Fast Depletion Research Articles

Sustainability in Road Construction by Using Binders Modified with Biomass-Derived Bio-Oil – A Critical Review

The road construction sector is one of the largest consumers of bitumen. The fast depletion of limited bitumen resources has compelled researchers to adopt alternate binders to construct asphalt pavements. Biomass sources have gained attention as a means of modifying the conventional asphalt binder to meet all of the performance parameter requirements of different climatic conditions. This paper reviews the properties and application of biomass-derived sustainable products. It discusses two widely used primary thermochemical conversion processes: pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction. The effect of the chemical compositions of the bio-oils extracted from different biomass sources is reviewed. After comprehending the properties of bio-oils and the blending of bio-binders, the standard, chemical, and rheological properties of bio-oil-modified binders are reviewed in detail. The performance parameters of bio-oil-modified bituminous mixtures are also reviewed to check the adaptability of bio-oil to and its compatibility with the bituminous mixture. The review reveals that the properties of bio-oil vary drastically with the biomass resource. There are numerous aspects that need to be considered in relation to the oxidative aging of the bio-oil-modified binder and mixtures, which affects the performance at low- and intermediate-temperature conditions. It is observed that the addition of most biomass-derived bio-oils, which are fluid in nature at ambient temperature, leads to better performance at low and intermediate temperatures but undesirable performance at high-temperature conditions because of significant changes in the stiffness of the material. It is found from the review that treating a copolymer with or adding it to bio-oil can enhance the material's properties, resulting in better performance in severe field conditions and, at the same time, making it an environmentally friendly material.

A Comparative Study on Rapeseed Sprayed with Film Antitranspirant Under Two Contrasting Rates of Soil Water Depletion

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.), as one of the most important oil crops around the world, has been affected by drought considerably, particularly at flowering when crops are most sensitive to water stress. It has been shown that film antitranspirant (AT) can effectively reduce the yield loss of droughted crops if applied at the critical stage. However, the mechanism remains unclear by which AT mitigates drought damage to plants under different rates of water depletion. Two experiments in randomised complete block designs were conducted on spring rapeseed with two levels of irrigation, well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS), where slow and fast soil water depletion were imposed during the flowering stage in mesocosms (Expt 1_SD) and pots (Expt 2_FD), respectively, and different concentrations of AT, 0, 0.25%, 0.5%, and 1% and 0, 0.5%, and 1%, were applied. Leaf physiological traits, seed yield, and yield components were determined. The results showed that compared to WW, water stress reduced leaf relative water content (RWC) by 2% and 6% in Expt 1_SD and Expt 2_FD, respectively, and had detrimental effects on stomatal conductance, CO2 assimilation rate, and intrinsic water use efficiency. Following AT application, a positive linear relationship was observed in leaf RWC against AT concentrations, albeit with large variations. In Expt 1_SD, seed dry weight and aboveground biomass increased significantly with increasing AT concentrations, while no yield responses were observed in Expt 2_FD, indicating that soil water status may play an important role in rapeseed responses to AT application regardless of concentrations. Therefore, the timing of AT application needs to consider soil water conditions in addition to the growth development of rapeseed plants.

Performance and Emission Analysis of a CI Engine Fueled with Preheated Neem Straight Vegetable Oil-Diesel Blend at Various Compression Ratios

The twin crisis, fast depletion of limited conventional fuel and environment degradation due to these fuels created a dire need to search for clean, green and sustainable alternatives to conventional fuels. Neem vegetable oil may be an alternative of conventional petroleum fuels due to its abundant availability in India and comparable physical and chemical properties. In the present study, performance and emission characteristics of VCR diesel Engine were observed using preheated and blended straight Neem oil. Initially experimentation was carried out to optimize the neem oil blend at engine optimize conditions which was given by manufacturer but this part is not considered in this research paper. Optimize Neem oil blend B30 (30% Neem oil and 70% Diesel) was used as fuel in the current study. Heat exchanger was design and developed to preheat the blended Neem oil up to 90 to 100 °C using engine exhaust gases. This temperature is sufficient to bring viscosity of blended Neem oil about viscosity of diesel. Performance emission characteristics of diesel engine were evaluated at compression ratios 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22. It was observed that at compression ratio 22, brake thermal efficiency of the engine was found optimum 34.99% using preheated optimum blend B30 which was higher than other compression ratios, diesel (1.64%) and unheated optimized same blend (5.07%). Less emission was observed for pre heated optimized blend B-30 as compared to other compression ratios, diesel and optimized same blend. Smoke opacity, CO, HC, NOx emissions at CR 22 for preheated NOB30 observed lowest 33%, 0.15%, 20 PPM and 340 PPM at full load condition.

How Observed Queue Length and Service Times Drive Reneging Behavior in Queues

Customers who renege from a queue signal dissatisfaction with the wait, possibly leading to lost business opportunities. Service organizations need to understand how queue features observed by waiting customers drive decisions to renege. Through a series of experiments run in the lab and online, this article demonstrates a relative progress effect in queues. This behavioral effect is created when a series of fast service times are observed early in a wait, followed by slower service times that make the total wait equal to that in a comparable queue progressing at a steady rate. The observer experiences a fast depletion of the queue and a lower proportion of the original queue length remaining. This generates a sense of relative progress for the observer which leads to a reduction in renege behavior. In one of the studies, a relative progress effect enables participants to wait for a longer queue or longer duration compared to a benchmark queue without this effect. A simulation analysis, where individuals in a queue are modeled as experiencing a similar behavioral effect, shows that the individual-level effects lead to systematic differences in the queue performance. Behavioral effects that increase individual patience for some are shown to reduce the overall renege rate in the queue. Our findings suggest that queue practices that modulate the perception of relative progress can reduce renege behavior.

Computational investigation of combustion and emission characteristics of HCCI engine fueled with Carbon-Free NH3 –H2O2 blend

A computational investigation is provided of the utilization of blends of NH3 and H2O2 as carbonless fuels for HCCI combustion. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model is developed and validated to assess the engine’s performance under varying proportions of NH3 and H2O2, equivalence ratios, and inlet temperatures. The heat release rate profiles demonstrated dual peaks, which were rationalized as an initial fuel decomposition followed by a slow thermal explosion and then a fast depletion of the fuel after the generation of a pool of OH radicals through decomposition of H2O2. Findings suggest that an increase in mole fraction of H2O2 advances combustion. Increasing the H2O2 volume fraction also decreases combustion duration, while increasing the IMEP. In-cylinder peak pressure and Maximum Pressure Rise Rate (MPRR) increase with H2O2 mole fraction, leading to reduced thermal efficiency, particularly at higher equivalence ratios, and an increased danger of uncontrolled combustion (knocking). Additionally, higher inlet mixture temperatures were shown to result in an advancement in the start of combustion and a reduction in combustion duration, with a corresponding increase in peak pressure. This points to the possibility of potentially controlling the notoriously difficult-to-control HCCI combustion through intake temperature for NH3/H2O2 fuel blends. However, increased NOx emissions are observed for increased intake temperature and in any case the NOx emissions are orders of magnitude above current regulatory limits, which means that practical engine operation will only be possible with an aftertreatment scheme based on the de-NOx activity of NH3.

Probing the layer-dependent behavior of electronic properties and quantum capacitance in 2H MoS2: A computational analysis with emphasis on mechanical stability

The quest for clean, sustainable energy sources was prompted by the fast depletion of fossil fuels and the world's expanding energy requirements. To store renewable energy, it is important that effective energy storage devices such as supercapacitor (SCs) be manufactured. SCs offer a promising avenue for fast-charging, energy storage, and long-life cycles but maximizing their energy density remains a problem. This study theoretically explores the intrinsic Quantum capacitance (Cq) of MoS2 in the 2H phase with a few number of layers and how factors like electronic structure and density of states influence its capacitance behavior. In the present work, the first principles analysis utilizing computational modelling with Density Functional Theory (DFT) has been employed to investigate the Cq and surface charge density (σ) of MoS2. By explaining the connection between MoS2's electrical and structural properties with its Cq, valuable insights for optimizing it's SC performance were obtained. Both the density of states (DOS) and the Cq increase with the number of layers. Among the observed structures the highest value of Cq is observed for the three layered structure of 2H–MoS2 (2H3L-MoS2) at +1 V which is 1615.14 μF cm−2. Investigating the mechanical stability of optimized structure (2H3L-MoS2), a high Young's modulus of 180.46 GPa is observed for 2H3L structure. Hence, 2H-phase of MoS2 can be used as an excellent anode material for asymmetric SCs and flexible electronic devices.

Effects of antioxidant addition and catalytic converter on emissions in off-road motors running on diesel tire oil blend

Repurposing used tires into fuel could help address environmental degradation and the fast depletion of fossil fuel resources to some extent. In this work, an attempt has been made to control the emissions by combining fuel modification and after treatment techniques. Fuel modification is done through antioxidant additive addition with the fuel blend to mitigate the prompt NOx emission and catalytic converter for additional emission reduction. The test results indicate that used tire oil may be a good substitute for fossil fuels. NO emissions were reduced by 15.3% for the 300 ppm antioxidant addition at full load. Whereas NO emissions were reduced by 21.1% with the incorporation of the catalytic converter. However, the maximum NO emission reduction achieved was 30.5% by combining antioxidants with fuel and incorporating a catalytic converter.

Parkinson’s disease gene, Synaptojanin1, dysregulates the surface maintenance of the dopamine transporter

Missense mutations of PARK20/SYNJ1 (synaptojanin1/Synj1) were found in complex forms of familial Parkinsonism. However, the Synj1-regulated molecular and cellular changes associated with dopaminergic dysfunction remain unknown. We now report a fast depletion of evoked dopamine and impaired maintenance of the axonal dopamine transporter (DAT) in the Synj1 haploinsufficient (Synj1+/−) neurons. While Synj1 has been traditionally known to facilitate the endocytosis of synaptic vesicles, we provide in vitro and in vivo evidence demonstrating that Synj1 haploinsufficiency results in an increase of total DAT but a reduction of the surface DAT. Synj1+/− neurons exhibit maladaptive DAT trafficking, which could contribute to the altered DA release. We showed that the loss of surface DAT is associated with the impaired 5’-phosphatase activity and the hyperactive PI(4,5)P2–PKCβ pathway downstream of Synj1 deficiency. Thus, our findings provided important mechanistic insight for Synj1-regulated DAT trafficking integral to dysfunctional DA signaling, which might be relevant to early Parkinsonism.

Investigation on special reactivity of sulfite as an electron acceptor for the attenuated Fenton reaction and the abatement mechanism

Sulfur(IV) as a ubiquitous substance in the atmosphere and water bodies can be deliberately involved in different redox reactions based on the known ability to donate electrons, but the inhibition effect on the advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) especially the Fenton reaction, which played a vital role in aerosol aging and pollution treatment, still stayed fuzzy. In this work, it was first found that sulfite had an unexpected reactivity to accept electrons from Fe(II) monitored by the chemiluminescence (CL) method to reduce Fe(II) seriously. Dynamics calculation, UV–vis absorption, HPLC, and CL analysis indicated that sulfite anions can be transferred into SO2·- or dimer S2O42- through reacting with Fe(II). The direct consumption of Fe(II) in Fenton reaction only happened by sulfite among other inorganic anions during degrading different organic pollution, and the produced S2O42- showed an overpowering inhibitory ability on hydroxyl radical especially at pH 5.3, both resulting in a strong inhibition effect on the Fenton reaction. In contrast at pH 3.1, the fast depletion of sulfite by H2O2 and decomposition of S2O42- fell off the inhibition effect. Furthermore, abatement experiments showed that the effect of sulfite could be circumvented by using a non-iron-based oxidation system with other metal ions, additionally clarifying the reaction of Fe(II)-sulfite played the primary role in the inhibition. Significantly, this inhibition effect of sulfite on the Fenton reaction was demonstrated to take place both in the natural wastewater and degrading two acids from biomass burning in the atmosphere, identifying the attenuated Fenton reaction in the presence of sulfur(IV) in the environment.

Essential role of p21Waf1/Cip1 in the modulation of post-traumatic hippocampal Neural Stem Cells response

BackgroundTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) represents one of the main causes of brain damage in young people and the elderly population with a very high rate of psycho-physical disability and death. TBI is characterized by extensive cell death, tissue damage and neuro-inflammation with a symptomatology that varies depending on the severity of the trauma from memory loss to a state of irreversible coma and death. Recently, preclinical studies on mouse models have demonstrated that the post-traumatic adult Neural Stem/Progenitor cells response could represent an excellent model to shed light on the neuro-reparative role of adult neurogenesis following damage. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21Waf1/Cip1 plays a pivotal role in modulating the quiescence/activation balance of adult Neural Stem Cells (aNSCs) and in restraining the proliferation progression of progenitor cells. Based on these considerations, the aim of this work is to evaluate how the conditional ablation of p21Waf1/Cip1 in the aNSCS can alter the adult hippocampal neurogenesis in physiological and post-traumatic conditions.MethodsWe designed a novel conditional p21Waf1/Cip1 knock-out mouse model, in which the deletion of p21Waf1/Cip1 (referred as p21) is temporally controlled and occurs in Nestin-positive aNSCs, following administration of Tamoxifen. This mouse model (referred as p21 cKO mice) was subjected to Controlled Cortical Impact to analyze how the deletion of p21 could influence the post-traumatic neurogenic response within the hippocampal niche.ResultsThe data demonstrates that the conditional deletion of p21 in the aNSCs induces a strong increase in activation of aNSCs as well as proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitors in the adult dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, resulting in an enhancement of neurogenesis and the hippocampal-dependent working memory. However, following traumatic brain injury, the increased neurogenic response of aNSCs in p21 cKO mice leads to a fast depletion of the aNSCs pool, followed by declined neurogenesis and impaired hippocampal functionality.ConclusionsThese data demonstrate for the first time a fundamental role of p21 in modulating the post-traumatic hippocampal neurogenic response, by the regulation of the proliferative and differentiative steps of aNSCs/progenitor populations after brain damage.

Microfluidic Insights into the Effects of Reservoir and Operational Parameters on Foamy Oil Flow Dynamics during Cyclic Solvent Injection: Reservoir-on-the-Chip Aided Experimental and Numerical Studies

This study examines the microfluidic characterization of foamy oil flow dynamics in heterogeneous porous media. A total of 12 microfluidic CSI experiments were conducted using reservoir-on-the-chip platforms. In addition, detailed PVT analysis was performed to characterise the heavy oil/solvent systems. Moreover, a numerical model constructed with CMG software package (2021.10) has been validated against the experimental findings in this study. A clear-cut visualization study provided by microfluidic systems revealed that factors including solvent type, pressure depletion rate, and reservoir parameters have a significant impact on foamy oil flow extension. It was found that a solvent containing a higher CO2 content demonstrated more effective performance compared with other solvent compositions, owing to its capability to reduce viscosity, enhance swelling, and offer more gas molecules due to its superior solubility. Additionally, a high pressure-depletion rate amplifies the driving force for bubble nucleation, as well as reducing the amount of time available for bubble coalescence. In addition, lower reservoir porosity impedes bubble movement and delays coalescence, thus extending the foamy oil flow. Furthermore, with the aid of a robust image analysis technique, it was discovered that utilizing 100% CO2 as a solvent resulted in a 17% increase in oil recovery over using 50% CO2 and 50% CH4. Furthermore, a 6% increase in oil recovery was achieved by applying a fast pressure depletion rate as opposed to a slow pressure depletion rate. Moreover, the numerical model constructed was found to be accurate in adjusting heavy oil recovery with an average relative error of 7.7%.

Computer simulation study of nutrient-driven bacterial biofilm stratification.

Here, employing computer simulation tools, we present a study on the development of a bacterial biofilm from a single starter cell on a flat inert surface overlaid by an aqueous solution containing nutrients. In our simulations, surface colonization involves an initial stage of two-dimensional cell proliferation to eventually transition to three-dimensional growth leading to the formation of biofilm colonies with characteristic three-dimensional semi-ellipsoids shapes. Thus, we have introduced the influence of the nutrient concentration on bacterial growth, and calculated the cell growth rate as a function of nutrient uptake, which in turn depends on local nutrient concentration in the vicinity of each bacterial cell. Our results show that the combination of cell growth and nutrient uptake and diffusion leads to the formation of stratified colonies containing an inner core in which nutrients are depleted and cells cannot grow or divide, surrounded by an outer, shallow crust in which cells have access to nutrients from the bulk medium and continue growing. This phenomenon is more apparent at high uptake rates that enable fast nutrient depletion. Our simulations also predict that the shape and internal structure of the biofilm are largely conditioned by the balance between nutrient diffusion and uptake.

Abstract 6321: Developing a lenalidomide-inducible safety switch for CAR T cell therapy

Abstract While CAR T cell therapy is a medical breakthrough against various hematological malignancies, yet treatment failures often occur at least in part due to excessive engineered T cell activity leading to severe toxicities. To combat this, strategies pairing CAR T cells with safety systems, for example, suicide switches engineered to induce cell death are being actively pursued. However, existing designs have limited performance characteristics and generally use unapproved small molecule controllers or non-human sequences. To overcome these issues, we have developed a novel suicide switch leveraging the well-tolerated, FDA-approved anti-cancer drug lenalidomide, as a controller of the stability of fusion proteins tagged with a “degron” sequence. Specifically, we engineered a stoichiometric pair of transgenes using the apoptotic DNase pair, caspase activating DNase (CAD) and its degron tagged inhibitor (ICAD-degron). We hypothesized that the overexpressed ICAD-degron could restrain CAD, until lenalidomide treatment degrades ICAD to unleash CAD for apoptosis. We found that our system was stably overexpressed and rapidly induced cell death even at sub-nanomolar concentrations of lenalidomide. A comparison of our design with the frontline safety switch, inducible Caspase 9 in primary human T cells revealed that the lenalidomide-induced suicide switch enabled more complete depletion of engineered cells. We tested the effects of our suicide switch on CAR T cell function and found comparable proliferation and tumor cell cytolysis with fast depletion upon lenalidomide addition. In vivo, lenalidomide suicide switch CAR T cells exhibited similar anti-tumor function as control CAR T cells and were rapidly depleted after drug treatment. In summary, utilizing all human sequences and a clinically approved drug controller, we developed a suicide switch that is well tolerated and can rapidly induce cell death even at sub-therapeutic concentrations of lenalidomide. More broadly, chemogenetic regulation of stoichiometric protein pairs is a generalizable strategy for post-translational control of highly active transgenic elements. Citation Format: Ditsa Sarkar, William Lin, Joanna Y. Kim, Nelson H. Knudsen, Isabel C. Lane, Tamina Kienka, Michael C. Kann, Amanda A. Bouffard, Andy Cheng, Marcela V. Maus, Robert T. Manguso, Max Jan. Developing a lenalidomide-inducible safety switch for CAR T cell therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 6321.

Development of metal free biochar based material for water electrolysis hydrogen production using anion exchange membrane: Creating circular economy

In recent days, a steady growth is being noted in hydrogen energy field owing to the global rise in population and increased energy demand. Fast depletion of fossil-based fuels and climate change issues are driving nations towards exploring an alternate energy resource. Hydrogen energy is one such an option owing to availability of simple and cost intensive technology involvement. Alkaline water electrolysis is one of the simplest ways of producing hydrogen utilizing renewable energy and oxygen as the only byproduct thus not contributing to carbon footprint. However, immediate attention is needed to minimize the cost of electrolyzer components, maintenance and energy. Commercial proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEM) in market employ large capital cost due to high-priced Nafion and other PFSA membranes, titanium endplates and noble metal-based electrocatalysts. As a consequence, researchers are looking into the usage of Anionic exchange membrane (AEM) for water/alkali based electrolyzer for producing hydrogen with non-noble metal electrocatalysts and low-cost metal end plates. In this article a waste coconut shell derived biochar is explored as the carbon matrix for base of electrocatalysts to replace other high-cost carbon support for electrocatalyst in water electrolyzer. The structural and electrical properties of the coconut shell biochar are studied and compared with other available carbon supports. To deep drive in the electrolyzer performance this approach is further extended to MEA (Membrane Electrode Assembly) level to study the metal free electrocatalyst behavior in real-time environmental conditions.

Interfacial Thermal Resistive Switching in (Pt,Cr)/SrTiO3 Devices.

The operation of oxide-based memristive devices relies on the fast accumulation and depletion of oxygen vacancies by an electric field close to the metal-oxide interface. Here, we show that the reversible change of the local concentration of oxygen vacancies at this interface also produces a change in the thermal boundary resistance (TBR), i.e., a thermal resistive switching effect. We used frequency domain thermoreflectance to monitor the interfacial metal-oxide TBR in (Pt,Cr)/SrTiO3 devices, showing a change of ≈20% under usual SET/RESET operation voltages, depending on the structure of the device. Time-dependent thermal relaxation experiments suggest ionic rearrangement along the whole area of the metal/oxide interface, apart from the ionic filament responsible for the electrical conductivity switching. The experiments presented in this work provide valuable knowledge about oxide ion dynamics in redox-based memristive devices.

Monosodium urate crystal depletion and bone erosion remodeling during pegloticase treatment in patients with uncontrolled gout: Exploratory dual-energy computed tomography findings from MIRROR RCT

ObjectiveMonosodium-urate (MSU) crystal deposits can be visualized and quantified with dual-energy CT (DECT). Pegloticase lowers serum urate (SU) in uncontrolled gout patients, with methotrexate (MTX) co-therapy recommended to increase SU-lowering response rate and decrease infusion reaction risk. The literature on serial DECT-imaging during pegloticase+MTX co-therapy is sparse, with only 2 prior cases of rapid MSU deposition depletion with subsequent bone-erosion remodeling reported from a small open-label trial. Here, we report DECT findings during pegloticase treatment in a larger number of patients from a randomized controlled trial to confirm bone-erosion remodeling that follows MSU depletion with pegloticase. The influence of length-of-therapy is also explored. MethodsPatients received pegloticase (8mg every 2weeks)+MTX (15mg/week orally) or pegloticase+placebo (PBO) during the MIRROR RCT trial. A subset underwent DECT-imaging on Day1 (first pegloticase infusion) and at Weeks 14, 24, and 52. Patients with paired baseline-Week 52 images were included. Imaged regions with baseline MSU-crystal volume (VMSU)<0.5cm3 were excluded to minimize artifact contributions. VMSU and bone-erosion remodeling were assessed. ResultsEight patients (6 MTX, 2 PBO) were included. Included patients had received 52weeks (5 MTX), 42weeks (1 PBO), and 6weeks (1 MTX, 1 PBO) of pegloticase therapy. Patients who prematurely discontinued pegloticase maintained SU<6mg/dL on allopurinol (n=2)/febuxostat (n=1). At Week 52, VMSU had markedly decreased in both the pegloticase+MTX and pegloticase+PBO treatment groups, with faster depletion during pegloticase therapy. Bone-erosion remodeling was observed in 29/42 (69%) evaluated erosions: 29 (69%) size decrease, 4 (9.5%) recortication, 3 (7.1%) new bone formation. ConclusionRapid VMSU depletion during pegloticase therapy was observed with concomitant bone remodeling within 1year. Following pegloticase discontinuation, VMSU reduction slowed or stopped even when SU was maintained<6mg/dL with oral ULT. Clinical trial registrationNCT03994731.

Optimization of Flanged Diffuser for Small-Scale Wind Power Applications

The development of renewable and clean energy has become more crucial to societies due to the increasing energy demand and fast depletion of fossil fuels. A state-of-the-art design for an augmented wind turbine has been introduced in the past years to increase the efficiency of compact horizontal axis wind turbines, exceeding the ideal Betz’s limit of the maximum energy captured from the wind. The optimization of the flanged diffuser - so-called diffuser augmented wind turbine DAWT - is investigated numerically using the multi-objective genetic algorithm “MOGA”. A 2D computational model is developed using ICEM CFD and solved by ANSYS Fluent. The Turbulence model selected is shear stress transport K-omega, with a pressure-based solver and a coupled algorithm scheme. The optimization objectives are to maximize the velocity ratio at the shroud throat and minimize shroud form dimensions. 517 design points were solved, and the design dimensions were categorized into four types: compact, small, medium, and large design. The results showed that the diffuser dimensions are the main parameters to increase velocity inside the shroud throat, where a long diffuser with a low converging angle drags more air inside the shroud, reaching in some cases more than double the upwind velocity. While the nozzle and flange are also effective in the different design types. It was found that a super long diffuser with a length ratio of 2.9 LD to throat diameter D is optimal with a diverging angle of 7.6˚, accompanied by a nozzle of ratio 1.2 LN/D and 12.6˚ converging angle and a flange length ratio of 0.6 LF/D. This optimal design increased the velocity ratio by almost 2.5 times.

Habitable planet to sustainable civilization: Global climate change with related clean energy transition reliant on declining critical metal resources

It took nearly four billion years after the birth of the Earth to make our planet habitable in terms of marine and terrestrial environment, resources, and life. This was made possible because of Earth’s unique tectonic system of recycling of critical elements through plate tectonics and subduction. However, with the spiraling growth in population and fast depletion of metallic resources, modern civilization is facing a severe energy crisis, in addition to the challenges to environment and life posed by anthropogenic activities and climate change. Here we present an outline of the evolutionary tectonic and geodynamic history of Earth from its birth into a habitable planet. We briefly address the current challenges that humans face in the fields of energy, environment, resources, and climate towards achieving sustainability of our modern civilization. We also evaluate the paradox of Net Zero targets, particularly in terms of the fast depletion of non-renewable critical metals required for alternate energy, as well as the threat of increasing ‘graveyards’ from green energy toxic waste enveloping the globe. We alert the unsound concepts being propagated, as viewed from a geological scale and geoscience perspective, on global warming and sea level changes. Our study emphasizes the need for a holistic logical and well-integrated scientific approach, rather than a one-dimensional climate science view, to effectively address the challenges of the planet’s sustainability.

Radiolabeled florescent-magnetic graphene oxide nanosheets: probing the biodistribution of a potential PET-MRI hybrid imaging agent for detection of fibrosarcoma tumor.

Radiolabeled graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets has been one of the most extensively studied nanoplatform for in vivo radioisotope delivery. Herein, we describe the functionalization of the surface of GO nanosheets with Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, cysteine amino acid as an interface ligand, and cadmium telluride quantum dots. To enable In vivo PET imaging, the GO@Fe3O4-cys-CdTe QDs were labeled with 68Ga to yield [68Ga] Ga-Go@ Fe3O4-Cys-CdTe QDs. Furthermore, serum stability tests were performed and the biological behavior of the nanocomposite was evaluated in rats bearing fibrosarcoma tumor. Liver, blood and tumor were the most accumulated sites at 1 h after the injection, and the radiolabeled nanocomposite as a PET/MRI imaging agent showed fast depletion from body and acceptable tumor uptake. Magnetic (Fe3O4) and fluorescent components (CdTe QDs) along with a positron-emitting radionuclide will help to design a multimodal imaging system (PET/MRI/OI) which will offer the advantages of combined imaging techniques and further possible used in localized radionuclide therapy. Overall, [68Ga] Ga-GO@Fe3O4-cys-CdTe QDs nanocomposite shows great promise as a radiolabeled imaging agent owing to high accumulation in tumor region.

Exergetic performance optimization and thermoeconomic analysis of a variable compression ratio diesel engine fueled with distilled plastic oil and diesel doped with nanographene

Due to the fast depletion of fossil fuels, enormous concerns about environmental pollution, and advocacy for waste-to-energy drives from the global perspective, compression ignition engines need a sustainable alternative fuel source. Enormous plastic wastes were generated in health sectors, particularly during post-pandemic. In this context, the study intends to introduce a reasonable solution for such waste plastics recycling by converting them into liquid oil by pyrolysis followed by the distillation process. Distilled waste plastic oil (DPO) extracted from medical plastic waste is a potential alternative diesel source. The performance of the engine significantly increases when nanographene is added with DPO/diesel blends, which act as a combustion improviser. The energy efficiency (η1), exergy efficiency (η2), and brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC), which are regarded as key performance indicators, exhibited promising results when operated with 20% DPO +100 ppm nanographene (20DPO100G) emulsified fuel mixture as compared to normal diesel. When compared to diesel and other fuel combinations, the energy efficiency (η1) and exergy efficiency (η2) for 20DPO100G fuel mixture were found enhanced by 5.78% and 10.9%, respectively, and lowest by 14.7% for BSFC in comparison to diesel. The optimum energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and minimum BSFC were obtained for the test engine from response surface methodology multi-objective optimization analysis as 31.44%, 22.12%, and 0.32 kg/kW-hr, respectively, for the composite desirability, D of 0.974. The 100 ppm nanographene emulsified distilled waste plastic pyrolysis oil and diesel blend has the lowest relative cost variation of −14.583.