Length Increment Research Articles

Improved Exciton Diffusion through Modulating Förster Resonance Energy Transfer for Efficient Organic Solar Cells

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is commonly utilized in organic solar cells (OSCs) to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) by promoting molecular interactions. The PCE is greatly affected by the number of photo‐generated excitons that effectively reach interfaces between the donor and acceptor materials of OSCs. However, the correlation between FRET and exciton diffusion has received limited attention. Therefore, it is crucial to understand and manipulate FRET process for investigating exciton dynamics in OSCs. Herein, BTA3 and its derivatives are chosen as the third components and energy donors to elucidate the intrinsic photophysical mechanism of FRET in OSCs by manipulating their efficiency. The results unambiguously demonstrate that the addition of guest F‐BTA3 exhibits the highest FRET efficiency, leading to a significant enhancement in the PCE of both PM6:Y6 and PM6:PY‐IT host systems. By correlating FRET process and exciton dynamics, this enhancement to remarkable increment in exciton diffusion length is attributed. Experimental results and theoretical simulations indicate high FRET efficiency arises from strong dipole–dipole interaction, and exhibits a positive correlation with exciton diffusion length. This study showcases the effective regulation of exciton diffusion in OSCs through modulation of FRET, offering a novel perspective for optimizing the performance of organic photovoltaic devices.

Assessment of residual resistant capacity of cold-formed Q1100 ultra-high strength steel channel section stub column with corrosion

Experiment and numerical analysis were conducted in this study to reveal the residual resistant capacity of the cold-formed Q1100 ultra-high strength steel (UHSS) channel section stub column with grooving corrosion. Based on the results of tensile coupon test, the strength properties of the Q1100 UHSS were barely changed by the cold-forming process. A clear reduction in the ductile properties was observed, after the cold-forming process. The load-end shortening curve of the cold-formed Q1100 UHSS channel section stub columns with different grooving corrosions were obtained through the axial compressive experiment. The initial resistant stiffness was reduced by the grooving corrosion significantly, because of the reduction in the cross-section area. Decrease in the corrosion angle and increment in the corrosion length enhanced the adverse effects of grooving corrosion on the resistant capacity. Local buckling was observed in the flange and web. The flanges near the corrosion weakening area were more prone to local buckling, because of the stress transfer from web to flange. A numerical modelling method was proposed to simulate the resistant performance of the cold-formed Q1100 UHSS channel section stub columns with different grooving corrosions, which was validated by the comparison in load-end shortening curve, ultimate resistance and failure mode. Effects of corrosion angle, corrosion length, and corrosion location on the resistant capacity and failure mode were investigated through the parametric study. Compared with corrosion location, the corrosion angle and corrosion length exhibited more significant effects on the resistant capacity of the cold-formed Q1100 UHSS channel section stub columns.

Clinical Outcomes of Slow versus Rapid Enteral Feeding Advancement in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates at a Tertiary Care Center

In India, every year around 3.5 million babies are born premature, accounting for almost 13% of total livebirths in the country as compared to 5% to 7% incidence in the West. Preterm is defined as babies born before 37 weeks ofpregnancy. The rapidity of feed volume increments involves controversies like faster weight gain, shorter hospital stays, therisk of necrotizing enterocolitis and vice versa. Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial conducted fromJune 1, 2018 to October 31, 2019. All infants in the study were randomized to slow and rapid feeding protocols by a stratifiedblock randomization sequence of 2, 4, 6 blocks. Group 1 or the slow advancement group included 64 newborns babies andGroup 2 or the rapid advancement group included 69 newborns babies. Results: The average weight gain in Group 1 was4.41 ± 0.9 g and in Group 2 it was 6.33 ± 1.3 g, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02). Sixty out of 64 newbornsregained birth weight within 16.87 ± 0.9 days in Group 1, while 64 out of 69 newborns regained birth weight within 13.63 ±0.9 days in Group 2. The difference was statistically significant. Increment in the mean occipitofrontal circumference perweek was 0.29 ± 0.27 cm Group 1, while in Group 2 it was 0.42 ± 0.05 cm; the difference was statistically significant. Meanaverage length increment per week was found to be 0.55 ± 0.04 cm and 0.69 ± 0.05 cm in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively,the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.005). The mean duration of hospital stay was 27.47 ± 3.33 days in Group 1while in Group 2, the duration of stay was 23.15 ± 2.22 days, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Ourstudy supports enteral nutrition by rapid enteral feeding regimen in stable preterm neonates with very low birth weight

Post-settlement growth and sexual dimorphism in the size and proportion of the body of the varunid crab Gaetice depressus (De Haan, 1833) (Decapoda: Brachyura: Varunidae) based on laboratory-reared material

Abstract We investigated post-settlement growth patterns and sexual dimorphism in the carapace, pelon, and cheliped dimensions of the varunid crab Gaetice depressus (De Haan, 1833). We reared crabs in the laboratory from hatching through megalopae to the first to tenth instars, and measurements were made of exuviae or specimens of crabs that successively molted. The males were larger than the females in all instars. The molt increments of carapace width (CW) and carapace length (CL) did not differ between the sexes; the former decreased with growth, especially up to ~3–4 mm, whereas the latter did not change with growth. This may be due to the rapid growth in CW compared to CL during early ontogeny. The proportion of CW to CL was larger in the females than in the males, and the rate of increase in pleon width accelerated greatly after growth to ~4 mm CW. Cheliped dimensions were larger in males than in females, probably as a consequence of sexual selection. Cheliped propodus length and width increased with growth in both sexes, but the rates of increase tended to decelerate after ~7 mm CW in females. This indicates that females may allocate more energy to pleon growth while limiting cheliped growth.

Deformation of Cylindrical Shell Made of 9X2 Steel Under Complex Loading

The development of the construction industry in terms of the design and manufacture of shell structures of non-standard architectural forms made of materials with complex mechanical properties requires using modern integrated computer-aided design systems with step-by-step modeling of deformation of structural elements under operating conditions, as well as taking into account their subsequent behavior after accumulation of residual strains during plastic deformation. The purpose of the study is to simulate the process of plastic deformation of a thin-walled cylindrical shell made of 9X2 GOST 5950-2000 (Interstate Standard) steel under compression and torsion with theoretical calculations based on the general theory of elastoplastic processes by A.A. Ilyushin. The constitutive equations of the theory of elastoplastic processes by A.A. Ilyushin for complex loading path and deformation of materials in the deviatoric strain space are presented. Based on the presented solutions, according to the strain path of the 9X2 steel shell implemented in the model, the graphs showing the relation of the vector and scalar properties of the material to the arc length of the strain path are constructed. A conclusion is made about the degree of hardening of the material in question and its dependence on the magnitude of the angle of convergence at the kink point of the complex path. The graphs of changes in the constitutive plasticity functions with respect to the increments of the arc length of the strain path are presented.

The Potential Effects of Azolla as a Growth Promoter for Labeo rohita Fingerlings

Non-conventional aqua feeds are crucial for promoting sustainability, reducing costs, and minimizing environmental impact in aquaculture, fostering industry growth and addressing environmental concerns. The 60 days experiment was conducted for the introduction of Azolla into the diet of Labeo rohita fingerlings resulted in significant variations (p<0.05) in several growth parameters, including percentage weight gain, percentage length gain, specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and survival rate. While no significant difference in FCR was observed among treatments during the initial 0 to 45-day interval, a notable disparity emerged between 45 to 60 days, with the highest FCR recorded in T3 and the lowest in T3. Similarly, although there were no significant differences in SGR among treatments at various intervals, the highest SGR was observed in T3, while the lowest was in T1. Furthermore, percentages of weight increment were significantly different between the intervals of 15-30 days and 30-45 days, with the highest percentage gain observed in T3 and the lowest in T1. Likewise, percentages of length increment showed significant differences between the intervals of 15-30 days, with T1 exhibiting the highest percentage gain and T1 the lowest. The survival rate % of different treatments at the end of the experiment varied, with T3 showing the highest survival rate and T0 the lowest. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in percent length gain, percent weight gain, SGR, and FCR among the treatments. These findings underscore the complex interplay between fish species, feed nutrients, additives, and rearing conditions on the growth process of Labeo rohita fingerlings. The observed variations in growth parameters highlight the potential of Azolla as a growth promoter in aquaculture practices. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these effects and to optimize Azolla supplementation protocols for enhanced growth performance and sustainability in Labeo rohita aquaculture.

Ascorbic acid biosynthesis in Pacific abalone Haliotis discus hannai Ino and L-gulonolactone oxidase gene loss as an independent event

Up to now, it has been believed that invertebrates are unable to synthesize ascorbic acid (AA) in vivo. However, in the present study, the full-length CDs (Coding sequence) of L-gulonolactone oxidase (GLO) from Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai Ino) were obtained through molecular cloning. The Pacific abalone GLO contained a FAD-binding domain in the N-termination, and ALO domain and conserved HWAK motif in the C-termination. The GLO gene possesses 12 exons and 11 introns. The Pacific abalone GLO was expressed in various tissues, including the kidney, digestive gland, gill, intestine, muscle and mantle. The GLO activity assay revealed that GLO activity was only detected in the kidney of Pacific abalone. After a 100-day feeding trial, dietary AA levels did not significantly affect the survival, weight gain, daily increment in shell length, and feed conversion ratio of Pacific abalone. The expression of GLO in the kidney was downregulated by dietary AA. These results implied that the ability to synthesize AA in abalone had not been lost. From the evolutionary perspective, the loss of GLO occurred independently as an independent event by matching with the genomes of various species. The positive selection analysis revealed that the GLO gene underwent purifying selective pressure during its evolution. In conclusion, the present study provided direct evidence to prove that the GLO activity and the ability to synthesize AA exist in abalone. The AA synthesis ability in vertebrates might have originated from invertebrates dating back 930.31 million years.

Stock assessment and fishing management of green abalone (Haliotis fulgens) along the West Coast of Baja California Sur, Mexico

The green abalone fishery in Mexico has showed declines in the availability of the resource, but the current state of the population is unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze inter-annual variation in recruitment, mortality, total and vulnerable biomass, selectivity, and harvest rate of Haliotis fulgens. A size-structured model was used to assess changes in the population dynamics and management quantities from 2010 to 2019. The model describes the exploitation and growth of individuals in the population, and incorporates a stochastic growth matrix that defines the variation in the length increments of individual to individual. Key results indicated that the recruitment failures occurred in infrequent pulses of varying intensity. Moreover, a slight recovery of total biomass during 2017 (791 t), 2018 (1496 t), and 2019 (1274 t) was observed after a slight increase in recruitment and a decrease in harvest rate. The vulnerable biomass increased 44.38% from 2010 to 2019. The harvest rate revealed that individuals larger than the minimum legal size of 145 mm were under high fishing pressure. The stock assessment model highlights an adverse effect in the population; given the deteriorating conditions of the green abalone fishery, it is imperative to transition fully to a recovery strategy, including all the administrative zones in the assessment and management. The adoption of proactive strategies such as the establishment of reference points, no-fishing reserves, and the implementation of a farming system would facilitate the protection of critical abalone populations, contributing to their medium-term recovery, and would be an economic alternative for local fishers.

Impact of airborne iron oxide nanoparticles on Tillandsia usneoides as a model plant to assess pollution in heavy traffic areas

Due to the increasing evidence of widespread sub-micron pollutants in the atmosphere, the impact of airborne nanoparticles is a subject of great relevance. In particular, the smallest particles are considered the most active and dangerous, having a higher surface/volume ratio. Here we tested the effect of iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles (IONPs) with different mean diameter and size distribution on the model plant Tillandsia usneoides.Strands were placed in home-built closed boxes and exposed to levels of airborne IONPs reported for the roadside air, i.e. in the order of 107 - 108 items m−2. Plant growth and other morpho-physiological parameters were monitored for two weeks, showing that exposure to IONPs significantly reduced the length increment of the treated strands with respect to controls. A dose-dependence of this impairing effect was found only for particles with mean size of a few tens of nanometers. These were also proved to be the most toxic at the highest concentration tested. The IONP-induced hamper in growth was correlated with altered concentration of macro- and micronutrients in the plant, while no significant variation in photosynthetic activity was detected in treated samples. Microscopy investigation showed that IONPs could adhere to the plant surface and were preferentially located on the trichome wings.Our results report, for the first time, evidence of the negative effects of airborne IONP pollution on plant health, thus raising concerns about related environmental risks.Future research should be devoted to other plant species and pollutants to assess the impact of airborne pollution on plants and devise suitable attenuation practices.

Clinical Outcomes of Slow versus Rapid Enteral Feeding Advancement in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates at a Tertiary Care Center

In India, every year around 3.5 million babies are born premature, accounting for almost 13% of total livebirths in the country as compared to 5% to 7% incidence in the West. Preterm is defined as babies born before 37 weeks ofpregnancy. The rapidity of feed volume increments involves controversies like faster weight gain, shorter hospital stays, therisk of necrotizing enterocolitis and vice versa. Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled trial conducted fromJune 1, 2018 to October 31, 2019. All infants in the study were randomized to slow and rapid feeding protocols by a stratifiedblock randomization sequence of 2, 4, 6 blocks. Group 1 or the slow advancement group included 64 newborns babies andGroup 2 or the rapid advancement group included 69 newborns babies. Results: The average weight gain in Group 1 was4.41 ± 0.9 g and in Group 2 it was 6.33 ± 1.3 g, the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02). Sixty out of 64 newbornsregained birth weight within 16.87 ± 0.9 days in Group 1, while 64 out of 69 newborns regained birth weight within 13.63 ±0.9 days in Group 2. The difference was statistically significant. Increment in the mean occipitofrontal circumference perweek was 0.29 ± 0.27 cm Group 1, while in Group 2 it was 0.42 ± 0.05 cm; the difference was statistically significant. Meanaverage length increment per week was found to be 0.55 ± 0.04 cm and 0.69 ± 0.05 cm in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively,the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.005). The mean duration of hospital stay was 27.47 ± 3.33 days in Group 1while in Group 2, the duration of stay was 23.15 ± 2.22 days, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion: Ourstudy supports enteral nutrition by rapid enteral feeding regimen in stable preterm neonates with very low birth weight

Chromium-stress alleviation study using plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for maize ( Zea mays L.)

Heavy metal contamination is one of the major environmental threats due to industrialization and urbanization. Among various heavy metals, chromium is of recent concern because it is considered the most hazardous metal pollutant in the environment. Its toxicity alters the process of germination and various other growth parameters ultimately affecting its yield. While maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely cultivated cereal crop being used for fodder, feed and food purposes. It is multipurpose cereal crop and is also used as raw material for different industries. Hence, it is mandatory to come up with effective eco-friendly technique to remediate chromium (Cr) to protect the environment from its toxic impacts. During current research, plant microbe interaction was carried out with Cr resistant strains of Bacillus cereus (3a), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (DS4), Bacillus nitratireducens (TP8), Enterobacter cloacae (A9G) and Pseudomonas sp. (B3) that were selected to observe their beneficial impact on corn (Zea mays L.) growth in presence of Cr stress (150 & 300 µg/mL). Results have indicated that growth and biochemical parameters were enhanced due to bacterial inoculation. In comparison to control, maximum increment in shoot length, number of leaves, root length and fresh weight of inoculated plants was noted up to 46, 115, 76, and 42% respectively. Maximum increment in protein and chlorophyll content of inoculated plants was noted up to 304 and 71% respectively as compared to control. The present study suggests the use of above-mentioned highly chromium resistant bacterial strains to remediate chromium contaminated sites and to improve agricultural production.

Drought effects on growth and density of temperate tree regeneration under different levels of nitrogen deposition

Temperate forests in Central Europe suffer from climate change-induced productivity and vitality reductions and increased tree mortality. Most field work assessing climate change effects in forests refers to mature trees and does not cover interaction between climate change and nitrogen deposition. Here we show in a study of 54 forest sites representing different combinations of climatic conditions and atmospheric nitrogen deposition across Germany that nitrogen significantly affects the drought tolerance of tree regeneration in the field. We compared shoot length increment and regeneration density of Central Europe’s naturally most dominant tree species, European beech (Fagus sylvatica) with three species, which are discussed as potentially more drought-tolerant replacement tree species for climate change adaptation of forestry. Growth of beech was reduced with increasing nitrogen deposition identifying high reactive nitrogen loads as an additional threat for this species, but between-site variation of beech growth was not dependent on climatic parameters despite growth reductions after the drought summer 2018 across all study sites. Remarkably, the only species in the between-site comparisons where low growth was attributable to dry climate was Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), as shoot length increment was reduced at sites with dry spring climate. Silver fir (Abies alba) showed increasing growth with increasing nitrogen deposition in combination with increasing drought, probably due to reduced ammonium uptake. Shoot length increment in sessile oak (Quercus petraea) was not affected by the between-site variation of either drought or nitrogen. Our results (combined with results of regeneration density) indicate that high atmospheric nitrogen deposition, which is primarily found in regions with intensive livestock farming in Central Europe, modifies the climate change response of temperate tree species. Interaction of drought and nitrogen deposition should thus be addressed in the debate on climate change adaptation of forestry.

New approach to soil fertility management: Biogeosystem Technique methodology (critical review)

AbstractA standard management soil priming effect is short term. A current soil plowing, irrigation and waste utilization soil priming action shortcomings elimination is needed. The Biogeosystem Technique (BGT*) priming action system was developed for soil management to provide a higher‐level priming effect. The BGT* is focused on a soil biogeochemical cycle activation similar to the biodegradation in a colon of a live organism as an efficient benchmark bioreactor. Fluorescence in situ hybridization showed a cooperation of bacteria within polymicrobial biofilms and a probability of the polymicrobial biofilms biodegradation process acceleration and soil organic matter (SOM) regime improvement. The soil priming actions the BGT* technological management is capable of providing are based on the BGT* constituents, whose essence, applications and corresponding detailed data are presented in available studies. The main BGT* components are as follows. The illuvial horizon intra‐soil milling artificial soil aggregation (a form of crumbling and mixing) priming action provides the soil structuring, a SOM content increase and an annual yield increment direct priming effects. A long‐term secondary priming effect is a technology life cycle with higher profitability compared to the standard moldboard, chiseling and three‐tier plowing. The intra‐soil pulse sequential‐discrete watering priming action is performed through water injection into the soil in sequence. A next water spreading provides the soil aggregate stability, the seedling length and weight increment direct priming effect and a water‐saving secondary priming effect. The intra‐soil dispersed liquid, paste‐like and loose granular nutrition and structuring matter intra‐soil milling application priming action ensures soil structuring direct priming effects, heavy metals passivation and long‐term yield increment secondary priming effects. The BGT* methodology could be useful for soil management improvement.

Static deflection of pre-twisted beam subjected to transverse load

In the current research, the static deflection of the pre-twisted beam has been calculated experimentally and numerically using finite element approach (ANSYS workbench 2020R1) and under the effects of different twist angles, different lengths, four boundary conditions of edges support of the beam. The beam was manufactured from PETG filament material by a 3D printer at room temperature. The obtained results showed reasonable acceptance between the experimental and numerical pre-twisted beam deflection. The numerical maximum deflection of the pre-twisted beam decreased with the increase of twisted angle of the beam for clamped-simply and simply-simply edges support. While it was irregularly various for clamped-clamped edge support with a minimum value of the maximum deflection occurred at the twist angle 135o. The maximum deflection of the pre-twisted beam is disappeared gradually at the twist angles greater than 270o for claimed-free edge support. In addition, the maximum deflection of the pre-twisted beam increased due to the beam length increment.

Comparative Study of Bisphenol-A and its Analogue Bisphenol-S on Growth and Condition Factor of Juvenile Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Bisphenol-A is a synthetic estrogen highly used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins in plastic industry world-wide. Bisphenol-A presents as a ubiquitous environmental contaminant in all ecosystems. Bisphenol-A is an endocrine disruptor which affects the growth, development and physiology of living organisms. Therefore, bisphenol-S has been introduced as a safe alternative to bisphenol-A and it has become the widely used bisphenol-A substitute. Bisphenol-S has also been identified as an endocrine disruptor and emerging environmental contaminant. Therefore the safety of bisphenol-S substitution has become questionable. Thus, this study was carried out to comparatively assess the impacts of bisphenol-A and bisphenol-S exposure on growth and condition factor of zebrafish (Danio rerio). After 7-days acclimatization period, twenty juvenile zebrafish of 67 dpf (days post fertilization) of age were treated 35 days with 10 μg/L and 100 μg/L of bisphenol-A, bisphenol-S and with treatment control in triplicate tanks. Mean body length, weight, specific growth rate and condition factor of fish were evaluated. Mean body weight increment of zebrafish under 100 μg/L of bisphenol-S and bisphenol-A were significantly different from the treatment control (p<0.05, One way ANOVA, Tukeys pairwise Comparison). The mean body length increment and specific growth rate were not significant under both concentrations of bisphenol-S and bisphenol-A with treatment control (p>0.05). However, the condition factor of fish under both concentrations of bisphenols were significantly less than control (p<0.05). The condition factor of fish under comparable concentrations of bisphenol-S and bisphenol-A were not statistically significant. Therefore, it can be concluded that exposure to environmental concentrations of both types of bisphenols could affect the wellbeing of juvenile zebrafish. Based on the findings, bisphenol-S cannot be recommended as a safe substitution to bisphenol-A. Yet, more comprehensive studies are recommended to evaluate relative effect of bisphenol-S on freshwater ecosystem health. 
 Keywords: Body length, Body weight, Condition factor, Bisphenol-A, Bisphenol-S, Zebrafish, (Danio rerio)

Pod Production Dynamics and Pod Size Distribution of Theobroma cacao L. Clone CCN 51 in Full Sunlight

Cacao fruit production dynamics vary from one location to another and are conditioned by the number of pods produced per tree. During cocoa pod development, the strength of the carbon sink varies depending on the demand exerted by the pods, which is proportional to the size. The relationship between cocoa pod production dynamics and size distribution is still poorly understood. Dissecting this relationship is an important step toward further improving cocoa crop management. In this study, the annual yield dynamics and quantity of cocoa pods produced by popular, highly productive, and widespread clone CCN 51 were investigated, based on six size classes observed during its fructification. Growth parameters were determined as weekly increments of pod length and diameter, whereas daily increments were estimated using the logistic Richards model. The fruiting cycle was characterized by the coexistence of fruits of various sizes where the number of pods belonging to each size class changes throughout the fruiting season. Fruit production varied following a seasonal pattern, reaching a maximum of 36 pods/tree, in trees cultivated in full sunlight, of which approximately 55% matured and were harvested. The peak carbon sink demand occurs when the tree pods have the highest numbers of pods. During this period, 65% of the pods had lengths between 5 and 15 cm, which corresponds to the period of the highest pod growth rate. The average length values of the harvested pods were generally below 23 cm and rarely exceeded 7 pods/tree. The Richard model proved to describe accurately the pod growth rates for CCN 51. This represents a promising tool to determine pod growth in other cultivars of relevance for the cocoa industry, which is essential to improve cocoa crop management.

Influence of an upstream attached flat plate on the newtonian flow past a square cylinder

In this study, thelattice Boltzmann method is used to analyze the flow around a single square cylinder with a flat plate attached atfront side of the cylinder. In order to perceive the impact of the attached flat plate on flow characteristics of the square cylinder, the dimensionless plate lengths are variedfrom 0.1 to 6, while the Reynolds number is fixed at 150. Corresponding to all plate lengths the well-known von Karman vortex street is observed in the cylinder’s wake region. However, the increase in plate’s length results in reducing recirculation regions, enlarging the wake length and thus stabilizing the flow. The fluid forces and velocity field are significantly affected with increment in plate length. A maximum of 65%, 76%, 62% and 11% reduction is observed in the mean drag coefficient (CDm), root-mean-square values of drag coefficient (CDrms) and lift coefficient (CLrms) and amplitude of lift coefficient (CLAmp), respectively, as compared to single cylinder without a flat plate. Pressure is also found to be significantly reduced due to presence of plate at front surface of cylinder.

Hydrothermal synthesis of LDO/vinasse biochar composites with ultra-high specific surface areas for phosphate remediation and fertilizer utilization

In this work, CaMgAl-layered double oxide/biochar (LDO@BC) composites were elaborated by hydrothermal coprecipitation and calcination for the efficient recovery of phosphate as well as the further application of the reclaimed composites as fertilizers. On the one hand, the appropriate selection of biochar derived from vinasses as the substrates could solve the limitations of LDO like low specific surface areas as well as poor dispersion. The obtained composites possess the ultrahigh specific surface area as high as 508.97 m2/g. Therefore, a maximum adsorption capacity of 153.64 mg/g is achieved. In addition, our composites are with fast adsorption rates that nearly 100 % phosphate could be removed within 60 s at a trace concentration owing to the large specific surface areas. On the other hand, the recovered adsorbents could be used as fertilizers because of the high contents of P, Ca and Mg elements. The phosphate-adsorbed LDO@BC (P-LDO@BC) demonstrated a positive fertilization effect, significantly accelerating plant growth with length increment by 0.75 times and mass increment by 2.09 times compared with the control groups. Thus, this work not only provides a new approach for waste vinasse utilization, but also presents a promising adsorbing material for phosphate recovery and reuse.

Laser Phase Rangefinders: Ways to Improve Accuracy

Scientific and technological progress in the field of geodetic and industrial measurements in terms of the use of laser rangefinders operating in ranges up to 5000 meters has led to a reduction in the error of such measuring instruments over the past ten years by two or more times. Such rapid development of high-precision rangefinder technologies has led to a significant revision of the requirements for their metrological support, as well as to the need to develop a new generation of length standards, the stock of metrological accuracy of which would provide an assessment of the metrological characteristics of all types of existing and promising length measuring instruments with a laser rangefinder. To solve this problem, the Institute’s staff conducted research within the framework of a number of thematic research and development works in terms of developing the appearance of a new generation of length standards operating in the range up to 5000 meters in an open atmosphere. Within the framework of this article, one of the developed models of a high-precision complex of measuring instruments for length and coordinate increments is considered, which is a serial high-precision laser phase light meter, modified by the institute’s staff in terms of the system for receiving and processing measuring signals. At the same time, in order to increase the accuracy of length measurements using the developed range finder layout, it is proposed to investigate ways to reduce the errors of the model components of the boundaries of its error. To ensure the smallest error in determining the hardware correction of the rangefinder layout, it is proposed to use funds from the state primary special standard of the unit of length. As promising ways to reduce the error in determining the phase difference of signals, it is proposed to use digital recording and signal processing devices that implement a method for calculating the phase difference of signals by mathematically processing the recorded data using a specially developed computational algorithm based on Fourier analysis. For the most accurate determination of the values of the pulse repetition frequency of signals and the values of the speed of light on the measured track, it is proposed to improve the means of determining these indicators. The use of the proposed methods to improve the accuracy of measuring the length of laser phase rangefinders allows you to provide the necessary margin of metrological accuracy.

Закономерности роста видов Salix под влиянием природно-антропогенных факторов в городском парке Вольска

The article establishes the regularities of growth and development of tree-like willows growing in the city park of the city of Volsk under the influence of various water sources. The research methodology was based on the relevant GOST standards, recommendations of scientific institutions and scientific research. The variance analysis of the annual increments of 12 Salix species allowed us to establish patterns depending on the moisture content of the growing seasons of 2018, 2019 and 2022. It is determined that under natural conditions of humidification, the values of the willow branches’ increments in length depend on weather conditions, the lower the hydrothermal coefficient, the smaller the increments. Pond, stream, ground water available for roots increase the increments of Salix species up to 78.7%. The variance analysis of two-factor experience has established significant differences in both factors and their interaction. Regression and correlation analysis revealed that annual increases by 83% depend on weather conditions and the type of water source. It was revealed that the best tree-like willows growing on the territory of the park of culture and recreation in the city of Volsk are the following species: Salix babylonica var.tortuosa x alba var.recticapus (S. X ‘Sverdlovskaja Isvilistaja 2’ V. Schaburov et I. Beljaeva), Salix schwerinii x dasyclados (S. X ‘Rekord’ V. Schaburov et I. Beljaeva), Salix hybrida “Schater 1”, Salix matsudana Koidz., S. schwerini x (schwerinii x udensis) (S. x ‘Schwerina Ulutschennaja’ V. Schaburov et I. Beljaeva).