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Showing posts from January, 2026

Environmental and toxicological implications of toxic element levels in three Red Sea marine fishes

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  Meaning Environmental and toxicological implications of toxic element levels in marine fishes refer to the study of how potentially toxic elements (PTEs) —such as mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As)—accumulate in fish tissues, affect marine ecosystems, and pose health risks to humans consuming contaminated seafood. These studies connect environmental pollution , bioaccumulation , and toxicological outcomes within a food-web context. Introduction Marine ecosystems act as final sinks for many pollutants released through industrial discharge, urban runoff, mining activities, and oil exploration. The Red Sea , despite its ecological uniqueness and economic importance, is increasingly exposed to anthropogenic stressors due to coastal development, shipping activities, desalination plants, and tourism. Fish species inhabiting these waters can absorb toxic elements from water, sediments, and food sources, leading to bioaccumulation and biomagnification. Since mari...

You said: An Everglades water quality recovery model

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  Meaning An Everglades Water Quality Recovery Model is a scientific and management framework designed to restore, protect, and sustain the natural water quality of the Florida Everglades ecosystem. It integrates hydrological modeling, nutrient transport analysis, ecological response indicators, and policy-driven management strategies to reduce pollutants—especially phosphorus and nitrogen —and reestablish the Everglades’ natural water balance and biodiversity. Introduction The Florida Everglades is one of the world’s most unique wetlands, often described as a “river of grass.” Over decades, agricultural expansion, urban development, and water diversion have significantly altered its hydrology and water chemistry . Excess nutrient loading, particularly phosphorus from fertilizers and runoff, has degraded native habitats, caused invasive species dominance, and disrupted ecosystem functions. An Everglades water quality recovery model serves as a decision-support tool that si...

Oxygen vacancy–engineered Ru-doped Ni–MoO₂ core–shell nanoparticles for AEM water electrolysis.

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  Meaning Oxygen vacancy–engineered Ru-doped Ni–MoO₂ core–shell nanoparticles refer to a nanostructured electrocatalyst where nickel–molybdenum dioxide forms a core–shell architecture, ruthenium atoms are introduced as dopants, and oxygen vacancies are deliberately created in the lattice. These features are designed to enhance catalytic activity and stability for overall water electrolysis in an anion exchange membrane (AEM) system. Introduction Hydrogen production through water electrolysis is a cornerstone technology for clean energy systems. Among various electrolyzer technologies, anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) has attracted increasing attention due to its ability to operate under alkaline conditions while using non-precious or low-loading noble metal catalysts. However, achieving high efficiency, durability, and low cost remains challenging. Oxygen vacancy engineering and atomic-scale Ru doping in Ni–MoO₂ core–shell nanoparticles represent a promising...

Protective effect of osmanthus water extract against DBP-induced liver dysfunction using organoids.

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  Meaning The study titled “Protective effect of osmanthus water extract against DBP-induced liver dysfunction using organoids” focuses on evaluating whether bioactive compounds extracted from Osmanthus fragrans flowers can protect liver cells from damage caused by dibutyl phthalate (DBP) . DBP is a widely used environmental plasticizer known to disrupt liver metabolism and induce hepatotoxicity. Advanced liver organoid models are used to mimic human liver structure and function more accurately than traditional cell cultures. Introduction Environmental pollutants such as phthalates have become unavoidable due to industrialization and widespread plastic use. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is commonly found in food packaging, cosmetics, and medical devices, and prolonged exposure has been linked to liver dysfunction, oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. The liver , being the primary detoxification organ, is especially vulnerable to DBP-induced toxicity. Natural pl...

Perchlorate and thyroid function

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  Meaning Perchlorate is a naturally occurring and man-made chemical anion (ClO₄⁻) widely found in the environment. It is commonly associated with industrial uses such as rocket fuel, explosives, fireworks, fertilizers, and matches. Environmentally, perchlorate contaminates soil and water sources and can enter the human body through drinking water, food (especially leafy vegetables and milk), and occupational exposure. From a biological perspective, perchlorate is classified as a thyroid -disrupting chemical because it interferes with iodine uptake, a critical process for normal thyroid hormone synthesis. Introduction The thyroid gland plays a central role in regulating metabolism, growth, development, and neurological function through the production of thyroid hormones— thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Iodine is an essential micronutrient required for the synthesis of these hormones. Perchlorate disrupts thyroid function primarily by competitively inhibiting the so...

Complement Factor D as a Drug Target for Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)

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  Meaning Complement factor D (CFD), also known as adipsin , is a serine protease that plays a crucial role in activating the alternative pathway of the complement system , an important component of innate immunity. Beyond immune defense, CFD is increasingly recognized for its involvement in metabolic regulation, inflammation, and adipose tissue function . Because MAFLD is driven by metabolic dysfunction and chronic low-grade inflammation, targeting CFD has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy. Introduction Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a growing global health problem characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver associated with obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes. Unlike earlier concepts of fatty liver disease, MAFLD emphasizes metabolic dysfunction as the central driver . In recent years, evidence has highlighted the role of the complement system in liver inflammation and fibrosis. Among complement components,...

“Survey of ML and DL methods for vibration-based bearing fault diagnosis: needs and challenges”

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  1. Meaning & Introduction 1.1. What Is Vibration-Based Bearing Fault Diagnosis? Bearings are critical mechanical components in rotating machines (motors, turbines, gearboxes). Faults (e.g., inner race, outer race, rolling element damage) constantly occur due to wear, overload, lubrication failure, or contamination. Vibration-based diagnosis uses vibration signals collected from sensors mounted on bearings to identify early signs of faults. Because different fault types and severities alter vibration patterns in unique ways, signal analysis enables condition monitoring and predictive maintenance. 1.2. Why Apply Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL)? Traditional signal processing (FFT, envelope analysis) works for clear faults but: Struggles with noisy real-world signals Requires expert feature extraction Has limited ability to classify complex fault-patterns ML and DL improve this by learning from labeled data to automatically capture patterns, classi...