Reduced Water Content Research Articles

Drought and rewatering practices improve adaptability of seedling maize to drought stress by a super-compensate effect

Periodic drought adversely affects the growth and yield of summer crops in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain. Drought-rewatering practice as one of the important agronomic measures to improve crop drought resistance. A field experiment was conducted to investigate practice physiological, biochemical, and molecular responses of maize seedling after two rounds of repeated drought and rewatering treatments. The results demonstrated that rewatering following repeated drought events had a compensatory effect on the photosynthetic rate (Pn) and on osmotic and antioxidant regulation. Specifically, the Pn and stomatal conductance (Gs) increased by 10.12 % and 5.61 %, respectively, compared to the control (CK) during the second round of treatment. Additionally, soluble protein (sPro) and proline (Pro) content rose significantly, with increases of 26.12 % and 343.49 % observed on day 5 of the second round, leading to a gradual reduction in leaf water content and osmosis. Following drought exposure, the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) contributed to the decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), with both enzymes recovering during rewatering. In contrast, plant height, leaf area, and biomass were significantly reduced in the CK group. Notably, root length increased by 21.05 % after the drought-rewatering practice, enhancing the maize seedlings' ability to adapt to drought stress. Overall, maize seedlings exhibited enhanced adaptability to drought conditions following two cycles of drought-rewatering treatments.

Towards Zero-Waste Biodiesel Production: Purification of Methanol Recovery

Abstract The depletion of crude oil sources, along with a rising awareness of the adverse environmental impacts of utilizing fossil fuels, prompted the growth of alternate strategies for converting waste biomass into biofuels. Wakud is a biodiesel production plant in Oman using waste cooking oil to turn it into biodiesel. The process generates excessive amount of methanol, the purpose of this study is to enhance methanol recovery purity. The experimental study was conducted using 3A molecular sieves for methanol dewatering process. In addition to a simulation study that was conducted using ASPEN PLUS software, one distillation column is used to obtain high purity methanol. The results of the experimental study showed 98% pure methanol is achieved. However, the distillation column purified methanol recovery by 99% and the biodiesel obtained by 96%. Both studies proved that these methods would effectively reduce water content in methanol.

The Optimization Ratio and Size of Raw Materials in Patchouli Oil Extraction Process Using Hydrodistillation Method with Addition of MgCl2

This research focuses on optimizing patchouli oil yield using the hydrodistillation method and adding MgCl2 as the main component. The RSM method is used to analyze model variance, including the sum of squares model, less of the fit model, and ANOVA analysis. The research results show that adding MgCl2 can increase the yield of patchouli oil by reducing water content and undesirable non-volatile elements, thereby producing more stable patchouli oil. ANOVA analysis of patchouli oil yield was carried out to determine the optimal results from factors such as F/S, material size, and time. The extraction time factor had a p-value of less than 0.05, indicating that the model was suitable for explaining the results. The research results showed that the yield of patchouli oil was optimal with an F/S ratio of 0.075, material size of 20 mesh, and extraction time of 5 hours, with a yield of 0.1 gr/mL being the best choice. The research results showed that the use of specific methods, namely distilled water and MgCl2 in the extraction process, was effective in increasing the yield of patchouli oil

Time-dependent rheological behavior of hydrating cement paste containing calcium carbonate whiskers

In this research, the action mechanism of aragonite calcium carbonate whiskers (CW) on the time-dependent rheological performance during early cement paste hydration are examined by combining rheometer, calorimetry, thermogravimetry (TG/DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and free water content test. Regarding time-dependent rheological properties, it is found that CW can improve the rheological parameters of cement paste and converse the fluidity behavior by means of morphological and chemical effects. Free water content and FT-IR results indicate that CW can absorb free water to retard rheological properties loss. In terms of early hydration of cement paste, new hydration products are generated due to the chemical effects of CW, which can be verified by XRD, DTG and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). And the increase in content of ettringite, Ca(OH)2 and gel/space ratio induced by participation of CW can also be distinctly observed. After discussing the time-dependent rheological parameters and hydration characteristic parameters, it has been clarified that the primary factor contributing to the increase in time-dependent rheological parameters is the reduction in free water content. However, the incorporation of CW intensifies the cement hydration process, leading to the predominant influence of hydrated phase contents and particle size on the system.

Enhanced water management in PEMFC cathode using streamlined baffles

This research investigates the impact of baffle configurations on water management within Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) using novel flow fields in configurations featuring staggered and parallel streamlined baffles. Utilizing the Volume of Fluid method, the two-phase flow is modeled within computational domains that encompass the flow field above the porous Catalyst and Gas Diffusion Layers. A key feature is the use of Dynamic Contact Angle model, accounting for surface tension and wall adhesion over time, which provides detailed insights into liquid water movement and pressure changes. Streamlined baffles significantly enhance water removal and reactant transport by creating circulations and increasing flow velocities. The parallel-baffle configuration demonstrated the highest water removal capability, reducing water content in flow channels by 20.08 % compared to straight channels and offering a more uniform distribution of reactants. Both baffled configurations improve performance by promoting reactant infiltration and water expulsion, but they also increase pressure drops. The parallel configuration experiences the highest pressure drop, about 4.5 times greater than the conventional straight channel, illustrating a trade-off between better water management and energy efficiency. This study provides important insights into how baffled flow field designs in PEMFCs influence flooding behavior and potentially overall performance.

Applying the Techniques of Materials Science towards an Understanding of the Process of Canine Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration in dogs occurs in an accelerated way and involves calcification, which is associated with disc herniation or extrusion. The degenerative process is complex and involves the transformation of collagen fibres, loss of proteoglycans and notochord cells and a reduction in water content; however, how these processes are linked to future disc extrusion remains unknown. We have employed techniques including Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Uniaxial Compression Loading and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) in an attempt to gain a greater understanding of the degenerative process and its consequences on the physical properties of the disc. FTIR verified by TEM demonstrated that calcium phosphate exists in an amorphous state within the disc and that the formation of crystalline particles of hydroxyapatite occurs prior to disc extrusion. AFM identified crystalline agglomerates consistent with hydroxyapatite as well as individual collagen fibres. SEM enabled the identification of regions rich in calcium, phosphorous and oxygen and allowed the visualization of the topographical landscape of the disc. Compression testing generated stress/strain curves which will facilitate investigation into disc stiffness. Ongoing work is aimed at identifying potential areas of intervention in the degenerative process as well as further characterizing the role of calcification in disc extrusion.

Role of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles in mitigating hyperhydricity in micropropagated watermelon (Citrullus lanatus Thunb.) and assessment of genetic fidelity using RAPD and SCoT markers

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is one of the five most consumed fresh fruits and is a commercially important horticulture crop. The consumer demand for seedless watermelons has considerably increased due to their superior taste and ease of consumption. Seedless watermelon plants are triploids hence plant tissue culture technology which is the cultivation of plant cells, tissues, or organs on specially formulated nutrient media can facilitate the rapid multiplication of seedless watermelon varieties. However, hyperhydricity has been reported as a frequent problem for in vitro growth and development of watermelon. Hence, the present study highlights the application of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized from Parthenium hysterophorus (PHAgNPs) for reversal of hyperhydricity and enhancing in vitro shoot production in watermelon. The biosynthesized PHAgNPs was characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and Transmission electron microscopy. Cotyledonary nodes used as explant and cultured in three types of cytokinins (BAP, TDZ and KIN) became hyperhydric, losing their ability to regenerate at high cytokinin concentrations (> 1.5 mg/L) irrespective of the cytokinin type. The optimum concentration of BAP (1.0 mg/L) fortified with PHAgNPs (15.0 mg/L) exhibited an improved response of 91 % and induced a maximum of 32.33 shoots with a maximum shoot length of 5.66 cm after 6 weeks. The incorporation of PHAgNPs reduced the percentage of hyperhydricity from 29 % to 1.33 % in regenerated shoots, which was confirmed by the reduction in relative water content (RWC) from 93.33 % to 80.33. Silver ions reduced H2O2 content by 50 % and increased photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a, b and carotenoids) by 50 %, which contributed to the formation of healthy regenerated shoots, with opened stomata compared to closed in hyperhydric shoots. Compared with those of hyperhydric shoots, the gene expression patterns of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylase synthase (ACS1) and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO1) decreased after the retroversion of shoots to 15 mg/L PHAgNP medium. The relative gene expression profiles of ACS1 and ACO1 in hyperhydric shoots were 8.8- and 1.8-fold greater than those in normal shoots, respectively. Profuse root growth was observed in MS basal media supplemented with IBA (1.0 mg/L) and PHAgNPs (10.0 mg/L), which resulted in the greatest number of roots (12.33), with an average root length of 4.33 cm and a response of 89.33 %. The genotoxic effect of PHAgNPs evaluated using RAPD and SCoT molecular markers, showed that the addition of low levels of silver nanoparticles to the medium did not cause any genetic variation. The efficient regeneration protocol standardized in this study provides a solution to solve the problem of hyperhydricity in watermelon regeneration.

Exogenous Melatonin Modulates Photosynthesis and Antioxidant Systems for Improving Drought Tolerance of Sorghum Seedling.

Sorghum faces significant production challenges due to drought stress. Melatonin has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in coping with stresses in plants. This study investigated the effect of exogenous melatonin on the sorghum seedling growth, photosynthetic capacity, and antioxidant system under drought stress. The results indicated that drought stress inhibited the growth of sorghum seedlings by a marked reduction in leaf relative water content, along with a significant increase in both malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content. The drought stress also led to a significant diminution in chlorophyll contents, thereby curtailing the capacity for light energy capture. Furthermore, the efficiency of the photosynthetic electron transport chain was adversely impacted. However, the application of exogenous melatonin notably mitigated the adverse effects on sorghum seedlings under the drought stress. Additionally, it stimulated an elevation in the photosynthetic rate and a decrease in non-photochemical quenching. The exogenous melatonin also facilitated the preservation of the chloroplast ultra-structure and boosted the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of non-enzymatic antioxidants. Cluster heat maps and principal component analysis further revealed significant correlations among various parameters under different treatment conditions. These results highlight melatonin's role in improving sorghum's drought tolerance, which is beneficial for agricultural management.

Comparative analysis of salinity tolerance mechanisms in two maize genotypes: growth performance, ion regulation, and antioxidant responses

This study investigates the differential responses of two maize genotypes, SC180 and SC168, to salt stress, aiming to elucidate the mechanisms underlying salinity tolerance and identify traits associated with improved stress resilience. Salinity stress, imposed by 150 mM NaCl, adversely affected various growth parameters in both genotypes. SC180 exhibited a more pronounced reduction in shoot length (13.6%) and root length (13.6%) compared to SC168, which showed minimal reductions (3.0% and 2.3%, respectively). Additionally, dry weight losses in SC180's leaves, stems, and roots were significantly greater than those in SC168. Under salinity stress, both genotypes accumulated Na+ in all organs, with SC168 showing higher Na + concentrations. However, K+ levels decreased more significantly in SC180's leaves than in SC168's. The study also assessed physiological responses, noting that SC180 experienced a substantial reduction in relative water content (RWC) in leaves (22.7%), while SC168's RWC remained relatively stable (5.15%). Proline accumulation, a marker for osmotic adjustment, increased 2.3-fold in SC168 compared onefold in SC180. Oxidative stress indicators, such as electrolyte leakage and hydrogen peroxide levels, were elevated in both genotypes under salt stress, with SC180 showing higher increases (48.5% and 48.7%, respectively) than SC168 (35.25% and 22.0%). Moreover, antioxidant enzymes (APX, CAT, POD, SOD, GR) activities were significantly enhanced in SC168 under salinity stress, whereas SC180 showed no significant changes in these activities. Stress indices, used to quantify and compare salinity tolerance, consistently ranked SC168 as more tolerant (average rank = 1.08) compared to SC180 (average rank = 1.92). Correlation analyses further confirmed that SC168's superior tolerance was associated with better Na + regulation, maintenance of K+ levels, and a robust antioxidant defense system. In conclusion, SC168 demonstrated greater resilience to salinity stress, attributed to its efficient ion regulation, stable water status, enhanced osmotic adjustment, and strong antioxidant response. These findings provide valuable insights for breeding and developing salinity-tolerant maize varieties.

When water turns to ice: Control of ice volume and freezing dynamics as important aspects of cold acclimation

In the cold acclimated (CA) state, a reduced tissue water content is considered important to survive subzero temperatures. However, the causal relationship between the reduced water content and increased frost hardiness is unclear. Our aim was to assess whether the seasonally reduced water content affects the freezing dynamics and the amount of ice formed in evergreen leaves: Xeromorph leaves of the woody species Buxus sempervirens and Hedera helix were compared with the herbaceous, soft-leaved Bellis perennis in the non-acclimated (NA) state in summer, during cold acclimation, and in the fully CA state in winter. Freezing dynamics were studied using differential scanning calorimetry in addition to the volume fraction of ice and related to water content, osmotic potential, and frost hardiness. In the CA state, freezing dynamics were slower than in NA state. In xeromorph leaves, displacement from ideal equilibrium freezing was higher than in B. perennis. Freeze dehydration was lower in CA state. In the CA state, water content and osmotic potential were reduced, except for B. sempervirens, where the water content remained unchanged. Active osmoregulation and controlled dehydration (only found in two species), are supporting cellular water retention against the dehydrative force of extracellular ice. B. perennis had the highest water content and the least negative osmotic potential and was the most frost susceptible species (LT10: 8.4 °C CA). The leaves froze at ideal equilibrium. 83 % of the total water froze, occupying more than 60 vol%. H. helix (LT10: 18.4 °C CA) was frost hardier and B. sempervirens (LT10: 28.8 °C CA) the frost hardiest species, but in contrast to the other species tested got frost killed by intracellular freezing. The xeromorph leaves froze at non-ideal equilibrium and had lesser ice masses. Despite an increase in frost hardiness with CA, the volume fraction of ice at LT10 was the same (30–40 vol%). In the CA state, slower freeze dehydration and at the same subzero temperature lesser ice masses appeared to be important for higher frost hardiness. Overall, an important component of cold acclimation in evergreen leaves was the slowing of freezing dynamics, which, depending on the species, involved a specific cell architecture, osmoregulation, and a reduction in water content.

Unveiling morphophysiological and metabolic adaptive strategies of the CAM epiphytic bromeliad Acanthostachys pitcairnioides to drought

Ongoing climate changes are expected to intensify drought periods in tropical regions, directly impacting epiphytic bromeliads that depend on intermittent water availability. This study aimed to elucidate if Acanthostachys pitcairnioides, an epiphytic bromeliad of Atlantic Forest, tolerates extended drought periods and the potential strategies involved in its tolerance and recovery capacity. We suppressed irrigation for 42 days, rehydrated plants for four days, and evaluated leaf water status, and photochemical, metabolic, and anatomical changes. During the initial 28 days of drought, translocation of water from hydrenchyma to chlorenchyma, higher chlorophyll content, and accumulation of abscisic and salicylic acid and antioxidants contributed to maintaining the cell turgor and functionality of photosynthetic apparatus. At 42 days, a significant reduction in leaf water content to 45.5% was accompanied by a 2.5-fold increase in non-photochemical quenching and enhanced levels of carotenoids, anthocyanins, osmoregulators (proline, myo-inositol, and trehalose), and phytohormones (abscisic acid and jasmonates). After rewatering, water storage in the hydrenchyma and almost all pigments, hormones, and metabolites were restored to pre-stress conditions. Leaf succulence, carbohydrate and organic acid accumulation, and carbon isotope data (δ13C−14.5‰) provide evidence of induction of CAM metabolism by water limitation in A. pitcairnioides. Our findings indicate the prevalence of water accumulation strategy during the first half of the drought stress. At the end of the drought period, the complete depletion of water from the hydrenchyma favored the osmotic adjustment. Considering this set of tolerance strategies and the rapid recovery after rehydration, A. pitcairnioides can successfully withstand environments with restricted water availability.

Understanding the influence of sodium chloride concentration on ion diffusion in charged polymers

Previous observations made on sulfonated polysulfones equilibrated with solutions of increasing salinity, where salt diffusion coefficients increase concurrently with reductions in water content driven by osmotic de-swelling, are currently unexplained. To further explain the molecular underpinnings of these observations, we characterized the influence of external salt solution concentration on the average salt and ion diffusion properties of two sulfonated polymers: a model cross-linked material (XLAMPS) and a series of sulfonated polysulfones (HQ:BP – XX). Analysis of the average salt and co- and counter-ion diffusion coefficients in these polymers suggest that the increase in charge screening (of electrostatic interactions between anionic sulfonate groups and co-ions) that occurs with increasing salinity affects the salt diffusion coefficients of sulfonated polysulfone in a manner that is different from what would be expected based on changes in water content alone and from what was observed for XLAMPS. Free volume theory describes the influence of these electrostatic effects on salt diffusion using a parameter related to the characteristic free volume element size necessary for diffusion. The results and analysis suggest that charge screening reduces the characteristic free volume element size necessary for diffusion in sulfonated polysulfone, which provides an explanation for the observed increase in average salt diffusion coefficients with increased salinity.

Dehydration Achieving the Iron Spin State Regulation of Prussian Blue for Boosted Sodium-Ion Storage Performance.

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) show promise as cathodes for sodium-ion batteries due to their notable cycle stability, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendly nature, yet the presence of interstitial water limits the specific capacity and obstructs Na+ mobility within the material. Although considerable experimental efforts are focused on dehydrating water for capacity enhancement, there is still a deficiency of a comprehensive understanding of the low capacity of low-spin Fe resulting from interstitial water, which holds significance in Na+ storage. This study introduces a novel gas-assisted heat treatment method to efficiently remove interstitial water from Fe-based PBA (NaFeHCF) electrodes and combines experiments and theoretical calculations to reveal the iron spin state regulation that is related to the capacity enhancement mechanism. This dehydration strategy significantly enhances battery capacity, especially the portion at higher voltages (3.4-4.0V). The increase in capacity is attributed to the following factors: an enhanced proportion of Fe2+, reduced water content which facilitates faster charge transfer, and the activation of low spin Fe2+. The optimized NaFeHCF demonstrated impressive half-cell performance of retaining 87.3% capacity after 2000 cycles at a 5C rate and achieving 100mAhg-1 capacity over 200 cycles when being paired with hard carbon, exhibiting its practical potential.

Laju perubahan kadar air dan vitamin c snack mi kering dalam kemasan dengan penambahan pasta bit sebagai sumber vitamin c

Noodle snacks are snacks made from fried noodles, which are fried with the addition of seasonings. To improve the nutritional balance of dry noodle snack foods, it is necessary to conduct research by adding beetroot paste as a natural coloring and source of vitamin C. The purpose of this study is to determine the value of consumer preference for noodle snacks with the addition of beetroots and the rate of decline in snack quality. Dried noodles in packaging with the addition of beetroot paste as a source of vitamin C. The study used two types of packaging material, namely PE plastic and aluminum. Average organoleptic test value of noodle snack with addition of beetroot paste to quality attribute: aroma = 4.40; color = 4.32; taste = 4.36; crunchy = 4.28. The rate of quality decline in aluminum packaging against the variable of moisture content and vitamin C followed the rate of zero-order kinetics, with the value of the rate of increase in moisture content = 0.152. Meanwhile, the rate of decrease in vitamin C was -0.102. The results showed that the addition of beetroot paste to the making of noodle snacks was acceptable to the panelists. The addition of beetroot paste also provides a better vitamin C content, which is 3.75 mg/100g. Beetroot snack packaging using aluminum provides a lower rate of reduction in water content and vitamin C content compared to the use of PE plastic packaging materials.

Peptide incorporation in frozen dough and steamed bread: Characteristics and structure-function relationship

Antarctic krill peptide (AKP), a bioactive compound, has garnered significant attention in recent years. This study aimed to explore the effects of varying levels of AKP addition (ranging from 0% to 2.0%, based on the flour, w/w) and different freezing time (0, 1, 2, 4, and 6 weeks) on the rheological properties, rheo-fermentation properties, water distribution, and microstructure of dough. The results revealed that the addition of AKP led to a reduction in the freezable water content, T2 relaxation time, and free sulfhydryl content of frozen dough. After 6 weeks of freezing, the viscoelastic properties of the dough with AKP were higher than those of the control. Additionally, the fermentation height of dough containing 1.5% AKP increased by 25.85% compared with the control, resulting in increased springiness and specific volume, and decreased hardness in the resulting steamed bread. Pearson correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between freezable water content and free sulfhydryl groups, while a negative correlation was observed with springiness. Furthermore, springiness showed a positive correlation with the DPPH free radical scavenging rate. These findings highlight the potential of AKP as a novel food cryoprotectant capable of significantly enhancing the quality and nutritional value of frozen wheat products.

Kajian Pustaka Metode Optimasi Respons Surface Methods dan Thin Layer Equation pada Produk Pengeringan Rempah Rimpang (Jahe, Kunyit, Temulawak)

Ginger, turmeric, and curcuma are rhizome spices that have the highest production value in Indonesia. Fresh products from rhizomes have high water content and are often damaged by microorganisms. For this reason, proper and efficient processing is needed so that the quality of the rhizome spices is maintained and under the standards set by the Indonesian National Standards. One of the appropriate processing methods for rhizome spices is the drying method. Drying is the oldest technique for food preservation and is an indispensable process in the food industry. The drying process aims to reduce water content and activity to safe limits that can extend shelf life, minimize packaging demands, and reduce weight during distribution. Various conventional and modern drying techniques have been applied to spices, namely solar drying, oven drying, and microwave drying. To obtain final drying results in good quality and high drying efficiency, it is necessary to optimize the drying method process conditions, including mathematical modelling using the RSM (Response Surface Method) method and the Thin Layer Drying Equation. From the optimum conditions for each drying method, a regression analysis was then carried out on several drying quality parameters for ginger, turmeric, and ginger. The higher the value of the regression coefficient (R2) and the closer it is to 1 in the mathematical modelling obtained, then this mathematical modelling is the best.

Influence of Soaking Temperature and Concentration of Sugar Solution in the Process of Osmotic Dehydration of Curcuma (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.)

Curcuma (Curcuma xanthorrhiza Roxb.) is a type of medicinal plant native to Indonesia that has a moisture content of around 80-90% when harvested. Osmotic dehydration is a technique for reducing water content that can be used to overcome this problem by immersing the material in a high concentration solution. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of temperature and concentration of sugar solution on final water content, weight reduction, solid gain, water loss, and analyze the temperature and concentration optimal for the observed variables in curcuma dehydration process. The method used in this study was to use a completely randomized design (CRD) which was arranged in a factorial manner with 2 factors namely sugar content 50°Brix, 60°Brix, 70°Brix and immersion temperature 30°C, 40°C, 50°C with 3 repetitions. The results of the curcuma osmotic dehydration process which produces the most optimal treatment combination is at an immersion temperature of 50°C and a solution concentration of 70°Brix. This treatment combination resulted in a water content of 63.44% wb, a weight reduction of 34.73%, a solid gain of 11.81%, a water loss of 46.54%, and a total color difference of 69.64. Keywords: Curcuma, Osmotic dehydration, Sugar concentration, Temperature.

Understanding Water Utilization Mechanisms in Degrading Bamboo Shoots: A Cytological and Physiological Study.

Degradation of shoots, characterized by stunted growth and signs of water deficit, is common in bamboo stands. However, the specific mechanisms underlying water utilization in degrading shoots remain unclear. This study sought to address this gap by harvesting bamboo shoots and culms of Phyllostachys edulis 'Pachyloen', employing cytological and physiological techniques to compare water utilization mechanisms between healthy and degrading shoots, and investigating the water supply to bamboo shoots by the parent bamboo. The water pressure in the degrading shoots was markedly lower compared to that of the healthy shoots, and it declined as the degradation progressed, resulting in reduced water content and the cessation of guttation in the degrading shoots. In conditions of water deficit, the percentage of free water in bamboo shoots decreased while the percentages of bound and semi-bound water increased, with the proportion of semi-bound water reaching as high as 88.13% in the late stages of degradation. The water potential of parent bamboo culms of different ages varied at different times of the day and during different growth stages of bamboo shoots, showing a strong association with the development of bamboo shoots. Conversely, the correlation between changes in the water potential of bamboo shoots and their degradation patterns was found to be comparatively minimal. The weakening of the connection between the bamboo shoots and the parent bamboo culms may play a significant role in the degradation of the bamboo shoots. This is evidenced by a decrease in the fluorescence intensity of the nucleus in bamboo shoots and the degradation of genetic material. This study lays the foundation for future research into the mechanisms of bamboo shoot degradation.

Sludge-derived biochar improves sludge electro-dewatering performance: Conductivity analysis

The application of Coupled Electro-dewatering (EDW) with Carbon Materials has demonstrated significant potential in the efficient deep dewatering and solid-liquid separation of activated sludge. In this study, Fe-loaded sludge-based biochar (SBB) was synthesized via FeCl3 impregnation, and the physicochemical properties of SBB were comprehensively characterized using XRD, Raman spectroscopy, BET analysis, FTIR, and XPS. The results demonstrated that the elevation of pyrolysis temperature facilitated the formation of graphitic carbon and graphitic nitrogen structures within the SBB, thereby augmenting current transport in the solid phase of the sludge. Meanwhile, the Fe material present on the surface of SBB undergoes dissolution in the sludge supernatant, thereby releasing Fe ions into the liquid phase and augmenting the conductivity of the liquid system. After the addition of SBB, the sludge showed an increase in Zeta potential and conductivity, along with a pH shift towards acidity, thus improving the conditions for EDW processes. The results obtained from the EDW analysis demonstrated that the application of SBB@800 significantly contributed to the enhancement of both initial current and dewatering limit, leading to a notable reduction in sludge water content from 57.2 % to 40.7 %. This study emphasizes the influence of temperature on physicochemical properties of SBB and its role in EDW, proposing an environmentally friendly approach for advanced sludge treatment using carbon materials and EDW synergy while providing insights for designing carbon materials to enhance EDW performance.

A circular approach to stone wool: Alkali-activated lightweight aggregates

This study investigates the high-value recycling of stone wool from construction and demolition waste into alkali-activated lightweight insulation aggregates, designed for ground cover insulation. Various proportions of milled and as-is stone wools are alkali-activated to produce aggregates. The aggregates demonstrate loose bulk densities ranging from 720 to 850 kg m−3 and dry thermal conductivity from 0.075 to 0.094 W m−1·K−1, with moderate water sorption capacities. The fibre morphology of as-is stone wool influences rheology, introducing a greater number of pores or defects, which results in a decrease in mechanical strength. Hydrothermal simulations reveal that the floor assembly of the rehabilitated crawl space, partially filled with the fabricated aggregates, shows a reduction in water content and an increase in floor surface temperature. This observation suggests potential benefits for maintaining the structural integrity of buildings and enhancing occupant comfort.