Search Results (19,366)

This paper reported the grey water footprint (GWF) mitigation resulting from a brewery industry wastewater treatment using malt dust-derived biochar. The GWF was assessed based on chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total suspended solids (TSS) removal. A new data-driven parametric index (GWFI_BP) was reported that uses the GWF tool. A data-driven model was designed in order to define the impact of the dual advantages of biochar application relative to the Conventional Activated Sludge (CAS) process. A GWF reduction of approximately 21.59% was found for the biochar application. Full article

To explore a new approach to reducing the use of external carbon sources and phosphorus removal chemicals in conventional wastewater treatment, this study developed an anaerobic–oxic–anoxic sequencing batch reactor (AOA-SBR) system (Rf) with iron shavings addition (180 g, 60 g/L), using a blank reactor (R0) as the control. Synthetic wastewater with a C/N ratio of 7.5 was used as the influent. The operating cycle of the AOA-SBR reactor consisted of a 120 min anaerobic phase, a 120 min aerobic phase, and a 60 min anoxic phase, with a hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 12 h. Results showed that the SVI₃₀ of Rf remained at approximately 35 mL/g. The average removal efficiencies of TN and TP in Rf reached 70% and 96%, respectively, which were higher than those of the control. The addition of waste iron shavings improved sludge settleability and nitrogen and phosphorus removal performance of the biochemical system. Fe-C microelectrolysis significantly enriched Candidatus_Competibacter and Candidatus_Nitrocosmicus while inhibiting nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB). This triggered persistent low-level nitrite accumulation within the system, diversified nitrogen-removal pathways, and ultimately improved the total nitrogen-removal efficiency. The extended anaerobic period in the anaerobic–oxic–anoxic (AOA) mode enriched phosphate-accumulating organisms, achieving synergistic chemical and biological phosphorus removal. This study provides a novel strategy for advanced wastewater treatment without external carbon sources or phosphorus additives. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tick infestations represent a major economic problem for livestock farming due to the hematophagous nature of these parasites and their crucial role as vectors of pathogens. The prolonged use of synthetic chemical ixodicides has led to resistance, prompting the search for alternative tick-control strategies. In this study, piperine-loaded polymeric nanoparticles were successfully developed using Eudragit^® L100-55 (NP_Pip_1) and Eudragit^® RLPO (NP_Pip_2) polymers, which were physicochemical characterized and evaluated against Rhipicephalus microplus and Amblyomma mixtum larvae resistant to conventional treatments. Methods/Results: NP_Pip_1 and NP_Pip_2 exhibited mean particle sizes of 107.30 ± 6.34 nm and 101.00 ± 1.51 nm, polydispersity index (PDI) values of 0.08 ± 0.02 and 0.05 ± 0.03, ζ potentials of −5.78 ± 2.14 and 32.7 ± 0.74 mV and encapsulation percentages (%E) of 17.44 ± 1.56 and 1.43 ± 0.11. The encapsulation efficiencies (%EE) were 69.76 ± 6.25% and 37.40 ± 2.89%, respectively. Free piperine showed LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of 1822.25 and 5981.74 µg/mL against R. microplus, and 1904.18 and 6213.28 µg/mL against A. mixtum. In contrast, NP_Pip_1 reduced LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values by 1.83- and 2.2-fold against R. microplus and by 1.61- and 1.44-fold against A. mixtum, indicating improved ixodicidal activity compared with free piperine. NP_Pip_2 showed smaller reductions in LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ of 1.34- and 1.33-fold against R. microplus and 1.43- and 1.41-fold against A. mixtum. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that incorporating piperine into polymeric nanoparticles significantly improves its ixodicidal activity against resistant tick larvae, positioning this platform as a promising strategy for the development of alternative treatments against ticks resistant to conventional treatments. Full article

Nitrogen fertilization is widely recognized as a key factor influencing tropical grass productivity; however, its effectiveness may vary according to pasture developmental stage and management practices. This study evaluated the effects of five nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 kg ha⁻¹) and two post-cutting residual heights (20 and 30 cm) on the productive, morphological, and nutritional characteristics of Aruana grass (Megathyrsus maximus cv. Aruana) under irrigated conditions. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with a split-plot structure. Nitrogen was applied as urea in three split applications following simulated grazing events. Herbage mass, dry matter yield, morphological composition, chemical composition, and in vitro dry matter digestibility were evaluated. No interaction was detected between nitrogen fertilization and residual height. Nitrogen fertilization did not affect forage production, morphological composition, chemical composition, or digestibility under the conditions of this study. Residual height influenced forage accumulation, with greater herbage mass and dry matter yield observed at 20 cm than at 30 cm (p = 0.006), without affecting forage quality. These preliminary findings indicate that residual height may be an important factor affecting forage accumulation in irrigated Aruana grass during pasture establishment. Additional studies conducted over multiple growing seasons and environmental conditions are required before definitive management recommendations can be made. Full article

Freshwater contamination by phosphate and pathogenic bacteria requires low-cost multifunctional treatment materials. Unlike previous studies that use a single biogenic agent to synthesize a single nanoparticle type, this work uses one fixed Aloe vera extraction protocol to generate three chemically distinct nanoparticles (Ag, CuO, Fe₃O₄) on the same waste-derived carbon support, enabling a direct, extract-controlled comparison of nanoparticle identity on water-treatment performance. Activated carbon (AC) was prepared from waste wattle bark (Acacia mearnsii) by steam activation at 700 °C and functionalized with biogenically synthesized Ag, CuO, and Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (NPs) using Aloe vera extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Average nanoparticle sizes were 43 nm for Ag, 59 nm for CuO, and 13 nm for Fe₃O₄. FTIR, PXRD, SEM-EDS, TEM, DLS, TGA, and BET analysis characterized the materials. Among the composites, Fe₃O₄NPs/AC showed the best phosphate removal performance, achieving 93% removal and a maximum adsorption capacity of 9.3 mg/g under acidic conditions, compared with 3.3 mg/g for pristine AC. Equilibrium data were better described by the Freundlich model (R² = 0.999), indicating adsorption on a heterogeneous surface. Ag NPs/AC exhibited complete inactivation of both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus within 2 h, while CuO NPs/AC (a more economical alternative) achieved near-complete inactivation of both bacteria within 6 h. AC from spent wattle bark and functionalized with green-synthesized nanoparticles is thus a promising platform for combined phosphate removal and antibacterial water treatment. Consistent with their respective roles, Fe₃O₄ NPs/AC was evaluated exclusively for phosphate adsorption, while Ag NPs/AC and CuO NPs/AC were evaluated exclusively for antibacterial activity; no single composite was tested for both functions. Full article

Re-ensiling is an important practice in the commercialization and transportation of high-quality silage, yet limited information is available regarding its effectiveness under different storage temperatures and aerobic exposure times. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of storage temperature and aerobic exposure time on the fermentation characteristics, chemical composition, and mycotoxin levels of re-ensiled corn silage. Whole-plant corn harvested at the dough stage (39.77% DM) was initially stored at 20 °C, 30 °C, and 40 °C for 90 d and subsequently subjected to 0, 48, 72, and 96 h of aerobic exposure before re-ensiling, with three replicates per treatment. The results showed that corn silage initially stored at 20 °C and re-ensiled within 48 h of aerobic exposure exhibited the lowest pH (3.70), highest lactic acid concentration (56.78 g/kg DM), and highest Flieg score (99.67) among all temperature treatments (p > 0.05). In contrast, corn silage initially stored at 40 °C and re-ensiled after 96 h of aerobic exposure retained higher water-soluble carbohydrate (5.47% DM) and crude protein (7.32% DM) contents (p > 0.05). Aerobic exposure increased concentrations of beauvericin (71.89–864.92%), zearalenone (6.24–24.20%), and alternariol (0.77–1.89%) across all storage temperatures. Following 96 h of aerobic exposure, re-ensiling reduced these mycotoxin concentrations by 3.16–67.32%, 9.10–20.57%, and 0.62–6.79%, respectively. Overall, re-ensiling helped to preserve silage quality after aerobic exposure. The greatest benefits were observed when silage initially stored at 20 °C was re-ensiled within 48 h, while re-ensiling after prolonged exposure effectively mitigated mycotoxin risks. Full article

Comprehensive mineralogical and technological investigations of tin-bearing weathering crusts from the Syrymbet deposit (Northern Kazakhstan), characterized by low tin grades and a high degree of mineral dispersion, are presented. The particle-size distribution, mineralogical composition, chemical composition, and the distribution of tin among size fractions and processing products were studied. The results show that the majority of tin is associated with the fine-grained clay fraction, which contains up to 70%–74% of the total metal inventory. Conventional hydrocycloning and gravity concentration methods were found to be ineffective due to the fine dissemination and encapsulation of tin mineralization, with more than 99% of the tin reporting to gravity separation tailings. In the untreated material, tin mineralization is predominantly represented by cassiterite, as confirmed by electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Thermal activation at 450 °C under oxygen-free conditions was shown to induce profound transformation of the original cassiterite mineralization. Cassiterite was not detected in the thermally activated products; instead, newly formed multiphase aggregates containing tin, bismuth, iron, silicon, aluminum, carbon, and oxygen were identified. These aggregates exhibit characteristic film-globular morphologies ranging in size from 1–3 to 100–200 μm. As a result of thermal treatment, tin concentrations in the thermal products increased to 1500–1864 g/t, corresponding to ore-grade levels. The obtained results demonstrate the potential of thermal activation as an effective approach for the utilization of previously low-grade tin-bearing weathering crusts and for expanding the tin mineral resource base of Kazakhstan. Full article

Magnesium alloys are considered to be the third generation of biomaterials used in biomedical applications to promote bone tissue regeneration. Due to their Young’s modulus being similar to that of human bone and their release of magnesium ions that are antimicrobial and osteoinductive, these biomaterials not only promote bone regeneration, minimize the effects of stress shielding and reduce the risk of infection, but also their exceptional biocompatibility and bioresorbability eliminate the need for a second surgery to remove the implant. However, because magnesium has poor corrosion resistance, without different coatings and surface treatments, the implant can be compromised before the bone is fully healed. With additive manufacturing (AM) as a revolutionary technology, the one-size-fits-all approach can be replaced by fully personalized medicine, in which complex shapes can be created, designed, and processed with unique parameters for each patient. However, 3D printing of Mg-based devices remains particularly challenging due to magnesium’s high chemical reactivity, combustion risk, and low vaporization temperature, challenges that are further compounded when alloying elements are introduced. This review addresses this gap by critically examining the properties, corrosion behavior, and bio-medical performance of Mg and its alloys, with a focused analysis of selective laser melting (SLM) and wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) as key fabrication methods. The influence of processing parameters, microstructural defects, and alloy composition on the final properties of AM-fabricated Mg components is systematically discussed, alongside current limitations and prospective strategies toward their clinical translation. Full article

Data-driven aeration optimization is an effective approach for reducing energy consumption in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). However, in information-limited scenarios, newly established or emerging-market WWTPs often lack historical labels for aeration actions, making it difficult to construct high-precision surrogate models. Conventional cross-plant model deployments face severe data distribution shifts, and standard multi-objective optimization algorithms are prone to generating non-physical extrapolation errors, such as achieving compliance with “zero aeration” under low-concentration conditions. To break through inter-plant data barriers, this study proposes an intelligent aeration decision-making framework that integrates cross-domain transfer learning with physics-informed constraints. First, this study designs an adversarial network incorporating a state-action decoupling bypass. By employing a gradient reversal layer (GRL) to extract domain-invariant representations while the decoupling bypass preserves the physical sensitivity of control commands, this network achieves robust cross-plant knowledge transfer. Second, this study proposes a physics-informed multi-objective particle swarm optimization (PI-MOPSO) algorithm, which embeds the theoretical oxygen demand as a physical penalty into the fitness function, ensuring the physical reliability of the optimization decisions. Experiments demonstrate that the surrogate model restricts the prediction errors for effluent chemical oxygen demand (COD) and effluent ammonium nitrogen removal rates to within 1%. Validated by statistical tests, the improved algorithm effectively circumvents non-physical prediction biases. Its Pareto front achieves a spacing metric of 0.0027, outperforming baseline algorithms in hypervolume stability. This framework provides reliable aeration scheduling references conforming to biochemical dynamics for target WWTPs lacking historical action labels, offering a promising theoretical foundation for future practical engineering applications. Full article

Partial substitution of chemical fertilizer with organic fertilizer is an important strategy for optimizing fertilization and mitigating soil degradation caused by excessive chemical fertilizer application. However, systematic studies comparing the effects of different substitution ratios on soil properties, enzyme activities, and microbial communities remain scarce. A two-year field experiment was conducted with five treatments: no fertilization (Control), chemical fertilizer alone (CF), 20% organic fertilizer substitution (M20), 40% substitution (M40), and 60% substitution (M60). High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze soil bacterial and fungal communities. The M40 treatment significantly increased soil organic matter (17.96% and 30.18%, respectively), available nitrogen (6.85% and 20.30%, respectively), and available phosphorus (30.74% and 52.65%, respectively) compared with CF in both years, with more pronounced improvements observed in 2025. Furthermore, the M40 treatment also enhanced urease and sucrase activities in both years but reduced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in 2025. Microbial community analysis revealed that the M40 treatment enriched beneficial microorganisms, including Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Basidiomycota, Vicinamibacteraceae, Botryotrichum, and Tausonia, while inhibiting the pathogenic fungus Fusarium. Compared with CF, the M40 treatment increased maize yield by 7.04% and 8.10% in 2024 and 2025, respectively, which was the highest among all treatments. Mantel tests indicated that yield was positively correlated with available phosphorus, available potassium, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and urease activity, but negatively correlated with ALP activity in 2025. Our findings demonstrate that 40% organic fertilizer substitution synergistically improves soil fertility, optimizes microbial community structure, and promotes crop yield, providing empirical evidence for optimizing fertilization regimes in maize production. Full article

Pure ZnO and ZnO/Gd₂O₃ (1 and 2 mol %) nanoneedles were synthesized via a sonochemical route and evaluated as catalytic materials for the degradation of paracetamol using glass and PTFE (Teflon) stirring rods. The morphology and elemental composition of the obtained nanostructures were investigated by SEM and EDS analyses, confirming the formation of anisotropic rod-like architectures and the successful incorporation of gadolinium species into the ZnO matrix. The optical and defect-related properties were further examined by photoluminescence and UV–Vis spectroscopy, revealing defect-related modifications in the electronic structure and improved charge carrier behavior in the gadolinium-modified samples. Comparative catalytic experiments showed higher degradation efficiencies in the system employing the glass stirring bar compared to the PTFE. However, the differences between these two setups are not limited solely to the stirring bar material, but also involve variations in interfacial contact conditions during operation. Therefore, the observed differences in catalytic activity cannot be attributed to a single mechanistic origin such as mechanically induced effects, but rather reflect the combined influence of catalyst–surface interactions and the specific nature of the stirring medium. The influence of inorganic ions on paracetamol degradation was also investigated using distilled water and aqueous solutions containing sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, and sodium hydrogen carbonate. In both systems, the ZnO/Gd₂O₃ samples exhibited higher degradation efficiency than pristine ZnO, indicating that Gd incorporation plays a key role in enhancing catalytic performance. This improvement can be associated with a modified defect structure and more favorable charge carrier dynamics in the doped material. The mineralization efficiency of the treated solutions was additionally evaluated through chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements, confirming a significant reduction in organic load after treatment. Full article

Global requirement of clean, cost-effective and sustainable energy has stimulated massive research and development in photocatalytic materials that have the potential to harvest solar based energy while mitigating the environmental issues. Among various materials, perovskite oxides have emerged as a promising energy resource. Owing to the structural versatility, optical and electrical properties, chemical inertness allows the use of material of multifunctional prospects. Currently Strontium titanate (SrTiO₃), a vital perovskite oxide having a band gap nearly ~3.2 eV, is showing significant function for photocatalytic water splitting, carbon dioxide conversion and degradation of organic pollutants. Though within the UV spectrum, its intrinsic photocatalytic behavior is limited to approaches such as graphene junctions, noble-metal support, and post-synthetic heat treatment seem to promote the adsorption within visible-light. Strontium titanate also demonstrates photo charge separation efficiency, and long-term catalytic durability. Moreover, modifications and hydrothermal synthesis have proven extremely efficient for nano-based engineering, control over crystal diameter, defects, and shape, which can result in magnificent composites that can be promising substitutes. Therefore, further research is imperative regarding these material application prospects. This comprehensive review provides insights into details on the potential of nanoengineering and composite approaches to reduce the inherent limitations of perovskite oxides, especially Strontium titanate, and enabling additional applications in next-generation photovoltaic and solar energy harvesting technologies. Full article

Modern agriculture faces increasing pressure from rising food demand, resource degradation, and biotic stress factors, highlighting the need for sustainable, non-chemical technologies. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) has emerged as a promising non-chemical seed-priming technology with potential applications in sustainable agriculture. The present study investigated the effects of dielectric barrier discharge (DBD)-generated CAP on seed germination and early seedling development in two Solanum lycopersicum genotypes (a common variety and an IdB hybrid) under controlled laboratory conditions. Seeds were exposed to CAP for 1, 2, 3, or 4 min, while untreated seeds served as controls. Early plant performance was evaluated after 47 days by determining germination rate, fresh biomass, dry biomass, and mineral biomass (ash content). CAP exposure duration significantly affected all gravimetric parameters in both genotypes. Among the tested treatments, 1 min exposure consistently produced the highest fresh, dry, and mineral biomass values, whereas longer exposure times (3–4 min) generally reduced seedling growth, indicating the transition from beneficial physiological stimulation to stress-induced inhibition. Despite the more pronounced response observed in the IdB hybrid, the statistical analysis demonstrated that treatment duration, rather than genotype, was the principal factor influencing biomass accumulation. The present results indicate that short-duration CAP treatment represents an effective seed-priming strategy for improving early tomato seedling development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Shashen Maidong Decoction (SMD) has a long history of use within the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) system and is currently employed in modern clinical practice for the treatment of various diseases. The characterization of the chemical constituents of TCM drugs is a prerequisite and foundation for research into bioactive compounds and quality control. However, no study has yet undertaken a comprehensive identification of its chemical constituents. Therefore, it is necessary to establish suitable analytical methods to comprehensively and systematically characterize the chemical constituents of SMD. Methods: Ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q Exactive orbitrap HRMS) and the Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) technology were employed. The chemical constituents in SMD were systematically identified by comparing mass spectrometry data with reference standards, databases and relevant literature, and by analyzing mass spectrometry fragmentation patterns. Results: A total of 86 compounds were identified in SMD, including 27 flavonoids, 2 homoisoflavonoids, 34 organic acids, 2 alkaloids, 4 amino acids, 5 saccharides, 3 triterpenes and 9 other constituents. Conclusions: This study represents the first relatively comprehensive and systematic characterization of the chemical constituents in SMD, enriching modern understanding of SMD and laying the foundation for the identification of bioactive compounds, the elucidation of mechanisms of action, and further development and utilization. Full article

Visceral organ mass is a major determinant of maintenance energy requirements in cattle, suggesting that equations to predict visceral organ mass could increase the accuracy of estimates of energy requirements. The objective of this meta-analysis was to quantify the relationships of visceral organ mass with the chemical composition of the diet, as well as animal and management characteristics. A database of 170 treatment means from 38 studies was assembled from published literature. Mixed-effects models with animal, management, and diet characteristics as fixed effects and study as a random effect were selected based on the lowest corrected Akaike information criterion (AICc) and evaluated via leave-one-trial-out cross-validation. Out of 16 organs, 15 had concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) values over 0.900, and cross-validated coefficient of determination (R²) values ranged from 0.728 to 0.967 across organs. Dry-matter intake, days on feed, and fiber-related diet characteristics (roughage level, neutral detergent fiber, and physically effective neutral detergent fiber) were the most consistently retained predictors, with crude protein and metabolizable energy concentrations being retained less frequently. These equations provide a quantitative basis for more accurate estimation of visceral organ mass in cattle. Full article