Success Story Research Articles

Gas adsorption and framework flexibility of CALF-20 explored via experiments and simulations

In 2021, Svante, in collaboration with BASF, reported successful scale up of CALF-20 production, a stable MOF with high capacity for post-combustion CO2 capture which exhibits remarkable stability towards water. CALF-20’s success story in the MOF commercialisation space provides new thinking about appropriate structural and adsorptive metrics important for CO2 capture. Here, we combine atomistic-level simulations with experiments to study adsorptive properties of CALF-20 and shed light on its flexible crystal structure. We compare measured and predicted CO2 and water adsorption isotherms and explain the role of water-framework interactions and hydrogen bonding networks in CALF-20’s hydrophobic behaviour. Furthermore, regular and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations are performed with both density-functional theory (DFT) and machine learning potentials (MLPs) trained to DFT energies and forces. From these simulations, the effects of adsorption-induced flexibility in CALF-20 are uncovered. We envisage this work would encourage development of other MOF materials useful for CO2 capture applications in humid conditions.

Natural lipopeptide surfactin inhibits insulin aggregation and prevents amyloid-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation

Despite the centennial of the pioneering discovery of insulin, challenges regarding insulin aggregation at the site of repeated injection, as well as during industrial production, storage, and transportation, have cast a gloom over this remarkable success story. Aggregation substantially impacts the quality, potency, and effectiveness of insulin formulation, decreasing bioavailability, intensifying the risk of immunogenicity, and endangering patient health. Herein, the suitability of Bacillus-derived amphiphilic biosurfactant surfactin was demonstrated to evade temperature-induced fibrillation of insulin. Fluorometric assessment employing thioflavin-T and intrinsic tyrosine fluorescence indicated the dose-dependent reduction in insulin unfolding and subsequent formation of fibrils. Decreased thioflavin fluorescence at the plateau stage and about a 79% increase in fibrillation lag time was observed for samples containing an equimolar ratio of insulin to surfactin. Circular dichroism analysis further indicated about a 30% increase in α-helix content in samples containing an equimolar ratio of insulin and surfactin, as compared to controls. The findings were further bolstered by dynamic light scattering, electron microscopic analysis, and native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Molecular docking and simulation studies did not indicate any structural destabilization of insulin with surfactin, having major interactions at the hydrophobic and potential amyloidogenic regions of insulin B-chain: B12-B19 (VEALYLVC) and B23-B27 (GFFYT) through hydrophobic and hydrogen bonds. Notably, an almost 22% increase in cell viability was observed for cells incubated with aggregated insulin containing equimolar concentrations of SFN. Surfactin also subdued insulin amyloid-induced upregulation of the pro-inflammatory genes. Thus, surfactin may be contemplated as an additive in biopharmaceutical formulations to imbue stability and may also be evaluated as anti-amyloid therapeutics for other pathological proteinopathies.

Level 7 degree apprenticeships – a story of challenge, resilience and success

ABSTRACT This study explores the lived experience of both in-service and pre-service apprentices studying Level 7 apprenticeship programmes. Using qualitative questionnaires, this article facilitates a thematic analysis exploring how aspects such as: rationale for enrolment; study habits; prioritisation of workload; resilience and wellbeing are experienced by educators studying either an Academic Professional Apprenticeship or a Senior Leaders Apprenticeship programme. Results demonstrate a mixed landscape is apparent for Level 7 apprentices, with tangible differences, both within and between groups, exhibited regarding reason for enrolment and study habits. The challenge around balancing work-life priorities and the encroachment of work commitments on study time (and vice versa) are a common theme for both cohorts, with those who have better established working patterns and relationships more resilient to the challenges of Level 7 apprenticeship study.

A POLICY ENTREPRENEUR’S EIGHT‐STEP GUIDE TO TURN IDEAS TO IMPACT

AbstractSheldrick, the co‐founder of Global Citizen, writes about “how to bring about meaningful change in today’s divided world.” He discusses the concept of the policy entrepreneur, which he says is “a term coined by political scientist John Kingdon.” Sheldrick’s eight steps of policy entrepreneurship are, in his words, (1) Know your policy goal (2) Know which stakeholders matter and how to influence them (3) Mastering the art of timing (4) Mastering the art of storytelling (5) Embrace pragmatic idealism (6) Leveraging your partners’ strengths (7) Know your endgame (8) Communicate stories of success. Within step one: “A well‐defined policy goal is a linchpin that turns good intentions, such as halting illegal deforestation or curbing the spread of infectious diseases, into impactful change.” In step two: “To drive effective change, you must go where those in power meet.” In step three: “Effective policy entrepreneurs identify the opportune moment to advocate for their policy goal and proactively explore ways to expand its acceptability.” In step four: “To craft a memorable story, emphasize the “why” to build trust and provide practical solutions—the “how” —for a chaotic world.”

The Indonesian House of Representatives and its role during democratic regression

ABSTRACT Parliament and the separation of power are essential elements of democratic consolidation. However, what role does parliament take if democracy is in retreat? Following a comparative approach, this article analyses the role of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) during a process of democratic decline. Indonesia is seen as a success story of democratisation. Since 1998, the country has transitioned from an autocratic regime to a vibrant multi-party democracy. However, twenty years on, academics have been highlighting far-reaching patterns of democratic regression. Whereas there have been studies of the democratic setback globally and more in-depth analyses of aspects of the Indonesian democracy in retreat, there has been little attention on the role of the country’s legislature in this situation. This article analyses how the DPR has been executing its legislative mandate during Joko Widodo’s second presidential term from 2019 to 2024. Examining three cases of legislation, it found the DPR is not actively resisting the democratic decline. On the contrary, the hypothesis has been proven that the parliament is an active factor in autocratic legalism. This has been most visible in the reduced scrutiny of draft legislation, limited deliberation, and narrow public consultation to serve elite interests. In addition to a weakened legislative role by the DPR, there has been reduced oversight and scrutiny of government policies, visible through limited questioning of ministers or inquiries into the use of the budget and the appointment of government-favoured candidates to national commissions, courts, and state bodies. Moreover, the nature of a consensus-based decision-making system has allowed the executive to effectively control the parliament, instead of the other way around. This is despite some reminders from the Constitutional Court to respect the legal provisions that require deliberation and consultation of the people.

The Search for Petroleum in The Sultanate of Oman – The First 120 Years

Abstract This is a story of failure and success, of disappointment and elation. World wars, a market glutted with cheap oil and geologists unable to access areas of interest hampered the search. Early expeditions provided the first maps of the mountains and Dhofar, and glimpses of the geology of the interior, but no evidence of oil. Geological and geophysical surveys began in earnest in the 1950s, leading to the first exploratory drilling and the discovery of heavy oil at Marmul. Commercial oil was discovered a few years later at Fahud and Natih. All Oman's largest oil fields were found over the next 20 years based on 2-D seismic data. Early concessions were large and ill-defined. More companies became involved as interest grew in exploration offshore and as acreage was relinquished onshore. Although gas was encountered as a byproduct of oil activities, exploration for gas did not begin until 1984 when it became apparent that the known accumulations were insufficient for future needs. Large accumulations of gas and condensate were subsequently discovered in central Oman. Petroleum continues to underpin the economy of the Sultanate as it strives to diversify and decarbonise. Useful lessons can be learned from the search so far.

Abstract PO5-26-08: Caveats behind the improved outcomes observed in recent clinical trials for women with breast cancer: Korean breast cancer consensus meeting 2023

Abstract Introduction Korean Breast Cancer Society has organized the biennial Korean Breast Cancer Consensus Conference to find solutions to clinical situations that cannot be answered by randomized clinical trials or other definitive treatment research data. Unlike guidelines which are designed to apply to the majority of patients with early or advanced breast cancer encountered in daily practice, consensus meetings yield answers from clinicians’ perspectives and experiences. Therefore, this meeting aimed to integrate patient preferences, treatment availability, or other individual circumstances upon recent medical advances and available evidence. Materials and methods. Panelists were invited from various filed, such as medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, pathology, radiology, nuclear medicine, hereditary cancer specialist. Results. 1. caveats behind optimizing treatment There had been strong interests in refinening thresholes for treatment and it can be more or less than previous standard treatment. Some patients clearly required escalated treatment, such as ovarian function suppression, combined HER2-targeted treatment, and utilization of immunotherapy during neoadjuvant systemic treatment. However, even same agent which showed great success for high risk patients showed Disappointing results and even failure. Furthermore, we need more sophisticated decision even for successful stories which introduced above, because of their serious adverse events. AntiPd-1/PD-L1 showed different serious adverse events profiles and Trastuzumab-deruxtecan is related with life-threatening pulmonary complication. Therefore, there is a clinical equipoise for an appropriate therapeutic threshold not only for low-risk patients but also high-risk patients who can safely forgo recommend treatment escalation in the newly introduced clinical trials. 2. Completely new serious adverse events observed in new drugs. Unlike chemotherapy, most targeted therapies cause lethal damage that clinicians may not have experienced. Some, such as pulmonary complications from trastuzumab deruxtecan, can be fatal if not treated immediately. Even if patients survive, they may suffer catastrophic outcomes because these agents leave a fatal disability that is too great for the patient's quality of life. Moreover, in South Korea, where government-run health insurance is the only payer and at the same time policy maker, non-medical constraints such as passive reimbursement plans, value-based medicine, and intentional delay or denial of certain drugs, panelist delivered varing opinions on the extent to which new agents can be utilized and which treatment plan could offer equal clinical benefit with less toxicity, or provide for a measurable improvement in outcomes. 3. utilizing genomic signatures Panelist raised issues genetic assay which analyzed genes currently we do not have treatment options which can modify disease process. Many questions were addressed such as, appropriate sampling time, which sample, liquid or tumor, can yield meaningful information. Conclusion Korean Breast Cancer consensus meeting highlighted important caveats behinds new promising findings. Clinical unmet need and uncertainty should be disclosed before patients because what clinician and patients work with is their life. Shared decision making is essential and patients should become well aware of science and medicine. Proactive approach of clinician is critical for these movements. Citation Format: Airi Han, Young-Joon Kang, Sei Hyun Kim, Eui Su Chae, Han Cho Kim, Kyong Hwa Park. Caveats behind the improved outcomes observed in recent clinical trials for women with breast cancer: Korean breast cancer consensus meeting 2023 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO5-26-08.

Medical image Classification using Transfer Learning: Convolutional Neural Network Models approach

A relatively low life expectancy in their greatest grade is caused by more debilitating diseases in the medical sector. Any kind of misdiagnosis may lead to improper medical intervention and lower the likelihood that a patient will survive. Making an appropriate treatment plan to cure and enhance the quality of life for patients suffering from any kind of illness starts with an accurate diagnosis. Convolutional neural networks and computer-aided disease detection systems have produced success stories and advanced the science of machine learning significantly. Compared to more conventional neural network layers, the deep convolutional layers automatically extract significant and reliable characteristics from the input space. Within the suggested structure, we use two convolutional neural network architectures (VGG16 and VGG19) to perform two types of medical imaging (x-ray and MRI) investigations in order to categorize brain tumors as normal and up normal as well as classify x-ray pneumonia or normal. The transfer learning strategies by VGG16 and vgg19 models that is, using MRI and x-ray to fine-tune and freeze are then examined in each investigation. In order to increase dataset samples and decrease the likelihood of over-fitting, data augmentation techniques are performed to MRI slices and x-rays for results that can be more broadly utilized. In the proposed studies, the fine-tune VGG19, VGG16 architecture attained highest accuracy up to 0.95with x-ray and 0.80 respectively. The accuracy0.98 used MRI in terms of classification and detection with VGG19.

Monogamous hybridization of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with Mozambique tilapia (O. mossambicus) results in unprecedented all-female F1 hybrid

Tilapiine breeding success is season-dependent, with very rare exceptions. The female (f) to male (m) ratio differences showed significant variations in fruitful breeding. Furthermore, the female-to-male ratio in any hybridization protocol involving reciprocal crosses may be the most influential factor in determining breeding seasonality. The innate genetic traits of tilapia, a prominent contributor to global aquaculture production, enable them to easily adapt to a wide range of aquatic environments, rendering them suitable for domestication. The study aimed to determine the breeding timeframe of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, N) through interspecific monogamous/two-parent reciprocal crossing with Mozambique tilapia (O. mossambicus, M). Considering preselected genotypic characteristics by PrlLK microsatellite marker, different combinations of hybrid reciprocal crosses were performed in breeding hapa (3 × 3 × 3 cubic feet) inside an indoor plastered cemented tank and then in an outdoor earthen pond facility. Total 11 parental pairs were attempted to propagate inside a cemented tank with (9 pairs) and without (2 pairs) hapa during early April to mid-June. Unfortunately, the trials failed to produce any successful breeding within the schedule. Among those 11 pairs, 6 pairs were Nf × Mm and 5 pairs were Mf × Nm cross. In the earthen pond inside hapa, a total of 18 pairs were attempted where seven breeding successes were reported without demonstrating any dependency for hybridizations over cross types or genotypes and for individuals over sex or species. Successful breeding were reported from the month of May to November. There were few overlapping months of successful breeding for different grouping categories. During the successful breeding period, there were no successful outcomes in both August and October. An inadvertent all-female F1 generation was observed for Mf × Nm crosses, while the reciprocal cross Nf × Mm produced an F1 generation with a nearly 1:1 female to male ratio. The F1 sex ratios exhibited a significant reliance on parental genotypic combinations (p = 5.4e-11). The success stories from different cross combinations would help to frame the breeding protocol for future research. More precisely, for arranging a breeding schedule in freshwater earthen ponds inside hapa for a monogamous/two-parent hybrid cross the study light a close insight.

The equity implications of TOD in Curitiba

Transit Oriented Development (TOD) projects are being increasingly adopted worldwide as a way to promote the coordination between transport and land-use planning. However, little attention has been given to how TOD projects are associated with socioeconomic and spatial inequalities and its effects on people’s access to economic activities and public services, particularly in the Global South. In this paper we analyze how socio-spatial inequalities have been shaped by transport and land-use planning in Curitiba (Brazil), a city internationally recognized for its TOD planning based on Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). We examine how the spatial organization of the BRT system is associated with the distribution of population densities, socioeconomic groups, and real-estate values and its implications in terms of inequalities of access to employment opportunities and health services. The results show that Curitiba's TOD has had limited influence on population densities, but contributed for the unequal distribution of its benefits, privileging high-income classes and premium real-estate along its main BRT corridors. These effects contribute to push low-income communities to peripheral urban areas with limited accessibility benefits from the transit system. Our findings suggest that Curitiba’s success story should be seen as a cautionary tale about the consequences of TOD planning, which perpetuate the spatial concentration of resources and reinforce inequalities of access to opportunities. The broader lesson of this study is that TOD planning must be constantly evaluated by its socials and environmental impacts, and be guided by mixed housing, and social inclusion to avoid potential consequences in terms of segregation and peripheralization of poorer communities.

Paradigms and Success Stories of Natural Products in Drug Discovery Against Neurodegenerative Disorders (NDDs).

Neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs) are multifaceted complex disorders that have put a great health and economic burden around the globe nowadays. The multi-factorial nature of NDDs has presented a great challenge in drug discovery and continuous efforts are in progress in search of suitable therapeutic candidates. Nature has a great wealth of active principles in its lap that has cured the human population since ancient times. Natural products have revealed several benefits over conventional synthetic medications and scientists have shifted their vision towards exploring the therapeutic potentials of natural products in the past few years. The structural mimicking of natural compounds to endogenous ligands has presented them as a potential therapeutic candidate to prevent the development of NDDs. In the presented review, authors have summarized demographical facts about various NDDs including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and various types of sclerosis in the brain. The significant findings of new active principles of natural origin along with their therapeutic potentials on NDDs have been included. Also, a description of clinical trials and patents on natural products has been enlisted in this compilation. Although natural products have shown promising success in drug discovery against NDDs, still their use is associated with several ethical issues which need to be solved in the upcoming time.

The release of ‘LCP 85‐384’ and its contribution to the Louisiana sugar industry

The release of ‘LCP 85‐384’ and its contribution to the Louisiana sugar industry

IoT applications in asset management: A review of accounting and tracking techniques

In the digital age, the confluence of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies with asset management practices heralds a transformative era, promising unprecedented efficiency and strategic advantage. This paper delves into the intricacies of this integration, exploring the evolution, challenges, and potential of IoT in reshaping asset management paradigms. With a keen aim to elucidate the transformative impact of IoT and navigate the complexities of its integration into asset management systems, the study adopts a qualitative research methodology, underpinned by a systematic literature review. This approach enables a comprehensive exploration of the subject matter, ensuring a nuanced understanding of the IoT's potential and pitfalls within the asset management domain. The findings illuminate a landscape where IoT applications significantly enhance asset utilization rates, underscored by empirical success stories and quantifiable improvements in operational efficiency. However, the journey reveals barriers—technical, organizational, and cultural—that impede seamless IoT adoption. Addressing these challenges, the paper offers strategic recommendations, emphasizing the need for strategic alignment, inter-organisational collaboration, and robust data management strategies to overcome integration hurdles. Conclusively, the study not only achieves its aim of highlighting the potential of IoT in asset management but also charts a course for future endeavors in this field. It posits that the strategic integration of IoT technologies stands as a cornerstone for the next generation of asset management practices, promising a future marked by enhanced efficiency, economic viability, and strategic agility. The recommendations provided serve as a compass for organizations embarking on the IoT integration journey, guiding them towards a horizon of transformative potential.

Jordanian EFL Students’ Attitudes toward Using an Instructional Program Based on Multiple Intelligences in Teaching Speaking Skills

This study investigated the attitudes of Jordanian EFL students toward using Multiple Intelligences in teaching speaking skills. The participants were one section of the seventh-grade students in Success Story School in Irbid, who were the experimental group. The experimental group was taught the speaking skills through an instructional program based on Multiple Intelligence (verbal-linguistic intelligence, interpersonal intelligence, and intrapersonal intelligence). An attitudinal questionnaire of 11 items was developed by the researcher to the participants of the experimental group to find out their attitudes toward the significance of the Multiple Intelligences instructional program on EFL students’ speaking skills. The results showed that the students’ attitudes were positive as the program was reported to have a noticeable effect on improving their speaking skills. This study recommended that Multiple Intelligences should be integrated into the EFL teaching to improve students’ speaking skills.

The Role of FSO in Financial Services

Abstract: This paper explores the critical role of Full Stack Observability (FSO) in the financial services industry, discussing its significance in addressing key challenges such as security, fraud detection, real-time transaction monitoring, compliance, and customer experience. The adoption of FSO tools has been increasing steadily, with industry reports projecting the FSO market in financial services to grow at a CAGR of 18.3% from 2021 to 2026. The paper presents real-world success stories of financial institutions that have implemented FSO solutions, showcasing the tangible benefits such as enhanced cybersecurity, optimized transaction processing, and improved customer satisfaction. The paper also highlights the importance of FSO in enabling financial institutions to navigate the complex regulatory landscape, streamline operations, and drive innovation in an increasingly digital world. As the financial services industry continues to evolve and embrace new technologies, the adoption of FSO is becoming a strategic imperative for organizations looking to stay competitive and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

Towards conceptualizing ‘demographic agency’ in Family Language Policy

This article investigates the success story of language maintenance in Arab families in Iran. Taking Fishman’s (1991) emphasis on micro face-to-face interactions in language maintenance processes as our point of departure, it argues that language maintenance requires that families live in a sociolinguistic milieu in which face-to-face interactions are facilitated by demographic patterns of settlement. Despite unfavorable institutional policies towards minority languages in Iran, the specific geographical makeup of the country has historically pushed speakers of minority languages to settle in certain regions (Katouzian, 2009). Drawing on Sealey and Carter’s (2004) concept of ‘demographic agency’, this article argues that such a demographic settlement of Arabs in southern cities and towns in Iran has given them a collective power to maintain their language, which takes the form of laissez-faire interactions in Arabic at home. The findings, based on interviews with families and recordings of interactions at home, suggest that, although parents express concern regarding their children’s academic achievement and socioeconomic mobility, which requires higher proficiency in Persian, this concern does not readily translate into language practices in Persian at home.

Cultural Governance: A Participatory Approach Towards Sustainable Heritage Management

The study explores the heritage management framework established by the Bopiliao Historic Block in Taipei, Taiwan, looking primarily at the methodologies employed to address the competing tensions between stakeholders. Through creative economy and heritage tourism, paved the way for cultural governance to become a significant tool of sustainable heritage management. The central purpose of the study is to present a case analysis of the Bopiliao Historic Block in Taipei, Taiwan, and the district of Escolta in Manila, Philippines, to demonstrate how cultural governance can generate a sustainable community-based cultural heritage preservation framework. Using the research methods of archival research and participant observation, the study was able to identify factors from the success story of the Bopiliao Historic Block in Taipei, Taiwan that can serve as learning points for the Escolta district in Manila, Philippines, to consider. The findings of the study reveal that it requires more than just the active participation of the civil society to develop a sustainable heritage management framework. Instead, it requires support from all the key stakeholders, and though the levels of support may vary, the major deciding factor is the recognition and acceptance of the historic and cultural value of the community.

Innovative Packaging of Local Food Products for Home and Foreign Markets: Case of Dala Foods Nigeria Ltd.

Innovations in packaging has seen significant development due to industrial processing of food and need for instant food due to lack of time to prepare food from fresh ingredients. This study explores the application of packaging in marketing local food products in local and foreign markets with a special focus on an indigenous food processing company; Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, makers of packaged Kunun Tsamiya brand. The study adopts qualitative research approach through case study method in order to have an in-depth exploration of how packaging contributes to the success of Kunun Tsamiya in the market. The selection of participants is made by applying a non-probability sampling technique through convenience sampling. Structured open-ended questions are applied in the interview and the responses are presented using descriptive analysis of the thematic areas covered by the interview. Findings of the study reveal that packaging is a valuable marketing tool as it plays a significant role in food product marketing. Similarly, it contributes immensely towards the marketing and success story of Kunun Tsamiya in both local and foreign markets. Therefore, it is highly recommended that our local companies and individual producers of food products should warmly embrace and use proper packaging in marketing their products without any delay.

The promotion of teaching and learning scholarship in undergraduate nursing non‐tenure line faculty: A success story

AbstractThis chapter uses a descriptive methodology that focuses on how the undergraduate team at a large multi‐campus research university located in a mid‐Atlantic state advocates and provides support for the scholarship of teaching and learning for non‐tenure nursing teaching faculty from a variety of perspectives.

Marketing Strategy Analysis in the Digital Era Taking Pinduoduo as an Example

In this study, the researcher will assess the marketing strategy analysis of Pinduoduo, a Chinese e-commerce giant that, over the past few years, has gained prominence and increased its market share against traditional e-commerce companies such as Alibaba and JD.com. In this study, the researcher will examine the effectiveness of the evolving online marketplace, focusing on the companys unique business model and strategies such as time-limited instant kills and social media marketing to develop a better understanding of the impact and success of Pinduoduos approach. The methodological approach that the researcher will use is a comprehensive literature review and the SWOT model to understand Pinduoduos digital marketing strategies. The literature review approach will focus on the core business model of the company, while the SWOT model will be instrumental in analyzing market positioning and segmentation. The key questions in this study include: conducting an assessment of the efficacy of Pinduoduos marketing plan; understanding its digital marketing trends; and drawing insights from global success stories in the industry. Pinduoduos marketing strategies that have led the company to effectively engage users, specifically those from low-tier cities, include time-limited instant kills, daily cash rewards, and subsidies. The SWOT analysis has helped the company identify strengths, such as market differentiation, and weaknesses, such as high unit prices. In conclusion, Pinduoduos success will be based on its ability to successfully navigate the sinking market and its successful utilization of its strategic innovations, making it a formidable player in the digital era.