Fucosylated human milk oligosaccharides are valuable targets for microbial biomanufacturing. Here we engineered the probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 as a versatile chassis for synthesizing both 2′-fucosyllactose and 3-fucosyllactose. We implemented lactose preservation and blocked colanic acid precursor consumption while reinforcing the de novo GDP-L-fucose pathway. This core module was coupled with either WbgL or FutM2 to drive terminal fucosylation. Initial screening yielded a 2′-fucosyllactose titer of approximately 1.21 g/L. Integrating an additional chromosomal wbgL cassette increased the titer to approximately 1.58 g/L, whereas subsequent genomic modifications did not further improve the 2′-FL titer. Cultivation with 30 g/L glycerol and 5 g/L yeast extract significantly improved productivity, enabling the strain to produce approximately 7.71 g/L of 2′-fucosyllactose in shake-flask cultures. Conversely, the FutM2 strain produced 0.38 g/L 3-fucosyllactose without yeast extract and nutrient supplementation unexpectedly suppressed product accumulation despite promoting biomass formation. The work provides a probiotic-chassis proof of concept and identifies product-module physiology as a priority for further engineering.
Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) has been used to treat the surfaces of an aluminium alloy manufactured by selective laser melting (SLM). SMAT involved impacting the SLM sample surface with spherical balls at a frequency of 30 Hz for 10 min to 30 min, which induced plastic deformation of the sample surface, leading to a change in surface finish and surface hardness. The surface finish, morphology, hardness, and structural features have been investigated. The results show that SMAT is very effective in improving the surface finish of the SLM aluminium alloy surface. After 30 min of treatment, the roughness value (Ra) was reduced by 87%, from 19.4 μm to 2.6 μm. SMAT also has the benefit of increasing the surface hardness of SLM aluminium alloy from 125 HV0.1 to 160 HV0.1, and generating a strain hardened layer of about 300 μm thick at the subsurface, and thus has the potential of improving wear resistance. In addition, SMAT induced a compressive residual stress of around 100 MPa on the treated surface, which would be beneficial in improving the fatigue properties of SLM aluminium alloy. The mechanisms underlying surface smoothing, hardness increase, and the evolution of compressive residual stress in SMAT are discussed in terms of severe surface plastic deformation and strain hardening.
With the aim to well understand the relationship between the composition and properties of quartzite in Gucheng, three types of quartzite from a mining area in Gucheng have been investigated. This paper focused on the phase composition evolution and thermal expansion behavior of them under different thermal histories in the temperature range of 1200 °C to 1500 °C, and subsequently, the true density and microstructure were also measured and analyzed. In addition, inclusion analysis was conducted. The results indicate that black quartzite has a higher Fe content, white quartzite has relatively higher Al and K contents, and gray quartzite has a higher Ca content. Furthermore, all three types of quartzite almost completely transform into cristobalite after heat treatment at 1500 °C, although the transformation rates vary slightly with increasing temperature. The thermal expansion of the three types of quartzite exhibits similar trends, but gray quartzite exhibits greater residual expansion. It is believed that the phase transformation plays a dominant role in the total expansion, together with the sintering effect accelerated by the glass phase. At the same time, the microstructure of quartzite was also significantly influenced by the phase transformation process. The gas/liquid inclusion analysis revealed that all three types of quartzite have high inclusion content. The black quartzite contained only 5% transparent particles, the lowest among the three specimens, none of the three quartzite types are suitable for direct use in high-purity quartz applications.
Identifying the runoff generation mechanism is helpful for decision-making and for selecting the most appropriate model to simulate runoff processes. Watershed managers require practical tools to understand how stormwater responds to changes in land use, urbanization, and climate variability. Many hydrologic models estimate runoff volume, peak flow, or flood frequency, but few tools clearly identify whether runoff is primarily driven by infiltration excess, saturation excess, or a combination of processes. This manuscript presents the development and conceptual application of an automated watershed management dashboard that integrates watershed delineation, rainfall-frequency data, soil infiltration capacity, antecedent moisture, and imperviousness in one interactive workflow. The dashboard delineates the watershed for a selected USGS streamgage, retrieves rainfall data for different storm durations and return periods, calculates rainfall intensity, estimates soil infiltration capacity, and evaluates antecedent moisture conditions. The classification framework compares rainfall intensity with soil infiltration capacity while also considering soil saturation and urban imperviousness. Based on these conditions, the dashboard classifies the likely runoff response as infiltration-excess runoff, saturation-excess runoff, or mixed runoff. Results are presented through an interactive map, tables, color-coded classifications, charts, and downloadable outputs. The dashboard is intended as a screening and decision-support tool that can support engineers, watershed managers, planners, and researchers in flood mitigation, green infrastructure planning, and ecological protection.
(1) Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease of multifaceted etiology, characterized predominantly by pulmonary parenchymal involvement. While genetic susceptibility represents a foundational prerequisite, environmental and occupational xenobiotics are increasingly recognized as pivotal etiologic triggers. In cosmetic formulation environments, prolonged inhalation of mineral micro- and nanoparticles—such as titanium dioxide, talc, and fine silicates—alongside volatile organic solvents, provides a persistent antigenic stimulus that can drive aberrant granulomatous cascades toward aggressive, fibrosing phenotypes. (2) A 54-year-old female industrial worker presented with a 17-year history of occupational exposure in cosmetic manufacturing (handling airborne inorganic powders, titanium dioxide, talc, and organic vehicles without certified particulate respiratory protection), exhibiting progressive dyspnea, marked asthenia, and weight loss. Examination revealed inspiratory crackles at the pulmonary apices, violaceous nasal plaques consistent with lupus pernio, subcutaneous nodules, and sarcoid acropathy. Imaging and histology confirmed stage IV systemic sarcoidosis with fibrosing interstitial lung disease and multiple deep lymphadenopathies. Biologically and histologically, sarcoidosis was confirmed. Complete cessation of occupational exposure was achieved through workplace reassignment. Following combination therapy with oral corticosteroids and mycophenolate mofetil, the patient demonstrated clinical stabilization, resolution of hypercalcemia, and static lung function at 6-month follow-up. (3) This case underscores the importance of considering occupational exposures, including handling cosmetic products, in the pathogenesis and progression of fibrosing sarcoidosis. Early recognition and multidisciplinary management, integrating immunosuppressive therapy and occupational health interventions, are critical to limit irreversible organ damage.
