranged from 0.75 ∼ 2.36 upon changing ABA/H 2 N-BDC molar ratio and reaction temperature, thereby adjusting their porosity and exposing more metal open sites of Zr4+. The batch removal of N-containing compounds (NCCs), including quinoline (QUN) and 2-methyl pyrrole (MPR) in n -octane indicated that the ABA-modulated UiO-66-NH 2 samples had improved adsorption capability compared to the perfect MOF. Noticeably, the adsorption performances were further enhanced by protonating 2.5AUiO-66-NH 2 to 2.5AUiO-66-NH 3 + owing to the synergetic effects of acid-base interaction, H-bonds, cation-π interactions, and π-π stacking interactions between adsorbent and adsorbate. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations further revealed that the NCCs preferably accumulated onto the protonated AUiO-66-NH 3 + rather than AUiO-66-NH 2. The AUiO-66-NH 3 + exhibited adsorbing capacities of ∼204 mg/g and ∼275 mg/g for MPR and QUN, respectively, and obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Finally, the continuous fixed-bed adsorptions of these NCCs in model fuel over the AUiO-66-NH 3 + pellets (3 mm × 6 mm) showed that 1.0 g of adsorbent can purify with ∼28 L and ∼49 L liquid fuel containing MPR and QUN with a concentration of 1 mg L−1. These state that combining continuous-flow synthesis and defect engineering of the UiO-66-NH 2 could be a promising strategy to produce efficient adsorbent materials for upgrading liquid fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of uniform nanostructure with larger surface area electrodes is a huge challenge for the high-value added energy storage application. Herein, we demonstrates ZIF67@ZIF8 (core-shell) and ZIF8@ZIF67 (reverse core-shell) nanostructures using a low-cost wet chemical route and used them as supercapacitors. Pristine ZIF-67 and ZIF-8 was used as reference electrodes. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between the ZIF8 and ZIF67, the ZIF8@ZIF67 exhibited the outstanding electrochemical consequences owing to its larger surface area with uniform hexagonal morphology. As optimized ZIF8@ZIF67 nanostructure displayed the high-capacity of 1521 F/g at 1 A/g of current density in a three-electrode assembly in 1 M KOH electrolyte compared with other as-fabricated electrodes. In addition, the ZIF8@ZIF67 nanostructure employed into the symmetric supercapacitors (SSCs) with 1 M KOH electrolyte in two-electrode setup and it exhibited still superior output including capacity (249.8 F/g at 1 A/g), remarkable repeatability (87 % over 10,000 GCD cycles) along with high energy and power density (61.2 Wh/kg & 1260 W/kg). The present study uncovers the relationship between the larger surface area and electrocatalyst performance, supporting an effective approach to prepare favorable materials for enhanced capacity, extended lifespan, and energy density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of efficient but long-term stable photocatalysts for removal of organic pollutants from water sources is still a huge challenge up to date. In this study, palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) were dispersed on the surface of boron nitride nanotube (BNNT), a series of Pd@BNNT hybrid was synthesized using a one-step and cost-effective ultrasonication method, and the photocatalytic performance were investigated. By increasing the ultrasonication time, productivity of the Pd NPs on BNNT was increased and also obtained the uniform nanostructure, thereby enhancing the specific surface area, which is the promising attribute for the efficient removal of organic pollutants. In this regard, the Pd@BNNT3 hybrid shows higher photocatalytic performance with respect to other catalysts against the crystal violet and levofloxacin, 97.6%/50 min, and 97.7%/40 min respectively. Further, a reusability test was conducted for the Pd@BNNT3 hybrid by using the CV over seven consecutive cycles. Approximately, 24.7% photocatalytic efficiency was lost in the final catalytic activity owing to its particle loss (7.2%). Significantly, the structure of the Pd@BNNT3 catalyst did not change even after measuring the reusability seven times, suggesting that the catalyst has a stable morphology. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is attributed to the larger specific surface area (128 m2/g) of Pd@BNNT3 hybrid, which enhance the production of the visible light induced radical oxygen species. As a summary, the efficient photocatalyst developed in this study can eliminating the organic contaminants from the wastewater source and is a highly promising solution for tackling wastewater treatment challenges in the near future. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Excitation range is utilized from UV-Vis to IR light range. • Strong and stable photoluminescence and upconversion luminescence. • As a promise material for working electrode of dye sensitized solar cell. [Display omitted] The optical properties and applications of lanthanide-doped upconversion materials have been emerged due to their advantages such as high penetrated length, low ratios of signal and noise, and low toxicity. In this study, we present the preparation of Sr 2 YF 7 (SYF) doped with Yb3+, Er3+, and Eu3+ ions and its application as a component of the working electrode for solar cells. The prepared material exhibits strong upconversion emission, which originated from Yb-Er pairs under an excitation of 980 nm wavelength, and down-shifting emission-related with Eu3+ ions. The material was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), FE-SEM, and fluorescent spectroscopy. The performance of color emission was evaluated by Commission International de I′Eclairage (CIE) chromaticity coordinates. J-V measurements were performed for estimating the contribution of the prepared material on the power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells. The power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells containing SYF3-coated TiO 2 was increased by 20.9% versus those using undoped SYF - TiO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]