This study develops a visible-light-driven heterogeneous Fenton-like system for the efficient degradation and detoxification of the persistent fluoroquinolone antibiotic gatifloxacin (GAT) in water. Three Fe-based metal-organic frameworks (MIL-53(Fe), MIL-88A(Fe), and MIL-101(Fe)) were synthesized and systematically evaluated as catalysts in a visible-light/H2O2 process. The three MOFs were systematically characterized, and a comparative analysis was conducted to elucidate how their structural differences influence catalytic performance. Among three MOFs, MIL-88A(Fe) exhibited superior photocatalytic activity, stability, recyclability, and low energy consumption in the visible-light-driven photo-Fenton process, which was attributed to its favorable structural and photo-induced redox properties. Under the optimal conditions (pH 7.2, H2O2 dosage of 1.2 mL & centerdot;L-1, and catalyst loading of 0.1 g & centerdot;L-1), 95.6% of GAT was degraded within 90 min. Radical scavenging experiments demonstrated that hydroxyl radicals (center dot OH) dominated the oxidation process. Based on intermediate identification, plausible degradation pathways were proposed, accompanied by a pronounced reduction in the ecological risks of transformation products. Furthermore, toxicity assays revealed that both the antibacterial activity and acute toxicity of the treated solutions were significantly alleviated. Overall, the Light/MIL-88A(Fe)/H2O2 system offers an effective and sustainable strategy for the removal and detoxification of fluoroquinolone antibiotics from aquatic environments.
Neohelicomyces species comprise a group of helicosporous hyphomycetes, with over 90% of the currently accepted taxa reported from China, occurring in both freshwater and terrestrial habitats. Although the genus has been increasingly documented in recent years, its presence in crop-related ecosystems remains poorly understood, as most species have been reported from unknown hosts. In this study, a survey of fungi associated with Coffea arabica in Yunnan Province, China, was conducted, and fruiting bodies of helicosporous hyphomycetes were found on dead branches of coffee plants. Based on the morphological characteristics of conidiophores, conidiogenous cells, and conidia, in combination with multigene phylogenetic analyses (ITS, LSU, rpb2, and tef1-α), two novel species of Neohelicomyces (N. coffeae and N. puerensis) were identified. Morphologically, N. coffeae differs from closely related species N. edgeworthiae by having shorter conidiophores, longer conidiogenous cells, and smaller, multi-septate conidia (vs. aseptate in N. edgeworthiae), while N. puerensis differs from its close relative N. dehongensis by having narrower and distinctly multi-septate conidia, more tightly coiled conidial filaments, and unbranched conidiophores. These results expand the known diversity of Neohelicomyces and contribute to a better understanding of fungal assemblages associated with coffee plants in subtropical China. In addition, detailed descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic trees are provided.
Fungi are ubiquitous organisms that play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning and biotechnology. New fungal discoveries from diverse parts and habitats worldwide significantly contribute to the understanding of fungal diversity. Micro- and macro-fungi samples collected from terrestrial habitats in China, India, Italy, and Pakistan were subjected to morphological and multi-locus phylogenetic analyses. The results revealed several new species and new records. Based on the results, we introduce 16 new fungal species, viz. Agaricus ferruginosquamulis, Amanita bengalensis, Candolleomyces striatus, Conferticium yunnanense, Diplodia yunnanensis, Hymenopellis himalayana, H. kashmirensis, Kirschsteiniothelia hongheensi, Phaeoisaria xishuangbannaensis, Phaeosphaeriopsis agave, Phialoarthrobotryum jeewonii, Pseudocercospora cordifoliana, Pseudosperma aranyakum, Roussoella bambusicola, Sporidesmium duyunense, and Tropicoporus chennaiensis. There are seven new host or geographical records for Agaricus thujae, Candolleomyces eurysporus, C. sulcatotuberculosus, Diplodia acerigena, Phaeographis decipiens, Pseudocoleodictyospora sukhothaiensis, and Russula yanshanensis. Descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analyses results for the 23 taxa are provided, and the new taxa are compared with their closely related taxa.
This article explores the sliding mode synchronization issue in a fractional-order quaternion-valued Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy neural network model with parametric uncertainty using a nondecompositional approach. An integral sliding surface is developed, and a sliding mode controller is designed based on the principles of sliding mode control. To ensure synchronization, we construct a Lyapunov function and apply fractional-order theory, quaternion theory, and inequality analysis to establish a criterion that is sufficient to ensure that the systems achieve synchronization via sliding mode control. Furthermore, we perform a reachability analysis on the sliding surface. Finally, we verify our conclusions through numerical examples and apply our research findings to image encryption and decryption. Simulation results demonstrate that the research method presented in this article effectively enhances security and improves encryption efficiency in color image encryption, while maintaining high image restoration quality.
Stochastic mutations are intrinsic to evolutionary processes, reflecting both random genetic variation and broader uncertainties in strategic behavior. Here we extend our previous work on delayed evolutionary dynamics in a two species system by introducing Gaussian stochastic mutations into replicator equations with time delays. This framework captures both intra and interspecific interactions, with delays representing inevitable lags in feedback and response in biological and social systems. Using Lyapunov based stability analysis and numerical simulations, we show that while stochasticity mutations transient trajectories, cooperative equilibria remain robust even under very strong noise, with only extreme perturbations leading to divergence. These findings demonstrate that deterministic models retain strong predictive power for long term evolutionary outcomes across realistic conditions, offering new insights into how memory and randomness jointly shape the evolution of cooperation.
