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ZnO nanorods (NRs) were synthesized hydrothermally on a pre‐seeded graphene/nickel foam (NF) substrate. The effects of concentration on the photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell performance and hydrothermal reaction were studied. The field emission scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the precursor concentrations influenced the shape of the ZnO NRs on graphene/NF (ZGN). The X‐ray diffraction pattern for hexagonal wurtzite demonstrated strong orientation along the (002) direction. Notably, compared with the other concentrations, 0.04 M ZGN exhibited the highest photocurrent density, which was attributed to the optimal diameter and length of the rods for efficient light absorption. This research showed enhanced PEC performance, compared with existing literature, emphasizing the exceptional quality of the produced ZGN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rubber seeds, due to their rich vegetable oil content, emerge as a promising substrate for biofuel production. Harnessing the progressive catalytic hydrocracking methodology, this research delves into the activation of Sarulla‐derived natural zeolite followed by Ni and Ni–Mo metal impregnation, subsequently subjecting rubber seed oil to hydrocracking at 400, 450, and 500 °C under atmospheric pressure at 0.1 MPa. Zeolite characteristics undergo notable transformations postmetal impregnation. Importantly, at 500 °C, gasoline fraction selectivity exhibits superior efficacy, with the Ni/SNZ‐A catalyst demonstrating consistently high selectivity (>85%) across varied temperatures. Posthydrocracking reveals an amplification in n‐paraffin, aromatic, olefin, and methyl ester profiles to 19.6%, 7.3%, 25.7%, and 17.7%, respectively, contrasting the diminution of cycloparaffin, carboxylic acid, and ketones to 3.6%, 0.2%, and 2.5%, respectively. The aforementioned discoveries hold significant importance in the realm of further investigation into the generation of gasoline fractions through the utilization of natural zeolite catalysts and the incorporation of metals with lower mass, all conducted under atmospheric pressure conditions with the ultimate objective of mitigating production expenses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world population grows, the aquaculture sector faces challenges in the use of production systems to ensure the adequacy of the food supply. Technical efficiency analysis has been shown to be useful for improving resource management and production. This study provides a literature update and uses meta‐regression analysis to examine the variations in aquaculture mean technical efficiency (MTE) scores based on 101 studies published from 1998 to 2023. The findings show that studies with larger model dimensions, different output measures, an input‐oriented model specification and that analyse the exogenous variables of efficiency scores, freshwater aquaculture, and European data produce a narrower variance in MTE scores. In contrast, studies that use panel data and nonparametric data envelopment analysis (DEA) generate wider variance in MTE scores. As a result of these investigations, the findings suggest the importance of selecting appropriate variables and sample sizes for efficiency estimates. Robustness checks of efficiency scores from the DEA and stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) approaches are recommended for future studies. Different policies and regulations should be implemented in different countries and across different farming systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In solid–solid composite formation by dispersal of insulating filler in an ionic matrix results in ionic conductivity enhancement which has been discussed in details in this paper. Present system deals ammonium oxalate ((NH4)2C2O4·1H2O) dispersed with insulating filler (Al2O3). Electrical, structural, and thermal studies viz. conductivity measurement, ion transport, ionic transference number, infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry are presented in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Hydrogen (H2) generation through photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is a promising approach to reducing energy crises and associated environmental problems. Among currently available semiconductors, 2D nanostructured metal oxides have attracted wide interest in PEC applications because of their low‐cost synthesis routes, stability in aqueous media, unique configuration and features, and favorable band edge positions. However, metal oxides still suffer from the severe recombination of photogenerated charge carriers and the low consumption of visible light. One solution is to introduce co‐catalysts to enhance photocatalytic H2 generation by improving charge separation and transfer, extending light absorption, and lowering the activation energy. This review summarizes the fundamentals and recent developments of co‐catalysts on metal oxides which can be classified into the following categories: metal co‐catalysts, metal sulfide co‐catalysts, metal hydroxide co‐catalysts, metal phosphide co‐catalysts, carbon‐based co‐catalysts, and dual co‐catalysts. Charge transfer mechanisms of co‐catalysts on metal oxides in photocatalytic H2 generation and present future trends for co‐catalysts and strategies in enhancing PEC water splitting are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this current study, the behavior of dysprosium oxide (Dy2O3) doped willemite glass‐ceramic (WGC) derived from ZnO‐B2O3‐RHA: Dy2O3 glasses and rice‐husk ash (RHA) works as the active alternative silica has been studied. The fusions of the ternary host system of oxide components doped with rare earth oxide go through the melt‐quench technique followed by solid‐state sintering on the compacted glass frits. The sintered green samples are characterized utilizing the physical, structural, and optical properties to investigate the effect of different sintering temperatures on the samples accordingly. The bulk density of WGC increases together with the increment of sintering temperature from 2.571 to 2.940 g cm–3. Meanwhile, the increment of sintering temperature escalates the crystallization of the main crystalline phase, Zn2SiO4, corroborated by the enlargement of average crystallite size from 161 to 550 nm. Furthermore, the emission activity in the WGC also intensifies on the green emission region (524 nm) accordingly. This fabricated Dy3+:WGC contributes to the nomination as the potential solid‐state lighting material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of the tin‐silver‐copper‐nickel/electroless nickel immersion silver (SACN/ENImAg) at the 230 °C during multiple reflows was investigated. The characterization analysis of the samples was conducted using scanning electron microscopy and assisted by a dispersive x‐ray analysis. A layer of continuous (Cu, Ni)6Sn5 and discontinuous (Ni, Cu)3Sn4 intermetallic were formed at the interface after up to the third reflow, while Ag3Sn nano‐sized was formed on the intermetallic surface. The total thickness of the intermetallic layer increased as the reflow increased. The findings also revealed that the intermetallic thickness became thicker with the mass percentage of nickel increased. Hence, the intermetallic growth was controlled mainly by reflow times and nickel content in solders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of intermetallic compound layer between Sn‐4.0 Ag‐0.5Cu solder bump and electroless nickel/immersion silver (ENImAg) surface finish under different cooling rate during multiple reflow condition was investigated. The results show that the interfacial (Cu, Ni)6Sn5 intermetallic compound were formed at the early stage after the first reflow process. After multiple reflow processes, both (Cu, Ni)6Sn5 and (Ni, Cu)3Sn4 appeared as needle‐shaped at interface due to the amount of copper concentration into a solder balls. The spalling intermetallic compound of (Cu, Ni)6Sn5 was spotted in the solder which was caused by the formation of needle‐shaped from the gaps of (Cu, Ni)6Sn5. The intermetallic compound thickness and grain sizes became thicker and coarser with increasing reflow time, respectively. The results also perceived that the cooling rate condition can influence the growth of intermetallic compound formation. Faster cooling rate produced thinner intermetallic layer as well as smaller grain sizes compared to slow cooling rate. Hence, the cooling rate is a necessary parameter in the solder reflow process because it has an impact on the microstructure of morphology and intermetallic growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) are emerging as a promising source for bone regeneration in the treatment of bone defects. Previous studies have reported the ability of WJ-MSCs to be induced into the osteogenic lineage. The purpose of this review was to systematically assess the potential of WJ-MSC differentiation into the osteogenic lineage. A comprehensive search was conducted in Medline via Ebscohost and Scopus, where relevant studies published between 1961 and 2018 were selected. The main inclusion criteria were that articles must be primary studies published in English evaluating osteogenic induction of WJ-MSCs. The literature search identified 92 related articles, but only 18 articles met the inclusion criteria. These include two animal studies, three articles containing both in vitro and in vivo assessments, and 13 articles on in vitro studies, all of which are discussed in this review. There were two types of osteogenic induction used in these studies, either chemical or physical. The studies demonstrate that WJ-MSCs are able to differentiate into osteogenic lineage and promote osteogenesis. In light of these observations, it is suggested that WJ-MSCs can be a potential source of stem cells for osteogenic induction, as an alternative to bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]