bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Protein, phycocyanin, and polysaccharide production by Arthrospira platensis grown with LED light in annular photobioreactors
Authors: Zanolla Valentina , Biondi Natascia , Niccolai Alberto , Abiusi Fabian , Adessi Alessandra , Rodolfi Liliana , Tredici Mario R.
Published: March 2022

Arthrospira platensisis a cyanobacterium known for its widespread use as nutraceutical and food additive. Besides a high protein content, this microorganism is also endowed with several bioactivities related to health benefits in humans that make it a candidate for functional foods. These properties are strain and culture condition dependent. We compared, in terms of biomass productivity and protein, C-phycocyanin, and polysaccharide content, twoA. platensisstrains,A. platensisF&M-C256 andA. platensisF&M-C260, characterized by morphological differences. The organisms were grown in annular photobioreactors with light-emitting diodes (LED) as light source in fed-batch and semi-continuous regimes. No significant differences in biomass productivity were found between the two strains. Both strains showed a protein content >55% in all culture conditions. C-phycocyanin content was higher inA. platensisF&M-C260 in semi-continuous regime. Cellular polysaccharide (PS) content, which included intracellular polysaccharide and those bound to the cell wall, was higher inA. platensisF&M-C256 during semi-continuous cultivation. In both strains, a higher release of polysaccharide was observed at the end of the fed-batch regime.A. platensisF&M-C256 showed the advantage to form clumps which facilitate harvesting, behavior not observed inA. platensisF&M-C260 and probably related to the different predominant monosaccharide found in the PS of the two strains (i.e., rhamnose inA. platensisF&M-C256 and glucose inA. platensisF&M-C260). The results show that the two strains are suitable for commercial production of high-value products, such as protein and C-phycocyanin, while for polysaccharide production,A. platensisF&M-C256 is preferable.
Machine learning with domain knowledge for predictive quality monitoring in resistance spot welding
Authors: Zhou Baifan , Pychynski Tim , Reischl Markus , Kharlamov Evgeny , Mikut Ralf
Published: March 2022

Digitalisation trends of Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things led to an unprecedented growth of manufacturing data. This opens new horizons for data-driven methods, such as Machine Learning (ML), in monitoring of manufacturing processes. In this work, we propose ML pipelines for quality monitoring in Resistance Spot Welding. Previous approaches mostly focused on estimating quality of welding based on data collected from laboratory or experimental settings. Then, they mostly treated welding operations as independent events while welding is a continuous process with a systematic dynamics and production cycles caused by maintenance. Besides, model interpretation based on engineering know-how, which is an important and common practice in manufacturing industry, has mostly been ignored. In this work, we address these three issues by developing a novel feature-engineering based ML approach. Our method was developed on top of real production data. It allows to analyse sequences of welding instances collected from running manufacturing lines. By capturing dependencies across sequences of welding instances, our method allows to predict quality of upcoming welding operations before they happen. Furthermore, in our work we strive to combine the view of engineering and data science by discussing characteristics of welding data that have been little discussed in the literature, by designing sophisticated feature engineering strategies with support of domain knowledge, and by interpreting the results of ML analysis intensively to provide insights for engineering. We developed 12 ML pipelines in two dimensions: settings of feature engineering and ML methods, where we considered 4 feature settings and 3 ML methods (linear regression, multi-layer perception and support vector regression). We extensively evaluated our ML pipelines on data from two running industrial production lines of 27 welding machines with promising results.
Topological Imaging Methods for the Iterative Detection of Multiple Impedance Obstacles
Authors: Louër F. Le , Rapún M.-L.
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we investigate shape inversion algorithms based on the computation of iterated topological derivatives for the detection of multiple particles coated by a complex surface impedance in two- and three-dimensional acoustic media. New closed-form formulae for the topological derivative of the misfit functional are derived when an approximate set of unknown particles has already been recovered. Proofs rely on the computation of shape derivatives followed by the topological asymptotic analysis of a boundary integral equation formulation of the forward and adjoint problems. The relevance of the theoretical results is illustrated by various 2D and 3D experiments using monochromatic imaging algorithms either fully or partially based on topological derivatives.
Relation between chemical composition, morphology, and microstructure of poly(ether ether ketone)/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite coatings obtained by electrophoretic deposition
Authors: González-Castillo Eduin I. , Žitňan Michal , Torres Yadir , Shuttleworth Peter S. , Galusek Dušan , Ellis Gary , Boccaccini Aldo R.
Published: March 2022

The effect of the chemical composition on the morphology and microstructure of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) nanocomposite coatings is analyzed. RGO induced three main morphological features in the nanocomposites: (i) a large-scale co-continuous morphology related to nanosheets whose basal planes were mainly aligned with the coating surface, (ii) a dendritic morphology of PEEK domains, and (iii) irregular domains related to the deposition of PEEK particles wrapped by the nanosheets. The development of these morphological features was influenced by the RGO content, allowing the modification of the surface roughness. RGO also induced changes in the melting and non-isothermal crystallization of the polymeric matrix and promoted transcrystallinity in PEEK that, in turn, was a key factor in the development of the final microstructure. In addition, polymer chain mobility was observed to be hindered at high nanofiller concentrations, increasing the glass transition temperature, and diminishing the recrystallization of the polymeric matrix.
Choice Matters More with Others: Choosing to be with Other People is More Consequential to Well-Being than Choosing to be Alone
Authors: Uziel Liad , Schmidt-Barad Tomer
Published: March 2022

Stable social relationships are conducive to well-being. However, similar effects are not reported consistently for daily social interactions in affecting episodic (experiential) subjective well-being (ESWB). The present investigation suggests that the choice of being in a social context plays an important moderating role, such that social interactions increase ESWB only if taken place by one's choice. Moreover, it is argued that choice matters more in a social context than in an alone context because experiences with others are amplified. These ideas were tested and supported in two studies: An experiment that manipulated social context and choice status, and a 10-day experience-sampling study, which explored these variables in real-life settings. Results showed that being with others by one’s choice had the strongest positive association with ESWB, sense of meaning, and control, whereas being with others not by one’s choice—the strongest negative association with ESWB. Effects of being alone on ESWB also varied by choice status, but to a lesser extent. The findings offer theoretical and practical insights into the effects of the social environment on well-being.
Correction to: A psychophysiological investigation of mourning: There are two sides to the story
Authors: Hoffmann Alexandra , Maran Thomas , Grünbaum Tilman , Liegl Simon , Lobis Ulrich , Sachse Pierre
Published: March 2022

Mourning constitutes an important human emotion, which might cause—among other things—major depressive symptoms when lasting for too long. To date, no study investigated whether mourning is related to specific psychophysiological activation patterns. Therefore, we examined physiological reactions induced by iconographic mourning-related stimuli in comparison to neutral and attachment stimuli in healthy adults (N = 77, mean age: 21.9). We evaluated pupillometric and eye-tracking parameters as well as heart rate variability (HRV) and skin conductance (EDA). Eye-tracking revealed a stronger dilated pupil during mourning in comparison to the neutral, but not to the attachment condition; furthermore, fixation patterns revealed less fixations on mourning stimuli. While HF HRV was reduced during mourning and attachment, we found no differences concerning EDA parameters between conditions. Results suggest specific eye-movement and pupil adaptations during representations of mourning, which might point toward inward cognition or avoidance, but no specific physiological pattern concerning HRV and EDA.
The tragic complexity of Purgatory
Authors: Tassoni Luigi
Published: March 2022

The text is part of a broader study on the perception of tragic perspective compared with our contemporary tragic sense. In addition to have a particular narratological relevance, the persistence of tragic level in the second cantica of the Comedy produces a decisive effect in Dante’s discourse, and proposes a different meaning of Allegory. One of the results of this investigation concerns the dramatic language, which is determined where Dante’s allegorical representation takes place, whereas the Allegory itself is forbidden by the variables of the tragic discourse, and is impossible to realize. However, the tragic perspective of the second Cantica is not constant, as in Hell, and it has its specific climax, marked by the acceleration of the time, the space of waiting, the crisis of salvific destiny, wich, in the arc od Dante’s narration, bind the characters to doubt and to need to overcome the tragic and irresolvable condition of being without destiny.
Mechanistic Insights into Ameliorating Effect of Geraniol on d-Galactose Induced Memory Impairment in Rats
Authors: Atef Marwa Mohamed , Emam Marwa Nagy , Abo El Gheit Rehab E. , Elbeltagi Eman M. , Alshenawy H. A. , Radwan Doaa A. , Younis Reham L. , Abd-Ellatif Rania Nagi
Published: March 2022

Geraniol (GE), an important ingredient in several essential oils, displayed pleiotropic biological activities through targeting multiple signaling cascades. In the current study, we aimed to examine the protective effect of GE on d-galactose (d-gal) induced cognitive impairment and explore the underlying mechanisms. Forty male Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were randomly categorized into 4 groups; Group I (saline + vehicle [edible oil]), group II (saline + geraniol) (100 mg/kg/day orally), group III (d-galactose) (100 mg/kg/day subcutaneously injected), and group IV (d-galactose + geraniol). Behavioral impairments were evaluated. Brain levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and acetylcholinesterase (AchE) activities were estimated. The levels of inflammatory markers [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-kβ)], endoplasmic reticulum stress sensors [inositol requiring protein 1(IRE1) and protein kinase RNA–like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)], brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway were measured by ELISA. Also, hippocampal histopathological assessment and immunohistochemical analysis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and caspase-3 were performed. Glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) mRNA expression and protein levels were assessed. GE effectively ameliorated aging-related memory impairment through increasing GSH, BDNF, Ach levels, and SOD activity. Additionally, GE treatment caused a decrease in the levels of MDA, inflammatory mediators, and ER stress sensors as well as the AchE activity together with concomitant down-regulation of GRP78 and CHOP mRNA expression. Moreover, GE improved neuronal architecture and rat's spatial memory; this is evidenced by the shortened escape latency and increased platform crossing number. Therefore, GE offers a unique pharmacological approach for aging-associated neurodegenerative disorders.

Graphical Abstract
Valorisation of algal biomass to value-added metabolites: emerging trends and opportunities
Authors: Uma V. S. , Usmani Zeba , Sharma Minaxi , Diwan Deepti , Sharma Monika , Guo Miao , Tuohy Maria G. , Makatsoris Charalampos , Zhao Xiaobin , Thakur Vijay Kumar , Gupta Vijai Kumar
Published: March 2022

Algal biomass is a promising feedstock for sustainable production of a range of value-added compounds and products including food, feed, fuel. To further augment the commercial value of algal metabolites, efficient valorization methods and biorefining channels are essential. Algal extracts are ideal sources of biotechnologically viable compounds loaded with anti-microbial, anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancerous and several therapeutic and restorative properties. Emerging technologies in biomass valorisation tend to reduce the significant cost burden in large scale operations precisely associated with the pre-treatment, downstream processing and waste management processes. In order to enhance the economic feasibility of algal products in the global market, comprehensive extraction of multi-algal product biorefinery is envisaged as an assuring strategy. Algal biorefinery has inspired the technologists with novel prospectives especially in waste recovery, carbon concentration/sequestration and complete utilisation of the value-added products in a sustainable closed-loop methodology. This review critically examines the latest trends in the algal biomass valorisation and the expansive feedstock potentials in a biorefinery perspective. The recent scope dynamics of algal biomass utilisation such as bio-surfactants, oleochemicals, bio-stimulants and carbon mitigation have also been discussed. The existing challenges in algal biomass valorisation, current knowledge gaps and bottlenecks towards commercialisation of algal technologies are discussed. This review is a comprehensive presentation of the road map of algal biomass valorisation techniques towards biorefinery technology. The global market view of the algal products, future research directions and emerging opportunities are reviewed.
Economic potential of site-specific pesticide application scenarios with direct injection and automatic application assistant in northern Germany
Authors: Rajmis Sandra , Karpinski Isabella , Pohl Jan-Philip , Herrmann Marco , Kehlenbeck Hella
Published: March 2022

A growing and promising sector of precision agriculture is the site-specific application of pesticides, having a high potential for reductions in pesticide use. Within the research project ‘AssSys’, site-specific pesticide applications with a direct injection sprayer system and an automatic application assistant were evaluated economically with respect to herbicide and fungicide applications. The application assistant aims to support farmers in decision-making and implementation of site-specific pesticide applications either in the planning stage or as ex-post analysis. The economic assessment was based on field trials and scenario analysis referring to a model farm. The field trials were conducted in 2018 and 2019 in northern Germany. In the scenario analysis, two site-specific application scenarios were compared to conventional uniform treatment (100% of the field area). Weed monitoring was conducted as (1) standard procedure according to integrated pest management, (2) camera-based and (3) drone-based in the field trials. The pesticide application costs include pesticide costs, labour and machine costs of monitoring and pesticide applications. Investment costs of the necessary technical equipment for site-specific applications were included as annual labour and machine costs. As a major key performance indicator of partial budgeting at field level, extended gross margins were calculated. The economic scenario analysis showed pesticide application cost savings from 26 to 66% for site-specific applications compared to conventional applications. The average extended gross margin for site-specific applications of 787 € ha−1compared to 631 € ha−1for conventional application showed a clear economic advantage of the site-specific application scenarios. Site-specific pesticide applications can support farmers in implementing precise, sustainable and economically beneficial pesticide management. The technology presented may contribute to meet the goals of the European Green Deal to reduce use and risks of pesticides.
Teaching About Electricity in Primary School Multimodality and Variation Theory as Analytical Lenses
Authors: Preston Christine M. , Hubber Peter J. , Xu Lihua
Published: March 2022

Primary school topics involving abstract concepts are challenging to teach. Electric circuits can be simply constructed but complex to explain. New approaches in teaching students for understanding are needed to advance practice in primary science. This paper combines the strengths of multimodality research perspectives with variation theory to provide insights into a teaching sequence designed for year 6 students. Application of a representation construction approach (RCA) provides opportunities for multimodal meaning-making of electric circuits. The case study adopted a design-based research method to investigate teaching electric circuits. Data collection involved video capture of classroom practice, teacher and student interviews, student journal entries and assessment artefacts, field notes, and pre-test and post-test results. Design principles included identifying key ideas, devising a lesson sequence emphasising energy transfer and transformation, hands-on exploration using multimodal representations in response to learning challenges, and student journaling. Students’ metarepresentational competence was also developed through evaluation, negotiation, and creation of representations and models of electric circuits. Representational challenges followed by strategic teacher-led discussion facilitated students’ developing understanding through focusing attention on critical features. Deep learning was evidenced by journal records, formative and summative assessment artefacts, and post-test responses. RCA principles were instrumental in the successful design of an effective teaching sequence through focus on critical aspects of energy. We advocate a RCA for the design of a multimodal learning sequence. Variation theory was a useful analytical framework to understand the enactment of the design sequence. The study contributes to the challenge of rethinking traditional teaching practices in primary science.
Physiologic Lesion Assessment to Optimize Multivessel Disease
Authors: Bharmal Murtaza , Kern Morton J. , Kumar Gautam , Seto Arnold H.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of Review

Multivessel coronary artery disease, defined as significant stenosis in two or more major coronary arteries, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The diagnosis and treatment of multivessel disease have evolved in the PCI era from solely a visual estimation of ischemic risk to a functional evaluation during angiography. This review summarizes the evidence and discusses the commonly used methods of multivessel coronary artery stenosis physiologic assessment.

Recent Findings

While FFR remains the gold standard in coronary physiologic assessment, several pressure-wire-based non-hyperemic indices of functional stenosis have been developed and validated as well as wire-free angiographically derived quantitative flow ratio. Identifying and treating functionally significant coronary atherosclerotic lesions reduce symptoms and major adverse cardiovascular events.

Coronary physiologic assessment in multivessel disease minimizes the observer bias in visual estimates of stenosis, changes clinical management, and improves patient outcomes.
Visual Snow: Updates on Pathology
Authors: Fraser Clare L.
Published: March 2022

Purpose of Review

Until the last 5 years, there was very little in the literature about the phenomenon now known as visual snow syndrome. This review will examine the current thinking on the pathology of visual snow and how that thinking has evolved.

Recent Findings

While migraine is a common comorbidity to visual snow syndrome, evidence points to these conditions being distinct clinical entities, with some overlapping pathophysiological processes. There is increasing structural and functional evidence that visual snow syndrome is due to a widespread cortical dysfunction. Cortical hyperexcitability coupled with changes in thalamocortical pathways and higher-level salience network controls have all shown differences in patients with visual snow syndrome compared to controls.

Further work is needed to clarify the exact mechanisms of visual snow syndrome. Until that time, treatment options will remain limited. Clinicians having a clearer understanding of the basis for visual snow syndrome can appropriately discuss the diagnosis with their patients and steer them towards appropriate management options.
Chitosan-Encapsulated Nano-selenium Targeting TCF7L2, PPARγ, and CAPN10 Genes in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Abozaid Omayma A. R. , El-Sonbaty Sawsan M. , Hamam Neama M. A. , Farrag Moustafa A. , Kodous Ahmad S.
Published: March 2022

This study investigates the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of chitosan-encapsulated selenium nanoparticles in streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Glibenclamide was used as a reference antidiabetic drug. Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were used along the study and divided equally into 6 groups of (I) normal control, (II) chitosan-encapsulated selenium nanoparticles (CTS-SeNPs), (III) glibenclamide, (IV) streptozotocin (STZ), (V) STZ + CTS-SeNPs, and (VI) STZ + Glib. The animals were sacrificed on the 35th day of the experiment. Serum glucose, insulin, IGF-1, ALT, AST, CK-MB, oxidative stress, lipid profile, and inflammatory parameters were subsequently assessed. Also, the expression level of TCF7L2, CAPN10, and PPAR-γ genes were evaluated using qPCR. In addition, histopathological studies on pancreatic tissue were carried out. The results revealed that STZ induced both diabetes and oxidative stress in normal rats, manifested by the significant changes in the studied parameters and in the physical structure of pancreatic tissue. Oral administration of CTS-SeNPs or Glib results in a significant amelioration of the levels of serum fasting blood glucose, insulin, IGF-1, AST, ATL, and CK-MB as compared with STZ-induced diabetic rats. CTS-SeNPs and Glib diminished the level of lipid peroxidation, increased total antioxidant capacity level, as well as possessed strong inhibition against serum α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. Diabetic animals received CTS-SeNPs, or Glib demonstrated a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the expression level of TCF7L2 and CAPN10 genes with a significant increase in the expression level of PPAR-γ gene, compared to STZ group. The above findings clarify the promising antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of CTS-SeNPs, recommending its inclusion in the currently used protocols for the treatment of diabetes and in the prevention of its related complications.

Graphical abstract
Examining the relationships between emotional disorder symptoms in a mixed sample of community adults and patients: A network analysis perspective
Authors: De la Rosa-Cáceres A. , Sayans-Jiménez P. , Stasik-O’Brien S. , Sanchez-Garcia M. , Fernández-Calderón F. , Díaz-Batanero Carmen
Published: March 2022

According to the literature, comorbidity rates observed on emotional disorders are linked to how the main diagnostic classification systems have traditionally defined these disorders. This paper aims to analyze the structure of symptoms evaluated with the Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms-II (IDAS-II) with network analysis. A mixed sample (n = 2021) of 1692 community adults and 329 patients was used. 14.79% (n = 299) of the sample met the diagnostic criteria for at least one DSM-5 mental disorder and 5.29% (n = 107) had diagnostic comorbidity. The sample was randomly divided into two sub-samples: estimation sample (n = 1010) and replication sample (n  = 1011). The detection of community structures was carried out on estimation sample using the walktrap algorithm. Four local inference measures were estimated: Strength, one-step Expected Influence, two-step Expected Influence, and node predictability. Exploratory graphic analysis of modularity yielded an optimal solution of two communities on estimation sample: first linked to symptoms of depression and anxiety and second grouping symptoms of bipolar disorder and obsessive – compulsive disorder. Mania, Panic, Claustrophobia, and Low Well-Being Bridge emerged as bridge symptoms, connecting the two substructures. Networks estimated on replication subsamples did not differ significantly in structure. Dysphoria, Traumatic Intrusions and Checking and Ordering were the symptoms with greatest number of connections with rest of the network. Results sheds light on specific links between emotional disorder symptoms and provides useful information for the development of transdiagnostic interventions by identifying the influential symptoms within the internalizing spectrum.
The Shadow that Hovered Over: Gender Salience in Eating Disorder Recovery
Authors: Strobel Connor B. S.
Published: March 2022

Studies examining the social forces behind eating disorders have found that unrealistic conceptions of feminine beauty exert pressure on millions of women suffering from eating disorders. However, untenable feminine ideals do not explain the social factors affecting men. Utilizing narrative and content analyses of accounts of women and men on Tumblr and eating disorder recovery support groups, this paper finds that men experience eating disorders and recover differently from women. Gender salience, and not simply femininity, had a powerful effect on the recovery process for both women and men. Drawing from the sociologies of narrative, gender, and masculinity studies, this study provides a more nuanced and consequential way of understanding eating disorder recovery and how recovery trajectories vary by gender. Four categorical narrative types emerged from the sample: Ecological, Sickened, Abused, and Warrior. Language in the narratives relied on traditional gender roles, and each narrative lead to different proportions of recovery outcomes. Individuals in this study used one of four narrative types. The warrior narrative, which was the only one used by men, was associated with a higher rate of relapse. The propensity to relapse varied between the narrative types, suggesting some may be more conducive for recovery.
Employee perspectives on value realization from data within data-driven business models
Authors: Förster Matthias , Bansemir Bastian , Roth Angela
Published: March 2022

Firms are innovating data-driven business models (DDBMs) to realize value from data. Yet, making DDBMs work is challenging, and DDBMs often fall short of expected value realization. One reason for this shortfall is that firms do not know how employees, who decisively influence a DDBM’s value realization, view this complex and multi-facetted topic. We think it is necessary to understand the employees’ perspectives, the dimensions that build these perspectives and the characteristics employees are particularly interested in regarding value realization from data. We address this research gap by applying the Q-methodology to examine the perspectives among 70 employees across twelve DDBMs at a German automotive manufacturer. This yields eight perspectives, e.g., data advocacy, data caution or data practical. By exploring these perspectives, we provide a first groundwork on how employees view and appraise value realization from data which adds to the strive for mastering value realization from data within DDBMs.
Uniqueness of martingale solutions for the stochastic nonlinear Schrödinger equation on 3d compact manifolds
Authors: Brzeźniak Zdzisław , Hornung Fabian , Weis Lutz
Published: March 2022

We prove the pathwise uniqueness of solutions of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation with conservative multiplicative noise on compact 3D manifolds. In particular, we generalize the result by Burq, Gérard and Tzvetkov, [7], to the stochastic setting. The proof is based on the deterministic and new stochastic spectrally localized Strichartz estimates and the Littlewood-Paley decomposition.
A Case for Openness – Book Publishing and the Role of Amazon
Authors: Kreutzmann-Gallasch Antje , Schroff Simone
Published: March 2022

The presence of Amazon is ubiquitous, especially in the online bookstore and e-book market. The introduction of the “Kindle” further cemented Amazon’s dominant position and business model in the market, having negative implications for authors, publishers and consumers. Publishers have less control over setting the price to have access to Amazon’s customer base. This will affect the authors’ remuneration and attribution. On the other hand, Kindle users are locked-in consumers, limited to Amazon’s e-book offering. This not only affects consumer choice but also reinforces Amazon’s market power due to the significant network effects. The European Commission attempted to increase competition in the e-book market by banning most-favourite-nation clauses, but this has seemingly failed. This article advocates for enforcing the Kindle’s interoperability with the e-book formats of other e-book providers. The proposed approach is beneficial for publishers as well as consumers. It safeguards copyright aims while alleviating the contractual constraints imposed by Amazon. Furthermore, consumers would benefit from broader flexibility when using their Kindle, allowing them to store and read e-books from the provider of their choice.
Role of Wnt-signaling inhibitors DKK-1 and sclerostin in bone fragility associated with Turner syndrome
Authors: Chiarito M. , Piacente L. , Chaoul N. , Pontrelli P. , D’Amato G. , Grandone A. , Russo G. , Street M. E. , Wasniewska M. G. , Brunetti G. , Faienza M. F.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Girls affected with Turner syndrome (TS) present with low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteopenia/osteoporosis. Thus, they have an increased risk to develop fractures compared to normal population. The aim of this study was to deepen the pathophysiology of skeletal fragility in TS subjects by evaluating the serum levels of Dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) and sclerostin, main regulators of bone mass, as well as the percentage of circulating osteoblast precursors (OCPs).

Methods

Thirty-four TS girls and 24 controls were recruited. All subjects underwent anthropometric measures (height, weight, body mass index-BMI). A peripheral venous blood sample was collected to determine serum levels of active intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-OH vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP), osteocalcin, sclerostin, DKK-1, RANKL and OPG. OCPs were detected by flow cytometry. In TS subjects bone mineralization was measured at lumbar spine by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).

Results

bALP, 25-OH Vitamin D, and osteocalcin levels were significant lower in TS subjects than in the controls. Statistically significant higher levels of sclerostin, DKK-1 and RANKL were measured in patients compared with the controls. The percentage of OCPs did not show significant differences between patients and controls. Sclerostin and DKK-1 levels were related with anthropometric parameters, bone metabolism markers, HRT, rhGH therapy, RANKL and lumbar BMAD-Z-score.

Conclusion

TS patients showed higher levels of sclerostin and DKK-1 than controls which can be related to HRT, and to reduced bone formation markers as well as the increased bone resorption activity.
Top R&D investors, structural change and the R&D growth performance of young and old firms
Authors: Moncada-Paternò-Castello Pietro
Published: March 2022

This paper investigates the structural change of the major economies through the lens of the leading global corporate R&D investors. Moreover, we explore the relationship between R&D intensity, capital intensity and profitability and R&D investment growth for young and old firms. Contrary to common understanding, our results show that in the EU the R&D distribution between sectors has changed – similar to the USA; however, the USA has experienced a very strong shift towards ICT-related sectors, which makes its change more visible. Both the EU and the USA have experienced a slower pace of structural change than emerging economies. Our results also indicate that capital and R&D intensity may have a complementary effect on long-term R&D performance, which can vary according to a firm’s age. The specific nature of the sample allows us to link our results to the Schumpeterian waves of innovation and the changes of techno-economic paradigms rather than alternative interpretation of management literature. Policy implications are discussed accordingly.
An Efficient Solution to Ray Tracing Problems in Multimedia Photogrammetry for Flat Refractive Interfaces
Authors: Rofallski Robin , Luhmann Thomas
Published: March 2022

Understanding and considering refraction effects are important parts of the demanding task of multimedia photogrammetry, especially with planar interfaces, so-called ”flat ports”. Yet, it remains challenging to determine reliable calibration results that are both quickly acquired and physically interpretable. In this contribution, a novel object-based optimization algorithm, relying on ray tracing methods, is introduced. It enables calibrating physical parameters of all involved refractive properties with reduced computational effort, compared to other standard algorithms in ray tracing. We show that this solution produces equally accurate results as other ray tracing approaches while improving processing speed by a factor of approximately ten and providing a statistical metric in object space. Furthermore, we show in a laboratory investigation that explicit calibration of refractive properties is crucial even with orthogonally aligned bundle-invariant interfaces for highest accuracy, as accuracy in object space is decreased by about 10% with implicit calibration. With deviation from orthogonality by about ten degrees this decreases even further to almost no useful results and accuracy loss of more than 50% compared to explicit calibration results.
Systematic literature review of context-awareness applications supported by smart cities’ infrastructures
Authors: Pacheco Rocha Nelson , Dias Ana , Santinha Gonçalo , Rodrigues Mário , Rodrigues Carlos , Queirós Alexandra , Bastardo Rute , Pavão João
Published: March 2022

Since none of the existing systematic reviews of the literature related to smart cities have focused on smart cities applications using context-aware features, this study aims to provide a comprehensive view of (1) the characteristics of context-aware applications supported by smart cities’ infrastructures, (2) the characteristics of the context-aware technologies being used, and (3) the maturity level of the identified applications. An electronic search was conducted on Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases, combining relevant keywords. After the studies’ selection, 27 studies were included. The results show the interest in using context-aware features to develop smart cities’ applications targeting public health, tourism experience, urban mobility, active citizenship, shopping experience, management of urban infrastructures, public alerts, recommenders, and smart environments. Moreover, the applications reported by the included studies do not allow the execution of actions without the explicit consent of the users, and they integrate personal sensors, sensors deployed in the city and crowdsourcing mechanisms to acquire primary context attributes (i.e., location, activity, and environment) and secondary context attributes (i.e., speed, physical activity, points of interest, stress, and tourists’ emotions). In addition, the included studies present scarce details about context reasoning, data privacy, integrity, and confidentiality, data aggregation and accuracy, and data interoperability. Finally, the results also indicate low maturity level of the developed applications, which is evidenced by the lack of user-centred evaluations, as well as by the difficulty in integrating important technologies being developed for smart cities.
Cultural Keystone Places and the Chumash Landscapes of Kumqaq’, Point Conception, California
Authors: Rick Torben C. , Braje Todd J. , Graham Lain , Easterday Kelly , Hofman Courtney A. , Holguin Brian E. , Mychajliw Alexis M. , Reeder-Myers Leslie A. , Reynolds Mark D.
Published: March 2022

The places in which people live and spend time are steeped in history, memory, and meaning from the intersection of daily life, environmental interactions, cultural practices, and ritual. Geologic features, plants, animals, and ecosystems merge with these cultural histories, forming critical parts of the landscape and areas of “high cultural salience,” or “cultural keystone places” (CKPs). We identify Kumqaq’ (Point Conception) and the surrounding area in California as a Chumash CKP. Ethnohistoric accounts and contemporary Chumash community members have long demonstrated the importance of Point Conception in Chumash worldview and identity, whereas biologists, ecologists, and conservationists reference the area's rich biodiversity and significance as a biogeographical boundary. Recent archaeological survey of the coastline surrounding Kumqaq’ highlights these connections, identifying over 50 archaeological sites—including shell middens, villages, lithic scatters, and rock art—with at least 9,000 years of occupation. Ongoing collaborations among archaeologists, the Nature Conservancy, and Chumash community members help document and understand the long-term linkages between cultural and biological diversity and how integrating these perspectives can help ensure the resilience of this nexus of human and natural history in the Anthropocene future.
The Implications of the Adoption of a Model Sexual Harassment Policy Within the Flower Sector in Kenya
Authors: Kuira Mary
Published: March 2022

The Kenyan flower industry is one of the largest in the world and it is estimated to contribute around one per cent to Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP).1 According to the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), Kenya exports about 70 per cent of its cut flowers for sale on the European market.2 Women constitute around 65 to 75 per cent of the workforce in the Kenyan flower industry, performing unskilled and poorly paid jobs.3 Female floriculture workers in Kenya experience high rates of sexual harassment (SH) and other forms of workplace violence.4 SH is deeply rooted in power imbalances between the parties involved, which can impact on the ability of the victim to resist or expressly indicate that the conduct is unwelcome. Such power imbalance can threaten victims into silence, resulting in incidences going unreported.5 According to a study on gender, rights and participation in the cut flower industry in Kenya, SH is particularly prevalent among women who are supervised by male managers.6 It was found that the persistence of SH is related to the hierarchical employment structure of floriculture companies, coupled with the lack of female managerial staff, both of which also prevented women from reporting incidences of SH.
Selling Stereotypes: Reviewing the Impact of Business Advertisements on Gender Norms and Socialization
Authors: Gutmann Bernadette , Jha Shreyasi , O’Doherty Emer , Banerji Ranjavati
Published: March 2022

Today’s children and youth1 are constantly exposed to a media deluge, fuelled by a globalized and ever-expanding media and information technology sector. The marketing and advertising industry has used this expansion in media platforms to more effectively target young consumers. Worldwide, 71 per cent of youth (aged 15–24 years) is online – the most connected age group – compared with 48 per cent of the total population, with regional variations.2 It is estimated that the amount spent globally on advertising targeting children in 2019 was US$4.3 billion – now one of the fastest-growing online audiences.3
Private Military and Security Companies and Gendered Human Rights Challenges: Oversight or Blatant Disregard?
Authors: MacLeod Sorcha , van Amstel Nelleke
Published: March 2022

It is well documented that the private military and security industry has the capacity to do great gendered harms to both those it encounters and those it employs.1 Significantly, it is also a sector where a variety of human rights-based approaches, instruments and mechanisms have emerged beyond the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).2 The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Providers (ICoC) addresses gender, and sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and explicitly requires private military and security companies (PMSCs) to integrate a gender perspective in their practices.3 Through an examination of publicly available documents and policies required for PMSCs certified as complying with the ICoC, this piece evaluates whether PMSCs do in fact integrate a gender perspective into their human rights policies and grievance procedures (see Table 1).4 Our study of certified PMSCs demonstrates that despite increased attention to the potential for negative gender impacts in the sector, companies have not developed gender-responsive policies and procedures. It can be said, therefore, that gender is not addressed in any meaningful way by PMSCs. More specifically, we conclude that PMSCs have not yet shown the required holistic understanding of gendered impacts and barriers that is required to respect human rights, and that further efforts are needed in the sector.
Government Formation and the Radical Right: A Swedish Exception?
Authors: Backlund Anders
Published: March 2022

This article tests the claim that government cooperation between mainstream parties and radical right parties can be explained by coalition theory. It does so by analysing three Swedish cases of coalition formation where the radical right Sweden Democrats (SD) have remained excluded despite holding a pivotal position in the parliament. It argues that, with the right analytical tools, this exclusion can be explained by coalition theory: cooperation with the SD has been unattractive in terms of policy, and unnecessary because the mainstream parties have been able to form viable minority governments. This argument requires three things: first, that we consider the two-dimensional nature of Swedish politics; second, that we shift the focus from majority government to viable government; and third, that we acknowledge strategic time horizons that extend well into the future. The findings contribute to our understanding of coalition formation and of how mainstream parties respond strategically to the radical right.
Real World Performance of SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Diagnostic Tests in Various Clinical Settings
Authors: Regev-Yochay Gili , Kriger Or , Mina Michael J. , Beni Sharon , Rubin Carmit , Mechnik Bella , Hason Sabrina , Biber Elad , Nadaf Bian , Kreiss Yitshak , Amit Sharon
Published: March 2022

Objective:

To assess the validity of Antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDT) for SARS-CoV-2 as decision support tool in various hospital-based clinical settings.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients and Healthcare workers (HCW).

Setting:

A large tertiary teaching medical center serving as a major COVID-19 hospitalizing facility.

Participants and Methods:

Ag-RDTs’ performance was assessed in three clinical settings: 1. Symptomatic patients and HCW presenting at the Emergency Departments 2. Asymptomatic patients screened upon hospitalization 3. HCW of all sectors tested at the HCW clinic following exposure.

Results:

We obtained 5172 samples from 4595 individuals, who had both Ag-RDT and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results available. Of these, 485 samples were positive by qRT-PCR. The positive percent agreement (PPA) of Ag-RDT was greater for lower cycle threshold (Ct) values, reaching 93% in cases where Ct-value was <25 and 85% where Ct-value was <30. PPA was similar between symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. We observed a significant correlation between Ct-value and time from infection onset (p<0.001).

Conclusions:

Ag-RDT are highly sensitive to the infectious stage of COVID-19 manifested by either high viral load (lower Ct) or proximity to infection, whether patient is symptomatic or asymptomatic. Thus, this simple-to-use and inexpensive detection method can be used as a decision support tool in various in-hospital clinical settings, assisting patient flow and maintaining sufficient hospital staffing.
Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exposure investigations using genomic sequencing among healthcare workers and patients in a large academic center
Authors: Smith Leigh , Morris C. Paul , Jibowu Morgan H. , Fallon Susan , Ray Stuart C. , Cosgrove Sara E. , Curless Melanie S. , Fabre Valeria , Karaba Sara M. , Maragakis Lisa L , Milstone Aaron M , Sick-Samuels Anna C. , Trexler Polly , Mostafa Heba H. , Rock Clare ,   for the CDC Prevention Epicenter Program
Published: March 2022

Severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmissions among healthcare workers and hospitalized patients are challenging to confirm. Investigation of infected persons often reveals multiple potential risk factors for viral acquisition. We combined exposure investigation with genomic analysis confirming 2 hospital-based clusters. Prolonged close contact with unmasked, unrecognized infectious, individuals was a common risk.
The effect of periodicity in the elastic turbulence regime
Authors: Dzanic V. , From C.S. , Sauret E.
Published: March 2022

In this work, we show that the double-periodic boundary conditions typically applied in numerical simulations of elastic turbulence can lead to significantly incorrect results if not treated properly. This is demonstrated by simulating elastic turbulence using the popular four-roll mill benchmark at different levels of periodicity, namely, 16, 36 and 64 rolls using the popular Oldroyd-B model with added artificial diffusivity. We find that the initial onset of elastic turbulence causes a breakdown in symmetry independent of periodicity, which is characterised by a leading vortex and is known to be attributed to artificial diffusivity. Beyond this initial transition, the standard four-roll mill case transitions into a periodic state, a well-known characteristic from the literature. On the other hand, the cases with higher levels of periodicity quickly overcome the effects of a leading vortex and experience purely chaotic flow fluctuations, characterised by a broadband spectrum and steep power law behaviour. Certain qualities of the flow at higher levels of periodicity are reminiscent of the true solutions of elastic turbulence obtained numerically without any artificial diffusivity (Gupta & Vincenzi, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 870, 2019). These results suggest that the well-known periodic states observed for the four-roll mill are due to insufficient periodicity as the problem transitions into the elastic turbulence regime, leading to a dominant vortex cycling around all four quadrants of the unit cell throughout time unable to recover the initial symmetry. This work demonstrates the importance and caution required when applying periodic boundary conditions in numerical experiments of the elastic turbulence regime and further emphasises the impact and care required for artificial diffusivity.