Search

Wood and wood-based materials are used by being processed in various machines in furniture, joinery and construction industries. Various cutting forces arise based on mechanics of machining. It is stated that the cutting power and power consumption factors depend on the cutting forces. The cutting forces are especially used as the main output in the analysis of the cutting process and physico-mechanical cutting models are very important in understanding the cutting factors. Vibration, noise, temperature and machining defects as well as cutting power, surface and chip quality are usually not considered. Determination of optimal machining conditions with efficient and economical works are based on material, tool geometry and mechanics of machining in terms of obtaining smooth surfaces with the lowest power consumption in machining. In this research, the factors affecting the mechanics of machining in the processing of wood and wood-based materials are discussed. Cutting forces, cutting power and their measurement methods with tool and machining geometry were investigated.g geometry were investigated., Odun ve odun kökenli malzemeler mobilya, doğrama ve yapı endüstrilerinde çeşitli makinelerde işlenerek kullanılmaktadır. İşleme mekaniklerine dayalı çeşitli kesme kuvvetleri ortaya çıkmaktadır. Kesme gücü ve güç tüketimi faktörlerinin kesme kuvvetlerine bağlı olduğu belirtilmektedir. Kesiş sürecinin analizinde özellikle kesme kuvvetleri ana çıktı olarak kullanılmakta olup, kesişte etkili faktörlerin daha iyi anlaşılmasında fiziko-mekanik kesiş modelleri oldukça önemlidir. Odun ve odun kökenli malzemelerin fiziksel ve teknolojik özellikleri, makinede işleme koşulları ve kesici aletlerin mekanik durumu işleme mekaniklerini etkileyen faktörler olarak belirtilmektedir. Titreşim, ses, sıcaklık ve işleme kusurları yanında kesme gücü ile yüzey ve yonga kalitesi genellikle göz önünde bulundurulmamaktadır. İşlemede en düşük güç tüketimi ile düzgün yüzeyler elde edilebilmesi bakımından verimli ve ekonomik çalışmalar ile uygun işleme koşullarının belirlenmesi, malzeme ve kesici geometrisi ile işleme mekaniklerine dayandırılmaktadır. Bu araştırmada, odun ve odun kökenli malzemelerin işlenmesinde işleme mekaniklerini etkileyen faktörler tartışılmıştır. Kesme kuvvetleri, kesme gücü ve bunların ölçüm yöntemleri ile kesici ve işleme geometrisi incelenmiştir.

A Bronze Age palstave found at Emmen. In 2019, a Bronze Age palstave was found in a field west of Emmen by a father-and-son team of metal detectorists. In agreement with the landowner, the find was reported to PAN. During the process of conservation, the opportunity presented itself to study the alloy using pXRF analysis. This suggested that the copper ores used in the bronze alloy ultimately derived from Swiss or Slovakian mines, but that the metal was cast locally into a form well-known in the sandy regions of the Low Countries. A review of the find in its topographical and cultural context indicated that it – like various other items in the Bronze Age – had been deposited in (the margin of) wetland parts of the landscape, not far from a contemporaneous settlement.

Indoor concentrations of black carbon (BC) were measured when wood was burned for traditional cultural activities in a study in a Cree community located in subarctic Canada. The study also included an intervention using a propane-fuelled heater to mitigate in situ BC. Mass concentrations of BC were measured in a game-smoking tent for 39 days and in hunting cabins on the west coast of James Bay, Canada, for 8 days. Five-minute averaged BC mass concentration (N = 12,319) data were recorded and assessed using optimised noise-reduction averaging. Mean BC mass concentrations were lower in hunting cabins (mean = 8.25 micrograms per cubic metre (µg m−3)) and higher in the game-smoking tent (mean = 15.46 µg m−3). However, excessive BC peaks were recorded in the game-smoking tent (maximum = 3076.71 µg m−3) when the fire was stoked or loaded. The intervention with the propane heater in a hunting cabin yielded a 90% reduction in measured BC mass concentrations. We do not presume that exposure to BC is of concern in hunting cabins with appropriate wood-burning appliances that are well-sealed and vent outside. In game-smoking tents, we advise that persons take intermittent breaks outside of the tent for fresh air.

Chef-d’œuvre du département des Sculptures du musée du Louvre, le Christ dit Courajod (RF 1082) a été étudié puis restauré dans les ateliers du C2RMF entre 2007 et 2011. La polychromie de cette œuvre présentait un état de conservation médiocre, résultant essentiellement d’une tentative de dégagement non maîtrisé en 1956. Cette intervention a créé un état de surface confus induisant une perte de visibilité des qualités plastiques de la sculpture. L’élimination de l’ensemble des repeints a permis de découvrir une polychromie originale romane d’une facture remarquable et d’une grande finesse, aux coloris subtils jouant sur un contraste entre des carnations pâles, des cheveux et une barbe d’un noir soutenu et un périzonium d’un bleu intense rehaussé d’or. A masterpiece of the Louvre’s Sculpture Department, the figure of Christ from a Descent from the Cross, known as the Courajod Christ (RF 1082), was examined then restored in the C2RMF workshops between 2007 and 2011. The polychromy of this work was in a mediocre condition, basically as a result of a misfired attempt to remove overpaints in 1956. This restoration left the work with a muddled surface concealing some of the sculpture’s artistic qualities. The removal of all the repaints revealed the great finesse and remarkable handling of the original Romanesque polychromy. Its subtle use of colour plays on a contrast between the pale flesh tints, the dark hair and beard and the deep blue perizonium enhanced with gold.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death among cancer patients. The majority of lung cancer is the Non-Small Lung Carcinoma (NSLC). This study evaluated the potency of brazilin isolated from Caesalpinia sappan wood to induce apoptosis on non-small lung carcinoma cell line, A549, by examining the expression of p53, caspase-9, and caspase-3.Brazilin was isolated from Caesalpinia sappan wood following a guided assay and it was determined by using Brazilin®SIGMA as standard. The activity of brazilin on the growth of A549 cell line was analysed by MTT assay and the apoptosis was evaluated by flowcytometer following Annexin V (FITC) and PI staining. The expression of p53, caspase-9, and caspase-3 was examined by immunocytochemistry.The IC50 of brazilin on A549 cell line was 43µg/mL. Cell treatment with 20 µg/mL and 40 µg/mL of brazilin significantly increased early apoptosis (p0.001). Cell treatment with 40 µg/mL of Brazilin significantly increased late apoptosis (p0.001). Brazilin significantly increased the expression of p53, Caspase-9, and caspase-3 (p0.001).This study showed evidence of the activity of brazilin to induce intrinsic apoptosis on a NSLC cell line A549.

Fungi play a significant role in wood fiber degradation since they possess enzymatic tools for the degradation of recalcitrant plant polymers. The study aims to demonstrate the interactive fungal traits when they grow together and its development with total dead wood fiber degradation speed. A lab experiment was designed to describe decomposition rates and fungal properties using nonlinear fitting model and logistic equation from preliminary data sets. The degradation speed of five (A, B, C, D, and E) different types of fungi with different growth rates were calculated at various relative humidity’s (35, 50, 65, 80, and 95 g.kg−). Results showed that the mycelium length of fungus A, has faster ideal growth rate than that of fungus B, with ecological niche width A

Here, water-suspended smoke aerosol preparation was synthesized from biomass-based fuel, i.e., a widespread product for residential heating, wood sawdust (WP) (pine, poplar, and birch mixture), and its properties were compared in parallel experiments with the smoke preparation from plastics (PP). Molecular groups in the PM preparations were analyzed using Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. WP was assessed in neurotoxicity studies using rat cortex nerve terminals (synaptosomes). Generation of spontaneous and H2O2-evoked reactive oxygen species (ROS) detected using fluorescent dye 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein in nerve terminals was decreased by WP. In comparison with PP, WP demonstrated more pronounced reduction of spontaneous and H2O2-evoked ROS production. WP completely inhibited glutamate receptor agonist kainate-induced ROS production, thereby affecting the glutamate receptor-mediated signaling pathways. WP decreased the synaptosomal membrane potential in fluorimetric experiments and the synaptosomal transporter-mediated uptake of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, L-[14C]glutamate and [3H] γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), respectively. PP decreased the ambient synaptosomal level of [3H]GABA, whereas it did not change that of L-[14C]glutamate. Principal difference between WP and PP was found in their ability to influence the ambient synaptosomal level of [3H]GABA (an increase and decrease, respectively), thereby showing riskiness in mitigation of synaptic inhibition by PP and triggering development of neuropathology.

Les na prostem je izpostavljen delovanju raznolikih dejavnikov razkroja, še posebno glivam. Nekatere lesne vrste so bolj odporne na glivni razkroj kot druge. V Kostanjevici na Krki že 60 let deluje forma viva, kjer so razstavljeni kipi, izdelani pretežno iz hrastovega lesa. Tanaka Eisaku, japonski kipar, je izdelal najstarejši kip z naslovom Japonski festival na prvi kostanjeviški Formi vivi leta 1961. Po 60 letih zunanje izpostavitve smo kip vizualno pregledali in ocenili njegovo stanje z uporabo rezistografa in vlagomera. Iz kipa smo izolirali nekaj vzorcev, jih preiskali s FTIR in XRF spektroskopijo, vzorcem določili gostoto s piknometrom GeoPyc in jih analizirali z lasersko in digitalno mikroskopijo. Na kipu je opaziti znake glivnega razkroja, izletne odprtine insektov in poškodbe zaradi delovanja ptic. Ocena razkrojenosti z rezistografom je pokazala, da je les razkrojen predvsem na čelih in v sredici. Poleg tega je na nekaj mestih močno razkrojena tudi beljava. Les je bil v zadnjih letih obdelan s površinskim premazom, po drugi strani v lesu ni bilo mogoče zaznati ostankov biocidov. V primeru, da želimo kip ohraniti zanamcem, ga je treba ustrezno konzervirati. Wood in outdoor applications is exposed to various decay factors, of which fungi are the most important. Some wood species are more resistant to fungal decay than others. Forma Viva in Kostanjevica has been exhibiting sculptures made mainly of oak wood for 60 years. The oldest sculpture is the work of Tanaka Eisaku entitled “Japanese Festival”. After 60 years, the condition of the sculpture was examined with a resistograph and a moisture metre. Several samples were isolated from the sculpture and examined with FTIR and XRF spectroscopy. The density of the samples was determined with GeoPyc and analysed in detail with laser and digital microscopy. Signs of fungal attack, as well as insect and bird damage can also be seen on the sculpture. The resistograph analysis showed that the wood is mainly decayed in the axial planes and in the core. In addition, the sapwood is severely decayed in some areas. The wood has been surface-coated in recent years however, there is no biocide residue in the wood. If the sculpture is to be preserved for posterity, it must be properly conserved.

Wood from invasive tree species Acacia dealbata and Ailanthus altissima was used to produce high value-added nanocellulose. Firstly, bleached pulps were produced from the wood of these tree species after kraft cooking. Afterwards, the resultant pulps were pre-treated by TEMPO-mediated oxidation (Acacia dealbata) or enzymatic hydrolysis (Ailanthus altissima) followed by high-pressure homogenization. Hydrogels were obtained and characterized for their main physical and chemical properties, including rheology measurements. After freeze-drying, the surface properties of the materials were evaluated by inverse gas chromatography. Results showed that nano/micro fibrils could be obtained from the wood of these invasive species. Rheometry studies showed that Acacia-TEMPO cellulose nanofibrils form strong gels with high yield stress point and viscosities (reaching ca. 100,000 Pa·s). Additionally, the surfaces of the obtained nanocelluloses showed a dispersive component of the surface energy near 40 mJ/m2 and a prevalence of the Lewis acidic character over the basic one, as typical for cellulose-based materials. Finally, films with good mechanical and optical properties could be obtained from the cellulose hydrogels. Acacia-TEMPO film (produced by filtration/hot pressing) showed a tensile strength of 79 MPa, Young's modulus of 7.9 GPa, and a transparency of 88%. The water vapor barrier, however, was modest (permeability of 4.9 × 10−6 g/(Pa·day·m)).

Air is one of the most essential elements that living things need to survive. Air pollution has become even more important due to reasons such as population growth and the difficulties brought by global warming and war. The factors that make up air pollution are also one of the most important factors of environmental pollution and cause serious pollution problems. While some metals in the air positively affect plant growth as nutrient elements in agricultural activities, they cause deterioration of plant development due to the accumulation of high concentrations in plant organs. This study, as an indicator of the time-dependent variation of Mg and K concentrations with atmospheric accumulation, reveals the variation and year-related amounts ofPinus pinasterspecies in Düzce province.&nbsp

Due to the dependence on petroleum to supply energy and chemical needs many countries have experienced problems because of declining reserves, increased demands, and political problems in oil exporting nations, which have also created problems for oil-importing countries. Demand on renewable resources to meets the needs for energy and carbon based chemicals in the wake of eventual depletion of fossil oil and natural gas reserves. Furfural, lignin, vanillin can be synthesized by extraction process from which vanillin and furfural are costlier products, which makes the process economically viable. Material balance was done to understand the material composition of wood. Comparison and costing of various process of are also evaluated which resulting into inexpensive than petroleum. A long-term solution would be to use renewable resources to produce many of the hydrocarbons. So, this work aims at finding feasible ways extracting the valuable chemicals such as furfural, lignin, vanillin, etc. from wood.

Oxalate oxidase (EC 1.2.3.4) is an oxalate-decomposing enzyme predominantly found in plants but also described in basidiomycete fungi. In this study, we investigated 23 fungi to determine their capability of oxalic acid degradation. After analyzing their secretomes for the products of the oxalic acid-degrading enzyme activity, three groups were distinguished among the fungi studied. The first group comprised nine fungi classified as oxalate oxidase producers, as their secretome pattern revealed an increase in the hydrogen peroxide concentration, no formic acid, and a reduction in the oxalic acid content. The second group of fungi comprised eight fungi described as oxalate decarboxylase producers characterized by an increase in the formic acid level associated with a decrease in the oxalate content in their secretomes. In the secretomes of the third group of six fungi, no increase in formic acid or hydrogen peroxide contents was observed but a decline in the oxalate level was found. The intracellular activity of OXO in the mycelia of Schizophyllum commune, Trametes hirsuta, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Abortiporus biennis, Cerrena unicolor, Ceriosporopsis mediosetigera, Trametes sanguinea, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora, and Laetiporus sulphureus was confirmed by a spectrophotometric assay.

Denitrifying woodchip bioreactors are a practical nitrogen (N) mitigation technology but evaluating the potential for bioreactor phosphorus (P) removal is highly relevant given that (1) agricultural runoff often contains N and P, (2) very low P concentrations cause eutrophication, and (3) there are few options for removing dissolved P once it is in runoff. A series of batch tests evaluated P removal by woodchips that naturally contained a range of metals known to sorb P and then three design and environmental factors (water matrix, particle size, initial dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentration). Woodchips with the highest aluminum and iron content provided the most dissolved P removal (13±2.5 mg DRP removed/kg woodchip). However, poplar woodchips, which had low metals content, provided the second highest removal (12±0.4 mg/kg) when they were tested with P-dosed river water which had a relatively complex water matrix. Chemical P sorption due to woodchip elements may be possible, but it is likely one of a variety of P removal mechanisms in real-world bioreactor settings. Scaling the results indicated bioreactors could remove 0.40 to 13 g DRP/ha. Woodchip bioreactor dissolved P removal will likely be small in magnitude, but any such contribution is an added-value benefit of this denitrifying technology. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-021-15835-w.

Objectives: To estimate the annual burden of mortality and the associated health costs attributable to air pollution from wood heaters in Armidale. Design: Health impact assessment (excess annual mortality and financial costs) based upon atmospheric PM2.5 measurements. Setting: Armidale, a regional Australian city (population, 24 504) with high levels of air pollution in winter caused by domestic wood heaters, 1 May 2018 - 30 April 2019. Main outcome measures: Estimated population exposure to PM2.5 from wood heaters; estimated numbers of premature deaths and years of life lost. Results: Fourteen premature deaths (95% CI, 12-17 deaths) per year, corresponding to 210 (95% CI, 172-249) years of life lost, are attributable to long term exposure to wood heater PM2.5 pollution in Armidale. The estimated financial cost is $32.8 million (95% CI, $27.0-38.5 million), or $10 930 (95% CI, $9004-12 822) per wood heater per year. Conclusions: The substantial mortality and financial cost attributable to wood heating in Armidale indicates that effective policies are needed to reduce wood heater pollution, including public education about the effects of wood smoke on health, subsidies that encourage residents to switch to less polluting home heating (perhaps as part of an economic recovery package), assistance for those affected by wood smoke from other people, and regulations that reduce wood heater use (eg, by not permitting new wood heaters and requiring existing units to be removed when houses are sold).

Intenziteta glivnega razkroja je v največji meri odvisna od vrste lesa, temperature in padavinskih dogodkov. Če želimo oceniti življenjsko dobo in intervale vzdrževanja lesenih objektov, moramo oceniti, kako se bo v določenem okolju les obnašal. V ta namen so nam na voljo raznoliki modeli. V praksi se največ uporablja pristop, ki ga je razvil Theodore Scheffer. Scheffer je predlagal klimatski indeks (Schefferjev klimatski indeks - SCI), ki temelji na številu padavinskih dni in povprečni mesečni temperaturi. Na podlagi teh klimatskih podatkov smo izračunali Schefferjev klimatski indeks za izbrane lokacije v Sloveniji. Rezultati analize klimatskih razmer kažejo, da je Schefferjev klimatski indeks v večini analiziranih krajev v Sloveniji višji, kot je bil pred desetletji. Intenziteta razkroja se je povečala v vseh analiziranih krajih z izjemo Portoroža. Največje zvišanje Schefferjevega klimatskega indeksa smo zaznali v Ratečah. Heat islands (HI) are a common anthropogenic phenomenon and are defined as artificial surfaces (urban areas) that have a higher average temperature than their surroundings (rural areas). The aim of this work was to determine the influence of land use on the spatial distribution and intensity (HIi ) of HI in Slovenia. The MODIS Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Corine Land Cover (CLC) databases were used to perform the analysis. Within the identified HI, two HI levels were determined based on temperature difference. The results revealed a statistically significant negative correlation between HIi and both forest cover and forest fragmentation (forest edge density and ratio of mean forest patch size to HI size). Artificial surface was positively correlated with HIi . The results contribute to the understanding of the spatial distribution of HI and HIi and provide informationon for spatial planning and policy-making to reduce the negative impact of HI.

Objectives The aim of this study is to conduct a quantitative assessment of the risk related to occupational exposure to wood dust and the occurrence of sinonasal epithelial cancer (SNEC) by histotype, depending on the duration of exposure, using mathematical models. Material and Methods The relationship between the occurrence of SNEC by histotype (adenocarcinoma [AR] and tumors of other histotypes) and exposure to wood dust has been studied using the values of the odds ratios for individual periods of employment involving exposure to wood dust, and their 95% confidence intervals. The dose-response curves were constructed (more precisely, the duration of exposure-response curves). The author attempted to match the linear, quadratic or exponential models. Results In all SNEC cases, there is a relationship between the duration of occupational exposure to wood dust and the relative risk of developing cancer. The estimated relative risk of developing AR after 35 years of exposure to wood dust is about 300, and the estimated risk of developing SNEC is 50, compared to non-exposed people for whom the relative risk is equal to 1. However, the relative risk of developing other types of cancer is

Woody cells generate lignocellulosic biomass, which is a promising sustainable bioresource for wide industrial applications. Woody cell differentiation in vascular plants, including the model plant poplar (Populus trichocarpa), is regulated by a set of NAC family transcription factors, the VASCULAR-RELATED NAC-DOMAIN (VND), NAC SECONDARY CELL WALL THICKENING PROMOTING FACTOR (NST)/SND, and SOMBRERO (SMB) (VNS)-related proteins, but the precise contributions of each VNS protein to wood quality are unknown. Here, we performed a detailed functional analysis of the poplar SMB-type VNS proteins PtVNS13–PtVNS16. PtVNS13–PtVNS16 were preferentially expressed in the roots of young poplar plantlets, similar to the Arabidopsis thalianaSMB gene. PtVNS13 and PtVNS14, as well as the NST-type PtVNS11, suppressed the abnormal root cap phenotype of the Arabidopsis sombrero-3 mutant, whereas the VND-type PtVNS07 gene did not, suggesting a functional gap between SMB- or NST-type VNS proteins and VND-type VNS proteins. Overexpressing PtVNS13–PtVNS16 in Arabidopsis seedlings and poplar leaves induced ectopic xylem-vessel-like cells with secondary wall deposition, and a transient expression assay showed that PtVNS13–16 transactivated woody-cell-related genes. Interestingly, although any VNS protein rescued the pendant stem phenotype of the Arabidopsis nst1-1 nst3-1 mutant, the resulting inflorescence stems exhibited distinct cell wall properties: poplar VNS genes generated woody cell walls with higher enzymatic saccharification efficiencies compared with Arabidopsis VNS genes. Together, our data reveal clear functional diversity among VNS proteins in woody cell differentiation and demonstrate a novel VNS-based strategy for modifying woody cell wall properties toward enhanced utilization of woody biomass.

Due to the global problem related to the excessive amount of waste, measures are also taken in the construction industry to protect the environment and implement recycled waste for the production of building materials. Due to the high popularity of composite materials in construction, a brief overview of modern ecological solutions using recycling was presented. The presented solutions are divided into three groups: the use of recycled aggregates for the production of concrete, the use of recycled aggregates for structures reinforced with geo-synthetics, and the use of recycled plastic for the production of wood-plastic composites (WPCs). The division into these three groups was determined on the basis of the selection of solutions most widely discussed in scientific articles in the field of recycling. The strength of the elements was mainly analyzed. The most widely used and showing the best strength values is the solution based on the use of recycled aggregate. The use of plastic waste is possible, but requires further research.

Copper-based pesticides and wood preservatives could end up in the environment during production, use, and end-of-life via different pathways that could cause unintended ecological and adverse health effects. This paper provides the effect of colloid-size Cu-based pesticides (CuPRO and Kocide), micronized Cu azole (MCA-1 and MCA-2) and alkaline Cu quaternary (ACQ) treated woods, Cu(2+), Cu(2+) spiked untreated wood (UTW), and CuCO(3) solutions against Gram-positive Bacillus species using five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)) standard test. The total Cu leached from MCA-1, MCA-2, and ACQ in Milli-Q water after 5 days were ˜0.1, ˜0.11, and ˜0.64 g/kg of wood, respectively. However, the form of Cu leached from MCA woods was mostly ionic (> 90%). The total organic carbon (TOC) content of any tested wood (UTW/MCA-1/MCA-2/ACQ) was ˜99% of its corresponding total carbon (TC) content, whereas the TOC of any tested wood sawdust exceeded that of its corresponding piece/block by > 300%. The dissolved oxygen (DO) consumption value in the presence of Cu(2+), CuCO(3), CuPRO, and Kocide solutions was significantly influenced by Cu particles/ions. However, the DO consumption value in the presence of UTW/MCA-1/MCA-2/ACQ woods was significantly influenced by organics leached from woods. On the other hand, the DO consumption of MCA sawdust was greater than (300%) that of MCA pieces/block. The findings of this study provide more insight into how organics leached from woods significantly reduce the toxic effects of Cu ions against Gram-positive Bacillus species.

Extensive research efforts have been devoted to describing yeast alcohol oxidase (AO) and its promoter region, which is vastly applied in studies of heterologous gene expression. However, little is known about basidiomycetous AO and its physiological role in wood degradation. This review describes several alcohol oxidases from both white and brown rot fungi, highlighting their physicochemical and kinetic properties. Moreover, the review presents a detailed analysis of available AO-encoding gene promoter regions in basidiomycetous fungi with a discussion of the manipulations of culture conditions in relation to the modification of alcohol oxidase gene expression and changes in enzyme production. The analysis of reactions catalyzed by lignin-modifying enzymes (LME) and certain lignin auxiliary enzymes (LDA) elucidated the possible involvement of alcohol oxidase in the degradation of derivatives of this polymer. Combined data on lignin degradation pathways suggest that basidiomycetous AO is important in secondary reactions during lignin decomposition by wood degrading fungi. With numerous alcoholic substrates, the enzyme is probably engaged in a variety of catalytic reactions leading to the detoxification of compounds produced in lignin degradation processes and their utilization as a carbon source by fungal mycelium.

The effects of long-term feeding of wood kraft pulp (KP) silage containing sweet-potato shochu distillery by-product (SDP) on feed intake, feed digestibility, rumen fermentation, and growth performance of Japanese Black steers were investigated during the early fattening period. Ten Japanese Black steers (9.8 ± 0.6 months of age) were used in this study. Five steers (KP group) were fed KP silage as a replacement for 10% timothy hay (dry matter bases), in contrast to the other five (control group). KP silage consisted of 92.9% KP and 7.1% SDP (dry matter bases). The experiment was conducted for 18 weeks. No significant differences were observed in terms of feed intake, feed digestibility, or daily body weight gain between the groups. In addition, diurnal changes in the rumen pH and ruminal lipopolysaccharide activity did not differ between the groups. However, the plasma concentration of aspartate transaminase in the KP group was slightly lower (P = 0.078) than that in the control group. Thus, our study suggested that feeding KP silage does not reduce feed intake or affect the rumen fermentation or growth performance of Japanese Black fattening steer.

Particulate matter from wood burning emissions (Cwood) was quantified at five locations in the United Kingdom (UK), comprising three rural and two urban sites between 2009 and 2021. The aethalometer method was used. Mean winter Cwood concentrations ranged from 0.26 μg m-3 (in rural Scotland) to 1.30 μg m-3 (London), which represented on average 4% (in rural environments) and 5% (urban) of PM10 concentrations; and 8% of PM2.5. Concentrations were greatest in the evenings in winter months, with larger evening concentrations in the weekends at the urban sites. Random-forest (RF) machine learning regression models were used to reconstruct Cwood concentrations using both meteorological and temporal explanatory variables at each site. The partial dependency plots indicated that temperature and wind speed were the meteorological variables explaining the greatest variability in Cwood, with larger concentrations during cold and calm conditions. Peaks of Cwood concentrations took place during and after events that are celebrated with bonfires. These were Guy Fawkes events in the urban areas and on New Year's Day at the rural sites; the later probably related to long-range transport. Time series were built using the RF. Having removed weather influences, long-term trends of Cwood were estimated using the Theil Sen method. Trends for 2015-2021 were downward at three of the locations (London, Glasgow and rural Scotland), with rates ranging from -5.5% year-1 to -2.5% year-1. The replacement of old fireplaces with lower emission wood stoves might explain the decrease in Cwood especially at the urban sites The two rural sites in England observed positive trends for the same period but this was not statistically significant.

Neurotrophins such as nerve growth factor (ngf) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (bdnf) play important roles in the central nervous system. They are potential therapeutic drugs for treatment of neurodegerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. In this study, we investigated the neurotrophic properties of triterpenes isolated from fruiting bodies ofLaetiporus sulphureusand a mycelial culture ofAntrodiasp. MUCL 56049. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated based on nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in combination with high-resolution Electrospray mass spectrometry (HR-ESIMS). The secondary metabolites were tested for neurotrophin (ngfandbdnf) expression levels on human astrocytoma 1321N1 cells. Neurite outgrowth activity using rat pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells was also determined. Twelve triterpenoids were isolated, of which several potently stimulated the expression of neurotrophic factors namely,ngf(sulphurenic acid, 15α-dehydroxytrametenolic acid, fomefficinic acid D and 16α-hydroxyeburicoic acid) andbdnf(sulphurenic acid and 15α- dehydroxytrametenolic acid), respectively. The triterpenes also potentiatedngf-induced neurite outgrowth in PC-12 cells. This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first report on the compound class of lanostanes in direct relation tobdnfandngfenhancement. These compounds are widespread in medicinal mushrooms; hence, they appear promising as starting point for development of drugs and mycopharmaceuticals to combat neurodegenerative diseases. Interestingly, they do not show any pronounced cytotoxicity and may therefore be better suited for therapy than many other neurotrophic compounds that were previously reported.

In this paper, the optimization of computer numerical control (CNC) drilling parameters was conducted using the Taguchi design method on the drilling holes’ inner surfaces roughness (Ra) massive wooden edge-glued panels (EGP) made of spruce (Picea Orientalis Link.), beech (Fagus Orientalis Lipsky), Iroko (Chlorophora excelsa) and Medium Density Fiberboard surfaced with synthetic resin sheet (MDFlam). Three drilling parameters and their effects on Ra were evaluated. These parameters included spindle speed, feed rate, and cutter type. Surface roughness measurements according to ISO 4287 were performed on the inner surfaces of the holes, and Ra values were obtained. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to identify the significant factors affecting the Ra. Optimum drilling parameter combinations were acquired by analyzing the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. It is shown that the most ideal result was obtained with a two flutes cutter (cutter number 2) at 18000 rpm and feed of 1750 mm/minute for in-hole roughness values of the MDFlam test sample. In the drilling operations performed with a double-entry cutter, the lowest roughness values were obtained in all materials.

Siège de la Chancellerie depuis plus de trois siècles, l’hôtel de Bourvallais accueille plusieurs objets mobiliers classés au titre des monuments historiques. Parmi ceux-ci, on compte un ensemble remarquable de trente-trois sièges en acajou avec bronzes, datant vraisemblablement de la Restauration, se caractérisant par leurs protomés à têtes de lion et leurs pieds griffus. Après des années de préparation et d’attente, ces sièges font aujourd’hui l’objet d’un programme de restauration complet visant à leur redonner leur éclat. À l’issue de cette étude, des lacunes demeurent dans la connaissance de l’ensemble mobilier aux têtes de lion du ministère de la Justice : les conditions de commande et d’arrivée à l’hôtel de Bourvallais ne sont pas certaines, ni l’identité de l’auteur. Mais les informations collectées dans les archives attestent de l’importance de cet ensemble de premier ordre, dès la fin des années 1820. Il ne s’agit pas d’un mobilier quelconque mais de l’ensemble d’apparat principal de l’hôtel de la Chancellerie. Après une période de relatif oubli sous la Troisième République, le mobilier aux têtes de lion retrouve sa vocation initiale de représentation de prestige dans un nouvel écrin, le salon Empire ou Salon rouge, qui reprend la fonction de salon d’apparat de l’hôtel de Bourvallais. La valeur d’usage de ce patrimoine nécessitait de tenir compte de ces évolutions dans le choix de l’étoffe de garnissage : fruit d’un compromis, le choix d’une soierie cramoisie brochée de motifs dorés a été établi sur des modèles historiquement documentés. De même, le garnissage a été réalisé suivant les méthodes anciennes. Quant à la restauration des bois, elle a été faite suivant les standards de restauration patrimoniale, en visant la conservation maximale des matériaux anciens. In the Bourvallais hotel, headquarters of the French Ministry of Justice for more than 300 years, there are several pieces of furniture classified as “historic monuments”. Among them, there is a remarkable set of 33 mahogany seats with bronze, probably dating from the Bourbon Restoration, characterized by their protomes with lion heads and clawed feet. After years of preparation and waiting, these seats are now undergoing a complete restoration programme. At the end of this study, lacks still remain on the history of the furniture with lion heads from the Ministry of Justice: the conditions of order and arrival at the Bourvallais hotel are not certain, nor the identity of the author. But the information collected in the archives attests to the importance of this first-rate ensemble, from the end of the 1820s. It is not just one of several pieces of furniture, but the main ceremonial ensemble from the Chancellery hotel. After a period of relative oblivion under the French Third Republic, the furniture with lion heads finds its initial vocation of prestige representation in a new setting, the Empire living room, which takes over the function of the hotel's formal living room. The fact that the furniture is still in use must be taken into account in the choice of the upholstery: the choice of a crimson silk embroidered with golden patterns was a compromise, but established on historically documented models. Likewise, the padding was carried out according to the old methods. As for the restoration of the woods, it was done according to heritage restoration standards, aiming at the maximum conservation of old materials.

This study innovated the concept in designing an efficient and reusable microwave (MW) absorbent through concurrent exploitation of carbon graphitization, oxygen functionalization, and carbothermal iron reduction underpinned by an endothermic co-pyrolysis of wood waste and low-dosage iron. A powerful MW assimilation was accomplished from nanoscale amorphous magnetic particles as well as graphitized microporous carbon-iron skeleton in the biochar composites. Relative to a weak magnetic loss derived from the iron phase, the graphitic carbon architecture with abundant surface functionalities (i.e., CO and CO) exhibited a strong dielectric loss, which was thus prioritized as major active sites during MW reuse. The MW-absorbing biochar demonstrated a fast, robust, and durable removal of a refractory herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) under mild MW irradiation with zero chemical input, low electricity consumption, and negligible Fe dissolution. Overall, this study will foster carbon-neutral industrial wastewater treatment and wood waste valorization.

Polymeric wood hemicelluloses are depicted to join cellulose, starch and chitosan as key polysaccharides for sustainable materials engineering. However, the approaches to incorporate hemicelluloses in emerging bio-based products are challenged by lack of specific benefit, other than the biomass-origin, although their utilization would contribute to sustainable material use since they currently are a side stream that is not valorized. Here we demonstrate wood-xylans as swelling modifiers for neutral and charged nanocellulose films that have already entered the sustainable packaging applications, however, suffer from humidity sensitivity. The oxidative modification is used to modulate the water-solubility of xylan and hence enable adsorption in an aqueous environment. A high molecular weight grade, hence less water-soluble, adsorbed preferentially on the neutral surface while the adsorbed amount on a negatively charged surface was independent of the molecular weight, and hence, solubility. The adsorption of the oxidized xylans on a neutral cellulose surface resulted in an increase in the amount of water in the film while on the negatively charged cellulose the total amount of water decreased. The finding of synergy of two hygroscopic materials to decrease swelling in hydrophilic bio-polymer films demonstrates the oxidized macromolecule xylan as structurally functional component in emerging cellulose products.

Brown rot fungi show a two-step wood degradation mechanism comprising oxidative radical-based and enzymatic saccharification systems. Recent studies have demonstrated that the brown rot fungus Rhodonia placenta expresses oxidoreductase genes ahead of glycoside hydrolase genes and spatially protects the saccharification enzymes from oxidative damage of the oxidoreductase reactions. This study aimed to assess the generality of the spatial gene regulation of these genes in other brown rot fungi and examine the effects of carbon source on the gene regulation. Gene expression analysis was performed on 14 oxidoreductase and glycoside hydrolase genes in the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum, directionally grown on wood, sawdust-agar, and glucose-agar wafers. In G. trabeum, both oxidoreductase and glycoside hydrolase genes were expressed at higher levels in sections behind the wafers. The upregulation of glycoside hydrolase genes was significantly higher in woody substrates than in glucose, whereas the oxidoreductase gene expression was not affected by substrates.

Solutions of a pure organic solvent acidified with 1% sulfuric acid, and some of their aqueous mixtures were used for lignin extraction in the Pinus radiata sawdust delignification. Organic acid solvents including acetic, lactic and citric acids as well as non-acidic compounds such as γ-valerolactone, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, glycerol and ethylene glycol were studied. Crude lignin extractions yields (%) ranging between ca. 5-50% were obtained, from which ethylene glycol (33%), γ-valerolactone (48%) and propylene carbonate (52%) showed the greatest effectiveness. The effect of added water on the lignin extraction was investigated in mixtures of an organic solvent with a variable water content (75%w/w, 50% w/w, 25%w/w and 10% w/w) where it was observed that the yield of extraction decreased with the increased water content. Moreover, the purity of extracted lignins were analyzed by spectroscopic methods (UV and IR). Kamlet-Taft solvent polarity parameters, were determined with the solvatochromic probes 4-nitroaniline, N,N-diethyl-4-nitroaniline, Nile Red and 6-propionyl-2-N,N-dimethylaminonaphthalene (PRODAN), and then correlated to lignin extraction yields to explain the influence of the solute-solvent interactions on biomass delignification. A reasonable correlation was found between the medium polarizability-dipolarity π* and the effectiveness of the solvent mixture on the extraction of lignin wood. published

Integrative forest management approaches, aiming to combine the provision of multiple forest ecosystem services in the same forest area, are popular forest management concepts in Europe. Their understanding and application varies, however, across the continent. This paper looks at one dimension of integrative forest management approaches in particular – the integration of nature conservation measures into forest management; focusing on its understanding and application, as well as current and future social, technological, ecological, economic and political factors enabling or hampering this integration. Drawing on 42 qualitative in-depth interviews with national experts and forest practitioners, our study provides insights into the integration of nature conservation measures into forest management systems aimed at wood production and the provision of other forest ecosystem services under various conditions. Across the investigated countries, the main factors perceived to facilitate this integration are the personal motivations and knowledge of forest managers and their long-term economic thinking related to the resilience of the forest in the face of climate and societal change. In turn, the main factors perceived as hampering the integration are current wood-market demands, and a lack of (public) financial incentives. Public pressure is also perceived as an important influencing factor, which can both impede or support integration. Other ambiguous factors include societal knowledge and related knowledge gaps, relationships between local stakeholders, and the legal framework in which forest management operates. The study concludes with suggestions of how to enhance the uptake of the integration of nature conservation measures into forest management in Europe.

Microbial community members are the primary microbial colonizers and active decomposers of deadwood. This study placed sterilized standardized beech and spruce sapwood specimens on the forest ground of 8 beech- and 8 spruce-dominated forest sites. After 370 days, specimens were assessed for mass loss, nitrogen (N) content and 15 N isotopic signature, hydrolytic and lignin-modifying enzyme activities. Each specimen was incubated with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to label metabolically active fungal and bacterial community members, which were assessed using amplicon sequencing. Fungal saprotrophs colonized the deadwood accompanied by a distinct bacterial community that was capable of cellulose degradation, aromatic depolymerization, and N 2 fixation. The latter were governed by the genus Sphingomonas , which was co-present with the majority of saprotrophic fungi regardless of whether beech or spruce specimens were decayed. Moreover, the richness of the diazotrophic Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium group was significantly correlated with mass loss, N content and 15 N isotopic signature. By contrast, presence of obligate predator Bdellovibrio spp. shifted bacterial community composition and were linked to decreased beech deadwood decay rates. Our study provides the first account of the composition and function of metabolically active wood-colonizing bacterial and fungal communities, highlighting cross-kingdom interactions during the early and intermediate stages of wood decay.

RESUMO Este trabalho relata a primeira ocorrência do parasitóide Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) coletado de pupas de Peckia chrysostoma (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), utilizando-se armadilhas contendo como iscas fígado bovino em área de mata do Parque da Serra de Caldas Novas, GO, no período de agosto a outubro de 2003. Foram coletados um total de 455 espécimes do parasitóide N. vitripennis em 30 pupas de P. chrysostoma. A porcentagem de parasitismo foi de 50%. ABSTRACT This paper reports the occurrence of the gregarious parasitoid Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) in pupae of Peckia chrysostoma (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) by means of traps containing some bovine liver baits in the Parque da Serra de Caldas Novas, Goiás, Brazil, in the period from August to October, 2003. Collection was made of a total of 455 specimens of parasitoids from 30 pupae of P. chrysostoma. The percentage of parasitism was 50%.

Lignocelluloytic enzymes are industrially applied as biocatalysts for the deconstruction of recalcitrant plant biomass. To study their biocatalytic and physiological function, the assessment of their binding behavior and spatial distribution on lignocellulosic material is a crucial prerequisite. In this study, selected hydrolases and oxidoreductases from the white rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium were localized on model substrates as well as poplar wood by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Two different detection approaches were investigated: direct tagging of the enzymes and tagging specific antibodies generated against the enzymes. Site-directed mutagenesis was employed to introduce a single surface-exposed cysteine residue for the maleimide site-specific conjugation. Specific polyclonal antibodies were produced against the enzymes and were labeled using N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester as a cross-linker. Both methods allowed the visualization of cell wall-bound enzymes but showed slightly different fluorescent yields. Using native poplar thin sections, we identified the innermost secondary cell wall layer as the preferential attack point for cellulose-degrading enzymes. Alkali pretreatment resulted in a partial delignification and promoted substrate accessibility and enzyme binding. The methods presented in this study are suitable for the visualization of enzymes during catalytic biomass degradation and can be further exploited for interaction studies of lignocellulolytic enzymes in biorefineries.

Due to its physical, chemical, and structural properties, oakwood is widely used in the production of barrels for wine ageing. When in contact with the wine, oak continuously releases aromatic compounds such as lignin, tannin, and cellulose to the liquid. Due to the release process, oak loses its characteristic aromatic compounds in time; hence, the flavour that it gives to the enclosed wine decreases for repeated wine refills and a barrel replacement is required. Currently, the estimation of the maximum number of refills is empirical and its underestimation or overestimation can impose unnecessary costs and impair the quality of the wine. Therefore, there is a clear need to quantify the presence of the aforementioned aromatic compounds in an oak barrel prior to a refill. This work constitutes a study to examine noninvasive optical biosensing techniques for the characterization of an oak barrel used in wine ageing, towards the development of a model to unveil its lifespan without inducing structural damage. Spectroscopic diagnostic techniques, such as reflectance, fluorescence, and Raman scattering measurements are employed to assess the change in the chemical composition of the oakwood barrel (tannin and lignin presence) and its dependence on repeated refills. To our knowledge, this is the first time that we present a benchmarking study of oak barrel ageing characteristics through spectroscopic methods for the wine industry. The spectroscopic data are processed using standard chemometric techniques, such as Linear Discriminant Analysis and Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis. Results of a study of fresh, one-time-used, and two-times-used oak barrel samples demonstrate that reflectance spectroscopy can be a valuable tool for the characterization of oak barrels. Moreover, reflectance spectroscopy has demonstrated the most accurate classification performance. The highest accuracy has been obtained by a Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis model that has been able to classify all the oakwood samples from the barrels with >99% accuracy. These preliminary results pave a way for the application of cost-effective and non-invasive biosensing techniques based on reflectance spectroscopy for oak barrels assessment.

THE PURPOSE. Consider a renewable energy source. Compare the proposed design with other pyrolysis technologies and make sure that the proposed design will reduce fuel consumption. METHODS. This article proposes the design and technological principle of the process of pyrogenetic wood processing with the production of various compositions of pyrolysis gas and charcoal. RESULTS. The article describes the proposed design, calculates the heat balance for it, and determines the operational parameters of the technological process. CONCLUSION. The main positive difference between the proposed plant design and technology from other pyrolysis technologies is a high level of fuel economy due to heat utilization at intermediate stages of the process. The heat of the cooled charcoa l and the waste products of complete fuel combustion are utilized. The developed design allows reducing fuel consumption, as well as the range of gaseous components obtained as a result of pyrogenetic decomposition of raw wood in a direct -flow pyrolysis plant can be increased.

In the paper, results of drying biofuels from sewage sludge using solar energy are presented. Drying rates of biofuels made from sewage sludge and coal slime (PBS), sewage sludge and meat and bone meal (PBM), and sewage sludge and sawdust (PBT) with 15-mm and 35-mm granule particle size were studied. Tests were performed in a solar greenhouse dryer equipped with a specially designed mixing system. Experiments were aimed at determining the drying time of biofuels under various weather conditions in the southwestern part of Poland. In summer, in order to determine the best conditions for drying, tests were performed using various parameters, i.e., layers of various thickness, such as 5, 10, and 20 cm, and various mixing intensity (no mixing, mixing 3 and 5 times/day). In spring and the fall, 10-cm thick layers combined with 5 times mixing of fuels per day were used. The performed tests demonstrated that it is beneficial to dry fuels in 10-cm thick layer. In spring and the fall, PBS and PBM biofuels laid out in layers with just such thickness showed moisture content reduced to less than 10% after 8 days, while the PBT biofuel reached the same level after 14 days. In summer, the same result may be obtained for all the biofuels after 4 days on average. The presented original method of solar drying of biofuels obtained from sewage sludge and other waste may be used in wastewater treatment plants which process sewage sludge into fuels without incurring any additional costs for supplying heat.

Büyükada, İstanbul’un en önemli doğasal ve turistik merkezlerinden biridir. Adalar’da yeşil örtünün korunmaya çalışılmasına rağmen son yıllarda artan çevresel problemlerin yanında artan antropojenik baskılar ve etkilerden dolayı ağaçlarda da tahribat ve hastalıklar hızlı bir yükseliş göstermiştir. Bu hastalıklar Büyükada’ya peyzaj değeri katan canlı ağaçların kalite ve görünümlerini bozacağı gibi, çoğu tabii anıt olan bu ağaçları yok olma tehlikesiyle karşı karşıya getirmektedir. Hastalıkların artmasının diğer olumsuz yönü de bu hastalıkların Büyükada’da Avrupa’nın en büyük ahşap eseri olan yetimhanenin, birçok köşk, villa, yalı ve bazı devlet kurum binalarının ahşap kısımlarında yaptığı ve yapacağı tahribatlardır. Bu çalışmada Büyükada’daki canlı ağaçlarda tespit edilen “odun çürüklüğü” yapan mantarlar incelenmiştir. Çalışmada belirlenen odun çürüklüğü yapan mantarlar tespit edilip, beyaz çürüklük, esmer (kahverengi) çürüklük ve yumuşak çürüklük yapan mantarlar şeklinde sınıflandırılmıştır. Çalışmada Basidiomycota (26) ve az sayıda Ascomycota üyesi (2) mantar tespit edilmiştir. Büyükada’da çok sayıda ağaçta tespit edilen beyaz çürüklük mantarlarından, Stereum hirsutum, Schizophyllum commune, Ganoderma applanatum, Trametes versicolor ve Porodaedalea pini mantarlarının çok sayıda ve yaygın olduğu görülmüştür. Çalışmanın en önemli sonuçlarından biri de çok sayıda hastalıklardan dolayı tamamen kurumuş ve kesilmek zorunda kalınmış ağaçlar olduğunun görülmesidir. Bu sonuca göre Büyükada’da ciddi bir ağaç tedavisi ve restorasyonu yapılması, ahşap binaların ahşap kısımlarının emprenyelenmesi veya boyanmasının zorunlu olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Buyukada, is one of the most important natural and touristic centers of Istanbul. Despite the efforts to protect the vegetation on the islands, the damage and diseases in the trees have shown a rapid increase due to the increasing environmental problems as well as the increasing anthropogenic impact in recent years. These diseases will deteriorate the quality and appearance of trees that add landscape value to Buyukada, and bring these trees, most of which are natural monuments, in danger of death. Another negative aspect of the increase of diseases is the destructions on the wooden parts of the biggest wooden structure of Europe; the orphanage, mansions, villas, and government buildings. In this study, the fungi that cause "Wood decay" detected on living trees in Buyukada. Wood decay fungi were determined in the study and classified as white, brown and soft rot. Basidiomycota (26) and a small number of Ascomycota members (2) were found. Among the white rot fungi detected in many trees, white rot fungi such as, Stereum hirsutum, Schizophyllum commune, Ganoderma applanatum, Trametes versicolor and Porodaedalea pini fungi have been seen to be numerous and common. One of the most important results of the study is also that it is seen that there are many trees; these have completely dried up and had to be cut because of the diseases. Therefore, it was determined that a serious tree treatment and restorations should be carried out in Buyukada, and the wooden parts of wooden buildings should be impregnated or painted.

An endophytic bacterium Bacillus velezensis BY6 was isolated from the wood stems of healthy Populus davidiana × P. alba var. pyramidalis (PdPap). The BY6 strain can inhibit pathogenic fungus Alternaria alternate in PdPap and promote growth of PdPap seedlings. In the present study, we used the Pacific Biosciences long-read sequencing platform, a single-molecule real-time (SMRT) technology for strain BY6, to perform complete genome sequencing. The genome size was 3,898,273 bp, the number of genes was 4,045, and the average GC content was 47.33%. A complete genome of strain BY6 contained 110 secondary metabolite gene clusters. Nine of the secondary metabolite gene clusters exhibited antifungal activity and promoted growth functions primarily involved in the synthesis of surfactin, bacteriocins, accumulated iron ions, and related antibiotics. Gene clusters provide genetic resources for biotechnology and genetic engineering, and enhance understanding of the relationship between microorganisms and plants.

Evidence supports the link between air pollution and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, exposure to indoor pollution (IDP) is likely to be associated with the disease. The poor, refugees, and migrant workers who live in feeble conditions are the most vulnerable. The pandemic has caused many people to remain indoors, especially at-risk individuals (e.g., the elderly, diabetics, obese, cardiac, and chronic lung disease patients). Home isolation may be an underlying factor to other health problems among these populations if the place where they are socially isolating is not adequately ventilated. Therefore, understanding the consequences of the relationship between IDP and the COVID-19 pandemic is essential.

In this study, contrary to untreated poplar fiber, processing of alkali-treated poplar fiber was optimized for the enzymatic saccharification. Considering reducing sugar content as the evaluation index, pH, temperature, time, amount of enzyme, and rotational speed of shaker were standardized to optimize the sugar production by enzymatic hydrolysis. Using response surface methodology, the optimum technological condition of enzymatic hydrolysis was found to be utilizing 43 mg cellulase at 46 °C for 50 h. At this, the sugar conversion amount of NaOH or H2O2-NaOH pretreated poplar was 164.62 mg/g and 218.82 mg/g respectively. It was a corresponding increase of 446.73% or 626.75% than that of poplar fiber without a pretreatment. At a low concentration, metal ions and surfactants promoted the conversion of reducing sugar. Especially, 0.01 g/L Mn2+ and 0.50 g/L hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) produced the best effect and increased the conversion rate of reducing sugar by 23.62% and 21.44% respectively. Also, the effect of the combination of metal ions and surfactants was better than that of a single accelerator. By improving the enzymatic process, these findings could enhance the utilization of poplar fiber for the production of reducing sugar., GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Kraft lignin, so far useful for energy generation, has been gathering considerable attention as an alternative material to replace fossil-based resources mainly due to its high phenolic content. However, the wide molecular weight distribution and chemical composition heterogeneity led to the development of fractionation methods. Herein, to narrow such characteristics we used eucalypt kraft lignin fractionated at pH's 9, 7, 5 and 3 by sequential acid precipitation. These lignin fractions were first characterised by simultaneous pyrolysis and trimethylsilylation (SPyT) with N-Methyl-N-(trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide with posterior tests of antioxidant, antibacterial, and antitumour activities. We observed higher ratio of syringyl/guaiacyl groups and increase in antioxidant activity in those fractions with lower molecular weight (precipitated at lower pH's). Fractions precipitated at pH's 9 and 7 have shown an outstanding antibacterial activity against five bacteria. Moreover, fractions 7 and 5 presented at cytotoxicity tests higher ability to inhibit the growth of U87MG and T98G glioma cells, while only a slight inhibition of adult human fibroblasts (non-tumour cells) was detected.

The abundance of synthetic polymers has become an ever-increasing environmental threat in the world. The excessive utilization of plastics leads to the accumulation of such recalcitrant pollutants in the environment. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, unprecedented demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, face masks, and gloves made up of single-use items has resulted in the massive generation of plastic biomedical waste. As secondary pollutants, microplastic particles (5 mm) are derived from pellet loss and degradation of macroplastics. Therefore, urgent intervention is required for the management of these hazardous materials. Physicochemical approaches have been employed to degrade synthetic polymers, but these approaches have limited efficiency and cause the release of hazardous metabolites or by-products into the environment. Therefore, bioremediation is a proper option as it is both cost-efficient and environmentally friendly. On the other hand, plants evolved lignocellulose to be resistant to destruction, whereas insects, such as wood-feeding termites, possess diverse microorganisms in their guts, which confer physiological and ecological benefits to their host. Plastic and lignocellulose polymers share a number of physical and chemical properties, despite their structural and recalcitrance differences. Among these similarities are a hydrophobic nature, a carbon skeleton, and amorphous/crystalline regions. Compared with herbivorous mammals, lignocellulose digestion in termites is accomplished at ordinary temperatures. This unique characteristic has been of great interest for the development of a plastic biodegradation approach by termites and their gut symbionts. Therefore, transferring knowledge from research on lignocellulosic degradation by termites and their gut symbionts to that on synthetic polymers has become a new research hotspot and technological development direction to solve the environmental bottleneck caused by synthetic plastic polymers.

Two new 2-(2-phenylethyl)chromone derivatives (1–2) were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of artificial agarwood induced by holing method originating from Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.) Gilg, and they were isolated from this genus for the first time. The structures of these two new compounds were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analyses, including UV, IR, one- and two-dimensional NMR and HRESIMS measurements. Bioassay tests of these two new compounds showed compounds 1 and 2 had weak inhibitory activity against acetylcholinesterase at a concentration of 50.0 μg/ml.

This study uses a new approach for the recycling of plant nutrients by co-digesting sewage sludgewith fly ash from a wood combustion. Sewage sludge and fly ash both are enriched with nutrientsof the wastewater resp. wood, which makes these products an enhanced source for recycledfertilizers. The effects of the ash addition to the anaerobic digestion are studied in several labscale experiments including effects on the gas production and microbial activity. Following that,the fertilizing qualities of the digestate are evaluated by plant growth experiments. The resultsshow that the fertilizing qualities of the digested sludge were improved by the ash addition.Next to this, gas production results show that the methane production was not affected by theash addition, while the total gas release was reduced. The sulphur addition by the ashstimulated sulphate reducing bacteria. The sulphate reducing bacteria did not markedly inhibitthe methanogens. Validerad;2022;Nivå 2;2022-05-06 (hanlid)

The adsorption behaviors of two glucanases, TvEG and TrCel7A, on three lignins were investigated. Three lignins were isolated from raw aspen and its pretreated solid residue. The isolated lignins were labeled as Asp-MWL, DA-MWL (pretreated by dilute acid), and GL-MWL (pretreated by green liquor), respectively. The surface properties of lignins and spin-coated lignin films were characterized by zeta potential, atomic force microscope (AFM) and contact angle. The enzyme adsorption behavior was monitored by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and fluorescence spectrometer. TlCel7A had similar adsorption capacities on the three lignin films but were higher than those of TvEG. The TrCel7A adsorptions on the three lignin films were affected by synergistic effect of electrostatic and hydrophobic interaction while the TvEG adsorptions on the three lignin films were mainly dominated by hydrophobic action. The adsorption capacities of TlCel7A and TvEG on the three lignin films were decreased by adding SL. Plausible explanation was that the SL and glucanase formed a complex with more negative charges, which suppressed the adsorption of glucannase on lignin through electrostatic repulsion. It also explained the improved enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency of lignocellulose upon adding SL.

In the technology of gluing solid wood, various adhesives are used, which, in addition to ensuring the strength of the gluing, must also be characterized by a number of rheological and colloidal-chemical properties, namely: have acceptable viscosity, low contact angles, have good spreading and enveloping ability, penetrate deep into the wood , providing reliable cohesive-adhesive contact and much more. Today, adhesives based on PVA dispersions and urea formaldehydes are used, the properties of which have been sufficiently studied and tested in practice. An alternative to organic-based adhesives is mineral adhesives, in particular aluminosilicate adhesives, which are non-flammable and have high mechanical strength. Object of research:rheokinetic patterns and processes of formation of colloidal-chemical structures of aluminosilicate adhesives modified with compounds of the ANO3and ANO3×nH2O type. Investigated problem:Considering that aluminosilicate adhesives are multiphase reactive suspensions, the viscosity of which changes over time and affects their viability, the issue of viscosity stabilization due to the introduction of electrolyte salts into their composition is relevant, and will also contribute to improving the wettability and spreading of the adhesive during applying them to substrates and gluing samples from various types of wood. Main scientific results:The effect of the concentrations of compounds of the ANO3and ANO3×nH2O type on the rheokinetic and chemical-colloidal properties of the aluminosilicate adhesive has been established, which will make it possible to use aluminosilicate adhesives in practice for gluing wood of various species, as well as to work out possible technological methods of their application, taking into account the obtained data on the viscosity, wetting and spreadability of the modified adhesive on the surface of the wood substrate. Area of practical use of the research results:woodworking enterprises for the production of glued solid wood products. Innovative technological product:aluminosilicate adhesives modified with ANO3and ANO3×nH2O nitrate additives for gluing wood of various species. Scope of application of an innovative technological product:the application of these approaches will make it possible to obtain glued materials from wood from different species with improved technological and physical and mechanical properties of the glue seam and, accordingly, to increase the quality and reliability of products.

In this study, we estimated the technoeconomic availability of three types of dead trees, namely commercially fallen, normally fallen, and standing, in Mongolian subgroups. For dead trees of three major Mongolian tree species (Siberian larch, Scotch pine, and Asian white birch), lumber, firewood, and unused material as sources of energy were quantified and operational costs (marking, felling, skidding, transporting, loading/unloading, processing, and stumpage prices) were estimated. As a result, most Mongolian subgroups were profitable and suitable for the harvest of unused materials. Moreover, unused materials of dead trees can substitute nearly 5.45 million tons of coal, although it is not sufficient to meet the 0.6 years of coal demand across Mongolia. However, in some places, unused dead wood materials can completely substitute coal for decades. Therefore, although the heat utilization of woody biomass is not suitable for Mongolia as a whole, it is feasible in specific regions where forest resources are abundant, such as some Mongolian sub-provinces. Promoting the use of dead trees can reduce the risk of damage caused by wildfires and pests, which are serious problems in Mongolia, and keep the forests healthy. Furthermore, unused materials can generate new income opportunities, and the forest land can be well prepared by removing dead trees to promote planting for sustainable forest management. Finally, dead trees can be used as a resource until transition to sustainable forests with living trees.

Emerging evidences have linked the air pollution particulate matters, especially the fine particulate matter PM2.5, to the disease development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our previous studies reported that biofuel PM2.5 can induce devastated damage of human bronchial epithelial cells, this study aims to further investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms how biofuel PM2.5 induces bronchial epithelial cell death and dysfunction. In this study, biofuel PM2.5 extracted from wood smoke (WSPM2.5) was used according to our previous publication. A 16-HBE cell line was used as the cell model. Results showed that: Firstly, WSPM2.5 induced significant pyroptosis in 16-HBE cells, reflected by the typical changes including elevated release of lactate dehydrogenase release (LDH) and activated activity and expression of Caspase-1/IL-1β/IL-18 signaling pathway. Then, specific inhibitors for both Caspases (Z-VAD-FMK) and Caspase-1 (VX-765), as well as specific siRNA knockdown of IL-1β all effectively attenuated the WSPM2.5-induced upregulation of downstream inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, IL-8, CXCL-1, CXCL-2, etc), respectively. Notably, WSPM2.5 caused a novel increase of intracellular-to-extracellular ATP secretion, which could also contribute to the WSPM2.5-induced pyroptosis and inflammation by activating the Caspase-1/IL-1β/IL-18 signaling pathway through possible autocrine and/or paracrine mechanisms. Antagonism of ATP (Apyrase) or specific siRNA knockdown against ATP receptors (P2Y2 and P2Y7) both significantly inhibited the WSPM2.5-induced pyroptosis and inflammation. These results add up to the current knowledge and bring up novel insights that WSPM2.5 could induce significant pyroptosis and inflammation of human bronchial epithelial cells, through both a classic NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β-dependent and a novel ATP/P2Y-dependent mechanisms.