Search Results (10)

Fruits and vegetables play a crucial role in addressing food security challenges posed by the growing global population. Citrus fruits are among the most widely cultivated crops worldwide; however, their production is steadily declining due to climate change. Among the various biotic and abiotic stresses affecting citrus production, water scarcity caused by climate change stands out as a significant issue. Interestingly, the rhizosphere of citrus plants is home to beneficial fungi known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF have been shown to enhance the growth and development of host plants. They also improve the plants’ tolerance to various stresses and enhance soil structure. This study aimed to evaluate the response of two different citrus rootstocks—Rangpur lime and Carrizo citrange—when subjected to three mycorrhizal treatments, namely, AMF+ (inoculated with AMF), AMF- (treated with fungicide to eliminate AMF), and a control (naturally occurring AMF), under conditions of water deficit. The results indicated that the AMF+ treatment had a significant positive effect on both rootstock genotypes compared to the AMF- treatment. Physiological attributes such as photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, non-photochemical quenching, and both dark and light quantum yield exhibited significantly smaller declines under water deficit conditions in AMF+ plants compared to those in the AMF- and control groups. Conversely, stress indicators—such as malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)—increased significantly in the AMF- treatment compared to AMF+. Additionally, the increase in antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APx) and osmotic adjustment (proline (PRO)) was more pronounced in the AMF+ treatment in the leaves and roots of both citrus rootstocks. In conclusion, the findings suggest that the presence and application of AMF in citrus roots may enhance the plants’ ability to cope with water scarcity more effectively. Full article

Ladle furnace slag (LFS), a by-product of steel refining, shows a promising reuse pathway as an alternative additive or substitute for Portland cement due to its high alkalinity and similar chemical composition to clinkers. However, LFS is often stored in large, open surface areas, leading to many environmental issues. To tackle waste management challenges, LFS can be recycled as supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in many cementitious composites. However, LFS contains some mineral phases that hinder its reactivity (dicalcium silicate (γ-C₂S)) and pose long-term durability issues in the cured cemented final product (free lime (f-CaO) and free magnesia (f-MgO)). Therefore, LFS needs to be adequately treated to enhance its reactivity and ensure long-term durability in the structures of the cementitious materials. This literature review assesses possible LFS treatments to enhance its suitability for valorization. Traditional reviews are often multidisciplinary and explore all types of iron and steel slags, sometimes including the recycling of LFS in the steel industry. As the reuse of industrial by-products requires a knowledge of their characteristics, this paper focuses first on LFS characterization, then on the obstacles to its use, and finally compiles an exhaustive inventory of previously investigated treatments. The main parameters for treatment evaluation are the mineralogical composition of treated LFS and the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the final geo-composite in the short and long term. This review indicates that the treatment of LFS using rapid air/water quenching at the end-of-refining process is most appropriate, allowing a nearly amorphous slag to be obtained, which is therefore suitable for use as a SCM. Moreover, the open-air watering treatment leads to an optimal content of treated LFS. Recycling LFS in this manner can reduce OPC consumption, solve the problem of limited availability of blast furnace slag (GGBFS) by partially replacing this material, conserve natural resources, and reduce the carbon footprint of cementitious material operations. Full article

The ratiometric fluorescent probe UiO-OH@Tb, a zirconium-based MOF functionalized with Tb³⁺, was synthesized using a hydrothermal method. This probe employs the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mechanism between Tb³⁺ and malachite green (MG) for the double-inverse signal ratiometric fluorescence detection of MG. The probe’s color shifts from lime green to blue with an increasing concentration of MG. In contrast, the monometallic MOFs’ (UiO-OH) probe shows only blue fluorescence quenching due to the inner filter effect (IFE) after interacting with MG. Additionally, the composite fluorescent probe (UiO-OH@Tb) exhibits superior sensitivity, with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.19 μM, which is significantly lower than that of the monometallic MOFs (25 μM). Moreover, the content of MG can be detected on-site (LOD = 0.94 μM) using the RGB function of smartphones. Hence, the UiO-OH@Tb probe is proven to be an ideal material for MG detection, demonstrating significant practical value in real-world applications. Full article

Calcium oxide plays an important role in alumina production by binding SiO₂ from aluminosilicate raw materials (bauxite, nepheline, kaolinite, etc.) in aluminum-free compounds. The efficiency of the hydrochemical technology depends on the activities of calcium oxide or its compounds introduced into the alkaline aluminosilicate slurry. In this paper, we considered the effects of different calcium compounds (calcium carbonate CaCO₃, gypsum CaSO₄·H₂O, calcium oxide CaO and calcium hydroxide Ca(OH)₂), introduced during the hydrothermal stripping of aluminosilicates with alkaline solutions, on the degree of aluminum oxide extraction, with the subsequent production of fillers for composites. Ca(OH)₂ was obtained by the CaO quenching method. Extraction of Al₂O₃ in an alkaline solution was only possible with Ca(OH)₂, and the degree of extraction depended on the conditions used for CaO quenching. The effects of temperature and of the duration of CaO quenching on particle size were investigated. In potassium solution, the best results for Al₂O₃ extraction were obtained using CaSO₄·H₂O gypsum. The obtained solutions were processed using the crystallization method. Full article

Because of the increasing demand for photovoltaic energy and the generation of end-of-life photovoltaic waste forecast, the feasibility to produce glass substrates for photovoltaic application by recycling photovoltaic glass waste (PVWG) material was analyzed. PVWG was recovered from photovoltaic house roof panels for developing windows glass substrates; PVWG was used as the main material mixed with other industrial waste materials (wSG). The glass was casted by air quenching, annealed, and polished to obtain transparent substrates samples. Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) was deposited as back contact on the glass substrates by spray pyrolysis. The chemical composition of the glass materials was evaluated by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), the thermal stability was measured by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and the transmittance was determined by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The surface of the glass substrates and the deposited FTO were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the amorphous or crystalline state of the specimens were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the sheet resistance was evaluated by the four-point probe method. The sheet resistance of the deposited FTO on the wSG substrate was 7.84 ± 3.11 Ω/□, lower than that deposited on commercial soda-lime glass (8.48 ± 3.67 Ω/□), meaning that this material could present improved conduction of the produced electrons by the photovoltaic effect. This process may represent an alternative to produce glass substrates from waste materials that could be destined for photovoltaic applications, especially the production of ecological photovoltaic windows. Full article

This study aimed at evaluating the effect of blended binders on the stabilization of clayey soils intended for use as road and pavement materials in selected regions of Sweden. The stabilization potential of blended binders containing five stabilizers (cement, bio fly ash, energy fly ash, slag and lime) was investigated using laboratory tests and statistical analysis. Soil samples were compacted using Swedish Standards on UCS. The specimens were stabilized with blended mixtures containing various ratios of five binders. The effects of changed ratio of binders on soil strength was analyzed using velocities of seismic P-waves penetrating the tested soil samples on the day 14 of the experiment. The difference in the soil surface response indicated variations in strength in the evaluated specimens. We tested combination of blended binders to improve the stabilization of clayey soil. The mix of slag/lime or slag/cement accelerated soil hardening process and gave durable soil product. We noted that pure lime (burnt or quenched) is best suited for the fine-grained soils containing clay minerals. Slag used in this study had a very finely ground structure and had hydraulic properties (hardens under water) without activation. Therefore, slag has a too slow curing process for it to be practical to use in real projects on stabilization of roads. The best performance on soil stabilization was demonstrated by blended binders consisted of lime/fly ash/cement which considerably improved the geotechnical properties and workability of soil and increased its strength. We conclude that bearing capacities of soil intended for road construction can be significantly improved by stabilization using mixed binders, compared to pure binders (cement). Full article

This study aimed to investigate consumer expectation of flavored water and potential consumer segments. The results showed flavored water was ranked the fourth most popular drink, after plain water, tea, and coffee, by 901 participants. Consumers highly expected functional flavored water with refreshing (87.4% selection), thirst-quenching (73.7%), and tasty (65.7%) qualities, containing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and providing energy. Expected flavored water sensory qualities included temperature (62.4%), flavor (52.4%), and sweet taste (47.4%); lemon, berry, and lime flavors were most preferred, while bitterness, irritation, astringency, and sourness were least preferred. Pure sugar and honey were rated highest as the sweeteners for flavored water. Likewise, consumers were mostly concerned with taste followed by calories. Single demographic variables (age, reported health condition, drinking frequency, educational level) significantly influenced (p ≤ 0.05) flavored water function, sensory quality, and sugar reduction expectations. Females had higher expectation of flavored water’s refreshing and antioxidant functions. Cluster analysis revealed two consumer segments. The younger, low-education, self-reportedly less healthy cluster (mainly college students) expected various functions and flavors such as low temperature, cooling taste, diverse flavors, and sweet taste (and disliked bitterness). The older, educated, employed, self-reportedly healthy cluster had lower expectations of flavored water functions, were less sensitive to bitterness, and preferred no sweetness or little sweetness. These findings provide informative data to establish marketing and sales strategies for promoting flavored water. Full article

The current study aims to enhance the efficiency of lead-free glass as a shielding material against radiation, solve the problem of the dark brown of bismuth glass, and reduce the accumulation of waste glass disposed in landfills by using soda-lime-silica SLS glass waste. The melt-quenching method was utilized to fabricate (WO${}_3{)}_x$ [(Bi${}_2$O${}_3$)${}_{0.2}$ (ZnO)${}_{0.3}$ (B${}_2$O${}_3$)${}_{0.2}$ (SLS)${}_{0.3}$]${}_{1-x}$ at 1200 °C, where x = (0, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05 mol). Soda lime silica SLS glass waste, which is mostly composed of 74.1 % SiO${}_2$, was used to obtain SiO${}_2$. Radiation Attenuation parameters were investigated using narrow-beam geometry and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Furthermore, the parameters related to radiation shielding were calculated. The results showed that when WO${}_3$ concentration was increased, the half-value layer was reduced, whereas the $\mu$ increased. It could be concluded that WBiBZn-SLS glass is a good shielding material against radiation, nontoxic, and transparent to visible light. Full article

In the current study, BaO was doped in Bi₂O₃-ZnO-B₂O₃-SLS glass to develop lead-free radiation shielding glasses and to solve the dark brown of bismuth glass. The melt-quenching method was utilized to fabricate (x) BaO (1 − x)[0.3 ZnO 0.2 Bi₂O₃ 0.2 B₂O₃ 0.3 SLS] (where x are 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, and 0.05 mol) at 1200 °C. Soda lime silica glass waste (SLS), which is mostly composed of 74.1% SiO₂, was used to obtain SiO₂. The mass attenuation coefficient (${\mu }_m$) was investigated utilizing X-ray fluorescence (XRF) at 16.61, 17.74, 21.17, and 25.27 keV and narrow beam geometry at 59.54, 662, and 1333 keV. Moreover, the other parameters related to gamma ray shielding properties such as half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), and effective atomic number ($Z_{eff}$) were computed depending on ${\mu }_m$ values. The results indicated that HVL and MFP decreased, whereas ${\mu }_m$ increased with an increase in BaO concentration. According to these results, it can be concluded that BaO doped in Bi₂O₃-ZnO-B₂O₃-SLS glass is a nontoxic, transparent to visible light, and a good shielding material against radiation. Full article

This manuscript reports on the physical properties and optical band gap of five samples of soda lime silicate (SLS) glass combined with zinc oxide (ZnO) that were prepared by a melting and quenching process. To understand the role of ZnO in this glass structure, the density, molar volume and optical band gaps were investigated. The density and absorption spectra in the Ultra-Violet-Visible (UV-Visible) region were recorded at room temperature. The results show that the densities of the glass samples increased as the ZnO weight percentage increased. The molar volume of the glasses shows the same trend as the density: the molar volume increased as the ZnO content increased. The optical band gaps were calculated from the absorption edge, and it was found that the optical band gap decreased from 3.20 to 2.32 eV as the ZnO concentration increased. Full article