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Approaches in Sustainable, Biobased Multilayer Packaging Solutions
Get PDFThe depletion of fossil resources and the growing demand for plastic waste reduction has put industries and academic researchers under pressure to develop increasingly sustainable packaging solutions that are both functional and circularly designed. In this review, we provide an overview of the fundamentals and recent advances in biobased packaging materials, including new materials and techniques for their modification as well as their end-of-life scenarios. We also
discuss the composition and modification of biobased films and multilayer structures, with particular attention to readily available drop-in solutions, as well as coating techniques. Moreover, we discuss
end-of-life factors, including sorting systems, detection methods, composting options, and recycling and upcycling possibilities. Finally, regulatory aspects are pointed out for each application scenario and end-of-life option. Moreover, we discuss the human factor in terms of consumer perception and acceptance of upcycling
Novel Proline Transporter Inhibitor (LQFM215) Presents Antipsychotic Effect in Ketamine Model of Schizophrenia
No full textThe glutamatergic hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests a correlation between NMDA receptor hypofunction and negative psychotic symptoms. It has been observed that the expression of the proline transporter (PROT) in the central nervous system (CNS) is associated with glutamatergic neurotransmission, as L-proline has the capacity to activate and modulate AMPA and NMDA receptors. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether inhibition of proline transporters could enhance glutamatergic neurotransmission and potentially exhibit antipsychotic effects in an experimental schizophrenia model. Using molecular dynamics analysis in silico, we validated an innovative PROT inhibitor, LQFM215. We quantified the cytotoxicity of LQFM215 in the Lund human mesencephalic cell line (LUHMES). Subsequently, we employed the ketamine-induced psychosis model to evaluate the antipsychotic potential of the inhibitor, employing behavioral tests including open-field, three-chamber interaction, and prepulse inhibition (PPI). Our results demonstrate that LQFM215, at pharmacologically active concentrations, exhibited negligible neurotoxicity when astrocytes were co-cultured with neurons. In the ketamine-induced psychosis model, LQFM215 effectively reduced hyperlocomotion and enhanced social interaction in a three-chamber social approach task across all administered doses. Moreover, the compound successfully prevented the ketamine-induced disruption of sensorimotor gating in the PPI test at all tested doses. Overall, these findings suggest that PROT inhibition could serve as a potential therapeutic target for managing symptoms of schizophrenia model
Negotiating Consensus for Diverging Evidence
Get PDFIdeally, public policy is guided by strong scientific evidence pointing toward a specific form of implementation. However, most policy cannot be decided in this way. Diverging evidence points in different directions, the same evidence can be taken as argument for opposing interpretations and sometimes policy must be formulated with scarce or even absent evidence. Different frameworks for science-based decision-making approach these issues in various ways. The authors argue that the explanatory approach is the superior approach for science-based decision-making when facing either diverging evidence, diverging interpretations and/or scarce evidence. As an illustration of their argument, they examine the current Norwegian guideline for treatment and rehabilitation of substance use disorders and addiction. Substance use and substance use disorders is a particularly interesting field since within it there is contestation concerning a wide variety of issues, such as legality, treatment, the nature of the disease, the quality of evidence and the general ideology of treatment. The authors argue that the explanatory approach, with its focus on transparency, consistency and rigor, can direct future guidelines in a direction that accommodates legitimate criticisms while counteracting illegitimate accusations, thus improving the quality of arguments within future guidelines and elevating the willingness of clinicians to implement them
Optimierte Kita-Mahlzeiten – den Kindern schmeckt´s.
No full textKinder mögen auch Speisen mit weniger Salz, Zucker und Fett gern. Das zeigt ein Projekt der Hochschule Albstadt-Sigmaringen. Mehr Akzeptanz für optimierte Kita-Mahlzeiten ist eher bei Erwachsenen gefragt
Alginate-based coating for PLA textiles as aroma barrier for tea bag application (Poster)
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Is brand activism an emotional affair? The role of moral emotions in consumer responses to brand activism
No full textAs brand activism continues to move up the corporate agenda, a more comprehensive understanding of its effects is needed. This paper contributes to the evolving research by investigating moral emotions (i.e. other-praising and other-condemning emotions) as mediating factors and consumer-brand identification (CBI) as a moderator that shape consumer reactions to brand activism. Three scenario-based experiments on two divisive topics show that activist messages elicit moral emotions that determine how individuals respond to them, depending on whether or not they agree with the brand’s stance. Moreover, this effect of (dis)agreeing with the brand’s stance on brand attitude is moderated by CBI. In case of a strong identification, an activist message does not affect brand attitude as CBI attenuates the activation of moral emotions – both in the positive case of agreement and in the negative case of disagreement. Finally, brand activism may counter the brand’s social goals, as it disproportionally motivates opponents of the brand’s stand to advocate their own contrary views on the contentious issue. In sum, these findings underscore both the emotional nature of consumer reactions to brand activism and the high level of social responsibility of companies that position themselves as political actors
Review on Hydrogel-Based Flexible Supercapacitors for Wearable Applications
Get PDFSmart hydrogels with high electrical conductivity, which can be a real source of power while also collecting and storing the diverse sources of energy with ultrahigh stretchability, strong self-healability, low-temperature tolerance, and excellent mechanical properties, are great value for tailored wearable cloths. Considerable effort has been dedicated in both scientific and technological developments of electroconductive hydrogels for supercapacitor applications in the past few decades. The key to realize those functionalities depends on the processing of hydrogels with desirable electrochemical properties. The various hydrogel materials with such properties are now emerging
and investigated by various scholars. The last decade has witnessed the development of high-performance supercapacitors using hydrogels. Here, in this review, the current status of different hydrogels for the production of flexible supercapacitors has been discussed. The electrochemical properties such as capacitance, energy density and cycling ability has been given attention. Diverse hydrogels, with their composites such as carbon-based hydrogels, cellulose-based hydrogels, conductive-polymer-based hydrogels and other hydrogels with excellent electromechanical properties are summarized. One could argue that hydrogels have played a central, starring role for the assembly
of flexible supercapacitors for energy storage applications. This work stresses the importance of producing flexible supercapacitors for wearable clothing applications and the current challenges of
hydrogel-based supercapacitors. The results of the review depicted that hydrogels are the next materials for the production of the flexible supercapacitor in a more sustainable way