UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COLLABORATION AS A DRIVE FOR INNOVATION IN EUROPE – A LITERATURE REVIEW WITH A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

The aim of our study is to systematically review existing literature from the past five years on university-industry collaboration, with a special emphasis on their relation to innovation. We conducted a literature review with a systematic approach with the involvement of 29 studies from European countries, published between 2016 and 2020. Our results have revealed a rather homogeneous pattern of research studies focusing on university-industry collaboration in European countries.

Dermoscopic Nevus Patterns Associated with Melanoma Patients

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The quantitative and qualitative presence of melanocytic nevi is considered a significant risk factor for melanoma. Little is known whether patients showing any of the recognized global dermoscopic nevus patterns might also be considered at increased risk for the disease. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> We aimed to investigate the frequency of global dermoscopic patterns of common nevi among melanoma patients and compare them to controls, as well as the dermoscopic patterns of atypical nevi between the groups. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We included consecutive melanoma patients and age- and sex-matched controls who presented to our Department with at least 10 melanocytic nevi. Total body examination was performed, and all nevi had their dermoscopic pattern described. Global dermoscopic patterns of nevi were compared between groups, as well as atypical nevus patterns. Finally, nevus patterns were stratified by their location and also compared between groups. <b><i>Results:</i></b> We included 120 melanoma patients and 120 controls. Melanoma patients presented a larger number of common (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and atypical melanocytic nevi (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and more variability of dermoscopic nevus patterns (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). No difference in the global dermatoscopic pattern of common nevi was observed between groups. The complex pattern of atypical nevi was associated with melanoma (OR = 2.87). Melanoma patients also showed more common nevi with a reticular pattern on the back (<i>p</i> = 0.014) and lower limbs (<i>p</i> = 0.041) as well as atypical nevi on the back with reticular pattern (<i>p</i> = 0.01), with reticular-homogeneous pattern (<i>p</i> = 0.001), and with reticular-globular pattern (<i>p</i> = 0.048) than controls. Nevi with multifocal pigmentation were also more frequent among melanoma patients (OR = 2.61). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Melanoma patients tend to present a higher number of common reticular nevi on the back and lower limbs, as well as atypical nevi with a complex pattern, especially reticular, reticular-homogeneous, and reticular-globular on the back.

The Effect of Etching Time On Structural Properties of Porous Quaternary AlInGaN Thin Films

Using photo electrochemical etching technique (PEC), porous silicon (PS) layers were produced on n-type silicon (Si) wafers to generate porous silicon for n-type with an orientation of (111) The results of etching time were investigated at: (5,10,15 min). X-ray diffraction experiments revealed differences between the surface of the sample sheet and the synthesized porous silicon. The largest crystal size is (30 nm) and the lowest crystal size is (28.6 nm) The analysis of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) were used to research the morphology of porous silicon layer. As etching time increased, AFM findings showed that root mean square (RMS) of roughness and porous silicon grain size decreased and FESEM showed a homogeneous pattern and verified the formation of uniform porous silicon.

An erythematous plaque on the nose: What is your diagnosis?

A 55-year-old male presented to our dermatology department with 3 months history of an asymptomatic and red raised plaque on the nose. There was no history of discoloration of skin prior to the development of this lesion. His only medical history was type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. He had never undergone radiation therapy. On clinical examination, a well-defined glistening bluish-erythematous plaque 3 * 3 cm was present on the nose which was soft and non-tender (Fig. 1). Nasal mucosa was completely spared. No cervical lymphadenopathy was found. Head and neck examination was unremarkable. A CT scan of head and neck founded a soft tissue mass without infiltration of underlying structures. Figure 1: A well-defined glistening bluish-erythematous plaque 3*3 cm on the nose. DERMOSCOPY FINDINGS The dermoscopy revealed homogeneous pattern with combinations of colors (pinkish, bluish, and violaceous) and whitish veil areas without well-defined vessels or lacunae (Fig. 2). Figure 2: Homogeneous pattern with combinations of colors (pinkish, bluish, and violaceous) and whitish veil areas. HISTOLPATHOLOGY The histological examination of the first biopsy revealed a benign fibtoblastic reaction around normal vessels with fibrin deposits and without nuclear atypia. The second skin biopsy showed anastomosing vascular structures of variable diameter in the dermis, lined by plump endothelial cells with marked cellular, nuclear polymorphism and occasional mitosis, dissecting the collagen bundles (Fig. 3a). On immunohistochemistry, tumor cells expressed CD31, ERG, CD34 and VIII Factor. Ki67 was high in tumor cells (60%) (Fig. 3b). Figure 3: (a) HE x 400. Vascular proliferation with atypical endothelial cells (arrow). (b) IHC x 200, Elevated proliferation index Ki67.

Adalimumab-Induced Rhupus Syndrome in a Female Patient Affected with Anti-Citrullinated Protein Antibody (ACPA)-Positive Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): A Case Report and Review of Literature

We report a 38-year-old female patient affected with anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA)-positive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who developed mild hemolytic anemia (Hb = 10.5 vs. >12 gr/dL), indolent oral ulceration, ANA (1:1280, homogeneous pattern), and anti-dsDNA antibody positivity following 8 months of therapy with an adalimumab biosimilar (GP2017). Rhupus syndrome was diagnosed. Replacing GP2017 with infliximab, anemia, oral ulcer, and anti-dsDNA antibodies quickly disappeared, while low-titers (1:80) ANA are still present after more than a year. The possibility that the patient suffered from rhupus rather than drug-induced lupus erythematosus associated to anti-ACPA positivity RA was discussed. To date, after a 14-month follow-up, no manifestations of LE have reappeared. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of adalimumab-induced rhupus.

Application of recurrence dynamic analysis to running-in state recognition

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to study the dynamic features of friction coefficient during running-in state based on recurrence analysis, so as to recognize the running-in state of crankshaft journal bearings. Design/methodology/approach The friction coefficient was measured in the friction experiments and the dynamic features are analyzed by recurrence plots (RPs), unthreshold recurrence plots (URPs) and recurrence quantification analysis. Findings During the running-in process, RPs have gone through disrupted patterns, drift patterns and homogeneous patterns successively. URP shows that the phase trajectory spirals in the disrupted pattern gradually converge in the drift pattern and remain stable in the homogeneous pattern. Three independent measures, recurrence rate, entropy and laminarity, are chosen to characterize friction coefficient from the perspective of point, diagonal line and vertical line structures of the RPs. Originality/value The results provide a feasible way to monitor the running-in process and recognize the running-in state.

Different sequential chemical treatments used to obtain bleached cellulose from orange bagasse

The development of efficient pretreatments is widely used in biobased products aiming to add value to the residue. In this study, orange bagasse is investigated for cellulose extraction under moderate chemical sequential extraction conditions. Three pretreatments are evaluated: alkaline treatment, organosolv, and residue insoluble alcohol. After, all pretreated samples are bleached. The results are analyzed by chemical composition, Fourier–transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. In general, similar results are observed for all bleaching samples, independently of the pretreatment. It is observed a similar cellulose amount among the samples. When compared only to the pretreatments, alkaline shows to be a more effective way of presenting a higher crystallinity index. Hemicellulose and lignin are mostly removed after pretreatment. FTIR and XRD indicated that the pretreatment seems to be more effective in the first step. TG curves presented a more homogeneous pattern due to cellulose removal showing three steps for pre-treatment and two steps for bleached samples. The obtained cellulose has numerous potential applications, and a suitable route can be selected according to available reagents.

Hemodynamic Abnormalities in the Aorta of Turner Syndrome Girls

Congenital abnormalities in girls and women with Turner syndrome (TS), alongside an underlying predisposition to obesity and hypertension, contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and ultimately reduced life expectancy. We observe that children with TS present a greater variance in aortic arch morphology than their healthy counterparts, and hypothesize that their hemodynamics is also different. In this study, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations were performed for four TS girls, and three age-matched healthy girls, using patient-specific inlet boundary conditions, obtained from phase-contrast MRI data. The visualization of multidirectional blood flow revealed an increase in vortical flow in the arch, supra-aortic vessels, and descending aorta, and a correlation between the presence of aortic abnormalities and disturbed flow. Compared to the relatively homogeneous pattern of time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS) on the healthy aortae, a highly heterogeneous distribution with elevated TAWSS values was observed in the TS geometries. Visualization of further shear stress parameters, such as oscillatory shear index (OSI), normalized relative residence time (RRTn), and transverse WSS (transWSS), revealed dissimilar heterogeneity in the oscillatory and multidirectional nature of the aortic flow. Taking into account the young age of our TS cohort (average age 13 ± 2 years) and their obesity level (75% were obese or overweight), which is believed to accelerate the initiation and progression of endothelial dysfunction, these findings may be an indication of atherosclerotic disease manifesting earlier in life in TS patients. Age, obesity and aortic morphology may, therefore, play a key role in assessing cardiovascular risk in TS children.

Early Neolithic Settlement Patterns in the Polish Lowlands – A Case Study of Selected Micro-Regions in Eastern Kuyavia

The purpose of this paper is the presentation of the settlement of the first farming communities of the Linear Pottery culture in the Polish lowlands. A case study of three neighboring micro-regions excavated on a large scale in eastern Kuyavia was conducted, which offered the possibility of analyzing various levels of the settlement. Based on the results obtained a local model of the LBK occupation in Kuyavia could be reconstructed. I argue that despite some regional variability a very general common settlement pattern existed for the whole LBK consisting of an iconic longhouse as the basic unit, the presence of micro-regional clusters of more or less contemporary sites, and the preference for regions with optimal environmental conditions. However, a detailed comparison within and between separate sites in the study area revealed some degree of variability inside this supposedly homogeneous pattern which can indicate the existence of different social units among small regional communities and their changes over time.

Variability in the assessment of children’s primary healthcare in 30 European countries

Background The high variability in the types and number of measures adopted to evaluate childcare across European countries makes it necessary to investigate country practices to identify trends in setting national priorities in the assessment of child well-being. Objective This paper intends to investigate country practices under the lens of variability to explore possible trends in setting national priority in the evaluation of childcare. In particular, it analyses variability considering to what extent this depends on the tendency of adopting a broad vision (i.e. selecting measures for a larger variety of aspects) or whether this is influenced by the choice of adopting an in-depth approach (i.e. using more measures to analyse a specific aspect) Methods An ad hoc questionnaire was administered to a national expert in each country and yielded 352 measures. To analyse variability, the breadth in the number of aspects considered was explored using a convergence index, while the depth in the distribution of measures in each aspect was investigated by computing a coefficient of variation. Countries were grouped by adopting a hierarchical clustering approach. Results There is a high variability across countries in the selection of measures that cover different aspects of childcare. Preferences in the distribution of measures are significant even at the domain level and in countries that use a limited number of measures and become more evident at the category and sub-category levels. The statistical analysis clusters countries in four main groups and two outliers. The in-depth distribution of measures focused on a specific aspect shows a homogeneous pattern, with the identification of two main groups of countries. Conclusions A limited set of measures are shared across countries hampering a robust comparison of paediatric models. The selection of measures shows that the evaluation is closely related to national priorities as resulting from the number and types of measures adopted. Moreover, a range of a reasonable number of measures can be hypothesized to address the quality of childcare under a multi-dimensional perspective.