Orange peels magnetic activate carbon (MG-OPAC) composite formation for toxic chromium absorption from wastewater.

This work prepared a composite of orange peels magnetic activated carbon (MG-OPAC). The prepared composite was categorized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM) analyses. The MG-OPAC composite showed the surface area (155.

Leverage of weave pattern and composite thickness on dynamic mechanical analysis, water absorption and flammability response of bamboo fabric/epoxy composites.

Spar caps, which cover 50% of the cost of windmill blades, were made of unidirectional and biaxial glass/carbon reinforcements of 600 gsm with thicknesses ranging from 100 to 150 mm for blades 70-80 m long. The significance of this study was to utilize an economical biodegradable material i.e bamboo fabric of 125 gsm to fabricate a lightweight composite and study its behavior for spar caps applications.

Antimicrobial activities of graphene oxide against biofilm and intracellular Staphylococcus aureus isolated from bovine mastitis.

Background: S. aureus is one of the causative agents of bovine mastitis. The treatment using conventional antimicrobials has been hampered due to the development of antimicrobial resistance and the ability of the bacteria to form biofilms and localize inside the host cells.

A review on the effectiveness of nanocomposites for the treatment and recovery of oil spill.

The introduction of unintended oil spills into the marine ecosystem has a significant impact on aquatic life and raises important environmental concerns. The present review summarizes the recent studies where nanocomposites are applied to treat oil spills. The review deals with the techniques used to fabricate nanocomposites and identify the characteristics of nanocomposites beneficial for efficient recovery and treatment of oil spills.

First-principles study of room-temperature ferromagnetism in transition-metal doped H-SiNWs.

Hydrogen-saturated silicon nanowires (H-SiNWs) are the most attractive materials for nanoelectronics due to their special tunable electronic properties. The incorporation of magnetism in H-SiNWs can be extremely beneficial for a wide range of emerging spintronic devices, which can offer a more effective way to control spin. Here, we investigate the energetic stability, electronic properties, and magnetic properties of transition metal (TM), , Fe and Mn doped Hydrogen-saturated silicon nanowires (TM:H-SiNWs) that have a diameter of 1 nm directed in (100), (110), and (111) facets using spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT).

Variable-Barrier Quantum Coulomb Blockade Effect in Nanoscale Transistors.

Current-voltage characteristics of a quantum dot in double-barrier configuration, as formed in the nanoscale channel of silicon transistors, were analyzed both experimentally and theoretically. Single electron transistors (SET) made in a SOI-FET configuration using silicon quantum dot as well as phosphorus donor quantum dots were experimentally investigated. These devices exhibited a quantum Coulomb blockade phenomenon along with a detectable effect of variable tunnel barriers.

Constructing a Visible-Active CoFeO@BiO/NiO Nanoheterojunction as Magnetically Recoverable Photocatalyst with Boosted Ofloxacin Degradation Efficiency.

Constructing visible-light-active Z-scheme heterojunctions has proven fruitful in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of photocatalysts for superior water clean-up. Herein, we report the fabrication of a CoFeO@BiO/NiO (CBN) Z-scheme nanoheterojunction. The obtained CBN heterojunction was used for visible-light-assisted degradation of ofloxacin (OFL) in water.

Soil acidification and the liming potential of biochar.

Soil acidification in managed ecosystems such as agricultural lands principally results from the increased releasing of protons (H) from the transformation reactions of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and sulphur (S) containing compounds. The incorporation of liming materials can neutralize the protons released, hence reducing soil acidity and its adverse impacts to the soil environment, food security, and human health. Biochar derived from organic residues is becoming a source of carbon input to soil and provides multifunctional values.

Occurrence and Distribution of Antibiotics in the Water, Sediment, and Biota of Freshwater and Marine Environments: A Review.

Antibiotics, as pollutants of emerging concern, can enter marine environments, rivers, and lakes and endanger ecology and human health. The purpose of this study was to review the studies conducted on the presence of antibiotics in water, sediments, and organisms in aquatic environments (i.e.

"Magnetic Ni-Zn ferrite anchored on g-CN as nano-photocatalyst for efficient photo-degradation of doxycycline from water".

In the present work, mixed-spinel ferrite anchored onto graphitic carbon nitride (GCN) was synthesized for mineralization of antibiotic pollutant from waste water. A Z-scheme g-CN/NiZnFeO nano heterojunction was fabricated by three step procedure: pyrolysis, solution combustion and mechanical grinding followed by annealing. The prepared photocatlyst was tested for degradation of Doxycycline (DC) drug under the natural sun light.

Oligochitosan fortifies antioxidative and photosynthetic metabolism and enhances secondary metabolite accumulation in arsenic-stressed peppermint.

The current study was designed to investigate whether application of irradiated chitosan (ICn), a recently established plant growth promoter, can prove effective in alleviating arsenic (As) stress in peppermint, a medicinally important plant. This study investigated how foliar application of ICn alleviated As toxicity in peppermint ( L.).

Impacts of land uses on spatio-temporal variations of seasonal water quality in a regulated river basin, Huai River, China.

Land use impacts from agriculture, industrialization, and human population should be considered in surface water quality management. In this study, we utilized an integrated statistical analysis approach mainly including a seasonal Mann-Kendall test, clustering analysis, self-organizing map, Boruta algorithm, and positive matrix factorization to the assessment of the interactions between land use types and water quality in a typical catchment in the Huai River Basin, China, over seven years (2012-2019). Spatially, water quality was clustered into three groups: upstream, midstream, and downstream/mainstream areas.

SARS-CoV-2 removal by mix matrix membrane: A novel application of artificial neural network based simulation in MATLAB for evaluating wastewater reuse risks.

The COVID-19 outbreak led to the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage; thus, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) could have the virus in their effluent. However, whether SARS-CoV-2 is eradicated by sewage treatment is virtually unknown. Specifically, the objectives of this study include (i) determining whether a mixed matrixed membrane (MMM) is able to remove SARS-CoV-2 (polycarbonate (PC)-hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) and PC-silver nanoparticles (Ag-NP)), (ii) comparing filtration performance among different secondary treatment processes, and (iii) evaluating whether artificial neural networks (ANNs) can be employed as performance indicators to reduce SARS-CoV-2 in the treatment of sewage.

COVID-19: An Accelerator for Global Plastic Consumption and Its Implications.

Plastic has been ingrained in our society. Repercussions on the usage of nonbiodegradable plastics and their problems have been recently realized. Despite its detrimental environmental impact, the COVID-19 epidemic has compelled worldwide citizens to increase their plastic use due to affordability and availability.

Advances in the role of natural gums-based hydrogels in water purification, desalination and atmospheric-water harvesting.

Freshwater scarcity is one of the world's foremost environmental stress concerns. In the last few years, with sustainable industrial growth and rapidly growing population, the problem of freshwater shortage has encouraged researchers to conduct comprehensive research for the development of advanced water harvesting and wastewater treatment techniques. Natural gums-based hydrogels have been widely used in different water purification and harvesting applications because of their environment friendly nature, high water absorption, adsorption and retention capacities.

A comprehensive review of various approaches for treatment of tertiary wastewater with emerging contaminants: what do we know?

In the last few decades, environmental contaminants (ECs) have been introduced into the environment at an alarming rate. There is a risk to human health and aquatic ecosystems from trace levels of emerging contaminants, including hospital wastewater (HPWW), cosmetics, personal care products, endocrine system disruptors, and their transformation products. Despite the fact that these pollutants have been introduced or detected relatively recently, information about their characteristics, actions, and impacts is limited, as are the technologies to eliminate them efficiently.

Pterostilbene-isothiocyanate impedes RANK/TRAF6 interaction to inhibit osteoclastogenesis, promoting osteogenesis in vitro and alleviating glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis in rats.

Prolonged glucocorticoid treatment often leads to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP), a common iatrogenic complication. This study has explored the anti-osteoporotic potential of semi-synthetic compound, pterostilbene isothiocyanate (PTER-ITC) in GIOP rat model and bone formation potential in vitro. Dysregulated bone-remodelling leads to osteoporosis.

Comparative removal of hazardous cationic dyes by MOF-5 and modified graphene oxide.

Among cationic dyes, malachite green (MG) is commonly used for dying purposes and also as an inhibitor in aquaculture, food, health, and chemical industries due to its cytotoxic effects. Therefore, MG removal is essential to keep the ecosystem and human health safety. Adsorption is a viable and versatile option and exploring efficient adsorbents have high priority.

An approach to removing COD and BOD based on polycarbonate mixed matrix membranes that contain hydrous manganese oxide and silver nanoparticles: A novel application of artificial neural network based simulation in MATLAB.

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of novel ultrafiltration and mixed matrix membrane (MMM) composed of hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) and silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) for the removal of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and chemical oxygen demand (COD). In the polycarbonate (PC) MMM, the weight percent of HMO and Ag-NP has been increased from 5% to 10%. A neural network (ANN) was used in this study to compare PC-HMO and Ag-NP.

Combined remediation effects of biochar and organic fertilizer on immobilization and dissipation of neonicotinoids in soils.

Neonicotinoid (NEO) pesticides have become a potential risk to ecological safety and human health after application. The combined use of biochar and organic fertilizer (OF) is a promising approach to reduce pesticide adverse effects and improve soil fertility in agricultural soils. However, the combined remediation effects of biochar and OF on immobilization and dissipation of NEOs in soils have not previously been systematically investigated.

Hazardous toxic metal(loid)s in top- and deep-soils during the transformation of aquaculture ponds restored to farmland.

The pollution risks due to the soil migration of toxic metal(loid)s (TMs) are a greatly hazard to ecological environment as well as animal and human health. Previous studies have primarily focused on surface contamination while deep soil layers often contain dangerous levels of TMs. We used restored wheat and rice farmlands from aquaculture ponds as a case study to examine the ecological risk and distribution of TMs in soil profiles.

High interfacial charge separation in visible-light active Z- scheme g-CN/MoS heterojunction: Mechanism and degradation of sulfasalazine.

Examination of highly proficient photoactive materials for the degradation of antibiotics from the aqueous solution is the need of the hour. In the present study, a 2D/2D binary junction GCM, formed between graphitic-carbon nitride (g-CN) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS), was synthesized using facile hydrothermal method and its photo-efficacy was tested for the degradation of sulfasalazine (SUL) from aqueous solution under visible-light irradiation. Morphological analysis indicated the nanosheets arrangement of MoS and g-CN.

State-of-the-art of research progress on adsorptive removal of fluoride-contaminated water using biochar-based materials: Practical feasibility through reusability and column transport studies.

Fluoride (F) is one of the essential elements found in soil and water released from geogenic sources and several anthropogenic activities. Fluoride causes fluorosis, dental and skeletal growth problems, teeth mottling, and neurological damage due to prolonged consumption, affecting millions worldwide. Adsorption is an extensively implemented technique in water and wastewater treatment for fluoride, with significant potential due to efficiency, cost-effectiveness, ease of operation, and reusability.

Total Internal Reflection Ellipsometry Approach for Bloch Surface Waves Biosensing Applications.

A one-dimensional photonic crystal with an additional TiO layer, supporting Bloch surface waves (BSW), was used for enhanced signal sensitivity for the detection of protein interaction. To compare the optical response of BSW and photonic crystals (PC), bovine serum albumin and specific antibodies against bovine serum were used as a model system. The results obtained show the enhanced sensitivity of p- and s-BSW components for the 1D PC sample with an additional TiO layer.