Sustainable Control Research Articles

7373 CAM2029, Octreotide Subcutaneous Depot, Provides Sustained Biochemical Control of Acromegaly: Interim Results From a Phase 3 Study (ACROINNOVA 2)

Abstract Disclosure: D. Ferone: Consulting Fee; Self; Camurus AB, Recordati, Novartis-AAA, Ipsen. Grant Recipient; Self; Camurus AB, Recordati, Novartis-AAA, Ipsen. Research Investigator; Self; Camurus AB. J. Silverstein: Consulting Fee; Self; Xeris Pharmaceuticals. Research Investigator; Self; Camurus AB. P. Freda: Research Investigator; Self; Camurus AB. L. Katznelson: Advisory Board Member; Self; Camurus AB, Recordati. F. Gatto: Advisory Board Member; Self; Camurus AB. Research Investigator; Self; Camurus AB. P. Kadioglu: None. P. Maffei: Research Investigator; Self; Camurus AB. J. Seufert: Research Investigator; Self; Camurus AB. J.L. Spencer-Segal: Advisory Board Member; Self; Camurus AB. Research Investigator; Self; Camurus AB. E. Isaeva: None. A. Dreval: None. M. Harrie: Employee; Self; Camurus AB. Stock Owner; Self; Camurus AB. A. Svedberg: Employee; Self; Camurus AB. Stock Owner; Self; Camurus AB. A.M. Pedroncelli: Employee; Self; Camurus AB. Stock Owner; Self; Camurus AB. F. Tiberg: Employee; Self; Camurus AB. Stock Owner; Self; Camurus AB. Background: Acromegaly is characterized by excess growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) production. A key treatment goal is long-term biochemical control to minimize adverse effects of prolonged excess GH. CAM2029 is a novel, subcutaneous, octreotide depot, designed for convenient monthly self-administration using a pre-filled injection/pen. In a 24-week Phase 3 trial (ACROINNOVA 1, NCT04076462), CAM2029 achieved superior IGF-1 control vs placebo (IGF-1 ≤ upper limit of normal [ULN]: 72.2 vs 37.5%; P=0.0018) in acromegaly patients previously controlled with standard-of-care (SoC; octreotide long-acting repeatable/lanreotide Autogel). On trial completion, patients could roll over to a Phase 3, 52-week, open-label, long-term safety trial (ACROINNOVA 2, NCT04125836). Here, we report data from an interim analysis of roll-over patients in ACROINNOVA 2. Methods: Roll-over patients received monthly CAM2029 20 mg for 28 weeks in ACROINNOVA 2. Primary endpoint: occurrence of adverse events (AEs). Key secondary endpoints: proportion of patients with available assessments who had (i) IGF-1 ≤1x ULN (mean of weeks 50/52 measurements) and (ii) both IGF-1 ≤1x ULN (weeks 50/52 mean) and mean GH <2.5 µg/L (week 52). Data are reported according to prior treatment in ACROINNOVA 1. Safety data from the whole trial period are reported. Results: Fifty-four of the 64 patients completing ACROINNOVA 1 (prior CAM2029 n=36; prior placebo n=18) entered ACROINNOVA 2. At data cut-off (May 23, 2023) 28 and 15 patients in the prior CAM2029 and prior placebo groups, respectively, had completed treatment week 52; 7 and 3 were ongoing; 1 and 0 had discontinued. The medication was well tolerated with a safety profile comparable to SoC treatment; no new safety signals were observed. One treatment-related serious AE (cholelithiasis, moderate severity, resolved) occurred in the prior placebo group. Injection site treatment-emergent AEs (Grade ≤2) occurred in 50% of patients in the prior CAM2029 (18/36) and prior placebo (9/18) groups. Of evaluable patients in the prior CAM2029 and prior placebo groups, 89.3% (25/28) and 100% (15/15) had IGF ≤1x ULN at weeks 50/52; 88.5% (23/26) and 100% (14/14) had both IGF ≤1x ULN (week 50/52) and GH <2.5 µg/L (week 52). Mean IGF-1 levels remained <ULN throughout the 52-week study period for the prior CAM2029 group; in the prior placebo group, mean IGF-1 increased above 1x ULN during placebo treatment, returning to <ULN after switching to CAM2029 for 28 weeks. All patients previously treated with placebo regained IGF-I control upon switching to CAM2029. Conclusions: The safety profile of CAM2029 was consistent with SoC, with no new or unexpected safety signals during extended treatment. CAM2029 provided persistent control of IGF-1 and GH during 52 weeks of treatment. All patients in the prior placebo group regained biochemical control of acromegaly after switching to CAM2029. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Pre-emptive augmentative biological control of Spodoptera frugiperda in Europe using Trichogramma spp.

BackgroundFall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is a highly invasive pest of maize and other crops worldwide. It has recently been detected in Europe, and it is urgent to test and develop new sustainable control methods adapted to the European context and market. Trichogramma spp. are egg parasitoids that are sometimes used as biological control agent against S. frugiperda in other continents. However, a major issue using Trichogramma spp. against this pest is that females cannot reach all eggs in an egg mass, which is usually composed of one to three layers of eggs, often covered with scales and hair. Three European Trichogramma species were tested for their ability to parasitize egg masses with one to three layers and with or without hair and scale cover.MethodsTrichogramma brassicae, T. dendrolimi and T. cacoeciae were offered five types of S. frugiperda egg masses: one-layer without hair; one-layer with hair; two-layers without hair; two-layers with hair; three-layers with hair. For each treatment, an egg mass laid on paper was placed in a small vial saturated with females, to be sure that all reachable eggs would be parasitized. For each egg mass, the number of eggs in each layer was counted. Fifteen replicates were made per treatment, as well as 10 control vials without Trichogramma sp. Parasitism rates were calculated for each egg mass.ResultsThere were significant differences in the ability of parasitoid species to oviposit through hair and scales and to reach the lower egg layers. Trichogramma dendrolimi was the most efficient species and T. cacoeciae the least. Depending on the number of egg layers and hair and scales, parasitism rates by T. brassicae, T. dendrolimi and T. cacoeciae varied between 99 and 41%, 100 and 43% and 100 and 28%, respectively.ConclusionsThe assays confirmed that Trichogramma females cannot easily oviposit through thick layers of hair and scales but overall parasitism rates were higher than found previously. Important variations between species were found, and more Trichogramma sp. and other local natural enemies should be tested pre-emptively before S. frugiperda has invaded Europe.

Feeding habits and malaria parasite infection of Anopheles mosquitoes in selected agroecological areas of Northwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundSurveillance of the host–anopheline mosquitoes’ interaction is important for assessing malaria transmission risk and guiding vector control. We assume that changes in malaria vector species’ feeding habits, as well as the surrounding environment, have a substantial impact on varied malaria transmission. In this study, we determined the vertebrate host feeding patterns of anopheline mosquitoes to characterize entomologic risk factors for malaria in Jabi Tehnan, Northwestern Ethiopia.MethodsBlood-fed anophelines surveyed during malaria surveillance in Jabi Tehnan district of northwestern Ethiopia were utilized in this study. They were collected using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps deployed in selected households per village, placed indoors and outdoors, spanning three agroecological settings (dry mountain, plateau, and semiarid highlands) between June 2020 and May 2021. The engorged mosquitoes were analyzed for host blood meal sources and Plasmodium infection via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or sequencing. Infection rates and bovine and human blood indices were calculated and compared for abundant species; between indoors and outdoors and between agroecology using a chi-squared test for equality of proportion in R package at a significant level of p ≤ 0.05.ResultsA total of 246 mosquitoes were successfully typed (indoor, 121; outdoor, 125), with greater relative abundance indoors in mountain and plateau highlands, and outdoors in semiarid areas. Despite ecological differences in blood-fed capture rates, cattle served as the most utilized blood meal source by 11 anopheline species with an overall bovine blood index (BBI) of 74.4%. This trend was dictated by Anopheles gambiae s.l. (198/246; BBI = 73.7%), which exhibited the most plastic feeding habits that included humans (human blood index = 15.7%) and other livestock and rodents. A total of five anopheline species (An. gambiae s.l., An. funestus s.l., An. coustani s.l., An. pretoriensis, and An. pharoensis) fed on humans, of which the first three were found infected with Plasmodium parasites. Most of the infected specimens were An. arabiensis (5.6%, 11/198) and had recently fed mainly on cattle (72.7%, 8/11); one each of infected An. funestus s.l. and An. coustani s.l. had fed on humans and cattle, respectively.ConclusionsThe results demonstrate communal feeding on cattle by anophelines including primary and secondary malaria vectors. This study also indicates the importance of cattle-targeted interventions for sustainable control of malaria vectors in the study areas.Graphical abstract

The Application of Nano Zero-Valent Iron in Synergy with White Rot Fungi in Environmental Pollution Control.

Developing efficient and sustainable pollution control technologies has become a research priority in the context of escalating global environmental pollution. Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), with its high specific surface area and strong reducing power, demonstrates remarkable performance in pollutant removal. Still, its application is limited by issues such as oxidation, passivation, and particle aggregation. White rot fungi (WRF) possess a unique enzyme system that enables them to degrade a wide range of pollutants effectively, yet they face challenges such as long degradation cycles and low degradation efficiency. Despite the significant role of nZVI in pollutant remediation, most contaminated sites still rely on microbial remediation as a concurrent or ultimate treatment method to achieve remediation goals. The synergistic combination of nZVI and WRF can leverage their respective advantages, thereby enhancing pollution control efficiency. This paper reviews the mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of nZVI and WRF in pollution control, lists application examples, and discusses their synergistic application in pollution control, highlighting their potential in pollutant remediation and providing new insights for combined pollutant treatment. However, research on the combined use of nZVI and WRF for pollutant remediation is still relatively scarce, necessitating a deeper understanding of their synergistic potential and further exploration of their cooperative interactions.

Animal health as a function of farmer personality and attitude: using the HEXACO model of personality structure to predict farm-level seropositivity for Fasciola hepatica and Ostertagia ostertagi in dairy cows.

Infections with Fasciola hepatica and Ostertagia ostertagi impinge upon dairy cow health and welfare and represent a major economic factor in livestock industry. Control measures largely rely on the use of anthelminthic drugs. However, reports of anthelmintic resistance necessitate sustainable approaches. Farmer characteristics such as attitude and personality are crucial for the implementation of control strategies and on-farm practices. In the present study, the HEXACO (Honesty-Humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness to experience) model of personality structure, which conceptualizes human personality, was used to evaluate the relationship of farmer aspects with on-farm bulk tank milk seropositivity for F. hepatica and O. ostertagi. Moreover, information on farm structure, housing, management, and farmers' attitude was collected in a face-to-face interview. Farm-level seropositivity for F. hepatica and O. ostertagi was predicted via elastic net regression. Out of 193 farms housing 8,774 cows in the German Federal State of Bavaria, 47 farms (24.4%) were seropositive for F. hepatica, 77 farms (39.9%) for O. ostertagi, and 42 farms (21.8%) for both endoparasites. The model for F. hepatica seropositivity selected the covariates pasture access, O. ostertagi seropositivity, higher farmer conscientiousness, and organic farming as relevant predictors. Seropositivity for O. ostertagi was predicted by F. hepatica seropositivity, pasture access, organic farming, and farmers being neutral regarding their satisfaction with animal health on their farm. Higher values for the HEXACO factors extraversion and emotionality were inversely associated with O. ostertagi seropositivity. The present work emphasizes the importance of farmer traits in regard to animal health and parasite occurrence. For the effective acceptance and implementation of sustainable control strategies for livestock helminth infections, it is crucial to consider these aspects to holistically address the challenges of managing parasitic diseases. Moreover, tailored communication strategies can be developed incorporating the understanding of individual stockman characteristics and subsequently ensuring encouragement of stakeholders.

Cestrum tomentosum L.f. Extracts against Colletotrichum scovillei by Altering Cell Membrane Permeability and Inducing ROS Accumulation.

Chili pepper anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum spp., is a significant biotic stress affecting chili fruits globally. While fungicide application is commonly used for disease management due to its efficiency and costeffectiveness, excessive use poses risks to human health and the environment. Botanical fungicides offer advantages such as rapid degradation and low toxicity to mammals, making them increasingly popular for sustainable plant disease control. This study investigated the antifungal properties of Cestrum tomentosum L.f. crude extracts (CTCE) against Colletotrichum scovillei. The results demonstrated that CTCE effectively inhibited conidia germination and germ tube elongation at 40 µg/ml concentrations. Moreover, CTCE exhibited strong antifungal activity against C. scovillei mycelial growth, with an EC50 value of 18.81 µg/ml. In vivo experiments confirmed the protective and curative effects of CTCE on chili pepper fruits infected with C. scovillei. XTT analysis showed that the CTCE could significantly inhibit the cell viability of C. scovillei. Mechanistic studies revealed that CTCE disrupted the plasma membrane integrity of C. scovillei and induced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in hyphal cells. These findings highlight CTCE as a promising eco-friendly botanical fungicide for managing C. scovillei infections in chili peppers.

Evaluation of Postemergence Weed Control Programs in Cotton Without the Addition of Glyphosate

Glyphosate has played an important role in agricultural production systems, especially after the release of glyphosate resistant crops. With increased usage and an overall reliance on chemical control, weed resistance to glyphosate has occurred and is now a major issue. The objective of this research was to investigate weed control levels provided by glufosinate, 2,4-D, and clethodim as an alternative to glyphosate. Multiple POST applications generally provided superior weed control in comparison to a single early-POST application. No programs provided greater than 80% warm-season grass control beginning 21 d after mid-POST application. Applications of glufosinate or glufosinate + 2,4-D fb clethodim + glufosinate, glufosinate + 2,4-D, or clethodim + glufosinate + 2,4-D provided adequate broadleaf weed control throughout the rating period. Although POST-only programs are an option, they are not a sustainable weed control practice. It remains important to incorporate residual herbicides into a weed control program as well as alternative weed control methods.

Continuous Subcutaneous Foslevodopa-Foscarbidopa in Parkinson's Disease: A Mini-Review of Current Scope and Future Outlook.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms, primarily because of the impairment of dopaminergic neurons. Long-term use of levodopa, the standard PD treatment, often results in fluctuating therapeutic effects and dyskinesia, necessitating alternative therapies. This review aims to synthesize current insights and clinical experiences with foslevodopa-foscarbidopa, focusing on its pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety profile, to evaluate its potential in transforming PD therapy. A systematic literature search was conducted up to November 2023 using databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. The search yielded eight eligible articles, including pharmacological studies, case reports, observational studies, and controlled trials. No language restrictions were applied. Foslevodopa and foscarbidopa, as prodrugs of levodopa and carbidopa, exhibited excellent chemical stability and solubility, facilitating continuous subcutaneous infusion. Clinical trials demonstrated that these prodrugs maintain stable levodopa levels, thereby addressing the limitations of oral levodopa therapy. Phase 1 and 3 studies indicated significant improvements in motor function and quality of life in advanced PD patients. However, a higher incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events, mainly infusion site reactions, was observed compared to oral therapies. Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa emerges as a promising alternative for advanced PD treatment, offering sustained symptom control. Its efficacy in managing motor fluctuations and dyskinesia makes it a viable option in the PD therapeutic spectrum. Future research should focus on long-term safety, economic impact, and broader accessibility. Foslevodopa-foscarbidopa is now commercially distributed in many countries in Europe and in Japan.

Synthesis and insecticidal assessment of nitrogenous heterocycles derived from 2-pyridone derivative against Culex pipiens L. Larvae

This study reports the synthesis of a novel 1,6-diamino-4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-2-oxo-1,2-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile (1) and its subsequent functionalization to yield a library of diverse heterocycles (2-10). The nucleophilicity of compound 1 was exploited to react with various electrophiles to afford a range of structurally enriched derivatives. The structures of all synthesized heterocycles were confirmed by elemental analysis and spectroscopic techniques as (FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectroscopy). Bioassays revealed significant larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens L.) for compounds 1-4, 6, 7 and 9. In silico docking studies suggest a potential mode of action through acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition, potentially explaining the observed larvicidal effect. Additionally, interactions with other neuroreceptors were predicted. Finally, analyzing of the structure activity relationship (SAR) of the novel constructed heterocycles gives us a lot of interesting promising results for developing novel and sustainable mosquito control strategies.

An efficient water quality index forecasting and categorization using optimized Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph neural network.

The world's freshwater supply, predominantly sourced from rivers, faces significant contamination from various economic activities, confirming that the quality of river water is critical for public health, environmental sustainability, and effective pollution control. This research addresses the urgent need for accurate and reliable water quality monitoring by introducing a novel method for estimating the water quality index (WQI). The proposed approach combines cutting-edge optimization techniques with Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph neural networks, marking a significant advancement in the field. The innovation lies in the integration of a Hybrid Crested Porcupine Genghis Khan Shark Optimization Algorithm for precise feature selection, ensuring that the most relevant indicators of water quality (WQ) are utilized. Furthermore, the use of the Greylag Goose Optimization Algorithm to fine-tune the neural network's weight parameters enhances the model's predictive accuracy. This dual optimization framework significantly improves WQI prediction, achieving a remarkable mean squared error (MSE) of 6.7 and an accuracy of 99%. By providing a robust and highly accurate method for WQ assessment, this research offers a powerful tool for environmental authorities to proactively manage river WQ, prevent pollution, and evaluate the success of restoration efforts. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Novel method combines optimization and Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph for WQI estimation. Preprocessing includes data cleanup and feature selection using advanced algorithms. Deep Capsule Crystal Edge Graph neural network predicts WQI with high accuracy. Greylag Goose Optimization fine-tunes network parameters for precise forecasts. Proposed method achieves low MSE of 6.7 and high accuracy of 99%.

Environmental benefits of ozonated water for sustainable grapevine disease control: A life cycle and carbon sequestration analysis

The oxidative capacity of ozone makes it a highly effective biocide, widely used in the food and processing industry, as well as in drinking water plants. In a context of tighter restrictions on the use of synthetic plant protection products at the regulatory level, wineries are looking for alternative methods to control diseases, making the application of ozonated water an option to consider. To determine the environmental sustainability of this alternative vineyard disease control treatment, an environmental impact assessment was conducted using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The assessment was carried out in a vineyard located in the D.O. Rías Baixas of Galicia, located in northwestern Spain. The analysis was conducted on the basis of two functional units: i) 1 kg of grapes and ii) 1 ha of land managed and using a cradle-to-gate boundary system. Ten impact categories were assessed using the ReCiPe method, except for the water scarcity indicator, which was quantified using AWARE.The environmental sustainability of the vineyard was further analyzed by measuring its carbon sequestration potential to obtain a more complete environmental profile. The RothC-26.3 model was chosen to estimate absolute carbon sequestration and annual sequestration rate from 2020 to 2040. Since the ozone-only scenarios lost all harvest, no environmental assessment was performed for such scenarios. For the remaining scenarios, the findings suggest that those using a combination of ozonated water and fungicides have the worst environmental performance due to notable reductions in grape yield and more frequent disease control interventions, particularly in certain scenarios. When evaluating environmental performance per hectare of land managed, the scenario using ozonated water with a limited number of disease control interventions exhibited the most favorable environmental profile, primarily due to reduced use of fungicides and disease control passes. In addition, the main contributors to the vineyard environmental profile identified were diesel fuel combustion during field operations, fertilizer use and production, and irrigation. In addition, the research indicates that the vineyard sequesters carbon annually, but this alone is insufficient to offset its greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is estimated that through the application of more appropriate soil management practices, the vineyard could achieve carbon neutrality and potentially increase soil carbon stocks over time.

The Interaction of Sustainability Governance Structure and Sustainability Management Control Systems: An Italian Case Study

This study aims to analyze sustainability governance mechanisms and understand which roles and responsibilities fall under a governance system, as well as the pro-cesses of integrating sustainability into management control systems. Qualitative research focused on the case study analysis of SIT. Interviews were conducted with key figures within the firm regarding roles and responsibilities in sustainability issues to address the peculiarities related to sustainability governance design and implementation and to delve into the role of sustainability management control systems. Several documents were also analyzed: sustainability reports, sustainabil-ity plans, corporate monographs, and questionnaires related to participation in sustainability ratings and awards. Based on a review of the literature on corporate governance and the integration of corporate sustainability into it, including the analysis of previous studies on sus-tainability management control systems, this study found that good sustainability governance and a coherent sustainability management control system play a key role. They provide support in decision-making, enable the implementation of stra-tegic objectives consistent with sustainability targets, identify actions and best practices for effective improvement in sustainability performance, and enable the firm to pursue sustainable success. From a practical point of view, this case study represents a good example of how sustainability can permeate all business pro-cesses, thus providing opportunities for growth and continuous improvement.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Floriculture: Strategies for Sustainable pest Control

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Floriculture: Strategies for Sustainable pest Control

Sustainable control of microplastics in wastewater using the electrochemically enhanced living membrane bioreactor

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) discharges are major contributors to the release of microplastics (MPs) into the environment. This research work aimed to assess the performance of the novel living membrane bioreactor (LMBR), which utilizes a biological layer as a membrane filter for the removal of polyethylene (PE) MPs from wastewater. The impact of an intermittently applied low current density (0.5 mA/cm2) on the reduction of MPs in the electrochemically enhanced LMBR (e-LMBR) has also been examined. The reactors were also compared to a conventional membrane bioreactor (MBR) and an electro-MBR (e-MBR). 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) was implemented for the MPs detection and quantification in terms of mass per volume of sample.The LMBR and MBR achieved comparable mean PE MPs reduction at 95% and 96%, respectively. The MPs mass reduction in the e-LMBR slightly decreased by 2% compared to that achieved in the LMBR. This potentially indicated the partial breakdown of the MPs due to electrochemical processes. Decreasing and inconsistent NH4-N and PO4-P removal efficiencies were observed over time due to the addition of PE MPs in the MBR and LMBR. In contrast, the integration of electric field in the e-MBR and e-LMBR resulted in consistently high values of conventional contaminant removals of COD (99.72–99.77 %), NH4-N (97.96–98.67%), and PO4-P (98.44–100.00%), despite the MPs accumulation.Integrating electrochemical processes in the e-LMBR led to the development of a stable living membrane (LM) layer, as manifested in the consistently low effluent turbidity 0.49 ± 0.33 NTU. Despite the increasing MPs concentration in the mixed liquor, applying electrochemical processes reduced the fouling rates in the e-LMBR. The e-LMBR achieved comparable efficiencies in contaminant reductions as those observed in the e-MBR, while using a low-cost membrane material.

Visual Analytic for Traffic Impact Assessment

This study strives to promote the state of traffic impact assessment through high-end visual analytics by incorporating spatial and temporal data visualization to enhance traffic management. Based on a dataset on traffic flow at three major intersections, we married data cleaning, integration, and transformation to set out for a detailed visual analysis. Thus, the critical materials comprise the traffic count in multiple lanes, vehicle types, and saturation flow rates to understand the road network's capacity. They essentially explored the traffic volume variations daily and hourly and pattern identification using heat maps, parallel coordinate charts, and bar plots. Thus, the findings expose the remarkable traffic volume and pattern differences by distinguishing peak and off-peak hours on weekdays and weekends. The level of service at each junction was determined by the volume-to-capacity ratio, identifying potential congested areas. As such, this work points to the importance of further improvements to visual analytic techniques to accurately predict traffic patterns and evaluate traffic management strategies effectively. Predictive models based on visual analytic findings can pave the way for proactive traffic control and congestion mitigation, making urban traffic management more efficient and safer. The current study provides a scaffold for additional exploration of the above-detailed methods and their penal outcomes in urban development planning and policy provision in terms of developing sustainable traffic control strategies and real-time decision-making improvements.

Models of forming logistics infrastructure for complex equipment recycling

Subject matter: models for forming the logistics infrastructure for complex equipment recycling. The work aims to create optimization models that consider key factors in forming recycling infrastructure and combine centralized and decentralized elements to enhance the efficiency of this process. Tasks: analyze modern approaches to organizing complex equipment recycling; identify criteria and factors for optimizing recycling infrastructure; develop a multi-level recycling infrastructure; formulate optimization models for recycling infrastructure, taking into account enterprise production capacities, logistical costs, environmental impact, and other factors. Methods: a systems approach, structural modeling, optimization models. Research results: approaches to organizing recycling infrastructure were analyzed: centralized, distributed, and combined; the selection of a combined approach for creating logistics infrastructure for complex equipment recycling was justified; a structural multi-level model of recycling infrastructure was developed with a lower level (sorting enterprises), middle level (processing enterprises), and upper level (organizational management); mathematical models for optimizing recycling infrastructure were formulated, considering enterprise production capacities, logistical costs, and environmental impact. The conclusions: proposed structural multi-level model of complex equipment recycling infrastructure combines the advantages of centralized and decentralized management, ensuring flexibility, system reliability against external influences, cost minimization, and sustainable process control. The application of the developed optimization models allows for consideration of enterprise production capacities, logistical costs, environmental impact, and other factors to find the most effective configuration of recycling infrastructure. Implementation of the proposed recycling infrastructure will ensure the formation of coherent interaction between government bodies, enterprises, public organizations, and international partners.

Electrolyzed Water Treatment for the Control of the Zoonotic Pathogen Vibrio vulnificus in Aquaculture: A One Health Perspective.

Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) is a bacterial pathogen native to warm and brackish water ecosystems that can cause fatal septicemia (Vv-vibriosis) in humans and various farmed fish species. From a One Health perspective, controlling Vv-vibriosis outbreaks on farms is essential not only for animal but also for human health, as it reduces the risk of Vv transmission to humans. Electrolyzed water (EW) is a sustainable control method, exhibiting transient disinfectant properties due to the formation of hypochlorous acid (HOCl). We hypothesized that EW could effectively reduce Vv populations in aquaculture facilities, preventing outbreak emergence. To test this hypothesis, survival assays in EW were conducted under varying conditions of salinity, pH, and free available chlorine (FAC). The results indicated that an intermediate concentration of FAC had a significant bactericidal effect on Vv populations regardless of the condition and tested strain. Consequently, the strategic use of EW could serve as an eco-friendly preventive and control measure against Vv-vibriosis by significantly decreasing the bacterial load in farm water.

Laser Weeding Technology in Cropping Systems: A Comprehensive Review

Weed infestations pose significant challenges to global crop production, demanding effective and sustainable weed control methods. Traditional approaches, such as chemical herbicides, mechanical tillage, and plastic mulches, are not only associated with environmental concerns but also face challenges like herbicide resistance, soil health, erosion, moisture content, and organic matter depletion. Thermal methods like flaming, streaming, and hot foam distribution are emerging weed control technologies along with directed energy systems of electrical and laser weeding. This paper conducts a comprehensive review of laser weeding technology, comparing it with conventional methods and highlighting its potential environmental benefits. Laser weeding, known for its precision and targeted energy delivery, emerges as a promising alternative to conventional control methods. This review explores various laser weeding platforms, discussing their features, applications, and limitations, with a focus on critical areas for improvement, including dwell time reduction, automated navigation, energy efficiency, affordability, and safety standards. Comparative analyses underscore the advantages of laser weeding, such as reduced environmental impact, minimized soil disturbance, and the potential for sustainable agriculture. This paper concludes by outlining key areas for future research and development to enhance the effectiveness, accessibility, and affordability of laser weeding technology. In summary, laser weeding presents a transformative solution for weed control, aligning with the principles of sustainable and environmentally conscious agriculture, and addressing the limitations of traditional methods.

A Role of Artificial Intelligences in Drug Discovery and Drug Development – A Critical Review.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is lowering the period and cost of the medication research and discovery process Artificial Intelligence is a revolution of medical research in pharmaceutical companies. In a review article, we give a summary of the many artificial intelligence tools of machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques that will be used in drug research and discovery in the future. AI techniques and tools are more specifically designed or better programmed to mimic the operations of the human brain. AI is frequently used in drug discovery for de novo drug creation, virtual screening, reaction prediction, and de novo protein design. In addition, the application of AI and techniques of AI. ML is a disease diagnosis, de novo drug design, drug prediction for diseases, and big data prediction using ANN, CNN, and SNN, as well as deep learning. Furthermore, the function, applications, and methods of AI. Technological hurdles also face the contemporary XAI, and “low level” molecular representations (such as SMILES strings) that are useful for machine learning and AI tools are ‘deep chem’ in drug development several cutting-edge methods referred to as Knowledge Base Systems (KBS). The AI-based nanorobots are drug discovery on creating implantable nanorobots for the targeted delivery of medications and genes, factors including sustained release, dose modification, and control release need to be taken into consideration. Finally recent development of ML and DL techniques and AI models are more useful in the drug development and drug discovery process.

Adulticidal activity of essential oils of Ageratum conyzoides L., Hyptis suaveolens L., Ocimum basilicum L. and their synergistic effects against anopheles mosquitoes

This study investigated the insecticidal efficacy of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Ageratum conyzoides, Hyptis suaveolens, and Ocimum basilicum against female Anopheles mosquitoes, aiming to explore their potential as alternatives to synthetic insecticides amidst rising resistance issues. EOs were obtained through steam distillation from freshly harvested plant aerial parts, and their chemical compositions were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results revealed significant variations in chemical profiles among the oils, with precocene I dominating in A. Conyzoides, eucalyptol in H. suaveolens, and estragole in O. basilicum. Thin layer chromatography analyses revealed various components with rf values ranging from 0.25 – 0.93. Mosquito bioassay demonstrated varying knockdown effects across the oils, with H. suavolens achieving 77.5% knockdown within six minutes of the observation period. None of the oils or their combinations reached susceptibility status (98–100% mortality), indicating prevalent resistance among the mosquito population in the study area. The combination of A. conyzoides and H. suavolens essential oil gave the highest percentage mortality (70%) at the least time (9 minutes), this is a suggestion of synergistic activity. Despite resistance challenges, this study highlights the promise of botanical insecticides in sustainable mosquito control and underscores the ongoing need for innovation and adaptation in vector management strategies.