Multifactorial Experiment Research Articles

Synthesis and characterization of selenium nanoparticles stabilized with oxyethylated alkylphenol (neonol) for potential modification of fabric materials.

This work demonstrates the first time synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) stabilized with neonol. The synthesis method was optimized using a multifactorial experiment with three input parameters. The most stable sample had a radius of 15 nm and a ζ-potential of -36.76 mV. It was found that the optimal parameters for the synthesis of Se NPs stabilized with neonol are the following concentration values: 0.12 mol/L selenic acid, 0.095 mol/L neonol and 0.95 mol/L ascorbic acid. Quantum chemical modeling of Se-neonol molecular complex formation showed that interaction of Se with neonol occurs through a hydroxyl group. Difference in the total energy of the neonol molecule and Se-neonol molecular complex is more than 2399 kcal/mol, which indicates that formation of chemical bond between Se and neonol is energetically advantageous. It was found that all samples exhibit stability over the entire pH range from 1.81 to 11.98, and the particle size is in the range of 25-30 nm. The analysis of the study of the influence of the ionic force showed that cations do not significantly affect the Se NPs radius, but anions have a significant effect, increasing the average hydrodynamic radius up to 2750 nm. For modification with Se NPs, silk, gauze, wool, cotton and cardboard samples were used. Elemental mapping of the samples showed an ambiguous distribution of Se NPs over the surface of fabric material. Assessment of potential antibacterial activity of modified fabric materials revealed inhibition zones of Micrococcus luteus growth from 12 to 16 mm for silk, gauze, wool and cotton. Notably, the most intense inhibition of Micrococcus luteus was observed in wool treated be Se NPs stabilized with neonol. Cardboard did not express Micrococcus luteus growth inhibition action because of weak interaction of cellulose filaments with Se NPs and neonol and possible microbial digestion of cellulose and xylan.

Increasing the productivity of oil flax in the Central Non-Black Earth region

Oil fl ax is a valuable oil crop with a wide range of applications, the raw materials of which are used in the food, technical, chemical, pharmaceutical industries and feed production. In terms of metabolism energy content, fl ax seed surpasses the grain of legumes, cereals and oilseeds. Due to the combination of high energy nutritional value and a large content of useful organic elements, fl ax has a unique biological value. In terms of amino acid composition, fl ax seed is similar to soy protein, but it contains less lysine than soy. Flaxseed presscake obtained during oil production is the most valuable among other types of presscake. Adding waste from fl ax seeds to presscake and meal for young livestock is a proven and good preventive measure that allows reducing the use of expensive synthetic drugs. The purpose of the research was to study the possibility of increasing the productivity of oil fl ax in the Central Non-Black Earth region. Under the conditions of the Central part of the Non-Chernozem zone, on sod-podzolic heavy loamy soils, in multifactorial field experiments, comprehensive studies were carried out on the effect of various techniques (previous crop, use of microfertilizers, level of mineral nutrition, chemical measures of weed control) included in the cultivation technology to obtain diff erent levels of the planned yield of oil flax. It was found that for agricultural production it is possible to recommend the use of winter wheat in crop rotation as a predecessor for oil fl ax, application of mineral fertilizer at the rate of N175P20K65, calculated to obtain the planned yield of 2.5 t/ha, treatment of crops with a mixture of herbicides Hacker, VRG, 80 g/ha + Gerbitox, VRK, 0.8 l/ha, microfertilizer Micropolidoc Plus at a dose of 0.5 l/ha in the “herringbone” phase when the fl ax plants are 8–10 cm tall.

Конструкционные плиты из гидродинамически активированной коры сосны (Pinus sylvestris) без связующих веществ

Bark is a large-tonnage waste in a number of wood processing technologies requiring efficient use. One of the promising areas of bark use is the production of boards without synthetic binders. Research has been conducted on the production of structural boards from Pinus sylvestris bark without a binder. The method is based on preliminary hydrodynamic activation of bark. The initial bark undergoes primary crushing in a hammer mill. After that, it is mixed with water at a concentration of 6 %. Then the resulting mass is activated in a rotary pulsation disperser, a carpet is formed from it, cold pressing is carried out, and then hot pressing. As a criterion for assessing the degree of mass activation, water-retaining capacity is adopted. The dependencies have been determined between the duration of treatment and water-retaining capacity, as well as the strength of the boards and water-retaining capacity. The latter made it possible to obtain the optimal value of the water-retaining capacity equal to 290 %. A multifactorial experiment has been conducted to develop the optimal hot pressing mode. As a result, the optimal mode for pressing the boards has been determined: temperature – 190 °C; specific process duration – 2.8 min/mm; pressing pressure – 4.4 MPa. The properties of the boards produced in this mode are: density – 980 kg/m 3 ; bending strength – 24 MPa; swelling during soaking for 24 hours – 5 %; water absorption – 9 %. After soaking and subsequent drying to a moisture content of 5 %, the boards retain 75 % of their before soaking. In this case, the geometric dimensions return to the original ones. The resulting boards can be used as a sheet finishing and structural material, in house-building (as a base for floor and roofing materials), in furniture production, especially in severe temperature and humidity conditions. The conducted research shows the possibility of producing board materials with high performance properties from pine bark without binders.

Disclosing Personal Health Information to Emotional Human Doctors or Unemotional AI Doctors? Experimental Evidence Based on Privacy Calculus Theory

The commercialization of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare is accelerating, yet academic research on its users remains scarce. To what extent are they willing to disclose personal health privacy to AI doctors compared to traditional human doctors? What factors are shaping these decisions? The lack of user research has left these questions unanswered. This article, based on privacy calculus theory, conducted a multi-factorial between-subjects online experiment (N = 582) with a 2 (medical provider: AI vs. human) × 2 (emotional support: low vs. high) × 2 (information sensitivity: low vs. high) design. The results indicated that AI doctors lead participants to perceive both lower health benefits and privacy risks. Emotional support is not always beneficial. On one hand, high emotional support can provide patients with more health benefits, but on the other hand, it also poses higher levels of privacy risks. Additionally, high emotional support responses from AI doctors could enhance patients’ health benefits, trust, and willingness to disclose health privacy, while the opposite was observed for human doctors.

Exploring fermentative metabolic response to varying exogenous supplies of redox cofactor precursors in selected wine yeast species.

The use of non-Saccharomyces yeasts in winemaking is gaining traction due to their specific phenotypes of technological interest, including their unique profile of central carbon metabolites and volatile compounds. However, the lack of knowledge about their physiology hinders their industrial exploitation. The intracellular redox status, involving NAD/NADH and NADP/NADPH cofactors, is a key driver of yeast activity during fermentation, notably directing the formation of metabolites that contribute to the wine bouquet. The biosynthesis of these cofactors can be modulated by the availability of their precursors, nicotinic acid and tryptophan, and their ratio by that of thiamine. In this study, a multifactorial experiment was designed to assess the effects of these three nutrients and their interactions on the metabolic response of various wine yeast species. The data indicated that limiting concentrations of nicotinic acid led to a species-dependent decrease in intracellular NAD(H) concentrations, resulting in variations of fermentation performance and production of metabolic sinks. Thiamine limitation did not directly affect redox cofactor concentrations or balance, but influenced redox management and subsequently the production of metabolites. Overall, this study identified nicotinic acid and thiamine as key factors to consider for species-specific modulation of the metabolic footprint of wine yeasts.

ADHESIVE ABILITY OF GYPSUM-CONTAINING PLASTER COMPOSITIONS

The traditional material for the construction of buildings in the Northern Black Sea region is a cheap local stone ‒ limestone-shell rock. Most of the buildings in the central part of the city of Odesa, which are of historical and architectural value, are constructed of this material. With proper care and maintenance, these structures can perform their functions for hundreds of years, but as a result of shell rock moisture due to negligent operation and a number of other reasons, the supporting structures are damaged, followed by the collapse of the building. In many cases, the direct cause of the destruction of load-bearing walls is the damage or absence of the outer plaster layer. Repairing walls with cement compounds exacerbates the problem. The article discusses some aspects of the possible use of gypsum-based composite materials for repairing damaged walls of limestone-shell rock buildings. The requirements for the repair composition are formulated. The expediency of using gypsum as a binder for the repair plaster mixture for exterior repairs is substantiated. An ash-gypsum-cement composition was used to increase the water resistance of the plaster. Sufficient water resistance and vapor permeability of the proposed composition were confirmed. This paper presents the results of studying the adhesive strength of the contact of the developed composition with the surface of various materials. Methods and measuring equipment developed at the ODABA were used. The adhesion strength of the proposed mixture with the surface of shell rock is close to the standard strength. The use of the adhesive additive Ceresit CC 81 increases the adhesive strength of the joint of the proposed composition with shell rock by 1.5 ‒ 2 times. The optimal amount of the adhesive additive to be introduced will be determined by the results of a multifactorial experiment to study the effect of a complex of chemical additives of different functional purposes on the properties of the proposed repair composition.

The Results of the Laboratory Study on the Separating Fiber Flax Seed Balls when Combing the Standing Plants with a Single-Rotor Comb-Dresser

Introduction. The low purity of combing flax seed balls with flax harvesters is a problem for the technological operation when harvesting fibre flax. The analysis of the comb designs of the combing units made it possible to identify the main disadvantages that do not fully meet the agrotechnical requirements for harvesting fiber flax. An innovative design of a removable comb for single-rotor drum-type harvesters is proposed.Aim of the Study. The study is aimed at determining the purity of combing the standing fiber flax stems using a single-rotor comb-dresser with removable combs.Materials and Methods. There has been made an experimental setup to simulate the process of combing standing fiber flax plants with combs of a single-rotor comb dresser. During the period from 2018–2023, the design parameters and operating modes of the combing unit were investigated and justified. There has been developed a technique for conducting a multifactorial experiment to determine the purity of combing fiber flax using a combing drum-type unit with removable combs.Results. The results of laboratory studies on the separating flax balls from the standing fiber flax stems by removable combs are presented to determine the combing quality. It has been found that the purity of combing fiber flax plants is up to 99.2%.Discussion and Conclusion. When studying the technological process of combing Nadezhda standing fiber flax plants the with single-rotor drum removable combs, the physico-mechanical properties of the flax stems were studied in laboratory conditions, the optimal operating modes of the combing drum were determined, which ensure the purity of the stems above 98% that meets the agrotechnical requirements for flax combines.

Photoperiod and temperature interactions drive the latitudinal distribution of Laminaria hyperborea (Laminariales, Phaeophyceae) under climate change.

Due to global rises in temperature, recent studies predict marine species shifting toward higher latitudes. We investigated the impact of interacting abiotic drivers on the distribution potential of the temperate kelp Laminaria hyperborea. The ecosystem engineering species is widespread along European coasts but has not yet been observed in the High Arctic, although it can survive several months of low temperatures and darkness. To investigate its ability to extend northward in future, we conducted a long-term multifactorial experiment with sporophytes from Porsangerfjorden, Norway-close to the species' documented northernmost distribution margin. The samples were exposed to three different photoperiods (PolarDay, LongDay, and PolarNight) at 0°C, 5°C, and 10°C for 3 months. Optimum quantum yield of photosynthesis (Fv/Fm), dry weight, pigments, phlorotannins, and storage carbohydrates were monitored. Both physiological and biochemical parameters revealed that L. hyperborea was strongly influenced by the different photoperiods and their interaction with temperature, while temperature alone exerted only minor effects. The Fv/Fm data were integrated into a species distribution model to project a possible northward expansion of L. hyperborea. The combination of extended day lengths and low temperatures appeared to be the limiting reason for northward spread of L. hyperborea until recently. However, with water temperatures reaching 10°C in summer, this kelp will be able to thrive also in the High Arctic. Moreover, no evidence of stress to Arctic winter warming was observed. Consequently, L. hyperborea has a high potential for spreading northward with further warming which may significantly affect the structure and function of Arctic ecosystems.

Development and validation of an experimental life support system to study coral reef microbial communities

In the present study, we developed and validated an experimental life support system (ELSS) designed to investigate coral reef associated bacterial communities. The microcosms in the ELSS consisted of coral reef sediment, synthetic seawater, and specimens of five benthic reef species. These included two hard corals Montipora digitata and Montipora capricornis, a soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum, a zoanthid Zoanthus sp., and a sponge Chondrilla sp.. Physicochemical parameters and bacterial communities in the ELSS were similar to those observed at shallow coral reef sites. Sediment bacterial evenness and higher taxonomic composition were more similar to natural-type communities at days 29 and 34 than at day 8 after transfer to the microcosms, suggesting microbial stabilization after an initial recovery period. Biotopes were compositionally distinct but shared a number of ASVs. At day 34, sediment specific ASVs were found in hosts and visa versa. Transplantation significantly altered the bacterial community composition of M. digitata and Chondrilla sp., suggesting microbial adaptation to altered environmental conditions. Altogether, our results support the suitability of the ELSS developed in this study as a model system to investigate coral reef associated bacterial communities using multi-factorial experiments.

Permissible Extrapolation Justification of the Multiplicative Multifactorial Model and Its Application to the White Soot Production Technology

The solution to a specific technological problem is combined with the methodological development of a nonlinear multifactorial relationship to justify the boundaries of its extrapolation beyond the experimental range used. White soot was produced through two-stage carbonization of a silicate solution (composition, g/l: Na2O = 126.5, SiO2 = 107.7, Al2O3 = 3.1), obtained after processing waste tailings with carbon dioxide in a recirculation system. The influence of the deposition duration, temperature, and final pH value of the pulp on the formation of the specific surface area (Ssp, m2/g) of white soot was studied. The specific surface area was calculated from the average diameter of the white soot particles measured using an electron microscope. A multifactorial experiment was designed, and the experimental results were processed using a probabilistic deterministic method for experiment design (PDED) to obtain a nonlinear multiplicative combined model. A new interpretation of the subordination of the nonlinear multiple correlation coefficient R and the R2 value was given as relating to the structural and adaptive components of complex self-organizing systems. This determines their use for assessing the ratio of the basic R and extrapolated R2ranges of variation for each factor and any combinations thereof and multifactorial dependence in general. The results are presented in the form of multifactor tabular nomograms measured by the number of multifactor cells in localized areas of optimal sets that allow isolation by one or another combination of factors. The technological object of extrapolation of the ‘white soot’ production is linked to the solution of emerging methodological problems and illustrates the accessibility of the engineering application of the proposed method for combining nonlinear and linear approaches to mathematical experimental design. Doi: 10.28991/HIJ-2024-05-03-08 Full Text: PDF

Research on the process of preparing fiber filtration membrane by centrifugal blowing electrospinning technology

AbstractCurrently, the problem of air pollution is getting more and more serious, especially the pollution of tiny solid particles (PM, particulate matter) in the air, which poses a great challenge to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is particularly important to develop air filtration materials with high filtration efficiency and low resistance to meet this challenge. In this study, we propose to prepare air filtration membranes by centrifugal jet electrospinning technology, design multifactorial orthogonal coupling experiments, and investigate the effects of key process parameters of centrifugal jet electrostatic spinning, including solution concentration, airflow rate, rotational speed, and voltage, on the fiber diameter and uniformity by applying the polar analysis of variance and analysis of variance. PAN‐BaTiO3 electret nanofiber filtration membranes with high efficiency and low resistance were prepared by combining the optimized process of centrifugal blowing electrospinning. Various characterization methods (tensile test, water contact angle test, surface charge test, filtration test) were used to evaluate the effect of different BaTiO3 electret contents (0%, 0.1%, 0.5%, 1%) on the comprehensive performance of the filtration membranes, and the electret filtration efficiency of the electret filtration membranes prepared by the present process reached as high as 96.56% with a pressure drop of 29 Pa.

РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ЭКСПЕРИМЕНТАЛЬНЫХ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ НАСОСА-ПОНТОНА ДЛЯ ЛАГУН-НАВОЗОХРАНИЛИЩ

The main methods of preparing organic fertilizers from manure runoff coming from pigbreeding complexes are analyzed. In particular, one of the effective technologies is the technology of homogenization of runoff in lagoons-manure storages. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the design and parameters of the pontoon pump for homogenization and pumping of liquid organic fertilizers (LOF) from lagoons-manure storages. The analysis of studies on the problem of homogenization and pumping of LFO from lagoons-manure storages made it possible to formulate scientific prerequisites for improving the working process of mixing manure runoff in manure storages and pumping them to the place of application to the soil. Their essence lies in the substantiation of the design parameters of the transporting screw - length, diameter and frequency of its rotation. A new design of the pontoon pump is described and a diagram of its location when changing the depth of the lagoon-manure storage is presented. A diagram of the working process for the pontoon pump, consisting of three stages, is developed. The pump flow rate, the total specific energy of the pumped liquid at the pump outlet, and the pressure created by the conveying screw are determined. The analysis of the forces applied to a point in the conveying part of the pontoon pump is performed, which made it possible to determine the trigonometric functions of the angular parameter. Research is conducted using the multifactorial experiment technique. An analytical dependence of the change in the pump pressure on the diameter of the conveying screw casing and the length of the conveying screw at a constant screw rotation frequency is obtained. A graphical dependence of the response surface is constructed. The obtained design parameters ensure the efficient flow of the working process of pumping ZOU from the manure storage lagoon with the specified parameters of pressure and flow rate.

Analysis of structural parameters of stirred engineered composite robots in high-risk environments

Facing the safety of firefighting operators in high-risk environments, this paper investigates a robot for mixing engineering composites, which can automatically monitor the homogeneity of the mixing and, together with an automatic material feeding system, can realize automated production. This Study is based on the numerical simulation method that explored the discrete element model of engineering composites, carried out the multifactorial structural parameter orthogonal simulation experiment of the mixing robot in EDEM software, investigated the effects of different structural parameters on mixing time, mixing uniformity and productivity, proposed a mixing robot concrete uniformity intelligent identification algorithm.

Biochar alters maize growth, mycorrhizal associations and fall armyworm performance

Abstract Background and aims Biochar is a carbon source employed to improve soil properties, promoting plant health and nutrition in agroecosystems. Root associated microorganisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are also used as bioinoculants in combination with biochar to provide eco-friendly alternatives for crop production under unfavorable growth conditions. However, information on the effects of biochar on multitrophic interactions of plants with herbivorous insects is limited. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of biochar and arbuscular mycorrhizae on plants and herbivorous insects. Methods We established a multifactorial experiment with maize plants, AMF (two strains, Rizhophagus irregularis and a native consortium) and the Fall Armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda with and without soil application of biochar. Variables of biomass, plant nutrition, mycorrhizal colonization and performance of herbivorous insects were measured. Results We found that biochar reduced insect herbivory and promoted mycorrhizal association in maize. However, plant growth was reduced. Additionally, AMF increased the weight of fall armyworm larvae. Conclusion Our results show that biochar influences maize plant development, AMF, and fall armyworm performance, but did not affect interactions between these below- and above ground components.

“Quantifying the Impacts of Multiple Stressors” (QIMS)—a new experimental platform for robust multifactorial experiments in benthic ecosystems

AbstractTo predict the ecological consequences of expected global change, we need to understand the independent and combined effects of multiple stressors. Multiple experimental treatments are required to simultaneously test for effects of multiple stressors at different levels of intensity, independently and combined, and at different levels of biological organization. Most marine multiple stressors studies to date are conducted on assembled communities in mesocosms with a low number of treatments or low replication of treatments or both. These limitations prevent (1) robust data analyses, (2) characterization of single and combined effects of multiple stressors, and (3) identification of mechanisms underpinning biological responses. We present a new mesocosm‐based experimental platform for benthic communities: Quantifying the Impacts of Multiple Stressors (QIMS). Here, 96 independent mesocosms facilitate multifactorial and multilevel experimental designs with the high replication required for robust tests of multiple stressors and biological interactions. For example, three distinct pH levels are achieved by manipulating CO2 concentrations in the air supply, and three water temperature levels are provided by a cooling system in a fully crossed design that is required to identify all potential interactions, from which all combinations can be replicated 10 times (i.e., 90 experimental units). We demonstrate clearly how different levels of temperature and pCO2/pH can be manipulated precisely and maintained for at least 7 weeks. QIMS complements the limited number of permanently installed marine mesocosm facilities worldwide that simulate ocean warming and/or acidification and expedites multiple stressor research by providing an unprecedented level of replication for statistical robustness.

STUDY OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEMULSIFIER COMPOSITION ON THE DESTRUCTION OF LOCAL OIL-WATER EMULSION

The effect of the demulsifier composition on the destruction of local oil-water emulsions was studied in this work. One of the urgent problems in the development of deposits is to increase the efficiency of the preparation of hydrocarbons in the fields. The solution of this problem makes it possible to significantly increase the degree of oil preparation, reduce the loss of hydrocarbons with drainage waters, thereby improve the environment and bring additional profit to the enterprise. A complex of theoretical and experimental studies was used, consisting in generalization and analysis of literary data, as well as by analogy, modeling, quantitative and qualitative observation, laboratory tests, conducting a multifactorial experiment, data processing using methods of mathematical statistics. Information processing tools based on computer software products were used. The results of laboratory tests of oil-water emulsion, physico-chemical analysis of water composition, new chemical reagents-demulsifiers recommended for field testing are presented. It can be concluded, based on the research conducted, that the demulsifier EASY-DE03-15 is the most effective reagent for dehydration of oil-water emulsions and desalination of MIX samples.

Прогноз развития процессов деградации на эрозионно опасных склонах черноземов обыкновенных Ростовской области

The decline in soil fertility in recent decades has led to a number of problems in agriculture. The spread of degradation processes forces the use of modern methods of modeling and forecasting erosion. The purpose of this work was to make a long-term forecast of the degradation processes of ordinary chernozems on sloping lands in crop rotations of various designs and using various agricultural technologies using automated neural networks. The research was conducted in a multifactorial long-term experiment, which is located on the slope of the Bolshoy Log beam, in 1990-2022. The experience was laid down in 1986 in the system of contour and landscape organization of the slope area with a steepness of up to 3.5-4°. In the experiment, crop rotations with a different ratio of the proportion of pure steam and perennial grasses in the structure of crops, as well as two tillage systems, were studied. As a result of the research, a forecast was made for a hundred years ahead using automated neural networks, which revealed a general trend of attenuation of erosion processes on slopes, but with varying degrees of intensity, both in crop rotations of various designs and when using various agricultural technologies for cultivating crops. Cultivation of crops in crop rotations with a different proportion from 20 to 40 % of perennial grasses in the structure of sown areas reduces the runoff of meltwater and stormwater by 22.9-24.9 %, washing away the soil by 26.4-28.6 %, and in some cases completely, under exist-ing conditions. The use of soil protection treatment will reduce the runoff of meltwater and stormwater by 39.2-72.0 %, and flushing by 41.5 %.

Analysis of torsional properties of a rubber rope as a composite material in multilayer winding

Purpose. The main purpose of this study is to analyse the results of a theoretical study on the effect of the longitudinal stiffness of the rope on the mechanism of deformation of the winding body as a composite material on the basis of experimental data. The methods. The methodology is based on the analysis of scientific papers by leading experts in the field of mechanical engineering specialising in the development of hoisting machines with rubber-rope cables. The development of the model of torsional stiffness of the winding body of reel hoists was based on mathematical and physical modelling methods, including methods of planning a multifactorial experiment and statistical processing of experimental data. Findings. When solving the problem of determining the stiffness of the body of a rubber-rope winding, the physical model of its spool body was presented in the form of a rubber-metal hinge. After processing the results of the experiment to determine the parameters of the winding body, an analytical expression was obtained to calculate the torsional stiffness of the winding body of a rubber-rope cable. The originality. The regularities of the influence of the parameters of a rubber rope on the torsional stiffness of its winding body have been established. The stiffness of the winding body depends on its outer diameter quadratically, while the local stiffness is weak. With a small number of turns, the stiffness of the homogeneous body exceeds the local stiffness, but the total pliability is low. The risk of dynamic effects in a spool hoist during braking increases with a large number of turns, when the homogeneous body stiffness is much lower than the local stiffness. The total torsional stiffness of the winding body can be determined by the proposed formula with sufficient accuracy for dynamic analysis. Practical implementation. The developed mathematical model for determining the torsional stiffness of a rubber rope winding makes it possible to find such values of the parameters of a spool hoist that will avoid the danger of dynamic effects during emergency and operational braking of the device caused by the torsional stiffness of the winding body.

Pollinator planting establishment and bee visitation are influenced by seeding rate and post‐seeding management

Perennial wildflower plantings are commonly used to support pollinators and other beneficial insects, but their establishment can be costly, and few studies have directly compared the effectiveness of different management strategies for wildflower establishment. To determine the relative importance of pre‐seeding weed control, seed density, and post‐seeding management on seed mix establishment, we developed a multifactorial field experiment in a grass‐dominated weed community. Pre‐seeding management treatments (mowing, herbicide, or soybean cover crops) did not affect the stem density of sown plants, or the percent of ground covered by sown plants. However, the percent of ground covered by weeds was significantly influenced by pre‐seeding treatments, with infrequent mowing resulting in significantly less weedy ground cover than the herbicide or soybean pre‐seeding treatments. Plots with a higher seeding rate had a significantly greater density of sown wildflower species and a higher percent cover of these species after 3 years. Plots that received no post‐seeding management had higher stem density, a greater percent ground cover of sown forbs, and higher species richness compared to those that were intensively managed (mow or mow + herbicide). The total number of bee visits (honey bees, bumble bees, and other wild bees) increased with higher forb species richness, higher ground cover of sown forbs, and higher sown species richness. Doubling the density of seeds resulted in a 24.3% increase in the number of wild bees observed. When establishing wildflower habitat for pollinators, investment in ground preparation and seeding density has the greatest impact on sown species establishment.

Protein Adsorption on Solid Surfaces: Data Mining, Database, Molecular Surface-Derived Properties, and Semiempirical Relationships.

Protein adsorption on solid surfaces is a process relevant to biological, medical, industrial, and environmental applications. Despite this wide interest and advancement in measurement techniques, the complexity of protein adsorption has frustrated its accurate prediction. To address this challenge, here, data regarding protein adsorption reported in the last four decades was collected, checked for completeness and correctness, organized, and archived in an upgraded, freely accessible Biomolecular Adsorption Database, which is equivalent to a large-scale, ad hoc, crowd-sourced multifactorial experiment. The shape and physicochemical properties of the proteins present in the database were quantified on their molecular surfaces using an in-house program (ProMS) operating as an add-on to the PyMol software. Machine learning-based analysis indicated that protein adsorption on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces is modulated by different sets of operational, structural, and molecular surface-based physicochemical parameters. Separately, the adsorption data regarding four "benchmark" proteins, i.e., lysozyme, albumin, IgG, and fibrinogen, was processed by piecewise linear regression with the protein monolayer acting as breakpoint, using the linearization of the Langmuir isotherm formalism, resulting in semiempirical relationships predicting protein adsorption. These relationships, derived separately for hydrophilic and hydrophobic surfaces, described well the protein concentration on the surface as a function of the protein concentration in solution, adsorbing surface contact angle, ionic strength, pH, and temperature of the carrying fluid, and the difference between pH and the isoelectric point of the protein. When applying the semiempirical relationships derived for benchmark proteins to two other "test" proteins with known PDB structure, i.e., β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin, the errors of this extrapolation were found to be in a linear relationship with the dissimilarity between the benchmark and the test proteins. The work presented here can be used for the estimation of operational parameters modulating protein adsorption for various applications such as diagnostic devices, pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, or the food industry.