Optimization of leucomalachite green degradation through electron beam and persulfate oxidation using box-behnken design and life cycle assessment.

This study explored the treatment of Leucomalachite Green (LMG) solutions using an electron beam and sodium persulfate (Na2S2O8), employing Box-Behnken design (BBD) to optimize operational variables such as absorbed dose, initial pH and Na2S2O8 concentration. The findings highlighted an optimal absorbed dose of 4.5 kGy, a Na2S2O8 concentration of 1.0 mM, and an initial pH of 6, leading to a remarkable 97.77% removal of LMG. The adjusted R2 for the model indicated a close match of 1.4% between predicted and actual outcomes under these optimized conditions, affirming the quadratic model's suitability for predicting the LMG removal process using combined EB and Na2S2O8. To assess the environmental impact of the LMG treatment, the study applied SimaPro 9.4 with the TRACI tool, examining ten distinct environmental impact categories. The results unveiled that deionized water and Na2S2O8 exhibited a notable impact on global warming (GW) and ecotoxicity (ET) in controlled laboratory settings. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of four scenarios shed light on the environmental implications of different energy sources. Notably, electricity generated from waste incineration demonstrated a substantial influence on all environmental indicators. In contrast, natural gas emerged as the cleanest source for electricity generation, offering a promising avenue for reducing environmental impacts. This study presents a practical method for addressing dye contaminants through the employment of EB in conjunction with Na2S2O8, with potential implications for broader applications.

Application of frass from black soldier fly larvae treatment of cattle dung in pulp and papermaking.

Cattle dung treatments in Taiwan have developed a process called Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) treatment, which can digest cow dung and generate the frass (larvae drops), the residue fiber in cow dung. This study aims to assess frass for its potential in pulp and papermaking, considering its chemical compositions, appearance, and fiber morphology, and also evaluate its suitability for pulping by soda method to create added value. The frass exhibits favorable material properties for pulping and papermaking, including a high holocellulose (67.37%) and α-cellulose (48.00%) content, along with a lower ash content (4.61%); the microstructure and surface mesoporous pores benefit for pulping; and the nonwood-fiber-like fiber morphology. The pulping experiment shows that 7% NaOH and 75 min of pulping conditions result in proper disintegration of fiber, and the highest accepts ratio (34.06%). The NaOH causes fiber disintegration during pulping, resulting in a higher strength property of the handsheet. The frass pulp blended with TOCC can achieve the ring crush index standards required for cardboard products. In summary, the frass from BSFL treatment of cattle dung can be utilized in pulp and papermaking to enhance circular utilization value.

Circular utilization of discarded oyster farming bamboo scaffolding in pulp and papermaking.

Oyster Farming is one of important fisheries and aquaculture industries in Taiwan. Each year, approximately 4000-5000 tons of discarded bamboo scaffolding (BS) used in oyster farming, are generated, so the treatment and utilization of BS should be taken seriously. This study evaluates the suitability of BS for pulp and papermaking by assessing the chemical compositions, microstructural, and fiber morphology. The pulping properties is investigated by soda pulping. The chemical composition of BS shows the potential for application in pulping. The BS microstructure shows that can enhance pulping reactions, while the fiber morphology indicates the possibility of producing high-strength paper. Through the pulping experiment, it demonstrated that BS is suitable for pulping with lower NaOH dosage and longer digestion time. The condition at 170 °C with 14% NaOH dosage for 90 min digestion has the highest yield. After refining the highest pulping yield BS pulp, it can improve the handsheet strength and bulk of the OCC-BS mixed pulp, which can achieve the strength property required for industrial paper. In summary, BS exhibits the potential for pulping application and produces a better paper strength than OCC pulp, exhibiting the feasibility of enhancing the circular utilization value of BS in Taiwan.

Development of bio-mechanical rice straw pulp by high consistency kneader with thermal and Alkaline.

The purpose of this study was to develop a bio-mechanical pulp from rice straw with thermal and low chemical dosage. The process is carried out by thermal alkali kneading pretreatment (0-5% NaOH) with a high concentration kneader, enzyme pretreatment (0.2-4%) and Hollander beater. The results showed that the addition of NaOH was the main factor affecting the properties of pulp and paper, and the best properties of straw pulp could be obtained when NaOH and enzyme dosage were 5% and 0.2%, respectively. Although the optimum rice straw pulp is inferior to straw soda pulp in terms of tensile, burst and ring crush index, it is superior to old corrugated cardboard pulp and partially meets the CNS standards of corrugated medium paper and linerboard without the addition of chemicals. Therefore, the bio-mechanical rice straw pulp in this study has the potential to be produced as industrial paper.

Suggestions on Relieving Physical Anxiety of Medical Workers and Improving Physical and Mental Health Under the COVID-19 Epidemic-A Case Study of Meizhou City.

The study examined the effects of swimming pools on healthcare professionals' willingness to engage in recreational activities, physical anxiety, and physical and mental well-being in the context of COVID-19. The research adopted the mixed research method, used SPSS 26.0 statistical software to test the reliability of the questionnaire, and then collected 840 valid questionnaires; first analyzed the data with basic statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and PPMCC test methods, and then used the interview method to collect expert opinions. A multi-check approach assembled all data and discussions. The study found that the use of personnel dynamic tracking systems or measures, combined with sodium hypochlorite and repeated filtration to stabilize water quality, could maintain the confidence of most medical workers in the swimming pool sports environment for epidemic prevention and avoid violations. The government could formulate safety prevention and control mechanisms in traffic and establish appropriate traffic routes. Next, formulated a prescription for swimming or other physical activity mechanisms for men aged 31-50 and redesigned measures for medical staff over 51 years old to have tense head issues and physical fatigue, promote blood circulation and improve sleep quality. This will promote the purpose of relieving stress and regulating the physical and mental health of medical staff after engaging in swimming.

Feasibility of substituting old corrugated carton pulp with thermal alkali and enzyme pretreated semichemical mechanical rice straw pulp.

In this study, we separately used a laboratory Hollander beater, a pilot scale 12″ single-disc refiner and an expanded trial with a commercial paper mold mill to investigate the feasibility of using thermal-alkali/enzyme pretreated rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulp to substitute portions of old corrugated carton board (OCC) pulp in the paper industry. In the laboratory plan, sequential treatments of NaOH at a 5-10% dosage and enzymes at a 0.2-4% dosage were applied to rice straw, followed by beating using a Hollander beater for 1-2 h to complete the rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulping process. When the NaOH dosage, enzyme dosage and refining time were 10%, 0.2% and 1 h, the best quality rice straw pulp was obtained. Along with the increase in NaOH dosage, the pulp freeness decreased significantly, and the pulp accepted rate increased. Enzymatic treatment enhanced rice straw quality only after NaOH dosage treatment, which then reacted with rice straw to increase the quality of pulp. In the expanded trial, the rice straw semi-chemical mechanical pulp was blended with OCC pulp (0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) to form handsheets. Along with an increase in rice straw proportions, the tensile index, burst index, and ring-crush index increased by 109-200%, 13-196%, and 124-187%, respectively. In an online commercial paper mold mill trial, blending rice straw pulp with OCC could successfully make paper-mold egg cartons, with both mill operation and product smoothness appearance being highly acceptable.

Treatment of Pulp Mill D-Stage Bleaching Effluent Using a Pilot-Scale Electrocoagulation System.

A pilot-scale study was conducted using electrocoagulation technology to treat chlorine dioxide bleaching-stage effluent of a local pulp mill, with the purpose of evaluating the treatment performance. The operating variables were the current density (0 ~ 133.3 A/m(2)) and hydraulic retention time (HRT, 6.5 ~ 16.25 minutes). Water quality indicators investigated were the conductivity, suspended solids (SS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), true color, and hardness. The results showed that electrocoagulation technology can be used to treat D-stage bleaching effluent for water reuse. Under the operating conditions studied, the removal of conductivity and COD always increased with increases in either the current density or HRT. The highest removals obtained at 133.3 A/m(2) and an HRT of 16.25 minutes for conductivity, SS, COD, true color, and hardness were respectively 44.2, 98.5, 75.0, 85.9, and 36.9% with aluminum electrodes. Iron electrodes were not applicable to the D-stage effluent due to formation of dark-colored ferric complexes.

Freshwater clam extract inhibits inflammatory responses in LPS-activated macrophages by reducing the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases and NF-kappaB.

Recent studies demonstrated that freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) has lipid-lowering and hepatoprotective activities, but its effect on immune responses has not yet been addressed. Here we showed that ethanol extracts of C. fluminea (ECF) reduced nitrite oxide, interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in lipopolysaccharide-activated macrophages. Further, ECF was fractionated into n-hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanol, and water soluble fractions. Of these, the ethyl acetate soluble fraction (EACF) had the highest capacity to inhibit pro-inflammatory mediators expression. The underlying mechanisms for the anti-inflammatory activity of EACF were demonstrated as down-regulation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2, and p38 phosphorylation and NF-kappaB activity. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis EACF was found to be composed mainly of fatty acids and steroids. Our results provide evidence that freshwater clam has anti-inflammatory activity, and support the possibility for the development of freshwater clam as a health supplement or adjuvant therapeutic agent for either preventing or treating inflammation related diseases.