bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gastroprotective polysaccharide from natural sources: Review on structure, mechanism, and structure–activity relationship
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Yin , Yin Jun‐Yi , Hu Jie‐Lun , Nie Shao‐Ping , Xie Ming‐Yong
Published: August 2022

Polysaccharides from natural sources have the potentials in being used as substitutes of chemosynthetic drugs for gastroprotection because of its safety and efficacy. For giving a better understanding of gastroprotective polysaccharides, the research progress on preparation, structure, bioactivity, and their action mechanism is comprehensively summarized in this review. Moreover, the structure–activity relationship of gastroprotective polysaccharides is discussed. Accumulating evidence has indicated that natural polysaccharides, which were widely prepared by water extraction and column chromatography purifications, exhibited gastroprotective effects in vitro and in vivo. The action mechanism might be related to gastric secretions, promotion of gastric defensive factor releases, antioxidation, anti‐inflammatory, antiapoptosis, and facilitation of proliferation. Phenolic compounds, molecular weight and conformation, monosaccharide composition, backbone structure and side chain, and functional group have great influences on the gastroprotective activities of polysaccharides. This review gives comprehensive guidance to the exploitation and application of natural polysaccharides in food and other industries for gastroprotection.
Microglial AIM2 alleviates antiviral‐related neuro‐inflammation in mouse models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Rui Wen‐Juan , Li Sheng , Yang Lin , Liu Ying , Fan Yi , Hu Ying‐Chao , Ma Chun‐Mei , Wang Bing‐Wei , Shi Jing‐Ping
Published: August 2022

Inflammasome involvement in Parkinson's disease (PD) has been intensively investigated. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) is an essential inflammasome protein known to contribute to the development of several neurological diseases. However, a specific role for AIM2 in PD has not been reported. In this study, we investigated the effect of AIM2 in the N‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)‐induced PD model by use of various knockout and bone marrow chimeric mice. The mechanism of action for AIM2 in PD was assessed by RNA‐sequencing and in vitro primary microglial transfection. Results were validated in the A30P transgenic mouse model of PD. In the MPTP mouse model, AIM2 activation was found to negatively regulate neuro‐inflammation independent of the inflammasome. Microglial AIM2 deficiency exacerbated behavioral and pathological features of both MPTP‐induced and transgenic PD mouse models. Mechanistically, AIM2 reduced cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS)‐mediated antiviral‐related inflammation by inhibition of AKT‐interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) phosphorylation. These results demonstrate microglial AIM2 to inhibit the antiviral‐related neuro‐inflammation associated with PD and provide for a foundation upon which to identify new therapeutic targets for treatment of the disease.
Quantum‐chemical modeling of polypyrrole structure in neutral complexes with electron density acceptors
Authors: Zyubin Alexander S. , Zyubina Tatyana S. , Istakova Olga I. , Talagaeva Nataliia V. , Zolotukhina Ekaterina V. , Vorotyntsev Mikhail A. , Konev Dmitry V.
Published: August 2022

Quantum chemical approach has been applied for modeling the change in the conformation of the polypyrrole (PPy) chain both in its neutral and positively charged (doped) states due to its interaction with incorporated counterions. Polymer has been modeled by oligopyrrole molecule of 9–15 monomer units. It is shown that it is energetically favorable to reorient the pyrrole rings closest to the anion from trans to cis position. This reorientation leads to the formation of meanders which include 3–5 pyrrole rings per loop. Reduction in the loop size decreases the energy of interaction with the ion while an increase in the loop size reduces the number of attached ionic species accompanied by a slight change in their interaction energy with the PPy chain. The observed effect of polymer chain structuring in the presence of anions is proposed as a possible reason explaining the experimentally recorded broadening of the electroactivity potential region and the conductive state of the polypyrrole film on the electrode surface as a result of multiple repetitions of charge/discharge cycles of the polymer chain. Vibrational spectra of oligopyrrole complexes have been calculated, and prospects for experimental detection of predicted conformational states by IR spectroscopy are assessed.
Pediatric Sedation/Anesthesia forMRI: Results From the Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium
Authors: Mallory Michael D. , Travers Curtis , Cravero Joseph P. , Kamat Pradip P. , Tsze Daniel , Hertzog James H.
Published: August 2022

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most common imaging procedure requiring sedation/anesthesia in children. Understanding adverse events associated with sedation/anesthesia is important in making decisions regarding MRI vs. other imaging modalities. No large studies have evaluated the practice of pediatric sedation/anesthesia for MRI by a variety of pediatric specialists.

Purpose

Utilize a large pediatric sedation database to characterize the patients and adverse events associated with sedation/anesthesia for pediatric MRI.

Study Type

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.

Subjects

The Pediatric Sedation Research Consortium (PSRC) has 109,947 entries for sedations for MRI from November 10, 2011 through December 18, 2017.

Assessment

Patient demographics, sedative medications, interventions, and adverse events are described. Associations with adverse events were assessed. Trends in sedative medications used over time are examined.

Statistical Tests

Descriptive statistics, Chi‐Squared and Fisher's Exact tests for categorical variables, logistic regression and assessment of trend using logistic regression and other method.

Results

A total of 109,947 MRI‐related sedations were examined. Most subjects (66.2%) were 5 years old or younger. Seizure or other neurologic issue prompted MRI in 63.7% of cases. Providers responsible for sedation/anesthesia included intensivists (49.3%), emergency medicine physicians (28.2%), hospitalists (10.2%), and anesthesiologists (9.8%). The most commonly used sedative agent was propofol (89.1%). The most common airway intervention was supplemental oxygen (71.7%), followed by head/airway repositioning (20.6%). Airway‐related adverse events occurred in 8.4% of patients. Serious adverse events occurred in only 0.06% of patients, including three cases of cardiac arrest. No mortality was recorded. There was a statistically significant increase in the use of dexmedetomidine over time.

Data Conclusions

Overall, adverse event rates were low. Sedation/anesthesia with propofol infusion and natural airway was the most common method used by this varied group of sedation providers. The use of dexmedetomidine increased over time.

Evidence Level

4

Technical Efficacy

Stage 5
Design of Antimicrobial Polymers
Authors: Pham Phuong , Oliver Susan , Boyer Cyrille
Published: August 2022

Antibiotic resistance has become a critical issue, alarming the healthcare and agriculture sectors worldwide. Thanks to rapid advancements in polymer science, antimicrobial polymers (AMPs) have been developed as a mimic version of host‐defense peptides (a part of natural immune systems of multicellular organisms) to mitigate antibiotic resistance. By exploiting advanced polymerization techniques, polymer structures are easily manipulated in a well‐defined controlled manner, enabling precise and accurate evaluation of the structure–activity relationship. Recent years have witnessed the blossoming of antimicrobial polymer development. This review provides comprehensive insight into antimicrobial polymers from concept to structure design, to biofunction control. Along with the optimization of intrinsic factors, including compositional and topological features, external factors like induced conformation upon exposure to specific targeting pathogens should be considered in AMP design and optimization. Furthermore, the new design approaches of smart response platforms (or bacterial‐induced triggering systems) and targeting specific administration dosage forms for specific pathogens are also discussed as prospective strategies to address the remaining challenge of toxicity while maintaining or even enhancing antimicrobial potency.
What Does It Really Mean to Be Union‐Free?
Authors: Wich Scott
Published: August 2022

To say that we are living in a new age may be an understatement. Technology continues to revolutionize the way we communicate and learn. A single virus upended decades of relatively stable public health among developed nations around the world. Global economic sanctions are a new form of resistance to military aggression in Europe.
Maternal Kangaroo care education program in the neonatal intensive care unit improved mothers' perceptions, knowledge, perceived barriers and stress relates to premature infant
Authors: Samsudin Sharmiza , Chui Ping Lei , Kamar Azanna Binti Ahmad , Abdullah Khatijah Lim
Published: August 2022

Aim

To assess the effectiveness of the maternal kangaroo care education programme over 1 month and 3 months on the mother's perception, knowledge, perceived barriers and stress.

Design

A quasi‐experimental and longitudinal study was conducted among mothers with premature infants.

Methods

Forty‐eight mother‐infant dyads were enrolled per arm in the control and experimental groups. The control group received standard routine care, while the experimental group received a maternal kangaroo care education program. Data were collected through self‐administered Kangaroo Care Questionnaires. Chi‐square, the general linear model and repeated measures ANOVA were used to analyse data.

Results

The demographics are a majority of Malay mothers with multipara, a caesarean delivery with prematurity. At 3 months post‐intervention, the experimental group reported a significant reduction in stress, a positive perception and good knowledge towards kangaroo care implementation. The mothers' perceived barriers towards kangaroo care significantly decreased after 3 months in the experimental group.
Additive manufacturing of smart polymeric composites: Literature review and future perspectives
Authors: Ikram Hamid , Al Rashid Ans , Koç Muammer
Published: August 2022

The latest developments in smart systems for improved human lives with advanced biomedical devices have evolved out of multi‐disciplinary scientific studies, including medicine, biology, material sciences, design, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, microelectronics, and so forth. The growth of such intelligent systems is primarily possible with innovative materials, which demonstrate the response to various external stimuli like temperature, heat, moisture, light, electromagnetic field, and chemical alteration. Such materials have been recently fabricated using different additive manufacturing techniques to devise personalized unique, complex, and novel structures that can adjust to external conditions over time and are specifically attributed to 4D printing. Novel materials that can further improve such systems continued to be explored and employed. This review paper investigates the additive manufacturing of functional polymer nanocomposites, which offer compliant structures with flexible manufacturing processes with high strength, low cost, and long‐term stability. This study aims to deliver a comprehensive and deep understanding of the latest developments in materials, design, manufacturing, fundamental mechanisms involved, and future possibilities in this area of research.
Synthesis and characterization of enhanced conductivity acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene based composites suitable for fused filament fabrication
Authors: Relinque José J. , Romero‐Ocaña Ismael , Navas‐Martos Francisco J. , Delgado Francisco J. , Domínguez Manuel , Molina Sergio I.
Published: August 2022

This work reports on the design and preparation of composites based on a high impact acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene polymer matrix filled either with aluminium microparticles or graphite nanoplatelets. A surfactant and tin were further added to improve the dispersion and adhesion of the fillers in an attempt to improve the conductivity of the materials. The composites were obtained via twin‐screw extrusion and their performance in fused filament fabrication was successfully tested and compared with other conventional ways of manufacturing plastic parts. Furthermore, the composites were characterized in terms of structure, composition, and thermal/electrical properties. Scanning electron and atomic force microscopies, as well as energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, allowed to confirm the presence of added particles and their dispersion within the polymer matrix. Differential scanning calorimetry and conductivity measurements completed the study and revealed enhanced conductivity in the composites as well as a huge decrease in electrical resistivity of the graphite nanoplatelets‐filled nanocomposites, thus resulting in semiconductor materials.
Ascendancy of pH‐irresponsive Moi gum in the design of modified xanthan gum semi‐interpenetrating network hydrogels for monitoring diabetes
Authors: Patel Jwala , Moorthy N. S. Hari Narayana , Maiti Sabyasachi
Published: August 2022

This investigation used Moi gum to develop semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) hydrogel particles with carboxymethyl xanthan gum in aqueous environment using aluminum chloride as crosslinker. The semi‐IPN hydrogel systems had >90% of drug entrapment efficiency. Increase in Moi gum concentration from 33.33% to 66.66% reduced swelling of semi‐IPN hydrogel particles by 17.6% and 23.3% in pH 1.2 and pH 6.8, respectively in 2 h. The semi‐IPN hydrogel particles made up of 66.66% Moi gum released 94.8% of drug in 8 h. The modified xanthan gum alone however released about 98% drug in 3 h in simulated gastrointestinal pH. Irrespective of pH, the drug release followed an anomalous diffusion mechanism. FTIR analysis did not reveal any drug‐polymer interaction. The thermal and x‐ray diffraction investigations suggested amorphous state of drug in semi‐IPN hydrogel system. Moreover, the hydrogel systems demonstrated more than 90% Caco‐2 cell viability which supported the non‐toxic nature of the hydrogel system. Preclinical experiments on male albino rats showed that the semi‐IPN hydrogel systems could allow monitoring of anti‐diabetic efficacy over 8 h. Overall, a suitable combination of negatively charged and neutral polysaccharides appeared promising in developing semi‐IPN hydrogel particles, which could tailor the drug delivery performance, especially the drug release process and preclinical anti‐diabetic activity.
Gold Raspberry Shell Grown onto Nonspherical Lithium Niobate Nanoparticles for Second Harmonic Generation and Photothermal Applications
Authors: Taitt Rachael , Urbain Mathias , Bredillet Kévin , Behel Zacharie , Ceccone Giacomo , Bañuls‐Ciscar Jorge , Beauquis Sandrine , Mugnier Yannick , Brevet Pierre‐François , Le Dantec Ronan , Chevolot Yann , Monnier Virginie
Published: August 2022

Nanoparticles (NPs) containing a lithium niobate (LiNbO3) core and a gold shell are prepared using a combination of seeded‐growth and layer‐by‐layer approaches. The method includes first the surface charge reversal of lithium niobate with branched polyethyleimine, second, the electrostatic binding of gold seeds, and third, successive reduction steps of gold chloride onto the gold‐seeded LiNbO3NPs for the progressive and surface‐directed growth of the gold shell. The influence of three synthesis parameters, namely, pH, initial density of gold seeds covering the lithium niobate core, and gold chloride concentration, on the NPs’ characteristics (structural properties, plasmon band, surface charge, hydrodynamic diameter) is studied. The progress of the gold shell growth is investigated by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. In addition, it is shown that LN@Au core–shell NPs can emit a second harmonic generation signal when excited by a femtosecond laser. Finally, photothermal properties are studied, showing an increase of temperature of 8.6 °C upon infrared excitation, with an estimated light‐to‐heat conversion efficiency of 40% and a specific absorption rate of 8000 W g−1.
Crystallization and Defect Regulation in Sn–Pb Perovskite Solar Cells via Optimized Anti‐Solvent Passivation Strategy
Authors: Pan Lu , Li Hui , Chang Bohong , Yin Longwei
Published: August 2022

Low bandgap tin–lead halide perovskite (PVSK) presents promising opportunities for high‐performance solar cells. However, the randomly crystallized Sn–Pb PVSK with a tin‐rich surface is easily oxidized, leading to high‐level p‐type doping, which hinders the performance enhancement of the solar cell devices. Herein, an efficient anti‐solvent passivation strategy to regulate defect, crystallization, and energy conversion performance based on anti‐solvents composed of chlorobenzene, isopropanol, and methylammonium chloride (MACl) is proposed. It is shown that the Sn–Pb PVSK film gets more moderate and order, with less PbI2 and more α‐phase PVSK formed. Furthermore, it is revealed that the surface of the as‐processed film is Pb‐rich, demonstrating a decrease in the surface p‐type concentration, which is more suitable for the photoelectric conversion enhancement of the inverting device. Finally, the MACl‐assisted post‐treated Sn–Pb PVSK invert solar cells exhibit a high current density of 26.49 mA cm−2 with a open‐circuit voltage of 0.70 V and a power conversion efficiency of 16.05%. The modified anti‐solvent process fuses the advantage of additive and anti‐solvent engineering for growing highly crystallized hybrid tin‐lead halide PVSK for photovoltaic devices.
A Novel Method to Control the Crystallographic‐Preferred Orientation of Lead Iodide Toward Highly Efficient and Large‐Area Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Chiu Pei-Ting , Tung Yung-Liang , Wu Shih-Hsiung , Hsu Hung-Chieh , Huang Kuo-Wei , Kuo Ming-Tsun , Yang Sheng-Hsiung
Published: August 2022

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been the promising stars in the solar cell industry for dramatically improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the past decade and reaching a record over 25%. However, there are still many issues to be solved on an industrial scale. One of these challenges is the material stability of precursors, which may significantly affect the performance of PSCs. Herein, a facile method is provided to produce controllable lead iodide as the raw material for formamidinium‐based PSCs whose performance is highly correlated to the crystallographic‐preferred orientation of PbI2. The PSCs based on the PbI2 synthesized at 120 °C exhibit the best PCE of 17.96% among these solar cells. Furthermore, the perovskite solar module with an active area of 3.68 cm2 and a PCE of 16.08% is successfully demonstrated, showing the potential of scaling up in the future.
Schwebende Bauten – die adidas ARENA in Herzogenaurach
Authors: Schmid Angelika , Sauerborn Norbert , Feulner Lars
Published: August 2022

Das Büro‐ und Empfangsgebäude ARENA der Konzernzentrale adidas World of Sports in Herzogenaurach bietet nicht nur ein neues Arbeitsplatzkonzept für mehr als 2000 Mitarbeiter:innen, sondern bot auch während des Baus Raum für Innovation. Für die Tragwerksplanung galt es, den anspruchsvollen architektonischen Entwurf so umzusetzen, dass die Leichtigkeit der aufgeständerten Konstruktion sichtbar wird und das „Activity based working concept“ des Bauherrn ohne raumtrennende Elemente gewährleistet werden kann. Gleichzeitig musste die Integration der haustechnischen Anlagen sichergestellt sowie der Stahlverbrauch und die Baubarkeit des anspruchsvollen Tragwerks berücksichtigt werden. Über viele Herausforderungen in Statik, Konstruktion und Fertigung hinaus bildeten insbesondere die in Deutschland erstmalige Anwendung der sog. Cardington‐Methode sowie die hydraulische Hubmontage besondere Höhepunkte.
Recalibration of low seismic excitations in Brazil through probabilistic and deterministic analyses: Application for shear buildings structures
Authors: Zacchei Enrico , Lyra Pedro H. C.
Published: August 2022

Brazil has a low level of seismicity compared to several other regions in the world; however, some significant earthquakes occurred. In this article, four techniques have been used to define new seismic inputs: probabilistic seismic hazard, elastic spectra, synthetic spectra, and artificial accelerograms. To carry out the probabilistic analysis, new seismogenic zones for southeast Brazil established in 2018 have been implemented. Elastic response spectra follow the Brazilian code, whereas the synthetic response spectra have been defined by using attenuation equations. Finally, the artificial accelerograms have been developed using analytical models. Modified Brazilian elastic response spectra by considering the results of the probabilistic seismic hazard analyses are proposed. Artificial accelerations, consistent to the non‐modified and modified elastic response spectra, show that for non‐modified spectra the structural response increases of ~2.50 times. Data for seismogenic zones and specific analytical equations to obtain the probability of non‐exceedance of the spectral accelerations have been adapted for this study. An application for shear buildings was analyzed.
Experimental test on precast concrete reinforcement connector technology based on strong lapping concept
Authors: Yang Xinlei , Lu Yunyun , Zhao Hu
Published: August 2022

Nowadays, the grouted splice sleeve and grouting‐anchoring overlap‐joint of steel bars are widely used as a connection method between precast concrete elements. However, the further development of these connection methods in the engineering is limited because of the high construction cost and complex construction technology in China. Hence, a precast concrete reinforcement connector, that is, double‐pipe connector (D‐P connector) based on strong lapping concept, was proposed, and the feasibility of the D‐P connector was validated by tensile tests, and the failure pattern and mechanical properties of the specimens were observed. Then, the wall panel specimens that connectors were surrounded by concrete were tested to prove the constraint effect of surrounding concrete on the connecting members. Finally, the influences of the parameters, including grout strength, grout height, and connector length, on the failure pattern and mechanical properties of the specimens were investigated. The results show that the influence of the parameters on the performance of the specimens is insignificant, demonstrating that the infill material was mainly used to fix the relative positions of the bar and the D‐P connector. To save cost effectively, high‐strength grout could be replaced by common cement slurry, and the length of D‐P connector could be properly reduced.
European guideline on obesity care in patients with gastrointestinal and liver diseases – Joint European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism / United European Gastroenterology guideline
Authors: Bischoff Stephan C. , Barazzoni Rocco , Busetto Luca , Campmans‐Kuijpers Marjo , Cardinale Vincenzo , Chermesh Irit , Eshraghian Ahad , Kani Haluk Tarik , Khannoussi Wafaa , Lacaze Laurence , Léon‐Sanz Miguel , Mendive Juan M. , Müller Michael W. , Ockenga Johann , Tacke Frank , Thorell Anders , Vranesic Bender Darija , Weimann Arved , Cuerda Cristina
Published: August 2022

Background

Patients with chronic gastrointestinal (GI) disease such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), celiac disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis, and chronic liver disease (CLD) often suffer from obesity because of coincidence (IBD, IBS, celiac disease) or related pathophysiology (GERD, pancreatitis and CLD). It is unclear if such patients need a particular diagnostic and treatment that differs from the needs of lean GI patients. The present guideline addresses this question according to current knowledge and evidence.

Objective

The objective of the guideline is to give advice to all professionals working in the field of gastroenterology care including physicians, surgeons, dietitians and others how to handle patients with GI disease and obesity.

Methods

The present guideline was developed according to the standard operating procedure for European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism guidelines, following the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network grading system (A, B, 0, and good practice point [GPP]). The procedure included an online voting (Delphi) and a final consensus conference.

Results

In 100 recommendations (3x A, 33x B, 24x 0, 40x GPP, all with a consensus grade of 90% or more) care of GI patients with obesity – including sarcopenic obesity – is addressed in a multidisciplinary way. A particular emphasis is on CLD, especially fatty liver disease, since such diseases are closely related to obesity, whereas liver cirrhosis is rather associated with sarcopenic obesity. A special chapter is dedicated to obesity care in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. The guideline focuses on adults, not on children, for whom data are scarce. Whether some of the recommendations apply to children must be left to the judgment of the experienced pediatrician.

Conclusion

The present guideline offers for the first time evidence‐based advice how to care for patients with chronic GI diseases and concomitant obesity, an increasingly frequent constellation in clinical practice.
An investigation of browsing enrichment, especially non‐leaf foraging, on giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis reticulata) at Kyoto City Zoo in Japan
Authors: Okabe Kota , Fukuizumi Hiroki , Kawamura Ayumi , Kase Chihiro , Uetake Katsuji
Published: August 2022

Browsing enrichment may aid in developing species‐specific behaviors for giraffes managed in zoos as a means of improving animal welfare. By nature, giraffes are tree‐feeding animals, including tree bark, but the extent of food other than leaves as a form of browsing enrichment has not been well investigated. Therefore, to investigate the effectiveness of non‐leaf foraging, three giraffes at the Kyoto City Zoo in Japan were observed for 228 h from May 2019 to February 2020. In conjunction with behavioral instantaneous sampling, tree use (landscape tree or enrichment branch) and plant part (leaves, twigs, or barks) were recorded by the 1‐0 sampling method. There was no significant change in the foraging behavior on the leaves of enriched branches, nor was there any significant change in the foraging behavior of the giraffes, except for one animal in the deciduous phase. No significant changes were observed in rumination or other behaviors between the two phases. Although vegetation foraging behavior significantly decreased, except for one animal, dry hay foraging behavior significantly increased in all the animals during the deciduous phase. Some individuals also showed a significant increase in the foraging behavior for non‐leafy parts of the enrichment branches (twigs and bark) during the deciduous phase. This suggests that in some tree species, giraffes forage on the bark and twigs to compensate for the loss of leaves during the deciduous phase, similar to feeding on hay or hay cubes as a substitute for tree leaves.
Degree-Level Determinants of University Student Performance
Authors: Bratti Massimiliano , Barbato Giovanni , Biancardi Daniele , Conti Chiara , Turri Matteo
Published: August 2022

Although features of the higher education degree programmes in which students are enrolled are likely to have an impact on their academic careers, primarily because of data limitations, research has mainly focused on individual, household and higher education institution drivers of student performance. To fill this knowledge gap, this chapter presents a study using administrative data on the complete supply of higher education degrees in Italy during 2013–2018 to carry out an analysis of the degree-programme determinants of university student performance, as measured by the National Agency for the Evaluation of the University System and Research (ANVUR) ‘quality’ indicators. After controlling for detailed degree subject–geographic macro-area fixed effects, our analysis uncovers several significant degree-programme predictors of university student performance, including the degree’s type of access (i.e. selectivity), language of instruction, composition of the teaching body, percentage of teachers in ‘core’ subjects, teachers’ research performance (for master degrees) and university spatial competition.
Teaching Efficiency of Italian Universities: A Conditional Frontier Analysis
Authors: Mastromarco Camilla , Toma Pierluigi , Daraio Cinzia
Published: August 2022

The aim of this chapter is to provide a comparative analysis of the performance of teaching at Italian university by evaluating the efficiency of heterogeneous faculty courses at the national level. For this purpose, we use advanced and robust nonparametric tools recently developed in nonparametric efficiency frontier literature. This performance assessment does not rely on hypotheses about the relationship between inputs and outputs and allows us to account for the heterogeneity of the analyzed courses. The overall analysis carried out at the national level for Italy extends the traditional and limited one-dimensional indicators available through SUA-CdS data and ad hoc surveys on graduates conducted by ANVUR (National Agency for the Evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes) and MIUR (Ministry of Education, University and Research). The estimated efficiency scores are used to analyze current trends and changes in the teaching activities of Italian universities.
Is Entering Italian Academia Getting Harder?
Authors: Checchi Daniele , Cicero Tindaro
Published: August 2022

While a PhD degree is often considered the first necessary step to an academic career, since 2010 only a small fraction (less than 10%) of doctoral graduates obtained a position in academia within six years of the award of their degree. While we do not have information on their labour market outcomes, we can examine the determinants of this transition in order to study whether entry to an academic job is becoming more difficult. We merge three national administrative data archives covering completed doctoral degrees, postdoc collaborations and new hirings to academia (mostly assistant professor level). We find a decline in appointment probability after 2010, due to the hiring freeze imposed by fiscal austerity. We find, also, that a PhD degree and postdoc experience have a positive effect on the probability of obtaining a position in academia, while being a woman or being a foreign-born candidate has a negative effect. We found no evidence of career disadvantages for candidates from Southern universities.
Academic Careers and Fertility Decisions
Authors: De Paola Maria , Nisticò Roberto , Scoppa Vincenzo
Published: August 2022

We investigate how academic promotions affect the propensity of women to have a child. We use administrative data on the universe of female assistant professors employed in Italian universities from 2001 to 2018. We estimate a model with individual fixed effects and find that promotion to associate professor increases the probability of having a child by 0.6 percentage points, which translates into an increase by 12.5% of the mean. This result is robust to employing a Regression Discontinuity Design in which we exploit the eligibility requirements in terms of research productivity introduced since 2012 by the Italian National Scientific Qualification (NSQ) as an instrument for qualification (and therefore promotion) to associate professor. Our finding provides important policy implications in that reducing uncertainty on career prospects may lead to an increase in fertility.
Topic-Driven Detection and Analysis of Scholarly Data
Authors: Ferrara Alfio , Ghirelli Corinna , Montanelli Stefano , Petrovich Eugenio , Salini Silvia , Verzillo Stefano
Published: August 2022

The chapter presents a topic mining approach that can used for a scholarly data analysis. The idea here is that research topics can emerge through an analysis of epistemological aspects of scholar publications that are extracted from conventional publication metadata, such as the title, the author-assigned keywords, and the abstract. As a first contribution, we provide a conceptual analysis of research topic profiling according to the peculiar behaviours/trends of a given topic along a considered time interval. As a further contribution, we define a disciplined approach and the related techniques for topic mining based on the use of publication metadata and natural language processing (NLP) tools. The approach can be employed within a variety of topic analysis issues, such as country-oriented and/or field-oriented research analysis tasks that are based on scholarly publications. In this direction, to assess the applicability of the proposed techniques for use in a real scenario, a case study analysis based on two publication datasets (one national and one worldwide) is presented.
Einleitung
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Chancen zwischen einem entweder/oder zu erkennen und endlich im Sinne des bedürfnisgerechten Welterhalts nutzbar zu machen setzt den kognitiven Einbezug aussagenlogisch basierter – jedoch ambig erweiterter Denkkontexte für das Verständnis im Nachhaltigkeitsnexus voraus. Grundlage dafür ist die Auseinandersetzung mit Theorien, die in ihrer Verbindung von alt und neu zu Forschungsperspektiven führen deren Modelle und Methoden in der Lage sind zweiwertig logisch-radikal-rationale Grenzen bewusst diffus zu halten.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Erkundungsaufstellungen
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Hier wird der Gang über die Schwelle zu einer neuen Methode wissenschaftlicher Forschung anhand der Erkundungsaufstellungen erläutert. Dies geschieht in Reflexion aktueller Themen deren Zusammenführung neben neuen Thesen zu Verbindungen zwischen Mehrdeutigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit auch zur Einführung eines neuen Forschungsdesigns beitragen. ‚Ontologische Sicherheit‘ im ‚Nichtwissen‘ und die Frage nach dem ‚Wie‘ stehen als Bezüge auf theoretische und praktische Perspektiven vor einem nachfolgenden, jetzt klassischen philosophischen Exkurs, in Rede.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Erkundungsaufstellungen – in Präsenz
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Erste Ergebnisse aus Erkundungsaufstellungen werden präsentiert. Einzelne Aufstellungen werden in differenzierter Form verbal und visualisiert in ihrem Verlauf dargestellt. Kernsätze, Metaphern, Geistesblitze, erkenntnisleitende Thesen und mögliche Interpretationen als Essenzen intensiver kognitiv-rationaler und körperlich-emotionaler Suche, werden am Ende jeder Erkundungsaufstellung angeboten. „Wenn es gelingt zwischen den logischen Welten zu vermittteln, könnte eine dritte ‚Welt‘ der Praxis von dieser Art der Vermittlung profitieren“ (Groschupp, S. 256).

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Fokussierung IV
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Hier wird der Übertritt in das ‚Feld des Werdenden‘ mit Hilfe von Elementen aus Scharmers Theorie U (Scharmer, C. O. (2020). Theorie U - Von der Zukunft her führen: Presencing als soziale Technik (5. Edition). Carl-Auer Verlag.) beschrieben und erahnbar gemacht was mit Science Constellations vergegenwärtigt werden könnte.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Erkundungsaufstellungen – Online
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

In diesem Kapitel werden analog dem Vorgehen im Kapitel 13 Erkundungsaufstellungen präsentiert die, bedingt durch die Covid -19 – Pandemie 2020/21, online stattgefunden haben. Der Autor protokolliert Aufstellungen die sowohl bezüglich der zwei- als auch der dreiwertigen Logik erlebt wurden. Dabei werden wieder zentrale Erkenntnisse einerseits verbal beschrieben, andererseits auch visualisiert und schließlich mit prägnanten Sätzen pointiert, etwa: „Wenn sich Elemente selbst bezeichnen, könnte dies vielleicht auf ein übersehenes Potential verweisen“ (S. 283). In mehreren weiteren solcher Kondensierungen fasst der Autor die gemeinsam erarbeiteten Ergebnisse der Aufstellungen zusammen.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Letzter Halt vor der nächsten Dimension
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Im letzten Kapitel versucht der Autor die Erträge seiner Arbeit zu kondensieren. Er eröffnet nochmals die Reflexion auf den Prozess seiner Arbeit, der im Vagen bleiben muss, von unterschiedlichen Rezipienten unterschiedlich, eben mehrdeutig interpretierbar ist, das in Formulierungen erscheint, die mit „Vielleicht …“ beginnen. Denn das Neue dieser Arbeit ist nicht so sehr ein feststehendes Ergebnis in Bezug auf das Nachhaltigkeitskonzept, sondern hinsichtlich einer Methode, die Nachhaltigkeit nachhaltig immer wieder erneut hervorzubringen vermag, wenn sich die jeweils relevanten Protagonisten darauf einlassen, nämlich auf die Methode der Science Constellations, die der Autor u.a. so beschreibt: „Neues Forschungsparadigma für alle Wissenschaften als auch für die Praxis, mit theoretischen Grundlagen zur Erweiterung von Denklogiken als Voraussetzung seiner Anwendung, Methode der Umdeutung eigener gedanklicher oder organisationaler Konstruktionen im Verstehen der beteiligten Kontingenz“ (Groschupp, S. 363).

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Die Dimensionen im Nachhaltigkeitsfeld
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Das Nachhaltigkeitsfeld wird in unterschiedlichen Dimensionen gefasst. Strategien entwickeln sich auf der Basis des jeweiligen Nachhaltigkeitskonzepts oder ihres Fokus auf natürliche, erneuerbare oder nichterneuerbare Ressourcen. Das Kapitel verdeutlicht die Konkurrenz der verschiedenen Strategien und deren Notwendigkeit für ein umfassendes Nachhaltigkeitsverständnis.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Fokussierung I
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

In diesem Kapitel nimmt der Autor das Problem der Widersprüche, Ambiguitäten, Vagheiten, Ambivalenzen und Unbestimmtheiten im Nachhaltigkeitsnexus als die ‚Trade-offs‘ – die jeweiligen Unvereinbarkeiten – wieder auf und richtet den Fokus auf die Suche nach bisher ungesehenen Lücken. Diese könnten sich in Räumen zwischen vermeintlich unvereinbaren Logiken verbergen und mit der Methode der Erkundungsaufstellung und ihren Werkzeugen gesucht und untersucht werden.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Nachhaltige Nachhaltigkeit
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Ausgehend von der Annahme eines sprachlogischen Dilemmas, welches aus dem widersprüchlichen Verhältnis von Nachhaltigkeit und der mitunter sprachlichen Unvereinbarkeit klassischer rationaler Logik und unserer dennoch mehrdeutig auslegbaren Sprache entstehen könnte, untersucht der Autor ‚nachhaltig nachhaltige Nachhaltigkeit‘. Wenn unsere Sprache mehrdeutig funktioniert, so die These, könnte es sein, dass auch unsere Entscheidungen auf mehrdeutig gedachten Vorannahmen basieren. In diesem Sinne könnten auch im Bereich des sprachlichen Ausdrucks, unterschiedliche und scheinbar unvereinbare Logiken in bestimmten Kontexten vereinbar sein. Am Beispiel der Mode und einer soziologischen Theorie führt der Autor die Leser:innen an die Grenzen der zweiwertigen Logik. Diese ist die vermeintliche Ursache von sprachlichen ‚Trade-offs‘. Er verweist auf die Dreiwertigkeit unserer Sprache und die Vertreter später folgender Auseinandersetzungen.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Mehrwertig basierte Suche im Zwischenraum
Authors: Groschupp Steffen
Published: August 2022

Der Autor nutzt die Metapher des Zwischenraums, der Lücke oder der Hülle um die Begrenztheit der klassischen Logik aufzulösen. Beginnend mit der Informatik und der von dieser bedingten Wahrscheinlichkeit führt der Autor die Leser:innen zu den Konzepten der dreiwertigen Logik von Blau, Varga von Kibéd und Günther. Aus dieser Auseinandersetzung heraus wird die Suche aus der binären Codierung heraus und hinein in Unterscheidungsfantasien geführt. Die Kreation verschiedener Nachhaltigkeitsformeln und deren auf mehrwertigen Kalkülen beruhenden digitalen Visualisierungen können die Suche im Unbestimmten, Imaginären, Gleichzeitlichen etc. erahnbar machen. Sie führen über in systemtheoretische Versuche ähnlicher Wiedereinführungen von Unterschieden als eine Rückholung des Dritten. Polykontexturalität und Re-entry sind Formen, die eingehend besprochen werden. Am Beispiel der Fridays for Future-Bewegung wird gezeigt, warum nur die Überwindung des zweiwertigen Schemas die Widersprüchlichkeit von Forderungen nach Widerspruchsfreiheit der Wissenschaft beheben könnte. Die Einordnung von Paradoxiefreiheit im Nexus mit einer Einheit der Differenz oder Begriffen von Synchronizität oder anderen Gleichzeitlichkeiten bestimmt den weiteren Inhalt dieses Kapitels.

Der Inhalt dieses Kapitels ist mit Hinweis auf die Fußnoten und das Literaturverzeichnis vollständig von der Zitier- und Abbildungsbefugnis des § 51 Urheberrechtsgesetz, Satz 1 - 3 umfasst.
Scalar QED as a toy model for higher-order effects in classical gravitational scattering
Authors: Bern Zvi , Gatica Juan Pablo , Herrmann Enrico , Luna Andres , Zeng Mao
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) serves as a useful toy model for classical observables in gravitational two-body systems with reduced complexity due to the linearity of QED. We investigate scattering observables in scalar QED at the sixth order in the charges (two-loop order) in a classical regime analogous to the post-Minkowskian expansion in General Relativity. We employ modern scattering amplitude tools and extract classical observables by both eikonal methods and the formalism of Kosower, Maybee, and O’Connell (KMOC). In addition, we provide a simplified approach to extracting the radial action beyond the conservative sector.
Digital innovations for retinal care in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Vujosevic Stela , Limoli Celeste , Luzi Livio , Nucci Paolo
Published: August 2022

Aim

The purpose of this review is to examine the applications of novel digital technology domains for the screening and management of patients with diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

A PubMed engine search was performed, using the terms “Telemedicine”, “Digital health”, “Telehealth”, “Telescreening”, “Artificial intelligence”, “Deep learning”, “Smartphone”, “Triage”, “Screening”, “Home-based”, “Monitoring”, “Ophthalmology”, “Diabetes”, “Diabetic Retinopathy”, “Retinal imaging”. Full-text English language studies from January 1, 2010, to February 1, 2022, and reference lists were considered for the conceptual framework of this review.

Results

Diabetes mellitus and its eye complications, including DR, are particularly well suited to digital technologies, providing an ideal model for telehealth initiatives and real-world applications. The current development in the adoption of telemedicine, artificial intelligence and remote monitoring as an alternative to or in addition to traditional forms of care will be discussed.

Conclusions

Advances in digital health have created an ecosystem ripe for telemedicine in the field of DR to thrive. Stakeholders and policymakers should adopt a participatory approach to ensure sustained implementation of these technologies after the COVID-19 pandemic. This article belongs to the Topical Collection "Diabetic Eye Disease", managed by Giuseppe Querques.
Characterization and application of a coating of starch extracted from avocado (Persea americana L. cv. Hass) seeds as an alternative to reduce acrylamide content in French fries
Authors: Vega-Castro O. , Ramírez M. , Blandón-Mena L. , Contreras-Calderón J. , Mesías M. , Delgado-Andrade C. , Morales F. J. , Granda-Restrepo D.
Published: August 2022

The starch extracted from avocado (Persea americana L. cv. Hass) seeds was characterized and used in the preparation of an edible coating to reduce the oil uptake and acrylamide content in French fries. Starch characterization was carried out using Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, gelatinization, and scanning electron microscopy. Uncoated (UFF) and coated (CFF) French fries were compared and evaluated for moisture, water activity (Aw), fat, color, firmness, acrylamide content, and sensorial analysis. The extracted starch presented a high crystalline structure and good stability to mechanical work and heat treatments. The CFF French fries showed significantly higher Aw, color parameter a*, but lower luminosity and acrylamide content than UFF samples. Similarly, the CFF samples tended to decrease the fat content, although without statistical differences. Avocado seed starch can be an economical and technically feasible alternative to the food industry as an effective coating to reduce acrylamide content in French fries.