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Toward sustainable activated carbon from peanut shells for efficient cationic dye removal: equilibrium, kinetics, and cost evaluation
Abstract Transforming abundant agricultural residue into high-performance carbonaceous adsorbents has emerged as a green and cost-effective strategy for the efficient removal of dyes from contaminated effluents. In this study, activated carbon adsorbents (referred to as PNSAC-x) were synthesized from peanut shells (PNS) using phosphoric acid as a cost-effective activating agent. Activation was conducted at a relatively low temperature of 400 ℃, employing PNS: H 3 PO 4 weight ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3. The developed carbons were evaluated for their adsorption performance in removing crystal violet (CV) as a model cationic dye. Among the synthesized samples, PNSAC-3 (1:3 ratio) exhibited superior performance, achieving 98.9% CV removal within only 20 min at natural pH, with an adsorbent dosage of 0.3 g L − 1 at 25 °C. Comprehensive characterization confirmed that PNSAC-3 possesses an amorphous structure with a well-developed porous network, reaching a maximum adsorption capacity of 145 mg g -1 under the investigated conditions. Cost analysis demonstrated the economic feasibility of PNSAC-3 production, with an estimated cost as low as 115 LE kg⁻¹ using commercial-grade phosphoric acid. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model (R 2 = 0.998), while the equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model (R 2 = 0.999). Thermodynamic studies indicated a spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process with increased feasibility at elevated temperatures. pH-dependent studies showed that the adsorption process involved both electrostatic forces and non-electrostatic interactions, including hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effects, and π-π interactions. PNSAC-3 also demonstrated excellent reusability, retaining more than 94.4% of its adsorption efficiency after five adsorption–desorption cycles. These findings underscore the potential of PNSAC-3 as a highly efficient and cost-competitive adsorbent for the large-scale removal of cationic dyes from industrial wastewater.
Correlation between pathogens of chronic suppurative otitis media and nasopharyngeal colonization in the Taklamakan Desert region
Rate maximization for STAR-RIS-assisted SWIPT communication systems
Behavior of over-reinforced concrete beams including longitudinal voids in the compression zone reinforced with aluminum tubes
Abstract This study investigates the structural performance of over-reinforced concrete (RC) beams incorporating longitudinal compression-zone voids, a solution proposed to improve spatial efficiency for utility integration. However, such voids may significantly reduce strength and promote brittle failure. To address this issue, aluminum tubes (AT) are introduced as internal reinforcement within the voids. An experimental program comprising eleven beams (one solid, five hollow without reinforcement, and five hollow with AT) was conducted. Key parameters included void ratio (3.1–8%), number (single/double), orientation (vertical/horizontal), and AT ratio (0.75–1.8%). Results show that unreinforced voids reduce ultimate load capacity ( $${P}_{u}$$ ) by up to 36.5% and energy absorption (EA) by 44.8%. In contrast, AT reinforcement significantly enhances performance, increasing $${P}_{u}$$ by 57–135% and EA by 126–264%, while improving ductility and delaying brittle crushing. Horizontally oriented ATs achieved superior performance, with up to 10.8% higher $${P}_{u}$$ compared to vertical configurations. Increasing AT ratio (≥ 0.75%) further enhanced post-cracking behavior with minimal effect on initial stiffness. The findings demonstrate that aluminum tubes effectively restore and enhance the structural efficiency of voided over-reinforced beams. For practical applications, void ratios up to 8% are recommended with internal AT reinforcement as a lightweight, corrosion-resistant alternative to conventional external strengthening methods.
Altered aperiodic EEG spectral power during speech perception task is associated with verbal communication in youths with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract Most children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have co-occurring language impairment, but its neural mechanisms are not well known. Excitation (E) / inhibition (I) imbalance is considered as a key neurobiological mechanism of ASD, and several electroencephalography (EEG)-based E/I balance metrics have been proposed in the previous studies. The goal of the present research was to focus on these metrics abstracted from the speech perception task to investigate their relation to language/communication in autistic youths. We used a high-density 128-channel EEG to register neural responses during speech perception task in the sex- and age-matched groups of youths with ASD ( N = 162) and typically developing (TD) controls ( N = 144), aged 7–18 years old. The results revealed alterations in the E/I measures in the ASD group hypothetically associated with a higher level of excitation or neural ‘noise’ in the cortex as well as broadband reduction of spectral power during speech perception. A greater neural ‘noise’ reflected in the reduction of aperiodic exponent and offset was related to lower verbal communication but not language skills in youths with ASD. The findings suggested that the higher ‘noisiness’ in the cortical systems may be a relevant marker to monitor in relation to verbal communication in ASD.
Soil enrichment, physicochemical controls, and source apportionment of potentially toxic elements in arid soils of the abarghoo–sirjan basin, central Iran
Spatial variations and geographic determinants of postnatal care utilization in Sub-Saharan Africa: a multiscale geographically weighted regression
Effects of recreational yoga on emotional and autonomic health among nursing home residents
Comparison of the effects of low-irradiance and high-irradiance phototherapy on non-hemolytic neonatal jaundice
Abstract In this study, low- and high-irradiance phototherapies were compared to determine the optimal irradiance for treating non-hemolytic neonatal jaundice. This multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial included full-term infants born between April 2017 and January 2022 who were hospitalized for neonatal jaundice. Participants were divided into low-irradiance (low group) and high-irradiance (high group) treatment arms. The primary outcome was the retreatment rate. A total of 104 infants (52 in each group) were included. Retreatment rates were not significantly different between the two groups (12% vs. 4%, p = 0.141). Only a few infants who required phototherapy after 72 h of birth needed retreatment (low group, 3%; high group, 0%). Considering the potential side effects of phototherapy, initiating treatment at low irradiance may be appropriate, particularly for infants aged >72 h. Clinical trial registry and registration number This trial was registered to the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; http://www.umin.ac.jp .) on October 28, 2016. Registration number: UMIN000024352
Diagnosing lung disorder and optimal classification using dense convolution (Dc)–CapsNet technique
Development and evaluation of sustainable ionic liquid-based surfactant formulations for EOR in high-temperature, high-salinity, low-permeability carbonate reservoirs
Autonomous cameras reveal larval reef fish responses to acoustic enrichment and lunar phase
Abstract Acoustic enrichment (AE)—the playback of ambient sound from healthy coral reefs—shows promise in attracting fish larvae to degraded or artificial reefs, but previous evaluations have used invasive diver-based sampling techniques, limiting most studies to short deployments in benign and accessible environments. This study used fully autonomous cameras to non-invasively evaluate AE efficacy in attracting settlement-stage fish larvae and mature fish over large fractions of a lunar cycle. We deployed an AE system in Kāne’ohe Bay (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i) over three spawning events (August 2023, June–July 2024). Treatment (active speaker) and control (inactive speaker) sites were built by placing artificial structures, autonomous cameras, and hydrophones on a sandy seabed at 5 m water depth, with sites separated by 42–65 m. Treatment and control designations were alternated between deployments to remove potential spatial bias. Manual and semi-automated image analysis found larval counts at both sites peaking around the new moon, but the treatment site attracted 4–14 times more larvae. Both sites encountered similar numbers of mature fish. These results demonstrate that autonomous camera systems can non-invasively study fish larval presence and provide further support that AE can enhance larval fish response.
Integrated impact quantification of proposed hydropower plants in Africa
Abstract Among renewable energy sources, hydropower has been the most economical and well-established technology for decades. However, the construction of hydropower plants (HPPs) may have (unknown) cumulative ecological and socioeconomic ramifications in the short and long term. In Africa, 673 large HPPs are proposed. If implemented, they will alter all major river networks through dam construction and reservoir inundation, although the actual extent remains unknown. This study conducts an integrated assessment of the impacts of all proposed HPPs at both basin and continental scales. Projected reservoir areas were overlaid with spatially explicit datasets on megafauna abundance, protected areas, cropland, and human resettlement. We further calculated indices of river regulation and fragmentation, as well as potential sediment entrapment and evaporation associated with the projected reservoirs. By integrating these indicators, we identified 102 HPPs that fall within the top quarter of projects with the greatest potential overall impact. HPP capacity size alone proved to be an inadequate impact indicator, as underlined by the highest- and lowest-ranked HPPs, both of which exhibited comparably low capacities. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the ranking depends on both the number of HPPs considered and the selection of indicators included in the analysis. This study provides evidence-based information to support decision-making when balancing renewable electricity needs against the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of HPP development at basin and continental scales.
Stability analysis of the primary reflector of the 500 mm aperture ultra-lightweight millimeter wave satellite antenna for observing solar flare
Effects of surface coating methods on roughness and bacterial adhesion of implant overdenture abutments
Implementing measurement-based care in the analgesic management of cancer pain patients receiving intrathecal drug infusion
Non-alcoholic beverage provision reduces alcohol consumption and improves health-related outcomes, with no effect on presenteeism: a randomized controlled trial
Abstract Excessive alcohol consumption contributes to mortality and productivity losses, yet evidence for workplace-based substitution interventions remains limited. This randomized controlled trial examined whether providing non-alcoholic beverages to employees engaging in excessive drinking could reduce alcohol consumption and improve presenteeism as well as health-related outcomes. A total of 278 employees were randomized to receive non-alcoholic beverages for 12 weeks or no provision. Alcohol consumption was recorded daily using a mobile application. Outcomes included alcohol consumption, absolute presenteeism, subjective physical fatigue, mental health, and well-being assessed at baseline and follow-up. The intervention significantly reduced total alcohol consumption through follow-up, primarily by decreasing drinking frequency without changes in drinking-day volume. Compared with controls, the intervention group showed less worsening of subjective physical fatigue, mental health, and well-being, while no significant effects were observed for presenteeism. Reduction in alcohol consumption was associated with improved mental health, which was related to better subjective fatigue and well-being. Although workplace provision of non-alcoholic beverages did not significantly improve presenteeism, it may still represent a feasible strategy to reduce alcohol consumption and support employee health. Trial registration: UMIN-CTR, UMIN000055188, Registered August 7, 2024. (URL https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000062815)
Electrical resistance measurement in feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma treated with electrochemotherapy: a pilot study
Development of a novel cuff-free method for monitoring arterial stiffness using remote photoplethysmography (rPPG)
Abstract In peripheral artery disease (PAD), monitoring of arterial stiffness is crucial as it helps in understanding and managing the condition appropriately. Currently, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is the most prevailing technique for disease monitoring due to its operational simplicity. However, this method may cause discomfort, particularly in vulnerable populations, due to cuff inflation during the measurement procedure. Therefore, we studied the applicability of a new cuff-free method for vascular assessment by performing remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) using video recorded with an RGB camera. The pulse detected by the rPPG method reflects the density of red blood cells in the superficial layer of the skin, and can be used to estimate the heart rate. As a result of comparing the pulse of rPPG method and that of preexisting blood pressure monitors on the basis of R-peak of ECG, a significant correlation was found between the two. Furthermore, we found a significant negative correlation between rPPG-PWV, based on the difference in pulse wave arrival times between the palm and sole, and preexisting baPWV. This result suggests that rPPG-PWV may be used as a substitute for baPWV.