Explore the vast range of titles available.

Sugarcane bagasse is commonly combusted to generate energy. Unfortunately, recycling strategies rarely consider the resulting ash as a potential fertilizer. To evaluate this recycling strategy for a sustainable circular economy, we characterized bagasse ash as a fertilizer and measured the effects of co-gasification and co-combustion of bagasse with either chicken manure or sewage sludge: on the phosphorus (P) mass fraction, P-extractability, and mineral P phases. Furthermore, we investigated the ashes as fertilizer for soybeans under greenhouse conditions. All methods in combination are reliable indicators helping to assess and predict P availability from ashes to soybeans. The fertilizer efficiency of pure bagasse ash increased with the ash amount supplied to the substrate. Nevertheless, it was not as effective as fertilization with triple-superphosphate and K 2 SO 4 , which we attributed to lower P availability. Co-gasification and co-combustion increased the P mass fraction in all bagasse-based ashes, but its extractability and availability to soybeans increased only when co-processed with chicken manure, because it enabled the formation of readily available Ca-alkali phosphates. Therefore, we recommend co-combusting biomass with alkali-rich residues to increase the availability of P from the ash to plants.

The Brazilian sugarcane industry produced around 173 million tons (Mt) of bagasse in 2018. Bagasse is a by-product of juice extraction for ethanol and sugar production and is combusted in order to generate power, producing up to 10 Mt of ash per year. This ash contains various concentrations of plant nutrients, which allow the ash to be used as a crop fertilizer. However, the concentration and extractability of phosphorus (P), an essential plant nutrient, are low in bagasse ash. To increase the P content, we co-gasified and co-combusted bagasse with P-rich chicken manure. The resulting ash was thermochemically post-treated with alkali additives (Na2SO4 and K2SO4) to increase the availability of P to plants. We aimed to: (i) investigate the effect of thermochemical post-treatment of co-gasification residue and co-combustion ash on P availability to soybeans, (ii) explore the potential of chemical extraction methods (citric acid, neutral ammonium citrate, formic acid, and Mehlich-I) and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) to predict the availability of P to soybeans, and (iii) identify the responsible P-phases using X-ray diffraction. We evaluated P availability to soybeans growing in Brazilian Oxisol soil in two independent greenhouse pot experiments. The positive effect of thermochemical treatment on P availability from gasification residue was confirmed through the observation of increased P uptake and biomass in soybean plants. These findings were confirmed by chemical extraction methods and DGT. The gasification residue contained whitlockite as its main P-bearing phase. Thermochemical post-treatment converted whitlockite into highly soluble CaNaPO4. In contrast, co-combustion ash already contained highly soluble Ca(Na,K)PO4 as its main P-bearing phase, making thermochemical post-treatment unnecessary for increasing P availability. In conclusion, increased extractability and availability of P for soybeans were closely connected to the formation of calcium alkali phosphate. Our findings indicate that this combined methodology allows for the prediction of P-fertilization effects of ash.

Due to an increased awareness of climate change and limited fossil resources, the demand for alternative energy carriers such as biomass has risen significantly during the past years. This development is supported by the idea of a transition to a bio‐based economy reducing fossil‐based carbon dioxide emissions. Based on this trend, biomass for energy is expected to be used in the EU mainly for heating until the end of the decade. The perennial herbaceous mallow plant Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby (‘Sida’) has high potential as an alternative biomass plant for energy purposes. Different density cultivation scenarios of Sida accounting for 1, 2, or 4 plants per m2 resulted in a total biomass yield of 21, 28, and 34 tons dry matter/ha, respectively, over a 3‐year period under agricultural conditions while the overall investment costs almost doubled from 2 to 4 plants per m2. Subsequently, Sida biomass was used as SI) chips, SII) pellets, and SIII) briquettes for combustion studies at pilot plant scale. Pellets outcompeted chips and briquettes by showing low CO emission of 40 mg/Nm3, good burnout, and low slagging behavior, however, with elevated NOx and SO2 levels. In contrast, combustion of chips and briquettes displayed high CO emissions of >1,300 mg/Nm3, while SO2 values were below 100 mg/Nm3. Contents of HCl in the flue gas ranged between 32 and 52 mg/Nm3 for all Sida fuels tested. High contents of alkaline earth metals such as CaO resulted in high ash melting points of up to 1,450°C. Life cycle assessment results showed the lowest ecological impact for Sida pellets taking all production parameters and environmental categories into consideration, showing further advantages of Sida over other alternative biomasses. Overall, the results indicate the improved applicability of pelletized Sida biomass as a renewable biogenic energy carrier for combustion. The perennial plant Sida hermaphrodita (Sida) has high potential as an alternative biomass plant for energy purposes. We tested different density cultivation scenarios of Sida to evaluate best growing conditions, cost–benefit ratios, and biomass yield, over a 3 year period under agricultural conditions. Sida biomass was investigated as chips, pellets, and briquettes for combustion studies, while pellets performed best. Ash melting points were high due to high contents of alkaline earth metals. Life cycle assessment results indicated lowest ecological impact for Sida pellets. Our results indicate the improved applicability of pelletized Sida biomass as a renewable biogenic energy carrier for combustion.

The heterogeneity of biogenic fuels, and especially biogenic residues with regard to water and ash content, particle size and particle size distribution is challenging for biomass combustion, and limits fuel flexibility. Online fuel characterization as a part of process control could help to optimize combustion processes, increase fuel flexibility and reduce emissions. In this research article, a concept for a new sensor module is presented and first tests are displayed to show its feasibility. The concept is based on the principle of hot air convective drying. The idea is to pass warm air with 90 °C through a bulk of fuel like wood chips and measure different characteristics such as moisture, temperatures and pressure drop over the bulk material as a function over time. These functions are the basis to draw conclusions and estimate relevant fuel properties. To achieve this goal, a test rig with a volume of 0.038 m3 was set up in the laboratory and a series of tests was performed with different fuels (wood chips, saw dust, wood pellets, residues from forestry, corn cobs and biochar). Further tests were carried out with conditioned fuels with defined water and fines contents. The experiments show that characteristic functions arise over time. The central task for the future will be to assign these functions to specific fuel characteristics. Based on the data, the concept for a software for an automated, data-based fuel detection system was designed.

Particle matter and NO x emission are the most significant pollutants of combustion processes, particularly so for the conversion of biomass to energy. Currently, reduction of these pollutants is addressed through particle filters and catalytic processes. Therefore, catalytic activation of filter materials seems to be a practical way to reduce NO x and fine particle emission (PM 10 ) simultaneously at small and medium furnaces. Regularly used methods to achieve this rely on the impregnation process. However, alternatives for materials with low wettability are needed. An alternative developed and discussed in this article consists of simultaneous synthesis of filter and catalyst through hard template sintering, where the catalyst is integrated into the porous medium during the fabrication of the filter. This sintering method provides an integrated catalytic filter. Through this method, up to 2% of catalyst loading was achieved in the synthesis of four catalytic filters. The performance of these new catalysts was evaluated under downscale industrial conditions and compared with an ordinary impregnated catalyst. Finally, a dust aging treatment was applied on the catalysts in order to see the long-term influence of fine dust particles on the NO x conversion.

Die Heterogenität der Eigenschaften von Biomasse ist eine große Herausforderung für alle thermischen Konversionsverfahren. Diese Arbeit beschreibt die Entwicklung eines Lösungsansatzes von der Idee bis hin zu einem funktionsfähigen Prototyp für ein System mit dem online Brennstoffeigenschaften identifiziert werden können. Die Idee sowie die wissenschaftliche Arbeit basieren auf folgender Hypothese: Wird eine Brennstoff-Schüttung mit warmer Luft durchströmt, interagiert diese bei der Durchströmung mit der Feststoffschüttung. Durch die dabei ablaufenden physikalischen Prozesse werden die Eigenschaften der Luft und der Schüttung messbar verändert. Basierend auf diesen Änderungen ist es möglich Rückschlüsse auf relevante Brennstoffeigenschaften (Wassergehalt, Schüttdichte) und die Art des Brennstoffes zu ziehen.In einem ersten Schritt wurde ein Versuchsstand entwickelt, mit dem definierte Brennstoffproben getrocknet und dabei die Veränderung der Temperatur, des Wassergehalts und des Druckverlusts analysiert werden können. Zunächst wurde in einer ScreeningVersuchsreihe mit einer breiten Palette an Einsatzstoffen (Holzhackschnitzel, Waldrestholz, Holzpellets, Holzspäne, Maisspindel, Gärrestkoks und Aluminiumoxidkugeln) eine erste Datenbasis geschaffen. Durch diese Versuchsreihe konnte die generelle Machbarkeit der Idee nachgewiesen werden. Die Daten aus der Versuchsreihe wurden genutzt, um eine Auswerte-Logik durch Kombination datenbasierter und analytischer Ansätze zu entwickeln. Auf Basis dieser Vorarbeiten wurde ein Prototyp entwickelt und im Technikum von Fraunhofer UMSICHT direkt an eine automatisch-beschickte Rostfeuerung angeschlossen. Nach der Inbetriebnahme des Prototyps erfolgten Testreihen mit Holzhackschnitzeln, Waldrestholz, Holzspänen und Holzpellets. Diese Versuche schafften die Datenbasis, um einen Machine-Learning-Algorithmus zu trainieren und zu evaluieren. Bei der Evaluierung wurde die Feuerung im Wechsel mit Holzhackschnitzeln, Waldrestholz sowie Holzpellets beschickt. Hinsichtlich der Genauigkeit konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine Identifikation des Einsatzstoffs mit einer Wahrscheinlichkeit von ca. 90% bei Holzhackschnitzeln und Waldrestholz und 100% bei Pellets gelingt. Die Ermittlung des Wassergehalts und der Schüttdichte zeigte, dass die Größenordnungen richtig erfasst werden. Die Abweichung beim Wassergehalt betrug im Mittel bezogen auf absolute Zahlen zwischen 1,7% und 4,1%. Die Präzision bei der Bestimmung der Schüttdichte liegt bei Holzhackschnitzel bei einem relativen Fehler von 10,42% und Waldrestholz mit 15,41%. Deutlich besser ist der Wert mit 5,98% bei Holzpellets. Damit ist es gelungen, die aufgestellte Hypothese zu bestätigen, sowie die grundlegende Idee in einen funktionsfähigen Prototyp zu überführen.

The Brazilian sugarcane industry produced around 173 million tons (Mt) of bagasse in 2018. Bagasse is a by-product of juice extraction for ethanol and sugar production and is combusted in order to generate power, producing up to 10 Mt of ash per year. This ash contains various concentrations of plant nutrients, which allow the ash to be used as a crop fertilizer. However, the concentration and extractability of phosphorus (P), an essential plant nutrient, are low in bagasse ash. To increase the P content, we co-gasified and co-combusted bagasse with P-rich chicken manure. The resulting ash was thermochemically post-treated with alkali additives ([Na.sub.2]S[O.sub.4] and [K.sub.2]S[O.sub.4]) to increase the availability of P to plants. We aimed to: (i) investigate the effect of thermochemical post-treatment of co-gasification residue and co-combustion ash on P availability to soybeans, (ii) explore the potential of chemical extraction methods (citric acid, neutral ammonium citrate, formic acid, and Mehlich-I) and diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) to predict the availability of P to soybeans, and (iii) identify the responsible P-phases using X-ray diffraction. We evaluated P availability to soybeans growing in Brazilian Oxisol soil in two independent greenhouse pot experiments. The positive effect of thermochemical treatment on P availability from gasification residue was confirmed through the observation of increased P uptake and biomass in soybean plants. These findings were confirmed by chemical extraction methods and DGT. The gasification residue contained whitlockite as its main P-bearing phase. Thermochemical post-treatment converted whitlockite into highly soluble CaNaP[O.sub.4]. In contrast, co-combustion ash already contained highly soluble Ca(Na,K)P[O.sub.4] as its main P-bearing phase, making thermochemical post-treatment unnecessary for increasing P availability. In conclusion, increased extractability and availability of P for soybeans were closely connected to the formation of calcium alkali phosphate. Our findings indicate that this combined methodology allows for the prediction of P-fertilization effects of ash.

Saliva contains antimicrobial peptides considered integral components of host innate immunity, and crucial for protection against colonizing microbial species. Most notable is histatin-5 which is exclusively produced in salivary glands with uniquely potent antifungal activity against the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans . Recently, SARS-CoV-2 was shown to replicate in salivary gland acinar cells eliciting local immune cell activation. In this study, we performed studies to investigate the implications of SARS-CoV-2 infection on salivary histatin-5 production and Candida colonization. Bulk RNA-sequencing of parotid salivary glands from COVID-19 autopsies demonstrated statistically significant decreased expression of histatin and amylase genes. In situ hybridization, coupled with immunofluorescence for co-localization of SARS-CoV-2 spike and histatin in salivary gland cells, showed that histatin was absent or minimally present in acinar cells with replicating viruses. To investigate the clinical implications of these findings, salivary histatin-5 levels and oral Candida burden in saliva samples from three independent cohorts of mild and severe COVID-19 patients and matched healthy controls were evaluated. Results revealed significantly reduced histatin-5 in SARS-CoV-2 infected subjects, concomitant with enhanced prevalence of C. albicans . Analysis of prospectively recovered samples indicated that the decrease in histatin-5 is likely reversible in mild-moderate disease as concentrations tended to increase during the post-acute phase. Importantly, salivary cytokine profiling demonstrated correlations between activation of the Th17 inflammatory pathway, changes in histatin-5 concentrations, and subsequent clearance of C. albicans in a heavily colonized subject. The importance of salivary histatin-5 in controlling the proliferation of C. albicans was demonstrated using an ex vivo assay where C. albicans was able to proliferate in COVID-19 saliva with low histatin-5, but not with high histatin-5. Taken together, the findings from this study potentially implicate SARS-CoV-2 infection of salivary glands with compromised oral innate immunity, and potential predisposition to oral candidiasis.

We previously observed increased levels of adenosine‐deaminase‐acting‐on‐dsRNA (Adar)‐dependent RNA editing during mesothelioma development in mice exposed to asbestos. The aim of this study was to characterize and assess the role of ADAR‐dependent RNA editing in mesothelioma. We found that tumors and mesothelioma primary cultures have higher ADAR‐mediated RNA editing compared to mesothelial cells. Unsupervised clustering of editing in different genomic regions revealed heterogeneity between tumor samples as well as mesothelioma primary cultures. ADAR2 expression levels are higher in BRCA1‐associated protein 1 wild‐type tumors, with corresponding changes in RNA editing in transcripts and 3'UTR. ADAR2 knockdown and rescue models indicated a role in cell proliferation, altered cell cycle, increased sensitivity to antifolate treatment, and type‐1 interferon signaling upregulation, leading to changes in the microenvironment in vivo. Our data indicate that RNA editing contributes to mesothelioma heterogeneity and highlights an important role of ADAR2 not only in growth regulation in mesothelioma but also in chemotherapy response, in addition to regulating inflammatory response downstream of sensing nucleic acid structures. Human mesothelioma has increased A‐to‐I RNA editing compared to normal mesothelium. Disrupted Hippo pathway and wild‐type BAP1 are associated with increased ADAR2 expression. This results in (a) increased cell growth, (b) pemetrexed resistance, via changes in expression of pemetrexed targets and in alternate splicing, and (c) the blockade of interferon signaling, which alters tumor microenvironment in vivo. Created with BioRender.com

Herein, we describe the global comparison of miRNAs in human pancreatic cancer tumors, adjacent normal tissue, and matched patient-derived xenograft models using microarray screening. RNA was extracted from seven tumor, five adjacent normal, and eight FI PDX tumor samples and analyzed by Affymetrix GeneChip miRNA 4.0 array. A transcriptome analysis console (TAC) was used to generate comparative lists of up- and downregulated miRNAs for the comparisons, tumor vs. normal and F1 PDX vs. tumor. Particular attention was paid to miRNAs that were changed in the same direction in both comparisons. We identified the involvement in pancreatic tumor tissue of several miRNAs, including miR4534, miR3154, and miR4742, not previously highlighted as being involved in this type of cancer. Investigation in the parallel mRNA and protein lists from the same samples allowed the elimination of proteins where altered expression correlated with corresponding mRNA levels and was thus less likely to be miRNA regulated. Using the remaining differential expression protein lists for proteins predicted to be targeted for differentially expressed miRNA on our list, we were able to tentatively ascribe specific protein changes to individual miRNA. Particularly interesting target proteins for miRs 615-3p, 2467-3p, 4742-5p, 509-5p, and 605-3p were identified. Prominent among the protein targets are enzymes involved in aldehyde metabolism and membrane transport and trafficking. These results may help to uncover vulnerabilities that could enable novel approaches to treating pancreatic cancer.