Continuous Rotation Research Articles

Effect of shell composition on watertightness and mechanical performance of cement-based capsules used as self-healing additives of cement

The aim of this work is the development of cementitious macro-capsules for self-healing cement and concrete materials. Emphasis is placed on shell properties, including size, thickness, strength, and volume to active component ratio. This enhancement is aimed at protecting the healing agent and ensuring adequate reactivity upon crack formation, surpassing survivability considerations. To this direction, core/shell particles have been produced following the pan-coating method, while different types and concentrations of setting acceleration solutions for the shell stabilization were studied. The formation of core-shell capsules encompasses the formation a spherical core through agglomeration, followed by simultaneous spraying of cement powder and a setting acceleration solution for the shell formation, under continuous rotation. The microstructural characteristics of the shell were studied through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while the reactivity of the protected core (reactive agent) inside the hardened mortar mixtures was evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Moreover, the crushing load of the capsules under compression and their survivability during mixing process were examined and interpreted in relation to their diameter, circularity, and shell thickness.The results revealed the ability of the encapsulation methodology proposed to tailor the shell properties and modify the capsule properties so as satisfy the requirements of different applications. The use of setting accelerators during shell formation proved essential for enhancing the density and the strength of the shell layer. As a consequence, this leads to macro-scale capsules with elevated survivability rate and core reactivity.

Influence of Continuous Rotation and Optimal Torque Reverse Kinematics on the Cyclic Fatigue Strength of Endodontic NiTi Clockwise Cutting Rotary Instruments.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the cyclic fatigue strength of clockwise cutting rotary endodontic instruments when subjected to two different kinematics: continuous clockwise rotation and clockwise reciprocation movement under optimum torque reverse (OTR) motion. Methods: New ProTaper Next X1 (n = 20) and X2 (n = 20) instruments were randomly divided into two subgroups (n = 10) based on kinematics (continuous rotation or OTR). The specimens were tested using a custom-made device with a non-tapered stainless-steel artificial canal measuring 19 mm in length, featuring a 6 mm radius and an 86-degree curvature. All instruments were tested with a lubricant at room temperature until a fracture occurred. The time to fracture and the length of the separated fragment were recorded. Subsequently, the fractured instruments were inspected under a scanning electron microscope for signs of cyclic fatigue failure, plastic deformation, and/or crack propagation. The subgroup comparisons for time to fracture and instrument length were performed using the independent samples t-test, with the level of statistical significance set at 0.05. Results: When using OTR movement, the ProTaper Next X1 increased the time to fracture from 52.9 to 125.8 s (p < 0.001), while the ProTaper Next X2 increased from 45.4 to 66.0 s (p < 0.001). No subgroup exhibited plastic deformations, but both showed dimpling marks indicative of cyclic fatigue as the primary mode of failure. Additionally, OTR movement resulted in more metal alloy microcracks. Conclusions: The use of OTR motion extended the lifespan of the tested instruments and resulted in a higher number of metal microcracks. This suggests that OTR motion helped to distribute the mechanical stress more evenly across the instrument, thereby relieving localized tension. As a result, it delayed the formation of a single catastrophic crack, enhancing the overall performance of the instruments during the experimental procedures.

Investigating the deposition of fibrous zeolite particles on leaf surfaces: A novel low-cost method for detecting the presence of airborne hazardous mineral fibers

Naturally occurring fibrous minerals, such as erionite, can pose a significant threat to human health when disturbed and subsequently respired. Understanding the spatial abundance and characteristics of these hazardous fibrous minerals in ambient air is crucial for minimizing human exposure and assessing risk. Conventional detection methods for airborne hazardous mineral fibers, such as those developed for asbestos, are of limited utility in environmental settings where fiber concentrations are low and different fiber types may be present and can be costly especially when monitoring large areas over long periods of time. This study presents an innovative methodology for detecting and identifying the presence of airborne naturally occurring fibrous zeolites, using leaf surface deposition sampling, SEM-EDX analysis for the detection and assessment of elemental composition, and TEM-SAED with continuous rotation diffraction (MicroED) to determine their crystallographic unit cell parameters. In total, 309 fibrous zeolite particles (FZPs) were identified on a range of tree leaf surfaces across 80% of the sampling sites located close to both active and disused zeolite quarries in the Taupo Volcanic Region, New Zealand. The FZPs displayed various morphologies including aggregates, bundles, and fibril-like structures. Of the FZPs detected, 91.2% were < 5µm in length. Tetrahedral Si:(Si+Al) ratio results indicated that 40% of the FZPs were in the reference range for zeolite mordenite. TEM-SAED plus MicroED analysis resulted in 61% of tested FZPs indexed to unit cell parameters that matched with mordenite. This research demonstrates the potential of leaf sampling as a cost-effective method for detecting airborne FZPs while the MicroED data can be utilized for distinguishing between different types of airborne fibrous zeolites in ambient air.

The microbiome of continuous wheat rotations: minor shifts in bacterial and archaeal communities but a source for functionally active plant-beneficial bacteria

Continuous wheat cropping often leads to yield decline, with suspected causes including increased pathogen susceptibility, decreased root growth, or low nutrient use efficiency, though the exact causes remain unknown. Here, we investigated soil and root-associated bacterial and archaeal communities in wheat under rotation versus continuous cultivation, monitored fungal pathogen presence, and used beneficial bacteria to mitigate Gaeumannomyces tritici (Ggt) symptoms in greenhouse experiments. Sampling was conducted at two field sites with different soil textures over two years and at two plant developmental stages, capturing site-specific and seasonal fluctuations. By cultivation, 767 bacterial isolates were screened for plant-beneficial traits. Amplicon sequencing revealed minor effects on community structure due to wheat rotational position but pronounced effects related to site, year, and microhabitat. Rhizoplane isolates with plant-beneficial traits were mainly Flavobacterium, Microbacterium, Pedobacter, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, and Variovorax. Continuous wheat rotations showed the highest proportion of bacteria with fungal antagonistic potential, indicating plant roots’ recruitment of beneficial bacteria. Introducing Ggt in the greenhouse experiment altered the bacterial and archaeal community, confirming field study results and demonstrating that applying beneficial bacteria early in the season at the seedling stage can control Ggt and improve plant growth. This study highlights the dynamic nature of wheat's below-ground bacterial and archaeal community, influenced by soil type, season, and microhabitat, with wheat rotation playing a minor role. In addition, it confirms the potential of selected Bacillus and Pseudomonas isolates, whether used individually or in consortia, for microbe-assisted mitigation of yield decline in intensive wheat production.

Navigation through high-dimensional chemical space: discovery of Ba5Y13[SiO4]8O8.5 and Ba3Y2[Si2O7]2.

Two compounds were discovered in the well-studied BaO-Y2O3-SiO2 phase field. Two different experimental routines were used for the exploration of this system due to the differences of synthetic conditions and competition with a glass field. The first phase Ba5Y13[SiO4]8O8.5 was isolated through a combination of energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis and diffraction techniques which guided the exploration. The second phase Ba3Y2[Si2O7]2 was located using iterative algorithmic identification of target compositions. The structure solution of the new compounds was aided by continuous rotation electron diffraction, and the structures were refined against combined synchrotron and neutron time-of-flight powder diffraction. Ba5Y13[SiO4]8O8.5 crystallizes in I4̄2m, a = 18.92732(1), c = 5.357307(6) Å and represents its own structure type which combines elements of structures of known silicates embedded in columns of interconnected yttrium-centred polyhedra characteristic of high-pressure phases. Ba3Y2[Si2O7]2 has P21 symmetry with a pseudo-tetragonal cell (a = 16.47640(4), b = 9.04150(5), c = 9.04114(7) Å, β = 90.0122(9)°) and is a direct superstructure of the Ca3BaBi[P2O7]2 structure. Despite the lower symmetry, the structure of Ba3Y2[Si2O7]2 retains disorder in both Ba/Y sites and disilicate network, thus presenting a superposition of possible locally-ordered fragments. Ba5Y13[SiO4]8O8.5 has low thermal conductivity of 1.04(5) W m-1 K-1 at room temperature. The two discovered phases provide a rich structural platform for further functional material design. The interplay of automated unknown phase composition identification with multiple diffraction methods offers acceleration of the time-consuming exploration of high-dimensional chemical spaces for new structures.

Crop rotation and green manure type enhance organic carbon fractions and reduce soil arsenic content

Green manure incorporation has recently emerged as a promising strategy for mitigating heavy metals (HMs) contamination and enhancing soil quality. However, there are still many uncertainties regarding the effects of crop rotation and the type of incorporated green manure on soil organic carbon fractions and arsenic (As) mitigation in As-contaminated soil. Thus, a two-phase experiment was conducted to determine the effects of crop rotation and green manure type on the distribution of organic carbon fractions and As accumulation in soil and brown rice plants. It was found that green manure incorporation increases soil nutrient content with an increase in total carbon of 18.64 %, 18.10 %, and 19.83 % under BC-R, AS-R, and LP-R respectively, and enhances organic carbon fractions. Furthermore, soil As concentration was significantly decreased by green manure incorporation for 20.65 %, 20.02 % and 19.99 % under BC-R, AS-R and LP-R respectively while As concentration in brown rice various parts was under permissible limits. This study highlights the complex interactions between green manure-brown rice rotation and green manure incorporation on soil organic carbon fractions, and As content in soil and brown rice, and emphasizes further research to elucidate optimal cultivation strategies of continuous crop rotation and green manure incorporation for sustainable remediation of As-contaminated soils while ensuring food safety.

3D electron diffraction studies of synthetic rhabdophane (DyPO4·nH2O).

In this study, we report the results of continuous rotation electron diffraction studies of single DyPO4·nH2O (rhabdophane) nanocrystals. The diffraction patterns can be fit to a trigonal lattice (P3121) with lattice parameters a= 7.019 (5) and c= 6.417 (5) Å. However, there is also a set of diffuse background scattering features present that are associated with a disordered superstructure that is double these lattice parameters and fits with an arrangement of water molecules present in the structure pore. Pair distribution function (PDF) maps based on the diffuse background allowed the extent of the water correlation to be estimated, with 2-3 nm correlation along the c axis and ∼5 nm along the a/b axis.

Endoscopic OCTA in continuous rotation and retraction scheme using a proximal scanning catheter

Endoscopic optical coherence tomography (OCT) is widely used in the detection of morphological alterations in luminal organs, which provides high-resolution, three-dimensional (3D) images of internal tissues. In most cases, lesions are revealed early by microvascular pathological changes in cavity tissues. There is a significant demand for the performance of endoscopic OCT angiography (OCTA) to visualize the superficial capillaries. Proximal catheters have attracted widespread attention due to the advantages of small size and low cost. However, in comparison with the OCT system using distal catheters, low rotation speed and poor stability of the proximal scanning OCT prolonged its absence of endoscopic OCTA in common commercial and lab systems. In this paper, endoscopic OCTA was realized in the proximal scanning endoscopic OCT system by calculating decorrelation between adjacent B-scan images in the continuous rotation and retraction scheme. A precision registration algorithm was proposed to guarantee the quality of the OCTA image. The feasibility of the endoscopic OCTA was validated using a microfluidic phantom. In vivo studies were performed in the rat rectum, visualizing the intricate microvascular architecture, specifically within the submucosal capillaries. To the best of our knowledge, the first implementation of endoscopic OCTA was achieved under a continuous spiral B-scan rotation scheme in a proximally controlled OCT system, facilitating visualization of blood flow within narrow lumen tissues.

Time Required for Root Canal Retreatment Using Continuous Rotation, Reciprocation, and Optimum Torque Reverse Motions: An In-Vitro Study.

Objective This study aims to evaluate the time required for canal preparation using three different movement kinematics during retreatment: continuous rotational motion, reciprocating motion, and optimum torque reverse (OTR) motion. Materials and methods The sample comprised 45 single-canal mandibular first premolars. The crowns were sectioned to standardize the root length to 16 mm. The root canals were prepared using the AF Gold mechanical preparation system (25/06). The roots were obturated using the lateral condensation technique and kept at 100% humidity at 37°C for seven days. The sample was randomly divided based on the movement pattern used during retreatment into three groups (N = 15): group 1 is continuous rotational motion using the ProTaper Universal Retreatment system; group 2 is reciprocating motion using the WaveOne Gold system; and group 3 is OTR motion using the ProTaper Universal Retreatment system. The retreatment time was measured in seconds by summing two times: T1 (time to reach the apex) and T2 (time to achieve adequate cleaning). The data were statistically analyzed using a one-way ANOVA with a significance level of α = 0.05. Results The results showed that the time required for canal preparation during retreatment with WaveOne Gold files using reciprocating motion was significantly longer than the time needed with ProTaper Universal Retreatment files using continuous rotary motion or OTR motion (P < 0.05). Conclusions The use of OTR motion did not affect the canal preparation time when used with files designed for continuous rotary motion retreatment. The use of WaveOne Gold files for canal preparation during retreatment was associated with a longer working time than ProTaper Universal Retreatment files.

Structural Elucidation and Absolute Stereochemistry for Pharma Compounds Using MicroED.

Microcrystal electron diffraction (microED) is an emerging technique for rapid crystallographic analysis of small molecule micro- and nanocrystals. In this report, we evaluate the applicability of microED to pharmaceutical compounds through the analysis of 30 samples obtained from the process and medicinal chemistry groups at Amgen Inc. Using only 40 h of microscope time, 15 of 30 crystal structures were elucidated. From these crystal structures, all chiral compounds had the correct absolute stereochemistry assigned by dynamical refinement of continuous rotation electron diffraction data, confirming dynamical refinement as a promising tool for the absolute stereochemistry determination of pharmaceutically relevant compounds.

Turn-table micro-CT scanner for dynamic perfusion imaging in mice: design, implementation, and evaluation

Objective.This study introduces a novel desktop micro-CT scanner designed for dynamic perfusion imaging in mice, aimed at enhancing preclinical imaging capabilities with high resolution and low radiation doses.Approach.The micro-CT system features a custom-built rotating table capable of both circular and helical scans, enabled by a small-bore slip ring for continuous rotation. Images were reconstructed with a temporal resolution of 3.125 s and an isotropic voxel size of 65µm, with potential for higher resolution scanning. The system's static performance was validated using standard quality assurance phantoms. Dynamic performance was assessed with a custom 3D-bioprinted tissue-mimetic phantom simulating single-compartment vascular flow. Flow measurements ranged from 1.51to 9 ml min-1, with perfusion metrics such as time-to-peak, mean transit time, and blood flow index calculated.In vivoexperiments involved mice with different genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases to showcase the system's capabilities for perfusion imaging.Main Results.The static performance validation confirmed that the system meets standard quality metrics, such as spatial resolution and uniformity. The dynamic evaluation with the 3D-bioprinted phantom demonstrated linearity in hemodynamic flow measurements and effective quantification of perfusion metrics.In vivoexperiments highlighted the system's potential to capture detailed perfusion maps of the brain, lungs, and kidneys. The observed differences in perfusion characteristics between genotypic mice illustrated the system's capability to detect physiological variations, though the small sample size precludes definitive conclusions.Significance.The turn-table micro-CT system represents a significant advancement in preclinical imaging, providing high-resolution, low-dose dynamic imaging for a range of biological and medical research applications. Future work will focus on improving temporal resolution, expanding spectral capabilities, and integrating deep learning techniques for enhanced image reconstruction and analysis.

Screw transmission structure based triboelectric–electromagnetic hybridized generator for efficiently harvesting energy from a single mechanical stimulation

Among various electromechanical conversion technologies, the triboelectric-electromagnetic hybrid generator (TEHG) stands out with its capacity to operate across a wider frequency range. Nevertheless, extracting more electricity from a single mechanical stimulation remains a significant challenge. In this work, we propose a screw transmission structure based TEHG (ST-TEHG) that converts the contact-separation motion into continuous rotation. This transformation enables the device to produce multiple pulse outputs in both compression and rebound processes. Specifically, the threaded barrel is designed to rotate continuously under the action of the pressing lever. Excess energy is stored as elastic potential energy in the tower spring, which then initiates the threaded barrel’s reverse rotation upon the release of external force. Through systematical optimization of the screw transmission structure and device’s performances, ST-TEHG achieves an energy utilization efficiency that is 70.86 times than the device with conventional contact-separation mode in an operating cycle. The developed ST-TEHG demonstrates promising applications in smart factories for indoor conditions monitoring, such as temperature and humidity, assembly line monitoring, and hazardous zones warning. This screw transmission structure sets a precedent for highly efficient mechanical energy harvesting, propelling the practical advancement of hybrid generators.

High-Resolution Rotation-Measuring System for MEMS Ultrasonic Motors Using Tunneling Magnetoresistance Sensors.

This study proposes a high-resolution rotation-measuring system for miniaturized MEMS ultrasonic motors using tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) sensors for the first time. Initially, the architecture and principle of the rotation-measuring system are described in detail. Then, the finite element simulation is implemented to determine the miniaturized permanent magnet's residual magnetization, dimensions, and TMR sensor position. Finally, the experiments are implemented to evaluate the performance. Using calibration based on a high-precision servo motor, it is found that the relationship between the output and rotational angle is highly linear and immune to the rotor's out-of-plane movement. Meanwhile, the angle-detecting resolution is higher than 0.1°. After the calibration, the continuous rotation of the MEMS ultrasonic motor is tested. It is found that the angle testing result varies with a period close to 360°, which indicates that the rotation-measuring system has successfully detected the motor's rotation.

A multi-stable rotational energy harvester for arbitrary bi-directional horizontal excitation at ultra-low frequencies for self-powered sensing

A rotational multi-stable energy harvester has been presented in this paper for harnessing broadband ultra-low frequency vibrations. The novel design adopts a toroidal-shaped housing to contain a rolling sphere magnet which absorbs mechanical energy from bidirectional base excitations and performs continuous rotational movement to transfer the energy using electromagnetic transduction. Eight alternating tethering magnets are placed underneath its rolling path to induce multi-stable nonlinearity in the system, to capture low-frequency broadband vibrations. Electromagnetic transduction mechanism has been employed by mounting eight series connected coils aligned with the stable regions in the rolling path of the sphere magnet, aiming to achieve greater power generation due to optimized rate of change of magnetic flux. A theoretical model has been established to explore the multi-stable dynamics under varying low-frequency excitation up to 5 Hz and 3 g acceleration amplitudes. An experimental prototype has been fabricated and tested under low frequency excitation conditions. The harvester is capable of operating in intra-well, cross-well, and continuous rotation mode depending on the input excitation, and the validated physical device can generate a peak power of 5.78 mW with 1.4 Hz and 0.8 g sinusoidal base excitation when connected to a 405 Ω external load. The physical prototype is also employed as a part of a self-powered sensing node and it can power a temperature sensor to get readings every 13 s on average from human motion, successfully demonstrating its effectiveness in practical wireless sensing applications.

Illumination and Shadows in Head Rotation: Experiments with Denoising Diffusion Models

Accurately modeling the effects of illumination and shadows during head rotation is critical in computer vision for enhancing image realism and reducing artifacts. This study delves into the latent space of denoising diffusion models to identify compelling trajectories that can express continuous head rotation under varying lighting conditions. A key contribution of our work is the generation of additional labels from the CelebA dataset, categorizing images into three groups based on prevalent illumination direction: left, center, and right. These labels play a crucial role in our approach, enabling more precise manipulations and improved handling of lighting variations. Leveraging a recent embedding technique for Denoising Diffusion Implicit Models (DDIM), our method achieves noteworthy manipulations, encompassing a wide rotation angle of ±30°. while preserving individual distinct characteristics even under challenging illumination conditions. Our methodology involves computing trajectories that approximate clouds of latent representations of dataset samples with different yaw rotations through linear regression. Specific trajectories are obtained by analyzing subsets of data that share significant attributes with the source image, including light direction. Notably, our approach does not require any specific training of the generative model for the task of rotation; we merely compute and follow specific trajectories in the latent space of a pre-trained face generation model. This article showcases the potential of our approach and its current limitations through a qualitative discussion of notable examples. This study contributes to the ongoing advancements in representation learning and the semantic investigation of the latent space of generative models.

Analysis of the Effect of Slow-Varying Errors on Rotary Modulation Systems.

Rotation modulation is a technique that relies on the specific rotation of an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to achieve the self-compensation of device errors. Common rotation schemes are classified into two modes: continuous rotation and a rotation-stop combination. Aiming at the problem of the poor modulation of slow-varying errors in the rotation-stop combination mode, a detailed analysis is conducted on the modulation effects of slow-varying errors in three schemes employing different rotation modes. Firstly, a detailed mathematical analysis is performed on the influence of gyro slow-varying drifts on two rotation modes, and the analysis results are validated through simulations. Subsequently, simulation experiments are conducted on three schemes to analyze their modulation effects on the slow-varying errors of inertial devices. The simulation results reveal that the modified dual-axis rotation scheme exhibits superior modulation effects on the slow-varying errors of inertial devices compared to the dual-axis sixteen-position rotation scheme and the multi-axis alternating continuous rotation scheme.

Positioning therapy for intensive care patients

The current S3 guideline, "Positioning Therapy and Mobilization of Critically Ill Patients in Intensive Care Units", introduces methodological changes and substantive updates compared to the previous version. Additionally, new evidence-based insights with specified PICO questions have been integrated, aiming for a more precise application of recommendations in clinical practice and thus enhancing the care of critically ill patients.A notable aspect is the more nuanced approach to early mobilization, which is recommended to commence within the first 72 hours of ICU admission. A staged concept and score-based mobilization schema facilitate improved patient rehabilitation. Mobilization should be standard of care, i.e., immobilization should be ordered by the physician. The guideline provides suggestions for the duration and additional mobilization measures to ensure patients stand, transfer actively from bed to chair, or walk as frequently as possible. These recommendations apply even during ECMO therapy, highlighting the importance of early mobilization.Further updates include semi-recumbent positions of at least 40° in intubated patients, with careful consideration of potential side effects. Continuous lateral rotation therapy (CLRT) is not advised due to the progress in intensive care therapy, shifting from deep sedation toward responsive patient management.Prone positioning (PP) involves rotating the patient 180° onto the ventral side. It is recommended as a therapeutic option for invasively ventilated patients with ARDS and impaired arterial oxygenation (PaO2/FiO2 <150mmHg), with a recommended minimum duration of 12 hours, ideally 16 hours. Special recommendations apply, for example, to COVID-19 patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, where awake proning should be considered.Additionally, new chapters have been introduced focusing on assistive devices and neuromuscular electrical stimulation.

Microstructural evolution and modified constitutive model of nanoscale Al2O3 dispersion-strengthened copper under high strain rate deformation

The dynamic mechanical properties and behaviors of an oxide dispersion strengthened copper alloy (ODS Cu) are investigated herein within a strain rate range of 1000–5000 s−1 using a split Hopkinson pressure bar to offer theoretical guidelines for potential applications. The mechanisms of plastic deformation and dynamic recrystallization of ODS Cu were studied by analyzing the microstructure evolution during dynamic compression. The results demonstrate that the strain rate sensitivity of ODS Cu exceeds that of pure Cu, which is beneficial for resisting dynamic high-speed impacts. The accumulation of dislocations and generation of an adiabatic temperature rise during high strain rate deformation promote the splitting of the original grains and the formation of dynamically recrystallized grains. The dominant Goss and cube textures transformed into R-cube textures with increasing strain due to the continuous rotation of subgrains and recrystallized grains. By considering the coupled effects of strain and strain rate, the Johnson-Cook model was modified according to the Voce hardening law. The modified Johnson-Cook model exhibits good agreement with the experimental data across a wide range of strain rates. This study provides insight into the dynamic mechanical behavior of ODS Cu.

Co-composting to close the cycle of resources during rose cultivation in Kenya: An agronomic and pesticide residue assessment

Recycling green waste through composting is a promising practice for the transition towards a bio-based circular economy in the floricultural sector of Africa, especially for Kenya where cut flower export accounts for nearly 14 % of its total export value in 2017. Rose waste is a large waste stream, but its intrinsic properties make it challenging to recycle. Composting on commercial scale was studied on a rose farm near Lake Naivasha, (Kenya). Three mixtures were examined: (1) rose waste (RW) only, (2) 80 % RW + 20 % tomato waste and (3) 90 % RW + 10 % mature rose compost. Trapezoidal piles of approximately 4000 kg green waste were composted following the turned windrow approach, samples were taken at six occasions. The nine-month composting study, including pesticide fate assessment, showed consistent performance across tested mixtures. All mixtures resulted in mature and stable compost with C/N ratios below 10 and a high fertilizing potential, meeting international sanitation requirements. Final average volume reduction was 82 %, total N values ranged between 8.1 and 8.9 mg g−1 compost and pH values were alkaline (8.0–8.3). Out of the approximately 50 pesticides commonly used in rose cultivation only 8–12 pesticides could be detected in the matured composts with the highest contribution of flubendiamide and fluopyram. Scenario analysis showed the feasibility of closing the resource cycle in the African floricultural sector via continuous crop rotation over eight years with an amendment rate of 11.5 kg per m2. Overall, this study provided straightforward implementable practices for rose waste management, which facilitates the re-use of valuable green waste in Africa and thereby contributes to the transition towards a global circular economy.

Wax "Tails" Enable Planthopper Nymphs to Self-Right Midair and Land on Their Feet.

The striking appearance of wax 'tails'-posterior wax projections on planthopper nymphs-has captivated entomologists and naturalists alike. Despite their intriguing presence, the functional roles of these formations remain largely unexplored. This study leverages high-speed imaging to uncover the biomechanical implications of wax structures in the aerial dynamics of planthopper nymphs (Ricania sp.). We quantitatively demonstrate that removing wax tails significantly increases body rotations during jumps. Specifically, nymphs without wax undergo continuous rotations, averaging 4.2 ± 1.8 per jump, in contrast to wax-intact nymphs, who do not complete a full rotation, averaging only 0.7 ± 0.2 per jump. This along with significant reductions in angular and translational velocity from takeoff to landing suggest that aerodynamic drag forces on wax structures effectively counteract rotation. These stark differences in body rotation correlate with landing success: Nymphs with wax intact achieve a near perfect landing rate of 98.5%, while those without wax manage only a 35.5% success rate. Jump trajectory analysis reveals that wax-intact jumps transition from parabolic to asymmetric shapes at higher takeoff velocities and show a significantly greater reduction in velocity from takeoff to landing compared to wax-removed jumps, demonstrating how wax structures help nymphs achieve more stable and controlled descents. Our findings confirm the aerodynamic self-righting functionality of wax tails in stabilizing planthopper nymph landings, advancing our understanding of the complex relationship between wax morphology and aerial maneuverability, with broader implications for wingless insect aerial adaptations and bioinspired robotics.