International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry

Carbon monoxide (CO) surrogates are valuable synthetic reagents that circumvent the hazards of handling CO gas directly. However, owing to the structural diversity of available surrogates, their varied triggering conditions, and the requirement for sealed reactor systems, quantitative understanding of their CO release kinetics has remained elusive. Here, we report a non-contact computer vision method for monitoring and comparing vessel-specific CO release from ten structurally diverse surrogates in two chamber COware reactors. By tracking the colorimetric response of a ruthenium-based chemosensor, we establish a scoring system based on cumulative CO flux-from surrogate activation through gas-phase mass transfer to sensor capture-benchmarked against a CO balloon reference. This approach reveals a four-fold range in surrogate reactivity scores and enables systematic investigation of how reaction parameters such as base strength, solvent polarity, and stirring rate modulate CO release kinetics. We demonstrate that these kinetic differences translate directly to carbonylation reaction outcomes: in Pd-catalyzed Suzuki-Miyaura carbonylation, surrogate score correlates linearly with product conversion, consistent with an inverse dependence on CO concentration. The methods presented enable rational surrogate selection and open new possibilities for the quantitative design of synthetic methodologies dependent on controlled gas release.

Life on Earth is predominately based upon a single chirality set, but so-called “mirror life” - speculated life of the opposite chirality, either of artificial or natural origin - presents a low-likelihood, but high severity global biosecurity threat. Such an existential risk necessitates that technologies for surveillance and containment of mirror life are developed as a contingency. In this perspective, we propose a method for screening against mirror life hazards via an optical chirality assay, based upon circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) generated either via achiral fluorophores (via supramolecular chirality effects) or intrinsically chiral molecular probes. When bound to biological molecules, CPL-generating probes enable Enantioselective Differential Chiral Contrast (EDCC) imaging to verify chirality of a biological specimen. We set out why a multi-reporter panel approach – incorporating many CPL generating fluorescent/luminescent complexes – in conjunction with testing on conventional life’s chirality set, would be necessary to avoid false positives, and thereby screen against mirror life with a high degree of confidence. The all-optical approach could be deployed via recently innovated optical technologies, i.e. rapid CPL spectroscopy, CPL EDCC microscopes, and CPL EDCC cameras. We envisage that this CPL-based approach to screening against mirror life could be a useful tool for safeguarding against mirror life biohazards in a complimentary manner to any future legislative controls.

This study aims to compare the evaluation of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by ten super-experts using responses from a 10-question survey answered by 3 different artificial intelligence chatbots, Chat GPT-3.5, Chat GPT-4.0, Gemini, and a panel of 100 otolaryngologists specialized in sleep medicine. A 10-question survey regarding OSA management was answered by Chat GPT-3.5, Chat GPT-4.0, Gemini, and a panel of 100 otolaryngologists. The responses were assessed by ten super-experts in sleep medicine for their agreement with expert consensus, using a Likert scale. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the level of agreement and significance. Expert consensus had the highest mean score (4.5 ± 0.9), significantly outperforming all AI models. ChatGPT-3.5 was the best among AI systems, with a score of 4.1 ± 1.2 (p=0.003), followed by ChatGPT-4 with 3.9 ± 1.4 (p<0.001) and Gemini with 3.6 ± 1.5 (p<0.001). Perfect agreement with expert consensus was achieved in specific scenarios, particularly regarding indications for bariatric surgery and lateral pharyngoplasty. However, there were significant differences in complex clinical scenarios that required integration of multiple factors, particularly in therapeutic management questions where the performance of AI models was significantly below that of expert consensus (p<0.01). Although AI models are promising in the management of OSA, especially for well-defined clinical scenarios, they at present serve best as complementary tools rather than replacements for expert clinical judgment. Most surprisingly, ChatGPT-3.5 outperformed its newer versions in many aspects, indicating that model updates with general capabilities may not always lead to better performance in specialized medical domains. These findings emphasize the potential of AI as a supportive resource while emphasizing the continuing need for human expertise in complex clinical decision-making.

International audience

We present a 48-year-old female with a past medical history of endometrioid adenocarcinoma who presented with symptoms of spontaneous gum bleeding, post-coital bleeding, and upper extremities-lower extremities-abdomen ecchymosis. Initial laboratory findings were significant for cytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Due to a suspected case of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), conventional karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed. FISH analysis confirmed an unusual chromosome rearrangement that affected chromosomes 3, 15, and 17. This t(3;15;17)(q29;q24;q21) was characterized by the presence of PML::RARA fusion on the derivative chromosome 15. Treatment at the hospital with standard APL therapy of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and arsenic trioxide (ATO) was complicated by the development of differentiation syndrome, which necessitated the temporary stoppage of ATO. However, complete remission was achieved despite complications after starting consolidation treatment.

In the pursuit of progress and lasting change, one African saying resonates deeply: "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This proverb encapsulates the essence of collaboration and unity, highlighting the indispensable role of diverse perspectives and contributions in achieving enduring success. It underscores the imperative of embracing and respecting different backgrounds, cultures, and viewpoints to realise common objectives. The articles in this second issue of 2024 are indeed a demonstration of the Journal’s mission of diversity through joint social action.

Abstract BackgroundEEG in DLB is characterized by pre‐alpha dominant frequency (DF) [6–7.5] Hz. The appearance of prealpha rhythm in the cortex is linked to a dysfunctional thalamocortical connection, the thalamocortical dysrhythmia (TCD). The hypothesis that TCD is implicated in DLB has been demonstrated by several structural, functional, and molecular imaging studies. TCD has been implicated in the appearance of altered conscious states, including fluctuating cognition and delirium, two clinical core features of DLB. Delirium can represent the onset of DLB and is listed among the symptoms of prodromal DLB. We aimed to assess specific QEEG abnormalities akin to those found in DLB, also in delirium, to detect a prodromal stage of DLB.MethodCross‐sectional multicentre cohort study and longitudinal prospective study, nested in the multicentre. rsEEG activity was compared in hospitalized patients with delirium vs. patients without delirium. In a subset of 23 patients, rsEEG was also recorded in patients with delirium at resolution of symptom and and at 1‐month follow‐up. DF and DF variability (DFV) were analysed. ResultCross‐sectional multicentre study: 65 subjects with acute delirium were matched for age/sex with 41 controls. Abnormal EEGs were found in 100% delirium patients vs. 34% no‐delirium patients. DF was lower in delirium group (p&lt;0.001), which showed pre‐alpha DF; no‐delirium group had alpha DF. DFV was higher in delirium group (p&lt;0.001). Single‐centre longitudinal study: After delirium resolution, 21 patients had EEG normalization and were cognitively unimpaired. 2 patients had abnormal EEG and were respectively diagnosed as DLB and MCI.ConclusionAcute delirium was characterized by pre‐alpha rhythm, expression of TCD. In most patients EEG normalized after resolution, making EEG a state marker of acute delirium, when the thalamocortical system becomes unstable, but it is still able to recover. TCD may become unrecoverable when the neurodegenerative process of DLB progresses.

This paper is based upon a lightening talk that was given on February 14, 2023 at the 2023 NISO Plus conference. The presentation described the research for the creation of a white paper on the use of blockchain technology along the scientific research workflow that will be released in early 2024 by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC). What the three-year study found is that the technology is indeed being used in almost all the steps in the scientific research workflow - from hypothesis development through to publication - by commercial organizations as well as by non-profits and across all market sectors, even governments. For example, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) uses blockchain technology in a pilot program, the Grant-recipient Digital Dossier (GDD), to manage their grant program more efficiently. As of July 2021, GDD had reduced the time required to complete grant assessment tasks from four-plus-hours to a fifteen-minute process. This paper briefly summarizes the findings, discusses the pros/cons of the technology, and provides a glimpse of how the technology is impacting the future of scientific research.

The IUPAC–IUGS joint Task Group “Isotopes in Geosciences” (TGIG) has evaluated the published literature on the half-lives of six long-lived, geologically relevant radioactive nuclides. Where conflicting literature estimates are present, it is necessary to first identify any systematic bias in accordance with metrological traceability and to exclude the biased estimates from further consideration. The TGIG recommends three robust half-life estimates: 49.61 ± 0.16 Ga for 87Rb, corresponding to a decay constant λ(87Rb) = (1.3972 ± 0.0045) × 10−11 a−1; 106.25 ± 0.38 Ga for 147Sm, and a corresponding decay constant λ(147Sm) = (6.524 ± 0.024) × 10−12 a−1; 4.4683 ± 0.0096 Ga for 238U, i.e. a decay constant λ(238U) = (1.55125 ± 0.00333) × 10−10 a−1. All cited uncertainties have a coverage factor k = 2. For other radionuclides of Sm and U, no unambiguous consensus value can be endorsed at present by TGIG, which limits its evaluation to a status report highlighting unaccounted-for potential sources of bias. The improved repeatability of mass spectrometric measurements has revealed systematic bias effects that had been dismissed as subordinate in the past. These issues can only be resolved by future dedicated investigations.