Biofortification is a promising, cost effective and sustainable strategy to mitigate micronutrient deficiencies and related health complications. The principal aims of the study encompassed the quantification of the carotenoid content of 147 maize inbred lines, the identification of variable regions within the ZEP1 gene, the correlation of these observed variances in the presence of this gene with carotenoid content, and to identify lines harboring the favorable alleles for the crtRB1 gene. The correlations observed among the carotenoids synthesized by specific branch of the biosynthetic pathway were both significant and positive. Utilizing gel-based genotyping, 24 lines with contrasting carotenoid profiles were selected, evaluated and sequenced. Analysis of the variation in the sequence classified these lines into distinct groups. The findings highlight that inbred lines both group 1 and group 8 exhibited significant associations with the carotenoid content of the lines. Specifically, ZEP1_7852, a discernible variation belonging to group 8, was significantly associated with zeaxanthin content and total carotenoid content. Twenty-five inbred lines with provitamin A content surpassing 15 μg/g that harbor the favorable alleles of the crtRB1 gene were identified using KASP SNP zm0016. These lines can be used as donor parents for further enhancement of provitamin A in maize.

Common rust (CR), caused by Puccina sorghi, is one of the major foliar diseases in maize, leading to quality deterioration and yield losses. To dissect the genetic architecture of CR resistance in maize, this study utilized the susceptible temperate inbred line Ye107 as the male parent crossed with three resistant tropical maize inbred lines (CML312, D39, and Y32) to generate 627 F7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs), aiming to identify maize disease-resistant loci and candidate genes for common rust. Phenotypic data exhibited good segregation between resistance and susceptibility, with varying degrees of resistance observed across different subpopulations. Significant genotype effects and genotype × environment interactions were noted with heritability ranging from 85.7% to 92.2%. Linkage analysis and genome-wide association analysis across three environments identified 20 QTLs and 62 significant SNPs. Among them, seven major QTLs explained 66% of the phenotypic variance. Comparison with six SNPs repeatedly identified across different environments revealed overlap between qRUST3-3 and Snp-203,116,453, and Snp-204,202,469. Haplotype analysis indicated two significantly different haplotypes for CR resistance for both of these SNPs. Based on LD decay plots, three co-located candidate genes, namely Zm00001d043536, Zm00001d043566, and Zm00001d043569, were identified within 20 kb up-stream and downstream of these two SNPs. Zm00001d043536 regulates hormone regulation, Zm00001d043566 controls stomatal opening and closure, related to trichome, and Zm00001d043569 is associated with plant disease immune responses. Additionally, we performed candidate gene screening for five additional SNPs repeatedly detected across different environments, resulting in the identification of five candidate genes. These findings contribute to the development of genetic resources for common rust resistance in maize breeding programs.

Maize is an important staple food crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). However, the average grain yield on farmers’ fields falls considerably short of the demand of the region’s population. In addition, the normal endosperm maize widely consumed in SSA is deficient in vitamin A. Drought, a consequence of climate change, is a major constraint to maize production, resulting in seasonal low grain yield in farmers’ fields. The objectives of this study were to assess the performance of newly developed extra-early maturing provitamin A hybrids under managed drought and well-watered conditions, compare the outcomes of multiple trait base-index and multi-trait genotype-ideotype distance index selection procedures, and identify drought-tolerant hybrids with stable performance across contrasting environments for commercialization in SSA. One hundred and ninety provitamin A hybrids and six checks were evaluated under managed drought and well-watered conditions at Ikenne for two seasons between 2021 and 2023. A 14*14-lattice design was used for the field evaluations under both research conditions. Drought stress was achieved by the complete withdrawal of irrigation water 25 days after planting. Results revealed significant differences among the hybrids under drought and well-watered conditions. Grain yield, ears per plant, and plant aspect under managed drought were correlated to the same traits under well-watered conditions suggesting that the expression of these traits is governed by common genetic factors. Twenty-nine hybrids were identified as top-performing drought-tolerant hybrids by the multiple trait base index and multiple-trait genotype–ideotype distance index. Of the selected outstanding 29 hybrids, 34% were derived from crosses involving the tester TZEEIOR 197, demonstrating the outstanding genetic potential of this inbred line. Further analysis of the 29 selected hybrids revealed TZEEIOR 509 × TZEEIOR 197 as the hybrid that combined the most drought-tolerant adaptive traits. However, the hybrids TZEEIOR 526 × TZEEIOR 97, TZEEIOR 384 × TZEEIOR 30, TZEEIOR 515 × TZEEIOR 249, TZEEIOR 510 × TZEEIOR 197, TZEEIOR 479 × TZEEIOR 197, and TZEEIOR 458 × TZEEIOR 197 were identified as the most stable hybrids across drought and well-watered conditions. These hybrids should be extensively tested in multi-location trials for deployment and commercialization in SSA.

This article utilized electrodeposition technology to fabricate Zn and Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite coatings on Q235 steel plates. The composite coatings were obtained by adding Y₂O₃/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (0, 5, 10, and 15 g/L) to acidic chloride solutions. This study then examined the impact of these nanoparticles on the microstructure, morphology, microhardness, hydrophobicity, and corrosion resistance of the composite coatings. The results indicate that the addition of the nanoparticles increased the nucleation sites on the surface of the coating, thereby refining the grain size and reducing the roughness of the coating surface. When 10g/L of Y₂O₃ and 10g/L of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were added, the hardness of the composite coating (369 Hv) was 2.49 times higher than that of the pure Zn coating (148 Hv), which was attributed to the dispersion strengthening and grain refinement effects of the nanoparticles. The corrosion resistance of the Zn and Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite coatings was studied using linear sweep voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy. The addition of the nanoparticles improved the corrosion resistance of the composite coating, and the composite coating prepared in an electrolyte containing 10 g/L of Y₂O₃ and 10 g/L of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibited the best corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, the composite coating exhibited good hydrophobicity, with a contact angle of 120.9°, 1.94 times that of the pure Zn coating (62.2°). The Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ nanocomposite coating material has significant potential advantages in the field of steel corrosion.

The novel phosphor Eu3+ doped Na5Zn2Gd(MoO4)6 triple molybdate were prepared by the sol-gel method. The structure, morphology, and luminescent properties have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry-differential thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, FTIR spectroscopy and Luminescence spectroscopy. The results indicated that the synthesized Na5Zn2Gd1-x(MoO4)6: xEu3+phosphor consisted of a pure phase with monoclinic structure. Under excitation at 465 nm, the Na5Zn2Gd1-x(MoO4)6: xEu3+ phosphor exhibits intensive red emission band around 610 nm corresponding to the transition of 5D0→7F2 is much higher than that 5D0→7F1 at 594 nm, which was appropriate for blue LED. According to the influence of the synthesis conditions, the phosphors show the highest emission intensity as the doping concentration of Eu3+ was 25 mol.% and the molar ratio of citric acid to metal ions was 2:1. Na5Zn2Gd0.75(MoO4)6: 0.25 Eu3+ with the color coordinates (x= 0.658, y= 0.341) is a stable red phosphor for blue-based white LEDs due to it is closer to the NTSC standard values (0.670, 0.330) comparing with the color coordinates (0.48, 0.50) of the commercial Y2O2S: Eu3+ red phosphor.

The stability issues in the widely known organic inorganic halide perovskite, CH₃NH₃PbI_3, lead to the development of alternative halide double perovskite materials which get great attention in recent times. Although the stability issue seems promising, both materials and device performance of these photovoltaic materials remain inferior and challenging for improvements. Furthermore, the power conversion efficiency of single junction organic inorganic halide perovskite is now 24.2% and 29.15% for textured monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell, but for all-inorganic halide perovskite solar cell is 7.11% and halide double perovskite solar cells based on Cs₂AgBiBr₆ and Cs₂TiBr₆ is 2.8% and 3.3%, respectively, which is far less than 24.2% and 29.15%, respectively. This creates big question and concern that can both all-inorganic halide perovskite solar cell and halide double perovskites solar cells really be an acceptable alternatives to replace organic inorganic halide perovskite solar cells or lead based perovskite solar cells in the market in order to realize the sustainable practical applications? Not only this concern, but also there are many other big challenges facing by halide double perovskite solar cells. Such big challenges include: a) geometric constraints and limited integration with interfacial materials, b) dynamic disorder and a wide band gap and localized conduction band caused by cubic unit cell which restrains the interactions of orbitals, c) high processing temperature which may limit on the diverse applications, d) low electronic dimensionality making them less appropriate for single junction solar cell purpose and etc. Moreover, origin of electronic and optical properties such as the polarizability, the presence of molecular dipoles and their influence on the dynamics of the photo-excitations in the halide double perovskites remains unlock concern that need to be elucidated. Now, another big question is how to develop overcoming mechanisms for such challenges. Can we really overcome these current limitations faced by halide double perovskites so that we use them for sustainable commercialization? This research roadmap for performance improvement is suggested focusing on: materials surface and bulk engineering, band gap engineering, interfacial engineering, composition engineering, doping engineering, device architectural engineering, polar and domain order engineering. This was the reason that this review was developed in order to forward great contributions to the readers and commercial ventures.

This case study focuses on exploring the potential of biogas as a direct substitute for conventional fossil fuels in industrial applications. Instead of being limited to its common uses as a vehicle fuel or for power generation, this research aims to investigate how biogas can be integrated into industrial processes as an advanced and sustainable energy solution. By conducting a detailed analysis of the financial implications associated with the utilization of landfill gas and gas derived from biomass, a comprehensive understanding of their practical applications in the industrial sector can be obtained. This research goes beyond a superficial examination and delves into the intricate aspects of incorporating biogas as a viable alternative fuel source. When we say that utilizing biogas is technically feasible, it means that the necessary infrastructure and technologies are available to support its integration into industrial processes. This implies that there are existing methods and systems in place that can efficiently harness and utilize biogas for various industrial applications. These technologies ensure a seamless transition from conventional fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, leading to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial landscape. Moreover, the statement that utilizing biogas is economically feasible emphasizes that the financial viability of employing biogas in industrial processes is advantageous. This research explores the potential cost savings and benefits associated with substituting conventional fuels with biogas. By carefully examining the economic aspects, such as initial investments, operational costs, and potential revenue streams, a comprehensive understanding of the financial impact of adopting biogas solutions in the industrial sector can be gained. By expanding and broadening the understanding of the technical and economic feasibility of biogas integration, this research aims to provide valuable insights into the potential of advanced biogas solutions for industrial applications. Indeed, to make biogas a viable and sustainable option as a raw material, it is necessary to establish farming subsidies and financial support specifically tailored for biogas production, similar to the existing support provided for food production. These subsidies and financial incentives play a crucial role in promoting and encouraging the growth of the biogas industry. By establishing such support systems, farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector can be incentivized to participate in the production of biogas. This can involve the utilization of agricultural waste, organic residues, or dedicated energy crops for biogas generation. The financial assistance can help offset the initial investment costs, provide incentives for production, and ensure the economic viability of biogas projects. Moreover, when considering large-scale landfills or situations where industrial demands for energy are relatively low, landfill gas becomes a viable and practical option. Landfill gas, which is generated by the decomposition of organic waste in landfills, can be harnessed and utilized for various industrial purposes. This not only helps in managing waste but also provides a valuable source of renewable energy. In summary, while farming subsidies and financial support are crucial for promoting biogas production, landfill gas remains a viable option for large landfills or situations with minor industrial demands. The combination of these two approaches offers a comprehensive outlook on utilizing biogas as a renewable energy source for industrial applications.

The escalating issue of phenol dye-containing wastewater necessitates the development of efficient and sustainable treatment methods. In this context, we present a novel composite photocatalyst comprising ZnFe2O4 (ZFO) nanoparticles supported on nanocellulose(NC), aimed at addressing this environmental challenge. The synthesis involved a facile hydrothermal method followed by impregnation of ZFO nanoparticles onto the NC matrix. ZFO, as a weakly magnetic semiconductor catalytic material, was utilized in photocatalytic experiments under magnetic field conditions. By controlling the electron spin states through the magnetic field, electron-hole recombination was suppressed, resulting in improved photocatalytic performance.The resultant composite exhibited remarkable photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, owing to the synergistic effect between ZFO nanoparticles and NC. Through systematic evaluation, we demonstrated the high efficiency and stability of the composite photocatalyst in degrading phenol dye pollutants in aqueous solutions. Furthermore, the composite material exhibited promising recyclability, retaining its activity even after multiple usage cycles. This study underscores the potential of the ZFO/NC composite for sustainable wastewater treatment, offering a promising avenue for environmental remediation.

Fertility management techniques being promoted in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) seek to grow indigenous vegetables economically and sustainably. This study was conducted in a phytotron chamber and compared yield, soil carbon (C) speciation and greenhouse gas (nitrous oxide (N₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂)) emissions from SSA soils of two ecoregions; the dry savanna (lna, Republic of Benin) and rainforest (Ife, Nigeria) cultivated with local amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus) under manure (5 t/ha) and/or urea (80 kg N/ha) fertilization. Vegetable yield ranged from 1753 kg/ac to 3198kg/ac in the rainforest, RF, soils and 1281 kg/ac to 1951 kg/ac in the dry savanna, DS, soils. Yield in the urea treatment was slightly higher compared to the manure+urea treatment, but the difference was not statistically significant. Cumulative CO₂ emissions over 21 days ranged from 497.06 to 579.47 g CO₂ in the RF, and 322.96 to 624.97 g CO₂ in the DS, while cumulative N₂O emissions ranged from 60.53 to 220.86 mg N₂O in the RF, and 24.78 to 99.08 mg N₂O in the DS. In the RF samples, the combined use of manure and urea reduced CO₂ and N₂O emissions but led to an increase in the DS samples. ATR-FTIR analysis showed that the combined use of manure and urea increased the rate of microbial degradation in the soils of the DS, but no such effect was observed in soils of the RF. We conclude that combining manure and urea fertilization has different effects on soils of the two ecoregions, and that RF farmers can reduce agricultural emissions without compromising soil productivity and yield potential.

High-quality and large-size single crystals of lead-free Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 were grown using the Czo-chralski technique. The crystals had pure perovskite structure with rhombohedral symmetry and were translucent in the visible and near infrared spectral ranges recorded in the interval 350-1050 nm. The energy gaps determined from the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and optical measurements were approximately 2.92 eV. The current-voltage characteristics, depolarization current, dc (σdc) and ac (σac) electrical conductivity, and Seebeck coefficient of the crystals were investigated. The frequency/temperature-dependent electrical properties were also measured and analyzed through complex impedance spectroscopy. An overlapping reversible insulator-metal transition (resistive switching) on nanoscales, caused by the electric field, was detected. This was the first time that most of these investigations were performed for this material. The following conductivity mechanisms of NBT single crystals were identified: (i) quasi-free electron and hole conduction and hopping-charges mechanism at low temperatures, (ii) small polaron conductivity in the middle temperature range, and (iii) a significant contribution of the oxygen vacancies to conductivity in the high temperature range. The activation energy values determined from the conductivity data, the imaginary part of the electric impedance and the modulus indicate that the relaxation process in the high-temperature range is attributable to both single and double ionized oxygen vacancies, in combination with the hopping of electrons between Ti4+ and Ti3+. P-type electrical conductivity was also found. These discoveries create new possibilities of reducing the electrical conductivity of NBT and improving the process of effectively poling this material. The density of the electronic states was investigated using an ab initio method. The energy gap cal-culated for NBT (R3c) was 2.8 eV, and is well comparable to those determined from XPS and optical measurements. Our results indicate the possibility of tuning material properties by inten-tionally creating non-stoichiometry/structural defects (oxygen vacancies, cation excess and cation deficiency).

Traditional photodynamic therapy (PDT) is often limited in its efficacy by insufficient light penetration, inefficient photosensitizer energy transfer, and inadequate target tissue oxygenation. X-ray activated PDT (XPDT), using nanoparticle (NPs) photosensitizers comprised of europium-doped yttrium oxide cores encased within silica shells (Y₂O₃:Eu@SiO₂), offers the potential of overcoming most of these limitations. Aimed at maximizing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), this study reports methodologies for investigation of the effects of synthesis conditions on the characteristics of Y₂O₃:Eu@SiO₂ NP. Transmission electronic microscope (TEM) revealed that the NP core diameter was linearly, positively correlated with condensation time (R2 = 0.7357, p < 0.05) and linearly, negatively correlated with urea concentration (R2 = 0.958, p < 0.05). The addition of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) during core synthesis demonstrated enhanced particle dispersion. Silica coating via APTES-1 and TEOS-3 conditions resulted in Y₂O₃:Eu@SiO₂ NPs that generated the highest ROS, with 8.7-fold and 8.9-fold increase respectively in relative fluorescence intensity at 8 Gy irradiation compared to a 5.2-fold increase in PBS under the same condition. In vivo evaluation using 18F-fluorothymidine positron emission tomography (18F-FLT PET) of mouse xenografts of a human prototypical cancer (ovarian) revealed a 55% reduction in tumor proliferation of radiation-sensitive CAOV3 tumors treated with Y₂O₃:Eu@SiO₂ NPs compared to a 19% reduction in tumor proliferation of radiation-resistant SKOV3 tumors on the fourth day post-treatment. Taken together, these findings suggest Y₂O₃:Eu@SiO₂ NPs can serve as effective photosensitizers for XPDT and their performance characteristics can be optimized by selecting synthesis conditions and parameters to deliver the desirable therapeutic effects, offering novel approaches to circumventing many of the limitations of conventional PDT in the treatment of cancer.

Zinc Oxide nanoparticles functionalized with APTES were obtained to evaluate their CH4 and CO2 adsorption and separation behavior. First, ZnO nanoparticles were obtained by a precipitation method and subsequently coated with (3-aminopropyl)-triethoxysilane (APTES). The nanoparticles sample was characterized by UV-Vis, FT-IR spectroscopy, TGA, XRD, TEM/EDX, XPS and N2 adsorption at 77 K. CH4 and CO2 adsorption experiments were carried out at 298 K in a range between 0-10 bar. It was observed that the amount of gas adsorbed on the surface of the nanostructure is very small in comparison with other materials traditionally used for this purpose but slightly higher than those obtained in naked nanoparticles evaluated in previous studies.

Background and Objectives: Cardiovascular events are the leading cause of morbidity and mortal-ity in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Identifying risk factors can help in the effort to reduce cardi-ovascular risk and improve life expectancy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ability of CHA2DS2-VASc score [risk index of stroke in atrial fibrillation (AF)] in patients with end stage kidney disease, to predict stroke, major cardiovascular events and mortality. Materials and Meth-ods: CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED (bleeding risk from use of anticoagulation in AF) scores were calculated in 237 HD patients, [99 women, median age 76 (15) years], at time they com-menced on HD. The scores’ ability to predict long term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality was estimated, both in those with and without AF. Results: CHA2DS2-VASc score was signifi-cantly increased in AF (n=69) compared to non-AF (n=168) patients, 5 (2.5) versus 4 (2), p<0.0001, respectively. Increased CHA2DS2-VASc score was associated with heart failure (p=0.007, p=0.024), stroke (p<0.0001, p<0.0001) and risk of all-cause mortality (p<0.0001, p<0.0001), in both groups, respectively. C statistics indicated that CHA2DS2-VASc score performed modest discrimination in this HD population with and without AF for heart failure, stroke, and all-cause mortality, but for cardiovascular mortality in AF group only. Conclusions: Increased CHA2DS2-VASc score at time starting on HD, can predict stroke, heart failure and all-cause mortality in HD patients in-dependent of the presence of AF. Risk of cardiovascular mortality could be predicted only on patients with AF.

Clathrate hydrate-based technologies have been considered as promising and sustainable alternatives for the effective management of the climate change risks related to emissions of carbon dioxide, produced by human activities. This work presents a combined experimental and computational investigation of the effects of the operational procedures and characteristics of the experimental configuration, on the phase diagrams of CO2-H2O systems and CO2 hydrates formation, growth and dissociation conditions. The operational modes involved (i) the incremental (step-wise) temperature cycling and (ii) the continuous temperature cycling processes, in the framework of an isochoric pressure search method. Also, two different high pressure PVT configurations were used, of which one encompassed a stirred tank reactor and the other incorporated an autoclave of constant volume with magnetic agitation. The experimental results implied a dependence of the subcooling, (P, T) conditions for hydrate formation and dissociation and thermal stability of the hydrate phase on the applied temperature cycling mode, and the technical features of the utilized PVT configuration. The experimental findings were complemented by a thermodynamic simulation model and other calculation approaches, with the aim to resolve the phase diagrams including the CO2 dissolution over the entire range of the applied (P, T) conditions.

In this study, we conducted experiments to assess the forecasting capabilities for the tropical cyclone (TC) genesis over the South China Sea using the ensemble-based data assimilation system (EPS-DA) by WRF-LETKF. These experiments covered forecast lead times of up to 5 days and spanned a period from 2012 to 2019, involving a total of 45 TC formation events. The evaluation involved forecast probability assessments and positional and timing error analysis. Results indicated that successful forecasting depends on lead time and initial condition quality. For TC formation from an embryo vortex to tropical depression intensity, the EPS-DA system demonstrated improved accuracy as the forecast cycle approached the actual formation time. TC centers converged toward observed locations, highlighting the potential of assimilation up to 5 days before formation. We examined statistical variations in dynamic and thermodynamic variables relevant to TC processes, offering an objective system assessment. Our study emphasized early warnings of TC development appear linked to formation-time environmental conditions, particularly strong vorticity and enhanced moisture processes.

Bent trees have been observed during the early years in juvenile plantations (less than 5 years-old) of Tectona grandis in Costa Rica. The relationship between bending and the morphological characteristics of the trees was explored. An evaluation of bent trees was conducted in six juvenile plantations (8, 17, 27, 28, 31, and 54 months old) of Tectona grandis. Site 1 with 8-month-old plantations did not display any relationship with any tree morphological variable (diameter, height, and crown weight of tree), whereas for the sites 2, 3, and 4 with 17-, 27-, and 28-month-old plantations, respectively, all the tree morphological variables were statistically correlated with the bent trees. A multiple regression analysis showed that the most influential variables were height to crown base, crown weight, diameter, and total height of the tree. An evaluation of the bending risk factor (RF) was correlated with the height to crown base, crown weight, and form factor. The modulus of elasticity and chemical compositions of bent trees differed from those of straight trees. The causes of tree bending are complex, involving, among other factors, the morphology of the trees, plantation conditions, and other factors specific to the xylem, such as the specific gravity, modulus of elasticity, and presence of calcium and magnesium in the wood.

This article systematically reviews the research achievements on the MnOx/TiO2 catalyst doped with transition metals or rare earth metals for the catalytic selective catalytic reduction of NH3 (SCR-NH3) reaction. The Methodi Ordinatio systematic literature analysis method was employed to rank relevant articles based on journal impact factors, publication years, and citation counts. The ranking data shows that the undoped MnOx/TiO2 catalysts exhibit a catalytic efficiency of up to approximately 90% for NOx reduction, while the doped MnOx/TiO2 catalysts with transition metals or rare earth metals can achieve a maximum reduction efficiency of 100%. Among all the doped metals, the catalyst doped with nickel demonstrates the best NOx reduction performance. The comprehensive literature research concludes that MnOx/TiO2-based SCR catalysts, especially those doped with transition metals or rare earth metals, have significant catalytic efficiency and development potential in reducing NOx emissions in SCR reactions.

The endocannabinoid signalling system (ECS) plays a critical role from the very beginning of embryogenesis. Accordingly, the ECS is engaged early-on in nervous system development, starting from neurulation, supported by the identification of ECS components - both receptors and enzymes controlling endocannabinoid metabolism – at these early stages. In particular, regarding the brain, the ECS is involved in the tightly regulated sequence of events that comprise brain development, from neurogenesis to neuronal migration, morphological guidance for neuronal connectivity, and synaptic circuitry refinement. The importance of this broad role of the ECS across various brain development processes is further underscored by the growing understanding of the consequences of cannabis exposure at different developmental stages. Despite the considerable knowledge we have on the role of the ECS in brain development, significant gaps in our understanding remain, particularly regarding the long-term impact and underlying mechanisms of cannabis exposure at different developmental stages. This review provides an overview of the current state of knowledge on the role of the ECS throughout brain development, from embryogenesis to adulthood, and discusses the impact of cannabis exposure, especially during adolescence—a critical period of circuitry maturation and refinement coinciding with an increased risk of cannabis use.

Zinc cobalt oxide-zinc hydroxide (ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2) microspheres were successfully fabricated on carbon cloth via a sample hydrothermal method. The surface morphology of these microspheres and their efficacy in degrading methyl violet were further modulated by varying the thermal annealing temperatures. The manipulation of thermal annealing temperatures was pivotal in adjusting the porosity of ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres to amplify their photocatalytic performance. Various analytical techniques were utilized to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of the ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres, including field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, field-emission transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. Compared to untreated ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres, those subjected to thermal annealing exhibited increased specific surface area and light absorption capacity, rendering them highly effective photocatalysts under UVC light exposure. Subsequent studies have confirmed the superior performance of ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres as a reusable photocatalyst for degrading methyl violet and tetracycline. Additionally, trapping experiments during the photodegradation process involving ZnCo2O4-Zn(OH)2 microspheres have identified hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide radicals (·O2–) as the primary reactive species.

A tritium resistant coating on the surface of materials is one of the main methods to reduce tritium permeability. In actual operating processes, mechanical damage such as spalling and scratches will occur on the surface of tritium resistant coatings. These mechanical damages will affect the hydrogen permeability resistance of the coatings. It is an important engineering problem that evaluate the effect of these damage on the tritium resistance of the coating. In this experiment, the mechanical damage of FeAl/Al2O3 tritium resistant coating on 316L stainless steel was simulated by scratching, debonding and thermal shock, and the gas hydrogen isotope permeation (GDP) test was carried out. The influence of mechanical damage degree on the tritium permeation behaviour of the coating was evaluated and discussed.

: Poultry products in Zambia form an integral part of the human diet in many households, as they are cheap and easy to produce. The burden of poultry diseases has, however, remained a major challenge. Growing consumer demand for poultry products in Zambia has resulted in non-prudent antimicrobial use on farms, intending to prevent and treat poultry diseases for growth optimization and maximising profits. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the different types of bacteria causing diseases in chickens in Lusaka and to detect the extended-spectrum-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding genes. We collected 215 samples from 91 diseased chickens at three post-mortem facilities and screened them for gram-negative bacteria. Of these samples, 103 tested positive for various clinically relevant Enterobacteriaceae, including Enterobacter (43/103, 41.7%), Escherichia coli (20/103, 19.4%), Salmonella (10/103, 9.7%), and Shigella (8/103, 7.8%). Other isolated bacteria included Yersinia, Morganella, Proteus, and Klebsiella, which accounted for 21.4%. E. coli, Enterobacter, Salmonella, and Shigella were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The results revealed that E. coli, Enterobacter, and shigella were highly resistant to tetracycline, ampicillin, amoxicillin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, while Salmonella showed complete susceptibility to all antibiotics. The observed resistance patterns correlated with antimicrobial usage estimated from sales data from a large-scale wholesale and retail company. Six (6/14, 42.9%) E. coli isolates tested positive for bla_CTX-M, whilst eight (8/14, 57.1%) Enterobacter samples tested positive for bla_TEM. Interestingly, four (4/6, 66.7%) of the E. coli isolates carrying bla_CTX-M-positive strains were also positive for bla_TEM. Sanger sequencing of the PCR products revealed that five (5/6,83.3%) of the abovementioned isolates possessed the bla_CTX-M-15 allele. The results suggest the presence of potentially pathogenic ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in poultry, threatening public health. Keywords:. Enterobacteriaceae, bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM

Li₂TiO₃ nanopowders were synthesized by hydrothermal process using anatase TiO₂ and LiOH H₂O as raw materials. Li₂TiO₃ crystallizes in the layered monoclinic structure (space group C2/c) with average crystallite size of 34 nm. Morphology, elemental composition and local structure of products were carried out using HRTEM, FESEM, EDS, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. Transport properties investigated by d.c. (4-probe measurements) and a.c. (complex impedance spectroscopy) show the activation energy of 0.71 and 0.65 eV, respectively. The ionic transport properties of Li⁺ ions in nanocrystalline Li₂TiO₃ characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) validate the good electrochemical properties of this anode material for lithium-ion batteries.

Addressing escalating energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas industry has driven extensive efforts in carbon capture and utilization (CCU), focusing on power plants and industrial facilities. Utilizing CO2 as a primary feedstock for industrial fuels and petrochemical materials offers a favorable alternative to sequestration, with byproducts substituting traditional chemical feedstocks. This comprehensive review explores the current landscape of CO2 capture technologies, examining opportunities, economic viability, and efficiency challenges. It provides a detailed analysis of various CO2 utilization methods and the combined process of capture and utilization. The review highlights primary obstacles in planning, production, and widespread implementation, emphasizing the need for strategic integration of materials research, process performance, and cost-effectiveness to advance new technologies.

Our environment has been significantly impacted by man-made pollutants, primarily due to industries make substantial use of synthetic chemicals, resulting in significant environmental consequences. In this research investigation, the co-precipitation approach was employed for the synthesis of cellulose-based ferric oxide (Fe₂O₃/cellulose) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuOx-NPs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses were conducted to determine the properties of the newly synthesised nanoparticles. Furthermore, the synthesized nanoparticles were employed for eliminating chromium from aqueous media under various conditions, including temperature, contact time, adsorbent concentration, adsorbate concentration, and pH. Additionally, the synthesised materials were used to recover Cr(VI) ions from real samples, including tap water, seawater, and industrial water, and the adsorptive capacity of both materials evaluated under optimal conditions. The synthesis of Fe₂O₃/cellulose and CuOx-NPs proved to be effective, as indicated by the outcomes of the study.

In this study, unlike conventional methods for producing vanadium (3.5+) electrolyte by VOSO4 and V2O5, a batch-type hydrothermal reactor was used to produce a vanadium (3.5+) electrolyte for vanadium redox flow batteries through a reduction reaction. The starting material, V2O5, was mixed with different concentrations of citric acid (0.8M, 1.2M, 1.6M, 2.0M) as reducing agent and stirred using a hot plate at 90°C for 60 minutes to achieve complete dispersion in the solution. The resulting solution was then subjected to a hydrothermal reduction reaction in a furnace at 150°C for 24 hours to produce vanadium (3.5+). The mixed state of the produced vanadium (3+) and vanadium (4+) was confirmed using UV-vis spectroscopy. Electrochemical properties were investigated through CV analysis, confirming that the optimal concentration was 1.6M. Charge and discharge experiments were conducted to compare the current efficiency, energy efficiency, and voltage efficiency of the electrolyte prepared by the hydrothermal reduction process and the electrolyte prepared by VOSO4. As a result, the electrolyte produced through the hydrothermal reduction process showed improved performance in all efficiencies. The results shows that vanadium (3.5+) electrolyte could be easily produced through a reaction process using citric acid.

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a highly toxic and corrosive gas commonly found in industrial emissions and natural gas processing, posing serious risks to human health and environmental safety even at low concentrations. Early detection of H₂S is therefore critical for preventing accidents and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. This study presents the development of porous ZnO/SnO₂ heterostructure gas sensors tailored for ultrasensitive detection of H₂S at sub-ppb levels. Utilizing a screen-printing method, we fabricated five different sensor compositions, ranging from pure SnO₂ to pure ZnO, and characterized their structural and morphological properties through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Among these, sensor SnO₂/ZnO with composition weight ratio of 3:4 demonstrated highest response at 325 °C, achieving a low detection limit of 0.14 ppb. The sensor was evaluated for detecting H₂S concentrations ranging from 5 ppb to 500 ppb under dry, humid and N₂ conditions. The relative concentration error was carefully calculated based on analytical sensitivity, confirming the sensor's precision in measuring gas concentrations. Our findings underscore the significant advantages of heterostructure formation in enhancing gas sensitivity, offering promising applications in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. This research paves the way for the advancement of highly effective gas sensors capable of operating under diverse conditions with high accuracy.

Vanadium(IV) chalcogenide materials are of increasing interest for use in catalysis and energy conversion-related applications. Since no ternary compounds are yet known in the V–Se–Te system, we studied ternary VwSeyTe2–y (w = 1.10, 1.13; y = 0.42, 0.72) phases crystallizing in space group P3m1 (no. 164). Two single-crystal specimens with differing compositions of a solid solution were obtained using the ceramic method. All products were characterized by either single-crystal or powder X-ray diffraction. The lattice parameters increase with rising tellurium content in accordance to the larger ionic radius of the tellurium anion compared to selenium. The chemical compositions were confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Further, magnetic measurements revealed mostly antiferromagnetic properties. Simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry/thermogravimetric analyses in nitrogen atmosphere showed endothermic decomposition accompanied by the formation of VN. The results of this work can serve as a basis for the synthesis of new phases in the V–Se–Te and related vanadium chalcogenide systems.

CO₂-soluble surfactant foam systems have garnered significant attention in the fields of enhanced oil and gas recovery, environmental protection, and greenhouse gas emission reduction. This review provides a comprehensive explanation of the basic theory of CO₂-soluble surfactant foam, the mechanism of enhanced oil recovery, and the classification and application of various CO₂-soluble surfactants.The mechanism of enhanced oil recovery by CO₂-soluble surfactant foam involves the effective reduction of CO₂ fluidity, the decrease in oil-air flow ratio, and the stabilization of the displacement front. Foam plays a vital role in mitigating the issues of channeling and gravity separation often caused by simple CO₂ injection. The reduction in gas fluidity can be attributed to the increase in apparent viscosity and trapped gas fraction.Future research should prioritize the development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly CO₂-soluble surfactants. It is essential to further explore the advantages and challenges associated with their practical applications in order to maximize their potential impact.

In the present work, vertically aligned ultrathin 2D In2S3 nanosheets are grown with a chemical vapor deposition technique to enhance the photoresponse by increasing surface area, and optical absorption. The 2D vertically aligned In2S3 nanosheets have shown excellent PEC water-splitting in terms of excellent photocurrent density value of 4.5 mAcm-2, incident photon to current conversion efficiency is 53 % and hydrogen production of 90% has been achieved in the visible region with higher stability. Ultrathin vertically aligned In2S3 nanosheets also show high responsivity, high charge carrier density, lesser recombination rate, and a capacious space charge layer for excellent water-splitting performance. This straightforward method of creating ultrathin 2D nanosheets of In2S3 also has significant potential for other fields where effective absorption and charge separations are required, like photodetection, optical electronics, and gas sensing.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is a variant that has been increasingly linked to severe, life threatening infections including pyogenic liver abscess and bloodstream infections. HvKp belonging to the capsular serotypes K1 and K2 have been reported worldwide, however very scarce studies are available on the their genomics and virulence. In the current study we report four hypermucoviscous hvKp ESBL clinical strains of capsular serotype K1 and K2 isolated from pus and urine of critically ill patients in tertiary care hospitals in Oman. These strains belong to diverse sequence types (STs) namely ST-23(K1), ST-231(K2), ST-881(K2), and ST-14(K2). To study their virulence, Galleria Mellonella model and resistance to human serum killing were used. The G. mellonella model revealed that the K1/ST-23 isolate is the most virulent as 50% of the larvae died in the first day, followed by isolate K2/ST-231 for which 75% of the larvae died in the second day and isolate K2/ST-14 for which 50% of the larvae died in the second day. Resistance to human serum killing showed there was complete inhibition of bacterial growth of all four isolates by the end of the first hour and up to the third hour. For ST-23(K1), ST-231(K2), ST-881(K2), and ST-14(K2), there was a gradual decrease in the number of colonies up to the second to third hour, which indicates neutralization of bacterial cells by the serum components. However, this was followed by sudden increase of bacterial growth, indicating possible resistance of bacteria against human serum bactericidal activity. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed that hvKp strains display unique genetic arrangement of k-loci. Whole genome SNP-based phylogenetic analysis revealed that these hvKp isolates are phylogenetically distinct, belonging to diverse clades and belong to different STs in comparison to global isolates. This is the first report from Oman detailing the WGS of hvKp clinical isolates and assessing their resistance and virulence genomics, which reinforce our understanding of their epidemiology and dissemination in clinical settings.

New ideas on the framework of Neutrosophic SuperHyperGraph for different styles of Neutrosophic SuperHyper-Wheel and Neutrosophic SuperHyper-Star are introduced. More instances and more clarifications alongside sufficient references are featured with a specific type of independency of SuperHyperVertices.

"Chemical absorption is currently the most advanced technique for capturing carbon dioxide after combustion. A fascinating approach within amine-based technology for post-combustion carbon removal is the utilization of aqueous ammonia as a solvent, leading to a method called chilled ammonia capture. This study aims to enhance the performance of chilled ammonia capture through a thermodynamic assessment, focusing on crystalline configuration.""This study explores the development of an improved second generation chilled ammonia capture process, which involves the formation of solids to enhance capturing efficiency. The simulation software ASPEN is employed to model the expanded UNIQUAC Thermodynamics hypothesis. The modeling encompasses both the conventional carbon ammonia capture process and the more advanced carbon ammonia capture system powered by a crystallizerIn this study, the energy costs associated with implementing different technologies for carbon ammonia capture in typical ultra supercritical power plants are evaluated. The introduction of solid formation in the carbon ammonia capture system has yielded promising results. The findings indicate that the energy required for the carbon ammonia capture system, which utilizes a crystallizer, is approximately 10% lower compared to the overall cost associated with the conventional carbon ammonia capture system. These results highlight the potential for significant energy savings and improved efficiency in carbon capture processes

The demand for polymer composites with improved mechanical and electrical properties is crucial for advanced aerospace, electronics, and energy storage applications. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles are key fillers that enhance these properties, yet challenges like orientation, uniform dispersion, and agglomeration must be addressed to realize their full potential. This study focuses on developing SWCNTs/Fe₃O₄ epoxy composites by keeping the SWCNT concentration constant at 0.03 Vol.% and varying Fe₃O₄ concentrations at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 Vol.% with two different configurations: randomly orientated (R-) and magnetic field-assisted horizontally aligned (A-) SWCNTs/Fe3O4 epoxy composites and investigates the effects of filler concentration, dispersion, and magnetic alignment on the mechanical and electrical properties. The research reveals that both composite configurations achieve an optimal mechanical performance at 0.5 Vol.% Fe₃O₄, while A- SWCNTs/Fe3O4 epoxy composites outperformed at all concentrations. However, at 1 Vol.% Fe₃O₄, mechanical properties decline due to nanoparticle agglomeration, which disrupts stress distribution. In contrast, electrical conductivity peaks at 1 Vol.% Fe₃O₄, indicating that the higher density of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles enhances the conductive network despite the mechanical losses. This study highlights the need for precise control over filler content and alignment to optimize mechanical strength and electrical conductivity in SWCNTs/Fe₃O₄ epoxy nanocomposites.

Findings on diet-health relationships have led many people to include healthier food items (including snacks) in their diets, e.g. those containing probiotic microorganisms. The purpose of this study was to compare two methods to produce probiotic freeze-dried banana slices - one of them consisting of impregnating slices with a suspension of probiotic Bacillus coagulans, the other based on coating the slices with a starch dispersion containing the bacteria. Both processes have resulted in viable cell counts above 7 log ufc.g-1, although the presence of the starch coating has avoided a significant loss of viability on freeze-drying. The coated slices were less crispy than the impregnated ones, according to the shear force test results. However, the sensory panel (with more than 100 panelists) have not perceived significantly texture differences. Both methods have presented good results, in terms of probiotic cell viability and sensory acceptability (the coated slices having been significantly more accepted than the non-probiotic control slices).

Decarbonization of air mobility requires the decarbonization of its energy. While biofuels will play an important role, other low carbon energy carriers based on electricity are considered: battery electrification, liquid hydrogen (LH₂) or eFuel, a hydrogen-based energy carrier. Each energy carrier has its own conversion steps and losses and its own integration effects with the aircraft. These combinations lead to different energy requirements and must be understood to compare their cost and CO₂ emissions. Since they are all electricity-based, this study compares these energy carriers using the well to rotor methodology when applied to a standard Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) air mobility mission. This novel approach allows one to understand that the choice of the energy carrier dictates the propulsive system architecture, leading to integration effects with the aircraft which can significantly change the energy required, from 400 to 2665 kWh for the same mission. These deviations lead significant differences in CO₂ emissions and costs. Battery electrification is impacted by the battery manufacturing but has the lowest electricity consumption. It is an optimum solution but only until the battery weight can be lifted. In all scenarios eFuel is more efficient than LH₂. We conclude that carrying the most efficient molecule in an aircraft pays the extra energy cost spent on the ground. Finally, we found that for each of these energy carriers, it is the electricity carbon intensity and price which will dictate the cost and CO₂ emissions of an air mobility mission.

With the development of modern industry, the issue of water pollution has garnered increasing attention. Photocatalysis, as a novel green environmental technology that is resource-efficient, environmentally friendly, and highly promising, has found extensive applications in the field of organic pollutant treatment. However, common semiconductor materials exhibit relatively low photocatalytic efficiency in the visible light range or inefficient separation of photogenerated charges, resulting in their limited ability to harness solar energy effectively. Consequently, the development of new photocatalysts has become a pivotal focus in current photocatalysis research to enhance solar energy utilization. This revision provides a brief explanation of the photocatalytic mechanism of the AgIO3/CTF heterojunction photocatalyst. Due to the Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, Ag nanoparticles demonstrate significant absorption in the visible light region, playing a crucial role in the highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of organic pollutants.

The emergence of superhydrophobicity-based antibacterial materials represents a promising approach to upholding surface cleanliness and hygiene, effectively preventing bacterial adhesion. This research describes the synthesis of a superhydrophobic coating with antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties using silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTES). TEM, XRD, EDS, SEM, and FTIR analyses were conducted to study its morphology and surface characterization. Additionally, the coating was applied on glass substrates using the spray coating method, varying the number of layers to evaluate antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties through turbidimetry and inhibition halo measurement techniques. The durability of the coatings was also assessed by exposing them to outdoor conditions for 35 days. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial capacity of the superhydrophobic coating and its weather resistance. The results demonstrate that a superhydrophobic coating with a contact angle ≥150° and a sliding angle ≤10° was successfully synthesized using SiO2 NPs smaller than 10 nm modified with PFDTES. The coating exhibited the ability to inhibit bacterial growth by preventing the adhesion of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; moreover, the number of layers correlated with enhanced antibacterial properties. The coating also showed good durability under outdoor conditions. These results support the potential application of superhydrophobic coatings to prevent these bacteria from adhering and growing in areas where they can be harmful.

This study investigates the preparation of KNN-ZnO composites through optimized sintering conditions under both inert and oxygen atmospheres. Initial experiments employing inert hot pressing were hindered by the necessity for annealing, which resulted in cracks due to the differing thermal expansion coefficients of KNN and ZnO, rendering this method unsuitable for composite fabrication. Consequently, sintering under an oxygen atmosphere was adopted, yielding a uniform distribution of ZnO particles within the KNN matrix. The resultant microstructure demonstrated significant densification, enhanced homogeneity, and minimal porosity. Electrical performance evaluations revealed that while the incorporation of ZnO led to a slight reduction in the ferroelectric properties (d₃₃ and polarization) of the KNN matrix, it concurrently improved the electromechanical quality factor (Q_m) by 40%. However, the overall enhancements were less pronounced when compared to analogous BNT-BT systems, underscoring the necessity for further optimization of processing conditions to boost electromechanical efficiency and piezoelectric response in KNN-based ceramics.

Introduction: Patients receiving biological and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs) for rheumatological conditions are at an increased risk of serious, potentially life-threatening, infection. However, the incidence, aetiology and clinical course of serious infection in patients receiving b/tsDMARDs in tropical settings are incompletely defined. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients with rheumatoid arthritis receiving b/tsDMARDs between October 2012 and October 2021, at Cairns Hospital in tropical Australia. The incidence, aetiology, and clinical course of serious infections (those requiring admission to hospital or parenteral antibiotics) was determined. Results: 310 patients had 1468 patient-years of b/tsDMARD therapy during the study period; 74/310 (24%) had 147 serious infections translating to an overall risk of 10.0 episodes of serious infection per 100-patient-years. The respiratory tract (50/147, 34%) and skin (37/147, 25%) were the most frequently affected sites. A pathogen was identified in 59/147 (40%) episodes and was most commonly Staphylococcus aureus (24/147, 16%). Only 2/147 (1%) were confirmed “tropical infections”: 1 case of Burkholderia pseudomallei and 1 case of mixed B. pseudomallei and community-acquired Acinetobacter baumannii infection. Overall, 13/147 (9%) episodes of serious infection required Intensive Care Unit admission (0.9 per 100-patient-years of b/tsDMARD therapy) and 4/147 (3%) died from their infection (0.3 per 100-patient-years of b/tsDMARD therapy). The burden of comorbidity and co-administration of prednisone were the strongest predictors of death or a requirement for ICU admission. Conclusion: The risk of serious infection in patients taking b/tsDMARDs in tropical Australia is higher than in temperate settings, but this is not explained by an increased incidence of traditional tropical pathogens.

Biochar has a carbon-based porous structure that is advantageous for adsorbing air pollutants. The pore structure of biochar ranges from several tens to hundreds of m²/g depending on the production temperature. We compared the pore characteristics of biochar with its NOx and SOx adsorption performances to evaluate its adsorbing potential. Biochar was produced from cypress biomass via slow pyrolysis in a fixed-bed reactor and CO2 partial gasification. Slow pyrolysis experiments at 500–700°C were conducted to produce biochar, followed by yield, proximate, elemental, and surface area analyses. CO2 partial gasification activated the biochar produced by slow pyrolysis at the same temperature, and similar analyses were performed. NO and SO2 adsorption experiments were conducted separately and together for biochar produced under each condition. Biochar produced at 600°C showed the highest specific surface area. CO2 partial gasification increased the surface area at each temperature, reaching 680.3 m²/g at 700°C. In single adsorption experiments, N2 carbonized biochar showed NO and SO2 adsorption efficiencies of 84–90% and 88.2–91.4%, respectively, with similar trends in simultaneous adsorption experiments. CO2 activated biochar exhibited higher adsorption efficiencies due to its increased surface area, with NO and SO2 adsorption at 89.8–93.9% and 92–98.9%, respectively. Biochar activated at 700°C simultaneously adsorbed approximately 99% NO and SO2. The NO adsorption efficiency increased with increasing surface area of the small pores, whereas the SO2 adsorption efficiency improved with the development of both small and large pores.

In this work, non-ordered and ordered CeO2-based catalysts are proposed for the CO2 conversion to dimethyl carbonate (DMC). Particularly, a non-ordered mesoporous CeO2, consisting of small nanoparticles of about 8 nm, is compared with two highly porous (635-722 m2/g) ordered CeO2@SBA-15 nanocomposites obtained by two different impregnation strategies (a two-solvent impregnation (TS) and a self-combustion (SC) method), with a final CeO2 loading of 10 wt%. The Rietveld analyses on XRD data combined with TEM imaging evidence the influence of the impregnation strategy on the dispersion of the active phase: nanoparticles of 8 nm for the TS composite vs. 3 nm for the SC composite. The catalytic results show comparable activity for the mesoporous ceria and the CeO2@SBA-15_SC nanocomposite, while a lower DMC yield was found for the CeO2@SBA-15_TS nanocomposite. This finding is presumably ascribed to a partial obstruction of the pores by the CeO2 nanoparticles in the case of the TS composite, which leads to a reduced accessibility of the active phase. On the other hand, in the case of the SC composite, where the CeO2 particle size is much lower than the pore size, there is an improved accessibility of the active phase to the molecules of the reactants.

In this paper, the integrated performance of a modular biomass boiler with an existing industrial Rankine steam heat and power cycle and a supplementary supercritical-CO2 (sCO2) Brayton cycle is analyzed. The aim is to leverage the high efficiency supplementary sCO2 cycle to increase net generation and energy efficiency from the existing biomass boiler. Two sCO2 heater configurations situated within the flue gas flow path are investigated, namely a single convective-dominant heater, and a dual heater configuration with a radiative and a convective heater. A quasi-steady-state 1D model was developed to simulate the integrated cycle, including detailed component characteristics for the Rankine and Brayton cycles. The model solves the mass, energy, momentum, and species balance equations. The system is analyzed for three cases: (i) the existing Rankine cycle without the sCO2 integration, (ii) with the single convective-dominant sCO2 heater configuration, and (iii) the dual sCO2 heater configuration. The results show the required rate of overfiring for the sCO2 configurations, with a 15.3% increase in fuel flowrate resulting in an additional 21.2% in net power output. The model quantifies the impact of the sCO2 heaters, with reduced heat uptakes for downstream boiler heat exchangers. Furnace water wall heat uptake increased due to overfiring, offsetting the reduced heat uptakes at downstream evaporative heat exchangers. The dual configuration has more impact on Rankine cycle operation due to the radiative sCO2 heater placement in front of the second superheater, absorbing some of the direct radiation from the furnace.

It is common knowledge that increasing CO₂ concentration plays a major role in enhancement of the greenhouse effect and contributes to global warming. The purpose of this study is to complement the conventional and established theory that increased CO₂ concentration due to human emissions causes an increase of temperature, by considering the reverse causality. Since increased temperature causes an increase in CO₂ concentration, the relationship of atmospheric CO₂ and temperature may qualify as belonging to the category of “hen-or-egg” problems, where it is not always clear which of two interrelated events is the cause and which the effect. We examine the relationship of global temperature and atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration at the monthly time step, covering the time interval 1980–2019, in which reliable instrumental measurements are available. While both causality directions exist, the results of our study support the hypothesis that the dominant direction is T → CO₂. Changes in CO₂ follow changes in T by about six months on a monthly scale, or about one year on an annual scale. We attempt to interpret this mechanism by involving biochemical reactions, as at higher temperatures soil respiration, and hence CO₂ emission, are increasing.

Natural Gas (NG) processing is a prominent industrial separation process. Among the available techniques, the innovative membrane process shows potential for efficient removal of impurities, including carbon dioxide (CO₂). This study focuses on utilizing breakthroughs in membrane separation to drive sustainable CO₂ extraction from natural gas. Through comprehensive research and analysis, we explore the effectiveness and feasibility of membrane-based systems in removing CO₂ impurities from NG, thus promoting greener and more sustainable industrial practices. Our findings underscore the transformative nature of membrane separation technology, presenting new possibilities for a more environmentally-friendly and sustainable approach to CO₂ extraction from natural gas.Natural Gas (NG) processing utilizes various techniques for impurity removal, with the membrane process emerging as a promising option for efficient carbon dioxide (CO₂) extraction. This research proposes the integration of a simple mathematical model into ASPEN HYSYS to design a membrane system for CO₂/CH₄ separation. The study also investigates parameter sensitivities by altering operating conditions, such as feed composition and pressure, as well as membrane properties, including selectivity. By analyzing these variables, we aim to optimize the performance and efficiency of the membrane system, facilitating the sustainable extraction of CO₂ from NG. The findings contribute to advancing the design and operation of membrane-based processes for CO₂ separation, paving the way for greener and more sustainable industrial practices. In addition, this study explores various configurations for optimizing the design of the membrane system, including single-stage with and without recycling as well as double-stage configurations. The investigation demonstrates that methane recovery can be enhanced through the recycling of the permeate stream and by implementing a double stage membrane system. These findings highlight the potential for improving the efficiency and performance of the membrane system, enabling higher methane recovery rates. By considering different configurations, this research contributes to the development of more effective and sustainable CO₂ extraction processes from natural gas.

Hong Kong was under the direct hit of Severe Typhoon Koinu (2314) on 8 and 9 October 2023, necessitating the issuance of the Increasing Gale or Storm Signal, No. 9. Koinu was a very challenging case for TC forecasting and warning services due to its compact size and erratic movement over the northern part of the South China Sea. This paper reviews the difficulties and challenges on the forecasting aspect of the severe typhoon. The predicted tropical cyclone track and intensity from both conventional models and emerging artificial intelligence models are examined, as well as local wind and rainfall forecast. Experience in this case study showed that while deterministic global models only performed moderately and were not able to adequately support early warning, a regional model and AI models could more effectively support decision making for operational tropical cyclone warning service.

Tropical cyclones (TC) are one of the deadliest natural meteorological hazards and the most frequent cause of natural disasters. The El-Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), a tropical ocean-atmosphere interaction, is known to significantly impact cyclonic systems over global ocean basins. This study investigates the variability of TC activity in presence of ENSO over the North Indian Ocean (NIO), comprising of the Arabian Sea (ARB) and the Bay of Bengal (BOB) basins during the pre- and post-monsoon season, using accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) over the last 26 years. Our analysis reveals a significant rise in cyclone intensity over the past two decades, with eight of the ten most active years occurring since the 2000s. Total ACE over the NIO is found to be higher in La-Niña. Higher ACE observed over ARB is strongly associated with a combination of elevated sea surface height (SSH) anomaly and low vertical wind shear during the El-Niño episodes, with higher sea surface temperatures (SST) during the post-monsoon season. Whereas in the BOB, El Niño not only reduces ACE but also decreases basin-wide variability, and more pronounced effect during the post-monsoon season, coinciding with warmer SST and higher SSH along the coast during La-Niña.

Hong Kong was under strike from Super Typhoon Saola (2309), necessitating the issuance of the highest tropical cyclone warning signal. Saola skirted past the south-southwest of Hong Kong, bringing hurricane force winds and significant storm surge. Saola had its closest approach to Hong Kong on 1 September 2023, posing a unique challenge in forecasting and early warning for the commencement date of the new school term, where higher impact to traffic and public safety was anticipated. This paper covers the challenges on the forecasting aspect of the super typhoon. The predicted tropical cyclone track, intensity and wind structure are reviewed. Experience in this case showed that while there was not a perfect numerical weather prediction model in terms of the forecast track, intensity and wind structure of Saola, multi-model approach provided very use-ful and crucial information for operational weather warning services.

Drought stress has been considered a major problem in coffee crops, and the higher occurrence of unpredictable environmental events has highlighted the vulnerability of agricultural systems. Several reports have indicated selenium (Se) as a plant biostimulant against environmental stress, including drought. The effects of Se in plants are related to the modulation of enzymatic activity, energetics and osmoprotectants plant content, and nutrient balance in plants. However, investi-gating the effective time of Se application is crucial for better understanding its effects on coffee plants, a drought-sensitive crop. This study aimed to investigate the role of Se supply in improving drought tolerance in coffee seedlings while also evaluating the best timing for Se application. Five times of Se foliar application were assessed during induced drought stress by PEG-6000 using the day of imposing stress as a default, plus two control treatments: i) with osmotic stress and without Se; ii) without osmotic stress and Se. The treatments were compared with both control treatments. Results demonstrated that the osmotic stress (OS) promoted mild stress in the coffee plants, as ex-pected. Plants under stress showed reduced GR and SOD activity compared with the non-stressed ones, and the OS induces starch degradation, which is potentialized by Se foliar supply, mainly when Se is applied before inducing the stress. The decline in the starch content might be considered a strategy to provide energy to coffee seedlings. The seedlings that received foliar Se application 8 days before the stress exhibited higher CAT, APX, and SOD than those that did not receive OS nor Se application. The results obtained in this study suggest that the previous Se foliar spray is more effective than the Se supply after OS to overcome the adverse condition. On the other hand, the post-stress application seems to impose extra stress on the plants, leading them to reduce the water potential.

As the smallest member of the fullerene family, C20 is yet to be discovered in planetary nebulae. In this work, we present a quantum chemical study via density functional theory (DFT) on the ionization tolerance of this molecule in the space environment. Considering that the ionization and excitation phenomena play key roles in alerting the lifetime of a molecule, we examined both ground and excited electronic states potential energy surfaces (PES) of C20 and its cations C20q+. Our theoretical results indicate that the C20 cage tolerates a positive charge as high as 13+ via characterizing local minimum geometries on both mentioned electronic states. We also explored theoretically and systematically, scenarios in which the electronic structure of neutral C20 is excited to very high spin multiplicity (beyond triplet state) and local minimum molecular geometries with cage structure are well characterized. We anticipate that such structural resistance to excitation and ionization deliver a prolonged lifetime necessary for the spectroscopic detection of this interesting molecule and its cations in space and potentially in planetary nebulea (PN).

Relevant observations suggest that in geothermal power resources and volcanic regions in Earth the mean heat flow is either comparable or greater than the current global mean heat flow of this planet. We have inferred that critical or minimum heat flow required to sustain geothermal provinces (T >150⁰C) is at least 90 mWm^-2 and the same required to sustain active volcanoes in Earth is at least 100 mWm^-2.The volcanism in Venus is found have declined significantly during the past 300 Ma. It is suggested that Earth may lose significant part of its current active volcanoes and geothermal power resources in the next 300-500 Ma if the global mean heat flow in Earth is decreasing at a rate of 5.76 mW per 100 Ma. At the current inferred maximum rate of mantle cooling (20^o C per 100 Myrs) the plate tectonics in Earth is likely to cease within 750 Myrs from now. The critical mean surface heat flux for sustaining plate tectonics in Earth is inferred to be around 50-55 mW/m².

This study describes the synthesis and characterization of mixed hydrotalcite–organosilica membrane for gas separation. Hydrotalcite exhibits the capability to adsorb carbon dioxide at elevated temperatures. High surface area and favorable coating properties are essential to harness its potential for practical applications. Stable alcohol-based dispersions are needed for thin film applications of mixed membranes containing hydrotalcite. Currently, producing such dispersions without the need for delamination and dispersion agents is a challenging task. This work introduces for the first time a manufacturing approach to overcoming the drawbacks mentioned above. It includes a synthesis of hydrotalcite nanoparticles, followed by agent-free delamination of their layers and final dispersion into alcohol without dispersion agents. Further, the hydrotalcite-derived sorption agent is dispersed in a matrix based on organo-silica gels derived from 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTESE). The analytical results indicate that the interconnection between hydrotalcite and BTESE-derived gel occurs via forming a strong hydrogen bonding system between the interlayer species (OH groups, CO32-) of hydrotalcite and oxygen and silanol active gel centers. These findings lay the foundation for applications involving incorporating hydrotalcite-like compounds into silica matrices, ultimately enabling the development of materials with exceptional mass transfer properties. In part 2 of this study, gas separation performance of the organo-silica and the hydrotalcite-like materials and their combined form will be investigated

Formaldehyde (HCHO), an indoor volatile organic compound, is seriously harmful to human health. Therefore, green and effective decomposition of HCHO is essential. TiO₂ has been employed for the degradation of HCHO via photocatalytic generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (O^2-, ·OH), yet the low specific surface area of crystalline TiO₂ depressed the catalytic performance. Herein, we prepared TiO₂ aerogels with high specific surface area and high porosity by sol-gel method, and added PVA to introduce flexible molecular chains for pore size regulation. The photocatalytic performance test verifies that the pore size of TiO₂ aerogel is one of the important factors for HCHO decomposition. Notably, through the establishment of theoretical model and calculation, we validated that the efficiency of HCHO decomposition is related to the oxygen pressure in the pores of TiO₂ aerogel, and the oxygen pressure is inversely proportional to the pore size. Accordingly, the optimal pore size of TiO₂ aerogel for the photocatalytic HCHO decomposition is 2 nm~10 nm. This study provides a theoretical idea for TiO₂ aerogels in the decomposition reaction of HCHO, which is expected to inspire more breakthroughs in the study of TiO₂ aerogels for green chemistry.

: Climate change necessitates urgent actions to mitigate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel-based energy generation. Among various strategies, the deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) solutions are critical for reducing emissions from point sources such as power plants and heavy industries. In this context, cryogenic carbon capture (CCC) via desublimation has emerged as a promising technology. While CCC offers high separation efficiency, minimal downstream compression work, and integration potential with existing industrial processes, challenges such as low operating temperatures and equipment costs persist. Ongoing research aims to address these hurdles in order to optimize the desublimation processes for widespread implementation. This review consolidates diverse literature works, providing insights into the strengths and limitations of CCC technology, including the latest pilot plant scale demonstrations. The transformative potential of CCC is first assessed on a theoretical basis, such as thermodynamic aspects and mass transfer phenomena. Then, recent advancements in the proposed process configurations are critically assessed and compared through key performance indicators. Furthermore, future research directions for this technology are clearly highlighted.

Nanocomposites of TiO₂ Degussa P25 nanoparticles/activated carbon (TiO₂/AC ) were prepared at various mass ratios of (4:1), (3:2), (2:3), and (1:4) by a facile process. The effects of TiO₂/AC mass ratios on the structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties were systematically studied in comparison with bare TiO₂ and bare AC. TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibited dominant anatase and minor rutile phases, and a crystallite size of approximately 21 nm; while AC had XRD peaks of graphite and carbon, and a crystallite size of 49 nm. The composites exhibited tight decoration of TiO₂ nanoparticles on micron-/submicron AC particles, and uniform TiO₂/AC composites were obtained as evidenced by the uniform distribution of Ti, O, and C in an EDS mapping. Moreover, Raman spectra show the typical vibration modes of anatase TiO₂ (e.g., E_1g⁽¹⁾, B_1g⁽¹⁾, E_g⁽³⁾) and carbon materials with D and G bands. The TiO₂/AC with (4:1), (3:2), and (2:3) possessed higher reaction rate constants (k) in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) than that of either TiO₂ or AC. Among the investigated materials, TiO₂/AC = 4:1 achieved the highest photocatalytic activity with a high k of 55.2×10^-3 min^-1 and an MB removal efficiency of 96.6% after 30 min treatment under UV-Vis irradiation (120 mW/cm²). The enhanced photocatalytic activity for TiO₂/AC is due to the synergistic effect of the high adsorption capability of AC and the high photocatalytic activity of TiO₂. Furthermore, TiO₂/AC promotes the separation of photoexcited electron/hole (e^-/h⁺) pairs to reduce their recombination rate and thus enhance photocatalytic activity. The optimal TiO₂/AC composite in this study can be used for treating industrial or household wastewater with organic pollutants.

Nowadays, it is highly desired to develop highly active and humidity resistive ozone decomposition catalyst to eliminate the ozone contaminant, one of the primary pollutants in air. In this work, a series of Cu2S hollow structured materials are rapidly synthesized using different structured Cu2O templates. The Cu2S from porous Cu2O shows the highest ozone catalytic decomposition efficiency of >95% to 400 ppm ozone with a weight hourly space velocity of 480,000 cm3g-1h-1 in dry air. Importantly, the conversion still keeps >85% in a high relative humidity of 90%. The mechanism is explored by diffusive reflectance infrared spectroscopy which shows the decomposition intermediate of O22-, and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy reveals the dual active site of both Cu and S. All these results show the effective decomposition of ozone by Cu2S especially in harsh environments, promising for active ozone elimination.

The thermoelectric generator (TEG) has much potential as a renewable energy technology that could be used in ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). This technique employs TEGs and heat exchangers as substitutes for the intricate elements found in conventional OTEC systems, including pressure valves, evaporators, condensers, and turbine generators. By harnessing the temperature difference between warm surface seawater and cold deep seawater, it facilitates the conversion of this thermal gradient into electrical energy. This study used computer simulations to look at and compare three different types of heat exchangers: a cavity-type heat exchanger, a heat exchanger with flat fins, and a heat exchanger with longitudinal vortex generators (LVGs). The objective was to evaluate the influence of these designs on the thermoelectric conversion performance when implemented in OTEC systems. The study's findings indicate that using heat exchanger configurations featuring flat fins, or LVGs, enhances the efficiency of thermal energy transfer from warm seawater to TEGs, resulting in a notable enhancement in the output power of TEGs. Furthermore, the efficiency of TEG thermoelectric conversion is influenced by varying seawater flow rates in relation to the performance of flat fins and LVGs. In contrast to the cavity-type heat exchanger, the utilization of a heat exchanger equipped with flat fins has been found to yield a notable enhancement in the output power of TEGs by approximately 22.92%. Furthermore, this configuration demonstrates a substantial improvement in thermoelectric conversion efficiency, exhibiting an increase of around 40.01%. These improvements are observed under certain conditions pertaining to flow rates and fin heights. Utilizing heat exchangers equipped with LVGs has been found to enhance the output power of TEGs by 13.02% and improve the overall thermoelectric conversion efficiency by 17.72%. These improvements are observed under certain conditions, including specific flow rates, LVG tilt angles, and locations.

Cementitious materials exhibit excellent binding properties and micropore structures that support the stabilization of TiO2 nanoparticles within the matrix. Therefore, these materials are ideal for the development of functional construction products with TiO2 nanoparticles. This study investigated the degree of hydration, microstructure, and mechanical properties of cement-containing TiO2 nanoparticles. The experimental results demonstrated that TiO2 nanoparticles accelerated the hydration rate of cement, reducing the setting times. Moreover, TiO2 nanoparticles changed matrix microstructure, decreasing the porosity and improving early-age strength. Although TiO2 nanoparticles function as nucleation sites in the cement hydration reaction, the tendency of the particles to clump implies that proper dispersion should be ensured when mixing in large quantities. When developing new building materials incorporating TiO2 nanoparticles, considering the effect of TiO2 nanoparticles on the hydration reaction of cementitious materials is crucial.

Gaseous air pollutants emitted from anthropogenic sources are diverse and form secondary products through photochemical reactions, complicating the regulatory analysis of anthropogenic emissions in the atmosphere. Here, we used an environmental chassis dynamometer and a photochemical smog chamber to conduct a parameter sensitivity experiment to investigate the formation of secondary products from a direct-injection gasoline passenger car. To simulate the mitigation of ammonia (NH3) emissions from gasoline vehicle exhausts assuming future emission controls and to allow photochemical oxidation and aging of the vehicle exhaust, NH3 was selectively removed by a series of five denuders installed between the vehicle and the photochemical smog chamber. Overall, there were no differences in the formation of secondary organic aerosols and ozone with or without NH3 mitigation. However, the secondary particle formation potential of ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) was significantly reduced with NH3 mitigation. In addition, NH3 mitigation resulted in increased particle phase acidity due to HNO3 in the gas phase not being neutralized by NH3 and condensing onto the liquid particle phase, indicating a potentially important secondary effect associated with NH3 mitigation. The present study provides new insights into the effects of NH3 mitigation on secondary emissions from gasoline vehicle exhaust and the experimental approach.

The electronic properties of calcium intercalated graphite (CaC6) as a function of pressure are revisited using density functional theory (DFT). The electronic band structures of CaC6, like many other layered superconducting materials, display cosine-shaped bands at or near the Fermi level (FL). Such bands encompass bonding/antibonding information with a strong connection to superconducting properties. Using an hexagonal cell representation for CaC6, construction of a double supercell in the c-direction effects six-folding in reciprocal space of the full cosine function, explicitly revealing the bonding/antibonding relationship divide at the cosine midpoint. Similarly, folding of the Fermi surface (FS) reveals physical phenomena relevant to electronic topological transitions (ETT) with application of pressure. For CaC6, the peak value for the superconducting transition temperature, Tc, occurs at about 7.5 GPa, near to the observed pressure of the calculated ETT. At this pressure, the radius of the nearly spherical Ca 4s-orbital FS coincides with three times the distance from the G centre point to the Brillouin zone (BZ) boundary of the 2c supercell (which is equal to half the identically defined distance for the primitive rhombohedral BZ). In addition, the ETT coincides with alignment of the non-bonding (inflection) point of the cosine band (the point at which the sign of the cosine amplitude modulation is reversed) with the FL. At other calculated pressure conditions, the Ca 4s-orbital FS undergoes topological changes that correspond and can be correlated to experimentally determined changes in Tc. The ETT is a key mechanism that circumscribes the known significant drop in Tc for CaC6 as a function of increasing pressure.

Flexible polymer-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) offer promising potential for lightweight, cost-effective and versatile photovoltaic applications. However, the critical challenge in their widespread applications is the weak thermal stability of the majority of polymeric substrates, which can only withstand a maximum temperature processing of 150°C. In this study, we propose a facile and low-cost strategy to develop at low temperature DSSC flexible photoanode based on a polymeric matrix. Highly porous nanocomposites fibrous mats composed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanobars were prepared through electrospinning process using different configurations (uniaxial electrospinning, coaxial electrospinning, and electrospray-assisted electrospinning). These techniques enabled precise control of the microstructure and the positioning of TiO2 within the composite nanofibers. Therefore, the as-produced photoanodes were loaded with N719 dye and tested in DSSC prototype using iodide-triiodide electrolyte and platinum (Pt) coated counter electrode. The results show that incorporating TiO2 on the fiber surface through the electrospray-assisted electrospinning enhanced the performance of the nanofiber composite, leading to improved dye loading capacity, electron transfer efficiency and photovoltaic performance.

Membrane gas absorption technology has been considered as a promising approach to mitigate CO2 emissions from power plants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the environmental impacts of CO2 absorption and desorption processes by hollow fiber membrane contactors using life cycle assessment methodology. On the basis of ReCipe 2016 Midpoint and ReCipe 2016 Endpoint methods, the research results show that, membrane gas absorption system exhibits the lowest environmental impacts across the majority assessed categories in comparison with chemical absorption and membrane gas separation systems. The CO2 capture process via membrane gas absorption has the most significant impact on METP category, with heat consumption as the primary contributing factor accounting for 55%, followed by electricity consumption accounting for 43.1%. According to the sensitivity analysis, heating by natural gas shows a better performance than other heat supply sources in improving overall environmental impacts. In addition, the increasing utilization of renewable energy in electricity supply reduces the global warming potential, fossil resource consumption and ozone formation.

The existences of the N→C dative bonds in the complexes between N-containing molecules and fullerenes have been verified both theoretically and experimentally. However, finding stable N→C dative bonds is still a highly challenging task. In this work, we investigated computationally the N→C dative bonds in the complexes formed by fullerene C60 with 1,2,5-chalcogenadiazoles, 2,1,3-benzochalcogenadiazoles and 1,2,4,5-chalcogenatriazoles, respectively. It was found that the N→C dative bonds are formed along with the formation of the N–Ch···C (Ch = S, Se, Te) chalcogen bonds. In the gas phase, from S-containing complexes through Se-containing complexes to Te-containing complexes, the intrinsic interaction energies become more and more negative, which indicates that the N–Ch···C chalcogen bonds can facilitate the formation of the N→C dative bonds. The intrinsic interaction energies are compensated by the large deformation energy of fullerene C60. The total interaction energies of Te-containing complexes are negative, while both of the total interaction energies of S-containing complexes and Se-containing complexes are positive. This means that the N→C dative bonds in the Te-containing complexes are more easily observed in experiments in comparison with those in the S-containing complexes and Se-containing complexes. This study provides a new theoretical perspective on the experimental observation of the N→C dative bonds in the complexes involving fullerenes. Further, the formation of stable N→C dative bonds in the complexes involving fullerenes can significantly change the properties of fullerenes, which will greatly simulate and expand the application range of fullerenes.

With increasing air and sea temperatures, the thermodynamic environments over the oceans become more favourable for the development of intense tropical cyclones (TCs) with rapid intensification (RI). In fact, the number of TCs undergoing RI is rising (Zhao, et al., 2018; Bhatia, et al., 2019; Song, et al., 2020; Hong & Wu, 2021; Liu, et al., 2022). RI over coastal sea areas before landfalling is particularly impactful and threatening to coastal lives and properties. There have been studies showing that offshore areas within 400 km of the coastline have experienced a significant increase in RI events with the count tripling from 1980 to 2020 (Li et al., 2023). The south China coastal region consists of highly densely populated cities especially the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. Intense TCs maintaining its strength or RI of TCs close to the coastal region presents substantial forecasting challenges. This study investigates the effect of sea surface and subsurface temperature and salinity on the intensification of five TCs, namely Super Typhoons Hato in 2017 and Mangkhut in 2018, Typhoon Talim, Super Typhoon Saola and Severe Typhoon Koinu in 2023, which significantly affected the south China coastal region and triggered high TC warning signals in Hong Kong. The analysis utilized the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) TC track and intensity data, along with the sea temperature and salinity profiles generated using the China Ocean ReAnalysis version 2 (CORA2) of the National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS) of China. While high sea surface temperature (SST) of 30°C or above, low surface sea surface salinity (SSS) of 34 psu or below, and strong salinity stratification of at least 0.8 psu per 100 m depth may offer useful hints for predicting RI, they are part of a broader set of contributing factors. This study represents the initial documentation of sub-surface salinity's impact on intense TCs over the South China Sea (SCS) in recent years and will encourage further research to refine forecasting RI of TCs before making landfall near PRD taking into account the effect of freshwater from the Pearl River.

The increasing demand for transporting people and goods, rail system is needed for enhancement. An architectural design of train station can significantly impact investment from any government. However, a proper guideline for designing the train station in tropical climate is not publicized. This review examine railway station design through an analysis of student design theses in Thailand, from 1983 to 2022. Furthermore, the building analyses on architectural design theory were done in terms of service area, form, entrance structure, roof structure, style, and design development. The analysis reveals curved and gable roofs are most frequent, followed by 3D curved roofs. HSR stations' main entrances are designed to represent local culture and save walking distance. Curved and gabled porticos provide the most extravagant main entryway, a feeling of grandeur and beauty. A public building's overlapping portico or curving gabled portico lends majesty and refinement to its façade. Architects and designers strive to make buildings more attractive and practical. Besides, university-designed stations prioritize conceptual design and functional space over cost. Finally, railway station design should prioritize transparency, connectivity, movement, and cost- and time-efficiency. Research gaps are identified, such as designing user-friendly for thermal comfort and design-for-all the railway station in tropical climate, are critical for future evaluation.

Background: Community acquired Acinetobacter pneumonia (CAAP) typically presents with rapid progression to fulminant disease, and is complicated by high mortality. Australian epidemiological studies are few. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on bacteraemic cases of CAAP over twenty years, (2000-2019) in North Queensland. Cases were selected on microbiologic, clinical, and radiographic parameters. Data on patient demographics were obtained, along with microbial, antibiotic, mortality, and climatic data. Results: 28 cases of CAAP were included. Nineteen (67.9%) were male, twenty-three (82.1%) were Indigenous Australians, and mean age was 45.9 years. Most presentations were of moderate to severe pneumonia, 25/28 (89.3%). 90% of cases had two or more risk factors. The strongest risk factors for CAAP were alcohol excess and tobacco use. No statistically significant difference in presenting severity, ICU admission or mortality was seen between dry and wet season disease. Dry season disease accounted for 35.7% of cases. Overall mortality was 28.6%. Early use of meropenem or gentamicin reduced mortality irrespective of presenting severity (mortality 17.6%) Non-targeted antibiotic therapy was associated with a non-significant difference in mortality of 44.4%. Conclusions: Early administration of targeted antibiotics can mitigate a high mortality rate. Choice of antibiotic therapy for community acquired pneumonia should be based upon severity, risk factors and clinical suspicion of CAAP rather than seasonality.

Tropical cyclones have long been known to be powered by turbulent enthalpy fluxes from the ocean surface and retarded by turbulent momentum fluxes into the surface. Here were review evidence that the development and structure of these storms are also partially controlled by turbulence in the outflow near the storm top. Finally, we present new research that shows that tropical cyclone-like, low-aspect-ratio vortices are most likely in systems in which the bottom heat flux is controlled by mechanical turbulence and the top boundary is insulating.

Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic skin disease caused by the permanent penetration of the female sand flea (Tunga penetrans) in the skin of the host, mainly the lower extremities.This gradually, it can lead to severe limb deformities.To date it is a health issue mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Latin and South America. It occurs mainly in poor rural populations and a major problem for children and the elderly. In diurnal zones, the incidence can reach over 73%. Over the past 20 years, studies in endemic areas on tungiasis have clarified to some extent the scientific community's knowledge for some problems of the disease. In this review, the current data on epidemiology, risk factors and prevention options are examinedof Tungiasis, as well as the expected steps of the international medical community to combat the disease.

Tungiasis is a neglected parasitic skin disease caused by the permanent penetration of the female sand flea (Tunga penetrans) in the skin of the host, mainly the lower extremities.This gradually, it can lead to severe limb deformities.To date it is a health issue mainly in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, Latin and South America. It occurs mainly in poor rural populations and a major problem for children and the elderly. In diurnal zones, the incidence can reach over 73%. Over the past 20 years, studies in endemic areas on tungiasis have clarified to some extent the scientific community's knowledge for some problems of the disease. In this review, the current data on epidemiology, risk factors and prevention options are examinedof Tungiasis, as well as the expected steps of the international medical community to combat the disease.

Colombia has one of the largest numbers of internally displaced populations in the world and recently entered a period of post-conflict. These socio-political processes and trends have increased the migration of people towards cities and accordingly are affecting the distribution and occurrence of tropical diseases in its urban and peri-urban areas. Studies have suggested that many human phenomena such as urbanization scale according to the size of human populations regardless of cultural context. But other studies show that health epidemics such as malarial and human immunodeficiency virus infections, follow a scale-free distribution in terms of population size and density. We explore these relationships and dynamics in a tropical context using statistical analyses and available geospatial data to identify the scale dynamics between urbanization processes and disease transmission in Colombia. We found that rural populations and certain disease dynamics were described by power-laws that are frequently mentioned in urbanization studies. However, we found that malaria presented higher intensity of infection in human settlements of less than 50,000 individuals, particularly for ethnic indigenous populations. Results indicate that epidemics and urbanization dynamics do indeed follow scales in Colombia; findings that differ from previous epidemiological studies such as those for malarial infection. Additionally, we identified trends showing that malarial infections become endemic in peri-urban areas. Targeting such peri-urban locations and certain demographic groups are key for managing public health issues in the urbanizing tropics.

Adherence is vital for medicine to have an effect, yet adherence is considered to be low. However, research into adherence tends to focus on quantitative analysis of performance, something which fails to perceive how people are adherent in their many different environments. As a contribution to gaining a deeper understanding, interviews were held with 30 individuals in UK, Egypt, Kazakhstan and 6 countries in sub-Saharan Africa to understand their perceptions on adherence for a range of drugs, and these were compared with an existing well-regarded list. New reasons for non-adherence were discovered, and a new viewpoint on adherence derived which considers adherence to be a single act and therefore as an individual opportunity to be adherent, permitting greater focus on the enablers and inhibitors of adherence at a point in time.

This article describes the challenges, pharmacological strategies, and recommendations for managing multidrug-resistant breast cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). By examining the current breast cancer treatment landscape, region-specific challenges, and promising pharmacological interventions, the objective is to bring to light the insufficient research on breast cancer and its multidrug resistance in this part of the world and guide healthcare professionals, policymakers, and researchers in developing evidence-based strategies for improved breast cancer care in SSA. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer morbidity in SSA, necessitating continuous advancements in its management. This overview explores the evolution of breast cancer treatment, including surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Despite these advancements, multidrug resistance poses a significant challenge, impacting treatment efficacy and patient outcomes.The article provides insights into various breast cancer treatment modalities, emphasizing surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Each approach is discussed in detail, highlighting its significance in managing breast cancer. The effectiveness of these treatments is contingent on timely diagnosis and intervention. Multidrug resistance is examined as a critical obstacle in breast cancer treatment, elucidating its impact on treatment failure and patient outcomes. Mechanisms such as the efflux system, enhanced DNA repair, apoptosis inhibition, alterations in drug targets, and the tumor microenvironment contribute to multidrug resistance, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted understanding.The unique challenges faced in SSA regarding multidrug-resistant breast cancer are delineated. These include the lack of comprehensive data, late presentation and diagnosis, poor genomic studies, limited access to specialized care, financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure, and psychosocial support issues. Addressing these challenges is crucial for devising effective strategies. In response to multidrug resistance, the article discusses contemporary treatment strategies such as P-glycoprotein inhibitors, combined chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Notable advancements, including the use of Tariquidar and synergistic effects of combined chemotherapy, are highlighted, presenting promising avenues for overcoming resistance.The article proposes recommendations to enhance breast cancer management in SSA, encompassing strengthening primary healthcare services, creating specialized oncology facilities and long-term monitoring and data collection. Breast cancer management in SSA is multifaceted, marked by challenges and evolving solutions. Multidrug resistance remains a significant hurdle, demanding a holistic approach. Promising advancements in pharmacological interventions offer hope, while comprehensive recommendations serve as a roadmap for progress. By implementing these strategies, SSA can substantially improve multidrug-resistant breast cancer care and overall patient well-being.

Soil carbon is newly refined as ~32,000 Gt C (gigatonnes) over ten times previous totals. Soil organic carbon (SOC) of ~22,000 Gt C plus plants at ~2,400 Gt C in both above- and below-ground stocks hold 99% of Earth’s biomass. Occupying a topographic surface area of 25 Gha with mean depth 21 m, soil has more organic carbon than all plants, oceans, fossil fuels, or the atmosphere combined. Soils are both the greatest biotic carbon store and the most active CO2 source. Basic inventory is required for proper understanding and utilization of Earth’s natural resources, especially with increasing soil degradation and species loss. Values are raised considerably, the disparity due to lack of full soil depth survey, neglect of terrain and of other omissions. Herein new totals are determined for mineral soils, permafrost, and peats (of all forms and ages), to full depth (easily doubling shallow values) and allowing for terrain that is ignored in all terrestrial models (doubling most values again), plus SOC in recalcitrant glomalins (~30%) and friable saprock (+26%). Additionally, soil inorganic carbon (SIC), aquatic sediments and dissolved fractions are factored in. Soil biota (e.g. fungi, bacteria and earthworms) are similarly upgraded. Primary productivity, also upped for terrain, is confirmed at 220 Gt C/yr on land supported by C/O isotope fluxes. Priority issues of species extinction, humic topsoil loss, and excess atmospheric CO2 are all remedied by SOC restoration and biomass recycling via (vermi-)compost for use in 100% organic husbandry and adoption of wider practices of Permaculture based upon scientific observation of Nature.

Utilising the metabolic processes (urease activity) of certain microorganisms that result in the precipitation of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) as a sustainable method for manufacturing self-healing cementitious materials for use in the construction, soil stabilization, and wind-induced erosion industries has garnered considerable attention over the last twenty years. Despite extensive efforts for experimental characterization of the effect of numerous influential factors such as the bacteria type, nutrition type and quantity, and environmental conditions governing this phenomenon, computational modeling of this biochemical process has not advanced significantly due to its complexity and intertwined involved parameters. Among these parameters, pH is of special significance since the initial pH level has an immediate effect on the bacteria's urease activity, which then influences the rate at which calcium carbonate precipitates. Furthermore, during the CaCO₃ precipitation process, pH changes due to the generation of byproducts such as ammonium, which alters the velocity of the bacteria's urease activity continuously.The present study proposes a computational model for calcium carbonate precipitation by urease activity of Sporosarcina pasteurii using COMSOL Multiphysics^®. The theoretical background on governing parameters and chemical reactions involved in the process are discussed. The model takes into account the impact of calcium and urea concentrations, as well as the initial pH level and pH variations caused by the production of by-products during the process. The capability of the model to foresee CaCO3 concentration and ultimate pH level is evaluated by comparing the computational outcomes with empirical data obtained from established literature sources. The influence of the initial pH of the environment on the pH variation of the system during the precipitation process was simulated and compared to actual data available in the literature, suggesting that the model can accurately predict the kinetic. Finally, a parametric analysis is performed to identify the ideal initial environmental pH for calcium carbonate precipitation by the S. pasteurii bacterium.

Wide-bandgap tin oxide (SnO₂) thin-films are frequently used as an electron-transporting layers in perovskite solar cells due to superior thermal and environmental stabilities. However, its crystallization by conventional thermal methods requires typical temperatures between 300 and 900 ◦C [1] with up-to 60 min crystallization times. These post-processing conditions severely limit the choice of substrates and reduce the large-scale manufacturing capabilities. This work describes the intense pulsed light-induced crystallization of SnO₂ thin films using only 500 μs of exposure time. Thin-film properties are investigated using both impedance spectroscopy and photoconductivity characteristic measurements. Nyquist plot analysis establishes that the process parameters have a significant impact on the electronic and ionic behaviors of the SnO2 films. Most importantly, we demonstrate that light-induced crystallization yields improved topography and excellent electrical properties through enhanced charge transfer, improved interfacial morphology and better ohmic contacts compared to thermally-annealed SnO₂ films.

A multi-environment evaluation of sorghum genotypes was conducted across six environments in the 2021 main growing season in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The objectives of the study were to estimate the magnitude of genotypes by environment interaction (GEI) and grain yield stability of drought-tolerant sorghum genotypes across different environments. Data were subjected to analysis of variance, Additive Main Effects and Multiplicative Interaction (AMMI), and GGE biplot analysis. Combined analysis of variance revealed significant variations among genotypes, environments, and GEI for yield and yield-related traits, indicating that these factors significantly affected grain yield. The maximum mean grain yield value of genotypes due to the mean effect of the environment was obtained from G1 (5119.93kg ha-1), followed by G14 (4834.57 kg ha-1), and G18 (4801.20 ha-1), while the least mean grain yield was obtained from G3 (3314.50 kg ha-1). The multiplicative variance of the treatment sum of squares due to GEI was partitioned into four principal component axes (PCA). Sum squares of the first and second interaction principal component axis (IPCA) explained 71.07% and 17.50% of the GEI variation, respectively. The IPCA1&2 mean squares were highly significant (P≤0.01), indicating the adequacy of the AMMI model with the first two IPCAs for cross-validation of grain yield variation. The magnitude of the GEI sum squares was 3.9 times that of the genotype sum squares for grain yield, indicating the presence of substantial differences in genotypic responses across environments. The results of cultivar superiority measure (Pi), yield stability index (YSI), AMMI stability value (ASV), regression coefficient (bi), and deviation from regression (S2di) depicted that genotypes G18, G22, G31, and 32 were the most stable genotypes for grain yield and biomass yield, respectively. AMMI2 biplot showed Jinka, Alduba, and Kako were the most discriminating environments as indicated by the long distance from the origin; whereas testing locations Meioso and Gato with short vector length indicated that these locations had less discriminating power on the genotypes' performance. The study has provided precious information on the yield stability status of the sorghum genotypes and the best environments for future improvement programs in Ethiopia.

The dissolution of CO₂ in seawater in the form of bicarbonate ions is an attractive alternative to the storage in geological formations, on the conditions that the storage is stable over long times and does not harm the marine environment. In this work, we focus on the long-term chemical stability of CO₂ absorbed in seawater as bicarbonate, by monitoring the physico-chemical properties of the solutions (pH, dissolved inorganic carbon and alkalinity), in six different sets of experiments on both natural and artificial seawater lasting up to three months. The bicarbonate treatment of natural seawater consists in pouring pre-equilibrated solutions obtained from the reaction of CO₂ and Ca(OH)₂. If the pre-equilibrated mixture does not exceed a critical threshold (ca. 1000-1500 mmol/L), the resulting bicarbonate-rich solutions can be stable for over three months.

Aiming at the limitations of single-functionality, limited applicability, and complex designs prevalent in current metasurfaces, we propose a terahertz multifunctional and multiband tunable metasurface utilizing a VO2-metal hybrid structure. This metasurface structure comprises a top VO2-metal resonance layer, a middle polyimide dielectric layer, and a gold film reflective layer at the bottom. This metasurface exhibits multifunctionality, operating independently of polarization and incident angle. The varying conductivity states of the VO2 layers, enable the metasurface to achieve various terahertz functionalities, including single-band absorption, broadband THz absorption, and multiband perfect polarization conversion for linear (LP) and circularly polarized (CP) incident waves. Finally, we believe that the functional adaptability of the proposed metasurface expands the repertoire of options available for future terahertz device designs.

A comprehensive investigation was undertaken at Vytautas Magnus University Experimental Station, located at 54°52’50” N latitude and 23°49’41” E longitude on soil (Epieutric Endocalcaric Planosol – PLe-gln-w) since 1999, to understand the impacts of different agrotechnical measures on soil health and crop yield. Two primary factors were assessed. Factor A incorporated practices of straw removal versus straw chopping and spreading, while Factor B evaluated a spectrum of tillage techniques: conventional deep ploughing, shallow ploughing, ploughless tillage, single seedbed discing, and two no-tillage practices, one of which involved cover crops. Findings from this long-term study highlight the significant potential of specific farming systems in enhancing soil organic carbon. It has a positive effect on the release of CO2 emissions from the soil, thus promoting soil resilience and increasing plant productivity. These insights are paramount in devising sustainable agricultural strategies to counter the challenges of climate change on agroecosystems. This research showcases the profound effects of combining residue management and tillage practices, setting a novel standard for sustainable soil management of climatic uncertainties.

Air pollution has been a major environmental issue worldwide from the last few decades. It is a man-made issue that has a serious harmful impact on the environment and the health of humans. There are different sources of emission, but industrial processes and motor vehicles contribute to a chief part of air pollution. It has acute as well as chronic effects on the health of humans and affects different organs. It is thought the main environmental risk factor in the incidence and progression of several diseases such as lung cancer, asthma, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Long-term exposure to air pollution has different toxicological impacts on humans such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, neuropsychiatric complications, eye irritation and skin diseases. As per the study by the World Health Organization (WHO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), ozone (O₃), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals are the major air contaminants. These pollutants are different in their properties, composition and time of disintegration. The aim of this study is to review the different sources, types, impacts, challenges and mitigation of air pollution in detail.

Peroxydisulfate activation has garnered a lot of interest due to its benefits of broad adaptability, strong anti-interference ability, and powerful oxidation capacity. Due to their low cost and potent action, carbon materials are new green catalysts that have garnered interest. In order to effectively degrade organic contaminants in water by activating peroxydisulfate, carbon compounds are currently commonly used. Better metal ions for activating peroxydisulfate include Fe2+ and Co2+, and these metal ions can be encapsulated in carbon compounds made by calcinating metal organic framework（MOFs ）as precursors. The synthesis of carbon compounds from MOF precursors as well as their effectiveness and mechanism in reducing organic pollutants in peroxydisulfate systems. The following are the specific research contents: NH2-MIL-101 (Fe/Co) bimetallic MOFs material was synthesized by hydrothermally altering the Fe3+ to Co2+ ratio, followed by the carbonization of Fe/Co-CNs. XRD, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, and XPS were used to analyze the materials' morphology, structure, and chemical make-up. The results demonstrate that Fe/Co-CNs-2 (Co2+ doping concentration approaches 20%) has a stable three-dimensional carbon structure and effectively incorporated Co ions into the carbon material. The simultaneous encapsulation of both Fe and Co metals by the three-dimensional carbon skeleton ensures material stability and reaction activity. Tetracycline hydrochloride was reported to degrade more quickly in Fe/Co-CNs-2 than in other Co2+ doping concentrations within 30 minutes of peroxymonosulfate（PMS） activation. The degradation rate of Fe/Co-CNs-2 for 20 mg/L TC was determined to be 93.34% within 30 minutes under the following conditions: Fe/Co-CNs-2 concentration of 0.1 g/L, PMS concentration of 0.2 g/L, and pH of 7.33. The catalyst also demonstrates good stability. Last but not least, the Fe/Co-CNs-2 free radical quenching experiment revealed that singlet oxygen (1O2) is the primary active species in the reaction system, and a potential mechanism was examined by combining degradation and XPS analysis.

Multifunctional coatings based on Sn-Ni materials with and without titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) incorporation were prepared using the electrochemical deposition technique at 70°C. TiO2NPs were dispersed in the electrolyte bath, and their influence on both surface texture, crystalline phase, and properties was investigated. Various techniques such as X-ray phase analysis (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) were used to characterize the prepared coatings. The anti-corrosion effectiveness of the coatings was assessed using potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in an artificial sweat medium, while the bactericidal activity of the composite coatings (the ability to induce cell death) was evaluated in accordance with ISO 27447:2009 test. The influence of the TiO2NPs on the composition, structure and properties of the deposited coatings was established. Particular attention was paid to the relationship between the anticorrosive and bactericidal properties of the coatings and their structure and composition. The synergistic effect of the various properties was investigated and discussed.

We present first-principles DFT+U investigation of the bulk properties including structural, energetic and mechanical properties for uranium-americium mixed oxides (U, Am)O₂. The various Am aggregation contents have been investigated to better understand the impact of Am in the nuclear fuel UO₂. The supercell defect models at different scales were used to describe the solid solution (U, Am)O₂. The obtained results show that different contents of Am has a significant impact on the volume and energy of the mixed oxides systems. The results on the electronic structure calculations exhibit a narrow band gap owing to the mixing of UO₂ and AmO₂. The mixing enthalpy of the Am aggregation systems are used to describe the phase stability for the solid solution. In particular, mixing enthalpy of the (U, Am)O₂ significantly reduced as the Am content increases. The elastic properties of the (U, Am)O₂ mixed oxides have also been compared as a function of Am content. Moreover, the impacts of the whole Pu aggregation content range on the bulk properties for the (U, Pu)O₂ mixed oxides is also discussed.

Fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can enter the lungs and cause premature death in millions of people worldwide every year. More and more international scholars are paying attention to the potential harm of PM_2.5 and how to reduce its negative impact. Reducing air pollution and its negative impacts is an important function of green spaces. Many scholars have conducted research on the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5. This article attempts to comprehensively review past related research. This is undoubtedly beneficial for people to better understand the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 and optimize green spaces accordingly to reduce PM_2.5 concentration. This article first provides a detailed introduction to the impact of plants on PM_2.5 pollution from the perspective of the mechanism of action. Then, this article provides a review of the different impacts of green space types and morphological factors on the surrounding environment PM_2.5. In addition, this article outlines the range of the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 in the environment. This article categorizes green spaces into different types such as road green spaces, commercial and residential green spaces, and parks and squares, and explores the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 in the environment. This article analyzes the impact of various parts of a single plant on PM_2.5 in the environment from a single plant perspective. Finally, this article analyzes which factors in the surrounding environment can affect the impact of green spaces on PM_2.5 pollution in the environment. A review of relevant research is also beneficial for people to have a more comprehensive understanding of current research progress and guide future research to better carry out.

In the global carbon cycle, atmospheric carbon emissions, both ‘natural’ and anthropogenic, are balanced by carbon uptake (i.e. sequestration) that mostly occurs via photosynthesis, plus a much smaller proportion via geological processes. Since the formation of the Earth about 4.54 billion years ago the ratio between emitted and sequestered carbon has varied considerably with atmospheric CO₂ levels ranging from 100,000 ppm to a mere 100 ppm. Over this time, a huge amount of carbon has been sequestered due to photosynthesis and essentially removed from the cycle, being buried as fossil deposits of coal, oil and gas. Relatively low atmospheric CO₂ levels were the norm for the past 10 million years, and during the past million years they averaged about 220 ppm. More recently, the Holocene epoch, starting ~11,700 years ago, has been a period of unusual climatic stability with relatively warm, moist conditions and low atmospheric CO₂ levels of between 260 and 280 ppm. During the Holocene, stable conditions facilitated a social revolution with domestication of crops and livestock leading to urbanisation and development of complex technologies. As part of the latter process, immense quantities of sequestered fossil carbon have recently been used as energy sources, resulting in a particularly rapid increase in CO₂ emissions after 1950 CE to the current value of 424 ppm, with further rises to >800 ppm predicted by 2100. This is already perturbing the previously stable Holocene climate and threatening future food production and social stability. Today, the global carbon cycle has been shifted such that carbon sequestration is no longer keeping up with recent anthropogenic emissions. In order to address this imbalance it is important to understand the roles of high-capacity carbon sequestration systems, such as natural forests and tropical croplands, and to devise strategies to facilitate net CO₂ uptake.

This study aimed to develop a laboratory-scale direct air capture unit for evaluating and comparing amine-based adsorbents under temperature vacuum swing adsorption conditions. The experimental campaign conducted with the direct air capture unit allowed for the determination of equilibrium loading, CO2 uptake capacity, and other main performance parameters of the investigated adsorbent Lewatit VP OC 1065®. The investigations also helped to understand the co-adsorption of both CO2 and H2O on the tested material, which is crucial for improving temperature vacuum swing adsorption processes. This was achieved by obtaining pure component isotherms for CO2 and H2O as well as three different co-adsorption isotherm models from literature. It was found that the weighted average dual-site Toth model emerged as the most accurate and reliable model for simulating this co-adsorption behavior. Its predictions closely align with experimental data, particularly in capturing the adsorption equilibrium at various temperatures. It was also observed that this lab-scale unit offers advantages over thermogravimetric analysis when conducting adsorption experiments on the chosen amine. The final aim of this study is to provide a pathway to develop devices for testing and developing efficient and cost-effective adsorbents for direct air capture.

This study investigates the influence of economic growth on CO2 emissions levels in three developed countries—Argentina, Equatorial Guinea, and South Korea—based on their status as high-income countries. We test the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis using the time series approaches to check the relationship and direction of causality among the variables over a sample spanning 1974–2020. The results show an inverted U-shaped short-run relationship in all three countries. In the long run, only South Korea supports the EKC hypothesis. Further, Granger causality results indicate the existence of causality. These long-run causal relationships between economic growth and emissions recommend one policy implication that wealthy governments must expand investments in renewable clean energy projects and R&D, with regulatory measures to suppress harmful environmental procedures and support environmentally friendly development.

The removal of H2S from natural gas and other gases such as biogas, refinery gases, and coal gas is required because H2S is toxic and corrosive, even in traces. Zeolites are widely used in the removal of H2S from the above-mentioned gases. In this work, we prepared an Ag-exchanged 13X molecular sieve by using different concentrations of AgNO3 to increase its adsorption properties. XRD, SEM, and BET techniques were used to characterize samples. When compared to unmodified 13X, the adsorption capacity of AgII-13X increased by about 50 times. The results of this study suggest that the silver-modified 13X molecular sieve is highly effective at extracting H2S from natural gas.

Cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are a promising material for red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) due to their excellent color-purity and high luminous efficiency. However, small-sized CsPbI3 colloidal NCs, such as nanocubes, used in LEDs suffer from confinement effects, negatively impacting their photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and overall efficiency. Here, we introduced YCl3 into the CsPbI3 perovskite, which formed anisotropic, one-dimensional (1D) nanorods. This was achieved by taking advantage of the difference in bond energies between Cl− and I− ions, which caused YCl3 to promote the anisotropic growth of CsPbI3 NCs. The YCl3-based nanorods improved the PLQY and storage stability by passivating the defects reducing the nonradiative recombination rates. When the YCl3-substituted CsPbI3 nanorods are applied to the emissive layer in LEDs, we achieve an external quantum efficiency of ~3.16% which is 1.86-fold higher than the pristine CsPbI3 NCs (1.69%) based LED. Notably, the ratio of horizontal transition dipole moments (TDMs) in the anisotropic YCl3:CsPbI3 nanorods was determined to be 75%, which is higher than the isotropically oriented TDMs in CsPbI3 nanocrystals (67%). This increased TDM ratio led to higher light outcoupling efficiency in nanorods-based LEDs. Overall, the results suggest that YCl3-substituted CsPbI3 nanorods could be promising for achieving high-performance perovskite LEDs.

The Colombian Orinoquia is an ecosystem of major importance due to its hydrological and bio-logical richness. However, these natural landscapes share space and land use with livestock production systems. This study was developed to identify the perceptions and experiences of traditional livestock producers and institutional representatives on human welfare, animal wel-fare and the environment and to identify environmental challenges and opportunities for im-provement within the One Welfare concept. Focus groups were held with producers (men and women) and institutional representatives from Vichada. Cultural and identity dynamics define the concept of human welfare. Animal welfare was based on favoring the animals' natural behavior, maintaining the animal's physical health and good care. The environment was focused on the conservation of the natural savannah. Climate change, solid waste management and the use of controlled burns were major challenges. As solutions, it was proposed that institutional work, partnerships, environmental governance and education should be promoted.

The true parakeets (Aratinga jandaya) inhabit the northern and central-eastern regions of South America, where their survival is increasingly threatened by illegal wildlife trafficking and anthropogenic activities. These pressures force the birds to seek new habitats, increasing their exposure to heavy metal ingestion in urban environments. This study presents the first documented cases of heavy metal poisoning and its treatment in two A. jandaya specimens rescued and treated at a university hospital in Castanhal, Pará, Brazil. Clinically, bird 1 exhibited dry nostrils and diarrhea, while bird 2 showed wing weakness, slight opisthotonos, a tilted posture, and more erect feathers. Radiographs and blood tests confirmed the presence of metallic content in the ventriculus of both birds. Chelation therapy with calcium edetate at a dose of 70 mg/kg, administered twice daily via oral route for 7 and 10 days, respectively, resulted in the successful elimination of the metal. Both birds were discharged after 1 month and 6 days of treatment, and subsequently released. The chosen chelation protocol proved effective without the need for invasive procedures, marking a significant step in the management of heavy metal toxicity in A. jandaya.

The sustainability concept has acquired a variety of meanings according to different currents of thought and the context in which it is used. The aim of this research was to characterize the perception of producers, extension agents and officials regarding sustainable cattle ranching (SCR) in an area where tropical cattle ranching is practiced. A survey was applied to producers chosen through stratified random sampling, and to extension agents and officials selected using the snowball technique. The perception of SCR was determined under two contexts: 1) the idea or interpretation of the individual and 2) the assessment (positive or negative) of this type of cattle ranching (net perception index, NPI). The extension agents oriented their perception of SCR mainly in economic (52.2%) and environmental (47.8%) aspects, similar to the producers (48.4% and 21.3% respectively), while the officials related it more to an environmental dimension (71.4%). It is concluded that the perception of SCR in general is positive, but its conceptualization is differentiated, according to the role the individuals play in the activity, their academic training and their expectations.

Tropical regions face significant energy challenges due to climatic conditions. This study investigates the interplay between sustainable architecture and building energy regulations in mitigating these challenges. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of existing building energy regulations in promoting sustainable architecture in tropical climates and identify key architectural strategies and regulatory frameworks for optimizing energy efficiency in tropical buildings. A comparative analysis of building regulations and case studies of sustainable buildings in selected tropical regions is conducted. The findings reveal that current regulations often must be revised to address tropical climates' unique energy demands. Incorporating passive design principles, renewable energy systems, and material selection is crucial for energy efficiency. It is recommended that building energy regulations be strengthened to mandate sustainable design strategies and provide incentives to promote the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.

In situ aircraft observations in typhoons have been scarce. This paper documents and analyses the aircraft and dropsonde data collected in Super Typhoon Saola (2023) over the northern part of the South China Sea. The wind and turbulence structures of the typhoon are investigated. The turbulence intensities are quantified in terms of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and eddy dissipate rate (EDR), and these data are compared with other available estimates of turbulence intensities, such as those based on weather radars, meteorological satellites, and numerical weather predic-tion (NWP) models. It is found that the TKE and EDR are closely correlated, and they are con-sistent with the weather radar/satellite observations as well as NWP-based outputs. Furthermore, the boundary layer inflow, vertical wind profiles, and atmospheric stability are analysed based on the dropsonde observations. The analysed results would advance the understanding of typhoon structures and offer references for the validation of remote sensing observations and NWP models.

Tungiasis has been included in the WHO list of Neglected Tropical Diseases, but systematic data on the occurrence are scarce. We analyzed data on the occurrence of tungiasis in the 184 munici-palities of Ceará State in Northeast Brazil, based on an online open rapid assessment question-naire focused on health professionals and other key stakeholders. Questions included the occur-rence of tungiasis, severe cases, cases in animals and seasonal variations of the disease. There were in total 1,265 individual data entries available (1 to 104 per municipality) from all munici-palities of the state. A total of 181 (98.3%) of municipalities reported the occurrence of tungiasis in the past or currently, 120 (65.2%) reported current occurrence, 155 (84.2%) severe cases in the past or currently; and 47 (25.5%) reported severe cases currently. A total of 132 (71.7%) municipalities reported tungiasis in animals, most commonly in dogs (97), pigs (80), cats (50), horses (20), cattle (8) and goats (6). Most municipalities mentioned the seasonality of tungiasis (n=146; 79.3%). There was no report of any specific tungiasis control program. Our data show that tungiasis and severe tungiasis commonly occur in Ceará state and that tungiasis is a significant public health issue for both humans and animals. An integrated One Health approach is needed to reduce dis-ease burden, including human and animal health, and the environment.

Two new zoanthamine alkaloids, namely 3-acetoxynorzoanthamine (1) and 3-acetoxyzoanthamine (2), have been isolated from the zoantharian Zoanthus cf. pulchellus collected off the coast of the Peninsula of Santa Elena – Ecuador, together with three known alkaloids zoanthamine, norzoanthamine and 3-hydroxynorzoanthamine. The chemical structures of 1 and 2 were determined by interpretation of their 1D and 2D NMR data and comparison with literature data. This is the first report of zoanthamine-type alkaloids from Zoanthus cf. pulchellus collected in the Tropical Eastern Pacific. The neuroinflammatory activity of all the isolated compounds were evaluated in microglia BV-2 cells and high inhibitory effects were observed in ROS and NO generation.

Reducing CO2 emissions is urgently needed to slow down the impacts of climate change. CO2 capture using an amine solution has been developed and implemented on pilot and commercial scales. However, amine scrubbing, in particular, produces a lot of degraded solvent as waste and is energy intensive. Solid sorbents have been called to overcome those drawbacks. In this work, waste biomass-derived carbon materials were developed and tested for CO2 capture and conversion. Advanced thermal chemical processes i.e. hydrothermal and pyrolysis were applied to produce materials from agri-food waste such as soybean and okara. It was found that the number of functional groups (-C=O and -OH) in activated carbon appears in the synthesized materials, implying the generation of surface oxygenated groups. Preliminary results showed that the synthesized activated carbons are obtained with good yields, and a relatively high surface area, which may be applied as CO2 adsorption materials to solve the CO2 emission problems.

This study introduces a novel nanocomposite coating composed of PANI/CeO2 nanocomposite films, aimed at addressing corrosion protection needs. Analysis through FTIR spectra and XRD patterns confirms the successful formation of the nanocomposite films. Notably, the PANI/CeO2 nanocomposite films exhibit a hydrophilic nature. The bandgap energy of the PANI composite film measures at 3.74 eV, while the introduction of CeO2 NPs into the PANI matrix reduces the bandgap energy to 3.67 eV. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the PANI composite film is observed to be 0.40 S.cm-1, with the incorporation of CeO2 NPs leading to an increase in electrical conductivity to 1.07 S.cm-1. To evaluate its efficacy, electrochemical measurements were conducted to assess the corrosion protection performance. Results indicate a high protection efficiency of 92.25% for the PANI/CeO2 nanocomposite film.

This contribution deals with the assessment of air pollution caused by atmospheric aerosol particulate matter fraction PM10 and benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) in the urban agglomeration of Ostrava, located in the Czech Republic in Central Europe. The motivation for this research was the need to identify the sources of air pollution in the area, particularly in locations where the contribution of different sources to concentrations of pollutants of concern has not been elucidated yet. In this study, source apportionment in the vicinity of the industrial hot-spot was performed by statistically evaluating measured pollutant concentrations as a function of meteorological variables and using the Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) receptor model. A significant methodological innovation and improvement over previous assessments was the higher monitoring resolution of benzo[a]pyrene, with samples collected at three-hour intervals instead of the standard 24-hour collection period. The key findings indicate that in the cold part of the year, secondary particles - specifically sulphates and ammonium nitrates - were responsible for the most significant portion of PM10 air pollution throughout the area of interest. The contribution of these particles ranged from one third to two fifths of the total concentration, except at the industrial site of Ostrava-Radvanice (TORE), where they accounted for approximately one fifth of the measured pollution concentration level. Emissions from individual household heating were identified as the main source of this type of pollution. With regards to benzo[a]pyrene air pollution, the study found that in the whole area of interest, except for the Ostrava-Radvanice site, it mainly originated from individual heating with coal (90%). In contrast, at the Ostrava-Radvanice site, two-thirds of the benzo[a]pyrene pollution came from the premises of Liberty Ostrava a.s., primarily from coke production, and less than one-third from local domestic heating. This study also determined the spatial extent of the occurrence of extremely high benzo[a]pyrene concentrations (above 5 ng/m3), which are estimated to affect nearly 10,000 inhabitants. The results confirm that the data from the TORE station are only representative of its immediate surroundings and are not applicable to the assessment of air quality and causes of air pollution in the whole city of Ostrava or the urban area of Ostrava-Radvanice as a whole. After years of research, these findings provide the Ministry of the Environment of the Czech Republic and the government with an accurate basis for implementing measures to address the identified pollution sources in the area of interest. The success of this study was made possible by the adoption of a more detailed sampling approach, which involved a resolution of 3 hours instead of 24 hours. This methodological improvement is a significant finding and will be useful for future source apportionment studies.

Mangrove forests store and sequester large area-specific quantities of blue carbon (C_org). Except for tundra and peatlands, mangroves store more C_org per unit area than any other ecosystem. Mean mangrove C_org stock is 738.9 Mg C_org ha⁻¹ and mean global stock is 6.17 Pg C_org, which equates to only 0.4–7% of terrestrial ecosystem C_org stocks but 17% of total tropical marine C_org stocks. Seagrasses sequester more C_org per unit area than mangroves (179.6 g C_org m⁻²·a⁻¹) but twice the C_org sequestered by mangroves globally (15 Tg C_org a⁻¹). Mangroves sequester only 4% (range 1.3–8%) of C_org sequestered by terrestrial ecosystems, indicating that mangroves are a minor contributor to global C storage and sequestration. CO₂ emissions from mangrove losses equate to 0.036 Pg CO₂-equivalents a⁻¹ based on rates of C sequestration but 0.088 Pg CO₂-equivalents a⁻¹ based on complete destruction for conversion to aquaculture and agriculture. Mangrove CO₂ emissions account for only 0.2% of total global CO₂ emissions but 18% of CO₂ emissions from the tropical coastal ocean. Despite significant data limitations, the role of mangrove ecosystems in climate change mitigation is globally insignificant but may be more significant and effective at the national and regional scale.

This numerical study investigates the impact of reaction temperature, molar ratio of CH4:CO2, and catalyst porosity (p) on H2 yield and H2 selectivity during biogas dry reforming over a Ni/Cr catalyst. Using COMSOL Multiphysics, we conducted detailed simulations to elucidate the underlying reaction characteristics. Our findings reveal that increasing p significantly enhances H2 production and H2 selectivity, while simultaneously reducing CO selectivity. This effect is attributed to the improved mass transfer within the catalyst bed, leading to more efficient reactant conversion and product formation. Additionally, we observed a strong correlation between higher reaction temperatures and increased H2 yield and H2 selectivity, confirming the endothermic nature of the reforming process. By optimizing these operational parameters, our results suggest that Ni/Cr catalysts can be effectively employed for the sustainable production of H2 from biogas.