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Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Jun 2024Protein emulsifiers play an important role in formulation science, from food product development to emerging applications in biotechnologies. The impact of mixed protein...
Protein emulsifiers play an important role in formulation science, from food product development to emerging applications in biotechnologies. The impact of mixed protein assemblies on surface composition and interfacial shear mechanics remains broadly unexplored, in comparison to the impact that formulation has on dilatational mechanics and surface tension or pressure. In this report, we use interfacial shear rheology to quantify the evolution of interfacial shear moduli as a function of composition in bovine serum albumin (BSA)/β-casein mixed assemblies. We present the pronounced difference in mechanics of these two protein, at oil interfaces, and observe the dominance of β-casein in regulating interfacial shear mechanics. This observation correlates well with the strong asymmetry of adsorption of these two proteins, characterised by fluorescence microscopy. Using neutron reflectometry and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, we examine the architecture of corresponding protein assemblies and their surface diffusion, providing evidence for distinct morphologies, but surprisingly comparable diffusion profiles. Finally, we explore the impact of crosslinking and sequential protein adsorption on the interfacial shear mechanics of corresponding assemblies. Overall, this work indicates that, despite comparable surface densities, BSA and β-casein assemblies at liquid-liquid interfaces display almost 2 orders of magnitude difference in interfacial shear storage modulus and markedly different viscoelastic profiles. In addition, co-adsorption and sequential adsorption processes are found to further modulate interfacial shear mechanics. Beyond formulation science, the understanding of complex mixed protein assemblies and mechanics may have implications for the stability of emulsions and may underpin changes in the mechanical strength of corresponding interfaces, for example in tissue culture or in physiological conditions.
PubMed: 38941932
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.06.111 -
Health Care Science Feb 2024Despite their flaws, the low-cost but powerful economical solutions can ensure everyone has access to health. The main aim of this study is to extract characteristics of...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Despite their flaws, the low-cost but powerful economical solutions can ensure everyone has access to health. The main aim of this study is to extract characteristics of frugal innovation (FI) and social innovation (SI) for Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in low resource settings (LRS) for sustainable development. We will use the gained insights to design the mobile primary healthcare infrastructure using FI and SI strategies. There is a lack of methodology to design sustainable healthcare infrastructure for LRS. There is a gap in the literature about building sustainable infrastructure to provide basic healthcare facilities essential to the community. This article studies several factors necessary for designing sustainable infrastructure from the lens of FI, SI, and sustainability to develop a mobile healthcare infrastructure for last-mile people.
METHODS
Started with purposive sampled case studies to find out factors and criteria that most affect the success for an innovation to be frugal, social, and sustainable. The established criteria were used to design, develop, and deploy the mobile Primary Health Center (mPHC). Moving forward, we tested the system designed with stakeholders to gather insights. At this stage we found the feedback loop from the stakeholders and the role of interdisciplinary discussions between experts, medical officers, nurses, patient, and other staff of PHCs during the design, development, deployment, and test stage to be useful in taking design decisions efficiently.
RESULTS
The designed healthcare infrastructure of mPHC through the aspects of FI and SI proves to be efficient in providing key healthcare services to LRS.
CONCLUSION
Focusing on essential capabilities and optimizing performance with technology, methodologies, and processes reduces costs in an innovation. Focus on socially inclusive and rebalancing power disparities, overcome societal challenges and improve human capabilities will create a sustainable and novel solution.
PubMed: 38939171
DOI: 10.1002/hcs2.80 -
Fundamental Research Jan 2024This paper gives a definition of the Industrial Internet and expounds on the academic connotation of the future Industrial Internet. From this foundation, we outline the... (Review)
Review
This paper gives a definition of the Industrial Internet and expounds on the academic connotation of the future Industrial Internet. From this foundation, we outline the development and current status of the Industrial Internet in China and globally. Moreover, we detail the avant-garde paradigms encompassed within the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)'s "Future Industrial Internet Fundamental Theory and Key Technologies" research plan and its corresponding management strategies. This research initiative endeavors to enhance interdisciplinary collaborations, aiming for a synergistic alignment of industry, academia, research, and practical implementations. The primary focus of the research plan is on the pivotal scientific challenges inherent to the future industrial internet. It is poised to traverse the "first mile", encompassing foundational research and pioneering innovations specific to the industrial internet, and seamlessly bridges to the "last mile", ensuring the effective commercialization of scientific and technological breakthroughs into tangible industrial market applications. The anticipated contributions from this initiative are projected to solidify both the theoretical and practical scaffolding essential for the cultivation of a globally competitive industrial internet infrastructure in China.
PubMed: 38933842
DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2023.06.017 -
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine Jun 2024The information relating to the outcome specifically for juvenile dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) is lacking.
BACKGROUND
The information relating to the outcome specifically for juvenile dogs with meningoencephalitis of unknown etiology (MUE) is lacking.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome in a cohort of dogs with MUE <52 weeks old.
ANIMALS
Thirty-four client-owned dogs.
METHODS
Multicenter retrospective case series. Records from 5 referral centers were searched. Data was extracted from the medical records and referring veterinarians were contacted for survival data if this was not available from the record.
RESULTS
The mean age was 31 weeks; the youngest dog was 11 weeks and 3 dogs were <16 weeks old. Altered mentation (71%), ataxia (44%), seizures (29%), and circling (26%) were the most common presenting complaints. Neuroanatomical localization was to the forebrain (38%), multifocal (35%), brainstem (18%), and cerebellum (12%). Corticosteroid monotherapy (n = 15) and corticosteroid plus cytosine arabinoside (n = 15) were used in equal proportions. Outcome data was available for 26 dogs, 8 (31%) were alive at the time of data collection with a follow-up range of 135 to 2944 days. Death or euthanasia was related to MUE in 17/18 dogs that died during the study period. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated a median survival time for all-cause death of 84 days.
CONCLUSION
The prognosis for MUE in this subset of dogs was considered poor.
PubMed: 38932495
DOI: 10.1111/jvim.17126 -
Biomedicines May 2024The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a unique protease binding receptor, now recognized as a key regulator of inflammation. Initially, uPA/uPAR... (Review)
Review
The urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) is a unique protease binding receptor, now recognized as a key regulator of inflammation. Initially, uPA/uPAR was considered thrombolytic (clot-dissolving); however, recent studies have demonstrated its predominant immunomodulatory functions in inflammation and cancer. The uPA/uPAR complex has a multifaceted central role in both normal physiological and also pathological responses. uPAR is expressed as a glycophosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked receptor interacting with vitronectin, integrins, G protein-coupled receptors, and growth factor receptors within a large lipid raft. Through protein-to-protein interactions, cell surface uPAR modulates intracellular signaling, altering cellular adhesion and migration. The uPA/uPAR also modifies extracellular activity, activating plasminogen to form plasmin, which breaks down fibrin, dissolving clots and activating matrix metalloproteinases that lyse connective tissue, allowing immune and cancer cell invasion and releasing growth factors. uPAR is now recognized as a biomarker for inflammatory diseases and cancer; uPAR and soluble uPAR fragments (suPAR) are increased in viral sepsis (COVID-19), inflammatory bowel disease, and metastasis. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the structure, function, and current studies examining uPAR and suPAR as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Understanding uPAR is central to developing diagnostic markers and the ongoing development of antibody, small-molecule, nanogel, and virus-derived immune-modulating treatments that target uPAR.
PubMed: 38927374
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061167 -
Marine Drugs May 2024Transition metal catalysis has contributed to the discovery of novel methodologies and the preparation of natural products, as well as new chances to increase the... (Review)
Review
Transition metal catalysis has contributed to the discovery of novel methodologies and the preparation of natural products, as well as new chances to increase the chemical space in drug discovery programs. In the case of marine drugs, this strategy has been used to achieve selective, sustainable and efficient transformations, which cannot be obtained otherwise. In this perspective, we aim to showcase how a variety of transition metals have provided fruitful couplings in a wide variety of marine drug-like scaffolds over the past few years, by accelerating the production of these valuable molecules.
Topics: Catalysis; Biological Products; Transition Elements; Aquatic Organisms; Drug Discovery; Animals
PubMed: 38921564
DOI: 10.3390/md22060253 -
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Public transportation scheduling aims to optimize the allocation of resources, enhance efficiency, and increase passenger satisfaction, all of which are crucial for...
Public transportation scheduling aims to optimize the allocation of resources, enhance efficiency, and increase passenger satisfaction, all of which are crucial for building a sustainable urban transportation system. As a complement to public transportation, bike-sharing systems provide users with a solution for the last mile of travel, compensating for the lack of flexibility in public transportation and helping to improve its utilization rate. Due to the characteristics of shared bikes, including peak usage periods in the morning and evening and significant demand fluctuations across different areas, optimizing shared bike dispatch can better meet user needs, reduce vehicle vacancy rates, and increase operating revenue. To address this issue, this article proposes a comprehensive decision-making approach for spatiotemporal demand prediction and bike dispatch optimization. For demand prediction, we design a T-GCN (Temporal Graph Convolutional Network)-based bike demand prediction model. In terms of dispatch optimization, we consider factors such as dispatch capacity, distance restrictions, and dispatch costs, and design an optimization solution based on genetic algorithms. Finally, we validate the approach using shared bike operating data and show that the T-GCN can effectively predict the short-term demand for shared bikes. Meanwhile, the optimization model based on genetic algorithms provides a complete dispatch solution, verifying the model's effectiveness. The shared bike dispatch approach proposed in this paper combines demand prediction with resource scheduling. This scheme can also be extended to other transportation scheduling problems with uncertain demand, such as store replenishment delivery and intercity inventory dispatch.
PubMed: 38921248
DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics9060368 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024
Topics: Humans; Malaria; Global Health; Disease Eradication
PubMed: 38915746
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1433213 -
Scientific Reports Jun 2024For alkaline anion-exchange membrane electrolysers and fuel cells to become a technological reality, hydroxide-ion (OH) conducting membranes that are flexible, robust,...
For alkaline anion-exchange membrane electrolysers and fuel cells to become a technological reality, hydroxide-ion (OH) conducting membranes that are flexible, robust, affording high OH conductivity, and synthesised in a low-cost and scalable way must be developed. In this paper, we engineer a stable, self-supporting, and flexible fibre mat using a low-cost ZIF-8 metal-organic framework composited with ionic liquid tetrabutylammonium hydroxide and widely used polyacrylonitrile as polymeric backbone. We obtain mats with a high intrinsic OH conductivity for a metal-organic framework-based material already at room temperature, without added ion-conductor polymers. This approach will contribute to the development of low-cost and tuneable ion-conducting membranes.
PubMed: 38914565
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64646-9 -
ACS Energy Letters Jun 2024Strain is an important property in halide perovskite semiconductors used for optoelectronic applications because of its ability to influence device efficiency and...
Strain is an important property in halide perovskite semiconductors used for optoelectronic applications because of its ability to influence device efficiency and stability. However, descriptions of strain in these materials are generally limited to bulk averages of bare films, which miss important property-determining heterogeneities that occur on the nanoscale and at interfaces in multilayer device stacks. Here, we present three-dimensional nanoscale strain mapping using Bragg coherent diffraction imaging of individual grains in CsFAPb(IBr) and CsFASnI (FA = formamidinium) halide perovskite absorbers buried in full solar cell devices. We discover large local strains and striking intragrain and grain-to-grain strain heterogeneity, identifying distinct islands of tensile and compressive strain inside grains. Additionally, we directly image dislocations with surprising regularity in CsFASnI grains and find evidence for dislocation-induced antiphase boundary formation. Our results shine a rare light on the nanoscale strains in these materials in their technologically relevant device setting.
PubMed: 38911532
DOI: 10.1021/acsenergylett.4c00921