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Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology is the main means of reducing NOX emissions. Urea injection structure parameters (i.e., the hole number in a nozzle, spray angle, the distance between the nozzle and the front section of the catalyst) and operating parameters (i.e., exhaust gas temperature, gas hourly space velocity, ammonia-to-nitrogen ratio (ANR)) of the SCR systems have a significant impact on denitrification efficiency (deNOX). A three-dimensional simulation model is developed to investigate the impact of diverse parameters on deNOX. The influence of temperature, ANR and space velocity on the deNOX of SCR system is studied by using the control variable method. The simulation model is modified according to the SCR catalyst gas distribution test results. A diesel bench experiment is conducted to test the deNOX of the SCR system of D2 cycle and two additional operating points to verify the accuracy of the numerical simulation model. Based on this model, the influence of key factors on the deNOX of SCR system is studied. In SCR system, the optimal urea injection angle is about 75°, the optimal number of nozzle holes is 4, the distance between the optimal urea injection point and the front section of the catalyst is 8 times of the pipe diameter, and the optimal operating temperature is 300 ∼ 420℃. The influence trend of ANR on deNOX at different temperatures is obtained. This provides a theoretical support for the realization of SCR system in the future.

A novel membrane optical sensor with high selectivity and sensitivity was developed for detecting ultra-low concentrations of gallium (Ga3+) ions. This sensor utilized a newly synthesized compound, 4,4′-1,3-pHenylene bis(azanylyli-dene) bis(methanylylidene))bis(N,N-dimethylaniline) (PBABMBD), as its ionophore, combined with 9-(diethylamino)-5-(octadecanoylimino)-5H-benzo[a] phenoxazine (ETH-5294) as a chromoionophore within a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane matrix. The impact of various parameters on the fabrication of the optical sensor and its ability to detect Ga3+ ions was thoroughly examined and fine-tuned for optimization. Demonstrating a broad linear dynamic range from 6.25 × 10−9 to 3.75 × 10−6 M, the sensor boasts impressive detection and quantification limits of 1.75 and 6.00 × 10−9 M Ga3+ ions, respectively. Furthermore, the sensor demonstrates a swift response time of just 3.0 min and can undergo multiple rejuvenations with 0.25 M HNO3 solutions. The study examined the impact of potential interfering ions on the detection of Ga3+ions. Fortunately, the results showed that the created optical sensor was very selective for Ga3+ ions and barely reacts with other anions and cations, especially indium (III). Furthermore, the sensor proved effective in accurately detecting Ga3+ ions across a range of samples, including food, alloys, water, and biological specimens.

An innovative and exceptionally responsive optical sensing device engineered to selectively identify Bi(III) ions in water-based solutions. The sensing component, 5-(2′,4′-dimethylphenylazo)-6-hydroxypyrimidine-2,4-dione (DMPAHPD), is incorporated into a plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane. The sensor demonstrates an exceptional selectivity for Bi(III) within a broad dynamic range spanning from 7.5 × 10−10 to 4.2 × 10−5 M at pH 2.25. Notably, it achieves lower quantification and detection limits of 7.25 × 10−10 and 2.15 × 10−10 M, respectively. The optode membrane’s response to Bi(III) proves to be entirely reversible, demonstrating remarkable selectivity for Bi(III) ions over a diverse range of other cations and anions. The sensor exhibits favorable performance characteristics, including good reversibility, a wide dynamic range, a prolonged lifespan, sustained response stability over the long term, and high reproducibility. This visual chemical sensor exhibits potential for real-world usage, offering consistent outcomes when assessing Bi(III) levels in matrices such as water, soil, plants, biological and synthetic mixtures. Importantly, the sensor’s performance is comparable to corresponding data achieved from inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES).

The important feature of the multi-attribute decision-making (MADM) technique is to identify an ideal solution and aggregate collective cognitive fuzzy information of human opinion. To serve this purpose, we explore the concepts of the bipolar complex fuzzy set with positive and negative support terms. A few applications of the Hamy mean (HM) and Dual Hamy mean (DHM) models are also discussed to find out the relationship among input arguments or different preferences. For this, we derive a family of mathematical approaches by incorporating the theory of bipolar complex fuzzy information such as bipolar complex fuzzy Hamy mean (BCFHM), bipolar complex fuzzy weighted Hamy mean (BCFWHM), bipolar complex fuzzy Dual Hamy mean (BCFDHM), and bipolar complex fuzzy weighted Dual Hamy mean (BCFWDHM) operators. Derived mathematical approaches are more applicable and can express the influence of uncertain information due to the involvement of additional parameter values. Based on diagnosed research work and mathematical methodologies, we establish a decision algorithm for the MADM problem to resolve real-life dilemmas. An experimental case study demonstrates the compatibility of derived approaches and evaluates the investment policy's sustainability based on certain parameters. The advantages and consistency of the proposed research work are verified in the comparative study with various existing aggregation operators.

In this paper, wet-chemically synthesized hierarchical NiO microspheres and their exfoliated (ExC)-based nanocomposites (NiO/ExC) as electrodes for supercapacitor applications have been reported. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques were used to characterize the as-synthesized products. The study of PXRD revealed that NiO exhibits a cubic phase. Morphological analysis showed a hierarchical micro-spherical structure of mesoporous NiO particles. The as-synthesized hierarchically porous NiO manifested a specific capacitance of 331 F/g with 50% capacitance retention. But, exfoliated carbon (ExC)-based nanocomposite (0.07 g NiO/0.003 g ExC) showed a particular capacitance of 815 F/g at the scan rate of 5 mV/s, with 79% retention in capacitance. High electrical conductivity and larger surface area arising from synergistic effects between NiO and exfoliated carbon resulted in a tremendous electrochemical response of NiO/ExC nanocomposites. The inclusion of the ExC further improves electrical impedance spectroscopic results by facilitating the charge transfer.

Pb1−4.75xNd0.5xNi4xZrO3 (where x = 0.00, 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04 and 0.05) nanocrystals were synthesized through the micro-emulsion, a wet chemical route. The prepared samples were annealed at 700°C for 3 h. Nanocrystalline samples were characterized by various techniques like XRD (X-rays diffraction), FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM (Scanning electron microscopy), dielectric properties, and dc-electrical resistivity. XRD analysis of synthesized nanocrystals confirmed the phase development of orthorhombic perovskite structure. The average measured size of nanocrystals was about 21 nm. Some other parameters like densities (bulk and X-rays) and porosity of the nanomaterials were also calculated from obtained XRD data. The obtained results showed the effect of dopant materials (Nd3+ and Ni2+ metal ions) incorporation. The FTIR spectra elucidated the intrinsic cations vibrations in the characteristic perovskite orthorhombic structure. The SEM results revealed that nano-grains were synthesized successfully and their average observed size was 60 nm. It was observed that with the addition of dopant material, the dielectric parameters like dielectric constant, loss factor, and conductivity were showed an overall decreasing trend. The average calculated value of the ac conductivity at the frequency of 3 GHz was observed as 1.45 × 10−2 (Ω-cm)−1. By using the current–voltage (I–V) characteristics, the dc-electrical resistivity was calculated in the range between 2.68 × 1010 and 4.82 × 1010 Ω-cm. The dc-electrical resistivity was increased with the increase of doping contents.

Objectives: In this study, a new optical chemical sensor to assess molybdenum ion by incorporation of 1-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid (BTAHN), dibutylphthalate (DBP) and sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) to the plasticized poly vinyl chloride (PVC) matrices were prepared. Methods: When DBP was added to the membrane, the ionophore's tendency to act as a chromoionophore was greatly increased. Great stability, reproducibility, extended life time, and respectable selectivity for Mo6+ ion assessment throughout a wide number of transition, lanthanides, and heavy metals were all advantages of the accomplished sensor. Results: At optimum compositions and investigational circumstances, the sensor response was linear cross range of 8.5 × 10−8 to 4.4 × 10−5 mol/L. Sensor detection and quantification limits realistic on the definition that the sample amount results in a signal equal to the blank signal plus three and ten times of its standard deviation were establish to be 2.5 × 10−8 and 8.3 × 10−8 mol/L. The sensor reaction time (characterized as the time it required for the absorbance value to reach 95 %) was 3.0–5.0 min. Conclusions: The achieved optical sensor was successfully applied to assess Mo6+ ion content in water, food, plant, and environmental samples.

Abstract With the innovation of microelectronics technology, the heat dissipation problem inside the device will face a severe test. In this work, cellulose aerogel (CA) with highly enhanced thermal conductivity (TC) in vertical planes was successfully obtained by constructing a vertically aligned silicon carbide nanowires (SiC NWs)/boron nitride (BN) network via the ice template-assisted strategy. The unique network structure of SiC NWs connected to BN ensures that the TC of the composite in the vertical direction reaches 2.21 W m−1 K−1 at a low hybrid filler loading of 16.69 wt%, which was increased by 890% compared to pure epoxy (EP). In addition, relying on unique porous network structure of CA, EP-based composite also showed higher TC than other comparative samples in the horizontal direction. Meanwhile, the composite exhibits good electrically insulating with a volume electrical resistivity about 2.35 × 1011 Ω cm and displays excellent electromagnetic wave absorption performance with a minimum reflection loss of − 21.5 dB and a wide effective absorption bandwidth (

ABSTRACT: Chronic respiratory disease (CRD) caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) leads to impaired broiler growth performance and significant economic losses worldwide. The utilization of essential oils (EOs) as natural alternatives to antibiotics to control CRD outbreaks is not completely clarified yet. Thus, we investigated the effect of a commercial EOs mixture (toldin CRD), in comparison to tilmicosin antibiotic, on the clinical observations, growth performance, immunity, digestive enzymes, gut barrier functions, and bacterial loads in broilers experimentally infected with MG. A total of 400 one-day-old broiler chicks were assigned into four groups; negative control (NC), positive control (PC), tilmicosin, and toldin CRD treated groups. All groups except NC were experimentally infected with MG at 14 d of age. Our data showed that birds treated with toldin CRD showed significant enhancement in the body weight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) (P = 0.001 each) over the whole experimental period. Likely, improved digestibility and intestinal barrier functions in the toldin CRD treated group was evidenced by the significant upregulation (P < 0.05) of cholecystokinin (CCK), alpha 2A amylase (AMY2A), pancreatic lipase (PNLIP), junctional adhesion molecule-2 (JAM-2), occludin, and mucin-2 (MUC-2) genes. Moreover, toldin CRD exhibited immunostimulant and ant-inflammatory activities via significant downregulation (P < 0.05) of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 genes, significant reduction of lysozyme (LYZ), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and nitric oxide (NO) levels (P = 0.03, 0.02, and 0.001, respectively) and significant increase in the immunoglobulin G (IgG) level (P = 0.03). Notably, immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) results showed prominent reductions (P < 0.05) in the levels of MG antigens and MG loads in the toldin CRD treated group, which were evidenced by relieving the clinical picture of MG experimental infection. In conclusion, we recommend the utilization of toldin CRD as a potential candidate for controlling MG infection in broiler chickens.

In recent study, we report a facile and easy technique for the synthesis phosphotungstic acid (PTA) with different weight contents (10, 25, 50 and 75 wt%) loaded on UiO-66 (Zr) as efficient and reusable catalysts for the preparation of coumarin and dihydropyrimidinones derivatives. The structural and textural properties of the prepared catalysts were characterized through XRD, FT-IR, TGA, BET, TEM, SEM, non-aqueous potentiometric titration and FT-IR of chemisorbed pyridine. 50.0 wt% of PTA/UiO-66 (Zr) catalyst showed the highest surface acidity (Ei = 578.5mV) and highest catalytic performance toward the preparation of 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin (97.8%) and 3, 4-dihydropyrimidinones (94.7%).

This research compared muscle oxidative stability, meat composition, and carcass traits in commercial broilers and spent laying hens. At week 65 of age, 40 ISA Brown laying hens were randomly selected to create 10 replicate cages (4 birds per cage). Also, 60 day-old Ross chicks were equally divided into six replicates (10 chicks each). Broiler chickens had a higher dressing percentage than spent hens (P = 0.027), but a lower abdominal fat percentage (P = 0.009). Spent hens had higher level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the breast muscles (P = 0.001). Meanwhile, the MDA levels in thigh muscles did not differ in both groups (P = 0.328). Broiler chickens showed greater concentrations of saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic) in the breast (P = 0.012 and 0.006, respectively) and thigh (P = 0.033 and 0.038, respectively) muscles as compared to spent hens. Meanwhile, broiler chickens had lower concentrations of palmitoleic, oleic and eicosapentaenoic in the breast muscles (P = 0.002, 0.004 and 0.001, respectively). Also, spent hens had greater concentrations of linoleic in the breast and thigh muscles (P = 0.018 and 0.035, respectively). When compared to broiler chickens, spent hens had greater essential amino acids (isoleucine, methionine and tyrosine) concentrations in the breast muscles (P = 0.002, 0.001 and 0.036, respectively). Finally, while broiler chickens had superior carcass traits, spent hens showed better meat composition (higher polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential amino acids). Furthermore, the oxidative stability of the breast muscles of spent hens was lower than that of broilers. Spent hens can be used as an attractive source of chicken meat if certain precautions are adopted.

The work explores the synthesis and the properties of a novel composite membrane system based on modified polystyrene (PS) grafted onto a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membrane. PVC membranes were prepared by solution-casting followed by exposure to an atmospheric pressure dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) with O2 to obtain an activated surface for grafting PS to it. Moreover, the thus prepared membranes were chemically modified furthermore by amination with polyethyleneimine or sulfonation with 4 M sulfuric acid. The membrane surface characteristics such as wettability, structure and morphology were investigated using water contact angle measurements, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy experiments. The thermogravimetric stability and electrolytic responses of the membranes were studied utilizing TGA, ion exchange capacity (IEC), and solvent uptake. A significant result of plasma and chemical modification was to produce a membrane material with low permeability. Thus, the methanol permeability of the sulfonated membranes measured for 12 h was measured to 2.34·10−8 cm2 s−1 compared to 177.00·10−8 cm2 s−1 of Nafion 117® which is considered as a benchmark. This result indicates that the prepared sulfonated samples are an innovative and effective material for decreasing the methanol crossover in fuel cells to a great extent. This makes the PVC-g-St membranes are promising and attractive as new materials for polyelectrolyte membrane for fuel cells.

The crystallinity properties of perovskite influence their optoelectrical performance in solar cell applications. We optimized the grain shape and crystallinity of perovskite film by annealing treatment from 130 to 170 °C under high humidity (relative humidity of 70%). We found that the grain size, grain interface, and grain morphology of the perovskite are optimized when the sample was annealed at 150 °C for 1 h in the air. At this condition, the perovskite film is composed of 250 nm crystalline shape grain and compact inter-grain structure with an invincible grain interface. Perovskite solar cells device analysis indicated that the device fabricated using the samples annealed at 150 °C produced the highest power conversion efficiency, namely 17.77%. The open circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), and fill factor (FF) of the device are as high as 1.05 V, 22.27 mA/cm2, and 0.76, respectively. Optoelectrical dynamic analysis using transient photoluminescence and electrochemical impedance spectroscopies reveals that (i) carrier lifetime in the champion device can be up to 25 ns, which is almost double the carrier lifetime of the sample annealed at 130 °C. (ii) The interfacial charge transfer resistance is low in the champion device, i.e., ~20 Ω, which has a crystalline grain morphology, enabling active photocurrent extraction. Perovskite’s behavior under annealing treatment in high humidity conditions can be a guide for the industrialization of perovskite solar cells.

Chromium (VI) coatings are highly toxic and carcinogenic; therefore, thea should be replaced by a new eco-friendly material that retains its effectiveness in terms of corrosion. Herein, thin silicon oxycarbide films as an eco-friendly anticorrosive coating were deposited on a low carbon steel substrate by a radio frequency capacitively coupled plasma technique using tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a precursor. The corrosion performance of the coatings were evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in dependence on the gap distance between the plasma electrodes and the pH values at room temperature. The chemical bonding and morphological features of the deposited films were investigated by Fourier Transformer Infrared Spectroscopy in Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR-FTIR) mode, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) coupled with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Icorr values were significantly decreased by reducing the gap distance and reached a minimum at 1 cm gap distance. It was reduced from 12 µA/cm2 for the blank sample to 0.714 µA/cm2 in treated sample at gap distance 1 cm and protective efficiency reached ~ 94% in the neutral solution. Nevertheless, the best protective efficiency achieved more than 99% of the total protection in alkaline medium as measured at room temperature for treated sample at gap distance 1 cm.

Lactobacillus plantarum Bu-Eg5 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bu-Eg6 showed a potential probiotic role in vivo and in vitro in a preliminary unpublished work. This study demonstrated that Lactobacillus plantarum Bu-Eg5 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bu-Eg6 mediated modifications of the physicochemical properties of fermented skimmed cow’s milk. Skim milk was inoculated with 1% (w/v) of Lactobacillus plantarum Bu-Eg5 (T1), 1% (w/v) of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bu-Eg6 (T2) and 1% (w/v) of 1:1 Lactobacillus plantarum Bu-Eg5 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bu-Eg6 (T3). After that, fresh skimmed milk control (C), T1, T2, and T3 were freeze-dried (Zirbus Technology model: VaCo 5-D, S/N: COM98754, Germany). The resulting freeze-dried fresh and fermented milks powders were evaluated for their solubility index, bulk density and water holding capacity (WHC). The amino acids compositions of the freeze-dried treatments were analyzed using High Performance Amino Acid Analyzer (Biochrom 30). The microbiological quality of freeze-dried fresh and fermented milks powders was measured by enumerating lactic acid bacteria, yeast & mould and coliform bacteria. The total protein content of fresh freeze-dried skimmed milk (38.69%) was higher than that of fermented freeze-dried skimmed milk powders. The bulk density was 16.67 g/mL for all treatments. The solubility of fresh freeze-dried skimmed milk was the highest (100%), followed by the other treatments (78.95%). The WHC of fresh freeze-dried skimmed milks (11.16%) was lower than the other samples. The highest total essential amino acids were observed in fresh freeze-dried skimmed milk sample (17.26%) followed by the freeze-dried skimmed milk fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum Bu-Eg5 (16.22%) while the lowest recorded in the freeze-dried skimmed milk sample fermented with 1:1 Lactobacillus plantarum Bu-Eg5 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus Bu-Eg6 (12.87%), there was a very low bacterial count in the control treatment (1.09 log CFU/ml). Yeast & mould and coliforms were not detected in all samples.

The aim was to evaluate the performance, blood lipid profile, and the relative expression of growth-related genes in purebred white and brown quail lines and their crossbred lines. A total of 240 one-day-old Japanese quail chicks of white and brown line, their crossbred line (WBQ: male white × female brown), and reciprocal crossbred line (BWQ: male brown × female white) were divided into four equal groups (60 birds each). The white quail line showed significantly higher final body weight, daily gain, and feed intake compared with the other quail lines (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, both crossbred quail lines (WBQ and BWQ) showed significantly lower FCR compared with both purebred quail lines (p = 0.001). Both crossbred quail lines showed greater dressing percentages compared with both purebred quail lines (p = 0.038). The brown quail line showed significantly (p = 0.05) higher levels of serum triglycerides and VLDL compared with the white and BWQ lines. The WBQ crossbred line exhibited significantly higher mRNA expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes compared with other quail lines (p < 0.001). Both crossbred lines (WBQ and BWQ) exhibited negative heterosis percentages for body weight (−4.39 and −3.90%, respectively) and feed intake (−10.87 and −14.59%, respectively). Meanwhile, heterosis percentages for FCR (−6.46 and −9.25%, respectively) and dressing percentage (7.54 and 6.38%, respectively) were improved in both crossbred lines. The WBQ line showed high heterosis percentages for the expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes (52.28 and 88.81%, respectively). In conclusion, the WBQ line exhibited significantly greater dressing percentage and better FCR, as well as higher mRNA expression of GHR and IGF-1 genes. These results may be helpful to improve breeding programs and to develop commercial lines of meat-type Japanese quail.

The physical properties, such as the fibre dimension and crystallinity, of cellulose nanofibre (CNF) are significant to its functional reinforcement ability in composites. This study used supercritical carbon dioxide as a fibre bundle defibrillation pretreatment for the isolation of CNF from bamboo, in order to enhance its physical properties. The isolated CNF was characterised through zeta potential, TEM, XRD, and FT-IR analysis. Commercial CNF was used as a reference to evaluate the effectiveness of the method. The physical, mechanical, thermal, and wettability properties of the bamboo and commercial CNF-reinforced PLA/chitin were also analysed. The TEM and FT-IR results showed the successful isolation of CNF from bamboo using this method, with good colloidal stability shown by the zeta potential results. The properties of the isolated bamboo CNF were similar to the commercial type. However, the fibre diameter distribution and the crystallinity index significantly differed between the bamboo and the commercial CNF. The bamboo CNF had a smaller fibre size and a higher crystallinity index than the commercial CNF. The results from the CNF-reinforced biocomposite showed that the physical, mechanical, thermal, and wettability properties were significantly different due to the variations in their fibre sizes and crystallinity indices. The properties of bamboo CNF biocomposites were significantly better than those of commercial CNF biocomposites. This indicates that the physical properties (fibre size and crystallinity) of an isolated CNF significantly affect its reinforcement ability in biocomposites. The physical properties of isolated CNFs are partly dependent on their source and production method, among other factors. These composites can be used for various industrial applications, including packaging.