High Content Research Articles

LcASR enhances tolerance to abiotic stress in Leymus chinensis and Arabidopsis thaliana by improving photosynthetic performance

SUMMARYAs a crucial forage grass, Leymus chinensis plays significant roles in soil and water conservation owing to its robust stress resistance. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of its stress tolerance remain unclear. In this study, a novel gene, designated as LcASR (Abiotic Stress Resistance in Leymus chinensis), imparting resilience to both high light and drought, was identified. Under normal growth conditions, heterologous overexpression of LcASR in Arabidopsis (HO lines) showed no significant difference in appearance compared to wild‐type. Nevertheless, HO lines accumulate significantly higher chlorophyll content during the dark‐to‐light transition compared to the wild‐type, indicating that the LcASR protein participates in chlorophyll synthesis during chloroplast development. Meanwhile, transgenic Arabidopsis and L. chinensis plants exhibited resistance to abiotic stresses such as high light and drought. Photosystem complexes analysis revealed that LHCII proteins remained stable within their respective complexes during high light stress. We hypothesize that LcASR may play a role in fine tuning of chlorophyll synthesis to enable plant adaptation to diverse stress conditions. Moreover, overexpression of LcASR in L. chinensis led to agronomically valuable traits such as deeper green color, higher biomass accumulation, prolonged withering period, and extended grazing durations. This study uncovers a novel gene in L. chinensis that enhances forage yield and provides valuable genetic resources for sheepgrass breeding.

Biochemical composition of Armenian chili pepper varieties: insights for functional food applications

Background: Capsicum annuum L. (pepper) is economically significant in many countries, including Armenia, where it helps conserve the vegetable gene pool and supports public health. Its rich biochemical composition makes it a key dietary component, particularly for its antioxidant properties, which combat free radicals. The biochemical makeup of peppers vary by genotype and maturity, leading breeders to develop varieties with both agronomic and nutritional benefits. Chili peppers are especially valued for their high carotene and ascorbic acid content, earning them the title of "multi vitamin concentrate," along with other vitamins and bioactive compounds that enhance their health benefits. Objective: This study examines the biochemical profiles of various Armenian chili pepper varieties, highlighting their nutritional value and potential in agricultural systems. By analysing these unique varieties, the research aims to advance knowledge of their health benefits and promote sustainable farming practices. Methods: The study examined six locally bred chili pepper varieties—'Artsiv', 'Punj', 'Kon', 'Deghin kakach', 'Oranj kakach', and 'Kaytsak'. Ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and phenols were measured at both the technical and biological ripening stages using spectrophotometry. Dry matter was determined by the thermogravimetric method, and sugar content by Bertrand’s method. Pungency was assessed using the Scoville heat units’ method, and statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA. Results: The study of six Armenian chili pepper varieties showed differences in fruit shape, color, ripening times, and productivity. 'Deghin kakach', 'Oranj kakach', and 'Kon' produce conical fruits that change to yellow, orange, and red, respectively, while 'Punj', 'Kaytsak', and 'Artsiv' have elongated fruits that ripen red. Early varieties like 'Punj', 'Artsiv', and 'Kaytsak' mature 11–17 days earlier. 'Oranj kakach' was the most productive (19.4 t/ha), while 'Kaytsak' had the lowest yield. 'Artsiv', 'Punj', and 'Kaytsak' were hot, while the others were moderately hot. Carotenoid content rose during ripening, ascorbic acid ranged from 115.0 to 175.6 mg/100 g, with 'Punj' highest, and total phenolics peaked in 'Deghin kakach'. Conclusion: Armenian chili pepper varieties are rich in bioactive compounds—phenols, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and capsaicin— suitable for functional foods. During ripening, carotenoids increased by up to 583.64%, ascorbic acid by 97.4%, and phenols by 96.43%. ‘Punj’ had the highest ascorbic acid, ‘Oranj kakach’ the most carotenoids, and ‘Deghin kakach’ the most phenols, highlighting the potential of ripening to boost the health benefits of these peppers. Keywords: hot pepper, vitamin C, carotenoids, phenols, phenological stages, productivity

Corrosion, Impact Toughness and Tensile Properties of Duplex Stainless Steels Manufactured by Directed Energy Deposition

AbstractDuplex stainless steels provide a desirable combination of corrosion resistance, strength and toughness. Additive manufacturing of duplex stainless steels can be challenging due to high cooling rates and repeated reheating, which can produce detrimental microstructural constituents. In this study, a coaxial directed energy deposition system with laser and wire was used to deposit 2205, 2209 and 2509 duplex stainless steels. Corrosion resistance, strength and impact toughness in both as-built and solution annealed condition was tested and the microstructure was characterized. Solution annealing improved impact toughness considerably, produced a slight increase in corrosion resistance and a slight decrease in tensile strength. The 2205 material surpassed all common requirements and exhibited better corrosion resistance than 2209 due to less segregation between austenite and ferrite. Segregation of alloying elements was lower in intragranular austenite than grain boundary allotriomorph and Widmanstätten austenite. The 2209 and 2509 materials provided relatively low strength, especially in the solution annealed condition. For the 2509 material, sigma phase caused low as-built corrosion resistance and impact toughness. Overmatching welding consumables were found to be less suitable as feedstock for additive manufacturing due to high austenite content in the deposited material and lower corrosion resistance than conventional duplex compositions.

Sensorless Position Control in High-Speed Domain of PMSM Based on Improved Adaptive Sliding Mode Observer

To improve the speed buffering and position tracking accuracy of medium–high-speed permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM), a sensorless control method based on an improved sliding mode observer is proposed. By the mathematical model of the built-in PMSM, an improved adaptive super-twisting sliding mode observer is constructed. Based on the LSTA-SMO with a linear term of observation error, a sliding mode coefficient can be adjusted in real time according to the change in rotational speed. In view of the high harmonic content of the output back electromotive force, the adaptive adjustment strategy for the back electromotive force is adopted. In addition, in order to improve the estimation accuracy and resistance ability of the observer, the rotor position error was taken as the disturbance term, and the third-order extended state observer (ESO) was constructed to estimate the rotational speed and rotor position through the motor mechanical motion equation. The proposed method is validated in Matlab and compared with the conventional linear super twisted observer. The simulation results show that the proposed method enables the observer to operate stably in a wide velocity domain and reduces the velocity estimation error to 6.7 rpm and the position estimation accuracy error to 0.0005 rad at high speeds, which improves the anti-interference capability.

Optimizing Basil Seed Vigor Evaluations: An Automatic Approach Using Computer Vision-Based Technique

The short cultivation cycle and high essential oil content of basil plants render them a valuable raw material source for diverse industries. However, large-scale production is hindered by the lack of specific protocols to assess seed vigor; thus, a consistent supply of high-quality seeds that meet consumer demands cannot be ensured. This study investigated the effectiveness of an automated system for seedling analysis as a tool for evaluating basil seed vigor and compared it to traditional tests. For this purpose, seeds from eight commercial lots were evaluated in two separate trials spaced six months apart using the following tests: germination, first germination count, saturated salt accelerated aging, primary root emergence, mean germination time, seedling emergence, seedling emergence speed index, and computerized seedling image analysis. The parameters provided by the system allowed us to clearly and objectively classify the basil seed lots based on vigor, and the results were strongly and significantly correlated with the findings of traditional vigor tests, particularly between the vigor index and seedling length. Digital analysis of four-day-old seedlings proved to be a fast and efficient technique for evaluating basil seed vigor and has the potential for use in automating the data collection and analysis process.

Control system and process optimization for electroless nickel plating

A novel method based on mid-frequency vibration is proposed to eliminate coating defects such as bubbles during electroless nickel plating. An automated control system for the plating, enabling precise and stable measurements and adjustments of critical parameters such as plating solution temperature, pH, and nickel ion concentration, is also established, which significantly improves process efficiency and coating quality. Experimental results indicate that the system is capable of realizing stable operation over extended periods. A nonporous nickel–phosphorus coating with a thickness greater than 200 μm is successfully obtained, with high phosphorus content, robust adhesion, and superior machinability.

Tailoring superstructure units for improved oxygen redox activity in Li-rich layered oxide battery’s positive electrodes

AbstractThe high-voltage oxygen redox activity of Li-rich layered oxides enables additional capacity beyond conventional transition metal (TM) redox contributions and drives the development of positive electrode active materials in secondary Li-based batteries. However, Li-rich layered oxides often face voltage decay during battery operation. In particular, although Li-rich positive electrode active materials with a high nickel content demonstrate improved voltage stability, they suffer from poor discharge capacity. Here, via physicochemical and electrochemical measurements, we investigate the correlation between oxygen redox activity and superstructure units in Li-rich layered oxides, specifically the fractions of LiMn6 and Ni4+-stabilized LiNiMn5 within the TM layer. We prove that an excess of LiNiMn5 hinders the extraction/insertion of lithium ions during Li metal coin cell charging/discharging, resulting in incomplete oxygen redox activity at a cell potential of about 3.3 V. We also demonstrate that lithium content adjustment could be a beneficial approach to tailor the superstructure units. Indeed, we report an improved oxygen redox reversibility for an optimized Li-rich layered oxide with fewer LiNiMn5 units.

Метаболічний синдром: механізми розвитку та експериментальні моделі

Metabolic syndrome is a condition characterized by the presence of insulin resis­tance and the presence of two of the following risk factors: obesity, hyperlipidemia (hypertriglyceridemia, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), hypertension, or microalbuminuria. The multifactorial nature of metabolic syndrome makes it difficult to create an adequate experimental model that would best represent the entire spectrum of the pathophysiology of this condition. This review aims to summarize current literature data on the pathophysiological mechanisms of metabolic syndrome in the context of the development of insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and inflammation. The article also summarizes modern approaches to the induction of metabolic syndrome in rodents, among which dietary manipulation, genetic modifications, and the use of pharmaceuticals are the most common. As genetic models of metabolic syndrome, rodents with leptin or leptin receptor deficiency are most often used, in particular leptin-deficient mice (ob/ob), leptin receptor-deficient mice (db/db), Zucker obese rats (ZF), diabetic rats lines Zucker with obesity (ZDF) and others. Pharmaceutical drugs that can be used to induce metabolic syndrome include endogenous glucocorticoids and antipsychotic drugs. Several dietary manipulations are used to induce metabolic syndrome in laboratory animals. In particular, one type of diet or a combination of diets can be used, such as diets high in fructose, sucrose and fat, or a diet characterized by a high content of both fructose and fat or sucrose and fat. Manipulations with the composition of products consumed by experimental animals make it possible to simulate the development of metabolic syndrome, since the diet affects the metabolism of the entire body, and has a regulatory effect on hormones, glucose and lipid metabolism pathways.

Effects of Red Vinasse on Physicochemical Qualities of Blue Round Scad (Decapterus maruadsi) During Storage, and Shelf Life Prediction

A fish processed with red vinasse is a type of Fujian cuisine with regional characteristics. In order to monitor the effect of red vinasse on storage quality and shelf life of blue round scad (Decapterus maruadsi) during storage, the changes in fat content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), composition of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), pH value, texture, and sensory quality were studied at different storage temperatures (4 °C, 25 °C, and 37 °C). By analyzing the correlation between changes in sensory qualities and physical and chemical indexes, a first-order kinetic model and the Arrhenius equation were used to build a shelf-life prediction model for blue round scad during storage. The results showed that processing with red vinasse can significantly reduce the malondialdehyde (MDA) production and the decrease in PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (p < 0.05) during storage. Based on partial least squares regression (PLSR), the storage temperature and time have a significant impact on the PUFA composition in blue round scad, which changed less when the samples were stored at 4 °C and 25 °C, and they had better nutritional composition of fatty acids at lower temperatures. Among the PUFAs, DHA (C22:6n-3) and EPA (C20:5n-3) had higher relative contents and significantly decreased during storage (p < 0.05). Additionally, the processing with red vinasse can slow down the increase in total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) value and pH of blue round scad, maintain the appropriate hardness, elasticity, cohesion and chewability, and improve the overall sensory quality of the fish. In addition, according to the results of model prediction based on TBARS value, the storage shelf life of blue round scad with red vinasse added was 55 d, 2.7 d and 28 h at 4 °C, 25 °C and 37 °C, respectively. The accuracy of the forecast model was high, and the relative errors of the measured values and predicted values were less than 10%. Thus, it not only provided a theoretical basis for the processing and application of red vinasse to Chinese traditional food, but also provided innovative ideas for the safe storage and high-value utilization of blue round scad.

Numerical Simulation Study on the Stable Combustion of a 660 MW Supercritical Unit Boiler at Ultra-Low Load

To investigate the safe, stable, and economically viable operation of a boiler under ultra-low-load conditions during the deep peaking process of coal-fired units, a numerical simulation study was conducted on a 660 MW front- and rear-wall hedge cyclone burner boiler. The current research on low load conditions is limited to achieving stable combustion by adjusting the operating parameters, and few effective boiler operating parameter predictions are given for very low-load conditions, i.e., below 20%. Various burner operation modes under ultra-low load conditions were analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFDs) methods; this operation was successfully tested with six types of pulverized coal combustion in this paper, and fitting models for outlet flue gas temperature and NOx emissions were derived based on the combustion characteristics of different types of pulverized coal. The results indicate that under 20% ultra-low-load conditions, the use of lower burners leads to a uniform temperature distribution within the furnace, achieving a minimum NOx emission of 112 ppm and a flue gas temperature of 743 K. Coal type 3, with the highest carbon content and a calorific value of 22,440 kJ/kg, has the highest average section temperature of 1435.76 K. In contrast, coal type 1 has a higher nitrogen content, with a maximum cross-sectional average NOx concentration of 865.90 ppm and an exit NOx emission concentration of 800 ppm. The overall lower NOx emissions of coal type 3 are primarily attributed to its reduced nitrogen content and increased oxygen content, which enhance pulverized coal combustion and suppress NOx formation. The fitting models accurately capture the influence of pulverized coal composition on outlet flue gas temperature and NOx emissions. This control strategy can be extended to the stable combustion of many kinds of coal. For validation, the fitting error bar for the predicted outlet flue gas temperature based on the elemental composition of coal type 6 was 8.09%, whereas the fitting error bar for the outlet NOx emissions was only 1.45%.

Identification of Cause–Effect Relationships between Process Parameters and the Film Formation in the Semidry Electrode Production for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Conventional electrode production for lithium‐ion batteries has high energy and plant space demand, due to the high solvent content of the slurry to be processed by slot die or doctor blade coating. By using the semidry electrode production, the solvent content is reduced by more than 50% compared to the conventional electrode production, decreasing energy demand and drying length. Regarding technology readiness level, the semidry electrode production is on the pilot scale, as the basic principles have been shown. However, many unknown cause–effect correlations exist between the process parameters and the product properties. This study aims to analyze process parameter variations and their influence on the geometric, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of the electrode. An experimental design is utilized to obtain statistically relevant conclusions. It is found that the first calender gap and the roller speed influence the mass loading and the porosity of the electrode. The roller speed significantly influences the ionic resistance within the electrode, which may be attributed to the used release foil.

Evaluating Physiological and Yield Indices of Egyptian Barley Cultivars Under Drought Stress Conditions

Climate change significantly threatens crops, mainly through drought stress, affecting barley, which is essential for food and feed globally. Ten barley cultivars were evaluated under normal and drought stress conditions during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, focusing on traits such as days to heading and maturity, plant height, number of spikes m−2, spike length, 1000-kernel weight, and biological and grain yield. Drought stress significantly reduced most of these traits. The genotypes showed significant differences in their responses to irrigation treatments, with the interaction between seasons and cultivars also being significant for most traits. The grain yield and 1000-kernel weight were among the least affected traits under drought stress, respectively. Notably, Giza138 and Giza126 showed strong drought tolerance, suitable for drought-resilient breeding. In season one, Giza126, Giza134, and Giza138 yielded 13%, 9%, and 11%, respectively, while Giza135 and Giza129 showed higher reductions at 31% and 39%. In season two, Giza126, Giza134, and Giza138 had reductions of 14%, 10%, and 13%, respectively, while Giza135 and Giza129 again exhibited higher reductions at 31% and 38%. These cultivars also showed strong performance across various stress tolerance indices, including the MP, YSI, STI, GMP, and YI. Giza 134 demonstrated the lowest values for the SDI and TOL, indicating superior drought stress tolerance. On the other hand, Giza 129 and Giza 135 were the most sensitive to drought stress, experiencing significant reductions across critical traits, including 6.1% in days to heading, 18.37% in plant height, 28.21% in number of kernel spikes−1, 38.45% in grain yield, and 34.91% in biological yield. In contrast, Giza 138 and Giza 2000 showed better resilience, with lower reductions in the 1000-kernel weight (6.41%) and grain yield (10.61%), making them more suitable for drought-prone conditions. Giza 126 and Giza 132 also exhibited lower sensitivity, with minimal reductions in days to heading (2%) and maturity (2.4%), suggesting potential adaptability to water-limited environments. Giza 126 maintained the highest root lengths and had the highest stomatal conductance. Giza 138 consistently had the highest chlorophyll content, with SPAD values decreasing to 79% under drought. Despite leading in shoot length, Giza 135 decreased to 42.59% under drought stress. In conclusion, Giza 126 and Giza 138 showed adaptability to water-limited conditions with minimal impact on phenological traits. Giza 126 had the longest roots and highest stomatal conductance, while Giza 138 consistently maintained a high chlorophyll content. Together, they and Giza 134 are valuable for breeding programs to improve barley drought tolerance.

Pulsed Electric Field for Quick-Cooking Rice: Impacts on Cooking Quality, Physicochemical Properties, and In Vitro Digestion Kinetics

Pulsed electric field (PEF) is one of the emerging technologies that has been applied in many aspects of the food industry. This study examined the impacts of a PEF on the cooking quality, physicochemical properties, nutritional factors, and in vitro protein and starch digestion of two varieties of rice, including Jasmine 105 (white non-glutinous rice) and San Pa Tong 1 (white glutinous rice). Response surface methodology (RSM) and a three-level, three-factor Box–Behnken design were employed to assess the effects of the pulse number, electric field strength, and frequency on cooking time. The findings demonstrated that the number of pulses was a crucial factor influencing cooking time. Under optimal conditions (3347–4345 pulses, electric field strengths of 6–8 kV/cm, and frequencies ranging from 6 to 15 Hz), the rice cooking time was significantly reduced by 40–50% (p < 0.05) when compared to a conventional method. Moreover, PEF-treated rice showed a significant enhancement in in vitro protein and starch digestibility (p < 0.05), as well as retained a higher content of rapidly digestible starch. These results suggested that PEF treatment is a promising green technology for producing a novel quick-cooking rice with an improved eating quality.

Aborted oceanic basin during the Mesozoic rifting of the South-Iberian Palaeomargin and interactions with the sedimentation processes

ABSTRACT During the Mesozoic, the South-Iberian Palaeomargin experienced successive phases of extensional tectonics related to the fragmentation of Pangea and the aperture of the Central Atlantic. During the Pliensbachian, the rifting favoured the fracturing and collapse of the Early Jurassic carbonate platform and delimited a subdomain characterized by high subsidence called Median Subbetic (Betic Cordillera, S Spain). The progression of the rifting and the related extension along ~ 102 Ma, from late Pliensbachian to Santonian, favoured the activity of lithospheric scale faulting and extensional basic magmatism in the Median Subbetic with alkaline affinity. The highest volume of lava emissions, represented by pillow-lava flows interbedded with hemipelagic sediments, occurred during the Middle Jurassic. The pillow-lavas show aphanitic texture with Ca-rich plagioclase and clinopyroxene, whereas subvolcanic rocks are aphanitic with high content of plagioclase to phaneritic with plagioclase, olivine and biotite. The rocks present low SiO2 (46.6–53.5 wt.%) and relatively high K2O (locally reaching 8.7 wt.%), and the content of trace elements generally ranges between those from E-MORB and OIB composition. Values of some ratios such as (Gd/Yb)N, (La/Yb)N, (La/Sm)N, and the Nb content increase in the Upper Cretaceous pillow-lava flows, whereas Yb and Y contents decrease, that point to more alkaline affinity. Low Yb and Y contents point to the presence of garnet as residual phase in the mantle source. We interpret that during the early Late Cretaceous, hyperextensional phase of the continental rifting throughout an aborted oceanic basin occurred and allowed lithospheric deeper asthenospheric mantle up-lift and the partial melting. The phases of extensional tectonic controlled the configuration of this palaeomargin in complex tectono-palaeogeographic subdomains, the sedimentary cycles, and the volcanic activity during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Finally, the transition from passive margin to a convergent one began during the Campanian and no more volcanism is recorded in the Median Subbetic.

Formulation and Evaluation of Weaning Foods Prepared from Multigrain Flour and Powdered Milk

Aims: Children after 6 months need to shift from breast milk to weaning food. The present study aims to develop low cost nutritious weaning foods to fulfil the increased nutritional requirements during this phase of growth. Study Design: The present study involved development of three different samples of low cost weaning foods prepared with multigrain flour (combination of rice flour, wheat flour and gram flour in the ratio of 2:1:0.5) mixed with milk powder (5%, 7.5% and 10% of the total flour mixture). Sensory, physicochemical and cost analyses were performed for the samples. Place and Duration of Study: University Polytechnic (Boys), Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, between January 2016 and July 2016. Methodology: Sensory evaluation was done on a 9 point hedonic scale after preparing the samples for consumption by adding either water or milk. Physicochemical properties of the developed samples such as moisture content, ash content and protein content were assessed during storage at room temperature (25-32˚C) for 2 months in airtight laminated aluminium film packing material. Results: In sensory of samples prepared with water, sample 3 was found to be the most preferred sample while in case of samples prepared with milk, sample 1 was found to be the best in sensory quality. All the developed weaning food samples were found to be stable during 50 days of storage. Moisture content, Protein content and Ash content of the samples ranged from 4.84 to 10.38%, 13.23 and 16.29% and 1.22 to 1.54% respectively. Samples with more milk powder showed higher protein content and fat content. Conclusion: The prepared weaning food samples had comparable physicochemical and sensory characteristics and lower cost than the commercially available weaning foods. They will be helpful in fulfilling the nutritional requirement of the vulnerable sections of society including middle-income groups (MIG) and low-income groups (LIG) consumers and overcoming malnutrition.

Assessment of the germination power and α-amylase activity in the soil rhizospheric compartment amended with olive mill waste waters.

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) was used in ferti-irrigation due to its high water content, as well as its organic and mineral richness. However, this by-product also contains elevated levels of polyphenols, which may pose phytotoxic risks to soil microbiota and plants over time. To address this concern, we conducted a thorough examination of the phenolic composition of OMWW and the phenolic content of amended soils using HPLC analysis. Additionally, we assessed the residual phytotoxicity of OMWW across various soil rhizospheric layers (0-30 cm, 30-60 cm, and 60-90 cm). Standard germination tests were performed using soil extracts with sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seeds. We also measured α-amylase activities in the germinated seeds for both species, comparing them to raw OMWW and control soil extracts. HPLC analysis revealed that tyrosol, ferulic acid, and hydroxytyrosol were the predominant phenolic compounds in crude OMWW, while no detectable compounds were found in the soil extracts. Germination tests indicated minimal toxicity in the topsoil amended with OMWW, with a noticeable reduction in residual phytotoxicity at greater depths. These results aligned with the α-amylase activity assessments, which demonstrated significantly higher enzyme activity in the deeper soil layers (30-60 cm and 60-90 cm), with no substantial differences compared to control extracts.

Exploring the functional properties and utilisation potential of mollusca shell by-products through an interdisciplinary approach.

Molluscan shellfish aquaculture contributes to 42.6% of global aquaculture production. With a continued increase in shellfish production, disposal of shell waste during processing is emerging as an environmental and financial concern. Whilst major commercial species such as Crassostrea spp. has been extensively investigated on usage of its shell, with information that are crucial for valorisation, e.g. safety and crystal polymorphs, evaluated. There is currently little understanding of utilisation opportunities of shell in several uprising Australian commercially harvested species including Akoya Oyster (Pinctada fucata), Roe's Abalone (Haliotis roei) and Greenlip Abalone (Haliotis levigata), making it challenging to identify ideal usages based on evidence-based information. Therefore, in this study, an interdisciplinary approach was employed to characterise the shells, and thereafter suggest some potential utilisation opportunities. This characterisation included crude mineral content, elemental profiling and food safety evaluation. As well, physical, chemical, and thermal stability of the shell products was assessed. TGA result suggests that all shells investigated have high thermal stability, suggesting the possibility of utilisation as a functional filler in engineering applications. Subsequent FTIR, SEM and XRD analyses identified that CaCO3 was the main compositions with up to 77.6% of it found to be aragonite. The spectacular high aragonite content compared to well-investigated Crassostrea spp. suggested an opportunity for the utilisation of refined abalone shell as a source of biomedical engineering due to its potent biocompatibility. Additionally, safety evaluations on whole shell also outlined that all investigated samples were safe when utilised as a crude calcium supplement for populations > 11years old, which could be another viable options of utilisation. This article could underpin abalone and akoya industries actions to fully utilise existing waste streams to achieve a more sustainable future.

Engineering Triple-Phase Interfaces with Hierarchical Carbon Nanocages for High-Areal-Capacity All-Solid-State Li-S Batteries.

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) have garnered widespread attention due to their advantages of high energy density and enhanced safety. However, the typical composite structure composed of solid-state electrolyte (SE), discrete conducting carbon black, and microsized sulfur (μ-S) with long-range Li+/e- conducting path and huge volume changes, suffers from sluggish charge transport and severe electrochemical-mechanical failure. In this work, a unique hierarchical carbon nanocage (hCNC) is applied as a continuous conducting network where nanosized sulfur are confined. Due to the synergistic effects of multi-dimensional (particle, interface, and electrode) structural engineering, this new sulfur-carbon composite cathode (S@hCNC39) can achieve uniform distribution of sulfur and carbon, and efficiently constructs triple-phase interfaces, showing enhanced charge-carrier transport and improved electrochemical-mechanical stability. Remarkable cycling performance of 89% after 300 cycles at 0.2C at 30°C is realized in ASSLSBs assembled with S@hCNC39. Notably, ASSLSBs achieve an ultrahigh areal capacity of 9.95 mAh cm-2 with stable cycling at 60°C with high sulfur contents of 40% and high sulfur loadings of 6mg cm-2. These results provide critical insights into the design of rational sulfur-carbon composites and offer a viable approach to enhance the overall performance of ASSLSBs.

The mercury and low molecular-weight antioxidants levels in ungulates of the Republic of Karelia

The high toxicity of mercury (Hg) poses a danger to the environment and humans, but studies of the concentration of this metal in organisms of terrestrial ecosystems are few. Ecotoxicologists also pay little attention to studying the role of antioxidant vitamins in protecting cells from toxic metals. The Republic of Karelia is one of the northwestern regions of Russia, the biogeochemical features of which can contribute to an increase in the mobility and bioavailability of Hg in food chains. The purpose of the work was to determine the concentration of Hg in the liver, kidneys, muscle and hair of ungulate mammals of the Republic of Karelia (wild boar Sus scrofa L. and moose Alces alces L.) and to analyze the relationship between the level of this toxic metal and the content of low molecular-weight antioxidants – reduced glutathione, retinol and α-tocopherol. Species and tissue-specific of the studied parameters in wild boars and moose are noted. The observations discovered by other researchers that omnivorous species accumulate more Hg in their tissues compared to herbivores, and also that this toxic metal is predominantly accumulated in the kidneys, while muscles contain a minimal amount, have been confirmed. Hg concentrations in most samples of liver and kidney of wild boars and in all samples of these same organs of moose were within the limits recorded for domestic pigs and deer, respectively. The levels of Hg we recorded in the tissues and hair of wild boars and moose were generally comparable to or lower than the levels of this metal noted in animals from other regions of Russia and other countries of the world. In wild boars and moose of Karelia, no statistically significant relationships were found between the Hg level and the content of the studied antioxidants in the internal organs. Moose were characterized by a higher content of α-tocopherol in the body than wild boars, which is a feature of this type of herbivorous ungulate mammal. The results of the study indicate a relatively low level of mercury pollution in terrestrial ecosystems in Karelia.

Degradation mechanism of dual-phase thermal barrier coatings Gd2Zr2O7 + 8YSZ under hot corrosion in pure Na2SO4

AbstractThe research presented in the article concerns the identification and characterisation of degradation mechanisms of two-phase coating thermal barriers based on the 8YSZ/Gd2Zr2O7 (8YSZ/GZO) system, and analysed under the conditions of exposure to pure sulphate salts of the Na2SO4 type. The scope of the presented research included the characterisation of microstructural phenomena in conditions of heating at a temperature of 920 °C for 240 h, followed by heating at a temperature of 970 °C for another 96 h until visually significant degradation effects of the ceramic coating were achieved. Detailed studies of the phase and chemical composition using XRD and SEM/EDS methods were carried out on the surface of the tested coatings and their cross sections to describe microstructural phenomena. The analysis of the phase composition of the ceramic layer showed the course of degradation processes based on the disintegration of the pyrochlore phase into intermediate forms of non-stoichiometric fluorite with the simultaneous enrichment of tetragonal zirconium oxide into a cubic form with a high content of the stabilising phase (Gd2O3). Tests on model powder systems confirmed the degradation mechanism of two-phase TBC coatings.