Changes In Turbidity Research Articles

Fabrication of freshness indicators based on methylcellulose-containing color indicator solutions for monitoring the quality of coconut water

This is the first study to apply intelligent packaging to coconut water. The purpose of this study was to determine the best color indicator solution for making freshness indicator labels based on methylcellulose along with the color change profile of coconut water during storage at room temperature. Three color indicator solutions were used, namely phenol red, bromothymol blue, and methyl red, which were then continued with the fabrication of freshness indicator labels based on methylcellulose from each of these color indicator solutions and applied to coconut water at 25 °C room temperature storage for 24 h with observations every 4 h in the form of pH, total dissolved solids, total acid, turbidity, total microbes, CO2 gas, O2 gas, and freshness indicator label color changes. The values of pH, total soluble solids, and O2 gas decreased with storage time, whereas the values of total acid, turbidity, total microbes, and CO2 gas continued to increase. The methylcellulose-based phenol red freshness indicator label provides the best color change profile that matches the freshness condition of coconut water, namely purplish red (fresh), orange (immediately consumed), and yellow (damaged) so that it can be used as intelligent packaging to monitor the quality of coconut water.

Horn banana peel powder biocoagulants in lowering the turbidity of water

Purpose: In response to contemporary global issues like pollution, global warming, and the loss of natural resources, the circular bioeconomy has been proposed. Using organic waste as a bioagulant facilitates the shift to a circular and sustainable bioeconomy. For homes that use well water that has been excavated, the concentration of chemical coagulants must be taken into consideration. The purpose of this study is to use banana peel powder as a biocoagulant to lower the turbidity level of water from a dug well.
 Research methodology: The Paired Sample T-Test and the ANOVA test with Welsh correction were used to examine the average change in turbidity 0.000 <0.05 was the ? value obtained.
 Results: The Post Hoc Games-Howell test findings revealed a noteworthy distinction between the treatment groups. This study concludes that the biocoagulant made of powdered banana horn can lower turbidity to a level that satisfies health standards.

A Real-time Quantitative Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification Assay Targeting com1 Gene of Coxiella burnetii

Background & Objectives: The present study designed a loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method to rapidly detect Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) and develop a sensitive Real-time quantitative LAMP (Q-LAMP) assay to quantify Q fever. Materials & Methods: Primers were specifically designed for use in targeting the com1 conserved gene of C. burnetii to carry out LAMP detection of the agent causing Q fever. After obtaining the LAMP reaction, the sensitivity of the method was assessed by preparing a serial ten-fold dilution of a plasmid carrying com1 gene. Results: The assay’s sensitivity for the visual detection of changes in turbidity or turbidimeter and electrophoresis of agarose gel were 0.4 fg and 0.04 fg, respectively. Hence, the lower limit of detection was 120 and 12 copies of the gene detected in 60 min. The results of this study were indicative of the simplicity, rapidness, sensitivity, and specificity of the LAMP assay for C. burnetii detection and a probable improvement of the diagnostic procedure used in clinical laboratories. Conclusion: The assay specificity was assessed using Coxiella genomic DNA and a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The LAMP assay was shown to be highly specific for detection of Coxiella without any observable amplification products from non-Coxiella organisms.

Optimizing coagulant dosage using deep learning models with large-scale data

Water treatment plants are facing challenges that necessitate transition to automated processes using advanced technologies. This study introduces a novel approach to optimize coagulant dosage in water treatment processes by employing a deep learning model. The study utilized minute-by-minute data monitored in real time over a span of five years, marking the first attempt in drinking water process modeling to leverage such a comprehensive dataset. The deep learning model integrates a one-dimensional convolutional neural network (Conv1D) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) to effectively extract features and model complex time-series data. Initially, the model predicted coagulant dosage and sedimentation basin turbidity, validated against a physicochemical model. Subsequently, the model optimized coagulant dosage in two ways: 1) maintaining sedimentation basin turbidity below the 1.0 NTU guideline, and 2) analyzing changes in sedimentation basin turbidity resulting from reduced coagulant dosage (5–20%). The findings of the study highlight the effectiveness of the deep learning model in optimizing coagulant dosage with substantial reductions in coagulant dosage (approximately 22% reduction and 21 million KRW/year). The results demonstrate the potential of deep learning models in enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of water treatment processes, ultimately facilitating process automation.

Ecological attributes of aquatic invertebrates in two water turbidity scenarios in a lake of the Pantanal, Brazil

The objective of this work was to determine the taxonomic structure and Functional Feeding Groups (FFGs) of benthic invertebrates and their roles in two different water turbidity scenarios in a floodplain lake in the Pantanal wetland (Sinhá Mariana Lake, Barão de Melgaço, state of Mato Grosso). We studied the benthic invertebrate fauna at 18 sampling sites in periods of high turbidity (HT) and low turbidity (LT) during high water (HW) and low water (LW). We hypothesize that the structure of Chironomidae assemblages (species and functional feeding groups) varies between sites in Sinhá Mariana Lake, and the density and diversity attributes of species in this family and their functional feeding groups are reduced under increased turbidity. Depth, water temperature, turbidity, pH, pCO₂, water color, and organic matter content of the sediment were analyzed in each sampling site. Chironomidae presented higher density and diversity in periods of high water (HW) in sites with low turbidity water (LT). The dominance increased in periods of low water (LW). The main FFGs were represented by collector-gatherers, while the smallest groups corresponded to shredder-herbivores (50% and 9% of the total abundance, respectively). Collector-gatherers (Aedokritus sp., Chironomus strenzkei, Goeldichironomus petiolicola, G. maculatus, Beardius phytophilus), predators (Ablabesmyia gr. annulata, Labrundinia sp. and Cryptochironomus brasiliensis) and shredder-herbivores (Asheum sp., Polypedilum sp., Polypedilum gr. fallax) predominated in high water (HW) periods. A change in the community structure from the HW to LW was evidenced, characterized by the substitution of collector-gatherers for collector-filterers. Notodiaptomus deitersi (Crustacea) was dominant in LW (dominance index = 10.9) and Aedokritus sp. (Insecta) in HW (dominance index = 5.4). Water turbidity and the hydrological cycle are important factors determining spatial and temporal patterns in communities, particularly changes in FFGs. Changes in turbidity in different sites and periods alter the structure of trophic communities and lead to questions about the main drivers of communities in Pantanal wetlands as areas of high ecological relevance for maintaining biodiversity.

Thermoresponsive Lamellar Hydrogels with Tunable Turbidity, Structural Color, and Anisotropic Swelling.

We report a thermoresponsive anisotropic photonic hydrogel: poly(dodecyl glyceryl itaconate)/polyacrylamide-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel (PDGI/PAAm-PNIPAM hydrogel). Hydrogels with uniaxially aligned lamellar bilayers possess bright structural color and swelling anisotropy, while PNIPAM-based hydrogels exhibit distinct thermoresponsive properties around a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Hybridization of thermoresponsive PNIPAM with the lamellar hydrogel can give the anisotropic photonic hydrogel various fascinating thermoresponsive properties, such as structural color/turbid transition, thermoresponsive structural color, and anisotropic deswelling/reswelling behavior by temperature stimuli. The temperature-induced changes in turbidity, structural color, and anisotropic swelling of the gel around the LCST can be tuned by controlling the incorporated PNIPAM density. PNIPAM can be regioselectively incorporated into the specific region of the lamellar hydrogels by photomasking during UV polymerization. The PDGI/PAAm-PNIPAM hydrogel can find diverse promising applications such as smart windows and smart displays.

Mechanism of Synergistic Photoinactivation Utilizing Curcumin and Lauric Arginate Ethyl Ester against Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua.

This study investigated the mechanism of how lauric arginate ethyl ester (LAE) improves the photoinactivation of bacteria by curcumin after diluting the 100 µmol/L stock curcumin-LAE micelle solution to the concentration used during the treatment based on the curcumin concentration. The photoinactivation of bacteria was conducted by irradiating the 1 µmol/L curcumin-LAE solution containing cocktails of Escherichia coli and Listeria innocua strains (7 log CFU/mL) for 5 min with UV-A light (λ = 365 nm). The changes in solution turbidity, curcumin stability, and bacterial morphology, viability, and recovery were observed using SEM, TEM, and live/dead cell assays. The study found that LAE enhances the photoinactivation of bacteria by increasing the permeability of cell membranes which could promote the interaction of reactive oxygen species produced by photosensitized curcumin with the cell components. The combination of curcumin and LAE was demonstrated to be more effective in inhibiting bacterial recovery at pH 3.5 for E. coli, while LAE alone was more effective at pH 7.0 for L. innocua.

Ocean Color Image Sequences Reveal Diurnal Changes in Water Column Stability Driven by Air–Sea Interactions

The southward propagation of cold-air frontal boundaries into the Gulf of Mexico region initiates a cascade of coupled air–sea processes that manifests along the coastlines as an apparent brightness anomaly in the ocean color signals. Our hypothesis is that the color anomaly is largely due to the turbulent resuspension of sedimentary particles. Initially, there is significant wind-driven ocean turbulence as the frontal boundary passes, followed by the potential for sustained convective instability due to significant heat losses from the ocean surface. These cold front events occur during boreal autumn, winter, and into early spring, and the latter episodes occur in the context of the seasonally recurring thermal stratification of shelf waters. Here, we show that as stratification reasserts thermal stability in the waning days of a cold front episode, daily to hourly ocean color patterns are temporally coherent with the air–sea heat flux changes and the resulting impact on water column stability. Concomitant results from a nested, data-assimilative, and two-way coupled ocean-atmosphere numerical modeling system provides both corroboration and insight into how surface air–sea fluxes and in-water turbulent mixing manifest as hourly changes in apparent surface water turbidity due to the potential excitation and settling of reflective particles. A simple model of particle mixing and settling driven by the simulated turbulence mimics patterns seen in the satellite image sequences. This study offers a preview of potential application areas that may emerge following the launch of a dedicated ocean color geostationary sensor.

Effect of Changes Turbidity on Oxygen Solubility in Fish Pond Water Electrocoagulation Process

The water used for fish farming by the Mina Lestari is very dirty, because many soil particles are dissolved in water. The water with high dirty in generally has very high turbidity. So that oxygen is difficult to dissolve in water and is not sufficient for fish life. So many fish die, due to insufficient oxygen for breathing. To reduce water turbidity is treated by electrocoagulation process combined with the aeration process. The aim of the research was to study the effect of changes in turbidity on dissolved oxygen in water. The study began by measuring the turbidity using a turbidimeter and dissolved oxygen using a DO meter. Furthermore, pour 10 liters of water into the electrocoagulation process tank. The electrocoagulation was carried out at 12 volt or 0,3 ampere for 10 minutes. The process was stopped, then the water flowed into the settling tank and left for 30 minutes to precipitate of the dirt. The water flowed into a holding tank and followed aeration process by flowing air at a rate of 500 cc per minute for 30 minutes. Then followed measuring turbidity by turbidimeter and dissolved oxygen by DO meter. Subsequent studies were carried out using the same procedure with an interval of 10 minutes processing time for electrocoagulation process. The results showed that an increase in processing time can reduce water turbidity from 68 NTU to 45 NTU or 33.82% and increase dissolved oxygen from 2.8 mg/L to 5.3 mg/L or 89.29% at 50 minutes processing.

Y-site injection physical compatibility of remdesivir with select intravenous drugs used in palliative care and for treating coronavirus disease 2019.

No compatibility tests are available for remdesivir other than 0.9% sodium chloride. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the physical compatibility of remdesivir with drugs used in palliative care and COVID-19 treatment. Remdesivir was tested for compatibility with 10 different drugs (fentanyl, morphine, hydromorphone, oxycodone, heparin, furosemide, octreotide, acetated Ringer's injection, 2-in-1 peripheral parenteral nutrition, and 2-in-1 total parenteral nutrition). Remdesivir was formulated to a final concentration of 1 mg/mL, and the other drugs were prepared at clinical concentrations. Three test solutions were used for compatibility testing, with remdesivir and the target drugs compounded in a 1:1 ratio. Appearance measurements, including Tyndall effect, turbidity, and pH, were performed immediately after mixing and at 1 h and 4 h after mixing. Changes in appearance, including the Tyndall effect, turbidity (turbidity change of ≥ 0.5 nephelometric turbidity unit [NTU] based on control solution for each test drug), and pH (a change of ≥ 10% based on the pH immediately after mixing) were used to determine physical compatibility. All the drugs tested were compatible with remdesivir. The combination of remdesivir and furosemide produced the highest turbidity (0.23 ± 0.03 NTU) 1 h after mixing. The lowest and highest pH values were observed at 4 h after mixing for the combinations of remdesivir and morphine (3.23 ± 0.02) and remdesivir and furosemide (8.81 ± 0.06). The drugs tested in this study show Y-site physical compatibility with remdesivir.

Understanding the effect of fermentation time on physicochemical characteristics, sensory attributes, and volatile compounds in green tea kombucha

Kombuchas are a trend in the fermented beverage field and the effect of fermentation time on their characteristics is necessary to better understand the process, mainly concerning volatile compounds, which are scarce information in the current literature. Thus, the present work aimed to evaluate the features of green tea kombucha during fermentation, monitoring the changes in pH, acidity, turbidity, polyphenols, ethanol, acetic acid, volatile compounds, and sensory profile and acceptance up to 14 days of fermentation. Kombuchas’ pH and acidity decreased through time as expected, but after 4 days of fermentation, the beverage exceeded the Brazilian legal limits of acidity (130 mEq/L) and produced more than 0.5% AVB, which labels the beverage as alcoholic. Total polyphenols and condensed tannins content enhanced until the seventh day of fermentation and remained constant. Fermentation highly impacted the aroma of the infusion with a high formation of volatile acids, such as alcohols, esters, and ketones. Aldehydes were degraded during the bioprocess. Sensory characterization of kombucha showed that fermentation of 4 days increased perceived turbidity; vinegar, citric fruit, acid, and alcoholic aroma; and produced the beverage with sour, bitter, and vinegar flavor. Thus, the fermentation time of kombuchas must be controlled as they rapidly change and impact on the physicochemical parameters and sensory profile of the beverage can be negative.

Optimization of the EUCAST reference broth microdilution method for echinocandin susceptibility testing of Aspergillus fumigatus.

Because of the high inoculum (105 cfu/mL) used in the EUCAST susceptibility testing of Aspergillus spp., determination of the minimal effective concentration (MEC) of echinocandins is challenging as the morphological differences are subtle. The MECs of 10 WT and 4 non-WT Aspergillus fumigatus isolates were determined with the EUCAST E.Def 9.4. Plates were inoculated with increasing inocula (102-105 cfu/mL) and after 24 and 48 h of incubation, MECs were determined macroscopically (magnifying mirror) and microscopically (inverted microscope) by two observers, spectrophotometrically (OD at 405 nm) and colorimetrically (absorbance at 450/630 nm after 2 h incubation with 400 mg/L XTT/6.25 μM menadione). The interobserver (between observers)/intermethod (compared with the microscopic method) essential agreement (EA, ±1 2-fold dilution) and categorical agreement (CA) were determined for each inoculum. Echinocandin-induced microscopic hyphal alterations or macroscopic changes in turbidity were subtle with a 105 cfu/mL inoculum compared with the lower inocula of 103 and 102 cfu/mL, where more distinct changes in turbidity and formation of characteristic rosettes were obvious at the MEC after 48 h. A 105 cfu/mL inoculum resulted in wider MEC distributions (3-6 dilutions) and lower interobserver EA (69%), macroscopic-microscopic EA (26%) and CA (71%) compared with a 103 cfu/mL inoculum (2-3 dilutions, 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively). Spectrophotometric readings using a 103 cfu/mL inoculum showed good EA (57-93%) and excellent CA (86%-100%), while the XTT assay demonstrated excellent EA (93%) and CA (100%). A 48 h incubation using a 103 cfu/mL inoculum improved echinocandin MEC determination for A. fumigatus with the EUCAST method, while the colorimetric assay could allow automation.

Influence of pH on Heat-Induced Changes in Skim Milk Containing Various Levels of Micellar Calcium Phosphate.

The present study investigated the effect of micellar calcium phosphate (MCP) content and pH of skim milk on heat-induced changes in skim milk. Four MCP-adjusted samples, ranging from 67 to 113% of the original MCP content, were heated (90 °C for 10 min) at different pH values (6.3, 6.6, 6.9, and 7.2), followed by determining changes in particle size, turbidity, protein distribution, and structure. The results demonstrate a strong effect of MCP level and pH on heat-induced changes in milk, with the MCP67 samples revealing the greatest thermal stability. Specifically, decreasing MCP content by 33% (MCP67) led to a smaller increase in non-sedimentable κ-casein and a lower decrease in αs2-casein concentrations after heating compared to other samples. Lower MCP content resulted in a moderate rise in the average particle size and turbidity, along with lower loading of β-turn structural component after heating at low pH (pH 6.3). Notably, MCP113 exhibited instability upon heating, with increased particle size, turbidity, and a significant decrease in non-sedimentable αs2-casein concentration, along with a slight increase in non-sedimentable κ-casein concentration. The FTIR results also revealed higher loading of intermolecular β-sheet, β-turn, and random coil structures, as well as lower loading of α-helix and β-sheet structures in MCP-enhanced skim milk samples. This suggests significant changes in the secondary structure of milk protein and greater formation of larger aggregates.

Can we use normal saline stored under stress conditions? A simulated prehospital emergency medical setting

BackgroundData on stability and suitability to use normal saline stored under stress conditions in ambulances is lacking. ObjectiveWe aimed to study the impact of exposure to extreme temperature variations on normal saline stability and compatibility with its packaging. MethodsNormal saline in 96 polyolefin bags were exposed to continuous temperature of 22, 50, and 70 °C or to a cyclic temperature of 70 °C per 8 h and 22 °C per 16 h. The bags were sampled at 12, 24, 48 and 72 h and at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks in the short- and long-term experiments, respectively. Solution inside the bags was evaluated for any evidence of crystallization, discoloration, turbidity, or pH changes. A sample of normal saline was withdrawn from each bag to analyze sodium and chloride levels. ResultsPrecipitation, discoloration, or turbidity were not observed in the solution inside normal saline bags. The average pH was 5.59 at 22 °C, 5.73 at 50 °C, 5.86 at 70 °C and 5.79 at cyclic exposure. In the short- and long-term experiments, sodium and chloride concentrations were within 100.2–111.27% and 99.04–110.95%, respectively. Leaching of the plastic components in the polyolefin bag into the normal saline solution was not detected. ConclusionsSodium and chloride levels of normal saline were stable and compatible with polyolefin bags stored in simulated continuous and cyclic extreme temperatures for around one month. The effect of storage in the cabinet of operational ambulance vehicles during different seasons in arid countries is yet to be evaluated in real-world conditions, to further confirm our results.

Physical compatibility of sulbactam/durlobactam with select intravenous drugs during simulated Y-site administration.

Sulbactam/durlobactam is a combination antibiotic designed to target Acinetobacter baumannii, including carbapenem-resistant and multidrug-resistant strains. The objective of this study was to determine the physical compatibility of sulbactam/durlobactam solution during simulated Y-site administration with 95 intravenous (IV) drugs. Vials of sulbactam/durlobactam solution were diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride injection to a volume of 100 mL (the final concentration of both drugs was 15 mg/mL). All other IV drugs were reconstituted according to the manufacturer's recommendations and diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection to the upper range of concentrations used clinically or tested undiluted as intended for administration. Y-site conditions were simulated by mixing 5 mL of sulbactam/durlobactam with 5 mL of the tested drug solutions in a 1:1 ratio. Solutions were inspected for physical characteristics (clarity, color, and Tyndall effect), turbidity, and pH changes before admixture, immediately post admixture, and over 4 hours. Incompatibility was defined as any observed precipitation, significant color change, positive Tyndall test, or turbidity change of ≥0.5 nephelometric turbidity unit during the observation period. Sulbactam/durlobactam was physically compatible with 38 out of 42 antimicrobials tested (90.5%) and compatible overall with 86 of 95 drugs tested (90.5%). Incompatibility was observed with albumin, amiodarone hydrochloride, ceftaroline fosamil, ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, levofloxacin, phenytoin sodium, vecuronium, and propofol. The Y-site compatibility of sulbactam/durlobactam with 95 IV drugs was described. These compatibility data will assist pharmacists and nurses to safely coordinate administration of IV medications with sulbactam/durlobactam.

Soft-capsule formulation of a re-esterified triglyceride omega-3 employing self-emulsifying technology and bioavailability evaluation in healthy volunteers

Despite the superior clinical efficacy of the re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) form compared to the ethylester form, few studies have been conducted on improving the bioavailability of the rTG form of omega-3 oil. The aim of study was to evaluate the effect of self emulsifying formulation on the improvement of bioavailability of rTG form of omega-3 oil.To develop a re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) soft capsule, an rTG-loaded self-emulsifying delivery system (SEDS) was designed using coconut oil, polysorbate 80, and lecithin. Candidate formulations were designed from a phase-diagram study and optimal SEDS formulations containing 85% of high omega-3 (ω−3) oils were screened from the evaluation of droplet size distribution, measurement of oil floating area and emulsion turbidity. The selected, optimized rTG SEDS formulation was filled into a soft capsule (NOVASEDS) and applied to a sequence-randomized, double-blind, single-dose, and two-way crossover clinical study (n = 44), and the the bioavailability of NOVASEDS was compared with that of a ‘raw’ rTG capsule (rTG OMEGA3) as control. The droplet size (D50) formed from the candidate formulations was approximately 30–45 μm, and the optimal formulation showed a unimodal particle distribution with the smallest oil floating area and small changes in turbidity after 24 h. Cmax and AUC from 0 to 24 h for NOVASEDS, calculated from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and as the sum of DHA and EPA, were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than corresponding values for rTG OMEGA3. In conclusion, NOVASEDS formulated by SEDS technology enabled the manufacture of a high rTG payload soft capsule with improved bioavailability in human subjects.

Green Tea-Derived Catechins Suppress the Acid Productions of Streptococcus mutans and Enhance the Efficiency of Fluoride

Green tea-derived catechins, which can be divided into galloylated (epicatechin gallate: ECG, epigallocatechin gallate: EGCG) and non-galloylated (catechin: C, epicatechin: EC, epigallocatechin: EGC) catechins, are considered to be the main contributors to the caries control potential of green tea. In this study, we intended to compare the antimicrobial effects of these representative green tea-derived catechins and their combined effects with fluoride on the acid production and aggregation of Streptococcus mutans. The effects of different catechins on the growth, aggregation and acid production of S. mutans, and the combined effect of catechins and potassium fluoride (2 m<sc>m</sc> at pH 7.0, 0.3 m<sc>m</sc> at pH 5.5) on S. mutans acid production were measured by anaerobic culture, turbidity changes due to aggregation, and pH-stat methods. Molecular docking simulations were also performed to investigate the interactions between catechins and membrane-embedded enzyme II complex (EIIC), a component of the phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphotransferase system (sugar uptake-related enzyme). ECG or EGCG at 1 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans, induced bacterial aggregation, and decreased glucose-induced acid production (p < 0.05). All catechins were able to bind to EIIC in silico, in the following order of affinity: EGCG, ECG, EGC, EC, and C. Furthermore, they enhanced the inhibitory effects of fluoride at pH 5.5 and significantly inhibited S. mutans acid production by 47.5–86.6% (p < 0.05). These results suggest that both galloylated and non-galloylated catechins exhibit antimicrobial activity, although the former type demonstrates stronger activity, and that the caries control effects of green tea may be due to the combined effects of multiple components, such as catechins and fluoride. The detailed mechanisms underlying these phenomena and the in vivo effect need to be explored further.

Water turbidity dynamics using random forest in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

Turbidity is a water quality indicator that is essential for the sustainable development of aquatic ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity. The turbidity of different water surfaces and its response mechanisms to regional climatic factors and human activities in the Yangtze River Delta Region (YRDR), an important rapid economic development region in China, remain poorly understood. To enhance the knowledge of turbidity variations and dominant drivers of YRDR water surfaces, a complete long-term turbidity series was obtained using Landsat images from 1990 to 2020. The results show that the turbidity trend differed from −1.3 NTU/yr to 0.7 NTU/yr in different water surfaces. Turbidity decreased significantly in the mainstream of the Yangtze River (MYR), aquaculture ponds (AP) and other water bodies, whilst increasing significantly in the medium lakes (ML) and mainstream of the Qiantang River (MQR). Meanwhile, no significant changes in turbidity were observed in the great lakes (GL) and small lakes (SL). Rather than climatic factors, urbanisation and decreasing wastewater discharge were the dominant drivers of turbidity trends during the study period. In addition, ecological engineering in AP increased water transparency. The Three Gorges Dam also decreased turbidity in MYR. Increasing turbidity in the downstream of MQR was driven by increasing seasonal water surfaces and reclamation projects near Hangzhou Bay. GL faced no significant increase in turbidity due to the offset of afforestation to urbanisation-induced turbidity increase. These findings provide important information for government decision-making for subsequent aquatic environmental protection and restoration in the YRDR.

Synergistic effects between global warming and water quality change on modelled macrophyte species richness

Submerged freshwater macrophytes are crucial for the functioning of lakes. Their growth and survival follow environmental conditions like light, temperature, and nutrient availability. Hence, the impending increase in water temperature as well as changes of nutrients and turbidity will lead to changes in macrophyte geographic and depth distribution: Herein, we assess these potential changes. We apply an eco‐physiological macrophyte growth model to simulate biomass growth and survival of virtual species defined by random trait combinations within expert‐derived trait ranges for oligotraphentic, mesotraphentic, and eutraphentic species groups in deep lakes in Bavaria, Germany, which cover clear, moderate, and turbid lake conditions. The emergent potential species richness is compared with empirically observed species richness to evaluate general predictions for current conditions. Thereafter, we apply the model to scenarios of temperature increase and of turbidity and nutrient change to assess potential changes in species richness and the influence of species' traits on being an environmental change ‘winner' or ‘loser'. We find a cross‐lake, hump‐shaped pattern of potential species richness along depth. This largely reflects observed patterns, although mismatches were also detected and might be explained by missing processes and environmental heterogeneity within the lake. Rising temperature leads to increased richness of potential species in all lake types, species groups, and depths. Turbidity and nutrient change effects depend on depth and lake type. ‘Loser species' under increased turbidity and nutrient level are light consumptive and sensible to disturbances, while ‘winner species' have a high biomass production. These findings show that the hump‐shaped depth distributions of submerged macrophyte diversity can emerge solely considering eco‐physiology. The differential responses to environmental changes imply that management measures must account for lake type because those responses can have opposite trends depending on lake depth and type.

Preparation and Evaluation of Medicated Formulation for Dry Eye

Introduction: The current research involved the study of chondroitin sulfate polymer to prevent moisture loss, which was formulated to treat dry eye. Methods: The ophthalmic formulation was prepared with 5% liquid paraffin wax, 10% carbowax, and 1% glycerine. Furthermore, its usefulness in ophthalmology was analyzed by measuring parameters like pH, isotonicity, turbidity, viscosity, % moisture loss, vapor pressure, and in-vitro and in-vivo corneal damage. Results: We successfully adjusted the pH and osmolality of the F2 formulation to the desired physiological levels, providing the opportunity to reduce the harmful reaction as well as inflammation and dehydration. In addition, viscosity plays an important role in ophthalmic preparation. Consequently, the stability studies of optimized formulation indicated no remarkable changes in physical properties, including pH, viscosity, phase separation, and turbidity. Furthermore, a vapor pressure manometer studied the percentage of moisture loss. Interestingly, the HET-CAM test correlated properly with the findings of the Draize eye inflammation test. Moreover, the in-vivo irritation test of the optimized system showed that it was tolerable, with no signs of irritation in the rabbit eye compared to the marketed formulation. In addition, the F2 formulation demonstrated better results than the marketed corneal preparation. Thereby, from the results, it can be concluded that the simple manometer apparatus can be the best method for evaluating moisture loss prevention for dry eyes. No study or investigation has been reported before for ophthalmic preparation. Conclusion: Altogether, chondroitin sulfate with carbowax 1000 and liquid paraffin-based ophthalmic preparation can be considered a promising approach for preventing dryness of the eye.