Plant Capacity Research Articles

An Evaluation of E7 Countries’ Sustainable Energy Investments: A Decision-Making Approach with Spherical Fuzzy Sets

Abstract The purpose of this study is to identify important strategies to increase sustainable energy investments in emerging economies. For this situation, first, four different indicators are selected according to the dimensions of the balanced scorecard technique. The weights of these items are computed by using Quantum Spherical fuzzy DEMATEL. In the second phase, emerging seven (E7) countries are ranked regarding the performance of sustainable energy investments. In this process, Quantum Spherical fuzzy TOPSIS is taken into consideration. The main contribution of this study is that prior factors can be defined for emerging economies to increase sustainable energy investments in a more effective way. Furthermore, a novel decision-making model is developed while integrating TOPSIS and DEMATEL with Quantum theory, Spherical fuzzy sets, facial expressions of the experts, and collaborative filtering. It is concluded that competition is the most significant factor for the performance of sustainable energy investments. In addition, the ranking results denote that China and Russia are the most successful emerging economies with respect to sustainable energy investments. It is strongly recommended that emerging countries should mainly consider benchmarking the capacity of energy hubs with the aim of increasing the capacity of ongoing energy plants.

Batteries or silos: Optimizing storage capacity in direct air capture plants to maximize renewable energy use

Direct air capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide is among the technologies that is forecast to play a major role in achieving the global ambition to constrain atmospheric temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius by 2100. However, DAC is an energy intensive chemical process, whose designs are currently incompatible with intermittent renewable energy (RE) sources. This research develops a model to enable the flexible operation of DAC, to maximize RE usage. A new model of the chemical process flow of a liquid solvent DAC that includes silos to store CaCO3 and CaO is developed. A linear programming optimization model that minimizes energy costs while achieving the CO2 capture targets of the DAC plant is developed. Scenario analysis establishes the storage silo size and battery storage size needed to reduce renewable energy curtailment to zero for a given RE profile. Simulations with a representative 336-hour RE profile reveal that two silos of sizes 660 tons and 370 tons would be needed to support flexible DAC plant operations and reduce RE curtailment to zero. For the same profile, a 355 MWh/65 MW battery would be required to achieve zero renewable curtailment. The results demonstrate that flexible operation of DAC is achievable, and DAC plants can adapt to variable RE without the need for battery energy storage. Furthermore, considering the scale of storage needed to minimize RE curtailment in a commercial-scale DAC plant, the results suggest that using physical storage silos could be more cost-effective than using battery energy storage.

Overexpression of Grapevine VyTRXy Improves Drought Tolerance by Maintaining Photosynthesis and Enhancing the Antioxidant and Osmolyte Capacity of Plants.

Drought stress profoundly affects plant growth and development, posing a significant challenge that is extensively researched in the field. Thioredoxins (TRXs), small proteins central to redox processes, are crucial to managing both abiotic and biotic stresses. In this research, the VyTRXy gene, cloned from wild Yanshan grapes, was validated as a functional TRX through enzyme activity assays. VyTRXy was found to bolster photosynthesis, augment levels of osmotic regulators, stimulate antioxidant enzyme activities, and strengthen drought resilience in transgenic plants. These enhancements were evidenced by higher survival rates, optimized photosynthetic metrics, increased proline levels, augmented chlorophyll concentration, reduced electrolyte leakage, and decreased malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels. Furthermore, there was a surge in the activities of enzymes such as catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase, along with an increased expression of TRX peroxidase. Notably, under drought stress, there was a marked elevation in the expression of stress-responsive genes, including the adversity stress-inducible expression gene (NtRD29A) and DRE-binding protein (NtDREB), in transgenic tobacco. This investigation is pivotal in the quest for drought-resistant grapevine varieties and provides significant insights into the molecular functionality of VyTRXy in enhancing grapevine drought tolerance.

Evaluation of phytoremediation efficiency of shooting range soil using the bioaccumulation potential and sensitivity of different plant species

Shooting range soil is one of the most heavily contaminated sites in the world with heavy metals from shooting activities. The aim of the study was to evaluate remediation efficiency of contaminated shooting range soil using three plant species – Festuca arundinacea Schreb., Trifolium pratense L., and Medicago sativa L. assessing the impact of contamination on the development of plant species and the capacity of plants to accumulate potentially toxic elements from polluted soil. The field study was conducted in a Lithuanian civilian shooting range operating 65 years where lead (Pb) concentration in the shooting range soil was extremely high – 17,890 mg kg−1 and the elevated levels of antimony (Sb) was found in soil of berm. F. arundinacea had the highest biomass. The shoot height of all species grown in the contaminated shooting range soil was significantly lower than that of those grown in the uncontaminated soil. The shoot height of M. sativa and T. pratense was 30% lower compared to the control group, while the height reduction of F. arundinacea was only 10%. The same trend of the effect of contaminated soil on root length was observed - the roots were statistically significantly shorter than the control, while the mean root length of F. arundinacea did not differ from the control plants. The content of photosynthetic pigments in all three species tested was also significantly lower as that of the control plants due to contaminated shooting range soil. Shoots of T. pratense plants grown in the shooting range soil accumulated 10 times higher concentrations of Pb and 3 times higher concentrations of Sb in M. sativa compared to the control. Among all studied plants, F. arundinacea was the plant capable of accumulating significantly higher amounts of Pb, nickel (Ni) and Sb in roots than in shoots. The roots of all treated plants accumulated significantly higher concentrations of Pb compared to the control. The highest concentrations of Pb were determined in the shoots of F. arundinacea and T. pratense. Only the roots of M. sativa and F. arundinacea, accumulated higher concentrations of Ni and Sb, compared to controls. The significantly higher bioconcentration factor of Pb (BCFPb) was determined in F. arundinacea but it still was lower than 1.0. The Pb accumulation capacity of the different plant species was in the following order: F. arundinacea > T. pratense > M. sativa showing phytostabilization potential of plants. T. pratense had the highest translocation factor (TF) values, being able to translocate a high proportion of Pb and Sb from roots to shoots, while F. arundinacea had the lowest efficiency.

Predicting the spatio-temporal distribution of the invasive alien plant Andropogon virginicus, in the South Korean peninsula considering long-distance dispersal capacities.

The spread of invasive alien species is a major threat to biodiversity. Estimating the long-distance dispersal capacity of invasive alien plants is vital for understanding their population dynamics and community composition. We predicted the spatial-temporal distribution of the alien plant Andropogon virginicus, in the Korean peninsula under climate change scenario using Random Forest (RF) and Cellular Automaton (CA) methods. Land use, barriers to dispersal, long-distance dispersal frequency, and maximum long-distance dispersal range were considered in our analysis. Our results showed that, among the five selected environmental variables, annual mean temperature and Human Foot-Printing (HFP) were positively associated with the occurrence probability of A. virginicus. This suggests that A. virginicus is likely to spread to the disturbed northern part of the Korean Peninsula due to climate change and habitat preference. When comparing modeling results for dispersal to field survey data, the modeling raster sets drawn from the long-distance dispersal frequency of 0.05 and maximum long-distance dispersal distance of 30 km y-1 had the most similar spatial expansion among the six long-distance dispersal parameter sets. The dispersal directions were associated with the landscape. Specifically, seeds dispersed by wind (anemochorous seeds) could propagate into open landscapes more easily than in forests. Regarding A. virginicus management, this grass can quickly invade bare ground with their wind-dispersed seeds, therefore habitat destruction, such as excessive logging and weeding, should be restrained.

Comparative Analysis of an Expandable Modular Plant and a Stick-Built TiO2 Plant.

Expandable modular plants (EMPs) can be the future of the chemical industry, especially in emerging markets. Using the relative position of points on alternative NPV-time curves from the period of 10-20 years, we compare the economics of an expandable modular TiO2 plant with that of a large-scale TiO2 plant constructed fully on site (stick-built) and present scenarios where the expandable modular approach is economically favorable over the stick-built approach. To simplify the assessment of economic viability between constructing an EMP and a stick-built plant, we introduce a measure known as the flexibility feasibility ratio-a certain ratio of unit installed capacity in an EMP to the nameplate capacity of a stick-built plant at which the NPVs are equal at all points on alternative NPV-time curves. We determine that a flexibility feasibility ratio of 0.25 is suitable to install an expandable modular TiO2 plant in Nigeria, relatively.

Challenges of Large Converter-Fed Synchronous Machines for Variable-Speed Pumped Hydro Storage

The green energy transition of electrical energy production is leading to an increasing share of total energy production for volatile renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar power. To handle this volatile production, flexible and efficient energy storage is required. The development of high-power converters has enabled the generation of variable-speed pumped hydro storage power plants, combining the so-far-unequalled energy storage capacity of classical pumped-storage hydro power plants and the recently increased operation requirements. The introduction of large-scale converters has led to new challenges in the overall design of power plant systems. This paper intended to take a closer look at a large-scale converter-fed synchronous generator, especially the distribution of the current and voltage harmonics caused by the converter in the implemented generation system. Thereby, holistic design considerations for an ideal loss distribution as well as possible measures to limit the effects of harmonic coupling at the generator shaft and bearings are discussed. Furthermore, basic considerations of harmonic emission to the connected network are described. These topics are addressed by analyzing on-site measurements at an 85 MVA converter-fed synchronous generator with a voltage source inverter, underpinned with the theoretical background.

Jacalin-related lectin 45 (OsJRL45) isolated from ‘sea rice 86’ enhances rice salt tolerance at the seedling and reproductive stages

BackgroundRice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the most widely cultivated grain crops in the world that meets the caloric needs of more than half the world’s population. Salt stress seriously affects rice production and threatens food security. Therefore, mining salt tolerance genes in salt-tolerant germplasm and elucidating their molecular mechanisms in rice are necessary for the breeding of salt tolerant cultivars.ResultsIn this study, a salt stress-responsive jacalin-related lectin (JRL) family gene, OsJRL45, was identified in the salt-tolerant rice variety ‘sea rice 86’ (SR86). OsJRL45 showed high expression level in leaves, and the corresponding protein mainly localized to the endoplasmic reticulum. The knockout mutant and overexpression lines of OsJRL45 revealed that OsJRL45 positively regulates the salt tolerance of rice plants at all growth stages. Compared with the wild type (WT), the OsJRL45 overexpression lines showed greater salt tolerance at the reproductive stage, and significantly higher seed setting rate and 1,000-grain weight. Moreover, OsJRL45 expression significantly improved the salt-resistant ability and yield of a salt-sensitive indica cultivar, L6-23. Furthermore, OsJRL45 enhanced the antioxidant capacity of rice plants and facilitated the maintenance of Na+-K+ homeostasis under salt stress conditions. Five proteins associated with OsJRL45 were screened by transcriptome and interaction network analysis, of which one, the transmembrane transporter Os10g0210500 affects the salt tolerance of rice by regulating ion transport-, salt stress-, and hormone-responsive proteins.ConclusionsThe OsJRL45 gene isolated from SR86 positively regulated the salt tolerance of rice plants at all growth stages, and significantly increased the yield of salt-sensitive rice cultivar under NaCl treatment. OsJRL45 increased the activity of antioxidant enzyme of rice and regulated Na+/K+ dynamic equilibrium under salinity conditions. Our data suggest that OsJRL45 may improve the salt tolerance of rice by mediating the expression of ion transport-, salt stress response-, and hormone response-related genes.

A Pragmatic Approach to the Economic Assessment of Green Synthetic Methane Power in the Baltics

The synthesis of methane from hydrogen and carbon dioxide creates an energy resource that is suitable for long-term storage. Once this process is powered by renewable electricity, it produces a clean fuel for producing electricity and heat and supports large-scale renewable energy deployment, energy transition and climate change mitigation. This paper proposes a pragmatic approach to assessing the economic potential of synthetic methane-based power. Today, natural gas plays an important role in the Baltic region due to the existing infrastructure, which includes a transmission and distribution pipeline network, gas power plants and a large underground storage reservoir. Replacing natural gas with synthetic methane would fulfil carbon emission reduction ambitions. In this paper, we simulate electricity producers’ actions at market conditions and consider the generation portfolio in the Baltics and the interconnections with Scandinavia and Poland operating in the NORDPOOL electricity market. As a result of these calculations, we obtain the volume of the synthetic gas, the production costs, the volume of gas storage, the installed capacity of the gas power plant, and the investments required to ensure energy transition and system adequacy. These results are essential for the informed decisions made by policymakers, investors and system operators.

TEA of the CO2 capture process in pre-combustion applications using thirty-five physical solvents: Predictions with ANN

A Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) of the CO2 capture process in a pre-combustion 543 MWe power plant was performed for thirty-five physical solvents employed to capture 90 % of CO2 from the sulfur-free fuel gas of the power plant. The process was built in Aspen-Plus v.11 and included one countercurrent fixed-bed CO2 absorber, containing structured (Mellapak 250Y) or random (IMTP50) packing, three flash-drums to regenerate the solvent, and multi-stage compressors to condition the captured CO2 for subsequent sequestration. The process operating expenditure (OPEX), capital expenditure (CAPEX), and levelized cost of CO2 captured (LCOC) were obtained.Aspen-Plus calculations revealed that Mellapak 250Y, having larger specific surface area than IMTP50, improved gas-liquid mass transfer and decreased LCOC; low-temperature operation enhanced CO2 solubility in the solvents and decreased solvent loss, lowering LCOC; high- temperature operation increased volatile solvent loss, increasing LCOC; and among the thirty-five solvents used, diethyl sebacate (DES) had the lowest LCOC ($7.14 per ton of CO2 captured).All Aspen-Plus TEA results were used to develop an Artificial-Neural-Network (ANN), consisting of one-input layer with 11 nodes, two-hidden layers with 10 nodes, and one-output layer with 3 nodes. The ANN was trained, then tested with 40 % and 60 % of the data, respectively; and it predicted the process CAPEX, OPEX, and LCOC with high accuracy. Thus, this ANN can perform TEA of numerous potential new solvents for CO2 capture in seconds compared to hours with Aspen-Plus, which is a significant timesaving, provided that plant capacity, solvent properties, and operating conditions are within its boundaries.

Fuelling phytoremediation: gasoline degradation by green wall systems—a case study

The capacity for indoor plants including green wall systems to remove specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is well documented in the literature; however under realistic settings, indoor occupants are exposed to a complex mixture of harmful compounds sourced from various emission sources. Gasoline vapour is one of the key sources of these emissions, with several studies demonstrating that indoor occupants in areas surrounding gasoline stations or with residentially attached garages are exposed to far higher concentrations of harmful VOCs. Here we assess the potential of a commercial small passive green wall system, commercially named the ‘LivePicture Go’ from Ambius P/L, Australia, to drawdown VOCs that comprise gasoline vapour, including total VOC (TVOC) removal and specific removal of individual speciated VOCs over time. An 8-h TVOC removal efficiency of 42.45% was achieved, along with the complete removal of eicosane, 1,2,3-trimethyl-benzene, and hexadecane. Further, the green wall also effectively reduced concentrations of a range of harmful benzene derivatives and other VOCs. These results demonstrate the potential of botanical systems to simultaneously remove a wide variety of VOCs, although future research is needed to improve upon and ensure efficiency of these systems over time and within practical applications.

Transpiring, phytoncidal and gas-absorbing properties of indoor plants and their role in improving the air quality in preschool environments

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of respiratory diseases among children attending preschool educational institutions highlights the need for prevention of respiratory tract infections. With children spending on average up to 10 hours a day in educational settings, the quality of the indoor air environment, including microbial contamination and low relative humidity, poses a risk for respiratory diseases. Placing a selection of plants in organized groups of children can offer a promising and cost-effective approach to promote health and well-being in the modern preschool education system. AIM: To select indoor plants based on their species and quantity to improve the air quality in organized children’s groups. Moreover, the paper presents recommendations for the installation and maintenance of the plants to create healthier environment for children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among more than 820 species of indoor plants, we have identified the most suitable options for preschool institutions. The selection process involved measuring the dimensions of the plants and the surface area of their leaves using a metric method. To assess the air quality, we conducted air sampling throughout the working week, once per hour, using an aspiration method with a sampling device PU-1B. Simultaneously, we measured the microclimate parameters in all the rooms included in the study. Furthermore, we studied the gas absorption capacity of indoor plants in controlled laboratory conditions within seed chambers with a volume of 200 liters. RESULTS: In rooms where plants were present, the levels of microorganisms varied. The average relative humidity values in all rooms were consistently below the hygienic standard of 40–60%, as outlined in SanPiN 1.2.3685-21, except for specific times. At 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, and 18:00, the relative humidity ranged from 15–35%. When exposed to a formaldehyde concentration of 3 times the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) Chlorophytum comosum reduced it to the regulated value of 0.01 MPC within 38 hours while the corresponding values for Sansevieria trifasciata and Cyperus alternifolius were 24 and 27 hours, respectively. CONCLUSION: Introducing a variety of indoor plants into a preschool educational setting can have significant benefits for air quality. The plants possess phytoncidal, transpiring, and gas-absorbing properties that contribute to a reduction in the overall number of microorganisms, a decrease in chemical pollutants, and an increase in air humidity. Our analysis showed that in the presence of indoor plants, the concentration of formaldehyde decreases to a regulated and safe level.

Anti-fertility and abortifacient activity of hydroalcoholic fruit pulp extract of Tamarindus indica

BackgroundMedicinal plants have been widely used for treatment and management of various diseases. There are many different types of commercialized synthetic contraceptives on the market today for controlling fertility, these cannot be utilized since they have serious side effects such weight gain, hormonal alterations, hypertension, and cancer . In India, indigenous women from Tripura & Maharashtra have historically utilized the fruit pulp of Tamarindus Indicus to induce abortion. However, there is currently no accessible scientific data supporting the use of this plant for fertility control. MethodsThe current study's objective was to evaluate the hydroalcoholic extract of Tamarindus indica fruit pulp's ability to induce abortion in female Wistar rats. In this experimental animal model, contraceptive activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Tamarindus indica (HAETI) was evaluated for anti-implantation, abortifacient, and estrogenic/antiestrogenic action. Female rats having ovariectomies were given HAETI extract (500 mg/kg) for 7 straight days to test to evaluate the estrogenic/anti-estrogenic action. All animals were killed on the eighth day, and the blood serum was then processed to determine the levels of several hormones, including LH, FSH, prolactin, estrogen, and others, as well as biochemical markers including cholesterol, total protein, glycogen, and alkaline phosphates. In this model, modifications to uterine histoarchitecture were also investigated. The extract was administered from the 1 to7 day of pregnancy. On 10th day, laparotomy was performed to evaluate the no. of implants in female rats. ResultsSteroids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, and alkaloids were detected during phytochemical analysis of the extract. the HAETI extract demonstrated significant anti-implantation and abortifacient effects. Additionally, the extract demonstrated significant estrogenic activity as evident by uterine histological parameters including increases in endometrium thickness and height, vaginal cornification. Further, the study found marked increases in glycogen, alkaline phosphate, estrogen, cholesterol levels when given alone or in combination with estradiol valerate. LH, FSH, and a little increase in prolactin levels were suppressed after HAETI administration. ConclusionsOur study's findings showed that Tamarindus indica fruit pulp hydroalcoholic extract has a potent contraceptive effect, which may be explained by the phytoconstituents of the plant's capacity to inhibit implantation and have an estrogenic effect. Further investigation on Tamarindus indica as a potential natural anti-implantation agent allow for new abortive drug.

Predicting Solar Potential: A Comprehensive Analysis of On-Grid Rooftop Solar PV System through HelioScope Design

Abstract: This work focuses on designing an MWh generating On-grid Solar PV system installed in Mangalpally, Hyderabad. Regionally, this location receives 5.5 kWh/sq.mts/day of Solar Energy on an average. The main objective of this paper is to designing and simulation of a Solar PV system using a methodology that is capable of analysing the performance in an optimizable way irrespective of the capacity of the PV plant. Such software is HelioScope- a web-based software developed by Folsom Labs. This paper uses HelioScope methodology for simulation for assess and estimate of the Solar Energy Production. The results verify the Solar PV generation of the considered installation area.

Environmental Impact Assessment and Process Upscaling for Sustainable Production of Cellulose Nanofibre, a Biopolymer Derived from Lignocellulosic Biomass

As an agricultural waste, rice straw has a requisite quality for conversion to nanocellulose; however, the environmental and technical feasibility of the processes available has not been assessed at commercial scale. Therefore, in the present work commercialization and environmental impacts of the cellulose nanofibre (CNF) production from rice straw were evaluated by scaling up the laboratory-scale process to the pilot scale level. Life cycle assessment (LCA) of the laboratory scale process showed the maximum impact of electricity (161 kg CO2 eq) and sodium hydroxide (7.82 kg CO2 eq) on global warming potential; though, the overall impacts got reduced approximately three times (~51 kg CO2 eq for electricity) with the scale-up of the process. When compared with the reported literature both the scales of production were found to have lesser environmental impacts. Further, the techno-economic feasibility of the process was evaluated at different plant capacities for the optimum minimum selling price (MSP) of CNF. At the plant capacity of 15 kg/day, the MSP of CNF was calculated as $16,537.36/tonne dropped to $14,944.87 and $14,590.98/tonne with the increased batch capacity of 30 kg/day and 45 kg/day, respectively. Through sensitivity analysis, the MSP of CNF was observed to be highly sensitive to the cost of capital investment and chemicals cost. In addition, analysis of the uncertainty associated with the identified cost drivers reflects the scope for inherited risks, as determined by the Monte-Carlo simulation method. This study established an environmentally and economically sustainable process for commercialisation of nanocellulose production from agricultural waste at a minimum cost of production.

Radionuclide content in vegetation and soils in the impact zone of the railway track

Purpose. To identify the harmful radiation impact of railway transport on the environment. Methodology. In order to determine the level of radioactive contamination in the impact zone of the railway, soil and plant samples were collected, and relevant radiometric studies were carried out in accordance with the established and approved methods. The peculiarities of the accumulation capacity of plants and soil were investigated and graphical models of radionuclide migration on the Lviv-Sambir railway section were created. Findings. Measurements of the specific activity of 90Sr and 137Cs in plant samples along the railway track showed that grass plants have a lower content of radionuclides and trees have a higher one. It was found that among the herbaceous plants, the species Galium odoratum (L.) Scop. accumulates radionuclides 90Sr most intensively, Geum urbanum L. accumulates 137Cs. These plants can be used as indicators of the territory contaminated with radionuclides. The highest content of radionuclides in tree species is observed in the leaves of grey alder and oak bark. The highest content of K 40 was observed at a distance of 200 m from the railway track, and the lowest content of Th 232 was observed at a distance of 100 m from the railway track. Originality. The results of the research showed a significant variation in the content of radioactive substances in the soils of protective forest plantations. This variation in soil contamination can be explained by the heterogeneity of the above-ground cover and the local impact of plantations on the contaminants’ airborne transport rate. Practical value. Taking into account the fact that the concentration of radionuclides in plants and soil decreases away from the railway tracks, we can state that protective forest plantations delay the spread of the existing radionuclide content to the territories adjacent to the tracks.

Effect of salinity on carbon sequestration in constructed wetlands and its functional mechanisms

Currently, many constructed wetlands (CWs) are facing the threat of salinization, but its effect on the carbon sequestration function of CWs is still unclear. In this study, three CWs with different salinities (i.e., control: C-CW; low salinity: LS-CW; high salinity: HS-CW) were conducted. Increased salinity significantly reduced the carbon sequestration in CWs. The highest carbon sequestration was observed in C-CW (5.1 ± 0.2 kg C·m−2·y-1), and the carbon sequestration capacity of plants was identified as the major influencing factor. The substrate carbon pool decreased with salinity since it altered plant carbon inputs, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure. However, the decrement in the carbon pool management index with salinity indicated that salinity could enhance carbon pool stability and subsequently reduce carbon emissions of CWs. These findings improve the understanding in relationships between salinity and carbon sequestration in CWs and provide theoretical support for the proper management of CWs.

Systemic biochemical changes in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) against Rhizoctonia solani by kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala L.) green manure application

BackgroundIn the search for new alternatives to avoid the problems associated with the use of synthetic chemical fungicides in agriculture, the use of green manure (GrM) could help combat fungal diseases of crops, such as those produced by the necrotrophic pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. In the case of the use of Brassica tissues as GrM, it could have an elicitor capacity for systemic plant resistance.ResultsWe used kale leaves as a GrM and applied it to pepper plants infected with R. solani. The application of freeze-dried kale tissues to the roots of pepper plants produced a systemic activation of foliar defences via the salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (ET) pathways, significantly reducing pathogen damage. In addition, this systemic response led to the accumulation of secondary defence metabolites, such as pipecolic acid, hydroxycoumarin and gluconic acid, in leaves. Remarkably, pepper plants treated with lyophilised kale GrM accumulated glucosinolates when infected with R. solani. We also confirmed that autoclaving removed part of the glucobrassicin (85%) and sinigrin (19%) content of the kale tissues.ConclusionsGrM kale tissues can activate systemic defences in bell pepper against foliar pathogens through SA/ET hormonal pathways, accumulating secondary defence metabolites.

A quantitative autonomous bioluminescence reporter system with a wide dynamic range for Plant Synthetic Biology.

Plant Synthetic Biology aims to enhance the capacities of plants by designing and integrating synthetic gene circuits (SGCs). Quantitative reporting solutions that can produce quick, rich datasets affordably are necessary for SGC optimization. In this paper, we present a new, low-cost, and high-throughput reporter system for the quantitative measurement of gene expression in plants based on autonomous bioluminescence. This method eliminates the need for an exogenous supply of luciferase substrate by exploiting the entire Neonothopanus nambi fungal bioluminescence cyclic pathway to build a self-sustained reporter. The HispS gene, the pathway's limiting step, was set up as the reporter's transcriptional entry point as part of the new system's design, which significantly improved the output's dynamic range and brought it on par with that of the gold standard FLuc/RLuc reporter. Additionally, transient ratiometric measurements in N. benthamiana were made possible by the addition of an enhanced GFP as a normalizer. The performance of new NeoLuc/eGFP system was extensively validated with SGCs previously described, including phytohormone and optogenetic sensors. Furthermore, we employed NeoLuc/eGFP in the optimization of challenging SGCs, including new configurations for an agrochemical (copper) switch, a new blue optogenetic sensor, and a dual copper/red-light switch for tight regulation of metabolic pathways.

Calcium carbonate production from surf clam and ocean quahog shells: Process development and techno-economic analysis

The conversion of surf clam shells (SCS) and ocean quahog shells (QS) into three different grades of CaCO3 products using water and lower-temperature processing was investigated. Coarsely ground shells were boiled in water for 2 h and then washed and dried, followed by fine grinding and heating. To produce the highest quality of CaCO3, the washed ground shells were processed at 300 °C for 2 h. Process modeling and economic analysis were performed on these three products using SuperPro Designer. For a processing plant with an annual capacity of 10,886 MT of waste shells, the highest grade CaCO3 product had the highest predicted economic performance with a net present value of $4.3 M, an internal rate of return of 12.7 %, and payback period of 5.6 years. The sensitivity analysis showed plant capacity and selling price were the predominant variables that affected production economic feasibility.