bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk factors for bladder neck contracture after transurethral resection of the prostate
Authors: Goßler Christopher , Pfänder Franziska , Haas Maximilian , Mayr Roman , Gierth Michael , Burger Maximilian , Rosenhammer Bernd , Breyer Johannes
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is the most frequently used treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia with a prostate volume of <80 mL. A long‐term complication is bladder neck contracture (BNC). The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors for BNC formation after TURP.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of all TURP primary procedures which were performed at one academic institution between 2013 and 2018. All patients were analyzed and compared with regard to postoperative formation of a BNC requiring further therapy. Uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression analyses (MVAs) were performed to identify possible risk factors for BNC development.

Results

We included 1368 patients in this analysis. Out of these, 88 patients (6.4%) developed BNC requiring further surgical therapy. The following factors showed a statistically significant association with BNC development: smaller preoperative prostate volume (p = 0.001), lower resected prostate weight (p = 0.004), lower preoperative levels of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA, p < 0.001), shorter duration of the surgery (p = 0.027), secondary transurethral intervention (due to urinary retention or gross hematuria) during inpatient stay (p = 0.018), positive (≥100  CFU/mL) preoperative urine culture (p = 0.010), and urethral stricture (US) formation requiring direct visual internal urethrotomy (DVIU) postoperatively after TURP (p < 0.001), in particular membranous (p = 0.046) and bulbar (p < 0.001) strictures. Preoperative antibiotic treatment showed a protective effect (p = 0.042). Histopathological findings of prostate cancer (PCA) in the resected prostate tissue were more frequent among patients who did not develop BNC (p = 0.049). On MVA, smaller preoperative prostate volume (p = 0.046), positive preoperative urine culture (p = 0.021), and US requiring DVIU after TURP (p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors for BNC development.

Conclusion

BNC is a relevant long‐term complication after TURP. In particular, patients with a smaller prostate should be thoroughly informed about this complication.
Remote consultations: a prescription from the past?
Authors: Caddick Barbara
Published: April 2023

Since the pandemic, remote medical consultations have become a routine part of healthcare provision. But the concept of remote consultations mediated via communication technology is not as new as we might expect, and was in fact predicted a century ago.
Respiratory syncytial virus: desperately seeking solutions
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: April 2023

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection remains a major public health problem, especially in younger children and the elderly. But several monoclonal antibodies, antivirals and vaccines, either recently launched or in development, offer new hope for RSV prevention and treatment.
Ethnic and racial diversity in early‐phase trial design
Authors: Okenyi Emmanuel , Walker Lauren
Published: April 2023

Ethnic representation is an often‐overlooked element of early‐phase clinical trial design. This article discusses the factors underlying this issue and suggests measures that could be taken to promote greater inclusivity in trials.
Drovelis: an oral contraceptive with drospirenone and estetrol
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: April 2023

Drovelis is a new combined oral contraceptive (COC) containing drospirenone and estetrol. This article discusses its dosing requirements, clinical trial efficacy and adverse effects.
Optomechanically Induced Faraday Effect with Mechanical Driving and Coulomb Coupling
Authors: Wang Tie , Han Xue , Liu Shutian , Zhang Shou , Wang Hong‐Fu
Published: April 2023

The optomechanically induced Faraday (OMIF) effect is investigated in a cavity optomechanical system (COS) consisting of an optical cavity and two mechanical resonators (MRs). Optomechanical interaction and mechanical driving can be used to manipulate the vector properties of photons. Even for weaker optomechanical interactions, perfect polarization mode conversion can be efficiently ensured. Moreover, mechanical driving can be viewed as a switch that turns on and off the all‐optical polarization control. The combination of Coulomb coupling and mechanical driving results in an asymmetric double‐ OMIF effect, which is helpful for the realization of nonreciprocal polarization optical transmission. The present scheme provides a more flexible approach for practical applications ranging from polarization optical mode conversion or modulation to multi‐band optical communication.
Development of an automated mobile robotic sprayer to prevent workers' exposure of agro‐chemicals inside polyhouse
Authors: Jat Dilip , Dubey Kumkum , Potdar Rahul R. , Chakraborty Subir Kumar , Kumar Satya Prakash , Chandel Narendra Singh , Rajwade Yogesh Anand , A Subeesh
Published: April 2023

Automated spraying practices are inevitable for modern polyhouse management to attain a broader objective of minimizing human exposure to agrochemicals. In the present study, an automated mobile robotic sprayer (AMRS) was developed to combat the increased human intervention and safeguard agricultural workers from potential health hazards. The system mainly comprises embedded sensors (ultrasonic, proximity, XBee) and controllers (Arduino, PLC). The controller drives the system on a piping track between the rows as well as on the head space achieving end‐to‐end automation for spraying operations. The system performance was evaluated on the tomato crop with respect to the physiological traits, yield and economics. Additionally, the study leveraged response surface methodology to optimize forward speed, spray distance, and working pressure of AMRS on the responses, droplet density, coverage, volume mean diameter (VMD) and application rate. Optimization of forward speed (0.79 km/h), spray distance (250 mm) and working pressure (0.40 MPa) resulted in 90.7 droplets/cm2 droplet density, 47.1% coverage, 170.2 μm VMD and 86.0 mL/m2 of application rate. Ergonomic aspects of AMRS were assessed by the parameters, human exposure, discomfort and postural assessment with respect to knapsack sprayer. The working heart rate of 103 beats/min, work pulse of 12 beats/min, oxygen consumption rate of 916 mL/min and energy expenditure rate of 18.7 kJ/min recorded during the ergonomic evaluation of the AMRS were 25%, 75%, 42%, and 41% lower compared to manual spraying, respectively. Moreover, three–six times higher work pulse, cardiac cost, body part discomfort score and overall discomfort rating were observed which indicated more drudgery involved in manual spraying. State‐of‐the‐art system developed for polyhouses would minimize the drudgery and health hazards, significantly. The system's resilience and effectiveness pave the way for its wider deployment where the use of agrochemicals are prevalent, particularly in small‐size polyhouses.
Chicken Egg Shell Waste Derived Calcium Oxide Based Nanohybrid For Rapid Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Water: Green Synthesis, Kinetics and Reusability
Authors: Rani Manviri , Keshu  , Usha  , Shanker Uma
Published: April 2023

The carcinogenic metal ions chromium (Cr+6) and lead (Pb+2) are prominent water pollutants. To substantiate this, green synthesized SnO2nanoparticle (usingS. mukorossiextract) was coupled with egg shell derived CaO nanocrystals. Crystalline nature of synthesized catalyst confirmed by PXRD and microscopic study revealed spherical SnO2decorated on the irregular surface of CaO. Synthesized nanohybrid followed adsorption and photocatalytic reduction (Cr+6to Cr+3; Pb+2to Pb0) (Cr+6: 94 %; Pb+2: 88 %) phenomenon. Synergism of CaO (51.9 m2 g−1; 2.9 eV) and SnO2(13.3 m2 g−1; 3.15 eV) was resulted into plenty of surface area (91.9 m2 g−1), low band gap (2.4 eV), and semiconducting nature of nanohybrid. As compared to Pb+2removal of Cr+6was faster due to higher value of reduction potential [Cr+6/Cr+3(1.35 eV); Pb+2/Pb0(−0.1262 eV)]. Photocatalyst proved to be effective upto 10thcycle. SnO2@CaO nanohybrid might be considered a potential photocatalyst in industries with sustainable approach.
Efficient Microfluidic Screening Method Using a Fluorescent Immunosensor for Recombinant Protein Secretions
Authors: Ito Yoshihiro , Sasaki Ryuichi , Asari Sayaka , Yasuda Takanobu , Ueda Hiroshi , Kitaguchi Tetsuya
Published: April 2023

Microbial secretory protein expression is widely used for biopharmaceutical protein production. However, establishing genetically modified industrial strains that secrete large amounts of a protein of interest is time‐consuming. In this study, a simple and versatile high‐throughput screening method for protein‐secreting bacterial strains is developed. Different genotype variants induced by mutagens are encapsulated in microemulsions and cultured to secrete proteins inside the emulsions. The secreted protein of interest is detected as a fluorescence signal by the fluorescent immunosensor quenchbody (Q‐body), and a cell sorter is used to select emulsions containing improved protein‐secreting strains based on the fluorescence intensity. The concept of the screening method is demonstrated by culturing Corynebacterium glutamicum in emulsions and detecting the secreted proteins. Finally, productive strains of fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) are screened, and the FGF9 secretion increased threefold compared to that of parent strain. This screening method can be applied to a wide range of proteins by fusing a small detection tag. This is a highly simple process that requires only the addition of a Q‐body to the medium and does not require the addition of any substrates or chemical treatments. Furthermore, this method shortens the development period of industrial strains for biopharmaceutical protein production.
Guest‐Induced Multilevel Charge Transport Strategy for Developing Metal‐Organic Frameworks to Boost Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Zhao Yujie , Shao Zhichao , Cui Yang , Geng Kangshuai , Meng Xiangru , Wu Jie , Hou Hongwei
Published: April 2023

Encapsulating photogenerated charge‐hopping nodes and space transport bridges within metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is a promising method of boosting the photocatalytic performance. Herein, this work embeds electron transfer media (9,10‐bis(4‐pyridyl)anthracene (BPAN)) in MOF cavities to build multi‐level electron transfer paths. The MOF cavities are accurately regulated to investigate the significance of the multi‐level electron transfer paths in the process of CO2 photoreduction by evaluating the difference in the number of guest media. The prepared MOFs, {[Co(BPAN)(1,4‐dicarboxybenzene)(H2O)2]·BPAN·2H2O} and {[Co(BPAN)2(4,4′‐biphenyldicarboxylic acid)2(H2O)2]·2BPAN·2H2O} (denoted as BPAN‐Co‐1 and BPAN‐Co‐2), exhibit efficient visible‐light‐driven CO2 conversion properties. The CO photoreduction efficacy of BPAN‐Co‐2 (5598 µmol g−1 h−1) is superior to that of most reported MOF‐based catalysts. In addition, the enhanced CO2 photoreduction ability is supported by density functional theory (DFT). This work illustrates the feasibility of realizing charge separation characteristics in MOF catalysts at the molecular level, and provides new insight for designing high‐performance MOFs for artificial photosynthesis.
Layered Clay Minerals in Cancer Therapy: Recent Progress and Prospects
Authors: Xie Weimin , Chen Ying , Yang Huaming
Published: April 2023

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, and current treatment regimens suffer from limited efficacy, nonspecific toxicity, and chemoresistance. With the advantages of good biocompatibility, large specific surface area, excellent cation exchange capacity, and easy availability, clay minerals have been receiving ever‐increasing interests in cancer treatment. They can act as carriers to reduce the toxic side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs, and some of their own properties can kill cancer cells, etc. Compared with other morphologies clays, layered clay minerals (LCM) have attracted more and more attention due to adjustable interlayer spacing, easier ion exchange, and stronger adsorption capacity. In this review, the structure, classification, physicochemical properties, and functionalization methods of LCM are summarized. The state‐of‐the‐art progress of LCM in antitumor therapy is systematically described, with emphasis on the application of montmorillonite, kaolinite, and vermiculite. Furthermore, the property–function relationships of LCM are comprehensively illustrated to reveal the design principles of clay‐based antitumor systems. Finally, foreseeable challenges and outlook in this field are discussed.
Supercritical CO2 Directional‐Assisted Synthesis of Low‐Dimensional Materials for Functional Applications
Authors: Liu Wei , Zheng Xiaoli , Xu Qun
Published: April 2023

Supercritical CO2 (SC CO2), as one of the unique fluids that possess fascinating properties of gas and liquid, holds great promise in chemical reactions and fabrication of materials. Building special nanostructures via SC CO2 for functional applications has been the focus of intense research for the past two decades, with facile regulated reaction conditions and a particular reaction field to operate compared to the more widely used solvent systems. In this review, the significance of SC CO2 on fabricating various functional materials including modification of 1D carbon nanotubes, 2D materials, and 2D heterostructures is stated. The fundamental aspects involving building special nanostructures via SC CO2 are explored: how their structure, morphology, and chemical composition be affected by the SC CO2. Various optimization strategies are outlined to improve their performances, and recent advances are combined to present a coherent understanding of the mechanism of SC CO2 acting on these functional nanostructures. The wide applications of these special nanostructures in catalysis, biosensing, optoelectronics, microelectronics, and energy transformation are discussed. Moreover, the current status of SC CO2 research, the existing scientific issues, and application challenges, as well as the possible future directions to advance this fertile field are proposed in this review.
Ratio‐Tuning of Silica Aerogel Co‐Hydrolyzed Precursors Enables Broadband, Angle‐Independent, Deformation‐Tolerant, Achieving 99.7% Reflectivity
Authors: Ji Xiaofei , Zha Wusong , Luo Qun , Li Guangyong , Du Yu , Zhang Xuetong
Published: April 2023

The super‐white body might be defined as its reflectivity exceeding 98% at any angle in the visible light spectrum, which can be used in a variety of emerging fields including optics, energy, environment, aerospace, etc. However, elaborate synthesis of a light‐weight, highly reflective super‐white aerogel body remains a great challenge. In this work, fine‐tuning of silica aerogel co‐hydrolyzed precursor ratios, 99.7% reflectivity with angle‐independence in the visible light spectrum has been successfully achieved when the areal density is only 0.129 g cm−2, which breaks through the theoretical bandwidth limit of photonic crystals as well as the measured reflectivity limit of conventional porous materials. Furthermore, the reflectivity of super‐white silica aerogel remains unchanged after various harsh deformations including compression and bending 1000 times, solar (≈800 W m−2), ultraviolet (≈0.68 W m−2), and humidity (100%) aging for 100 days, liquid nitrogen (−196 °C) and high‐temperature (300 °C) thermal shock 100 times. As proofs of performance, the resulting super‐white silica aerogels have been used as the novel standard white plate  for better spectrum calibration, as the flexible projector curtains for optical display, as well as the transmitted light reflective layer in the photovoltaic cell for improving the relative power conversion efficiency of 5.6%.
Defect‐Engineered Mesoporous Undoped Carbon Nanoribbons for Benchmark Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Srinivas Katam , Liu Dawei , Ma Fei , Chen Anran , Zhang Ziheng , Wu Yu , Wu Qi , Chen Yuanfu
Published: April 2023

For large‐scale fuel cell applications, it is significant to replace expensive Pt‐based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts with nonprecious metal‐ or metal‐free carbon‐based catalysts with high activity. However, it is still challenging to deeply understand the role of intrinsic defects and the origin of ORR activity in pure nanocarbon. Therefore, a novel self‐assembly and a pyrolysis strategy to fabricate defect‐rich mesoporous carbon nanoribbons are presented. Due to the effective regulation of nanoarchitecture, a vast number of defective catalytic sites (edge defects and holes) are exposed, which thereby enhances the electron transfer kinetics and catalytic activity. Such undoped nanoribbons display a large half‐wave potential of 0.837 V, excellent long‐term stability, and exceptional methanol tolerance, surpassing the most undoped ORR catalysts and the commercial Pt/C (20 wt.%) catalyst. Structural characterizations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirm that the zigzag edge defects and the armchair pentagon at the hole defect are responsible for outstanding ORR performance.
Photoactive and Intrinsically Fuel Sensing Metal–Organic Framework Motors for Tailoring Collective Behaviors of Active‐Passive Colloids
Authors: Ikram Muhammad , Peng Guogan , Hassan Qadeer Ul , Basharat Majid , Li Yurou , Zeb Shah , Gao Yongxiang
Published: April 2023

Microorganisms display nonequilibrium predator–prey behaviors, such as chasing–escaping and schooling via chemotactic interactions. Even though artificial systems have revealed such biomimetic behaviors, switching between them by control over chemotactic interactions is rare. Here, a spindle‐like iron‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) colloidal motor which self‐propels in glucose and H2O2, triggered by UV light is reported. These motors display intrinsic UV light‐triggered fuel‐dependent chemotactic interactions, which are used to tailor the collective dynamics of active‐passive colloidal mixtures. In particular, the mixtures of active MOF motors with passive colloids exhibit distinctive “chasing–escaping” or “schooling” behaviors, depending on glucose or hydrogen peroxide being used as the fuel. The transition in the collective behaviors is attributed to an alteration in the sign of ionic diffusiophoretic interactions, resulting from a change in the ionic clouds produced. This study offers a new strategy on tuning the communication between active and passive colloids, which holds substantial potentials for fundamental research in active matter and practical applications in cargo delivery, chemical sensing, and particle segregation.
Atomic Interface Engineering of Single‐Atom Pt/TiO2‐Ti3C2 for Boosting Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction
Authors: Li Han , Song Qinjun , Wan Sijie , Tung Ching‐Wei , Liu Chengyuan , Pan Yang , Luo GuoQiang , Chen Hao Ming , Cao Shaowen , Yu Jiaguo , Zhang LianMeng
Published: April 2023

Solar‐driven CO2 conversion into valuable fuels is a promising strategy to alleviate the energy and environmental issues. However, inefficient charge separation and transfer greatly limits the photocatalytic CO2 reduction efficiency. Herein, single‐atom Pt anchored on 3D hierarchical TiO2‐Ti3C2 with atomic‐scale interface engineering is successfully synthesized through an in situ transformation and photoreduction method. The in situ growth of TiO2 on Ti3C2 nanosheets can not only provide interfacial driving force for the charge transport, but also create an atomic‐level charge transfer channel for directional electron migration. Moreover, the single‐atom Pt anchored on TiO2 or Ti3C2 can effectively capture the photogenerated electrons through the atomic interfacial PtO bond with shortened charge migration distance, and simultaneously serve as active sites for CO2 adsorption and activation. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of the atomic interface engineering of single‐atom Pt and interfacial TiOTi, the optimized photocatalyst exhibits excellent CO2‐to‐CO conversion activity of 20.5 µmol g−1 h−1 with a selectivity of 96%, which is five times that of commercial TiO2 (P25). This work sheds new light on designing ideal atomic‐scale interface and single‐atom catalysts for efficient solar fuel conversation.
Vertex‐Shared Linear Superatomic Molecules: Stepping Stones to Novel Materials Composed of Noble Metal Clusters
Authors: Niihori Yoshiki , Miyajima Sayuri , Ikeda Ayaka , Kosaka Taiga , Negishi Yuichi
Published: April 2023

Extremely small metal clusters composed of noble metal atoms (M) have orbitals similar to those of atoms and therefore can be thought of as artificial atoms or superatoms. If these superatoms can be assembled into molecular analogs, it might be possible to create materials with new characteristics and properties that are different from those of existing substances. Therefore, the concept of superatomic molecules has attracted significant attention. The present review focuses on vertex‐shared linear M12n+1 superatomic molecules formed via the sharing of a single metal atom between M13 superatoms having icosahedral cores and summarizes the knowledge obtained to date in this regard. This summary discusses the most suitable ligand combinations for the synthesis of M12n+1 superatomic molecules along with the valence electron numbers, stability, optical absorption characteristics, and luminescence properties of the M12n+1 superatomic molecules fabricated to date. This information is expected to assist in the production of many M12n+1 superatomic molecules with novel structures and physicochemical properties in the future.
Investigations on physical, mechanical, morphological and water absorption properties of ramie/hemp/kevlar reinforced vinyl ester hybrid composites
Authors: Jagadeesh Praveenkumara , Puttegowda Madhu , Thyavihalli Girijappa Yashas Gowda , Shivanna Pradeep , Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay , Siengchin Suchart
Published: April 2023

Structural uses in the vehicle, aerospace, and sporting goods industries are being supplanted by hybrid composites that utilized natural fibers as reinforcements. The main focus of this work is to fabricate and characterize the ramie, hemp, and kevlar fabric reinforced hybrid vinyl ester composites. The composite laminates were fabricated via economically feasible and flexible hand lay‐up technique. Overall six composites were prepared by varying the stacking sequence, including both hybrid and non‐hybrid composites. The prepared composites were subjected to physical analysis (density, void fraction), mechanical tests (tensile, flexural, interlaminar shear, and impact test), morphological analysis (scanning electron microscopy), and water absorption test. The hybrid composites exhibited lesser void percentage than the non‐hybrid composites. The mechanical properties were maximum for kevlar fabric skinned with core natural fabric reinforced composites (L‐5, L‐6) due to hybridization of highly strengthened kevlar fabrics. Moreover, the number fabric layers reinforced to achieve the standard thickness also affected the mechanical properties. All composite morphologies exhibited the same failure characteristics, including transverse interlaminar shear cracking, microbuckling, and fiber rip. The texture of the Kevlar yarns is uniform, but the texture of the natural fabric yarns is relatively less uniform. In comparison to the salt water medium, the percentage of water absorbed by composites in normal and distilled water was greater. This is due to the presence and accumulation of salt particles on the surface of the materials, which inhibits the action of water molecules, resulting in a drop in the proportion.
Magnetic nanomaterials‐mediated neuromodulation
Authors: Lu Xiaofeng , Li Galong , Jiao Wangbo , Li Kuo , Zhang Tingbin , Liu Xiaoli , Fan Haiming
Published: April 2023

Researchers have leveraged magnetic nanomaterials (MNMs) to explore neural circuits and treat neurological diseases via an approach known as MNMs‐mediated neuromodulation. Here, the magneto‐responsive effects of MNMs to an external magnetic field are manipulated to activate or inhibit neuronal cell activity. In this way, MNMs can serve as a nano‐mediator, by converting electromagnetic energy into heat, mechanical force/torque, and an electrical field at nanoscale. These physicochemical effects can stimulate ion channels and activate precise signaling pathways involved in neuromodulation. In this review, we outline the various ion channels and MNMs that have been applied to MNMs‐mediated neuromodulation. We highlight the recent advances made in this technique and its potential applications, and then discuss the current challenges and future directions of MNMs‐mediated neuromodulation. Our aim is to reveal the potential of MNMs to treat neurological diseases in the clinical setting.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Neurological Disease
“I Have to be Optimistic”: Professional Fundraising and the Politics of Hope
Authors: Raddon Mary-Beth
Published: April 2023

This chapter reflects on the concept of hope as it was constructed through neoliberalism and deployed by the first large cohort of Canadian fundraisers. Beyond the fact that fundraising was a burgeoning career path in the early twenty-first century, fundraising was a “business of hope” in two other senses. First, fundraisers were identified as salespeople, selling the value and virtue of philanthropy for a better future. Second, fundraisers’ optimism was a mode of governance, making philanthropic culture appear desirable as well as inevitable. Fundraisers advised donors to invest hope in the marketplace of charitable institutions even if steeper inequality and eroded democratic institutions followed from the unrelenting, unequal competition in that sector and throughout society.
External Controls: Policing Entries, Enforcing Exits
Authors: Landini Irene , Sciortino Giuseppe
Published: April 2023

In this chapter, we provide an empirical critique of the conceptual frame of debates on convergence and divergence among EU states regarding migration policies. The key assumption underlying such debates is that EU states are essentially independent units, with their own admission and control challenges. We suggest, on the contrary, that migration control policies in Western European states should be considered as an interdependent, yet politically segmented, system.

We test this view by analysing two migration policy fields widely different in terms of history and development, i.e., visa and return policy. With regard to visa policies, the systematic configuration emerges clearly. We show that, over time, the original Northern model of visa controls has become the widely accepted normative model across all European states today, formalised in the New Common Visa Code. Existing differences between North and South Europe have to be read in light of this generally homogenous background. On the contrary, policy harmonization and cooperation in return policies and practices have always remained low. We do not observe, however, evidence of a North-South cleavage. Interestingly, a process that we could define as “converge” is at play, since all EU states have shown to be largely ineffective in removing unauthorised TCNs from their territories.
Differently Similar: The Quest for Migration Control in the Netherlands and Spain
Authors: Echeverría Gabriel
Published: April 2023

In relation to migration controls, the perceptions of the public opinion, but also the accounts of a good part of the specialized literature in this field, have often portraited the Netherlands and Spain as opposite examples. The Northern European country has been imagined as a paradigmatic case of strong control enforcement, while the Southern as one of weak control measures. Because of this type of analysis, a more general idea of a North/South divide, which sums up in a dichotomic picture the different approaches to migration in the continent, has become the hegemonic interpretative framework. However, whereas dichotomic pictures may be of help when the goal is to produce clear-cut and simple representations (or political and moral judgements), they are invariably misguiding when the goal is to understand reality. Migration policies and their enforcement are neither clear-cut, nor simple. Countries display in this field a very dynamic and fragmented conduct that may generate at times convergences or divergences with the others. This chapter will focus on internal control policies in the Netherlands and Spain. The analysis will show an ambiguous reality, complex enough to escape a dichotomist description in terms of opposites.
Boundaries in free higher derivative conformal field theories
Authors: Chalabi Adam , Herzog Christopher P. , Ray Krishnendu , Robinson Brandon , Sisti Jacopo , Stergiou Andreas
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We consider free higher derivative theories of scalars and Dirac fermions in the presence of a boundary in general dimension. We establish a method for finding consistent conformal boundary conditions in these theories by removing certain boundary primaries from the spectrum. A rich set of renormalization group flows between various conformal boundary conditions is revealed, triggered by deformations quadratic in the boundary primaries. We compute the free energy of these theories on a hemisphere, and show that the boundary a-theorem is generally violated along boundary flows as a consequence of bulk non-unitarity. We further characterize the boundary theory by computing the two-point function of the displacement operator.
Free energy on the sphere for non-abelian gauge theories
Authors: De Cesare Fabiana , Di Pietro Lorenzo , Serone Marco
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We compute the Sd partition function of the fixed point of non-abelian gauge theories in continuous d, using the ϵ-expansion around d = 4. We illustrate in detail the technical aspects of the calculation, including all the factors arising from the gauge-fixing procedure, and the method to deal with the zero-modes of the ghosts. We obtain the result up to NLO, i.e. including two-loop vacuum diagrams. Depending on the sign of the one-loop beta function, there is a fixed point with real gauge coupling in d > 4 or d < 4. In the first case we extrapolate to d = 5 to test a recently proposed construction of the UV fixed point of 5d SU(2) Yang-Mills via a susy-breaking deformation of the E1 SCFT. We find that the F theorem allows the proposed RG flow. In the second case we extrapolate to d = 3 to test whether QCD3 with gauge group SU(nc) and nf fundamental matter fields flows to a CFT or to a symmetry-breaking case. We find that within the regime with a real gauge coupling near d = 4 the CFT phase is always favored. For lower values of nf we compare the average of F between the two complex fixed points with its value at the symmetry-breaking phase to give an upper bound of the critical value $$ {n}_f^{\ast } $$

n
f
∗

below which the symmetry-breaking phase takes over.
Isomorphisms of $${\mathcal {C}}(K, E)$$ Spaces and Height of K
Authors: Rondoš Jakub , Somaglia Jacopo
Published: April 2023

Let $$K_1$$

K
1

, $$K_2$$

K
2

be compact Hausdorff spaces and $$E_1, E_2$$

E
1

,

E
2

be Banach spaces not containing a copy of $$c_0$$

c
0

. We establish lower estimates of the Banach–Mazur distance between the spaces of continuous functions $${\mathcal {C}}(K_1, E_1)$$

C
(

K
1

,

E
1

)

and $${\mathcal {C}}(K_2, E_2)$$

C
(

K
2

,

E
2

)

based on the ordinals $$ht(K_1)$$

h
t
(

K
1

)

, $$ht(K_2)$$

h
t
(

K
2

)

, which are new even for the case of spaces of real-valued functions on ordinal intervals. As a corollary we deduce that $${\mathcal {C}}(K_1, E_1)$$

C
(

K
1

,

E
1

)

and $${\mathcal {C}}(K_2, E_2)$$

C
(

K
2

,

E
2

)

are not isomorphic if $$ht(K_1)$$

h
t
(

K
1

)

is substantially different from $$ht(K_2)$$

h
t
(

K
2

)

.
ALS is imprinted in the chromatin accessibility of blood cells
Authors: Kühlwein Julia K. , Ruf Wolfgang P. , Kandler Katharina , Witzel Simon , Lang Christina , Mulaw Medhanie A. , Ekici Arif B. , Weishaupt Jochen H. , Ludolph Albert C. , Grozdanov Veselin , Danzer Karin M.
Published: April 2023

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a complex and incurable neurodegenerative disorder in which genetic and epigenetic factors contribute to the pathogenesis of all forms of ALS. The interplay of genetic predisposition and environmental footprints generates epigenetic signatures in the cells of affected tissues, which then alter transcriptional programs. Epigenetic modifications that arise from genetic predisposition and systemic environmental footprints should in theory be detectable not only in affected CNS tissue but also in the periphery. Here, we identify an ALS-associated epigenetic signature (‘epiChromALS’) by chromatin accessibility analysis of blood cells of ALS patients. In contrast to the blood transcriptome signature, epiChromALS includes also genes that are not expressed in blood cells; it is enriched in CNS neuronal pathways and it is present in the ALS motor cortex. By combining simultaneous ATAC-seq and RNA-seq with single-cell sequencing in PBMCs and motor cortex from ALS patients, we demonstrate that epigenetic changes associated with the neurodegenerative disease can be found in the periphery, thus strongly suggesting a mechanistic link between the epigenetic regulation and disease pathogenesis.
Integer Algorithm: A Useful Tool for Fault Diagnosis of Analog Circuits
Authors: Tadeusiewicz Michał , Hałgas Stanisław
Published: April 2023

This paper presents an efficient numerical method to solve systems of nonlinear algebraic equations. The method uses a homotopy simplicial approach associated with an integer algorithm. The integer algorithm is discussed in detail and supplemented with original procedures that play an essential role during computation. The fundamental problem of initial simplex generation was solved using the bounded variable simplex optimization method. Efficient root finding of nonlinear equations has wide applications in numerical mathematics and various engineering problems. The proposed method was applied to solve nonlinear equations that arise during the diagnostics of multiple parametric faults in electronic circuits. Circuits made with surface mount technology were considered, as well as circuits designed in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor and bipolar technology. A universal diagnostic procedure enables testing different circuit classes using standard measurement equipment. Laboratory and numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed diagnostic procedure is effective.
Machinability of nickel-titanium shape memory alloys under dry and chilled air cutting conditions
Authors: Zailani Zainal Abidin , Mativenga Paul Tarisai
Published: April 2023

Nickel-titanium (NiTi) shape memory alloys (SMAs) undergo phase transformation between austenitic and martensitic phases in response to applied thermal or mechanical stress, resulting in unique properties and applications. However, machinability often becomes challenging due to property and temperature sensitivity attributes. The use of chilled air to influence machinability in macro-milling was investigated in this study. Other than that, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the temperature of phase transformation. The results showed that milling with chilled air and minimal lubrication significantly improved machining performance by reducing tool wear and burr formation. Moreover, surface quality has also improved significantly. A notable discovery is that the machining process can change the critical conditions for phase transition, enabling new performance capability of tuning material hysteresis.
Humeral shaft fracture: systematic review of non-operative and operative treatment
Authors: Van Bergen Saskia H. , Mahabier Kiran C. , Van Lieshout Esther M. M. , Van der Torre Tim , Notenboom Cornelia A. W. , Jawahier Priscilla A. , Verhofstad Michael H. J. , Den Hartog Dennis
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Humeral shaft fractures can be treated non-operatively or operatively. The optimal management is subject to debate. The aim was
to compare non-operative and operative treatment of a humeral shaft fracture in terms of fracture healing, complications, and functional outcome.

Methods

Databases of Embase, Medline ALL, Web-of-Science Core Collection, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were systematically searched for publications reporting clinical and functional outcomes of humeral shaft fractures after non-operative treatment with a functional brace or operative treatment by intramedullary nailing (IMN; antegrade or retrograde) or plate osteosynthesis (open plating or minimally invasive). A pooled analysis of the results was performed using MedCalc.

Results

A total of 173 studies, describing 11,868 patients, were included. The fracture healing rate for the non-operative group was 89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 84–92%), 94% (95% CI 92–95%) for the IMN group and 96% (95% CI 95–97%) for the plating group. The rate of secondary radial nerve palsies was 1% in patients treated non-operatively, 3% in the IMN, and 6% in the plating group. Intraoperative complications and implant failures occurred more frequently in the IMN group than in the plating group. The DASH score was the lowest (7/100; 95% CI 1–13) in the minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis group. The Constant–Murley and UCLA shoulder score were the highest [93/100 (95% CI 92–95) and 33/35 (95% CI 32–33), respectively] in the plating group.

Conclusion

This study suggests that even though all treatment modalities result in satisfactory outcomes, operative treatment is associated with the most favorable results. Disregarding secondary radial nerve palsy, specifically plate osteosynthesis seems to result in the highest fracture healing rates, least complications, and best functional outcomes compared with the other treatment modalities.
First helminthological data on the Iberian adder, Vipera seoanei
Authors: Roca V. , Gómez-Ramírez F. , Espasandín I. , Megía-Palma R. , Perera A. , Martínez-Freiría F.
Published: April 2023

The helminth fauna present in the gut contents of Iberian adders, Vipera seoanei (Squamata: Viperidae), were characterised and analysed in respect to biological and eco-geographic factors that may affect the occurrence and diversity of helminths in this species. A total of 317 samples of preserved stomachs and intestines, covering the distributional range of V. seoanei, were examined. Similar to other Vipera species from the Iberian Peninsula, the helminth fauna was also impoverished in V. seoanei, but unlike other Vipera species from Central and East Europe, helminths were mostly found in adult vipers, and occurred in vipers located at the periphery of the species range, characterised by low elevation, high temperature and precipitation levels, and abundant pastures.
ST36 acupoint injection with anisodamine for postoperative nausea and vomiting in female patients after bariatric surgery: a prospective, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Xue Qi , Xing Qijing , Dong Ling , Guo Min , Zhang Xiaoyan , Wei Xinchun , Jia Benli , Wang Yong , Chen Hong , Hu Xianwen , Liu Hong , Zhang Ye , Wong Gordon Tin Chun , Huang Chunxia
Published: April 2023

Background

The use of multimodal pharmacological prophylactic regimes has decreased postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) in general but it still occurs in over 60% of female patients after bariatric surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ST36 acupoint injection with anisodamine in prevention of PONV among female patients after bariatric surgery.

Methods

Ninety patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy were randomly allocated to anisodamine or control group at the ratio of 2:1. Anisodamine or normal saline was injected into Zusanli (ST36) bilaterally after induction of general anesthesia. The incidence and severity of PONV were assessed during the first 3 postoperative days and at 3 months. The quality of early recovery of anesthesia, gastrointestinal function, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and complications were also evaluated.

Results

Baseline and perioperative characteristics were comparable between two groups. In the anisodamine group, 25 patients (42.4%) experienced vomiting within postoperative 24 h compared with 21 (72.4%) in the control group (relative risk 0.59; 95% confidence interval 0.40–0.85). Time to first rescue antiemetic was 6.5 h in anisodamine group, and 1.7 h in the control group (P = 0.011). Less rescue antiemetic was required during the first 24 h in the anisodamine group (P = 0.024). There were no differences in either postoperative nausea or other recovery characteristics.

Conclusions

The addition of ST36 acupoint injection with anisodamine significantly reduced postoperative vomiting without affecting nausea in female patients with obesity undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
Path norms on a matrix
Authors: Varsha  , Aishwarya S. , Kuncham Syam Prasad , Kedukodi Babushri Srinivas
Published: April 2023

We define row path norm and column path norm of a matrix and relate path norms with other standard matrix norms. A row (resp. column) path norm gives a path that maximizes relative row (resp. column) distances starting from the first row (resp. column). The comparison takes place from the last row (resp. column) to the first row (resp. column), tracing the path. We categorize different versions of path norms and provide algorithms to compute them. We show that brute-force methods to compute path norms have exponential running time. We give dynamic programming algorithms, which, in contrast, take quadratic running time for computing the path norms. We define path norms on Church numerals and Church pairs. Finally, we present applications of path norms in computing condition number, and ordering the solutions of magic squares and Latin squares
On p-harmonic self-maps of spheres
Authors: Branding Volker , Siffert Anna
Published: April 2023

In this manuscript we study rotationally p-harmonic maps between spheres. We prove that for (p) given, there exist infinitely many p-harmonic self-maps of $$\mathbb {S}^m$$

S

m

for each $$m\in \mathbb {N}$$

m
∈
N

with $$p<m< 2+p+2\sqrt{p}$$

p
<
m
<
2
+
p
+
2

p

. In the case of the identity map of $$\mathbb {S}^m$$

S

m

we explicitly determine the spectrum of the corresponding Jacobi operator and show that for $$p>m$$

p
>
m

, the identity map of $$\mathbb {S}^m$$

S

m

is equivariantly stable when interpreted as a p-harmonic self-map of $$\mathbb {S}^m$$

S

m

.
Erfolgsfaktoren für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung von Gewerbegebieten
Authors: Schack Carolin , Neise Thomas , Franz Martin
Published: April 2023

Gewerbegebiete bieten eine Fülle an Potenzialen für eine zukunftsorientierte und klimaangepasste Stadt- und Regionalentwicklung. Um eine nachhaltige Entwicklung von Gewerbegebieten zu erreichen, ist ein kontinuierliches Engagement von kommunaler Seite und die Begleitung der lokalen Unternehmen notwendig, damit die Bemühungen nicht schon nach wenigen Jahren ins Leere laufen. Ältere Gewerbegebiete stellen hierbei aufgrund ihres häufig hohen Versiegelungs- und Kontaminationsgrades eine besondere Herausforderung dar. Mittels einer Governance-Perspektive werden in diesem Beitrag die Erfahrungen des Projekts „Grün statt Grau – Gewerbegebiete im Wandel“ evaluiert, welches Konzepte zur nachhaltigen Transformation bestehender Gewerbegebiete entwickelt hat. Anhand von Expert*inneninterviews und einer Online-Befragung werden die Erfolgsfaktoren für eine Verstetigung der nachhaltigen Entwicklung von Gewerbegebieten dargelegt sowie Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet. Es wird herausgearbeitet, dass bewährte Mechanismen und Hebel, die zu einer langfristigen Verstetigung beitragen, sich häufig auch in anderen Kreisen, Städten und Gemeinden reproduzieren lassen. Hemmnisse müssen dazu jedoch frühzeitig angesprochen und im besten Fall präventiv verhindert werden.
Polarized Proton Structure in the Resonance Region
Authors: Hiller Blin A. N. , Mokeev V. I.
Published: April 2023

In view of the precise data available on inclusive polarized electron scattering off polarized proton targets in the nucleon resonance excitation region, we compare these results with the coherent sum of resonant contributions to the polarized structure function $$g_1$$

g
1

and virtual photon asymmetry $$A_1$$

A
1

. To this goal, we employ the nucleon resonance electroexcitation amplitudes determined for photon virtualities $$Q^2$$

Q
2

< 5.0 GeV$$^2$$

2

from analyses of the CLAS data on exclusive electroproduction off protons in the resonance region. Most of the well established resonances of four star PDG status in the mass range up to 1.75 GeV are included. We find that the resonance-like structures observed in the inclusive $$g_1$$

g
1

data are related to the resonant contributions in the entire range of photon virtuality $$Q^2$$

Q
2

where the data on $$g_1$$

g
1

are available. In the range of invariant mass of the final hadron system W > 1.5 GeV, the data on the asymmetry $$A_1$$

A
1

are well reproduced even when accounting for resonant contributions only, especially for the larger values of $$Q^2$$

Q
2

and energies analysed. This observation offers an interesting hint to quark-hadron duality seen in polarized inclusive electron scattering observables.
Rotation Enhancement of Conical Picks Coupled with Springs
Authors: Yasar Serdar , Odoom Kingsley , Shepel Taras , Bretschneider Jörg , Drebenstedt Carsten
Published: April 2023

Highlights

Effect of the spring on the conical pick rotation was investigated experimentally for the first time.

The combination of spring and conical picks resulted in higher amounts of rotation especially for 5 mm cutting depth.

A precise conclusion was not drawn about the effect of the skew angle on rotation.

4% of permanent deformation was observed on the spring as a result of 124 cutting tests.
A discovery system for narrative query graphs: entity-interaction-aware document retrieval
Authors: Kroll Hermann , Pirklbauer Jan , Kalo Jan-Christoph , Kunz Morris , Ruthmann Johannes , Balke Wolf-Tilo
Published: April 2023

Finding relevant publications in the scientific domain can be quite tedious: Accessing large-scale document collections often means to formulate an initial keyword-based query followed by many refinements to retrieve a sufficiently complete, yet manageable set of documents to satisfy one’s information need. Since keyword-based search limits researchers to formulating their information needs as a set of unconnected keywords, retrieval systems try to guess each user’s intent. In contrast, distilling short narratives of the searchers’ information needs into simple, yet precise entity-interaction graph patterns provides all information needed for a precise search. As an additional benefit, such graph patterns may also feature variable nodes to flexibly allow for different substitutions of entities taking a specified role. An evaluation over the PubMed document collection quantifies the gains in precision for our novel entity-interaction-aware search. Moreover, we perform expert interviews and a questionnaire to verify the usefulness of our system in practice. This paper extends our previous work by giving a comprehensive overview about the discovery system to realize narrative query graph retrieval.
Asymptotics of non-local perimeters
Authors: Cygan Wojciech , Grzywny Tomasz
Published: April 2023

We introduce a notion of non-local perimeter which is defined through an arbitrary positive Borel measure on$${\mathbb {R}}^d$$Rdwhich integrates the function$$1\wedge |x|$$1∧|x|. Such definition of non-local perimeter encompasses a wide range of perimeters which have been already studied in the literature, including fractional perimeters and anisotropic fractional perimeters. The main part of the article is devoted to the study of the asymptotic behaviour of non-local perimeters. As direct applications we recover well-known convergence results for fractional perimeters and anisotropic fractional perimeters.