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Mesoporous Fe3O4-loaded silver nanocomposites (Fe3O4@Ag) were simply fabricated as bi-functional nanozymes for the catalysis-based detection and removal of Hg2+ ions. It was found that the as-prepared magnetic Fe3O4@Ag could display peroxidase-like catalysis activity that could be rationally enhanced in the presence of Hg2+ ions. To our surprise, the shell of the Ag element may decrease the catalysis of the Fe3O4 to some degree. However, the Ag particles could serve as the probes for specifically recognizing Hg2+ ions and trigger increased catalysis through the formation of Ag–Hg alloys, with a decreased signal background. A high-throughput colorimetric analytical method was thereby developed based on the Fe3O4@Ag catalysis for probing Hg2+ ions in the muscles of fish by using 96-well plates, at linear Hg2+ concentrations ranging from 0.010 to 2.5 mg kg−1. Moreover, the developed colorimetric analytical method was applied to evaluate Hg2+ levels in muscle samples of different kinds of fish. Unexpectedly, an obvious difference of Hg2+ levels in muscles of four kinds of fish was discovered, with the order of snakehead (Ophicephalus argus) > largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) > crucian carp (Carassius auratus) > silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), where the carnivorous fish showed higher Hg2+ levels than the omnivorous or plant-based ones. Moreover, the as-fabricated Fe3O4@Ag adsorbents with their large specific surface area and high environmental robustness could exhibit efficient Hg2+ adsorption with capacities of up to 397.60 mg g−1. A removal efficiency of 99.40% can also be expected for Hg2+ ions from wastewater, with the magnet-aided recycling of Fe3O4@Ag adsorbents. Such an Fe3O4@Ag-based colorimetric analysis and removal strategy for Hg2+ ions should find wide applications in the fields of aquatic food safety, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics of Hg-poisoning diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current world business environment is characterized by increasing uncertainties, complexities, and risks, which require agri-food supply chain (AFSC) managers to respond and act quickly in a context full of instability and unpredictability. Increasing pressure placed on AFSC managers intensifies the need to combine knowledge management (KM) and decision support that rapidly overcome knowledge boundaries. It has been recognized that the research issue related to the knowledge mobilization crossing boundaries in the AFSC needs to be addressed. This paper investigates knowledge boundaries and boundary-spanning mechanisms by collecting data from experienced AFSC practitioners. Empirical results verify that knowledge boundaries such as syntactic boundaries, semantic boundaries, and pragmatic boundaries could be effectively tackled by four specific boundary-spanning mechanisms: boundary spanners, boundary objects, boundary practices, and boundary discourses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agri-food supply chain (AFSC) is an extremely complex structure that comprises a series of events from farm-to-fork. Additionally, there is a wide range of information and material flows that require to be managed, which are seen as the knowledge flow in the AFSCs. It is expected that the use of knowledge governance mechanisms (KGMs) will help in enhancing AFSC performance. To examine the impact of KGMs on AFSC performance, a mixed methods research design was applied. First, semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data. Then, themes were generated through thematic analysis. Afterwards, relationships between KGMs and AFSC performance were built by using total interpretive structural modelling (TISM). Finally, questionnaire-based structured interviews were undertaken to evaluate the empirical and theoretical findings further. The research results indicate that trust-, reciprocity-, market-, and contract-based KGMs have positive effects on product quality, efficiency, flexibility, responsiveness, and process quality of AFSC. Furthermore, market-based KGM, located in the lowest level in the TISM hierarchy, should be given additional focus due to its role as a key force driving the higher level of AFSC performance and other KGMs. The findings provide AFSC practitioners with useful guidance on how the relationships between KGMs and AFSC performance should be managed to improve the performance of AFSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatitis is one of the most common skin disorders across the world. Atopic dermatitis (AD) and contact dermatitis (CD) are its two primary types. Few studies have focused on the causal relationship between fluid intake and dermatitis. With an Mendelian Randomization (MR), this study investigated the potential causal effects of alcohol, coffee, tea, and water intake on the risk of AD and CD., Methods: Utilizing genetic variants as instrumental variables (IVs), a two-sample MR analysis was implemented based on data from the UK Biobank and FinnGen r9 consortium. Fluid intake was categorized into alcohol, coffee, tea, and water intake. Causal estimates were analyzed through Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods. Cochran's Q, MR-Egger intercept, and MR-PRESSO tests were conducted to assess potential heterogeneity and pleiotropy., Results: Water intake exhibited a significant causal effect on raised CD risk (IVW OR = 2.92, 95% CI: 1.58-5.41, p  = <0.01). Coffee intake was associated with increased CD risk (IVW OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.19-3.91, p  = 0.01). Conversely, tea intake demonstrated a protective effect on AD risk (IVW OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56-0.91, p  = <0.01)., Conclusion: This MR study suggests a potential association where water and coffee intake may be linked to an elevated risk of CD, while tea intake may potentially have a mitigating effect on AD risk. Modifying fluid intake patterns could be a targeted approach for dermatitis prevention, emphasizing the need for additional longitudinal studies to validate and expand upon these findings., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zeng, Guo, Liao, Zhuan, Chen, Qin, Lin, Gu and Zhou.)

Mesoporous Fe 3 O 4 -loaded silver nanocomposites (Fe 3 O 4 @Ag) were simply fabricated as bi-functional nanozymes for the catalysis-based detection and removal of Hg 2+ ions. It was found that the as-prepared magnetic Fe 3 O 4 @Ag could display peroxidase-like catalysis activity that could be rationally enhanced in the presence of Hg 2+ ions. To our surprise, the shell of the Ag element may decrease the catalysis of the Fe 3 O 4 to some degree. However, the Ag particles could serve as the probes for specifically recognizing Hg 2+ ions and trigger increased catalysis through the formation of Ag-Hg alloys, with a decreased signal background. A high-throughput colorimetric analytical method was thereby developed based on the Fe 3 O 4 @Ag catalysis for probing Hg 2+ ions in the muscles of fish by using 96-well plates, at linear Hg 2+ concentrations ranging from 0.010 to 2.5 mg kg -1 . Moreover, the developed colorimetric analytical method was applied to evaluate Hg 2+ levels in muscle samples of different kinds of fish. Unexpectedly, an obvious difference of Hg 2+ levels in muscles of four kinds of fish was discovered, with the order of snakehead ( Ophicephalus argus ) > largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ) > crucian carp ( Carassius auratus ) > silver carp ( Hypophthalmichthys molitrix ), where the carnivorous fish showed higher Hg 2+ levels than the omnivorous or plant-based ones. Moreover, the as-fabricated Fe 3 O 4 @Ag adsorbents with their large specific surface area and high environmental robustness could exhibit efficient Hg 2+ adsorption with capacities of up to 397.60 mg g -1 . A removal efficiency of 99.40% can also be expected for Hg 2+ ions from wastewater, with the magnet-aided recycling of Fe 3 O 4 @Ag adsorbents. Such an Fe 3 O 4 @Ag-based colorimetric analysis and removal strategy for Hg 2+ ions should find wide applications in the fields of aquatic food safety, environmental monitoring, and clinical diagnostics of Hg-poisoning diseases.