Thermomechanical and mechanical analysis of polylactic acid/polyhydroxyalkanoate/poly(butylene succinate--adipate) binary and ternary blends.

Research efforts are increasingly directed towards the development of biodegradable polymers derived from renewable agricultural resources. Polymer blends, which combine multiple polymers, offer enhanced properties such as ductility and toughness while being more cost-effective compared to the development of specialized copolymers. This study examines nine binary and four ternary blends of polylactic acid (PLA), poly(butylene succinate--adipate) (PBSA), and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA).

Range-wide population genomic structure of the Karner blue butterfly, () .

The Karner blue butterfly, () , is an endangered North American climate change-vulnerable species that has undergone substantial historical habitat loss and population decline. To better understand the species' genetic status and support Karner blue conservation, we sampled 116 individuals from 22 localities across the species' geographical range in Wisconsin (WI), Michigan (MI), Indiana (IN), and New York (NY). Using genomic analysis, we found that these samples were divided into three major geographic groups, NY, WI, and MI-IN, with populations in WI and MI-IN each further divided into three subgroups.

Exploring the Processing Potential of Polylactic Acid, Polyhydroxyalkanoate, and Poly(butylene succinate--adipate) Binary and Ternary Blends.

Biodegradable and bio-based polymers, including polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), polylactic acid (PLA), and poly(butylene succinate--adipate) (PBSA), stand out as sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics for a wide range of consumer applications. Studying binary and ternary blends is essential to exploring the synergistic combinations and efficiencies of three distinct biopolyesters. A comprehensive evaluation of melt-extruded binary and ternary polymer blends of PHA, PLA, and PBSA was conducted.

Accelerated farmland bird population declines in European countries after their recent EU accession.

Agricultural intensification is a major driver of global biodiversity loss. In Europe, intensification progressed over the 20th century and was accelerated by instruments of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries standing outside the EU until the beginning of the 21st century employed less intensive farming and are considered one of the continent's farmland biodiversity strongholds.