bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Humidity‐Resistant Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells with Over 20% Efficiency
Authors: Ren Ningyu , Chen Bingbing , Li Renjie , Wang Pengyang , Mazumdar Sayantan , Shi Biao , Zhu Chengjun , Zhao Ying , Zhang Xiaodan
Published: February 2021

Flexible perovskite solar cells (FPSCs) with high efficiency and excellent mechanical flexible properties have attracted enormous interest as a promising photovoltaic technology in recent years. However, the performance or stability of FPSCs is still far inferior to that of conventional glass‐based perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a cross‐linking agent called aluminum acetylacetonate (Al(acac)3) is introduced as an interface layer between electron transport layer and perovskite absorber. Due to the well‐matched energy levels and improved grain size and crystallinity of the perovskite, a champion device with the highest power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 20.87% is achieved on the FPSCs. The device retains about 80% of its initial performance after 1000 h under >50% relative humidity without encapsulation. In addition, attributed to the Al(acac)3 super bending resistance, more than 91% of the original PCE is retained after 1500 bending cycles. This work proposes the substrate side optimization for improving device efficiency and stability which may provide a novel concept for promoting the development of FPSCs.
Comparison of total laparoscopic gastropexy with the Ethicon Securestrap fixation device versus knotless barbed suture in dogs
Authors: Lacitignola Luca , Crovace Alberto Maria , Fracassi Laura , Di bella Caterina , Madaro Letizia , Staffieri Francesco
Published: February 2021

Background: This study evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a laparoscopic absorbable fixation device (Securestrap) in total laparoscopic gastropexy in dogs susceptible to gastric dilatation‐volvulus (GDV) compared to laparoscopic gastropexy performed with a barbed suture. We hypothesised that both techniques provide suitable gastropexy.

Methods: The gastropexy was performed by straps (TLG‐SS group, n = 6) or with a barbed suture (TLG‐Vloc group, n = 6). The total surgery time, gastropexy time, the number of straps used and suture bites were recorded. Clinical and ultrasound investigations were performed during follow‐up.

Results: The total surgery time was 30 minutes in the TLG‐SS, while it was 46.66 minutes in the TLG‐Vloc. In the TLG‐SS group, gastropexy time was 13 minutes, while 36.3 minutes in the TLG‐Vloc. The number of straps employed in TLG‐SS was 9, while seven bites were employed in TLG‐Vloc. Linear regression analysis of gastropexy time versus the number of procedures was highly correlated (r2 = 0.84) in the TLG‐SS. Complications, clinical and ultrasound findings did not differ between the two techniques at 90 days post‐surgery.

Conclusion: TLG‐SS laparoscopic technique can be employed safely and effectively in less time and is associated with a relatively short learning curve, which could encourage the widespread use of prophylactic laparoscopic gastropexy.
Crystal structures of (Et4N)2C2S6, (Et4N)2C2S5, (Et4N)2CS4, (Et4N)HCS3, (Et4N)2CS3 ⋅ 2H2O and (Et4N)2CS4‐y ⋅ yH2O (y=0.69).
Authors: Bernhardt Eduard
Published: February 2021

The crystal structures of (Et4N)2C2S6, (Et4N)2C2S5, (Et4N)2CS4, (Et4N)HCS3, (Et4N)2CS3 ⋅ 2H2O and (Et4N)2CS4‐y ⋅ yH2O (y=0.69) were determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis at 150 K. For the first time, salts with the C2S52− and HCS3− anions could be synthesized.
Local Institutions, Collective Action, and Divergent Adaptation: Case from Agro-Pastoral Niger
Authors: Snorek Julie
Published: February 2021

Adaptation is a highly contextual process, framed by institutions. When one group’s adaptation to climate hazards reduces another’s adaptive capacity, this is called divergent adaptation. The nuances of divergent adaptation are revealed in how institutions influence divergent adaptation outcomes, either to exacerbate conflict or to bring about greater peace and cooperation. By examining the sometimes conflicting adaptations of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Niger, this chapter describes the process of divergent adaptation through an institutional analysis from multiple scales. At the national scale, climate change adaptation policies and perspectives are entrenched in sedentarization politics vis-à-vis pastoral livelihoods. At the local scale, pastoralists take a defensive position as an adaptation pathway, to ensure secure passage with their livestock to water and pasture. However, in localities where local institutional actors have enhanced collective action arenas in which pastoral and agro-pastoral groups are represented, conflict dynamics are abated. Climate adaptation is not without conflict; however, local and sub-national institutions are critical to providing opportunities for collective action, cooperation, and peace in the context of divergent adaptation. Based on these findings, it is recommended that conflict and adaptation management and planning be integrated at multiple scales.
Conclusion: Insights from Theory and Practice
Authors: Sweijs Tim , Osinga Frans
Published: February 2021

Strategists are fond of saying that the nature of war is immutable, but its character is not. Even Von Clausewitz, whose very objective was to develop a general theory of war, held that every age has “its own kind of war, its own limiting conditions, and its own peculiar preconceptions.” The same can be said for strategy. History offers ample examples of strategic concepts that guide how means are to be connected to political ends in order to defeat adversaries in particular historical contexts. Warfighting concepts have included dislocation and exhaustion to target the adversary’s will, and attrition and annihilation to deal with its capabilities.
Fun with F24
Authors: Harrison Sarah M. , Paquette Natalie M. , Persson Daniel , Volpato Roberto
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We study some special features of F24, the holomorphic c = 12 superconformal field theory (SCFT) given by 24 chiral free fermions. We construct eight different Lie superalgebras of “physical” states of a chiral superstring compactified on F24, and we prove that they all have the structure of Borcherds-Kac-Moody superalgebras. This produces a family of new examples of such superalgebras. The models depend on the choice of an $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supercurrent on F24, with the admissible choices labeled by the semisimple Lie algebras of dimension 24. We also discuss how F24, with any such choice of supercurrent, can be obtained via orbifolding from another distinguished c = 12 holomorphic SCFT, the $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric version of the chiral CFT based on the E8 lattice.
Momentum amplituhedron meets kinematic associahedron
Authors: Damgaard David , Ferro Livia , Łukowski Tomasz , Moerman Robert
Published: February 2021

Abstract

In this paper we study a relation between two positive geometries: the momen- tum amplituhedron, relevant for tree-level scattering amplitudes in $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills theory, and the kinematic associahedron, encoding tree-level amplitudes in bi-adjoint scalar φ3 theory. We study the implications of restricting the latter to four spacetime dimensions and give a direct link between its canonical form and the canonical form for the momentum amplituhedron. After removing the little group scaling dependence of the gauge theory, we find that we can compare the resulting reduced forms with the pull-back of the associahedron form. In particular, the associahedron form is the sum over all helicity sectors of the reduced momentum amplituhedron forms. This relation highlights the common sin- gularity structure of the respective amplitudes; in particular, the factorization channels, corresponding to vanishing planar Mandelstam variables, are the same. Additionally, we also find a relation between these canonical forms directly on the kinematic space of the scalar theory when reduced to four spacetime dimensions by Gram determinant constraints. As a by-product of our work we provide a detailed analysis of the kinematic spaces relevant for the four-dimensional gauge and scalar theories, and provide direct links between them.
The present and future of four top operators
Authors: Banelli Giovanni , Salvioni Ennio , Serra Javi , Theil Tobias , Weiler Andreas
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We study the phenomenology of a strongly-interacting top quark at future hadron and lepton colliders, showing that the characteristic four-top contact operators give rise to the most significant effects. We demonstrate the extraordinary potential of a 100 TeV proton-proton collider to directly test such non-standard interactions in four-top production, a process that we thoroughly analyze in the same-sign dilepton and trilepton channels, and explore in the fully hadronic channel. Furthermore, high-energy electron-positron colliders, such as CLIC or the ILC, are shown to exhibit an indirect yet remarkable sensitivity to four-top operators, since these constitute, via renormalization group evolution, the leading new-physics deformations in top-quark pair production. We investigate the impact of our results on the parameter space of composite Higgs models with a strongly-coupled (right-handed) top quark, finding that four-top probes provide the best sensitivity on the compositeness scale at the future energy frontier. In addition, we investigate mild yet persisting LHC excesses in multilepton plus jets final states, showing that they can be consistently described in the effective field theory of such a new-physics scenario.
New scenario for aligned Higgs couplings originated from the twisted custodial symmetry at high energies
Authors: Aiko Masashi , Kanemura Shinya
Published: February 2021

Abstract

We investigate a new scenario of the two Higgs doublet model, where the current experimental data for the electroweak rho parameter and those for the Higgs boson couplings can be simultaneously explained. In this scenario, the two Higgs doublet model is supposed to be a low energy effective theory up to a high energy scale Λ, above which a fundamental theory should appear. It is assumed that the Higgs potential respects a global symmetry at Λ (the twisted custodial symmetry), which is to be given as a consequence of the global symmetry structure of the fundamental theory above Λ. By the analysis using one-loop renormalization group equations, the above experimental data can be explained in a natural way even when the masses of the extra Higgs bosons are near the electroweak scale. We also discuss the predictions on the mass spectrum of the additional Higgs bosons and also those on the coupling constants of the standard-model-like Higgs boson, which make it possible to test this scenario at the current and future collider experiments.
The Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation in high dimensions: small initial data of critical regularity
Authors: Herr Sebastian , Kinoshita Shinya
Published: February 2021

The Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation in spatial dimension $$d\ge 5$$

d
≥
5

is considered. The Cauchy problem is shown to be globally well-posed for small initial data in critical spaces, and it is proved that solutions scatter to free solutions as $$t \rightarrow \pm \infty $$

t
→
±
∞

. The proof is based on i) novel endpoint non-isotropic Strichartz estimates which are derived from the $$(d-1)$$

(
d
-
1
)

-dimensional Schrödinger equation, ii) transversal bilinear restriction estimates, and iii) an interpolation argument in critical function spaces. Under an additional radiality assumption, a similar result is obtained in dimension $$d=4$$

d
=
4

.
RFID-tagged amazonian stingless bees confirm that landscape configuration and nest re-establishment time affect homing ability
Authors: Costa L. , Nunes-Silva P. , Galaschi-Teixeira J. S. , Arruda H. , Veiga J. C. , Pessin G. , de Souza P. , Imperatriz-Fonseca V. L.
Published: February 2021

Bee flight capacity determines the area that a colony can exploit, and this knowledge is essential to formulate management and conservation strategies for each species. In this study, we evaluated the flight capacity ofMelipona seminigrausing radio frequency identification (RFID). Three questions were addressed: Do the RFID tags affect the flight ofM. seminigraworkers? What is the effect of the landscape on foraging activity? Does the time since the colony was re-established affect the flight range of foragers? Our results indicate that the RFID tag used does not affect the flight ability ofM. seminigra. Bees marked with nontoxic paint vs. RFID tags had the same return ratio and return time to the colony of origin. Flight capacity was affected by the landscape, because the return rate to the colonies was higher from the tested vegetated area than from the sterile area. The time elapsed since the bee colony re-establishment also affected the flight range because the return rate increased with time since the colony was relocated in the new site. We estimate thatM. seminigraworkers make foraging flights of approximately 1000 m from the colony and that the maximum flight range is 5000 m. Colonies of this species take more than 1 or 2 months to be able to fully exploit a landscape.
Homotopy nilpotency of some homogeneous spaces
Authors: Golasiński Marek
Published: February 2021

Let $${\mathbb {K}}={\mathbb {R}},\,{\mathbb {C}}$$

K
=
R
,

C

, the field of reals or complex numbers and $${\mathbb {H}}$$
H
, the skew $${\mathbb {R}}$$
R
-algebra of quaternions. We study the homotopy nilpotency of the loop spaces $$\Omega (G_{n,m}({\mathbb {K}}))$$

Ω
(

G

n
,
m

(
K
)

)

, $$\Omega (F_{n;n_1,\ldots ,n_k}({\mathbb {K}}))$$

Ω
(

F

n
;

n
1

,
…
,

n
k

(
K
)

)

, and $$\Omega (V_{n,m}({\mathbb {K}}))$$

Ω
(

V

n
,
m

(
K
)

)

of Grassmann $$G_{n,m}({\mathbb {K}})$$

G

n
,
m

(
K
)

, flag $$F_{n;n_1,\ldots ,n_k}({\mathbb {K}})$$

F

n
;

n
1

,
…
,

n
k

(
K
)

and Stiefel $$V_{n,m}({\mathbb {K}})$$

V

n
,
m

(
K
)

manifolds. Additionally, homotopy nilpotency classes of p-localized $$\Omega (G^+_{n,m}({\mathbb {K}})_{(p)})$$

Ω
(

G

n
,
m

+

(
K
)

(
p
)

)

and $$\Omega (V_{n,m}({\mathbb {K}})_{(p)})$$

Ω
(

V

n
,
m

(
K
)

(
p
)

)

for certain primes p are estimated, where $$G^+_{n,m}({\mathbb {K}})_{(p)}$$

G

n
,
m

+

(
K
)

(
p
)

is the oriented Grassmann manifolds. Further, the homotopy nilpotency classes of loop spaces of localized homogeneous spaces given as quotients of exceptional Lie groups are investigated as well.
Performance of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in patients with recurrent prostate cancer after prostatectomy—a multi-centre evaluation of 2533 patients
Authors: Afshar-Oromieh Ali , da Cunha Marcelo Livorsi , Wagner Jairo , Haberkorn Uwe , Debus Nils , Weber Wolfgang , Eiber Matthias , Holland-Letz Tim , Rauscher Isabel
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in the diagnosis of recurrent prostate cancer (PC) after prostatectomy in a large multicentre cohort.

Methods

The centres, which contributed to this study, were the departments of nuclear medicine of Heidelberg (Germany), Technical University of Munich (Germany) and Albert Einstein Hospital of São Paulo (Brazil). A total of 2533 patients who were scanned with [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT at 1 h p.i. due to recurrent PC after prostatectomy were included in this retrospective analysis. Exclusion criteria were as follows: patients with untreated primary tumour, previous chemotherapy or Xofigo®; those previously treated with exclusively external beam radiation therapy or HIFU; those referred for PSMA-therapy; and those treated with ADT (including first- and second-generation ADT) within the last 6 months. Potential influences of different factors such as PSA level, PSA doubling-time (PSADT), PSA velocity (PSAVel), Gleason Score (GSC, including the separate analysis of 7a and 7b), age and amount of injected tracer were evaluated in a multivariable analysis.

Results

The rate of pathologic PET/CT-scans was 43% for PSA ≤ 0.2 ng/ml, 58% for PSA > 0.2 to ≤ 0.5, 72% for PSA > 0.5 to ≤ 1.0 and increased to a maximum of 93% for PSA > 10 ng/ml. A pathological PET/CT was significantly (p = 0.001) associated with PSA level and higher GSC. Amount of injected tracer, age, PSADT and PSAVel were not associated with a higher probability of a pathological scan.

Conclusion

[68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT at 1 h p.i. confirmed its high performance in the largest patient cohort yet analysed. Tumour detection showed a clear association with higher PSA and higher GSC. No association was found between a pathological [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT and age, amount of injected tracer, PSADT or PSAVel.
Specialist predation covaries with colour polymorphism in tawny owls
Authors: Karell Patrik , Kohonen Kio , Koskenpato Katja
Published: February 2021

Understanding intraspecific phenotypic variation in prey specialisation can help to predict how long-term changes in prey availability affect the viability of these phenotypes and their persistence. Generalists are favoured when the main food resources are unpredictable compared to specialists, which track the availability of the main prey and are more vulnerable to changes in the main food resource. Intraspecific heritable melanin-based colour polymorphism is considered to reflect adaptations to different environments. We studied colour morph-specific diet specialisation in a generalist predator, tawny owl (Strix aluco), during offspring food provisioning in relation to mammal prey density. We hypothesised that the grey morph, with higher fitness than the brown in Northern boreal conditions, is more specialised in mammalian prey than the brown morph, which in turn has higher fitness than the grey in the temperate zone. We found a higher diversity of prey delivered to the nest by brown fathers compared to grey ones, which also depended on the overall mammalian prey availability. Brown fathers provided proportionally fewer mammalian prey than grey in poor, but not in favourable mammal prey years. Our results suggest that the brown morph is more generalistic and reacts more strongly to variations in food supply than the grey morph, which may be a beneficial strategy in an unpredictable environment caused by environmental degradation.

Significance statement

Diet choice of a species may vary depending on fluctuations in the abundance of their food resource, but also within a population, there can be adaptations to use different food resources. The tawny owl exhibits a grey and a reddish-brown colour morph and is considered a generalist predator eating both mammal and bird prey. We find that the diet of the reddish-brown morph is more diverse than that of the grey. When the tawny owls’ main prey, small mammals, are abundant both colour morphs prey on mammals, but in years with less small mammals, the reddish-brown morph is more prone of switching to small bird predation than the grey. The generalist strategy of the brown morph is likely to be more favourable than a stricter specialisation in small mammals of the grey under recently reoccurring irregularities in small mammal dynamics.
Prevalence of Metastatic Lateral Lymph Nodes in Asian Patients with Lateral Lymph Node Dissection for Rectal Cancer: A Meta‐analysis
Authors: Christou Niki , Meyer Jeremy , Combescure Christophe , Balaphas Alexandre , Robert‐Yap Joan , Buchs Nicolas C. , Ris Frédéric
Published: February 2021

Importance

Rectal cancers occupy the eighth position worldwide for new cases and deaths for both men and women. These cancers have a high tendency to form metastases in the mesorectum but also in the lateral lymph nodes. The therapeutic approach for the involved lateral lymph nodes remains controversial.

Objective

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to assess the prevalence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes in patients with lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) for rectal cancer, which seems to be a fundamental and necessary criterion to discuss any possible indications for LLND.

Methods

Data sources–study selection–data extraction and synthesis–main outcome and measures. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and COCHRANE from November 1, 2018, to November 19, 2018, for studies reporting the presence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes (iliac, obturator and middle sacral nodes) among patients undergoing rectal surgery with LLND. Pooled prevalence values were obtained by random effects models, and the robustness was tested by leave‐one‐out sensitivity analyses. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q‐test, quantified based on the I2 value and explored by subgroup analyses.

Results

Our final analysis included 31 studies from Asian countries, comprising 7599 patients. The pooled prevalence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes was 17.3% (95% CI: 14.6–20.5). The inter‐study variability (heterogeneity) was high (I2 = 89%). The pooled prevalence was, however, robust and varied between 16.6% and 17.9% according to leave‐one‐out sensitivity analysis. The pooled prevalence of metastatic lymph nodes was not significantly different when pooling only studies including patients who received neoadjuvant treatment or those without neoadjuvant treatment (p = 0.44). Meta‐regression showed that the pooled prevalence was associated with the sample size of studies (p < 0.05), as the prevalence decreased when the sample size increased.

Conclusion

The pooled prevalence of metastatic lateral lymph nodes was 17.3% among patients who underwent rectal surgery with LLND in Asian countries. Further studies are necessary to determine whether this finding could impact the therapeutic strategy (total mesorectal excision with LLND versus total mesorectal excision with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy).
A study of radicals in industrial raw cristobalite powders
Authors: Di Benedetto Francesco , Giaccherini Andrea , Romanelli Maurizio , Montegrossi Giordano , Belluso Elena , Capella Silvana , Zoleo Alfonso , Arcangeli Giulio , Marinaccio Alessandro , Gottardo Ottorino , Capacci Fabio
Published: February 2021

We report the results of an experimental multianalytical characterisation of industrial cristobalite powders, used as raw materials for artificial stone production. Cristobalite is considered a serious threat to human health. The study was carried out through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive microanalysis (SEM/EDS), continuous-wave (cw) and pulse electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. Our results point out a sub-micrometric size of the structural coherence in cristobalite, associated with numerous stacking defects. Moreover, the material was found characterised by the presence of superoxide radicals, whose persistence appears conceivably long. Radicals in a material synthesized through a high-temperature treatment were generated during the grinding step in the industrial production of cristobalite. During this process, in fact, both superoxide generation and structural defectivity are induced. Indeed, cristobalite powders already result activated by a radical population, before any kind of process in artificial stone production.
Energetic savings and cardiovascular dynamics of a marine euryhaline fish (Myoxocephalus scorpius) in reduced salinity
Authors: Sundell Erika , Morgenroth Daniel , Ekström Andreas , Brijs Jeroen , Axelsson Michael , Gräns Albin , Sandblom Erik
Published: February 2021

Few studies have addressed how reduced water salinity affects cardiovascular and metabolic function in marine euryhaline fishes, despite its relevance for predicting impacts of natural salinity variations and ongoing climate change on marine fish populations. Here, shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) were subjected to different durations of reduced water salinity from 33 to 15 ppt. Routine metabolic rate decreased after short-term acclimation (4–9 days) to 15 ppt, which corresponded with similar reductions in cardiac output. Likewise, standard metabolic rate decreased after acute transition (3 h) from 33 to 15 ppt, suggesting a reduced energetic cost of osmoregulation at 15 ppt. Interestingly, gut blood flow remained unchanged across salinities, which contrasts with previous findings in freshwater euryhaline teleosts (e.g., rainbow trout) exposed to different salinities. Although plasma osmolality, [Na+], [Cl−] and [Ca2+] decreased in 15 ppt, there were no signs of cellular osmotic stress as plasma [K+], [hemoglobin] and hematocrit remained unchanged. Taken together, our data suggest that shorthorn sculpin are relatively weak plasma osmoregulators that apply a strategy whereby epithelial ion transport mechanisms are partially maintained across salinities, while plasma composition is allowed to fluctuate within certain ranges. This may have energetic benefits in environments where salinity naturally fluctuates, and could provide shorthorn sculpin with competitive advantages if salinity fluctuations intensify with climate change in the future.
Cerebrospinal fluid leakage after cranial surgery in the pediatric population—a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Slot Emma M. H. , van Baarsen Kirsten M. , Hoving Eelco W. , Zuithoff Nicolaas P. A. , van Doormaal Tristan P. C
Published: February 2021

Background

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a common complication after neurosurgical intervention. It is associated with substantial morbidity and increased healthcare costs. The current systematic review and meta-analysis aim to quantify the incidence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in the pediatric population and identify its risk factors.

Methods

The authors followed the PRISMA guidelines. The Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane database were searched for studies reporting CSF leakage after intradural cranial surgery in patients up to 18 years old. Meta-analysis of incidences was performed using a generalized linear mixed model.

Results

Twenty-six articles were included in this systematic review. Data were retrieved of 2929 patients who underwent a total of 3034 intradural cranial surgeries. Surprisingly, only four of the included articles reported their definition of CSF leakage. The overall CSF leakage rate was 4.4% (95% CI 2.6 to 7.3%). The odds of CSF leakage were significantly greater for craniectomy as opposed to craniotomy (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7 to 13.4) and infratentorial as opposed to supratentorial surgery (OR 5.9, 95% CI 1.7 to 20.6). The odds of CSF leakage were significantly lower for duraplasty use versus no duraplasty (OR 0.41 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9).

Conclusion

The overall CSF leakage rate after intradural cranial surgery in the pediatric population is 4.4%. Risk factors are craniectomy and infratentorial surgery. Duraplasty use is negatively associated with CSF leak. We suggest defining a CSF leak as “leakage of CSF through the skin,” as an unambiguous definition is fundamental for future research.
Colonoscopy and polypectomy: beside age, size of polyps main factor for long-term risk of colorectal cancer in a screening population
Authors: Halfter Kathrin , Bauerfeind Lea , Schlesinger-Raab Anne , Schmidt Michael , Schubert-Fritschle Gabriele , Hölzel Dieter , Engel Jutta
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Despite national and international guideline recommendations, few studies have been conducted to estimate the impact of colonoscopy screening on long-term colorectal cancer incidence. Aim of this study was to determine the long-term impact of a full colonoscopy with polypectomy on colorectal cancer incidence in a large screening population.

Methods

In this prospective observational cohort study, a total of 10,947 colonoscopy screening participants from within the scope of the Munich Cancer Registry were consecutively recruited from participating gastroenterology practices and their subsequent colorectal cancer incidence assessed. Predictive factors associated with colorectal cancer were also evaluated in univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

After a median follow-up of 14.24 years (95% CI [14.21–14.25]), 93 colorectal cancer cases were observed. This is equivalent to a truncated age-standardized rate of 69.0 (95% CI [43.3–94.7]) for male and 43.4 (95% CI [29.4–57.5]) for female participants (≥ 50 years at colonoscopy). The ratio of this observed to the expected rate from cancer registry data showed a 67% decrease in colorectal cancer incidence in the male and 65% in the female participants (p < 0.0001). In multivariate analysis of screening patients, age at screening (p < 0.0001) was the main predictive factor for colorectal cancer. In the subgroup with positive polyp findings, age (p < 0.0001) and the polyp size (p = 0.0002) were associated with colorectal cancer.

Conclusion

These results underline the significance of a full colonoscopy screening combined with polypectomy in reducing the total disease burden of colorectal cancer.
Diffusions interacting through a random matrix: universality via stochastic Taylor expansion
Authors: Dembo Amir , Gheissari Reza
Published: February 2021

Consider$$(X_{i}(t))$$(Xi(t))solving a system ofNstochastic differential equations interacting through a random matrix$${\mathbf {J}} = (J_{ij})$$J=(Jij)with independent (not necessarily identically distributed) random coefficients. We show that the trajectories of averaged observables of$$(X_i(t))$$(Xi(t)), initialized from some$$\mu $$μindependent of $${\mathbf {J}}$$J, are universal, i.e., only depend on the choice of the distribution$$\mathbf {J}$$Jthrough its first and second moments (assuming e.g., sub-exponential tails). We take a general combinatorial approach to proving universality for dynamical systems with random coefficients, combining a stochastic Taylor expansion with a moment matching-type argument. Concrete settings for which our results imply universality include aging in the spherical SK spin glass, and Langevin dynamics and gradient flows for symmetric and asymmetric Hopfield networks.
Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for irritable bowel syndrome 2020
Authors: Fukudo Shin , Okumura Toshikatsu , Inamori Masahiko , Okuyama Yusuke , Kanazawa Motoyori , Kamiya Takeshi , Sato Ken , Shiotani Akiko , Naito Yuji , Fujikawa Yoshiko , Hokari Ryota , Masaoka Tastuhiro , Fujimoto Kazuma , Kaneko Hiroshi , Torii Akira , Matsueda Kei , Miwa Hiroto , Enomoto Nobuyuki , Shimosegawa Tooru , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: February 2021

Managing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has attracted international attention because single-agent therapy rarely relieves bothersome symptoms for all patients. The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology (JSGE) published the first edition of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for IBS in 2015. Much more evidence has accumulated since then, and new pharmacological agents and non-pharmacological methods have been developed. Here, we report the second edition of the JSGE-IBS guidelines comprising 41 questions including 12 background questions on epidemiology, pathophysiology, and diagnostic criteria, 26 clinical questions on diagnosis and treatment, and 3 questions on future research. For each question, statements with or without recommendations and/or evidence level are given and updated diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are provided based on new evidence. Algorithms for diagnosis are requisite for patients with chronic abdominal pain or associated symptoms and/or abnormal bowel movement. Colonoscopy is indicated for patients with one or more alarm symptoms/signs, risk factors, and/or abnormal routine examination results. The diagnosis is based on the Rome IV criteria. Step 1 therapy consists of diet therapy, behavioral modification, and gut-targeted pharmacotherapy for 4 weeks. For non-responders, management proceeds to step 2 therapy, which includes a combination of different mechanistic gut-targeted agents and/or psychopharmacological agents and basic psychotherapy for 4 weeks. Step 3 therapy is for non-responders to step 2 and comprises a combination of gut-targeted pharmacotherapy, psychopharmacological treatments, and/or specific psychotherapy. These updated JSGE-IBS guidelines present best practice strategies for IBS patients in Japan and we believe these core strategies can be useful for IBS diagnosis and treatment globally.
3D-printed microfluidics integrated with optical nanostructured porous aptasensors for protein detection
Authors: Arshavsky-Graham Sofia , Enders Anton , Ackerman Shanny , Bahnemann Janina , Segal Ester
Published: February 2021

Microfluidic integration of biosensors enables improved biosensing performance and sophisticated lab-on-a-chip platform design for numerous applications. While soft lithography and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based microfluidics are still considered the gold standard, 3D-printing has emerged as a promising fabrication alternative for microfluidic systems. Herein, a 3D-printed polyacrylate-based microfluidic platform is integrated for the first time with a label-free porous silicon (PSi)–based optical aptasensor via a facile bonding method. The latter utilizes a UV-curable adhesive as an intermediate layer, while preserving the delicate nanostructure of the porous regions within the microchannels. As a proof-of-concept, a generic model aptasensor for label-free detection of his-tagged proteins is constructed, characterized, and compared to non-microfluidic and PDMS-based microfluidic setups. Detection of the target protein is carried out by real-time monitoring reflectivity changes of the PSi, induced by the target binding to the immobilized aptamers within the porous nanostructure. The microfluidic integrated aptasensor has been successfully used for detection of a model target protein, in the range 0.25 to 18 μM, with a good selectivity and an improved limit of detection, when compared to a non-microfluidic biosensing platform (0.04 μM vs. 2.7 μM, respectively). Furthermore, a superior performance of the 3D-printed microfluidic aptasensor is obtained, compared to a conventional PDMS-based microfluidic platform with similar dimensions.

Graphical abstract
Effects of adjunctive light-activated disinfection and probiotics on clinical and microbiological parameters in periodontal treatment: a randomized, controlled, clinical pilot study
Authors: Patyna Michael , Ehlers Vicky , Bahlmann Benjamin , Kasaj Adrian
Published: February 2021

Objectives

The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological outcomes of light-activated disinfection (LAD) alone or combined with probiotics as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment.

Materials and methods

In this single-blinded, randomized, controlled clinical pilot study, 48 patients (28 females and 20 males) with untreated periodontitis (stages II and III, grade B) were included. Using a parallel-group design, patients were randomly assigned into 3 groups to receive subgingival debridement (SD) alone (group 1, n = 16), SD with LAD (group 2, n = 16), or SD with LAD plus probiotic treatment (group 3, n = 16). Probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), gingiva-index simplified (GIs), plaque-control record (PCR), and subgingival microbiological samples were analyzed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months of follow-up.

Results

All treatment modalities demonstrated clinical improvements in PPD and CAL at 6 months compared to baseline but without a statistical significant difference between the groups. The combination of SD + LAD + probiotic treatment (group 3) demonstrated significantly greater reductions in BOP, GIs, and red complex bacteria P. gingivalis and T. forsythia compared with other groups at 6 months (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

A single application of LAD as an adjunct to SD provided no additional clinical and microbiological benefits compared to SD alone. The combination of SD + LAD + probiotic treatment in group 3 led to further improvements of the inflammatory parameters.

Clinical relevance

The additional use of probiotics in periodontal treatment can be a useful approach to support inflammation and infection control of periodontal tissues. Further studies are necessary to determine the extent of added benefit for this treatment approach.
Prediction of aortic valve regurgitation after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device implantation using artificial intelligence trained on acoustic spectra
Authors: Misumi Yusuke , Miyagawa Shigeru , Yoshioka Daisuke , Kainuma Satoshi , Kawamura Takuji , Kawamura Ai , Maruyama Yuichi , Ueno Takayoshi , Toda Koichi , Asanoi Hidetsugu , Sawa Yoshiki
Published: February 2021

Significant aortic regurgitation (AR) is a common complication after continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation. Using machine-learning algorithms, this study was designed to examine valuable predictors obtained from LVAD sound and to provide models for identifying AR. During a 2-year follow-up period of 13 patients with Jarvik2000 LVAD, sound signals were serially obtained from the chest wall above the LVAD using an electronic stethoscope for 1 min at 40,000 Hz, and echocardiography was simultaneously performed to confirm the presence of AR. Among the 245 echocardiographic and acoustic data collected, we found 26 episodes of significant AR, which we categorized as “present”; the other 219 episodes were characterized as “none”. Wavelet (time–frequency) analysis was applied to the LVAD sound and 19 feature vectors of instantaneous spectral components were extracted. Important variables for predicting AR were searched using an iterative forward selection method. Seventy-five percent of 245 episodes were randomly assigned as training data and the remaining as test data. Supervised machine learning for predicting concomitant AR involved an ensemble classifier and tenfold stratified cross-validation. Of the 19 features, the most useful variables for predicting concomitant AR were the amplitude of the first harmonic, LVAD rotational speed during intermittent low speed (ILS), and the variation in the amplitude during normal rotation and ILS. The predictive accuracy and area under the curve were 91% and 0.73, respectively. Machine learning, trained on the time–frequency acoustic spectra, provides a novel modality for detecting concomitant AR during follow-up after LVAD.
Effects of climate change on spatiotemporal patterns of tropical cyclone tracks and their implications for coastal agriculture in Myanmar
Authors: Hirano Akira
Published: February 2021

Important aspects for understanding the effects of climate change on tropical cyclones (TCs) are the frequency of TCs and their tracking patterns. Coastal areas are increasingly threatened by rising sea levels and associated storm surges brought on by TCs. Rice production in Myanmar relies strongly on low-lying coastal areas. This study aims to provide insights into the effects of global warming on TCs and the implications for sustainable development in vulnerable coastal areas in Myanmar. Using TC records from the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship dataset during the 30-year period from 1983 to 2012, a hot spot analysis based on Getis-Ord (Gi*) statistics was conducted to identify the spatiotemporal patterns of TC tracks along the coast of Myanmar. The results revealed notable changes in some areas along the central to southern coasts during the study period. These included a considerable increase in TC tracks (pvalue < 0.01) near the Ayeyarwady Delta coast, otherwise known as “the rice bowl” of the nation. This finding aligns with trends in published studies and reinforced the observed trends with spatial statistics. With the intensification of TCs due to global warming, such a significant increase in TC experiences near the major rice-producing coastal region raises concerns about future agricultural sustainability.
Apple Sunburn Risk Detection—A Simple Model for Agricultural Decision Making and Some Fruit Temperature Measurements
Authors: Wittich Klaus-Peter
Published: February 2021

As a response to strong radiative heating, the fruit temperature of apples may rise significantly above the air temperature. This may result in damage to the skin tissue and the epidermal and hypodermal cell layers. To avoid economic losses induced by sunburn symptoms on the skin, apple growers need forecasts of the fruit temperature, which will allow them to organize sun-protection measures in time.

The temperatures of detached apples, which had been exposed to incident radiation and wind, were measured in order to quantify the extent of fruit heating under the climate conditions of northern Germany. On average, the daily maximum skin temperatures measured on the sunlit south side of the fruit during selected sunny and warm days were about 7 °C above the daily maximum air temperature. However, skin temperatures of more than 40 °C (the predefined warning threshold) were rarely detected, indicating that sunburn is still an uncommon phenomenon in northern Germany. Maximum apple-core temperatures were on average 4 °C higher than the maximum temperatures of ambient air.

Based on energy balance principles, a simple model has been developed to predict the diurnal cycle of the sky- and ground-facing hemispherical apple temperatures. Focusing on fruit growers’ needs, daily temperature maxima of the modeled sky-facing hemisphere were compared with skin temperatures measured on the sunlit south side, resulting in a mean absolute error (MAE) of 1.7 °C. Comparison between daily maxima of total sphere temperatures and apple core temperatures provided better correlations (MAE = 0.8 °C).
Universities and start-up creation by Ph.D. graduates: the role of scientific and social capital of academic laboratories
Authors: Muscio Alessandro , Shibayama Sotaro , Ramaciotti Laura
Published: February 2021

This paper investigates how the characteristics of university laboratories influence the propensity of Ph.D. students to entrepreneurship, and thus, contribute to the transfer of academic knowledge to society. As determinants of Ph.D. entrepreneurship, we focus on the lab scientific and social capital as well as on the business experience that Ph.D. students acquire during their training period. The empirical exercise is based on questionnaire survey data of 5266 Ph.D. students in Italian universities in all subject areas. First, we find that 6.7% of the Ph.D. graduates engage in startup activities, and thus, Ph.D. training seems to contribute to knowledge transfer through entrepreneurship. Second, Ph.D. entrepreneurship is driven by business experience, in the forms of industry collaboration and industrially applicable research projects, during their training period. Third, the lab scientific capital is negatively associated with Ph.D. entrepreneurship, suggesting a conflict between scientific excellence and entrepreneurship, but this effect is mitigated if students acquire business experience. Fourth, the lab social capital increases the chance of startup when students have business experience. We further investigate the effects of lab environment by distinguishing between startups that are based on university research and startups that are not, finding different determinants.
When Opportunity Knocks: Confronting Theory and Empirics About Dynamics of Gender Wage Inequality
Authors: Tyrowicz Joanna , van der Velde Lucas Augusto
Published: February 2021

We present empirical evidence that large structural shocks are followed by changes in labor market inequality. Specifically, we study short-run fluctuations in adjusted gender wage gaps (unequal pay for equal work) following episodes of structural shocks in the labor markets, using several decades of individual data for a wide selection of transition countries. We find that for cohorts who entered the labor market after the onset of transition. Labor market shocks lead to significant declines in the gender wage gap. This decrease is driven mostly by episodes experienced among cohorts who enter the labor market during the transition. By contrast, we fail to find any significant relation for cohorts already active in the labor market at the time of transition. We provide plausible explanations based on sociological and economic theories of inequality.
Performance analysis of multi user massive MIMO hybrid beamforming systems at millimeter wave frequency bands
Authors: Dilli Ravilla
Published: February 2021

Millimeter-wave (mmWave) and massive multi-input–multi-output (mMIMO) communications are the most key enabling technologies for next generation wireless networks to have large available spectrum and throughput. mMIMO is a promising technique for increasing the spectral efficiency of wireless networks, by deploying large antenna arrays at the base station (BS) and perform coherent transceiver processing. Implementation of mMIMO systems at mmWave frequencies resolve the issue of high path-loss by providing higher antenna gains. The motivation for this research work is that mmWave and mMIMO operations will be much more popular in 5G NR, considering the wide deployment of mMIMO in major frequency bands as per 3rd generation partnership project. In this paper, a downlink multi-user mMIMO (MU-mMIMO) hybrid beamforming communication system is designed with multiple independent data streams per user and accurate channel state information. It emphasizes the hybrid precoding at transmitter and combining at receiver of a mmWave MU-mMIMO hybrid beamforming system. Results of this research work give the tradeoff between multiple data streams per user and required number of BS antennas. It strongly recommends for higher number of parallel data streams per user in a mmWave MU-mMIMO systems to achieve higher order throughputs.
‘That’s What Art Does’: Disclosing Religious and Ethical Possibilities Through Film
Authors: Burley Mikel
Published: February 2021

The significance of narrative artworks as resources for, and possibly as instances of, philosophical thinking has increasingly been recognized over recent decades. Utilization of such resources in philosophy of religion has, however, been limited. Focusing on film in particular, this article develops an account of film’s importance for a ‘contemplative’ approach to philosophizing about religious ethics, an approach that prioritizes the elucidation ofpossibilities of senseover the evaluation of ‘truth claims’. TakingDead Man Walkingas a case in point, the article shows how this film facilitates an enhanced comprehension of specific concepts, most notably the concepts of faith, truth and love, as they feature within a characteristically Christian form of life.
Towards a network-based view of effective entrepreneurial ecosystems
Authors: Scott Stephanie , Hughes Mathew , Ribeiro-Soriano Domingo
Published: February 2021

We conceptualize entrepreneurial ecosystems as fundamentally reliant on networks and explore how and under what conditions inter-organizational networks lead an entrepreneurial ecosystem to form and evolve. It is widely accepted that entrepreneurial ecosystems possess a variety of symbiotic relationships. Research has focused considerable efforts in refining the structure and content of resources found within these networked relationships. However, merely focusing on actor-level characterizations dilutes the notion that social relationships change and are complex. There has been little conceptual treatment of the behavioral and governance factors that underpin how quality interactions composing an entrepreneurial ecosystem develop and change over time. In response, we provide a longitudinal ethnographic study examining how ecosystems are managed and evolve in their relational configurations and governance at critical junctures. Using mixed methods and data collected over 3 years, we reveal a cyclical process of relational development central to the initiation, development, and maintenance phases of a valuable entrepreneurial ecosystem. We contribute to a conceptualization of effective ecosystems as reliant on networks, we reveal the behavior and governance characteristics at play in the entrepreneurial ecosystem during each phase of its evolution.