Various lignoceNulosic waste materials were assessed for their potential usage as biosorbents for Cd(II) removal from wastewaters. Sunflower seed shells, carrot peel, bean pods, eggplant peel, and ...orange peel in dry form and different grain sizes were evaluated. Contact time, initial Cd(II) concentration, and biosorbent amount were also tested. Eggplant peel was the most efficient biosorbent with an experimental biosorption capacity of 9.33 mg/g, a monolayer capacity (Langmuir) of 18.05 mg/g, and maximum % yield removal of 97.33%. Experimental data best fitted the Langmuir isotherm model (exception, orange peel) and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (all materials). Keywords: cadmium(II), biosorption, waste valorisation, circular economy, sunflower seed shell, carrot peel, bean pod, eggplant peel, orange peel
Enhancing the initial stages of plant growth by using polymeric gels for seed priming presents a significant challenge. This study aimed to investigate a microgel derived from ...polyetheramine-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and a bisepoxide (referred to as micro-PPO) as a promising alternative to optimize the seed germination process. The micro-PPO integrated with an iron micronutrient showed a positive impact on seed germination compared with control (Fe solutions) in which the root length yield improved up to 39%. Therefore, the element map by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence shows that the Fe intensities in the seed primers with the micro-PPO-Fe gel are about 3-fold higher than those in the control group, leading to a gradual distribution of Fe species through most internal embryo tissues. The use of micro-PPO for seed priming underscores their potential for industrial applications due to the nontoxicity results in zebrafish assays and environmentally friendly synthesis of the water-dispersible monomers employed.Enhancing the initial stages of plant growth by using polymeric gels for seed priming presents a significant challenge. This study aimed to investigate a microgel derived from polyetheramine-poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) and a bisepoxide (referred to as micro-PPO) as a promising alternative to optimize the seed germination process. The micro-PPO integrated with an iron micronutrient showed a positive impact on seed germination compared with control (Fe solutions) in which the root length yield improved up to 39%. Therefore, the element map by synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence shows that the Fe intensities in the seed primers with the micro-PPO-Fe gel are about 3-fold higher than those in the control group, leading to a gradual distribution of Fe species through most internal embryo tissues. The use of micro-PPO for seed priming underscores their potential for industrial applications due to the nontoxicity results in zebrafish assays and environmentally friendly synthesis of the water-dispersible monomers employed.
The mechanism of the Ullmann-type reaction between potassium thioacetate (KSAc) and iodobenzene (PhI) catalyzed by CuI associated with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as a ligand was explored ...experimentally and computationally. The study on C–S bond formation was investigated by UV–visible spectrophotometry, cyclic voltammetry, mass spectrometry, and products assessment from radical probes. The results indicate that under experimental conditions the catalytically active species is Cu(phen)(SAc) regardless of the copper source. An examination of the aryl halide activation mechanism using radical probes was undertaken. No evidence of the presence of radical species was found during the reaction process, which is consistent with an oxidative addition cross-coupling pathway. The different reaction pathways leading to the experimentally observed reaction products were studied by DFT calculation. The oxidative addition–reductive elimination mechanism via an unstable CuIII intermediate is energetically more feasible than other possible mechanisms such as single electron transfer, halogen atom transfer, and σ-bond methatesis.
We report high-pressure X-ray diffraction and electrical measurements of the topological insulator SnBi2Te4 at room temperature. The pressure dependence of the structural properties of the most ...stable phase of SnBi2Te4 at ambient conditions (trigonal phase) have been experimentally determined and compared with results of our ab initio calculations. Furthermore, a comparison of SnBi2Te4 with the parent compound Bi2Te3 shows that the central TeSnTe trilayer, which substitutes the Te layer at the center of the TeBiTeBiTe layers of Bi2Te3, plays a minor role in the compression of SnBi2Te4. Similar to Bi2Te3, our resistance measurements and electronic band structure simulations in SnBi2Te4 at high pressure suggest that this compound exhibits a pressure-induced electronic topological transition or Lifshitz transition between 3.5 and 5.0 GPa.
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•Topological insulator SnBi2Te4 and its comparison with the parent compound Bi2Te3 under pressure.•Structural properties of the trigonal phase of SnBi2Te4 and ab initio calculations.•Resistance measurements and electronic band structure simulations of SnBi2Te4.•A pressure-induced electronic topological transition between 3.5 and 5.0 GPa.
In the present paper the karyotypes of four diploids and one tetraploid species of Hippeastrum (Amaryllidaceae) are described. The nomenclature used for chromosome morphology, is that proposed by ...Levan et al. (1964): m chromosome (Centromeric index Ci = short arm × 100/total chromosome length = 50-37.5), sm chromosome (Ci = 37.5-25) and st chromosome (Ci = 25-12.5). The nomenclature proposed by Battaglia (1955), for the description of chromosomes with satellite was used. The results obtained are: H. argentinum (Pax) Hunz.: 2n = 22, 8 m + 8 sm + 6 st; H. rutilum (Lam.) Herb.: 2n = 22, 8 m + 8 sm + 6 st; H. agliae (Cast.) Hunz. et Coc.: 2n = 22, 8 m + 8 sm + 6 st, in these three karyotypes the pair st nọ 10 has a terminal microsatellite in the short arm (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4). H. vittatum (L'Herit.) Herb.: 2n = 22, 8 m + 6 m + 8 st, the pair st nọ 11 has a terminal microsatellite in the short arm (Figs. 2, 4). H. petiolatum Pax: 2n = 44, 16 m + 16 sm + 12 st. All the karyotypes are bimodal because m chromosomes are shorter than sm and st chromosomes (Figs. 1, 2). In general, the species studied here had the same basic karyotype (4 m + 4sm + 3 st), only H. vittatum possesses a derived karyotype involving small changes. This basic karyotype is common to the eight species in which the karyotype has been studied. Because of this, we can consider this karyotype as fundamental in Hippeastrum. In a single individual of H. argentinum a heteromorphic pair of chromosomes was found. So far 25 species of the genus have been studied cytologically, 21 of these have only diploid level. The scarcity of polyploidy in the genus (16 %) might be a consequence of the absence of chromosome repatterning in a primary speciation (Cuadros 1, 2). Results of other authors concerning cytological data are also discussed.
Workforce management has always been an essential consideration by businesses worldwide to improve organizational efficiency. The measurement of diversified labor present in modern Philippine ...companies has never been viable as generational and cultural differences shape and influences one’s leadership behavior, decision-making, and style. Employee motivation, multigenerational cohort, interpersonal skills, work values, and organizational culture significantly affect company leaders’ perceived effectiveness, resulting in varying management styles and approaches applicable to service companies. This study aimed to determine significant variables affecting the perceived leadership effectiveness and metacognition between multigenerational management clusters among service companies integrating behavioral theories such as Generational Cohort Theory (GCT) and Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Through self-administered questionnaires, data was utilized for multivariate analysis through structural equation modeling using the SPSS statistical software and SPSS AMOS 29 software and random forest classifier utilizing Python 5.1. Results showed that Motivation, Managerial Cohort, Organizational Culture, and Work values have a high-level relationship with Perceived Behavioral Control, Attitude Towards Behavior, and Social Norms. The results presented could be utilized in evaluating the management sector in service industries to provide and develop an optimum approach to leadership management. Managerial insights and suggestions are shown in the study.
Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out in order to unravel the governing reaction mechanism in copper-catalyzed cross-coupling Ullmann type reactions between iodobenzene ...(1, PhI) and aniline (2-NH, PhNH2), phenol (2-O, PhOH) and thiophenol (2-S, PhSH) with phenanthroline (phen) as the ancillary ligand. Four different pathways for the mechanism were considered namely Oxidative Addition–Reductive Elimination (OA-RE), σ-bond Metathesis (MET), Single Electron Transfer (SET), and Halogen Atom Transfer (HAT). Our results suggest that the OA-RE route, involving CuIII intermediates, is the energetically most favorable pathway for all the systems considered. Interestingly, the rate-determining step is the oxidative addition of the phenyl iodide to the metal center regardless of the nature of the heteroatom. The computed energy barriers in OA increase in the order O < S < NH. Using the Activation Strain Model (ASM) of chemical reactivity, it was found that the strain energy associated with the bending of the copper(I) complex controls the observed reactivity.
Body weight, body mass index (BMI) and excess weight loss (EWL) are the most frequently used measures to analyse bariatric surgery outcomes. However, these measurements do not provide accurate ...information on body composition (BC) with body fat (BF), importantly determining the levels of cardiometabolic risk factors. Our aim was to analyse the evolution of BC after Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and its influence on the changes of cardiometabolic risk factors in comparison to BMI and EWL.
A group of 81 obese Caucasian patients (19 males/62 females) aged 44.9±1.3 years undergoing RYGB between January 2006 and December 2011 was prospectively followed up for a period of 3 years. BC was determined by air-displacement plethysmography. Visceral adiposity, physical activity and cardiometabolic risk factors were measured.
BF was markedly (P<0.001) reduced after the first year, increasing progressively during the second and third years after RYGB, following a different trajectory than body weight, BMI and EWL that decreased up to the second year post surgery. Markers of glucose homeostasis decreased during the first month and continued to decrease during the first year (P<0.05), remaining stabilised or slightly increased between the second and third years following RYGB. However, markers of lipid metabolism decreased (P<0.05) markedly during the first 12 months, increasing thereafter in parallel to the changes observed in BC, with the exception of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, which increased progressively throughout the whole period analysed.
The adverse switch in the changes in BC between the first and the second years after RYGB may underlie the changes observed in cardiometabolic risk factors. Tracking of adiposity during the follow-up of bariatric/metabolic surgery yields clinically relevant information to better identify patients in need of increased lifestyle advice or treatment intensification.
In this work, nanogels based on polyetheramine-epoxide (PPO-DPEG) were developed, and two potential envisions for the nanocarriers were explored, for the first time, as controlled drug delivery ...systems and as stimulants for seed germination in agriculture. These nanogels can help reduce the use of hazardous chemicals and expensive instruments, with several advantages: (i) an easy route for their production; (ii) catalyst-free synthesis at low temperature; (iii) water as a unique solvent, which provides advantages in terms of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. First, this study provides a particular drug-polymer design for the sustained release of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. Second, seed germination assays demonstrated that the nanogels could be used as novel materials to promote the germination and growth (root and shoot) of cucumber seeds. In this sense, the root length of cucumber seeds was improved by 39% compared to the negative control (water). The obtained polymeric gels were in depth characterized by various physicochemical techniques such as dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultra-small angle X-ray scattering (USAXS), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μ-XRF). The cytotoxicity of PPO-DPEG gels was evaluated by XTT assays, confirming good biocompatibility after exposure to GM07492A cell line (normal human lung fibroblasts). The possibility to use these nanogels for agricultural science is novel, providing good carrier opportunities for embedded micronutrients (and mass production) for the development of an innovative and highly versatile platform for sustainable delivery systems in plants.
Excited new insights for future functional and technological applications of polymeric gels as sustainable carriers for health and agricultural purposes was demonstrated.
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