Life Sciences Commons^™

Unveiling Resistance Mechanisms To Fusarium Wilt Through Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Of Cicer Arietinum And Cicer Reticulatum, Özlem Tuna, Yasi̇n Kaymaz, Talap Talapov, Canan Can, Muhammed Bahatti̇n Tanyolaç, Duygu Ateş

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Developing resistant chickpea cultivars is essential for managing Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum, a major pathogen responsible for substatial yield losses. In this study, we conducted RNA-seq–based transcriptome analysis to characterize gene expression changes in resistant and susceptible genotypes of Cicer arietinum L. and C. reticulatum following inoculation with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceris race 0. Susceptible genotypes exhibited markedly higher numbers of differentially expressed genes compared with resistant genotypes. Defense-related genes were induced in all plants upon infection; however, resistant genotypes specifically upregulated genes functioning in the apoplast or extracellular region while downregulating intracellular processes—a pattern not observed …

Interview With Orca Winner John Hibbing, Political Science; How Political Attitudes Correlate With Physiological Traits, Mark A. Griep, John Hibbing

UNL ORCA Interview Series

Dr. John Hibbing was awarded the ORCA in 1993. John was born in 1953 in Paullina, Iowa. He earned a bachelor's in secondary education from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, but then realized that teaching high school wasn't for him. Instead, he attended the University of Iowa, where he earned a master's and doctorate in political science. In 1981, he joined the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an assistant professor of political science and rose quickly through the ranks. Initially, he studied the reasons that members of the U.S. Congress retire. This led to a longer-term collaboration with Kevin Smith and …

Investigating The Role Of Centromere Deletion In Chromosome Segregation, Azait Imtiaz

ETDs from 2020-2029

Centromeres are critical genomic regions responsible for ensuring accurate chromosome segregation during cell division. Disruptions in the structural or functional integrity of centromeric DNA could impair kinetochore assembly, leading to chromosome missegregation and chromosomal instability (CIN), a hallmark of various human diseases, including systemic sclerosis (SSc). This study investigated the contribution of centromeric DNA damage and deletion to CIN and explored potential pathogenic mechanisms relevant to SSc. We utilized hTERT-immortalized fibroblast cell lines (CHON-002 and BJ-5ta) to implement two complementary approaches: (i) treatment with bleomycin, a chemotherapeutic agent known to induce DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), and (ii) targeted deletion of …

A Pilot Study Of The Acute Effects Of Isometric Exercise And Aerobic Exercise For Improving Blood Pressure And Vascular Hemodynamics In Hypertensive Adults, Ayih Cedric Edoh

ETDs from 2020-2029

Hypertension (HTN) is one of the most prevalent and modifiable risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Aerobic exercise is a well-known method to lower blood pressure (BP), but recently, isometric exercise has been purported to lower BP to a similar or greater extent. There is little known about the effects of isometric exercise on acute BP and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure (ABP). Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was to compare the effects of isometric and aerobic exercise on improving vascular hemodynamics and 24-hour ABP in hypertensive adults. METHODS: Seven participants (age 25-65 years) with a diagnosis of …

Histone Deacetylases In Kidney Injury: Distribution, Injury-Specific Regulation, And Fibroblast Hdac1 Function, Huy Nguyen

ETDs from 2020-2029

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) through maladaptive repair and interstitial fibrosis. Epigenetic regulation has emerged as a critical factor of kidney injury responses, however the injury-specific and cell-type specific roles of histone deacetylases (HDACs) remain poorly defined. This dissertation investigates the regulation and functional significance of HDACs in kidney injury, with a particular focus on fibroblast HDAC1 as a mediator of interstitial fibrosis development following AKI. In my cisplatin-induced AKI model, a single dose of cisplatin caused a significant decline in kidney function in both male …

Pine Grosbeak (Pinicola Enucleator) Exhibit Collective Vocal Behavior During Foraging Bouts, Stefani A. Crabtree, Thomas J. Crabtree

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Pine Grosbeaks (Pinicola enucleator) are boreal finches whose winter ecology and social behavior remain only sporadically documented due to their remote distributions and irruptive dispersions. From 18 December 2023 to 6 March 2024, we conducted repeated daily observations of a flock of up to twelve P. Enucleator occupying a temporary wintering range in an urban neighborhood in Oregon. During these observations, we documented a previously undescribed collective vocalization associated with feeding. Comparison with 2674 archived Pine Grosbeak recordings from major bioacoustic repositories revealed that no clear matches between our recording and archives could be established. The low amplitude …

From Cardiovascular Safety Assessment To Peptide Hemolytic Activity Prediction: Integrative Computational Analyses For Drug Evaluation And Discovery, Xinran Zhu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis applied integrative computational approaches to two major areas of drug evaluation and discovery: cardiovascular safety assessment and peptide hemolytic activity prediction. First, pharmacovigilance data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), electronic health records (EHRs) from TriNetX, and transcriptomic analyses were combined to evaluate anesthetic-associated cardiac rhythm adverse drug events. Among propofol, ketamine, dexmedetomidine, and midazolam, dexmedetomidine showed the strongest association with bradycardia across both FAERS and propensity score-matched EHR analyses. Stratified analyses further suggested substantially higher bradycardia prevalence among older patients and a modestly increased risk among male patients. Drug-drug interaction analyses identified risperidone and albuterol …

Characterization Of Poly-Β-Hydroxybutyrate And Its Biosynthesis In Priestia Endophytica Ucm B-5715, Alina Kharchuk, Maksym Kharchuk, Maksym Kharkhota, Sergiy Rogalsky, Oksana Tarasyuk, Oleksandr Kisten, Anastasiia Hubina, Illya Kapats, Liliia Avdieieva

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are biodegradable biopolymers with promising applications in biotechnology and medicine; however, the diversity of their biosynthesis within the genus Priestia remains poorly characterized. Although Priestia species have been recognized as potential PHA producers, the detailed genomic architecture and physicochemical properties of the polymers synthesized by these bacteria, particularly in the type strain, remain poorly understood. This study aimed to characterize the poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) produced by Priestia endophytica UCM B-5715 and to investigate the PHB biosynthetic genes across related strains.

Materials and methods: PHB granules were visualized and measured using fluorescence microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron …

Plant Extract-Enriched Mineral Beverages: Effects Of Temperature And Ultrasound Processing On Bioactive Content, Eli̇f Feyza Topdaş, İsa Arslan Karakütük, Memnune Şengül

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Functional beverages derived from herbal extracts have potential health benefits. There is a growing interest in these beverages because they are a sustainable and health-promoting alternative to conventional flavored drinks. This study aimed to produce phenolic rich mineralized herbal beverages using lyophilized purple basil, lavender, and thyme extracts at two different concentrations (2% and 4%). Changes in the physicochemical properties (pH, electrical conductivity, color, and viscosity), total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total antioxidant capacity (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline 6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging assays), and individual phenolic compounds were determined for beverages stored at 4, 25, and …

Ecological Risk Assessment Of Heavy Metal-Microplastic Interactions In Agricultural Soils Irrigated With Secondary Treated Wastewater, Senar Aydin, Osman Mücevher, Arzu Ulvi̇, Fatma Bedük, Özen Merken, Ci̇han Uzun, Mehmet Emi̇n Aydin

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The increased reuse of treated wastewater (TWW) for irrigation in arid and semiarid regions raises environmental concerns regarding microplastics (MPs), specifically their capacity to adsorb and transport heavy metals. This study assesses the quantity of MPs and associated metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, and Co) in agricultural soils irrigated with TWW in the Konya region of Türkiye. To this end, a total of 202 soil samples were collected from TWW-irrigated (180) and nonirrigated control fields (22) at two depths (0–10 and 10–20 cm). MPs were extracted from the samples using a density separation technique, identified microscopically, and analyzed for …

Influence Of Crop Diversification On Climate Change Mitigation And Business Profitability: A Study Of The Southern Marmara Region, Türkiye, Engi̇n Tolga Önder, Nuray Demi̇r

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Crop diversification strategies are being put forward to mitigate the negative effects of climate change associated with greenhouse gas emissions, and thus to ensure sustainable food production that is resilient to climate change and to reduce the risks faced by producers. By diversifying their agricultural products producers can insure themselves against the risks associated with climate variations, disease, and pests, contributing to both continuous food production and income flow. The present study investigates the effect of climate change on enterprise income in the Yenişehir district of Bursa province – a region noted for its intensive production of vegetables and other …

Effects Of Fenugreek And Shatavari On Vasomotor And Hormonal Balance In Ovariectomized Rats, Füsun Erten, Beşi̇r Er, Cemal Orhan, Abhijeet A. Morde, Muralidhara Padigaru, Kazi̇m Şahi̇n

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek, TFG) and Asparagus racemosus Willd. (shatavari, AR) have been extensively used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and traditional folk medicine to support women’s health. TFG seeds are traditionally employed as galactagogues and hormonal modulators, while AR roots are valued as rejuvenating tonics with phytoestrogenic activity, prescribed for menopausal complaints and reproductive well-being. Both plants also exhibit antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects, suggesting their potential as safe, nonhormonal alternatives to conventional hormone replacement therapy. This study investigated the dose-dependent effects of TFG and AR, administered individually or in combination, on vasomotor symptoms, hormonal balance, oxidative stress, and neuroendocrine markers in …

Context-Dependent Regulation Of Six1 By Ets1 Within Emt-Associated Transcriptional Networks, İrem Yalim Camci

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a fundamental process driving tumor plasticity, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Although E26 transformation-specific transcription factor 1 (ETS1) and Sine oculis homeobox homolog 1 (SIX1) are individually implicated in EMT-related transcriptional programs, the regulatory interplay and functional coordination of these proteins across tumor states remain unclear. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the mechanistic and clinical behavior of the ETS1–SIX1 axis, with a focus on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and aggressive endothelial-like cancer phenotypes.

Materials and methods: ETS1–SIX1 expression patterns were analyzed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction in HCCderived cell lines and the endothelial-like SK-HEP-1 cell …

Small Rna Sequencing Identifies Tsrna-05020 As A Potential Regulator Of Cervical Cancer Progression, Cheng Peng, Cong Liang, Jie Liu, Yunlu Liu, Ping Liu

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Cervical cancer (CC) is a malignant gynecologic tumor. Small RNAs derived from tRNA (tsRNAs) have been reported to play regulatory roles in tumor progression and suppression. However, the functional role of tsRNAs in CC remains largely unclear.

Materials and methods: Small RNA sequencing was performed on normal, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and CC clinical cell samples to identify differentially expressed tsRNAs (DEtsRNAs). qRT-PCR was used to validate the selected DEtsRNAs. The effects of tsRNA-05020 on HeLa cell proliferation, apoptosis, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition were assessed.

Results: Compared with the normal group, 215 tsRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in CIN tissues, …

Retinoic Acid-Loaded Nanoparticles Enhance Macrophage-Mediated Control Of Leishmania Infantum, Zeynep İşlek, Merve Gündoğdu, Zeynep Di̇la Yüksel

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Visceral leishmaniasis, primarily caused by Leishmania infantum, remains a major global health challenge due to limitations in current chemotherapeutic options, including toxicity and emerging drug resistance. Host-directed therapeutic approaches are increasingly recognized as promising alternatives. All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is an immunomodulatory molecule with host-dependent effects on macrophage function; however, its therapeutic use is hindered by instability and poor solubility. Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) offer a controlled and biocompatible delivery platform capable of enhancing intracellular drug accumulation.

Materials and methods: ATRA-loaded SLNs were prepared and characterized for size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, and morphology. Their antileishmanial activity was evaluated …

Nutrient Uptake Of Two Microalgae From Culture Medium Under Nickel Treatment, Di̇lara Erdaği, Büşranur Şeker, Celal Caner, Gi̇zem Çeti̇n, Hüseyi̇n Altundağ, Hati̇ce Tunca

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Phycoremediation is essential for purifying wastewater of heavy metals to ensure a sustainable environment, as these components can be detrimental to organisms upon entering the food chain. Among heavy metals, nickel is vital at low concentrations due to its presence in the active sites of many metalloenzymes in algae. However, at high concentrations, it disrupts the functioning of many metabolic reactions. This study examines the effects of nickel treatment on the uptake of macro- and micronutrients in medium by algae via ion exchange pathways or in competition with other metals. The study aims to determine the effects of nickel …

An In Vitro Mechanistic Study Of Cholinergic-Associated Mechanisms Relevant To Masld In Hepg2 Cells, Gamze Sönmez, Müslüm Gök, Suat Sari, Ebru Bodur

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and the hepatic cholinergic axis are critical regulators of lipid metabolism and inflammatory signaling; however, their time-dependent interplay in hepatocytes remains incompletely understood. Clarifying how n-6 and n-3 PUFAs interact with cholinergic pathways may provide mechanistic insight into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

Materials and methods: HepG2 cells were used to examine the combined effects of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) overexpression and PUFA exposure. Cells were treated with linoleic acid (LA; n-6) or α-linolenic acid (α-LA; n-3) for 24 or 48 h. Gene expression analyses were performed to assess pathways involved in de novo lipogenesis, β-oxidation, …

Epidemiology And Ultrasonographic Observations Of Urogenital Schistosomiasis Related Urinary Tract Morbidity In Itilima District, Simiyu Region, Tanzania, Coletha Yohana, Bruno A. Nyundo, Jared S. Bakuza, Peter F. Rambau, Safari M. Kinung’Hi

Tanzania Journal of Science

Chronic infection of urogenital schistosomiasis in humans is a major cause of urinary tract morbidity in endemic areas. However, information on the prevalence of schistosomiasisrelated urinary tract morbidity is lacking in most endemic countries including Tanzania. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of schistosomiasis-related urinary tract morbidity in schoolchildren and adults in Itilima District. Urine samples from 682 residents were examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection using urine filtration technique. Urinary tract morbidity was examined by ultrasound. The prevalence of S. haematobium infection was 16.4% (112/682) and varied significantly between villages (range 3.2% to 29.5%, χ2 = 48.467, p < 0.001). There was no significant variation of S. haematobium infection between male and female (8.3 % vs 8.1%, χ2 = 0.679, p = 0.410). Majority (93.8%) had light infections (

“He’S Got The Whole World In His Hands”: Seed Sovereignty And Agricultural Decision Making In Southeastern Kenya, Caroline Stahley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasing corporate control of the global seed supply and restrictions to local exchange threaten the autonomy of smallholder farmers and Indigenous communities. This project contributes to agricultural sovereignty movements by examining the decisions farmers make to address climate uncertainty, market volatility, and development agendas. Specifically, how is seed saving practiced and understood in relation to sovereignty? It reimagines what global food systems might look like if investment were directed to producers rather than intermediaries, arguing that cultivators lack support, not knowledge or capacity. Across these domains, seeds act as a motif to describe the concerns, innovations, and visions of farmers.

House Sparrows Reveal Hidden Reservoirs Of Antimicrobial Resistance, Nathan Dowling

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, yet surveillance for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) remains concentrated in clinical and livestock systems, leaving environmental and wildlife reservoirs comparatively understudied. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether one synanthropic bird species integrates landscape-level antimicrobial resistance pressures across socioeconomic gradients and to identify the predictors most strongly associated with cross-national variation in ARG prevalence. We examined ARG occurrence in the globally distributed house sparrow (Passer domesticus), sampling 205 individuals across eight countries spanning large gradients in economic development, antimicrobial use, and governance structure. Using targeted molecular screening of gastrointestinal …

Amending Planting Media With Typha-Derived Biochar For Sustainable Horticulture, Elissa Touma

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Constructed wetlands are widely used to improve water quality by removing excess nutrients from wastewater and stormwater. Nutrients are stored within wetland vegetation, particularly in fast-growing plants such as Typha. Harvesting vegetation provides an opportunity to permanently remove these nutrients while generating biomass suitable for beneficial reuse. Converting harvested biomass into value-added products such as compost and biochar can support nutrient recovery and sustainable biomass management. In addition, increasing concerns regarding the environmental impacts of peat extraction have created interest in renewable alternatives for horticultural growing media. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of harvested …

Operationally Ready Vs Gym Ready: Training For The Real Demands Of Tactical Work, Ben Jacobs

Tactical & Occupational Performance Conference

Tactical organizations are increasingly recognizing that readiness extends beyond fitness alone. Structured performance systems that integrate training, recovery, nutrition, and fatigue management can help departments improve resilience, reduce injuries, and sustain operational capability over an entire career.

Session's revolve around the concept of Tactical Readiness Architecture, a systems-based framework designed to help departments build structured, sustainable performance support for their personnel. Rather than focusing solely on workouts or individual habits, Tactical Readiness Architecture integrates training, recovery, nutrition, fatigue management, and data-informed monitoring into a cohesive readiness model.

Processing Mechanism And Efficacy Maintenance Strategy Of Ginseng Active Ingredients Based On Spectroscopy Technology, Yang Hantong, Kong Linghui, Jiang Mengmeng, Wang Yingxiu, Li Xiangguo

Food and Machinery

Ginseng, as a medicinal and edible plant, has ginsenosides as its core active components, which are widely applied due to their physiological functions such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; however, their structures and activities are easily affected by food processing. During processing steps such as cleaning, steaming/boiling, and fermentation, temperature, pH, and microbial enzyme systems alter the types, contents, and stability of active components through reactions such as hydrolysis and oxidation. The intrinsic linkage mechanism of "component transformation-activity-bioavailability" constitutes a core focus and challenge in current research. This study, based on spectroscopic techniques including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), nuclear magnetic …

Rapid Determination And Uncertainty Evaluation Of Vitamins A , D 3, And E Content In Cereal-Based Complementary Foods For Infants And Young Children By Online Solid Phase Extraction-Two-Dimensional Liquid Chromatography, Long Qiang, Zhao Tao, Xiao Mei, Wu Haizhi, Zhou Fan, Dai Zhiyong

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To establish a rapid determination method for vitamin A, D3, and E content in cereal-based complementary foods for infants and young children by online solid phase extraction -two-dimensional liquid chromatography simultaneously.［Methods］ Sample saponification solution is purified by online solid -phase extraction. Then, vitamin A and E are separated and detected by the first -dimension chromatography, while vitamin D3 is preliminarily separated in the first dimension and then transferred to the second -dimension chromatography for further separation and detection, with all quantification achieved by the external standard method.［Results］］ Vitamin A,D3,and E exhibit a good linearity in the concentration ranges, with …

Determination Of Eight Fungicide Residues In Eggs By Solid-Phase Extraction Coupled With Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Liang Jun, Chen Xiong, Wang Yu, Qu Zihao, Zhang Wei, Li Qing

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To establish an analytical method for the determination of residues of eight fungicides ametoctradin, triadimefon,triadimenol, flutriafol, mandipropamid, penthiopyrad, isopyrazam, and prochloraz ) in eggs by solid -phase extraction (SPE) coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS ).［Methods］ The samples are ultrasonically extracted with acetonitrile. The extracts are purified using ProElut DPC solid -phase extraction cartridges. The purified eluate is concentrated under reduced pressure and reconstituted with acetonitrile.Chromatographic separation is performed on a Kinetex C18 column (2.6 μm,2.1 mm ×100 mm ) with gradient elution using 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile as the mobile phase. Detection is carried …

Design And Test Analysis Of Automatic Disemboweling Device For Chilled Fresh Duck Carcasses, Wang Yuhao, Bai Zongchun, Zhao Shida, Liu Yunping, Zheng Hao

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To solve the problems of low automation level and high labor intensity in the disemboweling process of the current meat duck slaughtering and processing technology.［Methods］ With chilled fresh duck carcasses as the research object, an automatic disemboweling device for chilled fresh duck carcasses was created by simulating the existing manual disemboweling method. A special disemboweling tool was designed. Mathematical analysis was used to conduct motion analysis and spatial curve fitting of the disemboweling action of the tool, so as to obtain the characteristic equation and analyze the rationality of the design of the duck carcass disemboweling tool. In addition, …

Effects Of Gardenia Extract On Body Weight And Intestinal Mucosal Microbiota In Obese Mice, Liu Qin, Deng Na, Zhou Mengsi, Tan Zhoujin

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To explore the effects of gardenia extract on intestinal mucosal microbiota and body weight in mice fed a high -fat diet, and to explore the microecological mechanism of gardenia extract in obese mice.［Methods］ The potential mechanism of gardenia extract in treating obesity is predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Additionally, 24 SPF C 57BL/6 male mice are randomly assigned into a blank group (8 mice ) and a model group (16 mice ). The model group receives a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, while the blank group receives an ordinary diet. After modeling, 12 successfully modeled mice …

Flavonoid Extraction And Antioxidant Activity Of Daidai's Physiological Fallen Fruits, Zhang Xinyi, Li Qili, Li Zhijian, Ge Hanxiao, Shao Yuting, Xiao Yecheng, Li Tao, Su Donglin

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To explore a green extraction process for flavonoids from Daidai's physiological fallen fruits and to analyze the composition, microstructure, and antioxidant activity of the extracts.［Methods］ Flavonoids were extracted from Daidai's physiological fallen fruits using an ethanol-water solution combined with ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The extraction conditions were optimized through single-factor experiments. The flavonoid composition of the extract was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC ), its microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM ), and in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical 苏东林（1979—），男，湖南省农业科学院研究员，博士。E-mail：sdl791228 @163.com scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, and FRAP assays.［Results］ The optimal extraction conditions were: 75% ethanol, …

Invasive African Fig Flies (Zaprionus Indianus) Have Reduced Cold Acclimation Ability Compared To Cosmopolitan Drosophilid Species, Mia Hollekim, Lucy Smith, Priscilla A. Erickson

Biology Faculty Publications

Zaprionus indianus, an invasive species of fruit fly originating from Africa, has successfully inhabited eastern North America but is thought to be seasonally limited by cold temperatures. We compared the cold acclimation abilities of Z. indianus to six drosophilid species. Each species’ survival at -5°C was tested following acclimation periods at 10°C, 15°C, and 25°C. We found that Z. indianus had a similar baseline cold tolerance to other cosmopolitan species and acclimated following treatment at 15°C. Overall, cold acclimation in Z. indianus was better than tropical species but weaker than some cosmopolitan species, suggesting cold may restrict Z. indianus …

Main-Chain Ion-Pair Polybenzimidazole Membranes Enabling Reduced-Temperature Ht-Pemfc Operation (Down To 120°C), Brian C. Benicewicz, Huina Lin

Faculty Publications

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are promising for clean and efficient energy conversion across diverse applications. High-temperature PEM fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) using phosphoric acid (PA)-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) can operate up to 200°C, but at lower temperatures, water-induced PA loss often leads to performance degradation and reduced durability. In this work, we present a new class of main-chain ion-pair PBI membranes by integrating the imidazolium-biphosphate ion-pair units directly into the PBI backbone. This design results in membranes with high acid content, stronger acid-polymer interactions and stabilized acid retention. In single-cell tests, the Im+-PBI15-3 wt.% exhibits peak power densities of 0.79 …