Software-guided microscale flow calorimeter for efficient acquisition of thermokinetic data

Fast chemical process development is inevitably linked to an optimized determination of thermokinetic data of chemical reactions. A miniaturized flow calorimeter enables increased sensitivity when examining small amounts of reactants in a short time compared to traditional batch equipment. Therefore, a methodology to determine optimal reaction conditions for calorimetric measurement experiments was developed and is presented in this contribution. Within the methodology, short-cut calculations are supplemented by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations for a better representation of the hydrodynamics within the microreactor. This approach leads to the effective design of experiments. Unfavourable experimental conditions for kinetics experiments are determined in advance and therefore, need not to be considered during design of experiments. The methodology is tested for an instantaneous acid-base reaction. Good agreement of simulations was obtained with experimental data. Thus, the prediction of the hydrodynamics is enabled and the first steps towards a digital twin of the calorimeter are performed. The flow rates proposed by the methodology are tested for the determination of reaction enthalpy and showed that reasonable experimental settings resulted

The relevance of oral exposure in the workplace: a systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionThe inclusion of all relevant exposure routes in the exposure assessment is essential for the protection of workers. However, under European chemical regulations but also for workplace risk assessments according to occupational safety and health (OSH) requirements, the quantitative assessment of oral exposure is usually neglected assuming good occupational hygiene. In contrast, several studies point to the importance of unintentional ingestion in the workplace. To our knowledge, there is no systematic analysis of the extent of this exposure route.MethodsTherefore, the aim of this study was to assess systematically the current knowledge on the relevance of occupational oral exposure using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) method. Five electronic databases and nine institutional websites were searched for all publications on the relevance. The data were extracted into a concept matrix. In the subsequent meta-analysis, the identified conclusions on the relevance were analyzed. In addition, the measurement methods or modeling approaches that were described for occupational oral exposure were determined as well as the potentially relevant workplaces and substances.ResultsIn total, 147 studies were included in this analysis that contain a general or several, differentiated assessments of the relevance of occupational oral exposure. Nine of these studies assessed this exposure route as irrelevant. However, 123 studies considered oral exposure as potentially contributing and 80 studies explicitly identified it as relevant. 78 and 94 of the publications described modeling and measurement approaches, respectively. The workplaces frequently identified as potentially or explicitly relevant were other indoor, other industrial or recycling workplaces. Analogously, metals, dust and powders or pesticides were the most frequently investigated substance groups.DiscussionAs several studies assessed occupational oral exposure as relevant in the context of different workplaces and substances, further investigation of this exposure route is needed. This systematic review and meta-analysis serve as a basis for further development of feasible assessment methods for this route of exposure

Contributions and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples to the study of mercury in the Arctic

Arctic Indigenous Peoples are among themost exposed humanswhen it comes to foodbornemercury (Hg). In response, Hgmonitoring and research have been on-going in the circumpolar Arctic since about 1991; this work has beenmainly possible through the involvement of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. The present overview was initially conducted in the context of a broader assessment of Hg research organized by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. This article provides examples of Indigenous Peoples' contributions to Hg monitoring and research in the Arctic, and discusses approaches that could be used, and improved upon, when carrying out future activities. Over 40 mercury projects conducted with/by Indigenous Peoples are identified for different circumpolar regions including the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Sweden, Finland, and Russia as well as instances where Indigenous Knowledge contributed to the understanding of Hg contamination in the Arctic. Perspectives and visions of future Hg research as well as recommendations are presented. The establishment of collaborative processes and partnership/co-production approaches with scientists and Indigenous Peoples, using good communication practices and transparency in research activities, are key to the success of research and monitoring activities in the Arctic. Sustainable funding for community-driven monitoring and research programs in Arctic countries would be beneficial and assist in developing more research/monitoring capacity and would promote a more holistic approach to understanding Hg in the Arctic. These activities should be well connected to circumpolar/international initiatives to ensure broader availability of the information and uptake in policy development

Patterns of antibody responses to nonviral cancer antigens in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients differ by human papillomavirus status

There have been hints that nonviral cancer antigens are differentially expressed in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Antibody responses (AR) to cancer antigens may be used to indirectly determine cancer antigen expression in the tumor using a noninvasive and tissue-saving liquid biopsy. Here, we set out to characterize AR to a panel of nonviral cancer antigens in HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC patients. A fluorescent microbead multiplex serology to 29 cancer antigens (16 cancer-testis antigens, 5 cancer-retina antigens and 8 oncogenes) and 29 HPV-antigens was performed in 382 HNSCC patients from five independent cohorts (153 HPV-positive and 209 HPV-negative). AR to any of the cancer antigens were found in 272/382 patients (72%). The ten most frequent AR were CT47, cTAGE5a, c-myc, LAGE-1, MAGE-A1, -A3, -A4, NY-ESO-1, SpanX-a1 and p53. AR to MAGE-A3, MAGE-A9 and p53 were found at significantly different prevalences by HPV status. An analysis of AR mean fluorescent intensity values uncovered remarkably different AR clusters by HPV status. To identify optimal antigen selections covering a maximum of patients with ≤10 AR, multiobjective optimization revealed distinct antigen selections by HPV status. We identified that AR to nonviral antigens differ by HPV status indicating differential antigen expression. Multiplex serology may be used to characterize antigen expression using serum or plasma as a tissue-sparing liquid biopsy. Cancer antigen panels should address the distinct antigen repertoire of HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC

Contributions and perspectives of Indigenous Peoples to the study of mercury in the Arctic

Arctic Indigenous Peoples are among the most exposed humans when it comes to foodborne mercury (Hg). In response, Hg monitoring and research have been on-going in the circumpolar Arctic since about 1991; this work has been mainly possible through the involvement of Arctic Indigenous Peoples. The present overview was initially conducted in the context of a broader assessment of Hg research organized by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme. This article provides examples of Indigenous Peoples' contributions to Hg monitoring and research in the Arctic, and discusses approaches that could be used, and improved upon, when carrying out future activities. Over 40 mercury projects conducted with/by Indigenous Peoples are identified for different circumpolar regions including the U.S., Canada, Greenland, Sweden, Finland, and Russia as well as instances where Indigenous Knowledge contributed to the understanding of Hg contamination in the Arctic. Perspectives and visions of future Hg research as well as recommendations are presented. The establishment of collaborative processes and partnership/co-production approaches with scientists and Indigenous Peoples, using good communication practices and transparency in research activities, are key to the success of research and monitoring activities in the Arctic. Sustainable funding for community-driven monitoring and research programs in Arctic countries would be beneficial and assist in developing more research/ monitoring capacity and would promote a more holistic approach to understanding Hg in the Arctic. These activities should be well connected to circumpolar/international initiatives to ensure broader availability of the information and uptake in policy development

Don’t Try to “Make” Me, Motivate Me: Strategies for Intrinsically Motivating Students in Title I Schools

If teachers want to close the achievement gap and reach all students, they must be willing to adopt strategies/practices that MOTIVATE and INSPIRE. In this session we will provide elementary educators in Title I schools with information about the development of intrinsic motivation and motivational strategies/practices that honor and value students’ race, ethnicity, gender, class, religion, and family