Higher Values Research Articles

Effect of acupuncture anesthesia on inflammatory response and cellular immunity in patients with osteoporotic fractures.

Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) occur frequently in the elderly, with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) being the major clinical treatment at present. How to improve the patient's surgical cooperation while ensuring surgical safety is the focus of clinical research. This study explores the influence of acupuncture anesthesia (AA) on the safety, inflammatory response, and cellular immunity of OVCF patients undergoing PVP, which may provide a more reliable safety guarantee for future treatment of OVCFs. The results showed that patients using AA had lower postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores and incidence of postoperative adverse reactions, a smaller anesthetic dosage, but an extended duration of anesthesia; moreover, the postoperative inflammatory response was markedly alleviated and the stability of T lymphocyte subsets was obviously enhanced. Therefore, AA has high clinical application value in PKP treatment of OVCFs in the future.

Electrical Bioimpedance in Milk Adulterated with Water: Measurement Methodology for Quantification, Influence of Temperature, and Mathematical Modelling

Milk has a high nutritional value and is also one of the most versatile products in the food industry. Unfortunately, fraud involving the product is constant and needs to be combated. This work presents a measurement methodology to perform the electrical impedance analysis in food. The influence of temperature on the measurements has been evaluated through mathematical models specially developed for identifying the fraudulent activity of adding water to milk. The bioimpedance measurements have been performed in a sample container with a four-electrode measurement system and a digital oscilloscope. Samples of 150 mL were analysed, prepared using whole UHT milk adulterated with distilled water in different % by volume (V/V), at temperatures of 16, 28, and 37 °C. The proposed measurement methodology has been validated and showed sensitivity for analysis in milk, revealing the influence of temperature on the impedance values; from the results mathematical models were proposed for investigating adulteration in milk. This work deals with the design of a device capable of measuring bioimpedance in milk with a view to its application in physicochemical analyses. The influence of temperature on the impedance values was also evaluated to propose mathematical models to facilitate analysis with complex factors and matrices.

Utilizing almond shell filler to improve strength and sustainability of jute fiber composites

AbstractIn recent years, natural fibers have begun to replace synthetic fibers in automotive, building, and marine applications because of their sustainability, renewability, low cost, and availability of raw materials. However, because of their low strength, biocomposites are strengthened by hybridization with stronger synthetic fibers or adding fillers. This study reinforced high‐cellulose jute fiber composites with cellulose‐based almond (Prunus amygdalus) shell filler (ASF). Natural waste almond shells were ground to microparticle size. Hybrid composites were prepared by adding microparticulate ASF to the jute fiber composites at 0%, 1.5%, 3%, 4.5%, and 6% by weight. A comprehensive experimental study included tensile, flexural, Charpy impact (flat and edgewise), and shear tests. The addition of ASF significantly improved the mechanical properties of the jute fiber composites, and the best values were obtained with 3 wt.% ASF addition. Tensile, flexural, impact, and shear properties increased by 48.2%, 63.5%, 24.4%, and 52.2%, respectively. Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM) micrographs used in morphological structural analysis prove that the high mechanical values are achieved by ASF strengthening the interlaminar adhesion. This study contributed to developing a hybrid natural composite material reinforced with natural fillers that is stronger, environmentally friendly, and sustainable.Highlights The organic structure of Almond Shell Filler (ASF) ensured the sustainability of natural composites. Cellulosic ASF significantly contributed to the structural stiffness and strength of jute fiber composites. ASF reduced voids, improved fiber‐matrix bonding, and prevented debonding and delamination. ASF optimized the mechanical performance of jute fiber composites at 3%.

Study on the Optimization of Process Conditions for the Development of Purple Rice Milk Product

The purpose of this study was to study the development of purple rice milk products, which aimed 1) to study on the optimization for digestion of starch using Amylase enzymes and 2) to evaluate the sensory of rice milk products. In the experiment designed of the optimization was used two factors include time with 35, 40, 45, 50 mintue and enzymes concentation 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15% and 0.2% and using CCD (Central Composite Design) and RSM (Response Surface Methodology) were investigated the optimum condition which results in the analysis of two factors with duration of hydrolysis was 43 minute and concentration of enzymes was 0.141% consisted high value of total soluble solid (TTS) 10.33 and SD value of 0.57 with R2 85.152%. For the sensory evaluation was used QDA (Quantitative Descriptive Analysis) method, which is an evaluation of the characteristics of the product from the tester. The formulation of rice milk was divided into 5 formulas. In determining the specific characteristics of the product was set at 16 specify Characterized by the main characteristics include: odor, taste, texture and after tasting. The sensory evaluation results showed that: Formula 2 consisted of rice odor, sugar odor, caramel odor, sweet, soft, liquid, tasted in the mouth and refreshing. Formula 4 consisted of a pungent, sugary, aromatic, caramel, sweet, soft, liquid, mouth-watering and refreshing taste, and The results of the analysis was used PCA which analyzed priciple component (PC) with a confidence level of 85.57%. As for the preference percentage of the product obtained from Preferance mapping analysis the result be seen that the preference percentage of all 5 formulations were as follows: Formula 2 rice 50% with soybean 50% and formula 4 rice 50% with peanut 50% accouting for 60%-80%, After analyzing the data to find the difference, it was found that the raw materials used in purple rice milk in formulas 2, 3, 4 and 5 consisted of purple rice, soybeans, sesame seeds and peanuts were significantly affect to charateristic and preferance of the products

Physicochemical and Functional Characterization of Pear Leathers Enriched with Wild Bilberry and Blackcurrant Pomace Powders

Fruit leathers are convenient, delicious and sophisticated alternatives to natural fruits as a source of nutrients, fibers and bioactive compounds. The present study was conducted to develop new fruit leathers by adding 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5% wild bilberry (BIPP) and blackcurrant (BCPP) pomace powders in pear leather manufactured with honey (5%), pectin (1%) and lemon juice (2.5%) as additional ingredients. The CIEL*a*b* color parameters, titratable acidity, total phenolics content, total anthocyanins content and DPPH radical scavenging activity were determined in the fruit leathers. In addition, the puncturing force, flexibility and adhesiveness of the fruit leathers were measured and sensory analysis was conducted. The results showed that the addition of pomace powders significantly decreased the lightness, chroma and hue angle and increased the titratable acidity of the fruit leathers while a* values decreased in the leathers with BIPP addition. Flexibility slightly decreased while adhesiveness significantly increased with increasing BIPP and BCPP addition level, changes that were perceived as negative in the sensory analysis. The total phenolic content increased by 2.03, 3.26 and 4.45 times at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% BIPP addition, respectively, while only by 1.22, 1.42 and 1.60 times at the same levels of BCPP addition. The newly developed fruit leathers could be recommended as alternative snack foods with high nutritional value and functionality.

ANALISIS HUBUNGAN MARKETING MIX TERHADAP LOYALITAS KONSUMEN PADA KOFFIELOTS COFFEE & EATERY

Marketing mix is one of the marketing strategies to convey information widely, introduce a product of goods and services, stimulate consumers to give and even create personal preferences for the image of a product. It can be seen that Koffielots Coffee & Eatery experienced a significant decline in sales from January to December. In January, sales were recorded at Rp 17,134,500 with a sales percentage reaching 12%. However, in December, sales dropped drastically to Rp 7,814,500 with a sales percentage of only 5%. The type of research data uses a quantitative approach. The data analysis method uses multiple linear regression. The study shows that the variables Product (X1), Price (X2), Promotion (X3), and Location (X4) have a significant positive effect on Consumer Loyalty (Y). This is evidenced by the positive and significant regression coefficient, as well as the high Adjusted R Square value (80.9%). The high correlation value (ranging from 0.804 to 0.868) indicates that an increase in each variable will tend to increase consumer loyalty in one direction

Cytotoxicity, chemical, and nutritional profile evaluation of biomass extracts of the Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed) aquatic plant

ABSTRACT Lemna aequinoctialis (duckweed) is the smallest and fast-growing aquatic plant species producing protein-rich biomass with high protein nutritional value, phytoremediation capacity, and nutrient removal from wastewater. Duckweed may also be used as a new potential bioreactor for biological products, such as vaccines, antibodies, and pharmaceutical proteins. Based upon the potential importanc of L. aequinoctialis in phytoremediation and as a bioreactor the aim of this study was to (1) characterize the chemical and nutritional profiles of L. aequinoctialis biomass utilizing an integrated multi-trophic aquaculture system (IMTA) and a pond, and (2) investigate the cytotoxic potential of different concentrations of organic extracts and fractions using the MTT bioassay. EDXRF and ICP-MS analyses indicated the presence of trace elements in lower amounts in relation to the biomass of L. aequinoctialis in the lagoon, emphasizing the importance of plant inclusion management to reduce bioaccumulation of these elements. Analysis of mineral profiles, fatty acids, and amino acids indicated a satisfactory nutritional composition for the use of biomass as a bioproduct. Pigment analysis showed a high concentration of carotenoids, especially astaxanthin. After standardizing the controls, the MTT cell viability test was carried out utilizing rat hepatoma cell line (HTC), which are metabolizing cells that were treated with aqueous or ethanolic extracts and the dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol fractions at different concentrations. No apparent cytotoxic potential was observed following treatments, since there was no significant reduction in cell viability. Therefore, this study provides information regarding the biomass of L. aequinoctialis derived from the IMTA system, which might support further research into the application of this species as a bioproduct.

Preparation and Characterization of Epoxy-Based Composite Materials Reinforced with Graphene Oxide

In this study, modified graphene oxide (GO) with γ-APS silane coupling agent before being dispersed into an epoxy/4,4’-diamino diphenyl methane matrix to prepare a composite material using the bar-coating technique. The modified GO materials with the γ-APS silane (GOS) were characterized by infrared spectrum, Zeta potential, and TG/DSC thermal analysis. The amount of silane grafted on the GO is ~ 3.3 wt.%; the Zeta potential value shifted from the negative to the positive region was observed on the surface potential distribution diagram. Scanning electron microscopy, DSC thermal analysis, and dielectric constant were used to characterize the obtained composite epoxy/GO material properties. The results show that graphene oxide, after modification with γ-APS silane agent, has good dispersion ability in the epoxy resin matrix. Composite material epoxy/GOS presented a high dielectric constant value (εaverage = 6.19, at 1 kHz), increasing thermal stability, which is a suitable material promising for future applications.

Bimetallic ions modified 2‐methylimidazolium functionalized polypyrrole/graphene oxide for the improved supercapacitor

AbstractThin films with two‐dimensional (2D) nanostructures possess good environmental stability, thinner thickness and large surface area, which are widely used as a promising modified electrode material in the field of energy storage, supercapacitors, electrochemical sensors and biosensors. Herein, unique bimetallic ions modified polypyrrole/graphene oxide (PPy/GO) nanosheets, including Co2+‐Zr4+/(2‐MeIm)x@PPy/GO and Co2+‐Run+/(2‐MeIm)x@PPy/GO (n = 0, 4), are prepared by using 2‐methylimidazolium (2‐MeIm) as the linkers between PPy/GO and metal ions. The obtained electrodes constructed by Co2+‐Run+/(2‐MeIm)x@PPy/GO (n = 0, 4) and Co2+‐Zr4+/(2‐MeIm)x@PPy/GO exhibit improved capacitor electrochemical properties due to the reversible redox reaction, the large specific surface area and the high theoretical specific capacitance value of the metal ions compared to the unmodified PPy/GO. Especially, the specific capacitance value of Co2+‐Run+/(2‐MeIm)x@PPy/GO (n = 0, 4) electrode reaches 321.78 F g−1 at a current density of 1 A g−1 and the capacitance retention rate is achieved to 100% in the long cycle charge/discharge test after 10 000 cycles (10 A g−1). It will provide a practical experience for the design and preparation of supercapacitors based on bimetallic ions modified PPy/GO.

Venus Magnetotail Long-Term Sensing Using Solar Sails

Propellantless propulsion systems, such as the well-known photonic solar sails that provide thrust by exploiting the solar radiation pressure, theoretically allow for extremely complex space missions that require a high value of velocity variation to be carried out. Such challenging space missions typically need the application of continuous thrust for a very long period of time, compared to the classic operational life of a space vehicle equipped with a more conventional propulsion system as, for example, an electric thruster. In this context, an interesting application of this propellantless thruster consists of using the solar sail-induced acceleration to artificially precess the apse line of a planetocentric elliptic orbit. This specific mission application was thoroughly investigated about twenty years ago in the context of the GeoSail Technology Reference Study, which analyzed the potential use of a spacecraft equipped with a small solar sail to perform an in situ study of the Earth’s upper magnetosphere. Taking inspiration from the GeoSail concept, this study analyzes the performance of a solar sail-based spacecraft in (artificially) precessing the apse line of a high elliptic orbit around Venus with the aim of exploring the planet’s induced magnetotail. In particular, during flight, the solar sail orientation is assumed to be Sun-facing, and the required thruster’s performance is evaluated as a function of the elliptic orbit’s characteristics by using both a simplified mathematical model of the spacecraft’s planetocentric dynamics and an approximate analytical approach. Numerical results show that a medium–low-performance sail is able to artificially precess the apse line of a Venus-centered orbit in order to ensure the long-term sensing of the planet’s induced magnetotail.

Social Values and Students Holistic Education among Selected Secondary Schools in Mbale District, Uganda

In many of the secondary schools today, much attention is put on achieving grades and numbers in the schools. There is little attention put to in the building of value-based learners and the environments that are materialistic and place a high value on the material world has taken precedence over the humanistic world. There is little emphasis on the advancement of children's ethical and spiritual growth, favoring individualism that stresses egoism, worldly success, and the pursuit of pleasure via lifestyle. This has led to the dehumanization process, in which material qualities are exalted while human values—such as moral, ethical, and religious—are diminished and abandoned. Unconsciously, educators give up on moral and spiritual principles since they are seen as antiquated, outmoded, not modern, and unsatisfactory. Instead, they are supplanted by the dominance of materialistic principles, which are ranked higher. Contrary to those views, a good and comprehensive education system creates the necessary human capital and knowledgeable workers to take our societies to greater heights. Holistic education focuses on representing core ideals for a more just world for people and other living things. It offers a means of advancing the discussion of resource distribution beyond the financial to include the philosophical significance of love in creating a more just society. It draws attention to the need for and change toward a more spiritual and holistic strategy for developing empathy and kindness. It offers forums for conversations about eschewing the competitive mindset fostering an inward journey of learning, kindness, compassion, and empathy. These days, the focus of the educational system is mostly on gaining a lot of knowledge, passing tests, and getting credentials for jobs in the future. A comprehensive education program is essential in the educational system to give students the human values and the hard and soft skills they need. This essay examines the types of values that serve as a potent stimulant for excellent teaching practices and, consequently, support learning that is holistic. It examines rationalizations and describes how values can be used to strengthen beneficial student outcomes in all 1 RODRIGUES, Zuleide Blanco. Education: A study based on the UNESCO report on the four pillars of knowledge domains of growth on all levels—intellectual, moral, social, emotional, and spiritual. The research design for the study was mixed methods, utilizing combines quantitative and qualitative methods. We as well utilized Questionnaires for collection views plus statistics from head teachers, facilitators (teachers), parents and other school stakeholders. Literature of published and unpublished works on social values and students’ holistic learning in Uganda and other countries was reviewed. In data analysis, both both numerical and qualitative data analysis methods were applied. The investigation drew upon collected superior data which focused on individual discourses regarding Students are taught moral and religious principles as part of the process of developing their character in school and how these values influenced them for social transformation into individuals with the ability to face obstacles in life with morality and direction. It was framed in the 4 foundations of learning according towards UNESCO's Knowledge: Jacques Delors in the Delors Commission Report (1966), wherein this report, Education is viewed as one of the main tools available to promote a deeper and more harmonious form of human development and, in turn, to lessen poverty, exclusion, ignorance, oppression, and war, rather than as a miraculous remedy or a magic formula that will open the door to a world in which all ideals will be realized. This lifelong education is built on the following principles: Learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together and learning to be1

The rheological behavior of brittle BMGs of Cu44.25Ag14.75Zr36Ti5 and Ti32.8Zr30.2Cu9Ni5.3Be22.7 in the supercooled liquid region

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) show limited plasticity at room temperature. However, BMGs usually exhibit superplasticity and high plastic forming ability in their supercooled liquid region (SLR). The rheological behavior of BMGs in SLR is vitally important to their thermoplastic forming process. In contrast to the ductile BMGs, thermoplastic deformation behavior of brittle BMGs is rarely reported. In present work, the rheological behavior of two brittle BMGs with high glass forming ability Cu44.25Ag14.75Zr36Ti5 and Ti32.8Zr30.2Cu9Ni5.3Be22.7 was investigated on Gleeble3500. The two BMGs can deform homogeneously depending on the temperature and strain rate. According to the high value of m (strain rate sensitivity index), which is the most important mechanical characteristic of a superplastic material, the two BMGs show superplasticity in their SLR with m ≥ 0.3. Based on the free volume model, their activation volumes are calculated as 0.263∼0.486 nm3 and 1.261∼1.650 nm3, indicating the minimum displacement clusters with average 26∼48 and 91∼127 atoms, for Cu44.25Ag14.75Zr36Ti5 and Ti32.8Zr30.2Cu9Ni5.3Be22.7, respectively. Thus, the two investigated brittle BMGs can be thermoplastic processed in the SLR and the deformation maps are given. BMG Cu44.25Ag14.75Zr36Ti5 shows better machinable property than Ti32.8Zr30.2Cu9Ni5.3Be22.7. Compared to the ductile BMGs, no Newtonian flow is found for the two investigated brittle BMGs.

Comparing Large-Eddy Simulation and Gaussian Plume Model to Sensor Measurements of an Urban Smoke Plume

The fast prediction of the extent and impact of accidental air pollution releases is important to enable a quick and informed response, especially in cities. Despite this importance, only a small number of case studies are available studying the dispersion of air pollutants from fires in a short distance (O(1 km)) in urban areas. While monitoring pollution levels in Southampton, UK, using low-cost sensors, a fire broke out from an outbuilding containing roughly 3000 reels of highly flammable cine nitrate film and movie equipment, which resulted in high values of PM2.5 being measured by the sensors approximately 1500 m downstream of the fire site. This provided a unique opportunity to evaluate urban air pollution dispersion models using observed data for PM2.5 and the meteorological conditions. Two numerical approaches were used to simulate the plume from the transient fire: a high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics model with large-eddy simulation (LES) embedded in the open-source package OpenFOAM, and a lower-fidelity Gaussian plume model implemented in a commercial software package: the Atmospheric Dispersion Modeling System (ADMS). Both numerical models were able to quantitatively reproduce consistent spatial and temporal profiles of the PM2.5 concentration at approximately 1500 m downstream of the fire site. Considering the unavoidable large uncertainties, a comparison between the sensor measurements and the numerical predictions was carried out, leading to an approximate estimation of the emission rate, temperature, and the start and duration of the fire. The estimation of the fire start time was consistent with the local authority report. The LES data showed that the fire lasted for at least 80 min at an emission rate of 50 g/s of PM2.5. The emission was significantly greater than a ‘normal’ house fire reported in the literature, suggesting the crucial importance of the emission estimation and monitoring of PM2.5 concentration in such incidents. Finally, we discuss the advantages and limitations of the two numerical approaches, aiming to suggest the selection of fast-response numerical models at various compromised levels of accuracy, efficiency and cost.

Lower Late Development Rate of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients with Lower Mechanical Power or Driving Pressure.

For patients on ventilation without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there are, as yet, limited data on ventilation strategies. We hypothesized that driving pressure (DP) and mechanical power (MP) may play key roles for the late development of ARDS in patients without initial ARDS. A post hoc analysis of a database from our previous cohort was performed. The mean DP/MP was computed from the data before ARDS development or until ventilator support was discontinued within 28 days. The association between DP/MP and late development of ARDS within 28 days was determined. One hundred and twelve patients were enrolled, among whom seven developed ARDS. Univariate Cox regression showed that congestive heart failure (CHF) history and higher levels of mean MP and DP were associated with ARDS development. Multivariate models revealed that the mean MP and mean DP were still factors independently associated with ARDS development at hazard ratios of 1.177 and 1.226 after adjusting for the CHF effect. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for mean DP/MP in predicting ARDS development were 0.813 and 0.759, respectively. In conclusion, high mean DP and MP values may be key factors associated with late ARDS development. The mean DP had a better predicted value for the development of ARDS than the mean MP.

Urban conservation and tree diversity: a case study in Parque Xokleng, Nova Veneza, Southern Santa Catarina

Urban forests can be defined as sets comprising vegetation fragments and isolated or grouped trees inserted in urban or peri-urban areas. Within this mosaic, urban fragments are important for biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study is to contribute to the knowledge about the structure of vegetation in an urban forest in the town of Nova Veneza, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The study was conducted in the Parque Natural Municipal Xokleng (PNMX). A phytosociological survey was conducted in the forest, using the plot method, in which 30 continuous plots of 10 m x 10 m were established. We considered a tree every individual that had a diameter at breast height greater than or equal to 5 cm. In this study, 497 individuals belonging to 75 species and 32 families were sampled, along with 14 dead individuals, three individuals identified only at genus level, and one unidentified individual. The species with the highest importance values were Tetrorchidium rubrivenium, Machaerium stipitatum, Ficus adhatodifolia, Cabralea canjerana, Mollinedia triflora. The vegetation structure is similar to the structure observed in other secondary forest fragments in the southern region of Santa Catarina. The presence of secondary species in the canopy and with high dominance values reflects the regeneration process the forest is undergoing.

“Geological Wonders of Italy”: The Coveted Privilege of Disseminating Geology and Geomorphology through Science Documentaries in the Marche Region

This paper proposes an unusual method for the dissemination of geological sciences and the promotion of geotourism: a scientific documentary, where a representative itinerary of geological and geomorphological evolution of the Umbria and Marche regions was presented. The considerations that led to the identification of the geological route proposed to the editorial staff of FOCUS TV are presented in detail. At each stop, there was an explanation by academic professors and researchers, mainly from the Geology Division of the University of Camerino (MC), who explained the outcrops in detail. During the episode, insights were also given into the anthropogenic frequentation of the epigean caves in Frasassi (AN), ancient places of frequentation and worship thanks to their suggestiveness and the sense of magnificence that they can elicit. In addition to the illustration of the individual stops, the article offers further insights into the geomorphology of the most important geosites depicted, all of which are in natural parks or protected areas and characterized by a high landscape value. The result was the production of an episode of the television program ‘Geological Wonders of Italy: the Marche and Umbria Regions’, which was broadcast in October 2022 by the Italian national Mediaset group.

Preparation, structural, electrical, and ferroelectric properties of solid and lead zirconium titanate ink

The novelty of the work lies in the design and development of a significantly low-cost lead zirconate titanate (PZT) ink similar in its electrical properties to its original solid materials, which can be used for 3-D printing to print electronic circuits, shape memory, and devices quickly. The Zr/Ti=52/48 ratio was achieved during the solid-state reaction to create the PZT powder. XRD, FT-IR, and SEM characterized the synthesized material. The PZT powder was found to form in a tetragonal phase. The PZT powder was used to prepare PZT ink with a 13 % Wt/Wt solid content composition. The ink's rheological characteristics and physical properties, such as particle size distribution, surface tension, viscosity, and electrical properties, were studied. Dielectric properties like dielectric constant (ε/) and dielectric loss (ε") indicate the poly-dispersive nature of the material. The temperature-dependent dielectric constant (ε/) curve indicates relaxor behavior with a maximum at high temperatures. The poly-dispersive nature of the material was analyzed using Cole-Cole plots. The frequency dependence of AC conductivity follows the universal power law. The temperature dependence of dc-conductivity follows the Arrhenius law, with an activation energy of 0.14 eV at lower temperatures and 0.85 eV at higher temperatures. The electrical conductance study showed that PZT ceramic can be used in electronic circuits because of its high resistivity value and small temperature coefficient of resistance. The piezoelectric measurement displays d33 as 129 pC/N at room temperature.

Optimizing nitrite content in powders from plasma-activated egg whites for meat preservation using response surface methodology

The study optimized the production of powders from two types of egg whites to be used as a nitrite source for meat curing, establishing a maximum utilization limit of 2%. The necessary quantity of nitrite was established through response surface methodology to guarantee its efficacy as a preservative agent and adherence to regulatory standards. High R2 values (0.9946 for hen, 0.9962 for ostrich) validated critical factors: plasma treatment time and distance, with minimal impact from drying temperature. Under specific experimental conditions (155.93 min, 16.84 cm, 41.10 °C), obtained nitrite concentration of 4000 mg kg⁻1 was confirmed through experiments. Stability tests showed that nitrite levels remained stable over four weeks under different conditions including vacuum and air-sealed packaging, as well as different temperatures (−18 °C, 4 °C, and 26 °C). Future research should investigate long-term stability, the formation of additional compounds, and the functional properties of powders to confirm their potential for food applications.

MiR-206 Suppresses Triacylglycerol Accumulation via Fatty Acid Elongase 6 in Dairy Cow Mammary Epithelial Cells.

Cow milk possesses high nutritional value due to its rich array of beneficial fatty acids. It is important to understand the mechanisms involved in lipid metabolism in dairy cows. These mechanisms are driven by a complex molecular regulatory network. In addition, there are many regulatory factors involved in the process of fatty acid metabolism, including transcription factors and non-coding RNAs, amongst others. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate the expression of target genes and modulate various biological processes, including lipid metabolism. Specifically, miR-206 has been reported to impair lipid accumulation in nonruminant hepatocytes. However, the effects and regulatory mechanisms of miR-206 on lipid metabolism in bovine mammary cells remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of miR-206 on lipid-related genes and TAG accumulation. The direct downstream gene of miR-206 was subsequently determined via a dual-luciferase assay. Finally, the fatty acid content of bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs) upon ELOVL6 inhibition was examined. The results revealed that miR-206 overexpression significantly decreased triacylglycerol (TAG) concentration and abundances of the following: acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase alpha (ACACA); fatty acid synthase (FASN); sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (SREBF1); diacylglycerol acyltransferase 1 (DGAT1); 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate O-acyltransferase 6 (AGPAT6); lipin 1 (LPIN1); and fatty acid elongase 6 (ELOVL6). Overexpression of miR-206 was also associated with an increase in patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing 2 (PNPLA2), while inhibition of miR-206 promoted milk fat metabolism in vitro. In addition, we found that ELOVL6 is a direct target gene of miR-206 through mutation of the binding site. Furthermore, ELOVL6 intervention significantly decreased the TAG levels and elongation indexes of C16:0 and C16:1n-7 in BMECs. Finally, ELOVL6 siRNA partially alleviated the increased TAG accumulation caused by miR-206 inhibition. In summary, we found that miR-206 inhibits milk fatty acid synthesis and lipid accumulation by targeting ELOVL6 in BMECs. The results presented in this paper may contribute to the development of strategies for enhancing the quality of cow milk and its beneficial fatty acids, from the perspective of miRNA-mRNA networks.

Phenotypic diversity of key adaptive traits in advanced Nordic and Baltic spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding material

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) has become the most widely grown cereal crop in the Nordic-Baltic region, but due to climate change, its yields are under increasing risk. Here we present results of an international effort to use available wheat germplasm from the region to identify tools and genotypes for breeding wheat varieties with improved stability. We formed a panel of 300 spring wheat genotypes from the Nordic-Baltic region and studied their phenotypic diversity across environments to identify genotypes with high potential for adaptation to a changing climate. Field experiments were carried out in 2021 and 2022 in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Norway. The performance and stability of yield (GY), protein content (PC), thousand kernel weight (TKW), test weight (TW), length of growing period (GP), and nine other traits were studied. Drought and excessive rainfall occurred in the Baltic countries in 2021–2022, whereas the weather in Norway was more stable. High variability for most traits, and significant GxE effects for all studied traits, were identified. We identified stable genotypes combining yield and quality using the AMMI model-based Weighted Average of Absolute Scores index (WAASB). Finally, we selected nineteen superior genotypes that combined high yield with high values of important quality traits. Thus, combining broad Nordic-Baltic wheat germplasm with extensive field phenotyping, we identified promising breeding material to develop climate-ready spring wheat varieties for the region.