Cleavable Bio-Based Epoxy Matrix for More Eco-Sustainable Thermoset Composite Components.

Cleavable bio-based epoxy resin systems are emerging, eco-friendly, and promising alternatives to the common thermoset ones, providing quite comparable thermo-mechanical properties while enabling a circular and green end-of-life scenario of the composite materials. In addition to being designed to incorporate a bio-based resin greener than the conventional fully fossil-based epoxies, these formulations involve cleaving hardeners that enable, under mild thermo-chemical conditions, the total recycling of the composite material through the recovery of the fiber and matrix as a thermoplastic. This research addressed the characterization, processability, and recyclability of a new commercial cleavable bio-resin formulation (designed by the R-Concept company) that can be used in the fabrication of fully recyclable polymer composites.

Sustainable Production of Microcrystalline and Nanocrystalline Cellulose from Textile Waste Using HCl and NaOH/Urea Treatment.

Bio-nanomaterials are gaining increasing attention due to their renewable and eco-friendly characteristics. Among these, nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) stands out as one of the most advanced materials for applications in food, healthcare, composite production, and beyond. In this study, NCC was successfully extracted from cotton-based textile waste using a combination of chemical and mechanical methods.

α-Olefin Oligomerization Mediated by Group 4 Metallocene Catalysts: An Extreme Manifestation of the Multisite Nature of Methylaluminoxane.

Group 4 metallocenes are competent catalysts for the oligomerization of higher α-olefins. Among the many chemical and physical variables of importance in the process, one is the choice of cocatalyst (activator). The impact of various activators on the performance of a representative catalyst, (nBuCp)ZrCl, in the oligomerization of 1-octene was thoroughly investigated; in particular, the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the oligomers was determined by means of high-resolution high performance liquid chromatography (HR-HPLC).

Performance Restoration of Chemically Recycled Carbon Fibres Through Surface Modification with Sizing.

The recycling of Carbon Fibre-Reinforced Polymers (CFRPs) is becoming increasingly crucial due to the growing demand for sustainability in high-performance industries such as automotive and aerospace. This study investigates the impact of two chemical recycling techniques, chemically assisted solvolysis and plasma-enhanced solvolysis, on the morphology and properties of carbon fibres (CFs) recovered from end-of-life automotive parts. In addition, the effects of fibre sizing are explored to enhance the performance of the recycled carbon fibres (rCFs).

Biocomposites and Poly(lactic acid) in Active Packaging: A Review of Current Research and Future Directions.

The alarming rise in environmental pollution, depletion of global resources, and increasing health consciousness have placed significant pressure on the development of eco-friendly, sustainable materials. Consequently, green, environmentally friendly materials made from biobased and/or biodegradable sources are gaining recognition and political support as sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based, non-biodegradable materials. Bio-based packaging materials, in particular, are widely used across all industrial sectors, with a growing demand for solutions that preserve food quality and extend shelf life.

Old Plants for New Food Products? The Diachronic Human Ecology of Wild Herbs in the Western Alps.

This ethnobotanical study examines the traditional knowledge and usage patterns of wild plants in the western Alps, specifically within the Ubaye and Bellino Valleys, through a comparative analysis of data collected from 1983 (published in 1990) to 2024. Our study aims to assess the change in plant usage, species diversity, and the changing roles of plants in local traditions in the western Alpine mountain ecosystems. While the 1983 survey documented medicinal uses centered around pastoralist practices, the 2024 data highlight a notable increase in the use of synanthropic plants, now utilized both medicinally and as food.

Functional Analysis of Durum Wheat GASA1 Protein as a Biotechnological Alternative Against Plant Fungal Pathogens and a Positive Regulator of Biotic Stress Defense.

Plants are frequently challenged by a variety of microorganisms. To protect themselves against harmful invaders, they have evolved highly effective defense mechanisms, including the synthesis of numerous types of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Snakins are such compounds, encoded by the (Gibberellic Acid-Stimulated Arabidopsis) gene family, and are involved in the response to biotic and abiotic stress.

Pathovar Infection Reveals Different Defense Mechanisms in Two Sweet Cherry Cultivars.

pv. is the main causal agent of bacterial canker in sweet cherry in Chile, causing significant economic losses. Cultivars exhibit diverse susceptibility in the field and the molecular mechanisms underlying the differential responses remain unclear.

Multilateral Use of Dandelion in Folk Medicine of Central-Eastern Europe.

Background: Dandelion ( sect. , also referred to as F.H.

Effect of Flowering Shading on Grain Yield and Quality of Durum Wheat in a Mediterranean Environment.

The phenomenon known as "dimming" or shading, caused by the increase in aerosols, air pollutants, and population density, is reducing global radiation, including both direct solar radiation and radiation scattered by the atmosphere. This phenomenon poses a significant challenge for agricultural production in many regions worldwide, with a global radiation decrease estimated between 1.4% and 2.

Spectroscopic Characterization and Biological Effects of 1-Oxo-bisabolone-rich Hutch. subsp. Essential Oil Against Viruses, Bacteria, and Spore Germination.

species are used as herbal medicine and in the preparation of decoctions in several Asian and African regions. Among them, the plant is known for its medicinal properties, but comprehensive studies on its biological activity are still limited. This study examined the properties of the essential oil (EO) extracted by and collected in Morocco during the flowering period.

Combined Effects of Microgravity and Chronic Low-Dose Gamma Radiation on Microgreens.

Plants in space face unique challenges, including chronic ionizing radiation and reduced gravity, which affect their growth and functionality. Understanding these impacts is essential to determine the cultivation conditions and protective shielding needs in future space greenhouses. While certain doses of ionizing radiation may enhance crop yield and quality, providing "functional food" rich in bioactive compounds, to support astronaut health, the combined effects of radiation and reduced gravity are still unclear, with potential additive, synergistic, or antagonistic interactions.

A Proposed Saffron Soilless Cultivation System for a Quality Spice as Certified by Genetic Traceability.

Saffron ( L.) is one of the most expensive spices in the world due to its strong market demand combined with its labor-intensive production process, which needs a lot of labor and has significant costs. New cultivation methods and traceability systems are required to improve and valorize local Italian saffron production.

Genetic Relationships and Molecular Signatures of Divergence in Traditional Landraces and Morphotypes of .

is a complex species incorporating a great variety of vegetable types, including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and others. Southern Italy, and especially the Puglia region, is rich in landraces. In this study, genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) was applied to a germplasm panel of 82 samples, mostly landraces and some commercial varieties, belonging to various morphotypes of .

Preliminary Evidence of a Horizontal Transfer of Paramutation Phenomenon at the Gene in Maize ( L.).

Paramutation, a specific epigenetic phenomenon first identified in by Alexander Brink in the 1950s, has since been observed in different plant and animal species. What sets paramutation apart from other gene silencing processes is its ability for one silenced allele (referred to as paramutagenic) to silence another allele (paramutable) in trans. The resultant silenced allele (paramutated) remains stable across generations, even after separating from the paramutagenic allele, and acquires paramutagenic properties itself.

Proline and ROS: A Unified Mechanism in Plant Development and Stress Response?

The proteinogenic amino acid proline plays crucial roles in both plant development and stress responses, far exceeding its role in protein synthesis. However, the molecular mechanisms and the relative importance of these additional functions of proline remain under study. It is well documented that both stress responses and developmental processes are associated with proline accumulation.

Correction: Ullah et al. Natural Polyphenols for the Preservation of Meat and Dairy Products. 2022, , 1906.

In the original publication [...

Bluues_cplx: Electrostatics at Protein-Protein and Protein-Ligand Interfaces.

(1) Background: Electrostatics plays a capital role in protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. Implicit solvent models are widely used to describe electrostatics and complementarity at interfaces. Electrostatic complementarity at the interface is not trivial, involving surface potentials rather than the charges of surfacial contacting atoms.

Unveiling the Mineral and Sugar Richness of Moroccan Honeys: A Study of Botanical Origins and Quality Indicators.

This study comprehensively analyzes the mineral and heavy metal profiles of seven honey types, focusing on the contents of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb), with particular emphasis on honey produced in eastern Morocco. Multifloral honey was found to have the highest total mineral content (661 mg/kg), while rosemary honey had the lowest (201.31 mg/kg), revealing the strong influence of floral and botanical origin.

Mercury Monohalides as Ligands in Transition Metal Complexes.

The main categories of transition metal-mercury heterometallic compounds are briefly summarized. The attention is focused on complexes and clusters where the {Hg-Y} fragment, where Y represents a halide atom, interacts with transition metals. Most of the structurally characterized derivatives are organometallic compounds where the transition metals belong to the Groups 6, 8, 9 and 10.

Laser Desorption-Ion Mobility Spectrometry of Explosives for Forensic and Security Applications.

Background: The detection of explosives in crime scene investigations is critical for forensic science. This study explores the application of laser desorption (LD) ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) as a novel method for this purpose utilising a new IMS prototype developed by MaSaTECH.

Methods: The LD sampling technique employs a laser diode module to vaporise explosive traces on surfaces, allowing immediate analysis by IMS without sample preparation.

Coordination Chemistry of Mixed-Donor Pyridine-Containing Macrocyclic Ligands: From Optical to Redox Chemosensors for Heavy Metal Ions.

2,8-Dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane () has been used as a receptor unit in the construction of the conjugated redox chemosensor 5-ferrocenylmethyl-2,8-dithia-5-aza-2,6-pyridinophane (). In order to further explore the coordination chemistry of , and comparatively, that of its structural analogue 2,11-dithia-5,8-diaza-2,6-pyridinophane (), featuring two secondary nitrogen atoms in the macrocyclic unit, the crystal structures of the new synthesised complexes [Pb()(ClO)]·½CHCN, [Cu()](ClO)·CHCN and [Cd()(NO)]NO were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrochemical response of towards the metal ions Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in CHCl/CHCN 0.

Carvacrol Essential Oil as a Neuroprotective Agent: A Review of the Study Designs and Recent Advances.

Neurodegenerative diseases were mostly perceived as diseases of ageing populations, but now-a-days, these diseases pose a threat to populations of all age groups despite significant improvements in quality of life. Almost all essential oils (EOs) have been reported to have some neuroprotective abilities and have been used as supplements for good mental health over the centuries. This review highlights the therapeutic potential of one such monoterpene phenolic EO, carvacrol (CV), that has the potential to be used as a main therapeutic intervention for neurodegenerative disorders.

Insulin-Sensitizing Properties of Decoctions from Leaves, Stems, and Roots of L.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by insulin resistance and impaired beta-cell secretory function. Since existing treatments often present side effects based on different mechanisms, alternative therapeutic options are needed. In this scenario, the present study first evaluates the cytotoxicity of decoctions from the leaves, stems, and roots of L.

Untargeted NMR Study of Metabolic Changes in Processing Tomato Treated with Under Open-Field Conditions and Exposed to Heatwave Temperatures.

Rising temperatures due to climate change may affect the quality of open-field cultivated processing tomatoes by altering the nutrient content. Bioinoculants are growing in popularity as a nature-based strategy to mitigate these environmental stresses. Untargeted quantitative NMR spectroscopy was leveraged to characterize the metabolome of tomato fruits exposed to abiotic stress during the year 2022, which was marked by unexpected high temperatures and low rainfall compared to the year 2021 with average conditions.