•The first formalization of a CLSC network of distributed plastic recycling for 3D printing.•Assessment of the economical–environmental feasibility of the distributed recycling network.•A sensitivity ...analysis of the distributed recycling undertaken using real parameters.•A first model to decision-making process to sustain distributed recycling initiatives at early stages.
Recent research and initiatives increasingly propose a new approach, based on distributed plastic recycling for open-source (OS) 3D printing technologies, as a way to deal with the issue of plastic waste and to support the development of the circular economy (CE). Distributed recycling can be thought of as a sort of “smart grid”, composed of small and coordinated recycling units. However, the operational complexity of this distributed approach limits its application. Furthermore, the environmental and economic advantages have yet to be demonstrated. This article therefore explores the economic and environmental feasibility of this distributed plastic recycling approach from a logistics perspective, as a step towards its validation. To achieve this, an optimization mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model was used as an evaluation tool, representing a local closed loop supply chain (CLSC) network. The proposed model is illustrated using a case study of a university seeking to implement a distributed recycling demonstrator in order to recover 3D printing wastes from secondary schools in the northeast of France. Following this step, a sensitivity analysis was carried out considering the market variations (price of virgin plastic filament) and the amount of available plastic waste derived from the schools. The results obtained show positive economic and environmental benefits of carrying out this new method of plastic recycling. This work serves as a basis for continuing to explore the feasibility and replication of the distributed plastic recycling network in other contexts.
In recent years, the idea of a highly immunogenic protein-based vaccine to combat Streptococcus pneumoniae and its severe invasive infectious diseases has gained considerable interest. However, the ...target proteins to be included in a vaccine formulation have to accomplish several genetic and immunological characteristics, (such as conservation, distribution, immunogenicity and protective effect), in order to ensure its suitability and effectiveness. This study aimed to get comprehensive insights into the genomic organization, population distribution and genetic conservation of all pneumococcal surface-exposed proteins, genetic regulators and other virulence factors, whose important function and role in pathogenesis has been demonstrated or hypothesized.
After retrieving the complete set of DNA and protein sequences reported in the databases GenBank, KEGG, VFDB, P2CS and Uniprot for pneumococcal strains whose genomes have been fully sequenced and annotated, a comprehensive bioinformatic analysis and systematic comparison has been performed for each virulence factor, stand-alone regulator and two-component regulatory system (TCS) encoded in the pan-genome of S. pneumoniae. A total of 25 S. pneumoniae strains, representing different pneumococcal phylogenetic lineages and serotypes, were considered. A set of 92 different genes and proteins were identified, classified and studied to construct a pan-genomic variability map (variome) for S. pneumoniae. Both, pneumococcal virulence factors and regulatory genes, were well-distributed in the pneumococcal genome and exhibited a conserved feature of genome organization, where replication and transcription are co-oriented. The analysis of the population distribution for each gene and protein showed that 49 of them are part of the core genome in pneumococci, while 43 belong to the accessory-genome. Estimating the genetic variability revealed that pneumolysin, enolase and Usp45 (SP_2216 in S. p. TIGR4) are the pneumococcal virulence factors with the highest conservation, while TCS08, TCS05, and TCS02 represent the most conserved pneumococcal genetic regulators.
The results identified well-distributed and highly conserved pneumococcal virulence factors as well as regulators, representing promising candidates for a new generation of serotype-independent protein-based vaccine(s) to combat pneumococcal infections.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Temozolomide, an alkylating agent, initially used in the treatment of gliomas was expanded to include pituitary tumors in 2006. After 12 years of use, temozolomide has shown a notable advancement in ...pituitary tumor treatment with a remarkable improvement rate in the 5-year overall survival and 5-year progression-free survival in both aggressive pituitary adenomas and pituitary carcinomas. In this paper, we review the mechanism of action of temozolomide as alkylating agent, its interaction with deoxyribonucleic acid repair systems, therapeutic effects in pituitary tumors, unresolved issues, and future directions relating to new possibilities of targeted therapy.
Many environmental and physiological stresses are chronic. Thus, cells are constantly exposed to diverse types of genotoxic insults that challenge genome stability, including those that induce ...oxidative DNA damage. However, most in vitro studies that model cellular response to oxidative stressors employ short exposures and/or acute stress models. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that chronic and repeated exposure to a micromolar concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H
O
) could activate DNA damage responses, resulting in cellular adaptations. For this purpose, we developed an in vitro model in which we incubated mouse myoblast cells with a steady concentration of ~50μM H
O
for one hour daily for seven days, followed by a final challenge of a 10 or 20X higher dose of H
O
(0.5 or 1mM). We report that intermittent long-term exposure to this oxidative stimulus nearly eliminated cell toxicity and significantly decreased genotoxicity (in particular, a >5-fold decreased in double-strand breaks) resulting from subsequent acute exposure to oxidative stress. This protection was associated with cell cycle arrest in G2/M and induction of expression of nine DNA repair genes. Together, this evidence supports an adaptive response to chronic, low-level oxidative stress that results in genomic protection and up-regulated maintenance of cellular homeostasis.
Many authors have published in the field of relativistic fluid mechanics (Von LAUE, 1911) (HALBWACHS, 1960) (PICHON, 1965) (LICHNEROWICZ, 1966) (BRUHAT, 1966) (MARLE, 1969) (ARZELIES, 1971) (MAHJOUB, ...1971) (REZZOLLA et al., 2013) (DISVONZI, 2014) (DERRADI et al., 2016). However, the demonstrations carried out are subject to caution, either due to errors, or by the use of the BOLTZMANN equation or the principle of least action associated with the Lagrangian (FONTEIX et al., 2020). The conference presented at the previous SFGP congress (CAMARGO et al., 2019) was based on the results of a publication (FONTEIX et al., 2020). The aim was to write the energy, momentum and matter balances in special relativity, for continuous fluid mixtures (ARZELIES, 1971). Contrary to custom, these assessments were demonstrated using 2 principles. The first is well known, it is the inseparability of space and time during a change of inertial frame (MINKOWSKI, 1907). The second is our original proposal: in the Tangent Inertial Frame of a flat space-time, the equations of the relativistic dynamics of continuous fluid mixtures and those of classical physics are identical. Thanks to this, we were able to integrate relativistic gravitation (BRAGINSKY et al., 1992) (Mc DONALD, 1997) (TARTAGLIA et al., 2004) in flat space-time (not curved) and electromagnetism. However, we had not considered nuclear reactions and quantum phenomena (SCHULMAN, 1980), nor approached relativistic thermodynamics (STRUCHTRUP, 1998). We will not do it more here, but we will see in the present conference if it is possible, based on the previous results, to make experiments whose results differ significantly from those carried out on earth, namely experiments carried out in the fastest usable vehicle currently available: the International Space Station (ISS).
De nombreux auteurs ont publié dans le domaine de la mécanique relativiste des fluides (Von LAUE, 1911) (HALBWACHS, 1960) (PICHON, 1965) (LICHNEROWICZ, 1966) (BRUHAT, 1966) (MARLE, 1969) (ARZELIES, 1971) (MAHJOUB, 1971) (REZZOLLA et al., 2013) (DISVONZI, 2014) (DERRADI et al., 2016). Cependant, les démonstrations réalisées sont sujettes à caution, soit du fait d’erreurs, soit par l’utilisation de l’équation de BOLTZMANN ou du principe de moindre action associé au Lagrangien (FONTEIX et al., 2020). La conférence présentée au précédent congrès de la SFGP (CAMARGO et al., 2019) était basée sur les résultats d’une publication (FONTEIX et al., 2020). Il s’agissait d’écrire les bilans d’énergie, de quantité de mouvement et de matière en relativité restreinte, pour les mélanges fluides continus (ARZELIES, 1971). Contrairement aux habitudes, ces bilans étaient démontrés à l’aide de 2 principes. Le premier est bien connu, il s’agit de l’inséparabilité de l’espace et du temps lors d’un changement de repère inertiel (MINKOWSKI, 1907). Le deuxième est notre proposition originale : dans le Repère Inertiel Tangent d’un espace-temps plat, les équations de la dynamique relativiste des mélanges fluides continus et celles de la physique classique sont identiques. Grâce à cela, nous avons pu intégrer la gravitation relativiste (BRAGINSKY et al., 1992) (Mc DONALD, 1997) (TARTAGLIA et al., 2004) en espace-temps plat (non courbé) et l’électromagnétisme. Cependant, nous n’avions pas pris en compte les réactions nucléaires et les phénomènes quantiques (SCHULMAN, 1980), ni abordé la thermodynamique relativiste (STRUCHTRUP, 1998). Nous ne le ferons pas plus ici, mais nous verrons dans la présente conférence s’il est possible, en s’appuyant sur les résultats précédents, de faire des expériences dont les résultats diffèrent significativement de celles réalisées sur terre, à savoir des expériences menées dans le véhicule utilisable le plus rapide disponible actuellement : la Station Spatiale Internationale (ISS).
We assessed how multi- and univariate models reflect marine environmental health based on macrobenthic community responses to three environmental stressor categories: hydrodynamics, organic ...enrichment and metal contamination. We then compared the models with the benthic index AMBI (AZTI Marine Biotic Index). Macrobenthic community and physicochemical variables were sampled at 35 sites along Babitonga Bay, a subtropical estuary in Southern Brazil. Distance-based linear modelling identified depth, grain size and organic matter as well as Cu and Zn as key stressors affecting the macrobenthos. Using canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP), we developed three multivariate models based on the variability in community composition, creating stress gradients. The metal gradient showed better correlation with the benthic community. Sediment quality indices (Geoaccumulation Index and Contamination Factor) showed a low to moderate contamination status, with higher concentrations for Cr, Ni and Zn at the inner areas of the bay. According to AMBI, Babitonga Bay has a "good" environmental health status, and the AMBI values show stronger correlations with the hydrodynamic and organic enrichment gradients (r = 0.50 and r = 0.47) rather than the metal gradient (r = 0.29). Lumbrineridae polychaetes (not included in the AMBI list) and
sp. were negatively related to the metal contamination gradient and were considered sensitive, while
sp.,
, the gastropod
and species of the crustacean order Mysida were positively related to the gradient and considered tolerant to higher concentrations of metals in the sediment. Despite the inconsistency in the ecological classification provided by AMBI and its relationship with the metal gradient, our results suggest that the environmental quality was satisfactory for the studied gradients. The metal gradient showed the weakest correlation to AMBI. In such cases, the ecological classification of taxa by the index should be evaluated under the perspective of the action of inorganic genotoxic contaminants represented by metals.
The development and implementation of recycling networks seems to be a promising way to cope with and mitigate the environmental problems of waste. As a mandatory condition, recycling networks must ...guarantee the achievement of sustainability requirements. Since the first proposal of the TBL (Triple Bottom Line) in the early 1990s, some authors have suggested that this model should be extended to include more dimensions. Recent studies have proposed that for a system to be sustainable, it should not only include the economic, environmental, and social dimensions but must also consider technological and political aspects and their subsequent sustainability indicators for their evaluation. In regard to recycling networks, however, social, technological, and political dimensions are still to be formalized to facilitate their use when designing recycling networks or evaluating their impact. In order to understand how these social, political, and technological dimensions should be integrated into the sustainability evaluation process of a potential recycling network, a systematic literature review has been conducted. A total of 160 journal articles were selected and analyzed. Information was identified on the problem addressed, the recycling domain, the methodologies used, and the social, technological, and political aspects under consideration. A set of social, political, and technological indicators to be considered for the main recycling network problems (design and planning, decision-making and performance evaluation, provider selection, price, and coordination) is then proposed. The main contribution of this work lies in the understanding for future research of how to consider social, political, and technological aspects taking into account the most common problems addressed in a recycling network. At the same time, findings and research gaps have been derived from these results. This study provides a basis for future work oriented toward the holistic evaluation of sustainable recycling networks.
•First literature review on the social, political, and technological dimensions of sustainability in the evaluation of recycling networks.•Five social orientations were identified being the 'Job creation' (worker-oriented indicator) the most used.•Five technological aspects were mapped, where 'Capacity of facilities' (process.oriented factor) stand out as the most used.•Five political aspects were addressed being the incentive/punishment policies (e.g subsidies and taxes) the most studied.•A set of factors are proposed for each dimension and problem addressed in recycling networks.
Innovation projects represent a major challenge for business managers due to their associated uncertainty degree. The already existing methodologies to support the innovation projects are aimed at ...piloting them and establishing the management stages in a flexible and agile way during their deployment. This paper proposes a complementary ex-ante methodology that seeks to aid the decision-making of companies to choose whether or not to launch a potential innovation project. This methodology evaluates to what extent the technological system of the company has the minimum required maturity degree of competencies to successfully achieve the innovation project. Thus, in first instance, an innovation project is characterized according to its novelty degree; both inside the company and in its environment. Subsequently, according to the previous characterization, the future project will have an impact on the technological system of the company. The capabilities of the firm are represented by a set of good practices associated with the innovation projects' management that the company is able to deploy. Finally, the minimum maturity degree required by a particular project of these practices is determined. Then, the gap between the maturity requirement profile and the current profile of the company is established enabling to decide on the implementation of the project or not.
La promoción de agroecosistemas que proveen servicios ecosistémicos SE además de la producción de alimentos, está mediada por su nivel de aporte al bienestar de las comunidades, así como la capacidad ...de estas para fundamentarlos. Esta mediación se materializa cuando una comunidad gestiona su agroecosistema según la importancia o valor dada a los SE. Estos constituyen un proceso estudiado por la agroecología y la economía ecológica, logrando avances en la asignación holística del valor. Sin embargo, en el mundo y especialmente en América Latina, la literatura no registra un vínculo formal entre estas dos ciencias con relación a la valoración de SE en agroecosistemas, pese a que comparten planteamientos teóricos similares que pueden ser integrados con este propósito. Mediante una revisión sistemática de literatura, se establecen cinco dimensiones de valoración: ecológica, sociocultural, tecnológica, económica y política. Asimismo, se determinan cinco enfoques de valoración: transdisciplinar, sistémico, ecológico, multidimensional y participativo en agroecosistemas. La articulación entre tanto en dimensiones como enfoques direccionan el proceso de valoración de SE, aportando en la toma de decisiones para la gestión sostenible de agroecosistemas.
A large number of studies have demonstrated the strong influence of and correlation between innovation and export activities as key factors of the firm’s competitiveness. However, these two ...activities have usually been considered independently of each other in terms of management and support. This paper relies on the characterization of a conceptual innovation/export common space representing the synergistic effects between these two activities. A hybrid AHP/Flowsort MCDM-methodology is proposed in order to model this common space through the evaluation of a framework of joint practices related simultaneously to the innovation and export capabilities of SMEs. The relevance of this methodology is tested through the design of a decision-making tool applied to a French exporting and innovative SME. This case study opens up further research perspectives and points to areas for improvement in the evaluation of SMEs’ capabilities.
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