Effect of metal oxide nanofluids on the performance of passive solar still single slope for two different absorbent plates

This study aims to improve the performances of a solar still single slope using metal oxide nanofluid (Al₂O₃–water, Cu₂O–water, and TiO₂–water). The numerical study was carried out for the climatic conditions of Agadir, Morocco, with different concentrations of nanofluids inside a basin equipped with an absorber plate with two different absorptivities. The numerical study is based on thermal balance equations applied on different solar system components and solved using the Runge Kutta method. The numerical model is validated by comparing our results with the literature available data. A comparison study of the effect of these nanofluids on solar still productivity is done. The results show that the productivity of the solar still using nanoparticles Cu₂O, TiO₂, and Al₂O₃ are 7.38, 7.1, and 7.064 kg m⁻² day⁻¹, respectively. It is obtained that the maximum efficiency of the solar still is found to be 55.27% by using cuprous oxide nanoparticles. Furthermore, an enhancement in solar still productivity of 6.36%, 19.54%, and 33.25% is obtained by dispersing 1%, 3%, and 5% volume fraction of Cu₂O nanoparticles in pure water, respectively compared to the conventional solar. Moreover, the impact of the absorptivity of the absorber plate on the solar still effectiveness is investigated. Two types of coatings are considered to change the absorber plate absorptivity. The results indicate that the efficiencies of the solar system are 58.81% and 51.77% using an absorber plate with 0.95 and 0.85 of absorptivity, respectively.     

Impacts of slip and mass transpiration on Newtonian liquid flow over a porous stretching sheet

This article focuses on analytic solutions for Newtonian fluid flow with slip and mass transpiration on a porous stretching sheet using the differential transform method and Pade approximants of an exceptionally nonlinear differential equation. The impacts of different parameters including mass transpiration (suction/injection), Navier's slip, and Darcy number parameters on the velocity of the liquid and tangential stress are discussed. A comprehensive comparison of our results with the previous one in the literature is made, and the results showed good agreement. An investigation is conducted of a combination of magnetic liquids that are conceivably pertinent for wound medicines, skin repair, and astute coatings for natural gadgets. It is found that there is a decrease in the velocity profiles and the boundary layer thickness for the case of suction.     

The influence of white mud on the water absorption,surface wettability,mechanical, and dynamic thermomechanical properties of core–shell structured wood-plastic composites

European Journal of Wood and Wood Products - To obtain the optimum balance between performance and cost, white mud (lime mud) was incorporated into the shell layer of core–shell structured...     

澜沧江流域不同茶区晒青茶品质比较

为深入了解云南澜沧江流域不同茶区晒青茶的品质差异，选取比较澜沧、双江2个茶区的24个乡镇晒青茶样，采用感官审评与品质理化成分检测，分析不同茶区晒青茶主要理化成分和感官品质方面存在的差异。结果表明：澜沧、双江2个茶区晒青茶的茶多酚平均值分别为24.43%、23.18%；游离氨基酸平均值分别为2.72%、3.97%；咖啡碱平均值分别为4.90%、4.48%；水浸出物平均值分别为45.67%、44.29%；酚氨比均值分别为9.40、6.07。澜沧、双江2个茶区不同产地的晒青茶茶多酚、游离氨基酸、咖啡碱、水浸出物和酚氨比之间存在一定差异。不同的内含化学成分，使各茶区的晒青茶感官品质明显不同。澜沧茶区的晒青茶滋味整体较醇和、稍涩，部分稍带花香与焦味；双江茶区的晒青茶整体滋味较浓醇、微涩带苦，部分平和。     

Effects of Bacillus velezensis zk1 on the physiology and metabolism of peaches

Bacillus velezensis zk1 is the dominant bacterium that causing rot in peaches. However, the mechanisms through that this bacterium causes rot have not been elucidated. Here, we explored the mechanisms of peach decay caused by B. velezensis zk1. The invasion of B. velezensis zk1 in peaches resulted in an increase in glucose and arabinose contents in fruit tissues. Moreover, the relative conductivity of the fruit reached 84% after 4 days of culture with bacterial invasion. With the destruction of cells, the malondialdehyde content increased, whereas the vitamin C, dialdehyde, flavonoid and total phenol contents decreased. Polyphenol oxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase and ammonia lyase activities also decreased. Overall, these findings demonstrated that B. velezensis zk1 infection damaged peach chloroplasts, mitochondria, respiratory chain activity and related free radical scavenging enzyme systems, thereby disrupting the normal physiological metabolism of peaches and causing rot.     

Monascus-fermented grain vinegar enhances glucose homeostasis through the IRS-1/PI3K/Akt and AMPK signaling pathways in HepG2 cell and db/db mice

Food Science and Biotechnology - MV was reported to have beneficial effects in ameliorating insulin resistance in db/db mice, but the intrinsic mechanisms for glucose homeostasis are unclear. This...