bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ferritin Nanocaged Doxorubicin Potentiates Chemo‐Immunotherapy against Hepatocellular Carcinoma via Immunogenic Cell Death
Authors: Chen Yang , Zeng Linyuan , Zhu Hongzhang , Wu Qifei , Liu Rong , Liang Qian , Chen Bin , Dai Haitao , Tang Keyu , Liao Changli , Huang Yonghui , Yan Xiyun , Fan Kelong , Du Jin‐Zhi , Lin Run , Wang Jun
Published: November 2022

Although immunotherapy of hepatocellular carcinoma using immune checkpoint inhibitors has achieved certain success, only a subset of patients benefits from this therapeutic strategy. The combination of immunostimulatory chemotherapeutics represents a promising strategy to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. However, it is hampered by the poor delivery of conventional chemotherapeutics. Here, it is shown that H‐ferritin nanocages loaded with doxorubicin (DOX@HFn) show potent chemo‐immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma tumor models. DOX@HFn is constructed with uniform size, high stability, favorable drug loading, and intracellular acidity‐driven drug release. The receptor‐mediated targeting of DOX@HFn to liver cancer cells promote cellular uptake and tumor penetration in vitro and in vivo. DOX@HFn triggers immunogenic cell death to tumor cells and promotes the subsequent activation and maturation of dendritic cells. In vivo studies in H22 subcutaneous hepatoma demonstrate that DOX@HFn significantly inhibits the tumor growth with >30% tumors completely eliminated, while alleviating the systemic toxicity of free DOX. DOX@HFn also exhibits robust antitumor immune response and tumoricidal effect in a more aggressive Hepa1‐6 orthotopic liver tumor model, which is confirmed by the in situ magnetic resonance imaging and transcriptome sequencing. This study provides a facile and robust strategy to improve therapeutic efficacy of liver cancer.
Spectromicroscopy of Nanoscale Materials in the Tender X‐Ray Regime Enabled by a High Efficient Multilayer‐Based Grating Monochromator
Authors: Werner Stephan , Guttmann Peter , Siewert Frank , Sokolov Andrey , Mast Matthias , Huang Qiushi , Feng Yufei , Li Tongzhou , Senf Friedmar , Follath Rolf , Liao Zhohngquan , Kutukova Kristina , Zhang Jian , Feng Xinliang , Wang Zhan‐Shan , Zschech Ehrenfried , Schneider Gerd
Published: November 2022

The combination of near edge X‐ray absorption spectroscopy with nanoscale X‐ray imaging is a powerful analytical tool for many applications in energy technologies, catalysis, which are critical to combat climate change, as well as microelectronics and life science. Materials from these scientific areas often contain key elements, such as Si, P, S, Y, Zr, Nb, and Mo as well as lanthanides, whose X‐ray absorption edges lie in the so‐called tender photon energy range 1.5–5.0 keV. Neither conventional grazing incidence grating nor crystal monochromators have high transmission in this energy range, thereby yielding the tender photon energy gap. To close this gap, a monochromator setup based on a multilayer coated blazed plane grating and plane mirror is devised. The measurements show that this novel concept improves the photon flux in the tender X‐ray regime by two‐orders‐of‐magnitude enabling previously unattainable laboratory and synchrotron‐based studies. This setup is applied to perform nanoscale spectromicroscopy studies. The high photon flux provides sufficient sensitivity to obtain the electronic structure of Mo in platinum‐free MoNi4 nanoparticles for electrochemical energy conversion. Additionally, it is shown that the chemical bonding of nano‐structures in integrated circuits can be distinguished by the electronic configuration at the Si‐K edge.
Why Hoffmann? His Chemistry**
Authors: Seeman Jeffrey I.
Published: November 2022

Abstract: Why was it that Roald Hoffmann was the perfect collaborator for R. B. Woodward for proposing the Principle of Conservation of Orbital Symmetry as the solution to the no‐mechanism puzzle? This publication presents 17 “tools” that Hoffmann used extensively and effectively prior to the Woodward‐Hoffmann collaboration that would he call upon reveal the mechanism of pericyclic reactions. In a sense, this is a biography of Hoffmann with a focus on his personal and professional skills as of May 5, 1964.
Vision Zero on Federal Level in Canada
Authors: Fuselli Pamela
Published: November 2022

This chapter will provide a summary of high-level details regarding Vision Zero implementation in Canada, looking specifically at research, strategies, and implementation experiences in British Columbia, Edmonton, Calgary, and Fort Saskatchewan in Alberta, Toronto in Ontario, and Montreal in Quebec. This chapter will speak to the differences between Vision Zero implementation in Canada compared with Sweden, considering the viewpoint and circumstances of the unique governmental structure in Canada and implementation in municipalities versus entire provinces or territories. Priorities for the future of Vision Zero will also be discussed, along with the intersections and role of public health and other applications of Vision Zero.
Vision Zero in the United Nations
Authors: Khayesi Meleckidzedeck
Published: November 2022

This chapter examines the development and use of Vision Zero policy and its related strategy, safe system approach, in the road safety programs of the United Nations and its specialized agencies. The chapter shows that progressively, Vision Zero moved from being cited in documents as an example of a transformative policy to being promoted as a way of thinking about or approaching road safety for countries to adopt. In addition, it has been used as a principle in the Road safety strategy for the United Nations System and its personnel. This strategy embraces the ethical imperative that “no road users, including pedestrians, should be killed or seriously injured in road crashes involving United Nations vehicles.” It commits United Nations organizations to Vision Zero. It calls for a shift from a traditional road safety approach to a safe system approach.
ISO 39001 Road Traffic Safety Management System, Performance Recording, and Reporting
Authors: Lie Anders , Tingvall Claes
Published: November 2022

Traffic safety has shifted from being a solely individual issue to also include responsibilities from those organizations that influences the use and quality of the road transport system. This chapter explores the background of this and presents how ISO 39001 has been introduced as a tool to manage traffic safety in organisations. Further it is setting organizational road traffic safety into context of the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, the Stockholm declaration and the decision of the United Nations general Assembly. The chapter also discusses how a value chain analysis can help organisations in understanding and tackling their road safety footprint and part of their sustainability reporting.
Consumer Ratings and Their Role in Improving Vehicle Safety
Authors: van Ratingen Michiel R.
Published: November 2022

Safety ratings for cars, published by New Car Assessment Programmes (NCAPs) around the world, have mobilized consumers and enabled them to make a more intelligent, better-informed buying decision based on a car’s crash test performance. Consumer ratings involve comprehensive, objective, and realistic crash testing of cars, and the application of best-practice, consumer-oriented criteria and thresholds to promote safety enhancements beyond the legal requirements. Over time, the New Car Assessment Programmes have tailored their crash tests to focus on real-world priorities in the protection of car occupants and vulnerable road users. They have also successfully incorporated the assessment of new crash avoidance technologies, such as autonomous braking systems, in the ratings. All of this has made NCAP a driving force behind many improvements in the safety of vehicles throughout the world and a key instrument in reaching vision zero.
Speed-Limits in Local Streets: Lessons from a 30 km/h Trial in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Fildes Brian N. , Lawrence Brendan , Thompson Luke , Oxley Jennie
Published: November 2022

Fatal and Severe Injuries (FSI) to vulnerable road users is a major road safety problem internationally. Recent resolutions by the Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety called for a blanket 30 km/h speed limit in urban areas to address this problem. A project undertaken in Melbourne, Australia, set out to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of a lower speed limit in a local residential area in the City of Yarra. The intervention comprised replacing 40 km/h speed limit signs in the treated area with 30 km/h signs with an adjacent untreated control area. A before and after study was employed with speed, resident surveys, and estimated safety benefits as measures of its success. Modest reductions in mean speed were observed in the after-phase of the study while benefits were impressive for vehicles travelling at higher speed levels where the risk of severe injury or death is greater. These findings represent an estimated 4% reduction in the risk of severe injury for pedestrians in the event of a collision. Questionnaire responses showed an increased degree of support for the 30 km/h speed limit in local streets in the trial area. The implication of these findings for road safety is discussed, along with the challenges and potential hurdles. Lower speed limits in local streets and municipalities is one important measure to help address vulnerable road users in residential local streets.
Urban Road Design and Keeping Down Speed
Authors: Corben Bruce
Published: November 2022

This chapter examines the opportunities available to a range of professions that directly or indirectly influence urban settings, to achieve Vision Zero safety outcomes. Starting with how we want our urban areas to be, the chapter examines options to eliminate the systemic risk of deaths and serious injuries on urban roads from three separate but related viewpoints; managing the threats to life and health posed by the energy embedded within the road transport system, the potential for crashes to occur and the exposure of those who use the system to severe injury risk from crashes. In urban settings, it is sometimes possible to eliminate or minimize vehicular traffic on selected roads and streets but, in general, it is either impractical or undesirable to do so. By physically separating vehicles from other vehicles, and from highly vulnerable road users, we risk creating the types of cities and towns that do not support our high level aspirations of highly liveable and healthy societies, with sustainable and equitable urban transport systems. Where physical separation is not viable, it becomes necessary to manage transport system energy to ensure risk remains below the levels we set for Vision Zero outcomes – no one being killed or seriously injured. The main focus of this chapter therefore is on the means by which we can manage kinetic energy, primarily through compatible combinations of infrastructure design and speed limit setting, to protect all who use urban roads. Vehicle technology and structural design are important considerations for system performance as a whole.
Speed and Technology: Different Modus of Operandi
Authors: Belin Matts-Åke , Vadeby Anna
Published: November 2022

Within Vision Zero as a strategy, it is imbedded the fact that injuries occur when the mechanical energy reaches individuals at rates that entail forces in excess of their thresholds for injury. Therefore, according to Vision Zero, there are three main strategies to eliminate fatalities and severe injuries due to road crashes: protect people from exposure of harmful energy, reduce the risk of events with harmful energy, and protect people from harmful energy in the event of a collision. Controlling speed is therefore of the task of utmost importance in a strategy such as Vision Zero.

A traffic enforcement camera, or “speed camera,” system has the possibility to control speed in a road system, and it has the possibility to affect its road users both at a macro and a micro perspective. In a micro perspective, it primarily concerns how effective the cameras are locally at the road sections where the enforcement is focused on, while at a macro perspective it is more focused on how the camera enforcement system and strategies, possibly together with the overall enforcement strategy, affects attitudes and norms related to driving with excessive speed. Experience worldwide has proven the effectiveness of automated speed cameras in reducing speed and, in turn, crashes and injuries.

In this chapter, firstly the rationale behind speed limits, speed management, and speed compliance strategies will be explored and analyzed, in particular from a Vision Zero perspective. Secondly, various different approaches to speed camera systems in Europe, in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, and France, will be analyzed and further explored. Finally, based on similarities and differences in approaches in these countries, in the last section some aspects concerning the setting of speed limits, speed management strategies that underpin the choice of camera technology, and modus of operandi, safety effects of and attitudes toward cameras, will be explored and discussed.
Responsibility in Road Traffic
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove
Published: November 2022

Vision Zero requires a new approach to the responsibility for safety. This chapter provides conceptual tools for the description and analysis of this and other responsibility issues. Distinctions between different types of responsibility are introduced, with a particular emphasis on the distinction between blame responsibility and task responsibility. The complex relationship between responsibility and causality is also delineated. This is followed by an analysis of the changes in responsibility assignments that are necessary to implement Visio Zero.
Liberty, Paternalism, and Road Safety
Authors: Hansson Sven Ove
Published: November 2022

Traffic safety measures such as seat belts, helmets, and speed limits have often been opposed by people claiming that these measures infringe on their liberty. Safety measures are often described as paternalistic, i.e., as protecting people against their own will. This chapter provides a historical account of such criticism of safety measures, beginning with nineteenth-century opposition to sanitation measures, which were claimed to threaten the freedom to drink dirty water. The historical analysis has a surprising conclusion: Opposition to safety measures does not seem to have much to do with paternalism. Some measures that would typically be described as paternalistic, such as seat belts in commercial aviation and hard hats on construction sites, have met with no significant opposition. In contrast, some of the most vehemently opposed measures, such as speed limits and the prohibition of drunk driving, cannot with any vestige of credibility be described as paternalistic. This is followed by an analysis showing that due to our tendency to follow examples set by others (herd effects), purely self-affecting behavior is much less common than what has usually been assumed. Most of the opposition to safety measures in road traffic seem to result from some individuals’ desires to engage in activities that endanger other people’s lives. The social need to restrain the satisfaction of such desires is obvious.
Robotergestützte Rektumresektionen – Scoping-Review für Klasse-1a-Evidenz und retrospektive Analyse klinikinterner Daten
Authors: Willis Maria A. , Soltau Sophia L. V. , van Beekum Cornelius , Sommer Nils , Glowka Tim R. , Kalff Jörg C. , Vilz Tim O.
Published: November 2022

Hintergrund

Robotergestützten Rektumresektionen wird nachgesagt, dass sie bekannte Schwierigkeiten der laparoskopischen Rektumchirurgie durch technische Vorteile überwinden und so zu besseren Behandlungsergebnissen führen. Veröffentlichte Studien berichten jedoch sehr heterogene Ergebnisse. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es daher, festzustellen, ob es eine Klasse-1a-Evidenz für den Vergleich von robotergestützten vs. laparoskopischen Rektumresektionen gibt. Weiterhin möchten wir die Behandlungsergebnisse unserer Klinik mit den berechneten Effekten aus der Literatur vergleichen.

Material und Methoden

Eine systematische Literaturrecherche nach Klasse-1a-Evidenz wurde durchgeführt und die berechneten Effekte für 7 vorausgewählte Endpunkte wurden miteinander verglichen. Anschließend analysierten wir alle elektiven Rektumresektionen, die zwischen 2017 und 2020 in unserer Klinik durchgeführt wurden, und verglichen die Behandlungsergebnisse mit den Ergebnissen der identifizierten Metaanalysen.

Ergebnisse

Die Ergebnisse der 7 identifizierten Metaanalysen zeigten keine homogenen Effekte für die Endpunkte Operationszeit und Konversionsrate, während die berechneten Effekte der anderen untersuchten Endpunkte weitgehend konsistent waren. Unsere Patientendaten zeigten, dass robotergestützte Rektumresektionen mit signifikant längeren Operationszeiten assoziiert waren, während die anderen Outcomes kaum von der Operationstechnik beeinflusst wurden.

Diskussion

Obwohl bereits Klasse-1a-Metaanalysen zum Vergleich von robotergestützten und laparoskopischen Rektumresektionen vorliegen, erlauben diese keine evidenzbasierte Empfehlung zur Bevorzugung einer der beiden Operationstechniken. Die Analyse unserer Patientendaten zeigte, dass die in unserer Klinik erzielten Ergebnisse weitgehend mit den beobachteten Effekten der Metaanalysen übereinstimmen.
MinMax fairness: from Rawlsian Theory of Justice to solution for algorithmic bias
Authors: Barsotti Flavia , Koçer Rüya Gökhan
Published: November 2022

This paper presents an intuitive explanation about why and how Rawlsian Theory of Justice (Rawls in A theory of justice, Harvard University Press, Harvard, 1971) provides the foundations to a solution for algorithmic bias. The contribution of the paper is to discuss and show why Rawlsian ideas in their original form (e.g. the veil of ignorance, original position, and allowing inequalities that serve the worst-off) are relevant to operationalize fairness for algorithmic decision making. The paper also explains how this leads to a specific MinMaxfairness solution, which addresses the basic challenges of algorithmic justice. We combine substantive elements of Rawlsian perspective with an intuitive explanation in order to provide accessible and practical insights. The goal is to propose and motivate why and how the MinMaxfairness solution derived from Rawlsian principles overcomes some of the current challenges for algorithmic bias and highlight the benefits provided when compared to other approaches. The paper presents and discusses the solution by building a bridge between the qualitative theoretical aspects and the quantitative technical approach.
Graphene-on-gold surface plasmon resonance sensors resilient to high-temperature annealing
Authors: Jungnickel Robert , Mirabella Francesca , Stockmann Jörg Manfred , Radnik Jörg , Balasubramanian Kannan
Published: November 2022

Gold films coated with a graphene sheet are being widely used as sensors for the detection of label-free binding interactions using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). During the preparation of such sensors, it is often essential to subject the sensor chips to a high-temperature treatment in order to ensure a clean graphene surface. However, sensor chips used currently, which often use chromium as an adhesion promoter, cannot be subjected to temperatures above 250 °C, because under such conditions, chromium is found to reorganize and diffuse to the surface, where it is easily oxidized, impairing the quality of SPR spectra. Here we present an optimized preparation strategy involving a three-cycle tempering coupled with chromium (oxide) etching, which allows the graphene-coated SPR chips to be annealed up to 500 °C with little deterioration of the surface morphology. In addition, the treatment delivers a surface that shows a clear enhancement in spectral response together with a good refractive index sensitivity. We demonstrate the applicability of our sensors by studying the kinetics of avidin–biotin binding at different pH repeatedly on the same chip. The possibility to anneal can be exploited to recover the original surface after sensing trials, which allowed us to reuse the sensor for at least six cycles of biomolecule adsorption.
Adaptive Management of Flows in a Regulated River: Flow-ecology Relationships Revealed by a 26-year, Five-treatment Flow Experiment
Authors: Bradford Michael J. , Korman Josh , Sneep Jeff
Published: November 2022

Adaptive management (AM) is often proposed as a means to resolve uncertainty in the management of socio-ecological systems but successful implementation of AM is rare. We report results from a 26 year, five-treatment, AM experiment designed to inform decision makers about the response of juvenile salmonids (Oncorhynchus spp.) to flow releases from a dam on the regulated Bridge River, British Columbia, Canada. Treatments consisted of a baseline (no dam release) and four different dam release regimes that followed a semi-natural hydrograph but varied in the magnitude of spring-summer freshet flows. We found total salmonid biomass was highest at the lowest flow release, and decreased with increasing flow, consistent with a priori predictions made by an expert solicitation process. Species-specific responses were observed that in some cases could be attributed to interactions between the flow regime and life history. The relationship between juvenile biomass and flow resulting from the experiment can inform decisions on water management for this river. The documentation of successful AM experiments is sorely needed to allow for reflection on the circumstances when AM is likely to deliver desirable outcomes, and to improve other decision processes that require fewer resources and less time to implement.
Use of Ricinus communis shredded material as filler in rotational molded parts to improve the bio-disintegration behavior
Authors: Romero Francisco , Ortega Zaida , Castellano Jessica , Benítez Antonio N. , Marrero María Dolores , Suárez Luis
Published: November 2022

This paper focuses on the use of castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) as filler in rotomolded parts using polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) as polymer matrixes. The vegetable shredded material was used in 5 and 10% weight following a dry blending procedure and then rotomolded to obtain cube test parts. This material was characterized to determine its chemical composition, thermal stability, and structure. The NaOH-treated material shows reduced hemicellulose content and higher thermal stability. Obtained composite materials were characterized in terms of mechanical (tensile, flexural, and impact) and thermal properties, morphology, and bio-disintegration behavior. The use of Ricinus as filler in rotomolded PE composite decreases, in general terms, mechanical properties of neat PE, while no significant changes in thermal or bio-disintegration properties are found. On the contrary, PLA composites show higher tensile strength and similar Young's modulus than the matrix, although with reduced flexural and impact properties. Alkali-treated Ricinus material produces parts with higher porosity and thus, lower mechanical properties than composites with untreated material. Finally, the incorporation of this vegetal material modifies to a great extent the thermal properties of the PLA matrix. The bio-disintegration rate increases due to the use of fibers, probably because of the higher moisture absorption of composites.
Axial length changes in progressive and non-progressive myopic children in China
Authors: Chen Jun , Liu Shang , Zhu Zhuoting , Bulloch Gabriella , Naduvilath Thomas , Wang Jingjing , Du Linlin , Yang Jinliuxing , Zhang Bo , Zou Haidong , Xu Xun , He Xiangui
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Due to pubertal development and crystalline lens compensation, axial length (AL) continues to increase among non-progressive myopic children (absolute annual spherical equivalent (SE) progression less than 0.25 diopter), but the amount is unknown. This study was to investigate the cutoff of AL change to accurately differentiate between progressive and non-progressive myopes.

Methods

A total of 8,546 myopic and treatment-naive children aged 6–10 years were enrolled from two cohort studies. AL with optical biometer and cycloplegic SE with auto refraction were evaluated at baseline and annually. Annual AL change was calculated, and the percentiles of annual axial elongation among progressive and non-progressive myopes were estimated by quantile regression with restricted cubic spline. Area under receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUROC), positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were applied to evaluate the accuracy of predicting progressive and non-progressive myopes.

Results

Among 8,546 myopic children, 603 (7.06%) were non-progressive myopes. Annual AL changes among non-progressive myopes remained stable with the median annual change being 0.25 mm, while the median for progressive myopes decreased with age from 0.58 to 0.42 mm. AUROC for distinguishing between non-progressive and progressive myopes was 0.88 and was > 0.85 for each age group. Annual AL change, the cutoff of 0.20 mm/year, had significantly high PPV and NPV in predicting progressive myopes with high proportion of progressive myopes and non-progressive myopes with low proportions of progressive myopes.

Conclusion

Myopic children with non-progressive status had markedly less axial elongation than progressive ones. AL changes with cutoff of 0.20 mm/year could differentiate between non-progressive and progressive status and may be an alternative for evaluating progressive status.
Identifizierung Geologischer Strukturen Anhand von Measurement-while-drilling Daten zur Unterstützung im Entscheidungsprozess von Injektionen (Forschungsprojekt AVANT)
Authors: Wenighofer Robert , Villeneuve Marlène C. , Maroschek Philipp , Köneman Frank , Thienert Christian , Klaproth Christoph , Pechhacker Robert
Published: November 2022

Beim Tunnelvortrieb werden häufig Injektionen zur Abdichtung oder Verfestigung des Baugrunds eingesetzt, da sie sich mit konventioneller Gerätetechnik in den typischen Arbeitsablauf des Tunnelbaus integrieren lassen. Diese Methode der Gebirgssicherung und -abdichtung ist flexibel und kann durch Änderung der Bohrgeometrie sowie der Injektion, z. B. des Injektionsmaterials, des Volumens und der Abbruchkriterien, kontinuierlich angepasst werden. Diese Flexibilität birgt sowohl Herausforderungen als auch Möglichkeiten zur Optimierung. Das Projekt AVANT zielt darauf ab, Optimierungsmöglichkeiten auf der Grundlage der Entwicklung geologischer Gebirgsmodelle vor der Ortsbrust in Kombination mit der Analyse der Injektionsdaten durch künstliche Intelligenz zu bieten.

Wir stellen eine Methode zur Verarbeitung von Monitoring While Drilling (MWD) Daten vor, bei der Variationen der Penetrationsrate, des Vorschub- und des Dämpfungsdrucks sowie des Drehmoments verwendet werden, um Stellen entlang dem Bohrloch hervorzuheben, die diese Parameter gleichzeitig beeinflussen, was als „Ereignisse“ bezeichnet wird. Anschließend zeigen wir, wie die verarbeiteten MWD-Signale farbkodiert und in drei Dimensionen aufgetragen werden können, um Stellen am Tunnelumfang – entlang den Bohrungen des Injektionsschirms – zu identifizieren, die Ereignisse mit einer räumlich geometrischen Ausrichtung aufweisen, die die Plausibilität einer potenziellen über den Querschnitt vorhandenen geologischen Struktur stützt. Schließlich zeigen wir, wie diese potenziellen geologischen Strukturen anhand geologischer Karten und Fotos verifiziert werden können. Abschließend schlagen wir vor, dass diese Methode der Datenanalyse zur Erstellung von Baugrundmodellen im Vorfeld der Ortsbrust verwendet und mit den Injektionsentscheidungen vor Ort verknüpft werden kann.
A randomized pilot study of the efficacy and safety of loading ticagrelor in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Aref Hany M. , El-Khawas Hala , Elbassiouny Ahmed , Shokri Hossam M. , Zeinhom Mohamed G. , Roushdy Tamer M.
Published: November 2022

Background

Ticagrelor is one of the most recent antiplatelet drugs to be approved to treat ischemic heart disease. Its efficacy may exceed aspirin in improving clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke who are ineligible for rt-PA.

Objectives

We evaluated the safety regarding hemorrhagic complications (as a primary endpoint) and the efficacy (as a secondary endpoint) of a 180-mg loading dose of ticagrelor given within 9 h from the onset of the first-ever non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke.

Methods

We conducted our study on patients aged 18–75 years who presented with their first clinically manifested non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke and were recruited from the emergency department OF Kafr El-Sheik University Hospitals, Egypt.

Eligible patients randomly received ticagrelor or aspirin loading and maintenance doses. Screening, randomization, and initiation of treatment all occurred within the first 9 h of stroke onset.

Results

Eighty-five patients received ticagrelor, and 84 received aspirin. Patients who received ticagrelor had a better clinical outcome in terms of NIHSS improvement at 2 days and 1 week of discharge and a favorable mRS score after 1 week of discharge and at 90-day follow-up. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding hemorrhagic adverse effects.

Conclusion

This pilot study found that ticagrelor had a better clinical outcome than aspirin based on NIHSS and mRS in acute ischemic stroke patients who received it within 9 h from symptom onset and had a shorter hospital stay duration. Ticagrelor was non-inferior to aspirin regarding hemorrhagic complications.

Trial registration

We registered our trial on ClinicalTrials.gov, named after “ticagrelor versus aspirin in ischemic stroke,” and with a clinical trial number (NCT03884530)—March 21, 2019.
Performance of the HiberGene Group B Streptococcus kit, a loop-mediated isothermal amplification–based assay for GBS screening during pregnancy
Authors: Tittel-Elmer Mireille , de Tejada Begoña Martinez , Renzi Gesuele , Schrenzel Jacques
Published: November 2022

Timely and accurate detection of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) carriage in pregnant women allows for targeted peripartum prophylaxis. Replacing culture-based screening by molecular biology assays enables faster results obtention, better targeted antibiotic prophylaxis, and reduces the laboratory workload. Here, we present a comparative analysis between a Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification assay (HiberGene GBS kit) and culture (gold-standard). The HiberGene GBS kit showed a sensitivity of 97.9% and a specificity of 96.8% compared with culture. The limit of detection was estimated at 103 cfu/ml and results were obtained within 30 min. HiberGene GBS assay can be used for peripartum GBS screening and targeted antibiotic prophylaxis provided sample processing can be swiftly performed around the clock.
Metabolomics of testosterone enanthate administration during severe-energy deficit
Authors: Stein Jesse A. , Karl J. Philip , Berryman Claire E. , Harris Melissa N. , Rood Jennifer C. , Pasiakos Stefan M. , Lieberman Harris R.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Testosterone administration attenuates reductions in total body mass and lean mass during severe energy deficit (SED).

Objectives

This study examined the effects of testosterone administration on the serum metabolome during SED.

Methods

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, non-obese men were randomized to receive 200-mg testosterone enanthate/wk (TEST) (n = 24) or placebo (PLA) (n = 26) during a 28-d inpatient, severe exercise- and diet-induced energy deficit. This study consisted of three consecutive phases. Participants were free-living and provided a eucaloric diet for 14-d during Phase 1. During Phase 2, participants were admitted to an inpatient unit, randomized to receive testosterone or placebo, and underwent SED for 28-d. During Phase 3, participants returned to their pre-study diet and physical activity habits. Untargeted metabolite profiling was conducted on serum samples collected during each phase. Body composition was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry after 11-d of Phase 1 and after 25-d of Phase 2 to determine changes in fat and lean mass.

Results

TEST had higher (Benjamini–Hochberg adjusted, q < 0.05) androgenic steroid and acylcarnitine, and lower (q < 0.05) amino acid metabolites after SED compared to PLA. Metabolomic differences were reversed by Phase 3. Changes in lean mass were associated (Bonferroni-adjusted, p < 0.05) with changes in androgenic steroid metabolites (r = 0.42–0.70), acylcarnitines (r = 0.37–0.44), and amino acid metabolites (r = − 0.36–− 0.37). Changes in fat mass were associated (p < 0.05) with changes in acylcarnitines (r = − 0.46–− 0.49) and changes in urea cycle metabolites (r = 0.60–0.62).

Conclusion

Testosterone administration altered androgenic steroid, acylcarnitine, and amino acid metabolites, which were associated with changes in body composition during SED.
Temporal spectral evolution of pre-stimulus brain activity in visual and visuomotor tasks
Authors: Sarrias-Arrabal Esteban , Berchicci Marika , Bianco Valentina , Vázquez-Marrufo Manuel , Perri Rinaldo Livio , Di Russo Francesco
Published: November 2022

The aim of this study was to describe the spectral features of pre-stimulus event-related potential (ERP) components elicited in visual tasks such as the Bereitschaftspotential (BP), prefrontal negativity (pN) and visual negativity (vN). ERPs are considered time-locked and phase-locked (evoked) activity, but we have also analyzed the non-phase but time-locked (induced) activity in the same interval by applying the temporal spectral evolution (TSE) method. Participants (N = 26) were tested in a passive task, a simple response task (SRT) and a discriminative response task (DRT), where EEG activity was recorded with 64 scalp electrodes. We analyzed the time-frequency modulations (phase and non-phase) prior to the onset of the stimuli in the sub-delta, delta, theta, alpha, beta, and gamma frequency bands. The results showed that all the pre-stimulus ERP components were mainly regulated by evoked activity in the sub-delta band. On the other hand, induced activity seems to be linked to evoked responses but with a different psychophysiological role. We concluded that other preparatory cognitive mechanisms associated with ERPs can also be detected by the TSE method. This finding may suggest underlying mechanisms in non-phase activity and requires the addition of non-phase activity analysis to the traditional analysis (phase and evoked activity).
Politisches Handeln. Zum Verhältnis von Zielorientierung und Collective Agency
Authors: Möller Kolja , Schink Philipp
Published: November 2022

Der Beitrag geht dem Verhältnis von Zielen undCollective Agencyim politischen Handeln nach. Dabei wird die These entwickelt, dass das unmittelbare Erfahren und Gestalten von gemeinsamen Handlungsverhältnissen die Zielorientierung in der Politik nicht ersetzen kann, sondern als eine wichtige Bestandsbedingung des politischen Handelns zu verstehen ist. Ausgangspunkt sind dabei Positionen, wie sie in der politischen Theorie bisher am deutlichsten von Hannah Arendt vertreten wurden und in unserer Gegenwart insbesondere in neuen sozialen Bewegungen verbreitet sind: Diesen zufolge besteht der Kern politischen Handelns in der Erfahrung einerCollective Agency. Der Beitrag rekonstruiert diesen Zugriff anhand der Schriften Hannah Arendts und verortet ihn im Umfeld bestehender Theorieansätze sowie von Erkenntnissen der Aufstands- und Rebellionsforschung. Schließlich werden handlungstheoretische Überlegungen angestellt (u. a. im Hinblick auf die Unterscheidung zwischen Haupt- und Nebenprodukten und die Zweistufigkeit in Handlungsprozessen). Sie laufen darauf hinaus, dieCollective Agencyin eine komplexere Zielorientierung aufzunehmen. Dadurch ergibt sich eine Korrektur sowohl instrumenteller Politikverständnisse als auch von Theorien, die den Sinn von Politik im Vollzug der Handlungsprozesse selbst ansiedeln.
Forschungsklausel statt Broad Consent
Authors: Hofmann Sebastian
Published: November 2022

Die Medizininformatik-Initiative (MII), gefördert vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und
Forschung (BMBF), hat sich zum Ziel gesetzt, die Patientendaten, die im Rahmen eines Klinikaufenthalts entstehen,
bundesweit digital zu vernetzen. Während der bald auslaufenden zweiten Förderphase (2018–2022)
sollten die datenschutzrechtlichen Weichen für die Erreichung dieses Ziels durch die Schaffung eines
bundesweiten Broad Consent gestellt werden. Jedoch hat sich insbesondere der Aufklärungsprozess, der
als Wirksamkeitsvoraussetzung für den Broad Consent geleistet werden muss, in der Praxis als schwierig
umsetzbar erwiesen. Als Lösungsmöglichkeit wird im Folgenden ein Rückgriff auf die Forschungsklauseln
vorgeschlagen, ergänzt um eine sogenannte Opt-out-Lösung vergleichbar § 14 Abs. 1 Nr. 1
Saarländisches Krankenhausgesetz (SKHG).
Datenschutz und Informationssicherheit in Gaia-X
Authors: Lang Simon , Kneuper Ralf
Published: November 2022

Gaia-X ist ein Projekt zum Aufbau eines europäischen Cloud-Ökosystems, das die besonderen
Anforderungen von EU-Organisationen berücksichtigen soll. Insbesondere soll dabei eine Datensouveränität
der EU-Staaten auf Basis einer sicheren und vertrauenswürdigen Infrastruktur erreicht werden. Wesentliche
von Gaia-X umzusetzende Anforderungen sind die Unterstützung eines Datenschutzes auf EU- Niveau sowie
einer angemessenen Informationssicherheit. In diesem Beitrag wird daher die Umsetzung dieser Anforderungen
analysiert, wobei sich zeigt, dass gerade in Bezug auf den Datenschutz Gaia-X den Nutzern nur wenig Unterstützung
bietet.
Vanillin as low-temperature isocyanate-blocking agent and its use in one-component aqueous coatings
Authors: Knospe Philipp , Reichmann René , Gutmann Jochen S. , Dornbusch Michael
Published: November 2022

Mainly because of the high sensitivity of the isocyanate group to atmospheric moisture, it is blocked with a blocking agent for many applications and thus kept as inert as possible at room temperature (Zhang et al. in Langmuir ACS J Surf Colloids 37:12705, 2021, Meier-Westhues in Polyurethane: Lacke, Kleb-und Dichtstoffe, Vincentz Network, Hannover, p 36, 2007). When exposed to temperature, the protective group unblocks, and the isocyanate group reacts with the reactant that was previously present together with the blocked isocyanate (Meier-Westhues in Polyurethane: Lacke, Kleb- und Dichtstoffe, Vincentz Network, Hannover, p 36, 2007, Goldschmidt and Streitberger in BASF handbook on basics of coating technology, Vincentz Network, Hannover, pp 96–99, 2007). Many of the substances which are used today as blocking agents have toxicological concerns or unblock at high temperatures, which limits their application areas (Guillem Parra et al. in Blocked isocyanate polyurethane compositions using a new blocking agent, method of manufacture and uses thereof: European patent application, 2019, https://data.epo.org/publication-server/document?iDocId=6506253&iFormat=0). In this work, vanillin is presented as an effective deblocking agent at low temperatures and is compared with similar structures. The process of deblocking from an hexamethylene diisocyanate trimer (HDI-trimer) is followed by means of IR-spectroscopic measurements at different temperatures and thermogravimetric analysis. Temperature-dependent oscillation measurements using a rheometer are suitable for measuring onset temperatures and for qualitatively tracking the unblocking process. The combination of the results is used to draw conclusions about the existing deblocking mechanism. The comparatively low deblocking temperature of vanillin enables the formulation of an HDI-trimer modified with sulfonate groups and blocked with vanillin, which is dispersed in the aqueous phase and then reacted with OH-functional binders. Deblocking and subsequent reaction with the binder are followed by means of IR spectroscopy, and the mechanical properties of the coating films are examined. Vanillin is therefore suitable as a toxicologically harmless blocking agent for isocyanates and enables the production of crosslinkers for one-component water-based coatings (Arya et al. Adv Tradit Med (ADTM) 21:1, 2021).
Statistical optimization of the fermentation factors for increased biorefinery of corn-steep water effluent to lactic acid by Enterococcus faecium strain WH51-1
Authors: Selim Mohamed T. , Fouda Amr , Salem Salem S. , Abdel-Rahman Mohamed Ali
Published: November 2022

Organic
waste bioprocessing for production of useful products are increasing due to fossil fuel depletion, problems with waste management, and the requirement for biodegradable plastics. Lactic acid (LA) is important in foods, polymer beverages, cosmetics, and medicine applications. However, the main challenge in the large-scale processing of LA is the enhanced production and productivity using low-cost resources. In this study, Enterococcus faecium WH51-1, a newly obtained thermo-alkali tolerant LA bacterium, was used for LA production from corn-steep water (CSW) as raw material. The optimal culture conditions and medium components were established. Different concentrations of yeast extract (YE) and pH values were investigated with highest LA production of 48.2 ± 2.7 g/L at a yield of 0.89 ± 0.04 g/g-consumed sugars and a productivity of 0.50 ± 0.03 g/L.h at pH 8.5 without YE supplementation. A central composite design (CCD) was utilized to determine the high LA concentrations at optimal values for the process variables (sugar concentrations, temperature, inocula sizes, pH value, and YE concentration). The model was realized with an acceptable fit. The optimization of the factors was carried out by normal probability plots, interaction-plots, incorporating effect plots, analysis of variance (ANOVA), surface plots, Pareto charts, and contour plots. All the parameters were influenced at a 5% significance level. Additionally, some of the possible interactions between these parameters also influenced the production process. A regression model was suggested and fitted the experimental data very well. The results of this work investigated that LA synthesized of the optimized-fermentation conditions was 10% greater than classical optimization methods. This study presented a green “free nutrient” and cost-effective utilization of corn steep effluent as a cheap alternative substrate for biorefinery to lactic acid.

Graphical Abstract
On-farm experimentation practices and associated farmer-researcher relationships: a systematic literature review
Authors: Toffolini Quentin , Jeuffroy Marie-Hélène
Published: November 2022

The convergence among the rise of digital technologies, the attention paid to the localized issues of transitions in practices toward agroecology, and the emergence of new open innovation models are renewing and reviving the scientific community’s interest in on-farm experimentation (OFE). This form of experimentation is claimed to be enhanced by digital tools as well as being an enabler of production of credible, salient, and legitimate science insofar as it embraces a farmer-centric perspective. However, the forms of research in which some experimental activities on farms are anchored vary greatly, notably with regard to the actual forms that interventions on farms take, the legitimacy of the actors involved and their roles, or the observations and instruments applied for interpretation. We propose a systematic review of the literature and an analytical framework in order to better understand this diversity of practices behind on-farm experimentation. Our analysis segregated six major publication clusters based on themes appearing in titles and abstracts. These themes guided a more in-depth analysis of representative articles, from which we identified seven types of OFE practices that are described and discussed here with regard to the knowledge targeted, roles of the various actors, and on-farm experimental space. Our typology provides an original basis for supporting reflexivity and building alignment between the above-mentioned dimensions and the ways in which new tools can support the experimental process.
Multiple shell ejections on a 100 yr timescale from a massive yellow hypergiant
Authors: Oudmaijer René D. , Koumpia Evgenia
Published: November 2022

This contribution focuses on a rare example of the class of post-Red Supergiants, IRAS 17163-3907, the central star of the Fried Egg nebula. In particular, we discuss some of our recently published results in detail. The inner parts of the circumstellar environment of this evolved massive star are probed at milli-arcsec resolution using VLTI’s GRAVITY instrument operating in the K-band (2 µm), while larger, arcsecond, scales are probed by VISIR diffraction limited images around 10 µm, supplemented by a complete Spectral Energy Distribution. The spectro-interferometric data cover important diagnostic lines (Brγ, Na I), which we are able to constrain spatially. Both the presence and size of the Na i doublet in emission has been traditionally challenging to explain towards other objects of this class. In this study we show that a two-zone model in Local Thermal Equilibrium can reproduce both the observed sizes and strengths of the emission lines observed in the K-band, without the need of a pseudo-photosphere. In addition, we find evidence for the presence of a third hot inner shell, and demonstrate that the star has undergone at least three mass-loss episodes over roughly the past century. To explain the properties of the observed non-steady mass-loss we explore pulsation-driven and line-driven mass-loss and introduce the bi-stability jump as a possible underlying mechanism to explain mass-loss towards Yellow Hypergiants.
The impact of UV photons from a stellar companion on the chemistry of AGB outflows
Authors: Van de Sande M. , Millar T. J.
Published: November 2022

Binary interaction with a stellar or planetary companion has been proposed to be the driving mechanism behind large-scale asymmetries, such as spirals and disks, observed within AGB outflows. We developed the first chemical kinetics model that takes the effect of a stellar companions’s UV radiation into account. The presence of a stellar companion can initiate a rich photochemistry in the inner wind. Its impact is determined by the intensity of the UV radiation and the extinction the radiation experiences. The outcome of the inner wind photochemistry depends on the balance between two-body reactions and photoreactions. If photoreactions dominate, the outflow can appear molecule-poor. If two-body reactions dominate, chemical complexity within the outflow can increase, yielding daughter species with a large inner wind abundance. A comprehensive view on the molecular content of the outflow, especially combined with abundance profiles, can point towards the presence of a stellar companion.
Circumbinary discs around post-AGB binaries as a result of binary interactions: an infrared interferometric view
Authors: Corporaal Akke , Kluska Jacques , Van Winckel Hans
Published: November 2022

Post-Asymptotic Giant Branch (post-AGB) binary systems are binary interaction products. These stars have recently undergone a strong, but not well understood, binary interaction phase, leading to the formation of stable, compact circumbinary discs. These circumbinary discs are found to show many similar properties to protoplanetary discs around young stars. Here, we focus on one such system, namely IRAS 08544-4431 and resolve the inner regions of the complex circumstellar environment using multi-wavelength infrared interferometric techniques. The visibility data of PIONIER (H-band), GRAVITY (K-band), and MATISSE (L and N band) are analysed together using two families of geometric models, giving a good fit to all data.