STED JOURNAL

ADVANCING PLANT METABOLISM ANALYSIS: A REAL – TIME OPTICAL APPROACH, INSIGHTS FROM VRIESEA CARINATA WAWRA

Sara Ristić — 2024-11-29

Optical detection of plant stress in real-time is crucial as it enables timely interventions to mitigate potential damage. This study presents a detailed evaluation of a system that detects changes in plant metabolism in real-time by distributing optical signals across the leaf. The methodology facilitates continuous monitoring of changes in the optical properties of plant leaves through measurements of optical transmission coefficients using a 665 nm LED light signal, thereby recording the circadian rhythm over time. Given that the photosynthetic processes within the leaves are closely linked to the plant’s overall health, this system can detect stress caused by various factors and identify metabolic changes by analysing the circadian rhythm patterns of the observed plants.
For inducing metabolic changes, the plant Vriesea carinata Wawra, a verified representative of dual metabolism, was subjected to high light intensity stress. To validate the method, the collected results were compared with data obtained through chemical methods to establish a correlation between the traditional, destructive method and the non-destructive, optical method.
The findings successfully identify circadian rhythms as parameters for recognizing changes in plant metabolism, demonstrating the significance of the proposed method in researching plant physiology through the optical identification of biological processes.

ADSORPTION KINETICS AND THERMODYNAMICS OF CIPROFLOXACIN FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY MAGNETIC IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES MODIFIED MORINGA PODS

Mokete John Phele — 2024-11-29

The adsorption process of metal oxide nanoparticles has been studied as an effective means of removing organic and inorganic contaminants from water and wastewater. In this study, iron (III) oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were synthesized in the presence of moringa oleifera pods (MOP) as an adsorbent for ciprofloxacin (CIP) adsorption. Moringa oleifera pod biochar with Fe3O4 particles precipitated on the surface of biochar was synthesized by co-precipitation method. The effect of various parameters such as contact time, pH, metal concentration and adsorbent dosage on the removal efficiency was determined. The maximum adsorption capacity of CIP by magnetic moringa composite (MMC) was 96.12 mg/g. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations were used to analyze the equilibrium isotherm data. The adsorption process fit well with the second-order kinetics in all cases, and the Langmuir isotherm equation fitted well with the experimental data.

SEQUESTRATION OF CIPROFLOXACIN FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS BY NANOCOMPOSITE OBTAINED VIA MORINGA OLEIFERA PODS AND FELDSPAR CLAY MODIFICATION

Mokete John Phele — 2024-11-29

The environmental hazards of antibiotics have captivated increasing research focus, but their environmental behaviours remain unclear in water sources. Thus, this study focused on exploring the interaction mechanisms between Moringa Oleifera pod-modified feldspar clay (MFC) and ciprofloxacin (CIP) during sorption process. The efficiency of these adsorbents in aqueous solution adsorption of CIP were investigated as a function of pH, time and sorbate concentration. The impact of pH solution and CIP evolution showed that CIP sorption on MFC is strongly reliant on pH solution. Kinetic studies authenticated that the CIP sorption mechanism was a physisorption involving ion exchange and surface complexation mechanisms. The mechanism of CIP sorption on MFC was successfully studied using characterization techniques. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations were used to analyze the equilibrium isotherm data. The adsorption process fitted well with the second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm equation fitted well with the experimental data. The Langmuir isotherm showed that maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 57.61 mg/g. Thermodynamic factors: ΔG° values of -29 kJ/mol, ΔH° = 17 kJ/mol, and ΔS° = 163 J/mol.k of CIP adsorbed onto MFC indicate that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature.

ADSORPTION OF HEAVY METALS FROM WATER USING MORINGA OLIFERA PODS MODIFIED WITH IRON OXIDE NANOPARTICLES

Mokete John Phele — 2024-11-29

The adsorption process by metal oxide nanoparticles has been investigated an effective agent for removing organic and inorganic contaminants from water and wastewater. In this study, iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized in the presence of moringa oliefera pods as adsorbent for lead, copper and cadmium ions adsorption. Moringa oliefera pods biochar with Fe3O4 particles precipitated on the surface of biochar was synthetized by co-precipitation method. Batch adsorption method was used, and heavy metal ions percentage recovery was measured using ICP-OES. Effect of various parameters such as contact time, pH, metal concentration and adsorbent dosage was determined on the removal efficiency. The maximum adsorption capacities of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+ by MMC were 31.46 mg·g−1, 29.05 mg·g−1 and 27.66 mg·g−1, respectively. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations were used to analyze the equilibrium isotherm data. The adsorption process fit the second-order kinetics well in all cases, and the Langmuir isotherm equation fit the experimental data well.

RESULTS OF THE APPLICATION OF ADDENBROOKE’S REVISEDCOGNITIVE TEST EVALUATIONS: COMPARISON OF TWO CASE REPORTS

Tanja Todorović — 2024-11-29

The ACE-R is a widely accepted instrument in clinical practice, the revisions of which have been overcome certain weaknesses. The aim of this paper was to present the results of the ACE-R test research, and to analyze and compare the results obtained in the work with a healthy subject and a clinical subject diagnosis. The respondents are of similar age and similar characteristics. Selected from the clinical population is a respondent with a diagnosis of depression after a stroke, which is the most common a complication of the same. The results obtained in this paper partially confirmed the results of the previous ones research. The application of the mentioned test showed that the two respondents differed in their views measured abilities: the subject with a diagnosis of depression produces difficulties in recognizing tasks material, and verbal fluency and visuospatial abilities are reduced compared to healthy the respondent.

RENEWABLE ENERGY AND IT’S ROLE IN EXPENDING ACCESS TO ELECTRICITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH IN NIGERIA

Demola Salami Olatokunbo — 2024-11-29

The study investigated, amongst other variables, the relationship between renewable energy, its role in expanding access to electricity, and economic growth in Nigeria over the period 1960–2023. The ordinary least squares (OLS) and autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) models were used to estimate the short- and long run dynamics of the relationship.
The study shows that the overall model is statistically significant, meaning that the independent variables, taken together, significantly predict the dependent variable (GDP growth rates). The findings underline the intricate dynamics between renewable energy, electricity access, and economic growth in Nigeria. While the positive coefficient for renewable energy suggests that increasing renewable electricity generation could theoretically enhance GDP growth, the lack of statistical significance implies that this impact is not immediate.
Finally, based on these findings, the study recommends that policymakers should continue to prioritize investments in renewable energy infrastructure. Efforts should be made to enhance the reliability and quality of the electricity supply. A more robust and cohesive policy framework is needed to support renewable energy and electricity development and integration.

THE IMPACT OF DIGITAL MARKETING ON MODERN BUSINESS AND ADVERTISING

Isidora Milošević — 2024-11-29

In today’s world, alongside increased market globalization and economic regionalization, business success relies on the utilization of modern information technology. The emergence and development of the Internet and the networking of businesses and public administrations, driven by digital marketing strategies, have led to significant changes in how business systems operate and their efficiency. It has facilitated easy and fast communication, almost instant transmission of large amounts of data over long distances, simple publishing and updating of multimedia documents and their continuous global availability, digital delivery of goods and services, direct online payments, creation of virtual organizations, etc. All of these represent elements of a new form of business. Electronic commerce is a broad concept encompassing all business transactions or information exchanges conducted using information and communication technology between: businesses, businesses and their customers, or businesses and public administrations.

THE RULE OF LAW IN THE COUNTRIES OF THE WESTERN BALKANS AS A FOCUS OF THE ENLARGEMENT POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

Dragoslav Gluhović — 2024-11-29

Back in 2018, the European Union adopted the Strategy of enlargement to the countries of the Western Balkans, which provided a potential time and reform framework for accession negotiations on the accession of these countries to the European Union. Strengthening the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organized crime are the cornerstones of accession negotiations and European integration processes for the countries of the Western Balkans. This paper provides an overview of the EU Strategy – Western Balkans from 2018, where the focus is on the initiative to strengthen the rule of law and the analysis of the situation in these countries from the point of view of the rule of law.