Various systems in physics, biology, social sciences and engineering have been successfully modeled as networks of coupled dynamical systems, where the links describe pairwise interactions. This is, ...however, too strong a limitation, as recent studies have revealed that higher-order many-body interactions are present in social groups, ecosystems and in the human brain, and they actually affect the emergent dynamics of all these systems. Here, we introduce a general framework to study coupled dynamical systems accounting for the precise microscopic structure of their interactions at any possible order. We show that complete synchronization exists as an invariant solution, and give the necessary condition for it to be observed as a stable state. Moreover, in some relevant instances, such a necessary condition takes the form of a Master Stability Function. This generalizes the existing results valid for pairwise interactions to the case of complex systems with the most general possible architecture.
•Fruit processing waste as a sustainable feedstock for recovery of bioactives is investigated.•The quantum, current utilization and composition is discussed to define the potential application ...areas.•Novel integrated future biorefineries are proposed and potential challenges are discussed with possible solutions.
Fruit processing industries contribute more than 0.5billion tonnes of waste worldwide. The global availability of this feedstock and its untapped potential has encouraged researchers to perform detailed studies on value-addition potential of fruit processing waste (FPW). Compared to general food or other biomass derived waste, FPW are found to be selective and concentrated in nature. The peels, pomace and seed fractions of FPW could potentially be a good feedstock for recovery of bioactive compounds such as pectin, lipids, flavonoids, dietary fibres etc. A novel bio-refinery approach would aim to produce a wider range of valuable chemicals from FPW. The wastes from majority of the extraction processes may further be used as renewable sources for production of biofuels. The literature on value addition to fruit derived waste is diverse. This paper presents a review of fruit waste derived bioactives. The financial challenges encountered in existing methods are also discussed.
Background
Cognitive impairment is increasingly being recognized as a common and disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS) that contributes to poor quality of life in affected patients. Despite ...the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in MS, cognitive function is not assessed routinely in clinical practice or in clinical trials. The perception that cognitive assessments are costly, time-consuming, complicated, and difficult to administer and interpret has contributed, at least in part, to the failure to incorporate cognitive testing into standard clinical evaluation of patients with MS. Detailed studies of cognitive impairment in MS are rare and guidelines for the assessment of cognitive function in MS are lacking.
Treatment
How to manage cognitive decline in MS also requires further study. Licensed disease-modifying drug (DMD) treatments for MS reduce brain lesion development, and associations between brain lesions and cognitive performance have been reported, providing a rationale for DMD treatment of MS-associated cognitive impairment. There is some evidence for cognitive benefits of DMDs, but as few pivotal DMD trials included cognitive assessments, the effects of these agents on cognition are not fully understood and more studies are needed.
Conclusions
It is only through further studies that it will be possible to identify patients with, or at risk of, cognitive impairment and to provide appropriate therapy to limit the effects of this potentially devastating symptom.
Arsenic is present naturally in many geological formations around the world and has been found to be a major source of contamination of groundwater in some countries. This form of contamination ...represents a serious threat to health, economic and social well-being, particularly in under-developed countries and remote communities. The chemistry of arsenic and the factors that influence the form(s) in which it may be present and its fate when introduced into the environment is discussed briefly in this review. A global overview of arsenic contamination of groundwater around the world is then discussed. As a case study, the identified and established causes of groundwater contamination by arsenic in Bangladesh is highlighted and a perspective is provided on the consequential health, agricultural, social and economic impacts. In addition, the relevant removal strategies that have been developed and can generally be used to remediate arsenic contamination are discussed. Also, the possible influence of groundwater inorganic compositions, particularly iron and phosphate, on the effectiveness of arsenic removal is discussed. Furthermore, some specific examples of the filter systems developed successfully for domestic arsenic removal from groundwater to provide required potable water for human consumption are discussed. Lastly, important considerations for further improving the performance and effectiveness of these filter systems for domestic use are outlined.
We present the first study of the effects of ocean acidification on settlement of benthic invertebrates and microfauna. Artificial collectors were placed for 1 month along pH gradients at CO₂ vents ...off Ischia (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). Seventy-nine taxa were identified from six main taxonomic groups (foraminiferans, nematodes, polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans and chaetognaths). Calcareous foraminiferans, serpulid polychaetes, gastropods and bivalves showed highly significant reductions in recruitment to the collectors as pCO₂ rose from normal (336-341 ppm, pH 8.09-8.15) to high levels (886-5,148 ppm) causing acidified conditions near the vents (pH 7.08-7.79). Only the syllid polychaete Syllis prolifera had higher abundances at the most acidified station, although a wide range of polychaetes and small crustaceans was able to settle and survive under these conditions. A few taxa (Amphiglena mediterranea, Leptochelia dubia, Caprella acanthifera) were particularly abundant at stations acidified by intermediate amounts of CO₂ (pH 7.41-7.99). These results show that increased levels of CO₂ can profoundly affect the settlement of a wide range of benthic organisms.
The transformation of organic amendments (OA) in soil is in large part performed by soil microbial communities. These processes are strongly affected by the carbon composition of the OAs. We examined ...microbial community responses to three types of OA: green waste, composted green waste and pyrolysed green waste added to two contrasting agricultural soils. We investigated the relationship between the soil carbon composition (as determined by 13C-solid state NMR), microbial community composition (as determined by phospholipid fatty acid analysis) and microbial activity (as determined by soil enzyme assays). We found that alkyl-C, O-aryl-C, aryl-C and carbonyl-C were able to explain most of the variations (≥50%) in soil microbial community composition and activity. Aryl-C content (reflecting relatively stable carbon forms) strongly influenced microbial composition, while carbonyl-C content (reflecting relatively labile carbon forms) strongly influenced the microbial activity. Our results confirm that there is a tight relationship between carbon composition and soil microbial community composition and function. Results are discussed in the context of examining the relationship between carbon forms, microbial community composition and activity following the addition of different OAs to the soil.
•Composting and pyrolysis alters carbon forms and stabilises green waste.•Soil C forms explain 57% and 46% variations in microbial composition and activity.•Aryl-C content (∼stable C forms) strongly influenced microbial composition.•Carbonyl-C content (∼labile C forms) strongly influenced microbial activity.•Knowledge of soil C composition improves prediction of organic amendment turnover.
The increasing demand for crosslinked polymer microparticles (PMPs) in advanced applications requires the development of new sustainable methods which can reduce the impact of the polymerization ...process on the environment. This research reports a new environmentally‐friendly light‐assisted polymerization method for the synthesis of highly cross‐linked polymer microspheres by combining light‐induced 2+2 cycloadditions with dispersion polymerization. Using naturally‐occurring coumarin as reactive moieties, this method allows the synthesis of highly crosslinked PMPs in the presence of UV light at room temperature without initiator. The effect of the reaction parameters such as monomer concentration, stabilizer and reaction time on the particle size and yield are investigated using a number of techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid‐state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The results show the formation of highly crosslinked porous microspheres which demonstrate good thermal stability.
In this study, a 4‐arm coumarin monomer is synthesized using a multiarm monomer from which highly crosslinked polymer microspheres can be prepared using UV light stimulated dispersion polymerization. Polymer microspheres with a size range of 2–5 µm are able to be synthesized under suitable reaction conditions.
Background
Pain is a common and heterogeneous complication of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this multicenter, cross sectional study, we aimed at investigating the prevalence of pain in MS using highly ...specific criteria for distinguishing the different types of pain.
Materials and methods
After a structured interview, in patients with pain, clinical examination and DN4 questionnaire were used for distinguishing neuropathic and nociceptive pain. In subjects with neuropathic pain, the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory was used for differentiating neuropathic pain symptoms.
Results
We enrolled 1249 participants (832 F, 417 M, mean age 33.9 years, mean disease duration 8 years, mean EDSS 3.2); based on clinical evaluation and DN4 score 429 patients (34.34%) were classified with pain (470 pain syndromes): 286 nociceptive pain syndromes and 184 neuropathic pain syndromes. Multivariate analysis showed that pain was associated with age, gender and disease severity and that neuropathic pain was distinctly associated with EDSS.
Conclusions
Our study, providing definite information on the prevalence, characteristics and variables associated with neuropathic pain due to MS, shows that a more severe disease course is associated with a higher risk of neuropathic pain. Our findings might, therefore, provide a basis for improving the clinical management of this common MS complication.
Background and purpose
Late‐onset multiple sclerosis (MS) has a prevalence of about 10–20% in natural history MS studies. Few data have been published about the long‐term disease trajectory in the ...cohort of late‐onset relapsing‐remitting MS (LORRMS). The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for reaching an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 6.0 in LORRMS (onset at >40 years of age) and young‐onset relapsing‐remitting MS (YORRMS) (onset between 18 and 40 years of age).
Methods
Clinical and radiological magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain follow‐up data were collected. Disability was assessed by EDSS score. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the demographic and clinical predictors of reaching an EDSS score of 6.0 in the two cohorts.
Results
A total of 671 patients with relapsing‐remitting MS were enrolled, 143 (21.3%) with LORRMS and 528 (78.7%) with YORRMS. In LORRMS, age at onset was 47.8 ± 5.3 (mean ± SD) years and duration of follow‐up was 120.7 ± 52.7 months. In YORRMS, age at onset was 27 ± 2.7 years and duration of follow‐up was 149.9 ± 92.7 months. The survival curve analyses showed a higher probability of reaching an EDSS score of 6.0 for LORRMS in a shorter time (months) than for YORRMS (94.2 vs. 103.2 months; log‐rank 8.8; P < 0.05). On MRI, YORRMS showed more brain inflammatory features than LORRMS. In the multivariate Cox model, age at onset Exp(B) value, 6.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.9–22.6; P < 0.001 and male gender Exp(B) value, 1.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0–2.8; P < 0.05 were the strongest predictors of reaching an EDSS score of 6.0.
Conclusions
The male population with LORRMS reached severe disability faster than those with YORRMS, even when YORRMS showed more brain inflammatory features on MRI.
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