Field normalized citation rates, field normalized journal impact and Norwegian weights for allocation of university research funds

We compared three different bibliometric evaluation approaches: two citation-based approaches and one based on manual classification of publishing channels into quality levels. Publication data for two universities was used, and we worked with two levels of analysis: article and department. For the article level, we investigated the predictive power of field normalized citation rates and field normalized journal impact with respect to journal level. The results for the article level show that evaluation of journals based on citation impact correlate rather well with manual classification of journals into quality levels. However, the prediction from field normalized citation rates to journal level was only marginally better than random guessing. At the department level, we studied three different indicators in the context of research fund allocation within universities and the extent to which the three indicators produce different distributions of research funds. It turned out that the three distributions of relative indicator values were very similar, which in turn yields that the corresponding distributions of hypothetical research funds would be very similar.     

Multidimensional modeling of biofilm development and fluid dynamics in a hydrogen-based,membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR)

A two-dimensional, particle-based biofilm model coupled with mass transport and computational fluid dynamics was developed to simulate autotrophic denitrification in a spiral-wound membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR), where hydrogen is supplied via hollow-fiber membrane fabric. The spiral-wound configuration consists of alternating layers of plastic spacer net and membrane fabric that create rows of flow channels, with the top and bottom walls comprised of membranes. The transversal filaments of the spacer partially obstruct the channel flow, producing complex mixing and shear patterns that require multidimensional representation. This study investigated the effect of hydrogen and nitrate concentrations, as well as spacer configuration, on biofilm development and denitrification fluxes. The model results indicate that the cavity spacer filaments, which rest on the bottom membranes, cause uneven biofilm growth. Most biofilm resided on the bottom membranes, only in the wake of the filaments where low shear zones formed. In this way, filament configuration may help achieve a desired biofilm thickness. For the conditions tested in this study, the highest nitrate fluxes were attained by minimizing the filament diameter and maximizing the filament spacing. This lowered the shear stress at the top membranes, allowing for more biofilm growth. For the scenarios studied, biomass limitation at the top membranes hindered performance more significantly than diffusion limitation in the thick biofilms at the bottom membranes. The results also highlighted the importance of two-dimensional modeling to capture uneven biofilm growth on a substratum with geometrical complexity.     

Senescent CD4+CD28− T Lymphocytes as a Potential Driver of Th17/Treg Imbalance and Alveolar Bone Resorption during Periodontitis

Senescent cells express a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) with a pro-inflammatory bias, which contributes to the chronicity of inflammation. During chronic inflammatory diseases, infiltrating CD4⁺ T lymphocytes can undergo cellular senescence and arrest the surface expression of CD28, have a response biased towards T-helper type-17 (Th17) of immunity, and show a remarkable ability to induce osteoclastogenesis. As a cellular counterpart, T regulatory lymphocytes (Tregs) can also undergo cellular senescence, and CD28⁻ Tregs are able to express an SASP secretome, thus severely altering their immunosuppressive capacities. During periodontitis, the persistent microbial challenge and chronic inflammation favor the induction of cellular senescence. Therefore, senescence of Th17 and Treg lymphocytes could contribute to Th17/Treg imbalance and favor the tooth-supporting alveolar bone loss characteristic of the disease. In the present review, we describe the concept of cellular senescence; particularly, the one produced during chronic inflammation and persistent microbial antigen challenge. In addition, we detail the different markers used to identify senescent cells, proposing those specific to senescent T lymphocytes that can be used for periodontal research purposes. Finally, we discuss the existing literature that allows us to suggest the potential pathogenic role of senescent CD4⁺CD28⁻ T lymphocytes in periodontitis.     

Antibacterial polymeric coating based on polypyrrole and polyethylene glycol on a new alloy TiAlZr

In order to enhance properties of the polymer composite films, composite coatings based on polypyrrole (PPy) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), using various percentages of PEG (0.5%, 2%, 4%), were electrodeposited on a new titanium alloy electrode as insulating material. The structure of the coatings was investigated via infrared (FTIR) analysis, and the surface features were studied using contact angle determination, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). When testing the antibacterial properties of the coatings, the best effect was found for the coating with 2% PEG concentration, which has hydrophilic character and small roughness. Such results are in concordance with mechanism of biomaterial–bacteria interaction which involves as factors affecting bacterial adhesion and growth an initial physicochemical interaction stage, where roughness and wettabilitty are factors promoting bacterial adhesion and biofilm deposition.     

The structure of shock and interphase layers for a heat conducting Maxwellian rate-type approach to solid–solid phase transitions

One continues the qualitative analysis started in Part I (F?ciu and Molinari in Acta Mech) concerning the thermomechanical characteristics of a steady, structured moving phase boundary in a shape memory alloy (SMA) by a quantitative investigation. The internal structure of these interphase layers is governed by a Maxwellian rate-type constitutive equation coupled or not with the Fourier heat conduction law. We consider as equilibrium stress–strain–temperature response function for the Maxwellian model an explicit piecewise linear thermoelastic relation for an SMA bar which can exist in the austenite phase A and in two variants of martensite M ^±. Its thermal properties are built in agreement with experimental results on NiTi. This equilibrium relation has the atypical property that not only the derivative of the stress response function with respect to the strain changes its sign, but also the derivative with respect to the temperature. Considerable temperature variation is generated by impact-induced phase transformations due to the large amount of latent heat released (absorbed) inside the transition layer. One gets strong heating (cooling) across a compressive A→ M ^? (expansive M ^? → A) propagating interphase layer. A significant lower (larger) temperature than that at the front and Hugoniot back state is obtained inside an impact-induced M ⁺→ M ^? (M ^?→ M ⁺) interphase layer. The experimental finding of this phenomenon of temperature undershoot (overshoot) could be a valuable indication for the existence of an interphase layer.     

JPEG Pleno: Providing representation interoperability for holographic applications and devices

Guaranteeing interoperability between devices and applications is the core role of standards organizations. Since its first JPEG standard in 1992, the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) has published several image coding standards that have been successful in a plethora of imaging markets. Recently, these markets have become subject to potentially disruptive innovations owing to the rise of new imaging modalities such as light fields, point clouds, and holography. These so‐called plenoptic modalities hold the promise of facilitating a more efficient and complete representation of 3D scenes when compared to classic 2D modalities. However, due to the heterogeneity of plenoptic products that will hit the market, serious interoperability concerns have arisen. In this paper, we particularly focus on the holographic modality and outline how the JPEG committee has addressed these tremendous challenges. We discuss the main use cases and provide a preliminary list of requirements. In addition, based on the discussion of real‐valued and complex data representations, we elaborate on potential coding technologies that range from approaches utilizing classical 2D coding technologies to holographic content‐aware coding solutions. Finally, we address the problem of visual quality assessment of holographic data covering both visual quality metrics and subjective assessment methodologies.     

Angiotensin-I converting enzyme inhibitory and antioxidant activity of bioactive peptides produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of skin from grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)

Grass carp skin pieces were homogenized in water and hydrolyzed by Alcalase®, collagenase, proteinase K, and/or trypsin at their optimum conditions. Samples were taken at various degrees of hydrolysis and were evaluated for antioxidant, antimicrobial, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activities. Alcalase and collagenase completely hydrolyzed the skin with different rates, and released peptides with antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory activity. These activities increased linearly with increasing degrees of hydrolysis. Subsequent incubation of the collagenase hydrolysates with trypsin slightly increased the antioxidant activity. Proteinase K, although only partially hydrolyzing the skin, also catalyzed the release of peptides with antioxidant and angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitory activities. These results show that skin by-products from grass carp can be a source of bioactive peptides produced by a one-step reaction. Such hydrolysates may be applied in food products to prolong shelf life and provide beneficial effects on blood pressure.