Conventional Production Methods Research Articles

Soybean crop intensification for sustainable aboveground-underground plant–soil interactions

The major challenge of growing soybean, other than unfavorable weather and small farm size, is the non-availability of quality inputs at the right time. Furthermore, in soybean growing regions, crop productivity and soil environment have deteriorated due to the use of traditional varieties and conventional methods of production. Soybean crop intensification or system of crop intensification in soybean (SCI) is an agricultural production system that boosts soybean yields, improves the soil environment, and maximizes the efficiency of input utilization, although the contribution of SCI to crop productivity is not well understood as different genotypes of soybean exhibit different physiological responses. Therefore, a field study was conducted in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 using three crop establishment methods (SCI at a 45 cm × 45 cm row spacing, SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm, and a conventional method at 45 cm × 10 cm) assisted in vertical strips with four genotypes (Pusa 9,712, PS 1347, DS 12–13, and DS 12–5) using a strip-plot design with three replications. Compared with standard methods of cultivation, the adoption of SCI at 45 cm × 45 cm resulted in a significantly higher stomatal conductance (0.211 mol H2O m−2 s−1), transpiration rate (7.8 mmol H2O m−2 s−1), and net photosynthetic rate (398 mol CO2 m−2 s−1). The implementation of an SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm had significantly greater intercepted photosynthetic active radiation (PAR) (1,249 mol m−2 s−1) than the conventional method system, increasing crop yield from 9.6 to 13.3% and biomass yield from 8.2 to 10.7%. In addition, under an SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm, there were more nodules, significantly larger root volume and surface density, and increased NPK uptake compared with the other methods. Significantly greater soil dehydrogenase activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, acetylene-reducing assay, total polysaccharides, microbial biomass carbon, and soil chlorophyll were found with SCI at 45 cm × 45 cm (13.63 g TPF g−1 soil hr.−1, 93.2 g p-nitro phenol g−1 soil hr.−1, 25.5 n moles ethylene g−1 soil hr.−1, 443.7 mg kg−1 soil, 216.5 mg kg−1 soil, and 0.43 mg g−1 soil, respectively). Therefore, the adoption of an SCI at 30 cm × 30 cm and/or 45 cm × 45 cm could provide the best environment for microbial activities and overall soil health, as well as the sustainable productivity of soybean aboveground.

Morphology and functional properties of gelatin‐based films modified by UV radiation and bacterial cellulose nanofibers

AbstractIn the present study, the properties of biodegradable gelatin‐based films were modified by UV treatment and the incorporation of 1% (w/w) of bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers. UVC light was applied at different exposure times (0, 0.5, 1, and 2 h) into the film‐forming solutions. In order to evaluate the synergistic effects of these two treatments, the optimal UV condition was also applied to BC‐reinforced solutions. Films were characterized by their physicochemical, mechanical, barrier, optical, thermal, and morphological properties. Results showed that the UV treatment applied for 2 h significantly reduced the water solubility (WS) but did not affect the water vapor permeability (WVP). On the other hand, the incorporation of BC reduced WS and WVP values by 15% and 43%, respectively. Regarding mechanical properties, both treatments significantly reduced film elongation at break. However, the tensile strength (TS) and Young's modulus (YM) were only affected by UV treatment. For the film exposed to the longest treatment time, TS increased from 1.56 MPa (control) to 2.85 MPa, and YM increased from 4.36 MPa (control) to 9.23 MPa. Overall, SEM results showed that all samples had a uniform surface and a cohesive matrix. However, BC‐reinforced films showed some additional clusters, which significantly increased opacity values. Regardless of their composition, all gelatin‐based films lost their integrity after a 12‐day soil burial experiment. Film thickness, moisture content, and color parameters were not affected by any treatment. Furthermore, no synergistic effects were detected.Practical applicationsBiopolymer films and coatings are promising systems to ensure shelf life, quality, and food safety, representing a sustainable alternative to replace traditional petroleum‐based materials. Although these films have advantages, mainly due to their biodegradability, their properties are not competitive at an industrial level and need to be improved. Therefore, several studies have investigated the application of physical treatments and new process methodologies to overcome these limitations. The present study evaluated the potential use of UV radiation and bacterial cellulose nanofibers in the development of gelatin‐based films. Overall, the results showed that these methods are capable of modifying the properties and structure of films, thus offering an alternative to conventional methods of film production. Mastering the use of advanced technologies for film development could be the key to tailoring biopolymer films and coatings for specific industrial applications.

Evaluation of the alternating magnetic field (AMF) influence in catalytic activities of enzymes immobilized into magnetic graphene oxide: A new approach

The conventional methods of production of biofuels generate hazardous by-products, one way to reduce them, by using reusable enzymatic process that requires insoluble enzyme carriers. This investigation allowed the obtention of magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) carrier containing aminosilane functional groups with and without the crosslinker glutaraldehyde. Thus, it was possible to immobilize cellulases and lipases enzymes and evaluate its enzymatic activity in normal conditions, as well as the novelty that was under alternating magnetic field (AMF) conditions. Through enzymatic essays it was determined the optimal working activities for both enzymes using these two magnetic carriers, being pH 4 and 60ºC for cellulases and pH 5 and 50ºC for lipase. Different frequencies were used during AMF test (20, 30, 50 and 70 kHz) and it was confirmed for both groups that with the increase in frequency during the reaction, the less pronounced will be the activity decrease at pH values different from the optimal condition. Due to magnetic properties from the carrier and the medium reaction used the recycle test was satisfactory for the two immobilized groups of the cellulase enzyme, being recycled 9 times without losses greater than 50 % of relative activity. As for the two groups of immobilized lipases, drastic decreases in activity were observed, possibly caused by the strong enzyme/substrate interaction. For both groups of immobilized enzymes, an inhibitory behavior of the glutaraldehyde reagent, widely used as an enzyme/carrier cross-linker, was also observed. Nevertheless, the immobilization of cellulase and lipases enzymes into MGO derivates shows a promising and suitable strategy for the conversion of cellulose and long-chain acyl esters into value-added inputs.

Turning Carbon Dioxide into Sustainable Food and Chemicals: How Electrosynthesized Acetate Is Paving the Way for Fermentation Innovation.

ConspectusThe agricultural and chemical industries are major contributors to climate change. To address this issue, hybrid electrocatalytic-biocatalytic systems have emerged as a promising solution for reducing the environmental impact of these key sectors while providing economic onboarding for carbon capture technology. Recent advancements in the production of acetate via CO2/CO electrolysis as well as advances in precision fermentation technology have prompted electrochemical acetate to be explored as an alternative carbon source for synthetic biology. Tandem CO2 electrolysis coupled with improved reactor design has accelerated the commercial viability of electrosynthesized acetate in recent years. Simultaneously, innovations in metabolic engineering have helped leverage pathways that facilitate acetate upgrading to higher carbons for sustainable food and chemical production via precision fermentation. Current precision fermentation technology has received much criticism for reliance upon food crop-derived sugars and starches as feedstock which compete with the human food chain. A shift toward electrosynthesized acetate feedstocks could help preserve arable land for a rapidly growing population.Technoeconomic analysis shows that using electrochemical acetate instead of glucose as a fermentation feedstock reduces the production costs of food and chemicals by 16% and offers improved market price stability. Moreover, given the rapid decline in utility-scale renewable electricity prices, electro-synthesized acetate may become more affordable than conventional production methods at scale. This work provides an outlook on strategies to further advance and scale-up electrochemical acetate production. Additional perspective is offered to help ensure the successful integration of electrosynthesized acetate and precision fermentation technologies. In the electrocatalytic step, it is critical that relatively high purity acetate can be produced in low-concentration electrolyte to help ensure that minimal treatment of the electrosynthesized acetate stream is needed prior to fermentation. In the biocatalytic step, it is critical that microbes with increased tolerances to elevated acetate concentrations are engineered to help promote acetate uptake and accelerate product formation. Additionally, tighter regulation of acetate metabolism via strain engineering is essential to improving cellular efficiency. The implementation of these strategies would allow the coupling of electrosynthesized acetate with precision fermentation to offer a promising approach to sustainably produce chemicals and food. Reducing the environmental impact of the chemical and agricultural sectors is necessary to avoid climate catastrophe and preserve the habitability of the planet for future generations.

Liposomes as Drug Carriers: Classification, Preparation Methods, and Medicinal Use

Liposomes are one of the most well-known and promising nanoscale drug delivery systems. Liposomal medicinal products are successfully used in clinical practice for cardiovascular, oncological, dermatological, and other indications. The development of liposomes and their widespread implementation in clinical practice are relevant tasks.The aim of the study was to summarise and analyse scientific data regarding the structure, composition, and classification of liposomes, as well as specific aspects of liposome production methods.This review covers up-to-date information on marketed liposomal medicinal products. The authors illustrate how production methods affect the composition and structure of liposomes. The size and lamellarity are important characteristics of liposomes that determine the encapsulation efficiency and biodistribution of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The choice of excipients depends on the intended use of liposomal medicinal products. The article summarises the main liposome production methods, highlighting specific usage aspects, advantages and disadvantages. Conventional liposome production methods are easy to apply and do not require complex equipment, and their principal disadvantages include the low efficiency of API encapsulation within liposomes and the high complexity of scaling up technological processes. The authors pay special attention to microfluidic techniques for liposome preparation, which are characterised by a highly controlled technological process (in terms of size distribution and lamellarity), high reproducibility, and scalability to the level of industrial production and are applicable to encapsulating different APIs.

Biodiesel Fuel Production from Soybean Oil Using a Microreactor

The synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester from soybean oil was examined. A microreactor was used as a reactor, and the results were compared with those by batch reaction. In a batch reaction experiment, the concentration of by-product glycerol was large when methanol/soybean oil ratio was low, which inhibited the mass transfer between methanol and oil, and as a result, reduced fatty acid methyl ester yield. On the other hand, when the reaction was conducted under an emulsion state using a microreactor, the initial reaction rate was significantly increased, achieving a specific interfacial area about 7 times larger than that of the batch reaction. Furthermore, the decrease in reaction rate was suppressed and the space-time fatty acid methyl ester yield was successfully increased. When the reaction was conducted under a segmented flow state, the initial reaction rate decreased because of the smaller specific interfacial area. However, the mass transfer coefficient increased about 30-fold, and furthermore, the phase separation was completed immediately after the reaction. Finally, the high temperature and high-pressure flow operation was conducted using a microreactor, which enabled an efficient fatty acid methyl ester production from soybean oil at 2 – 3 times higher space-time yield with less amount of catalyst and/or methanol use compared to the conventional batch production method.

Interactions Between Organic and Conventional Markets from Pest and Disease Outbreaks: The Case of the U.S. Apple Industry

AbstractWe use a dynamic model of the U.S. apple industry separated into organic and conventional production to better measure the impacts of pest or disease outbreaks on producers and consumers, along with an equilibrium displacement model to simulate welfare effects from various shocks compared to a baseline. Our results show that the impacts of the outbreaks differ between organic and conventional production methods. Growers’ and consumers’ responses to shocks differ widely across the industry. Farmers and policy makers should use these findings to appropriately respond to different shocks and production methods.

Life Cycle Analysis of a Green Solvothermal Synthesis of LFP Nanoplates for Enhanced LIBs in Chile.

Despite the structural and electrochemical advantages of LiFePO4 (LFP) as a cathode material, the solid-state reaction commonly used as a method to produce it at the industrial level has known disadvantages associated with high energy and fossil fuel consumption. On the other hand, solution-based synthesis methods present a more efficient way to produce LFP and have advantages such as controlled crystal growth, homogeneous morphology, and better control of pollutant emissions because the reaction occurs within a closed system. From an environmental point of view, different impacts associated with each synthesis method have not been studied extensively. The use of less polluting precursors during synthesis, as well as efficient use of energy and water, can provide new insights into the advantages of each cathode material for more environmentally friendly batteries. In this work, a solvothermal method is compared to a solid-state synthesis method commonly used to elaborate LFPs at the commercial level in order to evaluate differences in the environmental impacts of both processes. The solvothermal method used was developed considering the reutilization of solvent, water reflux, and a low thermal treatment to reduce pollutant emissions. As a result, a single high crystallinity olivine phase LFP was successfully synthesized. The use of ethylene glycol (EG) as a reaction medium enabled the formation of crystalline LFP at a low temperature (600 °C) with a nano-plate-like shape. The developed synthesis method was evaluated using life cycle analysis (LCA) to compare its environmental impact against the conventional production method. LCA demonstrated that the alternative green synthesis process represents 60% and 45% of the Resource Depletion impact category (water and fossil fuels, respectively) of the conventional method. At the same time, in the Climate change and Particular matter impact categories, the values correspond to 49 and 38% of the conventional method, respectively.

Optimal Configuration of a Hybrid Photovoltaic/Wind Turbine/Biomass/Hydro-Pumped Storage-Based Energy System Using a Heap-Based Optimization Algorithm

Recently, renewable energy resources (RESs) have been utilized to supply electricity to remote areas, instead of the conventional methods of electrical energy production. In this paper, the optimal design of a standalone hybrid RES comprising photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), and biomass sources as well as an energy storage system, such as a hydro-pumped storage system, is studied. The problem of the optimal sizing of the generating units in the proposed energy system is formulated as an optimization problem and the algorithms heap-based optimizer (HBO), grey wolf optimizer (GWO), and particle swarm optimization (PSO) are applied to achieve the optimal sizing of each component of the proposed grid-independent hybrid system. The optimization problem is formulated depending on the real-time meteorological data of the Ataka region on the Red Sea in Egypt. The main goal of the optimization process is to minimize the cost of energy (COE) and the loss of power supply probability (LPSP), while satisfying the constraints of system operation. The results clarify that the HBO algorithm succeeded in obtaining the best design for the selected RE system with the minimum COE of 0.2750 USD/kWh and a net present cost (NPC) of USD 8,055,051. So, the HBO algorithm has the most promising performance over the GWO algorithm in addressing this optimization problem.

IRMOF-3 nanosheet-filled glass fiber membranes for efficient separation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide

Metal-organic framework (MOF) nanosheets have been identified as promising membrane materials for various separation applications. However, the development of MOF nanosheet membranes for practical applications is impeded by the difficulties in preparing ultrathin nanosheets and the limitations of conventional membrane production methods. For the first time, conveniently prepared and purified isoreticular MOF-3 (IRMOF-3) nanosheets are filled into macroporous glass fiber (GF) filters to prepare IRMOF-3 nanosheet-filled GF (IRMOF-3@GFX, X = filling amount expressed in mg) membranes. The IRMOF-3@GF2.0 membrane exhibits an impressively high H2/CO2 selectivity of 1341 ± 134, and the H2 permeance reaches 974 ± 41 gas permeance units (GPU). In addition, the IRMOF-3@GF2.0 membrane shows excellent durability with no performance degradation during a 150-h test. Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations are performed to investigate the H2/CO2 separation mechanism and the results suggest a synergistic separation mode based on selective adsorption and size exclusion. The innovative filled-membrane fabrication route and the presented gas separation mechanism offer a new strategy to design and prepare MOF nanosheet-based gas separation membranes.

A Bibliometric Analysis on Life Cycle Assessment of Bricks

Conventional production methods used in the production process of bricks as a building material causes several impacts on the environment and climate change due to greenhouse gas emissions and waste generation. The life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is used to determine a material's carbon footprint from cradle to grave, including all production processes from the extraction of raw materials to the disposal of waste materials or re-use of recycled materials. It is important to examine the energy and material flow of the product using the LCA methodology to develop sustainable solutions in the production processes of brick material. This preliminary study aims to review existing LCA approaches about bricks, obtain bibliometric data from the published papers that include the analysis of the life cycle of bricks, and form a basis for the main study by analyzing literature data. Within the scope of this study, the bibliometric analysis method is used to examine available literature about the LCA of bricks, research gaps are investigated, and bibliometric mapping is implemented using several co-occurrences such as authorship, publication years, countries, keywords, etc. Web of Science and Scopus databases are used for bibliometric mapping. The results of the study show that it is an emerging research topic mostly studied in the context of environmental sciences, engineering, and technology that needs further research, especially in Turkey. Also, this topic is generally covered with and related to building materials, sustainability, waste management, biosolids, carbon emission, environmental impacts, recycling, and circular economy.

Comparison of PCB Based Actuator Coils for Untethered Actuation

Recently magnetic actuation has become a versatile tool for manipulation on both the micro and macro scale. Due to the problems arising from scale, conventional electromagnet production methods are insufficient to produce the desired electromagnets to be used for this purpose. To solve the problems arising from this situation, researchers have been forced to work in alternative electromagnet production and application areas and paved the way for PCB-based electromagnetic actuators. For this reason, this article will explain the design principles of PCB planar coils for electromagnetic actuator applications and will provide the basis for later studies to create a coil matrix using this coil design and an actuator that can move ferromagnetic particles or magnets in the plane with this 2D coil matrix. The presented project design steps can be listed as follows; First of all, to be able to design a coil that consists of copper paths on the PCB and can meet expectations (homogeneous magnetic field, high magnetic force/current ratio). PCB coils consisting of square, circular and hexagonal coils are manufactured and various measurements are made. The measured results are consistent with the simulated results proving the accuracy and applicability of PCB coil actuators, and they are highly suitable for a new actuator version. In the tests carried out, coils energized with 1A can provide a maximum field strength of 1400 (A/m) and an average of 900 (A/m) and due to the lack of magnetic core, the created magnetic field has the shape of a bell. In order to overcome this situation, it is foreseen that making studies to increase the working current and, as a more important development, switching from the planar single-layer structure to the structure of two or more layers can increase the magnetic field produced by this type of coils, but this layer increase should take into account the cost and PCB production and application capabilities. should be made available.

Developing an in vitro elicitation strategy for specialized secondary metabolites production in adventitious root cultures of Primula veris subsp. veris

The demand for new sources of bioactive plant secondary metabolites (SMs) with importance as pharmaceutical and food additives, cosmetics and flavors, have emerged as rising scientific topic in parallel to the protection of natural habitats due to overexploitation and decreasing of biodiversity. Cowslip (Primula veris L. subsp. veris) is a perennial medicinal plant in which pharmaceutically important SMs such as phenolic acids glycosides (primulaverin, primeverin) and triterpene saponins (primulic acid I and II) are produced in the roots and aerial parts. These metabolites serve as quality markers for the evaluation of raw materials used for the production of expectorant and diuretic drugs. Alternatively to traditional soil-cultivation of whole plants, in vitro adventitious root production systems have the potential for elevated and stable production of plant SMs through elicitation processes. Additionally, these systems have an advantageous perspective from ecological and economical aspect comparing with conventional method for mass production of valuable compounds. In the present study eight abiotic elicitors [salicylic acid (SA), cazeine hydrolysate (CH), L-proline, silver nitrate (AgNO3), cobalt chloride (CoCl2), sucrose, jasmonic acid (JA) and putrescine], under a 60-day culture period into 250 mL flasks were tested. Afterwards, the following three elicitors applied in single (100 mg/L CH, 100 mg/L L-proline, 25 μM JA) or combinations (JA + CH, JA + L-proline), under two exposure times (30 and 60 days). The results showed that primeverin [35.7 mg/g dry weight (DW)], and cumulative phenolic acids glycosides (52.9 mg/g) content, yield index (YI) of primeverin (97.4 mg of pure dry extract), cumulative phenolic acids glycosides (144.4 mg), primulic acid I (37.2 mg), primulic acid II (9.1 mg) and cumulative saponins (45.4 mg), as well as root fresh biomass growth rate (× 10.2-fold), and root DW (2.7 g) were promoted after elicitation with 100 mg/L L-proline for 60 days. Primulaverin (23.6 mg/g), primeverin (14.4 mg/g) and the cumulative phenolic acids glycosides (38.1 mg/g) content was considerably maximized after treatment with 25 μM JA for 30 days. Combined elicitation of roots with 25 μM JA + 100 mg/L L-proline for 30 days, indicated the highest content in primulic acid II (5.9 mg/g), cumulative saponins (22 mg/g), while primulic acid I represented the highest content under 100 μM JA for 60 days (27 mg/g). Among the eight elicitors tested, L-proline, JA, and L-proline + JA proved to be the most beneficial treatments for SMs production. Following that, root fresh biomass growth rate (× 8.1), content, and YI of primulaverin (14.3 mg/g, 149.1 mg), primeverin (0.3 mg/g, 3.2 mg), cumulative phenolic acids glycosides (14.6 mg/g, 152.3 mg), primulic acid I (10.3 mg/g, 93.3 mg), primulic acid II (2.5 mg/g, 19.2 mg), and cumulative saponins (12.8 mg/g, 112.5 mg) were considerably higher after 90 days of culture in a 2 L balloon bubble type bioreactor system than after 60 days. Elicitor type, elicitor concentration, and elicitation exposure duration are factors that play a key role in the production of SMs. In the present study, the importance of abiotic elicitation strategies, and bioreactor systems which are novel in the scale-up process, on adventitious root in vitro cultures of P. veris subsp. veris have been discussed in detail and are highlighted for the first time. The production systems applied herein lay the possibilities for the large-scale manufacturing of specialized plant-derived SMs including triterpene saponins and phenolic acid glycosides, presenting commercial applications due to higher root biomass and bioactive compounds productivity obtained.

Use of Microfluidics to Prepare Lipid-Based Nanocarriers.

Lipid-based nanoparticles (LBNPs) are an important tool for the delivery of a diverse set of drug cargoes, including small molecules, oligonucleotides, and proteins and peptides. Despite their development over the past several decades, this technology is still hindered by issues with the manufacturing processes leading to high polydispersity, batch-to-batch and operator-dependent variability, and limits to the production volumes. To overcome these issues, the use of microfluidic techniques in the production of LBNPs has sharply increased over the past two years. Microfluidics overcomes many of the pitfalls seen with conventional production methods, leading to reproducible LBNPs at lower costs and higher yields. In this review, the use of microfluidics in the preparation of various types of LBNPs, including liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and solid lipid nanoparticles for the delivery of small molecules, oligonucleotides, and peptide/protein drugs is summarized. Various microfluidic parameters, as well as their effects on the physicochemical properties of LBNPs, are also discussed.

What do frontline communities want to know about lithium extraction? Identifying research areas to support environmental justice in Lithium Valley, California

Clean energy technologies provide global benefits through climate mitigation and many local environmental benefits for consumers. However, the supply chains that produce them inevitably impose some environmental burden on the communities where they operate. To align with the principles of environmental justice, the burdens and benefits of clean energy supply chains should be distributed equitably, with decision-making processes that empower local communities to participate. Academic research can play a key role as a source of transparent information that addresses the concerns of frontline communities; however, this requires deliberate effort during the initial stages of research to understand what those concerns are and seek data that will respond to them. As a case study, this article analyzes public meetings about a developing lithium industry in Imperial, California, and reviews relevant literature to build a research agenda that is guided by the priorities of local stakeholders. We find that water consumption, public health impacts, local employment, and opportunities to participate are high-priority topics for community members. We also compare the content of discussions across groups, finding that participants in community-focused meetings mainly asked about the local impacts of the process, whereas state-led discussions focused on the sustainability of direct lithium extraction compared to conventional production methods. To address the priorities of frontline communities, we recommend evaluating water consumption in the context of regional availability, including local air emissions and waste streams in sustainability analyses, and monitoring the impact on local employment over time to ensure the promises made during development accrue to communities.

Mechanical properties of PLA based closed porous structures manufactured using FDM process

PurposeThe purpose of this article covers the design and manufacture of porous materials that can be used in different engineering applications by additive manufacturing.Design/methodology/approachThe most important design parameters of the porous materials are the cell structure and wall thickness. These two design criteria are difficult to control in porous materials produced by conventional production methods. In the study, two different wall thicknesses and four different pore diameters of the porous structure were determined as design parameters.FindingsA compression test was applied to the produced samples. Also, the densities of the produced samples were compared. As a result of the study, changes in mechanical properties were observed according to the cell wall thickness and pore size.Originality/valueThe originality of the study is that, unlike traditional porous structure production, the pore structure and cell wall thicknesses can be produced in desired dimensions. In addition, a closed pore structure was tried to be produced in the study. Studies in the literature generally have a tube-type pore structure.

Mechanical properties of starch bio-composite and molded pulp samples manufactured using pine and eucalyptus fibers

In recent years, one of the main challenges is to improve the mechanical performance of bio-composites to be used as structural parts for the construction, automotive, and aviation sector. This paper may contribute to developing durable structural bio-composite parts with starch addition. The mechanical properties of bio-composites reinforced by eucalyptus or pine fibers (48 wt %) compound with Cationic Starch (48 wt %) and Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (4 wt %) were determined. The production method was a combination of molded pulp, extrusion, and compression molding production techniques. To see the effect of adding starch to bio-composites and different production methods, the mechanical performance of these natural fibers produced by the conventional molded pulp production method (without any additives) was also found and compared with the composite samples. Composite samples indicate significantly better tensile, flexural, and compressive values, at least four times, compared with the molded pulp samples. On the other hand, the molded pulp samples had more than 2 times better impact characteristics against composites. Using molded pulp technic in composite production (investigated in the study) is a new idea and may give some opportunities with its serial production compatibility and geometry freeness, to the industry.

Modeling and optimization of performance and emission parameters of a diesel engine: A comparative evaluation between date seed oil biodiesel produced via three different heating systems

In this study, the performance of a diesel engine fueled with date seed oil (DSO) biodiesel, produced under microwave, ultrasonic and conventional heating system, is investigated by experimental and statistical methods. The multi-linear regressions (MLR) were developed using the percentage of biodiesel in fuel and the engine speeds (as independent variables) and the power, torque, and SFC and CO, CO2, HC, O2, and NOx emissions (as dependent variables). Then, the best-fitted regression model was used for analyzing the response surface of the performance parameters, and finding the optimal values of biodiesel blending percentages using genetic algorithm (GA) approaches at different engine speeds. Finally, the engine performance parameters were assessed when the engine is fueled with these optimal blending for three types of biodiesel. The results showed that technologies used in the biodiesel production would have a noticeable effect on the response of engine performance, however, the response surface of exhaust emission follows roughly the same trend with different slope and curvature. Moreover, optimization indicated that the optimal percentage of DSO biodiesel at different speeds was between 11%-%13, %13-%19, and %17-%20 for microwave, ultrasonic, and conventional production method, respectively. Subsequently, when the engine is fueled with the optimal blending of biodiesel at every engine speed, biodiesel produced via an alternative heating system can significantly improve the engine performance and reduce exhaust emissions, especially HC, CO, and NOx by microwave-assisted produced biodiesel.

True orthophoto mosaic generation: a simple and fast method

UAV-based images are now widely used to generate large-scale orthophoto mosaics. The generation of an orthophoto mosaic is divided into two stages: image registration and image stitching. Using the DSM associated with each image, orthophotos are generated throughout the image registration. The single orthophotos generated are then joined to each other step by step in the second stage, utilizing various methods of image stitching. Image stitching methods depend on the complex and challenging processes of image matching and seamline determination. In addition, the registration and stitching of images in UAV-based mapping projects with a significant number of images is a time-consuming process. In this study, a straightforward method is provided for creating large-scale true orthophoto mosaics from UAV-based images without the requirement to generate single orthophotos, image registration and seamline network determination. Instead of registrating the images and then stitching them step-by-step, this method processes the DSM of the entire area and all of the images simultaneously. First, for each DSM point, the optimal image is determined from among all the visible images based on an optimization procedure. Optimization is based on two criteria: distance from nadir point and distance from the projection center. Using the determined optimal images, the differential rectification procedure is then run, and the orthophoto mosaic cells are filled. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the proposed method yielded a mosaic with minimal changes along the seamline. In addition, the proposed method is compared with the conventional orthophoto mosaic production method, which is based on image matching and determination of seamlines. Evaluations indicate that the proposed method is able to increase the production rate of orthophoto mosaic by 39% and 45% in dataset 1 and 2 respectively. Additionally, the geometric accuracy calculated using the checkpoints in the orthophoto mosaic generated by the suggested method has decreased by an average of 2 cm, indicating more precise results.

In vitro approaches for the production of aloin: Advancements and opportunities

Aloin, a C-glycosidic derivative of anthraquinone, exhibit immense applications in cosmeceutical industry. It is the main active ingredient of the latex from Aloe vera L., commonly referred as ‘Aloe’ and ‘Ghritkumari’. Aloe is a monocotyledonous, perennial, succulent, herbaceous medicinal plant belonging to the family Liliaceae. Aloe marked its place as a plant of the hour with its versatile uses in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmeceutical industries ensuring a potential economic return. Anthraquinone is the major bioactive component of Aloe and is synthesised via the acetate-polymalonate pathway or shikimic acid-O-succinyl benzoic acid-mevalonic acid pathway. In order to fulfil the industrial demand for enhanced aloin production, methods to complement large-scale Aloe planting techniques must be devised. The conventional method of aloin production is associated with several drawbacks, such as male sterility, insufficient number of planting material, incidence of several diseases and pests of Aloe, ensuing in decline of propagation rate and subsequent aloin accumulation. Hence, biotechnological approaches appear as a better alternative to those conventional systems. The current review focuses on aloin chemistry, its natural biosynthesis, cosmeceutical applications, biotechnological (in vitro) approaches for aloin production as well as highlights the research gaps, unexplored areas, and major obstacles that can be investigated in the near future to ameliorate the production of aloin. To date, reports were emphasized towards direct and indirect regeneration system of Aloe but only a few reports stated the enhancement of aloin production. There is a wide scope for researchers to ameliorate the aloin production via yet-to-be explored synthetic seed technology, elicitation, polyploidization, manipulation of genes involved in aloin biosynthesis pathway, nanotechnology, etc. Hence, this review paves the way forward for Aloe-researchers and scientists associated with research and development at cosmeceutical industries to explore the areas for commercial-scale biotechnological production of aloin.