Search Results (163)

There is a global demand for alternative energy sources away from unsustainable fossil fuels. The Conference of Parties (COP) 26 agreed that fossil fuels should be phased down; at COP27, anxiety about the cost and availability of energy was raised, and COP28 reiterated the phasedown of coal power. Solar technology in the form of perovskite solar cells is one such alternative energy source. This article considers the fabrication of the perovskite layer in a solar cell and postulates the extent to which material flow cost accounting (MFCA) could be used as a feasible costing method, among other things, to address material flows and waste reduction. Through MFCA, the monetary and physical flows of materials are identified and can be applied throughout the supply chain to facilitate affordability, from the extraction of the ore to the transportation and fabrication of the chemicals, manufacturing and distribution of the solar cell and panels, and, finally, the recycling of the panel. Informed by these observations, a conceptual framework for applying MFCA in fabricating the perovskite layer in the supply chain is developed based on sets of qualitative propositions. Future work will involve researching the processes involved in manufacturing solar cells, costing raw materials, energy flows, and solar cell manufacturing emissions. Full article

Background/Objectives: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons. The gut microbiota, a community of microorganisms in the digestive tract, has recently been implicated in ALS pathogenesis through its influence on neuroinflammation and metabolic pathways. This review explores the potential role of digestive microbiota and its metabolites in ALS progression and investigates therapeutic approaches targeting gut microbiota. Methods: A comprehensive review of the current literature was conducted to assess the relationship between gut microbiota composition, microbial metabolites, and ALS progression in patients. We searched for published reports on microbiota composition, microbial metabolites, and ALS, emphasizing the complex interplay between dysbiosis, neuroinflammation, and systemic metabolism. Special emphasis was placed on studies exploring short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bacterial amyloids (curli-like factors), and neurotoxins such as β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA). The role of the liver–gut axis was evaluated as well. The potential changes in microbiota would sustain the rationale for therapeutic strategies such as probiotics, prebiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), and dietary interventions. Results: ALS patients exhibit gut dysbiosis, characterized by reduced SCFA-producing bacteria and an increase in potentially pathogenic genera. Of note, different studies do not agree on common patterns of microbiota being linked to ALS, supporting the need for further, more extensive studies. Dysbiosis sometimes correlates with systemic inflammation and disrupted liver function, amplifying neuroinflammatory responses. Key microbial metabolites, including SCFAs, bacterial amyloids, and BMAA, may exacerbate motor neuron degeneration by promoting protein misfolding, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Emerging therapeutic strategies, including probiotics and FMT, show potential in restoring microbial balance, although clinical data in ALS patients remain limited. Conclusions: The gut microbiota could modulate neuroinflammation and systemic metabolism in ALS. Microbiota-targeted therapies, such as probiotics and dietary interventions, represent promising avenues for mitigating disease progression. Further research is required to validate these interventions through large-scale, longitudinal studies and to develop personalized microbiota-based treatments tailored to individual ALS phenotypes. Full article

Municipal waste gasification presents a promising avenue to extract useful energy from waste through syngas. This technology’s application is limited by tar formation (long-chain hydrocarbons), which can decrease energy conversion efficiency and applications of raw syngas. Non-thermal plasma-based tar degradation is a simple and cost-effective alternative to existing thermal and catalytic tar mitigation methods. While plasma stimulates tar reformation reactions like steam reformation, there are thermodynamic energy requirements associated with these endothermic processes. Determining thermodynamic energy requirements and the equilibrium composition of products during tar reformation can aid with the proper optimization of the treatment process. In the present study, thermodynamic modeling and experimental validation are conducted to study energy requirements and product formation during the plasma-assisted steam reformation of tar present in raw syngas with an inlet temperature of 300 °C and 30% moisture content. The thermodynamic study evaluated the effect of adding air into the system (to increase the temperature by oxidizing a portion of raw syngas). Results show that up to 75% of energy requirement can be brought down by adding up to 30% air; experimental validation using gliding arc discharge with 30% air addition agrees with the thermodynamic model finding. The thermodynamic model predicted an increase in H₂ and CO concentration with the degradation of tar, but experimental validation reported a reduction in H₂ and CO concentration with the degradation of tar, as syngas was consumed to increase the temperature to support oxidation, owing to the low temperature (300 °C) and significant moisture presence (~30%) of raw syngas analyzed in this study. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bronchial wash for microbiological cultivation and/or multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is often routinely performed during bronchoscopy independent of the indication for bronchoscopy. This study aimed to determine and compare the pathogen spectrum evaluated by culture and PCR in bronchial secretion samples with regard to the underlying lung pathology. Methods: In this retrospective analysis, microbiological results from bronchial washes performed from February 2022 to September 2022 were collected in 245 patients (48.2% male, mean age 63.0 ± 13.9 years). Samples were assessed for bacteria/fungi culture and reported depending on the underlying pathology. Additional PCR was performed in 216 patients and compared to the results of the culture. Results: Cultivation and PCR revealed positive results in 20% and 24.5% of the cases, respectively. Microbiological culture most likely revealed a positive result in patients with hemoptysis (44.4%) and pulmonary infections (29.6%) among various indications for bronchoscopy, and PCR most likely identified a pathogen in patients with hemoptysis (66.7%) and COPD (36.4%). Active smoking and an increased CRP were revealed as significant predictors for a positive culture (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.021). The concordance rate between culture and PCR for identifying pathogenic microorganisms was 84.3%, resulting in a moderate agreement (kappa coefficient 0.54 [95% CI: 0.34–0.68]). Conclusion: PCR and culture moderately agreed, showing additional PCR testing only to be beneficial if restricted to proper indications, providing rapid diagnosis and therefore leading to immediate therapeutic decisions. Full article

Background: Organ transplants require proper monitoring and tracking. This research examines the adoption of blockchain in the organ supply chain to bring transparency and help patients avoid the fraud that may be faced in the organ transplant process. This study aims to develop a framework and measure for creating transparency in the organ supply chain. A rigorous literature review identified eight constructs for blockchain adoption in organ supply chains and proposed hypotheses. Methods: Using a structured questionnaire, 286 valid responses were collected from the hospitals. Structural equation modelling was used to test and validate the model. Results: The study’s findings indicate that social influence, trust, facilitating conditions, government support, performance expectancy, data security and privacy, and technology affinity positively impact blockchain adoption in organ transplants. The hypothesis that was rejected was related to effort expectancy and technology readiness. Most respondents agreed that blockchain technology is necessary for a tracking and tracing system in the organ supply chain. Conclusions: This research will support transparency in the organ supply chain, eliminate intermediaries from organ transplants, and ensure organ quality, ultimately benefiting the organ donor and receiver. Full article

A microphysiological system (MPS) is an in vitro culture technology that reproduces the physiological microenvironment and functionality of humans and is expected to be applied for drug screening. In this study, we developed an MPS for the structured culture of human iPSC-derived sensory neurons and then predicted drug-induced neurotoxicity by morphological deep learning. Using human iPSC-derived sensory neurons, after the administration of representative anti-cancer drugs, the toxic effects on soma and axons were evaluated by an AI model with neurite images. Significant toxicity was detected in positive drugs and could be classified by different effects on soma or axons, suggesting that the current method provides an effective evaluation of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. The results of neurofilament light chain expression changes in the MPS device also agreed with clinical reports. Therefore, the present MPS combined with morphological deep learning is a useful platform for in vitro peripheral neurotoxicity assessment. Full article

Antioxidants derived from food by-products are known for their bioactive properties and impact on human health. However, the gastrointestinal behavior is often poor due to their degradation during digestion. The development of Ca(II)–alginate beads supplemented with biopolymers and enriched with cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) extract could represent a novel environmentally friendly technological solution to produce functional ingredients in the food industry. The present study evaluates the impact of in vitro digestion/fermentation by analyzing global antioxidant response (GAR), production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as a modulation of gut microbiota, and behavior of proton transverse relaxation times by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (as an indicator of gelation state and characterization of microstructure). Results revealed that guar gum and cowpea protein preserved a high GAR of total phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity by ABTS and FRAP methods after digestion/fermentation, promoting an adequate protection of the bioactives for their absorption. Alginate-based beads have great potential as prebiotics, with the guar gum-containing system contributing the most to SCFAs production. Finally, the overall higher mobility of protons observed in the intestinal phase agrees with structural changes that promote the release of phenolic compounds during this stage. Beads are excellent carriers of bioactive compounds (cowpea phenolic compounds and peptides) with potential capacities. Full article

X-ray footprinting coupled with mass spectrometry (XFMS) presents a novel approach in structural biology, offering insights into protein conformation and dynamics in the solution state. The interaction of the cancer-immunotherapy monoclonal antibody nivolumab with its antigen target PD-1 was used to showcase the utility of XFMS against the previously published crystal structure of the complex. Changes in side-chain solvent accessibility, as determined by the oxidative footprint of free PD-1 versus PD-1 bound to nivolumab, agree with the binding interface side-chain interactions reported from the crystal structure of the complex. The N-linked glycosylation sites of PD-1 were confirmed through an LC-MS/MS-based deglycosylation analysis of asparagine deamidation. In addition, subtle changes in side-chain solvent accessibility were observed in the C′D loop region of PD-1 upon complex formation with nivolumab. Full article

The success of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in controlling COVID-19 has warranted further developments in new technology. Currently, their quality control process largely relies on low-resolution electrophoresis for detecting chain breaks. Here, we present an approach using multi-primer reverse transcription sequencing (MPRT-seq) to identify degradation fragments in mRNA products. Using this in-house-made mRNA containing two antigens and untranslated regions (UTRs), we analyzed the mRNA completeness and degradation pattern at a nucleotide resolution. We then analyzed the sensitive base sequence and its correlation with the secondary structure. Our MPRT-seq mapping shows that certain sequences on the 5′ of bulge–stem–loop structures can result in preferential chain breaks. Our results agree with commonly used capillary electrophoresis (CE) integrity analysis but at a much higher resolution, and can improve mRNA stability by providing information to remove sensitive structures or sequences in the mRNA sequence design. Full article

Background: Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), which are unique bioactive components in human milk, are increasingly recognized for their multifaceted roles in infant health. A deeper understanding of the nexus between HMOs and the gut–brain axis can revolutionize neonatal nutrition and neurodevelopmental strategies. Methods: We performed a narrative review using PubMed, Embase, and Google Scholar to source relevant articles. The focus was on studies detailing the influence of HMOs on the gut and brain systems, especially in neonates. Articles were subsequently synthesized based on their exploration into the effects and mechanisms of HMOs on these interconnected systems. Results: HMOs significantly influence the neonatal gut–brain axis. Specific concentrations of HMO, measured 1 and 6 months after birth, would seem to agree with this hypothesis. HMOs are shown to influence gut microbiota composition and enhance neurotransmitter production, which are crucial for brain development. For instance, 2′-fucosyllactose has been demonstrated to support cognitive development by fostering beneficial gut bacteria that produce essential short-chain fatty acids. Conclusions: HMOs serve as crucial modulators of the neonatal gut–brain axis, underscoring their importance in infant nutrition and neurodevelopment. Their dual role in shaping the infant gut while influencing brain function presents them as potential game-changers in neonatal health strategies. Full article

Noninvasive imaging of circuit breakers under short-circuit testing is addressed by recording the magnetic field produced over an array of external sensors and by solving an inverse problem to identify the causing current distribution. The temporal and spatial resolution of the sensing chain are studied and implemented in a physical set-up. A wire model is adopted to describe electrical current distribution. Additionally, the simpler, more direct approach to evaluating the passage of electric current in front of sensors is proposed. The dynamics of suitable approximating models of the electric arc that forms across contacts is obtained and agrees with multi-physical simulations and with experimental time histories of current and voltage. The two methods are flexible and allow the analysis of different types of circuit breakers. Full article

Supply chain waste gives rise to significant challenges in terms of disposal, making upcycling a promising and sustainable alternative for the recovery of bioactive compounds from by-products. Lignocellulosic by-products like STF231, which are derived from the medicinal plant extract industry, offer valuable compounds such as polyphenols and iridoids that can be recovered through upcycling. In an unprecedented study, we explored and compared conventional hydroethanolic extraction, ultrasound hydroethanolic extraction, and natural deep eutectic solvents–ultrasound extraction methods on STF231 to obtain extracts with antioxidant activity. The extraction profile of total polyphenols (TPCs) was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu test and the antioxidant capacity of the extracts was tested with FRAP and DPPH assays. HPLC-UV was employed to quantify the phenolic and iridoid markers in the extracts. Additionally, the sustainability profile of the process was assessed using the green analytical procedure index (GAPI), AGREEprep, and analytical GREEnness metric approach (AGREE) frameworks. Our findings indicate that a choline chloride and lactic acid mixture at a 1:5 ratio, under optimal extraction conditions, resulted in extracts with higher TPC and similar antioxidant activity compared with conventional hydroethanolic extracts. The innovative aspect of this study lies in the potential application of sustainable upcycling protocols to a previously unexamined matrix, resulting in extracts with potential health applications. Full article

A series of poly(alkyl methacrylate)s and poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)s labeled with 1-pyrenebutanol were referred to as the PyC₄-PC_nMA samples with n = 1, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 18 and the PyC₄-PEG_nMA samples with n = 0–5, 9, 16, and 19, respectively. Pyrene excimer formation (PEF) upon the encounter between an excited and a ground-state pyrenyl labels was employed to determine their persistence length (l_p) in o-xylene. The fluorescence decays of the PyC₄-PC_nMA and PyC₄-PEG_nMA samples were acquired and analyzed with the fluorescence blob model to yield the number (N_blob) of structural units in the volume probed by an excited pyrenyl label. N_blob was found to decrease with an increasing number (N_S) of non-hydrogen atoms in the side chain, reaching a plateau for the PyC₄-PEG_nMA samples with a longer side chain (n = 16 and 19). The N_blob values were used to determine l_p. The l_p values for the PyC₄-PC_nMA and PyC₄-PEG_nMA samples increased linearly with increasing N_S² as predicted theoretically, which agreed with the l_p values obtained by viscometry for a series of PC_nMA samples. The good agreement between the l_p values retrieved by PEF and viscometry served to validate the PEF-based methodology for determining l_p for linear polymers. Full article

In recent years, the topic of climate change has been increasingly noticed by the public, and carbon emission reduction is one of the primary targets for various industries worldwide. The construction industry has a profound influence in this field, so it is significant to consider what kind of efforts can be made in building projects. Many scholars agree to promote prefabrication technology for construction, but its application still faces several challenges. By undertaking desk research, this paper explores the motivation and barriers to adopting modular techniques in construction projects under the lifecycle analysis. The preliminary information of the literature review is collated from dozens of peer-reviewed academic papers. Under the whole lifecycle thought, the PEST analysis tools also present the analytical results. This research finds that the top five barriers are the attitudinal resistance to using modular constructions, lack of sufficient modular expertise and practice, increasing costs and risks on supply chain management, insufficient government support and policy making, and high design and planning requirements. Moreover, the lifecycle analysis can divide the collated barriers into each stage, and adequate government support can assist in promoting the prefabrication in building projects in financial, legal, and technical aspects. The current findings can facilitate the broader use of prefabrication in building projects, improving the environmental sustainability of stakeholders. The process of proposed desk research can also be considered a referenced pattern for other related studies. More first-hand data should be collected and evaluated in further research to improve accuracy and adapt to the newest research field and industrial situations. Full article

The Polar Qualification System (PQS) was applied on hue spectra fingerprinting to describe color changes in tomato during storage. The cultivar ‘Pitenza’ was harvested at six different maturity stages, and half of the samples were subjected to gaseous 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatment. Reference color parameters were recorded with a vision system colorimeter instrument, and the fruit pigment concentration was assessed with the DA-index^®. Additionally, acoustic firmness (Stiffness) was measured. All acquired reference parameters were used to grade fruit in the supply chain. The applied 1-MCP treatments were used to control the ripening of climacteric horticultural produce. Both the DA-index^® and stiffness values, presented as chlorophyll concentration and acoustic firmness, showed significant differences among maturity stages and treated and control samples and in their kinetics during storage. The machine vision parameter PQS-X was significantly affected by 1-MCP treatment (F = 10.18, p < 0.01), while PQS-Y was primarily affected by storage time (F = 18.18, p < 0.01) and maturity stage (F = 11.15, p < 0.01). A significant correlation was achieved for acoustic firmness with normalized color (r > 0.78) and PQS-Y (r > 0.80), as well as for the DA-index^® (r > 0.9). The observed color changes agreed with the reference measurements. The significant statistical effect on the PQS coordinates suggests that hue spectra fingerprinting with this data compression technique is suitable for quality assessment based on color. Full article