Kerrmcfarland5524

This work offers an auspicious approach to design non-metal doped g-C3N4 photocatalysts for renewable fuel production and would be promising for other energy application.Extensive amounts of chlorine disinfectants have been applied to wastewater system since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which inevitably affects the pollutant degradation via interfering with electron transfer mediated by electroactive bacteria. Herein, the response of electroactive biofilm (EAB) to chronic chlorine exposure was investigated. Results showed the EAB formed without exposure (EAB-0) exhibited a 53% and 123% higher current output than that formed with 0.1 mg L-1 (EAB-0.1) and 0.5 mg L-1 (EAB-0.5) chlorine, respectively. The chronic chlorine exposure of EAB boosted the contents of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) in EAB-0.1 and EAB-0.5 by over secretion of extracellular polysaccharides. The EAB-0.1 and EAB-0.5 also presented lower electron exchange capacities (EECs) of EPS, coincided with reduced relative abundance of Geobacter from 61% in EAB-0 to 52% in EAB-0.5. This study provided new insights into the application of engineered EAB for wastewater treatment in a disinfection environment.Damage from myocardial infarction (MI) and subsequent heart failure are serious public health concerns. Current clinical treatments and therapies to treat MI damage largely do not address the regeneration of cardiomyocytes. In a previous study, we established that it is possible to promote regeneration of cardiac muscle with vascular endothelial growth factor B gene delivery directly to the ischemic myocardium. In the current study we aim to optimize cardioporation parameters to increase expression efficiency by varying electrode configuration, applied voltage, pulse length, and plasmid vector size. By using a surface monopolar electrode, optimized pulsing conditions and reducing vector size, we were able to prevent ventricular fibrillation, increase survival, reduce tissue damage, and significantly increase gene expression levels.A biomimetic "intestinal microvillus" electrochemical cell sensor based on three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting was developed, which can specifically and accurately detect wheat gliadin. Self-assembled flower-like copper oxide nanoparticles (FCONp) and hydrazide-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-CDH) were innovatively synthesized to improve the sensor performance. A conductive biocomposite hydrogel (bioink) was prepared by mixing FCONp and MWCNT-CDH based on GelMA gel. click here The cluster-shaped microvillus structure of small intestine was accurately printed on the screen printing electrode with the prepared bioink using stereolithography 3D-bioprinting technology, and then the Rat Basophilic Leukemia cells were immobilized on the gel skeleton. Next, the developed cell sensor was used to effectively detect wheat allergen gliadin. The experimental results show that the bioprinted cell sensor sensitively detects wheat gliadin when the optimized cell numbers and immobilized time are 1 × 106 cells/mL and 10 min, respectively. The linear detection range is 0.1-0.8 ng/mL, and the detection limit is 0.036 ng/mL. The electrochemical cell sensor based on 3D printing technology has excellent stability and reproducibility. Thus, a simple and novel electrochemical detection approach for food allergens was established in this study with potential application in food safety detection and evaluation.Ephedra herb extracts are being extensively investigated in terms of their antioxidative, antimicrobial and antiproliferative properties, with phenolic components being the general carriers of these bioactivities. link2 Here we describe a comprehensive set of analytical methods employed to determine and characterize both the antioxidative activity and the qualitative profile of phenolic acids and flavonoids present in several Ephedra species of different geographical origin. Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidative activity. Multi-development HPTLC enabled chemical fingerprinting which can be used for species differentiation. Individual spots of the thin-layer chromatogram were subjected to GC-MS with injection port derivatization for identification, which was based on both the detected mass spectra and recorded retention indices. link3 The results were compared and complemented with GC-MS using offline derivatization.Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) possess excellent therapeutic potential for the treatment of various diseases including graft-versus-host disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Here, we generated an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line from BM-MSCs employing a non-integrating episomal vector. The generated iPSCs expressed pluripotency markers, showed a normal karyotype, and exhibited the potential for in vitro differentiation into three germ layers. This iPSC line can be used as a healthy control in stem cell therapeutics and disease modeling studies.Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) can colonize dental patients and students, however, studies on the prevalence of MRSA and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) among dental health care workers (DHCW) including use of personal protective equipment (PPE) are scarce. We conducted an observational study (StaphDent study) to (I) determine the prevalence of MRSA and MSSA colonization in DHCW in the region of Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, Germany, (II) resolve the S. aureus population structure to gain hints on possible transmission events between co-workers, and (III) clarify use of PPE. Nasal swabs were obtained from dentists (n = 149), dental assistants (n = 297) and other dental practice staff (n = 38). Clonal relatedness of MSSA isolates was investigated using spa typing and, in some cases, whole genome sequencing (WGS). PPE use was assessed by questionnaire. While 22.3% (108/485) of the participants were colonized with MSSA, MRSA was not detected. MSSA prevalence was not associated with size of dental practices, gender, age, or duration of employment. The identified 61 spa types grouped into 17 clonal complexes and four sequence types. Most spa types (n = 47) were identified only once. In ten dental practices one spa type occurred twice. WGS data analysis confirmed a close clonal relationship for 4/10 isolate pairs. PPE was regularly used by most dentists and assistants. To conclude, the failure to recover MRSA from DHCW reflects the low MRSA prevalence in this region. Widespread PPE use suggests adherence to routine hygiene protocols. Compared to other regional HCW MRSA rates the consequent usage of PPE seems to be protective.Although plastic straws account for a small fraction of urban residue, they are also found in marine and coastal waste, raising concerns in the community and resulting in policies to curb or ban improper disposal. These policies are still little documented and discussed in the scientific literature. This review article aims at surveying, categorizing and analyzing existing regulations on the American continent (North, Central and South America and the Caribbean). The regulations were analyzed in terms of straw bans; obligations regarding the type of raw material used in manufacturing; accessibility-related exceptions to bans; and the adoption of environmental education measures. A total of 363 regulations enacted in 62.8% of American countries were examined, 37% of which need technical standards to support their requirements. In Central America and the Caribbean, it is primarily the regulations that provide environmental education. Locations with a strong beach tourism economy have enacted plastic straw regulations.Microplastic deposition in marine sediments is a geographically widespread problem. This study examines microplastics in intertidal and subtidal sediments at 87 locations in habitats designated as Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Special Protection Areas (SPAs) on the coastline of Ireland. Established methodological approaches including, organic matter digestion, density separation, particle extraction and polymer identification were applied. Microplastic abundance was closely related with distance from known sources and concentrations were greater in intertidal as opposed to subtidal sediments. Colourless, polyethylene fibres and polypropylene fragments were the most abundant MP recorded and finer grained sediments were shown to entrap more MPs than coarser sediments. The results demonstrate that an understanding of potential sources of pollution, sediment type and hydrodynamic conditions are very important in terms of MP abundance and distribution in marine sediments and also in terms of effective waste management strategies and policy aimed at reducing the global plastics problem.This paper characterize microplastics (MPs) in the heavily urbanized, brackish water Vembanad Lake (India), focussing on some commercially important bottom-feeding fishes and shellfish (Arius maculatus, Etroplus suratensis, E. maculatus and Villorita sp.). The average abundance of MPs was higher in the water column (872 ± 573 nos./m3) than in finfishes (15 ± 13 particles per fish) and shellfish (23 ± 20 nos./ind.). Fibre was the most abundant MP type in the water and the organisms examined. The size of MPs obtained from finfishes ranged between 0.04 and 4.73 mm (4 ± 3 mm), with a majority of particles being less then 4 mm. No correlation was found between biological features (e.g. gut length, mouth size) of fishes and the size of MPs in their gut. In Villorita sp., the abundance of MPs was positively correlated with the size of the individuals. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester in the samples.The islands of the South Pacific contribute a fraction of the mis-managed plastics in the world's ocean, yet the region is one of the main recipients of its impacts. Based on expert interviews and a review of current strategies to prevent marine plastic pollution in six countries (Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, United Kingdom), this paper identifies several interventions - legislative, financial, voluntary - which governments, organisations and individuals can learn from. Both voluntary and statutory consumer-based behaviour change campaigns are well developed and somewhat successful in several countries. While sub-national policies do not inhibit progress, they are not optimal. Harmonisation across the territories of federal and devolved systems is beneficial, such as container return schemes, levies, and bans. Vanuatu has displayed high ambition, and the challenges in achieving this serve as a case study. A coordinated global strategy with associated legislation aimed at tackling plastic pollution is critical.

To evaluate damage reduction in cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) caused by photoneutrons in high-energy X-ray radiotherapy using a neutron-shielding sheet (NSS).

The NSS consists of a bolus with a thickness of 1 or 2cm (Bls1 or Bls2) as a moderator and several absorbers (20%, 50%, or 80% B

C silicone sheet [B

C20, B

C50, or B

C80] or a 40% LiF silicone sheet [LiF40]). First, a linear accelerator (LINAC) with a water-equivalent phantom was modeled in the simulation and measured experimentally. Several NSSs were placed on the phantom, a EuLiCaAlF

scintillator was placed between the phantom and the NSS, and X-rays were irradiated. The relative counts (Cr=counts when placing the NSS or Bls2) were compared between the experiment and simulation. Second, CIED damage was evaluated in the simulation. The relative damage (Dr=damage when placing or not placing the NSS) was compared among all the NSSs. In addition, the γ-ray and leaking X-ray dose from B

C was measured using a dosimetric film. After determining the optimal NSS combination,Dr value analysis was performed by changing the length of one side and the thickness.