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The composition of antifungal volatile compounds (VC) produced by Bacillus subtilis PW2 was identified by solid phase microextraction (SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Then, the identified single components were selected to determine their inhibitory effect against Aspergillus ochraceus by plate buckling method, and the effect and mechanism of the most active VC on the growth and toxicity of A. ochraceu. The results showed that 41 components including esters, aldehydes, alkanes, alcohols, ketones, acids and olefins were identified in the VC produced by PW2. Among these compounds, 2-ethyl hexanol (2-EH) had the strongest inhibitory activity against A. ochraceus. Direct contact with 2-EH at a dose of 1 562.5 μL/L completely inhibited the growth of A. ochraceus and reduced the content of ochratoxin A (OTA) by 23.67%. 2-EH vapor at doses of 112 and 281 μL/L completely inhibited and killed A. ochraceus, respectively. The spores of A. ochraceus treated with 2-EH appeared wrinkled, sunken and shriveled, and the integrity of the cell membrane was destroyed. Furthermore, the mycelial ergosterol content decreased by 42.68%–65.40%, and nucleic acid and protein leaked out of the cells after this treatment. This study shows that 2-EH can inhibit and kill A. ochraceus by destroying its cell membrane, which provides a theoretical basis for the application of 2-EH in the prevention of food mildew.

Drawing on social cognitive theory, need for cognition might have a significant influence on adolescents' creative self-efficacy. However, no studies, to date, have investigated this relationship. To address this gap in the literature, this study used a 3-year longitudinal design to investigate the effect of need for cognition on adolescents' creative self-efficacy. Moreover, to better understand this effect, we also investigated the mediating roles of perceived parenting behaviors and perceived teacher support, and the possible gender differences. The sample included 221 Chinese adolescents (mean age = 14.58, 48% girls) followed across 3 years. The results revealed that need for cognition had a beneficial effect on adolescents' creative self-efficacy. Moreover, perceived parental autonomy support and perceived parental psychological control mediated the effect of need for cognition on creative self-efficacy. Lastly, there exist gender differences in these mediation effects. Perceived parental autonomy support only mediated the effect of need for cognition on boys' creative self-efficacy, whereas perceived parental psychological control only mediated the influence of need for cognition on girls' creative self-efficacy. Our findings help clarify developmental pathways linking need for cognition to adolescents' creative self-efficacy, and the underlying mediation mechanisms., Author(s): Peipei Chen [sup.1] , Jinghuan Zhang [sup.1] , Naili Xu [sup.1] , Kaige Zhang [sup.2] , Linjie Xiao [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.410585.d, 0000 0001 0495 1805, Department of [...]

Babesiosis, caused by tickborne zoonotic protozoa of the genus Babesia, is an emerging health risk to humans. Among the known Babesia species infecting humans, B. microti is the most common [...]

In this study, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the dynamic cointegration relationship between international crude oil, natural gas, and coal price indices from 2009 to 2023, revealing the changes and differences in the cointegration relationship between these three prices during different periods. Utilizing statistical analysis and economic modeling, we found significant cointegration among these energy prices during the initial decade-long observation period, indicating their close interaction in the global energy market influenced by supply and demand fundamentals, macroeconomic conditions, and geopolitical landscapes. However, since 2020, this long-standing stable cointegration relationship has been severely disrupted due to the global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating geopolitical tensions, leading to a notable increase in volatility and uncertainty in the energy market. Further analysis highlights that, in recent years, with the strengthening of global climate governance and the advancement of the low-carbon transition trend, fossil fuel markets, particularly high-carbon-emitting crude oil and coal markets, have undergone significant adjustments. Meanwhile, the role of natural gas as a transitional clean energy source has become increasingly prominent. The findings of this study have significant implications for energy policy formulation, market risk management, and strategic planning in the energy industry, while providing directions for future research on resilience and adaptability in the transition process of energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing high‐performance aviation fuel is highly desired for the rapid development of supersonic aircraft. Herein, selective deep hydrogenation of polycyclic aromatics to a high‐density fuel is developed over a Ru‐based catalyst. The influences of strong Ru‐support interaction on tailoring the reaction pathways of acenaphthene hydrogenation were investigated using different oxide supports (SiO2, CeO2, TiO2). Ru/CeO2 and Ru/TiO2 with strong SMSI possess abundant electron‐deficient Ruδ+ species which exhibit a good ability to promote H2 dissociation and increase the isomerization rate of saturated aromatic compounds. Due to the enhanced adsorption of aromatic molecules, Ru/CeO2 (1.30 μmol min−1 g−1) exhibits superior catalytic activity in comparison to Ru/TiO2 (1.25 μmol min−1 g−1) during acenaphthene hydrosaturation, while Ru/TiO2 exhibits the highest isomerization reaction rate (7.60×10−2 μmol min−1 g−1) because of its excellent hydrogen spillover ability and high content of Ruδ+ species. The best catalytic activity with 96 % selectivity of ccc‐perhydroacenaphthene was achieved on Ru/TiO2, and an isomerization mechanism of perhydroacenaphthene isomers was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]