Inactivation Kinetics of Alicylobacillus acidoterrestris Spores and Determination of Spore Germicidal Fluences Under UV-C Treatment.

The aim of this study is to measure the UV-C inactivation kinetics and determine the fluences required for incremental inactivation of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris (AAT). Spores from five strains of AAT (ATCC 49025, DSM 2498, VF, SAC, and WAC) were suspended in clear phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and individually treated with UV-C doses up to 100 mJ/cm. A collimated beam device emitting UV-C at 254 nm (from a monochromatic low-pressure mercury lamp [LPM]) and at 268 nm (from UV light-emitting diodes [UV-LEDs]) was used for UV treatments.

Clamworm bioturbation reduces mercury methylation through alteration of methylator composition in sediment.

Coastal sediment has been recognized as a hotspot of mercury (Hg) methylation and acts as an important reservoir for Hg-methylating microbes. The bioturbation behaviors of benthic organisms can significantly influence sediment properties and potentially affect the mobility and availability of contaminants within the sediment. However, the effects of bioturbation on Hg speciation and disposition in sediment have not been well addressed.

Heterogeneous variations on historical of mercury, dioxins, and CO emissions from medical waste incineration process in China: Emission inventory, driving factors, and the impact of COVID-19.

Medical waste incineration (MWI) is one of the important sources of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), threatening the triple planetary environmental crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution. Utilizing the EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory and the IPCC 2006 guidelines, this study develops a comprehensive inventory of anthropogenic mercury (Hg), dioxins (PCDD/Fs), and CO₂ emissions from the MWI process in China among 2014-2023, employing a bottom-up approach at the plant level. The findings indicate that national MWI emissions of Hg, PCDD/Fs, and CO₂ increased by 1.

Simultaneous analysis of sulfur and mercury occurrence forms in coal by sequential chemical extraction procedures combined with plasma low-temperature ashing and their correlation study.

Sulfur and mercury are two pollution elements with affinity, and their correlation studies are crucial for understanding their migration, transformation, and directional regulation during coal thermal conversion. Studies on the correlation between sulfur and mercury in coal have been inconsistent, so it is necessary to classify the occurrence forms of sulfur and mercury in coal simultaneously and study the correlation between the same form of sulfur and mercury. The sequential chemical extraction procedures (SCEPs) combined with plasma low-temperature ashing (PLTA) have obvious advantages in simultaneous analysis of the occurrence forms of sulfur and mercury in coal containing fine-grained pyrite.

The role of prokaryotic mercury methylators and demethylators in Canadian Arctic thermokarst lakes.

Permafrost soils are critical reservoirs for mercury (Hg), with the thawing process leading to the release of this element into the environment, posing significant environmental risks. Of particular concern is the methylated form of mercury, monomethylmercury (MMHg), known for its adverse effects on Human health. Microbial communities play a pivotal role in the formation of MMHg by facilitating Hg methylation and in the demethylation of MMHg, slowing the crossing of toxic threshold concentration in the environment.

Hematological Parameters and Mercury Exposure in Children Living Along Gold-Mining-Impacted Rivers in the Mojana Region, Colombia.

Mercury (Hg) exposure is a key determinant of human health, arising from environmental, occupational, and domestic sources, as well as the consumption of contaminated food, particularly fish. Due to their developmental stage and heightened susceptibility, children are especially vulnerable. This study evaluated Hg contamination in a high-risk pediatric population affected by local economic activities such as small-scale gold mining, agriculture, and fishing.

Does mercury biomagnification in a boreal lake food web vary year-round? - A comparison using bulk δN and compound-specific δN of amino acids.

Seasonality characterises northern latitude lakes, however, limited knowledge exists regarding seasonal fluctuations in mercury (Hg) biomagnification. This study tested for these fluctuations year-round in the food web of a boreal humic lake (Lake Pääjärvi, in southern Finland) and for differences between two methods of trophic level (TL) determination. A food web sample was collected in three open-water seasons and one ice-covered season.

Mercury removal mechanism of brominated high-sulfur petroleum coke: Experimental and DFT study.

Reaction interface structures of mechanochemical bromine modified high-sulfur petroleum coke (HSPC) as amorphous carbon are critical for Hg removal with SO. This study first found low concentrations of SO promote mercury removal while high concentrations do not inhibit it. To distinguish benzene ring skeleton and epitaxial active edges, according to XPS analysis, two new edge models with thiophene were proposed, followed by corresponding defective structures.

Does mercury affect morphology, developmental stability and canalization of the skull in the Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis)?

Environmental pollution by metals and metalloids can have a detrimental effect on the fitness and development of organisms. Studies on the influence of metals and metalloids as environmental stressors on developmentally and functionally complex morphological structures of reptiles are important, as this group of vertebrates is highly threatened and is an important component of food webs. To assess the effects of chronic mercury exposure on cranium morphology and post-natal development in a model species of lizards, we analysed the concentration of this metal in liver tissues in the population of the Common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) from the mercury mine tailings and the control population, and possible differences in skull size, shape, developmental stability and canalization between the two groups.

Mercury accumulation in urban forest leaves: Dynamics, driving factors, and potential economic value.

Urban forests play a vital role in mitigating mercury pollution, primarily through mercury accumulation in leaves. However, the dynamics of this accumulation and its economic implications are not well understood. This study examines mercury sequestration in urban forest leaves across the growing season in Changchun, a major industrial city in northeast China.

Bimetallic Pt-Ni nanoparticles with enhanced oxidase like activity for Hg detection in water.

Background: Hg has highly sulfur affinity which was harmful to human health. Noble metal nanomaterials with peroxide-like activity have been widely exploited to develop ultra-sensitive Hg colorimetric detection methods. Unfortunately, using large quantities of HO in these approaches lowered the catalytic activity's high stability, which made the detection signal less reproducible.

Elevated mercury wet deposition in the biodiversity hotspot of southwestern China.

The West China Rain Zone (WCRZ), one of worldwide biodiversity hotspots, is vulnerable to pollutant exposure. Mercury (Hg), as a global toxic pollutant, could enter into this ecosystem by wet and dry deposition, potentially posing ecological risks. Therefore, it is essential to investigate the patterns, controlling factors, and source contributions of Hg deposition in this region.

Electrospun Polyvinyl Chloride/UiO-66(COOH) Nanocomposite Membranes for Efficient and Rapid Heavy Metal Removal.

This study explores the effectiveness of a new composite membrane fabricated from poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) and the UiO-66(COOH) metal-organic framework (MOF) for the removal of heavy metals from water. The electrospinning technique was successfully employed to homogeneously incorporate UiO-66(COOH) nanocrystals into PVC, producing fibrous composite membranes. The membranes were fully characterized using several techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), capillary flow porometry, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and tensile strength analysis.

Association between prenatal exposure to maternal metal and trace elements and Streptococcus infection: A prospective birth cohort in the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Background: Streptococcus infection is a common and potentially severe bacterial infection which remains a global public health challenge, underscoring the necessity of investigating potential risk factors.

Aims: The present study aims to assess the association between metal and trace element exposure and Streptococcus infection using a prospective nationwide birth cohort, the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS).

Methods: The JECS obtained data from over 100,000 pregnancies through 15 Regional Centres across Japan.

Clinical evaluation of the iHealth BP7 wrist blood pressure monitor in general population according to the ISO 81060-2:2018/Amd 1:2020.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of the iHealth BP7 wrist blood pressure (BP) monitor for clinical use and self-measurement in general population according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 81060-2:2018/Amendment (Amd) 1:2020 protocol.

Methods: Same arm BP was sequentially measured in 95 qualified participants and compared with a standard mercury sphygmomanometer. A total of 285 comparison pairs were obtained and analyzed according to the ISO 81060-2:2018/Amd 1:2020.

Validation of the CONTEC08A upper-arm blood pressure monitor in adult Chinese.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the CONTEC08A oscillometric upper-arm blood pressure (BP) monitor for BP measurement in adults according to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 81060-2:2018 and amendment (Amd)1:2020 standard.

Methods: Eighty-five subjects (male 40 and female 45) were recruited to fulfill the age, sex, BP, and cuff distribution criteria of the ISO standard in the general population, and had a mean age of 40.2 years.

A closer look into the structure and magnetism of the recently fallen meteorite Ribbeck.

Meteorites are a unique source of geological information about our early Solar System and the difference between planets and asteroids. In this study, meteorite Ribbeck (2024 BX1, SAR 2736) from the recently fallen asteroid (21.01.

Imaging and measuring of oxygen flux produced by disproportionation of hydrogen peroxide by immobilized catalase with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).

The immobilization of catalase, with the formation of protein deposits with maintained activity and a homogeneous distribution of active sites, is crucial for neutralizing reactive oxygen species in biological and industrial applications. Thus, mapping the spatial distribution of activity towards hydrogen peroxide decomposition is essential for validating immobilization procedures and analyzing heterogeneous activity. For imaging the activity of immobilized catalase, we propose the use of mercury deposited on platinum (Hg@Pt) and mercury-gold amalgam microelectrodes as tips for scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM).

Archeometric detection of mercury: A paleopharmacological case study of skeletal remains of a child with vitamin deficiencies (Rouen, France, late 18-19th centuries).

Objective: The French medico-historical literature reports the common use of mercury-based treatments until the mid-19th century. An exploratory paleopharmacological approach is presented for detecting mercury in a child's skeletal remains suffering from vitamin deficiencies. This aims to corroborate written sources and provide a way to better understand disease therapeutic management.

Air-Stable Mid-Infrared Sensitive Cation-Exchanged Silver-Doped Mercury Telluride Nanocrystal.

We present an air-stable mid-infrared (mid-IR) Ag-doped HgTe (Ag-HgTe) colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) synthesized by a newly developed cation-exchange (CE) method in solution phase and mid-IR diode sensors fabricated with the as-synthesized Ag-HgTe quantum dots (QDs). The cation-exchanged p-doped Ag-HgTe CQDs are used for the p-n junction formation with a n-doped HgTe CQDs. Surprisingly, the Ag-HgTe CQDs sustain the optical and physical properties in the colloidal phase under ambient conditions for 900 days.

The role of seabird foraging strategies on the uptake of mercury: A case study using gulls and shearwaters from the Portuguese coast.

Mercury (Hg) is a non-essential element that bioaccumulates and biomagnifies in food webs through site-specific biogeochemical processes. Seabirds are valuable bioindicators of Hg contamination, yet certain regions, like the Portuguese coast, remain underrepresented. This study measured Hg concentrations in the blood of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis), Audouin's gulls (Ichthyaetus audouinii), and Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis) breeding along the Portuguese coastline.

Synergistic Effect of Microbial-Induced Carbonate Precipitation Modified with Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose on Improving Loess Disintegration and Seepage Resistance.

Microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) is an eco-friendly soil stabilization technique. This study explores the synergistic effects of incorporating hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) into the MICP process to enhance the disintegration and seepage resistance of loess. A series of disintegration, seepage, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) tests were conducted.

Enrichment, Isolation and Characterization of Heavy Metal-Tolerant Bacteria from Polar Lacustrine Sediments.

Polar areas are not exempt from anthropogenic pollution. Heavy metals have been detected in Arctic and Antarctic lakes. Bacteria, at the base of the food web, can possess the ability to adsorb or immobilize heavy metals in the environment and reduce their concentration in the water column.

Assessment of Cerebral Hemodynamic Changes During Roll-Over Test in Healthy Pregnant Women and Those with Mild and Severe Preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) and eclampsia are characterized by changes in cerebral hemodynamics, which may result in serious and even life-threatening neurological complications. The aim of the present work was to compare cerebral hemodynamic changes during the roll-over test in women with mild and severe PE. Healthy pregnant and PE women in their third trimester were studied.

Effect of Early Curing Experiences on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of ECO-UHPC Prepared by Gold Tailings Sand.

Fine gold tailings particles generated from gold mining and refining have the potential to replace high-cost quartz sand in the preparation of economical ultra-high-performance concrete (ECO-UHPC) due to their large stockpiles, low cost, and elimination of grinding. In this study, ECO-UHPC was prepared by substituting quartz sand with gold tailing sand (GTS) at substitution rates of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The mechanical properties of ECO-UHPC, including its cubic compressive strength, elastic modulus, and prismatic compressive strength, as well as its leaching toxicity, were experimentally analyzed under various early curing experiences such as ambient-water curing (WC), hot-water curing (HWC), hot-air curing (HAC), and combined curing (CC).