Aerobic composting with hydrothermal carbonization aqueous phase conditioning: Stabilized active gaseous nitrogen emissions.

The losses of reactive gaseous nitrogen (N), including ammonia (NH) and nitrous oxide (NO), represent a pressing environmental issue during composting. However, the impact of hydrothermal carbonization aqueous phase (HAP) on compost gaseous N emissions and the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Herein, Quercus acutissima leaves-derived HAP and its modified HAP (MHAP) were added to the chicken manure compost at 5 % (w/w) and 10 % (w/w) applied rates to observe changes in NH and NO fluxes, compost properties and bacterial communities.

Manure-derived hydrochar superior to manure: Reducing non-point pollution risk by altering nitrogen and phosphorus fugacity in the soil-water system.

Hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) technology is an emerging technology for the disposal of manure-based wet wastes. However, the effects of manure-derived hydrochar inputs to agricultural soils on nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) morphology and conversion in soil-water systems remain largely unexplored. In this study, pig and cattle manure (PM and CM), and their derived hydrochar (PCs and CCs) were applied to agricultural soils, with changes in nutrient morphology and enzyme activities related to N and P transformation in the soil-water systems observed through flooded incubation experiments.

Hydrochar amendments stimulate soil nitrous oxide emission by increasing production of hydroxyl radicals and shifting nitrogen functional genes in the short term: A culture experiment.

The application of waste biomass-derived hydrochar to soil may cause extremely intensive nitrous oxide (NO) fluxes that can challenge our current mechanistic understanding of the global nitrogen cycle in the biosphere. In this study, two waste biomasses were used to prepare cyanobacterial biomas-derived hydrochar (CHC) and wheat straw-derived hydrochar (SHC) for short-term incubation experiments to identify their effects and mechanisms of waste biomass-derived hydrochar on soil NO efflux, with time-series samples collected for NO efflux and soil analysis. The results showed that CHC and SHC caused short-term bursts of NO effluxes without nitrogen inputs.

How does biochar aging affect NH volatilization and GHGs emissions from agricultural soils?

Biochar has been considered as a potential tool to mitigate soil ammonia (NH) volatilization and greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions in recent years. However, the aging effect of biochar on soils remains elusive, which introduces uncertainty on the effectiveness of biochar to mitigate global warming in a long term. Here, a meta-analysis of 22 published works of literature with 217 observations was conducted to systematically explore the aging effect of biochar on soil NH and GHGs emissions.

Synthesis, characterisation and thermo-physical properties of highly stable graphene oxide-based aqueous nanofluids for potential low-temperature direct absorption solar applications.

Two types of highly stable 0.1% graphene oxide-based aqueous nanofluids were synthesised and investigated. The first nanofluid (GO) was prepared under the influence of ultrasonic irradiation without surfactant.

Presence of microplastics alone and co-existence with hydrochar unexpectedly mitigate ammonia volatilization from rice paddy soil and affect structure of soil microbiome.

Microplastics (MPs), as an emerging pollutant, may cause deleterious changes to the nitrogen cycle in terrestrial ecosystems. However, single impact of MPs and synergistic effects of MPs with hydrochar on ammonia (NH) volatilization and soil microbiome in paddy fields has been largely unexplored. In this study, polyethylene (PE), polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and straw-derived hydrochar (HBC) were selected for observations in an entire rice cycle growth period.

Chicken Gut Microbiome and Human Health: Past Scenarios, Current Perspectives, and Futuristic Applications.

Sustainable poultry practices are needed to maintain an adequate supply of poultry products to the increasing human population without compromising human wellbeing. In order to achieve the understanding of the core microbiome that assumes an imperative role in digestion, absorption, and assimilation of feed as well as restrict the growth of pathogenic strains, a proper meta-data survey is required. The dysbiosis of the core microbiome or any external infection in chickens leads to huge losses in the poultry production worldwide.

Biogenic Au@ZnO core-shell nanocomposites kill Staphylococcus aureus without provoking nuclear damage and cytotoxicity in mouse fibroblasts cells under hyperglycemic condition with enhanced wound healing proficiency.

The aim of the present study is focused on the synthesis of Au@ZnO core-shell nanocomposites, where zinc oxide is overlaid on biogenic gold nanoparticles obtained from Hibiscus Sabdariffa plant extract. Optical property of nanocomposites is investigated using UV-visible spectroscopy and crystal structure has been determined using X-ray crystallography (XRD) technique. The presence of functional groups on the surface of Au@ZnO core-shell nanocomposites has been observed by Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Production of High-Value Nanoparticles via Biogenic Processes Using Aquacultural and Horticultural Food Waste.

The quantities of organic waste produced globally by aquacultural and horticulture are extremely large and offer an attractive renewable source of biomolecules and bioactive compounds. The availability of such large and diverse sources of waste materials creates a unique opportunity to develop new recycling and food waste utilisation strategies. The aim of this review is to report the current status of research in the emerging field of producing high-value nanoparticles from food waste.

Nanofluid Types, Their Synthesis, Properties and Incorporation in Direct Solar Thermal Collectors: A Review.

The global demand for energy is increasing and the detrimental consequences of rising greenhouse gas emissions, global warming and environmental degradation present major challenges. Solar energy offers a clean and viable renewable energy source with the potential to alleviate the detrimental consequences normally associated with fossil fuel-based energy generation. However, there are two inherent problems associated with conventional solar thermal energy conversion systems.

Progress towards Sustainable Utilisation and Management of Food Wastes in the Global Economy.

In recent years, the problem of food waste has attracted considerable interest from food producers, processors, retailers, and consumers alike. Food waste is considered not only a sustainability problem related to food security, but also an economic problem since it directly impacts the profitability of the whole food supply chain. In developed countries, consumers are one of the main contributors to food waste and ultimately pay for all wastes produced throughout the food supply chain.

Green Synthesis of Metallic Nanoparticles via Biological Entities.

Nanotechnology is the creation, manipulation and use of materials at the nanometre size scale (1 to 100 nm). At this size scale there are significant differences in many material properties that are normally not seen in the same materials at larger scales. Although nanoscale materials can be produced using a variety of traditional physical and chemical processes, it is now possible to biologically synthesize materials via environment-friendly green chemistry based techniques.

The synthesis, characterisation and in vivo study of a bioceramic for potential tissue regeneration applications.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is a biocompatible ceramic that is currently used in a number of current biomedical applications. Recently, nanometre scale forms of HAP have attracted considerable interest due to their close similarity to the inorganic mineral component of the bone matrix found in humans. In this study ultrafine nanometre scale HAP powders were prepared via a wet precipitation method under the influence of ultrasonic irradiation.

Chemical synthesis, characterisation, and biocompatibility of nanometre scale porous anodic aluminium oxide membranes for use as a cell culture substrate for the vero cell line: a preliminary study.

In this preliminary study we investigate for the first time the biomedical potential of using porous anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) membranes as a cell substrate for culturing the Cercopithecus aethiops (African green monkey) Kidney (Vero) epithelial cell line. One advantage of using the inorganic AAO membrane is the presence of nanometre scale pore channels that allow the exchange of molecules and nutrients across the membrane. The size of the pore channels can be preselected by adjusting the controlling parameters of a temperature controlled two-step anodization process.

Engineering a biocompatible scaffold with either micrometre or nanometre scale surface topography for promoting protein adsorption and cellular response.

Surface topographical features on biomaterials, both at the submicrometre and nanometre scales, are known to influence the physicochemical interactions between biological processes involving proteins and cells. The nanometre-structured surface features tend to resemble the extracellular matrix, the natural environment in which cells live, communicate, and work together. It is believed that by engineering a well-defined nanometre scale surface topography, it should be possible to induce appropriate surface signals that can be used to manipulate cell function in a similar manner to the extracellular matrix.

Photothermal response of CVD synthesized carbon (nano)spheres/aqueous nanofluids for potential application in direct solar absorption collectors: a preliminary investigation.

Direct-absorption solar collectors have the potential to offer an unlimited source of renewable energy with minimal environmental impact. Unfortunately, their performance is limited by the absorption efficiency of the working fluid. Nanoparticles of functionalized carbon nanospheres (CNS) have the potential to improve the photothermal properties of the working fluid.

Ultrasonic synthetic technique to manufacture a pHEMA nanopolymeric-based vaccine against the H6N2 avian influenza virus: a preliminary investigation.

This preliminary study investigated the use of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) nanoparticles for the delivery of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine pCAG-HAk, which expresses the full length hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the avian influenza A/Eurasian coot/Western Australian/2727/1979 (H6N2) virus with a Kozak sequence which is in the form of a pCAGGS vector. The loaded and unloaded nanoparticles were characterized using field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Further characterizations of the nanoparticles were made using atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering, which was used to investigate particle size distributions.

Thermal and ultrasonic influence in the formation of nanometer scale hydroxyapatite bio-ceramic.

Hydroxyapatite (HAP) is a widely used biocompatible ceramic in many biomedical applications and devices. Currently nanometer-scale forms of HAP are being intensely investigated due to their close similarity to the inorganic mineral component of the natural bone matrix. In this study nano-HAP was prepared via a wet precipitation method using Ca(NO(3))(2) and KH(2)PO(4) as the main reactants and NH(4)OH as the precipitator under ultrasonic irradiation.

Progress in Nano-Engineered Anodic Aluminum Oxide Membrane Development.

The anodization of aluminum is an electro-chemical process that changes the surface chemistry of the metal, via oxidation, to produce an anodic oxide layer. During this process a self organized, highly ordered array of cylindrical shaped pores can be produced with controllable pore diameters, periodicity and density distribution. This enables anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes to be used as templates in a variety of nanotechnology applications without the need for expensive lithographical techniques.

Nanoengineering a biocompatible inorganic scaffold for skin wound healing.

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that can directly benefit from advancements in nanotechnology and nanoscience. This article reviews a representative selection of commercially available procedures and techniques used to treat different degrees of skin burns. It also explores the emerging novel biocompatible inorganic nano-engineered alumina membrane in terms of skin wound healing.

Superhydrophobic nature of nanostructures on an indigenous Australian eucalyptus plant and its potential application.

In this preliminary study, the morphology and nanostructured features formed by the epicuticular waxes of the mottlecah (Eucalyptus macrocarpa) leaf were investigated and quantified. The surface features formed by the waxes give the leaf remarkable wetting and self-cleaning properties that enhance the plant's survival in an arid climate. This paper also provides experimental evidence of the self-assembly properties of the epicuticular waxes.

Significance of novel bioinorganic anodic aluminum oxide nanoscaffolds for promoting cellular response.

Tissue engineering is a multidisciplinary field that can directly benefit from the many advancements in nanotechnology and nanoscience. This article reviews a novel biocompatible anodic aluminum oxide (AAO, alumina) membrane in terms of tissue engineering. Cells respond and interact with their natural environment, the extracellular matrix, and the landscape of the substrate.

Effect of dilute gelatine on the ultrasonic thermally assisted synthesis of nano hydroxyapatite.

A series of nano hydroxyapatite-gelatine composites with different dilute solutions of gelatine concentrations were synthesized by a thermally assisted low-power ultrasonic irradiation method. The gelatine hydroxyapatite, (Gel-HAP) nanoparticles were prepared using Ca(NO(3))(2) and KH(2)PO(4) in the presence of gelatine in an aqueous solution. The synthesised products were heat treated between 100 and 400°C.

Defluoridation behavior of nanostructured hydroxyapatite synthesized through an ultrasonic and microwave combined technique.

The absorption performance of a nano-structured hydroxyapatite produced from a combined ultrasonic and microwave technique was examined for the removal of fluoride from contaminated water. The effect of physical and chemical parameters such as initial pH, contact time, initial fluoride concentration and temperature were investigated. The results indicated that the equilibrium adsorption data followed both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, with a maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 5.