Development Process Research Articles

Lipid production from biofilms of Marinobacter atlanticus in a fixed bed bioreactor

BackgroundBiotechnologies that utilize microorganisms as production hosts for lipid synthesis will enable an efficient and sustainable solution to produce lipids, decreasing reliance on traditional routes for production (either petrochemical or plant-derived) and supporting a circular bioeconomy. To realize this goal, continuous biomanufacturing processes must be developed to maximize productivity and minimize costs compared to traditional batch fermentation processes.ResultsHere, we utilized biofilms of the marine bacterium, Marinobacter atlanticus, to produce wax esters from succinate (i.e., a non-sugar feedstock) to determine its potential to serve as a production chassis in a continuous flow, biofilm-based biomanufacturing process. To accomplish this, we evaluated growth as a function of protein concentration and wax ester production from M. atlanticus biofilms in a continuously operated 3-D printed fixed bed bioreactor. We determined that exposing M. atlanticus biofilms to alternating nitrogen-rich (1.8 mM NH4+) and nitrogen-poor (0 mM NH4+) conditions in the bioreactor resulted in wax ester production (26 ± 5 mg/L, normalized to reactor volume) at a similar concentration to what is observed from planktonic M. atlanticus cells grown in shake flasks previously in our lab (ca. 25 mg/L cell culture). The wax ester profile was predominated by multiple compounds with 32 carbon chain length (C32; 50–60% of the total). Biomass production in the reactor was positively correlated with dilution rate, as indicated by protein concentration (maximum of 1380 ± 110 mg/L at 0.4 min−1 dilution rate) and oxygen uptake rate (maximum of 4 mmol O2/L/h at 0.4 min−1 dilution rate) measurements at different flow rates. Further, we determined the baseline succinate consumption rate for M. atlanticus biofilms to be 0.16 ± 0.03 mmol/L/h, which indicated that oxygen is the limiting reactant in the process.ConclusionThe results presented here are the first step toward demonstrating that M. atlanticus biofilms can be used as the basis for development of a continuous flow wax ester biomanufacturing process from non-sugar feedstocks, which will further enable sustainable lipid production in a future circular bioeconomy

How does air quality reflect the land cover changes: remote sensing approach using Sentinel data.

Significant environmental challenges, such as urban and industrial expansion, alongside vegetation preservation, directly influence the concentrations of critical air pollutants and greenhouse gases in cities and their surroundings. The urban development and expansion process is aptly captured by classifying land use and land cover (LULC). We aimed to analyze LULC changes in an Andean area, Ecuador, and to reveal the relations of LULC classes with three air pollutants ozone ( ), nitrogen dioxide ( ), and sulfur dioxide ( ), using remote sensing datasets (Sentinel-5P - Sentinel 1 - Sentinel-2) across different periods. Results showed that is not a reliable indicator for assessing its behavior based on LULC classes, as it was difficult to distinguish between different land cover types using this pollutant. For , the analysis showed a moderate distinction among LULC classes, suggesting some variability in its distribution across different land cover classes. On the other hand, analysis shows that all land cover classes are statistically distinguishable, demonstrating that urban, shrubland, green areas, and forest classes influenced ozone distribution. These findings emphasize the importance of accurate land cover classification in understanding air pollutants' spatial distribution and dynamics. This analysis is crucial for understanding the impacts of land use and land cover changes on urban health and well-being and the effects of rapid urban expansion.

The connection between executive processing and career development

There is substantial evidence of the connection between career development and mental health. Executive processing, including associated feelings and thoughts, has been found to significantly impact career decision making and problem solving. This has implications for career practitioners tasked with addressing these complex concerns. Utilizing comprehensive frameworks that account for this connection is essential. Cognitive Information Processing theory (CIP; Sampson et al., 2020; Sampson et al., 2004) accounts for the interconnected elements of career and mental health, and specific dimensions of executive processing. Interventions derived from CIP as well as other approaches offer a structure in which to address executive processing elements influencing career development. Being intentional in assessing and addressing career-related thoughts and feelings enables a career practitioner to effectively and efficiently support those in need.

Increasing Accessibility and Scalability of Student Services Using Microservice Architecture: A Case Study on Developing a Timetable Service

This paper describes the development of a service for tracking the university schedule, implemented using a microservice architecture with a chat-bot as the client interface. During the development process, the needs of students and professors, as well as publicly available university data, were considered, allowing for the selection of an optimal platform and the creation of an interactive chat-bot interface. All stages of the project’s development are listed, starting from defining the main service objectives and ending with configuration and testing. Information is also provided about the chosen technologies and tools used during the development process, such as the Python and Java programming languages, the BeautifulSoup and Requests libraries, the Cloud Native and Domain-Driven Design architectural approaches, as well as containerization with Docker and orchestration with Kubernetes. The service is designed to help students stay informed about upcoming classes and events by providing information in an accessible and intuitive format. It serves as a convenient addition to traditional methods of information delivery

Integrated lipidomics and RNA-seq reveal prognostic biomarkers in well-differentiated and dedifferentiated retroperitoneal liposarcoma

BackgroundRetroperitoneal liposarcoma (RLPS) is a mesenchymal malignant tumor characterized by different degrees of adipocytic differentiation. Well-differentiated liposarcoma (WDLPS) and dedifferentiated liposarcoma (DDLPS) are two of the most common subtypes of RLPS, exhibiting clear differences in biological behaviors and clinical prognosis. The metabolic features and genomic characteristics remain unclear.MethodsThis study employed lipidomic and RNA-seq analyses of RLPS tissues from 19 WDLPS and 29 DDLPS patients. Western blot and immunohistochemistry staining were performed to verify the tumor tissue protein levels of TIMP1, FN1, MMP11, GPNMB, and ECM1. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to evaluate different serum protein levels in 128 blood samples from patients with RLPS. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify the most crucial variables associated with overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) of the RLPS patients.ResultsLipidomic analysis revealed a significant difference in lipid metabolism, particularly in phosphatidylcholines and triacylglycerides metabolism. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that 1,630 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in lipid metabolism, developmental process, and extracellular matrix (ECM) pathways. Integrated lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis identified 29 genes as potential biomarkers between WDLPS and DDLPS. Among the 29 DEGs, we found that TIMP1, FN1, MMP11, GPNMB, and ECM1 were increased in DDLPS tumor tissues than in WDLPS tumor tissues. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed high specificity and sensitivity in diagnosing patients using a five-gene combination (AUC = 0.904). ELISA revealed a significant increase in the serum levels of ECM1 and GPNMB in patients with DDLPS compared to patients with WDLPS. ECM1 increased progressively across different FNCLCC Grades, correlating negatively with RFS (P = 0.043). GPNMB levels showed a negative correlation with OS (P = 0.019).ConclusionsOur study reveals different lipid metabolism, several transcriptional pathways between WDLPS and DDLPS, and examines several serum markers associated with the prognosis of RLPS. These findings provide a vital basis for future endeavors in diagnosing and predicting the prognosis of retroperitoneal liposarcoma with different differentiations.

Genome-wide characterization of Solanum tuberosum UGT gene family and functional analysis of StUGT178 in salt tolerance

UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs) widely exist in plants and play essential roles in catalyzing the glycosylation reaction associated with metabolic processes. UGT gene family has been identified in many species to date. However, the comprehensive identification and systematic analysis have not been documented yet in the latest potato genome. In this study, a total of 295 UGT members (StUGT) were identified and found to be unevenly distributed on twelve chromosomes of potato. All StUGT genes were classified into 17 groups (A-P, R) and the UGT genes within the same groups have similar structural characterization. Tandem duplication was the major driving force for the StUGT gene expansion. The prediction of cis-acting elements showed that the development process, light, phytohormone, and abiotic stress-responsive elements generally existed in StUGT promoter regions. Analysis of spatial and temporal expression patterns demonstrated that StUGT genes were widely and differentially expressed in various tissues. Additionally, to investigate the salt stress-responsive genes, we analyzed the expression profiles of the StUGT genes under salt treatment. A total of 50 and 20 StUGT genes were continuously up- and down-regulated, respectively, implicating that these genes were involved in the regulation of salt tolerance. Among them, the StUGT178 gene, which was significantly induced by salt stress and contains salt-responsive element, was considered as one of the most relevant candidate genes. Transient transformation of the StUGT178 promoter in tobacco revealed that the transcriptional activation activity of the StUGT178 gene was strengthened under salt treatment. Furthermore, the heterologous expressions of the promoter and coding protein of the StUGT178 gene in Arabidopsis further demonstrated that the StUGT178 gene significantly responds to salt treatment, and enhanced salinity tolerance by regulating antioxidant enzyme activity and H2O2 accumulation. These results provide comprehensive information for a better understanding of the StUGT genes and offer a foundation for uncovering their function associated with salt stress in potato.

Comprehensive Identification and Expression Profiling of Lipoxygenase Genes in Sweet Cherry During Fruit Development

Lipoxygenase (LOX) is involved in the oxidation of fatty acids in plants and is a ubiquitous oxygenase that plays an important role in the process of plant resistance to adversity. In this study, the LOX gene family in the sweet cherry genome was identified by bioinformatics methods, the chromosomal mapping of different LOX genes was carried out, and the homology alignment and functional domain analysis of the encoded proteins were performed. The results showed that there were nine LOX gene sequences in the sweet cherry LOX gene family, and the subcellular localization was mainly located in the cytoplasm, chloroplast, or plasma membrane, and was concentrated on chromosomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8. During the ripening process of sweet cherry fruits, the LOX gene family showed five different expression patterns, the expression peak of different LOX genes reached the peak of expression at a specific development period, all LOX genes jointly promoted the growth and development of fruits, the enzyme activities of LOX in different varieties of early and late ripening cherries exhibited great differences during the development process, and the results of volatile content in the later stages also showed that different varieties of cherries had their specificity. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis for further revealing the specific functions of LOX gene family members in sweet cherry.

Industrial Sufficiency: A Conceptual Methodological Framework

Implementing sustainability strategies is essential for the future viability of companies. While companies have been focusing intensively on the operationalization of efficiency and consistency for quite some time, sufficiency approaches are rare. As a result, there is a lack of fundamental understanding of the concept, its inherent potential, as well as a lack of basic implementation concepts for strategies, management systems, and product and process development. Based on a literature review using Scopus and Web of Science according to the PRISMA approach, this paper develops a definition for the concept of industrial sufficiency and presents three general industrial sufficiency strategies (frugality, longevity, and specificity) regarding three distinct business determinants (product, production, and business model). The investigation shows that not only can there be overlaps between the three general sustainability strategies (efficiency, consistency, and sufficiency) but that individual measures are also mutually dependent at different levels. In addition, significant conflicts of objectives for implementation in industrial practice are revealed.

Making Curriculum Development Fun for Nurse Educator Graduate Students Through the Use of Play Pedagogy.

Curriculum development is an important topic for nurse educator students to understand. The process of curriculum development requires knowledge of state laws, accrediting bodies, and various curriculum models. Students learn about curriculum development through assignments such as a scaffolded group project where they create a hypothetical undergraduate nursing program. Nurse educator students and nurse faculty view curriculum development as complicated and dull. This article describes the transformation of a curriculum development assignment using sociocultural learning theory and play. Nurse educator students appreciated the assignment and stated it helped them understand the curriculum development process.

An analytic hierarchy process for the sustainable development of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector, South Korea

An analytic hierarchy process for the sustainable development of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the manufacturing sector, South Korea

Concepts for a Semantically Accessible Materials Data Space: Overview over Specific Implementations in Materials Science

This article describes advancements in the ongoing digital transformation in materials science and engineering. It is driven by domain‐specific successes and the development of specialized digital data spaces. There is an evident and increasing need for standardization across various subdomains to support science data exchange across entities. The MaterialDigital Initiative, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, takes on a key role in this context, fostering collaborative efforts to establish a unified materials data space. The implementation of digital workflows and Semantic Web technologies, such as ontologies and knowledge graphs, facilitates the semantic integration of heterogeneous data and tools at multiple scales. Central to this effort is the prototyping of a knowledge graph that employs application ontologies tailored to specific data domains, thereby enhancing semantic interoperability. The collaborative approach of the Initiative's community provides significant support infrastructure for understanding and implementing standardized data structures, enhancing the efficiency of data‐driven processes in materials development and discovery. Insights and methodologies developed via the MaterialDigital Initiative emphasize the transformative potential of ontology‐based approaches in materials science, paving the way toward simplified integration into a unified, consolidated data space of high value.

The Importance of Sustainability: Investigating the Alignment Between Strategic Intent and Strong Sustainability Assumptions in Brazilian Food Technology Companies

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates the alignment between the missions, visions, and values of food technology firms and robust sustainability principles. Employing a comprehensive research methodology including surveys, secondary data analysis, and semi‐structured interviews with managers of food technology startups, this study identifies and examines key areas: (1) strategic components and pivotal aspects of positioning within the food technology industry; (2) necessary changes for supporting sustainability‐driven business models; and (3) guidelines to assist food technology proprietors and managers in developing the required competencies to meet evolving societal and global market demands. The findings highlight the need for capacity development in resource circularity, material regeneration, and innovative processes, suggesting the circular economy as a strategic approach for achieving strong sustainability. The paper outlines specific changes for decision‐makers to consider. While contextual, this study represents a distinctive effort supporting the transition toward strong sustainability, grounded in the circular economy and dynamic, relational capabilities perspectives.

A Study on the Exploration of the Development Process of Regenerative Applications of Energy Technologies in Industrial Warehouse Buildings: Bibliometric Research from 2004 to 2024

Due to the high energy consumption characteristics of industrial warehouse buildings, the demand for energy regeneration technology is increasingly urgent. In recent years, with the rapid development of building energy technology, warehouse building energy regeneration technology has made remarkable progress in energy conservation and sustainable development. A deep understanding of the previous research progress and trends can provide the scientific basis for guiding subsequent in-depth research. Through the bibliometric analysis of 145 journal articles collected from the Web of Science (WoS) database between 2004 and 2024, this research has studied the research trends and progress on the application of energy regeneration in industrial warehouse buildings. This study first revealed the overall development trend of energy regeneration technology in warehouse buildings through quantitative analysis, indicating that related research is growing rapidly. Core scholars in the field such as Lund H. and Mathiesen B.V., as well as major journals such as Energy and Sustainability, have been identified through the analysis of the literature. Five core research themes, including energy efficiency improvement and regeneration technology, renewable energy system design, life cycle sustainable technology, renewable energy utility assessment, and policy support and energy consumption simulation, were identified through cluster analysis. Through evolutionary analysis, this study demonstrates the development process of energy regeneration in warehouse buildings and the critical role played by advances in new energy technologies in the field of warehouse construction. On this basis, this study proposes current key research directions, including energy life cycle assessment, energy regeneration environment optimization, and energy system management. The research on the energy regeneration of warehouse buildings has gradually become an important cross-subject of architecture and energy technology, providing technical support for the transformation of low-carbon storage buildings. The analysis of the current research status, evolutionary logic, and research trends can provide scientific references for further in-depth research and technological applications in this field.

Focusing on Caregiver Neglect: A Novel Strategy for Mistreatment of Older Adults Screening and Intervention.

Mistreatment of older adults is common and has serious health consequences but is under-recognized and under-reported. Screening for mistreatment of older adults and initiation of intervention in primary care clinics may be helpful, but the value of existing tools is not supported by evidence. We argue that shifting the focus to individual sub-types of mistreatment of older adults can provide improved approaches to screening and ultimately to intervention. We focus on the example of caregiver neglect, the subtype associated with highest mortality. To develop caregiver neglect screening and intervention programs and to measure their effectiveness and impact, we assert that it is critical to: (1) define the phenomenon, (2) develop a conceptual model to explain why it occurs, (3) develop measurement strategies, and (4) systematically examine existing literature. We describe here the initial components of this development process.

Research Progress on Embryonic Development, Genetic Regulation and Clinical Management of Congenital Middle Ear Malformations

ABSTRACTCongenital middle ear malformations are a common hearing defect in newborns, primarily characterised by abnormal middle ear structures, particularly underdeveloped or malformed ossicular chains, resulting in conductive hearing loss. This article provides a comprehensive review of the embryonic development process of the middle ear and the genetic regulatory mechanisms, with a focus on the Tbx1 gene, which is closely related to middle ear development. Studies have shown that the Tbx1 gene plays a crucial role in the migration of neural crest cells and the formation of middle ear structures, and its mutation or abnormal expression can lead to developmental defects of the middle ear structure. These gene mutations affect downstream signalling pathways (such as FGF8, FGF10 and BMP4), which are essential in the formation of the ossicles, ear canal and middle ear cavity. Additionally, this article discusses the aetiology of congenital middle ear malformations, associated syndromes, clinical manifestations, classification, diagnosis and treatment strategies. Diagnostic methods for middle ear malformations include audiological examinations, imaging studies and genetic testing. Early diagnosis and intervention, such as surgical correction and the use of hearing aids, can help improve the hearing and quality of life of patients. This article aims to provide a reference and basis for further etiological research and precise treatment by elucidating the mechanisms and clinical features of middle ear malformations.

Development of an Automotive-Relevant Recycling Process for Paper Fiber-Reinforced Polypropylene Composites

The automotive industry is under growing pressure from regulatory agencies to improve the recyclability of its plastic components. Simultaneously, manufacturers are adopting natural fiber composites in vehicles to reduce their carbon footprint and decrease reliance on petroleum-based materials. This presents a challenge at vehicle end-of-life, however, as natural fiber-reinforced polymers are substantially more difficult to recycle than their unreinforced counterparts. This study investigated the development of a mechanical recycling process for paper fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites, focusing on the impact of injection molding parameters—specifically, injection temperature and rate—on the thermal, mechanical, and water uptake properties of the composites. The results showed that processing temperature had a greater influence on composite performance than injection rate, with some limited interaction effects between the two. Higher processing intensity damaged the paper fibers, increasing the number of nucleation sites and resulting in greater polypropylene crystallinity. These structural changes reduced tensile properties at higher intensities, while flexural properties improved. Objective function analysis was applied to identify optimal processing conditions, balancing these competing trends. Overall, the findings demonstrate that paper fiber-reinforced polypropylene composites can be recycled into automotive-relevant injection molding compounds using conventional plastic manufacturing techniques, though careful tuning of processing parameters is essential to achieve optimal performance.

Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanofiber Murray Membrane for Quick Oil Absorption

With the rapid advancement of global industrialization, there is an increasing year-on-year demand for oil in society. The occurrence of oil spills during the processes of development, refining, and transportation has become an urgent issue that needs to be addressed. Electrospun fiber separation using selective oil/water absorption represents a relatively new yet promising technology. However, despite the lipophilic nature of the membrane for oil absorption, the rate of oil absorption is slow. There are still challenges in meeting the needs of developing communities. The plant employs a strategy of multi-branching with narrowed pores, which serves to enhance the efficiency of water and nutrient transfer. Inspired by plant transpiration, we adjusted the parameters of electrospinning and constructed a PVDF biomimetic nanofiber membrane with gradually reduced pore size through a bottom-up layer-by-layer spinning strategy. This PVDF biomimetic nanofiber membrane conforms to Murray's law. The experimental results showed that the oil absorption of carbon tetrachloride by PVDF Murray membrane was 3.06 g/g. Significantly, the PVDF Murray membrane demonstrates rapid adsorption of the oil slick (0.3 mL, n-hexane) in just 13s, as compared to 24s without the Murray structure. Therefore, the one-step preparation of the PVDF Murray membrane indicates a promising potential for its future application as a sustainable and quick oil-absorbent membrane.

Integrating Multiple Theoretical Perspectives on Informal Field-based Learning: The Self-regulated Informal Learning Cycle (SILC)

Informal field-based learning (IFBL)—a subset of work-related learning that is informal, intentional, and self-directed—is a developmental process in which motivational, behavioral, and cognitive mechanisms interact. Despite the consensus on the role of cognitive processing in learning, research on informal learning is dominated by a behavioral focus on learning activities, while the cognitive perspective remains sidelined. In the Self-regulated Informal Learning Cycle we introduce here, we use metacognitive and memory system lenses to zoom into the (meta-)cognitive IFBL processes, considering intention as a motivational starting point of the learning process. Specifically, we draw on self-determination theory, achievement goal theory, memory concepts, and self-regulated learning models. Our cycle distinguishes five phases—preparation, action, encoding and consolidation, performance, and self-appraisal—and elaborates on IFBL processes at the intentional, behavioral, cognitive, and metacognitive level. Theoretical implications for human resource development, including the often-neglected role of time in IFBL, are discussed.

Predicting the glass transition temperature of polymer based on generative adversarial networks and automated machine learning

AbstractSolution styrene‐butadiene rubber (SSBR) finds wide applications in high performance tire design and various other fields. This study aims to create a quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) model linking SSBR's glass transition temperature (Tg) to its structural properties. A dataset of 68 sets of data from published literature was compiled to develop a predictive machine learning model for SSBR's structural design and synthesis using small sample sizes. To tackle small sample sizes, a framework combining generative adversarial networks (GAN) and the Tree‐based Pipeline Optimization Tool (TPOT) is proposed. GAN is first used to generate additional samples that mirror the original dataset's distribution, expanding the dataset. The TPOT is then applied to automatically find the best model and parameter combinations, creating an optimal predictive model for the mixed dataset. Experimental results show that using GAN to enlarge the dataset and TPOT regression models significantly enhances model performance, increasing the R2 value from 0.745 to 0.985 and decreasing the RMSE from 7.676 to 1.569. The proposed GAN–TPOT framework demonstrates the potential of combining generative models with automated machine learning to improve materials science research. This combination accelerates research and development processes, enhances prediction and design accuracy, and introduces new perspectives and possibilities for the field.

Contributions of hemispheric dynamics in visual word recognition: uncovering familiarity effects through lateralized priming

IntroductionThis investigation aimed to explore interhemispheric interactions in visual word processing with a focus on proficiency development. Given the asymmetrical specialization in visual word processing across hemispheres, the study hypothesized that the primary hemisphere predominantly regulates interhemispheric interactions. The familiarity effect, serving as a measure of visual word processing proficiency, was examined to determine how proficiency influences these interactions.MethodsA primed-lateralized lexical decision task with a stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) of 100 ms was employed. The task involved presenting primes and targets in parafoveal visual fields (left visual field/right visual field) to assess behavioral responses. By manipulating prime and target visual field locations, the study aimed to evaluate both inter- and intrahemispheric interactions during visual word processing.ResultsThe findings revealed a significant interhemispheric familiarity effect in response times when the left visual field (LVF)/right hemisphere (RH) served as the prime and the right visual field (RVF)/left hemisphere (LH) as the target. Additionally, a significant intrahemispheric familiarity effect was observed within the LVF/RH condition, suggesting a prominent role of the RH in visual-perceptual processing during the development of visual word recognition proficiency.DiscussionThese results provide compelling evidence for asymmetric specialization between the hemispheres in visual word processing. The significant inter- and intrahemispheric familiarity effects underscore the importance of RH visual-perceptual processing in proficiency development. These insights enhance our understanding of interhemispheric dynamics in the evolution of visual word recognition proficiency, highlighting the complex coordination between hemispheres in facilitating fluent visual word processing.