Ti-TiO₂ bilayer thin films were successfully prepared onto a glass substrate using magnetron sputtering with different TiO₂ bottom layer conditions. These represent a lack of (as-deposited) and full oxygen content (annealed). Single-layer Ti was additionally used as a control. The influence of oxygen diffusion phenomena of the bottom layer of TiO₂ to the upper layer of Ti thin films at different oxidation temperatures on structural, optical, and photocatalytic performance was investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results confirmed that the crystalline phases coexisting on thin-film samples oxidized at 450 °C were TiO, TiO_1.4, (bilayer, as-deposited TiO₂), anatase (bilayer, annealed TiO₂), and rutile (single and bilayer). This finding showed that the film’s phase structure evolution is significantly affected by oxygen diffusion from the bottom layer. Further increasing the thermal oxidation temperature caused a notable decline in the amorphous zone in bilayer thin films based on TEM analysis. Bilayer thin films lead to higher degradation of methylene blue under UV light radiation (63%) than single-layer films (45%) oxidized at 450 °C. High photocatalytic activity performance was found in the bilayer annealed TiO₂-Ti thin-film sample. This study demonstrates that the bilayer modification strategy promotes the oxygen-induced bottom layer of TiO₂ bilayer thin films.

Non-thermal plasma (NTP) has been widely applied in the food and agricultural industries. It is still unknown whether natural bioactive compounds in seeds are affected by NTP treatment. Our goal was to examine whether the bioactive compounds in djulis (Chenopodium formosanum Koidz.) seed are changed after NTP treatment. The betacyanin, anthocyanin, total phenolic content (TPCs), total flavonoids (TFs), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging effects (DPPH), gallic acid, and rutin were compared in NTP-treated seed and an untreated control. Levels of betacyanin, anthocyanin, and TPCs in the seed were found to be significantly increased after the nitrogen (N₂)-NTP treatment compared with the control (p < 0.001). Inversely, the air-NTP treatment significantly weakened the performance of these bioactive compounds in the seed as compared to the control. Levels of TFs in both the air- and N₂-NTP treated seed were significantly lower than those in the control (p < 0.001). After the NTP treatment, DPPH was still at high levels, similar to those in the control. The djulis seed extract had antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on THP-1 (human-monocyte-cell line) cells. N₂-NTP generated nitrogen reactive species that activated the bioactive compounds in the seed. In contrast, air-NTP produced oxygen and nitrogen reactive species inhibited the expression of these bioactive compounds.

Soil organic matter (SOM) is heterogeneous and a complex mixture, whose concentration, chemical composition, and structure are strongly associated with the binding behavior of heavy metals (HMs) in soil. The HM-SOM binding affinity affects the HM biotoxicity and bioavailability in the environment. This study investigated Cu’s distribution and binding affinity on five size-fractioned alkaline-extracted soil organic matters (AEOMs) taken from paddy fields. The fractioned AEOMs were M-A (100 kDa −0.45 μm), M-B (3–100 kDa), M-C (1–3 kDa), M-D (0.3–1.0 kDa), and M-E ( 32.8 ± 12.8 (M-A) > 28.0 ± 10.5 (M-D) > 24.25 ± 10.7 (M-C) > 12.5 ± 6.0 (M-E) μmol g-C⁻¹. Cu preferred binding with size-fractioned AEOMs ranging from 3 to 100 kDa. The specific ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm (SUVA₂₅₄), the fluorescence index (FI), and the biological index (BIX) were significantly correlated with the [Cu]/[DOC] ratios. In each site, the combined bulk and the five size-fractioned AEOMs, the selected optical indicators had a significant correlation with the corresponding [Cu]/[DOC] ratios. Cu-AEOM binding affinity was enhanced by AEOM rich in aromaticity. However, high microbial and autochthonous AEOM origins decreased the binding affinity.

Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is the most recurrent virus diagnosed in pigeons and is among the major causative agents of young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS). Due to the lack of an established laboratory protocol for PiCV cultivation, development of prophylaxis is hampered. Alternatively, virus-like particles (VLPs), which closely resemble native viruses but lack the viral genetic material, can be generated using a wide range of expression systems and are shown to have strong immunogenicity. Therefore, the use of VLPs provides a promising prospect for vaccine development. In this study, transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells, a mammalian expression system, were used to express the PiCV capsid protein (Cap), which is a major component of PiCV and believed to contain antibody epitopes, to obtain self-assembled VLPs. The VLPs were observed to have a spherical morphology with diameters ranging from 12 to 26 nm. Subcutaneous immunization of pigeons with 100 µg PiCV rCap-VLPs supplemented with water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) adjuvant induced specific antibodies against PiCV. Observations of the cytokine expression and T-cell proliferation levels in spleen samples showed significantly higher T-cell proliferation and IFN- γ expression in pigeons immunized with VLPs compared to the controls (p < 0.05). Experimentally infected pigeons that were vaccinated with VLPs also showed no detectable viral titer. The results of the current study demonstrated the potential use of PiCV rCap-VLPs as an effective vaccine candidate against PiCV.

The cryopreservation of boar sperm effectively extends its storage period but often leads to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, compromising sperm quality. Plant extracts, rich in bioactive compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids, have been shown to reduce ROS. Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum), also known as the “ruby of cereals”, is nutritionally rich and holds potential as a cryoprotective additive. This study aimed to determine the optimal concentration of extracts from different parts of djulis, including unhulled seeds and stems, for effective boar semen cryopreservation. Fresh semen from Taiwan indigenous boars was diluted with a modified GLT-cryoprotectant extender containing glycerol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and trehalose. The experimental groups included DSS25, DSS50, DS25, and DS50—representing djulis unshelled seed at 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL, and djulis stem at 25 mg/mL and 50 mg/mL in distilled water, respectively—alongside a control group without additives. Post-thaw assessments included sperm motility, kinetic parameters, viability, acrosome integrity, and the antioxidant properties of djulis extracts, such as DPPH radical scavenging activity and total phenolic acid content. Results showed that total motility (TM) was significantly higher in the DSS25 (48.8 ± 3.9), DSS50 (49.0 ± 6.7), and DS50 (49.0 ± 2.4) groups compared to the control group (31.3 ± 4.8). Similarly, progressive motility (PM) was significantly improved in DSS25 (27.5 ± 2.7) and DSS50 (26.8 ± 4.1) versus the control (12.8 ± 3.2). However, for straightness (STR), the control group (87.8 ± 1.3) exhibited significantly higher values than the DS50 group (83.5 ± 1.3) (p < 0.05). Viability and acrosome integrity showed no significant differences across groups. In conclusion, djulis extracts positively influence sperm motility and forward movement, with 1% djulis extract confirmed to enhance the quality of cryopreserved semen. Future research will focus on determining the optimal dosage of djulis extract for improved cryopreservation outcomes.

Recently, the intensification of the contrast between Taiwan’s wet and dry seasons due to climate change has led to stringent water use restrictions in agriculture, significantly impacting Taiwan’s primary staple crop, rice. This necessitates the development of effective agricultural management strategies to ensure the resilience of Taiwan’s agriculture. Therefore, we simulated potential challenges in rice cultivation due to climate change under specific conditions: flooded cultivation and soil water tension levels of −20 and −40 kPa. At −40 kPa, the soil becomes excessively dry, causing severe soil surface cracking. This results in a 20% reduction in plant height and a 30% decrease in yield compared to flooded cultivation. At −20 kPa, plant height and yield are comparable to those under flooded conditions. In resource efficiency, flooded cultivation demonstrates low irrigation water use efficiency (0.22 and 0.42 kg/m³) due to sustained high water levels. Conversely, the condition with −20 kPa shows the highest irrigation water use efficiency (2.15 and 2.16 kg/m³) with no significant difference in nitrogen use efficiency compared to flooded management. Although the irrigation water use efficiency under −40 kPa is better than flooded management (0.87 and 1.02 kg/m³), the nitrogen utilization efficiency is significantly low. Irrigation under the condition of −20 kPa climate change does not reduce yields and offers additional benefits. This strategy ensures stable crop production and conserves water resources for crop cultivation during the dry season, providing an effective means to stabilize production and mitigate the impacts of climate change on Taiwan’s agriculture.