Scientific Endeavor Research Articles

Sustainable bioinspired materials for regenerative medicine: balancing toxicology, environmental impact, and ethical considerations

The pursuit of sustainable bioinspired materials for regenerative medicine demands a nuanced balance between scientific advancement, ethical considerations, and environmental consciousness. This abstract encapsulates a comprehensive perspective paper exploring the intricate dynamics of toxicology, environmental impact, and ethical concerns within the realm of bioinspired materials. As the landscape of regenerative medicine evolves, ensuring the biocompatibility and safety of these materials emerges as a pivotal challenge. Our paper delves into the multidimensional aspects of toxicity assessment, encompassing cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and immunotoxicity analyses. Additionally, we shed light on the complexities of evaluating the environmental impact of bioinspired materials, discussing methodologies such as life cycle assessment, biodegradability testing, and sustainable design approaches. Amid these scientific endeavors, we emphasize the paramount importance of ethical considerations in bioinspired material development, navigating the intricate web of international regulations and ethical frameworks guiding medical materials. Furthermore, our abstract underscores the envisioned future directions and challenges in toxicology techniques, computational modeling, and holistic evaluation, aiming for a comprehensive understanding of the synergistic interplay between sustainable bioinspired materials, toxicity assessment, environmental stewardship, and ethical deliberation.

Public Perception of Citizen Science in Spain: Sociodemographic Analysis

This study analyzes the public’s view of citizen science based on survey respondents’ expressed knowledge, attitudes, and motivations. The questionnaire was answered by 1,002 residents of 48 Spanish cities. The study population was 50% female and spanned various age groups, occupations, and levels of education. The results indicate that although the population has a quite favorable opinion of citizen science, people feel underinformed about it. Very few respondents consider it to be negative and many expect it to have a positive impact over the coming decade. While both men and women exhibit intrinsic motivations to participate in citizen science, women specifically exhibit social motives for contributing. The data reveal differences in respondents’ attitude to citizen science depending on gender, age, level of education, and occupation. The data suggest that incorporating a balanced and representative sample of the public into scientific endeavor will require greater institutional intervention in coming years.

Nutritional thermal ecology: investigating the combined influence of temperature and nutrient availability on plant‐ectotherm trophic interactions

Many primary consumers in freshwater, marine and terrestrial systems are ectotherms (e.g. zooplankton and insects), whose metabolisms, and therefore nutritional demands, are modulated by temperature. Further, nutrient availability largely influences the quality of resources consumed by these organisms, and hence affects whether nutritional demands of consumers are fulfilled. From these considerations, a crucial question arises: how do temperature and nutrient availability together modulate trophodynamics at the basis of food webs? Addressing this question for zooplankton and insects is essential since these consumers are the most abundant metazoans on Earth, and they link primary production to higher trophic levels. Here, we synthesize the existing literature and offer avenues to guide future scientific endeavours. We highlight that the vast majority of studies on the combined influence of temperature and nutrient availability published to date focus on at least one of the following research topics: 1) metabolic requirements of ectotherms; 2) feeding behaviour; 3) eco‐evolutionary processes; and 4) trophodynamics. We pose that further advances in this field of research may provide a robust understanding of how modulations of consumer metabolic requirements and resource quality define consumer–producer interactions across marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. This research effort would enable to combine the fields of Ecological stoichiometry and of Metabolic theory of ecology, and create an integrated approach, which we propose to call Nutritional thermal ecology.

Making the most of bioimaging data through interdisciplinary interactions.

The increasing technical complexity of all aspects involving bioimages, ranging from their acquisition to their analysis, has led to a diversification in the expertise of scientists engaged at the different stages of the discovery process. Although this diversity of profiles comes with the major challenge of establishing fruitful interdisciplinary collaboration, such collaboration also offers a superb opportunity for scientific discovery. In this Perspective, we review the different actors within the bioimaging research universe and identify the primary obstacles that hinder their interactions. We advocate that data sharing, which lies at the heart of innovation, is finally within reach after decades of being viewed as next to impossible in bioimaging. Building on recent community efforts, we propose actions to consolidate the development of a truly interdisciplinary bioimaging culture based on open data exchange and highlight the promising outlook of bioimaging as an example of multidisciplinary scientific endeavour.

The need for a risk management framework for data science projects: a systematic literature review

Many data science endeavors encounter failure, surfacing at any project phase. Even after successful deployments, data science projects grapple with ethical dilemmas, such as bias and discrimination. Current project management methodologies prioritize efficiency and cost savings over risk management. The methodologies largely overlook the diverse risks of sociotechnical systems and risk articulation inherent in data science lifecycles. Conversely, while the established risk management framework (RMF) by NIST and McKinsey aims to manage AI risks, there is a heavy reliance on normative definitions of risk, neglecting the multifaceted subjectivities of data science project failures. This paper reports on a systematic literature review that identifies three main themes: Big Data Execution Issues, Demand for a Risk Management Framework tailored for Large-Scale Data Science Projects, and the need for a General Risk Management Framework for all Data Science Endeavors. Another overarching focus is on how risk is articulated by the institution and the practitioners. The paper discusses a novel and adaptive data science risk management framework – “DS EthiCo RMF” – which merges project management, ethics, and risk management for diverse data science projects into one holistic framework. This agile risk management framework DS EthiCo RMF can bridge the current divide between normative risk standards and the multitude of data science requirements, offering a human-centric method to navigate the intertwined sociotechnical risks of failure in data science projects.

Exploring the frequency response of mobile phones applications for sound monitoring in urban green spaces

Citizen science engages non-professional scientists globally in scientific endeavors, fostering commitment to environmental conservation initiatives. This research explores the frequency response of mobile phones for sound monitoring, particularly in the context of urban green spaces. The method involves Laboratory tests at the Brazilian National Metrology Institute, Standardization, and Industrial Quality (Inmetro), evaluating two Android and one iOS devices using the NoiseCapture and Openoise apps. Laboratory tests conform to the frequency response standards outlined in IEC 61672-1, covering the 63Hz to 16kHz range. Following this, the devices captured audio scenes encompassing human, natural, and machine sounds at the University of São Paulo campus. Findings revealed that the frequency response of iPhones functioned as Class 2 sound level meters except for low-frequency bands. Android consistently performed similarly across both applications tested and exhibited acceptable performance in mid-range frequencies. Therefore, when considering citizen science projects, emphasis should be placed on app selection, prioritizing additional features like sound mapping. Field results showed minimal errors from human and transportation sounds but challenges with high-frequency components from birds, insects, and machines. The study concludes the necessity for alternative measurement systems identifying animal sound sources, along with involving non-professional scientists in scientific research.

Exploring the current landscape of open research software in room acoustics

Over the span of six decades, researchers have dedicated considerable efforts towards the development of computational methodologies for predicting room acoustics. These methodologies comprise the calculation of detailed impulse responses, frequency responses, and the prediction of quantities and indicators. The classification of these computational approaches continues to evolve, particularly with the recent integration of machine learning methods into the realm of room acoustics. Notably, the research software or code underpinning these advancements is not as readily accessible to the public as the results it has generated. This lack of accessibility has posed challenges to reproducibility and potentially impacted the overall quality of scientific endeavors as well as hampered collaboration, hindering the progress within the field. This study provides insights into the current state of open room acoustics research software, presenting quantitative developments over the years. It further explores the measurable impact of shared research software and offers an outlook on the prospective value of open research software in room acoustics.

Al-Birūnī: An outstanding polymath of eleventh-century Islam

Abstract Abū al-Rayhān Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Bīrūnī (973-1048) is generally regarded as a polymath within the Islamic world, considering the range and volume of his writings, his knowledge of languages and his attitude towards scientific research. This paper touches upon some aspects of his scientific endeavour and his tolerance towards other people’s ideas.

Updating the Pharmacological Effects of α-Mangostin Compound and Unraveling Its Mechanism of Action: A Computational Study Review.

α-Mangostin, initially identified in 1855, is a xanthone derivative compound predominantly located in the pericarp of the mangosteen fruit (Garcinia mangostana L). This compound is known for its beneficial properties as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, still holding promise for potential benefits in other related pathologies. In the investigative process, computational studies have proven highly valuable in providing evidence and initial screening before progressing to preclinical and clinical studies. This review aims to present the pharmacological findings and mechanisms of action of α-mangostin based on computational studies. The compilation of this review is founded on the analysis of relevant articles obtained from PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases. The study commences with an elucidation of the physicochemical characteristics, drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity profile of α-mangostin, which demonstrates that α-mangostin complies with the Lipinski's Rule of Five, exhibits favorable profiles of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, and presents low toxicity. Subsequent investigations have revealed that computational studies employing various software tools including ArgusLab, AutoDock, AutoDock Vina, Glide, HEX, and MOE, have been pivotal to comprehend the pharmacology of α-mangostin. Beyond its well established roles as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, α-mangostin is now recognized for its pharmacological effects in Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic periodontitis, infectious diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis. Moreover, α-mangostin is projected to have applications in pain management and as a potent mosquito larvicide. All of these findings are based on the attainment of adequate binding affinity to specific target receptors associated with each respective pathological condition. Consequently, it is anticipated that these findings will serve as a foundation for future scientific endeavours, encompassing both in vitro and in vivo studies, as well as clinical investigations, to better understand the pharmacological effects of α-mangostin.

Философские и религиозно-этические аспекты прав интеллектуальной собственности

In the articlethe progression of intellectual property in contemporary society, delving into its philosophical and religious-ethical dimensionswereexplored. It traces the origins of copyright and highlights the crucial role intellectual property plays in safeguarding intellectual achievements that influence numerous aspects of life, effectively representing the collective wisdom of humanity. The intellectual realm is integral to societal development and well-being, making it imperative for all participants in social interactions to engage with in-tellectual property tofoster their progress and growth. Despite efforts to elucidate, analyze, and establish the intellectual property framework, these attempts have been inadequate. Although definitions are available, there remains a lack of comprehensive understanding withinsociety regarding the nature of intellectual prop-erty and how to effectively manage it. This gap in comprehension may overlook the complexity and distinc-tiveness of intellectual property. The primary goal of this study is to examine the perspectives of scholars and thinkers on intellectual property, aiming to grasp the breadth and importance of scientific endeavors neces-sary for its advancement.

Palladium‐Catalyzed Remote C−H Functionalization: Non‐Covalent Interactions and Reversibly Bound Templates

AbstractPd‐catalysis has stood as a pivotal force in synthetic transformations for decades, maintaining its status as a paramount tool in the realm of C−H bond activation. While functionalization at proximal positions has become commonplace, achieving selective and sustainable access to distal positions continues to captivate scientific endeavors. Recently, a noteworthy trend has emerged, focusing on the utilization of non‐covalent interactions to address the challenges associated with remote functionalization. The integration of these non‐covalent interactions into palladium catalysis stands as a justified response to the demands of achieving selective transformations at distal positions. This review delves into the latest advancements and trends surrounding the incorporation of non‐covalent interactions within the field of palladium catalysis. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to emphasize that multifunctional templates, particularly those harnessing hydrogen bonding, present an elegant and sophisticated approach to activate C−H bonds in a highly directed fashion. These templates showcase versatility and demonstrate potential applications across diverse contexts within the area of remote functionalization.

Palladium-Catalyzed Remote C-H Functionalization: Non-Covalent Interactions and Reversibly Bound Templates.

Pd-catalysis has stood as a pivotal force in synthetic transformations for decades, maintaining its status as a paramount tool in the realm of C-H bond activation. While functionalization at proximal positions has become commonplace, achieving selective and sustainable access to distal positions continues to captivate scientific endeavors. Recently, a noteworthy trend has emerged, focusing on the utilization of non-covalent interactions to address the challenges associated with remote functionalization. The integration of these non-covalent interactions into palladium catalysis stands as a justified response to the demands of achieving selective transformations at distal positions. This review delves into the latest advancements and trends surrounding the incorporation of non-covalent interactions within the field of palladium catalysis. Furthermore, it is noteworthy to emphasize that multifunctional templates, particularly those harnessing hydrogen bonding, present an elegant and sophisticated approach to activate C-H bonds in a highly directed fashion. These templates showcase versatility and demonstrate potential applications across diverse contexts within the area of remote functionalization.

Ni/V-MgnHm nanoclusters: Recent advances toward improving the dehydrogenation thermodynamics for efficient hydrogen storage

Understanding the properties of solid-state materials at the nanoscale is a crucial scientific endeavor in the pursuit of a sustainable energy future. Since magnesium hydride is the most practical material for hydrogen storage, research is still ongoing to reduce the enthalpy for dehydrogenation. In this computational theory, we systematically investigated the enthalpy of dehydrogenation of MgnHm nanoclusters of different sizes (0.5–2.8 nm) through density functional theory (DFT) and ab-initio molecular dynamic (AIMD) simulations. Our results revealed that increasing the MgnHm nanocluster size can remarkably improve the formation energy compared to the MgH2-bulk stabilization; the formation energy shifted from −65.12 kJ/mol for (0.5 nm)-MgnHm nanocluster to −51.37 kJ/mol for (2.8 nm)-MgnHm nanocluster. As compared to bulk phase, the lower stability of the nanoclusters indicates that it is much easier to desorb hydrogen from the surface. According to the effects of compressive/tensile strains, (2.8 nm)-MgnHm nanocluster does not improve the dehydrogenation temperature in the desired direction. Unlike metal doping, 9.10%@Ni and 10.14%@V-doped (2.8 nm)-MgnHm nanocluster exhibit formation energies of −47.27 and −46.34 kJ/mol with calculated desorption temperatures of 362.89 and 355.75 K, respectively, which ensures the room temperature applicability of this hydrogen storage material.

Beyond 4 × 4: Paramotoring a novel approach to accelerate plant exploration in challenging environments

Societal Impact StatementAddressing the burning environmental crisis, we explore how the ‘extreme sport’ of paramotoring can enhance and accelerate scientific exploration with minimal environmental impact compared to off‐road vehicles. Our study demonstrates the scientific potential of paramotoring to access fragile desert ecosystems and investigate unrecorded habitats and species. Comparisons with 4 × 4s showed significant reductions in CO2‐eq emissions for longer missions and ninefold faster travel times. Unlike off‐road vehicles, which can damage the equivalent of over one football pitch in area per linear kilometre driven, paramotors cause minimal damage. Integrating extreme sports and science can accelerate data and specimen collection for more effective habitat conservation. This has the potential to spark discoveries and engagement across diverse communities.Summary In the face of an urgent climate and environmental crisis, we explore the potential of paramotoring to expand scientific reach and collection capability without the environmental harm associated with off‐road vehicles. In Peru's fog oasis desert, we brought together paramotor experts and scientists to conduct missions involving monitoring, plant sampling, surveying, sensor placement and transportation. We compared the environmental impact and time taken by paramotoring with surveys conducted using off‐road vehicles and walking. Shorter paramotor missions showed small differences in CO2 equivalents and time efficiency compared to off‐road vehicles. However, longer missions (28 km from base camp) revealed up to nine times faster travel and two thirds less CO2 equivalent emissions. Notably, off‐road vehicles left a substantial environmental footprint (700 to 8000 m2 per km), whilst paramotors had a minimal impact, with a tiny surface ‘footprint’ of just a few square metres, representing orders of magnitude (1000 to 10,000) less environmental impact. With basic training in identification and sampling, paramotorists collected plant specimens that are invaluable for ongoing and future scientific study. Whilst logistical and safety challenges in transporting scientists via paramotors need further investigation, the benefits, especially compared to surface travel, are evident. Integrating extreme sports into scientific endeavour promises wider and more comprehensive exploration, new discoveries and increased engagement across diverse communities—and in summary—offers significant potential to address urgent environmental challenges.

State and Development Prospects of the Maternal and Childhood Care Service of the Kyrgyz Republic

The National Center for Maternity and Childhood Care (NCMCC), operating under the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic is a premier institution dedicated to the advanced treatment, diagnostics, and overall healthcare of women and children. As a tertiary-level center, NCMCC plays a pivotal role in organizational, methodological, educational, and scientific endeavors related to maternal and child health. In alignment with its mandate, the NCMCC develops and implements comprehensive programs focusing on the prevention, early detection, and treatment of diseases. These initiatives are crucial in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates and promoting a healthy lifestyle among children and their parents. Furthermore, the center ensures the organized provision of essential medicines, specialized medical nutrition products, and other medical supplies for children.

Milking a spherical cow: Toy models in neuroscience.

There are many different kinds of models, and they play many different roles in the scientific endeavour. Neuroscience, and biology more generally, has understandably tended to emphasise empirical models that are grounded in data and make specific, experimentally testable predictions. Meanwhile, strongly idealised or 'toy' models have played a central role in the theoretical development of other sciences such as physics. In this paper, we examine the nature of toy models and their prospects in neuroscience.

The Serine Acetyltransferase (SAT) Gene Family in Tea Plant (Camellia sinensis): Identification, Classification and Expression Analysis under Salt Stress.

Cysteine plays a pivotal role in the sulfur metabolism network of plants, intimately influencing the conversion rate of organic sulfur and the plant's capacity to withstand abiotic stresses. In tea plants, the serine acetyltransferase (SAT) genes emerge as a crucial regulator of cysteine metabolism, albeit with a notable lack of comprehensive research. Utilizing Hidden Markov Models, we identified seven CssSATs genes within the tea plant genome. The results of the bioinformatics analysis indicate that these genes exhibit an average molecular weight of 33.22 kD and cluster into three distinct groups. Regarding gene structure, CssSAT1 stands out with ten exons, significantly more than its family members. In the promoter regions, cis-acting elements associated with environmental responsiveness and hormone induction predominate, accounting for 34.4% and 53.1%, respectively. Transcriptome data revealed intricate expression dynamics of CssSATs under various stress conditions (e.g., PEG, NaCl, Cold, MeJA) and their tissue-specific expression patterns in tea plants. Notably, qRT-PCR analysis indicated that under salt stress, CssSAT1 and CssSAT3 expression levels markedly increased, whereas CssSAT2 displayed a downregulatory trend. Furthermore, we cloned CssSAT1-CssSAT3 genes and constructed corresponding prokaryotic expression vectors. The resultant recombinant proteins, upon induction, significantly enhanced the NaCl tolerance of Escherichia coli BL21, suggesting the potential application of CssSATs in bolstering plant stress resistance. These findings have enriched our comprehension of the multifaceted roles played by CssSATs genes in stress tolerance mechanisms, laying a theoretical groundwork for future scientific endeavors and research pursuits.

Exploring the potential of disruptive innovation in the social sciences: A quantitative study of its impact on societal visibility

Scientific innovation serves as the driving force behind societal progress. In contrast to conservative innovation, disruptive innovation reshapes scientific paradigms and trajectories, significantly influencing both the scientific community and societal development. This study employs an extensive empirical dataset to explore the potential of disruptive innovation to enhance the societal visibility of scientific research. Our research reveals that disruptive innovation significantly enhances societal visibility, increasing it by 11.96% compared to consolidating innovation. Furthermore, disruptive innovation does not directly lead to early-stage "breakthroughs" in scientific endeavors, but it does have a notable "acceleration" effect on societal visibility. Particularly striking is its ability to promote visibility of scientific research on social media platforms such as Twitter and blogs. However, its influence is insignificant in news articles and policy documents. This phenomenon may be attributed to the high-risk nature of disruptive innovation, which conflicts with the high level of trust, professionalism, and certainty sought in news and policy. This study carries essential implications for selecting innovative directions, the channels through which innovation is disseminated, and the formulation of science policies.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Research in Communication Sciences and Disorders Journals: An Exploratory Survey of the Recent Literature.

Inspired by a preliminary survey of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) literature conducted by Friberg et al. (2014), the current study aimed to expand the original study's findings-that SoTL was rarely published in the communication sciences and disorders (CSD) literature from 2009 to 2013-to the subsequent 8-year period (2014-2021). The latter period was of particular relevance considering the dissolution of one American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)-affiliated publication and the addition of another non-ASHA-affiliated publication during that time. Ten peer-reviewed CSD journals and the articles published in them were identified via a survey of the literature that used narrowly defined criteria developed in collaboration with a librarian. Five trained CSD graduate student raters compared a definition of SoTL to article abstracts to determine whether each should have been categorized as SoTL. Part 1 of the study investigated an 8-year time span, Part 2 investigated the remaining nine journals in the subsequent 5 years, and Part 3 investigated publication rates of SoTL in Teaching and Learning in Communication Sciences & Disorders (TLCSD) alone. Part 1 of the study revealed that publication rates of SoTL were extremely low in the 10 surveyed CSD journals in the 8-year time span investigated. A similar and diminishing trend was found in Part 2. Even smaller percentages of journals were dedicated to SoTL. Part 3 confirmed that relatively large amounts of CSD-specific SoTL have been published in TLCSD since its inception in 2017. As of 2021, SoTL articles continued to be uncommonly published in CSD journals. Until recently, scholarly teachers attempting to apply SoTL in the classroom had limited resources. Beginning in 2017, TLCSD has provided an outlet for SoTL, whereas other CSD journals seem to have published less of it. Reform of publication, peer review, tenure, and promotion policies and procedures is called for so that SoTL might be included as a valid scientific endeavor.

Discovery of Astatine by Horia Hulubei

The search for new chemical elements was a prominent scientific endeavor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This era saw the discovery of several elements such as radium, polonium, and radon by prominent scientists such as Marie Curie and Ernest Rutherford. Astatine was one of the missing elements from the periodic table, and its existence was predicted due to the periodicity of the elements, with iodine as its nearest stable neighbor. Scientists have sought to confirm its existence and properties. The discovery of astatine by Horia Hulubei and his collaborator Yvette Cauchois at the beginning of the 20th century is recognized by many scientists, although the authorship of this discovery was ignored by the Austrian radiochemist Friedrich Paneth, who was responsible for setting priorities in the discovery of new chemical elements. This article will delve into the historical background and scientific endeavors that led to the discovery of astatine by Horia Hulubei.