Exploring the potential of machine learning to understand the occurrence and health risks of haloacetic acids in a drinking water distribution system.

Determining the occurrence of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in drinking water distribution system (DWDS) remains challenging. Predicting DBPs using readily available water quality parameters can help to understand DBPs associated risks and capture the complex interrelationships between water quality and DBP occurrence. In this study, we collected drinking water samples from a distribution network throughout a year and measured the related water quality parameters (WQPs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs).

Reduced formation of brominated trihalomethanes during chlorination of bromide-containing waters in the presence of Mn(II).

Manganese(II) (Mn(II)) and bromide (Br) are common in natural waters. This study investigated the effect of in-situ Mn(II) oxidation and preformed MnO on the brominated trihalomethane (Br-THM) formation during chlorination of bromide-containing waters. The results showed Br-THM formation could be substantially inhibited by in-situ Mn(II) oxidation, but the addition of preformed MnO had limited influence on Br-THM formation during chlorination of bromide-containing waters.

Enhanced disinfection byproducts formation by fine iron particles intercepted in household point-of-use facilities.

To cope with the demand for good-quality potable water, household point-of-use (POU) facilities such as polypropylene cotton filters (PCFs) are widely used. However, the behaviors of new and used PCFs under discoloration are unclear. In this study, we found that new PCF did not effectively intercept particles under discoloration within the initial 5 d of inflow.

In vivo and in vitro characterization of TEV protease mutants.

Tobacco etch virus protease (TEVp) is frequently applied in the cleavage of fusion protein. However, production of TEV protease in Escherichia coli is hampered by low yield and poor solubility, and auto-cleavage of wild type TEVp gives rise to the loss-of-function. Previously it was reported that TEVp S219V displayed more stability, and TEVp variant containing T17S/N68D/I77V and double mutant L56V/S135G resulted in the enhanced production and solubility, respectively.