Towards ultrasensitive biosensors based on virus-like particles and plasmonic surface lattice resonance /

Plasmonic surface lattice resonance (SLR) is a phenomenon in which individual localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) excited in periodically-arranged plasmonic nanoparticles couple through the interaction with the propagating diffracted incident light. The SLR optical absorption peak is by at least one order of magnitude more intense than the LSPR one, making SLR superior for applications in which LSPR is commonly used. Recently, we have developed a route for the fabrication of spherical virus-like particles (VLPs) with plasmonic Au cores and protein coronas, where the LSPR in the cores amplifies vibrational Raman signals originating from protein-antibody interactions [ACS Synth. Biol. 12 (2023) 2320]. The particles are promising for biosensing, however, the intensity of the signals recorded in solution is not strong enough to detect antibodies at very low concentrations. Here, we show that by ordering the VLPs in periodic nanoarrays exhibiting SLR amplifies the signals by two orders of magnitude, revealing superior potential of VLP-SLR arrays in ultrasensitive biodetection

Transcription factor-based biosensors for application in autotrophic bacteria /

Inducible gene expression systems, composed of transcription factor (TF) and cognate inducible promoter have come into the focus as a platform for the development of genetically encoded TF-based biosensors. The interaction of TFs with specific inducers activates the expression of the reporter protein in a dose-dependent manner, resulting in quantitatively measurable output. TF-based biosensors have been employed as synthetic biology devices and enable the development of microbial cell factories using high-throughput screening strategies. Native TFs and promoter pairs are widespread and are adapted to the organism’s purposes, for this reason, TF-based biosensors are often limited in sensitivity and are incompatible with non-native hosts. Although several TF-based biosensors were applied in different α-, β-, and γ-proteobacteria, however, detection of inducers with biosensors in non-native host cells remains a challenge and their use in purple phototrophic bacteria is limited so far. Previously, we developed and characterized TF-based biosensors for organic and phenolic acids. Several inducible gene expression systems induced by phenolic acids, including o-hydroxybenzoic acid, m-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, and protocatechuic acid, have been predicted to be applicable in well-studied microorganisms E. coli, C. necator, and P. putida. Additionally, we utilize a protocatechuic acid-biosensor in E. coli to identify enzymes with enhanced activity for the conversion of p-hydroxybenzoate to protocatechuate. These systems are currently being developed for the purple photoautotrophic bacterium R. capsulatus

Optimization of hybrid polymer matrices for enhanced mechanical and impact properties /

This research presents the optimization of preparing hybrid polymer matrices composed of thermosetting and thermoplastic to address the resistance against impact forces and mechanical characteristics of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites. A hybrid polymer composed of thermoplastic and thermoset were obtained at various ratios. A glass reinforcement in which glass microspheres were added to a thermoset resin at various percentages (0-10%) and a composite manufactured via hand layup followed by compression molding with 4 layers of fiber preserving a fiber volume fraction of 0.6. Mixture of hybrid polymers showing a better property against impact forces and mechanical features. Notably, 7-9% glass microspheres displayed an improved mechanical property, highlighting increasing in tensile strength at 7%. These results encourage the potential effect of hybrid matrices and micro-reinforcement in fabricating high featured composites considering for high impact engineering applications

Nanocomposite CuxS on flexible polymers: Raman study /

Flexible polymers modified with copper sulfides have emerged as a novel class of materials, presenting composite structures with remarkable properties suitable for applications in flexible electronics. This study focuses on the deposition of copper sulfide (CuxS) layers onto the surfaces of polyamide and polypropylene through the chemical bath deposition method, employing either 2 or 3 deposition cycles. The objective is to explore the impact of deposition cycles and discern the optimal conditions for the deposition process. Comprehensive analysis of the CuxS thin films entails techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction to shed light on their structural and optical characteristics

Synthesis of novel N-substituted β-amino acid derivatives bearing 2-hydroxyphenyl moieties as promising antimicrobial candidates targeting multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens /

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among ESKAPE group pathogens presents a significant challenge in the healthcare sector, contributing to higher morbidity and mortality rates globally. Thus, it is essential to develop novel antimicrobial agents effective against drug-resistant pathogens. In this study, we report the synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial activity characterization of novel N-substituted β-amino acid derivatives bearing 2-hydroxyphenyl core against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. The synthesized compounds (2-26) exhibited promising antimicrobial activity specifically against Gram-positive bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 4 to 128 µg/mL. Compounds 9 (R = 4-nitrophenyl), 17 (R = 5-nitro-2-thienyl), 18 (R = 5-nitro-2-furyl), thiosemicarbazide 16, and 26 exhibited the most promising activity against Staphylococcus aureus MRSA USA300 lineage strain TCH-1516, with MIC values between 4 and 16 µg/mL. Compound 26 demonstrated strong antimicrobial activity against both S. aureus TCH-1516 and E. faecalis AR-0781, with the activity comparable to control antibiotics. Furthermore, compound 26 exhibited antifungal activity drug-resistant against Candida albicans AR-0761 (MIC 16 µg/mL). These findings indicate that N-substituted β-amino acid derivatives with a 2-hydroxyphenyl core warrant further investigation as a potential scaffold for the further development of antimicrobial agents based on compound 26 targeting Gram-positive pathogens and drug-resistant C. albicans AR-0761

Enhancing the resilience of a federated learning global model using client model benchmark validation /

Federated learning (FL) makes it possible for users to share trained models with one another, thereby removing the necessity of publicly centralizing training data. One of the best and most cost-effective ways to connect users is through email. To steal sensitive information, spam emails might trick users into visiting malicious websites or performing other fraudulent actions. The developed semantic parser creates email metadata datasets from multiple email corpuses and populates the email domain ontology to facilitate the privacy of the information contained in email messages. There is a new idea to make FL global models more resistant to Byzantine attacks. It involves accepting updates only from strong participants whose local model shows higher validation scores using benchmark datasets. The proposed approach integrates FL, the email domain-specific ontology, the semantic parser, and a collection of benchmark datasets from heterogeneous email corpuses. By giving meaning to the metadata of an email message, the email’s domain-specific ontology made it possible to create datasets for email benchmark corpuses and participant updates in a unified format with the same features. In order to avoid fraudulently modified client updates from being applied to the global model, the experimental results approved the proposed approach to strengthen the resiliency of an FL global model by utilizing client model benchmark validation

Calculating the environmental impact reduction due to extended lifespan of clothing through clothing swaps /

This paper presents an algorithm for evaluating the environmental impact of clothing swaps, promoting extended use and responsible consumption. Implemented in an online swapping platform, the algorithm quantifies reductions in environmental impact due to extended clothing lifespan and avoided purchase of new garment, promoting swapping activities. Developed through scientific literature analysis, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and swapping practice studies, the algorithm uses key environmental indicators: carbon footprint, water use, energy consumption, and land use. It integrates consumer behaviour insights and uses both default and user-entered clothing data to calculate environmental savings. Results show that clothing impact varies by fabric. Viscose and polyester garments have the lowest environmental impact, while swapping cotton and wool items yields the highest savings, as these materials are more resource intensive. The platform-integrated algorithm recorded 251 swaps over two months, preventing 4,137 kg CO₂ emissions, 6,809 m³ of water use, 3.08 m²a crop eq of land use, and 87.23 GJ of energy consumption. These findings highlight the significant environmental benefits of prolonging clothing use through swapping instead of throwing clothes away

Model for automated information technology security policy management.

The objective of this Master's thesis is to develop and investigate an automated IT security policy management model suitable for use in modern organizations. The thesis analyzes existing security models and identifies their shortcomings, emphasizing the risks of human errors and the necessity of reducing manual work in the implementation of IT policies. A new model integrating Natural Language Processing (NLP) technology and the "Policy-as-Code" principle was developed to automatically interpret IT security policies documented within organizations and effectively deploy them. In the experimental part of the research, a prototype of the proposed model was created and tested in practice. Results indicated that the automated solution significantly improved the level of information security, reduced the likelihood of human errors and ensured compliance of the organization's policies with the infrastructure security settings. IT security policy management became automated, which resulted in improved transparency in security management processes and more efficient resource utilization were observed, demonstrating the practical applicability and benefit of the proposed model for enterprises aiming to ensure policy compliance and to enhance their IT security posture

Factors influencing the carbonation kinetics of calcium silicate-based binders – an overview /

The production of hydraulic binders, representing the essential constituent part of concrete and mortar, can be associated with high energy consumption and huge CO2 emissions (at least 2.4 billion tons in 2022). Without appropriate measures, the situation will only worsen. The global annual output of cement stood at 4.4 billion tons of cement, whereas the annual production has been increasing at a rate of ca 5%. In order to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, the following solutions are most widely used in the world: clinker additives; unconventional fuels; decreased energy-related expenses; and technological innovations. However, these are not sufficient to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and bring them close to zero. Therefore, the utilization and development of alternative binders denoted by a reduced CO2 footprint in comparison to that of conventional cement are among the main objectives of building materials manufacturers as well as researchers. This paper reviews obstacles, solutions and alternatives for the fabrication of hydraulic cementitious materials, along with the general principles of the carbonization of binders, such as natural processes and intensified processes, the impact of various parameters on the chemical and physical transformations, as well as the mechanism of interaction of OPC, belite, and blended cement with CO2. The production of low-lime binders, along with time-optimized carbonation, can significantly improve carbon footprint values. However, due to the huge variety of blended cements, their hardening process by mineral carbonation needs to be investigated extensively and systematically, as it is emphatically dependent on many numerical values and criteria. Environmentally and economically acceptable production can only be achieved on the grounds of the optimized parameters of the entire process

Collaborative learning, cooperative learning and reflective learning to foster sustainable development: a scoping review /

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a key role in addressing global challenges. This study highlights the key role of collaborative, cooperative and reflective learning in enhancing students' ability to promote sustainable development. In this study, narrative analysis techniques were used to analyse 172 manuscripts with the core keywords ‘reflective learning’ or ‘cooperative learning’ or ‘collaborative learning’ and ‘sustainability’ or ‘sustainable development’ and ‘education’ that resulted from the search in SCOPUS and Web of Science for the period 1994 to 2023 and the paper selection process. These articles provide a comprehensive overview of collaborative and reflective learning in the context of sustainable development. This study demonstrates how critical it is to identify and deal with students' limits in terms of reflection and cooperation. To genuinely contribute to sustainable development, students must not only possess the necessary knowledge, but also embody values and global awareness, thus enabling them to reflect on and evaluate their practical experiences within complex contexts. Despite potential obstacles of individual differences and cooperation challenges, the review emphasises the importance of innovative pedagogical strategies in providing students with engaging educational opportunities that inspire a commitment to advocating for sustainable development. This study highlights the potential of diverse pedagogical programmes in cultivating sustainable competencies and underscores the significance of recognising and overcoming constraints for the effective implementation of education in sustainable development