bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Properties of erythromycin‐loaded polymeric dicalcium phosphate dehydrate bone graft substitute
Authors: Guardia Angelica , Shi Tong , Bou‐Akl Therese , Dietz Paula , Wu Bin , Ren Weiping , Markel David
Published: December 2020

A self‐setting, injectable polymeric dicalcium phosphate dehydrate bone graft substitute that is mechanically strong and has excellent cohesion was developed. We assessed the performance of erythromycin‐loaded polymeric dicalcium phosphate dehydrate cement. Its properties include drug release, growth inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and biocompatibility with osteoblastic MC3T3 cells. The impact of erythromycin loading on cement injectability, setting time, and mechanical strength were also evaluated. A sustained, low burst release of erythromycin was observed. Eluents collected from erythromycin‐loaded cement showed a considerable zone of inhibition for up to 28 days. Direct contact of erythromycin‐loaded cement discs with agar plate showed a similarly sizable zone of inhibition for up to 22 days. Degraded ceramic residues had strong zones of inhibition as well. While the erythromycin‐loaded cement was injectable, a notable delay of the setting time was observed (49.2 ± 6.8 min) as compared with control (drug‐free cement, 12.2 ± 2.6 min). A slight increase in compressive strength (60.83 ± 6.28 MPa) was observed in erythromycin‐loaded cement as compared with control (59.41 ± 6.48 MPa). Erythromycin‐loaded cement was biocompatible although reduced cell growth was observed in the presence of the cement eluent. We propose that the bactericidal efficacy of erythromycin‐loaded cement was caused by the combined effects of erythromycin released and exposed on the contact surface of degrading ceramics. Our data may elucidate the future application of polymeric dicalcium phosphate dehydrate bone graft substitute for the treatment of orthopedic infections and opportunities to use other antibiotics and applications considering its comparable handling and mechanical strength to poly (methyl methacrylate) cements.
Comparison of all‐polyethylene and metal‐backed modular tibial components in endoprosthetic reconstruction of the distal femur
Authors: Bukowski Brandon R. , Tagliero Adam J. , Heidenreich Mark J. , Johnson Joshua D. , Rose Peter S. , Houdek Matthew T.
Published: December 2020

Introduction

All‐polyethylene (AP) tibial components have demonstrated equivalent or improved long‐term survivorship and reduced cost compared with metal‐backed (MB) components in primary total knee arthroplasty; however, there is a lack of data comparing these outcomes in the setting of an oncologic endoprosthetic reconstruction.

Methods

A total of 115 (88 AP:27 MB) patients undergoing cemented distal femur endoprosthetic reconstruction following oncologic resection were reviewed. Mean age was 40 years and 51% were females. Cumulative incidences of all‐cause revision, tibial component revision, reoperation, and infection were calculated utilizing a competing risk analysis with death as the competitor. Mean follow‐up was 14 years.

Results

The 10‐year cumulative incidence of all‐cause revision was 19.9% in the AP group and 16.3% in the MB group (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.93, p = 0.88). The cumulative incidence of tibial component revision was significantly lower in AP compared with MB at 10 years (1.1% vs. 12.5%, HR = 0.18, p = 0.03). There was no difference in infection‐free survival when comparing the two groups (p = 0.72).

Conclusions

Reconstruction utilizing an MB or AP tibia component resulted in equivalent overall outcome; however, the tibial component in the AP group was less likely to be revised. AP tibial component should be considered for all primary oncologic reconstructions in the distal femur.

Level of Evidence

Level III Therapeutic.
Facile Fabricating Strategy for Bioinspired Flexible Film with Cavitation: Liquid Super‐Repellent Material with Stimulate‐Response on Liquid Adhesion
Authors: Xue Peihong , Liu Hao , Mo Yanqiang , Qi Yuhong , Jin Meihua
Published: December 2020

Inspired by liquid super‐repellent skin of springtail, air pockets with tiny openings are fabricated on the surface of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to achieve a stable existence of gas between liquid and micro‐nanostructure. After further low‐energy grafting, the PDMS with air pocket microstructures shows a well hydrophobic and oleophobic property. When the liquid droplet fell on the fabricated surface, the positive pressure generated by the air pocket promotes the wetting state to be much fitting with the Cassie–Baxter model. Based on the super‐repellent microstructures, the flexible material shows properties of anti‐icing and anti‐fog. Additionally, the positive pressure of the air pocket to liquid droplet changed to be negative when stretching stress is applied to the PDMS elastomer. Based on the changed pressure, wetting state of the liquid droplet reversed from super‐low adhesion to high adhesion. The stimulus‐responsive material with reversible wettability has great potential in the applications of microfluidic chip and controlled releasing liquid micro‐droplets.
Technical Note: CT calibration for proton treatment planning by cross‐calibration with proton CT data
Authors: Farace Paolo , Tommasino Francesco , Righetto Roberto , Fracchiolla Francesco , Scaringella Monica , Bruzzi Mara , Civinini Carlo
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study explores the possibility of a new method for x‐ray computed tomography (CT) calibration by means of cross‐calibration with proton CT (pCT) data. The proposed method aims at a more accurate conversion of CT Hounsfield Units (HU) into proton stopping power ratio (SPR) relative to water to be used in proton‐therapy treatment planning.

Methods

X‐ray CT scan was acquired on a synthetic anthropomorphic phantom, composed of different tissue equivalent materials (TEMs). A pCT apparatus was instead adopted to obtain a reference three‐dimensional distribution of the phantom’s SPR values. After rigid registration, the x‐ray CT was artificially blurred to the same resolution of pCT. Then a scatter plot showing voxel‐by‐voxel SPR values as a function of HU was employed to link the two measurements and thus obtaining a cross‐calibrated x‐ray CT calibration curve. The cross‐calibration was tested at treatment planning system and then compared with a conventional calibration based on exactly the same TEMs constituting the anthropomorphic phantom.

Results

Cross‐calibration provided an accurate SPR mapping, better than by conventional TEMs calibration. The dose distribution of single beams optimized on the reference SPR map was recomputed on cross‐calibrated CT, showing, with respect to conventional calibration, minor deviation at the dose fall‐off (lower than 1%).

Conclusions

The presented data demonstrated that, by means of reference pCT data, a heterogeneous phantom can be used for CT calibration, paving the way to the use of biological samples, with their accurate description of patients’ tissues. This overcomes the limitations of conventional CT calibration requiring homogenous samples, only available by synthetic TEMs, which fail in accurately mimicking the properties of biological tissues. Once a heterogeneous biological sample is provided with its corresponding reference SPR maps, a cross‐calibration procedure could be adopted by other PT centers, even when not equipped with a pCT system.
Noncoaxiality considering inherent anisotropy under various loading paths in a strain space multiple mechanism model for granular materials
Authors: Ueda Kyohei , Iai Susumu
Published: December 2020

Inherent anisotropy is a crucial aspect to consider to improve one's understanding of the behavior of granular materials, in particular, noncoaxial responses under proportional and nonproportional loadings. This article investigates the capability of a strain space multiple mechanism model to reproduce complex responses of inherently anisotropic soils under various loading paths. The constitutive model has been expanded upon to account for the effect of inherent anisotropy by incorporating a new function along with three additional parameters; two of these parameters, and , control the degree of anisotropy, whereas the third parameter, , represents the principal direction of inherent anisotropy. Laboratory experimental data regarding the complex anisotropic responses of Toyoura sand under various loading paths are used to validate the constitutive model. The model is found to successfully simulate the anisotropic drained soil responses under monotonic proportional and nonproportional loadings as well as those under loading involving the rotation of the principal stress axis by considering the additional anisotropic parameters. Furthermore, the simulated responses of inherently isotropic materials are compared with those of anisotropic materials to numerically investigate the influence of inherent anisotropy (ie, the anisotropic parameters) on soil behavior under such loading conditions.
Food grade silica nanoparticles cause non‐competitive type inhibition of human salivary α‐amylase because of surface interaction
Authors: Phue Wut Hmone , Srinivasan Divya , Hameed Aneela , Yaylayan Varoujan , George Saji
Published: December 2020

Given the potential of ingested particles to interact with enzymes in oral cavity, we compared different grades of SiO2 particles (food‐grade and non‐food grade nanoparticles (FG‐SiO2‐NP, NFG‐SiO2‐NP), and food grade microparticles (FG‐SiO2‐MP)) for their interaction with human salivary α‐amylase (HSA). There were differences in the agglomeration behavior and relative abundance of silanol and siloxane groups among different grades of SiO2 particles where FG‐SiO2‐NPs contained less cyclic siloxane groups but more silanol groups. Secondary structure and function of HSA were negatively impacted by FG‐SiO2‐NPs. In order to verify if this inhibition is mediated through surface interactions, pristine particles were compared with those interacted with pure protein (bovine serum albumin‐BSA) and with food matrix (milk) for HSA inhibition. BSA coating of SiO2 particles ameliorated HSA inhibition, but milk interacted ones showed an enhanced the HSA inhibition because of the presence of milk protease suggesting the relevance of surface interactions in manifesting potential negative impacts of silica particles used in food.
THE IMPACTS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF COLLEGE INSTRUCTORS ON STUDENTS’ ACADEMIC AND LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES
Authors: Xu Di , Ran Florence Xiaotao
Published: December 2020

Based on a novel data set that links college administrative information with earnings records from a state college system for both public two‐year and four‐year colleges, this study quantifies the impacts of exposure to different types of instructors during students’ initial semester in college on their subsequent academic and labor market outcomes. To minimize bias from student sorting by type of instructor, we combine course‐set fixed effects with an instrumental variables approach that exploits term‐by‐term fluctuations in faculty composition in each department, therefore controlling for both between‐ and within‐course sorting. The findings suggest that two‐year students, particularly racial minority students, have substantially higher levels of exposure to adjuncts with temporary appointments than four‐year students. Two‐year students taking a heavy course schedule with temporary adjuncts are adversely affected in college persistence and subsequent credit accumulation, and the penalty is particularly pronounced among males and racial minority students with stronger academic potential. Such negative impacts on academic outcomes do not translate into poorer short‐ to medium‐term labor market performance. In the four‐year setting, no significant distinction is identified between different types of instructors on either student academic or labor market outcomes.
The maize premature senesence2 encodes for PHYTOCHROME‐DEPENDENT LATE‐FLOWERING and its expression modulation improves agronomic traits under abiotic stresses
Authors: Gupta Rajeev , Jiao Shuping , Zhao Suling , Meeley Robert B. , Williams Robert W. , Taramino Graziana , Feng Dongsheng , Li Guofu , Liu Juan , Allen Stephen M. , Simcox Kevin D. , Multani Dilbag S.
Published: December 2020

Among the various abiotic stresses, water and nitrogen are major stress factors that limit crop productivity worldwide. Since leaf nutrients remobilization during leaf senescence might impact response to abiotic stress in crops, we undertook a forward screen of the Mutator‐active approach to identify premature senescence loci in maize. A mutant line isolated from a cross between a Pioneer Brand elite line and a public Mutator‐active material, designated premature senescence2 (pre2), expressed leaf senescence during flower initiation. The Pre2 gene encodes PHYTOCHROME‐DEPENDENT LATE‐FLOWERING (PHL) protein, a nuclear receptor coactivator. The pre2‐1 mutant allele was not a null mutation but produced a functional wild‐type transcript along with multiple mRNA species of varying lengths resulting from the alternate splicing of the Pre2 gene. The PHL accelerates flowering by suppressing the inhibitory effect of phyB on flowering in Arabidopsis (Endo et al., 2013). The ZmPRE2 polypeptide is highly conserved in plant species and has two identifiable motifs namely SPT20 and MED15. The Spt20 domain, which is a part of the SAGA (Spt‐Ada‐Gcn5 acetyltransferase) complex, is involved in histone deacetylation and MED15 proteins have nuclear functions in mediating DNA Pol II transcription. The differential spliced mature transcripts in both the pre2 alleles, as a result of transposon interference, were producing truncated proteins that lacked polyglutamine (Q) tract near the C‐terminus and might be causative of the premature senescence phenotype in maize. Endogenous gene suppression of ZmPre2 by RNAi improves maize agronomic performance under both water stress and suboptimal nitrogen conditions. The homozygous T‐DNA knockout of the pre2 homolog in Arabidopsis (At1G72390; the same insertional allele used by Endo et al., 2013) results in higher biomass, delayed maturity, enhanced tolerance to drought, and improved nitrogen utilization efficiency. The Arabidopsis mutant also showed hypersensitive response to 1 µM ABA (abscisic acid) concentration. These results indicate that the PHL protein plays a direct or indirect role in ABA‐dependent drought and N signaling pathways.
Canonical versus explicitly correlated coupled cluster: Post‐complete‐basis‐set extrapolation and the quest of the complete‐basis‐set limit
Authors: Varandas António J. C.
Published: December 2020

The concept of post‐complete‐basis‐set (pCBS) extrapolation is introduced. It is shown that pCBS extrapolation of the CCSD(T) correlation energy calculated with conventional theory and up to quadruple‐ζ basis sets yields nearly as accurate values as if done with explicitly correlated CCSD(T)‐F12 theory and its preferred VXZ‐F12 ansätze, also up to quadruple‐ζ. Applied to the popular A24 test set of moderate‐sized non‐covalent interactions, all pCBS energies share the same asymptote up to an average error of 0.06 kcal mol−1, possibly the accuracy of the theory itself. For the 13 first complexes of A24 (A13/24), the best converged due to the severe computational demands of most A24 systems, the corresponding mean signed and unsigned plus standard deviations are MSD = (−0.027 ± 0.14) kcal mol−1 and MUD = (0.101 ± 0.10) kcal mol−1 at canonical CCSD(T)/VXZ and MSD = (−0.010 ± 0.05) kcal mol−1 and MUD = (0.042 ± 0.03) kcal mol−1 at CCSD(T)‐F12b/VXZ‐F12 levels of theory when using as reference the extrapolated values from raw energies calculated with the two largest affordable (typically (5,6) for canonical CCSD(T) and (T,Q) for CCSD(T)‐F12) basis sets. Amid such results, CCSD(T)/AVXZ calculations run with up to quintuple‐ζ basis sets, followed by CBS and pCBS extrapolations, show a MUD only slightly larger by 0.14 kcal mol−1, but at a comparatively higher cost. Both canonical and F12 coupled cluster approaches can therefore be considered for the first time to yield results of similar accuracy when pCBS extrapolated from basis sets of formally similar rungs. The above pattern is found to hold generally in A24.
Uncoupling protein 2-mediated metabolic adaptations define cardiac cell function in the heart during transition from young to old age
Authors: Kurian Justin , Yuko Antonia E. , Kasatkin Nicole , Rigaud Vagner O. C. , Busch Kelsey , Harlamova Daria , Wagner Marcus , Recchia Fabio A. , Wang Hong , Mohsin Sadia , Houser Steven R. , Khan Mohsin
Published: December 2020

Cellular replacement in the heart is restricted to postnatal stages with the adult heart largely postmitotic. Studies show that loss of regenerative properties in cardiac cells seems to coincide with alterations in metabolism during postnatal development and maturation. Nevertheless, whether changes in cellular metabolism are linked to functional alternations in cardiac cells is not well studied. We report here a novel role for uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) in regulation of functional properties in cardiac tissue derived stem-like cells (CTSCs). CTSC were isolated from C57BL/6 mice aged 2 days (nCTSC), 2 month (CTSC), and 2 years old (aCTSC), subjected to bulk-RNA sequencing that identifies unique transcriptome significantly different between CTSC populations from young and old heart. Moreover, results show that UCP2 is highly expressed in CTSCs from the neonatal heart and is linked to maintenance of glycolysis, proliferation, and survival. With age, UCP2 is reduced shifting energy metabolism to oxidative phosphorylation inversely affecting cellular proliferation and survival in aged CTSCs. Loss of UCP2 in neonatal CTSCs reduces extracellular acidification rate and glycolysis together with reduced cellular proliferation and survival. Mechanistically, UCP2 silencing is linked to significant alteration of mitochondrial genes together with cell cycle and survival signaling pathways as identified by RNA-sequencing and STRING bioinformatic analysis. Hence, our study shows UCP2-mediated metabolic profile regulates functional properties of cardiac cells during transition from neonatal to aging cardiac states.
Systemic DKK1 neutralization enhances human adipose-derived stem cell mediated bone repair
Authors: Negri Stefano , Wang Yiyun , Sono Takashi , Qin Qizhi , Hsu Ginny Ching-Yun , Cherief Masnsen , Xu Jiajia , Lee Seungyong , Tower Robert J. , Yu Victoria , Piplani Abhi , Meyers Carolyn A. , Broderick Kristen , Lee Min , James Aaron W.
Published: December 2020

Progenitor cells from adipose tissue are able to induce bone repair; however, inconsistent or unreliable efficacy has been reported across preclinical and clinical studies. Soluble inhibitory factors, such as the secreted Wnt signaling antagonists Dickkopf-1 (DKK1), are expressed to variable degrees in human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), and may represent a targetable “molecular brake” on ASC mediated bone repair. Here, anti-DKK1 neutralizing antibodies were observed to increase the osteogenic differentiation of human ASCs in vitro, accompanied by increased canonical Wnt signaling. Human ASCs were next engrafted into a femoral segmental bone defect in NOD-Scid mice, with animals subsequently treated with systemic anti-DKK1 or isotype control during the repair process. Human ASCs alone induced significant but modest bone repair. However, systemic anti-DKK1 induced an increase in human ASC engraftment and survival, an increase in vascular ingrowth, and ultimately improved bone repair outcomes. In summary, anti-DKK1 can be used as a method to augment cell-mediated bone regeneration, and could be particularly valuable in the contexts of impaired bone healing such as osteoporotic bone repair.
Au‐Polyoxometalates A‐B‐A‐B Type Copolymer‐Analogue Sub‐1 nm Nanowires
Authors: Liu Junli , Wang Shibin , Liu Nan , Yang Deren , Wang Hongwei , Hu Hanshi , Zhuang Jing , Wang Xun
Published: December 2020

Here it is shown that polyoxometalate (POM) clusters (H3PW12O40·xH2O, PW12) can be introduced to interact with Au nanoclusters to form the “A‐B‐A‐B” type building block (“A” represents Au nanoclusters and “B” stands for PW12 clusters), which continue to grow into copolymer‐analogue Au−PW12 sub‐1 nm nanowires. Due to the synergetic effect of Au nanoclusters and POMs, the obtained Au−PW12 sub‐1 nm nanowires efficiently perform catalytic activity in the photo‐electrochemical converting CO2 into CO. Under light, the catalyst maintains remarkable faradic efficiency (FE) of ≈99% from −0.7 to −0.9V (RHE), which is better than that in dark (FE of 66.4–90.64% from −0.7 to −0.9 V (RHE)). Density functional theory calculations and cryo‐electron microscope images support the “A‐B‐A‐B” type of structure and mechanistic studies also reveal the higher reactivity toward COOH* formation and CO adsorption on the catalyst, which lead to the superior catalytic activity in CO2 reduction reaction.
Social network sites and requirements engineering: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ali Nazakat , Hong Jang‐Eui , Chung Lawrence
Published: December 2020

A large volume of highly diverse and real‐time data provided by social network sites has revolutionized several data analytical sciences such as stock exchange fluctuation prediction, sentiment analysis, and political affiliations prediction. From a software engineering viewpoint, social network sites have produced an unprecedented opportunity for software development organizations to monitor the opinion of the large population of users of their systems. The extracted data from social network sites can be used to extract information about newly launched systems, and it enable software development organizations to obtain rapid technical and social feedback about their systems. This paper presents on a systematic literature review of the published research articles on how requirements engineering (RE) activities are conducted using social network sites, elaborated in studies published between 2011 and 2019. From the resulting studies, we extracted data to answer our four questions related to social network site (SNS)‐based RE approaches focusing on requirements elicitation, prioritization, and negotiation activities. Thirty‐one relevant studies were identified and analyzed to answer our research questions. Among 31 studies, 62% of the studies reportedly support requirements elicitation activity, and 14% of the studies reportedly support requirements elicitation, prioritization, and negotiation activities. Ten percent studies were about requirements elicitation and prioritization activities, 7% of the studies support both requirements elicitation and negotiation activities, and prioritization activity was supported by 7% of the studies. It was also observed that 58% of the selected studies adopted semi‐automatic approaches to conduct RE activities while 21% of the selected studies proposed automatic tools, and 21% of the selected studies adopted manual approaches to conduct RE activities. The outcomes of this systematic literature review indicate that social network sites can be a major source that can be used successfully to extract and identify user requirements. Moreover, this systematic literature review also presents implications of this study for practitioners and researchers including challenges, unresolved issues, and future research directions.
“Only Going to Get Worse”: Narrative Magnifications and Emotion Work among Rural Frontline Responders in the Opioid Epidemic
Authors: Vaccaro Christian , Swauger Melissa , Niccolai Ashley , Morrison Shayna , Heckert Alex , Garcia Victor , Lauber Erick
Published: December 2020

The study of narrative sociology can be used to understand how rural first responders magnify aspects of their collective stories about the opioid crisis to deflect emotional frustrations they experience. Based on 31 interviews with frontline responders in four rural counties in Appalachia, we find that responders portray themselves as capable protagonists up against hamstringing policies, opioid using clients as “their worst,” and their management of crises as a Sisyphean task. In constructing stories in this way, rural frontline responders temper frustration, and consequently sympathy, that contributes to a unique logic of care and control. This storytelling protects responders against traumas from their efforts, yet likely impedes trusting relationships with clients. A video abstract is available at https://youtu.be/lh8OkGSEsUo.
Scenario-Driven Supply Chain Charaterization Using a Multi-Dimensional Approach
Authors: Barros Ana Cristina , Senna Pedro Pinho , Marchiori Irene , Kalaitzi Dimitra , Balech Sébastien
Published: December 2020

Extreme disruptive events, such as the volcano eruption in Iceland, the Japanese tsunami, and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as constant changes in customers’ needs and expectations, have forced supply chains to continuously adapt to new environments. Consequently, it is paramount to understand the supply chain characteristics for possible future scenarios, in order to know how to respond to threats and take advantage of the opportunities that the next years will bring. This chapter focuses on describing the characteristics of the supply chain in each of the six macro-scenarios presented in Sardesai et al. (2020b), as final stage of the scenario building methodology. Supply chains for each scenario are characterized in eight dimensions: Products and Services, Supply Chain Paradigm, Sourcing and Distribution, Technology Level, Supply Chain Configuration, Manufacturing Systems, Sales Channel, and Sustainability.
A Journey into the European Supply Chains: Key Industries and Best Practices
Authors: Pessot Elena , Marchiori Irene , Zangiacomi Andrea , Fornasiero Rosanna
Published: December 2020

Macro-trends and sectoral-specific evolutions are changing the way companies produce, distribute and build relationships in their supply network and with customers. Aiming to investigate the effective implementation of new supply chain concepts and innovation needs identified in the previous sections, this chapter provides a study of multiple cases of excellence among European supply chains. It depicts an overview of major trends and structural features of 8 key industries for European economy, i.e. Automotive, Aerospace, Fashion, Chemical, IT, Distribution/logistics, Furniture, Food and Beverage. For each industry, a structured investigation into one or more companies was performed with a total of 18 companies involved. The results identify possible matchings in relation to supply chain strategies, and good and best practices adopted accordingly.
Ethische Aspekte in der partizipativen Forschung – Reflexion von Herausforderungen und möglichen Beeinträchtigungen für Teilnehmende
Authors: Schaefer Ina , Narimani Petra
Published: December 2020

In der medizinischen Forschung hat sich die Auseinandersetzung mit ethischen Fragestellungen verbindlich etabliert. Dabei werden in der Regel die Kriterieninformiertes Einverständnis und Freiwilligkeit, Schadensminimierung sowie Vertraulichkeit und Anonymisierungzugrunde gelegt. Auch in der sozialwissenschaftlichen Forschung und ebenso in der in Deutschland noch wenig verbreiteten partizipativen Forschung gewinnt die Auseinandersetzung mit ethischen Fragen an Bedeutung. Durch die aus dem Anspruch auf eine gleichberechtigte Zusammenarbeit resultierenden besonderen Beziehungen stellen sich ethische Fragen in der partizipativen Forschung anders als in der nicht partizipativen Forschung. In diesem Beitrag wird im Rahmen einer u. a. auf eine Dokumentenanalyse gestützten Prozessreflexion anhand eines Fallbeispiels aus der partizipativen Gesundheitsforschung illustriert, was genau unter Schadensminimierung verstanden werden kann. Das Fallbeispiel stellt dies aus Sicht der Wissenschaft wie der Forschenden aus der Lebenswelt dar.

Die Reflexion zeigt, welche Herausforderungen in der partizipativen Zusammenarbeit vor allem aus Sicht der Forschenden aus der Lebenswelt im partizipativen Prozess zu Beeinträchtigungen und damit zu einem Schadensrisiko führen können. Dabei geht es z. B. um Enttäuschungen, wenn dem Wunsch nach einer individuellen Unterstützung in einem Forschungsprozess nicht ausreichend gefolgt werden kann.

Aus den gesammelten Erfahrungen werden Schlussfolgerungen für den Umgang mit ethischen Aspekten in partizipativen Forschungsprojekten abgeleitet. Außerdem wird aufgezeigt, wie die Verknüpfung mit dem Diskurs in der nicht partizipativen qualitativen Forschung für eine Stärkung der ethischen Auseinandersetzung im partizipativen Prozess genutzt werden kann.
Calcium intake, calcium supplementation and cardiovascular disease and mortality in the British population: EPIC-norfolk prospective cohort study and meta-analysis
Authors: Pana Tiberiu A. , Dehghani Mohsen , Baradaran Hamid Reza , Neal Samuel R. , Wood Adrian D. , Kwok Chun Shing , Loke Yoon K. , Luben Robert N. , Mamas Mamas A. , Khaw Kay-Tee , Myint Phyo Kyaw
Published: December 2020

The role of dietary calcium in cardiovascular disease prevention is unclear. We aimed to determine the association between calcium intake and incident cardiovascular disease and mortality. Data were extracted from the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer, Norfolk (EPIC-Norfolk). Multivariable Cox regressions analysed associations between calcium intake (dietary and supplemental) and cardiovascular disease (myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, aortic stenosis, peripheral vascular disease) and mortality (cardiovascular and all-cause). The results of this study were pooled with those from published prospective cohort studies in a meta-analsyis, stratifying by average calcium intake using a 700 mg/day threshold. A total of 17,968 participants aged 40–79 years were followed up for a median of 20.36 years (20.32–20.38). Compared to the first quintile of calcium intake (< 770 mg/day), intakes between 771 and 926 mg/day (second quintile) and 1074–1254 mg/day (fourth quintile) were associated with reduced all-cause mortality (HR 0.91 (0.83–0.99) and 0.85 (0.77–0.93), respectively) and cardiovascular mortality [HR 0.95 (0.87–1.04) and 0.93 (0.83-1.04)]. Compared to the first quintile of calcium intake, second, third, fourth, but not fifth quintiles were associated with fewer incident strokes: respective HR 0.84 (0.72–0.97), 0.83 (0.71–0.97), 0.78 (0.66–0.92) and 0.95 (0.78–1.15). The meta-analysis results suggest that high levels of calcium intake were associated with decreased all-cause mortality, but not cardiovascular mortality, regardless of average calcium intake. Calcium supplementation was associated with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality amongst women, but not men. Moderate dietary calcium intake may protect against cardiovascular and all-cause mortality and incident stroke. Calcium supplementation may reduce mortality in women.
The Innovation Pyramid
Authors: Faley Timothy L.
Published: December 2020

The Innovation Pyramid is a learnable, repeatable, non-linear, knowledge-based innovation methodology. While traditional books on innovation focus on either assembling an innovation team with the right combination of innate abilities or developing a creativity skillset, the Innovation Pyramid instead trains readers to produce serial innovations successfully. The original method segments innovation into four distinct yet interrelated stages: (1) identification of the root problem, (2) formulation of a solution, (3) development of an execution plan and (4) implementation. At all stages, it considers the perspectives of both the innovator and the adopter, in order to increase the likelihood that innovations will achieve significant impact. Section I of the book describes the over-arching method of innovating. Section II details the creativity-based process for implementing the Innovation Pyramid methodology. Finally, the book's appendices include advanced techniques to enhance the utility of the Innovation Pyramid method.
Situating St Mary-le-Strand: The Church, the City and the Career of James Gibbs
Authors: Aslet William
Published: December 2020

James Gibbs's church of St Mary-le-Strand has often been interpreted as an expression of his training in Rome, his Tory politics and his Roman Catholic faith. These factors, as well as the growing clout of the Palladian movement, all supposedly contributed to the architect's dismissal from the Commission for Fifty New Churches. In fact, the design was discovered slowly and by compromise, and Gibbs's dismissal was brought about by a change of monarchy, the demise of his original patrons and by the cost-cutting agenda of the new Whig regime. Rather than recent Italian sources, St Mary-le-Strand derives many of its features from the architecture of London, particularly St Paul's Cathedral. The siting of the church on the royal processional way from Westminster to St Paul's Cathedral explains many of Gibbs's design choices. Queen Anne, under whose reign the church was conceived, used the route frequently.
Racializing Mercy: Capital Punishment and Race in Twentieth-Century England and Wales
Authors: Seal Lizzie , Neale Alexa
Published: December 2020

Fifty-seven men of color were sentenced to death by the courts of England and Wales in the twentieth century and were less likely to receive mercy than white contemporaries. Though shocking, the data is perhaps unsurprising considering institutional racism and unequal access to justice widely highlighted by criminologists since the 1970s. We find discourses of racial difference were frequently mobilized tactically in nineteenth- and twentieth-century England and Wales: to support arguments for mercy and attempt to save prisoners from the gallows. Scholars have identified historically and culturally contingent narratives traditionally deployed to speak to notions of lesser culpability. These mercy narratives reveal contemporary ideals and attitudes to gender or class. This article is original in identifying strategic mercy narratives told in twentieth-century England and Wales that called on contemporary tropes about defendants' race. The narratives and cases we explore suggest contemporary racism in the criminal justice system of England and Wales has a longer history than previously acknowledged.
Holes in Optical Lightning Flashes: Identifying Poorly Transmissive Clouds in Lightning Imager Data
Authors: Peterson Michael
Published: December 2020

Space‐based optical lightning sensors including the lightning imaging sensor (LIS) and geostationary lightning mapper (GLM) are pixelated imagers that detect lightning as transient increases in cloud top illumination. Detection requires optical emissions to escape the cloud top to space with sufficient energy to trigger a pixel on the imaging array. Through scattering and absorption, certain clouds are able to block most light from reaching the instrument, causing a reduction in detection efficiency (DE) and possibly location accuracy (LA). Radiant lightning emissions that illuminate large cloud top areas are used to examine scenarios where clouds block light from reaching orbit. In some cases, these anomalies in the spatial radiance distribution from the lightning pulse lead to “holes” in the optical lightning flash where certain pixels fail to trigger. Such holes are identified algorithmically in the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite LIS record and the microphysical properties of the coincident storm region are queried. We find that holes primarily occur in tall (IRTb < 235 K) convection (87%) and overhanging anvil clouds (10%). The remaining 3% of holes occur in moderate‐to‐weak convection or in clear air breaks between stormclouds. We further demonstrate how an algorithm that assesses the spatial radiance patterns from energetic lightning pulses might be used to construct an optical transmission gridded stoplight product for GLM that could help operators identify clouds with a potentially reduced DE and LA.
Parathyroid hormone increases alveolar bone homoeostasis during orthodontic tooth movement in rats with periodontitis via crosstalk between STAT3 and β-catenin
Authors: Zhang Cheng , Li Tiancheng , Zhou Chenchen , Huang Li , Li Yuyu , Wang Han , Duan Peipei , Zou Shujuan , Mei Li
Published: December 2020

Periodontitis patients are at risk of alveolar bone loss during orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to investigate whether intermittent parathyroid hormone (1–34) treatment (iPTH) could reduce alveolar bone loss during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in individuals with periodontitis and the underlying mechanism. A rat model of OTM in the context of periodontitis was established and alveolar bone loss was observed. The control, iPTH and iPTH + stattic groups received injections of vehicle, PTH and vehicle, or PTH and the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) inhibitor stattic, respectively. iPTH prevented alveolar bone loss by enhancing osteogenesis and suppressing bone resorption in the alveolar bone during OTM in rats with periodontitis. This effect of iPTH was along with STAT3 activation and reduced by a local injection of stattic. iPTH promoted osteoblastic differentiation and might further regulate the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in a STAT3-dependent manner. The findings of this study suggest that iPTH might reduce alveolar bone loss during OTM in rats with periodontitis through STAT3/β-catenin crosstalk.
Wettability control of polymeric microstructures replicated from laser-patterned stamps
Authors: Fu Yangxi , Soldera Marcos , Wang Wei , Milles Stephan , Deng Kangfa , Voisiat Bogdan , Nielsch Kornelius , Lasagni Andrés Fabián
Published: December 2020

In this study, two-step approaches to fabricate periodic microstructures on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates are presented to control the wettability of polymeric surfaces. Micropillar arrays with periods between 1.6 and 4.6 µm are patterned by plate-to-plate hot embossing using chromium stamps structured by four-beam Direct Laser Interference Patterning (DLIP). By varying the laser parameters, the shape, spatial period, and structure height of the laser-induced topography on Cr stamps are controlled. After that, the wettability properties, namely the static, advancing/receding contact angles (CAs), and contact angle hysteresis were characterized on the patterned PET and PMMA surfaces. The results indicate that the micropillar arrays induced a hydrophobic state in both polymers with CAs up to 140° in the case of PET, without modifying the surface chemistry. However, the structured surfaces show high adhesion to water, as the droplets stick to the surfaces and do not roll down even upon turning the substrates upside down. To investigate the wetting state on the structured polymers, theoretical CAs predicted by Wenzel and Cassie-Baxter models for selected structured samples with different topographical characteristics are also calculated and compared with the experimental data.
Fluid dynamics of COVID-19 airborne infection suggests urgent data for a scientific design of social distancing
Authors: Rosti M. E. , Olivieri S. , Cavaiola M. , Seminara A. , Mazzino A.
Published: December 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic is largely caused by airborne transmission, a phenomenon that rapidly gained the attention of the scientific community. Social distancing is of paramount importance to limit the spread of the disease, but to design social distancing rules on a scientific basis the process of dispersal of virus-containing respiratory droplets must be understood. Here, we demonstrate that available knowledge is largely inadequate to make predictions on the reach of infectious droplets emitted during a cough and on their infectious potential. We follow the position and evaporation of thousands of respiratory droplets by massive state-of-the-art numerical simulations of the airflow caused by a typical cough. We find that different initial distributions of droplet size taken from literature and different ambient relative humidity lead to opposite conclusions: (1) most versus none of the viral content settles in the first 1–2 m; (2) viruses are carried entirely on dry nuclei versus on liquid droplets; (3) small droplets travel less than $$2.5\,{\mathrm{m}}$$

2.5

m

versus more than $$7.5\,{\mathrm{m}}$$

7.5

m

. We point to two key issues that need to be addressed urgently in order to provide a scientific foundation to social distancing rules: (I1) a careful characterisation of the initial distribution of droplet sizes; (I2) the infectious potential of viruses carried on dry nuclei versus liquid droplets.
Root-associated entomopathogenic fungi manipulate host plants to attract herbivorous insects
Authors: Cotes Belén , Thöming Gunda , Amaya-Gómez Carol V. , Novák Ondřej , Nansen Christian
Published: December 2020

Root-associated entomopathogenic fungi (R-AEF) indirectly influence herbivorous insect performance. However, host plant-R-AEF interactions and R-AEF as biological control agents have been studied independently and without much attention to the potential synergy between these functional traits. In this study, we evaluated behavioral responses of cabbage root flies [Delia radicum L. (Diptera: Anthomyiidae)] to a host plant (white cabbage cabbage Brassica oleracea var. capitata f. alba cv. Castello L.) with and without the R-AEF Metarhizium brunneum (Petch). We performed experiments on leaf reflectance, phytohormonal composition and host plant location behavior (behavioral processes that contribute to locating and selecting an adequate host plant in the environment). Compared to control host plants, R-AEF inoculation caused, on one hand, a decrease in reflectance of host plant leaves in the near-infrared portion of the radiometric spectrum and, on the other, an increase in the production of jasmonic, (+)-7-iso-jasmonoyl-l-isoleucine and salicylic acid in certain parts of the host plant. Under both greenhouse and field settings, landing and oviposition by cabbage root fly females were positively affected by R-AEF inoculation of host plants. The fungal-induced change in leaf reflectance may have altered visual cues used by the cabbage root flies in their host plant selection. This is the first study providing evidence for the hypothesis that R-AEF manipulate the suitability of their host plant to attract herbivorous insects.
Membrane folding and shape transformation in biomimetic vesicles
Authors: Toebes B. Jelle , Wilson Daniela A.
Published: December 2020

Biodegradable polymeric self-assembled structures with controlled size and shape is a topic of great interest in nanomedicine. Various factors affecting the mechanism of shape transformation allowing control over the morphology of the structures are reported and discussed.
Enduring liquid repellency through slippery ionic liquid-infused organogels
Authors: Salbaum Tobias , Galvan Yaraset , Haumann Marco , Wasserscheid Peter , Zarraga Ramon , Vogel Nicolas
Published: December 2020

Ionic liquid-infused organogel coatings increase temperature- and long-term stabiity of lubricant-infused repellent coatings.
Coaxial nanofibrous scaffolds mimicking the extracellular matrix transition in the wound healing process promoting skin regeneration through enhancing immunomodulation
Authors: Sun Luyao , Li Jing , Gao Wendong , Shi Miao , Tang Fengling , Fu Xiaoling , Chen Xiaofeng
Published: December 2020

A degradable coaxial nanofibrous scaffold that mimics ECM transition in the wound healing process is designed to achieve better healing outcomes.
Security augmentation grounded on Fresnel and Arnold transforms using hybrid chaotic structured phase mask
Authors: Yadav Shivani , Singh Hukum
Published: December 2020

A novel asymmetric double image encryption technique is introduced to protect the algorithm from the interlopers by using hybrid chaotic structured phase masks in Arnold and Fresnel transforms. Mostly random phase masks are used routinely in many algorithms which are not strong against many attacks. So, taking in consideration replacing of random phase masks with the new hybrid chaotic structured phase masks takes place in the algorithm. With the assistance of Fresnel zone plates, radial Hilbert mask and logistic map functions, the chaotic structured phase mask is accumulated and hybrid chaotic structured phase mask provides extra security to system. Arnold transform helps in pixel shuffling, and with the pixel reorganization, it also helps in image reaping and bordering. The propagation distance of the Fresnel transform and the constraints of the Arnold transform serve as keys for encryption and decryption. To check the sturdiness of hybrid chaotic structured phase mask, simulations have been done which are carried out by the support of MATLAB R2018a (9.4.0.813654).
The effect of applied voltage and temperature on growth of copper micro‐ and nanowires in etched ion‐track cellulose nitrate detector
Authors: Shakeri Jooybari Banin
Published: December 2020

The effects of the applied voltage and temperature on growth of Cu micro‐ and nanowires electrochemical deposited in the etched ion‐track Cellulose Nitrate (CN) detector were investigated. Cellulose Nitrate foils of 96‐μm thickness were irradiated with heavy ions (U ions of initial energy 17.7 MeV/nucleon and 16.34 MeV/nucleon). By chemical etching of the latent tracks produced by the heavy ions in CN samples, a porous membrane containing nano‐ and micro‐sized cylindrical open pores were prepared. These porous membranes have been used for fabrication of the nano and microwires. Cu micro‐ and nanowires were grown by electrochemical deposition of copper into pores using the two‐electrode electrochemical cell. The electrochemical deposition process was monitored in real time by recording the current during the growth of the wires. The influence of the deposition parameters such as applied voltage and electrolyte temperature on current versus time curve recorded during the manufacturing of Cu microwires and their structure were studied.
Study of capacitor charge power supply with homopolar inductor alternator: System modelling and mode analysis
Authors: Yu Kexun , Yao Jiakang , Guo Songlin , Xie Xianfei
Published: December 2020

Capacitor charge power supply (CCPS) based on homopolar inductor alternator (HIA) has been successfully used in capacitor‐based pulsed power supply (PPS), but there is still no perfect system modelling and compete system parameter design method. In this study, the system modelling and mode analysis of HIA‐CCPS is developed in detail. First, a simplified CCPS model is proposed based on the voltage‐behind‐reactance (VBR) model of HIA and the phase base‐value system (PBVS). Second, four different modes of CCPS are derived on conditions of the constant voltage load (CVL) assumption; the symbols and terms in these modes are unified. The equations derived in this study are the basis of the system parameter design and the further research of HIA‐CCPS.
Analysis, design and performance characterisation of transistor clamped dual active bridge DC–DC converter in wide voltage range
Authors: Yadeo Dharmendra , Chaturvedi Pradyumn , Suryawanshi H. M. , Atkar Dipesh , Saketi Sai Krishna
Published: December 2020

In order to control dual active bridge conventionally, control scheme such as single phase shift is used which reduces the system efficiency particularly when voltage conversion ratio differs from unity. This causes more circulating power and high current stress in switches. Moreover, voltage obtained at primary side of high frequency transformer is of two‐level only, which increases voltage stress across it. Furthermore, it has only one degree of freedom which confines its ability to regulate power flow. In this paper, a transistor clamped dual active bridge dc–dc converter is proposed with three degrees of freedom which improves its ability to regulate power flow, and because of incorporation of five‐level voltage on primary side of high frequency transformer, current stress in switches and voltage stress across high frequency transformer reduces. Mathematical modelling for the proposed converter is done for obtaining power flow equation. In addition to the phase shift control, proposed converter has two more control parameter which enhances the power flow controllability of the converter. Comparative analysis with conventional dual active bridge shows that the proposed converter is having more efficiency. Performance of the proposed converter is verified via simulation and hardware implementation.