Scientific Advisory Committee Research Articles

Preface

Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Ion Sources, Victoria, BC, Canada, 2023ICIS’23 was the 20th event in a biennial series of conferences that are dedicated to Ion Sources and their applications, and the first in-person conference of this series after the COVID 19 pandemic. The conference was hosted by TRIUMF (www.triumf.ca), Canada’s Particle Accelerator Centre in Victoria, BC, Canada, September 17 to September 22, 2023. The ICIS series covers the physics and technology of ion sources for scientific research and applications. With the conference being the main event within the ion sources community it offers a forum for exchanging of new ideas and establishing of collaborations.The conference was held at the Victoria Conference Centre in Victoria BC, Canada, with support from the adjacent Fairmont Empress hotel. The venue is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Lkwungen People, also known as the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations communities.The biennial conference series covers the physics and technology of ion sources for scientific research and applications. New developments and advancements have been presented and discussed. As in previous conferences of this series, all aspects of ion sources have been covered in the categories:• Fundamental processes in ion sources and plasmas• Production of high intensity ion beams• Production of highly charged ion beams• Negative ion sources• Ion sources for fusion• Radioactive ion sources, charge breeders and polarized beams• Beam formation, extraction, transport, and diagnostics• Applications of ion sources• Key technologies for ion sourcesThe conference was organized in a hybrid mode and a zoom link was made available to participants, who could not attend in person. A total of 178 participants have registered for the conference, of whom 20 were students and 23 attended from remote. Fifty contributions have been presented in plenary sessions of which 20 were invited by the international advisory committee. The remaining 30 have been selected by the Scientific advisory committee. 123 contributions have been presented at 2 poster sessions. The high level and interesting contributions triggered lively discussions during all sessions. Thank you to all who contributed to this.Additional events included a tour of the TRIUMF Laboratory on September 17 just before the conference, and a reception on the same evening. In the afternoon of Wednesday, September 20 delegates were able to enjoy the beautiful surrounding Vancouver Island by either participating in a whale watching tour or a nature hike along the shoreline. In the evening of this day the conference banquet was held in the Fairmont Empress hotel.Fifteen students participated in the student poster competition. Members of both the international advisory committee and the scientific program committee acted as judges. Thank you to all the students who have contributed and the judges. Three winners have been awarded.List of International advisory committee, Scientific program committee, Local organizing committee are available in this pdf.

Zinc Nanoparticles and Nanocomposite Membrane Synthesized Using Leaves of Cinnamomum Tamala(Tejpatta) and Packaging Potential in Food Sector

ABSTRACT: Zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using leaves of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) readily available as local herb in India. First confirmation was made by change of color of plant extract into cream color solution for zinc nanoparticle synthesis. The plant used as capping and reducing agent showed absorption peak of 329.4nm for zinc nanoparticle. While FESEM analysis further validated the nature of nano-particle synthesized of tetrahedral and crystalline zinc nanoparticles. The plant parts can be exploited for drug development as the plant is available in plenty growing all over arid region. Nanobiotech has served in recent years and utilized natural polymers or polymeric films, which have overcome the side effects of synthetic packaging films available commercially. The safety assessment should be in agreement with scientific advisory committee before permitting to packaging industries. The texture, flavor, processing, shelf life and transport of foods will become economical to meet the demand of food safety for future generations. Generally regarded as safe, packaging materials can be considered for globalization and revolution in food packaging sector. The present investigation reports zinc nanoparticle synthesis where potent zone of inhibition were reported against standard pathogen S. aureus and nanocomposite membranes were synthesized using different polymeric components available in reach like gelatin, sodium alginate and agarose instead of cellulose. The research will be further supplemented with application of biomembrane synthesized in antimicrobial resistance offered to food products.

Current global status of male reproductive health.

Current global status of male reproductive health.

The new normal chemical landscape: the future of risk assessment toward optimum consumer safety.

The further optimization of consumer safety through risk assessment of chemicals present in food will require adaptability and flexibility to utilize the accelerating developments in safety science and technology. New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) are gaining traction as a systematic approach to support informed decision making in chemical risk assessment. The vision is to be able to predict risk more accurately, rapidly and efficiently. The opportunity exists now to use these approaches which requires a strategy to translate the science into future regulatory implementation. Here we discuss new insights obtained from three recent workshops on how to translate the science into future regulatory implementation. To assist the UK in this endeavor, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the scientific advisory committee on chemical toxicity (COT) have been developing a roadmap. In addition, we discuss how these new insights fit into the bigger picture of the new chemical landscape for better consumer safety and the importance of international harmonization.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: hiding in plain sight, a Statement from the COPD Foundation Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: hiding in plain sight, a Statement from the COPD Foundation Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee

DISP-12. BRAIN CANCER CANADA FUNDS CRITICALLY NEEDED RESEARCH AND ADVOCATES FOR PATIENTS, WITH THE AIM TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR CANADIANS DIAGNOSED WITH PRIMARY MALIGNANT BRAIN TUMOURS

Abstract Brain Cancer Canada (BCC) is a national, volunteer-driven charity supporting paediatric and adult primary malignant brain tumour research and patient advocacy. To achieve these goals BCC 1) awards grants to Canadian doctors and scientists advancing brain cancer research, and 2) advocates for equitable pharmacare for brain cancer patients. BCC is committed to funding innovative research projects, with the aim to improve treatment options for patients. Led by its Scientific Advisory Committee, submissions are reviewed, screened, and undergo a systematic evaluation by the panel. Recommendations on successful proposals are provided to the board for approval. This May, the charity awarded 5 research grants, totaling $380,000 CAD. These projects include supporting the acquisition of a next-generation DNA Sequencer, advancing FET-PET/MRI imaging, pioneering a novel approach to combat Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG), developing a novel dual-hit therapeutic approach for glioblastoma, and other projects focusing on precision medicine. BCC has taken a deliberate and firm stand in highlighting the drug coverage disparities that exist for patients afflicted with brain cancer BCC’s Pharmacare Advocacy Committee has found that disparities exist owing to the lack of a national drug program, and a patchwork of alternative schemes varying by province/territory. These findings are well documented by others. For example, our research shows that temozolomide (TMZ), the global standard of care for treating gliomas, is not covered in 4 provinces. Our pharmacare research on TMZ and 5 other drugs further confirm the disparity in coverage that hinders patient welfare and imposes a confusing and detrimental strain on the healthcare system. With, the dependence on take-home medication increasing, it is critical we take immediate action in supporting this marginalized group. With the support of The Society for Neuro-Oncology, Brain Cancer Canada will be better positioned to reach its goals and support people affected by primary malignant brain tumours.

Carbohydrates – a scoping review for Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023

Background: Dietary carbohydrates are a major source of energy in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The health effects of different types of carbohydrates vary and there is a need to update the evidence regarding specific carbohydrates and their effects on health-related outcomes.
 Objective: The aim of this scoping review was to describe the evidence for the role of total carbohydrates (fiber excluded), glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL) and added or free sugars for health-related outcomes as a basis for setting and updating dietary reference values for the Nordic Nutrition Recommendation (NNR) 2023.
 Method: We included evidence from several qualified systematic reviews (the World Cancer Research Fund, the European Food Safety Authority, the World Health Organization, the United States Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee, the United Kingdom Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition) identified by the NNR project in line with the protocol description.
 Results: There is limited evidence that total carbohydrate intake (fiber excluded) outside of the current recommended range of 45–60% of energy is associated with health-related outcomes. There were no consistent benefits on clinical outcomes when changing the GI of a diet. High intake of dietary sugars is well known to be associated with dental caries. There was evidence from randomized control trials on surrogate disease endpoints, for a positive and causal relationship between the intake of added and free sugars and risk of some chronic metabolic diseases with moderate level of certainty for obesity and dyslipidaemia. The level of certainty was high for an association between high intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and risk of several chronic metabolic diseases.
 Conclusion: While there is limited evidence that total carbohydrates and GI and GL of the diet are related to health outcomes, the evidence suggests that high intakes of added and free sugars are related to detrimental health effects. In addition, with increasing intake of added and free sugars, there is less room for healthy foods and micronutrients, which is especially important for those with low energy intake, such as children.

Estimating neighborhood-level population characteristics from parcel data

ABSTRACT This paper investigates how ancillary geographic data – in particular, information on land or assessor parcels – might be used to improve estimates for small area populations and population characteristics. It seeks to determine whether parcel land use codes can be used to reliably replicate population and housing distributions within small (subcounty) areas and whether other parcel attributes – in addition to land use – exhibit any explanatory power in replicating population and housing characteristics within these same places. The basis for this paper was Professor Barbara Buttenfield’s service on the Census Scientific Advisory Committee, in which her working group explored the utility of administrative source data as an alternative or complement to federal survey data. This analysis highlights some of the benefits and complications of the incorporation of parcel data into geodemographic estimation, and the findings demonstrate that such a use is problematic but encouraging.

Evaluation of the impact of letters to GP practices to promote asthma prescription uptake in school-age children during summer (TRAINS study): a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundAsthma exacerbations peak in school-aged children after the return to school in September. Previous studies have shown a decline in collections of asthma prescriptions during August. The PLEASANT trial demonstrated that sending a reminder letter to parents increased prescription uptake; reduced unscheduled care, and was cost saving to the health service. We aimed to assess whether informing general practitioner (GP) practices about the PLEASANT trial and its results could lead to its implementation in routine practice. MethodsThe trial to assess implementation of new research in a primary care setting (TRAINS) was a pragmatic cluster-randomised (1:1) trial conducted in England involving GP practices contributing to the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). The intervention was a letter informing the GP practice of the PLEASANT trial results with recommendations for implementation. GP practices in the control group continued with usual care without receiving any letters about PLEASANT trial. The intervention was distributed via CPRD by both mail and email in June 2021. The trial received both University of Sheffield Ethics approval and Independent Scientific Advisory Committee (ISAC) approval. The primary outcome was the proportion of children with asthma (aged 4–15 years) who had a prescription for a preventer between Aug 1 and Sept 30, 2021. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05226091. FindingsA total of 1326 GP practices, including 90 583 children with asthma, were included in the study. These practices were randomly allocated to the intervention group (664 practices, 44 708 children) or the control group (662 practices, 45 875 children). In assessing the impact of the intervention on the proportion of children collecting a preventer prescription, 15 716 (35·3%) of 44 708 children from the intervention group and 16 001 (35·1%) of 45 559 children from the control group picked up a prescription. There was no statistically significant difference observed (odds ratio [OR] 1·01, 95% CI 0·97–1·05), indicating that the intervention had no effect. InterpretationThe study findings suggest that passive intervention of providing a letter to GPs did not achieve the intended outcomes. To bridge the gap between evidence and practice, alternative, more proactive strategies could be explored to address the identified issues. FundingJazan University.

Informing a national rare disease registry strategy in Australia: a mixed methods study

BackgroundRare disease registries (RDRs) facilitate monitoring of rare diseases by pooling small datasets to increase clinical and epidemiological knowledge of rare diseases and promote patient centred best practice. The aim of this study was to understand the current state of RDRs in Australia, data captured, impact on patient outcomes, funding models, and barriers and enablers regarding their establishment and maintenance.MethodsAn exploratory sequential mixed methods study design was adopted. First, a list of Australian RDRs, primary contacts and data custodians was generated through online and consumer group (Rare Voices Australia (RVA)) contacts. A cross-sectional, anonymous online survey was distributed to registry custodians, managers, or principal investigators of 74 identified Australian RDRs, 88 RVA Partners, 17 pharmaceutical organizations and 12 RVA Scientific and Medical Advisory Committee members. Next, managers and coordinators of RDRs and databases who participated in the survey were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using basic descriptive statistics and content analysis, respectively.ResultsForty RDRs responded to the survey; nine were national, five were based in Australia and New Zealand, and the remaining were global. Of the 40 survey respondents, eight were interviewed. Most of the RDRs captured similar information regarding patient characteristics, comorbidities and clinical features, diagnosis, family history, genetic testing, procedures or treatment types, response to treatments and complications of treatments. Better treatment outcomes, changes in process of care and changes in quality of care were the most frequently reported benefits of the RDRs. The main challenges proved to be cost/funding of data collection, data completeness, and patient consent. When asked, the participants identified opportunities and challenges regarding potential options to streamline RDRs in Australia in the future.ConclusionFindings from this study highlighted significant dataset heterogeneity based on the individual disease, and current lack of interoperability and coordination between different existing RDRs in Australia. Nevertheless, a nationally coordinated approach to RDRs should be investigated given the particular benefits RDRs offer, such as access to research and the monitoring of new disease-modifying treatments.

Detection and evaluation of signals associated with exposure to individual and combination of medications in pregnancy: a signal detection study protocol

IntroductionConsidering the high prevalence of polypharmacy in pregnant women and the knowledge gap in the risk–benefit safety profile of their often-complex treatment plan, more research is needed to optimise prescribing....

Developing food-based dietary recommendations in the UK.

The present paper provides an overview of the approach to developing food-based dietary recommendations in the UK. UK dietary recommendations are based on independent advice from the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN). SACN's remit includes specific reference to the nutrient content of individual foods and advice on diet as a whole, including the definition of a balanced diet. SACN's approach is set out in its Framework for Evaluating Evidence and its assessments are supported by the data provided by the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. SACN's risk assessments have primarily focused on energy requirements, macro and micronutrients and/or the needs of specific population groups. However, dietary patterns or individual foods and health outcomes have been considered where sufficient evidence is available. An example of this is SACN's risk assessment on carbohydrates and health, which included consideration of evidence on sugar-sweetened beverages and the resulting dietary recommendations on free sugars and sugar-sweetened beverages led to a range of policies to reduce sugar intake in the UK, including the soft drinks industry levy. SACN has also recently published a position statement on processed foods and health. Government dietary advice is encapsulated in the UK's national food model, the Eatwell Guide. The Eatwell Guide shows the proportions in which different food groups should be consumed to have a well-balanced, healthier, more sustainable diet, to help meet nutrient requirements and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Any substantive change to government dietary advice is likely to lead to a review of the national food model.

Flow–recruitment relationships for Shoal Chub and implications for managing environmental flows

AbstractObjectiveRegulation of river flow regimes by dams and diversions impacts aquatic biota and ecosystems globally. However, our understanding of the ecological consequences of flow alteration and ecological benefits of flow restoration lags behind our ability to manipulate flows, and there is a need for broader development of flow–ecology relationships. Approaches for establishing flow–ecology relationships have recently shifted away from state‐based methods that analyze snapshots of ecological conditions and towards rate‐based methods focused on mechanisms that link hydrology with dynamics of important ecological components and processes.MethodsWe used a rate‐based approach to validate environmental flow standards developed for the lower Brazos River, Texas, by analyzing the relationship between flow regime components and recruitment strength of imperiled Shoal Chub Macrhybopsis hyostoma, a fluvial specialist and pelagic‐broadcast‐spawning fish. We collected 254 age‐0 Shoal Chub (9–40 mm total length), extracted their otoliths to estimate age in days, and used a generalized additive model to regress the number of captured recruits that hatched on a calendar date against flow regime metrics, such as pulse magnitude, flow rate of change, and pulse timing in relation to environmental flow standards proposed by a science advisory committee (Brazos Basin and Bay Area Expert Science Team).ResultThe model revealed that flow magnitude, rate of change, and timing were all significant predictors that collectively explained 60% of variation in the recruitment strength index. Hindcasting for 1919–2020 showed a general reduction in recruitment strength following commencement of flow regulation in the lower Brazos River and revealed that high recruitment correlated with years in which most or all proposed flow tiers were attained, whereas low recruitment correlated with years when less than half of the targeted tiers were attained.ConclusionOur work represents an effective validation method for environmental flow recommendations and reveals specific flow regimes that benefit an imperiled fish species.

Efficacy of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Cement Varnish and Sodium Fluoride Varnish in The Prevention of White Spot Lesions During Fixed Orthodontic Treatment- A Split Mouth Study

Objective: Evaluating efficacy of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Varnish and Sodium Fluoride Varnish in prevention of White Spot Lesions (WSLs) during early fixed orthodontic treatment; comparing the incidence of white spot lesions in control teeth and experiment teeth. Methodology: Design: A Cross-sectional analytical split mouth study. Setting: Orthodontic Department of Sinhgad Dental College and Hospital. Participants: A sample size of 288 maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth (24 participants) with newly placed orthodontic brackets, allocated randomly into 4 subgroups, 2 experimental and 2 control. Interventions: For each experimental quadrant in each patient, respective varnishes were applied on the labial surfaces of anterior teeth. WSLs were recorded before and after 3 months by direct visual inspection following International Caries Detection Assessment System II Criteria. Results: There was significant difference between pre and post recordings of both the varnishes (p<0.05). The control groups showed higher incidence of (WSLs) as compared to the experimental groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: The result obtained from the study suggested that both Sodium Fluoride Varnish (Embrace) and RMGI Varnish (Clinpro XT) will help to prevent WSLs in orthodontic treatments. Study registration: Scientific advisory committee and institutional ethics committee.

Dietary Guidelines Meet NOVA: Developing a Menu for A Healthy Dietary Pattern Using Ultra-Processed Foods

BackgroundA proposed topic for the 2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) Scientific Advisory Committee to address is the relationship between dietary patterns with ultra-processed foods (UPF) and body composition and weight status. Implementing the NOVA system, the most commonly applied framework for determining whether a food is “ultra-processed,” in dietary guidance could omit several nutrient-dense foods from recommended healthy diets in the DGA. ObjectiveThe purpose of this proof-of-concept study was to determine the feasibility of building a menu that aligns with recommendations for a healthy dietary pattern from the 2020 DGA and includes ≥80% kcal from UPF as defined by NOVA. DesignTo accomplish this objective, we first developed a list of foods that fit NOVA criteria for UPF, fit within dietary patterns in the 2020 DGA, and are commonly consumed by Americans. We then used these foods to develop a 7-d, 2000 kcal menu modeled on MyPyramid sample menus and assessed this menu for nutrient content as well as for diet quality using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015). ResultsIn the ultra-processed DGA menu that was created, 91% of kcal were from UPF, or NOVA category 4. The HEI-2015 score was 86 out of a possible 100 points. This sample menu did not achieve a perfect score due primarily to excess sodium and an insufficient amount of whole grains. This menu provided adequate amounts of all macro- and micronutrients except vitamin D, vitamin E, and choline. ConclusionsHealthy dietary patterns can include most of their energy from UPF, still receive a high diet quality score, and contain adequate amounts of most macro- and micronutrients.

Presence of the Scientific Advisory Committee contributes to enhance the academic development of the Hospital

Presence of the Scientific Advisory Committee contributes to enhance the academic development of the Hospital

Network analysis of scientific advisory committee integration in climate change policy: A comparison of Germany and Japan

According to the literature on Environmental Policy Integration (EPI), decisionmaking in complex domains of environmental policy—of which climate change is a prime example—tend to fragment and silo into individual dimensions of a problem. Scientific Advisory Committees (SACs) have been widely used to promote more integrated decisionmaking. SACs are intended to integrate the varied, and often fragmented, dimensions of policy problems, and this integration is widely believed to enable more effective use of science in climate change policy. This paper empirically evaluates the degree of integration achieved through SACs in two national climate policy contexts: Germany and Japan. Network analysis is used to examine the myriad scientific advisory committees focused on climate change policy in these nations (N = 218), and quantify the degree of vertical integration (integration among different sectors) and horizontal integration (integration among different governmental bodies). Results show greater vertical integration among German SACs than Japanese SACs, and similar levels of horizontal integration between the two nations despite having very different structures. Such efforts to empirically connect the conceptual discussion of integration in EPI with empirical observations of integration in actual climate policy processes is an important step towards understanding the strategies that may be used to promote more integrated decisionmaking in climate change policy.

Preface

The 15th International Conference on Concrete Engineering and Technology (CONCET 2022) was organized by The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM) on 6-7 December 2022. The online conference was co-organized with Universiti Malaya (UM) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).The theme for CONCET 2022 is ‘Innovation and Resilience in Concrete Construction’. The conference was aimed to cover fresh perspectives and the latest in the wider topic of innovation and a more specific topic of resilience, in concrete construction.The main topics in the conference include:• New-generation concrete materials• Recycled materials and by-products in concrete• Modular and prefabricated construction• Advanced structures and infrastructure• Testing, inspection and health monitoring• Life-cycle assessment of concrete structuresWe would like to sincerely thank and acknowledge all the authors, presenters and participants whose support made CONCET 2022 a success. Ir. Low Kai Wah Conference ChairCONCET 2022List of Guest Editors, Organizing Committee, Scientific Advisory Committee Members are available in the pdf.

Jack Dwayne Farmer April 18, 1947-February 22, 2023.

Jack Dwayne Farmer April 18, 1947-February 22, 2023.

IARD 2022 The 13th Biennial Conference on Classical and Quantum Relativistic Dynamics of Particles and Fields

Preface The International Association for Relativistic Dynamics was organized in February 1998 in Houston, Texas, with John R. Fanchi as president. Although the subject of relativistic dynamics has been explored, from both classical and quantum mechanical points of view, since the work of Einstein and Dirac, its most striking development has been in the framework of quantum field theory. The very accurate calculations of spectral and scattering properties, for example, of the anomalous magnetic moment of the electron and the Lamb shift in quantum electrodynamics, and many qualitative features of the strong and electroweak interactions, demonstrate the very great power of description achieved in this framework. Yet, many fundamental questions remain to be clarified, such as the structure of classical relativistic dynamical theories on the level of Hamilton and Lagrange in Minkowski space as well as on the curved manifolds of general relativity. There, moreover, remain the important questions of the covariant classical description of systems at high energy for which particle production effects are not large, such as discussed in Synge’s book, The Relativistic Gas, and in Balescu’s book on relativistic statistical mechanics, and the development of a consistent single and many body relativistic quantum theory. In recent years, highly accurate telescopes and advanced facilities for computation have brought a high level of interest in cosmological problems, such as the structure of galaxies (dark matter) and the apparently anomalous expansion of the universe (dark energy). Some of the papers reported here deal with these problems, as well as other fundamental related issues.It was for this purpose, to bring together researchers from a wide variety of fields, such as particle physics, astrophysics, cosmology, foundations of relativity theory, and mathematical physics, with a common interest in relativistic dynamics, to investigate fundamental questions of this type, that this Association was founded. The second meeting took place in 2000 at Bar Ilan University in Israel, the third, in 2002, at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and the fourth, in 2004, in Saas Fee, Switzerland. Subsequent meeting took place in 2006 at the University of Connecticut Storrs, in 2008 at Aristotle University of Thessalonica, in 2010 at National Dong Hwa University, Hualien, Taiwan, in 2012 at the Galileo Galilei Institute for Theoretical Physics (GGI) in Florence, in 2014 as the University of Connecticut Storrs, Connecticut, in 2016 at Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and in 2018 in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, under the sponsorship of the Instituto Politécnic Nacional. The 2020 meeting, planned for Czech Technical University in Prague, was successfully held online at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the physical meeting in Prague was delayed to 2022.The 2022 meeting forms the basis for the Proceedings that are recorded in this issue of the Journal of Physics: Conference Series. Along with the work of some of the founding and newer but already much engaged members of the Association, we were fortunate to have lecturers from application areas that provided strong challenges for further developments in quantum field theory, cosmological problems, and in the dynamics of systems subject to accelerations and the effects of general relativity. Topics treated in this issue include studies in general relativity and astrophysics, relativistic dynamics and electrodynamics, quantum theory and particles, and foundations of relativistic dynamics.This first physical meeting of the Covid-19 era took place 6 - 9 June at Czech Technical University in Prague, as originally planned for 2020. The meeting was divided into seven plenary sessions over four days. As a result of continued travel restrictions in some areas, a small number of talks were delivered by videoconferencing. The papers presented in this volume represent extensions and refinements to the conference talks, building on feedback and discussions associated with the lectures. We once again express our gratitude to Czech Technical University, and especially the local conference chair Petr Jizba, for their generous hospitality.List of Scientific Advisory Committee, International Organizing Committee and Editorial Board of the proceedings, Dedication are available in this Pdf.