Open Access

AbstractThe triplet‐sensitized (by the solvent acetone) as well as the direct (λex=300–320 nm) photochemical decarboxylation of N‐phthaloylated γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivatives are versatile and high‐yielding routes to benzopyrrolizidines via intramolecular electron transfer initiated decarboxylation followed by radical coupling. The ß‐mono‐ and ß,ß'‐disubstituted N‐phthaloyl GABA derivatives 7 a–7 g, respectively, were applied as substrates. Decarboxylative photocyclization yielded hydroxy benzopyrrolizidines 8 a–8 g in high chemical yields and with moderate diastereoselectivities from the ß‐monosubstituted substrates. The analogous α‐substituted GABA derivatives 11 a–11 c were also applied as potential substrates for memory of chirality effects. The reaction quantum yields of the photodecarboxylation reactions for the parent GABA derivative 13 and for the new substrates 7 h and 11 a were determined by the quantum yield determination system (QYDS) and showed a remarkable concentration dependency indicating aggregation at higher substrate concentrations. Inhibition studies on the atherogenic human serine hydrolase cholesterol esterase showed derivatives 8 a and 8 d to exhibit a hyperbolic mode of inhibition with moderate IC50 values of about 60–80 μM.

Agroforestry coffee cultivation represents a promising sustainable agricultural practice in the Cerro de Kuskawás Natural Reserve (CKNR). This study evaluates the impacts of agroforestry systems on the sustainability of smallholder farms, considering economic, environmental, social, and governance dimensions. Data were collected from 15 smallholder farms participating in agroforestry initiatives supported by private sector interventions, specifically through an outgrowers scheme. The research utilized a mixed-method approach, incorporating questionnaires based on the FAO’s TAPE tool and interviews, to assess changes in income stability, biodiversity, gender equity, and land tenure security. The findings reveal that agroforestry coffee cultivation significantly enhances sustainability across multiple dimensions. Economically, it provides increased income stability and diversification, as smallholders benefit from both the higher market value of sustainably produced coffee and additional revenue from integrated crops like fruits and timber. Environmentally, agroforestry systems improve soil health, enhance biodiversity, and reduce the need for chemical inputs, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural ecosystem. Socially, the inclusion of women in these agroforestry initiatives has led to improved gender equity and greater empowerment for female smallholders. However, the study also highlights key challenges, including the high initial costs of transitioning to agroforestry, the dependency on external support from private sector entities, and limited autonomy for smallholders due to centralized control structures. The results suggest that while agroforestry systems have the potential to significantly contribute to sustainable development in the CKNR, achieving long-term sustainability will require addressing these challenges through cooperative models and local governance structures. This study provides valuable insights into the role of agroforestry coffee cultivation in promoting sustainability.

Biobased polymers derived from plant oils are sustainable alternatives to petro based polymers. In recent years, multienzyme cascades have been developed for the synthesis of biobased ω-aminocarboxylic acids, which serve as building blocks for polyamides. In this work, we have developed a novel enzyme cascade for the synthesis of 12-aminododeceneoic acid, a precursor for nylon-12, starting from linoleic acid. Seven bacterial ω-transaminases (ω-TAs) were cloned, expressed in Escherichia coli and successfully purified by affinity chromatography. Activity towards the oxylipin pathway intermediates hexanal and 12-oxododecenoic acid in their 9(Z) and 10(E) isoforms was demonstrated for all seven transaminases in a coupled photometric enzyme assay. The highest specific activities were obtained with ω-TA from Aquitalea denitrificans (TRAD), with 0.62 U mg−1 for 12-oxo-9(Z)-dodecenoic acid, 0.52 U mg−1 for 12-oxo-10(E)-dodecenoic acid and 1.17 U mg−1 for hexanal. A one-pot enzyme cascade was established with TRAD and papaya hydroperoxide lyase (HPLCP-N), reaching conversions of 59% according to LC-ELSD quantification. Starting from linoleic acid, up to 12% conversion to 12-aminododecenoic acid was achieved with a 3-enzyme cascade comprising soybean lipoxygenase (LOX-1), HPLCP-N and TRAD. Higher product concentrations were achieved by the consecutive addition of enzymes compared to simultaneous addition at the beginning.

Chatbots gelten als eine maßgebliche technologische Innovation der letzten Jahre, die als digitales Selbst-Coachingtool zunehmend den Coachingbereich erfasst. Der Beitrag gibt einen Überblick über aktuelle Entwicklungslinien von digitalen Coaching-Begleitern und Assistenten. Es werden Einsatzfelder in Unternehmen, Organisationen und Hochschulen skizziert sowie Potenziale und Herausforderungen von Coaching-Chatbots benannt. Die Konzeption und Entwicklung von Chatbots werden als interdisziplinärer, co-kreativer und iterativer Prozess vorgestellt. Der Beitrag schließt mit einem Ausblick auf die Zukunft von Chatbots im Coaching.

Exposure is an essential component of risk models and describes elements that are endangered by a hazard and susceptible to damage. The associated vulnerability characterizes the likelihood of experiencing damage (which can translate into losses) at a certain level of hazard intensity. Frequently, the compilation of exposure information is the costliest component (in terms of time and labor) of risk assessment procedures. Existing models often describe exposure in an aggregated manner, e.g., by relying on statistical/census data for given administrative entities. Nowadays, earth observation techniques allow the collection of spatially continuous information for large geographic areas while enabling a high geometric and temporal resolution. Consequently, we exploit measurements from the earth observation missions TanDEM-X and Sentinel-2, which collect data on a global scale, to characterize the built environment in terms of constituting morphologic properties, namely built-up density and height. Subsequently, we use this information to constrain existing exposure data in a spatial disaggregation approach. Thereby, we establish dasymetric methods for disaggregation. The results are presented for the city of Santiago de Chile, which is prone to natural hazards such as earthquakes. We present loss estimations due to seismic ground shaking and corresponding sensitivity as a function of the resolution properties of the exposure data used in the model. The experimental results underline the benefits of deploying modern earth observation technologies for refined exposure mapping and related earthquake loss estimation with enhanced accuracy properties.