Sufficient Supply Research Articles

Wheat Bread Enriched with House Cricket Powder (Acheta domesticus L.) as an Alternative Protein Source.

The house cricket (Acheta domesticus L.) is one of four edible insect species introduced to the EU market as a novel food and alternative protein source. Innovative products, such as cricket flour, are increasingly appearing on supermarket shelves and can offer an alternative to traditional cereals, while providing the body with many valuable nutrients of comparable quality to those found in meat and fish. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of using cricket powder as a substitute for wheat flour in the production of bread. The physicochemical properties of cricket powder were evaluated in comparison to wheat flour. As a result of technological studies, bread compositions with 5%, 10% and 15% replacements of wheat flour by cricket powder were designed and their quality characteristics (physicochemical, sensory and microbiological) were evaluated. Cricket powder was characterised by a higher protein (63% vs. 13.5%) and fat (16.3% vs. 1.16%) content and a lower carbohydrate (9.8% vs. 66%) and fibre (7.8% vs. 9.5%) content as compared to wheat flour. The tested preparations had a similar pH (6.9 and 6.8, respectively, for cricket powder and flour) and fat absorption capacity (0.14 vs. 0.27 g oil/g powder, respectively, for cricket powder and flour) but different water holding capacities and completely different colour parameters. All breads had good microbiological quality after baking and during 7 days of storage. In instrumental tests, the 10 and 15% replacements of wheat flour by cricket powder affected the darker colour of the breads and caused a significant increase in the hardness of the breads. The research has shown that the optimal level of replacement, which does not significantly affect the physiochemical and sensory characteristics, is 5% cricket powder in the bread recipe. Considering the results obtained and the fact that insects provide a sufficient supply of energy and protein in the human diet, are a source of fibre, vitamins and micronutrients, and have a high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, the suitability of cricket powder for protein enrichment of bakery products is confirmed.

Effect of a QTL on wheat chromosome 5B associated with enhanced root dry mass on transpiration and nitrogen uptake under contrasting drought scenarios in wheat.

A sufficient nitrogen supply is crucial for high-quality wheat yields. However, the use of nitrogen fertilization can also negatively influence ecosystems due to leaching or volatile atmospheric emissions. Drought events, increasingly prevalent in many crop production areas, significantly impact nitrogen uptake. Breeding more efficient wheat varieties is necessary to achieve acceptable yields with limited nitrogen and water. Crop root systems play a crucial role as the primary organ for absorbing water and nutrients. To investigate the impact of an enhanced root system on nitrogen and water use efficiency in wheat under various irrigation conditions, this study conducted two experiments using precision phenotyping platforms for controlled drought stress treatment. Experiment 1 involved four contrasting winter wheat genotypes. It included the Chinese variety Ning0604, carrying a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on chromosome 5B associated with a higher root dry biomass, and three elite German varieties, Elixer, Genius, and Leandrus. Experiment 2 compared near-isogenic lines (NIL) of the three elite varieties, each containing introgressions of the QTL on chromosome 5B linked to root dry mass. In both experiments, nitrogen partitioning was tracked via isotope discrimination after fertilization with 5 Atom % 15N-labeled KNO3-. In experiment 1 the quantification by 15N isotope discrimination revealed significantly (p < 0.05) higher nitrogen derived from fertilizer in the root organ for Ning0604 than those of the three German varieties. In experiment 2, two out of three NILs showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher uptake of N derived from fertilizer than their respective recipient line under well-watered conditions. Furthermore, significantly lower transpiration rates (p < 0.1) were observed in one NIL compared to its respective recipient. The combination of the DroughtSpotter facility coupled with 15N tracer-based tracking of N uptake and remobilization extends the insight into the impact of genetically altered root biomass on wheat NUE and WUE under different water availability scenarios. The study shows the potential for how a modified genetic constitution of the locus on wheat chromosome 5B can reduce transpiration and enhance N uptake. The dependence of the observations on the recipient and water availability suggests a need for further research to investigate the interaction with genetic background traits.

RCT: Resource Constrained Training for Edge AI.

Efficient neural network training is essential for in situ training of edge artificial intelligence (AI) and carbon footprint reduction in general. Train neural network on the edge is challenging because there is a large gap between limited resources on edge and the resource requirement of current training methods. Existing training methods are based on the assumption that the underlying computing infrastructure has sufficient memory and energy supplies. These methods involve two copies of the model parameters, which is usually beyond the capacity of on-chip memory in processors. The data movement between off-chip and on-chip memory incurs large amounts of energy. We propose resource constrained training (RCT) to realize resource-efficient training for edge devices and servers. RCT only keeps a quantized model throughout the training so that the memory requirement for model parameters in training is reduced. It adjusts per-layer bitwidth dynamically to save energy when a model can learn effectively with lower precision. We carry out experiments with representative models and tasks in image classification, natural language processing, and crowd counting applications. Experiments show that on average, 8-15-bit weight update is sufficient for achieving SOTA performance in these applications. RCT saves 63.5%-80% memory for model parameters and saves more energy for communications. Through experiments, we observe that the common practice on the first/last layer in model compression does not apply to efficient training. Also, interestingly, the more challenging a dataset is, the lower bitwidth is required for efficient training.

Abstract TP27: Transcriptional and Functional Characterization of Microglia in Vascular Dementia

Introduction: Proper function of the brain relies on sufficient blood supply to meet local energy demand. Age-related pathologies like cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) compromise the ability of blood vessels to meet local energy demands and lead, over time, to the development of vascular dementia (VaD). Microglia are essential for maintaining homeostasis and have been shown to exacerbate inflammation and disease progression in neurodegenerative diseases. Activated microglia are present in the white matter lesions of human post-mortem VaD brains. However, their role in VaD progression is poorly understood. Hypothesis: Our main objective is to identify microglial pathways that contribute to VaD. We hypothesize microglial dysregulation interferes with brain homeostasis and wound healing, ultimately contributing to disease progression. Methods: Post-mortem samples of periventricular white matter from male and female elderly individuals exhibiting brain pathology consistent with VaD (n=4), along with age- and sex-matched controls without VaD (n=4) were acquired from the NIH NeuroBioBank. We performed single-nuclei RNA sequencing followed by differential gene expression analysis using Seurat and downstream analyses using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Results: Over 30,000 nuclei were analyzed. Transcriptomic results reveal profound differences in the microglial transcriptome in VaD, with 690 differentially regulated genes in microglia between cases and controls. Genes related to pathways such as complement production, phagocytosis, macrophage activation and overall protein production are downregulated in VaD while IL-10 production is upregulated (Figure 1B). Conclusions: Our data suggests microglia in VaD adopt a unique transcriptional signature, distinct from that observed in disease-associated microglia in other neurodegenerative conditions, which may impact their ability to maintain homeostasis in VaD.

Co-cultures from Plants and Cyanobacteria: A New Way for Production Systems in Agriculture and Bioprocess Engineering.

Due to the global increase in the world population, it is not possible to ensure a sufficient food supply without additional nitrogen input into the soil. About 30-50% of agricultural yields are due to the use of chemical fertilizers in modern times. However, overfertilization threatens biodiversity, such as nitrogen-loving, fast-growing species overgrow others. The production of artificial fertilizers produces nitrogen oxides, which act as greenhouse gases. In addition, overfertilization of fields also releases ammonia, which damages surface waters through acidification and eutrophication. Diazotrophic cyanobacteria, which usually form a natural, stable biofilm, can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and release it into the environment. Thus, they could provide an alternative to artificial fertilizers. In addition to this, biofilms stabilize soils and thus protect against soil erosion and desiccation. This chapter deals with the potential of cyanobacteria as the use of natural fertilizer is described. Possible partners such as plants and callus cells and the advantages of artificial co-cultivation will be discussed later. In addition, different cultivation systems for studying artificial co-cultures will be presented. Finally, the potential of artificial co-cultures in the agar industry will be discussed.

Isopropanol production via the thermophilic bioconversion of sugars and syngas using metabolically engineered Moorella thermoacetica

BackgroundIsopropanol (IPA) is a commodity chemical used as a solvent or raw material for polymeric products, such as plastics. Currently, IPA production depends largely on high-CO2-emission petrochemical methods that are not sustainable. Therefore, alternative low-CO2 emission methods are required. IPA bioproduction using biomass or waste gas is a promising method.ResultsMoorella thermoacetica, a thermophilic acetogenic microorganism, was genetically engineered to produce IPA. A metabolic pathway related to acetone reduction was selected, and acetone conversion to IPA was achieved via the heterologous expression of secondary alcohol dehydrogenase (sadh) in the thermophilic bacterium. sadh-expressing strains were combined with acetone-producing strains, to obtain an IPA-producing strain. The strain produced IPA as a major product using hexose and pentose sugars as substrates (81% mol-IPA/mol-sugar). Furthermore, IPA was produced from CO, whereas acetate was an abundant byproduct. Fermentation using syngas containing both CO and H2 resulted in higher IPA production at the specific rate of 0.03 h−1. The supply of reducing power for acetone conversion from the gaseous substrates was examined by supplementing acetone to the culture, and the continuous and rapid conversion of acetone to IPA showed a sufficient supply of NADPH for Sadh.ConclusionsThe successful engineering of M. thermoacetica resulted in high IPA production from sugars. M. thermoacetica metabolism showed a high capacity for acetone conversion to IPA in the gaseous substrates, indicating acetone production as the bottleneck in IPA production for further improving the strain. This study provides a platform for IPA production via the metabolic engineering of thermophilic acetogens.

INDUKSI TUNAS PADA DUA VARIETAS PISANG (Musa acuminata C.) TERHADAP LAMA PENGGELAPAN SECARA IN VITRO

A sufficient supply of healthy plants must be provided to balance the rising demand for bananas. A technique that can be used for propagation is tissue culture. Environmental factors and a variety of types are factors that affect explant growth. This research aimed to determine the effect of darkening duration on the growth of two banana (Musa sp.) varieties in vitro. In this study, a Factorial Randomized Block Design was implemented, considering two elements, namely the variety of bananas and the duration of darkening. The research showed that the time of shoot emergence started at 1.83 WAP in Cavendish grand naine treatment without darkening. The type of variety treatment had a significant effect on the number of leaves, and the best variety was Cavendish grand naine. The darkening duration treatment with four weeks of darkening increased shoot height significantly. An interaction between these two factors was observed in the number of shoots, shoot height, and number of leaves.

Performance Evaluation of an Existing Renewable Energy System at Gilutongan Island, Cebu, Philippines

Solar photovoltaics are considered the practical solution to energy access and climate change issues, especially in tropical countries that receive relatively more sunlight throughout the year. However, questions arise on the reliability of these systems in providing sufficient supply to meet the users’ electricity needs. This paper looks at the reliability of a solar project installed on two rooftops on an off-grid island in Cebu, Philippines, that provides increased electricity access to 11 households. PVSyst and HOMER Pro software analyzed solar PV systems performance and techno-economics. The simulations yielded the annual mean values of reference yield, array yield, final yield, array capture loss, system loss, performance ratio, and capacity factor are 5.66 kWh/m2/day, 3.51 kWh/kWp/day, 3.23 kWh/kWp/day, 2.15, 0.278, 57.10%, and 18.96%, respectively. The peak PV resource of 3.30 kWp/day can supply the 1.66 kWp/day of the consumer’s electrical demand. It was concluded that the current installation could supply the electrical load demand of the residents; however, consideration for the potential increase in demand must be in place. While renewable energy sources are relevant in achieving 100% electrification in rural communities, their ability to address the energy demands of the users must be carefully considered in planning and design.

A qualitative assessment of cleaning and hand hygiene practices at shelters serving people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic, Atlanta, GA – May-June, 2020

BackgroundCleaning practices and hand hygiene are important behaviors to prevent and control the spread of infectious disease, especially in congregate settings. This project explored hygiene- and cleaning-related experiences in shelters serving people experiencing homelessness (PEH) during May–June 2020 of the COVID-19 pandemic.MethodsWe conducted qualitative, in-depth interviews by phone with 22 staff from six shelters in Atlanta, Georgia. The interview guide included questions about cleaning routines, cleaning barriers and facilitators, cleaning promotion, hand hygiene promotion, and hand hygiene barriers and facilitators. We analyzed interview transcripts using thematic analysis.ResultsMultiple individuals, such as shelter individuals (clients), volunteers, and staff, played a role in shelter cleaning. Staff reported engaging in frequent hand hygiene and cleaning practices. Barriers to cleaning included staffing shortages and access to cleaning supplies. Staff reported barriers (e.g., differing perceptions of cleanliness) for clients who were often involved in cleaning activities. Barriers to hand hygiene included limited time to wash hands, forgetting, and inconvenient handwashing facilities. Specific guidance about when and how to clean, and what supplies to use, were requested.ConclusionDuring the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, shelters serving PEH in the Atlanta-metro area needed resources and support to ensure sufficient staffing and supplies for cleaning activities. As part of future pandemic planning and outbreak prevention efforts, shelters serving PEH could benefit from specific guidance and training materials on cleaning and hand hygiene practices.

Strategies for the management of water and nitrogen interaction in seed maize production; A case study from China Hexi Corridor Oasis Agricultural Area

The oasis agricultural area of the Hexi Corridor in China supports industrial-scale seed maize production which depends on significant inputs of water and fertilizer, however, the effects of water-nitrogen interaction on seed maize yield and its components, and on water and nitrogen use efficiency in seed maize are unknown, making optimization of inputs impossible. Here, we conducted a study to address these unknowns. Specifically, we established a two-factor split-plot experiment in the Zhangye area of the Hexi Corridor with three irrigation levels of low, medium, and sufficient water supply (50%, 75%, and 100% of the local typical irrigation quota), and three nitrogen application rates of low (160 kg ha−1), medium (280 kg ha−1), and high nitrogen (400 kg ha−1); three irrigation levels without nitrogen fertilizer were used as the control. We found that there was a significant interaction between water-nitrogen combinations, all of which had a significant effect on seed maize yield and its components, and water and nitrogen use efficiency. The yield of seed maize increased with the increase in irrigation quota, but when the irrigation quota reached 100% of the traditional, yield exhibited an increasing and then decreasing trend with the increase in nitrogen application. During the 4-year test period, the maximum yield of seed maize was observed in sufficient water and medium-nitrogen treatment, reaching an average of 9509.38 kg ha−1. Lower nitrogen lowered water productivity, while lower irrigation quotas limited nitrogen utilization. The relationship between irrigation quota, nitrogen application, and seed maize yield was binary quadratic, and the coefficient of determination, R2, reached 0.963–0.985 indicating that the model predicted the yield of seed maize well. The main factor analysis of yield increase showed that the effect of irrigation quota was greater than that of nitrogen application. The optimal combination of water-nitrogen for the highest target yield was obtained with an irrigation quota of 100% of the local typical and a nitrogen application rate of 292.0 kg ha−1-383.2 kg ha−1. This result can be used as a reasonable water and fertilizer management guideline and a technical reference for the seed maize industry in the oasis agricultural area of the Hexi Corridor with objectives of stable and high yields, and reductions in the risk of nitrogen non-point source pollution.

Superhydrophilic floral foam-based solar evaporator with excellent salt-resistance and cost advantages for high efficient desalination

Effective management of heat, outstanding water transport paths, and hydrophilicity are essential for porous solar-driven interfacial evaporators, but their development still faces many difficulties. Here, by cross-linking a carbon black (CB)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) slurry with three-dimensional super hydrophilic floral foam (FF) to form a CB/PVA functional film on the surface of FF, a CB/PVA-decorated floral foam based (FFCP) solar-driven water evaporator with low-cost was finally obtained. Owing to the super hydrophilicity, sufficient water supply, self-holding water capacity and the special porous structure of the FF, as well as efficient light absorption and photothermal conversion efficiency of the dispersed CB. The gas-liquid interface temperature of the optimized FFCP-1.0 evaporator reaches 41.2 °C under single solar irradiation, obtaining an evaporation rate of up to 1.69 kg m−2 h−1. In addition, the FFCP-1.0 evaporator had a great evaporation rate in highly concentrated salt solutions. Moreover, the FFCP-1.0 evaporator has remarkable purification effects on seawater, organic dye effluents and heavy metal ion solutions. The evaporator has low cost, excessive evaporation rate and excellent durability. Therefore, this work is of considerable scientific significance for promoting the practical application of porous-based solar evaporators and clean water production.

Resolving the Java Representation Exposure Problem with an AST-Based Deep Copy and Flexible Alias Ownership System

Encapsulation is a critical factor in object-oriented programming languages and design patterns. Nevertheless, programs written in languages like Java may encounter broken encapsulation due to the lack of sufficient supply for ownership and immutability. As a result, this paper introduces SlimeJava, an ownership system extension based on abstract syntax trees and annotation utilization of Java that aims to help programmers prevent representation exposure. We show the features of the proposal with a motivating example using the Memento pattern. We then discuss how the utilization of annotations realizes ownership and why it is effective in avoiding representation exposure issues by comparing it with existing approaches. In the end, a quantitative performance evaluation was conducted to prove that SlimeJava does not cause a substantial overhead in execution time compared to native Java.

Alternative protein-based foods must contribute to micronutrient adequacy

ABSTRACT Sustainable diets must consider health, economic, environmental, and social outcomes. The development and production of alternative protein foods should also make these considerations. We examined the nutritional role of these foods, with New Zealand (NZ) as a case study. We used the DELTA Model® to assess 2020 NZ nutrient supply. We then simulated the substitution of 50% of meat supply (by mass) with various plant protein sources (soy, peas, beans, and mushroom), and observed the impact on nutrient supply. NZ had an undersupply of calcium (38%), vitamin E (34% deficit), dietary fibre (20%), potassium (13%), and vitamin C (10%) compared to population requirements. Contrastingly, there was sufficient protein and amino acid supply for an additional 2.4 million people. Halving of meat supply resulted in decreased availability for potassium (21% deficit), zinc (17%), folate (10%), and iron (9%). Soy proved the best nutritional replacement for meat, with reduced deficits for all undersupplied nutrients compared to 2020. Replacement with other modelled protein sources resulted in greater nutrient deficits. The nutritional implications beyond protein must be considered when making dietary substitutions. There are clear public health reasons to fortify alternative proteins with both the nutrients lost in substitution and those already in deficit.

Financial assessment of groundwater and rainwater treatments for school clean water supply

The global primary school population has experienced a significant increase, in line with the pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal number 4 which strives to ensure inclusive, equitable, and high-quality education, fostering lifelong learning opportunities for all. However, not all schools, especially in developing countries, have access to a sufficient supply of clean water. For example, a 2021 World Bank study found that almost half (47%) of schools in Indonesia have no access to soap and flowing water, which is critical to disease prevention. In this study, we featured a case study of a school in Indonesia that mainly obtains its clean water supply from pumped underground water and treats it with reverse osmosis technology. This study analyzed the potential financial savings from adding combinations of a rainwater harvesting system, an adsorption–filtration system, an ultraviolet radiation disinfection system, and solar photovoltaics to the existing underground water pumping system in a case study school. We utilize local data encompassing factors such as rainfall intensity, facility investment, operation, and maintenance costs in the evaluation of financial performance for each scenario, employing methods such as net present value (NPV), benefit–cost ratio (BCR), and payback period. The findings indicate that the adoption of constructed scenario 1, incorporating an adsorption filtration system and UV disinfection, yields superior financial outcomes in this study. Scenario 1 results in 167,890 IDR NPV over its 12-year lifespan, 1.10 BCR, and a payback period as short as 2 months. The results from this study provide knowledge about the potential financial gains and technological alternatives for other schools in developing countries without access to a centralized clean water or energy supply.

Energy partitioning and controlling factors of evapotranspiration in an alpine meadow in the permafrost region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Abstract Energy partitioning and evapotranspiration (ET) of alpine meadows in permafrost areas are crucial for water cycle on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, seasonal (freeze–thaw cycle) variations in energy partitioning and ET and their driving factors must be clarified. Therefore, 4-year energy fluxes [i.e. latent heat (LE) and sensible heat (H)] were observed, and bulk parameters [i.e. surface conductance, decoupling coefficient (Ω), and Priestley–Taylor coefficient (α)] were estimated in an alpine meadow in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Mean daily LE (27.45 ± 23.89 W/m2) and H (32.51 ± 16.72 W/m2) accounted for 31.71% and 50.14% of available energy, respectively. More available energy was allocated to LE during the rainfall period, while 67.54 ± 28.44% was allocated to H during the frozen period. H was half the LE during rainfall period and seven times the LE during frozen period due to low soil water content and vegetation coverage during the frozen season. Mean annual ET was 347.34 ± 8.39 mm/year, close to mean annual precipitation. Low mean daily Ω (0.45 ± 0.23) and α (0.60 ± 0.29) throughout the year suggested that ET in the alpine meadow was limited by water availability. However, ET was constrained by available energy because of sufficient water supply from precipitation during rainfall season. In contrast, large differences between ET and precipitation indicated that soil water was supplied via lateral flow from melting upstream glaciers and snow during the transition season. The results suggest that seasonal variations in bulk parameters should be considered when simulating water and energy fluxes in permafrost regions.

Modelling the nexus between finance, government revenue, institutional quality and sustainable energy supply in West Africa

The present study examined the relationship between finance, government revenue, institutional quality and sustainable energy supply in West Africa countries over annual frequency period from 2012 to 2020. To achieve the outlined nexus between study variables, the present study leverages on a battery of panel analysis for robust inferences. The econometric estimators employed are panel random effect regression, generalized method of moment technique. Furthermore, panel Granger causality test is utilized to analyze the direction of flow among the variables for the study. Empirical results revealed that financial development is a significant determinant of energy supply in West Africa countries while a negligible effect was reported for institutional quality and sustainable energy supply. Thus, the present study concludes that finance from financial sector is important in ensuring sufficient energy supply. To this end, this study therefore, recommends that incentives should be given to financial institutions that fund energy generation and transmission as financial development is seen to be significant on energy supply.

Engineering yeast with a light-driven proton pump system in the vacuolar membrane

BackgroundThe supply of ATP is a limiting factor for cellular metabolism. Therefore, cell factories require a sufficient ATP supply to drive metabolism for efficient bioproduction. In the current study, a light-driven proton pump in the vacuolar membrane was constructed in yeast to reduce the ATP consumption required by V-ATPase to maintain the acidification of the vacuoles and increase the intracellular ATP supply for bioproduction.ResultsDelta rhodopsin (dR), a microbial light-driven proton-pumping rhodopsin from Haloterrigena turkmenica, was expressed and localized in the vacuolar membrane of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by conjugation with a vacuolar membrane-localized protein. Vacuoles with dR were isolated from S. cerevisiae, and the light-driven proton pumping activity was evaluated based on the pH change outside the vacuoles. A light-induced increase in the intracellular ATP content was observed in yeast harboring vacuoles with dR.ConclusionsYeast harboring the light-driven proton pump in the vacuolar membrane developed in this study are a potential optoenergetic cell factory suitable for various bioproduction applications.

Development of blood demand prediction model using artificial intelligence based on national public big data.

Modern healthcare systems face challenges related to the stable and sufficient blood supply of blood due to shortages. This study aimed to predict the monthly blood transfusion requirements in medical institutions using an artificial intelligence model based on national open big data related to transfusion. Data regarding blood types and components in Korea from January 2010 to December 2021 were obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service and Statistics Korea. The data were collected from a single medical institution. Using the obtained information, predictive models were developed, including eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LGBM), and category boosting (CatBoost). An ensemble model was created using these three models. The prediction performance of XGBoost, LGBM, and CatBoost demonstrated a mean absolute error ranging from 14.6657 for AB+ red blood cells (RBCs) to 84.0433 for A+ platelet concentrate (PC) and a root mean squared error ranging from 18.5374 for AB+ RBCs to 118.6245 for B+ PC. The error range was further improved by creating ensemble models, wherein the department requesting blood was the most influential parameter affecting transfusion prediction performance for different blood products and types. Except for the department, the features that affected the prediction performance varied for each product and blood type, including the number of RBC antibody screens, crossmatch, nationwide blood donations, and surgeries. Based on blood-related open big data, the developed blood-demand prediction algorithm can efficiently provide medical facilities with an appropriate volume of blood ahead of time.

A cobalt concentration sensitive Btu-like system facilitates cobalamin uptake in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.

Metal homeostasis is central to all forms of life, as metals are essential micronutrients with toxic effects at elevated levels. Macromolecular machines facilitate metal uptake into the cells and their intracellular level is regulated by multiple means, which can involve RNA elements and proteinaceous components. While the general principles and components for uptake and cellular content regulation of, e.g., cobalt have been identified for proteobacteria, the corresponding mechanism in other Gram-negative bacteria such as cyanobacteria remain to be established. Based on their photosynthetic activity, cyanobacteria are known to exhibit a special metal demand in comparison to other bacteria. Here, the regulation by cobalt and cobalamin as well as their uptake is described for Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, a model filamentous heterocyst-forming cyanobacterium. Anabaena contains at least three cobalamin riboswitches in its genome, for one of which the functionality is confirmed here. Moreover, two outer membrane-localized cobalamin TonB-dependent transporters, namely BtuB1 and BtuB2, were identified. BtuB2 is important for fast uptake of cobalamin under conditions with low external cobalt, whereas BtuB1 appears to function in cobalamin uptake under conditions of sufficient cobalt supply. While the general function is comparable, the specific function of the two genes differs and mutants thereof show distinct phenotypes. The uptake of cobalamin depends further on the TonB and a BtuFCD machinery, as mutants of tonB3 and btuD show reduced cobalamin uptake rates. Thus, our results provide novel information on the uptake of cobalamin and the regulation of the cellular cobalt content in cyanobacteria.

Circular economy-based integrated farming system for indigenous chicken: Fostering food security and sustainability

Addressing the global challenge of food security necessitates innovative and sustainable approaches capable of meeting the demands of a growing population while ensuring a sufficient and nutritious food supply. This study explores circular economy-based integrated farming systems for indigenous chicken, focusing on the principles of circular economy, TBL approach and sustainable agriculture to enhance the food security landscape. To comprehensively assess the status of the indigenous chicken sector, a detailed analysis of farm operations is conducted. Qualitative data collection and a system dynamics approach provided valuable insights into the intricate dynamics of the system. Leveraging simulation and modelling, interactions and behaviours within the sub-systems are unveiled, ultimately leading to the integration of forward and reverse value chain linkages. The Indigenous Chicken-based Integrated Farming System value chain, developed because of this study, offers a transformative model for sustainable food production. This model provides clear insights into the dynamics of indigenous chicken farming, highlighting the importance of circular economy principles. It also aids in understanding the impact of varying parameters, such as egg production and parent chicken population, on the system's behavior. Moreover, the research identifies exponential growth patterns in critical components, shedding light on the system's scalability potential. Additionally, it emphasizes the significance of integrating forward and reverse linkages in achieving sustainability and minimizing waste throughout the value chain.