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Assisted tree migration has been proposed as a conceptual solution to mitigate lags in biotic responses to anthropogenic climate change. The rationale behind this concept is that tree species currently growing under warmer and drier climates will be more resistant and resilient to the new climatic conditions than tree species naturally growing in currently wetter and colder climates. However, we hypothesize that, by being more stress‐tolerant to warmer and drier conditions, translocated species should exhibit different functional attributes, which could induce important ecological and societal costs and overcome the desired benefits of maintaining wood production and other ecosystem services. We used principal component analysis (PCA) to analyze variation in seven traits of 106 tree and tall shrub species from contrasting latitudinal distributions in western North America and Europe to predict the potential functional changes of forest ecosystems due to the translocation of tree species from low to high latitudes. We show that species from both continents differed primarily by their position on the leaf economy spectrum (LES) and their size traits. Even though, in Europe, differences in LES were significantly correlated to species southern latitudinal positions, in both continents differences in size traits were significantly correlated to latitude. These results suggest that assisted migration by translocating more conservative species of shorter stature in currently cooler climates should decrease the buffering capacity of forest canopies, decrease facilitation for understory species, and increase wildfire risks, whose effects have the potential to accelerate climate warming through negative atmospheric feedback processes. As an alternative solution to assisted migration that may accelerate rather than mitigate climate change, we recommend that foresters gradually diversify the vertical structure and layering of the existing forest canopy to maintain a sustainable water cycle and energy balance between the soil, the tree and the atmosphere without increasing the wildfire risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The present study compared the isocapnic buffering phase (ICB), hypocapnic hyperventilation phase, ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) among biathlon and cross-country ski athletes during an incremental exercise test. 37 male and 33 female Turkish National Team athletes volunteered to participate in the research. Body fat percentage, lean mass, and fat mass values of athletes were measured using the bioelectrical impedance analysis method, and oxygen consumption (VO2) was measured with a portable cardiopulmonary exercise test system with a ramp protocol on the treadmill. In VT, RCP, and VO2max phases, male athletes had higher VO2 and speed values than female athletes (p 0.05). Additionally, XC skiers and males had higher absolute (Abs) VO2 and mass-normalized (Rel) VO2 values than biathletes and females in exhaustion times and ICBs (p 0.05). In addition, XC skiers and males had higher absolute (Abs) VO2 and relative (Rel) VO2 values than biathletes and females in exhaustion times and ICBs (p 0.05). These results indicate significant differences in physiological profiles between male and female athletes and between XC skiers and biathletes.

Mashing is a decisive brewing step, affecting wort quality. Critical mashing parameters include time, temperature, pH, mash density and oxygen uptake. While the pH-dependent biochemical changes during mashing have been researched, the oxidative processes remain unclear. This work explores the impact of pH conditions during mashing on the biochemical composition and oxidative properties of wort. In laboratory trials, mashing was conducted at different mashing-in pH (4.5, 5.0, 5.2, 5.4, 6.0). The sweet worts were analyzed for extract, fermentable sugars, limit dextrins, amino acids, soluble proteins, polyphenols, color, aldehydes, transition metals, reducing potential, and rate of radical formation. Differences were found in enzymatic activities (particularly proteolysis), color, aldehydes, transition metal ions, the rate of radical formation and the rate of oxygen consumption. Notably, when adjusting the pH at mashing-in, the obtained wort tends to gravitate toward the pH of the unadjusted wort, underscoring its buffering capacity. This was reflected by similar properties of the produced worts, indicating pH playing a lesser role during mashing compared to time/temperature. However, under extreme acidified conditions (pH 4.5 at mashing-in), the produced wort markedly deviates. An intriguing negative correlation between the reducing potential and the content of transition metal ions with the rate of radical formation is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physiological properties of marine mammal skeletal muscle are foundational in defining diving and foraging capacities. Further, these parameters can be useful when assessing the behavioral flexibility of species faced with environmental change or disturbance. Herein, we define species- and age-specific muscle physiology for three ice-associated seal species experiencing Arctic warming. Specifically, we evaluated myoglobin content ([Mb]), nonbicarbonate buffering capacity (p), and fiber type profiles of a major locomotor muscle, the longissimus dorsi. Muscle samples were obtained from subsistence harvested ringed (Pusa hispida; n = 11), bearded (Erignathus barbatus; n = 41), and spotted (Phoca largha; n = 12) seals of all ages in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. Adult ringed seals had the highest [Mb] (6.67 ± 0.20 g 100 g wet tissue-1), followed by spotted (5.38 ± 0.29 g 100 g wet tissue-1) and bearded (4.55 ± 0.07 g 100 g wet tissue-1) seals. [Mb] increased with age for all species, but rates of increase differed by species. In contrast, p was similar for all species and age classes. We documented higher proportions of fast-twitch relative to slow-twitch fibers in these species, and fiber type proportions did not differ significantly with age. Adult bearded seals exhibited the greatest proportion of fast-twitch fibers (68.7 ± 1.5%), followed by ringed (59.0 ± 4.8%) and spotted (55.1 ± 2.1%) seals. Overall, our data suggest a strong link between muscle physiology, diving behavior, and life history strategies, and provide insight into the physiological capacities of these potentially vulnerable species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The huge quantum of vegetable waste (VW) generated in the country has a tendency to decay rapidly owing to high organic and moisture content, and extremely perishable nature which make it an ideal feedstock for renewable energy production. Initial assessment of biochemical methane potential (BMP) of relatively more acidic cabbage, tomato, capsicum, and bitter gourd wastes resulted in lower biogas accumulation (80–120 mL) and methane yield (0.016–0.028 L/g VS added). On the other hand, higher cumulative biogas production (300–320 mL) and corresponding methane yield (0.280–0.300 L/g VS added) were noted for relatively less acidic radish and fenugreek leaves wastes. The Butyrate/Acetate and Propionate/Acetate levels were above inhibitory concentration in case of former set of VWs with poor methane yield, and were lower than inhibitory concentration in case of latter set of VWs with higher methane yield. Biogas volume and methane yield were observed to be 220 mL and 0.112 L/g VS added respectively during co-digestion of all the seven VWs (MVW) while the same were higher (320 mL and 0.255 L/g VS added) during co-digestion of VWs (HBVW) which had performed better during mono-digestion experiment. The determination coefficients for observed methane production potential of VWs (R2 values) were > 0.9 indicating goodness of fit for all the four kinetic models. However, among the four kinetic models, most accurate prediction of biogas potential was achieved by the logistic function and modified Gompertz models considering the minimum deviations between the measured and predicted biogas yields and lowest values displayed for the statistical indicators RMSE, MAPE, AIC, and BIC. The study highlighted the significance of monitoring substrate composition during the anaerobic digestion for preventing process failure due to over-acidification and also paves the path towards effectively utilizing VW as substrate for biogas production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unstructured mathematical model is proposed to describe the fermentation kinetics of growth, lactic acid production, pH and sugar consumption by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 as a function of the buffering capacity and initial dry matter concentration of pretreated biomass of Arthrospira platensis in the culture media. Initially the experimental data of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 fermentations in algae-based media with different buffering capacity and dry matter concentration were fitted to a set of primary models. Later the parameters obtained from these models were used to establish mathematical relationships with the independent variables tested. The models were validated with 6 fermentations of Lactobacillus. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus WDCM 00102 in different algae-based media. In most cases the proposed models adequately describe the biochemical changes taking place during fermentation and are a promising approach for the formulation of algae-based probiotic foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Storage enclosures made of paper-based materials are commonly used to store and classify archival documents for their hygrothermal buffering effect. However, there is little information about papermaking and quantitative studies on such an effect. Aiming to assess the feasibility of using the enclosure to buffer temperature and relative humidity fluctuations, without any detrimental effect on the collections, this paper reports four measurements and a feasibility assessment: thermophysical properties of the enclosure material, hygroscopic properties of the material, air change rate of the enclosure, buffering effect in a climate chamber and the assessment of safeguarding collections without causing any detrimental effect. The measurement results show that the enclosure can buffer macro-environmental fluctuations, which was considered sufficient to mitigate temperature and humidity fluctuations from the room environment and to secure a condition inside that is safe for the collections. The paper-based material determines the buffering capacity of the enclosure, and an appropriate air change rate ensures average temperature and relative humidity inside the enclosure at a controllable level and prevents off-gassing accumulation. This work provides assurance that using enclosures is an effective approach to collection storage and establishes a significant basis for further heat–air–moisture simulation and energy-saving optimisation study in the service operation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the effects of homolactic bacteria and molasses (MOL) in whole-plant soybean silage on dry matter (DM) losses, content of organic acids, bromatological composition, in situ degradation of DM and aerobic stability. Mini-silos (n = 200) were blocked (n = 5) by phenological stage and assigned into a 2×2 factorial treatment arrangement with 2 levels of microbial inoculation (INO, 0 or 105 colony forming units of Lactobacillus plantarum and Pediococcus pentosaceus per kg of fresh forage) and 2 levels of powdered MOL (0 and 40 g/kg fresh forage). Mini-silos were opened after 90 days of fermentation. Total losses were lower in silos with MOL. Whole-plant soybean ensiled with the combination of INO and MOL had the highest DM recovery. Adding MOL increased lactic acid content and decreased ammonia nitrogen content (marker of proteolysis), pH and buffering capacity. MOL reduced the contents of NDF. Silage with both INO and MOL had the highest DM content. MOL increased DM degradation. No effects were detected on aerobic stability. INO does not show positive effects on soybean silage nutritive quality when not associated with MOL. Molasses has a positive impact on whole-plant soybean silage by decreasing fermentation losses and pH, while increasing silage nutritive value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Knowing and predicting the buffering capacity of a food is of high importance in the context of gastric digestion and health. The aim of this study was to analyze the buffering capacity and the HCl amount needed to acidify a food, both as an indication of the acidity and gastric digestion of commercial and homemade dog foods in relation to their nutrient composition. The study developed prediction equations to estimate the buffering capacity using a set of 30 complete dog foods, each ten different types of commercial dry and wet dog food, and homemade dog food. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate canine food for buffering capacity. The buffering capacity (BC) of food may act as a key regulatory parameter of canine gastric digestion by influencing the activity of gastric enzymes, the solubility of dietary ingredients, the gastric breakdown of food nutrients, and, subsequently, the absorption of nutrients. To analyse a possible effect of food on gastric pH, the BC of wet, dry, and homemade dog food was quantified via an acid titration method until a pH under 2 was achieved. Wet food had the highest BC; between dry and homemade food, there was no significant difference. Using multiple regression analyses, we were able to establish associations between the nutrient composition and the BC of the dog food. Crude protein content was the most important factor that influenced the BC and HCl use per gram of dry matter (DM) (p < 0.001), whereas the initial pH only tended to have an influence. The ash content also tended to affect the used HCl per gram of DM, and the DM content had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on the BC per gram of DM. The excessively high ash content found in wet food could be a risk factor for gastric dilatation–volvulus syndrome because it could lead to an insufficient pH drop in the stomach. Our data indicate large differences in the BC of typical dog food; so, estimating the BC using the equations developed herein could help to design individualized dog diets, in particular for dogs with health problems such as gastric hypoacidity, gastric reflux, or gastritis. However, more research about the influence of dog-food BC on gastric pH in vivo is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microsites are created by abiotic and biotic features of the landscape and may provide essential habitats for the persistence of biota. Forest canopies and understorey plants may moderate wind and solar radiation to create microclimatic conditions that differ considerably from regional climates. Skirt‐forming plants, where senescent leaves create hut‐like cavities around the stem, create microsites that are sheltered from ambient conditions and extreme weather events, constituting potential refuges for wildlife. We investigate day and night temperatures and humidity for four locations (grass tree cavities, soil, 20 cm above‐ground, 1 m above‐ground) in a South Australian forest with relatively open canopy of stringybark eucalypts (Eucalyptus baxteri, E. obliqua) and an understorey of skirt‐forming grass trees (Xanthorrhoea semiplana) at 5, 10, 20, and 40 m from the forest edge. We also measured the percentage of canopy and understorey covers. Generally, temperature and humidity differed significantly between more sheltered (grass tree cavities, soil) and open‐air microsites, with the former being cooler during the day and warmer and more humid during the night. Furthermore, our results suggest that canopy cover tends to decrease, and understorey cover tends to increase, the temperature of microsites. Distance to the edge was not significantly related to temperature for any microsite, suggesting that the edge effect did not extend beyond 10 m from the edge. Overall, grass trees influenced microclimatic conditions by forming a dense understorey and providing cavities that are relatively insulated. The capacity of grass tree cavities to buffer external conditions increased linearly with ambient temperatures, by 0.46°C per degree increase in maximum and 0.25°C per degree decrease in minimum temperatures, potentially offsetting climate warming and enabling persistence of fauna within their thermal limits. These climate moderation properties will make grass trees increasingly important refuges as extreme weather events become more common under anthropogenic climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is causing a significant decrease in the total acidity of grapes and related wines. This represents a serious issue for sparkling wine production. Consequently, before the second fermentation, the acidification of base wines is often necessary. However, the impacts of the most important organic acids on the foam properties of sparkling wines are not yet well known. The impacts of the addition of tartaric, malic, citric, and lactic acid on the quality of Falanghina and Bombino sparkling wines were evaluated. Analyses were performed soon after the second fermentation and one year after aging sur lees. The addition of each different organic acid to the two base wines resulted in significant changes in the sparkling wines not only in terms of pH, titratable acidity, and buffering capacity but also in the content of total amino acids and, in some cases, in the height of the foam and its stability over time. For both grape varieties, acidified wines showed a lower content of total amino acids in comparison with the control wines. The addition of lactic acid determined a higher persistency of the foam even after one year of aging sur lees only in Falanghina wines. The results obtained herein highlight the importance of organic acids and the pH of the base wines for the content of amino acids in sparkling wines. No strict correlation between organic acid addition and the foamability of wines was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Nutritional factors are suggested to influence the incidence and severity of glandular gastric disease (GGD) in horses. Objectives To retrospectively assess whether dietary fermentable carbohydrates increase the severity of GGD and to prospectively evaluate whether the partial substitution of concentrates by dehydrated alfalfa would decrease GGD severity scores. Animals In total, 82 trotters from 4 training centers exercised ≥5 days/week. Methods Multicenter retrospective observational study, and prospective 2‐arm randomized trial. Glandular mucosae were observed by gastroscopy and scored (0‐4 severity scale) at day 0 (D0). Biochemical composition of the diet fed was compared between ulcerated and nonulcerated groups. After D0, horses either received the same diet (control, n = 41) or pelleted dehydrated alfalfa substituting 50% concentrates (alfalfa, n = 41). Glandular scores were recorded in both groups after 21 (D21) and 42 days (D42). The first end point was a successful outcome, defined as a horse with a glandular score of 2 to 4 on D0, decreasing to a score of 0 to 1 on days 21 or 42. Results Horses scored 0 to 1 at D0 ingested more (P = .01) soluble sugars from concentrates than those scored 2 to 4 before D0 (77.5 g/kg BW; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.1‐84.0, vs 59.1 g/kg BW; 95% CI: 48.0‐70.3), whereas starch intake did not differ between groups (P = .24). Among horses scored 2 to 4 at D0, fewer were scored 2 to 4 in the alfalfa group (1 out of 6) compared with the control group (6 out of 6) at D42 (P = .02). Clinical success was 47.7 times more likely in horses fed alfalfa compared with horses in the control group (95% CI: 1.6‐1422.8). Conclusion and Clinical Importance Relationships were found between diet composition and integrity of the glandular mucosa. Feeding pelleted dehydrated alfalfa could help to reduce the incidence and severity of GGD.

To reduce the impact of mountain rockfall on the shed tunnel, cushion buffering materials were designed as protective measures. The optimized design can improve the impact energy of rockfall by effectively dissipating it. In the present study, numerical simulation of the impact dynamics of three granular materials (spherical, cylindrical, and square) was investigated by the discrete element method. Particularly, this article discussed how particle shape and V0 (initial impact velocity) affect impact pressure, kinetic energy, friction mobilization, force chain evolution, distribution, transmission efficiency, and anisotropy of granular materials. The results showed that among these three different shapes of granular materials, the spherical granular material had the best cushioning capacity. The sensitivity of impact pressure to particle shape depends on V0, whether or not above Vc (critical initial impact velocity). Besides, as V0 increases, the probability distribution function of the weak contact force is smaller, while the strong contact force is larger, and the decreases exponentially with the increase of force. Furthermore, the transmission capacity of the primary force chain is the best, while secondary force chain transmission is the largest force,Under low velocity impact, the sharper the particle surface, the stronger the spatial negative correlation of the force chain, which increases the spatial normal force and normal relationship of the force chain structure, and thus the stronger the force.

Performance of electrocatalytic reactions depends on not only the composition and structure of the active sites, but also their local environment, including the surrounding electrolyte. In this work, we demonstrate that BF2(OH)2− anion is the key fluoroborate species formed in the mixed KBi/KF (KBi=potassium borate) electrolyte to enhance the rate of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at near‐neutral pH. Through a combination of electrokinetic and in situ spectroscopic studies, we show that the mixed KBi/KF electrolyte promotes the OER via two pathways: 1) stabilizing the interfacial pH during the proton‐producing reaction with its high buffering capacity; and 2) activating the interfacial water via strong hydrogen bonds with F‐containing species. With the KBi/KF electrolyte, electrodeposited Co(OH)2 is able to achieve 100 mA/cm2 at 1.74 V, which is among the highest reported activities with earth‐abundant electrocatalysts at near neutral conditions. These findings highlight the potential of leveraging electrolyte‐engineering for improving the electrochemical performance of the OER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a model that would be able to simulate the kinetics of cell growth, lactic acid production, pH drop and sugar consumption in algae-based fermentations with Lactobacillus acidophilus BUCSAV-375 strain. The kinetic parameters of the primary models for these dependent variables were expressed as a function of the initial dry matter concentration of the media, obtaining by treatment of biomass of microalgae of Spirulina platensis (Arthrospira platensis), and their buffering capacity. Later the parameters obtained from these models were used to establish mathematical relationships with the independent variables tested. The models were validated with 6 fermentations of L.acidophilus in different algae-based media. In most cases the proposed models adequately describe the biochemical changes taking place during fermentation and are a promising approach for the formulation of algae-based probiotic foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the distribution of sulfur and iron compounds (dissolved sulfide: H2S and HS−, iron sulfide: FeS, and ionized iron: Fe2+ and Fe3+) in sediments (0–15 cm depth) at four stations in Mikawa Bay, Japan, was evaluated from April 2015 to March 2016. The maximum dissolved sulfide concentrations in the upper part of the sediment porewater (0–4 cm depth) (within 1.4–8.1 mmol·L−1) varied among stations located in a waterway of a large-scale port with a significant dead zone. Moreover, the iron sulfide and ionized iron concentrations in the upper part were highest at a station where the dissolved sulfide concentration was relatively low compared with that of the other sites. Analysis of the theoretical and hypothetical accumulation of particulate oxidized iron (FOOH) at the stations located in the dead zone revealed that the estimated particulate oxidized iron accumulation was higher (2303 mmol·m−2) at a station in which the dissolved sulfide concentration was low compared with the other stations (142–384 mmol·m−2). Altogether, these findings suggest that the sulfur–iron cycling can determine the amount of dissolved sulfides that accumulate in sediments. Hence, artificially adding iron compounds to the seabed may help mitigate free sulfides accumulation and prevent extreme hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Health & Sport is the property of Turkish Journal of Health & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Chinese Journal of Computational Mechanics / Jisuan Lixue Xuebao is the property of Chinese Journal of Computational Mechanics Editorial Office, Dalian University of Technology and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Nutritional factors are suggested to influence the incidence and severity of glandular gastric disease (GGD) in horses. Objectives: To retrospectively assess whether dietary fermentable carbohydrates increase the severity of GGD and to prospectively evaluate whether the partial substitution of concentrates by dehydrated alfalfa would decrease GGD severity scores. Animals: In total, 82 trotters from 4 training centers exercised ≥5 days/week. Methods: Multicenter retrospective observational study, and prospective 2‐arm randomized trial. Glandular mucosae were observed by gastroscopy and scored (0‐4 severity scale) at day 0 (D0). Biochemical composition of the diet fed was compared between ulcerated and nonulcerated groups. After D0, horses either received the same diet (control, n = 41) or pelleted dehydrated alfalfa substituting 50% concentrates (alfalfa, n = 41). Glandular scores were recorded in both groups after 21 (D21) and 42 days (D42). The first end point was a successful outcome, defined as a horse with a glandular score of 2 to 4 on D0, decreasing to a score of 0 to 1 on days 21 or 42. Results: Horses scored 0 to 1 at D0 ingested more (P =.01) soluble sugars from concentrates than those scored 2 to 4 before D0 (77.5 g/kg BW; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 71.1‐84.0, vs 59.1 g/kg BW; 95% CI: 48.0‐70.3), whereas starch intake did not differ between groups (P =.24). Among horses scored 2 to 4 at D0, fewer were scored 2 to 4 in the alfalfa group (1 out of 6) compared with the control group (6 out of 6) at D42 (P =.02). Clinical success was 47.7 times more likely in horses fed alfalfa compared with horses in the control group (95% CI: 1.6‐1422.8). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Relationships were found between diet composition and integrity of the glandular mucosa. Feeding pelleted dehydrated alfalfa could help to reduce the incidence and severity of GGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies highlight the potential of climate change refugia (CCR) to support the persistence of biodiversity in regions that may otherwise become unsuitable with climate change. However, a key challenge in using CCR for climate resilient management lies in how CCR may intersect with existing forest management strategies, and subsequently influence how landscapes buffer species from negative impacts of warming climate. We address this challenge in temperate coastal forests of the Pacific Northwestern United States, where declines in the extent of late‐successional forests have prompted efforts to restore old‐growth forest structure. One common approach for doing so involves selectively thinning forest stands to enhance structural complexity. However, dense canopy is a key forest feature moderating understory microclimate and potentially buffering organisms from climate change impacts, raising the possibility that approaches for managing forests for old‐growth structure may reduce the extent and number of CCR. We used remotely sensed vegetation indices to identify CCR in an experimental forest with control and thinned (restoration) treatments, and explored the influence of biophysical variables on buffering capacity. We found that remotely sensed vegetation indices commonly used to identify CCR were associated with understory temperature and plant community composition, and thus captured aspects of landscape buffering that might instill climate resilience and be of interest to management. We then examined the interaction between current restoration strategies and CCR, and found that selective thinning for promoting old‐growth structure had only very minor, if any, effects on climatic buffering. In all, our study demonstrates that forest management approaches aimed at restoring old‐growth structure through targeted thinning do not greatly decrease buffering capacity, despite a known link between dense canopy and CCR. More broadly, this study illustrates the value of using remote sensing approaches to identify CCR, facilitating the integration of climate change adaptation with other forest management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A winter wheat composite cross population (CCP), created in the UK in 2001, has been grown in Germany, Hungary, and the UK since 2005 (F5 generation). In 2008/09 (F8), a cycling pattern for the populations was developed between partners to test the effects of rapidly changing environments on agronomic performance and morphological characteristics. One CCP was grown by eight partners for one year and subsequently sent to the next partner, creating "cycling CCPs" with different histories. In 2013, all eight cycling CCPs and the three non-cycling CCPs (from Germany, Hungary, and the UK) were included in a two-year experiment in Germany with three line varieties as references. Differing seed weights of the F13 at sowing affected some agronomic parameters under drought conditions in 2014/15 but not under less stressful conditions in 2013/14. In both experimental years, the CCPs were comparable to the line varieties in terms of agronomic performance, with some CCPs yielding more than the varieties under the drought conditions of 2015. The results highlight the potential of CCPs to compete with line varieties, while the overall similarity of the CCPs based on their origin and cycling history for agronomic traits indicates a high buffering potential under highly variable environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate fermentation losses and the fermentation profile of cactus pear silage with buffel grass pre-dried. Five levels of inclusion of buffel grass pre-dried in cactus pear silage (0%; 15%; 25%; 35% and 45% on a dry matter basis) were evaluated with 6 replications, in a completely randomised design. After 90 storage days, silos were opened and silages were analysed. The density, effluent losses, buffering capacity, flieg index, mineral matter, organic matter, crude protein, total carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients content were quadratically influenced (P < 0.05) of the inclusion of buffel grass pre-dried in cactus pear silage. The inclusion of buffel grass pre-dried promoted a decreasing on gas losses, maximum pH, final pH during stability and CO2 production at the three exposure times, and an increasing on dry matter recovery, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, ammonia nitrogen, dry matter, neutral and acid detergent fibre, and hemicellulose contents in the cactus pear silages. The inclusion of up to 35% buffel grass pre-dried in cactus pear silage represents a viable strategy in the process of nutrient conservation and fermentation quality. In addition to presenting low carbon production during aerobic stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If gastric acidity is to be encouraged, it may be beneficial to eliminate some feed elements from pig starter meals since they bind more acid in the stomach than others. The cereals (wheat, maize, and barley), soybean meal, commercial mineral supplement, and two feed mixtures (one of them with the additive Zeolit) were evaluated. In this study, it was discovered that adding zeolite to the feed mixture had the effect of lowering its initial pH (P

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is an inflammatory condition that primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50. It has been hypothesised that AITD causes salivary glands to produce less saliva due to its endocrine effects. Studies showing the effect of AITD on salivary glands are very scarce. The aim of this study was to compare AITD patients with controls who were of a similar age and gender in terms of salivary metrics and the prevalence of dental caries. Methods: 200 subjects in Bangalore city (100 AITD subjects and 100 healthy subjects as controls) participated in a cross-sectional study. Subjective oral dryness was assessed using Farsi’s criteria. Salivary parameters and caries were assessed using GC Saliva-Check BUFFER kit and WHO caries criteria respectively. Descriptive and analytical statistics were done. Significant data was defined as a p value of Results: When compared to controls, the AITD group had substantially more subjective mouth dryness and dental caries. Unstimulated (USFR) and stimulated salivary flow rate (SFR), pH and buffering capacity were reduced in AITD group whereas viscosity was high. There was a significant negative correlation between USFR, SFR, subjective oral dryness and dental caries. In a linear regression, there was no association between age, gender, socioeconomic status (SES), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), salivary viscosity, pH, buffering capacity and dental caries. Dental caries, USFR and SFR demonstrated a substantial relationship. Conclusions: The present research may indicate an underlying association between thyroid and salivary gland dysfunction resulting in oral dryness and high dental caries experience.

The reduction of Cr(VI) by biosynthesis iron sulfides (FeS1+x) under anoxic conditions has been studied extensively. However, the role of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) when FeS1+x containing SRB removes contaminants during in situ remediation still needs further study. The secondary kinetic constant of biosynthetic FeS1+x with the presence of SRB (called BS-FeS1+x) was 1.72 times that of FeS1+x with the absence of SRB (called BNS-FeS1+x) under FeS1+x:Cr(VI) molar ratio = 10:1, indicating that SRB had a promoting effect on the removal of Cr(VI). Additionally, XPS showed that 5.7% of Cr(VI) remained in the solid phase in the BS-FeS1+x system, indicating BS-FeS1+x could not only remove Cr(VI) by reduction but also by adsorption. Meanwhile, the Cr(VI) removal efficiency of BS-FeS1+x was 100% under anoxic conditions with FeS1+x:Cr(VI) molar ratio = 1:1, which was higher than BNS-SRB (93.4%). SRB could enhance the Cr(VI) removal efficiency, which was possibly due to the constant release of S(-II) and the improvement of the stability and dispersion and the buffering effect. This discovery provided an inspiring idea of the application of biosynthetic iron sulfides to in situ remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The buffering capacity of saliva is a crucial function that serves multiple purposes. The normal pH of saliva is 6.3, and the buffering capacity of saliva maintains it above 5.5, thereby preventing demineralization. In this study, we evaluate the buffering capacity of saliva post-consumption of normal and probiotic yogurt. Therefore, the study's objective was to estimate saliva's buffering capacity among the 17-21-year-old population post-probiotic yogurt and regular yogurt consumption. The buffering capacity of saliva was tested using the Ericsson method (1959), where 0.5 mL of saliva was mixed with 1.5 mL of 5 mmol/L HCl. The mixture was mixed aggressively, centrifuged for a minute, and allowed to stand for 10 minutes. The baseline mean salivary buffering capacity of plain yogurt was 5.70±0.42, and after 15 days, it decreased to 4.50±0.70, then it gradually increased to 5.35±0.77 after 30 days of follow-up. The baseline mean salivary buffering capacity of probiotic yogurt was 2.90± 0.42, and after 15 days, it increased to 4.05±0.21 then it increased further to 5.10±0.28 after 30 days of follow-up. Probiotic yogurt reduces the incidence of dental caries by preventing demineralization of the enamel surface caused by reduced pH levels (acidic pH). However, it is seen that the buffering capacity of saliva does not significantly increase after the consumption of probiotic yogurt as compared to regular yogurt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Buffering capacity (BC) is one of the important quality parameters of wort. In this study, the effect of single amino acids on brewing wort pH and its influence in wort BC were investigated. A beer sweet wort (BSW) was used as a control. A synthetic sweet wort (SSW) and synthetic sweet wort without amino acids (SSWNA) were prepared for a general comparison due to its absence of peptides. BC was conducted by the addition of hydrochloric acid. Results showed that a BSW and a SSW differed in their BC because SSW did not contain small peptides/peptides/polypeptides; SSWNA lost its BC severely due to its absence of nitrogenous compounds. Among all amino acids, arginine, and glutamic acid presented a higher influence in initial pH. However, aspartic acid wort demonstrated the best BC; therefore, this amino acid can be used to control the BC of brewers wort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have documented that during 'green tide' events, comprising green macroalgae blooms in aquatic ecosystems, dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) levels remain relatively steady despite the absorption of a large amount of DIP. In this study, surface sediment samples and a sediment core were extracted using a modified sequential extraction scheme, and water and surface sediment samples were analyzed in April 2017 to better understand phosphorus (P) cycling and replenishment in Subei shoal. We used a simple model on equilibrium of adsorption-desorption to present the buffering capacity of phosphate. The total P (TP) in the surface sediments ranged from 12.2 to 28.4 µmol g−1 (average 15.5 µmol g−1) and was dominated by inorganic P. TP, exchangeable P, reactive and reductive Fe/Al bound P, and authigenic apatite P significantly decreased northward and eastward from Subei shoal, contrary to the detrital P and organic P results. Dissolved and particulate inorganic P in the water samples ranged from 0.01 to 0.54 µmol L−1 (average 0.19 µmol L−1) and 0.9 to 19.6 µmol g−1 (average 4.9 µmol g−1), respectively. The applied model showed that suspended particulate matter is an important regulator of DIP behavior. Thus, modification of SPM can alter the DIP buffering capacity. The calculated buffering capacity in the surface layer of the sea water was > 60 within Subei shoal and always > 10 along the path of floating Ulva prolifera, providing a reasonable explanation for the steady concentration of DIP and its replenishment during the blooming of this green macroalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: In order to increase efficiency and productivity, the need to use high-energy concentrate in dairy cows' rations seems to be essential. This type of feed increases the risk of subacute ruminal acidosis, which leads to reduced dry matter intake, milk production, and fat content. Therefore, different types of buffers are used to reduce the above consequences. Most buffers used in livestock farms include sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium oxide, magnesium carbonate, and bentonite. Scientific reports on rations containing buffers have a significant effect on fermentation parameters such as volume of gas production, potential, and consistent rate of gas production. Materials and Methods: In this study, three types of rations for dairy cows composed of 50:50, 40:60, and 30:70 forage to concentrate ratios and 4 types of buffers and alkalizer including sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate were examined using in vitro technique. The sequence of this experiment included determining the initial pH, buffering capacity, and buffering value index, determining the effect of buffers on the rate of fermentation parameters, microbial production, and utilizable crude protein at the duodenum of different diets in terms of forage to concentrate ratios. Results: The results of this experiment showed that the highest acidogenicity value was related to the treatment of low forage rations containing sodium bicarbonate buffer, which was significantly different from the control treatment. The rate of microbial protein production, in the gas technique, indicated that the highest amount of microbial protein was produced in the low-forage ration containing sodium bicarbonate buffer. In the microbial protein production experiment, it could be used in the small intestine. The highest amount of protein that could be used in the small intestine at eight and Twenty-four hours was related to the treatment of low forage feed containing sodium bicarbonate buffer. Conclusion: The results of treatments indicated that the buffering capacity of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate was significantly higher than sodium bicarbonate. The use of sodium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate buffers in low-forage diets increase gas production and production of microbial protein. It seems that among the evaluated compounds, sodium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate have the best effect on the production of microbial protein and utilizable crude protein at the duodenum in different diets in terms of the ratio of forage to concentrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) is an inflammatory condition that primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50. It has been hypothesised that AITD causes salivary glands to produce less saliva due to its endocrine effects. Studies showing the effect of AITD on salivary glands are very scarce. The aim of this study was to compare AITD patients with controls who were of a similar age and gender in terms of salivary metrics and the prevalence of dental caries. Methods: 200 subjects in Bangalore city (100 AITD subjects and 100 healthy subjects as controls) participated in a cross-sectional study. Subjective oral dryness was assessed using Farsi’s criteria. Salivary parameters and caries were assessed using GC Saliva-Check BUFFER kit and WHO caries criteria respectively. Descriptive and analytical statistics were done. Significant data was defined as a p value of

Climate change is causing a significant decrease in the total acidity of grapes and related wines. This represents a serious issue for sparkling wine production. Consequently, before the second fermentation, the acidification of base wines is often necessary. However, the impacts of the most important organic acids on the foam properties of sparkling wines are not yet well known. The impacts of the addition of tartaric, malic, citric, and lactic acid on the quality of Falanghina and Bombino sparkling wines were evaluated. Analyses were performed soon after the second fermentation and one year after aging sur lees. The addition of each different organic acid to the two base wines resulted in significant changes in the sparkling wines not only in terms of pH, titratable acidity, and buffering capacity but also in the content of total amino acids and, in some cases, in the height of the foam and its stability over time. For both grape varieties, acidified wines showed a lower content of total amino acids in comparison with the control wines. The addition of lactic acid determined a higher persistency of the foam even after one year of aging sur lees only in Falanghina wines. The results obtained herein highlight the importance of organic acids and the pH of the base wines for the content of amino acids in sparkling wines. No strict correlation between organic acid addition and the foamability of wines was observed.

The buffering capacity (BC) of food may act as a key regulatory parameter of canine gastric digestion by influencing the activity of gastric enzymes, the solubility of dietary ingredients, the gastric breakdown of food nutrients, and, subsequently, the absorption of nutrients. To analyse a possible effect of food on gastric pH, the BC of wet, dry, and homemade dog food was quantified via an acid titration method until a pH under 2 was achieved. Wet food had the highest BC; between dry and homemade food, there was no significant difference. Using multiple regression analyses, we were able to establish associations between the nutrient composition and the BC of the dog food. Crude protein content was the most important factor that influenced the BC and HCl use per gram of dry matter (DM) (p < 0.001), whereas the initial pH only tended to have an influence. The ash content also tended to affect the used HCl per gram of DM, and the DM content had a significant (p < 0.05) influence on the BC per gram of DM. The excessively high ash content found in wet food could be a risk factor for gastric dilatation–volvulus syndrome because it could lead to an insufficient pH drop in the stomach. Our data indicate large differences in the BC of typical dog food; so, estimating the BC using the equations developed herein could help to design individualized dog diets, in particular for dogs with health problems such as gastric hypoacidity, gastric reflux, or gastritis. However, more research about the influence of dog-food BC on gastric pH in vivo is needed.

Hypersecretion of gastric acid damages the stomach lining, causing the formation of peptic ulcers. Mucilage from medicinal plants offers a relaxing and soothing effect to the endodermal lining of the gut and has antacid properties, which can protect the mucosal lining from gastric acidity. This is the first report aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, acid-neutralizing, and cytotoxicity properties of traditionally used aqueous mucilage from Asparagus exuvialis and Sesamum capense. The physicochemical properties were determined by biochemical methods. Acid neutralizing and buffering capacities were determined by titration methods. Normal mouse embryonic fibroblast cells were used for cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT assay. The physicochemical characterization confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, saponins, proteins, tannins, flavonoids, and glycosides. Sesamum capense mucilage exhibited the most potent artificial gastric juice neutralizing capacity pH of 4.62±0.01, 8.0±0.00 acid neutralization capacity per gram of acid, and 30 minutes duration of acid neutralization. The aqueous mucilage from S. capense did not cause any significant cytotoxicity to 3T3 cell lines showing an IC50 value of 91.5 ± 0.06 μg mL-1, confirming the safe nature of the mucilage. These findings revealed that S. capense has the potential to neutralize gastric acid responsible for ulceration and can be safely consumed.

Hypersecretion of gastric acid damages the stomach lining, causing the formation of peptic ulcers. Mucilage from medicinal plants offers a relaxing and soothing effect to the endodermal lining of the gut and has antacid properties, which can protect the mucosal lining from gastric acidity. This is the first report aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics, acid-neutralizing, and cytotoxicity properties of traditionally used aqueous mucilage from Asparagus exuvialis and Sesamum capense. The physicochemical properties were determined by biochemical methods. Acid neutralizing and buffering capacities were determined by titration methods. Normal mouse embryonic fibroblast cells were used for cytotoxicity evaluation by MTT assay. The physicochemical characterization confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, saponins, proteins, tannins, flavonoids, and glycosides. Sesamum capense mucilage exhibited the most potent artificial gastric juice neutralizing capacity pH of 4.62±0.01, 8.0±0.00 acid neutralization capacity per gram of acid, and 30 minutes duration of acid neutralization. The aqueous mucilage from S. capense did not cause any significant cytotoxicity to 3T3 cell lines showing an IC50 value of 91.5 ± 0.06 μg mL-1, confirming the safe nature of the mucilage. These findings revealed that S. capense has the potential to neutralize gastric acid responsible for ulceration and can be safely consumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The physical and chemical properties of three kinds of laminations relative to the bonding properties of three-layer hybrid cross-laminated timber (CLT) were studied. The density of the parallel layer lamination of CLT was 640.47±61.85 kg/m3 , and the perpendicular layer laminations for CLT larch wood, poplar, and oriented strand board (OSB) were 392.51±40.14 , 343.73±17.16 , and 384.41±12.93 kg/m3. Block shear bond strength (BBS), wood failure percentage (WFP), and delamination rate (DR) of the hybrid CLT specimens were also determined. The results showed that the three kinds of hybrid CLT prepared with polyurethane (PUR) adhesive had good bonding properties under 1.2 MPa of bonding pressure. The BBS values of CLT with larch wood, poplar hybrid, and OSB hybrid were 2.32, 2.41, and 1.98 MPa, respectively; furthermore, their WFPs were all greater than 80%, and their DRs were 9.32%, 0.37%, and 0.11%, respectively. Regarding the relationship between perpendicular layer material properties and bonding properties, analysis revealed that delamination performance was strongly correlated with pH, buffer capacity, and the surface free energy of the perpendicular layer, whereas the WFP and BBS values had a strong correlation with pH and buffer capacity. Density was determined to be unrelated to bonding performance in the CLT prepared in this experiment. Microscopic analysis of the bonding line proves that the PUR adhesive can effectively penetrate into three different laminations under a bonding pressure of 1.2 MPa and form enough nails to ensure bonding strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The IPEC-J2 cell line is frequently used as an in vitro model to study the bioactivity of live probiotics. However, lactic acid bacteria (LB) acidify the medium, and the impact of pH and lactic acid accumulation on cell viability seem to be underestimated. Methods: IPEC-J2 viability was assessed by neutral red and flow cytometry in the presence of eight probiotics at concentrations between 106 and 109 bacteria/mL in maintenance and buffered media. Results: It was shown that a high inoculation level led to higher cytotoxic effects on IPEC-J2 cells after 22 h of incubation and that viability losses were more related to a combination of low pH and lactic acid than to the probiotics themselves. Furthermore, with LB at 106 and 107 bacteria/mL, the addition of phosphates to the media significantly reduced the drop in the pH and preserved the IPEC-J2 viability between 100% and 69%, compared to a highly variable viability between 100% and 17.5% in the unbuffered media. Conclusions: Under certain in vitro conditions, probiotics can lead to the deterioration of animal cells, and pH neutralization is an essential parameter in the cell–probiotic system in order to preserve cell viability and to better evaluate the bioactive properties of live probiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Many soils in the developed world have been fertilized with phosphate for several decades. Appreciable phosphate has accumulated in such soils. This is referred to as "legacy P". The benefits of legacy P are not widely appreciated. Here, we report the effects of legacy P on buffering capacity and the consequent effects on the effectiveness of plant growth, and its effects on the continuing reaction between soil and P and the consequent effects in decreasing the decline of P effectiveness with time. Methods: We produced five levels of legacy P by incubating the soil with added phosphate at high temperatures for 30 days. We then measured the effect on sorption/desorption and on plant growth in response to further additions of phosphate. Results: Legacy P decreased soil buffering capacity, decreased hysteresis of desorption, and increased the amount of P in a similar state to that of the recently sorbed P. There were analogous effects of plant growth; effectiveness of P fertiliser increased; the decline in effectiveness with time decreased; and the amount of soil P accessible to plants increased. We think that soil tests reflect only the amount of soil P accessible to plants. Soil testing services which include estimates of phosphate buffering reflect its decrease and the consequent increase in fertilizer effectiveness. We propose a simple test to reflect the rate of decline in effectiveness with time. Conclusions: Managing phosphate applications using soil tests alone underestimates phosphate status and leads to over application of phosphate. It is necessary to also include estimates of the change in phosphate buffering and the change in the rate of decline in effectiveness with time. A simple way to estimate the rate of decline is suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of inclusion of two acidifiers blend (with different protection levels) on the acidification potential in vitro, apparent total tract digestibility of diet nutrients, blood metabolites, and average daily gain of nursery piglets. Two commercial acidifiers blend additives (AC1 and AC2) were evaluated. The acidification potential of the two acidifiers blend added to the diet were tested by buffering capacity and initial pH in vitro. For the evaluation of apparent digestibility of diet nutrients, blood metabolites and average daily gain, two experiments were carried out. The AC2 acidifier had a greater effect on the initial reduction in pH and a lower linear buffering rate of the diet. The use of acidifiers did not improve the nutrient digestibility of the diets and had no effect on the blood metabolite concentrations of urea, total protein, albumin, globulin, and lactate. Although the inclusion of acidifiers in the diets did not affect the apparent total tract digestibility of the diet nutrients the inclusion of the AC2 acidifier at different levels showed a negative quadratic effect on the average daily gain, with the best inclusion level being 0.26%.

Various carbonaceous structures, such as graphite- and biochar-derived materials, have been recently developed to enhance biogas production by 1.3%–1130 % during anaerobic digestion (AD). There are several reviews discussing the promotion of direct interspecies electron transfer, but they lack a critical discussion of the various mechanisms that CMs can induce upon addition to AD systems. This paper specifically explores how the characterization of CMs (electrical conductivity, surface functional groups, specific surface area, surface charge, and hydrophobicity) affects the major mechanisms of action involved, i.e., interspecies electron transfer, buffering capacity, adsorption, and colonization, to fill the knowledge gap in this field. The feedstocks used and methods developed for synthesizing CMs and the applicability of various modification techniques to enhance the properties of CMs for such applications have been critically addressed. This review closes with a review of current challenges in the application of CMs and provides recommendations for future research. In conclusion, this review helps academic researchers and industrial professionals select suitable feedstocks and employ appropriate synthesis methods and modification strategies to prepare the most efficient CMs for AD enhancement. The figure was generated with BioRender. [Display omitted] • Enhance biogas yield achieved via DIET, colonization, adsorption and pH regulation. • Conductive materials enhance syntrophic microbe interactions via electron transfer. • Porous materials facilitate microbial colonization, boosting bioconversion. • Adsorptive materials like graphene oxide reduce the bioavailability of inhibitors. • Alkaline-modified biochar effectively mitigates acidification during digestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mathematical model of the fed-batch bioconversion of 1,3-propanediol into 3-hydroxypropionic acid using acetic acid bacteria is proposed. The model includes the microbial growth, the oxidation of 1,3-propanediol to 3-hydroxypropionaldehyde followed by a second oxidation reaction to 3-hydroxypropionic acid. The inhibitory effect of the total acid concentration upon the biological reactions was considered as well as the effect of pH on bacterial growth. A special attention was paid to make accurate pH predictions as pH is a key parameter that influences the microbial growth and bioconversion and also defines the strategy of downstream processing for acid recovery. The buffering capacity of the complex biological medium was found to change throughout the bioconversion. In addition to describing satisfactorily a set of experiments reported in the literature, the model was successfully used to predict metabolite concentrations and the resulting pH in new operating conditions with free pH dynamics. A sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most influential parameters of the model. The proposed model represents a valuable tool for bioprocess design as it describes the detailed kinetics of 1,3-propanediol oxidation to 3-hydroxypropionic acid by acetic acid bacteria in bioreactor. Additionally, the pH prediction is a major feature of this model, which could guide the identification of optimal operating conditions for microbial activity with a simultaneous in-situ recovery process. • 3-hydroxypropionic acid was produced at low pH using acetic acid bacteria. • Model parameters were estimated through global and local approaches. • Modeling the buffering capacity of the medium enabled accurate pH predictions. • The model was validated using independent experiments performed at uncontrolled pH. • Sensitivity analysis was performed to identify the most influential parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate whether the fermentability coefficient (FC) concept is applicable to Megathyrsus and Urochloa genera and whether the forage nitrate content alters the fermentation pattern of the respective silages. Guinea grass [ Megathyrsus maximus (Jacq.) B.K. Simon & S.W.L. Jacobs (Syn. Panicum maximum Jacq.) cv. MG18 Aries II] and palisade grass [ Urochloa brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich) R.D. Webster (syn. Brachiaria brizantha (A. Rich) Stapf) cv. Marandu] were used in both experiments. In experiment 1, a broad range of FC was induced by different dry matter (DM) content and soluble carbohydrates (SC):buffering capacity (BC) ratio. The DM content was modified by wilting (i.e., guinea grass: direct cut at ∼200 g/kg, wilted to ∼300 and ∼400 g/kg; palisade grass: direct cut at ∼250 g/kg and wilted to ∼400 g/kg) while the SC:BC ratio was modified by addition of glucose [0, 5 and 10 g/kg of fresh matter (FM)] resulting in a factorial arrangement of 3 × 3 for guinea grass and 2 × 3 for palisade grass, with three replications per treatment. In experiment 2, five doses of sodium nitrate (0, 0.15, 0.30, 1.5 and 3.0 g/kg FM) were added factorially to DM and glucose levels used in experiment 1, leading to a factorial arrangement of 3 × 3 × 5 for guinea grass and 2 × 3 × 5 for palisade grass, with three replications per treatment. Regression analyses were performed using the REG procedure of SAS. An independent dataset of tropical grasses and their silages (n = 226) was used to validate the FC model. The FC equation obtained for tropical grasses in the current study did not diverge from the model derived from temperate forages (i.e., FC = DM + 80 × SC:BC), as the regression slopes were similar (79 vs. 80; P = 0.92). There was a linear negative correlation between FC and minimum content of nitrate required to inhibit butyric fermentation, confirming the clostridia-inhibiting role of nitrate in tropical grass silages too. However, the effect size differed between grass genera. In conclusion, as proposed for temperate forages, FC values ≥350 markedly decreases the risk of butyric fermentation, whereas FC values ≥400 completely suppress butyric fermentation in tropical grasses with moderate levels of nitrate and epiphytic lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The FC required to curtail butyric fermentation decreased linearly with nitrate concentration. Nevertheless, the minimum nitrate content to inhibit Clostridium development during silage fermentation depended on the forage species. • The fermentability coefficient (FC) concept is applicable to tropical grass silages. • FC ≥350 markedly decreases the risk of butyric fermentation in tropical grass silage. • FC ≥400 completely suppress butyric fermentation in tropical grass silage. • A clostridia-inhibiting role of nitrate was demonstrated in tropical grass silages. • Minimum nitrate content to inhibit butyric fermentation depends on the forage species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the distribution of sulfur and iron compounds (dissolved sulfide: H2S and HS−, iron sulfide: FeS, and ionized iron: Fe2+ and Fe3+) in sediments (0–15 cm depth) at four stations in Mikawa Bay, Japan, was evaluated from April 2015 to March 2016. The maximum dissolved sulfide concentrations in the upper part of the sediment porewater (0–4 cm depth) (within 1.4–8.1 mmol·L−1) varied among stations located in a waterway of a large-scale port with a significant dead zone. Moreover, the iron sulfide and ionized iron concentrations in the upper part were highest at a station where the dissolved sulfide concentration was relatively low compared with that of the other sites. Analysis of the theoretical and hypothetical accumulation of particulate oxidized iron (FOOH) at the stations located in the dead zone revealed that the estimated particulate oxidized iron accumulation was higher (2303 mmol·m−2) at a station in which the dissolved sulfide concentration was low compared with the other stations (142–384 mmol·m−2). Altogether, these findings suggest that the sulfur–iron cycling can determine the amount of dissolved sulfides that accumulate in sediments. Hence, artificially adding iron compounds to the seabed may help mitigate free sulfides accumulation and prevent extreme hypoxia.

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Beta-alanine (BA) is a supplement that has received attention for its buffering potential among athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of BA supplementation on exercise performance and exercise-induced cell damage in female basketball players. Twenty-two female basketball players participated in a randomized, double-blind study. They ingested 6.4 g·day-1 of BA or an isocaloric placebo (dextrose) over 4 weeks. Exercise performance including aerobic (Bruce test), anaerobic (Wingate test), intermittent (Yo-Yo test) and basketball performance (countermovement jump and free throw shots) was measured before and following the intervention. Exercise measures were performed at the lab and free throw shots were undertaken on a wooden indoor basketball court. Blood samples were also collected before and after the exhaustive exercise to assess lactate concentration, creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity. The exhaustive exercise test induced an increase in lactate concentration and MDA, CK and LDH activity (all p < 0.05). BA supplementation significantly reduced the lactate response to exhaustive exercise (p = 0.001); however, it had no significant effect on exercise-induced MDA, CK and LDH activity (all p > 0.05). Furthermore, exercise performance measures improved from pre- to post-test regardless of supplement/placebo ingestion (all p < 0.05). BA consumption over 4 weeks significantly reduced lactate accumulation following exhaustive exercise, but had no ergogenic effect in female basketball players. Usual dosing of BA does not seem to exhibit protective effect against oxidative damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]