Laboratory Conditions Research Articles

Efficacy of Melia azedarach leaf extract in different solvents against Heterotermes indicola Wasmann (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) using non-durable wooden blocks under laboratory and field conditions

Hetertermes indicola Wasman (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae) is a highly wood-destructive termite species in the urban settings of Pakistan. This study evaluated the biocidal action of Melia azedarach leaf extract in different solvents on H. indicola by conducting choice and no-choice feeding deterrence assays using impregnated palatable wood under field and laboratory conditions. Dose-dependent and time-dependent trends were observed in the leaf extracts of M. azedarach at different concentrations (500, 1000, and 1500 ppm) using solvent water and methanol with 80–100 % termite mortality after 6 days of exposure. A key outcome was the higher termiticidal efficacy of methanolic extract compared to aqueous extract under both field and laboratory conditions. The LC50 values of 358 ppm for methanol and 466 ppm for aqueous extract after 15 days in a laboratory no-choice experiment exhibit a quantitative measure of chinaberry leaf extract toxicity. A significant reduction in mean percent weight loss (8.26 %) of treated wood with 1500 ppm of M. azedarach leaf extract in methanol was observed under field conditions. In conclusion, triterpenoids and phytol present in methanolic leaf extract demonstrated higher efficacy in both lab and field conditions making a solid foundation for the further development of natural wood preservatives. Since they induced rapid lethargic conditions in termites and digestive toxicity which leads to minimum loss of treated wood.

Aerobic bacterial degradation of polychlorinated biphenyls and their hydroxy and methoxy derivatives

Polychlorinated biphenyls are persistent organic pollutants hazardous to humans and to the environment. The products of biotransformation of these compounds can exist in natural objects as hydroxy and methoxy derivatives. This review summarizes the biodegradation pathways of polychlorinated biphenyls under the action of aerobic bacterial strains. The possibility of complete biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls and their derivatives under laboratory conditions is demonstrated. This information is valuable for researchers specializing in the biotransformations and toxicity of polychloroarene derivatives and would be useful for the development of remediation processes of natural objects contaminated with polychlorinated biphenyls.<br> The bibliography includes 253 references.

Using metabolomics to explore the effects of epigenetic-modification strategies on the metabolites of Acanthus ilicifolius L. endophytic fungi against ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a serious threat to women's health and safety. So far, people have discovered more than 130 small molecule compounds of natural origin for anti-tumor, of which approximately 50% are of microbial origin. The Acanthus ilicifolius L. species is primarily distributed in the Guangdong, Hainan, and Guangxi regions of China and grows in tidally accessible coastal areas. Recent studies have revealed that Acanthus ilicifolius L. extracts are endowed with a range of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antitumor activities. Endophytic fungi are commonly found in the healthy tissue and organs of medicinal plants. These fungi and the plants they inhabit form mutually beneficial symbiotic relationships. Endophytic fungi produce a series of secondary metabolites, with active substances having shown great economic value and applications prospects in drug research and development as well as for the biological control of plant diseases. Secondary metabolites production by endophytic fungi is regulated by specific gene clusters, and several techniques have been used to stimulate the secondary metabolic processes of fungi, including epigenetic-modification and OSMAC (one strain many compounds) strategies, co-culturing, and gene modification. Among these, epigenetic modification has been shown to be effective; this strategy involves the addition of small-molecule epigenetic modifiers to the culture medium, thereby activating silenced biosynthetic gene clusters without altering the DNA sequences of the fungi. This approach facilitates the expression of silenced genes in endophytic fungi, thereby increasing the number and diversity of secondary metabolites. Furthermore, it assists in overcoming the inhibition of microbial secondary-metabolite synthesis under laboratory conditions, and enhances silenced-gene expressions. The advent of novel analytical techniques and bioinformatics has provided a comprehensive, multifaceted, and holistic understanding of fungal metabolism through the development of metabolomics as a research platform. However, few studies have combined anti-ovarian cancer-activity screening with metabolomic approaches in the search for activity-differentiating metabolites from endophytic fungi under the intervention of epigenetic modifiers. Herein, we investigated the impact of epigenetic modifiers on the secondary metabolites of the endophytic Diaporthe goulteri fungus from Acanthus ilicifolius L. to determine their potential anti-ovarian cancer activities. Crude extracts were obtained by controlling three variables: the number of fermentation days, the type of epigenetic modifier, and its concentration, with activities screened using the CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8) method. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was subsequently employed for non-targeted metabolomic analysis. A multivariate statistical analysis model was constructed using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis, which combines model and variable importance projection, with qualitative screening performed and significant changes (variable importance in the projection (VIP)≥1; P<0. 05) determined. Fifteen differential metabolites were identified in the fungal and epigenetic modification group, primarily comprising polyketides, amino acids, derivatives, alkaloids, and organic acids, including prenderol, glycine, valine, 2-ethylcaproic acid, rubratoxin B, finasteride, 6-silaspiro[5.5]undecane, 1-(2-nitrophenoxy)octane, heptadecene, 1-pentadecene, 11-ketoetiocholanolone, 3-(1-ethyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)butanal, N2-benzoylarginine, tabutrex, (3aR,6S,6aS)-6-(4-hydroxy-2-methoxy-2-butanyl)-4,4-dimethylhexahydro-1(2H)-pentalenone, and 8-aminoquinoline. The expressions of prenderol, 1-(2-nitrophenoxy)octane, 3-(1-ethyl-1,3,3-trimethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-5-yl)butanal, N2-benzoylarginine, and 8-aminoquinoline were downregulated, whereas the expressions of the remaining 10 substances were upregulated. Polyketides were the main components that exhibited higher expressions. This study showed that latent active differential metabolites can be searched by combining anti-ovarian cancer-activity screening with metabolomics analysis, thereby providing a reference for the further development of Acanthus ilicifolius L. resources and the subsequent targeted isolation of active compounds.

Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of SiOx thin films on Portuguese limestone: An experimental study

Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) of SiOx thin films has been applied to the stone surface under laboratory conditions in order to assess its feasibility as an alternative method for stone protection. SiOx thin layers were deposited on oolitic limestone lithologies known to have been used for the construction and restoration of the Batalha Monastery in Portugal surface by PECVD from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) as the reaction precursor, in capacitively coupled parallel-plate reactor. The thickness, morphologies and chemical properties of the deposited film were characterized by attenuated total reflectance -Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM+EDS). Laboratory simulated decay and natural aging tests were implemented to evaluate the protective effect of the deposited micron-size SiOx thin films. Results suggested that, due to the good barrier effect, SiOx films were able to isolate the stones from aggressive acidic solution, thus reducing possible dissolution-related damage. Natural aging tests proved that SiOx thin films were also able to inhibit to a high extent bio-colonization while, at the same time reducing soiling of the stone appearance. Durability and wetting property of this SiOx thin film were preliminarily assessed. This research tested, for the first time, the feasibility of applying micron-size SiOx film quickly and directly via cold plasma deposition and its versatile protection performance on carbonate stone.

Toxicity of a management bait for grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) incorporated with Antimycin A.

No current technology can specifically target grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for control within aquatic ecosystems. Rotenone and Carbon Dioxide-Carp are currently the only available registered pesticides for grass carp; they are nonselective and typically applied throughout the water, equally exposing target and native species. A more selective control tool or pesticide application could be used by resource managers to support mitigation efforts. Development of delivery systems that exploit carp feeding strategies could increase selectivity of pesticides and minimize effects on native fishes. A pesticide with selective delivery could be less labor intensive and used within an integrative pest management strategy. The present study examined Antimycin A toxicity in juvenile and sub-adult grass carp and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) across two routes of exposure. Water-based toxicity studies were used to calculate the concentration to cause lethality in 50% of treated fish (LC50) at 24-h, while oral gavage toxicity studies were used to calculate the dose to cause lethality in 50% of treated grass carp and rainbow trout (LD50) 24- to 96-h. Although rainbow trout were more sensitive than grass carp to Antimycin A through water-based exposure, oral toxicity was similar between species, even with inherent gastrointestinal morphological differences. Successful delivery of a lethal dose of Antimycin A to grass carp was achieved through an oral route of exposure using the rapeseed bait and shows promise for registration as a control tool and eventual use in pest management plans. Although a lethal dose of Antimycin A could be incorporated into a single bait pellet, more bait was required to achieve desired mortality when fed to fish under laboratory conditions.

Automated repair of asphalt pavement cracks and potholes utilizing 3D printing and LiDAR scanning

This study introduces a method for automatic repair of asphalt pavement cracks and potholes using 3D printing and LiDAR scanning. A scanning method was developed to accurately detect and represent cracks and potholes in a 3D model. To address the limitations of LiDAR scanning, such as missing data points caused by the irregular shapes of cracks and potholes, the screened Poisson method was applied to reconstruct the missing data points. These models were validated through both theoretical calculations and sand test. In addition, the research focuses on optimizing key 3D printing parameters, such as printing temperature and printing speed, to enhance performance of crack repair throughout semi-circular bending test. Direct tensile strength test was employed to assess the impact of waste materials (e.g., rubber tire powder and waste glass) on the bond strength of filled sample. The results indicated a volume difference of 2–5 % between the scanning method and the sand test method, demonstrating high accuracy in detecting and reconstructing 3D cracks/potholes. Binders modified with 10 % rubber tire powder, or 20 % waste glass exhibited the highest tensile strength of 212 kPa and 207 kPa, respectively. However, using more than 30 % waste materials is not recommended due to a significant reduction in bond strength compared to conventional binders. An optimal 3D printing speed of 180 mm/min and a temperature of 117 °C are recommended for use in 3D printing in laboratory conditions. It was also noted that higher printing speeds decrease indirect tensile strength, highlighting the importance of balanced parameter settings.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ВЛИЯНИЯ ЭЛЕКТРОЗОНИРОВАНИЯ НА СРОК ХРАНЕНИЯ СПЕЛОЙ КЛУБНИКИ

Preserving the freshness of fruits and berries is of great importance not only for their taste, but also for preserving their nutritional properties. Ozonation is one of the highly effective methods for destroying bacterial microflora and preserving food for a long time. Ozone is a strong disinfecting gas with a powerful disinfecting effect; biochemical processes are greatly reduced in ozonated products. Studies to study the effect of ozonation on the preservation of freshness and appearance of berries were conducted on the example of strawberries of the "Black Prince" variety. Experiments on electrozoning of ripe strawberries were carried out in laboratory conditions in the Chuvash State Agrarian University. For this purpose, an experimental installation was developed and implemented to study the effects of ozonation. In a series of one-factor experiments, the preservation, appearance of berries and the amount of microflora after 6 days of storage were determined. Ozonation of berries was carried out in special containers at an ozone concentration of 6 mg / m3, lasting 2 hours - 2 times a day. The appearance and taste of strawberries treated with ozonation for six days has not changed; the number of microorganisms on the surface of berries during storage for up to six days corresponds to the standards of GOST 29187-91. A visual inspection of the berries in the control sample on the sixth day of storage showed that 90% of the berries were affected by mold fungi. Unprocessed berries lost their shape, softened, putrefactive microflora appeared; the surface area affected by mold fungi reached more than 90%. Thus, ozonation has shown high efficiency in preserving the freshness, appearance and quality of strawberries during storage. Ozone treatment significantly reduces the development of pathogenic microflora and prevents spoilage of berries. This method can be recommended to extend the shelf life of fruits and berries in the food industry.

Analysis of Tribological Properties of Engine Lubricants Used in Hybrid Vehicles

A problem has been noted regarding the admixture of fuel to a low viscosity lubricant in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). This is very detrimental to the wear and tear of engine operating components. In this study, the operating conditions of HEVs were analysed. Using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), engine oils of two different viscosity classes were compared after the operating process and these data were compared with fresh reference samples. Attention was paid to the content of elements such as Ca, Zn, Mo, Sn, Cd, Fe Pb, Si, Cu, and Ni. The depletion of anti-wear additives, as well as the higher content of metallic wear products relative to the operated 5W30 (engine oil), contributed to the overall assessment of the lubricity of the 0W30 oil, as well as to the tribological results. Then, under laboratory conditions, oil samples contaminated with up to 1 to 8% fuel were subjected to rheological (mini AV-X viscometer) and tribological (four-ball tester) tests. The dependence of the local pressure at the metal-to-metal contact point in the kinematic node on viscosity showed the dissimilar nature of the used and fresh oil and the divergence of the domains for the two groups of samples. Increasing the fuel contamination of used oil above 4% drastically reduces the pressure responsible for maintaining the oil film. In order to improve lubricant performance during HEV operation in urban conditions, it was proposed to carry out extra-urban traffic driving in order to evaporate the fuel from the engine oil. A shorter oil change interval is also recommended.

Biochar as a strategy to manage stem rot disease of groundnut incited by Sclerotium rolfsii

Due to the pathogen’s ability to survive in the soil for longer durations, soil-borne diseases are often difficult to control. This study investigates the multifaceted impacts of biochar on the management of stem rot disease in groundnut and its influence on soil properties and microbial communities. The effects of biochar at different concentrations, such as 0%, 1%, 3%, and 5% on groundnut stem rot disease incited by Sclerotium rolfsii were evaluated thoroughly. Under laboratory conditions, biochar exhibited no direct inhibitory effects on S. rolfsii at varying concentrations but revealed an indirect suppression of sclerotial body production, suggesting a concentration-dependent influence on pathogen resting structures. Further, it was observed that biochar treatments effectively delayed symptom onset and reduced disease progression in groundnut plants, with significant variation observed among genotypes and biochar concentrations. Notably, interactions involving genotypes ICGV 171002 and ICGV 181035 with BC2 + Sr (3% conc. of biochar + S. rolfsii) and BC3 + Sr (5% conc. of biochar + S. rolfsii) treatments showed superior efficacy in disease reduction under controlled conditions. Field evaluations confirmed these findings, highlighting genotype-specific responses to biochar treatments. However, no significant difference was observed between BC2 + Sr (3%) and BC3 + Sr (5%) treatments in managing stem rot disease compared to controls. Biochar application significantly increased soil nutrient levels, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and increased soil organic matter content, EC, pH, emphasizing its potential to improve soil fertility. Overall, these findings highlight the potential benefits of biochar for sustainable agriculture through disease management, soil nutrient enrichment, and microbial modulation, warranting further investigation into optimal application strategies across different agricultural contexts.

Temperature and photoperiod differentially impact maternal phenotypes in diapause egg-laying Aedes albopictus mosquitoes.

Aedes albopictus (Skuse 1894) mosquitoes can transmit deadly arboviruses and are globally invasive due to their ability to survive in both tropical and temperate climates. Although adults cannot survive harsh winters, females are capable of anticipating seasonal change and producing overwintering diapause (DP) eggs that remain in a state of arrested development over the winter and hatch when favorable conditions return in the spring. While low temperatures can facilitate DP entry under short photoperiods, temperature signals alone are not sufficient to induce DP. To identify maternal phenotypes predictive of DP egg production in laboratory conditions, we characterized aspects of maternal physiology and behavior to identify those that correlate with DP egg production and changes in photoperiod, versus changes in temperature. Neither changes in temperature nor photoperiod impacted protein preference, blood meal consumption, or total number of eggs produced per female. Egg retention and oviposition timing were influenced by temperature, independent of DP egg production. However, females housed under short photoperiod conditions showed increased starvation resistance, despite showing similar levels of locomotor activity and internal stores of triacylglycerols, glucose, glycogen, and trehalose compared to females housed in long photoperiods. These results suggest that temperature and photoperiod differentially affect maternal phenotypes and identify starvation resistance as a maternal phenotype that is influenced by photoperiod and correlates with DP egg status.

Olfactory response to HIPVs and biological aspects of Chrysoperla externa intended for the biological control of Aleurodicus cocois in cashew

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the olfactory response of Chrysoperla externa to the volatiles of the Embrapa 51 genotype of the cashew induced by the herbivory of Aleurodicus cocois, identifies the chemical profile of these compounds and evaluates the development of C. externa fed on A. cocois. The volatiles emitted by the leaves of the cashew genotype, both infested and not infested with A. cocois, were analysed by solid-phase microextraction with GC-MS. In the olfactometry tests, C. externa was attracted to and spent more time in the olfactometer arm containing cashew plant volatiles induced by A. cocois. From the analysis of the volatile profiles, α-phellandrene, α-terpinene, ρ-mentha-2,4(8)-diene, β-caryophyllene and germacrene D were released in large amounts by the Embrapa 51 genotype only after infestation by A. cocois; these compounds may therefore be involved in attracting the predator. Under laboratory conditions, although the development time and survival of some immature stages of C. externa may vary with the type of prey, when fed on A. cocois, the predator is able to complete the egg-adult development cycle. Based on the behavioural and biological assays, C. externa is an effective biocontrol agent for A. cocois in the cashew.

Impact of Different Post-Curing Temperatures on Mechanical and Physical Properties of Waste-Modified Polymer Composites

One of the key trends affecting the future of the construction industry is the issue of ecology; therefore, current activities in construction aim to reduce the use of raw materials, which is made possible by including recycled materials in composites, among other methods. This article describes the results of tests conducted using four types of epoxy composites, i.e., composites modified with waste rubber (WR), composites modified with waste polyethylene (PE) agglomerate, glycolysate obtained using polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste, and control unmodified mortars (CUM). Selected properties of the mortars were monitored during their maturation under laboratory conditions, as well as after post-curing at elevated temperatures in the range of 60 °C–180 °C. With the increase in the reheating temperature, an increase in the flexural strength of all types of mortars was noted, with the highest more than twofold stronger than the unmodified composites. The compressive strength increased up to a temperature of 140 °C, and then decreased slightly. The highest value of 139.8 MPa was obtained using PET mortars. Post-curing also led to a slight loss of mass of all samples in the range of 0 to 0.06%. Statistical methods were employed, which made it possible to determine the post-curing temperature and composite composition for which the determined properties are simultaneously the most beneficial, especially for the prefabricated elements.

A Study of the Possibility of Producing Annealed and Metallized Pellets from Titanomagnetite Concentrate

The current intensive development of steelmaking is being impeded by a scarcity of pure scrap. The potential to replace pure scrap with metallized raw materials that are naturally alloyed with vanadium and titanium, such as annealed unfluxed titanomagnetite pellets, could facilitate the achievement of key objectives in metallurgical development, particularly in the smelting of electric steel. The objective of this research was to produce annealed and metallized pellets from titanomagnetite concentrate under laboratory conditions, with the intention of further processing them as a commercial product in a blast furnace or as an intermediate product for the production of hot briquetted iron (HBI). The results demonstrate that pellets derived from titanomagnetite concentrate exhibit sufficient compressive strength (up to 300 kg/pellet) and a degree of metallization exceeding 90%, which aligns with the requirements for electric steelmaking. The suitability of pellets derived from titanomagnetite concentrate for use in both blast furnaces and metallization processes has been corroborated.

Demographic toxicology of insect growth regulators on the nontarget ectolarval parasitoid Habrobracon hebetor

Habrobracon hebetor Say (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) is one of the most important parasitoids of many pyralid moths, including the olive leaf moth, Palpita unionalis Hubner (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). The widespread use of insecticides threatens natural enemies. Assessing the side effects of insecticides on nontarget organisms supports the rational use of insecticides during field application. The present study evaluates the lethal and sublethal effects of three insect growth regulators (IGRs), novaluron, methoxyfenozide, and pyriproxyfen, on P. unionalis and the demographic toxicology of these IGRs on its parasitoid H. hebetor. The LC50 values of these IGRs on P. unionalis were 0.97, 0.176, and 0.00009 ppm, respectively, indicating that pyriproxyfen was the most toxic. When H. hebetor adults were exposed to these LC50 levels under laboratory conditions to determine possible side effects. The IGRs did not affect the paralysis and parasitism rates of the parasitoid nor the sex ratio of its offspring. IGR treatments slightly reduced hatching rates and immature survival by 15–25%, indicating moderate effects on the early developmental stages of H. hebetor. The longevity and fecundity of treated females were each reduced to < 50% of their respective values in untreated females. Additionally, some demographic parameters of the parasitoid were significantly affected by the IGRs. Nevertheless, despite these observed effects, the positive net reproductive rate (R0 > 0) and intrinsic rate of increase (rm > 1) of H. hebetor indicated an exponential population increase that reflects the compatibility of the IGRs with the parasitoid. Our results demonstrated that the tested IGRs could be categorized as relatively harmless compounds to the parasitoid. Following these laboratory assessments, field studies will be required to confirm the effects of the tested IGRs on H. hebetor as well as other nontarget organisms.

Effect of temperature on growth, metabolism, and gas exchange in Hermetia illucens larvae reared under commercial and laboratory conditions

Abstract The world’s socio-economic development is continuously increasing the demand for efficient production of food, feed, and energy from the agricultural sector. In this respect, the emerging production of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) represents a promising system to upscale low-quality resources to higher-quality resources usable as feed or biodiesel. To optimize BSFL production it is critical to establish methods that are relevant to examine how rearing conditions, including temperature, affect growth, metabolism, and body composition at large scale. In a first set of experiments, we therefore compared how small-scale laboratory respirometry chambers (600 larvae) support gas exchange, growth, and metabolism in BSFL with similar measurements obtained from large-scale commercial conditions (&gt;12 million larvae) at ∼34-35 °C. Having observed that small- and large-scale systems generated comparable measurements of growth and metabolism, we used our small-scale respirometry system to examine in detail how substrate rearing temperature ranging from 27.0 to 41.9 °C influenced growth, metabolism, and body composition in BSFL. Here we found that 7-day growth of BSFL was stable and high at 27, 35, and 39 °C, while a rearing temperature of ∼42 °C caused a severe, but sublethal, depression of growth and metabolism. Despite the general similarities in total growth at 27, 35, and 39 °C, we found considerable acceleration of metabolism and development at the two higher rearing temperatures (35 and 39 °C). In contrast, the lower rearing temperature (27 °C) resulted in reduced CO2 production per kg larvae produced and the was associated with a higher crude protein to crude lipid ratio in larvae after the 7-day growth period. Based on these findings we discuss how continued monitoring of gas exchange in production systems holds a potential to optimize production in the emerging industry of large-scale commercial insect production.

Gusto por la fruta: primer registro de Rekoa marius (Lucas, 1857) (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Eumaeini) sobre Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidales: Oxalidaceae)

Information on the natural history of Rekoa marius (Lucas, 1857) is presented through the first record of the species on Averrhoa carambola L. The larvae of this lepidopteran were collected on A. carambola and reared under laboratory conditions. Eggs were found on the flower bud, inflorescence and peduncle near the flower. All larval stages feed on flower buds, while the last larval stage also feeds on green and ripe fruits. Pupae with egress holes of different diameters were found, probably of parasitoids. Since Oxalidaceae species are rich in oxalic acid, R. marius may be a potential model for future studies on the mechanisms involved in the response of this species to oxalic acid present in its host plant.

Exploring Moringa oleifera: Green Solutions for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment and Agricultural Advancement

Increasing concerns over water pollution have driven the search for sustainable wastewater treatment alternatives. This study evaluates the effectiveness of two coagulants derived from Moringa oleifera seeds–powder and extract–as sustainable solutions for wastewater reuse in agriculture. Comparative experiments were conducted using aluminum sulfate, a conventional coagulant, at various doses under controlled laboratory conditions. The results demonstrated that both M. oleifera-based coagulants were highly effective, achieving turbidity reductions of 97% and 99%, respectively. Notably, the powder form required lower doses than the extract but had longer sedimentation times. Further detailed analyses at optimized doses (500 mg/500 mL for powder and 12.5 mL/500 mL for extract) met international standards for wastewater quality in agricultural irrigation. Comprehensive analyses encompassing pH, turbidity, COD, BOD5, TSS, DO, conductivity, NO2−, NO3−, SO42−, PO43−, and fecal and total coliforms consistently adhered to stringent criteria, confirming the effectiveness of M. oleifera-derived coagulants. These findings highlight the potential of M. oleifera in wastewater treatment, offering sustainable solutions to environmental challenges and enhancing food security in resource-limited regions. Our research supports the broader adoption of these eco-friendly alternatives, which could significantly reduce water scarcity and promote sustainable agricultural practices, addressing critical environmental concerns.

BCI-based real-time processing for implementing deep learning frameworks using motor imagery paradigms

As a cognitive process, motor imagery (MI) includes mentally simulating motor actions in the absence of physical movement. It has a variety of uses, including assistive technologies, medical diagnostics, and rehabilitation. MI paradigms are utilized in conjunction with brain-computer interfaces (BCI), which use electroencephalographic recordings (EEG) because of their high temporal resolution, cheap cost, portability, and non-invasiveness. BCIs apply MI paradigms by directly connecting the human brain to a computer. However, because scalp readings are non-stationary and non-linear, real-time processing of EEG signals is challenging. Furthermore, in order to minimize the impact of outside noise and artifacts, clinical MI methods must be implemented under carefully monitored laboratory conditions. A deep learning model-based approach is shown for analyzing EEG data and giving real-time feedback to a brain-computer interface. Generally, the system's design is portable and low-cost, allowing the MI paradigm to perform under poorly regulated sampling conditions.

Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO/Cu&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O and Co co-doped Ag-ZnO/Cu&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O Nanoparticles with Possible Photovoltaic Applications

The Photovoltaics phenomenon is one of the major turning points in the battle against the depletion of fossil fuels. Sunlight is the main resource in photovoltaics, but there remains a quest to harvest it efficiently to generate electricity. This study is focused on designing basic, cost-effective prototype solar cells using ZnO/Cu2O nanoparticles (NPs) and Co(cobalt) co-doped Ag-ZnO/Cu2O NPs under normal university laboratory conditions. ITO-coated glass was used as the substrate of the solar cell and a modified low-temperature chemical bath deposition method was used for fabrication. Both ZnO and Cu2O NPs were synthesized by aqueous precipitation methods and the fabrication was performed successfully using ZnO and Cu2O NPs. However, the fabrication with Co co-doped Ag-ZnO and Cu2O NPs requires more research since the Co co-doped Ag-ZnO NPs were synthesized by solvothermal method, and it appeared as a fine powder which was not thick enough to hold onto the Cu2O layer. The UV-spectroscopic analysis confirmed the characteristic band of ZnO NPs at 367.5 nm, Cu2O NPs at 360 nm, and Co co-doped Ag-ZnO NPs at 378 nm. The FTIR spectrum showed sharp peaks at 460 cm-1 and 606 cm-1 for the corresponding Zn-O bond and Cu-O bond, respectively with a broad peak at 1329 cm-1 for Cu2O FTIR, due to the chemisorbed and/or physiosorbed H2O and CO2 molecules on the surface of the nanostructure. The EDX analysis showed the presence of slight carbon impurity in ZnO NPs which resulted in a deviated XRD pattern while Cu2O NPs showed the characteristic XRD pattern. The solar cell illuminated under three different lux conditions, had the characteristic J-V plot when measured through Gamry Potentiostat.

Cement Composites Biodeterioration by Acidithiobacillus Thiooxidans

The focus of this work was to study the biodeterioration of special cement composites by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans. The laboratory prepared cement composites that contained the selected additives - silica fume (a secondary raw material) and zeolite (a natural raw material), as partial replacements for the binder. The tests were carried out in laboratory conditions. During the experiments, changes to the pH values and the Ca and Si concentrations were observed in the liquid phases. Based on the achieved results, it can be concluded that concrete composites with partial replacement of the binder by silica fume and zeolite have a higher resistance to biogenic sulfuric acid.