Challenging Process Research Articles

Think-aloud approach combined with case-based learning in nursing teaching round for new nurses in cancer hospital

BackgroundThe transition from nursing students to working as new nurses can be a challenging process. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a pedagogical approach amalgamating the think-aloud approach and case-based learning in the instructional rounds for new nurses.MethodsUtilizing convenience sampling, new nurses were selected between 2020 and 2021 in China cancer hospital. A total of 98 participants agreed to participate, with 50 enrolled in 2020 as the control group and 48 in 2021 as the observation group. Across a span of weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11, each clinical department conducted six teaching rounds. The observation group engaged in teaching rounds combining the think-aloud approach with case-based learning, whereas the control group solely utilized case-based learning. Disparities in case analysis scores and critical thinking ability between the two groups were scrutinized, alongside an analysis of learning strategies and the observation group feedback.ResultsThe observation group exhibited superior case analysis scores (91.92 ± 6.33) and overall critical thinking ability scores (308.39 ± 35.88) in comparison to the control group, which scored (85.27 ± 5.39) and (275.11 ± 31.32) respectively, reflecting statistically significant variances (t = 1.868 ~ 6.361, P < 0.05). Predominant learning strategies employed in the observation group ranged from cognitive to meta-cognitive, followed by psychosocial strategies. During interviews focused on nurses’ feedback on the learning process, themes emerged surrounding the enhancement of learning proficiency, invigoration of learning enthusiasm, and bolstering psychological well-being.ConclusionThe combination of think-aloud approach and case-based learning in nursing teaching rounds greatly improves the efficiency of training and the critical thinking acuity of new nurses. Concurrently, it facilitated an evaluation of learning strategies, thereby offering valuable insights for the nursing teaching rounds of new nurse.

Computational fluid dynamics simulating of the FDA benchmark blood pump with different coefficient sets and scaler shear stress models used in the power-law hemolysis model.

Hemolysis is the most important issue to consider in the design and optimization of blood-contacting devices. Although the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) in hemolysis prediction studies provides convenience and has promising potential, it is an extremely challenging process. Hemolysis predictions with CFD depend on the mesh, implementation method, coefficient set, and scalar-shear-stress model. To this end, an attempt was made to find the combination that would provide the most accurate result in hemolysis prediction with the commonly cited power-law based hemolysis model. In the hemolysis predictions conducted using CFD on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) benchmark blood pump, 3 different scalar-shear-stress models, and 5 different coefficient sets with the power-law based hemolysis model were used. Also, a mesh independence test based on hemolysis and pressure head was performed. The pressure head results of CFD simulations were compared with published pressure head of the FDA benchmark blood pump and a good agreement was observed. In addition, results of CFD-hemolysis predictions which are conducted with scalar-shear-stress model and coefficient set combinations were compared with experimental hemolysis data at three operating conditions such as 6-7L/min flow rates at 3500rpm rotational speeds and 6L/min at 2500rpm. One of the combinations of the scalar-shear-stress model and the coefficient set was found to be within the error limits of the experimental measurements, while all other combinations overestimated hemolysis.

Acculturative stress and identity challenges undermine the successful reintegration of Australian veterans.

Reintegration into civilian society following military separation is a challenging process. There is a dearth of research into the impact of these factors on Australian veteran reintegration. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of Australian veterans during reintegration, through the lens of acculturative stress and identity. Ten interviews were conducted with ex-serving members of the Australian Defence Force. Post-1990 veterans of all genders, who were at least 18 years of age, from all service branches were eligible for the study. Thematic analysis revealed two overarching themes each with three main themes; acculturative stress (assimilation, societal issues, social isolation), and integrated identity (acceptance, integrated communities, and adapting to the civilian world). Each main theme contained two subthemes illustrating their significance. Difficulty integrating civilian and veteran identities was a key barrier to successful reintegration and negative separation experiences undermined integration of civilian and veteran identities. Acculturative stressors identified were poor understanding by family, community, and clinicians of the incompatibility between military and civilian cultures. Education is needed for clinicians, the community, and families about military culture and difficulties for veterans when reintegrating into civilian society. Support for reintegration should be tailored to the needs of veterans encompassing personally meaningful activities, use of military skills in civilian contexts, ongoing membership of the military community and engagement with other veterans. This will ultimately foster integration of veteran and civilian identities, enabling veterans to retain their veteran identity in a manner that is adaptive for the civilian context. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Graft Paste to Tackle Nasal Dorsal Irregularities: A Comparative, Prospective, Double Blinded Study.

Preventing dorsal irregularities, especially in noses with high humps, is still a challenging process. Classic treatment with diced grafts may itself result in dorsal irregularities. It was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of graft paste in preventing and correcting the dorsal irregularities. A total of 60 patients were included in this study. While diced cartilage was used in group A, graft paste was used in group B. Hump heights and collected graft volume were recorded. To evaluate aesthetic outcomes, preoperative and postoperative ROE questionnaire and postoperative physical examination were performed. Although the hump height of group A (5.9 ± 1.02mm) was greater than that of group B (5.6 ± 1.15mm), the collected graft volume in group B was statistically higher (P < 05) (0.26 ± 0.05cc and 0.16 ± 0.13cc, respectively). Group B showed higher postoperative ROE scores (84.67 ± 8.9) compared to group A (80.15 ± 7.6). While the mean physical examination score for group A was 1.12 ± 0.96, this value was 0.62 ± 0.71 for group B (P < 05). None of the patients of group B had visible irregularities, but two patients of group A had. The graft paste is a safe and reliable method to prevent and treat the dorsal irregularities. The paste has a soft and cohesive structure which makes it to ideal for filling the irregularities and the dead spaces on the surface of the dorsum. Graft paste was associated with a better aesthetic outcome compared to diced cartilage. This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors https://www.springer.com/00266 .

Emulsion liquid membrane pertraction of soap from crude biodiesel using activated carbon and glycol based deep eutectic solvents

Soap removal from crude biodiesel is considered as one of the most challenging biorefinery processes. This study reports a new technique for soap removal incorporating activated carbon (AC) in an emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) system based on deep eutectic solvents (DES-AC-ELM). These DESs were prepared from two salts, namely tetramethylammonium chloride (TMAC) and choline chloride (ChCl), with different hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) such as ethylene glycol (EG), diethylene glycol (DEG) and triethylene glycol (TEG). COSMO-RS modelling was performed in the evaluation of the activity coefficients and capacity at infinite dilution of DESs. The COSMO-RS simulation shows that the DESs with TEG as the HBD are the most effective stripping agents for soap removal which is in accordance with the experimental results. In addition, the σ-profile and σ-potential were used to investigate the interactions between the soap molecules in each phase. The impact of various process parameters on the soap removal such as the salt: HBD ratio, DES:biodiesel ratio, span-20 concentration, mixing speed, extraction time and dosage of AC were evaluated. The proposed technique achieved a soap extraction efficiency of 99.1% (6.856 ppm) and 97.5% (18.773 ppm) for TMAC:TEG(DES3) and ChCl:TEG(DES6), respectively, with a salt: HBD molar ratio of 1:4, DES:biodiesel ratio of 1:1, 2 wt% surfactant concentration, 10 min extraction duration, 400 rpm mixing speed, 0.5 treatment ratio and 0.5 wt% AC dosage. The transport mechanism of soap conforms to a first-order mass transfer behaviour, with a kinetic rate constant of 0.64 min−1 and 0.43 min−1, for DES3 and DES6, respectively. This study illustrated a new cleaner and simple route for purification of crude biodiesel.

Principal Allyship in Saskatchewan Inner-City Schools

ABSTRACT Schools that are described as “inner-city” schools in Saskatchewan are commonly found in communities plagued with racialized poverty that consist predominantly of Indigenous families. Principals who are considered to be allies by Indigenous communities work alongside Indigenous students, families, and staff to challenge the effects of colonization and marginalization, and collectively work on student learning outcomes. This article reports on the findings of a study that examined school-based leadership within an inner-city Saskatchewan school with a high Indigenous population. The purpose of the study was to invite Indigenous people associated with schools to discuss school leadership and the extent to which school-based leaders can work as allies to improve the experiences of Indigenous students. Participants identified significant challenges within inner-city schools rooted in colonization, racism, and poverty, as well as mitigating measures that school leaders can take to offset some effects of these challenges. The need for principals to be identifiable to the community through their actions was significant. This included demonstrating a commitment to listening and learning from the community; maintaining high expectations for students as well as staff; focusing on relationship building with all segments of the community; welcoming diverse perspectives in decision-making, and; challenging and changing unjust processes and systems.

(Invited) The Electrochemical-Mechanical Coupled Interface Contacts during Lithium Plating and Stripping

The current density during battery operation is often assumed uniform across the entire electrode surface. This may be valid for conformal solid/liquid interfaces; however, solid/solid interfaces generally have imperfect contacts. By introducing the contact area ratio, γ, to the electrochemical model, it can be demonstrated clearly that the effective current density scales linearly with the 1/γ and the overpotential scales exponentially with contact area loss, 1-γ.The calculation of surface contact area must consider the multi-length-scale nature of surface roughness. Assuming surface roughness is self-affine, Bo Persson’s multiscale contact mechanics model for elastic materials can be used for the cathode/solid electrolyte interface to predict the necessary pressure to maintain the original contact area. [1]However, the most challenging process is Li-stripping, as the vacancy generated by each Li atom removed from the interfaces can accumulate and generate voids, reducing the contact area. However, under an applied stack pressure, the self-affine property will reach a steady state interface contact ratio (γo.) in different length scales. Thus, we proposed a coupled atomistic-and-continuum model, which will capture Li striping and vacancy hopping and accumulation near the Li/SE interface with Density Functional Theory (DFT) informed Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations and predict the macroscopic contact area evolution according to the macroscopic creep law with finite element simulations (FEM). The creep rate will be mapped to preferred forward hopping rates for all the Li atoms at the atomic scale. Solving these models iteratively leads to a steady contact area ratio (γo.). Generally, lithiophilic interface requires less stack pressure to maintain a flat surface while a higher stack pressure is needed at lithiophobic interfaces to accelerate Li vacancy diffusion into the bulk and maintain a flat surface. This critical stack pressure needs to be high enough to alter the Li forward-and-backward hopping barriers at the interface. This predictive multiscale simulation scheme was able to combine multiple chemical-mechanical effects during Li stripping morphology evolution. [2,3] [1] Hong-Kang Tian and Yue Qi, Electrochem. Soc. 2017, 164, E3512[2] T. Yang and Y. Qi, Chem. Mat. 2021, 33, 2814-2823[3] Feng, C.T. Yang, and Y. Qi, J. Electrochem. Soc. 2022, 169, 090526

(Digital Presentation) Experimental Techniques for Parameterization of a Commercial 21700 Lithium-Ion Cell for Multiscale Battery Models

Lithium-ion batteries have gained huge attention in the past few decades. Since its commercialization, a steady improvement in cost, and performance over the last 25 years has surfaced many new applications such as EV, HEV, etc., and growing popularity for military and aerospace applications [1, 2]. However, developing a safer, longer life, high energy, power-dense, and cheaper Lithium-ion battery requires a concerted research effort from various disciplines. For a long time, research was focused on developing the chemistry, but in the recent past, the improvement in the battery performance has been realized by reengineering the manufacturing processes and model innovation that help to understand the battery performance during the charging-discharging process. Battery models employed to optimize and predict battery performance are useful tools to design and manage batteries to ensure safe and efficient utilization. To understand the underlying physical, chemical, and electrochemical properties and precisely capture the cell dynamics in EVs application, the model should be based on fundamental governing equations of diffusion and migration processes as well as the kinetics of species intercalation.The physicochemical model requires precisely evaluated model parameters for the materials under consideration. Accurately measured kinetics and transport parameters will hold the key to deriving reliable conclusions about the internal state of a Lithium-ion battery. Parameter’s quantification is a challenging and time-consuming process that requires a range of characterization and analytical methods as shown in Figure. The battery modelling community usually borrowed the parameters list from the literature, with their origins not essentially being traced [3]. In literature, parameterizations have been reported for both high-energy and high-power cells for a physicochemical model [4-7]. This work employed several characterization techniques to parametrize a commercial Lithium-ion cell model. Also, various analytical methods were employed to determine the geometrical, chemical, and electrode microstructure as suggested in Figure. To determine the thermodynamic, kinetics, and transport properties of the extracted electrode materials different electrochemical tests, e.g., galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), constant current constant voltage (CC-CV) charge and constant current (CC) discharge were employed. The parameter’s accuracy would be investigated by validating the mathematical modelling simulation results with the experimental charge-discharge curves at different currents of the commercial 21700 cell at room temperature.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within Ireland’s Police Service, An Garda Síochána: Bridging the Gap between Commitments and Reality

Abstract The Black Lives Matter movement highlighted the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in a policing context. Using the Irish police service, An Garda Síochána, as a case study, this article critically evaluates efforts to promote EDI within a policing organization that has been characterized as resistant to change. It focuses primarily on the implementation of relevant recommendations contained in the landmark 2018 Report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. It demonstrates that while building a culture that respects and promotes EDI within any organization is a challenging process, it can be even more difficult in policing organizations due to police sub-culture. It submits that laws, policies and commitments, while necessary, are insufficient of themselves to achieve transformative change. Strong and committed leadership is also required, as well as measures to recruit and retain a diverse workforce at all levels, sufficient resourcing for EDI initiatives, EDI training that accords with international best practice, efforts to improve relationships with marginalized communities, measures to combat hate crime and racial profiling, effective mechanisms for collecting EDI data and evaluating EDI policies, and a robust governance, oversight and accountability framework. While identifying and welcoming measures undertaken to date by An Garda Síochána to convert EDI policy commitments into reality, the article also highlights areas where improvements are necessary. Finally, aligning with several theorists of police sub-culture, the article concludes that any efforts to promote EDI within An Garda Síochána will need to be accompanied by efforts to combat structural inequality in wider society.

Relationships between work-family conflict and family structure in the lives of working mothers in Hungary – a pilot study

BackgroundThe family, as the basic socialization environment, is a complex dynamic system that - as a whole and through its subsystems - is in relationships with other social systems (Bagdy in Family socialization and personality disorders. Nemzeti Tankönyvkiadó, Budapest, 2002; Lakatos et al. in Mentálhigiéné és Pszichoszomatika 21(1):56–85, 2020). The system with which the family system has long-term relationships is the work system/environment. Creating and maintaining a work-life balance has become a central issue in our societies, as they are two of the most organising forces, and reconciling them is a very difficult task due to the demands and expectations coming from both directions, often simultaneously (Makra et al. in Magyar Pszichológiai Szemle 67(3):491–518, 2012). This kind of “double burden” primarily affects women, but their increasing role in the labour market is not necessarily followed by an equal sharing of work within family life (Engler et al. in Work-life balance in women’s careers. In: Tardos K, Paksi V, Fábri Gy (eds) Scientific careers in the early 21st century. Belvedere Meridionale, Szeged, pp 114–126, 2021). We hypothesise that involvement in work negatively correlates with work-life balance, making it more difficult to integrate into the family. It was expected that the relationship between the number of children and mothers’ professional involvement would be negative. A positive correlation was expected between the age of the youngest child and the mothers’ work involvement. On the other hand, a family united by cohesion and resilience leads to higher job satisfaction.MethodsFor the present analysis, we analysed the relationships between work-family conflict and family structure in working mothers with children in a sample of 273 participants. The self-reported questionnaire included demographic data and 2 standard questionnaires: the Work-Family Conflict Questionnaire and the Olson-Family Test (FACES-IV.). The study was conducted in Hungary.ResultsNo significant relationship was found between work involvement and work-family conflict. A negative relationship was observed between work involvement and family involvement. Similiarily, no significant relationship was found between the number of children, the age of the youngest child and work involvement, contrary to expectations. The findings indicate a positive relationship between good family cohesion, flexibility and job satisfaction.ConclusionStriking a work-family balance is a challenging process for families with young children, especially working mothers. A mutually negative relationship between work and family involvement has been shown. The importance of a well-functioning family, with adequate cohesion and flexibility, is reflected in family and job satisfaction. The relationship between work-to-family conflict and job involvement is moderated significantly only when family flexibility is low. The results from the present pilot study indicate important relationships between variables and point to further research directions worth investigating in a larger sample in the future.

Pore Chemistry and Architecture Control in Anionic Functional Ultramicroporous Materials for Record Dense Packing of Xenon.

Adsorptive separation of Xe and Kr is an industrially promising but challenging process because of their identical shape and similar physicochemical properties. Herein, we demonstrate a strategy through rationally designing the linkers of anionic functional ultramicroporous materials (FUMs) to finely regulate the pore chemistry and architecture, which creates unique stepped channels incorporating dense polar nanotraps to generate a larger effective pore space and enables dense packing of Xe. A new hydrolytically stable FUM (ZUL-530) was prepared, which for the first time achieves a Xe packing density exceeding the liquid Xe density at atmospheric conditions in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) (based on experimental data), resulting in both excellent Xe uptake (2.55 mmol g-1 at 0.2 bar) and high IAST selectivity (20.5). GCMC and DFT-D calculations reveal the essential role of the stepped traps in the dense packing of Xe. Breakthrough experiments demonstrate remarkable productivities of both high-purity Kr (6.70 mmol g-1) and Xe (1.78 mmol g-1) for the Xe/Kr (20:80) mixture. In a model nuclear industry exhaust gas, ZUL-530 exhibits a top-class Xe dynamic capacity (28.8 mmol kg-1) for trace Xe, which proves it is one of the best candidates for Xe/Kr separation.

Exact parameter identification in PET pharmacokinetic modeling using the irreversible two tissue compartment model * *This work was partly funded by the NIH Grants P41-EB017183 and R01-EB031199-02.

Objective. In quantitative dynamic positron emission tomography (PET), time series of images, reflecting the tissue response to the arterial tracer supply, are reconstructed. This response is described by kinetic parameters, which are commonly determined on basis of the tracer concentration in tissue and the arterial input function. In clinical routine the latter is estimated by arterial blood sampling and analysis, which is a challenging process and thus, attempted to be derived directly from reconstructed PET images. However, a mathematical analysis about the necessity of measurements of the common arterial whole blood activity concentration, and the concentration of free non-metabolized tracer in the arterial plasma, for a successful kinetic parameter identification does not exist. Here we aim to address this problem mathematically. Approach. We consider the identification problem in simultaneous pharmacokinetic modeling of multiple regions of interests of dynamic PET data using the irreversible two-tissue compartment model analytically. In addition to this consideration, the situation of noisy measurements is addressed using Tikhonov regularization. Furthermore, numerical simulations with a regularization approach are carried out to illustrate the analytical results in a synthetic application example.Main results. We provide mathematical proofs showing that, under reasonable assumptions, all metabolic tissue parameters can be uniquely identified without requiring additional blood samples to measure the arterial input function. A connection to noisy measurement data is made via a consistency result, showing that exact reconstruction of the ground-truth tissue parameters is stably maintained in the vanishing noise limit. Furthermore, our numerical experiments suggest that an approximate reconstruction of kinetic parameters according to our analytic results is also possible in practice for moderate noise levels. Significance. The analytical result, which holds in the idealized, noiseless scenario, suggests that for irreversible tracers, fully quantitative dynamic PET imaging is in principle possible without costly arterial blood sampling and metabolite analysis.

A self-learning particle swarm optimization for bi-level assembly scheduling of material-sensitive orders

In modern assembly production, maximizing fulfillment becomes challenging amid resource scarcity and process unpredictability. This study addresses such issues with an effective approach to solving the integrated problem. This confluence presents a scenario where resource allocation mirrors a multidimensional knapsack and job sequencing corresponds to distributed assembly permutation flowshop scheduling, factoring in sequence-dependent setup times. Employing a mixed-integer mathematical model, we capture the configurations and objectives of the integrated problem. A special dual-level cooperative self-learning particle swarm optimization (SLPSO) metaheuristic is developed for improved hierarchical decision-making. Adaptive learning is harnessed to guide dynamic job selection under uncertainty, aiming for the highest total value. To minimize tardiness, a neighborhood search operator customizes sequences for each shop, considering changing setup times between jobs. Benchmark tests have been performed, showing that SLPSO surpasses established genetic algorithms and swarm techniques by 8%–15%. When implemented in an operational traditional pharmaceutical manufacturer, significant improvements were observed. The integrated structure harmonizes planning and scheduling stages, enhancing the algorithm via bidirectional feedback between decisions at various levels under uncertainty, thus providing guidance for real-world production.

Natural Polymer-Based Hydrogel Dressings for Wound Healing.

Significance: Acute wounds such as severe burns and chronic wounds like diabetic ulcers present a significant threat to human health. Wound dressings made from natural polymers offer inherent properties that effectively enhance wound healing outcomes and reduce healing time. Recent Advances: Numerous innovative hydrogels are being developed and translated to the clinic to successfully treat various wound types. This underscores the substantial potential of hydrogels in the future wound care market. Economically, annual sales of wound care products are projected to reach $15-22 billion by 2024. Critical Issues: While chitosan-, cellulose-, and collagen-based hydrogel dressings are currently commercially available, scaling-up and manufacturing hydrogels for commercial products remain a challenging process. In addition, ensuring the sterility and stability of the chemical or biological components comprising the hydrogel is a critical consideration. Future Directions: In light of the persistent increase in wound fatalities and the resulting economic and social impacts, as well as the importance of educating the public about dietary health and disease, there should be increased investment in new wound care dressings, particularly hydrogels derived from natural products. With numerous researchers dedicated to advancing preclinical hydrogels, the future holds promise for more innovative and more personalized hydrogel wound dressings.

Creating a Welcoming Ethos: Reception of Ukrainian Refugee Children and Families in Romania

This study examines psychosocial mechanisms used by the Romanian community to facilitate the adaptation of Ukrainian refugees—a challenging process due to their low level of trust resulting from war trauma. Data from four focus groups, involving Romanian professionals and educators, Ukrainian professionals, and institutionalized Ukrainian children in Romania reveal three themes: ethos of reception, educational needs, and professional solutions. We identify real and perceived barriers to long-term adaptation and, based on this study, recommend prioritizing professional solutions for immediate implementation to enhance the understanding and effectiveness of support mechanisms for Ukrainian refugee children and their families.

The Spectrum of CAR Cellular Effectors: Modes of Action in Anti-Tumor Immunity.

Chimeric antigen receptor-T cells have spearheaded the field of adoptive cell therapy and have shown remarkable results in treating hematological neoplasia. Because of the different biology of solid tumors compared to hematological tumors, response rates of CAR-T cells could not be transferred to solid entities yet. CAR engineering has added co-stimulatory domains, transgenic cytokines and switch receptors to improve performance and persistence in a hostile tumor microenvironment, but because of the inherent cell type limitations of CAR-T cells, including HLA incompatibility, toxicities (cytokine release syndrome, neurotoxicity) and high costs due to the logistically challenging preparation process for autologous cells, the use of alternative immune cells is gaining traction. NK cells and γδ T cells that do not need HLA compatibility or macrophages and dendritic cells with additional properties such as phagocytosis or antigen presentation are increasingly seen as cellular vehicles with potential for application. As these cells possess distinct properties, clinicians and researchers need a thorough understanding of their peculiarities and commonalities. This review will compare these different cell types and their specific modes of action seen upon CAR activation.

Integration Experiences of International Students: A Case Study of Sub-Saharan Students in a Moroccan School of Design and Engineering

An increasing number of international Students opt for studying at a university in a foreign country. It is believed that this mobility makes these students face academic and social integrating challenges in their new learning environment. In Morocco, thousands of students, who are scholarship-granted by the Moroccan government, coming from different countries, chiefly from Sub-Saharan Africa seek education in different universities of the kingdom. The main aim of this study extends its focus to explore two outcomes. Particularly, it investigates the social and academic integration experiences of a case study of international students undertaking an undergraduate programme at a Moroccan school of design and engineering along with the challenges these students encounter. Moreover, the study situates these experiences within the institutional conscious efforts that are implemented to achieve an integrational goal. Data were collected from a case study in spring 2019 by interviewing 20 Sub-Saharan students studying at the Moroccan Design and Technology engineering school in Meknes (ENSAM: Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers) and 3 of the school staff members. Using thematic analysis and then interpretative phenomenology as a guiding framework to analyse and present the data, the findings revealed that the study's participants have experienced both their social and academic integrative patterns at the school in the same way. Indeed, three major themes were identified and analysed, namely, Programmes promoted by ENSAM on integration, relationship patterns between Sub-Saharan and Moroccan students and barriers to integration. The study revealed that the various integration efforts carried out by the school do not sufficiently cater for Sub-Saharan students' perspectives on their social and academic integration experiences. Additionally, staff knowledge regarding the integration of these minority groups is not adequately enhanced through pre-service training that covers best practices for successful integration. Language barrier and interaction patterns between Sub-Saharan students with their host ones are also found to influence Sub-Saharan students' social and academic integration. It is suggested that Moroccan Higher education institutions (HEIs) should acknowledge integration as a long and challenging process for Sub-Saharan students, and that an evaluation of integrative practices promoted at the school is needed.

Enhanced reducing sugar production by blending hydrolytic enzymes from Aspergillus fumigatus to improve sugarcane bagasse hydrolysis.

Biomass pretreatment for the production of second-generation (2G) ethanol and biochemical products is a challenging process. The present study investigated the synergistic efficiency of purified carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase), β-glucosidase, and xylanase from Aspergillus fumigatus JCM 10253 in the hydrolysis of alkaline-pretreated sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The saccharification of pretreated SCB was optimised using a combination of CMCase and β-glucosidase (C + β; 1:1) and addition of xylanase (C + β + xyl; 1:1:1). Independent and dependent variables influencing enzymatic hydrolysis were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Hydrolysis using purified CMCase and β-glucosidase achieved yields of 18.72mg/mL glucose and 6.98mg/mL xylose. Incorporation of xylanase in saccharification increased the titres of glucose (22.83mg/mL) and xylose (9.54mg/mL). Furthermore, characterisation of SCB biomass by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy respectively confirmed efficient structural disintegration and revealed the degree of crystallinity and spectral characteristics. Therefore, depolymerisation of lignin to produce high-value chemicals is essential for sustainable and competitive biorefinery development.

A High-Throughput Screening Strategy for Synthesizing Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Nanoparticles Selectively Targeting Tumors.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) show significant promise as effective alternatives to antibodies in disease diagnosis and therapy. However, the challenging process of screening extensive libraries of monomer combinations and synthesis conditions to identify formulations with enhanced selectivity and affinity presents a notable time constraint. The need for expedient methods becomes clear in accelerating the strategic development of MIPs tailored for precise molecular recognition purposes. In this study, an innovative high-throughput screening methodology designed to identify the optimal MIP formulation for targeting tumors is presented. Employing a microtiter plate format, over 100 polymer syntheses are conducted, incorporating diverse combinations of functional monomers. Evaluation of binding performance utilizes fluorescence-based assays, focusing on an epitope of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Through this meticulously structured screening process, synthesis conditions that produced MIP nanoparticles exhibiting substantial specificity for EGFR targeting (KD = 10-12m) are identified. These "bionic antibodies" demonstrate selective recognition of cancer cells in whole blood samples, even at concentrations as low as 5cellsmL-1. Further validation through fluorescent imaging confirms the tumor-specific localization of the MIPs in vivo. This highly efficient screening approach facilitates the strategic synthesis of imprinted polymers functioning as precision bioprobes.

Molecular basis of FIGNL1 in dissociating RAD51 from DNA and chromatin.

Maintaining genome integrity is an essential and challenging process. RAD51 recombinase, the central player of several crucial processes in repairing and protecting genome integrity, forms filaments on DNA. RAD51 filaments are tightly regulated. One of these regulators is FIGNL1, that prevents persistent RAD51 foci post-damage and genotoxic chromatin association in cells. The cryogenic electron microscopy structure of FIGNL1 in complex with RAD51 reveals that the FIGNL1 forms a non-planar hexamer and RAD51 N-terminus is enclosed in the FIGNL1 hexamer pore. Mutations in pore loop or catalytic residues of FIGNL1 render it defective in filament disassembly and are lethal in mouse embryonic stem cells. Our study reveals a unique mechanism for removing RAD51 from DNA and provides the molecular basis for FIGNL1 in maintaining genome stability.