bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transkorneale Elektrostimulation bei Retinitis pigmentosa
Authors:   retina.net e. V., Kahle Nadine ,   TES-RP-Studiengruppe, Peters Tobias , Braun Angelika , Franklin Jeremy , Michalik Claudia , Gekeler Florian , Wilhelm Barbara 
Published: March 2021

ZusammenfassungDer Schwerpunkt dieser großen, multizentrischen Erprobungsstudie im Auftrag des Gemeinsamen Bundesausschusses (G-BA) liegt in der Feststellung eines Nutzens der transkornealen Elektrostimulation für Patienten mit Retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Hauptkriterium ist das kinetische Gesichtsfeld und die Frage, ob die Verschlechterung der Studienaugen im Vergleich zu den zum Schein (sham‑)stimulierten Partneraugen über einen Behandlungszeitraum von 3 Jahren langsamer fortschreitet.
Finite element analysis of bone remodelling with piezoelectric effects using an open-source framework
Authors: Bansod Yogesh Deepak , Kebbach Maeruan , Kluess Daniel , Bader Rainer , van Rienen Ursula 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBone tissue exhibits piezoelectric properties and thus is capable of transforming mechanical stress into electrical potential. Piezoelectricity has been shown to play a vital role in bone adaptation and remodelling processes. Therefore, to better understand the interplay between mechanical and electrical stimulation during these processes, strain-adaptive bone remodelling models without and with considering the piezoelectric effect were simulated using the Python-based open-source software framework. To discretise numerical attributes, the finite element method (FEM) was used for the spatial variables and an explicit Euler scheme for the temporal derivatives. The predicted bone apparent density distributions were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated against the radiographic scan of a human proximal femur and the bone apparent density calculated using a bone mineral density (BMD) calibration phantom, respectively. Additionally, the effect of the initial bone density on the resulting predicted density distribution was investigated globally and locally. The simulation results showed that the electrically stimulated bone surface enhanced bone deposition and these are in good agreement with previous findings from the literature. Moreover, mechanical stimuli due to daily physical activities could be supported by therapeutic electrical stimulation to reduce bone loss in case of physical impairment or osteoporosis. The bone remodelling algorithm implemented using an open-source software framework facilitates easy accessibility and reproducibility of finite element analysis made.
Enzymatic biofilm destabilisation to support mechanical cleansing of inserted dental implant surfaces: an in-vitro pilot study
Authors: Matthes Rutger , Jablonowski Lukasz , Holtfreter Birte , Pink Christiane , Kocher Thomas 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPeri-implantitis is caused by microbial contamination and biofilm formation on the implant surface. To achieve re-osseointegration, the microbes must be completely removed from the surface. Adjunctive to mechanical cleaning, chemical treatment with enzymes or other substances could optimise the treatment outcome. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of different enzymes, a surfactant, and a chelator in destabilising dental polymicrobial biofilm. The biofilm destabilising effect of the glycosidases α-amylase, dextranase, DispersinB®, and lysozyme, as well as the proteinase subtilisin A, and the nuclease Benzonase®, the chelator EDTA, and the surfactant cocamidopropyl betaine were investigated on biofilms, inoculated with plaque on rough titanium discs. The test and the control solutions were incubated for 15 min at 36 °C on biofilms, and loosened biofilm mass was removed by shear stress with a shaker. Fluorescence-stained biofilms were microscopically analysed. Acceptable cell tolerability concentrations of test substances were determined by the MTT (tetrazolium dye) assay on the MG-63 cell line. A statistically significant biofilm destabilising effect of 10% was shown with lysozyme (2500 µg/ml).
Recommendations for tilt table testing and other provocative cardiovascular autonomic tests in conditions that may cause transient loss of consciousness
Authors: Thijs Roland D. , Brignole Michele , Falup-Pecurariu Cristian , Fanciulli Alessandra , Freeman Roy , Guaraldi Pietro , Jordan Jens , Habek Mario , Hilz Max , Traon Anne Pavy-Le , Stankovic Iva , Struhal Walter , Sutton Richard , Wenning Gregor , Van Dijk J. Gert 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAn expert committee was formed to reach consensus on the use of tilt table testing (TTT) in the diagnosis of disorders that may cause transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) and to outline when other provocative cardiovascular autonomic tests are needed. While TTT adds to history taking, it cannot be a substitute for it. An abnormal TTT result is most meaningful if the provoked event is recognised by patients or eyewitnesses as similar to spontaneous events. The minimum requirements to perform TTT are a tilt table, a continuous beat-to-beat blood pressure monitor, at least one ECG lead, protocols for the indications stated below and trained staff. This basic equipment lends itself to the performance of (1) additional provocation tests, such as the active standing test, carotid sinus massage and autonomic function tests; (2) additional measurements, such as video, EEG, transcranial Doppler, NIRS, end-tidal CO2 or neuro-endocrine tests; and (3) tailor-made provocation procedures in those with a specific and consistent trigger of TLOC. TTT and other provocative cardiovascular autonomic tests are indicated if the initial evaluation does not yield a definite or highly likely diagnosis, but raises a suspicion of (1) reflex syncope, (2) the three forms of orthostatic hypotension (OH), i.e. initial, classic and delayed OH, as well as delayed orthostatic blood pressure recovery, (3) postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or (4) psychogenic pseudosyncope. A therapeutic indication for TTT is to teach patients with reflex syncope and OH to recognise hypotensive symptoms and to perform physical counter manoeuvres.
Dual sequentially addressable dielectrophoretic array for high-throughput, scalable, multiplexed droplet sorting
Authors: Isozaki Akihiro , Huang Dunhou , Nakagawa Yuta , Goda Keisuke 
Published: March 2021

AbstractDroplet microfluidics is a powerful tool for a diverse range of biomedical and industrial applications such as single-cell biology, synthetic biology, digital PCR, biosafety monitoring, drug screening, and food, feed, and cosmetic industries. As an integral part of droplet microfluidics, on-chip multiplexed droplet sorting has recently gained enthusiasm, since it enables real-time sorting of single droplets containing cells with different phenotypes into multiple bins. However, conventional sorting methods are limited in throughput and scalability. Here, we present high-throughput, scalable, multiplexed droplet sorting by employing a pair of sequentially addressable dielectrophoretic arrays (SADAs) across a microchannel on a microfluidic chip. A SADA is an on-chip array of electrodes, each of which is sequentially activated and deactivated in synchronization to the position and speed of a flowing droplet of interest. The dual-SADA (dSADA) structure enables high-throughput deflection of droplets in multiple directions in a well-controlled manner. For proof-of-concept demonstration and characterization of the dSADA, we performed fluorescence-activated droplet sorting (FADS) with a 3-way dSADA at a high throughput of 2450 droplets/s. Furthermore, to show the scalability of the dSADA, we also performed FADS with a 5-way dSADA at a high throughput of 473 droplets/s.
Lyapunov stability of competitive cells dynamics in tumor mechanobiology
Authors: Carotenuto Angelo Rosario , Cutolo Arsenio , Palumbo Stefania , Fraldi Massimiliano 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Poromechanics plays a key role in modelling hard and soft tissue behaviours, by providing a thermodynamic framework in which chemo-mechanical mutual interactions among fluid and solid constituents can be consistently rooted, at different scale levels. In this context, how different biological species (including cells, extra-cellular components and chemical metabolites) interplay within complex environments is studied for characterizing the mechanobiology of tumor growth, governed by intratumoral residual stresses that initiate mechanotransductive processes deregulating normal tissue homeostasis and leading to tissue remodelling. Despite the coupling between tumor poroelasticity and interspecific competitive dynamics has recently highlighted how microscopic cells and environment interactions influence growth-associated stresses and tumor pathophysiology, the nonlinear interlacing among biochemical factors and mechanics somehow hindered the possibility of gaining qualitative insights into cells dynamics. Motivated by this, in the present work we recover the linear poroelasticity in order to benefit of a reduced complexity, so first deriving the well-known Lyapunov stability criterion from the thermodynamic dissipation principle and then analysing the stability of the mechanical competition among cells fighting for common space and resources during cancer growth and invasion. At the end, the linear poroelastic model enriched by interspecific dynamics is also exploited to show how growth anisotropy can alter the stress field in spherical tumor masses, by thus indirectly affecting cell mechano-sensing.

GraphicAbstract
Diffusion and reaction in pore hierarchies by the two-region model
Authors: Hwang Seungtaik , Kärger Jörg , Miersemann Erich 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe two-region (“Kärger”) model of diffusion in complex pore spaces is exploited for quantitating mass transfer in hierarchically organized nanoporous materials, consisting of a continuous microporous bulk phase permeated by a network of transport pores. With the implications that the diffusivity in the transport pores significantly exceeds the diffusivity in the micropores and that the relative population of the transport pores is far below that of the micropores, overall transport depends on only three independent parameters. Depending on their interrelation, enhancement of the overall mass transfer is found to be ensured by two fundamentally different mechanisms. They are referred to as the limiting cases of fast and slow exchange, with the respective time constants of molecular uptake being controlled by different parameters. Complemented with reaction terms, the two-region model may equally successfully be applied to the quantitation of the combined effect of diffusion and reaction in terms of the effectiveness factor. Generalization of the classical Thiele concept is shown to provide an excellent estimate of the effectiveness factor of a chemical reaction in hierarchically porous materials, solely based on the intrinsic reaction rate and the time constant of molecular uptake relevant to the given conditions.
The alien flora of Sudan and South Sudan: taxonomic and biogeographical composition
Authors: Omer Ali , Kordofani Maha , Gibreel Haytham H. , Pyšek Petr , van Kleunen Mark 
Published: March 2021

AbstractStudies on plant invasions depend on local and regional checklists of the alien flora. However, global overview studies have shown that some regions, including many African countries, remain understudied in this regard. To contribute to filling this gap, here we present the first checklist of alien plants of Sudan and South Sudan (the Sudans). We analysed the taxonomic and geographical composition of the species on this list. Our result show that of the 113 alien species in Sudans (99 in Sudan and 59 in South Sudan), 92 (81.4%) are naturalized and 21 (18.6%) are just casual aliens. The number of naturalized species represent 2.2% of the total flora of the Sudans (4096). The alien species belong to 44 families and 85 genera, and many of them are native to Southern America and Northern America (85.8%). Annual and perennial herbs are the prevailing life forms in the alien flora of the Sudans (68.1%), and, among the casual species, perennial herbs are underrepresented whereas woody tree species are over-represented. Alien plants of the Sudans are mostly used for medicinal and environmental purposes globally. The naturalized plants predominantly occur in man-made disturbed habitats, such as agricultural and ruderal habitats. This first overview of the alien flora of the Sudans should stimulate further research and recording of the alien flora to better understand the drivers and consequences of alien plants in the Sudans.
Risk assessment in deferred and recovered donors
Authors: Heck Ellen , Corder Valerie , Urban Jill , Petroll Matthew , Timmons William , Cavanaugh Dwight 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSerologic testing and Donor Risk Assessment Interview (DRAI) combined have made tissue transplantation a frequent and safe modality for a variety of trauma and disease conditions. Donate Life America reports 30,000 tissue donors providing more than 1,750,000 tissue transplants annually. This study of 188 potential donor cases addresses issues of risk assessment in a medical examiner population in a metropolitan area, where serologic testing of deferred potential donors were compared with the DRAI screening, which determined the suitability or non-suitability for tissue procurement. Such serologic testing of deferred cases is not usually available in evaluating screening processes. This comparison gives insight into the effectiveness of the DRAI screening in deferring potential serology reactive donors. Results show in 65 cases how the DRAI screening eliminates most, but not all of the serologically reactive donors identified post recovery. The result emphasizes the need for the combined process of DRAI screening and testing to assure transplantation safety.
Trifluoroacetic Acid Hydroxylamine System as Organocatalyst Reagent in a One-Pot Salt Free Process for the Synthesis of Caprolactam and Amides of Industrial Interest
Authors: Manente F. , Pietrobon L. , Ronchin L. , Vavasori A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this work we studied the reactivity of the Trifluoroacetic acid hydroxylamine system in the one step salt free synthesis of amides from ketones. A particular regards was paid to the caprolactam synthesis because of its industrial relevance. Synthesis, reactivity and characterization of the hydroxylamine trifluoroacetate is given. Fast oximation reaction of several ketones was gained at room temperature (1 h of reaction quantitative conversion for several ketones). In the same reactor, by raising the temperature at 383 K, the Beckmann rearrangement of the so obtained oximes is easily accomplished in the presence of three equivalent of TFA. The possibility of obtaining the trifluoroacetate of the hydroxylamine with a modified nitric acid hydrogenation reactions was verified, too. Reuse of solvent and trifluoroacetic acid is easily achieved by distillation.
Graphical abstract
Salt free one-pot caprolactam and amides process catalyzed by CF3COOH, in the presence of NH2OH TFA as the oximation agent.
Evaluating the potential of soil management to reduce the effect of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense in banana (Musa AAA)
Authors: Segura-Mena R. A. , Stoorvogel J. J. , García-Bastidas F. , Salacinas-Niez M. , Kema G. H. J. , Sandoval J. A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) causes Fusarium wilt in banana (Musa AAA). Foc Race 1 devastated the subgroup Gros Michel during the first half of the twentieth century. The Gros Michel was largely replaced by the resistant subgroup Cavendish in the 1950s. However, in the 1980s, Foc Tropical Race 4 started to spread affecting Cavendish bananas. No proper control measures have been found to deal with the disease. This paper re-takes an important research line from the 1950s to evaluate the potential of soil management for Fusarium wilt management. The role of soil properties on Fusarium wilt in bananas was studied in two greenhouse experiments. It was evaluated whether the influence of two main soil properties (pH and N) on Fusarium wilt is similar for Race 1 and Tropical Race 4. Two soil pH levels (lower than 5.2 and higher than 6.0) respectively ensured through acidification and liming; and three levels of N (ammonium nitrate, 33.5% N) weekly doses (low:0 N g, medium: 0.08 N g and high: 0.25 N g per plant) were achieved. The first experiment in Costa Rica confirmed the earlier results about the influence of soil pH and nitrogen on Fusarium wilt (Race 1) on Gros Michel bananas. The second experiment in The Netherlands evaluated the influence of pH and N on interactions between Foc (both Race 1 and Tropical Race 4) and Cavendish bananas. Results in both experiments showed that soil pH affected crop development and the disease. Besides, the interaction of the lower pH x the higher N accelerated the infection and reduced plant development. As such, the results showed that soil management has the potential to reduce the impacts of Fusarium wilt while dealing with Race 1 and Tropical Race 4 although it requires confirmation and further evaluation under field conditions.
Effectiveness of Community-Delivered Functional Power Training Program for Frail and Pre-frail Community-Dwelling Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Tou Nien Xiang , Wee Shiou-Liang , Seah Wei Ting , Ng Daniella Hui Min , Pang Benedict Wei Jun , Lau Lay Khoon , Ng Tze Pin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTranslation of community-based functional training for older adults to reduce frailty is still lacking. We evaluated the effectiveness and implementation of a community-delivered group-based functional power training (FPT) program for frail older adults within their neighborhoods. A two-arm, multicenter assessor-blind stratified randomized controlled trial was conducted at four local senior activity centers in Singapore. Sixty-one community-dwelling older adults with low handgrip strength were randomized to intervention (IG) or control (CG) group. The IG underwent the FPT program (power and balance exercises using simple equipment) delivered by a community service provider. The 12-week program comprised 2 × 60 min sessions/week. CG continued usual activities at the centers. Functional performance, muscle strength, and frailty status were assessed at baseline and 3 months. Program implementation was evaluated using RE-AIM framework. The program was halted due to Coronavirus Disease 2019-related suspension of senior center activities. Results are reported from four centers, which completed the program. IG showed significantly greater improvement in the Short Physical Performance Battery test as compared to CG (p = 0.047). No effects were found for timed up and go test performance, muscle strength, and frailty status. The community program exhibited good reach, effectiveness, adoption, and implementation. Our study demonstrated that FPT was associated with greater improvement in physical function in pre-frail/frail participants as compared to exercise activities offered at local senior activity centers. It is a feasible intervention that can be successfully implemented for frail older adults in their neighborhoods. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04438876. Registered 19 June 2020–retrospectively registered.
Non-Boolean classical relevant logics II: Classicality through truth-constants
Authors: Øgaard Tore Fjetland 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis paper gives an account of Anderson and Belnap’s selection criteria for an adequate theory of entailment. The criteria are grouped into three categories: criteria pertaining to modality, those pertaining to relevance, and those related to expressive strength. The leitmotif of both this paper and its prequel is the relevant legitimacy of disjunctive syllogism. Relevant logics are commonly held to be paraconsistent logics. It is shown in this paper, however, that both E and R can be extended to explosive logics which satisfy all of Anderson and Belnap’s selection criteria, provided the truth-constant known as the Ackermann constant is available. One of the selection criteria related to expressive strength is having an “enthymematic” conditional for which a deduction theorem holds. I argue that this allows for a new interpretation of Anderson and Belnap’s take on logical consequence, namely as committing them to pluralism about logical consequence.
Promoting regulation of equal participation in online collaboration by combining a group awareness tool and adaptive prompts. But does it even matter?
Authors: Strauß Sebastian , Rummel Nikol 
Published: March 2021

AbstractUnequal participation poses a challenge to collaborative learning because it reduces opportunities for fruitful collaboration among learners and affects learners’ satisfaction. Social group awareness tools can display information on the distribution of participation and thus encourage groups to regulate the distribution of participation. However, some groups might require additional explicit support to leverage the information from such a tool. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of combining a group awareness tool and adaptive collaboration prompts on the distribution of participation during web-based collaboration. In this field experiment, students in a university level online course collaborated twice for two-weeks (16 groups in the first task; 13 groups in the second task) and either received only a group awareness tool, a combination of a group awareness tool and adaptive collaboration prompts, or no additional support. Our results showed that students were more satisfied when the participation in their group was more evenly distributed. However, we only found tentative support that the collaboration support helped groups achieve equal participation. Students reported rarely using the support for shared regulation of participation. Sequence alignment and clustering of action sequences revealed that groups who initiated the collaboration early, coordinated before solving the problem and interacted continuously tended to achieve an equal distribution of participation and were more satisfied with the collaboration. Against the background of our results, we identify potential ways to improve group awareness tools for supporting groups in their regulation of participation, and discuss the premise of equal participation during collaborative learning.
Collaborative note-taking affects cognitive load: the interplay of completeness and interaction
Authors: Costley Jamie , Fanguy Mik 
Published: March 2021

AbstractStudies showing improved learning performances for students who take notes collaboratively have speculated that sharing this task among group members may reduce the extraneous cognitive burden placed on each member. Therefore, a study (n = 171) was conducted in the context of a flipped scientific writing course to examine the effects of collaborative note-taking on student’s levels of cognitive load. Students in the course were divided into two groups, with members of the treatment group being directed to take collaborative notes in a shared online document and members of the control group receiving no such instructions. The study also measured the level of collaboration the collaborative note-takers engaged in, as well as the level of completeness of the notes that they produced. The results showed that, firstly, the treatment group reported higher levels of both germane and extraneous cognitive load compared to those of the control group, meaning that collaborative note-takers experienced higher levels of understanding of course content as well as increased confusion. Secondly, the level of collaboration was positively and significantly correlated with levels of germane load (understanding), but not with extraneous load (confusion). Thirdly, no correlation was found between completeness of notes and cognitive load. Accordingly, the authors suggest that collaborative note-taking is worthwhile, as the gains to students’ understanding of course content outweigh the disadvantages of increased confusion.