Stabilisation/solidification of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash by phosphate-enhanced calcium aluminate cement.

Landfill disposal of municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (MIFA) presents significant environmental and economic burden. This study proposed a novel and high-efficiency approach for stabilisation/solidification (S/S) of MIFA by phosphate-modified calcium aluminate cement (CAC). Experimental results showed that the presence of Pb (the most leachable metal contaminant in the MIFA) retarded the early-stage reaction of CAC, resulting in an extension of setting time and a significant decline of compressive strength of CAC pastes.

Intellectual changes after radiation for children with brain tumors: which brain structures are most important?

Background: The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of radiation dose to different intracranial structures on changes in intellectual function for children with brain tumors.

Methods: We evaluated children with brain tumors treated in 2005-2017 who had longitudinal neuropsychological assessments and available photon dosimetric data (if radiation therapy [RT] given). Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and index scores were evaluated (perceptual reasoning index [PRI], processing speed index [PSI], verbal comprehension index [VCI], and working memory index [WMI]).

Biochar Aging: Mechanisms, Physicochemical Changes, Assessment, And Implications for Field Applications.

Biochar has triggered a black gold rush in environmental studies as a carbon-rich material with well-developed porous structure and tunable functionality. While much attention has been placed on its apparent ability to store carbon in the ground, immobilize soil pollutants, and improve soil fertility, its temporally evolving in situ performance in these roles must not be overlooked. After field application, various environmental factors, such as temperature variations, precipitation events and microbial activities, can lead to its fragmentation, dissolution, and oxidation, thus causing drastic changes to the physicochemical properties.

Sinonasal Chondrosarcoma Presenting With Isolated Severe Vision Loss.

A 24-year-old man presented with a 2-month history of progressive, painless vision loss in the right eye, with no history of headache, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, or epistaxis. His visual acuity was counting fingers at 1 ft in the right eye and 20 of 20 in the left eye with a right relative afferent pupillary defect and mild temporal optic disc pallor. MRI of the brain and orbits showed a mass involving bilateral ethmoid and sphenoid sinuses and right nasal cavity.

Remediation of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contaminated soils - To mobilize or to immobilize or to degrade?

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic chemicals, which are introduced to the environment through anthropogenic activities. Aqueous film forming foam used in firefighting, wastewater effluent, landfill leachate, and biosolids are major sources of PFAS input to soil and groundwater. Remediation of PFAS contaminated solid and aqueous media is challenging, which is attributed to the chemical and thermal stability of PFAS and the complexity of PFAS mixtures.

Diels-Alder Conversion of Acrylic Acid and 2,5-Dimethylfuran to para-Xylene Over Heterogeneous Bi-BTC Metal-Organic Framework Catalysts Under Mild Conditions.

The heterogeneous metal-organic framework Bi-BTC successfully catalyzed the synthesis of para-xylene from bio-based 2,5-dimethylfuran and acrylic acid in a promising yield (92 %), under relatively mild conditions (160 °C, 10 bar), and with a low reaction-energy barrier (47.3 kJ mol ). The proposed reaction strategy also demonstrates a remarkable versatility for furan derivatives such as furan and 2-methylfuran.

Microscopic mechanism about the selective adsorption of Cr(VI) from salt solution on O-rich and N-rich biochars.

The adsorption of Cr(VI) on biochars can be suppressed by coexisting anions, but the roles of O-containing functional groups and in particular N-containing functional groups are unclear. In this study, we combined spectroscopic and molecular simulation approaches to investigate the selective adsorption of Cr(VI) on the O-rich (PB, UB1) and N-rich (UB3, UB5) biochars under strong competition of anions. The elemental analysis and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry indicated that the structures of PB and UB1 were similar, and so were the UB3 and UB5.

Evaluating the environmental impacts of stabilization and solidification technologies for managing hazardous wastes through life cycle assessment: A case study of Hong Kong.

Proper management of hazardous materials arouses widespread environmental concerns due to its enormous ecological and health impacts. The development of green stabilization/solidification (S/S) technology for resourceful utilization of hazardous materials, as well as the immobilization of potentially toxic elements is of great scientific interests. Cement-based S/S is often considered a low-cost and highly efficient technology, but the environmental sustainability of a broad spectrum of S/S technologies has yet to be evaluated.

Serum Antibody Profile of a Patient With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Reinfection.

We recently reported a patient with coronavirus disease 2019 reinfection. Here, we show that serum neutralizing antibodies could be detected during the first episode but not at the presentation of the second episode. During reinfection, neutralizing antibodies and high avidity immunoglobulin G were found within 8 days after hospitalization, whereas immunoglobulin M response was absent.

Red mud-enhanced magnesium phosphate cement for remediation of Pb and As contaminated soil.

Lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) contaminated soil poses severe threats to human health. This study proposes a novel approach for synchronous stabilisation/solidification (S/S) of Pb and As contaminated soil and explains the immobilisation mechanisms in red mud-modified magnesium phosphate cement (MPC). Experimental results show that incorporation of red mud in MPC binder retarded over-rapid reaction and enhanced compressive strength via the formation of (Al,Fe,K)PO·nHO compounds as indicated by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and elemental mapping.

In-Flight Transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

Four persons with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection had traveled on the same flight from Boston, Massachusetts, USA, to Hong Kong, China. Their virus genetic sequences are identical, unique, and belong to a clade not previously identified in Hong Kong, which strongly suggests that the virus can be transmitted during air travel.

Simultaneous degradation of p-arsanilic acid and inorganic arsenic removal using M-rGO/PS Fenton-like system under neutral conditions.

In this study, magnetic material based reduced graphene oxide (M-rGO) was prepared through co-precipitation and displayed high catalytic efficiency together with persulfate (PS) for simultaneous p-arsanilic acid (p-ASA) decomposition and arsenic removal. Linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometric measurements with M-rGO revealed that PS was effectively bound to M-rGO surface and probably formed charge transfer complex, in which M-rGO was pivotal in mediating facile electron transfer. The effects of pH, temperatures, anions, p-ASA concentration, PS, and M-rGO dosages on p-ASA decomposition were studied in the system.

Improving the Pediatric Patient Experience During Radiation Therapy-A Children's Oncology Group Study.

Purpose: Treatment with radiation therapy (RT) can cause anxiety and distress for pediatric patients and their families. Radiation oncology teams have developed strategies to reduce the negative psychological impact. This survey study aimed to characterize these methods.

Outcomes of BRAF V600E Pediatric Gliomas Treated With Targeted BRAF Inhibition.

Purpose: Children with pediatric gliomas harboring a BRAF V600E mutation have poor outcomes with current chemoradiotherapy strategies. Our aim was to study the role of targeted BRAF inhibition in these tumors.

Patients And Methods: We collected clinical, imaging, molecular, and outcome information from patients with BRAF V600E-mutated glioma treated with BRAF inhibition across 29 centers from multiple countries.

How energy service companies moderate the impact of industrialization and urbanization on carbon emissions in China?

Energy service companies (ESCOs) have emerged to carry out energy efficiency retrofit projects, playing an essential role in mitigating carbon dioxide (CO) emissions in China. However, it remains unclear how exactly ESCOs contribute to CO mitigation during urbanization and industrialization. We conducted regression analyses on data collected in 29 provinces in China as the first case study to investigate the moderating effect of ESCOs in relationships between urbanization, industrialization, and CO emissions.

SMARTphone-based, early cardiac REHABilitation in patients with acute coronary syndromes: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: There are well-documented treatment gaps in secondary prevention of coronary heart disease with a lack of clearly defined strategies to assist early physical activity after acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Smartphone technology may provide an innovative platform to close these gaps.

Objectives: The primary goal of this study was to assess whether a smartphone-based, early cardiac rehabilitation program improved exercise capacity in patients with ACS.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Re-infection by a Phylogenetically Distinct Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Strain Confirmed by Whole Genome Sequencing.

Background: Waning immunity occurs in patients who have recovered from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it remains unclear whether true re-infection occurs.

Methods: Whole genome sequencing was performed directly on respiratory specimens collected during 2 episodes of COVID-19 in a patient.

Infection Risks Faced by Public Health Laboratory Services Teams When Handling Specimens Associated With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Infection risks of handling specimens associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by public health laboratory services teams were assessed to scrutinize the potential hazards arising from the work procedures. Through risk assessments of all work sequences, laboratory equipment, and workplace environments, no aerosol-generating procedures could be identified except the procedures (mixing and transfer steps) inside biological safety cabinets. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, protective gowns, face shields/safety goggles, and disposable gloves, together with pertinent safety training, was provided for laboratory work.

Effect of immobilizing reagents on soil Cd and Pb lability under freeze-thaw cycles: Implications for sustainable agricultural management in seasonally frozen land.

Agricultural soil contamination in seasonally frozen land threatens food security. It is necessary to investigate the effects of freeze-thaw cycles on heavy metal bioavailability so as to select suitable immobilization agents. In this study, the soil was collected from a mid-latitude agricultural site in Liaoning Province, China, which was spiked with cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb).

Liquid Marbles in Liquid.

Traditional liquid marbles (LMs), liquid droplets encapsulated by hydrophobic particles at the liquid-gas interface, are restricted by their short lifetime and low heat transfer efficiency. Herein, a new paradigm for LMs immersed in various liquid mediums with massive enhanced heat transfer and spatial recognition is designed; without compromising the structural integrity, the lifetime of the liquid marbles in liquid (LMIL) is extended by ≈1000 times compared to classical LMs in air or naked droplets in organic reagents. The LMIL shows promising reverse structural re-configurability while under external stimuli and maintaining their functionality for a very long period of time (≈weeks).

Effects of aging and weathering on immobilization of trace metals/metalloids in soils amended with biochar.

Biochar is an effective amendment for trace metal/metalloid (TMs) immobilization in soils. The capacity of biochar to immobilize TMs in soil can be positively or negatively altered due to the changes in the surface and structural chemistry of biochar after soil application. Biochar surfaces are oxidized in soils and induce structural changes through physical and biochemical weathering processes.

Quantification of bronchoalveolar neutrophil extracellular traps and phagocytosis in murine pneumonia.

The past two decades have witnessed a resurgence in neutrophil research, inspired in part by the discovery of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and their myriad roles in health and disease. Within the lung, dysregulation of neutrophils and NETosis have been linked to an array of diseases including pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and severe asthma. However, our understanding of pathologic neutrophil responses in the lung remains incomplete.

A new DGT technique comprising a hybrid sensor for the simultaneous high resolution 2-D imaging of sulfides, metallic cations, oxyanions and dissolved oxygen.

A new diffusive gradients in thin films technique (HR-ZCA DGT) was developed for simultaneous two-dimensional (2-D) chemical imaging of sulfides, metallic cations and oxyanions (S, Cd, Co, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, As, Cr, Mo, Sb, Se, V, P and W) at the submillimeter scale, combined with laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) analysis. A novel binding gel was prepared using a double precipitation method with AgI and zirconium oxide (Zr-oxide) deposited sequentially on a preformed Chelex-100 resin gel. A good linear relationship was observed (R>0.