Low Yield Research Articles

Fast fabrication of High-Yield WS2 nanoscrolls via ultrasound sonication

Transforming the bulk of tungsten disulfide (WS2) into one-dimensional (1D) nanoscrolls has potential applications in a variety of fields. The current methods for fabricating (1D) WS2nanoscrolls suffer from low yields, high temperatures, a complicated fabrication process, and the use of surfactants. We have reported a facile and cost-effective approach for fabricating WS2 nanoscrolls in high yield using ultrasound probe sonication (20 KHz) from bulk WS2 in dimethylformamide (DMF) in two hours. Importantly, this simple method achieves a 90 % WS2 nanoscroll yield.This depends on critical experimental parameters such as the choice of solvent, the initial concentration of WS2, and the sonication time. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements confirm that the nanoscrolls have a closely uniform shape, with an interlayer spacing of ∼ 0.62 nm between adjacent layers of WS2 nanoscrolls. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) reveals that the nanoscrolls have a length of approximately 650 nm and a height profile of 5–10 nm, indicating their formation from multiple layers of WS2. We further investigate the fabricated nanoscrolls using other techniques such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopy.

Unlocking the potential of Kodo millet: reviving an indigenous super grain for tomorrow's nutrition.

Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum L.) is an underutilized crop that encompasses nutritional benefits and climate resilience, making it a viable option for future crop development with nutraceutical properties. The cultivation of this crop has ancient roots, where it was revered for its ability to thrive in times of famine and was a vital companion crop to rice. Dishes made with Kodo millet are highly palatable and can be easily integrated into mainstream rice-based dishes. Among all cereals, Kodo millet is distinguished by its gluten-free composition, high phosphorus content, and significant antioxidant potential, which contributes to a diet that may reduce cardiovascular disease risk. Often grown in rainfed zones by marginal farmers, Kodo millet is valued for its grain and fodder. This less demanding crop can tolerate both biotic and abiotic stress, allowing it to thrive in soils with low organic matter and with minimal inputs, making it an ideal dual-purpose crop for rainfed areas. Despite its nutritional and agricultural benefits, Kodo millet's popularity is hindered by challenges such as low yield, market demand, lodging at harvest, and poor dehulling recovery, which necessitate the development of high-yielding varieties through the latest breeding advancements. Systematic investment and concerted breeding efforts are essential to harness the full potential of this nutrient-dense crop. The absence of whole genome sequence for Kodo millet poses a barrier to uncovering novel genetic traits. Consequently, there is an imperative to establish a millet-based value chain that elevates these underutilized crops, shaping smart cropping patterns and enhancing nutritional profiles for sustainable diets. Accordingly, this review highlights the significance of Kodo millet and the impact of breeding to establish it as a smart food choice for the future.

Agronomic monsoon onset definitions to support planting decisions for rainfed rice in Bangladesh

The usability gaps between climate information producers and users have always been an issue in climate services. This study aims to tackle the gap for rice farmers in Bangladesh by exploring the potential value of tailored agronomic monsoon onset definitions. Summer aman rice is primarily cultivated under rainfed conditions, and farmers rely largely on monsoon rainfall and its onset for crop establishment. However, farmers’ perception of the arrival of sufficient rains does not necessarily coincide with meteorological definitions of monsoon onset. Therefore, localized agronomic definitions of monsoon onset need to be developed and evaluated to advance in the targeted actionable climate forecast. We analyzed historical daily rainfall from four locations across a north-south gradient in Bangladesh and defined dynamic definitions of monsoon onset based on a set of local parameters. The agronomic onset definition was evaluated in terms of attainable yields simulated by a rice simulation model compared to results obtained using conventional meteorological onset parameters defined by the amount of rainfall received and static onset dates. Our results show that average simulated yields increase up to 7 – 9% and probabilities of getting lower yields are reduced when the year-to-year varying dynamic onset is used over the two drier locations under fully rainfed conditions. It is mainly due to earlier transplanting dates, avoiding the impact of drought experienced with early monsoon demise. However, no yield increases are observed over the two wetter locations. This study shows the potential benefits of generating “localized and translated” climate predictions.

Effects of Integrated Use of <em>Lantana camara, Calliandra calothyrsus</em> and Cow Manure with Diammonium Phosphate and Potassium Chloride on Haricot Bean Yield in the Northern Part of Burundi

Effects of Integrated Use of <em>Lantana camara, Calliandra calothyrsus</em> and Cow Manure with Diammonium Phosphate and Potassium Chloride on Haricot Bean Yield in the Northern Part of Burundi

ПРОДУКТИВНОСТЬ И АДАПТИВНОСТЬ ГИБРИДОВ ОЗИМОЙ РЖИ КОМПАНИИ КВС В УСЛОВИЯХ ПРЕДКАМЬЯ РЕСПУБЛИКИ ТАТАРСТАН

Increasing the grain yield of winter rye, which occupies the fourth place of grain produced in the Republic of Tatarstan, remains relevant. The purpose of the study is to identify the most productive hybrid of winter rye of the KVS company in the conditions of gray forest soils of the Ancestral region of the Republic of Tatarstan. Field experiments and laboratory studies were conducted in 2022-2023 at Agrobiotechnopark LLC at the Kazan State Agrarian University. Agrochemical indicators of gray forest soils were as follows: the content of humus in the arable layer was more than 3.0 %, mobile phosphorus was very high 250-275 mg/kg (according to Kirsanov), exchangeable potassium was increased 121-170 mg/kg. The reaction of the soil medium was close to neutral (pH 6.6). The dry mass of roots and stems in the phases of tube entry and earing over the years of research in the hybrid of winter rye Tayo exceeded the indicators of the Aviator and Ravo hybrids. On average, over two years, the dry weight of the ear of the Aviator hybrid in the phase of milk ripeness was 0.77 g, in Equal to 0.74 g, in Tayo 0.81 g. Compared with other hybrids, field germination and safety of seedlings for harvesting were higher in the Tayo hybrid by 80.9 % and 86.9 %. Increased indicators for the number of productive stems per unit area of 584 pcs./m2, the number of spikelets and grains in 1 ear for the Tayo hybrid subsequently contributed to obtaining the highest biological yield. In a favorable 2022, winter rye hybrids generated high yields, in particular Aviator 8.05 t/ha, Pravo 8.06 t/ha, Tayo 8.74 t/ha. In 2023, the lowest yield according to experiments was obtained for the Ravo hybrid – 5.44 t/ha, and for the Aviator hybrid - 6.62 t/ha. A consistently high yield was formed by the Tayo hybrid – 7.03 t/ha.

Enhancing luminescence of AF2: Ln3+ (A = Ca, Sr; Ln = Eu, Tb) by the use of carbon dots

Lanthanide ions-doped fluoride nanocrystals have excellent application prospect. However, low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) is usually along with lanthanide ions-doped fluoride nanocrystals owing to their low molar absorptivity and narrow absorption band. In order to increase the absorption cross section of Ln3+ in fluoride nanocrystals, a facile synthesis strategy to enhance luminescence of AF2: Ln3+ (A = Ca, Sr; Ln = Eu, Tb) by the use of carbon dots (CDs) has been developed in this work. A series of characterizations including TEM, XRD, FTIR and XPS demonstrated that the CDs have been successfully combined with the surface of AF2: Ln3+ nanocrystals. The combination of CDs has little influence on the microstructure and phase structure of AF2: Ln3+, and CDs@AF2: Ln3+ nanocrystals have uniform and regular shape with cubic phase. CDs are used as a broadband sensitizer and lead to the broadband excitation of Ln3+, resulting in the enhancement around 10-fold of Ln3+ luminescence emission in AF2: Ln3+ nanocrystals after CDs combination. The corresponding PLQY increases almost three times, and the luminescence enhancement mechanism by combining CDs is proposed. In addition, the CDs@AF2: Ln3+ nanocrystals are used to prepare CDs@AF2: Ln3+/PVA films, which exhibits excellent luminescence properties under the excitation of UV light. This work provides a superior method for enhancing the luminescence properties of lanthanide ions-doped nanocomposites and demonstrates practical potential as promising candidates for light-converting thin films.

Intraocular immune response in human uveitis: time to look beyond animal models

To review the current and future approaches to investigating the intraocular immune response in human uveitis. Perspective METHODS: Review of currently available methods for investigating the immune response in ocular tissues and fluids in patients with intraocular inflammation/ uveitis. The advantages and disadvantages of human studies have been compared to those of animal models of uveitis. Animal models, while being excellent tools for mechanistic studies, do not replicate the clinical and immunological heterogeneity of human uveitis. Opportunities for immunological studies in human uveitis are mostly limited to histological studies, or sampling of intraocular fluids and peripheral blood. Histopathological studies can be enhanced by revisiting published historical data, tissue repositories or autopsy specimens. Intraocular fluids can be investigated by a variety of techniques. Among these, flow cytometry and single cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) provide single cell resolution. While the current technology is costly and labor-intensive, scRNAseq is less limited by the low cellular yield from intraocular fluids and allows unbiased immune profiling enabling discovery of new cellular subsets. Immunological phenotypes uncovered from human data can be further investigated in animal studies. The diversity of the intraocular immune response in uveitis patients remains challenging but can be studied by multiple techniques including histopathology, flow cytometry and scRNAseq. Human data can be combined with animal studies for translating uveitis research into novel therapies.

Molecular Engineering to Achieve AIE-active Fluorophore with Near-infrared (NIR) Emission and Temperature-sensitive Property.

Near-infrared organic small molecule luminescent materials have the advantages of easy modification, high quantum efficiency, good biological affinity, and color adjustability; thus, have promising application prospects in the fields of photoelectric devices, sensitive detection, photodynamic therapy, and biomedical imaging. However, traditional organic luminescent molecules have the problems of short emission wavelength, aggregation-causing emission quenching, and low quantum yield. Herein, we successfully synthesized four D-π-A-D light-emitting molecules based on electron-withdrawing malonitrile group and different electron-donating arylamine groups. These compounds showed satisfactory solvatochromism, aggregation-induced emission, red and near-infrared fluorescence, high photoluminescence quantum efficiency and temperature response properties. This successful example of molecular engineering provides a valuable reference for the development of advanced NIR materials with AIE and temperature-sensitive properties.

Unlocking functional lipid ingredients from algae by food-grade biosolvents and ultrasound-assisted extraction for nutritional applications

Algae are a sustainable source of healthy and functional lipids. The production of extracts suitable for food and nutraceutical industries requires food-grade solvents, which may have low lipid extraction yield and/or purity. This work aimed to assess the efficiency of biosolvents ethanol (E) and ethyl acetate (EA) in obtaining food-grade lipid ingredients from an algae blend, Fucus vesiculosus, Ulva sp., and Chlorella vulgaris, in comparison with the Folch method. Ultrasound (UAE) was assayed to enhance the biosolvent extraction. The results showed that the different extraction approaches can significantly influence the extraction yield, lipid purity, and lipid composition, including fatty acid (FA) content. EA and EA+UAE produced high lipid purity (>74%) extracts with high polyunsaturated FA (≤77.5%) and n-3 FA (≤74.4%) contents, despite the lower extraction yield. E+UAE may be used to obtain lipid-rich ingredients from algae blend (57%) and C. vulgaris (91%). All extracts showed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study provides relevant information for the production of food-grade lipid ingredients from algae.

Productivity and Economics of Hydroponic Fodders as Influenced by Harvesting Time

Productivity and Economics of Hydroponic Fodders as Influenced by Harvesting Time

Imaging of low Z masked with high Z (Pb, U) materials using 14 MeV neutron

An experimental study has been performed using 14 MeV neutrons for imaging of low Z material (particularly composed of C, H, O elements) masked with thick layers of dense and high Z materials. The experimental setup consists of a D-T neutron generator, a metallic collimator and an imaging system. The imaging system is designed with a polypropylene zinc sulphide scintillator screen integrated with a lens coupled 16-bit ICCD camera. Imaging capability of the system was investigated using iron test samples with holes and line pair features. The minimum hole size of 2 mm could be imaged at a contrast of 36% and a line of 2 mm width visible at a contrast of 24% indicating the system's resolution of ∼ mm. Low Z samples such as water (H2O) and polyethylene (C2H2) n placed behind thick layers of Pb (40 mm) and Uranium (35 mm), were imaged successfully. These images reveal the system's ability towards low Z material imaging in the presence of heavier metals. Good contrast images acquired at a lower neutron yield of ∼ 5 × 108 n/sec of D-T neutron generator has provided a possibility to realise fast neutron imaging having moderate resolution (∼ mm) with a smaller footprint and an economical system design for field applications.

Catalytic upgrading of Naomaohu coal pyrolysis volatiles over NiAl and NiLiAl oxides

Catalytic upgrading of volatiles is an essential technology to improve the product distribution of pyrolysis for the clean and efficient utilization of low-rank coals. In this work, novel acid-base bifunctional catalysts composed of Ni/Li/Al oxides were designed and prepared using LDH precursors with tunable chemical composition and structural properties. The catalysts were systematically characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), physisorption, NH3-temperature programmed desorption (NH3-TPD), CO2-temperature programmed desorption (CO2-TPD), H2-temperature programmed reduction (H2-TPR), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). A two-stage fixed bed reactor was employed to evaluate the performance of the catalysts. Characterization results suggest that the crystal size of NiO and the surface area of the catalyst decreased with increasing Li content and decreasing Ni content in the catalyst, while the pore volume and pore diameter were positively correlated with Li content. Moreover, the addition of Li reduced the amount of weak acid sites and raised the amount of total basic sites. Consequently, the bifunctional catalysts boosted the yield of light tar and the contents of aromatics and phenols in tar. Specifically, with the highest total acid sites (569 μmol/g) promoting the cracking of heavy pitch components, Ni2.5Li0.5Al1 decreased the content of pitch in tar to 23.8 wt%, representing a 42.7 % drop from the corresponding non-catalytic pyrolysis. Accordingly, it improved the light tar yield to 7.2 wt%, which was 18 % higher than non-catalytic pyrolysis. 450 °C is identified as a suitable temperature for the catalytic upgrading of volatiles from Naomaohu coal; higher catalysis temperatures at 500 °C and 550 °C led to lower tar yield and lower phenols content, along with higher gas yield and more carbon deposition.

The application of Ni and Zr modified ZSM-5 nanosheet in upgrading of lignite pyrolysis volatiles coupling with methanol to light aromatics

Ni and Zr modified nanosheet ZSM-5 zeolites as tandem catalysts were designed using co-impregnation method (Zr-Ni/S-Z5) or combining in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of Ni@S-Z5 and sequential impregnation of Zr (Zr/Ni@ S-Z5). Their applications in upgrading of lignite pyrolysis volatiles coupling with methanol to light aromatics were investigated. The results demonstrated that nanosheet zeolites with larger surface areas and shorter b-axis length benefited the production of light aromatics due to exposing more active sites and improved diffusion limitation compared with conventional ZSM-5 zeolites. Adding Ni and Zr into tandem catalysts further enhanced BTEXN yields, which was attributed to the induction of oxyphilic ZrO2 for activating CAr-O bonds combining the promotion of Ni for hydrogenation. Comparing to Zr-Ni/S-Z5 catalyst, lower BTEXN yield was observed due to the decrease in exposing active sites over Zr/Ni@ S-Z5 catalyst. Moreover, enhancing diffusion behaviors in shorter b-axis length and the presence of more fractions of external coke indicated less effective in blocking pore channels, thus nanosheet zeolite series showed lower deactivation rates.

Extracting very small amounts of potassium from iron meteorites for the analysis of potassium isotope ratios

The isotope abundance of cosmogenic K, especially the ratios of cosmogenic 40K/41K, can be used to determine reliable cosmic-ray exposure (CRE) ages for iron meteorites. Despite this potential, there are only very few studies and essentially no new data since the pioneering work by H. Voshage more than 40 years ago. This shortfall is likely due to the immense analytical difficulties encountered when extracting cosmogenic K from iron meteorites with typical concentrations in the range of a few ppb or below. Chemical extraction procedures are very challenging, resulting in large blank contributions that must be subtracted, and do have low yields preventing an efficient separation of K from the Fe matrix. The K extracted from iron meteorites is dominated by native K (non-cosmogenic K from the sample), includes K from terrestrial contamination, and only a tiny amount is of cosmogenic origin. In order to separate K from iron meteorites a physical extraction technique was developed that involves extraction of K from molten iron meteorites. In this set-up, terrestrial and native K can be partly separated from cosmogenic K by sophisticated pre-heating and extraction techniques. Sample K is ion-optically collected on a rhenium filament. The filaments are then used as evaporation filaments in a double filament set-up of a Triton Plus Thermal-Ionization Mass Spectrometer (TIMS). Though, cosmogenic K is detectable in all samples, the measured isotope ratios are always close to terrestrial, indicating that the majority of the measured 39K and 41K is from K with almost terrestrial isotope composition. The measured 40K signal is dominantly of cosmogenic origin. The K background is either native K from the sample or terrestrial contamination. The measurements are compromised by unstable signals, i.e., from large fluctuations of the ion currents and/or large variations in the isotope ratios during the course of a single run, sometimes even with fractionation reversals. Such difficulties are likely due to the fact that the K ions are implanted into the filament rather than deposited onto the surface. In addition, parts of the filaments are covered with condensed iron, also affecting the signal stability. Despite these analytical challenges, clear cosmogenic signals were detected in almost all studied iron meteorites and cosmogenic 40K/41K ratios could be determined. However, the data quality is not yet sufficient for precise K isotope studies and for calculating reliable 40K/41K CRE ages for iron meteorites.

Comparative Selective Conversion of Biomass-Derived Mono- and Polysaccharides into Lactic Acid with Lanthanide Lewis Acid Catalysts

Comparative Selective Conversion of Biomass-Derived Mono- and Polysaccharides into Lactic Acid with Lanthanide Lewis Acid Catalysts

DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED AGRICULTURAL GREENHOUSE SYSTEMS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Peptidols via Reductive Cleavage Through a Benzotriazole Linker

AbstractPeptidols were prepared through the reductive cleavage of benzotriazole intermediates obtained from the on‐bead activation of 3,4‐diaminobenzoyl linkers. Remarkably, this method used commercially available amino acid residues and resins without further modification. Pure peptidols were collected with only filtration in 49%–87% yield. Only the derivatives with aspartic acid as the first C‐terminal residue required sophisticated chromatography purification. Esters and carboxylic acids were identified as side products and were suppressed by additional reduction or reduction in DMF. Remarkably, the reduction of peptides with the first aspartic acid residue at the C‐terminal afforded a C‐terminal lactone, which could be reduced by deprotection at 0 °C. For the synthesis of branched peptidols, the bulky wedge structures of the branched peptides resulted in low total yields, which were improved to 23%–28% by using peripheral Boc groups and SPPS on the Tental gel resin. In addition, this method gave two peptaibols, SPF‐5506‐A4 and Ac‐Gramicidin A, in 11% and 46% yields, respectively.

The combined effects of weather conditions and fertilization on wheat fiber to protein ratio and on dough quality

Owing to the increasing role of fiber-rich wholegrain products in food preparation, it is necessary to determine the optimal ratio of protein to fiber in wholewheat flour. The effects of organic and mineral N fertilizers on the protein content (PC) and total content of arabinoxylans and β-glucans (AX+BG) and their ratio (PC:AX+BG) were investigated here. The effect of this ratio on the dough quality of winter wheat ‘Fredis’ was evaluated. The field experiment was conducted at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in 2014‒2017. The results showed that the total amount of AX+BG was significantly affected only by weather conditions (air temperature and precipitation). Higher total AX+BG was associated with higher water absorption capacity, longer dough development time, and a higher quality number of the dough. Better dough quality indicators were obtained when the PC:AX+BG ratio was in the range of 2‒2.2:1. The value of the PC:AX+BG ratio depended more on fiber content than on PC, because the variation in fiber values between trial years was up to three times greater than that of PC. Better dough quality was obtained from N treatments with higher organic and mineral N amounts and in years with lower or average grain yield.

基于EDEM的滩涂养殖双螺旋推进器仿真分析与试验

Aiming at the problems of coastal ecological damage and low yield of mudflat aquaculture caused by the invasion of M. alterniflora, in order to improve the operational efficiency of mudflat wet and soft ground, and to promote the ecological balance and the development of coastal agriculture, a walking device with twin spiral propellers for muddy wet and soft ground was designed. Using EDEM simulation software to simulate and analyze, the discrete element model of muddy soil particles is established to analyze the interaction mechanism with the spiral propeller and the operation propulsion effect, and it is concluded that the spiral propeller will not produce congestion phenomenon during the operation; data are collected through several simulation tests, and the optimal parameter design of the spiral propeller structure is derived from the response surface analysis, and the spiral propeller is designed to operate at a speed of 2.416 mph in the simulation with the optimal parameter of structural design. The field test shows that the optimal height of the spiral blades is 50 mm, the total length of the drum is 2,970 mm, the helix angle of lift is 30 °, the pitch is 453 mm, and the propelling speed is 2.36 m/s. The data collected through several simulation tests are used to find the optimal parameter design of the spiral propeller structure, and the simulation speed of the spiral propeller in the optimal structural design parameter is 2.416 m/s.

Efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation

Bean production in Tanzania barely meets half of the domestic demand because of low yield attributed to low fertility, nitrogen being the most common deficient. The use of rhizobia inoculants can substantially increase bean yields. However, less than 1% of the farming population is aware of inoculants. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of different rhizobia strains with specific common beans landraces in biological nitrogen fixation and yields. Four experiments were conducted during in a screen house at Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA). Two experiment consisted Leonard jar and the other two were pot experiments in which the soil used were either sterilized or unsterilized. The landraces collected were Kasuka Nywele, Msafiri and Manjano from Mbeya; Nyayo, Soya and Kachumbaa from Arusha; and Kabungu, Nyamungu and Karanga from Morogoro. Two sets of Leonard jars were arranged in completely randomized block design in triplicate and the other two pot experiments were arranged in split split plot design. Inoculants in pot experiments used were Nitro-SUA, Underwood Biostacked as commercial and native. Landrace were the main plot, soil sterilization as a sub plot and inoculants as sub sub plot replicated three times. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using GENSTAT software. Significance differences in N2 fixation were observed among all landraces in all experiments, promising results were observed from Nyayo, Nyamungu, Msafiri and Kabungu. Native rhizobia had comparable symbiotic effectiveness to commercial inoculants in unsterilized soils and vice versa in sterilized soils conditions though soil sterilization was not significant. The findings on this study provide rooms for further research especially on the promising landraces to nodulation and explore their effectiveness.