Effect Of Addition Research Articles

Effects of Cosolvent and Nonsolvating Solvent on the Structural Dynamics of Organic Electrolytes in Sodium-Ion Batteries.

In sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), the performance of a single solvent often does not meet actual requirements and a cosolvent or nonsolvating solvent is needed. However, the effect of these electrolyte additives on the solvation structure and dynamics of Na+ in SIBs is yet to be fully understood. Herein, electrolyte structural dynamics are examined for NaPF6 in dimethyl carbonate (DMC) with 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy ethane (HFE) as the nonsolvating solvent or propylene carbonate (PC) as the cosolvent using steady-state and time-resolved infrared (IR) spectroscopies. Molecular dynamics simulations show that the solvation size of Na+ decreases with a loosened structure upon adding the nonsolvating solvent, whereas its first solvation shell becomes denser and the second one becomes softened with decreased participation of the PF6- anion upon adding the cosolvent. While a decreased participation of DMC in the solvation layer of Na+ is suggested by linear IR results, an increased structural inhomogeneity (and hence overall more dynamical fluctuations) is found for Na+-coordinated DMC upon adding both additives by two-dimensional (2D) IR spectroscopy where the carbonyl stretch is used as a probe. The Na+/DMC/PC complex is found to structurally evolve slower than both Na+/DMC and Na+/DMC/HFE complexes on the picosecond time scales by spectral diffusion dynamics extracted from 2D IR diagonal signals. Frontier orbital theory calculations also indicate that both solvent additives are beneficial to increasing the stability of PF6-. The results obtained in this work provide important insights into the roles played by the solvent additives in influencing the solvation structures and dynamics of Na+, which are critical for understanding the Na+ transfer mechanism in SIBs.

Effect of Biomass-Based Additives on the Thermal, Physical, and Mechanical Properties of Fired Clay Bricks: A Review

Effect of Biomass-Based Additives on the Thermal, Physical, and Mechanical Properties of Fired Clay Bricks: A Review

Exploring the impact of CO2 sequestration on plastic properties, mechanical performance, and microstructure of concrete

In view of global warming, carbon sequestration techniques are being employed across the globe to minimize the damaging effects of greenhouse gases on the environment. Studies have revealed that adding CO2 during the mixing or curing stage of concrete enhances its mechanical properties and long-term durability. This study aims to examine the effect of CO2 addition during the mixing stage on the plastic, mechanical and microstructural properties of concrete. Various CO2 dosages, ranging from 0.1 to 1%, were injected during mixing to analyze the plastic and hardened properties of concrete. CO2 primarily reacts with calcium hydroxide in concrete to form calcium carbonate (CaCO3), thereby densifying its microstructure and improving its compressive strength by 10–20%. An optimum strength of up to 20% was achieved with 0.75% dosage. Additionally, the results show a 5–10% improvement in flexural and split tensile strength with CO2 addition over the control mix, with 0.75% dosage yielding optimal strength. Semi-adiabatic calorimetry test on early hydrating concrete shows a 14% peak temperature rise at 0.75% CO2 dosage compared to control concrete, indicating enhanced early-age strength development. Thermal Pyrolysis tests, microscopy and infrared spectroscopy indicated the presence of CaCO3, thereby confirming the carbonation process. However, CO2 dosages above 0.5% by weight of cement resulted in a drop in the workability of concrete in the plastic stage. This research attempts to create a simplified CO2 sequestration process in concrete, develop a predictive model to estimate the compressive strength and utilize material characterization techniques to identify the mineralization process.HighlightsInjecting CO2 into fresh concrete improves its strength and lowers its environmental impact.A multiple linear regression model predicts the compressive strength of CO2-injected concrete.Semi-adiabatic calorimetry shows that CO2 injection speeds up early hydration.Thermal Pyrolysis detects mass loss stages linked to dehydration and calcite breakdown.Microscopy and spectroscopy indicate CaCO3 crystal formation in CO2-sequestered concrete.

Soil CO2 efflux response to two decades of altered carbon inputs in a temperate coniferous forest

Global soils play a critical role in carbon (C) cycling and storage, and even minor disturbances to soil C flux can cause CO2 release to the atmosphere, exacerbating the greenhouse effect. This study investigates the long-term effects of forest detrital manipulation on soil CO2 efflux at a temperate forest site in Oregon’s western Cascade Mountains. We assessed the variation in seasonal and diurnal autotrophic and heterotrophic contributions to in situ soil CO2 efflux after 25 + years of detritus additions and removals and found slight increases in soil CO2 efflux rates concurrent with slight increases in soil C stocks, relative to C input rates, that may reflect underlying changes to C cycling in this system resulting from sustained detritus manipulation coupled with environmental change. Total CO2 efflux experienced increased contributions from functionally autotrophic root and rhizosphere respiration relative to the heterotrophic component. Seasonal and diurnal differences between soil respiration rates by treatment suggest a soil moisture buffering effect provided by the extra woody detritus that may support vegetative growth at times when seasonal drought would ordinarily slow plant and soil microbial metabolic activity. Overall, this research highlights the long-term effects of sustained litter additions and removals on soil CO2 efflux, which can help illuminate the response of C cycling in forests to current and future global change.

Ultrathin electrospun nanofibrous membranes based on poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate).

Ultrathin electrospun nanofibrous membranes (NfMs) based on poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) were prepared. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the production of a high-quality, bead-free nanofibrous membrane. The membrane thicknesses, ranging from 1.7 to 4.5μm, were found to correlate directly with membrane porosity. Raman scattering analysis was utilized to investigate the conformation of the PBLG nanofibrous membrane and to assess the effects of addition of 1 wt. % trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) into the PBLG solutions, as well as the impact of annealing at 70 °C. In addition, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization was performed to elucidate the chemical composition of the PBLG nanofibrous membrane. The Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy spectra indicated the characteristic α-helical conformation in both the PBLG solution and the PBLG nanofibrous membrane. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of Raman band profiles proved the absence of TFA after annealing, supporting the hypothesis of TFA evaporation post-annealing, which was subsequently confirmed by the XPS results. In addition, the results from the small punch test revealed a significant correlation between membrane thickness and stiffness, indicating that increased thickness enhances stiffness. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the structural and compositional properties of PBLG NfMs, laying the groundwork for future investigations into their potential applications in the field of tissue engineering.

Combined Effect of TiO2 and Metallurgical Slag Addition on the Properties of Magnesium Composites

Combined Effect of TiO2 and Metallurgical Slag Addition on the Properties of Magnesium Composites

Effect of Lignite Addition on the Production of Biochemical Humic Acid in Sheep Manure

Effect of Lignite Addition on the Production of Biochemical Humic Acid in Sheep Manure

Effect of calcium lignosulphonate addition on some physical and mechanical properties of high-density fiberboard

Calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) (C20H24CaO10S2) is widely used in various industries today, including wood, construction, food, agriculture, and textiles. It has been noted that there are currently few studies on the addition of CLS chemicals to various fiberboards. This study was designed to explore the outcomes of the interaction between CLS and the boards, with the aim of expanding the potential applications of this chemical. In this study, we incorporated CLS at varying percentages (6%, 8%, and 10%) as an adhesive additive in high-density fiberboard (HDF) produced using urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin in a laboratory setting. We assessed its impact on several physical properties [thickness swelling (TS), density, and water absorption (WA)] and mechanical properties [modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bond strength (IB), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and surface soundness (SS)]. A control group was established using prepared boards, allowing for a comparison of results between boards made with and without CLS additives. According to the results of a multivariate analysis of variance, the CLS percentage showed no significant effect on density, MOE, and SS. However, it significantly influenced TS, WA, IB, and MOR, resulting in reductions of 4-12% for SS, 6-12% for MOR, and 2-22% for IB, while increasing TS by 20-130%, WA by 25-84%, and MOE by 1-3%. It was observed that the use of CLS in the study led to differing results in the tests conducted on the produced HDF materials.

Effects of turmeric addition to broiler starter on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and production economics

The research aimed to assess how feeding broiler chicks’ diets supplemented with turmeric meal affected their growth performance, nutrient digestibility, and production economics. A four-week feeding trial was conducted with 120 unsexed day-old Arbor Acres Plus broiler chicks, which were randomly assigned to four dietary groups, each containing three replicates of ten chicks. The dietary treatments included T1 (control), T2, T3, T4, and T5, with turmeric inclusion levels of 0%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1.0%, respectively. Data were gathered on growth performance, nutrient utilization, and production costs. Significant differences (p<0.05) were noted in average daily feed intake (ADFI), ranging from 37.64 to 52.22 g, and feed conversion ratio (FCR), varying from 1.98 to 2.61. However, dietary turmeric did not significantly impact nutrient utilization across the groups. The cost of feed per kilogram increased with higher inclusion levels, while T5 demonstrated the lowest feed cost per chick, as well as for feed cost per weight gain and total production cost. The study concluded that incorporating turmeric up to 1.0% in broiler diets significantly enhanced feed efficiency without adversely affecting nutrient utilization. Thus, using turmeric at this level is a beneficial strategy for optimizing production costs related to feed expenditure per weight gain.

Effect of Sucrose Addition on Viscosity, pH, Total Yeast, and Hedonic Quality of Water Kefir Roselle

Red Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is a plant known for its high antioxidant content, making it a suitable ingredient for probiotic water kefir beverages. This study aimed to investigate the impact of different sucrose concentrations in roselle water kefir on viscosity, pH, total yeast count, and hedonic quality. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Design. The treatments varied based on sucrose concentrations 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15% (w/v). The findings revealed that the addition of 12% sucrose resulted in a viscosity of 1.22 cP, pH of 2.93, total yeast count of 2.15 CFU/ml, and the highest hedonic quality. In conclusion, the addition of 12% sucrose (w/v) proved to be the optimal treatment, yielding a beverage with suitable viscosity, acceptable pH, favorable total yeast count, and an overall hedonic quality embraced by the panelists.

The impact of global change factors on the functional genes of soil nitrogen and methane cycles in grassland ecosystems: a meta-analysis.

Soil functional genes in grasslands are crucial for processes like nitrogen fixation, nitrification, denitrification, methane production, and oxidation, integral to nitrogen and methane cycles. However, the impact of global changes on these genes is not well understood. We reviewed 84 studies to examine the effects of nitrogen addition (N), warming (W), increased precipitation (PPT +), decreased precipitation (PPT-), and elevated CO2 (eCO2) on these functional genes. For nitrogen cycling, global changes mainly boost genes involved in nitrification but reduce those in denitrification, with nirK being the most sensitive. Most nitrogen fixation-related genes did not show a significant response. Among single factors, N and PPT + have the most significant effects. The impact of global changes on nitrogen cycling genes is largely additive, and their interaction with N is particularly influential. For methane cycling, global changes notably affect mcrA, while only PPT + significantly reduces pmoA. The magnitude and duration of global change treatments are more critical than the treatment form for nitrogen cycling genes. For methane cycling, the form and intensity of nitrogen addition, along with treatment duration, affect pmoA abundance. We also identified a competitive relationship between methane oxidation and nitrification and a complex coupling with denitrification. This study provides new insights into microbial responses in nitrogen and methane cycling under global changes, with significant implications for experimental design and management strategies in grassland ecosystems.

Effect of Vanadium Addition on the Wear Resistance of Al0.7CoCrFeNi High-Entropy Alloy.

High-entropy alloys are of interest to many researchers due to the possibility of shaping their functional properties by, among other things, the use of alloying additives. One approach to improving the wear resistance of the AlCoCrFeNi alloy is modification through the addition of titanium. However, in this study, an alternative solution was explored by adding vanadium, which has a completely different effect on the material's structure compared to titanium. The effect of vanadium additives on changes in the microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of the Al0.7CoCrFeNi alloy. The base alloys Al0.7CoCrFeNi and Al0.7CoCrFeNiV0.5 were obtained by induction melting. The results showed that the presence of vanadium changes the microstructure of the material. In the case of the base alloy, the structure is biphasic with a visible segregation of alloying elements between phases. In contrast, the Al0.7CoCrFeNiV0.5 alloy has a homogeneous solid solution bcc structure. The presence of vanadium increased hardness by 33%, while it significantly reduced friction wear by 73%. Microscopic observations of friction marks indicate differences in the wear mechanisms of the two materials.

Development of a gearbox test rig to evaluate the impact of oil formulations on churning and friction losses

From large industrial to small high-speed transmission for electric vehicles, there is a growing interest in reducing the power losses on gearboxes. Hydrodynamic losses are especially relevant on high-speed gearboxes. On electric cars, the gearbox lubricant also works as a cooling fluid for the motor, which brings new challenges as performance under an electrified environment, thermal and electrical conductivity, corrosion protection etc. Most current test rigs use the torque difference between gearbox output and input to calculate the power losses. This work, uses the instantaneous deceleration on a small gearbox to obtain the no-load depending on power losses. Due to its simplicity, the proposed method has the potential to be applied to actual transmissions with very simple sensors and without the need for significant intervention on the actual equipment. The experimental results showed increased churning power losses with the immersion depth and oil viscosity. With the tested transmission oils, the churning losses showed to depend on rotational speed by a power of three, as predicted by the ISO model. The influence of oil viscosity was less evident. Reducing viscosity 2.5 times showed only around 25% reduction in the calculated churning losses. In opposition to the tested transmission oils, a low-viscosity oil with Friction Modifier additives reduced the power losses with the consecutive larger volumes of sump oil, such unexpected result can be explained by the beneficial effect of the oil FM additives.

Response of Microbiological Properties to Short-term Nitrogen Addition in Perennial Alpine Cultivated Grassland

Removing nitrogen limitation is necessary to increase plant productivity in alpine grasslands. A short-term nitrogen addition experiment was conducted to understand the effects of nitrogen addition on the soil physicochemical properties and microbial community structure of perennial alpine cultivated grassland in the region around Qinghai Lake. From June to August 2022, four N application gradients （T0： 0 kg·hm-2·a-1, T1： 22.5 kg·hm-2·a-1, T2： 45 kg·hm-2·a-1, T3： 67.5 kg·hm-2·a-1） were set up in a four-age perennial cultivated grassland, and soil samples were collected from the 0-20 cm soil layer. The soil physical and chemical properties and microbial community structure were determined under the different treatments. The results showed that soil water content （SWC）, soil organic carbon （SOC）, ammonium nitrogen （NH4+-N）, nitrate nitrogen （NO3--N）, available nitrogen （AN）, available phosphorus （AP）, total phosphorus （TP）, total nitrogen （TN）, and total carbon （TC） tended to increase with the increase in nitrogen application level and the T3 treatment significantly decreased the soil pH. Nitrogen addition did not significantly alter the Alpha diversity of soil microbial communities and different levels of nitrogen application affected the structure of soil microbial communities to different degrees. The T1 and T2 treatments increased the number of soil bacteria and fungi and T3 treatment decreased the number of soil bacteria and fungi. Nitrogen addition increased the relative abundance of the dominant flora of Actinobacteriota, Zygomycota, Blastococcus, and Gibberella and decreased the relative abundance of the dominant flora of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Sphingomonas, and Claroideoglomus. RDA analysis showed that SOC and soil electrical conductivity （EC） were the key soil physicochemical factors affecting changes in soil bacterial communities, and soil pH was the main factor affecting the distribution of soil fungal communities. Collectively, 67.5 kg·hm-2·a-1 may be the optimal level of N application to improve the soil environment of perennial alpine cultivated grasslands.

Polysiloxane-Based Composite Coatings with Bactericidal Additives

This paper examines the effect of both natural and synthetic additives of different concentrations to a polysiloxane matrix in order to obtain bactericidal composites. Natural additives such as black cumin, cloves, and turmeric were compared with silver, a well-known antiseptic, and with graphene, which has potential bactericidal properties. The first stage of the research included the production of polysiloxane composites with the above-mentioned powders in the form of bulk solid samples, and then a series of tests were carried out on them to not only assess their bactericidal properties but also determine their effect on physicochemical properties such as chemical structure, surface wettability, roughness, hardness, and surface morphology. Based on the obtained results, the most promising composite recipes were selected, and coatings were produced from them on a super-smooth substrate, which had been previously cleaned using a plasma chemical method. The obtained results indicated that all obtained materials were characterized by high bactericidal activity. The conducted studies also showed a significant effect of the introduced additives on the mechanical properties of the polysiloxane matrix, including graphene, which improved the hardness of the composites. Plasma chemical modification of the substrates increased the adhesion of the tested coatings to them. In addition, the effect of the used additive was also visible in this area.

Effect of biological additives to a putting green with low plant‐available phosphorus

AbstractThe use of phosphorus fertilizers on managed turf has become discouraged, if not restricted, in many places because of the risk of pollution of surface waters posed by excessive phosphorus application. Therefore, nontraditional options to increase phosphorus availability to turf are worthy of investigation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of additions of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and an N‐fixing bacterium, Methylobacterium symbioticum, on the nutritional status of a mature bentgrass putting green on a sand root zone with low plant‐available phosphorus status. The biological amendments were added at various intervals after aerification, and turfgrass responses were recorded over two field seasons. Mycorrhizae did not result in increased turfgrass visual quality, clipping yield, or clipping P content. Additions of the N‐fixing bacterium resulted in increased mid‐season clipping N content and increased visual turfgrass quality, but the overall effect was relatively small. It appears that applications of M. symbioticum to turfgrass hold promise for improving nutrient use efficiency and visual turfgrass quality and deserve future exploration.

Selective Flotation of Galena and Sphalerite from a Pb/Zn Complex Sulfide Ore Using Saline Water: The Effects of Xanthate and Pine Oil Addition

ABSTRACT This study focuses on the effects of saline water on the selective flotation of a Pb/Zn complex sulfide ore. Batch flotation experiments were carried out using NaCl solutions as well as seawater. It was found that increasing NaCl concentration in solution from 1 mM to 500 mM had a positive effect on the Pb and Zn recoveries. When comparing recoveries in the highest NaCl concentration in solution to seawater, Pb recovery decreased by 48%, most likely due to the presence of additional ions such as Ca2+ and Mg2+. On the contrary, Zn recovery in seawater increased by 55%, and this increase could be attributed to the SO4 2- ion effect from seawater. DLVO-like theoretical analyses using pH-dependent charge regulated models of surface charge were employed to study particle-particle and particle-bubble interactions during sulfide ore flotation under different NaCl concentrations and solution pH. The theoretical predictions of the models supported the experimental results, with a stronger particle-bubble attraction predicted by the models at higher NaCl concentrations. Overall, results demonstrated the potential of using the theoretical predictions for describing the various interactions during sulfide ore flotation in saline water.

Effect of Addition of Pressure Biofeedback Training to Conventional Rehabilitation Protocol on Dynamic Balance and Back Extensor Endurance in Individuals Underwent Lower Limb Surgery

Effect of Addition of Pressure Biofeedback Training to Conventional Rehabilitation Protocol on Dynamic Balance and Back Extensor Endurance in Individuals Underwent Lower Limb Surgery

STUDY OF THE EFFECT OF ULTRAFINE PARTICLES ON MICROBIOCENOSIS OF THE BLIND INTESTINE OF BROILER CHICKENS

Introduction. Poultry farming, as the most knowledge-intensive and sustainably functioning branch of animal husbandry, makes a significant contribution to ensuring the country's food security. Considering the importance of the use of promising trace element preparations for modern poultry farming, studies have been undertaken to assess the effects of ultrafine particles of trace element metals on the poultry body. Trace elements are usually used in very small amounts in animal nutrition, but problems such as lower bioavailability, antagonism and a higher rate of excretion from the body limit their effectiveness. Recent studies have also demonstrated the modulation of intestinal health by nanoparticles by increasing the number of beneficial microbes (Lactobacillus and Faecalibacterium) and the production of short-chain fatty acids. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ultrafine particles of copper and iron on microbiocenosis of the blind intestine of broiler chickens. Material and methods. During the experiment to assess the effect of ultrafine particles of copper and iron on growth and development, blood parameters, mineral metabolism and microbiocenosis of the blind intestine in the body of broiler chickens on a balanced diet, 105 week-old broiler chickens were selected, which were divided into 3 groups by the method of pairs of analogues (n=35). During the experiment, all the birds were in the same feeding and maintenance conditions. The duration of the main accounting period was 28 days. The poultry of the control group received an experienced diet (ED), I experimental – ED together with UP of iron at a dosage of 17 mg / kg, II experimental – ED together with UP of copper at a dosage of 1.7 mg / kg of feed. Results. The dosage of iron and copper were chosen taking into account the previously established positive effect. The additional introduction of UP copper into the diet had a growth-stimulating effect throughout the experimental study. At the end of the studies, the maximum increase in live weight was noted in the II experimental group – by 5.12%, in the I group – by 2.64%. Hematological blood parameters of broiler chickens demonstrated a change in the hemostasis system after administration of UP iron and copper. The evaluation of the data obtained indicates the variability of morphological and biochemical parameters within the physiological norm, with a tendency to decrease against the background of the introduction of ultrafine Fe and Cu particles. In the experimental group that received the UP iron preparation with food, Firmicutes (63.42%) dominated among the representatives of phylum, Bacteroidetes (17.34%) and Proteobacteria (7.43%) were also present. Ruminococcaceae (23.03%) and Lachnospiraceae (13.05%) prevailed among the families. Representatives of phylum Firmicutes (67.36%), Bacteroidetes (19.48%) and Proteobacteria (5.23%) were present in the cecum of broiler chickens treated with UP copper at a dosage of 1.7 mg/kg of feed. Among the families, the most numerous were such taxa as Ruminococcaceae (21.58%), Lachnospiraceae (18.67%) and Sphingobacteriaceae (13.10%). Conclusion. The results of our study demonstrate the need to study the bacterial diversity in the intestines of broiler chickens in order to study the effect of various feed additives on the metabolism and condition of the gastrointestinal tract of poultry.

Synthesis of diamond films with reduced roughness in microwave plasma

The work studies the effect of nitrogen additions on the secondary nucleation (nucleation) of diamond during its synthesis by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A series of polycrystalline diamond (PCD) films 2 μm thick were grown on silicon substrates in methane-hydrogen-nitrogen gas mixtures with different nitrogen concentrations (0–1%). The structure and roughness of the grown films were studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical profilometry. It has been shown that small additions of nitrogen play a key role in the processes of secondary nucleation of diamond, having a significant impact on the morphology of films. The comparison of the characteristics of grown PCD allowed us to find the optimal nitrogen concentration [N2] ≈ 0.2% for the formation of nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) films with low surface roughness and increased growth rate. The results obtained are expected to be used to optimize the parameters of CVD synthesis of PCD films for use as protective or friction-reducing layers, as well as for the manufacture of superhard cutting tools.