Contact Time Research Articles

Optimization of Ecofriendly L-Fe/Ni Nanoparticles prepared using extract of black tea leaves for Removal of tetracycline antibiotics from Groundwater by Response Surface Methodology

This article focuses on employment of nanotechnologies in remediation of tetracycline antibiotics (TC) from groundwater by green synthesized bimetallic Fe/Ni supported by limestone particles. An in-situ green synthesis nanoparticles was prepared using black tea leaves extract to generate a L-Fe/Ni nanocomposite. The synthesized nanocomposite was characterized using several techniques, such as, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), FTIR (Fourier Transform-Infra Red) spectroscopy and surface area. We then use response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the synthesis process and evaluate the effectiveness of the prepared nanocomposite for tetracycline remediation. We took different simulated concentrations of the TC contaminant without relying on actual TC concentrations in grounwater, the best removal of the TC contaminant in batch study was investigated with relying on the initial concentrations of TC and other experimental factors such as pH, adsorbent nanomaterial concentration and time. A pilot plant was then constructed to eliminate the TC contaminant from groundwater in different concentrations, where the removal efficiency was found decreased with increasing in the concentration of the TC Many parameters affecting the removal mechanisms in statistical and continuous systems were examined to select the best results that accomplish the maximum elimination rate. With the improved operating conditions, (L-Fe/Ni concentration: 1500 mg/L; concentration of TC: 20 mg/L; pH: 7.2; contact time: 128 min), removal percent of TC was found 87 % based on RSM system. The L-Fe/Ni reactive medium of continuous column has a main role in slowing down the movement of the TC plume. This study showed that the ecofriendly nanocomposite could be an appropriate and novel method for remediation of antibiotics and other contaminants in groundwater.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 binding receptors and miscellaneous targets as well as mucosal surface area of the human lacrimal drainage system

Our aim was to evaluate a potential role for the lacrimal drainage system (LDS) as a portal of entry and conduit for SARS-CoV-2 in human infection. We also investigate the mucosal surface area. The relatively long tear contact time in a closed system raises the possibility that this pathway may contribute to the initiation of systemic infection. We looked for expression of ACE2, the main receptor for SARS-CoV-2, as well as cofactors such as TMPRSS2 and other enzymes such as cathepsinB, CD147, elastase1, furin, neuropilin1, neuropilin2, TMPRSS11D and trypsin which also play a role in SARS-CoV-2 infection, in this system. Human tissue samples of the draining tear ducts from body donors were analyzed by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry. It is not known whether the respective body donors were Sars-Cov-2 positive at any time; they were negative when they entered the institute. Besides, the draining LDS of body donors were measured to determine the mucosal surface in the lacrimal system. The expression of the main receptor studied, ACE2, cofactors such as TMPRSS2 and other enzymes such as cathepsinB, CD147, elastase1, furin, neuropilin1, neuropilin2, TMPRSS11D and trypsin were all detected at the gene and protein level. The average mucosal surface area of the lacrimal sac and nasolacrimal duct was calculated to be 110mm2. The results show the presence of all analyzed receptors in the efferent LDS. With an average tear passage time of 3min and a relatively large mucosal surface area, the LDS could therefore be considered as a portal of entry and conduit for SARS-CoV-2. In addition, it represents a surface that should be taken into consideration in the administration of topically applied medication to the ocular surface.

Performance Assessment of Biomass-derived Urea-Furfuraldehyde Resins as Oilfield Scale Inhibitors

Oilfield-scale formation is a persistent challenge in the oil industry. While numerous scale inhibitors have been in use for decades, there is a significant research gap in discovering renewable, cost-effective, ecologically friendly, and efficient inhibitors. This study sets out to fill this gap by investigating the potential of scale inhibitors (SIs) made from bio-resin derivatives of red onion skin; ROF and ROFU, in reducing CaCO3 and CaSO4 scales. The scale inhibition performance of ROF and ROFU was rigorously evaluated using the NACE standard static bottle test method. The data revealed that increasing scale-inhibitor contact time, concentration, and temperature enhances inhibitor efficacy, with the best inhibition efficiencies found for ROF and ROFU on the CaSO4 scale compared to the CaCO3 scale across all studied parameters. A comparison of the prepared SIs with a commercial scale inhibitor (CSI) showed a high inhibition rate of over 90% at minimal dosage of 60ppm in both scales studied. Despite having a lower inhibition rate (IE) than CSI, ROF and ROFU demonstrate significant potential as green oilfield SIs. This sustainable technique, which transforms agro-waste into a valuable oilfield chemical via a one-pot chemical process, could have profound economic and societal benefits, offering hope for a more sustainable future in the oil industry.

Turbidity Removal from Sullage Wastewater Using Musa paradisiaca Peels as a Natural Coagulant

The use of inorganic commercial coagulants for water and wastewater clarification has been linked to the prevalence of human health and environmental issues. Natural coagulants are currently being explored as an alternative option for replacing synthetic coagulants. This present study, examines the use of Musa paradisiaca peels as a natural based coagulant for turbidity reduction in sullage wastewater. Musa paradisiaca peels, alum and blended were used in the study as coagulants for sullage wastewater clarification. The blended coagulant was prepared by combining the Alum and Musa paradisiaca peel powder in a ratio of 1:1. The sullage wastewater used in the study had an initial concentration of 151.8 NTU and was sourced within the University premises. The batch experimental procedure to examine the effectiveness of the natural coagulant was used. The study results show that the highest turbidity removal was for alum, blended, and coagulant, from 151.8 to 1.1 NTU, 151.8 to 14.43 NTU, and 151.8 to 29.32 NTU respectively. The maximum results for the effect of contact time on the rate of turbidity removal were attained at 6 h for all coagulants. The effect of natural coagulant performance on pH medium has indicated that it favours the acidic solution. The results obtained in this study recommend the efficiency and value of Musa paradisiaca peels as coagulant. The use of Musa paradisiaca peels as a natural coagulant offers a sustainable and cost-effective solution for the treatment of sullage wastewater. The use of Musa paradisiaca as a natural coagulant provides an alternative solution for replacing synthetic coagulants and overcomes health challenges associated with its usage, offers water treatment at low cost and reduces environmental issues associated with agri-food waste disposal, thereby promoting sustainable waste management.

A Raster-oriented Method for Creating Eclipse Maps

Traditional total solar eclipse maps based on 19th-century calculation methods do not take full advantage of important refinements recently made possible by fast computers and high-resolution digital elevation models of both the Earth and the Moon. Ignoring the terrain of both bodies introduces errors on the order of kilometers in the ground track of the umbra and seconds in the duration and contact times of totality. While this has been understood to some degree for decades, it has not been visualized in maps until quite recently, revealing only in the last decade the surprising polygonal shape of the umbra. Beginning in December of 2016, we published maps and animations of the 2017 August 21 total solar eclipse created with a raster-oriented approach that relies on remote-sensing data sets and computer graphics techniques to produce more accurate maps and professional-quality animations. These were an important component of NASA’s public outreach for the 2017 eclipse.

Exploring sustainable solutions: Utilizing recycled coffee grounds as a new bio‐adsorbent material for removal of Pb(II) ions from water

AbstractThis study investigates the potential of utilizing spent coffee grounds (SCG) treated with Ca(OH)2 as an adsorbent for the removal of lead (Pb(II)) ions from aqueous solutions. The SCG was subjected to sequential treatments, including washing, drying, sieving, and immersion in Ca(OH)2 solutions of varying concentrations. Adsorption experiments were conducted under different conditions to evaluate the efficiency of the adsorbent, including variations in contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and initial Pb(II) ion concentration. Characterization of the SCG before and after treatment was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results revealed significant changes in the structural properties of the SCG after treatment with Ca(OH)2, leading to enhanced adsorption performance. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the efficiency of Pb(II) ion removal was influenced by factors such as contact time, solution pH, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and initial Pb(II) ion concentration. Optimal conditions for maximum adsorption efficiency were identified as a contact time of 270 min, pH 6, adsorbent dosage of 1 g, and temperature of 313 K, resulting in a maximum adsorption capacity qmax of 18.69 mg g−1. The highest desorption rate was observed using HNO3, measured at 90.6%. The reusability efficiency of the adsorbent material was 87.98% in the first use, decreased to 75.41% after five reuses, and further reduced to 39.96% after ten reuses, indicating a decline in performance with repeated use. These findings highlight the potential of SCG as an effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent for the removal of potentially toxic elements from aqueous solutions.

Effective remediation of mercury (II) from aqueous solutions using CS-MnFe2O4-CoS-MWCNTs: Box-Behnken design optimization and adsorption isotherm, kinetics, and thermodynamics evaluation.

Mercury (Hg) is a hazardous heavy metal, non-biodegradable and toxic, posing a serious threat to aquatic life and human health. Therefore, the removal of Hg ions from contaminated water using effective and eco-friendly adsorbents is necessary. In the present study, three magnetic chitosan-based organic-inorganic nanocomposites, such as CS-MnFe2O4, CS-MnFe2O4-CoS, and CS-MnFe2O4-CoS-MWCNTs, were designed and constructed to investigate their capacity for adsorbing Hg ions from aqueous solutions. The physicochemical properties of prepared composites were characterized by various analyses. The BET analyses indicated their high surface area and porous structure, and the N2 adsorption-desorption showed that the modification of CS in three stages by MnFe2O4 and crosslinking reaction, CoS preparation, and MWCNT incorporation resulted in increased N2 adsorption. The XRD confirms the synthesis of MnFe2O4 and CoS in the CS matrix and also the distinct peaks of MWCNTs. The CS-MnFe2O4-CoS-MWCNTs showed acceptable thermal stability with 45% char yields and superparamagnetic properties with magnetic saturation (Ms) of 16 emu g-1. The interactive impacts of independent variables (pH, contact time, and adsorbent dosage) on the removal percentage of Hg(II) onto three prepared adsorbents, as well as the process optimization, were assessed by the Box-Behnken design. The optimum conditions were identified, and the data from the analysis of variance showed that the three independent factors (pH, contact time, and adsorbent dosage) significantly influenced the adsorption of Hg(II). The adsorption isotherm and thermodynamics analysis investigation showed that at low concentrations of Hg(II), the adsorption process was both endothermic and spontaneous for the studied adsorbents.

Discovery of Hypoxanthine and Inosine as Robust Biomarkers for Predicting the Preanalytical Quality of Human Plasma and Serum for Metabolomics.

In cold human blood, the anomalous dynamics of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) result in the progressive accumulation of adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), inosine monophosphate (IMP), inosine, and hypoxanthine. While the ATP, ADP, AMP, and IMP are confined to red blood cells (RBCs), inosine and hypoxanthine are excreted into plasma/serum. The plasma/serum levels of inosine and hypoxanthine depend on the temperature of blood and the plasma/serum contact time with the RBCs, and hence they represent robust biomarkers for evaluating the preanalytical quality of plasma/serum. These biomarkers are highly specific since they are generally absent or at very low levels in fresh plasma/serum and are highly sensitive since they are derived from ATP, one of the most abundant metabolites in blood. Further, whether blood was kept at room temperature or on ice could be predicted based on inosine levels. An analysis of >2000 plasma/serum samples processed for metabolomics-centric analyses showed alarmingly high levels of inosine and hypoxanthine. The results highlight the gravity of sample quality challenges with high risk of grossly inaccurate measurements and incorrect study outcomes. The discovery of these robust biomarkers provides new ways to address the longstanding and underappreciated preanalytical sample quality challenges in the blood metabolomics field.

Assessing the effectiveness of performic acid disinfection on effluents: focusing on bacterial abundance and diversity.

Poorly-treated wastewater harbors harmful microorganisms, posing risks to both the environment and public health. To mitigate this, it is essential to implement robust disinfection techniques in wastewater treatment plants. The use of performic acid (PFA) oxidation has emerged as a promising alternative, due to its powerful disinfection properties and minimal environmental footprint. While PFA has been used to inactivate certain microbial indicators, its potential to tackle the entire microbial community in effluents, particularly resistant bacterial strains, remains largely unexplored. The present study evaluates the efficacy of PFA disinfection on the microbial communities of a WWTP effluent, through microbial resistance mechanisms due to their membrane structure. The effluent microbiome was quantified and identified. The results showed that the number of damaged cells increases with CT, reaching a maximum for CT = 240mg/L•min and plateauing around 60mg/L•min, highlighting the optimal conditions for PFA-disinfection against microbial viability. A low PFA level with a 10-min contact time significantly affected the microbial composition. It is worth noting the sensitivity of several bacterial genera such as Flavobacterium, Pedobacter, Massilia, Exiguobacterium, and Sphingorhabdus to PFA, while others, Acinetobacter, Leucobacter, Thiothrix, Paracoccus, and Cloacibacterium, showed resistance. The results detail the resistance and sensitivity of bacterial groups to PFA, correlated with their Gram-positive or Gram-negative membrane structure. These results underline PFA effectiveness in reducing microbial levels and remodeling bacterial composition, even with minimal concentrations and short contact times, demonstrating its suitability for widespread application in WWTPs.

Kinematical Effects of a Mandibular Advancement Occlusal Splint on Running until Exhaustion at Severe Intensity

The effects of occlusal splints on sport performance have already been studied, although their biomechanical impacts are often overlooked. We investigated the kinematical changes during running until exhaustion at severe intensity while wearing a mandibular advancement occlusal splint. Twelve trained runners completed (i) an incremental protocol on a track to determine their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake and (ii) two trials of square wave transition exercises at their velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen until exhaustion, wearing two occlusal splints (without and with mandibular advancement). Running kinematics were compared within laps performed during the square wave transition exercises and between splint conditions. The mandibular advancement occlusal splint increased the running distance covered (~1663 ± 402 vs. 1540 ± 397 m, p = 0.03), along with a noticeable lap effect in decreasing stride frequency (p = 0.04) and increasing stride length (p = 0.03) and duty factor (p < 0.001). No spatiotemporal differences were observed between splints, except for improved balance foot contact times in the mandibular advancement condition. An increased knee flexion angle at initial contact (p = 0.017) was noted along laps in the non-advancement condition, despite the fact that no differences between splints were found. Running patterns mainly shifted within laps rather than between conditions, indicating that a mandibular advancement occlusal splint had a trivial kinematical effect.

Removal of noxious Eriochrome black T dye from aqueous solution using magnetically metal oxide modified activated carbon derived from Carica papaya seed

ABSTRACT In the present study, we have synthesised magnetically metal oxide-modified activated carbon derived from Carica papaya seed (Fe3O4/AC). The Fe3O4/AC materials were characterised using XRD, FE-SEM, EDS, EDX, FT-IR and VSM. The Fe3O4/AC materials serve as a promising sorbent for eliminating anionic azo dye, i.e. EBT from aquatic media. Batch adsorption experiments reveal the optimal contact time of 60 min, initial dye concentration of 20 mg/L, adsorbent dosage of 100 mg, stirring speed of 300 rpm and pH3. The adsorption process was well fitted with the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic due to the high R 2 value. The maximum adsorption capacity (q max) for EBT dye was found to be 50 mg/g. Electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding and π–π interaction play an important role in between the adsorbent and adsorbate. The stability of Fe3O4/AC materials was investigated by NaOH to desorb EBT dye molecules located on the surface of Fe3O4/AC. This Fe3O4/AC material is an efficient and economical method for the removal of dye from wastewater.

​Statistical-based optimization and mechanism assessments of Arsenic (III)​ adsorption by ZnO-Halloysite nanocomposite​

Arsenic contamination in aqueous media is a serious environmental problem, especially in developing countries. In this research, the Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the most relevant variables affecting arsenic adsorption on the ZnO-halloysite surface, including temperature, adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and As (III) initial concentration. The regression analysis indicated that the experimental data were appropriately fitted to a quadratic model with the adjusted R-squared value (R2) of 0.982 for As(III) adsorption capacity and a linear model with R2 of 0.931 for As(III) removal. The p-values for both adsorption capacity and removal efficiency were below 0.05, with F-values of 116.91 and 115.58, respectively, supporting the model’s validity. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of As(III) were determined through numerical and graphical optimization using the desirability function. It was found that the optimum conditions for adsorption were pH = 7.99, contact time of 3.99 h, As(III) initial concentration of 49.96 mg/L, and adsorbent dosage of 0.135 g/40 ml. The accuracy of the optimization procedure was confirmed by a confirmatory experiment, which showed a maximum arsenic removal of 91.31% and an adsorption capacity of 12.63 mg/g under optimized conditions. Moreover, XPS analysis was performed at different pH levels to investigate the As (III) adsorption mechanism. The results demonstrated that As(III) adsorption occurs at acidic and neutral pH levels. On the other hand, when pH is increased to 8, As (III) oxidizes to As (V), and then adsorption occurs.

Effective application of green nano adsorbent on the removal of carbofuran from wastewater

In this study, carbofuran (CF) was eliminated from wastewater using pomegranate peel nano adsorbent (PPNA). Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) before and after adsorption were used to assess the process efficiency. BET demonstrated that the PPNA has a specific surface area of 356.5 m2/g. The PPNA was tested under some environmental factors, such as contact time, concentration, adsorbent dose, temperature, and pH. Experimental work was done within the range of 10–50 mg/l initial concentration and the best biosorption capacities were found at 30 min contact time, 0.7 g adsorbent dose, 25 °C, and pH 2. The Freundlich isotherm was the best-fitting isotherm model. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best fit to the process kinetics and indicated that the intra-particle diffusion stage is the rate-limiting step for the process. The study of thermodynamics showed that carbofuran adsorption on PPNA was physisorption (ΔG = −3.2334 kJ/mol) and spontaneous at high temperatures (ΔH = 22.2058 kJ/mol, ΔS = 85.0355 J/mol K). Design of a single-stage batch adsorber for the adsorption of CF from aqueous liquors using PPNA was also done.

Simplified synthesis and identification of novel nanostructures consisting of cobalt borate and cobalt oxide for crystal violet dye removal from aquatic environments

Crystal violet dye poses significant health risks to humans, including carcinogenic and mutagenic effects, as well as environmental hazards due to its persistence and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. This study focuses on the efficient removal of crystal violet dye from aqueous media using novel Co3O4/Co3(BO3)2 nanostructures synthesized via the Pechini sol–gel approach. The nanostructures, which were abbreviated to EN600 and EN800, were fabricated at calcination temperatures of 600 and 800 °C, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the synthesized samples have a cubic Co3O4 phase and an orthorhombic Co3(BO3)2 phase, with mean crystal sizes of 43.82 nm and 52.93 nm for EN600 and EN800 samples, respectively. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface areas of EN600 and EN800 samples were 65.80 and 43.76 m2/g, respectively, indicating a significant surface area available for adsorption. Optimal removal of crystal violet dye was achieved at a temperature of 298 K, a contact time of 70 min, and a pH of 10. The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 284.09 mg/g for EN600 and 256.41 mg/g for EN800, which are notably higher compared to many conventional adsorbents. The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption was exothermic, spontaneous, and physical in nature. Moreover, the adsorbents exhibited excellent reusability, retaining high efficiency after multiple regeneration cycles using 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid. These findings highlight the potential of these Co3O4/Co3(BO3)2 nanostructures as effective and sustainable materials for water purification applications.

Adsorptive removal of naproxen onto nano magnesium oxide-modified castor wood biochar: Treatment of pharmaceutical wastewater via sequential Fenton's-adsorption process.

This current investigation explored the thermal conversion process of castor wood into biochar, which was subsequently harnessed for removing naproxen from pharmaceutical industrial effluent via adsorption. Surface composition analyses conducted through scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared studies unveiled the presence of nano MgO particles within the adsorbent material. Employing optimization techniques such as response surface methodology facilitated a refined approach to batch study. The optimized conditions for batch naproxen sodium (NPX) adsorption on nano-MgO-modified biochar were identified as pH 4, 1.5 g/L adsorbent dosage, and a 120-min contact time maintaining a constant NPX concentration of 10 mg/L. The adsorption capacity was calculated to be 123.34 mg/g for a nano-magnesium oxide-modified castor wood biochar (modified biochar) and 99.874 mg/g for pristine castor wood biochar (pristine biochar). Fenton's reagents comprising 15 mM of FeSO4 (7H2O) and 25 mM of H2O2 have been scrutinized under conditions of pH 3.0, a reaction time of 30 min, a temperature of 30°C, and stirring at 120 rpm, followed by batch adsorption treatment. The COD, NH3-N, NO3 -, PO4 3-, and NPX removal percentages was found to be 90%, 87%, 79%, 80%, and 90%, respectively. Thus nano MgO-modified biochar holds promise of treatment of pharmaceutical effluent.

Efficient sorption and secure immobilization of strontium ions onto nanoporous alumino-borosilicate as a new matrix

The objective behind developing the nanoporous alumino-borosilicate (AlBS) was to remove strontium ion (Sr2+) from liquid waste and subsequently stabilize it. The sorption capacity of the nanoporous AlBS was assessed in relation to various experimental factors, including contact time, temperature, initial pH solution, and initial concentration of Sr ions. According to the obtained results, nanoporous AlBS shows a maximum Sr2+ sorption capacity of 163.08 mg/g. In order to achieve stable immobilization of the sorbed Sr ions, heat treatments at different temperatures were applied to the Sr-containing nanoporous AlBS. Various eluents were used in the leach tests to examine the Sr ions leaching from heat-treated materials. Only 3.43% of the Sr ions initially adsorbed in the nanoporous AlBS matrix was washed out with 1 M sodium chloride eluent, showing that heating the sample to around 1100 °C successfully trapped Sr ions in the nanoporous AlBS matrix.

Optimized Lithium(I) Recovery from Geothermal Brine of Germencik, Türkiye, Utilizing an Aminomethyl phosphonic Acid Chelating Resin

ABSTRACT This study investigates the performance of Lewatit TP 260 ion exchange resin for the efficient recovery of lithium (Li(I)) from geothermal water sourced from the Germencik Geothermal Power Plant in Türkiye. A series of batch sorption experiments were performed to evaluate the influence of key parameters, including resin dosage, solution pH, temperature, initial Li(I) concentration, and contact time, on the Li(I) recovery process. The optimal conditions were determined to be a resin dose of 0.5 g per 25 mL of geothermal water, pH in the range of 6–8, and a temperature of 25°C. Under these conditions, the resin achieved a maximum Li(I) recovery rate of 71% from the geothermal water. Sorption isotherms were further analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) models. Among these, the Langmuir model provided the best fit (R² = 0.9841), suggesting a maximum sorption capacity (qm) of 4.31 mg/g. Continuous recovery experiments conducted in column mode confirmed the practical applicability of Lewatit TP 260, achieving a total sorption capacity of 0.41 mg Li(I)/mL resin. The findings exhibit the potential of this resin as a viable sorbent for sustainable Li(I) extraction from geothermal brines, supporting the development of green energy technologies and contributing to the circular economy.

Household Waste Water Treatment using Activated Charcoal: An Effective and Sustainable Approach

Effective household wastewater management is crucial for environmental sustainability and public health, especially in areas with limited advanced treatment infrastructure. This study explores the use of activated charcoal as a cost-effective and efficient method for treating household wastewater. Known for its high adsorption capacity, activated charcoal was evaluated for its ability to remove key contaminants from wastewater collected from residential sources such as kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas. The research utilized both batch adsorption tests and column filtration experiments. In the batch tests, wastewater samples were treated with varying doses of activated charcoal (2, 5, 10, and 15 g/L) over different contact times (30 minutes to 4 hours). The results showed that activated charcoal effectively reduced Total Suspended Solids (TSS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), with average reductions of 75%, 65%, and 70%, respectively. Additionally, activated charcoal demonstrated significant effectiveness in removing heavy metals and organic compounds, with removal efficiencies ranging from 60% to 80% depending on the contaminant type and operational conditions. The optimal treatment conditions were found to be a dosage of 10 g/L and a contact time of 2 hours. Future research could focus on optimizing regeneration processes and exploring hybrid systems that combine activated charcoal with other treatment technologies to further enhance performance.

Assessment of selenium-enriched deactivated probiotic yeast efficiency in patulin detoxification in apple juice

Patulin (PAT) contamination in fruits, particularly apples and their products, poses a significant health hazard. This research aimed to eliminate PAT from simulated juice solution and actual apple juice using live and ultrasonically deactivated (D) probiotic yeasts, specifically Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S.c) and Saccharomyces boulardii (S.b) yeasts enriched with selenium (Se). The Se-enriched yeasts were analyzed using various techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The study assessed the effects of yeast type, contact time (2–18 h), ultrasound treatment, and initial concentration of PAT (50–150 μg.L−1) on PAT adsorption. The most effective treatment involved the Se-S.b-D yeast strain, with an initial PAT concentration of 50 μg.L−1 for 10 h, exhibiting notable toxin removal percentages in both the apple juice simulator (98.27% reduction equivalent to 49.135 μg.L−1) and real apple juice (87.19%). The detoxification outcomes were consistent with pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models, indicating that Se-S.b-D is a biocompatible and low-cost strain with high efficiency to remove PAT in aqueous solutions.

The in- and outpatient health care use of patients with COPD before and after initiation of home care: a registry study from Norway

Objective Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common condition associated with age, multimorbidity and frequently involves the use of health care across levels. Understanding the factors associated with the initiation of long-term care is important when planning the future need for services. We describe healthcare use before and after the reception of any home care. We further studied the associations between healthcare use and first registered home care service and from first registered home care service to nursing home admission or death. Design and subjects Patients residing in Oslo or Trondheim at the time of first contact with a COPD primary diagnosis, 2009–2018. Patient data were linked across national and municipal registries, covering healthcare and sociodemographics. The sample consisted of 16,738 individuals. Results There was a marked increase in inpatient and outpatient hospital contacts in the years prior to and after the reception of any home care. Adjusted for comorbidities and sociodemographics, high numbers of GP consultations, and inpatient and outpatient hospital contacts for respiratory diagnoses were associated with a significantly higher likelihood of receiving home care the next year (hazard odds ratios > 1.3). Following the reception of home care, the type of home care service received (e.g. home nursing or short-term rehabilitation/treatment) was more important than outpatient services in predicting next-year nursing home admission or death. Conclusion Including data on prior outpatient care when predicting future need for home care is beneficial. A high frequency (top 10%) of yearly GP, in- or outpatient hospital contacts can imply that the patient may be in need of home care in the near future.