Technological Prospecting: Mapping Patents on L-asparaginases from Extremophilic Microorganisms.

BACKGROUND: L-asparaginase (L-ASNase, L-asparagine amidohydrolase, E.C.3.5.1.1) is an enzyme with wide therapeutic applicability. Currently, the commercialized L-ASNase comes from mesophilic organisms, presenting low specificity to the substrate and limitations regarding thermostability and active pH range. Such factors prevent the maximum performance of the enzyme in different applications. Therefore, extremophilic organisms may represent important candidates for obtaining amidohydrolases with particular characteristics desired by the biotechnological market. OBJECTIVES: The present study aims to carry out a technological prospecting of patents related to the L-asparaginases derived from extremophilic organisms, contributing to pave the way for further rational investigation and application of such enzymes. METHODS: This patent literature review used six patents databases: The LENS, WIPO, EPO, USPTO, Patent Inspiration, and INPI. RESULTS: It was analyzed 2860 patents, and 14 were selected according to combinations of descriptors and study criteria. Approximately 57.14% of the patents refer to enzymes obtained from archaea, especially from the speciesPyrococcus yayanosii (35.71% of the totality). CONCLUSION: The present prospective study has singular relevance since there are no recent patent reviews for L-asparaginases, especially produced by extremophilic microorganisms. Although such enzymes have well-defined applications, corroborated by the patents compiled in this review, the most recent studies allude to new uses, such as the treatment of infections. The characterization of the catalytic profiles allows us to infer that there are potential sources still unexplored. Hence, the search for new L-ASNases with different characteristics will continue to grow in the coming years and, possibly, ramifications of the technological routes will be witnessed.

Closing the Gap Between Emerging Initiatives and Integrated Strategies to Strengthen Science Diplomacy in Latin America.

Science diplomacy is a fast-growing field of research, policy, and practice dedicated to understanding and reinforcing the connections between science and international affairs to tackle national, regional, and global issues. By aligning science and diplomacy, countries can attract talent, strengthen their national research ecosystems, provide avenues for participation of scientists in policy, and coordinate integrated solutions to challenges with technical dimensions. While Latin America has a long tradition of bilateral and regional cooperation, science still plays a marginal role in foreign policy, as has become evidenced by the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. With few exceptions, Latin American nations have a relatively immature science, technology, and innovation ecosystem, compounded by low public and private investments in research, coexisting with profound socio-economic inequalities, and large vulnerable populations. Such challenging conditions have created barriers to a fluid relationship between science and diplomacy, fundamentally characterized by inefficient communication between scientists and policymakers, weak collaboration channels, and duplicated roles, which altogether perpetuate siloed mentalities and a lack of trust between the two communities. Over the last decade, a first influential wave of Latin American scientists, diplomats, and other professionals, including five of the co-authors, have undertaken science diplomacy training provided by specialized organizations. Through these experiences, we recognized the need to elevate awareness and build capacities in science diplomacy in our respective countries and overall, across Latin America. Here, we describe emerging efforts and mechanisms to bridge the gap between scientists and policymakers at the national and regional level. Furthermore, we offer recommendations to amplify the impact of those pioneering initiatives toward consolidating a robust science diplomacy practice across the region. The national experiences described from Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama can serve as a roadmap for other Latin American nations in the early process of developing a science diplomacy strategy, so they can also align themselves to a collective pathway. Most critically, we propose a way forward so that Latin America can leapfrog beyond disjointed training of individuals into integrated institutional strategies that can harness the tools of science diplomacy to enhance science-informed multilateral cooperation and enable more effective science-informed policymaking.

Towards Achieving Sustainable Development: Role of Technology Innovation, Technology Adoption and CO2 Emission for BRICS.

In the digital era, technology innovation and adoption trigger economic growth and enhance CO2 emissions through productivity, which places it in the mainstream policy debate. For BRICS economies, this paper uses the first method proposed in the literature to quantify their information and communication technology (ICT) and innovatively links each country to their information technology adoption rate, as a surrogate indicator for measuring information and communication technology. Environmental Kuznets curve evidence is also examined, using technology innovation, technology adoption, and trade openness as the control variables for sustainable development. The results show that two out of three technology innovation instruments, fixed telephone, and broadband subscriptions increase CO2 emissions. Simultaneously, mobile cellular subscriptions have a lowering effect on CO2 emission in BRICS. The technology adoption indicators, high-technology exports, and electric power consumption also cause an upsurge in CO2 emission. Moreover, trade openness also enriches the level of CO2 emission in the BRICS regions. There is a need to devise technology innovation and adoption policies to better use technology and to ensure a green environment.

Load cell adoption in an electronic drag force flowmeter

This research introduces the development of an electronic flowmeter based on the drag force that a body experiences when immersed in a fluid stream. Its main goal was the development of an Electronic Drag Force Flowmeter (EDFF) using a load cell, as well as the evaluation of its performance parameters. The developed flowmeter should not require specialized labor, equipments, computers or any sophisticated and complex method, providing an easy and accurate way of flow estimation. This research was carried out in the following stages: (i) EDFF mechanical structure development; (ii) data acquisition system and embedded software design; and (iii) evaluation of EDFF performance parameters. EDFF has routines for instantaneous flow rate measurement, interactive calibration, and also several flow meter parameter adjustments, allowing data transmission via a RS232 protocol. The real-time flow measurement task updates values of instantaneous flow rate each seven seconds, enabling unit selection. The interactive calibration routine guides users during all calibration process showing instructions on EDFF's display. A data digital filtering procedure was implemented in an embedded software using the Grubbs' Test in order to identify and to remove outliers from the acquired data. The Method of Least Squares was also implemented in the embedded software in order to calculate the fitting model coefficients on the calibration procedure. This flowmeter is able to work from 1.94 to 7.78 dm³ s-1 with an uncertainty of ± 5.7%. The coefficient of local head loss (K) was close to 0.55 for Reynolds number values higher than 10(5). The developed EDFF is a low-cost and stand-alone system with potential for agricultural applications.

Este estudo apresenta o desenvolvimento de um medidor de vazão baseado na força de arraste que atua em um corpo imerso em uma corrente líquida. O principal objetivo foi o desenvolvimento de um Medidor de Vazão Eletrônico tipo Força (MVEF) utilizando célula de carga, bem como a avaliação do desempenho do equipamento. Esta pesquisa foi executada nas seguintes etapas: (i) desenvolvimento da estrutura mecânica do MVEF; (ii) desenvolvimento do sistema de aquisição de dados e do software embarcado; e (iii) avaliação dos parâmetros de desempenho do MVEF. O medidor de vazão desenvolvido possibilita a transmissão de dados via serial (RS-232) e possui rotinas para medição de vazão instantânea, calibração interativa e opções para ajuste de alguns parâmetros de funcionamento. O Teste de Grubbs foi utilizado no software embarcado com a finalidade de identificar e remover dados inconsistentes do conjunto amostral, sendo, portanto, um procedimento de filtragem digital de dados. A rotina de calibração do medidor de vazão consta de um algoritmo que utiliza o Método dos Mínimos Quadrados para determinação dos coeficientes de ajuste do modelo adotado. O medidor de vazão desenvolvido opera na faixa de 1,94 a 7,78 dm³ s-1 com incerteza de ± 5,7%. O coeficiente de perda de carga localizada característico do medidor de vazão foi de aproximadamente 0,55 para condições com Número de Reynolds superior a 10(5). O medidor de vazão desenvolvido apresenta baixo custo, sendo viável para utilização em aplicações agrícolas.

Load cell adoption in an electronic drag force flowmeter

This research introduces the development of an electronic flowmeter based on the drag force that a body experiences when immersed in a fluid stream. Its main goal was the development of an Electronic Drag Force Flowmeter (EDFF) using a load cell, as well as the evaluation of its performance parameters. The developed flowmeter should not require specialized labor, equipments, computers or any sophisticated and complex method, providing an easy and accurate way of flow estimation. This research was carried out in the following stages: (i) EDFF mechanical structure development; (ii) data acquisition system and embedded software design; and (iii) evaluation of EDFF performance parameters. EDFF has routines for instantaneous flow rate measurement, interactive calibration, and also several flow meter parameter adjustments, allowing data transmission via a RS232 protocol. The real-time flow measurement task updates values of instantaneous flow rate each seven seconds, enabling unit selection. The interactive calibration routine guides users during all calibration process showing instructions on EDFF's display. A data digital filtering procedure was implemented in an embedded software using the Grubbs' Test in order to identify and to remove outliers from the acquired data. The Method of Least Squares was also implemented in the embedded software in order to calculate the fitting model coefficients on the calibration procedure. This flowmeter is able to work from 1.94 to 7.78 dm³ s-1 with an uncertainty of ± 5.7%. The coefficient of local head loss (K) was close to 0.55 for Reynolds number values higher than 10(5). The developed EDFF is a low-cost and stand-alone system with potential for agricultural applications.

Este estudo apresenta o desenvolvimento de um medidor de vazão baseado na força de arraste que atua em um corpo imerso em uma corrente líquida. O principal objetivo foi o desenvolvimento de um Medidor de Vazão Eletrônico tipo Força (MVEF) utilizando célula de carga, bem como a avaliação do desempenho do equipamento. Esta pesquisa foi executada nas seguintes etapas: (i) desenvolvimento da estrutura mecânica do MVEF; (ii) desenvolvimento do sistema de aquisição de dados e do software embarcado; e (iii) avaliação dos parâmetros de desempenho do MVEF. O medidor de vazão desenvolvido possibilita a transmissão de dados via serial (RS-232) e possui rotinas para medição de vazão instantânea, calibração interativa e opções para ajuste de alguns parâmetros de funcionamento. O Teste de Grubbs foi utilizado no software embarcado com a finalidade de identificar e remover dados inconsistentes do conjunto amostral, sendo, portanto, um procedimento de filtragem digital de dados. A rotina de calibração do medidor de vazão consta de um algoritmo que utiliza o Método dos Mínimos Quadrados para determinação dos coeficientes de ajuste do modelo adotado. O medidor de vazão desenvolvido opera na faixa de 1,94 a 7,78 dm³ s-1 com incerteza de ± 5,7%. O coeficiente de perda de carga localizada característico do medidor de vazão foi de aproximadamente 0,55 para condições com Número de Reynolds superior a 10(5). O medidor de vazão desenvolvido apresenta baixo custo, sendo viável para utilização em aplicações agrícolas.