Thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) forward osmosis (FO) membranes have attracted significant attention due to their potential for solving global water scarcity problems. In this study, we investigate the ...impact of titanium oxide (TiO
2
) and titanium oxide/reduced graphene (TiO
2
/rGO) additions on the performance of TFN-FO membranes, specifically focusing on water flux and reverse salt diffusion. Membranes with varying concentrations of TiO
2
and TiO
2
/rGO were fabricated as interfacial polymerizing M-phenylenediamine (MPD) and benzenetricarbonyl tricholoride (TMC) monomers with TiO
2
and its reduced graphene composites (TiO
2
/rGO). The TMC solution was supplemented with TiO
2
and its reduced graphene composites (TiO
2
/rGO) to enhance FO performance and reverse solute flux. All MPD/TMC polyamide membranes are characterized using various techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. The results demonstrate that incorporating TiO
2
/rGO into the membrane thin layer improves water flux and reduces reverse salt diffusion. In contrast to the TFC membrane (10.24 L m
−2
h
−1
and 6.53 g/m
2
h), higher water flux and higher reverse solute flux were detected in the case of TiO
2
and TiO
2
/rGO-merged TFC skin membranes (18.81 and 24.52 L m
−2
h
−1
and 2.74 and 2.15 g/m
2
h, respectively). The effects of TiO
2
and TiO
2
/rGO stacking on the skin membrane and the performance of TiO
2
and TiO
2
/rGO skin membranes have been thoroughly studied. Additionally, being investigated is the impact of draw solution concentration.
Graphical Abstract
This paper describes the sulfate resistance of some hardened blended Portland cement pastes. The blending materials used were silica fume (SF), slag, and calcium carbonate (CaCO
3, CC̄). The blended ...cement pastes were prepared by using W/S ratio of 0.3. The effects of immersion in 10% MgSO
4 solution under different conditions (room temperature, 60 °C, and drying–immersion cycles at 60 °C) on the compressive strength of the various hardened blended cement pastes were studied. Slag and CC̄ improve the sulfate resistance of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) paste. Mass change of the different mixes immersed in sulfate solution at 60 °C with drying–immersion cycles was determined. The drying–immersion cyclic process at 60 °C accelerates sulfate attacks. This process can be considered an accelerated method to evaluate sulfate resistance of hardened cement pastes, mortars, and concretes.
Intercropping is a sustainable strategy recognized for boosting crop production and mitigating heavy metal toxicity in contaminated soils. This study investigates the effects of biochar amendments on ...Pb-contaminated soil, utilizing monocropping and intercropping techniques with
C. olitorius
and
Z. mays
. The research assesses Pb removal capacity, nutrient uptake, antioxidant enzymes, and soil Pb fractionation. In monocropping, the phytoremediation ratio for
C. olitorius
increased from 16.67 to 27.33%, while in intercropping, it rose from 19.00 to 28.33% with biochar amendments. Similarly,
Z. mays
exhibited an increased phytoremediation ratio from 53.33 to 74.67% in monocropping and from 63.00 to 78.67% in intercropping with biochar amendments. Intercropping significantly increased the peroxidase (POD) activity in
Z. mays
roots by 22.53%, and there were notable increases in shoot POD of
C. olitorius
(11.54%) and
Z. mays
(16.20%) with biochar application. CAT showed consistent improvements, increasing by 37.52% in
C. olitorius
roots and 74.49% in
Z. mays
roots with biochar. Biochar amendments significantly increased N content in soil under sole cropping of
Z. mays
and intercropping systems. In contrast, Cu content increased by 56.34%, 59.05%, and 79.80% in monocropping (
C. olitorius
and
Z. mays
) and intercropping systems, respectively. This suggests that biochar enhances nutrient availability, improving phytoremediation efficacy in Pb-contaminated soil. Phyto availability of trace metals (Zn, Mn, Cu, and Fe) exhibited higher levels with biochar amendments than those without. The findings indicate that intercropping and biochar amendments elevate antioxidant enzyme levels, reducing reactive oxygen species and mitigating Pb toxicity effects. This approach improves phytoremediation efficiency and holds promise for soil pollution remediation while enhancing nutrient content and crop quality in Pb-contaminated soil.
Camel milk yoghurts were created using probiotic lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with exopolysaccharide (EPS) production capabilities. Lacticaseibacillus casei ATCC 393, identified as the most efficient ...EPS producer, was incorporated into conventional yoghurt culture. We compared the effects of adding L. casei ATCC 393 with EPS powder (SLLP) against lactulose. Evaluations included LAB, yeast, mould, cytotoxicity and IC50 values in the samples. The results demonstrated increased bacterial counts, LAB viability, viscosity, antiproliferative effects and a lower IC50 in SLLP, indicating the potential application of EPS‐producing L. casei ATCC 393 and its derived EPS in the development of functional foods.
The current study presents lateral load analysis of mid-rise reinforced concrete framed structures with two different lateral load resisting systems; shear walls and rigid marginal beams. The main ...objective here is to investigate the influence of the location of the system in the structure; i.e. arrangement of shear walls and level of the marginal beam. For that purpose, seismic fragility curves are used as an assessment tool for comparing the seismic performance of the studied structures in different situations. Incremental dynamic analysis was performed under ten ground motions to determine the yielding and collapse capacity of each building. Five performance levels were considered in the analysis. These performance levels are (i) operational, (ii) immediate occupancy, (iii) damage control, (iv) life safety and (v) collapse prevention. Fragility curves were developed for the structural models of the studied structures considering the previously mentioned performance levels. It was observed that arrangement of shear walls on the long direction of the structure has insignificant effects on its performance while interior shear walls provide the best behavior of the structure compared to exterior shear walls only and distributing shear walls internally and externally. The analysis outcomes also indicated that the presence of the rigid marginal beam in the lower storey gives more efficiency regarding to lateral loads resistance in the studied structure.
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