bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Vaginal Fractional Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment and Changes in Vaginal Biomechanical Parameters
Authors: Lauterbach Roy , Gutzeit Ola , Matanes Emad , Linder Revital , Mick Ido , Aharoni Saar , Gruenwald Ilan , Wiener Zeev , Lowenstein Lior 
Published: April 2021

Background and ObjectivesVaginal fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) laser treatment has emerged in the past two decades as a non‐surgical option for vaginal tightening. Mounting evidence supports the effectiveness and safety of this treatment for female sexual dysfunction. A newly developed vaginal tactile imaging (VTI) technique accurately evaluates the biomechanical parameters of the female pelvic floor and vagina, including tissue elasticity, pelvic support, and pelvic muscle function in high definition. In the current study, we evaluated changes in objective biomechanical parameters using VTI, following vaginal CO2 laser treatment for vaginal tightening and sexual dysfunction.Study Design/Materials and MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort between June 2018 and January 2020. Inclusion criteria were vaginal looseness, decreased local sensation during sexual intercourse, and sexual dysfunction. All the participants were treated with a vaginal carbon dioxide laser. They underwent a gynecological evaluation based on the Vaginal Health Index (VHI) and sexual function assessment according to the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Vaginal biomechanical parameters were assessed by VTI. Initial evaluations were performed at the pre‐treatment consult visit, 1 week prior to the first treatment and at a 6‐month post‐treatment follow‐up visit.ResultsTwenty‐five women were included in the final analysis. Compared with baseline, the post‐treatment mean scores for vaginal elasticity and tightening were higher (54.8 ± 5.2 vs. 41.5 ± 6.3, P = 0.0027 and 1.97 ± 0.25 vs. 1.32 ± 0.31, P = 0.0014, respectively). Post‐treatment increases were demonstrated in pelvic muscle contraction strength (25.9 ± 3.5 vs. 16.5 ± 4.2, P = 0.0011) and in reflex pelvic muscle contraction (2.93 ± 0.44 vs. 2.12 ± 0.47, P = 0.0022); the mean FSFI and VHI scores were higher following treatment (28.47 ± 1.73 vs. 21.12 ± 1.58, P = 0.036 and 19.15 ± 1.27 vs. 11.6 ± 0.97, P = 0.0032).ConclusionsThe quantification of vaginal biomechanical parameters using VTI technology offers objective evidence of the beneficial effect of vaginal CO2 laser treatment. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Synthesis of Polymer Brushes Via SI‐PET‐RAFT for Photodynamic Inactivation of Bacteria
Authors: Ng Gervase , Judzewitsch Peter , Li Mingxiao , Pester Christian W. , Jung Kenward , Boyer Cyrille 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBiofilms are a persistent issue in healthcare and industry. Once formed, the eradication of biofilms is challenging as the extracellular polymeric matrix provides protection against harsh environmental conditions and physically enhances resistance to antimicrobials. The fabrication of polymer brush coatings provides a versatile approach to modify the surface to resist the formation of biofilms. Herein, the authors report a facile synthetic route for the preparation of surface‐tethered polymeric brushes with antifouling and visible light activated bactericidal properties using surface‐initiated photoinduced electron transfer‐reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (SI‐PET‐RAFT). Bactericidal property via the generation of singlet oxygen, which can be temporally and spatially controlled, is investigated against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. In addition, the antibacterial properties of the surface can be recycled. This work paves the way for the preparation of polymer films that can resist and kill bacterial biofilms
MicroRNA‐17‐5p restrains the dysfunction of Ang‐II induced podocytes by suppressing secreted modular calcium‐binding protein 2 via NF‐κB and TGFβ signaling
Authors: Xu Mingzhu , Yi Mengqiu , Li Na 
Published: April 2021

AbstractGlomerulonephritis, also known as nephritis syndrome (nephritis for short), is a common kidney disease. Previous research has proved that microRNAs (miRNAs) frequently regulate various diseases including nephritis. Nonetheless, the biological function and molecular mechanism of miR‐17‐5p are unclear in nephritis. In the current study, RT‐qPCR analysis showed that miR‐17‐5p was downregulated in Ang II‐induced podocytes. Also, according to the results from RT‐qPCR analysis, CCK‐8 assay, flow cytometric analysis, western blot analysis, and ELISA miR‐17‐5p elevation alleviated Ang II‐induced podocyte injury. Besides, luciferase reporter assay, western blot and RT‐qPCR analyses revealed that SMOC2 was targeted by miR‐17‐5p in Ang II‐induced podocytes. Additionally, rescue assays demonstrated that overexpressed SMOC2 counteracted the influence of overexpressed miR‐17‐5p on cell injury of Ang II‐induced podocytes. Moreover, our data suggested that miR‐17‐5p‐SMOC2 axis regulated TGFβ and NF‐κB signaling activation in Ang II‐induced podocytes. SMOC2 regulated cell viability, apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in Ang II‐induced podocytes via TGFβ signaling, and SMOC2 regulated inflammation in Ang II‐induced podocytes through NF‐κB signaling. Overall, our study demonstrated that miRNA‐17‐5p restrained the dysfunction of Ang‐II induced podocytes by suppressing SMOC2 via the NF‐κB and TGFβ signaling.
Idiosyncratic reaction of topiramate in a Maine Coon cat
Authors: Du John , Draper William E. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA 1.5‐year‐old Main Coon neutered male cat was presented for cluster epileptic seizures. The cat was first treated with phenobarbital; however, it had to be discontinued due to anticonvulsant hypersensitivity syndrome. Topiramate was then initiated. Shortly thereafter, a persistent neutropenia developed and the topiramate was stopped. The epileptic seizures are now adequately controlled by levetiracetam extended release 500 mg every 12 hours and the neutropenia had resolved. This is the first report of adverse drug reaction of topiramate in cats.
Raw and modified palygorskite in water treatment applications for low‐concentration ammonium removal
Authors: Gianni Eleni , Lazaratou Christina Vasiliki , Panagopoulos Georgios , Sarantari Panagiota , Martsouka Fotini , Papagiannopoulos Konstantinos , Panagiotaras Dionisios , Papoulis Dimitrios 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRaw palygorskite (Pal) samples went under acid (H‐Pal), NaCl (Na‐Pal), and CaCl2 treatment (Ca‐Pal) in order to be examined as ammonium (NH4+) sorbents from aqueous solutions. The samples were characterized by XRD and FT‐IR techniques to examine potential structural differences after modifications, and batch kinetic experiment series were applied to determine the optimal conditions for NH4+ removal. According to thermodynamic analysis, the removal reaction for sodium‐ and calcium‐treated samples was endothermic (ΔΗ0 > 0, 1.65 kJ/mol and 24.66 kJ/mol, respectively), in contrast with the exothermic reactions of raw and acidic‐treated palygorskite samples (ΔΗ0 < 0, −37.18 kJ/mol and −27.56 kJ/mol respectively). Moreover, each sample presented a different order of sorbed ions preference, whereas the strong affinity for Ca2+ sorption was common in all cases since the NH4+ removal inhibited. Nevertheless, a similar pattern was followed for raw and modified samples at isotherm study, rendering the linear form of Freundlich isotherm to express better the NH4+ sorption on palygorskite sample, indicating that it is a heterogeneous procedure. In all cases, the NH4+ maximum uptake was within 15 min using 8 g/L of each sorbent, especially for the Na‐Pal sample, which could reach almost 100% removal of low concentration NH4+.Practitioner Points

Modified palygorskite samples were tested for NH4+ removal from aqueous solutions.
NaCl‐treated palygorskite had the higher removal efficiency, which could reach almost 100% removal of low concentration NH4+.
NH4+ maximum uptake was within 15 minutes using 8 g/L of each sorbent.
NH4+ adsorption was an endothermic reaction for NaCl‐ and CaCl2‐treated palygorskite sorbents.
NH4+ adsorption was an exothermic reaction for raw and acid‐treated palygorskite sorbents.
Automatisiertes und vernetztes Fahren: Das Lange Level 4
Authors: Mitteregger Mathias , Banerjee Ian 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungDieser Sammelband steht am Ende der vierjährigen Forschungsarbeit, die durch die Daimler und Benz Stiftung an der TU Wien ermöglicht wurde. Die Einschätzung der Potentiale und Wirkungen automatisierter und vernetzter Fahrzeuge hat sich in dieser Zeit grundlegend gewandelt. Die Ergebnisse des Kernteams und jene der internationalen AutorInnen dieses Sammelbandes haben auf unterschiedliche Weise beigetragen.
Strategic spatial planning, “smart shrinking,” and the deployment of CAVs in rural Japan
Authors: Banerjee Ian , Furutani Tomoyuki 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungThe experiments taking place around connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) in global innovation networks today are largely technological in nature. This research takes a relational view of CAVs by investigating how they can be conceptualized within the larger context of strategic spatial planning. To do so, it takes Japan as a case study and explores how the current government is applying the tools of its new National Spatial Strategy (NSS) to strategically steer the development of its main economic and social sectors, including transport and the deployment of CAVs.
Ansätze integrierter strategischer Planung für automatisierte Mobilität im Kontext der Mobilitätswende
Authors: Mitteregger Mathias , Allmeier Daniela , Paulhart Lucia , Bindreiter Stefan 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungMit der vorliegenden Studie wird das Ziel verfolgt, konkrete Einsatzmöglichkeiten von automatisierten und vernetzten Fahrzeugen im Kontext der notwendigen Mobilitätswende exemplarisch aufzuzeigen. Spezifischer geht es darum, Konzepte der strategischen Planung für ausgewählte Kommunen und Regionen in der Metropolregion Wien/Niederösterreich vorzustellen und zu diskutieren. Diese strategischen Planungskonzepte wurden als eine Ergänzung zu den vorwiegend noch abstrakten und generischen Gestaltungsansätzen bzw. Handlungsfeldern entwickelt. Sie sind das Ergebnis eines transdisziplinär angelegten Prozesses: PlanerInnen sowie ForscherInnen haben gemeinsam mit AkteurInnen der Politik und Verwaltung aus den gewählten Kommunen und Regionen sowie mit ExpertInnen im Bereich der automatisierten und vernetzten Mobilität in Fokusgruppen gearbeitet.
Automatisierter und vernetzter Verkehr in der soziotechnischen Transformation
Authors: Dangschat Jens S. 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungDie Entwicklung des automatisierten und vernetzten Verkehrs (avV) wird – neben Fragen der Ethik, des Rechts, der Sicherheit, der Finanzierung, des Umweltschutzes und der Klimaschonung – vor allem als eine technologische Herausforderung im Rahmen einer breiten und vielfältigen Digitalisierung diskutiert. Gesellschaftliche Auswirkungen oder gar die Einbettung der mit den Entwicklungen des avV verbundenen Techniken in die Gesellschaft spielen demgegenüber in der gegenwärtigen wissenschaftlichen Diskussion zum avV noch eine stark untergeordnete Rolle oder werden bisweilen als hoch unsicher dargestellt.
Automatisiertes und vernetztes Fahren: Berücksichtigung des lokalen, räumlichen Kontextes und räumliche Differenzierung
Authors: Bruck Emilia M. , Soteropoulos Aggelos 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungDie Beiträge der vorliegenden Anthologie behandeln Raumwirkungen sowie Steuerungs- und Planungsansätze auf kommunaler und regionaler Ebene. Hierbei erweist es sich als unumgänglich, die räumlichen Voraussetzungen ländlich geprägter Gemeinden und Regionen von jenen der urbanen Zentren und Großstädte zu unterscheiden. Ländliche sowie urbane Räume sind nicht homogen, sondern vielschichtige Gebiete mit unterschiedlichen siedlungsstrukturellen, naturräumlichen und infrastrukturellen Ausstattungen, Funktionen und Herausforderungen (VCÖ 2019: 9).
Automatisiertes und vernetztes Fahren im Kontext einer nachhaltigen Verkehrs- und Mobilitätswende
Authors: Stickler Andrea , Dangschat Jens S. , Banerjee Ian 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungDie Frage, unter welchen Bedingungen der automatisierte und vernetzte Verkehr (avV) einen Beitrag zur Verkehrswende leisten kann, steht seit Beginn im Mittelpunkt des Forschungsinteresses der interdisziplinären Forschungsgruppe AVENUE21. Angesichts der globalen Herausforderungen sollten keine Technologien und Geschäftsmodelle zugelassen werden, die weiteren Verkehr erzeugen und städtische, ökologische und soziale Probleme des heutigen Verkehrssystems zusätzlich verschärfen (vgl. Mitteregger et al. 2020). Mit dem vorliegenden Sammelband werden Chancen und Risiken von automatisierten und vernetzten Fahrzeugen im Kontext der Verkehrswende aufgezeigt und daraus Handlungsansätze vor allem für Politik und planende Verwaltungen abgeleitet. Einleitend werden die Grundbegriffe „Verkehr“, „Mobilität“, „Motilität“, „Verkehrswende“ und „Mobilitätswende“ definiert und die Bedeutung des avV im Kontext einer nachhaltigen Verkehrs- und Mobilitätswende reflektiert.
Automatisierung, öffentlicher Verkehr und Mobility as a Service: Erfahrungen aus Tests mit automatisierten Shuttlebussen
Authors: Soteropoulos Aggelos , Bruck Emilia M. , Berger Martin , Egoldt Alexander , Holst Arne , Richter Thomas , László Zoltán 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungAutomatisiertes Fahren verändert die zukünftige Mobilität grundlegend und wirkt sich auch auf den öffentlichen Verkehr (ÖV) aus. Häufig wird hierbei von einer weiteren Verschiebung der Grenzen zwischen dem klassischen ÖV und dem motorisierten Individualverkehr (MIV) und von einem Übergangsbereich des öffentlichen Individualverkehrs (ÖIV) mit automatisierten Fahrzeugen bzw. von einer Individualisierung des öffentlichen Verkehrs gesprochen (vgl. Lenz/Fraedrich 2015: 189; Röhrleef 2017: 15; Bruns et al. 2018: 12; Barillère-Scholz et al. 2020: 16): Bereits heute differenziert sich das Mobilitätsangebot durch neue Angebotsformen wie beispielsweise Car-Sharing oder Ride-Hailing aus.
Aufbau von Interventionsdatenbanken für mehr Evidenzbasierung in Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung – methodische Überlegungen
Authors: Rossmann Christin , Bußkamp Annalena , De Bock Freia 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungKommunale AkteurInnen erfahren bei der Entwicklung und Auswahl von Maßnahmen der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung (MPG) keine ausreichende wissenschaftliche Unterstützung. Interventionsdatenbanken können Abhilfe leisten, indem sie wissenschaftlich abgesicherte und gut dokumentierte MPG präsentieren. Dadurch kann wissenschaftliche Evidenz zur Wirksamkeit einzelner Maßnahmen in lokale Entscheidungen einfließen. Die Datenbanken können ebenfalls dazu dienen, die Qualitätsentwicklung von Maßnahmen voranzutreiben.In diesem Beitrag werden methodische und konzeptuelle Überlegungen erläutert, wie MPG für Datenbanken identifiziert und wie sie hinsichtlich ihrer Wirksamkeit eingeordnet und zielgruppengerecht aufbereitet werden können. Grundlage sind Erkenntnisse aus der Public-Health-Literatur und dem Projekt „Älter werden in Balance“ der Bundeszentrale für gesundheitliche Aufklärung (BZgA).Systematische Übersichtsarbeiten sind für die Suche nach geeigneten MPG für die Datenbank nur bedingt geeignet, u. a. weil die darin aufgeführten Interventionstypen begrenzt und umsetzungsrelevante Angaben oft unvollständig dargestellt sind. Es erscheint aber vielversprechend, MPG aus der Praxis in die Datenbank einzustellen, wenn zusätzlich eine Einordnung hinsichtlich ihrer Wirksamkeit erfolgt bzw. Konsequenzen für die Weiterentwicklung und Evaluation formuliert werden. Es sollten zudem möglichst viele Informationen zur praktischen Umsetzung der MPG angegeben werden. In einem ersten Vorschlag wird gezeigt, wie eine Maßnahmenbeschreibung aussehen könnte. Zusätzlich sollten Manuale zur Durchführung von Maßnahmen zur Verfügung stehen.
Analysis of patchclamp recordings: model-free multiscale methods and software
Authors: Pein Florian , Eltzner Benjamin , Munk Axel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAnalysis of patchclamp recordings is often a challenging issue. We give practical guidance how such recordings can be analyzed using the model-free multiscale idealization methodology JSMURF, JULES, and HILDE. We provide an operational manual how to use the accompanying software available as an R-package and as a graphical user interface. This includes selection of the right approach and tuning of parameters. We also discuss advantages and disadvantages of model-free approaches in comparison to hidden Markov model approaches and explain how they complement each other.
Microwave-assisted hydrotropic pretreatment as a new and highly efficient way to cellulosic ethanol production from maize distillery stillage
Authors: Dawid Mikulski , Grzegorz Kłosowski 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Aim of the study was to assess the suitability of the combined use of microwave radiation and sodium cumene sulfonate under optimized process conditions for the preparation of maize stillage biomass as a raw material for the production of cellulosic ethanol. The key parameter guaranteeing a high level of lignin removal from biomass (ca. 44%) was concentration of hydrotrope. Even at high biomass concentration (16% w/v) and a cellulase enzyme dose of about 4 filter-paper units/g, maize stillage biomass subjected to microwave-assisted hydrotropic pretreatment was highly susceptible to enzymatic degradation, which resulted in 80% hydrolysis yield. It is possible to obtain a fermentation medium with a very high glucose concentration (up to 80 g/L), without fermentation inhibitors and, as a consequence, to reach a very high level of sugar conversion to ethanol (concentration above 40 g/L), even as much as 95% of theoretical yield. Microwave hydrotropic treatment with sodium cumene sulfonate is a very effective way to prepare waste maize stillage biomass for the production of cellulosic ethanol. The degradation of the lignocellulose structure by the simultaneous use of microwaves and hydrotropes ensured a high degree of conversion of structural polysaccharides to bioethanol. The method provides a high level of enzymatic degradation of cellulose, leading to a medium with high content of released sugars suitable for bioconversion, which is in line with assumptions of the second-generation ethanol production technology.

Key points
• Microwave-assisted hydrotropic pretreatment is a new way to cellulosic ethanol production.
• Microwave-assisted hydrotropic delignification removes 44% of lignin from biomass.
• No fermentation inhibitors are obtained after microwave-assisted hydrotropic pretreatment.
• High ethanol concentration (above 40 g/L) and fermentation yield (95% of theoretical yield) from biomass after microwave-assisted hydrotropic pretreatment.
Feasibility of cerebello-cortical stimulation for intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring of cerebellar mutism
Authors: Giampiccolo Davide , Basaldella Federica , Badari Andrea , Squintani Giovanna Maddalena , Cattaneo Luigi , Sala Francesco 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBackgroundCerebellar mutism can occur in a third of children undergoing cerebellar resections. Recent evidence proposes it may arise from uni- or bilateral damage of cerebellar efferents to the cortex along the cerebello-dento-thalamo-cortical pathway. At present, no neurophysiological procedure is available to monitor this pathway intraoperatively. Here, we specifically aimed at filling this gap.MethodsWe assessed 10 patients undergoing posterior fossa surgery using a conditioning-test stimulus paradigm. Electrical conditioning stimuli (cStim) were delivered to the exposed cerebellar cortex at interstimulus intervals (ISIs) of 8–24 ms prior to transcranial electric stimulation of the motor cortex, which served as test stimulus (tStim). The variation of motor-evoked potentials (MEP) to cStim + tStim compared with tStim alone was taken as a measure of cerebello-cortical connectivity.ResultscStim alone did not produce any MEP. cStim preceding tStim produced a significant inhibition at 8 ms (p< 0.0001) compared with other ISIs when applied to the lobules IV-V-VI in the anterior cerebellum and the lobule VIIB in the posterior cerebellum. Mixed effects of decrease and increase in MEP amplitude were observed in these areas for longer ISIs.ConclusionsThe inhibition exerted by cStim at 8 ms on the motor cortex excitability is likely to be the product of activity along the cerebello-dento-thalamo-cortical pathway. We show that monitoring efferent cerebellar pathways to the motor cortex is feasible in intraoperative settings. This study has promising implications for pediatric posterior fossa surgery with the aim to preserve the cerebello-cortical pathways and thus prevent cerebellar mutism.
Multi-scale Coupled Processes Modeling of Fractures as Porous, Interfacial and Granular Systems from Rock Images with the Numerical Manifold Method
Authors: Hu Mengsu , Rutqvist Jonny 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe greatest challenges of rigorously modeling coupled hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rocks at different scales are associated with computational geometry. In addition, selections of continuous or discontinuous models, physical laws, and coupling priorities at different scales based on different geometric features determine the applicability of a numerical model for a certain type of problem. In this study, we present our multi-scale modeling capabilities that have been developed based on the numerical manifold method for analyzing coupled hydro-mechanical processes in fractured rocks. Based on their geometric features, the fractures are modeled as continua—finite-thickness porous zones, and discontinua—discontinuous interfaces and microscale asperities and granular systems. Different governing equations, physical laws, coupling priorities, and approaches for addressing fracture intersections and shearing are then applied to describe these. We applied these models to simulate coupled processes in fractured rocks using realistic geometry obtained from rock images at different scales. We first calculated shearing of a single fracture with different models and demonstrated the impacts of asperities on shearing. We then applied the continuous and discontinuous models to simulate a network of rough fractures, demonstrating that contact dynamics contribute significantly to the geometric, multi-physical evolution of systems where rough fractures are not mineral filled. For a discrete fracture network, our coupled processes modeling demonstrates that shearing of the discrete fractures can have a major impact on stress and pore pressure distribution. Lastly, we applied the discontinuous granular model to simulate evolution of a complex granular system with a deformation band, demonstrating that the deformation band can dominate contact dynamics, the structural and the stress evolution of the granular system.