Principal Source Research Articles

Sources and transport of CO2 in the karst system of Jiguan Cave, Funiu Mountains, China

Conveyance and modification of carbon-isotope signals within the karst system remain difficult to constrain, due to the complexity of interactions between multiple components, including precipitation, bedrock, soil, atmosphere, and biota. Cave monitoring is thus critical to understanding both their transport in the karst system and dependence on local hydroclimatic conditions. Jiguan Cave, located in Funiu Mountain in central China, is representative of karst tourist caves with relatively thin epikarst zone. We conducted a comprehensive monitoring program of cave climate from 2018 to 2021 and measured δ13C during 2021 in monthly and heavy-rainfall samples of soil CO2, cave CO2, cave water (drip water and underground river), and underground river outlet. Our results demonstrate synchronous variations between CO2 concentration and δ13CCO2 in both soil and cave air on seasonal time scales. Cave pCO2 and carbon-isotope composition further exhibited a high sensitivity to human respiration with fluctuations of ~2000–3000 ppm within 4 days during the cave closure period in July 2021 without tourists. 13C-depleted isotopic signal of cave air in summer is the mixture of human respiration and soil CO2 which varies as a function of regional hydrological conditions of the summer monsoon during the rainy season with high temperatures and humidity. However, respired CO2 from the overlying soil was expected to be the only principal source of the cave CO2 when the anthropogenic CO2 source was removed. The high seasonal amplitude of cave air δ13CCO2 reflects ventilation dynamics, which leads to a prominent contribution from the external atmosphere during winter. Intriguingly, although the δ13C signal reflects complex vertical processes in the vertical karst profile, a heavy summer rainfall event was related to anomalously high δ13C values of cave water that can be utilized to interpret rainfall intensity and regional hydroclimate.

6]-Shogaol Induces Apoptosis of Murine Bladder Cancer Cells.

Bladder cancer is considered one of the most aggressive neoplasms due to its recurrence and progression profile, and even with the improvement in diagnosis and treatment methods, the mortality rate has not shown a declining trend in recent decades. From this perspective, the search and development of more effective and safer therapeutic alternatives are necessary. Phytochemicals are excellent sources of active principles with therapeutic potential. [6]-Shogaol is a phenolic compound extracted from the ginger rhizomes that has shown antitumor effects in a wide variety of cancer models. However, there is no record in the literature of studies reporting these effects in models of bladder cancer. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the in vitro cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic potential of [6]-Shogaol against murine bladder cancer urothelial cells (MB49). The cytotoxic effects of [6]-Shogaol on cell viability (MTT method), cell morphology (light microscopy), alteration of proliferative processes (clonogenic assay), oxidative stress pathway (levels of reactive oxygen species) and the induction of apoptotic events (flow cytometry and high-resolution epifluorescence imaging) were evaluated in murine urothelial bladder cancer cell lines (MB49), relative to non-tumor murine fibroblasts (L929). The results showed that [6]-Shogaol was able to induce concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects, which compromised cell viability, exhibiting an inhibitory concentration of 50% of cells (IC50) of 146.8 µM for MB49 tumor cells and 236.0 µM for L929 non-tumor fibroblasts. In addition to inhibiting and altering the proliferative processes if colony formation, it presented pro-apoptotic activity identified through a quantitative analysis and the observation of apoptotic phenotypes, events apparently mediated by the induction of nuclear fragmentation. The data presented suggest that [6]-Shogaol has a higher concentration-dependent cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing potential in MB49 cells than in L929 fibroblasts. These results may contribute to the development of therapeutic alternatives for bladder cancer.

Assessment by bioeconomic modeling water price scenarios of the resilience of agricultural production systems in a semi-arid region: Case of Baalbeck El Hermel – Lebanon

Baalbeck El Hermel Governorate, particularly the semi-arid region is increasingly threatened by climate change. These disturbances, more specifically, concerning the limit in water resources generate problems for the agricultural systems constituting the principle source of families’ subsistence in this zone. This study was established to evaluate, via a bioeconomic modeling approach, the resilience of agricultural systems in Baalbeck El Hermel and perceive their adaptation techniques under conditions of water scarcity. In this context, we have selected three typical farms representative of the driest northern zone receiving the least precipitation.
 Several behaviors and levels of resilience of these farms were showed after analysis of the results: 1) farms specializing in market gardening or perennial crops are very sensitive to drought conditions and are not resilient in the face of water limit conditions; 2) the diversified farm with olive tree dominance is less sensitive and more resilient. The analysis of the water pricing scenario showed an improvement in water management but a limit in the adaptive capacity of farmers, hence the necessity to adapt resilience-building strategies for the targeted zone.

Pollution and source-specific risk analysis of potentially toxic metals in urban soils of an oasis-tourist city in northwest China.

Source-specific risk apportionment for soil potentially toxic metals (PTMs) is of great significance for contamination prevention and risk management in urban environments. Eighty-five urban soil samples were obtained from an oasis-tourist city, China and examined for eight PTMs (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn). The pollution levels, sources, and ecological risk of soil PTMs were quantified, and their source-specific ecological and human health effects were also estimated using the multi-proxy approaches. The results demonstrated that accumulation of Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn in soils was observed compared to their background levels, and the soils experienced varying degrees of PTMs pollution, especially at sites with high-intensity anthropogenic activities. Natural sources, atmospheric deposition, industrial sources, vehicular emissions, and comprehensive inputs were the principal sources, with contributions of 29.28%, 25.86%, 20.13%, 16.50%, and 8.23%, respectively. The integrated ecological risks of PTMs in soils were moderate at most sites, with atmospheric deposition being the dominant contributor to ecological risks. Children exhibited pronounced non-cancer risks, but adults had no notable non-cancer risks. Moreover, there were potential carcinogenic risks for both children and adults within the study region. Non-cancer and carcinogenic risks were more significant for children than adults, and traffic emissions were the primary contributor to non-cancer risks (adults: 20.53%, children: 20.49%) and carcinogenic risks (adults: 22.95%, children: 22.08%). The industrial and traffic activities were considered as priority control sources for soil pollution control and risk management, with Hg, Cd, Zn, and Pb corresponding to the priority elements. This study highlights the source-specific ecological and human health effects of PTMs pollution in urban soils, thereby providing valuable information for targeted pollution control and priority source management.

UK flockdown: A survey of smallscale poultry keepers and their understanding of governmental guidance on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)

The scale of the current outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) due to the A/H5N1 virus in the United Kingdom is unprecedented. In addition to its economic impact on the commercial poultry sector, the disease has devastated wild bird colonies and represents a potential public health concern on account of its zoonotic potential. Although the implementation of biosecurity measures is paramount to reducing the spread of HPAI in domestic and commercial settings, little is known about the attitudes and perspectives of backyard poultry keepers, who often keep their flocks in close proximity to the public. A large nationwide survey of backyard poultry keepers was undertaken in December 2021–March 2022, contemporaneous with the enforcement of an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) and additional housing measures in England, Scotland and Wales. The survey explored keepers’ understanding of the clinical manifestations of HPAI, compliance with housing and biosecurity measures, attitudes towards obligatory culling on confirmation of HPAI in their flocks, and the potential use of vaccination to control HPAI. Summary statistical analysis of the closed question responses was supplemented with qualitative data analysis and corpus linguistic approaches to draw out key themes and salient patterns in responses to open text questions. Survey responses were received from 1559 small-scale poultry keepers across the United Kingdom. Awareness of the HPAI outbreak was very high (99.0%). The majority of respondents learned of it via social media (53%), with Defra (49.7%), British Hen Welfare Trust (33.8%) and the APHA (22.0%) identified as the principal sources of information. Analysis revealed that backyard keepers lacked knowledge of the clinical signs of avian influenza and legal requirements relating to compliance with biosecurity measures. Some respondents dismissed the seriousness of HPAI and were unwilling to comply with the measures in force. The issue of obligatory culling proved highly emotive, and some expressed a lack of trust in authorities. Most respondents (93.1%) indicated a willingness to pay for vaccination if the option was available. Communications on biosecurity measures that are relevant to large-scale industrial setups are inappropriate for backyard contexts. Understanding the barriers that backyard keepers face is essential if official agencies are to communicate biosecurity information effectively to such groups. Lack of trust in authorities is likely to make elimination of the virus in the UK difficult. We make recommendations for tailoring HPAI-related information for backyard contexts, to aid future HPAI control measures in the UK.

The Revival of US Hospital Care, 2004-2019.

Between 2004 and 2019, the US hospital industry reversed the 21-year decline in its share of national health spending. To measure and explain changes in hospital utilization, cost, charges, and inpatient case mix. Principal sources were the American Hospital Association annual survey, the National Inpatient Sample, and the Healthcare Cost Reporting Information System. The study included all US community hospitals (n=5141 in 2019). We used factor decomposition to separate the impacts of population, utilization, unit cost, and charge markups on the growth in cost and charges for inpatient and outpatient care nationwide and for each state. For unit cost, we separated the impacts of input price inflation and treatment intensity. To measure the inpatient case mix, we applied an all-patient diagnosis-related groups algorithm. Between 2004 and 2019, charges more than tripled to $4.11 trillion. The cost more than doubled to $911 billion. For inpatient care, discharges fell 5%, discharges per person fell 15%, cost per discharge increased 88%, and charge markups rose 43%. For outpatient care, visits rose 36%, visits per person rose 21%, cost per visit rose 119%, and charge markups rose 52%. Treatment intensity increased by 33% per discharge and 55% per visit. Nationwide, the inpatient case mix increased by 34%, reflecting sicker patients and better clinical documentation. We quantified 3 important trends: rapid growth in outpatient visits, increased treatment intensity, and sustained increases in markups. Increased treatment intensity was the largest factor behind $491 billion in hospital cost growth between 2004 and 2019.

Un esempio di mappatura dell’italiano antico: la carta «‑GN‑» del progetto MIRA

Abstract This paper intends to present the first results of the project Mappatura dell’Italo-Romanzo Antico (MIRA) funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) for the period 2022–2026. The project’s main goal is the mapping of the linguistic situation of Italy before the year 1400. We illustrate one type of linguistic map, the one concerned with single linguistic features (such as the reflexes of Latin vowels, consonants, consonant clusters, etc.), using the outcomes of Latin ‑gn‑. We show how the geographic distribution of the various reflexes can be displayed graphically and how the data from our principal source, the Atlante Grammaticale della Lingua Italiana delle Origini (AGLIO) can be integrated with the scrutiny of other texts and with secondary bibliography. Furthermore, we discuss critical points regarding the balance of our corpus – in a diachronic, diatopic and diastratic/diaphasic perspective – and the expediency of different solutions for the visualization of our findings.

ÜNİVERSİTE ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN EK İŞTE ÇALIŞMA OLGUSUNUN TEORİK İNCELEMESİ

The practice of moonlighting, where people take on additional jobs to augment their principal source of income, is an intriguing phenomenon, which seems to be gaining more prevalence among higher education students. Researchers are therefore examining the effects of this tendency on students' academic performance and professional prospects more and more, underscoring the significance of this trend for scholarly attention. The current research intends to explore this trend using three well-established theoretical perspectives: Human Capital Theory, Labour Market Segmentation Theory, and Social Exchange Theory. By examining these viewpoints, we can learn more about how moonlighting can be viewed as an investment, comprehend the traits of various labour market segments and how they affect students' moonlighting behaviours, and finally, we can better understand why university students choose to or not to moonlight and the variables that influence their decisions.

An Investigation into the Stability Source of Collagen Fiber Modified Using Cr(III): An Adsorption Isotherm Study.

The enhanced hydrothermal stability of leather, imparted by little Cr(III), has traditionally been ascribed to strong coordinate bonds. However, this explanation falls short when considering that the heat-induced shrinking of collagen fiber is predominantly driven by rupturing weak H-bonds. This study explored the stability source via adsorption thermodynamics using collagen fiber as an adsorbent. Eleven isotherm models were fitted with the equilibrium dataset. Nine of these models aptly described Cr(III) adsorption based on the physical interpretations of model parameters and error functions. The adsorption equilibrium constants from six models could be transformed into dimensionless thermodynamic equilibrium constants. Based on the higher R2 of the van't Hoff equation, thermodynamic parameters (∆G°, ∆H°, ∆S°) from the Fritz-Shluender isotherm model revealed that the adsorption process typifies endothermic and spontaneous chemisorption, emphasizing entropy increase as the primary driver of Cr(III) bonding with collagen. Thus, the release of bound H2O from collagen is identified as the stability source of collagen fiber modified by Cr(III). This research not only clarifies the selection and applicability of the isotherm model in a specific aqueous system but also identifies entropy, rather than enthalpy, as the principal stability source of Cr-leather. These insights facilitate the development of novel methods to obtain stable collagen-based material.

Analysis of Agricultural Carbon Emissions and Carbon Sinks in the Yellow River Basin Based on LMDI and Tapio Decoupling Models

In addition to creating economic value, crops also serve important ecological functions. Especially their carbon sink function, which plays a key role in mitigating climate change. In this study, the LMDI and the Tapio model were innovatively combined to quantitatively evaluate the carbon emissions and sinks in the Yellow River basin (YRB). It shows that the average annual growth rate of the YRB was −0.1344% during 2002–2020. Carbon emissions show a negative trend due to the transformation and upgrading of agriculture from traditional to modern and the implementation of policies related to China’s agricultural benefits. Agricultural production efficiency is a major factor in inhibiting agricultural carbon emissions, reducing carbon emissions by an average of approximately 8.07 million tons per year. High-carbon emission and high-sink areas in agriculture are mainly concentrated in the southeast of the YRB, where livestock and poultry farming is the principal source of carbon emissions, with rice, wheat, and corn being the principal contributors to the carbon sink. Moreover, there are significant differences in the carbon sink capacity of crops in the YRB. Optimizing crop selection and area distribution can enhance the carbon sink capacity in different regions, contributing to more effective carbon emission control. This study combines agricultural carbon emissions with the carbon sequestration capacity of crops, providing data support and a theoretical basis for the policy formulation and planning of low-carbon agriculture in China. It is of great significance for promoting sustainable agricultural development and mitigating climate change.

The Nature and Purpose of Public Dissections in Early Modern London.

Modern scholarship on the early modern European anatomy theater has long argued that public dissections were theatrical, carnivalesque affairs characterized by viewers' fascination with the material exposure of the dissected body. This essay builds from the recent work on early modern public dissections to argue against such monolithic presentations of the early modern anatomy. To this end, the essay examines three principal source materials connected with public dissections in early modern London to more specifically argue that public dissections in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century London were solemn events focused on promoting the status of London's barber-surgeons' guild, the Royal College of Physicians, and the education and knowledge of their respective members. In this regard, the essay further suggests that there was no single, dominant perception of dissection and anatomy at the time, but that dissection was utilized as a tool for different individual, occupational, and institutional purposes.

Biblical Foundations for Business Ethics

The article explores biblical sources of ethics principles of business. It demonstrates that in the contemporary pluralistic world, principles of biblical business ethics can be valuable in the communication and interaction among representatives of different countries and cultures, as they encompass fundamental foundations for building business relationships. Due to the influence of Christian morality on the culture of many nations, biblical values have the potential to significantly impact individuals and their economic behavior, contributing to the dissemination of important economic categories in society. The study reveals that important anthropological foundations for fruitful economic relations have been formed within the framework of biblical theocentrism, including considerations of human dignity, honesty, diligence, responsibility, and charity. The biblical perspective on property as a temporary stewardship has significant implications for awareness and education about responsibility not only towards other people but also towards the environment, holding crucial relevance in the context of corporate social responsibility in the modern world.

An inventory of potential medicinal plants common in Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts of West Bengal, India to Treat leprosy

Present survey reported 66 species (dicots 56, monocots 9 and pteridophyte 01) of medicinal plants under 63 genera (dicots 55, monocots 7 and pteridophyte 01), 38 families (dicots 30, monocots 7 and pteridophyte 01) from different parts of Purba and Paschim Medinipur districts. In ancient times traditionally drugs were extracted from different parts of the plants like roots, stems, barks, bulbs, seeds, fruits, tubers, wood and as a whole from the all parts of a plant. Besides the above mentioned parts, some drugs are also collected from excretory plant products like gums, seed oil, latex, juice/ plant sap etc. as a novel source of active principles for the preparation of medicine as an antidote for their daily life health care management. Mycobacterium leprae, is a bacteria that causes a chronic disease called Leprosy and consequently damages peripheral nervous system and skin. Present investigation recorded 66 plants bearing medicinally active compounds in their different parts ultimately that can be administered for the treatments of leprosy. The botanical name, Bengali name (s), habit, parts used and mode of applications of these compounds under references are also discussed in this paper.

Geochemistry of lanthanides in thermal waters of Issyk-Kul Lake Basin

The distribution and abundance of lanthanides in thermal waters of the northern Tien Shan (Issyk-Kul lake basin) were studied. Waters are represented by three types: Na-Cl-SO4-HCO3, Na-Ca-Cl-SO4 and Na-Ca-Cl, demonstrates alkaline pH (7.3–9.7) and Eh from -260 to +98 mV. Discharge temperature varies from 15 to 50oC, and total dissolved solids from 0.2 to 13.0 g/l. It is established that lanthanides (or rare earth elements, REE) concentrations vary from 0.07 to 0.81 ppb, the maximal concentrations relate to a Na-Ca-Cl water type, which demonstrates the influence of reverse ion exchange. The total concentration of rare earth elements roughly increases as pH decreases, implying that the absolute abundance of REE is totally controlled by pH conditions. The ΣREE concentrations in groundwater exhibit a high positive correlation (R=0.8) with the total dissolved solids contents indicating that ΣREE are well related to the salinity of the thermal water samples. The major ions HCO3, SO4, Ca, K, and Mg have minor associations with REE. The geochemical and geological data suggest that the principal REE source of the thermal waters is bedrock mineralogy and lithology. The distribution and abundance of REE in thermal waters of Issyk-Kul basin were studied for the first time.

Hydrogeological Studies of Ladnun Block in Nagaur District of Rajasthan, India

Abstract: The study area of Ladnun block is situated in the northern part of the Nagaur district of Rajasthan State, India covering about 1448.83 sq. kms (excluding 81.25 sq. kms Non potential area) having coordinates 27°39’ to 27°65’ North latitude and 74°23’ to 74°38’ East longitude. Older alluvium, Jodhpur Sandstone, Bilara Limestone and Schist are principal sources of groundwater in the study area. Six Potential Zones have been demarcated in different aquifers. Yield of wells and tube wells varies from 90 to 350 M3 /day. Quality of groundwater is potable having EC value less than 4000 micro siemens/cm at 25̊ C. Depth of groundwater varies from 4.1 to 108 meters in the block. Groundwater quality varies widely in the Ladnun block. High concentration of fluoride and TDS are major quality problems associated with groundwater in the region (Vyas, 1999). Fluoride concentration of groundwater samples from 34 villages of Ladnun block was monitored and thirty villages were found to have a fluoride concentration above 1.5 mg/l. The maximum fluoride concentration (16.1 mg/l) was recorded in groundwater of the Kasumbi village, while minimum (0.90 mg/l) was recorded in Hudas village. The study area is recommended for groundwater management and conservation.

Analysis Of The Leadership Concept Of Maximus In The Movie Gladiator (2000) Using The Swot Theory Approach

Through the application of the SWOT theory, this study examines the leadership concept that Maximus portrays in the movie Gladiator (2000). The objective of this study is to determine the factors that influence the leadership of the primary protagonist, specifically focusing on their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The research methodology used in this study is a comprehensive examination of Maximus' behaviors and attributes as depicted in the film. The findings of the analysis indicate that Maximus possesses notable attributes in the realm of moral leadership and courage, which significantly contribute to his achievements within the film. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that he possesses certain limitations, including a tendency for uncertainty and vulnerability. Moreover, Maximus draws on the chances presented by the establishment of friendships and the provision of support from other characters, ultimately enabling him to accomplish his objectives. The principal sources of danger arise from the protagonist's antagonists within the narrative. In summary, the leadership philosophy shown by Maximus in the film Gladiator can be seen as embodying the fundamental elements of the SWOT analysis framework. The findings of this analysis contribute to our comprehension of leadership dynamics within the framework of a cinematic story and offer valuable perspectives on the use of SWOT theory in the examination of fictional personas. The results mentioned above hold significance for comprehending leadership principles within the realm of popular culture and in the context of ordinary society.

Streamflow responses to forest and climate change in the boreal Da Hinggan Mountains, Northeastern China

AbstractBoreal forests cover vast stretches of land across all continents and represent a principal source area of clean water in the northern hemisphere. Increasingly, studies are conducted on the impact of changes in boreal forest cover on water yield; however, much remains unknown concerning the effects of forest structure changes on stream discharge over the course of multi‐decadal forest harvest cycles. In this study, we analysed long‐term hydrometeorological and forest dynamics data spanning from 1990 to 2016 from a typical boreal forest watershed in the Da Hinggan Mountains in northern China. Our objective was to quantify how changes in forest age and tree species composition affect mean annual streamflow and flow regimes in the context of a changing climate. To distinguish the effects of forest and climate changes on annual streamflow from one another, we employed a combination of a sensitivity‐based method and a temporal trend analysis. Further, we evaluated the impact of forest changes on flow regimes using four indicators: magnitude, duration, frequency, and variability. The results indicated that mean annual streamflow increased by 55.8 mm, with forest changes contributing +61.4 mm compared to −5.6 mm due to climate change (negative effect). This increase occurred when approximately 20% of mature coniferous forests transitioned to mid‐age broad‐leaved forests, accompanied by a 10% increase in total stock volume during the later period. Finally, the effect of changes in forest structure on flow regime were not significant. Our results underscore that variations in forest structure affect streamflow differently depending on stand age and species proportions. Therefore, dynamic forest structure management can benefit not only carbon sequestration but also water supply capacity in boreal forested watersheds.

Lipocalin-2 as a mediator of neuroimmune communication.

Lipocalin-2, a neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, is a 25-kDa secreted protein implicated in a broad range of inflammatory diseases affecting the brain and periphery. It is a pleotropic protein expressed by various immune and nonimmune cells throughout the body. Importantly, the surge in lipocalin-2 levels in disease states has been associated with a myriad of undesirable effects, further exacerbating the ongoing pathological processes. In the brain, glial cells are the principal source of lipocalin-2, which plays a definitive role in determining their functional phenotypes. In different central nervous system pathologies, an increased expression of glial lipocalin-2 has been linked to neurotoxicity. Lipocalin-2 mediates a crosstalk between central and peripheral immune cells under neuroinflammatory conditions. One intriguing aspect is that elevated lipocalin-2 levels in peripheral disorders, such as cancer, metabolic conditions, and liver diseases, potentially incite an inflammatory activation of glial cells while disrupting neuronal functions. This review comprehensively summarizes the influence of lipocalin-2 on the exacerbation of neuroinflammation by regulating various cellular processes. Additionally, this review explores lipocalin-2 as a mediator of neuroimmune crosstalk in various central nervous system pathologies and highlights the role of lipocalin-2 in carrying inflammatory signals along the neuroimmune axis.

Salinity stress and different types of nano silicon's effects on lupine morphology and biochemical accumulations

Drug and food industries employ lupine (Lupinus termis). Saline irrigation water is one of the main obstacles to spread of lupine growing in Egypt's reclamation regions. Productivity of plants grown under salty irrigation water can be improved by using silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) or functionalized silica nanoparticles (FSiNPs). Lupine plant can be harmed by saline water, especially if it includes sodium chloride; consequently, it was projected that lupine production would fail in Egypt's reclaimed soil, where sodium chloride-containing groundwater is used as the principal irrigation source. In this work, Si types were applied to the leaves of lupine to aid in their response to sodium chloride in to lessen the damaging effects of sodium chloride on them for increasing their output in the recently reclaimed regions. Si types were applied to lupine leaves at 0, 1, 2 mM SiNPs, and 1, 2 mM FSiNPs with fresh or saline water. Obtained results indicated that there were different improvements in the morphological characters, yield and fixed oil content, when SiNPs or FSiNPs were applied to lupine plants that had been exposed to saline water. In this way, SiNPs or FSiNPs adapted to saline water by increasing photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a or b and carotenoids), osmolytes (proline, soluble sugars, free amino acids), antioxidant molecules (phenols and flavonoids), membrane stability index and antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and glutathione reductase), while decreasing the values of hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage. However, additions of FSiNPs under saline water performed better than SiNPs x saline water treatments. This study assists farmers in reducing the negative impacts of saline irrigation water on reclaimed fields.

Lead in paint-contaminated residential soils with varying physicochemical properties from three large US cities: assessment of geochemical forms and recommendations on amendments for immobilization

Lead in yard soils has been recognized as the principal source of excess lead absorption among young children. The hazard imposed by soil lead is dependent on the geochemical forms of lead in soils. Soil properties such as pH, soil organic matter, clay, and carbonate content influence the geochemical forms of lead in soil. This study was conducted to investigate the correlation between soil properties and the geochemical speciation of lead in lead paint-contaminated residential soils from three major US cities. A comprehensive field survey was conducted, involving the collection of soils from ten houses in each of the cities: Baltimore, San Antonio, and Detroit. The influence of soil properties on geochemical speciation was analyzed to identify effective immobilization amendments for each soil type. Results showed that soils collected from San Antonio were slightly alkaline, whereas those from Baltimore were slightly acidic. Soils collected from Detroit were neutral to mildly alkaline in pH. San Antonio soils had relatively high soil salinity, high clay content, moderate to high soil organic matter (SOM), and high total carbon (TC). In contrast, soils collected from Baltimore had lower salinity and clay content, low SOM, and total carbon. Soils from Detroit exhibited relatively high salinity, clay, SOM, and TC contents. The average total soil lead concentrations were as follows; San Antonio 4,073 mg/kg, Baltimore 2,706 mg/kg, and Detroit 850 mg/kg. Geochemical speciation studies revealed significant differences in lead distribution among the studied soils. San Antonio soils exhibited high carbonate-bound and organic matter-bound fractions, while Baltimore soils had elevated soluble + exchangeable fractions. Detroit soils showed substantial lead in organic matter-bound fractions. Correlation analysis showed that the soil properties influencing exchangeable lead, were pH, total Al, and total Ca for San Antonio soils; pH and total P for Baltimore soils; and SOM and total Al for Detroit soils. Correlation analysis showed that there is a significant negative correlation (p < 0.05) between exchangeable lead and total Al (r = −0.653), and total Ca (r = −0.438) for San Antonio soils; pH (r = −0.286) and total p (r = −0.314) for Baltimore soils; and SOM (r = −0.628) and total Al (r = −0.408) for Detroit soils. Based on these results, the best potential immobilization amendments for each of these cities were predicted.