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In this study, copper-nickel ferrite (CuNiFe2O4) nanoparticles were fabricated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by co-precipitation method and used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for amoxicillin (AMX) degradation in aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses were performed for the surface morphology and physicochemical properties of the catalyst. High catalytic activity for AMX degradation by MWCNTs-CuNiFe2O4/PMS system (100%) was achieved at a reaction time of 120 min compared to other heterogeneous systems such as Fe3O4/PMS (67.85%), CuFe2O4/PMS (83.2%), and NiFe2O4/PMS (76.56%). The AMX degradation efficiency increased with increasing dosage of PMS and catalyst, while it decreased with the presence of high AMX concentration and different anions. For four consecutive reaction cycles, the degradation efficiency of AMX did not decrease significantly, indicating the good reusability of MWCNTs-CuNiFe2O4in long-term treatment of AMX solution. Quenching tests showed that sulfate (SO4•−) and hydroxyl (HO•) radicals are the main reactive species in AMX degradation. The high BOD5/COD ratio emphasizes that the present catalytic process can oxidize AMX to the compounds with low molecular weight. The presence of NH4+, NO3−, and SO42−ions in the treated effluent indicates that AMX is well mineralized. Toxicity tests performed by culture of Escherichia coliand Staphylococcus aureusexplained that the MWCNTs-CuNiFe2O4/PMS system could reduce the toxicity of the major contaminant and its byproducts. The AMX degradation pathway was proposed through the identification of intermediates by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS).

CoFe2O4@methylcellulose (MC)/activated carbon (AC) as a novel magnetic nanohybrid adsorbent was synthesized and characterized with field-emission scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray-mapping and linescan, X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, vibrating sample magnetometer, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller techniques. Then, on synthetic and real samples, the adsorption process of metronidazole was investigated, and the parameters affecting the adsorption process were optimized. Finally, the toxicity of the effluent from the process was investigated. The maximum removal efficiency of metronidazole for synthetic and real wastewater samples was 93% and 85%, respectively, under optimal conditions of pH 3, adsorbent dose of 2.5 g/L, 10 mg/L initial concentration of metronidazole, temperature 25°C, and contact time of 20 min. The adsorption of metronidazole by CoFe2O4@MC/AC followed pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2= 0.999) and Freundlich isotherms (R2= 0.972). Furthermore, the thermodynamic findings of the process revealed ΔH = –19.82 (kJ/mol) and ΔS = –53.57 (J/mol·K), as well as negative Gibbs free energy values, indicating that the process was spontaneous and exothermic. After four regeneration cycles, the CoFe2O4@MC/AC was able to remove 66% of metronidazole while maintaining high chemical stability. The effects of effluent toxicity on Daphnia and Artemia were enhanced by increasing effluent concentration and exposure duration, according to the LC50values. However, the mortality rate for Daphnia and Artemia after 72 h at the maximum effluent concentration (100% by volume) was 33.3% for Daphnia and 26.6% for Artemia, according to the results. According to the findings, CoFe2O4@MC/AC can be employed as a novel magnetic nanoadsorbent with a high adsorption ability to eliminate pharmaceutical pollutants from aqueous solutions.

Emerging contaminants such as ceftriaxone are a significant issue in the environment. They have led to a series of ecological, environmental, and health issues, and it is urgent to find a green and secure method to remove antibiotics from water effectively. In this research, the CuCoFe2O4@Gum Arabic (GA)/Activated Carbon (AC) as an innovative bio-based matrix magnetic nanocatalyst was synthesized for the efficient degradation of ceftriaxone from aqueous media. The structure of CuCoFe2O4@GA/AC was characterized via FESEM, EDS, Mapping, XRD, FTIR, VSM, and DRS analyses. The structural analysis of the catalyst revealed its synthesis at the nanometer scale (40–50 nm), exhibiting high magnetic strength (Ms: 5.38 emu/g) and favorable optical properties with a bandgap of 3.6 eV. Under optimized conditions, including a pH of 5, 60 min of irradiation time, 0.24 g/L photocatalyst dose, and ceftriaxone concentration of 5 mg/L, the removal efficiency from synthetic and real samples was 94.43% and 62.5%, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation process of ceftriaxone followed pseudo-first-order and Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic models. Furthermore, analysis of the process mechanism indicated a prominent role of the superoxide radical. The catalyst had a high recovery capability and chemical stability. The photocatalytic degradation of ceftriaxone by CuCoFe2O4@GA/AC showcased remarkable efficiency, indicating its potential utility in the treatment of wastewater contaminated with antibiotics.

A novel magnetic biocomposite adsorbent, denoted as AgZnFe2O4@Ch, was utilized for the degradation of Metronidazole (MNZ) from water. Various analytical techniques, including vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), were applied to investigate the characteristics of the magnetic biocomposite adsorbent. XRD examination confirmed the formation of spinel ferrites phases. FESEM assessment indicated a notable reduction in sample aggregation. The ferromagnetic character of the adsorbent was well demonstrated by VSM analysis. The saturation magnetization value for straightforward separating by the outside magnetic fields was 14.64 emu/g. An analytical modeling approach was used to evaluate and analyze the impacts of factors including MNZ initial concentration, temperature, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and pH. Optimized conditions involved an adsorbent dosage of 0.9 g/L, pH of 7, MNZ initial concentration of 10 mg/L, and a contact time of 50 min, resulting in a peak adsorption efficiency of 65.53% under favorable circumstances. A good degree of fit was achieved with the linear model. The experimental equilibrium data fitting to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models demonstrates that the Langmuir model was an effective and appropriate model for evaluating adsorption. Intraparticle kinetic modeling was also shown to be better suitable for characterizing the MNZ adsorption onto the adsorbent. The thermodynamic analysis indicated that the process of MNZ adsorption by AgZnFe2O4@Ch was characterized by exothermicity and lacked spontaneity.

The novel catalyst of copper ferrite loaded on montmorillonite (MMT-CuFe2O4) was prepared by sol-gel method and used as a peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activator in the degradation of methylene blue (MB). Complete degradation of MB was achieved in 5 min using 100 mg/L of MMT-CuFe2O4nanoparticles in an alkaline medium. The MMT-CuFe2O4/PMS heterogeneous system showed 2–3 times higher efficiency than the PMS and MMT-CuFe2O4systems alone. Adding low amounts of anions such as chloride, carbonate, and sulfate to the reaction medium reduced the degradation efficiency by 10% due to the production of reactive species with low redox potential. The results also showed that high concentrations of anions can improve the degradation efficiency due to the production of high amounts of radicals. The reusability of the catalyst was investigated in 5 consecutive reaction cycles, and the findings showed that the catalyst can maintain its stability with a dye removal rate ≥ 90%. The rate of mineralization (TOC removal > 80%), as well as the production of inorganic ions, during the reaction time of 120 min showed that MMT-CuFe2O4can convert dye molecules into biodegradable compounds (BOD5/COD > 0.4), CO2, NH4+, NO3-and SO42-. The relative growth (76.3%) of lentil root emphasized that the solution treated by a catalytic system has very low toxicity. Trapping experiments showed that sulfate (SO4∙-) and hydroxyl (∙OH) radicals have a significant contribution to the degradation of MB and their oxidation activity occurred in both solid and solution phases. Based on the findings of reactive species identification, a possible mechanism for dye degradation was proposed.

A new, green, and without solvent extraction method and chiral separation system effective in separation of racemic methadone is presented. We have used sheep leather as the membrane in enantioselective extraction for chiral separation of methadone. In this work, chiral (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin (OHP-β-CD) was used as a versatile chiral selector. The influences of various conditions on the separation performance were studied. Results showed, the selectivity in one separation step is related to the thickness of leather, chiral selector concentration, pH and temperature of sample solution. At optimum conditions (0.3 mm for thickness of leather, 5 g/L of chiral selector concentration, pH of sample equal to 4.3 and temperature equal to 20 °C), the distribution ratio of R- and S-methadone was 19.4 and 1.6, respectively, and the enantioselectivity value of 12.1 was found at best condition.

Artificial neural network (ANN) model was applied for predicting the biosorption capacity of excess municipal wastewater sludge for hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) ions from aqueous solution. The effects of initial concentration (5 to 90 mg/L), adsorbent dosage (2 to 10 g/L), initial pH (2 to 8), agitation speed (50 to 200 rpm) and agitation time (5 to 480 min) were investigated. The maximum amount of chromium removal was about 96% in optimum conditions. The experimental results were simulated using ANN model. Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm was used for the training of this network with tangent sigmoid as transfer function at hidden and output layer with 13 and 1 neurons, respectively. The applied model successfully predicted Cr(VI) biosorption capacity. The average mean square error is 0.00401 and correlation coefficient between predicted removal rate and experimental results is 0.9833.

This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of the bleached bagasse, cellulose, and nanofiber cellulose to remove methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The morphology of adsorbents surface and their functional groups were examined by using scanning electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques, respectively. In a batch mode study at 25°C temperature, the effects of initial dye concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose, and solution pH on adsorption performance were investigated. The results showed that the percent of MB removal increases by increasing pH and also by increasing sorbent dosage and decreasing initial dye concentration. The adsorption kinetics and equilibrium data were in good agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich adsorption isotherm, respectively. The removal of MB was better and more effective with cellulose and cellulose nanofiber as compared with the bleached bagasse. The regeneration of cellulose and nanofiber cellulose loaded with MB was investigated using electrochemical method under different operating conditions. The results showed that the electrochemical process efficiency is more than 60% for regeneration adsorbents.

Approximately 1.5 billion people worldwide are overweight or affected by obesity, and are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and related metabolic and inflammatory disturbances. Although the mechanisms linking adiposity to associated clinical conditions are poorly understood, recent studies suggest that adiposity may influence DNA methylation, a key regulator of gene expression and molecular phenotype. Here we use epigenome-wide association to show that body mass index (BMI; a key measure of adiposity) is associated with widespread changes in DNA methylation (187 genetic loci with P < 1 × 10−7, range P = 9.2 × 10−8to 6.0 × 10−46; n = 10,261 samples). Genetic association analyses demonstrate that the alterations in DNA methylation are predominantly the consequence of adiposity, rather than the cause. We find that methylation loci are enriched for functional genomic features in multiple tissues (P < 0.05), and show that sentinel methylation markers identify gene expression signatures at 38 loci (P < 9.0 × 10−6, range P = 5.5 × 10−6to 6.1 × 10−35, n = 1,785 samples). The methylation loci identify genes involved in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, substrate transport and inflammatory pathways. Finally, we show that the disturbances in DNA methylation predict future development of type 2 diabetes (relative risk per 1 standard deviation increase in methylation risk score: 2.3 (2.07–2.56); P = 1.1 × 10−54). Our results provide new insights into the biologic pathways influenced by adiposity, and may enable development of new strategies for prediction and prevention of type 2 diabetes and other adverse clinical consequences of obesity.

This study aimed to investigate the presence/absence of SARS-CoV-2 genome in the air and high-touch surfaces. This cross-sectional study was conducted from late-2020 to mid-2021 in the sections of Intensive Care Unit (ICU), emergency, infectious disease ward, and nursing station of the COVID-19 patient reception center in Kerman, Iran. The presence/absence of SARS-CoV-2 genome in the 60 samples of high-touch surfaces and 23 air samples was analyzed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the number of positive samples in different sampling sites. The genome of SARS-CoV-2 was found in the eight samples (13.32%) taken from the high-touch surfaces (two samples in COVID-19 ICU, two samples in general ICU, two samples in emergency ward, and two samples in nursing station) and two air samples (8.70%) (one sample in the general ICU and one sample in the emergency ward). Statistical analysis showed that there was no significant difference between the type of sampling site and the positive cases of SARS-CoV-2 in the surface samples (pvalue = 0.80) and air samples (pvalue = 0.22). According to the results, the SARS-CoV-2 can find in the high-touch surfaces and indoor air of the COVID-19 patient reception centers. Therefore, suitable safety and health measures should be taken, including regular and accurate disinfection of surfaces and equipment and proper ventilation to protect healthcare workers and prevent disease transmission. More studies are recommended to investigate the SARS-CoV-2 concentration in the high-touch surfaces and air samples in the similar researches, efficacy of different disinfectants used on the high-touch surfaces and compare the effect of type of ventilation (natural or mechanical) on the viral load.

The competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique was used to evaluate aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) levels in 168 samples of raw milk (135 samples and 33 samples from bulk tanks of farms and milk collection centers, respectively) and 12 samples of pasteurized milk in Fars province, Southern Iran. AFM1 was found in 55.56% of the samples with a mean concentration of 21.31 ng/L. The concentration of AFM1 in raw milk samples from farms was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that in samples from collection centers and pasteurized milk. The concentration of AFM1 was not influenced by season, location, or type of farm. The concentrations of AFM1 in all samples were lower than the Iranian national standard limit (100 ng/L), but in 30% of raw cow milk samples they were higher than the maximum tolerance limit accepted by the European Union (50 ng/L); therefore, more effort is needed to control AFM1 levels in milk produced in Southern Iran.

The study aims to provide a pooled analysis of individual small trials comparing linear-stapled versus circular-stapled laparoscopic gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomosis in morbid obesity surgery.

Voice-related complaints are the most common extraesophageal manifestation of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The aim of this study was to compare objectively measured voice parameters in normal subjects and patients with GERD and to assess the impact of antireflux surgery on these parameters in patients with reflux disease.

The HF calorimeter is a hadronic calorimeter composed of iron absorber with quartz fibers as active medium. The Cerenkov light generated by the relativistic components of the shower is detected by an array of photomultipliers. The construction of the calorimeter, which will cover the pseudorapidity interval 2.8-5.2 (0.6-7 degrees) in the CMS experiment at LHC is being completed at CERN. The main physics goal of the HF calorimeter is to tag high energy jets generated by boson-boson fusion events at LHC. In this paper the results from a test beam exposure at the CERN north area test beam will be presented. Details about the energy response and the response uniformity to electrons and hadrons will be presented. The main part of the talk will be devoted to the studies done to optimize the energy reconstruction algorithm for pions in the energy range 20 to 300 GeV. Special care has to be devoted to this task given that, with its , this calorimeter is probably one of the most non compensating hadron calorimeters ever built. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Recent studies based on symptomatic outcomes analyses have shown that laparoscopic repair of large type III hiatal hernias is safe, successful, and equivalent to open repair. These outcomes analyses were based on a relatively short followup period and lack objective confirmation that the hernia has not recurred. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of laparoscopic and open repair of large type III hiatal hernia using both symptomatic evaluation and barium study to assess the integrity of the repair. Study Design: Fifty-four patients underwent repair of a large type III hiatal hernia between 1985 and 1998. The surgical approach was laparotomy in 13, thoracotomy in 14, and laparoscopy in 27. An antireflux procedure was included in all patients. Symptomatic outcomes were assessed using a structured questionnaire at a median of 24 months and was complete in 51 of 54 patients (94%). A single radiologist, without knowledge of the operative procedure, assessed the integrity of the repair using video esophagram. Videos were performed at a median of 27 months (35 months open and 17 laparoscopic) and were completed in 41 of 54 patients (75%). Results: Symptomatic outcomes were similar in both groups with excellent or good outcomes in 76% of the patients after laparoscopic repair and 88% after an open repair. Reherniation was present in 12 patients and was asymptomatic in 7. A recurrent hernia was present in 12 of the 41 patients (29%) who returned for a followup video esophagram. Forty-two percent (9 of 21) of the laparoscopic group had a recurrent hernia compared with 15% (3 of 20) of the open group (p &lt; 0.001 log-rank value on recurrence-free followup). Conclusions: Laparoscopic repair of type III hiatal hernias is associated with a disturbingly high (42%) prevalence of recurrent hernia. More than half such recurrences have few, if any, symptoms.

In this paper, an approach for neutral Higgs boson searches is described based on 2HDM type I at electron-positron linear colliders operating at √s=1 TeV. The beam is assumed to be unpolarized and fast detector simulation is included. The signal process produces a fully hadronic final state through e+e-→AH→b̄bb̄b where both CP-even and CP-odd Higgs bosons (H and A) are assumed to decay to a pair of b-jets. Several benchmark scenarios are introduced as the baseline for the analysis taking mH/A in the range 150-300 GeV. In order to avoid Higgs boson conversion A→ZH, Higgs boson masses are chosen with mA-mH

Herniation of a portion of the stomach through the esophageal hiatus into the posterior mediastinum is a common affliction of humans. The incidence of hiatal hernia is difficult to determine because of the absence of symptoms in a large number of patients. Upper gastrointestinal barium examinations in symptomatic patients identify some type of hiatal hernia in as many as 15% of patients.

PURPOSE: Perianastomotic recurrence after resection in Crohn's disease may be related to ischemia and subacute obstruction at the anastomosis. A technique designed to minimize these factors currently is being evaluated. METHODS: From 1984 to 1997 69 patients underwent resection and primary anastomosis for symptomatic Crohn's disease (17 jejunal or ileal, 72 ileocolic, and 7 colocolic resections). Of these, 42 patients underwent functional end-to-end anastomoses with the use of linear cutting staplers (ProximateTM 75 mm or GIA 228 80 mm) and 27 patients underwent end-to-end sutured anastomoses. RESULTS: In the stapled anastomosis group one (2 percent) patient required reoperation for recurrent symptoms at 46 months. Complications occurred in four (8 percent) patients (one enterocutaneous fistula, one wound infection, one abscess, and one ileus). There were no anastomotic leaks. The median postoperative stay was seven (range, 5–26) days. In the sutured anastomosis group 14 (43 percent) patients required 15 further resections for symptomatic recurrence at a median of 46 (range, 4–91) months. Complications occurred in six (17 percent) patients (two anastomotic leaks, two fistulas, one stricture, and one pulmonary embolus). The median postoperative stay was 10 (range, 6–28) days. CONCLUSIONS: Functional end-to-end stapled anastomoses after resection for Crohn's disease may be associated with fewer complications than sutured anastomoses and may delay reoperation for symptomatic recurrence. Further evaluation of the technique is indicated.

In this study, assuming the type-Y (flipped) two-Higgs-doublet model (2HDM) in the Standard-Model- (SM) like scenario as the theoretical framework, observability of the additional heavy neutral Higgs bosonsH andAis investigated through the signal process chaine-e+→AH→bb̄bb̄at a linear collider operating at the center-of-mass energy of 1.5 TeV. The assumed signal process is highly motivated by the enhancements in theA/H→bb̄decays at relatively hightanβvalues. Such enhancements result in the dominance of the mentioned decay modes even for Higgs masses above the threshold of the on-shell top quark pair production. Taking advantage of such a unique feature, several benchmark scenarios are studied. Simulating the detector response based on the SiD detector at the ILC, simulated events are analyzed to reconstruct theHandAHiggs bosons. The top quark pair production andZ/γproduction are the main SM background processes and are well under control. Results indicate that, theHandAHiggs bosons are observable with signals exceeding5σwith possibility of mass measurement in all the tested scenarios. Specifically, the parameter space region enclosed with the mass rangesmH=150-500=GeVandmA=230-580=GeVwith theA/Hmass splitting of 80 GeV is observable at the integrated luminosity of500=fb-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Higgs boson pair production at a linear e+e- collider is analyzed in the 4τ final state in the context of lepton-specific or type IV two Higgs doublet models (2HDMs). Both beams are assumed to be unpolarized. The Higgs boson pairs (HA) are produced through off-shell Z∗ production and decay to τ jets, which is the main decay channel for neutral Higgs bosons in 2HDM type IV. Using a simplified detector simulation based on the SiD detector at ILC, the 4τ signal is studied through the τ-jet pair invariant mass reconstruction. Several benchmark scenarios are considered for center-of-mass energies of 500 and 1000 GeV at integrated luminosity of 500 fb-1. Among standard model background processes, the main background is e+e-→ZZ followed by Z→ττ. This background is, however, well under control. With the luminosity assumed in the analysis, striking signals are obtained beyond the reach of the LHC. Such signals would allow for precise determination of masses and cross sections and already much lower luminosities are sufficient for discovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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