IntroductionPesticides such as isoproturon are widely employed and represent a considerable environmental concern. The development of sustainable and efficient degrading techniques is crucial. Photocatalytic degradation employing semiconductor materials is a compelling solution. This study examines the synergistic advantages of heterojunction formation by synthesizing, characterizing, and improving the photocatalytic efficacy of Ag3PO4/SnO2 nanocomposites for the degradation of isoproturon.MethodsThe Ag3PO4/SnO2 nanocomposite was characterised using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Ultraviolet-Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The effective synthesis of the Ag3PO4/SnO2 heterojunction was confirmed by characterization data from various techniques (PXRD, FTIR, SEM, UV-DRS, XPS).Results and DiscussionElemental mapping confirmed uniform distribution of O, P, Ag, and Sn. High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) was employed to analyse degradation products. The Ag3PO4/SnO2 nanocomposite exhibited improved photocatalytic degradation of isoproturon compared to its precursors. In contrast to 25% for pure SnO2 and 41% for Ag3PO4, over 97% degradation was achieved using Ag3PO4/SnO2 nanocomposite within 120 min of light irradiation under identical conditions. The synergistic effects of heterojunction formation significantly enhanced isoproturon degradation using the Ag3PO4/SnO2 nanocomposite. The heterojunction reduces electron-hole recombination rate and enhances photogenerated charge carriers for degradation via effective charge separation. The improved photocatalytic activity is ascribed to the increased surface area of the nanocomposite. The analysis of HRMS data revealed the degradation products. The findings demonstrate the efficacy of Ag3PO4/SnO2 nanocomposites as photocatalysts for environmental remediation, namely in the breakdown of pesticides.
For this research, three hydrophobically modified polyacrylamides, HPAAB, HPAAF, and HPAAS, with multiple hydrophobic monomers were designed, synthesized, and used as thickeners in aqueous ink for digital ink-jet printing. The structures were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The viscosity–average molecular weight was determined by intrinsic viscosity determination and was adjusted according to hydrophobic content. The critical association concentration (CAC) of polymers was measured simultaneously using the apparent viscosity method and the fluorescence spectrum. The formation of a network structure and the mechanism of hydrophobic association are visualized dynamically with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) at different concentrations. Under the same conditions, HPAAB exhibited excellent thickening ability across different pH levels, temperatures, and shear rates, which is caused by the longer hydrophobic side chain and the stronger hydrophobic effect of the behenyl polyoxyethylene ether methacrylate (BEM) group. Furthermore, an aqueous ink using HPAAB as a thickener displays significant printability and stability, functioning much better than a corresponding aqueous ink that uses a commercial thickener. This is the first example of a hydrophobic associating polyacrylamide, incorporating both hydrophilic and hydrophobic units within a single hydrophobic chain, thereby serving as an efficient thickener for aqueous ink.
Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) or quantum dots (QDs) have shown great potential for solution-processable photodetector due to their exceptional optical and electronic properties. However, broadband and sensitive photodetection from single QDs- based devices is quite challenging. Nano-heterojunction with proper band alignment based on two different materials offers significant advantages for developing broadband photodetector. Herein, we report ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) to near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive photodetector based on solution-processed nano-heterojunction of visible light absorber CsPbBr _3 perovskite NCs and wide absorption range, environment-friendly Bi _2 S _3 QDs. Our results demonstrate that the CsPbBr _3 –Bi _2 S _3 nano-heterojunction-based photodetector has higher responsivity (380 μ A/W at a wavelength of 532 nm) and higher specific detectivity (1.02 × 10 ^5 Jones), as compared to the individual CsPbBr _3 or Bi _2 S _3 QDs based devices. Interestingly, the detection wavelength range of our heterojunction device is further extended to the near-infrared region (1064 nm) due to the broadband absorption range of Bi _2 S _3 QDs, which is not observed in the visible light absorber CsPbBr _3 devices. Remarkably, the responsivity of the heterojunction device is 90 μ A W ^−1 . The enhanced specific detectivity and the broadband response of hybrid devices are attributed to the improved charge carrier generation, efficient charge separation and transfer at the interface between CsPbBr _3 and Bi _2 S _3 QDs.
Aiming at the existing high-temperature liquid metal flow online accurate measurement by the metal melt characteristics, installation space, and high-temperature environment adaptability limitations, this paper innovatively puts forward a soft measurement method based on the impact force generated in the fluid flow process as an observational variable series. Fluid mechanics theory and simulation software are used to analyze and verify the feasibility of the impact force as an observable variable to measure the flow rate, followed by the construction of the CNN-LSTM-CNN-Double (CLCD) flow measurement model of impact force and flow rate based on the parameters of the learning rate and the number of training times, and finally the construction of a test platform for the flow measurement, and the validity of the method is verified through actual operation.
Line structured light (LSL) measurement systems can obtain high accuracy profiles, but the overall clarity relies greatly on the sampling interval of the scanning process. Photometric stereo (PS), on the other hand, is sensitive to tiny features but has poor geometrical accuracy. Cooperative measurement with these two methods is an effective way to ensure precision and clarity results. In this paper, an LSL-PS cooperative measurement system is brought out. The calibration methods used in the LSL and PS measurement system are given. Then, a data fusion algorithm with adaptive weights is proposed, where an error function that contains the 3D point cloud matching error and normal vector error is established. The weights, which are based on the angles of adjacent normal vectors, are also added to the error function. Afterward, the fusion results can be obtained by solving linear equations. From the experimental results, it can be seen that the proposed method has the advantages of both the LSL and PS methods. The 3D reconstruction results have the merits of high accuracy and high clarity.
ObjectiveTo assess the impact of reducing sodium content in instant noodles on sodium intake levels among instant noodle consumers under different scenarios， the dietary sodium intake level of instant noodle consumers in China was analyzed.MethodsData were collected from the special monitoring of sodium content in instant noodles and other foods. According to the consumption data of various foods from China Food Consumption Survey from 2017 to 2020， the simple distribution model was used to evaluate the daily dietary sodium intake and distribution of instant noodle consumers， and the contribution rate of different foods. Four scenarios were to reduce the sodium content of instant noodles by 10% or 20%， and 1/2 or 1/3 instant noodles seasoning bag.ResultsThe average sodium content in instant noodle samples was 2 129.30 mg/100 g， and the average dietary sodium intake of instant noodle consumers was 5 462.68 mg/d. The average dietary sodium intake of all age groups was more than 2 000 mg/d （WHO）， and the average dietary sodium intake of 98.53% instant noodle consumers exceeded the proposed intakes for preventing non-communicable chronic diseases value of the corresponding age group. Condiments were the main source of dietary sodium intake of instant noodles consumers， and the contribution of instant noodles was about 12.69%. 1/3 instant noodles seasoning bags could reduce the total sodium intake of instant noodle consumers by 6.74%.ConclusionThe sodium intake level of instant noodles consumers in China was still at a high level. By reducing the sodium content of instant noodles or reducing the amount of condiment package， the sodium intake level of the population could be reduced to a certain degree. This study provided scientific results reference for the domestic instant noodle industry to reduce salt （sodium）.
Food processing and manufacture, Nutrition. Foods and food supply
Pete D. Akers, Joël Savarino, Nicolas Caillon
et al.
Snow accumulation rates in Antarctica can now be reconstructed from nitrate isotopes in snow and ice. This independent technique offers scientists a new tool for studying how Antarctic climate changed in the past and how it may change in the future.
Abstract Background The average prevalence of stunting reported by the Nepal Demographic Health Survey from 2001 to 2016 only reports the prevalence of stunting at the national level and provincial and district level information is missing. Also, no previous study has reported a provincial trend in stunting from 2001 to 2016 in Nepal. This study for the first time presents the spatial trend of stunting among children under five years for 7 provinces and 77 districts of Nepal over 15 years using Demographic Health Survey Global Positioning System coordinates, Demographic Health Survey indicators, and geospatial covariates. Methods This is a secondary analysis of data from Nepal Demographic Health Survey from 2001 to 2016. The study population was children under five years. The outcome variable was stunting, which was analyzed as per districts and provinces. Sample weight was applied to calculate the percentage of stunting and 95% confidence interval for all survey years. The geographic dataset was used to provide information about the latitude and longitude of the survey cluster. Poisson-based model was used during the purely spatial analysis in SatScan for identification of clusters with stunting caseload. Results The reduction in the prevalence of stunting among children under five years has not been equal when disaggregated for district and provincial level data. In 2001, 57 districts had a prevalence of stunting among children above or equal to 50%, which has reduced over time except for districts in Karnali province. In 2016, 16 districts had a prevalence of stunting above or equal to 50%. Jumla (91.7%) and Kalikot (77.8%) still had the highest prevalence of stunting as of 2001. Among 7 provinces, the prevalence of stunting is found highest in Karnali for all subsequent survey years. Sudurpaschim and Madhesh provinces also had a high proportion of stunted children. The highest reduction in the prevalence of stunting was noted for Province Bagmati (by 30%) and Gandaki (by 28%). Conclusion The inequalities in childhood stunting persisted at the district and provincial levels although a good decline was noted at the national level. This calls for rigorous attention to be provided to districts and provinces with a high prevalence of stunting, and being prioritized for a targeted intervention.
Nutrition. Foods and food supply, Food processing and manufacture
Given the fossil fuel crisis and the steady consumption of finite resources, the use of green polymers is becoming necessary. However, the term “green” describes materials that present green properties (such as biological origin and/or biodegradability) and are produced via sustainable processes conducted under mild conditions and not requiring the use of chemical catalysts, toxic solvents or reagents. Truly green materials must combine these characteristics; consequently, enzymatically synthesized bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers can be characterized as truly green. The present review focuses on the most promising, commercially available aliphatic and alipharomatic polyesters that can be synthesized enzymatically. In particular, the recent developments in the enzymatic polymerization of PLA and PBS and alipharomatic furan-based polyesters (e.g., PBF) are herein analyzed. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that important steps have been taken toward synthesizing sustainably green polymers. Still, it is necessary to evaluate the applied methods regarding their capability to be used on an industrial scale.
Abstract Temperature variation and gas generation at different depths and positions in the coal combustion process were studied to determine the propagation and evolution of high temperature regions in the process of coal spontaneous combustion. This study selected coal samples from Mengcun, Shaanxi Province, People’s Republic of China, and developed a semi-enclosed experimental system (furnace) for simulating coal combustion. The thermal mass loss of coal samples under various heating rates (5, 10, and 15 °C/min) was analyzed through thermogravimetric analysis, and the dynamic characteristics of the coal samples were analyzed; the reliability of the semi-enclosed experimental system was verified through the equal proportional method of fuzzy response. The results reveal that the high-temperature zone is distributed nonlinearly from the middle to the front end of the furnace, and the temperatures of points in this zone decreased gradually as the layer depth increased. The apparent activation energy of the coal samples during combustion first increased and then decreased as the conversion degree increased. Furthermore, the proportion of mass loss and the mass loss rate in the coal samples observed in the thermogravimetric experiment is consistent with that observed in the first and second stages of the experiment conducted using the semi-enclosed system. The research findings can provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of high-temperature zones in coal combustion.
Richard Senko, Vinícius S. Almeida, Rômulo P. B. dos Reis
et al.
This work presents an experimental study related to the mechanical performance of a special design spring fabricated with a superelastic shape memory alloy (SMA-SE). For the experimental testing, the spring was coupled in a rotor machine, aiming to attenuate the mechanical vibration when the system went through a natural frequency without any external power source. It was verified that the reduction in instabilities stemmed from the better distribution of vibration force in the proposed device, as well as the damping capacity of the spring material. These findings showed that the application of the M-Shape device of SMA-SE for three different cases could reduce vibration up to 23 dB when compared to the situations without, and with, 1.5 mm of preload. The M-Shape device was shown to be efficient in reducing the mechanical vibration in a rotor system. This was due to the damping capacity of the SMA-SE material, and because the application did not require any external source of energy to generate phase transformation.
Pedro Teixidó, Juan Antonio Gómez-Galán, Rafael Caballero
et al.
Perimeter detection systems detect intruders penetrating protected areas, but modern solutions require the combination of smart detectors, information networks and controlling software to reduce false alarms and extend detection range. The current solutions available to secure a perimeter (infrared and motion sensors, fiber optics, cameras, radar, among others) have several problems, such as sensitivity to weather conditions or the high failure alarm rate that forces the need for human supervision. The system exposed in this paper overcomes these problems by combining a perimeter security system based on CEMF (control of electromagnetic fields) sensing technology, a set of video cameras that remain powered off except when an event has been detected. An autonomous drone is also informed where the event has been initially detected. Then, it flies through computer vision to follow the intruder for as long as they remain within the perimeter. This paper covers a detailed view of how all three components cooperate in harmony to protect a perimeter effectively, without having to worry about false alarms, blinding due to weather conditions, clearance areas, or privacy issues. The system also provides extra information of where the intruder is or has been, at all times, no matter whether they have become mixed up with more people or not during the attack.
ICONS, European Food Safety Authority, Alessandra Cantaluppi
et al.
A comprehensive benchmarking exercise on current best practices on communication tools and dissemination processes of EU Member State organisations plus Iceland and Norway, selected ENVI EU agencies (EFSA, EMA, ECHA, ECDC), and EU bodies (DG SANTE, JRC, EU COUN) was carried out via an online survey, remote qualitative interviews, and a desk analysis of documents and web content.These current practices have been compiled into a catalogue of communication tools and a guide to their effective dissemination. Both elements are designed to help inform the EC General Plan for Risk Communication (GPRC)andfacilitate a coordinated communication framework at the EU and national level on matters relating to the food chain. The reportsets out a broad overview of the current tools that are commonly used, their intended communication purposes and target audiences. It also describes dissemination channels andmethods to optimise outreach. This work provides a solid platform for EU and Member State bodies to build on going forward. The report should be viewed as a living document that will evolve to meet fast‐changing information needs and the requirements of the future GPRC.The catalogue highlights that multimedia tools show relatively high impact scores and high mention rates by the respondents participating in the online survey. Editorial tools are still very important, especially to reach the media. Both physical meetings and events and educational tools have very high impact scores but limited mention rates. All communication tools can be effective if properly designed (i.e. right content and tone of voice for the intended target audience(s) and disseminated through the right channels). Social media and the website are the most used dissemination channels. The reliance on campaigns is widespread as they help achieve a stronger impact on the target audience. Moreover, communication tools supported by best practices in dissemination perform much better and are used by a wider audience than tools that are merely published on an organisation's website. A systematic phased approach to dissemination (1. planning, 2. preparation, 3. publication and distribution, and 4. post‐publication and distribution) is, therefore, crucial for a successful communication strategy. Effective leverage of amplifiers (planned and prepared in the first two phases) substantially increases communication tools’ outreach in the publication and distribution phase. The usage of Key Performance Indicators, set during the planning phase, allows an organisation to improve both communication tools and their dissemination strategy. Post‐publication and distribution is a strategic phase to learn from the outcomes and fine‐tune subsequent communication practices.
Nutrition. Foods and food supply, Chemical technology
Verica Takač, Viola Tóth, Marianna Rakszegi
et al.
The unique rheological properties of bread wheat dough and the breadmaking quality of its flour are the main factors responsible for the global distribution and utilization of wheat. Recently, interest in the production and expansion of spelt wheat has been boosted due to its significance in the production of healthy food, mostly originated from organic production. The aim of this study was to examine and compare quality parameters (gluten content, Zeleny sedimentation volume, farinograph dough properties), protein content and composition (by the Dumas method, Size Exclusion (SE) and Reversed Phase (RP) High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analyses) of five bread and five spelt wheat varieties grown under conventional and organic production in Hungary and under conventional production in Serbia. Most of the analyzed traits showed significant differences between varieties, wheat species and growing sites. Total protein content was significantly higher in spelt than in bread wheat and under conventional than under organic production. In comparison to spelt, bread wheat showed better breadmaking quality, characterized by a higher amount of glutenins (in particular high molecular weight glutenin subunits) and unextractable polymeric proteins. The proportion of the gliadins was also found to be different under conventional and organic systems. Spelt Ostro and Oberkulmer-Rotkorn and bread wheat varieties Balkan, Estevan and Pobeda proved suitable for low input and organic systems.
Numerous biological and chemical studies involve the use of calcium hydroxyapatite (HA), Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2. In this study detailed physicochemical characterization of HA, prepared from an aqueous solution, was carried out employing different methods and techniques: chemical and thermal analyses, x-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, scanning and transmission microscopies, and Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface-area method. The contents of calcium (Ca2+), phosphate (PO43−), hydroxide (OH−), hydrogenphosphate (HPO42−), water (H2O), carbonate (CO32−), and trace constituents, the Ca/P molar ratio, crystal size and morphology, surface area, unit-cell parameters, crystallinity, and solubility of this HA were determined. This highly pure, homogeneous, and highly crystalline HA is certified as a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standard reference material, SRM 2910.