bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creating Remarkably Moisture‐ and Air‐Stable Macromolecular Lewis Acid by Integrating Borane within the Polymer Chain: A Highly Active Catalyst for Homo(co)polymerization of Epoxides
Authors: Gu Yanru , Kou Xinhui , Wang Xiaowu , Li Zhibo
Published: December 2023

Borane‐based Lewis acids (LA) play an indispensable role in the Lewis pair (LP) mediated polymerization. However, most borane‐based LPs are moisture‐ and air‐sensitive. Therefore, development of moisture and air‐stable borane‐based LP is highly desirable. To achieve this goal, the concept of “aggregation induced enlargement effects” by chemically linking multiple borane within a nanoscopic confinement was conceived to create macromolecular LA. Accordingly, an extremely moisture and air stable macromolecular borane, namely, PVP‐1B featuring poly(4‐vinylphenol) backbone, was constructed. The concentration of borane active site is greatly higher than average concentration due to local confinement. Therefore, an enhanced activity was observed. Moreover, the local LA aggregation effects allow its tolerance to air and large amount of chain transfer agent. Consequently, PVP‐1B showed remarkable efficiency for propylene oxide (PO) polymerization at 25 °C (TOF=27900 h−1). Furthermore, it enables generation of well‐defined telechelic poly (CHO‐alt‐CO2) diol (0.6–15.3 kg/mol) with narrow Đs via copolymerizing cyclohexene oxide and CO2 at 80 °C. This work indicates unifying multiple borane within a polymer in a macromolecular level shows superior catalytic performance than constructing binary, bi(multi)functional systems in a molecular level. This paves a new way to make functional polyethers.
2D Metal–Organic Framework Nanosheets based on Pd‐TCPP as Photocatalysts for Highly Improved Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Kim Ji Hyeon , Wu Siming , Zdrazil Lukas , Denisov Nikita , Schmuki Patrik
Published: December 2023

In this report, a 2D MOF nanosheet derived Pd single‐atom catalyst, denoted as Pd‐MOF, was fabricated and examined for visible light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). This Pd‐MOF can provide a remarkable photocatalytic activity (a H2 production rate of 21.3 mmol/gh in the visible range), which outperforms recently reported Pt‐MOFs (with a H2 production rate of 6.6 mmol/gh) with a similar noble metal loading. Notably, this high efficiency of Pd‐MOF is not due to different chemical environment of the metal center, nor by changes in the spectral light absorption. The higher performance of the Pd‐MOF in comparison to the analogue Pt‐MOF is attributed to the longer lifetime of the photogenerated electron‐hole pairs and higher charge transfer efficiency.
One‐step elaboration of flexible transparent conductive electrodes from silver nanowires/polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Judic Marine , Lonjon Antoine , Dantras Eric , Lacabanne Colette
Published: December 2023

A new simplified low temperature deposition method to manufacture flexible transparent conductive electrodes (FTCE) based on conductive polymer composite filled with silver nanowires (AgNWs) was investigated. Polyurethane/AgNWs composite was deposed on a poly(ethylene terephthalate) substrate as a conductive paint in a thin layer lower than 2 μm. The high aspect ratio nanowires influence on the electrical behavior is followed with surface resistivity and optical transparency experiments. The best compromise was obtained with a conductive layer filled with 2.84 vol.% of AgNWs; it exhibits a surface resistivity of 143 Ω/sq with 73% in transmittance. These transparent conductive composites processing in one step with good touching manipulation resistance demonstrate the real interest for this kind of FTCEs technology without indium tin oxide.
A dam management problem with energy production as an optimal switching problem
Authors: Chevalier Etienne , Di Girolami Cristina , Gaïgi M'hamed , Giovannini Elisa , Scotti Simone
Published: December 2023

We consider an optimal stochastic control problem for a dam. Electrical power production is operating under an uncertain setting for electricity market prices and water level which has to be kept under control. Indeed, the water level inside the basin cannot exceed a certain threshold for safety reasons, and at the same time cannot decrease below another threshold in order to keep power production active. We model this situation as a mixed control problem with regular and switching controls under constraints. We characterize the value function as solution of an HJB equation and provide some numerical approximating methods. We shall illustrate by numerical examples the main achievements of the present approach.
Detailed Cost Analysis of Hydrogen Refueling Costs for Fleets
Authors: Eißler Tobias , Schumacher Gwendolyn , Behrens Jochen , Mendler Friedrich , Voglstätter Christopher
Published: December 2023

The costs for hydrogen refueling of fleets were calculated by a two‐step approach. Firstly, different hydrogen refueling station (HRS) system configurations were simulated and optimized for various HRS sizes and 350 bar pressure, with the Fraunhofer ISE's toolkit H2ProSim, showing that large‐scale and pipeline‐supplied HRS can reduce the hydrogen refueling costs. Secondly, as customer travel costs to the HRS play an important role, especially in the hydrogen market activation phase, the placement and dimensioning of the HRS network was optimized in a case study for the Upper Rhine region. The analysis shows possible network structure and cost distributions for a set of specific customers. Hydrogen supply costs are highly dependent on the hydrogen demand and spatial distribution of the customers and can drop to values of around € 0.60 kg−1 for depot refueling stations for high‐volume customers. However, some customers cannot be supplied at a reasonable cost.
Rapid desorption and analysis for illicit drugs and chemical profiling of fingerprints by SICRIT ion source
Authors: Conway Ciara , Weber Markus , Ferranti Allison , Wolf Jan‐Christoph , Haisch Christoph
Published: December 2023

Forensic analysis can encompass a wide variety of analytes from biological samples including DNA, blood, serum, and fingerprints to synthetic samples like drugs and explosives. In order to analyze this variety, there are various sample preparation techniques, which can be time‐consuming and require multiple analytical instruments. With recent advancements in ambient ionization mass spectrometry (MS), plasma‐based dielectric barrier discharge ionization (DBDI) sources have demonstrated to cover a wide range of these analytes. The flow‐through design of this source also allows for easy connection to a thermal desorption type of sample introduction. We present an in‐house built thermal desorption device where the sample is introduced via a glass slide, which gets heated and transferred to the DBDI‐MS with nitrogen for identification and semi‐quantification. Using a glass slide as an inexpensive sampling device, detection limits as low as 20 pg for fentanyl are demonstrated. Additionally, a very precise (>96% accuracy) identification of persons based on the chemical profile of their fingerprints is possible, establishing a direct analytical link of the drug trace to the individual in one measurement. We compared the DAG, TAG, sterol, and (semi‐)volatile region of the averaged fingerprint spectra over multiple days, showing the best model accuracy for identification based on the DAG region. The combination of thermal desorption and DBDI‐MS minimized sample preparation, leading to an ultrasensitive and rapid analysis of illicit drug traces and the identification of underlying personas based on fingerprints.
Kidney and heart failure events are bidirectionally associated in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Sharma Abhinav , Inzucchi Silvio E. , Testani Jeffrey M. , Ofstad Anne Pernille , Fitchett David , Mattheus Michaela , Verma Subodh , Zannad Faiez , Wanner Christoph , Kraus Bettina J.
Published: December 2023

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate the bidirectional relationship between kidney and cardiovascular (CV) events in trial participants with type 2 diabetes and CV disease.

Methods and results

Post hoc analyses of EMPA‐REG OUTCOME using Cox regression models were performed to assess the association of baseline factors with risk of a kidney event and bidirectional associations of incident kidney events and CV events. Among placebo‐treated participants, baseline factors significantly associated with greater kidney event risk included lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, albuminuria, higher uric acid, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, and prior heart failure (HF). Coronary artery disease was not associated with increased risk. In placebo‐treated participants, occurrence of an incident non‐fatal kidney event increased the subsequent risk of hospitalization for HF (HHF) but not 3‐point major adverse CV events (non‐fatal stroke, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, and CV death). Vice versa, HHF (but not myocardial infarction/stroke) increased the risk of subsequent kidney events. These associations were generally also seen in empagliflozin‐treated participants and in the overall population. Interestingly, the risk of kidney events following HHF was not significantly increased in the relatively small number of placebo‐treated participants already diagnosed with HF at baseline.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate a bidirectional inter‐relationship between HHF and kidney events. Further exploration of this relationship and strategies to optimize the use of therapies to reduce both kidney and HF outcomes is warranted.
Mechanistic population models for ecological risk assessment and decision support: The importance of good conceptual model diagrams
Authors: Forbes Valery E. , Accolla Chiara , Banitz Thomas , Crouse Kristin , Galic Nika , Grimm Volker , Raimondo Sandy , Schmolke Amelie , Vaugeois Maxime
Published: December 2023

The use of mechanistic population models as research and decision-support tools in ecology and ecological risk assessment (ERA) is increasing. This growth has been facilitated by advances in technology, allowing the simulation of more complex systems, as well as by standardized approaches for model development, documentation, and evaluation. Mechanistic population models are particularly useful for simulating complex systems, but the required model complexity can make them challenging to communicate. Conceptual diagrams that summarize key model elements, as well as elements that were considered but not included, can facilitate communication and understanding of models and increase their acceptance as decision-support tools. Currently, however, there are no consistent standards for creating or presenting conceptual model diagrams (CMDs), and both terminology and content vary widely. Here, we argue that greater consistency in CMD development and presentation is an important component of good modeling practice, and we provide recommendations, examples, and a free web app (pop-cmd.com) for achieving this for population models used for decision support in ERAs. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1566–1574. © 2023 SETAC

Key Points

Population models can be valuable tools for ecological risk assessment (ERA), and their use is growing together with improvements in modeling guidance. Communicating key features of complex population models to different stakeholders can be challenging. Standardization of conceptual model diagrams (CMDs) can facilitate model communication, evaluation, and acceptance. We propose a standard template and free web app for creating CMDs for population models used to support ERAs.
Exploration of the cropping pattern based on the irrigation water–energy–food and carbon emission nexus
Authors: Chand Jeet B. , Bimali Sanjeeb
Published: December 2023

This study examined the existing cropping patterns, yield, irrigation water and energy use and carbon emission responses to explore the best cropping pattern based on the optimum water–energy–food and carbon emission nexus. The study consisted of field visits, questionnaire surveys among 510 farmers, 10 key informant interviews, one focused group discussion and subsequent analysis of collected data. The result of the research indicated that the best existing cropping pattern was rice–wheat–no crops with a net benefit of USD 491 ha⁻¹, benefit–cost ratio: 1.33, water use: 8830 m3 ha⁻¹, energy use: 43 GJ ha⁻¹ and carbon emission: 2420 kg CO2‐eq ha⁻¹. This study found spring rice to be the most appropriate agricultural commodity in the third season of the crop calendar and rice–wheat–spring rice, as the recommended cropping pattern in the selected area based on maximum production: 13.3 t ha⁻¹, the largest net income: USD 668 ha⁻¹, the highest benefit‐cost ratio: 1.27 and the least use of energy 802 GJ ha⁻¹ with release of

3840 kg CO2‐eq ha⁻¹ of carbon. After applying the recommended cropping pattern of this study, there will be significant growth in the benefit per unit use of water and energy and a substantial reduction in carbon emission per tonne of food production.
Tests of goods market integration between China and African BRI countries
Authors: Lee Shu‐kam , Shum Paul Kwok‐ching , Woo Kai‐yin
Published: December 2023

The Chinese Government has promulgated the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) to increase trade flows and integrate goods markets between China and BRI countries. The validity of purchasing power parity (PPP) implies well‐integrated goods markets, a precondition for further economic convergence, and the next stage of economic integration in factor, service, and financial markets. Our study aims to examine the validity of the PPP and the extent of goods market integration between China and selected BRI countries in Africa. Since the functional form of the cointegrating relationship may not be exact or linear, we adopt the nonparametric rank tests for analysis without prior knowledge and specification of the functional form. We also address the rank problems that occur in multivariate rank tests. Our empirical results provide strong evidence of an unrestricted PPP relationship with reasonably strong evidence of nonlinearity in the data. We also find that some African BRI countries have experienced goods market integration with China during the second‐half period only. This indicates that the introduction of the BRI in 2013 and China's active involvement in African economic development through BRI projects are leading to enhanced goods market integration between China and Africa. The results indicate favorable prospects of closer economic cooperation in the factor, service, and financial markets to build a free trade area or common markets with BRI countries in Africa.
Research on decision analysis with CVaR for supply chain finance based on partial credit guarantee and blockchain technology
Authors: Ge Xiangxiang , Ma Shujian , Wang Gang , Teng Ying , Qian Qi , Jiang Hua
Published: December 2023

Considering the influence of decision maker's risk preference degree on decision making, this paper employs CVaR risk measure criterion to facilitate decision making. The optimal decision making of supply chain finance under partial credit guarantee and blockchain technology empowerment is investigated. In addition, the CVaR decision models for supply chain finance under two scenarios of partial credit guarantee and blockchain technology empowerment are constructed. The inverse solving is conducted with the help of the Stackelberg model to find out the optimal ordering quantity, wholesale price, and interest rate. The influencing factors of decision making are investigated. This study shows that, within a certain risk‐averse range, the ordering quantity of retailers under the partial credit guarantee model is larger than that under the blockchain technology‐enabled model. In contrast, the conditional risk value of suppliers under the partial credit guarantee model is much smaller than that under the blockchain technology‐enabled model. In conclusion, the blockchain technology is beneficial to reduce supply chain finance risks.
Medicaid ACOs on MH care outcomes for Massachusetts children to be examined
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: December 2023

A University of Massachusetts Amherst public health researcher has been awarded a five‐year, $2.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to examine the impact of Medicaid accountable care organizations (ACOs) on the quality and outcomes of behavioral/mental health care for children in Massachusetts, a news release stated. ACOs are the value‐based health care delivery model designed to reduce Medicare and Medicaid costs while improving coordination and quality of care. “Fundamental changes in health care are needed to address socioeconomic and racial/ethnic disparities in behavioral health care quality and outcomes for children in vulnerable populations,” the grant summary states. In the past decade, the prevalence of mental health disorders among children has climbed in Massachusetts, said lead investigator Sarah Goff, M.D., Ph.D., a practicing pediatrician and internist and associate professor/chair of health promotion and policy in the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences. The researchers will use an innovative mixed methods approach to investigate how the launching of 17 new Medicaid ACOs in Massachusetts in 2018 may have impacted mental health care for children. Findings from the study are expected to inform providers, payers and policymakers responsible for the care of vulnerable populations of children with mental health disorders.
Climate warming suppresses abundant soil fungal taxa and reduces soil carbon efflux in a semi‐arid grassland
Authors: Qiu Yunpeng , Zhang Kangcheng , Zhao Yunfeng , Zhao Yexin , Wang Bianbian , Wang Yi , He Tangqing , Xu Xinyu , Bai Tongshuo , Zhang Yi , Hu Shuijin
Published: December 2023

Soil microorganisms critically affect the ecosystem carbon (C) balance and C‐climate feedback by directly controlling organic C decomposition and indirectly regulating nutrient availability for plant C fixation. However, the effects of climate change drivers such as warming, precipitation change on soil microbial communities, and C dynamics remain poorly understood. Using a long‐term field warming and precipitation manipulation in a semi‐arid grassland on the Loess Plateau and a complementary incubation experiment, here we show that warming and rainfall reduction differentially affect the abundance and composition of bacteria and fungi, and soil C efflux. Warming significantly reduced the abundance of fungi but not bacteria, increasing the relative dominance of bacteria in the soil microbial community. In particular, warming shifted the community composition of abundant fungi in favor of oligotrophic Capnodiales and Hypocreales over potential saprotroph Archaeorhizomycetales. Also, precipitation reduction increased soil total microbial biomass but did not significantly affect the abundance or diversity of bacteria. Furthermore, the community composition of abundant, but not rare, soil fungi was significantly correlated with soil CO2 efflux. Our findings suggest that alterations in the fungal community composition, in response to changes in soil C and moisture, dominate the microbial responses to climate change and thus control soil C dynamics in semi‐arid grasslands.
A thermal state‐dependent bounding surface model for volume change of clay
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Ng Charles Wang Wai , Zhao Xudong , Zhang Qi
Published: December 2023

Thermally induced volumetric strain of clay is crucial for geotechnical applications involving thermal loading. The volumetric response of clay shows a ratcheting pattern during thermal cycles until reaching a thermal stabilized state. It is also affected by the stress history of soil, including over‐consolidation ratio (OCR) and recent stress history (RSH). This paper introduces a new bounding surface model to capture effects of OCR and RSH on thermo‐mechanical behaviour of soil. A thermal state parameter is proposed to characterize the effects of stress history and thermal history. Based on the new thermal state parameter, the commonly recognised thermal softening mechanism is modified and incorporated with a bounding surface. The newly proposed model, with only 10 parameters, can provide an elegant approach to predict the volumetric response under thermal cycles coupled with different stress histories well.
A cohort study comparing the effects of medical cannabis for anxiety patients with and without comorbid sleep disturbance
Authors: Murphy Matthew , Erridge Simon , Holvey Carl , Coomber Ross , Rucker James J. , Sodergren Mikael H.
Published: December 2023

Background

Research on cannabis‐based medicinal products (CBMPs) in anxiety remains inconclusive due to a paucity of high‐quality evidence. Studies indicate a bidirectional relationship between generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and sleep disruption, but it is unclear how this affects CBMP treatment outcomes. This study aims to compare the patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) of patients prescribed CBMPs for GAD, with and without impaired sleep.

Methods

Changes in PROMs were recorded from baseline to 1, 3, 6, and 12 months between those with impaired or unimpaired sleep. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to compare factors associated with a clinically significant improvement in GAD‐7 at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included adverse event incidence and frequency.

Results

Of the 302 patients that fit the inclusion criteria, mean GAD‐7, single‐item sleep quality, and EQ‐5D‐5L index values improved at all time points (p < 0.001). A relationship between sleep impairment and clinically significant changes in GAD‐7 at 1 and 3 months was identified (p ≤ 0.01). On multivariate regression, only baseline GAD severity was associated with an increased likelihood of observing a clinically significant improvement in anxiety (p < 0.001). Seven hundred and seven (234%) adverse events were reported by 55 (18.21%) participants.

Conclusions

This study observed an association between CBMP treatment and improvements in anxiety in patients with GAD. While patients with comorbid sleep disruption had greater improvements in anxiety, the differences were not maintained in a multivariate analysis. Baseline anxiety severity may be a predictor for CBMP treatment outcomes.
Impact of Dupilumab on Sinonasal Symptoms and Outcomes in Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps
Authors: Hopkins Claire , Mullol Joaquim , Khan Asif H. , Lee Stella E. , Wagenmann Martin , Hellings Peter , Fokkens Wytske , Msihid Jérôme , Nair Radhika , Kamat Siddhesh , Nash Scott , Radwan Amr , Jacob‐Nara Juby A. , Deniz Yamo , Rowe Paul J.
Published: December 2023

Objectives

To assess the severity of the top 5 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22) items ranked most important by patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), the effect of dupilumab on these items, and their association with objective disease measures.

Study Design

Post hoc analysis of the SINUS‐24 (NCT02912468) and SINUS‐52 (NCT02898454) clinical trials.

Setting

Multinational, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group studies.

Methods

Patients ranked the SNOT‐22 items most affecting their health at baseline. Item symptom severity (0‐5 scale) was assessed at baseline, Week 24 (W24), and Week 52 (W52). Changes in nasal polyps score (NPS) and Lund–Mackay (LMK) scores were assessed in patients with/without SNOT‐22 items improvements of at least 1 severity group point at W24 and W52.

Results

The SNOT‐22 items ranked most important at baseline were “decreased sense of smell/taste” (87% of patients), followed by “nasal blockage” (82%), “postnasal discharge” (40%), “thick nasal discharge” (37%), and “wake up at night” (26%); 82%, 61%, 32%, 40%, and 26% of patients reported severe symptoms (score 4 or 5) for these items, respectively. Dupilumab improved score severity for all top 5 items versus placebo at W24 and W52. Improvements in NPS and LMK scores were numerically greater in patients with improvements in the SNOT‐22 top 5 items.

Conclusion

Loss of smell/taste was ranked as the most important symptom by patients with CRSwNP. Dupilumab reduced the severity of the top 5 most important SNOT‐22 items versus placebo, in parallel with improvements in objective disease measures.

Clinical Trial Registration

SINUS‐24 and SINUS‐52 clinical trials were registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, identifiers NCT02912468 and NCT02898454, respectively.
Self‐Assembled Metal‐Coordination Nanohelices as Efficient and Robust Chiral Supramolecular Catalysts for Enantioselective Reactions
Authors: Gao Cong , Li Shixin , Zhao Cici , Sun Qingqing , Sun Xiaohuan , Ge Lingling , Wang Lei , Xi Zheng , Han Jie , Guo Rong
Published: December 2023

The development of chiral nanostructures‐based supramolecular catalysts with satisfied enantioselectivity remains a significantly more challenging task. Herein, the synthesis and self‐assembly of various amino acid amphiphiles as chiral supramolecular catalysts after metal ion coordination is reported and systematically investigate their enantioselectivity in asymmetric Diels–Alder reactions. In particular, the self‐assembly of l/d‐phenylglycine‐based amphiphiles (l/d‐PhgC16) and Cu(II) into chiral supramolecular catalysts in the methanol/water solution mixture is described, which features the interesting M/P nanohelices (diameter ≈8 nm) and mostly well‐aligned M/P nanoribbons (NRs). The M/P supramolecular catalysts show both high but inverse enantioselectivity (>90% ee) in Diels–Alder reactions, while their monomeric counterparts display nearly racemic products. Analysis of the catalytic results suggests the outstanding enantioselectivities are closely related to the specific stereochemical microenvironment provided by the arrangement of the amphiphiles in the supramolecular assembly. Based on the experimental evidence of chirality transfer from supramolecular nanohelices to coordinated Cu(II) and substrate aza‐chalcone and the molecular dynamics simulations, the enantioselective catalytic mechanisms are proposed. Moreover, the relationships between molecular structures of amino acid amphiphiles (the hydrophilic head group and hydrophobic alkyl chain length) in supramolecular catalysts and enantioselectivity in Diels–Alder reactions are elaborated.
Report of the Nomenclature Committee for Algae: 25
Authors: Andersen Robert A.
Published: December 2023

Three names are recommended for conservation: Pseudokephyrion against Dinobryopsis and Kephyriopsis (Chrysophyceae), Phalacroma (Dinophyceae) against Phalacroma (Trilobita), and Discosphaera (Prymnesiophyta) against Discosphaera (Ascomycota). It is recommended that Actinostephanos (Bacillariophyta) and Actinostephanus (Gesneriaceae) be treated as homonyms.
Between Infotainment and Citizen Science: Degrees of Intended Non-expert Participation Through Knowledge Communication
Authors: Engberg Jan
Published: December 2023

An important part of scientific communication nowadays is to communicate backgrounds and results of research to the interested public and to other researchers, following the general principle of ‘open science’. The part of such scientific communication oriented towards the general public is often interchangeably called, for instance, popularisation, democratisation or dissemination, to mention some of the frequent denominations. In this conceptual chapter, a continuum of categories is proposed for this type of scientific communication intended to insert some relevant differentiations. Following a knowledge communication approach with a focus on knowledge asymmetries between senders and receivers, the proposed principle is that of level of participatory ambition, that is, to what extent the researcher wants to construct the knowledge asymmetry as one allowing the non-expert to participate in the knowledge generation or not. The four-stage continuum reaches from infotainment over dissemination and popularisation to citizen science as the knowledge communication type with the highest degree of participatory ambition. The continuum is intended to be used as a basis for linguistic studies of the ways the different level of participatory ambition is affecting text formulation.
The Internet of Production: Interdisciplinary Visions and Concepts for the Production of Tomorrow
Authors: Brecher Christian , Padberg Melanie , Jarke Matthias , Aalst Wil van der , Schuh Günther
Published: December 2023

Changes in society require changes in our industrial production. In order to remain competitive in the future, the masses of data available in production must be used urgently. This is still a challenge because data are often not accessible or understandable. Therefore, we developed the Internet of Production (IoP) concept which aims to collect, unify, and exploit different data sources and improve production. To this end, the various research domains of production technology, the need for a common infrastructure, and the concept of the Digital Shadow are presented. The vision can only be achieved through interdisciplinary cooperation between different disciplines. Therefore, the joint approach is explained and common research topics are presented. Interdisciplinary cooperation is the key for further steps to achieve the common vision.
Decision Support for the Optimization of Continuous Processesusing Digital Shadows
Authors: Idzik Christian , Hilger Daniel , Hosters Norbert , Kemmerling Marco , Niemietz Philipp , Ortjohann Lucia , Sasse Jana , Serafeim Alexandros , Wang Jing , Wolff Daniel , Hirt Gerhard
Published: December 2023

Decision support systems can provide real-time process information and correlations, which in turn assists process experts in making decisions and thus further increase productivity. This also applies to well-established and already highly automated processes in continuous production employed in various industrial sectors. Continuous production refers to processes in which the produced material, either fluid or solid form, is continuously in motion and processed. As a result, the process can usually not be stopped. It is only possible to influence the running process. However, the highly nonlinear interactions between process parameters and product quality are not always known in their entirety which led to inferior product quality in terms of mechanical properties and surface quality. This requires accurate representations of the processes and the products in real-time, so-called digital shadows.

Therefore, this contribution shows the necessary steps to provide a digital shadow based on numerical, physical models and process data and to couple the digital shadow with data analysis and machine learning to enable automatic decision support. This is exemplified at various stages throughout two different process chains with continuous processes: first, by using a thermoplastic production process called profile extrusion, and second, on the example of a metal processing process chain, from which three processes are described in more detail, namely, hot rolling, tempering, and fine blanking. Finally, the presented approaches and results are summarized.
Material Solutions to Increase the Information Density in Mold-Based Production Systems
Authors: Rudack Maximilian , Raffeis Iris , Adjei-Kyeremeh Frank , Chatterjee Sayan , Vroomen Uwe , Bührig-Polaczek Andreas , Bold Marie-Noemi , Schleifenbaum Johannes Henrich , Janowitz Julia , Vogels Carsten , Kalscheuer Christian , Heinemann Hendrik , Carlet Marco , Bobzin Kirsten , Vogel Sönke , Gillner Arnold , Melzer Felix , Dahlmann Rainer , Hopmann Christian
Published: December 2023

Production processes for the manufacturing of technical components are enabled by the availability and use of adequate engineering materials. Within the Internet of Production this work stream is dedicated to developing material and process-based solutions to increase the data availability during the manufacturing and operation of discontinuous mold-based production systems such as high-pressure die casting (HPDC) and injection molding (IM). This includes the development of data-driven alloy design strategies for additively manufactured mold components using tool steels as an initial use case as well as new surface-based smart sensor and actuator solutions. Material data and properties are tracked from the steel powder production via gas atomization until the final use in a mold to produce castings. Intermediate steps include the 3D printing of mold components via laser powder bed fusion and subsequent application of physical vapor deposition and thermal spraying-based smart multilayer coatings with sensor and actuator capabilities. The coating system is refined by selective laser patterning to facilitate the integration onto complex shape molding tool surfaces. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulation-based methods are developed to derive material properties required for the modeling of polymer-based materials. By using this integrated methodology with the application of integrated computational materials engineering (ICME) methods from the metal powder for the mold printing up until the casting or molding process, the foundation for a holistic life cycle assessment within the integrated structural health engineering (ISHE) framework is laid for the produced tooling systems as well as the molded parts.
Digital Shadows: Infrastructuring the Internet of Production
Authors: van der Aalst Wil , Jarke Matthias , Koren István , Quix Christoph
Published: December 2023

Digitization in the field of production is fragmented in very different domains, ranging from materials to production technology to process and business models. Each domain comes with specialized knowledge, often incorporated into mathematical models. This heterogeneity makes it hard to naively exploit advances in data-driven machine learning that could facilitate situation adaptation and experience transfer. Innovative combinations of model-driven and data-driven solutions must be invented but also made comparable and interoperable to avoid ending up in information silos. In future World Wide Labs (WWLs), experiences can be shared, aggregated, and used for innovation. WWLs will be complex, evolving socio-technical networks of interconnected devices, software, data stores, and humans as users and contributors of expert knowledge and feedback. Integrating a large number of research labs, engineering, and production sites requires a capable cross-domain Internet of Production (IoP) infrastructure. The IoP project claims Digital Shadows (DSs) to offer a shared conceptual foundation for infrastructuring the IoP. In engineering, DSs were introduced as the data provision link to Digital Twins, whereas in computer science, DSs generalize the well-established concept of database views. In this chapter, we elaborate on the roles of DSs in infrastructuring the IoP from three perspectives: analytic functionality, conceptual organization, and technical networking. As an example where an integrative DS-like approach is already highly successful, we showcase the approach and infrastructure of the process mining field.
Model-Based Controlling Approaches for Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Rüppel Adrian Karl , Ay Muzaffer , Biernat Benedikt , Kunze Ike , Landwehr Markus , Mann Samuel , Pennekamp Jan , Rabe Pascal , Sanders Mark P. , Scheurenberg Dominik , Schiller Sven , Xi Tiandong , Abel Dirk , Bergs Thomas , Brecher Christian , Reisgen Uwe , Schmitt Robert H. , Wehrle Klaus
Published: December 2023

The main objectives in production technology are quality assurance, cost reduction, and guaranteed process safety and stability. Digital shadows enable a more comprehensive understanding and monitoring of processes on shop floor level. Thus, process information becomes available between decision levels, and the aforementioned criteria regarding quality, cost, or safety can be included in control decisions for production processes. The contextual data for digital shadows typically arises from heterogeneous sources. At shop floor level, the proximity to the process requires usage of available data as well as domain knowledge. Data sources need to be selected, synchronized, and processed. Especially high-frequency data requires algorithms for intelligent distribution and efficient filtering of the main information using real-time devices and in-network computing. Real-time data is enriched by simulations, metadata from product planning, and information across the whole process chain. Well-established analytical and empirical models serve as the base for new hybrid, gray box approaches. These models are then applied to optimize production process control by maximizing the productivity under given quality and safety constraints. To store and reuse the developed models, ontologies are developed and a data lake infrastructure is utilized and constantly enlarged laying the basis for a World Wide Lab (WWL). Finally, closing the control loop requires efficient quality assessment, immediately after the process and directly on the machine. This chapter addresses works in a connected job shop to acquire data, identify and optimize models, and automate systems and their deployment in the Internet of Production (IoP).
Shade Tree Species Matter: Sustainable Cocoa-Agroforestry Management
Authors: Asitoakor Bismark Kwesi , Ræbild Anders , Vaast Philippe , Ravn Hans Peter , Owusu Kwadwo , Mensah Eric Opoku , Asare Richard
Published: December 2023

Shade trees are important components of cocoa-agroforestry systems because they influence yields, soil fertility and the occurrence of pests and diseases and may support adaptation to climate change. Based on a review of the existing literature and on primary data from field experiments, this chapter reports on the species-specific effects of shade trees in relation to the management of insect pests, black pod diseases and their impacts on cocoa yield. Shade tree species in cocoa systems impact soil available phosphorus differently and shade tree species such as Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata), limba (Terminalia superba) and mahogany (Khaya ivorensis) increase cocoa yield compared with cocoa systems without shade trees. The architecture of shade tree species may influence below-canopy temperatures and relative humidity, which potentially affect pests such as mirids and black pod disease infections and ultimately cocoa yield. As farmers have local knowledge of and preferences for certain shade tree species, strengthening the combination of scientific and local knowledge can prove a powerful tool for the improved management of shade tree species, as well as cocoa pests and diseases.
Social Challenges and Opportunities in Agroforestry: Cocoa Farmers’ Perspectives
Authors: Bosselmann Aske Skovmand , Boadi Sylvester Afram , Olwig Mette Fog , Asare Richard
Published: December 2023

Agroforestry practices in cocoa cultivation have historical roots going back to the Mayan sacred groves in Mesoamerica. Today, agroforestry cocoa, i.e., the integration of shade trees, plants and crops in cocoa systems, is promoted as a climate smart practice by public and private institutions. Shaded cocoa can sustain or even increase cocoa yields and the agroforestry systems may provide additional output for household consumption and sale as well as improve the microclimate and soil conditions on the farm. Despite these promising features, cocoa agroforestry systems are far from the norm in producing countries like Ghana. Based on discussions with groups of farmers across the Ghanaian cocoa belt, this chapter shows that while farmers are well aware of the positive aspects of shaded cocoa systems, traditional cocoa practices, village chiefs’ command of local land uses, land and tree tenure systems, alternative land uses and inability to access inputs and extension services limit the adoption and constrain the management of shade trees. As still more policies are developed to improve the Ghanaian cocoa sector, policymakers must consider these often overlooked social and institutional factors that prevent cocoa farmers from engaging in longer-term agroforestry practices and thereby benefiting from the opportunities they present.
Claim and Blame: How Welfare Law institutionalises Deservingness
Authors: Eule Tobias
Published: December 2023

This chapter argues that deservingness conceptualisations play a key part in rationalising welfare law, as they justify who can reasonably claim benefits and who is not eligible, and to blame for their own plight. Crucially, these deservingness conceptualisations are not just inventions of recent welfare conditionality programs that distinguish between activated, self-responsible and hesitant, punishable claimants, but have been part and parcel of all forms of welfare provisions. The chapter argues that acknowledging this and analysing how these conceptualisations have been institutionalised in welfare systems improve implementation studies. Thus, rather than comparing new and conditional social law in clash with existing ‘organisational culture’, we should compare the different deservingness conceptualisations of laws old and new and examine their different institutionalisation potentials.
What Is the Function of Welfare Law Today? Consequences of the Work-Line Policy
Authors: Sand Inger-Johanne
Published: December 2023

Welfare law has emerged from primarily giving rights to persons with sickness or disabilities or who are excluded from the labour market, to having a number of different functions including granting general rights to welfare benefits for all, and thus having a vital economic function. The rising costs of welfare rights have led to a change in welfare policies from a focus on rights towards an emphasis on including as many as possible actively in the labour market. To achieve this, labour market and welfare rights have been combined in one administration. The risk of increasing demands of economic efficiency may however be a lack of political priority of the problems of poverty for persons who cannot work, or who are on the lowest benefits.
Theoretische Debatten um strukturelle Heterogenität und Verflechtung
Authors: Graf Jakob
Published: December 2023

Dieses Theoriekapitel gibt einen Überblick über Debatten, die sich aus unterschiedlichen wissenschaftlichen Traditionen heraus mit der Frage des »Innen-Außen-Verhältnisses« kapitalistischer Gesellschaften des globalen Südens beschäftigen. Zunächst beginnt es mit einem Problemaufriss, der verdeutlicht, dass von einer globalen Vereinheitlichung sozioökonomischer Verhältnisse nicht ausgegangen werden kann. Es lässt sich in der Mehrheit der Länder des globalen Südens vielmehr von einer bleibenden und zentralen Rolle des bedarfsökonomischen Sektors ausgehen. Allerdings ist dieser nicht-kapitalistische Bereich nur in geringem Maße Gegenstand soziologischer Theoriebildung geworden. Unter denjenigen Ansätzen, die sich eingehender mit diesem beschäftigen, besteht zudem kaum Einigkeit, wie er analytisch zu fassen ist. Dieses Kapitel trägt in dieser Hinsicht zu einer theoretischen Klärung bei.
Empirische Untersuchung
Authors: Meller Stefan
Published: December 2023

Seit Beginn der Coronapandemie 2020 und dem damit verbundenen vermehrten Einsatz von Erklärvideos im Schulsystem wird auch im sachunterrichtsdidaktischen Diskurs verstärkt zu Erklärvideos geforscht und publiziert. Die wissenschaftliche Auseinandersetzung mit dem audiovisuellen Unterrichtsmedium aus fachdidaktischer bzw. unterrichtspraktischer Perspektive ist beispielsweise für eine lernförderliche Einbindung von Erklärvideos in den Sachunterricht von Bedeutung, um begründete Aussagen über Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des Mediums treffen zu können. Was zum Zeitpunkt des vorliegenden Forschungsvorhabens in der Didaktik des Sachunterrichts fehlt, sind evidenzbasierte Erkenntnisse zum Umgang von Lehrkräften mit Erklärvideos im Sachunterricht und deren didaktische Überlegungen, die hinter dem Einsatz des Unterrichtsmediums stehen.
Handlungsempfehlungen zur somatischen Gentherapie, Keimbahninterventionen und Zelltherapie
Authors: Fehse Boris , Walter Jörn , Bartfeld Sina , Clemens Stephan , Erb Tobias , Fangerau Heiner , Hampel Jürgen , Korte Martin , Müller-Terpitz Ralf , Mundlos Stefan , Reich Jens , Schicktanz Silke , Winkler Eva C. , Zenke Martin
Published: December 2023

Der umfassende Aufschwung der klinischen Gentherapie seit ca. 2010 (vgl. „Fünfter Gentechnologiebericht“ ) hat sich in den vergangenen Jahren fortgesetzt und konsolidiert. Der daraus resultierende breite Einstieg großer Biotech- und Pharmafirmen führte zu einer deutlich verbesserten materiellen und technologischen Basis, sowohl im Bereich der „klassischen“ Gentherapie als auch bei den neuen Techniken des Genome-Editing somatischer Zellen. Weiterhin bleiben jedoch die Entwicklung und Bereitstellung geeigneter Gentransfertechnologien für beide Ansätze eine Conditio sine qua non für die Effizienz und Sicherheit sowie für die breite Anwendbarkeit in der klinischen Versorgung von Patienten. Hier wird es auch in Zukunft keine einfache Lösung für alle Anwendungen geben, sondern spezielle genetische Vehikel (Vektoren) für die jeweilige klinische Gentherapiestrategie. In Deutschland tätige Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler im Bereich der Vektorforschung und der Gentransfertechnologien sind seit Langem international führend. Auch in angewandten Feldern wie beim Genome-Editing, der adoptiven Immuntherapie oder der HIV-Gentherapie kommen international führende Arbeiten aus Deutschland. Hier machen sich die Verbindung von grundlagenwissenschaftlicher und anwendungsorientierter Forschung in vielen Instituten sowie die ausgezeichnete Vernetzung von Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftlern mit Klinikerinnen und Klinikern innerhalb Deutschlands sehr bezahlt. Zu Einzelheiten verweisen wir auch auf eine kürzlich erschienene Publikation führender deutscher Gentherapieforscherinnen und -forscher, die einen sehr detaillierten Überblick über den Stand der Gentherapieforschung in Deutschland gibt.
Hämatopoetische Stammzelltransplantation: seit Jahrzehnten etablierte Zelltherapie
Authors: Kolb Hans-Jochem , Fehse Boris
Published: December 2023

Die Transplantation von Zellen und Organen war über Jahrhunderte ein Ziel der Medizin. Die hämatopoetische Stammzelltransplantation, d. h. die Übertragung des blutbildenden Systems von einem Spender auf einen Empfänger, ist die am längsten etablierte und seit Jahrzehnten erfolgreiche Anwendung in der Transplantationsmedizin.
Rechtlicher Rahmen und rechtliche Hürden für Zell- und Gentherapien in Deutschland
Authors: Müller-Terpitz Ralf
Published: December 2023

Gentherapien, sei es in Gestalt der Genaddition oder der Genomeditierung, an körpereigenen, d. h. somatischen Zellen, unterliegen zunächst den allgemeinen medizinrechtlichen Anforderungen. Gleiches gilt für die somatische Zelltherapie. Neben der aufgeklärten Einwilligung (Informed Consent) des Patienten oder der vertretungsberechtigten Personen (Eltern, Betreuer etc.) setzen diese Therapieformen vor allem eine Risiko-Nutzen-Analyse voraus. Diese hat sich am Schweregrad und dem Verlauf der zu behandelnden Erkrankung, an möglicherweise verfügbaren Therapiealternativen sowie an den Erfolgsaussichten einer (ggf. unerprobten) zell- oder gentherapeutischen Maßnahme zu orientieren. Seit 2013 sind beide Aspekte ausführlich im Zivilrecht (§§ 630d, 630e BGB) geregelt. Soweit es sich bei der Zell- oder Gentherapie um einen Heilversuch, d. h. um die Erzielung eines konkreten Therapieerfolgs durch einen gezielten, aber noch unerprobten Therapieversuch handelt, muss sich der Arzt zudem einer berufsethischen und berufsrechtlichen Beratung durch eine Ethikkommission unterziehen.