Boron-Mediated Regioselective Aromatic C−H Functionalization via an Aryl BF2 Complex

An efficient regioselective functionalization of 2-aryl-heteroarenes and aryl aldehydes via an azaaryl BF2 complex has been developed. Mechanistically the reaction comprises fluoride to bromide ligand exchange on an aryl boron species and consecutive C−B bond cleavage to deliver a broad range of functionalized products. The reaction is high yielding, has a broad substrate scope where several different heteroarenes can be functionalized with chloro, bromo, iodo, hydroxyl, amine and BF2 in a highly regioselective fashion. The method can be applied for late-stage functionalization or for rapid skeleton remodeling with for instance cross-couplings

System Level Life Cycle Assessment Models for EU and National Waste Management

Global production and consumption has increased dramatically in recent decades and waste is currently being generated faster than any other environmental pollutant (Hoornweg et al., 2013). This has led world leaders to embrace the concept of a circular economy, where the ‘end-of-life’ concept is replaced with ‘restoration’ (Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2020). The EU has thus, established a range of regulatory targets that prioritize the recycling and reuse of resources over incineration and landfill (European Commission, ND). This will inevitably lead to a wide range of new technological developments and product design requirements etc., to accommodate these targets. However, if waste is mismanaged, it can have detrimental consequences on both human health and the environment (Taelman et al., 2018). Thus, it is imperative that the impacts of waste management systems are assessed to ensure resource circularity whilst avoiding any adverse effects. In addition, it is important to assess whether or not the regulatory targets are aimed at the appropriate waste streams and sectors. Currently, no studies provide a comprehensive and system level life cycle assessment (LCA) model that enables consistent assessment of all of the waste streams occurring at national or regional level. This study, therefore, contributes to an ongoing EU project that seeks to develop a flexible modelling framework, which is adaptable to changes in framework conditions, technology options and regulatory focus etc., for quantification of relevant impacts on the EU waste management system, with particular focus on addressing future changes, tracking material flows, uncertainty analysis, and on import of EU and country-specific waste data through Eurostat. At the conference, the current model set-up along with any preliminary results and ongoing recommendations are presented. References Hoornweg, D., Bhada-Tata, P., and Kennedy, C. (2013). Environment: Waste Production Must Peak This Century. Nature, v. 502, pages 615-617. https://doi.org/10.1038/502615a. Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2020). ‘It’s time to step up, not step back’ – more than 50 global leaders pledge to build back better with the circular economy. Retrieved from: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/news/more-than-50-global-leaders-pledge-to-build-back-better-withthe- circular-economy. European Commission (ND). Waste and Recycling. Retreived from: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/waste-and-recycling_en. Taelman, S. E., Tonini, D., Wandl, A., Dewulf, J. (2018). A Holistic Sustainability Framework for Waste Management in European Cities: Concept Development. Sustainability, 10(7), 1 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/su1007218

A Monte Carlo method to estimate the confidence intervals for the concentration index using aggregated population register data.

In this paper, we introduce several statistical methods to evaluate the uncertainty in the concentration index (C) for measuring socioeconomic equality in health and health care using aggregated total population register data. The C is a widely used index when measuring socioeconomic inequality, but previous studies have mainly focused on developing statistical inference for sampled data from population surveys. While data from large population-based or national registers provide complete coverage, registration comprises several sources of error. We simulate confidence intervals for the C with different Monte Carlo approaches, which take into account the nature of the population data. As an empirical example, we have an extensive dataset from the Finnish cause-of-death register on mortality amenable to health care interventions between 1996 and 2008. Amenable mortality has been often used as a tool to capture the effectiveness of health care. Thus, inequality in amenable mortality provides evidence on weaknesses in health care performance between socioeconomic groups. Our study shows using several approaches with different parametric assumptions that previously introduced methods to estimate the uncertainty of the C for sampled data are too conservative for aggregated population register data. Consequently, we recommend that inequality indices based on the register data should be presented together with an approximation of the uncertainty and suggest using a simulation approach we propose. The approach can also be adapted to other measures of equality in health.Peer reviewe

Using multiple imputation and intervention-based scenarios to project the mobility of older adults

Background: Projections of the development of mobility limitations of older adults are needed for evidence-based policy making. The aim of this study was to generate projections of mobility limitations among older people in the United States, England, and Finland. Methods: We applied multiple imputation modelling with bootstrapping to generate projections of stair climbing and walking limitations until 2026. A physical activity intervention producing a beneficial effect on self-reported activities of daily living measures was identified in a comprehensive literature search and incorporated in the scenarios used in the projections. We utilised the harmonised longitudinal survey data from the Ageing Trajectories of Health – Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies (ATHLOS) project (N = 24,982). Results: Based on the scenarios from 2012 to 2026, the prevalence of walking limitations will decrease from 9.4 to 6.4%. A physical activity intervention would decrease the prevalence of stair climbing limitations compared with no intervention from 28.9 to 18.9% between 2012 and 2026. Conclusions: A physical activity intervention implemented on older population seems to have a positive effect on maintaining mobility in the future. Our method provides an interesting option for generating projections by incorporating intervention-based scenarios

A regional early warning for slushflow hazard

Slushflows are rapid mass movements of water-saturated snow. They release in gently sloping locations (&lt;30°) and are hence not restricted to steep slopes. Slushflows are observed worldwide in areas with seasonal snow cover and pose a significant natural hazard in Norway. Hazard prediction and early warning are therefore crucial to prevent casualties and damage to infrastructure. A regional early warning for slushflow hazard was established in Norway in 2013–2014 as the first of its kind in the world. It has been operational since then. Four main variables are central in the methodology used: ground conditions, snow properties, air temperature, and water supply to snow. Gridded forecasting model simulations in the decision-making tool Varsom Xgeo, real-time data from automatic stations, and field observations from the field are assessed. Based on data from historical slushflows, a water supply–snow depth by snow type ratio has been developed as an assessment tool. This approach can be implemented in other areas with slushflow hazard where the necessary input data are available.</p