Towards gene editing and torrefaction pretreatment for biochar functionalization.

The global demand for sustainable materials and carbon-neutral technologies drives innovations in biochar, a carbon-rich material for energy storage, pollution mitigation, and carbon sequestration. Conventional biochar, limited by poor conductivity and porosity, relies on fossil fuel-dependent activation. Recent advances in gene-editing technologies enable the precise reduction of lignin and enhance cellulose in woody biomass, improving its processability for biochar production.

Potential impact of microbial corrosion on torrefied biochar for solid biofuel utilization: A critical review.

Torrefied biochar, a promising solid biofuel produced via moderate thermal biomass processing, enhances energy density and hydrophobicity but remains vulnerable to microbial degradation under humid, warm storage conditions. This review explores the mechanisms and risks of microbial corrosion, emphasizing the roles of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes in biochar deterioration through enzymatic breakdown, acid production, and biofilm formation. Feedstock composition, particularly lignin and mineral content, and environmental parameters critically influence microbial activity.

Assessing the carbon footprint and environmental impact of bone hydrochar for arsenic remediation: A life cycle approach to hydrothermal waste recycling.

This study investigates the development of bone hydrochar via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and its potential for arsenic removal, with a comparative sustainability assessment against biochar and bone char. Bone hydrochar was synthesized at 180 °C using a 1:10 water-to-bone meal ratio for 1 and 2 h. Characterization revealed a decrease in CO content from 15 % to 8 % with increased HTC duration.

Influence of Bifurcation Morphology on Exercise-Induced PAH Deposition in the Lungs: A Computational Modeling Approach for Air Quality Research.

This study examines the influence of lung geometry, physical activity intensity, and aerosol concentration on the deposition efficiencies (DEs) of particulate matter with surface-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PM-) in human lung generations 3-6. Two-phase flows were effected in ANSYS 2020R2 platform using planar and orthogonal lung geometries, with two levels of physical activities, 4 metabolic equivalents (4 METs), and 8 METs. Aerosol concentrations of 0.

Exploring nanoparticles in lungs under COPD conditions for nanospray drug flow and deposition: CFD simulations and AI predictions.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) plays a heavy burden on individuals and the social health system, not only causing direct medical costs but also economic losses. Today, treatments for COPD include drugs, bronchodilators, and oxygen therapies. In these treatments, depositing drug particles within the bronchioles is quite critical.

Thermochemical conversion of grape marc into carbon-negative syngas.

The massive generation of waste from the food industry requires sustainable management strategies to mitigate its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, this study explored a sustainable approach by valorizing food waste into energy through pyrolysis. Grape marc (GM), a byproduct of the wine industry, was selected as the model (carbon) substrate.

Applications, life cycle assessment, and circular economy of bamboo torrefaction for sustainability: A state-of-the-art review.

This review comprehensively explores the characteristics and applications of torrefied bamboo. Bamboo has a high volatile matter (VM) content (73.9-93.

Longitudinal calcium imaging of BNST neurons in mice during optogenetic manipulation of paraventricular thalamus axon terminals.

Here, we present a protocol to study neural circuits between the paraventricular thalamus (PVA) and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) in mice by combining calcium imaging with optogenetic stimulation of axon terminals. We describe steps for delivering GCaMP6f and ChrimsonR viruses and implanting the gradient-index (GRIN) lens for use with an Inscopix microscope. We then detail procedures for single-neuron tracking over an extended period through longitudinal recording and data smoothing and processing to enhance analysis.

Fe-MOFs-derived FeO-doped biochar from waste chopsticks: a novel catalyst for tetrabromobisphenol a degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation.

Biochar production has emerged as a highly effective strategy for waste-to-resource conversion. In this study, biochar derived from waste chopsticks was doped with FeO using MIL-100 (Fe)-a metal-organic framework (MOF)-was synthesized at various pyrolysis temperatures and designated as FeO@BC. The catalyst was employed to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for the removal of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a widely used brominated flame retardant (BFR).

Comparison of toxic pyrogenic compounds derived from conventional cigarettes and heated tobacco products.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) have gained popularity as alternatives to conventional cigarettes (CCs). Nevertheless, assessing their health hazards remains challenging owing to variations in individual smoking habits. Thus, this study aimed to identify toxic compounds from simulated smoking conditions and evaluate their toxicity in humans.

Respiratory Rate Sensing for a Non-Stationary Human Assisted by Motion Detection.

Non-contact human respiration rate monitoring can be used for sleep apnea detection and home care. Typically, the human body does not remain stationary for long periods, and body movement can significantly affect the performance of non-contact respiratory monitoring. Because the breathing rate generally remains stable over short periods, using measurements from only a portion of the radar echo signals does not result in significant errors, and these errors will be smaller than those caused by body movement.

Retraction notice to "Highly operative NiO/ZnO nanocomposites for photocatalytic removal of azo dye"[Chemosphere 308 (2022) 136528].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal).

Retraction notice to "Modified poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanomembranes for dye removal from water - A review" [Chemosphere 322 (2023) 138152].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/policies/article-withdrawal).

Influence of UV wavelength variations on tetracycline adsorption by polyethylene microplastics in aquatic environments.

The effect of ultraviolet (UV) light on structural changes is a significant concern, particularly regarding the weathering and aging effects on microplastics (MPs). This research focused on examining how various UV light wavelengths (UVC, UVB, and UVA) influence the adsorption behavior of aged polyethylene (PE) MPs toward tetracycline (TC). To explore the adsorption mechanism in detail, adsorption kinetics were studied under different UV light wavelengths.

Comparative analysis of selected plastic pyrolysis and catalytic versus non-catalytic pyrolysis of polyethylene using artificial neural networks for oil production.

Research on plastic pollution is crucial, particularly with the recent emphasis on converting waste plastics into oil for sustainable energy. Very few studies have utilized artificial neural network (ANN) modeling for plastic thermal conversion, such as predicting fuel yield from mixed plastics and performing sensitivity analyses to identify which plastics produce more oil. Meanwhile, no study has conducted a comparative analysis of different models for catalytic and non-catalytic thermal conversion of various plastics, nor has a sensitivity analysis of process parameters using ANN for oil production.

Separate anterior paraventricular thalamus projections differentially regulate sensory and affective aspects of pain.

The experience of pain is complex, involving both sensory and affective components, yet the underlying neural mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that formalin-induced pain behaviors coincide with increased responses in glutamatergic neurons within the anterior paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVA). Furthermore, we describe non-overlapping subpopulations of PVAVgluT2 neurons involved in sensory and affective pain processing, whose activity varies across different pain states.

Enhancing the degradation of microplastics through combined KMnO oxidation and UV radiation.

The pervasive issue of microplastics in aquatic environments presents a formidable challenge to traditional water treatment methodologies, including those utilizing KMnO. This study pioneers advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) method aimed at improving the degradation of PE microplastics by employing a dual treatment strategy that combines KMnO oxidation with UV irradiation. Detailed analysis of the surface modifications and chemical functional groups of the treated PE microplastics revealed the establishment of Mn-O-Mn linkages on their surfaces.

Iron-based electrode material composites for electrochemical sensor application in the environment: A review.

This review explores the expanding role of electrochemical sensors across diverse domains such as environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and food quality assurance. In recent years, iron-based electrocatalysts have emerged as promising candidates for enhancing sensor performance. Notable for their non-toxicity, abundance, catalytic activity, and cost-effectiveness, these materials offer significant advantages.

Exploring the role of spinal astrocytes in the onset of hyperalgesic priming signals in acid-induced chronic muscle pain.

Hyperalgesic priming, a form of pain plasticity initiated by initial injury, leads to heightened sensitivity to subsequent noxious stimuli, contributing to chronic pain development in animals. While astrocytes play active roles in modulating synaptic transmission in various pain models, their specific involvement in hyperalgesic priming remains elusive. Here, we show that spinal astrocytes are essential for hyperalgesic priming formation in a mouse model of acid-induced muscle pain.

Magnetic raspberry-like CuCo nanoalloy-embedded carbon as an enhanced activator of Oxone to degrade azo contaminant: Cu-induced hollowed structure and boosted activities.

Azo compounds, particularly azo dyes, are widely used but pose significant environmental risks due to their persistence and potential to form carcinogenic by-products. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective in degrading these stubborn compounds, with Oxone activation being a particularly promising method. In this study, a unique nanohybrid material, raspberry-like CuCo alloy embedded carbon (RCCC), is facilely fabricated using CuCo-glycerate (Gly) as a template.

Self-Assembled MXene Supported on Carbonization-Free Wood for a Symmetrical All-Wood Eco-Supercapacitor.

As an emerging two-dimensional (2D) material, MXene has garnered significant interest in advanced energy storage systems, yet the stackable structure, poor mechanical stability, and lack of moldability limit its large-scale applications. To address this challenge, herein, the self-assembly of MXene on carbonization-free wood was obtained to serve as high-performance electrodes for symmetrical all-wood eco-supercapacitors by a steam-driven self-assembly method. This method can be implemented in a low-temperature environment, significantly simplifying traditional high-temperature annealing processes and generating minimal impact on the environment, human health, and resource consumption.

Surgical Outcomes of Pancreatic Solid Pseudopapillary Neoplasm: Experiences of 24 Patients in a Single Institute.

: The pancreatic solid pseudopapillary neoplasm (SPN), a rare tumor predominantly affecting young women, has seen an increased incidence due to improved imaging and epidemiological knowledge. This study aimed to understand the outcomes of different interventions, possible complications, and associated risk factors. : This study retrospectively analyzed 24 patients who underwent pancreatic surgery for SPNs between September 1998 and July 2020.