Search Results (16,549)

This study analyzes wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Querétaro, Mexico, over a decade (2013–2022), highlighting the interdependencies between pollutant removal, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Despite being conventional systems, the WWTPs achieved high pollutant removal efficiencies (92–97% BOD₅, 50–60% TN), preventing 146.1 MtCO₂e over ten years. However, this efficiency came with some drawbacks: a 10% reduction in pollutants increased electricity consumption by 7%. CO₂ emissions from grid-fed operations increased by 130% between 2021 and 2022, emphasizing the carbon intensity of improving water quality. In 2022, the system emitted 0.002 tCO₂e/m³ of treated water, due to indirect N₂O and CH₄ emissions from untreated flows and electricity consumption. With only 70% of wastewater treated and minimal energy recovery, the existing infrastructure offers environmental benefits but operates near its efficiency limits in the face of increasing demand. The transition to energy-neutral models, through biogas cogeneration, solar integration, and advanced nutrient removal, is crucial for achieving urban water systems resilient to climate change. This case study provides valuable insights for cities seeking to balance water security, sustainability, and decarbonization in rapidly developing regions. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Scaphoid fractures and nonunion are uncommon in skeletally immature patients. Pediatric nonunion most often follows a missed or delayed diagnosis or failure of conservative treatment. Inferior-pole nonunion is particularly uncommon, and evidence guiding graft selection in children is limited. We report a case in which preoperative and intraoperative assessment of fragment viability supported the use of a non-vascularized graft. Case presentation: A 12-year-old boy sustained a right inferior-pole scaphoid fracture after falling onto an outstretched hand. The fracture was missed at the initial emergency-department visit. Thumb-spica immobilization was subsequently prescribed, but the patient repeatedly removed the cast, missed appointments, and was lost to follow-up. At referral six months after injury, radiographs and multiplanar CT demonstrated established inferior-pole nonunion. MRI showed preserved marrow fat signal in both fragments without osteonecrosis. Open reduction and internal fixation were performed through a dorsal approach using a 2.4 mm headless compression screw and approximately 1 cc of cancellous iliac-crest autograft. Intraoperatively, both fragments appeared viable, without cystic or sclerotic change. At two months, the patient was pain-free and radiographs showed progressing union. The Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score improved from 25 preoperatively to 10 at two months. CT at six months confirmed complete osseous union, with a QuickDASH score of 0. At 1.5 years, he remained pain-free, had full flexion with a 5° terminal extension lag, and had returned to table tennis without functional limitation. Conclusions: In this inferior-pole scaphoid nonunion, open reduction and internal fixation with iliac-crest cancellous autograft achieved CT-confirmed union and sustained functional recovery. MRI and intraoperative confirmation of viable bone supported selection of a non-vascularized graft. At 1.5 years, the patient was pain-free, had returned to sport without functional limitation, and had a QuickDASH score of 0. Full article

Fiber-reinforced cementitious composites have become increasingly important in the development of durable and sustainable construction materials, particularly following the replacement of asbestos-based reinforcements. However, the long-term performance of these composites is strongly influenced by the characteristics of the fiber–matrix interface, where moisture transport, interfacial degradation, and stress transfer mechanisms govern durability and mechanical behavior. Consequently, considerable efforts have been devoted to developing surface engineering strategies capable of improving fiber–matrix compatibility and enhancing composite performance. This review examines recent advances in surface modification and interfacial engineering approaches applied to fiber-reinforced cementitious composites. The discussion covers fiber–matrix bonding mechanisms and the main modification strategies, including alkali treatments, hornification, silane coupling agents, polymeric and hydrophobic coatings, nanomaterial-assisted modifications, and carbonation-induced surface engineering. The effects of these approaches on interfacial properties, durability, dimensional stability, and mechanical performance are critically assessed. The literature indicates that treatments combining surface chemistry modification, moisture control, and mineral-based densification provide more consistent improvements in durability than single-mechanism approaches. Future developments are expected to focus on scalable treatment methods, low-carbon cementitious systems, and advanced materials design strategies, enabling the development of next-generation fiber cement composites with enhanced durability, sustainability, and long-term performance. Full article

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis L.) leaves and branches represent promising lignocellulosic residues for biorefinery and bioenergy applications. The present study evaluated the effect of autohydrolysis at different temperatures and residence times on the chemical composition, structural properties, and higher heating value (HHV) of both biomass fractions. The initial characterization revealed that leaves were richer in extractives and lignin, whereas branches contained higher amounts of α-cellulose and hemicelluloses. Autohydrolysis promoted the selective solubilization of biomass components, reaching maximum values of approximately 38% for leaves and 30% for branches. Increasing treatment severity enhanced hemicellulose removal and resulted in a relative enrichment of lignin and cellulose in the solid residues, while FTIR analysis showed that the main lignocellulosic structure was largely preserved. The solid residue after polyalcohol liquefaction presented a higher heating value, improving the heating value of the resulting solids, achieving maximum HHVs of 30.08 MJ kg⁻¹ for leaves and 29.46 MJ kg⁻¹ for branches at 180 °C for 30 min. Overall, the results indicate that autohydrolysis is a suitable strategy for the selective extraction of hemicellulose-rich fractions and the production of lignin-enriched solid residues. This process contributes to the sustainable valorization of bay laurel biomass within an integrated biorefinery framework. Full article

Industrial munition facilities generate nitrate-rich wastewater that requires effective and sustainable treatment before discharge. While vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides)-based phytoremediation has shown promise in nitrogen removal, most studies have been limited to small-scale experiments under low nitrogen concentrations, providing limited guidance for system-level design under elevated loading. This study evaluates a greenhouse-scale phytoremediation system using vetiver grass to treat wastewater containing 1000 mg N/L nitrate and 50 mg/L COD. Plant coverage densities of 2%, 4%, and 6% (w/v) were assessed to quantify optimum density as a design parameter for optimizing nitrate removal. A 6% coverage achieved the highest efficiency, reducing nitrate by 75% to 253 mg N/L over four months. Plant growth, chlorophyll, protein content, and antioxidant enzyme activity were analyzed to elucidate physiological adaptation under sustained nitrate stress. Harvested biomass was subsequently valorized into biochar and bioethanol, with TCLP tests confirming minimal leaching risk. By integrating performance optimization, stress-response analysis, and biomass conversion, this work advances vetiver phytotechnology toward scalable, design-oriented nitrogen removal within a circular treatment framework. Full article

The high recurrence rate of glioblastoma after surgical resection and conventional chemotherapy remains a major obstacle to effective treatment. Mitochondria-targeted long-acting local chemotherapy represents a promising therapeutic strategy to tackle this dilemma. In this study, a mitochondria-penetrating peptide (mito) was conjugated with lonidamine (LND), a mitochondrial hexokinase II inhibitor, to construct an amphiphilic peptide–drug conjugate (LND-mito) that could self-assemble into supramolecular hydrogels. This design achieves sustained localized release and mitochondria-targeted delivery, generating a tumor-selective oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor with 19-fold higher potency than LND. Our results demonstrated that LND-mito efficiently targeted tumor cell mitochondria, induced robust reactive oxygen species generation, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, and activated mitochondrial apoptosis, ultimately markedly inhibiting glioma growth and prolonging postoperative survival in orthotopic glioma-bearing mice. Collectively, this study offers a promising therapeutic strategy for glioma management, while simultaneously informing the design of high-efficacy, low-toxicity local sustained-release delivery platforms for malignant tumors. Full article

Although government-directed supply-chain programs increasingly seek to enhance firms’ operational capabilities, their downstream effects on supplier selection—and the firm-level conditions that shape these effects—remain underexplored. Using China’s 2018 Supply Chain Innovation and Application Pilot Program (SCIAPP) as a quasi-natural experiment, we exploit the staggered designation of pilot firms and apply a difference-in-differences framework to a panel of Chinese A-share-listed firms from 2014 to 2023. This design allows us to examine how a government-led supply-chain digitalization initiative reshapes firms’ supplier selection decisions. We find that the SCIAPP designation increases the share of newly added suppliers whose AI capability exceeds the industry-year median by approximately 3.2 percentage points. Event-study estimates provide no evidence of differential pre-designation trends and show that the effect strengthens progressively during the post-treatment period. This temporal pattern suggests a gradual reorientation of procurement routines rather than an immediate or merely ceremonial response to program designation. The effect is weaker among firms with a stronger pre-existing internal AI orientation, indicating that the program primarily influences firms that have not yet incorporated AI capability into their supplier evaluation criteria. Heterogeneity analyses further show that the effect is more pronounced among firms with stronger general digital capabilities, non-manufacturing firms, and smaller firms—contexts in which the capacity to identify and integrate AI-capable suppliers, or the dependence on suppliers’ external AI resources, is relatively high. These findings extend the supply-chain digitalization literature from intraorganizational capability upgrading to interorganizational relationship formation and clarify how public digitalization policy can promote sustainable supply-chain realignment by encouraging firms to select technologically capable suppliers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Traditional Mongolian Rhythmical Vibration Therapy (RVT) is a manual intervention utilizing low-frequency mechanical oscillations, yet its biomechanical effects lack objective quantification. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of manual RVT on paraspinal muscle stiffness and its long-term sustainability on the quality of life (QoL) in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). Methods: To evaluate treatment mechanisms and long-term sustainability, this investigation utilized an acute comparative framework (n = 60) alongside a three-year longitudinal observational study design (n = 60) using consecutive convenience sampling. To assess biomechanical efficacy, paraspinal stiffness was measured via mytonometry, contrasting manual RVT against mechanical percussive vibration. Additionally, the long-term sustainability of outcomes was evaluated where clinical efficacy was quantified using the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) and the WHOQoL instrument, supported by a post-treatment metered walking regimen (Terrenkur). Within- and between-group changes were analyzed using paired and independent t-tests. Results: A Manual RVT yielded statistically significant and greater reduction in paraspinal muscle stiffness compared to mechanical vibration (p < 0.05). Immediate clinical outcomes revealed significant reductions in RMQ scores, which dropped from 13.33 ± 2.046 to 3. 40 ± 1.522 (p < 0.001, Cohen’s d = 4.20). At the three-year follow-up, participants maintained significantly high quality of life scores across physical, psychological, and social domains (p < 0.001, effect sizes d > 0.80). Conclusions: Manual RVT is associated with reduced paraspinal muscle stiffness in chronic LBP patients. The integration of this manual therapy with a Terrenkur maintenance regimen appears to support the maintenance of functional and quality of life improvements over a three-year period. However, given the observational design of the study, these outcomes must be interpreted cautiously, and randomized controlled trials are required to establish absolute therapeutic efficacy. Full article

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive therapeutic resistance, metastasis, and tumor recurrence through reversible transitions among stem-like, differentiated, epithelial, and mesenchymal states, which are sustained by interconnected epigenetic mechanisms. To our knowledge, this is the first review to integrate curcumin-mediated regulation of DNA methylation, chromatin remodeling, and non-coding RNAs within a single CSC plasticity framework and to propose the concept of an “epigenetic collapse of CSC plasticity” as a mechanistic explanation for how curcumin may weaken stemness, state switching, and adaptive treatment resistance. Evidence was critically evaluated through structured searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, Google Scholar, and citation tracking, while direct curcumin–epigenetic evidence was distinguished from independent CSC evidence and inferential mechanistic links. Curcumin has been reported to modulate DNMT1 and locus-specific DNA methylation; regulate HDACs, p300/CBP, EZH2, H3K27me3, and BMI1; and alter selected microRNA, long non-coding RNA, and circular RNA pathways, with comparatively stronger evidence involving the miR-34 family, miR-200c, miR-21, H19, and circHN1. However, current evidence is constrained by the predominance of bulk cancer-cell models, heterogeneous formulations and exposure conditions, and the scarcity of epigenetic rescue experiments combined with rigorous functional CSC assays. By unifying previously fragmented epigenetic evidence, this review advances a new evidence-weighted model in which curcumin may suppress CSC persistence not through a single molecular target, but by destabilizing the multilayer epigenetic circuitry that enables plasticity. Curcumin should therefore be regarded as a context-dependent, multilayer epigenetic modulator rather than an established CSC-eradicating therapy, and its translational relevance requires validation in prospectively defined CSC models with pharmacologically justified delivery and exposure conditions. Full article

Background: Genicular Artery Embolization (GAE) is an emerging minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of pain due to knee osteoarthritis (OA) in patients who are not candidates for joint replacement surgery. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical and functional outcomes of GAE performed with a temporary embolic agent and the persistence of its benefits up to 6 months of follow-up. Methods: In this prospective study, 15 consecutive patients (mean age 64.5 ± 6.7 years) with Kellgren–Lawrence grade III–IV knee OA, severe pain refractory to conservative treatments, and not eligible for joint replacement surgery were enrolled. All patients underwent GAE with selective embolization of hypervascular genicular branches using an imipenem/cilastatin suspension as a temporary embolic agent. Patients were evaluated before the procedure, on the first postoperative day, and at 3 and 6 months of follow-up using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), the Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: All clinical scores showed a significant improvement over time (p < 0.05). WOMAC decreased from 55.6 ± 7.3 to 16.3 ± 4.1 at 6 months; KOOS increased from 40.7 ± 8.1 to 70.3 ± 6.4; OKS improved from 18.4 ± 4.2 to 38.9 ± 4.6; VAS decreased from 7.8 ± 1.0 to 1.5 ± 0.8. No major complications were observed. Two patients (13.3%) developed a subcutaneous hematoma at the femoral access site, which resolved spontaneously. In two patients, pain recurred at the 1-month follow-up. Conclusions: GAE with a temporary embolic agent appeared to be a safe and effective procedure in improving pain and function in patients with advanced knee OA who are not candidates for joint replacement surgery. The clinical benefit was progressive and sustained up to 6 months, supporting the role of synovitis modulation as a therapeutic target. Full article

The transition towards climate-neutral metallurgical production requires a broader transformation than the simple substitution of fossil-fuel combustion with electrical heating. While process electrification is a fundamental step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, achieving truly sustainable high-temperature processing also depends on the ability to maintain tightly controlled reaction environments, minimise thermal losses, and maximise the efficient use of process gases. These factors become increasingly important as the industry moves towards hydrogen-assisted processing routes and greater integration of renewable energy sources. By controlling heat transfer and gas composition, a stable processing environment can be maintained in which temperature, and gases’ partial pressure, can be accurately regulated throughout the treatment cycle. This study introduces the engineering concept of an airtight electrified indirect-fired rotary furnace, developed as a new process for efficient calcination, and also, hydrogen-based reduction processes. To assess the applicability of the proposed reactor concept, a bench-scale experimental campaign was carried out using two representative metallurgical processes: magnesite calcination and hydrogen-assisted reduction of lateritic ores. Throughout the testing campaign, the reactor maintained stable thermal conditions and a well-controlled process atmosphere, while the integrated monitoring system enabled continuous observation of temperature evolution and gas composition. The calcination trials achieved conversion efficiencies above 98%, whereas the hydrogen-reduction experiments successfully promoted the transformation of iron and nickel oxide phases into their metallic state. The results demonstrate that the integration of indirect electrical heating with airtight reactor operation provides a robust platform for hydrogen-assisted thermal processing. The proposed architecture improves atmosphere control and process efficiency while offering a scalable solution for the future implementation of electrified, low-carbon metallurgical technologies. Full article

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Salmonella Typhimurium, largely spread through poultry products, increasingly resists antibiotic treatment. We evaluated dietary pomegranate peel extract-loaded nano-emulsions (PomNEs) on performance, immunity, antioxidant capacity, and S. Typhimurium resistance in laying hens. A total of 250 15-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens received a basal diet or diets supplemented with PomNEs at 0.3, 0.6, or 1.2 g/kg, and then were challenged with S. Typhimurium at 34 weeks. Hens fed PomNEs, especially PomNEs1.2, showed improved egg production and feed efficiency before challenge and restored normal output afterward. Supplementation reduced Salmonella colonization in the ovaries, liver, and eggs, with considerable reduction in eggs and ovaries at the highest dose by ten weeks, and down-regulated bacterial virulence genes (hilA, invA). Immune function improved through higher phagocytic activity, intracellular killing, and lysozyme levels, lower nitric oxide, up-regulated IgA and β-defensins (AvBD6, AvBD12), and suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Intestinal and ovarian redox balance improved via reduced COX2 and elevated GPX-1, HO-1, NQO1, SOD-1, and CAT expression. These benefits support PomNEs as promising natural feed additives to enhance laying performance, antioxidant defense, and immunity against salmonellosis, offering a sustainable strategy for supporting disease control in poultry production. Full article

The discharge of azo-dye-containing wastewater from textile and related industries represents a major environmental challenge because of the persistence, toxicity, and poor bio-degradability of synthetic dyes. Congo red dye (CR), one of the most widely used azo dyes, poses serious ecological and public health risks when released into aquatic ecosystems. Although numerous biological adsorbents have been investigated for dye removal, the development of sustainable fungal-based nanocomposites with high adsorption efficiency, optimized operational conditions, and verified environmental safety remains limited. Therefore, the present work describes the development and evaluation of a novel Aspergillus terreus–silver oxide nanoparticle (Ag₂O NPs) myco-nanocomposite as a promising eco-friendly biosorbent for CR dye removal from aqueous solutions and real wastewater. Aspergillus terreus (GenBank accession PX920301) isolated from dye-contaminated wastewater, the adsorption efficiencies of dried mycelia, and the myco-nanocomposite were compared. Myco-nanocomposite was characterized using ultraviolet visible spectroscopic analysis (UV/Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A. terreus–Ag₂O NPs myco-nanocomposite exhibited the highest ad-sorption efficiency 92.73%, adsorption capacity (qe) 118.7 mg/g and lowest CR dye residual by 3.81 mg/L, while A. terreus non-autoclaved dried mycelia recorded 78.28% CR removal, adsorption capacity (qe) 100.2 mg/g and CR dye residual by 11.39 mg/L. Adsorption parameters were optimized using a four-factor Box–Behnken experimental design, producing a highly significant quadratic model (R² = 0.986). The highest optimized conditions were obtained at run 17 in which 100 mg L⁻¹ CR dye, pH 8, 0.05 g adsorbent dosage, and 48 h contact time, with removal efficiency of 96.88%, followed by run 14 using 50 mg L⁻¹ CR dye, pH 6, 0.05 g adsorbent dosage, and 48 h contact time, with removal efficiency of 95.79%. Phytotoxicity and microbial toxicity assays demonstrated that the treated wastewater was environmentally safer than untreated CR dye, exhibiting no inhibitory effects on representative bacteria, yeast, and filamentous fungi while improving wheat seedling growth. Furthermore, application of the myco-nanocomposite to real industrial wastewater achieved 94.92% decolorization. This study provides a sustainable myco-nanocomposite of A. terreus–Ag₂O NPs which represents a promising green technology for the remediation of dye-contaminated industrial effluents and supports the development of environmentally sustainable wastewater management strategies and applicability of reusing treated wastewater. Full article

Paraffin wax precipitation and deposition significantly hinder crude oil production and transportation by reducing flow efficiency, increasing operational downtime, and requiring costly remediation procedures. Conventional wax mitigation methods commonly rely on environmentally unfriendly chemicals and energy-intensive thermal or mechanical treatments. This study investigates the use of a natural polymer from Swietenia macrophylla (Mahogany), modified with metal nanoparticles (MNPs), namely silver oxide (Ag₂O), zinc oxide (ZnO), and silver-doped zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO), for petroleum wax inhibition. Material characterization was conducted using FTIR, TGA and GC-MS analyses, while performance evaluation employed rheological measurements, Cross-Polarized Microscopy (CPM), and pour point testing. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of oxygenated fatty acid esters such as glycidyl oleate (59.61%) and glycidyl palmitate (16.86%). These compounds indicate the presence of hydrocarbon-compatible and surface-active constituents beneficial for wax crystal modification. FTIR spectra further confirmed carbonyl, aliphatic hydrocarbon, and ether functionalities associated with natural wax-mitigation compounds and effective MNP binding sites. The application of 2 wt% polymeric materials demonstrated significant wax inhibition performance. The unmodified polymer reduced the activation energy (Ea) for crude oil flow by 49.4 kJ·mol⁻¹ from the virgin crude oil value of 213.6 kJ·mol⁻¹. The polymer + ZnO formulation achieved the highest pour point reduction of 1.72 °C, while polymer + Ag-ZnO recorded the greatest viscosity reduction of 77.1% at 1 s⁻¹ and 91.6% at 200 s⁻¹. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential of Swietenia macrophylla-derived nanocomposite polymers as sustainable and effective wax mitigation agents for waxy crude oil systems. Full article

Aeroponics is an important approach for the production of virus-free seed potatoes. The propagation efficiency of aeroponically grown potatoes is affected by light conditions. However, the effects of different supplemental light conditions on potato yield and their underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, multiple light conditions are applied to investigate their influences on potato minituber production. The results show that red–blue light supplementation significantly increases plant yield. Physiologically, it enhances chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, thereby increasing net photosynthetic rate and CO₂ utilization efficiency. Red–blue light temporally regulates hormone balance by increasing the GA/ABA ratio at the early stage to promote vegetative growth, and maintaining higher trans-zeatin content at the late stage, potentially sustaining cell division. These synergistic effects may enhance yield by delaying senescence and prolonging the tuberization period. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that red–blue light treatment enriches pathways related to hormone signaling, senescence-associated, and zeatin biosynthesis at the late growth stage, and upregulates key tuberization genes (StSP6A, StSP3D, StFTL1), which may be associated with tuber formation. Red–blue light treatment optimizes photosynthesis, remodels hormone networks, and induces temporal transcriptional reprogramming, while also increasing the yield of virus-free seed potatoes in aeroponic culture. This study provides theoretical and technical support for the efficient aeroponic breeding of virus-free seed potatoes. Full article