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Peer-reviewed conferences, the main publication venues in CS, rely critically on matching highly qualified reviewers for each paper. Because of the growing scale of these conferences, the tight timelines on which they operate, and a recent surge in explicitly dishonest behavior, there is now no alternative to performing this matching in an automated way. This paper introduces Large Conference Matching (LCM) , a novel reviewer–paper matching approach that was recently deployed in the 35th AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AAAI 2021), and has since been adopted (wholly or partially) by other conferences including ICML 2022, AAAI 2022-2024, and IJCAI 2022-2024. LCM has three main elements: (1) collecting and processing input data to identify problematic matches and generate reviewer–paper scores; (2) formulating and solving an optimization problem to find good reviewer–paper matchings; and (3) a two-phase reviewing process that shifts reviewing resources away from papers likely to be rejected and towards papers closer to the decision boundary. This paper also describes an evaluation of these innovations based on an extensive post-hoc analysis on real data—including a comparison with the matching algorithm used in AAAI's previous (2020) iteration—and supplements this with additional numerical experimentation.2 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the solar flat plate collector (FPC) thermal performance using a hybrid nanofluid made of Cu-MWCNTs-water. The study involved varying the FPC flow rates, inclination angle, and radiation intensity. The ANN and mathematical model has been developed on the basis of experimental data to predict instantaneous efficiency. The concentration, flow rate, angle of inclination, and intensity were input to the network, and instantaneous efficiency was output from the network. The neurons having minimal mean square error (MSE) and coefficient of determination (R2) were selected. An enhancement of 32.25 % was observed using Cu-MWCNTs hybrid nanofluid in instantaneous efficiency. The R2 ranges are 0.8857–0.9533 and 0.94938–0.9989, respectively, showing the proposed correlation and neural network accuracy. The present study is useful in making highly optimised predictions of the instantaneous efficiency in FPC using a hybrid nanofluid for heat transfer, fluid heating, space heating, etc. • Experimental performance of solar FPC is analysed using hybrid nanofluid. • XRD, FESEM, EDAX, and FTIR are used for Characterization of nanoparticles. • Performance of FPC is predicted using the developed MLP ANN model. • A unique mathematical correlation is predicted using experimental data. • Statistical analysis is used to evaluate the performance of the present model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sida is one of the most diverse genera, with about 200 species distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Among 18 species distributed in India, Sida acuta , Sida cordifolia , Sida rhombifolia , and Sida cordata are used in traditional medicines along with its possible adulterant Abutilon indicum for several therapeutic uses. The non-availability of marker-based validated methods for the identification and classification of these species leads to adulteration. Indoloquinoline and quinazoline are the major bioactive alkaloids distributed in Sida spp. First time, a simple, economical and high throughput method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of 20-hydroxyecdysone (1), vasicine (2), vasicinone (3), cryptolepine (4), quindolinone (5), and cryptolepinone (6) using HPTLC-UV densitometry. The method was validated to meet globally accepted ICH guidelines. The method was sensitive with LOD and LOQ ranging from 0.38–0.63 and 1.57–2.12 µg/band. The samples were spiked at 3 different concentrations, the recovery values were 93.49–98.88%. In addition, the greenness index of the HPTLC method was estimated using four different greenness assessment techniques. Targeted HPTLC analysis indicated the distribution of specialized metabolites in Sida spp. and A. indicum. However, the occurrence of cryptolepine in A. indicum was not reported in the literature, so this was further confirmed by liquid chromatographic studies of the samples from different locations. The chromatographic data was statistically evaluated by principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering (HCA). HPTLC-based targeted metabolite quantitation explains the adulteration/substitution in Sida raw material and derived herbal preparations. [Display omitted] • Validated HPTLC-UV method for quantification of Six markers in four Sida spps. and A. indicum. • Four greenness assessment tools ensured the greenness of the method. • Markers were identified to discriminate different Sida spp. • Liquid chromatographic studies also confirmed the presence of cryptolepine in A. indicum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A retrospective analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was performed to evaluate the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on overall survival and disease-specific survival. Patients undergoing RT had improved overall survival and disease-specific survival on multivariate Cox regression and after propensity score matching as compared with patients who did not receive RT. Introduction: The aim of this study was to perform a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) analysis on the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on survival among patients with prostate ductal adenocarcinoma (DA), a rare variant of prostate cancer. Patients and Methods: Cases of T1 to 4 N0 M0 prostate DA diagnosed between 2004 and 2013 were extracted from SEER. The association between categorical variables and radiation therapy was assessed for statistical significance using the x² test or Fisher exact test. Difference in continuous variables across the RT groups was assessed for statistical significance using the 2-sample t test or non-parametric test. The distribution of overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) between the RT groups was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method and the log rank test and after propensity matching. The association between hazards of death (HR) and covariates was examined using Cox proportional hazards model. A 2-sided P-value of .05 was used to determine statistical significance. Results: A total of 205 patients met inclusion criteria. On univariate analysis, RT was associated with significant improvement in OS and DSS. On multivariate Cox regression, RT significantly decreased risk of death for both OS and DSS (HR, 0.516; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.273-0.978 and HR, 0.232; 95% CI, 0.082-0.658, respectively). After propensity score matching, RT demonstrated a persistent improvement in both OS and DSS. Conclusions: RT decreased risk of death for both OS and DSS in patients with node-negative, nonmetastatic prostate DA on multivariable analysis. RT was also associated with improved OS and DSS after propensity matching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Food choice motives and attitude-social influence-self efficacy framework were used. • Four consumer segments were identified. • Attitude, self-efficacy, and environmental concern are crucial to reduce food waste. • Multiple factors influence food waste among which food familiarity is central. Understanding consumers' food waste behaviour has become increasingly crucial, given its adverse impacts on sustainability. Therefore, this study segmented consumers based on their food choice motives and investigated key factors influencing food waste reduction behaviour in university canteens employing attitude, social influence, and self-efficacy (ASE) framework extended with environmental concern, situational, and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. An online survey was conducted in Denmark among university canteen users (n = 438). Hierarchical cluster analysis identified four segments, (1) Familiarity sensitive consumers – 34.9 % of participants, (2) Unconcerned consumers – 19.9 %, (3) Food for health and mood consumers – 19.2 %, and (4) Unfamiliar consumers – 26 %. Partial least squares structural equation modelling analysis shows that attitude, self-efficacy, and environmental concern significantly influenced behavioural intention, eventually influencing food waste reduction behaviour. Social influence and situational factors did not influence behavioural intention. Sensory appeal, price, health–mood, and familiarity significantly influenced behavioural attitude, whereas familiarity and weight control significantly influenced behaviour. Sociodemographic and lifestyle factors indirectly influence behavioural intention by their effects on attitudes, self-efficacy, and environmental concerns. Education, income, dietary patterns, and body mass index directly impacted food waste reduction behaviour. We suggest that improving consumers' attitudes and environmental concern while enhancing their self-efficacy might positively influence food waste reduction behaviour. Besides psychosocial factors, intervention should also consider focusing on consumers' food choice motives and sociodemographic and lifestyle factors to effectively influence food waste reduction behaviour in university canteen or similar settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synergistic effectiveness of chitosan with zinc oxide nanomicelles (CZNPs) on broad spectrum of multidrug resistance (MDR) was previously evidenced in our labs, requiring elucidation of the therapeutic index (TI) for safe in vivo use. This in vitro assessment estimated the effective dose (ED 50) of micellar CZNPs for eradication of the MDR Enterococcus faecium 1449 model and the corresponding cytotoxic dose (LD 50) against rat small intestinal epithelial cells as functions of TI. In order to visually determine the mechanistic effects of micellar CZNPs on bacterial biofilm size reduction, LIVE/DEAD viability assay was used in conjunction with advanced fluorescence imaging and 3D confocal microscopy. Biofilm quantification was performed through the measure of the fluorescence intensity, using the Biotek Synergy Neo2 for calculating the ED 50. To generate the LD 50 , the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cytotoxicity assay was implemented. Quantification results revealed, at the same concentration (200 µg/mL), micellar CZNPs had average biofilm reduction of approximately 50.22% at 24 h (ED 50 = 199.13 µg/mL, LD 50 = 240.20 µg/mL, TI = 1.2062), compared to chitosan (15.66%) and ZnO (13.94%) alone. Conclusively, the ED 50 of micellar CZNPs on MDR bacterial biofilms (199.13 µg/mL) as a function of TI reveals a promising nanotherapeutic agent in comparison to either Chitosan or ZnO alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Craniopharyngioma, a neurological disorder with high recurrence in children. • Primary cultures from rat brain hypothalamus were exposed to different concentration of Craniopharyngioma cyst fluids to scrutinize the health and viability of neurons and glial cells. • A gradual and significant loss of cell viability was observed in vitro with increasing concentration of CCF. • CCF induced increased expression of Caspase-3 expression in both neurons and glial cells in vitro. Abstract Craniopharyngiomas (CPs) are rare, epithelial tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) that could lead to manifestation of multiple post-operative symptoms, ranging from hormonal imbalance to obesity, diabetes, visual, neurological and neurocognitive impairments. CP is more frequent in children, and has been reported in middle aged adults as well. In fact, arterial laceration and/or brain stroke which may occur following the removal of some CPs is mainly due to calcification of that CPs along with strong attachments to the blood vessels. The dense oily fluid content of CPs is reported to cause brain tissue damage, demyelination and axonal loss in the hypothalamus; however, its exact effect on different cell types of CNS is still unexplored. In this study, we have collected CP cyst fluid (CCF) from mostly young patients during surgical removal and exposed it 9–10 days in vitro to the primary cultures derived from rat brain hypothalamus for 48 h. A gradual decline in cell viability was noted with increasing concentration of CCF. Moreover, a distinct degenerative morphological transformation was observed in neurons and glial cells, including appearance of blebbing and overall reduction of the cell volume. Further, enhanced expression of Caspase-3 in neurons and glial cells exposed to CCF by immunofluorescence imaging, supported by Western blot experiment suggest CCF induced apoptosis of hypothalamic cells in culture. In this study, we have demonstrated the deleterious effects of the cyst fluid on various cell types within the tumors originating region of the brain and its surroundings for the first time. Taken together, this finding could be beneficial towards identifying the region specific toxic effects of the cyst fluid and its underlying mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To forecast lifetime outcomes and cost of lumacaftor/ivacaftor combination therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) with homozygous phe508del mutation from the US payer perspective.Methods: A lifetime Markov model was developed from a US payer perspective. The model included five health states: 1) mild lung disease (percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1] >70%), 2) moderate lung disease (40% ≤ FEV1 ≤ 70%), 3) severe lung disease (FEV1 < 40%), 4) lung transplantation, and 5) death. All inputs were derived from published literature. We estimated lumacaftor/ivacaftor's improvement in outcomes compared with a non-CF referent population as well as CF-specific mortality estimates.Results: Lumacaftor/ivacaftor was associated with additional 2.91 life-years (95% credible interval 2.55-3.56) and additional 2.42 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) (95% credible interval 2.10-2.98). Lumacaftor/ivacaftor was associated with improvements in survival and QALYs equivalent to 27.6% and 20.7%, respectively, for the survival and QALY gaps between CF usual care and their non-CF peers. The incremental lifetime cost was $2,632,249.Conclusions: Lumacaftor/ivacaftor increased life-years and QALYs in CF patients with the homozygous phe508del mutation and moved morbidity and mortality closer to that of their non-CF peers but it came with higher cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than half of Danes buy organic food products every week; however, this has not been reflected in the retail sale of organic fish and shellfish. Therefore, this paper aims to perform consumer segmentation through the food-related lifestyle (FRL) instrument and determine the factors influencing intention to buy organic fish among Danish consumers applying the theory of planned behaviour (TPB). Survey data were collected using a validated questionnaire from 237 Danish convenient consumers. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to analyze the relationships between the TPB constructs. Consumer segmentation was based on the FRL instrument (incl. The shopping scripts, higher-order product attributes, and meal preparation scripts) as a basis for consumer segmentation. Factor analysis with hierarchical clustering yielded four consumer segments: the "Careless" (31.6% of the respondents), the "Rational" (17.3%), the "Cooks" (31.6%), and the "Eco-moderate" (19.4%). Consumers from the Careless segment had the highest percentage of respondents buying organic fish (39.1%), followed by those from the Cooks (33.1%). However, consumers from the Cooks segment purchase organic fish regularly, followed by the Careless segment (27.3% and 11.5%, respectively). The results from SEM indicated that past experience, perceived barriers such as difficulty to judge the quality, and availability of organic fish were significant predictors of the intention to buy organic fish. However, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived price were not significant predictors of the intention to buy organic fish. The intention to buy organic fish showed a strong positive correlation with the reported consumption frequency of organic fish. Hence, focusing on perceived barriers, past experience with buying organic, and promoting availability among consumers is likely to trigger a behavioural intention of buying organic fish, thereby potentially increasing the purchasing frequency of organic fish. • We performed consumer segmentation and quantify the effect of factors influencing intention to buy organic fish. • Food related lifestyle instrument and the theory of planned behaviour were utilized. • Four consumer segments were identified. • Past experience, availability and perceived barriers are the most important factors driving intention to buy organic fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Active surveillance (AS) aims to allow men with favourable-risk, localised prostate cancer to avoid unnecessary treatment. Objective: To describe the clinical outcomes of a prospective study of AS. Design, setting, and participants: A single-centre, prospective cohort study. Eligibility criteria included histologically proven prostate adenocarcinoma, age 50–80 yr, stage T1/T2, prostate-specific antigen level (PSA) <15 ng/ml, Gleason score (GS) ≤3+3 (GS ≤3+4 if aged >65 yr), and percent positive biopsy cores (PPC) ≤50%. Intervention: Patients were assessed by serum PSA level, and digital rectal examination at 3-mo intervals in year 1, 4-mo intervals in year 2, and at 6-mo intervals thereafter. Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy was performed after 18–24 mo and every 2 yr thereafter. Treatment was recommended for PSA velocity (PSAV) >1 ng/ml per year or adverse histology, defined as GS ≥4+3 or PPC >50%. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Outcomes described, using Kaplan-Meier methods, were rate of adverse histology on repeat biopsy, freedom from treatment, biochemical control after deferred treatment, and overall survival. Analyses using Cox regression were performed to determine predictors of deferred treatment and adverse histology. Results and limitations: The study enrolled 471 eligible patients from 2002 to 2011. Median age was 66 yr and median initial PSA value was 6.4 ng/ml. Eighty-eight percent of patients had T1 disease and 93% had GS ≤3+3. At median follow-up of 5.7 yr, the 5-yr rate of adverse histology and treatment-free probability was 22% (95% confidence interval [CI], 16–29%) and 70% (95% CI, 65–75%), respectively. There were two deaths from prostate cancer. Predictors of time to adverse histology were GS 7, PSAV >1 ng/ml per year, low ratio of free PSA to total PSA, and PPC >25%. Longer follow-up is needed to confirm the safety of this strategy. Conclusions: This study demonstrates satisfactory medium-term outcomes for AS in selected men with localised prostate cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Production method information significantly increases consumer liking of wild-caught smoked salmon. • Consumers primarily paid more attention to liking of taste in the evaluation of overall liking of smoked salmon. • Consumers' belief related to food safety, animal welfare and sustainability as well as purchasing habits may influence preference and liking of smoked salmon. • Consumers liked organic smoked salmon better than wild-caught smoked salmon under blind condition. Product information is capable of steering the consumers' expectation formation process. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate whether information on production method influence consumers' preference and liking of smoked salmon. A consumer test was conducted among 92 consumers to determine liking of the smoked salmon on a 7-point hedonic scale before (blind) and after (informed) receiving information about production method (organic, conventional and wild-caught). Further, two explanatory focus group discussions (n = 5 in each group) were conducted to determine consumers' belief on production method. A linear mixed-effects model analysis indicated that the consumer overall liking of wild-caught smoked salmon significantly increased after production method information was provided, while regarding organic and conventional smoked salmon no significant difference was noted. Post hoc test indicated that organic smoked salmon was significantly more liked than wild-caught smoked salmon (mean difference ± standard error: 0.652 ± 0.19, p < 0.01) in blind condition, however, between organic and conventional smoked salmon no significant difference was noted (-0.032 ± 0.19, p = 0.983). Further, in informed condition, organic smoked salmon was significantly more liked than conventional smoked salmon (0.50 ± 0.19, p < 0.05), however, between organic and wild-caught smoked salmon no significant difference was noted (0.228 ± 0.19, p = 0.452). Relative importance analysis results suggest that liking of taste was the most important contributor (26.84%) to smoked salmon overall liking (p < 0.05, R2 = 74.17%). Focus group discussion revealed that consumer beliefs related to food safety, animal welfare and sustainability as well as purchasing habits seem to influence smoked salmon preferences. Thus, organic aquaculture sector should focus on promoting consumer beliefs by providing reliable information based on scientific evidences that helps differentiates their products with that of conventional and wild-caught smoked salmon. Future studies might investigate other fish species to better understand the role of product method information on consumer preference and liking of fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) describe a wide variety of planning scenarios ranging from military operations planning to controlling a Mars rover. However, todayʼs solution techniques scale poorly, limiting MDPsʼ practical applicability. In this work, we propose algorithms that automatically discover and exploit the hidden structure of factored MDPs. Doing so helps solve MDPs faster and with less memory than state-of-the-art techniques. Our algorithms discover two complementary state abstractions — basis functions and nogoods. A basis function is a conjunction of literals; if the conjunction holds true in a state, this guarantees the existence of at least one trajectory to the goal. Conversely, a nogood is a conjunction whose presence implies the non-existence of any such trajectory, meaning the state is a dead end. We compute basis functions by regressing goal descriptions through a determinized version of the MDP. Nogoods are constructed with a novel machine learning algorithm that uses basis functions as training data. Our state abstractions can be leveraged in several ways. We describe three diverse approaches — GOTH, a heuristic function for use in heuristic search algorithms such as RTDP; ReTrASE, an MDP solver that performs modified Bellman backups on basis functions instead of states; and SixthSense, a method to quickly detect dead-end states. In essence, our work integrates ideas from deterministic planning and basis function-based approximation, leading to methods that outperform existing approaches by a wide margin. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper introduces a novel approach to the task of lexical translation between languages for which no translation dictionaries are available. We build a massive translation graph, automatically constructed from over 630 machine-readable dictionaries and Wiktionaries. In this graph each node denotes a word in some language and each edge denotes a word sense shared by and . Our current graph contains over 10,000,000 nodes and expresses more than 60,000,000 pairwise translations. The composition of multiple translation dictionaries leads to a transitive inference problem: if word A translates to word B which in turn translates to word C, what is the probability that C is a translation of A? The paper describes a series of probabilistic inference algorithms that solve this problem at varying precision and recall levels. All algorithms enable us to quantify our confidence in a translation derived from the graph, and thus trade precision for recall. We compile the results of our best inference algorithm to yield PanDictionary, a novel multilingual dictionary. PanDictionary contains more than four times as many translations as in the largest Wiktionary at precision 0.90 and over 200,000,000 pairwise translations in over 200,000 language pairs at precision 0.8. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanotechnology has widespread application in agricultural, environmental and industrial sectors ranging from fabrication of molecular assemblies to microbial array chips. Despite the booming application of nanotechnology, there have been serious implications which are coming into light in the recent years within different environmental compartments, namely air, water and soil and its likely impact on the human health. Health and environmental effects of common metals and materials are well-known, however, when the metals and materials take the form of nanoparticles – consequential hazards based on shape and size are yet to be explored. The nanoparticles released from different nanomaterials used in our household and industrial commodities find their way through waste disposal routes into the wastewater treatment facilities and end up in wastewater sludge. Further escape of these nanoparticles into the effluent will contaminate the aquatic and soil environment. Hence, an understanding of the presence, behavior and impact of these nanoparticles in wastewater and wastewater sludge is necessary and timely. Despite the lack of sufficient literature, the present review attempts to link various compartmentalization aspects of the nanoparticles, their physical properties and toxicity in wastewater and wastewater sludge through simile drawn from other environmental streams. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Btk) predominantly used as a microbial insecticide was tested for concomitant degradation of dimethyl phthalate (DMP). Different concentrations of DMP, 100, 200, 500, 1000 and 2000mg/l were initially spiked in tryptic soya broth medium. A control of tryptic soya broth without DMP was also included. The experiments were carried out for 48h at 30°C and 250rpm and growth, enzyme and biocontrol assay was evaluated. DMP concentration until 500mg/l did not affect Btk cell growth, however, for DMP concentration of 1000–2000mg/l, there was a 10 and 100 times decrease in cell and spore concentration, respectively. The enzyme concentration reduced by a factor of 1.5, 2, and 2.3 times for protease, esterase and amylase, respectively, at 1000 and 2000mg/l suggesting toxicity of DMP at higher concentrations. Interestingly, the entomotoxicity (insect toxicity, taken as measure of biocontrol) was higher at 1000 and 5000mg/l with 12 and 13 billion spruce budworm units/l, as tested against spruce budworm larvae. After 48h of incubation, DMP concentration decreased to 1–3mg/l at initial concentrations ranging from 100 to 500mg/l, and the removal was relatively lower with 89 and 87% at 1000 and 2000mg/l of DMP, respectively. These results suggest that Btk produces panoply of enzyme systems which can assist in degradation of DMP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Biomechanical model assumptions affect the interpretation of the role of the muscle or joint moments to the segmental power estimated by induced acceleration analysis (IAA). We evaluated the effect of modeling the pelvis and trunk segments as two separate segments (8 SM) versus as a single segment (7 SM) on the segmental power, support of the body, knee and hip extension acceleration produced by the joint moments during the stance phase of normal walking. Significant differences were observed in the contribution of the stance hip abductor and extensor moments to support, ipsilateral knee and hip acceleration, and ipsilateral thigh and upper body power. The primary finding was that the role of the stance hip moment in generating ipsilateral thigh and upper body power differed based on degrees of freedom in the model. Secondarily, the magnitude of contributions also differed. For example, the hip abductor and extensor moments showed greater contribution to support, hip and knee acceleration in the 8 SM. IAA and segment power analysis are sensitive to the degrees of freedom between the pelvis and trunk. There is currently no gold standard by which to evaluate the accuracy of IAA predictions. However, modeling the pelvis and trunk as separate segments is closer to the anatomical architecture of the body. An 8 SM appears to be more appropriate for estimating the role of joint moments, particularly to motion of more proximal segments during normal walking. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Conidiation and lytic enzyme production by Trichoderma viride at different solids concentration of pre-treated municipal wastewater sludge was examined in a 15-L fermenter. The maximum conidia concentration (5.94×107 CFUmL−1 at 96h) was obtained at 30gL−1 suspended solids. The maximum lytic enzyme activities were achieved around 12–30h of fermentation. Bioassay against a fungal phytopathogen, Fusarium sp. showed maximum activity in the sample drawn around 96h of fermentation at 30gL−1 suspended solids concentration. Entomotoxicity against spruce budworm larvae showed maximum value ≈17290SBUμL−1 at 30gL−1 suspended solids concentration at the end of fermentation (96h). Plant bioassay showed dual action of T. viride, i.e., disease prevention and growth promotion. The rheological analyses of fermentation sludges showed the pseudoplastic behaviour. In order to maintain required dissolved oxygen concentration ≥30%, the agitation and aeration requirements significantly increased at 35gL−1 compared to 30 and 25gL−1. The oxygen uptake rate and volumetric oxygen mass transfer coefficient, k L a at 35gL−1 did not increase in comparison to 30gL−1 due to rheological complexity of the broth during fermentation. Thus, the successful fermentation operation of the biocontrol fungus T. viride is a rational indication of its potential for mass-scale production for agriculture and forest sector as a biocontrol agent. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Trichoderma spp. have been widely used as antagonistic fungal agents against several pests as well as plant growth enhancers. Faster metabolic rates, anti-microbial metabolites, and physiological conformation are key factors which chiefly contribute to antagonism of these fungi. Mycoparasitism, spatial and nutrient competition, antibiosis by enzymes and secondary metabolites, and induction of plant defence system are typical biocontrol actions of these fungi. On the other hand, Trichoderma spp. have also been used in a wide range of commercial enzyme productions, namely, cellulases, hemicellulases, proteases, and β-1,3-glucanase. Information on the classification of the genus, Trichoderma, mechanisms of antagonism and role in plant growth promotion has been well documented. However, fast paced current research in this field should be carefully updated for the fool-proof commercialization of the fungi. The aim of this review is to sum up the BCA activity potential of these fungi and to shed light on commercial production processes. In this regard, this review focuses on Trichoderma spp. discussing different aspects—pest control, growth promotion, bioremediation, production processes and market values. Nevertheless, more research and review of the information regarding these biocontrol agents are needed to exploit their actual potential, which is the salient objective of this review. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Feasibility of production of antagonistic Trichoderma sp. conidial spores using wastewater sludge as a raw material employing different suspended solids concentration (10–50g/l) was investigated in shake flasks. Maximum conidial spore count obtained for raw sludge was 1.98×104 CFU/ml, which was enhanced by sludge pre-treatments (alkaline and thermal alkaline). Conidial spore count ranging from 1.3×106 to 2.8×107 CFU/ml was observed for alkaline and thermal alkaline treated sludges. Optimal suspended solids concentration was 30g/l (107 CFU/ml) whereas, lower (&#60;20g/l) and higher (>30g/l) solids concentration were less efficient. Thermal alkaline pre-treated sludge showed diauxic growth due to multiplicity of sludge biodegradability. A simple, modified CFU filtration technique was also developed for fungal spore assessment in sludge. Bioassay of fermented sludge against spruce budworm larvae showed entomotoxicity (15036SBU/μl), on par with Bacillus thuringiensis biopesticides. This study successfully demonstrated potential of wastewater sludge as a raw material for production of value added product, aiding in sludge management and proliferation of eco-friendly and economical biocontrol agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Variational mode decomposition is coupled with optimization for image segmentation. • This algorithm is compared with non-VMD based approach. • Kapur's and Tsallis entropy are used to find threshold value for image segmentation. • VMD is a newly developed decomposition technique. • The VMD-based approach is found to be more accurate against non-VMD based approach. Multilevel thresholding using the histogram is the most popular and accepted technique of image segmentation. The computational time of multilevel thresholding rises exponentially as the number of the thresholds increases. Histogram suffers from irregularities and sharp details which leads to stagnation. In this article, a newly developed multiverse optimization is combined with variational mode decomposition to overcome this problem. The histogram of an input image divided into several band-limit modes using VMD then reconstruct histogram using meaningful modes. The reconstructed histogram is free from the high-frequency fluctuation which causes local optima. The proposed method utilized two entropy function to develop image segmentation by determining the optimal threshold. The result of the proposed algorithm is analyzed with other evolutionary algorithms such as artificial bee colony, sine cosine algorithm, and salp swarm algorithm. Comparison is made based on comparative parameters such as peak signal to noise ratio, structural similarity index, feature similarity index, uniformity, normalized absolute error, quality index based on local variance, computational time, and mean square error. The test results validate that the proposed algorithm presents more reliable results than other existing techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To characterize inventions and assess trends in brachytherapy innovation based on brachytherapy-related patents awarded across the past 2 decades and provide insights that will help inform future research and entrepreneurship in the field. The United States Patent and Trademark Office database was searched for patents awarded between 1999 and 2018 with a classification code corresponding to the broadest brachytherapy search category. Patent characteristics were stratified and compared by geographic location, affiliation, and theme of invention. There were 202 brachytherapy-related patents awarded from 2009 to 2018, which indicates a 56% increase in patent productivity and brachytherapy innovation compared with the previous decade from 1999 to 2008. Patents had an industry affiliation in 83% of cases from 1999 to 2008 and in 76% of cases from 2009 to 2018. Meanwhile, academic participation in brachytherapy patent innovation rose from 4% to 11% in that time. The focus and theme of inventions evolved across time, with radiation sources being the most common theme from 1999 to 2008 and falling to third place in 2009–2018. Conversely, development of brachytherapy-related patents involving exogenous agents such as drug-conjugates, radiosensitizers, and adjuncts to treatment increased substantially in the subsequent decade. While no collaboration was observed between academia and industry between 1999 and 2008, notable partnerships emerged in the subsequent decade which amounted to almost 5% of all patents awarded between 2009 and 2018. There has been an increase in overall brachytherapy patent production over time, and this has been accompanied by a greater variety of distinct patent themes. Collaboration between industry and academia is rare. Knowledge of brachytherapy patents may inform future research innovation in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Abstract The aim of the present research work was to formulate, optimize and evaluate the in-situ gel for the ophthalmic drug delivery using the combination of gellan gum and carbopol 934P. The Box-Behnken design was applied to optimize the concentration of gellan gum (X 1), carbopol 934P (X 2) and benzododecenium bromide (X 3) to achieve the maximum viscosity [at physiological condition; 35 °C, pH 7.4, and simulated tear fluid (STF)], mucoadhesive strength, permeability coefficient and sustained release of the drug from the gel with constraint on the viscosity under the non-physiological condition (25 °C, pH 5). Response surface plots were drawn, the statistical validity of the polynomials was established, and optimized formulation was selected by the feasibility and grid search. The design proposed the optimized batch by selecting the independent variables as gellan gum (0.55% w/v), carbopol 934P (0.35% w/v) and benzododecenium bromide (0.013% w/v) to achieve the maximum viscosity (3363 cps) at physiological condition, mucoadhesive strength (22.35 dyn/cm2), t 90% (1200 min), permeability coefficient (1.36 × 10−5 sq.cm/sec), with minimum viscosity (131 cps) under the non-physiological condition. The combination of gellan gum and carbopol 934P improved the gelation (synergistic effect) characteristics of the in situ gel. The optimized in situ gel was clear, isotonic, pH 4.7 and showed pseudoplastic flow, high in vitro gelling capacity, low contact angle, acceptable hardness (51018 gm), compressibility (64617 gm) and adhesiveness (74 gm) values for the ocular application. The ex vivo study showed the significant protection of the mast cell from the degranulation. The ocular irritation and histopathology studies in the rabbit eyes confirmed the safety of in situ gel for human use. The in vivo drug release studies showed the presence of drug in the rabbit tear fluid up to 3 h in comparison to just 1 h with the eye drop solution. The contact time of the in situ gel in the human eye was 15.0 ± 2.5 min, which was >2 folds higher than the marketed gel (6.0 ± 3.2 min), which could reduce the dosing frequency and total dose of drug. The Box-Behnken design facilitated the optimization of in situ gel for sustained ophthalmic drug delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic neuroinflammation and microglial dysfunction are key features of many neurological diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease and multiple sclerosis. While there is unfortunately a dearth of highly selective molecular imaging biomarkers/probes for studying microglia in vivo , P2Y12R has emerged as an attractive candidate PET biomarker being explored for this purpose. Importantly, P2Y12R is selectively expressed on microglia in the CNS and undergoes dynamic changes in expression according to inflammatory context (e.g. , toxic versus beneficial/healing states), thus having the potential to reveal functional information about microglia in living subjects. Herein, we identified a high affinity, small molecule P2Y12R antagonist (AZD1283) to radiolabel and assess as a candidate radiotracer through in vitro assays and in vivo positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of both wild-type and total knockout mice and a non-human primate. First, we evaluated the metabolic stability and passive permeability of non-radioactive AZD1283 in vitro. Next, we radiolabeled [11C]AZD1283 with radioactive precursor [11C]NH 4 CN and determined stability in formulation and human plasma. Finally, we investigated the in vivo stability and kinetics of [11C]AZD1283 via dynamic PET imaging of naïve wild-type mice, P2Y12R knockout mouse, and a rhesus macaque. We determined the half-life of AZD1283 in mouse and human liver microsomes to be 37 and > 160 min, respectively, and predicted passive CNS uptake with a small amount of active efflux, using a Caco-2 assay. Our radiolabeling efforts afforded [11C]AZD1283 in an activity of 12.69 ± 10.64 mCi with high chemical and radiochemical purity (>99%) and molar activity of 1142.84 ± 504.73 mCi/μmol (average of n = 3). Of note, we found [11C]AZD1283 to be highly stable in vitro , with >99% intact tracer present after 90 min of incubation in formulation and 60 min of incubation in human serum. PET imaging revealed negligible brain signal in healthy wild-type mice (n = 3) and a P2Y12 knockout mouse (0.55 ± 0.37%ID/g at 5 min post injection). Strikingly, high signal was detected in the liver of all mice within the first 20 min of administration (peak uptake = 58.28 ± 18.75%ID/g at 5 min post injection) and persisted for the remaining duration of the scan. Ex vivo gamma counting of mouse tissues at 60 min post-injection mirrored in vivo data with a mean %ID/g of 0.9% ± 0.40, 0.02% ± 0.01, and 106 ± 29.70% in the blood, brain, and liver, respectively (n = 4). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis of murine blood and liver metabolite samples revealed a single radioactive peak (relative area under peak: 100%), representing intact tracer. Finally, PET imaging of a rhesus macaque also revealed negligible CNS uptake/binding in monkey brain (peak uptake = 0.37 Standard Uptake Values (SUV)). Despite our initial encouraging liver microsome and Caco-2 monolayer data, in addition to the observed high stability of [11C]AZD1283 in formulation and human serum, in vivo brain uptake was negligible and rapid accumulation was observed in the liver of both naïve wildtype and P2Y12R knockout mice. Liver signal appeared to be independent of both metabolism and P2Y12R expression due to the confirmation of intact tracer in this tissue for both wildtype and P2Y12R knockout mice. In Rhesus Macaque, negligible uptake of [11C]AZD1283 brain indicates a lack of potential for translation or its further investigation in vivo. P2Y12R is an extremely promising potential PET biomarker, and the data presented here suggests encouraging metabolic stability for this scaffold; however, the mechanism of liver uptake in mice should be elucidated prior to further analogue development. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate target delineation/contouring is essential for radiation treatment planning and the clinical efficacy of radiation therapy. Clinical trial data has demonstrated the importance of quality contouring and treatment planning for optimal survival outcomes. As a result, improving the quality of target delineation is an important goal in the education of radiation oncology residents. However, there is limited quantitative data on the quality of residents' contours. Therefore, it would be beneficial to track performance and improvement in resident target delineation during residency. The purpose of this study was to determine if it was feasible to track the concordance of radiation oncology residents' contours with faculty physicians' contours. Residents were asked to contour target volumes (GTV, CTV, ITV, PTV, etc.) based on patient history, physical exam, clinical stage and fused diagnostic imaging and were allowed to use any available outside resources, including textbooks, review articles, consensus guidelines, and online atlases. Resident contours were saved as separate structures. Finalized, faculty physician-approved contours were also saved. Saved contour structures and data from October 2019 through June 2020 were reviewed for feasibility. In total, 209 structures had both resident and faculty versions saved within Eclipse and were available for analysis. The Boolean Operations Tool in Eclipse (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA) was used to create an intersection volume of the resident/faculty contours. Separately, the Boolean Operations Tool was used to create a union volume of the resident/faculty contours. Based on these two volumes, the Jaccard Concordance Index (JCI) was calculated by dividing the intersection volume (in cubic centimeters [cc]) by the union volume (cc). The JCI could be successfully calculated for 203 (97.1%) of the 209 structures. For 6 structures (2.9%), both the intersection and union volumes could not be calculated because the volumes were too small for Eclipse to determine. All 6 of these structures were small brain metastases. Tracking and comparing the concordance of resident contours and faculty physician contours is feasible using available tools in Eclipse. Additional data collection and assessment is necessary before this technique can be more widely utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the biocompatibility of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) is pivotal for biomedical applications. The biocompatibility of plant-derived MNPs has been mostly attributed to capped plant molecules. This claim seems to be straightforward but lacks conclusive evidence. The capped phytochemicals and the metallic core might have decisive and individual roles in imparting the overall biocompatibility. Whether capped phytochemicals really make sense in diminishing the toxicity effect of the otherwise naked or metallic core needs further analysis. Here, we readdress the biocompatibility of plant-derived MNPs with references to contemporary cellular assays, different reactants for green synthesis, possible epigenetic involvement, and nanobiocompatibility at the molecular level. Finally, we discuss relevant in vivo studies and large-scale production issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulp and paper solid waste (PPSW) originating from paper industry, was experimented for the production of fumaric acid (FA) through submerged and solid state fermentation by utilizing the filamentous fungus Rhizopus oryzae 1526 . Physicochemical characterization, pH and moisture content analysis of PPSW was carried out. Pre-treatment of PPSW by size reduction resulted in particles of different size ranges (1.7 mm < x ≤ 3.35 mm, 850 μm < x ≤ 1.7 mm, 300 μm < x ≤ 850 μm, 75 μm < x ≤ 300 μm and 33 μm < x ≤ 75 μm). In submerged fermentation with all particle size ranges, a maximum of 23.47 ± 0.70 g/L of FA was obtained with 33 μm < x ≤ 75 μm under the fermentation conditions of 30 °C, 200 rpm, 5% pre-cultured inoculum ( v/v ) and at 48 h. Viscosity measurement and analysis of by-product of the fermented broths were performed. Microwave-phosphoric acid mediated hydrolysis of 33 μm < x ≤ 75 μm particle size produced hydrolysate with maximum glucose (11.2 ± 0.8 g/L) and xylose (20.22 ± 0.85 g/L) contents. Submerged fermentation with this hydrolysate confirmed the utilization of xylose for both FA production and fungal growth. Solid state fermentation with 75 μm < x ≤ 300 μm particle size resulted in highest FA production (41.45 g/kg dry weight) after 21 days. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the morphological features of the fungus grown on the particles. The results of the present study confirmed the utilization of PPSW as a source of carbon and trace elements by the fungus R. oryzae 1526 and also the bioconversion into FA during fermentation. FA being a high value platform chemical, its bioproduction from the low cost PPSW, is a value addition approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research account deals with the bioproduction of fumaric acid (FA) from apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge (APUS) and apple pomace (AP) through fermentation. The filamentous fungus Rhizopus oryzae 1526 was used as a biocatalyst and its morphological impact on FA production was analysed in detail. For submerged fermentation, 40 g L −1 of total solids concentration of APUS, pH 6.0, 30 °C, 200 rpm flask shaking speed and 72 h of incubation were found to be optimum for FA production (25.2 ± 1.0 g L −1 , 0.350 g (L −1 h −1 )). Broth viscosity (cP), residual reducing sugar (g L −1 ) and ethanol (g L −1 ) produced as by-product, were also analysed. Plastic trays were used for solid state fermentation and at optimized level of moisture and incubation period, 52 ± 2.67 g FA per kg dry weight of AP was obtained. Changes in the total phenolic content (mg g −1 dry weight of AP) were monitored at regular intervals. Utilization of APUS and AP for the directed synthesis of the high-value platform chemical FA by the fungal strain R. oryzae 1526 was an excellent display of fungal physiological and morphological control over a fermentative product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Many head/neck squamous cell cancer patients develop recurrence or second primary. • Re-irradiation is a curative treatment option for these patients. • However, it is associated with significant risk of toxicity. • Pulsed Reduced Dose Rate radiation may reduce re-irradiation toxicity. Pulsed reduced dose rate (PRDR) radiation (RT) is a re-irradiation (Re-RT) technique that potentially overcomes dose/volume constraints in the setting of previous RT. There is minimal data for its use for recurrent or secondary primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, we report preliminary data from our institution of a consecutive cohort of HNSCC patients who received PRDR Re-RT. Nine patients received PRDR Re-RT from August 2020 to January 2023 and had analyzable data. Intensity modulated RT was used for treatment delivery and a wait time between 20 cGy arc/helical deliveries was used to achieve the effective low dose rate. Data collected included patient demographic information, prior interventions, diagnosis, radiation therapy dose and fractionation, progression free survival, overall survival, and toxicity rates. The median time to PRDR-RT from completion of initial RT was 13 months (range, 6–50 months). All but one patient underwent salvage surgery prior to PRDR-RT. The median follow-up after Re-RT was 7 months. The median OS from PRDR-RT was 7 months (range, 1–32 months). Median PFS was 7 months (range, 1–32 months). One patient (11.1 %) had acute grade 3 toxicity, and two patients (22.2 %) had late grade 3 toxicities. There were no grade 4+ toxicities. PRDR Re-RT is a feasible treatment strategy for patients with recurrent or second primary HNSCC. Initial findings from this retrospective review suggest reasonable survival outcomes and potentially improved toxicity; prospective data is needed to establish the safety and efficacy of this technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Crowdsourcing, outsourcing of tasks to a crowd of unknown people (“workers”) in an open call, is rapidly rising in popularity. It is already being heavily used by numerous employers (“requesters”) for solving a wide variety of tasks, such as audio transcription, content screening, and labeling training data for machine learning. However, quality control of such tasks continues to be a key challenge because of the high variability in worker quality. In this paper we show the value of decision-theoretic techniques for the problem of optimizing workflows used in crowdsourcing. In particular, we design AI agents that use Bayesian network learning and inference in combination with Partially-Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs) for obtaining excellent cost-quality tradeoffs. We use these techniques for three distinct crowdsourcing scenarios: (1) control of voting to answer a binary-choice question, (2) control of an iterative improvement workflow, and (3) control of switching between alternate workflows for a task. In each scenario, we design a Bayes net model that relates worker competency, task difficulty and worker response quality. We also design a POMDP for each task, whose solution provides the dynamic control policy. We demonstrate the usefulness of our models and agents in live experiments on Amazon Mechanical Turk. We consistently achieve superior quality results than non-adaptive controllers, while incurring equal or less cost. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ever-growing demand for citric acid (CA) and urgent need for alternative sources has served as a driving force for workers to search for novel and economical substrates. Submerged fermentation was conducted using apple (Malus domestica) pomace ultrafiltration sludge as an inexpensive substrate for CA bioproduction, using Aspergillus niger NRRL567. The crucial parameters, such as total suspended solids and inducer concentration, were optimised by response surface methodology for higher CA production. The optimal CA concentrations of 44.9g/100g and 37.9g/100g dry substrate were obtained with 25g/l of initial total solids and 3% (v/v) methanol and 25g/l of total solids and 3% (v/v) ethanol concentration, respectively, after the 144h of fermentation. Results indicated that total solids concentration, and methanol as an inducer, were effective with respect to higher CA yield and also indicated the possibility of using apple pomace sludge as a potential substrate for economical production of CA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In view of ever growing demand of citric acid, there is an urgent need to look for inexpensive and novel substrates for feasible production of citric acid. In this context, the present study was carried out to evaluate the potential of different agro-industrial wastes for hyper production of citric acid through solid-state and submerged fermentation by Aspergillus niger NRRL 567 and NRRL 2001. It was found that among all the solid substrates utilized, apple pomace with 66.0±1.9g/kg of dry substrate proved to be an excellent substrate for citric acid production by A. niger NRRL 567 at 72h of incubation. A. niger NRRL 2001 resulted in slightly lower citric acid concentration of 61.0±1.9g/kg of dry substrate at the same incubation time. APS-1 (apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge-1) gave highest citric acid production rate of 9.0±0.3g/l and 8.9±0.3g/l of substrate by A. niger NRRL 567 and NRRL 2001 by submerged fermentation, respectively. Further study with apple pomace and apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge-1 by A. niger NRRL 567 was carried out. Addition of 3% (v/w) ethanol and 4% (v/w) methanol to apple pomace gave significantly higher citric acid values of 127.9±4.3g/kg and 115.8±3.8g/kg of dry substrate by A. niger NRRL 567 by solid-state fermentation. Higher citric acid values of 18.2±0.4g/l and 13.9±0.4g/l of apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge-1 were attained after addition of 3% (v/v) ethanol and 4% (v/v) methanol, respectively by A. niger NRRL 567. Apple pomace solid waste and apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge-1 thus proved to be an excellent source for citric acid production, of the different substrates chosen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• A novel weighted ensemble algorithm is proposed for indoor localization. • Obtained around 95% accuracy even when train and test conditions are different. • Incorporating mean and variance of RSSIs improve accuracy of the ensemble to 98%. • The algorithm works for varying granularity: room level grid and 1m × 1m grid. Indoor localization systems have the capability to change the way of providing location-based services in a closed environment. Though there is no agreed-upon technology that works best in indoor, WiFi signal is an important alternative as most of such places are covered by WiFi Access Points (APs). In this paper, the problem of indoor localization is investigated from the perspective of expert systems through applying machine learning techniques. The significant variation of WiFi signal strength with ambient conditions as well as device configuration badly affects the localization accuracy. Thus, the fingerprinting effort required to train a localization system subject to context heterogeneity is huge. The uncertainty in localization performance due to varying contexts is hardly investigated in the literature. Consequently, the main contribution of this paper is to propose a weighted ensemble classifier based on Dempster–Shafer belief theory to efficiently handle context heterogeneity. Here, the context is defined in terms of different smartphone configurations used for training and testing the system as well as temporal variation of signals. The method presented here utilizes the Dempster–Shafer theory of belief functions to calculate the weights of the base learners in the decision of the ensemble. Belief theory is applied here to handle the inherent uncertainty in WiFi signal variations due to heterogeneous context. Real life experiments are conducted for two datasets, JUIndoorLoc and UJIIndoorLoc at different granularity levels. For JUIndoorLoc, with state-of-the-art classifiers, 86–97% accuracy can be achieved for 10-fold cross-validation. However, when the training context differs from the test conditions, accuracy drops to 62–87%. In such a scenario, the proposed weighted ensemble technique is found to achieve almost 98% localization accuracy when RSSIs, mean and variance of RSSIs are considered as features. The technique can lead to an effective expert system for indoor localization at varying granularity levels. Such systems would be beneficial for pervasive indoor positioning applications as no dedicated infrastructure is needed for positioning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Microwave assisted extraction of fungal chitosan has been found to be efficient. • Optimization of the microwave power and duration of incubation was performed. • Higher chitosan yield of 13.43% w/w dry biomass. • Chitosan of 94% degree of deacetylation. • The energy consumption bill significantly lower, 1.1 vs 50 cents. Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) of chitosan from dried fungal biomass of Rhizopus oryzae NRRL1526, obtained by culturing on potato dextrose broth (PDB), was performed and the optimal conditions required were identified using statistical analysis for the first time in this study. This microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was compared against the conventional autoclave assisted method of chitosan extraction. The full factorial experimental design was used to investigate the impact of operating parameters of MAE, microwave power (100 W–500 W), and duration (10 min–30 min), on alkaline insoluble material (AIM) yield, chitosan yield, and degree of deacetylation (DDA). The effect of operating conditions was then evaluated using full factorial data analysis and optimum condition for MAE of chitosan was identified using response surface methodology to be 300 W and 22 min. This optimum condition identified was then further evaluated and the chitosan obtained characterized. Higher chitosan yield of 13.43 ± 0.3% (w/w) of fungal biomass was obtained when compared to that obtained, 6.67% ± 0.3% (w/w) of dry biomass, for the conventional extraction process. MAE yielded chitosan of higher degree of deacetylation, 94.6 ± 0.9% against 90.6 ± 0.5% (conventional heating), but the molecular weight was observed to be similar to that obtained by using conventional autoclave heating. MAE of chitosan was observed to yield a higher quantity of chitosan when compared to conventional extraction process and obtained chitosan exhibited a higher degree of deacetylation as well as molecular weight. The lower energy consumption of 0.11 kW h for MAE (5 kW h for conventional process) and the concomitant reduction in the energy bill to 1.1 cents from 50 cents, in addition to the above results, show that microwave irradiation is a more efficient and environment-friendly means to obtain chitosan from fungal biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Laccase is one of the widely used enzymes for biotechnological processes. Immobilization of enzymes is a universally accepted approach to increase their reusability and stability. In this study, laccase enzyme from Trametes versicolor was encapsulated for the first time in a chitosan-nanobiochar matrix. The chitosan-tripolyphosphate gel formation technique was employed to produce homogeneous biocatalyst nanoparticles, with 35% effective binding efficiency and 3.5 Units/g apparent activity under the best configuration. The reusability of the encapsulated laccase was demonstrated towards the oxidation of 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) for several consecutive cycles, exhibiting 30% of the initial activity after 5 cycles. The encapsulated laccase showed a moderate increase in enzyme stability against pH and temperature variation compared to the free enzyme. Moreover, the storage stability of laccase at both 4 °C and 25 °C was increased after immobilization. Only 2% of laccase was leaked during a 5-day period from biocatalyst. Laccase in its free form showed no antibacterial activity against Gram positive and Gram-negative model microorganisms, while encapsulated laccase showed antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive ones. Thus, the encapsulation of the laccase is an efficient method to keep the enzyme active and stable for different applications. Highlights • The biocatalyst showed 35% of binding efficiency and 3.5 Units/g apparent activity. • The encapsulated laccase showed higher stability compare to free enzyme. • Encapsulated laccase onto chitosan-nanobiochar exhibited antimicrobial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Fluoroquinolones-trivalent metal ion complexes are more stable than divalent metal ions. • Metal ions may act as an intermediate in binding between fluoroquinolones and DNA/enzyme. • Correlation of antibacterial and sorption properties of fluoroquinolones was affected by metal complexation. • Mobility fluoroquinolones is affected by environmental factors such as pH, temperature and presence of metal ions. Abstract Fluoroquinolones (FQs), the group of broad spectrum antimicrobials, are frequently detected in different environmental compartments, mostly due to incomplete metabolism in the target organism, inefficient wastewater treatment, and disposal of expired FQs directly into the environment. Another group of the contaminants, widely present in water, air, and soils, are the metal ions (Me). In general, FQs can form stable complexes with metal ions and their co-existence with Me in the environment leads to metal complexation. The most stable complexes are formed between FQs and trivalent ions, whereas FQs and alkali-earth metal ions, i.e. Ca2+ and Mg2+, are the least stable composites. This interaction between FQs and metal ions may alter antibiotic properties. Antibacterial activity of metal complexes is generally comparable with the parent compound; however, some FQs-metal complexes are found to exhibit higher antibacterial activity. Moreover, it was proved that FQs-Me complex can display antifungal potency toward Candida albicans. The mobility of FQs in soil and/or water strongly depends on pH, temperature, and type of metal ions, present in the environment. This review provides a brief description of FQs, their properties, and capacity to form complexes with metal ions. It summarizes influence of FQs-Me complexes on microorganisms and their mobility in different media. Further, the review provides a linkage between the presence of these metal ions in the environment and their effect on the chemistry and biology of fluoroquinolone antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although enzymes are gifted with unique and unprecedented catalytic activity and selectivity over a wide range of pollutants, still their stability related issues often hinder their application in real environmental conditions. In this study, agro-industrially produced crude laccase was concentrated using ultrafiltration. Crude laccase was immobilized on pine wood (BC-PW), pig manure (BC-PM) and almond shell (BC-AS) biochar microparticles. Immobilization of laccase was investigated at various laccase activities on micro-biochars and the release (desorption) of the enzyme has been studied. It was observed that for all the biochars, as the initial concentration of laccase increased in the crude solution, the binding capacity and as result immobilization efficiency also increased. BC-PM was found to be the most effective (31.4 ± 3.1 U g −1 ) at 10 U mL −1 of enzyme activity followed by BC-AS (24.3 ± 4.8 U g −1 ) and BC-PW (14.58 ± 3.3 U g −1 ). In addition, the biochars were functionalized with citric acid for possible surface modifications and the effect of biochars for the adsorption of enzymes has been investigated. Isotherm studies of enzyme loading onto biochar established homogeneous monolayer adsorption as the major mechanism. The desorption of laccase from all biochars followed pseudo-second-order model. Immobilized laccase exhibited superior storage ability and shelf-life which were three times higher than free laccase. Finally, the immobilized laccase was used for the degradation of micropollutant, DCF and near 100% removal was obtained within 5 h at an environmentally relevant concentration (500 μg L −1 ). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immobilization of enzymes on the solid supports can improve the stability as well as catalytic properties of enzymes. In this study, biochar derived from various feedstocks were used as immobilization support considering biochars carbon negative as well as sustainable properties. Partially purified (concentrated) crude laccase was covalently immobilized onto pine wood (BC-PW), pig manure (BC-PM) and almond shell (BC-AS) micro-biochars using optimized 5% w/v glutaraldehyde. Moreover, citric acid pretreatment improved the laccase binding capacity of all the micro-biochars and the highest laccase binding of 40.2 ± 1.8 U g −1 was observed with BC-PM in comparison with raw BC-PM (34.1 ± 1.1 U g −1 ). The enhanced binding of laccase on BC-PM over wood derived biochars was attributed to the higher surface area (46.1 m 2  g −1 ) of BC-PM. Moreover, feedstock selection as well as a method of production influenced the biochar physicochemical properties such as surface area and consequently, different biochars showed various laccase immobilization efficiencies. BC-PW showed better pH, thermal, storage, and operational stability, compared with BC-AS and BC-PM. While applying the laccase bound micro-biochar, complete removal was observed in 2 h under batch mode with 0.5 g of laccase bound BC-PM at an environmentally relevant concentration of 500 µg L −1 in wastewater effluent. About 40% of the laccase activity was retained with all the laccase-bound micro-biochars after 5 cycles of diclofenac treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brewery liquid waste (BLW), brewery spent grain (BSG), apple pomace solid wastes (APS), apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge (APUS) and starch industry waste (SIW) were evaluated as alternative feedstocks for levulinic acid (LA) production via microwave-assisted acid-catalyzed thermal hydrolysis. LA production of 204, 160, 66, 49 and 12 g/kg was observed for BLW, BSG, APS, APUS, and SIW, respectively, at 140 °C, 40 g/L substrate concentration (SC), 60 min and 2 N HCl (acid concentration). Based on the screening studies, BLW and BSG were selected for optimization studies using response surface methodology. Maximum LA production of 409 and 341 g/kg for BLW and BSG, respectively were obtained at 160 °C, 4.5 M HCl, 85 g/L SC and 27.5 min. Results demonstrated the possibility of using brewery wastes as promising substrates for economical and higher yield production of LA, a renewable platform chemical and versatile precursor for fuels and chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study investigates the removal of chlortetracycline (CTC) antibiotic using sulfate radical-based oxidation process. Sodium persulfate (PS) was used as a source to generate sulfate radicals by homogeneous (Fe 2+ ) and heterogeneous (zero valent iron, ZVI) iron as a catalyst. Increased EDTA concentration was used to break the CTC-Fe metal complexes during CTC estimation. The influence of various parameters, such as PS concentration, iron (Fe 2+ and ZVI) concentration, PS/iron molar ratio, and pH were studied and optimum conditions were reported. CTC removal was increased with increasing concentration of PS and iron at an equal molar ratio of PS/Fe 2+ and PS/ZVI processes. PS/Fe 2+ and PS/ZVI oxidation processes at 1:2 (500 μM PS and 1000 μM) molar ratio showed 76% and 94% of 1 μM CTC removal in 2 h. Further increased molar ratio 1:2 onwards, PS/Fe 2+ process showed a slight increase in CTC degradation whereas in PS/ZVI process showed similar degradation to 1:2 (PS/Fe) ratio at constant PS 500 μM concentration. Slower activation of persulfate which indirectly indicates the slower generation of sulfate radicals in PS/ZVI process showed higher degradation efficiency of CTC. The detected transformation products and their estrogenicity results stated that sulfate radicals seem to be efficient in forming stable and non-toxic end products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brewery industry liquid waste (BLW), brewery spent grain (BSG), apple pomace solid wastes (APS), apple pomace ultrafiltration sludge (APUS) and starch industry wastewater (SIW) have been considered as substrates to produce biobutanol. Efficiency of hydrolysis techniques tested to produce fermentable sugars depended on nature of agro-industrial wastes and process conditions. Acid-catalysed hydrolysis of BLW and BSG gave a total reducing sugar yield of 0.433 g/g and 0.468 g/g respectively. Reducing sugar yield from microwave assisted hydrothermal method was 0.404 g/g from APS and 0.631 g/g from APUS, and, 0.359 g/g from microwave assisted acid-catalysed SIW dry mass. Parameter optimization (time, pH and substrate concentration) for acid-catalysed BLW hydrolysate utilization using central composite model technique produced 307.9 g/kg glucose with generation of inhibitors (5-hydroxymethyl furfural (20 g/kg), furfural (1.6 g/kg), levulinic acid (9.3 g/kg) and total phenolic compound (0.567 g/kg)). 10.62 g/L of acetone-butanol-ethanol was produced by subsequent clostridial fermentation of the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochars were prepared from feedstocks pinewood and pig manure. Biochar microparticles obtained through grinding were evaluated for the removal of emerging contaminant diclofenac (DCF) and the underlying mechanism were thoroughly studied. Characterization of biochar was carried out using particle size analyzer, SEM, BET, FT-IR, XRD, XPS and zeta potential instrument. Pig manure biochar (BC-PM) exhibited excellent removal efficiency (99.6%) over pine wood biochar (BC-PW) at 500 µg L −1 of DCF (environmentally significant concentration). Intraparticle diffusion was found to be the major process facilitated the adsorption. BC-PW followed pseudo first-order kinetics whereas BC-PM followed pseudo second-order kinetics. Pine wood biochar was largely affected by pH variations whereas for pig manure biochar, pH effects were minimal owing to its surface functional groups and DCF hydrophobicity. Thermodynamics, presence of co-existing ions, initial adsorbate concentration and particles size played substantial role in adsorption. Various isotherms models were also studied and results are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient, rapid, ex-situ two phase partitioning detoxification has been developed to reduce inhibitor concentration in biomass hydrolysate and enhance biobutanol production from brewery liquid waste (BLW) and brewery spent grain (BSG). About 80 ± 2.0% extraction of furan derivatives and more than 95 ± 2.0% extraction of phenolic compounds and almost no extraction of reducing sugar from simulated synthetic media as well as real waste hydrolysate have made this method more interesting. Detoxification of brewery liquid waste and brewery spent grain hydrolysate by over liming and charcoal gave biobutanol production of 4.3 g/L, 6.3 g/L and 4.6 g/L, 5.8 g/L respectively. Ex-situ extraction of microbial inhibitors from brewery liquid waste and brewery spent grain hydrolysates using bis (2-ethylhexyl sebacate) as extractant gave biobutanol production of 8.0 g/L and 7.2 g/L respectively. Lower power consumption (0.081 W/L) and reuse of the extracting solvent made this detoxification technique extremely useful for improving production of biobutanol from agro-industrial waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental considerations along with the technological challenges have led to search for green and energy-efficient processes for advanced nanostructured materials. In this study, nanobiochar was produced from pine wood biochar using a planetary ball mill. A central composite experimental design and response surface methodology was employed to optimize the ball milling parameters including time, rotational speed and ball to powder mass ratio to obtain nanoparticles in short time and at lower energy consumption. ANOVA results showed that the linear and quadratic effect estimates of time and the interaction effect of time and rotational speed were significant contributors to the size of particles during milling (p < 0.05). Based on the developed statistical model, the optimum conditions for obtaining the smallest particles, around 60 nm, were found to be 1.6 h, 575 rpm and 4.5 g/g. However, the size measurements indicated that particles had a great tendency to agglomerate. Further study showed that the conditioning of biochar at cryogenic temperatures prior to milling inhibits the agglomeration of nanoparticles which is essential in industrial processes. The adsorption test proved that the nanobiochar produced using green method is promising in the removal of micropollutants from aqueous media by removing up to 95% of carbamazepine from water. At the optimum milling parameters and conditioning for 24 h at −80 °C, nanobiochar with the average size of around 60 nm was obtained. The produced nanobiochar was characterized by Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) gas porosimetry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Also, physical and chemical properties, such as water holding capacity, organic matter, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), elemental composition, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and heavy metals were analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper discusses the potential of different waste biomaterials for biosorption. Waste biomaterials after citric acid fermentation and chitosan extraction using Aspergillus niger were evaluated for biosorption of toxic metals (Cu, Cr and As) from leachates of chromated copper arsenate woods. The different waste BMs, such as fungal biomass (living and dead), alkali insoluble material and acid and alkali insoluble material were used in this study. The effect of different parameters, such as biosorbent concentration, metal concentration and contact time were investigated. The fitness of biosorption data for Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models was investigated through batch adsorption technique. Among the adsorption isotherm tested, Langmuir isotherm gave the best fit with correlation coefficients (R 2 ) value ranging from 0.89 to 0.97; 0.96–0.99 and 0.76–0.95 for As, Cr and Cu, respectively using solid state fermented biomass. Similarly, the significant removal of metals (>60% in leachate 2) from waste CCA wood leachate was achieved with the different BMs. Therefore, this study demonstrates the potential of CA fermentation derived waste BMs for biosorption of toxic metals from waste waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Residual emerging contaminants in wastewater sludge remain an obstacle for its wide and safe applications such as landfilling and bio-fertilizer. In this study, the feasibility of individual ultrasonication (UlS) and Fenton oxidation (FO) and combined, Ferro-sonication processes (FO) on the degradation of chlortetracycline (CTC) in wastewater sludge was investigated. UlS parameters such as amplitude and sonication time were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) for further optimization of FS process. Generation of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals in FO and FS processes were compared to evaluate the degradation efficiency of CTC. Increasing in the ratio of hydrogen peroxide and iron concentration showed increased CTC degradation in FO process; whereas in FS, an increase in iron concentration did not show any significant effect (p > 0.05) on CTC degradation in sludge. The estimated iron concentration in sludge (115 mg/kg) was enough to degrade CTC without the addition of external iron. The only adjustment of sludge pH to 3 was enough to generate in-situ hydroxyl radicals by utilizing iron which is already present in the sludge. This observation was further supported by hydroxyl radical estimation with adjustment of water pH to 3 and with and without the addition of iron. The optimum operating UlS conditions were found to be 60% amplitude for 106 min by using RSM. Compared to standalone UlS and FO at 1:1 ratio, FS showed 15% and 8% increased CTC degradation respectively. In addition, UlS of sludge increased estrogenic activity 1.5 times higher compared to FO. FS treated samples did not show any estrogenic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a large group of chemicals. They represent an important concern due to their widespread distribution in the environment, their resistance to biodegradation, their potential to bioaccumulate and their harmful effects. Several pilot treatments have been implemented to prevent economic consequences and deterioration of soil and water quality. As a promising option, fungal enzymes are regarded as a powerful choice for degradation of PAHs. Phanerochaete chrysosporium , Pleurotus ostreatus and Bjerkandera adusta are most commonly used for the degradation of such compounds due to their production of ligninolytic enzymes such as lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase and laccase. The rate of biodegradation depends on many culture conditions, such as temperature, oxygen, accessibility of nutrients and agitated or shallow culture. Moreover, the addition of biosurfactants can strongly modify the enzyme activity. The removal of PAHs is dependent on the ionization potential. The study of the kinetics is not completely comprehended, and it becomes more challenging when fungi are applied for bioremediation. Degradation studies in soil are much more complicated than liquid cultures because of the heterogeneity of soil, thus, many factors should be considered when studying soil bioremediation, such as desorption and bioavailability of PAHs. Different degradation pathways can be suggested. The peroxidases are heme-containing enzymes having common catalytic cycles. One molecule of hydrogen peroxide oxidizes the resting enzyme withdrawing two electrons. Subsequently, the peroxidase is reduced back in two steps of one electron oxidation. Laccases are copper-containing oxidases. They reduce molecular oxygen to water and oxidize phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butanol produced from renewable feedstock is defined as an emerging biofuel and biochemical. Research efforts made during the last three decades on biochemical production of butanol via conventional ABE (acetone-ethanol-butanol) fermentation has tried to bring biobutanol close to competition with petrobutanol. However, each new effort of development has been often countered by new challenges, confining biobutanol production mostly to the laboratory scale. This review provides a systematic, comparative analysis of different steps in biochemical production of butanol and identifies the counteractive aspects and challenges to overcome. A special emphasis is given on process inhibitors, applied detoxification techniques, chemical supplements and research & development in industry in order to enhance and update ABE fermentation and make it cost effective. Biobutanol future lies in utilization of inexpensive cellulose enriched lignocellulosic hydrolysates and hyper-butanol producing bacteria, combined with specific detoxification techniques and followed by efficient continuous fermentation technologies together with in situ product recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diclofenac (DCF) is a prevalent anti-inflammatory drug used throughout the world. Intensive researches carried out in the past few decades have confirmed the global ubiquity of DCF in various environmental compartments. Its frequent occurrence in freshwater environments and its potential toxicity towards several organisms such as fish and mussels makes DCF an emerging environmental contaminant. At typical detected environmental concentrations, the drug does not exhibit toxic effects towards living organisms, albeit chronic exposure may lead to severe effects. For DCF, about 30–70% removal has been obtained through the conventional treatment system in wastewater treatment plant being the major primary sink. Thus, the untreated DCF will pass to surface water. DCF can interact with other inorganic contaminants in the environment particularly in wastewater treatment plant, such as metals, organic contaminants and even with DCF metabolites. This process may lead to the creation of another possible emerging contaminant. In the present context, environmental fate of DCF in different compartments such as soil and water has been addressed with an overview of current treatment methods. In addition, the toxicity concerns regarding DCF in aquatic as well as terrestrial environment along with an introduction to the metabolites of DCF through consumption as well as abiotic degradation routes are also discussed. Further studies are required to better assess the fate and toxicological effects of DCF and its metabolites and must consider the possible interaction of DCF with other contaminants to develop an effective treatment method for DCF and its traces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]