Source Of Material Research Articles

A Review of Sisal Fiber-Reinforced Geopolymers: Preparation, Microstructure, and Mechanical Properties

The early strength of geopolymers (GPs) and their composites is higher, and the hardening speed is faster than that of ordinary cementitious materials. Due to their wide source of raw materials, low energy consumption in the production process, and lower emissions of pollutants, they are considered to have the most potential to replace ordinary Portland cement. However, similar to other inorganic materials, the GPs themselves have weak flexural and tensile strength and are sensitive to micro-cracks. Improving the toughness of GP materials can be achieved by adding an appropriate amount of fiber materials into the matrix. The use of discrete staple fibers shows great potential in improving the toughness of GPs. Sisal is a natural fiber that is reproducible and easy to obtain. Due to its good mechanical properties, low cost, and low carbon energy usage, sisal fiber (SF) is a GP composite reinforcement with potential development. In this paper, the research progress on the effect of SF on the properties of GP composites in recent decades is reviewed. It mainly includes the chemical composition and physical properties of SFs, the preparation technology of sisal-reinforced geopolymers (SFRGs), the microstructure analysis of the interface of SFs and the GP matrix, and the macroscopic mechanical properties of SFRGs. The properties of SFs make them have good bonding properties with the GP matrix. The addition of SFs can improve the flexural strength and tensile strength of GP composites, and SFRGs have good engineering application prospects.

Advances in the Sustainable Production of Fertilizers from Spent Zinc-Based Batteries

Wastes from spent batteries are a secondary source of raw materials. To ensure this, it is mandatory to design sustainable and low-cost processes. In the case of alkaline and zinc–carbon-based batteries, the high content of Zn and Mn makes them of interest in the development of fertilizers. The main objective of this research is to study the fertilizers production from spent zinc-based batteries, using sulfuric acid, citric acid (CIT) and glycine (GLY) solutions as leaching agents. Leaching with glycine at alkaline pHs shows a high selectivity of Zn over Mn, whereas the use of citric and sulfuric solutions leads to recoveries of Zn and Mn. Solutions with the highest Zn recoveries were tested in sand columns. Commercial ZnSO4 heptahydrate was used as a control. For sulfuric acid, two solutions (H2SO4 2M and 0.25M) were used. The elution of leached Zn and Mn in sand columns depended on the solution added. The Zn-Mn-CIT treatment showed a slight but steady increase in the leachates, reaching 70% and 75% of the total leached Zn and Mn, respectively, in the medium term. The Zn-Mn-H2SO4 2M and ZnSO4 treatments showed a similar behavior in Zn release. Both Zn-Mn-GLY and Zn-Mn-H2SO4 0.25M treatments showed similar amounts of leached Mn in the medium term (77% of total leached Mn), differing in the leached Zn. Solutions from the leaching of spent black mass batteries, especially Zn-Mn-CIT or Zn-Mn-GLY, showed promising behavior as fertilizer from the point of view of Zn and Mn availability as nutrients.

ЧИ ПОТРІБНЕ УКРАЇНІ СПЕЦИФІЧНЕ РЕГУЛЮВАННЯ ВИКОРИСТАННЯ ГЕНЕТИЧНОЇ ІНФОРМАЦІЇ ДЛЯ ОЦІНКИ РИЗИКІВ У СТРАХУВАННІ?

Introduction. The article examines the specifics and role of genetic information for insurance risk assessment in the life insurance market in Ukraine. Problem Statement. The insurance market developments of different countries are increasingly characterized by the adoption of specific regulations regarding the features and conditions of use of genetic information. Therefore, the issue of regulating the rights and obligations of all participants in insurance relations regarding the use of such information of future owners of insurance policies for underwriting in insurance requires a comprehensive solution taking into account the interests of all parties. The purpose of the research is to evaluate the necessity of application of specific regulations on the insurance market, specifically in the field of using genetic data for insurance purposes. Methods. The sources of materials were scientific publications, analytical studies, as well as legislation in the field of regulation of the use of genetic information for the assessment of insurance risks. The research paper used the following empirical methods, such as analysis, synthesis, grouping, description, comparison, theoretical generalization. Results. The results show that currently some risks exist in Ukraine: firstly, the genetic discrimination, since most life insurance companies are interested in the genetic information of policyholders, and can request it from any third parties: therefore, there is a possibility of using it to assess insurance risk; secondly, an information asymmetry, which is a consequence of greater awareness of insurance companies about the insurance risks than that of the policyholders. After all, policyholders may not inform the insurance company about all the genetic data (for example, the results of genetic studies) that describe their genetic predisposition to future changes in health. Conclusions. This study substantiated factors which confirm the relevance of introducing legislative regulation regarding the use of genetic information (including the results of genetic analyzes) for underwriting in insurance.

ТЕХНІКО-ЕКОНОМІЧНЕ ОБҐРУНТУВАННЯ ДОЦІЛЬНОСТІ ЗАСТОСУВАННЯ АСФАЛЬТОБЕТОННИХ ШАРІВ ІЗ ЗОЛОЮ ВИНЕСЕННЯ

Introduction. The road construction industry is currently one of the strategic industries of Ukraine, and the issue of quality and availability of basic building materials for road construction is particularly topical, which is directly related to its high material intensity. The known reserves of high-quality raw materials that could be used as asphalt concrete components are constantly decreasing, so it is necessary to look for alternative sources of raw materials for construction materials and explore the possibility of their use. In this regard, the most efficient use of local raw materials is the use of industrial waste, which can be one of the solutions to the problem of shortage of raw materials of inorganic origin. Problem statement. In road construction, when repairing or arranging road pavement layers, in particular asphalt mixtures, the need for carbonate mineral fillers, which are scarce in some regions, is constantly growing. Industrial by-products can be an alternative. One of these materials is fly ash from thermal power plants, which can be used instead of mineral fillers in asphalt mixtures. Objective. To perform a feasibility study of the use of asphalt concrete layers with fly ash. Materials and Methods. Analysis of information sources and the materials market of Ukraine and calculation of the technical and economic efficiency of fly ash application in asphalt mixtures.

К вопросу о возрасте джежимской свиты Южного Тимана

We have described jasper pebbles from gravelites of the Dzhezhim formation on the Zhezhimparma uplift in the Southern Timan. The chip has a zonal structure. The central part is composed of devitrified volcanic glass and is surrounded by the rocks with an oolitic and crustified structure, composed of hematite-pigmented microgranular hexagonal quartz aggregates. We made a conclusion that one of the sources of the detrital material was rocks of timanide (preuralide) orogen, which final collision stage was Late Vendian by the age.

Development and application of an integrated methodology for post‐disaster field investigation of debris floods

AbstractDebris floods commonly occur in steep channels with an abundant sediment supply, and they can cause significant damage, primarily due to their higher sediment concentrations and negative impacts upon bank erosion, deep scouring and aggradation. These key hazards pose challenges for traditional assessment methods, making quantification difficult. This became obvious during a recent catastrophic debris flood that occurred on July 12, 2022, in the Heishuigou catchment (102 km2), northern Sichuan Province, China. In this case study, we developed an integrated methodology for assessing this debris flood event by incorporating field surveys, hydrological and hydraulic modelling and sediment transport calculations. Detailed information such as topographic maps, photographs, deposits, grain size distributions and inundation depths was collected to analyse the material sources, validate the parameters and conduct model calculations. The peak debris flood discharge and the supra‐critical bed shear stress ratios, estimated from hydrological and dynamic models, were incorporated to analyse the debris flood's typology and characterize its destructive mechanisms. The regional frequency–volume relationship established through bedload transport calculations was calibrated using the volume of the deposits determined via field investigation. These methods not only contribute to a comprehensive understanding of debris floods but also provide valuable support for future risk assessments and mitigation designs.

The Use of Phosphogypsum as a Source of Raw Materials for Gypsum-Based Materials

Gypsum binders and the products based on them are widely in demand in the construction materials market, which is due to their easy production technology, lower energy consumption, and low environmental impact in relation to Portland cement. Not only natural gypsum (NG), but also phosphogypsum (PG), which is a by-product of the synthesis of orthophosphoric acid from phosphorite rock, can be used as a source of raw materials for the production of gypsum materials. PG is produced annually in large quantities throughout the world. In chemical composition, PG mainly consists of calcium sulfate dihydrate CaSO4·2H2O, so it is a good potential analogue of natural gypsum, which is used as the main component of gypsum building materials. Thus, the useful recycling of PG as a technogenic resource with valuable properties will expand the raw material base for the production of gypsum materials. This approach to handling technogenic resources fits well with the principles of a circular economy. However, like any technogenic resource, PGs from different enterprises normally differ in their deposits of the original phosphate rock and production technologies. Therefore, PG contains a large number of undesirable impurities, the proportion and composition of which vary over a wide range. This feature does not allow for predicting the properties of PG-based materials without a preliminary detailed study of PG. This research was aimed at carrying out a comprehensive study of the characteristics of PGs from three different industrial plants to evaluate their relationship with the properties of gypsum materials based on them. It was found that PGs have significant differences in their structural and morphological characteristics both in relation to each other and in relation to NG. Also, binders based on PG and NG have significant differences in their physical properties. The average density, compressive strength, and flexural strength for the PG binders with equal workability are lower than those of NG binders. At a water/solid ratio (W/S) < 0.7, all PG binders exhibit comparable compressive strength to NG binders. Thus, PG can act as an alternative to natural gypsum in gypsum binders.

Evaluation of LEED-certified office buildings in Turkey in terms of sustainable material use

Environmental issues such as ozone depletion, global warming, water pollution, and melting glaciers in the polar regions have been exacerbated by industrial and chemical activities, as the Industrial Revolution led to unlimited use of our limited natural resources. Approaches have been developed to solve human and environmental health problems. Efforts are underway to minimize the adverse effects of buildings on the environment. This process helps reduce materials' environmental damage and select environmentally friendly materials. For these reasons, producing recyclable, ecologically friendly, and energy-saving materials has gained importance. This article used a case study method to analyze sustainable material usage using twenty LEED-certified office projects in Turkey. Twenty new buildings, including Certificate One, Silver Three, Gold Eight, and Platinum Eight, have been evaluated regarding sustainable materials according to LEED criteria. Tables containing material and resource application principles have been created to assess the selected buildings in terms of sustainable material principles, and these prepared tables provide information about sustainable material use. The evaluation is based on eight criteria and sources of LEED material, including recyclable materials, renewable materials, rapidly renewable, certified wood, regional materials, construction waste management, and re-use of materials. As a result of the study, it was determined that 95% to 75% of the five categories with the weakest application among the eight basic materials and resource principles failed to be below the desired level and should be improved.

LEGAL PROTECTION OF CONSUMERS DUE TO DEFAULT BY @SELLYALBOEM IN PURCHASING NEO CULTURE TECHNOLOGY (NCT DREAM) ALBUMS

The impact of the internet as a result of advances in the development of information technology for consumers has changed consumer behavior to become more critical and selective in determining the products they will choose. A valid agreement will have an achievement. As is known that an agreement is a relationship between two parties, based on which one party is entitled to demand something from the other party, and the other party is obliged to fulfill these demands. In this case, the achievement can be in the form of giving something, doing something, or not doing something. Although an agreement is made with the hope that everything that has been agreed upon can go well, in practice there is often a non-fulfillment of achievement from one of the parties which gives rise to a situation called default. The problem in this thesis is about the form of legal protection for consumers due to default on the purchase of NCT Dream Albums and dispute resolution efforts that can be taken if there is a default on the purchase of NCT Dream Albums. The research method in this thesis consists of a normative juridical research type with a research approach using a statutory approach and a conceptual approach. The source of legal material uses primary legal materials and secondary legal materials. The results of this study indicate that legal protection for consumers due to default by @Sellyalboem in purchasing Neo Culture Technology (NCT Dream) Albums is divided into two. First, internal legal protection is created through an agreement made by each party. The authorities create second, external protection through the formation of laws and regulations aimed at the interests of the injured party. Business actors who make defaults must make compensation. If they do not make compensation, consumers can be able to make settlement efforts using 2 ways, namely, out-of-court dispute resolution (non-litigation path) and dispute resolution in court (litigation path).

Grades of cassava starch (flours) as sustainable substrates for use in neutral spirit and biofuel production—Industry approach

One way to mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change is through aggressive replacement of fossil energy sources with plant derived renewable energy. The potential of different grades of cassava starch, including decayed cassava starch, as viable alternative and cheaper source of renewable raw materials for bio-ethanol production was studied. The global population keeps expanding and poverty levels keep increasing. Conflict in the use of food-grade cassava starch as raw material for bio-ethanol production will pose a threat to food security. The highest alcohol yield (AY) of 539 LA/t dm was obtained from food grade cassava starch. Food grade cassava starch per-boiled for 5 min produced lower AY (524 LA/t dm). Cassava starch per-boiled for more than 5 min gave much lower AY (507 LA/t). The mildly decayed cassava starch gave a relatively higher AY of 491 LA/t dm than the more decayed cassava substrate that produced AY of 453 LA/t dm. The AY value obtained from the more decayed cassava starch is similar to the AY values obtained with some cereals. Decayed cassava is not fit for human consumption, would not compete with food requirements. This will assist in food security, secure our environment from pollution and other adverse effects.

Effect of storage condition on the viability of sago effluents as carbon source in fermentation medium for bioethanol production

In Sarawak, Malaysia, approximately 237 tons/day of sago effluent is commonly discharged into nearby river due to the sago starch extraction process. Due to the high concentration of polymeric compounds, particularly starch, in sago wastewater, which petrifies easily, this condition severely pollutes the environment in the affected area. This study was conducted to determine the viability of using sago effluent as a carbon source and fermentation medium for bioethanol production which indirectly help to minimize the environmental impact as well as the economics of the sago industry. The sago effluent obtained from the local sago mill was analysed for starch content and pH profile while stored at room and cold (4°C) temperature facility. Enzymatic hydrolysis was conducted to convert the residual starch into glucose as carbon source for bioethanol fermentation. Fresh sago effluent can be stored for up to 5 days in cold temperature where the starch content remains constant. The highest starch concentration in sago effluent was 61.33 g/L, in which 50.57 g/L glucose was obtained through the enzymatic hydrolysis process. Hence 82.5% of the starch to glucose conversion yield is revealed. Then, the sago effluent hydrolysate which acts as a carbon source as well as a fermentation medium able to generate 23.14 g/L of bioethanol, displays a 91% theoretical yield of glucose to ethanol. In conclusion, the utilization of sago wastewater as feasible alternative to cheap and locally available and sustainable source of raw materials to produce bioethanol.

MINING PENCILS, SCULPTING GRAPHITE: THE SIBERIAN EXPEDITION OF J.-P. ALIBERT (1844–1857) AND THE EVOLVING 19TH CENTURY EUROPEAN VISUAL AND MATERIAL CULTURE RELATED TO EARTH SCIENCES

ABSTRACT This article explores, through a case study of Jean–Pierre Alibert's (1820–1905) expedition in Siberia (1844–1857), the relationship established between Earth sciences, mining, and visual arts during the second half of the 19th century. Alibert was a French businessman who discovered an important deposit of graphite in Siberia. He then built a mine to exploit this material which was in high demand to produce pencils. When Alibert returned to Europe in 1857, he created an album of gouaches to commemorate his expedition, and he offered some sculptures composed of graphite and nephrite jade to important scientific institutions in Paris as trophies of the expedition. While a few written sources are available, I will directly question these visual and material sources to situate this case study within the context of its time, and of Earth sciences’ progress and technical achievements, to shed light on the phenomena that characterized the quest for a renewed scientific visual language related to Earth sciences.

Determination of Microplastics in Omega-3 Oil Supplements

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment, posing a threat to ecosystems and causing increasing concerns regarding their impacts on the human body through exposure. However, there has been limited research on the presence of MPs in functional foods, despite them being consumed for health improvement. This study aimed to investigate MP occurrence in various omega-3 oils and oil products in the Korean market and its relation to the source of raw material or manufacture. MPs were investigated in omega-3 capsules and raw oil, sourced from both plant-based (PB) and animal-based (AB) sources. We developed a method of direct filtration with acetone washing for collecting and characterizing MPs larger than 5 μm using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The average number of MPs by mass was found to be 1.2 ± 1.7 MPs/g for PB raw oil, 2.2 ± 1.7 MPs/g for AB raw oil, 3.5 ± 3.9 MPs/g for PB capsule oil, and 10.6 ± 8.9 MPs/g for AB capsule oil. Polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate were the major MP species (83–95%) found in omega-3 oil. The proportions based on size range remained consistent across all groups, with a trend of being detected at higher rates as the size decreased. The results reveal that the main reason for the MP contamination of omega-3 oil is not the source of raw material but the manufacturing and packaging process.

Biopolymer Materials in Triboelectric Nanogenerators: A Review

In advancing the transition of the energy sector toward heightened sustainability and environmental friendliness, biopolymers have emerged as key elements in the construction of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) due to their renewable sources and excellent biodegradability. The development of these TENG devices is of significant importance to the next generation of renewable and sustainable energy technologies based on carbon-neutral materials. This paper introduces the working principles, material sources, and wide-ranging applications of biopolymer-based triboelectric nanogenerators (BP-TENGs). It focuses on the various categories of biopolymers, ranging from natural sources to microbial and chemical synthesis, showcasing their significant potential in enhancing TENG performance and expanding their application scope, while emphasizing their notable advantages in biocompatibility and environmental sustainability. To gain deeper insights into future trends, we discuss the practical applications of BP-TENG in different fields, categorizing them into energy harvesting, healthcare, and environmental monitoring. Finally, the paper reveals the shortcomings, challenges, and possible solutions of BP-TENG, aiming to promote the advancement and application of biopolymer-based TENG technology. We hope this review will inspire the further development of BP-TENG towards more efficient energy conversion and broader applications.

Copper and zinc isotopic variations in Ni-Cu-PGE ores of the Noril’sk Province (Russia)

Research subject. Mineral assemblages of sulfides from massive and disseminated sulfide nickel-copper-platinum-group element (Ni-Cu-PGE) and low-sulfide PGE ores of the Noril’sk Province, which hosts the richest complex deposits of platinum-group metals, nickel, and copper. Aim. In order to identify sources of ore material and explore new forecasting approaches for Ni-Cu-PGE deposits, we study the Cu- and Zn isotopic compositions of sulfides from economic Kharaelakh and Noril’sk-1 intrusions containing unique and large sulphide Ni-Cu-PGE deposits (Oktyabr’sk and Noril’sk-1, respectively), subeconmic Zub-Marksheider and Vologochan intrusions containing small- to medium-size Ni-Cu-PGE deposits, and non-economic Nizhny Talnakh and Nizhny Noril’sk intrusions containing low grade disseminated Ni-Cu mineralization. Results. The analyzed samples are characterized by sulfide mineral assemblages, which contain mainly chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, troilite, cubanite, and galena. Sulfide Ni-Cu-PGE ores of the Oktyabr’sk and Noril’sk-1 deposits, associated with economic intrusions (i.e., Kharaelakh and Noril’sk-1), demonstrate distinct δ65Cu values from –2.42 to –1.40‰ and from –0.33 to 0.60‰, respectively, which differ from the δ65Cu values for sulfides from other Ni-Cu-PGE deposits and ore occurrences of the Noril’sk Province (data comprise 36 analyses). We note that the Cu-isotopic composition for sulfide minerals of massive and disseminated ores from the Kharaelakh intrusion has similar “isotope-light” characteristics. The most pronounced shift towards “isotope-heavy” copper was found in the horizon of low-sulfide PGE ores of the Noril’sk-1 intrusion (δ65Cu = 0.51–0.60‰). The isotopic composition of Zn (δ66Zn) for the studied sulfide samples from economic, subeconomic, and non-economic intrusions, with the exception of one sample (0.73 ± 0.14‰), is characterized by similar “isotope-light” values (from –0.65 to –0.03‰). Conclusions. The revealed variations in the Cu- and Zn-isotopic composition in the studied sulfide assemblages from all types of ores reflect their primary characteristics; however, for the unique Oktyabr’sk Ni-Cu-PGE deposit, characterized by the most “isotopically light” composition of copper (δ65Cu = –1.9 ± 0.34‰), the possibility of assimilation of an external source of Cu during the formation of sulfide Ni-Cu-PGE ores cannot be excluded. The combined use of Cu and Zn isotopic parameters proved to be a weakly informative predictive indicator for the detection of high-grade sulfide ores, primarily due to the similarity of the Zn isotopic composition of the ore material in all investigated intrusions of the Noril’sk Province.

Assessing the survival of carbonaceous chondrites impacting the lunar surface as a potential resource

The Moon offers a wide range of potential resources that may help sustain a future human presence, but it lacks indigenous carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Fortunately, these elements will have been delivered to the Moon's surface by carbonaceous chondrite (CC) asteroid impactors. Here, we employ numerical modelling to assess the extent to which these materials may have sufficiently survived impact with the lunar surface to be viable sources of raw materials for future exploration. We modelled the impact of a 1 km diameter CC-like asteroid, considering impact velocities between 5 and 15 km s−1, and impact angles between 15 and 60° to the horizontal. The most favourable conditions for the survival of C-rich, and especially N-rich materials, are those with the lowest impact velocities (≤10 km s−1) and impact angles (≤15°). Impacts with velocities >10 km s−1 and angles >30° were found not to yield any significant amount of surviving solid material, where bulk survival is defined as material experiencing temperatures less than the impactor material's estimated melting temperature (∼2100 K, based on a commonly adopted Equation of State for serpentine). Importantly, oblique and low velocity impacts result in concentrations of unmelted projectile material down-range from the impact site. For the canonical 1 km-diameter CC impactor considered here, with an impact angle ≤15° and velocity ≤10 km s−1, this results in ∼109–1010 kg of C and ∼108–109 kg of N being deposited a few tens of km down-range from the impact crater, where it might be accessible as a potential resource. Such low-velocity and oblique impacts have a low probability - we estimate that only ∼5 such impacts may have occurred on the Moon in the last 3 billion years (the number of impacts of smaller impactors will have been higher, but they will concentrate lower masses of potential resources). As the estimated C and N concentrations from such impacts greatly exceed those expected for ices within individual permanently shadowed polar craters, searching for these rare impact sites may be worthwhile from a resource perspective. We briefly discuss how this might be achieved by means of orbital infra-red remote-sensing measurements.

Biocultural heritage of the Caatinga: a systematic review of Myrtaceae and its multiple uses.

The Caatinga, an exclusively Brazilian biome, stands as a reservoir of remarkable biodiversity. Its significance transcends ecological dimensions, given the direct reliance of the local population on its resources for sustenance and healthcare. While Myrtaceae, a pivotal botanical family within the Brazilian flora, has been extensively explored for its medicinal and nutritional attributes, scant attention has been directed towards its contextual relevance within the Caatinga's local communities. Consequently, this inaugural systematic review addresses the ethnobotanical roles of Myrtaceae within the Caatinga, meticulously anchored in the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. We searched Scopus, MEDLINE/Pubmed, Scielo, and LILIACS. No date-range filter was applied. An initial pool of 203 articles was carefully scrutinized, ultimately yielding 31 pertinent ethnobotanical studies elucidating the utility of Myrtaceae amongst the Caatinga's indigenous populations. Collectively, they revealed seven distinct utilization categories spanning ~54 species and 11 genera. Psidium and Eugenia were the genera with the most applications. The most cited categories of use were food (27 species) and medicinal (22 species). The importance of accurate species identification was highlighted, as many studies did not provide enough information for reliable identification. Additionally, the potential contribution of Myrtaceae fruits to food security and human health was explored. The diversity of uses demonstrates how this family is a valuable resource for local communities, providing sources of food, medicine, energy, and construction materials. This systematic review also highlights the need for more ethnobotanical studies to understand fully the relevance of Myrtaceae species in the Caatinga, promoting biodiversity conservation, as well as support for local populations.

Synthesis of Material Composite rGO-TIO2 From Coconut Shells by Sol-Gel Methods as Photocatalyst

<p>The rGO- TiO<sub>2</sub> composite photocatalyst is receiving great attention because of its high performance. But the study of rGO- TiO<sub>2</sub> composite with sources of rGO material derived from the utilization of organic waste such as coconut shells is limited. In this study, the synthesis of nanocomposite rGO- TiO<sub>2</sub> was described with rGO obtained from coconut shells. The rGO samples produce through the oxidation and reduction process. The transformation of graphene oxide into reduced graphene oxide was assisted by microwave irradiation. The obtained rGO was then composite with Titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) by the sol-gel method. The composite of rGO- TiO<sub>2</sub> was characterized by XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, and SEM. The photocatalytic performance of the rGO- TiO<sub>2</sub> composite was conducted on Methylene blue. The result shows that rGO- TiO<sub>2</sub>composite has a good photocatalytic performance with the highest number at 96%.<strong></strong></p>

Evaluating the use of UV Absorbance for the Differentiation of Humified from Non-humified Materials.

Products containing humic acids (HA) and fulvic acids (FA) have significant commercial potential, however, unknown to the consumer, some products may be mislabeled or contain adulterants. The prevalence of mislabelling and adulterants is primarily found in FA products. Using UV-Vis spectroscopy to differentiate between real and fake FA products is practical and desirable. The objective of this study was to expand the data set generated using a UV-VIS based method proposed by Mayhew et al., 2023. In total, thirty (30) test samples were used to generate ninety test portions (3 replicates per test sample) for analysis using the UV-Vis methodology outlined in Mayhew et al., 2023, which in this study is referred to as the UVAC (UV absorbance confirmation) method. None of the thirteen FA test samples investigated were determined as humified using the UVAC method. The FA samples studied comprised of two IHSS standards, five commercial FA products (CFAP) and six full FA fractions (SFA), which were isolated from six known solid humic material sources (SHMS). There was a leonardite, a humalite, and four peat sources used as the SHMS. Analysis of the neutralized extract of the SHMS found only 3/6 SHMS were determined as humified. Six HA (SHA) test samples were also generated by isolating the HA from the SHMS and only 3/6 SHA were determined as humified. Given the high prevalence of false determinations more work is needed to improve the method so it can be used by industry or regulators. The proposed method failed to determine IHSS FA standards as humified. Although the method is practical, it needs improvement and further study before it can be used for reliable differentiation of real from fake FA or HA.

Unlocking the Future of Patient Education: ChatGPT vs. LexiComp® as sources of patient education materials

BackgroundChatGPT is a conversational artificial intelligence (AI) technology that has shown application in various facets of healthcare. With the increased use of AI, it is imperative to assess the accuracy and comprehensibility of AI platforms. ObjectiveThis pilot project aimed to assess the understandability, readability, and accuracy of ChatGPT as a source of medication-related patient education as compared with an evidence-based medicine tertiary reference resource, LexiComp®. MethodsPatient education materials (PEMs) were obtained from ChatGPT and LexiComp® for eight common medications (albuterol, apixaban, atorvastatin, hydrocodone/acetaminophen, insulin glargine, levofloxacin, omeprazole, and sacubitril/valsartan). PEMs were extracted, blinded, and assessed by two investigators independently. The primary outcome was a comparison of the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool-printable (PEMAT-P). Secondary outcomes included Flesch reading ease, Flesch Kincaid grade level, percent passive sentences, word count, and accuracy. A 7-item accuracy checklist for each medication was generated by expert consensus among pharmacist investigators, with LexiComp® PEMs serving as the control. PEMAT-P interrater reliability was determined via intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Flesch reading ease, Flesch Kincaid grade level, percent passive sentences, and word count were calculated by Microsoft® Word®. Continuous data were assessed using the Student’s t-test via SPSS (version 20.0). ResultsNo difference was found in the PEMAT-P understandability score of PEMs produced by ChatGPT versus LexiComp® [77.9% (11.0) vs. 72.5% (2.4), P=0.193]. Reading level was higher with ChatGPT [8.6 (1.2) vs. 5.6 (0.3), P<0.001). ChatGPT PEMs had a lower percentage of passive sentences and lower word count. The average accuracy score of ChatGPT PEMs was 4.25/7 (61%), with scores ranging from 29-86%. ConclusionDespite comparable PEMAT-P scores, ChatGPT PEMs did not meet grade level targets. Lower word count and passive text with ChatGPT PEMs could benefit patients, but the variable accuracy scores prevent routine use of ChatGPT to produce medication-related PEMs at this time.