bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smart Film Actuators for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Zhang Zhuohao , Wang Yu , Wang Qiao , Shang Luoran
Published: January 2022

Taking inspiration from the extremely flexible motion abilities in natural organisms, soft actuators have emerged in the past few decades. Particularly, smart film actuators (SFAs) demonstrate unique superiority in easy fabrication, tailorable geometric configurations, and programmable 3D deformations. Thus, they are promising in many biomedical applications, such as soft robotics, tissue engineering, delivery system, and organ‐on‐a‐chip. In this review, the latest achievements of SFAs applied in biomedical fields are summarized. The authors start by introducing the fabrication techniques of SFAs, then shift to the topology design of SFAs, followed by their material selections and distinct actuating mechanisms. After that, their biomedical applications are categorized in practical aspects. The challenges and prospects of this field are finally discussed. The authors believe that this review can boost the development of soft robotics, biomimetics, and human healthcare.
Ionic Liquid‐Assisted Fast Synthesis of Carbon Dots with Strong Fluorescence and Their Tunable Multicolor Emission
Authors: Cao Mengyan , Zhao Xiujian , Gong Xiao
Published: January 2022

Conventional synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) mostly involves a hydrothermal or solvent‐thermal reaction which needs relatively high temperature and pressure. In this work, ionic liquid is used to assist in fast synthesizing CDs with an ultrahigh photoluminescent quantum yield (98.5%) by heating at a low temperature (≤100 °C) and at atmospheric pressure. In addition, through this approach, tunable multicolor emissive CDs can be successfully achieved and used for preparing high‐performance white light‐emitting diodes. Theoretical computation proves that the activity of synthesis reaction can be significantly enhanced by ionic liquids. Density functional theory calculation reveals that the size and graphite nitrogen ratios of CDs have an effect on bandgap reduction, resulting in a redshift of the emission, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. This simple and promising approach for fast synthesis of tunable emissive CDs using ionic liquid affords the facilitation of CDs‐based luminescent materials for fast manufacturing of functional devices.
Isolation and Genomic Analysis of Single Circulating Tumor Cell Using Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase and Desmoglein‐2
Authors: Song Jae Won , Suh Jungyo , Lee Seok Won , Yoo Jung Ki , Lee Uijeong , Han Jang Hee , Kwak Cheol , Kang Minyong , Kim Yi Rang , Jeong Chang Wook , Choi Jin Woo
Published: January 2022

As epithelial cells in the circulation are considered to originate from the tumor, the epithelial cell adhesion molecule has been commonly used as a standard marker for circulating tumor cells (CTCs) isolation. However, it seems to disappear after the epithelial–mesenchymal transition that most cancer cells undergo for intravasation. Thus, more advanced techniques for CTC detection are needed to better understand the clinical significance of CTCs. A cancer cell‐specifically‐infecting or replicating virus that codes a fluorescent monitor gene can be a solution to efficiently detect CTCs. Thus, the authors designed an adenovirus to bind to desmoglein‐2, which is highly expressed in most cancer cells. A cancer‐specific human telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter is inserted to control a viral E1 region. The adenovirus is utilized to compare the number of CTCs from renal cell carcinoma and prostate cancer patients before and after surgery. The isolated two or three CTCs are eligible for whole genome sequencing. The genomic analysis proves the difference of variants between primary tumors and CTCs. Taken together, it is a fast and exact serial method for CTC isolation and the enriched genome sequencing may be used to determine the prognosis and as a point‐of‐care system for patients with cancer.
Damage‐Free Charge Transfer Doping of 2D Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Channels by van der Waals Stamping of MoO3 and LiF
Authors: Cho Yongjae , lee Sol , Cho Hyunmin , Kang Donghee , Yi Yeonjin , Kim Kwanpyo , Park Ji Hoon , Im Seongil
Published: January 2022

To dope 2D semiconductor channels, charge‐transfer doping has generally been done by thermal deposition of inorganic or organic thin‐film layers on top of the 2D channel in bottom‐gate field‐effect transistors (FETs). The doping effects are reproducible in most cases. However, such thermal deposition will damage the surface of 2D channels due to the kinetic energy of depositing atoms, causing hysteresis or certain degradation. Here, a more desirable charge‐transfer doping process is suggested. A damage‐free charge‐transfer doping is conducted for 2D MoTe2 (or MoS2) channels using a polydimethylsiloxane stamp. MoO3 or LiF is initially deposited on the stamp as a doping medium. Hysteresis‐minimized transfer characteristics are achieved from stamp‐doped FETs, while other devices with direct thermal deposition‐doped channels show large hysteresis. The stamping method seems to induce a van der Waals‐like damage‐free interface between the channel and doping media. The stamp‐induced doping is also well applied for a MoTe2‐based complementary inverter because MoO3‐ and LiF‐doping by separate stamps effectively modifies two ambipolar MoTe2 channels to p‐ and n‐type, respectively.
Long‐term tropospheric ozone concentrations and associated meteorological and emissions variables at a suburban monitoring station in Dallas‐Fort Worth, Texas
Authors: Hudak Paul F.
Published: January 2022

This study portrayed and analyzed long‐term tropospheric (ground‐level) ozone concentrations and associated meteorological and emissions variables at a predominantly downwind suburban monitoring location in the Dallas‐Fort Worth, Texas, USA metropolitan area. Maximum daily 8‐h average ozone concentrations (MDA8), number of days with MDA8 ozone exceeding 70 ppb, maximum outside air temperature, noon relative humidity and wind speed, noon vapor pressure deficit, and average oxides of nitrogen (NOx) were compiled for each day in July and August from 1998 to 2021. MDA8 ozone had an overall downward trend with less variability through time. Each meteorological and emissions variable significantly correlated with MDA8 ozone. MDA8 ozone most strongly correlated with noon relative humidity (negative association), followed by vapor pressure deficit (positive association), average NOx (positive association), maximum temperature (positive association), and noon wind speed (negative association). MDA8 ozone trended downward despite substantial increases in population and vehicle miles traveled in the 10‐county study area over the past 24 years. Decreasing ozone concentrations reflect decreased NOx emissions, which also trended downward over the period of study, whereas meteorological variables showed no clear temporal trend. Results show positive emission reductions outcomes, key ozone associations, and baseline tendencies despite regional decreases in NOx emissions.
Effect of sunlight and salinity on the survival of pathogenic and non‐pathogenic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus in water microcosms
Authors: Sami Zaafrane , Kaouthar Maatouk , Nadia Cherif , Hedi Ben Mansour
Published: January 2022

The effect of sunlight and salinities (10, 20, 39, and 60 psu) on the survival of Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains carrying either (thermostable direct hemolysin) tdh, the (thermostable related hemolysin) trh, and both or none of them were studied in water microcosms stabilized at 20°C using plate count agar and acridine orange direct viable count. All V. parahaemolyticus strains exposed to sunlight rapidly lose their culturability and evolve into a viable but non‐culturable state (VBNC). However, the tdh positive strains remain more culturable than the non‐virulent or trh positive strain but statically insignificant. At tested salinities, the survival time was higher at 10, 20, and 60 psu compared with that observed in seawater (39 psu). In seawater under dark condition, Vibrio strains remain culturable for up to 200 days with a significant difference between strains (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the non‐pathogenic strain survives longer than the virulent ones. At different salinities, a better adaptation is observed at 10 and 20 psu compared with 39 and 60 psu. Resuscitations essays performed on VBNC bacteria in a nutrient broth at 20°C and 37°C does not show any revivification.

Practitioner Points

Effect of sunlight and salinities on the survival of V. parahaemolyticus in the marine environment.

Resuscitation essay performed on viable but no cultivable bacteria.

Microscope motility examines show that all strains exposed to sunlight remain motile after the loss of cultivability.
ZZ production at nNNLO+PS with MiNNLOPS
Authors: Buonocore Luca , Koole Gabriël , Lombardi Daniele , Rottoli Luca , Wiesemann Marius , Zanderighi Giulia
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We consider ZZ production in hadronic collisions and present state-of-the-art predictions in QCD perturbation theory matched to parton showers. Next-to-next-to-leading order corrections to the quark-initiated channel are combined with parton showers using the MiNNLOPS method, while next-to-leading order corrections to the loop-induced gluon fusion channel are matched using the Powheg method. Their combination, dubbed nNNLO+PS, constitutes the best theoretical description of ZZ events to date. Spin correlations, interferences and off-shell effects are included by calculating the full process pp → ℓ+ℓ−ℓ(′)+ℓ(′)−. We show the crucial impact of higher-order corrections for both quark- and gluon-initiated processes as well as the relevance of the parton shower in certain kinematical regimes. Our predictions are in very good agreement with recent LHC data.
Gegenbauer Goldstones
Authors: Durieux Gauthier , McCullough Matthew , Salvioni Ennio
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We investigate radiatively stable classes of pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson (pNGB) potentials for approximate spontaneously broken SO(N + 1) → SO(N). Using both the one-loop effective action and symmetry, it is shown that a Gegenbauer polynomial potential is radiatively stable, being effectively an ‘eigenfunction’ from a radiative perspective. In Gegenbauer pNGB models, one naturally and automatically obtains v ∝ f/n, where n ∈ 2ℤ is the order of the Gegenbauer polynomial. For a Gegenbauer Higgs boson, this breaks the usual correlation between Higgs coupling corrections and ‘v/f’ tuning. Based on this, we argue that to conclusively determine whether or not the Higgs is a composite pNGB in scenarios with up to $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10%) fine-tuning will require going beyond both the Higgs coupling precision and heavy resonance mass reach of the High-Luminosity LHC.
Spray drift-based pesticide residues on untreated edible crops grown near agricultural areas
Authors: Bolz Hannah , Sieke Christian , Michalski Britta , Schäfer Ralf B. , Kubiak Roland
Published: January 2022

We aimed to quantify spray drift-based exposure of fruits and vegetables grown in gardens or allotments next to agricultural areas to plant protection products (PPP). The amount of spray drift transported into gardens during the treatment of tall growing crops or field crops was simulated. Two different test systems in an outdoor wind tunnel were used, approximating conditions for the application to both crop types. For the experiments, strawberries, tomatoes and lettuce were used representing non-target food crops in gardens. After spraying, distance-related residues of the tracer pyranine were measured on the three food crops positioned 1–15 m downwind in the non-target area. Additionally, petri dishes were placed in front of the food crops to measure the ground deposition concurrently. For both scenarios, good correlation of residues on the non-target food crops and the ground deposition was found (linear regression model, R2 = 0.88–0.97). But unlike the field crops scenario, the experimental setup of the tall growing crops shows large deviations from the field situation, not allowing the transfer of the results to the field situation. The results of the wind tunnel experiments and of field trials on ground deposition were used to estimate the amount of PPP residues on food crops cultivated near agricultural fields. For example, application of a pesticide (1.3 kg active ingredient per ha−1) to field crops was estimated to result in residue levels of 0.39 mg kg−1 on lettuce, 0.32 mg kg−1 on strawberries, and 0.06 mg kg−1 on tomatoes cultivated 5 m from the field, thus indicating an exceedance of the default maximum residue level (MRL) (0.01 mg kg−1). Therefore, further in-depth studies are required to broaden the range of non-target crops and to refine the tall growing crop scenario to allow estimations of spray drift-based residues.
Biomechanical comparison of acetabular fracture fixation with stand-alone THA or in combination with plating
Authors: Wenzel Lisa , Sandriesser Sabrina , Glowalla Claudio , Gueorguiev Boyko , Perl Mario , Stuby Fabian M. , Augat Peter , Hungerer Sven
Published: January 2022

Purpose

A common surgical treatment in anterior column acetabular fractures with preexisting osteoarthritis is THA, which is commonly combined with plate osteosynthesis. Implantation of a solitary revision cup cranially fixed to the os ilium is less common. The purpose of this study was to compare the stabilization of anterior column acetabular fractures fixed with a cranial socket revision cup with flange and iliac peg or with a suprapectineal plate osteosynthesis combined with an additional revision cup.

Methods

In 20 human hemipelves, an anterior column fracture was stabilized by either a cranial socket revision cup with integrated flange (CF = Cup with Flange) or by a suprapectineal plate combined with a revision cup (CP = Cup and Plate). Each specimen was loaded under a stepwise increasing dynamic load protocol. Initial construct stiffness, interfragmentary movements along the fracture line, as well as femoral head movement in relation to the acetabulum were analyzed.

Results

Both groups showed comparable initial construct stiffness (CP: 3180 ± 1162 N/mm and CF: 3754 ± 668 N/mm; p = 0.158). At an applied load of 1400 N, interfragmentary movements at the acetabular (p = 0.139) and the supraacetabular region (p = 0.051) revealed comparable displacement for both groups and remained below 1 mm. Femoral head movement in relation to the acetabulum also remained below 1 mm for both test groups (p = 0.260).

Conclusion

From a biomechanical point of view, both surgical approaches showed comparable fracture reduction in terms of initial construct stiffness and interfragmentary movement. The potential benefit of the less-invasive cranial socket revision cup has to be further investigated in clinical studies.
Comparison of retropubic tension-free vaginal tape inserted on two different height positions
Authors: Pawlaczyk Anna , Wąż Piotr , Matuszewski Marcin
Published: January 2022

Introduction and hypothesis

Surgical treatment using the mid-urethral tape has become a gold standard in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. Many urogynecologists use ultrasound during the postoperative follow-up. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the position of the tape in the mid- or distal-urethra could influence the subjective assessment after surgery in 1-month control based on questionnaires of genitourinary symptoms, UDI6-SF and VAS scale.

Methods

A group of 76 patients using a synthetic tension-free retropubic vaginal tape after anti-incontinence surgery was retrospectively included in this study. In a postoperative follow-up, the synthetic tape detection was performed using introital ultrasound, and its position was determined as a quotient T/U (T = distance between the external urethral orifice and the lower edge of the tape, U = urethral length). The patients were divided into two groups of 38 patients: one group with the position of the tape in the distal urethra (T/U ≤ 0.24) and the other group with the tape localised in the mid-urethra (T/U = 0.25–0.37). The correlation between the height of the tape position and the subjective assessment was evaluated in both groups of patients in the 1-month control.

Results

No association was found between the height of the tape position in a group of patients after anti-incontinence surgery with a T/U value not exceeding 0.375 and the subjective assessment or the value of Vres.

Conclusions

The height of the tape position, with the T/U not exceeding 0.375, has no impact on the subjective assessment of the surgical anti-incontinence treatment in 1-month control.
Three-year follow-up of a self-administered Australian pelvic floor questionnaire validated in Chinese pregnant and postpartum women
Authors: Hou Yuqing , Tong Baoqin
Published: January 2022

Introduction and hypothesis

The aim of this study was to verify whether the Chinese version of the self-administered Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire (APFQ) can assess the changes in symptoms over a long time period (responsiveness) and to verify the reliability and validity of the questionnaire after 3 years of follow-up.

Methods

The questionnaire was completed by 146 women using the WeChat platform after 3 years of follow-up. Reliability was assessed through internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha). Construct validity was evaluated by significantly distinguished differences in symptom scores between women who did and did not subjectively suffer bothersome symptoms. Responsiveness was evaluated in 146 women. The effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM) were used to assess the degree of responsiveness.

Results

Of the 146 women, all completed the questionnaire through the WeChat platform without missing any items. Reliability, Cronbach’s alpha for the four domains and total APFQ were: bladder function 0.78, bowel function 0.71, pelvic organ prolapse 0.78, sexual function 0.68 and total APFQ 0.84. Concerning construct validity, the APFQ significantly distinguished the symptom scores between women who did and did not subjectively suffer from bothersome symptoms, and the score difference was 1.1–1.6 points, 1.2 points, 2.0–3.7 points and 1.4 points, respectively. For responsiveness, three domains showed slight (bowel domain) to moderate (bladder domain, sex domain) sensitivity to change. ES and SRM ranged from 0.21 to 0.75 and 0.16 to 0.60, respectively.

Conclusions

The Chinese version of the self-administered APFQ is reliable and valid and can monitor the changes in symptoms over time.
Discrimination of Tilletia controversa from the T. caries/T. laevis complex by MALDI-TOF MS analysis of teliospores
Authors: Forster Monika K. , Sedaghatjoo Somayyeh , Maier Wolfgang , Killermann Berta , Niessen Ludwig
Published: January 2022

The fungal genus Tilletia includes a large number of plant pathogens of Poaceae. Only a few of those cause bunt of wheat, but these species can lead to significant yield losses in crop production worldwide. Due to quarantine regulations and specific disease control using appropriate seed treatments for the different disease agents, it is of high importance to distinguish Tilletia caries and Tilletia laevis as causal agents of common bunt accurately from Tilletia controversa, the causal agent of the dwarf bunt. Several studies have shown that matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a useful tool to differentiate closely related fungal species. The aim of this study was to assess whether MALDI-TOF MS analysis is able to distinguish specimens of the three closely related pathogens T. caries, T. laevis, and T. controversa and whether it may constitute an alternative method to the morphology-based identification or germination tests. Spectral data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD030401. Spectra-based hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and discriminant analysis of principal components (DAPC) of the obtained mass spectra showed two main clusters. One cluster included specimens of T. controversa, whereas the second cluster comprised T. laevis and T. caries specimens. Even though main spectral profiles (MSPs) for species identification are missing, MALDI-TOF MS has proven to be a useful method for distinguishing between T. controversa and the two causal agents of common bunt, using direct analysis of teliospores, but was unable to separate T. caries and T. laevis species.

Key points

• MALDI-TOF MS was developed to classify Tilletia species causing bunt of wheat.

• Best results were achieved when combining HCA and DAPC analysis.

• The method resulted in an accuracy of 98.51% testing 67 Tilletia specimens.

Graphical abstract
Orbits of N-expansions with a finite set of digits
Authors: de Jonge Jaap , Kraaikamp Cor , Nakada Hitoshi
Published: January 2022

For$$N \in {\mathbb {N}}_{\ge 2}$$N∈N≥2and$$\alpha \in {\mathbb {R}}$$α∈Rsuch that$$0 < \alpha \le \sqrt{N}-1$$0<α≤N-1, we define$$I_\alpha :=[\alpha ,\alpha +1]$$Iα:=[α,α+1]and$$I_\alpha ^-:=[\alpha ,\alpha +1)$$Iα-:=[α,α+1)and investigate the continued fraction map$$T_{\alpha }:I_{\alpha }\rightarrow I_{\alpha }^-$$Tα:Iα→Iα-, which is defined as$$T_{\alpha }(x):= \frac{N}{x}-d(x),$$Tα(x):=Nx-d(x),where$$d: I_{\alpha }\rightarrow {\mathbb {N}}$$d:Iα→Nis defined by$$d(x):=\left\lfloor \frac{N}{x} -\alpha \right\rfloor $$d(x):=Nx-α. For$$N\in {\mathbb {N}}_{\ge 7}$$N∈N≥7, for certain values of$$\alpha $$α, open intervals$$(a,b) \subset I_{\alpha }$$(a,b)⊂Iαexist such that for almost every$$x \in I_{\alpha }$$x∈Iαthere is an$$n_0 \in {\mathbb {N}}$$n0∈Nfor which$$T_{\alpha }^n(x)\notin (a,b)$$Tαn(x)∉(a,b)for all$$n\ge n_0$$n≥n0. Thesegaps(a, b) are investigated using the square$$\varUpsilon _\alpha :=I_{\alpha }\times I_{\alpha }^-$$Υα:=Iα×Iα-, where theorbits$$T_{\alpha }^k(x), k=0,1,2,\ldots $$Tαk(x),k=0,1,2,…of numbers$$x \in I_{\alpha }$$x∈Iαare represented as cobwebs. The squares$$\varUpsilon _\alpha $$Υαare the union offundamental regions, which are related to the cylinder sets of the map$$T_{\alpha }$$Tα, according to the finitely many values ofdin$$T_{\alpha }$$Tα. In this paper some clear conditions are found under which$$I_{\alpha }$$Iαis gapless. If$$I_{\alpha }$$Iαconsists of at least five cylinder sets, it is always gapless. In the case of four cylinder sets there are usually no gaps, except for the rare cases that there is one, very wide gap. Gaplessness in the case of two or three cylinder sets depends on the position of the endpoints of$$I_{\alpha }$$Iαwith regard to the fixed points of$$I_{\alpha }$$Iαunder$$T_{\alpha }$$Tα.
Die WHO-Klassifikation der Tumoren des zentralen Nervensystems 2021
Authors: Weller Michael , Knobbe-Thomsen Christiane B. , Le Rhun Emilie , Reifenberger Guido
Published: January 2022

Hintergrund

Die von der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) herausgegebene Klassifikation der Tumoren des zentralen Nervensystems (ZNS) wurde 2016 überarbeitet, um molekulare Biomarker aufzunehmen, die für die Diagnosestellung und klinische Entscheidungsfindung wichtig sind. Danach verfeinerte ein internationales Konsortium die ZNS-Tumor-Klassifikation durch einige Empfehlungen, die aktuell in die neue WHO-Klassifikation 2021 eingeflossen sind.

Fragestellung

Welche Neuerungen in der WHO-Klassifikation 2021 haben direkte Auswirkungen auf die Diagnostik und Behandlung von erwachsenen Patienten mit diffusen Gliomen?

Material und Methoden

Die diagnostischen Kriterien der WHO-Klassifikation 2021 für diffuse Gliome wurden bezüglich dieser Fragestellung untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Mutationen in den Isocitratdehydrogenase(IDH)-Genen 1 oder 2 spielen eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Klassifikation von Gliomen. Unter den IDH-mutierten Gliomen identifiziert der Verlust der nukleären ATRX-Expression IDH-mutierte Astrozytome, während der Nachweis einer 1p/19q-Kodeletion für Oligodendrogliome diagnostisch ist. Die Nomenklatur für das IDH-mutierte Glioblastom wurde in Astrozytom, IDH-mutiert, ZNS-WHO-Grad 4 geändert. Die homozygote Deletion desCDKN2A/B-Genlocus ist ein molekularer Marker für diese Tumoren. Die Bezeichnungen „anaplastisches Astrozytom“ bzw. „anaplastisches Oligodendrogliom“ für IDH-mutierte Gliome des ZNS-WHO-Grads 3 entfallen. Diffuse astrozytäre Gliome ohne IDH-Mutation, die eine Mutation im Promotor des Telomerase-Reverse-Transkriptase(TERT)-Gens, eine Amplifikation des epidermalen Wachstumsfaktorrezeptorgens (EGFR), einen kombinierten Gewinn von Chromosom 7 und Verlust von Chromosom 10 (+7/−10) oder mehrere dieser Veränderungen aufweisen, werden jetzt als Glioblastom, IDH-Wildtyp, ZNS-WHO-Grad 4 klassifiziert, auch wenn histologisch weder pathologische Gefäßproliferate noch Nekrosen nachweisbar sind. Zudem wurden neue Gliome vom pädiatrischen Typ eingeführt, die vornehmlich bei Kindern, Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen auftreten und von den o. g. häufigen Gliomen vom adulten Typ differenziert werden.

Diskussion

Die WHO-Klassifikation 2021 hat neben neuen Tumortypen auch grundlegende Veränderungen auf dem Boden neuer molekularpathologischer Erkenntnisse berücksichtigt, welche die diagnostische Präzision erhöhen und die klinische Versorgung durch modifizierte Behandlungsempfehlungen verbessern. Die neue Klassifikation hat zudem große Auswirkungen auf das Design zukünftiger klinischer Studien in der Neuroonkologie.
Mothers’ Economic Well-Being in Sole and Joint Physical Custody Families
Authors: Augustijn Lara
Published: January 2022

Previous research has repeatedly shown that separation or divorce can lead to a substantial decline in economic resources, and that it is mostly mothers who suffer from the severe economic consequences. Because it has also been established that the post-separation care arrangement that a family practices is a central factor in explaining mothers’ poor economic situations after family dissolution, this study investigated the association between physical custody arrangements (sole physical custody, asymmetric joint physical custody, and symmetric joint physical custody) and the economic well-being of 1018 residential mothers from the Family Models in Germany study. The results of the ordered logistic regression models showed that mothers in asymmetric and symmetric joint physical custody families reported higher levels of economic well-being than mothers with sole physical custody. When controlling for a set of confounders, the differences between mothers with sole physical custody and symmetric joint physical custody disappeared, which suggests that the economic advantages of mothers with symmetric joint physical custody can be fully explained by factors like the mothers’ working hours, their personal net income, their partnership status, and the fairness of their financial arrangement with their former partner. In contrast, the relationship between asymmetric joint physical custody and mothers’ economic situations remained significant even after control variables were included in the regression models. However, the question of what role selection processes among parents play in explaining the observed differences in post-separation economic well-being between mothers in sole and joint physical custody families remains open.
Creating Values: the Entrepreneurial-Science Education Nexus
Authors: Davis James P.
Published: January 2022

Values and how values are created in science education are an under-researched field, which is problematic given the importance of epistemic values to the nature of science. From a sociological perspective, values are experienced as emotionally infused ideas with the power to influence choices and actions in everyday situations such as learning through science inquiry. The present study explores the creation of value and values by building on links with entrepreneurial education that are previously explored, but not fully developed, in science education research. Using an entrepreneurial value creation pedagogy (VCP) model as a conceptual framing, this study is situated in a science inquiry project as part of a preservice teachers’ course. The study focuses on the question: How are values in science education created by learning through doing an entrepreneurially infused inquiry project? The study illustrates how preservice science teachers create values for self to produce a sense of purpose, how they create value for agency to support action taking in a science investigation, and how they create value for others. Findings illustrate a synthesis of entrepreneurial value creation practices with science inquiry and possibilities for improving understandings about how social, cultural, and epistemic values may be created in science education. Future studies should explore the interdependence between social, cultural, and epistemic values experienced by learners in naturalistic science education contexts. This could involve analysis of epistemic emotions as a constituent of epistemic values.
Joint User-Centric Clustering and Multi-cell Radio Resource Management in Coordinated Multipoint Joint Transmission
Authors: Shami Tareq M. , Grace David , Burr Alister , Zakaria Muhammad D.
Published: January 2022

Coordinated multipoint joint transmission (JT-CoMP) is a promising solution to address inter-cell interference in dense future wireless networks due its strength in converting interfering signals into useful signals, thereby enhancing capacity especially at the cell edge. However, allowing all user equipments (UEs) to operate using the JT-CoMP mode reduces the availability of radio resources. This paper develops an efficient algorithm that can identify which UEs will benefit from operating in a JT-CoMP mode and how to efficiently allocate radio resources from multiple base stations. Joint user-centric JT-CoMP clustering and multi-cell resource management is used in two steps where user-centric clusters are constructed as a first step and according to the clustering results obtained, resources are assigned. This paper also provides a new user-centric clustering approach that allows a user to utilize the JT-CoMP technique only if JT-CoMP boosts its rate above a certain threshold level. A multi-cell resource allocation scheme that can address the resource mismatching problem between cooperative BSs that happens due to load imbalance is proposed. Simulation results show that the proposed user-centric clustering algorithm outperforms the traditional power level difference scheme in terms of the system’s overall throughput as well as the throughput of cell-edge users. Also, results show that the performance of JT-CoMP is mainly affected by the user-centric approach and the amount of physical radio resources assigned to CoMP UEs.
The Effect of Rotary Degassing Treatments with Different Purging Gases on the Double Oxide- and Nitride Film Content of Liquid Aluminum Alloys
Authors: Gyarmati Gábor , Vincze Fanni , Fegyverneki György , Kéri Zoltán , Mende Tamás , Molnár Dániel
Published: January 2022

Rotary degassing is one of the most frequently used melt treatment technologies used for processing liquid aluminum alloys. Despite this, the information available about the possible effects of this method on the double oxide- and nitride film (bifilm) content, especially when using different purging gases, is quite limited. For this reason, in this study, the effects of multiple rotary degassing treatments conducted with N2 and Ar purging gases on the bifilm quantity of a casting aluminum alloy were compared. The characterization of the melt quality was realized by the computed tomographic (CT) analysis of reduced pressure test (RPT) specimens, image analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the fracture surfaces of K-mold samples. Based on the results, by the application of Ar as a purging gas, relatively low bifilm content can be achieved. On the other hand, while the use of N2 leads to the formation of numerous small-sized nitride bifilms, which significantly increased the pore number density inside the RPT specimens. This can be associated with the nitride formation by the chemical reaction between the liquid aluminum alloy and the N2 purging gas bubbles during the degassing treatments.

Graphical abstract
COVID-19 and Biomedical Experts: When Epistemic Authority is (Probably) Not Enough
Authors: Pietrini Pietro , Lavazza Andrea , Farina Mirko
Published: January 2022

This critical essay evaluates the potential integration of distinct kinds of expertise in policymaking, especially during situations of critical emergencies, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This article relies on two case studies: (i) herd immunity (UK) and (ii) restricted access to ventilators for disabled people (USA). These case studies are discussed as examples of experts’ recommendations that have not been widely accepted, though they were made within the boundaries of expert epistemic authority. While the fundamental contribution of biomedical experts in devising public health policies during the COVID-19 pandemic is fully recognized, this paper intends to discuss potential issues and limitations that may arise when adopting a strict expert-based approach. By drawing attention to the interests of minorities (disenfranchized and underrepresented groups), the paper also claims a broader notion of “relevant expertise.” This critical essay thus calls for the necessity of wider inclusiveness and representativeness in the process underlying public health policymaking.
Parametric Hull Form Optimization of Containerships for Minimum Resistance in Calm Water and in Waves
Authors: Feng Yanxin , el Moctar Ould , Schellin Thomas E.
Published: January 2022

This paper described the process of generating the optimal parametric hull shape with a fully parametric modeling method for three containerships of different sizes. The newly created parametric ship hull was applied to another ship with a similar shape, which greatly saved time cost. A process of selecting design variables was developed, and during this process, the influence of these variables on calm water resistance was analyzed. After we obtained the optimal hulls, the wave added resistance and motions of original hulls and optimal hulls in regular head waves were analyzed and compared with experimental results. Computations of the flow around the hulls were obtained from a validated nonlinear potential flow boundary element method. Using the multi-objective optimization algorithm, surrogate-based global optimization (SBGO) reduced the computational effort. Compared with the original hull, wave resistance of the optimal hulls was significantly reduced for the two larger ships at Froude numbers corresponding to their design speeds. Optimizing the hull of the containerships slightly reduced their wave added resistance and total resistance in regular head waves, while optimization of their hulls hardly affected wave-induced motions.
Exosome-Derived lncRNA NEAT1 Exacerbates Sepsis-Associated Encephalopathy by Promoting Ferroptosis Through Regulating miR-9-5p/TFRC and GOT1 Axis
Authors: Wei Xue-biao , Jiang Wen-qiang , Zeng Ju-hao , Huang Lin-qiang , Ding Hong-guang , Jing Yuan-wen , Han Yong-li , Li Yi-chen , Chen Sheng-long
Published: January 2022

Sepsis can cause sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE), but whether SAE was induced or exacerbated by ferroptosis remains unknown. In this study, the rat sepsis model was constructed using the cecal ligation and puncture method. The blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability was measured by Evans blue dye (EBD) in vivo. The levels of ROS, Fe ion, MDA, GSH, and GPX4 were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The exosomes isolated from serum were cultured with bEnd.3 cells for the in vitro analysis. Moreover, bEnd.3 cells cultured with 100 μM FeCl3 (iron-rich) were to simulate ferroptosis stress. The cell viability was evaluated by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. A dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to confirm the relationship between miR-9-5p with NEAT1, TFRC, and GOT1. In vivo, it is found that BBB permeability was damaged in model rats. Level of ROS, Fe ion, and MDA was increased, and level of GSH and GPX4 was decreased, which means ferroptosis was induced by sepsis. Exosome-packaged NEAT1 in serum was significantly upregulated in model rats. In vitro, it is found that NEAT1 functions as a ceRNA for miR-9-5p to facilitate TFRC and GOT1 expression. Overexpression of NEAT1 enhanced ferroptosis stress in bEnd.3 cells. Increased miR-9-5p alleviated sepsis-induced ferroptosis by suppressing the expression of TFRC and GOT1 both in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, these findings suggest that sepsis induced high expression of serous exosome-derived NEAT1, and it might exacerbate SAE by promoting ferroptosis through regulating miR-9-5p/TFRC and GOT1 axis.
Targeting CCN2 protects against progressive non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in a preclinical model induced by high-fat feeding and type 2 diabetes
Authors: Ren Jing , Wang Xiaoyu , Parry Sarah N. , Yee Christine , Gorrell Mark D. , McLennan Susan V. , Twigg Stephen M.
Published: January 2022

Type 2 diabetes is an independent risk factor for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) progression and its mediators have not been resolved. In this study, a pathogenic role of cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2) protein in NASH pathology, was investigated in an established preclinical NASH model. Male wild type C57BL/6 mice received either Chow or high fat diet (HFD) for 26 weeks, with some mice in each group randomly selected to receive low dose streptozotocin (STZ: 3 i.p. injections, 65 mg/kg) at 15 weeks to induce type 2 diabetes. In the final 10 of the 26 weeks mice from each group were administered i.p. either rabbit anti-CCN2 neutralizing antibody (CCN2Ab) or as control normal rabbit IgG, at a dose of 150 µg per mouse twice/week. NASH developed in the HFD plus diabetes (HFD+DM) group. Administration of CCN2Ab significantly downregulated collagen I and collagen III mRNA induction and prevented pro-inflammatory MCP-1 mRNA induction in HFD+DM mice. At the protein level, CCN2Ab significantly attenuated collagen accumulation by PSR stain and collagen I protein induction in HFD+DM. Phosphorylation of the pro-fibrotic ERK signalling pathway in liver in HFD+DM was attenuated by CCN2Ab treatment. Intrahepatic CCN1 mRNA was induced, whereas CCN3 was downregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels in HFD+DM. CCN3 down-regulation was prevented by CCN2Ab treatment. This in vivo study indicates that CCN2 is a molecular target in NASH with high fat diet and diabetes, and that regulation of ERK signalling is implicated in this process.
Assoziation, Erwartungen und Barrieren eines Exoskeletteinsatzes in kleinen mittelständischen Unternehmen
Authors: Hoffmann Holger , Pitz Imke , Adomssent Björn , Russmann Christoph
Published: January 2022

Hintergrund

Arbeitsbedingte Muskel-Skelett-Erkrankungen (MSE) führen in der herstellenden Industrie zu Krankheitstagen und haben erhebliche wirtschaftliche Folgen für die Unternehmen und die Volkswirtschaft. Exoskelette können den Körper im Umgang mit schwerer Last oder in Zwangshaltungen unterstützen. Besonders in großen Unternehmen der Automobilindustrie werden Exoskelette pilotiert. In kleinen und mittelständischen Unternehmen (KMU) werden Exoskelette bisher jedoch wenig eingesetzt, und ihre Anwendung dort wurde wissenschaftlich bisher kaum untersucht. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die Barrieren der Exoskelett-Implementierung und die Erwartungen an deren Einsatz im produzierenden Gewerbe zu ermitteln.

Methode

In sechs produzierenden Unternehmen wurden teilstrukturierte Leitfadeninterviews durchgeführt und analysiert.

Ergebnisse

In den Unternehmen werden vielfältige Tätigkeiten bis an die Belastungsgrenze ausgeführt. Allgemein erwartet man durch die Anwendung von Exoskeletten Arbeitserleichterungen sowie wirtschaftliche Vorteile. Bedenken bestehen hinsichtlich des Einsatzes aufgrund des Kostenfaktors, eines ungewissen Nutzens und mangelnden Tragekomforts. Insbesondere werden mangelnde Kenntnisse über den Effekt eines Exoskeletts deutlich.

Fazit

Die vorgestellten Interviewergebnisse sind ein Schritt im interdisziplinären Prozess der Weiterentwicklung und Implementierung von Exoskeletten in der herstellenden Industrie. Bedenken und Unwissenheit potenzieller Unternehmen und Anwender müssen adressiert werden, auch um eine hohe Nutzerakzeptanz zu schaffen. Folgestudien, die die Ermittlung des Bedarfs mit einer besseren Trennschärfe erheben, könnten weitere Erkenntnisse liefern.
An Adaptive Sensor Framework for Gyrocopter-Based Optical Remote Sensing: Introduction and Applications
Authors: Jenal Alexander , Kneer Caspar , Weber Immanuel , Asgari Maryam , Knieps Michel , Bongartz Jens
Published: January 2022

Airborne remote sensing with optical sensor systems is an essential tool for a variety of environmental monitoring applications. Depending on the size of the area to be monitored, either unmanned (UAVs) or manned aircraft are more suitable. For survey areas starting at several square kilometers, piloted aircraft remain the preferred carrier platform. However, a specific class of manned aircraft is often not considered: the gyrocopter-type ultralight aircraft. These aircraft are less expensive to operate than conventional fixed wings. Additionally, they are highly maneuverable, offer a high payload and a long endurance, and thus perfectly fill the niche between UAVs and conventional aircraft. Therefore, the authors have developed a modular and easy-to-use sensor carrier system, the FlugKit, to temporarily convert an AutoGyro MTOsport gyrocopter into a full-fledged aerial remote sensing platform mainly for vegetation monitoring. Accordingly, various suitable optical sensor systems in the visible (VIS), near-infrared (NIR), and longwave infrared (LWIR) were explicitly developed for this carrier system. This report provides a deeper insight into the individual components of this remote sensing solution based on a gyrocopter as well as application scenarios already carried out with the system.
Immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on household economic activities and food security in Tajikistan
Authors: Murakami Enerelt
Published: January 2022

Using a nationally representative monthly survey, administered both before and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper provides estimates of household responses to the COVID-19 pandemic in Tajikistan, focusing on (i) short-term dynamic impacts on household economic outcomes and food security, (ii) heterogenous effects across different households, and (iii) coping with income shocks resulted from the pandemic. Parametric and non-parametric event studies are estimated to quantify the short-run dynamic impacts of the pandemic on household activities. The findings show that household employment and income dropped, and food insecurity immediately worsened with the first confirmed COVID-19 cases and continues to deteriorate six months into the pandemic in Tajikistan. The extent of the impacts varies depending on locations, pre-pandemic income levels, and household sizes. In response to the income shock brought about by the pandemic, households increased borrowings and reduced food and health expenditures. These results are robust to different specifications.
Accessibility of COVID-19 Vaccination Centers in Germany via Different Means of Transport
Authors: Neumeier Stefan
Published: January 2022

In late 2020, as soon as the approval of the first vaccines against the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) became foreseeable in line with the normative political goal of providing comparable living conditions to all residents of Germany irrespective of where they live, the German national government’s national vaccination strategy called for the widespread establishment of COVID-19 vaccination centers. As the vaccination program has been rolled out, difficulties in accessing vaccination centers have been reported. Against this background, the paper considers the questions whether, where and for whom spatial inequalities in COVID-19 vaccination center accessibility in Germany might exist. Such an understanding might help to prepare for future situations when adequate disaster response requires, similar to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government to quickly reach great parts of the population in an efficient manner. To approach this question, we examine the accessibility by the means of transport foot, bicycle, car and public transport at small scale based on an accessibility model from the point of view of the “households”. We found that in contrast to the common belief COVID-19 vaccination center accessibility or inaccessibility in Germany does not seem to be a spatial phenomenon cheating non-rural regions and discriminating rural regions as anticipated, it is instead strongly dependent on people’s individual mobility capabilities in both rural and urban areas.
Racial Differences in Left Ventricular Filling Pressure Following Acute Aerobic Exercise Between Chinese and Caucasians
Authors: Sun Peng , Yan Huimin , Ranadive Sushant M. , Lane Abbi D. , Kappus Rebecca M. , Baynard Tracy , Sun Xiaodan , Li Shichang , Fernhall Bo
Published: January 2022

Background

Left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) is an important early indicator of heart failure that is more prevalent in Caucasians than Chinese. Exercise-induced change in LVFP may provide more incremental information to assess diastolic function. But it was unknown whether there was difference in LVFP following acute exercise between Caucasians and Chinese.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of LVFP following an acute 45-min aerobic exercise in healthy Caucasian and Chinese individuals.

Methods

Sixty participants (30 Caucasians and 30 Chinese, half was male, respectively) performed an acute bout of aerobic exercise at 70% of heart rate reserve. Hemodynamics, Left ventricle (LV) morphology and function parameters were measured at baseline, then at 30-min and 60-min post-exercise.

Results

There was a similar LV ejection fraction, LV fraction shorten, lateral E/eʹ and lateral eʹ between Chinese and Caucasians at baseline. There was a significant race-by-time interaction in lateral E/eʹ and lateral eʹ between Chinese and Caucasians from pre-exercise to 30 min and 60 min after acute aerobic exercise. The ΔE/eʹ was significant correlated with baseline systolic blood pressure.

Conclusion

The change of LVFP was different between Chinese and Caucasians following acute aerobic exercise. The racial differences may be primarily caused by the changes of LV relaxation following exercise, baseline systolic blood pressure may also contribute to the differences.