Biomass-derived wastes as the additive of non-degradable plastics have been paid more attention due to the ever-growing environmental pollution and energy crisis. Herein, the spent coffee grounds (SCG) have been used as fillers in polypropylene (PP) after the heat treatment to realize its recycling utilization. The effect of the heat treatment atmosphere on the properties of the obtained SCG and SCG/PP composites has been investigated systematically. The results show that the residual coffee oil can be removed more thoroughly under an air atmosphere than under a nitrogen atmosphere at a relatively low cost and an eco-friendly process. The lower residual oil rate of SCG is beneficial to improve the comminution and further enhance the affinity with the PP matrix. The obtained SCG/PP composite holds lower water absorption, higher hydrophobicity, and better mechanical properties, implying its potential applications in the field of food packaging.

This study provides a comprehensive account of the various types of calcium oxalate crystals found in the genus Baccharis and assesses the exceptional value of crystal macropatterns for the taxonomy of the genus. The morphotype, occurrence and chemical composition of the crystals found in the stems and leaves are studied. The 44 species included in this study were selected based on a broad phylogeny-based sampling covering seven subgenera and 31 sections. These species were chosen to represent all the main phylogenetic lineages of Baccharis; thus, the sampling also represents a comprehensive coverage concerning evolutionary significance for such a large and environmentally and economically important plant group. The samples were analyzed by light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Several morphotypes of crystals, including druses, crystal sand, styloids and prisms, were present. Based on their chemical composition, the crystals were classified as pure calcium oxalate, mixtures of oxalates and sulfates, and mixtures of oxalates, sulfates and silica. The crystal macropatterns observed in this study aid in the species identification and provide novel data for the taxonomy of Baccharis.

The scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL) plays a fundamental role in stabilizing the wrist bones, and its disruption is a frequent cause of wrist arthrosis and disfunction. Traditionally, this structure is considered to be a variety of fibrocartilaginous tissue and consists of three regions: dorsal, membranous and palmar. Despite its functional relevance, the exact composition of the human SLIL is not well understood. In the present work, we have analyzed the human SLIL and control tissues from the human hand using an array of histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical methods to characterize each region of this structure. Results reveal that the SLIL is heterogeneous, and each region can be subdivided in two zones that are histologically different to the other zones. Analysis of collagen and elastic fibers, collagens types I, III and IV, proteoglycans, glycoproteins and versican confirmed that the different regions can be subdivided in two zones that have their own structure and composition. The first part of the dorsal region (zone D1) resembles the control tendons and ligaments, whereas the rest of the SLIL are more similar to the control articular cartilage, especially the first part of the membranous region (zone M1). Cells showing a chondrocyte-like phenotype as determined by S100 were more abundant in M1, whereas the zone containing more CD73-positive stem cells was D2. These results confirm the heterogeneity of the human SLIL and could contribute to explain why certain zones of this structure are more prone to structural damage and why other zones have specific regeneration potential.

Understanding the physical, chemical and biological changes that occur during the drying of a bloodstain is important in many aspects of forensic science including bloodstain pattern analysis and time since deposition estimation. This research assesses the use of optical profilometry to analyze changes in the surface morphology of degrading bloodstains created using three different volumes (4, 11, and 20 µL) up to four weeks after deposition. We analyzed six surface characteristics, including surface average roughness, kurtosis, skewness, maximum height, number of cracks and pits, and height distributions from the topographical scans obtained from bloodstains. Full and partial optical profiles were obtained to examine long-term (minimum of 1.5 hour intervals) and short-term (5 minute intervals) changes. The majority of the changes in surface characteristics occurred within the first 35 minutes after bloodstain deposition, in agreement with current research in bloodstain drying. Optical profilometry is a non-destructive and efficient method to obtain surface profiles of bloodstains, and can be integrated easily into additional research workflows including but not limited to time since deposition estimation.