bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Coexistence of Sjögren's syndrome and bilateral ranulas: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Koma Yoshiro , Fujimoto Takehiro , Sakai Kiyoshi , Sugimura Yukiko , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Hibi Hideharu
Published: September 2021

Sjögren's syndrome and ranulas are relatively frequently occurring diseases. However, when they occur simultaneously, its clinical features and pathogenesis remain unclear. Here, we report a patient with bilateral ranulas. Magnetic resonance imaging at diagnosis revealed a “salt and pepper” appearance in bilateral parotid glands, leading a diagnosis of asymptomatic Sjögren's syndrome. She was successfully treated with excision of the left sublingual gland and sclerotherapy. A literature review suggests that this coexistence may not be very rare. In addition, it may be characterized by a high prevalence of bilateral ranulas.
LeTID mitigation via an adapted firing process in p‐type PERC cells from SMART cast‐monocrystalline, Czochralski and high‐performance multicrystalline silicon
Authors: Maischner Felix , Maus Stephan , Greulich Johannes , Lohmüller Sabrina , Lohmüller Elmar , Saint‐Cast Pierre , Ourinson Daniel , Vahlman Henri , Hergert Karin , Riepe Stephan , Glunz Stefan , Rein Stefan
Published: September 2021

In this work, we analyse passivated emitter and rear cells (PERC), based on wafers made from seed manipulation for artificially controlled defects technique (SMART) monocrystalline silicon, magnetically grown and conventional Czochralski (mCz and Cz) silicon, and high‐performance multicrystalline (hpm) silicon. All wafers were processed identically except for the hpm wafers, which received an acidic texture instead of random pyramids. The energy conversion efficiencyηof the SMART cells of 21.4 %is similar to the mCz cells (21.5 %) while being more thanhigher than for the hpm cells. Furthermore, we here show for the first time that light‐ and elevated temperature‐induced degradation (LeTID) is mitigated in hpm, Cz and SMART PERC cells without significant losses in initial efficiency by an adapted fast‐firing process, incorporating slower firing ramps that can be used in industrial production. The cells that are fired with these ramps show no significant efficiency loss () during LeTID testing at 75°C and 0.15 suns illumination for 1100 h, while the reference fast‐firing process results in efficiency losses ofdue to LeTID. For Cz cells that have been treated to regenerate the boron–oxygen defect prior to LeTID testing, the maximum degradation was reduced fromto.
Creating a university evolution garden: An integrated learning approach for teaching land plant evolution
Authors: Elliott‐Kingston Caroline , Haines Nicola , Stewart Gavin , McCabe Paul
Published: September 2021

Societal Impact Statement

Solutions to many of society's major challenges currently relate to plants, for example, feeding a growing global population, reducing crop water use, minimising pesticide use, and mitigating climate change, to name just a few. Solving global challenges requires high‐calibre plant science graduates with a fundamental understanding of plant evolution and the impacts of past climate change on extinction and speciation events, along with the knowledge required for sustainable global plant production, especially for food, under current and future climate change. Equipping these graduates for the future is a responsibility of university educators who must adopt innovative education methods to achieve this challenging goal.

The concept of land plant evolution is difficult for botany and biology undergraduates to grasp because it spans half a billion years, a timeline that cannot be easily visualised. We established the University College Dublin (UCD) Evolution of Land Plants Garden to improve student understanding, knowledge, and engagement in a purpose‐built ‘living’ outdoor classroom in which they can ‘walk’ through land plant history. We focus on the concept, configuration, and planting, how the garden has improved student learning, and how it could be adapted for other learning outcomes. The garden is divided into five sections depicting key innovations in land plant evolution, beginning with ‘Before land plants’, followed by ‘Cuticle’ where the Bryophyta appear, ‘Vascular tissue’ with the Pteridophyta; ‘Seed’ with the gymnosperms; and ‘Flower’ with the angiosperms. Analysis of quantitative student feedback and performance indicates that students' understanding of the subject was improved significantly by ‘walking through’ a living evolutionary history in practical classes, supported by lectures, laboratory work, and online quizzes. We present a template that could be adopted widely to engage students with plant evolution, in the context of decreasing engagement with plant sciences among young people.
On the Entanglement Entropy in Gaussian cMERA
Authors: Fernández‐Melgarejo J. J. , Molina‐Vilaplana J.
Published: September 2021

The continuous Multi Scale Entanglement Renormalization Anstaz (cMERA) consists of a variational method which carries out a real space renormalization scheme on the wavefunctionals of quantum field theories. In this work we calculate the entanglement entropy of the half space for a free scalar theory through a Gaussian cMERA circuit. We obtain the correct entropy written in terms of the optimized cMERA variational parameter, the local density of disentanglers. Accordingly, using the entanglement entropy production per unit scale, we study local areas in the bulk of the tensor network in terms of the differential entanglement generated along the cMERA flow. This result spurs us to establish an explicit relation between the cMERA variational parameter and the radial component of a dual AdS geometry through the Ryu‐Takayanagi formula. Finally, we argue that the entanglement entropy for the half space can be written as an integral along the renormalization scale whose measure is given by the Fisher information metric of the cMERA circuit. Consequently, a straightforward relation between AdS geometry and the Fisher information metric is also established.
Silencing uridine diphosphate N‐acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase gene impairs larval development in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata
Authors: Jiang Lin‐Hong , Mu Li‐Li , Jin Lin , Anjum Ahmad A. , Li Guo‐Qing
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Uridine diphosphate‐N‐acetylglucosamine (UDP‐GlcNAc) diphosphorylase (UAP) catalyzes the formation of UDP‐GlcNAc, the precursor for the production of chitin in ectodermally derived epidermal cells and midgut, for GlcNAcylation of proteins and for generation of glycosyl‐phosphatidyl‐inositol anchors in all tissues in Drosophila melanogaster.

RESULTS

Here, we identified a putative HvUAP gene in Henosepilachna vigintioctopunctata. Knockdown of HvUAP at the second‐, third‐ and fourth‐instar stages impaired larval development. Most resultant HvUAP hypomorphs showed arrested development at the third‐, fourth‐instar larval or prepupal stages, and became paralyzed, depending on the age when treated. Some HvUAP‐silenced larvae had weak and soft scoli. A portion of HvUAP‐depleted beetles formed misshapen pupae. No HvUAP RNA interference pupae successfully emerged as adults. Dissection and microscopic observation revealed that knockdown of HvUAP affected gut growth and food ingestion, reduced cuticle thickness, and negatively affected the formation of newly generated cuticle layers during ecdysis. Furthermore, HvUAP deficiency inhibited development of the tracheal respiratory system and thinned tracheal taenidia.

CONCLUSION

The phenotypical defects in HvUAP hypomorphs suggest that HvUAP is involved in the production of chitin. Moreover, our findings will enable the development of a double‐stranded RNA‐based pesticide to control H. vigintioctopunctata. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Review of antenna technologies for very high frequency Data Exchange Systems
Authors: Gómez‐Guillamón Buendía Victoria , Liberto Salvatore , Goussetis George , Fonseca Nelson J. G.
Published: September 2021

The Automated Identification System (AIS) was originally developed as a terrestrial system tracking vessels near the coastline. Dedicated channels were allocated within the spectrum historically reserved for maritime applications in the very high frequency (VHF) band, enabling long range communications, up to a few kilometers. There have been various initiatives in the last decade that extended this system with a space segment, enabling global monitoring of vessels beyond the range of terrestrial stations. Recently, the World Radiocommunication Conference has allocated frequencies for the extension of this system to a two‐way VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) via satellite. This requires to adapt spaceborne antenna solutions previously developed for AIS, particularly for missions using small satellites and CubeSats. This paper provides a timely review of existing VHF antenna solutions and new concepts under development which could be applicable to VDES missions. Some key metrics are identified to provide a comparative study between various candidate solutions. Considering the range of possible missions, from secondary payloads on‐board larger satellites to dedicated constellations, it is believed that a number of antenna products can find application in future VDES space‐based infrastructure.
New Hybrid (E)‐4‐((pyren‐1‐ylmethylene)amino)‐N‐(thiazol‐2‐yl)benzenesulfonamide as a Potential Drug Candidate: Spectroscopy, TD‐DFT, NBO, FMO, and MEP Studies**
Authors: Erdoğan Musa , Serdaroğlu Goncagül
Published: September 2021

A novel pyrene‐sulfathiazole‐based potential drug candidate 3 was designed, successfully synthesized by a condensation reaction of pyrenecarboxaldehyde (1) with sulfathiazole (2) in good yield, and fully characterized by NMR, IR, UV‐Vis, and HRMS spectroscopic techniques. The TD‐DFT/B3LYP calculations displayed that the recorded peaks at 396, 377, 280, and 236 nm were due to the mainly n‐π* and partially π‐π* transitions that occurred on pyrene, azomethine, and sulfathiazole moieties. The NBO results disclosed that the electron delocalizations happened onto sulfathiazole, aromatic rings (pyrene and Ph‐), and azomethine groups had the main responsibility of the lowering stabilization energy of compound 3. The NMR shifts were calculated by using the GIAO approaches in the DMSO phase and compared with the relevant data recorded. The thermodynamic and quantum chemical quantities were used for elucidating the physicochemical properties and reactivity behavior, in THF, DMSO, and water simulation environments. Accordingly, the calculated DM (D) and α (au) order of compound 3 were calculated in the order of vacuum<THF<DMSO<water, which indicated that the stability and thus reactivity of the compound strongly depended on the solvent environment. The FMO studies implied that the electron‐donating possibility of compound 3 was dominant to the electron‐accepting potency. In this work, the SMD version of IEFPCM was used in solvent media simulations.
Flexible Sandwich‐Structured Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Nanocomposite Films with Excellent Thermal Conductivities
Authors: Zhang Yali , Ruan Kunpeng , Gu Junwei
Published: September 2021

With the rapid development and popularization of smart, portable, and wearable flexible electronic devices, urgent demands have been raised for flexible electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding films to solve related electromagnetic pollution problems. With polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as polymer matrix, the sandwich‐structured EMI shielding nanocomposite films are prepared via electrospinning‐laying‐hot pressing technology, where Fe3O4/PVA composite electrospun nanofibers in the top and bottom layers and Ti3C2Tx/PVA composite electrospun nanofibers in the middle layer. Owing to the electrospinning process and the successful construction of the sandwich structure, when the amounts of Ti3C2Tx and Fe3O4 are respectively only 13.3 and 26.7 wt%, the EMI shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of the sandwich‐structured EMI shielding nanocomposite films reach 40 dB with the thickness of 75 µm, higher than that of (Fe3O4/Ti3C2Tx)/PVA EMI shielding nanocomposite films (21 dB) prepared based on blending‐electrospinning‐hot pressing process under the same amounts of fillers. Furthermore, the prepared sandwich‐structured EMI shielding nanocomposite films possess excellent thermal conductivities and mechanical properties. This novel kind of flexible sandwich‐structured EMI shielding nanocomposite films with excellent EMI shielding performances, thermal conductivities, and mechanical properties presents broad application prospects in the fields of EMI shielding and protection for high‐power, portable, and wearable flexible electronic devices.
A Durable Ni–Zn Microbattery with Ultrahigh‐Rate Capability Enabled by In Situ Reconstructed Nanoporous Nickel with Epitaxial Phase
Authors: Zhu Zhe , Kan Ruyu , Wu Peijie , Ma Yao , Wang Zhaoyang , Yu Ruohan , Liao Xiaobin , Wu Jinsong , He Liang , Hu Song , Mai Liqiang
Published: September 2021

Powering device for miniaturized electronics is highly desired with well‐maintained capacity and high‐rate performance. Though Ni–Zn microbattery can meet the demand to some extent with intrinsic fast kinetic, it still suffers irreversible structure degradation due to the repeated lattice strain. Herein, a stable Ni–Zn microbattery with ultrahigh‐rate performance is rationally constructed through in situ electrochemical approaches, including the reconstruction of nanoporous nickel and the introduction of epitaxial Zn(OH)2 nanophase. With the enhanced ionic adsorption effect, the superior reactivity of the superficial nickel‐based nanostructure is well stabilized. Based on facile miniaturization and electrochemical techniques, the fabricated nickel microelectrode exhibits 63.8% capacity retention when the current density is 500 times folded, and the modified hydroxides contribute to the great stability of the porous structure (92% capacity retention after 10 000 cycles). Furthermore, when the constructed Ni–Zn microbattery is measured in a practical metric, excellent power density (320.17 mW cm−2) and stable fast‐charging performance (over 90% capacity retention in 3500 cycles) are obtained. This surface reconstruction strategy for nanostructure provides a new direction for the optimization of electrode structure and enriches high‐performance output units for integrated microelectronics.
Synergistic Function via Amorphous and Nanoscale Polarization Heterogeneous Regions in (1−x)BaTiO3‐xBi(Ni0.5Zr0.5)O3 Thin Film with Ultrahigh Energy Storage Capability and Stability
Authors: Huang Rui , Wang Hongye , Tao Cheng , Cao Minghe , Hao Hua , Yao Zhonghua , Liu Hanxing
Published: September 2021

Dielectric film capacitors are considered as potential candidates for advanced power electronics technology due to their extremely high‐power densities and outstanding mechanical and thermal stability, but the further improvement of energy storage density is still needed. Here, a strategy is proposed to enhance the energy storage properties by introducing nanoscale polarization regions into amorphous films, which can significantly improve the maximum polarization and maintain a high breakdown strength. The (1−x)BaTiO3‐xBi(Ni0.5Zr0.5)O3 ((1−x)BT‐xBNZ) thin films are fabricated by the sol–gel method and the amorphous films with nanoscale polarization regions are obtained by adjusting the preparation process. Consistent with the conjecture, amorphous phase and nanoscale polarization regions in the (1−x)BT‐xBNZ films are clearly observed by electron diffraction. Results show that giant recoverable energy density of 103.7 J cm−3 with high energy efficiency of 88.3% are simultaneously achieved at 8.3 MV cm−1 in 0.92BT‐0.08BNZ thin films. Furthermore, the 0.92BT‐0.08BNZ thin film exhibits excellent thermal stability in a wide temperature range of 20–200 °C, ∆Wrec/Wrec20 °C < 2.2%. This work provides a novel method for dielectric thin film capacitors applied in high temperature and electric field.
Correlative In Situ Multichannel Imaging for Large‐Area Monitoring of Morphology Formation in Solution‐Processed Perovskite Layers
Authors: Ternes Simon , Laufer Felix , Scharfer Philip , Schabel Wilhelm , Richards Bryce S. , Howard Ian A. , Paetzold Ulrich W.
Published: September 2021

To scale up production of perovskite photovoltaics, state‐of‐the‐art laboratory recipes and processes must be transferred to large‐area coating and drying systems. The development of in situ monitoring methods that provide real‐time feedback for process control is pivotal to overcome this challenge. Herein, correlative in situ multichannel imaging (IMI) obtaining reflectance, photoluminescence intensity, and central photoluminescence emission wavelength images on areas larger than 100 with subsecond temporal resolution using a simple, cost‐effective setup is demonstrated. Installed on top of a drying channel with controllable laminar air flow and substrate temperature, IMI is shown to consistently monitor solution film drying, perovskite nucleation, and perovskite crystallization. If the processing parameters differ, IMI reveals characteristic changes in large‐area perovskite formation dynamics already before the final annealing step. Moreover, when IMI is used to study >130 blade‐coated devices processed at the same parameters, about 90% of low‐performing devices contain coating inhomogeneities detected by IMI. The results demonstrate that IMI should be of value for real‐time 2D monitoring and feedback control in industrial‐scale, high‐throughput fabrication such as roll‐to‐roll printing.
Reduced Recombination Losses in Evaporated Perovskite Solar Cells by Postfabrication Treatment
Authors: Kiermasch David , Fischer Mathias , Gil-Escrig Lidón , Baumann Andreas , Bolink Henk J. , Dyakonov Vladimir , Tvingstedt Kristofer
Published: September 2021

The photovoltaic perovskite research community has now developed a large set of tools and techniques to improve the power conversion efficiency (PCE). One such arcane trick is to allow the finished devices to dwell in time, and the PCE often improves. Herein, a mild postannealing procedure is implemented on coevaporated perovskite solar cells confirming a substantial PCE improvement, mainly attributed to an increased open‐circuit voltage (V
OC). From a V
OC of around 1.11 V directly after preparation, the voltage improves to more than 1.18 V by temporal and thermal annealing. To clarify the origin of this annealing effect, an in‐depth device experimental and simulation characterization is conducted. A simultaneous reduction of the dark saturation current, the ideality factor (n
id), and the leakage current is revealed, signifying a substantial impact of the postannealing procedure on recombination losses. To investigate the carrier dynamics in more detail, a set of transient optoelectrical methods is first evaluated, ascertaining that the bulk carrier lifetime is increased with device annealing. Second, a drift‐diffusion simulation is used, confirming that the beneficial effect of the annealing has its origin in effective bulk trap passivation that accordingly leads to a reduction of Shockley–Read–Hall recombination rates.
„Ein zu internationaler Berühmtheit gelangter Forscher und Arzt“: Otfrid Foerster (1873–1941) als Nobelpreiskandidat
Authors: Palmen Lotte , Eisenberg Ulrike , Karenberg Axel , Fangerau Heiner , Hansson Nils
Published: September 2021

Dieser Aufsatz befasst sich mit den Nobelpreisnominierungen für den Neurologen und Neurochirurgen Otfrid Foerster (1873–1941). Foerster wurde 17 Mal für den Nobelpreis für Physiologie oder Medizin nominiert. Aufbauend auf Akten des Stockholmer Nobelpreisarchives, Primär- und Sekundärliteratur wird auf folgende Fragen eingegangen: Welche Gründe gab es für Foersters Nominierungen? Wie sah die Beziehung zwischen ihm und seinen Nominatoren aus? Warum hat er letztlich den Nobelpreis nicht erhalten? Das Gros der Nominatoren für Foerster hob als Hauptmotiv sein gemeinsam mit Oswald Bumke herausgegebenes Handbuch der Neurologie hervor. Den Nominatoren zufolge hatte Foerster mit diesem Handbuch einen enormen Einfluss auf die Neurologie seiner Zeit. Darüber hinaus wurde sein „ehrenvoller Charakter“ in den Nominierungsbriefen unterstrichen. Für das Nobelkomitee waren diese Begründungen jedoch nicht ausreichend: Die Mitglieder stuften das Handbuch nicht als originäre Forschungsleistung ein. Foersters Ruhm reicht trotzdem bis in die Gegenwart, etwa in Form einer seit 1953 von der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie vergebenen Ehrung, die seinen Namen trägt (Otfrid-Foerster-Medaille).
Origin of Palaeoproterozoic, sub-seafloor Zn-Pb-Ag skarn deposits, Sala area, Bergslagen, Sweden
Authors: Jansson Nils F. , Allen Rodney L. , Skogsmo Göran , Turner Thomas
Published: September 2021

Unravelling the genesis of metamorphosed mineral deposits can be complicated due to difficulties in separating between primary features and features that formed during the metamorphic overprint. Such uncertainty exists for stratabound and dolomite- and skarn-hosted Zn-Pb-Ag sulfide deposits in 1.89 Ga rocks in the Bergslagen lithotectonic unit (BLU) of Sweden, where a metasomatic vs. regional metamorphic origin for skarns has long been discussed. By integrating geological mapping with new lithogeochemical, mineralogical, and stable isotope data (C, O, S), we show that complexly zoned garnet and clinopyroxene skarns in the Sala area of the central BLU predate mineralization. Sphalerite-galena mineralization formed after the deposition of a younger, more Mn-rich ferroan diopside and andradite-grossular garnet, and is associated with phlogopite, tremolite-actinolite, chlorite, serpentine, and calcite. Mineralization in conjunction with a transition from high-T metasomatism to hydrolytic alteration is inferred. An average δ34SV-CDT of 1.6 ± 1.9‰ in sulfides is consistent with a primordial sulfur source. Trends defined by negative shifts in δ18OV-SMOW and δ13CV-PDB in dolomite and calcite are consistent with fluid infiltration at 300–500 °C. The alteration system is sharply truncated by unaltered, c. 1.89 Ga calc-alkaline granite and porphyritic intrusions, which along with F1 folding of the alteration zones and mineralization suggest that mineralization predate regional metamorphism. The Sala deposits are interpreted as Zn skarn deposits formed in conjunction with the emplacement of intrusions into penecontemporaneous marine volcanic and dolomitized limestone strata. The unusually Mg-rich mineralogy in relation to Zn skarns worldwide most likely reflects the dolomitic precursor.
Development of an empirical process model for adjusted porosity in laser-based powder bed fusion of Ti-6Al-4V
Authors: Emminghaus Nicole , Paul Johanna , Hoff Christian , Hermsdorf Jörg , Kaierle Stefan
Published: September 2021

A promising approach to address the mismatch of bone and implant stiffness, leading to the stress-shielding phenomenon, is the application of functionally graded materials with adjusted porosity. Although defect formation and porosity in laser-based powder bed fusion of metals (PBF-LB/M) are already widely investigated, so far there is little research on the influences and parameter interactions regarding the pore characteristics. This work therefore aims to provide an empirical process model for the generation of gas porosity in the PBF-LB process of Ti-6Al-4V. Parts with closed locally adjusted porosity of $\sim $
∼
6 % achieved through gaseous pores instead of lack of fusion defects or lattice structures were built by PBF-LB. Parameter variation and evaluation of relative density, pore size and sphericity was done in accordance with the design of experiments approach. A parameter set for maximum gas porosity (laser power of 189 W, scanning speed of 375 mm/s, hatch spacing of 150 μm) was determined for a constant layer thickness of 30 μm and a spot diameter of 35 μm. Tensile tests were conducted with specimens consisting of a core with maximum gas porosity or lack of fusion porosity, respectively, and a dense skin as well as fully dense specimens. Whereas lack of fusion defects can lead to significant reduction of stiffness of 32.2 %, the elastic modulus remained unchanged at 110.0 GPa when implementing spherical pores. Nevertheless, the found superior strength and ductility of specimens with gas porous core (> 1100 MPa and > 0.05 mm/mm, respectively) underline the advantages of adjusted porosity for the application in functionally graded materials and lightweight applications.
Manual medicine, manual therapy
Authors: Locher Hermann , Beyer Lothar
Published: September 2021

Manual medicine is the medical discipline that deals with diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of reversible functional disturbances in the locomotor system and other related organ systems. The current article illustrates neuroanatomical and neurophysiological fundamentals of the mechanisms of manual diagnostics and treatment. Based on the recent literature and consideration of different scientifically based clinical guidelines, the evidence-based effectiveness of manual therapeutic procedures is presented. Acute and chronic low back pain, cervicogenic headache, neck and shoulder pain, radicular arm pain, dysfunctional thoracic pain syndromes, diseases of the rotator cuff, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis are included. Clinical case studies illustrate the clinical procedures. The term, the origin, and the clinical presence of “osteopathy” are addressed in detail, and the national and international societies of manual medicine (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Manuelle Medizin [DGMM], European Scientific Society of Manual Medicine [ESSOMM], Fédération Internationale de Medicine Manuelle [FIMM]) are portrayed lexically. Finally, contraindications to manual intervention are presented and an outlook on the requirements and possibilities of scientific pain analysis is given in accordance with the preamble of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Orthopädie und Orthopädische Chirurgie (GSOOC) guidelines on specific low back pain.
Tendon transfer in foot drop: a systematic review
Authors: Stevoska Stella , Pisecky Lorenz , Stadler Christian , Gahleitner Manuel , Klasan Antonio , Klotz Matthias C.
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Foot drop is a disorder that impairs walking and leads to tripping and falling. Tendon transfer (e.g., tibialis posterior tendon) is a typical secondary procedure in foot drop treatment. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify the most common tendon transfer techniques for treating foot drop and to analyze the reported functional outcomes. Furthermore, it was of interest if the type of surgical technique affects the functional outcome.

Methods

A PubMed and MEDLINE literature search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. The search terms used were (“tendon transfer” OR “tendon transposition”) AND (“foot drop” OR “peroneal neuropathies”). Any study published before January 2020 was considered for inclusion. No case reports or reviews were included. Common outcome measures (Stanmore score, AOFAS, FAAM, AFO use, patient satisfaction and active ankle dorsiflexion) were evaluated. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Coleman Methodology Score.

Results

Of the 125 reviewed publications, 37 met the inclusion criteria. 42 cohorts were analyzed. The frequently reported tendon transfer technique was the tibialis posterior tendon transfer through the interosseus membrane. The most used fixation technique was tendon on tendon fixation; however in recent years, a tendon to bone fixation has gained popularity. There was an increase in Stanmore scores and AOFAS postoperatively and a decrease of AFO use postoperatively observed.

Conclusions

Due to various outcome measures and lack of preoperative assessment in the included studies, a meta-analysis of the pooled results was not possible. Nevertheless, the findings of this study show that tendon transfer increases mobility and self-independency leading to patient satisfaction. The choice of the surgical technique does not affect the outcome. A prospective collection of patient data and standardized outcome measures will be important to further analyze the efficacy of tendon transfer techniques.
Postoperative chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin is superior to radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab and radiotherapy alone
Authors: Magnes Teresa , Wagner Sandro M. , Melchardt Thomas , Weiss Lukas , Rinnerthaler Gabriel , Huemer Florian , Kopp Michael , Gampenrieder Simon Peter , Mayrbäurl Beate , Füreder Thorsten , Lenger Daniel , Andel Johannes , Egle Alexander , Greil Richard
Published: September 2021

Background

The addition of cisplatin or cetuximab to radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) has significantly improved the outcome. While the superiority of cisplatin over cetuximab in combination with radiotherapy has been shown in a definitive setting, we set out to compare postoperative chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin to radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab and radiotherapy alone within the Austrian head and neck cancer registry of the Working Group on Pharmaceutical Tumor Treatment (AGMT) study group.

Material and methods

In the AGMT head and neck cancer registry, data of 557 patients with SCCHN from five Austrian cancer centers were prospectively collected between 2012 and 2017. Of these patients 120 received postoperative chemoradiotherapy with cisplatin, 26 patients received postoperative radioimmunotherapy with cetuximab and 56 patients were treated with adjuvant radiotherapy only. Patient characteristics, stage of disease, details on treatment as well as survival were analyzed by a chart-based review.

Results

In patients treated with postoperative radiotherapy the addition of cisplatin significantly improved progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to cetuximab (PFS 84.2 months vs. 17.0 months, p = 0.04, OS not reached vs. 46.0 months, p = 0.02) and PFS compared to radiotherapy alone (PFS 84.2 months vs. 28.5 months, p < 0.01). Patients treated with cetuximab were significantly older and had a worse performance score than patients receiving cisplatin or radiotherapy alone.

Conclusion

This study confirmed the importance of multimodal treatment concepts in patients with locally advanced SCCHN. Postoperative cetuximab might be an option in patients not eligible for high-dose cisplatin but cisplatin should remain the standard of care.
Spatial distribution and interannual variability of coastal fog and low clouds cover in the hyperarid Atacama Desert and implications for past and present Tillandsia landbeckii ecosystems
Authors: del Río Camilo , Lobos-Roco Felipe , Latorre Claudio , Koch Marcus A. , García Juan-Luis , Osses Pablo , Lambert Fabrice , Alfaro Fernando , Siegmund Alexander
Published: September 2021

The hyperarid Atacama Desert coast receives scarce moisture inputs mainly from the Pacific Ocean in the form of marine advective fog. The collected moisture supports highly specialized ecosystems, where the bromeliad Tillandsia landbeckii is the dominant species. The fog and low clouds (FLCs) on which these ecosystems depend are affected in their interannual variability and spatial distribution by global phenomena, such as ENSO. Yet, there is a lack of understanding of how ENSO influences recent FLCs spatial changes and their interconnections and how these variations can affect existing Tillandsia stands. In this study, we analyze FLCs occurrence, its trends and the influence of ENSO on the interannual variations of FLCs presence by processing GOES satellite images (1995–2017). Our results show that ENSO exerts a significant influence over FLCs interannual variability in the Atacama at ~ 20°S. Linear regression analyses reveal a relation between ENSO3.4 anomalies and FLCs with opposite seasonal effects depending on the ENSO phase. During summer (winter), the ENSO warm phase is associated with an increase (decrease) of the FLCs occurrence, whereas the opposite occurs during ENSO cool phases. In addition, the ONI Index explains up to ~ 50 and ~ 60% variance of the interannual FLCs presence in the T. landbeckii site during summer and winter, respectively. Finally, weak negative (positive) trends of FLCs presence are observed above (below) 1000 m a. s. l. These results have direct implications for understanding the present and past distribution of Tillandsia ecosystems under the extreme conditions characterizing our study area.
A trigonal coordination of Au(I) phosphane complexes stabilized by O–H⋯X (X = Cl–, Br–, I–) interactions
Authors: Gründlinger Petra , Mardare Cezarina Cela , Wagner Thorsten , Monkowius Uwe
Published: September 2021

In this work, we show that intramolecular hydrogen bonding can be used to stabilize tri-coordinated phosphane-gold(I) complexes. Two molecular structures of 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzoic acid (L) coordinated to a gold(I) atom were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The linear L–Au–Br shows a standard linear coordination and dimerizes via hydrogen bonds of the carboxylic acid. Upon addition of two additional phosphane ligands the complex [L3Au]X is formed which is stabilized by three intramolecular –C(O)O–H…X hydrogen bonds as proven by the X-ray structure of the respective chlorido-complex. X-ray powder diffractograms suggest the same structure also for X– = Br– and I–.

Graphic abstract
Recruitment of scarce competences to rural regions: Policy perspectives
Authors: Nyström Kristina
Published: September 2021

This paper studies the perceived difficulty of recruiting scarce competencies to rural regions. Furthermore, the role of policy in facilitating and enhancing recruitment to and better skills matching in rural regions is discussed. Based on a survey targeted to the business sections of Swedish municipalities, the results show that recruitment is perceived to be difficult in both rural and nonrural regions and that the difficulty of recruiting for the right skills results in a lack of skills matching and constitutes an obstacle to growth. Rural regions located close to urban areas can to some extent mitigate these recruitment problems, and their locations pose less of a barrier in recruitment processes compared to those of remotely located rural regions.

Which policies can help remedy recruitment problems faced in rural regions? In both rural and nonrural regions, incentives for writing off student debt and relocation support for accompanying persons and tandem recruitment are perceived to be the most promising policies. Rural regions are more receptive to the implementation of such policies. Finally, the need for flexibility and policies that can be adapted to the regional demand for labour are stressed.
Online network monitoring
Authors: Malinovskaya Anna , Otto Philipp
Published: September 2021

An important problem in network analysis is the online detection of anomalous behaviour. In this paper, we introduce a network surveillance method bringing together network modelling and statistical process control. Our approach is to apply multivariate control charts based on exponential smoothing and cumulative sums in order to monitor networks generated by temporal exponential random graph models (TERGM). The latter allows us to account for temporal dependence while simultaneously reducing the number of parameters to be monitored. The performance of the considered charts is evaluated by calculating the average run length and the conditional expected delay for both simulated and real data. To justify the decision of using the TERGM to describe network data, some measures of goodness of fit are inspected. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach by an empirical application, monitoring daily flights in the United States to detect anomalous patterns.
Chemerin regulates normal angiogenesis and hypoxia-driven neovascularization
Authors: Ben Dhaou Cyrine , Mandi Kamel , Frye Mickaël , Acheampong Angela , Radi Ayoub , De Becker Benjamin , Antoine Mathieu , Baeyens Nicolas , Wittamer Valérie , Parmentier Marc
Published: September 2021

Chemerin is a multifunctional protein initially characterized in our laboratory as a chemoattractant factor for leukocyte populations. Its main functional receptor is CMKLR1. We identified previously chemerin as an anti-tumoral factor inhibiting the vascularization of tumor grafts. We show here that overexpression of bioactive chemerin in mice results in a reduction of the density of the retinal vascular network during its development and in adults. Chemerin did not affect vascular sprouting during the post-natal development of the network, but rather promoted endothelial cell apoptosis and vessel pruning. This phenotype was reversed to normal in CMKLR1-deficient mice, demonstrating the role of this receptor. Chemerin inhibited also neoangiogenesis in a model of pathological proliferative retinopathy, and in response to hind-limb ischemia. Mechanistically, PTEN and FOXO1 antagonists could almost completely restore the density of the retinal vasculature, suggesting the involvement of the PI3-kinase/AKT pathway in the chemerin-induced vessel regression process.
BBW: a batch balance wrapper for training deep neural networks on extremely imbalanced datasets with few minority samples
Authors: Hu Jingzhao , Zhang Hao , Liu Yang , Sutcliffe Richard , Feng Jun
Published: September 2021

In recent years, Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) have achieved excellent performance on many tasks, but it is very difficult to train good models from imbalanced datasets. Creating balanced batches either by majority data down-sampling or by minority data up-sampling can solve the problem in certain cases. However, it may lead to learning process instability and overfitting. In this paper, we propose the Batch Balance Wrapper (BBW), a novel framework which can adapt a general DNN to be well trained from extremely imbalanced datasets with few minority samples. In BBW, two extra network layers are added to the start of a DNN. The layers prevent overfitting of minority samples and improve the expressiveness of the sample distribution of minority samples. Furthermore, Batch Balance (BB), a class-based sampling algorithm, is proposed to make sure the samples in each batch are always balanced during the learning process. We test BBW on three well-known extremely imbalanced datasets with few minority samples. The maximum imbalance ratio reaches 1167:1 with only 16 positive samples. Compared with existing approaches, BBW achieves better classification performance. In addition, BBW-wrapped DNNs are 16.39 times faster, relative to unwrapped DNNs. Moreover, BBW does not require data preprocessing or additional hyper-parameter tuning, operations that may require additional processing time. The experiments prove that BBW can be applied to common applications of extremely imbalanced data with few minority samples, such as the classification of EEG signals, medical images and so on.
Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Dermacentor reticulatus ticks found within the city of Białystok, Poland—first data
Authors: Grochowska Anna , Dunaj Justyna , Pancewicz Sławomir , Czupryna Piotr , Majewski Piotr , Wondim Mulugeta , Tryniszewska Elżbieta , Moniuszko-Malinowska Anna
Published: September 2021

Pathogens carried by ticks pose a threat to both human and animal health across the world. Typically associated with rural landscapes, ticks appear to adapt well to life in urban recreational areas. Although Dermacentor reticulatus is commonly found across Europe, data on the prevalence of pathogens in this tick species, in an urban environment, are very limited. PCR was used to examine 368 D. reticulatus individuals collected in the Zwierzyniecki Forest Nature Reserve in Białystok, Poland. In total, 10.3% of ticks were infected, with Babesia spp. (9.2%), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (0.8%) and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (0.3%). Rickettsia spp., Bartonella spp., and Coxiella burnetii were not detected. Sequence analysis for Babesia-positive samples identified 79.4% of them as Babesia canis, 8.8% as Babesia microti, 5.9% as Babesia spp., 2.9% as Babesia venatorum, and 2.9% as Babesia vogeli. Results obtained in this study indicate that D. reticulatus ticks found within the urban premises of the study area are infected with at least three pathogens and therefore are an important factor in public health risk for tick-borne diseases.
Unsupervised law article mining based on deep pre-trained language representation models with application to the Italian civil code
Authors: Tagarelli Andrea , Simeri Andrea
Published: September 2021

Modeling law search and retrieval as prediction problems has recently emerged as a predominant approach in law intelligence. Focusing on the law article retrieval task, we present a deep learning framework named LamBERTa, which is designed for civil-law codes, and specifically trained on the Italian civil code. To our knowledge, this is the first study proposing an advanced approach to law article prediction for the Italian legal system based on a BERT (Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers) learning framework, which has recently attracted increased attention among deep learning approaches, showing outstanding effectiveness in several natural language processing and learning tasks. We define LamBERTa models by fine-tuning an Italian pre-trained BERT on the Italian civil code or its portions, for law article retrieval as a classification task. One key aspect of our LamBERTa framework is that we conceived it to address an extreme classification scenario, which is characterized by a high number of classes, the few-shot learning problem, and the lack of test query benchmarks for Italian legal prediction tasks. To solve such issues, we define different methods for the unsupervised labeling of the law articles, which can in principle be applied to any law article code system. We provide insights into the explainability and interpretability of our LamBERTa models, and we present an extensive experimental analysis over query sets of different type, for single-label as well as multi-label evaluation tasks. Empirical evidence has shown the effectiveness of LamBERTa, and also its superiority against widely used deep-learning text classifiers and a few-shot learner conceived for an attribute-aware prediction task.
On the role of N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) in the generation of elemental transition metal precipitates in cellulosic materials
Authors: Rosenau Thomas , Potthast Antje , Hettegger Hubert , Bacher Markus , Opietnik Martina , Röder Thomas , Adorjan Immanuel
Published: September 2021

Several literature reports describe the role of aqueous solutions ofN-methylmorpholine-N-oxide monohydrate (NMMO) as a suitable medium for the generation of transition metal (nano)particles in or on cellulosic materials and further elaborate its role as a co-reactant of the transition metal salts that are reduced to the elemental metal. However, this would assign NMMO the role of a reductant, which is in contradiction of its obvious oxidative nature. In the present study, the exemplary cases of silver, gold, and platinum salts as the precursors of the respective metal (nano)particles in aqueous NMMO/cellulose mixtures were investigated. Naturally, NMMO did not act as a reducing agent in any case—this role was taken over by the frequently used NMMO stabilizer propyl gallate, or by cellulose itself, into which carbonyl and carboxyl groups were introduced. Also, hypochlorite—produced intermediately from chloride ions and subsequently undergoing disproportionation into chloride and chlorate—or transientN-methylene(morpholinium) ions generated from NMMO, which are in turn oxidized to formyl morpholide, can act as the corresponding reductants while the metal ions are reduced, depending on the reaction conditions. Apart from providing interesting mechanistic insights, the study points to the importance of a precise description of the composition of the chemical systems used, as well as the importance of seemingly inert auxiliaries, which turned out to be essential co-reactants in the metal (nano)particle generation.

Graphic abstract
Paramylon extracted from Euglena gracilis EOD-1 augmented the expression of SIRT1
Authors: Ieiri Hiromi , Kameda Natsuki , Naito Junko , Kawano Takanori , Nishida Norihisa , Takahashi Madoka , Katakura Yoshinori
Published: September 2021

Euglena gracilis, a type of microalgae, contains several nutrients and accumulates paramylon, a β-1,3-glucan. In recent studies, paramylon has shown to exhibit various activities including immunomoduratory and hepatoprotective effects. In the present study, using an in vitro cell culture system, we aimed to determine whether paramylon derived from the E. gracilis EOD-1 strain, which produces large amounts of paramylon, can augment SIRT1 expression in epidermal cells via activating gut–skin interactions. Results showed that paramylon augmented the expression of SIRT1 in Caco-2 cells, a human intestinal cell line. Furthermore, microarray analysis of Caco-2 cells treated with paramylon showed that paramylon activates epidermal cells through inducing the secretion of factors from intestinal cells. Then, we focused on skin cells as target cells of paramylon-activated intestinal cells. Results showed that secretory factors from Caco-2 cells treated with paramylon augmented the expression of SIRT1 in HaCaT cells, a human keratinocyte cell line, and that expression level of genes related to the growth and maintenance of epidermal cells were significantly changed in Caco-2 cells treated with paramylon as evidenced by microarray analysis. All these results suggest that paramylon can activate epidermal cells by inducing the production of secretory factors from intestinal cells.
Deliberative structures and their impact on voting under economic conflict
Authors: Brandts Jordi , Gerhards Leonie , Mechtenberg Lydia
Published: September 2021

We conduct a laboratory experiment to investigate how different deliberative structures of varying inclusiveness affect collective decisions in the presence of economic conflict. An electorate consists of two groups, one informed and one uninformed about an uncertain state of the economy. This state affects payoffs differently for the two groups. We study three deliberative structures that vary in how the uninformed are included in pre-vote communication. Compared with a setting without any communication, we find that communication in all three deliberation treatments leads to more frequent votes for the efficient policies. The most inclusive deliberative structure motivates more truthfulness, more trust, more cooperativeness (i.e. refraining from protest votes), and more votes for the efficient policies, than the least inclusive structure. However, comparison among the deliberation treatments reveals that the most inclusive deliberative structure is not the one that generates the highest degree of truthfulness. The dynamics of communication lead to a general deterioration of truth-telling and cooperativeness, reinforced by the use of disrespectful and uncooperative language.