bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neural network adaption for depth sensor replication
Authors: Kunert Christian , Schwandt Tobias , Nadar Christon R. , Broll Wolfgang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn recent years, various depth sensors that are small enough to be used with mobile hardware have been introduced. They provide important information for use cases like 3D reconstruction or in the context of augmented reality where tracking and camera data alone would be insufficient. However, depth sensors may not always be available due to hardware limitations or when simulating augmented reality applications for prototyping purposes. In these cases, different approaches like stereo matching or depth estimation using neural networks may provide a viable alternative. In this paper, we therefore explore the imitation of depth sensors using deep neural networks. For this, we use a state-of-the-art network for depth estimation and adapt it in order to mimic a Structure Sensor as well as an iPad LiDAR sensor. We evaluate the network which was pre-trained on NYU V2 directly as well as several variations where transfer learning is applied in order to adapt the network to different depth sensors while using various data preprocessing and augmentation techniques. We show that a transfer learning approach together with appropriate data processing can enable an accurate modeling of the respective depth sensors.
Familial Mediterranean fever may mimic acute appendicitis in children
Authors: Wekell Per , Wester Tomas 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAcute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. Diagnosis and management are often straightforward. However, familial Mediterranean fever is an important condition to consider in the assessment of children with acute abdominal pain, particularly in children with an origin in eastern Mediterranean basin where the disease is common. The key feature of familial Mediterranean fever is relapsing episodes of fever and serositis including peritonitis, pleurisy, or arthritis. The disease is treated with colchicine that prevents acute attacks, control subclinical inflammation between the attacks and the long-term complication of amyloidosis. The acute attacks may be a challenge to identify and distinguish from other causes of acute abdomen, including acute appendicitis, but also small bowel obstruction. Ultrasound and CT scan findings are nonspecific during acute attacks of familial Mediterranean fever, but imaging is useful to identify acute appendicitis and small bowel obstruction. The purpose of this article was to increase the awareness and knowledge of familial Mediterranean fever and provide support for the paediatric surgeon in the clinical care of these children in parts of the world where familial Mediterranean fever is rare.
Reduction of A-to-I RNA editing in the failing human heart regulates formation of circular RNAs
Authors: Kokot Karoline E. , Kneuer Jasmin M. , John David , Rebs Sabine , Möbius-Winkler Maximilian N. , Erbe Stephan , Müller Marion , Andritschke Michael , Gaul Susanne , Sheikh Bilal N. , Haas Jan , Thiele Holger , Müller Oliver J. , Hille Susanne , Leuschner Florian , Dimmeler Stefanie , Streckfuss-Bömeke Katrin , Meder Benjamin , Laufs Ulrich , Boeckel Jes-Niels 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAlterations of RNA editing that affect the secondary structure of RNAs can cause human diseases. We therefore studied RNA editing in failing human hearts. Transcriptome sequencing showed that adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing was responsible for 80% of the editing events in the myocardium. Failing human hearts were characterized by reduced RNA editing. This was primarily attributable to Alu elements in introns of protein-coding genes. In the failing left ventricle, 166 circRNAs were upregulated and 7 circRNAs were downregulated compared to non-failing controls. Most of the upregulated circRNAs were associated with reduced RNA editing in the host gene. ADAR2, which binds to RNA regions that are edited from A-to-I, was decreased in failing human hearts. In vitro, reduction of ADAR2 increased circRNA levels suggesting a causal effect of reduced ADAR2 levels on increased circRNAs in the failing human heart. To gain mechanistic insight, one of the identified upregulated circRNAs with a high reduction of editing in heart failure, AKAP13, was further characterized. ADAR2 reduced the formation of double-stranded structures in AKAP13 pre-mRNA, thereby reducing the stability of Alu elements and the circularization of the resulting circRNA. Overexpression of circAKAP13 impaired the sarcomere regularity of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. These data show that ADAR2 mediates A-to-I RNA editing in the human heart. A-to-I RNA editing represses the formation of dsRNA structures of Alu elements favoring canonical linear mRNA splicing and inhibiting the formation of circRNAs. The findings are relevant to diseases with reduced RNA editing and increased circRNA levels and provide insights into the human-specific regulation of circRNA formation.
Peripheral eosinophil count and eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio are associated with revision sinus surgery
Authors: Bayer Karina , Hamidovic Selmir , Brkic Faris F. , Besser Gerold , Mueller Christian A. , Liu David T. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this study was to assess whether hematological indices of the peripheral blood are associated with revision surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).

Methods
This retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study included 541 CRS patients that underwent ESS. Demographics and laboratory parameters were retrieved, and group comparisons were performed. We computed binary logistic regression models to associate clinical characteristics (i.e., aeroallergen allergies, asthma, presence of nasal polyps), absolute blood counts of different leukocyte types (i.e., lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils), and hematological indices of the peripheral blood [i.e., neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), basophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (BLR), eosinophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (ELR), and eosinophil-to-neutrophil ratio (ENR)] with revision surgery as outcome.

Results
The study population included 435 primary surgeries and 106 revision cases. Patients undergoing revision ESS showed significantly higher absolute preoperative eosinophil counts (381.6 ± 265.6 per µl), ELR (0.205 ± 0.195), and ENR (0.105 ± 0.074) compared to primary cases (all p < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed higher odds for revision surgery in patients higher in age (β = 1.026, p < 0.001), with presence of aeroallergen allergies (β = 1.865, p = 0.011), presence of asthma (β = 3.731, p = 0.001), higher preoperative eosinophil counts (β = 1.002, p < 0.001), and higher ELR (β = 155.663, p = 0.015).

Conclusions
We found that higher peripheral eosinophil count and higher ELR were associated with revision ESS in CRS patients. Preoperative assessment of hematological indices of the peripheral blood might be a valuable indicator of disease severity, thus facilitating better treatment selection.
Cerebrospinal fluid levels of proenkephalin and prodynorphin are differentially altered in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Barschke Peggy , Abu-Rumeileh Samir , Al Shweiki M. H. D. Rami , Barba Lorenzo , Paolini Paoletti Federico , Oeckl Patrick , Steinacker Petra , Halbgebauer Steffen , Gaetani Lorenzo , Lewerenz Jan , Ludolph Albert Christian , Landwehrmeyer Georg Bernhard , Parnetti Lucilla , Otto Markus 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
Proenkephalin (PENK) and prodynorphin (PDYN) are peptides mainly produced by the striatal medium spiny projection neurons (MSNs) under dopaminergic signaling. Therefore, they may represent candidate biomarkers in Huntington’s disease (HD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), two neurodegenerative diseases characterized by striatal atrophy and/or dysfunction.

Methods
Using an in-house established liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) method in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) we measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of PENK- and PDYN- derived peptides in patients with HD (n = 47), PD (n = 61), Alzheimer’s disease (n = 11), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (n = 14) and in 92 control subjects. Moreover, we investigated the possible associations between biomarkers and disease severity scales in HD and PD and the effect of dopaminergic therapy on biomarker levels in PD.

Results
In HD, CSF PENK- and PDYN-derived peptide levels were significantly decreased compared to all other groups and were associated with disease severity scores. In PD, both biomarkers were within the normal range, but higher PDYN levels were found in dopamine-treated compared to untreated patients. In PD, both CSF PENK and PDYN did not correlate with clinical severity scales.

Conclusions
CSF PENK- and PDYN-derived peptides appeared to be promising pathogenetic and disease severity markers in HD, reflecting the ongoing striatal neurodegeneration along with the loss of MSNs. In PD patients, CSF PDYN showed a limitative role as a possible pharmacodynamic marker during dopaminergic therapy, but further investigations are needed.
Evaluation of classifications of the monopodial bronchopulmonary vasculature using clustering methods
Authors: Labode Jonas , Dullin Christian , Wagner Willi L. , Myti Despoina , Morty Rory E. , Mühlfeld Christian 
Published: June 2022

AbstractMammalian pulmonary arteries divide multiple times before reaching the vast capillary network of the alveoli. Morphological analyses of the arterial branches can be challenging because more proximal branches are likely biologically distinct from more peripheral parts. Thus, it is useful to group the arterial branches into groups of coherent biology. While the generational approach of dichotomous branching is straightforward, the grouping of arterial branches in the asymmetrically branching monopodial lung is less clear. Several established classification methods return highly dissimilar groupings when employed on the same organ. Here, we established a workflow allowing the quantification of grouping results for the monopodial lung and tested various methods to group the branches of the arterial tree into coherent groups. A mouse lung was imaged by synchrotron x-ray microcomputed tomography, and the arteries were digitally segmented. The arterial tree was divided into its individual segments, morphological properties were assessed from corresponding light microscopic scans, and different grouping methods were employed, such as (fractal) generation or (Strahler) order. The results were ranked by the morphological similarity within and dissimilarity between the resulting groups. Additionally, a method from the mathematical field of cluster analysis was employed for creating a reference classification. In conclusion, there were significant differences in method performance. The Strahler order was significantly superior to the generation system commonly used to classify human lung structure. Furthermore, a clustering approach indicated more precise ways to classify the monopodial lung vasculature exist.
Prevalence of lung tumors in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and vice versa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: van Tilburg Laurelle , van de Ven Steffi E. M. , Spaander Manon C. W. , van Kleef Laurens A. , Cornelissen Robin , Bruno Marco J. , Koch Arjun D. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Recent reports suggest an increased prevalence of lung second primary tumors (LSPTs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients and vice versa. However, the exact prevalence of SPTs remains unclear and screening for these SPTs is currently not routinely performed in western countries. We aimed to report on the prevalence of LSPTs in patients with ESCC and esophageal second primary tumors (ESPTs) in patients with lung cancer (LC).

Methods
Databases were searched until 25 March 2021 for studies reporting the prevalence of LSPTs in ESCC or vice versa. Pooled prevalences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) of SPTs were calculated with inverse variance, random-effects models and Clopper–Pearson.

Results
Nineteen studies in ESCC patients and 20 studies in LC patients were included. The pooled prevalence of LSPTs in patients with ESCC was 1.8% (95% CI 1.4–2.3%). For ESPTs in LC patients, the pooled prevalence was 0.2% (95% CI 0.1–0.4%). The prevalence of LSPTs in ESCC patients was significantly higher in patients treated curatively compared to studies also including palliative patients (median 2.5% versus 1.3%). This difference was consistent for the ESPT prevalence in LC patients (treated curatively median 1.3% versus 0.1% for all treatments). Over 50% of the detected SPTs were squamous cell carcinomas and were diagnosed metachronously.

Conclusion
Patients with ESCC and LC have an increased risk of developing SPTs in the lungs and esophagus. However, the relatively low SPT prevalence rates do not justify screening in these patients. Further research should focus on risk stratification to identify subgroups of patients at highest risk of SPT development.
Affecting behavioural change through empowerment: conceptual insights from theory and agricultural case studies in South Asia
Authors: Hamilton Serena H. , Merritt Wendy S. , Carter Lucy , Chakraborty Arnab , Cosijn Michaela , Lim-Camacho Lilly , Mishra Rajeshwar , Syme Geoff , Das Mahanambrota , Ray Dhananjay 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAffecting behavioural change is a common underlying goal across environmental and agricultural sciences, from climate change mitigation and adaptation, biodiversity conservation, water management, to crop diversification. However, many projects fail to drive or sustain change despite sound science and good intentions. This paper draws on existing theories of behavioural change to construct a conceptual framework that explores pathways to initiate and sustain change through the lens of empowerment, self-efficacy and agency. The framework is demonstrated with case studies from a project in India and Bangladesh that examined social inclusion of marginalised and poor farmers in the context of intensifying agriculture. The framework and case studies highlight that a number of conditions are needed to affect meaningful change including that target beneficiaries are suitably motivated, believe in their own capability and power to enact change and have access to the necessary resources. We propose the framework as a tool to help project teams explore the underlying elements of the process of change when designing, implementing and assessing agricultural or environmental projects and interventions. We contend that behavioural and social change needs to be explicitly fostered in such endeavours to achieve better and longer-term outcomes for the people and environment.
Unusual pattern of skipped or shortened moulting of flight feathers in late-breeding Common Shelducks
Authors: Cimiotti Dagmar S. , Hötker Hermann , Garthe Stefan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractExperimental studies have shown that individual wildfowl can shorten or skip moulting if the time between breeding and wintering is short; however, studies in wild birds are scarce. We tracked nine Common Shelducks Tadorna tadorna during the breeding and moulting seasons and determined the flightless time during moulting based on typical movement patterns. We found different movement patterns for two late-breeding females, suggesting that they skipped or shortened the moult of their flight feathers. These results provide a link between previous experimental studies and the situation in wild birds, likely reflecting an individual trade-off between the times allocated to moulting and breeding, respectively.
Fatigue behaviour of laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) Ti–6Al–4V, Al–Si–Mg and stainless steels: a brief overview
Authors: Afroz L. , Das R. , Qian M. , Easton M. , Brandt M. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractFatigue and crack growth characteristics are essential cyclic properties of additively manufactured (AM) components for load-bearing applications, which are less reported in the literature than static properties. The fatigue behaviour of AM components is more complicated than those produced by conventional fabrication techniques (casting and forging) because of the multiplicity of different influencing factors like defect distribution, inhomogeneity of the microstructure and consequent anisotropy. Therefore, it is crucial to understand fatigue performance under different loading conditions to enhance AM application in aerospace, automotive, and other industries. The present work summarises the published literature for fatigue properties of popular metals (Ti–6Al–4V, Al–Si–Mg and stainless steels) produced by the laser powder-bed-fusion (L-PBF) process. Moreover, process parameters, post-processing treatments and microstructures of these alloys are discussed to evaluate the current state-of-the-art of fatigue and crack growth properties of L-PBF metals. The static properties of these alloys are also included to incorporate only those cases for which fatigue behaviour are discussed later in this review to make a correlation between the static and fatigue properties for these alloys. The effects of build orientation, microstructure, heat treatment, surface roughness and defects on fatigue strength and fatigue crack growth threshold are observed and critically analysed based on available literature. This study also highlights the common and contrary findings in the literature associated with various influential factors to comprehensively understand the cyclic loading behaviour of L-PBF produced metal alloys.
Impact of Sample Geometry and Surface Finish on VM12-SHC Ferritic–Martensitic Steel Under Cyclic Steam Atmosphere Operating Conditions
Authors: Feijoo M. Mosquera , Oder G. , Neumann R. Saliwan , Buchheim M. , Kranzmann A. , Olbricht J. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe steam side oxidation of ferritic–martensitic VM12-SHC steel was investigated under thermo-cyclic conditions in water steam at 620/320 °C and 30 bar with a focus on assessing the influence of pre-oxidation time, specimen geometry and surface finish. The specimens were pre-oxidized under isothermal conditions in water steam at 620 °C and 30 bar for 500 h or 1500 h. After pre-oxidation treatment, all specimens were subjected up to 258 thermal cycles. Three different geometries—rectangular coupons, U-shaped ring segments and ring samples—were investigated to evaluate the influence of open/closed shape, and flat/curved surface on corrosion rate. At the same time, two types of surface finish were considered: “as received” and “ground.” The formation of a protective scale by pre-oxidation was investigated. EBSD and ESMA analyses revealed that the Cr-content of the alloy appeared to be insufficient for obtaining a protective oxide scale under studied conditions, at the same time the anayses confirmed that initial oxidation depends on presence of minor alloying elements as Si and Mn, strong oxide formers which can alter the kinetics and morphology of the corrosion reaction. Moreover, rectangular coupons with small wall thickness and flat surface exhibited the highest corrosion rate, while “ground” curved samples showed only local oxidation. This indicates that for same pre-oxidation time, oxidation kinetics is controlled by curvature.
The interplay between nitrogenated allelochemicals, mineral nutrition and metabolic profile in barley roots
Authors: Maver Mauro , Trevisan Fabio , Miras-Moreno Begoña , Lucini Luigi , Trevisan Marco , Cesco Stefano , Mimmo Tanja 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Aims
The alkaloid hordenine is one of the major allelochemicals involved in the allelopathic ability of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), whose biosynthesis and accumulation is preferentially located in roots. Hordenine appears to have been unintentionally favored during domestication in modern and cultivated barley cultivars at the expense of another alkaloid, gramine. In this study, we assessed the content of hordenine and its two precursors, N-methyltyramine (NMT) and tyramine, in roots and root exudates of the modern spring barley cv. Solist, and particularly how they are affected due to nutrient deficiencies.

Methods
We monitored the three metabolites during the early phases of barley growth i.e., up to 8 days, applying HPLC time-course and both target and untargeted metabolomic approaches. Barley plants were grown either in full nutrient solutions or in specific nutrient shortage conditions (N, S, P and Fe).

Results
Results confirmed a strong decrease of the allelochemical accumulation (hordenine and the two precursors) in roots and in root exudates during both 24 h and 8 days time-course experiments. Yet, the overall tyramine content was approximately tenfold lower compared to the other two compounds. In addition, plants subjected to nitrogen (-N), sulfur (-S), phosphorus (-P) and iron (-Fe) deprivation showed nutrient-dependent accumulation of hordenine, N-methyltyramine and tyramine, as well as of other secondary metabolites. Indeed, the synthesis of hordenine and N-methyltyramine was trigged under nutrient deficiencies.

Conclusions
In conclusion, this study highlighted the impact of nutrient availability on the growth-dependent accumulation patterns of all the three compounds investigated in modern barley roots.
Is Vitamin D Supplementation an Effective Treatment for Hypertension?
Authors: Chen Songcang , Gemelga Gio , Yeghiazarians Yerem 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose of the Review
Results from epidemiological studies suggest that vitamin D (VD) deficiency (VDD) may be a cause of hypertension (HTN). However, the results of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) designed to address the impact of VD supplementation on reducing blood pressure (BP) remain equivocal. To determine whether VD might serve as a beneficial treatment option for a specific subset of hypertensive patients, we performed a stratified analysis of RCT data and addressed problems associated with some methodological issues.

Recent Findings
HTN is caused by multiple factors. VDD may be one of the factors contributing to the development of this disorder. There are more than 70 RCTs that examined the impact of VD supplementation on BP. These RCTs can be classified into four groups based on their respective study populations, including participants who are (1) VD-sufficient and normotensive, (2) VD-deficient and normotensive, (3) VD-sufficient and hypertensive, and (4) VD-deficient and hypertensive.

Summary
Our evaluation of these studies demonstrates that VD supplementation is ineffective when used to reduce BP in VD-sufficient normotensive subjects. VD supplementation for five years or more may reduce the risk of developing HTN specifically among those with VDD. Interestingly, findings from 12 RCTs indicate that daily or weekly supplementation, as opposed to large bolus dosing, results in the reduction of BP in VD-deficient hypertensive patients. Our ongoing research focused on elucidating the mechanisms of VDD-induced HTN will ultimately provide evidence to support the development of etiology-specific prevention and treatment strategies focused on HTN in the VD-deficient population.