Samarium doped ceria (SDC) electrolyte modification by sintering aids addition to reducing sintering temperature: a review

The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a promising technology with specific characteristics for generating electricity by using hydrogen and oxidant as fuel. Typically, SOFC’s use Samarium doped Ceria (SDC) as an electrolyte material as the ionic conductivity of SDC was better at lower operating temperatures which are below than 700°C that making it a good option for low and moderate temperature applications for SOFC. However, SDC electrolytes are cannot be densified below 1500°C. If a densified ceria-based electrolyte can be prepared at lower temperatures it can be co-sintered with another electrode component. This simplifies the fabrication process and reduces the cost. Other than that, it can help with porous electrode microstructure control and avoiding phase diffusion and chemical interaction problems. As a result, decreasing the sintering temperature may be another step toward commercialising SOFC technology. The modification of electrolyte by adding sintering aid was found as an effective method to lowering the sintering temperature. This paper, therefore, focuses on reviewing the attempts made to modify SDC electrolyte by adding sintering aid (Li2O, CoO, CuO and FeO) in order to lowering sintering temperature. The studies related to temperature reduction, relative density, the microstructure of grains and conductivity of electrolyte was critically reviewed

INFLUENCE OF MARCIA’S MORATORIUM AND FORECLOSURE EGO IDENTITY STATUSES ON READING ATTITUDE OF STUDENTS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN TANGAZA AND NEIGHBOURING AREAS IN SOKOTO STATE, NIGERIA

The paper studied how identity statuses of moratorium and foreclosure influenced the reading attitude of adolescent students in secondary schools in Tangaza and neighbouring areas. Correlational descriptive research design was used for the study. Six research questions and two hypotheses were formulated. A total of six sub-hypotheses were tested on Microsoft Excel software and www.statskingdom.com. The eleven senior secondary schools located in Tangaza, Silame, and Binji local governments formed the population of the survey. A three--stage sampling technique was used, consisting of stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques. The sample for the study was 164 generated from three randomly selected schools; Instruments used in the research were the 16-item Ego Identity Scale (Short) (Greg, 2008) and the Reading Attitude Questionnaire adapted by Akhmetovaa, Imambayevab, and Csapo (2022). Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) was used to test the hypotheses. Results showed there was no significant relationship between moratorium and foreclosure ego identity statuses and reading attitude of the samples. The study recommended among others that parents, guardians and teachers should consistently guide and encourage adolescents to explore various options in different aspects of life and be committed to such according to their goals and aspirations as they develop into adults; students however should be encouraged by their teachers and parents to develop positive reading attitude as that is part of what lead to identity achievement

Effect of Planting Dates on Growth and Yield of True Potato Seed (TPS) in Nursery Raising Approach

To determine the proper planting dates for true potato seed (TPS) nursery, the present study was conducted at Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam, Pakistan located at 25.24, 46.00,’N and 68.32, 12.00’E during 2009 and 2010. Comparison of three planting dates i.e. October 15, October 30 and November 15, were made. The results obtained from m-2 area showed maximum germination (84.95%), plant height (46.94 cm) average number of micro (1-9 mm) tubers (196.1), small(10-19 mm) tubers (42.15), medium(20-39 mm) tubers (26.56), large(>40 mm) tubers (7.57), weight of micro tubers (1302 g), small tubers (480.3 g), medium tubers (340 g) and large tubers (468.5 g) were observed when TPS-9804 was planted on 30th October. The overall results for tuber yield showed that TPS-9804 genotype planted on 30thOctober produced maximum tuber yield (29.46 t ha1) as compared to rest of genotypes; hence, TPS-9804 genotype is recommended for raising of TPS nursery with 30th October of planting date

Human cyritestin genes (CYRN1 and CYRN2) are non-functional

P. Grzmil P, Kim Y, Shamsadin R, et al. Human cyritestin genes (CYRN1 and CYRN2) are non-functional. Biochem J. 2001;357(Pt 2):551-556

Spatio-temporal distribution of reactive nitrogen species in relation to wheat cultivation in Bangladesh

Farmers generally use more nitrogen fertilizer than others for crop production in Bangladesh because of its visible growth symptoms. Such practice is responsible for extra reactive N (Nr) load to the environment, but data are not available. Nitrous oxide (N2O) data were collected from a field trial following static closed-chamber technique, which were used for calibration and validation of DeNitrification and DeComposition model along with soil clay fraction, pH, bulk density and organic carbon contents. The model was well fitted and estimated about 364 g N2O–N ha−1 emission in Rajshahi region and only 15 g N2O–N ha−1 in Barisal region. District-wise N2O–N emissions varied from < 1–15.96 t season−1. In 2011–2016, N2O–N emissions from wheat fields were about 103–129 t yr−1 in Bangladesh. The model estimated nitric oxide (NO), ammonia (NH3) and nitrate (NO3) fluxes varied from 0.012 to 0.447, 7 to 12.5 and 0 to 4.7 kg N ha−1, respectively, under ambient temperature condition. In about 79% yield variabilities were explainable by N2O emission. In dominant wheat growing areas, if sowing is started from 15 to 30 November, N2O emission could be reduced by 8–40% with 5–13% reduction in yields compared to 10 November sowing. In similar areas and same sowing date with 1.5 °C temperature rise, N2O emission may increase by 8–45% and wheat yield might reduce by about 4–8%. Time of seeding and other cultural management in wheat cultivation would be the main avenue for reducing Nr loads to the environment