bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluating the performances of a flexible mechanism of water diversion: application on a northern Italy gravity-driven irrigation channel
Authors: Masseroni Daniele , Castagna Alessandro , Gandolfi Claudio 
Published: February 2021

AbstractImproving the management of irrigation schemes is a priority in the Mediterranean countries of the EU to achieve the objectives of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60EC. In the case of schemes based on open-channel networks for water conveyance and delivery, a limitation to the management efficiency is the huge number of gates that need to be controlled and regulated manually to adapt the flow to the actual irrigation water demand. Automated and coordinated gate regulation of large irrigation schemes has been successfully implemented in some areas of the world (e.g., NSW, Australia), but it implies huge public investments that are often unavailable. Opposite to this top–down approach, the Lombardy region (the largest irrigated region in the EU) has explored an approach based on funding small projects, which should demonstrate the potential of innovation in irrigation practice and foster the expansion of the most effective measures. In this paper, we analyze the effects of one of these projects, consisting in the substitution of a manual gate, controlling the supply of irrigation to a 150 ha irrigation district, with an automated, remotely controlled gate. Nine years of daily flow measurements at the district inlet, provided by the irrigation consortium that manages the gate, were compared with the rigid flow regulation that was applied when the inlet gate was manually regulated and with the irrigation water requirements simulated with a distributed agro-hydrological model widely used in the region for irrigation accounting and planning. The results show that the flexible regulation allowed by the new gate provided an average water saving of 12,000 m3/ha/year compared to the rigid regulation system. A further, though smaller, margin of improvement of 5000 m3/ha/year can be achieved with an optimal regulation that follows exactly the crop water requirements. A further interesting empirical evidence is that the simulation model fits very well the irrigation water requirements of the district using only easily accessible meteorological input data, without exploiting any information from ground or remote sensors to update soil moisture or crop developments during the season. This indicates that it could be effectively used, with very limited costs and effort, to support and improve the gate management. Finally, a preliminary economic analysis shows that the cost of the gate installation is sustainable, but the upscaling of this type of intervention to larger areas requires the support of public funding to cover approximately half of the cost of investment needed for the networking infrastructures.
Intraokulare Entzündungen bei Brolucizumab-Anwendung
Authors: Holz F. G. , Heinz C. , Wolf A. , Hoerauf H. , Pleyer U. 
Published: February 2021

ZusammenfassungDer VEGF(„vascular endothelial growth factor“)-Inhibitor Brolucizumab ist seit Oktober 2019 in den USA und seit Februar 2020 in Europa zur Behandlung der neovaskulären altersabhängigen Makuladegeneration (nAMD) zugelassen. Grundlage der Zulassung bildeten die randomisierten, doppel-blinden Phase-III-Studien HAWK und HARRIER mit insgesamt 1817 Patienten. Hierbei zeigte Brolucizumab 6 mg (je nach Krankheitsaktivität alle 12 oder alle 8 Wochen verabreicht) eine nichtunterlegene Wirksamkeit in Bezug auf den bestkorrigierten Visus gegenüber Aflibercept 2 mg (alle 8 Wochen verabreicht). Erste Rückmeldungen zum Einsatz von Brolucizumab nach der Marktzulassung in den USA haben einzelne, z. T. schwerwiegende Fälle behandlungsassoziierter intraokularer Entzündungen mit retinaler Vaskulitis und/oder retinaler, vaskulärer Okklusion beschrieben, die teilweise zu einem schweren Visusverlust führten. Die Daten der Zulassungsstudien wurden daraufhin durch ein Safety Review Committee (SRC) unabhängig retrospektiv analysiert. Ziel der vorliegenden Publikation ist es, Anwendern eine Orientierungshilfe aus Autorensicht bei der Therapie einer Brolucizumab-assoziierten intraokularen Entzündung zu bieten. Von zentraler Bedeutung ist hierbei auch eine erweiterte Aufklärung der Patienten über Symptome einer intraokularen Entzündung. Obwohl die Fallserien und die HAWK/HARRIER-Daten es nicht abschließend beantworten, bleiben eine zu späte Detektion, eine unterdosierte antientzündliche Therapie oder eine unbedachte Wiederbehandlung mit Brolucizumab dem Verdacht ausgesetzt, Komplikationen zu verstärken. Ein Stopp der Brolucizumab-Therapie sollte grundsätzlich erfolgen, sobald es nach Gabe des Medikaments zu intraokularen Entzündungen mit oder ohne retinalen Vaskulitiden und oder Gefäßverschluss kam. Abhängig vom Schwerpunkt der Entzündung werden dem Behandler an die Leitlinien und Stellungnahmen angelehnte Empfehlungen für Diagnostik und Therapie dargestellt. Diese Übersichtsarbeit ersetzt nicht die fachgesellschaftlichen Stellungnahmen.
Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome in a child with Alagille syndrome: intracranial pressure dynamics and treatment outcome after ventriculoperitoneal shunting
Authors: Polemikos Manolis , Hermann Elvis J. , Heissler Hans E. , Hartmann Hans , Krauss Joachim K. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAlagille syndrome (AS) is a rare multisystem disease of the liver, heart, eyes, face, skeleton, kidneys, and vascular system. The occurrence of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) in patients with AS has been reported only exceptionally. Owning to its rarity and a mostly atypical presentation, the diagnosis and natural history of affected patients remain uncertain. We report an atypical case of PTCS in a 4-year-old boy with a known history of AS who presented with bilateral papilledema (PE) on a routine ophthalmological examination. Visual findings deteriorated after treatment with acetazolamide. Continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring was then utilized to investigate ICP dynamics. Successful treatment with resolution of PE was achieved after ventriculoperitoneal shunting but relapsed due to growth-related dislocation of the ventricular catheter. This report brings new insights into the ICP dynamics and the resulting treatment in this possibly underdiagnosed subgroup of PTCS patients. It also demonstrates that ventriculoperitoneal shunting can provide long-term improvement of symptoms for more than 10 years.
Historical and future climates over the upper and middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin simulated by a regional climate model in CORDEX
Authors: Wang Xuejia , Chen Deliang , Pang Guojin , Gou Xiaohua , Yang Meixue 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDespite the importance of the Yellow River to China, climate change for the middle reaches of the Yellow River Basin (YRB) has been investigated far less than for other regions. This work focuses on future changes in mean and extreme climate of the YRB for the near-term (2021–2040), mid-term (2041–2060), and far-term (2081–2100) future, and assesses these with respect to the reference period (1986–2005) using the latest REgional MOdel (REMO) simulations, driven by three global climate models (GCMs) and assuming historical and future [Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 2.6 and 8.5] forcing scenarios, over the CORDEX East Asia domain at 0.22° horizontal resolution. The results show that REMO reproduces the historical mean climate state and selected extreme climate indices reasonably well, although some cold and wet biases exist. Increases in mean temperature are strongest for the far-term in winter, with an average increase of 5.6 °C under RCP 8.5. As expected, the future temperatures of the warmest day (TXx) and coldest night (TNn) increase and the number of frost days (FD) declines considerably. Changes to mean temperature and FD depend on elevation, which could be explained by the snow-albedo feedback. A substantial increase in precipitation (34%) occurs in winter under RCP 8.5 for the far-term. Interannual variability in precipitation is projected to increase, indicating a future climate with more extreme events compared to that of today. Future daily precipitation intensity and maximum 5-day precipitation would increase and the number of consecutive dry days would decline under RCP 8.5. The results highlight that pronounced warming at high altitudes and more intense rainfall could cause increased future flood risk in the YRB, if a high GHG emission pathway is realized.
Thoracoscopic oesophageal atresia/tracheo-oesophageal fistula (OA/TOF) repair is associated with a higher stricture rate: a single institution’s experience
Authors: Thakkar H. , Mullassery D. M. , Giuliani S. , Blackburn S. , Cross K. , Curry J. , De Coppi Paolo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Thoracoscopic OA/TOF repair was first described in 1999. Currently, less than 10% of surgeons routinely employ minimally access surgery. Our primary aim was to review our immediate-, early- and long-term outcomes with this technique compared with the open approach.

Methods
A retrospective review of all patients undergoing primary OA/TOF (Type C) repair at our institution from 2009 was conducted. Outcome measures included length of surgery, conversion rate from thoracoscopy, early complications such as anastomotic leak and post-operative complications such as anastomotic strictures needing dilatations. Fisher’s exact and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results
95 patients in total underwent OA/TOF repair during the study period of which 61 (64%) were completed via an open approach. 34 were attempted thoracoscopically of which 11 (33%) were converted. There was only one clinically significant anastomotic leak in our series that took place in the thoracoscopic group. We identified a significantly higher stricture rate in our thoracoscopic cohort (72%) versus open surgery (43%, P < 0.05). However, the median number of dilations (3) performed was not significantly different between the groups. There was one recurrent fistula in the thoracoscopic converted to open group. Our median follow-up was 60 months across the groups.

Conclusion
In our experience, the clinically significant leak rate for both open and thoracoscopic repair as well as recurrent fistula is much lower than has been reported in the literature. We do not routinely perform contrast studies and are, thus, reporting clinically significant leaks only. The use of post-operative neck flexion, ventilation and paralysis is likely to be protective towards a leak. Thoracoscopic OA/TOF repair is associated with a higher stricture rate compared with open surgery; however, these strictures respond to a similar number of dilatations and are no more refractory. Larger, multicentre studies may be useful to investigate these finding further.
Prognostic value of NT-proBNP for myocardial recovery in peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM)
Authors: Hoevelmann J. , Muller E. , Azibani F. , Kraus S. , Cirota J. , Briton O. , Ntsekhe M. , Ntusi N. A. B. , Sliwa K. , Viljoen C. A. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an important cause of pregnancy-associated heart failure worldwide. Although a significant number of women recover their left ventricular (LV) function within 12 months, some remain with persistently reduced systolic function.

Methods
Knowledge gaps exist on predictors of myocardial recovery in PPCM. N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is the only clinically established biomarker with diagnostic value in PPCM. We aimed to establish whether NT-proBNP could serve as a predictor of LV recovery in PPCM, as measured by LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDD) and LV ejection fraction (LVEF).

Results
This study of 35 women with PPCM (mean age 30.0 ± 5.9 years) had a median NT-proBNP of 834.7 pg/ml (IQR 571.2–1840.5) at baseline. Within the first year of follow-up, 51.4% of the cohort recovered their LV dimensions (LVEDD < 55 mm) and systolic function (LVEF > 50%). Women without LV recovery presented with higher NT-proBNP at baseline. Multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that NT-proBNP of ≥ 900 pg/ml at the time of diagnosis was predictive of failure to recover LVEDD (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.05–0.95, P = 0.043) or LVEF (OR 0.20 [95% CI 0.04–0.89], p = 0.035) at follow-up.

Conclusions
We have demonstrated that NT-proBNP has a prognostic value in predicting LV recovery of patients with PPCM. Patients with NT-proBNP of ≥ 900 pg/ml were less likely to show any improvement in LVEF or LVEDD. Our findings have implications for clinical practice as patients with higher NT-proBNP might require more aggressive therapy and more intensive follow-up. Point-of-care NT-proBNP for diagnosis and risk stratification warrants further investigation.
App-based rehabilitation program after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bäcker Henrik C. , Wu Chia H. , Schulz Matthias R. G. , Weber-Spickschen Thomas Sanjay , Perka Carsten , Hardt Sebastian 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Introduction
New app-based programs for postoperative rehabilitation have been developed, but no long-term study has been published to date. Thus, a prospective randomized control trial with 2-year follow-up was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of app-based rehabilitation (GenuSport) compared to a control group after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods
Between April and October 2016, 60 patients were enrolled in the study. Twenty-five patients were lost to follow-up, leaving 35 patients undergoing TKA for inclusion. In this group, twenty patients received app-based exercise program and 15 were randomized to the control group. The mean age was 64.37 ± 9.32 years with a mean follow-up of 23.51 ± 1.63 months. Patients in the app group underwent an app-based knee training starting on the day of surgery; whereas, patients in the control group underwent regular physiotherapy. Functional outcome scores using the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), Knee Society Score (KSS) and VAS of pain were analyzed.

Results
In the short term, significant differences between the app group and control group in time of 10-m walk (19.66 ± 7.80 vs. 27.08 ± 15.46 s; p = 0.029), VAS pain at rest and activity (2.65 ± 0.82 vs. 3.57 ± 1.58, respectively 4.03 ± 1.26 vs. 5.05 ± 1.21; p < 0.05) were observed. In the long term, a variety of different tendencies was found, highest in KSS Function with 76.32 ± 16.49 (app group) vs. 67.67 ± 16.57 (control group) (p = 0.130). Additionally, patients in the app group required less painkillers (10.0% vs. 26.7%) and more likely to participate in sports (65.0% vs. 53.3%).

Conclusions
An app-based knee trainer is a promising tool in improving functional outcomes such as KSS function score and VAS after TKA.

Level of evidence
Level II, prospective randomized control trial.
Does hysteroscopic resection of uterine septum improve reproductive outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Krishnan Monica , Narice Brenda F. , Ola Bolarinde , Metwally Mostafa 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Uterine septum in women with subfertility or previous poor reproductive outcomes presents a clinical dilemma. Hysteroscopic septum resection has been previously associated with adverse reproductive outcomes but the evidence remains inconclusive. We aimed to thoroughly and systematically appraise relevant evidence on the impact of hysteroscopically resecting the uterine septum on this cohort of women.

Methods
AMED, BNI, CINAHL, EMBASE, EMCARE, Medline, PsychInfo, PubMed, Cochrane register of controlled trials, Cochrane database of systematic reviews and CINAHL were assessed to April 2020, with no language restriction. Only randomised control trials and comparative studies which evaluated outcomes in women with uterine septum and a history of subfertility and/or poor reproductive outcomes treated by hysteroscopic septum resection against control were included. The primary endpoint was live birth rate, whereas clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, preterm birth and malpresentation rates were secondary outcomes.

Results
Seven studies involving 407 women with hysteroscopic septum resection and 252 with conservative management were included in the meta-analysis. Hysteroscopic septum resection was associated with a lower rate of miscarriage (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07–0.88) compared with untreated women. No significant effect was seen on live birth, clinical pregnancy rate or preterm delivery. However, there were fewer malpresentations during labour in the treated group (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.73).

Conclusion
Our review found no significant effect of hysteroscopic resection on live birth. However, given the limited evidence available, high-quality randomised controlled trials are recommended before any conclusive clinical guidance can be drawn.
Developmental differences across the lifespan in the use of perceptual information to guide action-based decisions
Authors: Stafford James , Rodger Matthew , Gómez-Jordana Luis I. , Whyatt Caroline , Craig Cathy M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPerceptual information about unfolding events is important for guiding decisions about when and how to move in real-world action situations. As an exemplary case, road-crossing is a perceptual-motor task where age has been shown to be a strong predictor of risk due to errors in action-based decisions. The present study investigated age differences between three age groups (Children: 10–12 years old; Adults: 19–39 years old; Older Adults: 65 + year olds) in the use of perceptual information for selection, timing, and control of action when crossing a two-way street in an immersive, interactive virtual reality environment. Adults and children selected gaps to cross that were consistent with the use of a time-based information variable (tau), whereas older adults tuned less into the time-based variable (tau) to guide road-crossing decisions. For action initiation and control, children and adults also showed a strong ability to precisely time their entry with respect to the lead vehicle maximising the available time to cross and coordinating walking movements with the tail vehicle to ensure they were not on a collision course. In contrast, older adults delayed action initiation and showed difficulty coordinating self-movement with the approaching vehicle. This study and its results tie together age-based differences in the three components of action decision-making (selection, timing and control) within a unified framework based on perceptual information. The implications of these age-related differences in action decisions and crossing behaviours are discussed in the context of road safety.
Recent advances and conceptual changes in the classification of neuroendocrine tumors of the thymus
Authors: Bohnenberger Hanibal , Ströbel Philipp 
Published: February 2021

AbstractNeuroendocrine tumors of the thymus (TNET) are exceedingly rare neoplasms. Their histomorphology is identical to neuroendocrine tumors elsewhere in the body (in particular the lungs) and bears no similarity with thymomas and thymic carcinomas. Recent molecular findings have profoundly changed our perception of these tumors and may impact future histological classification systems.
Ecophysiological, morphological, and biochemical traits of free-living Diplosphaera chodatii (Trebouxiophyceae) reveal adaptation to harsh environmental conditions
Authors: Medwed Cynthia , Holzinger Andreas , Hofer Stefanie , Hartmann Anja , Michalik Dirk , Glaser Karin , Karsten Ulf 
Published: February 2021

AbstractSingle-celled green algae within the Trebouxiophyceae (Chlorophyta) are typical components of terrestrial habitats, which often exhibit harsh environmental conditions for these microorganisms. This study provides a detailed overview of the ecophysiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural traits of an alga living on tree bark. The alga was isolated from a cypress tree in the Botanical Garden of Innsbruck (Austria) and identified by morphology and molecular phylogeny as Diplosphaera chodatii. Transmission electron microscopy after high-pressure freezing (HPF) showed an excellent preservation of the ultrastructure. The cell wall was bilayered with a smooth inner layer and an outer layer of polysaccharides with a fuzzy hair-like appearance that could possibly act as cell-cell adhesion mechanism and hence as a structural precursor supporting biofilm formation together with the mucilage observed occasionally. The photosynthetic-irradiance curves of D. chodatii indicated low light requirements without photoinhibition at high photon flux densities (1580 μmol photons m−2 s−1) supported by growth rate measurements. D. chodatii showed a high desiccation tolerance, as 85% of its initial value was recovered after controlled desiccation at a relative humidity of ~10%. The alga contained the low molecular weight carbohydrates sucrose and sorbitol, which probably act as protective compounds against desiccation. In addition, a new but chemically not elucidated mycosporine-like amino acid was detected with a molecular mass of 332 g mol−1 and an absorption maximum of 324 nm. The presented data provide various traits which contribute to a better understanding of the adaptive mechanisms of D. chodatii to terrestrial habitats.
Model-based optimization of ARINC-653 partition scheduling
Authors: Han Pujie , Zhai Zhengjun , Nielsen Brian , Nyman Ulrik 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe architecture of ARINC-653 partitioned scheduling has been widely applied to avionics systems owing to its robust temporal isolation among applications. However, this partitioning mechanism causes the problem of how to optimize the partition scheduling of a complex system while guaranteeing its schedulability. In this paper, a model-based optimization approach is proposed. We formulate the problem as a parameter sweep application, which searches for the optimal partition scheduling parameters with respect to minimum processor occupancy via an evolutionary algorithm. An ARINC-653 partitioned scheduling system is modeled as a set of timed automata in the model checker UPPAAL. The optimizer tentatively assigns parameter settings to the models and subsequently invokes UPPAAL to verify schedulability as well as evaluate promising solutions. The parameter space is explored with an evolutionary algorithm that combines refined genetic operators and the self-adaptation of evolution strategies. The experimental results show the applicability of our optimization method.
Long-term sero-positivity for IgG, sequelae of respiratory symptoms, and abundance of malformed sperms in a patient recovered from severe COVID-19
Authors: Zhu Mingchao , Chen Diliang , Zhu Ya , Xiong Xusheng , Ding Yan , Guo Feibo , Zhu Mingan , Zhou Junyang 
Published: February 2021

AbstractPatients with severe coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19 pneumonia) may have many sequelae, which seriously affect their quality of life and work. Here, we report a case of infection in China, reviewed the course, treatment, and rehabilitation of a patient suffering from severe COVID-19 pneumonia, and collected his examination reports, including chest CT, laboratory examination results, lung function examination, sleep monitoring report, sex hormones, sperm morphology and activity. The patient’s antiviral immunoglobulin G (IgG) continued to be positive for more than 11 months, and his small airway function was abnormal, and he suffered from respiratory problems (cough, chest pain, chest tightness, and shortness of breath), unstructured sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome, and nocturnal sleep hypoxemia. His abnormal sperm rate increased obviously, and sperm activity decreased obviously. Patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia may have respiratory sequela, the abnormal sperm rate is obviously increased, and IgG positive can last for a long time.