bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extended B‐spline‐based implicit material point method
Authors: Yamaguchi Yuya , Moriguchi Shuji , Terada Kenjiro
Published: December 2020

An implicit material point method (MPM) is enhanced by extended B‐splines with the aim of achieving numerical stability and properly imposing boundary conditions. The standard B‐spline basis functions capable of suppressing the cell‐crossing error are used for the approximation over the domain, whereas extended B‐splines (EBS) are active for boundary cells, each of which is occupied by a small physical domain. The basis consisting of EBS plays a central role to avoid both stress oscillation arising from inaccurate numerical integration and ill‐conditioning of their resulting tangent matrices, both of which are caused by the boundary cells containing smaller number of material points than interior ones. Besides the standard material points for the interior region, boundary points are introduced to explicitly represent the boundary geometries and their movements, and to weakly impose an arbitrary boundary condition with the Nitsche's method. The Nitsche's terms in the linearized weak form are decomposed into normal and tangential directions to deal with both slip and nonslip boundary conditions. Four case studies are made to demonstrate the performance and capability of the proposed method, named EBS‐MPM, in stably solving the quasi‐static equilibrium problems for hyperelastic bodies and properly applying arbitrary boundary conditions.
Maternal GDM Status, Genetically Determined Blood Glucose, and Offspring Obesity Risk: An Observational Study
Authors: Song Qiying , Wang Leishen , Liu Huikun , Liang Zhaoxia , Chen Yuhang , Sun Dianjianyi , Li Weiqin , Leng Junhong , Yang Xilin , Cardoso Marly Augusto , Hu Gang , Qi Lu
Published: December 2020

Objective

The purpose of this study was to estimate the associations of genetically determined maternal blood glucose levels with obesity‐related outcomes among children from pregnancies with and without gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Methods

A total of 1,114 mothers with (N = 560) and without (N = 554) GDM and their children were included in the present study. A maternal genetic risk score (GRS) for blood glucose was constructed on the basis of 17 single‐nucleotide polymorphisms identified from a recent genome‐wide association study.

Results

It was found that maternal GRS for blood glucose showed different associations with offspring risk of overweight and obesity, as well as adiposity measures (all P for interaction < 0.05). Among mothers without GDM, genetically determined maternal blood glucose levels were associated with an 89% higher risk of overweight in their children (95% CI: 42%‐152% per SD increase in GRS, P = 1.40 × 10−5) and a 120% higher risk of obesity (44%‐235%, P = 2.61 × 10−4) after adjustment for covariates. In addition, higher maternal GRS for blood glucose was associated with children's increased obesity‐related traits (all P < 0.05). However, no significant associations were observed among children of mothers with GDM.

Conclusions

This study indicates that GDM status may modify the relation between genetically determined glucose levels and obesity risk among children.
Tribo‐mechanical properties of composites based on polyoxymethylene reinforced with basalt fiber andsilicon carbidewhiskers
Authors: Bazan Patrycja , Nykiel Marek , Kuciel Stanisław
Published: December 2020

This paper presents an analysis of the hybrid reinforcement of polyoxymethylene composites. Basalt fibers and monocrystalline silicon carbide fibers were used as reinforcement. Basic tests of mechanical properties were carried out, such as the static tensile and flexural test. The tests were repeated under external factors, such as the influence of water aging and a wide range of exploitation temperatures. The materials were also subjected to tribological tests, that is, determination of the friction coefficient and the specific wear rate. Strength tests revealed an increase in the stiffness of the material as well as a reduction the friction coefficient and abrasive wear. The addition of monocrystalline fibers significantly limited water absorption, stabilized the strength properties in the water environment as well as provided better material's resistance to dynamic impact.
Facile synthesis of highly porous hyper‐cross‐linked polymer for light hydrocarbon separation
Authors: Chen Jinghu , Jiang Lingchang , Li Chengyun , Fu Wenying , Xia Qineng , Wang Yangang , Huang Yuandong
Published: December 2020

Light hydrocarbon separation is a crucial process associated with high energy expenditure in the petrochemical industry. The utilization of porous organic materials as solid porous adsorbents for light hydrocarbon separation has found widespread attention because of the advantages of low cost, excellent stability, and good recyclability. Here, we present the facile synthesis of a porous organic material, constructed from pyridine‐triphenylborane by using a Friedel‐Crafts alkylation coupling reaction, affording the hyper‐cross‐linked polymer, HCP‐B. HCP‐B features significant thermal stability, and high surface area. Gas adsorption experiments show that this material adsorbs much larger amounts of ethane, ethylene, and acetylene than that of methane. Ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) calculations also predict that HCP‐B selectively adsorbs ethane, ethylene, and acetylene over methane. Both are indicative of the great potential of HCP‐B in light hydrocarbon separation.
Validation of experimental results for graphene oxide‐epoxy polymer nanocomposite through computational analysis
Authors: Pathak Abhishek K. , Dhakate Sanjay R.
Published: December 2020

The change in interfacial interaction behavior of epoxy resin nanocomposites with the incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) was explored experimentally and computationally. GO with different weight (wt) loading was incorporated in epoxy resin by a three‐way dispersion method. GO formed mechanical interlocking with epoxy resin, thereby resulting in a remarkable enhancement in mechanical and thermo‐mechanical properties of GO‐epoxy nanocomposite. In 0.3 wt% GO‐epoxy nanocomposites, improvement of 26.7% in flexural strength and 39.2% in flexural modulus was reported. Using dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), glass transition temperature (Tg) of 182.7°C and maximum thermal stability was reported for 0.3% GO‐epoxy nanocomposite. The effect of GO on cross‐linking in GO‐epoxy nanocomposite was analyzed by DSC and Raman spectroscopy. The X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) study was utilized to determine the interfacial interaction, and further was verified by density functional theory (DFT). By experimental and computational study, H‐bonding was observed to improve interfacial interaction in GO‐epoxy nanocomposite.
A modified human reliability analysis method for the estimation of human error probability in the offloading operations at oil terminals
Authors: Zhang Renyou , Tan Henry , Afzal Waheed
Published: December 2020

Human error is a significant factor contributing to accidents during oil offloading at oil terminals. Fuzzy cognitive reliability and error analysis method (CREAM) is one of the applicable methods to estimate human error probability (HEP). However, the currently used fuzzy CREAM models have issues which weaken the quality of HEP results. Both the max‐min fuzzy CREAM and the weighted fuzzy CREAM neglect the compatibility degree of each activated fuzzy if‐then rule; besides, the max‐min fuzzy CREAM focuses only on the maximum and minimum input data and ignores their weights. Therefore, this paper presents a modified fuzzy CREAM to address all these issues to strengthen the quality of HEP estimation. The proposed approach employs fuzzy degree of each common performance condition (CPC), the weight of each CPC, and the compatibility degree of each activated fuzzy if‐then rule together to calculate HEP. The proposed approach is applied for HEP estimation in an oil offloading operation at the selected oil terminal. The final HEP value is estimated at 8.929 × 10−3. It is concluded that the proposed fuzzy CREAM model can provide more reliable results.
State feedback control for stochastic regular linear quadratic tracking problem with input time delay
Authors: Jin Nana , Liu Shuai
Published: December 2020

In this article, a linear quadratic tracking controller is designed for continuous‐time delay systems involving multiplicative noises. This problem is challenging since the separation principle is ineffective for Itô stochastic systems and it is not assumed that the control weighting matrix in the cost function is positive definite. In this work, both finite time horizon and infinite time horizon cases are considered. The optimal controller is designed such that quadratic cost function in terms of the tracking error of the states and the control input is minimized. It is noted that comparing with regular problem, that is, the weighting matrix of control input in cost function is positive semidefinite, there exists an extra term in the optimal controller which can be free to choose. The explicit analytical expressions for the optimal controller are provided through solving a couple of Riccati‐like equations. For the infinite horizon case, the stabilization problem for an Itô stochastic system containing the input time delay is also studied. The effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results is illustrated by a numerical example.
Nephroblastoma in a Sprague Dawley rat unrelated to titanium dioxide nanoparticle exposure in utero
Authors: Glaspell Samantha J. , Knapek Katie J. , Washington Ida M. , Fitzgerald Scott D. , Fortin Jessica S.
Published: December 2020

Nephroblastoma is an embryonal tumour that has rarely been reported in laboratory rats. In this case report, a large nephroblastoma with peritoneal seeding was found during necropsy in an 11‐month‐old, female, Sprague Dawley rat. The rat had a history of indirect exposure to nano‐TiO2 (titanium dioxide nanoparticles) during maternal gestation. A firm mass in the upper right abdominal quadrant was palpated. Four weeks later, the animal quickly declined. Nephroblastoma was confirmed by histopathology. Only one rat developed nephroblastoma among the ten littermates. Nephroblastomas in Sprague Dawley rats are typically spontaneous tumours with non‐malignant mesenchymal elements. The capability to induce a nephroblastoma with nano‐TiO2 is less likely in this case.
Farmers’ Adoption of Climate Smart Practices for Increased Productivity in Nigeria
Authors: Fawole B. E. , Aderinoye-Abdulwahab S. A.
Published: December 2020

In a bid to reinforce the efforts of agricultural professionals within the domain of climate change studies and with particular emphasis on rural farmers in Nigeria, this article explores the mechanics for adoption of climate smart agricultural practices among rural farmers for an increased agricultural productivity. Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is paramount to the success of farming activities today in the face of the menace of the impact of climate change. Climate Smart Agricultural Practice (CSAP) is one of the major keys that agricultural development approaches aimed at; to sustainably increase productivity and resilience, while also reducing the effects; as well as removing emissions of greenhouse gases. It is pertinent to note that most of the CSAPs adopted by the rural farmers in this study are conservation agriculture, use of organic manure, crop diversification, use of wetland (Fadama), planting of drought tolerant crops, relocation from climate risk zones, prayers for God’s intervention, and improvement on farmers’ management skills. This study divulged and showcased the import of CSAP in boosting agricultural yield and also highlights the bottlenecks inhibiting agricultural farming practices such as lack of practical understanding of the approach, inadequate data and information, lack of suitable tools at local and national levels, supportive and enabling policy frameworks, and socioeconomic constraints at the farm level. The study concluded by recommending an aggressive awareness and mobilization campaign to boost the adoption of CSAPs in Nigeria.
Terahertz rectangular waveguides with inserted graphene films biased by light and their quasi-linear electromagnetic modeling
Authors: Kouzaev Guennadi A.
Published: December 2020

Novel rectangular waveguides with graphene inserts biased by light are proposed herein. The graphene films short the conductor plates of waveguides and support the localized transverse-electric modes. Their electric fields are parallel to the wide walls of these waveguides, and the eigenmodes have decreased conductor loss. The designs do not involve the conductor and graphene strips with their sharp edges, and the loss associated with the current crowding effect is excluded. The waveguides are treated in the quasi-linear regime using a rigorous field matching method, and the complex dispersion eigenmodal equation is solved using a validated iteration algorithm. At the terahertz frequencies of amplification, where the real part of graphene conductivity is negative, a gain increase is found with the eigenmodal number. This gain can be tuned by the waveguide geometry, dielectric filling, and the level of quasi-Fermi energy. The ideal waveguide theory is corrected using a perturbation approach and the Drude model of surface resistance of waveguide plates.
Evaluating Rank-Coherence of Crowd Rating in Customer Satisfaction
Authors: Tomaselli Venera , Cantone Giulio Giacomo
Published: December 2020

Crowd rating is a continuous and public process of data gathering that allows the display of general quantitative opinions on a topic from online anonymous networks as they are crowds. Online platforms leveraged these technologies to improve predictive tasks in marketing. However, we argue for a different employment of crowd rating as a tool of public utility to support social contexts suffering to adverse selection, like tourism. This aim needs to deal with issues in both method of measurement and analysis of data, and with common biases associated to public disclosure of rating information. We propose an evaluative method to investigate fairness of common measures of rating procedures with the peculiar perspective of assessing linearity of the ranked outcomes. This is tested on a longitudinal observational case of 7 years of customer satisfaction ratings, for a total amount of 26.888 reviews. According to the results obtained from the sampled dataset, analysed with the proposed evaluative method, there is a trade-off between loss of (potentially) biased information on ratings and fairness of the resulting rankings. However, computing an ad hoc unbiased ranking case, the ranking outcome through the time-weighted measure is not significantly different from the ad hoc unbiased case.
Possessing reasons: why the awareness-first approach is better than the knowledge-first approach
Authors: Silva Paul
Published: December 2020

In order for a reason to justify an action or attitude it must be one that is possessed by an agent. Knowledge-centric views of possession ground our possession of reasons, at least partially, either in our knowledge of them or in our being in a position to know them. On virtually all accounts, knowing P is some kind of non-accidental true belief that P. This entails that knowing P is a kind of non-accidental true representation that P. I outline a novel theory of the epistemic requirement on possession in terms of this more general state of non-accidental true representation. It is just as well placed to explain the motivations behind knowledge-centric views of possession, and it is also better placed to explain the extent of the reasons we possess in certain cases of deductive belief-updates and cases involving environmental luck. I conclude with three reflections. First, I indicate how my arguments generate a dilemma for Errol Lord’s (2018a) view that possessing reasons is just a matter of being in a position to manifest one’s knowledge how to use them. Second, I explain how my view can simultaneously manage cases of environmental luck without falling prey to lottery cases. Finally, I sketch the direction for a further range of counterexamples to knowledge-centric theories of possession.
250-year records of mercury and trace element deposition in two lakes from Cajas National Park, SW Ecuadorian Andes
Authors: Schneider Tobias , Musa Bandowe Benjamin A. , Bigalke Moritz , Mestrot Adrien , Hampel Henrietta , Mosquera Pablo V. , Fränkl Lea , Wienhues Giulia , Vogel Hendrik , Tylmann Wojciech , Grosjean Martin
Published: December 2020

Historical records of trace elements in lake sediments provide source-to-sink information about potentially toxic pollutants across space and time. We investigated two lakes located at different elevations in the Ecuadorian Andes to understand how trace element fluxes are related to (i) geology, (ii) erosion in the watersheds, and (iii) local point sources and atmospheric loads. In remote Lake Fondococha (4150 m a.s.l.), total Hg fluxes stay constant between ca. 1760 and 1950 and show an approximately 4.4-fold increase between pre-1950 and post-1950 values. The post-1950 increase in fluxes of other trace elements (V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb) is lower (2.1–3.0-fold) than for Hg. Mostly lithogenic sources and enhanced soil erosion contribute to their post-1950 increase (lithogenic contribution: > 85%, Hg: ~ 58%). Average post-1950 Hg fluxes are approximately 4.3 times higher in peri-urban Lake Llaviucu (3150 m a.s.l.) than in the remote Lake Fondococha. Post-1950 fluxes of the other trace elements showed larger differences between Lakes Fondococha and Llaviucu (5.2 < 25–29.5-fold increase; Ni < Pb–Cd). The comparison of the post-1950 average trace element fluxes that are derived from point and airborne sources revealed 5–687 (Hg–Pb) times higher values in Lake Llaviucu than in Lake Fondococha suggesting that Lake Llaviucu’s proximity to the city of Cuenca strongly influences its deposition record (industrial emissions, traffic, caged fishery). Both lakes responded with temporary drops in trace element accumulations to park regulations in the 1970s and 1990s, but show again increasing trends in recent times, most likely caused by increase in vehicular traffic and openings of copper and gold mines around Cajas National Park.
On Holomorphic Curves Tangent to Real Hypersurfaces of Infinite Type
Authors: Kamimoto Joe
Published: December 2020

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the geometric properties of real hypersurfaces of D’Angelo infinite type in $${{\mathbb {C}}}^n$$

C

n

. In order to understand the situation of flatness of these hypersurfaces, it is natural to ask whether there exists a nonconstant holomorphic curve tangent to a given hypersurface to infinite order. A sufficient condition for this existence is given by using Newton polyhedra, which is an important concept in singularity theory. More precisely, equivalence conditions are given in the case of some model hypersurfaces.
Experimental Acceptance Procedure for Using Cullet in the Gas Collection Layer of MSW Landfill
Authors: Cortellazzo Giampaolo , Bellò Eugenio , Busana Stefano , Favaretti Marco
Published: December 2020

The multilayer system of a non-hazardous solid wastes landfill cover, required by most international regulations, includes a granular layer of adequate permeability and thickness for the collection and drainage of biogas. The choice of the most suitable material generally falls on granular soils, containing very low percentages of fines. The paper presents the possibility of replacing natural soils with cullet, obtained by the glass shredding, and widely available on the market. Its hydraulic conductivity with regard to biogas and its granulometric compatibility with the adjacent layers may be initially assessed by means of the usual filter design criteria. Then, its crushing strength, under static and cyclical loads, must be evaluated, since the capping systems are crossed by heavy earthmoving trucks, and consequently, there is the possibility of a change of the cullet granulometric distribution. As cullet is not a conventional material, the usual geotechnical laboratory tests cannot be directly applied to it. The paper suggests an innovative laboratory procedure, defined as a static and cyclical punching test, which allows to evaluate the crushing resistance of cullet by using the traditional apparatus for soil compaction.
Real-time monitoring as a supplementary security component of vigilantism in modern network environments
Authors: Kebande Victor R. , Karie Nickson M. , Ikuesan Richard A.
Published: December 2020

The phenomenon of network vigilantism is autonomously attributed to how anomalies and obscure activities from adversaries can be tracked in real-time. Needless to say, in today’s dynamic, virtualized, and complex network environments, it has become undeniably necessary for network administrators, analysts as well as engineers to practice network vigilantism, on traffic as well as other network events in real-time. The reason is to understand the exact security posture of an organization’s network environment at any given time. This is driven by the fact that modern network environments do, not only present new opportunities to organizations but also a different set of new and complex cybersecurity challenges that need to be resolved daily. The growing size, scope, complexity, and volume of networked devices in our modern network environments also makes it hard even for the most experienced network administrators to independently provide the breadth and depth of knowledge needed to oversee or diagnose complex network problems. Besides, with the growing number of Cyber Security Threats (CSTs) in the world today, many organisations have been forced to change the way they plan, develop and implement cybersecurity strategies as a way to reinforce their ability to respond to cybersecurity incidents. This paper, therefore, examines the relevance of Real-Time Monitoring (RTM) as a supplementary security component of vigilantism in modern network environments, more especially for proper planning, preparedness, and mitigation in case of a cybersecurity incident. Additionally, this paper also investigates some of the key issues and challenges surrounding the implementation of RTM for security vigilantism in our modern network environments.
Survival following relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation for acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes in the contemporary era
Authors: Hong Sanghee , Rybicki Lisa , Corrigan Donna , Hamilton Betty K. , Sobecks Ronald , Kalaycio Matt , Gerds Aaron T. , Dean Rob M. , Hill Brian T. , Pohlman Brad , Jagadeesh Deepa , Anwer Faiz , Majhail Navneet S.
Published: December 2020

Objective/Background:

Relapse is the most common cause of treatment failure after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT). No standard of care exists, and a wide range of treatments are used for post-alloHCT relapse. In the recent era, several novel therapies including targeted agents are available for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

Methods:

We reviewed outcomes after alloHCT relapse, with or without use of these newer agents for ALL, AML, and MDS. In total, 115 adults with relapsed or refractory ALL (n = 17), AML (n = 67), and MDS (n = 31) at median 5 (range, 1–64) months after their first alloHCT in 2010–2018 were included.

Results:

Median follow-up was 19 (range, 6–80) months after relapse from alloHCT. Targeted agents were given to 29 (25%) patients. In multivariable analysis, use of targeted agent at any time point after relapse was not associated with survival. Matched unrelated (vs. matched sibling; hazard ratio [HR] 1.70; p = .027) or haploidentical donor grafts (vs. matched sibling; HR 2.69; p = .003), presence of grade II–IV acute graft-versus-host disease before relapse (HR 2.46; p < .001), and less than 12 months from HCT to relapse (<6 vs. > 12 months; HR 6.34; p < .001; 6–12 vs. > 12 months; HR 3.16; p = .005) were adverse prognostic factors for post-relapse survival.

Conclusion:

Outcomes after alloHCT relapse remain poor regardless of the novel agent use. Innovative treatment strategies are needed to improve outcomes after relapse post-alloHCT.
Process‐Based Climate Model Development Harnessing Machine Learning: II. Model Calibration From Single Column to Global
Authors: Hourdin Frédéric , Williamson Daniel , Rio Catherine , Couvreux Fleur , Roehrig Romain , Villefranque Najda , Musat Ionela , Fairhead Laurent , Diallo F. Binta , Volodina Victoria
Published: December 2020

We demonstrate a new approach for climate model tuning in a realistic situation. Our approach, the mathematical foundations and technical details of which are given in Part I, systematically uses a single‐column configuration of a global atmospheric model on test cases for which reference large‐eddy‐simulations are available. The space of free parameters is sampled running the single‐column model from which metrics are estimated in the full parameter space using emulators. The parameter space is then reduced by retaining only the values for which the emulated metrics match large eddy simulations within a given tolerance to error. The approach is applied to the 6A version of the LMDZ model which results from a long investment in the development of physics parameterizations and by‐hand tuning. The boundary layer is revisited by increasing the vertical resolution and varying parameters that were kept fixed so far, which improves the representation of clouds at process scale. The approach allows us to automatically reach a tuning of this modified configuration as good as that of the 6A version. We show how this approach helps accelerate the introduction of new parameterizations. It allows us to maintain the physical foundations of the model and to ensure that the improvement of global metrics is obtained for a reasonable behavior at process level, reducing the risk of error compensations that may arise from over‐fitting some climate metrics. That is, we get things right for the right reasons.
Floodplains in the Anthropocene: A Global Analysis of the Interplay Between Human Population, Built Environment, and Flood Severity
Authors: Mazzoleni M. , Mård J. , Rusca M. , Odongo V. , Lindersson S. , Di Baldassarre G.
Published: December 2020

This study presents a global explanatory analysis of the interplay between the severity of flood losses and human presence in floodplain areas. In particular, we relate economic losses and fatalities caused by floods during 1990–2000, with changes in human population and built‐up areas in floodplains during 2000–2015 by exploiting global archives. We found that population and built‐up areas in floodplains increased in the period 2000–2015 for the majority of the analyzed countries, albeit frequent flood losses in the previous period 1990–2000. In some countries, however, population in floodplains decreased in the period 2000–2015, following more severe floods losses that occurred in the period 1975–2000. Our analysis shows that (i) in low‐income countries, population in floodplains increased after a period of high flood fatalities; while (ii) in upper‐middle and high‐income countries, built‐up areas increased after a period of frequent economic losses. In this study, we also provide a general framework to advance knowledge of human‐flood interactions and support the development of sustainable policies and measures for flood risk management and disaster risk reduction.
In-depth secretome analysis of Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici in infected wheat uncovers effector functions
Authors: Ozketen Ahmet Caglar , Andac-Ozketen Ayse , Dagvadorj Bayantes , Demiralay Burak , Akkaya Mahinur S.
Published: December 2020

The importance of wheat yellow rust disease, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), has increased substantially due to the emergence of aggressive new Pst races in the last couple of decades. In an era of escalating human populations and climate change, it is vital to understand the infection mechanism of Pst in order to develop better strategies to combat wheat yellow disease. The present study focuses on the identification of small secreted proteins (SSPs) and candidate-secreted effector proteins (CSEPs) that are used by the pathogen to support infection and control disease development. We generated de novo assembled transcriptomes of Pst collected from wheat fields in central Anatolia. We inoculated both susceptible and resistant seedlings with Pst and analyzed haustoria formation. At 10 days post-inoculation (dpi), we analyzed the transcriptomes and identified 10550 Differentially Expressed Unigenes (DEGs), of which 6072 were Pst-mapped. Among those Pst-related genes, 227 were predicted as PstSSPs. In silico characterization was performed using an approach combining the transcriptomic data and data mining results to provide a reliable list to narrow down the ever-expanding repertoire of predicted effectorome. The comprehensive analysis detected 14 Differentially Expressed Small-Secreted Proteins (DESSPs) that overlapped with the genes in available literature data to serve as the best CSEPs for experimental validation. One of the CSEPs was cloned and studied to test the reliability of the presented data. Biological assays show that the randomly selected CSEP, Unigene17495 (PSTG_10917), localizes in the chloroplast and is able to suppress cell death induced by INF1 in a Nicotiana benthamiana heterologous expression system.
MicroRNA-409-3p promotes osteoblastic differentiation via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by targeting SCAI
Authors: Chen Nan , Yang Hao , Song Lijun , Li Hua , Liu Yi , Wu Di
Published: December 2020

Osteogenic differentiation is an important process of new bone formation, microRNA-409-3p (miR-409-3p) has been reported to be up-regulated in the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The present study aimed to investigate the regulatory effect of miR-409-3p on osteogenic differentiation of MSCs and its molecular mechanism. The expression of miR-409-3p in osteoblast (human skull osteoblast, HCO) and bone marrow-derived MSCs (MSC-A, MSC-B, MSC-U) were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The binding of miR-409-3p to suppressor of cancer cell invasion (SCAI) in MSC-B was investigated by performing a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. MSC-B was selected to transfect with miR-409-3p analog/complementary sequence (cs), miR-409-3p analog + SCAI and miR-409-3p cs + small interfering (si)-SCAI, as well as control, respectively. The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, Alizarin Red staining, and the expression of osteogenic markers (ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2)) in MSC-B during osteoblastic differentiation were tested by RT-qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. Additionally, the Wnt/β-catenin pathway was inhibited by dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1) to get the roles of miR-409-3p during the osteoblastic differentiation of MSC-B when transfected with miR-409-3p analog. The expression of miR-409-3p in HCO was higher than that in these three MSCs and showed an increasing time-dependent trend on the 0 and 21st day of osteoblastic differentiation. MiR-409-3p directly regulated SCAI by targeting SCAI 3′UTR. Further, miR-409-3p suppressed SCAI expression, but SCAI up-regulation suppressed the osteoblastic differentiation, as well as reduced the relative mRNA/protein expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes (Axis inhibition protein 1 (AXIN1), β-catenin, Lymphoid Enhancer Binding Factor 1, Cellular-myelocytomatosis (c-myc) and cyclin D1). Importantly, disruption of Wnt signaling also blocked miR-409-3p induced osteoblastic differentiation of MSCs. Therefore, miR-409-3p promotes osteoblastic differentiation through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway by down-regulating SCAI expression.
Comparison of classical and Bayesian imaging in radio interferometry
Authors: Arras Philipp , Bester Hertzog L. , Perley Richard A. , Leike Reimar , Smirnov Oleg , Westermann Rüdiger , Enßlin Torsten A.
Published: December 2020

CLEAN, the commonly employed imaging algorithm in radio interferometry, suffers from a number of shortcomings: In its basic version, it does not have the concept of diffuse flux, and the common practice of convolving the CLEAN components with the CLEAN beam erases the potential for super-resolution; it does not output uncertainty information; it produces images with unphysical negative flux regions; and its results are highly dependent on the so-called weighting scheme as well as on any human choice of CLEAN masks for guiding the imaging. Here, we present the Bayesian imaging algorithm resolve , which solves the above problems and naturally leads to super-resolution. We take a VLA observation of Cygnus A at four different frequencies and image it with single-scale CLEAN, multi-scale CLEAN, and resolve. Alongside the sky brightness distribution, resolve estimates a baseline-dependent correction function for the noise budget, the Bayesian equivalent of a weighting scheme. We report noise correction factors between 0.4 and 429. The enhancements achieved by resolve come at the cost of higher computational effort.
Use of electron irradiation versus formaldehyde fumigation as hatching egg disinfectants – efficacy and impact on hatchability and broiler performance
Authors: Pees Michael , Motola Gerzon , Hafez Mohamed Hafez , Bachmeier Josef , Brüggemann-Schwarze Sarah , Tebrün Wiebke
Published: December 2020

Objective The use of low-energy electron irradiation for hatching egg disinfection was compared to formaldehyde fumigation.

Material and methods To assess the efficacy, eggshells were examined for bacteria before and after disinfection. During incubation, hatching and fattening of 1400 Ross 308 broilers per group candling data, hatching rate, mortality rate and body mass development were recorded to evaluate the impact on health and performance. Additionally, data from the slaughter house and histological evaluation of organ samples were included in the health screening.

Results Regarding the efficacy, irradiation and formaldehyde significantly reduced the number of bacteria compared to non-disinfected eggs. However, no significant difference was recorded between both treatments. The irradiated group performed better than the reference group concerning the number of infertile eggs, early and late dead embryos and fertile eggs. The performance during fattening was nearly identical in both groups, while mortality differed slightly between the irradiated group and the group treated with formaldehyde. Upon slaughter, there were minor variations concerning the distribution of findings between the groups, but the number of anomalies was not higher than reference values suggest.

Conclusion In both groups no health problems were observed during rearing and the fattening performance met the targets of the manufacturer Aviagen for the used broiler line Ross 308.

Clinical relevance Lower-energy electron irradiation proves to be an efficient and well-tolerated hatching egg disinfection procedure. Further field trials are necessary to establish low-energy electron irradiation as an alternative to formaldehyde fumigation.
Selenstatus in Thüringer Pferdehaltungen in Abhängigkeit des Einsatzes selenhaltiger Mineral- und Ergänzungsfuttermittel
Authors: Langner Katharina , Hörügel Uwe , Donat Karsten , Vervuert Ingrid
Published: December 2020

Gegenstand und Ziel Überprüfung der auf dem deutschen Markt erhältlichen selenhaltigen Mineralleckmassen und Mineralfuttermittel in Bezug zum Selenstatus in thüringischen Pferdebetrieben bei unterschiedlichen Formen der Supplementierung von Selen (Se).

Material und Methoden Über eine Online-Recherche gefundene Se-haltige Supplemente für Pferde wurden mit den deklarierten Se-Gehalten, Se-Verbindungen und den Dosierungsempfehlungen der Hersteller erfasst. Das Weiteren wurde in 8 thüringischen Pferdebeständen der Serum-Se-Status in regelmäßigen Abständen über ein Jahr dokumentiert. Die beprobten Pferde erhielten entweder keine Se-Ergänzung oder eine Se-Supplementierung über eine Mineralleckmasse bzw. ein Se-haltiges Mineral- oder Ergänzungsfutter.

Ergebnisse Bei den Mineralleckmassen gaben 29,7 % der Hersteller Empfehlungen zur maximalen Se-Aufnahmemenge pro Tag, die ausnahmslos den täglichen Se-Bedarf eines 600 kg schweren Pferdes unter Erhaltungsbedingungen überschritten. Bei 67,5 % der untersuchten Mineralfutter lag die maximal empfohlene Dosierung für ein 600 kg schweres Pferd ebenfalls über dem Erhaltungsbedarf für Se. Die Deklaration der Futtermittel war vor allem bei den Mineralleckmassen vielfach nicht gesetzeskonform gemäß der Futtermittelverkehrsverordnung VO 767/2009. Bei der Überprüfung des Se-Status in Pferdehaltungen zeigten lediglich Tiere, bei denen Se über Mineralleckmassen mit Se-Gehalten ≥ 20–50 mg/kg oder durch Ergänzungs- oder Mineralfuttermitteln supplementiert wurde, mediane Serum-Se-Konzentrationen im Referenzbereich. Bei 2 von 10 Pferden, denen melassehaltige Mineralleckmassen mit einem Se-Gehalt ≥ 45 mg/kg angeboten wurden, lag zu einem Beprobungszeitpunkt die Serum-Se-Konzentration oberhalb des Referenzbereichs.

Schlussfolgerungen und klinische Relevanz Die Se-Ergänzung über eine Mineralleckmasse sollte aufgrund der schlechten Dosierbarkeit nur bei extensiven Haltungsformen mit fehlender Möglichkeit zur individuellen Fütterung erfolgen. Wenn eine Mineralleckmasse eingesetzt wird, ist eine Se-Konzentration von 40–50 mg/kg zu empfehlen. Aufgrund der besseren Steuerbarkeit der Se-Aufnahme sollte die Se-Supplementierung optimalerweise über ein individuell zugeteiltes Mineral- oder Ergänzungsfutter erfolgen.
Artikelserie zur Geschichte der deutschen Rheumatologie nach dem zweiten Weltkrieg
Authors: Keyßer Gernot
Published: December 2020

Liebe Leserinnen und Leser der Aktuellen Rheumatologie

Die Geschichte des Fachgebiets der Rheumatologie beginnt schon mit Hippokrates, der in der Antike die Gicht mit treffenden Beobachtungen charakterisiert hat. Die von ihm propagierte Säftelehre hat letztlich auch den Begriff „Rheumatismus“ geprägt, der „das Fließende“ bedeutet und auf der Annahme beruht, dass krankmachende Säfte vom Körper in die Gelenke abfließen. Eine wissenschaftlich begründete Rheumatologie mit klar voneinander unterscheidbaren Krankheitsbildern, einer hilfreichen Diagnostik und wissenschaftlich geprüften Behandlungsmethoden ist allerdings erst ein Kind des 20.
Herzlich willkommen Professor Gaulke!
Authors: Feist Eugen , Keyßer Gernot
Published: December 2020

Liebe Kollegen und Leser der Aktuellen Rheumatologie,

wir freuen uns außerordentlich Herrn Prof. Dr. med. Ralf Gaulke im Herausgeberteam der Aktuellen Rheumatologie zu begrüßen. Eigentlich bedarf es für seine Person keiner ausführlichen Vorstellung, da er innerhalb der internistischen und orthopädischen Rheumatologie gleichermaßen ein gut bekannter und hochgeschätzter Kollege ist. Auch in der Aktuellen Rheumatologie ist Herr Prof. Gaulke kein neues Gesicht, da er bereits seit vielen Jahren als Mitglied im Editorial Board unserer Zeitschrift sehr aktiv ist und wiederholt tolle Impulse und Ideen in die Gestaltung der Aktuellen Rheumatologie eingebracht hat.
Time-Scale Shifting of Volatile Semiochemical Levels in Wild Type Lychnophora ericoides (Brazilian arnica) and Pollinator Records
Authors: Pavarini Daniel Petinatti , Semir João , Lopes João Luís Callegari , da Silva Ricardo Roberto , Lopes Norberto Peporine
Published: December 2020

Lychnophora ericoides is a Brazilian folk phytomedicine from Cerradoʼs “campus rupestris”. Its volatile organic compounds includes bisabolene-derivatives as major compounds. Herein we provide the chemical profiling of constitutive volatile sesquiterpenes from L. ericoides leaves, timeframe emissions surveys, and pollinators records. In situ samples of L. ericoides were harvested. A headspace-solid phase micro extraction method of pre-concentration was optimized. Identification was done through GC-MS. Isolation and structural elucidation were performed whenever necessary. Pollinators were registered in pictures and video. Short time-series and harmonic regressions determined rhythms of single compounds, and average chromatographic signal area was used to determine mono and sesquiterpene rhythms. Concluding, optimized headspace-solid phase micro extraction method of terpenes level analysis was reached. α-Pinene, β-pinene,
α-terpinene, para-cymene, limonene, γ-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, dehydro-sesquicineole, and β-guaiene were identified using GC-MS data. 11-dehydro cadinol and ortho-acetoxy bisabolol were elucidated. Sesquiterpenes concentrations were higher due to temperature rise, lower leaf age, and flowering seasons. Harmonic regressions determined that daylight might control levels of terpenes. Hummingbird, hemiptera insects, and wasps were recorded visiting Compositae capitulum for the first time. We studied nondomestic plants from in situ conditions and concluded that bisabolene-derivative levels were more abundant than monoterpenes during flowering throughout the summer.
Facet Joint Replacement: Intermediate- and Long-Term Outcome in a Large Case Series
Authors: Knappe Ulrich J. , Reinecke David , Flörke Michael , Horn Peter , Schönmayr Robert
Published: December 2020

Background The long-term outcome of facet joint replacement (FJR) still is to be proven.

Methods We present a prospective case series of 26 (male-to-female ratio of 1:1; mean age: 61 years) patients undergoing FJR with a follow-up of at least 1 year (range: 12–112; mean: 67 months). Visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the 12-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) were applied pre- and postoperatively (after 3, 6, and 12 months) as well as at the last follow-up (N = 24). Using X-rays of the lumbar spine (N = 20), the range of motion (ROM) and disk height in the indicator and adjacent levels were assessed.

Results FJR was performed at L3/L4 (N = 7), L4/L5 (N = 17), and L5/S1 (N = 2). Mean VAS (mm) for back pain decreased from 71 to 18, mean VAS for right leg pain from 61 to 7, and from 51 to 3 for the left leg. Mean ODI dropped from 51 to 22% (for all p < 0.01). Eighty seven percent of patients were satisfied and pretreatment activities were completely regained in 78.3% of patients. Disk height at the indicator and adjacent levels and ROM at the indicator segment and the entire lumbar spine were preserved. No loosening of implants was observed. Explantation of FJR and subsequent fusion had to be performed in four cases (15.4%).

Conclusions In selected cases, long-term results of FJR show good outcome concerning pain, quality of life, preservation of lumbar spine motion, and protection of adjacent level.
A Quality Improvement Plan for Implementing an Innovative Organization System for Pediatric Airway Patients
Authors: Kerns Aileen K. , Mahoney Rebecca , Deeds Kathryn , Boone-Edwards Keshia , Ross Mary , Siegel Bianca
Published: December 2020

Risks of pediatric tracheostomy are well known. The objectives of this quality improvement study were to organize tracheostomy supplies into a comprehensive care kit and demonstrate that the kits improved nursing and parental comfort in providing tracheostomy care routinely and emergently. Kits were assembled using roll-up toiletry style bags and organized in a uniform fashion with necessary supplies. Nurses and parents were surveyed using a 5-point Likert-type. Feedback was overall very positive; the kits were found to ease the transition of caring for a child with a new tracheostomy from hospital to home. This intervention can easily be adapted at other pediatric institutions.
Genome evolution of blind subterranean mole rats: Adaptive peripatric versus sympatric speciation
Authors: Li Kexin , Zhang Shangzhe , Song Xiaoying , Weyrich Alexandra , Wang Yinjia , Liu Xi , Wan Na , Liu Jianquan , Lövy Matěj , Cui Haihong , Frenkel Vladimir , Titievsky Avi , Panov Julia , Brodsky Leonid , Nevo Eviatar
Published: December 2020

Significance

We substantiate genomically, repeatomically, and epigenomically the origin, demography, and timing of two divergent speciation models in the Israeli five blind subterranean species ofSpalax ehrenbergisuperspecies. Four species demonstrate a regional, chromosomal, peripatric, climatic aridity speciation model trending southward from the northern cold and humid Golan and Upper Galilee to the hot, dry Negev Desert. The fifth species shows a local, genic, geologic-edaphic, and sympatric speciation model demonstrating primary sympatric speciation in subterranean mammals. The five species are differentiated at multiple genomic levels and demonstrate different ecological mechanisms of speciation in the superspecies. Sympatric speciation may be common in nature. Numerous ecologically divergent microsites—geologic, edaphic, climatic, abiotic, biotic—abound globally, where selection overrules gene flow homogenization.
External Cd2+ and protons activate the hyperpolarization-gated K+ channel KAT1 at the voltage sensor
Authors: Zhou Yunqing , Assmann Sarah M. , Jegla Timothy
Published: December 2020

The functionally diverse cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD) superfamily of cation channels contains both depolarization-gated (e.g., metazoan EAG family K+ channels) and hyperpolarization-gated channels (e.g., metazoan HCN pacemaker cation channels and the plant K+ channel KAT1). In both types of CNBD channels, the S4 transmembrane helix of the voltage sensor domain (VSD) moves outward in response to depolarization. This movement opens depolarization-gated channels and closes hyperpolarization-gated channels. External divalent cations and protons prevent or slow movement of S4 by binding to a cluster of acidic charges on the S2 and S3 transmembrane domains of the VSD and therefore inhibit activation of EAG family channels. However, a similar divalent ion/proton binding pocket has not been described for hyperpolarization-gated CNBD family channels. We examined the effects of external Cd2+ and protons on Arabidopsisthaliana KAT1 expressed in Xenopus oocytes and found that these ions strongly potentiate voltage activation. Cd2+ at 300 µM depolarizes the V50 of KAT1 by 150 mV, while acidification from pH 7.0 to 4.0 depolarizes the V50 by 49 mV. Regulation of KAT1 by Cd2+ is state dependent and consistent with Cd2+ binding to an S4-down state of the VSD. Neutralization of a conserved acidic charge in the S2 helix in KAT1 (D95N) eliminates Cd2+ and pH sensitivity. Conversely, introduction of acidic residues into KAT1 at additional S2 and S3 cluster positions that are charged in EAG family channels (N99D and Q149E in KAT1) decreases Cd2+ sensitivity and increases proton potentiation. These results suggest that KAT1, and presumably other hyperpolarization-gated plant CNBD channels, can open from an S4-down VSD conformation homologous to the divalent/proton-inhibited conformation of EAG family K+ channels.
Defect model of domain nucleation growth induced by interlayers in poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) ultrathin films
Authors: Huang Zhiqiang , Zhang Xiuli , Li Xingjia , Zhu Guodong , Meng Xiangjian , Shi Zhi , Zhang Dandan , Sun Xiaohui
Published: December 2020

The polarization switching behaviors of ultrathin films of ferroelectric poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) capacitors with different electroactive interlayers have been studied. The polarization switching results are related to the high local electric field and complete microdynamic switching behavior can be ensured by optimizing the defect model. Weiss mean field theory was introduced to analyze the nucleation process of defect states. The spatial defects around the ferroelectric domain were aligned, resulting in a stable space configuration with low energy. Three hypothetical effects are proposed based on the recovery mechanism of dipole defects, including the obedience effect, cooperation effect and antagonism effect. Understanding and controlling defect functionality in ferroelectric materials is critical for realizing reliable applications in ferroelectric memories.