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Ant species exhibit behavioural commonalities when solving navigational challenges for successful orientation and to reach goal locations. These behaviours rely on a shared toolbox of navigational strategies that guide individuals under an array of motivational contexts. The mechanisms that support these behaviours, however, are tuned to each species’ habitat and ecology with some exhibiting unique navigational behaviours. This leads to clear differences in how ant navigators rely on this shared toolbox to reach goals. Species with hybrid foraging structures, which navigate partially upon a pheromone-marked column, express distinct differences in their toolbox, compared to solitary foragers. Here, we explore the navigational abilities of the Western Thatching ant ( Formica obscuripes ), a hybrid foraging species whose navigational mechanisms have not been studied. We characterise their reliance on both the visual panorama and a path integrator for orientation, with the pheromone’s presence acting as a non-directional reassurance cue, promoting continued orientation based on other strategies. This species also displays backtracking behaviour, which occurs with a combination of unfamiliar terrestrial cues and the absence of the pheromone, thus operating based upon a combination of the individual mechanisms observed in solitarily and socially foraging species. We also characterise a new form of goalless orientation in these ants, an initial retreating behaviour that is modulated by the forager’s path integration system. The behaviour directs disturbed inbound foragers back along their outbound path for a short distance before recovering and reorienting back to the nest.

Purpose A variety of lignocellulosic raw materials have been previously reported for the production of cellulose and cellulose derivatives, but little research effort has been dedicated to producing cellulose from Hyparrhenia filipendula . In this study, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) were extracted from Hyparrhenia filipendula waste straws via sulphuric acid hydrolysis. Methods The straws were pretreated with a combination of physiochemical processes and hydrolyzed using sulphuric acid at three different concentrations (1 M, 3 M and 5.6 M) for 2 h at 80 °C. The properties of the CNFs was checked by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for surface chemistry, X-ray diffraction (XRD) for crystallinity, Scanning Electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for morphology. A high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) was used to quantify the amount of biopolymers in the CNFs. Results The results show that CNFs, denoted as CNF 1 , CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6 for 1 M, 3 M, and 5.6 M sulphuric acid, respectively, were successfully extracted at the various concentrations of sulphuric acid. The cellulose content of CNF1 , CNF3 , and CNF5.6 determined by HPLC analysis were 85%, 77% and 78% respectively. Also, the hemicellulose content in CNF 1 , CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6 was 10%, 15%, and 12% respectively, showing a high carbohydrate content of the CNFs. The FTIR spectra confirm the absence of characteristic peaks for lignin in the CNFs. The XRD analysis reveals presence of characteristic cellulose I β peaks at 2θ of 18°, 26°, and 40° with the crystallinity of 78%, 74% and 73% for CNF1, CNF3 and CNF5.6, respectively. Moreover, SEM analysis shows the deposition of lignin polycondensate on the surface of CNF 1 , CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6 while the bleached sample has a smooth and glossy appearance. The TEM analysis shows long unbranched nano-sized fibers for CNF 1 and shorter fibrous network of fibers for CNF 3 , and CNF 5.6. The average diameter of the fibers, measured with ImageJ software is 40 nm for CNF 1 , 57 nm for CNF 3 , and 92 nm for CNF 5.6. Conclusion CNFs were successfully produced from Hyparrhenia filipendula and reported for the first time in open literature. In view of the structure and properties of the produced CNFs, they are a potential material for value-added applications such as polymer matrices, films, and membranes, thus enabling efficient utilization of agricultural waste. Graphical Abstract

Grass is an abundant and renewable source of cellulose, which makes it a sustainable and cost‐effective source for producing cellulose nanocrystals. Moreover, the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals from grass provides a value‐added product from an otherwise low‐value agricultural waste material, which can contribute to the development of a circular economy. In this study, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were extracted from Hyparrhenia filipendula via citric acid hydrolysis. The Hyparrhenia filipendula stems were pre‐processed through mechanical size reduction and Soxhlet extraction. The extractive‐free stems were fractionated using two solvents: 10 wt% (w/v) sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and deep eutectic solvent of ethylene glycol:citric acid (1:2 molar ratio). The fractionated samples were bleached with acidified sodium chlorite and hydrolyzed with 80 wt% citric acid for 4 h at 120°C in a Parr reactor. The samples obtained at each treatment stage were characterized using standard scientific procedures for chemical composition, morphology, elemental composition, crystallinity, and thermal stability. The results show that CNCs were successfully extracted from Hyparrhenia filipendula via citric acid hydrolysis. The surface morphology of alkali fractionated CNCs was needle‐like, whereas the surface morphology of DES fractionated CNCs was rod‐like. The alkali fractionated and hydrolyzed sample, NaCNC, had the highest cellulose purity (91%), as well as the highest thermal stability. The FTIR analysis proved the removal of non‐cellulosic components in the CNCs, except for the unbleached CNCs that had significant quantities of hemicellulose and lignin. The XRD analysis revealed the presence of characteristic cellulose Iβ in the CNCs, with the UNNaCNC sample (NaOH fractionated, unbleached, acid hydrolyzed sample) having the highest crystallinity index of 81% and the largest crystallite size of 4.20 nm. The properties of the CNCs obtained in this study are comparable to CNCs derived from previously reported lignocellulosic materials. The CNCs from Hyparrhenia filipendula therefore have a wide range of potential applications. Fractionation of yellow thatching grass using sodium hydroxide and deep eutectic solvent Carboxylated Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were successfully synthesized via hydrolysis with 80 wt% citric acid at 120°C for 4 h Variations in CNC characteristics were observed based on the fractionation method used

The Valencia Lagoon has been home to vernacular constructions built with the mud and fibres available in these wetlands since ancient times. They are probably the last evolved vestiges of the primitive prehistoric huts that populated this place and the area surrounding the city of Valencia. It is estimated that in the mid-19th century, several tens of thousands of these huts remained. Fires, arson, new building regulations that prohibited new huts or even prevented their repair, the association with the poverty of yesteryear, and a misunderstood concept of progress reduced this number to the 50 huts that are still standing. The traditional wisdom reflected in the design, which incorporates highly effective cross ventilation that is optimal in both summer and winter weather, is disappearing, although in many ways, it could be an example offering lessons to contemporary architecture. This article presents the conservation and adaptive reuse of an 18th-century thatched earthen hut in a state of imminent collapse, from its structural and material degradation to the recovery and reinterpretation of the traditional materials and techniques that have allowed for it to be assigned a public function as the headquarters of an association. This adaptive reuse has shown that it is possible to comply with current regulations, including fire regulations, in a building with a thatched roof and, at the same time, respect its charm and traditional character.

Purpose Biomass pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis is one of the most viable ways to obtain sugars from biomass. In this work, the effect combined alkaline pretreatment and Deep Eutectic Solvent on enzyme hydrolysis of Hyparrhenia filipendula by cellulase is investigated. There is no previously reported literature on this substrate and the authors aim to establish baseline values for further research in the utilization of Hyparrhenia filipendula . Methods The yellow thatching grass ( Hyparrhenia filipendula) was fractionated with a combination of alkaline and Deep Eutectic Solvent to increase sugar recovery. An alkaline solution of 10 wt % (w/v) of Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) was used for the first stage of pretreatment at 100 °C for 4 h. Three DES, namely, Choline chloride (ChCl): urea; ChCl: glycerol; and Ethylene glycol: Citric acid at 1:2 molar ratio each, were heated to 80 °C until a clear solution was formed. The DESs were used for the second stage of pretreatment at 110 °C for 6 h in a Parr reactor. During the pretreatment, a solid: solvent ratio of 1:10 was used for the first and second stages of pre-treatment. Enzymatic hydrolysis was accomplished with a cellulase enzyme blend, Cellic CTec2, in a 50 mM sodium citrate buffer (pH 4.8) at 50 °C using a shaking incubator at a speed of 150 rpm. A solid loading of 2% and enzyme dosage of 50 g/100 g cellulose in the sample was used for all the experiments. Furthermore, samples were withdrawn every 24 h for 7 days and analyzed for glucose and xylose using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results A high delignification of 90% and hemicellulose removal of 70% was achieved with a combination of Alkali and ChCl: Urea pretreatment. Subsequently, the highest glucose and xylose conversion of 90% and 92% were observed, respectively, with the same sample. Additionally, the highest glucose yield achieved was 25 gL −1 from the combined alkaline/ChCl: Glycerol treated sample after 120 h. Moreover, the highest xylose yield was 3 gL −1 from the raw sample, the NaOH- pulped sample, and the ChCl: Glycerol-treated sample. Conclusion The results from this study demonstrated that the solvents used for fractionating biomass have a significant effect on the sugar recovery during enzymatic hydrolysis. Also, the pretreatment with a combination of NaOH and DES of ChCl: Glycerol was the most effective for the recovery of glucose and total sugar. In conclusion, yellow thatching grass is a promising substrate for bio-refineries. However, the ideal conditions for enzyme hydrolysis should be investigated further to promote its utilization for value-added products. Graphical Abstract

Reed has a long tradition as locally available thatching material, but nowadays thatch is a globally traded commodity. Germany and other major importing countries such as the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Denmark rely on high import rates to meet the national consumption. This study aimed at providing a detailed picture of the thatching reed market in Northern Germany and at assessing the market potential for reed of regional origin. A written survey among all thatchers in Northern Germany was carried out in 2019, arriving at an effective sample of 47 out of 141 companies. The results revealed that for the responding companies the majority of the reed (59%) was used for rethatching roofs completely, 24% for newly constructed roofs, and 17% for roof repairs. Reed from Germany held a low share of 17% of the total consumption in 2018. Own reed harvesting was conducted by less than 9% of the responding companies and given up during the last decades by another 26%. The total market volume of reed for thatching in Northern Germany was estimated for 2018 with a 95% confidence interval at 3 ± 0.8 million bundles of reed with a monetary value at sales prices of €11.6 ± 2.8 million. Based on the end consumer demand, the supply gap for reed of regional or German origin was estimated at 523,000 ± 392,000 bundles of reed equaling a market value of €1.9 ± 1.4 million, indicating high uncertainties. Most of the responding thatchers (70%) did not promote reed of regional origin, mainly due to insufficient availability but also a lack in quality was reported. The cultivation of reed in paludiculture, i.e., as climate-smart land use alternative to drainage-based agriculture on peatlands, can increase the availability of thatching reed in Germany and simultaneously reduce GHG emissions.

La palma Sabal mauritiiformis es un recurso importante en el Caribe colombiano debido al uso de sus hojas para techar. Para evaluar el estado de sus poblaciones en Piojó (Atlántico), uno de los municipios más productores de hojas, se estudió la densidad y la estructura poblacional de la palma. Se establecieron 16 parcelas de 0,1 ha, en los tres sistemas de uso de suelo más comunes en la zona: ganadería (6), cultivos (5) y rastrojo (5). Se encontró que la palma amarga constituye un recurso silvestre, muy resistente y capaz de adaptarse a ambientes perturbados pues está incorporada en sistemas productivos de cultivos, rastrojos y ganadería, donde las prácticas de manejo influyen en la densidad y estructura de sus poblaciones. La palma es muy resistente y capaz de adaptarse a ambientes perturbados. El área estudiada incluyó 5349 individuos distribuidos en cuatro categorías de tamaño. Los rastrojos (3620 [+ ó -] 2808 individuos/hectárea) y los cultivos (5612 [+ ó -] 3361 ind/ha) presentaron más individuos y mejores estructuras poblacionales que las áreas de ganadería (1488 [+ ó -] 827 ind/ha), en las cuales se encontraron poblaciones más deterioradas por efecto del pisoteo y el forrajeo. La prevalencia de individuos en algunas clases de tamaño refleja las condiciones de manejo actual e histórico; actividades como el pastoreo o las quemas, sin una apropiada planificación, pueden comprometer el desarrollo de las poblaciones de la palma y la futura disponibilidad del recurso.

Written 150 years ago, never published, and presumed lost for nearly a century, Wilkie Collins's earliest novel now appears in print for the first time. Ioláni is a sensational romance--a tale of terror and suspense, bravery and betrayal, set against the lush backdrop of Tahiti. The book's complicated history is worthy of a writer famous for intricate plots hinging on long-kept secrets. Collins wrote the book as a young man in the early 1840s, twenty years beforeThe MoonstoneandThe Woman in Whitemade his name among Victorian novelists. He failed to find a publisher for the work, shelved the manuscript for years, and eventually gave it to an acquaintance. It disappeared into the hands of private collectors and remained there--acquiring mythical status as a lost novel--from the turn of the century until its sudden appearance on the rare book market in New York in 1991. This first edition appears with the permission of the new owners, who keep the mystery alive by remaining anonymous. The novel is set in Tahiti prior to European contact. It tells the story of the diabolical high priest, Ioláni , and the heroic young woman, Idüa, who bears his child. Determined to defy the Tahitian custom of killing firstborn children, Idüa and her friend Aimáta flee with the baby and take refuge among Ioláni's enemies. The vengeful priest pursues them, setting into motion a plot that features civil war, sorcery, sacrificial rites, wild madmen, treachery, and love. Collins explores themes that he would return to again and again in his career: oppression by sinister, patriarchal figures; the bravery of forceful, unorthodox women; the psychology of the criminal mind; the hypocrisy of moralists; and Victorian ideas of the exotic. As Ira Nadel shows in his introduction, the novel casts new light on Collins's development as a writer and on the creation of his later masterpieces. A sample page from the manuscript appears as the frontispiece to this edition. The publication of Ioláni is a major literary event: a century and half late, Wilkie Collins makes his literary debut. Originally published in 1999. ThePrinceton Legacy Libraryuses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These paperback editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

La palma Sabal mauritiiformis es un recurso importante en el Caribe colombiano debido al uso de sus hojas para techar. Para evaluar el estado de sus poblaciones en Piojó (Atlántico), uno de los municipios más productores de hojas, se estudió la densidad y la estructura poblacional de la palma. Se establecieron 16 parcelas de 0,1 ha, en los tres sistemas de uso de suelo más comunes en la zona: ganadería (6), cultivos (5) y rastrojo (5). Se encontró que la palma amarga constituye un recurso silvestre, muy resistente y capaz de adaptarse a ambientes perturbados pues está incorporada en sistemas productivos de cultivos, rastrojos y ganadería, donde las prácticas de manejo influyen en la densidad y estructura de sus poblaciones. La palma es muy resistente y capaz de adaptarse a ambientes perturbados. El área estudiada incluyó 5349 individuos distribuidos en cuatro categorías de tamaño. Los rastrojos (3620 ± 2808 individuos/hectárea) y los cultivos (5612 ± 3361 ind/ha) presentaron más individuos y mejores estructuras poblacionales que las áreas de ganadería (1488 ± 827 ind/ha), en las cuales se encontraron poblaciones más deterioradas por efecto del pisoteo y el forrajeo. La prevalencia de individuos en algunas clases de tamaño refleja las condiciones de manejo actual e histórico; actividades como el pastoreo o las quemas, sin una apropiada planificación, pueden comprometer el desarrollo de las poblaciones de la palma y la futura disponibilidad del recurso.

Sabal uresana was the palm most often discussed in published historic accounts from Sonora, Mexico, and the only palm mentioned from the earliest written documents to the present. An inventory of topographic maps identified 337 palm place names, thus reinforcing the cultural significance of palms in this region. Participant observation and formal interviews were used to learn how wild-harvested palms are utilized in present-day Sonora. Sabal uresana is the most economically important palm. Its leaves are employed for weaving, the major use of palms in this region, and for thatching and broom-making. Palm logs are used for construction and the fruits are eaten in certain parts of the state. The use of palms in Sonora is changing. Weaving and thatching could probably be maintained as viable crafts and sources of income with appropriate resource management and marketing.