This study explores methods to estimate minimum drift times of ghost nets found in the Maldives with the aim of identifying a putative origin. We highlight that percentage cover of biofouling organisms and capitulum length of Lepas anatifera are two methods that provide these estimates. Eight ghost nets were collected in the Maldives and estimated drift times ranged between 7.5 and 101 days. Additionally, Lagrangian simulations identified drift trajectories of 326 historical ghost nets records. Purse seine fisheries (associated with Korea, Mauritius, the Philippines, Spain, France and Seychelles) and gill nets from Sri Lanka were identified as 'high risk' fisheries with regard to likley origins of ghost nets drifting into the Maldives. These fisheries are active in areas where dense particle clusters occured (drift trajectories between 30 and 120 days). Interestingly, ghost nets drifting less than 30 days however, remained inside the exclusive economic zone of the Maldivian archipelago highlighting potential illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activity is occuring in this area. This study therefore points to the urgent need for gear loss reporting to be undertaken, especially by purse seine and gill net fisheries in order to ascertain the source of this major threat to marine life. This should also be coupled with an improvment in the data focused on spatial distribution of the abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear originating from both large- and small-scale fisheries. The presence of chemicals in marine organisms is an important issue for human health due to the growing rate of seafood consumption. Potential exposure to seven bisphenol analogues through seafood consumption was investigated in some popular seafood from the Persian Gulf. Bisphenols were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol B (BPB) were the first and second most common bisphenols in the studied samples, respectively. The highest levels of BPA (mean 13.58 ± 5.70 μg/kg.dw) and BPB (mean 10.30 ± 7.98 μg/kg.dw) were found in E.coioides species. Bisphenol F and bisphenol AF were detected only in P. armatus and L. klunzingeri, respectively. Trophic transfer investigation demonstrated that BPA and BPB were biomagnified in the studied organisms through their diet. The eco-toxicity and estrogenic risk assessment indicated that seafood consumption does not pose a health threat to consumers. However, routine monitoring of bisphenols in seafood seems to be necessary to ensure food safety. Infrared spectrometry (IR) became a workhorse to characterize microplastics (MPs) worldwide. However, reports on the experimental conditions to measure them decreased alarmingly. As complete, relevant information on the instrumental setup determining IR spectra is crucial for scientific reproducibility, ca. 50% of the papers that reported FTIR to measure MPs were evaluated and it was found that most studies cannot be replicated due to missing experimental details. To ameliorate this, the most critical parameters influencing IR spectra are depicted, their impact when matching a spectrum against databases exemplified, and, following efforts from other scientific fields, a minimum information for publication of IR-related data on MPs characterization (MIPIR-MP) is proposed, along with a brief, simple paragraph to resume the most critical information to be reported. This can be used to improve the worrying figures that point out to a reproducibility crisis in the field, as disclosed by the survey. Functional diversity can reflect the overall differences in functional traits and indicate their response to environmental disturbance. Macrofaunal feeding functional groups and functional diversity were studied in the adjacent waters of the Yangtze River Estuary. The detritivorous group had the highest species number, abundance and secondary productivity while the canivorous group had the highest biomass. Pearson correlation analysis showed that functional evenness was negatively correlated with species number and Shannon-Wiener index. Functional divergence was negatively correlated with Simpson dominance index. Functional dispersion was positively correlated with species evenness, Shannon-Wiener index and Simpson dominance index. High values of functional diversity mainly cooccurred with high species diversity, uniform trait distribution and small niche overlap, indicating weak interspecific competition and high resources utilization. The dominant species were miniaturized and their biological traits analysis indicated that the study area has been disturbed for long time, resulting in the decline of the benthic ecosystem stability. A preliminary report on the abundance of microplastic in the coastal waters in the depth zone 5 to 20 m in the surface waters, sediment and in selected fishes occurring off Kochi, India is presented. Spatial and temporal variation in microplastic abundance was observed with higher abundance in surface water indicating threats to pelagic ecosystem. The relative concentration of microplastic was highest during monsoon season. The major microplastics were fragments of 1-5 mm in white and blue colours. Gut content analysis of 16 species (653 individuals) comprising pelagic (8 species) and demersal (8 species) indicated occurrence (4.6%) of microplastics (fragment>filament>pellet) of size 0.27mm to 3.2 mm in Sardinella longiceps, S. gibbosa, Stolephorus indicus Rastrelliger kanagurta and Cyanoglossus macrostomus. Raman spectroscopy indicated that Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) were the polymer types of microplastics from the fish gut. Impulsive sounds generated during seismic surveys have elicited behavioral responses in marine mammals and could cause hearing impairment or injury. Mitigating exposure to seismic sound often relies on real-time marine mammal detection. Detection performance is influenced by detection method, environmental conditions, and observer experience. We conducted a field comparison of real-time detections made by marine mammal observers (MMOs), a rotating infrared (IR) camera, and via passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Data were collected from a 38 m research vessel offshore Atlantic Canada. Our results indicate that overall detection rates increase when complementary methods are used. MMOs and PAM are likely the most effective combination during high seas and precipitation. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/heparan-sulfate.html PAM and IR can be used in darkness. In good visibility, MMOs with IR or PAM should increase detections. Our results illustrate the importance of addressing false positive IR detections, matching system capabilities to sea conditions/species of interest, and employing experienced observers.

Madagascar and the Mascarene Islands of Mauritius and Rodrigues underwent catastrophic ecological and landscape transformations, which virtually eliminated their entire endemic vertebrate megafauna during the past millennium. These ecosystem changes have been alternately attributed to either human activities, climate change, or both, but parsing their relative importance, particularly in the case of Madagascar, has proven difficult. Here, we present a multimillennial (approximately the past 8000 years) reconstruction of the southwest Indian Ocean hydroclimate variability using speleothems from the island of Rodrigues, located ∼1600 km east of Madagascar. The record shows a recurring pattern of hydroclimate variability characterized by submillennial-scale drying trends, which were punctuated by decadal-to-multidecadal megadroughts, including during the late Holocene. Our data imply that the megafauna of the Mascarenes and Madagascar were resilient, enduring repeated past episodes of severe climate stress, but collapsed when a major increase in human activity occurred in the context of a prominent drying trend.
Antiangiogenic agents combined with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are considered potentially effective biologically synergistic drug combinations for EGFR-mutant advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), although some controversy remains. The European Commission has approved the use of bevacizumab plus erlotinib as first-line treatment of EGFR-mutated NSCLC; however, it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Recently, several phase III, randomized controlled trials of combinations of antiangiogenic agents and EGFR-TKIs have been reported. These studies have not yet been included in any previous meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis to compare antiangiogenic agents plus EGFR-TKIs versus EGFR-TKIs alone for treatment of EGFR-mutant NSCLC. The main outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), the objective response rate (ORR), and adverse events (AEs).

We identified 9 previous reports of 6 randomized controlled trials and 1 prospective cohort study, involving 1295 patients. Compared with EGFR-TKIs alone, antiangiogenic agents plus EGFR-TKIs resulted in a higher PFS (hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.50-0.67; P< .001). However, no significant differences in OS (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.53-1.18; P= .26) and ORR (risk ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.97-1.10; P= .30) were found between the 2 groups. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/compound-e.html An increased risk of serious AEs (risk ratio, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.11-1.79; P= .005) was found in the combination drug therapy group.

Antiangiogenic agents plus EGFR-TKIs enhanced PFS for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC but with a greater risk of serious AEs. No significant benefits for OS and ORR were found between the 2 groups.
Antiangiogenic agents plus EGFR-TKIs enhanced PFS for patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC but with a greater risk of serious AEs. No significant benefits for OS and ORR were found between the 2 groups.
Thoracic ultrasound has been shown to be useful in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pulmonary involvement. Several scores for quantifying the degree of involvement have been described, although there is no evidence to show that they have any capacity for predicting unfavorable progress.

Prospective cohort study of patients hospitalized for COVID-19. The sample was stratified according to clinical course, and patients requiring invasive or non-invasive respiratory support were classified as having unfavorable progress. Biomarkers were analyzed at admission and on the same day that thoracic ultrasound was performed. Prognostic scales were also determined at admission. The ultrasound score was obtained in 8 or 14 areas, depending on the patient's ability to sit.

We included 44 patients, 13 (29,5%) of whom subsequently needed ventilatory support. Eight areas were explored in all patients and 14 areas in 35 (79.5%). The most affected areas were the posterior lower lobes. Significant differences were found between the 2groups on the SOFA and quick SOFA multidimensional scales, and PCR and LDH on the same day as thoracic ultrasound, and the ultrasound scores. The best area under the ROC curve (AUC) was obtained with the 14-area score, with a result of 0.88 (95% CI 0.75-0.99). Its sensitivity and specificity for a cut-off score of 13.5 were 100% and 61.5%, respectively.

The use of scores to quantify lung involvement measured by thoracic ultrasound provides useful information, facilitating risk stratification in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
The use of scores to quantify lung involvement measured by thoracic ultrasound provides useful information, facilitating risk stratification in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.
Testing for thrombophilic disorders is often performed in patients after cryptogenic ischemic stroke in an attempt to identify a hematologic explanation for the event. However, the role of commonly tested thrombophilias in ischemic stroke is poorly defined. There is limited evidence to quantify how these disorders affect ischemic stroke risk and testing practices are highly variable.

Retrospective evaluation of thrombophilia testing practices and clinical outcomes was performed in hospitalized patients with acute ischemic stroke (n = 1898) at a large academic hospital over a two-year period. Variables assessed included testing components, timing of testing, number of abnormal results, and frequency of change in clinical management prompted by abnormal results. A provider survey was also performed to assess perceptions of current testing practices and provider understanding of testing indications.

Thrombophilia testing was performed in 190 (10%) patients admitted for acute ischemic stroke. Of those testeic stroke, yet testing only changed management in 2% of patients. Efforts to improve provider education and the stewardship of testing are needed to ensure appropriate evaluation and treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Ivermectin-based preventive chemotherapy (PC) is distributed annually to all at-risk populations eligible for ivermectin treatment to control and/or eliminate onchocerciasis. Information on the impact of mass ivermectin administration on onchocerciasis transmission is scanty, and it is tricky to appreciate the progress towards elimination and engage corrective measures. To fill that gap in the Centre Region in Cameroon, the current onchocerciasis endemicity level in the Ndikinimeki Health District after about two decades of mass treatments was assessed.

A cluster-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in the Ndikinimeki Health District and all volunteers aged ≥5 years were (i) interviewed on their compliance to ivermectin over the past five years and (ii) underwent clinical (nodule palpation and visual search for onchocercal lesions) and parasitological examinations (skin snip) for onchocerciasis.

The overall Onchocerca volvulus prevalence was 7.0% (95% CI 5.2-9.3%). The prevalence of the disease was significantly higher in the communities Kiboum 1 and Kiboum 2 compared to the other communities (highest prevalence in Makénéné Town Water 8.

stly were detected under cool to moderate climate conditions for mTHI, and small to moderate nHS. Results indicate acute and time-lagged HS effects and address possible HS-induced epigenetic modifications of the bovine genome across generations and limited acclimatization processes to heat, especially when heat occurs during the cooler spring and autumn months.
Subclavian venous spasm is an uncommon complication during permanent pacemaker implantation. The exact aetiology of subclavian venous spasm is not clear but has been suggested to be due to either mechanical irritation of the vein during needle puncture or due to chemical irritation from contrast injection. Here, we report a case of an unyielding subclavian vein valve that impeded guidewire advancement and the repeated guidewire manipulation led to venous spasm.

A 45-year-old woman with a history of surgical repair of Tetrology of Fallot in childhood presented with symptomatic bifascicular block and underwent a permanent pacemaker implantation. A subclavian venogram done prior to the procedure showed a prominent valve in the distal portion of the vein. Following venous puncture, guidewire advancement was impeded by the prominent valve. The resulting guidewire manipulation led to subclavian venous spasm necessitating a medial subclavian venous puncture and access.

Prolonged mechanical irritation of the vein during pacemaker implantation may lead to venous spasm impeding pacemaker implantation. https://www.selleckchem.com/MEK.html Early identification of an impeding valve and obtaining access medial to the valve may help prevent this uncommon complication.
Prolonged mechanical irritation of the vein during pacemaker implantation may lead to venous spasm impeding pacemaker implantation. Early identification of an impeding valve and obtaining access medial to the valve may help prevent this uncommon complication.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute complication of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) with a high morbidity and mortality. Diabetic ketoacidosis is usually triggered by metabolic stressors that increase insulin requirements like infection, trauma, surgery, or some medications. Ketogenic diets are nutritional regimes that drastically reduce the intake of carbohydrates in order to increase circulating ketones and reduce appetite. Intermittent fasting diets similarly aim to impact appetite and body weight, but through the restriction of feeding to specific periods of time or days. A 58-year-old woman with T1DM and no prior episodes of DKA since her diagnosis 16 years ago was admitted to the emergency room with severe metabolic acidosis, ketosis, dehydration, and back pain after 9 days of practicing a ketogenic, intermittent fasting diet on the advice of a friend. The standard management of DKA led to the resolution of the symptoms and metabolic alterations, but this might not be the case in other patients. This case highlights the relevance of close professional monitoring of dietary and insulin schemes in patients with T1DM, and of the adequate nutritional education of patients in order to avoid having them follow fashionable dietary trends without knowledge of their implications.Somatic mutations driving aldosterone production have been identified in approximately 90% of aldosterone-producing adenomas (APAs) using an aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) immunohistochemistry (IHC)-guided DNA sequencing approach. In the present study, using CYP11B2-guided whole-exome sequencing (WES) and targeted amplicon sequencing, we detected 2 somatic variants in CLCN2 in 2 APAs that were negative for currently known aldosterone-driver mutations. The CLCN2 gene encodes the voltage-gated chloride channel ClC-2. CLCN2 germline variants have previously been shown to cause familial hyperaldosteronism type II. Somatic mutations in CLCN2 were identified in 2 of 115 APAs, resulting in a prevalence of 1.74%. One of the CLCN2 somatic mutations (c.G71A,p.G24D) was identical to a previously described germline variant causing early-onset PA, but was present only as a somatic mutation. The second CLCN2 mutation, which affects the same region of the gene, has not been reported previously (c.64-2_74del). These findings prove that WES of CYP11B2-guided mutation-negative APAs can help determine rarer genetic causes of sporadic PA.
A literature review has revealed an absence of studies investigating the knowledge and behaviour of teachers towards secondhand smoke (SHS). This study was thus designed with the following objectives 1) Assess the knowledge of SHS among primary school teachers, 2) Determine their behaviour towards SHS, and 3) Identify any relationship between knowledge and behaviour of participants.

A national cross-sectional study was conducted among a representative sample from 28 primary schools in all four educational zones of Mauritius in 2017. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from primary school teachers. Data analysis was performed on 389 questionnaires.

The mean knowledge score was found to be 28.9 (SD=4.8), which is just above the threshold score (>27) for good knowledge. Less than two-thirds of the participants (63.2%) were in the 'good knowledge' category. The mean behaviour score was found to be 26.6 (SD=6.8), which is situated in the range for 'satisfactory behaviour' in terms of avoiding SHS. Pearson correlation testing revealed a significant association between knowledge of SHS and behaviour towards exposure to SHS.

This study showed that nearly two-thirds of teachers had good knowledge of the health dangers of SHS and applied this knowledge in their behaviour by keeping away from cigarette smoke.
This study showed that nearly two-thirds of teachers had good knowledge of the health dangers of SHS and applied this knowledge in their behaviour by keeping away from cigarette smoke.Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) characterizes a congenital dysgenetic disorder of the optic disc, coexisting with arterial intracranial abnormalities, including Moyamoya vascular disease, a significantly rare disease in the European populations. We report a 2.5-year-old female child from Greece previously diagnosed with MGDA, who presented with right-hand paresis, accompanied by focal epileptic spasms, followed by an episode of brief absence seizure, as well as some arm clonic spasms. Magnetic resonance angiography scan revealed the presence of an anomalous origin of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA) from the internal carotid artery (ICA) along with vascular abnormalities, compatible with Moyamoya pattern. To the very best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of anomalous origin of ACA from the supraclinoid ICA accompanied by severe occlusive intracranial disease (moyamoya-like pattern) in a patient with known MGDA, highlighting the embryonic character of the vascular manifestations in MGDA. It also verifies the association of Moyamoya pattern with MGDA, thus linking vascular dysgenesis as a possible cause of MGDA.

This tutorial presents a mathematical theory that relates the probability of sample frequencies, of M phenotypes in an isogenic population of N cells, to the probability distribution of the sample mean of a quantitative biomarker, when the N is very large. An analogue to the statistical mechanics of canonical ensemble is discussed.
The Hematological neoplasms (HN) are a heterogeneous group of cancers that originated in the hematopoietic or lymphoid tissues. There is reduced information published regarding HN mortality in Ecuador. This study aims to present the crude and age-specific mortality rates for HN in the Ecuadorian population.

We performed a cross-sectional study through the national database of defunctions published by the Ecuadorian National Institute of Statistics and Census, 2019. We used the ICD-10 codes to classify the HN.

During 2019, 1462 deaths were reported, 53.83% were males, 87.96% of mestizo ethnicity, and 78.32% residents in urban areas. The median age was 62 years, with an interquartile range of 34.The crude mortality rate obtained was 8.49 per 100000 inhabitants, and the higher age-specific mortality rates was 43.29 per 100000 inhabitants aged ≥ 60 years, contrasting with the 2.63 per 100000 inhabitants in people aged < 20 years. Considering each ICD-10 group, we found the following rates by 100000 inhabitants; C85 2.04, C91 1.92, C92 1.46, C90 1.11, C83 0.70, C95 0.48, C81 0.38, C84 0.16, C82 0.10, C96 0.05, C93 0.04, C86 and C94 0.02, and C88 0.01.

In Ecuador, during 2019, approximately eight people died due to HN by 100000 inhabitants, affecting mainly people aged ≥ 60 years. The most frequent neoplasms were Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, similar to other reports globally. These results should be analyzed considering some deficiencies in the Ecuadorian health system and the national registry. Therefore, we suggest conducting more studies regarding HN.
In Ecuador, during 2019, approximately eight people died due to HN by 100000 inhabitants, affecting mainly people aged ≥ 60 years. The most frequent neoplasms were Non-Hodgkin lymphomas, similar to other reports globally. These results should be analyzed considering some deficiencies in the Ecuadorian health system and the national registry. Therefore, we suggest conducting more studies regarding HN.Mucormycosis and aspergillosis are rare, invasive and life-threatening infections primarily caused by Rhizopus arrhizus and Aspergillus fumigatus with higher case fatality rates (>50%), respectively. Invasive Aspergillosis and Mucormycosis have been established and recognized as complications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection. Such cases have been intimately linked and related to prior corticosteroid therapy. With the new highly infectious Delta strain (B.1.617.2 and B.1.617.2.1 or AY.1) of the coronavirus which is running rampant throughout India causing unprecedented death tolls, a new crisis is evolving. Invasive "black fungus" (Mucormycosis) is creating an epidemic within a global pandemic. The unique socio-economic, genetic and health status of Indian population culminates into a melting pot which sustains the viable triad for the "black fungus" infection to gain a stronghold. Diabetes mellitus, immunosuppression and the current COVID-19 global pandemic with its massive surges in the country have produced the "perfect storm." Ophthalmologist across India have reported a surge in invasive Mucormycosis cases with a rise in orbital compartment syndrome often calling for radical procedures such as enucleation surgeries. The "black fungus" pandemic and invasive Mucormycosis resulted in the sinister secondary infections and complications are closely linked with the COVID-19 infection in India. It is therefore of the upmost importance that neighbouring countries particularly Nepal and other Asiatic nations take great cognizance of this indolent "black fungus killer" and ensure new screening and testing protocols for early identification to ensure effective management.
Timely identification of adolescents with undernutrition is of utmost importance, and recently, mid-upper circumference (MUAC) had been considered as an alternative to body mass index (BMI) and BMI for age z-score (BAZ) for its screening. However, little is known about the MUAC cut-offs, specific to age and sex. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/PIK-75-Hydrochloride.html The study was planned to assess the discriminatory performance of MUAC in identifying thin and severely thin adolescents and estimating age specific MUAC cut-offs, separately for males and females, against BAZ as the gold standard.

The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS), India data was used for this analysis. The Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC), area under curve (AUC), and Youden Index were used to estimate MUAC cut-off values for thin (BAZ < -2) and severely thin (BAZ < -3) adolescents. The current analysis was done on 31471 adolescents.

The MUAC cut-offs for identifying thin adolescents were for 10-14 years - 19.2/19.4 cm, for 15-19 years - 22.9/21.7 cm for males and females respectively; and for severe thinness were for 10-14 years - 18.4/18.3 cm, for 15-19 years - 21.9/20.2 cm for males/females. For thinness, the cut-off varied between 17.4-24.5 cm (for 10-19 years) among males, and for females, it varied between 17.5-20.9 cm (for 10-19 years). For severe thinness, MUAC cut-off ranged between 16.4-23.7 cm (for 10-19 years) among males, and for females, between 17.3-20.7 cm (for 10-19 years).

MUAC, a easy to use measure demonstrated an equivalent diagnostic performance for the identification of thinness and severe thinness against BAZ. Thus, age- and sex-specific cut-offs could be considered for screening thin and severely thin adolescents.
MUAC, a easy to use measure demonstrated an equivalent diagnostic performance for the identification of thinness and severe thinness against BAZ. Thus, age- and sex-specific cut-offs could be considered for screening thin and severely thin adolescents.
The objectives of the study were to identify the psychological impacts of lockdown on medical students due to COVID-19 and to discover the educational perplexities being faced by these students during the lockdown.

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Medical College (SSRMC), Mauritius. Questions were designed after an extensive review of the literature, so as to ensure relevance to meet the objectives of the study.

Out of 700 undergraduate medical students, 663 participated, which equates to a response rate of 95%. 348 (52.5 %) of the students were stationed in their hometown and the remaining 315 (47.5 %) were stationed in Mauritius. 464(70%) of the students suffered from the psychological impacts of lockdown whereas 634(95.6%) of students suffered from the educational impact thereof. Mauritian students suffered a greater educational impact aOR4.236[1.606-11.173]. Psychological impacts aOR 1.280 [0.917-1.789] and educational impacts aOR 2.464 [1.076-5.647] were more prevalent in hometown-based students.

In contrast, DON may periodically because for concern in streams subject to high agricultural run-off, likely during certain times of year where cereal crops are susceptible to higher fungal infections rates and may pose increased risks due to climate change.Persistent halogenated compounds (PHC) are of concern for human and environmental health. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are regulated by international treaties, but alternative compounds such as novel brominated flame retardants (NBFRs) and Dechlorane Plus (DP) are not-yet they are increasingly used. There are no data on PHCs in coral reef biota from tropical islands in the western Indian Ocean (WIO). For this assessment, three hard coral genera, two soft coral genera, and ember parrotfish (Scarus rubroviolaceus) were collected from the remote Rodrigues, Agalega, and St. Brandon's Atoll (Republic of Mauritius) in the Mascarene Basin of the WIO. Five compounds - Pentabromotoluene (PBT), γ-HCH, p,p'-DDE, HCB, and BDE-47- were quantifiable in all samples. Hard coral consistently contained the lowest concentrations of PHCs, except for NBFRs. The presence of BDE-47 suggests long-range aerial transport. We quantified DP, currently a candidate POP, in coral reef biota. PBT was measured in all samples also suggests long-range transport. Because the hard coral, soft coral, and fish had differing concentrations and patterns of PHCs, future surveys should stratify sampling accordingly. Agalega and St. Brandon's Atoll can be considered as locations to monitor changes in background concentrations of pollutants due to their remoteness.Compared with traditional photocatalysis system, TiO2 charge carrier generation and interfacial charge-transfer process may be influenced by various chemical and physical effects in underwater pulsed discharge plasma system. Here, the role of high-energy electron, ozone in TiO2 charge carrier generation and transfer process has been investigated using phenol as the probe molecule. The introduction of electron-trapping agent (KH2PO4) have an inhibiting effect on TiO2 catalytic activity, indicating high-energy electrons played a significant role in TiO2 catalytic process. EPR analysis showed that TiO2 could be activated to initiate pairs of electron-hole by high-energy electrons from plasma, and the electrons on the conduction band (CB) could be trapped on the oxygen vacancies. XPS analysis showed that the Ti3+OH species formed during discharge process due to the capture of CB electrons by Ti4+OH groups located at the TiO2 surface. The CB electrons transfer processes on TiO2 surface was strongly dependent on the redox potential of electron acceptors, which adsorbed on the TiO2 surface. The CB electrons can be transferred to dissolved O3, resulting in more OH production. Meanwhile, the CB electron also transferred to benzoquinone adsorbed on TiO2, resulting in accumulation of hydroquinone.Erbium-doped TiO2 nanotubes (Er-TiO2 NTs) are prepared with a combination of anodization and electrochemical deposition using various proportions of erbium and adjusting the time of the process. The surface characterization techniques and electrochemical analysis are applied to study the physicochemical and photoelectrochemical (PEC) properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts. Er-TiO2 NTs have crystal sizes of about 24-30 nm, smaller than those of pure TiO2 NTs, and contain only the anatase phase. Er-TiO2 NTs exhibit an effective photo-conversion efficiency (PCE) of 1.58% and a photosensitivity of 115.06. The modified sample are also more efficient (photocurrent density of 6.64 mAcm-2 at a bias potential of 1.5 V vs. Hg/HgO) compare to pure TiO2 NTs. The photocatalytic activity of the Er-TiO2 NTs are evaluated in a hydrogen generation reaction, and the results show hydrogen production of ∼17.39 μmolhr-1cm-2. Further experiments demonstrate that Er-TiO2 NTs successfully degrade methylene blue, with the most active sample reaching 85% photocatalysis after 180 min. This study shows that doping conditions significantly affect the optical and electrical properties of the resulting material, and that the current electrochemical approach to metal doping can be used for efficient and stable PEC water splitting.In this work, we prepared PU-composites with Australian palm residues (PR) in different contents (5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%) and granulometry (28 and 35 mesh) to improve the oil (crude oil and S500 Diesel) sorption capacity. The foams were characterized by life cycle assessment (LCA), scanning electron microscopy, oil sorption, desorption, and Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin sorption isotherms. LCA indicated that higher PR contents decreased the foam environmental impacts than the classical residue handling, indicating that 20 wt% PR is the better environmental option, independent of the residues granulometry. The PR incorporation into PU foams resulted in smaller pore sizes, with a higher number of homogeneous open-cells. The PU composites exhibited higher oil adsorption capacity than the pristine foam. The PU sample showed maximum absorption capability of 6.1 and 6.7 g g-1 for diesel S500 and crude oil, and the composites showed increased values of ∼18 g g-1 and ∼24 g g-1. The Langmuir model presented the best fit and predicted a maximum adsorption capacity of 30.39 and 25.57 g g-1 for PU-20% PR 28 and 35 mesh, respectively. The composites presented excellent reusability with PU-20% PR (28 mesh) and PU-20% PR (35 mesh), showing removal efficiency after 16 and 9 cycles, respectively. The results classify the developed foams as excellent materials to sorb spilled crude oil in marine accidents.Fe(II) is more soluble and bioavailable than Fe(III) species, therefore the investigation of their relative abundance and redox processes is relevant to better assess the supply of bioavailable iron to the ocean and its impact on marine productivity. In this context, we present a discrete chemiluminescence-based method for the determination of Fe(II) in firn matrices. The method was applied on discrete samples from a snow pit collected at Dome C (DC, Antarctica) and on a shallow firn core from the Holtedahlfonna glacier (HDF, Svalbard), providing the first Fe(II) record from both Antarctica and Svalbard. The method showed low detection limits (0.006 ng g-1 for DC and 0.003 ng g-1 for the HDF) and a precision ranging from 3% to 20% RSD. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/acetylcysteine.html Fe(II) concentrations ranged between the LoD and 0.077 ng g-1 and between the LoD and 0.300 ng g-1 for the Antarctic and Arctic samples, respectively. The Fe(II) contribution with respect to the total dissolved Fe was comparable in both sites accounting, on average, for 5% and 3%, respectively.