In this paper, the mechanism of combined process of ion beam sputtering (IBS) and HF acid etching on the chemical structure defects of fused silica and its laser damage resistance perfor-mance were investigated. During the removal process of surface material, the sputtering effect causes lattice atoms to detach from their original positions, forming a large number of unsaturated structures on silica surface, which improves the chemical activity of Si and O atoms, accelerates the chemical reaction process between surface atoms and water molecules, increases the content of hydroxyl (OH-) groups in the shallow layer, and enhances the photothermal weak absorption intensity. However, the presence of OH- groups reduces the bonding strength of Si-O, destroys the spatial network structure of silica bulk, and reduces the mechanical strength of silica surface, resulting in a decrease in its laser damage resistance performance. The paper reveals for the first time the mechanism of IBS to change the structure characteristics of silica material, accelerate the surface hydroxylation process, and thereby reduces the laser damage resistance performance. This work provides technical guidance for effectively suppressing chemical structure defects on silica surface and improving laser damage resistance performance of optical components under high-flux laser irradiation.

This study investigates the potential of a hybrid nanofluid composed of MoS2 and ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in engine oil, aiming to enhance the properties of lubricant's chemical reaction with the Soret effect on stretching sheet under the influence of applied magnetic field. With the growing demand for efficient lubrication systems in various industrial applications, including automotive engines, the development of novel nanofluid-based lubricants presents a promising avenue for improving engine performance and longevity. However, the synergistic effects of hybrid nanoparticles in engine oil remain relatively unexplored. This research addresses this gap by examining the thermal conductivity, viscosity, and wear resistance of the hybrid nanofluid, shedding light on its potential as an advanced lubrication solution. By analyzing the dispersion stability and interaction mechanisms between nanoparticles and base oil, valuable insights are gained into the fundamental aspects governing the entertainment of hybrid nano lubricants. Overall, the objectives of studying hybrid nano lubricant MoS2+ZnO with engine oil aim to advance the development of more efficient and durable lubrication solutions for automotive engines, contributing to improved reliability, fuel efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Governing non-linear partial differential equations are simplified as ordinary differential equations by utilizing similarity variables. MATLAB Bvp4c technique is used to solve the obtained linear ODE equations. The outputs are presented through graphs and tables for various state variables. The comparative survey in all the graphs is presented for the nanofluid (MoS2/Engine oil) with the hybrid nanofluid (MoS2+ZnO/Engine oil). These graphs show the effect of various parameters M, Q, β, Pr, Ec, Sc, Sr, Kp, Kr and (hybrid nano lubricant parameter). The velocity profile diminished against the values of M, Kp, and β. Temperature profile rising with Ec and Q. reciprocally goes down to Pr. The concentration profile incremented with the value of Sr and decremented with the value of Sc, and Kr. With the increasing value of both f′ (η) and θ(η) increases. But in θ(η) hybrid nanofluid slows down with the higher value of .

The River Habitat Survey (RHS) is a method for assessing the conditions of a river channel and valley, taking into account hydromorphological factors, and assessing the degree of naturalness or the degree of anthropogenic alteration within the channel and valley based on physical and landscape data. The hypothesis tested in this study was that the quality of river habitats demonstrated using the RHS should translate into the composition of their fauna. We investigated aquatic bugs (Heteroptera Aquatica), which are a group with considerable dispersal abilities and, at the same time, composed of stenotopic species associated with a particular environment as well as of eurytopic elements inhabiting a wide range of environments (REF). The research was carried out in a small lowland river, the River Krąpiel (north-western Poland) at 6 sites with 43 sub-sites included. Our analyses suggest the RHS method can predict the composition and quality of the aquatic bug fauna inhabiting a given river. Indicators of river habitat quality (HQA and RHQ) will be associated with different habitat types depending on the geographic location and type of river, once indicating habitats associated with the mainstream river and mineral substrate (mountain and small lowland rivers) and at other times habitats covered by vegetation with relatively slow water flow (large and medium lowland rivers). Therefore, RHS may be a good method for estimating the water bug fauna, linking it to the size and character of the river.

The photosystem I (PSI) of the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii associates with 10 light-harvesting proteins (LHCI) to form the PSI-LHCI complex. Binding of LHCII to PSI may also occur and is controlled by a process called state transitions. Hereby, two LHCII trimers bind to the PSAL, PSAH and PSAO side of PSI to produce the PSI-LHCI-LHCII complex. In this work, we took advantage of chemical crosslinking of proteins in conjunction with mass spectrometry to identify protein-protein interactions between the light-harvesting proteins of PSI and PSII. We detected binding of LHCBM proteins to the LHCA1-PSAG side of PSI and identified protein-protein interactions of LHCSR3 with LHCA5 and LHCA3. Our data indicate that the binding of LHCII to PSI is more versatile as anticipated and reveal that LHCSR3 likely regulates excitation energy transfer to the PSI core via LHCA5/LHCA3.

On the basis of a stocktaking on PVC in Europe and on a current ECHA investigation report, we conclude that regulatory action at EU level is recommended. We support ECHA's regulatory proposals in the main, but come to a more comprehensive proposal for the phasing-out of PVC beyond the area of electrical installations. PVC stored in buildings and infrastructure to date amounts to around 160 million tonnes ("stock") and this mass is still increasing. Parts from the stock have entered the waste management sector for years and their mass is gradually increasing. Neither material, chemical nor energy recovery will be able to absorb these incoming quantities. We therefore come to the conclusion that PVC should be collected separately and disposed of in an infrastructure designed for chlorine recovery. The required infrastructure should be set up and operated by the chemical industry. So, PVC will lose its status as a particularly economically favorable plastic. In view of the constantly increasing stock, we recommend phasing-out the production of virgin PVC as early as possible. In our opinion, this would also be justifiable because the effects of the closed loop recycling announced by VinylPlus ('Vinyl') would go in the same direction.

Raman spectra of [TeX6](Y2) (X, Y - Cl, Br, I) were recorded in the temperature range 5-300 K. The vibration frequency of molecular halogens as function on temperature and the type of halogen X- in the [TeX6]2- complex was obtained. The vibration frequency of the molecular halogen Y2 depends on the type of halogen X- complex [TeX6]2- The temperature dependence of the Y2 frequency is anomalous compared to what was expected for a conventional anharmonic oscillator. It is shown that the interpretation of the experimental results based on the concept of traditional chemical bonding is quite satisfactory in all cases. The study was motivated by the need to consider the mechanism of interaction in the X-Y2 contacts.

Soybean is one of the world’s most economically significant crops and is widely utilized as an essential source of vegetable protein and edible oil. Cultivated soybean is domesticated from its annual counterpart, wild soybean, which is considered valuable germplasm for soybean breeding. However, wild soybean accessions generally produce seeds with impermeable coats, a trait known as hard seededness (HS), which is beneficial for long-term seed survival but is undesirable for the uniform water absorption and germination of seeds, thus limiting the utilization of wild soybeans in breeding. However, moderate HS can isolate the embryo from the surrounding environment and is thus beneficial for long-term seed storage and germplasm preservation. The HS trait is primarily associated with the structure and chemical composition of the seed coat. However, its development is also influenced by various environmental conditions, such as water and temperature. Genetic analysis has revealed that HS of soybean is a complex quantitative trait controlled by multiple genes or minor quantitative trait loci (QTL), with many QTLs and several causal genes currently identified. Investigating the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying this trait is crucial for soybean breeding, production, and food processing. For this article, the literature was reviewed and condensed to create a well-rounded picture of the current understanding of internal and external factors, QTLs, causal genes, and the regulatory mechanisms related to the HS of soybean, with the aim of providing reference for future research and utilization of this trait.

Chemical flooding methods are used to recover the remaining oil after water flooding, and surfactant-polymer (SP) flooding is an important chemical flooding technology. It is of great significance to design and screen high-performance oil displacement agents in order to overcome the increasingly challenging high temperature (>70 ℃) and high salinity (>10,000 mg/L) reservoirs. Based on the characteristics of high temperature (70 ℃) and high salinity (151,000 mg/L) in the Qinghai Gasi reservoir, the performance of the SP flooding system was studied. This study considered interfacial tension, emulsification, viscosity, compatibility, and oil displacement efficiency. The selected formula demonstrated high resistance to both salinity (151,000 mg/L) and temperature (70 ℃), characterized by a low oil-water interfacial tension (10-2 mN/m) and high viscosity (18.13 mPa.s). After water flooding achieved an oil recovery rate of 64.64%, the subsequent replacement rate of crude oil increased by 26.95%, confirming that SP flooding can be used as a technology for enhancing oil recovery in high-temperature, high-salinity reservoirs represented by Qinghai Gasi reservoirs.

Lead optimization in drug discovery is a crucial phase where initial hits are refined into compounds with improved pharmacological properties. While traditional methods rely on manual experimentation and modifications, AI-driven techniques have revolutionized this process by leveraging big data and predictive modeling. This review explores how AI-driven approaches accelerate lead optimization, showcasing examples like deep neural networks and reinforcement learning. Integration of multi-omic data and experimental validation further enhances AI-driven strategies. The future lies in refining these AI methods, democratizing tools, and interdisciplinary collaboration to streamline drug discovery and address medical needs efficiently.

Introduction Urolithiasis, a prevalent urological condition (8-13% globally) exhibits regional variations, influenced by water quality, climate, health factors and diet. Sri Lanka with its tropical climate and dietary patterns is part of the "Stone Belt" of Asia. This study in Northern Sri Lanka examines urinary stone compositions and assesses the prevalence of metabolic disorders among urolithiasis patients. Methods This prospective cross-sectional study, conducted at tertiary urology centre from July 2022 to June 2023, focused on surgically treated urolithiasis patients. Institutional ethical clearance was obtained. Patient details and investigational findings were collected through questionnaires and data extraction forms. Stone analysis utilized Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and detailed metabolic evaluation of 24 hour urine collection sample is carried out. Results This study followed 153 surgically treated urolithiasis patients, primarily male (64.3%), mean age 48.64. Ureteric colic (48.4%) was common, with kidney stones (45.8%) prevalent; 57.52% had recurrent stones. Diabetes mellitus (DM=23.5%) was the top comorbidity. Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) stones (78.4%) were most frequent, followed by uric acid (12.4%). COM predominated in 40-59 age group. No significant gender-stone type association. 86.9% had metabolic abnormalities, notably hypocitraturia (60.1%). 23% had both hypocitraturia and hypomagnesuria. Some metabolic disorders showed gender differences, with a marginal age-metabolic disorders association (p < 0.061). Urine oxalate levels were normal with higher variability in males. Conclusion Middle-aged males with urolithiasis commonly presented with ureteric colic and predominantly had calcium oxalate monohydrate stones. Recurrent stones were common, often accompanied by metabolic abnormalities such as hypocitraturia and hypomagnesuria, with diabetes mellitus as the primary comorbidity.

The expression of polysialic acid (polySia) on the neuronal cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), is called NCAM-polysialylation, which is strongly related to the migration and invasion of tumor cells and with aggressive in the clinic. Thus, it’s important to select a proper drug to block tumor cell migration for clinic treatment. In this study, we proposed that lactoferrin (LFcinB11) may be a more ideal candidate for inhibition of NCAM polysialylation comparing with CMP and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), which were determined based on our NMR studies. On the other hand, because neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) is the most dramatic stage in cell death process, and NETs’ release are related to pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, with proposed involvement in glomerulonephritis, chronic lung disease, sepsis and vascular disorders. In this study, the molecular mechanism of inhibition of NETs’ release using LFcinB11 as inhibitor was also determined. Based on these results, LFcinB11 is proposed to be bifunctional inhibitor for inhibiting both NCAM polysialylation and NETs releases.

Organic fertilizer application in agricultural land is known to improve soil microbial processes, fertility, and yield. In particular, stable changes in soil chemical composition through multi-year fertilization of organic fertilizers are thought to cause changes in the microbial community. Here, the effects of oil cake amendments (OC) on soil bacterial diversity, community profile and enzyme activity were evaluated and compared to those amended with chemical fertilizer (NPK). The comparison of diversity indices between OC and NPK amended soils shows that application of oil cake has increased microbial diversity potentially with an increase in the number of different microbial groups. The ordination plot distinguished and clustered both treatments showing differential effects of soils chemical factors on the microbial communities of each treatment. Proteobacteria, Verrucomicrobia and Bacteriodetes were significantly abundant in OC amended soil than in the NPK received soil, indicating alterations in community structure, composition, and diversity con-current to the changes in pH, Ca and Mg contents of the soil. These shifts in bacterial community structure and composition could also be observed from the phylum to the genus level in both NPK and OC amended soils partially explained by differences in soil chemical factors. The OC soil compared to the NPK amended soil also contain significantly higher abundance of predicted genes corresponding to enzymes related to biogeochemical cycling, decomposition and plant growth promotion. Collectively, these results support the use of an unconventional organic fertilizer positively altering bacterial populations in jujube orchards. The application of oil cake-based organic fertilizer improved microbial diversity and enhanced potential ecosystem functions related to bio-geochemical cycles, mineralization and plant growth promotion.

Ozonated oil has several benefits for humans, as it contributes to numerous interventions, maintaining the quality of life and the well-being of individuals. Being a natural product, it has few or almost no side effects. Thus, the study aimed to verify the sensitivity and/or resistance of fixed o “Ozonated” and “Non-Ozonated” oils from Mauritia flexuosa (Buriti), Carapa guaianensis (Andiroba) and essential “Ozonated” oils from Menta piperita (Mint), Eugenia caryophyllus (Clove) in different concentrations, against internationally known bacteria from the American Type Culture Collection – ATCC, comparing with the “Non-Ozonated” versions of the respective oils, using the Agar diffusion technique. Thus, it is evident that the ozonation of the fixed oils of Buriti and Andiroba, as well as the essential oils of Mint and Clove, provided significant results, although they were statistically different. The Buriti and Andiroba oil were ineffective in inhibiting microorganisms. On the other hand, the essential oil of Mint and Clove obtained similar activity of inhibition of microorganisms. With regard to Ozonation, the Essential Oil of “Ozonated” Clove provided greater activity than the “Non-Ozonated” one, which inhibited only one tested microorganism, in addition to producing changes in its chemical composition, requiring individualized studies for the ozonation of each essential oil.

The review explores the therapeutic potential of mangrove plants as sources of bioactive compounds, particularly focusing on their anti-inflammatory properties. Mangroves, found in tropical and sub-tropical tidal coasts, exhibit unique ecological and biological activities. The review compiles and examines 136 research findings published between 1982 and 2018, with 41 studies specifically addressing the anti-inflammatory properties of mangroves in Indian coastal regions, including the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It summarizes the chemical structures, molecular weights, formulas, solvents, and biological activities of these mangroves, as reported by various researchers over time. The data underscore the significant potential of tropical Indian mangroves in anti-inflammatory applications. However, a notable research gap exists regarding the extraction of bioactive compounds from mangrove species in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands compared to other regions such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Puducherry. Overall, the compilation provides valuable insights into mangrove-based studies for drug discovery research, emphasizing the need for further exploration and exploitation of these natural resources.

Plastic waste accumulation poses significant environmental challenges, underscoring the importance of closing the plastic life cycle by converting waste into valuable products. Pyrolytic char, a promising byproduct, offers diverse industrial applications. However, little attention has been given to converting hydrocarbon-based plastics into solid carbon due to their low fixed carbon content. This study compares sulfonation and thermal oxidation stabilization techniques for carbonizing waste polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Results indicate sulfonation yields higher pyrolytic char formation and improves surface properties, surpassing Al2O3 in catalyst support characteristics. Thermal oxidation increases fixed carbon content but adversely affects char yield and surface properties. Both methods effectively enhance fixed carbon content, but sulfonation emerges as more advantageous, suggesting potential use of plastic-derived char as a catalyst support material, contributing to circular economy development.

Environment pollution is one of the major problem that faces by our civilization . Textile industry is one of the factor for pollute the environment. In this study various causes that occurs by textile industry and pollute the environment will be shown and described. In textile industry for energy to run the factory various kind of fuel are used and in the industry there are many chemicals and dyes are used for the textile products. Plastic is one of the main substance for making the synthetic fabric. They pollute the air, water, soil and also they pollute the ecosystem of the various animals and destroy the ozone surface of the earth. For various kind of pollution that causes by textile industry the life of normal life hampered. They got ill and many time men and women lost their organs and sometimes they got attacked by various life taking illness.

Keywords: Biomass pyrolysis, Chemical Looping Combustion, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Impacts, Carbon Footprint.

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike RBD epitopes in complex with spike (S) -protein D614G mutations now predominate globally and increase infectivity by assembling more functional S proteins into the virion. On average, homeopathic medicine contains less than one molecule per dose on average. Single variable SphericalHarmonicY, LaguerreL, WhittakerM, SphericalBesselJ, LegendreP, LegendreQ, LaguerreL, ChebyshevT, and Hypergeometric1F1 Functions pFqarise in connection with the power series solution of the Schrodinger equation or in the summation of perturbation expansions in quantum mechanics. A quantum interpretation of the homeopathic method is presented here through a novel algebraic topology approach to supersymmetry and symmetry breaking in quantum fields and quantum gravity theory with the aim of developing a wide range of physical-based drug design applications in a Small Molecule Quantized Water Memory Network suggesting that the Hidden Black Hole Paradox of Information Loss might be solved under suitable conditions.

Axial resolution is one of the most important characteristics of a microscope. In all microscopes, a high axial resolution is desired in order to discriminate information efficiently along the longitudinal direction. However, when studying thick samples that do not contain laterally overlapping information, a low axial resolution is desirable as information from multiple planes can be recorded simultaneously from a single camera shot instead of plane-by-plane mechanical refocusing. In this study, we increased the focal depth of an infrared microscope non-invasively by introducing a binary axicon fabricated on barium fluoride substrate close to the sample. Preliminary results of imaging thick and sparse silk fibers showed an improved focal depth with a slight decrease in lateral resolution and increase in background noise.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains a significant challenge in the field of neurodegenerative disor-ders, even nearly a century after its discovery, due to the elusive nature of its causes. The develop-ment of drugs that target multiple aspects of the disease has emerged as a promising strategy to address the complexities of AD and related conditions. The immune system's role, particularly in AD, has gained considerable interest, with nanobodies representing a new frontier in biomedical research. Advances in targeting antibodies against amyloid-β (Aβ) and using messenger RNA for genetic translation have revolutionized the production of antibodies and drug development, open-ing new possibilities for treatment. Despite these advancements, conventional treatments for AD, such as Cognex, Exelon, Razadyne, and Aricept, often have limited long-term effectiveness, under-scoring the need for innovative solutions. This necessity has led to the incorporating of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning into the drug discovery process for neurodegenerative diseases. These technologies help identify therapeutic targets and optimize lead compounds, offering a more effective approach to addressing the challenges of AD and similar conditions.

The Serra da Estrela Natural Park (NPSEs) in Portugal stands out as a well-preserved region abundant in medicinal plants, particularly known for their pharmaceutical applications in diabetes prevention and treatment. This comprehensive review explores these plants' botanical diversity, traditional uses, pharmacological applications, and chemical composition. The NPSEs boast a rich diversity with 138 medicinal plants across 55 families identified as traditionally and pharmacologically used against diabetes globally. Notably, the Asteraceae and Lamiaceae families are prevalent in anti-diabetic applications. In vitro studies reveal their significant inhibition of carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, and certain plant co-products regulate genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism and insulin secretion. In vivo trials demonstrate anti-diabetic effects, including glycaemia regulation, insulin secretion, antioxidant activity, and lipid profile modulation. Medicinal plants in NPSE exhibit various activities beyond anti-diabetic, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anticancer, and more. Chemical analysis identifies over fifty compounds like phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and polysaccharides responsible for their efficacy against diabetes. The findings underscore the potential of NPSE medicinal plants as anti-diabetic candidates, urging further research to develop effective plant-based anti-diabetic drugs, beverages, and supplements.

Achieving the thermal conductivity required for efficient heat management in semiconductors and other devices requires the integration of thermally conductive ceramic fillers at concentrations of 60 vol% or higher. However, the increased filler content often negatively affects the mechanical properties of the composite matrix, limiting its practical applicability. To address this issue, in this paper, we present a new strategy to reduce the required ceramic filler content: the use of a thermally conductive ceramic composite filler with carbon nanotubes (CNT) grown on aluminum nitride (AlN). We have combined catalyst coating technology with vacuum filtration to ensure that the catalyst is uniformly applied to micrometer-sized AlN particles, followed by efficient and uniform synthesis of CNTs using a water-assisted process in a vertical furnace. By carefully controlling the number of vacuum filtration cycles and the growth time of the CNTs, we demonstrate precise control over the number and length of the CNT layers, thereby adjusting the properties of the composite to the intended specifications. When AlN/CNT hybrid fillers are incorporated into silicone rubber, while maintaining the mechanical properties of rubber, the thermal diffusivity achieved at reduced filler levels exceeds that of composites using AlN-only or simultaneous AlN and CNTs formulations. This demonstrates the critical role of CNTs on AlN surfaces. Our study represents a significant advancement in the design of thermally conductive materials with potential implications for a wide range of applications.

The mushroom industry generates large amounts of stems, a co-product with valuable sensory and health characteristics. This work aimed to study the influence of particle size (L — &gt;0.510 mm; LI — 0.510-0.315 mm; SI—0.315-0.180 mm; S — &lt;0.180 mm) and species in the characterization and antioxidant activity of flours from stems of Agaricus bisporus (ABSF) and Pleurotus ostreatus (POSF). ABSF was rich in protein (14 g/100 g), calcium (428.23-700.77 mg/100 g), and sorbitol (22.57-26.60 g/100 g), while POSF in β-glucans (36.62-40.34 g/100 g) and linoleic acid (20.57-39.86 g/100 g of lipid). Both species were flush in amino acids with umami flavor. The highest hydration properties and oil holding capacity were exhibited in the S size of both species. ABSF showed elevated values for emulsifying activity than POSF. ABSF-S recorded the heightened antioxidant capacity in vitro, in consonance with the total phenolic compounds (0.91 mg/g). However, this antioxidant assays in POSF presented a positive correlation with β-glucans content. According to these results, there could be several food applications for these co-products, such as emulsifier stabilizer, sweetener or fortifier in the development of functional food.

Detecting the presence of explosives is important to protect human lives in military conflicts and peacetime. Gas-phase detection of explosives can make use of the change of material properties, which can be sensitive to environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. This paper describes a remote-controlled automatic shutter method for environmental impact assessment of photoluminescence (PL) sensors under near-open conditions. Utilizing the remote-sensing method, we obtained environmental effects without being exposed to sensing vapor molecules, and explained how PL intensity was influenced by the temperature, humidity, and exposure time. We also developed a theoretical model including the effect of exciton diffusion for PL quenching, which worked well under limited molecular diffusions. Incomplete recovery of PL intensity, or degradation effect, was considered as an additional factor in the model.

This work is devoted to consideration and analysis of the application of molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) methods to the study of nanosized polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) thin ferroelectric films (two-dimensional ferroelectrics) and their composites with graphene layers: 1) to study and calculations of the polarization switching time depending on the electric field and PVDF film thickness; 2) to study and calculations of the polarization switching time depending changes of the PVDF on PVDF-TrFE film; 3) to study the polarization switching time in PVDF under influence of graphene layers. All calculations at each MDS step were carried out using quantum semi-empirical methods PM3. A comparison and analysis of the results of these calculations and the kinetics of polarization switching within the framework of the Landau-Ginzburg-Devonshire theory for homogeneous switching in ferroelectric polymer films is carried out. The study of the composite heterostructures of the “graphene-PVDF” type and calculations of their polarization switching times were presented too. It is shown that replacing PVDF with PVDF-TrFE significantly changes the polarization switching times in these thin polymer films, and that introducing various graphene layers into the PVDF layered structure leads to both an increase and a decrease in the polarization switching time. Here everything also depends on the position and displacement of the ferroelectric coercive field depending on the system damping parameters.

The nephrite belt in Altun Mountain-Western Kunlun Mountain region spanning approximately 1300 km in Xinjiang, NW China, constituting the world's largest preeminent nephrite deposit. The Qiemo region in the Altun Mountain is a crucial nephrite-producing area in China with demonstrating substantial prospects for future explorationl. While extant research has extensively study on secondary deposits in the Karakash River and native black nephrite deposits in Guangxi Dahua, a lacuna exists in the comprehensive investigation of black nephrite from original deposits in Xinjiang. Margou nephrite represents a recent discovery of black-toned nephrite deposits in Qiemo County, Xinjiang, warranting a comprehensive investigation into this primary source of black nephrite within the region. This scholarly inquiry deploys a suite of sophisticated analytical techniques, encompassing Polarizing microscope, electric microprobe, Backscattered Electron Image, X-ray Fluorescence, Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. The rigorous experimental test is dedicated to elucidating the chemical and mineralogical composition, and further clarify the type of its genetic types of black-black cyan nephrite from Margou deposit in Qiemo, Xinjiang. Results delineate the mainly composed of tremolite-actinolite, characterized by Mg/(Mg + Fe2+) ratios ranging from 0.86 to 1.0. Minor minerals include diopside, epidote, pargasite, apatite, zircon, pyrite and iron hydroxide. Bulk-rock rare earth element patterns exhibit distinctive features such as negative Eu anomalies (δEu=0.00~0.17), decreasing light rare earth elements, a relatively flat distribution of heavy rare earth elements, and low with total REE concentrations (1.64~38.9 μg/g), concurrently, the Cr (6~21 μg/g) and Ni (2.5~4.5 μg/g) contents are conspicuously low. The magmatic influence of granite emerges as pivotal factor in the genesis of magnesia skarn hosting the Margou nephrite. The distinctive black-black cyan colour is attributed to heightened iron content, mainly associated with FeO (0.08~6.29%). The discerned chemical composition characteristics posit the Margou nephrite as an exemplar of the magnesia skarn-type nephrite deposit.

Agriculture is the main economic activity of Mozambique and there is lack of information about the quality of agricultural soils. In this paper, five soils from the Manica and Sussudenga districts (Manica province) were sampled in the years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 (before and after the rainy seasons), were subjected to an agronomical and environmental chemical analysis to assess its quality, either from the fertility and environmental contamination point of view. Standard analytical methodologies from external certified laboratories and local X-ray fluorescence measurements were used. All the studied soils are acidic (pH ranging from 4.5 and 5.4), have no salinity problems (conductivity ranging from 4.2 to 11.8 mS/m), have low amount of soil organic matter (0.90% to 1.81%), and soils from the Sussudenga district have a very low cation exchange capacity (CEC) (average of 3.33 cmolc/kg), while those from Manica district ranges from very low to average CEC (3.59 to 13.11 cmolc/kg). Also, Sussudenga soils have a phosphorous deficiency (values ranging from &lt;20 to 38.5 mg/kg) and there are deficiencies and/or excesses of some macro and micronutrients in all soil samples. Manica soils are contaminated, apparently from geogenic origin, with Cr (280 to 1400 mg/kg), Co (80 mg/kg), Ni (78 to 680 mg/kg) and V (86 mg/kg). Agricultural soils monitoring must be fostered in Mozambique in order to improve food quality and quantity to assure economic and environmental sustainability.

Background: Recurrent approximation of retention parameters in reversed-phase HPLC is effective for revealing anomalies difficult to detect otherwise, namely, the reversible hydration of analytes. This was demonstrated previously for restricted sets of analytes with acetonitrile–water eluents. Expanding the number of analytes and eluents seems to be a topical problem. Two kinds of derivatives of aromatic carbonyl compounds were characterized: unsubstituted hydrazones and oximes. Methods: If analyte demonstrates no anomalies in dependences of retention times vs. concentration of organic modifier, the recurrent approximations of these dependences are linear. To explain the features of recurrent approximations, the numerical experiments were proposed and considered. The artificial shifting of one, two, or more points allows modeling the different kinds of deviations of approximations from linearity. Results: It was shown that hydrazones are the class of analytes having no anomalies of retention parameters. On the contrary, several anomalies were detected for oximes. Downward deviations of points in the plots of recurrent approximations of retention times are the signs of reversible hydration. This effect for methanol–water eluents was detected for the first time. Some of oximes underwent hydrolysis. Conclusion: Recurrent approximation of retention times allows detecting chemical transformations of analytes during RP HPLC analysis.

Homochirality is an obvious feature of life on Earth. On the other hand, extraterrestrial samples contain largely racemic compounds. The same is true for any common organic synthesis. Therefore, it has been a perplexing puzzle for decades how these racemates could have formed enantiomerically enriched fractions as a basis for the origin of homochiral life forms. Numerous hypotheses have been put forward as to how preferentially homochiral molecules could have formed and accumulated on Earth. In this article, it is shown that homochirality of the abiotic organic pool at the time of formation of the first self-replicating molecules is not necessary and not even probable. It is proposed to abandon the notion of a molecular ensemble and to focus on the level of individual molecules. Although the formation of the first self-replicating, most likely homochiral molecule is a seemingly improbable event, on a closer look, it is almost inevitable that homochiral molecules have formed simply on a statistical basis. In this case, the non-selective leap to homochirality would be one of the first steps in chemical evolution directly out of a racemic “ocean”. Moreover, most studies focus on the chirality of the primordial monomers with respect to an asymmetric carbon atom. However, any polymer with a minimal size that allows folding to a secondary structure, would spontaneously lead to asymmetric higher structures (conformations). Most of the functions of these polymers would be influenced by this inherently asymmetric folding. To summarize, simple and universal mechanisms may have led to homochiral self-replicating systems in the context of chemical evolution. A homochiral monomer pool is deemed unnecessary and probably never existed on primordial Earth.

The objective of this study was to investigate the liquefaction resistance of chemically improved sandy soils in a straightforward and accurate manner. Using only the existing experimental databases and artificial intelligence, the goal was to make predictions without conducting physical experiments. Emphasis was placed on the significance of data from 20 loading cycles of cyclic undrained triaxial tests to determine the liquefaction resistance and the contribution of each explanatory variable. Different combinations of explanatory variables were considered. Regarding the predictive model, it was observed that a case with the liquefaction resistance ratio as the dependent variable and other parameters as explanatory variables yielded favorable results. In terms of exploring combinations of explanatory variables, it was found advantageous to include all variables as doing so consistently resulted in a high coefficient of determination. The inclusion of the liquefaction resistance ratio in the training data was found to improve the predictive accuracy. In addition, the results obtained when using a linear model for the prediction suggested the potential to accurately predict the liquefaction resistance using historical data.

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of the application of different organic matter, UGmax soil conditioner and simplifications in potato cultivation on the content of dry matter, starch, sugars in tubers of the medium-early edible cultivar 'Satina' after harvest and after long-term storage. The highest dry matter (173.4 g kg-1) and starch (124.6 g kg-1 f. m.) content was ob-tained with the simultaneous application of a manure with soil conditioner at 100% mineral fer-tilization. In the case of sugars, the withdrawal of the soil conditioner from the crop proved most beneficial, for total sugars on the stubble intercrop (5.06 g kg-1 f. m.) and for reducing sug-ars (1.99 g kg-1 f. m.) on the straw. Each protection reduction applied resulted in a significant re-duction in starch content. In this regard, the withdrawal of herbicides with simultaneous appli-cation of manure and UGmax proved most beneficial. Long-term storage of tubers caused a sig-nificant reduction in their quality in terms of dry matter and starch content (average by -3.6 and -2.3%, respectively) and an increase in total and reducing sugars (average by 11.8 and 9.6%, re-spectively). The decrease in dry matter and starch content was significantly influenced by the 50% reduction in NPK fertilization applied during the growing season, while the application of soil conditioner with full protection contributed to the increase in reducing sugars after storage at 28.9 pts%. Our research is in line with current trends of used potato cultivation technologies focused mainly on environmental protection, so the results of this study can provide a basis for validation for researchers currently engaged in such evaluation.

In the European Union, Occupational Safety and Health legislation generally refers to European Regulation (CE) n. 1272/2008 to define and classify carcinogens of concern for occupational risk assessment and exposure assessment. In Europe, the current reference is Directive (UE) 2022/431, regarding carcinogen, mutagen and reprotoxic agents (CMRs) exposure. However, at worldwide level, different classification approaches are used to establish carcinogenicity of substances and it is often difficult to compare the classifications of carcinogenicity (CoCs) proposed by different international bodies. This study aims to investigate a list of carcinogens of concern in occupational settings based on the CLP (Classification Labelling Packaging) CoC, and to create a tool that allows a rapid translation-comparison of some international CoCs with the reference one. CoCs proposed by various sources were consulted and used to apply a translation method, to favor an alignment of different CoCs according to a reference. Results outlined that considering diverse sources, CoCs can result in different classifications of the same chemicals. Overall, this may have implications for the hazard assessment process, which is the base of risk assessment. The proposed tool is expected to help risk assessors in the occupational field when it is needed to have a comparison with different CoC systems.

Chemical instability of liquid-repellent surfaces is one of the nontrivial hurdles that hinders their real-world applications. Although much efforts have been made to prepare chemically durable liquid-repellent surfaces, few attentions have been paid to exploit the instability for versatile use. Herein, we propose to create hydrophilic patterns on superhydrophobic surface by taking advantage of its chemical instability induced by acid solution treatment. Superhydrophobic Cu(OH)2 nanoneedles covered Cu plate that shows poor stability towards HCl solution (1.0 M) is taken as an example. Results show that 2.5 min of HCl solution exposure leads to the etching of Cu(OH)2 nanoneedles and partial removal of self-assembled fluoroalkyl silane molecular layer, resulting in the wettability transition from superhydrophobocity to hydrophilicity, and the water contact angle decreases from ~160° to ~30°. Hydrophilic dimples with different diameters are then created on the superhydrophobic surfaces by depositing HCl droplets with different volumes. Afterwards, the hydrophilic dimple patterned superhydrophobic surfaces are used for water droplet manipulations, including controlled transfer, merging and nanoliter droplets deposition. The results thereby verify the feasibility of creating wettability patterns on superhydrophobic surfaces by using their chemical instability towards corrosive solutions, which broadens the fabrication methods and applications of functional liquid-repellent surfaces.

The annual demand for fibres continues to rise worldwide. Consequently, more and more fibres must be produced to meet this demand, most of which are melt-spun polymeric man-made fibres. [1] Smooth filaments made of polymers are mainly used for technical applications in industry. For use in clothing or home textiles, for example, a texturing process is used to give the filaments a crimp and thus a feel like that of natural fibres. In this state, they can be processed together with natural fibres and used in textiles. Partially oriented yarns (POY) are of great importance in tex-turing. The yarns are mainly crimped with the help of the so-called false-twist texturing process (FTTP). [2] Since POY accounts for about 60 % of the melt-spun filament yarn produced world-wide, the FTTP is the most important texturing process in the textile industry [3]. In this paper, the main components of false-twist texturing (FTT) machines are explained along with the state of the art and research for each component and its influence on the process. Relevant patents are dis-cussed as well as process optimisation techniques, innovative polymers and yarn types recently used in FTT, followed by a conclusion and an outlook for the process.

The 70/30 copper–nickel alloy is mainly used in critical parts with more demanding conditions in marine settings. There is a need for innovative methods that offer fast production and cost-effectiveness to supplement current copper–nickel alloy manufacturing processes. In this study, we employ wire-arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) to fabricate the 70/30 copper–nickel alloy. The as-built microstructure is characterized by columnar grains with prominent dendrites and chemical segregation in the inter-dendritic area. The aspect ratio of the columnar grain increases with increasing travel speed (TS) at the same wire feed speed (WFS). This is in contrast to an equiaxed grain structure with a more random orientation of conventional sample. The sample built with a WFS of 8 m/min, TS of 1000 mm/min, and a track distance of 3.85 mm exhibits superior corrosion properties in the 3.5 wt% NaCl solution compared to the conventional one, as evidenced by a higher film resistance and breakdown potential, along with a lower passive current density of the WAAM sample. The corrosion morphology reveals the critical roles played by the nickel element unevenly distributed between the dendrite core and inter-dendritic area.

Recent development for synthesis of bio-based long chain aliphatic polyesters by acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) polymerization of α,ω-dienes, derived from plant oils and bio-based chemicals, like bis(10-undecenoate) with isosorbide, using ruthenium-carbene catalysts have been reviewed. Development of subsequent (one-pot) tandem hydrogenation afforded saturated polyesters under mild conditions. The polymerizations under bulk (without solvent, 80-90 ºC) or in ionic liquids (50 ºC) under vacuum conditions enabled synthesis of high molar mass polymers (Mn &gt;30,000 g/mol). The polymerization by molybdenum-alkylidene catalyst afforded the highest molecular weight polyesters (44000‒49400 g/mol, in toluene at 25 ºC) exhibiting promising tensile properties (strength and elongation at break) beyond polyethylene, polypropylene. Depolymerizations of these polyesters including closed loop chemical recycling were also demonstrated. Catalyst developments (more active, under mild conditions) play a key role for the efficient synthesis.

With the COVID-19 pandemic behind us, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 55 new drugs in 2023, a figure consistent with the number authorized in the last five years (53 per year on average). Thus, 2023 is the second-best FDA harvest after 2018 (59 approvals) in all the series. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) continue to be the class of drugs with most approvals, with an exceptional 12, a number that makes it the most outstanding year for this class. As in 2022, five proteins/enzymes have been approved in 2023. However, no antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) has been released onto the market. With respect to TIDES (peptides and oligonucleotides), 2023 has proved a spectacular year, with a total of nine approvals, corresponding to five peptides and four oligonucleotides. Natural products continue to be the best source of inspiration for drug development, with 10 new products on the market. Three drugs in this year’s harvest are pegylated, which may indicate the return of pegylation as a method to increase the half-lives of drugs, after the withdrawal of peginesatide from the market in 2013. Following the trends of recent years, two bispecific drugs have been authorized in 2023. As in preceding years, fluorine and/or N-aromatic heterocycles are present in most of the drugs. Herein, the 55 new drugs approved by the FDA in 2023 are analyzed exclusively on the basis of their chemical structure. They are classified as the following: biologics (antibodies, proteins/enzymes); TIDES (peptide and oligonucleotides); combined drugs; pegylated drugs; natural products; nitrogen aromatic heterocycles; fluorine-containing molecules; and other small molecules.

The accumulation of waste plastics has a severe impact on the environment, and therefore, the development of efficient chemical recycling methods has become an extremely important task. In this regard, a new strategy of degradation product-promoted depolymerization process was proposed. Using N,N'-dimethyl-ethylenediamine (DMEDA) as depolymerization reagent, an efficient chemical recycling of poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (BPA-PC) material was achieved under mild conditions. The degradation product 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (DMI) was proven to be the critical factor in facilitating the depolymerization process. This strategy does not require catalysts or auxiliary solvents, which is truly green process. This method improves the recycling efficiency of BPA-PC and promotes the development of plastic reutilization.

Sanctuaries devoted to Asclepius were established and operated for almost a thousand years in various Greek and Roman cities throughout the Mediterranean region. The Asclepieion sanctuary in Lenta (formerly known as Ancient Lebena) in Crete was famous for receiving water from a sacred spring. In the Ancient Lebena, Levinaion was a famous centre for hydrotherapy, physiotherapy and a psychiatric hospital. In the present paper, we aim to assess the hydrochemical status of this sacred spring that holds a prominent position in archaeological and historical studies. The main objectives of this study are: Initially, to present supervisory evidence (archaeological, geological, hydrochemical) of an area that was a water resource management model for many centuries, carrying out therapeutic work. The second objective is to present and compare hydrochemical data in the last century, i.e. from 1915 to 2021. The third objective is to highlight and warn of an incipient saltwater intrusion in the area along the Lentas coast. The fourth objective is to propose an alternative and sustainable form of water resources management in the region that requires the study and rational utilization of the sporadic small water springs in the region. Our study focuses on a basic hydrochemical analysis of spring and borehole water in the remains of Levinaion in the Lentas region and their comparison with spare historical data of the sacred spring water, aiming to interpret the impact of the changes in the spring water resources that occurred in the last decades due to urban modernization. Our results highlight (i) visible fluctuations in chemical composition of borehole water samples, (ii) a neutral to alkaline pH in borehole waters, and an alkaline pH in spring waters, (iii) un-detectable arsenic of Lentas borehole water, unlike historical data of Lentas spring water, (iv) low values of dissolved radon of Lentas borehole water and spring water of Kefalovrysa, and (v) a timeless constant and hypothermic nature of the water of both sacred spring and borehole of Lenta, but also of Kefalovrysa spring. The recorded historical data, i.e. from 1915 to 1957, due to the absence of substantial anthropogenic activity in the area, can be used as reference values (natural background levels, NBLs) for the Lentas area. Our findings emerge with the need to bring again the flowing spring water of the sacred spring of Lentas in its original form through sustainable management and re-discover its beneficial therapeutical effects.

Siliceous sandstones used in Khmer temples such as the Prasat Basset, Wat Ek Phnom, Phnom Banan temples in Battambang Province, Phnom Chisor and Ta Prohm temples in Ta Keo Province, and Wat Nokor Bachey temple in Kampong Cham Province in Cambodia were investigated in this study. Chemical composition analyses and magnetic susceptibility measurements were conducted for the sandstone blocks used in these temples. Siliceous sandstone is a primary construction material in all investigated temples. Two types of siliceous sandstone, pale brown and red, were found. Pale brown siliceous sandstone was used for the construction of all the investigated temples. In contrast, red siliceous sandstone was found only in the Wat Ek Phnom, Prasat Basset, and Phnom Banan temples. It is suggested that the pale brown siliceous sandstone originated from the Phra Wihan Formation within the Khorat Group. Based on the chemical composition analysis, the pale brown siliceous sandstone in the Ta Prohm temple at Tonle Bati and the Wat Nokor Bachey temple may have been sourced from the lower level of the Phra Wihan Formation. In contrast, the pale brown siliceous sandstone used in the Prasat Basset, Wat Ek Phnom, and Phnom Banan temples was likely sourced from the upper level. The origin of the red siliceous sandstone is proposed to be from the Sao Khua Formation, which is situated above the Phra Wihan Formation.

One of the most widely available and extensively produced varieties of industrial hemp, which generates a substantial amount of consumer-increasing waste in the form of hemp cellulose. In this study, recycling with a compressed and high-speed method that combines crushing and alkali treatment effectively converts leftover hemp fiber into ultrafine powder. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), AFM (Atomic Force Microscope), FTIR (Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy), and XRD (X-ray Diffraction) examined the original morphology of hemp fiber treated with alkali, fiber heated to 200 ℃, and crushed powder. Particle size, crystallinity, fiber surface, and strength increased and decreased. It became apparent that fiber strength decreased and fiber roughness significantly increased after alkali treatment. Fiber increased significantly, and crystallinity decreased after crushing. It was simple and effective for converting the leftover hemp fiber into micron-sized powder. In about 3 to 5 minutes, approximately 1 kg of dry ultrafine powder with a particle size of 10.44 μm was produced. This production method will significantly enhance future industrial applications of waste hemp fiber.

In this study, the effects of food waste (FW) compost, vermicompost, and chemical fertilizers on the growth of organic red radish and soil quality are investigated to promote sustainable agriculture. Utilizing a comparative approach, it assesses the impacts of these fertilizers on various plant growth metrics and soil characteristics, highlighting the potential of converting FW into nutrient-rich amendments as a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers. The results indicate a significant variation in fresh weight among different treatments. For example, the FV 25% treatment demonstrated a relatively high mean fresh weight of 7.9664, while the CO 50% treatment yielded a much lower mean fresh weight of 0.2589. These numbers underscore the potential efficacy of specific FW treatments in enhancing plant growth, with VC 50% and FV 25% showing considerable promise in increasing crop yield. The study concludes that FW compost and vermicompost significantly enhance plant growth and soil quality, advocating for their use as sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to chemical fertilizers. The findings emphasize the importance of selecting appropriate fertilizer types and concentrations to optimize agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, supporting the incorporation of FW into agricultural systems as a beneficial resource.

: Low-temperature growth of diamond films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method is not so widely reported and especially its initial periods of nucleation and growth phenomenon are of particular interest to the researchers. Four sets of substrates were selected for growing diamond films by linear antenna microwave plasma enhanced CVD (LA-MPCVD). Among them, silicon and sapphire substrates were pre-treated with detonation nanodiamond (DND) seeds before diamond growth for enhancement of its nucleation. On the other hand, carbon nanotube (CNT) films on Si substrates were also used as another template for LA-MPCVD diamond growth. In order to enhance the diamond nucleation during CVD growth, some of the CNT films were again pre-treated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD) of diamond nanoparticles. All these substrates were then put inside the LA-MPCVD chamber for growing diamond films under variable processing conditions. Microwave input powers (1100 – 2800 W), input power modes (pulse or continuous), antenna to stage distances (5 - 6.5 cm), process gas recipes (with or without CO2), methane gas percentages (3 - 5%), deposition times (11 – 120 minutes) were altered to investigate their effect on the growth of diamond film on the pre-treated substrates. The substrate temperatures were found to vary from as low as 170oC to a maximum of 307oC during the alteration of the different processing parameters. Contrary to the conventional MPCVD, it was observed that during the first hour of LA-MPCVD diamond growth, DND seeds or the nucleating structures, do not coalesce together to make a continuous film. Deposition time was the most critical factor in fully covering the substrate surfaces with diamond film, since the substrate temperature could not become stable during the first hour of LA-MPCVD. CNT was found to be oxidised rapidly under LA-MPCVD plasma conditions; therefore, a CO2-free process gas recipe was used to reduce CNT burning. Moreover, EPD-coated CNT was found to be less oxidised by the LACVD plasma during diamond growth.

In this study, the pristine MgO, MgO/CNT and Ni-MgO/CNT nanocomposites were processed by the impregnation and chemical vapour deposition methods and analyzed for hydrogen evolution (HER) via electrochemical water splitting process. Furthermore, effect of nickel on the deposited carbon was systematically elaborated in this study. The highly conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) deposited on the metal surface of the Ni-MgO nanocomposite heterostructure provides the robust stability and superior electrocatalytic activity. The optimized Ni-MgO/CNT nanocomposite exhibited hierarchical helical-shaped carbon nanotubes adorned on the surface of the Ni-MgO flakes, forming a hybrid metal-carbon network structure. The HER catalytic reaction was carried out in 1M alkaline KOH electrolyte, and the optimized Ni-MgO/CNT nanocomposite achieves the low 117 mV overpotential value (ɳ) at the 10 mA cm-2 and needs low 116 mV/dec Tafel value denoted Volmer-Heyrovsky pathway. Also, high electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) value of Ni-MgO/CNT nanocomposite acquires 515 cm2, which is favorable for the generation of abundant electro-active species and the prepared electrocatalyst durability was also performed by chronoamperometry test for prolonged duration of 20 h at 10 mA cm-2 and exhibits the good stability with 72% retention. Hence, obtained results demonstrated that the optimized Ni-MgO/CNT nanocomposite is highly active and cost-effective electrocatalyst towards hydrogen energy production.

Pleione is a genus of Orchidaceae and is one of the major sources of Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones (PCsP). It contains many constituents, such as phenanthrene, bibenzyl, glycoside, flavonoid and so on, which have plenty of bioactivities, including anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammatory, lowering glycemic levels and other pharma cological activities. In order to further utilize the edible and medicinal functions of Pleione, and clarify its medicinal active ingredients, this review systematically summarizes the constituents and pharmacological effects of Pleione, which will provide a theoretical foundation for the clinical application and new drug development．

This analysis examines the wide range of occupational and environmental health risks that affect people in diverse settings. This article emphasizes the importance of conducting exposure and risk assessments to safeguard public health by analyzing various hazards, including arsenic, oil accidents, lead, welding fumes, and mycotoxins. Various methodologies are utilized in these research articles to conduct the study, emphasizing hazard identification, exposure assessment, and risk characterization. The results uncover harmful substances, vulnerable demographics, and occupational duties linked to increased hazards. The report suggests various mitigation strategies, such as targeted interventions, enhanced community efforts, and improved exposure estimates. Notwithstanding the constraints identified in certain studies, the review emphasizes the necessity for continuous investigation to improve assessments of exposure, comprehend the cumulative effects, and examine the wider societal consequences. The significance of sector-specific risk assessments, protective measures, and ongoing monitoring is underscored to ensure mental and physical health protection.

NiO-based nanomaterials have attracted a great deal of interest in view of various applications, that have stimulated the implementation of various synthetic approaches to control their chemico-physical properties as a function of the desired end-use. In this regard, their bottom-up preparation starting from suitable precursors plays an important role, but a molecular level in-sight into their reactivity remains an open challenge. In this study, we focus on the fragmentation of Ni(II) diketonate-diamine adducts, of interest as precursors for Ni(II) oxide systems, by com-bined electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) with multiple collisional experiments (ESI-MSn) and theoretical calculations. The joint analyses revealed common features in the frag-mentation pattern of the target compounds: i) in the first-fragmentation, all three complexes form analogous base-peak cations by losing a negatively charged diketonate; in these cations, Ni-O and Ni-N interactions are stronger and the Ni positive charge is lower than in the neutral complexes; ii) the tendency of ligand electronic charge to migrate towards Ni further increases in the subsequent fragmentation processes, leading to the formation – in all three cases – of a tetracoordinated Ni environment involving an interesting cation-π intramolecular interaction.

The stochastic modelling of chemical physical processes is essentially based on a coarse-grained formulation of fluctuations, usually described by means of Wiener processes. By taking the paradigmatic example of chemical reaction kinetics, we propose a simple representation of microscopic stochastic dynamics grounded on the use of distributional derivatives of counting processes that account for elementary reactive events. This approach is consistent with the statistical analysis based on the Chemical Master Equation, and provides the formal setting for the existing algorithmic approaches (Gillespie algorithm). Some practical advantages of this formulation are addressed, and several other examples are discussed in connection with cluster formation, velocity fluctuations in liquid systems, and quantum transitions (radiative interactions) at the molecular level.

Olive orchards cover over 10 million hectares worldwide, with production techniques undergoing significant changes in the past three decades. The traditional rainfed approach, involving minimal inputs, has given way to irrigated super-intensive systems with higher planting density, in-creased productivity, greater use of fertilizers and phytopharmaceuticals, and total mechaniza-tion. Its impact on soil chemical properties remains a topic of great debate and no definitive consensus has been reached. Our main objective was to examine the different effects of traditional olive orchards and super-intensive ones on soil chemistry over a decade. We collected and ana-lyzed 1500 soil samples from an irrigation perimeter in southern Portugal in 2003 and 2013. Our findings indicate that compared to traditional olive orchards, super-intensive ones show, in a decade, a significant decrease in soil organic matter (less 22.8% - p<0.001) and an increase in so-dization (more 33.8% of Ext Na - p<0.001) highlighting the importance of monitoring this factor for soil fertility. In comparison to other irrigated crops in the region, super-intensive olive orchards promote a significant soil acidification (from 7.12 to 6.58), whereas the pH values of the other crops increase significantly (more 3.3%, 13.5%, 3.0% in corn, tomato and cereals, respectively). Mainly because organic matter levels decrease, soil acidification and soil sodization we can un-derline that hedgerow olive orchards can affect soil characteristics negatively when compared with traditional ones.

Starting from the analysis of the lack of positivity of the Cattaneo heat equation, the article addresses the thermodynamic relevance of the positivity constraint in irreversible thermodynamics, than is at least as important as the entropic constraints. The fulfillment of this condition in hyperbolic models leads to the parametrization of the concentration fields with respect to internal variables associated with the microscopic dynamics. Using Brownian motion theory as a landmarking example for deriving macroscopic transport equations from the equations of motion at the particle/molecular level, we discuss two typical problems involving hydrodynamic interactions at microscale: surface chemical reactions at a solid interface of a diffusing reactant, and mass-balance equations in a complex viscoelastic fluid, in which the physics of the interaction leads either to the overcome the parabolic diffusion model or to consider the parametrization of the concentration with respect to the degrees of freedom associated with the relaxation dynamics of the solvent fluid.

Cholesterol siRNA conjugates attract attention because they allow the delivery of siRNA into cells without the use of transfection agents. In this study, we compared the efficacy and duration of silencing induced by cholesterol conjugates of selectively and totally modified siRNAs and their heteroduplexes of the same sequence and explored the impact of linker length between the 3' end of the sense strand of siRNA and cholesterol on the silencing activity of “light” and “heavy” modified siRNAs. All 3'-cholesterol conjugates were equally active under transfection, but the conjugate with a C3 linker was less active than those with longer linkers (C8 and C15) in a carrier-free mode. At the same time, they are significantly inferior in activity to the 5'-cholesterol conjugate. Shortening the sense strand carrying cholesterol by 2 nucleotides from the 3'-end did not have a significant effect on the activity of the conjugate. Replacing the antisense strand or both strands with fully modified ones has a significant effect on silencing as well as improving the duration in transfection-mediated and carrier-free modes. A significant 78% suppression of MDR1 gene expression in KB-8-5 xenograft tumors developed in mice promises an advantage from the use of fully modified siRNA cholesterol conjugates in combination chemotherapy.

Wendan (a type of pomelo), as a popular fruit in China, is less known in other countries. Its peel is widely used in food and traditional medicine. Four different origins of Wendan pomelo were selected, and crude extracts were obtained by the Soxhlet extraction method. The composition of Wendan peel was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) in positive ion mode. The compounds were identified by searching the Metabolite Link (METLIN), Spectral Database for Organic Compounds (SDBS) and referring to literature reports. A total of 20 compounds were identified among the samples from the four origins, of which 8 compounds were common. The majority of the compounds belonged to the flavonoid and coumarin classes, Meranzin hydrate was identified for the first time in pomelo peel. In vitro antioxidant activity experiments showed that samples from Taizhou, Zhejiang exhibited the highest antioxidant activity in the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, with values of 0.59 mg/mL, 97.06 μmol TE/g, and 60.62 μmol Fe2+/g, respectively. Samples from Zhangzhou, Fujian showed antioxidant activity second only to the samples from Taizhou, Zhejiang. The sample from Zhangzhou, Fujian Province, showed excellent inhibitory activity in the α-glucosidase inhibition assay (IC50=7.99 mg/mL).

The main aspects of mercury sulfide and mercury selenide thin film synthesis using the chemical deposition method are considered. An analysis of various factors affecting film properties was conducted, including the study of how the nature of the substrate and its pre-treatment influence film properties. The effects of the working solution's temperature, deposition time, and annealing conditions on film characteristics were investigated. The impact of these parameters on the phase composition, as well as optical, electrical, and morphological properties of the films, is discussed and summarized. The paragraph also explains how the choice and concentration of initial reagents affect the parameters, characteristics, and properties of the obtained films.

Nerve agents have recently been used in battlefield operations, espionage wars and terrorist attacks. These compounds, like some pesticides, cause organophosphate poisoning. The rapid, non-contact detection of a sarin simulant has been demonstrated at the Diagnostics and Metrology Laboratory of the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development using laser photoacoustic spectroscopy, an infrared absorption technology. The first measurements, carried out with an experimental system based on a quantum cascade laser and developed for the assessment of food authenticity in the “fingerprint region”, show that a detection limit of 1 nanolitre is within the reach of the instrument when chemometric analysis is applied.

When designing the battery of an electric vehicle, different parameters must be considered to obtain the safest arrangement of the battery/modules/cells from the mechanical and thermal point of view. In this study, the thermal runaway propagation mechanism of lithium-ion cells is analyzed as a function of their arrangement within a battery pack in case of a fire propagation of a battery pack in which a thermal runaway has occurred. The objective is to identify which cell/module arrangement is most critical within the battery pack by microscopic analysis of the structure and chemical composition of the most damaged cells, both horizontally and vertically, of a battery belonging to a burnt vehicle. And their final condition has been compared with the condition of new cells of the same type. In this way the structure and chemical composition of the anode, cathode and separator after Thermal Runaway has been compared. This research has been carried out to obtain information to understand the mechanical properties of lithium-ion cells and their behavior after thermal runaway heating leading to the propagation of a fire. Through the analysis carried out, it is concluded that cells placed in a vertical arrangement have worse behavior than cells in a horizontal arrangement. Regarding the safety of the battery, the results of this study will allow to determine which arrangement and structure of the cells within the battery pack is safer against thermal runaway due to thermal failure.

Essential oils (EOs) are highly concentrated and volatile blends of nonpolar substances, are derived from aromatic plant components and comprise terpenes, terpenoids and phenylpropanoids, exhibiting diverse biological and pharmacological properties. The burgeoning pet industry is interested in EOs as a potential solution for common health issues in domestic animals, particularly in addressing antimicrobial resistance. The present study summarizes the composition, properties, benefits, safety considerations, and effects of EOs on pets and animals. The applications of EOs range from antimicrobial effects to antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities etc. Furthermore, EOs are used extensively in various industries, including beauty care products, detergents, and fragrances. The chemical constituents of EOs, exemplified by eucalyptus EO and rosemary EO, highlight their distinct aromatic profiles and potential benefits. Nevertheless, understanding the chemical makeup of EOs is fundamental in assessing their potential impacts on biological systems. Safety considerations, including potential toxicity, are essential when incorporating EOs into animal care routines. The feed additives incorporating EOs have shown promise in influencing gut microbiota balance, reducing inflammation, and acting as antioxidants. However, cautious application is paramount, considering the potential risks associated with high doses or multiple administrations. Preliminary studies suggest low toxicity levels, but further research is required to evaluate the safety of EOs. Though studies reported the beneficial effects of EOs on pets and animals, further research is needed to validate the findings in real-world conditions. The paper also discussed the regulatory considerations and future perspectives on applying EOs in veterinary medicine.

A simple method is presented for the continuous generation of carbon nanotube forests stably anchored on stainless-steel surfaces using a reactive-roll-to-roll (RR2R) configuration. No addition of catalyst nanoparticles is required for the CNT-forest generation, the stainless-steel substrate itself being tuned to generate the catalytic growth sites. The process enables very larges surfaces covered with CNT forests having individual CNT roots anchored to the metallic ground through primary bonds. Fog water harvesting is demonstrated and tested as one potential application using long CNT-covered wires. The RR2R is performed in the gas phase, no solution processing of CNT suspensions is used contrary to usual R2R CNT-based technologies. Full or partial CNT-forest coverage provides tuning of the ratio and shape of hydrophobic and hydrophilic zones on the surface. This enables optimization of fog water harvesters for droplet capture through the hydrophobic CNT forest, and water removal from the hydrophilic SS surface. Water recovery tests using small harp-type harvesters with CNT-forest generate water capture of up to 2.2 g/cm2h under ultrasound-generated fog flow. The strong CNT root anchoring on the stainless steel surfaces provides opportunities for (i) robustness and easy transport of the composite structure, (ii) chemical functionalization and/or nanoparticle decoration of the structures, and opens the road for a series of applications on large scale surfaces, including fog harvesting.

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) are complexes, highly stable in vivo, used in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), administered in patients and then eliminated via renal, passing through wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) before being discarded in the receiving medium, without apparent removal. In this study, it was studied if different exposure periods to several environmental parameters (solar radiation, different salinities, temperatures and pH) will influence the stability of these complexes, namely, the Gd-DOTA. Gd-DOTA solutions were processed in a seaFAST-pico saline matrix pre-concentration and elimination system and Gd concentrations were determined by ICP-MS. Results showed that the complex remained stable in fresh, brackish and saline water environments, even when exposed to extreme temperatures (40ºC) or slightly acidic to basic conditions (6-10), for an exposure period of 96h. A small increase in the free Gd concentration was observed after 18 days when exposed to pH&lt;4, in all tested salinities (0, 18 and 36 PSU), with a degradation increase of up to 29%, after 5 weeks of exposure in freshwater. When exposed to direct solar radiation a low Gd-DOTA degradation (4%) was observed after 24h at salinity 18 PSU and remained constant until the end of the exposure period (96h), while the remaining salinities showed negligible values.

Laportea bulbifera (Sieb. et Zucc.) Wedd. (L. bulbifera) is a significant plant belonging to the Laportea genus. It has been traditionally used in ethnomedicine to treat various conditions such as rheumatic arthralgia, fractures, falling injuries, nephritis dropsy, limb numbness, pruritus, fatigue-induced internal imbalances, and irregular menstruation. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed its therapeutic potential, as it exhibits anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, analgesic, and anti-rheumatoid arthritis properties. In order to gather in-depth information on L. bulbifera, a comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, and CNKI. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of L. bulbifera by covering various aspects, including ethnomedicinal uses, geographical distribution, botanical description, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control. By doing so, this review intends to lay a strong foundation and propose new research avenues for the exploration and development of potential applications of L. bulbifera. Thus far, a total of 189 compounds have been isolated and identified from L. bulbifera. These compounds include flavonoids, phenolics, nitrogen compounds, steroids, terpenoids, coumarins, phenylpropanoids, fatty acids and their derivatives, and other compounds. Notably, flavonoids and fatty acids in L. bulbifera have demonstrated remarkable antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, these compounds show promising potential in activities such as analgesia, hypoglycemia, and hypolipidemia, as well as toxicity. Despite the extensive fundamental studies conducted on L. bulbifera, further research is still needed to enhance our understanding of its credible mechanism of action and improve its quality control. This necessitates more comprehensive investigations to explore the specific material basis, uncover new mechanisms of action, and refine the quality control methods related to L. bulbifera. By doing so, we could contribute to the further development and utilization of this plant.

The leaf essential oils from five Eucalyptus spp.: E. astringens, E. camaldulensis, E. lehmanii, E. leucoxylon and E. sideroxylon growing in the same plantation area and conditions (plants with the same age and subjected to the same agronomic practices) were analyzed and evaluated for their antimicrobial activity. The essential oil yields ranged from 0.14 to 0.96% (w/w), and their chromatographic profiles were resolved into 48 compounds; among them, 11 were common to all essential oils. Terpenoids (oxygenated mono, and sesquiterpenes) dominated (55.66-76.67%) the oil profiles. Although 1,8-cineole (21.97-50.93%) was found as the main oxygenated monoterpene in all examined essential oils, principal component analysis observed and confirmed an interspecific chemical variability. Additionally, a set of distinctive chemical markers that could serve as a reliable tool for discrimination of Eucalyptus species and for authentication and quality control purposes (for commercial samples) has been defined for each essential oil. The antimicrobial disc-diffusion assay results revealed that all essential oils were endowed with a strong antimicrobial activity, with those derived from E. camaldulensis, E. lehmanii and E. leucoxylon being the most active.

A tunable near-infrared surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor based on gate-controlled graphene plasmons is investigated theoretically. The novel characteristics of chemical potential sensing make the proposed sensor promising in the application of ultra-sensitive and highly specific biosensing technology. The sensitivity of chemical potential sensing in wavelength interrogation mode can be calculated to be 1.5, 1.89, 2.29, 3.21, 3.73 and 4.68 nm/meV respectively at the central wavelength of 1100, 1200, 1310, 1550, 1700 and 1900 nm. The much smaller full width half maximum (FWHMs) comparing with that of 2D nanomaterial-enhanced metal SPR sensors indicates higher figure of merit. The sensitivity of chemical potential sensing in gate voltage interrogation mode also can be calculated to be 156.9822, 143.6147, 131.0779, 111.0351, 101.3415 and 90.6038 mV/meV respectively at the incident wavelength of 1100, 1200, 1310, 1550, 1700 and 1900 nm. It can be estimated theoretically that the limit of detection (LOD) in DNA sensing of the proposed sensor can reach femtomolar level and even attomolar level, comparable to and even lower than that of 2D nanomaterial-enhanced metal SPR sensors with AuNPs as a sensitivity enhancement strategy. The feasibility of preparation and operation of this new concept SPR biosensor is also analyzed and discussed.

We successfully fabricated Ag@Cu2O core-shell decorated on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanocomposites (ACRN) by a simple and convenient in situ substitution method. The properties of these ACRN with heterostructure layers were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies and absorption spectroscopy. We used p-nitrophenol (4-NP) as a probe molecule to determine the chemical catalytic activity of the ACRN. Upon introduction of rGO, a high electron transfer efficiency was achieved; thus, the catalytic activity was improved significantly. Therefore, the ACRN exhibited significantly improved catalytic activity for the reduction of 4-NP and showed the high application value in the removal of toxic and harmful substances from water. In addition, the fabricated ACRN was used for the reduction of organic dyes and explosive pollutants to generate nontoxic products. Furthermore, the high charge redistribution and transfer among Ag, Cu2O and rGO in the ACRN induced the high catalytic reduction of organic pollutants, indicating the excellent potential of these materials for applications in water pollution treatment.

Background: Poisoning is a growing public problem that has shown increased prevalence in many countries worldwide, contributing to increased costs and mortalities. A lack of or insufficient information regarding the circumstances, chemicals, drugs and people at risk due to imperfect reporting system is regarded as a barrier to successful poisoning prevention and intervention efforts. In Saudi Arabia, poisoning cases are monitored at the central level in the Ministry of Health, with meticulous follow-up of cases across country areas through public health departments. The current study's objective was to describe the poisoning notification and reporting system in Makkah.Subjects and methods: All reports of chemical and drug overdose poisoning delivered to the environmental health and occupational safety department in Makkah Almukarramah over two years (2018-2019) were reviewed, together with verification of all systems, rules and guidelines organizing the performance of the department.Results: The total number of cases reported in 2018 was 209 cases, while it reached 42 cases in 2019. The overwhelming majority of the cases were Saudi (91.6%), with a slight predominance of males (57.4%) over females (42.6%). Generally, almost two-thirds of the cases occurred in children below 13 years (61.4%), most of the poisoning cases resulted from drug overdose (63.3%), while 34.7% were chemical poisoning. The most common drug poisoning was attributed to analgesics followed by antiepileptics, antihypertensive drugs, antipsychotics and antimicrobials, while cleaning and detergent agents were the most commonly poisoned chemicals. The majority of these agents were taken by the oral route. Children's chemical poisoning was significantly higher than that in older age groups (p<0.05). All intentional poisoning occurred in adults; the great majority of them (88.9%) used drug overdosing rather than chemical substances.Conclusion and recommendations: The current study results are consistent with most of the previous studies carried out in different regions in Saudi Arabia. Reviewing the performance and adherence of the “Environmental Health and Occupational Safety Department” to the guidelines and instruction regulating monitoring, notification and reporting of poison cases are satisfactory and the poisoning surveillance system is effective. Further in-depth studies are needed to elaborate other socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with chemical and drug overdose poisoning. Public health plans, policies and legislations should be implemented to reduce these factors, including prohibition over-the-counter pharmaceutical sales, selling the possibly harmful substances in kid-proof bottles and additional stringent rules governing chemical sale and storage. Intensive supervision of children is needed. Suicidal poisoning patients should seek psychiatric help to limit the possibility of attempting suicide again in the future. Furthermore, efforts are needed to plan and implement health education programs and campaigns about the factors proven in the current study to be significantly related to chemical and drug overdose poisoning to raise public knowledge about exposure to chemicals and its consequences. Popular communication media, commercial malls, road ads, learning institutions and workplaces can be used to deliver health education campaigns and programs. Advice on how to store chemicals safely and how to keep kids safe should be focused on during such programs.

China Xihu Longjing tea famous for its good flavor and quality. However, the related metabolites information except flavonoids is largely deficient. Different processing methods of China Xihu Longjing tea fixing both by machine at first and second step(A1), first step by machine and second step by hand(A2), first step by hand and second step by machine(A3), both by hand at first and second step (A4) were compared using a UHPLC-QE-MS-based metabolomics approach. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze the metabolic profiles of the processed samples. A total of 490 metabolites (3 alkaloids, 3 anthracenes, 15 benzene and substituted derivatives, 2 benzopyrans, 13 coumarins and derivatives, 128 flavonoids, 4 furanoid lignans, 16 glycosides and derivatives, 5 indoles and derivatives, 18 isocoumarins and derivatives, 4 chalcones and dihydrochalcones, 4 naphthopyrans, 3 nucleosides, 78 organic acids and derivatives, 55 organooxygen compounds, 5 phenols, 109 prenol lipids, 3 saccharolipids, 3 steroids and steroid derivatives, 17 tannins) were identified. The different metabolism profiles were distinguished using PCA and OPLS-DA. There were differences in the types and contents of metabolites, especially flavonoids, furanoid lignans, glycosides and derivatives, organic acids and derivatives and organooxygen compounds. There was a positive correlation between flavonoid metabolism and amino acid metabolism. However, there was a negative correlation between flavonoid metabolism and amino acid metabolism, which had the same trend as prenol lipids metabolism, tannin.This study provides new valuable information for regarding differences in the metabolite profile of China Xihu Longjing tea processed based on machine fixing and manual fixing methods.

Background: Poisoning is a challenging medical condition facing health care providers, as it usually results in serious outcomes in terms of morbidities or mortalities. Poisoning is a challenging medical condition facing health care providers, as it usually results in serious outcomes in terms of morbidities or mortalities. The lack of or inadequate information about the circumstances, substances and populations at risk are considered barriers to the actual prevention of poisoning and effective intervention strategies in Saudi Arabia. The aim of the current study was to describe the pattern and determinants of chemical and drug overdose poisoning in Makkah.Subjects and methods: All reports of chemical and drug overdose poisoning delivered to the Environmental Health and Occupational Safety Department in Makkah over two years (2018-2019) were reviewed.Results: The total number of cases reported in 2018 was 209 cases, while it reached 42 cases in 2019. The overwhelming majority of the cases were Saudi (91.6%), with a slight predominance of males (57.4%) over females (42.6%). Generally, almost two-thirds of the cases occurred in children below 13 years (61.4%), most of the poisoning cases resulted from drug overdose (63.3%), while 34.7% were chemical poisoning. The most common drug poisoning was attributed to analgesics followed by antiepileptics, antihypertensive drugs, antipsychotics and antimicrobials, while cleaning and detergent agents were the most commonly poisoned chemicals. The majority of these agents were taken by the oral route. Children's chemical poisoning was significantly higher than that in older age groups (p<0.05). All intentional poisoning occurred in adults; the great majority of them (88.9%) used drug overdosing rather than chemical substances.Conclusion and recommendations: The current study results are consistent with most of the previous studies carried out in different regions of Saudi Arabia. Further in-depth studies are needed to elaborate other social and demographic factors associated with chemical and drug overdose poisoning. Public health plans, policies and legislations should be implemented to reduce these factors. Intensive supervision of children is needed. Suicidal poisoning patients should seek psychiatric help to limit the possibility of attempting suicide again in the future. Furthermore, efforts are needed to plan and implement health education programs about the factors proven in the current study to be significantly related to chemical and drug overdose poisoning.

Speciation analysis is a relevant topic since the (eco)toxicity, bioavailability, bio (geo)chemical cycles, and mobility of a given element depend on its chemical forms (oxidation state, organic ligands, etc.). Reliability of analytical results for chemical species of elements depends mostly on the maintaining of their stability during sample pretreatment step and on the selectivity of further separation step. Solid phase extraction (SPE) is a matter of choice as most suitable and widely used procedure for both enrichment of chemical species of elements and their separation. Features of sorbent material are of great importance to ensure extraction efficiency from one side and selectivity from other side of SPE procedure. This review presents an update on the application of polymeric materials in solid-phase extraction used in non-chromatographic methods for speciation analysis.

The basis of modern teeth whitening systems is the use of a whitening gel, usually containing hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of chemical and modified office teeth whitening systems on the mineral metabolism of oral fluid and to determine a safer method. The study covered 81 patients aged 22 to 35 years of both sexes with teeth color A2 and darker on the Vita Classic scale. Determination of the concentration of calcium and phosphates in the oral fluid was carried out on a spectrophotometer using ready-made Human kits. Chemical tooth whitening was performed using a gel based on 40% hydrogen peroxide. After the procedure, remineralization therapy with enamel-sealing liquid was performed for 14 days. The obtained results indicate that the most pronounced changes in the content of calcium (+74.4%, p &lt;0.001) and рhosphates (phosphorus) (-23.07%, p &lt;0.001) were observed when using a chemical bleaching system. After the teeth whitening procedure using a modified technique, less pronounced changes in the concentrations of calcium (+29.07, p &lt;0.001) and phosphorus (-14%, p &lt;0.001) were observed. The use of remineralizing agents led to a faster recovery of the initial levels of calcium and phosphates in the oral fluid. Both bleaching systems caused similar changes in the chemical composition of the oral fluid.

Cocoa beans of the CCN-51 clone harvested in the Tumaco region (Nariño, Colombia) were fermented following four different treatments: (1) spontaneously (at room temperature for 120 h) in traditional conditions (Control); (2) traditional processing with a pre-drying (sun-dried for 24 h) treatment (PD); (3) with fermentation (for 120 h) after inoculation of a yeast starter culture (YS); and (4) including both treatments, pre-drying and yeast inoculation (PD+YS). Chemical composition, fatty acids, total polyphenol, methylxanthines (theobromine and caffeine) and lactic acid content of cocoa beans were determined. Chemical and fatty acid composition and theobromine content were not affected by the different fermentation treatment applied. When analysing total polyphenol content, YS and PD+YS treatments significantly increased the content of these compounds at the end of the fermentation process, while PD treatment decreased the caffeine content of cocoa beans. Finally, lactic acid content decreased as a consequence of both inoculation of yeast starter and mainly the pre-drying treatment. In conclusion, solar pre-drying in the open air and the inoculation of a yeast starter treatments could improve the final quality of coca beans.

Effective therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are in great demand worldwide. In our previous work, we responded to this need by synthesizing novel drug candidates consisting of 4-amino-2,3-polymethylenequinolines conjugated with butylated hydroxytoluene via fixed-length alkylimine or alkylamine linkers (spacers) and studying their bioactivities pertaining to AD treatment. Here, we report significant extensions of these studies, including the use of variable-length spacers and more detailed biological characterizations. Conjugates were potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE, minimum IC50 15.1±0.2 nM) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE, minimum IC50 5.96±0.58 nM), with weak inhibition of off-target carboxylesterase. Conjugates with alkylamine spacers were more effective cholinesterase inhibitors than alkylimine analogs. Optimal inhibition for AChE was exhibited by cyclohexaquinoline and for BChE by cycloheptaquinoline. Increasing spacer length elevated potency against both cholinesterases. Structure-activity relationships agreed with docking results. Mixed-type reversible AChE inhibition, dual docking to catalytic and peripheral anionic sites, and propidium iodide displacement suggested the potential of hybrids to block AChE-induced β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation. Hybrids also exhibited inhibition of Aβ self-aggregation in the thioflavin test; those with a hexaquinoline ring and C8 spacer were the most active. Conjugates demonstrated high antioxidant activity in ABTS and FRAP assays as well as inhibition of luminol chemiluminescence and lipid peroxidation in mouse brain homogenates. Quantum-chemical calculations explained antioxidant results. Computed ADMET profiles indicated favorable blood-brain barrier permeability suggesting CNS activity potential. Thus, the conjugates could be considered promising multifunctional agents for potential treatment of AD.

Reactions of picolinamides with 1,3-propanesultone in methanol followed by the treatment with ketones led to a series of previously unknown chemical transformations, yielding first pyridinium salts (2a-f) with a protonated endocyclic nitrogen atom and then heterocyclic salts (3a-j) containing a 4-imidazoline ring. The structures of intermediate and final products were determined by IR and 1H, 13C NMR spectroscopy and X-ray study. The effects of the ketone and alcohol structures on the product yield were studied by quantum-chemical calculations. The stability of salts 3a-j towards hydrolysis and alcoholysis makes them excellent candidates for the search of new types of biologically active compounds.

Abstract: Agriculture uses plastic products for containers, packaging, tunnels, drip irrigation tub-ing, mulches. Large amounts of plastics are used as mulches on the soil surface for vegetable pro-duction (tomato, cucumber, watermelon, strawberry, vine) to reduce the weed competition, in-crease water and fertilizer use efficiency and enhance crop yield. Portugal uses around 4,500 t/year of polyethylene plastic to cover approximately 23,000 ha of agricultural land and only a small amount is recovered for recycling or secondary uses because of dirt with soil, vegetation, pesticide and fertilizers. Cleaning and decontaminating polyethylene mulch are costly and commercial technology is often not accessible nor economically viable in the current economic Portuguese situation. Most plastic mulch is composed of polyethylene that degrades slowly and produces a large quantity of residues in soil with negative impact in the environment. In the present study, the effects of long-term cultivation of blueberry using green 100% high density polyethylene mulch, in the south Portugal were evaluated for soil chemical and biological changes. High density green plastic mulch did not contaminate the topsoil with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and heavy metals, buttotal nitrogen and organic carbon concentrations, electric conductivity and microbial activity were reduced in the planting row compared with bare soil, without mulching. Further-more, the presence of plastic mulch did not affect negatively the presence of nematodes, and the Rhabditida (bacterial feeders) increased in the planting and covered row.

The aim of the study was to verify whether a 20 and 40% reduction of nitrogen (N) fertilization rate will be sufficient to maintain soil basic chemical features, fertility, and yielding in monoculture maize cultivation in the no-tillage (NT) system versus the traditional plowing (PL) system. In addition, it was examined which tillage system (PL, NT) allows reduction of fertilization while maintaining good yields of the tested soils. Two fields (10 ha each) were established for PL and NT maize cultivation and soils (0-20 cm) were sampled two times per year - in spring (before maize sowing) and in autumn (after maize harvesting). A broad range of chemical and biological parameters (i.e. pH, forms of nitrogen, phosphorus and carbon, content of selected macronutrients and humic substances, respiration activity) were monitored during the experiment. It was evidenced that the 20% reduction in N fertilization does not have an adverse effect on the chemical and biological characteristics of soils. In turn, the maize yield was mainly the result of both the tillage system and the N rate, i.e. it was significantly higher in the PL system.

Thymus is an herbaceous perennials or subshrubs of the Lamiaceae family and is widely distributed worldwide. Essential oils extracted from thymus have attracted much attention owing to their potential biological functions. Here, we evaluated the chemical compositions of eight thyme essential oils (TEOs) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and assessed their antioxidant activity and in potential role in antibacterial and tumor therapy. The results showed that (1) the main components in eight TEOs were monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenes, and the chemical compositions of TEOs were affected by the specie factor; (2) eight TEOs could be divided into 3 groups (thymol-, geraniol-and nerol acetate-type), and thymol was main type; (3) eight TEOs had some common compounds, such as thymol and p-cymene, which were the main components in seven TEOs; (4) eight TEOs had antioxidant activit, and thymol-type EOs had strong antioxidant activity, while geraniol-type EOs had relatively weak antioxidant activity. In addition, it was found thymol had strong antibacterial activity against the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and antimigratory activity of A549 cell. Overall, our results can provide theoretical basis for further exploring the function of natural products from thyme essential oils.

Due to the low content, few studies are focused on the volatile compounds of Phlomoides rotata (Benth. ex Hook. f.) Mathiesen (PR, syn. Lamiophlomis rotata (Benth.) Kudô). However, such volatile compounds may have important pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer. In order to identify the chemical markers (CMs) in the essential oils (Es) and explore the potential bioactivities, we first conduct a thoroughly investigation on the volatile compounds and evaluate their anti-oxidant activities (AOAs), to the best of our knowledge. Light yellow Es with a fresh and elegant smell are obtained by hydro-distillation with an average yield of 0.11% (mL/g). After separation through cryoprecipitation, the crystals (Cs) and EOs removed crystals (RCs) were gotten, respectively. A total of 81 components are qualified and quantified in the Es, Cs and RCs, in which 44 ones are first reported from PR. As for content, the main compounds are long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) and their esters. Among them, palmitic acid (PA), myristic acid (MA), linoleic acid (LA), oleic acid (OA) and methyl palmitate are highlighted, Besides, hexahydrofarnesyl acetone and phytol are also prominent Four kinds of C13-norisoprenoids are first reported from PR, in which, trans-β-damascenone is potent in flavour. In sum, these eight representative compounds can be chosen as the CMs. The AOAs of Es, Cs, RCs and four CMs such as PA, MA, LA and OA are evaluated by in vitro assays. In general, PA and MA present pro-oxidant activities (POAs) or weak AOAs. LA and OA show POAs or weak AOAs in lower concentration group, whereas demonstrate medium or strong AOAs in higher concentration group. Usually, the RCs demonstrate stronger AOAs and the Cs present weaker AOAs compared with those of the corresponding Es, which should be related to their different content of PA. This study can give some hints on the utilization of such Es which are abundant in LCFAs.

Quinoa, known as the "golden grain" for its high nutritional value, is a significant source of essential nutrients, including proteins, minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, phytosterols, and flavonoids. However, the biological functions of quinoa polysaccharides remain understudied. In this research, two crude quinoa polysaccharides extracts (Q-40 and Q-60) were obtained extracting by 40% and 60% alcohol. The purity of Q-40 and Q-60 was 58.29% and 62.15%, with protein contents of 8.27% and 9.60%, respectively. Monosaccharide analysis revealed that Q-40 contained glucose (Glc), galacturonic acid (GalA), and arabinose (Ara) in a molar ratio of 0.967:0.027:0.006. Q-60 was composed of xylose (xyl), arabinose (Ara), galactose, and galacturonic acid (GalA) with a molar ratio of 0.889:0.036:0.034:0.020. The average molecular weight of Q-40 ranged from 47484 to 626488 Da, while Q-60 showed a range of 10025 to 47990 Da. Rheological experiments showed that Q-40 exhibited higher viscosity, while Q-60 demonstrated more elastic properties. Remarkably, Q-60 showed potent antioxidant abilities, with scavenging rates of 98.49% for DPPH and 57.5% for ABTS. Antibacterial experiments using the microdilution method revealed that Q-40 inhibited the growth of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and E. coli, while Q-60 specifically inhibited MRSA. At lower concentrations, both polysaccharides inhibited MDA cell proliferation, but at higher concentrations, they promoted proliferation. Similar proliferation-promoting effects were observed in HepG2 cells. The research provides important information in application of quinoa in food and functional food industries.

The Mahuagou gold deposit is among the most important gold deposits in the core of Huangling Anticline. However, the geochemical exploration on the surface of the mining area presents challenges due to the thin overburde.This paper focuses on the overburden soil of Fengxiangshugou (FXS) – Mahuanggou (MHG) section as the research object, utilizes chemical form analysis of gold, soil halogen survey, and heat-released mercury survey to determine the key deep-penetrating geochemical methods for mining area. The results indicated that Si and Al components of samples exhibit minimal variation, suggesting that drift loads did not influence the overburden soil. Based on the systematic clustering, As, Sb, Mo, Bi, W and Hg emerge as ore-body or ore-belt front elements of hydrothermal gold deposits. In the study area, the predominant chemical form of gold in soil is the strong organic bond. Compared to the total amount, strong organic bound gold and heat-released mercury show higher anomaly contrasts, making them crucial indicators of faults, intrusions and hidden ore bodies. Consequently, chemical form analysis of gold and heat-released mercury surveys can enhance the anomaly contrast, proving beneficial for geochemical prospecting for weak anomalies in this area.

We presents results obtained from the numerical simulation of the gas-phase chemical kinetics in atmospheric pressure air non-equilibrium plasmas. In particular we have addressed the effect of pulsed operation mode of a planar dielectric barrier discharge. As it was conjectured, the large difference in the time scales involved in the fast dissociation of molecules in plasmas and their subsequent reactions to produce stable chemical species, makes the presence of a continuously repeated plasma production stage unnecessary and a waste of electrical power and efficiency. Results on NOx remediation, ozone production, water vapor and ammonia dissociation are discussed. A few comparisons with experimental findings in a dielectric barrier discharge reactor already used for applications is briefly addressed too. Our results clearly indicate a pattern for the optimization of the discharge using a carefully designed repetition rate and duty-cycle.

Four decades have elapsed since the first quasiperiodic crystal was discovered in the Al-Mn alloy system, and many progresses have been made during this time interval in the science of quasicrystals (QCs). Notwithstanding this, a significant number of open questions still remain regarding both fundamental and technological aspects. For instance: What are QCs good for? How can we improve the current provisional QC definition? What is the role of the underlying quasiperiodic order and the characteristic inflation symmetry of these compounds in the emergence of their unusual physicochemical properties? or, What is the nature of chemical bonding in QCs formed in such different sorts of materials as alloys, oxides, or organic polymers? In this essay I will discuss these, and other closely related, issues from an interdisciplinary perspective and will comment on appealing prospectives in the field for the years to come.

Ranging from traditional food packaging, clothing, and furniture to the current small and large electronic devices and automobiles, plastics serve to fulfill diverse demands in our daily lives. However, the global plastic waste generation is dramatically escalating, currently standing at approximately 150 million metric tonnes annually. While some of regenerated plastics recycled by mechanical methods can be used as their parent plastics, cost and energy savings are limited by multiple preliminary processes such as plastic sorting, shredding, washing, and drying. Moreover, the continuous mechanical recycling process degrades the physical properties of the materials. In this context, chemical recycling is emerging as a promising alternative method due to its high efficiency, simple preliminary steps, reducing reliance on fossil resources, and conversion of plastic waste into value-added chemicals. This review provides a state-of-the-art overview of contemporary chemical recycling of polymeric materials via i) depolymerization: “polymers to small valuable molecules” and ii) closed-loop cycles: “polymers to monomers, and/or to polymers”, by encompassing both traditional/advanced depolymerization chemistries and the remaining challenges. These recycling approaches are contextualized within the present industrial technologies, key design principles, and specific recycling case studies related to distinct polymeric materials.

One of the key pathogenetic links of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the formation of insulin resistance (IR). Besides a wide selection of synthetic antidiabetic drugs, various plant-origin extracts are also available to support the treatment of T2DM. This study aimed to investigate and gain knowledge of the chemical composition and potential IR correction effect of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon Aiton) leaf extracts and formulate novel 3D-printed oral dosage forms for such extracts. The bioactivity and IR of L-arginine-loaded cranberry leaf extracts were studied in vivo in rats. The cranberry leaf extracts consisted of quinic, 3-caffeoylquinic (chlorogenic), p-coumaroylquinic acids, quercetin 3-O-galactoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-xyloside, quercetin-3-O-arabino-pyranoside, quercetin-3-O-arabinofuranoside, quercetin 3-O-rhamnoside and quercetin-O-p-coumaroyl-hexoside-2 identified by HPLC. In-vivo studies with rats showed that the oral administration of the cranberry leaf extracts had a positive effect on insulin sensitivity coefficients under ITT test, and affected HOMA-IR levels and liver lipid content with experimental IR. A novel 3D-printed immediate-release dosage form was developed for the oral administration of cranberry leaf extracts using polyethylene oxide (PEO) as a carrier gel in a semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing. In conclusion, American cranberry leaf extracts loaded with L-arginine could find uses in preventing health issues associated with IR.

Hydrogels are water-absorbing polymers that can hydrate forage plants in the soil. The objec-tive was to evaluate the replacement of synthetic hydrogels derived from petroleum by biode-gradable hydrogels in Mombaça grass pastures (Megathyrsus maximum). The experimental treat-ments consisted of: No hydrogel (NH); Synthetic commercial hydrogel (CH), made from a syn-thetic polyacrylamide product; and Biodegradable test hydrogel (TH), obtained from cashew gum (Anacardium occidentale). The experimental design was randomized blocks with five replica-tions and three treatments. Morphogenesis, production, chemical and mineral composition of the Mombaça grass pasture were assessed. The data was subjected to analysis of variance and mean comparison by the Snott-Knott test at 5% probability. Leaf elongation rate was 42.3 mm day-1 in the TH treatment, which was higher (P<0.05) than NH (35.0 mm day-1). Green leaf mass yield was higher in TH in comparison to NH and CH. On the other hand, there was no effect of hydration on chemical composition. The mineral composition of Mombaça grass showed more Zn when TH was used. It can be concluded that biodegradable hydrogels can replace synthetic commercial hydrogels in pastures.

Anthropogenic chemicals are fundamental to our standard of living in modern society. Unfortunately, some chemicals are persistent and can enter waste streams and ultimately the environment. Commonly used household products including pharmaceuticals and personal care products are an important source of contaminants. The aim of this study was to develop an “Up-the-pipe Solutions” framework to raise awareness about the presence and potential risks of chemicals found in household products to reduce their levels in waste streams or substitute them with less harmful alternatives. This approach based on The Natural Step framework and the concept of essentiality recognises the importance of engaging the community to raise awareness around the consequences of our daily activities and behavioural patterns that can lead to the release of persistent contaminants in main waste streams from the kitchen and bathroom and green wastes we generate.

This paper initiates the study of the mathematical aspects of the ad-hoc Lanzhou index. If G is a graph with the vertex set {x1,⋯,xn}, then the ad-hoc Lanzhou index of G is defined by Lz¯(G)=∑i=1ndi(n−1−di)2, where di represents the degree of the vertex xi. Several identities for the ad-hoc Lanzhou index, involving some existing topological indices are established. The problems of finding graphs with the extremum values of the ad-hoc Lanzhou index from the following sets of graphs are also attacked: (i) set of all connected ξ-cyclic graphs of a fixed order, (ii) set of all connected molecular ξ-cyclic graphs of a fixed order, (iii) set of all graphs of a fixed order, (iv) set of all connected molecular graphs of a fixed order.

This study evaluated the exogenous application of PGRs substitute chemical fertilization without compromising the growth and yield of tomato in fluctuated day-night temperature and humidity stressed late winter. Two-factor experiment comprising chemical fertilizers at 100, 110, 90 and 80 % of recommended doses besides control and PGRs of GA3; NAA, 4-CPA and SA @ 50 ppm including control was conducted where treatments were assigned in triplicates. Results revealed no significant variation among the fertilizer doses (80% to 110% of recommendation) regarding growth and yield contributing traits while among the PGRs, GA3 @ 50 ppm produced maximum number of flower clusters plant-1 (16.85), flowers (8.80) and fruits (5.79) cluster-1, single fruit weight (67.83 g) and fruit yield (6.61 kg plant-1) of tomato that was statistically identical with the findings of SA. But significant reduction in yield was noted in NAA and 4-CPA (1.20 kg and 1.21 kg plant-1, respectively). Interestingly, GA3 and SA in combination with any doses of the studied fertilizers maximize the tomato morphological and reproductive traits while fertilizer plus NAA and 4-CPA interaction gave the inferior results. Further, correlation matrix and PCA findings revealed that five fertilizer doses have no distinctiveness whereas GA3 and SA has distinct position than other PGRs with the maximum dependent variables those were contributed positively in the total variations. The study findings suggested that 20% fertilizer requirement could be reduced with the substitution of GA3 and SA @ 50 ppm for successful cultivation of tomato in late winter having the extreme environmental issues.

Although the effect of thermal modification (TM) on teak wood color is well documented, a few studies were carried out in closed system processes, as well as it remains unclear the effect of different processes on the same material. This work aimed to verify the effect of closed and open system processes of TM on the color of fast-growing teak wood. Thermally modified wood was evaluated in a closed system at 160 °C (CS160) and in an open system at 185 °C and 210 °C (OS185 and OS210). We measured the moisture content (initial and final) of wood, and the corrected mass loss (CML). The chemical analyses encompassed the contents of alpha-cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin, and extractives (total, in acetone and dichloromethane). Wood color was measured before and after TM according to the CIEL*a*b* color space. It was possible to achieve the same color using different processes of thermal modification (CS160 and OS210). TM reduced wood lightness (L*), red-green chromaticity coordinate (a*), and yellow-blue chromaticity coordinate (b*). L* and a* had the bigger and lower variations, respectively. The color of thermally modified wood was significantly changed, even at the mildest condition tested (OS185, 0.33% CML).

The traditional processing of Dendrobium officinale (DO) is manufactured through five necessary processing steps: fresh strips, drying at 85 °C, curling, molding, and drying at 35 °C (Fengdou), and the antioxidant activity of DO were increased after processing into Fengdou. To comprehensively analyses the changing functional components, a plant-wide target metabolomics were employed. In total, 739 differential ingredients were identified in five processing treatments, mainly highlighting differences in variation with phenolic acids, flavonoids, lipids, and amino acids and their derivatives, and glycosylation of aglycone result in the up-regulation in flavonoid glycosides levels. Temperature is a key step in DO processing production. In addition, the main enrichment of specific differential ingredients was found in five different metabolic pathways, including glucosinolate biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism, flavonoid biosynthesis, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, ubiquinone and other terpene quinone biosynthesis. Correlation analysis clarified that total phenols and flavonoids showed a significant positive correlation with antioxidant capacity. This study provides new insights into the influence of processing processes on DO quality, which may lead to guidance for the high-quality production of DO.

Zinc oxide (ZnO) as a semiconductor in its crystalline or amorphous form is still a promised material, especially under isobaric and isothermal ensembles. In this work, Parallel and Equilibrium Molecular Dynamics and DL_POLY_4 software are employed to predict the relationship between the behavior of ZnO chemical bonds and the phase transition literatures, using correlation function g(r) of Zn-Zn, Zn-O, and O-O pairs. Our system is composed of 5832 atoms of ZnO rocksalt structure (2916 atoms of Zn2+ and 2916 atoms of O2-), under the temperature of 300 (K) and the range of pressure 0-400 (GPa). The lengths of ZnO bonds, the standard error, standard deviation, the maximum of g(r), and the percentage of the variation of the bonds are analyzed. The interatomic interactions are modeled by the potential of Buckingham for short-range and Coulomb for long-range interactions. The calculations were run on the RAVEN Supercomputer of Cardiff University (UK). Our data are mostly in the vicinity of available information of bonds lengths; the rest can be deduced from the pressure of phase transition to use it as a new approach of phase transition confirmation. However, the rest of our results are still a prediction because of no results under extended pressure used in this work.

The study within the current research is focused on theoretical assessment of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) obtained by blending traditional jet fuels Jet A and different liquids (biodiesel and alcohols) from analytical point of view. Within this paper in-depth analysis ofthe physical-chemical properties of Jet A fuel blended with different biodiesels and alcohols has been performed. Also within the blends Aeroshell 500 oil has been added (5% vol.) for ensuring the lubrication of the turbo engine. The blends consists of: Jet Aaviation fuel + biodieselfrom: palm oil, pork fat, sunflower oil and alcohols: methanol, ethanol and butanol. All the 6 liquids have been blended with Jet A in the following percentages: 10, 20 and 30%. Flash point, kinematic viscosity, density, freezing point, elemental analysis and FTIR analysis have been performed for all the liquids: Aeroshell 500, jet A, jet A + 10, 20, 30% biodiesel from waste palm oil, pork fat and waste sunflower oil, jet A + 10, 20, 30% methanol, ethanol and butanol, biodiesels and alcohols. The obtained results shows the influence of each of the blend’s components on the physical-chemical properties of the blends. Based on the physical-chemical analysis of the blends, conclusions on the behavior of the blends during burning and the gaseous pollutants resulting from the burning process can be drawn.

Recently, polyetheretherketone (PEEK) has shown promising dental applications; although surface treatment is essential for dental applications owing to its poor surface energy and wettability, no consensus on an effective treatment method has been achieved. In this study, we attempt to carboxylate PEEK sample surfaces via Friedel–Crafts acylation using succinic anhydride and AlBr3. The possibility of further chemical modifications using carboxyl groups is examined. The samples are subjected to dehydration–condensation reactions with 1H,1H-pentadecafluorooctylamine and N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The sample surface properties at each reaction stage are evaluated. An absorption band in the 3300–3500 cm-1 wavenumber region is observed. Additionally, peak suggestive of COOH is observed in the sample spectra. Secondary modification diminished the absorption band in 3300–3500 cm-1 and a clear F1s signal is observed. Thus, Friedel–Crafts acylation with succinic anhydride produces carboxyl groups on the PEEK sample surfaces. Further chemical modification of the carboxyl groups by dehydration-condensation reactions is also possible. Thus, a series of reactions can be employed to impart desired chemical structures to PEEK surfaces.

This paper presents the concept of a novel adaptable sensing solution currently being developed under the EU Commission founded PHOTONGATE project. This concept will allow to quantify multiple analytes of the same or different nature (chemicals, metals, bacteria, etc.) in a single test with levels of sensitivity and selectivity at/or over those offered by current solutions. PHOTONGATE relies on two core technologies: a bio-chemical technology (molecular gates) which will confer the specificity and, therefore, the capability to be adaptable to the analyte of interest, and which combined with porous substrates will increase the sensitivity, and a photonic technology based on Local Surface Plasmonic Resonance (LSPR) structures serves as transducer for light interaction. Both technologies are in the micron range, facilitating the integration of multiple sensors within a small area (mm²). The concept will be developed for its application in health diagnosis and food safety sectors. It is thought as an easy-to-use modular concept, which will consist of the sensing module, mainly of a microfluidics cartridge that will house the photonic sensor, and a platform for fluidic handling, optical interrogation, and signal processing. The platform will include a new optical concept, fully Europe Union Made, avoiding optical fibers and expensive optical components.

Using a wide range of organic substrates in the methane fermentation process enables efficient biogas production. Nonetheless, in many cases, the efficiency of electricity generation in biogas plant cogeneration systems is much lower than expected, close to the calorific value of the applied feedstock. This paper analyses energy conversion efficiency in a 1 MWel agricultural biogas plant fed with corn silage or vegetable waste and pig slurry as a feedstock dilution agent, depending on the season and availability. Biomass conversion studies were carried out for 12 months, during which substrate samples were taken once a month. The total primary energy in substrates was estimated in laboratory conditions by measuring the heat of combustion in a ballistic bomb calorimeter (17,760 MWh·year-1), and in the case of pig slurry, biochemical methane potential (BMP, (201.88±3.21 m3·Mg VS-1). Further, the substrates were analysed in terms of their chemical composition — from protein, sugar and fat content to mineral matter determination, among other things. The results obtained during the study were averaged. Based on such things as the amount of biogas produced at the plant, the amount of chemical (secondary) energy contained in methane as a product of biomass conversion (10,633 MWh·year-1) was calculated. Considering the results obtained from the analyses, as well as the calculated values of the relevant parameters, biomass conversion efficiency was determined as a ratio of chemical energy in methane to (primary) energy in substrates, which was 59.87%, as well as electricity production efficiency, as a ratio of electricity produced (4,913 MWh·year-1) to primary energy, with a 35% cogeneration system efficiency. Full energy conversion efficiency, related to electricity production, reached a low value of 27.66%. This article provides an insightful, unique analysis of energy conversion in an active biogas plant as an open thermodynamic system.

Strawberries (garden strawberries) belong to the most valuable berry crops and are an excellent dietary low-calorie product. This favorite berry is grown everywhere in Azerbaijan. The main objective of this study was a comparative study of 4 imported English strawberry cultivars Cupid, Fenella, Christine and Flamenco by productivity and its components, and on this basis, the selection of the most productive and adaptive. The study was conducted in a pilot production area (0.62 ha) of the Research Institute of Fruit and Tea Growing of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Azerbaijan Republic, which is located in the lowland part of the Guba district at an altitude of 400 m above sea level. Strawberry seedlings were planted on this site in the fall of 2020. The site was divided into paired rows repeated every 80 cm, and in each such pair the distance between the rows was 30 cm. The distance between the plants in each row was 15 cm. Mulching and drip irrigation were used as the main elements of the technology. When evaluating varieties by productivity in June 2022, when it reached its maximum level, the Fenella cultivar stood out. The productivity of this cultivar was 0.81 kg per bush or 40.2 tons per hectare. The same cultivar was distinguished by its large fruit (length 4.07 ± 0.42 cm, width 3.61 ± 0.55 cm, weight 20.96 ± 6.21 g), which indicates the prospect of its cultivation in the region.

This study aims to evaluate the effect of different drying methodologies (room, microwave, convective, oven and freeze-drying) on the chemical composition, the microbiological quality of extracts and the biological activities namely clotting milk and antioxidant activities for both spontaneous and cultivated Onopordum nervosum ssp. platylepis. The results showed that the drying methodology has significantly affected the phenolic composition. Freeze dried flowers showed the best amounts of total phenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins followed by the microwave dried flowers. However, the latest presented the lowest protein content. Finally, the biological activities were significantly dependent on the used drying process. The effective concentration EC50 values let to classify the samples according to their decreasing power to inhibit DPPH free radicals: dryer<oven<room <microwave<freeze-drying. The drying process significantly affected the clotting milk activity, freeze dried flowers showed the highest activity. All the obtained results do not reveal a significant difference between cultivated and spontaneous plants.

The water quality index (WQI) and irrigational index for groundwater were studied in the northeastern section of the Manipur Valley in northeast India. Water samples were collected in 2022 during the pre-monsoon season. To compute the water quality index for drinking water, the basic chemical parameters of total hardness, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, Ca2+, Na+, Fe, Mg2+, Mn, Cl-, and HCO3, were used. The assessment of bacteriological quality is also done, which is crucial for overall water quality evaluation, alongside physical and chemical analyze. For determining irrigation suitability, irrigational indices such as sodium absorption ratio, sodium percentage, and magnesium hazard were calculated. WQI, %Na+, SAR, magnesium hazard, permeability Index and total hardness indicate that most water samples are harmless for irrigation and drinking purpose. They have affirmative relationships indicating that these characteristics are interdependent. Approximately 25% of the Piedmont zone groundwater is found to be unfit for agricultural and drinking usage. The encrustation of gypsum, halite, and evaporation into the Disang shares accelerate the dissolution of ions in Piedmont water, resulting in quality degradation. According to Gibbs plots, Durov Scatter Plot, and Hill Piper Trilinear Diagram of water dominated the rock-weathering process, while hydro chemical facies progressed from the beginning to the intermediate stage of Chadha's graphical representation illustrates the progression of hydro chemical processes in surface water. Therefore, proper integrated water resource management and development are required for effective water resource utilization, particularly around the Piedmont zone. To prevent a water crisis, groundwater resources must be managed sustainably. The current study also concentrated on a bibliometric examination of groundwater management and access to gauge the state of the field.

The rapid development of the photovoltaic (PV) industry will result in an increase in the amount of electrical and electronic waste from used PV panels. Only in Poland, the total capacity installed in photovoltaic sources in Poland in May 2020 exceeded 1,950 MW, and the installation weight was approximately 120,000. tone. The problem arises in the recycling or management of this waste. This work presents methods used to recycle waste into photovoltaic modules. The authors investigated the possibility of mechanical and chemical processing of crystalline silicon. A method of thermal treatment of the panel was also proposed. As a result of the research, it was found that the stage of separating materials (crystalline cream, EVO foil, aluminum frame) plays an important role in the recycling process, which is not easy. Chemical treatment allows the silicon to become plastic and the temperature melts the back layer of the panel.

This study examines the impact of weeds on sweet corn, where weeds compete with the main agricultural crops for essential elements such as nutrients, water, sunlight, and space for growth. In general. the use of herbicides is meant to suppress weed growth. Organic matter is important for plant growth and affects herbicide persistence. The study was aimed to explore the interdependence between ametryn herbicide and organic matter content and its impacts on weed growth, herbicide persistence, and sweet corn yield. The experiment was initiated in 2022 at the Experimental Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University, Indonesia, using a Split Plot Design in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The experiments consisted of three levels of organic matter, i.e. low, medium, and high and 6 levels of ametryn herbicide at 0.0 (control), 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 kg a.i./ha. The results indicated that the apparent interdependence between ametryn herbicide doses of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg a.i./ha and the three levels of the organic matter content totally suppressed the weed growth. However, the effects of interdependence between ametryn herbicide and organic matter content on the herbicide persistence and on the sweet corn yield were not obvious. The ametryn herbicide gave excellent effects on sweet corn yield. Bioassay analysis showed that the lowest persistence of ametryn herbicide was in line with the highest content of the organic matter.

In this work, we report on the first attempt using size-controlled ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) to analyze role of thioacetamide (TAA) in forming ZnS nanostructures from ZnO. The size-controlled B(blue)_, G(green)_, Y(yellow)_ZnO QDs, and NC (nanocrystalline)_ZnO NPs were synthesized by sol-gel process as well as hydrothermal method, respectively and then reacted with an ethanolic TAA solution as sulfur source. After reacting with TAA, the formation of ZnS QDs was observed over time. The chemical reactions were identified using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), UV-vis spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence (PL). All results indicate that ZnS formation is due to direct crystal growth and/or chemical conversion of ZnO to ZnS. Our results enable a broader understanding of the synthetic mechanisms involved in the use of TAA as a sulfur source in forming ZnS nanostructures from ZnO.

SiOx films, frequently derived from amino silane precursors, have found several applications with high added value. Although frequently used, the deposition of coatings from Tris(dimethyl amino)silane (TDMAS) has been reported to demand considerable amounts of energy, mainly due to the difficulty of oxidizing such compound. As it is well known, Plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) is able to improve the oxidation efficiency even under low process temperatures. Owing to that, PEALD can be considered as a very promising technique for the deposition of SiOx coatings. In this work, it has been investigated the deposition of silicon oxide films using TDMAS at 150°C. It has been evaluated the effect of the plasma oxidation time (6 to 18 s) and of the atmosphere composition (pure O2 or O2+Ar) on the chemical structure, elemental composition and chemical bonding state of the films. Increasing the plasma oxidation time in pure O2 resulted in larger proportion of retained C (Si-CH3) whereas N was preserved in the structure (Si-N). on the other hand, the formation of SiOx films from TDMAS is favored in shorter oxidation times in O2 + Ar plasmas.

Ants have a very sophisticated olfactory system; their communication is based on the interpretation of chemical trails known as semiochemicals. The escamolera ant (Liometopum apiculatum), has behaviors and physiological responses is induced by semiochemicals, without however, these have not been studied. Using an electronic nose analysis (e-nose) and chromatographic techniques, semiochemicals of L. apiculatum in nests, foraging trails and dissected the gasters were evaluated. Data were analyzed with multivariate statistics and a logistic regression model based on predictors (ant counts) and the semiochemicals identified in pre-season (PRE), season (TEM) and post-season (POS) of larval collecting. From the general pattern of volatiles with a natural separation in POS and a partial distribution between PRE and TEM 32 semiochemicals were identified inside the nests, those who can induce the behavioral responses of trail-following, alarm, aggression, and nestmate recognition. Trail counts indicated that ant traffic was higher in POS and that the presence of certain semiochemicals (response variable) have good fit in the model regression. These findings are intended to provide useful information and support decision-making for the conservation and sustainable use of L. apiculatum in central Mexico.

The study investigated the chemical and functional characterization of propolis collected in southern Italy, in particular in Basilicata, a region rich in ecological and vegetative biodiversity. Sixteen samples of propolis, collected within a radius of 40 km from each other in the Basilicata region, showed significant differences between the chemical and functional parameters investigated: color index (L*, a*, b*; P<0.05), variation in chemical composition and antioxidant activities, by ABTS and FRAP assays. In general, Lucanian propolis had a low content of waxes (P<0.05) and a high content of resin (P<0.05) and balsams (P<0.05). The content of total phenolic compounds and flavonoids were highly variable, as was the biological capacity. In conclusion, Lucanian propolis showed a remarkable variability, highlighting a significant diversification according to the geographical position and the diversity of the flora surrounding the apiary of which the bees use as a source of resin. This study therefore contributes to the enhancement of the quality of propolis, laying the foundations for the production and marketing of propolis not only in the food industry, but also in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.