High Production Research Articles

Engineering new-to-nature biochemical conversions by combining fermentative metabolism with respiratory modules

Anaerobic microbial fermentations provide high product yields and are a cornerstone of industrial bio-based processes. However, the need for redox balancing limits the array of fermentable substrate-product combinations. To overcome this limitation, here we design an aerobic fermentative metabolism that allows the introduction of selected respiratory modules. These can use oxygen to re-balance otherwise unbalanced fermentations, hence achieving controlled respiro-fermentative growth. Following this design, we engineer and characterize an obligate fermentative Escherichia coli strain that aerobically ferments glucose to stoichiometric amounts of lactate. We then re-integrate the quinone-dependent glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and demonstrate glycerol fermentation to lactate while selectively transferring the surplus of electrons to the respiratory chain. To showcase the potential of this fermentation mode, we direct fermentative flux from glycerol towards isobutanol production. In summary, our design permits using oxygen to selectively re-balance fermentations. This concept is an advance freeing highly efficient microbial fermentation from the limitations imposed by traditional redox balancing.

High-entropy-perovskite subnanowires for photoelectrocatalytic coupling of methane to acetic acid

The incorporation of multiple immiscible metals in high-entropy oxides can create the unconventional coordination environment of catalytic active sites, while the high formation temperature of high-entropy oxides results in bulk materials with low specific surface areas. Here we develop the high-entropy LaMnO3-type perovskite-polyoxometalate subnanowire heterostructures with periodically aligned high-entropy LaMnO3 oxides and polyoxometalate under a significantly reduced temperature of 100 oC, which is much lower than the temperature required by state-of-the-art calcination methods for synthesizing high-entropy oxides. The high-entropy LaMnO3-polyoxometalate subnanowires exhibit excellent catalytic activity for the photoelectrochemical coupling of methane into acetic acid under mild conditions (1 bar, 25 oC), with a high productivity (up to 4.45 mmol g‒1cat h‒1) and selectivity ( > 99%). Due to the electron delocalization at the subnanometer scale, the contiguous active sites of high-entropy LaMnO3 and polyoxometalate in the heterostructure can efficiently activate C − H bonds and stabilize the resulted *COOH intermediates, which benefits the in situ coupling of *CH3 and *COOH into acetic acid.

Pushing the Operation Current Density of Alkaline Water Oxidation above 1 A cm2 via Electrocatalyst Engineering

AbstractRapid cost reduction of green hydrogen is essential for the large‐scale deployment of hydrogen‐based energy system. A major component in achieving this is the development of advanced water electrolyzers. Sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the bottleneck for water electrolysis, and tremendous efforts have been devoted to develop electrocatalysts that accelerate the OER kinetics. Recent advances have highlighted the potential of precious metal‐free OER electrocatalyst capable of stable operation at current densities above 1 A cm2. This brings an opportunity of constructing new‐generation electrolyzer with lower cost and higher productivity. However, achieving such high operating current densities presents new challenges. This review summarize the recent progress of high‐performance OER catalysts, and identifies key factors that can be leveraged to enhance catalyst activity. These factors include interface/surface engineering, amorphous and crystal phase coupling, hierarchical structure design, structural reconstruction and phase conversion, high entropy catalyst, and defect engineering. Additionally, the pressing challenges that have been largely ignored in previous research is addressed, such as sustaining long‐term stability under crucial conditions, disadvantages of immobilized powder electrocatalysts, electrode scale design, the necessity of designing innovative electrolyzer cell designs and advance characterization techniques.

Hotate (Patinopecten yessoensis) Seeding Technique using Zabutonkago and Marukago Tools with Hanging Method in Funka Bay Hokkaido, Japan

This research focuses on cultivation techniques for Hotate shellfish (Patinopecten yessoensis) during the hatchery phase in Funka Bay, Hokkaido, Japan. Hotate scallops are also called giant ezo scallops, these scallops are cultivated in Japan because they have relatively high productivity. This research aims to determine the best seeding technique for mussels (Patinopecten yessoensis) using the hanging zabuton-kago and maru-kago media. The research method uses observation and interviews with company owners. The results show that the technique for seeding Hotate shellfish (Patinopecten yessoensis) using pearl nets and lantern nets from May to September was carried out in 3 processes, namely chigai, kari-bunsan, and hon-bunsan. The method used is to sort the shells repeatedly until they reach a size of 50 mm – 70 mm during the mimizuri process in March. The hatchery process for cultivating Hotate shellfish can provide the basis for valuable information for sustainable management and maintenance in the future.

Marketing Strategy for Online Condition Monitoring (Case Study: Nanoprecise Machine Doctor)

Today’s industry is facing ever-increasing competition. To stay competitive, a company needs to maintain the high reliability and productivity of its assets. Companies must invest in maintenance programs to prevent unplanned downtime and reach their optimal reliability. Predictive maintenance or condition-based maintenance is an important aspect of a maintenance program to maintain asset reliability. One emerging predictive maintenance tool, fueled by digital disruption, is online condition monitoring. Online condition monitoring provides diagnostics with shorter intervals than walking survey analysis with portable analyzers, allowing it to diagnose faults not detectable by other condition monitoring methods. Adikari Wisesa Indonesia, a firm specializing in maintenance services, has partnered with Nanoprecise Sci Corp and is the sole distributor of Machine Doctor sensors in Indonesia to enhance its maintenance service. However, the sales of Machine Doctor were suboptimal. This study aims to identify the business issue, provide analysis, and propose a solution to the business issue. The market is analyzed using the STP framework. Then, the general environment (PESTEL), industry environment (Five Forces), and competitor analysis are performed to better understand the external environment Adikari Wisesa is currently in. After analyzing the external environment, the internal environment of Adikari Wisesa is studied by using a Resource-Based View, VRIO, and Value Chain Analysis. Then, a SWOT analysis is performed summarizing the business situation of the company. A business solution is then proposed based on a TOWS matrix.

A Review on Mastitis in Dairy Cows Research: Current Status and Future Perspectives

One of the most serious diseases affecting dairy cattle, causing significant losses both in breeding and economy, is mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland. Due to the economic importance of this issue, many research teams are striving to develop an easy-to-apply and, most importantly, effective method to prevent mastitis. The use of traditional methods for mastitis detecting and treating, as well as improvement in hygienic conditions, have not yielded the expected results in combating this disease combating. Currently, the main task is to find the tools that would allow for the rapid detection of mastitis and the improvement of udder health in cows while maintaining high milk production, which is essential for the profitability of dairy cattle farming. Accurate and rapid diagnostic tools, with the simultaneous capability of identifying pathogens, may help to reduce losses. Sufficient sensitivity and specificity for tests are required to minimize the number of false-positive and false-negative cases. Efforts are also being made to determine the optimal threshold value for detecting the disease at its earliest possible stage. The estimation of somatic cell count (SCC) as a phenotypic indicator of mastitis is widely used. A more precise parameter for accurately describing udder health is the differential somatic cell count (DSCC). The well-known California Mastitis Test (CMT) is an inexpensive, easy, and rapid method for mastitis detection useful on farms. The latest diagnostic methods for mastitis utilize tests based on the activity of N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAGase) or lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as well as the determination of acute phase proteins (APPs) in blood serum and milk (such as haptoglobin, serum amyloid A, fibrinogen, and ceruloplasmin). Research also focuses on the genomic improvement of mastitis resistance in successive generations, and for this purpose, many quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified. In recent years, immunotherapy has become an increasingly common area of research, including vaccinations, T/B cell immunotherapy, RNA immunotherapy, epigenetic immunotherapy, stem cell therapy, and native secretory factors. An important aspect of the control of mastitis is the implementation of strategies that focus primarily on preventing the disease through appropriate breeding and farm management practices. In the forthcoming years, a significant challenge will be the development of universal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies that can be effectively implemented as alternatives to antibiotic therapy. Future research should prioritize the advancement of preventive and therapeutic techniques, such as immunotherapies, bacteriocins, herbal therapy, and nanoparticle technology.

Size-Controllable and Monodispersed Lipid Nanoparticle Production with High mRNA Delivery Efficiency Using 3D-Printed Ring Micromixers.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are gaining recognition as potentially effective carriers for delivery of therapeutic agents, including nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Much effort has been devoted to the implementation of microfluidic techniques for the production of monodisperse and stable LNPs and the improvement of encapsulation efficiency. Here, we developed three-dimensional (3D)-printed ring micromixers for the production of size-controllable and monodispersed LNPs with a high mRNA delivery efficiency. The effects of flow rate and ring shape asymmetry on the mixing performance were initially examined. Furthermore, the physicochemical properties (such as hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity, and encapsulation efficiency) of the generated LNPs were quantified as a function of these physical parameters via biochemical analysis and cryo-electron microscopy imaging. With a high production rate of 68 mL/min, our 3D-printed ring micromixers can be used to manufacture LNPs with diameters less than 90 nm, low polydispersity (<0.2), and high mRNA encapsulation efficiency (>91%). Despite the simplicity of the ring-shaped mixer structure, we can produce mRNA-loaded LNPs with exceptional quality and high throughput, outperforming costly commercial micromixers.

Sustainable potato farming in Shandong Province, China: a comprehensive analysis of organic fertilizer applications

IntroductionThe potato holds the distinction of being the world’s largest non-cereal food crop and ensuring its sustainable production is imperative for global food security. Notably, China leads in both the planting area and output of potatoes globally, cementing its crucial role in the nation’s agricultural economy. A scientific assessment of the effectiveness of organic fertilizers on potato cultivation can significantly contribute to the promotion of sustainable agriculture.MethodsThis study utilizes a Propensity Score Matching (PSM) model and introduces a novel cost-efficiency approach to analyze and evaluate the production efficiency and economic impact of organic fertilizer application among 546 potato growers in Shandong.ResultsThe research findings reveal the following: Firstly, compared to the control group without organic fertilizer application, it is evident that the use of organic fertilizers enhances production technology efficiency, labor productivity, land productivity, and net profit per unit by 3.6%, 1588.47 kg/person, 16346.77 kg/ha, and 16135.32 yuan/ha, respectively. Secondly, an examination of cost efficiency among growers with different production scales indicates that those with a planting scale of 0.667-1.333 hectares demonstrate relatively high production efficiency across multiple factors. Additionally, there is an observable inverted U-shaped trend in the relationship between planting scale and production efficiency. Thirdly, the continuous application of organic fertilizers proves advantageous in mitigating inefficiencies in investment techniques, leading to cost savings and efficiency improvements in potato cultivation.DiscussionConsequently, it is recommended that the government and relevant departments enhance technical support, elevate professional training programs, and optimize the allocation of input factors. These measures aim to encourage farmers to adopt organic fertilizers, thereby promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Tracing the evolving dynamics and research hotspots of spinal cord injury and surgical decompression from 1975 to 2024: a bibliometric analysis

BackgroundExploration of the benefits and timing of surgical decompression in spinal cord injury (SCI) has been a research hotspot. However, despite the higher volume and increasing emphasis on quality there remains no bibliometric view on SCI and surgical decompression. In this study, we aimed to perform bibliometric analysis to reveal the core countries, affiliations, journals, authors, and developmental trends in SCI and surgical decompression across the past 50 years.MethodsArticles and reviews were retrieved from web of science core collection between 1975 and 2024. The bibliometrix package in R was used for data analysis and visualizing.ResultsA total of 8,688 documents were investigated, indicating an ascending trend in annual publications. The USA and China played as the leaders in scientific productivity. The University of Toronto led in institutional productions. Core authors, such as Michael G. Fehlings, showed high productivity, and occasional authors showed widespread interests. Core journals like Spine and Spinal Cord served as beacons in this field. The interaction of core authors and international collaboration accentuated the cross-disciplinary feature of the field. Prominent documents emphasized the clinical significance of early decompression in 24 h post SCI.ConclusionBased on comprehensive bibliometric analysis and literature review, we identified the hotspots and future directions of this field: (1) further investigation into the molecular and cellular mechanisms to provide pre-clinical evidence for biological effects of early surgical decompression in SCI animal models; (2) further evaluation and validation of the optimal time window of surgical decompression based on large cohort, considering the inherent heterogeneity of subpopulations in complicated immune responses post SCI; (3) further exploration on the benefits of early decompression on the neurological, functional, and clinical outcomes in acute SCI; (4) evaluation of the optimal surgical methods and related outcomes; (5) applications of artificial intelligence-based technologies in spinal surgical decompression.

Acute nitrite exposure causes gut microbiota dysbacteriosis and proliferation of pathogenic Photobacterium in shrimp

Nitrite exposure has become a significant concern in the aquaculture industry, posing a severe threat to aquatic animals such as shrimp. While studies have reported the adverse effects of nitrite on shrimp growth, the part played by the gut microbiota in shrimp mortality resulting from nitrite exposure is poorly understood. Here, the effects of nitrite on shrimp gut bacterial community were investigated using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, bacterial isolation, genomic analysis, and infection experiments. Compared to the control_healthy group, changes in the bacterial composition of the nitrite_dead group were associated with reduced abundance of specific beneficial bacteria and increased abundance of certain pathogenic bacteria. Notably, members of the Photobacterium genus were found to be significantly enriched in the nitrite_dead group. Genomic analysis of a representative Photobacterium strain (LvS-8n3) revealed a variety of genes encoding bacterial toxins, including hemolysin, adhesin, and phospholipase. Furthermore, it was also found that LvS-8n3 exhibits strong pathogenicity, probably due to its high production of pathogenic factors and the ability to utilize nitrite for proliferation. Therefore, the proliferation of pathogenic Photobacterium species appears pivotal for driving shrimp mortality caused by nitrite exposure. These findings provide novel insights into the disease mechanism in shrimp under conditions of environmental change.

Metabolic adaptations underpin high productivity rates in relict subsurface water

Groundwater aquifers are ecological hotspots with diverse microbes essential for biogeochemical cycles. Their ecophysiology has seldom been studied on a basin scale. In particular, our knowledge of chemosynthesis in the deep aquifers where temperatures reach 60 °C, is limited. Here, we investigated the diversity, activity, and metabolic potential of microbial communities from nine wells reaching ancient groundwater beneath Israel’s Negev Desert, spanning two significant, deep (up to 1.5 km) aquifers, the Judea Group carbonate and Kurnub Group Nubian sandstone that contain fresh to brackish, hypoxic to anoxic water. We estimated chemosynthetic productivity rates ranging from 0.55 ± 0.06 to 0.82 ± 0.07 µg C L−1 d−1 (mean ± SD), suggesting that aquifer productivity may be underestimated. We showed that 60% of MAGs harbored genes for autotrophic pathways, mainly the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle and the Wood–Ljungdahl pathway, indicating a substantial chemosynthetic capacity within these microbial communities. We emphasize the potential metabolic versatility in the deep subsurface, enabling efficient carbon and energy use. This study set a precedent for global aquifer exploration, like the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System in the Arabian and Western Deserts, and reconsiders their role as carbon sinks.

Peptide ligands for the universal purification of exosomes by affinity chromatography.

Exosomes are gaining prominence as vectors for drug delivery, vaccination, and regenerative medicine. Owing to their surface biochemistry, which reflects the parent cell membrane, these nanoscale biologics feature low immunogenicity, tunable tissue tropism, and the ability to carry a variety of payloads across biological barriers. The heterogeneity of exosomes' size and composition, however, makes their purification challenging. Traditional techniques, like ultracentrifugation and filtration, afford low product yield and purity, and jeopardizes particle integrity. Affinity chromatography represents an excellent avenue for exosome purification. Yet, current affinity media rely on antibody ligands whose selectivity grants high product purity, but mandates the customization of adsorbents for exosomes with different surface biochemistry while their binding strength imposes elution conditions that may harm product's activity. Addressing these issues, this study introduces the first peptide affinity ligands for the universal purification of exosomes from recombinant feedstocks. The peptides were designed to (1) possess promiscuous biorecognition of exosome markers, without binding process-related contaminants and (2) elute the product under conditions that safeguard product stability. Selected ligands SNGFKKHI and TAHFKKKH demonstrated the ability to capture of exosomes secreted by 14 cell sources and purified exosomes derived from HEK293, PC3, MM1, U87, and COLO1 cells with yields of up to 80% and up-to 50-fold reduction of host cell proteins (HCPs) upon eluting with pH gradient from 7.4 to 10.5, recommended for exosome stability. SNGFKKHI-Toyopearl resin was finally employed in a two-step purification process to isolate exosomes from HEK293 cell fluids, affording a yield of 68% and reducing the titer of HCPs to 68 ng/mL. The biomolecular and morphological features of the isolated exosomes were confirmed by analytical chromatography, Western blot analysis, transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis.

New Approach for Plasma Nitrocarburizing of Stainless Steels by a Modified Reactor Configuration Using a Plasma‐Activated Solid Carbon Precursor

Stainless steel surfaces can be modified using plasma‐assisted thermochemical treatments to improve properties like hardness, wear, and pitting corrosion resistance. To specifically adjust the desired properties, a precise control of the produced treatment‐relevant gas species with regard to their type and concentration is essential. This requires the adjustment of the parameters for the generation of the gas species, being independent from heating parameters, as well as their real‐time measurement. Therefore, this study presents the use of a plasma‐activated solid carbon precursor in a cold‐wall reactor using active screen technology and in a modified hot‐wall reactor during plasma nitrocarburizing of austenitic stainless steel. In addition, the modified hot‐wall reactor combined with a compact laser‐based absorption spectroscopy sensor for real‐time monitoring and concentration evaluation of in‐site generated gas species. It is shown that implementing a plasma‐activated solid carbon precursor in a modified hot‐wall reactor enables adjustable generation of C‐containing gas species, particularly HCN, with high production yield by an independent power management. Therefore, HCN is produced independent from heating while the limitations arising during active screen technology using a carbon screen are avoided. The presented technological development thus opens up new possibilities for better control of the plasma nitrocarburizing treatments of steels.

Research Trends and Development Patterns in Microgreens Publications: A Bibliometric Study from 2004 to 2023

This article presents a general overview of scientific publications in the field of microgreens using bibliometric tools. Data were collected from the Web of Science database (from Clarivate Analytics) in the period from 2004 to 2023, covering 20 years of scientific publications. The results are presented in the form of tables, graphs, and charts to analyze the development of microgreens publications. The countries with the greatest influence on the microgreens topic are the USA, Italy, and India, which have the highest number of publications in the analyzed period with 133, 76, and 38 publications, respectively. On the other hand, the authors with the highest number of publications are Raphael, Y. (University Naples Federico II-Italy), De Pascale, S. (University Naples Federico II-Italy), and Luo, Y. (ARS, Food Quality Laboratory, Environmental Microbial &amp; Food Safety Lab, USDA-USA). The journals with the highest productivity in microgreens are HortScience (American Society of Horticultural Science), Horticulturae (MDPI), and Foods (MDPI), with publication numbers of 49, 27, and 23, respectively. Regarding the relationship of the documents in this study with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the large majority of documents can be linked to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), followed by SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well Being). As a final remark, the mapping, trends, and findings in this work can help to establish logical paths for researchers in the field of microgreens.

Estimation of porosity distribution from formation image logs and comparing the results with NMR log analysis: Implications for the heterogeneity analysis of carbonate reservoirs with an example from the Asmari reservoir, southwest Iran

Estimating heterogeneity in carbonate rocks is the most important parameter in identifying reservoir and non-reservoir areas. Diagenetic and sedimentary processes directly control reservoir heterogeneity. In this regard, the high hydrocarbon production rate and the reduction of the complexity of the carbonate reservoirs require the evaluation of a new architecture of the reservoir, in which the simultaneous impact of the diagenetic-sedimentary processes on the petrophysical logs is investigated. The current study studies the Oligocene-Miocene Asmari Formation Iran's giant carbonate reservoir. Based on petrographic studies, sedimentary facies, depositional environment and diagenetic processes were characterized. Formation evaluation was conducted to determine lithology, water saturation, fluid volume, and effective porosity. The estimated porosity from the evaluation of the conventional logs (full suite) was compared with the results of estimating the porosity from the NMR T2 distribution curve and the porosity histogram of the image logs. Lorenz's coefficient of heterogeneity was used to understand the heterogeneity of the reservoir. Diagenetic-sedimentary processes and petrophysical logs were used to investigate the pore type and their distribution. The results of petrographic studies, NMR T2 distribution curve, and porosity histogram show that the diagenetic-sedimentary process is the most important factor enhancing the reservoir heterogeneity. Diagenetic and sedimentary processes were traced by evaluating NMR and Image logs. Based on the results, the porosity distribution using the T2 curve and Image show a good agreement. Diagenetic processes mainly dissolution and dolomitization increased the heterogeneity of the main production zones (zones 3 and 4) of the Asmari reservoir that was confirmed using NMR and Image logs.

Supported ionic liquids to purify microbial L-Asparaginase

L-Asparaginase (ASNase) is a versatile enzyme that converts L-asparagine into ammonia and aspartic acid. This enzyme has applications in the food industry and health sector. However, high purity ASNase is required, resulting in high production costs. Therefore, in this work, two supported ionic liquids (SILs), specifically silica modified with dimethylbutylpropylammonium chloride ([Si][N3114]Cl) or triethylpropylammonium chloride ([Si][N3222]Cl), were investigated as alternative adsorption materials to purify ASNase. Different conditions were evaluated to improve enzyme purity, including total protein content in the cell extract, contact time, and SIL/cell extract ratio (w/v). Under optimal conditions using [Si][N3114]Cl, a maximum ASNase purification of 6.1-fold is achieved in a single step, resulting from the preferential attachment of other proteins on [Si][N3114]Cl SIL. According to the results, hydrophobic interactions rule the selective adsorption of protein impurities from the cell extract by the SIL, thereby increasing the ASNase purification levels. This approach offers a significant advantage, not requiring the desorption and elution of the target enzyme, while envisioning the application of SILs in a flow-through elution approach. The protonation state of protein surface was calculated by computational analysis, revealing that positively charged amino acids such as arginine and lysine block the effective binding of the enzyme to the SILs. Overall, if properly designed, SILs are promising alternative supports for the downstream processing of ASNase from cell extracts.

Activating CoP via spontaneous atomic palladium doping for efficient hydrogen evolution

Electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution is an efficient and clean hydrogen production technology with simple process and high product purity. Searching for inexpensive alternatives to platinum will help popularize proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) technology. However, the alternative catalytic materials are essentially limited by low catalytic efficiency. Herein, we address this challenge through chemically activating cobalt phosphide (CoP) by doping a small amount of atomic palladium. Palladium substitution occurs at the cobalt site of CoP. Theoretical calculations manifest that the phosphorus atoms near the palladium sites exhibit almost zero hydrogen adsorption free energy. The final cobalt phosphide doped with only 2 wt% of palladium shows wonderful HER performance. Specifically, its overpotential at a current density of 10 mA cm−2 is only 37.5 mV in an acidic medium, and the corresponding Tafel slope is 56 mV dec−1. This work provides a reference for preparing high performance non-platinum catalysts.

Performance and Sustainability of Organic and Conventional Cotton Farming Systems in Egypt: An Environmental and Energy Assessment

Cotton cultivation is resource-intensive, posing significant environmental challenges, especially with conventional farming methods. Growing interest in sustainable agriculture drives the exploration of organic farming as a potential alternative with lower environmental impacts. Despite its benefits, organic farming often faces criticism for lower crop yields, sparking debates on the trade-offs between productivity and environmental impact. This study hypothesizes that organic cotton farming will have a smaller environmental footprint and higher energy efficiency compared to conventional methods. To test this hypothesis, a cradle-to-farm gate energy analysis and life cycle assessment (LCA) were conducted on both organic and conventional seed cotton production systems in the Beheira governorate of Egypt. The ReCiPe 2016 midpoint and endpoint characterization model was used for an environmental impact assessment. The impacts were evaluated using two functional units: one ton of seed cotton and one hectare of cultivated cotton. The findings revealed that organic cotton outperforms conventional cotton in net energy gain, efficiency, and profitability, with higher productivity and lower energy intensity. Regardless of the functional unit used (mass- or land-based), the assessed organic systems generally show a better environmental performance than the conventional systems in the local context, even when accounting for data uncertainty. This is due to lower input intensity and the use of less energy-intensive organic fertilizers and bio-fertilizers. Fertilization and irrigation are key factors influencing environmental impacts, with fertilization affecting midpoint impacts and irrigation affecting endpoint impacts. Therefore, precision fertilization, efficient irrigation practices, and effective nutrient and soil moisture management are recommended to minimize environmental impacts. Subsequent studies could explore whether similar patterns are observed in different geographic regions and evaluate additional social and economic aspects of cotton sustainability beyond environmental impacts. Future agricultural LCAs should use both mass-based and area-based functional units to capture a broader range of environmental effects and evaluate the co-benefits and trade-offs between organic and conventional practices.

Trajectories of opioid use among patients with low back pain: Association to work absence.

Low back pain (LBP) is a leading reason for opioid use and a closer examination of opioid use and productivity losses among these patients is needed. We identify opioid use trajectories using a group-based trajectory model (GBTM) and estimate productivity losses across the trajectories. Patients diagnosed with LBP in Swedish specialty care between 2011 and 2015, between the ages of 20 and 60, were included. Two GBTMs were estimated on monthly opioid use (converted to oral morphine equivalents) during the two 12-month periods preceding and following diagnosis. Productivity losses were estimated using the human-capital approach. In total, 147,035 patients were included. The mean age at diagnosis was 43 years of age and 49% of the patients were male. A qualitative assessment of the identified groups in the GBTM models was made based on the patterns of opioid use. We chose three pre-diagnosis groups characterized as 'Pre-low' (N = 109,492), 'Pre-increase' (N = 27,336) and 'Pre-high' (N = 10,207). Similarly, four post-diagnosis groups were chosen and characterized as 'Post-low' (N = 73,287), 'Post-decrease' (N = 39,446), 'Post-moderate' (N = 20,001) and 'Post-high' (N = 13,595). Only 50% of the patients in the 'Pre-high' group were in the 'Post-high' group. The total productivity losses by the pre-diagnosis groups were more than 2.7 billion Euros over the total 6-year study period. This study highlights how patients with LBP and high use of opioids are highly correlated before and after diagnosis. Patients with high use of opioids also exhibit high work absence and productivity losses. This was the first study to estimate trajectories of opioids in the two time periods before and after a diagnosis of low back pain. For the first time, productivity losses were also estimated across the identified opioid use trajectories.

Novel and noble-metal-free CdIn2S4/MoB Schottky heterojunction photocatalysts with efficient charge separation for boosting photocatalytic H2 production

The construction of Schottky heterojunctions by selecting applicable metalloids and semiconductors is highly effective for improving the activity of semiconductors. Herein, we deposited CdIn2S4 on MoB by hydrothermal method to construct a noble metal-free and unreported CdIn2S4/MoB Schottky heterojunction for achieving high photocatalytic H2 production. In ultraviolet photoelectron tests, the Fermi level of the CdIn2S4/MoB composites exhibited a certain shift compared with CdIn2S4 and MoB, manifesting the rearrangement of the Fermi level and the formation of Schottky heterojunction. The formed Schottky heterojunction greatly promoted the electron migration from CdIn2S4 to MoB (proved by XPS tests) to obtain high charge separation efficiency (confirmed by PL and electrochemical tests). CdIn2S4/MoB composites possessed smaller H2 evolution overpotential and Tafel slope, which greatly promoted the release of H2 in the kinetics. Besides, CdIn2S4/MoB composites had higher light absorption capacity and larger specific surface area, which were for more conducive to H2 production. Ultimately, CdIn2S4/MoB composites had significantly improved H2 production activity. Among all composites, the activity of CdIn2S4/20MoB was the highest (463.53 μmol·g−1·h−1), which was 3.5 times that of CdIn2S4-1 %Pt. Besides, CdIn2S4/MoB composites possessed excellent stability in five experiments. Simultaneously, the formation of the Schottky heterojunction and its mechanism of promoting H2 production reaction were also thoroughly investigated. This work is the first to report that MoB could construct Schottky heterojunctions with sulfides for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution, which is easily extended to sulfides other than CdIn2S4.