Search Results (5,591)

Lead-free palladium halides containing square-planar coordination units provide a distinctive platform for investigating light-matter interactions, yet their spectroscopic behavior and thin-film photoresponse remain largely unexplored. Herein, we report a systematic investigation of Cs₂PdCl₄·H₂O, synthesized as both nanorods and single crystals, covering its structural, spectroscopic, electronic, and photoresponsive properties. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction confirms that the monohydrate crystallizes in the orthorhombic Cmcm space group with discrete square-planar [PdCl₄]²⁻ units. Powder X-ray diffraction verifies that the nanorods adopt the same crystalline phase and retain their principal diffraction features after two months of ambient storage. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the Pd(II) valence state, and optical measurements determine a direct bandgap of 2.32 eV. Temperature-dependent and time-resolved photoluminescence reveal a low-temperature emission blueshift, enhanced emission intensity, and prolonged carrier decay, attributable to suppressed non-radiative relaxation and contributions from multiple emissive states. Density functional theory calculations based on the experimentally determined monohydrate structure show that the band-edge states are dominated by Cl 3p and Pd 4d orbitals. Thermally deposited Cs₂PdCl₄·H₂O-derived films deliver reproducible visible-light photocurrent switching across 397–564 nm and retain 71% of their initial response after 504 h under nitrogen. These findings establish Cs₂PdCl₄·H₂O as a visible-light-responsive lead-free palladium halide and provide a basis for future exploration in optoelectronic sensing. Full article

Early spring low temperatures and plastic film use constrain sustainable cotton production in Xinjiang. This study compared five integrated cultivation systems: conventional tillage with plastic mulch (CK), no-tillage with non-woven fabric arch shed (NTN), no-tillage with blue plastic film arch shed (NTB), conventional tillage with plastic film mulching and non-woven fabric arch shed (CTPN), and conventional tillage with plastic film mulching and blue plastic film arch shed (CTPB). Soil hydrothermal conditions, plant growth, root traits, yield components, and seed cotton yield were evaluated. CTPN and CTPB improved seedling-stage hydrothermal conditions and early growth relative to CK. Across the monitored 0–450 mm soil profile, mean soil temperature under CTPN and CTPB was 21.13% and 17.75% higher than under CK, respectively, while mean soil water content was 17.12% and 10.68% higher, respectively. However, these advantages did not result in the highest yield. NTN achieved the highest seed cotton yield, 15.19% higher than CK, followed by NTB with a 9.02% increase. NTN’s yield advantage was mainly associated with higher seed cotton weight per boll. Correlation analysis showed that boll number per plant was negatively associated with yield, whereas seed cotton weight per boll was positively associated with yield. Overall, favorable seedling-stage conditions alone did not determine final productivity, and NTN showed potential for practical application under comparable arid Xinjiang conditions while reducing reliance on conventional surface plastic mulch. Full article

This paper investigates the possibility of pressure-assisted thermomechanical consolidation and thermal treatment without applied pressure during the low-temperature consolidation of oil-saturated aluminosilicate sorbents for their subsequent application in the conditioning of liquid oil-containing radioactive waste (RAW). The Premium and Absorbent sorbents saturated with transformer oil not containing radionuclides were used as model RAW systems. It was established that pressure-assisted thermomechanical consolidation leads to the formation of a denser structure and a reduction in hydrocarbon-phase losses compared with thermal treatment without applied pressure. For Premium, mass losses decreased from 0.74 to 0.35 g (by 53%), and for Absorbent, from 0.75 to 0.47 g (by 37%), and the consolidated samples were characterized by a more homogeneous microstructure and increased resistance to exudation. It was established that the efficiency of hydrocarbon-phase retention is determined by both the treatment conditions and the mineral composition of the sorbent. The obtained results indicate the prospects of low-temperature pressure-assisted thermomechanical consolidation at a temperature of 150 °C, a pressure of 1.5 MPa, and a holding time of 20 s for the conditioning of oil-containing RAW without the use of additional binding components. Full article

The accurate determination of vitamin B12 in fortified food products presents considerable analytical challenges due to its low concentrations (μg kg⁻¹) and its binding to proteins in dairy products. This study aimed to develop a reliable and accurate method for determining vitamin B12 in yogurts that offers a robust, sensitive, and accurate tool for the routine quantification of vitamin B12 in complex dairy matrices, contributing to nutritional assessment and quality control in the food industry. Therefore, sample preparation including hydrolysis at high temperatures in an excess of cyanide, and utilization of SPE cartridges for analyte purification and preconcentration is essential. UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis was conducted using a C18 column in positive ionization mode (ESI+). The experimental procedure was meticulously optimized, examining extraction conditions, such as the solvent used, the extraction time, and the effectiveness of SPE cartridges. The optimized method demonstrated excellent linearity (R² > 0.990), high recoveries (e.g., 82.7–96.6%), good precision (RSD < 20%), and adequate sensitivity (LOD: 0.38 μg kg⁻¹ and LOQ: 1.1 μg kg⁻¹). The method was successfully validated according to the Eurachem Guide, evaluated for uncertainty and corroborated through successful interlaboratory testing in cereal and milk matrices. Full article

To explore the regulatory effects and mechanisms of LED green light (peak at 520 nm) combined with different low temperatures on broccoli postharvest storage, the Brassica oleracea var. italica ‘Meiqing’ was harvested and stored under two temperatures and pretreated with supplemental LED green light. Periodic determinations were conducted on physical and chemical indexes, including appearance, texture, nutritional quality, and antioxidant capacity, along with differential gene expression analysis via transcriptome sequencing. Results showed that 0 °C storage outperformed 4 °C overall, and the 1 h green light pretreatment achieved the optimal effect. This treatment significantly delayed curd yellowing, reduced weight loss, maintained high firmness, preserved nutritional components, enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes and key enzymes in the AsA-GSH cycle, and alleviated membrane damage by reducing H₂O₂ and MDA levels. Transcriptome analysis revealed that green light pretreatment regulated gene expression in chlorophyll metabolism and antioxidant-related pathways. Overall, 0 °C combined with 1 h of green light pretreatment effectively prolonged the storage period of broccoli and maintained its commercial and nutritional quality, providing a novel technical strategy for postharvest broccoli preservation. Full article

Chemical green growth removers designed to control algae, which are classified as biocidal products, are used in open-air environments and, in some cases, over large areas such as roofs, façades, fences, or pavements, and can have adverse environmental effects. To minimise the use of green growth removers, users must have access to information on appropriate non-chemical alternatives against the target organisms. In this study, the authors developed an efficacy test for non-chemical green growth removal methods using a high-pressure cleaner with cold and hot water. After determining a dose-response curve concerning the efficacy of high water temperature on green growth control, naturally infested surfaces of a wooden fence and sandstone were treated with different water pressures and temperatures: 15 and 70 °C for both surfaces, 60, 70, 90, and 100 bar for the wooden fence, and 120 and 170 bar for sandstone. The results after six months showed that all treatments on the wooden fence remained highly effective (>96%). The efficacy of the treatments on the sandstone was lower, with the highest efficacy of 90% achieved with cold (15 °C) water and a water pressure of 170 bar. In summary, the methods used demonstrated high efficacy, constituting a sustainable alternative for algaecides. The regreening after six months remained low if thorough removal of the green growth was ensured. Full article

Prolonged sitting and poor posture are linked to musculoskeletal discomfort, higher spinal loading, and lower study and work efficiency. An Arduino-based distributed system combining a multi-sensor was developed for low-cost, camera-free sitting posture monitoring. It comprises a wearable sensing board (WSB), a main control board (MCB), and a host computer. The WSB measures trunk inclination—that is, the forward pitch and lateral roll of the upper trunk relative to the upright reference—using an ADXL345 acceleration sensor, whereas the MCB measures the user-to-desk distance using a US-100 ultrasonic ranging unit; NRF24L01 Wireless Communication Units connect them. Rule-based thresholds classify six states: “normal”, “slouching”, “leaning left”, “leaning right”, “too close”, and “too far”. The Sound Audio Unit and Liquid Crystal Display Unit provide local voice alerts and visual feedback. Using a 4G Unit, the MCB uploads user ID, timestamp, ambient temperature, distance, and posture state to a cloud platform. Cloud-generated text files support host retrieval and display, with accounts for two users and one administrator. The system can determine sitting-distance states within a range of 40–2000 mm and output trunk inclination information over a range of 0–90°. Under the current test conditions, the wireless communication distance between the MCB and WSB exceeds 3 m. In addition, the auditory reminder, time and temperature display, and PC-side data retrieval functions all operate as intended. With a total hardware cost of USD 18.39, the system provides a viable prototype for low-cost, camera-free sitting posture monitoring and remote data management in educational and home settings. Full article

The cold sensitivity of sweet basil often results in unmarketable chilling injury (CI) symptoms and a shorter shelf life under the low temperatures typically used to maintain most fresh produce during transportation and storage. Silicon (Si) treatments have been observed to alleviate these symptoms and provide other benefits during cultivation. This study tested different Si application strategies on basil plants to determine their efficacy at reducing CI symptoms and improving growth, and whether efficacy is influenced by dose–response or Si content in leaf tissues. Across four trials, preharvest treatment solutions containing potassium silicate or monosilicic acid were applied to potted basil at Si rates of 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/L through either regular rootzone fertigation or weekly foliar spray. There were no significant improvements in growth found at harvest. Although the median shelf life during cold storage at 4 °C ranged between 17 and 24 days for all groups, exceeding known estimates for untreated basil, there were no significant improvements compared to the controls. Drought stress could have been a contributing factor that hardened controls against chilling even without Si applications. Further investigations are necessary to determine the sole effects of Si applications on basil. Full article

In enclosed cold-aisle data-center rooms, hotspot temperatures within the cold aisles are directly related to server inlet air safety and air-conditioning operation performance. Therefore, high-accuracy temperature prediction is of great significance for thermal-risk warning and operational optimization. This study focuses on an enclosed cold-aisle data-center room in a large data center located in a hot-summer and warm-winter region. The maximum temperature of one selected cold aisle is taken as the prediction target, and a hybrid prediction model integrating TSception, Transformer, and TCN is proposed to characterize multi-scale local disturbances and cross-period temporal dependencies. The model inputs and historical time window are determined through cold–hot separation analysis, cold-aisle temperature-stability comparison, lag analysis between supply air temperature and cold-aisle temperature, and correlation analysis of candidate variables. The experimental results show that the proposed model achieves an MAE of 0.285 °C, an RMSE of 0.438 °C, an NRMSE of 4.76%, and a MAPE of 1.13% in predicting the cold-aisle temperature of the AB aisle, outperforming Persistence, BP, LSTM, XGBoost, and several ablation models. Further multi-aisle experiments demonstrate that the proposed model consistently maintained low prediction errors in independent prediction tasks across different cold aisles, indicating good applicability of the model architecture for characterizing temperature time series in multiple cold aisles within the same data-center room. The proposed method can provide a reference for hotspot-risk identification in enclosed cold aisles and operational optimization of precision air-conditioning systems. Full article

Cellulose crystallinity is frequently associated with lignocellulosic biomass digestibility, yet its development during multistep biorefinery processing and its relationship with enzymatic hydrolysis remain difficult to isolate. This study investigated the evolution of cellulose crystallinity in wheat straw (Triticum aestivum) during Hot-Water Pretreatment (HWP), Water Pretreatment (WP), Organosolv extraction, sequential washing, and drying, and related these changes to enzymatic glucose yield. Crystallinity was determined using X-ray diffraction and an ATR-FTIR-based PLS model, while enzymatic hydrolysis was evaluated by HPLC-based glucose quantification. HWP caused a temperature-dependent decrease in crystallinity from 47.5 ± 1.3% in untreated straw to 27.0 ± 2.2% at 120 °C, whereas WP at room temperature caused no significant change. However, without subsequent Organosolv extraction, both pretreatments alone resulted in low glucose yields of approximately 10%, indicating that cellulose crystallinity is only one of several factors governing enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. During washing after Organosolv extraction, crystallinity increased from 40.6 ± 2.1% to 54.2 ± 1.3%, whereas, under the tested conditions, glucose yield was more closely associated with the estimated residual ethanol concentration than with the change in crystallinity. Drying had the strongest effect, increasing crystallinity by up to 53.6% relative to the wet state. Overall, cellulose crystallinity should be considered as one of several interacting factors governing enzymatic digestibility, and sample moisture history must be carefully controlled when comparing crystallinity data. Full article

The unclear coupled temperature–pressure control mechanism of deep coalbed methane (CBM) occurrence and the poorly understood transformation law of adsorbed and free gas during geological history have severely restricted the accurate evaluation of CBM resources in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin. Taking the No. 42 main coal seam in the Fukang mining area as the research object, this study combines isothermal adsorption experiments, thermodynamic analysis, and basin numerical simulation to identify the methane adsorption characteristics of coal and their main controlling factors, establishes a CBM content prediction model coupled with coal maceral composition and temperature–pressure conditions, and reconstructs the complete CBM accumulation evolution process over geological time. Isothermal adsorption experiments were conducted at 30 °C over 0–8 MPa (6 pressure points) for all seven core samples, and variable-temperature adsorption experiments were performed on representative sample No. 42-5 at 30, 50, 70, and 90 °C over 0–22 MPa (10 pressure points per temperature). The results show that the average equilibrium moisture-based Langmuir volume of coal samples in the study area is 22.36 m³/t, and the adsorption capacity is significantly positively correlated with fixed carbon content. Pressure dominates the positive adsorption effect in the low-temperature and low-pressure range, while temperature dominates the negative adsorption effect in the high-temperature and high-pressure range. The total gas content first increases and then decreases with depth, reaching a peak of 12.56 m³/t at 900 m; free gas accounts for a larger proportion than adsorbed gas below 3600 m. The central-southern main area of the study area, with a gas content of 11–13 m³/t, is a favorable exploration target. The accumulation evolution four stages: pure adsorption, free gas occurrence, excessive gas expulsion, and uplift adjustment. The proportion of free gas reached its peak during the maximum burial period in the Late Cretaceous. After the Paleogene uplift, hydrocarbon generation ceased, and the total gas content remained at 13.16 m³/t. The coupled research method of “experimental determination–model prediction–evolution simulation” established in this paper realizes cross-validation of CBM content through multiple methods, and can provide theoretical support for deep low-rank CBM accumulation research and resource evaluation. Full article

Microbial lipids produced by oleaginous yeasts are a sustainable alternative to conventional lipid sources because of their ability to generate nutritionally valuable fatty acids. This study evaluated the effects of carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio, modified through molasses concentration, and cultivation temperature (15 and 25 °C) on biomass production, lipid accumulation, fatty acid composition, and nutritional quality of lipids produced by the native yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa 6S. Biomass, lipids, sugar consumption, and growth kinetics were determined, while fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography and nutritional quality was assessed through lipid nutritional indices. Biomass production was mainly influenced by the C/N ratio, whereas temperature had the greatest effect on lipid accumulation and fatty acid composition. Cultivation at 25 °C enhanced lipid yield and productivity, while 15 °C promoted faster growth and higher accumulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), resulting in lipids with superior nutritional quality. The combination of 15 °C and a C/N ratio of 12 produced the most favorable lipid profile, with higher unsaturation, improved PUFA/SFA and MUFA/SFA ratios, balanced ω-6/ω-3 and LA/ALA ratios, low atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices, and a high hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio. These findings demonstrate the potential of molasses as a sustainable substrate for producing high-quality microbial lipids. Full article

Rice husk (RH) is a renewable siliceous lignocellulosic waste providing a unique, greener and less toxic alternative to conventional synthetic polymeric precursors in the production of carbon-based materials for biomedical applications. In this work we studied the porous structure of RH-lignin-based activated carbon produced in the form of honeycomb carbon monoliths and assessed their potential as hemoadsorbents for blood purification in the treatment of patients with serious medical conditions, such as kidney failure and sepsis. To determine their clinical suitability for such an application, the hemocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the monoliths were investigated using the standard ISO guidelines. The monoliths did not cause any changes in the cell viability or cell lysis. High micro/mesoporosity and surface chemistry of the initial monolith-C, N- and P-doped nanostructured carbon honeycomb monoliths were established by low-temperature nitrogen adsorption (LTNA) studies, mercury porosimetry data (MIP), SEM/EDS analysis and FT-IR spectroscopy. The micro-mesoporous, activated carbon-based filtration/adsorbent prototype devices, in the form of three-dimensional (3D) carbon matrix, functionalized with ion-exchange amino- and phosphate groups and encased in polyolefin heat shrink cable sleeve, have been developed with the capacity to remove protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs), such us PCS and IS, as well as inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) from human plasma in a flowing model system. The ammoxidized monolith-N, derived from the monolith-C, had the highest removal efficiency (40.05% for PCS, and 28.4% for IL-6). By contrast, phosphorylated monolith-P demonstrated the highest removal efficiency (54.62% for IS, and 54.4% for IL-8), whilst the monolith-C has the lowest removal efficiency for these adsorbates. These results do not correlate with the LTNA and MIP study results, suggesting that the interaction of surface chemical functional groups with the solutes play key roles in the adsorption mechanism. The ion-exchange mechanism of PBUTs and inflammatory cytokine chemisorption by the monoliths, modified with surface N- and P-containing functional groups, has been proposed. Full article

The study evaluated the potential of low-dose foliar melatonin (MT) treatments to alleviate chilling injury in cucumber plants, with a particular focus on mimicking sudden spring frosts in open-field cultivation. Cucumber seedlings were sprayed with MT solutions at 0.1, 1, and 10 mg L⁻¹ (0.4, 4, 40 µM respectively), then subjected to a controlled chilling regime (4 °C for 72 h). A set of biochemical and physiological parameters was assessed, including stem elongation, leaf area, tissue water content, photosynthetic pigment concentrations, malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation, antioxidant enzyme activities, and soluble carbohydrate profiles. In addition, the thermostable fraction of chlorophylls a and b was determined as an indicator of photosynthetic system integrity; this parameter substantially increased under MT treatment, particularly at 1 and 10 mg L⁻¹, despite an overall reduction in total pigment content. The results demonstrated that MT pretreatment, especially at 1 mg L⁻¹, significantly mitigated chilling-induced growth inhibition, preserved chloroplast integrity, and reduced membrane lipid peroxidation. Moreover, MT promoted the accumulation of osmo- and cryoprotective sugars, contributing to improved cellular homeostasis under low temperature. These key findings indicate that low-dose MT priming is a promising, nature-derived strategy to enhance the tolerance of cucumber to acute chilling events, supporting the development of sustainable and organic-friendly approaches for spring frost protection. Full article

The widespread deployment of low-carbon technologies in households is increasing the need to reduce peak electricity demand on distribution grids. Air-source heat pumps (ASHPs) are efficient heating units, but their performance declines at low ambient temperatures, increasing winter peak demand. In rural areas, limited grid capacity can constrain their use as a sole heating source, while biomass remains widely used for space heating and contributes to fine particulate matter (PM₁₀) emissions. Unfavourable winter conditions can further increase local pollutant concentrations. This study investigates the potential operating cost savings and PM₁₀ emission reductions when using a biomass-assisted hybrid heat pump (HHP) operating in bivalent mode, while also evaluating GHG emissions relative to a monovalent ASHP, providing a combined assessment not previously applied to biomass-assisted hybrid heat pumps. A validated simulation model was developed to determine the optimal switching temperature using hourly temperature data from 23 locations across Slovenia. The results were interpolated nationally and visualised using GIS tools. The findings indicate that annual cost savings can reach up to 10% and PM₁₀ emission reductions can reach up to 20 kg for a single-family building in colder, mountainous regions. Full article