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Simulations of a fluidised bed reactor for gasification of municipal solid refuse-derived fuel were performed using OpenFOAM software. Firstly, evaluation was made of a simplified gas-solid two-phase model, considering sand and air as the components, according to a transient Eulerian-Eulerian approach. A scale-up study was also performed to obtain thermal-fluid dynamic parameters. Then, a real dimensions non-reacting model was developed, based on the experimental information from a semi-industrial gasification plant with capacity for processing 7.1 t day−1 of municipal refuse-derived fuel, producing 16.9 t day−1 of syngas. The fluidising regime was mapped for different inlet conditions, at 1,123 K, with air velocities ranging from 0.01 to 1.25 m s−1, and the continuous operation of the reactor was analysed, where in the solid particles packing remained at approximately 88% from maximum, with bed height of 2.05 m. The results were in good agreement with data available in the scientific literature, and the computational model was able to provide consistent results when compared to the experimental information for the semi-industrial reactor. The authors’ major remark was the hability of this computational model in obtaining consistent results from simulations of the semi-industrial scale reactor, with good prediction of the internal fluid dynamics characteristics.

Aquaculture contributes significantly to the sustainable livelihood improvement of a considerable portion of Bangladesh's population. However, fish farmers often encounter the challenge of receiving lower market prices, necessitating the exploration of market choice options to mitigate economic losses. Using cross-sectional data collected from 200 fish farmers, this study applied the multinomial logit (MNL) model to identify the factors influencing fish farmers' decision to select a fish market. Results indicate that the bargaining power of the fish farmers can increase the probability of selling their fish at the upazila and district markets by 44% and 36%, respectively. Conversely, education, age and distance from the market display a negative association with market choices. The findings suggest several interventions to facilitate fish sales through alternative marketing outlets, including financial assistance for fish production, promoting collective marketing, strengthening extension services, and investing in logistics services, particularly improving the dissemination of market information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifespan is influenced by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Studying those factors in model organisms of a single genetic background limits their translational value for humans. Here, we mapped lifespan determinants in 85 C. elegans recombinant inbred advanced intercross lines (RIAILs). We assessed molecular profiles-transcriptome, proteome, and lipidome-and life-history traits, including lifespan, development, growth dynamics, and reproduction. RIAILs exhibited large variations in lifespan, which correlated positively with developmental time. We validated three longevity modulators, including rict-1, gfm-1, and mltn-1, among the top candidates obtained from multiomics data integration and quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping. We translated their relevance to humans using UK Biobank data and showed that variants in GFM1 are associated with an elevated risk of age-related heart failure. We organized our dataset as a resource that allows interactive explorations for new longevity targets., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests J.J.C. is a consultant for Thermo Scientific, Seer, and 908 Devices. E.K., L.M., and M.C. are employees of and J.A. is a shareholder of Nagi Bioscience S.A., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Microorganisms associated with sea sponges have proven to be good natural product resources that are biologically active and pharmaceutically important., Objective: This research aimed to identify actinomycetes related to a sponge from Bar-ranglompo Island Makassar and the antibacterial compounds., Methods: Identification of actinomycetes was based on molecular characterization of sequence gen16S rRNA. The antibacterial compound was separated using vacuum liquid chromatog-raphy and preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). The structure determination was done based on spectroscopy 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 2D NMR, and mass spectra., Results: Molecular characterization showed that actinomycetes strain BLP 20 had the closest relationship with Streptomyces parvulus and Uncultured Streptomyces sp. with a similarity value of 83%. The results obtained from the characterization of antibacterial compounds based on spectroscopic data indicate that these compounds lead to Actinomycin D., Conclusion: Characterization and identification of Strain 20 / BLP by molecular phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA sequences revealed the closest relationship with Uncultured Streptomy-ces sp and S. parvulus with a similarity value of 83 %, which indicated a new species. The structure of the active compound isolated from actinomycetes strain 20 / BLP leads to Actino-mycin D., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Highland areas are more susceptible to climate change impacts. This study investigates the highland communities' climate change perceptions, climatic hazards, and livelihood practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a multi-stage random sampling technique, survey data were gathered from 425 respondents living in highland areas of Panchagarh district, a drought-prone region in Bangladesh. Perception analysis indicates that most respondents (77%) believe their area's climate has significantly changed over the past 10 years. The bivariate and multivariate regression model results reveal that age, education, income, occupation, land ownership, and socioeconomic status substantially impact local community perceptions of climate change and climatic shocks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, land ownership, socioeconomic level, and crop sowing are also important determinants of erratic rainfall that impacts climate change and shocks during COVID-19. This study suggests the local government get involved and enhance the highland community's ability to adapt to climatic shocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benzophenone-3, fipronil and propylparaben are micropollutants that are potential threats to ecosystems and have been detected in aquatic environments. However, studies involving the investigation of new technologies aiming at their elimination from these matrices, such as advanced oxidation processes, remain scarce. In this study, different iron complexes (FeCit, FeEDTA, FeEDDS and FeNTA) were evaluated for the degradation of a mixture of these micropollutants (100 µg L−1 each) spiked in municipal wastewater treatment plant (MWWTP) effluent at pH 6.9 by solar photo-Fenton. Operational parameters (iron and H2O2 concentration and Fe/L molar ratio) were optimized for each complex. Degradation efficiencies improved significantly by increasing the concentration of iron complexes (1:1 Fe/L) from 12.5 to 100 µmol L−1 for FeEDDS, FeEDTA and FeNTA. The maximum degradation reached with FeCit for all iron concentrations was limited to 30%. Different Fe/L molar ratios were required to maximize the degradation efficiency for each ligand: 1:1 for FeNTA and FeEDTA, 1:3 for FeEDDS and 1:5 for FeCit. Considering the best Fe/L molar ratios, higher degradation rates were reached using 5.9 mmol L−1 H2O2 for FeNTA and FeEDTA compared to 1.5 and 2.9 mmol L−1 H2O2 for FeEDDS and FeCit, respectively. Acute toxicity to Canton S. strain D. melanogaster flies reduced significantly after treatment for all iron complexes, indicating the formation of low-toxicity by-products. FeNTA was considered the best iron complex source in terms of the kinetic constant (0.10 > 0.063 > 0.051 > 0.036 min−1 for FeCit, FeNTA, FeEDTA and FeEDDS, respectively), organic carbon input and cost-benefit (USD 327 m−3 > USD 20 m−3 > USD 16 m−3 > USD 13 m−3 for FeEDDS, FeCit, FeEDTA and FeNTA, respectively) when compared to the other tested complexes.

Remdesivir, a competitive inhibitor of viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, is the drug of choice for anti-COVID-19 treatment. However, the instability of these substances in plasma raises doubts about their therapeutic potency. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2-infected cells may exhibit a variety of antiviral behaviors due to intricate activation pathways. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a synthesis for the remdesivir derivative. The remdesivir derivative was synthesized using acetyl chloride as a reagent in a ratio of 1:3 in dichloromethane and tetrahydrofuran solvent at 30°C for 6 h. Thin-layer chromatography and spectrophotometers (1H NMR and 13C NMR) were used to identify the produced molecule, which was a brownish-yellow crystalline powder. The results of the synthesis yielded 0.8 gr (77.34%), and the Rf value of the remdesivir derivate was 0.54. The characterization with 1H NMR at δ2.5 ppm (3H, s) indicated the presence of a proton in the H-C-C=O structure caused by the substitution of the acetyl group in the remdesivir structure. The 13C NMR data indicated the presence of aromatic carbons, alkenes, C≡N, and carbon bonds with electronegative O. This remdesivir derivate chemical can be a potential candidate for an anti-COVID-19 drug that has more potency because it has substitutions of acetyl groups at positions 2' and 3' in the structure of remdesivir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Learning the extent of price volatility is critical to ensure the producer and consumer's economic welfare. Hence, we have envisioned assessing the price transmission relationship over time among the farmgate, wholesale, and retail markets for the four major aquaculture products, namely Rui, Catla, Tilapia and Pangas in Bangladesh. The Granger causality test examined the causal relationships among the farmgate, wholesale and retail fish prices. The Houck/Ward and error correction approach was also applied to study their price transmission pattern. Results indicate that the retail price leads the wholesale and farmgate price. In most cases, the coefficient of variation decreases as the fish handover from the farmgate to retail levels. Out of 15 pairs of farmgate, wholesale, and retail price-series analyzed, 14 pairs are co-integrated (p < 0.01). Current results also suggest that the price transmission pattern is symmetric in the short run but could be a mixture of symmetric and asymmetric in the long run. This asymmetric price behavior indicates that changes in retail prices do not get reflected fully at both farmgate and wholesale prices, and the transmitted prices may vary according to the retail prices based on their rising or falling pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]