The search for the development of nanostructured materials has led to the study of the properties of their precursors. For the production of nanofibers by the electrospinning process, it is necessary to determine the rheological parameters of the precursor solutions. Since these properties can be influenced by the processing variables and chemical composition of the polymer, this study aims to elucidate the effect of the addition of vinyl monomers in the formulation of nanofibers based on polyacrylonitrile and to determine the optimal parameters for the production of the precursor polymer solution. The effects of temperature and addition of vinyl monomers were evaluated by rheometry, from the analysis of the variation of the viscosity of the solutions, and by microscopy, the morphology of the nanofibers produced. It was observed that the increase in the temperature used to produce the solutions improves the fibers’ properties. Still, there is a relationship between the time of exposure of the polymeric solution to the temperature and the homogeneity of the fibers, which cannot exceed 45 min. The addition of vinyl monomers, to produce PAN-PVA co-polymeric fibers, increases the conductivity and reduces the viscosity of the solutions, resulting in more refined and homogeneous fibers.
Qatar FIFA 2022 was the first FIFA Football World Cup to be hosted by an Arab state and was predicted by some to fail. However, it did not only succeed but also showed a new display of destination sustainability upon hosting mega-sport events and linked tourism. Yet, some impacts tend to be long-term and need further analysis. The study aims to understand both positive and negative impacts on destination sustainability resulting from hosting mega-sport events, using bibliometric analysis of published literature during the last forty-seven years, and reflecting on the recent World Cup 2022 tournament in Qatar. A total of 2519 sources containing 665 open-access articles with 10,523 citations were found using the keywords “sport tourism” and “mega-sport”. The study found various literature researching the economic impacts in-depth, less on environmental impacts, and much less on social and cultural impacts on host communities. Debates exist in the literature concerning presumed economic benefits and motivations for hosting, and less on actual results achieved. Although World Cup 2022 is considered the most expensive among previous versions, destination sustainability seems to have benefited from the event’s hosting. Socio-cultural impacts of hosting mega-sport events seem to be addressed to an extent in the Qatar version of the World Cup, as well as environmental impacts while creating a unique image for FIFA 2022 and the destination itself. FIFA showcased this as using carbon-neutral technologies to create the micro-climate including perforated walls in the eight state-of-the-art stadiums, with the incorporation of a circular modular design for energy and water efficiency and zero-waste deconstruction post-event. The global event also drew attention and respect to the local community and underprivileged groups such as people with disabilities. Further research is needed to understand the demand-side perspective including the local community of Qatar and the event’s participants, and to analyze the long-term impacts and lessons learned from the Qatari experience.
Google Earth images in the Marche Region of Central Italy revealed a circular structure consisting of a ring system made up of concentric hills and valleys. Cartography, DEM, geological, and available geophysical data were used to constrain the possible origin of the structure. Located in the Messinian foredeep deposits of the Central Apennines, it has a rim diameter of 3.75 km and a central uplift connected to its southernmost part. As it was formed in the clays of the Lower Pliocene, and clays are believed to have emerged definitively after the Upper Pliocene, its age might be constrained to the Lower Pleistocene. Similar concentric structures are usually found in impact craters, sedimentary domes, and volcanic landforms. As salt domes and magmatic activity are not found in this region, this study seeks to validate the results of previous work that it was the result of an ancient impact crater of hydrological, brachyanticline, or clayey diapiric origins. Specifically, an observed second ring portion with a curvature radius about double the first in size will be investigated in this work. This second ring portion appears to be concentric to the first one and is visible along its northern and western parts. Although double concentric rings are usually due to impact craters, the absence of the ring portion in the other two directions and the probable deviation of a river, deduced by studying hydrography, support the hypothesis that it might be of clay diapir origin.
The COVID-19 epidemic caused unexpected complications, complexities and challenges in higher educational institutions (HEIs). In order to promote and strengthen the role of women leadership, this study aimed to clarify the unique challenges faced by female leaders at Saudi HEIs during the epidemic, find possible solutions to these challenges, and provide policy as well as management implications. A systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted, examining 27 records (i.e., research papers, articles and conference studies). The data were qualitatively analysed and categorized based on themes like challenges faced, opportunities recognized, and solutions proposed. Findings highlighted women leaders in Saudi HEIs grappled with multiple challenges, including technological barriers, cultural constraints, and increased workloads. Merging challenges with solvable strategies offers a forward-looking perspective, advocating for systemic changes that can shape a resilient and inclusive future for HEIs in Saudi Arabia.
The food industry progressively requires innovative and environmentally safe packaging materials with increased physical, mechanical, and barrier properties. Due to its unique properties, cellulose has several potential applications in the food industry as a packaging material, stabilizing agent, and functional food ingredient. A coffee pod is a filter of cellulosic, non-rigid, ready-made material containing ground portions and pressed coffee prepared in dedicated machines. In our study, we obtained, with homogenization and sonication, cellulose micro/nanoparticles from three different coffee pods. It is known that nanoparticulate systems can enter live cells and, if ingested, could exert alterations in gastrointestinal tract cells. Our work aims to investigate the response of HT-29 cells to cellulose nanoparticles from coffee pods. In particular, the subcellular effects between coffee-embedded nanocellulose (CENC) and cellulose nanoparticles (NC) were compared. Finally, we analysed the pathologic condition (Cytolethal Distending Toxin (CDT) from Campylobacter jejuni) on the same cells conditioned by NC and CENC. We evidenced that, for the cellular functional features analysed, NC and CENC pre-treatments do not worsen cell response to the C. jejuni CDT, also pointing out an improvement of the autophagic flux, particularly for CENC preconditioning.
Fruits are a source of vitamins. Mango is one of the abundantly nutritional fruits. Vitamin B9, or folic acid, is one of the important vital amines due to its role in preventing neural deficiency. Several beneficial micro-organisms are used for the synthesis of folic acid. In this study, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae were used. Saccharomyces cerevisiae synthesized folic acid as compared to other organisms. There were five different concentrations of mango pulp that were analyzed for folic acid synthesis (5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 30%). The initial concentration of pulp was 133.37 mg kg−1, but after fermentation with four micro-organisms it got reduced. As compared to the other three organisms, Saccharomyces cerevisiae synthesizes 17.15 mg kg−1, 30.14 mg kg−1, 28.62 mg kg−1, 21.70 mg kg−1, and 21.78 mg kg−1, respectively, at different pulp concentrations of 5%, 10%, 15, 20%, and 30%. Vitamin C increased to 320 mg as compared to the control, and there was no significant difference between the four micro-organisms. Antioxidants also showed positive results at different concentrations of pulp. There was an increase in titratable acidity and a decrease in pH recorded for the 24 h fermentation period. In this variety, the color of mango pulp slightly changes to yellow shades due to the breakdown of pigments, so this effects the *b value in between the pulp concentrations. Data supports the enrichment of folic acid, which will further support the utilization of beneficial micro-organisms in food beverages.
Copyright © by EnPress Publisher. All rights reserved.