Among the known chalcones, dibenzyldieneacetone is an organic molecule that was synthesized in this study and encapsulated into the Ethyl cellulose matrix by solvent evaporation technique. Microencapsulation aims to shield the core material from environmental influences (like light, humidity, temperature, and oxygen), extend its shelf life, and enhance the product’s quality. The microsphere size distribution was determined using an optical microscope. The synthesis product, as well as the particles, were characterized by ultraviolet-visible, infrared, and XRD. This study allowed us to identify particle morphology, encapsulation rate, and particle size distribution.
In today’s rapidly evolving and highly competitive global markets, achieving product development excellence is critical for organizations striving for sustained growth and customer-centric innovation. This study highlights the integral role of key quality management tools in enhancing product development processes, reducing defects, and driving continuous improvement. It presents a robust methodology that strategically combines Quality Function Deployment (QFD), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and the DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) framework to significantly improve the quality, reliability, and efficiency of product development efforts. Built on core principles of customer-centricity, innovation, cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, and risk-based thinking, the methodology emphasizes capturing the Voice of the Customer (VoC) and identifying Critical-to-Quality (CTQ) attributes to align product outcomes with customer expectations and business objectives. Utilizing the DMAIC framework, the organization systematically drives process optimization and innovation throughout the product lifecycle Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are established to track efficiency, quality, customer satisfaction, and time-to-market, while Agile methodologies enhance flexibility, speed, and responsiveness. The study further identifies organizational, technical, cultural, and managerial barriers to product development excellence and proposes targeted strategies to address them and ensure sustainable success. This integrated framework fosters a culture of innovation and continuous learning, enabling organizations to anticipate challenges, manage risks, and consistently deliver superior product development outcomes. While currently conceptual, the framework is slated for empirical validation through case studies, pilot projects, and simulations to verify its practical applicability across diverse development contexts.
Transcriptional regulation is a key step in gene expression control. While transcription factor-based regulation has been widely used and offers robust control over gene expression, it can sometimes face challenges such as achieving high specificity, rapid dynamic responses, and fine-tuned regulatory precision, which have motivated the exploration of alternative regulatory strategies. With the development of synthetic biology, novel genetic elements such as Switchable Transcription Terminators (SWT) and aptamers provide more flexible and programmable strategies for transcriptional regulation. However, the independent regulatory capabilities of these two types of elements and their combined regulatory mechanisms still require further investigation. In this study, based on an in vitro transcription system, we systematically explored the transcriptional regulation potential of SWT and aptamers. We innovatively combined these two elements to construct a modular gene expression regulation system. First, we screened and optimized a series of SWTs, obtaining high-performance SWTs with low leakage expression and high ON/OFF ratios. These were further validated for reproducibility of their regulatory performance in E. coli. Next, we constructed multi-level cascading circuits using SWTs, successfully extending the system to six levels and building four types of biological logic gates based on SWT in vitro: AND gate, NOT gate, NAND gate, and NOR gate. Furthermore, based on a previously identified thrombin aptamer capable of transcriptional regulation, we confirmed that ligand binding significantly promoted gene transcription. Finally, we integrate switchable transcription terminators (SWTs) and aptamers to create a modular, ligand-responsive system. We combined aptamers with SWTs to construct heterologous input logic gates, successfully improving the precision and dynamic range of regulation. Compared to the individual regulation of SWT and aptamer, the Aptamer-SWT synergistic regulation enhanced transcription activation by up to 3.3-fold and 7.84-fold, respectively. Additionally, we co-utilized these two genetic elements to construct heterologous input AND and OR gates in vitro. This study expands the strategies for gene expression regulation and provides new elements and theoretical support for efficient, programmable transcriptional regulation in synthetic biology. This system holds potential for biosensing, gene circuit design, and nucleic acid therapy applications.
Understanding farmers’ perceptions of local ecosystem services is crucial for developing effective ecosystem management strategies and policy interventions to improve the overall welfare of residents. Although there is widespread recognition of the linkages between ecosystem services and human well-being, empirical studies examining farmers’ perceptions and contributions to local ecosystem services, particularly at the micro level in mountainous regions, remain limited. To address these knowledge gaps, we conducted an empirical study employing focus group discussions (n = 6), key informant interviews (n = 12), and household surveys (n = 370) in Mid-Marsyangdi watershed, Lamjung, Nepal. The study revealed that farmers perceive high dependency on regulating followed by provisioning, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services such as freshwater, nutrient cycling, water regulation and purification, timber production, livestock fodder, and natural hazard regulation. Their contributions are notably high in managing freshwater, nutrient cycling, and timber production. Farmers’ practices like forest conservation, agroforestry, inter-cropping, terracing, terrace improvement, multi-year cropping, and organic composting enhance ecosystem services. A significant discrepancy exists between perceived importance and actual contribution, particularly in water regulation, purification, and wild edible food, highlighting areas needing greater attention. The study showed a significant difference (p < 0.001) between perceived importance and contribution across all ecosystem services, with perceived importance consistently higher. Further, a study showed the influence of socio-demographic variables on the farmers’ perception. These findings can inform more effective policy-making for farmer welfare, mountain development, and environmental management.
Ionizing irradiation is an emerging technology for the removal of toxic pollutants, such as antibiotics, in water and wastewater. In this study, gamma radiation-induced degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) based on a Box-Behnken design. LC-MS analysis identified nine intermediate products (M1–M9), elucidating a dual oxidative-reductive degradation mechanism driven by hydroxyl radicals (•OH) and hydrated electrons (eaq⁻). These intermediates, characterized by hydroxylation, sulfonamide bond cleavage, and aromatic ring fragmentation, aligned with pathways distinct from conventional chlorination systems, underscoring the absence of toxic halogenated byproducts. According to experimental data, The study revealed that absorbed dose (0.2–2.0 kGy) and initial SMX concentration (5–40 mg/L) critically governed SMX degradation efficiency, achieving >99% removal under optimized conditions (≥1.2 kGy for 5–10 mg/L SMX). The robust RSM model (R2 = 0.9931) and experimental validation (±2% error) demonstrated the method’s reliability in reconciling nonlinear dose-concentration interactions as well as providing an effective approach to parameter optimization, offering practical insights for enhancing the treatment efficiency of antibiotic-containing wastewater.
