Distinct Forms Research Articles

Elevated Microsatellite Alterations at Selected Tetranucleotide Repeats (EMAST) in Penile Squamous Cell Carcinoma-No Evidence for a Role in Carcinogenesis.

Penile squamous cell carcinoma (pSCC) is a rare malignancy with a global incidence ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 per 100,000 males. Prognosis is generally favorable for localized tumors, but metastatic pSCC remains challenging, with low survival rates. The role of novel biomarkers, such as tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI), in predicting the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has been investigated in various cancers. However, MSI has not been observed in pSCC, limiting immunotherapy options for this patient subgroup. Elevated microsatellite alterations at selected tetranucleotide repeats (EMAST) are a distinct form of genomic instability associated with deficient MSH3 expression, which has been proposed as a potential biomarker in several cancers. This study investigates EMAST and MSH3 expression in a cohort of 78 pSCC cases using PCR, fragment analysis and immunohistochemistry. For the detection of EMAST, the stability of five microsatellite markers (D9S242, D20S82, MYCL1, D8S321 and D20S85) was analyzed. None of the cases showed an instability. As for MSH3 immunohistochemistry, all analyzable cases showed retained MSH3 expression. These results strongly suggest that neither EMAST nor MSH3 deficiency is involved in the carcinogenesis of pSCC and do not represent reliable predictive biomarkers in this entity. Furthermore, these findings are in full agreement with our previous study showing a very low frequency of MSI and further support the thesis that EMAST and MSI are strongly interconnected forms of genomic instability. Further research is needed to explore novel therapeutic targets and predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy in this patient population.

Whisker deprivation triggers a distinct form of cortical homeostatic plasticity that is impaired in the Fmr1 KO.

Mouse models of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) have demonstrated impairments in excitatory and inhibitory sensory-evoked neuronal firing. Homeostatic plasticity, which encompasses a set of mechanisms to stabilize baseline activity levels, does not compensate for these changes in activity. Previous work has shown that impairments in homeostatic plasticity are observed in FXS, including deficits in synaptic scaling and intrinsic excitability. Here, we aimed to examine how homeostatic plasticity is altered in vivo in an Fmr1 KO mouse model following unilateral whisker deprivation (WD). We show that WD in the wild type leads to an increase in the proportion of L5/6 somatosensory neurons that are recruited, but this does not occur in the KO. In addition, we observed a change in the threshold of excitatory neurons at a later developmental stage in the KO. Compromised homeostatic plasticity in development could influence sensory processing and long-term cortical organization.

Farming Mountains and Herding Sheep: A Study of the Peasant Economy in the Northern Section of the Lüliang Mountains in Modern Times

Abstract The peasant economy has been a focal point of academic interest, with existing research primarily concentrated on the plains, leaving mountainous areas less explored. Different ecological environments have shaped distinct forms of peasant economies. The Lüliang Mountains, as a typical agrarian-pastoral mixed zone, has typological significance among peasant economic formations in that it is characterized by extensive cultivation with meager yields and an integration of agriculture and animal husbandry. In modern times, peasants have cultivated vast mountainous lands, planted a variety of cash crops, and established close ties with the market. Reliance on pastoral activities has supplemented the family economy, leading to a rational and efficient division of labor within households. This division manifests horizontally and vertically with younger members herding and older members either tending the fields or working in sidelines, thereby achieving a balanced distribution of labor and resilient family survival. Behind the seeming uniformity of the peasant economy, regional specificity remains hidden and awaits exploration. The particularities of regional ecological environments and the production factors of the peasant economy are crucial areas for research.

Jains in Switzerland

Abstract There are 120 Jains living in Switzerland today. Desiring to exchange information about their religion and to expand their knowledge, they started to meet in 2008. This initiated a community-building process in which Jains of different branches took part. Such a process, as well as the diaspora situation itself, is always connected with negotiations and religious transformations, which is also evident in the Swiss context. Following the common meetings, a distinct form of Jainism was created in Switzerland. This new form is supradenominational and universal and based on aspects such as vegetarianism, environmentalism, and nonviolence. Additionally, the Swiss Jains developed new strategies of knowledge transfer. This article focuses on not only the formation of a Swiss Jain community but also its dissolution as no common gatherings have taken place since 2016. Therefore, factors are named that can lead to the dissolution of a community.

Unlocking the Potential of Silver Nanoparticles: From Synthesis to Versatile Bio-Applications.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are leading the way in nanotechnological innovation, combining the captivating properties of silver with the accuracy of nanoscale engineering, thus revolutionizing material science. Three main techniques arise within the alchemical domains of AgNP genesis: chemical, physical, and biological synthesis. Each possesses its distinct form of magic for controlling size, shape, and scalability-key factors necessary for achieving expertise in the practical application of nanoparticles. The story unravels, describing the careful coordination of chemical reduction, the environmentally sensitive charm of green synthesis utilizing plant extracts, and the precise accuracy of physical techniques. AgNPs are highly praised in the field of healthcare for their powerful antibacterial characteristics. These little warriors display a wide-ranging attack against bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Their critical significance in combating hospital-acquired and surgical site infections is highly praised, serving as a beacon of hope in the fight against the challenging problem of antibiotic resistance. In addition to their ability to kill bacteria, AgNPs are also known to promote tissue regeneration and facilitate wound healing. The field of cancer has also observed the adaptability of AgNPs. The review documents their role as innovative carriers of drugs, specifically designed to target cancer cells with accuracy, minimizing harm to healthy tissues. Additionally, it explores their potential as cancer therapy or anticancer agents capable of disrupting the growth of tumors. In the food business, AgNPs are utilized to enhance the durability of packing materials and coatings by infusing them with their bactericidal properties. This results in improved food safety measures and a significant increase in the duration that products can be stored, thereby tackling the crucial issue of food preservation. This academic analysis recognizes the many difficulties that come with the creation and incorporation of AgNPs. This statement pertains to the evaluation of environmental factors and the effort to enhance synthetic processes. The review predicts future academic pursuits, envisioning progress that will enhance the usefulness of AgNPs and increase their importance from being new to becoming essential within the realms of science and industry. Besides, AgNPs are not only a subject of scholarly interest but also a crucial component in the continuous effort to tackle some of the most urgent health and conservation concerns of contemporary society. This review aims to explore the complex process of AgNP synthesis and highlight their numerous uses, with a special focus on their growing importance in the healthcare and food business sectors. This review invites the scientific community to explore the extensive possibilities of AgNPs in order to fully understand and utilize their potential.

SGK1 suppresses ferroptosis in ovarian cancer via NRF2-dependent and -independent pathways.

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is a highly aggressive disease often developing resistance to current therapies, necessitating new treatment strategies. Our study identifies SGK1, a key effector in the PI3K pathway, as a promising therapeutic target to exploit ferroptosis, a distinct form of cell death induced by iron overload and lipid peroxidation. Importantly, SGK1 activation, whether through high expression or the constitutively active SGK1-S422D mutation, confers resistance to ferroptosis in HGSOC. Conversely, SGK1 inhibition significantly enhances sensitivity to ferroptosis, as shown by increased PTGS2 expression (a ferroptosis marker), lipid peroxidation, and toxic-free iron levels. Remarkably, this enhanced cytotoxicity is reversed by ferrostatin-1 and the iron chelator deferoxamine, highlighting the pivotal roles of lipid peroxidation and iron dysregulation in the process. Mechanistically, SGK1 protects HGSOC cells from ferroptosis via NRF2-dependent pathways, promoting glutathione synthesis and iron homeostasis, and NRF2-independent pathways via mTOR/SREBP1/SCD1-mediated lipogenesis. Notably, pharmacological SGK1 inhibition sensitizes HGSOC xenograft models to ferroptosis induction, highlighting its therapeutic potential. These findings establish SGK1 as a critical regulator of ferroptosis and suggest targeting SGK1 alongside ferroptosis pathways as a potential therapeutic strategy for HGSOC patients.

THEORETICAL BASIS OF EDUCATIONAL TOURISM: INTERNATIONAL ASPECT

International educational mobility plays a crucial role in the advancement of science and education, with far-reaching implications for socio-economic development. The growing number of internationally mobile students intensifies competition among host countries, which goes beyond the market for educational services. In the long run, it is the competition for human capital that is crucial for economic development. This study aims to deepen the understanding of educational tourism as a distinct form of educational mobility. The article reviews the literature and analyses existing approaches to the definition of educational tourism. By analysing different types of educational mobility, the paper proposes a classification based on the goals, age of travellers and stages of career development that better emphasises the unique features of educational tourism. Taking into account the interdisciplinary nature of educational tourism, the paper considers it within the framework of the concept that the authors call "MET: Mobility, Education, Tourism". This approach allowed the authors to propose a definition of educational tourism that better reflects the nature of this phenomenon and distinguishes it from other types of educational mobility. The authors have identified key factors that influence the development of educational tourism, including technological progress, globalisation of education, economic factors, government initiatives, educational innovations and current trends in the labour market. Based on the findings, this paper offers principles for promoting educational tourism, emphasising the concept of Tourist Lifetime Value (TLV). This approach takes a long-term view of educational travel, taking into account the potential for lifelong learning and repeat visits. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of educational tourism, providing a basis for developing effective strategies to stimulate its growth and enhance its positive socio-economic impact on both host and home countries.

Permanent left bundle branch area pacing improves mitral regurgitation and cardiac function in patients with right bundle branch block

BackgroundPermanent left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) has been established as an effective means to correct left bundle branch block. Right bundle branch block (RBBB), emerge as a distinct form of cardiac conduction abnormality, can be seen in the context of LBBAP procedure. However, the correction potential of LBBAP in patients with RBBB remains largely unexplored.ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of permanent LBBAP in patients with RBBB.MethodsNinety-two consecutive patients who underwent successful permanent LBBAP were recruited from May. 2019 to Dec. 2022 in Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital. Among them, 20 patients with RBBB were included in our analysis. These patients were followed up at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-LBBAP. The QRS duration (QRSd) on the V1 lead of the 12-lead elctrocardiogram was measured and compared before and after the LBBAP procedure. Additionally, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation and cardiac function were assessed using transthoracic echocardiography, specifically focusing on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and mitral regurgitation severity. The acute pitfills and delayed complications associated with the LBBAP procedure were recorded to evaluate its safety. SPSS 23.0 was used to perform statistical analysis with Student’s t test or one way ANOVA or nonparametric tests (paired Wilcoxon test). A p value less than 0.05 was defined as significant.ResultsThe demographic breakdown of the RBBB cohort revealed a mean age of 66.35 ± 11.55 years, 60% being male. Comorbidities were prevalent, including severe atrioventricular block (AVB) in 75%, sick sinus syndrome (SSS) in 20%, heart failure in 25%, atrial fibrillation in 30%, coronary heart diseases in 45%, hypertension in 35%, and diabetes mellitus in 15%. Regarding the LBBAP procedure, the average operation time was 106.53 ± 2.72 min, with 45% of patients (9 individuals) requiring temporary cardiac pacing during the surgery. Notably, the LBBAP procedure significantly narrow the QRS duration in RBBB patients, from 132.60 ± 31.49ms to 119.55 ± 18.58 ms (P = 0.046). Additionally, at the 12-month follow-up, we observed a marked improvement in LVEF, which increased significantly from 55.15 ± 10.84% to 58.5 ± 10.55% (P = 0.018). Furthermore, mitral regurgitation severity improved, with a median reduction from 4.46 (0.9, 7.3) to 2.29 (0, 3.49) cm2 (P = 0.033). Importantly, no cases of ventricular septum perforation or pericardial effusion were reported during the LBBAP procedure or during the follow-up period.ConclusionLBBAP provides an immediate reduction in QRS duration for patients suffering from RBBB, accompanied by improvements in mitral regurgitation and cardiac function as evident in the 12-month follow-up period.

Religious, Practical and Future-Oriented Coping Strategies to End Intimate Partner Violence: An In-Depth Examination of Ultraorthodox Israeli Women’s Narratives

Abstract Purpose Much attention has been devoted to the ways in which women have made sense of, worked through, coped with, and recovered from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), but the insights of survivors affiliated with religious minorities are scarce. The purpose of this study is to advance understandings and practices concerning the coping experiences of Ultraorthodox women (UJW) survivors of IPV. Using descriptive phenomenological methodology, in-depth semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 15 Ultraorthodox Israeli women who identified themselves as survivors of IPV. Methods The research design and data analysis were inspired by a phenomenological approach to document, analyze, and understand these women’s subjective experiences on this heretofore under-studied topic. Shenton’s four criteria were assessed to promote the current study’s rigor and trustworthiness. Results Thematic analysis revealed three core themes and seven related sub-themes: (1) Devoting time to spiritual activities (sub-themes: daily prayers and attending Jewish classes); (2) Finding inspiration in a role model (sub-themes: a woman who survived IPV, a well-appreciated rabbi); and, (3) Planning the future (sub-themes: commitment to a new project, helping other women to cope with IPV, and commitment to the future and well-being of their children). Conclusions An integrative synthesis of the findings reveals two distinctive forms of coping: spiritual-based and practical-based coping strategies, that demonstrate the survivors’ multifaceted perceptions and coping narrative with IPV. The strengths and limitations of this study are addressed along with implications for practice and theory.

Da Lógica à Natureza: a posição de Hegel não-romântica e pós-kantiana da Naturphilosophie

This is to lay out the issues involved in an appropriately post-Kantian interpretation of Hegel’s Naturphilosophie, which I translate not as “philosophy of nature” but as “natural philosophy”. Pure thought as Kant argued is empty, but he thought that he could supply pure content to it by the combination of pure intuitions and the unity of self-consciousness. His successors, especially Fichte, did not think that resolved matters, and Hegel tried to make good on what he saw as the failures of Fichte’s attempt to do Kantian philosophy without pure intuitions. Hegel however also saw that one could not begin with self-consciousness per se or with Fichte’s “I.” Instead, Hegel proposed a Logic that would give an internally self-enclosed system of pure thoughts as what was needed to make sense of making sense. Famously, he concluded the system with some not entirely clear ideas about its needing a move to a Naturphilosophie that was not a move in terms of a “transition.” Pure thought thus developed a concept of that which would be external to pure thought itself (like Fichte’s “Not-I”) but still something intrinsically linked to pure thought. This is the very concept of “externality to pure thought itself,” which first appears as space and time. The development of the simple thought of “external to pure thought” leads to a non-empiricist account of nature. Empiricists study regularities of nature in the Humean sense, but these regularities, although existent, are not fully “actual” in that they are not what is doing the work of explanation. What explains the regularities themselves are the various pure objects of the Naturphilosophie: The mechanical, the physical, the chemical and the biological fields of nature, each of which manifests a power [Potenz] that explains why the empirically found regularities in nature actually hold. The basic objects of a true Naturphilosophie present a unified field of investigation that is defined by the field’s powers and which in turn calls out for an empirical investigation of how these powers actually operate in the vast continuum of nature. Each of these distinct fields moreover has its own distinct form of causality, culminating in the causality of freedom in the human realm. It is then suggested that the reason for the transition from Logic to Nature is that pure thought on its own is powerless and finds itself filled with only the shadows of the world as a whole. This has implications for how we think of Hegel’s system as a whole.

MiRNA-mediated control of gephyrin synthesis drives sustained inhibitory synaptic plasticity

Activity-dependent protein synthesis is crucial for long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity. However, our understanding of translational mechanisms controlling GABAergic synapses is limited. One distinct form of inhibitory long-term potentiation (iLTP) enhances postsynaptic clusters of GABAARs and the primary inhibitory scaffold, gephyrin, to promote sustained synaptic strengthening. While we previously found that persistent iLTP requires mRNA translation, the mechanisms controlling plasticity-induced gephyrin translation remain unknown. We identify miR153 as a novel regulator of Gphn mRNA translation which controls gephyrin protein levels and synaptic clustering, ultimately impacting inhibitory synaptic structure and function. iLTP induction downregulates miR153, reversing its translational suppression of Gphn mRNA and promoting de novo gephyrin protein synthesis and synaptic clustering during iLTP. Finally, we find that reduced miR153 expression during iLTP is driven by an excitation-transcription coupling pathway involving calcineurin, NFAT and HDACs, which also controls the miRNA-dependent upregulation of GABAARs. Together, we delineate a miRNA-dependent post-transcriptional mechanism that controls the expression of the key synaptic scaffold, gephyrin, and may converge with parallel miRNA pathways to coordinate gene upregulation to maintain inhibitory synaptic plasticity.

Robust State Feedback Control with D-Admissible Assurance for Uncertain Discrete Singular Systems

This study addresses the state feedback control associated with D-admissible assurance for discrete singular systems subjected to parameter uncertainties in both the difference term and system matrices. Firstly, a refined analysis criterion of D-admissible assurance is presented, where the distinct form embraces multiple slack matrices and has lessened linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) constraints, which may be beneficial for reducing the conservatism of admissibility analysis. In consequence, by hiring the state feedback control, controller design issues with pole locations, which directly dominate the system performance, are mainly treated. For all the presented criteria can be formulated by the strict LMIs, they are thus suitably solved via current LMI solvers to conduct a state feedback controller with specific poles’ locations of system’s performance requirements. Finally, two numerical examples illustrate that the presented results are efficient and practicable.

Masterminded Choreographies

Austrian political culture is rooted in counter-reformation, in a specific Catholic-baroque theatricality. With its marches, parades, pageants, Dionysian art and populist politics, a very distinctive form of showmanship or staging already characterised the last decades of the Habsburg Monarchy. After 1918, the new republic picked up this thread—with less of the ‘Dionysian’ at the fore than the more sublime and solemn. From the mid-1920s onwards, all political camps focused on involving masses in their political manifestations, thus the structured amorphous crowds involved participants marching in rank and file and in military attire and unified mass bodies engaged in choreographed movement, forming images (and messages). However, the authors and organisers of such events often seemed to be more impressed by these performances than the audience or even the participants themselves. Although the ‘mass’ in contemporary phrasing was a ‘feeling’, an ‘experience’, or an ‘emotion’, it still had to be controlled: stadiums and arenas became architectural means of social control, accompanied by a plethora of security and policing measures. But with the advent of new media, the crowd organised itself differently and anew. As a result, both the social democratic, pan-German and Christian-conservative mass festivals in the late 1920s and early 1930s and the staged Austrofascist ‘Tributes to the Youth’ after 1934 quickly lost their appeal, while their audiovisual reproduction in radio or newsreels had no effect either. Even enormous logistical efforts and bureaucratic pressure could not prevent the mass stagings from becoming outdated.

Study on the Bond Performance of Epoxy Resin Concrete with Steel Reinforcement

Epoxy resin concrete, characterized by its superior mechanical properties, is frequently utilized for structural reinforcement and strengthening. However, its application in structural members remains limited. In this paper, the bond–slip behavior between steel reinforcement and epoxy resin concrete was investigated using a combination of experimental research and finite element analysis, with the objective of providing data support for substantiating the expanded use of epoxy resin concrete in structural members. The research methodology included 18 center-pullout tests and 14 finite element model calculations, focusing on the effects of variables such as epoxy resin concrete strength, steel reinforcement strength, steel reinforcement diameter and protective layer thickness on bond performance. The results reveal that the bond strength between epoxy resin concrete and steel reinforcement significantly surpasses that of ordinary concrete, being approximately 3.23 times higher given the equivalent strength level of the material; the improvement in the strength of both the epoxy resin concrete and steel reinforcement are observed to marginally increase the bond stress. Conversely, an increase in the diameter of the steel reinforcement and a reduction in the thickness of the protective layer of the concrete can lead to diminished bond stress and peak slip. Particularly, when the steel reinforcement strength is below 500 MPa, it tends to reach its yield strength and may even detach during the drawing process, indicating that the yielding of the steel reinforcement occurs before the loss of bond stress. In contrast, for a steel reinforcement strength exceeding 500 MPa, yielding does not precede bond stress loss, resulting in a distinct form of failure described as scraping plough type destruction. Compared to ordinary concrete, the peak of the epoxy resin concrete and steel reinforcement bond stress–slip curve is more pointed, indicating a rapid degradation to maximum bond stress and exhibiting a brittle nature. Overall, these peaks are sharper than those of ordinary concrete, indicating a rapid decline in bond stress post-peak, reflective of its brittle characteristics.

Decolonizing the National Park: Unsettling public space through Indigenous urbanism

ABSTRACT Despite warnings of decline, public space continues to play a pivotal role for social movements and democracies. Yet, because liberal concepts of public space are rooted in settler colonialism, they avoid critical engagement with histories and contemporary expressions of Indigenous urban life. The occupation of Bogotá’s National Park by Indigenous communities presents an opportunity to reexamine the limits of public space. While government officials espoused conventional definitions about public space, Indigenous occupants described the National Park in entirely different terms. They relied on a praxis known as the minga for sustenance, communication, spatial organization, community building, and political mobilization. Drawing on Indigenous urbanism, this article frames the occupation of the National Park as a practice of decolonization, which challenges the historical legitimacy of stolen land and the supremacy of property. It considers the minga as a practice of Indigenization and an epistemologically distinct form of citymaking.

ADPKD variants in the PKD2 pore helix cause structural collapse of the gate and distinct forms of channel dysfunction.

The revised and current IUPHAR/BPS nomenclature creates ambiguity regarding the genetic identity of the polycystin family members of transient receptor potential ion channels (TRPP), especially when cross-referencing manuscripts that describe subunits using the former system 1 . Traditionally, the products of polycystin genes (e.g., PKD2) are referred to as polycystin proteins (e.g., polycystin-2). For simplicity and to prevent confusion, we will refer to the polycystin gene name rather than differentiating gene and protein with separate names- a nomenclature we have recently outlined (Annual Reviews in Physiology, Esarte Palomero et al. 2023) 2.

High-precision dynamic gesture recognition based on microfiber sensor and EMT-Net

Dynamic gesture recognition, which utilizes flexible wearable sensors and deep learning, is invaluable for human–computer interaction. Nevertheless, the primary challenges persist are the rapid detection of intricate gestures and the accurate recognition of dynamic signals. In this study, we suggest utilizing a microfiber sensor to identify the variations in wrist skin and detect dynamic gesture. In order to tackle the issue of insufficient feature extraction in the detected signals, resulting in reduced accuracy in recognition, we introduce a network dubbed EMT-Net (improve multi-head attention transformer network). This network utilizes a transformer encoder to capture and represent the characteristics of dynamic gesture signal and uses a CNN to classify the encoded features. To ensure that the model comprehensively captures the temporal and statistical characteristics of the signals, we enhance the multi-head attention mechanism by restricting certain attention heads to concentrate solely on the statistical features of the signals while allowing others to focus on the temporal features and global dependencies. Furthermore, because of the varying discriminatory abilities of different characteristics, we have developed an attention module to redistribution the attention weights on statistical features. The experimental results demonstrate that the microfiber sensor effectively recognizes ten distinct forms of dynamic gesture signals. Simultaneously, EMT-Net attains proficient identification with an accuracy of 98.80%, precision of 98.81%, recall of 98.80%, and an F1 score of 98.80%. The application value of this dynamic gesture recognition technology, which utilizes microfiber sensors and EMT-Net, is significant. The forthcoming alterations in human–computer interaction, virtual reality, and various other domains are anticipated.

Ammonia-induced lysosomal and mitochondrial damage causes cell death of effector CD8+ T cells.

Ammonia is thought to be a cytotoxin and its increase in the blood impairs cell function. However, whether and how this toxin triggers cell death under pathophysiological conditions remains unclear. Here we show that ammonia induces a distinct form of cell death in effector T cells. We found that rapidly proliferating T cells use glutaminolysis to release ammonia in the mitochondria, which is then translocated to and stored in the lysosomes. Excessive ammonia accumulation increases lysosomal pH and results in the termination of lysosomal ammonia storage and ammonia reflux into mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial damage and cell death, which is characterized by lysosomal alkalization, mitochondrial swelling and impaired autophagic flux. Inhibition of glutaminolysis or blocking lysosomal alkalization prevents ammonia-induced T cell death and improves T cell-based antitumour immunotherapy. These findings identify a distinct form of cell death that differs from previously known mechanisms.

Integrated Scale-Adaptive Adjustment Factor-Enhanced BlendMask Method for Pineapple Processing System

This study addresses the challenge of efficiently peeling pineapples, which have a distinct elliptical form, thick skin, and small eyes that are difficult to detect with conventional automated methods. This results in significant flesh waste. To improve the process, we developed an integrated system combining an enhanced BlendMask method, termed SAAF-BlendMask, and a Pose Correction Planning (PCP) method. SAAF-BlendMask improves the detection of small pineapple eyes, while PCP ensures accurate posture adjustment for precise path planning. The system uses 3D vision and deep learning technologies, achieving an average precision (AP) of 73.04% and a small object precision (APs) of 62.54% in eye detection, with a path planning success rate reaching 99%. The fully automated electromechanical system was tested on 110 real pineapples, demonstrating a reduction in flesh waste by 11.7% compared to traditional methods. This study highlights the potential of advanced machine vision and robotics in enhancing the efficiency and precision of food processing.

Managing Social Impact Bonds: Intermediary Work and Designing Institutional Infrastructure

Collaborations addressing grand challenges seek social impact; whether such social innovations will endure beyond initial enthusiasm is a major issue. Over the last decade, Social Impact Bonds (SIBs) emerged to diffuse globally as a new form of cross sector collaboration to finance solutions for social problems. Crucially, SIBs rely on intermediary organizations to coordinate and govern relations across diverse actors with competing and conflicting interests and values. How an intermediary goes about this work has significant effects on whether the collaboration achieves the desired social impact and whether it endures. In this article, we examine the intermediary work that enables such a cross-sector collaboration by analyzing two of the first completed SIBs in Continental Europe. Our findings identify three main types of interweaving intermediary work of aligning, stitching, and knotting, that are supported by three distinct forms of institutional infrastructure (ideational, operational, and relational respectively) providing a significant contribution to the analysis of cross-sector collaboration by connecting intermediary work to institutional infrastructure.