bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overview of the Mechanistic Potential of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Cancer Chemoprevention
Authors: Bahuguna Ananya , Dubey Shiv Kumar
Published: August 2023

Despite of strides in modern cancer therapeutic strategies, there has not been a successful cure for it until now and prognostic side effects and substantial toxicity to chemotherapy and subsequent homeostatic imbalance remains a major concern for professionals in this field. The significance of the human microbiome in the pathogenesis of cancer is being recognized, documented, and established worldwide. Probiotics and prebiotics are some of the most extensively researched approaches to modulate the microbiota for therapeutic purposes, and research on their potential to prevent and treat cancer has sparked an immense amount of interest. The characteristics of probiotics and prebiotics allow for an array of efficient applications in cancer preventive measures. Probiotics can also be administered coupled with chemotherapy and surgery to alleviate their side effects and help promote the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs. Besides showing promising results they are accompanied by potential risks and controversies that may eventually result in clinical repercussions. This review emphasizes the mechanistic potential and oncosuppressive effects of probiotic and prebiotics through maintenance of intestinal barrier function, modifying innate immune system, immunomodulation, intestinal microbiota metabolism, inhibition of host cell proliferation, preventing pathogen colonization, and exerting selective cytotoxicity against tumor cells.
Skin fibroblast functional heterogeneity in health and disease
Authors: Bensa Tjaša , Tekkela Stavroula , Rognoni Emanuel
Published: August 2023

Fibroblasts are the major cell population of connective tissue, including the skin dermis, and are best known for their function in depositing and remodelling the extracellular matrix. Besides their role in extracellular matrix homeostasis, fibroblasts have emerged as key players in many biological processes ranging from tissue immunity and wound healing to hair follicle development. Recent advances in single‐cell RNA‐sequencing technologies have revealed an astonishing transcriptional fibroblast heterogeneity in the skin and other organs. A key challenge in the field is to understand the functional relevance and significance of the identified new cell clusters in health and disease. Here, we discuss the functionally distinct fibroblast subtypes identified in skin homeostasis and repair and how they evolve in fibrotic disease conditions, in particular keloid scars and cancer. © 2023 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Physico‐mechanical, and thermal properties of sisal/hemp/Kevlar fibers, fly ash and Titanium Carbide nanoparticles reinforced bioepoxy composites
Authors: Hemanth Mohit , Mavinkere Rangappa Sanjay , Siengchin Suchart , Ramalingam Ruban , Marwani Hadi M. , Khan Anish , Asiri Abdullah M.
Published: August 2023

In the present investigation, the chemically treated and untreated sisal/hemp fibers, fly ash or titanium carbide (TiC) nanofillers, and Kevlar fabrics reinforced bio epoxy (Sr 56) polymer matrix were manufactured using the wet layup method. Experimentation was performed to study the physical, mechanical and thermal properties. This investigation also includes determining the influence of accelerated weathering on the specimen surface for 5 months. The tensile fracture of the sample before and after the accelerated weathering from scanning electron microscope (SEM) pictures exhibited that the extensive failure principles in the laminates in terms of matrix cracking, fiber breakage, delamination, and fiber pull out. The thermal analysis examined the onset, endset temperature, transition loss, and carbon residue which were also reduced after the accelerated weathering. It exhibits that adding fly ash or TiC nanoparticles as an altered inhibitor against the weathering in the bio epoxy hybrid composite scheme can reduce the undesirable impacts from moisture and Ultra‐violet light exposure.

Highlights

Sisal/hemp fibers were chemically treated to reduce hydrophilicity.

Contact angle of KSCHCTBE56 improved to 84.04°.

SEM confirmed uniform dispersion of fillers and enhance mechanical strength.

Mechanical and thermal characteristics reduced after accelerated weathering.
Coupling between hydrolysis and mechanical relaxation in an ester‐based polyurethane network
Authors: Taourit Sabrina , Le Gac Pierre‐Yves , Fayolle Bruno
Published: August 2023

In this study, we first investigate the impact of a chain scission process due to hydrolysis on the relaxation behavior of an elastomer. We then explore the possible influence of a deformed state on the chemical reactions associated with hydrolysis. To perform the experiments coupling mechanical relaxation and hydrolysis, we select not only specific conditions such as the type of elastomer but also severe conditions such as immersions at high temperatures. Here, an ester‐based polyurethane network is chosen to easily hydrolyze the ester function, thus leading to a chain scission process. In addition, relaxation tests are performed in water at several temperatures (i.e., 40, 60, and 80 °C) to accelerate the hydrolysis rate. Results show that a deformed state does not accelerate the hydrolysis rate. However, a chain scission process clearly modifies the relaxation behavior. Finally, this behavior is modeled by coupling the chain scission kinetics with the relaxation time based on the Kohlrausch–Williams–Watts approach.
A Tunable Fano Resonator with High Sensitivity Based on Black Phosphorus in the Terahertz Band
Authors: Zhang Hao , Li Xue-Shi , Sun Weijun , Huang Yonghui , Xu Yuanmei , Wen Kunhua , Feng Naixing
Published: August 2023

A Fano resonator using black phosphorus, capable of tuning the operating band while possessing high sensitivity, is proposed. A ring and a groove are respectively etched above and below the main channel to produce the Fano resonance, resulting in a highly sensitive Fano resonator. Such a sensor can capture slight changes in the surrounding environment. Moreover, adding black phosphorus into the ring above the channel and into the groove below the channel, the electron doping of black phosphorus can be altered to adjust the resonant frequency of the Fano resonator. The shiftable frequency of the Fano resonator designed herein can reach 57 GHz at the second‐order resonance around 1.895 THz, an ability highly attractive in fields that require high sensitivity and adjustability. It is essential in the area of integrated electronics, offers fresh perspectives for innovations in integrated electronic gadgets, and paves the way for flexible terahertz systems.
Calculation of Phase 2 dose‐finding study sample size for reliable Phase 3 dose selection
Authors: Liu Fang , Zhao Qing , Rodgers Anthony J. , Mehrotra Devan V.
Published: August 2023

Sample sizes of Phase 2 dose‐finding studies, usually determined based on a power requirement to detect a significant dose–response relationship, will generally not provide adequate precision for Phase 3 target dose selection. We propose to calculate the sample size of a dose‐finding study based on the probability of successfully identifying the target dose within an acceptable range (e.g., 80%–120% of the target) using the multiple comparison and modeling procedure (MCP‐Mod). With the proposed approach, different design options for the Phase 2 dose‐finding study can also be compared. Due to inherent uncertainty around an assumed true dose–response relationship, sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the sample size calculations to deviations from modeling assumptions are recommended. Planning for a hypothetical Phase 2 dose‐finding study is used to illustrate the main points. Codes for the proposed approach is available at https://github.com/happysundae/posMCPMod.
Validation of the percolation‐based effective‐medium approximation model to estimate soil thermal conductivity
Authors: Patrignani Andres , Ghanbarian Behzad , Kluitenberg Gerard J. , Parker Nathaniel
Published: August 2023

Soil thermal conductivity (λ) has broad applications in soil science, hydrology, and engineering. In this study, we applied the percolation‐based effective‐medium approximation (P‐EMA) to estimate the saturation dependence of thermal conductivity () using data from 38 undisturbed soil samples collected across the state of Kansas. The P‐EMA model has four parameters including a scaling exponent (ts), critical water content (θc), and thermal conductivities at oven‐dry (λdry) and full saturation (λsat) conditions. To estimate the curve, the values of λdry and λsat were measured using a soil thermal properties analyzer and the values of ts and θc were estimated as a function of clay content. Thermal conductivity was also estimated using the Johansen model. By comparison with observations, the P‐EMA model resulted in a root mean square error (RMSE) ranging from 0.029 to 0.158 W m−1 K−1, whereas the Johansen model had an RMSE ranging from 0.021 to 0.173 W m−1 K−1. Our results demonstrate that the P‐EMA model has comparable accuracy to the widely used Johansen model to estimate the saturation‐dependent soil thermal conductivity of undisturbed soils with minimal input parameters. Future studies should focus on better understanding the physical meaning of ts and θc in the P‐EMA model to improve our ability to model thermal conductivity in undisturbed soil from percolation principles.
Recent Advances in Biosensors Based on Conducting Polymers for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Acar Tuğba , Nur Çimen Kübra , Özalp Elif , Ilıca Öznur , Ahlatcıoğlu Özerol Esma
Published: August 2023

Biosensors are very crucial applications in the medical field because of their stability, selectivity, sensitivity, reproducibility and linearity. Conducting polymers (CPs), which stand out with their electrical conductivity and easily synthesize and process, are used to improve the properties of biosensors. CPs are organic materials preferred in biosensor use because of both electrical and optical properties, biocompatible, thermal and environmental stability. In this review, a detailed analysis of the literature on biosensors based on conductive polymers and their biomedical applications has been made. It has been presented that conductive polymer‐based biosensors have an important role in biomedical applications.
Enhancement of Fluorescence Emission Intensity in a Sulfonyl Hydrazide Derivative of tri(biphenyl‐4‐yl)amine via Solid‐state Grinding with Various Metal Salts: Combined Experimental and Computational Studies
Authors: Mahto Amit Kumar , Kuldeep  , Barik Sahadev , Gajula Ramesh Kumar , Sarkar Moloy , Prakash M. Jaya
Published: August 2023

Solid‐state fluorescent materials are in huge demand owing to their potential applications in sensors, imaging, and LEDs. The molecular aggregations in the solid state limit their usage in practical applications. Typically, J‐aggregates show enhanced emission, while H‐aggregates show quenching in the solid state. Few supramolecular approaches (like creating hydrogen bonds) were developed to disturb the π–π and other supramolecular interactions in solid‐state H‐aggregates. Herein, we are reporting a p‐toulenesulfonyl hydrazide derivative of tri(biphenyl‐4‐yl)amine (TBA‐THZ) in the solid state showed negligible emission while grinding with M+X− (M+=alkali and alkali earth metal) salts showed enhanced emission. Existing supramolecular interactions were disturbed by dipole‐ion interactions between S=O⋅⋅⋅M+. The micro/nanometer‐sized salt crystal particles serve as templates for the TBA‐THZ molecules, and in the broad sense, the salt crystal surfaces act as a “solid‐state solvent.” The TBA‐THZ ground with various metal salts showed varied emission intensities; the BaCl2 ⋅ 2H2O salt ground sample exhibited the maximum emission intensity. The KPF6+18‐Crown‐6 sample showed 84 times enhanced emission than the pristine TBA‐THZ. The role of 18‐crown‐6 ether was observed as a donor type for K+ ions. The expected S=O⋅⋅⋅K+ dipole‐ion interactions were elucidated through FT‐IR and computational modelling. The slight change in emission wavelength to the higher side after grinding with metal salt indicates that dipole‐ion interactions might slightly modify the chromophore's electronic structure, encouraging radiative decay and higher emission intensity. In contrast, a similar molecule, TBA‐PH, with no sulfonyl functional group, was silent in emission intensity. The TBA‐PH solid has no significant emission even after grinding with metal salts. The emission capacity of the TBA‐THZ salt‐ground powder remained unchanged at higher temperatures and in a highly humid environment. The fluorescent active salt ground matrix of the TBA‐THZ responded admirably to HCl acid fumes and was regenerated upon exposure to ammonia vapours.
Relaxation Times of Ionic Liquids under Electrochemical Conditions Probed by Friction Force Microscopy
Authors: Hausen Florian
Published: August 2023

Ionic liquids (ILs) represent an important class of liquids considered for a broad range of applications such as lubrication, catalysis, or as electrolytes in batteries. It is well‐known that in the case of charged surfaces, ILs form a pronounced layer structure that can be easily triggered by an externally applied electrode potential. Information about the time required to form a stable interface under varying electrode potentials is of utmost importance in many applications. For the first time, probing of relaxation times of ILs by friction force microscopy is demonstrated. The friction force is extremely sensitive to even subtle changes in the interfacial configuration of ILs. Various relaxation processes with different time scales are observed. A significant difference dependent on the direction of switching the applied potential, i.e., from a more cation‐rich to a more anion‐rich interface or vice versa, is found. Furthermore, variations in height immediately after the potential step and the presence of trace amounts of water are discussed as well.
Dielectric‐Breakdown Properties of Ester Oil Prepared from Thermally Degraded Rice Oil
Authors: Murakami Yuichi , Senda Ayane , Ino Takuma , Muramoto Yuji
Published: August 2023

The vegetable‐insulating oils are used in electrical systems recently. Most of vegetable‐insulating oils are manufactured from new oils. In this paper, we propose to develop the insulating oils from the used cooking oil. The used cooking oils that means thermal degraded—vegetable oil has high kinematic viscosity that does not meet the JIS values. In this study, the kinematic viscosity of thermal degraded oil was decreased using ester exchange reaction. We simulated the thermally‐degraded rice ester oil as used cooking oil, and investigated the potential of used cooking oil as insulating oil. We manufactured rice ester oil after thermal degradation before and after the ester‐exchange reaction and measure kinematic viscosity, AC breakdown voltage, moisture amount and volume resistivity for oil samples. We evaluated the degree of thermal degradation of the sample oil using total polar molecule (TPM). The results are described as follows. (1) The kinematic viscosity and volume resistivity of the rice oil increased with the thermal degradation progress (increase in TPM). The kinematic viscosity of the rice ester oil at each TPM value decreased after the ester‐exchange reaction. (2) After vacuum deaeration (2 h at 80°C and 22 h at room temperature), the moisture content of the rice oil before and after the ester‐exchange reaction was almost the same. (3) The AC breakdown strength after ester‐exchange reaction was higher than that of the untreated oil. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Proanthocyanidins inhibited colorectal cancer stem cell characteristics through Wnt/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Chen Yuzhuo , Yang Zhirong , He Xingqiang , Zhu Wanglong , Wang Yujun , Li Jiaofeng , Han Zhengyu , Wen Jie , Liu Wei , Yang Yuhan , Zhang Kun
Published: August 2023

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) play a key role in tumor cell growth, drug resistance, recurrence, and metastasis. Proanthocyanidins (PC) is widely existed in plants and endowed with powerful antioxidant and anti‐aging effects. Interestingly, recent studies have found that PC exhibits the inhibitory effect on tumor growth. However, the role of PC in CSCs of colorectal cancer (CRC) and molecular mechanism remain unclear.

Methods

CCK‐8, colony, and tumorsphere formation assay were used to evaluate cancer cell viability and stemness, respectively. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression. Tumor xenograft experiments were employed to examine the tumorigenicity of CRC cells in nude mice.

Results

PC decreased the proliferation of CRC cells (HT29 and HCT‐116), and improved the sensitivity of CRC cells to oxaliplatin (L‐OHP), as well as inhibited tumor growth in nude mice. Further studies showed that PC also down‐regulated CSCs surface molecular and stemness transcriptional factors, while suppressed the formations of tumorspheres and cell colony in CRC. In addition, PC‐impaired proteins expressions of p‐GSK3β, β‐catenin and DVL1‐3. LiCl, an activator of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, rescued PC‐induced downregulation of CSCs markers, and reduction of tumorspheres and cell colony formation abilities in CRC cells. Furthermore, the effects of PC on inhibiting cell proliferation and enhancing L‐OHP sensitivity were impaired by LiCl.

Conclusions

PC exerted an inhibitory effect on CSCs via Wnt/β‐catenin in CRC, and may be a potential new class of natural drug for CRC treatment.
Recent bioleaching approaches employed for the extraction of metals in mining fields for the purpose of utilization and creating the sustainable future
Authors: Devi A. Sheela , Ganesh S.
Published: August 2023

Recovery of the resources is considered to be a significant thing in the perspective of saving the cost economically and also for sustainable future utilization efficiently. Metals are extracted by mining processes in mines located on all over the world to consummate the needs put forth by the developing society. But mining process was found to be possessing and creating negative impact on environment during the time of mining and even after closed completely. This negative impact mainly relies on the process which is employed during the extraction of metals. Chemical methods were conventionally used from then until today for the extraction purposes. But it was reported that it has been severely affecting the surroundings. So, many mining industries started to find out the way for shifting themselves towards eco‐friendly procedures. As a result, microorganisms are employed to promote the process towards non‐polluting and naturally sustainable way. This process of using microorganisms for the extraction purposes was termed as bioleaching. It is now regarded as one of the effective ways for extraction purposes, but in limited cases. So, rather than using the chemical leaching method which highly includes chemical reactions that may be toxic or non‐toxic, this bioleaching method could be followed for its cost‐effective nature. It is a more environmentally friendly method when compared with traditional methods of industrial mining. Bacterial and Fungal species were importantly used for carrying out bioleaching. This method has now become a possible thing because of biotechnological improvements and advancements. It is also worth to note here that many researches have been going on currently to study the diversity of this concept. This article mainly aims at elucidating the overall concept of bioleaching using microorganisms in the mining industry as well as its mechanisms, applications, recent advancements and its future expectations.
Online gambling among young men: a rising tide?
Authors: Ioannidis Konstantinos , Bowden‐Jones Henrietta
Published: August 2023

Young people, in particular young men, are at risk of harm from gambling. Indeed, gambling disorder is a neglected public health issue. Recent government proposals in the UK aim to address the problem, but they may not be enough. In this article the authors explore the complex issues around gambling disorder, especially as it relates to online gambling, including some of the factors that put young men at greater risk.
Three‐dimensional echocardiography and strain cardiac imaging in women with pre‐eclampsia with follow‐up to 6 months postpartum
Authors: Company Calabuig A. M. , Nunez E. , Georgiopoulos G. , Nicolaides K. H. , Charakida M. , De Paco Matallana C.
Published: August 2023

Objective

Epidemiological studies have established that women with pre‐eclampsia (PE) are at increased long‐term cardiovascular risk. Mild cardiac functional changes have been documented during pregnancy in women with PE, but their evolution from presentation to the postpartum period remains poorly defined. The aim of this study was to assess biventricular cardiovascular indices using novel and sensitive two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional (3D) echocardiographic modalities in pregnancy and to track alterations in both risk factors and cardiovascular indices in the postpartum period.

Methods

A total of 59 women with PE were examined at 34 (interquartile range, 31–37) weeks' gestation and at 2–3 days, 3 months and 6 months postpartum. During pregnancy, 118 women with a normotensive pregnancy were also recruited as controls. Biventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular mass were measured by 3D echocardiography. Biventricular global longitudinal strain and strain of the left atrium were assessed using speckle‐tracking imaging.

Results

In women with PE, compared with controls, there was lower left ventricular diastolic function (left atrial reservoir strain, 44.1% vs 49.2%) and increased left ventricular mass index (148 vs 128 g/m2), but there was no significant difference in right ventricular functional indices. These alterations in cardiac indices were mostly explained by differences in maternal risk factors. In the postpartum period, most cardiac indices improved by 3 months. Multivariable linear mixed‐model analysis demonstrated that this improvement was mostly attributed to reduction in weight and blood pressure.

Conclusion

In women with PE, there is postpartum improvement in cardiac functional and structural indices in parallel with improvement in their risk factor profile. © 2023 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Conceptualisations of Extra-Curricular Cross-Sector Partnerships in the Context of The Cultural Schoolbag and Physical Activity Health Initiatives in Norwegian Schools
Authors: Borgen Jorunn Spord , Hallås Bjørg Oddrun
Published: August 2023

Over the past decades, cross-sector partnership and collaborations in schools have been embraced and developed in many countries as a form of joint work that requires mutual engagement across boundaries within the education policy and practice nexus. However, the addition of extra-curricular content into the school by external partners can be challenging, as it requires the restructuring of the kind of content and knowledge that should be ground in school. How those involved in the cross-sector partnerships negotiate the knowledge ground for certain extra-curricular content and practices is influenced by the context-dependent relationships within the research-policy-practice nexus. Building on previous empirical research conducted by the authors and a document analysis, this article investigates the conceptualisations and key events of two empirical examples of such extra-curricular cross-sector partnerships in the context of compulsory education in Norway. The chapter contributes new knowledge about the research-policy-practice nexus in these partnerships.
Tracing Policy in Practice. Exploring the Interactional Exercise of Oral Assessment
Authors: Wiig Astrid Camilla
Published: August 2023

By empirically zooming in on oracy as an area of educational reforms, this chapter illuminates how a new oral assessment phenomenon that has been observed in practice meets, overlaps, and, more recently, challenges educational policy in the Norwegian educational context. Conducted in three lower secondary schools, the study draws on audio-recorded materials capturing authentic teacher–student dialogues in group subject talk tests. By exploring authentic assessment practices, the chapter analyzes (1) which aspects of competence students are made accountable for and (2) how the introduction of learning outcomes and oracy as one of five core skills can challenge the interactional exercise of oral assessment in educational practice. The results illustrate how subject talk evaluation practices through the organization in social groups go beyond assessing students in terms of assessment criteria or scales. The oral assessment situation becomes a setting where teachers share professional judgments and approve specific oral initiatives for groups of students. In this nexus of group subject talks and recent policy on learning outcomes and oracy as a core skill, students become competent contributors through retrospective evaluations of their own performance, making themselves accountable for the group’s community, subject-specific knowledge, and the norms and rules of reasoning in the group’s subject talks. The findings raise several questions about how we understand actors as the coconstructors of educational policy when certain educational practices seem to be in front of policy uptake in the nexuses where policy and practice conflict, overlap, and meet.
Understanding Education Reform Policy Trajectories by Analytical Sequencing
Authors: Wermke Wieland , Forsberg Eva
Published: August 2023

This chapter exemplifies a strategy for understanding and examining Policy and PracticeNexuses concerning education reform trajectories. Education policy-making is an increasingly complex process, mostly neither linear and rational nor unidirectional. However, to understand such processes, we advocate complexity reduction through analytical distinctions, sequencing, and entity-relationship-thinking. While policy-practice nexuses are conflated in the reality of public education, our analytical approach must produce a somewhat linear, sequential understanding. Drawing on this argument, we propose a model which displays education reform trajectories and explore the model in terms of empirical objects. With the distinction between entities and relationships, we facilitate analytical definitions in Policy-Practice Research regarding what affects what and how it does so. Relationships are units of re-contextualization, process, and transfer, which demand the presence of at least two entities. Moreover, Time becomes an analytical device. Each unit conditions the next. The prior development of ideas always conditions the current context of the analyses. Finally, we advocate comparative education reform policy analyses. While selecting (national and sectorial), cases become critical. Comparisons may uncover the different layers of universality and particularity.
Made in Italy? Images and Narratives of Afro-Italian Fashion
Authors: Carini Ludovica , Mazzucotelli Salice Silvia
Published: August 2023

In recent years, several studies have attempted to trace the evolution of the fashion system in a globalised context and pluralized societies. This paper follows in the footsteps of similar research, focusing in particular on Afro-Italian fashion, i.e. on garments created by designers of African descent who have chosen Made in Italy - its rules, structures and conventions - as a tangible and symbolic place to give form to their creativity.

Through qualitative research, the paper discusses the storytelling of Afro-Italian fashion within the Made in Italy imaginary; it focuses on communication practices put in place by the actors involved and by the networks they activate. Specific interest is dedicated to self-defining strategies in terms of values and images proposed as narratives that are both authentic and not other-directed.

In doing so, the study highlights how Afro-descendant creatives promote a new model of Italian-ness, and critically nurture a new Made in Italy by being relevant social and economic actors within and beyond the African diaspora on the national territory.
Developments of Cultural Appropriation in Fashion: An In-Progress Research
Authors: Piancazzo Flavia
Published: August 2023

The research examines global fashion, with a special focus on cultural appropriation and inspiration in the contemporary fashion industry. The issue of cultural appropriation is quite new in the scenario of cultural studies. In its early stage, the project will consider new perspectives on the analysis of fashion production with a multidisciplinary approach. By collecting and studying material from international frameworks, the research aims to understand how the concept of appropriation develops. By outlining an approach for a conscious production process, even cooperating with other international realities, the present work might be of help in decentralizing the market.
Teleworking and Video-Meetings. Does Fashion Fit?
Authors: Nobile Tekila Harley , Cantoni Lorenzo
Published: August 2023

The Covid19 pandemic forced most companies to impose teleworking from home. Although individuals have access to many platforms in order to collaborate and to communicate with others, telework during the pandemic brought to light many challenges. Among these, personal appearance, and the setting in which videoconferences are conducted emerged as critical elements when working from home. Very few studies have researched the role of fashion in video-meetings. To address this gap, a survey has been executed, providing relevant insights into workers’ videoconferencing practices. Findings show that individuals’ appearance when doing online meetings with the camera on is very different from when they are in a professional setting. Furthermore, the desirability and prediction of use of digital elements/filters such as clothing, make-up, accessories, hair/beard, and home décor for professional settings are high. The implications of this study are twofold. Firstly, it provides novel insights on the role of digital fashion in the context of teleworking. Then, avenues for future research on digital fashion for videoconferencing in a post-pandemic setting are presented.
Towards a More Elaborate Understanding of the Fashion Photoshoot – An Aesthetic Production with the Element of Age
Authors: Bøilerehauge Dorrit
Published: August 2023

While agendas of diversity and inclusion seem to flourish and thrive in many instances, we still often experience a gap between agendas and practice. Such is also the case in fashion marketing. We are witnessing a hesitant development when it comes to brands’ usage of mature models, and it sparks curiousity as to the causes of the slow phase. Are we witnessing a resistance to a potential “silverization” in fashion branding, or is the production of marketing material more complex than top-management’s decisions to signal diversity in tune with the times? As a step towards mapping the different elements constructing the visual marketing material and discussing the possible significance of age on the set, this work in progress shares the framework and the design of research with the purpose of engendering reflection of how we can investigate the aesthetic production of visual material in the fashion industry and discuss the significance of our findings.
A Conceptual Model of Dress Embodiment and Technological Mediation in Digital Fashion
Authors: Ornati Michela
Published: August 2023

Dress is an embodied, physical experience which the touch-deprived sensory affordances of today’s screen technologies can only simulate. However, advances in haptic and virtual technologies suggest a re-embodied experience of dress might be possible in increasingly immersive digital fashion environments. These developments are explored through postphenomenology, which posits that technology mediates and co-determines relations between humans and the world, helping to shape the socio-cultural normative and value frameworks within which such phenomena occur. A model is proposed which conceptualizes these developments and serves as an interpretive framework of dress (dis)embodiment and technological mediation in digital fashion.
Communicating Digitalised Supply Chain Transparency: Towards a Guide for Fashion SMEs
Authors: Heim Hilde , Hodson Julie
Published: August 2023

The digitalisation of fashion supply chain transparency has gained increased attention in recent years. Technology solutions that have arisen based on advanced technologies and Web3 include smart tags, forensic tracers and blockchain platformisation. Whereby current reports discuss supply chain transparency from the perspective of the data, technical solutions and policy [1, 2], little attention is given to the fashion firms that are to adopt these technologies. Finding themselves in the midst of the supply chain transparency polemic, small to medium brands are still at a loss as to transformation and communication strategies [3]. This paper examines the standpoint of the small-scale brand, its challenges and needs in the face of digital transformation and lays the groundwork for the development of Web3 technology adoption guidelines–that can ultimately form, not only part of their implementation but also their communication strategy. Applying the theoretical framework of organisational theory, it provides evidence of successful practice through case study methodology. The study contributes to knowledge of organisational theory in the context of adjusting to rapid and complex change triggered by both external and internal demands for adopting advanced technology.
Soft gluon self-energy at finite temperature and density: hard NLO corrections in general covariant gauge
Authors: Gorda Tyler , Paatelainen Risto , Säppi Saga , Seppänen Kaapo
Published: August 2023

Abstract

We compute the next-to-leading order (NLO) hard correction to the gluon self-energy tensor with arbitrary soft momenta in a hot and/or dense weakly coupled plasma in Quantum Chromodynamics. Our diagrammatic computations of the two-loop and power corrections are performed within the hard-thermal-loop (HTL) framework and in general covariant gauge, using the real-time formalism. We find that after renormalization our individual results are finite and gauge-dependent, and they reproduce previously computed results in Quantum Electrodynamics in the appropriate limit. Combining our results, we also recover a formerly known gauge-independent matching coefficient and associated screening mass in a specific kinematic limit. Our NLO results supersede leading-order HTL results from the 1980s and pave the way to an improved understanding of the bulk properties of deconfined matter, such as the equation of state.
Probing lepton flavor violation at Circular Electron-Positron Colliders
Authors: Altmannshofer Wolfgang , Munbodh Pankaj , Oh Talise
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Lepton flavor violation is one of the cleanest probes of physics beyond the standard model. In this work, we explore the sensitivity of the process e+e− → τμ to new physics above the TeV scale at the proposed circular electron-positron colliders FCC-ee and CEPC. We compute the e+e− → τμ cross-section in the Standard Model Effective Field Theory and assess the relevant backgrounds. We compare our sensitivity projections to existing and expected constraints from tau decays and Z decays and find that the future electron-positron colliders provide competitive probes of new physics. We highlight the complementarity of searches for resonant e+e−→ Z → τμ production on the Z pole and searches for non-resonant e+e−→ τμ at higher center-of-mass energies.
Finite element modeling and simulation of vacuum brazing processes with a focus on cycle-dependent component distortion
Authors: Tillmann Wolfgang , Henning Tim , Wojarski Lukas , Timmer Christian , Ontrup Finn
Published: August 2023

Vacuum brazing is a black box process, so component distortion that occurs during the heat treatment is difficult to prove experimentally. Thus, a novel FE-model was developed in ANSYS Workbench to calculate the time and location resolved component deformation of AISI 316L/B-Ni2 brazing assemblies. In this regard, a new method of radiation and contact modeling was developed that enabled a significant reduction of the calculation times and solved the convergence issue for simulating the distortion of large-scale, thin components. The results showed that the component deformation during heating can be easily kept in the elastic range and can be almost completely eliminated by using a geometry-dependent soaking time. In contrast to this, high cooling rates were found to result in thermally induced stresses well above the elastic yield limit, causing significant component deformation. With further cooling, the deformation decreases significantly, but it depends on the initial stress state, the geometry, and the cooling rate whether the deformation can be completely leveled out during the shrinkage of the component. Thus, the initially high cooling rates were identified to be responsible for the final distortion. Furthermore, this was highly affected by the local position in the heating chamber. The simulation results were used to design a fixture for vertical positioning, which reduced the max. temperature difference in the brazing assembly from 141 to 79 °C, the max. interim distortion from 275 to 31 µm, and the final distortion from 14 to 8 µm.
Production of retroviral vectors in continuous high cell density culture
Authors: Hein Marc D. , Kazenmaier Daniel , van Heuvel Yasemin , Dogra Tanya , Cattaneo Maurizio , Kupke Sascha Y. , Stitz Jörn , Genzel Yvonne , Reichl Udo
Published: August 2023

Retroviral vectors derived from murine leukemia virus (MLV) are used in somatic gene therapy applications e.g. for genetic modification of hematopoietic stem cells. Recently, we reported on the establishment of a suspension viral packaging cell line (VPC) for the production of MLV vectors. Human embryonic kidney 293-F (HEK293-F) cells were genetically modified for this purpose using transposon vector technology. Here, we demonstrate the establishment of a continuous high cell density (HCD) process using this cell line. First, we compared different media regarding the maximum achievable viable cell concentration (VCC) in small scale. Next, we transferred this process to a stirred tank bioreactor before we applied intensification strategies. Specifically, we established a perfusion process using an alternating tangential flow filtration system. Here, VCCs up to 27.4E + 06 cells/mL and MLV vector titers up to 8.6E + 06 transducing units/mL were achieved. Finally, we established a continuous HCD process using a tubular membrane for cell retention and continuous viral vector harvesting. Here, the space-time yield was 18-fold higher compared to the respective batch cultivations. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate the feasibility of HCD cultivations for high yield production of viral vectors, especially when combined with continuous viral vector harvesting.

Key points

• A continuous high cell density process for MLV vector production was established

• The tubular cell retention membrane allowed for continuous vector harvesting

• The established process had a 18-fold higher space time yield compared to a batch
Treatment with midostaurin and other FLT3 targeting inhibitors is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular adverse events in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with FLT3-mutated AML
Authors: Cremer Anjali , Enssle Julius C. , Pfaff Saskia , Kouidri Khouloud , Lang Fabian , Brandts Christian , Zeiher Andreas , Cremer Sebastian , Steffen Björn , Serve Hubert , Bug Gesine
Published: August 2023

The addition of midostaurin to standard chemotherapy has improved survival in patients with FLT3-mutated AML. However, the impact of midostaurin and other FLT3 inhibitors (FLT3i) on cardiovascular adverse events (CAEs) has not been studied in patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a real-world setting. We reviewed 132 patients with AML who were treated with intensive induction therapy and consecutive allogeneic stem cell transplantation at our institution (42 FLT3-mutated AML and 90 with FLT3 wildtype). We identified treatment with midostaurin and/or FLT3i as an independent risk factor for CAEs not resulting in higher non-relapse mortality (NRM) or impaired overall survival (OS). Hence, close monitoring for CAEs is warranted for these patients.
On the Motion of a Nearly Incompressible Viscous Fluid Containing a Small Rigid Body
Authors: Feireisl Eduard , Roy Arnab , Zarnescu Arghir
Published: August 2023

We consider the motion of a compressible viscous fluid containing a moving rigid body confined to a planar domain $$\Omega \subset R^2$$

Ω
⊂

R
2

. The main result states that the influence of the body on the fluid is negligible if (i) the diameter of the body is small and (ii) the fluid is nearly incompressible (the low Mach number regime). The specific shape of the body as well as the boundary conditions on the fluid–body interface are irrelevant and collisions with the boundary $$\partial \Omega $$

∂
Ω

are allowed. The rigid body motion may be enforced externally or governed solely by its interaction with the fluid.
The effect of vitamin K4 supplementation on insulin resistance in individuals with type 2 diabetes: a double-blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ali Amani M. , Abbassi Maggie M. , Sabry Nirmeen A. , Fawzi May , Mousa Shrook
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the possible clinical effects of vitamin K4 supplementation in individuals with type 2 diabetes namely insulin resistance, glycaemic control, and lipid profile.

Methods

This was a prospective randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 106 patients were randomised to receive either 1 mg of vitamin K4 (menadiol diacetate) or placebo for 24 weeks.

Results

Ninety patients (n = 45 in each study group) were included in the final analysis. After 24 weeks, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (16.54 ± 7.81 vs. 29.09 ± 36.56, P = 0.027) and fasting serum insulin (FSI) (6.86 ± 3.45 vs. 11.13 ± 12.66 µU/ml, P = 0.032) were significantly lower in the vitamin K group compared to placebo. Additionally, triglycerides (TG) (144.94 ± 50.7 vs. 172.8 ± 101.5 mg/dl, P = 0.031) and very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) levels (28.9 ± 9.88 vs. 34.6 ± 20.30 mg/dl, P = 0.027) decreased significantly in the vitamin K group after 24 weeks compared to baseline. Moreover, more patients in the vitamin K group (35.6%) had their antidiabetic medication doses reduced after 24 weeks compared to placebo (13.3%, P = 0.029).

Conclusion

Vitamin K4 supplementation for 24 weeks is capable of improving insulin resistance and TG levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. In addition, the improvement in insulin resistance was reflected in the decrease in antidiabetic medication doses. However, it did not affect fasting plasma glucose (FPG) or glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).

Trial registration

The study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov with ID: NCT04285450.
Reconstructive ossiculoplasty options in primary cholesteatoma surgeries with an intact stapes
Authors: Acke Frederic , Kostadinov Filip , Schlegel Christoph , Linder Thomas
Published: August 2023

Purpose

In primary cholesteatoma patients, incus destruction with an intact and mobile stapes is a frequent finding. Different techniques have been described to restore the ossicular chain, including incus interposition, stapes augmentation and type III tympanoplasty. Controversy about postoperative hearing results in open versus closed surgical techniques exist.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of clinical, surgical and audiometric data of patients with primary cholesteatoma surgery operated between 2010 and 2020, and a mobile stapes and one-stage ossicular reconstruction. Pre- and post-operative audiograms were compared for the different surgical groups, mainly focusing on postoperative air–bone gap. Mastoid pneumatization and ventilation was also considered.

Results

The mean postoperative air–bone gap (0.5–4 kHz) of the 126 included patients was 20 dB. Hearing after type III tympanoplasty (26 dB) was worse than incus interposition (19 dB) and stapes augmentation (20 dB). Hearing after an open (23 dB) versus closed (19 dB) surgical technique was significantly different. No improvement in air–bone gap was observed for the higher frequencies.

Conclusion

A residual postoperative air–bone gap should be considered after primary cholesteatoma surgery with intact and mobile stapes. Incus interposition in closed cavity operation is the optimal situation, but open cavity surgery should not be avoided because of hearing. Extent of the disease is prioritized and poorer ventilation before and after surgery may affect postoperative hearing.
Quenching of basaltic melts by volatile exsolution
Authors: Ballhaus Chris , Pakulla Josua , Wirth Richard , Roddatis Vladimir , Schreiber Anja , Münker Carsten , Wombacher Frank , Kronz Andreas , Fonseca Raúl O. C. , Cieszynski Hanna , Friedrich Hans-Henning
Published: August 2023

Normally, volatiles in silicate melts are ephemeral components that escape as gases when the melt reaches fluid saturation. When fluid saturation occurs at elevated pressure, magmatic fluids may have large amounts of oxide solute dissolved, are less volatile, and may resemble viscous gels. In Cyprus we have the rare case that solutes of a magmatic fluid coexist with H2O saturated basaltic to boninitic glasses. Quenching of the melts and fluid solutes was induced by fluid segregation. When the fluids exsolved, the liquidus temperature was raised and the melts were left supercooled, while the system temperature remained ± constant. Quenching rates deduced from the morphologies and compositions of quench crystals were high. We analyzed coexisting glasses and fluid solutes for major and trace elements. The fluid mobile trace elements (Rb, K, Pb, Sr) are enriched in both the glasses and fluid solutes. Both endmembers (melt and fluid) have a common parentage and originated within a hydrous mantle source. The glasses have 2.5 ± 0.25 wt.% H2O and record residual H2O contents left after fluid exsolution was completed. Water contents in glasses correspond to an H2O partial pressure (pH2O) of 65 ± 10 MPa and an emplacement depth on the seafloor of 6500 ± 1000 m, provided equilibrium was reached between the pH2O imposed by the melts and the seawater column. Following fluid exsolution, the degree of supercooling ∆T of the melts relative to the dry MgO-in-melt liquidus temperature was  – 65 ± 10 °C. The cooling rate ∆T/t at the time of crystallization of dendritic clinopyroxene crystals can be semi-quantified from the distribution of Al2O3 between metastable clinopyroxene dendrites and melt, to at least  – 50 °C h−1. Toward the end of the article we speculate if other cases exist where quenching was triggered by fluid exsolution. A possible example are spinifex textures deep inside komatiite flows where quenching rates by conductive cooling did not exceed 0.3 to 1 °C h−1. Our proposition assumes that many spinifex-textured komatiites were hydrous, that they contained H2O in quantities sufficient to reach fluid saturation at emplacement pressure, and that spinifex textures formed as a result of supersaturation by fluid loss.