bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Einleitung: Gen- und Zelltherapie – „zwei Seiten zweier Medaillen“
Authors: Fehse Boris
Published: December 2023

Der vorliegende Band zur Gen- und Zelltherapie schließt an eine Reihe einschlägiger Kapitel in den bisher vorgelegten Gentechnologieberichten 1–5 sowie spezifischer Themenbände der AG Gentechnologiebericht an. Wie bisher wurden die unterschiedlichen Kapitel von in dem jeweiligen Fachgebiet bestens ausgewiesenen Expertinnen und Experten geschrieben. Neu ist diesmal, dass wir im Unterschied zu den früheren Büchern der AG beide Themen – Gentherapie und Zelltherapie – in einem Band behandeln. Dies hat den ganz einfachen praktischen Grund, dass es sich bei vielen der inzwischen schon sehr erfolgreich klinisch angewendeten Gen- wie auch Zelltherapien eigentlich um kombinierte Therapien handelt, sodass eine Abgrenzung eher artifiziell ist. Als Beispiel mögen die CAR-T-Zelltherapien dienen, bei denen es sich um zelluläre Immuntherapien handelt, die auf jahrzehntelangen Erfahrungen in der adoptiven Zelltherapie (siehe Kolb/Fehse, Kap. 11) basieren. Zugleich war der Erfolg der CAR-T-Zellen nur durch die genetische Modifikation mit einem im Labor hergestellten neuartigen „chimären Antigenrezeptor“ (CAR) möglich (siehe Harrer/Abken, Kap. 10), der mithilfe modernster Gentransfervektoren (siehe Morgan et al., Kap. 3; Jäschke/Büning, Kap. 4; Nurieva et al., Kap. 5; Aigner, Kap. 6) in die Zellen eingebracht wurde. In den Laboren und ersten klinischen Studien wird schon an neuen Generationen der CAR-T-Zellen gearbeitet, die z. B. durch Genome-Editing (siehe Fehse et al., Kap. 7) noch potenter und/oder breiter einsetzbar gemacht werden.
Spotlight: Die Metaphernwelt der Molekularbiologie und molekularen Medizin
Authors: Rheinberger Hans-Jörg
Published: December 2023

Ich möchte diesen Zwischenruf dazu nutzen, ein wenig grundsätzlicher auf die Metaphernwelt der molekularen Biologie und Medizin sowohl im Wissenschaftsbereich als auch in den Medien einzugehen, denn beide sind nicht scharf voneinander zu trennen. Im Anschluss daran werde ich diese Überlegungen anhand von CRISPR/Cas exemplifizieren.
The GIANTS Studio
Authors: Brumbaugh Zander , Leithner Manuel
Published: December 2023

Another essential application in the Farming Simulator modding environment is the GIANTS Studio. It is an integrated development environment (IDE) made specifically to assist with programming mods for Farming Simulator. An IDE is an application that provides additional resources to programmers for software development. The GIANTS Studio consists of a script editor and many debugging tools, which we will cover in this chapter.
Making a Diner with a Rotating Sign
Authors: Brumbaugh Zander , Leithner Manuel
Published: December 2023

With the knowledge and programming skills you have gained in the previous chapters, you are ready to create your first complete mod. In this chapter, we will create a mod that allows players to place a diner with a rotating sign. This will require that you organize 3D assets in your mod, creating a placement system, and write the necessary code to make the sign of the diner spin. Let’s begin!
Rotating Mower Mod
Authors: Brumbaugh Zander , Leithner Manuel
Published: December 2023

In this chapter, you will build upon your experience with programming, working with models and .i3d files and making simpler mods to make a more complex mod. This mod focuses on creating a mower with rotating blades. Unlike the previous mod example where we made a static structure with a rotating sign, we will be making a moving vehicle with rotating elements that also affects foliage and other elements of the game environment.
Hydrothermal monazite and xenotime chemistry as genetic discriminators for intrusion-related and orogenic gold deposits: implications for an orogenic origin of the Pogo gold deposit, Alaska
Authors: Taylor Ryan D. , Graham Garth E. , Lowers Heather A.
Published: December 2023

Attempts to geochemically distinguish between metamorphic-hydrothermal systems that form orogenic gold deposits and both reduced and oxidized magmatic-hydrothermal systems using isotopes or metal associations have proven ambiguous, particularly for orogenic gold and reduced intrusion-related gold systems. The absence of conclusive geochemical discriminators and the overlap in geologic characteristics have led to gold deposit models being potentially incorrectly applied, which in turn negatively affect regional mineral exploration and mine planning. In this study, in situ electron microprobe geochemical analyses of hydrothermal monazite and xenotime crystals associated with different types of gold-bearing deposits are shown to be effective geochemical discriminators. There are notable differences in mineral chemistry such as rare earth element (REE) profiles, total light REE, Dy, Er, Pr, Y, Nd/Sm, and La/Sm that distinguish monazite precipitated from metamorphic-hydrothermal fluids that form orogenic gold deposits and those precipitated from magmatic-hydrothermal fluids that form both porphyry Cu-Mo-Au and reduced intrusion-related gold deposits. Notable differences in overall xenotime abundances and concentrations of heavy REEs, Ca, and Sc are distinctive between the different deposit classes for xenotime. The origin of the controversially classified Pogo gold deposit, Tintina gold province, Alaska, which has been characterized as both a reduced intrusion-related and an orogenic gold deposit, is tested based upon the noted chemical differences associated with these hydrothermal phosphates. The findings of this study have implications for exploration and mine development in the Tintina gold province and other areas that contain deposits that are controversially classified as either orogenic or as magmatic-hydrothermal gold deposits.
Novel Gluconobacter oxydans strains selected from Kombucha with potential postbiotic activity
Authors: Neffe-Skocińska Katarzyna , Długosz Ewa , Szulc-Dąbrowska Lidia , Zielińska Dorota
Published: December 2023

Gastric and colorectal cancer are among the most frequently diagnosed malignancies of the gastrointestinal tract. Searching for methods of therapy that complements treatment or has a preventive effect is desirable. Bacterial metabolites safe for human health, which have postbiotic effect, are of interest recently. The study aimed to preliminary assessment of the safety, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer activity of cell-free metabolites of Gluconobacter oxydans strains isolated from Kombucha beverages as an example of the potential postbiotic activity of acetic acid bacteria (AAB). The study material consisted of five AAB strains of Kombucha origin and three human cell lines (gastric adenoma—AGS, colorectal adenoma—HT-29, and healthy cells derived from the endothelium of the human umbilical vein—HUVEC). Results of the study confirms the health safety and functional properties of selected AAB strains, including their potential postbiotic properties. The best potential anticancer activity of the AAB cell-free supernatants was demonstrated against AGS gastric adenoma cells. The conducted research proves the postbiotic potential of selected acetic acid bacteria, especially the KNS30 strain.

Key points

•The beneficial and application properties of acetic acid bacteria are poorly studied.

•Gluconobacter oxydans from Kombucha show a postbiotic activity.

•The best anticancer activity of the G. oxydans showed against gastric adenoma.
Clinical characteristics and outcomes of Epstein-Barr virus viral load after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Tsushima Takafumi , Masuda Shin-Ichi , Yoda Natsumi , Kainuma Sayaka , Kimeda Chiharu , Konno Shiho , Tanaka Kazusuke , Matsuo Kosuke , Shimoji Sonoko , Kimura Kenji , Arai Hironori , Utsu Yoshikazu , Imadome Ken-Ichi , Aotsuka Nobuyuki
Published: December 2023

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) reactivation can occur following allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). However, the clinical characteristics and outcomes of EBV-viral load are not well known. Thus, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical features and prognostic impact of the EBV viral load in 121 allo-HSCT recipients from our hospital. EBV DNA quantification was performed in whole blood after transplantation. Patients were grouped based on whether EBV DNA quantification reached > 1000 copies/mL during follow-up (N = 50) or not (N = 71). Patients with EBV > 1000 EBV copies/mL were relatively more common in the groups with graft versus host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis including ATG, haploidentical donor type, peripheral blood as a donor source, and acute GVHD II–IV. The 20-month OS and DFS were not significantly different between patients with < 1000 EBV copies/mL and patients with > 1000 EBV copies/mL (20-month OS, 56.0% vs. 60.6%; p = 0.503, 20-month DFS, 50.0% vs. 57.7%; p = 0.179). Immunosuppressant (ISS) dose reduction was achieved after the maximum increase in EBV in 41/50 (82%) patients. Additionally, 30/50 (60%) patients achieved a 50% dose reduction or no restarting of ISS within 3 months of the maximum EBV increase. Among cases wherein EBV DNA quantification reached > 1000 copies/mL, those that achieved rapid dose reduction of ISS tended to have longer overall survival (“not reached” vs 5.4 months, p < 0.001) and disease-free survival (88.4 months vs 5.3 months, p < 0.001) than those in patients who did not. Our data highlight the importance of rapid ISS reduction in post-transplant EBV reactivation.
Safety and efficacy of telitacicept in refractory systemic lupus erythematosus patients who failed treatment with belimumab
Authors: Fan Qiuyu , Yang Huiqin , Liu Ya
Published: December 2023

Objective

This study aimed to determine the effect and safety of telitacicept, an antagonist of BLyS/APRIL-mediated B cell activation, in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who failed treatment with belimumab and in whom telitacicept was administered combined with conventional therapy. A review of published reports on telitacicept for SLE was also performed.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed of the records of patients seen in the Department of Rheumatology at the Wuhan Hospital of Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, China, with refractory SLE who had failed treatment with belimumab. The terms “systemic lupus erythematosus” and “telitacicept” were used to identify patients reported in the English medical literature.

Results

Identified were 14 refractory SLE patients, 3 males (21%) and 11 females (79%). The median age was 32.9 years. The median disease duration was 8.9 years. Patients in this cohort received telitacicept for an average of 34.1 weeks (17–62 weeks) and the total SLE responder index 4 (SRI-4) response rate was 78.9% (n = 11). The mean SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score declined from 8.6 at baseline (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.87–9.28) to 4.29 at the endpoint (95% CI 3.4–5.16). All cases (100%) had hypocomplementemia at baseline, and 7 cases (50%) reported normal C3 and C4 levels at the follow-up endpoint. At the observation endpoint, the 24‑h urinary protein value of the 13 cases with proteinuria (baseline 24‑h urinary protein > 0.5 g/d) displayed a reduction, and 3 values turned negative. Although some patients had low serum total immunoglobulin (Ig) levels, subnormal IgG levels, and absolute counts of peripheral blood lymphocytes after treatment, no serious infection was reported. One case was refractory lupus hepatitis confirmed by liver pathology, and upon change to change to telitacicept treatment, liver function returned to normal.

Conclusion

This is the first case series in SLE patients who accepted telitacicept treatment after failed treatment with belimumab. Our case series and review of the literature show that telitacicept combined with the original standard treatment may significantly improve disease activity while reducing prednisone use. No major safety issues were seen in this group of patients. Telitacicept may be a promising drug for the treatment of refractory lupus hepatitis.
Are the estimated needs for mental health care among adolescents from different socioeconomic backgrounds met equally in Sweden? A longitudinal survey-registry linkage study
Authors: Muwonge Joseph , Dalman Christina , Burström Bo , de Leon Antonio Ponce , Galanti Maria Rosaria , Jablonska Beata , Hollander Anna-Clara
Published: December 2023

Evidence of inequality in the utilisation of mental health care (MHC) by adolescents in Nordic countries is mixed. This study aims to investigate if there are socioeconomic differences in the utilisation of MHC, while accounting for adolescents’ mental health status. We analysed a cohort of 3517 adolescents, followed from 7 to 9th grade (ages 13–16), to examine the association between parental socioeconomic position (SEP: education and disposable income), adolescents’ estimated needs, and the utilisation of MHC (defined as visits to secondary psychiatric care or receipt of psychotropic medication). Logistic and negative binomial regression models, with mental health status as moderator, were used to predict utilisation during each grade. Lower SEP predicted higher odds of utilising MHC in adolescents with no/mild symptoms (e.g., odds ratio, OR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.04–1.72, lower vs highest education), but not in those with moderate-to-severe symptoms (estimates close to one and non-significant). This pattern was largely explained by treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/autism spectrum disorders (ADHD/ASD) in boys. For girls with severe symptoms, lower SEP predicted reduced odds of utilising MHC for other mental disorders (OR = 0.48, 95% CI 0.25–0.92, lower education), and fewer outpatient visits when in contact with such care, although non-significant (incidence rate ratio, IRR = 0.51, 95% CI 0.25–1.05, lowest vs highest income). Our findings suggest a more equitable use of MHC for treating ADHD/ASD, but not other mental disorders such as depression and anxiety, particularly among girls.
Relationship between serum endothelin-1 and in-stent restenosis following vertebral artery stenting
Authors: He Fang , Zhong Changyang , Wu Chunli , Liu Yuan , Yu Shufeng
Published: December 2023

The study objective was to investigate the relations between serum endothelin-1 and in-stent restenosis in vertebral artery stenting. Sixty-eight patients undergoing re-examination of vertebral artery stenting in the Department of Cerebrovascular Disease, Hangzhou Third People’s Hospital, between April 2019 and October 2022, were invited to participate. According to the presence of vertebral artery stenting, patients were divided into the restenosis (n = 19) or non-restenosis (n = 49) groups. General clinical data and endothelin-1 levels were compared between the groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the relations between endothelin-1 level and risk for in-stent restenosis. Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn to test the diagnostic value of serum endothelin-1 level for in-stent restenosis. Compared with the non-restenosis group, restenosis group levels of low-density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and endothelin-1 were significantly higher (p < 0.05) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that endothelin-1, stent length, and low-density lipoprotein were independently associated with in-stent restenosis (odds ratio = 1.502, 95% confidence interval: 0.042 ~ 0.212, p = 0.000; odds ratio = 1.899, 95% confidence interval: 1.116 ~ 2.237, p = 0.000; odds ratio = 1.899, 95% confidence interval: 1.228 ~ 3.337, p = 0.001, respectively). Area under the curve for serum endothelin-1 in the diagnosis of vertebral artery in-stent restenosis was 0.938. The best diagnostic cut-off value was 11.94 ng/L. Sensitivity was 89.5%. Specificity was 85.7%. These cumulative data indicate that endothelin-1 level is independently associated with in-stent restenosis.
Performance evaluation of real-time orbit determination for LUTAN-01B satellite using broadcast earth orientation parameters and multi-GNSS combination
Authors: Li Min , Wang Yubin , Li Wenwen , Jiang Kecai , Zhang Yu , Lyu Haixia , Zhao Qile
Published: December 2023

Real-time orbit determination (RTOD) for spacecraft using the space-borne GNSS technique needs earth orientation parameters (EOPs) for the required coordinate transformation between earth-fixed and inertial reference frames. GPS and BDS transmit EOPs in modernized navigation messages, which enables GNSS-equipped spacecraft to update EOPs onboard and improves the RTOD automaticity. However, the impact of broadcast EOP errors on RTOD has not yet been evaluated. With the GPS and BDS-3 observations collected from a Chinese low-earth orbit (LEO) mission, the LUTAN-01B satellite, we analyze the LEO RTOD performance with broadcast EOPs and GPS/BDS-3 combination for the first time. In RTOD, we parameterize the ephemeris signal-in-space range error (SISRE) to account for its slow-varying signature and to compensate for the EOP errors. Without estimating SISRE, the RTOD precision using broadcast EOPs is 70.1 cm with only GPS observations and 42.4 cm with only BDS-3, revealing degradations of 5.1 cm (7.8%) and 3.3 cm (8.4%) compared to those using the precise C04 EOPs, respectively. With SISRE estimated, the impact of broadcast EOP error is compensated and the RTOD precisions with broadcast EOPs show identical results to those with C04, reaching 36.3 cm with GPS and 25.8 cm with BDS-3. Combining GPS and BDS-3 further improves the RTOD precision to 23.9 cm. Furthermore, we show that the RTOD precision can be further improved by using GPS and BDS broadcast EOPs’ differences to correct ephemeris rotation errors. With this correction, the precision improvement of BDS-3 independent and GPS/BDS-3 combined RTOD increases significantly when BDS-3 broadcast EOPs suffer large errors due to long update intervals. During the experiment period, their maximum orbital improvements reach 10.2 and 7.7 cm, respectively, while the average improvements are both around 1.5 cm.
Screen time and quality of life in Austrian young adults
Authors: Steiner-Hofbauer Verena , Schrank Beate , Mittmann Gloria
Published: December 2023

Aim

This study aimed to investigate the screen-related habits and quality of life among a sample of young Austrian adults.

Subject and methods

A cross-sectional online questionnaire study was conducted, assessing quality of life using the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life–BREF questionnaire. Participants were queried about their physical activity levels and screen-based activities, including social media engagement, computer or mobile phone gaming, and on-demand TV or series watching. Linear regression analysis was employed to explore the relationship between quality of life and screen time. Additionally, gender differences and correlations between quality of life and BMI and age were assessed.

Results

The study comprised 400 young Austrian adults aged 18 to 30. Findings revealed negative associations between quality of life and social media usage, as well as watching series. Conversely, quality of life was positively correlated with physical activity. While female participants exhibited significantly greater engagement with computer or mobile games, no gender differences were observed in physical activity levels. Notably, gaming accounted for the majority of screen time.

Conclusion

Elevated screen time was linked to decreased quality of life, while increased physical activity was associated with higher quality of life. Gaming emerged as the predominant screen-related activity. Future research should investigate strategies to integrate physical activity into gaming to potentially enhance overall quality of life. Promoting awareness among young adults regarding their screen usage across various devices and its potential adverse effects on their well-being could play a pivotal role in fostering improvements.
Distinct Spectral Profiles of Awake Resting EEG in Disorders of Consciousness: The Role of Frequency and Topography of Oscillations
Authors: Drążyk Dominika , Przewrocki Karol , Górska-Klimowska Urszula , Binder Marek
Published: December 2023

The prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) pose a challenge for an accurate clinical diagnosis, mainly due to patients’ scarce or ambiguous behavioral responsiveness. Measurement of brain activity can support better diagnosis, independent of motor restrictions. Methods based on spectral analysis of resting-state EEG appear as a promising path, revealing specific changes within the internal brain dynamics in PDOC patients. In this study we used a robust method of resting-state EEG power spectrum parameter extraction to identify distinct spectral properties for different types of PDOC. Sixty patients and 37 healthy volunteers participated in this study. Patient group consisted of 22 unresponsive wakefulness patients, 25 minimally conscious patients and 13 patients emerging from the minimally conscious state. Ten minutes of resting EEG was acquired during wakefulness and transformed into individual power spectra. For each patient, using the spectral decomposition algorithm, we extracted maximum peak frequency within 1–14 Hz range in the centro-parietal region, and the antero-posterior (AP) gradient of the maximal frequency peak. All patients were behaviorally diagnosed using coma recovery scale-revised (CRS-R). The maximal peak frequency in the 1–14 Hz range successfully predicted both neurobehavioral capacity of patients as indicated by CRS-R total score and PDOC diagnosis. Additionally, in patients in whom only one peak within the 1–14 Hz range was observed, the AP gradient significantly contributed to the accuracy of prediction. We have identified three distinct spectral profiles of patients, likely representing separate neurophysiological modes of thalamocortical functioning. Etiology did not have significant influence on the obtained results.
Anomaly Detection in Cloud Computing using Knowledge Graph Embedding and Machine Learning Mechanisms
Authors: Mitropoulou Katerina , Kokkinos Panagiotis , Soumplis Polyzois , Varvarigos Emmanouel
Published: December 2023

The orchestration of cloud computing infrastructures is challenging, considering the number, heterogeneity and dynamicity of the involved resources, along with the highly distributed nature of the applications that use them for computation and storage. Evidently, the volume of relevant monitoring data can be significant, and the ability to collect, analyze, and act on this data in real time is critical for the infrastructure’s efficient use. In this study, we introduce a novel methodology that adeptly manages the diverse, dynamic, and voluminous nature of cloud resources and the applications that they support. We use knowledge graphs to represent computing and storage resources and illustrate the relationships between them and the applications that utilize them. We then train GraphSAGE to acquire vector-based representations of the infrastructures’ properties, while preserving the structural properties of the graph. These are efficiently provided as input to two unsupervised machine learning algorithms, namely CBLOF and Isolation Forest, for the detection of storage and computing overusage events, where CBLOF demonstrates better performance across all our evaluation metrics. Following the detection of such events, we have also developed appropriate re-optimization mechanisms that ensure the performance of the served applications. Evaluated in a simulated environment, our methods demonstrate a significant advancement in anomaly detection and infrastructure optimization. The results underscore the potential of this closed-loop operation in dynamically adapting to the evolving demands of cloud infrastructures. By integrating data representation and machine learning methods with proactive management strategies, this research contributes substantially to the field of cloud computing, offering a scalable, intelligent solution for modern cloud infrastructures.
Towards decolonising higher education: a case study from a UK university
Authors: Tamimi Nancy , Khalawi Hala , Jallow Mariama A. , Valencia Omar Gabriel Torres , Jumbo Emediong
Published: December 2023

This article presents initiatives undertaken by the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine (GHSM) at King’s College London (KCL), exploring avenues to decolonise higher education institutions (HEI). HEI must integrate anti-racism agendas, challenge the European-centric academic knowledge domination, and dismantle power asymmetries. During the academic year 2021, GHSM executed (1) a gap analysis of undergraduate modules, (2) a course on decolonising research methods taught by global scholars to 40 Global South and North university students who completed pre- and post-course surveys, and (3) semi-structured interviews with 11 academics, and a focus group with four students exploring decolonising HEI; findings were thematically analysed. (1) Gap analysis revealed a tokenistic use of Black and minority ethnic and women authors across modules’ readings. (2) The post-course survey showed that 68% strongly agreed the course enhanced their decolonisation knowledge. (3) The thematic analysis identified themes: (1) Decolonisation is about challenging colonial legacies, racism, and knowledge production norms. (2) Decolonisation is about care, inclusivity, and compensation. (3) A decolonised curriculum should embed an anti-racism agenda, reflexive pedagogies, and life experiences involving students and communities. (4) HEI are colonial, exclusionary constructs that should shift to transformative and collaborative ways of thinking and knowing. (5) To decolonise research, we must rethink the hierarchy of knowledge production and dissemination and the politics of North-South research collaborations. Decolonising HEI must be placed within a human rights framework. HEI should integrate anti-racism agendas, give prominence to indigenous and marginalised histories and ways of knowing, and create a non-hierarchical educational environment, with students leading the decolonisation process.
On-Site Calibration Procedure and Uncertainty Contributions on Air Temperature Sensors
Authors: Aranda Natali Giselle , Merlone Andrea
Published: December 2023

Due to the increasing demand of climate change studies, traceability of measurements according to the International System of Units (SI) becomes fundamental to establish data quality and comparability in time. With the aim of guaranteeing the traceability, in October 2022, an on-site calibration of three thermometers operated by the Osservatorio meteorologico di Moncalieri was assessed. The calibration by comparison against traceable travelling standards was performed in a transportable thermal chamber manufactured by the Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca Metrologica (INRIM). Results showed that the main uncertainty contributions to the expanded uncertainty were the interpolation method, the chamber inhomogeneity and the repeatability of the sensors under calibration. This current calibration was compared with previous calibration in 2012 (on-site calibration) and in 2016 (laboratory calibration). The comparison analysis evidenced the drift effect on the thermometers and the importance of having an active calibration program to reduce this effect. Regarding the expanded uncertainty, both on-site calibrations presented the same order of magnitude and smaller than the correction values. This paper points out the advantage of performing an on-site calibration: since the calibration involves the same dataloggers and cables in the same environmental conditions, the calculated calibration curve represents more convincingly the real measurement conditions.
Examining boundaries in a large-scale educational research-practice partnership
Authors: Sjölund Simon , Lindvall Jannika
Published: December 2023

Research-practice partnerships (RPPs) are emerging as a promising approach for educational change by closing the gap between educational research and practice. However, these partnerships face several challenges, such as addressing cultural differences as well as relationship-building in a historically unbalanced relationship between researchers and practitioners. Scholars have argued that these cultural differences, also called boundaries, have learning potential if approached constructively, but that we need to know more about what characterizes them in an educational context. The aim of this study is to contribute to our understanding of frameworks for RPPs. By analysing 45 hours of video recordings from meetings in an RPP between four researchers and 300 practitioners, the study offers a characterization of seven different boundaries organized into three different boundary themes: a) prerequisites for collaboration, b) collaborative practices, and c) collaborative content. Moreover, the different boundaries affect the positioning of different actors in the RPP. For example, depending on the boundary expressed, teachers are positioned as either flawed implementers or co-inquirers. We argue that the boundaries and different participant positions within the RPPs they reinforce may affect their learning potentials.
On the role of selective nucleation and growth to recrystallization texture development in a Mg–Gd–Zn alloy
Authors: Mouhib F. , Gao B. , Al-Samman T.
Published: December 2023

One of the main material properties altered by rare earth additions in magnesium alloys is texture, which can be specifically adjusted to enhance ductility and formability. The current study aims at illuminating the texture selection process in a Mg–0.073at%Gd–0.165at%Zn alloy by investigating recrystallization nucleation and early nucleus growth during static recrystallization. An as-cast sample of the investigated alloy was deformed in uniaxial compression at 200 °C till 40% strain and was then cut into two halves for subsequent microstructure characterization via ex situ and quasi in situ EBSD investigations. In order to gain insights into the evolution of texture during recrystallization, the contributions from dynamic and static recrystallization were initially separated and the origin of the non-basal orientation of recrystallization nuclei was traced back to several potential nucleation sites within the deformed matrix. Considering the significant role of double-twin band recrystallization in determining the recrystallization texture, this type of recrystallization nucleation was further investigated via quasi-in situ EBSD on a deformed sample, annealed at 400 °C for different annealing times. With progressive annealing, a noticeable trend was observed, in which the basal nuclei gradually diminished and eventually vanished from the annealed microstructure. In contrast, the off-basal nuclei exhibited continuous growth, ultimately becoming the dominant contributors to the recrystallization texture. The study therefore emphasizes the importance of particular nucleation sites that generate favorably oriented off-basal nuclei, which over the course of recrystallization outcompete the neighboring basal-oriented nuclei in terms of growth and thereby dominate the recrystallization texture.
Dual-functional Polyvinylidene Fluoride Beta Cyclodextrin-Grafted Graphene Oxide Mixed Matrix Membranes for Removal of Anionic Azo Dyes
Authors: Ndlovu Lloyd N. , Mokubung Kopano E. , Donga Cabangani , Gumbi Nozipho N. , Mishra Ajay K. , Nxumalo Edward N. , Mishra Shivani B.
Published: December 2023

Mixed matrix PVDF polymeric membranes were incorporated with β–CD grafted graphene oxide (GO) nanocomposites (β–CD-g-GO) via nonsolvent induced phase separation method and used in the adsorption of congo red (CR) and methyl orange (MO) dyes. The incorporation of β–CD-g-GO (6 wt%) was found to improve the membrane physico-chemical properties and performance. The water content was increased by 24.26%, contact angle reduced from 84.17 to 62.97° while flux increased from 12.42 to 275.03 L m−2 h−1 bar−1. The membranes were able to remove 100% of CR at pH 7 and 99.4% of the MO dye at pH 5 within 240 min. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms were well fitted to the pseudo second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model respectively. These results indicated that the adsorption of both dyes occurred via chemisorption and in a multilayer on a heterogeneous surface of the membranes. According to these findings, it was concluded that the adsorption mechanism was due to hydrogen bonding interactions between nitrogen and hydroxyl groups, inclusion complexation introduced by β–CD molecules and electrostatic interactions, between the negatively charged oxygen-containing groups of the membrane and the positively charged nitrogen and azo-linkages of the dye molecules. PVDF/β–CD-g-GO membranes have shown excellent adsorption efficiency towards azo dyes. This work indicates that the embedding of adsorptive GO-β–CD nanocomposites in PVDF membranes can remove anionic dyes from wastewater treatment.
Comparative Study of Dermal Pharmacokinetics Between Topical Drugs Using Open Flow Microperfusion in a Pig Model
Authors: Bodenlenz Manfred , Yeoh Thean , Berstein Gabriel , Mathew Shibin , Shah Jaymin , Banfield Christopher , Hollingshead Brett , Steyn Stefanus J. , Osgood Sarah M. , Beaumont Kevin , Kainz Sonja , Holeček Christian , Trausinger Gert , Raml Reingard , Birngruber Thomas
Published: December 2023

Purpose

Accurate methods to determine dermal pharmacokinetics are important to increase the rate of clinical success in topical drug development. We investigated in an in vivo pig model whether the unbound drug concentration in the interstitial fluid as determined by dermal open flow microperfusion (dOFM) is a more reliable measure of dermal exposure compared to dermal biopsies for seven prescription or investigational drugs. In addition, we verified standard dOFM measurement using a recirculation approach and compared dosing frequencies (QD versus BID) and dose strengths (high versus low drug concentrations).

Methods

Domestic pigs were topically administered seven different drugs twice daily in two studies. On day 7, drug exposures in the dermis were assessed in two ways: (1) dOFM provided the total and unbound drug concentrations in dermal interstitial fluid, and (2) clean punch biopsies after heat separation provided the total concentrations in the upper and lower dermis.

Results

dOFM showed sufficient intra-study precision to distinguish interstitial fluid concentrations between different drugs, dose frequencies and dose strengths, and had good reproducibility between studies. Biopsy concentrations showed much higher and more variable values. Standard dOFM measurements were consistent with values obtained with the recirculation approach.

Conclusions

dOFM pig model is a robust and reproducible method to directly determine topical drug concentration in dermal interstitial fluid. Dermal biopsies were a less reliable measure of dermal exposure due to possible contributions from drug bound to tissue and drug associated with skin appendages.
Instantaneous CO2 emission modelling for a Euro 6 start-stop vehicle based on portable emission measurement system data and artificial intelligence methods
Authors: Mądziel Maksymilian
Published: December 2023

One of the increasingly common methods to counteract the increased fuel consumption of vehicles is start-stop technology. This paper introduces a methodology which presents the process of measuring and creating a computational model of CO2 emissions using artificial intelligence techniques for a vehicle equipped with start-stop technology. The method requires only measurement data of velocity, acceleration of vehicle, and gradient of road to predict the emission of CO2. In this paper, three methods of machine learning techniques were analyzed, while the best prediction results are shown by the gradient boosting method. For the developed models, the results were validated using the coefficient of determination, the mean squared error, and based on visual evaluation of residual and instantaneous emission plots and CO2 emission maps. The developed models present a novel methodology and can be used for microscale environmental analysis.
Biostimulation of indigenous microbes for uranium bioremediation in former U mine water: multidisciplinary approach assessment
Authors: Newman-Portela Antonio M. , Krawczyk-Bärsch Evelyn , Lopez-Fernandez Margarita , Bok Frank , Kassahun Andrea , Drobot Björn , Steudtner Robin , Stumpf Thorsten , Raff Johannes , Merroun Mohamed L.
Published: December 2023

Characterizing uranium (U) mine water is necessary to understand and design an effective bioremediation strategy. In this study, water samples from two former U-mines in East Germany were analysed. The U and sulphate (SO42−) concentrations of Schlema-Alberoda mine water (U: 1 mg/L; SO42−: 335 mg/L) were 2 and 3 order of magnitude higher than those of the Pöhla sample (U: 0.01 mg/L; SO42−: 0.5 mg/L). U and SO42− seemed to influence the microbial diversity of the two water samples. Microbial diversity analysis identified U(VI)-reducing bacteria (e.g. Desulfurivibrio) and wood-degrading fungi (e.g. Cadophora) providing as electron donors for the growth of U-reducers. U-bioreduction experiments were performed to screen electron donors (glycerol, vanillic acid, and gluconic acid) for Schlema-Alberoda U-mine water bioremediation purpose. Thermodynamic speciation calculations show that under experimental conditions, U(VI) is not coordinated to the amended electron donors. Glycerol was the best-studied electron donor as it effectively removed 99% of soluble U, 95% of Fe, and 58% of SO42− from the mine water, probably by biostimulation of indigenous microbes. Vanillic acid removed 90% of U, and no U removal occurred using gluconic acid.
Effect of microplastic particles on the population growth rate and clearance rate of selected ciliates (Protista, Ciliophora)
Authors: Budziak Martyna , Fyda Janusz
Published: December 2023

Microplastics (MPs), due to their micro size, which overlaps with the typical food size of various aquatic organisms, can be ingested and move up the food chain, accumulating in the bodies of organisms at higher trophic levels. Few studies have focused on the uptake of MPs by ciliates, which are an important element of the microbial cycle. Three different ciliate species were used in this study: Blepharisma japonicum, Euplotes sp., and Spirostomum teres, as well as polystyrene beads with diameters of 1 and 2 µm at two concentrations (106 and 107 beads × mL−1). The results of the experiments showed that MPs have a variable, species-specific effect on the population growth rate of ciliates, which is directly dependent on their concentration in the environment (P < 0.01). It was also observed that the number of MPs ingested changed over time depending on their concentration and size. On average, the highest number of ingested MPs (883.11 ± 521.47) was recorded at 60 min of exposure to a low concentration of small beads in B. japonicum. The lowest number of beads was ingested after 5 min of exposure to a low concentration of large beads in the same species. The rate of MP uptake by the ciliate species was significantly dependent on their concentration, exposure time, and size (P < 0.001). The highest clearance rate was observed in the fifth minute of the experiment in the environment with the lowest MP concentration.
The cognitive reality of morphomes. Evidence from Italian
Authors: Cappellaro Chiara , Dumrukcic Nina , Fritz Isabella , Franzon Francesca , Maiden Martin
Published: December 2023

This study reports and discusses the results of a pilot psycholinguistic investigation into the morphome – a term created (Aronoff 1994) to indicate systematic relations between form and meaning in morphology which lack synchronic semantic, functional, or phonological determinants and are thereby purely morphological.

Despite a general consensus (cf. Bermúdez-Otero and Luís 2016) on the need to approach the question of the existence and nature of morphomic structures experimentally and interdisciplinarily, there has been no study beyond Nevins, Rodrigues, and Tang (2015), which focused on the morphomic structure in Romance verb morphology identified by Maiden (1992) and labelled (arbitrarily) the ‘L-pattern’ and concluded that in Italian, Spanish and Portuguese this structure is no longer part of native speakers’ grammar.

The present study has replicated, for Italian, the basic experimental design of Nevins et al. It has obtained behavioural measurements (from two experiments) including eyetracking measures (from one experiment). All these measurements converge in showing (i) a statistically significant preference for target items that are consistent with the L-/U-pattern distribution and (ii) a faster decision-making process when the L-item was chosen. We conclude that (pace Nevins et al.) this morphomic structure is part of the internalized grammar of Italian adult speakers.
Die partizipative Methode Photovoice im Kontext Gesundheitsförderung
Authors: Trompke Michaela , Götz Madlen , Dieudonné Jessica , Jantzen Lisa , Sanwald Michelle , Gehrmann Jan
Published: December 2023

Hintergrund

Im Rahmen eines hochschulinternen Seminars wurden Photovoice-Studien von Studierenden geplant, durchgeführt und ausgewertet. Die Studien befassten sich mit dem Verständnis von Gesundheitsförderung im Alltag von Studierenden aus physischer, psychischer und sozialer Perspektive. Das Ziel des Projekts war die Anwendung der Methode und die kritische Reflexion dieser im Kontext der Chancen und Herausforderungen partizipativer Ansätze.

Methode

In Kleingruppen wurden 3 Photovoice-Studien durchgeführt. Die Identifizierung der Forschungsfragen erfolgte in einem partizipativen Prozess. Daran wurde eine einwöchige Feldphase angeschlossen, in der Fotos zu den jeweiligen Fragestellungen aufgenommen wurden. Nach der Feldphase folgten die Diskussion sowie die Auswertung der Ergebnisse in den Kleingruppen. Die Anwendung der Methode wurde abschließend reflektiert.

Projektbeschreibung

Die Teilstudien fokussierten die Themenbereiche Stressmanagement, Bewegung und Freundschaft. Im Rahmen dieses Artikels werden die Umsetzungsphasen der Methode Photovoice dargestellt. Die Realisierung der Teilstudien erfolgte anhand von sieben Umsetzungsphasen. Die Darstellung der Ergebnisse fokussiert sich primär auf die Planung, Umsetzung und Reflexion des Gesamtprojekts.

Reflexion

Die Anwendung der partizipativen Methode Photovoice förderte durch den stattfindenden Austausch die Auseinandersetzung mit den thematisierten Untersuchungsgegenständen. Die Umsetzung des gesamten Projekts führte zu einer Selbstreflexion über mögliche Forschungs- und Praxisansätze.

Schlussfolgerung

Photovoice als partizipative Forschungsmethode bietet die Möglichkeit, Menschen in ihren Lebenswelten zu erreichen. Wichtig ist dabei die transparente Arbeitsweise aller Forschenden und Beteiligten. Für einen umfassenderen inhaltlichen Einblick sollte sich die Feldphase in ähnlichen Projektvorhaben über einen längeren Zeitraum erstrecken.
New composite materials based on reduced graphite oxide for electrochemical sorption of hydrogen and methanol electrooxidation
Authors: Rozmanowski Tomasz , Krawczyk Piotr , Gurzęda Bartosz , Ratajczyk Kornelia
Published: December 2023

The present work describes preparation of the reduced graphite oxide/nickel/palladium (rGO/Ni/Pd) composite and the examination of its basic electrochemical properties. The reduced graphite oxide was prepared by thermal reduction of graphite oxide beforehand obtained by electrochemical overoxidation of graphite in 8 M HClO4. In the second stage, Ni particles were electrodeposited onto rGO by the galvanostatic method. Finally, chemical deposition of palladium catalyst was performed to yield rGO/Ni/Pd composite. Transmission electron microscopy analysis (TEM) along with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) technique has been used to determine the size as well as the distribution of Ni and Pd particles. The acquired electrochemical results revealed that rGO/Ni/Pd composite exhibits a good activity towards the processes of electrosorption of hydrogen. The highest calculated H/Pd atomic ratio for rGO/Ni/Pd electrode was equal 0.62. Electrocatalytic activity of the investigated material is also depicted by the reaction of methanol electrooxidation. Recorded current density of methanol electrooxidation was 15.04 A g−1 Pd.
Effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on UHRF1 and DNMT1 in ectopic endometrium of rats with endometriosis
Authors: Li Mingyang , Wang Yanwen , Shao Yanting , Sun Yichun , Hu Jiawei , Gao Yuan , Li Yuran , Wu Chuting , Zhang Chunyan
Published: December 2023

Objective

To observe the effects of acupuncture and moxibustion on ubiquitin-like containing PHD and RING finger domains 1 (UHRF1) and DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) in ectopic endometrium of rats with endometriosis (EMS).

Methods

Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group with 10 rats and a model-building group with 30 rats according to body mass. EMS rat models were established in the model-building group and then were divided into a model group, an acupuncture and moxibustion group, and a progesterone group, with 10 rats in each group. All rats were fixed by a fixator. The sham operation group and the model group were given normal saline by gavage. The acupuncture and moxibustion group received acupuncture at Xuehai (SP10) and Sanyinjiao (SP6), moxibustion at Guanyuan (CV4), and gavage of normal saline. The progesterone group was given the mixed liquid made of dydrogesterone and normal saline by gavage. After 28 d of treatments, the three diameters (length, width, and height) of EMS rats’ ectopic cysts were measured, the cyst volumes were calculated, the volumes before intervention were subtracted, and the difference values were used to evaluate the growth of ectopic cysts. UHRF1 and DNMT1 mRNA and protein levels in normal endometrium, eutopic endometrium, and ectopic endometrium were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.

Results

There was no significant difference in the ectopic cyst volume difference between the acupuncture and moxibustion group and the progesterone group (P>0.05), but they were smaller than that of the model group (P<0.05). The levels of UHRF1 and DNMT1 mRNA and protein in the ectopic endometrium of the model group were lower than those in the normal endometrium (P<0.05). The levels of DNMT1 mRNA and UHRF1 protein in the eutopic endometrium of the model group were lower than those in the normal endometrium (P<0.05). The levels of UHRF1 mRNA and protein and the level of DNMT1 protein in the ectopic endometrium of the acupuncture and moxibustion group were higher than those in the model group (P<0.05), and the level of UHRF1 mRNA was higher than that in the progesterone group (P<0.05). The level of DNMT1 mRNA in the eutopic endometrium of the acupuncture and moxibustion group was higher than that in the model group (P<0.05). The levels of UHRF1 and DNMT1 mRNA and protein in the acupuncture and moxibustion group were insignificantly different from those in the normal endometrium (P>0.05).

Conclusion

Acupuncture and moxibustion may up-regulate the levels of UHRF1 mRNA and UHRF1 and DNMT1 proteins in the ectopic endometrium to the normal level so as to reduce the volume of ectopic cysts and cure endometriosis in rats.