Environmental Risk Research Articles

A systematic survey of environmental DNA in Palau's lakes and waterfalls reveals an increase in Leptospira levels after flooding

ObjectiveLeptospirosis is an important bacterial zoonosis which is widespread in tropical and subtropical islands and influences human and animal health which has secondary economic effects. Although leptospirosis is endemic in Palau, an Oceanian Pacific Island country, few systematic surveys of potential risk factors for Leptospira infection, such as weather and host animals, have been conducted in the natural environment. We used environmental DNA metabarcoding to assess the distribution, species diversity, and abundance of pathogenic Leptospira in this endemic region to investigate the potential environmental risks. MethodsForty-two paired water samples, representing fine and rainy weather conditions, were collected from four representative waterfalls and lakes on Babeldaob Island, the largest island in Palau. High-throughput sequencing analysis was conducted for polymerase chain reaction products of leptospiral 16S rRNA and vertebrate animal mitochondrial 12S rRNA genes. ResultsWe revealed greater Leptospira diversity and abundance in samples collected after continuous rain, particularly in the presence of flooding, compared with samples collected under typhoon, monsoon, or fine weather conditions. From same samples, six mammalian species including cats (Felis catus), mice (Mus musculus), Yap flying fox (Pteropus yapensis), rats (Rattus spp.), and pigs (Sus scrofa) were repeatedly detected. These may be candidates of host animals of Leptospira in Palau; however, their detection was not clearly correlated with that of Leptospira. ConclusionWe repeatedly detected several species of pathogenic Leptospira from water samples of a wide region of Babeldaob Island. We confirmed that Leptospira contamination in freshwater environments increased under rainy conditions, particularly in the presence of flooding. This information could be used to improve public health control measures in this region.

Evaluating a river's ecological health: A multidimensional approach.

Evaluating the health of river surface water is essential, as rivers support significant biological resources and serve as vital drinking water sources. While the Water Quality Index (WQI) is commonly employed to evaluate surface water quality, it fails to consider biodiversity and does not fully capture the ecological health of rivers. Here we show a comprehensive assessment of the ecological health of surface water in the lower Yangtze River (LYR), integrating chemical and biological metrics. According to traditional WQI metrics, the LYR's surface water generally meets China's Class II standards. However, it also contains 43 high-risk emerging contaminants; nitrobenzenes are found at the highest concentrations, representing 25-90% of total detections, while polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons present the most substantial environmental risks, accounting for 81-93% of the total risk quotient. Notably, the plankton-based index of biological integrity (P-IBI) rates the ecological health of the majority of LYR water samples (59.7%) as 'fair', with significantly better health observed in autumn compared to other seasons (p<0.01). Our findings suggest that including emerging contaminants and P-IBI as additional metrics can enhance the traditional WQI analysis in evaluating surface water's ecological health. These results highlight the need for a multidimensional assessment approach and call for improvements to LYR's ecological health, focusing on emerging contaminants and biodiversity rather than solely on reducing conventional indicators.

Research on Environmental Legal Risks in Foreign Investment of Chinese Transnational Corporations

Since the development of the trend of economic globalization, the number of China's overseas investment projects has risen sharply, but at the same time, the potential environmental problems and risks in the investment process have become evident. This essay discusses the environmental legal risks faced by Chinese transnational enterprises in the process of outbound investment and analyzes the specific impact of host country environmental regulation risk and multilateral treaty environmental regulation risk. As global environmental problems become increasingly serious, the investment activities of transnational corporations (TNCs) may be harmful to the local environment while promoting local economic development. This essay summarizes the current status of research on environmental legal in Chinese and international academia, emphasizes that home countries should take responsibility for environmental protection in their investment places when promoting overseas investment. This essay proposes a strategy covering three dimensions--international level, home country and TNCs, in order to promote the sustainable development of TNCss overseas investment.

Optimization of the annulus space structure for hydrocyclone separation of rubber particles based on NSGA-II and GMDH

Rubber particles produced during industrial rubber manufacturing pose significant health and environmental risks. Due to their small size, these particles are difficult to efficiently separate and recover. Previous studies have shown that increasing the annular gap can reduce the circulation of small particles within the hydrocyclone. However, the optimal design of the annular gap structure has not been thoroughly investigated. This paper focuses on the structural optimization of the annular space, dividing it into three parts: annular width (w), insertion depth (L), and diameter (Dh). Single-factor analysis reveals that an increase in annular width lowers the internal pressure field; an increase in annular insertion depth causes vortex movement downward, reducing the separation zone; and an increase in annular diameter generates vortices within the annular gap. Multi-factor analysis using GMDH and NSGA-II shows that the GMDH model has excellent predictive capability, with R2 values of 94.23 % for separation efficiency and 92.77 % for pressure drop. The optimal structure obtained from NSGA-II is the C-type hydrocyclone (Dh: 7.45, L: 7.2, w: 3.96), with separation efficiency and pressure drop of 85.72 % and 0.1649 MPa, respectively. The optimized hydrocyclone shows improvements of 4.46 % in separation efficiency and 8.89 % in pressure drop compared to the non-optimized performance. This study applies genetic algorithms to the structural optimization of the annular gap, providing theoretical insights into the design of hydrocyclone annular gap structures.

Facile and sustainable upcycling of fly ash into multifunctional durable superhydrophobic coatings

Fly ash (FA), a hazardous byproduct of coal combustion in power plants, poses significant environmental and health risks due to improper disposal and utilization. This study introduces a facile, sustainable, and cost-effective method for converting FA into a robust superhydrophobic material for various substrates. -FA particles are modified with polydopamine (PD) in water and covalently grafted with octadecylamine (ODA) via the Michael Addition-Schiff Base reactions, resulting in robust superhydrophobic FA (SH-FA) with a water contact angle (WCA) of 163° (±3.1). When applied as a coating to jute, cotton, polyester fibers, PU sponge, and wood, they became superhydrophobic, with WCAs ranging from 154.7 to 161.2° except for the wood substrate, which achieved a WCA of 132° (±3°). The coated polyester fabric exhibited remarkable durability, retaining consistent WCA values after 70 abrasion cycles, 75 adhesive tape peelings, and 20 detergent washing cycles. It also showcased excellent self-cleaning properties, effectively repelling dust and various liquids. Additionally, the coated PU sponge demonstrated exceptional performance in separating oil from different oil/water mixtures, achieving rapid separation of organic solvents within seconds and maintaining a separation efficiency of over 98% even after 12 reuse cycles. These results indicate the potential for transforming FA through effective management.

Comprehensive approach integrating water quality index and toxic element analysis for environmental and health risk assessment enhanced by simulation techniques

Due to water shortages and the potential impact of Ethiopia’s new dam on the Nile River, Egypt is seeking new water resources. This study assesses the drinking water quality and associated risks from potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the Quaternary aquifer (QA) in Beni-Suef, Egypt. Using a comprehensive approach, including PHREEQC geochemical modeling, ionic ratios, multivariate statistical analyses, and the integrated weight water quality index (WQI), the study evaluated the sources of ion contamination and the mixing of Nile water with QA. Various indices, such as the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI), ecological Risk Index (RI), Hazard Quotient (HQ), and Hazard Index (HI), were used to assess ecological and health risks. Monte Carlo simulations provided probabilistic assessments of non-carcinogenic risks for adults and children. GIS tools were used to map risk indices, identifying the most deteriorated locations for sustainable management. The hydrochemical analysis revealed water facies including Na–Cl, Ca–Mg–HCO3, and mixed types, influenced by carbonate dissolution, ion exchange, and silicate weathering. Contamination sources, particularly in the north and south, were linked to agricultural activities, irrigation return flow, municipal waste, and evaporation. The WQI indicated that 10.14% of samples were extremely poor, 21.7% were poor, 26% were medium, and 42% were good to excellent. PTE contamination varied, with HPI values indicating good water quality in the central area in 53.6% of the collected samples (HPI < 30), but contamination in the north and south is high (HPI > 51). Ecological Risk Index values were below the threshold in 100% of samples (RI < 30), confirming water safety regarding PTEs. In comparison, for hazard index (HI) through oral/ingestion, adults exhibited HI values ranging from 0.012 to 2.16, while children showed higher values, ranging from 0.045 to 8.25. However, the hazard index for oral/ingestion exceeded safe limits in the north and south (HI oral > 1), posing non-carcinogenic risks. Monte Carlo simulations revealed significant risks from oral exposure to manganese (HQ oral > 1), particularly in El-Wasta and El-Fashn, necessitating further treatment and management.

Effects of Exposure to Different Types of Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles on the Gut Microbiota and Liver Metabolism of Adult Zebrafish.

Metal-organic framework nanoparticles (MOF NPs) have received much attention for their potential use in nanopesticides. However, little is known about the potential health and environmental risks associated with these materials. In this study, the toxicological responses of zebrafish exposed to five MOF NPs for short and long periods of time were evaluated. The acute toxicity results showed that the toxicity of the five MOF NPs to zebrafish embryos and adult zebrafish was in the order of Cu-MOF > ZIF-90 > ZIF-8 > Fe-MOF > Zr-MOF. Histopathological analysis revealed that ZIF-8, ZIF-90, and Cu-MOF NPs caused liver swelling and vacuolization in zebrafish. The cellular ultrastructure showed that ZIF-8, ZIF-90, and Cu-MOF NPs severely damaged the mitochondrial structure in intestinal epithelial cells and liver cells. The 16S rDNA sequencing data showed that all five MOF NPs significantly altered the dominant microorganisms in the zebrafish intestine. The microbial markers of intestinal inflammation, Proteobacteria (Aeromonas, Plesiomonas, and Legionella), were significantly increased in the Fe-MOF, ZIF-8, Zr-MOF, and Cu-MOF treatment groups. Metabolomics results indicated that the levels of inflammatory promoting factors (Leukotriene E4, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid) in arachidonic acid metabolism were decreased, and the levels of inflammatory suppressing factors (8,9-epoxyeicosatrienoic acid) were increased. Metabolites related to oxidative stress, such as glutamine, pyridoxamine, and l-glutamic acid in vitamin B6 metabolism and other signaling pathways, were significantly reduced. Overall, these results suggest that the different MOF NPs had widely varying toxicity to zebrafish, and further attention should be paid to the toxicity of MOF NPs in the real environment.

CLUSTERS OF PARENTAL SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND INHERITED RISK FOR CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE UNTIL MID-LIFE - NORTHERN FINLAND BIRTH COHORT 1966.

The incidence of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is rising among young adults (<55 years). The risk for CVD starts to form in early childhood and is comprised of genetic and environmental risk factors. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between early family socioeconomic status (SES), inherited risk, and CVD until midlife. In the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 of 12,058 children, individuals were followed from gestational period up to 54 years. We used previously published early family SES clusters, based on latent class analysis of a wide set of prenatally collected variables. We investigated inherited risk with polygenic risk score (PRS) and parental CVDs during follow-up. The associations of the five distinct clusters, inherited risk, and consequent risk for various types of CVDs until middle age were analysed with Cox regression. All analyses were conducted first in the whole sample and then stratified by sex as is recommended in cardiovascular studies. During the follow-up of 586,943 person-years, 512 CVDs occurred. No clear association between SES clusters and CVD were found. Higher PRS associated with any CVD (HR per 1 SD increase 1.15; 95%CI 1.02-1.31), and ischemic CVD (HR 1.21; 1.05-1.40). We found no combined associations of early family SES and inherited risk for CVD. Inherited risk was associated with the risk for CVD in mid-life in Finnish population. We found no clear connection with early family SES and CVD. Being born to a specific SES group did not increase the effect of inherited risk.

Ecotoxicological study of seven pharmaceutically active compounds: Mixture effects and environmental risk assessment

Pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) have been detected in several aquatic compartments, which has been of environmental concern since PhACs can cause adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem at low concentrations. Despite the variety of PhACs detected in surface water, ecotoxicological studies are non-existent for many of them, mainly regarding their mixture. In addition, water bodies can continuously receive the discharge of raw or treated wastewater with micropollutants. Thus, PhACs are subject to mixture and interactions, potentiating or reducing their toxicity. Therefore, the present study evaluated the toxicity on Aliivibrio fischeri of seven PhACs, which still needs to be explored in the literature. The effects were evaluated for the PhACs individually and for their binary and tertiary mixture. Also, the experimental effects were compared with the concentration addition (CA) and independent action (IA) models. Finally, an environmental risk assessment was carried out. Fenofibrate (FEN), loratadine (LOR), and ketoprofen (KET) were the most toxic, with EC50 of 0.32 mg L-1, 6.15 mg L-1 and 36.8 mg L-1, respectively. Synergistic effects were observed for FEN + LOR, KET + LOR, and KET + FEN + LOR, showing that the CA and IA may underestimate the toxicity. Environmental risks for KET concerning algae, and LOR e 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2) for crustaceans and fish were high for several locations. Besides, high removals by wastewater treatment technologies are required to achieve the concentrations necessary for reducing KET and LOR risk quotients. Thus, this study contributed to a better understanding of the toxic interactions and environmental risks of PhACs.

Simple and eco-friendly fabrication of hempseed protein by one-step low-temperature-induced phase separation and centrifugal removal of oil

Hempseed protein is an emerging plant-derived alternative protein with unmatched nutritional and health benefits. However, the currently available industrial hempseed protein production relies on a defatting step using an organic solvent, hexane with health and environmental risks, which also damages the proteins’ structural and functional properties. In this study, we describe a successful method for the simple and eco-friendly simultaneous extraction of proteins and removal of oil based on the “hydrophilic” properties of hempseed oil. Both hempseed protein isolates (HPIs) extracted from hexane-defatted hempseed flour (HHPI) and non-defatted hempseed flour (NHHPI) exhibited great similarities in protein contents (both >90%), amino acid composition, protein subunits and functional properties (solubility, water retention and foaming). However, NHHPI significantly outperformed HHPI in keeping native structural and some processing properties. NHHPI exhibited a higher percentage of α-helix (44.29%) with lower amount of random coil (15.33%) than HHPI (α-helix 41.71%, random coil 19.07%), higher fluorescence intensity with lower incident wavelength (λmax = 326) than HHPI (incident wavelength λmax = 329). Meanwhile, NHHPI displayed higher surface hydrophobicity (807.01), fat absorption (1.35 g/g) and emulsion activity (2.36 m2/g) as compared to HHPI (743.48, 1.14 g/g, 1.78 m2/g, respectively). These findings highlight the importance of a new defatting method for HPI extraction, which may also be applicable to other oilseed proteins.

Robust Risk Control with Reinsurance and CAT Bonds

This research studies robust risk control policies for an ambiguity-averse insurer. The insurer can manage its risk exposure through the purchase of reinsurance and the issuance of parametric catastrophe (CAT) bonds, which are linked to an exogenous trigger index. The insurer worries about the veracity of the model and seeks to develop a robust strategy to minimize the discounted ruin probability. We allow the insurer to exhibit different levels of ambiguity aversion toward its own claims and the trigger index. By employing a robust control approach, we analytically derive the optimal risk control policies that provide the insurer with guidelines on how to effectively manage its risk in an ambiguous environment. We present numerical examples that showcase scenarios in which CAT bonds can be utilized as an effective risk mitigation tool. Furthermore, we assess the potential welfare losses that could arise if the insurer fails to account for model uncertainty or lacks the ability to issue CAT bonds.

Design of the 18-year follow-up of the Danish COPSAC2000 birth cohort

BackgroundAtopic diseases, obesity and neuropsychiatric disorders are lifestyle-related and environmental-related chronic inflammatory disorders, and the incidences have increased in the last years.ObjectiveTo outline the design of the 18-year follow-up of...

Relationship Between Environmental Meteorological Factors and the Incidence of Epistaxis in Different Age Groups in Yangzhou.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between environmental and meteorological factors and the incidence of epistaxis in different age groups in Yangzhou, as well as to provide a reference and theoretical basis for epistaxis prevention and treatment. Methods: The patients with epistaxis who were treated in Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province from January 2016 to December 2020 were reviewed, and the relationship between the local environmental meteorological factors at the time of onset and the incidence of epistaxis in different age groups was analyzed, and the potential environmental meteorological risk factors of epistaxis in each age group were determined by Stepwise logistic regression. Results: From 2016 to 2020, there were 24,407 cases of epistaxis, mostly males and children. The effects of O3 concentration, average humidity, average temperature, NO2 concentration, sunshine duration, average wind speed, CO concentration, and temperature difference on the study population were statistically significant (P < .05). Analysis by age group showed that there were differences in environmental and meteorological factors related to epistaxis in different age groups. Conclusions: In Yangzhou, epistaxis is more prevalent among males and children. The environmental meteorological factors are related to the incidence of epistaxis in Yangzhou, among which the average humidity and temperature difference are negatively correlated with the incidence of epistaxis. In contrast O3 concentration, average temperature, NO2 concentration, sunshine duration, average wind speed, and CO concentration are positively correlated with epistaxis occurrence. However, the impact of these environmental and meteorological factors varies in different age groups.

Sustainable catalytic hydrogenation of high concentration nitrate to ammonia over Ruthenium-based catalysts

Elevated nitrate levels in natural water bodies significantly disrupt the global nitrogen cycle and pose a substantial environmental and human health risk. This study investigates the selective conversion of nitrate to ammonia via catalytic hydrogenation. This highly efficient and selective process offers a sustainable alternative to traditional ammonia production methods while simultaneously addressing nitrate pollution. Ruthenium (Ru) catalysts supported on ceria (CeO2), titania (TiO2), and tin dioxide (SnO2) were synthesized using a simple impregnation method, incorporating oxygen vacancies and low Palladium (Pd) loadings (0.25–0.5 wt%) to enhance catalytic performance. Ru-Pd/CeO2 exhibited superior activity and selectivity, maintaining near 100 % ammonia selectivity across various nitrate concentrations. At 75 °C, complete conversion of 2000 ppm nitrate to ammonia was achieved within 80 min using Ru-Pd/CeO2, and the yield of ammonia can reach up to 16440 mg•h−1•gRu-1. Subsequent ammonia enrichment through evaporation yielded pure ammonia solutions up to 3.6 wt%. Characterization and theoretical calculations suggest that abundant oxygen vacancies on the CeO2 surface and efficient hydrogen spillover from Pd nanoparticles synergistically contribute to the Ru-Pd/CeO2 catalyst’s superior performance. The catalyst exhibited excellent stability and reusability, maintaining high activity and selectivity over four cycles. This research presents a promising strategy for addressing nitrate pollution in water bodies while offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly route for ammonia synthesis. The findings of this study lay the foundation for further advancing and potentially implementing catalytic hydrogenation technology for nitrate pollution remediation and ammonia synthesis.

Efficient water disinfection against antibiotic-resistant bacteria by visible-light heterogeneous photo-Fenton-like process with atomically dispersed Cu on graphitic carbon nitride as the catalyst

Waterborne microbial contamination poses significant environmental and health risks. Photocatalytic heterogeneous Fenton and Fenton-like processes can offer efficient pathogen removal, with benefits in recycling, solid–liquid separation, and byproduct avoidance. However, their low reaction efficiency and slow kinetics for low-valence metal regeneration are limitations. This study addresses these challenges by incorporating atomically dispersed Cu onto graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) as a single-atom catalyst (SAC). The Cu atoms are stabilized by pyridinic N atoms through coordination, forming Cu-N4 catalytic sites that enhance photogenerated charge carrier transfer. This leads to a more efficient synergistic photocatalytic-Fenton-like reaction, generating more hydroxyl radicals and achieving effective water disinfection. Results show a 7-log bacterial inactivation of antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii within 8 min, surpassing prior photocatalytic-Fenton-like disinfection systems. Density functional theory calculations confirm improved hydrogen peroxide adsorption, electron transport, and electron-hole separation in the Cu-N4 structure. The catalyst’s durability and stability were demonstrated through extensive cycling experiments, ion interference tests, and disinfection trials in various water matrices. Additionally, the Cu-SAC@CN catalyst, loaded onto a polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, achieved a 99% bacterial eradication rate within 20 min. This study provides valuable insights into the potential applications of heterogeneous photocatalytic-Fenton-like systems for efficient eradication of waterborne bacteria.

Calcium alginate films loaded with copper-molybdenum oxide nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications

The rise in petroleum-based plastic waste, driven by increased consumption from delivery services and e-commerce, necessitates the search for sustainable alternatives like alginate-based materials to mitigate environmental risks. However, alginate, a biopolymer, has limited physico-chemical properties, lacks antibacterial capacity, and exhibits low antiviral activity. To address these issues, this study synthesized Cu3Mo2O9 semiconductor nanoparticles (CMO) and integrated them into alginate films crosslinked with Ca2+, producing advanced nanocomposite films with varying nanoparticle concentrations (0–10 wt%). CMO nanoparticles release Cu2+ and Mo6+ ions and generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), even in the dark. Results show that CMO weakly interacts with alginate blocks, causing slight structural changes but not significantly altering mechanical or thermal properties. CMO released Cu2+ (150–250 ppb at 24 h) and Mo6+ ions (5–8 ppm at 24 h), with Cu2+ undergoing cation exchange with Ca2+ crosslinking ions. Antibacterial tests demonstrated the composites' effectiveness against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (97.30 % and 91.36 % growth inhibition at 5 % and 10 % CMO), Gram-positive methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (87.26 % and 96.82 % inhibition at 5 % and 10 % CMO), and Mycobacterium smegmatis (99.83 % and 99.97 % inhibition at 5 % and 10 % CMO). These composites also showed antiviral activity against bacteriophage phi 6 (99.81 % and 92.66 % inactivation at 5 % and 10 % CMO) and bacteriophage MS2 (92.32 % and 92.93 % inactivation at 5 % and 10 % CMO). The primary mechanism is attributed to the release of Cu2+ cations and ROS generation. These nanocomposite films exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, offering potential industrial applications in packaging and antimicrobial surfaces.

Myopia and Environmental Risk Factors: A Comprehensive Study

Background: The global rise in the prevalence of myopia calls for evidence-based strategies to be devised to reduce the incidence and delay the progression of Myopia. The aim is to determine the relationship between myopia incidence and some environmental factors. Methods: A cross-section observational study was conducted at Alzahraa Teaching Hospital from May 2023 to December 2023. Primary school students of both genders. All students were enrolled in the study after an agreement with their parents/guards. Data was collected using a pre-constructed data collection sheet (questionnaire) including three sections, the first section was sent to the families to fill and sign the consent for participation and provide the required data including the demographic variables, family history and medical history of the students, time outdoors, prolonged near work/increased study hours, high BMI, use of LED lamps for homework, less sleeping hours, low Vitamin D levels, less participation in sports and low socioeconomic status. The second part included the general examination of the students, school grades and education performance (assessed according to the student school Cards). The third section involved the ophthalmological examination, visual acuity and ophthalmoscopic examination. Results: A total of 100 students were enrolled in this study, they were equally distributed according to gender, 50 boys and 50 girls. The age of students ranged between 6 and 12 years. Only 12 students had positive past medical and surgical history. A family history of myopia was reported in 20% of the studied group, 20 children were wearing spectacles and a history of past eye complaints was reported in 9 (9%) of children. The refractive errors were 45% hypermetropia, 39% myopia and 16% astigmatism. Abnormal visual acuity was detected in 35%. Myopia was significantly higher in children with family history (p=0.007). A statistically significant relationship was found between large time outdoors and myopia (OR=4.52, p=0.02). A statistically significant relationship was found between prolonged near-work/increased study hours and myopia (OR=4.52, p=0.02). A statistically significant relationship was found between using LED lamps for homework and myopia (OR=10.33, p&lt;0.0001). A statistically significant relationship was found between fewer sleeping hours and myopia (OR=7.5, p&lt;0.0001). Conclusion: Prevention of the onset of myopia and delay in the progression of myopia can be altered by modifying the contributing environmental risk factors. Raise outdoor time with adequate sunlight exposure, rural environment, less duration of near work, use of incandescent lamp and normal sleeping rhythms with adequate regular sleeping hours can prevent the onset and progression of myopia. Myopia is associated with high BMI, watching television and playing digital devices. High socioeconomic status associated with more indoor activity, increased academic pressure, sedentary lifestyle contribute to the prevalence of myopia.

Environmental Heavy Metal Exposure and Associated Cardiovascular Diseases in Light of the Triglyceride Glucose Index.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD), primarily ischemic heart disease and stroke, remain leading global health burdens. Environmental risk factors have a major role in the development of CVD, particularly exposure to heavy metals. The Triglyceride Glucose Index (TyG), a measure of insulin resistance and CVD risk, is the primary focus of this study, which summarizes the most recent findings on the effects of lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd) on CVD risk. A higher risk of CVD is correlated with an elevated TyG index, which has been linked to insulin resistance. Exposure to Cd is associated with disturbance of lipid metabolism and oxidative stress, which increases the risk of CVD and TyG. Exposure reduces insulin secretion and signaling, which raises the TyG index and causes dyslipidemia. Pb exposure increases the risk of CVD and TyG index via causing oxidative stress and pancreatic β-cell destruction. These results highlight the need of reducing heavy metal exposure by lifestyle and environmental modifications in order to lower the risk of CVD. To comprehend the mechanisms and create practical management plans for health hazards associated with heavy metals, more study is required.

Developing a dynamic energy budget model to project potential effects of deep-sea mining plumes on the Atlantic deep-sea mussel, Bathymodiolus azoricus

Due to the consistent lack of Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) for deep-sea mining scenarios, the potential impacts of this industry on marine ecosystems remain largely unknown. In order to fill this gap, a Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) model was developed to study the consequences of toxic sediment plumes derived from deep-sea mining on the energy budget of the Atlantic deep-sea mussel, Bathymodiolus azoricus. Model calibration was based on environmental conditions observed at the Menez Gwen (MG) vent field (Mid-Atlantic Ridge- MAR), assuming a B. azoricus lifespan of 10 years and a maximum shell length of 119 mm. Scenario simulations were conducted to mimic the effects of increased concentrations of toxic sediment plumes on mussel filtration rates, the absorption of reduced substrates by their endosymbionts, and the energetic costs associated with metal toxicity. Data were sourced from B. azoricus and, when necessary, from proxy species. One disturbance scenario (EF1) incorporated measured rates and realistic parameters, while the other (EF2) was intentionally designed to encompass cumulative effects and uncertainties, representing a potential worst-case scenario. Both disturbance scenarios were initiated at three different timings (0, 1200 and 2400 days) to accommodate the mining effects at different stages of the mussels' life cycle. Results indicate that B. azoricus is significantly impacted by toxic sediment plumes, particularly during earlier life stages, potentially leading to severe growth impairment and mortality. These results were integrated into a food web model of the MG vent field, revealing that disruptions to the energetic balance of the vent mussel have widespread consequences for the entire ecosystem. Overall, we argue that this numerical framework offers a valuable tool for conducting ERA and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) in the context of industrial deep-sea mining.

Deep learning artificial neural network framework to optimize the adsorption capacity of 3-nitrophenol using carbonaceous material obtained from biomass waste

The presence of toxic chemicals in water, including heavy metals like mercury and lead, organic pollutants such as pesticides, and industrial chemicals from runoff and discharges, poses critical public health and environmental risks leading to severe health issues and ecosystem damage; education plays a crucial role in mitigating these effects by enhancing awareness, promoting sustainable practices, and integrating environmental science into curricula to empower individuals to address and advocate for effective solutions to water pollution. However, the educational transformation should be accompanied with a technical process which can be eventually transferred to society to empower environmental education. In this study, carbonaceous material derived from Haematoxylum campechianum (CM-HC) was utilized for removing 3-nitrophenol (3-Nph) from aqueous solutions. The novelty of this research utilizes Haematoxylum campechianum bark and coconut shell, abundant agricultural wastes in Campeche, Mexico, for toxin removal, enhancing the adsorption process through artificial neural networks and genetic algorithms to optimize conditions and maximize the absorption efficiency. CM-HC’s surface morphology was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS), BET method, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and pHpzc. Kinetic models including pseudo-first-order (PFO), pseudo-second-order (PSO), and Elovich were applied to fit the data. Adsorption isotherms were determined at varying pH (3–8), adsorbent dosages (2–10 g/L), and temperatures (300.15–330.15 K), employing Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich–Peterson models. PSO kinetics demonstrated a good fit (R2 > 0.98) for Ci = 50–100 mg/L, indicating a chemical adsorption mechanism. The Langmuir isotherm model exhibited the best fit, confirming chemical adsorption, with a maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) of 236.156 mg/g at T = 300.15 K, pH = 6, contact time = 3 h, and 2 g/L adsorbent dosage. Lower temperatures favored exothermic adsorption. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) were employed for deep learning, optimizing the predictive model for removal percentage. Correlation heat maps highlighted positive correlations between time, dosage, and removal percentage, emphasizing the impact of initial concentration on efficiency. ANN modeling, incorporating iterative optimization, yielded highly accurate predictions, aligned closely with experimental results. The study showcases the success of deep learning in optimizing adsorption processes, emphasizing the importance of diverse correlation algorithms for comprehensive insights into competitive adsorption dynamics. The 5-14-14-1 deep learning architecture, fine-tuned over 228 epochs, demonstrated strong performance with mean squared error (MSE) values of 4.07, 18.406, and 6.2122 for training, testing, and total datasets, respectively, and high R-squared values. Graphical analysis showed a solid linear correlation between experimental and simulated removal percentages, emphasizing the need to consider more than just testing data for optimization. Experimental validation confirmed a 98.77% removal efficiency, illustrating the effectiveness of combining deep learning with genetic algorithms, and highlighting the necessity of experimental trials to verify computational predictions. It is concluded that the carbonaceous material from Haematoxylum campechianum waste (CM-HC) is an effective, low-cost adsorbent for removing 3-nitrophenol from aqueous solutions, achieving optimal removal at pH 6 and 300.15 K with a maximum adsorption capacity of 236.156 mg/g, following Langmuir model and pseudo-second order kinetics. The validated ANN model offers a reliable tool for practical applications in environmental remediation, advancing both environmental science and educational innovation by integrating artificial neural networks and data science methodologies into student learning experiences.