Hydrogels Are Reinforced with Colombian Fique Nanofibers to Improve Techno-Functional Properties for Agricultural Purposes

Colombia is the world’s largest producer of fique fibers (Furcraea bedinghausii), with a net production of 30,000 tons per year. This work proposes to revalue waste from the Colombian fique agroindustry. For this purpose, cellulose nanofibers were obtained from fique and used as reinforcement material to create acrylic superabsorbent hydrogels. Unreinforced acrylic hydrogels (AHR0) and acrylic hydrogels reinforced with fique nanofibers at 3% w/w (AHR3), 5% w/w (AHR5), and 10 % w/w (AHR10) were synthesized using the solution polymerization method. The best hydrogel formulation for agricultural purposes was chosen by comparing their swelling behavior, mechanical properties, and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). By raising the nanofiber concentration to 3% (AHR3), the best-chosen formulation, the interaction between the nanofibers and the polymer matrix increased, which favored the network stability. However, beyond AHR3, there was a higher viscosity of the reactive system, which caused a reduction in the mobility of the polymer chains, thus disfavoring the swelling capacity. The reinforced hydrogel proposed in this study (AHR3) could represent a contribution to overcoming the problems of land dryness present in Colombia, an issue that will worsen in the coming years due to the climate emergency.

Platelet-Mediated NET Release Amplifies Coagulopathy and Drives Lung Pathology During Severe Influenza Infection

The influenza A virus (IAV) causes a respiratory tract infection with approximately 10% of the population infected by the virus each year. Severe IAV infection is characterized by excessive inflammation and tissue pathology in the lungs. Platelet and neutrophil recruitment to the lung are involved in the pathogenesis of IAV, but the specific mechanisms involved have not been clarified. Using confocal intravital microscopy in a mouse model of IAV infection, we observed profound neutrophil recruitment, platelet aggregation, neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) production and thrombin activation within the lung microvasculature in vivo. Importantly, deficiency or antagonism of the protease-activated receptor 4 (PAR4) reduced platelet aggregation, NET production, and neutrophil recruitment. Critically, inhibition of thrombin or PAR4 protected mice from virus-induced lung tissue damage and edema. Together, these data imply thrombin-stimulated platelets play a critical role in the activation/recruitment of neutrophils, NET release and directly contribute to IAV pathogenesis in the lung.

Association Between Estuary Characteristics and Activities of the Critically Endangered Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin (Sousa chinensis)

The Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) has been reported to prefer estuary habitats. This study explored the environmental factors affecting a critically endangered population off the coast of Yunlin, Taiwan. We measured dolphin sighting rates and estuary characteristics affected by the watershed, including seven physical factors (watershed rainfall, watershed runoff, estuarine turbidity, pH, salinity, temperature, and dissolved oxygen) and two biological factors (estuarine net primary production and chlorophyll a concentration), at the Hsinhuwei River estuary in Taiwan. Dolphin activity was measured by sighting rate and behavioral indices for feeding and traveling between 2017 and 2018. We observed that when the maximum net production increased alongside rising temperatures in spring, both the dolphin sighting rate and foraging activity increased. This trend was maintained until heavy rainfall or increased river runoff occurred during late summer, which resulted in high turbidity in autumn and winter. Turbidity was significantly negatively correlated with dolphin activity (sighting rate and foraging). Furthermore, we found that dolphin traveling positively correlated with the chlorophyll a concentration and maximum net production factors, which could attract dolphins expecting more abundant prey fish in the estuary supported by the high primary production. This study provides empirical evidence on how estuary characteristics affected by the watershed can affect the sighting rate and behavioral activities of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins.

Design of a Centralized Bioenergy Unit at Comarca Lagunera, Mexico: Modeling Strategy to Optimize Bioenergy Production and Reduce Methane Emissions

A centralized bioenergy unit was simulated, focusing on optimizing the manure transport chain, installing a centralized biogas plant, operation costs of the process, biogas upgrading, organic fertilizer production, and economic analyses. Comarca Lagunera from northeast Mexico was chosen as a study zone due to the existing number of dairy farms and livestock population (64,000 cattle heads). Two scenarios were analyzed: The first centralized scenario consisted of selecting one unique location for the anaerobic digesters for the 16 farms; the second decentralized scenario consisted of distributing the anaerobic digesters in three locations. Optimal locations were determined using mathematical modeling. The bioenergy unit was designed to process 1600 t/day of dairy manure. Results indicated that biomethane production was a more profitable option than generating electricity with non-purified methane. The amount of biomethane production was 58,756 m3/day. Economic analysis for centralized bioenergy unit scenario showed a net production cost of USD $0.80 per kg of biomethane with a profit margin of 14.4% within 10.7 years. The decentralized bioenergy unit scenario showed a net production cost of USD $0.80 per kg of biomethane with a profit of 12.9% within 11.4 years. This study demonstrated the techno-economical and environmental feasibility for centralized and decentralized bioenergy units.

Effect of Soil Probiotic on Water Quality and Soil Quality Maintenance and Growth of Freshwater Fish Pangasius hypophthalmus

In recent decades, various procedures have been introduced to improve the conditions of the cultural ponds' conditions in aquaculture. Numerous biological products, including live bacterial inocula, preparation of enzymes, extracts of plant products, and many others, are being promoted to induce water and soil quality conditioners in aquaculture ponds. However, several studies have shown no significant effect of bacterial inoculums, and also the treatment with enzymatic preparation led to an enhancement of microbial mineralization of organic matter, but no effective net production of fish was observed. Probiotics have recently been applied to aquaculture. Probiotics are the live cells or a substrate that induce its benefits by stimulating growth, digestion, and active immune response. Probiotics can also improve water and soil quality. The current study summarizes the role of commercial probiotic ‘Super-PS’ on water quality and soil quality maintenance during the culture of freshwater fish Pangasius hypophthalmus fingerlings.

INFLUENCE OF MIXED CROPPING OF CABBAGE AND MUSTARD ON WEED DYNAMICS AND YIELD OF POTATO (SOLANUM TUBEROSUM)

A field experiment was conducted in Horticulture farm of Agriculture and Forestry University, Chitwan, Nepal during September 2018 to January 2019 to evaluate the influence of mixed cropping of cabbage and mustard in weed dynamics and yield of potato. The experiment was carried out in a split-plot design with three replications. The treatment consists of with mustard (M1) and without mustard (M2) as main plot factor and eight treatments namely, sole potato at 0.7m (T1) and 1.4m (T5) inter-row spacing, sole cabbage at 0.35m (T2) and 0.7m (T3) inter-row spacing, potato at 1.4 m row spacing with one (T4), two (T7) and three (T8) row cabbage, and potato at 0.7m row spacing with one-row cabbage (T6), as subplot factor. Effect of broadcasting mustard was found significant in the dry weight of broadleaf weed, the height of cabbage and potato, cabbage canopy, and net production of potato. Net production was calculated by converting the yield of all the three crops in the monetary value of potato. Similarly, the effect of different intercropping of cabbage and potato was found significant on cabbage and potato height, cabbage canopy, dry weight of weed, the yield of cabbage and potato, and net production of potato. The interaction of main plot factors and sub-plot factors was found statistically significant; mustard broadcasting on intercropping of 35cm cabbage within 70cm row to row spacing of potato (M1×T6) was found superior in terms of yield of all the three crops and net production of potato. Similarly, (M1×T6) had a lower dry weight of broadleaf; Solanum nigrum and Chenopodium album were major weeds—both being a broadleaf weed. Thus, it would be better to suggest vegetable growing farmers, to follow mixed cropping of cabbage, mustard and potato for higher return and sustainable ecological weed management.

Inhibition of in vitro rumen methane production by three statins

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of increasing concentrations of three pure statins on in vitro methane production and rumen fermentation. The effects of atorvastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin at three concentrations (1, 10, and 100 mg/L of culture fluid) were evaluated using in vitro 24 h batch incubation of buffered rumen fluid with a 70:30 forage:concentrate substrate. All statins tested demonstrated the ability to reduce methanogenesis. Methane inhibition potential was decreasing in the following order: simvastatin > atorvastatin > rosuvastatin. Methane production was reduced (p < 0.05) by simvastatin at 10 mg/L (by 9.3%) and by atorvastatin at 100 mg/L (by 13.2%) without compromising fermentation and feed digestibility. Simvastatin at 100 mg/L decreased methane production by 26.2%, however, net production of volatile fatty acids (nVFA) was also reduced (p < 0.05). The only effect of rosuvastatin was a slight reduction (p < 0.05) of methane proportion at 10 and 100 mg/L. Simvastatin and atorvastatin at 100 mg/L increased (p < 0.05) relative proportion of propionate at the expense of acetate and butyrate. Ammonia-N concentrations were not affected (p > 0.05) by statins. The current study demonstrated that selected statins could selectively decrease methane production. The effects of statins on methanogenesis and overall rumen fermentation vary depending on statin type and concentration. Hydrophobic statins, such as simvastatin and atorvastatin, seem to be more effective compared to the hydrophilic statins, such as rosuvastatin.

Future surface mass balance and surface melt in the Amundsen sector of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet

We present projections of West Antarctic surface mass balance (SMB) and surface melt to 2080–2100 under the RCP8.5 scenario and based on a regional model at 10 km resolution. Our projections are built by adding a CMIP5 (Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) multi-model-mean seasonal climate-change anomaly to the present-day model boundary conditions. Using an anomaly has the advantage to reduce CMIP5 model biases, and a perfect-model test reveals that our approach captures most characteristics of future changes despite a 16 %–17 % underestimation of projected SMB and melt rates. SMB over the grounded ice sheet in the sector between Getz and Abbot increases from 336 Gt yr−1 in 1989–2009 to 455 Gt yr−1 in 2080–2100, which would reduce the global sea level changing rate by 0.33 mm yr−1. Snowfall indeed increases by 7.4 % ∘C−1 to 8.9 % ∘C−1 of near-surface warming due to increasing saturation water vapour pressure in warmer conditions, reduced sea-ice concentrations, and more marine air intrusion. Ice-shelf surface melt rates increase by an order of magnitude in the 21st century mostly due to higher downward radiation from increased humidity and to reduced albedo in the presence of melting. There is a net production of surface liquid water over eastern ice shelves (Abbot, Cosgrove, and Pine Island) but not over western ice shelves (Thwaites, Crosson, Dotson, and Getz). This is explained by the evolution of the melt-to-snowfall ratio: below a threshold of 0.60 to 0.85 in our simulations, firn air is not entirely depleted by melt water, while entire depletion and net production of surface liquid water occur for higher ratios. This suggests that western ice shelves might remain unaffected by hydrofracturing for more than a century under RCP8.5, while eastern ice shelves have a high potential for hydrofracturing before the end of this century.

DOM Biological Lability in an Estuarine System in Two Contrasting Periods

Estuarine processes play a key role in determining the amount and quality of land-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) reaching the oceans. Microbial-mediated reactions can affect the concentration, quality, and bioavailability of DOM within an estuary. In this study, we investigated biological DOM removal in a small estuary and its variability in two contrasting seasons (spring and autumn) characterized by natural differences in the concentration and quality of the riverine DOM. Two incubation experiments were carried out using natural DOM and heterotrophic prokaryotes community collected at the estuary in March and September. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, DOM fluorescence, and the heterotrophic prokaryotes abundance (HPA) showed marked differences between the two seasons. These parameters were followed through time for up to two months. Despite the marked differences in the initial conditions, the DOC removal rates were surprisingly similar in the two periods (16 µM DOC month−1 in March and 18 µM DOC month−1 in September), with the biggest removal in the first 48 h. The trend of fluorescent DOM (FDOM) during the incubation showed marked differences between the two periods. In March, the net removal of all the FDOM components was observed consistently with the decrease in DOC; whereas, in September, the net production of humic-like substances was observed.