Search Results (10,217)

Capacitive de-ionization (CDI) holds great promise for water desalination, while the widely used activated carbon (AC) electrodes suffer from a low salt adsorption capacity (SAC) and poor long-term stability due to the co-ion effect and electrode oxidation. Inspired by membrane-based CDI, we deposited polyethyleneimine (PEI), an ion exchange polymer with positive charge and ion selectivity, onto an AC electrode to serve as an anode for addressing these issues. Firstly, compared to traditional AC and commercial AEM-AC, the PEI-doped AC (PDAC) anode delivered a superior SAC of 36.3 mg/g, as the positively charged PEI enhanced electrostatic attraction, suppressed the co-ion effect, and offered extra sites. However, it showed poor cycling stability with 77.1% retention, owing to mass loss and anode oxidation. We further developed an electrode coated with a PEI-based membrane (PMAC), which exhibited a balanced performance with a high SAC of 33.4 mg/g and significantly improved long-term retention of 97.5%. The hydrophilic PEI membrane, strongly adhered to the AC surface, shortened the ion diffusion resistance and effectively prolonged the electrode lifespan. A systematic comparison between AC, AEM-AC, PDAC, and PMAC revealed the mechanism for PMAC’s notable enhancement. These findings establish a framework for designing novel CDI electrodes and advancing sustainable water desalination. Full article

A database (110 treatment means from 23 studies) was derived from the peer-reviewed literature to evaluate the effects of various measures of dietary fiber on growth performance of feedlot cattle. The measures of diet fibrousness were the percentage of traditional roughage sources in the diet, the percentage of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) supplied by traditional roughages, and the total dietary concentration of NDF. The growth performance variables evaluated were dry matter intake, average daily gain, gain–feed ratio, and hot carcass weight. Mixed-model regression methods were used to adjust for random slope and intercept effects associated with studies, and study-adjusted data were evaluated to assess the effects of each of the measures of fibrousness on each of the measures of growth performance. The quality of the regression relationships was assessed by determining the significance of slope and intercept estimates, the root mean square error and the associated coefficient of variation, and the coefficient of determination (r²). In contrast to a previous analysis of literature data, 60% of the studies in the present database included fibrous byproducts (primarily wet corn gluten feed and wet or dry distillers grains plus solubles). Among the growth performance variables, measures of fibrousness were most highly correlated with dry matter intake (total consumed per day or percentage of average body weight), and among the measures of fibrousness, total dietary NDF concentration consistently accounted for the largest percentage of variation in growth performance variables. For dry matter intake as a percentage of body weight, total dietary NDF concentration accounted for 63.3% of the variation in dry matter intake, compared with 19.6% and 29.9% for NDF from roughage and percentage of roughage in the diet, respectively. Similarly, total dietary NDF concentration accounted for 58.1% of the variation in total dry matter consumed per day, compared with NDF from roughage (18.3%) and the dietary percentage of roughage (25.9%). For each 1% increase in total dietary NDF, dry matter intake increased by approximately 0.023% of body weight or 0.11 kg/d. Average daily gain and hot carcass weight were not strongly associated with measures of fibrousness (r² values ranged from 0.001 to 0.122), reflecting the ability of feedlot cattle to compensate for lower dietary energy concentrations as NDF increased in the diet, at least within the ranges of NDF evaluated in the current database. As expected, with increased dry matter intake and little change in average daily gain, the gain–feed ratio was negatively associated with measures of fibrousness, with an r² value of 0.296 for the total dietary NDF concentration. Although more research is needed on the role of physically effective NDF in feedlot diets, present data confirm previous observations about the relationship between the total dietary NDF concentration and dry matter intake, extending this relationship to feedlot diets that contain substantial proportions of fibrous byproducts. The total dietary NDF concentration in feedlot diets should be an effective basis for exchanging dietary ingredients to maintain a similar growth performance of feedlot cattle. Full article

The synthesis of high-performance adhesives imposes stringent requirements on the design of stirred reactors: simultaneous achievement of efficient mixing and minimal energy dissipation in highly viscous media remains the principal challenge. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was employed to solve the Navier–Stokes equations for the high-viscosity epoxy system and numerically simulating the flow fields of four representative reactor configurations across a prescribed range of rotational speeds. Specifically, the four representative reactor configurations were (i) single-serrated shaft, (ii) eccentric single-serrated shaft, (iii) uniaxial single-blade paddle combined with a single-serrated dual-axis assembly, and (iv) biaxial single-blade paddle coupled with a single-serrated triaxial assembly. The mixing performance was quantitatively assessed by systematically comparing the evolution of mixing speed, vorticity fields, restricted power consumption, and mixing time across a range of rotational speeds. The results demonstrated that the synergistic deployment of an eccentric impeller and a differential-speed single-propeller shaft effectively disrupted the axisymmetric flow pattern, compressed the chaotic isolation zones, and intensified both axial exchange and global chaotic mixing. Among the configurations examined, the uniaxial single-propeller–single-serrated biaxial arrangement reduced the mixing time by 13.43% and cut the specific energy consumption by approximately 58.32%, thereby attaining markedly higher energy efficiency. This research will provide guidance for the study of efficient mixing of adhesives. Full article

Mercury (Hg) contamination in water and soil poses severe ecological and human health risks, yet conventional sorbents often suffer from limited capacity, selectivity, and stability. Here, we report a bifunctional porous organic polymer (AMTD-TCT) rationally constructed by covalently crosslinking 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole with trichlorotriazine, thereby integrating abundant sulfur and nitrogen coordination sites within a stable mesoporous framework. AMTD-TCT exhibits an ultrahigh Hg(II) adsorption capacity of 1257.7 mg g⁻¹, far exceeding most reported porous sorbents. Adsorption follows monolayer chemisorption, governed by strong S–Hg and N–Hg coordination and Na⁺/Hg²⁺ ion exchange, while hierarchical porosity ensures rapid diffusion and efficient utilization of active sites. The polymer maintains robust performance over a wide pH range and demonstrates strong retention with minimal desorption, underscoring its environmental durability. These findings highlight AMTD-TCT as a highly effective and scalable platform for Hg(II) remediation in complex aqueous–soil systems and illustrate a generalizable molecular design strategy for developing multifunctional porous polymers in advanced separation and purification technologies. Full article

The development of rare-earth-free permanent magnets represents a strategic direction in advanced magnetic materials research. Among the most promising candidates, the metastable α″-Fe₁₆N₂ phase stands out due to its exceptionally high saturation magnetization. In this work, α″-Fe₁₆N₂ powders produced by gas atomization followed by nitriding were consolidated via Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS). The effects of sintering temperature (498–598 K) and pressure (40–80 MPa) on phase evolution, densification, microstructure, and magnetic properties have been systematically investigated. Optimal processing conditions were identified at 548 K and 60 MPa, providing a balance between densification (~80% of the theoretical density), phase stability, and magnetic performance. X-ray diffraction revealed that the α″-Fe₁₆N₂ phase remains stable up to ~523 K, while its decomposition into α-Fe and γ′-Fe₄N becomes significant at higher temperatures. The consolidated samples exhibited a saturation magnetization of ~230 Am²/kg, a maximum coercivity of ~86.5 kA/m, and a Mr/Ms ratio of 0.42. δM curve analysis indicated a transition from magnetostatic interactions (at low pressures) to exchange-dominated coupling (at intermediate and high pressures). These findings demonstrate the potential of SPS processing to preserve the α″-Fe₁₆N₂ phase and produce rare-earth-free magnetic compacts with competitive magnetic performance, providing a basis for further process optimization. Full article

Despite advances with novel targeted agents (e.g., BCL-2 or IDH inhibitors) combined with chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML), drug resistance persists. We investigated whether blocking Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 1 (NHE1) could enhance AML cell sensitivity to the BCL-2 inhibitor venetoclax and sought to determine the molecular mechanisms. Our results demonstrated that co-treatment with venetoclax and the NHE1 inhibitor 5-(N,N-hexamethylene) amiloride (HMA) synergistically induced apoptosis in both venetoclax-sensitive and -resistant leukemic cell lines. Specifically, the combination significantly increased apoptosis in venetoclax-resistant THP-1 cells to 72.28% (17.79% with 100 nM venetoclax and 10.15% with 10 μM HMA alone; p < 0.001). Conversely, another venetoclax-resistant line, U-937, showed no significant apoptotic response to the combination. In THP-1 cells, this synergy was mediated via a caspase-dependent programmed cell death pathway, evidenced by an increased BAX/BCL-2 ratio, mitochondrial cytochrome c release, and subsequent caspase-9 and caspase-3 activation. Furthermore, co-treatment downregulated the anti-apoptotic protein MCL-1 and reduced PI3K and Akt phosphorylation, suggesting that inhibition of these survival pathways also contributed to the synergistic effect. Inhibition of NHE1 may substantially enhance venetoclax sensitivity in certain AML models, particularly in venetoclax-resistant THP-1 cells but not in U-937, highlighting biological diversity and the probable involvement of alternative survival pathways. Full article

Leader–member relationships shape public sector performance, yet how leader–member exchange (LMX) operates through capability and motivation pathways remains underexplored. Drawing on social information processing and career construction theories, this study examines how LMX quality influences civil servant performance through career adaptability and perceived social impact. Moderated mediation analyses of survey data from 363 civil servants in Province A, China, reveal that higher-quality LMX enhances career adaptability and perceived social impact, which, in turn, predict higher task performance and organizational citizenship behavior. However, LMX differentiation weakens these positive effects when perceived as high. In practice, public agencies should prioritize high-quality, low-differentiation LMX systems that enhance civil servants’ performance. Full article

Mathematical modeling of unitized regenerative fuel cells (URFCs) faces significant challenges in reconciling parameter conflicts between fuel cell (FC) and electrolysis cell (EC) modes. This study establishes a COMSOL-based multi-physics framework coupling water–gas–heat–electric transport for both operational states. The critical factors associated with the model were identified through a systematic sensitivity analysis of structural and operational parameters, including temperature, exchange current density, conductivity, porosity, and flow rates. FC modes exhibited strong sensitivity to exchange current density (27.8–40.5% performance variation) and conductivity of membrane (10.1–35.6%), while temperature degraded performance (−4.2% to −4.0%). Spatial analysis revealed temperature-induced membrane dehydration and accelerated gas depletion at electrodes, thus explaining the negative correlation. EC modes were dominantly governed by temperature (8.6–9.4%), exchange current density (13.0–16.4%), and conductivity (2.5–13.3%). Channel simulations revealed that elevated temperature contributed to enhanced liquid water fluidity, while high flow rates had a relatively limited effect on mitigating species concentration gradients. Parameter optimization guided by sensitivity thresholds (e.g., porosity > 0.4 in FC GDLs, conductivity > 222 S/m in EC modes) enabled dual-mode calibration. The model achieved <4% error in polarization curve validation under experimental conditions, demonstrating robust prediction of voltage–current dynamics. This work resolves key conflicts of URFC modeling through physics-informed parameterization to provide a foundation for efficient dual-mode system design. Full article

This study investigates the volatility of the Israeli corporate bond market, where corporate bonds are traded on a Limit Order Book (LOB) exchange with high retail trading activity. Using data from the Tel-Bond 20 and Tel-Bond 60 indices, we estimate various asymmetric GARCH models to capture the dynamics of bond returns. Our findings highlight a leverage effect, where negative shocks have a more significant impact on volatility than positive shocks, underscoring the importance of investor sentiment. The GJR model with a Student’s t-distribution best captures serial correlation, persistence of conditional volatility, and asymmetric volatility clustering. These results have significant implications for risk management, portfolio allocation, and regulatory policies, emphasizing the need for robust volatility forecasting models in transparent and active corporate bond markets. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between the Business Confidence Index (BCI) and the volatility of stock returns in South Africa using quantile regression and GARCH (1,1) models across the Financial Services, Industrial, and Resources sectors of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. The results reveal that BCI significantly influences stock return volatility, particularly in upper quantiles, suggesting heightened sensitivity during periods of elevated market activity. Sectoral analysis using GARCH (1,1) shows that higher business confidence reduces volatility in the financial sector, exhibits a muted effect in the industrial sector, and positively correlates with volatility in the resource sector. The results underscore the asymmetric and sector-specific nature of sentiment effects. These findings support behavioural finance theories and emphasize the need for differentiated policy strategies to manage market risks in emerging economies. Full article

Papaya is an economically important crop, but its production in semiarid regions is severely limited by water scarcity. However, microorganism-based biostimulants have been studied as a promising strategy to mitigate water stress and support plant growth. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of microorganism-based biostimulants on gas exchange, photochemical efficiency, and growth of ‘Formosa’ papaya under water deficit in a semiarid area. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with split plots. The plots considered three irrigation depths (100, 75, and 50% of crop evapotranspiration-ETc) and the subplots the application of four biostimulants (control (no biostimulant application); Trichoderma harzianum; Ascophyllum nodosum; Bacillus aryabhattai), with three plants per plot and four replicates. B. aryabhattai mitigated the effects of deficit irrigation at 50% ETc on ‘Formosa’ papaya, increasing transpiration, CO₂ assimilation rate, and instantaneous carboxylation efficiency. Under irrigation at 50% ETc, T. harzianum provided beneficial effects on water use efficiency, instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, and photosystem II quantum efficiency. A. nodosum stimulated chlorophyll a synthesis in ‘Formosa’ papaya plants irrigated at 75% ETc during the fruiting stage, but reduced the absolute and relative growth rate in stem diameter under 50% ETc. Irrigation at 50% ETc reduced stomatal conductance and growth of ‘Formosa’ papaya plants 235 days after transplanting. We conclude that the application of B. aryabhattai and T. harzianum is a viable strategy to increase the tolerance of ‘Formosa’ papaya to the adverse effects of water deficit in semiarid regions. Full article

Digital evidence custody requires consensus protocols that guarantee immediate and deterministic finality. Legal admissibility depends on proof that no party can alter or delay confirmation of evidence transfers. Conventional Byzantine fault tolerance protocols scale poorly because of quadratic communication overhead, while probabilistic ledger systems such as IOTA and SPECTRE produce confirmation uncertainty that weakens custody verification. This paper introduces SelectVote Byzantine Fault Tolerance, a deterministic consensus protocol that infers virtual votes from graph structure instead of exchanging explicit messages. The protocol operates in permissioned forensic networks and assigns validation witnesses through a fixed, hash-based selection process. Empirical evaluation demonstrates sub-quadratic communication scaling ($O\left(n^{1.7}\right)$) compared to traditional $O\left(n^2\right)$ Byzantine protocols and maintains Byzantine resilience. To ensure physical integrity, the paper also presents an environmental compensation framework for precision weight verification. The framework models temperature, humidity, and pressure effects on load cells and corrects measurement drift to preserve sub-gram accuracy across normal storage conditions. Experimental evaluation confirms that the integrated system sustains high throughput with deterministic finality and maintains consistent measurement precision under environmental variation. The combined result supports reliable, legally defensible custody of digital evidence across distributed institutions. Full article

Purpose: This study investigates how South Africa’s sectoral stock market performance responds to monetary and fiscal policy shifts across two macroeconomic regimes: the pre-inflation targeting (Pre-IT) and the inflation targeting (IT) periods. Design/methodology/approach: Employing a Markov Switching Dynamic Regression (MS-DR) model, the paper explores non-linear and state-dependent relationships between policy instruments (interest rate, money supply, government expenditure, tax revenue, exchange rate, and inflation) and the performance of the industrial, financial, and resource sectors. Findings: The results reveal regime- and sector-specific heterogeneities. In the Pre-IT era, monetary policy exhibited stronger contractionary effects, while fiscal policy had mixed impacts. Under IT, sectoral responses were moderated, with inflation stability supporting industrial and financial sectors during expansions but dampening resource sector performance in recessions. Practical implications: The findings highlight the need for sector-specific and state-contingent policy designs to enhance macroeconomic stability and inclusive growth. Industrial and resource sectors, being more labour-intensive, require tailored support during downturns. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature by providing novel evidence on how structural changes in policy regimes affect the transmission of macroeconomic policies to different stock market sectors in South Africa. Full article

Biochar and organic fertilizer applications are widely recognized as effective strategies for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and controlling agricultural non-point source pollution in agroecosystems. However, the combined effects of these two approaches on greenhouse gas emissions and agricultural non-point source pollution remain insufficiently understood. Through consecutive field-based positioning plot trials, this study systematically examined the individual and combined effects of biochar and organic fertilizer amendments on N runoff loss (WTN) and gaseous emissions (N₂O and NH₃), N-cycling functional microbial communities, and soil physicochemical properties. Results demonstrated that conventional chemical fertilization resulted in 20.70% total N loss (4.48% gaseous emissions, 15.22% runoff losses). Biochar and organic fertilizer applications significantly reduced WTN losses by 8.06% and 7.43%, respectively, and decreased gaseous losses by 2.01% and 1.88%, while concurrently enhancing plant N uptake and soil residual N. Random forest analysis combined with partial least squares structural equation modeling revealed that soil organic carbon directly modulated nitrogen runoff losses and indirectly influenced aggregate stability and macroaggregate formation. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and recalcitrant organic carbon (ROC) exhibited dual regulatory effects on NH₃ volatilization through both direct pathways and indirect mediation via aggregate stability. Notably, biochar and organic fertilizer amendments induced significant compositional shifts in nirS- and nirK-type denitrifying microbial communities. pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and iron oxide–carbon complexes (IOCS) were identified as key factors suppressing N₂O emissions through inhibitory effects on Azoarcus and Bosea genera. Our findings demonstrate that biochar and organic fertilizers differentially modulate soil physicochemical properties and denitrifier community structure, with emission reduction disparities attributable to distinct mechanisms’ enhanced aggregate stability and modified denitrification potential through genus-level microbial community restructuring, particularly affecting Azoarcus and Bosea populations. This study offers valuable insights into the regulation of carbon sources for nitrogen management strategies within sustainable acidic soil vegetable production systems. Full article

The separable heat pipe, with its highly efficient heat transfer and flexible layout features, has become an innovative solution to the heat dissipation problem of batteries, especially suitable for the directional heat dissipation requirements of high-energy-density battery packs. However, most of the number–value models currently studied examine the flow of refrigerant working medium within the pump as an isentropic or isothermal process and are unable to effectively analyze the heat transfer characteristics of different internal regions. Based on the laws of energy conservation, momentum conservation, and mass conservation, this study establishes a steady-state mathematical model of the pump-driven microchannel-separated heat pipe. The influence of factors—such as the phase state change in the working medium inside the heat exchanger, the heat transfer flow mechanism, the liquid filling rate, the temperature difference, as well as the structural parameters of the microchannel heat exchanger on the steady-state heat transfer and flow performance of the pump-driven microchannel-separated heat pipe—were analyzed. It was found that the influence of liquid filling ratio on heat transfer quantity is reflected in the ratio of change in the sensible heat transfer and latent heat transfer. The sensible heat transfer ratio is higher when the liquid filling is too low or too high, and the two-phase heat transfer is higher when the liquid filling ratio is in the optimal range; the maximum heat transfer quantity can reach 3.79 KW. The decrease in heat transfer coefficient with tube length in the single-phase region is due to temperature and inlet effect, and the decrease in heat transfer coefficient in the two-phase region is due to the change in flow pattern and heat transfer mechanism. This technology has the advantages of long-distance heat transfer, which can adapt to the distributed heat dissipation needs of large-energy-storage power plants and help reduce the overall lifecycle cost. Full article