Synthesis and characterization of a novel Ca-alginate-biochar composite as efficient zinc (Zn2+) adsorbent: Thermodynamics,process design,mass transfer and isotherm modeling

In this present work, Ca-alginate-biochar adsorbent has been synthesized, characterized and tested its effectiveness in the removal of aqueous phase Zn²⁺ metal. The removal efficiency was studied under various physicochemical process parameters. External mass transfer model, intraparticle diffusion model and pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were used to fit the experimental Zn²⁺ adoption kinetic results and to identify the mechanism of adsorption. The desorption studies indicate the possibilities of ion-exchange and physical–chemical adsorption of Zn^2+. The adsorption was best described by Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption process becomes spontaneous, endothermic and irreversible in nature.     

Supporting adaptive capacity of agropastoralists through fish production and marketing: The case of Tendaho Reservoir

The present study was conducted to share the experience of promoting fish production and marketing from the Tendaho Reservoir of the Afar region, Ethiopia. The study results indicate the reservoir is serving its purpose, namely to generate gainful employment for the pastoralist youth and to create sustainable livelihoods and sources of income for the pastoralist‐fishermen of the Afar region. Further, the reservoir fish production has improved the nutrition and food security status of children. It also created a new business entry for hotels and restaurants in the area. Fishermen in the study areas, however, face problems getting the required support for such efforts, in the form of training in fish post‐harvest practices. The present study also indicates dried catfish marketing should be targeted in the short run to address the substantial fish spoilage observed in the high‐production hot season. Dried catfish marketing is highly recommended for the Afar region since it is well adapted to the climate of the study area, noting the product is less perishable and can be sold throughout the country. Dried catfish marketing is also expected to address the problem of gender inclusiveness, an issue clearly missing in the fish production system in the study areas.     

SnO<Subscript>2</Subscript>-core/SiO<Subscript>x</Subscript>-shell coaxial whiskers with a needle-like morphology

Needle-shaped structures of tin oxide (SnO₂) were coated with a shell layer of SiO_x via a sputtering method. The diameters of the SiO_x-coated structures gradually became thinner, leading to the formation of sharp tips. The whiskers consisted of a crystalline SnO₂ core surrounded by an amorphous SiO_x shell. The photoluminescence (PL) spectrum with a Gaussian fitting exhibited yellow-green and orange light emission bands, and the overall shape and intensity of the PL spectrum were not changed by the SiO_xcoating. The results of this study suggest that sputtering can be employed to achieve the layered growth of shell layers on a variety of nanostructures.     

Habitat quality–physicochemical water quality–littoral macroinvertebrate community nexus in Lugo Lake (Ethiopia): Priorities for sustainable water resources management

The integration of water quality characteristics with habplot-based habitat quality assessment score (HabQA) has received little attention in ecological quality assessment studies. This study investigated the macroinvertebrate community structure in relation with lake habitat quality and physicochemical water quality variables in Lugo Lake (Ethiopia). Twelve sampling sites (eight agricultural and four recreational) were included. The variation among macroinvertebrates data was significantly explained by HabQA score and soluble reactive phosphorus. The study revealed the greater importance of habitat quality characteristics in comparison with the other conventional physicochemical characteristics on macroinvertebrate community structure. We strongly recommend the use of HabQA system while studying macroinvertebrate community structure for a deeper understanding of the environmental functioning of tropical lakes. The results suggested the need to apply integrated and sustainable protection and management of the lake catchment (including wetlands) to enhance the ecological integrity and hence biodiversity of lakes.     

Studies on the mashing conditions of teff (Eragrostis tef) malt as a raw material for lactic acid‐fermented gluten‐free beverage

Formation of extracts and fermentable sugars during mashing can be limited by incomplete starch gelatinisation. The aim of this research was to develop mashing programme for 100% teff malt as a potential raw material for gluten‐free lactic acid‐fermented beverage. Isothermal mashing at temperatures ranging between 60 and 84 °C was conducted, and the highest extract (85%) was observed for the wort samples produced at temperatures higher than 76 °C. Sixty‐minute rest at 71 °C resulted in higher fermentable sugars than other tested conversion rest temperatures. Inclusion of lower mashing‐in temperature in the mashing programme also substantially improved the concentrations of free amino nitrogen (128 mg L^?1) and fermentable sugar (58 g L^?1) in the final wort. Therefore, 30‐min rest at 40 °C followed by 60‐min rest at 71 °C and 10‐min rest at 78 °C was found to be a suitable mashing programme for teff malt.     

The effect of diet changes and food loss reduction in reducing the water footprint of an average American

ABSTRACT

We analyzed the consumptive water reduction of diet shifting along with food waste reductions in the case of the United States. We find that a dietary shift to healthy diet will not always lead to reduced water footprint. Dietary shifts to vegan and vegetarian diets provide larger reduction in the consumptive water footprint. Reducing food loss and waste produced the largest potential water footprint reduction in our analysis of the US food system. Our findings suggest that a combination of measures that include dietary shift, reducing caloric intake, and reducing food waste result in a significant decline in water footprint.     

Alcohol Determination in Distilled Alcoholic Beverages by Liquid Phase Fourier Transform Mid-Infrared and Near-Infrared Spectrophotometries

Fourier transform mid-infrared spectrophotometry (FT-MIR), 1180–950 cm^?1, and near-infrared spectrophotometry (NIR), 1720–1660 nm, have been used complementarily for the direct determination of ethanol and methanol in distilled alcoholic beverages. In mid-infrared ethanol and methanol identified separately, hence, it has been used to confirm the absence or presence of methanol. In the absence of methanol, both were used to determine the alcoholic strength independently; however, near-infrared was used without diluting the samples. Ethanol and methanol contents were evaluated using the calibration curves established by a plot of peak height or peak area versus concentration % (w/w). The linearity range for ethanol was up to 15 and 50 % (w/w) for mid- and near-infrared, respectively. The developed methods are simple, fast, precise, and accurate. Moreover, the results obtained were in excellent agreement with the results obtained from gas chromatographic measurements. No sample preparation was required at all, and in all samples, methanol was not detected.     

Equivalent model of monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous silicon solar cells

The current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of monocrystalline, polycrystalline and amorphous silicon solar cells are measured in the dark. A two diodes equivalent model is used to describe the electronic properties of solar cells. The non-linear curve fitting of the dark I–V curves obtain besides the diode ideality factors and the reverse saturation currents, the series and shunt resistance of the solar cells. These parameters determine the fill factor and the efficiency of the solar cells.