Commercial Process Research Articles

Method for Screening Sodium Cyanoborohydride for Free Cyanide Content and Its Impact on Bioconjugation Chemistry.

Sodium cyanoborohydride (CBH) is commonly used as a mild reducing agent in the reductive amination of aldehydes and free amines. Within the pharmaceutical industry, this reaction is employed in the bioconjugation of proteins and peptides. Free cyanide species such as HCN and NaCN are known residual impurities in CBH that can contribute to the formation of undesired side products including cyanoamines and cyanohydrins. In commercial processes, the potential for bound cyanated species requires an analytical control strategy to monitor and mitigate any risk to human health. Given these concerns, minimization of cyanated side products is of utmost priority and can be achieved through a robust control strategy of quantitative screening of starting materials for free cyanide. Alternative risk mitigation strategies such as purification of bound cyanide containing species to pure species are less effective due to minor chemical differences between the expected product and bound cyanide species. Herein, we present a simple chromatographic assay for the quantitation of free cyanide in the raw material sodium cyanoborohydride. Method development, robustness evaluation, and scientific soundness assessment are reported with excellent linearity, accuracy, precision, and specificity. Additionally, this method was applied for the evaluation of raw material supplied from 10 commercial sources, none of which report a specification for free cyanide within their certificate of analysis. The measured free cyanide from these vendors ranged from 8 to 80 mM concentration, thereby confirming the value of screening these raw materials. Finally, we demonstrate the impact of free cyanide on a model bioconjugation reaction between ornithine and glyceraldehyde.

Lessons Learned and Challenges Ahead in the Translation of Implantable Microscale Sensors and Actuators.

Microscale sensors and actuators have been widely explored by the scientific community to augment the functionality of conventional medical implants. However, despite the many innovative concepts proposed, a negligible fraction has successfully made the leap from concept to clinical translation. This shortfall is primarily due to the considerable disparity between academic research prototypes and market-ready products. As such, it is critically important to examine the lessons learned in successful commercialization efforts to inform early-stage translational research efforts. Here, we review the regulatory prerequisites for market approval and provide a comprehensive analysis of commercially available microimplants from a device design perspective. Our objective is to illuminate both the technological advances underlying successfully commercialized devices and the key takeaways from the commercialization process, thereby facilitating a smoother pathway from academic research to clinical impact.

Chemical Education With Sustainability Criteria. Historical Context of Chemical Toxicity

Objective: To present and analyze the results of a literature review on the impacts of chemical toxicity in the context of the industrial and post-industrial revolution. Theoretical Framework: It is linked to current discussions on Teaching Science for Sustainability, highlighting unpublished research that reveals the importance of the chemical industry in the manufacture of substances for various uses, from the process of extraction, transformation, disposal and commercialization. Method: Following a methodological approach of a qualitative nature, a bibliographical review was carried out on the evolution of chemical toxicity on the SciELO and Dialnet indexed article platforms, which present information on the toxicity of the most common chemical compounds to which we are exposed in everyday life, from chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons (PCBs), PVC plastic, phthalates, pesticides, perfluorocarbons (PFCs), alkylphenols and their derivatives and mercury. Results and Discussion: The analysis made it possible to discern exposure to certain chemical substances and, on the other hand, presented and discussed the contribution of a science and an industry that generates useful substances with few adverse effects, as well as being harmless to health, that consider the criteria of prevention, by avoiding acute, oral and inhalation toxicity, thus avoiding chronic toxicity. Research Implications: Pointed out the need to comply with the principles of Chemistry for Sustainability with the aim of analyzing the mutagenic and carcinogenic capacity of substances in order to prevent them; identifying the degree of toxicity of the substance when it is discarded in water or on land and knowing the potential for degradation for the planet. Originality/Value: The scientific significance of this work moves in the direction of achieving a science geared towards sustainable development.

Fermentation of sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima): exploring the potential of the kelp’s native microbiota as starter culture and the microbiological food safety of fermented products

This study investigated the use of native microbiota from the sugar kelp Saccharina latissima in the form of fermented kelp fluid (FKF) from a spontaneous anaerobic fermentation process as a starter culture (SC) for the fermentation of freshly harvested biomass of the same species. Rapid (<48 h) acidification (pH < 4.3) was achieved for S. latissima inoculated with FKF, at a fermentation temperature of 21°C. Kelp inoculated with a commercial strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lp, positive control) reached a similar pH level after 5 days, while kelp with no SC (negative control) did not reach a pH level below 4.3 within 9 days. The microbiota of the FKF-SC as well as the FKF-inoculated S. latissima samples was dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) identified as L. plantarum. The SC in these samples successfully converted mannitol into lactic acid as the main fermentation product. In contrast, a higher production of acetic acid and ethanol was measured in the negative control samples than in other groups; this reflects a different microbial profile, including marine bacteria which could not be identified by MALDI-TOF biotyping. Challenge trials of S. latissima samples from experimental and commercial fermentation processes with Bacillus cereus did not result in the growth of this food pathogen, even at pH levels within a viable range for this species (pH > 4.3). These preliminary results provide a foundation for further isolation of suitable SCs for kelp fermentation in commercial production and for assessing the food safety of fermented kelp. Efficient and safe fermentation processes will increase sustainability in kelp production and enable a broader use of kelp ingredients in food applications.

Differential prevalence of arsenic speciation in the kelps Laminaria digitata and L. hyperborea.

Large variability in highly toxic inorganic arsenic (iAs) has previously been reported for the kelp Laminaria digitata. This study aimed to compare iAs concentrations in two morphologically similar kelps species (L. digitata and L. hyperborea). Both species contained similarly high total arsenic concentrations. However, whilst L. hyperborea contained only trace levels of iAs (0.363±0.161mg/kg), iAs constituted the majority of arsenic species in L. digitata (61.6±18.7mg/kg). Since the identification of iAs relies on retention time of the arsenic species, co-elution of any other organoarsenicals was checked by determination of arsenosugars using HPLC-ICPMS and ESI-HR-MS. Additionally, hydride generation ICP-MS gave comparable results to HPLC-ICPMS analyses. Overall, given the previously observed variability in iAs within and across kelp biomass, and the possibility of commercial processing of mixed-species kelp biomass that may include L. digitata, it may be advisable to verify iAs concentration regularly in seaweed batches destined for any application that exposes humans or animals to risks associated with As toxicity.

Advances in TENGs for Marine Energy Harvesting and In Situ Electrochemistry.

The large-scale use of ample marine energy will be one of the most important ways for human to achieve sustainable development through carbon neutral development plans. As a burgeoning technological method for electromechanical conversion, triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) has significant advantages in marine energy for its low weight, cost-effectiveness, and high efficiency in low-frequency range. It can realize the efficient and economical harvesting of low-frequency blue energy by constructing the floating marine energy harvesting TENG. This paper firstly introduces the power transfer process and structural composition of TENG for marine energy harvesting in detail. In addition, the latest research works of TENG on marine energy harvesting in basic research and structural design are systematically reviewed by category. Finally, the advanced research progress in the power take-off types and engineering study of TENG with the marine energy are comprehensively generalized. Importantly, the challenges and problems faced by TENG in marine energy and in situ electrochemical application are summarized and the corresponding prospects and suggestions are proposed for the subsequent development direction and prospects to look forward to promoting the commercialization process of this field.

Efficacy of Selected Fungicides for Control of Phytophthora blight (Phytophthora capsici) of Processing Pumpkin, 2024

This study was conducted to evaluate efficacy of selected fungicides for control of Phytophthora blight, caused by Phytophthora capsici, in commercial processing pumpkin field in Illinois. The field was naturally infested with P. capsici. Plots of 18 treatments were established on 15 May and harvested on 24 August 2024. Applications of fungicides, at 7-day interval, began on 5 July and ended on 16 August. Fungicides were applied with a backpack sprayer using 50 gallons of water per acre. The incidence of infected vines was 38.33% in untreated plots, while vine infection in treated plots ranged from 1.67 to 23.33%. The incidence of infected fruits ranged from 3.49% (in plots sprayed with Forum 4.16SC) to 45.40% (in untreated plots). The highest fruit yield (68,793 lb/A) was in the plots sprayed with Revus plus Kocide-3000 plus ProPhyt alternated with Ranman plus Silwet-77 plus ProPhyt. Fruit yield (20,916 lb/A) in untreated plots was the lowest.

Cooking Temperature and Hold Time Affect Beef Brisket Textural Properties and Cooking Yield

The objective of this study was to determine whether holding beef briskets after smoking would improve textural properties and cooking yield compared to those that were not held at the endpoint temperature. We hypothesized that cooking and holding briskets at lower endpoint temperatures would maintain textural properties and improve yield compared to cooking to a higher endpoint temperature. To test this hypothesis, USDA Choice beef briskets (n = 96; 2 lots x 6/batch x 4 temperatures x 2 hold times) were selected from 2 separate lots at a commercial processing plant. Briskets (both muscles were left connected in each brisket) were cooked in batches of 6, and each batch was randomly assigned an internal endpoint temperature of 75, 80, 85, or 90°C and hold time of 0 or 3 h at each internal temperature, respectively. A flop test was conducted to test the flexibility of the cooked brisket at each temperature/hold time combination. Endpoint temperature and hold time affected brisket tenderness differently between the superficial pectoral (flat) and deep pectoral (point) muscles (P < 0.05). Compared to 90°C with a 3 h hold, briskets cooked to 85°C with a 3 h hold achieved enhanced yield (56.0% vs. 59.3%, respectively; P < 0.05) without sacrificing desirable objective tenderness attributes. Briskets cooked to 75°C with a 0 h hold had the least (P < 0.05) collagen solubility in both the flat and point (12.88% and 9.81%, respectively). The greatest (P < 0.05) collagen solubility was observed in the flat of briskets cooked to 85°C with 3 h hold or 90°C and either 0 or 3 h hold. Extending the end of the briskets off the edge of a tabletop determined brisket doneness by having an angle of less than 45° between the horizontal table surface and the brisket extended off the table (P < 0.05). Cooking and holding briskets at lower endpoint temperatures improved yield while maintaining positive textural properties.

The role of TCNQ for surface and interface passivation in inverted perovskite solar cells

The noticeable growth in the power conversion efficiency of solution-processed organo-inorganic halide perovskite solar cells (OIHPSCs) incited the photovoltaic community to look for limitations that hurdle the commercialization process. The surface and interface defects between the perovskite and electron transport layers are among the main challenges that cause significant non-radiative recombination losses, thereby they result in poor performance and stability. In this work, tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ), a strong electron acceptor molecule, is applied at the interface between the photoactive perovskite and [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) layers to modify the interface, and enhance device performance and stability. Steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements were used to characterize the role of the TCNQ passivation in reducing non-radiative recombination of charge carriers. Current density versus voltage (J-V) measurements show improvement in devices open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), and fill factor (FF) for devices with TCNQ interface passivation, which is attributed to suppressed non-radiative recombination. In addition, a noticeable improvement in the device’s stability was observed. This study reveals the dual role of TCNQ passivation in improving the photoelectric properties and stability of ambient air processed perovskite devices with the pin architecture.

Progress in the Application of PtCo Alloy Catalysts in Oxygen Reduction Reactions for Fuel Cells

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) are considered an effective way to address energy shortages and environmental pollution due to their high efficiency, low-temperature operation, and environmental friendliness. However, the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at the cathode in PEMFCs is very slow and needs rare and expensive Pt-based catalysts, which limits their commercialization process. To reduce costs while maintaining efficient catalytic performance, researchers have developed various technological strategies, among which PtCo alloy catalysts have garnered widespread attention due to their excellent ORR catalytic performance. This article reviews the latest progress and current status of PtCo alloy catalysts in PEMFC oxygen reduction catalysis, discusses the impact of catalyst component control, particle size regulation, crystal face regulation, doping, and other regulatory strategies on the catalytic activity of fuel cells, and provides a detailed introduction to the most promising PtCo alloy structures, such as polyhedra, core-shell, nanoframes, and ordered intermetallic structures. At the same time, the research on catalyst supports is discussed, and the challenges and future prospects of PtCo alloy catalysts in their applications are pointed out.

Updates on neonatal cell and novel therapeutics: Proceedings of the Second Neonatal Cell Therapies Symposium (2024).

Cell therapies as treatments for neonatal conditions have attracted significant research and parent interest over the last two decades. Mesenchymal stromal cells, umbilical cord blood cells and neural stem cells translate from lab, to preclinical and into clinical trials, with contributions being made from all over the world. Effective and timely translation involves frequent reflection and consultation from research-adjacent fields (i.e. cell therapies for cerebral palsy, adult neurology, companies, and regulatory bodies) as well as meaningful involvement of people with lived experience. Progress to date suggests that aligning outcome and data reporting in later phase clinical trials will support our sector, as well as involving industry partners for streamlined solutions in cell manufacturing, commercialisation and regulatory processes. Importantly, our field can also benefit from resource sharing and research collaboration in novel drug therapies, small molecules and extracellular vesicles as we attempt to bridge preclinical and clinical research. In this review, we present highlights and learnings from the second Neonatal Cell Therapies Symposium (2024), held in Sydney, Australia. IMPACT: Multiple cell therapy candidates have advanced through preclinical and clinical trials in neonatology, showing promising feasibility, safety and efficacy. Effective and timely translation is enabled by collaboration across research-adjacent fields, commercial partnerships, harmonising research outcomes and meaningful involvement of people with lived experience. Progress on the potential utility of cell therapies for neonatal conditions and further translational considerations are discussed in this paper.

An X-Band Class-J GaN MMIC Power Amplifier with Well-Designed In-Band Output Power Flatness.

This paper presents an X-band high-power GaN MMIC power amplifier (PA). To balance efficiency, output power, and saturated power flatness, the load-line theory is employed to analyze and validate the power variation trends within an extended continuous Class B/J (CCBJ) impedance space. Theoretical constant power contours are plotted within this space. An L-C impedance matching network is used to match the amplifier's output impedance to the overlapping region of the 0.5 dB constant power contour and the CCBJ impedance space, significantly improving the in-band power flatness of the PA based on the CCBJ design approach. Additionally, an RC parallel structure is integrated into the interstage matching network to maximize gain while ensuring stability. The proposed PA, implemented using a 0.25 µm commercial GaN process, achieves a saturated output power of 47-47.6 dBm with in-band fluctuations within ± 0.3 dB, a power gain of 27.0-27.8 dB, and an efficiency of 40-45.5% across the X-band.

Can Reuse of Stormwater Detention Pond Water Meet Community Urban Agriculture Needs?

Urbanization and population growth in coastal communities increase demands on local food and water sectors. Due to this, urban communities are reimagining stormwater pond infrastructure, asking whether the stormwater can be used to irrigate food and grow fish for local consumption. Studies exploring this feasibility are limited in the literature. Driven by a community’s desire to co-locate community gardens with stormwater pond spaces, this research monitored the water quality of a 23.4-hectare stormwater pond located in East Tampa, Florida over one year using the grab sample technique and compared the results with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reuse recommendations, EPA national recommended water quality criteria for aquatic life, and human health. pH and conductivity levels were acceptable for irrigating crops. Heavy metal (arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc) concentrations were below the maximum recommended reuse levels (100, 10, 200, 5000 and 2000 µg/L, respectively), while zinc and lead were above the criteria for aquatic life (120 and 2.5 µg/L, respectively). E. coli concentrations ranged from 310 to greater than 200,000 MPN/100 mL, above the 0 CFU/100 mL irrigation requirements for raw food consumption and 200 CFU/100 mL requirements for commercial food processing. Synthetic organic compounds also exceeded criteria for human health.

Ethylene glycol co-reduced templating synthesis of PtRhTe nanotubes for polyalcohol electrooxidation

Accelerating the commercialization process of direct fuel cells (DFCs) is an important alternative to alleviate the current energy dependence. While the development of DFCs is limited by the sluggish kinetics and unsatisfactory durability of Pt catalyst used in the anode electrode material. In this term, the intentional design of Pt electrocatalyst with specific shape and composition is helpful for the mitigation of the situation. By employing the appropriate template, one-dimensional (1D) catalyst such as nanotubes can be synthesized. Due to the different reduction rate of Rh and Pt salts precursors, the incorporation of another metal such as Rh with a relatively high content still remain a challenge, regardless of the fact that Rh can promote the C-C bonds break thus enhancing the reaction kinetic. Herein, with Te nanowires act as the template, an ethylene glycol co-reduced templating synthetic approach has been developed for the synthesis of 1D PtRhTe nanotubes with a comparable Pt/Rh ratio. Due to the enhanced polyalcohol electrooxidation kinetic promoted by the Rh, and the 1D porous structure, the resultant PtRhTe nanotubes present a better catalytic activity and stability for polyalcohol electrooxidation compared with PtTe nanotubes and Pt/C catalysts. The synthetic approach developed herein may also useful for controllable synthesis of other Rh-based materials.

지속가능한 비즈니스모델을 통한 가방디자인 연구 - 페그물 업사이클링 KOOK 브랜드 제품을 중심으로

Along with the aging population of local fishing villages and the decrease in fishing income due to job losses, the problem of fishing net waste accumulated on the coast is becoming a discouraging factor for the environment and marine tourism. Due to the aging and declining population of fishing villages, there is a shortage of manpower to collect this waste, making it imperative to solve fundamental problems related to cost reduction for maintaining a pleasant environment and waste disposal. This issue can be partially addressed by using yarn extracted from waste nets in fishing villages to produce upcycled products. Additionally, this initiative will create jobs that can help increase the income of fishing villages, where the dominant population consists of seniors. By carrying out the commercialization process using waste nets in a social economic manner, we believe that a virtuous cycle business model can be established, leading to community problem-solving and job creation, along with effective design development through the process of recognizing and resolving various issues in the local community. If a business model such as “KOOK” is established and specialized products suitable for regional characteristics are developed, a social contribution business model can be created alongside effective design development while addressing various challenges faced by the local community.

Graphene Applications in Sensors: Performance Optimization and Prospects

A sensor, as a detection device, is able to receive information and convert it into an electrical signal or other form of signal for output. In today's era of rapid development of intelligence, digitalization and networking, sensors have become the core tool for obtaining information. As technology advances, higher standards have been set for sensor sensitivity and application breadth. Graphene, a single-layer thin film material composed of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal honeycomb, has attracted much attention in the engineering industry because of its unique structure and its excellent electrical and mechanical properties. Among the many potential applications, sensors are seen as one of the most promising application areas for graphene.In this paper, the basic structural characteristics and unique properties of graphene are first outlined, and then the specific application cases in many fields such as biomedical sensors, flexible pressure sensors and photoelectric chemical sensors are discussed in detail, and the wide use of graphene materials is demonstrated by examples. At the same time, the different preparation methods of graphene are compared and analyzed, and the challenges faced by graphene sensors in the commercialization process are pointed out. Finally, a series of suggestions and prospects are put forward for the future development path of graphene sensors.

Liquid Regionalism in Latin America: The Institutional and Trade Dynamics of the Latin American Integration Association

The Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) represents a commercial integration process that exemplifies the concept of liquid regionalism. Its defining characteristics include a lack of commitment and interest among member states, coupled with a pronounced pursuit of trade alternatives beyond regional boundaries. Rather than evolving into a robust common market, LAIA has primarily functioned as a zone of tariff preferences.This article aims to highlight the fragility of commercial integration within LAIA and to analyze the strong tendency toward extra-regional trade, which undermines the foundational principles of Latin American regionalism. The study provides a comprehensive examination of the historical context, evolution, and institutional framework of LAIA, with a particular focus on intra-regional trade dynamics and the Association's interactions with other regions and countries.The analysis concludes that LAIA epitomizes liquid regionalism in Latin America, a characterization stemming from the limited commitment of its member states, the institutional flexibility that defines its operations, and the prioritization of extra-regional trade at the expense of achieving its original objectives of economic integration and cooperation.Although LAIA was conceived within the framework of open regionalism in Latin America, it has not developed into a fully-fledged regional integration process. Instead, its focus has remained narrowly confined to facilitating trade exchanges. The intergovernmental regionalism model underpinning LAIA has failed to progress toward the establishment of a free trade area, contradicting the objectives outlined in the Treaty of Montevideo.

Cryo-SIMPLY: A Reliable STT-MRAM-Based Smart Material Implication Architecture for In-Memory Computing.

This paper presents Cryo-SIMPLY, a reliable smart material implication (SIMPLY) operating at cryogenic conditions (77 K). The assessment considers SIMPLY schemes based on spin-transfer torque magnetic random access memory (STT-MRAM) technology with single-barrier magnetic tunnel junction (SMTJ) and double-barrier magnetic tunnel junction (DMTJ). Our study relies on a temperature-aware macrospin-based Verilog-A compact model for MTJ devices and a 65 nm commercial process design kit (PDK) calibrated down to 77 K under silicon measurements. The DMTJ-based SIMPLY demonstrates a significant improvement in read margin at 77 K, overcoming the conventional SIMPLY scheme at room temperature (300 K) by approximately 2.3 X. When implementing logic operations with the SIMPLY scheme operating at 77 K, the DMTJ-based scheme assures energy savings of about 69%, as compared to its SMTJ-based counterpart operating at 77 K. Overall, our results prove that the SIMPLY scheme at cryogenic conditions is a promising solution for reliable and energy-efficient logic-in-memory (LIM) architectures.

National Beef Quality Audit-2022: Harvest-floor assessments of hide defects, carcass defects, and offal condemnations that affect value of carcasses and by-products from market cows and bulls.

The National Beef Quality Audit (NBQA)-2022 serves as a benchmark of the current market cow and bull sectors of the U.S. beef industry and allows comparison to previous audits as a method of monitoring industry progress. From September 2021 through May 2022, post-slaughter hide-on animals (n = 6,674), carcasses (n = 5,746), and offal items (heads and tongues: n = 7,282; lungs and hearts: n = 6,708; viscera, kidneys, and livers: n = 6,358) were surveyed at 20 commercial beef processing facilities across the United States. There were 37.8% of cattle with no visible mud contamination. Native (unbranded) hides were observed in 88.3% of cattle. Carcass bruising was observed on 66.7% of cow carcasses and 46.4% of bull carcasses, similar to percentages observed in the 2007 and 2016 audits. Nearly all cattle were free of knots (98.2%) or injection-site lesions (97.1%). Harvest-floor assessments found that 45.0% of livers, 22.2% of viscera, 19.3% of kidneys, 46.6% of lungs, 19.9% of hearts, 11.2% of heads, and 6.4% of tongues were condemned. The leading cause of condemnation for these offal items was contamination, aside from livers with the majority resulting in condemnation from the presence of an abscess. Of the cows surveyed, 25.4% carried a fetus, an 8% increase compared to those observed in 2016, and a 14.8% increase compared to cows surveyed in 2007. Findings from the NBQA-2022 identified areas of improvement and areas that required continued research and producer education to improve market cow and bull welfare, by-product quality, and offal value.

Comparative Analysis of Andiroba Oil obtained by Artisanal and Commercial Process: Fatty Acid Profile and Microencapsulation

This study aimed to evaluate how the extraction method of andiroba oil interferes with the lipid composition and formation of microcapsules, obtained through the complex coacervation technique. Chromatographic analysis and quantification of triacylglycerols in commercial and artisanal andiroba oils showed high values for saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, with the commercial oil showing a higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Microencapsulation did not affect the lipid profile of the evaluated oils. Optical and scanning electron microscopy revealed multinucleate microcapsules with well-defined walls, which may provide greater protection to the nucleus. The type of oil used in the formulations affected the size distribution of the microcapsules, with commercial oil yielding more homogeneous microcapsules, and low polydispersity value. The high encapsulation efficiency was also observed in commercial oil microcapsules, demonstrating that the origin of the nucleus is important for the formation of better quality microcapsules.