scholarly journals Energy Densification of Biomass-Derived Furfurals to Furanic Biofuels by Catalytic Hydrogenation and Hydrodeoxygenation Reactions

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-549
Author(s):  
Nivedha Vinod ◽  
Saikat Dutta
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Hydrogenation ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Catalyst Design ◽  
Hydrogen Gas ◽  
Hydrogen Donor ◽  
Hydroxymethyl Furfural ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Furanic Compounds

The concomitant hydrolysis and dehydration of biomass-derived cellulose and hemicellulose to furfural (FUR) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (HMF) under acid catalysis allows a dramatic reduction in the oxygen content of the parent sugar molecules with a 100% carbon economy. However, most applications of FUR or HMF necessitate synthetic modifications. Catalytic hydrogenation and hydrogenolysis have been recognized as efficient strategies for the selective deoxygenation and energy densification of biomass-derived furfurals generating water as the sole byproduct. Efficient and eco-friendly catalysts have been developed for the selective hydrogenation of furfurals affording renewable furanic compounds such as 2-methylfuran, 2,5-dimethylfuran and 2-methyltetrahydrofuran with potential applications as biofuel, solvent and chemical feedstock. Hydrogen gas or hydrogen donor molecules, required for the above processes, can also be renewably obtained from biomass using catalytic processes, enabling a circular economy. In this review, the recent developments in the energy densification of furfurals to furanic compounds of commercial significance are elaborated, emphasizing the role of catalyst and the reaction parameters employed. Critical discussion on sourcing hydrogen gas required for the processes, using hydrogen donor solvents, catalyst design and the potential markets of furanic intermediates have been made. Critical evaluations of the accomplishments and challenges in this field are also provided.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles: Novel Opportunities to Understand and Detect Neoplastic Diseases

2021 ◽  
pp. 030098582199932
Author(s):  
Laura Bongiovanni ◽  
Anneloes Andriessen ◽  
Marca H. M. Wauben ◽  
Esther N. M. Nolte-’t Hoen ◽  
Alain de Bruin
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Liquid Biopsies ◽  
Donor Cells ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Veterinary Pathology ◽  
Cell Components ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Intercellular Communications

With a size range from 30 to 1000 nm, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are one of the smallest cell components able to transport biologically active molecules. They mediate intercellular communications and play a fundamental role in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and pathogenesis in several types of diseases. In particular, EVs actively contribute to cancer initiation and progression, and there is emerging understanding of their role in creation of the metastatic niche. This fact underlies the recent exponential growth in EV research, which has improved our understanding of their specific roles in disease and their potential applications in diagnosis and therapy. EVs and their biomolecular cargo reflect the state of the diseased donor cells, and can be detected in body fluids and exploited as biomarkers in cancer and other diseases. Relatively few studies have been published on EVs in the veterinary field. This review provides an overview of the features and biology of EVs as well as recent developments in EV research including techniques for isolation and analysis, and will address the way in which the EVs released by diseased tissues can be studied and exploited in the field of veterinary pathology. Uniquely, this review emphasizes the important contribution that pathologists can make to the field of EV research: pathologists can help EV scientists in studying and confirming the role of EVs and their molecular cargo in diseased tissues and as biomarkers in liquid biopsies.

Listen to a spectre – the potential role of environmental seismology in desert process research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Dietze
Keyword(s):  
Mass Movement ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Flash Floods ◽  
Catchment Scale ◽  
Track Record ◽  
Temperature Diffusion ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Event Based

<p>Desert research has a bold track record in deciphering the evolution of landforms. While iconic objects such as inselbergs, yardangs, wadis or dune fields have attracted the attention of scientists for decades and inspired them to develop numerous formation <span><span>concepts</span></span>, it is the actual processes, which are suggested to govern their formation, that are usually quite hard to survey as they happen in nature. This amiguitity is due to the often unpredictable, event based, rapid yet episodic nature of their occurrence. While dedicated devices for measuring these processes inevitably exist, they are either confronted with a small spatial footprint (point measurement) or temporal discontinuousity (time lapse data), or even both of these drawbacks. As a consequence, important processes like flash floods, bedload agitation, mass movement on hillslopes, thermal weathering, dune migration rate and mechanism, or averaged information about ground moisture change, substrate rheology, and temperature diffusion can be studied as they happen under natural conditions only in exceptional cases.</p><p>Here I summarise recent developments <span><span>from</span></span> the field of environmental seismology, an emerging discipline that studies the seismic signals emitted by Earth surface processes, with a focus on existing and potential applications to desert environments. I present seismic approaches to detecting, tracking and quantifying flash floods and the sediment they convey, provide an overview of the capabilites of seismology to survey hillslope activity at the catchment scale, and discuss the potential to monitor surface and subsurface activity at the plot scale. The overarching aim of the contribution is to foster a discussion about potential research questions that could be tackled in future joint (i.e., established and seismic sensor) instrumentation projects.</p>

Role of lipopolysaccharides in potential applications of nanocarrier systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pravin Shende ◽  
Shubham Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Infections ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Surrounding Environment ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Immune Stimulants ◽  
Therapeutic Properties ◽  
Immunogenic Response

Background: Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are considered the main molecular component in the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. The LPS molecule in the bacterial cell wall acts as a primary physical barrier and protects gram-negative bacteria from the surrounding environment. LPS (endotoxins) show immunomodulatory therapeutic properties as well as toxicity to the host cell, whereas potential applications encompass. Objective: This review article aims to describe the recent developments of lipopolysaccharides in nanocarrier systems for various applications such as vaccination, cancer chemotherapy and immune stimulants action. Different nanocarriers like cubosomes, niosomes, dendrimers and metal nanoparticles used in the delivery of actives are employed to decorate lipopolysaccharide molecules superficially. Methods: A narrative review of all the relevant papers known to the author was conducted. Conclusion: Commercially available lipid nanoparticles contribute to many advances as promising nanocarriers in cancer therapy and are used as a vaccine adjuvant by improving the immune response due to their properties such as size, shape, biocompatibility, and biodegradability. Whereas lipopolysaccharide-decorated nanoparticles change the host's tolerability and increase the effectiveness of molecule in cancer immunotherapy. These nanoconjugate systems enhance overall immunogenic response and effectiveness in vaccine immunotherapy and targeted therapy, not only limited to humans application but also for poultry and aquaculture. Newer opportunities using lipopolysaccharides for the treatment and management of diseases with unique characteristics like the presence of lipoprotein that act as an alternative for bacterial infections over conventional dosage forms.

A review of the catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide into value-added hydrocarbons

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (20) ◽  
pp. 4580-4598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiyan Yang ◽  
Chen Zhang ◽  
Peng Gao ◽  
Hui Wang ◽  
Xiaopeng Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Catalytic Hydrogenation ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Catalyst Design ◽  
Design Performance ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Hydrogenation Of Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Performance And Mechanism

We review the indirect and direct routes for CO2 hydrogenation to hydrocarbons and recent developments in catalyst design, performance and mechanism.

How do histone modifications contribute to transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in C. elegans?

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 1019-1034 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel M. Woodhouse ◽  
Alyson Ashe
Keyword(s):  
Histone Modifications ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Nematode Caenorhabditis Elegans ◽  
Histone Methyltransferases ◽  
Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Gene Regulatory

Gene regulatory information can be inherited between generations in a phenomenon termed transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI). While examples of TEI in many animals accumulate, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has proven particularly useful in investigating the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon. In C. elegans and other animals, the modification of histone proteins has emerged as a potential carrier and effector of transgenerational epigenetic information. In this review, we explore the contribution of histone modifications to TEI in C. elegans. We describe the role of repressive histone marks, histone methyltransferases, and associated chromatin factors in heritable gene silencing, and discuss recent developments and unanswered questions in how these factors integrate with other known TEI mechanisms. We also review the transgenerational effects of the manipulation of histone modifications on germline health and longevity.

Recent Developments of Ambulatory Assessment Methods

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 279-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefan Hey ◽  
Panagiota Anastasopoulou ◽  
André Bideaux ◽  
Wilhelm Stork
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Information And Communication Technologies ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Ambulatory Assessment ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Physiological Sensors

Ambulatory assessment of emotional states as well as psychophysiological, cognitive and behavioral reactions constitutes an approach, which is increasingly being used in psychological research. Due to new developments in the field of information and communication technologies and an improved application of mobile physiological sensors, various new systems have been introduced. Methods of experience sampling allow to assess dynamic changes of subjective evaluations in real time and new sensor technologies permit a measurement of physiological responses. In addition, new technologies facilitate the interactive assessment of subjective, physiological, and behavioral data in real-time. Here, we describe these recent developments from the perspective of engineering science and discuss potential applications in the field of neuropsychology.

Wilfred Ethier. Modern International Economics. New York: W. W. Norton and Company. 1983. xviii + 588 pp.

1988 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-83
Author(s):  
Nadeem A. Burney
Keyword(s):  
International Economic ◽  
New York ◽  
Economic Theory ◽  
International Economics ◽  
International Monetary System ◽  
International Markets ◽  
The Past ◽  
Monetary System ◽  
Recent Developments

Its been long recognized that various economies of the world are interlinked through international trade. The experience of the past several years, however, has demonstrated that this economic interdependence is far greater than was previously realized. In this context, the importance of international economic theory as an area distinct from general economics hardly needs any mentioning. What gives international economic theory this distinction is international markets for some goods and effects of national sovereignty on the character of economic activity. Wilfred Ethier's book, which incorporates recent developments in the field, is an excellent addition to textbooks on international economics for one- or twosemester undergraduate courses. The book mostly covers standard topics. A distinguishing feature of this book is its detailed analysis of the flexible exchange rates and a discussion of the various approaches used for their determination. Within each chapter, the author has extensively used facts, figures and major events to clarify the concepts in the light of the theoretical framework. The book also discusses, in a fair amount of detail, the existing international monetary system and the role of various international organizations.

The application of virtual reality in health professions� digital education: a narrative review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorraine Tudor Car ◽  
Bhone Myint Kyaw ◽  
Josip Car
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Professional Education ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Health Professions Education ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Educational Content ◽  
Potential Applications

BACKGROUND Digital technology called Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly employed in health professions’ education. Yet, based on the current evidence, its use is narrowed around a few most applications and disciplines. There is a lack of an overview that would capture the diversity of different VR applications in health professions’ education and inform its use and research. OBJECTIVE This narrative review aims to explore different potential applications of VR in health professions’ education. METHODS The narrative synthesis approach to literature review was used to analyse the existing evidence. RESULTS We outline the role of VR features such as immersion, interactivity and feedback and explain the role of VR devices. Based on the type and scope of educational content VR can represent space, individuals, objects, structures or their combination. Application of VR in medical education encompasses environmental, organ and micro level. Environmental VR focuses on training in relation to health professionals’ environment and human interactions. Organ VR educational content targets primarily human body anatomy; and micro VR microscopic structures at the level of cells, molecules and atoms. We examine how different VR features and health professional education areas match these three VR types. CONCLUSIONS We conclude by highlighting the gaps in the literature and providing suggestions for future research.

Argumentation theory: competition between modern research approaches

2018 ◽  
pp. 77-87
Author(s):  
Анатолий Мигунов ◽  
Anatoliy Migunov ◽  
Елена Лисанюк ◽  
Elena Lisanyuk
Keyword(s):  
Social Life ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Procedural Semantics ◽  
Social Success ◽  
Large Structures ◽  
Criteria Importance ◽  
Practical Argumentation ◽  
Argumentative Structure ◽  
Theory Competition

To overcome the crisis in the sphere of argumentation studies, the project proposes a logical-cognitive concept of argumentation which is a compound formalized theory that includes formalisms for modeling argumentation of different types, a relevant conceptual framework and a methodology for the use of scientific research in the practice. Three types of argumentation are defined: theoretical (two types) and practical. Theoretical argumentation is a critical discussion of the agents’ knowledge and opinions about facts aimed to substantiate a certain view or to change it – i.e. persuasion. Practical argumentation is a critical discussion of opinions about actions which includes, in addition to the statements about knowledge and opinions, statements of a non-descriptive nature about the agents’ values and intentions to adhere to a certain line of behavior. The study of argumentation needs to focus on the large structures that reflect specifics of the criticism and defense of the positions of the parties. An atom unit of such study is the argument as a statement of reason, while its molecular elements are the argumentative structure of a dispute (frame), a multitude of arguments that express the parties’ positions, a multitude of the agents’ knowledge and opinions that act as the bases for the formation of positions, lines of behavior, etc. Within the framework of this trend, both indefeasible (deductive) and defeasible argumentations can be studied. The argumentation effectiveness can be assessed based on the procedural semantics and using analogues of such logical notions as consistency and completeness. Modern approaches to the argumentation, including those claiming the compound status, can be classified using two methods: based on the substantive and practical criteria. Importance of the research outcomes amounts to the theoretical and methodological role of the new conception of argumentation and the general “umbrella” term argumentation that allows systematizing the manifold research and educational approaches and concepts in this field and is associated with communicative nature of modern social life where efficiency and social success rely on argumentative and narrative competences.

Alcohol Use Disorder

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Ponomarev
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Epigenetic Mechanisms ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Early Life Exposures ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Epigenetic Research

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is characterized by clinically significant impairments in health and social function. Epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation may provide an attractive explanation for how early life exposures to alcohol contribute to the development of AUD and exert lifelong effects on the brain. This chapter provides a critical discussion of the role of epigenetic mechanisms in AUD etiology and the potential of epigenetic research to improve diagnosis, evaluate risks for alcohol-induced pathologies, and promote development of novel therapies for the prevention and treatment of AUD. Challenges of the current epigenetic approaches and future directions are also discussed.

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