Fast Uptake Research Articles

Mitigation of phosphorus contamination from livestock farms with La-containing hydrochar adsorbent

Phosphorus releases from livestock and poultry farms cause environmental contamination that must be mitigated through robust and effective recycle technologies. Lanthanum-modified hydrochars (La-HCN) prepared via mechanochemical modification had 96.8 mg g−1 phosphorus adsorption capacities and unprecedented fast uptake rates (half-maximum absorption capacity in 1.5 min). Presence of nitrogen in the hydrochars enhanced ion electrostatic interactions between lanthanum and carbon and accelerated phosphorus adsorption, which was confirmed theoretically with density functional theory calculations. Life cycle assessment (LCA) on a one-animal one-year basis revealed that production of La-containing hydrochar required fewer resources, had lower greenhouse gas emissions (171 kg CO2) and lower environmental impact than comparable adsorbent materials. Phosphorus removal levels achieved using the La-HCN adsorbent on actual wastewater from livestock and poultry breeding farms reached an adsorption rate of 93.6 %, exceeded sewage effluent standards of China, US EPA and EU, thus, demonstrate the practicality and scope of the developed technology.

The MoS2/rGO embed in macro-porous PAN gel as a novel DGT binding phase for the rapid and accurate detection of trace Hg(II)

The development of binding gels with a fast uptake rate, high capacity, and good selectivity could be beneficial for trace Hg(II) detection based on the DGT technology. In this study, a novel PAN@MoS2/rGO-DGT was assembled by using the nanocomposite embedded in polyacrylonitrile membrane (PAN@MoS2/rGO) as the binding phase. The interior regular finger-like macropore of the gel provided a convenient channel for the rapid mass diffusion of Hg(II), and the abundant sulfur offered the paramount driving force for trapping Hg(II). These endowed the PAN@MoS2/rGO with an impressive reaction rate, capacity, and selectivity toward Hg(II) and featured the PAN@MoS2/rGO-DGT with excellent diffusion rate (D) and adaptability in the complex matrixes across a wide range of pH, ion strength, common cations. However, the uptake of Hg(II) was influenced by the high content of chloride, thus a calibrated model was established based on the chloride concentration to correct the accumulated mass and D. After that, the high accuracy of this method was confirmed through the good consistency between Hg(II) concentration assessed by DGT and in bulk solution when the DGT was deployed to the river water, seawater, and domestic wastewater at the static and dynamic Hg(II) concentration. Field trials in the prawn farming seawater and lake water also showed a negligible deviation of Hg(II) content from the DGT and the conventional method, acquiring the actual Hg(II) level as 1.07-3.69 ng/L. The findings highlighted the application potential of macropore PAN gel hybrid with nanocomposite as a promising binding phase for trace Hg(II) or other pollutant detection.

Sub-Ambient Performance of Potassium Sarcosinate for Direct Air Capture Applications: CO2 Flux and Viscosity Measurements

Absorption based direct air capture (DAC) technologies have garnered significant interest in recent years due to their scalability, competitive regeneration energy requirements, and low susceptibility to degradation. One of the key advantages of DAC lies in its flexible siting options and the potential to utilize low-value land. However, most of the research in this field has been focused on ambient climate zones (T > 20 °C), overlooking sub-ambient (−30 °C < T < 20 °C) regions, which comprise approximately 70 % of the Earth’s surface. To fully realize the potential of DAC, it is essential to understand how DAC solvents perform in these sub-ambient conditions before any large-scale deployment can be considered. Among DAC solvents of interest, potassium sarcosinate (K-SAR) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its high CO2 capacity, fast uptake kinetics, compatibility with contactor packing materials, low volatility, good thermal and oxidative stability, and competitive regeneration energy requirements compared to current industry standards. This paper characterizes the CO2 flux and viscosity of K-SAR at sub-ambient conditions and explores the potential of using ethylene glycol and triethylene glycol as additives to prevent solvent freezing in DAC applications. For 1 M K-SAR, the CO2 flux ranges between 1.3 × 10-5 and 8.0 × 10-5 mol m−2 s−1 across a temperature range of −5 °C to 45 °C. Ethylene glycol is shown to effectively suppress the freezing point of K-SAR below −30 °C with volumetric loadings of the additive as low as 0.1. A reaction model was developed to predict the CO2 flux for 1 M K-SAR at different temperatures, demonstrating good agreement between experimental and theoretical fluxes.

Design and Preparation of Lifetime-Based Dual Fluorescent/Phosphorescent Sensor of pH and Oxygen and its Exploration in Model Physiological Solutions and Cells.

In the present report, a novel dual pH-O2 sensor based on covalent conjugate of rhodamine 6G and cyclometalated iridium complex with poly(vinylpyrrolidone-block-vinyltetrazole) copolymer is reported. In model physiological solutions the sensor chromophores display independent phosphorescent and fluorescent lifetime responses onto variations in oxygen concentration and pH, respectively. Colocalization studies on Chinese hamster ovary cells demonstrate the preferential localization in endosomes and lysosomes. The fluorescent lifetime imaging microscopy-phosphorescent lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM-PLIM) experiments show that the phosphorescent O2 sensor provides unambiguous information onto hypoxia versus normoxia cell status as well as semi-quantitative data on the oxygen concentration in cells in between these two states. However, the results of FLIM measurements indicate that dynamic lifetime interval of the sensor (≈0.5ns between pH values 5.0 and 8.0) is insufficient even for qualitative estimation of pH in living cells because half-width of lifetime distribution in the studied samples is higher than the sensor dynamic interval. Nevertheless, the variations in rhodamine emission intensity are much higher and allow rough discrimination of acidic and neutral cell conditions. Thus, the results of this study indicate that the suggested approach to the design of dual pH-O2 sensors makes possible to prepare the biocompatible and water-soluble conjugate with fast cellular uptake.

Indocyanine green uptake by human tumor and non‑tumor cell lines and tissue.

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a potential promising dye for a better intraoperative tumor border definition and an improved patient outcome by potentially improving tumor border visualization compared with traditional white light guided surgery. Here, the cellular uptake of ICG in human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC026) and immortalized non-cancer skin (HaCaT) cell lines was evaluated to study the tumor-specific cellular uptake of ICG. The spatial distribution of ICG inside tumor tissue was investigated in tissue sections of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma at a microscopic level. ICG uptake and internalization was observed in living cells after 2.5 h and in the nucleus after 24 h. In dead cells, higher and faster uptake was observed. In the tissue sections, higher ICG signal intensity could be detected in connective tissue and surrounding clusters and blood vessels. In conclusion, no distinct ICG uptake by tumor cells was detected in cancer cell lines and tumor tissue. ICG localization in certain regions of tumor tissue appears to be a result of enhanced tissue permeability and retention, but not specific to tumor cells.

Macroporous cellulose microspheres with high specific surface area via semi-dissolved chitosan templating for protein separation

The conflict between macroporous structure and high specific surface area strongly limited the dynamic adsorption performance of chromatographic media. Here, macroporous and high-specific-surface-area cellulose microspheres (PCMs) are prepared by using semi-dissolved chitosan as a dual-functional template and subsequently functionalized with diethylaminoethyl (DEAE) as anion exchangers for protein separation. The dual-functional template strategy leverages dissolved chitosan nanofibers as meso/micropore templates and the undissolved chitosan particles as macropore templates. The macropores of DEAE-PCMs (average size: 0.4–1.2 μm) efficiently decrease mass transfer resistance for fast uptake kinetics. The high specific surface area (272.34 m2/g) provides sufficient ligand sites for ensuring exceptional adsorption capacities. Therefore, the chitosan bifunctional templated PCMs, possessing a macro/meso/microporous structure, are promising candidates for high-performance chromatographic media.

The many features which make the eIDAS 2 Digital Wallet either risky or the ideal vehicle for the transition to post-quantum encryption

The amended Digital Identity Framework Regulation (“eIDAS 2″) is expected to be implemented by 2026, including its new solution of the Digital Identity Wallet from each Member State for its residents, citizens, and businesses. Widely used public key cryptosystems including those in the current EUDI Wallet prototypes are using electronic signatures and authentication that will need to be replaced by post-quantum resistant cryptography (PQC). In April 2024, the EU recommended general action by the Member States to prepare for quantum capability. We suggest that the European Digital Identity Wallet could be the starting point for an impactful debut of hybrid “quantum resistant” cryptography tools to align the Member States in the transition. We look at the awareness campaigns of ENISA and national cybersecurity authorities in the USA, Spain, UK and Germany on the transition to PQC using a hybrid approach. There seems to be some early consensus that NIST's PQC algorithms are likely to set the international standard. Given the eIDAS 2′s flexible, technologically neutral language, it allows the timely implementation of new secure encryption methods. The Wallet could be an exemplary model for large businesses, or app developers, and SMEs that also must transition to PQC to render secure those asymmetrically encrypted quantum-vulnerable digital assets. A very large and relatively fast uptake of the EUDI Wallet system is expected, and if it holds the promises of functionality, user friendliness, and security across the changing technological world, the EUDI Wallet's approach could become a benchmark for the transition to post-quantum capacity.

Sorption of 32Si and 45Ca by isotopic exchange during recrystallisation of cement phases

The uptake kinetics of 32Si and 45Ca on cement minerals including C-S-H phases, portlandite, AFm phases, ettringite, and aged hardened cement paste were determined through batch sorption experiments. A two-step uptake kinetics was observed, with a fast initial step during ∼1 day followed by a much slower second step, not yet completed after one year. The working hypothesis that the fast uptake is caused by exchange of the radioisotopes with stable isotopes adsorbed on the mineral surface, whereas the slow uptake step is due to uptake in the crystal lattice during recrystallisation, was tested with the help of phenomenological models that combine surface adsorption and homogeneous recrystallisation. The experimental data could be reproduced satisfactorily using a refined version of the formerly published continuous homogeneous recrystallisation (CHOR) model, supporting the working hypothesis and allowing equilibrium sorption coefficients (Rd; L kg−1) for these radionuclides to be calculated on a mechanistic basis. This provides insight into the intrinsic rates and mechanisms of interaction between cementitious materials and their pore fluids which contain dissolved calcium and silicon.

Photodynamic Effect of Amphiphilic N∧C∧N-Coordinated Platinum(II) Complexes in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Here, we report a photodynamic therapy (PDT) photosensitizer of N∧C∧N-coordinated Pt(II) complexes: [Pt(L)(solv)]+ (HL = 1,3-(2-dipyridyl)benzene) and [Pt(L)]+@HSA, which is the Pt(II) complex encapsulated in human serum albumin (HSA). The quantum yield of singlet oxygen production for [Pt(L)(solv)]+ is more than 50%, while that for [Pt(L)]+@HSA is much lower. Photoimages of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) treated with the Pt(II) complexes suggest that [Pt(L)(solv)]+ is delocalized in the entire cell after the fast uptake by diffusion and [Pt(L)]+@HSA is taken up by endocytosis and localized on organelles and the cell membrane. [Pt(L)(solv)]+ shows high photocytotoxicity for HUVECs, while [Pt(L)]+@HSA does not show photocytotoxicity.

730 nm Light‐Induced Cleavage of BODIPY Photocages via Entropy‐Driven Triplet Sensitization

AbstractLight‐activated drug delivery systems allow precise spatiotemporal control of a drug release process. However, safe and efficient drug release activation needs a low‐power nonpulsed red/near‐infrared light with high tissue penetration depth. Nevertheless, such systems remain a challenge. Herein, a self‐assembled nanovehicle made of 2,6‐diiodo‐B‐dimethyl‐boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY)‐based photocleavable trigonal molecules bearing Pt(II) meso‐tetraphenyltetranaphthoporhyrin photosensitizer and a fluorescent release marker Nile Red in hydrophobic core is introduced. The system employs endothermic triplet–triplet energy transfer between the photosensitizer and the trigonal molecule, leading to the cleavage of the trigonal molecule followed by cargo release. This allows to engage 730 nm light to cleave BODIPY photoremovable protecting groups (PPGs) instead of 530 nm light that would be needed for direct photocage excitation. Therefore, the approach unleashes the desired activation of drug release via photocleavage with longer wavelengths (within the phototherapeutic window) without any chemical modification of the PPGs. Cell studies demonstrate fast intracellular uptake of the nanovehices by PC3 human prostate cancer cells with accumulation in lysosomes in 2 h. Light irradiation at 730 nm on nanovehicles dispersed in cell media leads to payload release. Remarkably, the system exhibits higher release efficiency at low oxygen concentration than at ambient thus allowing to tackle aggressive hypoxic solid tumors.

The association of magnetic resonance imaging features with five molecular subtypes of breast cancer

ObjectiveTo identify the association of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features with molecular subtypes of breast cancer (BC). Materials and methodsA retrospective study was conducted on 112 invasive BC patients with preoperative breast MRI. The confirmed diagnosis and molecular subtypes of BC were based on the postoperative specimens. MRI features were collected by experienced radiologists. The association of MRI features of each subtype was compared to other molecular subtypes in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. ResultsThe proportions of luminal A, luminal B HER2-negative, luminal B HER2-positive, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative BC were 14.3 %, 52.7 %, 12.5 %, 10.7 %, and 9.8 %, respectively. Luminal A was associated with hypo-isointensityon T2-weighted images (OR=6.214, 95 % CI: 1.163–33.215) and non-restricted diffusion on DWI-ADC (OR=6.694, 95 % CI: 1.172–38.235). Luminal B HER2-negative was related to the presence of mass (OR=7.245, 95 % CI: 1.760–29.889) and slow/medium initial enhancement pattern (OR=3.654, 95 % CI: 1.588–8.407). There were no associations between MRI features and luminal B HER2-positive. HER2-enriched tended to present as non-mass enhancement lesions (OR=20.498, 95 % CI: 3.145–133.584) with fast uptake in the initial postcontrast phase (OR=9.788, 95 % CI: 1.689–56.740), and distortion (OR=11.471, 95 % CI: 2.250–58.493). Triple-negative were associated with unifocal (OR=7.877, 95 % CI: 1.180–52.589), hyperintensityon T2-weighted images (OR=14.496, 95 % CI: 1.303–161.328), rim-enhanced lesions (OR=18.706, 95 % CI: 1.915–182.764), and surrounding tissue edema (OR=5.768, 95 % CI: 1.040–31.987). ConclusionEach molecular subtype of BC has distinct features on breast MRI. These characteristics can serve as an adjunct to immunohistochemistry in diagnosing molecular subtypes, particularly in cases, where traditional methods yield equivocal results.

Declining costs imply fast market uptake of zero-emission trucks

Declining costs imply fast market uptake of zero-emission trucks

Tree-Inspired Structurally Graded Aerogel with Synergistic Water, Salt, and Thermal Transport for High-Salinity Solar-Powered Evaporation

HighlightsInspired by transport system in trees, a two-way water and salt transport mechanism is realized in a structurally graded aerogel, enabling simultaneous fast water uptake and salt rejection.The horizontally aligned pore channels near the surface achieve excellent heat localization by maximizing solar absorption and minimizing heat loss.The integrated water, salt, and thermal transports impart an impressive evaporation rate of 1.94 kg m−2 h−1 in a 20 wt% NaCl solution for 8 h without salt accumulation.

Economically friendly and facilely synthesized layered metal sulfide for efficient removal of aqueous cesium

Cost-effective and efficient capture of Cs+ ions from radioactive wastewater is crucial for the sake of environmental protection and human health but full of challenges. In this paper, we present the suitability of a layered metal sulfide, namely Na2Sn3S7 (NaTS), for the remediation of cesium by ion exchange, with the merits of facile preparation, cheap composition, high efficiency and good selectivity. The cesium adsorption behaviors including kinetic time, saturation capacity, pH values, interfering ions, dose and recyclability were explored in detail. The experimental results show that it has a fast cesium uptake kinetics (ca. 60 min), with a maximum adsorption capacity of 140.32 mg/g and a wide pH resistance of 2.2–12.6. Also, it exhibits the strong affinity for low-level Cs+ ion even in the presence of excessive Na+/Ca2+ ions, actual water environment and the dose-related researches, with the highest distribution coefficient Kd value reaching 9.61 × 103 mL/g. More importantly, the cesium adsorption performances in the recycling study and the flow membrane-like filtration application are still impressive. These advantages demonstrated by NaTS render it very promising for the inexpensive and effective incarceration of aqueous cesium.

Swelling of Thin Graphene Oxide Film in Water Vapor Studied by In Situ Spectroscopic Ellipsometry.

Graphene oxide (GO) is obtained by the chemical treatment of graphene sheets, resulting in decoration with oxygen-containing functional groups. In the work presented here, we examined marked changes that occur in a thin film of parallel aligned GO sheets when exposed to water vapor at various pressures. It was found that exceptionally fast and substantial water uptake and release occur that is accompanied by major changes in GO interlayer spacing. These characteristics were obtained in situ with spectroscopic ellipsometry. At 99% relative humidity (RH) and 25 °C, the interlayer spacing became 1.41 nm, which recovers to ∼0.8 nm within 30 s when exposed to 10% RH. Besides layer thickness values, uniaxial optical constants for the GO vs RH were derived from the ellipsometry data. Molar refraction theory was applied that indicated monolayer water formation at ∼91% RH at 25 °C upon water adsorption. Our findings contribute to the understanding of the interaction between GO and its environment. The very outspoken effect of external water vapor pressure on GO water content, interlayer spacing, and optical properties can be utilized in sensing and separation devices, subnanometer positioning, chemical switches, and environmentally aware materials.

Synthesis, in vitro antitumor evaluation and structure activity relationship of heptacoordinated amino-bis(Phenolato) Ti(IV) complexes stabilized by 2,6-dipicolinic acid.

Eighteen novel Ti(IV) complexes stabilized by different chelating amino-bis(phenolato) (ONNO, ONON, ONOO) ligands and 2,6-dipicolinic acid as a second chelator were synthesized with isolated yields ranging from 79 to 93%. Complexes were characterized by 1H and 13C-NMR spectroscopy, as well as by HRMS and X-Ray diffraction analysis. The good to excellent aqueous stability of these Ti(IV) complexes can be modulated by the substitutions on the 2-position of the phenolato ligands. Most of the synthesized Ti(IV) complexes demonstrated potent inhibitory activity against Hela S3 and Hep G2 tumor cells. Among them, the naphthalenyl based Salan type 2j, 2-picolylamine based [ONON] type 2n and N-(2-hydroxyethyl) based [ONOO] type 2p demonstrated up to 40 folds enhanced cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin together with a significantly reduced activity against healthy AML12 cells. The three Ti(IV) complexes exhibited fast cellular uptake by Hela S3 cells and induced almost exclusively apoptosis. 2j could trigger higher level of ROS generation than 2p and 2n.

Zr4+-mercaptosuccinate MOF for the uptake and recovery of gold nanoparticles and gold ions under batch and continuous flow conditions

The increasing use of nanomaterials in commercial products has raised concerns regarding their potential effects on water quality and living organisms. So far, most sorbents available for removing nanosized inorganic pollutants from water rely on electrostatic interactions or entrapment in the sorbent pores. However, this limits their applicability in real wastewater samples containing nanomaterials with variable surface properties and sizes, along with high concentrations of competitive species such as inorganic salts and organics. Little attention has also been paid to the recovery of nanoparticles after sorption. In this work, a Zr4+-mercaptosuccinate metal organic framework (MOF) with free thiol groups was investigated as a sorbent for the removal of Au nanoparticles and Au3+ ions from water. Sorption occurs on the surface of the MOF via the formation of strong metal-thiolate chemical bonds enabling the fast uptake of noble metal nanoparticles and noble metal ions from water (within <1 h). The maximum sorption capacity was found to depend on the size of the Au nanoparticles and ranged from 8 to 41.5 mg/g. The surface functionalization of nanoparticles did not influence sorption performance, which was also maintained in natural waters of variable matrix complexity. The material was also efficient in fixed bed columns with an estimated maximum Au sorption capacity of approximately 7 mg/g, which is significantly higher than the environmental concentrations of Au nanoparticles and adequate for their removal from industrial wastewater. Importantly, the sorbed nanoparticles could be quantitatively recovered (>90 %), at the expense of material degradation, enabling their potential reuse.

Ball-milled sepiolite/phosphate rock for simultaneous remediation of cadmium-contaminated farmland and alleviation of phosphorus deficiency symptoms in pepper

Herein, ball-milled combination of sepiolite and phosphate rock was carried out for synergistic passivation of Cd in soil and alleviation of phosphorus deficiency in pepper. The as-prepared BM-Sep2PR1 exhibited extensive pH adaptability and fast uptake for Cd(II) with maximal uptake capacity of 78.67 mg/g. After application of 0.5 % BM-Sep2PR1, the bioavailability of Cd in soil decreased by 58.2 %, and its unstable forms declined by 57.0 % with transformation into residual speciation such as Cd3(PO4)2 and CdnCa5-n(PO4)3OH. Moreover, BM-Sep2PR1 significantly decreased the amount of Cd in pepper shoot (77.8 %) and root (54.8 %), and the bioconcentration factors (soil-root) and translocation factors (root-shoot) were significantly reduced by 54.8 % and 50.8 %, respectively. Notably, the soil available phosphorus, pepper root vitality, and photosynthetic pigment content increased by 202.8 %, 136.4 %, and 58.4 %, respectively, thus significantly alleviating the phosphorus deficiency symptoms of pepper. Additionally, BM-Sep2PR1 improved soil microbial community structure, especially enhanced the abundance of microorganism involved in nutrient cycling and heavy metal resistance. The Cd passivation mechanisms of BM-Sep2PR1 were identified as pore filling, electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, surface complexation, and chemical precipitation. Overall, this study provided a potential strategy for synergetic soil remediation and plant nutrient supplement by using ball-milled functional materials.

Hypericin - a natural photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy on skin cancer cells

SignificanceThe aim of the study was to measure the effectiveness of hypericin in the photokilling of skin cancer cells after orange light irradiation. ApproachTests were carried out on the skin cancer cells SSC-25 and MUG-Mel2, and keratinocytes HaCaT cell line with the use of hypericin and PDT. We performed cytotoxicity tests, cellular uptake with flow cytometry, and TUNEL assay to detect apoptotic bodies. ResultsIn cytotoxicity experiments, don't observe difference in keratinocyte viability, but in cancer cells the after-viability was decreased by almost 50% after irradiation. In the TUNEL assay, the appearance of a large number of apoptotic bodies in cancer cell lines was observed. In the cellular uptake experiments, showed that the cell lines very fast uptake hypericin. ConclusionsMore studies are necessary to confirm the potential anticancer activity of hypericin and shed light on various cellular and molecular mechanisms which are behind our findings.

A new reduced geometric model for simulation and design of NETmix reactors: LoopNUB

NETmix is a mesosized static mixer comprising a network of mixing chambers and channels, which has experienced a fast industrial uptake. The flow inside this mixer has been previously simulated using the NETmix Unit Block (NUB) - a vertical subdomain of the network that uses lateral Periodic Boundary Conditions (PBCs). A new model is introduced, enabling further reduction of the simulated space – the LoopNUB – that considers PBCs in the sidewalls and between the inlets and outlets, representing an infinite network. The LoopNUB with four rows proved suitable for simulating flow dynamics in NETmix for distances larger than 8 unit cells from inlet channels. LoopNUB was verified, and the results were validated from NUB simulations, which had been validated from experiments. LoopNUB enables the accurate simulation of flow dynamics and heat transfer while decreasing simulation time and computational resources such as disk and memory usage.