Dynamic Regulation of Hydrogen Bonding Networks and Solvation Structures for Synergistic Solar‑Thermal Desalination of Seawater and Catalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants

Although solar steam generation strategy is efficient in desalinating seawater,it is still challenging to achieve continuous solar-thermal desalination of seawater and catalytic degradation of organic pollutants.Herein,dynamic regulations of hydrogen bonding networks and solvation structures are realized by designing an asymmetric bilayer membrane consisting of a bacterial cellulose/carbon nanotube/Co_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)nanorod top layer and a bacterial cellulose/Co_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)nanorod(BCH)bottom layer.Crucially,the hydrogen bonding networks inside the membrane can be tuned by the rich surface–OH groups of the bacterial cellulose and Co_(2)(OH)_(2)CO_(3)as well as the ions and radicals in situ generated during the catalysis process.Moreover,both SO_(4)^(2−)and HSO_(5)−can regulate the solvation structure of Na^(+)and be adsorbed more preferentially on the evaporation surface than Cl^(−),thus hindering the de-solvation of the solvated Na^(+)and subsequent nucleation/growth of NaCl.Furthermore,the heat generated by the solar-thermal energy conversion can accelerate the reaction kinetics and enhance the catalytic degradation efficiency.This work provides a flow-bed water purification system with an asymmetric solar-thermal and catalytic membrane for synergistic solar thermal desalination of seawater/brine and catalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

Coagulation indices and fibrinogen degradation products as predictive biomarkers for tumor-node-metastasis staging and metastasis in gastric cancer

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer(GC)is a prevalent malignancy with a substantial health burden and high mortality rate,despite advances in prevention,early detection,and treatment.Compared with the global average,Asia,notably China,reports disproportionately high GC incidences.The disease often progresses asymptoma-tically in the early stages,leading to delayed diagnosis and compromised out-comes.Thus,it is crucial to identify early diagnostic biomarkers and enhance treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality.METHODS Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 148 patients with GC treated at the Civil Aviation Shanghai Hospital between December 2022 and December 2023.The associations of coagulation indices-partial thromboplastin time(APTT),prothrombin time(PT),thrombin time(TT),fibrinogen,fibrinogen degradation products(FDP),fasting blood glucose,and D-dimer(D-D)with TNM stage and distant metastasis were examined.RESULTS Prolongation of APTT,PT,and TT was significantly correlated with the GC TNM stage.Hence,abnormal coagulation system activation was closely related to disease progression.Elevated FDP and D-D were significantly associated with distant metastasis in GC(P<0.05),suggesting that increased fibrinolytic activity contributes to increased metastatic risk.CONCLUSION Our Results reveal coagulation indices,FDPs as GC biomarkers,reflecting abnormal coagulation/fibrinolysis,aiding disease progression,metastasis prediction,and helping clinicians assess thrombotic risk for early intervention and personalized treatment plans.

Trends of alkaline phosphatase to prealbumin ratio in patients with hepatitis B linked to hepatocellular carcinoma development

BACKGROUND Chronic hepatitis B often progresses silently toward hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),a leading cause of mortality worldwide.Early detection of HCC is crucial,yet challenging.AIM To investigate the role of dynamic changes in alkaline phosphatase to prealbumin ratio(APR)in hepatitis B progression to HCC.METHODS Data from 4843 patients with hepatitis B(January 2015 to January 2024)were analyzed.HCC incidence rates in males and females were compared using the log-rank test.Data were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis.The Linear Mixed-Effects Model was applied to track the fluctuation of APR levels over time.Furthermore,Joint Modeling of Longitudinal and Survival data was employed to investigate the temporal relationship between APR and HCC risk.RESULTS The incidence of HCC was higher in males.To ensure the model’s normality assumption,this study applied a logarithmic transformation to APR,yielding ratio.Ratio levels were higher in females(t=5.26,P<0.01).A 1-unit increase in ratio correlated with a 2.005-fold higher risk of HCC in males(95%CI:1.653-2.431)and a 2.273-fold higher risk in females(95%CI:1.620-3.190).CONCLUSION Males are more prone to HCC,while females have higher APR levels.Despite no baseline APR link,rising APR indicates a higher HCC risk.

Degradation rates and products of fluticasone propionate in alkaline solutions

The apparent degradation rate constant of fluticasone propionate(FLT) in 0.1 M NaOH:methanol=1:1 at 37 °C was previously reported to be 0.169 ± 0.003 h^(-1), and four degradation products(products 1–4) were observed in the solution. The aims of the present study were to assess the degradation rates of FLT in other alkaline solutions and clarify the chemical structures of the four degradation products in order to obtain basic data for designing an enema for inflammatory bowel disease. The apparent degradation rate constants in 0.05 M NaOH and 0.1 M NaOH:CH_3CN=1:1 were 0.472 ± 0.013 h^(-1) and 0.154 ± 0.000 h^(-1)(n=3), respectively. The chemical structures of products 1–4 in 0.1 M NaOH:methanol=1:1 were revealed by nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)and mass spectrometry data. The chemical structure of products 2 was that the 17-position of the thioester moiety of FLT was substituted by a carboxylic acid. The degradation product in 0.1 M NaOH:CH_3CN=1:1 was found to be product 2 based on ~1H NMR data. The degradation product in 0.05 M NaOH was considered to be product 2 based on the retention time of HPLC. These results are useful for detecting the degradation products of FLT by enzymes of the intestinal bacterial flora in the large intestine after dosing FLT as an enema.

Characteristics and Spatial Variability of Saline-Alkaline Soil Degradation in the Typical Yellow River Delta Area of Kenli County, China

As an important area of reserve land resources, the Yellow River Delta is faced with the problem of soil salinization. Grasping the characteristics of soil salinity as well as its spatial variation patterns is an important foundation of prevention, control and utilization of saline soil. This study selected Kenli County of the Yellow River Delta, obtained soil salinity data through field survey and lab experiment, and used statistical, GIS interpolation and buffer analysis methods to analyze the characteristics of soil salinity and its spatial variation patterns. Our results showed that the general soil salinity in the study area was mainly moderate and there was a significant positive correlation between different soil layers of 0 - 15 cm, 15 - 30 cm and 30 - 45 cm and soil salinity increased with the increase of soil depth. The areas with high soil salinity in each soil layer mainly distributed in the east near the Bo Sea in the county, while the areas with lower soil salinity mainly distributed in the southwest, centre and the two sides of the Yellow River in the northeast. Soil salinity showed a trend of decrease with the increase in distance to the Bo Sea, while stretching from the Yellow River, it showed increase tendency with the increase in distance to the Yellow River. The order from high soil salinity to low of different vegetation types was naked land → suaeda glauca → tamarix → vervain → reed → couch grass → paddy → cotton → winter wheat → maize;the order for different geomorphic types was depression → slightly sloping ground → slow hillock → high flood land. This study preliminary delineated the characteristics of soil salinity as well as its spatial variation patterns in the study area, and provided scientific basis for soil resource sustainable utilization in the Yellow River Delta.

STUDIES ON FLUORESCENCE ENHANCING EFFECT AND ALKALINE DEGRADATION MECHANISM OF DOXYCYCLINE AND METHACYCLINE

Degradation reaction of doxycycline or methacycline was carried out in KOH solution and intense fluorescence was obtained.A degradation mechanism of doxycycline or methacycline was suggested.

Using GC to determinate polychlorinated biphenyls in soil after pretreated with microwave-assisted alkaline degradation method

A new and simple microwave-assisted alkaline degradation （MAAD） method for the elimination of organoehlorine-pesticide interference on the determination of polychlorinated biphenyls （PCBs） in soil by GC is presented. Under the optimal conditions, the interference of α- HCH, β- HCH, γ -HCH,δ -HCH, o. p＇ - DDT, p. p＇ - DDD and p. p＇ - DDT could be eliminated completely, and p. p＇ - DDE, Aldrin and Dieldrin could be partially eliminated; however, Dieldrin could be completely eliminated by using concentrated sulphurie acid. The method was evaluated by analyzing the spiked-soil sample. The mean recovery obtained was 84. 1% and the Relative Standard Deviation （RSD） was 2. 7%. Experimental results also indicate that the degradation of the interference and the extraction of the target analytes, PCBs, could be carried out simuhaneously. Compared with the traditional methods, the MAAD method is a rapid, efficient and solvent-saving method,

Degradation of Alkaline Lignin in the Lactic Acid-Choline Chloride System under Mild Conditions

Lignin is a natural polymer,second only to cellulose in natural reserves.Degradation is one of the ways to achieve the high-value transformation of lignin.Deep eutectic solvent(DES)thermal degradation of lignin can be used as an excellent green degradation method.This paper introduces the degradation mechanism and effect of the lactic acid-choline chloride DES system in dissolving and degrading alkaline lignin,and the final solvent recovery.It can also be found from the scanning electron microscope(SEM)images that the surface of the degraded solid product is transformed from smooth to disordered.Fourier transform infrared(FTIR)spectroscopy and 1H-NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the changes in lignin functional groups during DES treatment.The results showed that the content of phenolic hydroxyl groups increased after degradation,indicating that theβ-O-4 ether bond was broken.The molecular weight of the degraded lignin was observed by gel permeation chromatography(GPC),and the lignin residue with low molecular weight and narrow polydispersity index was obtained.The lowest average molecular weight(Mw)reached 2512 g/mol.The ratio of oxygen to carbon atoms in lignin increased substantially during degradation as measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),probably because DES treatment was accompanied by many oxidation reactions,which led to significant structural changes in lignin and a large number of ether bond breakage reactions during the reaction.The main final degradation products are aromatic monomers,vanillin,butyrovanillone,etc.

Inhibition of protein degradation increases the Bt protein concentration in Bt cotton

Bacillus thuringiensis(Bt)cotton production is challenged by two main problems,i.e.,the low concentration of Bt protein at the boll setting stage and the lowest insect resistance in bolls among all the cotton plant’s organs.Therefore,increasing the Bt protein concentration at the boll stage,especially in bolls,has become the main goal for increasing insect resistance in cotton.In this study,two protein degradation inhibitors(ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid(EDTA)and leupeptin)were sprayed on the bolls,subtending leaves,and whole cotton plants at the peak flowering stage of two Bt cultivars(medium maturation Sikang 1(SK1))and early maturation Zhongmian 425(ZM425)in 2019 and 2020.The Bt protein content and protein degradation metabolism were assessed.The results showed that the Bt protein concentrations were enhanced by 21.3 to 38.8%and 25.0 to 38.6%in the treated bolls of SK1 and ZM425 respectively,while they were decreased in the subtending leaves of these treated bolls.In the treated leaves,the Bt protein concentrations increased by 7.6 to 23.5%and 11.2 to 14.9%in SK1 and ZM425,respectively.The combined application of EDTA and leupeptin to the whole cotton plant increased the Bt protein concentrations in both bolls and subtending leaves.The Bt protein concentrations in bolls were higher,increasing by 22.5 to 31.0%and 19.6 to 32.5%for SK1 and ZM425,respectively.The organs treated with EDTA or/and leupeptin showed reduced free amino acid contents,protease and peptidase activities and significant enhancements in soluble protein contents.These results indicated that inhibiting protein degradation could improve the protein content,thus increasing the Bt protein concentrations in the bolls or/and leaves of cotton plants.Therefore,the increase in the Bt protein concentration without yield reduction suggested that these two protein degradation inhibitors may be applicable for improving insect resistance in cotton production.

THE ALKALINE DEGRADATION OF VISCOSE FILAMENT YARNS

Viscose filaments were subjected to alkaline degradation by immersing them in sodium hydroxide solutions at concentrations of 0.5 N, 1 N, 3 N and 5 N for times ranging from ten minutes to several thousand hours. Testing of residual tensile strength was then carried out and examinations of indicators of chemical change (by SEM, X-ray diffraction, FTIR. spectroscopy and viscometry) were made. Results indicated that changes in the fine and molecular structures are cumulative and that there may be a complex correlation between changes in mechanical and structural properties in the viscose.

Recent advances and future prospects on Ni_(3)S_(2)-Based electrocatalysts for efficient alkaline water electrolysis

Green hydrogen(H_(2))produced by renewable energy powered alkaline water electrolysis is a promising alternative to fossil fuels due to its high energy density with zero-carbon emissions.However,efficient and economic H_(2) production by alkaline water electrolysis is hindered by the sluggish hydrogen evolution reaction(HER)and oxygen evolution reaction(OER).Therefore,it is imperative to design and fabricate high-active and low-cost non-precious metal catalysts to improve the HER and OER performance,which affects the energy efficiency of alkaline water electrolysis.Ni_(3)S_(2) with the heazlewoodite structure is a potential electrocatalyst with near-metal conductivity due to the Ni–Ni metal network.Here,the review comprehensively presents the recent progress of Ni_(3)S_(2)-based electrocatalysts for alkaline water electrocatalysis.Herein,the HER and OER mechanisms,performance evaluation criteria,preparation methods,and strategies for performance improvement of Ni_(3)S_(2)-based electrocatalysts are discussed.The challenges and perspectives are also analyzed.

Degradation kinetics of larotaxel and identification of its degradation products in alkaline condition

Larotaxel, a new taxane compound prepared by partial synthesis from 10-deacetyl baccatin III, is active against tumors. In this research, a selective LC–MS method was developed and validated for the study of degradation kinetics of larotaxel, which was carried out in aqueous solutions with different pH（1.5, 3.0, 5.0, 6.5, 7.4, 9.0, 10 and 11.0） and temperature（0, 25, 37 and 45 °C）. The linear range was 0.5–25 μg/mL, the intra-and inter-day precisions were less than 7.0%, and accuracy ranged from 97.4–104.5% for each analyte. The observed rate obtained by measuring the remaining intact larotaxel was shown to follow first-order kinetics. The activation energies for degradation were 126.7 and 87.01 k J/mol at pH 1.5 and 11, respectively. Although larotaxel was stable in pH 5, 6.5 and 7.4 buffers at 37 °C for 24 h during our study, increasing or decreasing the pH of the solutions would decrease its stabilities. Moreover, three main degradation products in alkaline condition were separated by HPLC and identified by Q–TOF–MS. The three degradation products were confirmed as 10-deacetyl larotaxel, 7, 8-cyclopropyl baccatin Ⅲ and 10-deacetyl-7, 8-cyclopropyl baccatin Ⅲ.

The coupling control of biological precursors and environmental factors onβ-carotane enrichment in alkaline lacustrine source rocks:A case study from the Fengcheng formation in the western Junggar Basin,NW China

The organic-rich mudstones and dolostones of the Permian Fengcheng Formation(Fm.)are typically alkaline lacustrine source rocks,which are typified by impressively abundantβ-carotane.Abundant β-carotane has been well acknowledged as an effective indicator of biological sources or depositional environments.However,the specific biological sources of β-carotane and the coupling control of biological sources and environmental factors on the enrichment of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.remains obscure.Based on a comprehensive investigation of the bulk,molecular geochemistry,and organic petrology of sedimentary rocks and the biochemistry of phytoplankton in modern alkaline lakes,we proposed a new understanding of the biological precursors of β-carotane and elucidated the enrichment mechanism of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.The results show that the biological precursors crucially control the enrichment of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.The haloalkaliphilic cyanobacteria are the primary biological sources of β-carotane,which is suggested by a good positive correlation between the 2-methylhopane index,7-+8-methyl heptadecanes/C_(max),C_(29%),and β-carotane/C_(max)in sedimentary rocks and the predominance of cyanobacteria with abundantβ-carotene in modern alkaline lakes.The enrichment of β-carotane requires the reducing condition,and the paleoredox state that affects the enrichment of β-carotane appears to have a threshold.The paleoclimate conditions do not considerably impact the enrichment of β-carotane,but they have some influence on the water's paleosalinity by affecting evaporation and precipitation.While it does not directly affect the enrichment of β-carotane in the Fengcheng Fm.,paleosalinity does have an impact on the cyanobacterial precursor supply and the preservation conditions.

Achieving high-efficient photocatalytic persulfate-activated degradation of tetracycline via carbon dots modified MIL-101(Fe)octahedrons

The synergistic reaction of photocatalysis and advanced oxidation is a valid strategy for the degradation of harmful antibiotic wastewater.Herein,carbon dots(CDs)modified MIL-101(Fe)octahedrons to form CDs/MIL-101(Fe)composite photocatalyst was synthesized for visible light-driven photocatalytic/persulfate(PS)-activated tetracycline(TC)degradation.The electron spin resonance(ESR)spectra,scavenging experiment and electrochemical analysis were carried out to reveal that the high visible light-driven photocatalytic degradation activity of TC over CDs/MIL-101(Fe)photocatalysts is not only ascribed to the production of free active radicals in the CDs/MIL-101(Fe)/PS system(·OH,·SO_(4-),^(1)O_(2),h^(+)and·O_(2)^(-))but also attributed to the consumption of electrons caused by the PS,which can suppress the recombination of photo-generated carriers as well as strong light scattering and electron trapping effects of CDs.Finally,the possible degradation pathways were proposed by analyzing intermediates via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique.This research presents a rational design conception to construct a CDs/PS-based photocatalysis/advanced oxidation technology with high-efficient degradation activity for the remediation of organic antibiotic pollutant wastewater and for the improvement of carrier transport kinetics of photocatalysts.

Synergistic microcystin degradation by a novel bacterium isolated from shrimp pond and fulvic acids

Using the Widdel medium with extracted microcystin(MC)as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources,the MC-degrading bacteria community S_6 was enriched from the sediment of Litopenaeus vannamei pond,and a novel MC-degrading bacteria strain was isolated from S_6.According to 16S rDNA gene sequence and biochemical characteristics,the isolated strain was identified and named Nitratireductor aquimarinus D_(1).Fulvic acid(FA),as a widely existing photosensitizer involved in MC photodegradation,coexists with MC-degrading bacteria in natural water.The synergistic effects of N.aquimarinus D_(1) and FA on MC degradation were evaluated via comparing the degradation rate of MC induced by N.aquimarinus D_(1) and FA alone and in combination under natural light conditions.Compared with the control group,the supplementation of N.aquimarinus D_(1) and FA alone or in combination could significantly increase the degradation rate of MC(P<0.05).In the first 36 h,the degradation effect of FA on MC was better than that of N.aquimarinus D_(1),but the degradation effect was opposite at 48 h.N.aquimarinus D_(1) and FA did not show synergistic effect on MC degradation until 48 h.In the application of N.aquimarinus and FA to degrade MC in aquaculture pond,there might be a time-lag effect in the synergistic degradation.

Carbon-doped CuFe_(2)O_(4) with C-O-M channels for enhanced Fenton-like degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride: From construction to mechanism

Carbon-doped copper ferrite(C–CuFe_(2)O_(4))was synthesized by a simple two-step hydrothermal method,which showed enhanced tetracycline hydrochloride(TCH)removal efficiency as compared to the pure CuFe_(2)O_(4) in Fenton-like reaction.A removal efficiency of 94%was achieved with 0.2 g L^(-1) catalyst and 20 mmol L^(-1) H_(2)O_(2) within 90 min.We demonstrated that 5%C–CuFe_(2)O_(4) catalyst in the presence of H_(2)O_(2) was significantly efficient for TCH degradation under the near-neutral pH(5–9)without buffer.Multiple techniques,including SEM,TEM,XRD,FTIR,Raman,XPS M€ossbauer and so on,were conducted to investigate the structures,morphologies and electronic properties of as-prepared samples.The introduction of carbon can effectively accelerate electron transfer by cooperating with Cu and Fe to activate H_(2)O_(2) to generate·OH and·O_(2)^(-).Particularly,theoretical calculations display that the p,p,d orbital hybridization of C,O,Cu and Fe can form C–O–Cu and C–O–Fe bonds,and the electrons on carbon can transfer to metal Cu and Fe along the C–O–Fe and C–O–Cu channels,thus forming electron-rich reactive centers around Fe and Cu.This work provides lightful reference for the modification of spinel ferrites in Fenton-like application.

An efficient and mild recycling of waste melamine formaldehyde foams by alkaline hydrolysis

Melamine formaldehyde foam(MFF)generates many poisonous chemicals through the traditional recycling methods for organic resin wastes.Herein,a high MFF degradation ratio of ca.97 wt.%was achieved under the mild conditions(160℃)in a NaOH–H2O system with ammelide and ammeline as the main degradation products.The alkaline solvent had an obvious corrosion effect for MFF,as indicated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The reaction process and products distribution were studied by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and ^(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR).Besides,the MFF degradation products that have the similar chemical structures and bonding performances to those of melamine can be directly used as the raw material for synthesis of melamine urea-formaldehyde resins(MUFs).Moreover,the degradation system demonstrated here showed the high degradation efficiency after reusing for 7 times.The degradation process generated few harmful pollutants and no pre-or post-treatments were required,which proves its feasibility in the safe removal or recovery of waste MFF.

Microbial Degradation of Organic Contaminants in Streambed/Floodplain Sediments in Passaic River—New Jersey Area

This paper is intended to explore soil organic matter and carbon isotope fractionation at three locations of the Passaic River to determine if microbial degradation of organic contaminants in soil is correlated to the surrounding physical environment. Microbial degradation of organic contaminants is important for the detoxification of toxic substances thereby minimizing stagnation in the environment and accumulating in the food chain. Since organic contaminants are not easily dissolved in water, they will penetrate sediment and end up enriching the adjacent soil. The hypothesis that we are testing is microbial activity and carbon isotope fractionation will be greater in preserved soils than urban soils. The reason why this is expected to be the case is the expectation of higher microbial activity in preserved environments due to less exposure to pollutants, better soil structure, higher organic matter content, and more favorable conditions for microbial growth. This is contrasted with urban soils, which are impacted by pollutants and disturbances, potentially inhibiting microbial activity. We wish to collect soil samples adjacent to the Passaic River at a pristine location, Great Swamp Wildlife Refuge, a suburban location, Goffle Brook Park, Hawthorne NJ, and an urban location, Paterson NJ. These soil samples will be weighed for soil organic matter (SOM) and weighed for isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) to test organic carbon isotopes. High SOM and δ13C depletion activity indicate microbial growth based on the characteristics of the soil horizon rather than the location of the soil sample which results in degradation of organic compounds.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Plastic Waste: Recent Progress and Future Perspectives

Microplastics are persistent anthropogenic pollutants that have become a global concern due to their widespread distribution and unfamiliar threat to the environment and living organisms. Conventional technologies are unable to fully decompose and mineralize plastic waste. Therefore, there is a need to develop an environmentally friendly, innovative and sustainable photocatalytic process that can destroy these wastes with much less energy and chemical consumption. In photocatalysis, various nanomaterials based on wide energy band gap semiconductors such as TiO2 and ZnO are used for the conversion of plastic contaminants into environmentally friendly compounds. In this work, the removal of plastic fragments by photocatalytic reactions using newly developed photocatalytic composites and the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of microplastics are systematically investigated. In these degradation processes, sunlight or an artificial light source is used to activate the photocatalyst in the presence of oxygen.

Maskless fabrication of quasi-omnidirectional V-groove solar cells using an alkaline solution-based method

Silicon passivated emitter and rear contact(PERC) solar cells with V-groove texture were fabricated using maskless alkaline solution etching with in-house developed additive. Compared with the traditional pyramid texture, the V-groove texture possesses superior effective minority carrier lifetime, enhanced p–n junction quality and better applied filling factor(FF). In addition, a V-groove texture can greatly reduce the shading area and edge damage of front Ag electrodes when the V-groove direction is parallel to the gridline electrodes. Due to these factors, the V-groove solar cells have a higher efficiency(21.78%) than pyramid solar cells(21.62%). Interestingly, external quantum efficiency(EQE) and reflectance of the V-groove solar cells exhibit a slight decrease when the incident light angle(θ) is increased from 0° to 75°, which confirms the excellent quasi omnidirectionality of the V-groove solar cells. The proposed V-groove solar cell design shows a 2.84% relative enhancement of energy output over traditional pyramid solar cells.