Commercial Products Research Articles

ProBac-seq, a bacterial single-cell RNA sequencing methodology using droplet microfluidics and large oligonucleotide probe sets.

Methods that measure the transcriptomic state of thousands of individual cells have transformed our understanding of cellular heterogeneity in eukaryotic cells since their introduction in the past decade. While simple and accessible protocols and commercial products are now available for the processing of mammalian cells, these existing technologies are incompatible with use in bacterial samples for several fundamental reasons including the absence of polyadenylation on bacterial messenger RNA, the instability of bacterial transcripts and the incompatibility of bacterial cell morphology with existing methodologies. Recently, we developed ProBac sequencing (ProBac-seq), a method that overcomes these technical difficulties and provides high-quality single-cell gene expression data from thousands of bacterial cells by using messenger RNA-specific probes. Here we provide details for designing large oligonucleotide probe sets for an organism of choice, amplifying probe sets to produce sufficient quantities for repeated experiments, adding unique molecular indexes and poly-A tails to produce finalized probes, in situ probe hybridization and single-cell encapsulation and library preparation. This protocol, from the probe amplification to the library preparation, requires ~7 d to complete. ProBac-seq offers several advantages over other methods by capturing only the desired target sequences and avoiding nondesired transcripts, such as highly abundant ribosomal RNA, thus enriching for signal that better informs on cellular state. The use of multiple probes per gene can detect meaningful single-cell signals from cells expressing transcripts to a lesser degree or those grown in minimal media and other environmentally relevant conditions in which cells are less active. ProBac-seq is also compatible with other organisms that can be profiled by in situ hybridization techniques.

A Holistic View of the Fate of Berry-Derived Adjuncts throughout Fermentation

Berries and their products can enhance the antioxidant profile, color, and sensory characteristics of beverages, resulting in competitive, value-added products. However, a complete overview of how fermentation affects these compounds is lacking. The American black elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, is an excellent candidate for studying how berry juices are affected during fermentation due to high concentrations of color compounds, anthocyanins, and volatile compounds. Gravity, pH, titratable acidity, total anthocyanins, color, and GC-MS analyses were performed on two varieties of elderberries to examine the physical and chemical qualities of elderberry juice before and after wine fermentation. A commercial product with elderberry adjuncts added post fermentation was also analyzed. The concentration of anthocyanins degraded by ~40% as the color of the elderberry wine shifted from blue to red after fermentation. Products that added elderberries post fermentation did not see the same degradation, however, also did not incorporate the same changes to volatile compounds as observed in the fermented wine. The fermentation industry can use this study’s findings to decide how best to use fruits to improve commercial products.

Use of nonnative, invasive tree logs for commercial mushroom production

Abstract Removal and disposal of nonnative trees is expensive and time-consuming. Using these nonnative trees as a substrate to produce edible mushrooms could diversify farming operations and provide additional income to small-scale farmers. This research compared the production of shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) on nonnative tree logs to shiitake mushroom production on native oak (Quercus L.) logs, which are the traditional substrate. In a 2-yr study, we evaluated nonnative tree species as alternate substrates for growing shiitake mushrooms at farms in northern Florida and southern Georgia. A mix of native Quercus spp. and nonnative trees was targeted for removal on participating farms. Five nonnative tree species were initially tested for their ability to produce edible mushrooms, either shiitake or oyster (Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida). Of the nonnative trees we tested: Chinaberry (Melia azedarach L.), Chinese tallowtree [Triadica sebifera (L.) Small], silktree (Albizia julibrissin Durazz.), earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth.), and paperbark tree [Melaleuca quinquenervia (Cav.) S.F. Blake], only T. sebifera produced shiitake mushrooms, and none produced native Florida oyster mushrooms. In on-farm trials, Quercus spp. logs produced more total mushrooms and more mushrooms per log and had a higher total mushroom yield per log. However, mushrooms produced on T. sebifera logs had higher mean weight per mushroom. Edible mushroom fungi can be used to recycle invasive, nonnative T. sebifera and transform their biomass from waste into an income-producing resource.

New lines of cauliflower for Dagestan north arid subtropics

Cauliflower Brassica oleracea L. convar. botrytis (L) Alef. var. botrytis is an economically important and widely cultivated vegetable crop. To solve the problems of import substitution, the first priority is to ensure high-quality varietal diversity of cauliflower for agricultural producers in central Russia and the Southern Federal District (SFD). For the first time, such work was carried out in the northern dry subtropics of Southern Dagestan. At the Dagestan ES (it is a branch of VIR), in 2015–2022 lines from crossing two varieties of cauliflower – the early ripening Early Gribovskaya 1355 and the late ripening (winter form) Inca were studied. The paper presents the results of 11 cauliflower lines study, previously identified by early maturity, productivity and commercial qualities. Promising lines of the summer-autumn growing period for cultivation in Southern Dagestan have been identified. Stable early maturity was noted in cauliflower lines 182/4 (121...150 days), 174/1 (121…154), 182/2 (124…154) and 177/4 (124…166 days), the period of mass formation heads – 178/4; 192/4; 177/2; 177/3 (16...19 days), good commercial qualities and productivity – 178/4 (1.15 kg), 182/2 (1.15), 174/1 (0.98), 182/4 (0.94) and 177/3 (0.80 kg), the average weight of the heads is 192/4 (0.73 kg), 177/2 (0.72) and 178/3 (0.65 kg).

International Biological Flora: Ceratonia siliqua

Abstract This account presents information on all aspects of the biology of Ceratonia siliqua L. (Carob) that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the International Biological Flora: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation. Ceratonia siliqua is a lowland evergreen shrub or tree, native around the Mediterranean basin and widely cultivated in areas with a warm temperate and subtropical climate, with more than 100 named cultivars. Carob grows on a wide range of soils including nutrient‐poor and strongly calcareous, dry soils. Carob is dioecious or rarely hermaphrodite although females dominate in cultivation due to their fruit. Pollination is primarily by insects and the relatively large seeds are spread mainly by ingestion of fruits by mammals. Seed dormancy is imposed by a hard seed coat and seeds germinate readily after natural or artificial scarification. Drought tolerance is very high, acting as a drought avoiding water spender. Carob is also very tolerant of saline conditions and tolerant of fire and can act to restrict wildfire spread by generating fuel discontinuity. It shows high post‐fire regrowth. Old individuals house a diversity of associated fauna and are comparatively unaffected by serious pests and diseases. Carob has a long cultural history around the Mediterranean as a food source for humans and domesticated animals, in herbal and modern medicine and, more recently, for the carob bean gum used in a variety of domestic products and foods. Commercial production of fruits has declined over past decades but the low cultural care needed in growing orchards, potential new markets for fruit and seeds, and growing use of the tree to prevent soil erosion and sequester carbon gives carob a brighter future.

Time and Doses of Bacillus Subtilis in Leaf Application of Bean Plants

Common beans P. vulgaris is an important food in the diet of the Brazilian population. Currently the use of microorganisms, such as B. subtillis, has been increasing significantly as an alternative to improve productivity of beans. The objective of this research was to identify the ideal dose of the commercial product (Panta Premium) based on B. subtilis, the best time and doses for leaf application, grain yield and its components and seed quality of bean. The statistical design was randomized blocks arranged in a factorial scheme (3 x 6) with four replicates. Three application times (V3, V4, and R5 stages) and six doses of the inoculant based on B. subtilis - strain UFMT Pant001 (0, 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mL per ha-1) were assessed. The number of pods per plant, number of grains per plant, number of grains per pod, 1000-grain weight, grain yield, seed germination, vigor test, first germination count, and accelerated aging test were evaluated. That the 1000-grain weight was not influenced by the different doses and times of B. subtilis application. Positive linear regression with an increase in the number of pods per plant as the dose of inoculant (mL ha-1) increased when applied at the R5 stage. V3 and V4 stages, there was a linear increase (43,1 e 28,4% respectively) in the number of grains per plant as the dose of B. subtilis increased. At the R5 stage, as seen at the V3 and V4 stages, there is a linear behavior where the number of grains per plant increases as the dose of the inoculant based on B. subtilis increases. the results show that both the dose and the time of application of B. subtilis showed influence on the physiological quality of the seed. The increasing doses of B. subtilis strain UFMT Pant001 increased grain yield compared to the control. The leaf application of Bacillus subtilis strain UFMT Pant001 at stage R5 increased the number of pods and grains per plant and grain yield, regardless of the dose. The leaf application of B. subtilis strain UFMT Pant001 increased the physiological quality of the seeds, attributed to the good fertility of the soil at the site.

Analysis and design framework for the development of indoor scene understanding assistive solutions for the person with visual impairment/blindness

This paper discusses the challenges of the current state of computer vision-based indoor scene understanding assistive solutions for the person with visual impairment (P-VI)/blindness. It focuses on two main issues: the lack of user-centered approach in the development process and the lack of guidelines for the selection of appropriate technologies. First, it discusses the needs of users of an assistive solution through state-of-the-art analysis based on a previous systematic review of literature and commercial products and on semi-structured user interviews. Then it proposes an analysis and design framework to address these needs. Our paper presents a set of structured use cases that help to visualize and categorize the diverse real-world challenges faced by the P-VI/blindness in indoor settings, including scene description, object finding, color detection, obstacle avoidance and text reading across different contexts. Next, it details the functional and non-functional requirements to be fulfilled by indoor scene understanding assistive solutions and provides a reference architecture that helps to map the needs into solutions, identifying the components that are necessary to cover the different use cases and respond to the requirements. To further guide the development of the architecture components, the paper offers insights into various available technologies like depth cameras, object detection, segmentation algorithms and optical character recognition (OCR), to enable an informed selection of the most suitable technologies for the development of specific assistive solutions, based on aspects like effectiveness, price and computational cost. In conclusion, by systematically analyzing user needs and providing guidelines for technology selection, this research contributes to the development of more personalized and practical assistive solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by the P-VI/blindness.

Assessment of Phthalate Esters and Physiological Biomarkers in Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) and Killer Whales (Orcinus orca).

There is growing concern about the potential adverse health effects of phthalates (PAEs) on human health and the environment due to their extensive use as plasticizers and additives in commercial and consumer products. In this study, we assessed PAE concentrations in serum samples from aquarium-based delphinids (Tursiops truncatus, n = 36; Orcinus orca, n = 42) from California, Florida, and Texas, USA. To better understand the physiological effects of phthalates on delphinids, we also explored potential correlations between phthalates and the biomarkers aldosterone, cortisol, corticosterone, hydrogen peroxide, and malondialdehyde while accounting for sex, age, and reproductive stage. All PAEs were detected in at least one of the individuals. ΣPAE ranges were 5.995-2743 ng·mL-1 in bottlenose dolphins and 5.372-88,675 ng·mL-1 in killer whales. Both species displayed higher mean concentrations of DEP and DEHP. PAEs were detected in newborn delphinids, indicating transference via placenta and/or lactation. Linear mixed model results indicated significant correlations between aldosterone, month, location, status, and ΣPAEs in killer whales, suggesting that aldosterone concentrations are likely affected by the cumulative effects of these variables. This study expands on the knowledge of delphinid physiological responses to PAEs and may influence management and conservation decisions on contamination discharge regulations near these species.

Effect of Milk Sources on Whey Protein and Fractions of Casein

Aim: Milk from Cow, Buffalo and goat was used for the study of isolation and fractionation of casein and whey proteins. Buffalo and goat milk were subjected to physicochemical attribute studies and a detailed protein profile namely total protein, casein fractions α-, β- and κ casein and whey protein were separated by urea fractionation method. The aim of this study was to compare various casein fractions isolated from cows, Buffalo and Goat milk. The method of separating casein into its fractions is based on the solubility of the individual components in urea the solution. The separation of casein fractions was carried out in dissolving molar concentration of urea and the yield of fractions and total protein percentages were calculated. Buffalo and goat milk have comparatively higher total protein and whey protein content as compared to cow milk. Maximum whey proteins found in goat milk (20.58%) whereas cow milk had the lowest whey protein (19.29%). Among casein fractions, α fraction (16.64%) was found maximum in Buffalo milk followed by cow (14.92%) and goat milk (5.42%). The goat milk showed the highest level of β casein (17.81%) whereas, the lowest concentration of β casein was found in cow milk (9.38%). Study Design: A significant contribution to the total milk production of India comes from buffalo milk and goat milk. Despite that, Buffalo milk and goat milk are not being utilized for many products because of difference in composition of different species milk and their inherent problems associated in the production of products. Place and Duration of Study: Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Dairy Science College, Hebbal, Bangalore Karnataka, India Materials: The Goat milk samples were collected from Sinchana Goat and Sheep farm, Marenahalli village (Bengaluru Rural Dist) and Buffalo milk was obtained from Country Delight Pvt. Ltd., J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Cow milk used in this investigation was collected from SEDP, Dairy Science College, Hebbal, Bengalore.. All the glassware used was soaked in chromic acid solution, repeatedly washed with water, rinsed with distilled water and dried before use. For microbiological analysis dried test tubes, conical flasks, pipettes were cotton plugged and sterilized in a hot air oven. The chemicals and reagents used in this study were mainly of analytical grade procured from Prince Laboratory Company Pvt. Limited, Bangalore. The protein molecular weight markers used for the electrophoretic study were procured from Bangalore Genei Pvt. Ltd. Methodology: Standard urea fractionation method adopted by Hipp et al was used for isolation and fractionation of caseins. Skim milk was prepared by subjecting whole milk for centrifugation, the skim milk obtained was acidified using 1 % hydrochloric acid at 200 C to obtain casein precipitate. Obtained whole casein was dissolved in 3.3 M urea at pH 7.5 and adjusted to pH 4.6 which precipitates the bulk of α casein and leaving k-caseins into soluble filtrates. Again the supernatant was adjusted to pH 4.9 diluted to 1.0 M urea and warmed to 300 C precipitating the β-caeisn. Further, addition of ammonium sulphate was used to isolate k-casein from the precipitate. Results: The sources of protein had a significant influence on the total casein, casein fractions and whey protein content of different species. The highest quantity of total caseins (34.30g/l) and whey protein (8.87 g/l) were observed in buffalo milk followed by cow (28.52 g/l) and lowest was observed in goat milk (28.45 g/l). Total protein, casein and whey protein contents were greatly affected by the source of milk. Conclusion: The significant effect of source of milk on total protein, casein, its fractions and their yield was observed. highest yield of casein (54.31%) was observed in cow milk than buffalo milk (48.95 %) and lower yield was found in goat milk. Amongst the three species, highest per cent of β casein was noted in goat milk (54.05 %) followed by buffalo (36.03%) and cow milk (34.14%). Recommendation: Rasagulla will be consumed universally by all age groups globally. Thus, the consumption of Rasagulla helps in providing overall nutritional requirements. However, the study has been conducted on a pilot scale. Moreover, commercial production may necessitate huge cost on enzymatic modification of proteins and separation peptides for value addition.

ON SOCIO-CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THE USE OF POSTCARDS IN THE GERMAN-CZECH CONFLICT AT THE TURN OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Postcards as a reflection of German-Czech contradictions in the period of the Badeni crisis in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have more than once been the subject of study. The research novelty of this article lies in the fact that the problem is examined not through postcard images themselves, but from the point of view of the primary functionality of postcards as a means of communication and a commercial product. The author focuses on commercial, postal-technical, consumer practices, institutional and legal aspects, as well as the reception of postcard messages, both individual and public. Various national associations and private entrepreneurs, main producers of postcards, oft en deliberately radicalized their content in their political or commercial interests. The specificity of the postcard as a means of postal communication and its mass appeal served as the basis for unique practices in mobilizing supporters and criticizing opponents by “cartographical attacks”. Even the design of postcard forms was a means of national struggle and expression of personal position. Publishers of the respective orientations designed them in the “German” or “Czech” spirit, while the official position was to refuse any name for this postal product. At the same time, the numerous variants of handwritten edits concerning all the constituent parts of the postcard (technical design of the form, address, and stamp) allowed users to state their position on the national question. Th e legal side of postcards’ production, functioning and existence was determined, on the one hand, by conditions which were common to other types of printed matter, in particular, by the liberal press law of 1868, and, on the other hand, by postal regulations that periodically withdrew certain postcards from circulation. All this became the subject of litigations and debates in parliament and thus provided a way for postcards to enter the public sphere and, accordingly, served to attract further public attention to the national conflict and its aggravation.

Application of commercial seaweed extract-based biostimulants to enhance adventitious root formation in ornamental cutting propagation protocols: a review

Despite significant advancements in stem-cutting propagation, insufficient rooting efficiency remains an economic burden for the ornamental nursery industry. IBA and NAA play a critical role in generating adventitious roots (AR) when applied exogenously. In sustainable agriculture, the substitution of chemical inputs, with alternative natural eco-friendly products presents a key challenge. Biostimulants can form part of a solution to mitigate such risks deriving from the use of agrochemicals, they are generally considered to be non-toxic, non-polluting, biodegradable, and non-hazardous. The current knowledge of the use of commercial seaweed extract (SE) products applied to ornamental cutting propagation has not been summarized until now. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review, and we hypothesized that SE-based biostimulant application to ornamental stem cuttings improves AR formation in terms of rooting percentage, root number, and architecture. Moreover, they increase the overall quality of a rooted cutting as dry biomass and organic compound content. The authors chose SE-based biostimulants because they have been proven to have an extremely low carbon footprint; moreover, they are expected to account for more than 33% of the global market for biostimulants and reached a value of 894 million Euros by 2022. This review focuses on (i) SE-based biostimulants, in particular, brown algae; (ii) technical information on five commercial products: Goteo®, Kelpak®, AlgaminoPlant, Bio Rhizotonic, Actiwawe and others, less known, also used as phytoregulators substitutes; (iii) applied protocols, describing dose, application method, number of treatments, cutting type; (iv) effects of applied protocols on rooting rate, root architecture and overall rooted cutting quality. Outcomes show that findings vary based on crops, cuttings, location, raw materials, composition, dose, application number and procedures, and growth environment.

Nutritional and Medicinal Properties of Microbial Oil

Plant and animal oils and fats currently dominate the edible oil market, but a new sustainable alternative of lipids from single-celled organisms has become advantageous in human nutrition and pharmacy. Single-cell oils (SCOs) are lipids biosynthesized and accumulated in the lipid bodies of oleaginous species of bacteria, yeasts, molds, and algae. The review has investigated SCOs’ composition, with a detailed review of the described beneficial impact in medicine, cosmetics, pharmacy, and nutrition. Although microbial oil has been known for more than 100 years, it was not applied until the 21st century, when commercial SCO production for human use started and administrative regulations governing their use were completed. This article discusses the applications of SCOs, which can be easily found in microorganisms, in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. In addition, some aspects of 15- or 17-carbon-atom-long fatty acids were also pointed out. Furthermore, some challenges for heterotrophic single-cell oil synthesis and improvements in its extraction efficiency have also been concluded, which can further contribute to their broadened use in pharmacy, medicine, cosmetics, and food applications.

Inkjet Printing Optimization: Toward Realization of High‐Resolution Printed Electronics

AbstractThe printed electronics (PEs) market has witnessed substantial growth, reaching a valuation of USD 10.47 billion in the previous year. Driven by its extensive use in a multitude of applications, this growth trend is expected to continue with a projected compound annual growth rate of 22.3% from 2022 to 2032. Compared to screen printing, the adoption of inkjet printing (IJP) technology to manufacture PEs has been limited to laboratory‐scale research only. The fact that IJP's inability to maintain consistent high‐resolution quality over large printing areas has made transitioning IJP for commercial production arduous. Most of the previous literatures have focused on holistic discussion on material design for IJP, but this review provides insight into key aspects in material processing up to printing optimization to realize high‐resolution PEs. This review also highlights the challenges in controlling the functional ink properties and their interaction with the substrate as well as printing parameters to deliver the desired quality of the droplets and final prints. Imminent application of IJP in PEs and future perspectives are also included in this review.

Extracellular Endoglucanase and Exoglucanase Enzymes Production by Trichoderma viride Utilizing Olive Mill Wastewater (OMW) in liquid fermentation

Background:The cellulase enzyme is one of the most industrially important enzymes. Its cost represents a significant barrier to other valuable commercial products. Reducing the cost of cellulase production is an important approach. Objectives: For this purpose, this work investigated the production of cellulase enzyme using olive oil production waste (olive mill wastewater (OMW). Materials and methods: The ability of Trichoderma viride to utilize OMW as a substrate for cellulase production was studied. Optimization of cellulase production was investigated to find out the optimum OMW concentration, agitation speed, aeration rate, and cellulose addition. Results:The results showed that 75% v/v OMW submerged shake flask culture was the most suitable culture for T. viride growth and cellulase enzyme production (0.82 U/ml endoglucanase activity and 0.25 U/ml exoglucanase activity). When this culture was supplemented with cellulose, the activity of endoglucanase and exoglucanase was significantly improved (10.24 U/ml and 2.17 U/ml respectively).The agitation speed of 200 rpm enhanced the production to reach 9.1 U/ml of endoglucanase and 6.38 U/ml of exoglucanase. The effect of the aeration rate on enzyme production was studied under batch cultivation. The highest cellulase activity was at 2.0 vvm, where the endoglucanase and exoglucanase activities were 55.96 U/ml and 32.62 U/ml respectively. Conclusions: Therefore, it is claimed that OMW is a suitable medium for cellulase enzyme production after optimization of the process.

Biomass Waste Utilization as Nanocomposite Anodes through Conductive Polymers Strengthened SiO2/C from Streblus asper Leaves for Sustainable Energy Storages.

Sustainable anode materials, including natural silica and biomass-derived carbon materials, are gaining increasing attention in emerging energy storage applications. In this research, we highlighted a silica/carbon (SiO2/C) derived from Streblus asper leaf wastes using a simple method. Dried Streblus asper leaves, which have plenty of biomass in Thailand, have a unique leaf texture due to their high SiO2 content. We can convert these worthless leaves into SiO2/C nanocomposites in one step, producing eco-materials with distinctive microstructures that influence electrochemical energy storage performance. Through nanostructured design, SiO2/C is thoroughly covered by a well-connected framework of conductive hybrid polymers based on the sodium alginate-polypyrrole (SA-PPy) network, exhibiting impressive morphology and performance. In addition, an excellent electrically conductive SA-PPy network binds to the SiO2/C particle surface through crosslinker bonding, creating a flexible porous space that effectively facilitates the SiO2 large volume expansion. At a current density of 0.3 C, this synthesized SA-PPy@Nano-SiO2/C anode provides a high specific capacity of 756 mAh g-1 over 350 cycles, accounting for 99.7% of the theoretical specific capacity. At the high current of 1 C (758 mA g-1), a superior sustained cycle life of over 500 cycles was evidenced, with over 93% capacity retention. The research also highlighted the potential for this approach to be scaled up for commercial production, which could have a significant impact on the sustainability of the lithium-ion battery industry. Overall, the development of green nanocomposites along with polymers having a distinctive structure is an exciting area of research that has the potential to address some of the key challenges associated with lithium-ion batteries, such as capacity degradation and safety concerns, while also promoting sustainability and reducing environmental impact.

Characterization of herbicide use practices in cereal agroecosystems in western Burkina Faso

The use of pesticides often leads to environmental contamination above acceptable levels. The level of contamination is related to poor pesticide application practices, in addition to the properties of pesticides and soil characteristics. The primary objective of this study was to characterize herbicides and their application practices in cereal crops in the regions of Hauts-Bassins, Sud-Ouest, Cascades, and Boucle du Mouhoun in Burkina Faso. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect and extract data from 617 cereal farmers in the four regions. During the survey, the identified herbicides were characterized using pesticide property databases. The survey shows that most cereal farmers in the regions are illiterate (58.18%) and have not received any training in pesticide use (84.28%). Only a small percentage of farmers (1.3%) consult technical services for the selection of herbicides to be used. The survey also revealed that 60% of farmers leave empty herbicide containers in the wild, 39.93% use water sources to clean sprayers, and 17.83% use them to prepare the spray mixture. A total of 25 active ingredients were identified in 117 commercial herbicide products with a total use of 8100 litres and 280 kg. Of the listed herbicides, 45.37% were not approved by the Sahel Pesticide Committee (CSP). Among the non-approved herbicides, 27.78% contained paraquat, atrazine, and acetochlor, which the CSP bans. The study shows that farmers do not follow good practices when using herbicides, which can contaminate different environmental compartments and cause harmful effects to non-target organisms.

Reducing Commercial Tobacco Sales to Youth On and Around California Tribal Reservations with a Reward and Reminder Retail Intervention.

High prevalence of commercial tobacco product (CTP) use among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth is a public health crisis. A multi-level Tribal-community-based participatory research project under Tribal public health authority implemented a retailer-focused intervention to reduce AI/AN youth CTP use. We sought resolutions in support of a retailer-focused CTP intervention from Tribal Nations organized by a tribally-directed research program. We identified tobacco retail outlets operating on and within 5 miles of 9 Tribal reservations, and CTP products sold at these outlets. We conducted a four-wave Reward and Reminder intervention with apparent minor buyers. Clerks who complied with the law received a modest reward and commendation in social media posts to the local Tribal communities, while clerks who sold without age verification were reminded of the laws. Of 18 retail outlets selling CTP, 8 sold e-cigarettes, and all sold combustible cigarettes. The Reward and Reminder intervention showed an approximate 25% reduction in sales of CTP to apparent minors, with a 33% baseline CTP sales rate without age verification and an 8% intervention CTP sales rate without age verification. The intervention increased awareness of laws prohibiting CTP sales to minors and mandating age verification for young adults seeking to buy CTP. The intervention, which had support from all governing Tribal Nations, builds the evidence base of effective practices which Tribal public health authorities may utilize to reduce youth access to CTP on and around Tribal reservations. Sovereign Tribes have authority over commercial businesses operating on their lands. Tobacco 21 laws aiming to restrict commercial tobacco availability to youth are supported by Tribes. A retailer intervention in which apparent minors attempt commercial tobacco purchases can offer accountability feedback to retailers both on and near Tribal reservations. Obtaining Tribal support and publicizing the interventions helps mobilize Tribal communities to support commercial tobacco prevention and promote healthy youth.

The Biological Impact of Some Phosphonic and Phosphinic Acid Derivatives on Human Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma malignancy currently represents a major health problem; therefore, the need for new therapy approaches is of great interest. In this regard, the current study aims to evaluate the anti-neoplastic potential of a newly developed phosphinic acid derivative (2-carboxyethylphenylphosphinic acid) and, subsequently, to outline its pharmaco-toxicological profile by employing two different in vitro human cell cultures (keratinocytes-HaCaT-and osteosarcoma SAOS-2 cells), employing different techniques (MTT assay, cell morphology assessment, LDH assay, Hoechst staining and RT-PCR). Additionally, the results obtained are compared with three commercially available phosphorus-containing compounds (P1, P2, P3). The results recorded for the newly developed compound (P4) revealed good biocompatibility (cell viability of 77%) when concentrations up to 5 mM were used on HaCaT cells for 24 h. Also, the HaCaT cultures showed no significant morphological alterations or gene modulation, thus achieving a biosafety profile even superior to some of the commercial products tested herein. Moreover, in terms of anti-osteosarcoma activity, 2-carboxyethylphenylphosphinic acid expressed promising activity on SAOS-2 monolayers, the cells showing viability of only 55%, as well as apoptosis features and important gene expression modulation, especially Bid downregulation. Therefore, the newly developed compound should be considered a promising candidate for further in vitro and in vivo research related to osteosarcoma therapy.

Fabrication of Activated Carbon Derived from Glycerin Pitch for Desulfurization of Model Fuel Oil and Electrode Application.

One of the world's challenging energy issues is introducing practical and affordable technology for organosulfur removal in fuel. Adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) can address this issue if highly effective activated carbon (AC) derived from industrial waste with excellent textural properties is used. In this study, the derived ACs from glycerin pitch loaded with P and Fe (AC/P and AC/Fe) were used as adsorbents for the ADS of model fuel oils, such as dibenzothiophene (DBT) at mild operating conditions. Under the optimized experimental conditions, 0.3 g of adsorbent dosage, 60 min reaction time, 30 °C temperature, and pH 4, the maximal DBT removal of 96.28 and 43.64%, respectively, for AC/P and AC/Fe was realized. The results indicated that the phosphorus-doped AC/P increases the selectivity of the ADS mechanism for DBT removal. Kinetic investigations disclosed that the adsorption process follows second-pseudo-order kinetics and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The adsorbents remained active for five successive reuses, indicating their robust real-world applications. The electrochemical properties of the fabricated carbon electrodes were analyzed via cyclic voltammetry by coating the ACs with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as a binder. The transition-metal-doped AC/Fe, though exhibiting 5 times lower surface area, showed the highest specific capacitance at a scan rate of 5 mVs-1 (0.65 μF cm-2). Similarly, the extended AC:PTFE capacitor at a 10% binder ratio offered the maximum capacitance value (1.13 μF cm-2). The synthesized ACs demonstrated potential application as an electrode material, and hence glycerin pitch could be a low-cost precursor to improve the feasibility of commercial production of AC.

Increase of the indoor concentration of volatile organic compounds after the use of incense and scented candle in studio apartments determined using passive sampling

Burning incenses and scented candles may provide harmful chemicals. Although many studies have evaluated volatile organic chemicals emitted by their use and related health risks, extension of our understanding for guiding appropriate use under various use conditions is necessary. In this study, emission characteristics of commercial incenses and scented candles were evaluated in a laboratory chamber using real-time measurement and the time-weighted average exposure concentrations of monoaromatic compounds and monoterpenes were assessed using passive samplers while volunteers living in a studio apartment use them. After burning incense, the average levels of benzene increased from 1.4 to 100 μg m−3. The presence of a wood core in commercial incense products was the main cause of high benzene emission by burning them although the increase in benzene was also influenced by factors such as the brand of the products, the number of incense sticks burned, the duration of each burning session, and ventilation period. Electrical warming of scented candles increased the levels of monoterpenes by factors of 16–30 on average. Considering the emission characteristics found in this study, exposure to benzene and monoterpenes could be mitigated by cautious use of those products in residential areas.