Sustainable Remedy Waste to Generate SiO2 Functionalized on Graphene Oxide for Removal of U(VI) Ions

The Hummer process is applied to generate graphene oxide from carbon stocks’ discharged Zn-C batteries waste. SiO2 is produced from rice husks through the wet process. Subsequently, SiO2 reacted with graphene oxide to form silica/graphene oxide (SiO2/GO) as a sorbent material. XRD, BET, SEM, EDX, and FTIR were employed to characterize SiO2/GO. Factors affecting U(VI) sorption on SiO2/GO, including pH, sorption time, a dosage of SiO2/GO, U(VI) ions’ concentration, and temperature, were considered. The experimental data consequences indicated that the uptake capacity of SiO2/GO towards U(VI) is 145.0 mg/g at a pH value of 4.0. The kinetic calculations match the pseudo second-order model quite well. Moreover, the sorption isotherm is consistent with the Langmuir model. The sorption procedures occur spontaneously and randomly, as well as exothermically. Moreover, SiO2/GO has essentially regenerated with a 0.8 M H2SO4 and 1:50 S:L phase ratio after 60 min of agitation time. Lastly, the sorption and elution were employed in seven cycles to check the persistent usage of SiO2/GO. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The authors express their gratitude to Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2022R13), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Genetic and Morphological Diversity Assessment of Five Kalanchoe Genotypes by SCoT, ISSR and RAPD-PCR Markers

Determining the appropriate parents for breeding programs is the most important decision that plant breeders must make to maximize the genetic variability and produce excellent recombinant genotypes. Several methods are used to identify genotypes with desirable phenotypic features for breeding experiments. In this study, five kalanchoe genotypes were morphologically characterized by assessing plant height, number of inflorescences, number of flowers, flower length, flower diameter and number of petals. The analysis showed the distinction of yellow kalanchoe in the plant height trait, while the orange kalanchoe was distinguished in the number of inflorescences, the number of flowers and flower length traits, whereas the violet kalanchoe possessed the largest flower diameter and the highest number of petals. The molecular profiling was performed by random amplified polymorphism DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tools. Genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves and the PCR reactions were performed using ten primers for each SCoT, ISSR and RAPD marker. Only four out of ten primers showed amplicon profiles in all PCR markers. A total of 70 bands were generated by SCoT, ISSR and RAPD-PCR with 35 polymorphic bands and 35 monomorphic bands. The total number of bands of RAPD, ISSR and SCoT was 15, 17 and 38, respectively. The polymorphism percentages achieved by RAPD, ISSR and SCoT were 60.25%, 15% and 57%, respectively. The cluster analysis based on morphological data revealed two clusters. Cluster I consisted of violet and orange kalanchoe, and cluster II comprised red, yellow and purple kalanchoe. Whereas the cluster analysis based on molecular data revealed three clusters. Cluster I included only yellow kalanchoe, cluster II comprised orange and violet kalanchoe while cluster III comprised red, and purple kalanchoe. The study concluded that orange, violet and yellow kalanchoe are distinguished parents for breeding economically valued traits in kalanchoe. Also, the study concluded that SCoT and RAPD markers reproduced reliable banding patterns to assess the genetic polymorphism among kalanchoe genotypes that consider the basis stone for genetic improvements in ornamental plants

Adsorption of Yttrium Ions on 3-Amino-5-Hydroxypyrazole Impregnated Bleaching Clay, a Novel Sorbent Material

In this work, spent bleaching clay (SBC) was treated with ethyl acetate and impregnation with 3-amino-5-hydroxypyrazole (AHIBC) that utilized as economical sorbent material. The uptake of yttrium ions from aqueous solution using AHIBC was studied under batch process as a function of pH of the solution, contact time, adsorbent dosage, Yttrium ions concentration, and ambient temperature. The adsorption equilibrium was achieved at the value of pH = 6.0 and agitation time of 60 min at room temperature. The utmost adsorption capacity of Y(III) ions on AHIBC was 171.32 mg·g−1 . Kinetic, isotherm, and thermodynamic models were applied to the experimental data obtained. Adsorption follows a pseudo–second–order kinetic model, while the adsorption isotherm fits the Langmuir model. A negative value of Gibbs free energy ∆G◦ revealed that the adsorption of the Y ions on the AHIBC adsorbent was spontaneously in nature. In addition, the electrostatic interaction process between the metal ions and AHIBC was favorable. The negative value of ∆H◦ states that Y ions adsorption was an exothermic process. Desorption efficiency reduced from 97% to 80% after eight consecutive rounds. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.This study was funded by Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP2020/157), Taif University Taif, Saudi Arabia

Rare Earth Group Separation after Extraction Using Sodium Diethyldithiocarbsamate/Polyvinyl Chloride from Lamprophyre Dykes Leachate

This study presents the first application of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate/polyvinyl chloride (DdTC/PVC) as a novel adsorbent for rare earth element (REE) sorption from leach liquors. DdTC/PVC has higher adsorption properties than other sorbents, the synthesis of DdTC/PVC is more accessible than other resins, and it is considered a more affordable sorbent. The three-liquid-phase extraction technique (TLPE) was applied to separate REEs into light, middle, and heavy rare earth elements as groups. The TLPE is an excellent achievable technique in the separation of REEs. DdTC/PVC was prepared as a sorbent to sorb rare-earth ions in chloride solution. It was described by XRD, SEM, TGA, and FTIR. The factors pH, initial rare-earth ion concentration, contact time, and DdTC/PVC dose were also analyzed. The ideal pH was 5.5, and the ideal equilibration time was found to be 45 min. The rare-earth ion uptake on DdTC/PVC was 156.2 mg/g. The rare-earth ion sorption on DdTC/PVC was fitted to Langmuir and pseudo-2nd-order models. The rare-earth ions’ thermodynamic adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic. In addition, rare-earth ion desorption from the loaded DdTC/PVC was scrutinized using 1 M HCl, 45 min time of contact, and a 1:60 S:L phase ratio. The obtained rare earth oxalate concentrate was utilized after dissolving it in HCl to extract and separate the RE ions into three groups—light (La, Ce, Nd, and Sm), middle (Gd, Ho, and Er), and heavy (Yb, Lu, and Y)—via three-liquid-phase extraction (TLPE). This technique is simple and suitable for extracting REEs. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The authors express their gratitude to the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project (PNURSP2022R2), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaAcknowledgments: The authors express their gratitude to the Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project (PNURSP2022R2), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Cetylpyridinium Bromide/Polyvinyl Chloride for Substantially Efficient Capture of Rare Earth Elements from Chloride Solution

A new sorbent cetylpyridinium bromide/polyvinylchloride (CPB/PVC) was prepared and tested to extract rare earth elements (REEs) from their chloride solutions. It was identified by FTIR, TGA, SEM, EDX, and XRD. The impact of various factors such as pH, RE ion initial concentration, contacting time, and dose amount via sorption process was inspected. The optimum pH was 6.0, and the equilibrium contact time was reached at 60 min at 25 °C. The prepared adsorbent (CPB/PVC) uptake capacity was 182.6 mg/g. The adsorption of RE ions onto the CPB/PVC sorbent was found to fit the Langmuir isotherm as well as pseudo-second-order models well. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters of RE ion sorption were found to be exothermic and spontaneous. The desorption of RE ions from the loaded CPB/PVC sorbent was investigated. It was observed that the optimum desorption was achieved at 1.0 M HCl for 60 min contact time at ambient room temperature and a 1:60 solid: liquid phase ratio (S:L). As a result, the prepared CPB/PVC sorbent was recognized as a competitor sorbent for REEs. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The authors express their gratitude to Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Researchers Supporting Project number (PNURSP2022R13), Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Novel soft bending actuator based power augmentation hand exoskeleton controlled by human intention

This article presents the development of a soft material power augmentation wearable robot using novel bending soft artificial muscles. This soft exoskeleton was developed as a human hand power augmentation system for healthy or partially hand disabled individuals. The proposed prototype serves healthy manual workers by decreasing the muscular effort needed for grasping objects. Furthermore, it is a power augmentation wearable robot for partially hand disabled or post-stroke patients, supporting and augmenting the fingers’ grasping force with minimum muscular effort in most everyday activities. This wearable robot can fit any adult hand size without the need for any mechanical system changes or calibration. Novel bending soft actuators are developed to actuate this power augmentation device. The performance of these actuators has been experimentally assessed. A geometrical kinematic analysis and mathematical output force model have been developed for the novel actuators. The performance of this mathematical model has been proven experimentally with promising results. The control system of this exoskeleton is created by hybridization between cascaded position and force closed loop intelligent controllers. The cascaded position controller is designed for the bending actuators to follow the fingers in their bending movements. The force controller is developed to control the grasping force augmentation. The operation of the control system with the exoskeleton has been experimentally validated. EMG signals were monitored during the experiments to determine that the proposed exoskeleton system decreased the muscular efforts of the wearer

A little less conversation; a little more (relational) action please. A fictional dialogue of integrating theory into coaching practice

This paper presents a fictional dialogue that supports the application of theory in coaching pedagogy. The “constraints led approach” (CLA) is promoted throughout in conversation form, providing pedagogic solutions in response to the decaying performance levels of a fictitious football team. This deterioration is linked to “poor” coaching and the merits of a more innovative pedagogy through a discussion between “manager” and “coach” are presented. Recommendations are made with particular reference to developing games players, who are skilful, perceptive and intelligent, through being able to initiate and modify actions in dynamic contexts. Through substantiating a platform for both changing perceptions about coaching practice and challenging assumptions about learning, such accessibility to unfamiliar knowledge(s) can allow coaches to clearly consider possibilities for change. It is further suggested that through embracing the use of novel methodologies to consider unfamiliar theoretical territory, this demonstrates a responsibility to close and not widen a theory-practice gap. By presenting Mark (coach) as “theoretical negotiator”, this paper emphasises the potency of experimenting with nuanced methods that can be part of an academic process to help shape more theoretically literate coaches

Agronomic Management of Indigenous Mycorrhizas

Many of the advantages conferred to plants by arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) are associated to the ability of AM plants to explore a greater volume of soil through the extraradical mycelium. Sieverding (1991) estimates that for each centimetre of colonized root there is an increase of 15 cm3 on the volume of soil explored, this value can increase to 200 cm3 depending on the circumstances. Due to the enhancement of the volume of soil explored and the ability of the extraradical mycelium to absorb and translocate nutrients to the plant, one of the most obvious and important advantages resulting from mycorrhization is the uptake of nutrients. Among of which the ones that have immobilized forms in soil, such as P, assume particular significance. Besides this, many other benefits are recognized for AM plants (Gupta et al, 2000): water stress alleviation (Augé, 2004; Cho et al, 2006), protection from root pathogens (Graham, 2001), tolerance to toxic heavy metals and phytoremediation (Audet and Charest, 2006; Göhre and Paszkowski, 2006), tolerance to adverse conditions such as very high or low temperature, high salinity (Sannazzaro et al, 2006), high or low pH (Yano and Takaki, 2005) or better performance during transplantation shock (Subhan et al, 1998). The extraradical hyphae also stabilize soil aggregates by both enmeshing soil particles (Miller e Jastrow, 1992) and producing a glycoprotein, golmalin, which may act as a glue-like substance to adhere soil particles together (Wright and Upadhyaya, 1998). Despite the ubiquous distribution of mycorrhizal fungi (Smith and Read, 2000) and only a relative specificity between host plants and fungal isolates (McGonigle and Fitter, 1990), the obligate nature of the symbiosis implies the establishment of a plant propagation system, either under greenhouse conditions or in vitro laboratory propagation. These techniques result in high inoculum production costs, which still remains a serious problem since they are not competitive with production costs of phosphorus fertilizer. Even if farmers understand the significance of sustainable agricultural systems, the reduction of phosphorus inputs by using AM fungal inocula alone cannot be justified except, perhaps, in the case of high value crops (Saioto and Marumoto, 2002). Nurseries, high income horticulture farmers and no-agricultural application such as rehabilitation of degraded or devegetated landscapes are examples of areas where the use of commercial inoculum is current. Another serious problem is quality of commercial available products concerning guarantee of phatogene free content, storage conditions, most effective application methods and what types to use. Besides the information provided by suppliers about its inoculum can be deceiving, as from the usually referred total counts, only a fraction may be effective for a particular plant or in specific soil conditions. Gianinazzi and Vosátka (2004) assume that progress should be made towards registration procedures that stimulate the development of the mycorrhizal industry. Some on-farm inoculum production and application methods have been studied, allowing farmers to produce locally adapted isolates and generate a taxonomically diverse inoculum (Mohandas et al, 2004; Douds et al, 2005). However the inocula produced this way are not readily processed for mechanical application to the fields, being an obstacle to the utilization in large scale agriculture, especially row crops, moreover it would represent an additional mechanical operation with the corresponding economic and soil compaction costs. It is well recognized that inoculation of AM fungi has a potential significance in not only sustainable crop production, but also environmental conservation. However, the status quo of inoculation is far from practical technology that can be widely used in the field. Together a further basic understanding of the biology and diversity of AM fungi is needed (Abbott at al, 1995; Saito and Marumoto, 2002). Advances in ecology during the past decade have led to a much more detailed understanding of the potential negative consequences of species introductions and the potential for negative ecological consequences of invasions by mycorrhizal fungi is poorly understood. Schwartz et al, (2006) recommend that a careful assessment documenting the need for inoculation, and the likelihood of success, should be conducted prior to inoculation because inoculations are not universally beneficial. Agricultural practices such as crop rotation, tillage, weed control and fertilizer apllication all produce changes in the chemical, physical and biological soil variables and affect the ecological niches available for occupancy by the soil biota, influencing in different ways the symbiosis performance and consequently the inoculum development, shaping changes and upset balance of native populations. The molecular biology tools developed in the latest years have been very important for our perception of these changes, ensuing awareness of management choice implications in AM development. In this context, for extensive farming systems and regarding environmental and economic costs, the identification of agronomic management practices that allow controlled manipulation of the fungal community and capitalization of AM mutualistic effect making use of local inoculum, seem to be a wise option for mycorrhiza promotion and development of sustainable crop production

Distinctive mitochondrial genome of Calanoid copepod Calanus sinicus with multiple large non-coding regions and reshuffled gene order: Useful molecular markers for phylogenetic and population studies

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Copepods are highly diverse and abundant, resulting in extensive ecological radiation in marine ecosystems. <it>Calanus sinicus </it>dominates continental shelf waters in the northwest Pacific Ocean and plays an important role in the local ecosystem by linking primary production to higher trophic levels. A lack of effective molecular markers has hindered phylogenetic and population genetic studies concerning copepods. As they are genome-level informative, mitochondrial DNA sequences can be used as markers for population genetic studies and phylogenetic studies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mitochondrial genome of <it>C. sinicus </it>is distinct from other arthropods owing to the concurrence of multiple non-coding regions and a reshuffled gene arrangement. Further particularities in the mitogenome of <it>C. sinicus </it>include low A + T-content, symmetrical nucleotide composition between strands, abbreviated stop codons for several PCGs and extended lengths of the genes <it>atp6 </it>and <it>atp8 </it>relative to other copepods. The monophyletic Copepoda should be placed within the Vericrustacea. The close affinity between Cyclopoida and Poecilostomatoida suggests reassigning the latter as subordinate to the former. Monophyly of Maxillopoda is rejected. Within the alignment of 11 <it>C. sinicus </it>mitogenomes, there are 397 variable sites harbouring three 'hotspot' variable sites and three microsatellite loci.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The occurrence of the <it>circular subgenomic fragment </it>during laboratory assays suggests that special caution should be taken when sequencing mitogenomes using long PCR. Such a phenomenon may provide additional evidence of mitochondrial DNA recombination, which appears to have been a prerequisite for shaping the present mitochondrial profile of <it>C. sinicus </it>during its evolution. The lack of synapomorphic gene arrangements among copepods has cast doubt on the utility of gene order as a useful molecular marker for deep phylogenetic analysis. However, mitochondrial genomic sequences have been valuable markers for resolving phylogenetic issues concerning copepods. The variable site maps of <it>C. sinicus </it>mitogenomes provide a solid foundation for population genetic studies.</p