Technology Development Program Research Articles

Management of scientific and technological regional development in the Volga Federal District: review of government programs

Relevance. In light of the growing interest in the scientific and technological development of regions, setting goals for scientific and technological advancement at the national level, the issue of developing programs for the development of science and education leading to the technological sovereignty of the country becomes relevant.The purpose is to analyze the ongoing programs for scientific and technological development of the regions of the Volga Federal District, as well as individual indicators characterizing the dynamics of the scientific and educational sector of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation.Objectives: conduct an economic and statistical analysis of the main indicators characterizing the scientific and technological progress of the regions of the Volga Federal District; identify regions of the Volga Federal District in which state programs for scientific and technological development have been developed, and consider their features.Methodology. The study used methods of economic-statistical and comparative analysis.Results. A review of state programs for scientific and technological development shows that four pilot regions of the Volga Federal District (Nizhny Novgorod region, Republic of Tatarstan, Republic of Bashkortostan and Republic of Mordovia) have already developed corresponding programs, and two regions (Orenburg region and Perm Territory) are under development. The remaining regions either have state programs that indirectly indicate the development of scientific and technological potential, or they do not exist.Conclusions. Scientific and technological development programs represent an important document that defines strategic guidelines for the development of science, technology and higher education. Regions that have already developed state programs for scientific and technological development have a high scientific reserve and are located in the top positions in the National Rating of Scientific and Technological Development of Regions. Such regions show strong results in the scientific and educational sector, which contributes to improving the economic and social development of the region. A systematic analysis of these programs makes it possible to identify their impact on various aspects of social life, as well as determine the effectiveness of the measures taken and mechanisms for achieving the set goals. It is important to take into account the variety of approaches to the development and implementation of strategic programs, which should be aimed at the unique characteristics of the country’s regions, their bottlenecks and development prospects, taking into account an assessment of their potential.

Technological sovereignty is a priority of the transport policy of the Russian Federation in the context of external sanctions

The technological sovereignty of our country in the face of external sanctions is impossible without a purposeful state policy in its main areas, including transport. The article considers the objectives of transport policy to achieve technological sovereignty in the transport complex in the modern geopolitical situation. The author analyzed the main documents that define the state strategy for ensuring technological sovereignty. Currently, government agencies are very effectively solving these tasks together with state corporations, in particular, together with Russian Railways. Today, the holding implements innovative partnerships, concludes international agreements on cooperation in the field of transport construction with friendly countries and is a leader in the number of certificates of state registration of software and other innovative products received. In the course of the analysis of the innovative activity of JSC «Russian Railways», the possibilities of state corporations for solving the tasks of ensuring the technological sovereignty of Russia are revealed. To do this, it is necessary to actively develop science, create the necessary institutional conditions, as well as provide state support in the field of financing priority areas and projects, forming forms of economic participation of the state in the work of transport companies on the basis of equal partnership. the author comes to the conclusion that the basis of the innovation strategy JSC «Russian Railways» today is a comprehensive program for the development of the holding and an information technology development program. The holding's experience as a state corporation shows that such business associations are largely capable and ready to solve the main tasks of ensuring the technological sovereignty of the country.

Sintilimab combined with bevacizumab in relapsed or persistent ovarian clear cell carcinoma (INOVA): a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial

Ovarian clear cell carcinoma rarely responds to second-line chemotherapy, the recommended treatment for relapsed epithelial ovarian cancer. Here, we report the activity and safety of sintilimab in combination with bevacizumab in patients with relapsed or persistent ovarian clear cell carcinoma. In the prospective, multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 INOVA trial, patients aged 18-75 years with histologically confirmed relapsed or persistent ovarian clear cell carcinoma were enrolled from eight tertiary hospitals in China. Eligible patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score of 0-2 and previous exposure to at least one cycle of platinum-containing chemotherapy. Enrolled patients received sintilimab (200 mg) and bevacizumab (15 mg/kg) intravenously every 3 weeks until disease progression. The primary endpoint was objective response rate assessed by independent central review based on Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours version 1.1. Eligible enrolled patients who received at least one cycle of treatment and had at least one tumour response assessment following the baseline assessment per protocol were included in the activity analysis. Patients who received at least one dose of study drug were included in the safety analysis. The study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04735861) and is ongoing. Between April 8, 2021, and July 3, 2023, 51 patients were screened and 41 patients received at least one dose of sintilimab in combination with bevacizumab. Response evaluation was completed in 37 patients. Objective responses were observed in 15 patients (objective response rate 40·5%; 95% CI 24·8-57·9), of which five (14%) were complete responses and ten (27%) were partial responses. At data cutoff (Jan 29, 2024), the median follow-up was 16·9 months (IQR 7·5-23·4). Three (7%) patients developed grade 3 treatment-related adverse events including one patient with proteinuria, one patient with myocarditis, and one patient with rash. No treatment-related adverse events of worse than grade 3 severity were recorded. Treatment-related serious adverse events occurred in two (5%) patients including one patient with immune-related myocarditis and another with hypertension and renal dysfunction. No treatment-related deaths occurred. Sintilimab in combination with bevacizumab showed promising anti-tumour activity and manageable safety in patients with relapsed or persistent ovarian clear cell carcinoma. Larger, randomised trials are warranted to compare this low-toxicity, chemotherapy-free combinatorial regimen with standard chemotherapy. National Key Technology Research and Development Program of China, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation, and Innovent Biologics. For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Machine-learning-derived online prediction models of outcomes for patients with cholelithiasis-induced acute cholangitis: development and validation in two retrospective cohorts

Cholelithiasis-induced acute cholangitis (CIAC) is an acute inflammatory disease with poor prognosis. This study aimed to create machine-learning (ML) models to predict the outcomes of patients with CIAC. In this retrospective cohort and ML study, patients who met the both diagnosis of 'cholangitis' and 'calculus of gallbladder or bile duct' according to the International Classification of Disease (ICD) 9th revision, or met the diagnosis of 'calculus of bile duct with acute cholangitis with or without obstruction' according to the ICD 10th revision during a single hospitalization were included from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care database, which records patient admissions to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, MA, USA, spanning June 1, 2001 to November 16, 2022. Patients who were neither admitted in an emergency department nor underwent biliary drainage within 24h after admission, had an age of less than 18, or lost over 20% of the information were excluded. Nine ML methods, including the Logistic Regression, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine, Adaptive Boosting, Decision Tree, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, Gaussian Naive Bayes, Multi-Layer Perceptron, and Support Vector Machine were applied for prediction of in-hospital mortality, re-admission within 30 days after discharge, and mortality within 180 days after discharge. Patients from Zhongda Hospital affiliated to Southeast University in China between January 1, 2019 and July 30, 2023 were enrolled as an external validation set. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was the main index for model performance assessment. A total of 1156 patients were included to construct models. We performed stratified analyses on all patients, patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and those who underwent biliary drainage during ICU treatment. 13-16 features were selected from 186 variables for model training. The XGBoost method demonstrated the most optimal predictive efficacy, as evidenced by training set AUROC of 0.996 (95% CI NaN-NaN) for in-hospital mortality, 0.886 (0.862-0.910) for re-admission within 30 days after discharge, and 0.988 (0.982-0.995) for mortality within 180 days after discharge in all patients, 0.998 (NaN-NaN), 0.933 (0.909-0.957), and 0.988 (0.983-0.993) in patients admitted to the ICU, 0.987 (0.970-0.999), 0.908 (0.873-0.942), and 0.982 (0.971-0.993) in patients underwent biliary drainage during ICU treatment, respectively. Meanwhile, in the internal validation set, the AUROC reached 0.967 (0.933-0.998) for in-hospital mortality, 0.589 (0.502-0.677) for re-admission within 30 days after discharge, and 0.857 (0.782-0.933) for mortality within 180 days after discharge in all patients, 0.963 (NaN-NaN), 0.668 (0.486-0.851), and 0.864 (0.757-0.970) in patients admitted to the ICU, 0.961 (0.922-0.997), 0.669 (0.540-0.799), and 0.828 (0.730-0.925) in patients underwent biliary drainage during ICU treatment, respectively. The AUROC values of external validation set consisting of 61 patients were 0.741 (0.725-0.763), 0.812 (0.798-0.824), and 0.848 (0.841-0.859), respectively. The XGBoost models could be promising tools to predict outcomes in patients with CIAC, and had good clinical applicability. Multi-center validation with a larger sample size is warranted. The Technological Development Program of Nanjing Healthy Commission, and Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Jiangsu Province High-Level Hospital Construction Funds.

Unlocking maintenance-architecting STEP for maintenance and realizing remountable magnet joints.

The architecture of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) has been developed to enable a hybrid maintenance approach using ports in the vacuum vessel for a limited list of tasks that must be performed shortly after shutdown, and larger openings to simplify and speed up major refits. Robotic handling systems in zero-human entry facilities will prevent workers from being exposed to the most hazardous environments. While the approach is largely grounded in existing technologies, the scale and environment of STEP will require significant technology development. Notably, programmes have been established to develop service connections and in-vessel robotic technologies. The engineering integration of the maintenance strategy into the tokamak remains a priority, as does ongoing work to simplify and reduce the cost of the buildings required to facilitate maintenance. Remountable magnet joints are critical to ensuring life-limited magnet components can be replaced during the STEP lifetime and realizing the STEP maintenance strategy. It is a high-risk endeavour owing to the low technology maturity of the potential solutions and owing to the tough and intertwined technical challenges and constraints imposed by both the fundamental physics and the STEP requirements and architecture. An integrated design approach has been taken to balance many competing factors and integrate with interfacing systems, and a multi-faceted technology development programme has been established to address technical risk and to inform, verify and validate the STEP remountable magnet design. This article is part of the theme issue 'Delivering Fusion Energy - The Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP)'.

ANALISIS PEMBIASAAN NILAI - NILAI AKHLAKUL KARIMAH SEBAGAI UPAYA PEMBANGUNAN KARAKTER PADA ANAK USIA DINI DI DAERAH TERDEPAN, TERLUAR DAN TERTINGGAL (3T) KABUPATEN ROTE NDAO

The phenomenon of a character crisis resulting in moral decline in the nation's generation should be overcome through the role of education as an effort to familiarize oneself with moral values. Schools and teachers have an important role in forming children's morals apart from family and parents in educating them, especially during the learning process. Facilitating the akhlakul karimah (noble character) needs of children in underdeveloped, outermost and frontier areas is an important and urgent challenge. This research uses a qualitative descriptive research approach. The aim of this research is to collect as much factual data as possible on the subject naturally in implementing the practice of akhlakul karimah values as an effort to build character in early childhood in frontier, outermost and disadvantaged areas (3T). Efforts to facilitate children's moral and moral needs are often not a top priority. Nevertheless, the importance of character and morality formation in children should not be ignored. To overcome this challenge, a collaborative approach between various parties, inclusive education that integrates moral values in educational programs, parent training, use of technology, community strengthening, and social skills development programs can be an effective solution.

A review of talent management and human resource practices in the context of small and medium enterprises

In the dynamic environment of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the expertise of Talent Management (TM) and Human Resource (HR) practices is important. These include a comprehensive approach for identifying, nurturing and retaining qualified workers, which define the core structure of SMEs' organizational strength. It represent an inclusive strategy to workforce development, including recruiting, upskilling, performance optimization, and developing a working culture that is well matched to the unique subtleties and challenges that SMEs encounter. This review provides a comprehensive examination of TM and HR management (HRM) methods in the context of SMEs. It starts by stressing the significance and specifics of SMEs, emphasizing their critical role in fostering growth as well as the unique obstacles they confront as a result of resource restrictions and enterprising dynamics. The importance of TM in SMEs is highlighted its crucial role in generating organizational success and innovation. Despite the inherent difficulties of TM in SMEs, such as limited resources and talent acquisition hurdles, there are exciting opportunities for advancement. Innovations in technology, strategic collaborations and talent development programs provide opportunities for SMEs to improve their competitiveness and sustainability. By addressing these significant difficulties, this summary gives a complete review of TM and HRM practices in SMEs, emphasizing the need for specialized solutions to assist SMEs with managing the complexity of recruitment and achieving sustainable success.

WAYS OF COMMERCIALIZATION OF YOUTH STUDENTS' ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROJECTS AND INCREASING BUSINESS INCUBATOR ACTIVITY IN THE CONDITION OF GIVING FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE TO EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The article analyzes reforms in providing financial independence to educational institutions of the Republic of Uzbekistan and ways to achieve financial support for ideas and projects of young entrepreneurs who graduate from educational institutions. Opinions of foreign and domestic scientists regarding the financing of the business incubator system are given. In addition, information is provided on models of financial support for commercialization of innovative business ideas, scientific and technological development projects and programs of students who are members of universities, technical schools, colleges, vocational schools, monocenters, public and private business incubators, and additional the economic benefits of creating new workplaces are highlighted.

РАЗВИТИЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЙ НАУЧНО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ СФЕРЫ

The main issue on the agenda not only at the federal level, but also in the global system is technological leadership. The achievement of national (technological) security is achievable through the cooperative construction of the scientific community, business entrepreneurship and the state. In this article, the authors draw attention to the three-pronged model of promoting scientific and technological development. The key link in it is the region. The region as a meso-level represents a conduit between scientific research and enterprises that balance sustainable regional development. Currently, it is extremely important to take into account the needs of enterprises in view of the limited market. The necessary components and materials must be made from Russian products. To do this, it is necessary to create a "bridge" between the scientific community, which is engaged in scientific and experimental design developments. The main directions of scientific and technological development are highlighted, the outline of scientific and technological results in the context of achieving technological safety is defined. Since the maximization of the results of scientific and technological creativity contributes to the increase of production potential, which in turn contributes to the expansion and achievement of human resources, satisfaction of the needs of the population. The article presents and analyzes statistical data on the development of individual subjects of the Russian Federation, which are leaders in scientific and technological development in the rating of the same name. At the same time, the key challenges that affect the speed of development of scientific and technological directions are highlighted. The authors propose, as a management decision to improve the technological development of the region as a key element in ensuring national (technological) security, the development of strategic documents, scientific and technological development programs, which are accompanied by a number of measures. The article proposes these measures and indicates their timely correction in the conditions of the world order and the geopolitical situation.

Effect of Oxygen Functionalities inside Carbon Micropore on Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance

Introduction Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSB) using a sulfur cathode with a high specific capacity (1672 mAh g-1) have been regarded as one of the most promising candidates for large-scale energy storage systems, while the sulfur cathode's drawback hinders the commercial application of LSB. Soluble Li2Sx (x = 4 – 8) generated during a charge-discharge process dissolves into electrolytes, which induces LSB's self-discharge and capacity decay. The main efforts to overcome this issue have been on physical confinement of sulfur in the pores of porous carbons [1,2]; however, carbon materials, being non-polar in nature, interact weakly with the polar Li2Sx, which still leads to low cycle stability of LSB. Hence, the surface modification to porous carbon, which provides polar-polar interaction between the carbon surface and Li2Sx, has been performed, suppressing the Li2Sx dissolution and improving LSB's performance [1,3].On the other hand, we reported that polar-oxygen functionalities on microporous carbon (MC), which are generated with oxidants, significantly improve the discharge capacity of LSB [4]. The formation of Li2Sx (x = 4 – 8) is inhibited in micropores (pore diameter < 2 nm) [5]; therefore, the oxygen functional groups probably improve the discharge capacity of LSB assembled with a MC-sulfur composite cathode due to factors other than the suppression effect of Li2Sx dissolution. Our previous study revealed that oxygen functionalities on the MC surface contribute to the enhanced electrochemical performance of the LSB by preventing electrolyte decomposition and thus decreasing the resistance of the cathode electrolyte interface (Rcei) [6]. However, the ratio of Rcei to the total resistance of the LSB is small; the oxygen functional groups would improve the performance of LSB by affecting other resistance. Herein, we investigate the effect of surface oxygen functionalities on charge transfer resistance (Rct) and Li+ diffusion of LSB. Our report would provide deep insight into the surface modification of carbon materials as LSB’s cathode. Method 2.1. Preparation of Oxidized MC-Sulfur composite MC was added into 69 wt.% HNO3 and refluxed at 120ºC for 2 h (Ox MC). Washed and dried Ox MC was mixed with sulfur at a weight ratio of 48: 52. The mixture was heated at 155ºC for 5 h (Ox MC-S). 2.2. Assembling of Cells To obtain the Ox MC-S cathode, the slurry prepared by mixing the Ox MC-S, acetylene black, carboxymethyl cellulose, and styrene butadiene rubber at a weight ratio of 89: 5: 3: 3 was coated on an Al foil. The cells with the Ox MC-S cathode and Li metal anode were assembled in a glove box. Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI): tetraglyme (G4): 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethyl 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropylether (HFE) = 10: 8: 40 (by mol) was used as the electrolyte. 2.3. Activation Energy Measurement with Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) To elucidate the effect of oxidation treatment on the Rct and Warburg impedance (Rw) of Li-S batteries, activation energy measurement was carried out at 2.5 V in the 50th charging process. The temperature range was 0 – 25°C, and the alternating current voltage amplitude was 10 mV. Rw was investigated with the calculation of the Warburg coefficient (σ). Major results and conclusion The activation energy of Rct (Ect) and σ were determined to investigate the effects of oxygen functional groups formed at MC surfaces on charge transfer processes and Li+ diffusion. While Ect increased from 0.65 to 0.72 eV by oxidation treatment, the frequency factor increased from 17.7 to 20.9; this indicates that the oxygen functional groups improve the number of reaction sites where three substances (carbon, active material, and electrolyte) come into contact with each other. The σ of MC-S and Ox MC-S were 281.2 and 178.9 Ω s-1/2, respectively. Therefore, a decrease in Rw due to oxygen functional groups was suggested.The charge transfer process and Li+ diffusion occur inside the microporous carbon particles where the confined sulfur is present. We processed the Ox MC-S particle from the cathode after the 50th charging using focused ion beam (FIB) milling to obtain a cross-section and observed it with STEM-EELS. This result will also be reported in our presentation.This work was supported by “Advanced Low Carbon Technology Research and Development Program, Specially Promoted Research for Innovative Next Generation Batteries (ALCA-SPRING [JPMJAL1301])” from JST.[1] X. Ji et al., Nat. Mater., 8 (2009) 500.[2] T. Takahashi et al., Prog. Nat. Sci., 25 (2015) 612.[3] L. Yoshida et al., Electrochim. Acta, 429 (2022) 141000.[4] S. Okabe et al., Electrochemistry, 85 (2017) 671.[5] Y. Xiao et al., RSC Adv., 10 (2020) 39875.[6] L. Yoshida et al., 242nd ECS Meeting s, Z01-2299 (2022).

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus camrelizumab for locally advanced cervical cancer (NACI study): a multicentre, single-arm, phase 2 trial

Locally advanced cervical cancer constitutes around 37% of cervical cancer cases globally and has a poor prognosis due to limited therapeutic options. Immune checkpoint inhibitors in the neoadjuvant setting could address these challenges. We aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy for locally advanced cervical cancer. In this single-arm, phase 2 trial, which was done across eight tertiary hospitals in China, we enrolled patients aged 18-70 years with untreated cervical cancer (IB3, IIA2, or IIB/IIIC1r with a tumour diameter ≥4 cm [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, 2018]) and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 or 1. Eligible patients underwent one cycle of priming doublet chemotherapy (75-80 mg/m2 cisplatin, intravenously, plus 260 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel, intravenously), followed by two cycles of a combination of chemotherapy (cisplatin plus nab-paclitaxel) on day 1 with camrelizumab (200 mg, intravenously) on day 2, with a 3-week interval between treatment cycles. Patients with stable disease or progressive disease received concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and patients with a complete response or partial response proceeded to radical surgery. The primary endpoint was the objective response rate, by independent central reviewer according to Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours, version 1.1. Activity and safety were analysed in patients who received at least one dose of camrelizumab. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04516616, and is ongoing. Between Dec 1, 2020, and Feb 10, 2023, 85 patients were enrolled and all received at least one dose of camrelizumab. Median age was 51 years (IQR 46-57) and no data on race or ethnicity were collected. At data cutoff (April 30, 2023), median follow-up was 11·0 months (IQR 6·0-14·5). An objective response was noted in 83 (98% [95% CI 92-100]) patients, including 16 (19%) patients who had a complete response and 67 (79%) who had a partial response. The most common grade 3-4 treatment-related adverse events during neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy were lymphopenia (21 [25%] of 85), neutropenia (ten [12%]), and leukopenia (seven [8%]). No serious adverse events or treatment-related deaths occurred. Neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy showed promising antitumour activity and a manageable adverse event profile in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer. The combination of neoadjuvant chemo-immunotherapy with radical surgery holds potential as a novel therapeutic approach for locally advanced cervical cancer. National Key Technology Research and Development Program of China and the National Clinical Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Can financing technological development programs mitigate mineral resource consumption-related environmental problems faced by Sub-Saharan African nations?

Much like the Global South, countries located in the Sub-Saharan African region have plentiful deposits of critical minerals. However, mineral dependency in these countries is assumed to be inflicting detrimental impacts on their environmental conditions. Hence, this study tests this assumption by utilizing data from 30 developing nations from this mineral-rich region. Specifically, the environmental influences associated with mineral consumption, technological development financing, financial globalization, and urbanization are explored. Based on the analytical outcomes, derived using robust panel data analytical methods, it is certified that mineral resource dependence is responsible for triggering carbon emission-led environmental problems. Besides, disbursement of technological development funds is found to directly improve environmental conditions while indirectly limiting the environmental distresses exerted by the mineral industries located across Sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, validating the pollution haven hypothesis, the findings endorse the environmental condition-degrading impact of foreign direct investment flowing into the concerned nations. Lastly, urbanization is found to be responsible for raising environmental concerns by boosting the carbon emission figures further. Thus, it is recommended that the governments of the selected Sub-Saharan African nations make their mineral industries more ecologically friendly, provide ample financial support for technological development programs, attract clean foreign direct investment, and implement environmentally-sustainable urbanization policies.

Empowering Human Resources through Digitization and IoT Training: Development of Remote Home Lighting Control System Using IoT

Purpose: This research paper focuses on the empowerment of teenagers in the Renggong hamlet through the development of a remote home lighting control system using IoT technology. The study addresses the implementation process, teenage responses, and the impact on their quality of life, shedding light on the significance of technology in their daily lives.&#x0D; Method: Employing a qualitative approach, the study conducted surveys during outreach in the Renggong hamlet. The research design involved the development of an IoT-based lighting control system, with data collected through participant responses and engagement. Qualitative analysis techniques were utilized to interpret the findings.&#x0D; Practical Applications: The research demonstrates practical applications of IoT, enhancing teenagers' awareness and skills. Its insights benefit education, technology, and community development programs, facilitating digital empowerment.&#x0D; Conclusion: This study highlights IoT's transformative role, promoting digital literacy and skills among youth. Its findings enrich our understanding of technology's potential, benefiting educational and community initiatives significantly.

The impact of previous conservative treatment of atypical hyperplasia on pregnancy outcomes after IVF/ICSI-embryo transfer: a propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study.

Do women have worse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes of IVF/ICSI-fresh embryo transfer (ET) after conservative treatment of atypical hyperplasia (AH)? AH has no impact on live birth but is associated with increased risks of pregnancy loss and preterm delivery (PTD). AH is a precancerous lesion of endometrial cancer. Several recognized AH risk factors include nulliparity, increased body mass index, ovulation disorders, diabetes mellitus, and others. As such, patients are suggested to attempt conception upon achieving AH regression. Recently, successful pregnancies with IVF/ICSI have been increasingly reported. Forty-two patients with AH regression and 18700 women with no evidence of endometrial abnormality, who underwent their first autologous oocytes' retrieval and fresh ET cycles of IVF/ICSI in the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, from May 2008 to July 2021, were retrospectively enrolled. First, 42 AH patients were propensity score matched with control women (n = 168) at a 1:4 ratio. Reproductive outcomes and maternal/neonatal complications were compared between the matched pairs. Binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess odds ratios (ORs) of AH for live birth, pregnancy loss, and PTD from AH women and all 18700 eligible controls. Patients with AH achieved a numerically lower live birth rate (LBR) as compared to the matched controls, but without significant difference (26% versus 37%, P = 0.192). However, compared with the matched controls, AH patients showed significantly higher rates of pregnancy loss (52% versus 21%, P = 0.003) and PTD (45% versus 16%, P = 0.041). Further analyses revealed a statistically significantly increased rate of late pregnancy loss (17% versus 3%, P = 0.023), but not early miscarriage (35% versus 18%, P = 0.086), in the AH group. Furthermore, after correcting for potential confounders, the likelihood of a live birth in AH patients narrowly failed to be statistically significantly different from controls (adjusted OR [aOR]: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.25-1.04, P = 0.064). Nonetheless, the logistic regression reconfirmed that AH was an independent risk factor for pregnancy loss (aOR: 3.62, 95% CI: 1.55-8.46, P = 0.003), late pregnancy loss (aOR: 9.33, 95% CI: 3.00-29.02, P < 0.001), and PTD (aOR: 5.70, 95% CI: 1.45-22.38, P = 0.013). Selection bias was an inherent drawback of this study. First, because of the low AH prevalence among women receiving IVF/ICSI treatment, and consequently, limited sample size, the relationship between AH with LBR and adverse complications might be concealed and underestimated. Hence, the results should be interpreted cautiously. Similarly, the impacts of diverse clinical features of AH patients on the pregnancy outcomes need further studies in a larger population. Second, although most data used in this study were obtained by reviewing the medical records, missing data did exist and so did the recall bias. Third, although the propensity score matching and multivariable logistic models were performed collectively in order to minimize potential confounders between AH and controls, the intrinsic disadvantages of the retrospective nature of this study could not be avoided completely, and additional confirmation bias might be induced with reduplication of statistical analyses. Our results highlight the necessity of adequate counseling and intensive pregnancy monitoring for AH individuals and their families. This work was supported by grants from the National Key Research & Developmental Program of China (2022YFC2703800), the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2022MH009), and Projects of Medical and Health Technology Development Program in Shandong Province (202005010520, 202005010523). There are no conflicts of interest to declare. N/A.

Solid Oxide Cell Performance: Spatially Resolved Oxygen Electrode Stability

Solid Oxide Cell (SOC) electrolysis will play an important role in the electrification of the chemical, fertilizer, and fuel industries, contributing to the reduction of their reliance on fossil fuel feedstocks. The integration of high temperature steam and CO2-electrolyzers in industrial processes with readily available waste heat and renewable electricity allows for highly efficient green hydrogen production and methods for CO2 utilization.The development of next generation SOC electrolyzer technology at TNO aims to provide high performance and low-cost technological options for the electrification of the aforementioned chemicals and fuels industries. The ambition of the SOC technology development program is to assist the whole value chain, from cell manufacturing to end-users, by increasing the economic viability of the technology. In line with this ambition, the TNO R&D activities regarding SOC technology concentrate on cell and stack technology development coupled with techno-economic and business case studies on SOC technology integration in the industrial environment. Improvements in SOC performance and durability for electrolysis applications are of great importance for the successful industrial implementation of the technology. Hydrogen Europe targets for 2030 aim at low stack degradation rates of 0.5%/khr at thermoneutral voltage, while delivering current densities of at least 1.5 A/cm2. Therefore, lifetime improvements at high current density are one of the vocal points of SOC development efforts, which calls for a good understanding of the degradation phenomena and analytical methods to investigate the material stability in the SOC during electrolysis operation.In this contribution, the current status of SOC development and testing within TNO will be presented. Several aspects of TNO SOC performance characteristics will be discussed, with a focus on water electrolysis performance and lifetime behaviour during endurance tests of several thousand hours. Excellent water electrolysis performance of the TNO SOC cells is observed at thermoneutral voltage (1.3 V), achieving current density values of 1.75 A/cm2 at an operating temperature of 750 ºC. Lifetime assessment and material degradation of the SOC will be discussed, with a focus on the analysis of observed degradation phenomena in the oxygen electrode material. As oxygen electrode degradation can be critical for SOC performance in a stack environment, it is important to have a good understanding of the degradation processes and the ability to monitor them. At TNO, a novel high-resolution 2D mapping of the lateral conductivity of the oxygen electrode have been used as an effective tool for quality control and validation of the air electrode development. Additionally, the combination of 2D sheet resistance mapping, SEM-EDX and XRD techniques (Figure 1) provides a powerful combination of tools to obtain a spatially resolved (3D) view of the localized degradation observed in the oxygen electrode after several thousand hours of water electrolysis. Figure 1

Performance of Solvent Substituted Ionomer Dispersions in Catalyst Layer for Hydrogen-Based Energy Conversion Devices

Catalyst inks for the preparation of porous catalyst layer for hydrogen-based energy conversion devices is composed of electrocatalyst, ionomer dispersion and additional solvents. Solvents have an important role in determining the size of ionomer aggregates, the properties of catalyst ink and the morphology of catalyst layer. It has been reported that the solvents for ionomer dispersions substantially influenced the size of ionomer aggregates and finally resulted in the performance and durability. To understand a deep insight into solvent-ionomer molecular interaction, solvation energy obtained by molecular design modeling for a measurement of the relative solubility of ionomers in solvents was studied in this study. In this study, we investigated the solvent-ionomer molecular interaction using molecular design modeling simulation and experimental validation in proton exchange membrane fuel cell and water electrolysis. In addition, I-V polarization curves, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were measured and analyzed in terms of solvent property and solvation energy. Acknowledgment This research was supported in part by the Hydrogen Energy Innovation Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning(NRF-2019M3E6A1063677) and by the New and Renewable Energy of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) granted financial resource from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Republic of Korea (No. 20213030040520).

Catalyst Layers with Blended Ionomer Using Short- and Long-Side Chain Dispersions

Hydrogen-based energy conversion technology is based on the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) comprising of an electrolyte and a pair of catalyst layers. It should have high efficiency and allow dynamic operation at low temperature. Electrochemical reactions for hydrogen oxidation reaction and oxygen reduction reaction occur in the catalyst layers in the MEA. Catalyst layers for MEA is prepared by catalyst inks comprising of electrocatalyst, ionomer dispersion and additional solvents. Ionomers plays an important roles for the formation of porous structure of catalyst layer for transportation of gas and reactant and for the ionic conduction. The ionomers are divided that long side chain (LSC) and short side chain (SSC) depending on the length of side chain. Long side chain (LSC) ionomers shows high performance at low temperatures and high humidity, while short side chain (SSC) ionomers shows high performance at high temperatures and low humidity. It has been reported that the properties of ionomer dispersions substantially influence the performance of catalyst layers due to the different interaction between electrocatalysts and ionomer. In this study, to investigate the effect of the properties of ionomer, various contents of blended ionomer dispersions were prepared. Properties of single and blended ionomers were characterized using catalysts layers in terms of I-V polarization, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and microscopic evaluation such as porosimetry. Acknowledgment This research was supported in part by the Hydrogen Energy Innovation Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT & Future Planning(NRF-2019M3E6A1063677) and by the New and Renewable Energy of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) granted financial resource from the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy, Republic of Korea (No. 20213030040520).

Global advances in genomic editing in pig breeding

An overview of the main world advances in editing the pig genome using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, in particular the modification of the genes (MSTN, IGF2, ZBED6, UCP1, LGALS12, APOE, vWF) to improve productivity and economic properties as well as the disease resistance genes (APN, CD163, SRCR5, RSAD2) in pigs is presented. It is of great interest to study the experience of using this innovative tool to produce pigs with specified traits. The development of molecular genetic research and the discovery of gene-phenotype relationships has provided the platform needed to modify specific genes to significantly shorten the reproductive cycles and improve the efficiency of pig breeding. The relatively recent CRISP/Cas9 system has already found use in many advanced fields of research, but its application is limited in the challenges of pig breeding, including the production of transgenic pigs. It is due to the fact that there are ethical and regulatory issues associated with genetically-edited products and the potential non-target effects of CRISPR/Cas9 that need to be investigated. Genomic editing technology is actively developing worldwide. Russia is implementing the 2019-2027 genetic technology development program. The main goal of the program is to comprehensively address the problems of accelerated development of genetic technologies, including genetic editing technologies. Obtaining results through genomic editing of farm animal lines with new, improved properties is one of the program’s target indicators. CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to improve pig performance characteristics such as resistance to disease, thermoregulation, improved meat yield and quality.

1583-P: Dynamic Tracking and Identification of Liver-Specific Secretory Proteins in the Circulation of Live Mice

Secretory proteins are an essential component of interorgan communication networks that regulate animal physiology. Current approaches for identifying secretory proteins from specific cell and tissue types are largely limited to in vitro or ex vivo models which often fail to recapitulate in vivo biology. As such, there is mounting interest in developing in vivo analytical tools that can provide accurate information on the origin, identity, and spatiotemporal dynamics of secretory proteins. Here, we describe iSLET (in situ Secretory protein Labeling via ER-anchored TurboID) which selectively labels proteins that transit through the classical secretory pathway via catalytic actions of Sec61b-TurboID, a proximity labeling enzyme anchored in the ER lumen. To validate iSLET in a whole-body system, we express iSLET in the mouse liver and demonstrate efficient labeling of liver secretory proteins which could be tracked and identified within circulating blood plasma. Furthermore, proteomic analysis of the labeled liver secretome enriched from liver iSLET mouse plasma is highly consistent with previous reports of liver secretory protein profiles. Taken together, iSLET is a versatile and powerful tool for studying spatiotemporal dynamics of secretory proteins, a valuable class of biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Disclosure K.Kim: None. J.Suh: None. Funding National Research Foundation of Korea (2018R1A2A3075389, 2016M3A9B6902871, 2017K1A1A2013124, 2021R1A2C2007573, 2020R1C1C1013927); KAIST Key Research Institutes Project; Bio and Medical Technology Development Program (2019M3E5D3073104); Ministry of Science

RENAL5: ADVANCE Kidney Health: Student, Faculty and University Engagement to Advance the Renal Workforce and Drive Innovation for the Future

Background: Kidney Disease (KD) is a significant cause of morbidity and morbidity on the rise in the U.S. and worldwide. A widening gap is developing between the present workforce and technology available to address KD and that which is anticipated as needed to meet future demands associated with rising KD prevalence. We developed a program - ADVANCE Kidney Health (Arizona Technology Development and Clinical Education Program for Students in Kidney Health), aimed specifically at undergraduates, to foster interest, education, engagement and research in Kidney Medicine. The program is supported by the NIH. We report on the early phase of this program. Methods: A hands-on program was developed based on four pillars: 1) science, medical and engineering education; 2) training in innovation, entrepreneurship and translation; 3) experiential learning, mentorship and clinical immersion; and 4) needs-based application and practical translation – aimed at producing motivated, trained and committed biomedical trainees interested in renal health and science. Undergraduate students were recruited as Freshman/Sophomores immersed in didactic and lab experiences, advanced in Junior year with increasing lab and clinical exposure and specific project definition, culminating in a full Senior Year Engineering Design Capstone project. Students were selected by a faculty panel based on interest, academic performance, and diversity considerations. Students were required to report and present on results and participate in science/medical meetings fostering increasing engagement in the field. Results: The program overall has attracted great undergraduate interest with increasing application rates, demand and popularity among engineering, physiology and computer science majors, In Year 1 of the program 80+ students applied with 4 students selected. In Year 2 100+ students applied with 8 selected. All students have largely continued in the program with minimal attrition, in fact attracting more adjunct students to join though related elective courses available. In Yr 1, 3 Sr. design projects advanced; in Yr 2, 5 Sr. Design projects advanced, involving 15 and 25 students, respectively. In Yr 2 individual research was submitted to national meetings including ASAIO. Conclusion: A multi-component engagement program aimed at undergraduates is an effective means of immersing students in the broad space of Kidney Medicine. To date it is apparent that students from a wide range of undergraduate majors find interest and a surprising “fit” into this space. A wide range of novel technologies and projects have emerged. Many have expressed interest in advancing to either medical school, graduate education or work in the kidney space. This approach to advance workforce development shows great promise for the future.