Specific Composition Research Articles

Unraveling lipid and inflammation interplay in cancer, aging and infection for novel theranostic approaches.

The synergistic relationships between Cancer, Aging, and Infection, here referred to as the CAIn Triangle, are significant determinants in numerous health maladies and mortality rates. The CAIn-related pathologies exhibit close correlations with each other and share two common underlying factors: persistent inflammation and anomalous lipid concentration profiles in the membranes of affected cells. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the most pertinent interconnections within the CAIn Triangle, in addition to examining the relationship between chronic inflammation and specific lipidic compositions in cellular membranes. To tackle the CAIn-associated diseases, a suite of complementary strategies aimed at diagnosis, prevention, and treatment is proffered. Our holistic approach is expected to augment the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying these diseases and highlight the potential of shared features to facilitate the development of novel theranostic strategies.

Prevalence of artificial sweeteners in multivitamin supplements registered in Italy.

This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of artificial sweeteners in multivitamin supplements registered in Italy. The National Registry of Dietary Supplements was examined in December 2023 to extract data relating to supplements identified as "multivitamins". Then, for each supplement the specific composition was searched online. 179 multivitamin products were identified, and for 96 of them it was possible to access the complete list of their ingredients online. Among these, 47 supplements (49%) do not contain added sugars, while the remaining 49 (51%) have one or more sweeteners in their composition (29 of which have at least two among the ingredients). Among the 49 supplements in the second group, the greatest prevalence of artificial sweeteners is found in effervescent tablets (100%), soluble powders (100%) and gummies or chewing tablets (63%), while the lowest prevalence was detected in capsules/tablets to be swallowed (19%). In relative terms, aspartame and sucralose are mostly found in effervescent tablets and diluted powders, but other formulations are not always free of these substances. In conclusion, the significant presence of artificial sweeteners in multivitamin supplements requires attention, especially considering the long-term health impact. Consumer awareness and medical evaluation are crucial for an informed choice and the protection of health.

Crystal structure and biochemical activity of the macrodomain from rubella virus p150.

Rubella virus encodes a nonstructural polyprotein with RNA polymerase, methyltransferase, and papain-like cysteine protease activities, along with a putative macrodomain of unknown function. Macrodomains bind ADP-ribose adducts, a post-translational modification that plays a key role in host-virus conflicts. Some macrodomains can also remove the mono-ADP-ribose adduct or degrade poly-ADP-ribose chains. Here, we report high-resolution crystal structures of the macrodomain from rubella virus nonstructural protein p150, with and without ADP-ribose binding. The overall fold is most similar to macroD-type macrodomains from various nonviral species. The specific composition and structure of the residues that coordinate ADP-ribose in the rubella virus macrodomain are most similar to those of macrodomains from alphaviruses. Isothermal calorimetry shows that the rubella virus macrodomain binds ADP-ribose in solution. Enzyme assays show that the rubella virus macrodomain can hydrolyze both mono- and poly-ADP-ribose adducts. Site-directed mutagenesis identifies Asn39 and Cys49 required for mono-ADP-ribosylhydrolase (de-MARylation) activity.IMPORTANCERubella virus remains a global health threat. Rubella infections during pregnancy can cause serious congenital pathology, for which no antiviral treatments are available. Our work demonstrates that, like alpha- and coronaviruses, rubiviruses encode a mono-ADP-ribosylhydrolase with a structurally conserved macrodomain fold to counteract MARylation by poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) in the host innate immune response. Our structural data will guide future efforts to develop novel antiviral therapeutics against rubella or infections with related viruses.

Giant piezoelectric response and structure evolution of Bi0.5(Na0.3K0.3Li(0.4-x)Bax)0.5ZrO3 modified (K0.48Na0.52)(Nb0.95Sb0.05)O3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

The composition of materials can significantly affect the structure and properties of KNN based piezoelectric ceramics. Here, 0.965(K0.48Na0.52)(Nb0.95Sb0.05)O3-0.035Bi0.5(Na0.3K0.3Li(0.4-x)Bax)0.5ZrO3 ceramics were designed and synthesized using CuO as a sintering aid to promote densification of ceramics. The results show that these ceramics had orthorhombic-tetragonal phase transition structure, and the ratio of the two phases becomes an important factor affecting the electrical properties. When the ratio of the two is close, the piezoelectric performance is optimized. Under specific composition, the sample exhibits a large piezoelectric effect, with the piezoelectric constant and inverse piezoelectric constant reaching 347 pC/N and 1052 p.m./V, respectively. These results prove that rational composition and structure modulation can effectively improve the performance of KNN-based lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, making it a promising alternative for lead-based piezoelectric ceramic materials.

Micromechanics approach to calculate the adsorbed asphalt film thickness on mineral fillers and evaluate physiochemical interactions

ABSTRACT Investigations of the physicochemical interactions occurring at asphalt–mineral filler interfaces are important in understanding the mechanisms that govern the mechanical attributes of asphalt mixtures. The measurement of the adsorbed asphalt film thickness (AAFT) provides valuable insights into the underlying physicochemical interactions. However, direct measurement of AAFTs through laboratory tests poses considerable challenges. This study describes AAFT calculation methods based on the N-phase model and Christensen-Lo model. The AAFTs of different types of asphalt mastic were calculated by conducting dynamic shear rheology (DSR) tests. To ascertain the physicochemical mechanisms governing interactions between the asphalt and mineral fillers, fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Brunner−Emmet−Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies were carried out. The findings revealed that the AAFT was related to the testing temperature, frequency, filler content, and type. The AAFTs for asphalt mastics with different filler types decreased in the order (from thick to thin) of coal gangue filler, limestone filler, and fly ash. The external specific surface areas and chemical compositions of the mineral fillers emerged as the primary factors influencing their physicochemical interactions with the asphalt. The coal gangue asphalt mastic exhibited a smaller and denser AFM bee structure, which was attributed to the physicochemical interactions. The findings of this research contribute to the selection of mineral fillers and filler/binder ratios that can be utilised for optimising the design of asphalt mixtures comprising different types of fillers.

Advances in Research on Pig Salivary Analytes: A Window to Reveal Pig Health and Physiological Status

Saliva is an important exocrine fluid that is easy to collect and is a complex mixture of proteins and other molecules from multiple sources from which considerable biological information can be mined. Pig saliva, as an easily available biological liquid rich in bioactive ingredients, is rich in nucleic acid analytes, such as eggs, enzymes, amino acids, sugars, etc. The expression levels of these components in different diseases have received extensive attention, and the analysis of specific proteins, metabolites, and biological compositions in pig saliva has become a new direction for disease diagnosis and treatment. The study of the changes in analytes in pig saliva can provide a new strategy for early diagnosis, prognosis assessment, and treatment of diseases. In this paper, the detection methods and research progress of porcine salivary analytes are reviewed, the application and research progress of porcine salivary analytes in diseases are discussed, and the future application prospect is presented.

Annual and geographical variations in the specific composition of jassids and their damage on cotton in Ivory Coast

In recent years, jassids have become a real problem for cotton growing in Ivory Coast. It is important to investigate the causes of this problem. The aim of this study was to highlight the diversity of jassid species and their impact on cotton growing in Ivory Coast. The collections carried out in 2021 identified three species. Jacobiasca lybica (Bergevin & Zanon, 1922) is the most abundant, with proportions ranging from 73.3 to 93.3% depending on the site. The other two species are Empoasca papayae (Oman, 1937) (8.3%) and Empoasca facialis (Jacobi, 1912) (5%). In 2022, collections revealed the invasion of a new species, Amrasca biguttula (Shiraki, 1913), which became dominant with proportions of 90 to 100% depending on the site. Two other species, Jacobiasca lybica (Bergevin & Zanon, 1922) (2.7%) and Empoasca facialis (Jacobi, 1912) (1.3%), cohabit with Amrasca biguttula (Shiraki, 1913). Thus, while the damage noted in 2021 was attributable to Jacobiasca lybica (Bergevin & Zanon, 1922), that observed in 2022 is essentially due to Amrasca biguttula (Shiraki, 1913), with incidences exceeding the economic impact threshold. The North-East of the cotton basin was the area most affected by attacks by these two species. The results of the study reveal significant changes in jassid species composition and climatic conditions in the cotton-growing areas of Ivory Coast, from 1 year to the next. This situation also explains the variations in damage levels.

Librarian: A quality control tool to analyse sequencing library compositions.

Robust analysis of DNA sequencing data needs to include a set of quality control steps to ensure that technical bias is kept to a minimum. A metric easily obtained is the frequency of each of the nucleobases for each position across all sequencing reads. Here, we explore the differences in nucleobase compositions of various library types produced by standard experimental methodologies. We obtained the compositions of nearly 3000 publicly available datasets and subjected them to Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction for a two-dimensional representation of their composition characteristics. We find that most library types result in a specific composition profile. We use this to give an estimate of how strongly the composition of a test library resembles the profiles of previously published libraries, and how likely the test sample is to be of a particular type. We introduce Librarian, a user-friendly web application and command line tool which enables checking base compositions of test libraries against known library types. Library preparation methods strongly influence the per position nucleobase content. By comparing test libraries to a database of previously published library types we can make predictions regarding the library preparation method. Librarian is a user-friendly tool to access this information for quality assurance purposes as discrepancies can flag potential irregularities very early on.

The effect of membrane composition on the interaction between human CYP51 and its flavonoid inhibitor - luteolin 7,3′-disulfate

Cytochromes P450 (CYP) are a family of membrane proteins involved in the production of endogenous molecules and the metabolism of xenobiotics. It is well-known that the composition of the membrane can influence the activity and orientation of CYP proteins. However, little is known about how membrane composition affects the ligand binding properties of CYP. In this study, we utilized surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence lifetime analysis to examine the impact of membrane micro-environment composition on the interaction between human microsomal CYP51 (CYP51A1) and its inhibitor, luteolin 7,3′-disulphate (LDS). We observed that membranes containing cholesterol or sphingomyelin exhibited the lowest apparent equilibrium dissociation constant for the CYP51A1-LDS complex. Additionally, the tendency for relation between kinetic parameters of the CYP51A1-LDS complex and membrane viscosity and overall charge was observed. These findings suggest that the specific composition of the membrane, particularly the presence of cholesterol and sphingomyelin, plays a vital role in regulating the interaction between CYP enzymes and their ligands.

Peculiarities of legal relations in the field of restoration of lands and soils of Ukraine damaged by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation

The article examines the peculiarities of legal relations in the field of restoration of lands and soils of Ukraine, which suffered as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation. As a result of the full-scale invasion of Russia on more than a third of the territory of Ukraine, there is already or there is a risk of systemic disturbance of the surface layer of soils or their contamination (mines, oil products, unexploded ordnance, etc.). So, with the beginning of a full-scale invasion, the state of Ukraine received a new challenge - the degradation of land and soil as a result of military operations. Therefore, the problem of restoration of these natural objects has become extremely Legal relations in the field of land and soil restoration are an integral part of land legal relations and have essential features (public nature, volitional nature, dominance of the imperative method of legal regulation, specific subject composition, inequality of the parties to these legal relations, etc.). The article examines lands and soils as objects of restoration, since it is the specificity of objects that largely determines the peculiarities of legal relations in this area.
 Restoration of lands and soils is: a legally secured system of measures; aimed at returning their original qualitative state; is carried out through their reclamation, conservation, melioration and other measures provided for by law.
 Legal relations in the field of restoration of the lands and soils of Ukraine, which suffered as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, are social relations that are formed in the field of returning these natural objects to their original qualitative state, deteriorated due to the action of factors caused by military actions. Legal relations in this area have significant features, since lands and soils are non-reproducible, but renewable natural objects. The specificity of land and soil restoration is that this process is subject to their qualitative condition. Since such significant damage is caused to the lands and soils of Ukraine for the first time since the Second World War, the system of national land protection legislation needs to be reformed. The Law of Ukraine “On Land Protection” does not meet today’s needs. An urgent need today is the development and adoption of the Law of Ukraine “On Protection and Restoration of Lands and Soils”.

METHODS FOR INCREASING THE CONDENSATE RECOVERY COEFFICIENT WHEN DEVELOPING GAS CONDENSATE FIELDS

This article will discuss methods for increasing the condensate recovery coefficient and the concept of condensate recovery. Gas condensate is a cold hydrocarbon reservoir that includes natural gas as well as liquid hydrocarbons, often in the form of liquid condensate. During reservoir extraction, liquids are mixed from mixtures of light hydrocarbons (eg methane, ethane, propane) and denser liquid hydrocarbons (known as condensates). Gas condensates are found in underground reservoirs, where temperature and pressure conditions allow the gas to condense into liquid form as it moves from the formation to the surface. Such situations are often observed in tanks where there is a combination of increased pressure, high temperatures and a specific gas composition. The condensate production indicator from the reservoir describes the level of gas condensate extraction from gas condensate and oil and gas condensate fields. A distinction is made between instantaneous condensate production (determined at a certain point in time) and final production (at the end of commercial exploitation of the field). To quantify condensate production, the condensate production indicator is used - this is the ratio between the given definition of condensate and the reserves taken from the reserves of the field based on its study (expressed as a percentage or fraction of units). This indicator is used to extract recoverable condensate reserves. In addition, it is taken into account when developing a project for a gas condensate or oil and gas condensate field, taking into account the efficiency of the technology used. The completeness of condensate removal in some cases determines the reasonableness of developing the selected system. The main features of the behavior of gas condensate systems are associated with the corresponding phenomena reflected in the phase diagrams of reverse condensation and evaporation. These features lead to the fact that when the pressure in the gas condensate system decreases to a level below the saturation pressure, condensation of heavier hydrocarbons (condensate) occurs. If the pressure in the gas condensate formation during development is maintained at the initial level (or the pressure at the beginning of condensation), then phase transitions occur only in the formation zones adjacent to the well. This requires taking into account changes over time, such as changes in filtration characteristics in the bottomhole zones of wells. When developing a gas condensate field to the point of depletion, condensate begins to fall out everywhere in the reservoir. However, the condensate that falls often has little effect on the gas saturation coefficient of the entire formation. Consequently, when developing a gas condensate field until depletion (with a low condensate content in the gas), filtration flows can be considered as single-phase, since the precipitated condensate remains motionless. Low condensate saturation of the formation leads to slight changes in its capacitive and filtration characteristics. In the zone of the bottomhole space of the formation, two-phase filtration occurs. Keywords: gas, gas condensate, heavier hydrocarbons, dew point, the condensate recovery coefficient.

Application of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to Discriminate Two Closely Related Bacterial Species: Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus Sensu Stricto.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS) is a diagnostic technique historically used in the microbiological field for the characterization of bacterial strains in relation to the specific composition of their lipid, protein, and polysaccharide components. For each bacterial strain, it is possible to obtain a unique absorption spectrum that represents the fingerprint obtained based on the components of the outer cell membrane. In this study, FTIRS was applied for the first time as an experimental diagnostic tool for the discrimination of two pathogenic species belonging to the Bacillus cereus group, Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus cereus sensu stricto; these are two closely related species that are not so easy to differentiate using classical microbiological methods, representing an innovative technology in the field of animal health.

Theoretical and Experimental Study of Different Side Chains on 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene and Diketopyrrolopyrrole-Derived Polymers: Towards Organic Transistors.

In this research, two polymers of P1 and P2 based on monomers consisting of thiophene, 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) and diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) are designed and obtained via Stille coupling polycondensation. The material shows excellent coplanarity and structural regularity due to the fine planarity of DPP itself and the weak non-covalent bonding interactions existing between the three units. Two different lengths of non-conjugated side chains are introduced and this has an effect on the intermolecular chain stacking, causing the film absorption to display different characteristic properties. On the other hand, the difference in the side chains does not have a significant effect on the thermal stability and the energy levels of the frontier orbitals of the materials, which is related to the fact that the materials both feature extremely high conjugation lengths and specific molecular compositions. Microscopic investigations targeting the side chains provide a contribution to the further design of organic semiconductor materials that meet device requirements. Tests based on organic transistors show a slight difference in conductivity between the two polymers, with P2 having better hole mobility than P1. This study highlights the importance of the impact of side chains on device performance, especially in the field of organic electronics.

Effect of cover crops mixtures on weed suppression capacity in a dry sub-humid environment of Argentina

Cover crops (CC) are increasingly used worldwide within integrated weed management scenarios. They are usually established between two commercial crops and are not harvested, grazed, or incorporated into the soil, but remain on the surface during their growth cycle. The aim of this work was to determine the performance of different CC mixtures and their effects on weed suppression in the south-central region of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Field experiments were carried out in 2019 and 2020 at the CEI Barrow (MDA-INTA, Tres Arroyos), where both binary and ternary CC mixtures were evaluated. Binary mixtures consisted of winter cereals (Avena sativa, Secale cereale) and legumes (Vicia villosa, Vicia sativa) while ternary mixtures were obtained by combining binary mixtures with canola (Brassica napus). Weed emergence counting was performed on a 14- day basis to determine weed total density. Vegetation cover of the CC mixtures as well as biomass production from crops and weeds were estimated. The specific composition of the mixtures showed a greater influence on vegetation cover than on biomass production, which would depend mainly on the prevailing environmental conditions. The type of vetch used, the addition of canola, as well as, the proportion of cereals in the mixture determined the CC effect on weeds. CC were consistently more effective in suppressing weed biomass than seedling emergence density. However, weed seedling suppression by CC was similar to or even greater than the chemical-based control (p<0.0001). The average biomass of weeds in all CC (pooled data) was highly reduced when compared to the weedy control (12 vs 259 g m-2, p<0.001), and similar responses were obtained when compared to the chemical fallow (8 g m-2). The mixture S. cereal+ V. villosa+ canola stood out for presenting the highest values of productivity and vegetation cover and high weed suppression. These results provide support for the choice of CC mixtures in a dry sub-humid area of Argentina, aimed at maximizing interference with weeds and also to demonstrate their benefits in short- and long-term management. Therefore, CC implementation within crop sequences should be considered as a complementary tool contributing to the development of more sustainable management strategies.

Polysaccharide from Panax japonicus C.A. Mey prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease development based on regulating liver metabolism and gut microbiota in mice

In this study, a new polysaccharide (PSPJ) with specific molecular weight and monosaccharide compositions was isolated and purified from the water extract of Panacis Japonici Rhizoma (PJR). 16S rRNA analysis and untargeted metabolomic analysis were used to assess PSPJ's efficacy in averting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study indicated that PSPJ significantly reduced liver fat accumulation, the increase in blood lipids and ALT caused by HFD, indicating that PSPJ can prevent NAFLD. We demonstrated through cell experiments that PSPJ does not directly affect liver cells. The gut microbiota disorder and alterations in short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) induced by the high-fat diet (HFD) were ameliorated by PSPJ, as evidenced by the analysis of 16S rRNA. In particular, supplementing PSPJ reduced the abundance of Turicibacter, Dubosiella, and Staphylococcus, and increased the abundance of Bacteroides, Blautia, and Lactobacillus. Untargeted metabolomic analysis shows that PSPJ improves liver metabolic disorders by regulating arachidonic acid metabolism, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, fatty acid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism and retinol metabolism. The findings of our investigation indicate that PSPJ has the potential to modulate liver metabolism through alterations in the composition of intestinal bacteria, hence preventing NAFLD.

Phytochemistry and Micromorphology of Epicuticular Waxes in Four Juniper Species With Fragmented Distribution in the Balkans.

The cuticle is important in the interaction between the plant and its environment, especially in the dry areas. Four species of junipers from the section Sabina wild growing in the Balkans were selected to study leaf wax composition using GC/MS and GC-FID and its surface morphology under SEM to understand the correlation between the distribution and/or habitat of these species and their cuticles. SEM micrographs showed continuous, smooth epicuticular layers with crusts in all species but with a species-specific distribution of different 3D crystalloid types and different cuticle thickness. n-C33 alkane was the most abundant compound, followed by n-C29, n-C31, and n-C35, depending on the species and the site. The average chain length (N) was the lowest in J. phoenicea, but with the greatest dispersion around it. At the same time, the two most continental species (J. foetidissima and J. excelsa) show the N with the lowest dispersion around it. The statistical analyses confirmed the significance of climate on the evolution of the specific epicuticular wax composition in studied junipers.

In vitro batch fermentation of (un)saturated homogalacturonan oligosaccharides

Pectin, predominantly present within plant cell walls, is a dietary fiber that potentially induces distinct health effects depending on its molecular structure. Such structure-dependent health effects of pectin-derived galacturonic acid oligosaccharides (GalA-OS) are yet largely unknown. This study describes the influence of methyl-esterification and ∆4,5-unsaturation of GalA-OS through defined sets of GalA-OS made from pectin using defined pectinases, on the fermentability by individual fecal inocula. The metabolite production, OS utilization, quantity and size, methyl-esterification and saturation of remaining GalA-OS were monitored during the fermentation of GalA-OS. Fermentation of all GalA-OS predominantly induced the production of acetate, butyrate and propionate. Metabolization of unsaturated GalA-OS (uGalA-OS) significantly increased butyrate formation compared to saturated GalA-OS (satGalA-OS), while satGalA-OS significantly increased propionate formation. Absence of methyl-esters within GalA-OS improved substrate metabolization during the first 18 h of fermentation (99 %) compared to their esterified analogues (51 %). Furthermore, HPAEC and HILIC-LC-MS revealed accumulation of specific methyl-esterified GalA-OS, confirming that methyl-esterification delays fermentation. Fermentation of structurally distinct GalA-OS results in donor specific microbiota composition with uGalA-OS specifically stimulating the butyrate-producer Clostridium Butyricum. This study concludes that GalA-OS fermentation induces highly structure-dependent changes in the gut microbiota, further expanding their potential use as prebiotics.

Bioprospecting of sourdough microbial species from artisan bakeries in the city of Valencia

This work describes the characterization of an artisanal sourdough set of bakeries located in the city of Valencia. Culture-dependent and –independent analyses detected Fructilactobacillus sanfranciscensis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kazachstania humilis as dominant species. Nevertheless, specific technological parameters, including backslopping temperature, dough yield, or the addition of salt affected microbial counting, LAB/Yeast ratio, and gassing performance, favouring the appearance of several species of Lactobacillus sp., Limosilactobacillus pontis or Torulaspora delbrueckii as additional players. Sourdough leavening activity was affected positively by yeast counts and negatively by the presence of salt. In addition, the predominance of a particular yeast species appeared to impact the dynamics of CO2 release. Seven important flavour-active compounds (ethyl acetate, 1-hexanol, 2-penthylfuran, 3-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-hexadiene, 2-octen-1-ol, nonanal and 1-nonanol) were detected in all samples and together with 3-methyl butanol and hexyl acetate represented more than the 53% of volatile abundancy in nine of the ten sourdoughs analysed. Even so, the specific microbial composition of each sample influenced the volatile profile. For example, the occurrence of K. humilis or S. cerevisiae as dominant yeast influenced the composition of major alcohol species, while F. sanfranciscensis and L. pontis positively correlated with aldehydes and octanoic acid content. In addition, relevant correlations could be also found among different technological parameters and between these, volatile compounds and microbial species. Overall, our study emphasises on how differences in technological parameters generate biodiversity in a relatively small set of artisan sourdoughs providing opportunities for excellence and quality baking products.

Iron powder in-situ catalytic pyrolysis on coated wooden board: Kinetic, products, and recovery

Catalytic pyrolysis is a promising method for the resource utilization of wooden waste, and in-situ catalysis enhances the process and reduces treatment costs. The selection of catalysts is crucial, as their catalytic effect and service life directly impact treatment effectiveness and economic benefits. In this study, iron powder was utilized to examine its potential in in-situ catalytic pyrolysis of coated wooden boards. The results showed that some of the iron powder could compete for oxygen from lignin/ hemicellulose during the early pyrolysis stage, resulting in the formation of FeO and a decrease in CO2. The formed FeO then promoted cellulose decomposition, reducing the pyrolysis activation energy by 26% ∼ 48%. Despite the addition of iron powder, no obvious impact was observed on the distribution of product yields. However, there are differences in the specific composition: the gas products showed a decrease of CO2 by 26% and CH4 by 13%, while the bio-oil showed an increase of phenol by 8%. This revealed that the iron powder primarily changed the energy barrier of the pyrolysis reaction. There was magnetic separation followed by particle size screening for the recovery of solid products. After separation, the recovery rate of iron powder was determined to be only 65.39%. Two kinds of char particles appeared in the separated products: magnetic (M3) and non-magnetic (NM). Approximately 44.45% of total Fe (from Fe powder and coating materials) contents and 73.62% of total Ti (main metal in the primary coating) were found in M3, while only 1.32% and 10.90% in NM, respectively. Interestingly, the distribution of elements Zn, Ba, and Mg was found to be opposite to that of Fe, which mainly distributed in NM and M2. It might be attributed to the primary coating on the M3 surface, which likely to help facilitated the adsorption of iron particles according to the combination of SEM/EDS and ICP-MS results. The adsorption competition effect of Fe and other metals resulted in significant differences in the distribution of metals on several char particles.

Host species and geography impact bee-associated RNA virus communities with evidence for isolation by distance in viral populations.

Virus symbionts are important mediators of ecosystem function, yet we know little of their diversity and ecology in natural populations. The alarming decline of pollinating insects in many regions of the globe, especially the European honey bee, Apis mellifera, has been driven in part by worldwide transmission of virus pathogens. Previous work has examined the transmission of known honey bee virus pathogens to wild bee populations, but only a handful of studies have investigated the native viromes associated with wild bees, limiting epidemiological predictors associated with viral pathogenesis. Further, variation among different bee species might have important consequences in the acquisition and maintenance of bee-associated virome diversity. We utilized comparative metatranscriptomics to develop a baseline description of the RNA viromes associated with wild bee pollinators and to document viral diversity, community composition, and structure. Our sampling includes five wild-caught, native bee species that vary in social behavior as well as managed honey bees. We describe 26 putatively new RNA virus species based on RNA-dependent RNA polymerase phylogeny and show that each sampled bee species was associated with a specific virus community composition, even among sympatric populations of distinct host species. From 17 samples of a single host species, we recovered a single virus species despite over 600km of distance between host populations and found strong evidence for isolation by distance in associated viral populations. Our work adds to the small number of studies examining viral prevalence and community composition in wild bees.