Various Types Of Organic Materials Research Articles

The metaphenome of a calaminiferous soil

The aim of the present research was to determine the metaphenome (the expressed microbial functions) of a calaminiferous soil mostly contaminated with Zn and Pb. For that, three 'omics approaches were combined using soil samples: shotgun metagenomics (MG), metatranscriptomics (MT) and shotgun metaproteomics (MP). Results show that several indexes of bacterial diversity were significantly reduced. The soil was dominated by Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi and Gemmatimonadetes. Although many of the species were not identified, the mean percentages of reads for Candidatus_Solibacter, Bryobacter, Rhodomicrobium and Niastella were significantly more elevated in the contaminated soil when compared to a control soil. For functionality, the identified proteins were classified in 28 functional SEED categories. The MG approach detected many genes that may be used to degrade various types of organic materials, among which chitin, N-acetylglucosamine, cellulose and glycogen. This suggests that the important carbon cycle functions of the heterotrophic communities are maintained in the soil. For metal resistance, the most abundant proteins were P-type ATPases efflux systems.

A Review on the Use of Titanium Dioxide in Self-cleaning Technology Applied in Building

Buildings are exposed to various types of organic materials ranging from birddroppings to vehicle emissions where the combustion of fuel continuously makesbuildings dirty and also pollute the air we breathe. Buildings are now able to cleanthemselves and the air around them. The main idea for self-cleaning technology is tomake the surface superhydrophilic. On the superhydrophilic surface, the waterspreads on it completely forming a very thin layer of water. As the layer of waterflows off the surface, it flushes out any contaminants. Photocatalytic self-cleaningcoatings are used for building façade. Titanium-dioxide (TiO

Graphene-Based Polymer Composites for Flexible Electronic Applications.

Graphene-based nanomaterials have gained a lot of interest over the last years in flexible electronics due to their exceptional electrical, mechanical, and optoelectronic properties, as well as their potential of surface modification. Their flexibility and processability make them suitable for electronic devices that require bending, folding, and stretching, which cannot be fulfilled by conventional electronics. These nanomaterials can be assembled with various types of organic materials, including polymers, and biomolecules, to generate a variety of nanocomposites with greater stretchability and healability, higher stiffness, electrical conductivity, and exceptional thermal stability for flexible lighting and display technologies. This article summarizes the main characteristics and synthesis methods of graphene, its oxidized form graphene oxide (GO), and reduced GO derivative, as well as their corresponding polymeric composites, and provides a brief overview about some recent examples of these nanocomposites in flexible electronic applications, including electrodes for solar cells and supercapacitors, electronic textiles, and transistors.

Materials and Fabrication Strategies for Biocompatible and Biodegradable Conductive Polymer Composites toward Bio‐Integrated Electronic Systems

AbstractBiocompatible and biodegradable polymer composite systems equipped with electrical/mechanical functions have been researched as a tool that can be applicable for bio‐integrated electronics to obtain a variety of useful information, through formation of reliable interfaces with soft, non‐planar skin and organs in the human body. Although previous review articles have explored various types of organic materials (natural/synthetic polymers), including intrinsically conducting polymers (ICPs) as constituent materials for such composites, there has been a lack of consideration of inorganic materials, which may narrow the scope of material options for diverse electrical/functional properties. Indeed, biocompatible and/or biodegradable inorganic elements exhibit high electrical conductivity, various morphologies for effective percolation networks, cytocompatibility, soft mechanical characteristics compared to ICPs, and many functions such as magnetism, photoluminescence, and electrochemical reactivity. This review introduces recent advances in biologically safe and biodegradable conductive polymer composites, including materials selection, relevant fabrication strategies, and various potential applications, aimed at revealing the potential applicability of inorganic elements in conductive composites, which has not been discussed in other reviews. Finally, it concludes with remarks on key issues and challenges to overcome corrosion and oxidation issues of inorganic metals and to improve the electrical performance of composite systems.

Compatibility of biofresh and agrisoy biological agents in various types of organic materials against increased resistance to mosaic virus and soy productivity in ultisol land

The subject of the research was aimed to assess the compatibility of organic matter and bio-fertilizers type in improving plant resistance to disease mosaic virus (SMV) and the production of soybean on Ultisol. This study was conducted by two phases; the first phase was compatibility testing of Bokashi types and biological fertilizers to improve plant resistance to disease mosaic virus (Soybean mosaic virus) and Production of Soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill), organized by Split plot Design in a randomized block design consisting of 16 treatment repeated three replications. Therefore, there were 48 experimental units. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test if the treatment significantly. The results showed that both of the biological agents Biofresh and Agrisoy that applied with soybean litter compost is able to improve the resistance to disease mosaic virus (Soybean mosaic virus) and productivity of soybean in Ultisol.

Increase Resistance to Maydis Leaf Blight and Productivity of Maize in Ultisol Soils with A Combination of Organic Material and Biological Agents Biofresh

Background: Low nutrient content in ultisol soils and the result of Maydis leaf rot are a major problem in efforts to increase corn productivity in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. The use of organic materials and biological agents is one of the solutions in increasing disease resistance and corn productivity in the environmentally friendly ultisol lands. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the biological agent Biofresh combined with various types of organic material to increase resistance to Maydis leaf rot and maize productivity in ultisol lands. Methods: Research in April-August 2017 in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia. With 21 units of experiments using a random block design with 7 treatments in combination of Biofresh with organic material ‘Bokashi’. consists of: B0 = Inorganic fertilizer; B1 = Organic material of cow dung; B2 = Biofresh Biological Agent; B3 = Biofresh biological agent combined with cow dung organic matter; B4 = Biofresh biological agent combination with bokashi cow dung and straws; B5 = Biofresh combination of biological agents with bokashi cow dung and soybean Sitter; B6 = Biofresh Biological agent combination with all Cow, straw and soybean bokashi. Result: The results showed that the combination of Biofresh with organic material in the form of bokashi at a dose of 5 tons ha-1 was very effective in increasing the durability and productivity of corn plants in ultisol land. The combination of Biofresh biological agents with bokashi containing cow’s feses, straw, and soy litter can reduce Maydis leaf blight leaf blight disease by 47.36% and increase production by 53.54%. Disease suppression index is positively correlated with maize crop productivity in Ultisol land.

The Effect of Soil Slope and Organic Materials on Changes of Land Physical Properties and Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Production

The movement of water and organic material in the hill slope area influenced by the difference of soil slope and it play an important role to contribute the spatial differences of soil properties. Therefore, this study aims to examine changes in parameters of soil physical properties on various slopes due to the provision of types of organic matter (manure, coffee skins and Gliricidia leaves). This study also analys the influence of slope soil to the Napier grass production (Pennisetum purpureum). The study was obtained in the hilly areas of Paya Tumpi Village by using a split plot organic design. In deep analysis of change in parameters on the slope of the type of organic material on soil physics will be performed. The results showed that organic various types of slope and administration of various types of organic materials significantly affected the physical properties of the soil, namely permeability, porosity, aggregate stability index, fast drainage pore, slow drainage pore, available water pore, growth and yield of Napier grass. Gliricidia leaves compost is the best for growing Napier grass.

Valorization of seasonal agri-food leftovers through insects

Most of the leftovers from agricultural productions and industrial processing of vegetables are currently discarded as waste, augmenting production costs and environmental impacts. Black soldier flies (BSF) are non-pest insects that can grow on various types of organic materials. The larvae initially act as fast and efficient bioconverters, before being further valorized as biomass rich in proteins, fats and chitin. The aim of the present study was to exploit the potential of BSF prepupae reared on vegetable leftovers with high seasonality, and to obtain compounds with high added value and further industrial and agronomic uses such as food/feed, soil improver or fuel. The optimization of BSF rearing substrates based on different leftovers combinations was performed through a Mixture Design approach. Initially, a database was built detailing the availability, seasonality and nutrient composition of the vegetable by-products. According to the seasonal availability of the agri-food leftovers, three main groups were identified: annual, summer and autumn mixtures, in order to promote the exploitation of the highest quantity of leftovers. This approach allowed the obtainment of statistically reliable correlations (R2 > 0.75) between the employed leftovers and the content of lipid and nitrogen compounds (protein and chitin) of the BSF prepupae. In particular, a mixture of vegetable leftovers available in autumn that included legume (25 wt%), cereal (20 wt%) and vegetable (25 wt%) wastes proved to be the best combination in terms of insect growth (−25% development time compared to the control group) and nutritional composition. The chemical composition of the insect biomass allowed the identification of potential applications with high added value, such as food ingredients (protein and fats) or nutraceuticals (chitin). The identification of the optimal parameters to ensure the greatest possible efficiency would promote the scale-up of BSF rearing to an industrial level.

Mosquito mass rearing: who's eating the eggs?

For the sterile insect technique, and other related biological control methods where large numbers of the target mosquito are reared artificially, production efficiency is key for the economic viability of the technique. Rearing success begins with high quality eggs. Excess eggs are often stockpiled and stored for longer periods of time. Any pests that prey on these eggs are detrimental to stockpiles and need to be avoided. Psocids of the genus Liposcelis (Psocoptera, Liposcelididae) are common scavengers consuming various types of organic material that are distributed globally and thrive in warm damp environments, making insectaries ideal habitats. In this short report, we investigated the species that has been found scavenging stored mosquito eggs in our insectary and identified it to be Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel, 1931. Additional observations were made to determine whether these predators indeed feed on mosquito eggs, and to suggest simple, effective ways of avoiding infestation.

Evaluation of Different Organic Materials in Reducing Cadmium Phytoavailability of Radish Grown in Contaminated Soil

Various types of organic materials could affect differently immobilization of cadmium (Cd) and its uptake by plant grown in soil. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate effect of different organic materials in reducing Cd phytoextractability in contaminated arable soil. To do this, rice straw and composted manure were selected as organic materials and applied at the rate of 0, 15, 30, and 45 Mg ha-1 in Cd contaminated arable soil with 6.5 mg kg -1 of total Cd. Radish (Raphanus sativa L.) was seeded and grown for 50 days to evaluate Cd phytoavailability with different organic materials. Composted manure was more effective to decrease 1 M NH₄OAc extractable Cd concentration and increase pH of soil than rice straw. One M NH₄OAc extractable Cd concentration significantly decreased with increasing application rate of composted manure. Tendency of Cd uptake by radish plant with application of different organic materials was similar to that of 1 M NH₄OAc extractable Cd concentration and soil pH. Changes of soil pH with application of straw and composted might be one of factors to determine extractability and phytoavailability of Cd in this study. Radish yield significantly increased with up to 45 Mg ha -1 of composted manure application but did not with straw application. In the view point of Cd phytoextractability and plant productivity, it is recommended to apply composted manure rather than straw in Cd contaminated arable soil.

Direct Bonding of Chitosan Biomaterials to Tissues Using Transglutaminase for Surgical Repair or Device Implantation.

Natural biomaterials, such as chitosan and collagen, are useful for biomedical applications because they are biocompatible, mechanically robust, and biodegradable, but it is difficult to rapidly and tightly bond them to living tissues. In this study, we demonstrate that the microbial transglutaminase (mTG), can be used to rapidly (<5 min) bond chitosan and collagen biomaterials to the surfaces of hepatic, cardiac, and dermal tissues, as well as to functionalized polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) materials that are used in medical products. The mTG-bonded chitosan patches effectively sealed intestinal perforations, and a newly developed two-component mTG-bonded chitosan spray effectively repaired ruptures in a breathing lung when tested ex vivo. The mechanical strength of mTG-catalyzed chitosan adhesive bonds were comparable to those generated by commonly used surgical glues. These results suggest that mTG preparations may be broadly employed to bond various types of organic materials, including polysaccharides, proteins, and functionalized inorganic polymers to living tissues, which may open new avenues for biomedical engineering, medical device integration, and tissue repair.

Nutrient and enzyme mobilization in earthworm casts: A comparative study with addition of selective amendments in undisturbed and agricultural soils of a mountain ecosystem

Earthworms are known to bio-degrade various types of organic materials added or already present in soil. Two soils were collected from different land use patterns viz. an agricultural land (AL) and an undisturbed land (UL) of a mountain ecosystem of State of Himachal Pradesh in India for the present investigation. A laboratory microcosm study was carried out to elucidate effects of various agricultural-soil amendments, viz. wood ash (WA), rice husk (RH), cow dung (CW) and their mixture (MA) applied @25 t ha−1, on selective biological and chemical properties of earthworm (Eisenia fetida) casts and growth in the collected soils. Subsequently, earthworms were reared in soils from both AL & UL, treated with the amendments; and the resultant earthworm cast (EwC) properties were found to be largely determined by the nature of amendments rather than land use types. Soils treated with MA produced casts displayed higher nutrient content, microbial biomass C with higher activities of dehydrogenase and urease. Earthworm growth and cast formation were greater in the soil from UL over soil from AL for all treatments except WA, implying better acclimatization and earthworm activity in the former. Further, casts produced under UL had higher nutrient mobilization and enzyme activity in comparison to AL. Results suggested that agricultural intervention in an undisturbed land might weaken its ability to support growth, development in conjunction with the activities of earthworms and associated enzymes.

Effect of cavitational disintegration of surplus activated sludge on methane generation in the process of anaerobic conversion

The effect of mechanical pretreatment of surplus activated sludge from the wastewater treatment facilities of a plant producing chips (LLC “Frito Lay Manufacturing,” Kashira, Moscow oblast) in a cavitation disintegrator on methane generation in the process of anaerobic conversion is investigated. In laboratory conditions, cavitation disintegration pretreatment of the activated sludge results in a two- to sixfold increase in the transfer of various types of organic materials from the cell suspension into the aqueous phase. It is demonstrated that cavitation pretreatment of the activated sludge makes it possible to produce 31% extra methane as compared to the amount produced from the original sludge.

Relationship between Selected Metal Concentrations in Korean Raspberry (Rubus coreanus) Plant and Different Chemical Fractions of the Metals in Soil

The applications of chemical fertilizers and various types of organic materials may cause heavy metal accumulation in soil. In this study, we conducted to investigate the relationship between the different chemical forms of heavy metals such as Cr, Cd, Pb, Cu, Ni, and Zn retained in soil and the metal concentrations in Korean raspberry plant. Forty five soil samples were collected from 2 to 6 years old Korean raspberry cultivation fields (RCFs), Gochang, Korea, to determine total, exchangeable (1.0 M MgCl 2 -extractable), DTPA-extractable metal contents. The leaves and fruits of raspberry plant were sampled at harvest stage. Total metal contents in soils ranged from 0.87 mg kg -1 to 66.82 mg kg -1 .Exchangeable and DTPA-extractable metals ranged between 0.02 and 0.67 mg kg -1 and between 0.05 mg kg -1 and 7.07 mg kg -1 , respectively. The metal concentrations in the plant leaf and fruit determined on a dry-basis were between 1.30 mg kg -1 and 38.82 mg kg -1 and between 0.05 mg kg -1 and 21.51 mg kg -1 , respectively, but Cd and Pb were not detected in the leaf. The total, exchangeable, and DTPA-extractable contents of the metal ions in soil were directly correlated one another, but the contents of different metals in the different fractions were inversely correlated in general. Most of total and DTPA-extractable metals in the soil were directly correlated with the contents of the same metals in the plant, whereas exchangeable metals in the soil were not statistically correlated with the same metals in plants. Thus, we concluded that the metal contents in the raspberry field soils were much lower thanthe levels of Soil Contamination Warning Standard (SCWS), and the plant metal concentrations were also less than the maximum permissible limits. The total and DTPA-extractable metals in the soil were closely related to the metal concentrations in the plant.

Further Radiocarbon Dates from the Catacombs of St. Callixtus in Rome

This paper reports a further chronological assessment of the Christian catacombs of Rome by radiocarbon-dated organic materials in the so-called Liberian region of the catacombs of St. Callixtus on the Appian Way. 14C dates of various types of organic material are discussed and related to ages derived from numismatic evidence and epigraphic remains. The results show that this area of the catacombs of St. Callixtus is older than assumed by previous scholarship. We therefore conclude that the appellation “Liberian region” is a misnomer.

Effects of adding organic materials to an acid sulfate soil on the growth of cocoa ( Theobroma cacao L.) seedlings

Acid sulfate soils having a pH of less than 3.5 are widespread in Malaysia. Some of these soils are planted to cocoa, but the yield is reported to be low due to soil infertility related to Al toxicity. Cocoa growth is sensitive to the presence of Al in the soil. To a certain extent, Al toxicity in soils can be reduced by organic matter application and to a greater extent in iron-poor acid sulfate soil. A study was conducted to determine the efficacy of various types of organic materials easily available in the country to ameliorate acid sulfate soil infertility for growing cocoa seedlings. The treatments were control (nil), lime (3 t/ha), peat (10% w/w), peat plus green manure (10% w/w), peat plus rice straw (10% w/w), peat plus chicken dung (10% w/w) and peat plus POMS (Palm oil mill sludge) (10% w/w). The growth of cocoa seedlings was affected significantly by the presence of Al in the cocoa tissues. As the amount of Al in the leaves increased, the relative top dry weight of cocoa seedlings decreased. Likewise, the relative plant height was negatively correlated with Al in the leaves. Peat as well as peat in combination with green manure, rice straw, chicken dung or palm oil mill sludge was able to reduce Al toxicity in acid sulfate soil; the highest top dry weight of cocoa seedlings were obtained in the peat plus green manure treatment. The best cocoa seedlings root growth was found for the peat treatment alone. The relative top dry weight of cocoa seedlings was negatively correlated with Al 3+ as well as Al 3++Al(OH) 2++Al(OH) 2 + activity in the soil solution. The critical values for Al 3+ and the combination of Al 3++Al(OH) 2++Al(OH) 2 + activity in the soil solution were 10 μM and 15 μM, respectively.

New records of Australian Myxomycota

Twenty‐eight species of myxomycetes and other related organisms not previously known to occur in Australia are reported along with 78 new state records. Records were obtained from collections made in the field and from moist chamber cultures prepared with samples of various types of organic material known to support the growth of myxomycetes. The majority of these samples consisted of bark from living trees and shrubs but some samples of litter, both ground and aerial, and dung also were collected. Physarum crateriforme var. columellatum comb. et stat. nov. is proposed as a new name. The number of species recorded from the continent now stands at 177, which represents approximately 20% of the total number of world species.

Radiocarbon Dating of δ18O-δD Plots in Late Pleistocene Ice-Wedges of the Duvanny Yar (Lower Kolyma River, Northern Yakutia)

The Duvanny Yar cross-section located in the Lower Kolyma River valley of Northern Yakutia (69°N, 158°E, height above the Kolyma River level 55 m), has been studied and dated in detail by radiocarbon. The sequence mainly consists of sandy loam sediments with large syngenetic ice wedges. Their width at the top is 1–3.5 m. Allochthonous organic material occurs in high content, concentrating as 0.5–0.7 m lenses. Shrub fragments, twigs, and mammoth bones are accumulated in peaty layers. Through interpolation based on a series of 14C dates, dating of the host sediments provides an approximate age for the ice wedges. The 14C dates of various types of organic material are sometimes very close, but not all in agreement. Therefore, the dates do not accurately show the age of the δ18O and δD plots. A new approach is developed to a 14C dating strategy of syncryogenic sediments with high admixture of allochthonous organic material. The main purpose of this study is to consider detection of inversions or disturbances in the syngenetic permafrost sediment at the Duvanny Yar cross-section by 14C date series. Direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) dating of the ice confirmed the relatively young age of ice wedges.

Water nucleation on aerosol particles containing both organic and soluble inorganic substances

A theory of the formation of water droplets on aerosol particles consisting of soluble inorganic salts and organic (soluble, insoluble and surface active) substances has been developed. The case of partially wettable spherical insoluble core is considered. The theory links the interfacial free energies of the surfaces, the size of the insoluble core, and the chemical characteristics of the soluble substances with the ability of the aerosols to form water droplets. The theory is compared with Kohler theory and major differences in the equilibrium pressure of water vapour and nucleation rate were found. The influence of various types of organic material on CCN activation is considered. It is shown that the presence of both soluble and insoluble organic substances in CCN can affect their ability to form cloud droplets. Surface active substances are found to be the most important components of organic matter that are able to considerably affect CCN activation. A CCN containing ammonium sulphate, sodium chloride or another salt and surface active agent is activated under lower supersaturation than CCN containing only salts. The presence of surface agents in CCN could lead to greater concentration of cloud droplets. Thus, varying the concentration of surface active substances in atmospheric aerosols may alter the number concentration of cloud droplets and the radiative properties of clouds.

Differences in the Influence of Cadmium on the Decomposition of Various Types of Organic Materials in Soil

Abstract The influence of Cd on the decomposition of various types of organic materials in soil was studied. CdCl2 or CaCl2 (control) was added to a Gley soil at a level of 10 mmol kg-1 soil. Three days later, organic materials including glutamic acid, glucose, casein, starch, cellulose, lignin, rice straw, rice straw compost, or 3 kinds of sludges were mixed with the soil in a proportion of 1%, respectively. During an 8-week period of incubation at 28°C, CO2 evolution was measured periodically. At the end of the incubation period, the form of Cd in the soil was analyzed by successive extractions with water, CaCl2, CH3COOH, Na4P2O7, and with hot HCl after HNO3-HClO4 digestion. The decomposition of all the organic materials was inhibited by the addition of Cd, but the degree of inhibition varied considerably among the types of organic materials. The decomposition of rice straw, rice straw compost, and sludges was markedly inhibited by Cd. The amount of water-soluble Cd was less in the soils treated with ri...