Laboratory Conditions Research Articles

The influence of the homofermentative lactic acid bacteria and enzymes on the nutritional value, health safety, and aerobic deterioration of the different maize hybrid silages

The research aimed to determine the impact of identic inoculants of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) with enzymes (ENZ) on the silage quality of 5 different corn hybrids (Zea mays). Hybrids (Pioneer Hi-Bred DuPont) differed by FAO maturity group (from early H1, mid-early H2, medium H3, mid-late H4 to late H5). Inoculant LAB consisted of a mixture of homofermentative bacteria: Lactobacillus plantarum, Enterococcus faecium, Pediococcus acidilactici, Lactobacillus salivarius, and ENZ: cellulase, α- amylase, hemicellulase, xylanase. Ensiling was done at the laboratory conditions, where the green mass of corn hybrids has been inoculated with LAB and ENZ were added, before ensiling. The process of ensiling lasted 60 days. The addition of LAB inoculants with ENZ is frequently used to speed up the ensiling process, prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms, protect the aerobic stability of silage, and improve the silage quality of different crops. The phase of aerobic degradation of silage begins immediately after exposure to silage to air. This stage is inevitable during feeding with silage and takes place in all silages, regardless of quality. The same pattern of reaction on identic LAB and EFEs addition was not found in silages ensiled from different hybrids. Among the evaluated corn hybrids, the additive to H1 early maturity hybrid had significantly improved the silage quality, and prolonged the time of aerobic stability, mainly due to the significantly highest CP, lowest ADL, and highest LA content. The chemical composition, fermentation, and microbiology profiles of silage significantly influence CO2 production in a test of aerobic stability (AS), and this is a causal relationship of aerobic stability duration. The results of this trial showed that the lower butyric acid, total microorganisms number, count of yeasts and mold, pH, and higher LAB, lactic acid, and acetic acid levels (P<0.05), are accompanied by the production of lower CO2 (P<0.05). The current research and previous studies suggest that nutritional value, health safety, and aerobic deterioration of the different maize hybrid silages are under the influence of epiphytic microflora of ensiled plants, used LAB inoculum, and EFEs addition in the appropriate amount, and the type of hybrid ensiled as well.

The impact of different concentrations of nano-capsulated Aleppo oak extraction on the biological performance of Amblyseius swirskii (Acari: Phytoseiidae)

Essential oils have demonstrated promising results in controlling mites. However, their impact on predatory mites, which are widely used in pest management programs, remains uncertain. In the present study, the effects of 1, 2 and 3 (g a.i. L-1) of nano-capsulated Aleppo oak extraction on the biological parameters of Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were investigated under laboratory condition. Based on the results, the pre-adult period of the predator was significantly longer in the 2 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (6.66 days) compared with the control and the 1 (g a.i. L-1) concentration. Additionally, the total lifespan in the control group (39.42 days) was significantly longer than the treatment with a 3 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (31.50 days). The total fecundity in the 2 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (47.60 eggs/female) was significantly higher than the other treatments, indicating a positive effect of this botanical pesticide at the concentration recommended by the manufacturer on the reproductive system of the predatory mite. No significant differences were observed among the different treatments and the control group in terms of population growth parameters (GRR, R0, r, and λ). Only the mean generation time (T) showed a significant difference, with the longest period being recorded in the 2 (g a.i. L-1) concentration (15.44 ± 0.21), which was significantly longer than the control and the 1 (g a.i. L-1) concentration. The lack of significant differences in population growth parameters between the treatments indicates that nano-capsulated Aleppo oak extraction is safe for use along with the predatory mite A. swirskii.

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MZ895491: an endophytic bacterium as potential biocontrol agent in integrated pest management of fall armyworm in maize

ABSTRACT The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is a major pest of maize crops and necessitates effective control measures. Excessive use of chemical pesticides often results in the development of resistant insect populations and environmental contamination, highlighting the need for environmentally friendly substitutes. This research aimed to estimate the potential of maize (COH6) apoplastic fluid bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (MZ895491), as a biocontrol agent against second instar S. frugiperda larvae under laboratory and pot culture conditions. The results suggest that the presence of B. amyloliquefaciens in the artificial diet could reduce the growth and development of S. frugiperda larvae. Metabolic profiling of extracellular components of B. amyloliquefaciens revealed the presence of numerous defensive and anti-feeding metabolites. A study conducted in pots demonstrated that foliar application of B. amyloliquefaciens to 5 d old maize resulted in a significant increase in antioxidant activity (83.3%), chlorophyll content (63.3%) and phenolic content (81.3%) in the leaves of 35 d old maize after 24 h of S. frugiperda infestation. Feeding bioassay further indicated significant reduction in the feeding capacity of S. frugiperda larvae on maize inoculated with B. amyloliquefaciens. The study observed that a metabolic modification in maize leaves likely led to reduced growth in larvae during the whole plant bioassay. This suggests that foliar application of B. amyloliquefaciens may effectively serve as one of the biocontrol agents against Spodoptera frugiperda. The application appears to alter the feeding behaviour of the larvae and modify maize leaf metabolism.

Assessing climatic conditions and biotic interactions shaping the success of Cystoseira foeniculacea early-life stages.

Early-life stages of canopy-forming macroalgae are critical for the maintenance of natural populations and the success of restoration actions. Unfortunately, the abiotic conditions and biotic interactions shaping the success of these stages have received less attention than the interactions shaping the success of adults. Here, we combined field and mesocosm experiments to explore the effects of temperature, herbivory, and canopy presence on the development of early-life stages of the brown seaweed Cystoseira foeniculacea. We assessed these effects by examining changes in recruit density and size. After recruiting zygotes under laboratory conditions, we conducted one laboratory and three field experiments. In the first field experiment, the density of recruits decreased over time in all rockpools and was negatively affected by rising temperatures and turf cover. Additionally, a marine heatwave (MHW; 11 days >25°C) was recorded in the donor pools, producing strong decay in the density of transplanted recruits and a significant reduction of the mature canopy. The second field experiment tested the survival of recruits based on their positioning within the canopy. We observed a higher density of recruits when placed at the edge or outside the canopy compared to recruits placed under the canopy. In the third field experiment, an herbivory-exclusion experiment, we show how density of recruits decreased in less than 48 h in noncaged treatments. In the laboratory, we conducted a thermotolerance experiment under controlled conditions, exposing the recruits to 19, 22, 25, 28, and 31°C for 7 weeks to assess thermal impacts on their survival and growth. Temperatures above the 25°C threshold reduced the density and size of the recruits. This study sheds light on the performance of the early-life stages of a Cystoseira spp. in Macaronesia, showing a low survival ratio against the current pressures even in the context of the potential refuge provided by the intertidal rockpools.

AgNPs break the wall cell in Chlorella vulgaris by oxidative stress generation

Silver nanoparticles are used commercially due in part to its antibacterial power. However, due to their nanoscale size, these may not be retained by filters wastewater reaching the aquatic environment, which could affect microorganisms of initial food-chain as microalgae. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the cytotoxic effects of silver nanoparticles (3-7nm) in freshwater phytoplankton (Chlorella vulgaris) ex situ. Silver nanoparticles synthesis was performed according to silver nitrate chemical reduction, they were characterized by scanning electron microscope. C. vulgaris collected from Chapala Lake, Jalisco, México, was kept under laboratory conditions. C. vulgaris, grown in Bristol broth, were exposed to different concentrations of silver nanoparticles (0.01, 0.1 and 1mg L-1) for 24 hours. An important cytotoxic effect was determined in C. vulgaris exposed to silver nanoparticles, manifested by decrement in Chlorophyll-a contents, morphological changes, prominent perforations in cell walls, important decrement of lipid contents and oxidative stress generation, that corresponding to the nanoparticle concentration.

Biological and population parameters of Telenomus remus and Trichogramma atopovirilia as biological control agents for Spodopterafrugiperda

Maize production faces a significant threat from Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) worldwide; historically, Trichogramma pretiosum Riley has served as the primary augmentative egg parasitoid for its biological control. However, since 2004, Telenomus remus Nixon has emerged as a viable global alternative. On a regional scale, in Mexico, Trichogramma atopovirilia (Oatman & Platner) was theorized to outperform T. pretiosum, proving superior in both laboratory and field conditions in 2020. To further the field efficacy of the augmentative use of parasitoids as biological agents of S. frugiperda, we conducted comparisons of biological and population parameters under laboratory-controlled conditions to determine whether T. remus would be more effective than T. atopovirilia, the best Trichogramma parasitoid in Mexico for S. frugiperda. We found that the former parasitoid had statistically significant longer female and male longevity, as well as a higher proportion of female offspring, and greater numerical values in net reproduction rate, intrinsic rate of increase, and finite rate of increase, but no differences were found in the number of days required for both parasitoids to develop from egg to female or egg to male, as well as in the mean generation time and doubling time. Under the conditions of these trials, T. remus had a 47.02% greater intrinsic rate of increase (rm) and may thus be a more effective biological control agent for S. frugiperda than T. atopovirilia. However, these biological and population parameter comparisons are the first execution worldwide; further studies are needed to validate these promising T. remus results.

3D Neurovascular Unit Tissue Model to Assess Responses to Traumatic Brain Injury.

The neurovascular unit (NVU) is a critical interface in the central nervous system that links vascular interactions with glial and neural tissue. Disruption of the NVU has been linked to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Despite its significance the NVU remains challenging to study in a physiologically relevant manner. Here, a 3D cell triculture model of the NVU is developed that incorporates human primary brain microvascular endothelial cells, astrocytes, and pericytes into a tissue system that can be sustained invitro for several weeks. This tissue model helps recapitulate the complexity of the NVU and can be used to interrogate the mechanisms of disease and cell-cell interactions. The NVU tissue model displays elevated cell death and inflammatory responses following mechanical damage, to emulate traumatic brain injury (TBI) under controlled laboratory conditions, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, elevated inflammatory markers TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant cytokines MCP-2 and MCP-3 and reduced expression of the tight junction marker ZO-1. This 3D tissue model serves as a tool for deciphering mechanisms of TBIs and immune responses associated with the NVU.

Synergistic phenotypic adaptations of motile purple sulphur bacteria Chromatium okenii during lake-to-laboratory domestication.

Isolating microorganisms from natural environments for cultivation under optimized laboratory settings has markedly improved our understanding of microbial ecology. Artificial growth conditions often diverge from those in natural ecosystems, forcing wild isolates into distinct selective pressures, resulting in diverse eco-physiological adaptations mediated by modification of key phenotypic traits. For motile microorganisms we still lack a biophysical understanding of the relevant traits emerging during domestication and their mechanistic interplay driving short-to-long-term microbial adaptation under laboratory conditions. Using microfluidics, atomic force microscopy, quantitative imaging, and mathematical modeling, we study phenotypic adaptation of Chromatium okenii, a motile phototrophic purple sulfur bacterium from meromictic Lake Cadagno, grown under laboratory conditions over multiple generations. Our results indicate that naturally planktonic C. okenii leverage shifts in cell-surface adhesive interactions, synergistically with changes in cell morphology, mass density, and distribution of intracellular sulfur globules, to suppress their swimming traits, ultimately switching to a sessile lifeform. A computational model of cell mechanics confirms the role of such phenotypic shifts in suppressing the planktonic lifeform. By investigating key phenotypic traits across different physiological stages of lab-grown C. okenii, we uncover a progressive loss of motility during the early stages of domestication, followed by concomitant deflagellation and enhanced surface attachment, ultimately driving the transition of motile sulfur bacteria to a sessile state. Our results establish a mechanistic link between suppression of motility and surface attachment via phenotypic changes, underscoring the emergence of adaptive fitness under laboratory conditions at the expense of traits tailored for natural environments.

Comparative Bio Assay of New Generation Insecticides against Invasive Southeast Asian Thrips, Thrips parvispinus (Karny) (Thripidae:Thysanoptera)

Aims: Management of invasive southeast Asian thrips, Thrips parvispinus under laboratory conditions. Study Design: Completely Randomized Design. Place and Duration of Study: Regional Agricultural Research Station, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh during 2023. Methodology: Bio assays study was conducted with eleven insecticides for the Management of Thrips parvispinus under laboratory conditions following leaf dip method replicated thrice. Mortality and corrected mortality were assessed at 24 and 48 hours after treatment imposition by counting the number of dead and live adults. Results: Bio assay study revealed that the insecticide broflanilide 300 DC @ 64.0 ml/ha recorded significant high percent mortality of 93.3 at 48 hours after exposure. The insecticides fluxametamide 10 EC @ 400 ml/ha, tolfenpyrad 15 EC@ 1000 ml/ha, spinoterom 11.7 SC @ 500 ml/ ha and fipronil 5 SC @1000 ml/ha were at par with broflanilide 300 DC with 90.0, 90.0, 86.7 and 86.7 percent mortality, respectively. Lowest mortality of 6.0 percent was observed in untreated control where the leaves were agitated in distilled water. The corrected mortality was calculated and the insecticides broflanilide 300 DC (92.59 %), fluxametamide 10 EC (88.9), tolfenpyrad 15 EC (89.3), spinetoram 11.7 SC (85.9) and fipronil 5 SC @400 ml/acre (85.2) recorded high corrected mortality at 48 hours of post treatment.

Textural index for martensitic and bainitic steels to assess influence of hot rolling mode on parent austenite structure before quenching

To assess a state of parent austenite before the steel quenching, a scalar textural index for martensite and bainite is introduced in terms of EBSD orientation data. Deformed and recrystallized states of the parent phase are discriminated by the sign of this index, whereas its magnitude in each of the two reflects the texture sharpness depending on the hot rolling mode. Accordingly, in a virtual case of randomly distributed orientations the considered parameter vanishes. Performance of the proposed approach is demonstrated on medium carbon martensitic steel hot rolled at laboratory conditions and on industrial rolled plates of low carbon bainitic steel.

Biodegradation of tri-butyl phosphate by Trametes versicolor and its application in a trickle bed reactor under non-sterile conditions

Tri-butyl phosphate (TBP) is a widely used organophosphate flame retardant. However, it is also regarded as emerging contaminant due to its various toxic effects and poor removal by conventional wastewater treatment. In present study, we investigated the degradation of TBP (10 mg/L) by the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor in both laboratory conditions and a trickle bed reactor (TBR) under non-sterile conditions. The removal yield reached 98 % after 3 days, during which the intracellular enzymatic system cytochrome P450 was involved. Four transformation products (TPs) were identified, namely dibutyl 3-hydroxybutyl phosphate, dibutyl phosphate, butyl 3-hydroxybutyl phosphate and butyl dihydrogen phosphate, which allowed us to propose a degradation pathway where hydroxylation and hydrolysis made considerable contribution. TBP treatment in the TBR with T. versicolor immobilized on wood chips operating in sequential batch mode with 10 cycles of 3 days reached average removals higher than 93 %, demonstrating the potential for practical application. Despite similar removal rates in heat-killed and abiotic controls (89 % and 97 %, respectively), global mass balance analysis indicated 86 %, 64 %, and 86 % removal by degradation in the fungal, heat-killed, and abiotic controls, respectively. Analysis of the microbial assemblage in solid phase suggested that the established bacterial populations displayed a synergistic effect with immobilized fungus. This study is the first to report on TBP degradation by T. versicolor in a TBR under non-sterile conditions, suggesting that this method could be a viable option for large-scale environmental applications.

Determination of the Radon Progeny Activity Size Distribution in Laboratory Conditions

Knowledge of the active size distribution of radon daughters is one of the main parameters for determining the effective dose from inhalation of short-term radon decay products. However, this parameter is crucial for accurately determining an effective dose; there are currently very limited possibilities for determining it. This paper describes the laboratory validation of a method for determining the activity size distribution of radon decay products using the Dekati ELPI+ cascade impactor and the Graded Screen Array Diffusion Battery (GSA DB). Using nuclear track detectors placed on individual impaction plates of the cascade impactor, the equivalent equilibrium activity concentration of individual size classes can be determined in the range from 17 nm to 10 μm. A diffusion battery was used to detect smaller particles in the unattached fraction area. The presented method can further refine the knowledge of the activity size distribution of radon decay products in different types of workplace atmospheres. Workplaces with higher radon concentrations differ significantly in the size distribution of aerosol particles, radon activity concentration, and equilibrium equivalent activity concentration.

Effect of Water Content on Light Nonaqueous Phase Fluid Migration in Sandy Soil

Contamination from light nonaqueous phase fluids (LNAPLs) and their derivatives during mining, production, and transportation has become a concern. Scholars have extensively studied LNAPL contamination, but the role of water content variation on its migration process in the unsaturated zone has not been sufficiently researched. The specific issue addressed in this study is the impact of water content on the migration of light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) in sandy soils, a critical yet under-researched aspect of subsurface contamination. To tackle this, we employed indoor simulated vertical, one-dimensional, multiphase flow soil column experiments, utilizing the orthogonal experimental method to systematically evaluate the effects of varying water contents on the occurrence state and migration rate of LNAPLs. The experimental results indicate the following: (1) The migration rate of LNAPL exhibits an L-shaped trend during subsurface imbibition and a nonlinear relationship with migration time. The migration rate and migration time of surface infiltration have a linear growth relationship. (2) The residual rate of LNAPL is negatively correlated with water content and positively correlated with oil content in the homogeneous non-saturated state. With the increase in the amount of leaked oil, 40% of the leaked LNAPL is sorbed within the soil. (3) When the water content of the test medium is below 14%, and the oil content is below 11%, LNAPL appears in the unsaturated zone in a solid phase. As the water content increases, the adsorption rate of the oil phase gradually decreases and eventually reaches the oil saturation point. (4) When the water content of the medium exceeds 8%, over time, LNAPL will be subject to oil–water interfacial tension, and the rate of LNAPL movement first decreases and then increases, displaying nonlinear growth. The innovation of this work lies in the comprehensive analysis of LNAPL migration under controlled laboratory conditions, providing results that enhance the understanding of LNAPL behavior in sandy soils. These quantitative insights are crucial for developing targeted remediation strategies for LNAPL-induced pollution in the unsaturated zone.

Bridging to Commercialization: Record-Breaking of Ultra-Large and Superior Cyclic Stability Tungsten Oxide Electrochromic Smart Window.

Electrochromic smart windows (ESWs) can significantly reduce energy consumption in buildings, but their cost-effective, large-scale production remains a challenge. In this study, the instability of black phosphorus is leveraged to induce the growth of the tungsten oxide film through its decomposition process, inspired by the 2D material-assisted in situ growth (TAIG) method. This approach results in the preparation of large-scale, high-performance WO3-x·nH2O (n<2) films. Characterization techniques and DFT calculations confirm efficient regulation ofstructural water and oxygen vacancies during TAIG preparation. The WO3-x·nH2O films exhibit excellent electrochromic (EC) properties, including high transmittance modulation (74.2%@1100nm), fast switching time (tc=5.5s, tb=3.8s), high coloration efficiency (124.7cm2C-1), and superior cyclic stability (transmittance modulation retained 94.7% after 20000 cycles). Ultra-largeWO3-x·nH2O film are prepared via a simple immersion process, and fabricated into a large-area ESW under facile laboratory conditions, demonstrating the economic and practical feasibility of this approach in industrial-scale production. Operated by the intelligent control circuit, the ESWexhibits remarkable EC properties and cyclic stability This research represents a milestone in improving the performance and industrial-scale production of ESWs, bridging the gap to the commercialization of EC technology.

Resistance of barley cultivars and accessions to pathotypes of the spot blotch causative agent

Background. The spot blotch disease caused by the hemibiotrophic fungus Bipolaris sorokiniana has become a serious problem for barley. Utilization of resistant or tolerant barley cultivars ensures sustainable diversity conservation and environmentfriendly crop production. Thus, supplying barley breeders with sources of resistance to harmful diseases is an urgent task. Materials and methods. A set of 100 barley accessions, earlier selected for different levels of resistance to B. sorokiniana, served as the material for this study. Eleven isolates of B. sorokiniana of various geographic origin, belonging to 4 pathotypes, were used for testing. The resistance of barley seedlings was assessed under controlled laboratory conditions, and that of adult plants under artificial infection pressure in the field. Responses to B. sorokiniana were scored using the 0–9 rating scale.Results and conclusions. Barley genotypes with race-specific resistance to the spot blotch causative agent were identified. The percentage of barley genotypes resistant to five isolates of B. sorokiniana pathotype 1 averaged 24.2%; two isolates of pathotype 3, 29.5%; three isolates of pathotype 7, 18.3%; and one isolate of pathotype 0, 37%. Barley accessions manifesting resistance in their seedlings, but susceptible in the phase of milk-wax ripeness, and vice versa, with seedling susceptibility and adult resistance, were identified. Six (6) barley genotypes showed seedling and adult resistance to pathotype 1, nine (9) to pathotype 3, and two (2) to pathotype 7. No barley accessions resistant to all isolates of the pathogen were found.

Evaluating the efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus derived postbiotics on growth metrics, Health, and Gut Integrity in broiler chickens.

Continuous use of antibiotics in poultry feed as growth promoters poses a grave threat to humanity through the emergence of antibiotic resistance, necessitating the exploration of novel and sustainable alternatives. The present study was carried out to evaluate the performance of postbiotics derived from Lactobacillus acidophilus in broiler birds. The postbiotics were harvested by culturing probiotic bacteria from the stock cultures at the required temperature and duration under laboratory conditions and supplemented to broilers via feed. For experimentation, 480-day-old CARI-Bro Dhanraja (slow-growing broiler) straight-run chicks were randomly split up into six groups. Treatment groups diets are as follows: T1- Basal diet (BD)+0.2%(v/w) MRS Broth/ uninoculated media; T2 - BD + Antibiotic (CTC); T3- BD + Probiotic; T4, T5 & T6 - BD + postbiotics supplementation of 0.2%, 0.4% and 0.6%(v/w) respectively. The chicks were raised under an intensive, deep litter system with standard protocol for 6 weeks. Results showed that 0.2% of postbiotics (T4) had significantly (P < 0.001) higher body weight (1677.52g) with better FCR (1.75) and immune response. Postbiotic supplementation altered various serum attributes positively, in this study. Significant (P < 0.001) reductions in total plate counts (TPC), coliform counts, and maximum Lactobacillus counts were recorded in all postbiotic-supplemented groups. The villus height (1379.25μm), width (216.06μm) and crept depth (179.25μm) showed significant (P < 0.001) improvement among the treatment groups on the 21st and 42nd day of the experimental trial, with the highest value in the T4 group (0.2% postbiotic supplementation). Jejunal antioxidant values also noted significantly (P < 0.001) higher values in T4 group. The study concludes that 0.2% postbiotic supplementation can act as a substitute to antibiotic growth promoters and also combat the disfavour activity of probiotics in broilers.

Evaluation of the insecticidal efficacy of four plants to protect stored Bambara groundnuts [Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc. (Fabaceae)

Bambara groundnuts [Vigna subterranean] is one of the main legumes consumed in Northern Cameroon. However, stored nuts by farmers are quickly destroyed by pests leading to low yields. To overcome this constraint, the efficient control of stored grains from insect pests is dependent on synthetic insecticides. To reduce post-harvest losses of stored voandzou seeds, four botanicals insecticides have been developed and evaluated on the main pest. Plant powders prepared from Piper nigrum Linn. (Pipericaceae), Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. &amp; L.M.Perry (Myrtaceae), Xylopia aethiopica Dunal (Annonaceae) and Phaseolus vulgaris L.( Fabaceae), at different doses were tested on Callosobruchus maculatus Fabricius under laboratory conditions. The rest of the study involved combining black bean powder with the three condiment species in different proportions. The analysis shows a highly significant difference (p &lt; 0.0001) between the mortality induced by formulations on day two of exposure with the lowest dose (0.5 g). These mortalities are 100%, 94.44 ± 3.79%, 72.5 ± 96 and 8.33 ± 4.77, respectively for S. aromaticum, P. nigrum, X. aethiopica and P. vulgaris powders. In relation to the formulation, the results show S. aromaticum powder induced 100% mortality compared with 94.44%, 72.59% and 8.33% respectively for P. nigrum, X. aethiopica and P. vulgaris plant powder at a dose of 5%. The results show that the natural substances used had a good insecticidal action against bruchid. The persistent compounds present in the studied spice plant powders are not toxic for human consumption at the concentrations used, but rather a beneficial effect. Key words: botanical insecticide, aromatic plants, powder, seeds, storage, insect pest.

The tunable double-layer self-supporting Sb-Ni(OH)2 catalyst for boosting electrocatalytic water splitting

Green hydrogen preparation by electrolysis of water is key to driving the energy transition revolution. The development of low-cost, highly active and highly selective catalysts is a top priority for the commercial application from electrolytic water. This paper presents the synthesis of Sb-doped Ni(OH)2 nanosheets growing in situ on Ni foam, which serves as a self-supporting electrode. A straightforward one-step hydrothermal technique was employed to craft a dual-layer catalyst with a tunable morphology. Under the 1 M KOH conditions, Sb-Ni(OH)2-2.5/NF emerged as a bifunctional electrocatalyst, demonstrating an impressive HER performance of 159 mV (η10) and an OER performance of 430.8 mV (η50). The Sb-Ni(OH)2-2.5/NF also demonstrated remarkable stability by 3000 CV cycling tests. The Sb-Ni(OH)2-2.5/NF catalytic material prepared in this paper under laboratory conditions has a simple and inexpensive synthesis method, which helps to move electrolytic water catalysts from the laboratory to industry.

Presence of Echinococcus eggs in the environment and food: a review of current data and future prospects.

Cystic and alveolar echinococcosis are considered the second and third most significant foodborne parasitic diseases worldwide. The microscopic eggs excreted in the feces of the definitive host are the only source of contamination for intermediate and dead-end hosts, including humans. However, estimating the respective contribution of the environment, fomites, animals or food in the transmission of Echinococcus eggs is still challenging. Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis seem to have a similar survival capacity regarding temperature under laboratory conditions. In addition, field experiments have reported that the eggs can survive several weeks to years outdoors, with confirmation of the relative susceptibility of Echinococcus eggs to desiccation. Bad weather (such as rain and wind), invertebrates and birds help scatter Echinococcus eggs in the environment and may thus impact human exposure. Contamination of food and the environment by taeniid eggs has been the subject of renewed interest in the past decade. Various matrices from endemic regions have been found to be contaminated by Echinococcus eggs. These include water, soil, vegetables and berries, with heterogeneous rates highlighting the need to acquire more robust data so as to obtain an accurate assessment of the risk of human infection. In this context, it is essential to use efficient methods of detection and to develop methods for evaluating the viability of eggs in the environment and food.

Nitrogen and sulphur release dynamics and kinetics in soils incubated with sulphur-augmented nitrogen sources

The study investigated N and S release dynamics and kinetics in soils incubated with sole and sulphur-augmented N fertilizer sources to evaluate their release patterns, potentially releasable quantities, and release rate constants. 50g of soil samples (from Ibadan and Ogbomoso, Nigeria) were measured into incubation cups and treated with Cattle Manure (CM) at 90 kg Nha-1, CM at 90 kg Nha-1+sulphur powder (SP) at 30 kg Sha-1, Cocoa Pod Powder (CPP) at 90 kg Nha-1, CPP at 90 kg Nha-1+SP at 30 kg Sha-1, NPK 20-10-10 at 90 kg Nha-1, NPK 20-10-10 at 90 kg Nha-1+SP at 30 kg Sha-1 and No Fertilizer Treatment (NFT). The incubated soils were moistened with distilled water at 60% field capacity thrice per week throughout a 105-day incubation period under ambient laboratory conditions and were analysed for N and S contents at 21, 42, 63, 84, and 105 days. The experiment was a completely randomized design with three replicates. Data on N and S release were evaluated, and fitted into zero, first- and second order kinetics equations. Release dynamics of N followed the order; NPK+SP/NPK/CPP+SP/CPP&gt;CM+SP/CM&gt;NFT in soils of both locations, while orders of S release were CPP+SP/CPP&gt;CM+SP&gt;CM/NPK+SP&gt;NPK&gt;NFT and CPP+S/CPP/CM+SP&gt;CM&gt;NPK+SP&gt;NPK&gt;NFT in soils of Ibadan and Ogbomoso, respectively. The release of N and S conformed to zero, first, and second order kinetics with coefficients of determination (R2), ranging from 0.20 to 0.99. Therefore, soil incorporation of sole and sulphur-augmented CM and CPP could be substituted for sole and sulphur-augmented NPK 21 days before planting of N and S-demanding crops.