Search Results (5,079)

Nitrogen oxides (NO_x) emissions pose environmental and health risks. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is effective for NO_x removal, and using CO as a reductant can eliminate both NO_x and CO. This study explores CuCe catalysts on SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and TiO₂ for CO-SCR. Results show catalytic activity relates to the synergy between lattice oxygen and CuCe species. TiO₂ enhances this interaction, promoting Cu⁺ and lattice oxygen for NO adsorption and dissociation. The CuCe/TiO₂ catalyst achieves 100% NO conversion at 300 °C and 40.2% at 100 °C, indicating excellent low-temperature performance. These findings are valuable for developing efficient SCR catalysts. Full article

Understanding and accurately modelling mass transport phenomena in anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) is essential for improving efficiency and mitigating performance losses due to concentration polarization. This study presents a one-dimensional, isothermal, multi-component diffusion framework based on the Stefan–Maxwell (SM) formulation to evaluate hydrogen, water vapour, and nitrogen transport in two different porous ceramic support materials: calcia-stabilized zirconia (CSZ) and magnesia magnesium aluminate (MMA). Both SM binary and SM ternary models are implemented to capture species interactions under varying hydrogen concentrations and operating temperatures. The SM formulation enables direct calculation of concentration polarization as well as the spatial distribution of gas species across the anode support’s thickness. Simulations are conducted for two representative fuel mixtures—20% H₂ (steam-rich, depleted fuel) and 50% H₂ (steam-lean)—across a temperature range of 500–1000 °C and varying electrode thicknesses. They are validated against experimental data from the literature, and the influence of electrode thickness and fuel composition on polarization losses is systematically assessed. The results show that the ternary SM model provides superior accuracy in predicting overpotentials, especially under low-hydrogen conditions where multi-component interactions dominate. MMA consistently exhibits lower polarization losses than CSZ due to enhanced gas diffusivity. This work offers a validated, computationally efficient framework for evaluating mass transport limitations in porous anode supports and offers insights for optimizing electrode design and operational strategies, bridging the gap between simplified analytical models and full-scale multiphysics simulations. Full article

Environmental emissions from the maritime sector, including CO₂, NO_x, and SO_x, contribute significantly to global air pollution and climate change. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from international shipping to reach zero GHG by 2050 compared to 2008 levels. To meet these goals, the IMO strongly encourages the transition to alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuels, as part of a broader decarbonization strategy. This study presents a comparative analysis of converting conventional diesel engines to dual-fuel systems utilizing alternative fuels such as methanol or natural gas. The methodology of this research is based on theoretical calculations to estimate various types of emissions produced by conventional marine fuels. These results are then compared with the emissions generated when using methanol and natural gas in dual-fuel engines. The analysis is conducted using the EVER ALOT container ship as a case study. The evaluation focuses on both environmental and economic aspects of engines operating in natural gas–diesel and methanol–diesel dual-fuel modes. The results show that using 89% natural gas in a dual fuel engine reduces nitrogen oxides (NO_x), sulfur oxides (SO_x), carbon dioxide (CO₂), particulate matter (PM), and carbon monoxide (CO) pollutions by 77.69%, 89.00%, 18.17%, 89.00%, and 30.51%, respectively, while the emissions percentage will be 77.78%, 91.00%, 54.67%, 91.00%, and 55.90%, in order, when using methanol as a dual fuel with percentage 91.00% Methanol. This study is significant as it highlights the potential of natural gas and methanol as viable alternative fuels for reducing harmful emissions in the maritime sector. The shift toward these cleaner fuels could play a crucial role in supporting the maritime industry’s transition to low-emission operations, aligning with global environmental regulations and sustainability goals. Full article

Salt–alkaline soil poses a significant challenge to soybean productivity. While plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer a sustainable strategy for stress mitigation, their field-level application remains underexplored. Here, a field experiment was conducted in the Yellow River Delta of Shandong, China, a typical salt–alkaline region. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of Bacillus velezensis 41S2 in enhancing soybean performance under salt–alkaline soil through integrated field trials and transcriptomic analysis. Inoculation with strain 41S2 significantly improved plant biomass, yield components, and seed yield under salt–alkaline soil, and notably increased seed protein and isoflavone contents. Physiological analyses revealed that strain 41S2 markedly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, indicating alleviation of oxidative stress. Moreover, strain 41S2 modulated the levels of soluble sugars and amino acids, contributing to osmotic regulation and carbon–nitrogen (C-N) metabolic balance. Transcriptome profiling further indicated that strain 41S2 upregulated genes involved in antioxidant response, C–N metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, highlighting its role in coordinating multilayered stress response pathways. Overall, these findings highlight the potential of B. velezensis 41S2 as a multifunctional bioinoculant for improving salt tolerance and presents a promising tool for sustainable crop production and ecological restoration in salt–alkaline soil. Full article

As internal combustion engines (ICEs) remain dominant in maritime transport, reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is critical to meeting IMO’s decarbonization targets. Ammonia (NH₃) has gained attention as a carbon-free fuel due to its zero CO₂ emissions and high hydrogen density. However, its low flame speed and high ignition temperature pose combustion challenges. This study investigates the combustion and emission performance of NH₃-diesel dual-fuel engines, applying Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for multi-objective optimization of key operating parameters: ammonia fraction (AF: 0–30%), engine speed (1200–1600 rpm), and altitude (0–2000 m). Experimental results reveal that increasing AF led to a reduction in Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) from 39.2% to 37.4%, while significantly decreasing NOₓ emissions by 82%, Total hydrocarbon emissions (THC) by 61%, and CO₂ emissions by 36%. However, the ignition delay increased from 8.2 to 10.8 crank angle degrees (CAD) and unburned NH₃ exceeded 6500 ppm, indicating higher incomplete combustion risks at high AF. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) confirmed AF as the most influential factor, contributing up to 82.3% of the variability in unburned NH₃ and 53.6% in NOₓ. The optimal operating point, identified via desirability analysis, was 20% AF at 1200 rpm and sea level altitude, achieving a BTE of 37.4%, NOₓ of 457 ppm, and unburned NH₃ of 6386 ppm with a desirability index of 0.614. These findings suggest that controlled NH₃ addition, combined with proper speed tuning, can significantly reduce emissions while maintaining engine efficiency in dual-fuel configurations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nanobubble water (NBW) is being studied increasingly for its potential benefits in sports nutrition. This study aimed to evaluate whether supplementation with ozone-enriched NBW (O₃-NBW) could improve integrated exercise capacity—encompassing endurance performance, muscle strength, and postexercise recovery as well as body composition and metabolic adaptations in mice. Methods: Male ICR mice (n = 24) were allocated into Control, Air-NBW, or O₃-NBW (0.2–1 mg/L ozone) groups for 4 weeks. Results: O₃-NBW treatment considerably enhanced forelimb grip strength and treadmill running endurance compared to the Control group (both p < 0.05). Analyses of body composition revealed a higher proportion of lean mass and muscle glycogen storage in NBW groups, notably with O₃-NBW. Serum markers gathered post-exercise demonstrated a reduction in ammonia and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), suggesting improved nitrogen metabolism. Levels of resting serum creatine kinase (CK) and uric acid were also lower in O₃-NBW mice, indicating potential benefits for muscle recovery. In addition, O₃-NBW treatment significantly enhanced oxygen consumption (VO₂) and reduced the respiratory quotient (RQ), signifying amplified fat oxidation, while also lowering total energy expenditure (all p < 0.05). Spontaneous wheel-running activity remained consistent across all the groups. Conclusions: Taken as a whole, these findings emphasize that O₃-NBW supplementation offers ergogenic and metabolic advantages by improving integrated exercise capacity and efficiency of gas exchange, without adverse effects. Full article

Ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation is a key environmental factor that limits plant growth and development. High UV-B intensity is a typical environmental feature in Turpan-Hami (Tuha) Basin in Xinjiang, China. In this study, the altitude-dependent UV-B adaptation strategies of plants in Tuha Basin were analyzed. Chlorophyll (Chl) and flavonoid (Fla) play an important role in absorbing UV-B radiation, scavenging free radicals, and maintaining photosynthetic performance under UV-B stress. Principal component analysis indicated that the total chlorophyll (Chl t), Chl a, Chl b, and Fla contents and the Chl a/Chl b ratio are important indicators for evaluating plant tolerance to UV-B. Noticeably, with increased altitudes, the roles of Chl b, Chl a/Chl b, and Fla become markedly significant. The characteristics of stomata, epidermal hair, and wax layer are closely correlated with the UV-B amount that reaches leaves. Epidermal hair density and cuticle thickness in leaves decreased with increased altitudes, whereas hydrogen oxide (H₂O₂) was significantly accumulated, but superoxide anion (O₂⁻) remained unchanged. High altitude significantly increased the stomatal apparatus area, density and specific leaf area. Moreover, plants without epidermal hair had a larger stomatal apparatus area compared with plants with epidermal hair. However, the presence or absence of epidermal hair had no effect on cuticle thickness, H₂O₂ and O₂⁻ levels. The carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and hydrogen (H) contents were high in plant leaves at high altitude, but the sulfur (S) content and C/N ratio were low. Taken together, plants in Tuha Basin could cope with UV-B radiation by synergistically regulating epidermal structures and synthesis of secondary metabolites. Meanwhile, these plants could further allocate and reconstruct organic elements to optimize their resource distribution in adaptation to UV-B radiation with different altitudes. Full article

The development of electrocatalysts composed of earth-abundant elements is essential for advancing the commercial application of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC). Among these, single-atom electrocatalysts, such as Fe-N-C, show great promise for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This study aims to improve the ORR activity and stability of Fe-N-C electrocatalysts by fine-tuning the straightforward 1,10-phenanthroline-iron complexation synthesis method. Key parameters, including iron-to-phenanthroline ratio, carbon powder surface area, and pyrolysis temperature were systematically varied to evaluate their influence on the resulting electrocatalysts. The findings of this study revealed that the electrocatalysts synthesized with 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) and high-surface-area Black Pearls (BP) possessed much better ORR activity than electrocatalysts prepared by using Vulcan carbon (lower surface area). Interestingly, electrocatalysts prepared with BP, but with a non-bidentate nitrogen-containing ligand molecule, such as imidazole, showed a much poorer activity, as the resulting material predominantly consisted of inactive structures, such as encapsulated iron nanoparticles and iron oxide, as evidenced by HR-TEM, EXAFS, and XRD. Therefore, the results suggest that only the synergistic combination of the bidentate ligand phenanthroline (Phen) and the high-surface-area carbon support (BP) favored the formation of ORR-active Fe-N-C single-atom species upon pyrolysis. The study also unveiled a significant enhancement in electrocatalyst stability during accelerated durability tests (and air storage) as the pyrolysis temperature was increased from 700 to 1300 °C, albeit at the expense of ORR activity, likely resulting from the generation of iron particles. Pyrolysis at 1050 °C yielded the electrocatalyst with the most favorable balance of activity and stability in rotating disk measurements, while maintaining moderate durability under PEM fuel cell operation. The insights obtained in this study may guide the development of more active efficient and durable electrocatalysts, synthesized via a simple method using earth-abundant elements, for application in PEMFC cathodes. Full article

In Europe, evidence on the relationship between socioeconomic position (SEP) and air pollution exposure is mixed. We assessed the association between individual SEP (education and occupation) and air pollution in the Turin and Varese European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition cohorts. This cross-sectional study included participants enrolled between 1992–1998, categorised by three educational (high, medium, and low) and three occupational (high-, medium-, and low-skilled) levels. Air pollution exposure (2008–2011) at residential addresses was estimated using Land Use Regression models. Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) data were available for both cohorts; particulate matter (PM_2.5, PM₁₀) only for Turin. Linear regression models (adjusted for sex, age, and marital status) estimated associations between SEP and annual mean pollutant concentrations (µg/m³), stratified by cohort. In Varese, lower education was associated with lower NOx exposure. In Turin, medium and low education were also linked to lower NOx exposure, though without a clear gradient. In both cohorts, individuals in medium- and low-skilled occupations had lower nitrogen exposure than those in high-skilled jobs. Associations between SEP and PM exposure in Turin were weak to null. In conclusion, lower SEP was associated with slightly lower nitrogen exposure; no clear link was found with PM. Full article

This study evaluated the ability of a jasmine essential oil (JEO)-loaded nanoemulsion alone (WOM) and combined with modified atmosphere packaging (WOM-MAP) to extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) at 4 °C. The WOM was stabilized with oxidized corn starch (OCS) and whey protein (WP), and had a particle size of 255.7 nm and zeta potential of −25.43 mV. The treated salmon fillets were periodically analyzed for spoilage extent, texture, protein structure, and other quality parameters. The findings of this study showed that the salmon fillets treated with the WOM, particularly when combined with the MAP, was able to retain their original texture and taste to a great extent. Compared to the control check group (CK), the WOM and WOM-MAP treatments reduced bacterial counts by 2.1 log CFU/g and 2.4 log CFU/g, respectively, by the 20th day. Both the WOM and WOM-MAP treatments exhibited lower total volatile basic nitrogen and K values, prevented protein structural changes, and reduced free amino acid breakdown. These results indicate that the WOM effectively extends the shelf life and maintains the quality of Atlantic salmon, offering a promising natural preservative to preserve the quality and safety of seafood. Full article

Rhabdomyolysis is characterized by the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, frequently leading to acute kidney injury (AKI). Traditional conservative treatments have shown limited effectiveness in modifying the disease course, thereby necessitating targeted pharmacological approaches. Zileuton (Z), a selective inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing renal function recovery in animal models of AKI induced by agents such as cisplatin, aminoglycosides, and polymyxins. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of a single dose of Z in mitigating rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI (RI-AKI) via modulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). Male C57BL/6 mice were assigned to four experimental groups: Sham (intraperitoneal administration of 0.9% saline), Z (single intraperitoneal injection of Z at 30 mg/kg body weight), glycerol (Gly; single intramuscular dose of 50% glycerol at 8 mL/kg), and glycerol plus Z (Z + Gly; concurrent administration of glycerol intramuscularly and Z intraperitoneally). Animals were sacrificed 24 h post-glycerol injection for analysis. Zileuton administration significantly improved renal function, as indicated by reductions in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels (129.7 ± 17.9 mg/dL in the Gly group versus 101.7 ± 6.8 mg/dL in the Z + Gly group, p < 0.05) and serum creatinine (Cr) levels (2.2 ± 0.3 mg/dL in the Gly group versus 0.9 ± 0.3 mg/dL in the Gly + Z group p < 0.05). Histopathological assessment revealed a marked decrease in tubular injury scores in the Z + Gly group compared to the Gly group. Molecular analyses demonstrated that Z treatment downregulated mRNA expression of macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (mincle) and associated macrophage infiltration-related factors, including Areg-1, Cx3cl1, and Cx3CR1, which were elevated 24 h following glycerol administration. Furthermore, the expression of NLRP-3, significantly upregulated post-glycerol injection, was attenuated by concurrent Z treatment. Markers of mitochondrial biogenesis, such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), transcription factor A mitochondrial (TFAM), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 alpha (CPT1α), were diminished 24 h after glycerol injection; however, their expression was restored upon simultaneous Z administration. Additionally, Z reduced protein levels of BNIP3, a marker of mitochondrial autophagy, while enhancing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), suggesting that Z ameliorates RI-AKI severity through the regulation of mitochondrial quality control mechanisms. Zileuton also decreased infiltration of CD11b(+) Gr-1(+) MDSCs and downregulated mRNA levels of MDSC-associated markers, including transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), arginase-1 (Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and iron regulatory protein 4 (Irp4), in glycerol-injured kidneys relative to controls. These markers were elevated 24 h post-glycerol injection but were normalized following concurrent Z treatment. Collectively, these findings suggest that Zileuton confers reno-protective effects in a murine model of RI-AKI, potentially through modulation of mitochondrial dynamics and suppression of MDSC-mediated inflammatory pathways. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which Z regulates MDSCs and to assess its therapeutic potential in clinical contexts. Full article

With the rise of environmental protection and health topics in recent years, microbial production of red pigments has gradually become a research hotspot. Red pigment possesses biological properties such as anticancer and antioxidant activities and has a wide range of potential applications in the fields of food and medicine. In this paper, a red pigment-producing strain was screened from rice soil to provide a reserve for obtaining natural and safe red pigments. Methods: The strain LSY1-2 was identified using morphological and 16S rDNA molecular biological identification. The fermentation conditions for red pigment production were optimised to improve pigment yield, and the best conditions were analysed using response surface methodology. Finally, the stabilisation conditions of red pigment were analysed to determine the difficulty of retention. Results: The molecular ecology was identified as the bacterium Arthrobacter sp. of the genus Arthrobacter. The optimal red pigment production medium for the strain was determined by a one-way test with the carbon source beef extract, the nitrogen source peptone, the inoculum size 2%, the temperature 27 °C, the pH value 7, and the rotational speed 160 rpm. Response surface optimisation determined the optimal red pigment production conditions as the incubation temperature of 26.43 °C, the pH value of 6.89, and the rotational speed of 162.77 rpm, which resulted in the yield of red pigment under these optimal conditions as 0.883 U/mL. The stability of red pigment was best under the condition without light, and poorer under conditions of above 50 °C, strong acid, strong alkali, and more than 3% oxidant, and Fe³⁺ had a greater effect on the stability. Conclusions: Strain LSY-1 can produce stable red pigment under the optimised red pigment-producing conditions, which provides a reference for the large-scale production of natural red pigment and subsequent related research. Full article

The black soil region of Northeast China is crucial for agricultural productivity. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) are key indicators of soil nitrification in this region, yet it remains unclear whether this process is driven by the entire community or by specific clusters. Here, we investigated the AOA community across a long-term fertilization Brown Soil Experimental Station and 15 sites in the Typical Black Soil Zone. Using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the AOA amoA gene and cluster-specific primers, 14 OTUs were selected as core clusters based on relative abundance >0.1% and strong correlations (r > 0.7) with soil properties or PNR, and were further grouped into five distinct clusters according to phylogenetic analysis. Compared to the overall AOA community, core clusters responded more precisely to fertilization, straw addition, and spatial variation, with contrasting environmental responses reflected in their relationships with soil nitrification dynamics. Clusters G1 and G2 had positive correlations with soil PNR, while Clusters G4 and G5 had negative correlations. Moreover, AOA core clusters demonstrated stronger correlations with soil properties, including pH, C/N ratio, and NH₄⁺/NO₃⁻ ratio. These findings demonstrate that AOA core clusters are reliable microbial indicators of soil nitrification, and monitoring their abundance changes under nitrogen input can provide early insights into potential inhibition, informing predictive models and guiding more precise nitrogen management to support sustainable agricultural practices. Full article

This study investigated individual/combined nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) deficiencies on ginseng root aroma using GC–MS metabolomics. Four treatments (normal supply, N deficiency (LN), K deficiency (LK), and dual deficiency (LNLK)) were analyzed. Deficiencies impaired growth, mineral accumulation, and induced oxidative stress, suppressing ginsenoside biosynthesis. From 1768 detected VOCs, 304 compounds (rOAV ≥ 1) significantly contributed to aroma. LN inhibited terpenoids (e.g., isoborneol) but upregulated sulfur compounds (e.g., di-2-propenyl tetrasulfide), intensifying pungency. LK enhanced sweet/woody notes (e.g., 2′-acetonaphthone) via flavonoid biosynthesis and toluene degradation. LNLK reduced esters (e.g., benzyl acetate) and terpenes, attenuating floral–balsamic nuances by coordinating aromatic degradation, glutathione metabolism, and ABC transporters. N–K nutrition dynamically shapes ginseng aroma by differentially regulating phenylpropanoid, terpenoid, and sulfur pathways, providing a foundation for precision fertilization and quality improvement. Full article

This research investigates the glycerol oxidation reaction on carbon-functionalized composites using Tafel behavior, exchange current density (ECD), rate constant, and dynamic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (DEIS) data fitting. The aim is to gather essential data for fabricating glycerol electrooxidation electrodes in an alkaline medium. Corrected net current analysis reveals that the nitrogen-doped activated carbon black composite electrode (ACB-N2) exhibits the highest instantaneous catalytic activity, with a net current density of 1.3 mA cm⁻² at 1.0 V vs. SCE. However, the dual-doped nitrogen and fluorine composite (ACB-N2F2) demonstrates the lowest Tafel slope (177.97 mV dec⁻¹), indicating faster kinetics, and it maintains superior electrochemical stability during chronoamperometric testing. ACB-N2F2 exhibits the highest ECD (1.0129 mA cm⁻²) and the lowest Ts and rate constant (2.62 × 10⁹ cm s⁻¹), indicating the fastest electron transfer. These findings suggest that while ACB-N2 offers the highest net GOR activity, ACB-N2F2 combines kinetic efficiency and long-term durability, making it a promising candidate for practical GOR applications. The rate-determining step is water adsorption at low overpotentials (0.55 V, 0.5 V, and 0.4 V vs. SCE for ACB-F2, ACB-N2, and ACB-N2F2, respectively). Full article