Editorial of the Bürgenstock Organization Committee

Opening the Doors to Advanced Materials in 2022.

60 Years of <i>physica status solidi</i>

Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology for Photovoltaics

Nanoparticles for transcutaneous vaccinationCould nanotechnology prevent onethird of all deaths caused by infections?Many of these deaths are due to the lack of efficient prophylaxis and treatment options owing to the unavailability of vaccines and antibiotics or due to the development of drug resistances.Thus, it is of upmost importance to develop strategies for preventing and treating infectious diseases.In this mini-review in Microbial Biotechnology, the authors argue that there is no doubt that nanotechnology holds great promise for vaccination and especially transcutaneous immunization.Key issues that will have to be solved in the future are how nano delivery devices can transport a sufficient dose of the vaccine across the SC and how this can be achieved without opening the skin barrier for the invasion of pathogens or harmful material.Currently, ultra-flexible liposomes are the best investigated carriers in this aspect./feh

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The science and technology of ferroelectric thin films and their applications have attracted many researchers and experienced tremendous progress in the past 20 years. The recent worldwide increase in commercial applications of ferroelectric devices such as smart cards based on nonvolatile ferroelectric random access memories is a symbol of both the maturity and the acceptance of the technology. The 21st International Symposium on Integrated Ferroelectrics (ISIF 2009), held on September 22 to October 2, 2009 in Colorado Springs, CO, provided a forum for the academic and national laboratories research community and industry to present and share their new findings, achievements, and opinions on integrated ferroelectrics and their applications. The International Symposium on Integrated Ferroelectrics hosted the ISIF 2009. This was the first year where the ISIF held the conference in its new format under the name of International Symposium on Integrated Functionalities. The General Chairs of the ISIF in consultation with the Advisory Board and the ISIF community decided to revise the focus of the conference in order to broaden the scope to the science and technology of multifunctional materials and devices. This decision was taken in view that a new paradigm in materials, materials integration, and devices is emergingmore » with a view to the development of a new generation of micro- and nanoscale multifunctional devices. The program included three plenary presentations on diverse topics such as 'The Role of Nonvolatile Memory in Ubiquitous Computing,' 'Ferroelectrics and High Density Memory Technology,' 'Nanoscale Ferroelectrics and Interfaces: Size Effects,' four tutorial lectures on diverse topics, such as 'Magnetic Memory Applications,' 'Ferroelectrics and Ferroelectric Devices,' 'Challenges for High-K Dielectrics on High Mobility Channels,' 'Solar Cell Materials,' one poster session, and eight oral sessions. Thanks to the great efforts made by the ISIF organization committee and the session chairs, the conference successfully achieved its objectives and the work presented reflected very well the most recent advances of integrated ferroelectrics and their applications, as well as advances in other areas related to the new theme of Integrated Functionalities. Many aspects of ferroelectric, piezoelectric, high-K dielectric, magnetic, and phase change materials, including the science and technology of these materials in thin film form, integration with other thin film materials (metals or oxide electrodes), and fabrication of micro- and nanostructures based on these heterostructure layers, and device architecture and physics, were addressed from the experimental point of view. Work on theory and computer simulations of the mentioned materials and devices were discussed also with a view to the promising applications to multifunctional devices. In addition, the ISIF 2009 featured discussions of alternative nonvolatile memory concepts and materials, such as phase change memories, research on multiferroics and magnetoelectric materials, ferroelectric photovoltaics, and new directions on the science of perovskites such as biomolecular/polarizable interfaces, and bio-ferroelectric and other oxide interfaces. Following the standard submission and peer review process of Journal of Applied Physics, the selected papers presented in ISIF 2009 in Colorado Springs are published in this special issue. We believe that the papers in this special issue represent the forefront contributions to ISIF 2009 in the various areas of fundamental and applied science of integrated ferroelectrics and functionalities and their applications. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following organizations and companies for their support and sponsorship for ISIF 2009, namely: Aixact Systems GMBH, Radiant Technologies, Symetrix Corporation, and Taylor and Francis Publishers. We would also like to thank the conference and session chairs, advisory and organizing committee members for their hard work that resulted in a very successful ISIF 2009, now in its new future-looking modality of Integrated Functionalities.« less

Happy Birthday, MBS!

Next Generation Immunotherapies – Emerging Strategies for Immune Modulation against Cancer, Infections, and Beyond

The US Centers for Disease Control: a crucial actor in global health

Fuel CellsVolume 20, Issue 3 p. 229-229 Cover PictureFree Access Cover Fuel Cells 3/2020 First published: 10 June 2020 https://doi.org/10.1002/fuce.202070031AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Abstract In the framework of the conference series, this Special Issue covers the 8th Fundamentals & Development of Fuel Cells Conference (FDFC2019), which was held in Nantes, France, from February 12th to 14th, 2019, and organized by the University of Nantes, France, by the LTEN (Laboratory of Thermal Sciences and Energy of Nantes), IMN (Institute of Materials of Nantes) and IREENA (Research Institute on Electrical Energy of Nantes-Atlantic). The technical program covered the topics from fuel cells and hydrogen, range from fundamentals of electrochemistry, cell and stack development, system design and control, to systems and field operation. At FDFC2019 most contributions were related to polymer electrolyte cells and solid oxide cells. All papers in this Special Issue were preselected by the Organizing Committee from the best conference contibutions. Volume20, Issue3Special Issue: 8th Fundamentals & Development of Fuel Cells Conference FDFC2019June 2020Pages 229-229 RelatedInformation

Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical OncologyVolume 14, Issue S6 p. 3-3 A MESSAGE FROM THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE A message from the organizing committee First published: 08 October 2018 https://doi.org/10.1111/ajco.13067Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume14, IssueS6Special Issue: Hunter Cancer Research Symposium 2018, 1st November 2018, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Kookaburra Circuit, New Lambton Heights, NSW, AustraliaNovember 2018Pages 3-3 RelatedInformation

Cardiac pacemaker cells created through cell reprogrammingEach heartbeat begins with an electrical impulse that arises in a tiny population of specialised cardiac pacemaker cells.When this mechanism fails, current treatment requires the implantation of an artificial pacemaker.In work recently published in Nature Biotechnology, researchers from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles offer an alternative.By using adenoviral vectors to deliver a single gene, Tbx18, cardiomyocytes within guinea pig hearts could be directly converted into pacemaker cells.Within two to four days, these reprogrammed cardiomyocytes functioned identically to pacemaker cells, independently initiating heart contraction.Transient expression of Tbx18 transcription factor was sufficient for pacemaker programming, indicating it may be possible to induce the creation of replacement pacemaker cells using a single targeted treatment./fh

The Annual Caribbean Health Research Conference has been recognized as the primary forum for the sharing of research outputs in the Caribbean for the last 60 years. The value and longevity of the Conference are largely due to the unique mix of its delegates, which have always included, inter alia, the region's Chief Medical Officers. Consequently, the latter's participation has resulted in the uptake of research to guide the development of health policies and programmes in their respective countries. Indeed, the Conference has had a significant impact on the health of the Caribbean people by enabling innovative practice and evidence-informed health policies (1). Over the last six decades, there have been more than 4200 presentations at the Conference. Remarkably, the number continues to increase each year. There were 32 papers in its inaugural year (1956) compared with over 170 in 2015 when the Conference celebrated its 60th Diamond Jubilee. In addition to its growth, there have been a number of innovations that were introduced to ensure that the Conference remained relevant, addressing the needs of its stakeholders. Notably, since 1983 the abstracts of the papers presented have been published in a yearly Supplement of the West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ). This initiative ensured that the research findings were available to health professionals and policy-makers who were not present at the Conference. Even so, the researchers who made the presentations were encouraged to publish the full texts in peer reviewed journals, including the WIMJ. However, the findings of a study conducted in 2000 revealed a low conversion rate (2) and programmes were introduced to increase the number of publications such as the hosting of scientific writing workshops. There was also the requirement that researchers submit full manuscripts to be considered for presentation at the Conference. The reasoning behind the latter was that since a full text was already prepared, it can then be reformatted, if necessary, and sent to a journal for publication. Nevertheless, there has been limited success in terms of an increase in publications. In order to improve the publication rate, we have now implemented an even more innovative initiative. Having received the support from WIMJ, the Caribbean Public Health Agency's (CARPHA) Research Advisory Committee identified a few of the more outstanding studies with policy and programme implications, which were presented at the 2013 Conference, for publication in a Special Issue of WIMJ. These manuscripts were subjected to a rigid peer-review process before they were accepted for publication. This Special WIMJ Issue is unique as it comprises the full text of research that was presented at the Annual Caribbean Health Research Conference. It not only addresses the need to increase the number of Conference presentations that are subsequently published but also the accessibility of Caribbean research findings through regional and international databases. This is noteworthy as CARPHA has a commitment to ensure that research evidence is available and accessible to guide policy making in the region. Indeed, at the recent launch of the EvIDeNCe portal by CARPHA at the 2015 Research Conference, the value of having accessible full text papers of Caribbean research was highlighted. The Caribbean Public Health Agency's EvIDeNCe is the Evidence Informed Decision Making Network of the Caribbean (3). This strategic initiative was established to provide support to Caribbean countries as they make evidence-informed health policy decisions by making robust and relevant research findings more accessible. This includes promoting knowledge exchange and regular dialogue between policy-makers, researchers and other stakeholders as well as building the competencies needed by policy-makers to incorporate research evidence in their policy and planning processes. The publication of this Special Issue is also very timely as it follows the launch of the excellent report commemorating the 60th Diamond Jubilee of the annual Conference (4). The report includes some very informative statistics. For example, when the research presented at the annual Conference for the last decade was analysed by the programme areas of the Caribbean Cooperation in Health (CCH III), the areas in which most of the research was conducted were family health (25.4%), non-communicable diseases [NCDs] (20.9%), communicable diseases including HIV (12.3%) and health services research (12.2%). Notably, the manuscripts published in this issue are an excellent reflection of this. Family health, which as defined by CCH III includes child health and development, reproductive and sexual health, adolescent health, inter alia, was represented in most of the papers. In addition, two addressed NCDs (5, 6) and two communicable diseases including HIV (7, 8). It must also be noted that the Health Research Agenda for the Caribbean (9), which defines the priority areas for health research in the region is closely aligned to CCH III. Critically, the research presented at the Conference and published in this Special Issue is making a timely contribution to the dissemination of research findings as the Agenda is implemented. Of special significance is the paper on environmental health (10). This is an under-researched area that is likely to increase in prominence in the Caribbean given the importance and attention being paid to climate change globally as well as its impact on health. A remarkable feature of the annual Conference is the wide participation of Caribbean countries producing quality research (4). This is reflected in the Special Issue, which includes reports of research conducted in six of CARPHA's Member States. Good science is not determined by the size of a country where a researcher is based. This is exemplified by the presence of an excellent paper from the Turks and Caicos Islands (11), a British Overseas Territory with a population of just over 30 000. At CARPHA, we see the publication of this Special Issue as another innovative strategy to support our efforts to promote the uptake of research that will guide policies, programmes and clinical practice. Indeed, we expect that this will be the first of many, perhaps biennial, special issues of WIMJ that publish and make available full manuscripts from the research presented at the annual Caribbean Health Research Conference. The latter is now themed so future special issues are likely to focus on research consistent with the Conference theme. In closing, I congratulate the scientists who had their research published in this Special Issue. It is also important to recognize all the health professionals who conduct priority research and choose to share their findings at the annual Caribbean Health Research Conference, which the longest serving health research conference in Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the largest scientific meeting in the Caribbean. We look forward to your continued dedication toward the conduct of quality research. You can rest assured that the fruits of your efforts are making valuable contributions by providing the evidence to guide the work of the region's policy-makers, programme managers and healthcare providers. Lastly, I must thank the West Indian Medical Journal for collaborating with CARPHA to make this initiative a reality.

35th UIT (Italian Union of Thermo-fluid dynamics) Heat Transfer Conference – Ancona (Italy) 26-28 June 2017PrefaceThe 35th UIT (Italian Union of Thermp-Fluid Dynamics) Heat Transfer Conference was organized by Dept. of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Marche Polytechnic University (Itay) and was held at Faculty of Engineering of the same University, Ancona, June 26-28, 2017.The annual UIT Conference, which has grown over time, comes back in Ancona after 27 years.The scope of the conference covers a range of major topics in theoretical, numerical and experimental heat transfer and related areas, ranging from energy efficiency to nuclear plants. The Organizing Committee was also honored to continue the initiative about the new section devoted to Technical Seminars introduced 2015 within UIT conferences. In particular a seminar regarding the adoption of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Thermo-Fluid Dynamics research was held. Moreover a photo exhibition supported by “Aeronanutica Militare Italiana” was also offered to the participants.In this conference edition, 73 papers were contributed by about 300 authors on eight different topics: micro and nano scale thermo-fluid dynamics; multi-phase fluid dynamics, heat transfer and interface phenomena; computational fluid dynamics and heat transfer; heat transfer in nuclear plants; heat transfer and efficiency in energy systems, environmental technologies and buildings; natural, forced and mixed convection; conduction; heat transfer in fire engineering.The conference program scheduled plenary, oral and poster sessions. The two invited plenary Keynote Lectures were given by Prof. Giovanni Latini (Marche Polytechnic University, Italy) and Prof. Peter Stephan (Technische Universitat Darmstadt, Germany). A Technical Seminar was given by Prof. Renato Ricci (Marche Polytechnic University, Italy). There were also 9 oral sessions and a poster sessions.This special issue collects a paper presented in a keynote lecture plus 56 papers selected from those presented and discussed during the congress.The UIT 2017 conference was a useful occasion to stimulate discussion, further the understanding of heat transfer and related phenomena, present the state-of-the-art of some topics, discuss emerging trends and promote collaborations. We hope this issue will maintain and extend some of these features.A special thank you is due to the Organizing and Scientific Committees, to the sponsors and to all the participants.Renato Ricci and Valerio D’Alessandro, editors.List of Scientific Committee, Organizing Committee, UIT Sterring Committee, UIT Accounting Auditors, UIT Conferences are available in this pdf.

No abstract is available for this article.