Iron metal-organic framework nanofiber membrane for the integration of electro-Fenton and effective continuous treatment of pharmaceuticals in water.

In this study, an iron metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF) was synthesized and immobilized by electrospinning technique with the objective of obtaining a membrane composed of nanofibers of this material (Fe-MOF nanofiber membrane). The characterization performed by XRD, TEM, SEM, EDS mapping and FTIR confirmed the correct synthesis of Fe-MOF as well as its correct retention in the elaborated membranes. The usefulness and effectiveness of the Fe-MOF nanofiber membrane as a catalyst for the electro-Fenton process was evaluated by performing sulfamethoxazole degradation tests.

One-pot synthesis of bimetallic Fe-Cu metal-organic frameworks composite for the elimination of organic pollutants via peroxymonosulphate activation.

A series of bimetallic of FeCu metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesised using a solvothermal process by varying the ratio between the two metals. Further, the bimetallic MOF catalysts were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy techniques. Their catalytic properties for activation of peroxymonosulphate (PMS) have been tested by the removal of a model dye, rhodamine B.

Heterogeneous electro-Fenton system using Fe-MOF as catalyst and electrocatalyst for degradation of pharmaceuticals.

In recent years, heterogeneous electro-Fenton processes have gained considerable attention as an alternative to homogeneous processes. In this context, the aim of this study is the use of a commercial iron metal-organic framework (Fe-MOF), Basolite® F-300, as a base material for the design of a heterogeneous electro-Fenton treatment system for the removal of antipyrine. Initially, the catalyst was applied as powder in aqueous solution and three key parameters of the electro-Fenton process (pH, Fe-MOF concentration and current density) were evaluated and optimized by a Central Composite Design Face Centred (CCD-FC) using antipyrine removal and energy consumption as response functions.

Activity and stability of bifunctional perovskite/carbon-based electrodes for the removal of antipyrine by electro-Fenton process.

Bifunctional perovskite/carbon-black(CB)/polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE) electrodes for electro-generation and catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to oxidizing hydroxyl radicals have been fabricated. These electrodes were tested for electroFenton (EF) removal of antipyrine (ANT) as a model antipyretic and analgesic drug. The influence of the binder loading (20 and 40 wt % PTFE) and type of solvent (1,3-dipropanediol and water) was studied for the preparation of CB/PTFE electrodes.

Automated prioritization of sick newborns for whole genome sequencing using clinical natural language processing and machine learning.

Background: Rapidly and efficiently identifying critically ill infants for whole genome sequencing (WGS) is a costly and challenging task currently performed by scarce, highly trained experts and is a major bottleneck for application of WGS in the NICU. There is a dire need for automated means to prioritize patients for WGS.

Methods: Institutional databases of electronic health records (EHRs) are logical starting points for identifying patients with undiagnosed Mendelian diseases.

Association of High Somatic Cell Counts Prior to Dry off to the Incidence of Periparturient Diseases in Holstein Dairy Cows.

Intramammary infections (mastitis) of dairy cows, along with other periparturient diseases, have become problematic within the dairy industry as they lead to loss of milk production. The main objective of this study was to determine whether elevated somatic cell counts (SCC) in cows prior to drying off are related to the incidence of other periparturient diseases. Additionally, we determined whether milk composition and milk yield are affected by a high SCC prior to drying off.

Continuous treatment of diethyl hexyl and dibutyl phthalates by fixed-bed reactor: Comparison of two esterase bionanocomposites.

The removal of Diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) and Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is of great importance due to their potential adverse effects on the environment and human health. In this study, two bionanocomposites prepared by immobilization of Bacillus subtilis esterase by crosslinking to halloysite and supported in chitosan and alginate beads were studied and proposed as a green approach. The esterase immobilization was confirmed by physical-chemical characterization.

A genome sequencing system for universal newborn screening, diagnosis, and precision medicine for severe genetic diseases.

Newborn screening (NBS) dramatically improves outcomes in severe childhood disorders by treatment before symptom onset. In many genetic diseases, however, outcomes remain poor because NBS has lagged behind drug development. Rapid whole-genome sequencing (rWGS) is attractive for comprehensive NBS because it concomitantly examines almost all genetic diseases and is gaining acceptance for genetic disease diagnosis in ill newborns.

Electro-reversible adsorption as a versatile tool for the removal of diclofenac from wastewater.

In this study, adsorption of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as Diclofenac (DCF) on a commercial carbonaceous aerogel honeycomb monolith (NANOLIT®-NQ40) was ascertained. Based on, the overall design of an adsorption treatment should include a feasible regeneration process for the spent adsorbent. In this work, the adsorption/desorption process was ameliorated by coupling of electrochemical technology (anodic/cathodic polarisation).

Phosphate Dosing in Drinking Water Distribution Systems Promotes Changes in Biofilm Structure and Functional Genetic Diversity.

Water utilities treat drinking water by adding phosphate to prevent metal dissolution from water pipe work systems and particularly lead poisoning. Phosphate can be a limiting nutrient for microbial biofilms in DWDS, yet its effects on these microbial consortia are not well understood. This research presents results from phosphate dosing experiments using a real scale chlorinated DWDS, comparing standard phosphate concentrations of United Kingdom drinking water (1 mgP/L) with a double dose (2 mgP/L) commonly used in plumbosolvency treatment.

Bridging the gap to hydrochar production and its application into frameworks of bioenergy, environmental and biocatalysis areas.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is a facile, low-cost and eco-friendly thermal conversion process that has recently gained attention with a growing number of publications (lower 50 in 2000 to over 1500 in 2020). Despite being a promising technology, problems such as operational barriers, complex reaction mechanisms and scaling have to be solved to make it a commercial technology. To bridge this current gap, this review elaborates on the chemistry of the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass.

Influence of phosphate dosing on biofilms development on lead in chlorinated drinking water bioreactors.

Phosphate dosing is used by water utilities to prevent plumbosolvency in water supply networks. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding biofilm formation on lead and plastic materials when phosphate concentrations are modified in drinking water systems. In this study, biofilms were grown over lead coupons and PVC tubes in bioreactors supplied with local drinking water treated to provide different phosphate doses (below 1, 1 and 2 mg/L) over a period of 28 days.

Impact of phosphate dosing on the microbial ecology of drinking water distribution systems: Fieldwork studies in chlorinated networks.

Phosphate is routinely dosed to ensure regulatory compliance for lead in drinking water distribution systems. Little is known about the impact of the phosphate dose on the microbial ecology in these systems and in particular the endemic biofilms. Disturbance of the biofilms and embedded material in distribution can cause regulatory failures for turbidity and metals.

Environmental application of monolithic carbonaceous aerogels for the removal of emerging pollutants.

In this study, the performance of three commercial available monolithic carbonaceous aerogels (NQ30A, NQ60A and NQ80A) for the removal of different emerging pollutants, detected in water sources, was evaluated. More specifically, the removal of two pharmaceuticals (antipyrine and sulfamethoxazole) and an anti-fungal agent (methyl paraben), widely used in cosmetics, was studied. The NQ60A demonstrated the best adsorption characteristics and effectively adsorbed over 50 mg/g of the antipyrine and around 30 mg/g sulfamethoxazole and methyl paraben.

Insights into the role of phytohormones regulating pAtNIP5;1 activity and boron transport in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Aiming to counteract B deficiency impacts, plants have developed different strategies in order to reach an optimal growth in soils with limited B availability. These include B transport mechanisms that involves a facilitated transport, via channel proteins, and a high-affinity active transport driven by borate transporters. The AtNIP5;1 channel protein is a member of Major Intrinsic Protein family which facilitates B influx into the roots under low B supply.

Towards sustainable removal of methylthioninium chloride by using adsorption-electroradical regeneration.

The current need for effective regeneration processes to be used in valorization of spent adsorbent demands the research of novel alternative techniques such as application of Advances Oxidation Processes. In this sense, the recent application of electroradical (ER) processes turned out to be very promising in terms of the drugs degradation from different environments. Thus, in this study, harnessing of a low cost natural adsorbent, Tunisian bentonite (BE), was evaluated for the removal of a model drug such as methylthioninium chloride (MC), and then its regeneration by ER processes was demonstrated.

Electro-Fenton process for implementation of acid black liquor waste treatment.

In this work, an eco-friendly solution for the remediation of wastewater generated in the lignin recovery process from eco-industrial paper mill has been proposed in their way towards a more circular economy strategy. Thus, the application of the electro-Fenton process for the degradation of the non-recovered lignin and other organic compounds form a scarcely studied acid black liquor waste (ABLW) was successfully performed. This treatment was able to operate in a range of COD loads (0.

Current advances and trends in electro-Fenton process using heterogeneous catalysts - A review.

Over the last decades, advanced oxidation processes have often been used alone, or combined with other techniques, for remediation of ground and surface water pollutants. The application of heterogeneous catalysis to electrochemical advanced oxidation processes is especially useful due to its efficiency and environmental safety. Among those processes, electro-Fenton stands out as the one in which heterogeneous catalysis has been broadly applied.

Heterogeneous electro-Fenton as plausible technology for the degradation of imidazolinium-based ionic liquids.

Conventional water treatments are generally inadequate for degradation of emerging pollutants such as ionic liquids (ILs). The use of heterogeneous electro-Fenton (HEF) has attracted great interest, due to its ability to efficiently oxidize a wide range of organic pollutants operating in cycles or in continuous mode. In this study, the removal of a complex IL from the imidazolinium family (1,3-Bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolinium chloride), by means of HEF using iron alginate spheres as catalyst has been investigated, resulting in significant TOC decay after 6 h.

The BRICS (Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score): A Multicenter Study Score for Use in Idiopathic and Postinfective Bronchiectasis.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to develop a simplified radiological score that could assess clinical disease severity in bronchiectasis.

Methods: The Bronchiectasis Radiologically Indexed CT Score (BRICS) was devised based on a multivariable analysis of the Bhalla score and its ability in predicting clinical parameters of severity. The score was then externally validated in six centers in 302 patients.