bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Downed Logs of Masson Pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) on Soil Microbial Community in a Climate Transitional Forest of Central China
Authors: Lu Longlong , Hu Mengjun , Wang Jiali , Xu Xinchuang , Gui Haoran , Yan Xinyu , Miao Yuan , Wang Wenjie , Han Shijie
Published: May 2023

Downed woody debris (DWD) can alter the chemical and biological properties of forest soils, and this process is affected by the degree of DWD decay. Our aim was to assess the effects of the entire decay process of DWD on the associated soil microbial communities. Here, we examined the differences in soil microbial community size and composition among five decay stages (DC Ⅰ–Ⅴ) of Masson pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) at two soil depths in a climate transitional forest and then linked these differences to soil chemical properties. The decay of DWD increased soil total PLFAs, and the complexity of soil microbial networks was highest in stage Ⅱ and then decreased with the decay stage. The relative abundance of fungi increased with the decay stage, while the relative abundance of gram-positive bacteria decreased with the decay stage. The microbial community composition at a soil depth of 0–10 cm was mainly driven by soil pH and organic C (SOC), and at a depth of 10–20 cm, soil pH was the primary determinant of microbial community composition. Our findings suggest that DWD decomposition reduces microbial physiological stress, promotes fungal growth, and stimulates microbial biomass, highlighting the positive impact of DWD on forest soils. Future research is needed to elucidate the universal effects of DWD decomposition on soil properties, especially focusing on the response of soil microbial processes to the decomposition time of DWD.
Mechanical Performance and Bond Integrity of Finger Jointed High-Density Sub-Tropical Hardwoods for Residential Decking
Authors: Faircloth Adam , Kumar Chandan , McGavin Robert , Gilbert Benoit , Leggate William
Published: May 2023

Finger jointing has long been a method of extending the longitudinal span of short-length timber pieces through a tooth-like profile of a nominated length and bonded with adhesive. With the high-density hardwood resource in the sub-tropics, local industries have found it difficult to obtain adequate bond integrity for high moisture areas and outdoor applications, where a good bond is governed by the dry modulus of rupture (MOR) and the percentage of wood fibre present in the separated joint after exposure to water impregnation. This paper presents the finger joint performance in terms of MOR, stiffness (MOE), and wood fiber amount (WFA) under different variables, joint profile (10 and 20 mm long fingers) using two structurally rated adhesives (a single-component polyurethane (1C-PUR) and resorcinol formaldehyde (RF)) on spotted gum (Corymbia citriodora) and Darwin stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta) jointed boards. Dry bending strength or MOR testing indicated the 20 mm joints with the PUR adhesive had the best performance across both tested species compared to the RF adhesive. The measured MOE of the joints showed the RF samples to have higher MOE (7% to 13%) than the PUR samples for both joint sizes and species. Testing of joint durability through water impregnation resulted in MOR and MOE values decreasing by up to 50% for the RF and PUR joints. Conversely, the performance of water-impregnated joints after being allowed to re-condition to a 12% equilibrium moisture content produced a regain of MOR for the PUR joints across both species of 30% to 40%. Furthermore, it was found that the WFA increased for the PUR samples between the water-impregnated samples and the re-conditioned samples.
The Dominant Factor Affecting Soil Organic Carbon in Subtropical Phyllostachys edulis Forests Is Climatic Factors Rather Than Soil Physicochemical Properties
Authors: Li Siyao , Zhang Ao , Song Hanqing , Guo Wen , Tang Zhiying , Lei Gang , Qi Lianghua
Published: May 2023

Phyllostachys edulis, also known as moso bamboo, is widely distributed in China, has strong carbon sequestration potential, and contributes significantly to carbon sinks at the regional scale. However, the distribution and influencing factors of soil organic carbon (SOC) are unclear in bamboo forests at the regional scale. We selected six sites in Phyllostachys edulis forests in the northern subtropics, middle subtropics, and southern subtropics of China to determine the SOC contents and estimate its stocks. The relationships between the SOC and geographic position, climate, vegetation, and the soil’s physical and chemical characteristics were analyzed via Pearson correlation coefficients. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was established to reveal the direct and indirect effects of all factors on the SOC. The SOC content significantly decreased with an increase in soil depth in the subtropics. The Pearson correlation analysis and structural equation modeling results indicated that the climate was closely related to and had the most significant effect on the SOC in moso bamboo forests. The maximum effect values of the annual mean temperature (MAT) and annual mean precipitation (MAP) on SOC were −0.975 and 0.510, respectively. Elevation and latitude were strongly correlated with Phyllostachys edulis forests and 0–10 cm SOC content and significantly contributed to the SOC with effect values of 0.488 and 0.240, respectively. The soil’s physical properties and forest biomass had significant negative effects on the SOC. Both NH4+-N and available phosphorus (SAP) were significantly and positively correlated with the SOC at different soil depths in moso bamboo forests to different degrees, but he soil’s chemical properties, in general, had no significant direct effect on the SOC.
Attraction of Bees to Native and Introduced Willows (Salix spp.)
Authors: Grandstaff Gabrielle , Kuzovkina Yulia A. , Legrand Ana
Published: May 2023

Introduced willows have mostly been employed as a renewable feedstock for bioenergy in the northeastern USA. The question of whether introduced willows provide the same biodiversity value and attractiveness as native willows has not yet been explored. The objective of this study was to compare the attractiveness of native and introduced willows to different subfamilies of bees. The common garden experiment planted at Storrs, CT, USA, included three native (S. eriocephala, S. sericea, S. lucida) and three introduced (S. ‘SX64’, S. ‘Onondaga’, S. ‘S365’) willows. Various willow taxa flowered at different times through spring, allowing pollinators to be collected over a 6-week period using colored bowl traps. As a result, 2430 bees were collected and identified to the subfamily level. Andreninae was the most prevalent pollinator visiting all taxa of willows, followed by Hylaeinae and Colletinae. There were no significant differences in the number of pollinators collected from either native or introduced taxa during the progressive willow flowering during mid-March–May of 2021 and 2022, suggesting their equal attractiveness to pollinators. Similarly, during the concurrent flowering of the two native and two introduced taxa, there were no significant differences in the number of pollinators associated with either group suggesting that when pollinators had foraging choices, they were similarly attracted to both native and introduced willows. The overall finding of this study suggested that plantings of either native or introduced willows to meet bioenergy goals offer similar benefits of floral resources for pollinators.
Genome-Wide Identification of miR169 Family in Response to ABA and Salt Stress in Poplar
Authors: Wang Ruiqi , Wang Yuting , Gu Yongmei , Yan Pingyu , Zhao Wenna , Jiang Tingbo
Published: May 2023

The miR169 family is one of the largest families of known miRNAs, which performs important functions in plant growth, development, and responses to biotic/abiotic stresses. However, its functions in response to abiotic stresses are still unclear in poplar. In present study, a total of 33 precursor MIR169s were identified from poplar and divided into 3 groups by evolutionary analysis and multiple sequence alignment, with the members in same group sharing similar motifs. Collinearity analysis revealed miR169s in other species that are homologous to poplar miRNAs. Cis-acting elements predication showed that miR169s may respond to ABA (Abscisic acid) and salt stress, which was verified by qRT-PCR. In addition, 12 pairs of miR169/target gene modules were identified by degradome sequencing and most of these modules responded to ABA and salt stress. Specifically, a part of miRNAs showed opposite expression trends with their targets at a certain period, demonstrating a repressive effect on the target genes. All the results suggest that miR169s perform important functions in response to abiotic stresses in poplar.
Potensaphelenchus stammeri (Körner, 1954) Gu, Liu, Abolafia & Pedram, 2021 (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) from Pinus pinea Linnaeus, 1753 in Portugal
Authors: Silva Hugo , Cardoso Joana M. S. , da Costa Ricardo M. F. , Abrantes Isabel , Fonseca Luís
Published: May 2023

In a survey for Burspahelenchus species in a declining centennial stone pine, Pinus pinea, in Portugal, few specimens of Potensaphelenchus stammeri were extracted from wood samples, and an isolate was established in fungus cultures. The Portuguese P. stammeri isolate was characterised and identified based on morphological and morphometric diagnostic characters of females and males and by sequencing the D2-D3 expansion region of a large subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA. Phylogenetic analysis by the multiple sequence alignment of selected relevant D2-D3 sequences including sequences of different isolates of P. stammeri revealed that this Portuguese P. stammeri isolate forms a clade with other P. stammeri isolates. Potensaphelenchus stammeri is reported in Portugal, and it is associated with Pinus pinea; moreover, the morphological and morphometric data of a Portuguese isolate were presented for the first time.
Performance and Modification of Wood and Wood-Based Materials
Authors: Bekhta Pavlo , Krystofiak Tomasz
Published: May 2023

Wood remains one of the most attractive building materials [...]
Responses of Soil C, N, and P Stoichiometrical Characteristics, Enzyme Activities and Microbes to Land Use Changes in Southwest China Karst
Authors: Wang Linjiao , Sheng Maoyin
Published: May 2023

The present study aim is to elucidate the effect and influencing mechanism of land use change on soil C, N, and P stoichiometric characteristics, soil enzyme activity and the microbial community in the karst ecosystem of southwest China. The three typical successive evolution land use types of original forest land, slope farmland and shrub-grassland were selected as the study objects in the present study. Additionally, the change in the laws and relationships of soil, the C, N, and P stoichiometric characteristics, the five soil enzyme activities of urease, sucrose, alkaline phosphatase, amylase and protease, and soil microbial community during the land use evolution process were studied. Results showed that (1) during the evolution process of the three land use types, soil C, N, and P stoichiometric characteristics, enzyme activities and microbial PLFAs (phospholipid fatty acids) varied significantly or extremely significantly; (2) in the three land use types studied, there were significant or extremely significant correlations between soil C, N, and P stoichiometric characteristics, enzyme activities and microbial PLFAs; (3) the ecological project of returning farmland to woodland had remarkable ecological effects on increasing soil C and N sink, repairing soil microbial community and improving soil quality; (4) artificial afforestation should be used as the most important and preferential measure for karst vegetation restoration and reconstruction. The present results not only provided scientific bases for land sustainable utilization, vegetation restoration and reconstruction, but also had important value in reducing the release and increasing the sequestration of soil C and N in karst ecosystems of Southwest China.
Effects of Different Trace Elements on Ecophysiological Characteristics of Ligustrum obtusifolium Saplings
Authors: Cao Wenqiu , Arif Muhammad , Cui Zhen , Li Changxiao
Published: May 2023

Phytoremediation is becoming more prevalent globally. Literature on phytoremediation strategies in western China is relatively scarce. The present research sought to fill this gap by examining the effects of trace elements such as Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn on growth, physiological traits, tolerances, and accumulation characteristics in 2-year-old saplings of Ligustrum obtusifolium. The gradient of trace element concentration was determined by adding exogenous trace elements to the soil in a pot experiment: CK (no exogenous trace element), T1, T2, and T3 (Cd 0, 2, 5, and 10 mg/kg; Cr 0, 300, 500, and 700 mg/kg; Pb 0, 400, 800, and 1200 mg/kg; and Zn 0, 300, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, respectively). The results indicated that Chla, Chlb, and total Chls significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in the leaves of L. obtusifolium, with the lowest value obtained during soil treatment with T3. Along with the increase in trace element concentration, the net increase in height, root biomass, aerial biomass, and total biomass was reduced significantly. The net growth of L. obtusifolium under Cr stress did not differ significantly from that of CK at T1; however, the net growth of L. obtusifolium under Cr stress was considerably reduced at T2 and T3. The antioxidant enzyme activity of L. obtusifolium increased under different trace element stresses and first increased and then decreased as trace element levels increased. It was found that the SOD, POD, CAT, and APX activity of L. obtusifolium peaks at T2 under Cd and Zn stress in contrast to a peak at T1 under Cr and Pb stress. The contents of trace elements in L. obtusifolium roots, stems, and leaves increased along with the increase in soil trace element levels. Cr, Pb, and Zn threshold values can be set at 300 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg, respectively. This is carried out by using a reference index of the biomass of L. obtusifolium decreased by 10%, while the Cd threshold value needs to be further studied. L. obtusifolium would be an appropriate plant for phytoremediation of Cr-polluted soil, compared to Cd, Pb, and Zn absorption and accumulation. It showed optimal antioxidant enzyme activity and transfer ability under soil Cr contents of 300 mg/kg, and the growth of L. obtusifolium was not restricted. Therefore, L. obtusifolium was particularly suitable for phytoremediation of Cr pollution in areas in western China.
Research on Online Nondestructive Detection Technology of Duck Egg Origin Based on Visible/Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Li Qingxu , Zhou Wanhuai , Wang Qiaohua , Fu Dandan
Published: May 2023

As living standards rise, people have higher requirements for the quality of duck eggs. The quality of duck eggs is related to their origin. Thus, the origin traceability and identification of duck eggs are crucial for protecting the rights and interests of consumers and preserving food safety. As the world’s largest producer and consumer of duck eggs, China’s duck egg market suffers from a severe lack of duck egg traceability and rapid origin identification technology. As a result, a large number of duck eggs from other regions are sold as products from well-known brands, which seriously undermines the rights and interests of consumers and is not conducive to the sound development of the duck egg industry. To address the above issues, this study collected visible/near-infrared spectral data online from duck eggs of three distinct origins. To reduce noise in the spectral data, various pre-processing algorithms, including MSC, SNV, and SG, were employed to process the spectral data of duck eggs in the range of 400–1100 nm. Meanwhile, CARS and SPA were used to select feature variables that reflect the origin of duck eggs. Finally, classification models of duck egg origin were developed based on RF, SVM, and CNN, achieving the highest accuracy of 97.47%, 98.73%, and 100.00%, respectively. To promote the technology’s implementation in the duck egg industry, an online sorting device was built for duck eggs, which mainly consists of a mechanical drive device, spectral software, and a control system. The online detection performance of the machine was validated using 90 duck eggs, and the final detection accuracy of the RF, SVM, and CNN models was 90%, 91.11%, and 94.44%, with a detection speed of 0.1 s, 0.3 s, and 0.5 s, respectively. These results indicate that visible/near-infrared spectroscopy can be exploited to realize rapid online detection of the origin of duck eggs, and the methodologies used in this study can be immediately implemented in production practice.
Utilization of Porcine Livers through the Formation of Zn-Protoporphyrin Pigment Optimized by a Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Llauger Mar , Arnau Jacint , Albano-Gaglio Michela , Bover-Cid Sara , Martín Belén , Bou Ricard
Published: May 2023

There is a growing demand for clean-label products. This study aimed to obtain a food-grade coloring ingredient for meat products based on the formation of Zn-protoporphyrin from porcine livers, thus contributing to the development of nitrite-free products. First, the effects of sodium disulfite and acetic, ascorbic, and lactic acids on the formation of Zn-protoporphyrin and the total microbial count were studied. The combination of ascorbic and acetic acids resulted in a higher Zn-protoporphyrin content than acetic acid alone, and microbial levels were maintained (ca. 3 log CFU/mL). Second, a response surface methodology was used to maximize Zn-protoporphyrin while maintaining microbiological food standards. To that end, the effects of pH (4.2–5.4), incubation time (3–30 h), and temperature (25–50 °C) were studied. The selected conditions for Zn-protoporphyrin formation involved anaerobic incubation at pH 4.8 and 45 °C for 24 h. The safety was validated through challenge testing for relevant pathogens (Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Clostridium perfringens). A significant reduction (>6 log units) was observed in the selected conditions for L. monocytogenes and Salmonella, whereas C. perfringens spores remained at the inoculated levels. The optimized procedure is proven to be microbiologically safe, and may improve the color of nitrite-free meat products.
Analytical and Chemometric Characterization of Sweet Pedro Ximénez Sherry Wine during Its Aging in a Criaderas y Solera System
Authors: Valcárcel-Muñoz Manuel J. , Guerrero-Chanivet María , del Carmen Rodríguez-Dodero María , Butrón-Benítez Daniel , de Valme García-Moreno María , Guillén-Sánchez Dominico A.
Published: May 2023

Pedro Ximénez is a naturally sweet sherry wine produced in southern Spain from raisined Pedro Ximénez grape must and aged using a traditional Criaderas y Solera system. Complete analytical characterization has been useful in determining which parameters are the most influential in the aging of this wine. The organic acids, volatile compounds (higher alcohols, esters, aldehydes, and acetals), and phenolic compounds of this wine evolve during its aging, mainly through physico-chemical reactions and the contributions of wood compounds. During their aging, Pedro Ximénez sherry wines develop their organoleptic profiles, as tasting sessions have confirmed. A strong correlation between the aging of a wine and the parameters analyzed has also been corroborated through an MLR analysis. This allowed for the development of a model that, by using just 8 of the variables considered in the study, led to the determination of wine samples’ ages at over 97% confidence. This constitutes a rather useful tool for wineries to control Pedro Ximénez sherry wine aging processes.
Hot-Air Drying Significantly Improves the Quality and Functional Activity of Orange Black Tea Compared with Traditional Sunlight Drying
Authors: Yan Zhi , Zhou Zhihu , Jiao Yuanfang , Huang Jiasheng , Yu Zhi , Zhang De , Chen Yuqiong , Ni Dejiang
Published: May 2023

The quality of traditional sunlight-dried orange black tea can be affected by weather variations, leading to its quality instability. This study investigated the feasibility of replacing sunlight drying with a new hot-air drying method in orange black tea production. The hot-air-dried orange black tea showed better sensory quality than the traditional outdoor-sunlight-dried tea, with a harmonious fruity aroma and sweet–mellow taste. The content of polyphenols and other quality components in the peel and tea leaves was significantly higher after hot-air drying than after sunlight drying. GC-MS analysis showed that the total number of volatile components of hot-air-dried tea (3103.46 μg/g) was higher than that of sunlight-dried tea (3019.19 μg/g). Compared with sunlight-dried orange black tea, the hot-air-dried orange black tea showed higher total antioxidant capacity, with an increase of 21.5% (FRAP), 7.5% (DPPH), and 17.4% (ABTS), as well as an increase of 38.1% and 36.3% in the inhibitory capacity on α-glucosidase and α-amylase activities. Further analysis of the effects of different drying temperatures (40, 45, 50, and 60 °C) on the quality of orange black tea showed that the tea quality gradually decreased with the increase in drying temperature, with the most obvious decrease in the quality of orange black tea at the drying temperature of 60 °C. Low-temperature (40 °C) dried tea had better aroma coordination, higher fruit flavor, greater sweet–mellow taste, and higher retention of functional active substances in orange peel and black tea. In summary, compared with traditional sunlight drying, the hot-air drying method could reduce the drying time from 90 h to 20 h and improve the sensory quality and functional activity of orange black tea, suggesting it can replace the traditional sunlight drying process. This work is significant for improving the quality of orange black tea in practical production.
Black Bean Hulls as a Byproduct of an Extraction Process to Enhance Nutraceutical and Glycemic-Related Properties of Nixtamalized Maize Tostadas
Authors: Machado-Velarde Lesly Xiomara , Dávila-Vega Juan Pablo , Gutiérrez-Uribe Janet , Espinosa-Ramírez Johanan , Martínez-Ávila Mariana , Guajardo-Flores Daniel , Chuck-Hernández Cristina
Published: May 2023

Black bean hulls (BBH) are rich in phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, which can be incorporated into common staple foods such as maize tostadas, enhancing the nutraceutical properties of these products. This study incorporates black bean hulls to produce nixtamalized maize tostadas with nutraceutical properties. Nixtamalized corn flour (NCF) and black bean hulls (BBH) were characterized in terms of protein, fat, crude and dietary fiber, anthocyanin concentration, and different starch fractions. NCF and BBH depicted 53.7 and 16.8% of total digestible starch (TDS), respectively, and 1.2 and 7.6% of resistant starch (RS), in the same order. BBH was incorporated into nixtamalized flour at 10, 15, and 20% w/w, and the resulting dough was thermo-mechanically characterized. Tostadas with BBH had higher protein, dietary fiber, and anthocyanin concentrations. Enriched tostadas did not show significant changes in texture or other sensory characteristics. However, a reduction in total digestible starch (61.97 up to 59.07%), an increase in resistant starch (0.46 to 2.3% from control tostadas to 20% BBH tostadas), and a reduction in the predicted glycemic index (52 to 49), among other parameters, indicated that BBH is a suitable alternative for developing nutraceutical food products.
Consumers’ Preferences for Apple Production Attributes: Results of a Choice Experiment
Authors: Qu Ruopin , Chen Jing , Li Wenjing , Jin Shan , Jones Glyn D. , Frewer Lynn J.
Published: May 2023

Various food safety and environmental problems in China have raised consumer awareness of food safety issues and negative environmental impacts in various supply chains. This research assessed consumer preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for food safety and ecosystem delivery attributes associated with apples, demonstrated through the application of different traceability systems. Research participants were recruited in Beijing (N = 384) and Shanghai (N = 320). Choice experiment methodology was applied. The data were analyzed using conditional logit, random parameter logit, and latent class models; the results indicated significant consumer preferences for traceability information, including in relation to lower pesticide usage and application of organic fertilizer during primary production. The results also indicated that participants in this research had a significant willingness-to-pay premium for apple products that had production information traceability, had reduced pesticide use, and were grown with organic fertilizers. The models demonstrated heterogeneous preferences among participants such that consumers could be divided into three classes: non-price-sensitive (53.5%), pesticide-sensitive (21.7%), and price-sensitive (24.8%).
Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Tomato Flours Obtained after Conventional and Ohmic Heating Extraction and Its Prebiotic Properties
Authors: Coelho Marta C. , Costa Célia , Roupar Dalila , Silva Sara , Rodrigues A. Sebastião , Teixeira José A. , Pintado Manuela E.
Published: May 2023

Several studies have supported the positive functional health effects of both prebiotics and probiotics on gut microbiota. Among these, the selective growth of beneficial bacteria due to the use of prebiotics and bioactive compounds as an energy and carbon source is critical to promote the development of healthy microbiota within the human gut. The present work aimed to assess the fermentability of tomato flour obtained after ohmic (SFOH) and conventional (SFCONV) extraction of phenolic compounds and carotenoids as well as their potential impact upon specific microbiota groups. To accomplish this, the attained bagasse flour was submitted to an in vitro simulation of gastrointestinal digestion before its potential fermentability and impact upon gut microbiota (using an in vitro fecal fermentation model). Different impacts on the probiotic strains studied were observed for SFCONV promoting the B. animalis growth, while SFOH promoted the B. longum, probably based on the different carbohydrate profiles of the flours. Overall, the flours used were capable of functioning as a direct substrate to support potential prebiotic growth for Bifidus longum. The fecal fermentation model results showed the highest Bacteroidetes growth with SFOH and the highest values of Bacteroides with SFCONV. A correlation between microorganisms’ growth and short-chain fatty acids was also found. This by-product seems to promote beneficial effects on microbiota flora and could be a potential prebiotic ingredient, although more extensive in vivo trials would be necessary to confirm this.
Tunability of Hybrid Silica Xerogels: Surface Chemistry and Porous Texture Based on the Aromatic Precursor
Authors: Rosales-Reina Beatriz , Cruz-Quesada Guillermo , Padilla-Postigo Nataly , Irigoyen-Razquin Marian , Alonso-Martínez Ester , López-Ramón María Victoria , Espinal-Viguri Maialen , Garrido Julián J.
Published: May 2023

The interest in new materials with specific properties has increased because they are essential for the environmental and technological needs of our society. Among them, silica hybrid xerogels have emerged as promising candidates due to their simple preparation and tunability: when they are synthesised, depending on the organic precursor and its concentration, their properties can be modulated, and thus, it is possible to prepare materials with à la carte porosity and surface chemistry. This research aims to design two new series of silica hybrid xerogels by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with triethoxy(p-tolyl)silane (MPhTEOS) or 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (Ph(TEOS)2 and to determine their chemical and textural properties based on a variety of characterisation techniques (FT-IR, 29Si NMR, X-ray diffraction and N2, CO2 and water vapour adsorption, among others). The information gathered from these techniques reveals that depending on the organic precursor and its molar percentage, materials with different porosity, hydrophilicity and local order are obtained, evidencing the easy modulation of their properties. The ultimate goal of this study is to prepare materials suitable for a variety of applications, such as adsorbents for pollutants, catalysts, films for solar cells or coatings for optic fibre sensors.
Chitosan-Silica Hybrid Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering: A Comparative Study of Xerogels and Aerogels
Authors: Pérez-Moreno Antonio , Piñero Manuel , Fernández-Montesinos Rafael , Pinaglia-Tobaruela Gonzalo , Reyes-Peces María V. , Mesa-Díaz María del Mar , Vilches-Pérez José Ignacio , Esquivias Luis , de la Rosa-Fox Nicolás , Salido Mercedes
Published: May 2023

Chitosan (CS) is a natural biopolymer that shows promise as a biomaterial for bone-tissue regeneration. However, because of their limited ability to induce cell differentiation and high degradation rate, among other drawbacks associated with its use, the creation of CS-based biomaterials remains a problem in bone tissue engineering research. Here we aimed to reduce these disadvantages while retaining the benefits of potential CS biomaterial by combining it with silica to provide sufficient additional structural support for bone regeneration. In this work, CS-silica xerogel and aerogel hybrids with 8 wt.% CS content, designated SCS8X and SCS8A, respectively, were prepared by sol-gel method, either by direct solvent evaporation at the atmospheric pressure or by supercritical drying in CO2, respectively. As reported in previous studies, it was confirmed that both types of mesoporous materials exhibited large surface areas (821 m2g−1–858 m2g−1) and outstanding bioactivity, as well as osteoconductive properties. In addition to silica and chitosan, the inclusion of 10 wt.% of tricalcium phosphate (TCP), designated SCS8T10X, was also considered, which stimulates a fast bioactive response of the xerogel surface. The results here obtained also demonstrate that xerogels induced earlier cell differentiation than the aerogels with identical composition. In conclusion, our study shows that the sol-gel synthesis of CS-silica xerogels and aerogels enhances not only their bioactive response, but also osteoconduction and cell differentiation properties. Therefore, these new biomaterials should provide adequate secretion of the osteoid for a fast bone regeneration.
Cross-Linked Gel Polymer Electrolyte Based on Multiple Epoxy Groups Enabling Conductivity and High Performance of Li-Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Wei , Bae Wansu , Jin Lei , Park Sungjun , Jeon Minhyuk , Kim Whangi , Jang Hohyoun
Published: May 2023

The low ionic conductivity and unstable interface of electrolytes/electrodes are the key issues hindering the application progress of lithium-ion batteries (LiBs). In this work, a cross-linked gel polymer electrolyte (C-GPE) based on epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) was synthesized by in situ thermal polymerization using lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI) as an initiator. Ethylene carbonate/diethylene carbonate (EC/DEC) was beneficial for the distribution of the as-prepared C-GPE on the anode surface and the dissociation ability of LiFSI. The resulting C-GPE-2 exhibited a wide electrochemical window (of up to 5.19 V vs. Li+/Li), an ionic conductivity (σ) of 0.23 × 10−3 S/cm at 30 °C, a super-low glass transition temperature (Tg), and good interfacial stability between the electrodes and electrolyte. The battery performance of the as-prepared C-GPE-2 based on a graphite/LiFePO4 cell showed a high specific capacity of ca. 161.3 mAh/g (an initial Coulombic efficiency (CE) of ca. 98.4%) with a capacity retention rate of ca. 98.5% after 50 cycles at 0.1 C and an average CE of about ca. 98.04% at an operating voltage range of 2.0~4.2 V. This work provides a reference for designing cross-linking gel polymer electrolytes with high ionic conductivity, facilitating the practical application of high-performance LiBs.
Effects of Steam Sterilization on the Properties of Stimuli-Responsive Polymer-Based Hydrogels
Authors: Ferreira Inês , Marques Ana Camila , Costa Paulo Cardoso , Amaral Maria Helena
Published: May 2023

Hydrogels based on stimuli-responsive polymers can change their characteristics in response to small variations in environmental conditions, such as temperature, pH, and ionic strength, among others. In the case of some routes of administration, such as ophthalmic and parenteral, the formulations must meet specific requirements, namely sterility. Therefore, it is essential to study the effect of the sterilization method on the integrity of smart gel systems. Thus, this work aimed to study the effect of steam sterilization (121 °C, 15 min) on the properties of hydrogels based on the following stimuli-responsive polymers: Carbopol® 940, Pluronic® F-127, and sodium alginate. The properties of the prepared hydrogels—pH, texture, rheological behavior, and sol-gel phase transition—were evaluated to compare and identify the differences between sterilized and non-sterilized hydrogels. The influence of steam sterilization on physicochemical stability was also investigated by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results of this study showed that the Carbopol® 940 hydrogel was the one that suffered fewer changes in the studied properties after sterilization. By contrast, sterilization was found to cause slight changes in the Pluronic® F-127 hydrogel regarding gelation temperature/time, as well as a considerable decrease in the viscosity of the sodium alginate hydrogel. There were no considerable differences in the chemical and physical characteristics of the hydrogels after steam sterilization. It is possible to conclude that steam sterilization is suitable for Carbopol® 940 hydrogels. Contrarily, this technique does not seem adequate for the sterilization of alginate or Pluronic® F-127 hydrogels, as it could considerably alter their properties.
Food-Grade Oleogels: Trends in Analysis, Characterization, and Applicability
Authors: Perța-Crișan Simona , Ursachi Claudiu-Ștefan , Chereji Bianca-Denisa , Tolan Iolanda , Munteanu Florentina-Daniela
Published: May 2023

Currently, a large number of scientific articles can be found in the research literature in the field focusing on the use of oleogels for food formulation to improve their nutritional properties. The present review focuses on the most representative food-grade oleogels, highlighting current trends in terms of the most suitable methods of analysis and characterization, as well as trends in their application as substitutes for saturated and trans fats in foods. For this purpose, the physicochemical properties, structure, and composition of some oleogelators are primarily discussed, along with the adequacy of oleogel incorporation for use in edible products. Analysis and characterization of oleogels by different methods are important in the formulation of innovative foods, and therefore, this review discusses the most recent published results regarding their microstructure, rheological and textural properties, and oxidative stability. Last but not least, issues related to the sensory properties of oleogel-based foods are discussed, highlighting also the consumer acceptability of some of them.
Alginate-Bentonite-Based Hydrogels Designed to Obtain Controlled-Release Formulations of Dodecyl Acetate
Authors: Flores-Céspedes Francisco , Villafranca-Sánchez Matilde , Fernández-Pérez Manuel
Published: May 2023

Dodecyl acetate (DDA), a volatile compound present in insect sex pheromones, was incorporated into alginate-based granules to obtain controlled-release formulations (CRFs). In this research, not only was the effect of adding bentonite to the basic alginate-hydrogel formulation studied, but also that of the encapsulation efficiency on the release rate of DDA in laboratory and field experiments. DDA encapsulation efficiency increased as the alginate/bentonite ratio increased. From the preliminary volatilization experiments, a linear relationship was found between the DDA release percentage and the amount of bentonite present in the alginate CRFs. Laboratory kinetic volatilization experiments showed that the selected alginate-bentonite formulation (DDAB75A10) exhibited a prolonged DDA release profile. The value of the diffusional exponent obtained from the Ritger and Peppas model (n = 0.818) indicated that the release process follows a non-Fickian or anomalous transport mechanism. Field volatilization experiments showed a steady release of DDA over time from the alginate-based hydrogels tested. This result, together with those obtained from the laboratory release experiments, allowed the obtainment of a set of parameters to improve the preparation of alginate-based CRFs for the use of volatile biological molecules, such as DDA, in agricultural biological control programs.
Preliminary Study: DNA Transfer and Persistence on Non-Porous Surfaces Submerged in Spring Water
Authors: Korzik Morgan L. , De Alcaraz-Fossoul Josep , Adamowicz Michael S. , San Pietro David
Published: May 2023

Submerged items are often thought to lack evidentiary value. However, previous studies have shown the ability to recover DNA from submerged porous items for upwards of six weeks. The crevices or interweaving fibers in porous items are thought to protect DNA from being washed away. It is hypothesized that, because non-porous surfaces do not have the same traits that might aid in DNA retention, then DNA quantities and the number of donor alleles recovered would decrease over longer submersion periods. Additionally, it is hypothesized that DNA quantity and the number of alleles would be negatively affected by flow conditions. Neat saliva of known DNA quantity was applied to glass slides and exposed to stagnant and flowing spring water to observe the effects on both DNA quantity and STR detection. Results supported that DNA deposited onto glass and subsequently submerged in water experienced a decrease in DNA quantity over time, yet submersion did not have as strong of a negative effect on the detected amplification product. Additionally, an increase in DNA quantity and detected amplification product from designated blank slides (no initial DNA added) could indicate the possibility of DNA transfer.
Comparative Transcriptome Analyses of Leg Muscle during Early Growth between Geese (Anser cygnoides) Breeds Differing in Body Size Characteristics
Authors: Tang Jun , Ouyang Hongjia , Chen Xiaomei , Jiang Danli , Tian Yunbo , Huang Yunmao , Shen Xu
Published: May 2023

Goose is an important poultry commonly raised for meat. The early growth performance of geese significantly influences their market weight and slaughter weight, affecting the poultry industry’s economic benefits. To identify the growth surge between the Shitou goose and the Wuzong goose, we collected the early growth body traits from 0 to 12 weeks. In addition, we investigated the transcriptomic changes in leg muscles at the high growth speed period to reveal the difference between the two geese breeds. We also estimated the growth curve parameters under three models, including the logistic, von Bertalanffy, and Gompertz models. The results showed that except for body length and keel length, the best-fitting model between the body weight and body size of the Shitou and Wuzong was the logistic model. The growth turning points of Shitou and Wuzong were 5.954 and 4.944 weeks, respectively, and the turning point of their body weight was 1459.01 g and 478.54 g, respectively. Growth surge occurred at 2–9 weeks in Shitou goose and at 1–7 weeks in Wuzong goose. The body size traits of the Shitou goose and Wuzong goose showed a trend of rapid growth in the early stage and slow growth in the later stage, and the Shitou goose growth was higher than the Wuzong goose. For transcriptome sequencing, a total of 87 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified with a fold change ≥ 2 and a false discovery rate < 0.05. Many DEGs have a potential function for growth, such as CXCL12, SSTR4, FABP5, SLC2A1, MYLK4, and EIF4E3. KEGG pathway analysis identified that some DEGs were significantly enriched in the calcium signaling pathway, which may promote muscle growth. The gene–gene interaction network of DEGs was mainly related to the transmission of cell signals and substances, hematological system development, and functions. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the production and breeding management of the Shitou goose and Wuzong goose and help reveal the genetic mechanisms underlying diverse body sizes between two goose breeds.
Analysis of Lin28B Promoter Activity and Screening of Related Transcription Factors in Dolang Sheep
Authors: Sui Zhiyuan , Zhang Yongjie , Zhang Zhishuai , Wang Chenguang , Li Xiaojun , Xing Feng , Chu Mingxing
Published: May 2023

The Lin28B gene is involved in the initiation of puberty, but its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to study the regulatory mechanism of the Lin28B promoter by cloning the Lin28B proximal promoter for bioinformatic analysis. Next, a series of deletion vectors were constructed based on the bioinformatic analysis results for dual-fluorescein activity detection. The transcriptional regulation mechanism of the Lin28B promoter region was analyzed by detecting mutations in transcription factor-binding sites and overexpression of transcription factors. The dual-luciferase assay showed that the Lin28B promoter region −837 to −338 bp had the highest transcriptional activity, and the transcriptional activity of the Lin28B transcriptional regulatory region decreased significantly after Egr1 and SP1 mutations. Overexpression of the Egr1 transcription factor significantly enhanced the transcription of Lin28B, and the results indicated that Egr1 and SP1 play important roles in regulating Lin28B. These results provide a theoretical basis for further research on the transcriptional regulation of sheep Lin28B during puberty initiation.
Temperature-Related Short-Term Succession Events of Bacterial Phylotypes in Potter Cove, Antarctica
Authors: Ilicic Doris , Ionescu Danny , Woodhouse Jason , Grossart Hans-Peter
Published: May 2023

In recent years, our understanding of the roles of bacterial communities in the Antarctic Ocean has substantially improved. It became evident that Antarctic marine bacteria are metabolically versatile, and even closely related strains may differ in their functionality and, therefore, affect the ecosystem differently. Nevertheless, most studies have been focused on entire bacterial communities, with little attention given to individual taxonomic groups. Antarctic waters are strongly influenced by climate change; thus, it is crucial to understand how changes in environmental conditions, such as changes in water temperature and salinity fluctuations, affect bacterial species in this important area. In this study, we show that an increase in water temperature of 1 °C was enough to alter bacterial communities on a short-term temporal scale. We further show the high intraspecific diversity of Antarctic bacteria and, subsequently, rapid intra-species succession events most likely driven by various temperature-adapted phylotypes. Our results reveal pronounced changes in microbial communities in the Antarctic Ocean driven by a single strong temperature anomaly. This suggests that long-term warming may have profound effects on bacterial community composition and presumably functionality in light of continuous and future climate change.
Late-Quaternary Evolution of the Semi-Confined Alluvial Megafan of Isonzo River (Northern Adriatic): Where the Fluvial System of the Southern Alps Meets the Karst
Authors: Ronchi Livio , Fontana Alessandro , Novak Ana , Correggiari Annamaria , Poglajen Sašo
Published: May 2023

The evolution of alluvial megafans has mainly been investigated in unconfined settings; however, at the boundary of these large depositional systems, the development of fluvial channels can be affected by structural constraints with regional extent. Here we present the study of the eastern sector of the megafan of Isonzo River, in the Gulf of Trieste, where this system fed through the southern Alps is constrained by the Karst and Istria cliffs. Although this area is now submerged under the northern Adriatic Sea, stratigraphy from seismo-acoustic profiles, drill cores and multi-beam bathymetry allows us to reconstruct the paleochannel system of the Isonzo River in detail, which was likely active within the period of 21–17.5 ka cal BP, at the end of LGM. This was reconstructed for over 50 km and currently represents the longest abandoned fluvial channel in the Mediterranean seabed. The occurrence of the mountain fringe and competition with nearby alluvial systems forced the paleochannel to follow the present coastline and conditioned the slope of its thalweg to decrease almost to null, resulting the transformation from the megafan to the undifferentiated alluvial plain.
A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Parental Concerns in the Pediatric Surgery Department during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gruescu Ada Claudia Silvana , Popoiu Calin , Levai Mihaela Codrina , Tudor Raluca , Fericean Roxana Manuela , Rivis Mircea
Published: May 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted various aspects of healthcare, including pediatric surgery. This study aimed to assess parental concerns and stress levels in pediatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, identify factors associated with increased parental anxiety or concern, and provide recommendations for healthcare providers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary pediatric hospital in Timisoara, Romania, involving 174 parents of pediatric patients requiring elective or emergency surgery, with a mean age of 37.6 (25–47) years, out of which 89.1% of respondents were women. Parental concerns were assessed using the Parental Concerns Questionnaire (PCQ), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Parents of children undergoing emergency surgery (n = 108) reported higher levels on the practical impact domain of the PCQ scale (3.4 vs. 2.2, p < 0.001), emotional impact (2.7 vs. 2.2, p = 0.002), and total PCQ score (9.5 vs. 7.7, p < 0.001) compared to parents of children undergoing elective surgery (n = 66). Parents in the emergent surgery group also reported higher anxiety scores on the HADS questionnaire (7.9 vs. 6.5, p = 0.009) and higher perceived stress and total score on the PSS-10 survey (7.8 vs. 5.6, p = 0.046) (10.5 vs. 9.1, p = 0.047), respectively. A significantly higher proportion of parents in the emergent surgery group were concerned about restricted visitation policies (p = 0.013) and reported delaying or considering delaying their child’s surgery due to the pandemic (p = 0.036). The results demonstrate heightened concerns, anxiety, and stress among parents of children undergoing emergency surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare providers should address parental concerns, provide clear communication, and ensure adequate support for families. Recommendations include enhancing information about COVID-19 precautions, reassuring parents about personal protective equipment availability, and facilitating family support within visitation restrictions.