bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Law and Economics Perspective on the EU Directive on Representative Actions
Authors: Visscher L. , Faure M. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article provides an analysis of the Directive on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers of 25 November 2020. The Directive enables qualified entities to bring representative actions on behalf of the consumer. The article uses a Law and Economics approach to stress the advantages of collective actions as a tool to remedy rational apathy and free-rider behaviour. The article therefore in principle welcomes the fact that this Directive will lead to all Member States having some form of collective redress. However, it is rather difficult to fit this Directive into the economic criteria for centralization as there is no obvious danger of cross-border externalities or a race-to-the-bottom. The article is critical of the fact that the Directive only provides for a representative action and does not mention the alternative of a group action (sometimes referred to as a class action). This is especially problematic if there are very few qualified entities that could bring the representative action. Furthermore, the fact that Member States may choose an opt-in procedure instead of an opt-out procedure is critically evaluated. The most problematic aspect of the Directive is the funding of the representative action. Punitive damages and contingency fees are rejected, and the possibility of third-party funding is restricted. It is therefore to be feared that this Directive, notwithstanding the good intentions, may not lead to much application in practice, since the question of how the representative action is to be financed is not resolved in any satisfactory manner.
Efficacy and safety of TAS-115, a novel oral multi-kinase inhibitor, in osteosarcoma: an expansion cohort of a phase I study
Authors: Kawai Akira , Naka Norifumi , Shimomura Akihiko , Takahashi Shunji , Kitano Shigehisa , Imura Yoshinori , Yonemori Kan , Nakatani Fumihiko , Iwata Shintaro , Kobayashi Eisuke , Outani Hidetatsu , Tamiya Hironari , Naito Yoichi , Yamamoto Noboru , Doi Toshihiko 
Published: June 2021

SummaryBackground osteosarcoma is a rare, primary malignant bone tumour with limited available treatments for advanced or recurrent disease, resulting in a poor prognosis for patients. TAS-115 is a novel tyrosine kinase inhibitor under investigation in a phase I study in patients with solid tumours. We report data of osteosarcoma patients in the expansion cohort of this ongoing study. Patients and methods an analysis of this multicentre, open-label study was performed 6 months after the final patient was enrolled, and included patients aged ≥15 years, with unresectable or recurrent osteosarcoma, and who had refractory to standard therapy or for whom no standard therapy was available. TAS-115 650 mg/day was orally administered in a 5 days on/2 days off schedule. Results a total of 20 patients with osteosarcoma were enrolled. The most common adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were neutrophil count decreased (75%), aspartate aminotransferase increased (50%), and platelet count decreased (50%); 85% of patients had grade ≥ 3 ADRs. Long-term disease control (>1 year) with TAS-115 was achieved in three patients. The best overall response was stable disease (50%); no patient achieved a complete or partial response. Median progression-free survival was 3 months; 4-month and 12-month progression-free rates were 42% and 31%, respectively. Conclusion the safety and tolerability of TAS-115 and long-term disease stability for patients with unresectable or recurrent osteosarcoma were confirmed in this study, suggesting that TAS-115 is a promising novel therapy for advanced osteosarcoma patients. Trial registration number: JapicCTI-132333 (registered on November 8, 2013).
Immune age and biological age as determinants of vaccine responsiveness among elderly populations: the Human Immunomics Initiative research program
Authors: Goudsmit Jaap , van den Biggelaar Anita Huiberdina Johanna , Koudstaal Wouter , Hofman Albert , Koff Wayne Chester , Schenkelberg Theodore , Alter Galit , Mina Michael Joseph , Wu Julia Wei 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe Human Immunomics Initiative (HII), a joint project between the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Human Vaccines Project (HVP), focuses on studying immunity and the predictability of immuneresponsiveness to vaccines in aging populations. This paper describes the hypotheses and methodological approaches of this new collaborative initiative. Central to our thinking is the idea that predictors of age-related non-communicable diseases are the same as predictors for infectious diseases like COVID-19 and influenza. Fundamental to our approach is to differentiate between chronological, biological and immune age, and to use existing large-scale population cohorts. The latter provide well-typed phenotypic data on individuals’ health status over time, readouts of routine clinical biochemical biomarkers to determine biological age, and bio-banked plasma samples to deep phenotype humoral immune responses as biomarkers of immune age. The first phase of the program involves 1. the exploration of biological age, humoral biomarkers of immune age, and genetics in a large multigenerational cohort, and 2. the subsequent development of models of immunity in relation to health status in a second, prospective cohort of an aging population. In the second phase, vaccine responses and efficacy of licensed COVID-19 vaccines in the presence and absence of influenza-, pneumococcal- and pertussis vaccines routinely offered to elderly, will be studied in older aged participants of prospective population-based cohorts in different geographical locations who will be selected for representing distinct biological and immune ages. The HII research program is aimed at relating vaccine responsiveness to biological and immune age, and identifying aging-related pathways crucial to enhance vaccine effectiveness in aging populations.
Enhancing Social-Emotional Outcomes in Early Years (E-SEE): Randomized Pilot Study of Incredible Years Infant and Toddler Programs
Authors: Blower Sarah L. , Berry Vashti L. , Bursnall Matthew C. , Cohen Judith , Gridley Nicole , Loban Amanda , Mandefield Laura , Mason-Jones Amanda J. , McGilloway Sinéad , McKendrick Kirsty L. , Mitchell Siobhan B. , Pickett Kate E. , Richardson Gerry A. , Teare M. Dawn , Tracey Louise C. , Walker Simon M. , Whittaker Karen A. , Wright Jessica , Bywater Tracey J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractSocial emotional development in infancy is a predictor of outcomes in later life, yet there is little evidence of effectiveness for parenting interventions designed to enhance social emotional wellbeing in infancy. An 18-month two-arm randomized controlled pilot trial evaluated the feasibility of a definitive trial of Incredible Years (IY) Infant and Toddler parent programs delivered in a proportionate universal model, called Enhancing Social-Emotional Health and Wellbeing in the Early Years (E-SEE) Steps. Intervention families received an IY Babies book (universal dose), followed by the IY Infant and/or the Toddler group-based programs, based on parent depression (PHQ-9) and/or child social emotional development (ASQ:SE-2) scores. Control parents received services as usual. Parents from two English local authorities with a child eight-weeks-old or younger participated, and were block randomized using a web-based system. Primary endpoints for the study were feasibility parameters relating to recruitment, retention, intervention fidelity and appropriateness of measures. 205 participants were randomized (152:53, intervention:control). Our target was 288 parents. Trial retention rate was higher than expected, with a completion rate of 88% (n = 181, 137:44) at follow-up 3; equating to 94% of 192 expected participants. Intervention uptake was lower than expected. Fidelity of delivery was acceptable and measures were deemed appropriate. A definitive trial is feasible with design amendments to include: introduction of a child screener for intervention eligibility; enhanced intervention material; revised sample size and random allocation ratio. Our internal pilot became an external pilot due to these changes.
Microfibrillated cellulose films containing chitosan and tannic acid for wound healing applications
Authors: Aliabadi Meysam , Chee Bor Shin , Matos Mailson , Cortese Yvonne J. , Nugent Michael J. D. , de Lima Tielidy A. M. , Magalhães Washington L. E. , de Lima Gabriel Goetten , Firouzabadi Mohammadreza Dehghani 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThe effectiveness of tannic acid as antimicrobial and wound healing for burns have been shown for a century; however, uncontrolled target dosage may result in undesirable side-effects. Remarkably, tannic acid polyphenols compounds crosslinked with polymeric materials produce a strong composite containing the beneficial properties of this tannin. However, investigation of the crosslink structure and its antibacterial and regenerative properties are still unknown when using nanocellulose by mechanical defibrillation; additionally, due to the potential crosslink structure with chitosan, its structure can be complex. Therefore, this work uses bleach kraft nanocellulose in order to investigate the effect on the physical and regenerative properties when incorporated with chitosan and tannic acid. This film results in increased rigidity with a lamellar structure when incorporated with tannic acid due to its strong hydrogen bonding. The release of tannic acid varied depending on the structure it was synthesised with, whereas with chitosan it presented good release model compared to pure cellulose. In addition, exhibiting similar thermal stability as pure cellulose films with antibacterial properties tested againstS. aureusandE. coliwith good metabolic cellular viability while also inhibiting NF-κB activity, a characteristic of tannic acid.
A review on the origin of nanofibers/nanorods structures and applications
Authors: Naidu K. Chandra Babu , Kumar N. Suresh , Banerjee Prasun , Reddy B. Venkata Shiva 
Published: June 2021

AbstractIn this review work, we highlight the origin of morphological structures such as nanofibers/nanorods in case of various materials in nano as well as bulk form. In addition, a discussion on different cations of different ionic radii and other intrinsic factors is provided. The materials (ceramic titanates, ferrites, hexaferrites, oxides, organic/inorganic composites, etc.,) exhibiting the nanofibers/nanorods like morphological structures are tabulated. Furthermore, the significance of nanofibers/nanorods obtained from distinct materials is elucidated in multiple scientific and technological fields. At the end, the device applications of these morphological species are also described in the current technology.
Effects of ionizing radiation on surface properties of current restorative dental materials
Authors: de Amorim Débora Michelle Gonçalves , Veríssimo Aretha Heitor , Ribeiro Anne Kaline Claudino , de Assunção e Souza Rodrigo Othávio , de Assunção Isauremi Vieira , Caldas Marilia Regalado Galvão Rabelo , Borges Boniek Castillo Dutra 
Published: June 2021

AbstractTo investigate the impact of radiotherapy on surface properties of restorative dental materials. A conventional resin composite—CRC (Aura Enamel), a bulk-fill resin composite—BFRC (Aura Bulk-fill), a conventional glass ionomer cement—CGIC (Riva self cure), and a resin-modified glass ionomer cement—RMGIC (Riva light cure) were tested. Forty disc-shaped samples from each material (8 mm diameter × 2 mm thickness) (n = 10) were produced according to manufacturer directions and then stored in water distilled for 24 h. Surface wettability (water contact angle), Vickers microhardness, and micromorphology through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) before and after exposition to ionizing radiation (60 Gy) were obtained. The data were statistically evaluated using the two-way ANOVA and Tukey posthoc test (p < 0.05). Baseline and post-radiation values of contact angles were statistically similar for CRC, BFRC, and RMGIC, whilst post-radiation values of contact angles were statistically lower than baseline ones for CGIC. Exposition to ionizing radiation statistically increased the microhardness of CRC, and statistically decreased the microhardness of CGIC. The surface micromorphology of all materials was changed post-radiation. Exposure to ionizing radiation negatively affected the conventional glass ionomer tested, while did not alter or improved surface properties testing of the resin composites and the resin-modified glass ionomer cement tested.
Highly absorbent hydrogels comprised from interpenetrated networks of alginate–polyurethane for biomedical applications
Authors: Claudio-Rizo Jesús A. , Escobedo-Estrada Nallely , Carrillo-Cortes Sara L. , Cabrera-Munguía Denis A. , Flores-Guía Tirso E. , Becerra-Rodriguez Juan J. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDeveloping new approaches to improve the swelling, degradation rate, and mechanical properties of alginate hydrogels without compromising their biocompatibility for biomedical applications represents a potential area of research. In this work, the generation of interpenetrated networks (IPN) comprised from alginate–polyurethane in an aqueous medium is proposed to design hydrogels with tailored properties for biomedical applications. Aqueous polyurethane (PU) dispersions can crosslink and interpenetrate alginate chains, forming amide bonds that allow the structure and water absorption capacity of these novel hydrogels to be regulated. In this sense, this work focuses on studying the relation of the PU concentration on the properties of these hydrogels. The results indicate that the crosslinking of the alginate with PU generates IPN hydrogels with a crystalline structure characterized by a homogeneous smooth surface with high capacity to absorb water, tailoring the degradation rate, thermal decomposition, and storage module, not altering the native biocompatibility of alginate, providing character to inhibit the growth of E. coli and increasing also its hemocompatibility. The IPN hydrogels that include 20 wt.% of PU exhibit a reticulation index of 46 ± 4%, swelling capacity of 545 ± 13% at 7 days of incubation at physiological pH, resistance to both acidic and neutral hydrolytic degradation, mechanical improvement of 91 ± 1%, and no cytotoxicity for monocytes and fibroblasts growing for up to 72 h of incubation. These results indicate that these novel hydrogels can be used for successful biomedical applications in the design of wound healing dressings.
Synthesis of sodium silicate-based silica aerogels with graphene oxide by ambient pressure drying
Authors: Cakmak Oznur Kaya , Hassan Khalil T. , Wang Jiabin , Han Xiao , Šiller Lidija 
Published: June 2021

AbstractHere we study how graphene oxide affects silica aerogels and their physical and mechanical properties by examining volume shrinkage, pore volume, surface area and compressive strength of these composite aerogels. Composite aerogels were made through adding different amount of graphene oxide (GO) to sodium silicate precursor by using ambient pressure drying method. Additionally, the chemical composition of the composite aerogels was determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A rougher structure was observed when the GO loading increased and the characteristic peak of GO in XRD disappeared due to the random distribution of GO within the silica matrix. FTIR spectrum of composite aerogels shows that the relative intensity of silanol groups on the silica matrix have downward tendency with the addition of GO. The specific surface area had maxima with the addition of 0.01 wt% GO surface area to 578 m2 /g. The mechanical strength of aerogels was increased, with the loading of GO from 0.0 wt% to 0.2 wt%, and the compressive modulus increased from 0.02 MPa to 0.22 MPa.
India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library and the Politics of Patent Classifications
Authors: Fredriksson Martin 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article analyzes India’s Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) as a potential intervention in the administration of patent law. The TKDL is a database including a vast body of traditional medical knowledge from India, aiming to prevent the patenting and misappropriation of that knowledge. This article contextualizes the TKDL in relation to documentation theory as well as to existing research on the uses of databases to protect traditional knowledge. It explores the TKDL’s potential consequences for India’s traditional medical knowledge and the wider implications that traditional knowledge databases can have for the safeguarding of traditional knowledge in general. The article concludes that on the one hand the TKDL bridges the gap between the main branches of Indian traditional medicine and the formal knowledge system of International Patent Classifications. Furthermore, it has also inspired revisions of the International Patent Classification system, which makes it better adapted to incorporate traditional medical knowledge. On the other hand, critical research on traditional knowledge documentation argues that traditional knowledge databases, like the TKDL, can decontextualize the knowledge they catalogue and dispossess its original owners. The TKDL, however, also fits into a national, Indian agenda of documenting and modernizing traditional medicine that predates the formation of the TKDL by several decades and challenges the dichotomy between traditional and scientific knowledge systems that originally motivated the formation of the TKDL.
Upscaling nanoparticle synthesis by sputter deposition in ionic liquids
Authors: Meischein M. , Ludwig A. 
Published: June 2021

AbstractUpscaling of nanoparticle fabrication by sputtering into an ionic liquid is shown for the example of Cu. Long-time sputtering (24 h) into a large amount (50 mL) of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide [Bmim][(Tf)2 N] yields an amount of approximately 1 g Cu nanoparticles (mean spherical diameter (2.6 ± 1.1) nm), stabilized in ionic liquid without agglomerations. Extraction of Cu nanoparticles from the stabilizing ionic liquid was performed with the capping agent hexadecylamine. Extracted particles could be redispersed in other solvents, thus enabling applications of sputtered nanoparticles beyond ionic liquids.
Quantum key distribution with two-way authentication
Authors: Zheng Xiaobo , Zhao Zhiwen 
Published: June 2021

AbstractQuantum key distribution uses the principle of quantum physics to realize unconditionally secure key distribution protocol. But this kind of security needs to be based on the authenticated classical channel. Although there are quantum key distribution protocols without classical channel, authentication is still needed. In the process of key distribution, authentication is not considered, which is also a problem of quantum key distribution protocol. In this paper, a quantum key distribution protocol with two-way authentication is proposed. Identity authentication is carried out at the same time of key distribution. If the identity authentication fails, the key distribution protocol cannot be carried out. If the key distribution protocol is aborted, the identity authentication is not successful. The conclusion of this paper is based on a central authentication system supported by symmetric encryption theory, which uses pseudo-random functions, multiple sets of quantum conjugate bases and Measurement-device-independent technology to simultaneously achieve two-way authentication and key distribution.
Psychological Predictors of Professional Burnout among Priests, Religious Brothers, and Religious Sisters in Italy: The Dark Triad versus the Bright Trinity?
Authors: Francis Leslie J. , Crea Giuseppe 
Published: June 2021

AbstractDrawing on data provided by 287 Catholic priests, religious brothers, and religious sisters from different parts of Italy (130 men and 157 women), this study explored the effect of three dark psychological variables and three bright psychological variables on levels of professional burnout as assessed by the two scales of the Francis Burnout Inventory (emotional exhaustion and satisfaction in ministry). The three dark psychological variables assessed by the Short Dark Triad were Machiavellianism, subclinical narcissism, and subclinical psychopathy. The three bright psychological variables were purpose in life, emotional intelligence, and religious faith. After controlling for personal factors (age and sex) and personality factors (extraversion and emotionality), the data demonstrated that the three bright psychological factors (purpose in life, emotional intelligence, and religious faith) served as independent and cumulative predictors of higher levels of satisfaction in ministry and that the three dark psychological factors had no effect on satisfaction in ministry. Two of the three dark psychological factors (Machiavellianism, and subclinical psychopathy) served as independent and cumulative predictors of higher levels of emotional exhaustion in ministry, and purpose in life served as a predictor of lower levels of emotional exhaustion in ministry.
What is in the name? Content analysis of questionnaires on perceived quality of one’s work life
Authors: Gaucher Renaud , Veenhoven Ruut 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThere is a great demand for information on how workers evaluate the quality of their jobs. In response to this demand, a multitude of questionnaires has been developed, which are presented under different names and stress different aspects of work life. It is therefore difficult to see what questionnaire is best suited to one’s information demand. This problem can be solved by considering the content of the different questionnaires through the same conceptual lens, focussing on the meaning of each of the constituting questions separately. In this paper, we adapted Veenhoven’s conceptualization of qualities of life in general to the work setting, which gave us a matrix of 9 nested notions of perceived quality of a worker’s work life, and then used this matrix to classify the meaning addressed in 12 questionnaires. Some of these questionnaires appear to address a clear meaning, while others cover a mix of meanings. These contents are presented in a tabular overview here to allow users to select the questionnaire the most adapted to their needs. This approach can also be used to develop new questionnaires on perceived quality of work life.
The Influence of Latinisms on the Quality of the Judgments of Polish Courts
Authors: Kowalczyk Joanna 
Published: June 2021

AbstractThis article addresses the issue of linguistic phenomena which, as a legacy of the centuries-old tradition of the Roman Empire, are rooted in Polish jurisdictional texts. The study focused on foreign-language expressions and short texts in Latin, used in judicial decisions. The aim of the study was to determine the function of Latinisms as foreign-language expressions in judicial decisions and how their use influences the communicativeness and persuasiveness of argumentation. During the analysis, it was noticed that Latinisms in jurisdictional texts are used on four levels, including: legal maxims, terminology equivalence, linguistic ornaments and the description of taboo phenomena. On the basis of the identified categories, efforts were made to determine the extent to which Latin strengthens or weakens the power of persuasion of judicial decisions.