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Sugar beet molasses is a low-value byproduct from the sugar industry. It contains significant amounts of sucrose (approx. 50% (w/w)), which can be used for many different applications, for example, as feedstock for the production of fuel (as ethanol) and biobased chemicals such as 5-hydoxymethyl furfural (HMF). To produce platform chemicals, sucrose is hydrolyzed into its monomeric C6 sugars: glucose and fructose. When comparing the hydrolysis rates of molasses with a pure sucrose solution, the specific reaction rate is much slower (Qp/x,60min = 93 and 70 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1 for pure sucrose and crude molasses, respectively) at the same sucrose concentration (300 g/L) and process conditions. To clarify why molasses inhibits the enzymatic hydrolysis rate, the influence of its viscosity and inorganic and organic composition was investigated. Also, the effects of molasses and treated molasses on pure enzymes, invertase (from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, 0.05 mg/mL), compared with hydrolysis using whole cells of Baker’s yeast (3 mg/mL), were tested. The results indicate an inhibitory effect of potassium (Qp/x,60min = 76 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), generally at high salt concentrations (Qp/x,60min = 67 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1), which could be correlated to the solution’s high salt concentrations and possibly the synergistic effects of different ions when applying concentrations that were four times that in the molasses. Also, the viscosity and sucrose purity seem to have an effect, where pure sucrose solutions and thick juice from the sugar mill yielded higher hydrolysis rates (Qp/x,60min = 97 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1) than molasses-type solutions with a higher viscosity (Qp/x,60min = 70–74 gprod L−1 h−1 gcell−1). Attempting to further understand the effects of different components on the invertase activity, an in silico investigation was performed, indicating that high salt concentrations affected the binding of sucrose to the active site of the enzyme, which can result in a lower reaction rate. This knowledge is important for future scale-up of the hydrolysis process, since reduced hydrolysis rates require larger volumes to provide a certain productivity, requiring larger process equipment and thereby higher investment costs.

Lignocellulosic biomass represents the most abundant renewable carbon source on earth and is already used for energy and biofuel production. The pivotal step in the conversion process involving lignocellulosic biomass is pretreatment, which aims to disrupt the lignocellulose matrix. For effective pretreatment, a comprehensive understanding of the intricate structure of lignocellulose and its compositional properties during component disintegration and subsequent conversion is essential. The presence of lignin-carbohydrate complexes and covalent interactions between them within the lignocellulosic matrix confers a distinctively labile nature to hemicellulose. Meanwhile, the recalcitrant characteristics of lignin pose challenges in the fractionation process, particularly during delignification. Delignification is a critical step that directly impacts the purity of lignin and facilitates the breakdown of bonds involving lignin and lignin-carbohydrate complexes surrounding cellulose. This article discusses a two-step fractionation approach for efficient lignin extraction, providing viable paths for lignin-based valorization described in the literature. This approach allows for the creation of individual process streams for each component, tailored to extract their corresponding compounds.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and have immunomodulatory effects. The lack of readily available biomarkers for assessing the dose–response relationship is a challenge in the clinical use of HBOT, motivating this feasibility study to evaluate the methods and variability. The overall hypothesis was that a short session of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) would have measurable effects on immune cells in the same physiological range as shown in HIIT; and that the individual response to these interventions can be monitored in venous blood and/or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Ten healthy volunteers performed two interventions; a 28 min HIIT session and 28 min HBO2 in a crossover design. We evaluated bulk RNA sequencing data from PBMCs, with a separate analysis of mRNA and microRNA. Blood gases, peripheral venous oxygen saturation (SpvO2), and ROS levels were measured in peripheral venous blood. We observed an overlap in the gene expression changes in 166 genes in response to HIIT and HBO2, mostly involved in hypoxic or inflammatory pathways. Both interventions were followed by downregulation of several NF-κB signaling genes in response to both HBO2 and HIIT, while several interferon α/γ signaling genes were upregulated. Only 12 microRNA were significantly changed in HBO2 and 6 in HIIT, without overlap between interventions. ROS levels were elevated in blood at 30 min and 60 min compared to the baseline during HIIT, but not during/after HBO2. In conclusion, HBOT changed the gene expression in a number of pathways measurable in PBMC. The correlation of these changes with the dose and individual response to treatment warrants further investigation.

The commercial production of bioethanol from lignocellulosic biomass such as wheat straw requires utilizing a microorganism that can withstand all the stressors encountered in the process while fermenting all the sugars in the biomass. Therefore, it is essential to develop tools for monitoring and controlling the cellular fitness during both cell propagation and sugar fermentation to ethanol. In the present study, on-line flow cytometry was adopted to assess the response of the biosensor TRX2p-yEGFP for redox imbalance in an industrial xylose-fermenting strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae during cell propagation and the following fermentation of wheat-straw hydrolysate. Rapid and transient induction of the sensor was recorded upon exposure to furfural and wheat straw hydrolysate containing up to 3.8 g/L furfural. During the fermentation step, the induction rate of the sensor was also found to correlate to the initial ethanol production rate, highlighting the relevance of redox monitoring and the potential of the presented tool to assess the ethanol production rate in hydrolysates. Three different propagation strategies were also compared, and it was confirmed that pre-exposure to hydrolysate during propagation remains the most efficient method for high ethanol productivity in the following wheat-straw hydrolysate fermentations.

Fertility counseling should be offered to all individuals of young reproductive age early in the patient’s trajectory following a cancer diagnosis. Systemic cancer treatment and radiotherapy often have an inherent gonadotoxic effect with the potential to induce permanent infertility and premature ovarian failure. For the best chances to preserve a patient’s fertility potential and to improve future quality of life, fertility preservation methods should be applied before cancer treatment initiation, thus multidisciplinary team-work and timely referral to reproductive medicine centers specialized in fertility preservation is recommended. We aim to review the current clinical possibilities for fertility preservation and summarize how infertility, as a late effect of gonadotoxic treatment, affects the growing population of young female cancer survivors.

The electrification of the transport sector is of crucial importance for a successful transition to a fossil-free society. However, the electricity grid constitutes a bottleneck. This article provides a case study based on a real-world parking garage with a smart grid infrastructure, called Dansmästaren. The analysis shows how renewable energy sources, energy storage technologies, and smart charging of electric vehicles can smooth out the load curve of the parking garage and relieve the electric grid during peak hours. Dansmästaren is located in Uppsala, Sweden, and equipped with 60 charging points for electric vehicles, a PV system, and a battery storage system. The study utilizes an energy flow model to show the potential of a realistically dimensioned smart energy system, that can benefit the parking facility in itself and the local distribution grid in a city, Uppsala, with grid capacity challenges. The results suggest that the parking garage demand on the local grid can be significantly lowered by smarter control of its relatively small battery energy storage. Moreover, further smart control strategies can decrease demand up to 60% during high load hours while still guaranteeing fully charged vehicles at departure in near future scenarios. The study also shows that peak shaving strategies can lower the maximum peaks by up to 79%. A better understanding of the potential of public infrastructures for electric vehicle charging helps to increase knowledge on how they can contribute to more sustainable cities and a fossil-free society.

Nutritional status and gene polymorphisms of one-carbon metabolism confer a well-known interaction that in pregnant women may affect embryo viability and the health of the newborn. Folate metabolism directly impacts nucleotide synthesis and methylation, which is of increasing interest in the reproductive medicine field. Studies assessing the genetic influence of folate metabolism on IVF treatments have currently been performed in women using their own oocytes. Most of these patients seeking to have a child or undergoing IVF treatments are advised to preventively intake folate supplies that restore known metabolic imbalances, but the treatments could lead to the promotion of specific enzymes in specific women, depending on their genetic variance. In the present study, we assess the influence of candidate gene variants related to folate metabolism, such as Serine Hydroxymethyltransferase 1 SHMT1 (rs1979276 and rs1979277), Betaine-Homocysteine S-Methyltransferase BHMT (rs3733890), Methionine synthase reductase MTRR (rs1801394), Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase MTHFR (rs1801131 and rs1801133), methionine synthase MTR (rs12749581), ATP Binding Cassette Subfamily B Member 1 ABCB1 (rs1045642) and folate receptor alpha FOLR1 (rs2071010) on the success of IVF treatment performed in women being recipients of donated oocytes. The implication of such gene variants seems to have no direct impact on pregnancy consecution after IVF; however, several gene variants could influence pregnancy loss events or pregnancy maintenance, as consequence of folic acid fortification.

The fashion industry is becoming one of the largest emitters worldwide due to its high consumption of raw materials, its effluents, and the fact that every garment will eventually contribute to the vast amount of waste being incinerated or accumulating in landfills. Although fiber-to-fiber recycling processes are being developed, the mechanical properties of the textile fibers are typically degraded with each such recycle. Thus, tertiary recycling alternatives where textiles are depolymerized to convert them into valuable products are needed to provide end-of-life alternatives and to achieve circularity in the fashion industry. We have developed a method whereby cotton waste textiles are depolymerized to form a glucose solution, using sulfuric acid as the sole catalyst, with a high yield (>70%). The glucose solution produced in this process has a high concentration (>100 g/L), which reduces the purification cost and makes the process industrially relevant. This method can be applied regardless of the quality of the fibers and could therefore process other cellulosic fibers such as viscose. The glucose produced could subsequently be fermented into butanediol or caprolactam, precursors for the production of synthetic textile fibers, thus retaining the value of the waste textiles within the textile value chain.

The need for a more flexible usage of power is increasing due to the electrification of new sectors in society combined with larger amounts of integrated intermittent electricity production in the power system. Among other cities, Uppsala in Sweden is undergoing an accelerated transition of its vehicle fleet from fossil combustion engines to electrical vehicles. To meet the requirements of the transforming mobility infrastructure, Uppsala municipality has, in collaboration with Uppsala University, built a full-scale commercial electrical vehicle parking garage equipped with a battery storage and photovoltaic system. This paper presents the current hardware topology of the parking garage, a neural network for day-ahead predictions of the parking garage’s load profile, and a simulation model in MATLAB using rule-based peak shaving control. The created neural network was trained on data from 2021 and its performance was evaluated using data from 2022. The performance of the rule-based peak shaving control was evaluated using the predicted load demand and photovoltaic data collected for the parking garage. The aim of this paper is to test a prediction model and peak shaving strategy that could be implemented in practice on-site at the parking garage. The created neural network has a linear regression index of 0.61, which proved to yield a satisfying result when used in the rule-based peak shaving control with the parking garage’s 60 kW/137 kWh battery system. The peak shaving model was able to reduce the highest load demand peak of 117 kW by 38.6% using the forecast of a neural network.

Spent sulfite liquor (SSL) from softwood processing is rich in hemicellulose (acetyl galactoglucomannan, AcGGM), lignin, and lignin-derived compounds. We investigated the effect of sequential AcGGM purification on the enzymatic bioconversion of AcGGM. SSL was processed through three consecutive purification steps (membrane filtration, precipitation, and adsorption) to obtain AcGGM with increasing purity. Significant reduction (~99%) in lignin content and modest loss (~18%) of polysaccharides was observed during purification from the least pure preparation (UFR), obtained by membrane filtration, compared to the purest preparation (AD), obtained by adsorption. AcGGM (~14.5 kDa) was the major polysaccharide in the preparations; its enzymatic hydrolysis was assessed by reducing sugar and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography analysis. The hydrolysis of the UFR preparation with Viscozyme L or Trichoderma reesei β-mannanase TrMan5A (1 mg/mL) resulted in less than ~50% bioconversion of AcGGM. The AcGGM in the AD preparation was hydrolyzed to a higher degree (~67% with TrMan5A and 80% with Viscozyme L) and showed the highest conversion rate. This indicates that SSL contains enzyme-inhibitory compounds (e.g., lignin and lignin-derived compounds such as lignosulfonates) which were successfully removed.

The potential of bio-electro-jet fuel (BEJF) production with integration into an existing biomass-based combined heat and power (CHP) facility was investigated. The BEJF is produced via Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) synthesis from biogenic CO2 and H2 obtained by water electrolysis. Techno-economic (TEA)- and life. cycle (LCA)- assessments were performed to evaluate the production cost and environmental impact of the BEJF production route. The BEJF mass fraction reached 40% of the total F–T crude produced. A reduction of 78% in heating demands was achieved through energy integration, leading to an increase in the thermal efficiency by up to 39%, based on the F–T crude. The total production cost of BEJF was in the range of EUR 1.6–2.5/liter (EUR 169–250/MWh). The GWP of the BEJF was estimated to be 19 g CO2-eq per MJ BEJF. The reduction potential in GWP in contrast to the fossil jet baseline fuel varied from 44% to more than 86%. The findings of this study underline the potential of BEJF as a resource-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally benign alternative for the aviation sector. The outcome is expected to be applicable to different geographical locations or industrial networks when the identified influencing factors are met.

The mammalian ovary has two main functions—producing mature oocytes for fertilization and secreting hormones for maintaining the ovarian endocrine functions. Both functions are vital for female reproduction. Primordial follicles are composed of flattened pre-granulosa cells and a primary oocyte, and activation of primordial follicles is the first step in follicular development and is the key factor in determining the reproductive capacity of females. The recent identification of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) signaling pathway as the key controller for follicular activation has made the study of primordial follicle activation a hot research topic in the field of reproduction. This review systematically summarizes the roles of the PI3K/PTEN signaling pathway in primordial follicle activation and discusses how the pathway interacts with various other molecular networks to control follicular activation. Studies on the activation of primordial follicles have led to the development of methods for the in vitro activation of primordial follicles as a treatment for infertility in women with premature ovarian insufficiency or poor ovarian response, and these are also discussed along with some practical applications of our current knowledge of follicular activation.

In this work, three polymeric resins were examined as alternatives for the separation of hemicellulose and lignin. The aim was to remove the lignin from spent-sulfite-liquor (SSL) prior to ultrafiltration, producing a hemicellulose-rich retentate with high purity, and increase the capacity of the membrane filtration. The lignin in the SSL was sulfonated; thus, two of the resins were anion exchangers and 1 was hydrophobic. The data from the equilibrium studies and adsorption kinetics were fitted to established models, and the results were interpreted based on these observations. The strongly basic anion exchanger performed best with regard to lignin removal. The adsorption followed the Sips isotherm, indicating that the process was cooperative with chemisorption as the main reaction between the adsorbate and adsorbent based on the kinetics. Regeneration of the adsorbent was also possible, wherein 100 g/L NaCl was sufficient to recover 98% of the lignin. The lignin removal had a positive effect on the ultrafiltration process, in which the flux increased by 38% and the extent of separation between the hemicellulose and lignin rose from 17% to 59%.

This research presents results from a study developing a smartphone app, Urban CoBuilder, in which citizens can collaboratively create designs for urban environments using augmented reality technology and game mechanics. Eight prototypes were developed to refine selected design criteria, including tracking strategies, design elements, user experience and the interface with game mechanics. The prototypes were developed through an iterative design process with assessments and incremental improvements. The tracking was especially challenging and using multiple bitonal markers combined with the smartphone’s gyroscope sensor to average the user position was identified as the most suitable strategy. Still, portability and stability linked to tracking need to be improved. Design elements, here building blocks with urban functions textures, were realistic enough to be recognizable and easy to understand for the users. Future studies will focus on usability tests with larger user groups.

Molasses is a sugar mill by-product with low value that today is used primarily for animal feed. However, molasses contains large amounts of sucrose which, if purified, could be used for other purposes. In this study, purification by membrane filtration using ceramic tubular ultrafiltration (UF) and nanofiltration (NF) was examined. NF purifies sucrose by removing small compounds, whereas UF removes larger compounds. Based on our results, high filtration fluxes could be obtained, and it was possible to clean the membranes sufficiently from fouling compounds. Sucrose was separated from other compounds, but the separation efficiency was generally higher with diluted molasses compared with concentrated molasses. This could be explained by more severe fouling when filtering dilute molasses or potentially due to aggregate formations in the molasses as our analysis showed. Overall, this study shows the potential of ceramic UF and NF membranes for sucrose purification from molasses.

Ovarian follicle pool depletion, infertility, and premature menopause are all known sequelae of cancer treatment that negatively impact the quality of life of young cancer survivors. The mechanisms involved in this undesired iatrogenic ovarian damage have been intensively studied, but many of them remain unclear. Several chemotherapeutic drugs have been shown to induce direct and indirect DNA-damage and/or cellular stress, which are often followed by apoptosis and/or autophagy. Damage to the ovarian micro-vessel network induced by chemotherapeutic agents also seems to contribute to ovarian dysfunction. Another proposed mechanism behind ovarian follicle pool depletion is the overactivation of primordial follicles from the quiescent pool; however, current experimental data are inconsistent regarding these effects. There is great interest in characterizing the mechanisms involved in ovarian damage because this might lead to the identification of potentially protective substances as possible future therapeutics. Research in this field is still at an experimental stage, and further investigations are needed to develop effective and individualized treatments for clinical application. This review provides an overview of the current knowledge and the proposed hypothesis behind chemotherapy-induced ovarian damage, as well as current knowledge on possible co-treatments that might protect the ovary and the follicles from such damages.

In this study, we compared the GR51PP (hydrophobic/polysulfone) membrane with a series of hydrophilic (regenerated cellulose) membranes with the aim of increasing the retention of products and decreasing membrane fouling. The raw material used was a sodium-based spent sulfite liquor from the sulfite pulping process of spruce and pine. The results show that the hydrophilic membranes were superior to the hydrophobic membranes in terms of higher fluxes (up to twice the magnitude), higher product retentions and less fouling (up to five times lower fouling). The fouling was probably caused by pore blocking as observed in earlier studies. However, the hydrophilic membranes had a lower affinity for lignin, which was indicated by the lower retention and fouling. This also resulted in a separation degree, which was higher compared with the hydrophobic membrane, thus yielding a higher galactoglucomannan (GGM) purity. 2D HSQC NMR results show that no major structural differences were present in the hydrophilic and hydrophobic retentates. A techno-economical evaluation resulted in the RC70PP being chosen as the most cost-efficient membrane in terms of flux and product recovery.

One way of valorizing the lignin waste stream from the pulp and paper industries is depolymerizing it into low-molecular-mass compounds (LMMC). However, a common problem in the depolymerization of Kraft lignin is the low yields of small aromatic molecules obtained. In the present work, the combination of the repeated depolymerization of lignin and the separation of LMMC from depolymerized lignin to upgrade them into value-added chemicals was studied. In so doing, we investigated the possibility of depolymerizing black liquor retentate (BLR). The base-catalyzed depolymerization of BLR was performed using a continuous flow reactor at 170−210 °C, with a 2 min residence time. The results obtained indicate that BLR can be depolymerized effectively under the experimental conditions. Depolymerized lignin LMMC can be successfully separated by a GR95PP membrane, and thus be protected from repolymerization. Through combining membrane filtration with base-catalyzed depolymerization, more than half of the lignin could be depolymerized into LMMC. Around 46 mg/g of lignin monomers (guaiacol, vanillin, acetovanillone, and acetosyringone), which can potentially be upgraded to high-valued chemicals, were produced. On the basis of our results, we suggest use of a recycling Kraft lignin depolymerization and filtration process for maximizing the production of LMMC under mild alkaline conditions.

Hemicellulose is a promising renewable raw material for the production of hydrogels. This polysaccharide exists in large amounts in various waste streams, in which they are usually impure and heavily diluted. Several downstream processing methods can be combined to concentrate and purify the hemicellulose. However, such an approach can be costly; hence, the effect of impurities on the formation and properties of hydrogels must be determined. Lignin usually exists in these waste streams as a major impurity that is also difficult to separate. This compound can darken hydrogels and decrease their swellability and reactivity, as shown in many studies. Other properties and effects of lignin impurities are equally important for the end application of hydrogels and the overall process economy. In this work, we examined the feasibility of producing hydrogels from hemicelluloses that originated from sodium-based spent sulfite liquor. A combination of membrane filtration and anti-solvent precipitation was used to extract and purify various components. The influence of the purity of hemicellulose and the addition of lignosulfonates (emulated impurities in the downstream processing) to the crosslinking reaction mixture on the mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties of hydrogels was determined.