bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced high‐temperature tribological performance of PTFE/PI fabric composites by simultaneously introducing PDA/SiO2 hybrid coating and aramid product reinforcements
Authors: Yuan Junya , Zhang Zhaozhu , Yang Mingming , Li Peilong , Jiang Wei , Zhao Xin , Liu Weimin
Published: April 2021

Surface modification with polydopamine (PDA)‐based coating is widely used to obtain high performance and build special functions for modified surfaces. Herein, a mussel‐inspired nanohybrid coating (PDA/SiO2) was first co‐deposited onto the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)/polyimide (PI) fabric surfaces via simultaneous polymerization of dopamine and hydrolysis of the tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in a simple one‐pot method. This nanohybrid coating could afford the hybrid‐fabric sufficient active groups, improved surface roughness, and wettability without compromising fiber intrinsic strength. As a result, the interfacial bonding strength between fabric and PI resin matrix presented a significant increase as measured by the peeling tests. In addition, aramid pulp and aramid fiber powder were incorporated into the fabric composites to construct synergistic enhancement effects with PI fibers on bearing capacity and wear resistance. Results showed that the fabric@PDA‐TEOS/micro‐powder composites presented the best high‐temperature anti‐wear property resulting from the improved interfacial adhesion strength and carrying capacity of lubricant films.
Effectiveness of successful intelligence training program: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Saw Khin Nyunt Nyunt , Han Buxin
Published: April 2021

This study assessed Robert Sternberg's theory of successful intelligence (TSI) training in teaching and learning situations to improve academic achievement, triarchic (analytical, creative, practical) thinking, and socioemotional outcomes. The analyses included all references from several databases (Web of Science, ProQuest, Elsevier, Google Scholar, and bibliographies of related articles) from 1998 to 2019 that implemented the successful intelligence training program in a variety of ways. Possible moderators, selection criteria, subject areas, and grade levels were investigated. A total of 24 studies (19 articles) were included in the meta‐analysis. The results revealed that successful intelligence training has a positive effect on students' overall achievement, g = 0.63, SE = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) [0.41, 0.85], k = 24, z = 5.98, p < .001, under a random‐effect model. After adjusting for publication bias, the effect size (ES) g was 0.35, SE = 0.12, 95% CI [0.10, 0.60]. The ES was the largest for socioemotional outcomes, followed by triarchic outcomes and then achievement outcomes. High‐IQ‐based selected participants received higher ES than teacher‐selected participants. Regarding subject areas, science and general triarchic training differed significantly. Among the grade levels, high‐school level and primary level differed significantly. Moreover, intervention duration negatively moderated the ES significantly. Gender did not moderate the ES. All student participants benefited from the successful intelligence training program, and this benefit was greater for gifted and older students. This finding suggests that TSI training educators provide a more detailed, structured, and authentic problem situation to be more effective instead of academic problems.
Compost inputs, cropping system, and rotation phase drive aggregate‐associated carbon
Authors: Liu Jinhua , Calderón Francisco J. , Fonte Steven J.
Published: April 2021

In the central Great Plains of North America, winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is often rotated with fallow periods. Tillage and the reduced return of C inputs have led to extensive soil degradation and loss of soil organic matter. Composted beef manure has the potential to restore soil organic matter and soil function. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of compost application rate and grain vs. forage rotations on soil structure and aggregate‐associated C stabilization. The study assessed two dryland rotations of wheat–fallow and triticale (×Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus)/pea (Pisum sativum L.)–fallow, and three compost rates: a control with nothing added (0×), 22.9 t ha–1 (1×), and 108.7 t ha−1 (5×) applied every 2 yr. After 8 yr, total C inputs were positively correlated with total soil organic C, the proportion of macroaggregates in the whole soil, and the mean weight diameter of soil aggregates. The increased C storage in macroaggregates was associated with an increase in the particulate organic matter and microaggregates within macroaggregates. Soils receiving the 5× compost rate had increased mid‐infrared absorbance at the amide II band, in agreement with the decreased soil C/N ratio. Aggregate fractions of the wheat‐based system tended to be more enriched in C than those of the forage‐based rotation. Additionally, soil coming out of fallow tended to have aggregate fractions that were depleted in soil C. Our findings indicate that compost can improve soil structure and aggregate‐associated C stabilization in dryland agroecosystems, whereas cropping system and rotation phase are also important to consider in the long‐term management of SOM.
Aligned Carbon‐Based Electrodes for Fast‐Charging Batteries: A Review
Authors: Huang Qikai , Ni Shuyan , Jiao Miaolun , Zhong Xiongwei , Zhou Guangmin , Cheng Hui‐Ming
Published: April 2021

Fast‐charging batteries have attracted great attention, and are anticipated to charge electrical vehicles and consumer electronics to full‐capacity in several minutes. However, commercial electrode materials in batteries generally have a limited rate performance and are difficult to be used in fast‐charging batteries. Designing electrodes with an aligned structure is an effective way to shorten the ion transport path and improve the rate performance of a battery. The excellent electronic conductivity of carbon‐based electrodes is another key factor for increasing the rate capability of rechargeable batteries. Therefore, aligned carbon‐based electrodes (ACBEs) can significantly improve the power density by combining the advantages of an aligned structure and carbon‐based materials. In this review, the mechanism, advantages, and challenges of ACBEs for fast‐charging batteries are evaluated, and then the design and preparation methods of ACBEs based on their different dimensions are summarized, and their applications in different batteries are illustrated. Finally, the future development of ACBEs for fast‐charging batteries is considered.
Controlled Growth of Large‐Sized and Phase‐Selectivity 2D GaTe Crystals
Authors: Liu Mingqiang , Yang Shuo , Han Mao , Feng Simin , Wang Gui‐Gen , Dang Leyang , Zou Bo , Cai Yawei , Sun Huarui , Yu Jie , Han Jie‐Cai , Liu Zheng
Published: April 2021

GaTe has recently attracted significant interest due to its direct bandgap and unique phase structure, which makes it a good candidate for optoelectronics. However, the controllable growth of large‐sized monolayer and few‐layer GaTe with tunable phase structures remains a great challenge. Here the controlled growth of large‐sized GaTe with high quality, chemical uniformity, and good reproducibility is achieved through liquid‐metal‐assisted chemical vapor deposition method. By using liquid Ga, the rapid growth of 2D GaTe flakes with high phase‐selectivity can be obtained due to its reduced reaction temperature. In addition, the method is used to synthesize many Ga‐based 2D materials and their alloys, showing good universality. Raman spectra suggest that the as‐grown GaTe own a relatively weak van der Waals interaction, where monoclinic GaTe displays highly‐anisotropic optical properties. Furthermore, a p‐n junction photodetector is fabricated using GaTe as a p‐type semiconductor and 2D MoSe2 as a typical n‐type semiconductor. The GaTe/MoSe2 heterostructure photodetector exhibits large photoresponsivity of 671.52 A W−1 and high photo‐detectivity of 1.48 × 1010 Jones under illumination, owing to the enhanced light absorption and good quality of as‐grown GaTe. These results indicate that 2D GaTe is a promising candidate for electronic and photoelectronic devices.
Implanting Cobalt Atom Clusters within Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Network as Highly Stable Cathode for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zhang Fenglong , Ji Shan , Wang Hui , Liang Huagen , Wang Xuyun , Wang Rongfang
Published: April 2021

Realization of highly efficient sulfur electrochemistry, as well as the high capacity of lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, can be achieved by the scientific construction of electrode host materials. In this study, using molten NaCl, a 3D porous nitrogen‐doped carbon with uniformly embedded Co atom clusters (Co/PNC) is developed by pyrolyzing the precursors with NaCl at high temperatures. In the composite structure, a network carbon skeleton containing hierarchical pores acts as an advanced matrix for sulfur electrodes, and the doping of N and Co is subject to inhibit the shuttle of long‐chain lithium polysulfides through chemical adsorption. The Co/PNC, with the optimized amount of Co, delivers an initial specific capacity of 1105.4 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C with a capacity drop of only 0.064% after the cell is charged and discharged for 300 cycles at 1 C, revealing its potential in promoting the large‐scale application of Li–S batteries.
Intact, Kibbled, and Cut Wheat Grains: Physico‐Chemical, Microstructural Characteristics and Gastro‐Small Intestinal Digestion In vitro
Authors: Abhilasha Abhilasha , Kaur Lovedeep , Monro John , Hardacre Allan , Singh Jaspreet
Published: April 2021

It is important to investigate the changes in the microstructure of wheat grains during processing to understand their influence on physico‐chemical properties and starch hydrolysis (SH) kinetics during gastro‐small intestinal digestion in vitro. Three differently processed formats (kibbled, cut grains, and flour) along with intact bread wheat grains are compared. Size reduction from raw intact grains to kibbled grains and flour resulted in an increase in overall SH (%) during simulated digestion and followed the order of flour>kibbled>cut>intact grains. The cooked versions of grain formats followed the similar order with a significant increase in SH observed for cooked kibbled grains and flour to 58.38±0.086% and 92.85±1.21%, respectively, whereas cooked cut grains show a lower hydrolysis of 21.56±0.39%. The expected glycaemic indices (eGI) of both cooked cut and intact grains are categorized as low glycaemic with values of 54.08±0.03 and 41.98±0.04, respectively. Scanning electron micrographs revealed the disappearance of starch granules from the grains' exposed surface areas during sequential digestion phases. The size reduction processes results in the disruption of bran and intact endosperm cells, making grain structure susceptible to digestion after cooking. The current results show the potential of differently processed grain formats to develop low glycemic wheat products.
Detection of bromate in packaged drinking water and its removal using polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes
Authors: C.S. Shalumon , C.T. Aravindakumar , K. Aravind Usha
Published: April 2021

The use of bottled water is increasing every day even after the reported presence of microbial and other contaminants. The present study analyzed bromate in bottled water samples collected from four major cities in Kerala, India. It was found that about 40% of the samples contain bromate with a maximum concentration of 9.68 μg/L with an average of 1.56 μg/L. The study also includes the development of a multilayer membrane for the removal of bromate from water. Bilayers of quaternary chitosan salt (QCS)/sodium polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) were deposited on polyethersulfone (PES) microfiltration membrane and which are employed for bromate removal studies. Deposition of six bilayers of QCS/PSS increased the rejection efficiency from ∼4% to ∼84%. The influence of different fabrication and feed parameters on bromate removal efficiency was also studied. Six bilayers of QCS/PSS deposited at pH 2 with 0.5 M NaCl were found to be effective in removing > 90% of bromate from marketed bottled water samples with low energy expense. This study is recommended to implement such a multilayer system as a polishing step in the final stage of water purification in bottling plants to avoid possible contamination and toxicity of bromate in bottled water users.
Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy using a dome‐shaped saw blade for canine cranial cruciate ligament insufficiency
Authors: Polajnar Petar , Szanto Zsigmond , Gruborovic Sanja , Willmitzer Florian , Medl Nikola
Published: April 2021

Background: Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is commonly used to manage cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease. The use of a spherical osteotomy blade (S‐TPLO) enables correction of some tibial deformities with three rotational degrees of freedom.

Methods: As a proof of concept, this retrospective study included 45 dogs with CrCL disease that were treated with an S‐TPLO. The tibial plateau angle (TPA) was measured preoperatively, immediately after surgery (pTPA0) and on postoperative days 42 (pTPA42) and 56 (pTPA56). Lameness and osteotomy healing were assessed until 56 days postoperatively.

Results: Thirty‐one dogs had complete CrCL ruptures, and 14 dogs had partial ruptures. Thirty‐one dogs had medial meniscal damage. The mean TPA, pTPA0, pTPA42 and pTPA56 were 26.0°, 7.8°, 8.5° and 8.9°, respectively. The TPA from post‐op to follow‐up did not vary significantly (p > 1.365). Minor complications occurred in five dogs. The mean lameness score improved significantly from 3.2 preoperatively to 0.9 on day 56 (p < 0.0001). The mean healing score improved significantly from 1.6 on day 42 to 2.2 on day 56 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: S‐TPLO was successful in treating CrCL disease in stifle joints without tibial deformities, with results comparable to previously reported TPLO outcomes.
Retrospective analysis of the population dynamics and racing outcomes of the 2014 and 2015 UK and Ireland Thoroughbred foal crops
Authors: Arango‐Sabogal Juan Carlos , Mouncey Rebecca , de Mestre Amanda M. , Verheyen Kristien
Published: April 2021

Background: Up‐to‐date figures on early losses of Thoroughbreds from the racing industry can inform strategies to improve retention and incentivise traceability of Thoroughbreds during this early life period.

Methods: Data on Thoroughbred mares bred in 2013–2014 and training, racing and sales information of their live offspring were analysed. The proportions and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of the entire 2014–2015 United Kingdom and Ireland foal crops that entered training, raced, were imported and/or exported between birth and the end of their third year of life, as well as the racing performance of these horses as 2‐ and 3‐year‐olds were described.

Results: A total of 20,661 mares produced 28,282 live foals. Of them, 47.2% (95% CI: 46.7–47.8; n = 13,354) entered training by the end of their third year of life. Of these, 10,595 (79.3%; 95% CI: 78.7–80.0) raced at least once. Around 20% (n = 5712) of horses were exported by the end of their third year of life, of which 3526 (61.7%) had been in training. The overall mortality during the study period was 7.6% (n = 2123).

Conclusion: A considerable proportion of Thoroughbreds had not entered training by 3 years of age but of those that had, the proportion that raced at least once was high. Further research is needed to establish reasons for premature losses from the industry.
Therapeutic use of autologous blood patch pleurodesis for continuous pneumothorax in a feline pyothorax
Authors: Lombardo Deanna , Weatherton Linda K.
Published: April 2021

A continuous pneumothorax developed in a feline patient following placement of a thoracostomy tube in order to facilitate medical management of a pyothorax. Possible causes of the continuous pneumothorax include iatrogenic complications during tube placement, rupture of a possible pulmonary abscess, underlying neoplasia or concurrent inflammatory airway disease. The patient was placed on continuous suction with no improvement. Surgical exploration was declined. An autologous blood patch pleurodesis was performed which led to resolution of the continuous pneumothorax within four hours of therapy.
Successful calcaneal common tendon tenorrhaphy in a Dorper lamb
Authors: Oliveira Bonow Mariana , Caetano Veado Henrique , de Cássia Campebell Rita , Soto‐Blanco Benito , Carlos Lopes Câmara Antonio
Published: April 2021

Tendon rupture is an uncommon cause of lameness in small ruminants. This report aimed to present a successful common calcaneal tendon (CCT) tenorrhaphy in a Dorper lamb after rupture during a tail docking procedure. The lamb presented a 3.5 cm linear open wound over CCT. During surgery, an incision was made over the skin on the caudolateral aspect of the distal tibia over CCT. The tendon stumps were isolated using haemostats, repair was performed via a locking‐loop suture pattern using non‐absorbable suture material. Postoperative limb immobilisation was conducted using a full‐limb compressive bandage and a modified Schroeder–Thomas splint, and follow‐up continued for 4 weeks. Ten months postsurgery, a fibrous callus was evident and the lamb exhibited no lameness. In this report, CCT tenorrhaphy using non‐absorbable suture in a locking‐loop pattern was a successful approach. Limb immobilisation in extension and specific physiotherapy are important methods to fasten the patient's rehabilitation.
A note on the subleading soft graviton
Authors: Himwich Elizabeth , Mirzaiyan Zahra , Pasterski Sabrina
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We show that the soft part of the charge generating infinitesimal superrotations can be expressed, in harmonic gauge, in terms of metric components evaluated at the boundaries of null infinity that are subleading in a large radius expansion. We then recast the spin memory observable in terms of these boundary values.
New heat kernel method in Lifshitz theories
Authors: Grosvenor Kevin T. , Melby-Thompson Charles , Yan Ziqi
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We develop a new heat kernel method that is suited for a systematic study of the renormalization group flow in Hořava gravity (and in Lifshitz field theories in general). This method maintains covariance at all stages of the calculation, which is achieved by introducing a generalized Fourier transform covariant with respect to the nonrelativistic background spacetime. As a first test, we apply this method to compute the anisotropic Weyl anomaly for a (2 + 1)-dimensional scalar field theory around a z = 2 Lifshitz point and corroborate the previously found result. We then proceed to general scalar operators and evaluate their one-loop effective action. The covariant heat kernel method that we develop also directly applies to operators with spin structures in arbitrary dimensions.
Optimisation of complex integration contours at higher order
Authors: Bursa Francis , Kroyter Michael
Published: April 2021

Abstract

We continue our study of contour deformation as a practical tool for dealing with the sign problem using the d-dimensional Bose gas with non-zero chemical potential as a toy model. We derive explicit expressions for contours up to the second order with respect to a natural small parameter and generalise these contours to an ansatz for which the evaluation of the Jacobian is fast (O(1)). We examine the behaviour of the various proposed contours as a function of space-time dimensionality, the chemical potential, and lattice size and geometry and use the mean phase factor as a measure of the severity of the sign problem. In turns out that this method leads to a substantial reduction of the sign problem and that it becomes more efficient as space-time dimensionality is increased. Correlations among contributions to Im 〈S〉 play a key role in determining the mean phase factor and we examine these correlations in detail.
Akute muskulotendinöse Ruptur des M. pectoralis major
Authors: Hinz Maximilian , Kleim Benjamin D. , Mayr Felix , Imhoff Andreas B. , Siebenlist Sebastian
Published: April 2021

Die Pectoralis-major-Ruptur (PMR) ist eine seltene Verletzung, die v. a. beim Kraftsport aufritt. Vorgestellt wird der Fall eines 31-jährigen Profibasketballspielers, der sich beim Bankdrücken eine Komplettruptur am muskulotendinösen Übergang des M. pectoralis major (PM) zugezogen hatte. Drei Wochen nach dem erlittenen Trauma erfolgte bei persistierenden Schmerzen und Kraftdefizit die Refixation des PM. Drei Monate postoperativ konnte der Patient bei vollem Bewegungsumfang schmerzfrei in den Basketballsport zurückkehren. Die Verletzungsentität wird vor dem Hintergrund der aktuellen Literatur diskutiert und das operative Vorgehen im Detail dargestellt.
Influence of visual feedback, hand dominance and sex on individuated finger movements
Authors: Johansson Anna-Maria , Grip Helena , Rönnqvist Louise , Selling Jonas , Boraxbekk Carl-Johan , Strong Andrew , Häger Charlotte K.
Published: April 2021

The ability to perform individual finger movements, highly important in daily activities, involves visual monitoring and proprioception. We investigated the influence of vision on the spatial and temporal control of independent finger movements, for the dominant and non-dominant hand and in relation to sex. Twenty-six healthy middle-aged to old adults (M age = 61 years; range 46–79 years; females n = 13) participated. Participants performed cyclic flexion–extension movements at the metacarpophalangeal joint of one finger at a time while keeping the other fingers as still as possible. Movements were recorded using 3D optoelectronic motion technique (120 Hz). The movement trajectory distance; speed peaks (movement smoothness); Individuation Index (II; the degree a finger can move in isolation from the other fingers) and Stationarity Index (SI; how still a finger remains while the other fingers move) were extracted. The main findings were: (1) vision only improved the II and SI marginally; (2) longer trajectories were evident in the no-vision condition for the fingers of the dominant hand in the female group; (3) longer trajectories were specifically evident for the middle and ring fingers within the female group; (4) females had marginally higher II and SI compared with males; and (5) females had fewer speed peaks than males, particularly for the ring finger. Our results suggest that visual monitoring of finger movements marginally improves performance of our non-manipulative finger movement task. A consistent finding was that females showed greater independent finger control compared with males.
Long-Term Efficacy of Intensive Zoledronate Therapy and Predictors of Retreatment in Paget’s Disease of Bone
Authors: Barale Marco , Sigrist Sarah , Bioletto Fabio , Maiorino Federica , Ghigo Ezio , Mazzetti Riccardo , Procopio Massimo
Published: April 2021

Despite the current debate on the best therapeutic approach, i.e. symptomatic vs intensive strategy, one zoledronate (Zol) infusion is effective in most patients with Paget’s disease of bone (PDB), whereas few need retreatment, whose predictors are not well established. We aimed to evaluate long-term efficacy of intensive Zol therapy and predictors of retreatment in PDB. Pagetic complications, clinical and biochemical response to Zol together with frequency of retreatment were retrospectively assessed in forty-seven PDB patients (age, mean ± SD: 72.5 ± 8.9 years, M/F: 24/23; symptomatic/asymptomatic: 16/31). Statistical analysis for retreatment prediction were based on Mann–Whitney U test, Pearson’s Χ2 and ROC curve analysis. During seven-year follow-up, all patients achieved pain relief and only one underwent arthroplasty. Bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) detected three non-responder (6%) and six relapsing (13%) patients needing retreatment. Retreated patients had less old age (66.1 ± 11.2 vs 74.0 ± 7.7 years), higher frequency of polyostotic disease (78% vs 40%) and higher baseline (96.5 ± 24.8 vs 44.9 ± 27.7 mcg/l) and post-Zol nadir BAP levels (24.7 ± 24.1 vs 8.1 ± 4.1 mcg/l) than patients treated once (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). In multivariate analysis both serum baseline and post-Zol nadir BAP significantly predicted retreatment (OR 1.09, 95%CI 1.01–1.17 and 1.29, 1.03–1.62, respectively), with ROC curve analysis showing the greatest accuracies for threshold values of 75.6 and 9.9 mcg/l (sensitivity 88 and 90%, specificity 94 and 86%, AUC 0.92 and 0.93, respectively). Our data in mostly asymptomatic, metabolically active PDB patients treated with intensive Zol therapy show a negligible incidence of pagetic complications and long-term optimal disease control, with BAP being the best predictor of retreatment.
Does Maintenance of Pulmonary Blood Flow Pulsatility at the Time of the Fontan Operation Improve Hemodynamic Outcome in Functionally Univentricular Hearts?
Authors: Kalia K. , Walker-Smith P. , Ordoñez M. V. , Barlatay F. G. , Chen Q. , Weaver H. , Caputo M. , Stoica S. , Parry A. , Tulloh R. M. R.
Published: April 2021

It is unclear whether residual anterograde pulmonary blood flow (APBF) at the time of Fontan is beneficial. Pulsatile pulmonary flow may be important in maintaining a compliant and healthy vascular circuit. We, therefore, wished to ascertain whether there was hemodynamic evidence that residual pulsatile flow at time of Fontan promotes clinical benefit. 106 consecutive children with Fontan completion (1999–2018) were included. Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PI, (systolic pressure–diastolic pressure)/mean pressure)) was calculated from preoperative cardiac catheterization. Spectral analysis charted PI as a continuum against clinical outcome. The population was subsequently divided into three pulsatility subgroups to facilitate further comparison. Median PI prior to Fontan was 0.236 (range 0–1). 39 had APBF, in whom PI was significantly greater (median: 0.364 vs. 0.177, Mann–Whitneyp < 0.0001). There were four early hospital deaths (3.77%), and PI in these patients ranged from 0.214 to 0.423. There was no correlation between PI and standard cardiac surgical outcomes or systemic oxygen saturation at discharge. Median follow-up time was 4.33 years (range 0.0273–19.6), with no late deaths. Increased pulsatility was associated with higher oxygen saturations in the long term, but there was no difference in reported exercise tolerance (Ross), ventricular function, or atrioventricular valve regurgitation at follow-up. PI in those with Fontan-associated complications or the requiring pulmonary vasodilators aligned with the overall population median. Maintenance of pulmonary flow pulsatility did not alter short-term outcomes or long-term prognosis following Fontan although it tended to increase postoperative oxygen saturations, which may be beneficial in later life.
The Art of Rhinoplasty: Researching Technical and Cultural Foundations of Western World Rhinosurgery, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
Authors: Marinozzi S. , Sanese G. , Messineo D. , Raposio E. , Codolini L. , Carbonaro R. , Cervelli V.
Published: April 2021

The analysis of the written sources allowed to follow the gradual development of every new technique in the field of rhinoplasty but also to understand the value of this surgery in those ancient times, highlighting a deep connection between traumatologic surgery of the nose and the development of modern “aesthetic and reconstructive” Rhinosurgery. Specifically, we analyzed the techniques described by less known surgeons to emphasize their cultural and surgical value. As a matter of fact, the descriptions offered by these authors clearly show the importance of rhinoplasty as a cardinal and autonomous practice since Antiquity, also clarifying the persistence and development of specific techniques for this surgical practice in the History of medicine. In the manuscript, the contributions of the Italian surgeons, such as Brancas and Vianeos families, are highlighted, demonstrating their influence on the progress of this surgical specialty in the Early Modern Age. Finally, we deepen the description of Gaspare Tagliacozzi’s work, pointing out the topics and controversial debates arising from his techniques and innovations in “rhinosurgery” and also in the field of tissue transplantation, laying the foundations of modern Plastic Surgery.

Level of Evidence V This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Impact of the observed SST frequency in the model initialization on the BSISO prediction
Authors: Zhu Xueyan , Liu Xiangwen , Huang Anning , Zhou Yang , Wu Yang , Fu Zhipeng
Published: April 2021

The impact of the observed sea surface temperature (SST) frequency in the model initialization on the prediction of the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) over the Western North Pacific (WNP) is investigated using the Beijing Climate Center Climate System Model. Three sets of hindcast experiments initialized by the observed monthly, weekly and daily SST data (referred to as the Exp_MSST, Exp_WSST and Exp_DSST, respectively) are conducted with 3-month integration starting from the 1st, 11th, and 21st day of each month in June–August during 2000–2014, respectively. The results show that the useful prediction skill of BSISO index reaches out to about 10 days in the Exp_MSST, and further increases by 1–2 days in the Exp_WSST and Exp_DSST. The skill differences among various hindcast experiments are especially apparent during the forecast time of 6–20 days. Focusing on the strong BSISO cases in this period, the BSISO activity and its related moist static energy (MSE) characteristics over the WNP are further diagnosed. It is found that from the Exp_MSST to the Exp_WSST and Exp_DSST, the enhanced BSISO prediction skill is associated with the more realistic variations of intraseasonal MSE and its tendency. Among the various budget terms that dominate the MSE tendency, the surface latent heat flux and MSE advection are evidently improved, with reduction of mean biases by more than 21% and 10%, respectively. Therefore, the better reproduced MSE variation may contribute to the more skillful BSISO forecast through improving the surface evaporation as well as atmospheric convergence and divergence that related to the BSISO activity. Our findings suggest the necessity of increasing the observed SST frequency (i.e., from monthly to weekly or daily) in the initialization process of coupled models to enhance the actual BSISO predictability, since some current subseasonal forecast operations and researches still use relatively low-frequency SST observations for the model initialization.
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) suture vs fiberwire and polypropylene in flexor tendon repair
Authors: Polykandriotis Elias , Ruppe Florian , Niederkorn Miriam , Polykandriotis Ektor , Bräuer Lars , Horch Raymund E. , Arkudas Andreas , Gruener Jasmin S.
Published: April 2021

Background

In this study, we evaluate the value of novel suture material based on monofilamentous-extruded polyfluoroethylene (PTFE) compared to polypropylene (PPL) and Fiberwire (FW).

Materials and methods

60 flexor tendons were harvested from fresh cadaveric upper extremities. 4–0 sutures strands were used in the PPL, FW and PTFE group. Knotting properties and mechanical characteristics of the suture materials were evaluated. A 4-strand locked cruciate (Adelaide) or a 6-strand (M-Tang) suture technique was applied as core sutures for a tendon repair. Two-way ANOVA tests were performed with the Bonferroni correction.

Results

Stable knotting was achieved with 5 throws with the PPL material, 7 throws for FW and 9 throws for PTFE. In the PPL group, linear tensile strength was 45.92 ± 12.53 N, in the FW group 80.11 ± 18.34 N and in the PTFE group 76.16 ± 29.10 N. FW and PTFE are significantly stronger than PPL but show no significant difference among each other. Similar results were obtained in the subgroup comparisons for different repair techniques. The Adelaide and the M-Tang knotting technique showed no significant difference.

Conclusion

Fiberwire showed superior handling and knotting properties in comparison to PTFE. However, PTFE allows easier approximation of the stumps. In both, M-Tang and Adelaide repairs, PTFE was equal to FW in terms of repair strength. Both PTFE and FW provide for a robust tendon repair so that early active motion regimens for rehabilitation can be applied.
Prognostic value of ‘late’ electroencephalography recordings in patients with cardiopulmonal resuscitation after cardiac arrest
Authors: Doerrfuss Jakob I. , Kowski Alexander B. , Holtkamp Martin , Thinius Moritz , Leithner Christoph , Storm Christian
Published: April 2021

Background

Electroencephalography (EEG) significantly contributes to the neuroprognostication after resuscitation from cardiac arrest. Recent studies suggest that the prognostic value of EEG is highest for continuous recording within the first days after cardiac arrest. Early continuous EEG, however, is not available in all hospitals. In this observational study, we sought to evaluate the predictive value of a ‘late’ EEG recording 5–14 days after cardiac arrest without sedatives.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed EEG data in consecutive adult patients treated at the medical intensive care units (ICU) of the Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin. Outcome was assessed as cerebral performance category (CPC) at discharge from ICU, with an unfavorable outcome being defined as CPC 4 and 5.

Results

In 187 patients, a ‘late’ EEG recording was performed. Of these patients, 127 were without continuous administration of sedative agents for at least 24 h before the EEG recording. In this patient group, a continuously suppressed background activity < 10 µV predicted an unfavorable outcome with a sensitivity of 31% (95% confidence interval (CI) 20–45) and a specificity of 99% (95% CI 91–100). In patients with suppressed background activity and generalized periodic discharges, sensitivity was 15% (95% CI 7–27) and specificity was 100% (95% CI 94–100). GPDs on unsuppressed background activity were associated with a sensitivity of 42% (95% CI 29–46) and a specificity of 92% (95% CI 82–97).

Conclusions

A ‘late’ EEG performed 5 to 14 days after resuscitation from cardiac arrest can aide in prognosticating functional outcome. A suppressed EEG background activity in this time period indicates poor outcome.
Surgeons preference for lumbar disk surgery: a discrete choice experiment
Authors: Gadjradj Pravesh S. , Harhangi Biswadjiet S. , van Tulder Maurits W. , Peul Wilco C. , de Bekker-Grob Esther W.
Published: April 2021

Purpose

Multiple surgical techniques are practiced to treat sciatica caused by lumbar disk herniation. It is unknown which factors surgeons find important when offering certain surgical techniques. The objective of this study is threefold: 1) determine the relative weight surgeons place on various characteristics of sciatica treatment, 2) determine the trade-offs surgeons make between these characteristics and 3) identify preference heterogeneity for sciatica treatment.

Methods

A discrete choice experiment was conducted among members of two international neurosurgical organizations. Surgeons were asked on their preferences for surgical techniques using specific scenarios based on five characteristics: effectiveness on leg pain, risk of recurrent disk herniation, duration of postoperative back pain, risk of complications and recovery period.

Results

Six-hundred and forty-one questionnaires were filled in, the majority by neurosurgeons. All characteristics significantly influenced the preferences of the respondents. Overall, the risk of complications was the most important characteristic in the decision to opt-in or opt-out for surgery (35.7%). Risk of recurrent disk herniation (19.6%), effectiveness on leg pain (18.8%), postoperative back pain duration (13.5%) and length of recovery period (12.4%) followed. Four latent classes were identified, which was partly explained by the tenure of the surgeon. Surgeons were willing to trade-off 57.8% of effectiveness on leg pain to offer a treatment that has a 1% complication risk instead of 10%.

Conclusion

In the context of this discrete choice experiment, it is shown that neurosurgeons consider the risk of complications as most important when a surgical technique is offered to treat sciatica, while the risk of recurrent disk herniation and effectiveness are also important factors. Neurosurgeons were prepared to trade off substantial amounts of effectiveness to achieve lower complication rates.
Comparison of cumulative dispersed energy between conventional phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery with two different lens fragmentation patterns
Authors: Lin Hung-Yuan , Kao Shu-Ting , Chuang Ya-Jung , Chen Shuan , Lin Pi-Jung
Published: April 2021

The purpose of the study is to compare the total ultrasound power used between eyes undergoing different lens fragmentation patterns of femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) and conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS). A total of 506 patient eyes underwent preoperative grading of lens opacity using the Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCSIII). The eyes were divided into two subgroups: subgroup 1 had a LOCSIII grade of 1–3, and subgroup 2 had a LOCSIII grade of 4–6. The eyes underwent FLACS (LenSx) for clear corneal wound, capsulotomy, and lens fragmentation. Either a grid pattern or radial pattern was used for lens fragmentation. The eyes received one of the following three treatments: (1) CPS without femtosecond laser assistant, (2) FLACS with a grid pattern (FGP) lens fragment, or (3) FLACS with a quadrant pattern (FQP) lens fragment. The mean cumulative dispersed energy (CDE) for each subgroup and treatment was evaluated. The mean CDE was lower in the two FLACS groups (1.21±1.91 in FGP and 1.22±1.92 in FQP) than that in the CPG group (2.67±2.84). In subgroup 1, CDE was higher in the CPG group (1.54±1.18) as compared with the FLACS groups (0.16±0.31 in FGP and 0.74±1.17 in FQP; P<0.001). In subgroup 2, CDE was higher in the CPG (6.47±3.46) as compared with the FLACS groups (2.74±2.21 in FGP and 5.34±2.17 in FQP; P<0.001). CDE was lower in the two FLACS groups than that in the CPS group, and CDE was the lowest with FGP in both subgroups 1 and 2.
Ein Landwirtschaftsgesetz für Deutschland im Zeichen von Umweltschutz und Biodiversität –
Notwendigkeit, Funktion und Leitbild
Authors: Czybulka Detlef , Fischer-Hüftle Peter , Hampicke Ulrich , Köck Wolfgang , Martinez José
Published: April 2021

Der Deutsche Naturschutzrechtstag (DNRT) hat 2018 in seiner “Leipziger Erklärung”
gefordert, ein nationales Landwirtschaftsgesetz mit Betreiberpflichten für die Betriebe zu schaffen,
mit dem der dramatische Rückgang der biologischen Vielfalt in der Agrarlandschaft gestoppt werden soll.
Gegen diese Stoßrichtung sind Einwände erhoben worden, u.a. im Hinblick auf europäische
Zuständigkeiten und begrenzte Bundesgesetzgebungskompetenzen. Die Autoren möchten aufzeigen,
dass das Nebeneinander von europäischem und deutschem Landwirtschaftsrecht im Zeichen der Biodiversität,
des Umwelt- und Tierschutzrechts neu geordnet werden kann und muss. Dabei ist der deutsche Gesetzgeber
in der Verantwortung und hat für die hier entworfene Konzeption auch die erforderlichen Kompetenzen.
Der Beitrag besteht aus zwei Teilen. Die vorliegende Abhandlung befasst sich mit Notwendigkeit, Funktion
und Leitbild eines neuen Landwirtschaftsgesetzes. Der demnächst folgende zweite Aufsatz widmet sich
den erforderlichen materiellen Regelungen und der Finanzierung.
Artificial intelligence-based inventory management: a Monte Carlo tree search approach
Authors: Preil Deniz , Krapp Michael
Published: April 2021

The coordination of order policies constitutes a great challenge in supply chain inventory management as various stochastic factors increase its complexity. Therefore, analytical approaches to determine a policy that minimises overall inventory costs are only suitable to a limited extent. In contrast, we adopt a heuristic approach, from the domain of artificial intelligence (AI), namely, Monte Carlo tree search (MCTS). To the best of our knowledge, MCTS has neither been applied to supply chain inventory management before nor is it yet widely disseminated in other branches of operations research. We develop an offline model as well as an online model which bases decisions on real-time data. For demonstration purposes, we consider a supply chain structure similar to the classical beer game with four actors and both stochastic demand and lead times. We demonstrate that both the offline and the online MCTS models perform better than other previously adopted AI-based approaches. Furthermore, we provide evidence that a dynamic order policy determined by MCTS eliminates the bullwhip effect.
Resting‐State EEG Microstates Parallel Age‐Related Differences in Allocentric Spatial Working Memory Performance
Authors: Jabès Adeline , Klencklen Giuliana , Ruggeri Paolo , Michel Christoph M. , Banta Lavenex Pamela , Lavenex Pierre
Published: April 2021

Alterations of resting-state EEG microstates have been associated with various neurological disorders and behavioral states. Interestingly, age-related differences in EEG microstate organization have also been reported, and it has been suggested that resting-state EEG activity may predict cognitive capacities in healthy individuals across the lifespan. In this exploratory study, we performed a microstate analysis of resting-state brain activity and tested allocentric spatial working memory performance in healthy adult individuals: twenty 25–30-year-olds and twenty-five 64–75-year-olds. We found a lower spatial working memory performance in older adults, as well as age-related differences in the five EEG microstate maps A, B, C, C′ and D, but especially in microstate maps C and C′. These two maps have been linked to neuronal activity in the frontal and parietal brain regions which are associated with working memory and attention, cognitive functions that have been shown to be sensitive to aging. Older adults exhibited lower global explained variance and occurrence of maps C and C′. Moreover, although there was a higher probability to transition from any map towards maps C, C′ and D in young and older adults, this probability was lower in older adults. Finally, although age-related differences in resting-state EEG microstates paralleled differences in allocentric spatial working memory performance, we found no evidence that any individual or combination of resting-state EEG microstate parameter(s) could reliably predict individual spatial working memory performance. Whether the temporal dynamics of EEG microstates may be used to assess healthy cognitive aging from resting-state brain activity requires further investigation.
Neural Mechanisms Underlying Human Auditory Evoked Responses Revealed By Human Neocortical Neurosolver
Authors: Kohl Carmen , Parviainen Tiina , Jones Stephanie R.
Published: April 2021

Auditory evoked fields (AEFs) are commonly studied, yet their underlying neural mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we used the biophysical modelling software Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN) whose foundation is a canonical neocortical circuit model to interpret the cell and network mechanisms contributing to macroscale AEFs elicited by a simple tone, measured with magnetoencephalography. We found that AEFs can be reproduced by activating the neocortical circuit through a layer specific sequence of feedforward and feedback excitatory synaptic drives, similar to prior simulation of somatosensory evoked responses, supporting the notion that basic structures and activation patterns are preserved across sensory regions. We also applied the modeling framework to develop and test predictions on neural mechanisms underlying AEF differences in the left and right hemispheres, as well as in hemispheres contralateral and ipsilateral to the presentation of the auditory stimulus. We found that increasing the strength of the excitatory synaptic cortical feedback inputs to supragranular layers simulates the commonly observed right hemisphere dominance, while decreasing the input latencies and simultaneously increasing the number of cells contributing to the signal accounted for the contralateral dominance. These results provide a direct link between human data and prior animal studies and lay the foundation for future translational research examining the mechanisms underlying alteration in this fundamental biomarker of auditory processing in healthy cognition and neuropathology.
Deliberating or Stalling for Justice? Dynamics of Corporate Remediation and Victim Resistance Through the Lens of Parentalism: The Fundão dam Collapse and the Renova Foundation in Brazil
Authors: Maher Rajiv
Published: April 2021

Using the political corporate social responsibility (PCSR) lens of parentalism, this paper investigates the more subtle and less-visible interactional dynamics and strategies of power, resistance and justification that manifest between a multi-stakeholder-governed foundation and victims of a mining corporation’s dam collapse. The Renova Foundation was established to provide remedy through a deliberative approach to hundreds of thousands of victims from Brazil’s worst socio-environmental disaster—the collapse of Samarco Mining Corporation’s Fundão tailings dam. Data were collected from a combination of fieldwork and archival analysis to assess the perceptions of victims, their defenders and foundation executives. The findings reveal 12 dialectical tensions from Renova’s attempts to remedy the victim’s injustices. The case analysis contributes through proposing a dialectical process model of stakeholder resistance and subversion to parentalist PCSR. The case reveals the pivotal use of time via the act of stalling as a strategic resource to exhaust victims and reach settlements. Furthermore, organizations justify their parentalism by blaming delays on the bureaucracy and shared responsibility of multi-stakeholder deliberation. Ultimately, I contend that victims must have an equal voice in the outcome of their remediation and that businesses responsible for causing harm should not decide these matters.
Correction to: Role of Bempedoic Acid in Clinical Practice
Authors: Ballantyne Christie M. , Bays Harold , Catapano Alberico L. , Goldberg Anne , Ray Kausik K. , Saseen Joseph J.
Published: April 2021

A Correction to this paper has been published: 10.1007/s10557-021-07188-w
Kinematic Cooperative Optimization Control Algorithm for Underground Heavy-Load Robot
Authors: Fang Lixia , Wang Tong , Wang Pengjiang , Hou Chenxin , Wu Miao
Published: April 2021

Because of complex and strong coupling system, the precision and adaptability of underground robots are greatly restricted. Based on the newly developed intelligent underground heavy-load robot which is still a gap to fill in current coal mine machinery, this paper proposes a new dynamic cooperative optimization control algorithm. Firstly, the complex and strongly coupled Multi-disciplinary Design Optimization system of the robot is decoupled into horizontal/vertical motion space with the idea of hierarchical target transmission, in order to weaken the strong coupling relationship between each hydraulic loop. Then, the spatial posture coefficient is introduced into main/auxiliary feedback control loop in horizontal/vertical motion space, to realize optimal collaborative control of each hydraulic loop under the premise of weak coupling between each control loop, so as to obtain the precise dynamic control signals of each hydraulic loop, and finally realize the optimal control of overall system for the robot. Lastly, the experiment and simulation verify that the DCO control algorithm presented in this paper can obtain better control results: The executive efficiency of the overall system is improved by 14.2%; The control flow is saved by 9.98%, and the executive precision meets the engineering and technical requirements. This paper provides a new efficient method and idea for the control system of intelligent underground heavy-load robots. Furthermore, the algorithm has reference value on development and design of high precise control system for the same kind of complex intelligent engineering machinery products.