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Recycled manure solids (RMS) are dried cow dung processed using a manure dewatering machine and subsequently sun-dried to ~ 20% moisture. Benefits of RMS include abundant availability, low cost, and eco-friendliness, but its use as bedding material for cows is hindered by a moisture content that promotes microbial growth. This in vitro study evaluated impacts of calcium hydroxide (CH; 5 and 7.5%) and sodium hydrosulphate (SHS; 6 and 8%), independently and in combinations, at various depths of RMS, on physicochemical and microbial properties. The CH-treated groups had increased pH and reduced moisture on Day 0. Incorporating 7.5% CH + 6% SHS at 15–20 cm, and 7.5% CH + 8% SHS at all depths, effectively suppressed Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. Furthermore, a combination of 7.5% CH + 8% SHS at 20 cm inhibited coliform growth, whereas 7.5% CH with 6% SHS inhibited Streptococcus spp. In conclusion, a combination of 7.5% CH with either 6 or 8% SHS at a depth of 15 cm in RMS was particularly effective in controlling environmental mastitis-causing pathogens, specifically E. coli and Klebsiella spp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of strontium (Sr) additions on the corrosion resistance of an LM6 (A413) aluminium alloy. By incorporating varying concentrations of Sr (0.01 wt.% and 0.05 wt.%), the morphological and corrosion behaviours of the alloy were analysed under different corrosive environments, including sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide, and sodium chloride solutions. The results demonstrate that Sr modifications significantly enhance the alloy's corrosion resistance, with the most substantial improvement observed at 0.05 wt.% Sr. The analysis revealed that the weight loss of the alloy in sulphuric acid decreased by 2.5% with 0.05 wt.% Sr after 10 days of immersion, due to the formation of a stable passive oxide layer. In sodium hydroxide, however, the weight loss was reduced by 5% with 0.05 wt.% Sr after 10 days, indicating aggressive uniform corrosion. In the 3.5% sodium chloride solution, the corrosion rates remain relatively low, and the 0.05 wt.% Sr alloy showed a decrease in corrosion product formation over time, suggesting enhanced resistance. Detailed surface analyses, including 3D profiling and morphology assessments, revealed that Sr additions refine the eutectic silicon phase, transforming it from a coarse to a more desirable fibrous or lamellar structure, thus improving the alloy's overall performance. The innovative findings underscore the potential of Sr as an effective microstructural modifier for enhancing the durability and longevity of Al-Si alloys in corrosive environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali activated materials (AAMs) offer significant advantages over traditional materials like Portland cement, but require the use of strong alkaline solutions, which can have negative environmental impacts. This study investigates the synthesis of AAMs using metakaolin and wollastonite, aiming to reduce environmental impact by eliminating sodium silicate and using only sodium hydroxide as an activator. The hypothesis is that wollastonite can provide the necessary silicon for the reaction, with calcium from wollastonite potentially balancing the negative charges usually countered by sodium in the alkaline solution. This study compares raw and carbonated wollastonite (AAM-W and AAM-CW) systems, with raw materials carefully characterized and binding networks analyzed using TGA, FT-IR, and XRD. The results show that while wollastonite can reduce the amount of sodium hydroxide needed, this reduction cannot exceed 50%, as higher substitution levels lead to an insufficiently alkaline environment for the reactions. The carbonation of wollastonite enhances the availability of silicon and calcium, promoting the formation of both N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) is increasingly drawing attention as a highly selective etchant for femtosecond laser-modified fused silica. Unprecedented etching contrasts between the irradiated and pristine areas have enabled the fabrication of hollow, high-aspect-ratio structures in the bulk of the material, overcoming the micrometer threshold as the minimum feature size. In this work, we systematically study the effect of NaOH solutions under different etching conditions (etchant concentration, temperature, and etching time) on the tracks created by tightly focused femtosecond laser pulses to assess the best practices for the fabrication of hollow nanostructures in bulk fused silica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyester especially polyethylene terephthalate PET is widely used in the textile and apparel industries due to its excellent thermal mechanical and chemical stability. However with increasing consumption the environmental impact of waste polyester fibers has become increasingly pronounced. The problem in biodegrading PET poses technical challenges for the recycling and reuse of waste polyester particularly in terms of efficient depolymerization and the recovery of valuable chemical monomers. Traditional methods for dealing with waste polyester are plagued by low efficiency high costs cumbersome processes and significant environmental pollution. Therefore developing efficient economical and energy-conserving recycling technology for waste polyester is significant for alleviating environmental pressure and achieving resource recycling. This study aims to explore a novel water-solvent thermal technology for the efficient depolymerization of waste polyester and the recovery of terephthalic acid TPA providing a new approach for the highvalue recycling of waste polyester. To efficiently depolymerize waste polyester and recover TPA this study employed water-solvent thermal technology. Waste polyester pellets were treated with an alkaline water-methanol solution under high temperature and pressure followed by the precipitation of TPA using sulfuric acid. The process conditions for the depolymerization of polyester in the alkaline water-methanol solution were optimized. Various analytical techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FTIR nuclear magnetic resonance NMR spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography HPLC were used to characterize the chemical properties and purity of the obtained TPA. Additionally the VeriVide DigiEye Roachelab system was used to evaluate the color characteristics of the product. The use of hydro-solvent thermal technology in this study achieved efficient depolymerization of waste polyester and the use of sulfuric acid facilitated the efficient precipitation of TPA. The systematic optimization of depolymerization process parameters provided a basis for further improving the recovery rate and reducing costs. The experimental results showed that when waste polyester granules were treated in a mixture containing 50 g / L of sodium hydroxide and 100 mL/ L methanol at 160 ℃ for 2. 5 hours with a bath ratio of 1︰20 the recovery rate of TPA was calculated to be 94. 9% . The chemical properties of the separated product as indicated by FTIR NMR and HPLC analysis were highly consistent with the TPA standard showing a purity of 90. 53% . However the color difference between commercial TPA and the obtained TPA was 16. 02 according to the VeriVide DigiEye Roachelab system indicating the presence of a small amount of light yellow impurities. This study has significant value in practical application and environmental protection. The optimization of depolymerization conditions provides key reference information for the industrial-scale recycling of waste polyester which can help improve production efficiency and effectively reduce economic costs. Moreover this study proposes a new method for the efficient recovery of TPA from waste polyester which not only reduces the potential environmental impact of waste polyester fibers but also promotes the further development of the circular economy. However there are some limitations in the research process that point the way for future work. For example the TPA product obtained in the experiment shows a significant color difference compared to the standard one indicating that the product contains a certain amount of impurities. This necessitates the exploration of more effective purification technologies in future research to improve the purity and quality of the product. Additionally during the experimental process ethylene glycol EG was observed in the hydrolysate but due to its low content it is difficult to achieve effective separation. This issue also needs to be resolved in future research to fully recover and utilize all valuable components in waste polyester. In summary although this study has made positive progress in the depolymerization of waste polyester and the recovery of TPA further research and improvement are still needed to overcome current challenges and achieve a more efficient and environmentally friendly recycling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile fiber market is dominated by synthetic fibers and costly natural fibers. The dual perspective with regard to finding substitutes for costly natural fibers and disadvantages due to environmental burden cum health problems by synthetic fibers need to be addressed as both entail sustainable improvement of the textile industry. The potential route for tackling such problems is utilizing unlimited plant resources in developing countries like Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to extract, characterize, and chemically treated Xanthium oriental bast fiber extracted from the plant using the conventional water retting method. In the invitation, the experimental design was based on central composite design method, and treatment parameters were selected, specifically NaOH concentration, and treatment temperature. Analysis of variance was used to analyze the significance of the results. The chemical composition analysis revealed 72% cellulose, 18% hemicellulose, and 10% lignin. Xanthium oriental fiber has a diameter of 26.85 µm, a fineness of 1.76tex, and a length of 110–145 cm with reduced values for fiber treated at different alkali concentrations. The moisture content of the extracted fiber was 12.74%. The raw fiber sample showed lower crimp (1.04%) as compared with those treated at different caustic soda concentrations. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to analyze the changes in surface, weight loss, and composition of Xanthium oriental bast fiber treated with alkali under optimum conditions compared with untreated to obtain a deeper insight into the influential mechanisms of alkali treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical activation of geopolymer concrete is critical for improving its performance. The purpose of this research is to improve the chemical activation of self-compacted fly ash-based geopolymer concrete exposed to chlorides using magnetized water. A multicompound activator containing sodium hydroxide (SH) and sodium silicate (SS) was used to activate fly ash. Various SS/SH ratios (1.0–3.0), various molarities of SH (8–16 M), and MW of 1.2 tesla were considered. Slump flow, L-box, v-funnel, compressive strength, chloride profile, and X-ray diffraction approaches were performed. The results confirmed that the optimal concentration of SH increased from 14 M in nonmagnetized concrete to 16 M in magnetized concrete, indicating that MW has a positive impact on the chemical activation and consequently the geopolymerization reaction. Concrete workability decreased as the SH concentration and SS/SH ratio increased. Using an SS/SH ratio of 3.0 results in superior mechanical behavior and increased chloride penetration resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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In this work, blends of monomer‐cast polyamide 6 (MCPA6) and polyurethane (TPU) were prepared by in situ anionic ring‐opening polymerization using caprolactam as the monomer and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as the initiator. TPU degraded under weakly alkaline conditions to form an isocyanate group, which acted as a macromolecule activator to initiate the growth of the MCPA6 chain, and the formation of TPU‐co‐MCPA6 copolymer in this system, which improves the compatibility between MCPA6 and TPU. The MCPA6/TPU blends were tested for conversion, viscosity, and mechanical properties, and their structures and thermal properties were analyzed and evaluated by characterization techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In view of the recovery and utilization of vanadium from vanadium extraction tailings, the alkaline pressure leaching technology was proposed to realize the leaching and extraction of vanadium from vanadium extraction tailings. The raw material was analyzed and the effects of temperature, sodium hydroxide concentration, reaction time, liquid-solid ratio and stirring speed on the leaching rate of vanadium, chromium and silicon in the tailings were investigated. The results indicate that the leaching rate of vanadium can be controlled at 50% when the temperature is 120 °C, the dosage of sodium hydroxide is 10%, the liquid-solid ratio is 4-6 mL/g, the time is one hour, and the stirring speed is 400 r/min. At the same time, the leaching of chromium and silicon is reduced as much as possible. The purification degree of the solution is maintained, and good solution conditions are provided for the subsequent extraction of vanadium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To monitor radioactivity and its emissions in retired nuclear facilities, this study established an analytical method for 63 Ni and 55 Fe in mixed soil samples from a decommissioning reactor. After ashing at 400 °C for 4 hours, the sample was dissolved in a mixture of concentrated hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, and hydrofluoric acid, and then heated to dryness and dissolved in 9 mol/L hydrochloric acid. Subsequently, 63Ni and 63Fe were separated and purified using sodium hydroxide precipitation, anon exchange chromatography, and nickel specific rein extraction, and then measured by the liquid scintillation method. The results showed that the final stable recovery rates of Ni and Fe were 98.8% and 95.8%, respectively. The minimum detection limit and minimum detectable activity for 63Ni and 55Fe were 208 (counting) and 0.041 Bq,208 (counting) and 0.144 Bq, respectively. The actual activity concentrations of 63Ni and 55Fe in the samples were 76.9 Bq/g and 30.4 Bq/g, respectively. The recovery simulation experiment was conducted using standard soil substances, achieving a recovery of over 95%. Experiments were conducted on the separation of Ni and Fe from various elements using alkali precipitation and anon exchange chromatography, respectively. Among them, the sodium hydroxide precipitation method effectively coprecipitated Ni and Fe, and removed most of Re,Sr, and all Cs at pH value between 8.7 and 11.1. The decontamination factors for Co,Fe, and Zn in the nickel fraction of anion exchange chromatography were all above 660, wide the decontamination factors for Co,Eu,Mn,Ni, Sr,Zn, and Zr in the iron fraction were all above 2 000. This work also investigated the purification effects of DMG precipitation method and nickel specific resin method on Ni, respectively. The recovery of Ni by DMG precipitation method was 87.14%, and the recovery of Ni by nickel resin method was close to 100% when the nickel interference element ratio was above 10:1. Moreover, the purification effect of interference elements such as Ba, Eu, Fe, Mn, and Sr was the best. Therefore, before using nickel resin, other methods such as alkali precipitation and ion exchange resin should be used for preliminary separation. This method is simple to operate and has a high recovery, which can meet the needs of monitoring 63Ni and 55Fe in retired nuclear facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alginate fibers made from seaweed have some desirable properties as textile materials, but they also have two shortcomings that limit their usages: they are intolerant to salt, alkali, and detergent, and they are difficult to dye due to the electrostatic repulsion with anionic dyes. To solve the two problems in this project, a process of successive modification of alginate fibers using sodium pyrophosphate, alum, and sodium hydroxide was developed. SEM images and ion content of the modified alginate fibers showed that the fibers did not dissolve in high concentrations of sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide, or standard detergent solution and still maintained their original morphology. Also, the results of FTIR, XPS, XRD, and single-fiber strength tests indicated that the modification process enabled the alginate fibers to form a new tetrahydroxy cross-linking structure and thus improved their mechanical properties. The tetrahydroxy cross-linking structure prevented the dissolution of alginate fibers by blocking the exchange of ions between the fibers and the solution. Besides, the presence of Al3+ in the tetrahydroxy cross-linking structure modified the electrostatic repulsion between the alginate fiber and the anionic dye, resulting in high dyeing and dye fixation rates. Thus, the modified alginate fiber can be dyed directly with common dyes without dissolution, solving the above-mentioned two problems. This can enormously expand the potential usages of alginate fibers and therefore has significant academic and practical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tailing storage facilities are very complex structures whose failure generally leads to catastrophic consequences in terms of casualties, serious environmental impacts on local biodiversity, and disruptions in the mineral supply. For this reason, structures at risk must be reinforced or decommissioned. One possible option is its reinforcement with compacted filtered tailings stabilized with binders. Alkali-activated binders provide a more sustainable solution than ordinary Portland cement but require an optimization of the tailing–binder mixture, which, in some cases, can lead to a substantial experimental effort. Statistical models have been used to reduce the number of those experiments, but a rational design methodology is still lacking. This methodology to define the right mixture for a required strength should consider both the mixture components and in situ conditions. In this paper, response surface methods were used to plan and interpret unconfined compression strength test results on an iron tailing stabilized with alkali-activated binders. It was concluded that the fly ash content was the most important parameter, followed by the liquid content and sodium hydroxide concentration. From the obtained results, several statistical models were defined and compared according to the definition of a strength prediction model based on a mixture index parameter. It was interesting to observe that models with the porosity cement index still provide reasonable adjustment even when different tailings' water contents are considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving highly selective, highly responsive detection of formaldehyde gas at ppb level at room temperature is highly challenging for air monitoring and life health observation. Therefore, in this paper, low-cost, easy-to-fabricate, highly responsive as well as highly selective Zn 2 SnO 4 /SnO 2 (ZTO/SnO 2) metal-oxide semiconductor gas sensors have been successfully prepared by using one-pot hydrothermal method. The results showed that the synergistic effect of the n-n heterojunction formed between ZTO/SnO 2 prepared by this method led to a substantial increase in the sensitivity to the target gases, and ZTO/SnO 2 -3 a higher response (291) to 100 ppm formaldehyde compared to the response values of pure samples of Zn 2 SnO 4 (20.4) and pure SnO 2 (6.99) at room temperature. In addition, the response value for formaldehyde reached about 16.5–295 times higher than that for other common hazardous gases (100 ppm) in our lives. The ZTO/SnO 2 -3 sample with 1 mol/L NaOH was homogeneous and small, exposing as much surface as possible, and the theoretical minimum detection limit was calculated to be 50 ppb. Therefore, the large specific surface area and active adsorption/interaction sites are favorable for gas sensing. This work provides an excellent way to prepare gas-sensitive characteristic sensors using NaOH to improve the surface structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large amount of pyrite concentrate slag washing solution is produced in China every year, and this contains valuable components such as Cu2+ and Au. The traditional treatment method not only pollutes the environment but also wastes metal resources. For the washing solution containing Cu2+ 437 mg/L and Au 0.13 mg/L, two new processes comprehensive recovery schemes were developed and compared in this paper, namely iron powder replacement pore filtration and neutralization precipitation pore filtration. When the iron powder replacement pore filtration process was adopted, Cu2+ and Au were mainly comprehensively recovered in the form of a mixture of sponge copper and particulate gold. The test results showed that the replacement optimal conditions involved a pH of 3.0, iron powder dosage of 6 g/L, and replacement time of 3.0 h. After replacement, the filter cloth with below 1 μm pore size was used for filtration. The recovery rate of Cu2+ in the washing solution was 98.13 and the total recovery rate of Au was 95.83%. Otherwise, when the neutralization precipitation pore filtration process was adopted, Cu2+ and Au were mainly comprehensively recovered in the form of a mixture of copper hydroxide and particulate gold. The test results showed that sodium hydroxide was used as the precipitant and the optimum neutralization pH value was 6.5. After precipitation, the filter cloth with a below 1 μm pore size was used for filtration. The recovery rate of Cu2+ in the washing solution was 97.35% and the total recovery rate of Au was 93.54%. The economic benefit estimation of the two processes showed that the neutralization precipitation pore filtration process had the advantages of low material consumption, low cost and high economic benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the contradiction between reducing water-insoluble content and maintaining high viscosity in the preparation of modified guar gum for oilfield fracturing fluid, in this work, sodium 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropylsulfonate was used as a modifier to prepare sulfonated guar gum. Orthogonal and single-factor extrapolation experiments were conducted to explore the effects of reaction conditions and the optimal process was determined as follows: reaction temperature of 26 oC, reaction time of 2.0 h, sodium hydroxide as a mass fraction of guar gum of 1.0%, and sodium 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonate dosage as a mass fraction of guar gum of 0.5%. Furtherly, the temperature stability, filtration property, and inhibition of formation clay of the sulfonated products were investigated. The results showed that the apparent viscosity of 0.6% solution of guar gum was increased by 33%, the water-insoluble content was decreased by 0.42%, and the temperature stability, filtration resistance, and clay inhibition were all improved. Especially, the viscosity of cross-linked sulfonated guar gum is 100% higher than that of unmodified guar gum. The structure of sulfonated guar gum was characterized and confirmed by infrared spectrum, DSC, thermogravimetric, and elemental analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the possibilities for improving the characteristics of water-coal fuel suspensions (WCFS) based on high-ash coals from Uzbekistan. Investigations indicate that the incorporation of stabilizing and plasticizing additives, such as sodium and calcium hydroxides, can result in notable enhancements in both rheological characteristics and calorific value of WCFS. These results are important for optimizing production and increasing the technological suitability of WCFS based on high-ash coals from Uzbekistan, which allows them to be used as highly effective fuels. This investigation is a significant advancement towards the progress and enhancement of fuel blends and can be valuable for engineers and manufacturers who are engaged in the manufacturing process of WCFS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper was aimed to study the mechanical properties of Istle fibre composites. The process of fabrication was done by hand layup technique at three different fibre orientations i.e., unidirectional, bidirectional and 45 degrees inclined, and also its effect on tensile and flexural property that was studied in the Instron Testing Machine. The fibre volume ratio was kept uniform for the entire specimen as 50:50. The treatment of istle fibre was done with sodium hydroxide to increase the fibre matrix bonding. The effect of E-glass reinforcement has also been studied in both bending tests and flexural tests. The maximum tensile and bending modulus recorded were from unidirectional fibre specimen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spodumene from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has a Li2O grade of 0.86%, classifying it as a low-grade and refractory lithium ore. To achieve efficient and comprehensive utilization of this spodumene, a joint flotation - magnetic separation test was conducted. The results indicate that under the conditions of grinding fineness of -0.074 mm accounting for 75.0%, the addition of 500 g/t sodium carbonate, 140 g/t calcium chloride, 700 g/t sodium hydroxide in the ball mill, and 200 g/t sodium hydroxide in the flotation cell, along with 1 650 g/t of reagent combination A (a mixture of oxidized paraffin soap and oleic acid in a mass ratio of 1:3), a closed-circuit test with roughing once, scavenging twice, cleaning three times, and magnetic separation once produced a non-magnetic product with a Li2O grade of 5.67% and a Li2O recovery rate of 77.71%. Additionally, a magnetic product with a Li2O grade of 4.51% and a Li2O recovery rate of 10.51% was obtained. The test results are favorable, providing a valuable reference for the comprehensive utilization of spodumene resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, with the aim of increasing the monomer conversion rate in the styrene-graphite in situ polymerization system, graphite modification methods have been investigated. Modification of the graphite in the presence of nitric acid, sodium hydroxide or sodium dodecyl benzene sulfate (SDBS) was investigated with five different methods in order to reduce its adverse effects on the polymerization rate of styrene. The most effective modification approach was determined using quantitative data such as polymerization conversion and graphite dispersion in organic phase. Compared to other modified samples and unmodified graphite, graphite modified in sodium hydroxide solution with SDBS showed the most compatibility with the polymerization system and caused a significant increase in the monomer conversion rate. Monomer conversion increases by 22% and 29% respectively in the presence of 0.5% and 2% of the best modified graphite compared to non-modified graphite. Also, the results showed that this modification method stabilizes the suspension of graphite particles in styrene for a longer period of time than other methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on developing an effective cell wall-breaking method for Phaffia rhodozyma, followed by utilizing subcritical fluid extraction to isolate, extract, and concentrate astaxanthin from the complex fermentation products of P. rhodozyma. A comprehensive comparison of seven distinct methods for disrupting cell walls, including dimethyl sulfoxide treatment, lactic acid treatment, sodium hydroxide treatment, β-glucanase enzymatic digestion, β-mannanase enzymatic digestion, and a combined enzymatic treatment involving both β-mannanase and β-glucanase was conducted. The results identified the lactic acid method as the most effective in disrupting the cell walls of P. rhodozyma. The software, Design Expert, was used in the process of extracting astaxanthin from cell lysates using a subcritical extraction method. Through fitting analysis and response surface optimization analysis by Design Expert, the optimal extraction conditions were determined as follows: an extraction temperature of 41 °C, extraction frequency of two times, and extraction time of 46 min. These parameters facilitated the efficient extraction, concentration, and enrichment of astaxanthin from P. rhodozyma, resulting in an astaxanthin concentration of 540.00 mg/L. This result can establish the foundation for its high-value applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supersulfated cements (SSCs), as potential green alternatives to Portland cements, are in demand for developing new kinds of precursors instead of blast-furnace slag. A mixture of kaolin, quartz and sodium hydroxide was calcined to prepare SSC by grinding clinkers with lime and gypsum. Preparation factors were investigated and multiple characterisation methods were adopted to explore the calcination and hydration mechanisms. The sodium hydroxide additive was found to reduce the activation temperature of the kaolin and a moderate addition of sodium hydroxide improved the compressive strength of SSC made from calcined kaolin. Quartz added into the kaolin calcined with a moderate amount of sodium hydroxide also promoted the compressive strength. Comprehensive characterisations indicated that the alkali-added calcination of the kaolin generated pozzolanic zeolite and sodium aluminosilicates along with inert nepheline at a calcination temperature ≤950°C. The hydration of SSC pastes tended to produce C(N)–A–S–H/N(C)–A–S–H gels and crystalline ettringite. During sodium hydroxide-added calcination, quartz added into the kaolin hindered the generation of inert nepheline and produced cementitious N–S gels. The research facilitates the utilisation of the massive discharged coal gangues rich in kaolinite and quartz by synthesising SSCs economically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eucalyptus branches and bark represent highly abundant and available feedstocks with great potential for obtaining bio-based products. Distinct and integrated pretreatment fractionation strategies for eucalyptus branches and bark were performed for the efficient production of xylooligosaccharides (XOS). By combining pretreatments, a high yield of XOS was obtained from eucalyptus branches and bark. The branches and bark were presoaked in 8% (w/w) sodium hydroxide at 60 °C for 30 min to provide a deacetylation effect. The residues were then hydrothermally treated. The findings revealed that 4.64% of XOS originated from the bark and 6.19% from eucalyptus branches. It has been demonstrated that xylan may be selectively depolymerized during pretreatment by preventing excessive hydrolysis through the use of deacetylation in the first phase of the process. More XOS was produced using hydrothermal treatment, yielding 8.00% (w/w) in the branches and 5.12% in the bark. A significant amount of XOS with DP 2–5 might be obtained in certain experiments, up to 60%, but the most abundant XOS are usually those with DP > 5 (approximately 80% of all XOS). This work provides new insights into the effective generation of XOS under relatively mild conditions by overcoming the recalcitrant structure of eucalyptus branches and bark, representing a noteworthy advancement towards forestry leftover valorization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the anaerobic co-digestion of sugarcane vinasse (V) and elephant grass silage (S) to produce methane. Box-Behnken experimental design was applied to verify the statistical effects of the elephant grass ensiling time (40, 80 and 120 days), alkaline pretreatment of elephant grass silage (0.5, 2.25 and 4.00% w/v NaOH) and S:V mixture ratio (25:75, 50:50 and 75:25) on the methane yield. The results showed that the ensiling process resulted in the low degradation of lignocellulosic substances, emphasizing the need for pretreatment using more efficient techniques, such as thermo-alkaline, to improve the breakdown of elephant grass fibres. COD removals varied between 35 and 85%, and carbohydrate consumptions ranged from 63 to 72%, with the higher efficiencies for both parameters occurring in the reactors with lower percentages of silage. Cumulative methane yield ranged from 190.77 mLCH4/gVS (in the reactor with S:V of 75:25, 0.50% w/v NaOH and 80 ensiling days) to 1729.80 mLCH4/gVS (in the reactor with S:V of 25:75, 2.25% w/v NaOH and 120 ensiling days). According to ANOVA, S:V ratio was the only variable with a significant effect (p < 0.05) on cumulative methane yield. Therefore, the findings indicate that the relative composition of substrates within the mixture exerted the most significant influence on the process, underscoring the critical role of vinasse as a co-substrate in enhancing methane production despite silage pretreatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This a two-part study was conducted to improve the enzymatic saccharification of apple pomace (AP) by pretreatment and fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis. The impact on the enzymatic hydrolysis and structural characterization in AP of four pretreatment processes, sodium hydroxide (SH), ethanol (ETH), liquid hot water (LHW), and Phanerochaete chrysosporium (PC), were evaluated. In addition, the enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of AP at high solids content was improved by optimizing the enzyme hydrolysis conditions and using fed-batch strategy. The results demonstrated that both ETH 160 °C and PC pretreatments effectively enhanced the efficiency of enzymatic saccharification in AP while disrupting its compact structure. Notably, PC solid-state fermentation for 7 d proved to be a mild yet effective pretreatment method for AP. By utilizing PC pretreated residue at a substrate content of 20% (w/v) with an addition of 5 mg/g pectinase and 50 mg/g Tween 80, along with employing fed-batch enzymatic hydrolysis, the total sugar concentration increased by 30.3% after 72 h. At this point, the highest total sugar concentration reached 77.5 g/L with an enzymatic hydrolysis yield reaching 73% (glucose). This study presents not only the first application of PC as a pretreatment method for AP but also establishes a new enzymatic process with high solids content to provide a new strategy for AP resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reuse of heavy-metal hyperaccumulator waste has emerged as a critical constraint in the implementation of phytoremediation to control heavy-metal pollution. Ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is a well-established arsenic (As) hyperaccumulator that has been widely used in the remediation of As-contaminated sites in recent years. To facilitate multipurpose development and the recycling of ramie straw contaminated with heavy metals, a study investigated the preparation of hydrochar (HC) at different temperatures and assessed the feasibility of reintroducing the HC into the soil. The results indicated higher yields, increased nutrient contents, and reduced As percentage levels at a hydrothermal carbonization temperature of 240°C. Treatment with a 300 mmol/L sodium hydroxide solution resulted in the removal of As from HC, ranging from 77.06% to 87.60%, effectively facilitating the reuse of HC. The application of alkali-modification HC in As-contaminated soil not only enhances soil properties but also augments the potential population of dominant microorganisms that promote soil arsenic mobilization, thereby improving arsenic mobilization capacity in mining soil. This study offers a viable strategy for enhancing the phytoremediation efficiency of As-contaminated soil and establishing a recycling system for As hyperaccumulator resources in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a cultural carrier of historical inheritance, paper has high cultural, historical and scientific research value. But with the passage of time and the change of the environment, many paper are aging and damaged. In order to protect the paper, CMC-β-CD composite material for paper protection was synthesized by carboxymethyl cellulose as substrate, epichlorohydrin (ECH) as crosslinking agent, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as catalyst and solvent, and water as medium, β-cyclodextrin as grafter. Through single factor experiment, the synthetic condition was obtained. The structure of the synthesized materials was characterized by infrared spectroscopy; CMC-β-CD was applied to paper reinforcement. The effects of solution concentration on the tensile strength, tearing degree, folding times, whiteness and gloss of paper were tested, and the suitable conditions for coating paper were found. The results show that the mass concentration of 2 % CMC-β-CD is coated on paper, its mechanical properties are greatly improved, the gloss is slightly increased, and the whiteness is basically unchanged, which is in line with the principle of "repairing the old as the old". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable resources based polymers provides a sustainable alternative to petroleum derived polymeric materials. As a part of our series on synthesis of vanillin based renewable polymers, we report the synthesis of poly(hydrovanilloin-furfural) [poly(HVL-Fur)] and poly(hydrovanilloin–5-hydromethylfurfural) [poly(HVL-5-HMF)]. Vanillin was dimerized to a mixtures of meso/DL-hydrovanilloins with 94% meso product by electrochemical reductive coupling in aqueous sodium hydroxide using lead electrodes in quantitative yield. Then sodium hydroxide catalyzed condensation of hydrovanilloin with furfural in water at 80°C for 72 h was used to synthesize poly(HVL-Fur) with Mw = 8600 g mol−1, PDI = 1.28 in 78% yield. Similarly, condensation of hydrovanilloin with 5-hydroxymethylfurfural at 80°C for 48 h produced poly(HVL-5-HMF) with Mw = 12,100 g mol−1, PDI = 1.27 in 68% yield. poly(HVL-Fur) and poly(HVL-5-HMF) showed similar Tg values of 59°C and 60°C, respectively; whereas melting behaviors are dissimilar with Tm 171°C–173°C and 148°C–182°C, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency is a global need to decrease net emissions and optimise the use of renewable energy sources. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing the use of renewable energy resources to maximize their consumption. Fuel cells, which utilise water to generate electricity, are among these renewable energy resources. Nevertheless, as previously said, there is ongoing research focused on optimising the synthesis of hydrogen and the extraction of voltage and current. In this study, we present the utilisation of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the extraction of hydrogen and silica nanoparticles for the enhancement of power values. The experiment clearly demonstrates that using a 50% NaOH solution resulted in the production of about 5.602 litres of hydrogen gas. Furthermore, the molar percentage of hydrogen in the final product was determined to be 85.74%. The gas chromatography analysis findings indicate that the product contains 81.58% hydrogen, 11.62% nitrogen, and 0.04% carbon dioxide. The electrical efficiency achieved is 86% with a heat loss of 13.96%. In addition, the research included the introduction of silica nanoparticles into the water. It was noted that this led to an increase in power density when the relative humidity was about 70%. The study also revealed that these nanoparticles had the potential to boost fuel cell performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ingestion of a corrosive substance may cause corrosive esophagitis. Curcumin has anti-inflammatory and mucosal protective effects. In this study, the effects of curcumin on the acute phase of corrosive esophagitis were investigated. Twenty-seven Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups; sham (group I), control (group II), and experiment groups (group III, 100 mg/kg curcumin; group IV, 200 mg/kg curcumin). Forty percent sodium hydroxide solution was used to erode the esophagi of rats in groups other than the sham group. Curcumin was applied to animals in the experiment groups 10 min after the corrosion. After 24 h, animals were sacrificed, and esophagus samples were collected. According to the histopathological examination, the muscularis mucosa damage was regressed from 100% in group II to 71.4% in group III and 50% in group IV. Mild level of damage and collagen deposition in the tunica muscularis regressed from 66.7% of the animals in the control group to 42.9% in group III and to none in group IV. Further, an increase in submucosal collagen was present in all samples from groups II and III, while 83.3% of samples had an increase in submucosal collagen in group IV. There was a significant difference in the histopathological total score between the control group and group IV (p=0.02). The results showed that the administration of curcumin in a dose-dependent manner can relieve the acute phase of corrosive esophagitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effectiveness of hydrothermal and alkaline pretreatment methods in enhancing the concentration of fermentable sugars derived from rice husk waste. After the pretreatments, enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation processes were executed to evaluate the ethanol production from each pretreatment. Rice husk powder measuring ≤250 µm was used. For the alkaline pretreatment, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) was used at concentrations ranging from 0.5, 1 to 1.5% w/v. The efficacy of the hydrothermal pretreatment method was evaluated after 15, 30 and 45 min at 120 °C. The enzymatic hydrolysis process was performed over 144 h at 50 °C, pH 4.8 with an enzyme loading of 30 FPU (filter paper units). Fermentation was carried out at 37 °C using a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Hansen 1883 (NCYC 366). Results indicated that the optimal conditions for alkaline pretreatment were observed at a 1.5% NaOH, while the best hydrothermal procedure was achieved at 120 °C and 45 min. The impact of these pretreatments was assessed based on the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. The alkaline pretreatment resulted in 81.70% conversion of cellulose to glucose and 96.30% conversion of hemicellulose to xylose. In contrast, the hydrothermal pretreatment achieved 93% cellulose-to-glucose conversion and 83.35% hemicellulose-to-xylose conversion. The ethanol production registered ranged from 13 to 13.23 g·L−1, corresponding to a conversion factor of 0.43 for ethanol from fermentable sugars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the quality and mechanical performance of various shapes of reclaimed concrete aggregates (RCAs), including elongated, cone-shaped, angular, and ordinary mix, in comparison to fresh aggregates (FAs). The RCAs are treated with fly ash-based geopolymer, and the effects of various percentages of geopolymer content on the geotechnical properties of the modified RCAs are investigated. The study finds that the angular shape of an RCA exhibits more strength than other shapes, and the use of fly ash-based geopolymer significantly improves the mechanical characteristics of the modified RCAs by up to 10%. The research also shows that the use of fly ash-based geopolymer-treated RCAs in the subbase layer of flexible pavements can lead to a reduction in the required thickness of the base layer, resulting in significant cost savings and curtailment of CO2 emission compared to the use of FAs. Abbreviations: AASTHO: American association of state highway and transportation officials; A: Area of cross-section of flexible pavement; ACV: Aggregate crushing value; AIV: Aggregate impact value; BS: British standard; ASTM: American society for testing and materials; Cc: Co-efficient of curvature; CO2: Carbon dioxide; Cu: Co-efficient of uniformity; D50: Mean grain size; DCW: Demolished concrete waste; CBR(s): Soaked California bearing ratio; FA: Fresh aggregate; FI: Flakiness index; EI: Elongation index; GC: Geopolymer content; GSD: Grain size distribution; k: Co-efficient of permeability; LAAV: Los Angeles abrasion value; m: Drainage co-efficient; m2: Drainage co-efficient of base layer; m3: Drainage co-efficient of subbase layer; ma: Dry mass of additive; MR: Resilient modulus; MR(B): Resilient modulus of base layer; MR(SB): Resilient modulus of subbase layer; MR(SG): Resilient modulus of subgrade layer; mRSM: Dry mass of reclaimed subbase material; NAOH: Sodium hydroxide; Na2SiO3: Sodium silicate; PKR: Pakistani Rupees; R: Reliability; RCA: Recycled concrete aggregate; So: Overall standard deviation; SN: Structural number; USCS: Unified soil classification system; NCHRP: National cooperative highway research programme; NHA: National highway authority; W18: 18-kip equivalent single axle loads; US$: US Dollars; ξOGC: Optimum geopolymer content; wopt: Optimum moisture content; γdmax: Maximum dry unit weight; a: Structural layer co-efficient; a1: Structural layer co-efficient of asphalt concrete; a2: Structural layer co-efficient of base layer; a3: Structural layer co-efficient of subbase layer; ΔPSI: Present serviceability index; tb: Thickness of base; tsb: Thickness of subbase; δ: Total material weight [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of each nation is evaluated by its infrastructure, and each nation is competing with the others in infrastructure advancement, especially in the construction of roadways, since they play a vital role in the economic and social development of the nation. The conventional materials used for road construction are concrete and asphalt, which pose significant environmental challenges. This research gives insight into the potential of fly ash (FA) and corn stover (CS) in synthesizing geopolymer, as an alternative material for the construction of roads. This study examines the impact of three FA and CS mixture percentages and the particle size of CS on the compressive strength and porosity of geopolymer. The results indicate that incorporating larger amounts of CS in fly ash-based geopolymer may decrease the compressive strength of the geopolymer. Smaller CS particle sizes also tend to lead to lower compressive strength. Porosity of the geopolymer tended to increase with the incorporation of higher percentages of CS, particularly for smaller corn stover sizes. As a fine aggregate replacement for geopolymer, CS incorporation has the potential to reduce mined aggregate obtained from a process that harms the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Education & Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The rise in atmospheric greenhouse gases like CO2 is a primary driver of global warming. Human actions are the primary factor behind the surge in CO2 levels, contributing to two-thirds of the greenhouse effect over the past decade. This study focuses on the chemical activation of avocado seeds with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The influence of various preparation methods was studied under the same parameters: carbon precursor to NaOH mass ratio, carbonization temperature, and nitrogen flow. For two samples, preliminary thermal treatment was applied (500 °C). NaOH was used in the form of a saturated solution as well as dry NaOH. The same temperature of 850 °C of carbonization combined with chemical activation was applied for all samples. The applied modifications resulted in the following textural parameters: specific surface area from 696 to 1217 m2/g, total pore volume from 0.440 to 0.761 cm3/g, micropore volume from 0.159 to 0.418 cm3/g. The textural parameters were estimated based on nitrogen sorption at −196 °C. The XRD measurements and SEM pictures were also performed. CO2 adsorption was performed at temperatures of 0, 10, 20, and 30 °C and pressure up to 1 bar. In order to calculate the CO2 selectivity over N2 nitrogen adsorption at 20 °C was investigated. The highest CO2 adsorption (4.90 mmol/g) at 1 bar and 0 °C was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of 5-benzylidene-5H-[1,2,3]triazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines were synthesized by the reaction of benzaldehyde 1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-ylhydrazones with a-bromo-4-chloroacetophenone and chloroacetone in the presence of triethylamine. The key steps of the reaction are the Dimroth rearrangement of the 1,2,3-thiadiazole ring, the formation of 6,7-dihydro-5H-[1,2,3]triazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines, and the transformation of the thiadiazine ring giving 5-arylidene-5H-[1,2,3]triazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines. It was demonstrated that 6,7-dihydro-5H-[1,2,3]triazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines, which do not undergo the transformation in the presence of triethylamine, can be transformed into 5-arylidene-5H-[1,2,3]triazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazines using sodium hydroxide. The reaction is accompanied by the saponification of the ethoxycarbonyl substituent. A number of the synthesized compounds were tested for fungicidal activity against four strains of phytopathogenic fungi and the oomycete P. infestans. Compound 5n exhibits a moderate inhibitory effect (56.31±0.13%) on the growth of P. infestans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agrocybe cylindracea dietary fiber (ADF) contains 95% water-insoluble dietary fiber, resulting in poor application performance. To address this issue, ADF was modified by four methods (cellulase, sodium hydroxide, high-temperature, and Lactobacillus fermentation) in this paper. By comparing the physicochemical properties, microstructures, monosaccharide compositions, and functional characteristics (antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro) of all modified ADF samples, the optimal modification method was selected. Results showed that sodium hydroxide treatment was deemed the most effective modification method for ADF, as alkali-treated ADF (ADF-A) revealed a higher oil-holding capacity (2.02 g/g), swelling capacity (8.38 mL/g), cholesterol adsorption (6.79 mg/g), and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (more than 70% at 0.4–0.6 mg/mL) than the other modified samples. The looser microstructure in ADF-A might be attributed to molecular rearrangement and spatial structure disruption, which resulted in smaller molecular sizes and decreased viscosity, hence improving ADF's physicochemical and functional qualities. All these findings indicate the greater application potential of modified ADF products in food and weight-loss industries, providing a comprehensive reference for the industrial application of ADF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Starch‐based biocomposites exhibit great potential as an alternative to fossil‐based materials. This work focused on investigating the properties of the starch‐based biocomposite reinforced by cellulose nanofibers derived from sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The sodium hydroxide (NaOH) concentration was varied from 4%, 8%, and 12% wt/vol for the SCB extraction process. The obtained nanofibers, respectively called SCBNF4, SCBNF8, and SCBNF12, were characterized by various techniques prior to being incorporated into modified starch (MS). The effects of the type and amount of SCBNF on the mechanical properties, thermal behavior, optical transparency, and moisture absorption of the biocomposite films were examined. All SCBNF samples had a cellulose type I structure with a diameter on the nanometer scale, regardless of the NaOH concentration. The SCBNF's diameter decreased, whereas the crystallinity index increased with increasing NaOH concentration. When incorporated into MS, the higher SCBNF loading resulted in enhancements of mechanical properties and resistance to moisture absorption with the sacrifice of optical transparency. The biocomposite filled with SCBNF12 exhibited better overall performance at a certain filler loading due to the greater filler‐polymer interaction. The benefits of greater strength, light weight, and eco‐friendliness of the developed biocomposites make them suitable for many applications, including packaging. Diameter and crystallinity index of SCBNF were governed by NaOH concentration. Adding SCBNF to MS greatly improved the biocomposite's mechanical properties. SCBNF12 showed the highest biocomposite's overall performance. The maximum strength was achieved at 1 phr of SCBNFs. The addition of SCBNFs reduced water and moisture absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of permanganate on a rotating disk electrode is accompanied by an inhibition of depositing birnessite. The addition of potassium ferrate(VI) leads to an increase of inhibition. The obtaining of electrode material based on Fe-doped birnessite under alkaline conditions is demonstrated in experiment with deposition at inhibition potentials. This birnessite is single phase and highly disordered. The Fe content varies from 0 to 10 mol % in respect to Mn with increasing ferrate(VI) content in deposition solution. Recharging potentials of birnessite are shifted which is manifested by cyclic voltammetry. Doping allows to increase the rate of oxygen evolution reaction. The specific currents increase with the iron content in birnessite. The Tafel slope is 53 mV/dec and by 2.5 times lower for birnessite containing 10 mol % Fe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the parametric investigation and optimization of various chemical treatment parameters that affect the mechanical performance of the green composite. The injection moulding method was used to produce the green composites using flax fibre (FF) and polylactic acid (PLA). The chemical parameters chosen to investigate their effects are chemical type (sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, and potassium hydroxide), chemical concentrations (1 %, 2 %, and 3 % (w/v)), and duration for fibre treatment (2 h, 4 h, and 6 h). The mechanical performance of the green composites was assessed by evaluating the various properties namely strength, modulus, and elongation under tensile, share, flexural, and compression loading conditions. The morphological study was also performed to examine the failure behavior of the composite after mechanical testing. The effect of fibre length (2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, and 6 mm) and fibre loading (10 wt.%, 20 wt.%, and 30 wt.%) on the performance of the flax fibre (FF)/polylactic acid (PLA) composite was also investigated. The fibre dispersion, fibre orientation, and fibre length retention were investigated to assess the characteristics of fibre during injection moulding of the developed flax fibre (FF)/polylactic acid (PLA) composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: As a medicinal and food homologous plant, Rosa damascena is not only highly ornamental, but also rich in a variety of active ingredients such as polyphenols and flavonoids. It is widely used in cosmetics, food and pharmaceutical industries. Objective: To study the in vitro efficacy of Rosa damascena solid state fermentation liquid (RDF) and water extract (RDE). Methods: Firstly, the effect of RDF and RDE on the proliferation rate of B16F10 cells was detected by CCK‐8 method, and the melanin content was measured by sodium hydroxide lysis method to evaluate the whitening effect of them. Finally, the antioxidant, anti‐wrinkling and soothing effects of RDF and RDE were evaluated by biochemical methods in vitro. Results: RDF and RDE within a certain concentration range (0.05%–0.5%) had no effect on the proliferation of B16F10 cells. Compared with Rosa damascena extract (RDE), RDF showed significant effects on bleaching, antioxidant, anti‐wrinkling and soothing, among which 0.5% RDF showed the best effect. Conclusion: Both RDF and RDE at a certain concentration have effect on skin care in vitro, but the effect of RDF is more significant than that of RDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to elucidate the effects of various chemical treatments on the in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and concomitant feed value of dried grape pomace (DGP). Sun-dried grape pomace, derived from grapes processed in Denizli, Türkiye province was used in the experiment. One control group and three treatment groups were established, each with eight replicates. The first, second and third experimental groups were treated with 1.5% ammonia (NH3 ), 3% urea (CH4 N2O) and 3% sodium hydroxide (3%) (NaOH), respectively. The dry matter content was set at 50% for all groups. The control group received no additional chemicals. All groups were kept in airtight, closed plastic bags at room temperature for one week. Adding NH3 and CH4 N2O significantly improved crude protein levels (24.45 and 19.84%, respectively) and in vitro protein degradability (59.84 and 65.69%, respectively) in the experimental groups (p<0.001). Treatment with CH4 N2O did not exert the same deleterious effect on the ether extract concentration of desiccated grape pomace (p<0.004) as treatment with NaOH. Moreover, relative feed value declined significantly more after NaOH treatment compared to treatments containing nitrogen (p<0.001). Additionally, NaOH treatment yielded the lowest in vitro protein degradability of DGP at 40.32% (p<0.001). With an in vitro dry matter degradability of 47.18%, the findings indicate that among the chemical treatments investigated, application of NH3 resulted in the lowest degradability value (p<0.001). Consequently, it can be inferred that the feed value and digestibility of desiccated grape pomace are highly influenced by the nitrogen concentration or basic nature of the supplemental chemical compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intending to minimize the cost of production of pipes intended for construction and building activities and waste recycling, this research studies the physical and mechanical characteristics of high-performance polypropylene random (PPR), a new material extracted from a homopolymer polypropylene. The PPR was filled with untreated and treated wood flour (WF) particles at various content levels 10, 20, 30, and 40 wt.%. The density, melt flow rate, tensile strength, tensile strain, modulus of elasticity, and hardness are used to evaluate the quality of the material. The hydrophobic character of WF resulted from degradation in the physical and mechanical properties. The results showed that the density, the modulus of elasticity, and the hardness increased with the percentage of treated wood flour (TWF). As the percentage of WF increased, the melt flow rate decreased. The tensile strength and strain increased to 27.7 MPa and 543.25%, respectively at 20 wt.% of WF, with 14.8% and 6.65% reached gains compared to the untreated wood flour composites (UWFC) (24.04 MPa and 495.6%). The enhancement of the mechanical properties is thanks to the formed strong links between the particles of WF and the PPR after the thermal and alkaline treatment with sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The removal of hydroxyl groups in the TWF enhances the interfacial bonding between the filler and the PP matrix in the resulting composites. When WF is treated, it is well dispersed; and facilitates the transfer of stress from the matrix to the fillers. The optimum percentage of WF to add into the inner layer of PPR pipes is at a composition of the filler of 20 wt.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Brewing is the property of China Brewing Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Agro-Environment Science is the property of Journal of Agro-Environment Science Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Energy efficiency is a global need to decrease net emissions and optimise the use of renewable energy sources. Ongoing research focuses on optimizing the use of renewable energy resources to maximize their consumption. Fuel cells, which utilise water to generate electricity, are among these renewable energy resources. Nevertheless, as previously said, there is ongoing research focused on optimising the synthesis of hydrogen and the extraction of voltage and current. In this study, we present the utilisation of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in the extraction of hydrogen and silica nanoparticles for the enhancement of power values. The experiment clearly demonstrates that using a 50% NaOH solution resulted in the production of about 5.602 litres of hydrogen gas. Furthermore, the molar percentage of hydrogen in the final product was determined to be 85.74%. The gas chromatography analysis findings indicate that the product contains 81.58% hydrogen, 11.62% nitrogen, and 0.04% carbon dioxide. The electrical efficiency achieved is 86% with a heat loss of 13.96%. In addition, the research included the introduction of silica nanoparticles into the water. It was noted that this led to an increase in power density when the relative humidity was about 70%. The study also revealed that these nanoparticles had the potential to boost fuel cell performance.

The demand for cellulose fibers is increasing due to their eco-friendly nature. Natural fibers have special qualities that make them excellent for a wide range of fibrous applications, including composites, nanomaterials, biomaterials, textiles, and conductive carbon, which are the main causes of the increased demand. This study uses sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to chemically treat sugarcane bagasse fibers. The highest tensile strength, 532.12 MPa, was found in the fibers treated with both NaOCl and NaOH. Hemicellulose, lignin, and other contaminants were removed through chemical processing, according to a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study. According to the SEM pictures, the NaOCl and NaOH-treated fibers' surfaces improved in cleanliness and roughness. The NaOCl and NaOH treatments showed promise for creating nanocellulose from bagasse fibers and for strengthening composites.

The interest in bio-based polymer composites is brought about by the quest for sustainable environmentally friendly materials due to the rapid depletion of petroleum resources and the desire to find solutions to environmental pollution because of synthetic composites. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of various treatments on the performance and potential use of hybrid barkcloth-banana fiber-reinforced polyester resin biocomposites particularly for interior automotive applications. Two categories of biocomposites were prepared: (1) untreated banana fibers and barkcloth, denoted by A1, B1, C1, D1, and (2) 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treated banana fibers and barkcloth with nano-cellulose denoted by A, B, C, and D. Banana fibers were soaked in the alkali solution for 12 h, nanocellulose was extracted from the barkcloth using the acid hydrolysis method and applied to the barkcloth fabrics by the pad-dry-cure method with a concentration of 1% nanocellulose. The treated barkcloth had better bonding capacity with the resin and was thermally stable than the untreated barkcloth. In contrast, the alkali treatment of banana fibers led to fiber degradation, making them brittle and consequently reducing their tensile and bending strength. The mechanical properties of both composites showed that sample D1 had the best tensile and flexural strength attributed to the fact that it was based on the untreated banana fibers as opposed to the degraded alkali-treated banana fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ingestion of corrosive chemicals is a major problem, especially in developing countries. Ingestion may be deliberate as suicide attempts (mostly in adolescents and adults) or accidental (mostly in children).Case presentation: A 50-year-old male patient was brought to the APC – he was suffering from vomiting following ingestion of NaOH. On examination: he complained of severe dysphagia, drooling, hoarseness of voice, severe pain, and a burning sensation in his mouth. The vital signs were heart rate of 100 beats /minute, blood pressure 140/90 mmHg, temperature 37°C, respiratory rate of 26/min, and GCS was 15. The patient was stabilized on intravenous treatment and NBO. Follow-ups were carried out for all vital signs, and laboratory tests were carried out, with an initial improvement in his condition. After 6 days, the patient vomited vigorously, and tissues extruded from his mouth, where a complete sloughing of esophageal mucosa occurred. The patient was transferred to the cardiothoracic department where they decided to maintain conservative treatment and NBO for 2 weeks. Later, the patient was prepared for gastrostomy followed by colon transposition. The patient improved and was discharged with a follow-up regimen.Discussion: Esophagitis Dissecans Superficialis (EDS) is a rare esophageal lesion characterized by sloughing of the esophageal mucosa, there is limited information on EDS resulting from corrosive poisoning. Endoscopy was not performed for fear of perforation and CT was carried out instead of endoscopy. Patients usually have an excellent response to treatment, with proton pump inhibitors and steroids. These are the same management lines that followed before surgical intervention. The surgeons perform an esophagectomy and colonic transposition on the patient to avoid stricture in the future. This is considered an acceptable treatment. Conclusion: Clinical toxicologists should be expecting esophageal sloughing as one of the corrosive ingestion complications within a week of ingestion.

Abstract Radiolarians have been used to determine geological ages and have contributed markedly to our understanding of Earth’s history. Hydrofluoric acid (HF) has traditionally been used to extract radiolarian fossils from siliceous deposits (i.e., radiolarian cherts), but this acid is strictly regulated because of environmental and human health concerns. Here we report on the successful extraction of radiolarians from cherts using a low-concentration NaOH solution (1 mol/L NaOH) as an alternative to HF. The degree of chert dissolution in NaOH is strongly temperature-dependent and is limited at