Rapid development of ICT business services by business engineers independent of computer scientists

Current software development requires computer scientists to create and to adapt services to new or changing needs. In addition development and maintenance of software is time and cost intensive. Customizing of standard software is laborious. Software engineering research approaches as Domain Engineering, Model Driven Software Engineering and Product Line Engineering try to increase the abstraction level of the specification of the models to reduce the required time and money to build applications and services but they still demand the implementation by computer scientists. In two projects supported by the CTI (Commission for Technology and Innovation of the Swiss Confederation) we analysed how to achieve a higher level of abstraction and how to specify database-centric business services in a manner business engineers are able to create and to adapt services completely by themselves. Besides the methodology to specify these services (data structure, business rules, etc.), methods and technologies to hide all technical aspects (infrastructure, software architecture, versioning etc.) entirely from the business engineer had to be developed. In this paper an according graphical notation to specify services or complete applications is discussed

Activated phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ syndrome: Update from the ESID Registry and comparison with other autoimmune-lymphoproliferative inborn errors of immunity

Background: Activated phosphoinositide-3-kinase d syndrome (APDS) is an inborn error of immunity (IEI) with infection susceptibility and immune dysregulation, clinically overlapping with other conditions. Management depends on disease evolution, but predictors of severe disease are lacking. Objectives: This study sought to report the extended spectrum of disease manifestations in APDS1 versus APDS2; compare these to CTLA4 deficiency, NFKB1 deficiency, and STAT3 gain of-function (GOF) disease; and identify predictors of severity in APDS. Methods: Data was collected from the ESID (European Society for Immunodeficiencies)-APDS registry and was compared with published cohorts of the other IEIs. Results: The analysis of 170 patients with APDS outlines high penetrance and early onset of APDS compared to the other IEIs. The large clinical heterogeneity even in individuals with the same PIK3CD variant E1021K illustrates how poorly the genotype predicts the disease phenotype and course. The high clinical overlap between APDS and the other investigated IEIs suggests relevant pathophysiological convergence of the affected pathways. Preferentially affected organ systems indicate specific pathophysiology: bronchiectasis is typical of APDS1; interstitial lung disease and enteropathy are more common in STAT3 GOF and CTLA4 deficiency. Endocrinopathies are most frequent in STAT3 GOF, but growth impairment is also common, particularly in APDS2. Early clinical presentation is a risk factor for severe disease in APDS. Conclusions: APDS illustrates how a single genetic variant can result in a diverse autoimmune-lymphoproliferative phenotype. Overlap with other IEIs is substantial. Some specific features distinguish APDS1 from APDS2. Early onset is a risk factor for severe disease course calling for specific treatment studies in younger patients. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2023;152:984-96.

Evidence-based Kernels: Fundamental Units of Behavioral Influence

This paper describes evidence-based kernels, fundamental units of behavioral influence that appear to underlie effective prevention and treatment for children, adults, and families. A kernel is a behavior–influence procedure shown through experimental analysis to affect a specific behavior and that is indivisible in the sense that removing any of its components would render it inert. Existing evidence shows that a variety of kernels can influence behavior in context, and some evidence suggests that frequent use or sufficient use of some kernels may produce longer lasting behavioral shifts. The analysis of kernels could contribute to an empirically based theory of behavioral influence, augment existing prevention or treatment efforts, facilitate the dissemination of effective prevention and treatment practices, clarify the active ingredients in existing interventions, and contribute to efficiently developing interventions that are more effective. Kernels involve one or more of the following mechanisms of behavior influence: reinforcement, altering antecedents, changing verbal relational responding, or changing physiological states directly. The paper describes 52 of these kernels, and details practical, theoretical, and research implications, including calling for a national database of kernels that influence human behavior

Diels-Alder Cycloaddition in Medicinal Chemistry

Abstract: Diels-Alder reactions have emerged as highly powerful transformations for the generation of structurally complex polycyclic scaffolds essentially due to their associated rapidity and atom-economy. Since its discovery in 1928, a better understanding of steric and electronic effects have allowed the development of many different versions including intra-molecular [4+2] cycloadditions, hetero-Diels-Alder reactions, and catalytic asymmetric variants, among others. In this chapter, we will give an overview on the application of Diels-Alder reactions in Medicinal Chemistry

Factors influencing the processing and technological properties of laminates based on phenolic resin impregnated papers

High quality decorative laminate panels typically consist of two major types of components: the surface layers comprising décor and overlay papers that are impregnated with melamine-based resins, and the core which is made of stacks of kraft papers impregnated with phenolic (PF) resin. The PF-impregnated layers impart superior hydrolytic stability, mechanical strength and fire-resistance to the composite. The manufacturing involves the complex interplay between resin, paper and impregnation/drying processes. Changes in the input variables cause significant alterations in the process characteristics and adaptations of the used materials and specific process conditions may, in turn, be required. This review summarizes the main variables influencing both processability and technological properties of phenolic resin impregnated papers and laminates produced therefrom. It is aimed at presenting the main influences from the involved components (resin and paper), how these may be controlled during the respective process steps (resin preparation and paper production), how they influence the impregnation and lamination conditions, how they affect specific aspects of paper and laminate performance, and how they interact with each other (synergies)

Properties data of phenolic resins synthetized for the impregnation of saturating Kraft paper

The quality of decorative laminates boards depends on the impregnation process of Kraft papers with a phenolic resin, which constitute the raw materials for the manufacture of the cores of such boards. In the laminates industries, the properties of resins are adapted via their syntheses, usually by mixing phenol and formaldehyde in a batch, where additives, temperature and stirring parameters can be controlled. Therefore, many possibilities of preparation of phenolic resins exist, that leads to different combinations of physico-chemical properties. In this article, the properties data of eight phenolic resins synthetized with different parameters of pH and reaction times at 60 °C and 90 °C are presented: the losses of pH after synthesis and the dynamic viscosities measured after synthesis and once the solid content is adjusted to 45%w/w in methanol. Data acquired by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) of the resins and Inverse Gas Chromatography (IGC) of cured solids are given as well

Wake Up Call of A Sleeping Beauty”: Straightforward Synthesis of Functionalized β-(2-Pyridyl) Ketones from 2,6-Lutidine

We report a one-step process for the preparation of substituted b-(2-pyridyl)-ketones with a variety of functional groups. b-(2-Pyridyl)-ketones are a unique class of heterocycle with valuable physicochemical properties and emerging pharmacophores. More specifically we exemplified the importance of this building block in a short series of anti-malarial natural products

Self-healing of densely crosslinked thermoset polymers : a critical review

Structural and functional thermosetting composite materials are exposed to different kinds of stress which can damage the polymer matrix, thus impairing the intended properties. Therefore, self-healing materials have attracted the attention of many research groups over the last decades in order to provide satisfactory material properties and outstanding product durability. The present article provides a critical overview of promising self-healing strategies for crosslinked thermoset polymers. It is organized in two parts: an overview about the different approaches to self-healing is given in the first part, whereas the second part focuses on the specific chemistries of the main strategies to achieve self-healing through crosslinking. It is attempted to provide a comprehensive discussion of different approaches which are described in the scientific literature. By comparison of the advantages and disadvantages, the authors wish to provide helpful insights on the assessment of the potential to transfer the extensive present knowledge about self-healing materials and methods to surface varnishing thermoset coatings

Impact of phenolic resin preparation on its properties and its penetration behavior in Kraft paper

The core of decorative laminates is generally made of stacked Kraft paper sheets impregnated with a phenolic resin. As the impregnation process in industry is relatively fast, new methods need to be developed to characterize it for different paper-resin systems. Several phenolic resins were synthesized with the same Phenol:Formaldehyde ratio of 1:1.8 and characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR) as well as Size-Exclusion Chromatography (SEC). In addition, their viscosities and surface tensions when diluted in methanol to 45% of solid content were measured. The capacity of each resin to penetrate a Kraft paper sheet was characterized using a new method, which measures the conductivities induced by the liquid resin crossing the paper substrate. With this method, crossing times could be measured with a good accuracy. Surprisingly, the results showed that the penetration time of the resin samples is not correlated to the viscosity values, but rather to the surface tension characteristics and the chemical characteristics of paper. Furthermore, some resins had a higher swelling effect on the fibers that delayed the crossing of the liquid through the paper

Novel chitosan-modified surfaces to study stem cell receptors and signaling

Stem cells have great potential for understanding early development, treating human diseases, tissue trauma and early phase drug discovery. The factors that control the regulation of stem cell survival, proliferation, migration and differentiation are still emerging. Some evidences now exist demonstrating the potent effects of various receptors and G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR)-ligands on the biology of stem cells. In this context, we developed novel synthetic surfaces to study stem cell receptors and their signaling, with a particular interest in the biocompatible material chitosan. These synthetic surfaces will present a series of small molecules that are anticipated to act both as agonists/ or antagonists and targeting agents of protein receptors and/or growth factor receptors located at the surface of our stem cells of choice. A special interest was given to extracellular receptor-ligand interactions and how they enhance and/ or inhibit their cellular responses, as well as how they activate/silence their connected pathway(s)