Immersion Treatment Research Articles

Potential Teratogenicity Effects of Metals on Avian Embryos

Agricultural areas can provide sources of food and hiding and nesting places for wild birds. Thus, the chemical load of potentially toxic elements (Cd, Cu, Pb) due to industrial and agricultural activities can affect not only the adult birds but also the embryos developing in the egg. The toxic effects of heavy metals applied alone were investigated on chicken embryos in the early and late stages of embryonic development using injection and immersion treatment methods. On day 3 of incubation, permanent preparations were made from the embryos to study the early development stage. There were no significant differences observed in embryo deaths and developmental abnormalities in this stage. On day 19 of incubation, the number of embryonic deaths, the body weight of the embryos, and the type of developmental abnormalities were examined. The embryonic mortality was statistically higher in the groups treated with cadmium and lead in the case of the injection treatment. A significant increase in developmental disorders was observed in the copper-treated group using the immersion application. The body weight significantly decreased in the cadmium- and lead-treated group using both treatment methods. However, a significant change in the body weight in the copper-treated group was only realized due to the injection method.

Mechanical properties of gypsum mine rock around a strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) cavern under the crude oil seepage condition

AbstractAs China's demand for imported oil continues to grow, large‐scale oil storage facilities have become increasingly important. Currently, China primarily uses underground salt cavern spaces and newly excavated underground water‐sealed caverns for oil storage, which places high demands on the rock formations. China has abundant and widely distributed gypsum mineral resources, and utilizing abandoned gypsum mines for oil storage could not only turn waste into treasure by controlling underground space but also generate significant economic and social value. This article aims to systematically evaluate the mechanical properties of gypsum rock through long‐term immersion tests in crude oil to assess the impact of crude oil immersion on the mechanical performance of gypsum rock and explore the feasibility of using gypsum mines as long‐term stable oil storage caverns. The results show that oil immersion treatment reduces the uniaxial tensile strength of gypsum samples, but has little effect on their compressive strength and long‐term strength. From a mechanical performance perspective, it is feasible to use gypsum mine voids for crude oil storage.

Effects of water immersion on immune, intestinal flora and metabolome of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) after air exposure

Air exposure stress can induce stress response of Eriocheir sinensis and affect its normal life activities. The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of water immersion on the recovery of hepatopancreas immune-related enzyme activity, intestinal microbial diversity and metabolic level of Chinese mitten crabs after exposure to air. The results show that immersion can effectively alleviate the adverse effects of air exposure on the antioxidant capacity and immune capacity of Chinese mitten crabs, and the longer the time of immersion, the more obvious the recovery effect. Among them, the levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase significantly increased after exposure to air (P < 0.05), reached a peak at 3 h, began to decline after immersion, and returned to a level close to the initial value at 24 h (P < 0.05). In addition, after exposure to air, the glucose and total cholesterol in haemolymph of Eriocheir sinensis were significantly different from the initial values (P < 0.05), gradually recovered to the initial level after re-immersion. However, changes in intestinal flora and hepatopancreas metabolism caused by air exposure did not fully recover after water exposure, and its negative effects did not completely disappear. The sequencing results showed that the species composition and diversity of intestinal microorganisms of Chinese mitten crab changed after air exposure and immersion treatment. The relative abundance of Actinomycetes increased significantly, while that of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes decreased significantly. Metabolomics analysis showed that air exposure and immersion destroyed the metabolic balance of amino acids and carnitine, reduced the level of carnitine metabolism, hindered the absorption of nutrients, and led to the accumulation of harmful substances.

Co-infection of Liburna oophaga sp. nov. and Ikanecator primus on cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) eggs and the effectiveness of peracetic acid as a treatment

The cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis species complex is emerging as a promising set of organisms for research in neuroscience, the behavioral sciences, and commercial aquaculture. At the same time, information about pathogens and diseases that could affect cuttlefish cultivation in intensive aquaculture settings remains limited. Our study has identified two species of parasite, the protozoan Liburna oophaga sp. nov. and the metazoan Ikanecator primus, that co-infect cuttlefish eggs, increasing mortality and reducing hatching rates. L. oophaga sp. nov. is reported here for the first time to enhance mortality during the incubation period by inducing deformity in cuttlefish eggs. We investigated the application of peracetic acid to parasite elimination during cuttlefish egg incubation. When cuttlefish eggs were treated with a peracetic acid containing product (PAA-product); 35 mg/L PAA + 15 mg/L H2O2, L. oophaga on the surfaces of the eggs were eliminated within 10 min. PAA-product; 70 mg/L PAA + 30 mg/L H2O2 was required to achieve the same effect for I. primus. Immersion treatment with PAA-product at 70 mg/L PAA + 30 mg/L H2O2 reduced parasitic load and improved survival of cuttlefish embryos and hatchling size, demonstrating that PAA product can inhibit and control parasitic co-infections in cephalopod culture.

Role of Excessive Mitochondrial Fission in Seawater Immersion Aggravated Hemorrhagic Shock-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction and the Protective Effect of Mitochondrial Division Inhibitor-1.

Aims: Seawater immersion significantly aggravated organ dysfunction following hemorrhagic shock, leading to higher mortality rate. However, the effective treatment is still unavailable in clinic. Mitochondria were involved in the onset and development of multiple organ function disorders; whether mitochondria participate in the cardiac dysfunction following seawater immersion combined with hemorrhagic shock remains poorly understood. Hence, we investigated the role and possible mechanism of mitochondria in seawater immersion combined with hemorrhage shock-induced cardiac dysfunction. Results: Mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) was activated and translocated from the cytoplasm to mitochondria in the heart following seawater immersion combined with hemorrhagic shock, leading to excessive mitochondrial fission. Excessive mitochondrial fission disrupted mitochondrial function and structure and activated mitophagy and apoptosis. At the same time, excessive mitochondrial fission resulted in disturbance of myocardial structure and hemodynamic disorders and ultimately provoked multiple organ dysfunction and high mortality. Further studies showed that the mitochondrial division inhibitor mitochondrial division inhibitor-1 can significantly reverse Drp1 mitochondrial translocation and inhibit mitochondrial fragmentation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, mitophagy, and apoptosis and then protect circulation and vital organ functions, prolonging animal survival. Innovation: Our findings indicate that Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fission could be a novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of seawater immersion combined with hemorrhagic shock. Conclusion: Drp1 mitochondrial translocation played an important role in the cardiac dysfunction after seawater immersion combined with hemorrhage shock. Drp1-mediated excessive mitochondrial fission leads to cardiac dysfunction due to the mitochondrial structure and bioenergetics impairment.

Toxicity and enzymatic mechanism of Citrus spp. essential oils and major constituents on Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) and non-target Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae)

Plant essential oils (EOs)-based acaricides have been recognized as environmentally-friendly alternatives to synthetic acaricides because of their low toxicity against non-target species. Despite this, there are knowledge gaps regarding the toxicity mechanisms of plant EOs against non-target species. Here, the toxicology and enzymatic mechanism of Citrus reticulata and Citrus lemon EOs were evaluated against the vector pest, Haemaphysalis longicornis, and non-target ladybird beetle, Harmonia axyridis. Both EOs were mainly composed of d-Limonene, followed by β-Myrcene and γ-Terpinene in C. reticulata, and (−)-β-Pinene and γ-Terpinene in C. lemon. Citrus reticulata and C. lemon EOs were toxic to Hae. longicornis, with 50 % lethal concentration (LC50) values estimated at 0.43 and 0.98 μL/mL via nymphal immersion test, and 42.52 and 46.38 μL/mL via spray application, respectively. Among the constituents tested, β-Myrcene was the most effective, with LC50 values of 0.17 and 47.87 μL/mL via immersion and spray treatment, respectively. A significant mortality of non-target Har. axyridis was found when treated by the EOs at concentrations two times greater than LC50 estimated against H. longicornis. The biochemical assay revealed that the EOs induced changes in the antioxidant enzyme activity of superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in Hae. longicornis and Har. axyridis. The results demonstrated the acaricidal potential of citrus EOs and their major constituents for tick control, revealed the risk of the EOs to non-target species, and provided relevant insights into the mechanisms underlying their toxicity.

Effects of low temperature air exposure and immersion on antioxidant, immune, intestinal flora and metabolome of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of immersion on immune enzyme activity, haemolymph index, intestinal microbiome and metabolome of E. sinensis after low temperature air exposure. The results showed that low temperature air exposure induced stress response, which led to hepatopancreas injury and increased membrane permeability, but this situation was reversible and alleviated after immersion. In addition, after exposure to low temperature air, haemolymph metabolism-related substances such as glucose and total cholesterol were significantly different from the initial value (P < 0.05), and gradually returned to the initial level after immersion. The changes of intestinal flora and hepatopancreas metabolism caused by low temperature air exposure did not fully recover after immersion, and its negative effects did not completely disappear. The sequencing results showed that the species composition and diversity of intestinal microorganisms of Chinese mitten crabs were changed after low temperature air exposure and immersion treatment. The relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were increased, while the relative abundance of Firmicutes was decreased (P < 0.05). Metabolomics analysis showed that lysine levels increased significantly, taurocholic acid levels decreased significantly, and amino acid metabolism and lipid metabolism balance were disturbed in hepatopancreas of E. sinensis after exposure to low temperature air and immersion (P < 0.05). This study will provide new insights into the recovery mechanism of water immersion on Chinese mitten crabs after exposure to air.

Biomass lignin as dispersion to substantially enhance carbon nanotubes thermoelectric converter for energy harvesting

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted much attention as promising thermoelectric materials to harvest waste energy, however the agglomeration between nanotubes greatly limits their application. Despite various dispersants that have been devised to enhance the dispersion of CNTs, biomass lignin has been rarely employed to facilitate the dispersion of CNT for enhancing its TE properties. Herein, green lignin was incorporated with CNTs to synergistically improve the dispersion and TE properties of CNTs, in which π-π interactions between the aromatic ring structure of lignin and CNTs, as well as electrostatic charge brought by ionized groups of lignin promote the exfoliation of nanotubes and reduces CNTs entanglement. The well-dispersed structure of CNTs facilitates efficient charge transfer, and thereby enhances the thermoelectric properties. CNTs/lignin composite could reach a maximum power factor of 198.0 μW m−1K−2 at a lignin content of 11.8 wt%, which was then raised to 223.1 μW m−1K−2 with subsequent partial removal of lignin by alkali immersion treatment, higher than 98.6 μW m−1K−2 of pristine CNTs film. Furthermore, the flexible TE device with five pairs of CNTs/lignin and nickel wires generates a high power of 288 nW at ΔT = 30 K, demonstrating potential applications of lignin for sustainable energy harvesting.

The combination of non-electrolytic hypochlorite water and ultrasonic treatment on the cleaning and preservation of baby cabbage

In the present study, the synergistic effect of non-electrolytic hypochlorite water (NEHW, 50 mg/L, pH, 5.8) immersion combined with ultrasonic treatment (US, 32 kHz) on the inactivation of bacteria and the maintenance of quality in baby cabbage (Brassica pekinensis) was evaluated. Baby cabbage was treated with tap water immersion, tap water immersion combined with ultrasonic treatment, NEHW immersion combined with ultrasonic treatment and nontreatment (as the control group), and be stored at 4 °C. The results showed that NEHW immersion combined with ultrasonic treatment improved the sensory freshness of baby cabbage, slowed down the rise of weight loss rate and relative conductivity, reduced the number of natural bacteria, yeast and mold, inhibited the rise of nitrate and nitrite content and inhibited the loss of Vitamin C (VC), total phenol and soluble sugar. It is suggested that the shelf life of baby cabbage can be effectively extended with the treatment of NEHW immersion combined with ultrasonic.

The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and oxolinic acid on growth, immune-related genes, and gut bacterial community structures in juvenile Japanese eel (Anguilla Japonica)

This research aims to understand the distinct effects of Lactobacillus plantarum and Oxolinic Acid on the growth, immune-related genes, and gut bacterial community structures of juvenile Japanese eel.In this study, the Lactobacillus plantarum strain MH079448 was added to the diet for Japanese eel juveniles as test group (LP), with no bacteria administrated as control group (CK). Meanwhile, the antibiotic Oxolinic Acid immersion treatment was administrated in an extra group as a comparison for alternative evaluation (OA). The mRNA levels of toll-like receptors 2 (TLR-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in livers and gills of Japanese eel were analyzed by qRT-PCR technology. The intestinal microbiota was analyzed by High-throughput Sequencing (HTS) analysis.The results showed that at the end of experiment, the specific growth rates (SGR) and weight-gain rate (WGR) of Japanese eels in both LP and OA were improved to an approximately equal level, viz., 38.38 ± 15.2%, 1.18 ± 0.39%/d and 43.67 ± 16.52%, 1.29 ± 0.39%/d, respectively, which were significantly higher than the CK (8.73 ± 4.81%, 0.3 ± 0.16%/d) (p < 0.05). At the beginning of the experiment, there were no significant differences in the expression levels of TLR-2 and TNF-α in the gill and liver (p > 0.05). However, on day 28, compared with CK, both LP and OA showed significant upregulation in the expression levels of TLR-2 and TNF-α in the gill. Specifically, there was no significant difference in the expression levels of TLR-2 between LP and OA in the gill (5.97 ± 0.33 and 5.73 ± 0.38 respectively) (p > 0.05), while TNF-α exhibited significant differences in the gill (3.40 ± 0.24 and 4.96 ± 0.17 respectively) (p < 0.05). In the liver, on day 28, LP showed significant upregulation in the expression levels of TLR-2 and TNF-α (0.079 ± 0.006 and 0.116 ± 0.018, respectively) (p < 0.05). Concerning the TLR-2 in the liver of OA, it showed significant upregulation to 0.132 ± 0.009 (p < 0.05), which was significantly higher than that of LP (0.079 ± 0.006) in the liver(p < 0.05). However, on day 28, compared with CK and LP (0.049 ± 0.04 and 0.116 ± 0.018, respectively), the expression level of TNF-α in OA of liver was significantly downregulated (0.039 ± 0.002) (p < 0.05).Further, at the end of the experiment, Gammaproteobacteria was still the dominant class in CK and OA with the relative abundance of 95.09% and 92.49%, correspondingly, whereas in the LP, its value dropped to 82.79%. Compared to CK, the relative abundance of total probiotics in LP were increased by 1.619%, but it decreased by 0.464% in OA. Their total (opportunistic) pathogens in LP and OA were decreased by 4.562% and 16.803%, respectively. Functionally, compared to CK, the predicted functions of intestinal microbiota, such as energy metabolism, nutrient absorption and secondary metabolites were significantly enhanced in both LP and OA(p < 0.05). The results of this study firstly demonstrated that compared to Oxolinic Acid, Lactobacillus plantarum MH079448 approximately equally improved the growth performance, and approximately equally enhanced immune response. However, concerning the optimized community structures of intestinal microbiota in juvenile Japanese eels, Lactobacillus plantarum MH079448 was better than Oxolinic Acid, especially in relative abundance of total probiotics improvement.

Enhancement mechanism of microbial mineralization modified coal gangue aggregate properties

Preparing concrete with coal gangue as the aggregate has significant environmental and economic advantages. Nevertheless, the fundamental characteristics of the manufactured concrete are significantly impacted by the high water absorption and low strength of coal gangue aggregate. The present study employs the microbial-induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) technique to efficiently enhance the characteristics of coal gangue aggregate (CGA). Starting from the circumstances of microbial mineralization, the effects of pH, temperature, and time on the capacity of bacteria for mineralization were taken into consideration. Following solution immersion treatment with varying concentrations of urea, calcium ions, and bacterial solution, the patterns of water absorption, crushing index, apparent density, and ultrasonic pulse resistance of CGA were examined. The precipitates produced by microbial mineralization, the micro-morphology, and the pore structure of the aggregate surface were all characterized, and the mechanism of the modification of CGA by MICP was revealed through the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Investigations were also conducted on the mechanical characteristics of modified coal gangue aggregate concrete. The results showed that the water absorption and crushing index of the CGA with optimal modification effect (M-CGA) decreased by 18.5 % and 24.1 %, respectively, which was attributed to the fact that the calcium carbonate formed in the cracks and pores of the CGA filled the aggregates and prevented the penetration of water. The 28-day compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength of modified coal gangue aggregate concrete prepared from M-CGA were increased by 8.13 %, 13.88 %, and 8.53 %, respectively. MICP is an effective method to improve the properties of CGA, which is conducive to the waste recycling of coal gangue.

Boosting mechanical properties of carbon fibers by gas-liquid dual-effect approach

The tensile strength and tensile modulus of existing carbon fibers (CFs) are 3 %–5 % of the theoretical values, which greatly limits the performance of CFs when used alone or as a reinforcing material. To increase the chemical reaction activity and roughness of the surface of CFs based on the enhancement of their mechanical properties, a comprehensive treatment of CFs was carried out by the gas-liquid dual-effect method. CFs were oxidized at high temperatures after immersion treatment using cobalt nitrate solution, and the effects of cobalt nitrate solution concentration, oxidation time, and calcination temperature on the surface morphology, functional groups, structural defects, and mechanical properties of CFs were investigated by the controlled-variable method. The results showed that when the concentration of cobalt nitrate solution was 0.2 molL-1, the calcination temperature was 200 °C, and the oxidation time was 4 h, the modification effect was the best. At this time, the tensile strength of CF is 6104.50 MPa, which is 40.35 % higher than that of the pure CF, and the tensile modulus is 378.56 GPa, which is 13.27 % higher than that of the pure CF, with a significant enhancement effect. It can offer feasible ideas for further research and development of CF composites, and provide an effective way to promote the industrialization of modified CFs for application.

Properties of patula pine plywood using phenolic resin-impregnated veneers

Having observed the need for structural panels for external use, it is important to study methods of treating wood from new forest species, with less harmful products. In this sense, veneers of Pinus patula wood were subjected to immersion treatment in phenolic resin diluted in water at 5% solids content for one minute, and subsequently used to produce plywood panels using phenol-formaldehyde resin, with a weight of 160 g /m² in single line. The experimental design included four types of panels: fresh veneers glued with 35% resin solids content, treated veneers glued with 12%, 23% and 35% resin solids content. The physical-mechanical properties of the panels were compared with the parameters defined by the Brazilian Association of the Mechanically Processed Wood Industry (ABIMCI) and the Brazilian Association of Technical Standards (ABNT). The panels produced presented apparent density and bonding quality results below the minimum recommendations established in these technical parameters, in addition to water absorption higher than the values found in research with other pine species. However, veneer panels treated with phenolic resin showed better bonding quality than untreated panels for the same resin solids content. In less severe conditions, such as in the wet bonding test, the use of 23% resin solids content maintained bonding quality compared to 35% untreated wood. Therefore, further studies are suggested on the use of wood veneers treated with phenol and to reduce the resin solids content for to reduce costs and harmful effects on the environment.

Non-Perceptual Representational Immersion in Video Games: a Response to David Chalmers’ Reality+

This article criticises David Chalmers’ ‘Reality+’ by interrogating its distinction of virtual reality (VR) from 2D, non-VR video games, a distinction made on the grounds that VR is immersive and these types of video games are not because immersion is a distinct characteristic of 3D perceptually represented VR. Building on the Balcerak Jacksons’ account of ‘representational immersion’, which they acknowledge has ‘perceptual’ and ‘non-perceptual’ elements, I develop an account of ‘non-perceptual representational immersion’ and use it to critique Chalmers’ treatment of VR, immersion, and video games, indirectly problematizing his central ontological claim that ‘virtual reality is genuine reality’ and the reflections he makes about future society which rest upon it. I argue that video games are rich in non-perceptual representational immersion, which includes the representation of non-perceptual information about the structure and behaviour of a virtual world and its systems, the non-perceptual cognitive states that are generated in the player by the virtual world, and the immersion which comes from the constitutively cognitive nature of the player’s engagement with the virtual world, a cognitive engagement construed in an enactive sense. These are just as crucial to the phenomenon of digital immersion as perception. Immersion generally is a much more complicated phenomenon than Chalmers allows for, and it is better conceived as taking place on a spectrum which includes both 3D and 2D experiences of virtual worlds, not as hinging on 3D perceptual representation. I use ‘immersive simulation’ games as a case study.

Disinfection Methods of Pruning Scissor for Preventing Transmission of Fire Blight

Pathogens of fire blight can survive for a long time on pruning tools, etc., and fire blight can be spread through agricultural implements. In particular, in Korea, pruning is frequently performed to remove flowers, immature fruits, and succulent shoots, and this farm work is known to be a major factor of the spread of fire blight. Therefore, in this study, in order to completely sterilize pathogens on pruning shears, we verified the disinfection effect of disinfectants distributed domestically and used them to identify an effective disinfection method. When disinfecting by immersion after inoculating Erwinia amylovora TS3128 on the scissor blade, 70% ethanol and 1% and 0.2% sodium hypochlorite sterilized immediately 10 sec after immersion, while 30% chlorine dioxide showed little disinfection effect. When disinfecting by spraying, 70% ethanol sterilized bacteria 1 sec after spraying, but 1% and 0.2% sodium hypochlorite disinfected bacteria after 10 and 60 sec, respectively. After cutting the naturally disease occurring branches five and 100 times, the bacteria were not hardly sterilized in immersion treatment in 70% ethanol for 30 sec but perfectly disinfected over 60 sec. Considering these results, pruning shears should be disinfected by frequently immersing them in 70% ethanol for at least 60 sec during pruning work in the field.

Lactobacillus-isolated exopolysaccharide as emulsifier ensure extended stability of eugenol encapsulation, potent anti-microbial activity, and application on fresh produce

In this study, we employed a novel encapsulation approach to develop a stable eugenol oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion by using Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014 isolated exopolysaccharide (EPS) as a natural emulsifier. The emulsion was optimized and analyzed for physical stability, microstructure, rheology, and chemical behavior using fourier-transform infrared analysis (FTIR). The eugenol emulsion consisting of a 40:60 O/W ratio with 3 % w/v EPS exhibited a desired droplet size of 192 ± 1.89 nm with multimodal size distribution, polydispersity index of 0.362 ± 0.01 and zeta-potential of −32 ± 1.90 mV. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed porous and granulated structures with profound consistency. EPS maintained its emulsifying activity across processing conditions (−20 to 70 °C, pH 3–9, salinity 1 %–30 %), with stability over 90 days. Both EPS and eugenol synergistically enhanced the antimicrobial activity of emulsion against Listeria monocytogenes B600 and Salmonella Poona 36. The practical application of optimized emulsion was assessed by demonstrating a reduction in microbial load on the lettuce surface. Microbial load was determined by immersion and sprayed treatment methods which resulted in more than 3.0 log reduction. This potential application of lactobacillus–derived EPS as a natural emulsifier for encapsulating bioactive essential oils will enable its future applications for food safety.

Peracetic acid treatment of squid eggs infected with parasitic copepod (Ikanecator primus gen. et sp. nov.)

Having been successfully bred in semi-intensive and intensive aquaculture systems, oval squids of the Sepioteuthis lessoniana species complex are emerging as promising candidates for research and industry. Nevertheless, information about pathogens and diseases that may affect squid aquaculture remains sparse. In this study, we identify new parasitic copepod species that causes squid mortality and decreases squid hatching rates, and we also offer a solution to eliminate the pathogen during incubation of squid eggs. The newly discovered copepod Ikanecator primus gen. et sp. nov. was identified on oval squid eggs for the first time using both morphological and molecular diagnostic markers. In the genomes of the copepod and associated microbiome, we identified multiple genes for enzymes involved in cephalopod eggshell degradation in genomes of the copepod and associated microbiome. Furthermore, we conducted experiments to assess efficacy of peracetic acid in inhibiting the I. primus gen. et sp. nov. both in vitro and in vivo using immersion treatment. We established that a 2-min exposure to a concentration of 250 μl/L of peracetic acid containing product (PAA-product; 35 mg/L PAA and 15 mg/L H2O2) inhibited the development of nauplii in vitro. All parasites exposed to a concentration of 500 μl/L of PAA-product (70 mg/L PAA and 30 mg/L H2O2) were eliminated within two minutes. On top of this, the immersion treatment with 500 μl/L of PAA-product (70 mg/L PAA and 30 mg/L H2O2) improved survival of squid embryos and increased size of squid hatchlings compared with control and the immersion treatment with 125 μl/L of PAA-product (17.5 mg/L PAA and 7.5 mg/L H2O2) and the immersion treatment with 250 μl/L of PAA-product (35 mg/L PAA and 15 mg/L H2O2). These findings suggest that PAA holds a great potential as inhibitor and controller of parasitic copepod infections and for overall health management in cephalopod culture.

Hot-Water Immersion (HWI) or Ice-Pack Treatment (IPT) as First Aid for Human Envenomation by Marine Animals? Review of Literature.

Envenomation by marine animals poses a significant health concern globally, affecting both local residents and tourists in coastal regions. The primary objective of this review is to critically evaluate the existing scientific literature to determine the most effective first-aid treatment for envenomations caused by marine animals, specifically whether hot-water immersion (HWI) or ice-pack treatment (IPT) provides the best immediate care. This comprehensive review covers a wide range of marine envenomations, from jellyfish stings to stingray injuries. While our focus is primarily on the efficacy of HWI and IPT, we also explore the role of cold-water treatment as a result of its relevance and similarity to ice-pack applications. In addition, we examine other treatments mentioned in the literature, such as medications or vinegar, and highlight their findings where applicable. To provide a clear and structured overview, we summarised the articles in separate tables. These tables categorise the type of research conducted, the marine species studied, the region of origin of the marine species, and the key findings of each study. Our analysis of the available evidence indicates a general consensus in the scientific community on the effectiveness of HWI or IPT for envenomation by marine animals. However, when treating those injuries, it is crucial to consider all factors since there is no universally superior treatment due to the diverse nature of marine habitats.

MODIFICATION OF WOVEN DENDROCALAMUS ASPER IN COMPOSITE APPLICATIONS

The aim of this study is to examine the influence of immersing Petung Bamboo in a NaOH solution on the tensile strength (TS) of composites containing an epoxy matrix. Petung Bamboo Webbing was given 0%, 3%, 6% and 9%, soaking treatment. The Composite utilised in this investigation was fabricated by the Vacuum Assisted Resin Infusion technique. Tensile testing of composites is conducted according to the ASTM D638-1 standard. The findings indicated a positive correlation between the concentration of NaOH immersion and the adhesion between the woven surface of Petung Bamboo and the matrix. Consequently, the TS of the Composite was enhanced. However, increasing the concentrations beyond a certain point leads to more degradation of the lignin and cellulose in the fibers, resulting in a loss in the strength of the composite. The Petung Bamboo woven reinforced Composite achieved the highest TS of 136.06 MPa after being treated with a 6% NaOH immersion. This was followed by a 3% NaOH immersion treatment resulting in a TS of 106.04 MPa. Without any NaOH immersion treatment, the composite had a TS of 97.31 MPa. The lowest TS of the composite was observed after a 9% NaOH immersion treatment, measuring 90.79 MPa. The Petung Bamboo wicker-reinforced composite with NaOH immersion treatment showed higher fiber pullout and fiber-matrix debonding failures, while higher NaOH treatment concentration reduced these failures.

Long-term durability investigation of basalt fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete in marine environment

The long-term durability of basalt fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete (BFRGC) in marine environments is importance for the development of sustainable construction practices. This study examines the long-term durability of basalt fiber-reinforced geopolymer concrete exposed to dry-wet cycles and immersion treatment in marine conditions. A geopolymer concrete with 1% fiber content was prepared and subjected to dry-wet cycles and immersion treatments in a 5% sulfate solution (Tehmina et al., 2014; Nasir et al., 2016; John et al., 2016) [1-3]. Density measurements, ultrasonic pulse velocity tests, and uniaxial compression tests were conducted on the BFRGC after various treatment durations. The mechanical properties of BFRGC were compared with geopolymer concrete without fibers in marine environments. Additionally, the changes in compressive strength of geopolymer concrete with and without fibers in different immersion environments were further discussed. Using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) technology, the variations in pore structure were also analyzed. The results show that the mechanical property loss from dry-wet cycles was greater than from immersion treatment. In BFRGC, strength decreased by 10.1% after 192 days of dry-wet cycles, compared to a smaller decrease of 5.6% in immersion environments. The inclusion of basalt fibers effectively enhances stability. When in dry-wet cycle tests, BFRGC strength decreased from 49.6 MPa to 44.6 MPa, a reduction of 10.1%. Conversely, geopolymer concrete without fibers dropped from 49.7 MPa to 42.1 MPa, a reduction of 15.5%. LF-NMR test results show that the porosity of geopolymer concrete without fibers increased by 21.6% and 17.5% in dry-wet cycles and immersion environments, respectively. In contrast, the porosity of BFRGC increased by 16.1% and 12.7%.