Formation and Fate of Reactive Nitrogen during Biological Nitrogen Removal from Water: Important Yet Often Ignored Chemical Aspects of the Nitrogen Cycle.

Hydroxylamine, nitrous acid, and nitric oxide are obligate intermediates or side metabolites in different nitrogen-converting microorganisms. These compounds are unstable and susceptible to the formation of highly reactive nitrogen species, including nitrogen dioxide, dinitrogen trioxide, nitroxyl, and peroxynitrite. Due to the high reactivity and cytotoxicity, the buildup of reactive nitrogen can affect the interplay of microorganisms/microbial processes, stimulate the reactions with organic compounds like organic micropollutants (OMP) and act as the precursors of nitrous oxide (NO).

Evanescent wave quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy employing a side-polished fiber for methane sensing.

We present an all-fiber-based laser gas analyzer (LGA) employing quartz-enhanced photoacoustic spectroscopy (QEPAS) and a side-polished fiber (SPF). The LGA comprises a custom quartz tuning fork (QTF) with 0.8 mm prong spacing, two acoustic micro-resonators (mR) located on either side of the prong spacing, and a single-mode fiber containing a 17 mm polished section passing through both mRs and QTF.

Biological and computational assessments of thiazole derivative-reinforced bile salt enriched nano carriers: a new gate in targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein.

There is merit in investigating novel therapeutic molecules that hit vital targets during the viral infection cycle disrupting the interaction between SARS-CoV-2's spike glycoprotein and the host's angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, potentially offering new avenues for treatment. Accordingly, lipid-based vesicular systems like liposomes or niosomes are frequently utilized to overcome these hurdles. Thus, chemically synthesized compounds were encapsulated within PEGylated bilosomes (PBs) to improve their solubility and intestinal permeability, thereby enhancing their anti-SARS-CoV-2 effectiveness.

Distribution characteristics, sources and risk assessment of heavy metal(oid)s in road dust from a typical lead-zinc mining area in South China.

Although the construction of green mines has effectively reduced soil pollution issues, dust contaminants continue to pose potential risks to human health and environment. This study investigated the concentrations, sources, and human health risks of metal(oid)s present in road dust across different functional zones of the largest lead-zinc mine in Guangdong Province, China, namely the Fankou lead-zinc mine. First, a systematic collection of 45 dust samples from six functional zones was conducted, focusing on the concentrations of ten heavy metal(oid)s (HMs), including As, Cd, Pb, and Zn etc.

Synergistic atmospheric influence on the co-pyrolysis of antibiotic sludge and waste bicycle tires: Optimal drivers, products, and pathways.

Effective management of antibiotic sludge (AS) is essential for disease prevention. This study investigated the co-pyrolysis of AS with polyurethane (PU) and rubber tires (RT), focusing on its key drivers, synergies, resulting products, and atmospheric (N versus CO) dependency. Composite pyrolysis index indicated superior co-pyrolysis properties of AS with PU or RT in the CO atmosphere compared with those in the N atmosphere.

Heavy metal pollution from standardized e-waste dismantling activities: Pollution index, risk assessment and intervening measures.

Due to the e-waste complexity and recycling technology limitations, more and more attention has been paid to the inevitable pollution in the standardized recycling process. This study systematically explores the heavy metals (HMs) (from surface dust) pollution characteristics and exposure risk of a typical e-waste dismantling plant (EDP) in South China. Further, this study explores the real level of health risks through valence analysis of a typical HM (Cr), and seeks effective measures to reduce exposure risk through behavioral science methods.

Phylogeography of Cold Water Soft Coral spp. (Anthozoa, Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) Between South America and the West Antarctic Peninsula.

The Antarctic marine environment has a unique geologic and climatic history that has contributed to the evolution of high species diversity. Given the current trend of environmental warming, understanding the history of Antarctic species is crucial for predicting the impact of climate change on ecosystem function. Soft corals are a group of striking presence in the benthic marine assemblages in the Southern Ocean, which is recognized as a biodiversity hotspot.

Discrepant Global Surface Ozone Responses to Emission- and Heatwave-Induced Regime Shifts.

Heatwaves have substantial but poorly quantified impacts on surface ozone photochemical regimes. As heatwaves of increasing severity occur, communities face more serious exposure to ozone, necessitating a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of heatwaves on the nonlinear response of ozone to its precursors for guiding policies in emission reductions. Here we estimate the spatiotemporal evolution of global ozone chemistry based on machine learning and in situ observations and show that emission changes and heatwaves alter ozone photochemical regimes, leading to diverse ozone changes across regions.

A study of novel linear Diophantine fuzzy topological numbers and their application to communicable diseases.

The idea of linear Diophantine fuzzy sets (LDFs) is a novel tool for analysis, soft computing, and optimization. Recently, the concept of a linear Diophantine fuzzy graph has been proposed in 2022. The aim of this research is to extend topological numbers to LDFSs.

Biomagnification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers and alternative halogenated flame retardants through food chains of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and their prey from the South China Sea and the associated potential health risk.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and their alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs) have gained global attention due to their ubiquitous occurrence, bioaccumulation, and toxic properties. However, the biomagnification of halogenated flame retardants (HFRs), particularly AHFRs, in various food chains is not yet well understood. In this study, yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), along with its prey, flying squid (Sthenoteuthis oualaniensis) and round scad (Decapterus maruadsi), were sampled from the South China Sea (SCS) to investigate the biomagnification potential of PBDEs and AHFRs, including dechlorane plus (DP) and decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE).

New insights into interfacial dynamics and mechanisms of biochar-derived dissolved organic matter on arsenic redistribution in Schwertmannite.

Biochar is extensively utilized for the remediation of environments contaminated with heavy metals (HMs). However, its derived-dissolved organic matter (BDOM) can interact with iron oxides, which may adversely influence the retention of HMs. This study investigates the effect of BDOM derived from tobacco stalk (TS) and tobacco petiole (TP) biochar on the redistribution behavior of As(V) in acid mine drainage (AMD)-impacted environments, particularly concentrating on the interactions with Schwertmannite (Sch).

Effect of non-antibiotic factors on conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes in aquaculture water.

Aquaculture water with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) is escalating due to the horizontal gene transfer. Non-antibiotic stressors specifically found, including those from fishery feed and disinfectants, are potential co-selectors. However, the mechanisms underlying this process remains unclear.

Heavy metals release in lead-zinc tailings: Effects of weathering and acid rain.

Heavy metals (HMs) release from lead (Pb)-zinc (Zn) tailings poses significant environmental risks to surrounding areas. Furthermore, with the natural weathering and frequently happened acid rain events, the release of HMs could be elevated. This study conducted a series of laboratory column experiments with thermodynamics and hydrogeochemical analysis to investigate the environmental behavior of HMs release in Pb-Zn tailings under natural weathering conditions and acid rain events.

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Enterobacter cloacae microorganism and their application in enhanced oil recovery.

Employing safe and inexpensive methods for the synthesis of biocompatible nanoparticles (NPs) can be very challenging. Green synthesis refers to the process of synthesizing nanoparticles without using toxic and dangerous chemicals. One of the applications of nanoparticles is increasing production from oil reservoirs, known as enhanced oil recovery (EOR).

Effects of steroid hormones and their mixtures on western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis).

Steroid hormones, including estrone (E1), androstadienedione (ADD), and androstenedione (AED), are prevalent in aquatic ecosystems and pose ecological risks due to their disruptive influence on fish populations. However, little consideration has been given to the endocrine disrupting effects of fish exposed to complex mixtures of hormones in the real world. In this study, adult female western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) were exposed to two concentrations of E1 (100 ng/L for E1L and 5,000 ng/L for E1H), ADD (100 ng/L for ADDL and 10,000 ng/L for ADDH), and AED (100 ng/L for AEDL and 10,000 ng/L for AEDH) as well as four binary mixture treatments (ADDL+E1L, ADDH+E1H, AEDL+E1L, and AEDH+E1H).

Nanocellulose: A novel pathway to sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and circular bioeconomy.

Nanocellulose, obtained from natural cellulose, has attracted considerable interest for its distinctive properties and wide-ranging potential applications. Studies suggest that nanocellulose improves the thermal, mechanical, and barrier properties of conventional cellulose. This review investigates the production, properties, approach, and application of nanocellulose from various sources in agriculture.

The role of chorion integrity on the bioaccumulation and toxicity of selenium nanoparticles in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes).

Selenium nanoparticles (nano-Se) have a wide range of biomedical and agricultural applications. However, there is little information on the potential toxicity of nano-Se once it enters the environment, particularly in fish. The first line of defense from contaminants that embryonic fish have is the chorion, but the degree to which the chorion protects the developing embryo is unknown.

Soil Amoebae Are Unexpected Hotspots of Environmental Antibiotics and Antibiotic Resistance Genes.

Antibiotic resistance poses a significant threat to human health. While most studies focus on bacteria, interactions between antibiotics and other crucial microbial groups like protists remain uncertain. This study investigates how protists interact with antibiotics and examines how these interactions impact the fate of resistance genes.

Molecular Evidence of CeO Nanoparticle Modulation of ABA and Genes Containing ABA-Responsive Cis-Elements to Promote Rice Drought Resistance.

Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO NPs) have enzyme-like properties and scavenge excess ROS induced by stressors such as drought. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which CeO NPs enhance drought resistance are unknown. In this work, both foliar application and soil injection of CeO NPs were used to rice seedlings under a 30 day moderate drought (40% soil relative moisture).

Climate change and wind energy potential in South America.

Wind energy is crucial in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and combating global warming. However, the economic viability of wind energy projects is tied to wind resources, which may be affected by climate change. The objective of this work is to investigate the evolution of wind energy resources in South America using the most up-to-date climate-change scenarios: the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways.

Nanowood: A Unique Natural Nanomaterial That Can Be Obtained Using Household Chemicals.

At the nanometer scale, electrolyte solutions behave differently compared to their bulk counterparts. This phenomenon forms the basis for the field of nanofluidics, which is dedicated to studying the transport of fluids within and around objects with dimensions of less than 100 nm. Despite the increasing importance of nanofluidics for a wide range of chemical and biochemical applications, the ability to study this field in undergraduate laboratories remains limited due to challenges associated with producing suitable nanoscale objects.

Global Environmental and Toxicological Data of Emerging Plasticizers: Current Knowledge, Regrettable Substitution Dilemma, Green Solution and Future Perspectives.

The global plasticizer market is projected to increase from $17 billion in 2022 to $22.5 billion in 2027. Various emerging/alternative plasticizers entered the market following the ban on several phthalate plasticizers because of their harmful effects.