Primary Fibers Research Articles

STUDY OF THE PROCESSES OF WASTEWATER TREATMENT FOR REUSE IN THE PULP AND PAPER INDUSTRY

Nowadays, more than 80% of cardboard and paper products of Ukrainian mills are made from waste paper – secondary fibers that differ in their chemical and physical properties from primary cellulosic fibers. Characteristic feature of secondary fibers is the presence of a large number of small fibers, which negatively affects the quality of finished products, mass retention on the grid during the formation of paper or cardboard, which leads to pollution of wastewaters. Despite its environmental friendliness and economy, waste paper is also characterized by the presence of various pollutants, the formation of which is associated with the process of paper formation, storage of finished products, and their use. As a result of the preparation of the mass from secondary fibers, there is a transition of pollutants from the waste paper to the wastewater in the form of colloidally dispersed and soluble substances, which lead to the pollution of circulating water. Purification of water and its reuse in technological processes is an important task of paper industry mills. The results show that more than 90% of the secondary fibers have a length that does not exceed 1 mm, while in the primary cellulose fiber from coniferous wood about 53% of the fibers have a length of more than 1 mm. The high content of short fibers in the paper mass affects the processes of paper formation, worsening them, and a decrease in the retention of the fiber on the grid of the paper or cardboard machine is observed, causing the pollution of wastewater. The results of the study of coagulation of industrial wastewater with the content of suspended solids 1520 and 3200 mg/dm3 from the production of cardboard from recycling paper show that the best coagulants are A1(OH)C12 and A12(OH)5C1. The maximum efficiency of water purification of only 92.5% was achieved at the suspended solids content of 1520 mg/dm3, while for wastewater with a suspended solids concentration of 3200 mg/dm3 98.0% was obtained. To develop a scheme for deep purification of wastewaters, it is important to understand which components are removed from water more easily and which are more difficult during coagulation. For this purpose, studies on coagulation of model suspensions of starches, bentonite and kaolin using inorganic coagulants were conducted. It was established that coagulation of native corn starch suspension with inorganic coagulants is effective. However, in the case of using modified starches, the removal of cationic starches is reduced. The efficiency of water purification in the removal of bentonite by sedimentation-filtration with the use of coagulants is quite high. The degree of purification reaches 80.8-98.1%. The filtering stage allows the degree of purification to be further increased. Research on the processes of purification of model kaolin suspensions shows that mechanical and physico-chemical methods are ineffective in removing this mineral filler.

Структурно-морфологические свойства вторичного волокна из влагопрочного сырья при мягком размоле. Часть 1. Характеристика волокон

The efficient use of papermaking potential of secondary fiber by gentle refining of recycled pulp is one of the basic principles for the recovered paper stock preparation. The use of mild refining modes for recycled fiber is more important in the case of wetstrength paper than for conventional waste paper. This is due to the fact that recycled fiber is weakened by hard conditions of wet-strength paper repulping, in particular, long repulping time, elevated temperature, the use of alkali and oxidizers. The study aims at evaluating the changes in the morphological characteristics of secondary fiber during gentle low-consistency refining of recycled pulp. The analysis of the secondary fiber morphological characteristics was carried out in two complementary directions, i.e. the analysis of the fibers (part 1) and the analysis of the fines (part 2). Recycled pulp (RP) was obtained from commercial wetstrength tissue paper consisting of 100 % bleached softwood kraft pulp (BSKP) made of pine (Pίnus sylvéstris L.). The wet-strength paper repulping was performed at 60 °C in three ways, namely, repulping with sodium hydroxide (indicated as RP(NaOH)), repulping with sodium hydroxide and sodium persulfate (RP(NaOH + Na2S2O8)), and finally repulping with sodium hydroxide and potassium monopersulfate (RP(NaOH + KHSO5)). Secondary fibers as well as primary fibers of BSKP had similar length distribution before and after gentle refining. Mean fiber length after first recycle reduced by 5–6 %. The calculated values of the fibershortening index showed that fiber cutting practically does not occur during gentle refiningof the recycled pulps. The increase in the refining degree of the pulps is mainly explained by the fibrillation of secondary fibers, rather than the formation of a large amount of fines. Secondary fibers obtained from the wet-strength paper have a high slenderness ratio ((L/W)l from 66.3 to 66.5 and (L/W)w from 83.6 to 84.3; where L – length, W – width) corresponding to pulp with good papermaking potential. The results showed that low-consistency gentle refining of the recycled pulp obtained by accelerated persulfate and monopersulfate repulping of the wet-strength paper leads to fiber straightening. The overall increase in the shape factor of secondary fibers was achieved due to a combination of accelerated repulping of the wetstrength waste paper (by ~ 60 %) and gentle refining of the pulp (by ~ 40 %).

Brain Insulin Receptor Antagonism Augments The Blood Pressure Response To Activation Of The Exercise Pressor Reflex

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) results in abnormal control of blood pressure (BP). However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The transport of insulin into the central nervous system is decreased in T2DM. The resultant central hypoinsulinemia reduces neuronal excitability. The nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) is a key central integration site for incoming signals from peripheral sensory neurons including input from working skeletal muscle and arterial baroreceptors. Working skeletal muscle activates primary sensory fibers and evokes the exercise pressor reflex (EPR) to reflexively increase BP, a response modulated by the baroreflex. Central hypoinsulinemia in T2DM may influence how neurons in the NTS process this sensory information during exercise affecting BP responsiveness. PURPOSE: To determine whether acute antagonism of insulin receptors in the NTS alters EPR function in baro-intact and barodenervated rats. METHODS: L4 and L5 ventral roots were electrically stimulated in healthy decerebrated male Sprague-Dawley rats to evoke hindlimb muscle contraction and EPR activation in intact and sino-aortic barodenervated rats. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) responses to activation of the EPR were assessed before and 30 min following NTS microinjections of the insulin receptor antagonist, GSK1838705 (100uM), or vehicle, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). RESULTS: In baro-intact rats, contraction-induced changes in MAP were significantly greater following GSK1838705 (Pre, 16 ± 10 mmHg vs. Post, 23 + 13 mmHg, n = 11, p < 0.01) but not DMSO (Pre, 15 ± 8 mmHg vs. Post, 15 + 8 mmHg, n = 9). In barodenervated rats, neither GSK1838705 (Pre, 27 ± 16 mmHg vs. Post, 28 ± 21 mmHg, n = 8) nor DMSO (Pre, 34 ± 17 mmHg vs. Post, 30 ± 27 mmHg, n = 9) affected the MAP response to contraction. CONCLUSIONS: The findings demonstrate that central insulin receptor antagonism augments the BP response to EPR activation, which is abolished by barodenervation. The findings also suggest that insulin in the NTS maintains the capacity to buffer EPR-mediated increases in BP via baroreflex-mediated mechanisms. Alterations in this buffering capacity due to the central hypoinsulinemia in T2DM could account, in part, for the exaggerated pressor response to exercise in this disease. Supported by NIH-NHLBI, Lawson & Rogers Lacy Research Fund.

Neurogranin-like immunoreactivity in the zebrafish brain during development

Neurogranin (Nrgn) is a neural protein that is enriched in the cerebral cortex and is involved in synaptic plasticity via its interaction with calmodulin. Recently we reported its expression in the brain of the adult zebrafish (Alba-González et al. J Comp Neurol 530:1569–1587, 2022). In this study we analyze the development of Nrgn-like immunoreactivity (Nrgn-like-ir) in the brain and sensory structures of zebrafish embryos and larvae, using whole mounts and sections. First Nrgn-like positive neurons appeared by 2 day post-fertilization (dpf) in restricted areas of the brain, mostly in the pallium, epiphysis and hindbrain. Nrgn-like populations increased noticeably by 3 dpf, reaching an adult-like pattern in 6 dpf. Most Nrgn-like positive neurons were observed in the olfactory organ, retina (most ganglion cells, some amacrine and bipolar cells), pallium, lateral hypothalamus, thalamus, optic tectum, torus semicircularis, octavolateralis area, and viscerosensory column. Immunoreactivity was also observed in axonal tracts originating in Nrgn-like neuronal populations, namely, the projection of Nrgn-like immunopositive primary olfactory fibers to olfactory glomeruli, that of Nrgn-like positive pallial cells to the hypothalamus, the Nrgn-like-ir optic nerve to the pretectum and optic tectum, the Nrgn-like immunolabeled lateral hypothalamus to the contralateral region via the horizontal commissure, the octavolateralis area to the midbrain via the lateral lemniscus, and the viscerosensory column to the dorsal isthmus via the secondary gustatory tract. The late expression of Nrgn in zebrafish neurons is probably related to functional maturation of higher brain centers, as reported in the mammalian telencephalon. The analysis of Nrgn expression in the zebrafish brain suggests that it may be a useful marker for specific neuronal circuitries.

Corpus Callosal Microstructure Predicts Bimanual Motor Performance in Chronic Stroke Survivors: a Preliminary Cross-Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Background Microstructural changes in the corpus callosum (CC) are associated with more severe motor impairment in the paretic hand, poor recovery, and general disability. The purpose of this study was to determine if CC microstructure predicts bimanual motor performance in chronic stroke survivors. Methods We examined the relationship between the fractional anisotropy (FA) across the CC, in both the sensorimotor and non-sensorimotor regions, and movement times for two self-initiated and self-paced bimanual tasks in 41 chronic stroke survivors. Using publicly available control datasets (n = 52), matched closely for imaging acquisition parameters, we also explored the effect of stroke and age on callosal microstructure. Results In mild-to-moderate chronic stroke survivors with relatively localized lesions to the motor areas, lower callosal FA values, suggestive of a more disorganized microstructure, were associated with slower bimanual performance. Associations were strongest for the primary motor fibers (b = −2.19 ± 1.03, p = .035), followed closely by premotor/supplementary motor (b = −2.07 ± 1.07, p = .041) and prefrontal (b = −1.92 ± 0.97, p = .05) fibers of the callosum. Secondary analysis revealed that compared to neurologically age-similar adults, chronic stroke survivors exhibited significantly lower mean FA in all regions of the CC, except the splenium. Conclusion Remote widespread changes in the callosal genu and body are associated with slower performance on cooperative bimanual tasks that require precise and interdependent coordination of the hands. Measures of callosal microstructure may prove to be a useful predictor of real-world bimanual performance in chronic stroke survivors.

Fibers development in a dioecious hemp cultivar: the role of plant sex and cultivation conditions

Hemp (Cannabis sativa) is a well-known crop with a great potential to produce fibers without being excessively water and nutrient demanding. Moreover, hemp can be considered a viable and sustainable alternative to reach a cleaner production in the garment industry. Accurate information on fiber traits will enhance the exploitation of hemp in textile and biofuel industry. The aim of this work was to investigate the cyto-histological characteristics of hemp primary and secondary fibers through semi-thin sections and a light microscopy approach. To this purpose, we cultivated in open field a dioecious hemp variety under two different sowing densities and two different fertilization regimes. We confirmed the prominent role of sex in influencing all the analyzed traits; moreover, we found the possibility to mitigate it by changing the sowing density and the fertilization regime. In particular, the cell wall thickening in primary fibers was reduced in female plants by high fertilization. In male plants, combining high fertilization and low density, secondary fibers development is deeply increased. Cell area, in both plant sexes, was reduced by high fertilization. Operating on these simple agronomic aspects could thus result in the desired amount of fibers/lignin, depending on the final purpose of hemp cultivation.

Effect of feeding pregnant gilts fermented potato extract protein on the prenatal development and semitendinosus muscle characteristics of newborn piglets

The skeletal muscle, which largely forms meat, constitutes most of the body mass in pigs. Growth and meat quality mainly depend on the relationship between prenatal and postnatal development. Feed additives are used in the diet of pigs to improve production efficiency. In this study, we determined the effect of feeding pregnant pigs fermented potato extract protein on the characteristics of the skeletal muscles of newborn piglets. Ten Danish gilts (Large white x Landrace) were supplemented with or without fermented potato extract protein (5 gilts each) during the gestation period. After parturition, two neonate piglets from each sow were randomly selected, and the birth weight, organ weight, morphometrics, and the characteristics of the semitendinosus muscle, including weight, length, circumference, muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA), number of total muscle fibers, number of primary fibers, number of secondary fibers, and the ratio of secondary to primary (S:P) fibers were recorded. The piglets from sows that were fed fermented potato extract protein showed a significantly higher S:P ratio (p = 0.02) than those from control sows. The weights of the body and visceral organs at birth tended to be higher in the newborn offspring of the treated sows. The supplementation with fermented potato extract protein during gestation in pigs can increase the S:P ratio, which can be used to follow changes in the hyperplasia of secondary fibers in the fetus and might also affect postnatal growth.

Immunohistochemical characterization of nerve elements in porcine intrinsic laryngeal ganglia.

The present study investigated the chemical coding of neurons and nerve fibres in local laryngeal ganglia in pigs (n=5) using double-labelling immunohistochemistry. Virtually all the neurons were cholinergic in nature (ChAT- or VAChT-positive). Only very solitary, small nerve cells (presumably representing interneurons) stained intensely for adrenergic marker, DβH. Many neurons also contained immunoreactivity for NOS (91%), VIP (62.7%), NPY (24.7%), galanin (10%), SP (1.3%) and CGRP (5.3%). No neurons expressing somatostatin or Leu-enkephalin were observed. Nearly all the neuronal somata were densely supplied with varicose cholinergic nerve terminals, which presumably represented preganglionic axons, and some of them were also closely apposed with CGRP- and/or SP-positive varicose nerve endings, which were putative collaterals of extrinsic primary sensory fibres. In conclusion, this study has revealed that intrinsic neurons in the porcine larynx, like in many other mammalian species studied, should be classified as parasympathetic cholinergic neurons expressing biologically active substances, predominantly NOS and VIP. Furthermore, they are likely to receive inputs from not only preganglionic neurons but also primary sensory nerve cells. Finally, it appears that the information on the occurrence of the local laryngeal ganglia should be regularly included in textbooks dealing with the cranial portion of the parasympathetic nervous system in mammals.

Using an HDAC Inhibitor to Alter Muscle Growth in Fetal Pigs

A broad spectrum histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, butyrate, has been shown to promote increased myofiber size by altering satellite cell (SC) activity. The use of dietary supplementation of butyrate to affect muscle development has been hampered by its technical and pharmacokinetic properties. Most of these can be overcome with the use of tributyrin (TB), a butyrate prodrug. Dietary supplementation of TB was able to promote muscle growth by increasing myofiber size in neonatal pigs. We hypothesized that muscle growth during fetal development may be improved by increased fiber number through the dietary supplementation of TB to gestating sows. Nine sows of 53.6 ±1.08 gestational days (gd) were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatment groups (n=3). These dietary treatments were a basal diet, basal diet + 1% TB, and the basal diet + 2% TB. All diets were made isocaloric with the addition of oil and wheat flour. Fetal piglets were removed at 107.6 ±1.5 gd. Weights and body lengths were recorded for all fetuses. Sections of Longissimus dorsi and Psoas major were collected from the median male, median female, the smallest, and the largest piglets of each litter and frozen for future histological analysis. Two novel methods for objective description of muscle fiber organization were evaluated, including fiber eccentricity (measure of elongation), and proportion of primary myofibers. The most significant difference in cross sectional area (CSA) was found within LD muscle with TB supplementation causing a significant reduction compared to control animals (p value &lt; 0.05). Fibers from 1% TB animals were significantly more elongated than control (p value &lt; 0.05). The proportion of primary to secondary myofibers was significantly higher in muscle from 2% TB treated piglets compared to control (p value &lt; 0.05). The smaller CSA together with a similar body weight across individual piglets (p &gt;0.05) suggest that TB supplementation increased myofiber number. The increased fiber count may be further supported by more elongated myofibers suggesting alterations to muscle fiber organization and an improved development of primary fibers. Further studies to elucidate the impact of TB supplementation during gestation and early postnatal life are warranted.

NOHUT (Cicer arietinum) SAPI KAĞIT HAMURLARININ KARAKTERİZASYONU VE KAĞIT ÜRETİMİNDE DEĞERLENDİRİLMESİ

In this study, the evaluability of chickpea stalks generated after harvest in chickpea production was investigated in pulp and paper production. Besides, paper production was carried out by blending the chickpea stalk fibers with primary and secondary fibers in certain proportions and the effects of chickpea stalk fibers on the paper properties were determined. Modified kraft method was used in the pulping of chickpea stalks and anthraquinone (AQ) was added to the cooking solution as a catalyst. Some chemical, mechanical and optical properties of the pulps produced with the addition of different AQ charges were compared and the optimum results were obtained from the 0.7% AQ added cooking experiment. The yield and viscosity values of the chickpea stalk pulps increased by 12.6% and 34.2%, respectively and the kappa number decreased by 46.7% with the addition of AQ to cooking liquor. Paper production was carried out by blending the fibers obtained from optimum cooking condition with primary and secondary fibers in certain rates and the effects of chickpea stalk fibers on the paper properties were examined. Depending on the amount of chickpea stalk fibers, the mechanical properties of the papers produced with secondary fibers and the optical properties of the papers produced with primary fibers improved. The strength losses that occur during the recycling of waste paper could be reduced by blending the chickpea stalk fibers with secondary fibers and it is possible to produce various paper types such as writing-printing paper by blending the short fiber chickpea stalk fibers and long fibers.

Neuromeric Distribution of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate-Diaphorase Activity in the Adult Lamprey Brain.

This study reports for the first time the distribution and morphological characterization of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-diaphorase (NADPH-d; a reliable marker of nitric oxide synthase activity) positive elements in the central nervous system of the adult river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) on the framework of the neuromeric model and compares their cytoarchitectonic organization with that of gnathostomes. Both NADPH-d exhibiting cells and fibers were observed in all major divisions of the lamprey brain as well as in the spinal cord. In the secondary prosencephalon, NADPH-d positive cells were observed in the mitral cell layer of the olfactory bulb, evaginated pallium, amygdala, dorsal striatum, septum, lateral preoptic nucleus, caudal paraventricular area, posterior entopeduncular nucleus, nucleus of the stria medullaris, hypothalamic periventricular organ and mamillary region sensu lato. In the lamprey diencephalon, NADPH-d labeled cells were observed in several nuclei of the prethalamus, epithalamus, pretectum, and the basal plate. Especially remarkable was the staining observed in the right habenula and several pretectal nuclei. NADPH-d positive cells were also observed in the following mesencephalic areas: optic tectum (two populations), torus semicircularis, nucleus M5 of Schöber, and a ventral tegmental periventricular nucleus. Five different cell populations were observed in the isthmic region, whereas the large sensory dorsal cells, some cells located in the interpeduncular nucleus, the motor nuclei of most cranial nerves, the solitary tract nucleus, some cells of the reticular nuclei, and small cerebrospinal fluid-contacting (CSF-c) cells were the most evident stained cells of the rhombencephalon proper. Finally, several NADPH-d positive cells were observed in the rostral part of the spinal cord, including the large sensory dorsal cells, numerous CSF-c cells, and some dorsal and lateral interneurons. NADPH-d positive fibers were observed in the olfactory pathways (primary olfactory fibers and stria medullaris), the fasciculus retroflexus, and the dorsal column tract. Our results on the distribution of NADPH-d positive elements in the brain of the adult lamprey L. fluviatilis are significantly different from those previously reported in larval lampreys and demonstrated that these animals possess a complex nitrergic system readily comparable to those of other vertebrates, although important specific differences also exist.

Intelligent modeling and optimization of environmentally friendly green enzymatic deinking of printed paper.

Nowadays, the paper industry supplies its required fibers either from primary fibers, including wood and plants, or waste papers, called secondary fibers. One of the most challenging recycling processes is deinking of papers digitally printed with electrophotographic ink. In order to produce optically high-quality paper from recycled waste papers, deinking step is required at the desired levels. In this work, the environmentally friendly green enzymatic deinking of printed paper was modeled and optimized via an innovative approach called artificial intelligence method. The effect of treatment temperature, treatment time, and enzyme dosage on mechanical properties (tensile and burst strengths) as well as optical properties (whiteness and brightness) of handsheet was investigated. The developed code can appropriately learn the non-linear behavior of deinking process, and make decisions according to the pattern constructed intelligently. Finally, multi-objective optimization at the specified treatment temperature, treatment time, and enzyme dosage was performed to identify the best conditions for enzyme-deinked handsheet (maximized mechanical and optical properties).

Tensile fatigue strength and endurance limit of human meniscus

The knee menisci are prone to mechanical fatigue injury from the cyclic tensile stresses that are generated during daily joint loading. Here we characterize the tensile fatigue behavior of human medial meniscus and investigate the effect of aging on fatigue strength. Test specimens were excised from the medial meniscus of young (under 40 years) and older (over 65 years) fresh-frozen cadaver knees. Cyclic uniaxial tensile loads were applied parallel to the primary circumferential fibers at 70%, 50%, 40%, or 30% of the predicted ultimate tensile strength (UTS) until failure occurred or one million cycles was reached. Equations for fatigue strength (S-N curve) and the probability of fatigue failure (unreliability curves) were created from the measured number of cycles to failure. The mean number of cycles to failure at 70%, 50%, 40%, and 30% of UTS were estimated to be approximately 500, 40000, 340000, and 3 million cycles, respectively. The endurance limit, defined as the tensile stress that can be safely applied for the average lifetime of use (250 million cycles), was estimated to be 10% of UTS (∼1.0 MPa). When cyclic tensile stresses exceeded 30% of UTS (∼3.0 MPa), the probability of fatigue failure rapidly increased. While older menisci were generally weaker and more susceptible to fatigue failures at high-magnitude tensile stresses, both young and older age groups had similar fatigue resistance at low-magnitude tensile stresses. In addition, we found that fatigue failures occurred after the dynamic modulus decreased during cyclic loading by approximately 20%. This experimental study has quantified fundamental fatigue properties that are essential to properly predict and prevent injury in meniscus and other soft fibrous tissues.

Molecular Segmentation of the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus in the Adult Mouse Brain.

The trigeminal column is a hindbrain structure formed by second order sensory neurons that receive afferences from trigeminal primary (ganglionic) nerve fibers. Classical studies subdivide it into the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus located next to the pontine nerve root, and the spinal trigeminal nucleus which in turn consists of oral, interpolar and caudal subnuclei. On the other hand, according to the prosomeric model, this column would be subdivided into segmental units derived from respective rhombomeres. Experimental studies have mapped the principal sensory trigeminal nucleus to pontine rhombomeres (r) r2-r3 in the mouse. The spinal trigeminal nucleus emerges as a plurisegmental formation covering several rhombomeres (r4 to r11 in mice) across pontine, retropontine and medullary hindbrain regions. In the present work we reexamined the issue of rhombomeric vs. classical subdivisions of this column. To this end, we analyzed its subdivisions in an AZIN2-lacZ transgenic mouse, known as a reference model for hindbrain topography, together with transgenic reporter lines for trigeminal fibers. We screened as well for genes differentially expressed along the axial dimension of this structure in the adult and juvenile mouse brain. This analysis yielded genes from multiple functional families that display transverse domains fitting the mentioned rhombomeric map. The spinal trigeminal nucleus thus represents a plurisegmental structure with a series of distinct neuromeric units having unique combinatorial molecular profiles.

Distinctive wood anatomy of early-diverging Asteraceae: Barnadesioideae

Abstract Asteraceae subfamily Barnadesioideae (ten genera, c. 90 species), confined to South America, are sister to the remainder of the family. The relative antiquity of the barnadesioids might lead one to expect that they contain more wood features plesiomorphic for the family, but only one character clearly falls in that category. Pits on imperforate tracheary elements are bordered (except for annuals), whereas simple pits occur in two related families, Calyceraceae (part) and Stylidiaceae (all that have been examined); in Goodeniaceae bordered pits only occur. By attaining fully bordered pits in Chuquiraga, the imperforate tracheary elements qualify as an apomorphy, ‘neotracheids’, valuable for resisting embolism formation in dry and cold South American habitats. Neotracheids are found also in Loricaria (Asteraceae: Inuleae), also from these habitats. Neotracheids, like plesiomorphic tracheids, are conductive, unlike fibre tracheids and libriform fibres. Other barnadesioid wood characters adapted to cold and drought include grouping of vessels, high vessel density, shorter vessel elements and helical sculpture (including helical thickenings on lumen-facing walls) of secondary xylem vessels. In Chuquiraga and Dasyphyllum, these helical thickenings are bordered in some species (new report for angiosperms). Some of the barnadesioid adaptations to cold and drought can be found in North American Artemisia spp. (Asteraceae: Anthemideae), especially in montane and desert areas. Wood features of barnadesioids match their respective habits and habitats: a few trees; shrubs of humid, dry or desert areas; a distinctive rhizomatous succulent in the pampas (Schlechtendalia); a scree/gravel perennial (Huarpea) and two genera of annuals, one with succulent leaves (Duseniella) and one with rayless (at least at first) stems in arid and open soils (Doniophyton). Diversity is unusual considering the small size of the subfamily. Examples of endodermal crystals (Arnaldoa only), pith sclereids and primary xylem fibres are cited.

A STUDY ON OFFICE PAPER PRODUCTION FROM PRIMARY AND SECONDARY FIBERS

This study deals with the utilization of primary and secondary fibers for the office paper production. Pinus brutia (BF) and wheat straws pulps (WF) were used as primary fiber (PF), and mixed office wastes pulps were used as secondary fiber (SF). PFs were obtained from P. brutia chips and wheat straws by using kraft and soda-air cooking methods, respectively. Mixed office wastes were recycled according to INGEDE standards. Enzyme (X), oxygen (O), alkali extraction (E), hypochlorite (H), and formamidine sulphinic acid (F) bleaching stages were applied to PF and SF. The PF and SF were bleached in six stages (XOEHEH) and in three stages (XOF), respectively. Bleached PF and SF were blend in different rates (SF: 70-100%, BF and WF: 0-30%) and office papers were produced. Physical and optical properties of the papers were determined according to relevant standards. The highest physical properties (breaking length: 3.58 km, burst index: 1.51 kPa.m2 g-1) were obtained from 70% SF, 25% WF, and 5% BF blends. Papers produced only with SFs have the highest optical properties (Whiteness: 80.65 ISO%, Brightness: 94.02 ISO%, Yellowness: -20.16 E313). However, in terms of both physical and optical properties, office paper can be produced from six different PF and SF blends according to the relevant standards.

Biphenyl-Induced Superhelix in l -Phenylalanine-Based Supramolecular Self-Assembly with Dynamic Morphology Transitions

Biphenyl-Induced Superhelix in <scp>l</scp> -Phenylalanine-Based Supramolecular Self-Assembly with Dynamic Morphology Transitions

In Vivo Calcium Imaging Visualizes Incision-Induced Primary Afferent Sensitization and Its Amelioration by Capsaicin Pretreatment.

Previous studies have shown that infiltration of capsaicin into the surgical site can prevent incision-induced spontaneous pain like behaviors and heat hyperalgesia. In the present study, we aimed to monitor primary sensory neuron Ca2+ activity in the intact dorsal root ganglia (DRG) using Pirt-GCaMP3 male and female mice pretreated with capsaicin or vehicle before the plantar incision. Intraplantar injection of capsaicin (0.05%) significantly attenuated spontaneous pain, mechanical, and heat hypersensitivity after plantar incision. The Ca2+ response in in vivo DRG and in in situ spinal cord was significantly enhanced in the ipsilateral side compared with contralateral side or naive control. Primary sensory nerve fiber length was significantly decreased in the incision skin area in capsaicin-pretreated animals detected by immunohistochemistry and placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) staining. Thus, capsaicin pretreatment attenuates incisional pain by suppressing Ca2+ response because of degeneration of primary sensory nerve fibers in the skin.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Postoperative surgery pain is a major health and economic problem worldwide with ∼235 million major surgical procedures annually. Approximately 50% of these patients report uncontrolled or poorly controlled postoperative pain. However, mechanistic studies of postoperative surgery pain in primary sensory neurons have been limited to in vitro models or small numbers of neurons. Using an innovative, distinctive, and interdisciplinary in vivo populational dorsal root ganglia (DRG) imaging (>1800 neurons/DRG) approach, we revealed increased DRG neuronal Ca2+ activity from postoperative pain mouse model. This indicates widespread DRG primary sensory neuron plasticity. Increased neuronal Ca2+ activity occurs among various sizes of neurons but mostly in small-diameter and medium-diameter nociceptors. Capsaicin pretreatment as a therapeutic option significantly attenuates Ca2+ activity and postoperative pain.

Patterns of Nerve Fibre Impairments and Neuronal Activation in Male Diabetic Rats With and Without Mechanical Allodynia: A Comparative Study

BackgroundIt is still clinically difficult to definitively distinguish between painful and nonpainful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). In this study, pain patterns were further categorized; diabetic rats were grouped according to the presence or absence of mechanical allodynia (MA), which is a hallmark of neuropathic pain, and comparisons were made between diabetic rats with and without MA. MethodsDiabetes was established in rats by a single intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection, and vehicle injection was administered in the control group. Pain behaviour tests for MA and thermal hyperalgesia were performed every week. At week 4, the diabetic group with thermal hyperalgesia was further grouped by the presence of MA. Morphometric analysis of sciatic nerves and myelin basic protein quantification were conducted. The numbers of c-Fos–immunoreactive neurons in both the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and the spinal dorsal horn (SDH) were determined. ResultsDiabetic rats with MA had more severe impairment of myelinated nerve fibres than those without MA (p<0.001). Higher percentages of NF-200–positive neurons in the DRG were c-Fos immunoreactive in the DPN-with-MA group than in the DNP-without-MA group (p=0.014). The numbers of c-Fos–immunoreactive neurons in both the superficial (I–II) and deeper (III–V) laminae of the SDH in the DPN-with-MA group were larger than those in the subgroups without MA (p<0.001). ConclusionsThe impairment of primary myelinated fibres and the pattern of neuronal activation in both the DRG and the SDH are specific features that differentiate diabetic rats with MA from those without MA.

Spherulitic and rotational crystal growth of Quartz thin films

To obtain crystalline thin films of alpha-Quartz represents a challenge due to the tendency for the material towards spherulitic growth. Thus, understanding the mechanisms that give rise to spherulitic growth can help regulate the growth process. Here the spherulitic type of 2D crystal growth in thin amorphous Quartz films was analyzed by electron back-scatter diffraction (EBSD). EBSD was used to measure the size, orientation, and rotation of crystallographic grains in polycrystalline SiO2 and GeO2 thin films with high spatial resolution. Individual spherulitic Quartz crystal colonies contain primary and secondary single crystal fibers, which grow radially from the colony center towards its edge, and fill a near circular crystalline area completely. During their growth, individual fibers form so-called rotational crystals, when some lattice planes are continuously bent. The directions of the lattice rotation axes in the fibers were determined by an enhanced analysis of EBSD data. A possible mechanism, including the generation of the particular type of dislocation(s), is suggested.