放电等离子烧结对纳米TiN增强Ti-6Al-4V显微组织和磨损行为的影响（英文）

采用放电等离子烧结(SPS)成功制备Ti-6Al-4V/TiN复合材料。加入Ti-6Al-4V中的TiN含量变化范围为1%~5%(体积分数)。研究添加TiN对Ti-6Al-4V材料致密度、显微组织、硬度和磨损行为的影响。实验结果表明,随着TiN含量的增加,材料的烧结密度从99%降低至97%;而显微硬度值却从HV_(0.1) 389增加至HV_(0.1) 488。X射线衍射(XRD)分析表明,伴随着少量二次Ti_2N相的形成,复合材料中TiN相的衍射峰强度增加。SEM分析表明,SPS烧结Ti-6Al-4V纳米复合材料具有细化的α/β相组织及均匀分散的TiN颗粒。与无添加烧结Ti-6Al-4V相比,Ti-6Al-4V/TiN复合材料的磨损表面呈现非连续的凹槽,抗磨粒磨损性能得到提高。     

Near-infrared spectroscopy applications for high-throughput phenotyping for cassava and yam: A review

The review aimed to identify the different high-throughput phenotyping (HTP) techniques that used for quality evaluation in cassava and yam breeding programmes, and this has provided insights towards the development of metrics and their application in cassava and yam improvements. A systematic review of the published research articles involved the use of NIRS in analysing the quality traits of cassava and yam was carried out, and Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar were searched. The results of the review established that NIRS could be used in understanding the chemical constituents (carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, moisture, starch, etc.) for high-throughput phenotyping. This study provides preliminary evidence of the application of NIRS as an efficient and affordable procedure for HTP. However, the feasibility of using mid-infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in combination with the NIRS could be further studied for quality traits phenotyping.     

Why a global decarbonisation agenda needs input from well-informed millennials

The recent and growing momentum surrounding climate change and renewable-energy push especially among millennials, although encouraging, does call for concerned caution. While increased interest in low-carbon energy transitions by millennials should be acknowledged and encouraged, well researched facts devoid of emotion and politics must guide the agitation by millennials for global decarbonisation. Drawing extensively from literature and facts from the public scene, this perspective evidences that millennials are being denied significant roles in shaping their future energy-wise.     

Platinum degradation mechanisms in proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system: A review

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) have the perspective to intensely decrease global emission through environmentally-friendly potential. This review paper summarizes the degradation of platinum catalyst layer that has become a significant issue in the improvement of PEMFCs. The review intends to categorise and provide a clear understanding between disintegration and agglomerate that occurs during platinum degradation. In each process, different degradation mechanisms and their migration processes are presented. The improvement in platinum degradation as a function of increasing the performance of PEMFC is established. Prospects for addressing platinum degradation through the exploration of further experimental and numerical research are recommended. Lastly, this paper through recommendation attempts to prevent platinum degradation and reduces high costs associated with the replacement of catalysts in the PEMFCs.     

A review of cassava semolina (gari and eba) end-user preferences and implications for varietal trait evaluation

The purpose of this review is to support breeders and food scientists by examining research carried out on end-user preferences for gari and its derived dough product, eba, in Africa. The review focused on gari regarding the physical and chemical composition of raw cassava roots, methods of storage, the composition of gari with or without enrichment, and the sensory evaluation of gari and eba. The primary sensory attributes identified to describe gari are colour, taste, texture, aroma and flavour. Texture attribute of importance is crispiness for uncooked gari, and hand feel before consumption for eba. There was a significant correlation between the sensory characteristics of gari and the starch and cyanogenic potential (CNP) contents of the raw roots. Hence, the correlation of the end-user preferences with the chemical composition of the cassava roots could be helpful to breeders in refining selection criteria and developing high-throughput screening methods.     

Studies on the local techniques of yam flour production

Traditional Nigerian techniques of yam flour production have been studied with a view to mechanizing the processes.
Results of the studies show that the processing time can be much reduced if mechanized. The results also show that parboiling is an essential and critical procedure in the processing. The effects of variations in processing parameters on the production are discussed.     

Effects of plant residue quality, application rate, and placement method on phosphorus availability from Sokoto rock phosphate

Plant residues are being suggested as an amendment to enhance P release from rock phosphate, however, plant residue enhanced P release could depend on the residue quality, application rate and placement method. Effects of plant residue quality, application rate and placement method on solubility and P release from rock phosphate (PR) were studied in laboratory and field experiments. Leaves of ten woody and␣herbaceous species were incubated in a P-deficient soil with Sokoto PR under laboratory conditions to study the effects of residue quality on P release from PR. Effects of residue application rate and placement method were investigated in a field trial with five rates (0, 1, 2, 4 and 8 t DM ha⁻¹) of leaves of Dactyladenia barteri, two placement methods (incorporation and mulching), and two levels of Sokoto PR (0 and 60 kg P ha⁻¹) in a split-split plot design replicated three times. The plant residues were applied 4 weeks before the main season planting. Maize (main season) followed by cowpea (minor season) was used as test plant. In the laboratory incubation study, addition of plant residues increased the soil pH. Phosphorus released at 8 weeks was greater for plant residues with high C/N ratio, and low magnesium and potassium. In the field trial, soil pH was not affected by the addition of plant residues. Residue placement method showed little effects on P availability from PR. When residues were incorporated with PR, soil Olsen P was highest at lower rates of residues (1 and 2 t DM ha⁻¹) at maize planting. Maize P concentration and P uptake were highest at the incorporation of 4 t DM ha⁻¹ residues with PR. Incorporation at higher rate (8 t DM ha⁻¹) resulted in the greatest P uptake of the second crop, cowpea. The study shows the potential of plant residues in enhancing P release from PR. However, there could be initial immobilization of P, but this could be overcome within a short period if residues of high C/N ratio are used. A lower rate of residues (1–4 t DM ha⁻¹) is efficient at releasing PR–P for short-term effect especially if incorporated.     

Challenges of waste management in a Nigerian leper colony

Quantities and types of solid wastes generated at Ogbomosho leprosarium (Oyo State, Nigeria) have been investigated. Data collection, through waste sampling and analysis, interviews, questionnaire surveys and field observations, was conducted between August and November 2006. Results indicate a notably low mean waste generation rate of 241.5 g/h/d, which included bandages, paper, food waste, animal waste, wood ash, yard trimmings, amongst others. There is no national policy on waste handling. Domestic waste is mixed with biomedical waste without sorting. Moreover, waste‐handlers deal with waste materials by hand and without protective clothing or gloves, which needlessly exposes them to greater health risks. Similarly, primitive hygiene facilities (e.g. pit latrines, plus inadequate and intermittent water supplies) constitute a health risk to patients, staff and visitors. Recommendations include i) provision of separate waste receptacles at generation points to facilitate proper sorting and segregation; ii) adequate training and protective clothing for waste handlers; and iii) national and international action for leprosy patients housed in these ‘out of sight, out of mind’ communes.