Machine learning-based life cycle assessment for environmental sustainability optimization of a food supply chain.

Effective resource allocation in the agri-food sector is essential in mitigating environmental impacts and moving toward circular food supply chains. The potential of integrating life cycle assessment (LCA) with machine learning has been highlighted in recent studies. This hybrid framework is valuable not only for assessing food supply chains but also for improving them toward a more sustainable system. Yet, an essential step in the optimization process is defining the optimization boundaries, or minimum and maximum quantities for the variables. Usually, the boundaries for optimization variables in these studies are obtained from the minimum and maximum values found through interviews and surveys. A deviation in these ranges can impact the final optimization results. To address this issue, this study applies the Delphi method for identifying variable optimization boundaries. A hybrid environmental assessment framework linking LCA, multilayer perceptron artificial neural network, the Delphi method, and genetic algorithm was used for optimizing the pomegranate production system. The results indicated that the suggested framework holds promise for achieving substantial mitigation in environmental impacts (potential reduction of global warming by 46%) within the explored case study. Inclusion of the Delphi method for variable boundary determination brings novelty to the resource allocation optimization process in the agri-food sector. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-11. © 2024 SETAC.

Recent trends in bone tissue engineering: a review of materials, methods, and structures.

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) provides the treatment possibility for segmental long bone defects that are currently an orthopedic dilemma. This review explains different strategies, from biological, material, and preparation points of view, such as using different stem cells, ceramics, and metals, and their corresponding properties for BTE applications. In addition, factors such as porosity, surface chemistry, hydrophilicity and degradation behavior that affect scaffold success are introduced. Besides, the most widely used production methods that result in porous materials are discussed. Gene delivery and secretome-based therapies are also introduced as a new generation of therapies. This review outlines the positive results and important limitations remaining in the clinical application of novel BTE materials and methods for segmental defects.

Tissue engineering in otology: a review of achievements.

Tissue engineering application in otology spans a distance from the pinna to auditory nerve covered with specialized tissues and functions such as sense of hearing and aesthetics. It holds the potential to address the barriers of lack of donor tissue, poor tissue match, and transplant rejection through provision of new and healthy tissues similar to the host and possesses the capacity to renew, to regenerate, and to repair in-vivo and was shown to be a bypasses for any need to immunosuppression. This review aims to investigate the application of tissue engineering in otology and to evaluate the achievements and challenges in external, middle and inner ear sections. Since gaining the recent knowledge and training on use of different scaffolds is essential for otology specialists and who look for the recovery of ear function and aesthetics of patients, it is shown in this review how utilizing tissue engineering and cell transplantation, regenerative medicine can provide advancements in hearing and ear aesthetics to fit different patients' needs.

Regenerative medicine by utilizing tissue engineering and cell transplantation was shown to provide advancements in hearing and ear aesthetics to fit different patients' needs.Gaining the necessary knowledge and training on use of different scaffolds is essential for otology specialists and patients who search for hearing and ear aesthetics.It is crucial that patients are instructed for differences exist between various scaffolds for hearing and ear aesthetics.

Mechanisms and factors affecting the removal of minocycline from aqueous solutions using graphene-modified resorcinol formaldehyde aerogels.

In recent years, concerns about the presence of pharmaceutical compounds in wastewater have increased. Various types of residues of tetracycline family antibiotic compounds, which are widely used, are found in environmental waters in relatively low and persistent concentrations, adversely affecting human health and the environment. In this study, a resorcinol formaldehyde (RF) aerogel was prepared using the sol-gel method at resorcinol/catalyst ratio of 400 and resorcinol/water ratio of 2 and drying at ambient pressure for removing antibiotics like minocycline. Next, RF aerogel was modified with graphene and to increase the specific surface area and porosity of the modified sample and to form the graphene plates without compromising the interconnected porous three-dimensional structure of the aerogel. Also, the pores were designed according to the size of the minocycline particles on the meso- and macro-scale, which bestowed the modified sample the ability to remove a significant amount of the minocycline antibiotic from the aqueous solution. The removal percentage of the antibiotic obtained by UV-vis spectroscopy. Ultimately, the performance of prepared aerogels was investigated under various conditions, including adsorbent doses (4-10 mg), solution pHs (2-12), contact times of the adsorbent with the adsorbate (3-24 h), and initial concentration of antibiotic (40-100 mg/l). The results from the BET test demonstrated that the surface area of the resorcinol formaldehyde aerogel sample, which included 1 wt% graphene (RF-G1), exhibited an augmentation in comparison to the surface area of the pure aerogel. Additionally, it was noted that the removal percentage of minocycline antibiotic for both the unmodified and altered samples was 71.6% and 92.1% at the optimal pH values of 4 and 6, respectively. The adsorption capacity of pure and modified aerogel for the minocycline antibiotic was 358 and 460.5 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption data for the modified aerogel was studied by the pseudo-second-order model and the results obtained from the samples for antibiotic adsorption with this model revealed a favorable fit, which indicated that the chemical adsorption in the rapid adsorption of the antibiotic by the modified aerogel had occurred.

Carbon-based biosensors from graphene family to carbon dots: A viewpoint in cancer detection.

According to the latest report by International Agency for Research on Cancer, 19.3 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer deaths were globally reported in 2020. Early diagnosis can reduce these numbers significantly, and biosensors have appeared to be a solution to this problem as, unlike the traditional methods, they have low cost, rapid process, and do not need experts present on site for use. These devices have been incorporated to detect many cancer biomarkers and measure cancer drug delivery. To design these biosensors, a researcher must know about their different types, properties of nanomaterials, and cancer biomarkers. Among all types of biosensors, electrochemical and optical biosensors are the most sensitive and promising sensors for detecting complicated diseases like cancer. The carbon-based nanomaterial family has attracted lots of attention due to their low cost, easy preparation, biocompatibility, and significant electrochemical and optical properties. In this review, we have discussed the application of graphene and its derivatives, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon dots (CDs), and fullerene (C60), for designing different electrochemical and optical cancer-detecting biosensors. Furthermore, the application of these carbon-based biosensors for detecting seven widely studied cancer biomarkers (HER2, CEA, CA125, VEGF, PSA, Alpha-fetoprotein, and miRNA21) is reviewed. Finally, various fabricated carbon-based biosensors for detecting cancer biomarkers and anticancer drugs are comprehensively summarized as well.

A review on the recent progress, opportunities, and challenges of 4D printing and bioprinting in regenerative medicine.

Four-dimensional (4 D) printing is a novel emerging technology, which can be defined as the ability of 3 D printed materials to change their form and functions. The term 'time' is added to 3 D printing as the fourth dimension, in which materials can respond to a stimulus after finishing the manufacturing process. 4 D printing provides more versatility in terms of size, shape, and structure after printing the construct. Complex material programmability, multi-material printing, and precise structure design are the essential requirements of 4 D printing systems. The utilization of stimuli-responsive polymers has increasingly taken the place of cell traction force-dependent methods and manual folding, offering a more advanced technique to affect a construct's adjusted shape transformation. The present review highlights the concept of 4 D printing and the responsive bioinks used in 4 D printing, such as water-responsive, pH-responsive, thermo-responsive, and light-responsive materials used in tissue regeneration. Cell traction force methods are described as well. Finally, this paper aims to introduce the limitations and future trends of 4 D printing in biomedical applications based on selected key references from the last decade.

Exergy flow of rice production system in Italy: Comparison among nine different varieties.

Exergy analysis is receiving considerable attention as an approach to be applied for making decisions toward moving to a sustainable and energy-efficient food supply chain. This study focuses on how the selection of variety affects the exergy flow of a paddy rice production system. In this regard, nine varieties of rice in Italy, the largest rice producer in Europe, were evaluated using the cumulative exergy analysis approach. Sensitivity analysis of inputs consumption and the exergy management scenarios of the most sensitive inputs are also provided in this study. The results indicated that the cumulative exergy consumption value of the investigated rice varieties ranges from 16.09 GJha-1 to 25.80 GJ ha-1. Fossil fuels and chemical fertilizer consumption were the most significant contributors to the total energy consumption in all investigated varieties. Luna variety, with the cumulative degree of perfection value of 7.96 and renewability indicator of 0.88, was identified as the most exergy-efficient variety of rice in Italy.

Design and optimization of process parameters of polyvinyl (alcohol)/chitosan/nano zinc oxide hydrogels as wound healing materials.

Composite hydrogels as wound dressings feature healing properties in treating wounds. In this study, polyvinyl (alcohol)/chitosan/nano zinc oxide nanocomposite hydrogels were formed using the freeze-thaw method and essential process parameters including thawing time, thawing temperature, and the number of freeze-thaw cycles was investigated to model nanocomposites employing response surface methodology. Critical properties including water vapor transmission rate, porosity, wound fluid absorption, and gel content were modeled using process parameters. Analysis of morphology, mechanical properties, toxicity, protein absorption, antibacterial activity, and in-vitro wound healing were also performed. Results exhibited that increased freeze-thaw cycles caused reduced pore size and increased porosity and wound fluid absorption. Besides, increased freeze-thaw cycles and reduced thawing temperature resulted in increased elastic modulus and tensile strength, while elongation at break point decreased. Antibacterial properties, biocompatibility, and in-vitro wound healing tests demonstrated that the designed system showed no toxicity and it was able to treat the wounds sufficiently.

Incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles into heparinised polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan hydrogels for wound dressing application.

Available wound dressings have some major deficiencies including low water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), low absorption of wound fluids, and not providing a suitable and moist environment for wound healing. The main advantage of hydrogels is giving aid to the creation of a moist and cool environment for wound healing and providing high water vapor permeability along with preventing penetration of microbes into the wound surface. Therefore, hydrogels of heparinized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS)/nano zinc oxide (nZnO) were prepared to be used as wound dressing. Samples were characterized via infrared spectrometry (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, other properties including swelling ratio, water vapor transmission rate, the size of pores, mechanical and thermal properties, cell viability, and antibacterial efficiency were investigated. Water vapor permeability, porosity, and swelling ratio showed a wide range of numerical values that facilitate the use of provided samples as ideal wound dressings. Besides, investigating mechanical and thermal properties exhibited the improvement of mentioned properties by adding nano zinc oxide. Furthermore, Heparin loading was conducted on optimum samples. Heparin release rate decreased and was more sustained by adding nanoparticles compared to hydrogel wound dressings without nZnO. Cell viability of bionanocomposite samples showed no toxicity after loading nanoparticles and this value was >70% for all samples. Antibacterial properties of hydrogel samples can effectively protect wounds especially with an increase nZnO content. Hence, these hydrogels were found applicable as robust wound dressings.