Biochar-enhanced anaerobic mixed culture for biodegradation of 1,2-dichloroethane: Microbial community, mechanisms, and techno-economics.

While anaerobic digestion (AD) has been employed for the degradation of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons, the associated digester performance might suffer from volatile fatty acids accumulation, insufficient substrate-microbes interaction, and lower biogas yields. To overcome these limitations, this study is the first to augment the hydrocarbon-degrading microbial capacities by adding agricultural waste-based biochar to the digestion medium. 1,2-dichloroethane (1,2-DCA) was selected as the target pollutant because it is discharged in large quantities from oil refining, petrochemical, and chemical industries, causing serious environmental and human health concerns. A multi-chamber anaerobic reactor (MAR) was operated at a 1,2-DCA loading rate of 1.13 g/L/d, glucose dosage (as an electron donor) range of 200-700 mg/L, and hydraulic retention time of 11.2 h, giving dechlorination = 32.2 ± 6.9% and biogas yield = 210 ± 30 mL/g CODremoved. These values increased after biochar supplementation (100 mg/g volatile solids, VS, as an inoculum carrier) up to 60.2 ± 11.5% and 290 ± 40 mL/g CODremoved, respectively, owing to the enhancement of dehydrogenase enzyme activities. Burkholderiales (15.3%), Clostridiales (2.3%), Bacteroidales (3.5%), Xanthomonadales (3.3%), and Rhodobacterales (6.1%) involved in 1,2-DCA degradation were dominant in the reactor supplemented with biochar. It's suggested that biochar played a major role in facilitating the direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) between syntrophic bacteria and methanogens, where chloride, ethylene glycol, and acetate derived from 1,2-DCA dechlorination could be further used to promote methanogenesis and methane production. The synergetic effect of adsorption and dechlorination towards 1,2-DCA removal was validated at various biochar dosages (50-120 mg/g) and 1,2-DCA concentrations (50-1000 mg/L). The techno-economic results showed that the cost of treating 1,2-DCA-laden discharge (100 m3/d) by the MAR module could be 0.83 USD/m3 with a payback period of 6.24 years (NPV = 2840 USD and IRR = 10%), retrieving profits from pollution reduction (9542 USD/yr), biogas selling (10418 USD/yr), and carbon credit (10294 USD/yr).

Advancing sustainable water treatment strategies: harnessing magnetite-based photocatalysts and techno-economic analysis for enhanced wastewater management in the context of SDGs.

Herein, we explore the holistic integration of magnetite-based photocatalysts and techno-economic analysis (TEA) as a sustainable approach in wastewater treatment aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While considerable attention has been devoted to photocatalytic dye degradation, the nexus between these processes and techno-economic considerations remains relatively unexplored. The review comprehensively examines the fundamental characteristics of magnetite-based photocatalysts, encompassing synthesis methods, composition, and unique properties. It investigates their efficacy in photocatalytic degradation, addressing homogeneous and heterogeneous aspects while discussing strategies to optimize photodegradation efficiency, including curbing electron-hole recombination and mitigating scavenging effects and interference by ions and humic acid. Moreover, the management aspects of magnetite-based photocatalysts are examined, focusing on their reusability and regeneration post-dye removal, along with the potential for reusing treated wastewater in relevant industrial applications. From a techno-economic perspective, the study evaluates the financial feasibility of deploying magnetite-based photocatalysts in wastewater treatment, correlating reduced pollution and the marketing of treated water with social, economic, and environmental objectives. By advocating the integration of magnetite-based photocatalysts and TEA, this paper contributes insights into scalable and profitable sustainable wastewater treatment practices. It underscores the alignment of these practices with SDGs, emphasizing a comprehensive and holistic approach to managing wastewater in ways that meet environmental, economic, and societal objectives.

Artificial intelligence-enabled optimization of Fe/Zn@biochar photocatalyst for 2,6-dichlorophenol removal from petrochemical wastewater: A techno-economic perspective.

While numerous studies have addressed the photocatalytic degradation of 2,6-dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) in wastewater, an existing research gap pertains to operational factors' optimization by non-linear prediction models to ensure a cost-effective and sustainable process. Herein, we focus on optimizing the photocatalytic degradation of 2,6-DCP using artificial intelligence modeling, aiming at minimizing initial capital outlay and ongoing operational expenses. Hence, Fe/Zn@biochar, a novel material, was synthesized, characterized, and applied to harness the dual capabilities of 2,6-DCP adsorption and degradation. Fe/Zn@biochar exhibited an adsorption energy of -21.858 kJ/mol, effectively capturing the 2,6-DCP molecules. This catalyst accumulated photo-excited electrons, which, upon interaction with adsorbed oxygen and/or dissolved oxygen generated •O2-. The •OH radicals could also be produced from h+ in the Fe/Zn@biochar valence band, cleaving the C-Cl bonds to Cl- ions, dechlorinated byproducts, and phenols. An artificial neural network (ANN) model, with a 4-10-1 topology, "trainlm" training function, and feed-forward back-propagation algorithm, was developed to predict the 2,6-DCP removal efficiency. The ANN prediction accuracy was expressed as R2 = 0.967 and mean squared error = 5.56e-22. The ANN-based optimized condition depicted that over 90% of 2,6-DCP could be eliminated under C0 = 130 mg/L, pH = 2.74, and catalyst dosage = 168 mg/L within ∼4 h. This optimum condition corresponded to a total cost of $7.70/m3, which was cheaper than the price estimated from the unoptimized photocatalytic system by 16%. Hence, the proposed ANN could be employed to enhance the 2,6-DCP photocatalytic degradation process with reduced operational expenses, providing practical and cost-effective solutions for petrochemical wastewater treatment.

Utilizing Undissolved Portion (UNP) of Cement Kiln Dust as a Versatile Multicomponent Catalyst for Bioethylene Production from Bioethanol: An Innovative Approach to Address the Energy Crisis.

This study focuses on upcycling cement kiln dust (CKD) as an industrial waste by utilizing the undissolved portion (UNP) as a multicomponent catalyst for bioethylene production from bioethanol, offering an environmentally sustainable solution. To maximize UNP utilization, CKD was dissolved in nitric acid, followed by calcination at 500 °C for 3 h in an oxygen atmosphere. Various characterization techniques confirmed that UNP comprises five different compounds with nanocrystalline particles exhibiting an average crystal size of 47.53 nm. The UNP catalyst exhibited a promising bioethylene yield (77.1%) and selectivity (92%) at 400 °C, showcasing its effectiveness in converting bioethanol to bioethylene with outstanding properties. This exceptional performance can be attributed to its distinctive structural characteristics, including a high surface area and multiple-strength acidic sites that facilitate the reaction mechanism. Moreover, the UNP catalyst displayed remarkable stability and durability, positioning it as a strong candidate for industrial applications in bioethylene production. This research underscores the importance of waste reduction in the cement industry and offers a sustainable path toward a greener future.

Dual phytoremediation and biochar production by Eichhornia crassipes in hydroponic system receiving different 1,4-dioxane dosages.

This study focuses on applying phytoremediation as a low-effective and simple process to treat wastewater laden with 1,4 dioxane (DIOX). A floating macrophyte (Eichhornia crassipes) was cultivated under hydroponic conditions (relative humidity 50-67%, photoperiod cycle 18:6 h light/dark, and 28-33 °C) and subjected to different DIOX loads between 0.0 (control) and 11.5 mg/g fresh mass (FM). The aquatic plant achieved DIOX and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies of 76-96% and 67-94%, respectively, within 15 days. E. crassipes could tolerate elevated DIOX-associated stresses until a dose of 8.2 mg DIOX/g, which highly influenced the oxidative defense system. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and total phenolic compounds (TPC) increased by 7.3, 8.4, and 4.5-times, respectively, in response to operating the phytoremediation unit at a DIOX load of 11.5 mg/g. The associated succulent value, proteins, chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and pigments dropped by 39.6%, 45.8%, 51.5%, 80.8%, and 55.5%, respectively. The suggested removal mechanism of DIOX by E. crassipes could be uptake followed by phytovolatilization, whereas direct photodegradation from sunlight contributed to about 19.36% of the total DIOX removal efficiencies. Recycling the exhausted E. crassipes for biochar production was a cost-efficient strategy, making the payback period of the phytoremediation project equals to 6.96 yr.

Eichhornia crassipes could be used in phytoremediation of 1,4 dioxane (DIOX)-laden water at DIOX load< 8.2 mg/g FM. E. crassipes removed 77­97% DIOX via uptake and phytovolatilization. Recycling exhausted-plant to produce biochar was cost-efficient with 7 yr-payback period.

Enhanced synergistic system for the persulfate activation under visible light using novel N-ZnO photocatalyst supported on Lantana camara-based biochar.

Herein, a novel nitrogen-doped ZnO photocatalyst supported on biochar (N-ZnO@LBC) was synthesized using the Lantana camera as a green source of biochar. The synthesized photocatalyst was applied as an activator of persulfate (PS) for the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) under visible light irradiation. The properties of the synthesized photocatalyst were explored before and after photocatalysis using different characterization analyses. The results revealed that the nitrogen doping of ZnO@LBC could reduce the band gap energy from 2.83 eV to 2.78 eV resulting in higher activity under visible light. The synergetic effect of the N-ZnO@LBC/PS/visible process was investigated under various reaction conditions. Surprisingly, about 95.7% of MB photodegradation could be achieved using N-ZnO@LBC/PS/visible process under optimal conditions. Moreover, a prediction model with an excellent correlation between the actual and predicted data (R2 = 0.9844) was established to forecast MB removal. Interestingly, the scavenging tests exhibited that various reactive species could induce MB degradation in an order of O2-• > h+ > SO4-• >•OH with the highest contribution of O2-•. Additionally, the presence of functional hydroxyl groups in the N-ZnO@LBC structure could lead to the generation of additional radicals as confirmed by FT-IR analysis after photocatalysis. The reusability test showed that the photocatalyst could be reused for up to five cycles without a significant loss in the photocatalytic activity indicating its high stability. The cost of wastewater treatment by N-ZnO@LBC/PS/Visible process was estimated to be US$ 9.79/m3 based on an economic analysis. It worth mentioning that the proposed process was investigated for the degradation of other dyes including Congo red (CR) and methyl orange (MO) and the efficiencies were 65.41% and 59.23% for CR and MO, respectively. Overall, the proposed process could be a promising and cost-effective approach for the degradation of various dyes in real applications.

Circularized Nanodiscs for Multivalent Mosaic Display of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Antigens.

The emergence of vaccine-evading SARS-CoV-2 variants urges the need for vaccines that elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). Here, we assess covalently circularized nanodiscs decorated with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins from several variants for eliciting bnAbs with vaccination. Cobalt porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP) was incorporated into the nanodisc to allow for anchoring and functional orientation of spike trimers on the nanodisc surface through their His-tag. Monophosphoryl-lipid (MPLA) and QS-21 were incorporated as immunostimulatory adjuvants to enhance vaccine responses. Following optimization of nanodisc assembly, spike proteins were effectively displayed on the surface of the nanodiscs and maintained their conformational capacity for binding with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) as verified using electron microscopy and slot blot assay, respectively. Six different formulations were prepared where they contained mono antigens; four from the year 2020 (WT, Beta, Lambda, and Delta) and two from the year 2021 (Omicron BA.1 and BA.2). Additionally, we prepared a mosaic nanodisc displaying the four spike proteins from year 2020. Intramuscular vaccination of CD-1 female mice with the mosaic nanodisc induced antibody responses that not only neutralized matched pseudo-typed viruses, but also neutralized mismatched pseudo-typed viruses corresponding to later variants from year 2021 (Omicron BA.1 and BA.2). Interestingly, sera from mosaic-immunized mice did not effectively inhibit Omicron spike binding to human ACE-2, suggesting that some of the elicited antibodies were directed towards conserved neutralizing epitopes outside the receptor binding domain. Our results show that mosaic nanodisc vaccine displaying spike proteins from 2020 can elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies that can neutralize mismatched viruses from a following year, thus decreasing immune evasion of new emerging variants and enhancing healthcare preparedness.

Retention and recycling of granules in continuous flow-through system to accomplish denitrification and perchlorate reduction.

This study employed a completely anoxic reactor and a gravity-settling design for continuously capturing and separating granules from flocculated biomass, and recycling granules back to the main reactor. The average chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in the reactor was 98%. Average nitrate (NO3--N) and perchlorate (ClO4-) removal efficiencies of 99% and 74 ± 19% were observed, respectively. Preferential utilization of NO3- over ClO4- led to COD limiting conditions, which resulted in ClO4- in the effluent. The average granule diameter in continuous flow-through bubble-column (CFB) anoxic granular sludge (AxGS) bioreactor was 6325 ± 2434 µm, and the average SVI30/SVI1 was >90 % throughout its operation. 16s rDNA amplicon sequencing revealed Proteobacteria (68.53%-88.57%) and Dechloromonas (10.46%-54.77%) to be the most abundant phylum and the genus present in reactor sludge representing the denitrifying and ClO4- reducing microbial community. This work represents a pioneering development of CFB-AxGS bioreactor.

High-Throughput/High Content Imaging Screen Identifies Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors and Immunoproteasomes as Therapeutic Targets for Chordoma.

Chordomas account for approximately 1-4% of all malignant bone tumors and 20% of primary tumors of the spinal column. It is a rare disease, with an incidence estimated to be approximately 1 per 1,000,000 people. The underlying causative mechanism of chordoma is unknown, which makes it challenging to treat. Chordomas have been linked to the T-box transcription factor T (TBXT) gene located on chromosome 6. The TBXT gene encodes a protein transcription factor TBXT, or brachyury homolog. Currently, there is no approved targeted therapy for chordoma. Here, we performed a small molecule screening to identify small chemical molecules and therapeutic targets for treating chordoma. We screened 3730 unique compounds and selected 50 potential hits. The top three hits were Ribociclib, Ingenol-3-angelate, and Duvelisib. Among the top 10 hits, we found a novel class of small molecules, including proteasomal inhibitors, as promising molecules that reduce the proliferation of human chordoma cells. Furthermore, we discovered that proteasomal subunits PSMB5 and PSMB8 are increased in human chordoma cell lines U-CH1 and U-CH2, confirming that the proteasome may serve as a molecular target whose specific inhibition may lead to better therapeutic strategies for chordoma.

Serial image interpretation tasks improve accuracy and increase confidence in Level 1 echocardiography reporting: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Focused echocardiography is increasingly used in acute and emergency care, with point-of-care ultrasound integrated into several specialist training curricula (e.g. Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Critical Care). Multiple accreditation pathways support development of this skill but there is scant empirical evidence to inform selection of teaching methods, accreditation requirements or quality assurance of education in focussed echocardiography. It has also been noted that access to in-person teaching can be a barrier to completing accreditation programmes, and that this may affect learners disproportionately depending on the location or nature of their institution. The purpose of the study was to determine whether serial image interpretation tasks as a distinct learning tool improved novice echocardiographers' ability to accurately identify potentially life-threatening pathology from focused scans. We also aimed to describe the relationship between accuracy of reporting and participants' confidence in those reports, and to assess users' satisfaction with a learning pathway that could potentially be delivered remotely. METHODS: 27 participants from a variety of healthcare roles completed a program of remote lectures and 2 in-person study days. During the program they undertook 4 'packets' of 10 focused echocardiography reporting tasks (total = 40) based on images from a standardised dataset. Participants were randomized to view the scans in varying orders. Reporting accuracy was compared with consensus reports from a panel of expert echocardiographers, and participants self-reported confidence in their image interpretation and their satisfaction with the learning experience. RESULTS: There was a stepwise improvement in reporting accuracy with each set of images reported, from an average reporting score of 66% for the 1st packet to 78% for the 4th packet. Participants felt more confident in identifying common life-threatening pathologies as they reported more echocardiograms. The correlation between report accuracy and confidence in the report was weak and did not increase during the study (rs = 0.394 for the 1st packet, rs = 0.321 for the 4th packet). Attrition during the study related primarily to logistical issues. There were high levels of satisfaction amongst participants, with most reporting that they would use and / or recommend a similar teaching package to colleagues. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare professionals undertaking remote training with recorded lectures, followed by multiple reporting tasks were capable of interpreting focused echocardiograms. Reporting accuracy and confidence in identifying life-threatening pathology increased with the number of scans interpreted. The correlation between accuracy and confidence for any given report was weak (and this relationship should be explored further given the potential safety considerations). All components of this package could be delivered via distance learning to enhance the flexibility of echocardiography education.

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water environment: A review on toxicity, microbial biodegradation, systematic biological advancements, and environmental fate.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are considered a major class of organic contaminants or pollutants, which are poisonous, mutagenic, genotoxic, and/or carcinogenic. Due to their ubiquitous occurrence and recalcitrance, PAHs-related pollution possesses significant public health and environmental concerns. Increasing the understanding of PAHs' negative impacts on ecosystems and human health has encouraged more researchers to focus on eliminating these pollutants from the environment. Nutrients available in the aqueous phase, the amount and type of microbes in the culture, and the PAHs' nature and molecular characteristics are the common factors influencing the microbial breakdown of PAHs. In recent decades, microbial community analyses, biochemical pathways, enzyme systems, gene organization, and genetic regulation related to PAH degradation have been intensively researched. Although xenobiotic-degrading microbes have a lot of potential for restoring the damaged ecosystems in a cost-effective and efficient manner, their role and strength to eliminate the refractory PAH compounds using innovative technologies are still to be explored. Recent analytical biochemistry and genetically engineered technologies have aided in improving the effectiveness of PAHs' breakdown by microorganisms, creating and developing advanced bioremediation techniques. Optimizing the key characteristics like the adsorption, bioavailability, and mass transfer of PAH boosts the microorganisms' bioremediation performance, especially in the natural aquatic water bodies. This review's primary goal is to provide an understanding of recent information about how PAHs are degraded and/or transformed in the aquatic environment by halophilic archaea, bacteria, algae, and fungi. Furthermore, the removal mechanisms of PAH in the marine/aquatic environment are discussed in terms of the recent systemic advancements in microbial degradation methodologies. The review outputs would assist in facilitating the development of new insights into PAH bioremediation.

Treatment of hazardous landfill leachate containing 1,4 dioxane by biochar-based photocatalysts in a solar photo-oxidation reactor.

This study investigates a combined photocatalytic and adsorption system to maximize the removal of 1,4 dioxane from hazardous landfill leachate (HLL). The production of transformation products was also investigated to obtain a comprehensive evaluation of the treatment system. Copper/iron doped zinc oxide (Cu-Fe-ZnO) was introduced to biochar to form a hybrid materials and used to treat HLL contaminated with 1,4 dioxane of 355.0 ± 11.7 mg/L. The Cu-Fe-ZnO/biochar removed 93.1 ± 8.7% of 1,4 dioxane at a dose of 0.6 g/L within 90 min, as compared with only 42.7 ± 3.3% by 1.2 g/L of bare biochar within 210 min. The Cu-Fe-ZnO/biochar degraded 1,4 dioxane into ethylene glycol, glycolic acid, and formic acid. The 1,4 dioxane removal mechanisms were investigated using the density functional theory, demonstrating that doping of ZnO with metal atoms (Cu-Fe) narrowed the bandgap from 3.307 eV to 2.736 eV. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of ZnO was also supported by the role of biochar in increasing the reactive species and adsorbing the pollutant molecules. The high degradation efficiency of 1,4 dioxane using small catalyst doses with short reaction times would reduce the treatment cost and improve the system's applicability for treating HLL and industrial effluents.

Engineered nanomedicines to overcome resistance of pancreatic cancer to immunotherapy.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignant type of cancer. Although immunotherapy has been successfully used for treatment of many cancer types, many challenges limit its success in PC. Therefore, nanomedicines were engineered to enhance the responsiveness of PC cells to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). In this review, we highlight recent advances in engineering nanomedicines to overcome PC immune resistance. Nanomedicines were used to increase the immunogenicity of PC cells, inactivate stromal cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), enhance the antigen-presenting capacity of dendritic cells (DCs), reverse the highly immunosuppressive nature of the tumor microenvironment (TME), and, hence, improve the infiltration of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), resulting in efficient antitumor immune responses.

Synergistic effects of paper mill sludge and sulfonated graphene catalyst for maximizing bio-hydrogen harvesting from sugarcane bagasse de-polymerization.

In this study, hydrogen harvesting from fermentation of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) was promoted by maintaining synergism between sulfonated graphene (SGR) catalyst and paper mill sludge (PMS). The sulfonic acid (-SO3H) groups in the catalyst played a major role in destructing the ß-1,4 glycosidic bonds of sugarcane bagasse, releasing readily biodegradable sugars into the fermentation medium. The cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin conversion efficiency were improved by 127.5%, 495.0%, and 109.2%, respectively with 20 mgSGR/gVS catalyst addition, compared with the control samples. These values were also higher than those obtained by non-sulfonated graphene catalyst. The hydrogenation of sugarcane bagasse was maximized at a sulfonated graphene catalyst dosage of 60 mgSGR/gVS, providing the highest hydrogen harvesting of 4104 ± 321 mL. This was associated with an increase of the Proteobacteria phyla up to 52.0%, Firmicutes phyla to 13.9%, and Acinetobacter sp. to 39.8% compared with only 37.0%, 11.3% and 11.1% in the control assay respectively. Moreover, sulfonated graphene catalyst supplementation promoted the acetate fermentation reaction pathway by increasing the acetate/butyrate ratio up to 4.1. Nevertheless, elevating the catalyst dosage up to 120 mgSGR/gVS reduced the hydrogen harvesting (1190 ± 92 mL) due to the release of furfural (1.76 ± 0.02 g/L) in the fermentation cultures, deteriorating the microbes' internal composition and metabolism bioactivities. Finally maximizing the hydrogen productivity from sugarcane bagasse is feasible by incorporation of paper mill sludge and sulfonated graphene catalyst at dosage not exceeding 60 mgSGR/gVS. However, investigating the recyclability and disposal of digestate containing sulfonated graphene catalyst and the associated economic feasibility needs more attention in the future.

Promise of Real-World Evidence for Patient Centricity in Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: Call to Action.

Presently, Gulf Cooperation Council countries are lagging in the generation of real-world data and use of real-world evidence for patient-centered care compared with the global average. In a collaborative effort, experts from multiple domains of the healthcare environment from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries came together to present their views and recommended key action points for the generation of robust real-world data and leveraging real-world evidence in the countries. The opinions of the experts are presented, along with existing barriers to the effective generation of real-world evidence in the countries. The Gulf Cooperation Council countries are undergoing transformative changes paving the way for improved healthcare measures; however, the challenges in generating reliable, robust, accessible, and secure real-world evidence are persistent. Hence, ongoing public-private engagements, as well as collaborations between regulators, policymakers, healthcare professionals, insurance and pharmaceutical companies, and patients, are warranted. A few notable examples of real-world evidence studies highlighting the benefits of real-world evidence for gaining valuable insights into patient-centric decision making are also discussed. The actionable steps identified for successful real-world evidence generation would provide long-term, real-world evidence-based patient-centric benefits for the countries.

Mg-O-F Nanocomposite Catalysts Defend against Global Warming via the Efficient, Dynamic, and Rapid Capture of CO2 at Different Temperatures under Ambient Pressure.

The utilization of Mg-O-F prepared from Mg(OH)2 mixed with different wt % of F in the form of (NH4F·HF), calcined at 400 and 500 °C, for efficient capture of CO2 is studied herein in a dynamic mode. Two different temperatures were applied using a slow rate of 20 mL·min-1 (100%) of CO2 passing through each sample for only 1 h. Using the thermogravimetry (TG)-temperature-programed desorption (TPD) technique, the captured amounts of CO2 at 5 °C were determined to be in the range of (39.6-103.9) and (28.9-82.1) mgCO2 ·g-1 for samples of Mg(OH)2 mixed with 20-50% F and calcined at 400 and 500 °C, respectively, whereas, at 30 °C, the capacity of CO2 captured is slightly decreased to be in the range of (32.2-89.4) and (20.9-55.5) mgCO2 ·g-1, respectively. The thermal decomposition of all prepared mixtures herein was examined by TG analysis. The obtained samples calcined at 400 and 500 °C were characterized by X-ray diffraction and surface area and porosity measurements. The total number of surface basic sites and their distribution over all samples was demonstrated using TG- and differential scanning calorimetry-TPD techniques using pyrrole as a probe molecule. Values of (ΔH) enthalpy changes corresponding to the desorption steps of CO2 were calculated for the most active adsorbent in this study, that is, Mg(OH)2 + 20% F, at 400 and 500 °C. This study's findings will inspire the simple preparation and economical design of nanocomposite CO2 sorbents for climate change mitigation under ambient conditions.

Phytomanagement of textile wastewater for dual biogas and biochar production: A techno-economic and sustainable approach.

Phytoremediation has been widely employed for industrial effluent treatment due to its cost-effectiveness and eco-friendliness. However, this process generates large amounts of exhausted plant biomass, requiring appropriate management strategies to avoid further environmental pollution. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the first to address the recyclability of water hyacinth after textile wastewater (TWW) phytoremediation for dual biogas and biochar production. A hydroponic culture system was occupied by 163 g (plant mass) per L (TWW) and operated under 16:8 h light:dark cycle (sunlight), 70-80% relative humidity, and 22-25 °C temperature. This water hyacinth-based system achieved chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), and dye removal efficiencies of 58.60 ± 2.63%, 35.27 ± 1.65%, and 38.49 ± 2.24%, respectively, at a TWW fraction of 100 %v/v. The plant characterization study revealed that phytoabsorption and phytoextraction could be the main mechanisms involved in TWW pollution reduction. The lignin and hemicellulose of water hyacinth were slightly degraded during phytoremediation, making the cellulose fibers simply accessible to enzymes' attack in the subsequent anaerobic digestion process. This hypothesis was validated by increasing the crystallinity index from 50.13% to 60.21% during TWW phytoremediation. The spent plant was cleaned and then co-digested (37 °C) with cow dung at 1:1 (w/w, dry basis) for bioenergy production. The generated biogas was 162.78 ± 8.34 mL CH4/g COD (i.e., 225.63 ± 11.36 mL CH4/g volatile solids), representing about 490% higher than the utilization of raw water hyacinth in a mono-digestion process. The pyrolysis of digestate-containing plant residues yielded biochar with concentrated cationic macroelements (K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+). The economic feasibility of the phytoremediation/co-digestion/pyrolysis combined system showed an initial investment of 2090 USD and a payback period of 9.08 yr. Because the project succeeded in recovering the cost of its initial investment, it could fulfill the targets of several sustainable development goals related to economic profitability, social acceptance, and environmental protection.

Reclamation of forward osmosis reject water containing hexavalent chromium via coupled electrochemical-physical processes.

Forward osmosis is a water separation process that uses the natural energy of osmotic pressure to separate water from dissolved solutes through a semipermeable membrane. One of the major challenges using this process is the rejection water which contains high content of pollutants, hindering its practical application. Herein, for the first time, this work introduces a coupled electrochemical-physical process including iron-electrocoagulation/filtration/sedimentation as a cost-effective treatment to the forward osmosis reject water containing hexavalent chromium to be reclaimed. The synergistic treatment was optimized through a central composite design and response surface methodology to enhance hexavalent Cr removal and minimize operating costs, electrical energy consumption, and settled sludge volume. A 90.0% chromium removal was achieved under optimized conditions: electrolysis time of 59.7 min and current of 1.24 A (J = 6.32 mA cm-2). In addition, operating costs of 0.014 USD m-3, electrical energy consumption of 0.005 kWh m-3, and settled sludge volume of 445 mL L-1 were obtained.

Erector Spinae Plane Block Versus PECS Block Type II for Breast Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Regional anesthetic techniques are the primary analgesic techniques in breast cancer surgery. Novel techniques include the pectoralis (PECS) block and the erector spinae plane (ESP) block. Objectives: This study compared the analgesic efficacy of ultrasound-guided ESP and PECS-II blocks in patients undergoing unilateral modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Methods: The current prospective randomized controlled trial investigated 60 females scheduled for unilateral MRM under general anesthesia. The participants were randomized into two groups, namely a single-shot ESP block (n = 30) and a PECS-II block (n = 30). The ESP block was conducted at the level T4 using an in-plane approach. A volume of 20 ml of bupivacaine 0.25% was administered in both blocks. The outcome measures were total morphine consumption, analgesia duration, postoperative pain intensity, and nausea and vomiting. Results: More ESP participants required rescue morphine analgesia than those in the PECS group (P = 0.028). The ESP group showed significantly higher total morphine consumption (P = 0.005) and a shorter time to request analgesia (P = 0.003). Pain intensity was higher in the ESP group 1, 2, and 6 hours after the surgery. Conclusions: The PECS-II block is more effective in postoperative pain control after breast cancer surgery than the ESP block. It also prolongs the duration of analgesia and reduces the need for morphine 24 hours after the surgery.

Heavy metal contamination in the complete stretch of Yamuna river: A fuzzy logic approach for comprehensive health risk assessment.

River Yamuna is one of the most sacred major tributaries of river Ganga. This study aimed to assess the level of heavy metals in monsoon and non-monsoon season in river Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh, India and to assess the possible source of contamination and its associated health risk. Except for iron (Fe), the mean levels of all metals were within drinking water safe limits in both seasons. Except for chromium (Cr), lower values were observed for other metals in the monsoon season could be attributed dilution effect. Multivariate analysis indicated that both geogenic and anthropogenic sources contribute to heavy metals in river Yamuna in monsoon and non-monsoon seasons. The health risk in terms of hazard index (HI) and fuzzy-logic hazard index (FHI) demonstrated that both HI and FHI values among children exceeded the safe limit in most of the sites in non-monsoon seasons and in few in monsoon season. For adults, HI and FHI values were within safe limit.