Cysteine is one of the body’s essential amino acids to build proteins. For the early diagnosis of a number of diseases and biological issues, L-cysteine (L-Cys) is essential. Our study presents an electrochemical sensor that detects L-cysteine by immobilizing the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) enzyme on a reduced graphene oxide (GCE) modified glassy carbon electrode. The morphologies and chemical compositions of synthesized materials were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The modified electrode’s electrochemical behavior was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). Cyclic voltammetry demonstrated HRP/rGO/GCE has better electrocatalytic activity than bare GCE in the oxidation of L-cysteine oxidation in a solution of acetate buffer. The electrochemical sensor had a broad linear range of 0 µM to 1 mM, a 0.32 µM detection limit, and a sensitivity of 6.08 μA μM⁻¹ cm⁻². The developed sensor was successfully used for the L-cysteine detection in a real blood sample with good results.

The following paper assesses the relationship between electricity consumption, economic growth, environmental pollution, and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) development in Kazakhstan. Using the structural equation method, the study analyzes panel data gathered across various regions of Kazakhstan between 2014 and 2022. The data were sourced from official records of the Bureau of National Statistics of Kazakhstan and include all regions of Kazakhstan. The chosen timeframe includes the period from 2014, which marked a significant drop in oil prices that impacted the overall economic situation in the country, to 2022. The main hypotheses of the study relate to the impact of electricity consumption on economic growth, ICT, and environmental sustainability, as well as ICT’s role in economic development and environmental impact. The results show electricity consumption’s positive effect on economic growth and ICT development while also revealing an increase in pollutant emissions (emissions of liquid and gaseous pollutants) with economic growth and electricity consumption. The development of ICT in Kazakhstan has been revealed to not have a direct effect on reducing pollutant emissions into the environment, raising important questions about how technology can be leveraged to mitigate environmental impact, whether current technological advancements are sufficient to address environmental challenges, and what specific measures are needed to enhance the environmental benefits of ICT. There is a clear necessity to integrate sustainable practices and technologies to achieve balanced development. These results offer important insights into the relationships among electricity consumption, technology, economic development, and environmental issues. They underscore the complexity and multidimensionality of these interactions and suggest directions for future research, especially in the context of finding sustainable solutions for balanced development.

The effects of different storage temperatures (2, 4 and 8 ℃) and their corresponding optimal heat treatment conditions on the quality, physiological and biochemical indexes of Cucumber Fruits during storage were studied by using the quadratic regression orthogonal rotation combination design. The effects of different storage temperatures (2, 4 and 8 ℃) and their corresponding optimal heat treatment conditions on the chilling injury, hardness, weightlessness rate, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), H₂O₂, super oxygen anion free radical (O^2-), ASA and GSH were determined. The results showed that heat treatment could inhibit chilling injury, while heat treatment combined with 4 ℃ low temperature storage could effectively inhibit the decline of fruit hardness and weight loss rate, delay the increase of peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities, inhibit the increase of H₂O₂ and superoxide anion free radical O^2- and significantly inhibit the browning of cucumber, delay the decline of ascorbic acid and maintain the content of GSH, it was beneficial to adjust the balance of active oxygen system. The results showed that under the storage condition of 4 ℃, the hot water treatment condition of cucumber was 39.4 ℃ and 24.3 min, which could delay the senescence of cucumber fruit and better maintain the quality of cucumber fruit.

The last decades have offered new challenges to researchers worldwide through the problems our planet is facing both in the environment protection field and the need to replace fossil fuels with new environmentally friendly alternatives. Bioenergy as a form of renewable energy is an acceptable option from all points of view and biofuels due to their biological origin have the ability to satisfy the new needs of humanity. By releasing some non-polluting combustion products into the atmosphere, biofuels have already been adopted as additives in traditional liquid fuels, being intended mainly for internal combustion engines of automobiles. The current work proposes an extension of biofuels application in combustion processes specific to industrial furnaces. This technical concern is not found in the literature, except for achievements of the research team involved in this work, which has performed previous investigations. A 51.5 kW-burner was designed to operate with glycerine originating from triglycerides of plants and animals, mixed with ethanol, an alcohol produced by the chemical industry recently used as an additive in gasoline for automobile engines. Industrial oxygen was chosen as the oxidizing agent necessary for the liquid mixture combustion, allowing to obtain much higher flame temperatures compared to the usual combustion processes using air. Mixing glycerine with ethanol in 8.8 ratio allowed growing flame stability, accentuated also by creating swirl currents in the flame through the speed regime of fluids at the exit from the burner body. Results were excellent both through the flame stability and low level of polluting emissions.

We develop a relatively cheap technology of processing a scrap in the form of already used tungsten-containing products (spirals, plates, wires, rods, etc.), as well not conditional tungsten powders. The main stages of the proposed W-scrap recycling method are its dispersing and subsequent dissolution under controlled conditions in hydrogen peroxide aqueous solution resulting in the PTA (PeroxpolyTungstic Acid) formation. The filtered solution, as well as the solid acid obtained by its evaporation, are used to synthesize various tungsten compounds and composites. Good solubility of PTA in water and some other solvents allows preparing homogeneous liquid charges, heat treatment of which yield WC and WC–Co in form of ultradispersed powders. GO (Graphene Oxide) and PTA composite is obtained and its phase transition in vacuum and reducing atmosphere (H₂) is studied. By vacuum-thermal exfoliation of GO–PTA composite at 170–500℃ the rGO (reduced GO) and WO_2.9 tungsten oxide are obtained, and at 700℃—rGO–WO₂ composite. WC, W₂C and WC–Co are obtained from PTA at high temperature (900–1000℃). By reducing PTA in a hydrogen atmosphere, metallic tungsten powder is obtained, which was used to obtain sandwich composites with boron carbide B₄C, W/B₄C, and W/(B₄C–W), as neutron shield materials. Composites of sandwich morphology are formed by SPS (Spark-Plasma Sintering) method.

Silymarin, a bioactive compound derived primarily from the seeds and fruit of the milk thistle (Silybum marianum) plant, has garnered increasing attention in recent years due to its potential applications in agriculture. This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted role of silymarin in agricultural practices, shedding light on its chemistry, biological activities, and diverse applications. The chemical structure and properties of silymarin are elucidated, emphasizing its unique solubility, stability, and bioavailability, which render it suitable for agricultural use. A significant portion of the review is dedicated to examining the biological activities of silymarin, which encompasses its antioxidant properties. The underlying mechanisms responsible for these activities are explored, highlighting their potential as a natural solution for mitigating environmental stressors that adversely affect crop health and productivity. Illustrative examples from research studies and practical applications underscore its effectiveness in safeguarding agricultural yields and ensuring food security. Furthermore, the review delves into the potential of silymarin to enhance crop growth, yield, and quality. Mechanisms through which silymarin influences plant physiology and metabolism are examined, providing valuable insights into its role as a growth-promoting agent in agriculture. The review concludes with a forward-looking examination of the prospects of silymarin in agriculture, highlighting emerging trends and areas of innovation that hold promise for sustainable and resilient farming systems. In summary, this review consolidates the current body of knowledge surrounding silymarin’s potential in agriculture. It underscores the versatility of silymarin as a natural tool for crop protection, growth enhancement, and environmental sustainability, offering valuable insights for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers seeking innovative approaches to address the challenges of modern agriculture.