bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Improved healing and macrophage polarization in oral ulcers treated with photobiomodulation (PBM)
Authors: Ryu Hyun Seok , Lim Nam Kyu , Padalhin Andrew Reyes , Abueva Celine , Park So Young , Chung Phil‐sang , Woo Seung Hoon
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The effect of photobiomodulation (PBM) treatment on wound healing and macrophage polarization was investigated in vivo. Animal models of oral ulcers were simulated through chemically induced oral ulcers in rats.

Materials and Methods

PBM treatment using an infrared pulsed laser was used to treat oral ulcers in the animal models. Twelve Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups depending on set absorbed energy: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (30 J), Group 3 (60 J), and Group 4 (100 J). Laser treatment was performed every other day for 8 days after ulcer confirmation. Parameters used were as follows: wavelength 808 nm, power output 50 mW, spot size 10 mm, frequency 10 Hz, and pulse duration 1 millisecond. Ulcers were measured to determine the effect of the treatments over time. Histology, immunostaining, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of PBM treatment on macrophage‐related (IL‐6/IL‐10) and wound‐healing‐related (TNF‐α/TGF‐β/MMP‐2) cytokine expression.

Results

Histological examinations indicate that the PBM treatment stimulated a higher level of wound recovery after 8 days of treatment at 60 J absorbed energy compared to other treatment groups. Analyses of relative gene expression of proinflammatory, anti‐inflammatory, and tissue remodeling cytokines indicate that the macrophages in the tissue samples were predominantly characterized as M2 subtypes (alternatively activated), which possibly accounts for the accelerated tissue repair in the animal model of oral ulcer.

Conclusion

This preliminary study stands as a proof of concept regarding the potential use of infrared laser PBM treatment for oral ulcers which have not been previously investigated upon. PBM treatment affects macrophage polarization and enhances wound healing. Further experimentation will be conducted to expand the understanding of how PBM treatment affects the healing mechanism of ulcers.
Low Levels of Hepatocyte‐Specific Methylation in Cell‐Free DNA Are a Strong Negative Predictor for Acute T Cell–Mediated Rejection Requiring Treatment Following Liver Transplantation
Authors: Cox Daniel R. A. , Low Nicholas , Goh Su Kah , Lee Eunice , Vago Angela , Jackett Louise , Lokan Julie , Braat Sabine , Jones Robert , Testro Adam , Dobrovic Alexander , Muralidharan Vijayaragavan
Published: December 2021

Graft‐derived cell‐free DNA (gdcfDNA) quantification is a promising, minimally invasive tool for detecting acute T cell–mediated rejection (ATCMR) following liver transplantation (LT). We investigated the utility of measuring hepatocyte‐specific methylation in cfDNA (HS‐cfDNA) to quantify gdcfDNA, examining its accuracy in detecting ATCMR in a prospective, cross‐sectional study. Blood was collected from LT recipients immediately prior to graft biopsy for suspected rejection. HS‐cfDNA was quantified using droplet‐digital polymerase chain reaction. Prebiopsy liver function tests (LFTs) and HS‐cfDNA levels were correlated with biopsy results and the primary outcome of treated biopsy‐proven acute rejection (tBPAR). A total of 51 patients were recruited; 37 had evidence of rejection on biopsy and 20 required treatment. As much as 11 patients needed inpatient treatment for rejection. HS‐cfDNA significantly outperformed LFTs in identifying patients with tBPAR, particularly those needing inpatient treatment (area under the curve, 73.0%; 95% confidence interval, 55.4%‐90.6%; P = 0.01). At a threshold of <33.5% of the total cfDNA fraction, HS‐cfDNA had a specificity of 97%, correctly excluding tBPAR in 30/31 patients. Quantifying graft‐specific methylation in cfDNA has a major advantage over previous gdcfDNA techniques: it does not require genotyping/sequencing, lending it greater feasibility for translation into transplantation care. Low levels of HS‐cfDNA were a strong negative predictor for tBPAR (negative predictive value, 86%) and may have a future role in triaging patients prior to invasive graft biopsies.
Surfaces of the nearly Kähler S3×S3${\bf \mathbb {S}^3\times \mathbb {S}^3}$ preserved by the almost product structure
Authors: Antić Miroslava , Hu Zejun , Moruz Marilena , Vrancken Luc
Published: December 2021

The product manifold is one of the only four homogeneous six‐dimensional nearly Kähler manifolds. It also admits a canonical almost product structure P, which is compatible with the almost complex structure (see Bolton et al., Tôhoku Math. J. 67 (2015), 1–17, and Moruz and Vrancken, Publ. Inst. Math. 103 (2018), no. 117, 147–158). In this paper, we investigate and describe the two‐dimensional surfaces of which are P‐invariant.
Technical note: Does the greater power of pencil beam scanning reduce the need for a proton gantry? A study of head‐and‐neck and brain tumors
Authors: Yan Susu , Depauw Nicolas , Adams Judith , Gorissen Bram L. , Shih Helen A. , Flanz Jay , Bortfeld Thomas , Lu Hsiao‐Ming
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Proton therapy systems without a gantry can be more compact and less expensive in terms of capital cost and therefore more available to a larger patient population. Would the advances in pencil beam scanning (PBS) and robotics make gantry‐less treatment possible? In this study, we explore if the high‐quality treatment plans can be obtained without a gantry.

Methods and materials

We recently showed that proton treatments with the patient in an upright position may be feasible with a new soft robotic immobilization device and imaging which enables multiple possible patient orientations during a treatment. In this study, we evaluate if this new treatment geometry could enable high quality treatment plans without a gantry. We created PBS treatment plans for seven patients with head‐and‐neck or brain tumors. Each patient was planned with two scenarios: one with a gantry with the patient in supine position and the other with a gantry‐less fixed horizontal beam‐line with the patient sitting upright. For the treatment plans, dose‐volume‐histograms (DVHs), target homogeneity index (HI), mean dose, , and are reported. A robustness analysis of one plan was performed with 2.5‐mm setup errors and 3.5% range uncertainties with nine scenarios.

Results

Most of the PBS‐gantry‐less plans had similar target HI and organs‐at‐risk mean dose as compared to PBS‐gantry plans and similar robustness with respect to range uncertainties and setup errors.

Conclusions

PBS provides sufficient power to deliver high quality treatment plans without requiring a gantry for head‐and‐neck or brain tumors. In combination with the development of the new positioning and immobilization methods required to support this treatment geometry, this work suggests the feasibility of further development of a compact proton therapy system with a fixed horizontal beam‐line to treat patients in sitting and reclined positions.
Flexoelectricity in fluoropolymer/aluminium reactives
Authors: Zaitzeff Mikel J , Groven Lori J
Published: December 2021

The development of smart reactive materials is of significant interest to the reactives community in order to tailor energy delivery and enable ON/OFF capability. Of the polymer bound reactives, those with fluoropolymer binder have shown potential as smart materials due to the polymer's strong electroactive characteristics. This could be due to piezoelectricity or flexoelectricity but has not been well characterized. This effort measures the flexoelectric coefficient for two fluoropolymer/aluminium (Al) reactive systems and details the role processing, configuration and fluoropolymer type have on their electroactive behavior. Specifically, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and tetrafluoroethylene‐hexafluoropropylene‐vinylidene fluoride (THV) were characterized with Al (fuel) loadings of 0, 20, 33 and 50 wt%. Two additive manufacturing routes, direct ink writing (DIW) and fused filament fabrication, were used to determine how processing and print direction may influence the electroactive behavior. A linear increase in flexoelectric coefficient as a function of Al loading was observed for both fluoropolymer systems ranging from 5.03 ± 0.7 nC m–1 to 7.83 ± 1.1 nC m–1. Processing via DIW resulted in samples with the highest flexoelectric coefficients, 8.48 ± 1.0 and 11.62 ± 2.5 nC m–1 for THV/Al and PVDF/Al, respectively, attributed to increased porosity. These results indicate that non‐piezoelectric polymer bound reactives have promise as smart reactives with calculated apparent piezoelectric coefficients up to 189 ± 12 pC N–1. © 2021 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Risk assessment of engineering diseases of embankment–bridge transition section for railway in permafrost regions
Authors: Zhang Saize , Niu Fujun , Wang Shi , Sun Yongning , Wang Jinchang , Dong Tianchun
Published: December 2021

The embankment–bridge transition section (EBTS) is one of the zones where railway diseases occur frequently in permafrost regions. Disease risk assessment of EBTSs can provide guidance for maintenance. In this study, considering the engineering geological conditions, climate characteristics, and embankment structure types along the Qinghai–Tibet Railway (QTR) as well as based on the disease inventory of the QTR from 2010 to 2019, the logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and combination‐weight‐based gay relation analysis (GRA) were used for disease risk assessment of the EBTSs along the QTR in permafrost regions. The results indicate that the LR and SVM models have a better capability for EBTS disease prediction than the GRA model, and the SVM model can select more disease samples in relatively larger regions than the LR model. Based on the SVM and LR models, the risk level of EBTSs is divided into four classes: low‐ (29.9%), moderate‐ (39.6%), high‐ (22.1%), and very high (8.4%) risk. Finally, we selected 272 EBTSs in high‐ and very‐high‐risk classes for key observation during the maintenance of the QTR in permafrost regions. This study provides a reference for the risk assessment of railways built in permafrost regions using data‐driven methods.
Pilot study for comparative assessment of dual‐energy computed tomography and single‐photon emission computed tomography V/Q scanning for lung perfusion evaluation in infants
Authors: Ramirez‐Suarez Karen I. , Barrera Christian A. , Otero Hansel J. , Biko David M. , States Lisa J. , Servaes Sabah , Zhu Xiaowei , Davis James C. , Piccione Joseph , Rapp Jordan B.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To evaluate clinical applications of dual‐energy computed tomography (DECT) in pediatric‐specific lung diseases and compare ventilation and perfusion findings with those from single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT‐CT) V/Q.

Methods

All patients at our institution who underwent exams using both techniques within a 3‐month period were included in this study. Two readers independently described findings for DECT, and two other readers independently analyzed the SPECT‐CT V/Q scan data. All findings were compared between readers and disagreements were reassessed and resolved by consensus. Inter‐modality agreements are described throughout this study.

Results

Eight patients were included for evaluation. The median age for DECT scanning was 3.5 months (IQR = 2). Five of these patients were scanned for both DECT and SPECT‐CT V/Q studies the same day, and three had a time gap of 7, 65, and 94 days between studies. The most common indications were chronic lung disease (5/8; 63%) and pulmonary hypertension (6/8; 75%). DECT and SPECT‐CT V/Q identified perfusion abnormalities in concordant lobes in most patients (7/8; 88%). In one case, atelectasis limited DECT perfusion assessment. Three patients ultimately underwent lobectomy with corresponding perfusion abnormalities identified by all reviewers on both DECT and SPECT‐CT V/Q in all resected lobes.

Conclusion

DECT is a feasible technique that could be considered as an alternative for SPECT‐CT V/Q for lung perfusion evaluation in infants.
Understanding barrier degradation during water vapour transmission rate testing of high barrier metallized paper
Authors: Wyser Yves , Vishtal Alexey , Giardiello Maria Isabelle , Pelletier Chantal , Deantoni Frédéric
Published: December 2021

Single use packaging is one of the major contributors to environmental issues linked to waste in the environment. Packaging materials often consist of several plastics, which, when combined, are difficult to recycle. One option to reduce these issues are packaging materials for which recycling infrastructure and end markets exist, such as paper. Use of paper in food packaging applications is limited due to poor barrier properties. Enhancing barrier properties without impacting recyclability can be achieved by thin polymeric coatings combined with vapour‐deposited aluminium. Water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) of packaging materials is often assessed at 38°C and 90% relative humidity (RH). These conditions, not experienced in the supply chain, may not be optimal for paper as they have the potential to alter the structure of paper by inducing expansion disrupting barrier. This study aims at verifying this hypothesis by evaluating the influence of temperature and RH on the measured WVTR of high barrier paper. Results show that testing such papers at 38°C and 90% RH yields WVTR approximately 10 times higher than when tested at 23°C and 85% RH. The link between this increase and the disruption of the barrier layer is demonstrated by testing samples preconditioned at 38°C and 90% RH and tested at 23°C and 85% RH, depicting an increased WVTR as well. Results suggest that integrity of barrier layer in paper was disrupted at 38°C and 90% RH, and hence, these conditions are deemed inappropriate for testing barrier performance of paper materials.
Impact of dedicated outpatient pulmonary follow‐up for hospitalized patients with acute pulmonary embolism
Authors: Noto Joseph G. , Rali Parth
Published: December 2021

Pulmonary embolism (PE) response teams are the standard of care for the management of acute PE. The complications of PE extend far beyond the initial hospitalization period. In this study, we examined the role and potential benefits of dedicated pulmonary follow‐up after hospital discharge for patients with PE.
A Preliminary Study of Peripheral T-Cell Subsets in Porokeratosis Patients with MVK or MVD Variants
Authors: Tao L. , Huang Y. K. , Yan K. X. , Li C. H. , Shen L. , Zhang Z. H.
Published: December 2021

Background

Porokeratosis (PK) is considered a skin-specific autoinflammatory keratinization disease. Intriguingly, four causative genes of PK are in turn arranged in mevalonate pathway, with MVD variants being the commonest followed by MVK variants in a cohort of Chinese patients. Evidence indicates that mevalonate metabolites induce trained immunity in human monocytes and regulate T cells at multiple levels. Of note, γδT cells are dually regulated by intracellular and extracellular mevalonate metabolism.

Aims

To identify the possible differences in T-cell between MVK or MVD variants from PK patients.

Materials & Methods

Targeted exome sequencing and exonic CNV screening were performed in 26 patients with PK. Sanger sequencing was used to validate all identified variants. Among them, 22 patients were identified with MVK or MVD variants. PBMCs from 22 PK patients and 27 normal controls (NCs) were analysed by flow cytometry for the frequencies of T cells subsets, including IFN-γ-, and TNF-α-producing T cells.

Results

There were 14 mutations identified in the 26 PK patients, including 6 novel mutations (MVK: c.118_226+1337dup, c.388_392delGATATinsC, c.613A>T, c.768G>C, and MVD: c.250C>T, c.988T>G). In contrast to NCs, significantly decreased frequencies of CD8+ and Vγ9Vδ2 T cells were observed in the PK patients with MVD variants. Moreover, it was found that dysregulated secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by T cells in both PK patients with MVK and MVD variants.

Conclusions

Our findings enriched the Human Gene Mutation Databases and showed probable differences in peripheral T cells subsets between PK patients and controls.
Magnetically Retrievable Organocatalyst: An Emergent Green Method for The Rapid Formation of Biodynamically Significant Quinolines
Authors: Maurya Saransh W. , Sagir Hozeyfa , Ansari Mohd D. , Siddiqui Ibadur R.
Published: December 2021

Herein, highly efficient organocatalyst arginine coupled magnetic nanoparticles have been synthesized and aiming to catalyze synthesis of biodynamically significant quinolines. Results indicate that the catalyst is compatible with a wide range of functional groups and generates various quinoline derivatives in good to excellent yields under solvent free condition. Superior activity of the reported catalyst can be combine with the synergistic effect of the following factors: Firstly use of iron oxide nanoparticles as supports provide large surface areas, high surface‐to‐volume ratio, high reactivity and selectivity and lower consumption of energy, Secondly encapsulation of MNPs (Magnetic Nanoparticles) with L‐arginine not only prevent magnetic aggregation but also imparts many desirable properties like high thermal and chemical stability, finely disperse active sites and enhanced activity. Thirdly use of environmentally more benign, non‐toxic and much cheaper L‐arginine amino acid for coating agent need simple handling and storage. Fourthly potential recovery of this catalytic system by an external magnet, reduces waste, labour and cost, thus satisfy the requirements of green chemistry. Moreover such coating also provides sites for functionalization with other organic groups and thereby broaden their applicability in various research areas such as drug delivery, magnetic resonance imaging, biomedicine and especially in the field of heterocatalysis.
Diversification and Design of Novel Aniline‐Pyrimidines via Sonogashira/Suzuki Cross Coupling Reactions Catalyzed by Novel CLPN‐Pd
Authors: Ullah Arif , Liu Jingjiang , Khan Afaq Ullah , Khan Qudrat Ullah , Guo Fuhu , Nazir Sadia , Quan Zhengjun , Wang Xicun , Alosaimi Abeer M. , Hussein Mahmoud A.
Published: December 2021

Aniline‐pyrimidines derivatives, especially Mepanipyrim are used as fungicides and obliging to control several diseases, particularly grey mould (Botrytis cinerea) of vegetables and vines. A series of novel Aniline‐pyrimidines derivatives like Mepanipyrim have been synthesized by using novel strategy via Sonogashira/Suzuki cross‐coupling reaction. High competence, novel and recyclable CLPN−Pd (cross‐linked ploy(ionic liquid)s Nano gels) is used as a catalyst in this synthetic method which we recycled three times. Various characterization like XPS, DLS, XPA, X‐rays, HNMR and CNMR have been done for confirmation of CLPN−Pd. For these two combined reactions we used a lower amount of catalyst, has advantages of wide substrate range, compatibility with multiple functional groups, and higher yields. In this novel technique of diversification two hetero aryl chlorides, 4‐chloro‐6‐methyl‐N‐phenylpyrimidin‐2‐amine and ‐chloro‐6‐methyl‐N‐(p‐tolyl) pyrimidin‐2‐amine with hetero phenyl acetylene and hetero aryl boronic acid delivered the subsequent compounds with reasonable to excellent 50 %–93 % yields. All the diversified compounds have been verified by various spectroscopic analysis such as 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and HR‐MS spectral study. The analysis and preliminary conclusion provided some reference value for further development of this kind of research and applications in the future.
Hierarchical Ti3C2Tx MXene/Carbon Nanotubes Hollow Microsphere with Confined Magnetic Nanospheres for Broadband Microwave Absorption
Authors: Zhang Chang , Wu Zhengchen , Xu Chunyang , Yang Bintong , Wang Lei , You Wenbin , Che Renchao
Published: December 2021

Hierarchical hollow structure with unique interfacial properties holds great potential for microwave absorption (MA). Ti3C2Tx MXene has been a hot topic due to rich interface structure, abundant defects, and functional groups. However, its overhigh permittivity and poor aggregation‐resistance limit the further application. Herein, a hierarchical MXene‐based hollow microsphere is prepared via a facile spray drying strategy. Within the microsphere, few‐layered MXene nanosheets are separated by dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs), exposing abundant dielectric polarization interfaces. Besides, numerous magnetic Fe3O4 nanospheres are uniformly dispersed and confined within nano‐cavities between 1D network and 2D framework. Such a novel structure simultaneously promotes interfacial polarization by ternary MXene/CNTs/Fe3O4 interfaces, enhances magnetic loss by microscale and nanoscale coupling network, enlarges conduction loss by MXene/CNTs dual‐network, and optimizes impedance matching by hierarchical porous structure. Therefore, Fe3O4@Ti3C2Tx/CNTs composite achieves excellent MA property with a maximum reflection loss of −40.1 dB and an effective bandwidth of 5.8 GHz at the thickness of only 2 mm. This work demonstrates a feasible hierarchical structure design strategy for multi‐dimension MXene composite to realize the high‐efficiency MA performance.
Emerging Stacked Photocatalyst Design Enables Spatially Separated Ni(OH)2 Redox Cocatalysts for Overall CO2 Reduction and H2O Oxidation
Authors: Liu Qian , Wang Shihong , Mo Weihao , Zheng Yiyi , Xu Yanbo , Yang Guodong , Zhong Shuxian , Ma Jun , Liu Dong , Bai Song
Published: December 2021

Construction of photocatalytic systems with spatially separated dual cocatalysts is considered as a promising route to modulate charge separation/transfer, promote surface redox reactivities, and prevent unwanted reverse reactions. However, past efforts on the loading of spatially separated double‐cocatalysts are limited to hollow structured semiconductors with inner/outer surface and monocrystalline semiconductors with different exposed facets. To overcome this limitation, herein, enabled by a unique stacked photocatalyst design, a facile and versatile strategy for spatial separation of redox cocatalysts on various semiconductors without structural and morphological restriction is demonstrated. The smart design begins with the deposition of light‐harvesting semiconductors on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets, followed with the coverage of Ni(OH)2 outer layer. The ternary photocatalysts exhibit superior activities and stabilities of H2O oxidation and selective CO2‐to‐CO reduction, remarkably surpassing other counterparts. The origin of the enhanced performance is attributed to the synergistic interplay of rGO@Ni(OH)2 reduction cocatalysts surrounding the semiconductors and Ni(OH)2 oxidation cocatalysts directly supported by the semiconductors, which mitigates the charge recombination, supplies highly active and selective sites for overall reactions, and preserves the semiconductors from photocorrosion. This work presents a new approach to regulating the position of dual cocatalysts and ameliorating the net efficiency of photoredox catalysis.
In Situ Grown Co‐Based Interstitial Compounds: Non‐3d Metal and Non‐Metal Dual Modulation Boosts Alkaline and Acidic Hydrogen Electrocatalysis
Authors: Xiong Tuzhi , Yao Xincheng , Zhu Zhixiao , Xiao Ran , Hu Yu‐wen , Huang Yongchao , Zhang Shanqing , Balogun M.‐Sadeeq (Jie Tang)
Published: December 2021

Interfacial engineering and elemental doping are the two parameters to enhance the catalytic behavior of cobalt nitrides for the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). However, simultaneously combining these two parameters to improve the HER catalytic properties of cobalt nitrides in alkaline media is rarely reported and also remains challenging in acidic media. Herein, it is demonstrated that high‐valence non‐3d metal and non‐metal integration can simultaneously achieve Co‐based nitride/oxide interstitial compound phase boundaries on stainless steel mesh (denoted Mo‐Co5.47N/N‐CoO) for efficient HER in alkaline and acidic media. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the unique structure does not only realize multi‐active sites, enhanced water dissociation kinetics, and low hydrogen adsorption free energy in alkaline media, but also enhances the positive charge density of hydrogen ions (H+) to effectively allow H+ to receive electrons from the catalysts surface toward promoting the HER in acidic media. As a result, the as‐prepared Mo‐Co5.47N/N‐CoO demands HER overpotential of −28 mV@10 mA cm−2 in an alkaline medium, and superior to the commercial Pt/C at a current density > 44 mA cm−2 in acidic medium. This work paves a useful strategy to design efficient cobalt‐based electrocatalysts for HER and beyond.
Fibroblast Activation Protein‐α Responsive Peptide Assembling Prodrug Nanoparticles for Remodeling the Immunosuppressive Microenvironment and Boosting Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Sun Mengqi , Yao Shaobo , Fan Linyang , Fang Zhiguo , Miao Weibing , Hu Zhiyuan , Wang Zihua
Published: December 2021

Checkpoint blockade immunotherapy has broad application prospects in the clinical treatment of malignant tumors. However, the low response rate of the checkpoint blockade is due to low tumor immunogenicity and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment. Herein, the authors design an amphiphilic bifunctional PD‐1/PD‐L1 peptide antagonist PCP, and co‐deliver doxorubicin (DOX) and R848 through co‐assembly of a multi‐agent prodrug (PCP@R848/DOX), which can be specifically cleaved by fibroblast activation protein‐α (FAP‐α) in the tumor stroma. Upon reaching the tumor tissue, the PCP@R848/DOX prodrug nanostructure is disassembled by FAP‐α. The localized release of DOX and R848 triggers immunogenic cell death (ICD) and reprograms tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) to elicit antitumor immunity. Furthermore, sustained release of PD‐1 or PD‐L1 peptide antagonists mediates the PD‐L1 pathway blockade for further propagated activation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Notably, a tumor microenvironment activatable prodrug nanoparticle is presented for triple‐modality cancer therapy that functions by simultaneously activating ICD and altering the phenotype of TAMs when combined with PD‐1 blockade therapy, which efficiently elicits a strong systemic antitumor immune response. This strategy may emerge as a new paradigm in the treatment of cancer by combination immunotherapy.
Introduction: The Then and Now of Political Science Institutionalisation in Europe—A Research Agenda and Its Endeavour
Authors: Ilonszki Gabriella , Roux Christophe
Published: December 2021

The introductory chapter introduces the research project that the book’s chapters are built upon and identifies key questions that are addressed within the book’s thematic frame. The COST Action ‘ProSEPS’ project (Professionalization and Social Impact of European Political Science) collected updated information about the situation of the political science profession in Europe. Despite the widely acknowledged process of continental integration driven by the European Union (EU), the academic landscape has been and still is characterised by a great variety of traditions, institutions and resources. On this basis, this chapter explains that institutional development has been chosen as the major focus that could possibly introduce as well as explain the sources of this variety. It identifies the empirical, theoretical and comparative issues at stake and introduces the cases covered in the book and its structure.
From Scientific Communism to Political Science: The Development of the Profession in Selected Former Soviet European States
Authors: Chulitskaya Tatsiana , Matonyte Irmina , Gudelis Dangis , Sprincean Serghei
Published: December 2021

The chapter explores the trajectories of the evolution of political science (PS) in four former Soviet Socialist Republics (Estonia and Lithuania, the Republics of Moldova and Belarus) after the USSR collapse. Departing from the premise that PS is appreciated as the science of democracy, the authors claim that its identity and autonomy are particularly important. Research shows that PS in these countries started from the same impoverished basis (“scientific communism”), but it soon took diverse trajectories and currently faces specific challenges. Democracy, pro-Western geopolitical settings and the shorter period of Sovietization contributed to the faster and more sustainable development of PS in two Baltic States. However, in Estonia, political developments have led to the retrenchment of PS and to downsize of universities’ departments and study programmes. In Lithuania, political scientists are very visible in the public sphere. In Moldova, its uncertain geopolitical orientation and a series of internal political conflicts have led to the weak identity of PS and questionable prospects for its further institutionalization. In authoritarian Belarus, PS as an academic discipline exists within a hostile political environment and under a hierarchical system of governance offering practically no degree of academic freedom.
The Institutionalisation of Political Science in Post-Yugoslav States: Continuities and New Beginnings
Authors: Boban Davor , Stanojević Ivan
Published: December 2021

The institutionalisation of political science in the four countries emerged after the break-up of Yugoslavia—Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia—has not been a uniform process. Despite the discipline’s foundation at almost the same time and in the same state, there are considerable differences among them in terms of stability and autonomy. Some of the most salient, albeit certainly not all are numbers of institutions, professors, students and study programs, development of political science fields, state funding, and hiring procedure. Our investigation on the roots of differences between them covers two periods. The first one deals with the Communist Yugoslav period, when the first institutions of political science were founded, and the discipline went through three decades of development under autocratic regime. Second period deals with the following three decades of institutionalisation, from first multi-party elections in 1990 until 2020. We finish the chapter with concluding remarks which could also be perceived as a guideline for further research in the field.
Particularities of the Legal Framework for the Mexican Emissions Trading System
Authors: Ibarra Sarlat Rosalía
Published: December 2021

This paper examines the legal bases for the mandatory regulation of the emissions trading system in Mexico. They are derived from the main international instruments on climate change: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its ambitious objective, the quantifiable commitment of the Kyoto Protocol, and its tie to economic instruments. The Paris Agreement, the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the market mechanisms regulated in Article 6, the implementation of which is essential to achieve the Agreement’s objectives are also part of this broad system. Legally, the international foundations of the emissions trading system are reflected at the national level. For these, the constitutional and legal bases underpin the current regulation of the mandatory market instrument. It aims to effectively reduce, in terms of costs, the greenhouse gas emissions from the most polluting economic activities, without replacing direct control measures. The core aspects of this system are highlighted from a national regulatory analysis, with special emphasis on the importance of a limited cap and its future reduction, as well as the legal nature of allowances that are allocated by the public administration to the regulated industries’ facilities.
Peroxiredoxins as Markers of Oxidative Stress in IgA Nephropathy, Membranous Nephropathy and Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Krata Natalia , Foroncewicz Bartosz , Zagożdżon Radosław , Moszczuk Barbara , Zielenkiewicz Magdalena , Pączek Leszek , Mucha Krzysztof
Published: December 2021

IgA nephropathy (IgAN), membranous nephropathy (MN), and lupus nephritis (LN) represent important causes of chronic kidney disease. They belong to the immune-mediated glomerulonephritis (GNs), and have distinct pathogenesis, distinct clinical courses, and variable responses to treatment. Therefore, specific diagnostic procedures are necessary for more effective patient management. Recently, a role for oxidative stress has been proposed in various renal disorders. Thus, molecules related to oxidative stress, such as 2-Cys-peroxiredoxins (PRDXs), may represent plausible candidates for biomarkers in renal pathologies. The aim of this study was to assess whether there are differences between individual GNs and healthy controls in the context of PRDXs serum concentration. We enrolled 108 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN (47), MN (26), LN (35) and 30 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. The serum concentrations of PRDX 1–5 were measured with ELISA assays and correlated with demographic and clinical data. The PRDXs’ concentration varied depending on the GN type. We also observed an association of PRDXs with lower estimated glomerular filtration rates, complement, hemoglobin, and body mass index. Our study indicates that individual PRDX can play roles in pathophysiology of selected GNs and that their serum concentrations may become useful as a new supplementary diagnostic markers in IgAN, MN as well as LN. The results of this study open a new avenue for prospective research on PRDXs in renal diseases.
Dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid and alpha-linolenic acid are associated with physical capacity measure but not muscle mass in older women 65–72 years
Authors: Isanejad Masoud , Tajik Behnam , McArdle Anne , Tuppurainen Marjo , Sirola Joonas , Kröger Heikki , Rikkonen Toni , Erkkilä Arja
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim was to investigate the cross-sectional association of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids PUFA (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) intake with multiple physical functions, muscle mass and fat mass in older women.

Method

Study subjects were 554 women from the Osteoporosis Risk Factor and Prevention Fracture Prevention Study, with dietary intake assessed with 3-day food record. Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Physical function measures included walking speed 10 m, chair rises, one leg stance, knee extension, handgrip strength and squat. Short physical performance battery (SPPB) score was defined based on the European working group on sarcopenia criteria.

Results

The multivariable adjusted models showed statistically significant associations for dietary ALA with higher SPPB (β = 0.118,P = 0.024), knee extension force at baseline (β = 0.075,P = 0.037) and lower fat mass (β = − 0.081,P = 0.034), as well as longer one-leg stance (β = 0.119,P = 0.010), higher walking speed (β = 0.113,P = 0.047), and ability to squat to the ground (β = 0.110,P = 0.027) at baseline. Total dietary omega-3 PUFA was associated with better SPPB (β = 0.108,P = 0.039), one-leg stance (β = 0.102,P = 0.041) and ability to squat (β = 0.110,P = 0.028), and with walking speed (β = 0.110,P = 0.028). However, associations for dietary EPA and DHA with physical function and body composition were not significant.

Conclusion

Dietary omega-3 and ALA, but not EPA and DHA, were positively associated with muscle strength and function in older women. The intake of omega-3 and its subtypes was not associated with muscle mass. Longitudinal studies are needed to show whether omega-3 intake may be important for muscle function in older women.
Order preserving hierarchical agglomerative clustering
Authors: Bakkelund Daniel
Published: December 2021

Partial orders and directed acyclic graphs are commonly recurring data structures that arise naturally in numerous domains and applications and are used to represent ordered relations between entities in the domains. Examples are task dependencies in a project plan, transaction order in distributed ledgers and execution sequences of tasks in computer programs, just to mention a few. We study the problem oforder preserving hierarchical clusteringof this kind of ordered data. That is, if we have$$a<b$$a<bin the original data and denote their respective clusters by [a] and [b], then we shall have$$[a]<[b]$$[a]<[b]in the produced clustering. The clustering is similarity based and uses standard linkage functions, such as single- and complete linkage, and is an extension of classical hierarchical clustering. To achieve this, we develop a novel theory that extends classical hierarchical clustering to strictly partially ordered sets. We define the output from running classical hierarchical clustering on strictly ordered data to bepartial dendrograms; sub-trees of classical dendrograms with several connected components. We then construct an embedding of partial dendrograms over a set into the family of ultrametrics over the same set. An optimal hierarchical clustering is defined as the partial dendrogram corresponding to the ultrametric closest to the original dissimilarity measure, measured in thep-norm. Thus, the method is a combination of classical hierarchical clustering and ultrametric fitting. A reference implementation is employed for experiments on both synthetic random data and real world data from a database of machine parts. When compared to existing methods, the experiments show that our method excels both in cluster quality and order preservation.
New Leadership – Führen in agilen Unternehmen
Authors: Möller Heidi , Giernalczyk Thomas
Published: December 2021

Das Prinzip der Agilität stellt Führungskräfte vor die Herausforderung, Führung neu zu denken und umzusetzen. Sie verlieren Positionsmacht und müssen sich auf Augenhöhe einlassen und ihre Macht teilen. Unsere Reflexionsfragen helfen Führungskräften, vom „Nowland“ zum „Nextland“ zu kommen. Wir zeigen auf, wie sie durch agile Führung Handlungsspielraum und Einfluss auf gesellschaftliche Entwicklungen gewinnen, und stellen das Konzept „Psychologische Sicherheit“ als hilfreiche Methode zur Selbststeuerung vor.
Reaction Sintering of Ca3Co4O9 with BiCuSeO Nanosheets for High-Temperature Thermoelectric Composites
Authors: Hinterding Richard , Rieks Desiree , Kißling Patrick A. , Steinbach Lukas , Bigall Nadja C. , Feldhoff Armin
Published: December 2021

Ceramic composites composed of oxide materials have been synthesized by reaction sintering of Ca3Co4O9 with BiCuSeO nanosheets. In situ x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses of the compound powders were conducted to understand the phase transformations during heating up to 1173 K. Further thermogravimetric analyses investigated the thermal stability of the composites and the completion of reaction sintering. The microstructure of the formed phases after reaction sintering and the composition of the composites were investigated for varying mixtures. Depending on the amount of BiCuSeO used, the phases present and their composition differed, having a significant impact on the thermoelectric properties. The increase of the electrical conductivity at a simultaneously high Seebeck coefficient resulted in a large power factor of 5.4 $$\mu $$
μ
W cm−1 K−2, more than twice that of pristine Ca3Co4O9.
Powder Spread Process Monitoring in Polymer Laser Sintering and its Influences on Part Properties
Authors: Klippstein Sven Helge , Heiny Florian , Pashikanti Nagaraju , Gessler Monika , Schmid Hans-Joachim
Published: December 2021

Confidence in additive manufacturing technologies is directly related to the predictability of part properties, which is influenced by several factors. To gain confidence, online process monitoring with dedicated and reliable feedback is desirable for every process. In this project, a powder bed monitoring system was developed as a retrofit solution for the EOS P3 laser sintering machines. A high-resolution camera records each layer, which is analyzed by a Region-Based Convolutional Neural Network (Mask R-CNN). Over 2500 images were annotated and classified to train the network in detecting defects in the powder bed at a very high level. Each defect is checked for intersection with exposure areas. To distinguish between acceptable imperfections and critical defects that lead to part rejection, the impact of these imperfections on part properties is investigated.
Enabling Cost-Based Support Structure Optimization in Laser Powder Bed Fusion of Metals
Authors: Bartsch K. , Emmelmann C.
Published: December 2021

Support structures are essential to laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB/M). They sustain overhangs, prevent distortion, and dissipate process-induced heat. Their removal after manufacturing is required, though, increasing the overall costs. Therefore, optimization is important to increase the economic efficiency of PBF-LB/M. To enable optimization focused on the support structures’ costs, a cost model is developed. The whole production process, including the design, manufacturing, and post-processing of a part, is considered by deriving formulas for the individual costs. The cost model is applied to a previously developed benchmark procedure. Additionally, a case study investigating different support layout strategies is conducted.
Accuracy of the typological classifications of the Late Glacial and Early Holocene osseous projectile points according to the new AMS dates of selected artifacts from Poland
Authors: Orłowska Justyna , Osipowicz Grzegorz
Published: December 2021

Late Glacial and Early Holocene bone and antler artifacts are recovered from all over the Polish Lowland. Elements of projectile weaponry, in the form of various points made of osseous raw materials, were an important part of hunter-gatherer equipment of that time. We present the results of AMS dating of a unique collection of thirteen artifacts that had previously been chrono-culturally attributed by means of relative dating using typological approaches only. The results obtained are considered alongside current knowledge and typological arrangements for these types of tools in Europe. We also attempt to determine the interpretative potential of the technological studies to which the discussed osseous points were subjected in terms of possibly identifying processing techniques that can be specific to the given periods of the Stone Age. Suggestions made in this respect are verified through the radiocarbon dating results.
Nutrient pathways and their susceptibility to past and future change in the Eurasian Arctic Ocean
Authors: Tuerena Robyn E. , Mahaffey Claire , Henley Sian F. , de la Vega Camille , Norman Louisa , Brand Tim , Sanders Tina , Debyser Margot , Dähnke Kirstin , Braun Judith , März Christian
Published: December 2021

Climate change is altering nutrient cycling within the Arctic Ocean, having knock-on effects to Arctic ecosystems. Primary production in the Arctic is principally nitrogen-limited, particularly in the western Pacific-dominated regions where denitrification exacerbates nitrogen loss. The nutrient status of the eastern Eurasian Arctic remains under debate. In the Barents Sea, primary production has increased by 88% since 1998. To support this rapid increase in productivity, either the standing stock of nutrients has been depleted, or the external nutrient supply has increased. Atlantic water inflow, enhanced mixing, benthic nitrogen cycling, and land–ocean interaction have the potential to alter the nutrient supply through addition, dilution or removal. Here we use new datasets from the Changing Arctic Ocean program alongside historical datasets to assess how nitrate and phosphate concentrations may be changing in response to these processes. We highlight how nutrient dynamics may continue to change, why this is important for regional and international policy-making and suggest relevant research priorities for the future.
Dynamic deformation monitoring of an offshore platform structure with accelerometers
Authors: Li Wen , Hancock Craig , Yang Yusong , Wang Jian , Meng Xiaolin
Published: December 2021

In this paper, structural characteristics are evaluated by displacement and frequency indicators that indicate the real-time health status of offshore platforms. This paper uses an accelerometer to collect the dynamic response of the platform in the event of a ship collision. The main contributions of this research are reflected in three aspects. Firstly, based on Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) multiscale decomposition, the noise range is determined according to the scale and the average value of the standardized accumulation mode, and the original acceleration sequence is denoised. Secondly, two impact tests were carried out to understand the platform's structural characteristics under an external load. Combined with the FFT algorithm and Hilbert Huang transform, the three-dimensional information of the time, frequency, and energy is analyzed. Finally, a method of high-frequency dynamic displacement reconstruction is proposed. According to the extracted vibration frequency information, the parameters for the filter are reasonably set, and the denoised acceleration time sequence is processed with bandpass filtering and quadratic integration to obtain the high-frequency dynamic displacement of the structure. The results show that the high-frequency dynamic displacement of the accelerometer reconstruction is 1.5 mm. Two collision event frequencies, 1.477 Hz and 1.483 Hz, were successfully extracted from the north direction.
Bibliometrics: Methods for studying academic publishing
Authors: Ninkov Anton , Frank Jason R. , Maggio Lauren A.
Published: December 2021

Bibliometrics is the study of academic publishing that uses statistics to describe publishing trends and to highlight relationships between published works. Likened to epidemiology, researchers seek to answer questions about a field based on data about publications (e.g., authors, topics, funding) in the same way that an epidemiologist queries patient data to understand the health of a population. In this Eye Opener, the authors introduce bibliometrics and define its key terminology and concepts, including relational and evaluative bibliometrics. Readers are introduced to common bibliometric methods and their related strengths and weaknesses. The authors provide examples of bibliometrics applied in health professions education and propose potential future research directions. Health professions educators are consumers of bibliometric reports and can adopt its methodologies for future studies.
Marked colimits and higher cofinality
Authors: Abellán García Fernando
Published: December 2021

Given a marked$$\infty $$∞-category$$\mathcal {D}^{\dagger }$$D†(i.e. an$$\infty $$∞-category equipped with a specified collection of morphisms) and a functor$$F: \mathcal {D}\rightarrow {\mathbb {B}}$$F:D→Bwith values in an$$\infty $$∞-bicategory, we define "Equation missing", the marked colimit ofF. We provide a definition of weighted colimits in$$\infty $$∞-bicategories when the indexing diagram is an$$\infty $$∞-category and show that they can be computed in terms of marked colimits. In the maximally marked case$$\mathcal {D}^{\sharp }$$D♯, our construction retrieves the$$\infty $$∞-categorical colimit ofFin the underlying$$\infty $$∞-category$$\mathcal {B}\subseteq {\mathbb {B}}$$B⊆B. In the specific case when "Equation missing", the$$\infty $$∞-bicategory of$$\infty $$∞-categories and$$\mathcal {D}^{\flat }$$D♭is minimally marked, we recover the definition of lax colimit of Gepner–Haugseng–Nikolaus. We show that a suitable$$\infty $$∞-localization of the associated coCartesian fibration$${\text {Un}}_{\mathcal {D}}(F)$$UnD(F)computes "Equation missing". Our main theorem is a characterization of those functors of marked$$\infty $$∞-categories$${f:\mathcal {C}^{\dagger } \rightarrow \mathcal {D}^{\dagger }}$$f:C†→D†which are marked cofinal. More precisely, we provide sufficient and necessary criteria for the restriction of diagrams alongfto preserve marked colimits