Accumulation of heavy metals in edible parts of vegetables irrigated with waste water and their daily intake to adults and children,District Mardan,Pakistan

Green vegetable crops irrigated with wastewater are highly contaminated with heavy metals and are the main source of human exposure to the contaminants. In this study accumulation of eight heavy metals (Cu, Ni, Zn, Cr, Fe, Mn, Co and Pb) in green vegetables like Allium cepa, Allium sativum, Solanum lycopersicum and Solanum melongena, irrigated with wastewater in Mardan are studied using Atomic Absorption spectrophotometer. The studied metals in vegetable grown on wastewater irrigated soil were significantly higher than those of tube well water irrigated soil and WHO/FAO permissible limits (P < 0.05). The most heavily contaminated vegetable was wastewater irrigated A. cepa, where the accumulation of Mn (28.05 mg kg^?1) in the edible parts was 50-fold greater than A. cepa irrigated with tube well water irrigated soil. It may be concluded that both adults and children consuming these vegetables grown in wastewater irrigated soil ingest significant amount of these metals and thus can cause serious health problems.     

Modeling methyl methacrylate free radical polymerization: Reaction in hydrophilic nanopores

In previous work, we developed a simplified model for the diffusion controlled bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate and extended the model to capture the reaction under nanoconfinement. The calorimetric conversion versus time data in bulk and in silanized hydrophobic nanopores was well captured by the model. Here we further extend the model to capture the reaction in native hydrophilic controlled pore glass (CPG) nanopores accounting for catalysis by surface silanol groups. The ability of the model to describe experimental data is tested. In order to fit the data, the parameters describing monomer and active chain diffusion differ from that in hydrophobic pores.     

Bispidine as a Versatile Scaffold: From Topological Hosts to Transmembrane Transporters

The development of designer topological structures is a synthetically challenging endeavor. We present herein bispidine as a platform for the design of molecules with various topologies and functions. The bispidine-based acyclic molecule, which shows intriguing S-shape topology, is discussed. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that this molecule exists in the solid state as two conformational enantiomers. In addition, bispidine-based designer macrocycles were synthesized and investigated for ionophoric properties. Patch clamp experiments revealed that these macrocycles transport both anions and cations non-specifically with at least tenfold higher chloride conductance over the cations under the given experimental conditions. Ultramicroscopy and single-crystal X-ray crystallographic studies indicated that the self-assembling macrocycle forms a tubular assembly. Our design highlights the use of unconventional dihydrogen interactions in nanotube fabrication.     

An insight on the development of functional carbon electrodes from plastic waste for capacitive deionization towards sustainable water reclamation

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an emerging electrochemical-based adsorption system that has a high capability for the water reclamation with future potential towards an energy-efficient and cost-effective technique for industrial implementations. However, the higher cost of electrodes and poor performance limit its scale-up, and there is a need to focus on a cost-effective electrode towards economic impacts. Among the various waste resources, plastic sources would be the better precursor for carbonization as the plastic-derived carbon possess enhanced surface properties and high electrochemical stability. Further, the carbonization of plastic products towards electrode minimizes greenhouse gas emissions, maintains environmental sustainability and achieves a dual benefit of circular economy with water reclamation. This paper highlights the overview of CDI, the significance of electrodes in CDI for electrosorption studies, various synthetic routes of plastic-derived carbon, and its properties that help the researchers to focus on zero waste discharge-based CDI process.     

Sesame seed as an alternative plant protein source: A comprehensive physicochemical characterisation study for alkaline,salt and enzyme-assisted extracted samples

Sesame seed is mostly utilised for its oil but also the waste of the oil processing; the seed meal has also significant potential to be used as an alternative protein source. In this study, the goal is to produce sesame seed protein by using three different techniques; alkaline, salt and enzyme-assisted extraction. A comprehensive physicochemical characterisation of the extracts was performed. Total and soluble protein contents, emulsification activity & emulsion stability, FTIR spectroscopy, hydration behaviour and gelling ability experiments by TD-NMR were conducted for all extracted proteins. Also, SDS-PAGE experiments were performed to observe the effect of extraction conditions on protein folding. Overall, the aqueous phase of enzyme-assisted extracted proteins (E-ACP) had the highest protein content and solubility, which resulted in other improved physicochemical properties. Salt extracted samples were ‘salted-out’, therefore, had poor physicochemical properties. TD-NMR experiments further confirmed the solubility and gelling ability results by measuring the change in the T₂ spin relaxation times. Additionally, FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the most critical peaks for the proteins; Amide I (C=O stretching) and Amide II (N–H bending). In summary, depending on the physicochemical property of interest, different extraction methods yielded proteins with different properties.     

Photovoltaic performance of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin film solar cells on flexible molybdenum foil formed by electrodeposition and sulfurization

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - The photovoltaic performance of CZTS film solar cells grown via electrodeposition and sulfurization was investigated using citrate (acidic...     

A novel approach for multimodal facial expression recognition using deep learning techniques

Multimedia Tools and Applications - Nowadays, digital protection has become greater prominence for daily digital activities. It’s far vital for people to keep new passwords in their minds and...