bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Location of end‐of‐life care of children with cancer: A systematic review of parent experiences
Authors: Noyes Michelle , Herbert Anthony , Moloney Susan , Irving Helen , Bradford Natalie
Published: March 2022

Objective

To synthesize existing qualitative research exploring the experiences of parents caring for children with cancer during the end‐of‐life phase, and the factors that influence parental decision‐making when choosing the location of end‐of‐life care and death for their child.

Results

This review included 15 studies of 460 parents of 333 children and adolescents who died from progressive cancer. Where reported, the majority (58%) of children died at home or in a hospital (39%), with only a small fraction dying in a hospice. Factors impacting decision‐making for the location of care included the quality of communication and the quality of care available. Themes related to choosing home for end‐of‐life care and death included honoring the child's wishes, the familiarity of home, and parents’ desire to be their child's primary carer. Preference for the location of death in the hospital included trust in hospital staff, practical logistics, and the safety of the hospital environment.
Could species‐focused suppression of Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, and Aedes albopictus, the tiger mosquito, affect interacting predators? An evidence synthesis from the literature
Authors: Bonds Jane AS , Collins C Matilda , Gouagna Louis‐Clément
Published: March 2022

The risks of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus nuisance and vector‐borne diseases are rising and the adverse effects of broad‐spectrum insecticide application have promoted species‐specific techniques, such as sterile insect technique (SIT) and other genetic strategies, as contenders in their control operations. When specific vector suppression is proposed, potential effects on predators and wider ecosystem are some of the first stakeholder questions. These are not the only Aedes vectors of human diseases, but are those for which SIT and genetic strategies are of most interest. They vary ecologically and in habitat origin, but both have behaviorally human‐adapted forms with expanding ranges. The aquatic life stages are where predation is strongest due to greater resource predictability and limited escape opportunity. These vectors' anthropic forms usually use ephemeral water bodies and man‐made containers as larval habitats; predators that occur in these are mobile, opportunistic and generalist. No literature indicates that any predator depends on larvae of either species. As adults, foraging theory predicts these mosquitoes are of low profitability to predators. Energy expended hunting and consuming will mostly outweigh their energetic benefit. Moreover, as adult biomass is mobile and largely disaggregated, any predator is likely to be a generalist and opportunist. This work, which summarizes much of the literature currently available on the predators of Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, indicates it is highly unlikely that any predator species depends on them. Species‐specific vector control to reduce nuisance and disease is thus likely to be of negligible or limited impact on nontarget predators. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Comparative Study on Characteristics of AlGaN/GaN Metal–Insulator–Semiconductor High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistors
Authors: Zhen Zixin , Wang Quan , Qin Yanbin , Chen Changxi , Xu Jiankai , Jiang Lijuan , Xiao Hongling , Wang Qian , Wang Xiaoliang , Tan Manqing , Feng Chun
Published: March 2022

A metal–insulator–semiconductor high‐electron‐mobility transistor (MIS‐HEMT) with Al2O3/SiN
x
(SiN
x
next to semiconductor) double insulators is proposed to obtain lower gate leakage and lower current collapse simultaneously and is comparatively studied in this article. SiN
x
directly next to the (Al)GaN induces fewer interface traps and provides better passivation, and Al2O3 can greatly reduce gate leakage. The Schottky gate HEMT and MIS‐HEMTs with single SiN
x
and Al2O3 layer are also fabricated for comparison. The proposed structure shows the lowest gate leakage and the lowest current collapse as well as better output, transfer, breakdown performance. Besides, this proposed structure shows low requirements on fabrication techniques and induces fewer interface traps. Moreover, to further explore the reason behind those superior performances, the gate leakage mechanisms under reverse and forward bias conditions are studied and the interface traps are compared through capacitance–voltage (C–V) measurements in those four kinds of devices. The experimental results demonstrate that the MIS‐HEMT with Al2O3/SiN
x
double insulators is a superior candidate for nitrides‐based MIS‐HEMT devices.
Distributed filtering for nonlinear systems under Dempster–Shafer theory subject to malicious cyber attacks
Authors: Wang Weizhen , Chen Xin , Li Zhen , Jia Jangbo , Zhang Min
Published: March 2022

This paper addresses the problem of network security for distributed filtering when subject to malicious cyber attacks. First, based on the Dempster–Shafer (D‐S) theory a protector for each sensor is proposed, that can decide whether to use data sent by neighboring sensors. Furthermore, a distributed estimator is proposed for the nonlinear system with the designed detector. Besides, a sufficient condition is presented for the stability of the estimator equipped with the designed protector when under cyber attacks. Finally, several numerical examples are presented to verify the proposed protection strategy's efficacy.
An α‐variable model‐free prescribed‐time control for nonlinear system with uncertainties and disturbances
Authors: He Dingxin , Wang Haoping , Tian Yang
Published: March 2022

In this article, an ‐variable model‐free prescribed‐time controller (‐MFPTC) is proposed for a nonlinear system with uncertainties and disturbances. First, an ultra‐local model is employed to formulate the plant dynamic by using input and output data. Second, to observe the state variables and compensate for the lumped uncertainties, a linear extended state observer (LESO) is designed. Then, a corresponding LESO‐based ‐fixed model‐free controller (LESO‐iPD) is proposed. Third, based on LESO‐iPD, a prescribed‐time sub‐controller (PTC) is adopted to converge tracking error within a prescribed finite time. Furthermore, an adaptive RBF neural network compensator is constructed to approximate and compensate for LESO error. Correspondingly, an ‐fixed model‐free prescribed‐time controller (‐MFPTC) is proposed. Fourth, based on ‐MFPTC, a tracking error‐based ‐variable method is applied to improve the controller performance, and an ‐variable model‐free prescribed‐time controller (‐MFPTC) is subsequently proposed. Moreover, stability and prescribed‐time convergence of closed‐loop system with ‐MFPTC are analyzed by using the Lyapunov theorem. Ultimately, to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed control strategy, the numerical simulation with sliding mode control, LESO‐iPD, ‐MFPTC, and ‐MFPTC and co‐simulation results on quadrotor have been obtained.
Comparison of Colorimetric Methods to Detect Malondialdehyde, A Biomarker of Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Islayem Deema , Fakih Fatima Ba , Lee Sungmun
Published: March 2022

Excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is implicated in the pathogenesis of aging‐related disorders such as cardiovascular diseases. However, monitoring of ROS in vivo remains elusive due to the short half‐lives. ROS level can be assessed by measuring the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a biomarker of lipid oxidation induced by ROS. Although there are many techniques to measure MDA, colorimetric analysis has advantages such as lower costs and simple instruments required. Here, three colorimetric methods, p‐anisidine, Schiff reagent and methyl‐2‐phenylindole (MPI), were compared in specificity and sensitivity of MDA. Both MPI and p‐anisidine generated specific peaks for MDA, an aldehyde, which were different from peaks for acetone, a ketone. For the sensitivity, three chemicals were reacted with MDA at normal (0.2 μM) and diseased (0.6 μM and 1 μM) saliva conditions, and healthy (1 μM) and diseased (2 μM) serum conditions. Only MPI was sensitive enough to identify MDA in diseased conditions. MPI method was also able to detect extracellular MDA produced by RAW264.7 macrophages treated with H2O2. Based on the results in this study, we anticipate numerous applications of MPI for the detection of ROS overproduced.
Multifunctional Additive (L‐4‐Fluorophenylalanine) for Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yang Jiabao , Pu Xingyu , Wang Tong , Cheng Shuaici , Chen Hui , Cao Qi , Zhang Yixin , Tojiboyev Ilhom , Etgar Lioz , Ye Fei , Li Xuanhua
Published: March 2022

The harmful defects accumulated at surfaces and grain boundaries (GBs) limit the performance and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), which results from the poor crystallization and ion migration. Here, a multifunctional molecular additive L‐4‐fluorophenylalanine (FPA) is explored for highly efficient and stable inverted PSCs. The multifunction is realized through comprehensive defect passivation, surface hydrophobicity, and crystallization control with the multitude groups, such as the amino and carbonyl groups for passivating the unsaturated lead defects at GBs, and the benzene ring for electron‐deficient iodine defects, and the fluorine group for the improvement of crystallization and the inhibition of ions migration. The resulting inverted device shows a champion power conversion efficiency of 21.28% with negligible hysteresis. The unencapsulated FPA‐modified devices maintain nearly 90% of the initial performance after high‐temperature (85 °C) thermal accelerated aging for 500 h and 85% after aging for 4000 h under ambient conditions, and about 90% of the original efficiency after being maximum power point tracked for 1000 h under continuous illumination. This study provides a multipronged strategy to the future design of PSCs with higher efficiency and enhanced stability.
Application of Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals in Solar‐Driven Photo(electro)Catalysis
Authors: Gualdrón-Reyes Andrés F. , Mesa Camilo A. , Giménez Sixto , Mora-Seró Iván
Published: March 2022

Photo(electro)catalysis (PEC) is a promising strategy to conduct attractive solar‐driven reactions such as CO2 reduction to form added‐value products, H2 production, and organic substrates oxidation, taking advantage of the spatial separation of photocarriers generated in semiconductor‐based electrodes. Halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) are attracting increasing attention due to their tunable optical features and band structure, which is pivotal to modulate their oxidizing/reducing power and perform chemical reactions efficiently. However, the defective structure and ionic nature of PNCs make them prone to be unstable in polar media, where most of the relevant solar‐driven chemical reactions of interest take place. In this review, an overview of recent strategies to stabilize PNCs in polar solvents is presented, some of them with promising application or already introduced in PEC systems. Perovskite encapsulation, including the formation of heterostructures, surface passivation engineering, and the synthesis of PNCs with intrinsic stability in polar media, is focused upon. Furthermore, perspectives for using stable lead‐free PNCs in solar‐driven PEC reactions are presented, showing the benefits of this future technology for energy production/transformation.
Polysaccharides‐Based Nano‐Hybrid Biomaterial Platforms for Tissue Engineering, Drug Delivery, and Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Shahbaz Areej , Hussain Nazim , Basra Muhammad Asim Raza , Bilal Muhammad
Published: March 2022

Polysaccharides have received immense interest in recent years for outstanding properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, renewable origin, and ease of modification. Owing to their considerable bioactivities, natural abundance, immunoactivity, and chemical modifiability in a variety of applications, they are considered potential biomaterials for the biomedical, biotechnological, and industrial sectors of the modern world. Polysaccharide‐based novel nanocomposites from starch, chitin and chitosan, alginates, cellulose, dextran, and hyaluronic acid with unique functional and structural attributes have been the subject of extensive study to promote their usage in a variety of fields, including biomedicine, food industry, and nonbiological sectors. Furthermore, polysaccharide‐based metal and nonmetal oxides, graphene, and carbon nanotubes have been used with various combinations in diverse fields of research. This review spotlights the application prospects of polysaccharides‐based hybrid nano‐biomaterials in tissue engineering, drug delivery, and food packaging concerning the biological and chemical properties, cross‐linking membranes, and focuses on the relationship between their composition and properties.
TESOL Teachers’ Writing to Support Developing Understandings of Translanguaging Theory and Praxis in Neoliberal Times
Authors: Pontier Ryan W. , Deroo Matthew R.
Published: March 2022

This study highlights Masters‐level TESOL students’ meaning‐making about translanguaging theory and pedagogy through writing in response to course readings and conversations. To gain deeper insight into shifting understandings of languaging that seek to move from monoglossic orientations to heteroglossic framing of language learning as connected to dynamic bilingualism, we drew on both translanguaging (García & Li, 2014) and reflective writing as a mechanism for supporting teacher learning (Hoover, 1994; Kelley 2006; Zeichner, 1987). Our inductive and deductive approach to analyze 12 students’ 132 journal entries during a TESOL methods class showed developing understandings of translanguaging theory and pedagogy influenced by (a) experience with theories of bilingualism grounded in language separation as historically understood in TESOL, (b) tensions regarding the application of translanguaging theory to praxis (Li, 2017), and (c) tensions between language and testing within the context of neoliberalism (Zeichner, 2014) guiding language teaching and learning in the K‐16 context. We conclude by providing suggestions to help teacher educators who engage in teacher language education to better support teacher‐learning about translanguaging.
Power of stochastic kinetic models: From biological signaling and antibiotic activities to T cell activation and cancer initiation dynamics
Authors: Teimouri Hamid , Kolomeisky Anatoly B.
Published: March 2022

All chemical processes exhibit two main universal features. They are stochastic because chemical reactions might happen only after random successful collisions of reacting species, and they are dynamic because the amount of reactants and products changes with time. Since biological processes rely heavily on specific chemical reactions, the stochasticity and dynamics are also crucial features for all living systems. To understand the molecular mechanisms of chemical and biological processes, it is important to develop and apply theoretical methods that fully incorporate the randomness and dynamic nature of these systems. In recent years, there have been significant advances in formulating and exploring such theoretical methods. As an illustration of such developments, in this review the recent applications of stochastic kinetic models for various biological processes are discussed. Specifically, we focus on applying these theoretical approaches to investigate the biological signaling, clearance of bacteria under antibiotics, T cells activation in the immune system, and cancer initiation dynamics. The main advantage of the presented stochastic kinetic models is that they generally can be solved analytically, allowing to clarify the underlying microscopic picture, as well as to explain the existing experimental observations and to make new testable predictions. This theoretical approach becomes a powerful tool in uncovering the molecular mechanisms of complex natural phenomena.

This article is categorized under:

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Free Energy Methods

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics

Theoretical and Physical Chemistry > Statistical Mechanics
Shockley: Queisser detailed balance limit after 60 years
Authors: Markvart Tom
Published: March 2022

The year 2021 marks the 60th anniversary of the Shockley–Queisser paper which laid the theoretical foundations for the fundamentals of solar cell operation. This article reviews the principal results of the Shockley‐Queisser paper and the developments that followed. Starting with links to the earlier radiative balance laws of Kirchhoff and Planck, we discuss the nature of the detailed balance between the incident and emitted photon beams. The resulting efficiency limit is juxtaposed with another popular limit due to Trivich and Flinn. The dependence of the Shockley–Queisser limit on the intensity and sizes (étendues) of the two beams—in other words, on the concentration of sunlight—is discussed in some detail. This article then takes a broader view of the detailed balance with the help of the generalized Planck law and the refinements that this implies for the efficiency and the current–voltage characteristic of the cell. A natural extension of the Shockley–Queisser detailed balance into the realms of thermodynamics is outlined by considering the photon entropy in the two beams. This produces the detailed balance limit in a typical thermodynamic form, similar to the result for a heat engine, where the efficiency losses are expressed in terms of entropy generation. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of how the results can be extended to the operation of practical solar cells with a more realistic description of light absorption and nonradiative recombination. A brief overview is also given of mechanisms for how the Shockley–Queisser limit can be exceeded.

This article is categorized under:

Sustainable Energy > Solar Energy

Emerging Technologies > Materials
Alternative methods for cleaning membranes in water and wastewater treatment
Authors: Terán Hilares Ruly , Singh Imman , Tejada Meza Kevin , Colina Andrade Gilberto J. , Pacheco Tanaka David Alfredo
Published: March 2022

Membrane fouling is caused by foulant deposition or adsorption through physical or chemical interactions on the membrane surface, causing the reduction of flux through the membrane. The main drawbacks of chemical agents used for cleaning are cost, damage caused on the membrane, and waste stream making the process unattractive. Alternative, methods such as ultrasound, enzymatic process, and osmotic backwashing were explored for membrane cleaning. Among all mentioned methods, micronanobubbles have been reported as a promising and emergent method for membrane surface cleaning; unfortunately, the information is limited, but preliminary studies have shown it as an efficient, cheap, and environmentally friendly technique. Other methods like electrically and vibratory‐enhanced membrane cleaning also could be interesting but currently are unexplored and information is limited.

Practitioner Points

Chemical cleaning is an efficient option; however, from an environmental point of view, it is not attractive, and high concentrations could cause damage to the membrane.

Micronanobubbles are an emergent and suitable technology for membrane and surface cleaning.

Membrane modification and functionalization avoid membrane fast fouling, and the cleaning process is easier, but the manufacture cost could be expensive.
Are “Weak Ties” Really Weak? Social Capital Reliance Among Second Generation Turkish Lawyers in Paris
Authors: Keskiner Elif , Waldring Ismintha
Published: March 2022

The chapter studies social capital development and application among highly educated Turkish second generation working in the law sector in Paris. Previously we have demonstrated how social capital was a crucial resource in the professional pathways of Turkish second generation lawyers in Sweden, the Netherlands, France and Germany. In this chapter we take our inquiry a step further analyzing the strong and weak ties that descendants of migrants relied upon in their professional pathways. We use biographical interviews conducted with descendants of migrants in France in which they explicate their entire educational and professional trajectories. We concentrate on Turkish second generation with low-educated parents hence young people who did not receive direct professional resources from their parents.

We see for this group the development of professional networks already begins in tertiary education and continues into their labour market careers. The paper aims to make contributions to several strands of the literature. Firstly, it contributes to the debate on temporality of networks by showing how distinct forms of social capital became crucial in different phases of their careers and how they relied on both weak and strong ties strategically to overcome the glass ceilings in their sectors and move upwards in their pathways. Secondly, we aim to problematize the concepts of “strong” and “weak” ties in relation to their ethnic connotations. Our study shows that second generation lawyers were able to develop relations of trust with their so-called “weak ties” while the ethnic “strong ties” represented useful clientele.
Context Matters: The Varying Roles of Social Ties for Professional Careers of Immigrants’ Descendants
Authors: Lang Christine , Pott Andreas , Schneider Jens
Published: March 2022

Research on social networks of immigrants and their descendants usually starts from the distinction between ‘ethnic’ ties and ties to members of the population without migration background. In migration studies ‘ethnic’ ties are repeatedly associated with ‘strong ties’, whereas ‘weak ties’ – that are found to be essential for the access to jobs in the wider society – are associated with contacts to members of the ‘majority population’. Building on existing criticism of this narrowing dichotomy and looking at upward social mobility careers of immigrants’ descendants we question this group-related understanding of weak and strong ties. Examining professional trajectories of immigrants’ descendants in Germany, this chapter suggests shifting the focus to occupational contexts in order to understand better how and why different types of social ties can play an important role for their professional mobility. We argue that both the quality of ties and their ‘ethnic dimension’ are dependent on the occupational context with its specific institutionalized modes of access and recruitment. Moreover, different forms of ‘ethnic’ or ‘cross-ethnic’ ties develop a changing significance in the course of a career and over time; this makes it necessary to also look at the dynamics in careers and the occupational contexts. The chapter compares the role of social ties for the inclusion into two occupational fields: law and public administration. It draws on interviews with (mainly Turkish) immigrants’ descendants working in these sectors. While in the law sector mainly ‘weak ties’, which had been built up during university studies and in the course of later careers, proved important, in public administration ‘strong ties’ to relatives and friends were most crucial for the access to jobs. In both sectors, we can observe that ties to ‘co-ethnics’ become increasingly relevant for professional careers as people of immigrant descent gradually achieve higher positions.
Networks in Migration Processes
Authors: Eve Michael
Published: March 2022

Much of the work on the networks of migrants and their descendants concentrates mainly on the ethnicity of the persons in the network; however, if we are interested in the way networks reinforce ethnic inequalities or foster social mobility, other dimensions may be at least as important as the ethnic composition. In this chapter I describe how migration itself, rather than ethnic identification, shapes social networks. Even in times of electronic communication, space has effects on social relationships, for many social transactions (from child care to commensality) fundamental for maintaining social relationships are difficult or impossible at a distance. Migration is age-selective and this has effects on ties formed in the place of immigration. Labour migration has strong effects on the neighbourhoods migrant families end up in, and these in turn affect the schools their children go to and who they play with outside the home. Most migration is class-selective, forming networks more class-homogeneous in the place of immigration than in the place of departure. So a series of factors linked specifically to ‘the migration process’ have structural effects on the social networks of migrants and their descendants. In this chapter I draw on studies of internal and international migration to show that these effects are important even where citizenship is not at issue. I argue that there are, in fact, marked similarities in the networks of internal and international labour migrants, for example, in the tendency (under certain conditions) to form networks made up primarily of persons from the same place of origin. So I suggest that “the migration process” may affect migrants’ social networks as much as ethnic dynamics. And that this throws light on the social mechanisms behind the forms of inequality documented in many migration contexts. Drawing on qualitative interviews with different types of (internal and international) migrants, I show that the initial social ties used to achieve one’s transfer from one place to another (e.g. a classic migration chain, or professional contacts) have lasting effects, and that these explain some differences between the networks formed by “skilled” and “unskilled” migrants (more work-based in the former case, more kin-based in the latter). I also show how the networks formed by children of migrants are shaped by the specific conditions (net of class) of labour migration.
Formulare der Indiskretion: Interview und Literaturwissenschaft
Authors: Geitner Ursula
Published: March 2022

Der Beitrag Ursula Geitners untersucht das intrikate Verhältnis von Interview und Literaturwissenschaft mithilfe des Formularbegriffs. Das kurrente auto-biografisierende Frage-Antwort-Formular steuert literaturwissenschaftliches Basiswissen und methodisches Vorgehen bis in einschlägige Praktiken und usuelle Operationen hinein. Das macht epistemologische Zugewinne der im 20. Jahrhundert fortgeschrittenen Verwissenschaftlichung von Literaturgeschichte und Literaturwissenschaft obsolet, die mit einer Problematisierung und Neupositionierung der Autorschaftskategorie einherging.
Stahlhartes Gehäuse? Zur Ästhetik des Formulars
Authors: Drügh Heinz
Published: March 2022

Formulare stehen mit ihren Verfahren der Standardisierung, Nüchternheit und Rationalität prototypisch für eine „Logik der Allgemeinheit“ (Reckwitz), also für das Gegenteil jener Einzigartigkeit, Delikatesse und Besonderheit als Domänen des Ästhetischen. Dennoch herrscht nicht etwa Funkstille zwischen Formular und Ästhetik. Künstlerische Darstellungen scheinen von Formularen und ihrem Formklima als von ihrem anderen geradezu angezogen zu werden. Das erklärt sich daraus, dass sich Kunst in der Auseinandersetzung mit der Logik des Formulars selbst befragen kann – auch und nicht zuletzt, so die These des Aufsatzes, mit Blick auf Standardisierungen und Routinen, die im Mythos der ästhetischen Autonomie verborgen liegen.
Telegraphie im Formularstil
Authors: Brändle Stephan
Published: March 2022

Was sind Telegramme? Sind es die Zwanzig-Wörter-Botschaften, die zum Geburtstag oder zur Hochzeit gratulieren; Ankunft, Geburt oder Tod melden; Bestellung oder Kauf tätigen respektive bestätigen? Oder sind es die Papierformulare, die am Aufgabeort vom Absender, am Zielort von einem Telegraphisten ausgefüllt und anschließend an die Adressaten ausgeliefert werden? Während im Fall des Briefes der materielle Träger und die auf ihm geschriebene Botschaft in eins fallen, als transzendental-empirische Dublette untrennbar miteinander verknüpft sind, verkompliziert sich der Sachverhalt im Falle des Telegramms. Ein Telegramm ist viele Telegramm(formular)e: Wie Theseus’ Schiff in der Werft vermehren sich die papiernen Träger des Telegramms in den Telegraphenbüros auf wundersame Weise, während die Botschaft des Telegramms ein und dieselbe bleibt – oder zumindest bleiben soll.
Zum Formular der Moderne
Authors: Werber Niels
Published: March 2022

Welche Formulare zu benutzen und was aus einemformular Titelbuchabzuschreiben ist, hängt primär von der Zugehörigkeit des Menschen zu einer der Schichten der Gesellschaft ab. Formulare managen die Rangunterschiede in einer stratifikatorisch differenzierten Gesellschaft und ermöglich so, dass die Kommunikation von Ungleichen gelingen kann und für beide Seiten so erwartbar wird, dass Selektionsofferten unterbreitet und angenommen werden. Auch um 1800 und um 1900 inkludieren Formulare und strukturieren Anschlusskommunikation, doch sind hier auch Unterschiede zu betonen, die vor allem dann auffallen, wenn man hinter die kulturkritische Rhetorik Schillers zurücktritt und seine Diagnosen (Entfremdung, Zersplitterung, Mechanisierung) nicht auf seinen Vergleich der idealisierten „Griechen“ mit „uns“ defizitären „Neuern“ bezieht, sondern seine Ausführungen zum Formular auf die epochalen Umbrüche der Gesellschaftsstruktur bezieht, die in der Semantik ihren Niederschlag finden.
Bürokratische Symbiose
Authors: Lehmann Maren
Published: March 2022

Begriff und Problem der Formalisierung – und als eine von deren möglichen Materialitäten soll das Formular im Folgenden verstanden werden – sind soziologische Klassiker, und sie sind es im Modus des Vorbehalts. Dieser Vorbehalt verdankt sich einer Gleichsetzung: Formalisierung gilt als Verwaltungstechnik, als Machtinstrument lebensängstlicher Bürokraten, die sich mit Ärmelschonern und Schreibmaschinen hinter Aktenschränken verschanzen, wo sie mit Haut und Haar ihrem staubigen Interesse verfallen, alles Lebendige zu entsaften, in anschlussfähige Siglen einzufassen und in Hängemappen aufzuknüpfen. (Der Computernerd, der diese ganze Assemblage in einem aktendeckelflachen Laptop unterzubringen vermag, ist nur deren pubertärer Verwandter; der Vorbehalt trifft ihn genauso.) Die Reserve gilt nicht der Arbeit an der Forschungsfrage selbst, sondern ihrer historisch-empirischen Wirklichkeit, den Rollen, Architekturen und Materialisationen.
Facta sunt servanda. Zu Form/Formel/Format/Formular an Schnittstellen der Kontingenz
Authors: Plener Peter
Published: March 2022

Im europäischen 15., 16. Jahrhundert wurde »Literatur« – wesentlich ausgehend von Spanien – durch administrative Schriftsetzungen von der Zumutung der Realitätsansprüche (und deren Unannehmlichkeiten respektive Zwängen) ansatzweise entlastet und gewissermaßen zugunsten der neu systematisierten Repräsentationsordnung vom Fakt zu Fiktion verschoben. Verwaltungsschriften und Aktenbestände erschienen zunehmend als allein gültige Bestandsaufnahmen in das ihnen damit eigentümliche Recht gesetzt (ihre Verarbeitungslogik geht in die Körpergedächtnisse über und lässt sie derart adjustiert die Welt erobern). Eine neue Form organisierter Verwaltung entsteht.
Die Lücke, die die Vorschrift lässt. Heimrad Bäckers nachschrift und die Formulare des Totalitarismus
Authors: Wolf Burkhardt
Published: March 2022

Formulare sind Lückentexte. Vor Augen stellen sie einen Mangel, der beseitigt werden will: Leerstellen und Leerflächen, die nach ihrer Füllung verlangen. Werden Formulare von Amts wegen ausgegeben, verschärft sich dieser Appell. Dann nämlich handelt es sich um Vorschriften im doppelten Sinne, um offizielle Aufforderungen in Gestalt schriftlicher und diagrammatischer Vorgaben.
R&D Management Practices and Innovation: Evidence from a Firm Survey
Authors: Haneda Shoko , Ono Arito
Published: March 2022

Innovation plays an important role in increasing productivity and economic growth. Much of this innovation is driven by the research and development (R&D) activities of business firms as part of their efforts to develop new products and processes.
Boundary Heisenberg algebras and their deformations
Authors: Rojo Martín Enríquez , Safari H. R.
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We investigate the deformations and rigidity of boundary Heisenberg-like algebras. In particular, we focus on the Heisenberg and Heisenberg ⊕ $$ \mathfrak{witt} $$
witt
algebras which arise as symmetry algebras in three-dimensional gravity theories. As a result of the deformation procedure we find a large class of algebras. While some of these algebras are new, some of them have already been obtained as asymptotic and boundary symmetry algebras, supporting the idea that symmetry algebras associated to diverse boundary conditions and spacetime loci are algebraically interconnected through deformation of algebras. The deformation/contraction relationships between the new algebras are investigated. In addition, it is also shown that the deformation procedure reaches new algebras inaccessible to the Sugawara construction. As a byproduct of our analysis, we obtain that Heisenberg ⊕ $$ \mathfrak{witt} $$
witt
and the asymptotic symmetry algebra Weyl-bms3 are not connected via single deformation but in a more subtle way.
Targeting the E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme (UBA1) improves elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor efficacy towards F508del and rare misfolded CFTR mutants
Authors: Borgo Christian , D’Amore Claudio , Capurro Valeria , Tomati Valeria , Sondo Elvira , Cresta Federico , Castellani Carlo , Pedemonte Nicoletta , Salvi Mauro
Published: March 2022

The advent of Trikafta (Kaftrio in Europe) (a triple-combination therapy based on two correctors—elexacaftor/tezacaftor—and the potentiator ivacaftor) has represented a revolution for the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) carrying the most common misfolding mutation, F508del-CFTR. This therapy has proved to be of great efficacy in people homozygous for F508del-CFTR and is also useful in individuals with a single F508del allele. Nevertheless, the efficacy of this therapy needs to be improved, especially in light of the extent of its use in patients with rare class II CFTR mutations. Using CFBE41o- cells expressing F508del-CFTR, we provide mechanistic evidence that targeting the E1 ubiquitin-activating enzyme (UBA1) by TAK-243, a small molecule in clinical trials for other diseases, boosts the rescue of F508del-CFTR induced by CFTR correctors. Moreover, TAK-243 significantly increases the F508del-CFTR short-circuit current induced by elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor in differentiated human primary airway epithelial cells, a gold standard for the pre-clinical evaluation of patients’ responsiveness to pharmacological treatments. This new combinatory approach also leads to an improvement in CFTR conductance on cells expressing other rare CF-causing mutations, including N1303K, for which Trikafta is not approved. These findings show that Trikafta therapy can be improved by the addition of a drug targeting the misfolding detection machinery at the beginning of the ubiquitination cascade and may pave the way for an extension of Trikafta to low/non-responding rare misfolded CFTR mutants.
Type I interferon-mediated tumor immunity and its role in immunotherapy
Authors: Yu Renren , Zhu Bo , Chen Degao
Published: March 2022

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies have achieved remarkable clinical responses in patients with many different types of cancer; however, most patients who receive ICB monotherapy fail to achieve long-term responses, and some tumors become immunotherapy-resistant and even hyperprogressive. Type I interferons (IFNs) have been demonstrated to inhibit tumor growth directly and indirectly by acting upon tumor and immune cells, respectively. Furthermore, accumulating evidence indicates that endo- and exogenously enhancing type I IFNs have a synergistic effect on anti-tumor immunity. Therefore, clinical trials studying new treatment strategies that combine type I IFN inducers with ICB are currently in progress. Here, we review the cellular sources of type I IFNs and their roles in the immune regulation of the tumor microenvironment. In addition, we highlight immunotherapies based on type I IFNs and combination therapy between type I IFN inducers and ICBs.
Die Kohorte der 41.000 Langzeitüberlebenden des Deutschen Kinderkrebsregisters
Authors: Kaatsch Peter , Trübenbach Claudia , Kaiser Melanie , Erdmann Friederike , Spix Claudia , Grabow Desiree
Published: March 2022

Hintergrund und Ziel

Ein Drittel der Langzeitüberlebenden nach Krebs im Kindes- und Jugendalter leidet unter schweren Spätfolgen (z. B. Zweittumoren, kardiale Probleme). Am Deutschen Kinderkrebsregister (DKKR) sind ca. 70.000 inzidente Erkrankungsfälle dokumentiert, von denen sich über 41.000 in Langzeitbeobachtung befinden und für Spätfolgenstudien kontaktiert werden können. Diese Kohorte wird beschrieben, die bisher mit dem DKKR durchgeführten Spätfolgenstudien werden charakterisiert, die Teilnahmebereitschaft wird analysiert.

Methoden

Für die von 1980 bis 2019 mit Krebs diagnostizierten und am DKKR in der Langzeitbeobachtung befindlichen Patienten wurde die Verteilung nach Diagnose, aktuellem Alter, Beobachtungsdauer, Zahl an Zweittumoren zum Stichtag 16.07.2021 ermittelt. Berechnet wurden die Raten derer, die jeweils auf Verlaufsabfragen reagiert haben. Der Einfluss von Determinanten auf die Teilnahmebereitschaft wurde mithilfe von generalisierten Schätzgleichungen geschätzt.

Ergebnisse

In der Kohorte von 41.466 kontaktierbaren Langzeitüberlebenden sind über 10 % der Betroffenen über 40 Jahre alt, bei über 40 % liegt die Erkrankung über 20 Jahre zurück. Die Teilnahmebereitschaft bei den Befragungen liegt zwischen 30 % und 60 %. Sie ist abhängig vom Alter bei Diagnose, dem Befragungsumfang, der Zahl der zuvor schon durchgeführten Befragungen. Optimal erscheint ein Abstand zwischen Kontaktierungen von mindestens 4 Jahren.

Diskussion

Mit dieser einzigartigen Kohorte ist eine für Deutschland repräsentative Spätfolgenforschung möglich. Ein geeignetes Maß zu finden, wie häufig Überlebende kontaktiert werden dürfen, ist essenziell. Um nicht zu oft zu kontaktieren, sollte die Zahl der in eine Studie einzubeziehenden Betroffenen jeweils möglichst niedrig gehalten werden.
Opposing effects on regulated insulin secretion of acute vs chronic stimulation of AMP-activated protein kinase
Authors: Nguyen-Tu Marie-Sophie , Harris Joseph , Martinez-Sanchez Aida , Chabosseau Pauline , Hu Ming , Georgiadou Eleni , Pollard Alice , Otero Pablo , Lopez-Noriega Livia , Leclerc Isabelle , Sakamoto Kei , Schmoll Dieter , Smith David M. , Carling David , Rutter Guy A.
Published: March 2022

Aims/hypothesis

Although targeted in extrapancreatic tissues by several drugs used to treat type 2 diabetes, the role of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the control of insulin secretion is still debatable. Previous studies have used pharmacological activators of limited selectivity and specificity, and none has examined in primary pancreatic beta cells the actions of the latest generation of highly potent and specific activators that act via the allosteric drug and metabolite (ADaM) site.

Methods

AMPK was activated acutely in islets isolated from C57BL6/J mice, and in an EndoC-βH3 cell line, using three structurally distinct ADaM site activators (991, PF-06409577 and RA089), with varying selectivity for β1- vs β2-containing complexes. Mouse lines expressing a gain-of-function mutation in the γ1 AMPK subunit (D316a) were generated to examine the effects of chronic AMPK stimulation in the whole body, or selectively in the beta cell.

Results

Acute (1.5 h) treatment of wild-type mouse islets with 991, PF-06409577 or RA089 robustly stimulated insulin secretion at high glucose concentrations (p<0.01, p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively), despite a lowering of glucose-induced intracellular free Ca2+ dynamics in response to 991 (AUC, p<0.05) and to RA089 at the highest dose (25 μmol/l) at 5.59 min (p<0.05). Although abolished in the absence of AMPK, the effects of 991 were observed in the absence of the upstream kinase, liver kinase B1, further implicating ‘amplifying’ pathways. In marked contrast, chronic activation of AMPK, either globally or selectively in the beta cell, achieved using a gain-of-function mutant, impaired insulin release in vivo (p<0.05 at 15 min following i.p. injection of 3 mmol/l glucose) and in vitro (p<0.01 following incubation of islets with 17 mmol/l glucose), and lowered glucose tolerance (p<0.001).

Conclusions/interpretation

AMPK activation exerts complex, time-dependent effects on insulin secretion. These observations should inform the design and future clinical use of AMPK modulators.

Graphical abstract
Medical Students from Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Backgrounds are Less Likely to Match into Surgery
Authors: Eguia Emanuel , Kolachina Shilpa , Miller Elizabeth , Eguia Mary A.
Published: March 2022

Background

This study aims to understand the demographic and academic characteristics that play a role in enrollment in surgical residency programs as well as any racial or socioeconomic disparities that may exist for medical students entering surgical specialties at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine (LUC‐SSOM).

Methods

Demographic data for 993 medical students graduating between 2013 and 2019 from LUC‐SSOM were compared using a series of t tests, Chi‐square tests, and logistic regression models.

Results

Students entering surgical residency programs had two times greater odds of coming from a family with a median family income greater than $75,000 than those entering non‐surgical residencies (OR 2.19, 95% CI [1.35, 3.53]). Students from disadvantaged backgrounds had 50% decreased odds of going into surgery when compared to those not entering surgery (OR 0.50, 95% CI [0.28, 0.90]).

Conclusions

Students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds face more barriers in pursuing surgical subspecialties.
Notifications and alerts in patient dose values for computed tomography and fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures
Authors: Vano Eliseo , Loose Reinhard , Frija Guy , Paulo Graciano , Efstathopoulos Efstathios , Granata Claudio , Corridori Riccardo , Torresin Alberto , Andersson Jonas S. , Tsapaki Virginia , Ammon Josefin , Hoeschen Christoph ,   On behalf of the European Society of Radiology
Published: March 2022

The terms “notifications” and “alerts” for medical exposures are used by several national and international organisations. Recommendations for CT scanners have been published by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. Some interventional radiology societies as well as national authorities have also published dose notifications for fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures. Notifications and alerts may also be useful for optimisation and to avoid unintended and accidental exposures. The main interest in using these values for high-dose procedures (CT and interventional) is to optimise imaging procedures, reducing the probability of stochastic effects and avoiding tissue reactions. Alerts in X-ray systems may be considered before procedures (as in CT), during procedures (in some interventional radiology systems), and after procedures, when the patient radiation dose results are known and processed. This review summarises the different uses of notifications and alerts to help in optimisation for CT and for fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures as well as in the analysis of unintended and accidental medical exposures. The paper also includes cautions in setting the alert values and discusses the benefits of using patient dose management systems for the alerts, their registry and follow-up, and the differences between notifications, alerts, and trigger levels for individual procedures and the terms used for the collective approach, such as diagnostic reference levels.

Key Points

• Notifications and alerts on patient dose values for computed tomography (CT) and fluoroscopy-guided interventional procedures (FGIP) allow to improve radiation safety and contribute to the avoidance of radiation injuries and unintended and accidental exposures.

• Alerts may be established before the imaging procedures (as in CT) or during and after the procedures as for FGIP.

• Dose management systems should include notifications and alerts and their registry for the hospital quality programmes.
Diagnostics and prognostic evaluation in renal cell tumors: the German S3 guidelines recommendations
Authors: Junker Kerstin , Hallscheidt Peter , Wunderlich Heiko , Hartmann Arndt
Published: March 2022

The German guidelines on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) have been developed at highest level of evidence based on systematic literature review. In this paper, we are presenting the current recommendations on diagnostics including preoperative imaging and imaging for stage evaluation as well as histopathological classification. The role of tumor biopsy is further discussed. In addition, different prognostic scores and the status of biomarkers in RCC are critically evaluated.
Family therapy for persons with schizophrenia: neglected yet important
Authors: Hahlweg Kurt , Baucom Donald H.
Published: March 2022

Since the 1950s, the observed disturbances in family relationships in which a member has been diagnosed as having schizophrenia has led many systemic family therapists to the hypothesis that these family interactions may have preceded the onset of illness and contributed to it. However, attempts at using traditional family therapy with families of patients with schizophrenia were not successful or widely adopted. With the introduction of neuroleptic medication, the treatment of schizophrenia changed dramatically, and patients often returned to their family in varying stages of partial remission, increasing the burden on relatives. Furthermore, research based on the expressed emotion concept demonstrated that the chance of relapse increases by a factor of 2.5 when a patient returns to a high-EE-family in contrast to a low-EE-family environment; consequently, the vulnerability–stress model started to guide treatment development. Based on these developments, since 1980, several psychoeducational family management programs have been evaluated showing a significant reduction in relapse when compared to standard psychiatric care from 49 to 13%. To date, at least 50 RCT studies have been published showing the effectiveness of family interventions in various culturally diverse countries. Therefore, according to the NICE and other guidelines, family intervention should be offered to all families of people with psychosis who live with or are in close contact with the patient, in conjunction with neuroleptic treatment. Despite this strong recommendation, family involvement is under-implemented in mental health care, despite its strong scientific, economic, legal and moral basis. To improve the psychosocial health of patients with psychotic disorders and their relatives, more research is necessary, as well as more training for professionals in effective family interventions.