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Biocomposites can supplement and eventually replace petroleum-based composite materials in several applications. Several critical issues related to bio-fiber surface treatments is to make it a more suitable matrix for composite application and promising techniques need to be solved to design biocomposite of interest. The main motivation for developing biocomposites has been and still is to create a new generation of fiber reinforced plastics material competitive with glass fiber reinforced ones which are environmentally compatible in terms of products, use and renewal. There is an immense opportunity in developing new biobased products, but the real challenge isto design suitable bio-based products through innovation ideas. Green materials are the wave of the future. Bionanocomposites have very strong future prospects, though the present low level of production, some deficiency intechnology and high cost restrict them from a wide range of applications. Defence Science Journal, Vol. 64, No. 3, May 2014, pp. 244-261, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.64.7323

Kawasaki disease is recognized as the most common cause of acquired heart disease in children in the developed world. Clinical, epidemiologic, and pathologic evidence supports an infectious agent, likely entering through the lung. Pathologic studies proposing an acute coronary arteritis followed by healing fail to account for the complex vasculopathy and clinical course. Specimens from 32 autopsies, 8 cardiac transplants, and an excised coronary aneurysm were studied by light (n=41) and transmission electron microscopy (n=7). Three characteristic vasculopathic processes were identified in coronary (CA) and non-coronary arteries: acute self-limited necrotizing arteritis (NA), subacute/chronic (SA/C) vasculitis, and luminal myofibroblastic proliferation (LMP). NA is a synchronous neutrophilic process of the endothelium, beginning and ending within the first two weeks of fever onset, and progressively destroying the wall into the adventitia causing saccular aneurysms, which can thrombose or rupture. SA/C vasculitis is an asynchronous process that can commence within the first two weeks onward, starting in the adventitia/perivascular tissue and variably inflaming/damaging the wall during progression to the lumen. Besides fusiform and saccular aneurysms that can thrombose, SA/C vasculitis likely causes the transition of medial and adventitial smooth muscle cells (SMC) into classic myofibroblasts, which combined with their matrix products and inflammation create progressive stenosing luminal lesions (SA/C-LMP). Remote LMP apparently results from circulating factors. Veins, pulmonary arteries, and aorta can develop subclinical SA/C vasculitis and SA/C-LMP, but not NA. The earliest death (day 10) had both CA SA/C vasculitis and SA/C-LMP, and an \"eosinophilic-type\" myocarditis. NA is the only self-limiting process of the three, is responsible for the earliest morbidity/mortality, and is consistent with acute viral infection. SA/C vasculitis can begin as early as NA, but can occur/persist for months to years; LMP causes progressive arterial stenosis and thrombosis and is composed of unique SMC-derived pathologic myofibroblasts.

Domestic chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) fulfill various roles ranging from food and entertainment to religion and ornamentation. To survey its genetic diversity and trace the history of domestication, we investigated a total of 4938 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) fragments including 2843 previously published and 2095 de novo units from 2044 domestic chickens and 51 red junglefowl (Gallus gallus). To obtain the highest possible level of molecular resolution, 50 representative samples were further selected for total mtDNA genome sequencing. A fine-gained mtDNA phylogeny was investigated by defining haplogroups A-I and W-Z. Common haplogroups A-G were shared by domestic chickens and red junglefowl. Rare haplogroups H-I and W-Z were specific to domestic chickens and red junglefowl, respectively. We re-evaluated the global mtDNA profiles of chickens. The geographic distribution for each of major haplogroups was examined. Our results revealed new complexities of history in chicken domestication because in the phylogeny lineages from the red junglefowl were mingled with those of the domestic chickens. Several local domestication events in South Asia, Southwest China and Southeast Asia were identified. The assessment of chicken mtDNA data also facilitated our understanding about the Austronesian settlement in the Pacific.

Background: On 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the mpox multi-country outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This study aimed to identify the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of confirmed mpox cases reported in Serbia in 2022. Methods: The mpox WHO case definition was used. Incidence rates (IRs) and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) by age groups and nomenclature of territorial units for statistics level 3 (NUTS-3) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Results: Between June and October 2022, 43 laboratory-confirmed cases were reported. All were unvaccinated males, with the mean age of 34 (±7.4) years. Out of the total, 72.1% cases were men who have sex with men (MSM), who reported sexual intercourse either with multiple or unknown partners (p < 0.01). Fifteen cases (34.9%) lived with HIV, mostly in the 30–39 age group (p = 0.023). People living in Belgrade City NUTS-3 were six times more likely to become infected compared to South Backa citizens (IRR: 6.03, 95% CI: 1.47–25.53). Conclusions: In Serbia, mpox mainly affected MSM aged 30–39 and living in urban areas. Health promotion and vaccine implementation should be prioritized in populations with a higher risk.

Globally, coastal forested wetlands are increasingly affected by relative sea level rise. However, the mechanisms underlying coastal wetland degradation remain unclear. Using the eddy covariance approach, we evaluated the long-term (i.e. 2009–2019) net ecosystem exchange (NEE), associated hydrology, and ecosystem structural changes in a forested wetland in North Carolina, USA. We quantified tree mortality in response to changes in hydrology. The ecosystem shifted from a net C sink (NEE = − 3.68 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) pre-2010 to a net C source (NEE = 0.87 Mg C ha−1yr−1–7.59 Mg C ha−1 yr−1) afterward. We ascribe the ecosystem C loss to increasing tree mortality (i.e. from 1.6% in 2009 to 45.8% in 2019), partly due to relative sea level rise (R2 = 0.62). Tree mortality, and consequent shift of NEE, provide early warning signs of a transition in this ecosystem more than 20 km inland from the coast.

Understanding the risk factors for vector-borne diseases, such as Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), is critical for effective public health strategies. This study aims to identify and map the environmental and climatic determinants influencing the distribution of Hyalomma marginatum, the primary vector of CCHF, in Türkiye, using a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approach. A rapid literature review was conducted to identify environmental, climatic, and methodological criteria used in MCDA studies on vector-borne diseases. Semi-structured interviews with local experts from Armenia, Serbia, and Türkiye provided fine-scale data on vector presence. These criteria were analyzed using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and combined with Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) within the MCDA framework to produce risk maps for H. marginatum occurrence in Türkiye. Key environmental and climatic factors influencing H. marginatum distribution, such as temperature, humidity, vegetation, and precipitation, were identified. The MCDA analysis highlighted high-risk regions in Türkiye with elevated suitability for the vector, correlating with areas of human CCHF cases. MCDA risk maps are valuable tools for public health officials, enabling targeted surveillance and interventions. By integrating diverse environmental and climatic variables, this study enhances the understanding of CCHF dynamics and supports the development of focused control strategies.

Metabolic processes of the submerged aquatic community (photosynthesis and respiration) play important roles in regulating diel cycles of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and sequestering carbon in a karst stream. However, little is known of whether diel DIC cycling occurs during rainfall in a karst groundwater-fed stream, even though this question is critical for the accurate estimation of what may be a major terrestrial carbon sink. Here, we measured diel variations of water chemical composition in a small karst groundwater-fed stream in southwest China during a rainfall event to assess the influences of rainfall and rising discharge on DIC diel cycling and the potential carbon sink produced by in-stream metabolism. Our results show that water chemical composition at the source spring (CK site) is relatively stable due to chemostatic behavior during rising discharge after a rainfall period. This site lacked submerged aquatic vegetation and, thus, had no diel variations in water chemistry. However, diel cycles of all hydrochemical parameters occurred at a site 1.3 km downstream (LY site). Diel variations in pH, DO, and δ 13 C DIC were inversely related to diel changes in SpC, DIC, Ca 2+ , and p CO 2 . These results indicated that diel cycling of DIC due to in-stream metabolism of submerged aquatic community was still occurring during elevated discharge from rainfall. We estimate the carbon sink through the in-stream metabolism of the submerged aquatic community to be 5.6 kg C/day during the studied rainfall event. These results imply that submerged aquatic communities in a karst stream can significantly stabilize carbon originating from the carbonate rock weathering processes in karst areas.

Animal domestication was a major step forward in human prehistory, contributing to the emergence of more complex societies. At the time of the Neolithic transition, zebu cattle (Bos indicus) were probably the most abundant and important domestic livestock species in Southern Asia. Although archaeological evidence points toward the domestication of zebu cattle within the Indian subcontinent, the exact geographic origins and phylogenetic history of zebu cattle remains uncertain. Here, we report evidence from 844 zebu mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences surveyed from 19 Asiatic countries comprising 8 regional groups, which identify 2 distinct mitochondrial haplogroups, termed I1 and I2. The marked increase in nucleotide diversity (P < 0.001) for both the I1 and I2 haplogroups within the northern part of the Indian subcontinent is consistent with an origin for all domestic zebu in this area. For haplogroup I1, genetic diversity was highest within the Indus Valley among the three hypothesized domestication centers (Indus Valley, Ganges, and South India). These data support the Indus Valley as the most likely center of origin for the I1 haplogroup and a primary center of zebu domestication. However, for the I2 haplogroup, a complex pattern of diversity is detected, preventing the unambiguous pinpointing of the exact place of origin for this zebu maternal lineage. Our findings are discussed with respect to the archaeological record for zebu domestication within the Indian subcontinent.

Background. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (ICI) have been identified in ciliated bronchial epithelium of Kawasaki disease (KD) patients using a synthetic antibody derived from acute KD arterial IgA plasma cells; ICI may derive from the KD etiologic agent. Methods. Acute KD bronchial epithelium was subjected to immunofluorescence for ICI and cytokeratin, highthroughput sequencing, and transmission electron microscopy Interferon pathway gene expression profiling was performed on KD lung. Results. An intermediate filament cytokeratin \"cage\" was not observed around KD ICI, making it unlikely that ICI are overproduced or misfolded human protein aggregates. Many interferon-stimulated genes were detected in the bronchial epithelium, and significant modulation of the interferon response pathway was observed in the lung tissue of KD patients. No known virus was identified by sequencing. Aggregates of virus-like particles (VLP) were detected by in all 3 acute KD patients from whom nonembedded formalin-fixed lung tissue was available. Conclusions. KD ICI are most likely virus induced; bronchial cells with ICI contain VLP that share morphologic features among several different RNA viral families. Expedited autopsies and tissue fixation from acute KD fatalities are urgently needed to more clearly ascertain the VLP. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that the infectious etiologic agent of KD may be a \"new\" RNA virus.

To understand role of biogeochemical reactions in controlling the amount and molecular form of dissolved carbon exported from carbonate terrains, spatiotemporal variations in dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) were observed over one year in the Santa Fe River system, a period of base flow or below. A water mixing model developed using concentrations of Na⁺, Cl⁻, and SO₄⁻²identified three major water sources: soil water, groundwater and deep aquifer water. After accounting for mixing of these water sources, additional chemical signatures resulting from biogeochemical processes in the riparian zone were identified. Net mineralization of DOC occurred throughout the Santa Fe River watershed, particularly during the lowest flow conditions and in the upper watershed. However, natural dissolved organic matter was more labile during low flow and in the lower watershed, and predominantly derived from groundwater (rather than soil water) in all samples, likely via releases during carbonate dissolution. Carbonate dissolution commonly occurred in the upper watershed during low flow conditions, while carbonate minerals precipitated during baseflow, as well as in the lower watershed during very low flow conditions. Thus, riparian zone biogeochemical processes were strongly mediated by watershed hydrology, whose spatiotemporal variations resulted in greater inorganic and organic C export production in the lower watershed than the upper watershed, and during higher flow versus lower flow periods. During this lower flow period, the Santa Fe River watershed exported ~1.0 and 10.3 ton km⁻² year⁻¹DOC and DIC, respectively, representing higher C yields than many other types of watersheds.