bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Analyzing the role of soil and vegetation spatial variability in modelling hydrological processes for irrigation optimization at large scale
Authors: Hassan Shawkat B. M. , Dragonetti Giovanna , Comegna Alessandro , Lamaddalena Nicola , Coppola Antonio 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe main purpose of this paper was to study the effect of spatial variability of soil hydraulic properties (HP) and vegetation parameters (VP) (e.g., leaf-area index, LAI, and crop coefficient, Kc) on modelling agro-hydrological processes and optimising irrigation volumes at large scale. Based on this analysis, the effect of partly overlooking the spatial variability of soil HP and/or VP inputs was verified on a 140 ha irrigation sector in “Sinistra Ofanto” irrigation system in Apulia Region, Southern Italy. Five soil profiles were excavated and the HP were measured in all the soil horizons. Additionally, measurements of soil HP were taken in the surface soil layer in ninety sites distributed over the whole irrigation sector. All the HP measurements were carried out using tension infiltrometer. Remote sensing applications were used to obtain LAI and Kc using European Space Agency’s (ESA) Sentinel-2 images with 10 m resolutions. First, distributed (on ninety polygons with an average area of about 1.5 ha) optimal irrigation volumes and related deep percolation volumes at a depth of 80 cm, were computed using an agro-hydrological model and accounting for the actual observed variability of soil HP and VP inputs. The sector scale irrigation and deep percolation volumes were obtained by aggregating the distributed irrigation volumes. This was considered as the reference scenario (hereafter DVS—Detailed Variability Scenario). Then, reduced variability scenarios (hereafter RVS—Reduced Variability Scenario) were considered, where the information on the actual spatial variability of the soil HP and VP was gradually overlooked to find the minimum data set needed to still have sector scale irrigation volumes and related deep percolation volumes comparable to those obtained under the DVS. Results showed that overlooking VP (RVS-VP) variability did not significantly change the optimal irrigation volumes and the deep percolation fluxes. By contrast, neglecting the HP variability (RVS-HP) showed significant effects on both the irrigation and percolation volumes compared to the DVS. The main practical finding was that, at least for the area investigated in this study, hydraulic characterization of one soil profile in an area of approximately 30 ha provides sector scale irrigation volumes and percolation fluxes comparable to those obtained under the DVS, thus by accounting for all the observed local variability.
Three out of four working-age patients have fulfilled expectations towards paid employment six months after total hip or knee arthroplasty: a multicentre cohort study
Authors: Kamp Tamara , Stevens Martin , Vlieland Thea P. M. Vliet , Nelissen Rob G. H. H. , Brouwer Sandra , Gademan Maaike G. J. ,   on behalf of the Longitudinal Leiden Orthopaedics Outcomes of Osteoarthritis Study (LOAS) Group
Published: August 2023

AbstractTo investigate factors associated with fulfilment of expectations towards paid employment after total hip/knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Cohort study including preoperatively employed patients aged 18–64 scheduled for THA/TKA. Expectations were collected preoperatively, and 6 and 12 months postoperatively with the paid employment item of the Hospital-for-Special-Surgery Expectations Surveys (back-to-normal = 1; large improvement = 2; moderate improvement = 3; slight improvement = 4; not applicable = 5). Patients scoring not applicable were excluded. Fulfilment was calculated by subtracting preoperative from postoperative scores (< 0: unfulfilled; ≥ 0: fulfilled). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted separately for THA/TKA at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Six months postoperatively, 75% of THA patients (n = 237/n = 316) and 72% of TKA patients (n = 211/n = 294) had fulfilled expectations. Older age (TKA:OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.01–1.15) and better postoperative physical functioning (THA:OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06–1.14; TKA:OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01–1.06) increased the likelihood of fulfilment. Physical work tasks (THA:OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.03–0.44), preoperative sick leave (TKA:OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.17–0.65), and difficulties at work (THA:OR 0.10, 95% CI 0.03–0.35; TKA:OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.17–0.98) decreased the likelihood of fulfilment. Twelve months postoperatively similar risk factors were found. Three out of four working-age THA/TKA patients had fulfilled expectations towards paid employment at 6 months postoperatively. Preoperative factors associated with fulfilment were older age, mental work tasks, no sick leave, postoperative factors were better physical functioning, and no perceived difficulties at work.
Flow dynamics and heat transfer characterization of confined multiple jets impinging on a complex surface
Authors: Barbosa F. V. , Teixeira S. F. C. F. , Teixeira J. C. F. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSubmerged and confined multiple jet impingement is widely implemented in cooling applications since it provides high heat transfer coefficients and uniformity over the target plate. Its performance depends on several variables that make it complex and difficult to control. To understand the physical phenomena and characterize the flow field, an in-depth study, using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) technique and an heat flux sensor, is conducted in this study. The PIV provides relevant data, but the accuracy of the measurements depends on an effective experimental setup and a careful selection of the most appropriate tracer particles. Therefore, this work presents the purpose-built experimental apparatus and comprises an analysis of the efficiency of different seeding particles. The results demonstrate that olive oil particles are appropriate to track turbulent flows since particles with about 1 μm diameter are obtained by the seeding generator. PIV measurements highlight the complexity of the jet flow impinging on a step surface, which induces a strong flow reversal that affects the jet flow development and the interaction with the adjacent jets. The large-scale structures induced in the vicinity of the target plate are captured by the PIV, as well as the strong fountain flows generated between the adjacent jets. Compared with the flat geometry, the turbulence intensity at the central jet is around 25% higher for the 1 D step, while for the 2 D step, this increase reaches 7.5%. The increased turbulence intensity leads to an heat transfer enhancement. For the 2 D step plate, the Nusselt number recorded is 25% greater than the flat plate. Through this study, relevant insights for several engineering applications that use multiple jet impingement are provided, highlighting that the combination of PIV and heat flux sensors are appropriate to characterize the jet’s flow dynamics and the heat transfer of this complex process.
The microtubule signature in cardiac disease: etiology, disease stage, and age dependency
Authors: Algül Sıla , Dorsch Larissa M. , Sorop Oana , Vink Aryan , Michels Michelle , dos Remedios Cristobal G. , Dalinghaus Michiel , Merkus Daphne , Duncker Dirk J. , Kuster Diederik W. D. , van der Velden Jolanda 
Published: August 2023

AbstractEmploying animal models to study heart failure (HF) has become indispensable to discover and test novel therapies, but their translatability remains challenging. Although cytoskeletal alterations are linked to HF, the tubulin signature of common experimental models has been incompletely defined. Here, we assessed the tubulin signature in a large set of human cardiac samples and myocardium of animal models with cardiac remodeling caused by pressure overload, myocardial infarction or a gene defect. We studied levels of total, acetylated, and detyrosinated α-tubulin and desmin in cardiac tissue from hypertrophic (HCM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with an idiopathic (n = 7), ischemic (n = 7) or genetic origin (n = 59), and in a pressure-overload concentric hypertrophic pig model (n = 32), pigs with a myocardial infarction (n = 28), mature pigs (n = 6), and mice (n = 15) carrying the HCM-associated MYBPC32373insG mutation. In the human samples, detyrosinated α-tubulin was increased 4-fold in end-stage HCM and 14-fold in pediatric DCM patients. Acetylated α-tubulin was increased twofold in ischemic patients. Across different animal models, the tubulin signature remained mostly unaltered. Only mature pigs were characterized by a 0.5-fold decrease in levels of total, acetylated, and detyrosinated α-tubulin. Moreover, we showed increased desmin levels in biopsies from NYHA class II HCM patients (2.5-fold) and the pressure-overload pig model (0.2–0.3-fold). Together, our data suggest that desmin levels increase early on in concentric hypertrophy and that animal models only partially recapitulate the proliferated and modified tubulin signature observed clinically. Our data warrant careful consideration when studying maladaptive responses to changes in the tubulin content in animal models.
Graphical Abstract
The Helmholtz legacy in color metrics: Schrödinger’s color theory
Authors: Roberti Valentina , Peruzzi Giulio 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study is a continuation of the authors’ previous work entitled “Helmholtz and the geometry of color space: gestation and development of Helmholtz’s line element” (Peruzzi and Roberti in Arch Hist Exact Sci.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00407-023-00304-2, 2023), which provides an account of the first metrically significant model of color space proposed by the German polymath Hermann von Helmholtz in 1891–1892. Helmholtz’s Riemannian line element for three-dimensional color space laid the foundation for all subsequent studies in the field of color metrics, although it was largely forgotten for almost three decades from the time of its first publication. The rediscovery of Helmholtz’s masterful work was due to one of the founders of quantum mechanics, Erwin Schrödinger. He established his color metric in three extended papers submitted in 1920 to theAnnalen der Physik. Two memoirs were devoted to the so-calledlower color metric,which laid the basis for the development of hishigher color metric, exposed in the last paper. Schrödinger’s approach to the geometry of color space has been taken as a starting point for future elaborations of color metrics and allows a close examination of the current assumptions about the analysis of color-matching data. This paper presents an overall picture of Schrödinger’s works on color. His color theory developed a tradition first inaugurated by Newton and Young, and which acquired strong scientific ground with Grassmann’s, Maxwell’s, and Helmholtz’s contributions in the 1850s. Special focus will be given to Schrödinger’s account of color metric, which responded directly to Helmholtz’s hypothesis of a Riemannian line element for color space.
Impact of empiric antibiotic therapy on the clinical outcome of acute calculous cholecystitis
Authors: de Miguel-Palacio Maite , González-Castillo Ana-María , Membrilla-Fernández Estela , Pons-Fragero María-José , Pelegrina-Manzano Amalia , Grande-Posa Luis , Morera-Casaponsa Ricard , Sancho-Insenser Juan-José 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Although mortality and morbidity of severe acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) are still a matter of concern, the impact of inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy has been poorly studied as a risk factor. The objective was to assess the impact of the adequacy of empirical antibiotic therapy on complication and mortality rates in ACC.

Methods
This observational retrospective cohort chart-based single-center study was conducted between 2012 and 2016. A total of 963 consecutive patients were included, and pure ACC was selected. General, clinical, postoperative, and microbiological variables were collected, and risk factors and consequences of inadequate treatment were analyzed.

Results
Bile, blood, and/or exudate cultures were obtained in 76.3% of patients, more often in old, male, and severely ill patients (P < 0.001). Patients who were cultured had a higher overall rate of postoperative complications (47.4% vs. 29.7%; P < 0.001), as well as of severe complications (11.6% vs. 4.7%; P = 0.008). Patients with positive cultures had more overall complications (54.8% vs. 39.6%; P = 0.001), more severe complications (16.3% vs. 6.7%; P = 0.001), and higher mortality rates (6% vs. 1.9%; P = 0.012). Patients who received inadequate empirical antibiotic therapy had a fourfold higher mortality rate than those receiving adequate therapy (n = 283; 12.8% vs. 3.4%; P = 0.003). This association was especially marked in severe ACC TG–III patients (n = 132; 18.2 vs. 5.1%; P = 0.018) and remained a predictor of mortality in a binary logistic regression (OR 4.4; 95% CI 1.3–15.3).

Conclusion
Patients with positive cultures developed more complications and faced higher mortality. Adequate empirical antibiotic therapy appears to be of paramount importance in ACC, particularly in severely ill patients.
Treatment patterns in stage III non‑small‑cell lung cancer patients: a population‑based study using German cancer registry data
Authors: Bedir Ahmed , Mehrotra Sneha , Gnüchtel Jessica , Vordermark Dirk , Medenwald Daniel 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, mostly due to delayed diagnosis. The objective of this study is to examine the treatment patterns and overall survival (OS) outcomes in a cohort of patients diagnosed with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) over a period of 12 years in Germany.

Methods
This retrospective study is based on German cancer registry data and included 14,606 stage III NSCLC patients diagnosed during 2007–2018. Three time-periods were defined according to the availability of advanced diagnostic and treatment strategies (2007–2010 low availability era (LAE), 2011–2014 transition era (TE), 2015–2018 modern era (ME)). Patients were categorized according to the treatment they received during those eras. Kaplan–Meier curves and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to investigate the association between being diagnosed during a certain era and survival. The hazard ratio (HR) estimates were reported along with the 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results
The median OS rose from 16 months in the LAE to 22 months in the ME. The HR for patients diagnosed and treated in the ME was estimated to be [0.78; 95% CI (0.74–0.83)] compared to those diagnosed and treated in LAE. The benefit was most evident for patients treated by radiotherapy and chemotherapy [HR 0.73 95% CI (0.66–0.82)].

Conclusion
This study highlights the importance of diagnostic and treatment advances in improving outcomes for lung cancer patients. Further studies are needed to assess progress in survival rates with current immunotherapy integration.
Programmable (proSA®) vs. fixed (SHUNTASSISTANT®) gravitational valves in pediatric patients with hydrocephalus: a 16-year retrospective single-center comparative study with biomechanical analysis
Authors: Issa Mohammed , Paggetti Filippo , von Hardenberg August , Miethke Christoph , Unterberg Andreas W. , El Damaty Ahmed 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
In pediatric hydrocephalus (HC) treatment, programmable gravitational valves offer greater flexibility to manage overdrainage during children’s growth. However, it remains unclear whether these devices provide better outcomes rather than their precursors. The study assessed the benefit from programmability of gravitational valve, i.e., programmable-SHUNTASSISTANT (proSA®) vs. SHUNTASSISTANT® (SA®).

Methods
Clinical records and imaging of pediatric patients with hydrocephalus of non-tumoral etiology treated with fixed (SA®) or programmable (proSA®) gravitational valves between January 2006 and January 2022 were analyzed in a retrospective single-center study. Valve survival was compared in relation to age and etiology. Lately explanted valves received biomechanical analysis.

Results
A total of 391 gravitational valves (254 SA® and 137 proSA®) were inserted in 244 patients (n = 134 males). One hundred thirty-three SA® (52.4%) and 67 proSA® (48.9%) were explanted during a follow-up of 81.1 ± 46.3 months. Valve survival rate at 1 and 5 years with proSA® was 87.6% and 60.6% compared to 81.9% and 58.7% with SA®, with mean survival time 56.4 ± 35.01 and 51.4 ± 43.0 months, respectively (P = 0.245). Age < 2 years at implantation correlated with significantly lower valve survival rates (P < 0.001), while HC etiology showed no significant impact. Overdrainage alone accounted for more SA® revisions (39.8% vs. 3.1%, P < 0.001), while dysfunctions of the adjustment system represented the first cause of valve replacement in proSA® cohort (45.3%). The biomechanical analysis performed on 41 proSA® and 31 SA® showed deposits on the valve’s internal surface in 97.6% and 90.3% of cases.

Conclusion
Our comparative study between proSA® and SA® valves in pediatric HC demonstrated that both valves showed similar survival rates, regardless of etiology but only with young age at implantation. The programmability may be beneficial in preventing sequelae of chronic overdrainage but does not reduce need for valve revision and proSA® valve should be considered in selected cases in growing children older than 2 years.
Salivary pellicle modulates biofilm formation on titanium surfaces
Authors: Martínez-Hernández Miryam , Reyes-Grajeda Juan Pablo , Hannig Matthias , Almaguer-Flores Argelia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objectives
The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of the salivary pellicle (SP) formed on titanium (Ti) surfaces to modulate the formation of a biofilm composed of Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces naeslundii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Materials and methods
Ti substrates were incubated for 2 h with a pool of saliva samples obtained from 10 systemically and periodontally healthy subjects. Enamel substrates were included as a biological reference. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy analysis were used to analyze the formation of the salivary pellicle. After the SP formation, the surfaces were incubated for 12 h with a mix of Streptococcus gordonii, Actinomyces naeslundii, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Porphyromonas gingivalis. The number of bacterial cells attached to each surface was determined by the XTT assay while bacterial viability was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy using the LIVE/DEAD® BacLightTM kit.

Results
The SEM and Raman spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of a salivary pellicle formed on the tested surfaces. Regarding the biofilm formation, the presence of the SP decreases the number of the bacterial cells detected in the test surfaces, compared with the uncover substrates. Even more, the SP-covered substrates showed similar bacterial counts in both Ti and enamel surfaces, meaning that the physicochemical differences of the substrates were less determinant than the presence of the SP. While on the SP-uncover substrates, differences in the bacterial adhesion patterns were directly related to the physicochemical nature of the substrates.

Conclusions
The salivary pellicle was the main modulator in the development of the biofilm consisting of representative oral bacteria on the Ti substrates.

Clinical relevance
The results of this study provide valuable information on the modulatory effect of the salivary pellicle on biofilm formation; such information allows us to understand better the events involved in the formation of oral biofilms on Ti dental implants.
The working angle in low-abrasive air polishing has an influence on gingival damage—an ex vivo porcine model
Authors: Weusmann Jens , Deschner James , Keppler Christopher , Imber Jean-Claude , Cores Ziskoven Pablo , Schumann Sven 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the influence of instrumentation angle during low-abrasive air polishing (LAA) on the oral gingiva using an ex vivo porcine model.

Material and methods
Six tissue samples from each of 14 porcine mandibles were randomly selected and instrumented. Two different LAA powders (glycine 25 μm, tagatose 15 μm) were investigated. An application angle of either 30–60° or 90° was selected. Gingival specimens from different mandibles served as untreated references. Gingival biopsies were examined by scanning electron microscopy and paraffin histology for tissue destruction using a five-level scale.

Results
LAA caused significantly less tissue damage at a 90° angle than at a 30–60° angle. This effect was seen in both the glycine-based powder arms (p = 0.002, p = 0.046) and the tagatose-based powder arms (p = 0.003, p = 0.011). However, at identical working angles, the two powders did not show significant differences in terms of gingival erosion (p = 0.79 and p = 0.57; p = 0.91 and p = 0.78, respectively).

Conclusions
LAA may cause less tissue damage at an application angle of 90°. Consequently, it seems advisable to air-polish the soft tissue as perpendicularly as possible. Additionally, glycine and tagatose LAA powders do not seem to differ in concern of soft tissue damage.

Clinical relevance
Within the limitations of this ex vivo animal model, this study argues for an application that is as close as possible to the 90° angle intending to minimize soft tissue damage. Manufacturer specifications, however, mainly request applications deviating from the right angle. In order to work in interdental areas using LAA safely, the use of subgingival nozzles might be considered.
Crack growth based tooth root life prediction model—an influence quantity analysis
Authors: Lövenich Johannes , Zalfen Moritz , Mevissen Dieter , Brimmers Jens , Brecher Christian 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOne of the key challenges of epicyclic gearboxes in turbo gearbox applications is the high number of load cycles reached by the gearbox components. Standards such as ISO 6336 deliver design guidelines for bending strength up to a limiting number of NG = 3∙106 and AGMA up to 107 load cycles which is far less than the expected lifetime of turbo gearbox applications.To design gears for geared turbofans safely and weight-optimized, the tooth root load capacity in the very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) range must be known as precisely as possible. Most VHCF SN-curve concepts show a continuously decreasing fatigue strength, so that a consideration of a constant fatigue strength level does not meet the material behavior. A life prediction model can be used to determine the specific load that can be carried for each number of load cycles.In this paper, the nasgro crack growth equation is applied to gears to determine the tooth root life in the VHCF range. A lifetime for surface and sub-surface induced fractures is calculated, resulting in a stepped SN-curve. Most of the cycles until fracture occur during crack initiation and micro crack growth, while the macro crack is a small part of the total number of load cycles until tooth root fracture. The nasgro equation is able to represent micro and macro crack growth and is extended by further approaches to the threshold of crack initiation Kth, which also consider the characteristics of short and long crack growth. In addition, the tooth root stress depth curve (via FEM), the hardness depth curve, the residual stress depth curve and the defect distribution will be included in the life-time prediction as important influencing variables of the VHCF tooth root load capacity. The influence of the inputs is determined in an influence quantity analysis. In the future the lifetime prediction model is validated with rig tests up to the VHCF range.