Commercial Point Research Articles

Room-temperature solution-processed sharp-edged nanoshapes of molybdenum oxide for supercapacitor and electrocatalysis applications

We introduce a simple room-temperature (25–27 °C) solution process-inspired approach for obtaining sharp-edged nanoshapes like nanocubes, nanorods and nanoparticles of molybdenum oxide (MoO3) on a stainless-steel conducting substrate for supercapacitor and electrocatalysis applications. The nanoshape of MoO3 has strikingly been changed from nanocubes to nanopaticles dependig on HCl concentration. The MoO3 electrodes of different morphologies are systematically characterized by various characterization techniques for confirming phase, structure, and surface elementals. The electrochemical studies exhibit significant enhancement in specific capacitance and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity for MoO3 nanorod-based electrode. The specific capacitance of 2561.53 F g−1 for MoO3 nanorods is much higher than 608.20 F g−1 and 400.28 F g−1 for nanocubes and nanoparticles, respectively. Besides, with the 98.59% capacitance retention up to 2000 cycles, the electrode consisting nanorods is found to be highly stable. In the commercial point of view, the as-fabricated MoO3//MoO3 symmetric device adduces excellent energy/power density (69.06 Wh kg−1/1336.63 W Kg−1) at current density of 1 A g−1. The laboratory panel, Center for Nanomaterials & Energy Devices, containing nearly 42 LEDs has been ignited with full intensity using MoO3//MoO3 symmetric device as the practical demonstration of electrode material. From supercapacitor study, the MoO3 nanorod-based electrode endows excellent OER activity (overpotential of 246 mV; Tafel slope of 36 mV dec-1). In both cases, the MoO3 nanorod-based electrode produces excellent chemical and cyclic stability. Overall electrochemical results demonstrate that the MoO3 nanorod-based electrode would be excellent electrode material for supercapacitor as well as OER applications. The proposed room-temperature solution synthesis process is valuable and well effective in view of trouble-free, cost-effective, and scalability for commercial benefits.

Stationary rice drying: Influence of initial moisture contents and impurities in the mass grains on the physicochemical and morphological rice quality

The initial moisture contents and impurities in the grain mass can interfere with the drying operation in a stationary dryer. Thus, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of drying air movement in the rice mass as a function of initial moisture contents (19, 18, 17, and 16% w.b.) and impurities (1.5, 2.5, 2.0, and 3.0%) on the physicochemical properties and morphological rice quality. The moisture and impurity contents provided alterations in the movement and distribution of the drying air in the upper layers of the stationary dryers. Consequently, the physicochemical properties and morphological quality of rice were altered. In addition, the reduction in the starch and fat contents was correlated to higher percentages of crude protein, mainly upper grain layers. Thus, the rice mass at moisture content of 17% (w.b.) and impurity at 2.5% allowed major uniformity and greater drying versatility in the stationary dryer for rice quality. Practical applications The rice drying in the stationary dryer is an excellent option to reduce drying and storage infrastructure and achieve satisfactory grain quality, as long as there is an adequate control and management of the batches of grain received in terms of moisture uniformity and impurity contents. For proper rice management in the stationary dryer, it is recommended to pre-cleaning the grain mass to 2% of impurities, while the initial grain moisture content for drying must be below 18% (w.b.). The standardization of batches in terms of initial moisture content and impurities allows for an adequate flow and distribution of air in the grain mass to obtain efficiency in drying at low temperatures and maintaining grain quality. From a commercial point of view, the grains can remain in the drying process and stored in silo-dryers for the harvest period until the time they can be sold at better market prices.

Comparative Assessment and Experimental Validation of a Prototype Phase-Optical Time-Domain Reflectometer for Distributed Structural Health Monitoring

Dynamic characterization and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) are crucial tools, of increasing demand, for reliable operation and predictive maintenance of large infrastructures, as the percentage of critically ageing infrastructures is growing steadily. We present a minimally invasive and synchronous fiber optic monitoring system for SHM, based on Phase-Optical Time-Domain Reflectometry (Phase-OTDR), and we assess its applicability and performance on a modular Bailey-type bridge of 1 : 2.5 scale. Phase-OTDR systems, along with other fiberoptic-distributed techniques have proven their capabilities in long-range SHM applications, although their complexity and high cost limits drastically their applicability and SHM market penetration. Here, we propose the use of a prototype Phase-OTDR system, featuring customized interrogation instrumentation with a balanced trade-off between performance and cost. Its experimental validation is achieved by comparison with well-established commercial monitoring systems, such as Ground-Based Radar Interferometer (GBRI), laser tracker, and multipoint optical Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs), in various excitation conditions and structure-damage scenarios, easily implementable in the model bridge. Finite-element modelling (FEM) and simulations were employed to study the bridge behaviour and provide a reference and comparison framework for the experimental characterization. The Phase-OTDR system successfully detected the structural behaviour in an efficient distributed manner, demonstrating comparable performance to commercial point sensor systems, thus demonstrating its application potential.

Using Timber as a Renewable Resource for Energy Production in Sustainable Forest Management

Using timber from multifunctional forests for energy production can be economically viable and environmentally friendly when it is consistent with the principles of sustainable management; otherwise, it could be harmful from both an ecological and commercial point of view. The objective of this paper was to present the overall balance of timber biomass from felled trees in multifunctional forests and assess what kind and how much of this biomass can be used for energy purposes. The research material consisted of data on forest resources and the volume of timber removal in Polish State Forests in 2016–2020. The biomass of branches and stumps of felled trees was determined using biomass expansion factors (BEFs). The results obtained in this study indicated that industrial timber, energy wood, and biomass left in the forest as a source of deadwood are 67%, 20%, and 13% of the total woody biomass, respectively. The Polish State Forest’s potential for energy wood is estimated at 6.18 million tonnes of biomass annually. Total available energy produced from woody biomass amounted to 104.8 PJ y−1.

Peri-Urbanization and Land Use Fragmentation in Mexico City. Informality, Environmental Deterioration, and Ineffective Urban Policy

There is a great deal of concern over the scattered, fragmented expansion of cities, particularly in developing countries. This expansion accelerates the peri-urbanization processes expressed in a range of land uses, often with a concentration of the poor in peripheries with an acute shortage of services coupled with profound land-use changes, with far-reaching environmental impacts. The urban periphery is a transition zone, where the urban gradually merges into the rural landscape. It has become heterogeneous from a social, environmental, commercial, and service point of view, reproducing a model of metropolitan inequity with marked socioeconomic inequalities between the center and the periphery. The way these territories are managed is quite far from the road to sustainability. This article seeks to provide an updated analysis of the dynamics of urban expansion and land-use changes on the southern periphery of Mexico City (CDMX) in the Conservation Area (CA), to determine the extent to which a socially segregated, environmentally unsustainable model of urban fragmentation has been reinforced. It also discusses the regulatory, normative framework established in the CA, finding that it has been deficient and implemented in piecemeal fashion. It concludes that local government has failed to provide solutions to reconcile the protection of ecological conservation areas with the needs of the poor in a peri-urban area, thereby reproducing social inequalities in the city. In addition, CDMX land use policy has been ineffective in controlling the expansion of informal human settlements in peri-urban areas with high ecological value.

Identification of the profile of volatile compounds in commercial kombucha added with hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) / Identificação do perfil de compostos voláteis em kombucha comercial adicionado de hibisco (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

Kombucha is a fermented drink from a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY) and has been consumed due to its sensory and antioxidant characteristics that provide several health benefits, in addition to scientific evidence showing that there are variations in the chemistry of these kombucha. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the profile of volatile compounds from kombucha commercials using the GC-MS-SPME technique. Five kombucha samples from commercial points on Rio de Janeiro City were analyzed. The profile of volatile compounds was evaluated using the SPME technique using a PDMS/DVB/CAR triple fiber. Volatiles were identified by comparing their mass spectra with a NIST and IRL. The results indicated that the profile of volatile compounds analyzed was constituted by nine classes of compounds, namely, esters, ketones, carboxylic acids, alcohols, aldehydes, amines, hydrocarbons, lactones and terpenes. Among them, the esters were the majority, ranging from 20.0 to 28.0 %, it was also possible to observe that 2-Octenal was the most abundant compound in all samples, ranging from 52.7 to 63.0 %. Thus, it is seen that the profile of volatile compounds in kombucha is found by a complex mixture of compounds belonging to different classes and which have the esters as the most representative due to the fermentation process that occurs during the production of kombucha.

Effect of open field crop management on the floral development of gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis)

Objective: To analyze the effect of open field crop management on gardenia flower development Design/Methodology/Approach: A randomized block design was used with a factorial arrangement of two factors conformed by field management (four levels: M1 = old plant in natural shade; M2 and M3 = old plant in full sun and M4 = mature plant in full sun) and the floral stages (eight levels: tender, lemony, striped, white, star, caracolled, open and yellow). Eight morphological descriptors were measured: flower weight, perianth length, perianth diameter, calyx length, calyx diameter, corolla width, number of sepals, and length of sepals. Results: The analysis of variance allowed to identify highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) in the variables weight, perianth length, calyx length and diameter, number of sepals, and length of sepals for the management-stage interaction. In handling M1 and M2, the caracolled flower reached a weight greater than 2.94 ± 0.08 g with a perianth diameter of 60.66 ± 1.23 mm. The open flower presented the largest corolla width of 37.39 ± 1.07 mm. The white button cataloged from the commercial point of view in the category of buttons, according to weight, perianth diameter, and width of the corolla, presented flower characteristics, thus classifying the floral development in three stages for buttons and five for flowers. Findings/Conclusions: Crop management with natural shade increases the size of the flowers in terms of weight, perianth diameter, and corolla width. These descriptors can be used as quality criteria when selecting the flower. In addition, the open and caracolled flower can contain the largest reserve of volatile components and, as they are not commercial qualities, it could be used in the extraction of compounds to produce cosmetics.

Alpha acids content in Czech hops from the harvest of 2021 – forecast, reality, trends

From the brewing and commercial point of view, the content of alpha acids is one of the most important quality parameter of hops, which is subject to significant annual fluctuations. The established system for evaluating the content of alpha acids in Czech hops consists of pre-harvest and harvest predictions and a detailed analysis of reality based on the analysis of all purchasing lots of raw hops. It is differentiated according to varieties and hop growing areas. This article presents the results of the 2021 harvest, discusses the influence of weather conditions, the age of hop gardens and virus-free seedlings on the harvest results, and the relationship of predictions to reality. The average content of alpha acids in the majority Saaz variety in the Žatec, Úštěk and Tršice areas was 4.45, 4.20 and 3.36% by weight in the original respectively. In all areas, the alpha acids content has been significantly affected by the age of the hop growths. The total production of alpha acids in hops harvested in the Czech Republic in 2021 was 414.5 tons. The harvest is the highest in the last 25 years; the result is due to the combination of two factors, both high yield per hectare and high alpha acids content.

РИНОК АВТОМОБІЛЬНИХ ВАНТАЖНИХ ПЕРЕВЕЗЕНЬ КРАЇН ЄС: ПОРІВНЯЛЬНА МАКРОЕКОНОМІЧНА ОЦІНКА І КЛЮЧОВІ НАПРЯМИ РОЗВИТКУ

The article considers the issue of research of the current state and formation of directions of development of the market of motor transport transportation of the EU countries. The urgency of the topic is due to the development of the EU economy and its diversified structure. It is established that road transport is an important type of economic activity. When transport systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities and benefits that lead to positive effects, such as increased market access, increased employment and additional investment. When transport systems are underdeveloped in terms of capacity and reliability, they can lead to economic costs, such as suppressed or untapped capacity, and reduce the quality of life. In addition, the impact of transport is not always predictable, and some unintended or unpredictable consequences may occur. The development of the road transport market is one of the important components of modern economies for their full existence, as road transport is one of the most mobile means of supplying raw materials, finished products at the current stage of EU development. The EU road haulage sector has developed very dynamically. It was found that the EU offers the world community a new product - the export of transit transport services. The creation and development of international transport corridors is necessary not only from a commercial point of view. Thanks to international transport corridors, it is possible to synchronize the exchange of goods between countries, reduce transportation costs and increase the possibility of developing transport infrastructure. Approaches to improving the efficiency of transport between EU member states and third countries on the example of road freight transport, taking into account the factor of transport infrastructure development, are proposed. The obtained results can be used in the process of analysis of the EU freight transport market, identification of key export-oriented and import-oriented freight transport groups, analysis of state export policy, formation of a national strategy for the development of the road transport market.

«Technological paternalism»: current trends in domestic data journalism

The article considers the further growth of the role of big data in society, the widespread use of new practices and methods of obtaining information, such as profiling consumer information, biometric data, automation, new opportunities for news reporting. Modern journalistic practices of news information presentation journalism are discussed. Because big data-based algorithms, which have recently been widely implemented to «optimize the performance» of social networks and search engines, often determine what information will be displayed and which sites respond to search queries. By creating and training neural networks, our preferences are analyzed — likes, reposts, comments — and on this basis, an individual news feed is formed for each account. As a result, the views that users do not share are gradually disappearing from the feed, and those that they like are emerging. The news world is becoming comfortable and understandable. The combination of machine and journalistic selection results is particularly interesting through the prism of data journalism, as this type of journalistic activity can be seen as the result of journalistic and technological practices. Based on a qualitative statistical analysis of news sites, the study examines how data journalism works in the news cycle of professional newsrooms. In addition, the publication explores the innovations that data journalism brings to storytelling, news gathering, and dissemination. Through statistical analysis of the content of these Internet resources, a clear direction in the information policy of media companies to give preference to linear formats of information messages. This direction of consumer information is more effective compared to truly interactive and less paternalistic data journalism projects. Thus, paternalism is probably the best from a commercial point of view. Professional paternalism is an important source for maintaining journalistic autonomy, while in public debates and on technology platforms «bubble filters» and delegating decision-making to machines are considered negative paternalism. In an age when journalism merges with artificial intelligence and journalists and engineers create algorithms side by side to protect their immunity, journalists need to make sure that the audience is informed about the methodology, the validity of the choice of design in interactive programs, clearly motivated. In our opinion, problems arise only if the auditor (journalist or program / developer) does not pay attention to the difference between filtering and selection in different digital texts.

Red Seaweed Pigments from a Biotechnological Perspective

Algae taxa are notably diverse regarding pigment diversity and composition, red seaweeds (Rhodophyta) being a valuable source of phycobiliproteins (phycoerythrins, phycocyanin, and allophycocyanin), carotenes (carotenoids and xanthophylls), and chlorophyll a. These pigments have a considerable biotechnological potential, which has been translated into several registered patents and commercial applications. However, challenges remain regarding the optimization and subsequent scale-up of extraction and purification methodologies, especially when considering the quality and quantity needs, from an industrial and commercial point of view. This review aims to provide the state-of-the-art information on each of the aforementioned groups of pigments that can be found within Rhodophyta. An outline of the chemical biodiversity within pigment groups, current extraction and purification methodologies and challenges, and an overview of commercially available products and registered patents, will be provided. Thus, the current biotechnological applications of red seaweeds pigments will be highlighted, from a sustainable and economical perspective, as well as their integration in the Blue Economy.

The age distribution in the Taimyr population wild northern deer (<i>Rangifer Tarandus</i>) in the first decades of 21 centuries

Objective: mathematical demography means to identify and evaluate the age distribution of male and female of Taimyr tundra reindeer in the first decade of the XXI century and future trends in demographic situation Taimyr population.Materials and methods. The base material for evaluating the current state of the population age structure Taimyr steel fishing representative sample of male and female wild deer (n = 10845 individuals) collected in the West, Central and Taimyr Putorana in 2001-2008., And the deer samples (n = 1569 individuals), the floor of which is unknown. Determination of individual animals from age and older (n = 9773 individuals) performed on histological sections of cutters according to the corresponding procedure. To repay the random deviations of sample data because of a lack of presence of immature animals (calves, yearlings, young 1-2 years) (selectivity of fishing is directed primarily at the production of individuals older than 3 years, why animals in different age groups in the samples is greater than there are in the population) applies a smoothing procedure. Then, positive deviation of the number of individuals in the same age group were leveled due to negative deviations in adjacent groups.Results. By smoothed age ranges of the field samples from 2001-2008 the current age distribution of Taimyr wild reindeer calculated and analyzed. The study showed that the theoretical current age distribution of males with realized breeding is 77.03, females - 80.56, in the combined groups of animals - 82.35%. The real population has 18-19 age generations of males and females. The reproductive core of males from 3 to 10 years old is 48.43%, individuals of age limit 11 years and older occupy 1.96% of this sex and age structure, calves and young animals for 1-2 years - 24.64%. For the reproductive part of females aged 3–15 years, the overall age distribution is 55.34%, and the proportion of juveniles and young animals, according to calculations, is determined in this part of the population at 25.16%. In the combined current age distribution, males, females: calves and young animals accounted for 27.72%, the sexually mature part with animals of older and age-specific ages - 54.63%.Conclusion. Demographic Taimir population modeling operation in the first decade of the XXI century long materials commercial samples collected at commercial points shown at current age distribution of the realized and reproduction conditions for existing commercial load males - 77.03 for females - 80.56 and for unified groups (males, females) - 82.4%. Meanwhile, the steady state and stable age distribution Taimyr tundra wild deer can reach a middle-level only when the fecundity of female reproductive generations with clean reproduction rate (R0) equal in population groupings 1.0

Back Cover: Nanoscale electrodeposition: Dimension control and 3D conformality (EXP2 3/2021)

Ho Won Jang and co-workers review the feasible dimensional/morphological control of electrodeposition and uniform coatings on complicated 3D nanostructures using diverse materials. With the significant advances in the nanoscale design of the materials through electrodeposition, their applicability toward various devices is introduced from the commercial point of view.

Water management and crop coefficients for pot chrysanthemum

Chrysanthemum is one of the most commercialized flower species in Brazil, however, there is little information related to the correct water management of the crop. Thus, the work seeks to determine the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) and obtain the cultural coefficients (Kc) of the pot chrysanthemum, in addition to assessing the water use efficiency (EUA) of the crop under different irrigation managements. The experiment was conducted in a protected environment in Santa Maria-RS, which a completely randomized design (DIC) was used, with five treatments based on the capacity of water retention in the vessel (CRV) (40, 60, 80, 100 and 120% CRV), with 16 repetitions, each pot was considered one repetition. ETc was determined by weighing Lysymetry, ETo was calculated by six different equations: Benevides-Lopez, Camargo, Linacre, Jensen-Haise, Hargreaves and Ivanov. Kc was obtained by the relationship between ETc and ETo. The evapotranspiration of the culture ranged between 153 and 264 mm. There was no significant difference in the EUA between the treatments studied. The average Kc was 0.98 for the vegetative phase, 1.29 from the beginning of the reproductive phase to the point of commercialization and 0.85 until the end of the reproductive phase.

WO3 nanowire field emission point electron source with high brightness and current stability

Field emission current stability and brightness are important criteria for commercial field emission point electron sources. Here, field emission point electron sources were fabricated from individual WO3 nanowires (NWs) and stable emission was achieved under ∼10−5 Pa. The reduced brightness of one of the emitter was ∼6.08 × 109 A m−2·sr−1 V−1, which was comparable to commercial cold cathode sources. One of the individual WO3 field emitters could operate at an emission current of 0.68 μA for tens of hours without degradation using a ballast resistor regulator. A current fluctuation of the emitter, at a low emission current of 155 nA, was 0.045% for the short-term. Its long-term fluctuation, at 0.68 μA, was 3.89% for 38 h. Besides the ballast resistor, inert surface of the oxide NW and low tip temperature owing to the defect-related field emission mechanism were proposed as the reasons for such high emission stability under mild high vacuum. Our result was significant in the development of stable field emission point sources.

An Overview of Cooperative Robotics in Agriculture

Agricultural robotics has been a popular subject in recent years from an academic as well as a commercial point of view. This is because agricultural robotics addresses critical issues such as seasonal shortages in manual labor, e.g., during harvest, as well as the increasing concern regarding environmentally friendly practices. On one hand, several individual agricultural robots have already been developed for specific tasks (e.g., for monitoring, spraying, harvesting, transport, etc.) with varying degrees of effectiveness. On the other hand, the use of cooperative teams of agricultural robots in farming tasks is not as widespread; yet, it is an emerging trend. This paper presents a comprehensive overview of the work carried out so far in the area of cooperative agricultural robotics and identifies the state-of-the-art. This paper also outlines challenges to be addressed in fully automating agricultural production; the latter is promising for sustaining an increasingly vast human population, especially in cases of pandemics such as the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

Viscoelastic behaviour of highly filled polypropylene with solid and liquid Tin microparticles: influence of the stearic acid additive

In this work, highly filled composites made of a commercial polypropylene resin and low melting point Tin particles, up to 50 vol.% in loadings, have been prepared by melt blending process. The introduction of stearic acid (SA), a common dispersant, was investigated in compositions. The developed systems were characterized in terms of dynamic rheological testing. Final results confirmed a reduction of linear viscoelastic domain, by increasing filler loadings, with an effect more emphasized in the presence of SA. Contrary to literature studies, at equal filler content (50%), both moduli resulted to be superior for formulations containing the dispersing agent. A further rheological characterization continued on systems at 30 vol.% of particle loadings for highlighting differences depending on the SA addition. Specific tests were also performed at temperatures above the melting of Tin particles. Finally, optical microscopic analyses were carried out for gaining insight on sample microstructure, in controlled conditions of temperature and shear rate.

Mechanical Properties and Microstructure of Forged Steels

Forged steels represent a quite interesting material family, both from a scientific and commercial point of view, following many applications they can be devoted to [...]

A Legal Protection On Owner Of Trade Secret On Coffe Powder Blend That Violate Trade Secret Act No 30 Of 2000

The development of business activities that are very competitive in Indonesia today has led to quite fierce business competition among the business world. Every company must have information that is kept secret from the public, usually referred to as trade secrets. This is the most important aspect for the business owner of the trade itself because the trade information owned holds commercial points and is tied to the quality of the business produced. When a company's trade confidential information is leaked, the impact will be detrimental to the company itself. Before the problem occurred, it could be seen that the government was serious when dealing with this problem and therefore the government began to formalize Law No 30 Of 2000 concerning Trade Secrets. The hope is that this will provide legal protection for trade business owners who keep the confidential nature of company trade information so that competitors are not easily owned. The purpose of this study is to provide legal protection for the owners of trading businesses. So as to reduce the form of violations of trade secrets that often occur, granting legal protection for trade business owners can be done by optimizing the implementation of Law No 30 Of 2000 concerning Trade Secrets and improving the performance of the Directorate General of Intellectual Property. The type of research applied in this study is normative juridical legal research, this research is based on legislation relating to trade secrets, namely Law No 30 Of 2000 and for the collection of data such as from legal books, legal journals, and news articles. The results of the study can be concluded that in guaranteeing a legal protection for trade secret owners there must be cooperation between several parties, not only from the Directorate General of Intellectual Property, but also from business actors, the community and law enforcement as well. In the application of Law No 30 Of 2000 concerning Trade Secrets, it should be carried out effectively, in order to reduce the form of violations of trade secrets that often occur lately among the business world.

Heat Treatment of Steels

Steels represent an interesting family of materials, both from a scientific and commercial point of view, considering the many innovative applications they can be used for [...]