bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Overfilled Solvent and Storage Time of Subcritical Extraction of Jasminum sambac on Yield, Antioxidant Activity, Antimicrobial Activity and Tentative Volatile Compounds
Authors: Supanivatin Pattarin , Siriwattanayotin Suwit , Thipayarat Aluck , Ekkaphan Paweena , Wongwiwat Jakrapop
Published: January 2023

Essential oil from Jasminum sambac flowers has demonstrated the potential of antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, jasmine flowers contain only a small amount of essential oil; therefore, subcritical fluid extraction (SFE) with HFC-134a, one of the effective extraction methods for flower extraction, was performed in this study. The percentage of overfilled solvent and storage time of the flowers were varied during the extraction. Antioxidant potential, antimicrobial potential and tentative volatile compounds were investigated in this study to observe the quality of the essential oil. It was discovered that a greater amount of overfilled solvent resulted in thicker essential oil and a longer storage time resulted in a lower amount of total oil yield. It could be seen that almost all extraction conditions did not have any significant difference in antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. The essential oil contained primary compounds such as indole, 9-tricosene, α-farnesene, muurolene, and benzyl alcohol. This study led to the conclusion that the amount of overfilled solvent from SFE affected the thickness of jasmine essential oil and its tentative volatile compounds. The longer storage time caused the significantly lower essential oil yield, but changing the extraction conditions had no significant effect on antioxidant or antimicrobial potential.
Genome-Wide Characterization of the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Gene Family and Their Expression Patterns in Response to Drought and Colletotrichum Gloeosporioides in Walnut (Juglans regia)
Authors: Yang Kaiyu , Wu Jianghao , Wang Xialei , Li Han , Jia Peng , Luan Haoan , Zhang Xuemei , Guo Suping , Yang Minsheng , Dong Qinglong , Qi Guohui
Published: January 2023

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a family of Ser/Thr (serine/threonine) protein kinases that play very important roles in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stressors. However, the MAPK gene family in the important crop walnut (Juglans regia L.) has been less well studied compared with other species. We discovered 25 JrMAPK members in the Juglans genome in this study. The JrMAPK gene family was separated into four subfamilies based on phylogenetic analysis, and members of the same subgroup had similar motifs and exons/introns. A variety of cis-acting elements, mainly related to the light response, growth and development, stress response, and hormone responses, were detected in the JrMAPK gene promoters. Collinearity analysis showed that purification selection was the main driving force in JrMAPK gene evolution, and segmental and tandem duplications played key roles in the expansion of the JrMAPK gene family. The RNA-Seq (RNA Sequencing) results indicated that many of the JrMAPK genes were expressed in response to different levels of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides infection. JrMAPK1, JrMAPK3, JrMAPK4, JrMAPK5, JrMAPK6, JrMAPK7, JrMAPK9, JrMAPK11, JrMAPK12, JrMAPK13, JrMAPK17, JrMAPK19, JrMAPK20, and JrMAPK21 were upregulated at the transcriptional level in response to the drought stress treatment. The results of this study will help in further investigations of the evolutionary history and biological functions of the MAPK gene family in walnut.
Defoliation in Perennial Plants: Predictable and Surprising Results in Senna spp.
Authors: Koptur Suzanne , Primoli Andrea Salas , Pimienta María Cleopatra
Published: January 2023

When some plants are defoliated, they may suffer by reaching a smaller final size than if they had not been damaged. Other plants may compensate for damage, ending up the same size as if they had not been damaged. Still, others may overcompensate, ending up larger after defoliation than if they had been spared from damage. We investigated the response of Senna species (Fabaceae) to defoliation, comparing two native and several ornamental congeners, all of which grow locally in southern Florida. Many Senna spp. bear foliar nectaries as nutritional resources for beneficial insects that may, in exchange, protect them from herbivores. We grew five species from seed and subjected them to three levels of defoliation for a period of several months to measure effects of leaf area removal on plant height, number of leaves, and number of extrafloral nectaries. Only three of five species displayed shorter plant heights with greater levels of damage. Two species produced fewer new leaves with moderate to severe defoliation. In only one species, the number of extrafloral nectaries decreased with defoliation, suggesting that while extrafloral nectar production may be an inducible defense in some species, producing more nectaries in response to damage does not occur in these Senna species.
Response of Maize Varieties (Zea mays L.) to the Application of Classic and Stabilized Nitrogen Fertilizers—Nitrogen as a Predictor of Generative Yield
Authors: Szulc Piotr , Krauklis Daniel , Ambroży-Deręgowska Katarzyna , Wróbel Barbara , Niedbała Gniewko , Niazian Mohsen , Selwet Marek
Published: January 2023

The study presents the results of a 3-year field trial aimed at assessing the yield and efficiency indicators of nitrogen application in the cultivation of three maize cultivars differing in agronomic and genetic profile. The advantages of the UltraGrain stabilo formulation (NBPT and NPPT) over ammonium nitrate and urea are apparent if a maize cultivar capable of efficient nutrient uptake in the pre-flowering period and effective utilization during the grain filling stage is selected. Therefore, the rational fertilization of maize with urea-based nitrogen fertilizer with a urease inhibitor requires the simultaneous selection of cultivars that are physiologically profiled for efficient nitrogen utilization from this form of fertilizer (“stay-green” cultivar). The interaction of a selective cultivar with a high genetically targeted potential for nitrogen uptake from soil, combined with a targeted selection of nitrogen fertilizer, is important not only in terms of production, but also environmental and economic purposes.
Evidence of Downregulation in Atmospheric Nitrogen-Fixation Associated with Native Hawaiian Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Cultivars
Authors: Lincoln Noa , Santiago Reinier Paul , Tatum Derek , Del Valle-Echevarria Angel R.
Published: January 2023

The study of nitrogen fixation in sugarcane has a long history that has demonstrated high potential but with substantial variation in results. This 32-month study sought to assess the response of nitrogen fixation associated with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L. cvs. ‘Akoki, Honua‘ula, and ‘Ula) to available soil nitrogen. Plants were grown in large pots of perlite along with a fixing and a non-fixing plant control and administered liquid fertigation with varying amounts of isotopically enriched nitrogen. Assessment of nitrogen fixation utilized nitrogen isotope tracing and acetylene reduction assay in the target and control plants. Isotope enrichment and acetylene reduction assay both indicated that nitrogen fixation peaked under low nitrogen application, and declined with higher application rates, with agreement between the two methods. These results suggest that sugarcane engages in a downregulation of nitrogen fixation under high nitrogen availability, potentially explaining the high variation in published experimental results. This suggests that nitrogen management and fertilization strategy can impact the atmospheric inputs of nitrogen in sugarcane cultivation, and the potential to improve nitrogen application efficiency in cropping systems utilizing sugarcane.
Screening Evaluation of Antiproliferative, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Lichen Extracts and Secondary Metabolites In Vitro
Authors: Kello Martin , Goga Michal , Kotorova Klaudia , Sebova Dominika , Frenak Richard , Tkacikova Ludmila , Mojzis Jan
Published: January 2023

Lichen metabolites represent a wide range of substances with a variety of biological effects. The present study was designed to analyze the potential antiproliferative, antimicrobial and antioxidative effects of several extracts from lichens (Pseudevernia furfuracea, Lobaria pulmonaria, Cetraria islandica, Evernia prunastri, Stereocaulon tomentosum, Xanthoria elegans and Umbilicaria hirsuta) and their secondary metabolites (atranorin, physodic acid, evernic acid and gyrophoric acid). The crude extract, as well as the isolated metabolites, showed potent antiproliferative, cytotoxic activity on a broad range of cancer cell lines in 2D (monolayer) and 3D (spheroid) models. Furthermore, antioxidant (2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazylhydrate (DPPH) and in vitro antimicrobial activities were assessed. Data showed that the lichen extracts, as well as the compounds present, possessed biological potential in the studied assays. It was also observed that the extracts were more efficient and their major compounds showed strong effects as antiproliferative, antioxidant and antibacterial agents. Moreover, we demonstrated the 2D and 3D models’ importance to drug discovery for further in vivo studies. Despite the fact that lichen compounds have been neglected by the scientific community for long periods, nowadays they are objects of investigation based on their promising effects.
Performance of Sweet Cherry Cultivars and Advanced Selections on Gisela 5 Rootstock in Young Orchards
Authors: Lanauskas Juozas , Kviklys Darius , Uselis Nobertas , Stanys Vidmantas
Published: January 2023

Six sweet cherry cultivars and two advanced selections of Gisela 5 rootstock were tested in 2015–2021 at the Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry. Fruit trees were planted at distances of 4.5 × 2.5 m and trained as spindles. Orchard floor management included frequently mown grass in alleyways with herbicide strips along tree rows. Cultivars ‘Mindaugė’ and ‘Irema BS’ were the most vigorous at the end of the seventh leaf. Their trunk diameter achieved 11.6 cm. The ‘Merchant’ cultivar had the smallest trunk diameter—9.3 cm. The average yield in 2018–2021 ranged from 2.75 t/ha for ‘Vega’ to 8.73 t/ha for ‘Regina’. Cultivars ‘Regina’, ‘Sunburst’, ‘Irema BS’ and ‘Merchant’ had the highest cumulative yield efficiency of 0.440–0.503 kg/cm2 with respect to the trunk cross-section area (TCSA). The least productive cultivar ‘Vega’ produced fruits of the highest average weight—9.9 g. Fruits of ‘Regina’ and ‘Sunburst’ were large as well—8.8–9.1 g. ‘Irema BS’ fruits had the highest soluble solids content (SSC)—20.2%. The lowest SSC was recorded in ‘Merchant’ and ‘Sunburst’ fruits—14.7–15.8%. The yield of advanced selection, No. 102, equaled to the yield of cv. ‘Regina’. No. 102 had a high fruit weight, and fruits were distinguished by attractiveness and taste.
Effects of Bamboo Leaf Fiber Content on Cushion Performance and Biodegradability of Natural Rubber Latex Foam Composites
Authors: Jitkokkruad Keavalin , Jarukumjorn Kasama , Raksakulpiwat Chaiwat , Chaiwong Saowapa , Rattanakaran Jutarat , Trongsatitkul Tatiya
Published: January 2023

Bamboo leaf fiber (BLF) was incorporated into an eco-friendly foam cushion made from natural rubber latex (NRL) to enhance the biodegradation rate. The objective of this work was to investigate the effects of BLF content on the foam structure, mechanical properties, cushion performance, and biodegradability. The NRL foam cushion nets with and without BLF were prepared using the Dunlop method along with microwave-assisted vulcanization. BLF (90–106 µm in length) at various loadings (0.00, 2.50, 5.00, 7.50, and 10.00 phr) were introduced to the latex compounds before gelling and vulcanizing steps. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the BLF in a NRL foam caused an increase in cell size and a decrease in the number of cells. The changes in the cell structure and number of cells resulted in increases in the bulk density, hardness, compression set, compressive strength, and cushion coefficient. A soil burial test of 24 weeks revealed faster weight loss of 1.8 times when the BLF content was 10.00 phr as compared to the NRL foam without BLF. The findings of this work suggest the possibility of developing an eco-friendly cushion with a faster degradation rate while maintaining cushion performance, which could be a better alternative for sustainable packaging in the future.
Highly Efficient Flame-Retardant and Enhanced PVA-Based Composite Aerogels through Interpenetrating Cross-Linking Networks
Authors: Wu Ningjing , Deng Shanshan , Wang Fei , Wang Mohan , Xia Mingfeng , Cui Hongli , Jia Haoyi
Published: January 2023

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (P)/alginate (A)/MMT (M) (PAM) composite aerogels was modified through interpenetrating cross-linking of methyltriethoxysilane (Ms) or γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (K) and calcium ion (Ca2+) as a cross-linking agent, respectively. The compressive moduli of the cross-linked PAM/MsCa and PAM/KCa aerogels greatly increased to 17.4 and 22.1 MPa, approximately 10.5- and 8.2-fold of that of PAM aerogel, respectively. The limited oxygen index (LOI) values for PAM/MsCa and PAM/KCa composite aerogels increased from 27.0% of PAM aerogel to 40.5% and 56.8%. Compared with non-cross-linked PAM aerogel, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) of PAM/MsCa and PAM/KCa composite aerogels dramatically decreased by 34% and 74%, respectively, whereas the PAM/KCa aerogel presented better flame retardancy and lower smoke toxicity than the PAM/MsCa aerogel because of the release of more inert gases and the barrier action of more compact char layer during the combustion. The highly efficient flame-retardant PAM-based composite aerogels with excellent mechanical properties are promising as a sustainable alternative to traditional petroleum-based foams.
The Mechanical Properties of Nanocomposites Reinforced with PA6 Electrospun Nanofibers
Authors: Lasenko Inga , Sanchaniya Jaymin Vrajlal , Kanukuntla Sai Pavan , Ladani Yagnik , Viluma-Gudmona Arta , Kononova Olga , Lusis Vitalijs , Tipans Igors , Selga Turs
Published: January 2023

Electrospun nanofibers are very popular in polymer nanocomposites because they have a high aspect ratio, a large surface area, and good mechanical properties, which gives them a broad range of uses. The application of nonwoven structures of electrospun nanofiber mats has historically been limited to enhancing the interlaminar responses of fiber-reinforced composites. However, the potential of oriented nanofibers to improve the characteristics of bulk matrices cannot be overstated. In this research, a multilayered laminate composite was created by introducing polyamide (PA6)-oriented nanofibers into an epoxy matrix in order to examine the effect of the nanofibers on the tensile and thermal characteristics of the nanocomposite. The specimens’ fracture surfaces were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis, the thermal characteristics of the nanofiber-layered composites were investigated. The results demonstrated a 10.58% peak in the nanocomposites’ elastic modulus, which was compared to the numerical simulation and the analytical model. This work proposes a technique for the development of lightweight high-performance nanocomposites.
Valorization of Agricultural Waste as a Chemiresistor H2S-Gas Sensor: A Composite of Biodegradable-Electroactive Polyurethane-Urea and Activated-Carbon Composite Derived from Coconut-Shell Waste
Authors: Bibi Aamna , Santiago Karen , Yeh Jui-Ming , Chen Hsiu-Hui
Published: January 2023

In this study, a high-performance H2S sensor that operates at RT was successfully fabricated using biodegradable electroactive polymer-polyurethane-urea (PUU) and PUU-activated-carbon (AC) composites as sensitive material. The PUU was synthesized through the copolymerization of biodegradable polycaprolactone diol and an electroactive amine-capped aniline trimer. AC, with a large surface area of 1620 m2/g and a pore diameter of 2 nm, was derived from coconut-shell waste. The composites, labeled PUU-AC1 and PUU-AC3, were prepared using a physical mixing method. The H2S-gas-sensing performance of PUU-AC0, PUU-AC1, and PUU-AC3 was evaluated. It was found that the PUU sensor demonstrated good H2S-sensing performance, with a sensitivity of 0.1269 ppm−1 H2S. The H2S-gas-sensing results indicated that the PUU-AC composites showed a higher response, compared with PUU-AC0. The enhanced H2S-response of the PUU-AC composites was speculated to be due to the high surface-area and abounding reaction-sites, which accelerated gas diffusion and adsorption and electron transfer. When detecting trace levels of H2S gas at 20 ppm, the sensitivity of the sensors based on PUU-AC1 and PUU-AC3 increased significantly. An observed 1.66 and 2.42 times’ enhancement, respectively, in the sensors’ sensitivity was evident, compared with PUU-AC0 alone. Moreover, the as-prepared sensors exhibited significantly high selectivity toward H2S, with minimal to almost negligible responses toward other gases, such as SO2, NO2, NH3, CO, and CO2.
Optimization and Kinetic Evaluation for Glycolytic Depolymerization of Post-Consumer PET Waste with Sodium Methoxide
Authors: Javed Saqib , Fisse Jonas , Vogt Dieter
Published: January 2023

Glycolysis of post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste is a promising chemical recycling technique, back to the monomer, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). This work presents sodium methoxide (MeONa) as a low-cost catalyst for this purpose. BHET product was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy, melting point, and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). It was shown, not surprisingly, that PET conversion increases with the glycolysis temperature. At a fixed temperature of 190 °C, the response surface methodology (RSM) based on the Box-Behnken design was applied. Four independent factors, namely the molar ratio of PET: MeONa (50–150), the molar ratio of ethylene glycol to PET (EG: PET) (3–7), the reaction time (2–6 h), and the particle size (0.25–1 mm) were studied. Based on the experimental results, regression models as a function of significant process factors were obtained and evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA), to predict the depolymerization performance of MeONa in terms of PET conversion. Coefficient of determination, R2 of 95% indicated the adequacy for predicted model. Afterward, the regression model was validated and optimized within the design space with a prediction of 87% PET conversion at the optimum conditions demonstrating a deviation of less than 5% from predicted response. A van ‘t Hoff plot confirmed the endothermic nature of the depolymerization reaction. The ceiling temperature (TC = 160 °C) was calculated from Gibbs’ free energy. A kinetic study for the depolymerization reaction was performed and the activation energy for MeONa was estimated from the Arrhenius plot (EA = 130 kJ/mol). The catalytic depolymerization efficiency of MeONa was compared under similar conditions with widely studied zinc acetate and cobalt acetate. This study shows that MeONa’s performance, as a glycolysis catalyst is promising; in addition, it is much cheaper and environmentally more benign than heavy metal salts. These findings make a valuable contribution towards the chemical recycling of post-consumer PET waste to meet future recycling demands of a circular economy.
A Comprehensive Compilation of Graphene/Fullerene Polymer Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Gopal Judy , Muthu Manikandan , Sivanesan Iyyakkannu
Published: January 2023

Electricity consumption is an integral part of life on earth. Energy generation has become a critical topic, addressing the need to fuel the energy demands of consumers. Energy storage is an offshoot of the mainstream process, which is now becoming a prime topic of research and development. Electrochemical energy storage is an attractive option, serving its purpose through fuel cells, batteries and supercapacitors manipulating the properties of various materials, nanomaterials and polymer substrates. The following review presents a comprehensive report on the use of carbon-based polymer nanocomposites, specifically graphene and fullerene-based polymer nanocomposites, towards electrochemical energy storage. The achievements in these areas, and the types of polymer nanocomposites used are listed. The areas that lack of clarity and have a dearth of information are highlighted. Directions for future research are presented and recommendations for fully utilizing the benefits of the graphene/fullerene polymer nanocomposite system are proposed.
Determination of Elastic Modulus, Stress Relaxation Time and Thermal Softening Index in ZWT Constitutive Model for Reinforced Al/PTFE
Authors: Chen Chuang , Guo Zihan , Tang Enling
Published: January 2023

Al/PTFE has the advantages of high impact-responsive energy release, appropriate sensitivity, a fast energy release rate, and high energy density, and it is increasingly widely being used in the field of ammunition. In this paper, based on the traditional formula Al/PTFE (26.5%/73.5%), the reinforced Al/PTFE active materials are prepared by the process of cold pressing, sintering, and rapid cooling. Quasi static and dynamic compression experiments were carried out under different compression pressures (200~800 MPa), strain rates (0.002 s−1, 0.02 s−1, 1400~3300 s−1), and temperatures (23 °C, −20 °C, −30 °C, −40 °C). The effects of pressure, strain rate, and temperature on the quasi-static and dynamic compression properties of Al/PTFE materials are analyzed. The results show that the reinforced Al/PTFE specimens show a significant correlation between temperature and strain rate. Based on the classical Zhu–Wang–Tang (ZWT) constitutive model, the ZWT constitutive model parameters of the reinforced Al/PTFE active materials under different pressing pressures at room temperature and the ZWT constitutive model parameters of the reinforced Al/PTFE active materials at low temperature are obtained by fitting, respectively. The accuracy of the constitutive model parameters (elastic modulus, stress relaxation time, and thermal softening index) is verified. In this paper, a constitutive model considering both temperature and strain rate effects is established in order to provide reference for the study of mechanical properties of active materials.
Development of High-Fibre, Ready-to-Bake Flour Mixtures from Purple Wheat
Authors: Szőke-Trenyik Eszter , Mihalkó József , Sipos Péter , Szabó Balázs P.
Published: January 2023

Nowadays, consumers are paying more and more attention to healthy eating, and unfortunately, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are affecting many people. In general, people are paying more attention to the consumption of fibre-rich foods. In our study, we developed high-fibre ready-to-bake flour mixture blends using purple wheat flour (white and wholemeal). For fibre fortification, inulin, chia seed flour and psyllium husk flour were used. After determining the basic nutritional parameters of the raw materials, four series of experiments were carried out to prepare bread rolls and to test the finished products. The correct mixing ratio of the enriching agents were tested, and the final flour mixtures were tested. At the end of our research, three blends (white purple wheat flour + 4% inulin + 2% psyllium husk flour; wholemeal purple wheat flour + white purple wheat flour + 4% inulin + 4% chia seed flour; wholemeal purple wheat flour + 4% inulin + 4% chia seed flour) were developed.
Prediction of the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of Asymmetric Friction Stir Welding Using Ensemble Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Matitopanum Surasak , Pitakaso Rapeepan , Sethanan Kanchana , Srichok Thanatkij , Chokanat Peerawat
Published: January 2023

This research aims to develop ensemble machine-learning methods for forecasting the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of friction stir welding (FSW). The substance utilized in the experiment was a mixture of aluminum alloys AA5083 and AA5061. An ensemble machine learning model was created to predict the UTS of the friction stir-welded seam, utilizing 11 FSW parameters as input factors and the UTS as a response variable. The proposed approach used the Gaussian process regression (GPR) and the support vector machine (SVM) model of machine learning to build the ensemble machine learning model. In addition, an efficient technique using a differential evolution algorithm to optimize the weight for the decision fusion was incorporated into the proposed model. The effectiveness of the model was evaluated using three datasets. The first and second datasets were divided into two groups, with 80% for the training dataset and 20% for the testing dataset, while the third dataset comprised the test data to validate the model’s accuracy. The computational results indicated that the proposed model provides more accurate forecasts than existing methods, such as random forest, gradient boosting, ADA boosting, and the original SVM and GPR, by 30.67, 49.18, 16.50, 48.87, and 49.33 %, respectively. In terms of prediction accuracy, the suggested technique for decision fusion surpasses unweighted average ensemble learning (UWE) by 10.32%.
Growth of (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 Absorbers under Band Gap Variation and Characterization with a Focus on Optical Spectroscopy
Authors: Kruip Julius , Kardosh Ihab , Köhler Tristan , Gao Yao , Schmid Martina
Published: January 2023

Whilst Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGSe) is an extremely promising material for solar cell fabrication, the widening of the band gap beyond the standard 1.1 eV is highly desirable for semitransparent applications. By replacing Cu with Ag and increasing the Ga content, we fabricate ACIGSe absorbers with band gaps ranging from 1.27–1.55 eV. An Ag/(Ag + Cu) ratio from 0.36–1.00 is chosen, as well as a Ga/(Ga + In) ratio from 0.25–0.59. The larger Ag and Ga contents lead to the expected band gap widening, which is, together with high sub-gap transparency, essential for semitransparent applications. The crystalline properties are confirmed by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction, which both reveal peak shifts according to the composition variations: a higher Ag content results in lower Raman shifts as well as in lower angles of X-ray diffraction for the main peaks due to the larger mass of Ag compared to Cu and the larger lattice constant of Ag-rich compounds. Increased open circuit voltages and decreased short circuit current densities are confirmed for higher band gaps. An overall trend of increased power conversion efficiency of the related devices is promising for future research of wide band gap Ag-chalcopyrites and their semitransparent application.
Brown Seaweed Sargassum-Based Sorbents for the Removal of Cr(III) Ions from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Niedzbała Natalia , Dziergowska Katarzyna , Wełna Maja , Szymczycha-Madeja Anna , Chęcmanowski Jacek , Bourgougnon Nathalie , Michalak Izabela
Published: January 2023

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were biosynthesized with the use of an extract derived from seaweed (Sargassum sp.) and used as a sorbent for the removal of Cr(III) ions from wastewater. The biosorption properties of the seaweed itself as well as of the post-extraction residue were investigated for comparison. ZnO NPs were characterized with UV–vis, ICP-OES, FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. The sorption capacity of the (bio)sorbents was investigated as a function of contact time at different pH values and initial concentrations of metal ions. Sorption kinetics and isotherms were studied in order to comprehend the sorption nature and mechanism. The sorption kinetic data were well-fitted with the pseudo-second-order model, and the highest sorption capacity was calculated for ZnO NPs (137 mg/g), whereas those calculated for Sargassum sp. (82.0 mg/g) and the post-extraction residue (81.3 mg/g) were comparable (at pH 5 and 300 mg of Cr(III) ions/L). The adsorption isotherms for all sorbents were well described using the Langmuir model. According to these findings, ZnO NPs were superior to the sorption properties of the tested biosorbents and can be used as a potential sorbent for the removal of metal ions from wastewater. Renewable seaweed biomass can be used for the sustainable biosynthesis of nanoparticles used for environmental protection.
Essential Oil of Greek Citrus sinensis cv New Hall - Citrus aurantium Pericarp: Effect upon Cellular Lipid Composition and Growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Antimicrobial Activity against Bacteria, Fungi, and Human Pathogenic Microorganisms
Authors: Bozinou Eleni , Athanasiadis Vassilis , Chatzimitakos Theodoros , Ganos Christos , Gortzi Olga , Diamantopoulou Panagiota , Papanikolaou Seraphim , Chinou Ioanna , Lalas Stavros I.
Published: January 2023

In this study, the essential oil (EO) from the peel of the Greek citrus hybrid Citrus sinensis cv New Hall - Citrus aurantium was studied in terms of its antimicrobial properties as well as its effect on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. According to the analysis of the EO, 48 compounds are contained in it, with the main compounds being limonene, β-pinene, myrcene, α-pinene, valencene, and α-terpineol. As regards its antimicrobial properties, the EO was evaluated against nine human pathogenic microorganisms, six bacteria, and three fungi. Taking the results into account, it was apparent that Gram-negative bacteria were the most susceptible to the addition of the EO, followed by the Gram-positive bacteria, and finally the examined yeasts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations were found to be lower compared to other studies. Finally, the effect of the EO on the biochemical behavior of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae LMBF Y-16 was investigated. As the concentration of the EO increased, the more the exponential phase of the microbial growth decreased; furthermore, the biomass yield on the glucose consumed significantly decreased with the addition of the oil on the medium. The addition of the EO in small concentrations (e.g., 0.3 mL/L) did not present a remarkable negative effect on both the final biomass concentration and maximum ethanol quantity produced. In contrast, utilization of the extract in higher concentrations (e.g., 1.2 mL/L) noticeably inhibited microbial growth as the highest biomass concentration achieved, maximum ethanol production, and yield of ethanol produced per glucose consumed drastically declined. Concerning the composition of cellular lipids, the addition of the EO induced an increment in the concentration of cellular palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids, with a concomitant decrease in the cellular palmitoleic acid and oleic acids.
Comparison of Scenarios for the Mexican Electricity System for 2050 Energy Transition Law Objectives—Pre COVID-19 Analysis
Authors: Toledo-Vázquez Diocelina , Hernández-Luna Gabriela , Romero Rosenberg J. , Cerezo Jesús
Published: January 2023

In recent years, the reports presented on climate change and its consequences highlight the need to create public policy agendas that address the problem of adaptation and mitigation of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Globally, the energy sector is responsible for a significant percentage of GHG emissions, while it is one of the most important sector for economic growth. In particular, the electricity sector in Mexico relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation. This problem has made it essential to design plans and policies that contribute to GHG mitigation. The General Law on Climate Change, whose objective is to determine the guidelines towards a low-carbon economy, has established a goal of reducing emissions by 50% by 2050 concerning the baseline from the year 2000 and proposes to produce 50% of electricity with clean energy by 2050 following the Mexican Energy Transition Law. For this reason, the challenge is to design and develop an environmentally sustainable energy model for the National Electric System (NES). Different scenarios are defined and evaluated considering six probable growing electricity demands, as well as mature technologies considering the potential of renewable resources in Mexico, fossil fuel reserves, efficiencies of each technology, investment costs, operation costs, and maintenance costs along with the price of the fuels. The results showed that it is possible to reduce about 50% of the emissions from the electricity sector by 2050 considering a scenario of low population growth and a yearly per capita consumption of 2.0 MWh, as well as a diversification of the electricity generation matrix.
Experimental Investigation of the Characteristics and Transformation Mechanism of Jimsar Oil Shale and Derived Shale Oil
Authors: Lu Hao , Pan Luwei , Guo Yue , Xiong Quan , Dai Fangqin , Wang Shuai
Published: January 2023

An experimental investigation of the characteristics and transformation mechanism of Jimsar oil shale and derived shale oil was conducted using a solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (13C NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), liquid 1H NMR, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. The carbon skeleton structure of Jimsar oil shale is mainly composed of aliphatic carbons (70.5%), mostly containing straight-chain methylene (CH2), and aromatic carbon (29.31%). Derived shale oil is primarily made of aliphatic compounds that are dominated by n-alkanes and alkenes (comprising more than 70%). The nature of the conversion of oil shale to shale oil is the decomposition of aliphatic groups dominated by methylene structures in organic matter. Additionally, as the heating rate is increased, the secondary cracking reactions in shale oil could increase the contents of short-chain alkanes and alkenes, which could then enhance the secondary polymerization reactions that increase the generation of cycloalkanes and aromatic compounds. Shale oil demonstrates a maximum yield value of 6.32%, the largest carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen contents, and a minimum oxygen content at the pyrolysis heating rate of 5 °C/min.
Lithium in a Sustainable Circular Economy: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Garcia Laura Vega , Ho Yeek-Chia , Myo Thant Maung Maung , Han Dong Suk , Lim Jun Wei
Published: January 2023

Lithium is a vital raw material used for a wide range of applications, such as the fabrication of glass, ceramics, pharmaceuticals, and batteries for electric cars. The accelerating electrification transition and the global commitment to decarbonization have caused an increasing demand for lithium. The current supply derived from brines and hard rock ores is not enough to meet the global demand unless alternate resources and efficient techniques to recover this valuable metal are implemented. In the past few decades, several approaches have been studied to extract lithium from aqueous resources. Among those studied, chemical precipitation is considered the most efficient technology for the extraction of metals from wastewater. This paper outlines the current technology, its challenges, and its environmental impacts. Moreover, it reviews alternative approaches to recover lithium via chemical precipitation, and systematically studies the effects of different operating conditions on the lithium precipitation rate. In addition, the biggest challenges of the most recent studies are discussed, along with implications for future innovation.
Study on the Equivalence of Metallic-Cerium-Simulated Uranium-Aerosol Generation under Fire
Authors: Zhu Min , Mao Hanyuan , Wang Yanjun , Guo Ming , Li Biao , Wu Fei , Tian Jie , Ma Desheng
Published: January 2023

Uranium aerosols are released from uranium-containing materials in high-temperature environments caused by nuclear accidents or other processes. Research on the generation characteristics of uranium aerosols under such conditions is an important part of nuclear-safety analysis. In this experiment, the similarity between metal cerium aerosols and uranium material aerosols was evaluated from the aspects of particle size distribution and source term. Combined with the experiment data, the effect of air flow rate and sampling time is discussed. The calculation result of the air release fraction (ARF) is 6.07 × 10−3–4.8 × 10−2, and the respirable fraction (RF) is 0.810–0.978, respectively, showing that the size distribution of particles and ARF of the cerium aerosol are different from the results of the uranium aerosols in the literature, while the RF is similar to the results obtained by using the uranium–niobium alloy in the literature.
Divine Morality or Divine Love? On Sterba’s New Logical Problem of Evil
Authors: Rutledge Jonathan C.
Published: January 2023

In his recent version of the logical problem of evil, James Sterba articulates several moral principles that, on the assumption that God is morally perfect, seem to entail God’s non-existence. Such moral principles, however, only apply to God on the assumption that he is a moral agent. I first argue against this assumption by appealing to recent work by Mark Murphy before, secondly, suggesting an alternative way to frame Sterba’s argument in terms of divine love. One can distinguish God’s motivation to promote creaturely welfare on the basis of love from a motivation grounded in morality, and I claim that doing so results in a stronger form of the logical argument.
Theology, Witness, and Spirituality in a Post-Secularized Historical Context
Authors: Voulgaraki-Pissina Evi
Published: January 2023

Religion and spirituality are seen to be making a comeback since the 1990s and increasingly thereafter in the European context. However, traditional forms of Christianity are diminishing, while other types of religion take the lead. An increasing number of voices are being raised among Christians, calling for a re-evangelization of society. Nevertheless, there is some skepticism about such activism against the backdrop of plurality, human rights, and freedom, regarding not only issues of political correctness but also considering the question of efficacy. While spirituality abounds, even among conscientious Orthodox Christians, there is still a need for theology. Even among Orthodox Christians, spirituality is mainly linked with a withdrawal from the world, history, and the political, often taking a ritualistic character expressed in religious acts of pietism through habits and customs. This is unfair to the historical and liberating physiognomy of the Orthodox Christian faith, as it does not differ much from other types of new age religious movements. In order to foster Christian witness amidst the desert of post-modern cities, one must rediscover theology. Theology, centered around the Gospel and the patristic tradition, can contribute vital missing elements and does justice to the Incarnation of pre-eternal Logos, to the Resurrection, and to the fulfillment of life. Unless Christians grow in their understanding of theology and the world around us, there will be only mirages of spirituality that take the place of a spirituality derived from faith and its incisiveness and meaningfulness for life today.
Religious Hate Propaganda: Dangerous Accusations and the Meaning of Religious Persecution in Light of the Cognitive Science of Religion
Authors: Kiper Jordan
Published: January 2023

Religious hate propaganda, which is sustained communication by an authority that attempts to guide an audience towards persecuting others based on religion, is a speech crime. Yet, it is one of the least understood and most difficult speech crimes to prosecute. This is due to misunderstandings and epistemic gaps regarding how persecutory language, which would otherwise have little significance for prosocial religious adherents, becomes meaningful for a religious community. Drawing from the cognitive science of religion (CSR), this article develops and explores the hypothesis that for some religious communities, discursive attacks on others become meaningful when they center on dangerous accusations. Dangerous accusations portray the other as capable of mystical harm and, when made by cultural authorities, become socially accepted truths if repeated during rituals of veridiction. This article shows that dangerous accusations are at the heart of religious hate propaganda and exploit cognitive biases for threat perception, coalitional psychology, and costly signaling. Moreover, dangerous accusations can reinforce the social order and maintain social cohesion. Together, an analysis of speech crimes and dangerous accusations shed light on how religious hate propaganda works, how it can offer meaning to religious communities, and how it can justify persecution in certain environments.
The SEV-SV Model—Applications in Portfolio Optimization
Authors: Escobar-Anel Marcos , Fan Weili
Published: January 2023

This paper introduces and studies a new family of diffusion models for stock prices with applications in portfolio optimization. The diffusion model combines (stochastic) elasticity of volatility (EV) and stochastic volatility (SV) to create the SEV-SV model. In particular, we focus on the SEV component, which is driven by an Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process via two separate functional choices, while the SV component features the state-of-the-art 4/2 model. We study an investment problem within expected utility theory (EUT) for incomplete markets, producing closed-form representations for the optimal strategy, value function, and optimal wealth process for two different cases of prices of risk on the stock. We find that when EV reverts to a GBM model, the volatility and speed of reversion of the EV have a strong impact on optimal allocations, and more aggressive (bull markets) or cautious (bear markets) strategies are hence recommended. For a model when EV reverts away from GBM, only the mean reverting level of the EV plays a role. Moreover, the presence of SV leads mainly to more conservative investment decisions for short horizons. Overall, the SEV plays a more significant role than SV in the optimal allocation.
Remote Operation of CeCi Social Robot
Authors: Barbecho-Jimbo Edisson , Vallejo-Ramírez David , Cobos-Torres Juan-Carlos , Angulo Cecilio , Flores-Vázquez Carlos
Published: January 2023

This paper presents a validation methodology for a remote system with its objective focused on a social robot. The research process starts with the customization of an application for smartphones, achieving a simple method of connection and attachment to the robot. This customization allows remote operation of the robot’s movements and an additional level of autonomy for the displacements in previously known locations. One of several teleoperations methods is the direct teleoperations method, which is used in master–slave control mode via a wireless network. Next, the article focuses on proposing a validation methodology for social robot applications design. Under this approach, two tests are performed to validate the designed application. The first one seeks to find the response speed of the communication between the robot and the mobile device wherein 10 devices with different characteristics and capabilities are used. This test is critical since a delay outside the allowable range invalidates the use of the application. The second test measures the application’s usability through a user survey, which allows for determining the preferences that people may have when using this type of application. This second test is essential to consider the overall acceptability of the social robot.
Intercomparison of NO3 under Humid Conditions with Open-Path and Extractive IBBCEAS in an Atmospheric Reaction Chamber
Authors: Wang Meng , Lou Shengrong , Hu Weiwei , Wang Haichao , Wang Xinming , Fan Fengxian , Varma Ravi , Venables Dean S. , Chen Jun
Published: January 2023

We report an open-path incoherent broadband cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy (OP-IBBCEAS) technique for in situ simultaneous optical monitoring of NO2, NO3, and H2O in a reaction chamber. The measurement precision values (1σ) are 2.9 ppbv and 2.9 pptv for NO2 and NO3 in 2 s, respectively, and the measurement uncertainties are 6% for NO2 and 14% for NO3. Intercomparison of measured concentrations of NO2 and NO3 by open-path and extractive IBBCEAS was carried out in the SAES-ARC reaction chamber during the reaction of NO2 with O3. The measurement accuracy of OP-IBBCEAS is verified by an NO2 intercomparison and the NO3 transmission efficiency of the extractive IBBCEAS is determined by comparison against the in situ NO3 measurement. The relationship between H2O absorption cross section and its mixing ratio at 295 K and 1 atm was analysed. Due to the spectral resolution of IBBCEAS system, the strong and narrow absorption lines of H2O are unresolved and exhibit non-Beer–Lambert Law behaviour. Therefore, a correction method is used to obtain the effective absorption cross section for fitting the H2O structure. An inappropriate H2O absorption cross section can cause an overestimation of NO3 concentration of about 28% in a humid atmosphere (H2O = 1.8%). This spectroscopic correction provides an approach to obtain accurate NO3 concentrations for open-path optical configurations, for example in chamber experiments or field campaigns. The measurement precision values are improved by a factor of 3 to 4 after applying Kalam filtering, achieving sub-ppbv (0.8 ppbv) and sub-pptv (0.9 pptv) performance in 2 s for NO2 and NO3, respectively.
Assessing the Potential of 10-m Resolution TVDI Based on Downscaled LST to Monitor Soil Moisture in Tang River Basin, China
Authors: Cheng Lin , Liu Suxia , Mo Xingguo , Hu Shi , Zhou Haowei , Xie Chaoshuai , Nielsen Sune , Grosen Henrik , Bauer-Gottwein Peter
Published: January 2023

Soil moisture is a key parameter in hydrological research and drought management. The inversion of soil moisture based on land surface temperature (LST) and NDVI triangular feature spaces has been widely used in various studies. Remote sensing provides regional LST data with coarse spatial resolutions which are insufficient for field scale (tens of meters). In this study, we bridged the data gap by adopting a Data Mining Sharpener algorithm to downscale MODIS thermal data with Vis-NIR imagery from Sentinel-2. To evaluate the downscaling algorithm, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with a thermal sensor was used to capture the ultra-fine resolution LST at three sites in the Tang River Basin in China. The obtained fine-resolution LST data were then used to calculate the Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) for soil moisture monitoring. Results indicated that downscaled LST data from satellites showed spatial patterns similar to UAS-measured LST, although discrepancies still existed. Based on the fine-resolution LST data, a 10-m resolution TVDI map was generated. Significant negative correlations were observed between the TVDI and in-situ soil moisture measurements (Pearson’s r of −0.67 and −0.71). Overall, the fine-resolution TVDI derived from the downscaled LST has a high potential for capturing spatial soil moisture variation.