Search Results (34,783)

A very important method of reducing carbon emissions is to make sure industrial plants are operated at optimal energy efficiency. The oil and petrochemical industries spend large amounts of energy in the transportation of petroleum and its various products that have high viscosities. A critical component in these plants is abrupt pipe contraction. Large amounts of energy are lost in pipe contractions. In this paper we investigate the energy losses in pipe contraction using the local entropy generation method after solving the detailed flow field around an abrupt pipe contraction. We have applied the method at various Reynolds numbers covering laminar and turbulent flow regimes. Furthermore, we have used an integral entropy analysis and found excellent agreement between the differential and integral entropy methods when the computational grid is well refined. The differential analysis was able to predict the local entropy generation and find where the large losses are located and therefore be able to minimize these losses effectively. Based on the detailed entropy generation field, it is recommended to use rounded contraction in order to reduce the losses. By introducing rounded contractions in laminar flow, the losses have been reduced by 22%. In the case of the turbulent flow regime, the losses were reduced by 96% by introducing a rounding radius to diameter ratio r/D₂ of 10%. The turbulent flow results for the case of pipe entrance, which is a special case of abrupt contraction (D₂/D₁ goes to zero) agree very well with the present results. This work addresses a large range of D₂/D₁ for laminar and turbulent flows. It is recommended that companies involved in designing petrochemical plants and installations take these findings into consideration to reduce carbon emissions. These recommendations also extend to the design of equipment and piping systems for the food industry and micro-device flows. Full article

Tuta absoluta (Meyrick), a new invasive pest in China, is a major threat to global tomato production. Trichogramma egg parasitoids are an effective approach to controlling this pest. In this study, we examined the potential of seven strains from four Trichogramma species, encompassing three native and commercially available representatives in China—namely, Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (strains TC-HN and TC-JL), T. dendrolimi Matsumura (TD-JL), and T. ostriniae Pang and Chen (TO-JL and TO-MY)—and one of South America origin—T. pretiosum Riley (TP-GS and TP-HN), a species commercially available for T. absoluta control but not evaluated in any previous studies in China. The host acceptance of the seven Trichogramma strains by T. absoluta was examined by placing parasitoid females with T. absoluta eggs on cardboard in tubes. The performance (life history traits and lifetable parameters) of four prospective strains, TC-HN, TC-JL, TO-JL, and TP-HN, was tested by using cardboard with T. absoluta eggs. The most promising strains, TC-HN, TC-JL, and TP-HN, were evaluated on a larger scale using cages in the laboratory to assess their parasitism capacity. The most promising strain, TC-JL (and TP-HN), was tested in field cages to assess its control efficiency under cropping conditions. The TC-JL and TC-HN strains of T. chilonis, the TO-JL strain of T. ostriniae, and the TP-HN strain of T. pretiosum showed greater host acceptance; the TP-HN strain of T. pretiosum showed a greater egg-card parasitism rate. Strain TC-JL outperformed other species/strains under laboratory conditions. In field cage tests, the larval population size and percentages of damaged plants and leaves in cages with TC-JL released were significantly reduced by 75.10%, 55.56%, and 64.69%, respectively, compared with those of the non-Trichogramma-release control. Our results indicate that the Asian native T. chilonis (particularly strain TC-JL), a dominant commercial biocontrol agent, should be included in IPM programs targeting T. absoluta in China. T. pretiosum (particularly strain TP-HN) could be a potential candidate for biocontrol of T. absoluta. Full article

Regenerative agricultural practices emphasize the use of diverse pasture species within sustainable agriculture production systems. The inclusion of a range of legume species in diverse pasture swards is likely to increase biological N fixation (BNF) across seasons, reducing the system’s reliance on synthetic N inputs. The present field study aims to quantify BNF in selected legume species within diverse pasture (combining 9 species) and standard pastures (ryegrass and clover combination) and assess their performance to identify the potential for improving N supply while maintaining year-round pasture quality. A year-round seasonal BNF was assessed by evaluating soil N status, nodulation patterns, plant composition, and conducting ¹⁵N natural abundance studies. The results revealed that the diverse pasture sward produced 5.4% more dry matter compared to the standard pasture, while soil mineral N (NO₃⁻, NH₄⁺) remained statistically similar between the two treatments. Nitrogen yield was 9.3% higher in the diverse pasture than in the standard pasture. ¹⁵N natural abundance analysis assessment revealed no substantial variation in BNF rates across treatments throughout the study. However, in contrast to standard pasture, the BNF rate in diverse pasture experienced a 3-fold increase from winter to summer, while the standard pasture exhibited a 1.5-fold increase. In both pasture systems, BNF increased with clover proportion up to 30%, indicating optimal fixation at moderate clover levels. The findings underscore the potential of diverse pastures when strategically managed to enhance seasonal BNF while sustaining pasture productivity. Full article

Grain filling is a vital factor influencing both rice grain yield and quality, yet its underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we perform a functional analysis of the grain-filling defective mutant pex1 in rice. pex1 plants produce seeds that are floury, thick-branched, and exhibit a significantly slower grain-filling rate compared to the wild type. Further analysis reveals that the pex1 mutants accumulated more starch in the pericarp but exhibited a defect in starch accumulation in the endosperm during grain filling, indicating an impaired transport of photosynthetic products from the pericarp to the endosperm. Cells within the nucellar projection in the pex1 mutant appear irregular and loose loosely arranged, consistent with defective transfer of assimilates. Expression analysis reveals a downregulation of key grain-filling genes during the filling phase in the pex1 mutant compared to the wild type, which correlates with the reduced grain-filling rate. Subcellular localization suggests that OsPEX1 is associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. Our findings demonstrate that OsPEX1 plays a crucial role in grain filling. Full article

The saline–alkali soil environment profoundly influences the diversity and composition of soil microbial communities, reshaping their ecological network structures. As a vital staple crop, rice (Oryza sativa L.) plays a crucial role in global food security, highlighting the urgent need to improve its cultivation efficiency in saline–alkali soils. However, the mechanisms by which rice roots recruit beneficial microorganisms from native soils under prolonged saline–alkali stress remain largely unclear, and limited research has been conducted on the effectiveness of microbial inoculants in enhancing rice salt tolerance. This study investigated microbial communities in a saline field subjected to over a decade of continuous rice cultivation. Plant growth-promoting microorganisms were isolated and screened from the rhizosphere. The findings revealed long-term salt stress significantly altered microbial diversity and community composition, although the overall microbial network structure remained resilient. A total of 21 plant growth-promoting strains were identified, indicating that rice roots under sustained salt stress selectively recruit beneficial microbes that contribute to plant growth and stress adaptation. Further experimental validation demonstrated that synthetic microbial communities outperformed individual strains in promoting rice seedling growth under high-salinity conditions, likely due to synergistic microbe and microbe–plant interactions. In conclusion, while saline–alkali conditions disrupt native microbial communities, rice exhibits adaptive capacity by selectively enriching growth-promoting microorganisms. The application of synthetic microbial consortia presents a promising strategy to enhance rice resilience and productivity in saline–alkali environments. Full article

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems (HRESs) can be an effective and sustainable way to provide electricity for remote and rural villages in Morocco; however, the design and optimization of such systems can be a challenging and difficult task. In this context, the objective of this research is to design and optimize different (HRESs) that incorporate various renewable energy technologies, namely Photovoltaics (PVs), wind turbines, and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), whereas biomass generators and batteries are used as a storage medium. Overall, 15 scenarios based on different HRES configurations were designed, simulated, and optimized by the HOMER software for the site of Ain Beni Mathar, located in eastern Morocco. Furthermore, the potential CO₂ emissions reduction from the different scenarios was estimated as well. The results show that the scenario including PVs and batteries is most cost-effective due to favorable climatic conditions and low costs. In fact, the most optimal HRES from a technical and economic standpoint is composed of a 48.8 kW PV plant, 213 batteries, a converter capacity of 43.8 kW, and an annual production of 117.5 MWh with only 8.8% excess energy, leading to an LCOE of 0.184 USD/kWh with a CO₂ emissions reduction of 81.7 tons per year, whereas scenarios with wind turbines, CSP, and biomass exhibit a higher LCOE in the range of 0.472–1.15 USD/kWh. This study’s findings confirm the technical and economic viability of HRESs to supply 100% of the electricity demand for rural Moroccan communities, through a proper HRES design. Full article

Caffeic acid (CA), a plant-derived phenolic compound, is emerging as a promising natural feed additive for sustainable aquaculture. Its growth-promoting, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial activities suggest utility as an alternative that diminishes antibiotic use in fish farming. Evidence across multiple species indicates improvements in innate immune responses, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and increased survival during pathogen challenge. Nevertheless, adoption remains limited by unresolved questions regarding optimal inclusion levels, species-specific physiological responses, interactions with other dietary components, and effects on the gut microbiota. This review synthesizes current research on CA, critically evaluates its functional roles in aquaculture, and assesses its relevance to sustainable production. Priorities for future work include elucidating mechanisms of action, conducting cross-species dose–response studies, standardizing dosing protocols, clarifying microbiome effects, and evaluating economic feasibility for large-scale use. Addressing these gaps will be essential to realize the full potential of CA as a functional feed additive in sustainable aquaculture systems. Full article

Adsorption is a common method for solving the contamination of methylene blue (MB) in dyeing wastewater. Aerogel adsorbents with high porosity and specific surface areas have attracted increasing attention. However, the high costs of raw materials for aerogel preparation restrict their large-scale production and application. Fly ash (FA), a by-product of coal-fired power plants, is rich in silica and aluminum elements and has the potential to prepare aerogel adsorbents. This study proposed a modified recycling route for FA to synthesize silica–alumina composite aerogel with high specific surface area. FA was pretreated by three steps of alkali fusion, water leaching and acid leaching to obtain a solution rich in silicon and aluminum elements, with a total leaching efficiency of 96.92% and 91.36% for silicon and aluminum, respectively, under optimized alkaline fusion conditions of FA:NaOH mass ratio of 1:1.2, calcination time of 2 h, and calcination temperature of 550 °C. Silica–alumina aerogel with a specific surface area of 661.3 m²/g was then synthesized from the leaching solution through a sol–gel method, exhibiting well-developed mesopores and achieving an adsorption capacity of 52.22 mg/g for MB. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms of MB adsorption by FA-derived silica–alumina composite aerogel was investigated. FTIR characterization confirmed that the adsorption of MB by FA-derived aerogel was mainly physical adsorption. This study provides a new approach for the resource utilization of FA, and the high-specific-surface-area FA-derived aerogel holds potential as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of dyes in wastewater. Full article

Huanglongbing (HLB), associated with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), has severely impacted global citrus production, with no economically viable control measures currently available. This study explored microwave treatment at 2450 MHz as an innovative physical method for HLB control, combining pathogen elimination efficacy with metabolomic analysis. In controlled experiments, 36 HLB-infected citrus plants were treated with 500 W or 250 W microwave irradiation and underwent 10 cycles, achieving up to 99.83% reduction CLas titer. Non-targeted metabolomic analysis identified 15 significantly altered metabolites, including upregulated beta-caryophyllene and lysophosphatidylinositols, and downregulated 5′-S-methyl-5′-thioadenosine. The results indicate that microwave treatment effectively suppressed CLas while simultaneously triggering citrus physiological metabolic changes. These findings suggest that microwave treatment could serve as a sustainable alternative to chemical controls. However, further optimization of parameters, such as wavelengths, voltages, currents, and safety protocols, will be essential for practical field implementation. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a major co-occurring, highly toxic heavy metal in uranium (U) tailings that poses synergistic risks to ecological and human health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Cd on U accumulation and phytotoxicity in plants using radish (Raphanus sativus L.) as a model organism under hydroponic conditions. Treatments included U alone (25 μM and 50 μM), low-concentration Cd alone (10 μM), and U + Cd co-treatments (U25 + Cd and U50 + Cd). Results revealed that exposure exerted minimal phytotoxicity, whereas U treatment induced severe root toxicity, characterized by cell death and an 11.9–63.8% reduction in root biomass compared to the control. Notably, U + Cd co-treatment exacerbated root cell death and biomass loss relative to U alone. Physiologically, elevated U concentrations significantly increased superoxide anion radical (O₂⁻) production rate, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content, and malondialdehyde (MDA)—a marker of oxidative damage—inducing cellular oxidative stress. Under U + Cd co-treatment, O₂⁻ production, H₂O₂ content, and MDA levels in radish roots were all significantly higher than under U alone. Concurrently, activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and peroxidase [POD]) were lower in U + Cd-treated roots than in U-treated roots, further exacerbating oxidative damage. Regarding heavy metal accumulation, the content of U in radish under U + Cd treatment was significantly higher than that in the U treatment group. However, no significant differences were observed in the expression of uranium (U)-related transport genes (MCA1, MCA3, and ANN1) between the single U treatment and the U-Cd co-treatment. Notably, the inhibitory effect of NRAMP3—a gene associated with Cd transport—was weakened under the coexistence of U, indicating that U exacerbates toxicity by promoting Cd transport. This study shows that Cd appears to enhance the accumulation of U in radish roots and exacerbate the phytotoxicity of U. Full article

The tung tree, a crucial woody oil plant, serves as a premium raw material for eco-friendly coating production, yet its short lifespan (typically under 20 years) and lack of asexual reproduction have led to resource losses. This study surveyed wild tung trees in the Hunan–Guizhou region, focusing on older and high-fruit-yielding specimens. After two years of investigation, selected individuals were conserved in the Wugang Tung Tree Germplasm Resource Bank to provide high-quality materials for breeding superior varieties. Comparative analysis of fruit yield and commercial traits from 60 wild trees identified 12 superior individuals for secondary selection, with notable trait variations observed. Using the entropy weight-TOPSIS method, superior individual FT01 exhibited the highest relative closeness (C = 0.6836), indicating optimal overall traits, while FT01, XY12, JX01, WG25, and WG31 (all with C > 0.50) demonstrated good overall performance. Genetic diversity analysis of these 12 individuals, employing 14 SSR primers, revealed 33 alleles (average 2.2142 per primer), Shannon’s information index values ranging from 0.1973 to 0.9723 (average 0.5325), and polymorphism information content between 0.1486 and 0.5833 (average 0.3981), indicating high genetic diversity. UPGMA clustering divided the superior trees into five groups, with FT01, WG25, JX01, and XY12 in separate groups, all exhibiting high yield and large fruit size, consistent with TOPSIS results. Consequently, FT01, XY12, JX01, WG25, and WG31, with the highest comprehensive evaluation scores and richest genetic diversity, are prioritized as candidate materials for new variety selection and breeding. Full article

Plant-based beverages are a viable alternative for elderly consumers because of their practicality and sustainable appeal. The use of Brazil nuts for these beverages is relevant because of the added value given to the country’s agrobiodiversity and the nuts’ nutritional quality, including their high selenium content. This study aimed for the understanding and acceptance by elderly people of a vegetable beverage made from Brazil nuts and fruit. The investigation was divided into two parts: (1) development and sensory analysis of Brazil nut beverages, and (2) consumers’ perception, choice, and influencing factors for these beverages. In the first stage, four beverages were formulated with different fruit pulps. A total of 100 elderly individuals (>60 years; 69% female) evaluated the sensory acceptance and purchase intention of the beverages. In the second stage, an online questionnaire was applied to 220 elderly individuals (>60 years-old; 52.7% female), which consisted of a choice test of nut beverage packages, a food neophobia scale, and questions about vegetable beverage consumption. The study showed that the selenium claim was one of the most relevant factors in the choice, demonstrating that using Brazil nuts can boost beverage purchases. Further tests are still needed to improve the attributes, such as sweet taste and appearance. Despite this, the blend of Brazil nuts with fruits positively influenced the choice and acceptance of these products by elderly individuals. Full article

Optimal application of nitrogen fertilizer is critical for soil characteristics and soil health. This study examined the effects of three rates of nitrogen fertilizer applications, which are lower rate (Treatment 1 (T1)-241 kg/ha), recommended rate (Treatment 2 (T2)-269 kg/ha), and higher rate (Treatment 3 (T3)-297 kg/ha), and their impacts on soil temperature, soil moisture and soil electrical conductivity at two different depths (0–30 cm and 30–60 cm) in maize cultivation at the Prairie View A & M university research farm in Texas. Soil moisture, soil temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC) sensors were installed in 27 plots to collect these data. Results showed that EC is lower at surface depth with all fertilizer application rates than at root zone soil depths. In the meantime, EC is increasing in the root zone soil depth with the increase in fertilizer rate. This study indicated that the moderate application (269 kg/ha, T2) which is also recommended rate, showed better soil health parameters and efficiency in comparison to other application rates maintaining stable and moderate electrical conductivity values (0.2 mS/cm at depth 2) and the highest median moisture content at the significant root zone depth (about 0.135 m³/m³), reducing nutrient leaching and salt accumulation. Also, a humid, warm climate in southern Texas specifically affects increasing nitrogen losses via leaching, denitrification, and volatilization compared to cooler regions, which requires higher application rates. Plant growth and yield results further confirmed that the recommended rate achieved the greatest plant height (157.48 cm) compared to T1 (153.07 cm). Ear diameters were also higher at the recommended rate, reaching 4.65 cm ears than in Treatment 3. However, grain productivity was highest under the lower fertilizer rate T1, with wet and dry yields of 11,567 kg/ha and 5959 kg/ha, respectively, compared to 10,033 kg/ha (wet) and 5047 kg/ha (dry) at T2, and 7446 kg/ha (wet) and 4304 kg/ha (dry) at T3. These findings suggest that while the moderate fertilizer rate (269 kg/ha) enhances soil health and crop growth consistency, the lower rate (241 kg/ha) can maximize productivity under the humid, warm conditions of southern Texas. This research highlights the need for precise nitrogen management strategies that balance soil health with crop yield. Full article

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for plants, playing a crucial role in various physiological and molecular processes. Excess Cu induces oxidative stress and disrupts cellular functions, while Cu deficiency causes chlorosis and poor pollen development, thereby reducing crop yields. However, the molecular and evolutionary mechanisms of Cu tolerance and homeostasis remain unclear in the plant kingdom. In this review, we discuss the uptake, transport, and detoxification of Cu through high-affinity Cu transporters (COPTs). Additionally, we update recent studies on maintaining Cu balance by mediating the root exudation of organic acids (e.g., citrate and proline), xylem/phloem loading, cell wall binding, vacuolar sequestration, redistribution, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (e.g., SOD, CAT, and APX). Furthermore, tissue-specific expression analyses reveal that COPT genes exhibit distinct spatial regulation in the roots and leaves, which are the primary sites of Cu transport and detoxification. Overall, our review highlights the critical roles of COPT gene families and detoxification pathways in maintaining Cu homeostasis in plants. Future research should focus on genetic engineering approaches to enhance Cu tolerance, optimize Cu distribution in grains, and mitigate soil contamination risks. By clarifying these mechanisms, we can develop strategies to sustain crop production under increasing Cu stress, thereby ensuring food security and human health. Full article

Published cosmogenic ¹⁰Be exposure ages from the terminal moraine of the Laurentide Ice Sheet (LIS) in northeastern North America have been interpreted to date the start of the retreat of the LIS at the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) about 25 thousand years ago (ka). In contrast, published ¹⁴C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dates for terrestrial plant macrofossils in LIS basal deglacial clay deposits range back to only ~16 calibrated (cal) ka, more consistent with the timing of glacio-eustatic rise and associated meltwater discharge to the North Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico associated with LGM deglaciation. We apply statistical models of geomagnetic secular variation, including dipole moment, to the latitudinal scaling of cosmic ray flux to see how well the age discrepancy can be addressed. A preferred new scaling, which is essentially time-invariant over the relevant LGM age range, shifts the exposure ages only a few thousand years younger. The age discrepancy may thus stem more from potential local biases toward higher ¹⁰Be concentrations (older apparent ages) at the terminal moraine sites, such as much higher ¹⁰Be production rates at the LIS front, and especially from inheritance. Such biases can be tested by obtaining primary ¹⁰Be calibration sites in the LGM time frame, and by more comprehensive sampling strategies for glaciated terrain to discern inheritance. Full article