bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photocatalytic Water‐Splitting by Organic Conjugated Polymers: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Mansha Muhammad , Ahmad Tauqir , Ullah Nisar , Akram Khan Safyan , Ashraf Muhammad , Ali Shahid , Tan Bein , Khan Ibrahim
Published: March 2022

The future challenges associated with the shortage of fossil fuels and their current environmental impacts intrigued the researchers to look for alternative ways of generating green energy. Solar‐driven water splitting into oxygen and hydrogen is one of those advanced strategies. Researchers have studied various semiconductor materials to achieve potential results. However, it encountered multiple challenges such as high cost, low photostability and efficiency, and required multistep modifications. The conjugated polymers (CPs) have emerged as promising alternatives for conventional inorganic semiconductors. The CPs offer low cost, sufficient light absorption efficiency, excellent photo and chemical stability, and molecular optoelectronic tunable characteristics. Furthermore, organic CPs also present higher flexibility to tune the basic framework of the backbone of the polymers, amendments in the sidechain to incorporate desired functionalities, and much‐needed porosity to serve better for photocatalytic applications. This review article summarizes the recent advancements made in visible‐light‐driven water splitting covering the aspects of synthetic strategies and experimental parameters employed for water splitting reactions with special emphasis on conjugated polymers such as linear CPs, planarized CPs, graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and conjugated polymer‐based nanocomposites (CPNCs). The current challenges and future prospects have also been described briefly.
Barriers to the institutionalization of industrial energy efficiency in Africa: A case study from Uganda
Authors: Tesfamichael Meron , Twinomujuni Edson , Ogeya Mbeo , Ssebagala Silver , Mulugetta Yacob
Published: March 2022

Uganda has ambitions to become a middle‐income country by 2040. Achieving this goal would require an economic transformation that is led and aided by industrialization. Economic transformation and industrialization also require efficient utilization of energy, including electricity. The cost of electricity in Uganda is not cheap; thus, there is an incentive for industries and policymakers to invest in energy efficiency measures. The fact that energy efficiency could contribute to climate and other social policy objectives is also an added advantage. Since the mid‐2000s, following a power crisis, the Government of Uganda has taken several initiatives to promote energy efficiency within the industrial sector. However, although targeted interventions delivered demonstrable gains, efforts to institutionalize industrial energy efficiency remains a challenge. In this article, we use institutional theory and the political economy approach to explore why institutionalization has been difficult to achieve in Uganda. The article pays attention to the underlying political and economic processes to observe the factors that contribute to the non‐institutionalized status. The article argues the need to build a robust regulatory framework with a deliberate intent to broaden consensus around a shared understanding of the trade‐offs and benefits associated with energy efficiency.

This article is categorized under:

Policy and Economics > Regional and International Strategies

Sustainable Energy > Energy Efficiency

Sustainable Development > Emerging Economies
Minimizing extinction risk in the face of uncertainty: Developing conservation strategies for 2 rapidly declining forest bird species on Kaua‘i Island
Authors: Paxton Eben H. , Crampton Lisa H. , Vetter John P. , Laut Megan , Berry Lainie , Morey Steve
Published: March 2022

Many species around the world are declining precipitously as a result of multiple threats and changing climate. Managers tasked with protecting species often face difficult decisions in regard to identifying which threats should be addressed, given limited resources and uncertainty in the success of any identified management action. On Kaua‘i Island, Hawai‘i, USA, forest bird species have experienced accelerated declines over the last 20 years, and 2 species, the ‘akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi) and ‘akeke‘e (Loxops caeruleirostris), are now at the brink of extinction. Both species face multiple threats, and managers face difficult decisions on whether to mitigate threats in the wild, establish a captive population as insurance against extinction, translocate birds to novel locations, or some combination of these actions. Each set of actions (alternatives) would require substantial resources with considerable uncertainty in success. In 2014, we brought together 14 experts representing biologists and managers familiar with the species and island to develop a conservation strategy under a structured decision making (SDM) framework, an approach for making complex decisions under uncertainty. The group's challenge was to identify a set of alternatives that reduces the risk of extinction, set the foundation for one or more genetically viable, reproducing, stable to increasing populations in 10 years, and promote conditions for long‐term persistence in the wild. Multiple alternatives were evaluated, via expert judgement, in terms of the probability they would achieve the objectives concerning immediate extinction risk, near‐term viability, and adequacy of habitat. Factors that might impede the success of each action were also evaluated. The process identified the establishment of a captive population and efforts to stabilize the existing wild population as the approach most likely to meet the objectives of preventing imminent extinction and ensuring long‐term viability.
Global weak solution to the degenerate quantum Navier‐Stokes‐Maxwell equations with damping term
Authors: Wang Guangwu , Guo Boling
Published: March 2022

In this paper we investigate the global existence of the finite energy weak solution to the isentropic quantum Navier‐Stokes‐Maxwell equations with density‐dependent viscosity and the damping term in three‐dimensional periodic domain. This model is composed of the isentropic compressible Navier‐Stokes‐Maxwell equation with density‐dependent viscosity, the quantum Bohm potential and a damping term. This model can be used to describe the motion of the particle in the plasma under the electric–magnetic field. The main techniques are the Faedo‐Galerkin method, some imbedding inequalities and some compactness theorems.
Combinatorial solution of the eclectic spin chain
Authors: Ahn Changrim , Corcoran Luke , Staudacher Matthias
Published: March 2022

Abstract

The one-loop dilatation operator in the holomorphic 3-scalar sector of the dynamical fishnet theory is studied. Due to the non-unitary nature of the underlying field theory this operator, dubbed in [1] the eclectic spin chain Hamiltonian, is non-diagonalisable. The corresponding spectrum of Jordan blocks leads to logarithms in the two-point functions, which is characteristic of logarithmic conformal field theories. It was conjectured in [2] that for certain filling conditions and generic couplings the spectrum of the eclectic model is equivalent to the spectrum of a simpler model, the hypereclectic spin chain. We provide further evidence for this conjecture, and introduce a generating function which fully characterises the Jordan block spectrum of the simplified model. This function is found by purely combinatorial means and is simply related to the q-binomial coefficient.
Killing-Yano Cotton currents
Authors: Lindström Ulf , Sarıoğlu Özgür
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We discuss conserved currents constructed from the Cotton tensor and (conformal) Killing-Yano tensors (KYTs). We consider the corresponding charges generally and then exemplify with the four-dimensional Plebański-Demiański metric where they are proportional to the sum of the squares of the electric and the magnetic charges. As part of the derivation, we also find the two conformal Killing-Yano tensors of the Plebański-Demiański metric in the recently introduced coordinates of Podolsky and Vratny. The construction of asymptotic charges for the Cotton current is elucidated and compared to the three-dimensional construction in Topologically Massive Gravity. For the three-dimensional case, we also give a conformal superspace multiplet that contains the Cotton current in the bosonic sector. In a mathematical section, we derive potentials for the currents, find identities for conformal KYTs and for KYTs in torsionful backgrounds.
Transverse momentum dependent distributions in dijet and heavy hadron pair production at EIC
Authors: del Castillo Rafael F. , Echevarria Miguel G. , Makris Yiannis , Scimemi Ignazio
Published: March 2022

Abstract

We discuss the measurement of gluon transverse momentum distribution (TMD) in dijet and heavy hadron pair (HHP) production in semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering. The factorization of these processes in position space shows the appearance of a specific new soft factor matrix element on top of angular and complex valued anomalous dimensions. We show in detail how these features can be treated consistently and we discuss a scale prescription for the evolution kernel of the dijet soft function. As a result we obtain phenomenological predictions for unpolarized and angular modulated cross-sections for the electron-ion collider (EIC) using current available information on unpolarized TMD.
Einfluss von lokalen Therapiemaßnahmen auf die Biologie des fortschreitenden Prostatakarzinoms
Authors: Linxweiler Johannes , Hajili Turkan , Saar Matthias , Maßmann Christina , Junker Kerstin , Stöckle Michael
Published: March 2022

Hintergrund

In den letzten 15 Jahren zeigt sich ein Trend hin zu einem längeren Überleben beim metastasierten Prostatakarzinom. Neben dem durch neue Medikamente bedingten Fortschritt deuten retrospektive Daten auch auf einen möglichen positiven Effekt einer früheren Primärtumorbehandlung hin.

Fragestellung

Kann eine Primärtumorbehandlung im Falle einer späteren Metastasierung die Prognose der betroffenen Patienten verbessern und wenn ja, über welche Mechanismen?

Material und Methode

Wir werteten die klinischen Langzeitergebnisse von 115 Patienten aus, die bei T4-Prostatakarzinomen nach induktiver Hormontherapie an unserer Klinik prostatektomiert worden waren. Weiterhin erfolgte eine kritische Durchsicht und Diskussion der zur oben genannten Fragestellung vorhandenen Literatur.

Ergebnisse

Von den 115 Patienten hatten 84 im weiteren Verlauf ein biochemisches Rezidiv erlitten, waren also definitiv durch die radikale Prostatektomie nicht geheilt. Das tumorspezifische und das Gesamtüberleben dieser 84 Patienten lag nach 150 Monaten bei 61 % bzw. 44 %. Bemerkenswert war die Beobachtung, dass diese Patienten ein überraschend gutes und langes Ansprechen auf eine Hormontherapie zeigten. Von den 84 Patienten waren nach durchschnittlich 95 Monaten Nachbeobachtungszeit noch 47 am Leben. 31 von ihnen, also ungefähr zwei Drittel, standen immer noch unter einer Standardhormontherapie. Nur 13 hatten eine Resistenz gegen die primäre Hormontherapie entwickelt und entsprechend eine tertiäre Hormontherapie erhalten, auf die sie teilweise aber auch wieder langfristig sensibel blieben.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die Primärtumorentfernung, zumindest unter den beschriebenen Begleitumständen, scheint die Entwicklung einer Hormonresistenz beim metastasierten Prostatakarzinom hinauszögern und in Einzelfällen sogar ganz verhindern zu können.
Uncovering the molecular identity of cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) by single-cell RNA sequencing
Authors: Kogan Palgit-S. , Wirth Felix , Tomar Archana , Darr Jonatan , Teperino Raffaele , Lahm Harald , Dreßen Martina , Puluca Nazan , Zhang Zhong , Neb Irina , Beck Nicole , Luzius Tatjana , de la Osa de la Rosa Luis , Gärtner Kathrin , Hüls Corinna , Zeidler Reinhard , Ramanujam Deepak , Engelhardt Stefan , Wenk Catharina , Holdt Lesca M. , Mononen Mimmi , Sahara Makoto , Cleuziou Julie , Hörer Jürgen , Lange Rüdiger , Krane Markus , Doppler Stefanie A.
Published: March 2022

Cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) generated from human cardiac biopsies have been shown to have disease-modifying bioactivity in clinical trials. Paradoxically, CDCs’ cellular origin in the heart remains elusive. We studied the molecular identity of CDCs using single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq) in comparison to cardiac non-myocyte and non-hematopoietic cells (cardiac fibroblasts/CFs, smooth muscle cells/SMCs and endothelial cells/ECs). We identified CDCs as a distinct and mitochondria-rich cell type that shared biological similarities with non-myocyte cells but not with cardiac progenitor cells derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells. CXCL6 emerged as a new specific marker for CDCs. By analysis of sc-RNAseq data from human right atrial biopsies in comparison with CDCs we uncovered transcriptomic similarities between CDCs and CFs. By direct comparison of infant and adult CDC sc-RNAseq data, infant CDCs revealed GO-terms associated with cardiac development. To analyze the beneficial effects of CDCs (pro-angiogenic, anti-fibrotic, anti-apoptotic), we performed functional in vitro assays with CDC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). CDC EVs augmented in vitro angiogenesis and did not stimulate scarring. They also reduced the expression of pro-apoptotic Bax in NRCMs. In conclusion, CDCs were disclosed as mitochondria-rich cells with unique properties but also with similarities to right atrial CFs. CDCs displayed highly proliferative, secretory and immunomodulatory properties, characteristics that can also be found in activated or inflammatory cell types. By special culture conditions, CDCs earn some bioactivities, including angiogenic potential, which might modify disease in certain disorders.
Optimizing intraocular lens power calculation using adjusted conventional keratometry for cataract surgery combined with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty
Authors: Diener Raphael , Treder Maximilian , Lauermann Jost Lennart , Eter Nicole , Alnawaiseh Maged
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To evaluate the utility of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation using adjusted conventional keratometry (K) according to postoperative posterior to preoperative anterior corneal curvature radii (PPPA) ratio for eyes with Fuch’s dystrophy undergoing cataract surgery combined with Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (triple DMEK).

Methods

A fictitious refractive index (FRI) was determined (Pentacam HR®) based on the PPPA ratio in 50 eyes undergoing triple DMEK. Adjusted corneal power was calculated in every eye using adjusted K values: K values determined by the IOLMaster were converted to adjusted anterior corneal radius using the mean FRI. Posterior corneal radius was calculated using the mean PPPA ratio. Adjusted corneal power was determined based on the calculated corneal radii and thick lens formula. Refractive errors calculated using the Haigis, SRK/T, and HofferQ formulae based on the adjusted corneal power were compared with those based on conventional K measurements.

Results

Calculated PPPA ratio and FRI were 0.801 and 1.3271. Mean prediction error based on conventional K was in the hyperopic direction (Haigis: 0.84D; SRK/T: 0.74D; HofferQ: 0.74D) and significantly higher (P < 0.001) than that based on adjusted corneal power (0.18D, 0.22D, and 15D, respectively).

When calculated according to adjusted corneal power, the percentage of eyes with a hyperopic shift > 0.5D fell significantly from 64 to 30% (Haigis), 62 to 36% (SRK/T), and 58 to 26% (HofferQ), respectively.

Conclusion

IOL power calculation based on adjusted corneal power can be used to reduce the risk of a hyperopic shift after triple DMEK and provides a more accurate refractive outcome than IOL power calculation using conventional K.
Position statement of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology on infection screening, prophylaxis, and vaccination of pediatric patients with rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies: Part 1 (screening)
Authors: Cuadros Esmeralda Núñez , Calzada-Hernández Joan , Clemente Daniel , Martín Sara Guillén , Silveira Laura Fernández , Lirola-Cruz María José , Tagarro Alfredo , Lovillo Marisol Camacho , Rueda Rosa María Alcobendas , López Agustín López , Aritziturri Miren Satrustegi , Calvo Cristina
Published: March 2022

This study provides practical recommendations on infection screening in pediatric patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies. For this reason, a qualitative approach was applied. A narrative literature review was performed via Medline. Primary searches were conducted using Mesh and free texts to identify articles that analyzed data on infections and vaccinations in pediatric patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies. The results were presented and discussed in a nominal group meeting, comprising a committee of 12 pediatric rheumatologists from the infections prevention and treatment working group of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology. Several recommendations were generated. A consensus procedure was implemented via a Delphi process that was extended to members of the Spanish Society of Pediatric Rheumatology and Vaccine Advisory Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics. Participants to the process produced a score ranging from 0 = totally disagree to 10 = totally agree. Agreement was considered if at least 70% of participants voted ≥ 7. The literature review included more than 400 articles. Overall, 63 recommendations were generated (21 on infection screening) voted by 59 pediatric rheumatologists and other pediatric specialists, all of them achieving the pre-established agreement level. The recommendations on screening cover all the procedures (serology, assessment of risk factors, and other clinical activities) connected with the screening for infections including tuberculosis; hepatitis A, B, and C viruses; measles; mumps; rubella; diphtheria; and other infections. 

Conclusion: Screening for infections is an essential part of risk management in pediatric patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases and immunosuppressive therapies.

What is Known:

• Infectious diseases and related complications are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases.

• At present, practical information on infectious prophylaxis in children with rheumatic diseases is limited, and often extrapolated from children with cancer.

What is New:

• In the absence of evidence, a literature review and a Delphi survey were conducted to establish a series of expert recommendations that would be useful in clinical practice, providing a practical and simple day-to-day approach to be used by pediatric rheumatologists.
Datenbasierte, adaptive Regelung von Servomotoren für Industrieroboter
Authors: Ranisch Christopher , Koch Heiko , Streul Timm
Published: March 2022

Datenbasierte Schätzalgorithmen (z. B. künstliche neuronale Netze oder Support Vector Machines) sind eine robuste Alternative zu konventionellen, physikalischen Modellen für adaptive Regler. Dieser Typ Algorithmus kann anhand von empirischen Daten nichtlineare und zeitvariante dynamische Systeme identifizieren sowie zukünftige Ausgangsgrößen prognostizieren. Tiefere Kenntnisse über die Physik des technischen Systems sind somit nicht mehr notwendig, und es können einfach und schnell Modelle abgeleitet werden. Speziell für Industrieroboter eröffnen datenbasierte Schätzalgorithmen neue Möglichkeiten. So muss die nichtlineare Dynamik des Roboters je nach Pose und Last nicht durch komplexe kinematische Gleichungen berechnet, sondern kann aufgrund von Sensordaten geschätzt werden. Dies spart Berechnungszeit bei gleichbleibend hoher Modellgüte. Des Weiteren kann der Regler deutlich schneller bei geänderten Randbedingungen des Roboters, wie beispielsweise stark unterschiedlichen mechanischen Lasten am Endeffektor, adaptiert werden. In diesem Beitrag wird exemplarisch die Auslegung eines datenbasierten, modellprädiktiven Reglers sowohl für einen sechs- als auch für einen einachsigen Gelenkprüfstand diskutiert. Hierbei erfolgen der Entwurf und die Validierung des Reglers anhand einer Co-Simulation bestehend aus Mehrkörper- und Systemsimulation. Designparameter der Regelung (Größe des Modells, Trainingsdaten, Optimierer etc.) werden diskutiert. Schließlich erfolgt eine experimentelle Validierung an einem einachsigen Gelenkprüfstand.
Do Social Media Marketing Activities Improve Brand Loyalty? An Empirical Study on Luxury Fashion Brands
Authors: Fetais Abdulla H. , Algharabat Raed S. , Aljafari Abdullah , Rana Nripendra P.
Published: March 2022

This research aims to investigate the impact of social media marketing activities (SMMa) on brand loyalty directly and through mediating variables community engagement and lovemark. To propose a research model, we used the theories including lovemark theory, engagement theory and brand equity theory. As a result, this research investigates the impact of SMMa, community engagement, and lovemark on brand loyalty. Using an online survey, we collected data from 464 female participants who are following luxury fashion brands on major social networking sites including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter. Results using PLS revealed that SMMa positively influences community engagement and lovemark. Moreover, we find positive relationships between community engagement, lovemark and brand loyalty. However, we find that SMMa has no direct influence on brand loyalty.
The Athena X-IFU Instrument Simulator xifusim
Authors: Kirsch C. , Lorenz M. , Peille P. , Dauser T. , Ceballos M. T. , Cobo B. , Merino-Alonso P. E. , Cucchetti E. , Smith S. J. , Gottardi L. , Hartog R. H. den , Miniussi A. , Durkin M. , Prêle D. , Wilms J.
Published: March 2022

We present the instrument simulator developed for the X-ray Integral Field Unit X-IFU aboard the planned Athena mission. aims to be an accurate representation of the entire instrument, starting from a full simulation of the Transition-Edge Sensor (TES) array receiving impact photons unconstrained by the small signal limit. Its output current is then propagated through the entire readout chain, including multiplexing, amplification and the digital readout. The final output consists of triggered records, which can be post-processed to reconstruct the photon energies. The readout chain itself is separated into individual, modular blocks with several possible models for each, allowing the simulation of different readout schemes or models of varying physical accuracy at the expense of run time. New models are implemented as necessary to enable studies of the overall readout chain. Such studies are also facilitated by fine-grained control of the simulation output, including the internal state of intermediate simulation blocks. In addition to its modularity, also allows the manipulation of certain internal parameters during a run, enabling the simulation of readout chain characterization measurements, environmental drifts or various kinds of crosstalk.
Correction to: Thickness Dependence of Critical Current of Superfluid 3He Film
Authors: Saitoh Masamichi , Kono Kimitoshi
Published: March 2022

The article “Thickness Dependence of Critical Current of Superfluid 3He Film”, written by Masamichi Saitoh, Kimitoshi Kono, was originally published electronically on the publisher's internet portal on 26 May 2007 without open access.
Therapists’ Emotional Reactions to Patients with Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder: The Role of Therapists’ Orientation and Perfectionism
Authors: Pozza Andrea , Casale Silvia , Dèttore Davide
Published: March 2022

Therapist’s emotional response towards patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is under-investigated. This aspect might provide valuable information about therapists’ difficulties during sessions and support supervisory practice, since a proportion of OCD patients drop out due to issues related to the therapeutic relationship. In a sample of therapists, we explored the effects of therapists’ orientation (cognitive behavioural versus psychodynamic) and perfectionistic traits on their emotional responses towards patients with OCD, controlling for other variables potentially related to emotional response towards patients (i.e., therapists’ gender/age and patient’s comorbid personality disorders). Ninety-four therapists (74 women and 20 men; mean age = 42.07 ± 10.17 years), of which 47 (50%) had a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and 47 (50%) a psychodynamic orientation matched on gender and age, completed the Therapist Response Questionnaire and Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. Therapists with a CBT orientation reported less negative emotional responses, i.e., lower overwhelmed/disorganized, hostile/angry, criticised/devalued, parental/protective and special/over-involved emotions towards patients than therapists with a psychodynamic orientation. Therapists with higher perfectionistic traits (i.e., parents’ expectations/evaluation) had higher hostile/angry reactions, those with higher concerns over mistakes and doubts about actions had more intense criticised/devalued emotions, while those with stronger concerns with precision, order and organization had lower disengagement responses. The present study is the first investigation which sheds some light on the emotional responses of therapists towards OCD patients. Therapists’ CBT orientation and lower perfectionistic traits might be associated with better emotions. Therapists’ emotional responses, their psychotherapeutic orientation and levels of perfectionism should be considered during supervisory practice.
Inverse central ordering for the Newton interpolation formula
Authors: Carnicer J. M. , Khiar Y. , Peña J. M.
Published: March 2022

An inverse central ordering of the nodes is proposed for the Newton interpolation formula. This ordering may improve the stability for certain distributions of nodes. For equidistant nodes, an upper bound of the conditioning is provided. This bound is close to the bound of the conditioning in the Lagrange interpolation formula, whose conditioning is the lowest. This ordering is related to a pivoting strategy of a matrix elimination procedure called Neville elimination. The results are illustrated with examples.
Science, responsibility, and the philosophical imagination
Authors: Sample Matthew
Published: March 2022

If we cannot define science using only analysis or description, then we must rely on imagination to provide us with suitable objects of philosophical inquiry. This process ties our intellectual findings to the particular ways in which we philosophers think about scientific practice and carve out a cognitive space between real world practice and conceptual abstraction. As an example, I consider Heather Douglas’s work on the responsibilities of scientists and document her implicit ideal of science, defined primarily as an epistemic practice. I then contrast her idealization of science with an alternative: “technoscience,” a heuristic concept used to describe nanotechnology, synthetic biology, and similar “Mode 2” forms of research. This comparison reveals that one’s preferred imaginary of science, even when inspired by real practices, has significant implications for the distribution of responsibility. Douglas’s account attributes moral obligations to scientists, while the imaginaries associated with “technoscience” and “Mode 2 science” spread responsibility across the network of practice. This dynamic between mind and social order, I argue, demands an ethics of imagination in which philosophers of science hold themselves accountable for their imaginaries. Extending analogous challenges from feminist philosophy and Mills’s. “Ideal Theory’ as Ideology,” I conclude that we ought to reflect on the idiosyncrasy of the philosophical imagination and consider how our idealizations of science, if widely held, would affect our communities and broader society.
SSLE: A framework for evaluating the “Filter Bubble” effect on the news aggregator and recommenders
Authors: Han Han , Wang Can , Zhao Yunwei , Shu Min , Wang Wenlei , Min Yong
Published: March 2022

Recommendation algorithms are data filtering tools that make use of algorithms and data to recommend the most relevant items to a particular user. The algorithm-driven recommenders become indispensable and supersede search engines as the most important information dissemination channel. On one hand, it becomes an integral component in the existing social media, e.g. Weibo, Twitter, etc. On the other hand, news aggregators and recommenders have proliferated and gained an increasing market share. As a result, the previous studies usually study the “filter bubbles” phenomenon in the context where the social filtering dominates the dissemination of information. However, less attention is paid to the news aggregators and recommenders where algorithm-driven technological filtering dominates. Therefore, in the previous research, “filter bubbles” are usually equated with the community structure, but lack of the detailed analysis of the content agglomeration through the users’ interaction with the platforms. Based on these concerns, we propose a four-phase (“Selection”, “Setup”, “Link”, and “Evaluation”) skeletal solution framework targeted at exploiting the filter bubble effect of the personalized news aggregation and recommendation system. Furthermore, we illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework with a case study in three top Chinese news aggregators, i.e. Toutiao, Baidu News, and Tencent News. The results show that the users are narrowed into one or a limited number of topics over time. The phenomenon of the narrowed topics is deemed as the emergence of the “filter bubbles”. We also observe that the filter bubbles demonstrate different convergence degrees as user’s individual preference varies.
Two Concepts of Effort
Authors: Smilansky Saul
Published: March 2022

I distinguish between two concepts of effort, E-effort and T-effort. E-effort is the familiar one, which focuses on the experiential qualities of making an effort (such the energy and time we put into effort making, or the hardship we endure). Teleological effort (or T-effort) is the motivated and active focus on the intended purpose or goal of the effort; the aim to do what it takes to reach the target of the effort. When we make a T-effort we concentrate on the best way of getting to where we want to be, which may involve putting in less E-effort. Focusing upon T-efforts should help us both to better understand the relationship between effort and success; and to make what I call Real Efforts.
Gaming innovation ecosystem: actors, roles and co-innovation processes
Authors: Klimas Patrycja , Czakon Wojciech
Published: March 2022

Burgeoning research on innovation ecosystems offers a variety of conceptual approaches. Recent systematic literature reviews and syntheses provide a rich, diverse, but somehow abstract view of IEs. Our study advances the literature by taking the perspective of those involved in IEs. We aim to identify how various actors contribute to co-innovation in innovation ecosystems. In order to do so, our aim is to establish the various types of actors (who?), the distinct roles (what?), the different stages (when?), and the diverse engagement in co-innovation processes (how?). The study investigates the Polish Gaming Innovation Ecosystem as a globally successful example of a knowledge-intensive and highly creative innovation ecosystem. Data was collected over 3 years (between 2015 and 2017), in three waves of interviews (38) and non-participatory observations (5). We find that Gaming Innovation Ecosystem participants identify a total of 12 types of collective actors, 9 types of individual actors, and 1 community of individuals. Furthermore, we find four distinctive roles that actors may play in the co-creation processes, that is: direct value creation, supporting value creation, encouraging entrepreneurship, and leadership. Finally, we structure the co-innovation process into five stages: co-discovery, co-development, co-deployment, co-delivery and co-dissemination. We identify the diverse scope and varied intensity of actors’ engagement, depending on the co-innovation phase, as perceived by our informants.
The Future of Natural Killer Cell Immunotherapy for B Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (B Cell NHL)
Authors: Chu Yaya , Lamb Margaret , Cairo Mitchell S. , Lee Dean A.
Published: March 2022

Opinion statement

Natural killer (NK) cells have played a critical—if largely unrecognized or ignored—role in the treatment of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) since the introduction of CD20-directed immunotherapy with rituximab as a cornerstone of therapy over 25 years ago. Engagement with NK cells leading to lysis of NHL targets through antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a critical component of rituximab’s mechanism of action. Despite this important role, the only aspect of B cell NHL therapy that has been adopted as standard therapy that even indirectly augments or restores NK cell function is the introduction of obinutuzumab, a CD20 antibody with enhanced ability to engage with NK cells. However, over the last 5 years, adoptive immunotherapy with effector lymphocytes of B cell NHL has experienced tremendous growth, with five different CAR T cell products now licensed by the FDA, four of which target CD19 and have approved indications for some subtype of B cell NHL—axicabtagene ciloleucel, brexucabtagene autoleucel, lisocabtagene maraleucel, and tisagenlecleucel. These T cell-based immunotherapies essentially mimic the recognition, activation pathway, and cytotoxic machinery of a CD19 antibody engaging NK cells and lymphoma targets. Despite their efficacy, these T cell-based immunotherapies have been difficult to implement because they require 4–6 weeks of manufacture, are costly, and have significant toxicities. This renewed interest in the potential of cellular immunity—and the manufacturing, supply chain, and administration logistics that have been addressed with these new agents—have ignited a new wave of enthusiasm for NK cell-directed therapies in NHL. With high safety profiles and proven anti-lymphoma efficacy, one or more new NK cell-directed modalities are certain to be introduced into the standard toolbox of NHL therapy within the next few years, be it function-enhancing cytokine muteins, multi-domain NK cell engagers, or adoptive therapy with expanded or genetically modified NK cells.
Dual-Use and Trustworthy? A Mixed Methods Analysis of AI Diffusion Between Civilian and Defense R&D
Authors: Schmid Stefka , Riebe Thea , Reuter Christian
Published: March 2022

Artificial Intelligence (AI) seems to be impacting all industry sectors, while becoming a motor for innovation. The diffusion of AI from the civilian sector to the defense sector, and AI’s dual-use potential has drawn attention from security and ethics scholars. With the publication of the ethical guideline Trustworthy AI by the European Union (EU), normative questions on the application of AI have been further evaluated. In order to draw conclusions on Trustworthy AI as a point of reference for responsible research and development (R&D), we approach the diffusion of AI across both civilian and military spheres in the EU. We capture the extent of technological diffusion and derive European and German patent citation networks. Both networks indicate a low degree of diffusion of AI between civilian and defense sectors. A qualitative investigation of project descriptions of a research institute’s work in both civilian and military fields shows that military AI applications stress accuracy or robustness, while civilian AI reflects a focus on human-centric values. Our work represents a first approach by linking processes of technology diffusion with normative evaluations of R&D.
RESPONSE_ABILITY A Card-Based Engagement Method to Support Researchers’ Ability to Respond to Integrity Issues
Authors: Felt Ulrike , Frantz Florentine
Published: March 2022

Issues related to research integrity receive increasing attention in policy discourse and beyond with most universities having introduced by now courses addressing issues of good scientific practice. While communicating expectations and regulations related to good scientific practice is essential, criticism has been raised that integrity courses do not sufficiently address discipline and career-stage specific dimensions, and often do not open up spaces for in-depth engagement. In this article, we present the card-based engagement method RESPONSE_ABILITY, which aims at supporting researchers in developing their ability to respond to challenges of good scientific practice. The method acknowledges that what counts and what does not count as acceptable practice may not be as clear-cut as imagined and that research environments matter when it comes to integrity issues. Using four sets of cards as stimulus material, participants are invited to reflect individually and collectively about questions of research integrity from different perspectives. This approach is meant to train them to negotiate in which contexts certain practices can still be regarded as acceptable and where possible transgressions might begin. RESPONSE_ABILITY can be seen as fostering the creation of an integrity culture as it invites a more reflexive engagement with ideals and realities of good practice and opens a space to address underlying value conflicts researchers may be confronted with. Concluding the article, we call for caution that addressing issues of integrity meaningfully requires striking a delicate balance between raising researchers’ awareness of individual responsibilities and creating institutional environments that allow them to be response-able.
Metabolic effects of estradiol versus testosterone in complete androgen insensitivity syndrome
Authors: Auer Matthias K. , Birnbaum Wiebke , Hartmann Michaela F. , Holterhus Paul-Martin , Kulle Alexandra , Lux Anke , Marshall Luise , Rall Katarina , Richter-Unruh Annette , Werner Ralf , Wudy Stefan A. , Hiort Olaf
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To study differences in metabolic outcomes between testosterone and estradiol replacement in probands with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS).

Methods

In this multicentre, double-blind, randomized crossover trial, 26 women with CAIS were included of whom 17 completed the study. After a two-months run in phase with estradiol, probands either received transdermal estradiol followed by crossover to transdermal testosterone or vice versa. After six months, differences in lipids, fasting glucose, insulin, hematocrit, liver parameters and blood pressure between the treatment phases were investigated.

Results

Linear mixed models adjusted for period and sequence did not reveal major group differences according to treatment for the investigated outcomes. In each treatment group, there were however significant uniform changes in BMI and cholesterol. BMI increased significantly, following six months of estradiol ( + 2.7%;p = 0.036) as well as testosterone treatment ( + 2.8%;p = 0.036). There was also a significant increase in total ( + 10.4%;p = 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol ( + 29.2%;p = 0.049) and a decrease in HDL-cholesterol (−15.8%;p < 0.001) following six months of estradiol as well as six months of testosterone treatment (total cholesterol: + 14.6%;p = 0.008; LDL-cholesterol: + 39.1%;p = 0.005, HDL-cholesterol: −15.8%;p = 0.004). Other parameters remained unchanged.

Conclusion

Transdermal estradiol as well as testosterone treatment in women with CAIS results in worsening in lipid profiles. Given the relatively small sample size, subtle group differences in other metabolic parameters may have remained undetected.
Fatal Ogilvie’s syndrome after hip surgery and review of the literature
Authors: Aguiar Diego , Fracasso Tony , Lardi Christelle
Published: March 2022

Ogilvie’s syndrome refers to a massive dilation of the colon without mechanical obstruction. Although this syndrome is well-known in the clinical literature and may sometimes be encountered as a complication of abdominal, pelvic, or hip surgery, it has only been reported sporadically in the forensic literature. We present the case of a forensic autopsy carried out on a patient whose death was related to cecal necrosis with acute peritonitis due to Ogilvie’s syndrome following hip surgery. This diagnosis was based on clinical data, post-mortem imagery, autopsy findings, histological analysis, post-mortem chemistry, and microbiological analysis. A review of the literature and possible physiopathology of this disease are performed, while focusing on medico-legal perspectives.
6-Hydroxydopamine Induces Neurodegeneration in Terminally Differentiated SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells via Enrichment of the Nucleosomal Degradation Pathway: a Global Proteomics Approach
Authors: Magalingam Kasthuri Bai , Somanath Sushela Devi , Ramdas Premdass , Haleagrahara Nagaraja , Radhakrishnan Ammu Kutty
Published: March 2022

The SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells have been used for decades as a cell-based model of dopaminergic neurons to explore the underlying science of cellular and molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s disease (PD). However, data revealing the protein expression changes in 6-OHDA induced cytotoxicity in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells remain void. Therefore, we investigated the differentially regulated proteins expressed in terminally differentiated SH-SY5Y cells (differ-SH-SY5Y neural cells) exposed to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) using the LC–MS/MS technology and construed the data using the online bioinformatics databases such as PANTHER, STRING, and KEGG. Our studies demonstrated that the neuronal development in differ-SH-SY5Y neural cells was indicated by the overexpression of proteins responsible for neurite formations such as calnexin (CANX) and calreticulin (CALR) besides significant downregulation of ribosomal proteins. The enrichment of the KEGG ribosome pathway was detected with significant downregulation (p < 0.05) of all the 21 ribosomal proteins in differ-SH-SY5Y neural cells compared with undifferentiated cells. Whereas in the PD model, the pathological changes induced by 6-OHDA were indicated by the presence of unfolded and misfolded proteins, which triggered the response of 10 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP), namely HSPE1 and HSPA9. Moreover, the 6-OHDA-induced neurodegeneration in differ-SH-SY5Y neural cells also upregulated the voltage-dependent anion-selective channel protein 1 (VDAC1) protein and enriched the KEGG systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) pathway that was regulated by 17 histone proteins (p < 0.05) in differ-SH-SY5Y neural cells. These results suggest that the nucleosomal degradation pathway may have regulated the 6-OHDA induced neurodegeneration in PD cell-based model, which is reflected by increased apoptosis and histone release in differ-SH-SY5Y neural cells.
SEOM-GEINO clinical guideline of systemic therapy and management of brain central nervous system metastases (2021)
Authors: Martínez-García María , Servitja Tormo Sonia , Vilariño Quintela Noelia , Arance Fernández Ana , Berrocal Jaime Alfonso , Cantos Sánchez de Ibargüen Blanca , Del Barco Berrón Sonia , García Campelo Rosario , Gironés Sarrió Regina , Manuel Sepúlveda-Sánchez Juan
Published: March 2022

Central nervous system (CNS) dissemination is a severe complication in cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Brain metastases (BMs) are the most common types of malignant intracranial tumors and are reported in approximately 25% of patients with metastatic cancers. The recent increase in incidence of BMs is due to several factors including better diagnostic assessments and the development of improved systemic therapies that have lower activity on the CNS. However, newer systemic therapies are being developed that can cross the blood–brain barrier giving us additional tools to treat BMs. The guidelines presented here focus on the efficacy of new targeted systemic therapies and immunotherapies on CNS BMs from breast, melanoma, and lung cancers.
Low-Cost 3D-Printed Reactionware for the Determination of Fatty Acid Content in Edible Oils using a Base-Catalyzed Transesterification Method in Continuous Flow
Authors: du Preez A. , Meijboom R. , Smit E.
Published: March 2022

A low-cost flow system was designed, manufactured, and tested to perform automated base-catalyzed transesterification of triacylglycerols to determine the fatty acid content in edible oils. In combination with traditional gas chromatographic analysis (GC-FID), this approach provides a semi-automated process that requires minimal manual intervention. The main flow system components, namely syringe pumps, connectors (i.e., flangeless fittings), and reactors, were manufactured using 3D-printing technology, specifically fused deposition modeling (FDM). By fine-tuning 3D-printer settings, high-quality leak-tight fittings with standard threading were manufactured in polypropylene (PP), which reduced the overall cost of the flow system significantly. Due to the enhanced reactivity in flow, lower catalyst concentrations (≤ 1.5 wt.%) were needed compared to traditional batch reactions (5 wt.%). The suitability of the automated flow method was determined by comparing results with the certified fatty acid content in sunflower seed oil from Helianthus annuus. Acceptable levels of accuracy (relative errors < 5%) and precision (RSD values ≤ 0.02%) were achieved. The mostly 3D-printed flow system was successfully used to determine the fatty acid content of sunflower and other commercial edible oils, namely avocado oil, canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, and a canola and olive oil blend. Linoleic acid (C18:2) was the major component in sunflower oil, whereas all other oils consisted mainly of oleic acid (C18:1). The fatty acid content of the edible oils was comparable to certified and literature values.
Laser Enhanced Combinatorial Chemo-photothermal Therapy of Green Synthesis Gold Nanoparticles Loaded with 6Mercaptopurine on Breast Cancer Model
Authors: Faid Amna H. , Shouman Samia A. , Thabet Nadia A. , Badr Yehia A. , Sliem Mahmoud A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

We tend to evaluated a method for loading 6Mercaptopurine (6MP) on green synthesized hybrid chitosan gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) forming 6MP-AuNPs nanocomposite for the first time in combinatorial chemo-photothermal therapy.

Methods

The AuNPs were synthesized using chitosan as a reducing and capping agent. Different concentrations of 6MP were mixed AuNPs. Cells were incubated with 6MP and 6MP loaded AuNPs for 48 h and then exposed to laser.

Results

AuNPs and 6MP-AuNPs nanocomposite have small sizes of 18 ± 4 and 25 ± 5 nm and exhibit high stability with Zeta potential of 55.9 ± 6.3 and 57 ± 4 mV. 6MP-AuNPs nanocomposite irradiated with Diode Pumped Solid State (DPSS) laser showed a maximum inhibition in cell viability reaching 63% at 1.25 µM.

Conclusions

A hybrid chitosan gold nanoparticle is a powerful anti-cancer drug carrier as well as photothermal agent in combinatorial chemo-photothermal therapy.
A set of nuclear SNP loci derived from single sample double digest RAD and from pool sequencing for large-scale genetic studies in the European beech Fagus sylvatica
Authors: Blanc-Jolivet Celine , Mader Malte , Liesebach Heike , Kersten Birgit , Degen Bernd
Published: March 2022

The large-scale spatial genetic structure of European beech, Fagus sylvatica, has been until now poorly studied. We conducted double digest RAD sequencing (ddRADseq) on 54 beech individuals stemming from 36 provenances to discover spatially informative nuclear SNP loci. In addition, two pools derived from 14 early and 14 late flushing individuals each were sequenced with Illumina HiSeq. From an initial amount of 5,464 loci detected by ddRADseq, we selected 559 informative loci. Further 27 additional loci showing significant allelic differences among early and late flushing individuals could be identified after a genotyping on 95 test individuals. The final selection of 578 loci was submitted to probe design for targeted genotyping by sequencing, which yielded 543 loci. The new set of SNP loci should be, after validation on a larger sample size, useful for large-scale genetic studies in this economically-important species.