In this study, we synthesised a novel alkyl sulphonated polyimide (ASPI) using an aliphatic dianhydride monomer containing cyclobutane moiety (ASPI-7-H), and investigated influence of backbone conformation of aliphatic ASPIs on proton conductivity and supramolecular channel formation. Molecular simulations revealed that ASPI-7-H adopted distorted backbone geometry, distinct from reported rigid or bent aliphatic ASPIs. Polymer backbone in ASPI-7-H thin film was aligned parallel to the substrate. Moreover, ASPI-7-H thin film formed an anisotropic supramolecular lamellar structure upon humidification, resulting in high proton conductivity of 9.0 & times; 10-2 S cm-1 at 298 K and 95% relative humidity. Compared with other aliphatic ASPIs, higher water uptake was required to induce lamellar structure formation, reflecting distorted backbone. Obtained results demonstrate that while lyotropic liquid-crystalline behaviour is governed by multiple factors, including backbone rigidity, hydration, and degree of supramolecular organisation, backbone rigidity plays a key role in modulating hydration threshold and continuity of transport pathways.
Flooding is a recurrent climate-related hazard in southern Thailand that frequently disrupts schooling and undermines educational continuity. Despite the critical importance of school-based disaster preparedness, there is limited empirical evidence explaining the drivers of flood preparedness among primary school teachers in climate-vulnerable regions. This study aimed to identify the cognitive, experiential, and topographic factors correlated with flood knowledge, flood risk perception (FRP), and flood preparedness (FP) among primary school teachers in Nakhon Si Thammarat province. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 745 teachers using a structured questionnaire that covered sociodemographic characteristics, flood experience, training, information sources, and regional topography (elevation, slope, and distance to river). Spearman's rank correlation and Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were applied to examine the relationships and predictive factors. The findings revealed that topographic factors, specifically distance to the nearest river, were significantly associated with teachers' flood knowledge, while school elevation was significantly related to FRP. Community-based information was a strong predictor of flood knowledge. Furthermore, prior flood experience, first-aid training, access to school-based information networks, and FRP were identified as key drivers of FP. Moreover, the negative relationships were found between flood knowledge and FP suggest that preparedness is influenced by complex cognitive and behavioral mechanisms rather than knowledge alone. These findings highlight the importance of integrating topographic risk information, experiential learning, and community-based information networks into school-based disaster preparedness programs rather than relying solely on knowledge. These findings offer practical implications for designing targeted teacher training and school-based disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies in climate-vulnerable settings.
Second-line FOLFIRI plus ramucirumab (RAM) is one of standard treatments for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) following progression on anti-EGFR therapy in RAS wild-type tumors. However, biomarkers for RAM efficacy remain unclear. We conducted a translational analysis to evaluate the association of plasma biomarkers, including angiogenesis-related factors (AFs) and RAS mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), with clinical outcomes. This biomarker study was embedded within the JACCRO CC-16 trial, which enrolled patients with mCRC with RAS wild-type tumors receiving FOLFIRI plus RAM after anti-EGFR therapy. Plasma samples were collected at baseline, day 15, and post-treatment. RAS status in ctDNA was analyzed using BEAMing digital PCR; AFs were assessed using Luminex multiplex assay. Associations with progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and objective response rate (ORR) were analyzed. Among 41 evaluable patients with RAS wild-type tumors, RAS mutations were detected in ctDNA at pretreatment in 44
We investigate the relationships among the mass-weighted mean diameter ( D_m ), normalized intercept parameter ( N_w ), and rainfall rate (R) using five disdrometers and GPM Dual-frequency Precipitation Radar (DPR) observations over the northeastern Indian subcontinent. By extending the conventional D_m – N_w framework to include rainfall rate, we directly link rainfall microphysics to rainfall intensity. Rainfall with 1.5 ≤ D_m < 2.5 mm exhibits a bimodal structure in the D_m –R– N_w relationship, consisting of Type A rainfall ( N_w ≥ 36 dB) with high rainfall rates and Type B rainfall ( N_w < 36 dB) with lower rainfall rates. Type A rainfall is more frequent during the monsoon season and over orographic regions. The DPR product shows limited variability in N_w and rarely reproduces high- N_w rainfall, leading to systematic underestimation of rainfall intensity. These results highlight the importance of representing N_w variability for improving satellite-borne precipitation radar retrievals.
Background Erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) resistance in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is influenced by various factors, including diabetes. Although diabetes has been linked to ESA resistance, the BRIGHTEN study in Japan found no direct correlation. This study aimed to identify factors contributing to ESA resistance in patients with diabetes by analyzing the diabetic kidney disease (DKD) status and CKD stage. Methods A post hoc analysis was conducted using data from the BRIGHTEN study, a multicenter prospective observational trial investigating ESA resistance in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD. Patients were categorized based on diabetes status (DM vs. non-DM) and further stratified by CKD stage and presence of DKD. ESA resistance was assessed using the erythropoietin resistance index. Results No significant differences in ESA resistance were observed between the DM and non-DM groups. However, among patients with diabetes, those with DKD exhibited higher ESA resistance and required higher darbepoetin alfa (DA) dosages than did those with non-DKD nephropathy (NDKD-DM). ESA resistance and DA dosage increased with CKD progression, with notable differences in CKD stage G4 between the DKD and NDKD-DM groups. Conclusion Although diabetes alone was not associated with ESA resistance, patients with DKD exhibited higher resistance, suggesting that ESA resistance is more closely linked to DKD than to diabetes itself. These findings highlight the role of proteinuria and inflammation in the ESA response, emphasizing the need for individualized anemia management strategies based on nephropathy type.
