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CaCl(2) is applied as an efficient reusable and eco-friendly bifunctional catalyst for the one-pot three-component synthesis of 4H-pyrans under ultrasonic irradiation. A broad range of substrates including the aromatic and heteroaromatic aldehydes, indoline-2,3-dione (isatin) derivatives, acenaphthylene-1,2-dione (acenaphthenequinone) and 2, 2-dihydroxy-2H-indene-1,3-dione (ninhydrin) were condensed with carbonyl compounds possessing a reactive α-methylene group and alkylmalonates. All reactions are completed in short times, and the products are obtained in good to excellent yields. The catalyst could be recycled and reused several times without any loss of efficiency.

The polyethylene glycol‐bonded tetraethyl ammonium hydroxide [PEG‐TEA]OH was synthesized and characterized as a new reusable biodegradable surfactant‐combined base catalyst. The obtained catalyst was successfully applied for the synthesis of 2‐substituted‐2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones in water via a newly reported synthetic reaction that is the condensation of 2‐aminobenzonitrile and carbonyl compounds. Using this method, a broad range of carbonyl compounds (aromatic as well as aliphatic aldehydes and ketones) were successfully reacted with 2‐aminobnzonitrile in water as a benign and completely nontoxic reaction medium and corresponding products were obtained in good to excellent yields in very short period of time.

The synthesis of a new biodegradable polymer catalyst and its efficiency for the synthesis of acridindiones.

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PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop a framework for measuring of service supply chain (SSC) maturity process.Design/methodology/approachThe main framework of the SSC maturity was developed by reviewing the concepts and models of SSC, business excellence, maturity and supply chain performance evaluation. Then, the maturity level of each excellence criterion was defined in the proposed model by using the excellence criteria for SSC and the concept of Plan, Do, Check and Act (PDCA) cycle in combination with the process survey tools maturity model. Based on the excellence criteria and their maturity levels, a questionnaire was designed to practically measure the proposed framework.FindingsThe concepts and features of maturity levels defined for each of the excellence criteria were used to implement and operationalize the proposed framework and evaluate the SSC processes.Practical implicationsThrough the assessment of the existing status of SSC processes, the findings allow managers to reach a better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of such processes. Then, some opportunities are provided for improving each excellence criterion to enhance the performance of each process.Originality/valueIn fact, this study provides guidelines for organizations to measure their progress and performance and improve their management systems. The main advantages of the proposed SSC measurement framework include self-assessment facilitation, calculation of criteria scores and development of uses. The proposed model, like quality and productivity awards, can pave the way for increased competitiveness of the service industry.

In order to evaluate the correlation of B7-H4 and B7-H1 with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), we analyzed B7-H1 and B7-H4 expressions and their clinical significance by immunohistochemical method. Our result indicated that B7-H4-positive staining was detected in 58.13 % of RCC tissues (25 tissues tumors), and there were 18 tissues of patients without detectable B7-H4. Furthermore, 21 cases (48.83 %) were B7-H1-positive. Positive tumor expressions of B7-H4 and B7-H1 were markedly related to advanced TNM stage (P = 0.001; P = 0.014), high grade (P = 0.001; P = 002), and larger tumor size (P = 0.002; P = 024) in RCC tissues than patients with B7-H4-negative and B7-H1-negative in RCC tissues. The patients with B7-H1 and B7-H4-positive expressions were found to be markedly correlated with the overall survival of the patients (P < 0.05) and tended to have an increased risk of death when compared with negative expression groups. Univariate analysis showed that B7-H4 and B7-H1 expressions, TNM stage, high grade, and tumor size were significantly related to the prognosis of RCC. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that B7-H4 and B7-H1 expressions decreased overall survival. The adjusted HR for B7-H1 was 2.83 (95 % CI 1.210-2.971; P = 0.031) and also was 2.918 (95 % CI 1.243-3.102; P = 0.006) for B7-H4 that showed these markers were independent prognostic factors in RCC patients. The expressions of B7-H1 and B7-H4 in RCC patients indicate that these markers may be as a predictor of tumor development and death risk. Further investigations can be helpful to confirm B7-H1 and B7-H4 roles as an independent predictor of clinical RCC outcome.