bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gravity reference at the Argentinean–German Geodetic Observatory (AGGO) by co-location of superconducting and absolute gravity measurements
Authors: Antokoletz Ezequiel D. , Wziontek Hartmut , Tocho Claudia N. , Falk Reinhard
Published: August 2020

The Argentinean–German Geodetic Observatory (AGGO) is a fundamental geodetic observatory located close to the city of La Plata, Argentina. Two high-precision gravity meters are installed at AGGO: the superconducting gravimeter SG038, which is in operation since December 2015, and the absolute gravimeter FG5-227, which has provided absolute gravity measurements since January 2018. By co-location of gravity observations from both meters between January 2018 and March 2019, calibration factor and instrumental drift of the SG038 were determined. The calibration factor of the SG038 was estimated by different strategies: from tidal models, dedicated absolute gravity measurements over several days and a joint approach (including the determination of the instrumental drift) using all available absolute gravity data. The final calibration factor differs from the determination at the previous station, the transportable integrated geodetic observatory, in Concepcion, Chile, by only 0.7‰, which does not imply a significant change. From the combined approach also the mean absolute level of the SG was determined, allowing to predict absolute gravity values from the SG at any time based on a repeatability of $$12\,\hbox {nm}/\hbox {s}^{2}$$

12

nm
/

s
2

for the FG5-227 at AGGO. Such a continuous gravity reference function provides the basis for a comparison site for absolute gravimeters in the frame of the international gravity reference frame for South America and the Caribbean. However, it requires the assessment of the total error budget of the FG5-227, including the link to the international comparisons, which will be subject of future efforts.
SARS-CoV-2 associated Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Pelea Teodor , Reuter Ursula , Schmidt Christine , Laubinger Raimondo , Siegmund Robert , Walther Bjoern Wito
Published: August 2020

Presented herein is a severe case of SARS-CoV-2 associated Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS), showing only slight improvement despite adequate therapy. To date, only few cases of GBS associated with this infection have been described. This case report summarizes the insights gain so far to GBS with this antecedent trigger. So far, attention has mostly focused on complications of the CNS involvement. Taking into account that GBS can cause a considerable impairment of the respiratory system, clinicians dealing with SARS-CoV-2 positive-tested patients should pay attention to symptoms of the peripheral nervous system. As far as we know from this reported case and the review of the current literature, there seems to be no association with antiganglioside antibodies or a positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in CSF. An obvious frequent occurrence of a bilateral facial weakness or bilateral peripheral facial diplegia should be emphasized.
Anticancer effects of the PLK4 inhibitors CFI-400945 and centrinone in Ewing’s sarcoma cells
Authors: Kerschner-Morales Sophie L. , Kühne Marie , Becker Sabine , Beck James F. , Sonnemann Jürgen
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Polo-like kinase 4 (PLK4) inhibitors, such as CFI-400945 and centrinone, are emerging as promising antineoplastic agents. However, their effectiveness against Ewing’s sarcoma, a highly aggressive childhood cancer, remains to be established.

Methods

CFI-400945 and centrinone were tested in three Ewing’s sarcoma cell lines with different TP53 status. Effects were assessed by flow-cytometric analyses of cell death, dissipation of the mitochondrial transmembrane potential and cell cycle distribution, by cell viability assay as well as by caspase 3/7 activity measurement, by immunoblotting and by immunofluorescence microscopy.

Results

CFI-400945 and centrinone elicited cell death in p53 wild-type and mutant Ewing’s sarcoma cells. Both agents induced mitochondrial membrane depolarisation, caspase 3/7 activation, PARP1 cleavage and DNA fragmentation, indicating an apoptotic form of cell death. In addition, the PLK4 inhibitors induced a G2/M cell cycle arrest, particularly when cell killing was attenuated by the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. Moreover, CFI-400945 treatment produced polyploidy.

Conclusion

Our findings show that PLK4 inhibitors were effective against Ewing’s sarcoma cells in vitro and thus provide a rationale for their evaluation in vivo.
Opening practice: supporting reproducibility and critical spatial data science
Authors: Brunsdon Chris , Comber Alexis
Published: August 2020

This paper reflects on a number of trends towards a more open and reproducible approach to geographic and spatial data science over recent years. In particular, it considers trends towards Big Data, and the impacts this is having onspatialdata analysis and modelling. It identifies a turn in academia towards coding as a core analytic tool, and away from proprietary software tools offering ‘black boxes’ where the internal workings of the analysis are not revealed. It is argued that this closed form software is problematic and considers a number of ways in which issues identified in spatial data analysis (such as the MAUP) could be overlooked when working with closed tools, leading to problems of interpretation and possibly inappropriate actions and policies based on these. In addition, this paper considers the role that reproducible and open spatial science may play in such an approach, taking into account the issues raised. It highlights the dangers of failing to account for the geographical properties of data, now that all data are spatial (they are collected somewhere), the problems of a desire for$$n$$n = allobservations in data science and it identifies the need for a critical approach. This is one in which openness, transparency, sharing and reproducibility provide a mantra for defensible and robust spatial data science.
Robust data envelopment analysis via ellipsoidal uncertainty sets with application to the Italian banking industry
Authors: Mensah Emmanuel Kwasi
Published: August 2020

This paper extends the conventional DEA models to a robust DEA (RDEA) framework by proposing new models for evaluating the efficiency of a set of homogeneous decision-making units (DMUs) under ellipsoidal uncertainty sets. Four main contributions are made: (1) we propose new RDEA models based on two uncertainty sets: an ellipsoidal set that models unbounded and correlated uncertainties and an interval-based ellipsoidal uncertainty set that models bounded and correlated uncertainties, and study the relationship between the RDEA models of these two sets, (2) we provide a robust classification scheme where DMUs can be classified into fully robust efficient, partially robust efficient and robust inefficient, (3) the proposed models are extended to the additive DEA model and its efficacy is analyzed with two imprecise additive DEA models in the literature, and finally, (4) we apply the proposed models to study the performance of banks in the Italian banking industry. We show that few banks which were resilient in their performance can be robustly classified as partially efficient or fully efficient in an uncertain environment.
The RALph miner for automated discovery and verification of resource-aware process models
Authors: Cabanillas Cristina , Ackermann Lars , Schönig Stefan , Sturm Christian , Mendling Jan
Published: August 2020

Automated process discovery is a technique that extracts models of executed processes from event logs. Logs typically include information about the activities performed, their timestamps and the resources that were involved in their execution. Recent approaches to process discovery put a special emphasis on (human) resources, aiming at constructing resource-aware process models that contain the inferred resource assignment constraints. Such constraints can be complex and process discovery approaches so far have missed the opportunity to represent expressive resource assignments graphically together with process models. A subsequent verification of the extracted resource-aware process models is required in order to check the proper utilisation of resources according to the resource assignments. So far, research on discovering resource-aware process models has assumed that models can be put into operation without modification and checking. Integrating resource mining and resource-aware process model verification faces the challenge that different types of resource assignment languages are used for each task. In this paper, we present an integrated solution that comprises (i) a resource mining technique that builds upon a highly expressive graphical notation for defining resource assignments; and (ii) automated model-checking support to validate the discovered resource-aware process models. All the concepts reported in this paper have been implemented and evaluated in terms of feasibility and performance.
Efficiency of Illusory Choice Used as a Variant of Situation Selection for Regulating Emotions: Reduction of Positive Experience But Preservation of Physiological Downregulation
Authors: Thuillard Simon , Dan-Glauser Elise S.
Published: August 2020

Situation selection is an emotion regulation strategy consisting in choosing a future emotional situation. Past research showed that Situation selection triggers a decrease in negative experience, exocrine reactions and respiratory activity, while maintaining stable positive experience. In this study, we wanted to replicate these observations and test emotional responses that follow an Illusory choice, i.e., when the chosen situation is not available and replaced by another. Sixty-eight participants watched emotional pictures, either in a condition in which the images were imposed, or in a condition in which they could perform a choice. In these latter trials, participants saw either the chosen option (Situation selection) or the non-selected option (Illusory choice). Continuous recordings of experience and physiological arousal showed that, unlike Situation selection, Illusory choice decreased positive experience but not negative experience. Strikingly, however, we showed that having the choice decreased skin conductance and respiratory arousal, regardless of whether the choice was respected or not. These results have important implications regarding emotion regulation through Situation selection, since having the choice about the upcoming emotional situation, no matter if we really end up in this situation, gives a sense of control that may be sufficient to alleviate physiological responses to stressors.
Becoming an Immigrant? Border Harms and “British” Men with Previous Convictions in British Immigration Removal Centers
Authors: Godshaw Dan
Published: August 2020

In the context of heightened debate around increasingly hostile immigration policies, the detention and deportation of people with long-standing connections to the United Kingdom (UK) have, within the last few years, received public attention. Such individuals—people who were born in or came to the UK as children—make up a significant proportion of the “foreign criminal” population in detention. This article examines how those individuals with long-standing links, who also have criminal convictions, are often “erased” by the British state. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork with men currently and formerly held in immigration removal centers, I argue that institutional failings in immigration and local authority care “guide” some who grow up in the UK toward (and into) the criminal justice system. Shunning responsibility for these failings, the British state enacts a further punishment through immigration detention and attempted deportation. Despite acts that resist and problematize foreignness, detained “Brits” experience specific harms that change the way they feel about identity and belonging in Britain. These processes highlight the ways that national identity and immigration status intersect with class, gender and race to produce traumatic experiences of cultural denationalization.
Assessment of groundwater safety surrounding contaminated water storage sites using multivariate statistical analysis and Heckman selection model: a case study of Kazakhstan
Authors: Radelyuk Ivan , Tussupova Kamshat , Persson Magnus , Zhapargazinova Kulshat , Yelubay Madeniyet
Published: August 2020

Petrochemical enterprises in Kazakhstan discharge polluted wastewater into special recipients. Contaminants infiltrate through the soil into the groundwater, which potentially affects public health and environment safety. This paper presents the evaluation of a 7-year monitoring program from one of the factories and includes nineteen variables from nine wells during 2013–2019. Several multivariate statistical techniques were used to analyse the data: Pearson’s correlation matrix, principal component analysis and cluster analysis. The analysis made it possible to specify the contribution of each contaminant to the overall pollution and to identify the most polluted sites. The results also show that concentrations of pollutants in groundwater exceeded both the World Health Organization and Kazakhstani standards for drinking water. For example, average exceedance for total petroleum hydrocarbons was 4 times, for total dissolved solids—5 times, for chlorides—9 times, for sodium—6 times, and total hardness was more than 6 times. It is concluded that host geology and effluents from the petrochemical industrial cluster influence the groundwater quality. Heckman two-step regression analysis was applied to assess the bias of completed analysis for each pollutant, especially to determine a contribution of toxic pollutants into total contamination. The study confirms a high loading of anthropogenic contamination to groundwater from the petrochemical industry coupled with natural geochemical processes.
Are patients more adherent to newer drugs?
Authors: Blankart Katharina E. , Lichtenberg Frank R.
Published: August 2020

The annual preventable cost from non-adherence in the US health care system amounts to $100 billion. While the relationship between adherence and the health system, the condition, patient characteristics and socioeconomic factors are established, the role of the heterogeneous productivity of drug treatment remains ambiguous. In this study, we perform cross-sectional retrospective analyses to study whether patients who use newer drugs are more adherent to pharmacotherapy than patients using older drugs within the same therapeutic class, accounting for unobserved heterogeneity at the individual level (e.g. healthy adherer bias). We use US Marketscan commercial claims and encounters data for 2008–2013 on patients initiating therapy for five chronic conditions. Productivity is captured by a drug’s earliest Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval year (“drug vintage”) and by FDA” therapeutic potential” designation. We control for situational factors as promotional activity, copayments and distribution channel. A 10-year increase in mean drug vintage is associated with a 2.5 percentage-point increase in adherence. FDA priority status, promotional activity and the share of mail-order prescription fills positively influenced adherence, while co-payments had a negative effect. Newer drugs not only may be more effective in terms of clinical benefits, on average. They provide means to ease drug therapy to increase adherence levels as one component of drug quality, a notion physicians and pharmacy benefit managers should be aware of.
Field-Testing the Euro-MCD Instrument: Important Outcomes According to Participants Before and After Moral Case Deliberation
Authors: de Snoo-Trimp J. C. , Molewijk A. C. , Svantesson M. , Widdershoven G. A. M. , de Vet H. C. W.
Published: August 2020

Ethics support services like Moral Case Deliberation (MCD) intend to support healthcare professionals in ethically difficult situations. To assess outcomes of MCD, the Euro-MCD Instrument has been developed. Field studies to test this instrument are needed and have been conducted, examining important outcomes before MCD participation and experienced outcomes. The current study aimed to (1) describe how participants’ perceive the importance of MCD outcomes after MCD; (2) compare these perceptions with those before MCD participation; and (3) test the factor structure of these outcomes. Swedish, Norwegian and Dutch healthcare professionals rated the importance of outcomes in the Euro-MCD Instrument after four and eight MCDs. Ratings were compared with those before MCD participation using paired and independent samples t-tests. The factor structure was tested using exploratory factor analyses. After 4 and 8 MCDs, 443 respectively 247 respondents completed the instrument. More than 69% rated all MCD outcomes as ‘quite’ or ‘very’ important, especially outcomes from Enhanced Collaboration, Improved Moral Reflexivity and Improved Moral Attitude. Significant differences for 16 outcomes regarding ratings before and after MCD participation were not considered meaningful. Factor analyses suggested three categories, which seemingly resemble the domains Improved Moral Reflexivity, Enhanced Collaboration and a combination of Improved Moral Attitude and Enhanced Emotional Support. After participation in MCDs, respondents confirmed the importance of outcomes in the Euro-MCD Instrument. The question on perceived importance and the categorization of outcomes need reconsideration. The revised instrument will be presented elsewhere, based on all field studies and theoretical reflections.
Young Children’s Use of Personalized Technologies: Insights From Teachers and Digital Software Designers in Japan
Authors: Kucirkova Natalia , Toda Yuichi , Flewitt Rosie
Published: August 2020

Many smart technologies offer personalized experiences, such as the possibility for children to record their voice, add their own pictures or drawings to digital stories, customize their avatars or adjust display settings to their needs. This study examined the views of teachers and digital software designers on children’s use of smart personalized technologies in Japan. Sixteen teachers and two designers from Japan took part in semi-structured interviews on the school or company premises in Tokyo and Osaka. Thematic analysis of the transcripts yielded three themes: agency, privacy and autonomy, which we consider through the lens of socio-materiality. While there were clear concerns about the protection of children’s privacy with personalized technologies, children’s agency and autonomy in using them was perceived both as a benefit and limitation of digital personalization features. The participants’ paradoxical perceptions of the risks and benefits of personalization point to a complex socio-technological model of personalization that is embedded in children’s smart technologies and influences adults’ views on their use in early education. Our findings have implications for informing and theorising the design of personalization features in digital technologies.
Composite midazolam and 1′-OH midazolam population pharmacokinetic model for constitutive, inhibited and induced CYP3A activity
Authors: Wiebe Sabrina T. , Meid Andreas D. , Mikus Gerd
Published: August 2020

CYP3A plays an important role in drug metabolism and, thus, can be a considerable liability for drug-drug interactions. Population pharmacokinetics may be an efficient tool for detecting such drug-drug interactions. Multiple models have been developed for midazolam, the typical probe substrate for CYP3A activity, but no population pharmacokinetic models have been developed for use with inhibition or induction. The objective of the current analysis was to develop a composite parent-metabolite model for midazolam which could adequately describe CYP3A drug-drug interactions. As an exploratory objective, parameters were assessed for potential cut-points which may allow for determination of drug-drug interactions when a baseline profile is not available. The final interaction model adequately described midazolam and 1′-OH midazolam concentrations for constitutive, inhibited, and induced CYP3A activity. The model showed good internal and external validity, both with full profiles and limited sampling (2, 2.5, 3, and 4 h), and the model predicted parameters were congruent with values found in clinical studies. Assessment of potential cut-points for model predicted parameters to assess drug-drug interaction liability with a single profile suggested that midazolam clearance may reasonably be used to detect inhibition (4.82–16.4 L/h), induction (41.8–88.9 L/h), and no modulation (16.4–41.8 L/h), with sensitivities for potent inhibition and induction of 87.9% and 83.3%, respectively, and a specificity of 98.2% for no modulation. Thus, the current model and cut-points could provide efficient and accurate tools for drug-drug liability detection, both during drug development and in the clinic, following prospective validation in healthy volunteers and patient populations.
Building Community-Based Approaches to Systemic Reform in Mathematical Biology Education
Authors: Akman Olcay , Eaton Carrie Diaz , Hrozencik Dan , Jenkins Kristin P. , Thompson Katerina V.
Published: August 2020

Starting in the early 2000’s, several reports were released recognizing the convergence of mathematics, biology and computer science, and calling for a rethinking of how undergraduates are prepared for careers in research and the science and technology workforce. This call for change requires careful consideration of the mathematical biology education system to identify key components and leverage points for change. This paper demonstrates the wide range of resources and approaches available to the mathematical biology education community to create systemic change by highlighting the efforts of four community-based education reform organizations. A closer look at these organizations provides an opportunity to examine how to leverage components of the education system including faculty, academic institutions, students, access to resources, and the power of community.
A State of the Art Review of the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM)
Authors: Cremonesi Massimiliano , Franci Alessandro , Idelsohn Sergio , Oñate Eugenio
Published: August 2020

The particle finite element method (PFEM) is a powerful and robust numerical tool for the simulation of multi-physics problems in evolving domains. The PFEM exploits the Lagrangian framework to automatically identify and follow interfaces between different materials (e.g. fluid–fluid, fluid–solid or free surfaces). The method solves the governing equations with the standard finite element method and overcomes mesh distortion issues using a fast and efficient remeshing procedure. The flexibility and robustness of the method together with its capability for dealing with large topological variations of the computational domains, explain its success for solving a wide range of industrial and engineering problems. This paper provides an extended overview of the theory and applications of the method, giving the tools required to understand the PFEM from its basic ideas to the more advanced applications. Moreover, this work aims to confirm the flexibility and robustness of the PFEM for a broad range of engineering applications. Furthermore, presenting the advantages and disadvantages of the method, this overview can be the starting point for improvements of PFEM technology and for widening its application fields.
ACURATE neo: How Is This TAVR Valve Doing to Fit into an Increasingly Crowded Field?
Authors: Okuno Taishi , Lanz Jonas , Pilgrim Thomas
Published: August 2020

Purpose of Review

Critical appraisal of the available evidence on the self-expanding ACURATE neo transcatheter heart valve (THV) for the treatment of aortic valve disease.

Recent Findings

In an investigator-initiated, multicenter, randomized non-inferiority trial with broad inclusion criteria, ACURATE neo failed to meet non-inferiority compared with SAPIEN 3 with regard to a primary composite safety and efficacy endpoint at 30 days. The difference was driven by higher rates of moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation and higher rates of acute kidney injury. In turn, registry data suggest that the safety and efficacy profile of the ACURATE neo is comparable to that of other commercially available devices. Randomized evidence indicated favorable hemodynamic results with large effective orifice areas and low residual gradients.

The self-expanding ACURATE neo THV is associated with higher rates of residual aortic regurgitation compared to the balloon-expandable SAPIEN 3 THV. The supra-annular design with low residual gradients may be advantageous in patients with small anatomy and mild degree of calcification.
Sex-Related Differences in Dilated Cardiomyopathy with a Focus on Cardiac Dysfunction in Oncology
Authors: D’Amario Domenico , Camilli Massimiliano , Migliaro Stefano , Canonico Francesco , Galli Mattia , Arcudi Alessandra , Montone Rocco Antonio , Borovac Josip Andjelo , Crea Filippo , Savarese Gianluigi
Published: August 2020

Purpose of Review

The aim of this report is to describe the main aspects of sex-related differences in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathies (DCM), focusing on chemotherapy-induced heart failure (HF) and investigating the possible therapeutic implications and clinical management applications in the era of personalized medicine.

Recent Findings

In cardio-oncology, molecular and multimodality imaging studies confirm that sex differences do exist, affecting the therapeutic cardioprotective strategies and, therefore, the long-term outcomes. Interestingly, compelling evidences suggest that sex-specific characteristics in drug toxicity might predict differences in the therapeutic response, most likely due to the tangled interplay between cancer and HF, which probably share common underlying mechanisms.

Cardiovascular diseases show many sex-related differences in prevalence, etiology, phenotype expression, and outcomes. Complex molecular mechanisms underlie this diverse pathological manifestations, from sex-determined differential gene expression to sex hormone interaction with their receptors in the heart. Non-ischemic DCM is an umbrella definition that incorporates several etiologies, including chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathies. The role of sex as a risk factor for cardiotoxicity is poorly explored. However, understanding the various features of disease manifestation and outcomes is of paramount importance for a prompt and tailored evaluation.
Beyond Donation: China’s Policy Banks and the Reshaping of Development Finance
Authors: Chen Muyang
Published: August 2020

This paper seeks to demystify and characterize China’s official development finance by examining lending mechanisms of China’s two policy banks—China Development Bank and Export-Import Bank of China. Using quantitative and qualitative data, the paper shows how and why policy banks implement a peculiar means of development finance, i.e., funding projects in developing countries with relatively high-interest rate loans, differing from low-interest rate development-finance credits from industrial countries. The paper argues that China’s official development finance is not only about practicing economic statecraft or facilitating export-led growth; it is also the internationalization of a development-finance model that has facilitated its own development in the past decades. In this model, the state does not play a direct role in allocating fiscal revenue; rather, it plays an indirect role in enhancing creditworthiness of projects and making them financially viable. The “state-supported, market-based” Chinese credits reshape development finance and offer an alternative option for the developing world.
Implicit bias to food and body cues in eating disorders: a systematic review
Authors: Paslakis Georgios , Scholz-Hehn Anne Deborah , Sommer Laura Marie , Kühn Simone
Published: August 2020

Background

Rigid, restrictive eating patterns, fear of gaining weight, body image concerns, but also binge eating episodes with loss of control leading to overweight, at times followed by compensatory measures to control weight, are typical symptoms in eating disorders (EDs). The regulation of food intake in EDs may underlie explicit processes that require cognitive insight and conscious control or be steered by implicit mechanisms that are mostly automatic, rapid, and associated with affective—rather than cognitive—processing. While introspection is not capable of assessing implicit responses, so-called indirect experimental tasks can assess implicit responses underlying a specific behavior by-passing the participant’s consciousness. Here, we aimed to present the current evidence regarding studies on implicit biases to food and body cues in patients with EDs.

Methods

We performed a systematic review (PRISMA guidelines). We included controlled studies performed in clinical ED cohorts (vs. healthy control subjects or another control condition, e.g., restrictive vs. binge/purge AN) and using at least one indirect assessment method of interest.

Results

Out of 115 screened publications, we identified 29 studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria, and present a synthesis of the essential findings and future directions.

Conclusion

In this emerging field of research, the present work provides cornerstones of evidence highlighting aspects of implicit regulation in eating disorders. Applying both direct (e.g., self-reports) and indirect measures for the assessment of both explicit and implicit responses is necessary for a comprehensive investigation of the interplay between these different regulatory mechanisms and eating behavior. Targeted training of implicit reactions is already in use and represents a useful future tool as an add-on to standard psychotherapeutic treatments in the battle against eating disorders.

Evidence level

1 (systematic review).
Examination on the wear process of polyformaldehyde gears under dry and lubricated conditions
Authors: Yu Guoda , Liu Huaiju , Mao Ken , Zhu Caichao , Lu Zehua
Published: August 2020

This study presents the results of detailed wear process examination on polyformaldehyde gears under both dry and lubricated conditions. A multi-purpose durability test rig was employed to study the wear performance of polyformaldehyde gear pairs. The wear behaviors of polyformaldehyde gears under dry and oil-lubricated operating conditions were characterized via measurements of gear tooth surface micro-topography and tooth profile deviation. Under the dry running condition, a hump and a gully appear on the tooth surface in the pitch line area of the driving gear and the driven wheel, respectively. The largest amount of wear was observed around the tooth root of the driving gear. However, the gear tooth wear pattern with lubrication is different from that under the dry running condition.
Testosterone treatment is associated with reduced adipose tissue dysfunction and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese hypogonadal men
Authors: Maseroli E. , Comeglio P. , Corno C. , Cellai I. , Filippi S. , Mello T. , Galli A. , Rapizzi E. , Presenti L. , Truglia M. C. , Lotti F. , Facchiano E. , Beltrame B. , Lucchese M. , Saad F. , Rastrelli G. , Maggi M. , Vignozzi L.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

In both preclinical and clinical settings, testosterone treatment (TTh) of hypogonadism has shown beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and visceral and liver fat accumulation. This prospective, observational study was aimed at assessing the change in markers of fat and liver functioning in obese men scheduled for bariatric surgery.

Methods

Hypogonadal patients with consistent symptoms (n = 15) undergoing 27.63 ± 3.64 weeks of TTh were compared to untreated eugonadal (n = 17) or asymptomatic hypogonadal (n = 46) men. A cross-sectional analysis among the different groups was also performed, especially for data derived from liver and fat biopsies. Preadipocytes isolated from adipose tissue biopsies were used to evaluate insulin sensitivity, adipogenic potential and mitochondrial function. NAFLD was evaluated by triglyceride assay and by calculating NAFLD activity score in liver biopsies.

Results

In TTh-hypogonadal men, histopathological NAFLD activity and steatosis scores, as well as liver triglyceride content were lower than in untreated-hypogonadal men and comparable to eugonadal ones. TTh was also associated with a favorable hepatic expression of lipid handling-related genes. In visceral adipose tissue and preadipocytes, TTh was associated with an increased expression of lipid catabolism and mitochondrial bio-functionality markers. Preadipocytes from TTh men also exhibited a healthier morpho-functional phenotype of mitochondria and higher insulin-sensitivity compared to untreated-hypogonadal ones.

Conclusions

The present data suggest that TTh in severely obese, hypogonadal individuals induces metabolically healthier preadipocytes, improving insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial functioning and lipid handling. A potentially protective role for testosterone on the progression of NAFLD, improving hepatic steatosis and reducing intrahepatic triglyceride content, was also envisaged.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02248467, September 25th 2014
The microstructure and creep properties of as-cast Mg-Sn-Si-(Al) magnesium alloys
Authors: Rzychoń Tomasz
Published: August 2020

Magnesium alloys containing rare earth metals exhibit good creep resistance up to 300 °C and good tensile properties at ambient temperature. The high cost of rare earth has led to studies regarding the creep resistance of Mg alloys with cheap alloying elements (Sn, Ca, Si) that could be substituted for Mg-RE alloys. In this paper, the influence of Si and Al on microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-7Sn alloy was investigated using optical (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), tensile tests and creep tests at 200–250 °C. Microstructure of as-cast alloys consists of α-Mg matrix and intermetallic compounds at the interdendritic regions. Heat treatment consisting of solid solution treatment and ageing increases the tensile properties at ambient temperature due to the precipitation of the fine Mg2Sn phase. The creep resistance of aged Mg-7Sn alloy is poor. The addition of Si and Al to Mg-7Sn alloy has resulted in improving the creep resistance due to the refinement of Mg2Sn phase and the appearance of Mg2Si phase at the grain boundaries. The Mg-7Sn-1Si alloy exhibits better creep resistance at 200 °C than Mg-7Sn-5Si and Mg-7Sn-5Si-2Al alloys. The Mg-7Sn alloys with 5% Si have better creep properties at 250 °C in comparison to Mg-7Sn-1Si alloy.
Improving accessibility to cultural heritage for people with intellectual disabilities
Authors: Mastrogiuseppe Marilina , Span Stefania , Bortolotti Elena
Published: August 2020

The Convention on the rights of people with disabilities (UN, 2006) stated that participation in social life is a fundamental human right emphasizing the importance to rethink the concept of accessibility in cultural spaces. Cultural heritage sites, as well as museums and galleries, express an increasing interest in adopting strategies to improve accessibility and participation for all. We used an Inclusive Research paradigm, actively involving a group of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) with the goal to investigate participants’ perceptions and ideas of obstacles/facilitators to knowledge accessibility. A particular focus has been given to readability and comprehensibility of the existing textual resources in a cultural heritage site. The inclusion of people with ID as informants during the entire research process allowed not only to assess their point of view, but also to realize a questionnaire using the easy-to-read criteria. The main variables assessed through the questionnaire are: (a) Perception and Physical Interaction with content resources, (b) Language and symbols, (c) Content comprehension, (d) Engagement with knowledge. We argue that the proposed questionnaire may be useful to inform the process of creating and transforming learning environments adopting an audience-centered dialogue. Enhancing the contribution of special pedagogy in this innovative research field means improving our understanding of people’s needs and the complexity of potential outcomes, from an inclusive perspective.
This Week: Thirsty Rice, Engaged Investors, and a Bulky Starship
Authors:   AGU
Published: August 2020

What Earth and space science stories are we recommending this week?
Using Excess 3He to Estimate Southern Ocean Upwelling Time Scales
Authors: Jenkins William J.
Published: August 2020

Using a recently compiled global marine data set of dissolved helium isotopes and helium and neon concentrations, we make an estimate of the inventory of hydrothermal 3He in the Southern Ocean to be 4.9 ± 0.6 × 104 moles. Under the assumption that the bulk of the hydrothermally sourced 3He is upwelled there, we use recent estimates of the global hydrothermal 3He flux to determine an e‐folding residence time of 99 ± 18 years, depending on assumptions of water mass and upwelling boundaries. Our estimate is within the broad range of values obtained from recent Southern Ocean circulation models.
Enhanced Vertical Mixing in Coastal Upwelling Systems Driven by Diurnal‐Inertial Resonance: Numerical Experiments
Authors: Fearon Giles , Herbette Steven , Veitch Jennifer , Cambon Gildas , Lucas Andrew J. , Lemarié Florian , Vichi Marcello
Published: August 2020

The land‐sea breeze is resonant with the inertial response of the ocean at the critical latitude of 30°N/S. 1‐D vertical numerical experiments were undertaken to study the key drivers of enhanced diapycnal mixing in coastal upwelling systems driven by diurnal‐inertial resonance near the critical latitude. The effect of the land boundary was implicitly included in the model through the “Craig approximation” for first‐order cross‐shore surface elevation gradient response. The model indicates that for shallow water depths (<∼100 m), bottom shear stresses must be accounted for in the formulation of the “Craig approximation,” as they serve to enhance the cross‐shore surface elevation gradient response, while reducing shear and mixing at the thermocline. The model was able to predict the observed temperature and current features during an upwelling/mixing event in 60 m water depth in St Helena Bay (∼32.5°S, southern Benguela), indicating that the locally forced response to the land‐sea breeze is a key driver of diapycnal mixing over the event. Alignment of the subinertial Ekman transport with the surface inertial oscillation produces shear spikes at the diurnal‐inertial frequency; however their impact on mixing is secondary when compared with the diurnal‐inertial resonance phenomenon. The amplitude of the diurnal anticyclonic rotary component of the wind stress represents a good diagnostic for the prediction of diapycnal mixing due to diurnal‐inertial resonance. The local enhancement of this quantity over St Helena Bay provides strong evidence for the importance of the land‐sea breeze in contributing to primary production in this region through nutrient enrichment of the surface layer.
A New Tectonic Model for the 1927M8.0 Gulang Earthquake on the NE Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Guo Peng , Han Zhujun , Gao Fan , Zhu Chuanhua , Gai Hailong
Published: August 2020

The rupture patterns of large earthquakes in transpressional systems can provide important information for understanding oblique motion and strain partitioning between tectonic blocks. The 1927M8.0 Gulang earthquake occurred on the transpressional boundary between the Tibetan and Gobi‐Alashan blocks. Our results, combined with those of previous studies show that the Lenglongling fault (LLLF) and Southern Wuwei Basin fault (SWBF) have both ruptured during the Gulang earthquake, but they exhibited different motions. An ~120‐km‐long surface rupture zone formed along the LLLF, with a left‐lateral strike‐slip motion and a coseismic horizontal offset of ~2.4–7.5 m. Bending, bifurcation, and change of the slip sense occurs at both ends of the fault. An ~42‐km‐long rupture zone formed along the SWBF, with a coseismic vertical offset of ~0.6–2.8 m. Thus, the Gulang earthquake is a complex rupture event where strike‐slip and thrust faults ruptured simultaneously. Analysis of deep and shallow structures and three‐dimensional finite‐element modeling reveal that the north dipping LLLF and the SWBF may converge downward to a low‐angle décollement, accommodating the strike‐slip and thrust motions during the earthquake, respectively. This pattern of deformation partitioning is similar to some other earthquakes where oblique block convergence is generally partitioned into strike‐slip motion on steeply dipping faults and vertical motion on gently dipping faults. Our study also suggests that the strain partitioning pattern in the NE Tibetan Plateau may be controlled by changes of the regional principal compressive stress directions and fault geometry at depth.
Pangea Rifting Shaped the East Antarctic Landscape
Authors: Maritati Alessandro , Danišík Martin , Halpin Jacqueline A. , Whittaker Joanne M. , Aitken Alan R. A.
Published: August 2020

East Antarctica remains one of the few continental regions on Earth where an understanding of the origin and causal processes responsible for topographic relief is largely missing. Low‐temperature thermochronology studies of exposed Precambrian basement revealed discrete episodes of cooling and denudation during the Paleozoic–Mesozoic; however, the significance of these thermal events and their relationship to topography across the continental interior remains unclear. Here we use zircon and apatite (U‐Th)/He thermochronology to resolve the low‐temperature thermal evolution of a poorly exposed section of East Antarctic basement in the Bunger Hills region and gain insights into the chronology and style of landscape evolution across East Antarctica. Thermal history modeling results indicate that Precambrian basement in the Bunger Hills region experienced a distinct cooling episode during the Late Paleozoic–Triassic, which we relate to ~2–4 km of regional exhumation associated with intracontinental rifting, followed by a second episode of localized cooling and ≤1 km exhumation during the Late Jurassic–Cretaceous separation of India from East Gondwana. These findings, combined with existing thermochronological and tectonic evidence, support a continent‐scale denudation event associated with uplift and exhumation of large sections of Precambrian basement during Late Paleozoic–Triassic Pangea‐wide intracontinental extension. By contrast, continental extension associated with the Jurassic–Cretaceous breakup of East Gondwana resulted in significant denudation only locally in regions west of the Bunger Hills. We propose that the combined effects of these Paleozoic–Mesozoic tectonic events had a profound impact on the topography across the East Antarctic interior and influenced the long‐term landscape evolution of East Antarctica.
The RDoC approach for translational psychiatry: Could a genetic disorder with psychiatric symptoms help fill the matrix? the example of Prader–Willi syndrome
Authors: Salles Juliette , Lacassagne Emmanuelle , Benvegnu Grégoire , Berthoumieu Sophie Çabal , Franchitto Nicolas , Tauber Maithé
Published: August 2020

The Research Domain Criteria project (RDoc) proposes a new classification system based on information from several fields in order to encourage translational perspectives. Nevertheless, integrating genetic markers into this classification has remained difficult because of the lack of powerful associations between targeted genes and RDoC domains. We hypothesized that genetic diseases with psychiatric manifestations would be good models for RDoC gene investigations and would thereby extend the translational approach to involve targeted gene pathways. To explore this possibility, we reviewed the current knowledge on Prader–Willi syndrome, a genetic disorder caused by the absence of expression of some of the genes of the chromosome 15q11–13 region inherited from the father. Indeed, we found that the associations between genes of the PW locus and the modification identified in the relevant behavioral, physiological, and brain imaging studies followed the structure of the RDoC matrix and its six domains (positive valence, negative valence, social processing, cognitive systems, arousal/regulatory systems, and sensorimotor systems).
Early-life stress induces EAAC1 expression reduction and attention-deficit and depressive behaviors in adolescent rats
Authors: Kim Han-Byeol , Yoo Ji-Young , Yoo Seung-Yeon , Suh Sang Won , Lee Seoul , Park Ji Hye , Lee Jun-Ho , Baik Tai-Kyoung , Kim Hye-Sun , Woo Ran-Sook
Published: August 2020

Neonatal maternal separation (NMS), as an early-life stress (ELS), is a risk factor to develop emotional disorders. However, the exact mechanisms remain to be defined. In the present study, we investigated the mechanisms involved in developing emotional disorders caused by NMS. First, we confirmed that NMS provoked impulsive behavior, orienting and nonselective attention-deficit, abnormal grooming, and depressive-like behaviors in adolescence. Excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) is an excitatory amino acid transporter expressed specifically by neurons and is the route for the neuronal uptake of glutamate/aspartate/cysteine. Compared with that in the normal control group, EAAC1 expression was remarkably reduced in the ventral hippocampus and cerebral cortex in the NMS group. Additionally, EAAC1 expression was reduced in parvalbumin-positive hippocampal GABAergic neurons in the NMS group. We also found that EAAC1-knockout (EAAC1−/−) mice exhibited impulsive-like, nonselective attention-deficit, and depressive-like behaviors compared with WT mice in adolescence, characteristics similar to those of the NMS behavior phenotype. Taken together, our results revealed that ELS induced a reduction in EAAC1 expression, suggesting that reduced EAAC1 expression is involved in the pathophysiology of attention-deficit and depressive behaviors in adolescence caused by NMS.
Water-soluble oligofluorenes bearing N1-alkylcytosine side chains as turn-on and turn-off materials in telomere DNA length sensing
Authors: Yamaguchi Isao , Ooe Ryoga , Wang Aohan
Published: August 2020

Soft materials for telomere DNA length sensing were developed.
Au-Doped intermetallic Pd3Pb wavy nanowires as highly efficient electrocatalysts toward the oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Luo Sai , Xu Dazhe , Li Junjie , Huang Yuxuan , Li Lei , Li Xiao , Wu Xingqiao , Gao Mingxi , Yang Deren , Zhang Hui
Published: August 2020

Au-Doped intermetallic Pd3Pb wavy nanowires were synthesized and exhibited substantially enhanced properties for the oxygen reduction reaction relative to commercial Pt/C.
Field-driven tracer diffusion through curved bottlenecks: fine structure of first passage events
Authors: Valov A. , Avetisov V. , Nechaev S. , Oshanin G.
Published: August 2020

Using scaling arguments and extensive numerical simulations, we study the dynamics of a tracer particle in a corrugated channel represented by a periodic sequence of broad chambers and narrow funnel-like bottlenecks enclosed by a hard-wall boundary.
Emerging investigator series: onsite recycling of saline–alkaline soil washing water by forward osmosis: techno-economic evaluation and implication
Authors: Xu Zhicheng , Xie Ming , Kim Jung Eun , Huda Nazmul , Gao Zideng , Li Guoxue , Luo Wenhai
Published: August 2020

This study investigated the techno-economic feasibility of forward osmosis (FO) for onsite recycling of saline–alkaline soil washing water with an all-purpose liquid fertiliser as a draw solution.
Improved catalytic performance of Co-MOF-74 by nanostructure construction
Authors: Zhang Fanyu , Zhang Jianling , Zhang Bingxing , Zheng Lirong , Cheng Xiuyan , Wan Qiang , Han Buxing , Zhang Jing
Published: August 2020

We demonstrate the construction of hollow structural Co-MOF-74, with a shell as thin as ∼50 nm, assembled by nanoparticles. Co-MOF-74 exhibits high performance for the photocatalytic oxidation of thioanisole and thermocatalytic cyanosilylation of aldehydes.