15 research outputs found
Impact of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics on feed digestive efficiency in ruminants
No full textThe increasing accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural systems poses a significant threat to the digestive efficiency in ruminants. This study investigated the effects of adding polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs at concentrations of 5 and 10 g/L in buffer-ruminal gastrointestinal solutions on ruminal degradability, gastrointestinal digestibility of rumen-undegraded residue, and total tract digestibility of corn silage and mixed hay using an in vitro model.
Results showed that at the highest PET MP concentration (10 g/L), crude protein degradability decreased by 9% for corn silage and 8% for mixed hay. A reduction in neutral detergent fiber degradability was observed exclusively in mixed hay at the highest PET MP concentrations, with a decrease of 5%. Dry matter and acid detergent fiber degradability remained unaffected. In the gastrointestinal phase, crude protein digestibility of rumen-undegraded residue was reduced by 9% in mixed hay at the lowest PET MP concentration (5 g/L), while dry matter digestibility of rumen-undegraded residue remained unchanged. The total digestibility of crude protein in mixed hay decreased by 5% at both PET MP levels, while for corn silage, it decreased by 3% only at the highest PET MP concentration. Total dry matter digestibility remained unaffected.
These findings demonstrate that PET MPs are not inert within the ruminant digestive system and can impair digestive efficiency, with more significant effects observed in mixed hay
Degradation of Microplastics in an In Vitro Ruminal Environment
Get PDFMicroplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging concern in ruminant production, as animals are
exposed to MPs through air, water, and feeds. Ruminants play a key role in MP transmission
to humans via animal products and contribute to MP return to agricultural soil through
excreta. Identifying effective strategies to mitigate MP pollution in the ruminant sector is
crucial. A promising yet understudied approach involves the potential ability of rumen
microbiota to degrade MPs. This study investigated the in vitro ruminal degradation of
three widely distributed MPs—low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyethylene terephthalate
(PET), and polyamide (PA)—over 24, 48, and 72 h. PET MP exhibited the highest
degradation rates (24 h: 0.50 ± 0.070%; 48 h: 0.73 ± 0.057%; and 72 h: 0.96 ± 0.082%),
followed by LDPE MP (24 h: 0.03 ± 0.020%; 48 h: 0.25 ± 0.053%; and 72 h: 0.56 ± 0.066%)
and PA MP (24 h: 0.10 ± 0.045%; 48 h: 0.02 ± 0.015%; and 72 h: 0.14 ± 0.067%). These
findings suggest that the ruminal environment could serve as a promising tool for LDPE,
PET, and PA MPs degradation. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms
involved, potentially enhancing ruminants’ natural capacity to degrade MPs
Bioclimatic Influence on the Nutritional Composition, In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation Dynamics, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Urtica dioica
Get PDFClimate change, feed shortages, and rising production costs highlight the need for alternative
and sustainable forages for ruminants. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional
composition, in vitro ruminal fermentation, and methane emissions of Urtica dioica ecotypes
originating from contrasting bioclimatic zones in Tunisia. Aerial parts of Urtica
dioica were harvested at the early flowering stage from arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid
regions. Samples were subjected to chemical composition in vitro ruminal fermentation to
determine dry matter degradability (DMD), neutral detergent fiber degradability (NDFD),
metabolizable energy (ME), and methane production. The results demonstrate that Urtica
dioica is a promising protein-rich forage, with a stable crude protein content across ecotypes
(18.58–20.97% of dry matter). In contrast, NDFD, DMD, ME, and methane emissions varied significantly according to origin. The arid ecotype, characterized by the highest fiber, ether
extract, and polyphenol content, exhibited the lowest DMD (53% vs. 61% and 60%), NDFD
(45% vs. 55% and 56%), and ME (7.2 vs. 8.6 and 9.0 MJ/kg dry matter) but produced the
lowest methane emissions (38.8 vs. 53.2 and 74.2 mL CH4/kg DMD) compared with the
semi-arid and sub-humid ecotypes. The semi-arid and sub-humid ecotypes had comparable
DMD, NDFD, and ME values; however, methane emissions were higher in the sub-humid
ecotype. Overall, the semi-arid ecotype provided the most favorable balance between
nutritive quality and environmental sustainability. These findings highlight the critical role
of ecological origin in determining the feeding value and greenhouse gas footprint of Urtica
dioica, providing a scientific basis for its potential use as a sustainable forage in ruminant
feeding systems
Boosting the efficiency of an inverted structure halide perovskite solar cell: a numerical investigation
No full text[EN] Inverted solar cells have attracted significant attention because they have low hysteresis and are resistant to environmental variables, such as oxygen and humidity, making them more stable and long-lasting. Herein, we investigate the performance optimisation of an inverted design based on MAPbI3-xClx with the structure ITO/PTAA/MAPbI3-xClx/PC60BM/BCP/Ag by utilising SCAPS-1D, a simulation tool. Accordingly, a substantial improvement in efficiency can be achieved by optimising several factors linked to each layer's performance in a perovskite solar cell (PSC). Total defect density, work function, thickness, and electron affinity have a significant impact on the photovoltaic response. Specifically, the impact of optimisation of the charge transport layers and the perovskite layer on the device's performance parameters was discussed, resulting in a milestone within a remarkable increase in PCE of 21.59%, whereas the original structure's efficiency was 6.9%. Additionally, it has been shown that aluminium can substitute silver in the top electrode of a solar cell without affecting its efficiency, allowing the development of cost-effective solar cells. The present study provides an insight in the creation of a highly stable low-cost and higher-efficiency perovskite solar cell.Tlili, W.; Bouazizi, S.; Kadri, B.; Bouich, A.; Issaoui, R.; Ghrissi, A.; Amlouk, M.... (2024). Boosting the efficiency of an inverted structure halide perovskite solar cell: a numerical investigation. Physica Scripta. 99(9). https://doi.org/10.1088/1402-4896/ad69d6S99
The Construction of the Self in the Memoirs of Exile : Anzia Yezierska and Lucette Lagnado
No full textBased upon a vision of exile as a traumatic experience, this thesis offers an in-depth analysis of the memoirs of the Jewish Egyptian author Lucette Lagnado and the Jewish Polish writer Anzia Yezierska. Theories of psychological trauma are used in order to demonstrate how these memoirists’ experiences have been embodied in historical and contemporary discourse. In the first chapter we study the reasons behind the exilic experience of each writer. Relying on exile theory conceptualized by Sophia McClellan, this first chapter deals with the spatial, temporal, and linguistic crises caused by the trauma of exile. The second chapter focuses on ethnic identity construction and how women writers conceptualize ethnic identity through their writings. The last chapter deals with the healing methods that the memoirists used in order to overcome the trauma of exile, be it on the personal or communal levelÀ partir d'une vision de l'exil comme expérience traumatisante, cette thèse propose une analyse approfondie des mémoires de l'auteure juive égyptienne, Lucette Lagnado et de l’écrivaine juive polonaise, Anzia Yezierska. Les théories du trauma sont utilisées afin de démontrer comment les expériences de ces mémorialistes sont inscrites dans un contexte discursif propre à chacune de ces auteures. Dans le premier chapitre, nous étudions les raisons de l’exil de chaque écrivaine. S’appuyant sur la théorie de l'exil conceptualisée par Sophia McClellan, ce premier chapitre traite des crises spatiales, temporelles et linguistiques engendrées par le traumatisme de l’exil. Le deuxième chapitre est axé sur la construction de l’identité ethnique et sur la façon dont les femmes écrivaines conceptualisent l’identité ethnique à travers leurs écrits. Le dernier chapitre examine les méthodes de guérison que les mémorialistes ont utilisées pour surmonter le traumatisme de l'exil, que ce soit au niveau personnel ou communautair
La construction de soi dans les mémoires de l'exil : Anzia Yezierska et Lucette Lagnado
No full textBased upon a vision of exile as a traumatic experience, this thesis offers an in-depth analysis of the memoirs of the Jewish Egyptian author Lucette Lagnado and the Jewish Polish writer Anzia Yezierska. Theories of psychological trauma are used in order to demonstrate how these memoirists’ experiences have been embodied in historical and contemporary discourse. In the first chapter we study the reasons behind the exilic experience of each writer. Relying on exile theory conceptualized by Sophia McClellan, this first chapter deals with the spatial, temporal, and linguistic crises caused by the trauma of exile. The second chapter focuses on ethnic identity construction and how women writers conceptualize ethnic identity through their writings. The last chapter deals with the healing methods that the memoirists used in order to overcome the trauma of exile, be it on the personal or communal levelÀ partir d'une vision de l'exil comme expérience traumatisante, cette thèse propose une analyse approfondie des mémoires de l'auteure juive égyptienne, Lucette Lagnado et de l’écrivaine juive polonaise, Anzia Yezierska. Les théories du trauma sont utilisées afin de démontrer comment les expériences de ces mémorialistes sont inscrites dans un contexte discursif propre à chacune de ces auteures. Dans le premier chapitre, nous étudions les raisons de l’exil de chaque écrivaine. S’appuyant sur la théorie de l'exil conceptualisée par Sophia McClellan, ce premier chapitre traite des crises spatiales, temporelles et linguistiques engendrées par le traumatisme de l’exil. Le deuxième chapitre est axé sur la construction de l’identité ethnique et sur la façon dont les femmes écrivaines conceptualisent l’identité ethnique à travers leurs écrits. Le dernier chapitre examine les méthodes de guérison que les mémorialistes ont utilisées pour surmonter le traumatisme de l'exil, que ce soit au niveau personnel ou communautair
DMSO-Free Tin Halide Perovskites for Indoor Photovoltaics
No full textPanda DP, Issaoui R, Iqbal Z, et al. DMSO-Free Tin Halide Perovskites for Indoor Photovoltaics. ACS Energy Letters . 2025.Indoor photovoltaic (IPV) technology has emerged as an effective strategy to sustainably power batteryless Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Though tin perovskite solar cells offer competitive IPV performance, their effectiveness is often compromised by Sn2+ oxidation, particularly when processed with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent. This work explored the IPV performance of DMSO-free tin perovskites FASnI3-x Br x by tuning the halide composition. Notably, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms no traces of Sn4+, highlighting the critical role of eliminating DMSO. Under 1000 lx indoor illumination, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) increases with Br content, reaching a maximum of 11.1% for FASnI2Br without introducing any reducing agent. Remarkably, after six months of storage, it exhibited an impressive indoor PCE of 11.9%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the DMSO-free processing route for the intrinsic stability of the tin perovskite. These findings provide crucial insights for developing high-performance, lead-free perovskite materials for sustainable energy applications and IoT devices
Prevalence and genetic lineages of Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization and urinary tract infection among people living with HIV/AIDS in Nigeria: A systematic review
Get PDFTo provide an empirical insight on Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) nasal colonization and urinary tract infection (UTI) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Nigeria, a quantitative synthesis and systematic review were executed. A comprehensive bibliometric search was conducted for published articles using the keywords ‘nasal S. aureus carriage’, ‘Urinary S. aureus’, ‘nasal MRSA’, ‘staphylococci-HIV coinfection’, ‘urinary MRSA’ and ‘all states of Nigeria’. Eligible studies and the number of subjects (n) were analysed according to the PRISMA criteria. Out of the 79 examined studies, only 6 (n=1181) and 6 (n= 1350) on nasal and urine samples, respectively, were eligible. The pooled prevalence of nasal carriage and UTI of S. aureus were 29.6% and 6.8%, respectively. However, the pooled nasal MRSA carriage was 13.4%. The pooled prevalence of luk-F/S-PV-carrying S. aureus among nasal samples was 13.0%. Molecular typing from 3 studies showed MRSA-ST8-t064 and MSSA-ST15-t084 as the predominant genetic lineages. The S. aureus isolates from both sample types had the highest (>50%) resistance to penicillin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, erythromycin, and tetracycline. Multi-drug resistance was not significantly higher among S. aureus isolates from urine than nasal samples (60% versus 40.0% of eligible studies) (p= 0.5271). A moderate and high pooled prevalence of genetically diverse MRSA and luk-F/S-PV-carrying S. aureus were obtained from PLWHA, respectively. These findings emphasize the importance of routine screening for MRSA among PLWHA in Nigeria and other HIV endemic countries
Correction: Slimani et al. Effects of Acute Long-Versus Short-Interval High-Intensity Interval Training on Attention and Psychological States in a Sample of Male and Female Adolescents: A Pilot Study. Life 2023, 13, 1846
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