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Raw mixtures of Rare Earths Elements, REE, recovered by E-waste, were used as catalysts to promote the (stereoselective) synthesis of highly valuable compounds. Y2O3, the major species that is recovered by the E-waste, can be easily converted into the catalytically active Y(OTf)3 that is able to efficiently promote the Michael addition of indoles to benzylidene malonates and the stereoselective Diels-Alder cycloaddition between cyclopentadiene and 4-(S)-3 acryloyl 4-tert-butyl 2-oxazolidinone. Additionally, the raw mixtures were immobilized onto silica and used to construct packed reactors, resulting in values for Productivity and Space-Time Yields that were significantly higher than those of the corresponding batch conversions. Notably, the prepared cartridge employed in the model Michael reaction maintained its catalytic efficiency for more than 4 days of continuous running.

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The circular economy practices contribute to sustainable development by maximising efficiency, utilising renewable resources, extending product lifespans, and implementing waste reduction strategies. This study investigates the individual impacts of four sources of the circular economy on the ecological footprint in Germany, a country that is among the pioneers in establishing a comprehensive roadmap for the circular economy. The four sources examined are renewable energy consumption (REC), recycling, reuse, and repair of materials. Using time series data from 1990 to 2021, the study employed the dynamic autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) simulation technique and also applied kernel-based linear regression (KRLS) to test the robustness of the results. The findings revealed that reuse practices significantly reduce the ecological footprint in both the short and long run. REC and repair also substantially decrease the ecological footprint, as shown by the simulation analysis. Conversely, while recycling is generally considered crucial for minimising environmental impact, in this study, it was found to contribute to environmental degradation. This paradox may be attributed to the nascent state of the recycling industry and data limitations. The results from KRLS confirm the findings of the dynamic ARDL. It is recommended that policymakers develop measures that are appropriate, efficient, and targeted to enhance the role of each source of the circular economy in reducing the ecological footprint in Germany. The major limitation of the study is its reliance on the indirect measures of circular economy attributed to the non-availability of data on direct measures.

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MicroRNAs (MiRNAs) are valuable biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. The development of reliable assays is an urgent pursuit. We herein fabricate a novel electrochemical sensing strategy based on the conformation transitions of DNA nanostructures and click chemistry. Duplex-specific nuclease (DSN)-catalyzed reaction is first used for the disintegration of the DNA triangular pyramid frustum (DNA TPF). A DNA triangle is formed, which in turn assists strain-promoted alkyne-azide cycloaddition (SPAAC) to localize single-stranded DNA probes (P1). After SPAAC ligation, multiple DNA hairpins are spontaneously folded, and the labeled electrochemical species are dragged near the electrode interface. By recording and analyzing the responses, a highly sensitive electrochemical biosensor is established, which exhibits high sensitivity and reproducibility. Clinical applications have been verified with good stability. This sensing strategy relies on the integration of DNA nanostructures and click chemistry, which may inspire further designs for the development of DNA nanotechnology and applications in clinical chemistry.

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Microbial applications in agriculture and industry have gained significant attention due to their potential to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development. Among these, the genus Pseudomonas stands out as a promising candidate for various biotechnological uses, thanks to its metabolic flexibility, resilience, and adaptability to diverse environments. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current state and future prospects of microbial fuel production, bioremediation, and sustainable development, focusing on the pivotal role of Pseudomonas species. We emphasize the importance of microbial fuel as a renewable energy source and discuss recent advancements in enhancing biofuel generation using Pseudomonas strains. Additionally, we explore the critical role of Pseudomonas in bioremediation processes, highlighting its ability to degrade a wide spectrum of pollutants, including hydrocarbons, pesticides, and heavy metals, thereby reducing environmental contamination. Despite significant progress, several challenges remain. These include refining microbial strains for optimal process efficiency and addressing ecological considerations. Nonetheless, the diverse capabilities of Pseudomonas offer promising avenues for innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues, supporting the transition to a more sustainable future.

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Introduction Surface roughness (Ra) significantly impacts the aesthetic and functional qualities of dental prosthetics. Traditional polishing involves pumice, a material routinely used in dental practice. This study introduces Algishine as a potential cost-effective eco-friendly alternative. Materials and methods A 3D design software (Geomagic) created a Standard Tesselation Language (STL) file of 10 mm x 10 mm x 2 mm. 30 STL file outputs were generated. The output was milled in wax. This was then flasked and processed. 30 acrylic resin specimens were fabricated and divided into two groups. Group A was polished using traditional pumice, and Group B was polished using Algishine. The Ra of each sample was measured using surface profilometry, with three readings per sample averaged for each group. Results Kruskal-Wallis test was performed to compare the two groups with the pre-testing samples, which showed p<0.05; indicating that there was a significant difference between the two groups. The average Ra value for unpolished acrylic was 7.105, while the specimens polished with pumice showed an Ra value of 2.218; specimens polished with novel material Algishine showed an Ra value of 1.743. This illustrates that Algishine achieves surface smoothness significantly superior to commonly used polishing agent and pumice. Discussion The results of our study demonstrate that Algishine, a novel polishing material derived from recycled alginate, effectively reduces the Ra of acrylic resin. This finding has significant implications, both clinically and environmentally. The primary clinical benefit of a smoother acrylic resin surface is the enhanced aesthetic appearance and increased patient comfort. A polished surface reduces plaque accumulation, thereby decreasing the risk of oral infections and improving the longevity of the dental prosthesis. The results show that Algishine achieves surface smoothness comparable to or better than pumice indicating that it can maintain, if not enhance, these clinical outcomes. Dental professionals can confidently use Algishine, knowing it meets the high standards required for patient care. Conclusion Algishine effectively reduces the Ra of acrylic resin, suggesting it is a viable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional pumice for dental polishing procedures. This indicates potential benefits in maintaining clinical outcomes while promoting environmental sustainability.

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Recycling spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) to efficient water-splitting electrocatalysts is a promising and sustainable technology route for green hydrogen production by renewables. In this work, a fluorinated ternary metal oxide (F-TMO) derived from spent LIBs was successfully converted to a robust water oxidation catalyst for pure water electrolysis by utilizing an anion-exchange membrane. The optimized catalyst delivered a high current density of 3.0 A cm-2 at only 2.56 V and a durability of >300 h at 0.5 A cm-2, surpassing the noble-metal IrO2 catalyst. Such excellent performance benefits from an artificially endowed interface layer on the F-TMO, which renders the exposure of active metal (oxy)hydroxide sites with a stabilized configuration during pure water operation. Compared to other metal oxides (i.e., NiO, Co3O4, MnO2), F-TMO possesses a higher stability number of 2.4 × 106, indicating its strong potential for industrial applications. This work provides a feasible way of recycling waste LIBs to valuable electrocatalysts.

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D-pantothenic acid (D-PA) is an essential vitamin that has been widely used in various industries. However, the low productivity caused by slow D-PA production in fermentation hinders its potential applications. In this study, strategies of engineering the synthetic pathway combined with regulating methyl recycle were employed in E. coli to enhance D-PA production. First, a self-induced promoter-mediated dynamic regulation of D-PA degradation pathway was carried out to improve D-PA accumulation. Then, to drive more carbon flux into D-PA synthesis, the key nodes of the R-pantoate pathway which encoded the essential enzyme were integrated into the genome. Subsequently, the further increase in D-PA production was achieved by promoting the regeneration of methyl donor. The strain L11T produced 86.03 g/L D-PA with a productivity of 0.797 g/L/h, which presented the highest D-PA titer and productivity to date. The strategies could be applied to constructing cell factories for producing other bio-based products.

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Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose potential hazards to human health and contribute significantly to odor pollution. This study examined VOC emissions from a representative recycled rubber industry, evaluating the occupational health risks for frontline workers in various workshops. Variables such as gender and workshop-specific concentration variations were considered using Monte Carlo simulation methods. Employees in the five production workshops and office areas face noncarcinogenic health risks with hazard indices (HIs) greater than 1, with the rubber compounding phase presenting the highest risk. Acetaldehyde is identified as the primary noncarcinogenic health risk substance, with hazard quotient (HQ) values exceeding 1 in all workshops. Carcinogenic health risks vary by area, with the highest risks found in compounding and refining workshops. Formaldehyde poses the greatest risk in rubber grinding workshops and offices, with cumulative weights exceeding unacceptable levels of M80.58 % and W77.56 % in grinding and M94.98 % and W92.24 % in the office. Male workers face 4-7 % greater noncarcinogenic VOC health risks than females and 5-14 % greater carcinogenic risks from individual VOCs, increasing their susceptibility to health risks caused by VOCs. Additionally, our analysis of odor identification and intensity classification revealed that 53 VOCs are capable of causing odor pollution, with several substances reaching odor levels of 2 or higher. The predominant perceived odors, as reflected in the odor wheel, include categories such as "solvent/aromatic" and "sweet/fruit," with aldehydes being the primary odor-causing substances. In summary, emissions of VOCs from rubber industrial processes not only pose substantial health risks to workers but also contribute significantly to odor pollution. Consequently, enterprises must prioritize optimizing workplace conditions to ensure the occupational health and well-being of their employees.

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Developing utilization technologies for biomass resources, exploring their applications in the fields of energy and chemical engineering, holds significant importance for promoting sustainable development and constructing a green, low-carbon society. In this study, we designed a non-natural in vitro multi-enzyme system for converting glycerol and CO2 into L-aspartic acid (L-Asp). The coupled system utilized eight enzymes, including alditol oxidase (ALDO), catalase-peroxidase (CAT), lactaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), glycerate 2-kinase (GK), phosphopyruvate hydratase (PPH), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PPC), L-aspartate dehydrogenase (ASPD), and polyphosphate kinase (PPK), to convert the raw materials into L-Asp in one-pot coupled with NADH and ATP regeneration. Under optimal reaction conditions, 18.6 mM of L-Asp could be produced within 2.0 h at a total enzyme addition of 4.85 mg/mL, demonstrating the high efficiency and productivity characteristics of the designed system. Our technological application provides new insights and methods for the development of biomass resource utilization technologies.

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The creation of hydrogen using the lower-cost feedstock, waste organics (WOs), e.g. kitchen waste bio-oil, is a win-win solution, because it can both solve energy problems and reduce environmental pollution. Ultrasound has received considerable interest in organic decomposition; however, the application of ultrasound alone is not a good choice for the hydrogen production from WOs, because of the energy consumption and efficiency. To boost the hydrogen production based on ultrasonic cavitation cracking of bio-oil, photothermal materials are introduced into the hydrogen production system to form localized hot spots. Materials carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNT), and silicon dioxide (SiO2) all exhibit significant enhancing effects on the hydrogen production from bio-oil, and the CB exhibits the most significant strengthening effect among these materials. When the dosage of CB is 5 mg, hydrogen production rate is 180.1 µmol · h-1, representing a notable 1.7-fold increase compared to the production rate without CB. In the presence of light and ultrasound, the hydrogen production rate can be increased by 66.7-fold compared to the situation where only light is present without ultrasound.

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Exploring the vast extraterrestrial space is an inevitable trend with continuous human development. Water treatment and reuse are crucial in the limited and closed space that is available in spaceships or long-term use space bases that will be established in the foreseeable future. Dedicated water treatment technologies have experienced iterative development for more than 60 years since the first manned spaceflight was successfully launched. Herein, we briefly review the related wastewater characteristics and the history of water treatment in space stations, and we focus on future challenges and perspectives, aiming at providing insights for optimizing wastewater treatment technologies and closing the water cycle in future.

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As robot numbers in the home increase, creating a market for second-hand robotic systems is essential to reduce the waste impact of the industry. Via a survey, consumer attitudes of United Kingdom participants towards second-hand robots were investigated; finding that second-hand robots with guarantees have an equal purchasing interest compared to new systems, highlighting the opportunity for manufacturers and retailers to develop certification standards for second-hand robots to move towards a circular economy. Consumer demographics also demonstrated that those most open to the purchase of both new and second-hand systems were women, those aged 18-25 years old, and those who have previously owned a robot for the home. Participants' prior ownership of second-hand electronic devices (such as phones and laptops) did not affect rates of interest for second-hand robotic systems suggesting that the technology is still too new for people to be able to project their experience of current second-hand electronics to that of a robot. Additionally, this research found the robotics industry can consider the potential market for second-hand robots to be more similar to the second-hand smartphone market than to the household electronics market, and lessons learnt from the concerns raised by consumers for other internet-enabled electronic devices are similar to those concerns for second-hand robots. This provides an opportunity for the industry to break down the barriers for a circular economy earlier in the technology maturity process than has been seen for other electronics.

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The fibrous wastes generated from the mills of textile production can be recycled and converted into high add-values products to be implemented in several applications. The current study aimed to employ commercial free cellulase enzyme to partially hydrolyze (activate) the polyester cotton blended (PET/C) fibrous wastes by creation functional groups such as OH and COOH on their surfaces. The activated fibrous wastes were then modified by coating with ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) biosynthesized by actinobacterial cultures free supernatant. The isolate was identified as Streptomyces pseudogriseolus with accession number of OR574241. The conditions that influence the actino-synthesis of ZnO-NPs were optimized and the product was characterized using spectroscopic vision, FTIR, XRD, TEM and SEM. The characteristic ZnO peaks were obviously observed by EDX analysis with 0.38 and 0.75% (wt%), respectively. TEM analyses proved the nanoscale of ZnO-NPs (5-15 nm) which was followed by cytotoxic evaluation for the produced NPs. Fortunately, the tested actino-ZnO-NPs didn't have any cytotoxicity against human normal fibroblast cell line (BJ1), which means that the product can be safely used in a direct-contact with human skin. The treated PET/C blended waste fabrics coated with ZnO-NPs showed high antimicrobial activity and ultraviolet protection values after functionalization by cellulase. EDX analysis demonstrates the presence of Zn peaks on the coated fabrics compared with their absence in blank and control samples, while SEM images showed the formation of a thin layer of ZnO-NPs on the fabric surface. The obtained smart textile can be applied several needed sectors.

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Controllable assembly of DNA nanostructure provides a powerful way for quantitative analysis of various targets including nucleic acid molecules. In this study, we have designed detachable DNA nanostructures at electrochemical sensing interface and constructed a ligation chain reaction (LCR) strategy for amplified detection of miRNA. A three-dimensional DNA triangular prism nanostructure is fabricated to provide suitable molecule recognition environment, which can be further regenerated for additional tests via convenient pH adjustment. Target triggered LCR is highly efficient and specific towards target miRNA. Under optimal experimental conditions, this approach enables ultrasensitive exploration in a wide linear range with a single-base resolution. Moreover, it shows excellent performances for the analysis of cell samples and clinical serum samples.

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With the large-scale application of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), a huge amount of spent LIBs will be generated each year and how to realize their recycling and reuse in a clean and effective way poses a challenge to the society. In this work, using the electrolyte of spent LIBs as solvent, we in situ fluorinate the conductive three-dimensional porous copper foam by a facile solvent-thermal method and then coating it with a cross-linked sodium alginate (SA) layer. Benefiting from the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) that accommodating the volume change of internal CuF2 core and SA layer that inhibiting the dissolution of CuF2, the synthesized CuF2@void@SEI@SA cathode with a pomegranate-like structure (yolk-shell) exhibits a large reversible capacity of ~535 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1 and superb cycling stability. This work conforms to the development concept of green environmental protection and comprehensively realizes the unity of environmental, social and economic benefits.

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This study focuses on developing a cost-effective Fe2O3 catalyst from oilfield iron waste to create a floating heterogeneous photo-Fenton system with anatase/rutile(A/R) TiO2 heterophase photocatalyst (cork-Fe2O3@A1-xRx-TiO2) for treating textile pollution in sunlight. Through controlling sol-gel (SG) microwave heating technique, the A/R ratio of A1-xRx-TiO2 crystal is tuned (A/R ratio = 1.13 and Eg = 3.02 eV) to improve adsorption-photocatalytic removal of anionic/cationic dyes with an apparent kinetic rate (kapp) of 0.0074 min-1 under UV-visible irradiation. The developed cork-Fe2O3@A53.1R46.8-TiO2 floated system also outperforms the classical photo-Fenton with Fe/H2O2 benchmark, showing a 2-fold enhancement in textile dye degradation (kapp = 0.216 min-1 and space-time yield (SY) of 1.7*10-4 mol/E.g at pH 5.65) with high stability over four reuse cycles. The formation of Fe2O3@A53.1R46.8-TiO2 Type-II heterojunction is confirmed by optical and electrochemical analyses, allowing the acceleration of direct electron transfer mechanism and oxidative degradation of dyes during photo-Fenton reaction. As a case study, the cork-Fe2O3@A53.1R46.8-TiO2 system demonstrates a high capability for efficient mineralization of textile pollution in a real effluent, achieving 82 ± 2% reduction in the total organic contents at an operational cost of 2.61 $/kg.m3 in sunlight. Thus, this research addresses challenges in conventional Fenton chemistry, iron waste recycling, and catalyst retention, offering new insights for sustainable treatment of textile effluents and environmental protection.

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Plant phenolics have been known for various biological activities. This study aims to extract and examine the presence of phenolics in Bao mango (Mangifera indica L. var.) peel ethanolic extract (MPE). Further, antioxidant, anti-diabetic (α-amylase, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity), and anti- Alzheimer's disease (AD) (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and ß-secretase (BACE-1) inhibitory activity) efficacy of MPE were determined. The results indicated that mangiferin (8755.89 mg/ 100 g extract) was the major phenolic compound in MPE. An antioxidant mechanism revealed that MPE had a higher radical scavenging ability (4266.70 µmol TE/g extract) compared to reducing power (FRAP) or oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC). Further in-vitro enzyme inhibitory assay against diabetic and AD involved enzymes showed that MPE had stronger inhibitory action against an enzyme involved in diabetes compared to their standard drug (Acarbose) (P < 0.05). While a lower IC50 value was observed against AD-involved enzymes compared to their standard drug (donepezil) (P < 0.05). The results show that Thai Bao mango peel byproduct can be a potential source of nutraceuticals to lower diabetes and improve cognitive health.

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ABSTRACTThe Ministry of Environment of Korea has proposed a ban on landfill disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) from 2026. Thus, it is inferred that the amount of incineration ash will increase drastically. Against this backdrop, this study assessed the applicability of a plasma melting process to fly ash. Fly ash was collected from 14 incineration facilities to analyze its basic properties and perform melting experiments. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis and economic feasibility assessment were conducted. The molten fly ash slag exhibited a pH value of 9.9, and the ignition loss of fly ash was found to range from 14.5 to 25.7 wt.%. None of seven toxic elements (arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), cyanide (CN), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), copper, and lead (Pb)) was detected from the molten slag. In addition, 99.3 wt.% of chloride ion (Cl-), 97.9 wt.% of fluoride ion (F-), and 98.1 wt.% of sulphate ion (SO42-) were removed. The contents in the molten slag were found to be 0.19, 7.8, 27.8, 33.1, and 38 mg/kg for Cd, Pb, zinc, nickel, and F, respectively, and none of CN, Hg, and As was detected, thereby meeting the criteria for soil pollution. All of the environmental standards were met, and SEM analysis confirmed stable quality with high density and no surface pore. In the economic feasibility assessment, a profit of approximately 152.4 $/ton was also estimated compared to landfill disposal.

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High concentrations of ammonium, phosphate, and phenol are recognized as water pollutants that contribute to the degradation of soil acidity. In contrast, small quantities of these nutrients are essential for soil nutrient cycling and plant growth. Here, we reported composite materials comprising biochar, chitosan, ZrO, and Fe3O4, which were employed to mitigate ammonium, phosphate, and phenol contamination in water and to lessen soil acidity. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the efficacy of the adsorbents. Initially, comparative studies on the simultaneous removal of NH4, PO4, and phenol using CB (biochar), CBC (biochar + chitosan), CBCZrO (biochar + chitosan + ZrO), and CBCZrOFe3O4 (biochar + chitosan + ZrO + Fe3O4) were conducted. The results discovered that CBCZrOFe3O4 exhibited the highest removal percentage among the adsorbents (P < 0.05). Adsorption data for CBCZrOFe3O4 were well fitted to the second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models, with maximum adsorption capacities of 112.65 mg/g for NH4, 94.68 mg/g for PO4 and 112.63 mg/g for phenol. Subsequently, the effect of CBCZrOFe3O4-loaded NH4, PO4, and phenol (CBCZrOFe3O4-APP) on soil acidity was studied over a 60-day incubation period. The findings showed no significant changes (P < 0.05) in soil exchangeable acidity, H+, Mg, K, and Na. However, there was a substantial increase in the soil pH, EC, available P, CEC, N-NH4, and N-NO3. A significant reduction was also observed in the available soil exchangeable Al and Fe (P < 0.05). This technique demonstrated multi-functionality in remediating water pollutants and enhancing soil acidity.

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Massive accumulation of postconsumer plastic waste in eco-system has raised growing environmental concerns. Sustainable end-of-life managements of the indispensable plastic are highly demanding and challenging in modern society. To relieve the plastic menace, herein we present a full life cycle sustainable supramolecular bioplastic made from biomass-derived polyelectrolyte (chitosan quaternary ammonium salt, QCS) and natural sodium fatty acid (sodium laurate, SL) through solid-phase molecular self-assembly (SPMSA), by which the QCS-SL complexes, precipitated from mixing the aqueous solutions, self-assemble to form bioplastic film by mildly pressing at room temperature. The QCS-SL bioplastic films display superior hydroplasticity owing to the water-activated molecular rearrangement and electrostatic bond reconstruction, which allows facile self-healing and reprocessing at room temperature to significantly extend the service lifetime of both products and raw materials. With higher water content, the dynamic electrostatic interactions and precipitation-dissolution equilibrium endow the QCS-SL bioplastic films with considerable solubility in water, which is promising to mitigate the plastic accumulation in aquatic environment. Because both QCS and SL are biocompatible and biodegradable, the dissolved QCS-SL films are nontoxic and environmentally friendly. Thus, this novel supramolecular bioplastic is highly sustainable throughout the whole life cycle, which is expected to open a new vista in sustainable plastic materials.