Hasil untuk "Forestry"

M. Hunter

H. Dawkins, J. Evans

D. Pimentel, U. Stachow, D. Takács et al.

D. Richardson

Yuwei WU, Yu TIE, Zhixing TANG et al.

Bacillus bacteria are critical functional strains during fermentation of Sichuan bran vinegar that contribute to maintain the quality of vinegar. In this study, some functional Bacillus bacteria were isolated from the Cupei (grains undergoing acetic acid fermentation) of Sichuan bran vinegar, and the strains were identified by biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing. The fermentation properties of these strains were studied, and the 5 Bacillus strains with great fermentation performance were discovered. They were identified as Paenibacillus cookii BA-6, Bacillus velezensis BA-9, Bacillus tropicus BB-5, Bacillus subtilis BB-13, and Calidifontibacillus erzurumensis BC-11. The five strains grew well at 30~40 ℃ and pH5~7 (OD600=0.23~0.52), with a certain degree of tolerance for environmental factor. Some of the Bacillus strains had a strong ability to hydrolyze protein (proteolytic ring of B. velezensis BA-9: 3.7±0.3) and starch (starch hydrolysis ring of P. cookie BA-6: 3.8±0.5). The simulated solid-state fermentation of inoculation with Bacillus and Acetobacter was carried out to investigate their potential use in industrial bran vinegar fermentation. Results showed that inoculation of P. cookie BA-6, B. velezensis BA-9, and C. erzurumensis BC-11 could increase total acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and volatile flavor compounds content (e.g., phenyl ethanol, benzyl alcohol, isopentanol, and guaicol), further raise the overall fermentation quality of the Cupei. Overall, the 5 strains of Bacillus identified in the study were beneficial for the formation of flavor compounds during the Cupei fermentation of bran vinegar. The study provides a theoretical foundation for enhancing the quality of Sichuan bran vinegar.

Yijia Liu, Wenqing Ling, Yan Li et al.

Abstract Background This study investigated the effects of inoculating Lactobacillus parafarraginis alone or in combination with citric acid on the silage quality, microbial community structure, and metabolic characteristics of hybrid Pennisetum. The experiment included three treatments: (1) addition of 10 ml distilled water (CON); (2) addition of 1 × 106 cfu/g L. parafarraginis (LP); (3) addition of 1 × 106 cfu/g L. parafarraginis and 1% citric acid (LCA). The fermentation was maintained at 25 ℃ for 60 days. Results The addition of L. parafarraginis increased the dry matter, water-soluble carbohydrates, and crude protein content of the silage and decreased the fiber contents. Moreover, lactic acid content was notably higher, and pH values were lower in the L. parafarraginis group, with higher lactic acid bacteria (LAB) compared with the CON. The microbial community analysis indicated that adding L. parafarraginis promoted the proliferation of beneficial LAB and inhibited spoilage bacteria, such as Clostridium. In the LCA, amino acid metabolism was improved, particularly with an increase in L-tyrosine concentration, along with significant enrichment of pathways related to tryptophan metabolism. Conclusions The addition of L. parafarraginis improved the fermentation quality of the silage, reduced undesirable microorganisms, and increased the content of organic acids, indicating its potential to enhance the flavor of the silage. Compared with individual treatments, the combination of L. parafarraginis and citric acid improved amino acid metabolism and enriched pathways related to tryptophan metabolism, further enhancing the quality of the silage. These findings highlight the potential of L. parafarraginis, especially in combination with citric acid, as an effective additive for producing high-quality, nutritious hybrid Pennisetum silage.

Aparna Mariyam Thomas, Guilherme G. Verocai, John Soghigian et al.

The caribou (Rangifer tarandus sspp.) is a keystone wildlife species in northern ecosystems that plays a central role in the culture, spirituality and food security of Indigenous People. The Arctic is currently experiencing an unprecedented rate of climate change, including warming temperatures and altered patterns of precipitation. These environmental changes can facilitate the transmission of arthropod-borne parasites, such as filarioid nematodes.Filarioids are an important cause of morbidity and occasional mortality in Rangifer in Fennoscandia, however, much of the ecology and epidemiology of these parasites in caribou in North America, including Canada, remains unknown. We aimed to determine the parasitic diversity and geographic distribution of filarioid nematodes in three Canadian designatable units (DU) of caribou (barren-ground, boreal and Dolphin & Union) from Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Newfoundland & Labrador. Genomic DNA extracted from 768 blood samples was screened for filarioid nematodes using real-time PCR. The positive samples were Sanger sequenced to identify the parasite present. Based on the sequencing results, we identified Setaria yehi and Onchocerca cervipedis s.l. We then standardized a TaqMan probe based duplex droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) protocol for the simultaneous detection of S. yehi and O. cervipedis s.l. Based on real-time PCR results, 8/768 samples were positive. Setaria yehi and O. cervipedis s.l. were present in 4 separate samples (0.5%) each. Using ddPCR, 68/192 samples were positive (35.4%). Setaria yehi DNA was detected in 57/192 positive samples (29.7%), O. cervipedis s.l. DNA was present in 22/192 samples (11.5%) and 11/192 samples (5.7%) had co-infections. Setaria yehi was detected in all three DUs tested. Onchocerca cervipedis s.l. were found in barren-ground and boreal caribou, but not from the Dolphin and Union caribou.Through this broad-based survey and through developing and implementing advanced molecular methodologies, we have documented the apparent distribution and diversity of S. yehi and O. cervipedis s.l. in parts of three Canadian DUs of caribou. The knowledge gained from this study provides baseline data and methodology for the further elucidation of the epidemiology of these parasites in North America.

Kibebework Getachew, Wuletawu Abera, Tefera Belay et al.

Land degradation in Ethiopia is a pressing issue that demands immediate attention. Although various sustainable land management options have been introduced through top-down approaches, farmers have shown low adoption rates. The objective of this research was to assess the community prioritization of landscape restoration technologies and the appropriation of ecosystem services in the Basona-Worena and Doyo-Gena woredas of Ethiopia. The evaluation of land management option tool was used to survey farmers' preferences and compare different land management options based on input, cost, perceived advantages, and potential drawbacks.Data from 64 participants revealed that farmers were interested in a wide range of benefits. However, their top three preferences were increased food supply, enhanced soil fertility, and improved water supply. The study emphasized the need for site-specific land management measures. Farmers in Basona-Worena favored terrace and bund practices, while farmers in Doyo-Gena preferred exclosure and agroforestry practices. Conversely, the propensity of terracing to attract rodents and pests, the lengthy time takes to see results from bunding, and the cost of gabions were among the shortcomings that farmers identify in conservation techniques. Terracing was the first option for supplying fundamental ecosystem services in both locations, followed by biological measures, water percolation pits, and bunds. All farmers ranked the business-as-usual option as their least preferred option because they perceived it to have limited potential for yielding desired benefits. These findings provide a robust model for informed decision-making on suitable restoration technologies, holding promise for landscape restoration initiatives in Ethiopia and similar locations worldwide.

Ziming Wang, Yanlin Chen, Chao He et al.

This study aims to investigate the impact of combustion chamber geometry and biodiesel on the performance of diesel engines under various load conditions. Simulations were conducted using AVL FIRE software, followed by experimental validation to compare the performance of the prototype Omega combustion chamber with the optimized TCD combustion chamber (T for turbocharger, C for charger air cooling, and D for diesel particle filter). This study utilized four types of fuels: D100, B10, B20, and B50, and was conducted under different load conditions at a rated speed of 1800 revolutions per minute (rpm). The results demonstrate that the TCD combustion chamber outperforms the Omega chamber in terms of indicated thermal efficiency (ITE), in-cylinder pressure, and temperature, and also exhibits a lower indicated specific fuel consumption (ISFC). Additionally, the TCD chamber shows lower soot and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions compared to the Omega chamber, with further reductions as the load increases and the biodiesel blend ratio is raised. The high oxygen content in biodiesel helps to reduce soot and CO formation, while its lower sulfur content and heating value contribute to a decrease in combustion temperature and a reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx) production. However, the NOx emissions from the TCD chamber are still higher than those from the Omega chamber, possibly due to the increased in-cylinder temperature resulting from its combustion chamber structure. The findings provide valuable insights into diesel engine system design and the application of oxygenated fuels, promoting the development of clean combustion technologies.

Evangelia Karasmanaki, Garyfallos Arabatzis, Georgios Tsantopoulos

By investing in renewable energy sources (RES), citizens can participate actively in energy transition. The problem, however, is that citizen investment decisions are highly complex, while most strategies for capital mobilization rely on generic incentives or broad campaigns. To provide a new approach to mobilizing citizen capital, this study considers perceived barriers, as it is important to address aspects that disincline citizens from investing, and their preferred information sources, because attitudes are shaped and actions are empowered or disempowered through these channels. Drawing on a representative sample of Greek citizens, we used k-means clustering to segment citizens; the first cluster was inhibited to invest by loaning conditions, highlighting the need for banks to offer better terms for loans, while the second cluster was inhibited by a wide array of technical, economic, and systemic concerns requiring different stakeholders to address the barriers underlying these concerns. The third cluster was inhibited by barriers related to the technology of renewables and the availability of experts for installing and maintaining the systems, indicating the need to address such. Results also showed that several information sources can have a negative effect, suggesting that there should be policy intervention to enhance the accuracy of information.

Kathryn A. Kohm, J. Franklin

J. Helms

Efrida Basri, Istie Sekartining Rahayu, Saefudin Saefudin et al.

Lactic acid (LA), citric acid (CA), and glycerol (G) are renewable and environmentally friendly chemicals that could improve the qualities of short-rotation teak (SRT) woods. This study investigated the effect of thermal and chemical modification using 20% aqueous solutions (w/w) of LA, CA, and G and their mixtures in the same composition on physical and mechanical properties of SRT teak wood. The impregnation process was initiated by vacuum process for 1 h and pressure (12.2 bar) for 2 h, followed by thermal (150 °C) treatment for 6 h on the SRT wood samples after being removed from the vacuum-pressure tube. Retention (R), weight percent gain (WPG), density (D), anti-swelling efficiency (ASE), leachability (WL), modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) were measured. FTIR spectrometry and SEM analyses were performed. The wood impregnated with a mixture of 10% LA + 10% CA provided the highest ASE values of 50.1%, and the lowest leaching resistance of 1.54%. Based on wood strengths (MOE and MOR) and physical properties, as well as supported by FTIR and SEM analysis, the use of 10% LA + 10% CA is the most prospective as an impregnant formula for SRT wood modification of this research.

Xuekai Jing, Qingwen Zhang, Shanghong Chen et al.

The extracellular enzyme plays a crucial role in nitrogen (N) conversion. Soil colloid serves as an important transporter of N transport in hydrological processes. This study investigated soil colloid-mediated N loss co-transporting with soil extracellular enzymes. Five simulated rainfall experiments were conducted under four tillage treatments in a purple sloping farmland in Sichuan, China. The N concentrations, soil mineral colloids, and four carbon (C), N and phosphorus (P) acquisition extracellular enzymes (βG, AP, NAG, and LAP) in surface runoff and interflow were measured. The results showed that cross-slope tillage with straw returning practices significantly reduced the concentrations of TN, PN, NH4+, and DON in surface runoff. The activities of N and P acquisition enzymes in interflow were higher than in surface runoff, while C acquisition enzymes showed the opposite trend. The BG and AP enzymes dominated in surface runoff, while AP and NAG dominated in interflow. The concentrations of fine soil mineral colloids (SMC, φ<1 μm) and coarse mineral colloids (CMC, φ＞1 μm) in interflow were higher than that in surface runoff. The extracellular enzymes were found to co-transport with soil colloid migration during the hydrologic process. The involvement of colloid in extracellular enzyme migration in surface runoff was primarily due to SMC, while in interflow, it was the joint action of SMC and CMC. Surface runoff is always in N and P limits, while interflow is only in the P limits. With a SEM combined model quantitatively analysis, we found the synergistic transport of soil colloid and extracellular enzymes significantly impacted TN loss, explaining 95 % and 55 % of the differences between surface runoff and interflow N loss pathways. This emphasizes the importance of understanding the co-transport mechanism between soil colloid and extracellular enzymes in N loss processes.

Han Xu, Lian Xia, John R Spence et al.

Squirrels of temperate zones commonly store nuts or seeds under leaf litter, in hollow logs, or even in holes in the ground; however, in the humid rainforests of Jianfengling in Hainan, South China, we show that some flying squirrels cache elliptical or oblate nuts by hanging them securely in vegetation. These small flying squirrels were identified as Hylopetes phayrei electilis (G. M. Allen, 1925) and Hylopetes alboniger (Hodgson, 1870), in video clips captured of their behavior around focal nuts. Squirrels chewed grooves encircling ellipsoid nuts or distributed on the bottoms of oblate nuts, and then used these grooves to fix nuts tightly between small twigs 0.1–0.6 cm in diameter that were connected at angles of 25–40°. The grooves carved on the nuts (concave structure) connected with Y-shaped twigs (convex structure) and thus firmly affixed the nuts to the plant in a way similar to a mortise-tenon joint used in architecture and carpentry. Cache sites were on small plants located 10–25 m away from the closest potentially nut-producing tree, a behavior that likely reduces the discovery and consumption of the nuts by other animals. The adaptive squirrel behavior that shapes and fits nuts between twigs seems to be directed at providing more secure storage that increases food supply during dry periods in a humid tropical rainforest. In addition to providing such benefits for the squirrels, we suggest that this behavior also impacts the distribution of tree species in the forest.

K. Macdicken

Pinde Fu, P. Rich

Junhua Liu, Mei Dai, Jiangtao Li et al.

Dehydrins (DHNs) belong to group II of late embryogenesis-abundant (LEA) proteins, which are up-regulated in most plants during cold, drought, heat, or salinity stress. Despite the importance of dehydrins for the plants to resist abiotic stresses, it is necessary to obtain plant-derived dehydrins from different biomass. Generally, dehydrin PicW1 from Picea wilsonii is involved in Kn-type dehydrin with five K-segments, which has a variety of biological activities. In this work, Picea wilsonii dehydrin PicW1 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified by chitin-affinity chromatography and size-exclusion chromatography, which showed as a single band by SDS-PAGE. A cold-sensitive enzyme of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is used to explore the protective activities of other proteins. Temperature stress assays showed that PicW1 had an effective protective effect on LDH activity, which was better than that of bovine serum albumin (BSA). This study provides insights into the purification and protective activity of K5 DHNs for the advancement of dehydrin structure and function from biomass.

Jiaxi Tang, Yaqin Zhao, Liqi Feng et al.

Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research, conservation, and management, and abundant images are acquired every day. Efficient real-time instance segmentation networks can help ecologists label and study wild animals. However, existing deep convolutional neural networks require a large number of annotations and labels, which makes them unsuitable for small datasets. In this paper, we propose a two-stage method for the instance segmentation of wildlife, including object detection and contour approximation. In the object detection stage, we use FSOD (few-shot object detection) to recognize animal species and detect the initial bounding boxes of animals. In the case of a small wildlife dataset, this method may improve the generalization ability of the wild animal species recognition and even identify new species that only have a small number of training samples. In the second stage, deep snake is used as the contour approximation model for the instance segmentation of wild mammals. The initial bounding boxes generated in the first stage are input to deep snake to approximate the contours of the animal bodies. The model fuses the advantages of detecting new species and real-time instance segmentation. The experimental results show that the proposed method is more suitable for wild animal instance segmentation, in comparison with pixel-wise segmentation methods. In particular, the proposed method shows a better performance when facing challenging images.

Li-Na Shi, Li-Na Shi, Lan-Xiang Lu et al.

Soil salinity is one of the main factors limiting agricultural development worldwide and has an adverse effect on plant growth and yield. To date, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are considered to be one of the most promising eco-friendly strategies for improving saline soils. The bacterium Bacillus megaterium ZS-3 is an excellent PGPR strain that induces growth promotion as well as biotic stress resistance and tolerance to abiotic stress in a broad range of host plants. In this study, the potential mechanisms of protection against salinity stress by B. megaterium ZS-3 in Arabidopsis thaliana were explored. Regulation by ZS-3 improved growth in A. thaliana under severe saline conditions. The results showed that ZS-3 treatment significantly increased the biomass, chlorophyll content and carotenoid content of A. thaliana. Compared to the control, the leaf area and total fresh weight of plants inoculated with ZS-3 increased by 245% and 271%, respectively; the chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents increased by 335%, 146%, and 372%, respectively, under salt stress. Physiological and biochemical tests showed that ZS-3 regulated the content of osmotic substances in plants under salt stress. Compared to the control, the soluble sugar content of the ZS-3-treated group was significantly increased by 288%, while the proline content was significantly reduced by 41.43%. Quantification of Na+ and K+ contents showed that ZS-3 treatment significantly reduced Na+ accumulation and increased the K+/Na+ ratio in plants. ZS-3 also isolated Na+ in vesicles by upregulating NHX1 and AVP1 expression while limiting Na+ uptake by downregulating HKT1, which protected against Na+ toxicity. Higher levels of peroxidase and catalase activity and reduced glutathione were detected in plants inoculated with ZS-3 compared to those in uninoculated plants. In addition, it was revealed that ZS-3 activates salicylic acid (NPR1 and PR1) and jasmonic acid/ethylene (AOS, LOX2, PDF1.2, and ERF1) signaling pathways to induce systemic tolerance, thereby inducing salt tolerance in plants. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that ZS-3 has the potential to act as an environmentally friendly salt tolerance inducer that can promote plant growth in salt-stressed environments.