High Level Of Recovery Research Articles

Restoration of the function of the sciatic nerve and its branches after trauma

<p><strong>Aim</strong> To investigate the efficacy of various methods for restoring the sciatic nerve and its branches after traumatic injuries to develop optimal treatment strategies, improve functional outcomes, and enhance patients' quality of life.<br /><strong>Methods</strong> A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Neurosurgical Centre of Almaty, Kazakhstan, based on City Clinical Hospital No. 7. From 2013 to 2022, 227 patients with sciatic nerve lesions and their branches were operated. The proportion of patients of working age was 93.8%. Over half of the patients were hospitalized more than six months after the injury.<br /><strong>Results</strong> A high and satisfactory level of functional recovery after the surgical treatment of the sciatic nerve and its branches was achieved in 173 (77.5%) patients, with partial improvement in 21 (9.4%) and no significant improvement in 30 (13.1%). Two-stage restoration of the sciatic nerve function in cases with diastasis of more than 5 cm improved treatment results in 202 (89.2%) patients contributing to the restoration of motor function and gait within two to three years.<br /><strong>Conclusion</strong> When repairing the sciatic nerve with extensive defects, the tibial nerve is prioritized over the peroneal nerve due to better regeneration. Nerve autoplasty is preferred because of the rigidity of the sciatic nerve trunk and significant muscle load. For diastasis over 7 cm, the peroneal nerve trunk can be used for tibial nerve plasty. Two-stage reconstruction involves tendon-muscle plasty after signs of tibial nerve conduction appear, restoring motor function and gait and improving the patient's quality of life.</p>

Energy efficiency of waste gasification plants in the national municipal waste management system

To achieve high levels of municipal waste recovery through a system employing mechanical-biological waste processing technologies, effective management of the over-sieve fraction of mixed municipal waste (preRDF) is crucial. This preRDF cannot be landfilled due to its combustion heat exceeding 6 MJ/kg. Therefore, thermal treatment of waste and subsequent energy recovery become pivotal in the national waste management system, particularly amidst energy crises and fluctuating energy prices. Waste-derived energy can serve as a valuable renewable energy source. To ascertain the true efficiency of the plant in terms of energy, environmental impact, and economics, it is vital to organize the concepts of energy efficiency for thermal waste treatment plants. The energy efficiency of a waste gasification plant should be comprehensively assessed from three standpoints: energy efficiency of thermal waste treatment (i.e., energy efficiency index), energy efficiency of recovering chemical energy contained in waste (actual energy efficiency of the plant), and the efficiency of renewable energy production. A thermal waste processing plant qualifies as a renewable energy source, when it generates electricity and heat from the biodegradable fraction of waste. This article endeavours to determine the potential contribution of chemical energy from the biodegradable waste fraction, relying on preRDF fraction test results..

Ovicidal Effect of Entomopathogenic Fungi on Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire, Eggs

The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an invasive beetle that has killed hundreds of millions of ash trees throughout North America since its arrival. The use of entomopathogenic fungi as part of integrated pest management approaches is considered effective against a wide range of insect pests. The aim of this study was to screen and select locally adapted EAB-associated entomopathogenic fungi with ovicidal effect on EAB eggs under laboratory conditions. The pathogenicity of nine fungal strains, previously isolated from EAB galleries, and the commercial Beauveria bassiana strain GHA was tested. Three of these, Akanthomyces muscarius 48-27, Lecanicillium longisporum 66-14 Lecanicillium psalliotae 59-2, and GHA B. bassiana strain consistently showed significant ovicidal effects and a high percentage of inoculum recovery both from eggs and neonate larvae. The high levels of inoculum recovery from neonate larvae demonstrate that, even after emergence, larvae were infected. The possibility of disrupting EAB’s life cycle at the egg stage through microbial control represents a potential management opportunity that should be explored in future field studies. Future work should also study the effect of EPF on neonate larvae survival and performance. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate the effect of entomopathogenic fungi against the egg stage of EAB.

Coupling ultrasound and membrane filtration for the fractionation of Spirulina platensis sp. and the recovery of phycocyanin and pigment-free proteins

The cyanobacterium Spirulina platensis was subjected to a fractionation process involving ultrasound-assisted extraction and membrane filtration to obtain a pure phycocyanin fraction and a clarified colorless protein fraction free of chlorophyll and carotenoids. The effects of pressure and power on total protein release were assessed. The retention of the extracted proteins was then assessed by ultrafiltration, with and without ammonium sulfate precipitation. Total protein recovery yields reached 97% in aqueous solution, at a low frequency (12 kHz), atmospheric pressure, and with an ultrasonic power of 200 Watts (W). Ammonium sulfate (25% w/v) precipitation was used to remove pigments and impurities from the crude protein extract. Finally, semi-frontal ultrafiltration resulted in high levels of C-phycocyanin recovery in the retentate: 95% and 91% with 10 and 100 kDa-cutoff membranes, respectively. However, the levels of total non-pigmented proteins in the permeate compartment did not exceed 67% with a 100 kDa-cutoff membrane. A fractionation process is proposed here for the valorization of two different protein fractions from Spirulina platensis.

Impact of Preoperative Progressive Relaxation Exercises on Postoperative Pain, Comfort, and Recovery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the impact of preoperative progressive relaxation exercises on postoperative pain, comfort, and quality of recovery. The study was conducted between June and November 2023, involving 68 patients undergoing surgical intervention and hospitalized in the surgical clinic. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS)-Pain, the Perianesthesia Comfort Scale, and the Quality of Recovery Questionnaire. At the sixth postoperative hour, no significant difference was observed in pain levels between the experimental and control groups (P >.05). However, the VAS scores for the experimental group at the 12th and 24th postoperative hours were significantly lower than those of the control group (P <.001). Furthermore, 24hours postoperatively, the experimental group demonstrated significantly higher quality of recovery (P <.001) and comfort levels (P <.001) than the control group. This study concludes that patients engaged in relaxation exercises exhibited lower VAS scores and higher levels of recovery and comfort.

Pre-drought effects on northern temperate trees and vine invasion in forest gaps hindering regeneration

Northern temperate coniferous forests serve as crucial connectors between boreal and temperate forests, yet they are vulnerable to various stressors such as climate change and human activities. Severe drought poses a significant threat to plant species within these forests, prompting recent research into its impacts. However, many studies lack explicit definitions of post-disturbance vegetation processes and fail to identify potential interactions with disturbance factors, necessitating comprehensive discussions. This study examines the effects of drought on tree growth patterns of the main dominant species in northern temperate regions: Abies nephrolepis and Picea jezoensis, along with two commonly associated Betula ermanii, and Quercus mongolica. Additionally, new disturbance factors in forests inhabited by these species (A. nephrolepis and P. jezoensis) were evaluated based on community classification. The study sites were located in the Mt. Baekdu (Changbai) and South Korea regions, which are positioned at the southern limit of the phytogeographical patterns of target species. Results indicate that A. nephrolepis and P. jezoensis exhibit high levels of recovery and resilience, while B. ermanii and Q. mongolica demonstrate high resistance. Species-specific responses align with drought intensity, with resistance, recovery, and resilience decreasing notably with increasing pre-drought radial growth. South Korean forests, the invasion of the vine species Tripterygium regelii after the death of A. nephrolepis in the overstory vegetation threatens the regeneration of new trees. However, certain environmental factors, such as high rock exposure and dense overstory canopy, limit vine invasion. Based on the results, pre-drought radial growth emerges as a key determinant in how trees respond to drought. Additionally, the results suggest the potential for new disturbances to emerge in forest gaps due to overstory vegetation mortality induced by global warming. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of increasing drought stress, aid in identifying climate refugia, and inform conservation priorities based on habitat characteristics.

A novel urease-assisted ratiometric fluorescence sensing platform based on pH-modulated copper-quenched near-infrared carbon dots and methyl red-quenched red carbon dots for selective urea monitoring.

A novel and sensitive fluorescence ratiometric method is developed for urea detection based on the pH-sensitive response of two fluorescent carbon dot (CD) systems: R-CDs/methyl red (MR) and NIR-CDs/Cu2+. The sensing mechanism involves breaking down urea using the enzyme urease, releasing ammonia and increasing pH. At higher pH, the fluorescence of NIR-CDs is quenched due to the enhanced interaction with Cu2+, while the fluorescence of R-CDs is restored as the acidic MR converts to its basic form, removing the inner filter effect. The ratiometric signal (F608/F750) of the R-CDs/MR and NIR-CDs/Cu2+ intensities changed in response to the pH induced by urea hydrolysis, enabling selective and sensitive urea detection. Detailed spectroscopic and morphological investigations confirmed the fluorescence probe design and elucidated the sensing mechanism. The method exhibited excellent sensitivity (0.00028 mMLOD) and linearity range (0.001 - 8.0 mM) for urea detection, with successful application in milk samples for monitoring adulteration, demonstrating negligible interference and high recovery levels (96.5% to 101.0%). This ratiometric fluorescence approach offers a robust strategy for selective urea sensing in complicated matrices.

Child temperamental negative affectivity moderates the relation between interparental conflict and child cortisol recovery

AbstractThis study examined the relation between interparental conflict and cortisol recovery, with child temperamental negative affectivity as the moderator. Children (n = 118) ages 9–11 years observed an argument between their parents in the lab and provided saliva samples for cortisol assays. Children also reported levels of interparental conflict, and mothers reported their child's negative affectivity. Results showed that youths with high levels of negative affectivity experienced less cortisol recovery as interparental conflict levels increased. Further, demonstrating some support for differential susceptibility, youths with higher levels of negative affectivity exhibited less recovery at high levels of parental conflict but greater recovery at low levels of parental conflict, compared to peers with lower scores on negative affectivity. We also found that children with low levels of negative affectivity exhibited greater recovery as rates of interparental conflict increased. In summary, this study sheds light on sources of variability in cortisol recovery as it relates to interparental disharmony.

Fabrication of loose nanofiltration membrane with Laponite nanosheets incorporated into polyamide layer for effective dye/divalent salt separation

Traditional methods for treating textile wastewater face significant challenges when it comes to effectively separating dye/salt mixtures while maintaining high levels of dye recovery and desalination efficiency. In the present study, we proposed a novel loose nanofiltration (LNF) membrane fabricated through the Laponite (Lp) assisted interfacial polymerization of piperazine (PIP) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The unique structure of Lp nanosheets, characterized by exfoliated lamellae, serves to modulate the diffusion rate of PIP during interfacial polymerization, influencing the structural and performance characteristics of the resulting nanofiltration membranes through hydrogen bonding interactions. By controlling the concentration and standing time of Lp nanosheets in the amine aqueous solution, we systematically tailored the surface morphology of the LNF membrane from nodular to convex structures. Additionally, we regulated the thickness of the polyamide layer within a range of 175–276 nm. Due to this well-designed structure and excellent hydrophilicity, the LNF membrane possessed good water permeability (30.7 L/(m2·h·bar)) and superior efficiency in separating dyes from salts. It exhibited exceptional dye rejections (e.g., 99.1 % for Congo Red, 99.4 % for Methyl blue) and low salt rejections (e.g., Na2SO4: 2.73 %, MgCl2: 1.95 %). Besides, the composite membrane displayed favorable anti-fouling properties and operational stability, underscoring its potential in applications.

Pilot scale-up production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) from starch-based wastewater: A halogen-free process optimization for polymer recovery

The intracellular nature of microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) requires two main steps in their production: bioconversion and extraction. The most widely used method for recovering poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) is solvent extraction. Traditional approaches involve the use of halogenated solvents, whose environmental and health hazards are well known. New alternatives advocate the use of sustainable agents, which can be an effective and economical choice. In this work, the bioconversion process of starch-based water into PHB by Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 was first scaled-up using previously optimized conditions. A statistical model was then developed to optimize the best conditions for polymer extraction using NaOH by response surface methodology with a central composite design. The optimized and validated conditions were: 0.05 M NaOH at 29.6 °C for 1 h, resulting in 87.31 ± 0.33 % polymer yield, 104.13 ± 2.22 % polymer purity and 104.76 ± 2.41 % polymer recovery. These conditions were validated for operation at three different biomass-to-NaOH concentrations: 5.7 g/L, 20 g/L and 79.5 g/L, and scaled-up without sacrificing polymer yield, with high levels of PHB purity and recovery. In addition, this work proposed an approach for the scale-up of a halogen-free process for PHB extraction using NaOH, considering parameters that can be easily integrated into the common ranges used in the industry.

A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Case Study Investigation of the Academic, Athletic, Psychosocial and Psychological Impacts of Being a Sport School Student Athlete

BackgroundSport schools are popular environments for simultaneously delivering education and sport to young people. Previous research suggests sport school involvement to have impact (i.e. the positive/negative, intended/unintended and long/short-term outcomes, results and effects) on student athlete’s holistic (i.e. academic, athletic, psychosocial and psychological) development. However, previous research is limited by (1) cross-sectional methods, (2) limited multidimensional assessments, (3) lack of consideration for athlete characteristics (e.g. sex) and (4) failure to evaluate how sport school features affect student-athlete impacts.ObjectivesThe study, using a mixed methods case study approach, aims to (1) longitudinally evaluate the impact of sport school involvement on the holistic development of student athletes, (2) evaluate the impact on holistic development by student-athlete characteristics and (3) explore the features and processes of the sport–school programme that drive/facilitate holistic impacts.MethodsA longitudinal mixed methods design was employed across one full academic school year (33 weeks). Six data-collection methods (i.e. online questionnaire, physical fitness testing battery, academic assessment grades, log diaries, field notes/observation and timeline diagram/illustration) were used to assess the academic, athletic, psychosocial and psychological impacts for 72 student athletes from one sport school in the United Kingdom (UK).ResultsStudent athletes developed positive long-term holistic overall impacts (i.e. academically, athletically and personally), including maintaining stable and relatively high levels of sport confidence, academic motivation, general recovery, life skills, resilience and friends, family and free time scores. Despite positive impacts, juggling academic and sport workload posed challenges for student athletes, having the potential to lead to negative holistic impacts (e.g. fatigue, stress and injury). Positive and negative impacts were linked to many potential features and processes of the sport school (e.g. academic and athletic support services versus insufficient training load build-up, communication, coordination, flexibility and planning). Furthermore, when considering student-athlete characteristics, females had lower sport confidence, higher general stress and body image concerns and less general recovery than males and student athletes who played sport outside the school had lower general recovery.ConclusionsThis mixed method, longitudinal study demonstrated sport school involvement resulted in many positive academic (e.g. good grades), athletic (e.g. fitness development), psychosocial (e.g. enhanced confidence) and psychological (e.g. improved resilience) impacts attributed to the academic and athletic support services provided. However, juggling heavy academic and athletic workloads posed challenges leading to negative impacts including fatigue, pressure, stress and injury. Furthermore, holistic impacts may be sex dependent and further support may be required for female student athletes in sport school environments. Overall, these findings demonstrate the complex nature of combining education and sport commitments and how sport schools should manage, monitor and evaluate the features of their programme to maximise the holistic impacts of sport–school student athletes.

Effect of Recombinant Human Thrombopoietin on Platelet Reconstitution after Autologous Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

To analyze the effect of recombinant human thrombopoietin (rhTPO) on platelet (PLT) reconstitution after autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The clinical data of 147 MM patients who were diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and received APBSCT as the first-line therapy were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether rhTPO was used during APBSCT, the patients were divided into rhTPO group (80 cases) and control group (67 cases). The time of PLT engraftment, blood product infusion requirements, the proportion of patients with PLT recovery to≥50×109/L and≥100×109/L at +14 days and +100 days after transplantation, and adverse reactions including the incidence of bleeding were compared between the two groups. There were no significant differences between the two groups in sex, age, M protein type, PLT count at the initial diagnosis, median duration of induction therapy before APBSCT, and number of CD34+ cells reinfused (all P >0.05). The median time of PLT engraftment in the rhTPO group was 10 (6-14) days, which was shorter than 11 (8-23) days in the control group (P < 0.001). The median PLT transfusion requirement in the rhTPO group during APBSCT was 15(0-50)U, which was less than 20 (0-80)U in the control group (P =0.001). At +14 days after transplantation, the proportions of patients with PLT≥50×109/L in the rhTPO group and the control group were 66.3% and 52.2%, while the proportions of patients with PLT≥100×109/L were 23.8% and 11.9%, respectively, with no significant differences (all P >0.05). At +100 days after transplantation, the proportion of patients with PLT≥50×109/L in rhTPO group and control group was 96.3% and 89.6%, respectively (P >0.05), but the proportion of patients with PLT≥100×109/L in rhTPO group was higher than that in control group (75.0% vs 55.2%, P =0.012). There was no difference in the overall incidence of bleeding events in different locations during period of low PLT level of patients between the two groups. In rhTPO group, the rhTPO administration was well tolerated, and the incidences of abnormal liver and kidney function and infection were similar to those in the control group. When MM patients undergo first-line APBSCT, subcutaneous injection of rhTPO can shorten the time of platelet engraftment, reduce the transfusion volume of blood products, and be well tolerated, moreover, more patients have achieve a high level of PLT recovery after transplantation, which is very important for ensuring the safety of APBSCT and maintenance therapy.

METHOD FOR FORECASTING INCREASE IN LIQUID PRODUCTION FOR OPTIMIZE SELECTION OF CANDIDATES FOR HYDRAULIC FRACTURING

Over the past 20 years, the structure of reserves of Russian oil fields has undergone significant changes: with a general increase in reserves, there has been a significant increase in the share of hard to recover reserves (HTR). In the HTR structure of the Russian Federation, low-permeability and heterogeneous reservoirs are identified as the main subgroup (64 %), in 2022, approximately 30 % of all Russian oil was produced from HTR (166 from 535 million tons). In such reservoirs, to maintain and ensure high levels of oil recovery, a workovers such as hydraulic fracturing (HF) is used.Petroleum production companies have various technical and infrastructal capabilities for the selection of candidate wells for workover. Some oil companies use the support of design institutes and service companies that mining andhave specialized geological software products for monitoring and selection of workovers, others make do with the knowledge and skills of selecting their own specialists. However, due to the development of residual recoverable reserves and the unprofitability of the workover every year to select candidate wells, it is becoming increasingly difficult to select candidate wells. Working out the entire well stock and selection candidate wells using standard techniques takes a huge amount of time for a specialist. The article proposes a solution to the topical issue of optimizing the selection of candidate wells for hydraulic fracturing by predicting the dynamics of production wells based on historical data for various geological conditions. The developed method for forecasting the flow rate of liquid and oil on the basis of the rate of change in reservoir pressure and water cut of the well allows you to predict the flow rate for two years ahead, monthly estimates the possible increase from hydraulic fracturing and allows you to determine the optimal time for repeated or primary hydraulic fracturing at the well. This approach sharply narrows the number of potential candidates from a coupe of hundred to two to three dozen potential candidates.

Multiomics Characterization of a Less Invasive Microfluidic-Based Cell Sorting Technique.

Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) is a specialized technique to isolate specific cell subpopulations with a high level of recovery and accuracy. However, the cell sorting procedure can impact the viability and metabolic state of cells. Here, we performed a comparative study and evaluated the impact of traditional high-pressure charged droplet-based and microfluidic chip-based sorting on the metabolic and phosphoproteomic profile of different cell types. While microfluidic chip-based sorted cells more closely resembled the unsorted control group for most cell types tested, the droplet-based sorted cells showed significant metabolic and phosphoproteomic alterations. In particular, greater changes in redox and energy status were present in cells sorted with the droplet-based cell sorter along with larger shifts in proteostasis. 13C-isotope tracing analysis on cells recovering postsorting revealed that the sorter-induced suppression of mitochondrial TCA cycle activity recovered faster in the microfluidic chip-based sorted group. Apart from this, amino acid and lipid biosynthesis pathways were suppressed in sorted cells, with minimum impact and faster recovery in the microfluidic chip-based sorted group. These results indicate microfluidic chip-based sorting has a minimum impact on metabolism and is less disruptive compared to droplet-based sorting.

One-Step Purification of Recombinant Cutinase from an E. coli Extract Using a Stabilizing Triazine-Scaffolded Synthetic Affinity Ligand.

Cutinase from Fusarium solani pisi is an enzyme that bridges functional properties between lipases and esterases, with applications in detergents, food processing, and the synthesis of fine chemicals. The purification procedure of recombinant cutinase from E. coil extracts is a well-established but time-consuming process, which involves a sequence of two anionic exchange chromatography steps followed by dialysis. Affinity chromatography is the most efficient method for protein purification, the major limitation of its use being often the availability of a ligand selective for a given target protein. Synthetic affinity ligands that specifically recognize certain sites on the surface of proteins are highly desirable for affinity processes due to their cost-effectiveness, durability, and reusability across multiple cycles. Additionally, these ligands establish moderate affinity interactions with the target protein, making it possible to purify proteins under gentle conditions while maintaining high levels of activity recovery. This study aimed to develop a new method for purifying cutinase, utilizing triazine-scaffolded biomimetic affinity ligands. These ligands were previously screened from a biased-combinatorial library to ensure their binding ability to cutinase without compromising its biological function. A lead ligand, designated as 11/3', [4-({4-chloro-6-[(2-methylbutyl)amino]-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl}amino)benzoic acid], was chosen and directly synthesized onto agarose. Experiments conducted at different scales demonstrated that this ligand (with an affinity constant Ka ≈ 104 M-1) exhibited selectivity towards cutinase, enabling the purification of the enzyme from an E. coli crude production medium in a single step. Under optimized conditions, the protein and activity yields reached 25% and 90%, respectively, with a resulting cutinase purity of 85%.

Occupational fatigue, compassion competence and caring behaviours of intensive care nurses: A structural equation modelling approach.

No previous study has examined the direct effect of occupational fatigue, inter-shift recovery and compassion competence on caring behaviours, including assurance, knowledge-skill, respect and commitment in intensive care nurses. We studied the direct effect of participating nurses' occupational fatigue, inter-shift recovery and compassion competence levels on their caring behaviours and the relationship among these variables. This was a descriptive correlational study. All nurses who were registered members of the Turkish Intensive Care Nurses Association were invited to participate in this online survey. This study was conducted with 315 intensive care nurses using convenience sampling between April and July 2022. The data were collected using the Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion/Recovery Scale, which consists of three subscales: acute fatigue, chronic fatigue and inter-shift recovery; the Compassion Competence Scale, including communication, sensitivity and insight subscales; and the Caring Behaviours Inventory-24. In addition, a structural equation model was established using variables correlating with caring behaviours. Independent variables were occupational fatigue, inter-ship recovery and compassion competence; and the dependent variable was caring behaviours in this hypothesized model. Three hundred and fifteen nurses completed the survey (315/1000) with a response rate of 31.5%. The increase in the inter-shift recovery levels of participants was statistically and positively associated with caring behaviours (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001-0.011, β = .154 [moderate effect size], p < .05). The sub-dimensions of the Compassion Competence Scale, that is, communication (95% CI: 0.110-0.443, β = .251 [moderate effect size]) and sensitivity (95% CI: 0.084-0.427, β = .241 [moderate effect size]), were statistically and positively associated with the caring behaviours of participants (p < .05). In addition, independent variables accounted for 35% (large effect size) of the total change in caring behaviours (R2 = 0.350). This study suggests that the high inter-shift recovery and compassion competence levels of intensive care nurses are positively associated with their caring behaviours. Nursing managers should consider the direct effect of occupational fatigue, inter-shift recovery and the compassion competence levels of intensive care nurses on their caring behaviours to provide high-quality care.

Holistic Assessment of Decarbonization Pathways of Energy-Intensive Industries Based on Exergy Analysis

The decarbonization of the industrial sector plays a crucial role in a successful energy transition. This transformation is very costly and complex, as many of the existing production processes and plants will have to be partially or completely replaced to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This raises questions about how significant reductions in CO2 emissions resulting from decarbonization will affect the use of resources to produce a certain product and the overall value of sustainability. This article considers the relationship between CO2 reduction and the impact on the resource efficiency of an industrial production process. For this purpose, a methodology was developed that holistically assesses the decarbonization pathway of an industrial sector. This holistic assessment takes into account the energy carriers, raw materials, and auxiliary and construction materials used for the operation and building of the significant plant components and summarizes them as a total use of resources. For this purpose, the use of resources is represented by the thermodynamic quantity exergy, which takes into account both the energy and material components of a production process. The energy and material streams in a production process are balanced by applying exergetic analysis. This methodology is used for current state-of-the-art and future decarbonized production processes in order to quantify the effects of the decarbonization process. By comparing the calculated resource efficiencies, the thermodynamic impact on the sustainability of decarbonization paths can be set in relation to the amount of CO2 saved. For validation, the developed methodology is applied to a conventional and a decarbonized ammonia production process. The conventional production route represents the production of ammonia by methane steam reforming, and the decarbonized production route is represented by synthesis gas production via water electrolysis and an air separation unit. The resource efficiency of the conventional ammonia production route, taking into account the energy sources, raw materials, construction materials, and auxiliary materials used, is 59%, producing a total of 1539 kg of CO2 emissions per ton of ammonia. The decarbonized process has a resource efficiency of 45%, while no CO2 emissions are produced in this manufacturing process. This means that the decarbonization of the production process reduces resource efficiency by 14%. In relation to the reduced amount of CO2, specific resource efficiency decreases by 9.09%/tCO2. The decline in resource efficiency is mainly due to the high level of heat and energy recovery in the conventional process and the very electricity-intensive hydrogen production in the decarbonized production process.

Effects of Spirulina platensis and/or Allium sativum on Antioxidant Status, Immune Response, Gut Morphology, and Intestinal Lactobacilli and Coliforms of Heat-Stressed Broiler Chicken.

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the dietary addition of Spirulina platensis (SP) and/or garlic powder (GP) on heat-stressed broiler chickens. For this purpose, 600 Ross-308 broiler chicks were allocated at 22 days of age into five groups (G1-G5), each comprising six groups of 20 birds each. Chickens kept in G1 (negative control) were fed a basal diet and raised at 26 ± 1 °C. Chickens kept in G2 to G5 were exposed to periodic heat stress (35 ± 1 °C for 9 h/day) from 22 to 35 days old. Chickens in G2 (positive control) were provided a basal diet, while G3, G4, and G5 were fed a basal diet enriched with SP (1 g/kg diet), GP (200 mg/kg diet), or SP/GP (1 g SP/kg + 200 mg GP/kg diet), respectively. The assessment parameters included the chickens' performance, malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacity, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and modulation of lactobacilli and total coliforms in the intestinal microbiota. Our findings demonstrated that supplementing heat-stressed chickens with SP and/or GP significantly mitigated the negative effects on the European production efficiency index (EPEF), survival rate, cholesterol profile, and oxidative stress markers. Chickens supplemented with GP and/or SP exhibited significantly better EPEF and survivability rates. Heat stress had a significant impact on both the gut structure and gut microbiota. However, SP and/or GP supplementation improved the gut morphology, significantly increased the intestinal lactobacilli, and reduced the coliform contents. It was also found that the simultaneous feeding of SP and GP led to even higher recovery levels with improved lipid metabolites, immunity, and oxidative status. Overall, supplementing chickens with SP and/or GP can alleviate the negative effects of heat stress.

CSF-1 and Notch signaling cooperate in macrophage instruction and tissue repair during peripheral limb ischemia.

Ischemia causes an inflammatory response featuring monocyte-derived macrophages (MF) involved in angiogenesis and tissue repair. Angiogenesis and ischemic macrophage differentiation are regulated by Notch signaling via Notch ligand Delta-like 1 (Dll1). Colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF-1) is an essential MF lineage factor, but its role in ischemic macrophage development and the interaction with Notch signaling is so far unclear. Using a mouse model of hind limb ischemia with CSF-1 inhibitor studies and Dll1 heterozygous mice we show that CSF-1 is induced in the ischemic niche by a subpopulation of stromal cells expressing podoplanin, which was paralleled by the development of ischemic macrophages. Inhibition of CSF-1 signaling with small molecules or blocking antibodies impaired macrophage differentiation but prolonged the inflammatory response, resulting in impaired perfusion recovery and tissue regeneration. Yet, despite high levels of CSF-1, macrophage maturation and perfusion recovery were impaired in mice with Dll1 haploinsufficiency, while inflammation was exaggerated. In vitro, CSF-1 was not sufficient to induce full MF differentiation from donor monocytes in the absence of recombinant DLL1, while the presence of DLL1 in a dose-dependent manner stimulated MF differentiation in combination with CSF-1. Thus, CSF-1 is an ischemic niche factor that cooperates with Notch signaling in a non-redundant fashion to instruct macrophage cell fate and maturation, which is required for ischemic perfusion recovery and tissue repair.

The influence of workday experience on smartphones uses in commuting from work to home

Employees spend on average one third of their day at work, with the majority of them commuting to work on a daily basis. However, empirical evidence on how work-related attitudes (e.g., work engagement), as well as after work state (e.g., recovery from work) result in risky behaviors while commuting (e.g., smartphone use) and how they connect with road transport safety is still scarce. In this study, we hypothesized that daily work experience, i.e., recovery, work engagement, and exhaustion, can affect the use of smartphones while commuting from work. Hundred forty-six employees completed a diary twice a day for up to five consecutive workdays (n = 572 situational observations). Multilevel analyses revealed that work engagement mediated the relationships between specific recovery dimensions (e.g., psychological detachment and relaxation) and smartphone use for different purposes, i.e., texting, talking on the phone, and use of social media. High levels of recovery and work engagement lead to more frequent use of smartphones while commuting from work. On days employees felt more exhausted they reported engaging less frequently in risky driving/commuting behaviors. Results provide a starting point for research on the effect of workday experience on road transport safety. Additionally, the study proposes practical implications for the prevention of distracted commuting and other risky behaviors.