Search Results (575)

Silica–zirconia nanoparticles were successfully synthesised using the precipitation process. The surface area and shape of the Si-ZrO₂ nanoparticles were investigated using BET, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The HRTEM results demonstrate that silica was successfully integrated into ZrO₂ nanoparticles with a mixture of nanorod and nanosphere shapes. The element analysis (EDX) reveals the presence of silica (14.61%) and zirconia (1.18%) nanoparticles, as well as oxygen (83.65) on the surface. The BET results demonstrate a larger surface area of 185 m²/g and pore volume (0.14 cm³/g). The XRD measurements confirmed the transition of amorphous silica into the monoclinic phase of the zirconia nanoparticles. The electrochemical characteristics of the silica–zirconia nanoparticles were tested in a potassium chloride solution. With a large specific surface area and an appropriate pore size distribution, a pair of broad and symmetric redox peaks were centred at −0.15 V and 0.6 V. Full article

Chlorine plays an essential role in various industries, such as wastewater treatment, disinfection, plastics, and pharmaceuticals, contributing to a significant global demand. Traditional methods of chlorine production, including chemical reactions involving manganese dioxide, potassium chlorate, and potassium permanganate, as well as the electrolysis of saturated salt solutions, are associated with safety and efficiency concerns. This study introduces a novel approach for the photoelectrocatalytic production of chlorine gas through the oxidation of chloride ions in potassium chloride solutions using a dual semiconductor photoelectrode system composed of TiO₂ and Cu₂O. By harnessing solar energy, this system enables the concurrent, safe, and efficient production of both chlorine and hydrogen gases. The TiO₂ photoelectrode is employed for chlorine production, while Cu₂O is used for hydrogen generation. The dual photoelectrode system mimics the process of electrolytic seawater electrolysis, offering a promising alternative to conventional methods. Through linear sweep voltammetry, current–time tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, we demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, supported by a detailed analysis of the energy band structure. Additionally, the material’s characteristics were verified using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This work not only provides a safer and more efficient method for chlorine production but also highlights the potential of solar-powered photoelectrocatalysis in large-scale applications. These findings point toward a sustainable and environmentally friendly direction for chlorine production under simulated seawater conditions, with significant implications for renewable energy-driven industrial processes. Full article

Salmonella is one of the most significant zoonotic and foodborne pathogens, and it is the leading cause of bacterial diarrhea. In this study, 156 retail meat samples were collected from three supermarkets and one local wet market in Sichuan, China, including 96 chicken samples and 60 pork samples. The prevalence of Salmonella in these samples was analyzed, and 91 samples (58.33%) tested positive, with 60 (62.5%) positive chicken samples and 31 (51.67%) positive pork samples. From these positive samples, 190 Salmonella isolates were confirmed by double PCR. Subsequent serotyping identified nine serovars, with the predominant ones being S. London (58.94%), S. Typhimurium (12.58%), and S. Enteritidis (10.60%). Antibiotic susceptibility test revealed that 168 isolates (88.42%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and 150 isolates (78.95%) were resistant to three or more antibiotics. The highest resistance rates were observed for ampicillin (83.16%), followed by tetracycline (76.31%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (67.37%). In the disinfectant susceptibility test, Salmonella isolates exhibited higher resistance rates to benzalkonium bromide (100%) and benzalkonium chloride (97.37%), while showing a lower resistance rate to potassium monopersulfate triple salt (33.6%). These findings highlight the high prevalence of Salmonella and its significant resistance to antibiotics and disinfectants, indicating that effective measures must be implemented to ensure the microbiological safety of retail meat. Full article

Soil salinization, which is second only to soil erosion in terms of soil degradation, significantly hinders crop growth and development, leading to reduced yields. This study investigated the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense mechanisms of four ancient hulled wheat species under salt stress, with and without exogenous glycine betaine (0.5 mM). We aimed to assess the salt tolerance of these species and their potential for cultivation in saline/sodic soils. Our findings indicate that sodium and potassium chloride concentrations exceeding 100 mM induce significant stress in hulled wheat. However, combined salt stress (sodium and potassium chloride) reduced this stress by approximately 20–30%. Furthermore, exogenous glycine betaine supplementation almost completely alleviated the negative effects of salt stress, particularly in Triticum boeoticum. This species exhibited a remarkable ability to restore normal growth functions under these conditions. Our results suggest that ancient hulled wheat, especially T. boeoticum, may be a promising candidate for cultivation in sodium-saline soils. By supplementing with potassium fertilizers in addition to nitrogen, plants can effectively control salt influx into their cells and maintain intracellular K⁺/Na⁺ balance, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of salinity stress. This approach has the potential to increase crop yields and enhance food security in saline environments. Full article

A comparison between the gel properties of blends of kappa- and iota-carrageenans (K+Is) and hybrid carrageenans (KIs) with equivalent chemical compositions is here presented. The objective is to assess under which conditions hybrid carrageenans are valuable alternative to blends of kappa- and iota-carrageenans for gelling applications and to contribute to the identification of phase-separated structures or co-aggregated helices. Phase states constructed in sodium chloride and in potassium chloride confirm that KIs build gels under a much narrower range of ionic strength and polysaccharide concentration. Hybrid carrageenans displayed salt specificity, forming gels in KCl but not in NaCl, highlighting their limited gelling potential in Na⁺ environments. A two-step gelation mechanism was found in both systems at lower ionic strengths and when iota carrageenan is the major component. The shear elastic moduli of KI gels are overall smaller than those of blends, but the opposite is observed at lower ionic strengths in KCl and in systems richer in iota-carrageenans. The nonlinear elastic properties of gels do not relate to the use of blends or hybrid carrageenans for their formulation. Instead, larger contents in iota-carrageenans lead to gels able to sustain larger strains before yielding to a fluid state. However, these gels are more prone to strain softening, whereas strain hardening is measured in gels containing more kappa-carrageenan, irrespective of their blend or hybrid structure. Full article

Rising soil salinity poses significant challenges to Mediterranean viticulture. While some rootstocks effectively reduce salt accumulation in grafted scions, the mechanisms and performance of novel rootstocks remain largely unexplored. This study compared two novel M-series rootstocks (M2, M4) with established commercial rootstocks (1103 Paulsen, R110) to evaluate their physiological responses and salt tolerance under irrigation with varying salinity levels (0, 25, 50, and 75 mM NaCl) over 5 months. Growth parameters, photosynthetic efficiency, chlorophyll content (SPAD), ion homeostasis, and visual symptoms were monitored. Results revealed genotype-specific strategies: 1103 Paulsen exhibited robust photosynthetic efficiency and ion exclusion, maintaining growth and chlorophyll stability; M2 demonstrated superior biomass retention and moderate ion compartmentalization but showed reduced photosynthetic performance at higher salinity levels; R110 displayed effective ion management at moderate salinity but experienced significant growth reduction under severe stress; and M4 was the most sensitive, with severe reductions in growth and ion homeostasis. Organ-specific responses highlighted roots acting as primary ion reservoirs, particularly for sodium and calcium; leaves exhibited high potassium and chloride concentrations, critical for photosynthesis but prone to ionic imbalance under stress; and stems and wood played a buffering role, compartmentalizing excess sodium and minimizing damage to photosynthetic tissues. The reported findings provide valuable insights for rootstock selection and breeding programs, particularly for regions facing increasing soil and water salinization challenges. Full article

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes pulmonary edema, which disrupts the lung alveoli–capillary barrier and leads to pulmonary cell apoptosis, the main cause of death. However, the molecular mechanism behind SARS-CoV-2’s apoptotic activity remains unknown. Here, we revealed that SARS-CoV-2-ORF-3a mediates the pulmonary pathology associated with SARS-CoV-2, which is demonstrated by the fact that it causes lung tissue damage. The in vitro results showed that SARS-CoV-2-ORF-3a triggers cell death via the disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis, which is modulated through the regulation of Mitochondrial ATP-sensitive Potassium Channel (MitoK^ATP). The addition of exogenous Potassium (K⁺) in the form of potassium chloride (KCl) attenuated mitochondrial apoptosis along with the inflammatory interferon response (IFN-β) triggered by SARS-ORF-3a. The addition of exogenous K⁺ strongly suggests that dysregulation of K⁺ ion channel function is the central mechanism underlying the mitochondrial dysfunction and stress response induced by SARS-CoV-2-ORF-3a. Our results designate that targeting the potassium channel or its interactions with ORF-3a may represent a promising therapeutic strategy to mitigate the damaging effects of infection with SARS-CoV-2. Full article

The accumulation of biofilms can potentially be very costly in terms of damage to mechanical systems and health impact on the human body. Space travel, especially long-term space travel, compounds the complications that arise from the accumulation of biofilms because of the lack of access to resources. This study investigates the ability of polyampholyte copolymer thin films to reduce bacteria adhesion in microgravity. Copolymer systems of [2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride (TMA) and 2-carboxyethyl acrylate (CAA) and TMA and 3-sulfopropyl methacrylate potassium salt (SA) have previously shown resistance to bacteria adhesion under gravity-impacted conditions. However, their performance under microgravity conditions has never been evaluated. A self-contained payload was designed around multiple constraints to evaluate the ability of the TMA/CAA and TMA/SA thin film coatings to reduce the adhesion and biofilm formation of Staphylococcus epidermidis on aluminum test coupons in microgravity in an experiment conducted onboard the International Space Station (ISS). An Earth-based, gravity-impacted study was completed in parallel with the ISS experiment. The samples were then analyzed on the macroscale using photography and the microscale using confocal microscopy imaging to determine biofilm formation and bacteria attachment, respectively. The percentage of each sample covered by bacteria and/or biofilm was characterized and compared amongst the coating types and gravity exposure conditions. The TMA/SA coatings showed the lowest levels of bacteria adhesion and biofilm formation overall. The TMA/CAA coatings showed the largest reduction in bacteria adhesion and biofilm formation when comparing adhesion between the microgravity- and gravity-impacted samples. Therefore, both the copolymers demonstrate promise for bacteria-resistant coatings in microgravity. Full article

Membrane processes are a reality in a wide range of industrial applications, and efforts to continuously enhance their performance are being pursued. The major drawbacks encountered are related to the minimization of polarization concentration, fouling, and biofouling formation. In this study, silver nanoparticles were added to the casting solutions of cellulose acetate membranes in order to obtain new hybrid membranes that present characteristics inherent to the silver nanoparticles, namely antibacterial behavior that leads to biofouling reduction. A systematic study was developed to assess the effect of ionic strength, membrane polymeric structure, and silver nanoparticle incorporation on the cellulose acetate (CA) membrane surface charge. Surface charge was quantified by streaming potential measurements and it was correlated with BSA permeation performance. CA membranes were prepared by the phase-inversion method using three casting-solution compositions, to obtain membranes with different polymeric structures (CA400-22, CA400-30, CA400-34). The nanocomposite CA/silver membranes (CA/Ag) were prepared through the incorporation of silver nanoparticles (0.1 and 0.4 wt% Ag) in the casting solutions of the membranes. To evaluate the electrolyte concentration effect on the membranes zeta potential and surface charge, two potassium chloride solutions of 1 mM and 5 mM were used, in the pH range between 4 and 9. The results show that the zeta-potential values of CA/Ag membranes were less negative when compared to the silver-free membranes, and almost independent of the silver content and the pH of the solution. The influence of the protein solution pH and the protein charge in the BSA solutions permeation was studied. The pH conditions that led to the lower permeate fluxes were observed at the isoelectric point of BSA, pH = 4.8. Full article

Coffee production in mountainous regions faces significant challenges to mechanization, particularly in management and fertilization. Fertilizer application remains largely manual, reducing accuracy and failing to meet the demands of variable-rate application (VRA). This study developed a portable VRA fertilizer applicator with an embedded electronic control system. The innovation lies in its electrically driven metering mechanism integrated with an electronic control unit (ECU), enabling site-specific fertilization based on prescription maps or predefined rates while recording application coordinates. The mechanism was tested under laboratory and field conditions, evaluating its performance across four fertilizer types, varying inclination angles, and rotational speeds. Results showed a coefficient variation of 0.41% for doses above 24 g, demonstrating high consistency irrespective of fertilizer type or terrain slope. Field tests using potassium chloride (KCl) prescriptions (55, 123, and 185 g/plant; 220, 492, and 740 kg/ha) revealed minimal deviations, with the largest at 22.72 g and the smallest at 0.384 g. These findings demonstrate the applicator’s precision and efficiency, addressing the challenges of mountainous terrains. This system provides technological advancement for sustainable coffee production, enhancing resource optimization and supporting precision agriculture in challenging environments. Full article

Discharge treatment is a vital process in the pretreatment of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This paper focuses on the effects of ultrasonic pretreatment on the discharge of spent LIBs from the perspective of electrolyte concentration and ultrasonic power. By integrating characterizations such as pH measurement and X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the effect of ultrasonic pretreatment on the discharge of spent LIBs is evaluated. Experimental results show that sodium chloride (NaCl) solution and potassium chloride (KCl) solution have a more significant and better discharge efficiency (DE) under ultrasonic treatment, while organic electrolyte solutions which mainly contain formate and acetate generally show a less ideal DE. Under experimental conditions of using electrolyte discharge solutions with various electrolyte concentrations with the same ultrasonic power of 300 W, the DE generated from the experimental condition with KCl solution in 30 g/200 mL deionized water is the highest, 64.9%; under different ultrasonic powers in the same electrolyte solutions, the DE of 10 wt.% HCOONa solution is the highest at ultrasonic power of 500 W, at 4.7%. This work provides a reference for the efficient and cost-effective pretreatment of spent LIBs and the discharge mechanism in different electrolyte solutions with ultrasonic treatment is also explored to support the recycling of spent LIBs. Full article

Excessive dietary sodium intake is a major risk factor for hypertension, prompting interest in potassium chloride (KCl) as a sodium chloride (NaCl) alternative. While KCl preserves saltiness, its neural processing compared to NaCl remains underexplored. This study investigates the neural correlates of taste perception for NaCl, KCl, and their mixture using gustatory event-related potentials (ERPs) in a sample of 28 healthy young adults. Participants rated the intensity, saltiness, and pleasantness of the stimuli, which were matched for iso-intensity and iso-pleasantness. High-density EEG data revealed distinct microstate patterns associated with each condition, particularly in the later stages of processing, which align with the endogenous phases of taste perception. Source localization identified the insula and opercular regions as primary sites for gustatory processing, with specific differences in activation patterns between NaCl and KCl. These findings suggest that while KCl elicits comparable behavioral responses to NaCl, its neural representation involves unique processes that may reflect its distinct chemical properties. This study advances our understanding of the neural dynamics of salt taste perception, providing insights into the potential use of KCl as a potentially healthier alternative in dietary interventions. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most economically significant diseases of pigs caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). Due to the lack of effective and safe vaccines, one of the crucial measures to protect farms from the introduction of the ASFV is to apply a strict regime of biosecurity and disinfection. However, in field conditions, the activity of disinfectants may be influenced by temperature, resulting in reduced activity or biodegradation (i.e., freezing or evaporating). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a wide range of temperatures on the virucidal activity of selected active substances commonly used against ASFV. Eight active substances were tested, namely: sodium hypochlorite (1.0%), glutaraldehyde (0.1%), potassium peroxysulfate (0.5%), caustic soda (1.0%), phenol (1.0%), acetic acid (3.0%), benzalkonium chloride (1.0%), and formaldehyde (0.4%). The virucidal activity of each compound was tested at different temperatures (21, −10, and −20 °C for 30 min) and compared to the initial virus titer under the same temperature conditions. Exposure to a range of temperatures did not significantly affect the virucidal efficacy of tested active substances against ASFV. Most of the evaluated substances had reduced virus titers ≥ 4 log₁₀, regardless of the temperature. However, two of them (benzalkonium chloride and acetic acid) were sensitive to sub-zero temperatures, showing a lack of the required 4 log₁₀ virus titer reduction. The conducted study showed that temperature could hamper the virucidal effect of selected substances (i.e., benzalkonium chloride and acetic acid), showing their moderate efficacy against ASFV −10 °C and −20 °C. The results suggest that extreme caution should be taken while applying these substances at sub-zero temperatures. The other substances had no significant sensitivity to the temperature range. Nevertheless, in the case of freezing the agent, insufficient penetration of the disinfected surface may occur, which may result in an ineffective disinfection process. Full article

A surge has been observed in the use of pesticides to boost agricultural yield in order to feed the continuously increasing human population. Different types and classes of broad-spectrum insecticides are in use, and the number is constantly increasing with the introduction of new ones. Keeping in view the broad-spectrum effects of organophosphate pesticides including Malathion (MLN), their use is continuously increasing without appraising their toxic impacts on non-target organisms. The continuous rise in the use of MLN has led to its presence, persistence, and transport to water bodies globally, subsequently affecting commercially valuable aquatic organisms. The current study was conducted to assess MLN-induced hematological and biochemical toxicities in the brain of a commercially valuable indigenous major carp, rohu, Labeo rohita. The fish was exposed to an acute concentration of commercial-grade MLN. The LC₅₀ of MLN (5 µg/L) led to behavioral inconsistencies and subtle impacts on the hematology (an increase in white blood cells and a reduction in red blood cells, hemoglobin, packed cell volume level, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration) and biochemistry (an increase in reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase) but a reduction in total protein content and activity of Na⁺/K⁺ ATPases) in the brain tissues. MLN also inhibited the activity of Acetylcholinesterase, while it led to an increase in Acetylcholine. Significant changes were observed in the serum biochemical profile; for example, glucose, cholesterol, potassium, urea, and total bilirubin increased, whereas total protein, sodium, chloride, albumin, and inorganic phosphate decreased after exposure. The current study clearly classified MLN as highly toxic to rohu. Therefore, the extra-judicious use of MLN should be strictly supervised. Studies concerning the real-world concentration of pesticides should be carried out on regular basis to mitigate the echoing issue of pesticide-based pollution. Full article

Modern research technology’s goal is to produce multifunctional materials that require low energy. In this work, we have applied polypyrrole (PPy) doped with dodecyl benzenesulfonate (DBS-) with the addition of polyoxometalates (POM) such as phosphotungstic acid (PTA) forming PPyDBS-PT composites. Two different PTA concentrations (4 mM and 8 mM) were used to form PPyDBS-PT4 and PPyDBS-PT8. The higher concentration of PTA created a highly dense and compact film which can be observed from scanning electron microscopy (SEM cross-section image), and also contains fewer phosphotungstate anions (PT³⁻) inclusion (via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, EDX). Three different aqueous electrolytes, LiCl (lithium chloride), NaCl (sodium chloride), and KCl (potassium chloride), were applied to investigate how those alkali metal ions perform as typical cation-driven actuators. Cyclic voltammetry with linear actuation revealed the tendency LiCl > NaCl > KCl in view of better strain, charge density, electronic conductivity, and Young’s modulus of PPyDBS-PT4 outperformed PPyDBS-PT8. Chronopotentiometric measurements showed high specific capacitance for PPyDBS-PT4 at 260.6 ± 21 F g⁻¹ with capacity retention after 5000 cycles of 88.5%. The sensor calibration of PPyDBS-PT4 revealed that the alkali cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺) can be differentiated from each other. The PPyDBS-PT4 has multifunctional applications such as actuators, sensors, and energy storage. Full article