The Valorisation of Biochar Produced from Black Liquor Pyrolysis for the Development of CO Adsorbents.

The paper manufacturing process produces liquid and gaseous alternative fuels, as well as solid wastes. These can be subsequently treated through chemical processing, oxidation, and thermal activation, resulting in adsorbent materials with CO adsorption capacities. The valorisation of black liquor waste resulting from paper manufacturing was achieved through a catalytic pyrolysis process using two catalysts previously prepared in house (Cu-Zn-MCM-41 and Ni-SBA-16).

Consumer Safety and Pesticide Residues: Evaluating Mitigation Protocols for Greengrocery.

The application of pesticides remains a necessary measure for pest management in agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. After harvest, the presence of pesticide residues in greengrocery (fruits and vegetables) is significantly influenced by various factors, including storage conditions, handling practices, and subsequent processing methods. The mitigation of these residues to levels compliant with regulated maximum thresholds ensures the safety of raw and processed fruits and vegetables for consumption.

Degradation study of δ-hexachlorocyclohexane by iron sulfide nanoparticles: Elucidation of reaction pathway using compound specific isotope analysis and pH variation.

pH influences the reactivity of iron (II) minerals towards halogenated pollutants like hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs). To explore these incompletely understood interactions, we investigated the carbon isotope fractionation of the δ-HCH isomer during dehalogenation by iron sulfide at pHs spanning a pH range across slightly acidic to alkaline domains (5.8-9.

A Study on the Ability of Nanomaterials to Adsorb NO and SO from Combustion Gases and the Effectiveness of Their Separation.

Climate neutrality for the year 2050 is the goal assumed at the level of the EU. As Romania is no exception, it has assumed the gradual mitigation of pollution generated by the energy sector, and by 2030, according to 'Fit for 55', the share of energy from renewable sources must reach 42.5% from total energy consumption.

Principles of Photocatalysts and Their Different Applications: A Review.

Human existence and societal growth are both dependent on the availability of clean and fresh water. Photocatalysis is a type of artificial photosynthesis that uses environmentally friendly, long-lasting materials to address energy and environmental issues. There is currently a considerable demand for low-cost, high-performance wastewater treatment equipment.

Selectivity of MOFs and Silica Nanoparticles in CO Capture from Flue Gases.

Until reaching climate neutrality by attaining the EU 2050 level, the current levels of CO must be mitigated through the research and development of resilient technologies. This research explored potential approaches to lower CO emissions resulting from combustion fossil fuels in power plant furnaces. Different nanomaterials (MOFs versus silica nanoparticles) were used in this context to compare their effectiveness to mitigate GHG emissions.

On the role of polyploid giant cells in oncogenesis and tumorigenesis.

This correspondence is in response to the commentary by Jinsong Liu ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s12032-023-02038-1 ) to my article "The evolutionary cancer gene network theory versus embryogenic hypotheses" published in Medical Oncology (40:114, 2023).

Recent progresses in compound specific isotope analysis of halogenated persistent organic pollutants. Assessing the transformation of halogenated persistent organic pollutants at contaminated sites.

Compound specific isotope analysis was extensively used to characterise the environmental processes associated with the abiotic and biotic transformation of persistent halogenated organic pollutants including those of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs). In the last years, the compound specific isotope analysis was applied as tool to evaluate the environmental fate and was expanded to larger molecules like brominated flame retardants and polychlorinated biphenyls. Multi-element (C, H, Cl, Br) CSIA methods have been also employed both in laboratory and field experiments.

New Trends in Separation Techniques of Lithium Isotopes: A Review of Chemical Separation Methods.

In terms of isotopic technologies, it is essential to be able to produce materials with an enriched isotopic abundance (i.e., a compound isotopic labelled with H, C, Li, O or Cl), which is one that differs from natural abundance.

The evolutionary cancer genome theory and its reasoning.

Oncogenesis and the origin of cancer are still not fully understood despite the efforts of histologists, pathologists, and molecular geneticists to determine how cancer develops. Previous embryogenic and gene- and genome-based hypotheses have attempted to solve this enigma. Each of them has its kernel of truth, but a unifying, universally accepted theory is still missing.

The evolutionary cancer gene network theory versus embryogenic hypotheses.

The present paper compares the statements of the evolutionary cancer gene-network theory (cancer genome theory) with the statements of embryogenic hypotheses like the embryonic rest hypothesis, the very small embryonic-like stem cells hypothesis, (VSEL), the para-embryonic p-ESC hypothesis, and the PGCC-life cycle hypothesis, including the life code theory. In my opinion, the evolutionary gene network theory is the only theory that can satisfactorily explain the homologies between carcinogenesis, tumorigenesis, metastasis, gametogenesis, and early embryogenesis. From an evolutionary point of view, there is no reason to see the origin of cancer in cells of early embryonic life.

Contributions to Power Grid System Analysis Based on Clustering Techniques.

The topic addressed in this article is part of the current concerns of modernizing power systems by promoting and implementing the concept of smart grid(s). The concepts of smart metering, a smart home, and an electric car are developing simultaneously with the idea of a smart city by developing high-performance electrical equipment and systems, telecommunications technologies, and computing and infrastructure based on artificial intelligence algorithms. The article presents contributions regarding the modeling of consumer classification and load profiling in electrical power networks and the efficiency of clustering techniques in their profiling as well as the simulation of the load of medium-voltage/low-voltage network distribution transformers to electricity meters.

Influence of Poly (benzyl oleate-co-maleic anhydride) Pour Point Depressant with Di-Stearyl Amine on Waxy Crude Oil.

An important problem for the oil industry is the deposition of paraffin on pipelines during the transit of crude oil and restart processes at low temperature. In this regard, the need for suitable methods of wax deposition has attracted substantial attention. Therefore, pour point depressants (PPDs) are considered a critical processing aid to modify the paraffin crystallization and improve the flow of waxy crude oil.

A comment on the article Jaques et al. "Origin and evolution of animal multicellularity in light of phylogenomics and cancer genetics ".

For developmental biologists, the work of Jaques et al. is quite surprising. It suggests that cancer genetics and cancer phylogenomics may contribute to the origin and evolution of multicellularity in animals.

Eco-Friendly Alternative Disposal through the Pyrolysis Process of Meat and Bone Meal.

The capitalization of agri-food waste is essential for the sustainability of a circular economy. This work focuses on a solution to eliminate such waste, meat and bone meal (MBM), which is produced in large quantities by the food industry and is prohibited for use as animal feed under the European directives. Therefore, with the focus of converting waste to energy, the catalytic pyrolysis of MBM in the presence of mesoporous silica nanocatalysts (SBA-3 and SBA-16 materials and metallic derivates) was investigated in a home-made reactor for the production of renewable energy.

Cancer genes and cancer stem cells in tumorigenesis: Evolutionary deep homology and controversies.

In the past, contradictory statements have been made about the age of cancer genes. While phylostratigraphic studies suggest that cancer genes emerged during the transitional period from unicellularians (UC) to early metazoans (EM), life cycle studies suggest that they arose earlier. This controversy could not be resolved.

Recent Progress in the Removal of Legacy and Emerging Organic Contaminants from Wastewater Using Metal-Organic Frameworks: An Overview on Adsorption and Catalysis Processes.

Water covers about 70% of the Earth's surface, but the amount of freshwater available for human use is only 2.5% and, although it is continuously replenished via the water cycle, freshwater is a finite and limited resource. The Earth's water is affected by pollution and while water quality is an issue of global concern, the specific regulations on contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are limited.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) as Environmental Pollutants: Occurrence and Mitigation Using Nanomaterials.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) comprise various organic chemicals which are released as gases from different liquids or solids. The nature and impact of the health effects are dependent on the VOCs concentrations and, also, on the exposure time. VOCs are present in different household, industrial or commercial and products, but their accumulation in air and water has primarily gained attention.

Dehalogenation of α-hexachlorocyclohexane by iron sulfide nanoparticles: Study of reaction mechanism with stable carbon isotopes and pH variations.

The biodegradation of hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) is known to be accompanied by isotope fractionation of carbon (C/C), but no systematic studies were performed on abiotic degradation of HCH isomers by iron (II) minerals. In this study, we explored the carbon isotope fractionation of α-HCH during dechlorination by FeS nanoparticles at different pH values. The results of three different experiments showed that the apparent rate constants during dehalogenation of α-HCH by FeS increased with pH.

Coal Fly Ash Derived Silica Nanomaterial for MMMs-Application in CO/CH Separation.

In order to obtained high selective membrane for industrial applications (such as natural gas purification), mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were developed based on polysulfone as matrix and MCM-41-type silica material (obtained from coal fly ash) as filler. As a consequence, various quantities of filler were used to determine the membranes efficiency on CO/CH separation. The coal fly ash derived silica nanomaterial and the membranes were characterized in terms of thermal stability, homogeneity, and pore size distribution.