bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Versatility and clinical effectiveness of a synthetic sealing hemostatic patch as alternative to parenchyma suturing in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy
Authors: Erne Eva , Kruck Stephan , Todenhoefer Tilman , Aufderklamm Stefan , Amend Bastian , Bedke Jens , Stenzl Arnulf , Rausch Steffen 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
Improvements in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) in order to minimize perioperative warm ischemia time (WIT), complications, and consequently patient outcome are desirable. Veriset™ is a ready-to-use hemostatic patch of absorbable oxidized cellulose and hydrogel components that has earlier been implemented in vascular and hepatic surgery. We report our experience using this device in LPN.

Methods
Patients with a solitary malignant renal mass suspicious for renal cancer underwent LPN with either the use of Veriset™ hemostatic patch (n = 40) or conventional suture technique (n = 40). Patient characteristics, operation time and WIT, postoperative course and complications were recorded retrospectively. Tumor complexity was calculated according to the R.E.N.A.L. score. Outcome was determined according to the “trifecta” criteria (negative surgical margin, WIT < 25 min, no complications within 30 days).

Results
No significant differences with regard to clinical parameters and median R.E.N.A.L. score (6) were observed between both groups. Operation time (mean 127.1 min vs. 162. 8 min; p = 0.001) and WIT were both lower in the Veriset™ group (14.6 min vs. 20.6 min; p = 0.01). No differences in surgical margins (p = 0.602) and overall complication rates at 30 (p = 0.599) and 90 days (p = 0.611) postoperatively were noticed. The surgical outcome according to “trifecta” was achieved in 65% of patients using Veriset™ and in 57.5% of patients by suture closure, respectively.

Conclusion
The hemostatic Veriset™ patch can successfully be implemented in LPN. Handling and application appear favorable, thereby reducing operation time and WIT. The present results suggest that the device may represent an alternative to parenchyma suturing in LPN.
Lithium-Ionen-Batterien – Kreislaufwirtschaftliche Herausforderungen am Ende des Lebenszyklus und im Recycling
Authors: Nigl Thomas , Rutrecht Bettina , Altendorfer Michael , Scherhaufer Silvia , Meyer Ina , Sommer Mark , Beigl Peter 
Published: February 2021

ZusammenfassungMit anhaltender Verkehrswende nimmt die Bedeutung von Lithium-Ionen-Batterien (LIB) in Zukunft stark zu. Im Sinne der Kreislaufwirtschaft sind einerseits die optimale und nachhaltige Nutzung vorhandener Ressourcen, andererseits das Schließen von Material-Kreisläufen durch geeignete und effiziente Recyclingverfahren unabdingbar. Der Artikel behandelt die aktuellen Problemfelder und Herausforderungen entlang der Wertschöpfungskette von LIB am Ende ihres Lebenszyklus. Dabei werden insbesondere Aspekte der Vorbehandlung und des Recyclings beleuchtet.
Characteristics of taste alterations in people receiving taxane-based chemotherapy and their association with appetite, weight, and quality of life
Authors: Kaizu Mikiko , Komatsu Hiroko , Yamauchi Hideko , Yamauchi Teruo , Sumitani Masahiko , Doorenbos Ardith Z 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
There is limited evidence on the effect of chemotherapy-associated taste alteration. This study aimed to evaluate taste alteration characteristics in patients receiving taxane-based chemotherapy and investigate the association of taste alterations with appetite, weight, quality of life (QOL), and adverse events.

Methods
This cross-sectional study evaluated 100 patients receiving paclitaxel, docetaxel, or nab-paclitaxel as monotherapy or combination therapy. Taste alterations were evaluated using taste recognition thresholds and severity and symptom scales. Taste recognition thresholds, symptoms, appetite, weight, and adverse events were compared between patients with and without taste alterations, and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors.

Results
Of the 100 patients, 59% reported taste alterations. We found significantly elevated taste recognition thresholds (hypogeusia) for sweet, sour, and bitter tastes in the taste alteration group receiving nab-paclitaxel (p = 0.022, 0.020, and 0.039, respectively). The taste alteration group reported general taste alterations, decline in basic taste, and decreased appetite. Neither weight nor QOL was associated with taste alterations. Docetaxel therapy, previous chemotherapy, dry mouth, and peripheral neuropathy were significantly associated with taste alterations.

Conclusions
Almost 60% of patients receiving taxane-based regimens, especially docetaxel, reported taste alterations. Taste alteration affected the patient’s appetite but did not affect the weight or QOL. Docetaxel therapy, previous chemotherapy, dry mouth, and peripheral neuropathy were independent risk factors for taste alterations.
Energy asymptotics in the three-dimensional Brezis–Nirenberg problem
Authors: Frank Rupert L. , König Tobias , Kovařík Hynek 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFor a bounded open set$$\Omega \subset {\mathbb {R}}^3$$Ω⊂R3we consider the minimization problem$$\begin{aligned} S(a+\epsilon V) = \inf _{0\not \equiv u\in H^1_0(\Omega )} \frac{\int _\Omega (|\nabla u|^2+ (a+\epsilon V) |u|^2)\,dx}{(\int _\Omega u^6\,dx)^{1/3}} \end{aligned}$$S(a+ϵV)=inf0≢u∈H01(Ω)∫Ω(|∇u|2+(a+ϵV)|u|2)dx(∫Ωu6dx)1/3involving the critical Sobolev exponent. The functionais assumed to be critical in the sense of Hebey and Vaugon. Under certain assumptions onaandVwe compute the asymptotics of$$S(a+\epsilon V)-S$$S(a+ϵV)-Sas$$\epsilon \rightarrow 0+$$ϵ→0+, whereSis the Sobolev constant. (Almost) minimizers concentrate at a point in the zero set of the Robin function corresponding toaand we determine the location of the concentration point within that set. We also show that our assumptions are almost necessary to have$$S(a+\epsilon V)<S$$S(a+ϵV)<Sfor all sufficiently small$$\epsilon >0$$ϵ>0.
The Upper Jurassic Garedu Red Bed Formation of the northern Tabas Block: elucidating Late Cimmerian tectonics in east-Central Iran
Authors: Wilmsen Markus , Fürsich Franz Theodor , Seyed-Emami Kazem , Majidifard Mahmoud Reza 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe Garedu Red Bed Formation (GRBF) of the northern Tabas Block (Central-East Iranian Microcontinent, CEIM) is a lithologically variable, up to 500-m-thick, predominantly continental unit. It rests gradually or unconformably on marine limestones of the Esfandiar Subgroup (Callovian–Oxfordian) and is assigned to the Kimmeridgian–Tithonian. In the lower part, it consists of pebble- to boulder-sized conglomerates/breccias composed of limestone clasts intercalated with calcareous sandstones, litho-/bioclastic rudstones and lacustrine carbonates. Up-section, sharp-based pebbly sandstones and red silt-/fine-grained sandstones of braided river origin predominate. Palaeocurrent data suggest a principal sediment transport from west to east and a lateral interfingering of the GRBF with marine greenish marls of the Korond Formation at the eastern margin of the Tabas Block. Westwards, the GRBF grades into the playa deposits of the Magu Gypsum Formation. Red colours and common calcretes suggest arid to semi-arid climatic conditions. The onset of Garedu Red Bed deposition indicates a major geodynamic change with the onset of compressive tectonics of the Late Cimmerian Tectonic Event (LCTE), being strongest at the eastern margin of the northern Tabas Block. When traced southwards, the same tectonic event is expressed by extension, indicating a shift in tectonic style along the boundary fault between the Tabas and Lut blocks. The complex Upper Jurassic facies distribution as well as the spatio-temporal changes in tectonic regime along the block-bounding faults are explained by the onset of counterclockwise vertical-axis rotation of the CEIM in the Kimmeridgian. The block boundaries accommodated the rotation by right-lateral strike slip, transpressional in today’s northern and transtensional in today’s southern segments of the block-bounding faults. Rotation occurred within bracketing transcurrent faults and continued into the Early Cretaceous, finally resulting in the opening of narrow oceanic basins encircling the CEIM. Palaeogeographically, the GRBF is part of a suite of red bed formations not only present on the CEIM, but also along the Sanandaj-Sirjan Zone (NW Iran), in northeastern Iran and beyond, indicating inter-regional tectonic instability, uplift and erosion under (semi-)arid climatic conditions across the Jurassic–Cretaceous boundary. Thus, even if our geodynamic model successfully explains Late Jurassic tectonic rotations, fault motions and facies distribution for the CEIM, the basic cause of the LCTE still remains enigmatic.
Randomly positioned gold nanoparticles as fluorescence enhancers in apta-immunosensor for malaria test
Authors: Minopoli Antonio , Della Ventura Bartolomeo , Campanile Raffaele , Tanner Julian A. , Offenhäusser Andreas , Mayer Dirk , Velotta Raffaele 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA plasmon-enhanced fluorescence-based antibody-aptamer biosensor — consisting of gold nanoparticles randomly immobilized onto a glass substrate via electrostatic self-assembly — is described for specific detection of proteins in whole blood. Analyte recognition is realized through a sandwich scheme with a capture bioreceptor layer of antibodies — covalently immobilized onto the gold nanoparticle surface in upright orientation and close-packed configuration by photochemical immobilization technique (PIT) — and a top bioreceptor layer of fluorescently labelled aptamers. Such a sandwich configuration warrants not only extremely high specificity, but also an ideal fluorophore-nanostructure distance (approximately 10–15 nm) for achieving strong fluorescence amplification. For a specific application, we tested the biosensor performance in a case study for the detection of malaria-related marker Plasmodium falciparum lactate dehydrogenase (PfLDH). The proposed biosensor can specifically detect PfLDH in spiked whole blood down to 10 pM (0.3 ng/mL) without any sample pretreatment. The combination of simple and scalable fabrication, potentially high-throughput analysis, and excellent sensing performance provides a new approach to biosensing with significant advantages compared to conventional fluorescence immunoassays.
Graphical abstract
Dystonia updates: definition, nomenclature, clinical classification, and etiology
Authors: Grütz Karen , Klein Christine 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA plethora of heterogeneous movement disorders is grouped under the umbrella term dystonia. The clinical presentation ranges from isolated dystonia to multi-systemic disorders where dystonia is only a co-occurring sign. In the past, definitions, nomenclature, and classifications have been repeatedly refined, adapted, and extended to reflect novel findings and increasing knowledge about the clinical, etiologic, and scientific background of dystonia. Currently, dystonia is suggested to be classified according to two axes. The first axis offers precise categories for the clinical presentation grouped into age at onset, body distribution, temporal pattern and associated features. The second, etiologic, axis discriminates pathological findings, as well as inheritance patterns, mode of acquisition, or unknown causality. Furthermore, the recent recommendations regarding terminology and nomenclature of inherited forms of dystonia and related syndromes are illustrated in this article. Harmonized, specific, and internationally widely used classifications provide the basis for future systematic dystonia research, as well as for more personalized patient counseling and treatment approaches.
Variation in physical characteristics of rainfall in Iran, determined using daily rainfall concentration index and monthly rainfall percentage index
Authors: Kaboli Sadegh , Hekmatzadeh Ali Akbar , Darabi Hamid , Haghighi Ali Torabi 
Published: February 2021

AbstractVariations in rainfall characteristics play a key role in available water resources for a country. In this study, spatial and temporal variations in rainfall in Iran were determined using the daily rainfall concentration index (DRCI) and monthly rainfall percentage index (MRPI), based on 30-year (1987–2016) daily precipitation records from 80 meteorological stations throughout Iran. The results showed that MRPI differed between locations within Iran, with increasing or decreasing trends observed in different areas. The highest significant decreasing trend in MRPI (3–7% per decade) was found for March rainfall in western Iran, and the highest increasing trend in MRPI (3–7% per decade) for November rainfall in eastern and southern Iran. The DRCI values obtained varied from 0.57 to 0.71, indicating moderate and high rainfall concentrations, with the highest DRCI values in coastal zones of Iran near the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf. Trend analysis showed increasing trends in DRCI values at 80% of meteorological stations, and these trends were significant at 37% of those stations.
In vivo emergence of beige-like fat in chickens as physiological adaptation to cold environments
Authors: Sotome Rina , Hirasawa Akira , Kikusato Motoi , Amo Taku , Furukawa Kyohei , Kuriyagawa Anna , Watanabe Kouichi , Collin Anne , Shirakawa Hitoshi , Hirakawa Ryota , Tanitaka Yuta , Takahashi Hideki , Wu Guoyao , Nochi Tomonori , Shimmura Tsuyoshi , Warden Craig H. , Toyomizu Masaaki 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWhile it has been hypothesized that brown adipocytes responsible for mammalian thermogenesis are absent in birds, the existence of beige fat has yet to be studied directly. The present study tests the hypothesis that beige fat emerges in birds as a mechanism of physiological adaptation to cold environments. Subcutaneous neck adipose tissue from cold-acclimated or triiodothyronine (T3)-treated chickens exhibited increases in the expression of avian uncoupling protein (avUCP, an ortholog of mammalian UCP2 and UCP3) gene and some known mammalian beige adipocyte-specific markers. Morphological characteristics of white adipose tissues of treated chickens showed increased numbers of both small and larger clusters of multilocular fat cells within the tissues. Increases in protein levels of avUCP and mitochondrial marker protein, voltage-dependent anion channel, and immunohistochemical analysis for subcutaneous neck fat revealed the presence of potentially thermogenic mitochondria-rich cells. This is the first evidence that the capacity for thermogenesis may be acquired by differentiating adipose tissue into beige-like fat for maintaining temperature homeostasis in the subcutaneous fat ‘neck warmer’ in chickens exposed to a cold environment.
The longitudinal association of eating behaviour and ADHD symptoms in school age children: a follow-up study in the RHEA cohort
Authors: Leventakou Vasiliki , Herle Moritz , Kampouri Mariza , Margetaki Katerina , Vafeiadi Marina , Kogevinas Manolis , Chatzi Leda , Micali Nadia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPrevious evidence suggests a link between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and disordered eating behaviours; however, the direction of the causal association remains unclear. Building on our previous research, we aimed to examine the longitudinal association between eating behaviours at 4 years, ADHD symptoms at 6 years of age, and the role of body mass index (BMI). We included children from the RHEA mother–child cohort in Greece, followed up at 4 and 6 years (n = 926). Parents completed the Children’s Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ) to assess children’s eating behaviour at 4 years and the ADHD Test (ADHDT) and Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 6–18 (CBCL/6–18) to evaluate ADHD symptoms at 4 and 6 years, respectively, as well as measures of BMI. Longitudinal structural equation modeling (SEM) was carried out to evaluate the associations of all variables between 4 and 6 years. Food responsiveness at 4 years was positively associated with hyperactivity at age 6, whereas emotional overeating was negatively associated with hyperactivity. There was no evidence of an association between eating behaviours of preschoolers and BMI at 6 years, or BMI at 4 years and later ADHD symptoms and vice versa. Findings suggest that food responsiveness is an early marker of ADHD symptoms at 6 years of age. In contrast to our hypothesis there was no significant association between ADHD at age 4 and BMI at age 6.
Does migration depress regional human capital accumulation in the EU’s new member states? Theoretical and empirical evidence
Authors: Sardadvar Sascha , Vakulenko Elena 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDuring the first decade of the present century the countries which accessed the EU were characterised by high GDP growth rates while most of their regions displayed negative net-migration rates. At the same time, the new member states’ human capital endowments were high relative to their GDP levels, creating incentives to emigrate. The present paper takes a detailed look at the interplay of regional human capital endowments and migration. First, by theoretically examining migration’s determinants and second, by testing the corresponding findings via panel econometric regressions for the EU’s new member states’ regions. The results display positive impacts of net-migration on regional human capital growth rates, improving the economic potential of thriving regions but possibly increasing disparities within countries.
Bipolar sorting and ranking of multistage alternatives
Authors: Trzaskalik Tadeusz 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe present paper proposes an extension of the multicriteria Bipolar method, introduced by E. Konarzewska-Gubała, and its application to the control of multistage, multicriteria decision processes with a fixed number of stages. At each stage, two sets of reference points are determined, which constitute a reference system for the evaluation of stage decisions. At the end of the process, multistage alternatives—compositions of stage alternatives—are evaluated. The procedure proposed, which includes elements of the Electre methodology, allows to assign each multistage alternative to one of the six predefined, hierarchical classes, and then to perform ranking within each class. The purpose of the paper is to present and substantiate the dynamic Bipolar procedure. An essential part of the paper is a numerical example which illustrates the notions and relationships introduced.
Equilibrium computation in resource allocation games
Authors: Harks Tobias , Timmermans Veerle 
Published: February 2021

AbstractWe study the equilibrium computation problem for two classical resource allocation games: atomic splittable congestion games and multimarket Cournot oligopolies. For atomic splittable congestion games with singleton strategies and player-specific affine cost functions, we devise the first polynomial time algorithm computing a pure Nash equilibrium. Our algorithm is combinatorial and computes the exact equilibrium assuming rational input. The idea is to compute an equilibrium for an associated integrally-splittable singleton congestion game in which the players can only split their demands in integral multiples of a common packet size. While integral games have been considered in the literature before, no polynomial time algorithm computing an equilibrium was known. Also for this class, we devise the first polynomial time algorithm and use it as a building block for our main algorithm. We then develop a polynomial time computable transformation mapping a multimarket Cournot competition game with firm-specific affine price functions and quadratic costs to an associated atomic splittable congestion game as described above. The transformation preserves equilibria in either game and, thus, leads – via our first algorithm – to a polynomial time algorithm computing Cournot equilibria. Finally, our analysis for integrally-splittable games implies new bounds on the difference between real and integral Cournot equilibria. The bounds can be seen as a generalization of the recent bounds for single market oligopolies obtained by Todd (Math Op Res 41(3):1125–1134 2016, 10.1287/moor.2015.0771).
Complexity traits and synchrony of cryptocurrencies price dynamics
Authors: Provenzano Davide , Baggio Rodolfo 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this study, we characterized the dynamics and analyzed the degree of synchronization of the time series of daily closing prices and volumes in US$ of three cryptocurrencies, Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin, over the period September 1,2015–March 31, 2020. Time series were first mapped into a complex network by the horizontal visibility algorithm in order to revel the structure of their temporal characters and dynamics. Then, the synchrony of the time series was investigated to determine the possibility that the cryptocurrencies under study co-bubble simultaneously. Findings reveal similar complex structures for the three virtual currencies in terms of number and internal composition of communities. To the aim of our analysis, such result proves that price and volume dynamics of the cryptocurrencies were characterized by cyclical patterns of similar wavelength and amplitude over the time period considered. Yet, the value of the slope parameter associated with the exponential distributions fitted to the data suggests a higher stability and predictability for Bitcoin and Litecoin than for Ethereum. The study of synchrony between the time series investigated displayed a different degree of synchronization between the three cryptocurrencies before and after a collapse event. These results could be of interest for investors who might prefer to switch from one cryptocurrency to another to exploit the potential opportunities of profit generated by the dynamics of price and volumes in the market of virtual currencies.