bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting signaling pathways in osteosarcoma: Mechanisms and clinical studies
Authors: Ji Ziyu , Shen Jianlin , Lan Yujian , Yi Qian , Liu Huan
Published: July 2023

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a highly prevalent bone malignancy among adolescents, accounting for 40% of all primary malignant bone tumors. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with limb‐preserving surgery has effectively reduced patient disability and mortality, but pulmonary metastases and OS cells' resistance to chemotherapeutic agents are pressing challenges in the clinical management of OS. There has been an urgent need to identify new biomarkers for OS to develop specific targeted therapies. Recently, the continued advancements in genomic analysis have contributed to the identification of clinically significant molecular biomarkers for diagnosing OS, acting as therapeutic targets, and predicting prognosis. Additionally, the contemporary molecular classifications have revealed that the signaling pathways, including Wnt/β‐catenin, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK/STAT3, Hippo, Notch, PD‐1/PD‐L1, MAPK, and NF‐κB, have an integral role in OS onset, progression, metastasis, and treatment response. These molecular classifications and biological markers have created new avenues for more accurate OS diagnosis and relevant treatment. We herein present a review of the recent findings for the modulatory role of signaling pathways as possible biological markers and treatment targets for OS. This review also discusses current OS therapeutic approaches, including signaling pathway‐based therapies developed over the past decade. Additionally, the review covers the signaling targets involved in the curative effects of traditional Chinese medicines in the context of expression regulation of relevant genes and proteins through the signaling pathways to inhibit OS cell growth. These findings are expected to provide directions for integrating genomic, molecular, and clinical profiles to enhance OS diagnosis and treatment.
Greenland ice sheet rainfall climatology, extremes and atmospheric river rapids
Authors: Box Jason E. , Nielsen Kristian P. , Yang Xiaohua , Niwano Masashi , Wehrlé Adrien , van As Dirk , Fettweis Xavier , Køltzow Morten A. Ø. , Palmason Bolli , Fausto Robert S. , van den Broeke Michiel R. , Huai Baojuan , Ahlstrøm Andreas P. , Langley Kirsty , Dachauer Armin , Noël Brice
Published: July 2023

Greenland rainfall has come into focus as a climate change indicator and from a variety of emerging cryospheric impacts. This study first evaluates rainfall in five state‐of‐the‐art numerical prediction systems (NPSs) (CARRA, ERA5, NHM‐SMAP, RACMO, MAR) using in situ rainfall data from two regions spanning from land onto the ice sheet. The new EU Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) Arctic Regional ReAnalysis (CARRA), with a relatively fine (2.5 km) horizontal grid spacing and extensive within‐model‐domain observational initialization, has the lowest average bias and highest explained variance relative to the field data. ERA5 inland wet bias versus CARRA is consistent with the field data and other research and is presumably due to more ERA5 topographic smoothing. A CARRA climatology 1991–2021 has rainfall increasing by more than one‐third for the ice sheet and its peripheral ice masses. CARRA and in situ data illuminate extreme (above 300 mm per day) local rainfall episodes. A detailed examination CARRA data reveals the interplay of mass conservation that splits flow around southern Greenland and condensational buoyancy generation that maintains along‐flow updraft ‘rapids’ 2 km above sea level, which produce rain bands within an atmospheric river interacting with Greenland. CARRA resolves gravity wave oscillations that initiate as a result of buoyancy offshore, which then amplify from terrain‐forced uplift. In a detailed case study, CARRA resolves orographic intensification of rainfall by up to a factor of four, which is consistent with the field data.
Lateral dynamic response of single floating piles in saturated soil layer
Authors: Zheng Changjie , Ding Xuanming
Published: July 2023

A closed‐form formulation for the dynamic analysis of lateral response of floating piles in a saturated finite‐thickness soil layer is presented in this paper. Governing equations of the saturated soil are established on the basis of Biot's poroelastic theory, solution to which results in the lateral resistance of surrounding saturated soil to pile deflection. Closed‐form expressions of the lateral deformations of pile along depth and the dynamic compliances at pile head are obtained by solving a system of linear equations from the boundary and continuity conditions, instead of solving sophisticated integral equations in existing boundary integral methods. The parametric study focuses on exploring the sensitivity of pile compliances and deformations to the main problem parameters, including pile‐soil modulus ratio and soil permeability.
Modified space‐time radial basis function collocation method for long‐time simulation of transient heat conduction in3Danisotropic composite materials
Authors: Qiu Lin , Wang Fajie , Gu Yan , Qin Qing‐Hua
Published: July 2023

In this paper, the standard and the localized space‐time radial basis function (RBF) collocation methods are modified and combined with the time‐marching scheme and space‐time domain decomposition technique for simulating the long‐time transient heat conduction in 3D anisotropic composite materials. In the proposed approaches, we set the source points outside the whole space‐time domain in the standard space‐time RBF collocation method or outside the established subdomain in the localized approach by introducing the space and time magnification factors, instead of distributing them inside the original domain. In addition, the space‐time regulating factor is defined and added to the conventional schemes to improve the stability of numerical methods. The modified approaches are resulted in a simple and effective time‐marching process which can achieve long‐time simulation, resting on the property that the coefficient matrices generated by these two methods are only related to the space‐time distance between the collocation points and source points. Our ultimate aim is to develop a computing system for resolving dynamic problems in composite materials by designing a space‐time domain decomposition technique. Numerical experiments are conducted to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency and stability of the presented methodologies.
Human and camelid paleodiets in El Bolsón valley (NW Argentina): A stable isotope approach
Authors: Neveu Collado Camila , Killian Galván Violeta Anahí , Mondini Mariana , Korstanje María Alejandra
Published: July 2023

This exploratory study aims at reconstructing human paleodiets and that of camelids—their staple animal resource—in El Bolsón, an Andean valley in Catamarca Province, NW Argentina, as a way of exploring variations in the strategies and patterns of food procurement, production, preparation, and consumption by local agricultural‐pastoralist societies over the last 1500 years. We present the first systematically obtained data on carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) isotopic relationships as measured on camelid and human bone collagen. They come from five camelid individuals from Los Viscos archaeological site, dating to the last 1200 years, and from six human individuals from archaeological rescues and isolated finds bracketed between at least ca. 1300 cal CE and ca. 500 cal CE, as no other human samples are available in the study area. The results suggest that camelids consumed predominantly locally available C3 pastures, while the human paleodiet was primarily based on C4 plants, with camelid protein not being central to it. Here, we discuss how local productive strategies would have played a part in the selective diet of the human inhabitants and interpret this picture in the context of the larger area comprising the Andean valleys of NW Argentina.
Outreach of the programmatic components of National Health Mission in India: An inter‐ and intra‐state analysis using nationally representative data
Authors: Singh Abinash , Vellakkal Sukumar
Published: July 2023

In 2005, India launched the National Health Mission (NHM) to achieve equity in access to primary and secondary healthcare, with special focus on maternal and child healthcare (MCH). Studies have shown that NHM has increased access to MCH services; however, the access is still low among low socioeconomic population groups. Since outreach among target population is crucial to improve access to MCH, we analyzed the level and the inter‐ and intra‐state socioeconomic inequity in the outreach in two major NHM components: conditional cash‐transfer program‐JSY, and community health workers‐ASHAs and ANMs. We used administrative records and nationally representative cross‐sectional sample surveys in the early‐ and after the targeted full‐implementation phases of NHM, and employed descriptive and multivariate methods. We found that the NHM had covered only less than one‐half of the eligible women, with considerable inter‐state variations. For instance, in the high‐focus states in 2015–16, the receipt of JSY benefits, ASHAs services, and ANMs services among eligible women was 41.5%, 40.6%, and 48.8%, respectively, whereas the respective outreach among the bottom wealth quintile was 39.8%, 45.1%, and 44.4%. However, there was attenuation in inequity overtime, favoring the poor in the outreach of JSY benefits and ASHAs services. Furthermore, underscoring the importance of program outreach, we find that district with higher level of program outreach was associated with increased uptake of MCH services among target population. Our findings imply for implementing policy measures for wider program outreach so that the NHM could serve as pathway to attain universal health‐care coverage for India.
Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride‐functionalized wound dressings: Physical, mechanical and biological evaluations
Authors: Babaahmadi Masoud , Yeganeh Hamid
Published: July 2023

The objective of the present study is fabrication of wound dressing membranes with effective antibacterial activity, good biocompatibility with fibroblast cells, appropriate mechanical properties in both dry and wet states to potentially provide physical protection to wounds at different stages of healing, and the ability to maintain an optimum moist environment over the wounded area. To achieve this, a new silane functional polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride was synthesized and utilized as a crosslinker for a polymeric matrix consisting of poly(vinyl alcohol) and gelatin. Thin monolayer films of the resulting polymeric networks were characterized and subjected to different physical and biological assays. The tensile test results indicated that the prepared dressing membranes exhibit good tensile strength in both dry (44 MPa) and hydrated (700 KPa) states. The fluid handling capacity of the dressings was found to be in the range of 2.23 to 2.29 g 10−1 m−2 day−1, which is appropriate for treating wounds with “light” to “moderate” exudate levels. The MTT assay showed excellent biocompatibility, evidenced by high fibroblast cells viability cultured directly over dressings (over 70%) or cultured in media containing the leachates extracted from the dressings (over 90%). Moreover, the dressings exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (87% killing) and Escherichia coli (99% killing) bacterial strains.
Enhancing information on stage at diagnosis for childhood cancer in Africa
Authors: Liu Biying , Abraham Natasha , Chitsike Inam , Sylvie Couitchéré Guéi Line , Kambugu Joyce , Stévy Nsimba Makouanzi Alda , Pondy Angèle Hermine Ongotsoyi , Renner Lorna , Parkin Donald Maxwell
Published: July 2023

Background/purpose

Stage at diagnosis is an important metric in treatment and prognosis of cancer, and also in planning and evaluation of cancer control. In sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), for the latter, the only data source is the population‐based cancer registry (PBCR). For childhood cancers, the 'Toronto Staging Guidelines' have been developed to facilitate abstraction of stage by cancer registry personnel. Although the feasibility of staging using this system has been shown, there is limited information on the accuracy of staging.

Methods

A panel of case records of six common childhood cancers was established. A total of 51 cancer registrars from 20 SSA countries staged these records, using Tier 1 of the Toronto guidelines. The stage that they assigned was compared with that decided by two expert clinicians.

Results

The registrars assigned the correct stage for 53%–83% of cases (71% overall), with the lowest values for acute lymphocytic leukaemia (ALL), retinoblastoma and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), and the highest for osteosarcoma (81%) and Wilms tumour (83%). For ALL and NHL, many unstageable cases were mis‐staged, probably due to confusion over the rules for dealing with missing data; for the cases with adequate information, accuracy was 73%–75%. Some confusion was observed over the precise definition of three stage levels of retinoblastomas.

Conclusions

A single training in staging resulted in an accuracy, for solid tumours, that was not much inferior to what has been observed in high‐income settings. Nevertheless, some lessons were learned on how to improve both the guidelines and the training course.
Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Behavioral science
Authors: Embry Leanne , Bingen Kristin , Conklin Heather M. , Hardy Steven , Jacola Lisa M. , Marchak Jordan Gilleland , Paltin Iris , Pelletier Wendy , Devine Katie A.
Published: July 2023

As survival rates for childhood cancer have improved, there has been increasing focus on identifying and addressing adverse impacts of cancer and its treatment on children and their families during treatment and into survivorship. The Behavioral Science Committee (BSC) of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), comprised of psychologists, neuropsychologists, social workers, nurses, physicians, and clinical research associates, aims to improve the lives of children with cancer and their families through research and dissemination of empirically supported knowledge. Key achievements of the BSC include enhanced interprofessional collaboration through integration of liaisons into other key committees within COG, successful measurement of critical neurocognitive outcomes through standardized neurocognitive assessment strategies, contributions to evidence‐based guidelines, and optimization of patient‐reported outcome measurement. The collection of neurocognitive and behavioral data continues to be an essential function of the BSC, in the context of therapeutic trials that are modifying treatments to maximize event‐free survival, minimize adverse outcomes, and optimize quality of life. In addition, through hypothesis‐driven research and multidisciplinary collaborations, the BSC will also begin to prioritize initiatives to expand the systematic collection of predictive factors (e.g., social determinants of health) and psychosocial outcomes, with overarching goals of addressing health inequities in cancer care and outcomes, and promoting evidence‐based interventions to improve outcomes for all children, adolescents, and young adults with cancer.
Daily steps, walking tests, and functioning in chronic stroke; comparing independent walkers to device‐users
Authors: Levin Chedva , Bachar‐Kirshenboim Yishai , Rand Debbie
Published: July 2023

Background and Purpose

Community mobility post‐stroke is important for gaining independence in daily activities. Walking devices can facilitate mobility, but it remains unclear whether individuals who use a walking device walk as many daily steps as those who do not require a device. It is also unclear whether these groups differ in their independence in daily living. This study aimed (1) to compare daily steps, walking tests, and independence in basic and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) six months post‐stroke between individuals who walk independently and individuals who use a walking device, (2) within each group to assess correlations between daily steps and walking tests, independence in basic and IADL.

Methods

Thirty‐seven community‐dwelling individuals with chronic stroke; 22 participants used a walking‐device and 15 participants walked independently. Daily steps were calculated as a 3‐day mean by hip accelerometers. Clinical walking tests included the 10‐m‐walk‐test, Timed Up & Go and ‘Walking While Talking’. Daily living was assessed using the Functional‐Independence Measure and the IADL questionnaire.

Results

Daily steps of the device‐users were significantly lower than the independent‐walkers (195–8068 versus 147‐14010 steps/day) but independence in daily living was not significantly different. Different walking tests correlated with daily steps for device‐users and independent‐walkers.

Conclusions

This preliminary investigation in chronic stroke revealed that device‐users walk significantly fewer daily steps but are as independent in daily living as independent‐walkers. Clinicians should differentiate between individuals with and without a walking device and the use of different clinical walking tests to explain daily steps should be considered. Further research is needed to assess the impact of a walking device post‐stroke.
Parenting in place: Young children's living arrangement and migrants' sleep health in South Africa
Authors: Madhavan Sangeetha , Kim Seung Wan , White Michael , Gomez‐Olive Xavier
Published: July 2023

Migration research tends to treat childrearing as a secondary role for migrants. By prioritising the economic objectives of migration, most models present migrants as either delaying childbearing or, if they have young children, not living with them. However, migration has become increasingly feminised, the types of mobility more varied, while the returns to migration remain uncertain at best. At the same time, norms around childrearing are shifting, and the capacity of kin to take care of children may be weakening. In such contexts, migrants may not want to or be able to be separated from their children. Confronting such difficult decisions and their consequences may be reflected in poor sleep health for the migrant parent. We draw on data from the Migration and Health Follow‐Up Study (MHFUS) in South Africa to examine the following questions: (i) To what extent is children's coresidence associated with sleep health for migrant parents? (ii) Do effects vary by sex of migrant? and (iii) Do effects vary by location of migrant? Results from propensity score matching confirm that migrants who coreside with all their young children are more likely to experience healthy sleep compared to those who have nonresident or no young children. However, stratified analysis shows that these effects are only significant for women and those not living in Gauteng province. The value of these findings is underscored by the need for research on the well‐being of migrant parents who are negotiating multiple agendas in economically precarious and physically insecure destinations.
Leading beyond regulatory approval: Opportunities for statisticians to optimize evidence generation and impact clinical practice
Authors: Devenport Jenny , Schacht Alexander ,   The Launch & Lifecycle Special Interest Group within PSI
Published: July 2023

The role and value of statistical contributions in drug development up to the point of health authority approval are well understood. But health authority approval is only a true ‘win’ if the evidence enables access and adoption into clinical practice. In today's complex and evolving healthcare environment, there is additional strategic evidence generation, communication, and decision support that can benefit from statistical contributions. In this article, we describe the history of medical affairs in the context of drug development, the factors driving post‐approval evidence generation needs, and the opportunities for statisticians to optimize evidence generation for stakeholders beyond health authorities in order to ensure that new medicines reach appropriate patients.
IVM of human immature oocytes for infertility treatment and fertility preservation
Authors: Chian Ri‐Cheng , Li Jian‐Hua , Lim Jin‐Ho , Yoshida Hiroaki
Published: July 2023

Background

Thousands of healthy babies are born from in vitro maturation (IVM) procedures, but the rate of efficiency differs with the source of immature oocytes obtained. Recently, there are different IVM protocols proposed for infertility treatment and fertility preservation.

Methods

Based on the literature, the clinical application for IVM of immature oocytes was summarized.

Main findings (Results)

Immature oocytes may be retrieved from women after priming with or without the use of follicular stimulation hormone (FSH), human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) or a combination of both FSH and hCG. Successful pregnancy rates with IVM technology seem to be correlated with the number of immature oocytes obtained. With the source and culture course of immature oocytes, there are various IVM protocols. IVM of immature oocytes is profoundly affected by the culture conditions, but no breakthrough has been made by improving the IVM medium itself. Thus, the clinical application of IVM technology continues to evolve.

Conclusion

IVM technology is a useful technique for infertile women and fertility preservation. Mild stimulation IVF combined with IVM of immature oocytes is a viable alternative to the conventional stimulation IVF cycle treatment as it may prove to be an optimal first‐line treatment approach.
Spatial assessment on influence of land use and population density in the achievement score of sustainable development target 11.1
Authors: Venkatesh Baskaran , Velkennedy R
Published: July 2023

The United Nations (U.N.) has declared the present decade a “decade of action” to accelerate the phase of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) endorsed in 2015. These 17 goals are intended to protect the earth's environment, eradicate poverty and inequality, and guarantee that everyone lives in peace, harmony, and prosperity. Target 11.1 for safe and affordable housing from SDG 11: Sustainable cities and community is a crucial target for most developing nations. This target addresses the slums and informal settlements, which indicate inequalities in the urbanized city. The proportion of the population living in slum dwellings and informal settlements was the indicator to measure the achievement level of the target. The study area to assess the target is Tirunelveli City municipal corporation from southern India. The field survey was conducted in all 55 wards to locate and count the population of slums and informal settlements and to map the spatial variation of target scores among the wards. The spatial assessment was performed by comparing the attributes of population density and land use classes (water, built area, and bare land) with the achievement score of target 11.1 for each ward. With an overall score of 90.08, this city has no significant relation with population density (R2 = 0.07) and relevant land use classes (R2 = 0.05) at the ward level. The spatial tool, weighted mean centre, has concluded that slum settlements appeared randomly and dispersed throughout Tirunelveli without any pattern.
Environmental information disclosure, environmental innovation, and firms' growth performances: The moderating role of media attention
Authors: Liao Zhongju , Liu Ping , Bao Ping
Published: July 2023

Environmental innovation not only promotes the harmonious development of the economy and the environment, but also has an influence on firms' growth. Based on institutional theory and reputation theory, this study constructs a model of the relationship among environmental information disclosure, environmental innovation, and firms' growth performances along the path of institution — behavior — performance. By selecting the panel data of 200 heavily polluting firms listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen A‐share markets from 2014 to 2018 as the research sample, this study examines the role of environmental information disclosure in firms' environmental innovation and growth performances, as well as the moderating role of media attention. The results revealed that environmental information disclosure had a positive effect on firms' growth performances, and that eco‐product and eco‐process innovations played mediating roles in the relationship between environmental information disclosure and firms' growth performances. In addition, media attention positively moderated the influence of environmental information disclosure on firms' eco‐product innovations. This study contributes to the research on the antecedents of environmental innovation, and provides guidance for improving the environmental information disclosure system and for enhancing the level of firms' performance.
Directional Catalytic Conversion of Biomass Carbohydrates into High Added‐value Levulinates with Bifunctionalized Metal‐supported Carbon‐based Catalyst
Authors: Fan Teng , Zhang Ronghua , Feng Junfeng , Pan Hui
Published: July 2023

Carbon solid acid catalysts play a very important role in the high value‐added utilization of biomass and its derivatives. A series of carbon‐based solid acids catalysts were prepared by high‐temperature carbonization, hydrothermal sulfonation and metal impregnation using cellulose as the carbon source. The prepared catalysts were characterized by XRD, Raman, SEM‐EDX, BET, FT‐IR, XPS, ICP‐OES and the total acid density of the catalyst was tested by acid‐base titration. The experimental and characterization results showed that the large pore size, suitable specific surface area and acid density were the main reasons for the good catalytic performance of the catalyst 300‐AC‐Cr‐SO3H. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the conversion of glucose was 99.6 % and the yield of the products methyl levulinate and levulinic acid was 43.1 %. The study of the intermediates revealed that glucose is preferentially converted to methyl glucoside in methanol solution. In addition, the catalyst maintains good stability after three cycles.
Thermodynamics of Dimethyl Carbonate and Ethylene Carbonate Generation During the Conversion of Syngas to Ethylene Glycol
Authors: Song Can , Zhao Lihong , Yan Jie , Liang Xu , Liu Guoji , Jiang Yuanli
Published: July 2023

Despite recent progress in the coal‐to‐ethylene glycol (EG) technology, some indicators show that the obtained products are still different from those produced by the petroleum route method. Therefore, it is of great significance to improve the thermodynamic performance of the system to obtain an enhanced process technology. In this paper, thermodynamic data related to uncommon substances in coal‐to‐EG reactions were estimated using the Benson group contribution method, and the values of the reaction enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, and the equilibrium constant of each reaction in the system were calculated. We systematically analyzed the temperature influence on the main product, DMO (dimethyl oxalate), and the main by‐product, DMC (dimethyl carbonate), in the DMO synthesis reaction and the influence of the DMC content on the spontaneous formation of EC (ethylene carbonate) in the DMO hydrogenation reaction. The obtained results demonstrated that elevated temperatures are favorable for the generation of DMC. In the DMO hydrogenation reaction, the mass fraction of DMC should be less than 0.05678 % when the feeding proportion is based on industrial data. When pure DMO is fed, the mass fraction of DMC should be less than 0.0335 %. Finally, no special treatment is required for EC separation in these cases.
Intelligent Colorimetric Sensor for Discriminative Detection of Pd2+/Pd0 and PPh3 at Different Wavelength Readouts
Authors: Kaur Navdeep , Kour Rasdeep , Kaur Satwinderjeet , Singh Prabhpreet
Published: July 2023

In this report, we presented our results on a recognition of multiple analytes using trisubstituted PDI‐based chemosensor DNP in 50 % HEPES buffered‐CH3CN solution. Upon addition of Pd2+ or Pd0, DNP showed near IR ratiometric changes (A759nm/A560nm) with detection limit of 283 nM and 190 nM, respectively. These spectroscopic changes are associated with color change from violet to light yellow (de‐propargylation). The de‐propargylation reaction of DNP is faster in the presence of Pd2+ than Pd0. Upon addition of PPh3, DNP resulted in appearance of new bands at 615 and 698 nm with decrease of absorbance intensity at 560 nm with detection limit of 349 nM. Two isosbestic points at 504 nm and 600 nm was observed. This change is associated with color changes from violet to blue. DNP coated TLC‐strips can be used for the detection of 4×10−4 M Pd0 and PPh3. We have demonstrated the practical application of DNP (i) for the detection of Pd0 in live A549 cells and (ii) for detection of Pd2+/Pd0 in simulated urine (10 %) samples with recovery of (>98±5 %).
Design and Synthesis of Isobavachalcone Derivatives as Potential Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors
Authors: Zhang Wen , Zhu Fuli , Huang Yi , He Xiangli , Li Jie , Huang Jin , Ma Lei
Published: July 2023

Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) inhibitors have been reported to exhibit multi‐therapeutic potential due to their various pharmacological effects. As a result, the design and development of novel DHODH inhibitors is both necessary and an intriguing topic. Previous studies have demonstrated that Isobavachalcone, a natural compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia, can efficiently inhibit the DHODH activity. Three primary series, designated A, B and C, were designed and synthesized based on the lead compound Isobavachalcone. The inhibitory activities of these compounds were evaluated using the Orotate Production Assay method, and the corresponding structure‐activity relationship (SAR) were thoroughly examined. Additionally, the interactions between the best active compounds and the DHODH protein were analyzed through a molecular docking study. These findings suggest that these derivatives have the potential to be promising candidates for the development of a new family of DHODH inhibitors.
Catalyst‐ and Solvent‐Free Room Temperature Synthesis of α‐Aminophosphonates: Green Accomplishment of the Kabachnik–Fields Reaction
Authors: Gábor Dóra , Pollák Patrik , Volk Balázs , Dancsó András , Simig Gyula , Milen Mátyás
Published: July 2023

A catalyst‐ and solvent‐free room temperature method has been elaborated for the three‐component (carbonyl compounds, primary or secondary amines and phosphites) Kabachnik–Fields synthesis of α‐aminophosphonates. First, we have studied some parameters that potentially influence the course of the reaction using benzaldehyde, aniline and diethyl phosphite. In order to extend the reaction under the new reaction conditions, we then carried out 3 series of experiments always varying one of the three reagents. In general, with a few exceptions, good yields were obtained, although in some cases long reaction times were required.
Coupling Single‐Atom Sites and Ordered Intermetallic PtM Nanoparticles for Efficient Catalysis in Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhou Fangyao , Ruan Yaner , Zhu Mengzhao , Gao Xiaoping , Guo Wenxin , Liu Xiaokang , Wang Wenyu , Chen Min , Wu Geng , Yao Tao , Zhou Huang , Wu Yuen
Published: July 2023

The design of an efficient catalytic system with low Pt loading and excellent stability for the acidic oxygen reduction reaction is still a challenge for the extensive application of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cells. Here, a gas‐phase ordered alloying strategy is proposed to construct an effective synergistic catalytic system that blends PtM intermetallic compounds (PtM IMC, M = Fe, Cu, and Ni) and dense isolated transition metal sites (M‐N4) on nitrogen‐doped carbon (NC). This strategy enables Pt nanoparticles and defects on the NC support to timely trap flowing metal salt without partial aggregation, which is attributed to the good diffusivity of gaseous transition metal salts with low boiling points. In particular, the resulting Pt1Fe1 IMC cooperating with Fe‐N4 sites achieves cooperative oxygen reduction with a half‐wave potential up to 0.94 V and leads to a high mass activity of 0.51 A  mgPt−1 and only 23.5% decay after 30 k cycles, both of which exceed DOE 2025 targets. This strategy provides a method for reducing Pt loading in fuel cells by integrating Pt‐based intermetallics and single transition metal sites to produce an efficient synergistic catalytic system.
Managing data replication and distribution in the fog with FReD
Authors: Pfandzelter Tobias , Japke Nils , Schirmer Trever , Hasenburg Jonathan , Bermbach David
Published: July 2023

The heterogeneous, geographically distributed infrastructure of fog computing poses challenges in data replication, data distribution, and data mobility for fog applications. Fog computing is still missing the necessary abstractions to manage application data, and fog application developers need to re‐implement data management for every new piece of software. Proposed solutions are limited to certain application domains, such as the IoT, are not flexible in regard to network topology, or do not provide the means for applications to control the movement of their data. In this paper, we present FReD, a data replication middleware for the fog. FReD serves as a building block for configurable fog data distribution and enables low‐latency, high‐bandwidth, and privacy‐sensitive applications. FReD is a common data access interface across heterogeneous infrastructure and network topologies, provides transparent and controllable data distribution, and can be integrated with applications from different domains. To evaluate our approach, we present a prototype implementation of FReD and show the benefits of developing with FReD using three case studies of fog computing applications.
Spatial Feature Extraction for Acute Blood Pressure Fluctuations in Facial Visible Images Using Sparse Coding
Authors: Yamamoto Shoto , Oiwa Kosuke , Nozawa Akio , Yoshida Atsushi , Nagumo Kent
Published: July 2023

Remote blood pressure measurement using visible images facilitates routine blood pressure monitoring and leads to early detection of hypertension, a risk factor for lifestyle diseases. The previous study that attempted to estimate blood pressure by applying CNN to facial thermal images found that facial images contain two types of features, physiological responses and expression changes, which need to be separated. In contrast, we found that these features could be separated by using sparse coding on facial thermal images. This study used sparse coding to extract physiological response areas during acute blood pressure fluctuations from facial visible images by examining preprocessing. The results indicated that sparse coding and the proposed preprocessing methods for images were effective. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
The photolytic breakdown of caffeine and paracetamol residues in surface water
Authors: Alhassen Haysem M. , Dyer Fiona J. , Thompson Ross M.
Published: July 2023

High concentrations of the most consumed pharmaceuticals, caffeine and paracetamol, have been observed globally in wastewater treatment plant discharge. Here, we assess the potential for photodegradation of caffeine and paracetamol residues at concentrations like those observed in treated wastewater discharges to the environment. Laboratory assays were used to measure rates of photodegradation of these two compounds both in distilled water and in natural river water with leaf litter leachate. When exposed to artificial light simulating natural sunlight, the half‐life values of caffeine and paracetamol were significantly shorter than in the dark. The presence of organic matter increased caffeine and paracetamol half‐life by lessening the photolytic effect. These results suggest that photolysis is a substantial contributor to the degradation of caffeine and paracetamol. The findings contribute to our understanding of persistence of pharmaceuticals in treated wastewater discharge.

Practitioner Points

The photodegradation of caffeine and paracetamol residues in surface water was examined.

With leaf litter leachate, caffeine and paracetamol were photodegraded in distilled and natural river water in laboratory.

Caffeine's half‐life ranged from 2.3 to 16.2 days under artificial sunlight andparacetamols from 4.3 to 12.2 days.

When incubated in the dark, the half‐life for both compounds exceeded 4 weeks.

Organic matter decreased the photolytic action of caffeine and paracetamol.
Trend analysis of rainfall and temperature of Ranganadi catchment with a study of the riverline shifts using satellite imagery
Authors: Kalita Ananya , Bormudoi Arnob , Singh Pranveer , Saikia Ankur Pan
Published: July 2023

A study of trend analysis of rainfall and temperature was carried out in Ranganadi catchment which originates in the hills of Arunachal Pradesh. A nonparametric test (Mann–Kendall and Sen slope test) was employed to check the trend of both rainfall and temperature in different seasons of the year from for a period of 30 years (1990–2021). The test was applied to four stations, namely, Itanagar, Chyang Tajo, Lilabari, and NH Road Crossing covering the catchment area of Ranganadi. The test revealed a nonsignificant trend of rainfall and somewhat significant trend for temperature. The study further focused to analyze the shift and sinuosity index of the river for the years (1999–2020) with an interval of 3 years using satellite images. While the sinuosity index test failed to establish a significant change of category of the river, there were significant changes of bankline shifts, which were noticed in the same period of analysis more of random in nature. The shifting of the river added to significant social and economic problems in the study area including unemployment and population migration. It opens for a study of this temperature change to be investigated with these erratic shifts for a further analysis. This study aimed to investigate several key aspects in the floodplain of the Subansiri–Ranganadi Doab, Brahmaputra Valley, India. The research encompassed a comprehensive analysis of rainfall and temperature trends in the Ranganadi catchment area, originating from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh.
Absichten und Interesse der Arbeit
Authors: Jesacher-Rößler Livia
Published: July 2023

Mit der systemweiten Einführung der Neuen Mittelschule (NMS) ab dem Schuljahr 2012/2013 hat sich aus Schulentwicklungsperspektive eine Systemintervention in der österreichischen Schullandschaft vollzogen, die es in dieser Form noch nicht gab. Insgesamt knapp 1.300 (vgl. Statistik Austria) vormalige Hauptschulen wurden über insgesamt acht Generationen und jeweils zwei Jahre systematisch auf nationaler Ebene begleitet. Insbesondere Schulleiterinnen und Schulleiter sowie eine ausgewählte Lehrperson des Kollegiums (neue Funktion: Lerndesigner/-in) wurden in bundesweiten Lernateliers durch forschungsgeleitete Ansätze und Konzepte mit eine neuen Lern- und Lehrkultur vertraut gemacht – einer Hinwendung zu einer lernseitigen Herangehensweise sowohl auf Unterrichts- als auch auf Schulentwicklungsebene.
Erhebungsdesign und die empirische Studie im Rahmen des Projektes Modellregion Bildung Zillertal
Authors: Jesacher-Rößler Livia
Published: July 2023

Der empirischen Untersuchung werden in dieser Arbeit zwei Aufgaben zuteil. Auf der einen Seite soll explorativ ein erweitertes Wissen über Schulleitungshandeln entwickelt werden. Auf der anderen Seite sollen die im theoretischen Teil aufgearbeiteten organisationstheoretischen Annahmen zu responsiven Akten der Schulleitenden veranschaulicht und formulierte Hypothesen modifiziert bzw. partiell überprüft werden. Damit diese beiden Aufgaben umgesetzt werden können, erfolgt zunächst eine Kontextdarstellung der Erhebung sowie in weiterer Folge eine Beschreibung der methodischen Vorgehensweise.
The course of health-related quality of life in the first 2 years after a diagnosis of head and neck cancer: the role of personal, clinical, psychological, physical, social, lifestyle, disease-related, and biological factors
Authors: Verdonck-de Leeuw Irma M. , Korsten Laura H.A. , van Nieuwenhuizen Annette , Baatenburg de Jong Rob J. , Brakenhoff Ruud H. , Buffart Laurien M. , Lamers Femke , Langendijk Johannes A. , Leemans C. René , Smit Jan H. , Sprangers Mirjam A. , Takes Robert P. , Terhaard Chris H. J. , Lissenberg-Witte Birgit I. , Jansen Femke
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The aim of this prospective cohort study was to estimate the relationship between the course of HRQOL in the first 2 years after diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) and personal, clinical, psychological, physical, social, lifestyle, HNC-related, and biological factors.

Methods

Data were used from 638 HNC patients of the NETherlands QUality of life and BIomedical Cohort study (NET-QUBIC). Linear mixed models were used to investigate factors associated with the course of HRQOL (EORTC QLQ-C30 global quality of life (QL) and summary score (SumSc)) from baseline to 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment.

Results

Baseline depressive symptoms, social contacts, and oral pain were significantly associated with the course of QL from baseline to 24 months. Tumor subsite and baseline social eating, stress (hyperarousal), coughing, feeling ill, and IL-10 were associated with the course of SumSc. Post-treatment social contacts and stress (avoidance) were significantly associated with the course of QL from 6 to 24 months, and social contacts and weight loss with the course of SumSc. The course of SumSc from 6 to 24 months was also significantly associated with a change in financial problems, speech problems, weight loss, and shoulder problems between baseline and 6 months.

Conclusion

Baseline clinical, psychological, social, lifestyle, HNC-related, and biological factors are associated with the course of HRQOL from baseline to 24 months after treatment. Post-treatment social, lifestyle, and HNC-related factors are associated with the course of HRQOL from 6 to 24 months after treatment.
Experimental Study of In-medium Spectral Change of Vector Mesons at J-PARC
Authors: Aoki Kazuya , Arimizu Daichi , Ashikaga Sakiko , Chang Wen-Chen , Chujo Tatsuya , Ebata Kengo , En’yo Hideto , Esumi Shinichi , Hamagaki Hideki , Honda Ryotaro , Ichikawa Masaya , Kajikawa Shunsuke , Kanno Koki , Kimura Yuta , Kiyomichi Akio , Kondo Takehito K. , Kyan Shono , Lin Che-Sheng , Lin Chih-Hsun , Morino Yuhei , Murakami Hikari , Murakami Tomoki N. , Muto Ryotaro , Nagafusa Shunnosuke , Nakai Wataru , Nakasuga Satomi , Naruki Megumi , Nonaka Toshihiro , Noumi Hiroyuki , Ochiai Shuta , Ozawa Kyoichiro , Sakaguchi Takao , Sako Hiroyuki , Sakuma Fuminori , Sato Susumu , Sawada Shinya , Sekimoto Michiko , Shigaki Kenta , Shirotori Kotaro , Sugimura Hitoshi , Takahashi Tomonori N. , Takaura Yudai , Tatsumi Ryohei , Tsukui Kosuke , Wang Po-Hung , Yahiro Kanta , Yamaguchi Kanako H. , Yokkaichi Satoshi
Published: July 2023

Chiral symmetry and its spontaneous breaking is an essential property of the QCD vacuum and is closely related to the generation of hadron mass. J-PARC E16 experiment measures dielectron spectra in p+A collisions at 30 GeV to study the in-medium spectral change of vector mesons that signals the partial restoration of the broken symmetry. The experiment uses the primary proton beam available at the high-momentum beam line of the J-PARC hadron experimental facility. We performed three proton-beam runs intended for beamline and detector commissioning. We are preparing for the next commissioning run in 2023 and the first physics run. We present the experimental setup, some of the expected results, preparation status, and some findings in the commissioning runs.
Technological knowledge and wages: from skill premium to wage polarization
Authors: Afonso Oscar , Sequeira Tiago , Almeida Derick
Published: July 2023

This paper studies the impact of automation shocks on the technological-knowledge level, skill premium (or wage inequality), real prices, output, and economic growth. To highlight the economic mechanisms, we devise a task-based direct technical change model that allows us to analyze the determinants of the threshold task, the relative output and prices between sectors, intra- and inter-sectoral wage differences, wage polarization and economic growth rates. We observe that an increase in the efficiency of skilled or unskilled workers as well as a decrease in the efficiency of medium-skilled workers as possible result of automation always increase wage polarization as well as economic growth rates. In a quantitative exercise we also assess the change in the weight of routine and non-routine sectors in the economy. In this context, governments should implement policies to support the professional transition of medium-skilled workers to non-routinazable tasks.
Phosphorus recovery methods from secondary resources, assessment of overall benefits and barriers with focus on the Nordic countries
Authors: Hosseinian Aida , Pettersson Anita , Ylä-Mella Jenni , Pongrácz Eva
Published: July 2023

Phosphorus (P) recovery and recycling play a crucial role in improving resource efficiency, sustainable nutrient management and moving toward circular economy. Increasing demand for fertilizers, signs of geopolitical constraints, and high discharge of P to waterbodies are the other reasons to pursue the circularity of P. Various research have been carrying out and several processes have been developed for P-recovery from different resources. However, there is still a huge unexplored potential for P-recovery specially in the regional framework from the four main P-rich waste resources: food waste, manure, mining waste, and sewage sludge. This study reviews recovery methods of P from these secondary resources comprehensively. Additionally, it analyzes the Nordic viewpoint of P-cycle by evaluating Nordic reserves, demands, and secondary resources to gain a systematic assessment of how Nordic countries could move toward circular economy of P. Results of this study show that secondary resources of P in Nordic countries have the potential of replacing mineral fertilizer in these countries to a considerable extent. However, to overcome the challenges of P-recovery from studied resources, policymakers and researchers need to take decisions and make innovation along each other to open the new possibilities for Nordic economy.
Reporting in large-scale agile organizations: insights and recommendations from a case study in software development
Authors: Schüll Moritz , Hofmann Peter , Philipp Pascal , Urbach Nils
Published: July 2023

Application of agile software development methodologies in large-scale organizations is becoming increasingly common. However, working with multiple teams and on multiple products at the same time yields higher coordination and communication efforts compared to single-team settings for which agile methodologies have been designed originally. With the introduction of agile methodologies at scale also comes the need to be able to report progress and performance not only of individual teams but also on higher aggregation of products and portfolios. Due to faster iterations, production of intermediate work results, increased autonomy of teams, and other novel characteristics, agile methodologies are challenging existing reporting approaches in large organizations. Based on 23 interviews with 17 practitioners from a large German car manufacturing company, this case study investigates challenges with reporting in large-scale agile settings. Further, based on insights from the case study, recommendations are derived. We find that combining reporting and agile methodologies in large-scale settings is indeed challenging in practice. Our research contributes to the understanding of these challenges, and points out opportunities for future research to improve reporting in large-scale agile organizations by goal-setting and automation.