bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Wie baue ich ein erfolgreiches Netzwerk auf? Konzeption, Durchführung und Evaluation eines Networking-Trainings
Authors: Weihrauch Lisa , Wolff Hans-Georg , Stöger Lea Katharina , von Nitzsch Jannis , Konari Nima
Published: January 2021

Dieser Beitrag der Zeitschrift Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. (GIO) berichtet von der Entwicklung, Durchführung und Evaluation eines Networkingtrainings. Networking gilt branchenübergreifend als wichtige Kompetenz für den Aufbau tätigkeitsrelevanter Ressourcen und Fertigkeiten und gewinnt in Zeiten der individualisierten, wissensintensiven und digitalisierten Berufstätigkeit weiter an Bedeutung. Die „Kunst des Netzwerkens“ zu erlernen ist deshalb essentiell. Basierend auf der Handlungsregulationstheorie und sozialkognitiven Ansätzen wird in dieser Evaluationsstudie die Wirksamkeit eines Networking-Trainings (N = 37) für Berufstätige untersucht. Das Training vermittelt Kompetenzen zu Aufbau, Pflege und Nutzung von Kontakten im beruflichen Kontext. Es wird im Rahmen eines Pretests und drei Posttests bis zu einem Jahr nach dem Training und einer nicht-äquivalenten Kontrollvariablenstrategie auf mehreren Ebenen evaluiert. Es zeigen sich signifikante Verbesserungen in den Bereichen Wissen, networkingbezogene Selbstwirksamkeit und Networkingverhalten, sowie eine Zunahme an Kontakten in beruflichen Online-Netzwerken. Basierend auf den genannten trainingstheoretischen Grundlagen gelingt den Teilnehmenden die Entwicklung ihrer Networkingkompetenzen, d. h. sich ein berufliches Online- und Offline-Netzwerk aufzubauen, dieses zu pflegen und zu nutzen.
Current Advances in Immunotherapy for Glioblastoma
Authors: Mende Abigail L. , Schulte Jessica D. , Okada Hideho , Clarke Jennifer L.
Published: January 2021

Purpose of Review

This review seeks to inform oncology clinicians and researchers about the development of novel immunotherapies for the treatment of glioblastoma. An enumeration of ongoing and recently completed clinical trials will be discussed with special attention given to current technologies implemented to overcome central nervous system–specific challenges including barriers to the peripheral immune system, impaired antigen presentation, and T cell dysfunction.

Recent Findings

The success of immunotherapy in other solid cancers has served as a catalyst to explore its application in glioblastoma, which has limited response to other treatments. Recent developments include multi-antigen vaccines that seek to overcome the heterogeneity of glioblastoma, as well as immune checkpoint inhibitors, which could amplify the adaptive immune response and may have promise in combinatorial approaches. Additionally, oncolytic and retroviruses have opened the door to a plethora of combinatorial approaches aiming to leverage their immunogenicity and/or ability to carry therapeutic transgenes.

Treatment of glioblastoma remains a serious challenge both with regard to immune-based as well as other therapeutic strategies. The disease has proven to be highly resistant to treatment due to a combination of tumor heterogeneity, adaptive expansion of resistant cellular subclones, evasion of immune surveillance, and manipulation of various signaling pathways involved in tumor progression and immune response. Immunotherapeutics that are efficacious in other cancer types have unfortunately not enjoyed the same success in glioblastoma, illustrating the challenging and complex nature of this disease and demonstrating the need for development of multimodal treatment regimens utilizing the synergistic qualities of immune-mediated therapies.
ASCO 2020: highlights in breast cancer
Authors: Bartsch Rupert
Published: January 2021

The 2020 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) was held in a virtual format due to the ongoing SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic. Despite these unique circumstances, results of several interesting studies in the field of breast cancer (BC) were reported. While overall survival data are still missing, KEYNOTE-355 suggests significant activity of pembrolizumab when added to first-line chemotherapy in metastatic triple-negative breast cancer. TBCRC 048 evaluated the role of olaparib in homologous recombination deficient tumours due to genomic alterations other than germline BRCA1/2 mutations; clinically relevant activity was reported in patients with germline PALB2 and somatic BRCA1/2 mutations. In HER2-positive early stage disease, different strategies of chemotherapy de-escalation are under investigation, but the optimal approach is still not well defined. Updated results from the HER2CLIMB trial show that the third-generation HER2 tyrosine-kinase inhibitor tucatinib in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine is the new standard-of-care for pretreated patients with HER2-positive metastatic BC with active brain metastases. Results from BYLieve supports the notion that the combination of endocrine therapy with the PIK3Ca inhibitor alpelisib is a reasonable treatment approach in hormone-receptor positive/HER2-negative BC after prior CDK4/6-inhibitor therapy. Finally, the ECOG-ACRIN 2108 trial failed to show a benefit for early surgery of the primary tumour in patients with metastatic BC.
Design and Deployment of an Image Polarity Detector with Visual Attention
Authors: Ragusa Edoardo , Apicella Tommaso , Gianoglio Christian , Zunino Rodolfo , Gastaldo Paolo
Published: January 2021

Embedding the ability of sentiment analysis in smart devices is especially challenging because sentiment analysis relies on deep neural networks, in particular, convolutional neural networks. The paper presents a novel hardware-friendly detector of image polarity, enhanced with the ability of saliency detection. The approach stems from a hardware-oriented design process, which trades off prediction accuracy and computational resources. The eventual solution combines lightweight deep-learning architectures and post-training quantization. Experimental results on standard benchmarks confirmed that the design strategy can infer automatically the salient parts and the polarity of an image with high accuracy. Saliency-based solutions in the literature prove impractical due to their considerable computational costs; the paper shows that the novel design strategy can deploy and perform successfully on a variety of commercial smartphones, yielding real-time performances.
The strategic development for water loss prevention
Authors: Kiliç Recep
Published: January 2021

The population growth and urbanization have gained importance in the Water Resource Management (WRM) works. The classic approach in relation to the development of the water resources has lost its sustainability. Water has, therefore, become an important, but also becoming a scarce natural source due to the global warming and its climate change impacts end results. The major aim of WRM is to increase the Water Distribution Network (WDN) to keep water supply sustenance by decreasing the water demand. The new approaches in relation to the WRM should take into consideration in a more refined manner the supply–demand balance with the improvements in the WDN. Recently, water resources performance improvements have become one of the significant investment topics in Turkey. However, data from the Turkish Statistical Institute and any academic research in this field have shown that there is a water loss of around 50% in the current water supply and distribution systems. In comparison to other developed countries, this loss is very high. It became, therefore, necessary that each Water Resources Administration should keep track on the costs, water leakage losses and the necessary technological investments. In the scope of this study, water loss levels reduction strategy possibilities are developed in the Sakarya City WDM system, Turkey. These strategies field applications have been presented in detail. Finally, the extent of accuracy in these strategies has been shown, which may provide guidance for other water administrations departments in the world.
Adsorption of tartrazine and sunset yellow anionic dyes onto activated carbon derived from cassava sievate biomass
Authors: Chukwuemeka-Okorie Helen O. , Ekuma Francis K. , Akpomie Kovo G. , Nnaji Jude C. , Okereafor Amarachi G.
Published: January 2021

The toxic effects of anionic dyes such as tartrazine and sunset yellow on humans and the aquatic environment are of serious concern. The need for the removal of these dyes from wastewaters led to the use of adsorption techniques as a cheap and efficient treatment method. Thus, this research was based on the preparation of a low-cost activated carbon derived from cassava sievate designated as CS, which was utilized in the adsorption of sunset yellow and tartrazine from simulated wastewater. The sorption process was carried out under varying process factors in a batch mode. Adsorbent characterization displayed the presence of surface functional groups by the FT-IR and a porous structure as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Optimum dye uptake was recorded at pH (1.0–2.0), temperature (30–40 °C), CS dosage (0.1 g), and dye concentration (150 mg/L). A maximum CS monolayer uptake of 20.83 and 0.091 mg/g was recorded for tartrazine and sunset yellow dyes, respectively. The pseudo-second-order (R2 > 0.99) and Freundlich (R2 > 0.92) models were most fitted to the kinetics and isotherm data of the uptake of the dyes on CS. The adsorption equilibrium attainment was reached was within 90 min of dye sequestration. The experimental results revealed that both sunset yellow and tartrazine dyes were considerably adsorbed onto the environmentally compatible and low-cost activated carbon derived from cassava sievate.
Das E-Assessment-Tool DMT
Authors: Thor Andreas , Kirsten Toralf
Published: January 2021

Die Bearbeitung von Übungsaufgaben ist ein wichtiges Element in der Datenbank-Lehre. Lösungen der Studierenden lassen sich dabei häufig in strukturierten Ergebnisformaten festhalten, wie z. B. SQL-Anfragen oder die Spezifikation von Schemata und Relationen. Dieser Beitrag stellt das E‑Assessment-Tool DMT (Data Management Tester) vor, das sowohl eine automatische Bewertung als auch eine automatische Feedback-Generierung solcher strukturierter Lösungen ermöglicht. Es soll dabei insbesondere Studierende unterstützen, nicht ganz korrekte Lösungen zielgerichtet überarbeiten zu können. Dieser Betrag skizziert Konzept und Architektur von DMT und erläutert den Einsatz an der HTWK Leipzig und der Hochschule Mittweida.
RelaX
Authors: Specht Günther , Kessler Johannes , Mayerl Maximilian , Tschuggnall Michael
Published: January 2021

Das relationale Modell und insbesondere die relationale Algebra bilden die Grundlage jedes relationalen Datenbanksystems. Daher ist es in der Lehre wichtig, den Studierenden eine fundierte Einführung in die relationale Algebra zu geben. Nur so erhalten sie ein vertieftes Verständnis für die interne Ausführung einer Anfrage. Während es viele Möglichkeiten gibt, SQL zu üben, fehlen bisher größtenteils solche Möglichkeiten für die relationale Algebra. Sie wird meist nur theoretisch unterrichtet. Darum hat die Forschungsgruppe DBIS an der Universität Innsbruck ein rein webbasiertes Tool entwickelt, das die Lehre der relationalen Algebra erleichtern und verbessern soll: RelaX. RelaX ist unter http://dbis-uibk.github.io/relax/ frei verfügbar.
Effect of stearin and paraffin adulteration of beeswax on brood survival
Authors: Chęć Magdalena , Olszewski Krzysztof , Dziechciarz Piotr , Skowronek Patrycja , Pietrow Marek , Borsuk Grzegorz , Bednarczyk Mirosława , Jasina Grzegorz , Jasina Józef , Gagoś Mariusz
Published: January 2021

The study examined the effect of stearin and paraffin adulteration of the wax foundation on brood survival. In combs formed on a stearin-adulterated wax foundation (10, 30, and 50% stearin, which means: 3.9, 11.7, and 19.5% of stearic acid, respectively), the survival of brood decreased statistically significantly (p ≤ 0.001) compared to the survival rates noted on a pure beeswax foundation. The brood appearance resembled the so-called scattered brood although the queens oviposited normally. The scattered brood was caused by the death of young larvae, most probably due to changes in the properties of royal jelly. Larvae transferred into stearin-adulterated wax cups died as well. The adulteration of the wax foundation with paraffin (10, 30, and 50%) did not reduce the survival of the brood but lowered the mechanical strength of the combs. Adulteration of wax with even a small amount of stearin/stearic acid makes it useless for apiculture.
Haematological changes in Schistosoma haematobium infections in school children in Gabon
Authors: Dejon-Agobé Jean Claude , Adegnika Ayôla A. , Grobusch Martin P.
Published: January 2021

Background

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease affecting the blood cell. As a chronic disease, schistosomiasis particularly impacts on the human host’s haematological profile. We assessed here the impact of urogenital schistosomiasis on the full blood counts (FBC) as proxy diagnostic tool for schistosomiasis.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among school children living in Lambaréné, Gabon. Schistosomiasis status was determined using urine filtration technique. EDTA blood samples were analysed using a Pentra ABX 60® analyzer.

Results

Compared to their infection-free counterparts, school children infected with Schistosoma haematobium displayed an altered FBC profile, with changes in all three blood cell lines. Adjusted for praziquantel intake, soil-transmitted helminthic infections and Plasmodium falciparum infection status, schistosomiasis was independently associated with a decreasing trend of mean haemoglobin (β = − 0.20 g/dL, p-value = 0.08) and hematocrit (β = − 0.61%, p-value = 0.06) levels, a lower mean MCV (β = − 1.50µm3, p-value = 0.02) and MCH (β = − 0.54 pg, p-value = 0.04), and higher platelet (β = 28.2 103/mm3, p-value = 0.002) and leukocyte (β = 1.13 103/mm3, p-value = 0.0003) counts, respectively.

Conclusions

Schistosomiasis is associated with a characteristic FBC profile of schoolchildren living in Lambaréné, indicating the necessity to consider schistosomiasis as a single cause of disease, or a co-morbidity, when interpreting FBC in endemic areas.
Solving the location problem of front distribution center for omni-channel retailing
Authors: Huang Jikai , Shi Xianliang
Published: January 2021

Consumer demand and retailing models nowadays are being upgraded more frequently. More and more retailers are switching to the Omni-channel retailing model. Choosing a reasonable location for a front distribution center (FDC) helps control an enterprise's cost and improves its service level. This is especially true in the existence of fierce competition. In this paper, two important and contradictory objectives are proposed for the first time in the FDC location problem: minimizing the distribution costs from the facility and minimizing the fixed cost of the facility's location. For these objectives, a bi-objective programming model is established by considering the factors of a facility's capacity, demand and rent fluctuation. Meanwhile, the FDC location problem has been solved by compromising programming and elite set multi-objective simulated annealing algorithm respectively. Taking the FDC locations set of an e-commerce enterprise in a region of Beijing as an empirical sample, this paper uses the above algorithms to re-plan the FDC locations of the enterprise. This algorithm provides support for retail enterprises by helping find the best FDC location. Based on the empirical results, some comments and future research directions are also proposed.
Second-order neutrosophic boundary-value problem
Authors: Moi Sandip , Biswas Suvankar , Pal(Sarkar) Smita
Published: January 2021

In this article, some properties of neutrosophic derivative and neutrosophic numbers have been presented. This properties have been used to develop the neutrosophic differential calculus. By considering different types of first- and second-order derivatives, different kind of systems of derivatives have been developed. This is the first time where a second-order neutrosophic boundary-value problem has been introduced with different types of first- and second-order derivatives. Some numerical examples have been examined to explain different systems of neutrosophic differential equation.
The host status of glyphosate-tolerant soybean genotypes to Meloidogyne incognita and Pratylenchus infection
Authors: Mbatyoti Akhona , De Beer Annelie , Daneel Mieke Stefanie , Swart Antoinette , Marais Mariette , De Waele Dirk , Fourie Hendrika
Published: January 2021

The host status of South African adapted, genetically modified (GM) glyphosate-tolerant soybean genotypes to root-knot (field and glasshouse) and lesion (field) nematodes were assessed. Analyses of root and soil samples of 29 genotypes (collected from seven production areas during the 2014/15 season) enabled the identification of nine plant-parasitic nematode genera and 10 species. Predominant endoparasitic genera in root samples were Meloidogyne (Meloidogyne incognita and M. javanica) and Pratylenchus (Pratylenchus brachyurus, P. zeae and P. teres). Rotylenchulus parvus was the predominant semi-endoparasite in soil, followed by Scutellonema brachyurus and Helicotylenchus sp. Only ‘PAN 1583 R’ and ‘PAN 1521 R’ maintained less than 10% of the Meloidogyne spp. densities present in roots of the most susceptible genotype, while all genotypes were susceptible to the Pratylenchus spp. The host status of 36 soybean genotypes to M. incognita infection, evaluated in two follow-up glasshouse experiments terminated 56 days after inoculation of ca. 1000 M. incognita eggs and second-stage juveniles (J2) per seedling, varied substantially for final population density (Pf), reproduction factor (Rf) and relative percentage susceptibility (%S). Only ‘PRF-GCI7’ and the resistant reference ‘LS 5995’ had Rfs < 1 for both experiments, despite higher minimum and maximum temperatures recorded for the second experiment. Continuous evaluation of soybean genotypes for their host status to predominant nematode pests and their use to reduce densities of such species in producer’s fields are crucial to enable sustainable crop production, and contribute towards food provision and security.
Risk factors for sleep disorders in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Liu Gui-Ling , Zhan Qiu-Nan , Zhao You-Lu , Xiong Zu-Ying , Liao Jin-Lan , Ren Ye-Ping , Wang Qin , Duan Li-Ping , Zheng Zhao-Xia , Hao Li , Dong Jie
Published: January 2021

Sleep disorders in patients with end-stage renal disease are common but have rarely been reported in previous studies. Therefore, we examined the prevalence of sleep disorders and the risk factors for declining sleep quality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). A multicenter prospective cohort study was conducted at five PD centers across different provinces in China. A total of 449 patients who underwent PD between March to November 2013 were enrolled. Demographic data, laboratory indicators, presence of depression, and sleep assessment data were collected. Sleep questionnaires reflecting five categories of sleep disorders, namely, insomnia, restless legs syndrome, excessive daytime sleepiness, possible narcolepsy, and sleepwalking and nightmares, were administered at baseline and at 24 months postoperatively. Sleep disorders were diagnosed when a patient had at least one sleep problem. At baseline, 335 (74.6%) patients had at least one type of sleep disorder. Depression, diabetes mellitus (DM), and male were found to be associated with the presence of a sleep disorder. At follow-up, the prevalence of insomnia, restless legs syndrome, and excessive daytime sleepiness had significantly increased in 285 patients. Furthermore, cardiovascular disease (CVD) was found to be associated with the presence of sleep disorders in patients with one or more disorders at baseline, whereas a low serum albumin level was found to be associated with sleep disorders in patients without any sleep disorders at baseline. The prevalence of sleep disorders was relatively high among PD patients at baseline and increased afterthe2-year follow-up. Depression, DM, and male were associated with all sleep disorders at baseline. CVD was associated with the presence of a sleep disorder at baseline and worse sleep quality at the 2-year follow-up; whereas a low serum albumin level was associated with the risk of acquiring a sleep disorder at the 2-year follow-up among patients with normal sleep status at baseline.
Treat-to-Target Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis: a Systematic Review and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
Authors: Hock Emma Stefania , Martyn-St James Marrissa , Wailoo Allan , Scott David L. , Stevenson Matt , Rawdin Andrew , Simpson Emma L. , Dracup Naila , Young Adam
Published: January 2021

To systematically review clinical and health economic impacts of treat-to-target (TTT) strategies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) managed in specialist units, compared with routine care. Sixteen and seven electronic databases were searched for clinical RCTs and cost-effectiveness respectively. Study selection, data extraction and quality assessment (Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias criteria) were performed. Evidence was reported by (1) TTT vs. usual care; (2) comparison of different treatment protocols against each other; (3) comparison of different targets against each other. Narrative synthesis was undertaken and conclusions drawn on a trial by trial basis, due to study heterogeneity. Twenty-two RCTs were included. Sixteen were at high risk of bias, five unclear and one low risk. Three trials showed TTT to be more effective than usual care in terms of remissions, in some or all comparisons, whereas one other trial reported no significant difference. Two trials showed TTT to be more effective than usual care in terms of low disease activity (LDA), in some or all comparisons, whereas two trials reported little difference. Some evidence suggests that TTT strategies involving combination therapy can achieve more remissions than those involving monotherapy, but little impact of alternative treatment targets on remission or LDA. Overall, there is evidence that TTT increases remissions in early RA and mixed early and established RA populations, and increases LDA in established RA. Although results varied, typically TTT was estimated to be more cost-effective than usual care. No target appears more effective than others.
Finite element modelling and optimization of Ge/SiGe superlattice based thermoelectric generators
Authors: Big-Alabo Ameze
Published: January 2021

The study presents the development of a 3D Finite Element modelling (FEM) technique for a uni-coupled Ge/SiGe superlattice-based module configuration. The methodological approach involved the development of the geometrical design of the Ge/SiGe – based Thermoelectric generator (TEG), defining the thermoelectric material properties and boundary conditions and then implementation of the governing equations to obtain an approximate solution via meshing of the TEG module. The developed FEM was then used to optimize the geometry of the TEG with the aim of reducing the contact resistance for improved performances. One way to achieve this is to reduce the thickness of the silicon substrate. Thus by reducing the thickness of the substrate, the thermal losses in the system will be minimized. Secondly, by increasing the superlattice heights, the output voltage also increased and given the anisotropic nature of the superlattice, it was inferred that the optimal voltage measurements can be obtained at the surface of the superlattice which yields the maximum leg height. The relevance of this study is that the FEM allows the simulation of the TEG module for different real-world conditions that would otherwise be expensive and time-consuming to investigate experimentally. It also gives insight to the temperature and voltage distribution of the TEG module under varying operating conditions.
Analysis of the foam-forming of non-woven lightweight fibrous materials using X-ray tomography
Authors: Burke S. R. , Möbius M. E. , Hjelt T. , Ketoja J. A. , Hutzler S.
Published: January 2021

Foam-forming has in the past predominantly been used to create two-dimensional sheet-like fibrous materials. Allowing the foam to drain freely and decay under gravity, rather than applying a vacuum to remove it rapidly, we can produce lightweight three-dimensional fibrous structures from cellulose fibres, of potential use for thermal and acoustic insulation. $$\mu$$
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CT scanning of the fibrous materials enable us to determine both void size distributions and also distributions of fibre orientations. Through image analysis and uniaxial compression testing, we find that the orientation of the fibres, rather than the size of the voids, determine the compressive strength of the material. The fibrous samples display a layering of the fibres perpendicular to the direction of drainage of the precursor liquid foam. This leads to an anisotropy of the compressive behaviour of the samples. Varying the initial liquid fraction of the foam allows for tuning of the compressive strength. We show an increase in over seven times can be achieved for samples of the same density (13 kg.m-3).

Graphic abstract
Influence of load-shedding and night on SiR insulator environmental aging under AC test voltages
Authors: Ahmed Waqas , Arshad  , Masood Muhammad Tahir , Ali Muhammad Umair
Published: January 2021

Insulators play a critical role in healthy transmission under the influence of operational stresses (OSs). OSs include environmental stresses (ultraviolet-radiations, seasonal heat and humidity variations, and pollution (inert and active), etc.) and electrical stresses (electric field distribution, corona, etc.). OSs can deteriorate insulators, jeopardizing the healthy transmission. In this experimental study, four silicon rubber (SiR) insulators with different concentrations of micro and nano-silica fillers are tested in a specially designed and fabricated compact environmental chamber for 1920 h under OSs, un-scheduled load shedding, and night factors for more realistic field insulators deterioration characteristics. Insulators' potential distribution, electrical field distribution, hydrophobicity, and leakage current characteristics are considered. Experimental results reveal OSs affected insulators' leakage current profile due to hydrophobicity loss and electric field distribution variations. Moreover, SiR insulators under OSs regained insulation characteristics due to heavier inner molecule replacement to the dissipated and degraded outer lower weight insulating molecules. This property provides a reusability opportunity for SiR insulators in power system networks, unlike traditional insulators.
Influence of the fermentation methods on the resistant starch formation by X-ray diffraction
Authors: Kanazawa Sachio , Sanabria Melissa , Monteiro Magna
Published: January 2021

This work consists of a study about the influence of the fermentation methods on the resistant starch (RS) formation. Crystalline phases at the white bread after production and during the staling were evaluated. The bakery formulation was proportionally the same for the two fermentation methods used, except for the yeast. A commercial dry yeast and sourdough were used for the direct method (DM) and indirect method (IM), respectively. The temperature and cooking time, as well as the packaging and storage, were kept constant for all samples. Characterizations were performed on both samples by XRD and FTIR-ATR. It is possible to affirm that the fermentation method greatly influences the crystalline and microstructural properties of bread, mainly on the RS. The bread produced by IM presented more significant changes in its microstructure and degree of crystallinity than bread made by DM. These microstructural differences may be directly related to the microorganisms present in the sourdough, which can influence the bread resistant starch during the cooking and storage time.
A cohort retrospective study on computed tomography scan among pediatric minor head trauma patients
Authors: Tabrizi Shahrouz , Zafar Elahe , Rafiei Hooman
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT

Objectives:

Computed tomography (CT) scan is commonly performed in head trauma patients to identify severity of the brain injury. However, the role of clinical signs and consciousness is critical in deciding the need of CT scan, in order to avoid unnecessary exposure to X-ray radiations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of positive CT findings in our pediatric population referred to our center with minor head trauma and its correlation with clinical signs and symptoms.

Method:

In this retrospective study, children aged under 15 years presented to our center within 6 h of minor head trauma from 2019 to 2020 were included. CT findings, demographic data, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and clinical sign were extracted from patient data file. Positive CT scan patients were further evaluated in terms of GCS and signs and symptoms. The data were analyzed using SPSS v25.

Result:

Of 380 children included, the most common findings from CT scan were fractures (11.8%), SAH (subarachnoid hemorrhage) (6.1%), and ICH (intracerebral hemorrhage) (5.5%). 18.7% of total children had positive CT findings. Nausea and vomiting, seizure, racoon eyes, battle sign and GCS less than 15 were positively associated with positive CT finding. Mechanism of trauma and age group were not associated with positive CT.

Conclusions:

Clinical signs should be observed among the patients along with level of consciousness before CT scan. Further studies are required to design a precise algorithm and guidelines regarding the use of CT scan among pediatric minor head trauma patients.

Highlights
The Prevalence of Vaginal Flatus in Women with Pelvic Floor Disorders and Its Impact on Sexual Function
Authors: Lau Hui-Hsuan , Su Tsung-Hsien , Chen Ying-Yu , Huang Wen-Chu
Published: January 2021

Background

Vaginal flatus is involuntarily passing gas from the vagina. Women seldom voluntarily report it, and related data are limited.

Aim

To investigate the prevalence of vaginal flatus in women with pelvic floor disorders and its impact on sexual function.

Methods

This was an observational study involving women who visited a urogynecologic clinic in a tertiary medical center. Patients were asked about their experience of vaginal flatus. Other evaluations included urodynamics, genital prolapse stage, and quality-of-life questionnaires, including the short form of the Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, Urogenital Distress Inventory, and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire.

Outcomes

Clinical characteristics, vaginal anatomic landmarks, stage of prolapse, urodynamic parameters, and quality-of-life scores were compared between women with and without vaginal flatus.

RESULTS

Among 341 women, 118 (35%) reported vaginal flatus, which was more common in those who were younger (a mean age of 49.3 ± 9.2 years; range 25–74 years vs 49.3 ± 9.2 years; range 25–74 years, P < .001) and sexually active (98% vs 55%, P < .001). Women with vaginal flatus had significantly worse sexual function (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire, 16.3 ± 15.9 vs 30.9 ± 8.0, P < .001) and incontinence-related quality of life (Urogenital Distress Inventory, 23.4 ± 10.5 vs 17.8 ± 8.9, P = .039; Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, 25.5 ± 14.5 vs 17.2 ± 12.5, P = .012). For frequency and bother, 48 of 116 (46%) women reported often or always having symptoms during sexual activity, 5 of 34 (15%) when performing daily activities, and 4 of 31 (12%) when exercising, and 70 of 116 (60%) felt least moderate bothersome during sexual activity compared with 2 of 34 (5%) when performing daily activities and 6 of 31 (18%) when exercising.

Clinical Implications

Vaginal flatus is prevalent in women with pelvic floor disorders, particularly in those who are younger and sexually active.

Strengths & Limitations

The strength of this study is to evaluate the sexual function with validated questionnaires. The lack of data after pelvic floor management is the major limitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Among women with pelvic floor disorders, those with vaginal flatus reported poorer sexual function. Routine counseling should be considered for these patients.
Perigeniculate arachnoid cysts and CSF fistulae of the fallopian canal: Histopathologic correlates of a rare clinical entity
Authors: Lee Emerson E. , Andresen Nicholas S. , McKenzie Bryan , Sharon Jeffrey D. , Francis Howard W. , Sun Daniel Q.
Published: January 2021

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae originating from the fallopian canal of the facial nerve is hypothesized to arise due to atypical patterns of subarachnoid space extension into the geniculate ganglion or more distal regions along the intratemporal course of the facial nerve, but its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Although a rare etiology of CSF fistulae of the temporal bone, there are significant clinical ramifications due to the risk of recurrent meningitis, difficulty in identifying the anatomic location of the CSF leak, and technical challenges associated with surgical repair. We present three clinical cases of arachnoid cysts within the geniculate fossa with or without CSF fistulization and provide histopathologic correlates of this rare clinical phenomenon from a human temporal bone collection. The pediatric and adult patients presented suggest differential pathophysiologic mechanisms associated with CSF fistulae. Temporal bone histology reveals atypical patterns of subarachnoid space extension in the fallopian canal that may underlie arachnoid cyst formation and overt CSF leak from the geniculate region.
The Family in Question
Authors: Grillo Ralph
Published: January 2021

The family lives of immigrants and ethnic minority populations have become central to arguments about the right and wrong ways of living in multicultural societies. While the characteristic cultural practices of such families have long been scrutinized by the media and policy makers, these groups themselves are beginning to reflect on how to manage their family relationships in a world where migration is a transnational piece of the pluralized global puzzle. Exploring case studies from Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Australia, The Family in Question explores how those in public policy often dangerously reflect the popular imagination, xenophobically stereotyping immigrants and their families, rather than recognizing the complex changes taking place within the global immigrant community.
On Latin Adverbs
Authors: Pinkster Harm
Published: January 2021

This study deals with a number of aspects of the words which are usually called adverbs in Latin. It contains on the one hand a critical discussion of their treatment in Latin grammatical studies - the characteristics attributed to them, their relationship to other words - and on the other hand a discussion of the conditions that have to be met in order to achieve a better (sub)classification - general problems of classification as well as criteria for affecting such classification - and a better description of the functions of adverbs in larger constructions. The study contains, therefore, both language-specific sections and more general ones. The author wrote the passages specifically dealing with Latin in such a way that they are clear enough to the non-Latinist, the more general passages in such a way that they are understandable for Latinists who are not acquainted with recent developments in linguistics.
AIRS Satellite Observations of Gravity Waves During the 2009 Sudden Stratospheric Warming Event
Authors: Kalisch S. , Chun H.‐Y.
Published: January 2021

A major sudden stratospheric warming event occurred on January 24, 2009 and showed a unique and pronounced planetary wave 2 amplitude with a subsequent split in the polar vortex. While research about the role of planetary waves during sudden stratospheric warming events exists, the contribution of gravity waves (GWs) is still uncertain. We therefore investigated the role of stratospheric GWs in the Northern Hemisphere during the 2009 winter season. We use observational data from NASA's Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) satellite instrument for our analysis. Variances in the 4.3 µm brightness temperature perturbations are analyzed together with Level 3 temperature retrievals to investigate the connection between GWs and the warming event. Our planetary wave analysis shows zonal wavenumber 1 amplitudes during December 2008 and early January 2009. However, zonal wavenumber 2 is more dominant between mid‐January and January 24, 2009. We also found a decrease in Northern hemisphere GW activity a few days before the maximum warming and the wind reversal occur at 30 hPa altitude. Furthermore, prominent GW activity was found at Labrador Peninsula and southern Greenland, both are locations of elevated GW activity (hotspots), until mid‐January 2009. We discuss the potential of these orographic GWs to amplify planetary waves during the onset of the sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event.
Exploring salivary diagnostics in COVID-19: a scoping review and research suggestions
Authors: Kapoor Priyanka , Chowdhry Aman , Kharbanda Om Prakash , Bablani Popli Deepika , Gautam Kamini , Saini Vikram
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Molecular diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 infection characteristically involves the sampling of the throat or nasopharyngeal swab (NPS). However, these procedures are invasive, require necessary skills for sample collection, cause patient discomfort, and are non-conducive for extensive scale testing. Saliva is increasingly being suggested as an alternate diagnostic sample in SARS‐CoV‐2 infection.

Objectives

This scoping review was done with the objective of exploring the evidence on the role of saliva as an alternate diagnostic sample in SARS‐CoV‐2 condition.

Methods

Thorough search of the literature in major databases was undertaken in June 2020 using free text and MESH terms, followed by PRISMA to identify 17 studies for data extraction.

Results and conclusions

Evidence was summarised for study characteristics, salivary sampling characteristics, viral load, and longevity of virus in saliva. The literature supports that saliva offers a simple sample collection method compared to technique-sensitive NPS and has the advantage of point-of-care testing for initial screening in community or hospital-based set-up. The additional highlights of this review are heterogeneity in the current literature and the gaps in methodology. Therefore, a robust study design to generate higher levels of evidence has been proposed.
The AiiDA-KKR plugin and its application to high-throughput impurity embedding into a topological insulator
Authors: Rüßmann Philipp , Bertoldo Fabian , Blügel Stefan
Published: January 2021

The ever increasing availability of supercomputing resources led computer-based materials science into a new era of high-throughput calculations. Recently, Pizzi et al. introduced the AiiDA framework that provides a way to automate calculations while allowing to store the full provenance of complex workflows in a database. We present the development of the AiiDA-KKR plugin that allows to perform a large number of ab initio impurity embedding calculations based on the relativistic full-potential Korringa-Kohn-Rostoker Green function method. The capabilities of the AiiDA-KKR plugin are demonstrated with the calculation of several thousand impurities embedded into the prototypical topological insulator Sb2Te3. The results are collected in the JuDiT database which we use to investigate chemical trends as well as Fermi level and layer dependence of physical properties of impurities. This includes the study of spin moments, the impurity’s tendency to form in-gap states or its effect on the charge doping of the host-crystal. These properties depend on the detailed electronic structure of the impurity embedded into the host crystal which highlights the need for ab initio calculations in order to get accurate predictions.
Breakdown of supersaturation barrier links protein folding to amyloid formation
Authors: Noji Masahiro , Samejima Tatsushi , Yamaguchi Keiichi , So Masatomo , Yuzu Keisuke , Chatani Eri , Akazawa-Ogawa Yoko , Hagihara Yoshihisa , Kawata Yasushi , Ikenaka Kensuke , Mochizuki Hideki , Kardos József , Otzen Daniel E. , Bellotti Vittorio , Buchner Johannes , Goto Yuji
Published: January 2021

The thermodynamic hypothesis of protein folding, known as the “Anfinsen’s dogma” states that the native structure of a protein represents a free energy minimum determined by the amino acid sequence. However, inconsistent with the Anfinsen’s dogma, globular proteins can misfold to form amyloid fibrils, which are ordered aggregates associated with diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Here, we present a general concept for the link between folding and misfolding. We tested the accessibility of the amyloid state for various proteins upon heating and agitation. Many of them showed Anfinsen-like reversible unfolding upon heating, but formed amyloid fibrils upon agitation at high temperatures. We show that folding and amyloid formation are separated by the supersaturation barrier of a protein. Its breakdown is required to shift the protein to the amyloid pathway. Thus, the breakdown of supersaturation links the Anfinsen’s intramolecular folding universe and the intermolecular misfolding universe.
Recent advances in pincer–nickel catalyzed reactions
Authors: Arora Vinay , Narjinari Himani , Nandi Pran Gobinda , Kumar Akshai
Published: January 2021

The utility of pincer−nickel complexes in catalyzing reactions such as cross−coupling, oxidation, (de)hydrogenation, hydrofunctionalization, C−H activation and CO2 functionalization has been reviewed from a synthetic and mechanistic point of view.
Insight into the effects of the anchoring groups on the photovoltaic performance of unsymmetrical phthalocyanine based dye-sensitized solar cells
Authors: Tunç Gülenay , Zambrano-Angulo Michael , Arslan Barış Seçkin , Güzel Emre , Nebioğlu Mehmet , Ahsen Vefa , Şişman İlkay , Cárdenas-Jirón Gloria , Gürek Ayşe Gül
Published: January 2021

In this paper, the synthesis, characterization and theoretical calculations of newly synthesized asymmetric zinc phthalocyanines were reported to investigate the influence of different carboxyl anchoring groups on the performance of DSSCs.
Degradation mechanisms of simple aliphatic amines under ozonation: a DFT study
Authors: Shen Qunfang , Liu Yong Dong , Zhong Rugang
Published: January 2021

Degradation mechanisms of simple aliphatic amines during ozonation have been investigated by using the DFT method.
Hydrogenation of aromatic and heteroaromatic compounds – a key process for future logistics of green hydrogen using liquid organic hydrogen carrier systems
Authors: Jorschick H. , Preuster P. , Bösmann A. , Wasserscheid P.
Published: January 2021

This review deals with the chemical storage of green hydrogen in the form of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier (LOHC) systems.
A gel-limiting strategy for large-scale fabrication of Fe–N–C single-atom ORR catalysts
Authors: Wang Youpeng , Li Qiulin , Zhang Long-cheng , Wu Yuanke , Chen Hao , Li Tianhao , Xu Maowen , Bao Shu-Juan
Published: January 2021

Although transition metal single atom site catalysts (SASCs) show great potential for electrocatalysis, their large-scale controllable and flexible preparation remains a great challenge.
A ligand-free direct heteroarylation approach for benzodithiophenedione-based simple small molecular acceptors toward high efficiency polymer solar cells
Authors: Wu Zhuhao , Chen Yinchu , Zhang Lianjie , Yuan Dong , Qiu Rihang , Deng Suinan , Liu Haizhen , Zhang Zesheng , Chen Junwu
Published: January 2021

Simple fused-ring nonfullerene acceptor BDDEH with benzobithiophenedione as core unit is obtained through organostannane-free and ligand-free direct heteroarylation approach for the first time, which delivers a high efficiency of 12.59% in PSCs.
Berberine accelerated wound healing by restoring TrxR1/JNK in diabetes
Authors: Zhou Rui , Xiang Changpei , Cao Guangzhao , Xu He , Zhang Yi , Yang Hongjun , Zhang Jingjing
Published: January 2021

The high disability, mortality and morbidity of diabetic ulcers make it urgent to explore effective strategies for diabetic wound repair. TrxR1 plays a vital role in regulating redox homeostasis in various pathologies. In the present study, the effect of berberine (BBR) on diabetic wounds was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and a high glucose (HG)-induced cell model, and the mechanism of BBR on TrxR1 was elucidated. BBR treatment remarkably accelerated wound healing and enhanced extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and significantly inhibited HG-induced HaCaT cell damage. Further analysis indicated that BBR activated TrxR1, suppressed its downstream JNK signaling, thereby inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis, promoted cell proliferation, down-regulated matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 (MMP9) and up-regulated transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and tissue inhibitors of MMP 1 (TIMP1), resulting in accelerated wound healing. Importantly, the enhancement of BBR on wound repair was further abolished by TrxR1 inhibitor. Moreover, in diabetic wounds induced by a combination of STZ injection and high-fat diet, BBR significantly increased wound closure rate and TrxR1 expression, and this was reversed by TrxR1 inhibitor. These data indicated that topical BBR treatment accelerated diabetic wound healing by activating TrxR1. Targeting TrxR1 may be a novel, effective strategy for restoring redox homeostasis and promoting diabetic wound healing.
New reconstruction of event-integrated spectra (spectral fluences) for major solar energetic particle events
Authors: Koldobskiy S. , Raukunen O. , Vainio R. , Kovaltsov G. A. , Usoskin I.
Published: January 2021

Aims. Fluences of solar energetic particles (SEPs) are not easy to evaluate, especially for high-energy events (i.e. ground-level enhancements, GLEs). Earlier estimates of event-integrated SEP fluences for GLEs were based on partly outdated assumptions and data, and they required revisions. Here, we present the results of a full revision of the spectral fluences for most major SEP events (GLEs) for the period from 1956 to 2017 using updated low-energy flux estimates along with greatly revisited high-energy flux data and applying the newly invented reconstruction method including an improved neutron-monitor yield function.

Methods. Low- and high-energy parts of the SEP fluence were estimated using a revised space-borne/ionospheric data and ground-based neutron monitors, respectively. The measured data were fitted by the modified Band function spectral shape. The best-fit parameters and their uncertainties were assessed using a direct Monte Carlo method.

Results. A full reconstruction of the event-integrated spectral fluences was performed in the energy range above 30 MeV, parametrised and tabulated for easy use along with estimates of the 68% confidence intervals.

Conclusions. This forms a solid basis for more precise studies of the physics of solar eruptive events and the transport of energetic particles in the interplanetary medium, as well as the related applications.