bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Immune dysregulation and RNA N6‐methyladenosine modification in sepsis
Authors: Chen Hongyan , Zhang Xiaoting , Su Hao , Zeng Judeng , Chan Hung , Li Qing , Liu Xiaodong , Zhang Lin , Wu William Ka Kei , Chan Matthew Tak Vai , Chen Huarong
Published: September 2022

Sepsis is defined as life‐threatening organ dysfunction caused by the host immune dysregulation to infection. It is a highly heterogeneous syndrome with complex pathophysiological mechanisms. The host immune response to sepsis can be divided into hyper‐inflammatory and immune‐suppressive phases which could exist simultaneously. In the initial stage, systemic immune response is activated after exposure to pathogens. Both innate and adaptive immune cells undergo epigenomic, transcriptomic, and functional reprogramming, resulting in systemic and persistent inflammatory responses. Following the hyper‐inflammatory phase, the body is in a state of continuous immunosuppression, which is related to immune cell apoptosis, metabolic failure, and epigenetic reprogramming. Immunosuppression leads to increased susceptibility to secondary infections in patients with sepsis. RNA N6‐Methyladenosine (m6A) has been recognized as an indispensable epitranscriptomic modification involved in both physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies suggest that m6A could reprogram both innate and adaptive immune cells through posttranscriptional regulation of RNA metabolism. Dysregulated m6A modifications contribute to the pathogenesis of immune‐related diseases. In this review, we summarize immune cell changes and the potential role of m6A modification in sepsis.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification
125Te NMR study of the bulk of topological insulators Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3
Authors: Nachtigal Jakob , Chong Shen V. , Williams Grant V. M. , Isaeva Anna , Oeckler Oliver , Haase Jürgen , Guehne Robin
Published: September 2022

The narrow band gap semiconductors Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3 are well known for their room temperature thermoelectric performance. Recently, they were shown to serve as model systems of three‐dimensional topological insulators with a bulk band gap and very robust, spin‐resolved surface states due to a special band inversion in their periodic bulk. Evidently, it is of interest to investigate the special surface states with a local probe like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). However, especially the bulk NMR of these materials shows peculiar and rather unexpected phenomena, e. g., a magnetic field induced deformation of the local charge symmetry and excessive line broadening due to a special internuclear coupling. Here we report a comprehensive account of the room temperature NMR properties of the spin‐1/2 nucleus 125Te of single crystalline Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3. This includes a very unusual spin‐lattice relaxation that seems not to be reflected in the NMR shift, as well as an exchange enhanced NMR line broadening.
An Experimental Combination of IGS repro3 Campaign’s Orbit Products Using a Variance Component Estimation Strategy
Authors: Sakic Pierre , Mansur Gustavo , Männel Benjamin , Brack Andreas , Schuh Harald
Published: September 2022

Over the past years, the International GNSS Service (IGS) has put efforts into reprocessing campaigns, reanalyzing the entire data collected by the IGS network since 1994. Using state-of-the-art models and software, the goal is to provide a consistent set of orbits, station coordinates, and earth rotation parameters. Unlike the previous campaigns—namely: repro1 and repro2—, the repro3 includes not only GPS and GLONASS but also the Galileo constellation. The main repro3 objective is the contribution to the next realization of the International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF2020). To achieve this goal, several Analysis Centers (AC) submitted their own products to the IGS, which are combined to provide the final solutions for each product type. In this contribution, we focus on the combination of the orbit products. We present a consistent orbit solution based on a newly developed combination strategy, where the weights are determined by a Least-Squares Variance Component Estimation (LSVCE). The orbits are intended to be combined in an iterative processing: firstly, by aligning all the products via a Helmert transformation, secondly by defining which satellites will be used in the LSVCE, and finally by normalizing the inverse of the variances as weights that are used to compute a weighted mean. The combination results show an agreement between the different AC’s input orbits around 10 mm for GPS, 30 mm for GLONASS. The combination also highlights the improvement of the Galileo orbit determination over the past decade, the internal precision decreasing from around 35 mm to 16 mm for the most recent weeks. We used Satellite Laser Ranging (SLR) observations for external validation. The combined orbit has one of the best RMS agreements with respect to the SLR measurements (9.1 mm for GLONASS, and 8.3 mm over the last five years of the processed period).
Deskription der ambulanten Plastischen Chirurgie und Handchirurgie
Authors: Kisch Tobias
Published: September 2022

Es erfolgt eine Deskription des Status Quo in der Regelversorgung der Fachgebiete Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie. Anschließend wird die Recherche zu Projekten der Besonderen Versorgung in den Fachgebieten erläutert.
Empirische Studie
Authors: Kisch Tobias
Published: September 2022

In diesem Kapitel wird die Methodik der Fragebogenentwicklung, des Pretests, der Studiendurchführung und der statistischen Auswertung dargelegt.
Distinctive signals of frustrated dark matter
Authors: Carpenter Linda M. , Murphy Taylor , Tait Tim M. P.
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We study a renormalizable model of Dirac fermion dark matter (DM) that communicates with the Standard Model (SM) through a pair of mediators — one scalar, one fermion — in the representation (6, 1, $$ \frac{4}{3} $$

4
3

) of the SM gauge group SU(3)c × SU(2)L × U(1)Y. While such assignments preclude direct coupling of the dark matter to the Standard Model at tree level, we examine the many effective operators generated at one-loop order when the mediators are heavy, and find that they are often phenomenologically relevant. We reinterpret dijet and pair-produced resonance and jets + $$ {E}_{\mathrm{T}}^{\mathrm{miss}} $$

E
T
miss

searches at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in order to constrain the mediator sector, and we examine an array of DM constraints ranging from the observed relic density Ωχ$$ {h}_{\mathrm{Planck}}^2 $$

h
Planck
2

to indirect and direct searches for dark matter. Tree-level annihilation, available for DM masses starting at the TeV scale, is required in order to produce Ωχ$$ {h}_{\mathrm{Planck}}^2 $$

h
Planck
2

through freeze-out, but loops — led by the dimension-five DM magnetic dipole moment — are nonetheless able to produce signals large enough to be constrained, particularly by the XENON1T experiment. In some benchmarks, we find a fair amount of parameter space left open by experiment and compatible with freeze-out. In other scenarios, however, the open space is quite small, suggesting a need for further model-building and/or non-standard cosmologies.
Electroweak flavour unification
Authors: Davighi Joe , Tooby-Smith Joseph
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We propose that the electroweak and flavour quantum numbers of the Standard Model (SM) could be unified at high energies in an SU(4) × Sp(6)L× Sp(6)R anomaly-free gauge model. All the SM fermions are packaged into two fundamental fields, ΨL ∼ (4,6,1) and ΨR ∼ (4,1,6), thereby explaining the origin of three families of fermions. The SM Higgs, being electroweakly charged, necessarily becomes charged also under flavour when embedded in the UV model. It is therefore natural for its vacuum expectation value to couple only to the third family. The other components of the UV Higgs fields are presumed heavy. Extra scalars are needed to break this symmetry down to the SM, which can proceed via ‘flavour-deconstructed’ gauge groups; for instance, we propose a pattern Sp(6)L→$$ {\prod}_{i=1}^3\mathrm{SU}{(2)}_{L,i}\to \mathrm{SU}{(2)}_L $$

∏

i
=
1

3

SU

2

L
,
i

→
SU

2

L

for the left-handed factor. When the heavy Higgs components are integrated out, realistic quark Yukawa couplings with in-built hierarchies are naturally generated without any further ingredients, if we assume the various symmetry breaking scalars condense at different scales. The CKM matrix that we compute is not a generic unitary matrix, but it can precisely fit the observed values.
Proportions in Salvatore Caronia Roberti Between Theory and Practice
Authors: Maggio Francesco
Published: September 2022

In 1949 Salvatore Caronia Roberti published the volume Introduzione allo studio della composizione architettonica. It is a compendium of his own studies and research came together in his architecture, testifying to the close interweaving of theory and practice. Caronia Roberti was a student of Ernesto Basile, one of the leading exponents of Art Nouveau, a style in which proportions played a marginal place. He later broke away from the Master’s school to attempt a new path in which geometry and proportion constitute the core of his theoretical research. This study aims to highlights the organic nature of Caronia Roberti’s thought, between architectural history and representation, by restoring a little-known book to collective knowledge.
Influence of the atmospheric plasma spraying parameters on the coating structure and the deposition efficiency of silicon powder
Authors: Bobzin Kirsten , Zhao Lidong , Heinemann Hendrik , Burbaum Elisa
Published: September 2022

Silicon coatings are usually produced by atmospheric plasma spraying (APS) and used as bond coats in environmental barrier coatings. The deposition efficiency (DE) of silicon powders is generally at a low level in APS processes. The reasons for the low DE values of silicon powders have not been sufficiently investigated in the literature. The aim of this study was to investigate in detail the influence of process parameters on the coating structure and deposition efficiency of a silicon powder processed with APS. A silicon powder with a size distribution of f = –53 + 15 µm was sprayed using a three-cathode plasma generator to produce coatings. The parameters such as plasma gas type, plasma gas flow rate and current intensity were varied widely. Accordingly, the power of the plasma generator increased from P = 19.4 to 51.3 kW, which allowed different melting and evaporation degrees of the powder. Particle velocities and temperatures were measured using a particle diagnostic method. The coatings were investigated in terms of their surfaces and structures using electron scanning microscopy (SEM). The porosities of the coatings were measured using an image analysis system. The deposition efficiency of the processed powder was determined. The results show that the used parameters led to high particle velocities in a range of about vp = 270–360 m/s. High particle temperatures of Tp = 2,650–3,390 °C were determined. The coating porosity varied from Φ = 2% to Φ = 15%. The porosity value of Φ = 2% is significantly lower than the values reported in the literature. The deposition efficiency of the powder changed from DE = 1.5% to DE = 28%. The value of DE = 28% is about 40% higher than the values reported in the literature. The strong grit-blasting effect was the main reason for the lowest DE value of DE = 1.5%. The strong evaporation effect was the main reason for the second lowest DE value of DE = 11.1%. Numerous melted particles and semi-melted particles splashed upon impact with the substrate, resulting in silicon melt loss. In addition, solid cores of semi-molten particles could bounce off, which also resulted in silicon loss. Splashing and bouncing were the main factors affecting DE for the parameter sets with DE values ranging from 18.7% to 28%.
Spine injections: the rationale for CT guidance
Authors: Bogdanovic Sanja , Sutter Reto , Zubler Veronika
Published: September 2022

Back pain is one of the most common medical problems and is associated with high socioeconomic costs. Imaging-guided spinal injections are a minimally invasive method to evaluate where the back pain is originating from, and to treat patients with radicular pain or spinal stenosis with infiltration of corticosteroids. CT-guided spine injections are a safe procedure, characterized by precise needle placement, excellent visualization of the relevant anatomical structures, and low radiation exposure for the patient and the interventional radiologist. In this review article, the variety of applications of CT-guided injections (focused on nerve roots and epidural injections) and the optimal injection procedure as well as risks and side effects are discussed.
Thumb reconstruction after radical tumor resection using free osteocutaneous lateral arm flap with secondary humerus fracture—a case report
Authors: Martin Judy , Taqatqeh Feras , Dragu Adrian , Notov Dmitry , Fritzsche Hagen , Grigorescu Oana , Bota Olimpiu
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Malignant diseases with infiltration of bony structures in the area of the phalanges or metacarpals require either amputation or complex reconstruction. The decision for reconstruction means to restore length, mobility, sensibility, stability as well as aesthetics.

Methods

We present a case of complex first ray reconstruction of the left hand using a free osteocutaneous lateral arm flap from the ipsilateral side. The reconstruction was performed after radical resection of an exulcerated squamous cell carcinoma, including the first metacarpal bone, trapezium, partial trapezoid and distal scaphoid as well as partial resection of the extensor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis longus and flexor carpi radialis tendons. The osteosynthetic restoration was achieved distally by a double wire cerclage and a proximally by temporary K-wire suspension. Moreover, to reconstruct the extensor pollicis longus tendon the ipsilateral palmaris longus tendon was harvested and used. Postoperatively, a secondary humerus fracture occurred, which was initially attended by plate osteosynthesis. The fracture showed delayed healing, which was treated by re-plating and autologous cancellous bone.

Results

12 months postoperatively, the patient showed an excellent outcome with length preservation and good range of motion, sensibility, stability and aesthetic of the thumb. Furthermore, the quarterly tumor aftercare showed no evidence of recurrence.

Conclusion

This case report showed that the free osteocutaneous lateral arm flap is a reliable solution for the reconstruction of the first ray with a great functional and aesthetic outcome. To prevent a secondary humerus fracture, a preventive plate osteosynthesis simultaneous with the osteocutaneous flap elevation should be considered.
Technology-driven approaches for meiosis research in tomato and wild relatives
Authors: Peters Sander A. , Underwood Charles J.
Published: September 2022

Meiosis is a specialized cell division during reproduction where one round of chromosomal replication is followed by genetic recombination and two rounds of segregation to generate recombined, ploidy-reduced spores. Meiosis is crucial to the generation of new allelic combinations in natural populations and artificial breeding programs. Several plant species are used in meiosis research including the cultivated tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) which is a globally important crop species. Here we outline the unique combination of attributes that make tomato a powerful model system for meiosis research. These include the well-characterized behavior of chromosomes during tomato meiosis, readily available genomics resources, capacity for genome editing, clonal propagation techniques, lack of recent polyploidy and the possibility to generate hybrids with twelve related wild species. We propose that further exploitation of genome bioinformatics, genome editing and artificial intelligence in tomato will help advance the field of plant meiosis research. Ultimately this will help address emerging themes including the evolution of meiosis, how recombination landscapes are determined, and the effect of temperature on meiosis.
Gemeinsame Verhüttung von Chalkopyrit und Antimonit in einer Schmelzgrube
Authors: Thurner Manuela , Strobl Susanne , Haubner Roland
Published: September 2022

Es wurde ein Verhüttungsversuch mit Chalkopyrit und Antimonit durchgeführt, um Rückschlüsse auf prähistorische Verhüttungsmethoden ziehen zu können. Chalkopyrit und Antimonit wurden teilweise geröstet und anschließend im Holzkohlenfeuer aufgeschmolzen. Im Schmelztiegel bildeten sich dabei drei Zonen aus: eine metallische Phase, die überwiegend aus metallischem Sb besteht, ein Bereich, der aus Mischungen von Cu- und Fe-Sulfiden zusammengesetzt ist, sowie einer Schlacke, die neben Fayalit auch noch nicht umgesetztes SiO2 enthält.

Dieses Ergebnis entspricht thermodynamischen Überlegungen, aufgrund derer sich beim Aufschmelzen gerösteter Cu- und Sb-Erze unter Holzkohle metallisches Sb sowie Cu- und Fe-Sulfide bilden sollten. Auch die gebildete Fayalitschlacke entspricht den Erfahrungen aus der Kupferverhüttung.

Da bei diesem Verhüttungsversuch kein metallischer Gusskuchen aus Kupfer sondern ein Gemisch aus Cu- und Fe-Sulfiden entstanden ist, konnte keine Vereinfachung der Kupferverhüttung, im Vergleich zur klassischen Chalkopyritverhüttung, erzielt werden. Daher ist auch nicht anzunehmen, dass in prähistorischen Zeiten Chalkopyrit und Antimonit gemeinsam verhüttet wurden.
Austrian treatment algorithms in HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: a 2022 update
Authors: Rinnerthaler Gabriel , Singer Christian , Petru Edgar , Egle Daniel , Petzer Andreas , Pluschnig Ursula , Gampenrieder Simon Peter , Pfeiler Georg , Gnant Michael , Grünberger Birgit , Krippl Peter , Strasser-Weippl Kathrin , Suppan Christoph , Brunner Christine , Pusch Renate , Sandholzer Margit , Balic Marija , Bartsch Rupert
Published: September 2022

In the past 12 months a plethora of relevant novel data for the treatment of metastatic HER2 positive breast cancer were published. To bring this new evidence into a clinical perspective, a group of Austrian breast cancer specialists updated their previously published treatment algorithm for those patients. For this consensus paper a total of eight scenarios were developed in which treatment strategies appropriate for specific patient profiles were evaluated. Consensus was established by detailed discussions of each scenario and by reaching full consensus.
Attitudes, attributions, and usage patterns of primary care patients with regard to over-the-counter drugs—a survey in Germany
Authors: Wangler Julian , Jansky Michael
Published: September 2022

Studies show that over-the-counter drugs are widely used by consumers. Moreover, there is a huge selection available and they are prominently featured in advertising. To date, there exist only a few studies that shed light on the attitudes, attributions, and usage patterns of patients with regard to use of over-the-counter drugs. An anonymized explorative waiting room survey was conducted among 900 patients in 60 GP practices in the German states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, and Rhineland-Palatinate. As well as the descriptive analysis, a t test was applied to independent random samples, in order to identify significant differences between two groups. 65% of respondents reported using over-the-counter drugs frequently or occasionally. With regard to effects, risks, and side effects, 54% state that they usually take advice from their GP and/or pharmacist before purchasing or taking over-the-counter preparations. For 56%, the package information leaflet is a frequent source of information about the over-the-counter drugs used. The respondents consider over-the-counter preparations to be particularly suitable for (preventive) treatment of colds, flu symptoms, and pain management. The widespread perception of over-the-counter drugs as simple to use (62%), low-dose (69%), and low-efficacy (73%) products does not always correspond to the actual capabilities and risks of over-the-counter self-medication. Given the easy availability of over-the-counter drugs and their strong presence in advertising, it is important that patients have a realistic idea of the capabilities and risks of over-the-counter products. In addition to the advice provided by pharmacists, the trusting, long-standing support provided by GPs and their ongoing information and advice services play a central role in this. It would be advisable to give more attention to this public health concern and to promote initiatives to make patients more aware of the risks regarding consumption of drugs without medical consultation.
Effects of water droplet injection on turbulent premixed flame propagation: a direct numerical simulation investigation
Authors: Ozel-Erol Gulcan , Hasslberger Josef , Chakraborty Nilanjan , Klein Markus
Published: September 2022

The influence of water droplet injection on the propagation rate of statistically planar stoichiometric n-heptane-air flames has been analysed based on three-dimensional carrier phase Direct Numerical Simulations for different turbulence intensities and different initially mono-sized droplets. It has been found that most water droplets do not completely evaporate within the flame due to their large latent heat of evaporation for the conditions considered here. Thus, the cooling effect due to the extraction of latent heat during the evaporation of water droplets dominates over the dilution of the concentration of reactants and gives rise to smaller reaction rate of reaction progress variable and thicker flame front than in the corresponding premixed turbulent flame without droplets. These effects (a) strengthen with decreasing droplet size due to higher rate of evaporation for smaller droplets, but (b) weaken with an increase in turbulence intensity. The interaction of water droplets with the flame affects the density-weighted displacement speed through its reaction and molecular diffusion components and the magnitudes of these components remain much greater than the components due to cross-scalar dissipation rate and two-phase coupling. The flame-water droplet interaction for the parameter range considered here acts to reduce the mean density-weighted displacement speed, consumption speed and turbulent flame speed, and this reduction becomes increasingly prominent with decreasing droplet diameter. However, it has been found that the presence of water droplets does not alter the qualitative nature of the strain rate and curvature dependences of both density-weighted displacement speed and consumption speed for the range of parameters considered here, but the correlation strength is altered by the presence of water droplets.
Genetic correlations between harvest weight and secondary traits in a silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) genetic improvement program
Authors: Hamilton Matthew G. , Yeasin Mohammed , Chadag Vishnumurthy Mohan , Delamare-Deboutteville Jérôme , Debnath Partho Pratim , Benzie John A. H.
Published: September 2022

In 2017, the base population of a family-based silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) genetic improvement program was spawned in Bangladesh. This program aims to improve the growth rate of silver carp under polyculture production systems, through direct selection on the primary trait of harvest-age weight. The objective of this study was to quantify genetic variation in, and genetic correlations between, harvest-age weight (assessed on 8012 fish from 184 families) and a set of secondary traits (assessed on 1603 fish from 175 families). Secondary traits examined included feeding and digestive system traits (i.e. gill raker sponginess and gut length as a ratio of standard length), a morphometric trait (i.e. extent of overlap of pectoral and pelvic fins) and health traits (i.e. presence of Lernaea and prevalence of red spots — sites of inflammation/haemorrhaging). Despite not being under direct selection, genetic change in secondary traits is possible across generations in closed genetic improvement populations as a result of a correlated response to selection for the primary trait (i.e. indirect selection), adaptation to culture conditions, inbreeding and/or genetic drift. It was found that the additive genetic variance within genetic groups was significantly different from zero for all but the studied health traits. Heritability estimates for harvest-age weight and pectoral/pelvic fin overlap were moderate (0.24 and 0.22, respectively) but were low for gill raker score and relative gut length (0.12 and 0.09, respectively). Genetic correlations between harvest-age weight and secondary traits were not significantly different from zero, indicating that selection for harvest-age weight will not result in a correlated response to selection in the studied secondary traits.
Alien and cryptogenic fungi and oomycetes in Austria: an annotated checklist (2nd edition)
Authors: Voglmayr Hermann , Schertler Anna , Essl Franz , Krisai-Greilhuber Irmgard
Published: September 2022

Fungal invasions can have far-reaching consequences, and despite increasing relevance, fungi are notoriously underrepresented in invasion science. Here, we present the second annotated checklist for alien and cryptogenic fungi and oomycetes in Austria. This list contains 375 taxa of which 278 are classified as established; compared to the first checklist from 2002, this amounts to an almost five-fold increase and the number of decade-wise first records is steadily rising since the mid-twentieth century. The introduction pathway is unclear for the vast majority of taxa, while the main means of spread within the country is unassisted secondary spread. Fungi were predominantly introduced from the Northern Hemisphere, especially North America and Temperate Asia. Rates of newly recorded alien fungi differ among phyla; the majority belongs to the Ascomycota, which experienced an 9.6-fold increase in numbers. Orders found most frequently are powdery mildews (Erysiphales, Ascomycota), downy mildews (Peronosporales, Oomycota), agarics (Agaricales, Basidiomycota), Mycosphaerellales (Ascomycota), rusts (Pucciniales, Basidiomycota) and Pleosporales (Ascomycota). The majority (about 80%) of the taxa are plant pathogens, while animal pathogens are few but severely affecting their native hosts. The dominance of pathogens in our checklist underlines the need of better tackling fungal invasions—especially in the light of emerging infectious diseases—and highlights potential knowledge gaps for ectomycorrhizal and saprobic alien fungi, whose invasion processes are often much more inconspicuous. Our results show that fungal invasions are a phenomenon of increasing importance, and collaborative efforts are needed for advancing the knowledge and management of this important group.
Yield reduction due to diseases and lodging and impact of input intensity on yield in variety trials in five cereal crops
Authors: Laidig F. , Feike T. , Klocke B. , Macholdt J. , Miedaner T. , Rentel D. , Piepho H. P.
Published: September 2022

Breeding of multi-resistant varieties to reduce yield loss due to disease damage and lodging, and reduction of input intensity are of high importance for a more sustainable cereal production. The aim of this study was to evaluate (i) yield reduction caused by diseases and lodging and (ii) impact of input intensity and soil fertility in cereal variety trials grown under two intensities. Intensity 2 was treated with and intensity 1 without fungicides and growth regulators. We applied multiple regression approaches based on mixed linear models. First, we estimated relative yield reduction in intensity 1 compared to intensity 2 as a function of severity scores of diseases and lodging. High yield reductions occurred in winter wheat and winter triticale, moderate in winter rye and winter barley and low in spring barley. The damage potential was highest for yellow rust, followed by brown rust, lodging and Septoria tritici blotch. Medium damage potential was identified for dwarf leaf rust and low for powdery mildew, Septoria nodorum blotch, Rhynchosporium as well as for stem and ear buckling. Second, differences in input intensity did not affect yield in intensity 2 across the range of nitrogen and fungicide application rates while higher yield occurred at higher growth regulator rates and soil fertility. Growth regulator was strongly related with higher yield in winter rye and winter barley, however in spring barley, a negative relation was found. Soil fertility showed the strongest yield impact in all crops.
Social Position and Social Status: An Institutional and Relational Sociological Conception
Authors: Farkas Zoltán
Published: September 2022

In this article, I discuss the concepts of social position and social status, the types of social position, as well as the determinedness of social statuses by the given positions in a new approach. In the first, introductory part of the article, I emphasize that the institutional sociological conception of social position in my approach is relatively closest to the structuralist position conception. In the second part, I introduce two different concepts, labelled social position and social status, and briefly review the social determinedness of social status. In the third part, social positions are typified from the point of view of the two components of social position: on the one hand, from that of social power relations and on the other from that of interest relations. I point out that the different social positions promote the realization of interests to different degrees, that is, they make it possible to attain different social statuses. In a related article, I illustrate the concepts and connections in question with a case study carried out on an industrial shop floor.
zhi-{yao, you} ‘only-{need, have}’: on two conditional connectives in Mandarin
Authors: Wimmer Alexander
Published: September 2022

This paper offers a compositional take on two internally complex conditional connectives in Mandarin, zhi-yao ‘only-need’ and zhi-you ‘only-have’. While the former conveys the antecedent proposition’s minimal sufficiency, the latter conveys its necessity for the consequent proposition to come true. Both connectives will be treated as pairing an exclusive particle, zhi, with a modal, an assumption that is less controversial for the necessity modal yao than for you, which will be treated as a possibility modal. Accepting this treatment, however, we have two connectives that openly differ in modal force. While the surface order will be preserved for zhi-you, an inversion will be shown to lead to better results for zhi-yao. In both cases, a possible extension to monoclausal uses is considered.
Gamma Radiation Induced Synthesis of Novel Chitosan/Gold/Bioactive Glass Nanocomposite for Promising Antimicrobial, and Antibiofilm Activities
Authors: El-Sayyad Gharieb S. , Abdel Maksoud M. I. A. , Fahim Ramy Amer , Bekhit Mohamad , Kassem Said M. , Awed A. S. , Gobara Mohamed , El-Batal Ahmed I. , Ashour A. H. , Elkhatib Walid F. , Abd El-Aziz Salim Mohamed
Published: September 2022

In the present study we reported, for the first time, the gamma irradiation induced synthesis of chitosan/Au/bioactive glass (CS/Au/BG) nanocomposite. The bioactive glass (BG), with the composition 45% SiO2, 32.5% CaO, 15% Na2O, and 7.5% P2O5 wt% was synthesized through the sol–gel technique. XRD, SEM, EDX, and elemental mapping images were utilized to evaluate the structure of pure BG and CS/Au/BG nanocomposite. The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated by zone of inhibition (ZOI), minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), growth curve assay, and Ultraviolet irradiation effect. Investigation was carried on the antibiofilm effectiveness. Membrane leakage as well as SEM imaging were used to evaluate the antibacterial reaction mechanism. The crystallite size of CS/Au/BG nanocomposite was determined via Scherer equation as 22.83 nm. CS/Au/BG possessed the most ZOI activity against the tested microbes. The highest inhibition % of BG, and CS/Au/BG nanocomposite was investigated for S. aureus (15.65%, and 77.24%), followed by C. albicans (13.32%, and 64.75%). The quantity of protein leakage was directly-proportional after increasing the concentration of BG, and CS/Au/BG and counted to be 70.58, and 198.25 µg/mL, respectively (after applied 10 mg/mL). The promising results suggested the use of novel CS/Au/BG nanocomposite as an encourage candidate for wastewater treatment application against pathogenic microbes.
Finding the Person in the Disorder: Adapting Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy for Bipolar Mood Disorder (MERIT-BD)
Authors: Schweitzer Robert , Sonnenburg Cherie , Komandur Priyanka
Published: September 2022

Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) was originally developed as an integrative recovery-oriented therapeutic approach to address the needs of people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and other forms of severe mental illness. The approach, conceptualized as transtheoretical, aims to promote a more coherent and synthetic sense of self, through stimulating insight, sense of coherence, and metacognitive capacity. We argue that MERIT therapy, designed to facilitate peoples’ ability to form complex ideas about themselves and others and to use this knowledge to respond to psychological problems, has application in addressing deficits associated with bipolar disorder (BD), where there may be a significant injury to the person’s sense of self. That is, the therapy addresses the nascent sense of self in a context where disturbance of mood is dominant, and in relation to the experience of episodic manic episodes which may be understood as dissociative events, often associated with shame. The application of the therapeutic approach, which we term MERIT-BD draws upon MERIT’s primary principle of facilitating complexity and integration of the self, and additionally addresses shame, allowing for the facilitation of metacognitive capacity and insight in the context of finding the person. This approach will be illustrated with case vignettes illustrating the application of key components of MERIT-BD. Early findings drawn from a series of case studies are encouraging.
Healthcare Students’ and Educators’ Views on the Integration of Gender-Based Violence Education into the Curriculum: a Qualitative Inquiry in Three Countries
Authors: Sammut Dana , Ferrer Lilian , Gorham Emily , Hegarty Kelsey , Kuruppu Jacqueline , Salvo Francisca Lopez , Bradbury-Jones Caroline
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Health and social care professionals are ideally placed to identify and address gender-based violence (GBV), yet research continues to demonstrate that the subject is being poorly covered at undergraduate level. This qualitative study explored health and social care students’ and educators’ views on GBV education, with a view to identifying ‘best practice’. We aimed to capture students’ and educators’ experiences and perceptions of GBV education across participating countries; how participants thought GBV should be taught/learned within their curricula; and their views on how GBV education might be ‘optimized’.

Methods

We conducted nine focus group discussions and one semi-structured interview with 23 students and 21 academic staff across the UK, Australia and Chile.

Results

Thematic analysis yielded three themes: (1) GBV addressed in all but name, (2) Introduce sooner, explore later and (3) A qualitative approach to learning. Educators and students indicated that GBV is largely being overlooked or incompletely addressed within curricula. Many participants expressed a wish for the subject to be introduced early and revisited throughout their study, with content evolving as cohorts mature. Lastly, our findings indicate that GBV education could benefit from adopting a ‘qualitative’ approach, prioritizing survivor narratives and incorporating dialogue to facilitate student engagement.

Conclusion

Though time constraints and competing demands within undergraduate curricula are frequently cited as barriers to moving away from traditional didactic methods, our findings suggest that teacher-centered strategies are insufficient and, in some regards, inappropriate for GBV education. The need for a paradigm shift in GBV education is discussed.
Assessment of Flooding Impact on Water Supply Systems: A Comprehensive Approach Based on DSS
Authors: Barbetta Silvia , Bonaccorsi Bianca , Tsitsifli Stavroula , Boljat Ivana , Argiris Papakonstantinou , Reberski Jasmina Lukač , Massari Christian , Romano Emanuele
Published: September 2022

The assessment of flood impact on a Water Supply System (WSS) requires a comprehensive approach including several scales of analysis and models and should be managed in the Water Safety Plans (WSP), as recommended in the EU Water Directive 2020/2184. Flooding can affect the quality of groundwater and surface water resources and can cause supply service interruption due to damaged infrastructures. A complete approach to address flood impact on WSS is required but not yet available, while only specific aspects were investigated in details. This work introduces a comprehensive tool named WAter Safety Planning Procedures Decision Support System (WASPP–DSS) developed in the context of MUHA (Multihazard framework for Water Related risks management) project. The tool is mainly addressed to small water utilities (WU) for supporting WSP development and is based on two main premises: 1) a correct approach for WSS risk analysis requires a multi-hazard perspective encompassing all the system components and different hazards; 2) other institutions in addition to WUs have to be involved in WSS risk analyses to harmonize monitoring and response procedures. The tool is here applied on risks associated to flooding and demonstrated for three case studies. The WASPP–DSS, tested by eight WUs, was found a potentially valid support for small WUs that must start drafting the WSP in a comprehensive way and can provide a common shared scheme. Improvements are desirable, as including a specific section to consider the issue of loss of water resources from reservoirs due to overflow.
Relation of pandemics with solar cycles through ozone, cloud seeds, and vitamin D
Authors: Lee Kwan Chul , Kim Jung Sun , Kwak Young Sil
Published: September 2022

The global records of infectious diseases, including Western and Eastern documents from 1825 to 2020, during which sunspot observations are considered reliable, show that 27 of the 34 pandemic outbreaks were coincident with sunspot number maxima or minima. There is evidence that the intensity of galactic cosmic rays is anti-correlated with solar activity and that cloud seed formation is accelerated by galactic cosmic rays. There are a substantial number of research papers showing the relationship between COVID-19 and vitamin D deficiency. The data analysis of ozone thickness measured based on NASA satellite observations revealed that ozone thickness has 11-year and 28-month cycles. Because the 11-year cycles of ozone thickness and cloud seed attenuation are anti-correlated, when either one becomes extremely thick, such as at the maximum or minimum point of solar activity, UV radiation is over-attenuated, and human vitamin D deficiency is globally increased. This finding explains the coincidence of pandemic outbreaks with the extrema of the sunspot numbers. Vitamin D supplementation can be an effective countermeasure against the spread of infectious diseases, which is a paramount importance to global society. Future pandemic forecasting should include the 11-year and 28-month cycles of UV radiation. This founding completes the relationship between solar activity and human health through the earth’s environment.
Diabetestechnologie abseits von Insulinpumpen und Sensoren
Authors: Laimer Markus
Published: September 2022

Zu Diabetestechnologien abseits von Insulinpumpen und Glukosesensoren zählen Verfahren, welche einerseits das Diabetesselbstmanagement und andererseits die medizinische Betreuung, therapeutische Anpassungen und Schulungen durch Diabetesfachpersonen unterstützen. Diabetes-Apps sind in einer großen Anzahl und Vielfalt in den App-Stores für unterschiedliche Systeme verfügbar. Die Funktionalitäten variieren, und nur einige Apps bringen im klinischen Alltag einen Mehrwert im Sinne einer automatisierten Insulindokumentation (in Verbindung mit Smartpens), Insulindosiskalkulation oder Bereitstellung therapierelevanter Informationen bezüglich der Mahlzeitenzusammensetzung. Die seit kurzem am Markt verfügbaren Smartpens entsprechen grundsätzlich konventionellen, wiederbefüllbaren Insulinpens, sind jedoch um die Möglichkeit, die Dosis und den Zeitpunkt einer Insulingabe zu speichern, erweitert. Die dokumentierten Insulinabgaben ermöglichen in Zusammenschau mit den Glukosewerten eine detailliertere Analyse mit Darstellung und Objektivierung von Optimierungspotenzialen. Eine weitere Unterstützung für Menschen mit Diabetes stellen Apps mit hinterlegten Mahlzeitendatenbanken und der Möglichkeit der Mahlzeitendokumentation dar, die auch in der Adipositastherapie verwendet werden. Die technologische Weiterentwicklung der Kamerasysteme und Sensoren von Smartphones führen zudem zu immer genaueren Möglichkeiten einer automatisierten Erkennung der Mahlzeitenzusammensetzung. Bei all der Euphorie über die zunehmenden und mannigfaltigen Möglichkeiten neuer Diabetestechnologien muss der Fokus weiterhin auf deren Bedienungsfreundlichkeit und Anwendbarkeit durch eine möglichst große Anzahl von Personen mit Diabetes gerichtet bleiben. Ebenso muss der Umgang mit durch Apps erhobenen Gesundheitsdaten und cloudbasierten Anwendungen die regulatorischen Standards und damit den Schutz des Individuums erfüllen und v. a. akzeptieren.
Back-calculation of soil parameters from displacement-controlled cavity expansion under geostatic stress by FEM and machine learning
Authors: Patino-Ramirez Fernando , Wang Zijie Jay , Chau Duen Horng , Arson Chloe
Published: September 2022

Estimating soil properties from the mechanical reaction to a displacement is a common strategy, used not only in in situ soil characterization (e.g., pressuremeter and dilatometer tests) but also by biological organisms (e.g., roots, earthworms, razor clams), which sense stresses to explore the subsurface. Still, the absence of analytical solutions to predict the stress and deformation fields around cavities subject to geostatic stress, has prevented the development of characterization methods that resemble the strategies adopted by nature. We use the finite element method (FEM) to model the displacement-controlled expansion of cavities under a wide range of stress conditions and soil properties. The radial stress distribution at the cavity wall during expansion is extracted. Then, methods are proposed to prepare, transform and use such stress distributions to back-calculate the far field stresses and the mechanical parameters of the material around the cavity (Mohr-Coulomb friction angle$$\phi $$ϕ, Young’s modulusE). Results show that: (i) The initial stress distribution around the cavity can be fitted to a sum of cosines to estimate the far field stresses; (ii) By encoding the stress distribution as intensity images, in addition to certain scalar parameters, convolutional neural networks can consistently and accurately back-calculate the friction angle and Young’s modulus of the soil.
The Longitudinal Association of Childhood and Adolescent Television Viewing with Substance Use Disorders and Disordered Gambling in Adulthood up to Age 45
Authors: McAnally H. M. , Wiki Te Oi A. , Nada-Raja S. , Hancox R. J.
Published: September 2022

Excessive leisure-time television viewing in childhood has been associated with a range of poorer outcomes in adulthood and may represent an early form of addictive disorder. As addictive disorders are often correlated, we tested the hypothesis that television viewing in childhood and adolescence would be longitudinally associated with adulthood substance-related and behavioural addictive disorders in a population-based cohort born in 1972/1973. Weekday television viewing time was reported at multiple ages from 5 to 15 years, and criteria for alcohol, cannabis, and tobacco use disorders and disordered gambling were assessed at multiple adult ages up to 45 years. Higher television viewing times were associated with a greater likelihood of meeting diagnostic criteria for all substance-related disorders and disordered gambling in models that were adjusted for sex (p values < 0.05). After adjustment for childhood socioeconomic status and childhood self-control, mean television viewing time (hours/day) remained associated with tobacco use disorder (OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.04–1.42, p = 0.017) and disordered gambling (OR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.07–1.66, p = 0.010). Excessive, leisure-time television viewing in childhood and adolescence may be a modifiable risk factor for tobacco use disorder and/or disordered gambling in later life.
isoAOT40: An improved ozone exposure index based on the Annual Ozone Spectrum Profile (AO3SP)
Authors: Agathokleous Evgenios , Saitanis Costas J. , Agathokleous Stefanos , Savvides Chrysanthos , Calatayud Vicent , Sicard Pierre
Published: September 2022

Abstarct

In recognition of the rising threats of ground-level ozone (O3) pollution to forests, agricultural crops, and other types of vegetation, accurate and realistic risk assessment is urgently needed. The accumulated O3 exposure over a concentration threshold of 40 nmol mol−1 (AOT40) is the most commonly used metric to investigate O3 exposure and its effects on vegetation and to conduct vegetation risk assessment. It is also used by international regulatory authorities for deriving critical levels and setting standards to protect vegetation against surface O3. However, fixed periods of the growing season are used universally, yet growing seasons vary with latitudes and elevations, and the periods of plant lifespan also differ among annual species. Here, we propose the concept of the Annual O3 Spectrum Profile (AO3SP) and apply it to calculate the profile of AOT40 throughout the year (AAOT40SP, Annual AOT40 Spectrum Profile) using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) weeks as a shorter window ISO-based accumulated exposure. Using moving time periods of three (for crops) or six (for forests) months, the isoAOT40 behavior throughout the year can be examined as a diagnostic tool for O3 risks in the short- or long-term during the lifecycle of local vegetation. From this analysis, AOT40 (isoAOT40) that is most representative for the local conditions and specific situations can be identified, depending on the exact growing season and lifecycle of the target vegetation. We applied this novel approach to data from five background monitoring stations located at different elevations in Cyprus. Our results show that the AAOT40SP approach can be used for improved and more realistic assessment of O3 risks to vegetation. The AO3SP approach can also be applied using metrics other than AOT40 (exposure- or flux-based), adding a new dimension to the way O3 risk to vegetation is assessed.