TRACE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND PHOTOSENSITIZING ACTIVITY IN SALVADORAN SURFACE AND TAP WATER SOURCES: A FIRST LOOK.

Despite their potential risks to human health and the environment at ng/L to μg/L concentrations, there has been relatively little effort to measure trace organic compounds (TOrCs) in surface waters of Central America. The concentrations of eighteen TOrCs detected at eleven surface water sites in the Lempa River basin of El Salvador and four sources of drinking water for the cities of San Salvador, Antiguo Cuscatlán, Soyapango, and Santa Tecla are reported here. All samples were analyzed via liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS).

Insect-derived biochar for CO adsorption under humid conditions: Elucidating adsorption mechanisms and competitive interactions with water molecules.

The CO adsorption capacity of biochar depends on the type of biomass used and its physicochemical properties; various sorption parameters including temperature, CO concentration, and humidity affect the CO adsorption capacity. Biochar derived from defatted black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) biomass was investigated for direct CO capture and exhibited a hydrophilic/mesoporous structure that contained high concentrations of alkali and alkaline metals (>10 wt%), which contribute to CO chemisorption. The CO adsorption efficiency was higher at 25 °C compared with that at 30 °C and 35 °C, probably due to reduced Brownian motion of CO molecules at lower temperatures.

Readability, quality and accuracy of generative artificial intelligence chatbots for commonly asked questions about labor epidurals: a comparison of ChatGPT and Bard.

Introduction: Over 90% of pregnant women and 76% expectant fathers search for pregnancy health information. We examined readability, accuracy and quality of answers to common obstetric anesthesia questions from the popular generative artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots ChatGPT and Bard.

Methods: Twenty questions for generative AI chatbots were derived from frequently asked questions based on professional society, hospital and consumer websites.

Effect of providing at-home opioid disposal kits at discharge after an orthopaedic surgery.

Prescription opioids after surgery may pose a risk if left unused. However, prescribers rely on their best judgement in determining how much their patients need, often resulting in over-prescription of these medications. Opioid disposal is a strategy to reduce the risk of persistent use or misuse of opioids.