Low NaCl Concentrations Research Articles

Effect of saline concentrations and humidity percentage on alfalfa va-rieties (Medicago sativa L.) from the Mexicali Valley, Mexico.

Objective: The aim of this experiment was to identify alfalfa varieties resistant to salt and drought stress in Mexicali Valley Mexico. Design/methodology/approach: Four alfalfa (M. sativa L.) varieties were used: Cuf-101 C, FD9, Pioneer and Cuf-101 P. Drought stress resistance was evaluated using four different percentages of commercial peat moss substrate (100%, 50%, 25%, and 15%), and saline stress resistance was evaluated by applying four concentrations of NaCl (0 mM, 50 mM, 100 mM, and 200 Mm.The variables evaluated in each treatment were: plant height, number of leaves and root length. The data obtained were subjected to an analysis of variance using the SAS statistical package version 9.0 with an α=0.5. Results: Alfalfa variety Cuf-101 had a good adaptation to both stresses with an average height of 11.28 cm and an average number of leaves of 3.54. Seed germination of alfalfa varieties (M. sativa L.) subjected to salt stress were affected even at the lowest NaCl concentration. Conclusions: The alfalfa variety with the highest germination percentage in all NaCl concentrations was Cuf-101 C with 91.17%.

Angiotensin II Exposure In Vitro Reduces High Salt-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Production and Modulates Cell Adhesion Molecules’ Expression in Human Aortic Endothelial Cell Line

Background/Objectives: Increased sodium chloride (NaCl) intake led to leukocyte activation and impaired vasodilatation via increased oxidative stress in human/animal models. Interestingly, subpressor doses of angiotensin II (AngII) restored endothelium-dependent vascular reactivity, which was impaired in a high-salt (HS) diet in animal models. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effects of AngII exposure following high salt (HS) loading on endothelial cells’ (ECs’) viability, activation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Methods: The fifth passage of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) was cultured for 24, 48, and 72 h with NaCl, namely, the control (270 mOsmol/kg), HS320 (320 mOsmol/kg), and HS350 (350 mOsmol/kg). AngII was administered at the half-time of the NaCl incubation (10−4–10−7 mol/L). Results: The cell viability was significantly reduced after 24 h in the HS350 group and in all groups after longer incubation. AngII partly preserved the viability in the HAECs with shorter exposure and lower concentrations of NaCl. Intracellular hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and peroxynitrite (ONOO−) significantly increased in the HS320 group following AngII exposure compared to the control, while it decreased in the HS350 group compared to the HS control. A significant decrease in superoxide anion (O2.−) formation was observed following AngII exposure at 10−5, 10−6, and 10−7 mol/L for both HS groups. There was a significant decrease in intracellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) and endoglin expression in both groups following treatment with 10−4 and 10−5 mol/L of AngII. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that AngII significantly reduced ROS production at HS350 concentrations and modulated the viability, proliferation, and activation states in ECs.

A unicellular cyanobacterium relies on sodium energetics to fix N2

Diazotrophic cyanobacteria can fix nitrogen gas (N2) but are usually scarce in nitrogen-limited coastal waters, which poses an apparent ecological paradox. One hypothesis is that high salinities (> 10 g/L NaCl) may inhibit cyanobacterial N2 fixation. However, here we show that N2 fixation in a unicellular coastal cyanobacterium exclusively depends on sodium ions and is inhibited at low NaCl concentrations (< 4 g/L). In the absence of Na+, cells of Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 (recently reclassified as Crocosphaera subtropica) upregulate the expression of nifHDK genes and synthesise a higher amount of nitrogenase, but do not fix N2 and do not grow. We find that the loss of N2-fixing ability in the absence of Na+ is due to insufficient ATP supply. Additional experiments suggest that N2 fixation in this organism is driven by sodium energetics and mixed-acid fermentation, rather than proton energetics and aerobic respiration, even though cells were cultured aerobically. Further work is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and whether our findings are relevant to other coastal cyanobacteria.

Toward an Enhanced Hydrophilic TiO2 Nanoparticles Adsorption at Air-Liquid Interface Through Ion Regulation.

This study investigates the dynamic properties of air-liquid interfacial tension for hydrophilic TiO2 P25 utilizing the pendant drop method. Additionally, it examines the interfacial adsorption mechanism of hydrophilic TiO2 particles, considering the characteristics of particle surface charge distribution in relation to ion regulation to enhance particle interface adsorption. Experimental results reveal that in the absence of ion addition, the TiO2 P25 suspension system exhibits limited interfacial adsorption due to its superhydrophilicity, regardless of particle concentration. The addition of NaCl increases the surface charge density of the particles, strengthens the electrostatic attraction between particles and the interface, and enhances particle adsorption. Specifically, at a low NaCl concentration (0.01 wt %), the increased surface charge density and contact angle of the particles elevate particle activity and high interfacial packing density. At a higher NaCl concentration (0.1 wt %), while NaCl further increases the particle contact angle, the increased effective cross-sectional area of the air-liquid interface occupied by individual particles leads to a reduction in surface free energy. Despite the enhanced electrostatic attraction, this results in a lower packing density.

Proximate and Organoleptic Analysis on Campor Lorjuk (Solen sp) seasoning, a typical Madura Ingredient

Abstract Rich mineral sea salt is salt with a low NaCl content. The low NaCl content in salt indicates that the salt has a high mineral content. The minerals contained such as magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, and other minerals. This research combined rich minerals sea salt with typical Madurese food named campor lorjuk seasoning and dried lorjuk as additional nutrition. Lorjuk in Madurese or better known as knife clams is a type of shellfish that has high nutritional value. The treatment applied to the Campor Lorjuk seasoning formulations was the difference in NaCl content for each formula. This research was conducted to determine the proximate content and to find out the seasoning results those consumers like most. The results showed that the highest protein content was in F1 with results of 7.62%, not significantly different from F3 but significantly different from control and F2. The highest water and ash contents were control which was not significantly different from F1, F2, and F3. The highest fat content was F2 and the lowest is control. The highest carbohydrate content is in control formula 68.35%, the lowest is F1 63.66%. The organoleptic test show that the formula that consumers like most is F3.

Using the reactive/transport dispersive models to simulate a monolithic anion exchanger: Experimental parameter determination, simultaneous model evaluation, and validation.

Selecting an adequate model to represent the mass transfer mechanisms occurring in a chromatographic process is generally complicated, which is one of the reasons why monolithic chromatography is scarcely simulated. In this study, the chromatographic separation of model proteins bovine serum albumin (BSA), β-lactoglobulin-A, and β-lactoglobulin-B on an anion exchange monolith was simulated based on experimental parameter determination, simultaneous model testing, and validation under three statistical criteria: retention time, dispersion accuracies, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Experimental characterization of morphologic, physicochemical, and kinetic parameters was performed through volume balances, pressure drop analysis, breakthrough curve analysis, and batch adsorptions. Free Gibbs energy indicated a spontaneous adsorption process for proteins and counterions. Dimensionless numbers were estimated based on height equivalent to a theoretical plate analysis, finding that pore diffusion controlled β-lactoglobulin separation, whereas adsorption/desorption kinetics was the dominant mechanism for BSA. The elution profiles were modeled using the transport dispersive model and the reactive dispersive model coupled with steric mass action (SMA) isotherms because these models allowed to consider most of the mass transport mechanisms that have been described. RDM-SMA presented the most accurate simulations at pH 6.0 and at low (250mM) and high (400mM) NaCl concentrations. This simulation will be used as reference to forecast the purification of these proteins from bovine whey waste and to extrapolate this methodology to other monolith-based separations using these three statistical criteria that have not been used previously for this purpose.

Physico-chemical properties of natural actomyosin from breast and thigh meat of fast- and slow-growing chicken: a comparative study

Physico-chemical behaviors of natural actomyosin (NAM) from slow-growing Korat chicken (KC) breast and thigh at low (0.2 M) and high (0.6 M) NaCl concentrations were evaluated and compared to those from their corresponding muscles in fast-growing broiler chicken (BC). NAM from KC breast and thigh meat showed higher solubility than their corresponding in BC (p < 0.05). Breast NAM from both chickens showed the highest solubility at 0.4 M NaCl, while thigh NAMs showed the highest solubility at 0.8 M (p < 0.05). SDS-PAGE revealed higher protein extractability for breast NAMs at low ionic strength, regardless of breed and structural protein, particularly troponin, appeared to vary within muscle and breed. NAM from KC showed higher Ca2+-ATPase activity, surface hydrophobicity, but lower total sulfhydryl groups content (p < 0.05). Particle size of NAM solutions varied with ionic strength, in which KC-NAM showed larger size than at lower ionic strength, while BC-NAM appeared to be greater at higher ionic strength. NAM from KC breast showed higher thermal stability as higher initial (T0) and maximum (Tmax) denaturation temperatures of 48.4 and 54.8°C, respectively, recorded by microdifferential scanning calorimetry. The KC-NAM, particularly from breast, exhibited lower turbidity within 40-50°C, while turbidity increased in BC samples at low ionic strength when heated at 60°C. Dynamic rheology revealed different storage modulus (G') depending on breed, muscle type and ionic strength. Breast BC-NAM formed more elastic gel with higher end point G' at 80°C (Ge'; p < 0.05). Ionic strength showed reverse effects on different breeds as a stronger Ge' value achieved in KC- NAM at low ionic strength, while high ionic strength induced stronger gel in BC samples. Aggregation of NAMs began at lower temperatures at higher ionic strength and actin dissociation probably occurred in breast NAM from KC as observed by a drop of G' at around 70°C. The results of this study revealed differences between NAM of the two breeds, by which higher gel elasticity are expected in KC at lower ionic strength.

Coping with stress: Salt type, concentration, and exposure history limit life history tradeoffs in response to road salt salinization

Substantial increases in the salinity of freshwater ecosystems has occurred around the globe from causes such as climate change, industrial operations, and the application of road deicing salts. We know very little about how plastic responses in life history traits or rapid evolution of new traits among freshwater organisms could promote stability in ecological communities affected by salinization. We performed a cohort life history analysis from birth to death with 180 individuals of a ubiquitous freshwater zooplankter to understand how life history traits are affected by exposure to two common salt types causing salinization—sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2)—across two environmentally relevant concentrations. We also tested if a multi-generational exposure history to high salinity altered life-history responses. We tracked and measured lifespan, time to maturation, brood size, brood interval, and body size. We found smaller brood sizes but slightly longer lifespans occurred at a low concentration of NaCl (230 mg Cl−/L). The longer lifespans led to more, albeit smaller broods, which generated a similar lifetime reproductive output compared to the no-salt control populations. At higher concentrations of NaCl and CaCl2, we found lifetime reproductive output was reduced by 23 % to 83 % relative to control populations because no tradeoff among life history traits occurred. In CaCl2, we observed shorter life spans, longer time intervals between smaller broods, and smaller body sizes leading to reduced lifetime reproductive output. We also found that a multi-generational exposure to the salt types did not convey any advantages for lifetime reproductive output. In some cases, the exposure history worsened the life history trait responses suggesting maladaptation. Our findings suggest that life history tradeoffs for freshwater species can occur in response to salinization, but these tradeoffs will largely depend on salt type and concentration, which will have implications for biodiversity and ecological stability.

Comparative study of Spanish-style and natural cv. Chalkidiki green olives throughout industrial-scale spontaneous fermentation and 12-month storage: safety, nutritional and quality aspects

Table olives are among the most popular fermented foods and cv. Chalkidiki green table olives are particularly popular in both Greek and international markets. This work aimed at comparatively investigating the effect of processing method on the production of Spanish-style and natural cv. Chalkidiki green olives during fermentation and 12-month storage in brines with different chloride salts composition (NaCl, KCl, CaCl2) at industrial scale. All delivered products were safe with satisfactory color and texture characteristics. Employment of UPLC-HRMS revealed differences in metabolites’ profile of polar extracts from olives and brines between the processing methods. Τhe application of alkali treatment drastically decreased the content of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol in drupes, still an essential amount (1037–2012 and 385–885 mg/kg dry flesh, respectively) of these health-promoting phenolic compounds was retained in all products, even after storage. Noteworthy, fermentation of natural olives in brine (5 % NaCl) yielded in products with significantly lower Na levels in olive flesh (1.7 g/100 g), followed by Spanish-style olives fermented in low (4 %) and high (8 %) NaCl brines (2.7 and 5.2 g Na/100 g, respectively), supporting the efforts toward the establishment of table olives as functional food. Moreover, maslinic and oleanolic acids content was 1.5–2-fold higher in the natural table olives compared to the Spanish-style ones owing to the detrimental effect of alkali treatments. The processing method did not exert a differential effect on α-tocopherol content of olives. Sensory analysis indicated that all the final products were acceptable by consumers, with a slight preference for Spanish-style green olives fermented in brines with 50 % lower NaCl content. Present findings could be beneficial to the ongoing endeavor directed for the establishment of table olives as a source of bioactive compounds that concerns both industrial and scientific communities.

Effects of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions on the formation of rice starch-Mesona chinensis polysaccharide gels

Non-covalent forces are essential for the formation of starch-Mesona chinensis polysaccharide (MCP) gels. In this paper, the effects of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions on the formation of rice starch (RS)-MCP gels. The addition of urea broke the hydrogen bonds and loosened the microstructure, reducing the gel viscosity, pasting temperature, and water molecule binding capacity. The decreased short-range ordering and double-helix structure corroborated the reduction of gel properties. Gaussian fitting showed that the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between RS and MCP was dominated by OH⋯π. Low concentrations of NaCl decreased the electrostatic repulsion between RS and MCP and promoted the formation of gel structure. The electrostatic shielding effect occurred with increasing NaCl concentration, and the storage modulus (G′) and melting enthalpy decreased. Compared to the changes in the electrostatic effect, the breaking of hydrogen bonds disrupted the gel structures obviously, therefore, hydrogen bonds were the main interaction force in gel formation. The research explored the effect on gel properties based on the changes in non-covalent force, which provided a new insight into starch-polysaccharide interactions. Concurrently, it also presented a novel entry point for research efforts to modulate the properties of gels.

Effects of Salicylic Acid Seed Priming on Germination of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) Exposed to Salt Stress

Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) is an essential crop globally, particularly in Türkiye, West Asia, Southern Europe, India, and Africa. Lentil is a valuable food source, rich in proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins. However, lentil production faces challenges due to salinity stress, which hampers water uptake and causes toxic effects on plants. The study aimed to investigate the effects of salicylic acid (SA) seed priming and varying salt (NaCl) concentrations on the germination and development of lentil seeds. The research was conducted in the Field Crops Biotechnology Laboratory, University of Dicle, Faculty of Agriculture, Türkiye. In the research, control, two salt (NaCl), four salicylic acid (SA) doses and their combinations were used on Lens culinaris variety called İlke. Germination percentage, energy, rate index, mean germination time, peak value, and vigor index were calculated. The results demonstrated that SA had a significant impact on improving lentil germination under salt stress conditions. Specifically, lower concentrations of NaCl combined with SA showed positive effects on germination and growth parameters compared to higher NaCl concentrations. The highest germination percentage, energy, and rate index values were in the control and 0.25 SA dose treatment. Salicylic acid doses under 50 NaCl concentration exhibited higher germination percentage, energy, and rate index values than under 100 NaCl. Increasing SA and salt doses negatively affected lentil seed germination. This finding is significant for lentil cultivation in salt-affected areas, offering a potential strategy to improve crop resilience and yield in challenging environmental conditions.

Photocatalytic Degradation of Tartrazine and Naphthol Blue Black Binary Mixture with the TiO2 Nanosphere under Visible Light: Box-Behnken Experimental Design Optimization and Salt Effect

In this study, TiO2 nanospheres (TiO2-NS) were synthesized by the solvothermal method. Firstly, the synthesized nanomaterial was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (DRS). To study the photocatalytic degradation of Tartrazine (TTZ) and Naphthol Blue Black (NBB) in a binary mixture, the influence of some key parameters such as pH, pollutant concentration and catalyst dose was taken into account under visible and UV light. The results show a 100% degradation efficiency for TTZ after 150 min of UV irradiation and 57% under visible irradiation at 180 min. The kinetic study showed a good pseudo-first-order fit to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model. Furthermore, in order to get closer to the real conditions of textile wastewater, the influence of the presence of salt on TiO2-NS’s photocatalytic performance was explored by employing NaCl as an inorganic ion. The optimum conditions provided by the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were low concentrations of TTZ (2 ppm) and NBB (2.33 ppm) and negligible salt (NaCl) interference. The percentage of photodegradation was high at low pollutant and NaCl concentrations. However, this yield became very low as NaCl concentrations increased. The photocatalytic treatment leads to 31% and 53% of mineralization yield after 1 and 3 h of visible light irradiation. The synthesis of TiO2-NS provides new insights that will help to develop an efficient photocatalysts for the remediation of contaminated water.

Abstract 2096: Role Of Divalent Cations In The Enzymatic Activation Of Coagulation Factor XII By Lipopolysaccharides

Background: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is the primary pathogenic factor in Gram-negative sepsis. LPS is a polyanionic molecule that may act as a site of initiation of coagulation by activating factor (F)XII. While the physicochemical properties of LPS are known to be sensitive to interactions with divalent cations, it is unknown whether divalent cations modulate the activation of FXII by LPS. Aims: To determine whether divalent cations regulate the kinetics of FXII activation by select LPS chemotypes from E. coli . Methods: Aggregates of E. Coli LPS chemotypes O26:B6 and Rd2 were prepared in ultrapure water in the presence or absence of calcium (Ca 2+ ). The biophysical characterization of LPS chemotypes were determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and measurement of zeta potential (ZP). Chromogenic substrate assays were used to study the effects of LPS on FXII activation. Results: The LPS O26:B6 and Rd2 in the absence of Ca 2+ produced aggregates in form of micelles with hydrodynamic diameters of 190±10 and 200±7 nm and ZP of -25±0.8 and -60±2 mV, respectively. The presence of Ca 2+ produced aggregates in the form of vesicles with hydrodynamic diameters of 400±15 and 1300±60 nm and ZP of –11±2 and –3±0.5 mV, respectively. FXII was incubated in HEPES buffer with the distinct LPS morphologies in varying salt concentrations. We found maximal autoactivation of FXII by O26:B6 and Rd2 chemotypes at lower NaCl concentrations. The presence of Ca 2+ , however, selectively reduced the ability of O26:B6 to activate FXII. Strikingly, the neutralization of the surface net charge of the LPS chemotype Rd2 by Ca 2+ ions abrogated the amidolytic activity of Rd2. Conclusions: The presence of calcium ions induces changes in the physicochemical properties of LPS that result in distinct effects on FXII activation in vitro . We are currently studying whether this phenomena is conserved for other divalent cations including Zn, Mg, Cu, and Mn.

Drag reducing performance and its influencing on natural yam mucilage

Yam mucilage is a novel environmentally friendly drag reducer. This study investigates drag reduction and degradation characteristics of Chinese yam mucilage, using an in-house rotor device. The effects of temperature, aging, and salts on the drag reduction rate (DR) of yam mucilage were also explored. Furthermore, the synergistic drag reduction properties of Chinese yam-polyethylene oxide (PEO) solution were investigated by blending Chinese yam mucilage with PEO. The rotational speed range of the rotor device was set at 200–700 r/min, corresponding to Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging from 30 396 to 106 385. The results demonstrated that the DR of yam mucilage initially increased, and then decreased at low concentrations, with increasing Re. Conversely, the DR of yam mucilage at high concentrations increased with increasing Re, albeit at a gradually slowing rate as concentration increased; however, the shear stability was gradually enhanced. Degradation testing revealed that yam slime exhibited semi-rigid, or rigid polymer characteristics, with notable shear stability. At a concentration of 2000 ppm and Re = 106 385, the maximum DR reached 44.1%. Prolonged heating and standing resulted in the reduced DR of yam mucilage. However, salt ions exerted dual effects on the DR of yam mucilage: Low concentrations of NaCl improved its effectiveness while Na2SO4 and high concentrations of NaCl diminished its efficacy. The addition of a small quantity of PEO was found to significantly enhance the drag reduction efficacy of yam mucilage, but no significant improvement in the shear stability of yam mucilage was observed. Yam mucilage exhibits promising potential as an environmentally friendly drag reducer with remarkable drag reduction capabilities.

Experimental evolution of extremotolerant and extremophilic fungi under osmotic stress.

Experimental evolution was carried out to investigate the adaptive responses of extremotolerant fungi to a stressful environment. For 12 cultivation cycles, the halotolerant black yeasts Aureobasidium pullulans and Aureobasidium subglaciale were grown at high NaCl or glycerol concentrations, and the halophilic basidiomycete Wallemia ichthyophaga was grown close to its lower NaCl growth limit. All evolved Aureobasidium spp. accelerated their growth at low water activity. Whole genomes of the evolved strains were sequenced. No aneuploidies were detected in any of the genomes, contrary to previous studies on experimental evolution at high salinity with other species. However, several hundred single-nucleotide polymorphisms were identified compared with the genomes of the progenitor strains. Two functional groups of genes were overrepresented among the genes presumably affected by single-nucleotide polymorphisms: voltage-gated potassium channels in A. pullulans at high NaCl concentration, and hydrophobins in W. ichthyophaga at low NaCl concentration. Both groups of genes were previously associated with adaptation to high salinity. Finally, most evolved Aureobasidium spp. strains were found to have increased intracellular and decreased extracellular glycerol concentrations at high salinity, suggesting that the strains have optimised their management of glycerol, their most important compatible solute. Experimental evolution therefore not only confirmed the role of potassium transport, glycerol management, and cell wall in survival at low water activity, but also demonstrated that fungi from extreme environments can further improve their growth rates under constant extreme conditions in a relatively short time and without large scale genomic rearrangements.

Comparison of two subspecies of a halophytic multi-use plant Mertensia maritima in vitro and ex vitro: propagation, salinity tolerance and mineral nutrition

The aim of the present study was to compare morphological and physiological responses to increasing salinity of the two subspecies of Mertensia maritima during in vitro propagation in two different systems, and subsequent ex vitro cultivation. Plants were brought into culture using seeds and further propagated on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with thidiazuron and naphthaleneacetic acid either on agar-solidified or liquid medium with a temporary immersion system (Plantform bioreactors). Salinity tolerance were tested both in tissue culture and with ex vitro greenhouse-cultivated plants. Low concentration of NaCl increased explant biomass in agar-solidified medium, with no negative consequences even at high concentration. However, the effect of salinity on liquid medium was genotype-specific. Explants in Plantform bioreactors showed several-fold higher biomass in comparison to that on agar-solidified medium, but the multiplication potential was not significantly affected. Ex vitro plants were negatively influenced by increasing NaCl concentration in substrate. In contrast to in vitro plants, accumulation potential of Na⁺ in ex vitro plants was low. One of adaptations to salinity at the whole plant level was maintenance of adequate tissue mineral nutrient homeostasis, as mineral nutrient concentrations were not negatively affected by increasing salinity.

Purification, crystallization and preliminary crystallographic analysis of Chlamydophila pneumoniae AP endonuclease IV

Base excision is a crucial DNA repair process mediated by endonuclease IV in nucleotide excision. In Chlamydia pneumoniae, CpendoIV is the exclusive AP endonuclease IV, exhibiting DNA replication error-proofreading capabilities, making it a promising target for anti-chlamydial drug development. Predicting the structure of CpendoIV, molecular docking with DNA was performed, analyzing complex binding sites and protein surface electrostatic potential. Comparative structural studies were conducted with E. coli EndoIV and DNA complex containing AP sites.CpendoIV was cloned, expressed in E. coli, and purified via Ni-NTA chelation and size-exclusion chromatography. Low NaCl concentrations induced aggregation during purification, while high concentrations enhanced purity.CpendoIV recognizes and cleaving AP sites on dsDNA, and Zn2+ influences the activity. Crystallization was achieved under 8% (v/v) Tacsimate pH 5.2, 25% (w/v) polyethylene glycol 3350, and 1.91 Å resolution X-ray diffraction data was obtained at 100 K. This research is significant for provides a deeper understanding of CpendoIV involvement in the base excision repair process, offering insights into Chlamydia pneumoniae.

Broadening the Voltage Window of 3D-Printed MXene Micro-Supercapacitors with a Hybridized Electrolyte.

The burgeoning demand for miniaturized energy storage devices compatible with the miniaturization trend of electronic technologies necessitates advancements in micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) that promise safety, cost efficiency, and high-speed charging capabilities. However, conventional aqueous MSCs face a significant limitation due to their inherently narrow electrochemical potential window, which restricts their operational voltage and energy density compared to their organic and ionic liquid counterparts. In this study, we introduce an innovative aqueous NaCl/H2O/EG hybrid gel electrolyte (comprising common salt (NaCl), H2O, ethylene glycol (EG), and SiO2) for Ti3C2Tx MXene MSCs that substantially widens the voltage window to 1.6 V, a notable improvement over traditional aqueous system. By integrating the hybrid electrolyte with 3D-printed MXene electrodes, we realized MSCs with remarkable areal capacitance (1.51 F cm-2) and energy density (675 µWh cm-2), significantly surpassing existing benchmarks for aqueous MSCs. The strategic formulation of the hybrid electrolyte-a low-concentration NaCl solution with EG-ensures both economic and environmental viability while enabling enhanced electrochemical performance. Furthermore, the MSCs fabricated via 3D printing technology exhibit exceptional flexibility and are suitable for modular device integration, offering a promising avenue for the development of high-performance, sustainable energy storage devices. This advancement not only provides a tangible solution to the challenge of limited voltage windows in aqueous MXene MSCs but also sets a new precedent for the design of next-generation MSCs that align with the needs of an increasingly microdevice-centric world.

The feasibility of hydrogen storage in aquifers: A molecular dynamics simulation

Geological hydrogen storage could be an effective method for solving energy demand and climate change challenges. We focus on hydrogen diffusion in carbonate slits via molecular dynamics under subsurface conditions. We investigate the influence of pore size, moisture content, and salinity on hydrogen diffusion process. The results demonstrate that high moisture content reduces the diffusion coefficient of hydrogen due to the form of water bridge and hydrogen cluster. The impact of salinity is observed only under high moisture content conditions. Specially, CaCl2 and MgCl2 are more suitable than NaCl for hydrogen storage. Hydrogen storage is more suitable in lower NaCl concentration while it is more suitable in a higher Na2SO4 concentration. Because interfacial tension of hydrogen-salt solution could be affected by ion concentration. These results demonstrate that hydrogen diffusion could be regulated by changing salinity for high water cut reservoir. This job could provide valuable guidance for underground hydrogen storage.

Integrated ultra-high pressure and salt addition to improve the in vitro digestibility of myofibrillar proteins from scallop mantle (Patinopecten yessoensis)

Myofibrillar protein (MP) is susceptible to the effect of ionic strength and ultra-high pressure (UHP) treatment, respectively. However, the impact of UHP combined with ionic strength on the structure and in vitro digestibility of MP from scallop mantle (Patinopecten yessoensis) is not yet clear. Therefore, it is particularly important to analyze the structural properties and enhance the in vitro digestibility of MP by NaCl and UHP treatment. The findings demonstrated that as ionic strength increased, the α-helix and β-sheet gradually transformed into β-turn and random coil. The decrease of endogenous fluorescence intensity indicated the formation of a more stable tertiary structure. Additionally, the exposure of internal sulfhydryl groups increased the amount of total sulfhydryl content, and reactive sulfhydryl groups gradually transformed into disulfide bonds. Moreover, it reduces aggregation through increased solubility, decreased turbidity, particle sizes, and a relatively dense and uniform microstructure. When MP from the scallop mantle was treated with 0.5 mol/L ionic strength and 200 MPa UHP treatment, it had the highest solubility (90.75 ± 0.13%) and the lowest turbidity (0.41 ± 0.03). The scallop mantle MP with NaCl of 0.3 mol/L and UHP treatment had optimal in vitro digestibility (95.14 ± 2.01%). The findings may offer a fresh perspectives for developing functional foods for patients with dyspepsia and a theoretical foundation for the comprehensive utilization of scallop mantle by-products with low concentrations of NaCl.