•A Circular Economy implementation at Industrial Park level is presented.•Industrial Metabolism is taken as an adequate framework for Circular Economy.•To ensure Circular Economy, an ontology concept ...is developed.•Ontology enables common knowledge to be shared among several agents.•A Multi-Agent System is modelled to achieve a Smart Eco-Industrial Park.
In order to conserve natural environments, the Circular Economy (CE) is considered as a suitable way to carry out the transition from current economic models to models of a more sustainable nature. From the biological perspective however, industrial systems are generally inefficient. Manufacturing systems from the biological perspective therefore require the incorporation of tools to support decision making, thereby enabling organizations to improve their functions and competitiveness in a global and integrated perspective. Accordingly, at meso level, eco-industrial parks are gaining importance as an approach towards ensuring CE. In this work, an ontological framework for CE, based on industrial metabolism, is developed as the technology for information and knowledge models to share the circularity of resources through industrial ecosystems, based on ecological, economic, and social criteria. The ontology developed is modelled using Ontology Web Language and integrated in an architecture based on bio-inspired Multi-Agent Systems (MAS). Moreover, a quantitative method, Ecological Network Analysis, is incorporated into MAS knowledge to analyze and establish relationships and metabolic pathways between companies, which can increase the circularity of technical nutrients and reduce biological nutrient extraction. The integrated model is applied to a case study on the product life cycle for the establishment of its metabolic pathway through an eco-industrial park. The subsequent incorporation of MAS thereby establishes the Smart Eco-Industrial Park.
This paper delves into the concept of social metabolism as a foundation for the development of sociotechnical systems in Industry 5.0. The study conducts an analysis of the existing methods and ...approaches for designing sociotechnical systems, and reviews publications that utilize such systems to incorporate Industry 4.0 technologies into manufacturing processes. Additionally, it examines the three key factors of Industry 5.0 and the enabling framework of Industry 4.0 technologies. Based on these investigations, a theoretical model is proposed for manufacturing system design, employing sociotechnical systems to integrate Industry 4.0 enabling technologies, while considering the essential aspects of Industry 5.0. The model emphasizes the early consideration of sociotechnical systems to design manufacturing systems that prioritize human-centricity, sustainability, and resilience. By embracing this comprehensive approach, the proposed model contributes to the realization of a production environment aligned with societal needs, fostering a more conscious and adaptable industry.
The limitations imposed by resource scarcity and the imperative to mitigate adverse environmental and societal impacts have intensified the urgency of developing more sustainable manufacturing ...systems. Simultaneously, the rapid development and implementation of new technologies is exacerbating the digital divide among vulnerable workers. Concomitantly, the enabling technologies stemming from Industry 4.0 offer significant potential to enhance the competitiveness of manufacturing systems. However, the impact of these enabling technologies on achieving sustainable manufacturing remains uncertain. This paper embarks on a comprehensive exploration to address this knowledge gap. Initially, it assesses the suitability of each enabling technology within Industry 4.0 across the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Subsequently, the needs of the production process are studied to characterize its sustainable performance. For this, the ASTM E3012-22 standard is introduced. Building upon this foundation, the incorporation of Industry 5.0 is introduced to guide the selection of enabling technologies for sustainability based on its core values, encompassing sustainability, human-centricity, and resilience. The integration of new technologies guided by these values can help bridge the technological divide among vulnerable workers. Finally, a theoretical framework is proposed to enable the design of sustainable manufacturing systems guided by Industry 5.0 values. This framework enables the seamless integration of enabling technologies, machinery, and human expertise throughout the system life cycle.
HIV-1 infection leads to numerous B cell abnormalities, including hypergammaglobulinemia, nonspecific B cell activation, nonspecific class switching, increased cell turnover, breakage of tolerance, ...increased immature/transitional B cells, B cell malignancies, as well as a loss of capacity to generate and maintain memory, all of which contribute to a global impairment of the immune humoral compartment. Several cytokines and soluble factors, which are increased in sera of HIV-1-infected individuals, have been suggested to directly or indirectly contribute to these B cell dysfunctions, and one of these is the B cell-activating factor (BAFF). We report in this study that HIV-1 (X4- and R5-tropic) upregulates BAFF expression and secretion by human monocytes. Moreover, we show that the virus-mediated production of BAFF by monocytes relies on a type I IFN response by a small percentage of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) present in the monocyte cultures. HIV-1-induced type I IFN by pDCs triggers BAFF production in both classical and intermediate monocytes, but not in nonclassical monocytes, which nonetheless display a very strong basal BAFF production. We report also that basal BAFF secretion was higher in monocytes obtained from females compared with those from male donors. This study provides a novel mechanistic explanation for the increased BAFF levels observed during HIV-1 infection and highlights the importance of pDC/monocyte crosstalk to drive BAFF secretion.
Remote sensing data and numerical simulation are important tools to rebuild any oil spill accident letting to identify its source and trajectory. Through these tools was identified an oil spill that ...affected Oaxacan coast in October 2022. The SAR images were processed with a standard method included in SNAP software, and the numerical simulation was made using Lagrangian transport model included in GNOME software. With the combining of these tools was possible to discriminate the look-alikes from true oil slicks; which are the main issue when satellite images are used. Obtained results showed that 4.3m3 of crude oil were released into the ocean from a punctual point of oil pollution. This oil spill was classified such as a small oil spill. The marine currents and weathering processes were the main drivers that controlled the crude oil displacement and its dispersion. It was estimated in GNOME that 1.6 m3 of crude oil was floating on the sea (37.2 %), 2.4 m3 was evaporated into the atmosphere (55.8 %) and 0.3 m3 reached the coast of Oaxaca (7 %). This event affected 82 km of coastline, but the most important touristic areas as well as turtle nesting zones were not affected by this small crude oil spill. Results indicated that the marine-gas-pump number 3 in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, is a punctual point of oil pollution in the Southern Mexican Pacific Ocean. Further work is needed to assess the economic and ecological damage to Oaxacan coast caused by this small oil spill.
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•Remote sensing data and numerical simulation let to rebuild an oil spill accident.•Look-alikes were identified using SAR images and numerical simulation.•Marine currents were the main driver in oil transportation to shoreline.•4.3 m3 of oil was released in the Southern Mexican Pacific Ocean.•82 km of shoreline was affected by 0.3 m3 of oil.
Key message
There is a link between PAP/SAL retrograde pathway, ethylene signaling and Fe metabolism in Arabidopsis.
Nuclear gene expression is regulated by a diversity of retrograde signals that ...travel from organelles to the nucleus in a lineal or classical model. One such signal molecule is 3ʹ-phosphoadenisine-5ʹ-phosphate (PAP) and it's in vivo levels are regulated by SAL1/FRY1, a phosphatase enzyme located in chloroplast and mitochondria. This metabolite inhibits the action of a group of exorribonucleases which participate in post-transcriptional gene expression regulation. Transcriptome analysis of
Arabidopsis thaliana
mutant plants in PAP-SAL1 pathway revealed that the ferritin genes
AtFER1
,
AtFER3
, and
AtFER4
are up-regulated. In this work we studied Fe metabolism in three different mutants of the PAP/SAL1 retrograde pathway. Mutant plants showed increased Fe accumulation in roots, shoots and seeds when grown in Fe-sufficient condition, and a constitutive activation of the Strategy I Fe uptake genes. As a consequence, they grew more vigorously than wild type plants in Fe-deficient medium. However, when mutant plants grown in Fe-deficient conditions were sprayed with Fe in their leaves, they were unable to deactivate root Fe uptake. Ethylene synthesis inhibition revert the constitutive Fe uptake phenotype. We propose that there is a link between PAP/SAL pathway, ethylene signaling and Fe metabolism.
Abstract Myasthenia gravis is caused by antibodies to the acetylcholine receptor, muscle-specific kinase, low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4, or possibly yet unidentified antibodies. ...The mechanisms by which these antibodies interfere with the function of postsynaptic proteins include complement activation, antigenic modulation by crosslinking of the target proteins, competition with ligand binding sites, or steric hindrance which inhibits conformational changes or binding to associated proteins. Screening for auto-antibodies to different postsynaptic targets, and also for low-affinity antibodies, is contributing to a more accurate diagnosis of MG patients. Further studies into the specific pathophysiological pathways of the several MG subforms might help to develop new, more antigen specific, therapies.
The integration of circular economy (CE) principles within organizational strategies has become imperative for companies committed to sustainability and resource efficiency. This study explores the ...adoption of CE principles and the role of the balanced scorecard (BSC) as a facilitative tool. By contextualizing the significance of CE adoption, this paper reviews existing BSC models that incorporate sustainability aspects and evaluates software solutions for BSC implementation. Subsequently, a novel methodological framework was proposed. As a novelty, the strategic analysis included the use of a SWOT analysis. Once the situation was identified, BS 8001:2017 was used to define strategic objectives oriented towards the principles of a CE. Moreover, the proposed objectives were prioritized using the analytic network process tool. After completing the organizational and strategic analyses, the UNE 66175:2003 norm was incorporated to decide on the most appropriate indicators for each objective. Finally, to illustrate the proposed framework, a theoretical detailed case study was developed within the context of an industry specializing in the design and manufacturing of plastic packaging. The developed BSC was implemented using the selected software. This study demonstrated the convenience of establishing a methodology to guide decision making in the development and monitoring of the BSC.
•Retrograde signaling pathways could be involved in iron sensing.•PAP/SAL1 mutants are less affected by alkaline soils than wild type plants.•Iron and phenylpropanoid metabolism genes are upregulated ...in PAP/SAL1 mutants.•PAP/SAL1 mutants synthesize and secrete abundant fluorescent phenolics.•sRNAs might participate in the regulation of coumarin biosynthesis.
Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants and is present abundantly in the Earth's crust. However, Fe bioavailability in alkaline soils is low due to the decreased solubility of the ferric ions. Previously, we have demonstrated the relationship between the PAP/SAL1 retrograde signaling pathway, the activity of Strategy I Fe uptake genes (FIT, FRO2, IRT1), and ethylene signaling. In this work, we have characterized mutant lines that are deficient in this retrograde signaling pathway and their ability to grow in alkaline soils. This adverse growth condition caused less impact on mutant plants, which showed less reduced rosette area, and higher carotenoid, chlorophyll and Fe content than wild-type plants. Several genes involved in the biosynthesis and excretion of secondary metabolites derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway, which improve Fe uptake, were elevated in mutant plants. Finally, we observed an increase in excreted fluorescent phenolic compounds in mutant lines compared to wild-type plants. In this way, PAP/SAL1 mutants showed alterations in the biosynthesis of metabolites that mobilize Fe, which ultimately improved these plants ability to grow in alkaline soils. Results agree with the existence of a link between the PAP/SAL1 retrograde signaling pathway and the regulation of Fe deficiency responses in Arabidopsis.