Development and Characterization of Electrospun Biopapers of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Derived from Cheese Whey with Varying 3-Hydroxyvalerate Contents

[EN] In the present study, three different newly developed copolymers of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyval-erate) (PHBV) with 20, 40, and 60 mol % contents in 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) were produced by the biotechnological process of mixed microbial cultures (MMCs) using cheese whey (CW), a by-product from the dairy industry, as feedstock. The CW-derived PHBV copolyesters were first purified and then processed by solution electrospinning, yielding fibers of approximately 2 mu m in cross-section in all cases. The resultant electrospun PHBV mats were, thereafter, post-processed by annealing at different temperatures, below their maximum of melting, selected according to their 3HV content in order to obtain continuous films based on coalesced fibers, so-called biopapers. The resultant PHBV films were characterized in terms of their morphology, crystallinity, and mechanical and barrier properties to assess their potential application in food packaging. The CW-derived PHBV biopapers showed high contact transparency but a slightly yellow color. The fibers of the 20 mol % 3HV copolymer were seen to contain mostly poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) crystals, the fibers of the 40 mol % 3HV copolymer a mixture of PHB and poly(3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHV) crystals and lowest crystallinity, and the fibers of the 60 mol % 3HV sample were mostly made of PHV crystals. To understand the interfiber coalesce process undergone by the materials during annealing, the crystalline morphology was also assessed by variable-temperature both combined small-angle and wide-angle X-ray scattering synchrotron and Fourier transform infrared experiments. From these experiments and, different from previously reported biopapers with lower 3HV contents, all samples were inferred to have a surface energy reduction mechanism for interfiber coalescence during annealing, which is thought to be activated by a temperature-induced decrease in molecular order. Due to their reduced crystallinity and molecular order, the CW-derived PHBV biopapers, especially the 40 mol % 3HV sample, were found to be more ductile and tougher. In terms of barrier properties, the three copolymers performed similarly to water and limonene, but to oxygen, the 40 mol % sample showed the highest relative permeability. Overall, the materials developed, which are compatible with the Circular Bioeconomy organic recycling strategy, can have an excellent potential as barrier interlayers or coatings of application interest in food packaging.This research work was funded by the H2020 EU project YPACK (reference number 773872) and by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICI) project RTI2018-097249-B-C21. B.M.-R. would like to acknowledge the MICI for her FPI fellowship (BES-2016-077972) and S.T.-G. for his MICI Juan de la Cierva-Incorporacion contract (IJCI-2016-29675). The ALBA Synchrotron is also acknowledged for the funding received through the project "Time-resolved Combined Wide-and Small-angle X-ray Scattering Characterization as a Function of Temperature of Electrospun Polyhydroxyalkanoates Derived from Biowaste" (2018022619). The authors would also like to thank the Unidad Asociada IATA(CSIC)-UJI in "Plastics Technology".Meléndez-Rodríguez, B.; Reis, MAM.; Carvalheira, M.; Sammon, C.; Cabedo, L.; Torres-Giner, S.; Lagaron, JM. (2021). Development and Characterization of Electrospun Biopapers of Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Derived from Cheese Whey with Varying 3-Hydroxyvalerate Contents. Biomacromolecules. 22(7):2935-2953. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.biomac.1c00353S2935295322

Valorization of Municipal Biowaste into Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Biopapers for Food Packaging Applications

American Chemical Society[EN] The present study reports on the production and characterization of a new biopackaging material made of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) derived from municipal biowaste (MBW) and produced by the mixed bacterial culture technology. After purification and extraction, the MBW-derived PHBV was processed by electrospinning to yield defect-free ultrathin fibers, which were thermally post-treated. Annealing at 130 degrees C, well below the biopolymer's melting temperature (T-m), successfully yielded a continuous film resulting from coalescence of the electrospun fibrillar morphology, the so-called biopaper, exhibiting enhanced optical and color properties compared to traditional melt compounding routes. The crystallinity and crystalline morphology were comprehensively studied as a function of temperature by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and combined time-resolved synchrotron small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS) experiments, which clearly indicated that the molecular order within the copolyester was improved up to a maximum at 130 degrees C, and then it decreased at the biopolymer's T-m. It was hypothesized that by annealing at the temperature at which the thermally induced molecular order is maximized, the fibers generated sufficient mobility to align alongside, hence reducing surface energy and porosity. The data suggest that this material shows a good balance between enhanced mechanical and improved barrier properties to vapors and gases in comparison to traditional paper and other currently used petroleum-derived polymers, thus presenting significant potential to be part of innovative food biopackaging designs for the protection and preservation of foods in a circular bioeconomy scenario.The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICI) project RTI2018-097249-B-C21 and EU projects H2020 YPACK (reference number 773872) and H2020 USABLE (reference number 836884) are acknowledged for funding support. B.M.-R. and S.T.-G. would also like to thank MICI for the FPI fellowship (BES-2016-077972) and the Juan de la Cierva IncorporaciOn contract (IJCI-2016-29675), respectively. The ALBA Synchrotron, Spain, is also acknowledged for the funding received through the project proposal 2018022619. The authors also thank the "Unidad Asociada CSIC-UJI in Polymers Technology".Meléndez-Rodríguez, B.; Torres Giner, S.; Lorini, L.; Valentino, F.; Sammon, C.; Cabedo, L.; Lagaron, JM. (2020). Valorization of Municipal Biowaste into Electrospun Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) Biopapers for Food Packaging Applications. ACS Applied Bio Materials. 3(9):6110-6123. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsabm.0c00698S6110612339REHM, B. H. A. (2003). Polyester synthases: natural catalysts for plastics. Biochemical Journal, 376(1), 15-33. doi:10.1042/bj20031254Singh Saharan, B., Grewal, A., & Kumar, P. (2014). Biotechnological Production of Polyhydroxyalkanoates: A Review on Trends and Latest Developments. Chinese Journal of Biology, 2014, 1-18. doi:10.1155/2014/802984Koller, M., Maršálek, L., de Sousa Dias, M. M., & Braunegg, G. (2017). Producing microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biopolyesters in a sustainable manner. 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A Smartphone-Based Tool for Rapid, Portable, and Automated Wide-Field Retinal Imaging.

Purpose:High-quality, wide-field retinal imaging is a valuable method for screening preventable, vision-threatening diseases of the retina. Smartphone-based retinal cameras hold promise for increasing access to retinal imaging, but variable image quality and restricted field of view can limit their utility. We developed and clinically tested a smartphone-based system that addresses these challenges with automation-assisted imaging. Methods:The system was designed to improve smartphone retinal imaging by combining automated fixation guidance, photomontage, and multicolored illumination with optimized optics, user-tested ergonomics, and touch-screen interface. System performance was evaluated from images of ophthalmic patients taken by nonophthalmic personnel. Two masked ophthalmologists evaluated images for abnormalities and disease severity. Results:The system automatically generated 100° retinal photomontages from five overlapping images in under 1 minute at full resolution (52.3 pixels per retinal degree) fully on-phone, revealing numerous retinal abnormalities. Feasibility of the system for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening using the retinal photomontages was performed in 71 diabetics by masked graders. DR grade matched perfectly with dilated clinical examination in 55.1% of eyes and within 1 severity level for 85.2% of eyes. For referral-warranted DR, average sensitivity was 93.3% and specificity 56.8%. Conclusions:Automation-assisted imaging produced high-quality, wide-field retinal images that demonstrate the potential of smartphone-based retinal cameras to be used for retinal disease screening. Translational Relevance:Enhancement of smartphone-based retinal imaging through automation and software intelligence holds great promise for increasing the accessibility of retinal screening

Humane Orientation as a New Cultural Dimension of the GLOBE Project: A Validation Study of the GLOBE Scale and Out-Group Humane Orientation in 25 Countries

We validate, extend, and empirically and theoretically criticize the cultural dimension of humane orientation of the project GLOBE (Global Leadership and Organizational Behavior Effectiveness Research Program). Theoretically, humane orientation is not just a one-dimensionally positive concept about being caring, altruistic, and kind to others as discussed by Kabasakal and Bodur (2004), but there is also a certain ambivalence to this concept. We suggest differentiating humane orientation toward in-group members from humane orientation toward out-group members. A multicountry construct validation study used student samples from 25 countries that were either high or low in humane orientation (N = 876) and studied their relation to the traditional GLOBE scale and other cultural-level measures (agreeableness, religiosity, authoritarianism, and welfare state score). Findings revealed a strong correlation between humane orientation and agreeableness, welfare state score, and religiosity. Out-group humane orientation proved to be the more relevant subfacet of the original humane orientation construct, suggesting that future research on humane orientation should make use of this measure instead of the vague original scale. The ambivalent character of out-group humane orientation is displayed in its positive correlation to high authoritarianism. Patriotism was used as a control variable for noncritical acceptance of one’s society but did not change the correlations. Our findings are discussed as an example of how rigid expectations and a lack of tolerance for diversity may help explain the ambivalent nature of humane orientatio

An online laboratory – is it as good as the real thing?

This paper explores the process of design and development of an online laboratory learning experience. Constant evaluation, iterative development, reuse and combination of existing learning objects are fundamental considerations. A generic development process based on this practical approach is described. Finally, findings arising from creation of a simple online laboratory are discussed, concluding with an exploratory comparison of online and live laboratories

Design of a Remote Real-time Groundwater Level and Water Quality Monitoring System for the Philippine Groundwater Management Plan Project

Recent technological advances allow us to utilize remote monitoring systems or real-time access of data. While the use of remote monitoring systems is not new, there are still numerous applications that can be explored and improved on, one such is groundwater level and quality monitoring. In the Philippines, the extraction of groundwater for both domestic use and industrial use are manually monitored by the government’s concerned agency and is done at least once per year. With this current setup, the real and significant state of the groundwater is not reflected in a way that is most valuable to the government and to the community. This project aims to design and develop a remote real-time groundwater level and quality monitoring system. It is intended to provide quantitative data for policy makers in addressing recurrent water shortages in the Philippines. This paper discusses the designed system composed of three modules: power module, sensors and control, and data visualization. These three modules provide real-time data from far-flung locations while being energy-sustainable. Dry runs of the system in a controlled environment yielded excellent results — average data accuracy of 96.63% for all six (6) groundwater quantity and quality parameters namely: pH, temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, salinity, and static water level (SWL), and 90.63% data transmission reliability. Initial deployment of the system on one of the groundwater monitoring well in Metro Manila, Philippines returned a 91.16% data transmission reliability. The system is currently installed in 20 groundwater monitoring sites all-over the Philippines and is scheduled for more installations

Software and Data Visualization Platform for Groundwater Level and Quality Monitoring System

Rapid urbanization and increasing population come with the increased extraction and use of groundwater resources. To track the effect of these activities on groundwater level and quantity; a system for real-time monitoring is devised. In this paper; we present a software system design that enables a locally-developed groundwater level and water quality monitoring hardware setup to gather water quality parameter data; send it to a cloud server; and present organized data for better visualization. The hardware setup consists of an Arduino microcontroller. Upon deployment; the hardware setup is linked to an Android application that connects to the web-based platform

An Analysis of JADE2 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)

The JADE family comprises three members encoded by individual genes and roles for these proteins have been identified in chromatin remodeling, cell cycle progression, cell regeneration and the DNA damage response. JADE family members, and in particular JADE2 have not been studied in any great detail in cancer. Using a series of standard biological and bioinformatics approaches we investigated JADE2 expression in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) for both mRNA and protein to examine for correlations between JADE2 expression and overall survival. Additional correlations were identified using bioinformatic analyses on multiple online datasets. Our analysis demonstrates that JADE2 expression is significantly altered in NSCLC. High expression of JADE2 is associated with a better 5-year overall survival. Links between JADE2 mRNA expression and a number of mutated genes were identified, and associations between JADE2 expression and tumor mutational burden and immune cell infiltration were explored. Potential new drugs that can target JADE2 were identified. The results of this biomarker-driven study suggest that JADE2 may have potential clinical utility in the diagnosis, prognosis and stratification of patients into various therapeutically targetable options