Use of rice straw-based biochar for batch sorption of barium/strontium from saline water: Protection against scale formation in petroleum/desalination industries

Younis, Sherif A.,El-Salamony, Radwa A.,Tsang, Yiu Fai,Kim, Ki-Hyun Elsevier 2020 Journal of Cleaner Production Vol.250 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The formation of hard mineral scale deposits (e.g., celestite (SrSO<SUB>4</SUB>) and barite (BaSO<SUB>4</SUB>)) is the most common problem that hinders sustainable operations of water-flooded oilfield and desalination systems (i.e., membrane fouling) when using poor quality water contaminated with barium (Ba(II)) and strontium (Sr(II)) ions. In this work, nanoscale biochar (∼53–712 nm) was synthesized from waste rice straw (cost = 380 to 560 ± 27 US$/Ton; n = 9) and applied as a protective approach against the formation of mineral scale deposits via adsorptive removal of Ba(II)/Sr(II) contaminants from 30,000 ppm saline wastewater. Adsorption of Ba(II)/Sr(II) ions onto biochar was investigated and optimized as a function of biochar amount, water pH, contact time, temperature, and Sr(II)/Ba(II) ratio using response surface methodology. Based on kinetic and isotherm analyses, the biochar exhibited enhanced potential to capture Sr(II)/Ba(II) ions <I>via</I> weak ion-exchange or pore-filling mechanisms (sorption energy (E)≈ 0.61–0.89 kJ/mol). A comparison of partition coefficient (PC) values verified that sorption of Sr(II) onto biochar is far superior to that of Ba(II) (PCs of 10.1 and 2.5 μmol g<SUP>−1</SUP> μM<SUP>−1</SUP>, respectively). Sorption selectivity was mainly dependent on solution pH and the metallic properties of Ba(II)/Sr(II)(e.g., metal size, speciation, and mobility). Quantitative analysis of treated saline water using electrical conductivity and ion chromatography confirmed the ability of biochar sorbent to remove Ba(II) and Sr(II) ions (97.5%) with pre-desalination (e.g., total salts reduction of 25.7% after 48 h). It is thus recommended to utilize the prepared biochar as a promising pre-desalinating adsorptive medium to inhibit mineral scale formation before oilfield water flooding in the petroleum field and membrane desalination systems.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Rice straw-driven nanoscale biochar effectively removed barium/strontium sulfate scales. </LI> <LI> Adsorption was studied in saline water using a response surface methodology. </LI> <LI> Biochar exhibited higher uptake selectivity for Sr<SUP>2+</SUP> than Ba<SUP>2+</SUP> in terms of partition coefficient. </LI> <LI> Pre-desalting of saline water by biochar was confirmed analytically. </LI> <LI> Weak ion exchange and pore-filling mechanisms best described the sorption process. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Exploitation of induced 2n-gametes for plant breeding

Younis, Adnan,Hwang, Yoon-Jung,Lim, Ki-Byung Springer-Verlag 2014 Plant cell reports Vol.33 No.2

Biochemical characterization of cotton stalks biochar suggests its role in soil as amendment and decontamination

Younis, Uzma,Athar, Mohammad,Malik, Saeed Ahmad,Bokhari, Tasveer Zahra,Shah, M. Hasnain Raza Techno-Press 2017 Advances in environmental research Vol.6 No.2

Cotton is the major fiber crop in Pakistan that accounts for 2% of total national gross domestic product (GDP). After picking of cotton, the dry stalks are major organic waste that has no fate except burning to cook food in villages. Present research focuses use of cotton stalks as feedstock for biochar production, its characterization and effects on soil characteristics. Dry cotton stalks collected from agricultural field of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan were combusted under anaerobic conditions at $450^{\circ}C$. The physicochemical analysis of biochar and cotton stalks show higher values of % total carbon, phosphorus and potassium concentrations in biochar as compared to cotton stalks. The concentration of nitrogen was decreased in biochar. Similarly biochar had greater values of fixed carbon that suggest its role for carbon sequestration and as a soil amendment. The fourier transformation infrared spectroscopic spectra (FTIR) of cotton stalks and biochar exposed more acidic groups in biochar as compared to cotton stalks. The newly developed functional groups in biochar have vital role in increasing surface properties, cation exchange capacity, and water holding capacity, and are responsible for heavy metal remediation in contaminated soil. In a further test, results show increase in the water holding capacity and nutrient retention by a sandy soil amended with biochar. It is concluded that cotton stalks can be effectively used to prepare biochar.

ON APPLICATIONS OF GENERALIZED F-CONTRACTION TO DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS

Younis Mudasir,Singh Deepak,Gopal Dhananjay,Goyal Anil,Rathore Mahendra Singh 경남대학교 기초과학연구소 2019 Nonlinear Functional Analysis and Applications Vol.24 No.1

In the present work, we introduce the new concept of a generalization of Ger- aghty type F-Berinde contraction mappings and establish certain existence results for such mappings. Some examples will embellish the results, for the same computer simulation is done. Our examples involve a series of complicated structured functions which cannot be treated by classical fixed point methods. Our findings extend, unify and enrich a multitude results in the existing literature. As an application, we apply our abstract results to establish the existence of solution of differential equations of first and second order to exhibit the po- tency and viability of our results. At the end, as an open problem, we suggest storekeeper’s control problem in terms of Volterra integral equation whose solution may be procured from the established results.

FISH and GISH: molecular cytogenetic tools and their applications in ornamental plants.

Younis, Adnan,Ramzan, Fahad,Hwang, Yoon-Jung,Lim, Ki-Byung Springer 2015 Plant cell reports Vol.34 No.9

<P>The innovations in chromosome engineering have improved the efficiency of interrogation breeding, and the identification and transfer of resistance genes from alien to native species. Recent advances in molecular biology and cytogenetics have brought revolutionary, conceptual developments in mitosis and meiosis research, chromosome structure and manipulation, gene expression and regulation, and gene silencing. Cytogenetic studies offer integrative tools for imaging, genetics, epigenetics, and cytological information that can be employed to enhance chromosome and molecular genomic research in plant taxa. In situ hybridization techniques, such as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and genomic in situ hybridization (GISH), can identify chromosome morphologies and sequences, amount and distribution of various types of chromatin in chromosomes, and genome organization during the metaphase stage of meiosis. Over the past few decades, various new molecular cytogenetic applications have been developed. The FISH and GISH techniques present an authentic model for analyzing the individual chromosome, chromosomal segments, or the genomes of natural and artificial hybrid plants. These have become the most reliable techniques for studying allopolyploids, because most cultivated plants have been developed through hybridization or polyploidization. Moreover, introgression of the genes and chromatin from the wild types into cultivated species can also be analyzed. Since hybrid derivatives may have variable alien chromosome numbers or chromosome arms, the use of these approaches opens new avenues for accurately identifying genome differences.</P>

The Impact of Deflection on the Sensing Response of Fiber Bragg Gratings Bonded to Graphene and PMMA Substrates

Younis Mohammed Salih,Mudhaffer Mustafa Ameen,Fahmi F. Muhammadsharif,Mohammad Fadhli Ahmad,Nor Aieni Haji Mokhtar,Ismael Mohammed Mohammed Saeed,Md. Nurul Islam Siddique,Ahmad Nazri Dagang,Salisa Abd 한국광학회 2020 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.4 No.2

The impact of graphene and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates on the response of a fiber Bragg grating (FBG) due to mechanical deflection was investigated. For this purpose, four FBGs with grating lengths of 5, 15, 25, and 35.9 mm were utilized. Higher sensitivity was found for FBGs of larger grating length and for those bonded to graphene substrate. It was concluded that FBGs of smaller grating length (5 and 15 mm) were more sensitive in compression mode, while those of larger grating length (25 and 35.9 mm) were seen to be highly sensitive in tension mode.

The subtle effect of integral scale on the drag of a circular cylinder in turbulent cross flow

Younis, Nibras,Ting, David S.K. Techno-Press 2012 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.15 No.6

The effects of Reynolds number (Re), freestream turbulence intensity (Tu) and integral length scale (${\Lambda}$) on the drag coefficient ($C_d$) of a circular cylinder in cross flow were experimentally studied for $6.45{\times}10^3$ < Re < $1.82{\times}10^4$. With the help of orificed plates, Tu was fixed at approximately 0.5%, 5%, 7% and 9% and the normalized integral length scale (L/D) was varied from 0.35 to 1.05. Our turbulent results confirmed the general trend of decreasing $C_d$ with increasing Tu. The effectiveness of Tu in reducing $C_d$ is found to lessen with increasing ${\Lambda}$/D. Most interestingly, freestream turbulence of low Tu (${\approx}5%$) and large ${\Lambda}$/D (${\approx}1.05$) can increase the $C_d$ above the corresponding smooth flow value.

Classical vs. Modern Genetic and Breeding Approaches for Lily (Lilium) Crop Improvement: A Review

Adnan Younis,Yoon-Jung Hwang,Ki-Byung Lim 한국화훼산업육성협회 2014 화훼연구 Vol.22 No.2

Lilies are of great economic important floweringplant that belongs to the genus Lilium can be grown underdiverse climatic conditions. During the last decade the lilyhas gained popularity worldwide among cut flowers and pot-ted flowering plants. Seeing the great recognition of lilies ininternational flower trade, several breeding approacheshave been adopted on different Lilium sections/groups andmore than 10,000 lily cultivars have been bred. Innovativebreeding strategies and advancement in molecular and bio-technology techniques have made the assortment of liliesdramatically. Different DNA marker approaches have greatpotential to increase the precision and efficiency of conven-tional lily breeding via marker-assisted selection (MAS) anddifferent breeders used it for Lilium crop improvement. Inthis review, different approaches and techniques that lilybreeders have employed to develop novel cultivars are dis-cussed. It is imperative to recognize that there must be anenhanced integration and synchronization in different lilyobjective oriented breeding programs, so that current issues,barriers etc. can be well identified with their appropriatesolutions.

Case Study: Impact of Well-Planned Landscape in Delivering Quality of Life to City Dwellers

Adnan Younis,Atif Riaz,Muhammad Qasim 한국원예학회 2006 한국원예학회 기타간행물 Vol.- No.-

The subtle effect of integral scale on the drag of a circular cylinder in turbulent cross flow

Nibras Younis,David S.K. Ting 한국풍공학회 2012 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.15 No.6

The effects of Reynolds number (Re), freestream turbulence intensity (Tu) and integral length scale (Λ) on the drag coefficient (Cd) of a circular cylinder in cross flow were experimentally studied for 6.45 × 103 < Re < 1.82 × 104. With the help of orificed plates, Tu was fixed at approximately 0.5%, 5%, 7% and 9% and the normalized integral length scale (L/D) was varied from 0.35 to 1.05. Our turbulent results confirmed the general trend of decreasing Cd with increasing Tu. The effectiveness of Tu in reducing Cd is found to lessen with increasing Λ/D. Most interestingly, freestream turbulence of low Tu ( ~5%) and large Λ/D (~1.05 ) can increase the Cd above the corresponding smooth flow value.