Search Results (84,003)

Syngas fermentation in combination with chain elongation offers great promise for sustainable medium-chain fatty acid production. While immobilization has proven effective for stabilizing monocultures of C. kluyveri for chain elongation, its applicability to co-cultures involving C. carboxidivorans for simultaneous syngas fermentation remains unexplored. This study investigates the physiological compatibility of C. carboxidivorans with agar-based hydrogel immobilization and its co-cultivation potential with C. kluyveri in a synthetic dual-layer biofilm reactor. First, we conducted autotrophic batch fermentations using suspended and immobilized cells, proving metabolic activity similar for both. Applying different sulfur feeding rates, experiments showed best ethanol formation with C. carboxidivorans at increased sulfur feeding, enabling better conditions for chain elongation with C. kluyveri. In the synthetic dual-layer biofilm reactor, with the C. carboxidivorans biofilm in contact with the CO-containing gas phase above the C. kluyveri biofilm, the formation of 1-butyrate and 1-hexanoate was observed with product formation rates of 0.46 g L⁻¹ d⁻¹ 1-butyrate, and 0.91 g L⁻¹ d⁻¹ 1-hexanoate, respectively. The formation rate of 1-hexanoate in the dual-layer biofilm reactor was approximately 7.6 times higher than that reported with suspended cells in a stirred tank bioreactor. Spatial analysis revealed species-specific migration behavior and confirmed that C. carboxidivorans reduced local CO concentrations, improving the environment for C. kluyveri. Full article

The transition toward renewable-powered greenhouse agriculture offers opportunities for reducing operational costs and environmental impacts, yet challenges remain in managing fluctuating energy loads and optimizing agricultural inputs. While second-life lithium-ion batteries provide a cost-effective energy storage option, their thermal and electrical characteristics under real-world greenhouse conditions are poorly documented. Similarly, although plasma-activated water (PAW) shows potential to reduce chemical fertilizer usage, its integration with renewable-powered systems requires further investigation. This study develops an adaptive monitoring and modeling framework to estimate the thermal resistances (R_u, R_c) and internal resistance (R_int) of second-life lithium-ion batteries using operational data from greenhouse applications, alongside a field trial assessing PAW effects on beefsteak tomato cultivation. The adaptive control algorithm accurately estimated surface temperature (T_s) and core temperature (T_c), achieving a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.31 °C, a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.25 °C, and a percentage error of 0.31%. Thermal resistance values stabilized at R_u ≈ 3.00 °C/W (surface to ambient) and R_c ≈ 2.00 °C/W (core to surface), indicating stable thermal regulation under load variations. Internal resistance (R_int) maintained a baseline of ~1.0–1.2 Ω, with peaks up to 12 Ω during load transitions, confirming the importance of continuous monitoring for performance and degradation prevention in second-life applications. The PAW treatment reduced chemical nitrogen fertilizer use by 31.2% without decreasing total nitrogen availability (69.5 mg/L). The NO₃⁻-N concentration in PAW reached 134 mg/L, with an initial pH of 3.04 neutralized before application, ensuring no adverse effects on germination or growth. Leaf nutrient analysis showed lower nitrogen (1.83% vs. 2.28%) and potassium (1.66% vs. 2.17%) compared to the control, but higher magnesium content (0.59% vs. 0.37%), meeting Japanese adequacy standards. The total yield was 7.8 kg/m², with fruit quality comparable between the PAW and control groups. The integration of adaptive battery monitoring with PAW irrigation demonstrates a practical pathway toward energy efficient and sustainable greenhouse operations. Full article

Photosynthetic efficiency and dry matter accumulation are essential for achieving high rice yields, yet conventional controlled-release fertilizers often fail to synchronize nitrogen (N) supply with crop demand. In this study, we evaluated a novel double core–shell controlled-release urea (DCSCRU) designed to align with the bimodal N uptake pattern of rice. A two-year field experiment was conducted to compare DCSCRU at three application rates (180, 225, and 270 kg N ha⁻¹) with conventional urea and conventional controlled-release urea (both at 270 kg N ha⁻¹). DCSCRU exhibited a distinct biphasic N release profile, with a rapid initial release peaking at 1.60% d ⁻¹ on day 10 to meet early vegetative demand, followed by a second peak (1.85% d⁻¹ on day 45) supporting reproductive development. Compared with conventional urea, DCSCRU treatments significantly improved photosynthetic efficiency and dry matter accumulation during critical growth stages. The 270 kg N ha⁻¹ DCSCRU treatment achieved a grain yield exceeding 11.50 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹, substantially higher than that of conventional urea. Notably, the 225 kg N ha⁻¹ DCSCRU treatment produced a comparable yield (10.90 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹) to that of the conventional urea treatment (10.83 × 10³ kg ha⁻¹), indicating the potential to reduce N input by 16.7% without compromising yield. The enhanced physiological performance was attributed to improved N availability and optimized canopy function. These findings highlight DCSCRU as a promising strategy for high-yield, resource-efficient, and environmentally sustainable rice production. Full article

The Hunga-Tonga volcanic eruption on 15 January 2022, produced significant atmospheric and ionospheric disturbances that may degrade global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and precise point positioning (PPP) accuracy. Using data from the GEONET GNSS network and Soratena barometric pressure sensors across Japan, we analyzed the eruption’s effects through the gradient ionospheric index (GIX) and the rate of TEC index (ROTI) to characterize the propagation and effects of these disturbances on ionospheric total electron content (TEC) gradients. Our analysis identified two separate ionospheric disturbance events. The first event, coinciding with the arrival of atmospheric Lamb waves, was characterized by wave-like pressure anomalies, differential TEC (dTEC) fluctuations, and modest horizontal gradients of vertical TEC (VTEC). In contrast, the second, more pronounced disturbance was driven by equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs), which generated severe ionospheric irregularities and large TEC gradients. Further analysis revealed that these two disturbances had markedly different impacts on GNSS positioning accuracy. The Lamb wave–induced disturbance mainly caused moderate TEC fluctuations with limited effects on positioning accuracy, and mid-latitude stations maintained both average and 95th percentile positioning ($\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p},{\mathrm{P}}_{95}$) errors below 0.1 m throughout the event. In contrast, the EPB-driven disturbance had a substantial impact on low-latitude regions, where the average horizontal PPP error peaked at 0.5 m and the horizontal and vertical $\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p}\mathrm{p},{\mathrm{P}}_{95}$ errors exceeded 1 m. Our findings reveal two episodes of spatial-gradient enhancement and successfully estimate the propagation speed and direction of the Lamb waves, supporting the potential application of ionospheric gradient monitoring in forecasting GNSS performance degradation. Full article

Chitosanases are glycoside hydrolases (GHs) that catalyze the endo- or exo-type cleavage of β-1,4-glycosidic linkages in chitosan, enabling the selective production of chitooligosaccharides (COSs) with well-defined structures and diverse bioactivities. Owing to their substrate specificity and environmentally friendly catalytic action, chitosanases have garnered increasing attention as sustainable biocatalysts for COS production, with broad application potential in agriculture, food, medicine, and cosmetics. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in chitosanase research, focusing on the catalytic mechanisms and structure–function relationships that govern substrate selectivity and functional divergence across different GH families. Microbial diversity and heterologous expression systems for chitosanase production are discussed in parallel with biochemical characterization to support the rational selection of enzymes for specific biotechnological applications. Advances in protein engineering and computational approaches are highlighted as strategies to improve catalytic efficiency, substrate range, and stability. In addition, bioprocess optimization is addressed, with emphasis on fermentation using low-cost substrates and the application of immobilized enzymes and nano-biocatalyst systems for green and efficient COS production. Summarizing and discussing previous findings are essential to support future research and facilitate the development of next-generation chitosanases for sustainable industrial use. Full article

This study addresses the problem of pumice deposits in the southern Kyushu region, which can cause landslides during heavy rainfall. To reduce this hazard, it is important to expand pumice applications and promote its use before disaster events occur. Among construction materials, this study explores the possibility of using pumice as a concrete aggregate, considering the global shortage of natural aggregates. Because of the low strength and difficulty of use, pumice must be fired to improve its properties. In our experiment, it was fired at 1000 or 1100 °C, and the performance of the resulting concretes was compared. Concrete incorporating pumice fired at 1100 °C achieved a maximum compressive strength of 54.6 N/mm² with an increase in the amount of cement, whereas concrete with pumice fired at 1000 °C remained within the 20–24 N/mm² range even when the amount of cement was increased. This difference arises because pumice has a lower strength than the cement paste, leading to material failure. Furthermore, freeze–thaw tests showed that concrete made with pumice fired at 1100 °C was resistant to frost damage. These results suggest that pumice fired at 1100 °C has an excellent potential as a sustainable building material. Full article

The growing application of 3D concrete printing (3DCP) in construction has raised important questions regarding its long-term durability under freeze–thaw (F–T) exposure, particularly in cold climates. This review paper presents a comprehensive examination of recent research focused on the F–T performance of 3D-printed concrete (3DPC). Key material and process parameters influencing durability, such as print orientation, admixtures, and layer bonding, are critically evaluated. Experimental findings from mechanical, microstructural, and imaging studies are discussed, highlighting anisotropic vulnerabilities and the potential of advanced additives like nanofillers and air-entraining agents. Notably, air-entraining agents (AEA) reduced the compressive strength loss by 1.4–5.3% after exposure to F–T cycles compared to control samples. Additionally, horizontally cored specimens with AEA incorporated into their mixture design showed a 15% higher dynamic modulus after up to 300 F–T cycles. Furthermore, optimized printing parameters, such as reduced nozzle standoff distance and minimized printing time gap, reduced surface scaling by over 50%. The addition of a nanofiller such as nano zinc oxide in 3DPC can result in compressive strength retention rates exceeding 95% even after aggressive F–T cycling. The lack of standard testing protocols and the geometry dependence of degradation are emphasized as key research gaps. This review provides insights into optimizing mix designs and printing strategies to improve the F–T resistance of 3DPC, aiming to support its reliable implementation in cold-region infrastructure. Full article

This article introduces the innovative Quantum Dining Information Brokers Problem, presenting a novel entanglement-based quantum protocol to address it. The scenario involves n information brokers, all located in distinct geographical regions, engaging in a metaphorical virtual dinner. The objective is for each broker to share a unique piece of information with all the others simultaneously. Unlike previous approaches, this protocol enables a fully parallel, single-step communication exchange among all the brokers, regardless of their physical locations. A key feature of this protocol is its ability to ensure that both the anonymity and privacy of all the participants are preserved, meaning that no broker can discern the identity of the sender of any received information. At its core, the Quantum Dining Information Brokers Problem serves as a conceptual framework for achieving anonymous, untraceable, and massively parallel information exchange in a distributed system. The proposed protocol introduces three significant advancements. First, while quantum protocols for one-to-many simultaneous information transmission have been developed, this is, to the best of our knowledge, one of the first quantum protocols to facilitate many-to-many simultaneous information exchange. Second, it guarantees complete anonymity and untraceability for all senders, a critical improvement over sequential applications of one-to-many protocols, which fail to ensure such robust anonymity. Third, leveraging quantum entanglement, the protocol operates in a fully distributed manner, accommodating brokers in diverse spatial locations. This approach marks a substantial advancement in secure, scalable, and anonymous communication, with potential applications in distributed environments where privacy and parallelism are paramount. Full article

The potential benefits of nanopesticide use over standard pesticides include more precise application at reduced application rates, lower premature degradation, and decreased direct impacts to target organisms. However, field scale investigations of the fate and transport of common nanopesticides such as copper (II) hydroxide and imidacloprid combinations, remain limited. A field study evaluating nano-scale copper (II) hydroxide (Cu), standard imidacloprid (I), nanoimidicloprid (NI), and nano-scale copper (II) hydroxide and imidacloprid (CuNI) compared to control (C) plots was conducted using thirty 14.6 m² field plots to determine the impacts of nanopesticide applications on nutrient cycling and quantify the persistence of copper (II) hydroxide in soil and surface runoff during the growing season. Soil samples were taken at the beginning and end of the growing season, while water quality runoff samples were collected following eleven rainfall events. Ammonium concentrations in runoff decreased in CuNI plots by 1.74 mg N/L, while total nitrogen concentrations in runoff increased by 1.29 mg N/L in Cu plots compared to CuNI plots. Runoff orthophosphate concentrations decreased in CuNI treatments compared to all other pesticide treatments by 1.37, 1.32, and 1.30 mg P/L in Cu, I, and NI plots, respectively. Significant increases in soil copper concentrations were also observed in all plots receiving Cu. These findings emphasize the potential biogeochemical implications of using these nanopesticides on nutrient cycling in agroecosystems. Full article

Galactooligosaccharides (GOS) are a class of prebiotic carbohydrates composed of 2 to 8 galactose units linked together and often terminated with a glucose molecule. GOS have attracted significant attention for their health-promoting properties, including the regulation of gut microbiota, promotion of infant health, immune modulation, laxative effects, and potential metabolic benefits. Widely utilized in functional foods, infant formulas, dairy products, and dietary supplements, GOS occur naturally in human milk and are primarily industrially produced through the enzymatic conversion of lactose. β-Galactosidase is a crucial enzyme in GOS bioproduction, which exhibits dual functions of hydrolysis and transglycosylation. In this investigation, a novel β-galactosidase from Pseudomonas tritici SWRI145 (Pstr β-galactosidase) was characterized. Biochemical characterization revealed that the enzyme exhibits the highest activity at 50 °C and pH 7.5, with a specific activity of 331.9 U/mg against ONPG. Under optimal reaction conditions (40 °C, pH 8.0, 300 g/L lactose, 0.4 mg/mL enzyme), 134.3 g/L GOS were produced, corresponding to 44.8% GOS yield and 80% substrate conversion. LC-MS analysis confirmed that the main products were GOS with degrees of polymerization (DP) ranging from 2 to 4. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a Pseudomonas-derived β-galactosidase with demonstrated GOS synthesis capability, highlighting its potential for industrial application. Full article

Amid the intensification of demographic aging, home robots based on intelligent technology have shown great application potential in assisting the daily life of the elderly. This paper proposes a multimodal human–robot interaction system that integrates EEG signal analysis and visual perception, aiming to realize the perception ability of home robots on the intentions and environment of the elderly. Firstly, a channel selection strategy is employed to identify the most discriminative electrode channels based on Motor Imagery (MI) EEG signals; then, the signal representation ability is improved by combining Filter Bank co-Spatial Patterns (FBCSP), wavelet packet decomposition and nonlinear features, and one-to-many Support Vector Regression (SVR) is used to achieve four-class classification. Secondly, the YOLO v8 model is applied for identifying objects within indoor scenes. Subsequently, object confidence and spatial distribution are extracted, and scene recognition is performed using a Machine Learning technique. Finally, the EEG classification results are combined with the scene recognition results to establish the scene-intention correspondence, so as to realize the recognition of the intention-driven task types of the elderly in different home scenes. Performance evaluation reveals that the proposed method attains a recognition accuracy of 83.4%, which indicates that this method has good classification accuracy and practical application value in multimodal perception and human–robot collaborative interaction, and provides technical support for the development of smarter and more personalized home assistance robots. Full article

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) is a high-quality graphene material produced by laser scribing. It has garnered significant attention as a solution to various growing global concerns, such as biological threats, energy scarcity, and environmental contamination due to its high conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and ease of synthesis from a variety of carbonaceous substrates. This review provides a survey of recent advances in LIG applications for energy storage, heavy metal adsorption, water purification, and antimicrobial materials. As a part of this, we discuss the most recent research efforts to develop LIG as (1) sensors to detect heavy metals at ultralow detection limits, (2) as membranes capable of salt and bacteria rejection, and (3) antimicrobial materials capable of bacterial inactivation efficiencies of up to 99.998%. Additionally, due to its wide surface area, electrochemical stability, and rapid charge conduction, we report on the current body of literature that showcases the potential of LIG within energy storage applications (e.g., batteries and supercapacitors). All in all, this critical review highlights the findings and promise of LIG as an emerging next-generation material for integrated biomedical, energy, and environmental technologies and identifies the key knowledge gaps and technological obstacles that currently hinder the full-scale implementation of LIG in each field. Full article

Background/Objectives: Probiotic interventions can alleviate gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, but evidence comparing multi-strain combinations at different doses remains limited. We evaluated whether formulation potency influences clinical and microbiome outcomes. Methods: In a 4-week, randomized, double-blind trial, 100 eligible adults received one of two higher-dose multi-strain probiotic formulations at different dosages (Wec120B vs Wec300B). Weekly Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores tracked symptom trajectories. Gut microbiota composition and diversity were profiled by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Biomarkers included lipopolysaccharide (LPS), fecal calprotectin (FC), and immunoglobulin A (IgA). Results: Results indicated that the Wec120B group showed more significant improvement in abdominal pain during the early phase of intervention, while the Wec300B group was more effective in relieving reflux symptoms. In terms of biomarkers, Wec120B was more effective in reducing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels, whereas Wec300B showed a greater increase in immunoglobulin A (IgA) and a more pronounced reduction in fecal calprotectin (FC) levels. Both formulations significantly increased the abundance of beneficial genera such as Bifidobacterium, Blautia, [Eubacterium]_hallii_group, and Anaerostipes, while suppressing the growth of potential pathogens including Prevotella and Escherichia-Shigella. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both compound probiotic products can significantly improve GI symptoms and modulate gut microbiota structure, with Wec300B showing a superior performance in microbial regulation, likely due to its higher dosage of probiotics. This study provides reference evidence for the rational application of probiotic products in gut health management. Full article

Background: Menopause and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are linked to chronic low-grade inflammation. However, the role of chemokines and systemic inflammatory indices such as the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) in perimenopausal women remains poorly understood. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated inflammatory markers, chemokines, and systemic indices in perimenopausal women recruited in Poland. Sociodemographic and health-related information was obtained using a custom questionnaire, along with anthropometric measurements and laboratory analyses. Results: A total of 230 women aged 44–65 years were included. Women with BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² had significantly higher IL-6 (median 4.9 vs. 2.3 pg/mL, p < 0.01) and CRP levels (3.8 vs. 1.6 mg/L, p < 0.05), as well as increased HOMA-IR (2.6 vs. 1.5, p < 0.01), compared with those with normal BMI. Positive correlations were found between SII and CXCL5 (r = 0.21, p = 0.01), and between SIRI and CXCL2 (r = 0.19, p = 0.02), CXCL5 (r = 0.23, p = 0.01), and CXCL9 (r = 0.24, p = 0.01). Conclusions: Excess body weight in perimenopausal women was associated with elevated IL-6, CRP, and insulin resistance, together with BMI-dependent correlations of chemokines with SII and SIRI. These findings highlight the potential of SII and SIRI as accessible screening tools for identifying women at risk of MetS. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm their predictive value and clinical applicability. Full article

Development of new sustainable pesticides represents a real challenge for researchers due to environmental issues and public health aspects. In fact, the overuse of chemical pesticides has led to environmental damage, loss of biodiversity, and pesticide-resistant pests. In a framework characterized by the necessity of new sustainable agricultural practices, this study investigates the plant Genista ulicina as a producer of bioactive compounds for potential application as eco-friendly biopesticides. First, both roots and aerial parts of G. ulicina were extracted and the main compounds in the crude extracts were identified via GC-MS. Subsequently, the crude extracts were submitted to antifungal and phytotoxic assays. In particular, the antifungal effects were evaluated on three common phytopathogenic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Alternaria alternata, and Botrytis cinerea, while phytotoxic activity was evaluated on two weed species: Euphorbia peplus L. and Oxalis corniculata L. Further insights were obtained on the herbicidal potential of phytochemical compounds produced by G. ulicina through in silico investigations. In particular, molecular docking analyses were performed against three key enzymes involved in essential plant metabolic pathways: acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS), 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), and protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO). Among the compounds identified, linolelaidic acid methyl ester, 1-monolinolein, stearic acid, and palmitic acid derivatives showed promising binding affinities and favorable interaction patterns compared to reference ligands. Selected phytochemicals from G. ulicina show potential as inhibitors of key herbicide targets, suggesting their value as promising leads in the development of sustainable bio-based weed control agents. Full article