Review on Applications of Lignin in Pavement Engineering: A Recent Survey

Lignin is the second-largest plant polymer on Earth after cellulose. About 98% of lignin produced in the papermaking and pulping industry is used for combustion heating or power generation. Less than 2% of lignin is used in more valuable fields, mainly in the formulation of dispersants, adhesives, and surfactants. Asphalt is one of the most important materials in pavement engineering. It is a dark brown complex mixture composed of hydrocarbons with different molecular weights and their non-metallic derivatives. Because the chemical structure of lignin is similar to that of asphalt, it is a carbon-based hydrocarbon material. More researchers studied the application of lignin in pavement engineering. In this paper, the structure, application, and extraction technology of lignin were summarized. This is a review article describing the different applications of lignin in pavement engineering and exploring the prospects of the application. There are three main types of pavement materials that can be used for lignin in pavement engineering, which are asphalt, asphalt mixture, and roadbed soil. In asphalt, lignin can be used as a modifier, extender, emulsifier, antioxidant, and coupling agent. In asphalt mixtures, lignin can be used as an additive. In road base soils, lignin can be used as a soil stabilizer. Furthermore, the article analyzed the application effects of lignin from the life cycle assessment. The conclusions suggest that lignin-modified asphalt exhibits more viscosity and hardness, and its high-temperature resistance and rutting resistance can be significantly improved compared with conventional asphalt. In addition, some lignin-modified asphalt binders exhibit reduced low-temperature crack resistance and fatigue resistance, which can be adjusted and selected according to the climate change in different regions. The performance of lignin as an asphalt mixture additive and asphalt extender has been proved to be feasible. Lignin can also produce good mechanical properties as well as environmental benefits as a soil stabilizer. In summary, lignin plays an important role in asphalt pavement and roadbed soil, and it is likely to be a development trend in the future due to its environmental friendliness and low cost. More research is needed to generalize the application of lignin in pavement engineering.

Meta-analysis links dietary branched-chain amino acids to metabolic health in rodents

Background The role of dietary branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) and their effect on metabolic health is complex. How dietary BCAA levels and their interaction with background nutrition affect health is unclear. Here, we used meta-analysis and meta-regression, together with the nutritional modelling, to analyse the results of rodent studies that increased the level of dietary BCAAs and measured circulating levels, outcomes related to metabolic health, body mass and food intake. Results Across all studies, increasing dietary BCAAs resulted in increased levels of circulating BCAAs. These effects, however, were heavily moderated by background dietary levels whereby on high BCAA diets, further increases were not reflected in the blood. Impaired glucose tolerance was associated with elevated dietary BCAAs, with the greatest effect occurring with a simultaneous increase in total protein intake. Effects of dietary BCAAs on plasma glucose, insulin, or HOMA emerged only when dietary macronutrient background was considered. We found that elevated dietary BCAAs increases % body fat, with largest increases in adiposity occurring when BCAAs are increased on a high protein, low carbohydrate dietary background. Finally, we found that increased dietary BCAAs were associated with increased food intake when the background diet was low in BCAAs. Conclusion Our data highlights the interaction between BCAAs and background nutrition. We show that the effects of BCAAs on metabolic health cannot be studied in isolation but must be considered as part of complex mixture of dietary components.

Microbial ecosystems as targets for improving pig gut health

To date, our understanding of the organisms which constitute the microbiomes of humans and our domesticated species has been limited by the technologies available to study them. Progress from culture to species-based DNA approaches has allowed us to appreciate the scale of animal microbiomes and the changes which can occur over time and space. However, in order to design and validate rational approaches to manipulating microbiomes to optimise health, welfare and productivity, we need to begin to understand them as ecosystems, in which the host and a complex mixture of micro-organisms are continuously engaged both in co-operation to produce resources from food and in competition for those resources. The application of ecological principles can guide this understanding, but we need to validate the concepts we use, since they may not all be as applicable as they might seem.

A Review of the Petroleum Hydrocarbons Contamination of Soil, Water and Air and the Available Remediation Techniques, Taking into Consideration the Sustainable Development Goals

The emergence of several industrial activities has arguably led to hydrocarbon contamination of all aspects of the environment. The resultant effect of the increased dependence on crude oil is the hydrocarbon pollution via the exploration, transport and waste disposal. Crude oil is a complex mixture of aliphatic, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds. The impact of the crude oil spills, pesticides, fossil fuels and other organic pollutants, which majorly contains these hydrocarbons is that the natural heavy metal content of the soil is drastically rising, resulting in high concentration of heavy metals, thereby limiting the microbe’s activity, rendering it unsuitable for degradation and reduced effectiveness. This menace has hereby brought the dire need for adequate environmental remediation technique, putting into consideration the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs’). Variety of techniques exist for remediation depending on the media (e.g. air, water, or soil) and contaminant (e.g. heavy metals, PCB etc.). Some of the techniques adopted in the last several decades are physical/mechanical, chemical or biochemical remediation methods.

Recording the Fragrance of 15 Types of Medicinal Herbs and Comparing Them by Similarity Using the Electronic Nose FF-2A

Medical herbs have been recognized till now as having different constituents that act on the human body. However, the fragrance of herbs is a complex mixture of odors, which makes it difficult to qualify or quantify the scent objectively on the human sense of smell. In this study, aromas of 15 medicinal herbs were recorded using an electronic nose FF-2A, and their characteristics were compared with aroma samples of wine such as Le Nez du Vin, to determine which wine aromas are similar to each medicinal herb. Thereafter, the aromas of the 15 herbs were standardized to create a reference axis for the aroma of each herb, and the similarity of tea herbs to the reference axis was examined. Additionally, the results were compared with those obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). In FF-2A, the measured scent is recorded as an absolute value. We succeeded in calculating the similarity of the scents of other herbs with the axes of the scent of each herb by standardizing their scents and creating new axis data. Conversely, although GC-MS is able to identify the components and concentrations of fragrances, an electronic nose can analyze fragrances in a way that is uncommon with GC-MS, such as comparison of similarities between fragrances.

Uterine Fibroids: Hiding in Plain Sight

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are present in >75% of women and can cause serious morbidity. They are by far the leading cause of hysterectomy. Fibroids are a complex mixture of cells that include fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Rich in extracellular matrix, they typically arise through somatic mutations, most commonly MED12. Their lack of growth inhibition and their ability to have facets of malignancy yet be histologically and biologically benign provide opportunities to explore basic processes. To date, the mechanisms responsible for growth and development of leiomyomas are an enigma. This review provides an overview of current understanding and future directions for clinical and basic research of fibroids.

Anxiolytic and antidepressive effects of the homeopathic complex Homeo-pax® (pre-clinical study)

Background: The homeopathic complex Homeo-Pax® has been used as an antidepressant and anxiolytic homeopathic medicine available in Brazil. It is a complex mixture prepared with Aconitum nap. 6cH, Aurum met. 6cH, Phosphorus 6cH, Argentum nitricum 6cH, Arsenicum alb. 6cH, and Valeriana officinalis 3cH. Aims: This study had evaluated the behavior in rats after treatment with Homeo-Pax® in pre-clinical models of depression and anxiety. Mathods: Elevated Plus Maze Test (EPM), Forced Swimming Test (FST), Open Field Test (OFT) and the Rota Rod Test (RRT) behavior assays were used to confirm its activity. In the EPM, the animals treated with Homeo-pax® on the 1st day and until the 20th day of treatment remained longer in the open arms of the maze than on 30th day. This result was statistically significant compared with the control group (p < 0.05). In the FST, the treatment with Homeo-pax® (0.5 ml, p.o) increased the swimming time, compared to the control group. This effect was dependent on treatment time, resulting in a similar effect to that presented by amfepramone (10 mg/kg, p.o). In the OFT, crossing by the animals was significantly increased by the treatment with amfepramone (10mg/kg, p.o), and also with the 30-day treatment with Homeo-pax®. In the RRT, the 30-day treatment with Homeo-pax® (0.5 ml, p.o) did not affect the animals’ motor coordination, compared with the control group, which presented the same behavior. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, it can be suggested that the homeopathic complex Homeo-pax® has anxiolytic and antidepressant properties without affecting motor coordination capacity.

Correlated STORM-homoFRET Imaging: Applications to the Study of Membrane Receptor Self-Association and Clustering

Mapping the self-organization and spatial distribution of membrane proteins is key to understanding their function. We report here on a correlated STORM/homoFRET imaging approach for resolving the nanoscale distribution and oligomeric state of membrane proteins. Live cell homoFRET imaging of CEACAM1, a cell-surface receptor known to exist in a complex equilibrium between monomer and dimer/oligomer states, revealed highly heterogenous diffraction-limited structures on the surface of HeLa cells. Correlated super-resolved STORM imaging revealed that these structures comprised a complex mixture and spatial distribution of self-associated CEACAM1 molecules. This correlated approach provides a compelling strategy for addressing challenging questions about the interplay between membrane protein concentration, distribution, interaction, clustering, and function.

Black Carbon - A Silent Contributor to Climate Change

Black carbon is a potent climate-warming component of particulate matter formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil-fuels, wood and other fuels. Complete combustion would turn all the carbon in the fuel into carbon dioxide, but combustion is never complete, and CO2, CO, volatile organic compounds, organic compounds, and black carbon particles are formed in the process. It contributes to warming by converting incoming solar radiation to heat. When deposited on ice and snow, BC and co-emitted particles reduce surface albedo thereby melting the glaciers. The complex mixture of particulate matter resulting from incomplete combustion is referred as soot. When suspended in the atmosphere, black carbon contributes to warming by converting incoming solar radiations to heat. It also influences cloud formation and impacts regional circulation and rainfall pattern. The Artic and the glaciated regions such as Himalayas are particularly vulnerable to melting as a result. The present paper aims to review the work done on black carbon and its mitigation measure.

METHYLATION OF 4-NIТRO-1,2,3-TRIAZOLE IN NEUTRAL ENVIRONMENTS

Алкилирование NH-гетероцикла4-нитро-1,2,3-триазола диметилсульфатом сопровождается тандемными реакциями алкилирования–кватернизации и приводит к образованию сложной смеси продуктов N-моноалкилирования по всем трем гетероатомам N-1, N-2 и N-3 с существенным преобладанием неизвестного ранее N3-производного, а также продукта их дальнейшего превращения – соли 1,3-диметил-4-нитро-1,2,3-триазолия. Alkylation of the NH-heterocycle of 4-nitro-1,2,3-triazole with dimethyl sulfate is accompanied by tandem alkylation-quaternization reactions and leads to the formation of a complex mixture of N-monoalkylation products at all three heteroatoms N-1, N-2, and N-3 with a significant predominance previously unknown N3-derivative, as well as the product of their further conversion - 1,3-dimethyl-4-nitro-1,2,3-triazolium salts.