Assessment of AgNPs exposure on physiological and biochemical changes and antioxidative defence system in wheat (Triticum aestivum L) under heat stress

The present study was designed to check the role of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on physiological, biochemical parameters and antioxidants of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under heat stress. Plant extract of Moringa oleifera was used for AgNPs synthesis followed by characterization through UV–Vis spectroscopy, SEM, XRD and Zeta analyser. Heat stress was applied in range of 35–40°C for 3 hrs/ day for 3 days to wheat plants at trifoliate stage. Heat stress decreased the RWC (13.2%), MSI (16.3%), chl a (5.2%), chl b (4.1%) and TCCs (9.9%). Wheat plants treated with AgNPs showed significant increase in RWC (12.2%), MSI (26.5%), chl a (10%), chl b (16.4%), TCCs (19%), TPC (2.4%), TFC (2.5%), TASC (2.5%), SOD (1.3%), POX (1.5%), CAT (1.8%), APX (1.2%) and GPX (1.4%), under heat stress. Lower concentration of AgNPs (50 mg/l) decreased the sugar (5.8%) and proline contents (4%), while increase was observed in higher AgNPs concentrations. Overall, AgNPs treatment enhanced thermo‐tolerance in wheat plants, but the mechanism of AgNPs action needs further investigation at genome and proteome level in wheat plants under heat stress.Inspec keywords: crops, ultraviolet spectra, X‐ray diffraction, visible spectra, botany, microorganisms, scanning electron microscopy, solubility, agricultural products, nanoparticles, antibacterial activity, sugar, silver, food products, biochemistryOther keywords: heat stress, heat‐stress tolerance, wheat plants, AgNPs exposure, wheat antioxidative defence system, Triticum aestivum L, Moringa oleifera, biochemical parameters, silver nanoparticles, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, zeta analyser, total chlorophyll contents, TCCs, membrane stability index, MSI, malondialdehyde, sugar level, proline concentration, hydrogen peroxide, RWC, relative water content, total flavonoid content, phenolic content, ascorbate POX, guaiacol POX     

Cable failure resulted in the crash of a trainer aircraft

A training aircraft was crashed during a training session. The pilot and the trainer ejected out before the crash. The aircraft was elucidating the spin and recovery motion in the air. During a spin motion the aircraft did not recover and crashed to the ground. Rudder and elevator cables were found failed in initial investigation. They were seemed to be failed before crash. The failed cables retrieved from the crashed aircraft as well as un-failed used cables from the in-service aircrafts were subjected to further analysis. The results revealed that more than 50% wires of a rudder cable was failed under the fatigue mechanism and fractured catastrophically rendering the rudder out of order. The material of this particular cable was also different from the other un-failed/failed cables having comparatively lower mechanical strength. The pilots applied the rudder controls for recovery from spin motion, but could not find it operational. The aircraft crashed due to failure of rudder cable. The failure of other cables was the after effects of the impact of aircraft to the ground.     

Hot corrosion behavior of double ceramic layered CaZrO3/Yttria‐stabilized zirconia coatings

A novel double ceramic layered (DCL) CaZrO₃/Yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) was designed for improved service life against sulfate vanadate hot corrosion as compared with that of YSZ single layered coating. The hot corrosion behavior of DCL CaZrO₃/YSZ coatings was studied at 950°C after dry spreading 50%Na₂SO₄+50%V₂O₅ mixture onto a coated surface. The CaZrO₃ as the topmost layer in DCL CaZrO₃/YSZ coatings, served as a sacrificial layer during sulfate vanadate hot corrosion protecting the underneath YSZ coating. The corrosion reactions in this case were sluggish due to the initial formation of low melting point meta‐calcium vanadate (CaV₂O₆) that isothermally transformed to higher melting point calcium vanadates having higher calcia (CaO) content. The corrosion reaction products sealed the top surface, impeding the oxygen movement and eventually retarded the thermally grown oxide (TGO) growth. The sulfate vanadate hot corrosion life of the DCL CaZrO₃/YSZ coatings was observed to be more than double as compared with single ceramic layered YSZ coatings.     

Kinetics and isotherm studies for the adsorption of boron from water using titanium dioxide

Boron is a necessary element for plants that are generally found in the ground and seawater, but it can also be poisonous in large doses. Contamination of water with boric acid or borate ions is a global concern. Due to the absence of the chemical charge that boron possesses, its removal is often difficult. To investigate boron's adsorption characteristics, kinetic, isotherm, and isothermal studies were performed. The adsorption of boron was shown to be a pH-dependent mechanism, with the best results at around pH 9.0. About 47% of the boron from a solution of 50 mg L⁻¹ was removed using 5 g titanium dioxide in 30 min. It was also demonstrated that boron adsorption kinetics increased with temperature, which is best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R² > 0.98) and also fits well with Elovich and pseudo-first-order models (R² > 0.94) at pH 9.0. Equilibrium was reached in about 40 min for all the samples. The film boundary layer diffusion step limits the rate. Experimental results correspond well to the Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.95–0.99). Langmuir and Temkin's isotherms also fitted reasonably well (R² = 0.94–0.98). The Freundlich and Langmuir constants indicate favourable adsorption. The Gibbs free energy (ΔG) values increased negatively (from −11.47 to −15.63 kJ mol⁻¹) with increasing temperature, signifying a feasible and spontaneous process. The enthalpy change (ΔH) value of about 30.35 kJ mol⁻¹ indicated endothermic physical adsorption. The results indicate that titanium dioxide is an excellent and safe adsorbent for the removal of boron from water.     

Correction to: Do Energy Resources matter for Growth Level? The dynamic effects of different strategies of renewable energy,carbon emissions on sustainable economic growth

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy -     

Do Energy Resources matter for Growth Level? The dynamic effects of different strategies of renewable energy,carbon emissions on sustainable economic growth

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - This study examines the association between renewable energy strategies and carbon emissions on sustainable economic growth under affordable and clean...