Tunnel formation by Coptotermes formosanus and Reticulitermes flavipes was studied in a two-dimensional foraging arena with a moisture gradient. Moisture did not appear to affect tunneling when termite first emerged from the central release chamber. But as termites of both species moved further away from the chamber and into a moisture gradient, they tunneled significantly (P < 0.05) more in sand with a higher moisture content than in sand with a lower moisture content. Over the 10 d test period, both termite species tunneled more in sand with a higher moisture content. Fractal analysis indicated that regardless of the sand moisture content, termite tunnel geometry had a fractal dimension and termites generally tunneled more in higher moisture sand.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/jee/96.1.88 | DOI Listing |
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
January 2025
Department of Agricultural Engineering, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Drought is one of the most detrimental natural calamities to the economy. Despite its significant consequences, the evolution from meteorological to agricultural and hydrological droughts still needs to be explored. A thorough investigation was carried out in India's eastern hills and plateau region to determine the extent of drought's impact through indices.
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Innovation and Drug Discovery, Sava Healthcare Limited, Research Center, MIDC, Block D1, Plot No. 17/6, Chinchwad, Pune, 411019, India.
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January 2025
Research Center for Applied Zoology, National Research and Innovation Agency Republic of Indonesia, P.O. Box 16911, Bogor, Indonesia.
Indonesia, one of the largest tropical forests, offers a diverse range of nectar sources that contribute to the unique characteristics of forest honey. This study aims to investigate physicochemical and antioxidant properties of forest honey from three distinct regions of Indonesia. Key physicochemical parameters include moisture, color, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total suspended solids (TSS), density, diastase number (DN), hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), pH, total acidity, ash content, protein content, and reducing sugars.
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January 2025
Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences Department, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322.
The amount of colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP) complex associated with caseins (insoluble [INSOL] Ca) determines the body, texture, flavor, and breakdown of cheese constituents during aging. The continuous pH decline during cheesemaking because of lactic acid fermentation results in solubilization of INSOL Ca. Measuring INSOL Ca in such a dynamic and wide range pH system (6.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
January 2025
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Clean Pulp & Papermaking and Pollution Control, School of Light Industry and Food Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, PR China. Electronic address:
Microplastic contamination of low-density polyethylene mulch and nutrient loss from fertilizers present significant challenges in the crop-growing. In this study, the focus was on creating a biodegradable film that combines the advantages of plastic film, thermal insulation and water retention, as well as the controlled release of fertilizer. A key innovation was the efficient introduction of low molecular weight and low dispersibility of poplar lignin into chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol matrices.
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