bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of plasma polymerized pyrrole nanoparticles to prevent or reduce de-differentiation of adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes
Authors: Uribe-Juárez Omar , Godínez Rafael , Morales-Corona Juan , Velasco Myrian , Olayo-Valles Roberto , Acosta-García M. C. , Alvarado E. J. , Miguel-Alavez Luis , Carrillo-González Oscar-J. , Flores-Sánchez María G. , Olayo Roberto 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, cell therapies have been shown to recover cardiac function in animal models. Biomaterials used as scaffolds can solve some of the problems that cell therapies currently have, plasma polymerized pyrrole (PPPy) is a biomaterial that has been shown to promote cell adhesion and survival. The present research aimed to study PPPy nanoparticles (PPPyN) interaction with adult rat ventricular cardiomyocytes (ARVC), to explore whether PPPyN could be employed as a nanoscaffold and develop cardiac microtissues. PPPyN with a mean diameter of 330 nm were obtained, the infrared spectrum showed that some pyrrole rings are fragmented and that some fragments of the ring can be dehydrogenated during plasma synthesis, it also showed the presence of amino groups in the structure of PPPyN. PPPyN had a significant impact on the ARVC´s shape, delaying dedifferentiation, necrosis, and apoptosis processes, moreover, the cardiomyocytes formed cell aggregates up to 1.12 mm2 with some aligned cardiomyocytes and generated fibers on its surface similar to cardiac extracellular matrix. PPPyN served as a scaffold for adult ARVC. Our results indicate that PPPyN-scaffold is a biomaterial that could have potential application in cardiac cell therapy (CCT).
Improved high gain observer design for a class of disturbed nonlinear systems
Authors: Farza M. , Ragoubi A. , Hadj Saïd S. , M’Saad M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper provides a redesigned version of the Standard High Gain Observer (SHGO) to cope with the peaking phenomenon occurring during the transient periods as well as the sensitivity to high frequency measurement noise. The observer design is performed for a class of uniformly observable systems with noise free as well as noisy output measurements and the resulting observer is referred to as Non Peaking Filtered High Gain Observer (NPFHGO). The NPFHGO shares the same structure as its underlying SHGO and differs only by its corrective term which is still parameterized by a unique positive scalar up to an appropriate expression involving nested saturations. Of a fundamental interest, the power of the scalar parameter does not exceed one unlike in the case of the SHGO where this power grows from 1 to the system dimension. Moreover, it is shown that the equations of the NPFHGO become identical to those of the SHGO after a transient time horizon that can made arbitrarily small for sufficiently high values of the design parameter. A particular emphasis is put on the case of systems with noisy output measurements. It is shown how a multiple integrator of the corrupted outputs can be cascaded with the original system leading to an augmented system included in the class of systems for which the NPFHGO has been designed. The performance and main properties of the NPFHGO are highlighted and compared to those of its underlying SHGO through simulation results involving a single link robot arm system.
A heterodox defense of the actualist higher-order thought theory
Authors: Marchesi Andrea 
Published: September 2021

AbstractI defend the actualist higher-order thought theory against four objections. The first objection contends that the theory is circular. The second one contends that the theory is unable to account for the alleged epistemic position we are in with respect to our own conscious mental states. The third one contends that the theory is unable to account for the evidence we have for the proposition that all conscious mental states are represented. The fourth one contends that the theory does not accommodate the intimacy we have with our own conscious mental states. To some extent, my defense will be heterodox, in the sense that I will show that some objections are satisfactorily answerable even if we concede to the objectors a point that higher-order theorists do not seem to be willing to concede, that is, that the theory is the result of conceptual analysis.
Use of fluorescence indices as predictors of crop N status and yield for greenhouse sweet pepper crops
Authors: de Souza Romina , Peña-Fleitas M. Teresa , Thompson Rodney B. , Gallardo Marisa , Grasso Rafael , Padilla Francisco M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTo increase nitrogen (N) use efficiency and reduce water pollution from vegetable production, it is necessary to optimize N management. Fluorescence-based optical sensors are devices that can improve N fertilization through non-destructive field monitoring of crop variables. The aim of this work was to compare the performance of five fluorescence indices (SFR-R, SFR-G, FLAV, NBI-R, and NBI-G) to predict crop variables, as dry matter production, crop N content, crop N uptake, Nitrogen Nutrition Index (NNI), absolute and relative yield, in sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) crops grown in greenhouse. Fluorescence measurements were periodically made with the Multiplex® 3.6 sensor throughout three cropping cycles subjected to five N application treatments. The performance of fluorescence indices to predict crop variables considered calibration and validation analyses. In general, the five fluorescence indices were strongly related with NNI, crop N content and relative yield. The best performing indices to predict crop N content and NNI at the early stages of the crops (i.e., vegetative and flowering phenological stages) were the SFR indices, both under red (SFR-R) and green (SFR-G) excitation. However, in the final stage of the crop (i.e., harvest stage), the best performing indices were NBI, both under red (NBI-R) and green (NBI-G) excitation, and FLAV. The two SFR indices best predicted relative yield of sweet pepper at early growth stages. Overall, the fluorescence sensor and the fluorescence indices evaluated were able to predict crop variables related to N status in sweet pepper. They have the capacity to be incorporated into best N management practices.
A Note by K. L. Johnson on the History of the JKR Theory
Authors: Popov Valentin L. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe history of the following note is as follows. In 2003, I invited Kenneth Johnson to Berlin to give a talk on adhesion in a seminar at the Institute of Mechanics. His lecture on the topic "Mechanics of adhesion of spherical surfaces" took place on Monday, January 26, 2004. In the run-up to the seminar, Professor Johnson sent me a historical note dated November 18, 2003. In my opinion, this note, which was written in the form of a paper, may be of interest for experts in contact mechanics and tribology. Prof. Johnson did not publish it, so it remained a private communication. For a publication he might have made a revision and would possibly have credited other important contributions. But this we can only guess at, and therefore the note is published below in the form I received it from Kenneth L. Johnson, with only a few misprints corrected. It is interesting as a historical document from Ken Johnson, who played a key role in development of theory of adhesive contacts.
Unveiling the social performance of selected agri-food chains in Costa Rica: the case of green coffee, raw milk and leafy vegetables
Authors: Brenes-Peralta Laura , Jiménez-Morales María Fernanda , Campos-Rodríguez Rooel , Vittuari Matteo 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPurposeSeveral frameworks coincide in the importance of addressing social impacts to ensure sustainability. However, the agri-food sector, regarded as key in sustainable production, still neglects to identify potential social impacts when applying life cycle approaches. This work contributes to understanding the social performance of three agricultural products from a Latin American and Caribbean developing country as Costa Rica while recognising the challenges of Social-Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) application in this context.MethodsS-LCA represents a powerful technique to evaluate the potential social impacts of a product. Three case studies were analysed through S-LCA, using the subcategory assessment method (SAM) to characterise the social impacts and detect hotspots in the production of green coffee, raw milk and leafy vegetables. Primary data was collected through questionnaires to relevant informants and observations. In addition to secondary information, these data and information were used to assess eight impact subcategories for the farmer and worker stakeholder groups and nine subcategories for the local community.Results and discussionThe main results suggest that the Costa Rican institutional and market frameworks provide an enabling environment for a generally positive social performance in the studied cases. The assessed stakeholders can fulfil basic needs through access to inputs and services and achieve fair-trading conditions. Child labour, forced labour and evidence of environmental or health risks for the surrounding communities were absent. Important efforts to address the delocalisation, migration and child labour were observed, suggesting the potential development of social handprints in further studies. However, the farm production phase, related to farmers and workers, entails hotspots regarding social security and women’s empowerment. Moreover, farmers appear as the most vulnerable group because of their overall social performance.ConclusionsS-LCA helped identify relevant areas of intervention in the context of these particular case studies; however, further research and capacity building are recommended to tackle the detected challenges, both in the agri-food chains and in the use of S-LCA. Furthermore, these findings can aid in future decision and policy-making to improve and safeguard the positive social performance observed in the studied products.
Solving an inverse elliptic coefficient problem by convex non-linear semidefinite programming
Authors: Harrach Bastian 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSeveral applications in medical imaging and non-destructive material testing lead to inverse elliptic coefficient problems, where an unknown coefficient function in an elliptic PDE is to be determined from partial knowledge of its solutions. This is usually a highly non-linear ill-posed inverse problem, for which unique reconstructability results, stability estimates and global convergence of numerical methods are very hard to achieve. The aim of this note is to point out a new connection between inverse coefficient problems and semidefinite programming that may help addressing these challenges. We show that an inverse elliptic Robin transmission problem with finitely many measurements can be equivalently rewritten as a uniquely solvable convex non-linear semidefinite optimization problem. This allows to explicitly estimate the number of measurements that is required to achieve a desired resolution, to derive an error estimate for noisy data, and to overcome the problem of local minima that usually appears in optimization-based approaches for inverse coefficient problems.
Immune-related hepatitis in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma treated with nivolumab
Authors: Scheiner Bernhard , Pinter Matthias 
Published: September 2021

SummaryWe present a case of a male patient with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma who developed hepatic and dermatological immune-related adverse events during treatment with the immune checkpoint inhibitor nivolumab. We discuss relevant aspects regarding the management of immune-related hepatic adverse events, including the incidence and onset of the event, the requirement for immune-modulating medication, resuming of immunotherapy, and the association between the occurrence of immune-related adverse events and the outcome.
Application of design of experiments (DoE) for optimised production of micro- and mesoporous Norway spruce bark activated carbons
Authors: dos Reis Glaydson Simões , Larsson Sylvia H. , Mathieu Manon , Thyrel Mikael , Pham Tung Ngoc 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this work, Norway spruce (Picea abies (Karst) L.) bark was employed as a precursor to prepare activated carbon using zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as a chemical activator. The purpose of this study was to determine optimal activated carbon (AC) preparation variables by the response surface methodology using a Box–Behnken design (BBD) to obtain AC with high specific surface area (SBET), mesopore surface area (SMESO), and micropore surface area (SMICR). Variables and levels used in the design were pyrolysis temperature (700, 800, and 900 °C), holding time (1, 2, and 3 h), and bark/ZnCl2 impregnation ratio (1, 1.5, and 2). The optimal conditions for achieving the highest SBET were as follows: a pyrolysis temperature of 700 °C, a holding time of 1 h, and a spruce bark/ZnCl2 ratio of 1.5, which yielded an SBET value of 1374 m2 g−1. For maximised mesopore area, the optimal condition was at a pyrolysis temperature of 700 °C, a holding time of 2 h, and a bark/ZnCl2 ratio of 2, which yielded a SMESO area of 1311 m2 g−1, where mesopores (SMESO%) comprised 97.4% of total SBET. Correspondingly, for micropore formation, the highest micropore area was found at a pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C, a holding time of 3 h, and a bark/ZnCl2 ratio of 2, corresponding to 1117 m2 g−1, with 94.3% of the total SBET consisting of micropores (SMICRO%). The bark/ZnCl2 ratio and pyrolysis temperature had the strongest impact on the SBET, while the interaction between temperature and bark/ZnCl2 ratio was the most significant factor for SMESO. For the SMICRO, holding time was the most important factor. In general, the spruce bark AC showed predominantly mesoporous structures. All activated carbons had high carbon and low ash contents. Chemical characterisation indicated that the ACs presented disordered carbon structures with oxygen functional groups on the ACs’ surfaces. Well-developed porosity and a large surface area combined with favourable chemical composition render the activated carbons from Norway spruce bark with interesting physicochemical properties. The ACs were successfully tested to adsorb sodium diclofenac from aqueous solutions showing to be attractive products to use as adsorbents to tackle polluted waters.
Graphical abstract
Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) as a new alternative treatment method for onychomycosis caused by Trichophyton verrucosum: in vitro studies
Authors: Gnat Sebastian , Łagowski Dominik , Dyląg Mariusz , Zielinski Jessica , Studziński Marek , Nowakiewicz Aneta 
Published: September 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Anthropophilic dermatophytes as etiological factors of onychomycoses are more common than zoophilic fungi. In the case of the latter, reverse zoonoses are possible, which poses a threat to the persistence of dermatophytes in the environment. Nevertheless, without treatment, both types of tinea unguium may lead to complete nail plate destruction and secondary mixed infections with fungi and bacteria. One of the zoophilic dermatophytes that cause onychomycosis is Trichophyton verrucosum, whose prevalence has been increasing in recent years. Such infections are usually treated with allylamines and/or azoles, but such a conventional treatment of infections caused by T. verrucosum often fails or is discontinued by patients.

Methods
Herein, we reveal the results of our in vitro studies related to direct application of cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAPP) on Trichophyton verrucosum growth, germination and adherence to nail as a new alternative treatment method of such types of dermatomycoses.

Results
Our in vitro studies showed that, while exposure to CAPP for 10 min delays germination of conidia and clearly impairs the fitness of the fungal structures, 15 min is enough to kill all fungal elements exposed to plasma. Moreover, the SEM images revealed that T. verrucosum cultures exposed to CAPP for 10 and 15 min were not able to invade the nail fragments.

Conclusion
The results revealed that single exposure to CAPP was able to inhibit T. verrucosum growth and infection capacity. Hence, cold atmospheric pressure plasma should be considered as a promising alternative treatment of onychomycoses.
Energy management strategy based on dynamic programming with durability extension for fuel cell hybrid tramway
Authors: Tao Shiyong , Chen Weirong , Gan Rui , Li Luoyi , Zhang Guorui , Han Ying , Li Qi 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper proposes an energy management strategy for a fuel cell (FC) hybrid power system based on dynamic programming and state machine strategy, which takes into account the durability of the FC and the hydrogen consumption of the system. The strategy first uses the principle of dynamic programming to solve the optimal power distribution between the FC and supercapacitor (SC), and then uses the optimization results of dynamic programming to update the threshold values in each state of the finite state machine to realize real-time management of the output power of the FC and SC. An FC/SC hybrid tramway simulation platform is established based on RT-LAB real-time simulator. The compared results verify that the proposed EMS can improve the durability of the FC, increase its working time in the high-efficiency range, effectively reduce the hydrogen consumption, and keep the state of charge in an ideal range.
Design of bidirectional frictional behaviour for tactile contact using ellipsoidal asperity micro-textures
Authors: Sergachev Dmitrii , Matthews David , Van Der Heide Emile 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTactile perception and friction can be modified by producing a deterministic surface topography. Change of surface feature arrangement and texture symmetry can produce an anisotropic frictional behaviour. It is generally achieved through skin hysteresis by promoting its deformation. This work investigates whether a bidirectional friction can be created with microscale ellipsoidal asperity textures, thus relying on the adhesive component of friction. For this purpose, four textured samples with various asperity dimensions were moulded with a silicone rubber having an elastic modulus comparable to that of the skin. Coefficient of friction measurements were conducted in-vivo in two sliding directions with a range of normal loads up to 4 N. Finite element method (FEM) was used to study elastic deformation effects, explain the observed friction difference, and predict surface material influence. Measurements performed perpendicular to the asperity major radii showed consistently higher friction coefficients than that during parallel sliding. For the larger asperity dimensions, a change of the sliding direction increased friction up to a factor of 2. The numerical analysis showed that this effect is mostly related to elastic asperity deflection. Bidirectional friction differences can be further controlled by asperity dimensions, spacing, and material properties.
Correlation coefficients of credibility interval-valued neutrosophic sets and their group decision-making method in single- and interval-valued hybrid neutrosophic multi-valued environment
Authors: Ye Jun , Du Shigui , Yong Rui 
Published: September 2021

AbstractAlthough a single-valued neutrosophic multi-valued set (SVNMVS) can reasonably and perfectly express group evaluation information and make up for the flaw of multi-valued/hesitant neutrosophic sets in group decision-making problems, its information expression and group decision-making methods still lack the ability to express and process single- and interval-valued hybrid neutrosophic multi-valued information. To overcome the drawbacks, this study needs to propose single- and interval-valued hybrid neutrosophic multi-valued sets (SIVHNMVSs), correlation coefficients of consistency interval-valued neutrosophic sets (CIVNSs), and their multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) method in the setting of SIVHNMVSs. First, we propose SIVHNMVSs and a transformation method for converting SIVHNMVSs into CIVNSs based on the mean and consistency degree (the complement of standard deviation) of truth, falsity and indeterminacy sequences. Then, we present two correlation coefficients between CIVNSs based on the multiplication of both the correlation coefficient of interval-valued neutrosophic sets and the correlation coefficient of neutrosophic consistency sets and two weighted correlation coefficients of CIVNSs. Next, a MAGDM method is developed based on the proposed two weighted correlation coefficients of CIVNSs for performing MAGDM problems under the environment of SIVHNMVSs. At last, a selection case of landslide treatment schemes demonstrates the application of the proposed MAGDM method under the environment of SIVHNMVSs. By comparative analysis, our new method not only overcomes the drawbacks of the existing method, but also is more extensive and more useful than the existing method when tackling MAGDM problems in the setting of SIVHNMVSs.
The Effect of Job–Education Vertical Mismatch on Wages Among Recent PhD Graduates: Evidence From an Instrumental Variable Analysis
Authors: Gaeta Giuseppe Lucio , Lubrano Lavadera Giuseppe , Pastore Francesco 
Published: September 2021

AbstractExisting studies suggest that recent PhD graduates with a job vertically mismatched with their education tend to earn lower wages than their matched counterparts. However, by being based on cross-sectional ordinary least squares (OLS) estimates, these studies raise endogeneity concerns and can only be considered evidence of a correlation between vertical mismatch and wages. This paper improves this literature by applying a heteroskedasticity-based instrumental variable estimation approach to analyzing Italian PhD holders’ cross-sectional micro-data. Our analysis suggests that previous empirical studies have provided slightly upward estimates of the impact of vertical mismatch on wages. Nevertheless, our results show that the effect of overeducation on wages is sizeable. However, no wage effect is found for overskilling. The heterogeneity of these findings by field of study and gender are also inspected.
Cold emission optimization of a diesel- and alternative fuel-driven CI engine
Authors: Nenning Lukas , Eichlseder Helmut , Egert Michael 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThis paper deals with the emission optimization of a compression ignition (CI) engine during cold ambient operation. Hence, in the present study, the effect of different injector nozzle geometries and pilot injection strategies, but also the influence of intake swirl, rail pressure, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) as well as EGR cooling on the emission behavior during cold run are investigated. Therefore, test bed experiments under steady-state cold conditions are conducted on a state-of-the-art CI single cylinder research engine (SCRE) with approximately 0.5 l swept volume representing the typical passenger car (PC) cylinder size. The cold charge air temperature of down to −8 $$^{\circ }\hbox { C}$$

∘

C

and a low engine coolant and lube oil temperature represent a cold run close to reality. For emulating the higher friction of a typical 4-cylinder PC engine during cold run, the indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP) is increased according to a specifically developed equation and the turbocharger main equation is solved permanently to adjust the gas exchange loss. To take account of a potential future tightening of emission legislation, in addition to limited exhaust gas emissions, non-limited emissions such as carbonyls are measured as well. Since alternative fuels are able to make a significant contribution to the defossilisation of transportation, an oxygen-containing fuel, consisting of 100 % renewable blend components (HVO, ethers and alcohols) and fulfilling the EN 590 legislation is investigated under the same cold conditions in addition to the research on conventional diesel fuel.