Promising Hybrid Research Articles

Insights into the performance of hybrid graphene oxide/MOFs for CO2 capture at process conditions by molecular simulations

Hybridization of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with graphene oxide (GO) is used to improve the CO2 adsorption performance of MOFs, but the underlying mechanism of this process is still unclear. This study provides a general framework to understanding the mechanism of CO2 adsorption and separation on GO/CuBTC and GO/UTSA-16 in order to optimize the synthesis of the desired material. For this purpose, molecular models mimicking the experimentally available hybrid materials were developed and studied by molecular simulations. Once the models were validated with available experimental data, a systematic study on the effect of different structure variables was performed, searching for the best hybridization procedure for this application, in a predictive manner. It has been confirmed that the interface between GO and MOFs produces strong interactions with CO2, which, together with the smaller pore sizes, significantly enhances the adsorption performance at low pressures. Moreover, the performance of the most promising hybrid GO/MOFs structures from pure CO2 adsorption isotherms for separating CO2 from nitrogen were predicted by GCMC based on binary mixtures (15CO2:85 N2) and a temperature swing adsorption (TSA) process. Among the different materials/compositions explored, GO/CuBTC with the highest GO content (i.e., 65% wt.) and under the premise of no stacking of GO, shows the best results in terms of key performance indicators: CO2/N2 adsorption selectivity (120 at 313 K), working capacity (1.794 mmol/g at a desorption temperature of 443 K), and a specific energy consumption (0.534 GJ/tonne-CO2) comparable to amine scrubbing.

Identification of promising parental lines and hybrids in sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata)

Information on combining ability and standard heterosis are  crucial for the success of any hybrid breeding program. The present study was conducted in sweet corn involving crossing of twenty inbreds as female lines and five inbreds as testers in line × tester mating fashion during kharif, 2019. Resulted 100 F1s were evaluated in rabi, 2019-2020 for twelve yields and its attributing traits. Analysis of variance for combining ability revealed the existence of wider variability in the material studied exhibiting significant differences due to lines, testers, hybrids and various interactions. Non-additive gene action was observed pre-dominant for all the traits. Inbreds SCGP-88, SCGP-111, SCGP-36-3-1, SCGP-91, BSL-4, SCGP-44-2, VNR-SC-24, VNR-SC-23, SCGP-66-1 and SCGP-61-1-4 were identified as good general combiners. Crosses viz., SCGP-207-1  SCGP-44-2, SCGP-54  VNR-SC-29, SCGP-42  SCGP-80, SCGP-82  SCGP-80 and SCGP-66-1  SCGP-44-2 were identified as promising hybrid combinations based on per se performance, sca effects and standard heterosis over the commercial checks. Keywords: Sweet corn, Line x Tester, Hybrids, Combining ability, Heterosis.

Evaluation of sol-gel hybrid nanocomposites for dry medieval wood

• Alum-treated wooden objects undergo chemical degradation, developing acidic pH. • Two hybrid nanocomposite systems were designed to preserve archaeological wood. • Hybrid systems can both consolidate and adjust the pH. • The MTES-based system appears the most promising treatment for archaeological wood. • Ca(OH) 2 NPs react with KHSO 4 turning into syngenite (K 2 Ca(SO 4 ) 2 · H 2 O). Viking Age archaeological wooden objects from the Oseberg find have undergone extensive chemical deterioration due to the original conservation treatment, based on alum salts (KAl(SO 4 ) 2 ·12H 2 O), done in the early 1900s. Today, the artefacts are highly acidic (pH ≤ 2), fragile and the wood has almost completely lost its structural integrity. This study is part of a wider research project on conservation methods for these finds, currently underway. Multi-functional organic/inorganic hybrid systems, engineered to deacidify and consolidate alum-treated wood in a single step, have been studied. These products, made of a polysiloxanes’ network and nanostructured Ca(OH) 2 , have given promising results in terms of penetration, deacidification, consolidation and maintenance of the wood properties. This work provides a comparison between two hybrid systems having in common a backbone of poly(dimethylsiloxane) hydroxy‑terminated (PDMS-OH) and alkaline nanoparticles (NPs) (as deacidifying agent), along with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), methyltriethoxysilane (MTES) applied to fresh and archaeological wood, respectively. Colour, pH, dimensions, SEM-EDS and ultrasonic velocity measurements, in addition to hardness tests, were collected on the treated mock-ups to investigate the outcomes of the two systems in terms of conservation efficacy. FTIR-ATR and DVS have also been carried out for systems characterization. From the analysis performed, the most promising hybrid system seems to be the one prepared with MTES as structural polymer. In addition, it has been highlighted the requirement of a method for sol application other than immersion when objects are already treated with resins.

Breeding columnar apple-tree cultivars for supercompact growth habit

This work was based on the combinatorial breeding technique using donors of the columnar growth type (Co gene), sources of winter hardiness and high consumer qualities, and scab immunity donors (Rvi6 gene). The selection in the columnar apple-tree hybrid progeny was accompanied by the assessment of growth vigor, compactness degree, and seedling cultivability in accordance with the guidelines.Due to the increasing popularity of apple trees with the columnar crown type, the volume of breeding work for columnar growth habit at the Russian Research Institute of Fruit Crop Breeding (VNIISPK) over the past 9 years amounted to 133,582 flowers, or one third of the entire hybridization envisaged by the apple-tree breeding program. Meticulous selection of parent forms is carried out in order to incorporate a set of useful traits in the columnar growth habit genotype. Both cultivars and hybrid forms serve as sources and donors of the traits interesting for breeders. All the studied cultivars released by VNIISPK are dwarf: their height is within the range from 287 cm (cv. ‘Priokskoe’) to 198 cm (cv. ‘Orlovskaya Yesenia’), and they can be recommended for both commercial plantations and amateur gardens. The columnar form 34-34-98 is characterized by a unique degree of compactness (the ratio of the internode length to the shoot diameter) equal to 0.4 versus the average value of 1.6 for this indicator in the studied columnar cultivars. This form was involved in the release of 78 promising hybrid seedlings, the best of which (38.5%) were transferred to the garden for primary variety trials. A large yield of seedlings characterized by high compactness in the progeny of the columnar apple tree 34-34-98 makes it possible to recommend it for the development of new apple-tree genotypes for highly cost-effective orchards with high tree planting density.

Boosted machine learning model for predicting intradialytic hypotension using serum biomarkers of nutrition

Intradialytic hypotension (IDH) is a serious complication of hemodialysis (HD), with an incidence of more than 20%. IDH induces ischemic organ damage and even reduces the ultrafiltration and duration of HD sessions. Frequent attacks of IDH are a risk factor for death in HD patients. Malnutrition is common in HD patients and is also associated with mortality. Although the link between IDH episodes and malnutrition has been observed in practice, it has not been supported by the data. To study the relationship, we propose a promising hybrid model called BSCWJAYA_KELM, which is a wrapper feature selection method based on a variant of the JAYA optimization algorithm (SCWJAYA) and Kernel extreme learning machine (KELM). In this paper, we verify the optimization capability of the SCWJAYA algorithm in the model by comparing experiments with some state-of-the-art methods for IEEE CEC2014, IEEE CEC2017, and IEEE CEC2019 benchmark functions. The prediction accuracy of BSCWJAYA_KELM is validated by the public datasets and the HD dataset. In the experiments on the HD dataset, 1940 HD sessions of 178 HD patients are analyzed by the developed BSCWJAYA_KELM model. The key indicators selected from vast amounts of data are serum uric acid, dialysis vintage, age, diastolic pressure, and albumin. The BSCWJAYA_KELM method is a stable and excellent prediction model that can achieve a more accurate prediction of IDH.

​Combining Ability, Genetic Diversity and Their Association with Heterosis for Seed Yield in Pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millspaugh

Background: In pigeonpea, very less information is available on the interrelationship between combining ability, parental genetic diversity and heterosis. Methods: The experiment was conducted using randomized block design during kharif 2017-18 at GBPUAT, Pantnagar with 36 genotypes (8 parents and 28 F1 hybrids). The combining ability was estimated by using the Griffing’s, Method II, Model I. The genetic diversity (GD) was estimated by using the D2 statistics. The correlation between heterosis and different parameters viz., parental mean (PM), specific combining ability (SCA), mean of general combining ability (MGCA) and genetic diversity (GD) were estimated by using Pearson’s correlation. Result: The hybrids viz., Pant A 441 × AH 09-47 (65.33 g), Pant A 441 × Pusa 2013-2 (64.33 g), Pusa 992 × Pant A 441 (62.67 g), UPAS 120 × Pant A 441 (59.67 g) and UPAS 120 × Pusa 992 (58 g) were found as most promising hybrids for seed yield while the parents Pant A 441 can be used as donor for high seed yield. The estimation of genetic diversity among parents revealed that three different clusters were present. PM, MGCA and SCA were found to be reliable parameters to predict the heterosis.

HETEROSIS AND COMBINING ABILITY VIA LINE × TESTER ANALYSIS FOR QUALITY AND SOME AGRONOMIC CHARACTERS IN SAFFLOWER

This research was conducted in 2018 and 2019 at Tekirdag Namık Kemal University, Faculty of Agriculture, Field Crops Department, Research and Experimental area. It was aimed to determine general combining abilities (GCA) of parental lines, specific combining abilities (SCA) of hybrids, having F1 hybrids from 5 female lines and 9 male testers. For this purpose, lines and testers were hybridized in all combinations using line x tester method in 2018. The field experiments for hybrids (F1) were designed in a randomized complete block with three replications in 2019. The male parents Linas as high general combiners for developing increased seed and oil yields in safflower hybrids. The highest heterosis for oil content was calculated EC18 hybrid (14.281%). The highest heterosis was calculated in EC2 (34.079%) and EC4 (34.548%) for seed and oil yield, respectively. In the study, similar heterotic effect was observed between seed and oil yield as there is interaction between them. Hybrid EC2, EC4 and EC18 were determined as best combinations for high seed yield, oil content and oil yield according to the SCA and heterosis values. The promising hybrids will be grown in the next generations together with the other hybrids in order to ensure sufficient variation, and the selection will be started in the later generations such as F3 and F4.

Effects of Sucrose and Myo-inositol on In Vitro Shoot Multiplicationof Promising Interspecific F1 Hybrid of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Tereticornis X Eucalyptus Grandis)

Abstract –Micropropagation technique is standardized for its multiplication, using nodal segments of 25-30 years old trees i.e. promising interspecific F1 hybrid of Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus tereticornis X Eucalyptus grandis). 0.1% Mercuric chloride solution for 10-15 minutes used for surface sterilization of nodal segments followed by 0.1% fungicide treatment for 1 minute and then washed 4-5 times with sterilized distilled water. These surface sterilized nodal segments were cultured on MS medium combination with auxin and cytokinin (NAA + BAP) for axillary bud proliferation. MS medium with combin- ation of 1.5mg/l BAP + 0.1mg/l NAA gave optimum rate of axillary bud induction. The in vitro shoot were cultured on MS medium with different concentration of BAP (0.1–3.0 mg/l) alone or in combination with NAA (0.1-1.5mg/l) and supplemented with sucrose at 3% level was the best for the growth and development of shoots. These proliferated axillary shoots were excised and subcultured on MS + 1.0 mg/l BAP + 0.1mg/l NAA medium to proliferate in vitro shoots.

Heterosis and combining ability for yield traits and its relationship with gene action in muskmelon (Cucumis melo)

Twenty-one F1 hybrids were developed from seven diverse parental lines of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) from two horticultural groups, viz. inodorous and cantalupensis through half-diallel mating system and evaluated at ICARIndian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, during 2017 and 2018. The component of variance for sca (σ2s) was higher than gca component of variance (σ2g) for all the characters, except average fruit weight, which indicated the importance of non-additive gene action for improvement of many traits. The predictability ratio and average degree of dominance was less than 0.5 and more than 1 for all the yield related traits, except average fruit weight, which further confirmed the predominant role of non-additive component of variance. The parent DHM-163 (P1) was identified as good general combiner for earliness, whereas parent DCM-31 (P4) for fruit length, average fruit weight and yield per plant. The parent Pusa Madhuras (P5) also exhibited highest gca effects for number of fruits per plant, number ofprimary branches per plant, fruit diameter and negative gca effects for days to first fruit harvest. The hybrid DCM-31 × Kashi Madhu (P4 × P6) exhibited highest heterotic value for days to first male flower anthesis, days to first female flower anthesis and days to first fruit harvest. Three crosses, DMM-159 × Pusa Madhuras (P3 × P5), DHM-163 × Kashi Madhu (P1 × P6) and DMM-159 × DCM-31 (P3 × P4) were found to be best heterotic combinations for yield related traits. These promising heterotic hybrid combinations may be tested under multi-location trials to assess their potential as commercial hybrids.

An All-In-One Multifunctional Touch Sensor with Carbon-Based Gradient Resistance Elements

HighlightsCarbon-based gradient resistance element structure is proposed for the construction of multifunctional touch sensor, which will promote wide detection and recognition range of multiple mechanical stimulations.Multifunctional touch sensor with gradient resistance element and two electrodes is demonstrated to eliminate signals crosstalk and prevent interference during position sensing for human–machine interactions.Biological sensing interface based on a deep-learning-assisted all-in-one multipoint touch sensor enables users to efficiently interact with virtual world.Human–machine interactions using deep-learning methods are important in the research of virtual reality, augmented reality, and metaverse. Such research remains challenging as current interactive sensing interfaces for single-point or multipoint touch input are trapped by massive crossover electrodes, signal crosstalk, propagation delay, and demanding configuration requirements. Here, an all-in-one multipoint touch sensor (AIOM touch sensor) with only two electrodes is reported. The AIOM touch sensor is efficiently constructed by gradient resistance elements, which can highly adapt to diverse application-dependent configurations. Combined with deep learning method, the AIOM touch sensor can be utilized to recognize, learn, and memorize human–machine interactions. A biometric verification system is built based on the AIOM touch sensor, which achieves a high identification accuracy of over 98% and offers a promising hybrid cyber security against password leaking. Diversiform human–machine interactions, including freely playing piano music and programmatically controlling a drone, demonstrate the high stability, rapid response time, and excellent spatiotemporally dynamic resolution of the AIOM touch sensor, which will promote significant development of interactive sensing interfaces between fingertips and virtual objects.

Estimation of Genetic Parameters and Prediction of Breeding Values for Fruit-Quality Traits in Hybrid Mangoes

ABSTRACT Genetic parameters to fruit quality of mango hybrids were estimated using a mixed model REM/BLUP. Twenty-seven hybrids (Tommy Atkins cross with Haden, Palmer, Van Dyke, Kent and Coquinho) were evaluated, in two crop seasons. Physical and chemical traits analyzed were weight, longitudinal length, transverse diameter, fiber presence, pulp firmness, skin and pulp color, fibers presence titratable acidity, and soluble solids (SS). Repeatability varying from 0.53 (SS) to 0.89 (diameter). Selective Accuracy (Acm ) based on average harvests varying from 0.73 (SS) to 0.94 (weight, length, and diameter). According to selection gain and the new averages the most promising hybrids were selected.

Integrated ozone-sono-Fenton for the enhanced degradation of acid orange 7: process optimization and kinetic evaluation.

The performance of novel hybrid advanced oxidation, ozone-sono-Fenton process in degradation of acid orange 7 (AO7), as a model of azo dyes was modelled and optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD). Utilizing a bubbling reactor equipped with an ultrasound probe and in the presence of Fenton reagents, a promising hybrid homogeneous AOP, ozone-sono-Fenton, was investigated. According to the experimental results, the variation trend of degradation efficiency (DE%) with pH, reaction time and Fe2+/H2O2 molar ratio was modelled with the reduced quadratic model. Additionally, the suitability of the model was indicated with close to unity regression coefficient [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, the comparative study of degradation efficiency and COD removal for the individual methods including ozonation, sonication and Fenton reagents as well as their hybrid processes reveals that the novel proposed technique, ozone-sono-Fenton process, is able to rapid and complete degradation of acid orange 7 with initial concentration of 300mg L-1, 100% in only 12min. The complete degradation was obtained under optimum conditions such as pH = 6, reaction time = 12min and Fe2+/H2O2 molar ratio = 0.0040. The kinetics evaluation of the acid orange 7 concentration during the processing implied the first-order reaction. Considering the synergetic effect and cost-effectiveness of the hybrid method, the promising ozone-sono-Fenton method could effectively degrade using a wide range of organic contaminants.

Heterosis and combining ability studies by line × tester analysis for fruit biochemical, morpho-physiological, and yield traits governing shelf life in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Improving tomatoes keeping quality is crucial for reducing post-harvest losses. Knowledge of heterosis, and combining ability is a prerequisite for breeding high yielding and good shelf life heterotic hybrids. An investigation was undertaken with each of 3 lines, testers, and 9 hybrids to identify desirable parents and crosses for 20 fruit biochemical, morpho-physiological, and yield traits and to elucidate the nature of gene action for shelf life and its contributing traits through line × tester analysis. The lines contributed to most of hybrids variability than testers and fruit quality traits had a higher degree of SCA variance as compared to GCA variance. pH, ascorbic acid, fruit firmness, and plant height governed by additive gene action. Lycopene, titratable acidity, TSS, calcium, magnesium, pericarp thickness, pulp content, locule number, fruit length, diameter, weight, shelf life, number of branches, number of clusters, number of fruit/cluster, and yield/plant were under the control of non-additive gene action. All the lines and Arka Saurabh were the best general combiners and IIHR 2349 × Arka Vikas, IIHR 2349 × Arka Saurabh, IIHR 2358 × Arka Ahuti and IIHR 2357 × Arka Ahuti were the best specific combiner in producing heterotic hybrids. IIHR 2349 × Arka Vikas and IIHR 2349 × Arka Saurabh were promising hybrids for high yield and shelf life. The crosses involved both parents with high, one parent with high and other with low and both parents with low good overall general combining ability status respectively indicated the additive, non-additive and epistatic gene action in fruit quality and yield traits inheritance.

Immediately implantable extracellular matrix-enriched osteoinductive hydrogel-laden 3D-printed scaffold for promoting vascularized bone regeneration in vivo

Reconstruction of patient-specific scaffolds to repair uniquely shaped bone defects remains a major clinical challenge in tissue engineering. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds have received considerable attention as a promising technology for the rapid generation of custom shapes. However, synthetic polymers commonly used for 3D printing, such as polycaprolactone (PCL), lack the biological capacity to mimic native extracellular matrix functions to support cell growth and differentiation into desired tissues. We described the preparation and characterization of a 3D hybrid model for bone tissue engineering that comprises an extracellular matrix (ECM)-enriched hydrogel embedded in a PCL scaffold. The human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell–derived matrisome (BMTS) was utilized as a source of ECM-enriched biomacromolecules, and scaffold biocompatibility was evaluated in vitro using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). The 3D hybrid model exhibited excellent BM-MSC viability and osteogenic activity in vitro in both two-dimensional (2D) and 3D cultures. Furthermore, bone remodeling was evaluated by in vivo through a rat calvarial defect model; notably, the fabricated 3D hybrid model effectively enhanced vascularized bone regeneration. Therefore, this promising BMTS-based 3D hybrid model might serve as an excellent bone tissue-engineered scaffold for use in orthopedic applications.

Evaluation of potato hybrids for the Arctic zone of Russia by the ranking method

In the Republic of Komi (Russia), potatoes are the most common vegetable crop, widely cultivated by both agricultural enterprises and the population in the private sector. Selection of varieties that meet such criteria as high yield, adaptability to soil and climatic conditions, high stability (the ability to produce an equivalent yield both under favorable and unfavorable environmental conditions), as well as resistance to the main phytopathogens that affect the tops and tubers (late blight, rhizoctoniosis, alternariosis, common scab, etc.) in the field is an important factor in ensuring Russia’s food security in the Arctic zone. To select the most promising hybrids that passed through negative traits in the first phases of breeding, it is preferable to use ranking methods according to various parameters, such as ecological plasticity, stability, multiplicity coefficient, homeostaticity, etc. This will allow a more objective and complete assessment of the potential of potato genomes for creating new varieties adapted to the Arctic zone of Russia. The studies were carried out in breeding nurseries on the basis of the Institute of Agrobiotechnologies of the Federal Research Center of the Komi Scientific Center of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia, Syktyvkar) from 2018 to 2020. The following promising samples of potatoes were studied, the hybridization of which was carried out at the Federal Research Center for Potatoes named after A. G. Lorkh (Russia, urban settlement Korenevo): 1992-14 (Luck x Elmundo), 2000-60 (Colette x FZ 1867), 2118-57 (2688-8 x Gala), 2139-5 (Courage x Aurora), 2142-1 (Dina x Kholmogorsky); the standards were zoned varieties of two groups of maturity: Udacha - early, early ripe, Nevsky - medium early. Based on the results of studies of promising potato hybrids for further selection in the conditions of the Komi Republic, the following hybrids were recommended by the sum of ranks and assessment of field resistance to phytopathogens: 1992-14, 2000-60 and 2139-5.

Повышение эффективности многоцелевого лесопользования на выработанных торфяниках

A more complete involvement and effective use of non-timber forest resources is one of the most pressing problems in the development of the forest complex of the Russian Federation within the framework of ensuring multi-purpose, rational and sustainable forest management. The creation of forest berry plantations will resolve the issue of biological reclamation of depleted peatlands, as well as increase the productivity of wild berries and the biological diversity of unused forest lands. The work is aimed at studying the prospects of using clonal micropropagation as the most effective way of producing high-quality cultivar planting material of forest berry plants for laying out plantations on reclaimed depleted peatlands. The paper presents the results of research on clonal micropropagation of forest berry plants – half highbush blueberry and swamp cranberry of promising cultivars and hybrid forms, as well as their adaptation to the conditions of depleted peat deposits. The data on the formation of microshoots and roots of blueberry and cranberry plants on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) using growth-regulating substances are presented. The maximum total length of microshoots was observed in half highbush blueberry (23.7 cm) at the cytokinin 2-iP concentration of 3.0 mg/L, and in swamp cranberry (22.7 cm) at the 2-iP concentration of 0.5 mg/L at the stage of proper micropropagation. The maximum total length of roots of half highbush blueberry (12.1 cm) and swamp cranberry (51.7 cm) was observed at the IAA auxin concentration of 1.0 mg/L at the stage of rooting in vitro. The data on plant survival rate in non-sterile conditions in vivo depending on the composition of the substrate and in natural conditions on depleted peatlands are presented. The highest survival rate of blueberry plants was observed on the substrate of transitional peat and sphagnum (95–98 %), cranberry – on the substrate of highmoor peat and sphagnum (100 %) at the stage of adaptation to non-sterile conditions in vivo. The survival rate of plants of half highbush blueberry and swamp cranberry reached 100 % in the conditions of depleted peatlands. Clonal micropropagation is the most effective way to obtain high-quality healthy planting material of forest berry plants for the rapid propagation of promising cultivars and hybrid forms and its further use in the creation of plantations in order to reclaim depleted peatlands within the framework of the organization of multipurpose forest management.

Study of the responsiveness of new potato hybrids to various doses of mineral fertilizers

Potato is an agricultural crop with a high removal of mineral nutrition elements and is responsive to fertilizers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a system of mineral fertilizers for it, which contributes to obtaining a high yield with good indicators of the quality of tubers and meeting the standards of sanitary and hygienic control for the content of nitrates in tubers. Studies of new potato hybrids for responsiveness to mineral fertilizers were carried out on experimental fields of the Institute of Agrobiotechnologies FRC Komi Science Center Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia, Republic of Komi, Syktyvkar). The object of the study is three mid-season hybrids that passed the competitive test based on the results of a four-year selection selection (2018-2021): 1992-14 (Udacha × Elmundo), 2000-60 (Colette × FZ 1867), 2139-5 (Courage × Aurora ). Hybrids were obtained from FRC Potato named after. A. G. Lorkha (Russia, Moscow region, township Korenevo). The zoned mid-early variety Nevsky was used as a standard. The study was carried out according to the following scheme: control - without fertilizers, dose 1 - N100P80K150, dose 2 - N150P120K225 and dose 3 - N200P160K300. As a result of studying the effect of mineral fertilizers in the cultivation of new promising potato hybrids, the highest complex efficiency of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium doses in the combination of N100P80K150 was established. The use of this dose of fertilizers made it possible to obtain a significant increase in yield by 20-25% for the studied hybrids and standards, while the fractional composition of tubers changed in favor of the medium and large fractions, the content of dry matter, starch and vitamin C was maintained at the level of the variant without the use of fertilizers, while In this case, there was no excessive accumulation of nitrates in potato tubers.

Oxygen-enriched hierarchical porous carbon supported Co-Ni nanoparticles for promising hybrid supercapacitors via one step pyrolysis of polymerized high internal phase emulsion

The urgent demand for high-performance energy storage components has been driving the exploration for superior battery-type electrode materials for hybrid supercapacitors, which is challenging but of considerable significance. In this paper, a one-step pyrolysis route was elaborated to prepare oxygen-enriched hierarchical porous carbon supported Co-Ni nanoparticles Co-Ni/OHPCs) by facile self-crosslinking assisted high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating. The oxygen-enriched porous carbon framework provides large specific surface area and structural stability, meanwhile Co doping can significantly reinforce the electrochemical performance of the Co-Ni/OHPCs battery-type electrodes. By optimizing the ratio of Ni2+ to Co2+ ions, the obtained Co-Ni/OHPC electrodes exhibited excellent electrochemical performance of 817.3 F g−1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s−1. Furthermore, coupling with an activated porous carbon anode, the assembled hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) possessed an appreciable energy density of 66.94 Wh kg−1 at 409.9 W kg−1 and a capacitance retention ratio of 73.89% after 5000 cycles, showing considerable application prospects. This structural design strategy provides new inspiration for the reasonable optimization of new electrode materials for promising hybrid supercapacitors.

Application of hybrid low salinity hot water flooding to enhance oil recovery from heavy oil carbonates

The high efficiency of Low Salinity Water (LSW) injection in carbonates, leading to rock wettability alteration from oil-wet to water-wet and, hence, resulting in better oil displacement, has been confirmed by numerous studies. In recent years, the combination of LSW injection with other Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques has been widely discussed, to activate the synergistic effects of hybrid EOR methods leading to additional oil recovery. The idea of combining LSW injection with a thermal approach, known as Low Salinity Hot Water (LSHW) injection, is a highly promising hybrid EOR method for heavy oil carbonate formations. In this study, the performance of LSW and hybrid LSHW injection was experimentally evaluated for heavy oil carbonate cores by different measurements of rock-fluid interactions and core flooding experiments. Contact angle measurements were conducted to investigate the optimal dilution of seawater (SW) and evaluate the performance of different variations of Potential Determining Ions (PDIs) concentration on wettability change. Appropriate dilution and ion management was applied to design LSW and engineered water (EW) for oil displacement at different temperatures (from 20 to 70 °C) in order to evaluate the standalone LSW and hybrid LSHW injection performance. The injection of LSW and EW was estimated to be inefficient for heavy oil carbonates, while hybrid LSHW flooding showed a significant increase of oil recovery with the best performance of the brine spiked by PDIs, where 60% and 55% of the residual oil was displaced at 50 °C and 70 °C, respectively. Moreover, the injection of LSHW directly after SW was found to be more practical than following LSW flooding. The application of the hybrid EOR method activates different mechanisms, such as oil detachment from the rock surface, due to the wettability alteration by EW/LSW and viscosity reduction by the thermal methods. Combined active mechanisms result in better performance, compared to the standalone EOR methods. Rock dissolution and multi-ion exchange by PDIs were identified as the main mechanisms of wettability alteration by EW/LSW via the results of ion chromatography analyses. The synergy between EOR methods affects the active mechanisms of LSW/EW flooding. For example, an increase in temperature showed more active multi-ion exchange and rock dissolution, which resulted in higher oil release from the rock surface.

Utilization of wild species for diversifying the cytoplasmic male sterility source of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids

Abstract The present investigation is directed at improving sunflower using hybrids having diverse cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) sources from Helianthus annuus and H. argophyllus. The aim is to develop and identify promising lines and hybrids with a high combining ability and to obtain highly productive oilseed sunflower hybrids having diverse CMS sources. Five diversified CMS lines and 10 testers were crossed in a line × tester mating design to develop 50 F1 hybrids for genetic analysis. The pooled analysis of variance revealed significant differences among hybrids for the traits studied. The mean squares of lines and testers from crosses and GCA variance components revealed the prevalence of additive variances and additive gene action. The mean squares of lines × tester interactions were also significant for all the traits considered. The significance of lines × tester interactions and SCA variance components indicated that SCA is also important in the expression of traits and demonstrated the role of dominant and epistatic genes in controlling the various traits. Among the diverse CMS lines, ARG-6-3-1-4was identified as the best general combiner for stem diameter, volume weight, seed yield, hull content and oil content. While, the line ARG-2-1-2 was the best general combiner for days to 50 per cent flowering, head diameter, 100 seed weight and seed filling per cent. The tester M17-R was observed to be the best general combiner for earliness and volume weight, while RHA 93 was the best general combiner for plant height, seed yield and oil content. The crossMUT-2-8-3-2 × GKVK 3 was found to be a good specific combiner for stem diameter, 100 seed weight, seed yield, seed filling percentage and oil content while, ARG-6-3-1-4 × GKVK 3 was a good specific combiner for days to 50% flowering, plant height and 100 seed weight. The highest standard heterosis for seed yield was observed in the hybrid MUT-2-8-3-2 × GKVK 3 followed by ARG-2-1-2 × LTRR 822 while for oil content the highest was seen in the cross ARG-6-3-1-4 × RHA95-C-1 and thus these hybrids can be exploited for sunflower improvement and diversifying the cytoplasmic male sterile sources of this valuable oilseed crop.