Search Results (279)

Significant wastes such as bagasse, molasses, and vinasses are produced during sugarcane processing. Due to their high sugar content, these wastes are commonly used as low-cost substrates for biofuel production. However, these substrates are also suitable for the microbial synthesis of high-value biochemicals like biosurfactants. Sporisorium scitamineum, a smut fungus capable of growing on sugarcane residues and producing mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) and cellobiose lipids (CBLs), was identified as a promising candidate for valorizing sugarcane wastes. This study investigated MEL and CBL co-production from pure sugars and sugarcane molasses using an S. scitamineum strain isolated from sugarcane residues originating from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Among the sugars tested, sucrose supported the highest glycolipid production, yielding 0.24 g/L MELs and 2.73 g/L CBLs. Lower titers were achieved with fructose, and no production occurred with glucose. Sugarcane molasses also proved to be an effective substrate, yielding 1.46 g/L CBLs—the highest reported titer from an industrial waste to date. However, all titers remained far below those of other glycolipids, which consistently exceed 50 g/L. Future efforts should focus on enhancing CBL production through process optimization or genetic engineering. Full article

Background/Objectives: Increasing the solid-state landscape of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) by generating new crystalline forms (e.g., polymorphs, cyclodextrin (CD) inclusion complexes, co-crystals, and salts) can yield products with significantly enhanced biopharmaceutical properties (especially increased water solubility), thereby improving API delivery and extending its lifetime. The aim of this study was the isolation of new solid forms of the poorly water-soluble non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug fenbufen (FBF), for which relatively few solid phases have been reported to date. Further motivation for the study is the recent finding that it has potential for repurposing to treat acute pancreatitis. Methods: Interventions for generating new solid forms of FBF included (a) polymorph screening with a variety of solvent media, (b) attempts to form solid inclusion complexes with the native cyclodextrins α-, β-, and γ-CD using various preparative methods, and (c) co-crystallization with a series of coformers to produce co-crystals and/or molecular salts. Results: No new polymorphic forms of FBF were identified, but screening with CDs resulted in isolation and characterization of a new solid inclusion complex with γ-CD. However, co-crystallization of FBF with the water-soluble coformer isonicotinamide yielded two new products, namely a 1:1 co-crystal and an unusual multi-component ionic co-crystal, whose aqueous solubility indicated significant enhancement of FBF solubility. Conclusions: Due to its extremely low water solubility, FBF presented challenges during the study aimed at modifying its crystalline form. However, two new supramolecular forms, a co-crystal and an ionic co-crystal, were isolated, the latter phase having potential for further formulation owing to its significantly enhanced solubility. Full article

This article presents the accurate and current state of knowledge regarding the process of angiogenesis in neoplastic cells and its importance for tumour development. It provides a detailed review of the different types of angiogenesis with a brief discussion of individual angiogenic factors. Pathological angiogenesis in tumour tissues and the production of angiogenic factors have been recognised as key features responsible for cancerous development and distant metastasis formation since 1971. A phenomenon known as an angiogenic switch allows neoplasm to transform from an avascular to a vascular phase. The emerging new network of blood vessels allows cancer cells to efficiently exchange gases, provide nutrients and eliminate metabolic waste products. The main factors stimulating the angiogenesis process are VEGF, FGF, EGF, PDGF, and TGF-β1. To date, the most specific, strongest and most widely studied factor is VEGF. It is regarded as the main mitogen for vascular endothelial cells, stimulating their proliferation, and it is therefore referred to as a survival factor for cancer cells. Several mechanisms of new blood-vessel formation in cancerous tissue have also been identified. The three dominant processes include vascular sprouting, intussusceptive angiogenesis and vessel co-option. Angiogenesis in cancer tissues remains a subject of numerous scientific studies. A thorough understanding of the mechanism of oncogenesis and tumour expansion appears to be the starting point for future research aimed at finding effective anti-cancer therapy. Full article

This study addresses the influence of clouds and aerosols on solar radiation and energy over Greece from September 2004 to August 2024. By leveraging Earth Observation data and radiative transfer models, the largest to date time series was constructed, in order to investigate the fluctuations in global horizontal irradiance, its rate of change, and the natural and anthropogenic factors that drive them. By incorporating simulation tools and appropriate calibration, the solar potential per region and the rate of change of the produced photovoltaic energy for 1 kWp were also quantified, highlighting the climatic effects on the production of solar energy. Additionally, two energy planning scenarios were explored: the first regarding the energy adequacy that each region can achieve, if a surface equal to 1% of its total area is covered with photovoltaics; and the latter estimating the necessary area covered with photovoltaics to fully meet each region’s energy demand. Finally, to ensure a solid and holistic approach, the research converted energy data into economic gains and avoided CO₂ emissions. The study is innovative, particularly for the Greek standards, in terms of the volume and type of information it provides. It is able to offer stakeholders and decision and policymakers, both in Greece and worldwide thanks to the use of open access data, invaluable insights regarding the impact of climate change on photovoltaic energy production, the optimization of photovoltaic installations and investments and the resulting financial and environmental benefits from proper and methodical energy planning. Full article

This study aimed to assess the impact of climatic alteration on food security in Saudi Arabia. Date productivity, temperature, and precipitation represent the data which were collected from various sources linked to the study subject and cover the period from 1980 to 2023. The Engle–Granger two-step procedure, the VECM, and forecast analysis were applied to test the long-term relationship, short-term integration, and forecasting, respectively. Moreover, qualitative analysis was used to reveal the influence of climatic change on food security. The results discovered long-term co-integration between date productivity and temperature. Additionally, the results revealed that there has been long-running co-integration between date productivity and the precipitation series. Temperature and precipitation negatively and significantly impacted date productivity during the study period. With reference to forecast results, the graph was validated using various forecast indicators: the Alpha, Gamma, Beta, and Mean Square Error equivalents were 1.0, 0.0, 0.0, and 5.47, respectively. Moreover, the growth rates of date productivity were equal to 0.82 and 0.08 for the periods from 1980 to 2022 and 2023 to 2034 (forecast), respectively, indicating that there is a decrease in the growth rate of date productivity (0.08) during the forecast period. From these results, the conclusion is that climatic change (temperature and precipitation) negatively impacts date productivity. In addition, the growth rate during the forecast period decreased, indicating that climatic change is affecting food security currently and will continue to do so in the future. This study recommended specific policy interventions and innovations in agricultural practices, including developing and implementing a national framework focused on climate-smart agriculture, balancing productivity, adaptation, and mitigation. This could be aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. Additionally, this could include investing in research and development by increasing public–private partnerships to support agricultural R&D in arid regions, with a focus on heat- and drought-resistant crop varieties and water-efficient farming systems. Regarding agricultural innovations, these could include the use of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, the expansion of rainwater harvesting infrastructure, recycling treated wastewater for agriculture, and reducing reliance on groundwater sources. Full article

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of fortifying goat milk kefir with high-value ingredients (3% and 6% date paste, and 25% and 50% goat milk substitution with date–cheese whey), derived from the valorization of date coproducts, on its nutritional (proximate composition and mineral profile), technological (pH, acidity, viscosity, color, sugar and organic acid content), microbiological and sensory properties. Both ingredients enhanced the growth and stability of the kefir starter culture, thereby improving the probiotic potential of date-added kefir and also its nutritious quality (lower fat content and higher protein content). The mineral profile of kefir was improved only when the date paste was added. Date paste could be used as an ingredient in fortified kefir (up to 6%) without altering its flow properties because it was perfectly integrated within the milk matrix. The use of date–cheese whey as a goat milk substitution (>25%) decreased the typical kefir viscosity, inducing an excessive phase separation negatively valued by consumers. Consumers preferred the kefir with 6% date paste mainly due to its higher scores for aroma, flavor, sweetness and acidity. Full article

Vibrio natriegens (V. natriegens) is an emerging synthetic biology chassis characterized by rapid growth, and its potential for the synthesis of sesquiterpenes (such as pentalenene) has not been developed. In this study, heterologous pentalenene biosynthesis was successfully established in V. natriegens via metabolic engineering. The optimization of gene dosage and culture conditions led to an increase in pentalenene yield from 0.75 mg/L to 39.4 mg/L, representing the highest titer reported in V. natriegens to date, though still markedly lower than yields achieved in conventional microbial hosts. Transcriptome analysis demonstrated that the exogenous mevalonate (MVA) pathway effectively activated terpenoid precursor synthesis, as evidenced by the up-regulation of key pathway genes. However, the endogenous methylerythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway remained inactive, and genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation, the pentose phosphate pathway, and thiamine biosynthesis were down-regulated, leading to limited availability of ATP, NADPH, and acetyl-CoA. Competition for cofactors, particularly NADPH, further constrained precursor supply and pathway efficiency. This study confirmed the potential of V. natriegens as a pentalenene production platform and revealed its metabolic bottleneck, providing a theoretical basis for subsequent engineering optimization. Full article

The transition to clean energy is crucial for mitigating the impacts of climate change and achieving sustainable development. Reliance on fossil fuels, which are integral to manufacturing and transportation, remains a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biomass gasification presents a renewable energy alternative that can significantly reduce emissions. However, proper disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) and agricultural residues, such as date palm waste (DPW), is an increasing global challenge, including in Qatar. This study evaluates the economic feasibility of implementing an MSW and DPW gasification plant for clean electricity generation in Qatar. The country’s growing population and economic development have led to substantial waste production, making it an ideal location for waste-to-energy (WTE) initiatives. Using discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, the study estimates the capital cost of a 373 MW_th facility at approximately $12.07 million, with annual operating costs of about $4.09 million and revenue of $26.88 million in 2023. The results indicate a net present value (NPV) of $245.77 million, a return on investment (ROI) of 84.80%, a payback period of approximately 5 years over a 20-year project lifetime and a net reduction of 206,786 tonnes CO₂ annually. These findings demonstrate the economic viability of biomass gasification in Qatar while contributing to reduced GHG emissions and advancing the country’s sustainability goals under Qatar National Vision 2030. Full article

For the existing multi-product integrated scheduling algorithm considering the delivery date, the inability to fully consider the processing order of multiple products and the potential scheduling conflicts in the processing process causes problems such as equipment resource competition during the processing of products, ultimately resulting in the extension of delivery date and the failure to the deliver products on time. Aiming at this problem, a dynamic multi-product integrated scheduling algorithm with tight delivery date (ISA-TDD) is proposed. Firstly, the initial scheduling scheme of multi-product is established according to the strategy of ‘device priority + short time + layer priority’. Secondly, the product contribution value strategy is proposed to determine the scheduling order of multiple products and improve the parallel processing of products. Finally, the dynamic adjustment strategy of the game process is proposed, which solves the conflict problem of multi-product co-processing and further improves the intensity of compact scheduling of equipment. The comparative experimental results show that the algorithm achieves the optimization goal of shorter multi-product delivery date and higher overall utilization rate of equipment, and the scheduling effect is obviously better than the comparison algorithm. Full article

Cemented carbides, renowned for their exceptional strength, hardness, elastic modulus, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and chemical stability, have long been indispensable tooling materials in metal cutting, oil drilling, and engineering excavation. The advent of additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as “3D printing”, has sparked considerable interest in the processing of cemented carbides. Among the various AM techniques, Selective Laser Melting (SLM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Selective Electron Beam Melting (SEBM), and Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing (BJAM) have garnered frequent attention. Despite the great application potential of AM, no single AM technique has been universally adopted for the large-scale production of cemented carbides yet. The SLM and SEBM processes confront substantial challenges, such as a non-uniform sintering temperature field, which often result in uneven sintering and frequent post-solidification cracking. SLS notably struggles with achieving a high relative density of carbides. While BJAM yields WC-Co samples with a lower incidence of cracking, it is not without flaws, including abnormal WC grain growth, coarse WC clustering, Co-rich pool formation, and porosity. Three-dimensional gel-printing, though possessing certain advantages from its sintering performance, falls short in dimensional and geometric precision control, as well as fabrication efficiency. Cemented carbides produced via AM processes have yet to match the quality of their traditionally prepared counterparts. To date, the specific densification and microstructure evolution mechanisms during the AM process, and their interrelationship with the feedstock carbide material design, printing/sintering process, and resulting mechanical behavior, have not been thoroughly investigated. This gap in our knowledge impedes the rapid advancement of AM for carbide processing. This article offers a succinct overview of additive manufacturing of cemented carbides, complemented by an analysis of the current research landscape. It highlights the benefits and inherent challenges of these techniques, aiming to provide clarity on the present state of the AM processing of cemented carbides and to offer insights into potential future research directions and technological advancements. Full article

This study evaluates the environmental impacts and productivity of a continuous durum wheat cropping system under three sowing dates and two water regimes, i.e., rainfed and irrigation at flowering in the Mediterranean context, specifically in the Capitanata plain of Apulia, Italy. AquaCrop-GIS was employed to model the yield response of durum wheat on the different sowing dates (15 October, 1 November, and 15 November) and with different water management practices. In addition, the Carbon and Water Footprint (CWFP) tool was used to quantify the environmental impacts in terms of greenhouse gas emissions and water use, including green, blue, and total water components. Results indicated that the total greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂_eq) from wheat production averaged 1201.3 kg CO₂_eq ha⁻¹, with fertilization, in particular the application of ammonium nitrate and urea, being the main contributor. Soil management practices contributed 362.9 kg CO₂_eq ha⁻¹. Early-November sowing achieved the highest productivity, 5573 kg ha⁻¹ under the rainfed option and 5722 kg ha⁻¹ under irrigated management, while mid-November sowing resulted in lower yields and 21% higher CO₂_eq emissions per kilogram of grain compared to early November. Water Footprint analysis revealed that early-November sowing had the highest green water demand, with negligible differences in blue water use between sowing dates. Overall, the integration of these data showed that optimizing sowing dates and irrigation practices can significantly improve yields and reduce environmental impacts. Full article

Soil, geochemical, microbiological, and archeological studies were conducted at eight settlements dating from the Paleolithic to Late Medieval and Modern Ages near the southern Trans-Urals Mountains, Russia. The forest-steppe landscapes, rivers, and abundant mineral resources have attracted people to the region since ancient times. Cultural layers (CLs) are marked by finds of ceramics fragments, animal bones, stone, and metal tools. The properties of CLs include close-to-neutral pH, being well structured, the absence of salinity, enrichment with exchangeable calcium, and anthropogenic phosphorus (0.2–0.4%). The majority of CLs start at a depth of 3–25 cm, extend to 40–60 cm, and contain 6–10% organic carbon (Corg) in the 0–20 cm layer, reflecting carbon input from modern-day processes. At the Ishkulovo site (0.6–0.8 ka BP), Corg decreases to 1.3% because the CL is below 80 cm, and in the absence of fresh organic material input, carbon has been mineralized. The proximity of sites to deposits of copper, chromium, zinc, and manganese in the Ural Mountains creates natural high-content anomalies in the region, as indicated by their abundance in soils and parent rocks. In the past, these elements were also released into CLs from metal products, ceramic fragments, and raw materials used in their manufacture. The sites are quite far (18–60 km) from the Magnitogorsk Metallurgical plant, but industrial stockpiles of S (technogenic coefficient—Ct 30–87%), and, less often, Cr, Mn, and Sr (Ct 30–40%) accumulated in surface layers. These three factors have led to the concentration of pollutants of the first (arsenic, chromium, lead, and zinc) and second (cobalt, copper, and nickel) hazard classes at CLs, often in quantities 2–5 times higher than values for parent materials and geosphere average content (“Clarke” value), and, and less often, more than the allowable content for human health. This may have influenced their health and behavioral functions. Due to the above properties, chernozems have a high buffering capacity and a strong bond with heavy metals. Therefore, no inhibition of microbes was observed. The microbial biomass of the 0–10 cm layer is high, 520–680 µg C/g, and microbes cause the emission of 1.0 C-CO₂ µg/g of soil per hour. During the ancient settlements’ development, a favorable paleoclimate was noted based on the data cited. This contributed to the spread of productive paleolandscapes, ensuring the development of domestic cattle breeding and agriculture. Full article

The rapid evolution of Li-ion battery technologies and manufacturing processes demands a continual update of environmental impact data. The general objective of this paper is to publish up-to-date primary data on battery manufacturing, which is of great importance to the scientific community and decision-makers. The environmental impacts have been calculated and estimated based on publicly available data disclosed under Hungarian government regulations and official decrees. The gate-to-gate energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water consumption, and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) consumption are estimated for three battery factories in Hungary, with a total annual capacity of approximately 100 GWh. The factories use around 30–35 kWh energy per kWh of battery capacity and the associated GHG emissions are around 10 kgCO₂eq per kWh of cell production. The water consumption varies considerably among factories, with one plant using 28 L per kWh and the other two using 56 and 67 L per kWh. The specific consumption of NMP was calculated for two factories, resulting in close values of 0.51–0.56 kg per kWh of cell production. As a new approach, we distinguish between global and local GHG emissions related to battery production. The main component of the latter is carbon dioxide from the combustion of natural gas, but the local transport related to the battery factories is also a source of emissions. Our estimations include not only the consumptions required directly for the manufacturing technology, but also those for social purposes (e.g., heating offices), giving a more complete picture of the factory’s environmental impact. We believe that up-to-date primary data are crucial for ensuring transparency and holds significant value for both the scientific community and decision-makers. Full article

Intensive annual forage cultivation via diversified sowing can increase resource-use efficiency and meet the food requirements of the growing population. However, increasing cultivation time could increase energy demands and production costs with accompanying environmental hazards, such as greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. A 2-year field experiment including three cropping systems (forage oat monoculture [O], forage oat–common vetch mixed-cropping [O/V], and common vetch monoculture [V]) and two sowing dates (spring and summer) was conducted to comprehensively assess productivity performance, energy utilization, and ecological efficiency under a cereal–legume mixed system over two sowing seasons in Northwestern China. The average system dry matter yield and economic benefit in the mixed system increased by 70.9% and 132.6%, respectively, compared to those of the monoculture system. The application of a mixed-cropping system increased energy efficiency and the ecoefficiency index (EEI) by 61.4% and 132.3%, respectively, with a decline in GHG emission intensity (GHGI) by 49.9%. Spring sowing increased average forage productivity and economic benefit by 9.3% and 18.6%, respectively, with a 23.0% decline in GHGI compared with that engendered by summer sowing. However, there was no correlation between the mixed-cropping system and single sowing date, and the average dry matter yield, economic benefit, and GHGI of the mixed-cropping system were 7.8 t ha⁻¹, 1478.4 USD ha⁻¹, and 0.3 kg CO₂e kg⁻¹, respectively. Furthermore, compared with the monoculture system, the combination of spring and summer seasons under the mixed-cropping system could increase the average annual system forage productivity, economic benefit, and EEI by 37.0%, 49.9%, and 53.1%, respectively, while reducing GHGI by 48.4%. This study demonstrates that the mixed forage oat and common vetch during spring and summer was the sustainable cropping system that achieved high system productivity, good economic returns, high energy utilization, and low environmental risk in Northwestern China. Full article

Background: Hazelnut (Corylus), a significant woody oil tree species in economic forests, faces production constraints due to biotic stresses, with Hazelnut Husk Brown Rot, caused by the pathogenic necrotrophic fungus Botrytis cinerea (B. cinerea), being the most severe. To date, limited information is available regarding the resistance of hazelnuts to B. cinerea. To better understand the mechanisms of resistance to B. cinerea. in hazelnut, we conducted metabolomics and WGCNA analyses of a B. cinerea-resistant Ping’ou hybrid hazelnut variety (Dawei; DW) and a susceptible variety (Qiuxiang; QX). Methods: In this study, metabolomics and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA, weighted correlation network analysis) were applied to elucidate the resistance mechanisms underlying different hazelnut varieties to B. cinerea. Our study focused on the metabolome profiles of DW and QX plants after 72 h of B. cinerea infection. Results: Venn analysis of QX_0 vs. DW_0 and QX_72 vs. DW_72 revealed 120 differential accumulation metabolites (DAMs) that were upregulated. Among these metabolites, the concentrations of flavonoids and phenolic acids in DW were significantly higher than those in QX, respectively, suggesting that the elevated levels of these compounds contribute substantially to the resistance of hazelnut against B. cinerea. 3,4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid and phloretin were significantly more abundant in accumulation in DW than in QX after infection by B. cinerea. Conclusions: This study provides that the elevated levels of these compounds (flavonoids and phenolic acids) contribute substantially to the resistance of hazelnut against B. cinerea. Furthermore, 3,4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid and phloretin were identified as pivotal metabolites in modulating the resistance of hazelnut to B. cinerea. Through WGCNA analyses, we identified four transcription factors (WRKY19, HSFC1, ERF071, and RAP2-1) that are most likely to regulate the synthesis of 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid and phloretin. This study provides crucial insights for further investigation into the regulatory network of metabolites associated with hazelnut resistance to B. cinerea. Full article