Production Parameters Research Articles

Apocynin, a Selective NADPH Oxidase (Nox2) Inhibitor, Ameliorates Behavioural and Learning Deficits in the Fragile X Syndrome Mouse Model

Background/Objectives: Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is associated with intellectual disability, hyperactivity, social anxiety and signs of autism. Hyperactivation of NADPH oxidase has been previously described in the brain of the male Fmr1-KO mouse. This work aims to demonstrate the efficacy of Apocynin, a specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor, in treating Fragile X mouse hallmarks. Methods: Free radicals, lipid and protein oxidation markers and behavioural and learning paradigms were measured after chronic treatment with orally administered vehicle, 10 mg/kg/day or 30 mg/kg/day of Apocynin. Results: The results revealed a reduction in testis weight, an increase in peritoneal fat, and no variation in body weight after chronic treatment. Furthermore, a reduction in hyperactivity was detected in Apocynin-treated male Fmr1-KO mice. Additionally, the higher dose of 30 mg/kg/day also improves behaviour and learning in the male Fmr1-KO mice, normalising free radical production and oxidative parameters. Moreover, a reduction in phospho-EKR1 and P47-Phox protein signals was observed in specific brain areas. Conclusions: Thus, chronic treatment with Apocynin could lead to a new therapeutic option for the Fragile X Syndrome.

A high-speed camera-based measurement system for monitoring and controlling the induced jet break-up fabrication of advanced ceramic breeder pebbles

AbstractThe production of lithium-rich ceramic pebbles is crucial for future fusion reactors, as they are one of the most important components of the tritium-breeding blankets. In order to produce high-quality pebbles, a melt-based fabrication process KALOS (KArlsruhe Lithium OrthoSilicate) has been developed at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), which produces pebbles utilising the break-up of a molten laminar jet. Since the production of the pebbles is very precise (with diameters of hundreds of micrometres) and significantly influenced by process parameters, a system that monitors and regulates the fabrication in real-time is essential. This paper elaborates on a high-speed camera-based measurement system for automatically monitoring and controlling the production process. Experimental proof demonstrates that the presented measurement system can provide the real-time sizes, locations and distance distribution of the molten ceramic droplets accurately. In addition, the system is also designed to enable the control of the pebble production by adjusting a production parameter, i.e. the driving frequency, based on the real-time output of the proposed measurement system.

Peppermint extract-compound nanofiber production and characterization

PurposeAs a result of referee evaluation, the subject scope of the article has been expanded. Previously, only polycaprolactone (PCL) loaded with peppermint extract had been studied. As a result of peer review, nanostructure production was made with peppermint-loaded polylactic acid (PLA). Literature information about PLA polymer has been added to the Introduction section. Additionally, to analyze the presence of peppermint extract in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements, a comparison was made with 100% PCL, 100% PLA and 100% peppermint extract. In order to observe the effect of polymer type, evaluations were made between the produced peppermint-loaded nanostructures containing two different polymers. Mechanical, structural and morphological properties of the produced nanostructures were measured. The main purpose of the study is to analyze and evaluate peppermint-loaded nanostructures on different polymers.Design/methodology/approachNanofiber structures were produced by the electrospinning process due to their attractive properties such as low cost, flexibility, integrability and high efficiency. The production parameters of the nanofiber structure produced by the electrospinning process, mechanical measurements, fiber morphologies with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and structural characterization with FTIR measurement were analyzed, and its potential in possible usage areas was interpreted.FindingsIn this study, the production of nanostructures containing peppermint extract with PCL and PLA polymers, which are various biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric materials, was successfully achieved. In the studies carried out, nanofiber structures with positive properties such as low cost, easy accessibility, flexibility, integrability and sustainability were produced. When the two nanofiber structures produced were compared, it was observed that the peppermint extract nanofiber structure containing PCL provided better morphological and mechanical properties, such as higher strength, thinner fibers' diameter and a smooth and homogeneous surface, compared to the peppermint core nanofiber structure containing PLA. It has been observed that PCL polymer is more advantageous in obtaining nanofibers under the same environmental conditions and the same parameters. The addition of peppermint extract caused an approximately 25% loss in strength in nanostructures containing PCL polymer compared to nanostructures containing 100% PCL. The strength loss in PLA nanostructures containing peppermint extract is approximately 90% compared to nanostructures containing 100% PLA. This situation is associated with the regular arrangement of nanostructures containing PCL. In conclusion, incorporating peppermint extract into the nanofiber structures fabrication process offers several benefits, including enhanced antimicrobial properties and potential bioactive effects.Originality/valueIn the study, a uniform and suitable-for-use nanofiber structure with a smooth and partially beaded surface was obtained by an electrospinning method using peppermint extract and PCL and PLA polymers. Morphological evaluation was made with SEM images of the obtained nanofiber structure, and the presence of peppermint extract in the nanofiber structure was determined by the FTIR analysis. In the mechanical analysis, a decrease was observed in the elongation at break and tensile strength values of nanostructures loaded with mint extract, but this decrease did not prevent the production and use of the nanofiber structure.

The effects of sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan) addition on in vitro methane mitigation, gas production, and ruminal fermentation parameters

The effects of sappanwood (Caesalpinia sappan) addition on in vitro methane mitigation, gas production, and ruminal fermentation parameters

Data Mining for the Characterization of a Paper Prototype Obtained with Bacterial Cellulose Derived from Banana and Pineapple By-Products

The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the feasibility of two of the most prevalent agricultural residues in Ecuador, banana peels and pineapple peels, as a carbon source in the culture medium of Komagataeibacter hansenii for the production of bacterial cellulose (BC) and BC-based paper. This analysis includes an assessment of the productivity parameters of the obtained BC and the quality parameters of the BC-based paper, employing multivariate statistical methodologies. The experimental design consisted of fifteen treatments: T1 served as the control using the standard HS medium, while treatments T2–T8 used banana peel extracts (BPE), and treatments T9–T15 used pineapple peel extracts (PPE) at concentrations from 10% to 40% (v/v). Extracts were prepared with tailored pretreatments for each type of peel to optimize bioactive compound recovery. Standardized fermentation and purification conditions were applied, and once the cellulose was obtained, additives and coating agents were incorporated to produce paper samples from each treatment. The results indicated that higher BPE concentrations (T5, T6, T7, and T8) correlated significantly with increased Weight and Yield of BC, as well as improved grammage and water content in the BC-based paper. This highlights that efficient paper production is influenced by the quality of the bacterial cellulose used, with BPE-based media yielding optimal results due to their nutrient composition, which promotes bacterial growth and metabolic activity. This approach suggests a pathway for advancing sustainable and economical paper production.

In ovo sodium butyrate administration differentially impacts growth performance, intestinal barrier function, immune response, and gut microbiota characteristics in low and high hatch-weight broilers

BackgroundHatch weight (HW) affects broiler growth and low HW (LHW) often leads to suboptimal performance. Sodium butyrate (SB) has been shown to promote growth through enhanced intestinal health. This study investigated how broilers with different HW responded to in ovo SB injection and whether SB could enhance gut health and performance in LHW chicks. Ross 308 broiler eggs were injected on incubation d 12 with physiological saline (control) or SB at 0.1% (SB1), 0.3% (SB3), or 0.5% (SB5). Post-hatch, male chicks from each treatment were categorized as high HW (HHW) or LHW and assigned to 8 groups in a 4 × 2 factorial design. Production parameters were recorded periodically. Intestinal weight, length, and gene expression related to gut barrier function and immune response were examined on d 14 and 42. Cecal microbiota dynamics and predicted functionality were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing.ResultsSB treatments did not affect hatchability. HHW-control group exhibited consistently better weight gain and FCR than LHW-control group. SB dose-dependently influenced performance and gut health in both HW categories, with greater effects in LHW broilers at 0.3%. LHW-SB3 group attained highest body weight on d 42, exceeding controls but not significantly differing from HHW-SB3 group. LHW-SB3 group showed upregulation of gut-barrier genes CLDN1 in ileum, TJP1 in jejunum and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 in both jejunum and ileum on d 14. Additionally, LHW-SB3 group upregulated mucin-producing MUC6 gene in ileum, while HHW-SB5 group increased pro-inflammatory IL-12p40 cytokine in caecum on d 42. LHW-SB3 group demonstrated shorter relative intestinal lengths, while HHW-SB5 had longer lengths. HHW-control group had higher bacterial diversity and growth-promoting bacteria while LHW-control group harbored the potential pathogen Helicobacter. SB reshaped gut microbiota biodiversity, composition, and predicted metabolic pathways in both HW categories. The LHW-SB3 group exhibited highest alpha diversity on d 14 and most beneficial bacteria at all timepoints. HHW-SB5 group presented increased pathogenic Escherichia-Shigella and Campylobacter on d 42.ConclusionsHW significantly affects subsequent performance and SB has differential effects based on HW. LHW chicks benefited more from 0.3% SB, showing improvements in growth, intestinal development, health, and gut microbiota characteristics.

Impact of porcine respiratory disease complex on carcass weight and meatiness: quantitative insights from a mixed-model analysis

BackgroundPorcine respiratory disease complex (PRDC) significantly impacts the swine industry worldwide, leading to economic losses due to poor growth performance, reduced feed efficiency, higher medication costs, and adversely affecting pig welfare by causing clinical symptoms such as fever, cough, loss of appetite, lethargy, and dyspnea. Cranio-ventral pulmonary consolidation (CVPC) and pleuritis are the most frequent macroscopic lung lesions observed in PRDC and are indicators of decreased animal welfare. This study aimed to quantify the effects of CVPC and pleurisy on carcass weight, meatiness, and average daily carcass weight gain (ADCWG) in fattening pigs, thereby assessing their impact on both production and welfare. A total of 679 slaughtered pigs from seven batches (farms) were evaluated for lung lesions at slaughter. We employed a mixed-model analysis to assess the correlation between lung lesions and production parameters across the farms.ResultsThe mean prevalence of lesions was 23.86% for CVPC and 15.46% for pleurisy, indicating a significant presence of respiratory disease affecting animal welfare. Pigs with severe lung lesions (≥ 15.1%) exhibited significantly lower ADCWG compared to pigs without lesions (0.951 kg/day vs. 0.997 kg/day, p = 0.024), reflecting reduced growth performance and welfare. The mixed-effects model revealed that lesions in the right apical lobe and dorso-caudal pleurisy were associated with significant reductions in carcass weight (− 2.77 kg and − 2.29 kg, respectively) and carcass meat (− 1.76 kg and − 1.43 kg, respectively). An economic analysis under average market price conditions demonstrated that severe lung lesions could lead to financial losses of up to 11.53 EUR per 100 kg of meat, emphasizing the economic impact of compromised welfare due to respiratory diseases.ConclusionsThis study provides quantitative evidence of the negative impact of CVPC and pleurisy on carcass weight and meatiness in fattening pigs. The findings underscore the importance of effective respiratory disease management in swine production, highlighting potential areas for targeted interventions to improve animal health and economic outcomes.

Research on complex dynamic behavior of automakers based on complex system theory.

"Prevent minor issues before they become major problems, and prepare for the future." This study utilizes complex system theory to introduce a nonlinear dynamic system for examining the production and emission reduction strategies of new energy vehicle (NEV) and gasoline vehicle (GV) manufacturers under the dual credit (DC) policy over a long-term game process. By considering production delays, we analyze dynamic behaviors within a duopoly automotive system, including stable regions, bifurcation, chaotic attractors, and the Largest Lyapunov exponent (LLE). The results show that: (1) As production and carbon emission adjustment parameters increase, the decision-making system for both automakers can slip into disorder, posing a risk of disruption within the automotive industry. (2) In stable regions, GVs' carbon emission adjustments do not affect the production of either NEVs or GVs, while NEVs demonstrate greater flexibility in production adjustments compared to GVs. (3) The industry system will likely benefit from delay production decisions that could help stabilize the automobile market. The study provides theoretical support for the smooth transformation of old and new driving forces in the automobile industry.

Evolution of Sow Productivity and Evaluation Parameters: Spanish Farms as a Benchmark

This study examines the global evolution of sow productivity, with a particular focus on Spain. The analysis is based on key performance metrics such as piglets weaned per sow per year (PWSY), prolificacy, and pre-weaning mortality, utilizing data from literature reviews, the InterPIG, and BDporc® databases. Globally, significant advancements in genetic selection and management practices have led to productivity increases across major pig-producing countries, with notable improvements in prolificacy. However, higher prolificacy has been accompanied by rising piglet mortality rates during lactation, posing sustainability challenges. In Spain, the average productivity of commercial sows increased from 23.78 PWSY in 2009 to 29.45 PWSY in 2023, while Iberian sows reached an average of 17.44 PWSY. Despite these gains, Spain’s figures remain slightly below the European Union average. The study highlights the need for new benchmarks, such as non-productive days, piglet survival, and sow longevity, to more accurately assess farm efficiency. These indicators, combined with considerations for animal welfare and environmental sustainability, are crucial for addressing current challenges such as piglet mortality, sow culling, and the carbon footprint. The findings emphasize the importance of adopting comprehensive management strategies that balance productivity with growing social and environmental demands on the swine industry.

Assessment of the immunity gap of two vaccination programs against Gumboro disease in Luong Phuong chicken

Maternal-derived antibody (MDA) is the priority protection against environmental Infectious Bursal Disease Virus (IBDV) in the first weeks. The passive immunity decreases, but the active immunity is not enough to protect chicks, so shortening the high-risk period is crucial to IBD control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immunity gap between 2 vaccination programs against infectious bursal disease (IBD) in Luong Phuong chickens. A total of 34,600 chicks were administered by subcutaneous injection of IBD vaccine at 0.1 mL/dose at the hatchery. At 12 days old, 18,000 chicks were vaccinated with the M.B strain vaccine and 16,600 chicks were vaccinated with the 228E strain vaccine by drinking water. The IBD and Newcastle disease (ND) antibody evaluations were based on the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Parameters were recorded until slaughter including body weight, average daily gain, feed conversion rate, and mortality. The IBD MDA at 1 day old was medium and uniform (3809 and 45.3%), which could protect against IBD virus from 1 to 2 weeks old. At 28 days old, the IBD antibody titer of the MB vaccine was higher than that of the 228E vaccine, various proportions of samples in the M.B group exceeding 1,000 titers (40% vs. 0%), and it was a statistically significant difference (1,133 vs. 161) (P < 0.01). Besides, the M.B vaccine created a faster and stronger immune response than the 228E vaccine, shortening the immune gap and protecting chicks earlier. The humoral immune response to the ND vaccine was good, with no difference between 2 groups, which proved that the M.B virus did not cause immunosuppression. The production parameters of chickens between the 2 groups were the same. In summary, the M.B vaccine made a short immune gap and did not cause immunodeficiency in chickens.

Determination of Dynamic Cone Penetration Index (DCPI) of Borrow Pit Materials for Construction of Low Volume Roads in Dodoma Tanzania

The study for determination of dynamic cone penetration index (DCPI) of borrow pit materials for construction of low-volume roads was conducted in the Dodoma region in Tanzania. Samples for tests were collected from five borrow pits, which are Nkulabi, Zuzu, Mahomanyika, Dinda, and Ntyuka. Results of plasticity indices were 14%, 11%, 10%, 16%, and 13% for Nkulabi, Zuzu, Mahomanyika, Dinda, and Ntyuka borrow pits, respectively. Results of grading coefficients and shrinkage products were 33.7 and 148.1 units for Nkulabi, 19.9 and 295.9 units for Zuzu, 32.3 and 56.0 units for Mahomanyika, 25.4 and 391.3 units for Dinda, and 32.8 and 111.2 units for Zuzu borrow pits, respectively. Results of dynamic cone penetration indices were 5.8 mm/blow, 5.2 mm/blow, 4.7 mm/blow, 6.0 mm/blow, and 4.5 mm/blow for Nkulabi, Zuzu, Mahomanyika, Dinda, and Ntyuka borrow pits, respectively. Specifications require DCPI values for the tested material not to exceed 5.69 mm/blow in order to be suitable for use as gravel-wearing course material. Therefore, these results indicate that materials from Zuzu, Mahomanyika, and Ntyuka borrow pits have satisfied the requirement and hence qualify to be used as gravel-wearing course material. However, materials from Dinda and Nkulabi borrow pits have DCPI values above the limiting value of 5.69 mm/blow, and therefore they did not meet strength requirements as gravel-wearing course material. Based on grading coefficient, shrinkage product, and strength parameters, which are used for the selection of suitable materials, only Zuzu borrow pit materials qualified for the construction of the gravel wearing course. Therefore, engineering properties of materials from Dinda, Mahomanyika, Nkulabi, and Ntyuka need to be improved through the blending process.

Evaluation of the Effects of Drought Stress and Nitrogen-Sulfur Fertilization on Productivity and Yield Parameters of Spring Wheat

Evaluation of the Effects of Drought Stress and Nitrogen-Sulfur Fertilization on Productivity and Yield Parameters of Spring Wheat

Impacts of phosphorus limitation in the toxicity of environmental concentrations of lead and zinc in Raphidocelis subcapitata (Chlorophyceae)

AbstractMicroalgal metabolism is affected by the surrounding environment and nutrients such as phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) are essential for optimal metabolism, as well as trace amounts of essential metals such as zinc (Zn); although in higher doses than required, Zn can be toxic. Lead (Pb) is a non-essential metal that can harm organisms from different trophic levels. In the environment, algae are exposed to several stressors simultaneously and adapt their metabolism. In the present study, we evaluated P limitation combined with environmental concentrations of Zn or Pb to the freshwater microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata regarding growth, pigments production, and photosynthetic parameters. Our results indicate that P limitation affected the growth, pigments production, relative maximum electron transport rate (rETRmax), and saturation irradiance; while Pb altered growth, pigments production, and maximum quantum yield; and Zn affected pigment production, photochemical and non-photochemical quenching, and rETRmax. However, the combination of metal and P limitation resulted in synergistic responses, i.e., higher damages than the isolated stressors, in growth, maximum and effective quantum yield, and in the rapid light curve parameters. On the other hand, antagonism, i.e., lower damages than isolated stressors, was observed in pigments production and non-photochemical quenching, suggesting that algae activated defense mechanisms to cope with both stressors simultaneously. In addition, our results indicate an algal metabolism adjustment to P limitation and highlight the importance of considering physicochemical water characteristics when defining regulations of acceptable levels of metals in aquatic ecosystems.

Performance Analysis of Troposphere Scattering Communication Channel with Chirp-BOK Modulation

By utilizing chirp-BOK (binary orthogonal keying) modulation into a troposphere scattering communication system, a lower demodulation threshold can be achieved with excellent linear frequency modulation properties in a strong noise and weak signal environment. Firstly, the bit error rate (BER) formula of chirp-BOK modulation over a Rayleigh fading channel was derived theoretically. Then, the BER performance with different chirp-BOK parameters were numerically calculated. In order to investigate the performance of chirp-BOK over deeping fading troposphere scattering link, a seven-path equal-delay Rayleigh fading model was employed. Finally, the system BER performance was simulated under different tap delay and time–bandwidth product parameters. The results demonstrate that when BER reaches 10−4, the optimal configuration of the system achieves a gains approximately from 1.7 dB to 10 dB compared to non-optimized configuration under different Path-Gain-Vector with varying tap delays.

A Review on the Water Invasion Mechanism and Enhanced Gas Recovery Methods in Carbonate Bottom-Water Gas Reservoirs

Carbonate gas reservoirs are crucial in gas field development, with carbonate bottom-water gas reservoirs being a significant subset. However, the development of these reservoirs often faces challenges such as water invasion, leading to a low gas recovery rate. Enhancing gas recovery is a primary goal for researchers in this field. This study provides a systematic review of the mechanisms, identification, and dynamic prediction of water invasion in these gas reservoirs. The technical adaptability and application range of different enhanced recovery methods are summarized, and their application effects are evaluated. The results indicate that carbonate gas reservoirs have diverse types of storage and permeability spaces, with a wide distribution of pore size scales, leading to various types of enclosed gas caused by water invasion. The prediction accuracy of water invasion models for bottom-water gas reservoirs with fractures and vugs is relatively low. Therefore, numerical simulation research on the basis of fine reservoir characterization is the key technology. The control of bottom-water invasion and the rescue measures after the bottom-water invasion are the keys to improving gas recovery, which can be divided into four types: drainage gas recovery, water control production, active drainage, and injection medium. Gas production by drainage is the main technology for improving gas recovery, among which foam drainage is the most widespread. The optimization of development parameters in production by water control has a good effect in the early stages of development. The active drainage technology on the water invasion channel is the bottom-up technology for the effective development of strong water-flooded gas reservoirs. CO2 injection may have great potential to improve the recovery of bottom-water gas reservoirs, which is one of the important research directions under the background of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality”. The research provides theoretical and technical reference significance for enhanced recovery of carbonate bottom-water gas reservoirs.

Effect of Production and Application Parameters on Acoustic Performance of Wood Wool Cement Panels

Introduction: A wood-wool cement panel (WWCP) is wood wool combined with Portland cement mortar. This environmentally friendly acoustic material can be used as a thermal insulator and fire-resistance material with desired mechanical properties. This study aimed to determine the mechanism by which WWCP absorbs sound and the effect of production and application parameters on absorption Material and Methods: The samples were prepared from poplar wood wool and white Portland cement as a binder in two Cement Fiber Ratios (CFR), namely 2:0.7 and 2:0.95, with bulk densities of 400, 500, and 600 Kg/m3 and thicknesses of 2 and 4 cm. Three layers of backing: air, polyurethane foam, and glass wool were examined separately. Acoustic absorption coefficient was measured using an impedance tube based on ISO 10534-2. Results: The highest increase in the average absorption coefficient due to the increase in thickness was observed for the sample with a density of 400 kg/m3 and CFR = 2: 0.95, equal to 0.3. Increasing the bulk density to 500 kg/m3 for most samples and in the high-frequency range led to rising absorption efficiency. The optimal backing effect was due to the placement of 4 cm of polyurethane foam behind the sample, which in both thicknesses led to an absorption peak with an absorption coefficient higher than 0.95 at frequencies between 400 and 500 Hz. Selected samples showed that painting WWCPs led to a limited drop in absorption coefficients at high frequencies, comparing the before and after painting results with oil-based paints. Conclusion: Tuning the absorption frequencies of these absorbers can be achieved by altering factors such as the thickness or density. It has been demonstrated that the effects of thickness and bulk density on the sound absorption of WWCP are related to each other. Concerning the CFR values, increasing the density did not significantly affect absorption in the two frequency ranges

Influence of operation mode and anthropometric parameters in self-assessed productivity in office buildings

Resumo O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a influência do modo de operação e de variáveis demográficas e antropométricas na produtividade autoavaliada de usuários de edificações de escritório com sistema de ventilação híbrido e central, em Florianópolis - SC. Os dados demográficos e antropométricos foram coletados por meio de questionários eletrônicos. A influência do modo de operação na produtividade foi analisada por meio de histogramas. Um modelo preditivo foi desenvolvido por meio de regressões lineares e quadráticas para identificar os parâmetros ambientais e demográficos/antropométricos que exercem influência na produtividade. Os resultados mostraram que não houve distinção da influência exercida por edificações híbridas ou com sistema de ar-condicionado central na percepção da produtividade. Apesar de o modelo preditivo não ter apresentado boa capacidade de explicar o desempenho dos usuários, evidenciou correlações estatísticas entre produtividade e temperatura operativa, gênero e idade. Concluiu-se que a percepção de produtividade dos usuários de escritórios é afetada pela configuração dos ambientes no clima subtropical úmido de Florianópolis.

Enhancing hydrogen production from anaerobic digestion of pretreated fruit and vegetable peels using Clostridium butyricum NE133

This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of hydrogen production (HP) by Clostridium butyricum NE133 from different fruit and vegetable peels (FVPs) as substrates. In addition, the kinetic parameters of hydrogen production and optimization of the anaerobic dark fermentation conditions were analyzed. Clostridium butyricum NE133 was isolated from domestic wastewater and selected as the front runner hydrogen-producer from glucose with maximum hydrogen production (Hmax) of 1778.00 ± 15.03 mL/L, maximum production rate (Rmax) of 961.95 mL/L/h and lag phase (λ) of 28.12 h. NE133 was genetically identified (accession number PP581793) and shown to harbor the Fe-Fe hydrogenase gene. This isolate showed a high potential to produce hydrogen from anaerobic fermentation of watermelon peels with Hmax of 1062.67 ± 11.92 mL/L, Rmax of 268.01mL/L/h and λ of 33.92 h. The watermelon peels were subjected to different pretreatment methods to enhance the dark fermentation by C. butyricum NE133. It was revealed that the combined physicochemical treatment (0.05 M H₂SO₄/121°C) significantly increased hydrogen yield, with 2300.33 ± 0.88 mL/L, Rmax of 1065.56 mL/L/h and λ of 22.39 h with a high accuracy of R2 (0.9999). The study emphasizes the effectiveness of using C. butyricum NE133 for sustainable biohydrogen production. The findings also indicate the feasibility of converting agricultural waste into valuable energy sources, contributing to waste management and renewable energy solutions.

Development of a fluorescent rapid method for assessing the primary production of phytoplankton as an initial link in carbon flux at the “Gelendzhik” carbon supersite

The parameters of primary productivity were studied in different seasons at the carbon polygon: the rate of primary production, the concentration of chlorophyll a, the assimilation number (AN), the rate of electron transport in photosystem II of phytoplankton (rETR), and the photosynthetic efficiency (AN/rETR). The direct correlation between the values of AN and rETR allows using the coefficient of photosynthetic efficiency to calculate primary production in mass units of carbon to assess the carbon flux from the atmosphere. This coefficient has seasonal specificity.

Quantifying Biomass and Visualizing Cell Coverage on Fibrous Scaffolds for Cultivated Meat Production.

Cultivated meat represents a transformative solution to environmental and ethical concerns of traditional meat industries, replicating livestock meat's texture and sensory attributes in vitro with a focus on cost, safety, and nutritional quality. Central to this process are biomaterial scaffolds that support tissue development from isolated animal cells grown in or on these matrices. Understanding scaffold interactions with cells, including scaffold degradation and biomass production, is crucial for process design and for scaling-up goals. In this article, we outline comprehensive methods to quantify scaffold-cell interactions for such scenarios, focusing on biomaterial scaffold degradation and changes in cell biomass [measured by cell weight, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and cell coverage] during cell culture. We introduce two methodologies for assessing cell coverage: fixation and staining for detailed imaging analysis, and non-invasive, real-time evaluation across scaffolds. Here we focus on fiber-based scaffolds, while the assessments can be extrapolated to 2-dimensional (2D; films), and in part to 3-dimensional (3D; sponge) systems. Utilizing the C2C12 mouse myoblast cell line as a gold standard, the protocols deliver precise, step-by-step instructions for preparing fiber scaffolds (using silk proteins here), seeding cells, and monitoring key parameters for cultivated meat production, providing a framework for advancing cellular agriculture techniques. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Fabrication and preparation of silk fiber scaffolds for cell seeding Support Protocol 1: Cultivation of C2C12 cells and seeding onto fibrous scaffolds Basic Protocol 2: Quantification of decellularized yarn scaffold degradation during cell culture Basic Protocol 3: Quantification of biomass variation and ECM deposition on yarn scaffolds during C2C12 cell culture Basic Protocol 4: Visualization of cell-laden yarn scaffolds and determination of cell coverage ratio using confocal microscopy Support Protocol 2: Real-time imaging of cell-laden yarn scaffolds using Celigo system Support Protocol 3: Applying green CellTracker fluorescent probes to C2C12 cells seeded on yarn scaffolds.