bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Evaluation of Habitat Suitability Criteria for Native Fishes in Three Arizona Streams
Authors: Nemec Zach C. , Lee Larissa N. , Bonar Scott A.
Published: March 2021

Habitat loss is a main contributor to fish fauna declines in the southwestern USA. Several studies have defined stream-specific habitat conditions that support the growth and survival of native fish in Arizona to inform stream restoration efforts, yet general habitat use of most individual species across the region is not established. Therefore, we evaluated habitat use of four native fishes, Speckled Dace Rhinichthys osculus, Sonora Sucker Catostomus insignis, Desert Sucker Catostomus clarkii, and Longfin Dace Agosia chrysogaster, across three Arizona streams through the development of habitat suitability criteria (HSC). We developed both stream-specific and generalized HSC for each species. Generalized HSC were calculated as the combination of stream-specific HSC for each species. We then assessed the utility of generalized HSC through transferability among study streams. Also, past HSC studies have not considered the occurrence of nonnative species, so we tested whether the presence of nonnative fishes influenced native fish habitat use through logistic regression models. Fish and habitat data were collected along the Mogollon Rim in Arizona during the 2017 summer field season at base flow conditions. We established minimum microhabitat use for four native Arizona fish species through developing HSC. Most generalized criteria did not transfer among study streams due to variation in habitat availability and fish community structure. Logistic regression analysis showed that the presence of nonnative fishes was inversely related to the presence of two native fish species, which could have influenced habitat use of both species. The lack of transferability across streams as demonstrated in this study confirms that only HSC developed in the stream of interest or in similar undegraded streams with comparable fish communities should be used for restoration efforts. For projects to restore native fishes in streams where nonnative competitors will not dominate, the least degraded similar streams without coexisting nonnative fishes can guide restoration efforts.
PASM: Parallel aligned surface meshing
Authors: Yu Fei , Cao Jie , Shan Julin , Lo S. H. , Guan Zhenqun
Published: March 2021

Computer‐aided design (CAD) models of industrial design are often plagued with a series of defects, including minute features, gaps, self‐intersections, and misalignments. The development of schemes in automatic defeaturing, gaps repairing, and intersection removal usually requires a discrete representation of the geometry. However, existing surface meshing methods could not effectively handle sliver surfaces and assemblies with complex contact conditions, including multiple misaligned curves/surfaces and degenerated or free‐form‐shaped interface of contact. A surface meshing method based on a meshing‐and‐synchronizing strategy is proposed, which tackles the mesh generation of sliver surfaces and the cleanup of misaligned assemblies by means of mesh alignment. The mesh generation is performed in a hierarchical manner with curves and surfaces being meshed in sequence. By incorporating the synchronization strategy into the curve/surface meshing process, curve/surface mesh alignment is achieved automatically without compromising the mesh quality. Thanks to the alignment, the curve mesh generated by aligned curve meshing (ACM) is free of intersections, which enhances the meshing of sliver surfaces. By enforcing mesh alignment, aligned surface meshing (ASM) can handle misaligned assemblies with complex contact conditions. ASM is parallelized by using OpenMP. Various assemblies characterized with difficult misaligned features and touches are well processed by parallel ASM.
Supervised model predictive control of large‐scale electricity networks via clustering methods
Authors: La Bella Alessio , Klaus Pascal , Ferrari‐Trecate Giancarlo , Scattolini Riccardo
Published: March 2021

This article describes a control approach for large‐scale electricity networks, with the goal of efficiently coordinating distributed generators to balance unexpected load variations with respect to nominal forecasts. To mitigate the difficulties due to the size of the problem, the proposed methodology is divided in two steps. First, the network is partitioned into clusters, composed of several dispatchable and nondispatchable generators, storage systems, and loads. A clustering algorithm is designed with the aim of obtaining clusters with the following characteristics: (i) they must be compact, keeping the distance between generators and loads as small as possible; (ii) they must be able to internally balance load variations to the maximum possible extent. Once the network clustering has been completed, a two layer control system is designed. At the lower layer, a local model predictive controller is associated to each cluster for managing the available generation and storage elements to compensate local load variations. If the local sources are not sufficient to balance the cluster's load variations, a power request is sent to the supervisory layer, which optimally distributes additional resources available from the other clusters of the network. To enhance the scalability of the approach, the supervisor is implemented relying on a fully distributed optimization algorithm. The IEEE 118‐bus system is used to test the proposed design procedure in a nontrivial scenario.
Bone pain at leukemia diagnosis and other risk factors for symptomatic osteonecrosis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Barzilai‐Birenboim Shlomit , Yacobovich Joanne , Zalcberg Yair , Arad‐Cohen Nira , Avrahami Galia , Gilad Gil , Litichever Naomi , Izraeli Shai , Elitzur Sarah
Published: March 2021

Background

Osteonecrosis is a major cause of acute and long‐lasting complications of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy in children. Our study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of osteonecrosis in children with ALL.

Procedure

The cohort included 559 children aged 1–20 years diagnosed with ALL between 2003 and 2018 at two tertiary medical centers in Israel and enrolled in two consecutive protocols: ALL‐IC BFM 2002 and AIEOP‐BFM ALL 2009. Symptomatic osteonecrosis was prospectively captured as an adverse event.

Results

Osteonecrosis occurred in 51 patients (9.1%). Ninety‐four percent of the events were graded as moderate or severe (grades 3–4, Ponte di Legno Toxicity Working Group classification) and multiple bone involvement was common. Full resolution of osteonecrosis was documented in only 16% of the children (median follow‐up 4.2 years). Stepwise logistic regression identified five risk factors for osteonecrosis, with a high predictive value (AUC = 0.88): older ageat ALL diagnosis, high‐risk ALL group, T‐cell immunophenotype, female gender, and a novel risk factor: bone pain at the time of leukemia diagnosis. In addition, osteonecrosis was less common among children of Arab ethnicity. Thrombophilia and an elevated age‐adjusted body mass index were not confirmed as risk factors for osteonecrosis.

Conclusion

Due to the low rates of osteonecrosis resolution and its debilitating long‐term impact, the identification of patients at high risk for osteonecrosis is important for their inclusion in further studies evaluating potential therapeutic adjustments.
Mechanical and electrical properties of three‐dimensional printed polylactic acid–graphene–carbon nanofiber composites
Authors: Santo Jose , Penumakala Pavan Kumar , Adusumalli Ramesh Babu
Published: March 2021

The addition of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and graphene to thermoplastic polymers has the potential to increase the mechanical and electrical properties. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of CNF and graphene on the properties of three‐dimensional (3D) printed polylactic acid (PLA) samples. The samples are printed using the PLA–graphene–CNF composite filament via fused deposition modeling. As a first objective, composite filament and pure PLA filament characteristics were compared using tensile, scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data. Compared with pure PLA filaments, composite filaments revealed an almost 28% reduction in tensile strength due to interfacial defects (poor bonding between PLA and graphene and CNF). Furthermore, 3D printed composite sample properties are compared with 3D printed pure PLA sample using tensile and electrical conductivity data. The 3D printed composite samples also showed less tensile strength (25 MPa) compared with pure PLA 3D samples (37–47 MPa) due to the presence of microvoids. These voids also caused reduction in tensile strength and electrical conductivity of 3D printed composites when compared with the filament properties. The effect of layer orientation was also studied by printing samples at [0°/90°] and [45°/−45°] orientations and found that samples with [45°/−45°] orientation revealed higher elongation (>100%) and lower electrical conductivity. It is observed that the presence of graphene and lack of bonding between PLA and CNF resulted in the improper fusion of the printed layers, which led to a decrease in tensile strength and electrical conductivity but an increase in toughness.
Fluvio‐thermal erosion and thermal denudation in the yedoma region of northern Alaska: Revisiting the Itkillik River exposure
Authors: Shur Yuri , Jones Benjamin M. , Kanevskiy Mikhail , Jorgenson Torre , Jones Melissa K. Ward , Fortier Daniel , Stephani Eva , Vasiliev Alexander
Published: March 2021

Riverbank erosion in yedoma regions strongly affects landscape evolution, biogeochemical cycling, sediment transport, and organic and nutrient fluxes to the Arctic Ocean. Since 2006, we have studied the 35‐m‐high Itkillik River yedoma bluff in northern Alaska, whose retreat rate during 1995–2010 was up to 19 m/yr, which is among the highest rates worldwide. This study extends our previous observations of bluff evolution and shows that average bluff‐top retreat rates decreased from 8.7–10.0 m/yr during 2011–2014 to 4.5–5.8 m/yr during 2015–2019, and bluff‐base retreat rates for the same time period decreased from 4.7–7.5 m/yr to 1.3–1.7 m/yr, correspondingly. Bluff evolution initially involves rapid fluvio‐thermal erosion at the base and block collapse, following by slowdown in river erosion and continuing thermal denudation of the retreating headwall with formation of baydzherakhs. Eventually, input of sediment and water from the headwall diminishes, vegetation develops, and slope gradually stabilizes. The step change in the fluvial–geomorphic system has resulted in a 60% decline in the volumetric mobilization of sediment and organic carbon between 2011 and 2019. Our findings stress the importance of sustained observations at key permafrost region study sites to elucidate critical information related to past and potential landscape evolution in the Arctic.
Do Ugly Ducklings Become Gray Swans?
Authors: Herber John W.
Published: March 2021

The Ugly Duckling fairy tale tells of an ugly duckling who grows into a beautiful swan. Many companies or plants have action items from many sources that are ugly. They have lingered a long time, they are poorly defined and/or they have little chances of being completed as written. This article explains steps to recognize action items that are ugly and what can be done to bring them to closure before they mature into a Gray Swan, an improbable, but still devastating event.
High frequency of fungicide resistance‐associated mutations in the wheat yellow rust pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici
Authors: Cook Nicola M , Chng Soonie , Woodman Tamsin L , Warren Rachael , Oliver Richard P , Saunders Diane GO
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Reliance on fungicides to manage disease creates selection pressure for the evolution of resistance in fungal and oomycete pathogens. Rust fungi (Pucciniales) are major pathogens of cereals and other crops and have been classified as low‐risk for developing resistance to fungicides; no case of field failure of fungicides in a cereal rust disease has yet been recorded. Recently, the Asian soybean rust pathogen, Phakopsora pachyrhizi evolved resistance to several fungicide classes, prompting us to screen a large sample of the globally widespread wheat yellow rust pathogen, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), for mutations associated with fungicide resistance.

RESULTS

We evaluated 363 Pst isolates from Europe, the USA, Ethiopia, Chile, China and New Zealand for mutations in the target genes of demethylase inhibitor (DMI; Cyp51) and succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor (SDHI; SdhB, SdhC and SdhD) fungicides. A high proportion of Pst isolates carrying a Y134F DMI resistance‐associated substitution in the Cyp51 gene was found among those from China and New Zealand. A set of geographically diverse Pst isolates was also found to display a substitution in SdhC (I85V) that is homologous to that reported recently in P. pachyrhizi and linked to SDHI resistance.

CONCLUSION

The identification of resistance‐associated alleles confirms that cereal rusts are not immune to fungicide resistance and that selection for resistance evolution is operating at high levels in certain locations. It highlights the need to adopt fungicide resistance management practices and to monitor cereal rust species for development of resistance. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
A cold pool perturbation scheme to improve convective initiation in convection‐permitting models
Authors: Hirt Mirjam , Craig George C.
Published: March 2021

Cold pools originate from evaporation in precipitating downdraughts and spread as density currents at the surface. Vertical motion at the leading edge of the cold pool is an important trigger for new convective cells in organised convective storms. However, these motions are poorly resolved at the grid lengths of a kilometre or more used in convection‐permitting models. Consequently, the simulated gust fronts do not trigger enough new convection, leading to precipitation deficits and a lack of convective organization. To address these deficits, we introduce a cold pool perturbation (CPP) scheme that strengthens vertical velocity at the simulated cold pool gust fronts. This is achieved by relaxing the vertical velocity in the gust front region towards a target value derived from similarity theory. Applying the CPP scheme for simulations of a highly convective 10‐day period, we find increased precipitation amplitudes during the afternoon. There is also evidence for improvements in the location of precipitation and for stronger organization of convection, although substantial errors remain. The cold pools themselves become more frequent, larger and more intense. An additional potentially beneficial influence was found for convective initiation at sea breeze fronts.
Experimentally derived trophic enrichment and discrimination factors for Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
Authors: Lerner Jacob E. , Forster Ian , Hunt Brian P. V.
Published: March 2021

Rationale

Stable isotope analysis (SIA) can provide important insights into food web structure and is a widely used tool in ecological conservation and management. It has recently been augmented by compound‐specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA‐AA), an innovation that can provide greater precision when analyzing trophic level and food web connectivity. The utility of SIA rests on confidence in its constituent parameters such as the trophic enrichment factor (TEF). There is increasing emphasis on the need to experimentally derive species and tissue specific TEFs for studies utilizing SIA. Chinook salmon, Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, is a species with high potential for study using SIA due to the difficulty in observing its ecology during its marine phase and the significance of the conservation consequences of recent population declines.

Methods

Bulk and amino acid‐specific TEFs were determined for juvenile and adult Chinook salmon fed specific diets. Three controlled feeding studies were performed: adult salmon were fed a biofeed, juvenile salmon were fed a biofeed, and juvenile salmon were fed krill. Bulk and compound‐specific stable isotope data were collected from diet samples and from salmon muscle tissue after a minimum of 8 weeks of controlled feeding. Bulk isotope signatures were measured using EA‐IRMS and CSIA‐AA signatures using GC/C‐IRMS, allowing the TEFs to be calculated.

Results

The bulk isotope TEFs were higher than those predicted for similar marine organisms and averaged 3.5‰ for ∆15N and 1.3‰ for ∆13C. The TEFs derived for nitrogen isotopes of amino acids were in line with expectations for this approach: the mean value for ∆15NGlu − ∆15NPhe was 7.06‰ and, using a multi‐AA approach, the value for ∆15NTrophic − ∆15NSource was 6.67‰. For carbon isotopes of amino acids, the derived TEFs of Iso, Leu and Phe were near 0‰, as was that of Met, supporting their use of as source amino acids in future CSIA studies.

Conclusions

This study presents Chinook salmon‐specific TEFs for bulk and amino acid SIA. It supports the application of future research applying SIA to the study of Chinook salmon and validates previous research on species‐specific TEFs.
Mediators and clinical treatment for cancer cachexia: a systematic review
Authors: Cao Zhipeng , Scott Andrew M. , Hoogenraad Nick J. , Osellame Laura D.
Published: March 2021

Background

Cachexia, a complex multi‐organ syndrome, shortens survival time of patients, particularly those with cancer. Many studies and clinical trials have been carried out to identify cachexia‐inducing factors and potential treatments for cancer cachexia over the last 20 years. Of these factors, some are promising targets for treatment in humans, owing to their expression profiles in patients. Several clinical interventions, which act on either cachexia‐inducing factors or tissues affected by cachexia, have been developed. Some have had positive effects in the treatment of cancer cachexia; however, the question remains whether these interventions reverse cancer cachexia and could be used as standard interventions for disease treatment. The aim of this review is to understand the basic mechanisms and factors that induce cancer cachexia and their efficacies in clinical trials, providing a better outlook for future studies of cancer cachexia.

Methods

A systematic search was performed using PubMed and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for cachexia mediators and clinical trials.

Results

Of all databases and peer‐reviewed facts considered, 256 papers and 35 clinical trials were included in this systematic review. Twenty‐one mediators were identified, and 17 clinical interventions were reported in these studies. Outcomes of these clinical trials were assessed on changes in overall survival, body weight, lean body mass, appetite, muscle strength, muscle function, quality of life, and cytokine levels.

Conclusions

There is no current standard or successful intervention for treating cancer cachexia. Further research is needed to improve our understanding of initiators of cachexia to achieve successful outcomes in cachexia clinical trials.
L1 optimal controller synthesis for sampled‐data systems via piecewise linear kernel approximation
Authors: Kim Jung Hoon , Hagiwara Tomomichi
Published: March 2021

This article provides a new framework for the so‐called L1 optimal control problem of sampled‐data systems, that is, the synthesis problem of a discrete‐time optimal controller minimizing the continuous‐time L∞‐induced norm of the closed‐loop system for a given continuous‐time plant. The main idea is to develop the approximation method called the piecewise linear kernel approximation (PLKA) method, by which the kernel function of the input operator together with the hold function of the output operator in the lifted representation of sampled‐data systems are approximated by piecewise linear functions. By defining adequate preadjoint operators, the PLKA method is shown to have the associated convergence rate of 1/N2 for the deterioration of the attainable L∞‐induced norm performance when the optimal controller synthesis is conducted approximately under the approximation parameter N. Compared with another existing procedure for controller synthesis through different approximation treatment called the piecewise linear input approximation method, we further show that the proposed PLKA method has a quantitatively improved bound on the performance deterioration. Finally, numerical examples are studied to verify the effectiveness of the proposed PLKA method.
Combining Vis–NIR spectroscopy and advanced statistical analysis for estimation of soil chemical properties relevant for forest road construction
Authors: Mousavi Fatemeh , Abdi Ehsan , Knadel Maria , Tuller Markus , Ghalandarzadeh Abbas , Bahrami Hossein Ali , Majnounian Baris
Published: March 2021

A thorough quantification of soil chemical properties is essential for assessing the engineering properties of forest soils for road design, construction, and maintenance. Here, we investigate the applicability of visible–near‐infrared (Vis–NIR) spectroscopy in conjunction with advanced statistical analysis for estimation of soil chemical properties. Sixty forest soil samples were collected and analyzed for pH, electrical conductivity (EC), CaCO3, organic matter (OM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) with established laboratory methods. The spectral measurements were performed with a Vis–NIR spectrometer within a range of 350–2,500 nm. To estimate abovementioned soil properties from reflectance spectra, advanced statistical techniques including partial least squares regression (PLSR), hybrid partial least squares and artificial neural networks (PLS–DI–ANN) models, hybrid partial least squares and adaptive neural fuzzy inference system (PLS–DI–ANFIS) models, as well as narrow band spectral indices were applied. The obtained results ​​indicate that the PLS–DI–ANFIS models show great potential for the estimation of pH, EC, OM, and CEC from reflectance spectra and their first derivatives, exhibiting higher R2 values and lower RMSE than the other investigated models. The estimation accuracy for CaCO3, however, was low for all applied methods. The results confirm that Vis–NIR spectroscopy may be applied as a rapid and cost‐efficient alternative to standard chemical soil analysis techniques, aiding forest road design, construction, and maintenance.
Prevalence and Treatment of Vitamin K Deficiency in Paediatric Patients with Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa-Severe Subtype
Authors: Yerlett N. , Petrof G. , Holsgrove K. , Martinez A.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa-severe subtype (RDEB-S) are at risk of vitamin K deficiency, potentially causing abnormal clotting, excessive bleeding, poor bone metabolism and abnormal vascular calcification. This study quantifies vitamin K deficiency prevalence in this cohort and identifies potential risk-factors to prevent deficiency.

Methods

Patients with RDEB-S who attended the EB service between 2014 and 2020 were included. Serum vitamin K and PIVKAII were measured as part of the usual nutritional blood screen. Dietetic and medical notes were reviewed to establish: antibiotic use, enteral feed intake and micronutrient supplementation.

Results

A total of 16/25 64% (10/16 female), of children aged 22–180 months, had serum vitamin K and PIVKAII analysed. Six of sixteen (37.5%) patients had vitamin K deficiency requiring supplementation. Two of six (33.3%) normalized serum vitamin K after 12 weeks supplementation with oral menadiol diphosphate. Four of six (66.6%) await retesting following supplementation. Six of six (100%) patients with vitamin K deficiency were not consuming a gastrostomy/sip feed. Nine of ten (90%) patients with sufficient vitamin K levels were consuming either; more than 200 ml prescribed sip feed or more than 400–800 ml gastrostomy feed daily (containing 5.9–11 µg/100 ml vitamin K). Patients who were consuming either more than 200 ml prescribed sip feed or more than 400–800 ml gastrostomy feed daily (containing 5.9–11 µg/100 ml vitamin K) were significantly less likely to suffer from vitamin K deficiency (0.08 odds ratio [(1/7)/(5/3)] with significance level p = 0.0342 [95% CI: 0.0074–0.8275]). Sixteen of sixteen (100%) received antibiotics (range 0–4 courses/year; median, 3; IQR, 3). Patients with the most frequent antibiotics (n = 4) had normal vitamin K and PIVKAII levels if they consumed a minimum of 200 ml prescribed sip feed or 400–800 ml gastrostomy feed daily. Sixteen of sixteen (100%) patients took a multivitamin/mineral supplement; none contained vitamin K.

The prevalence of vitamin K deficiency is 37.5% in this cohort. Patients whom were not consuming gastrostomy/sip feeds of at least 200 ml daily were at greatest risk of vitamin K deficiency. Patients on a micronutrient supplement remain at risk of vitamin K deficiency, as most contain no vitamin K. Prescribing a vitamin/mineral supplement that contains vitamin K is recommended. Twelve-week supplementation of oral vitamin K (5 mg/day for 1–10 years and 10 mg/day for 12–17 years) adequately improved stores.
A Multiscale X‐Ray Tomography Study of the Cycled‐Induced Degradation in Magnesium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Du Wenjia , Hao Zhangxiang , Iacoviello Francesco , Sheng Lin , Guan Shaoliang , Zhang Zhenyu , Brett Daniel J. L. , Wang Feng Ryan , Shearing Paul R.
Published: March 2021

Rechargeable Mg/S batteries have the potential to provide a compelling battery for a range of applications owing to their high capacity and gravimetric energy density, safety, and low‐cost construction. However, the Mg/S energy storage is not widely developed and deployed due to technical challenges, which include short cycle lifespan and lack of suitable electrolyte. To study the microstructure degradation of Mg/S batteries, multiscale X‐ray tomography, an inherently nondestructive method, is performed on dismantled Swagelok Mg/S cells comprising a graphene–sulfur cathode and a super‐P separator. For the first time, 3D microstructure visualization and quantification reveal the dissolution (volume fraction decreases from 13.5% to 0.7%, surface area reduces from 2.91 to 1.74 µm2 µm−3) and agglomeration of sulfur particles, and the carbon binder densification after 10 cycles. Using tomography data, the image‐based simulations are then performed. The results show that the insoluble polysulfides can inevitably block the Mg2+ transportation via shuttle effect. The representative volume should exceed 8200 µm3 to represent bulk cathode. This work elucidates that the Mg/S cell performance is significantly affected by microstructural degradation, and moreover demonstrates how multiscale and multimodal characterization can play an indispensable role in developing and optimizing the Mg/S electrode design.
Sustainable Carbon Materials toward Emerging Applications
Authors: Lan Guojun , Yang Jing , Ye Run‐Ping , Boyjoo Yash , Liang Ji , Liu Xiaoyan , Li Ying , Liu Jian , Qian Kun
Published: March 2021

It is desirable for a sustainable society that the production and utilization of renewable materials are net‐zero in terms of carbon emissions. Carbon materials with emerging applications in CO2 utilization, renewable energy storage and conversion, and biomedicine have attracted much attention both academically and industrially. However, the preparation process of some new carbon materials suffers from energy consumption and environmental pollution issues. Therefore, the development of low‐cost, scalable, industrially and economically attractive, sustainable carbon material preparation methods are required. In this regard, the use of biomass and its derivatives as a precursor of carbon materials is a major feature of sustainability. Recent advances in the synthetic strategy of sustainable carbon materials and their emerging applications are summarized in this short review. Emphasis is made on the discussion of the original intentions and various sustainable strategies for producing sustainable carbon materials. This review provides basic insights and significant guidelines for the further design of sustainable carbon materials and their emerging applications in catalysis and the biomedical field.
Die rechnerische Bestimmung der Dämpfung von Stahl‐Eisenbahnbrücken – Teil 1: Theorie
Authors: Stollwitzer Andreas , Fink Josef
Published: March 2021

Eisenbahnbrücken in Stahlbauweise tendieren aufgrund ihrer schlanken und leichten Konstruktion zu übermäßigen Schwingungsantworten infolge einer dynamischen Belastung. Eine rechnerische Prognose des Schwingungsverhaltens zufolge Zugüberfahrten erfordert neben einer adäquaten Wahl des Berechnungsmodells für Brücke und Zug allen voran die Verwendung wirklichkeitsgetreuer dynamischer Modellparameter. Vergleiche zwischen gemessenen und rechnerisch angesetzten dynamischen Parametern der Brücke sind jedoch häufig durch eine erhebliche Abweichung charakterisiert. Die Diskrepanz ist dabei bei den Dämpfungskennwerten besonders ausgeprägt, da aufgrund der normativen Vorgaben und auch aus Mangel an Kenngrößen rechnerisch konservative Werte angesetzt werden müssen. Mit der Intention, diese Differenz zu minimieren und dadurch Brücken im Sinne einer prädiktiven Instandhaltung berechenbarer zu machen, wird ein Ansatz vorgestellt, welcher es ermöglicht, die Dämpfung von Eisenbahnbrücken mit Schotteroberbau zu berechnen. Für zwei vorab definierte Brückenmodelle, welche einer Erweiterung des Euler‐Bernoulli‐Balkens entsprechen, werden anhand von Energiebetrachtungen modellzugehörige Bestimmungsgleichungen für die Dämpfung hergeleitet. Das Grundprinzip in der Herleitung besteht darin, die dissipativen Beiträge von Tragkonstruktion und Schotteroberbau zur Gesamtdämpfung gesondert zu erfassen.
Ersatzneubau der Rheinbrücke Hard–Fußach
Authors: Honerboom Dominik , Menge Moritz
Published: March 2021

Im Westen Österreichs fließt der Alpenrhein in den Bodensee. Kurz vor seiner Mündung wird derzeit die Rheinbrücke zwischen Hard und Fußach erneuert. Die Brücke setzt mit ihrer seltenen Konstruktion als Extradosed‐Brücke besondere architektonische Akzente. Durch die Konstruktion als überspannter Balken entsteht insgesamt ein filigranes und modernes Bauwerk, das durch eine eher sachliche und schlichte Eleganz zurückhaltend wirkt. Gleichzeitig entwickelt es aber auch ein hohes Maß an eigenständiger Integrität, welches infolge der Reduzierung der Stützungspunkte zudem größtmögliche Rücksicht auf die Geländesituation nimmt und den landschaftlichen Zerschneidungseffekt minimiert. Neben den Herausforderungen der Konstruktionsweise musste die Planung und Ausführung den komplexen Randbedingungen im Umfeld begegnen. Die Brücke muss in den wenig tragfähigen Bodenschichten des Flussbetts, die bis in große Tiefe reichen, gründen. In der Bauzeit der Brücke und für den Endausbau des Rhein‐Hochwasserschutzes sind extreme Hochwassersituationen zu berücksichtigen. So wird die neue Brücke auf ein 300‐jährliches Hochwasserereignis mit 1 m Freibord ausgelegt.
Electromagnetic and Thermal Analysis of a ZnO Element of Transmission‐Line Arrester for a Lightning Surge Current
Authors: Saito Hiroki , Tanaka Tokuya , Tosa Ryohei , Baba Yoshihiro , Shinjo Kazuo
Published: March 2021

The voltage generated across a zinc‐oxide (ZnO) element, in which a lightning impulse current flows, has been computed with the finite‐difference time‐domain (FDTD) method. Also, the distribution of temperature in the ZnO element has been computed on the basis of FDTD‐computed conduction current densities with a discretized heat equation. The ZnO element having a thickness of 37 mm and a diameter of 34 mm is represented with many 1 mm × 1 mm × 1 mm cubic cells, each of which has a nonlinear resistivity in each of the x, y, and z directions dependent on the electric field in each direction and the temperature in each cell. Waveforms of voltage appearing across the ZnO element and the temperature on the side surface of the ZnO element computed for a short lightning impulse current having a magnitude of 66 kA agree reasonably well with the corresponding measured ones. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Cold spell variability in Europe in relation to the degree of climate continentalism in 1981–2018 period
Authors: Jarzyna Krzysztof , Krzyżewska Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

Seasonal and multiannual variability of the number, duration and severity of cold spells in Europe were analysed in this paper in cold seasons starting with 1981/1982 through 2017/2018. Data were used from seven weather stations characterised by different degrees of climate continentalism. Cold spells did not occur in the oceanic climate of southeastern England. In the Netherlands only a few cold spells were identified in the entire study period lasting 31 or 67 days in total, depending on the method used. The number, duration and severity of cold spells increased toward the east. In the continental climate of the European part of Russia, 163 or 74 cold spells were identified. Their total duration exceeded 1300 days. In Western Europe the potential period when cold spells occurred lasted about 50 days, from the middle of December to the beginning of February. In Eastern Europe the period when cold spells occurred lasted about 140 days, from the beginning of November to the second half of March. The longest and the most severe cold spells were concentrated in four periods: 1984/1985 to 1986/1987, 1993/1994 to 1996/1997, 2001/2002 to 2005/2006 and 2009/2010 to 2011/2012. Statistically significant trends in the number, duration and severity of cold spells were not evident for the locations analysed over the period from 1981 to present.
Auriferous pyrite formed by episodic fluid inputs in the Akeshi and Kasuga high-sulfidation deposits, Southern Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Ishida Mizuki , Romero Rurik , Leisen Mathieu , Yasukawa Kazutaka , Nakamura Kentaro , Barra Fernando , Reich Martin , Kato Yasuhiro
Published: March 2021

Pyrite geochemistry has proven useful for tracking changes in the composition and physico-chemical conditions of hydrothermal fluids in ore-forming environments. Here, we investigated the microtextural features and chemical composition of pyrite, a main Au-bearing phase in the Akeshi and Kasuga deposits (Southern Kyushu, Japan), to better constrain the ore-forming processes in these high-sulfidation epithermal Au deposits. Despite the widespread distribution of Au-bearing pyrite in both deposits, no visible Au minerals coexist with pyrite. However, in situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry results show that Au concentrations in pyrite vary from below the detection limit to 41 ppm and are positively correlated with Cu (r = 0.4; up to 7400 ppm) and Bi concentrations (r = 0.44; up to 640 ppm). In both deposits, high Cu and Au concentrations occur in small (< 25 μm) anhedral grains of pyrite, which are interpreted to have rapidly crystallized from the ore-forming hydrothermal fluid. In addition, dissolution–reprecipitation textures and thin, concentric, Cu-rich overgrowths were identified in a number of larger (> 25 μm) pyrite grains and aggregates. These abrupt changes in the trace element compositions of pyrite grains likely record episodic metal-rich fluid inputs. We also propose that gold adsorption onto growing pyrite surfaces played a key role in the mineralization of these deposits.
Public understanding of female genital anatomy and pelvic organ prolapse (POP); a questionnaire-based pilot study
Authors: El-Hamamsy Dina , Parmar Chanel , Shoop-Worrall Stephanie , Reid Fiona M.
Published: March 2021

Introduction and hypothesis

Health literacy underpins informed consent and shared decision-making. In gynaecology, this includes understanding of normal anatomy and urogenital disease. This study evaluated public knowledge of external female genital anatomy and pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

A questionnaire study asked participants for their demographics and to label a female external genitalia diagram and included free-text questions on POP, its symptoms and treatment. Questionnaires were distributed at general outpatient (OPD) and urogynaecology (UG) departments at a UK teaching hospital. Differences in the number of correct anatomy labels between participant genders were assessed via chi-squared tests and, within female participants, multivariable linear and logistic regressions assessed associations with increasing correct anatomical labels and an understanding (versus no understanding) of POP, respectively.

Results

Within 191 (n = 160 OPD, n = 31 UG), 9/103 (9%) labelled all anatomical structures correctly. Females had more correct labels (median 1, IQR 0,3) versus males (median 0, IQR 0,1), P = 0.022). Higher education (vs. < secondary) and white ethnicity were associated with greater numbers of correct labels [coefficient (95% CI): 1.05 (0.14, 1.96), P = 0.024, 1.45 (0.58, 2.33), P = 0.001 respectively]. Fifty-three per cent understood POP. POP understanding increased with increasing age, white ethnicity (OR: 4.38, 95% CI: 1.36, 14.08, P = 0.013) and more correct anatomy labels (OR: 1.43, 95% CI 1.14, 1.79, P = 0.002). Of those who understood POP, only 35% identified “bulge” as a symptom and 7% physiotherapy as a treatment option.

Conclusion

There was poor public understanding of external female genital anatomy and POP, which may have significant implications for health-seeking, shared decision-making and informed consent.
Selected tools to visualize membrane interactions
Authors: Grothe Tobias , Nowak Julia , Jahn Reinhard , Walla Peter Jomo
Published: March 2021

In the past decade, we developed various fluorescence-based methods for monitoring membrane fusion, membrane docking, distances between membranes, and membrane curvature. These tools were mainly developed using liposomes as model systems, which allows for the dissection of specific interactions mediated by, for example, fusion proteins. Here, we provide an overview of these methods, including two-photon fluorescence cross-correlation spectroscopy and intramembrane Förster energy transfer, with asymmetric labelling of inner and outer membrane leaflets and the calibrated use of transmembrane energy transfer to determine membrane distances below 10 nm. We discuss their application range and their limitations using examples from our work on protein-mediated vesicle docking and fusion.
Linking population size structure, heat stress and bleaching responses in a subtropical endemic coral
Authors: Lachs Liam , Sommer Brigitte , Cant James , Hodge Jessica M. , Malcolm Hamish A. , Pandolfi John M. , Beger Maria
Published: March 2021

Anthropocene coral reefs are faced with increasingly severe marine heatwaves and mass coral bleaching mortality events. The ensuing demographic changes to coral assemblages can have long-term impacts on reef community organisation. Thus, understanding the dynamics of subtropical scleractinian coral populations is essential to predict their recovery or extinction post-disturbance. Here we present a 10-yr demographic assessment of a subtropical endemic coral, Pocillopora aliciae (Schmidt-Roach et al. in Zootaxa 3626:576–582, 2013) from the Solitary Islands Marine Park, eastern Australia, paired with long-term temperature records. These coral populations are regularly affected by storms, undergo seasonal thermal variability, and are increasingly impacted by severe marine heatwaves. We examined the demographic processes governing the persistence of these populations using inference from size-frequency distributions based on log-transformed planar area measurements of 7196 coral colonies. Specifically, the size-frequency distribution mean, coefficient of variation, skewness, kurtosis, and coral density were applied to describe population dynamics. Generalised Linear Mixed Effects Models were used to determine temporal trends and test demographic responses to heat stress. Temporal variation in size-frequency distributions revealed various population processes, from recruitment pulses and cohort growth, to bleaching impacts and temperature dependencies. Sporadic recruitment pulses likely support population persistence, illustrated in 2010 by strong positively skewed size-frequency distributions and the highest density of juvenile corals measured during the study. Increasing mean colony size over the following 6 yr indicates further cohort growth of these recruits. Severe heat stress in 2016 resulted in mass bleaching mortality and a 51% decline in coral density. Moderate heat stress in the following years was associated with suppressed P. aliciae recruitment and a lack of early recovery, marked by an exponential decrease of juvenile density (i.e. recruitment) with increasing heat stress. Here, population reliance on sporadic recruitment and susceptibility to heat stress underpin the vulnerability of subtropical coral assemblages to climate change.
Experimental settling, floatation and compaction of plagioclase in basaltic melt and a revision of melt density
Authors: Krättli Giuliano , Schmidt Max W.
Published: March 2021

Centrifuge-assisted piston cylinder experiments were conducted on plagioclase in basaltic melt at 1140–1250 °C, 0.42–0.84 GPa and mostly 1000 g. One set of experiments assesses the settling velocity of a dilute plagioclase suspension; a second sinks or floats plagioclase in a MORB-type melt exploring conditions of neutral buoyancy; and a third set examines floatation of plagioclase from an evolved lunar magma ocean composition. A compaction rate for plagioclase cumulates is established. The experiments demonstrate that neutral density of plagioclase An74 in a MOR-type tholeiitic basalt occurs at 0.59 ± 0.04 GPa (1200 °C), contrasting predictions by present models on melt density which yield a density inversion pressure at 0.10–0.15 GPa. In nature, the level of neutral buoyancy depends on melt composition; nevertheless, for the onset of plagioclase crystallization in dry tholeiitic basalts, our result is robust. As the molar volume of plagioclase is well known, the experimentally determined pressure of neutral buoyancy indicates a correction of -1.6% to previous density models for silicate melts. It follows that for (tholeiitic) layered mafic intrusions, plagioclase is negatively buoyant for early, relatively primitive, parent melts. In contrast, the extreme Fe enrichment of a fractionating lunar magma ocean leads to melt densities that let anorthite always float. Compaction φ/φ0 of experimental plagioclase cumulates is quantified to φ/φ0 = − 0.0582 log (Δρ·h·a·t) + 1.284, where φ0 is the porosity after settling (67 ± 2%), h the cumulate pile height, a acceleration and φ porosity as a function of time t. Gravitational-driven compaction in tens of m-thick plagioclase cumulate in basaltic magmas reaches down to ~ 40% porosity within hundreds of years, a timescales competing with characteristic cooling times of cumulate layers of mafic intrusions. To achieve plagioclase modes > 80% due to compaction, an additional overload of ~ 100 m (layers) of mafic minerals would be required. Compaction of a lunar anorthosite crust of 35 km to 20% porosity (i.e. ~ 90% plagioclase after crystallization of the interstitial melt) would require 30 kyrs.
Transvaginal Hybrid-NOTES procedures—do they have a negative impact on pregnancy and delivery?
Authors: Thomaidis Panagiotis , Weltermann Niklas J. , Seefeldt Claudia S. , Richards Dana C. , Sauerwald Axel , Heiss Markus M. , Bulian Dirk R.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

We conducted a retrospective observational study in order to identify negative effects of NOTES procedures (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) with transvaginal specimen removal on pregnancy and delivery.

Methods

From the total population of 299 patients in our NOTES registry, we tried to contact the 121 patients who were of reproductive age (≤ 45 years) at the time of a transvaginal NOTES procedure. They were interviewed by telephone regarding their desire for children, post NOTES-operation pregnancies, and type of delivery using a structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed and compared with current data.

Results

We were able to contact 76 patients (follow-up rate: 62.8%) with a median follow-up of 77 months after surgery (33–129 months). Twenty of 74 participating patients had a desire for children (27.0%). One of them and another's male partner were diagnosed as infertile. Regarding the remaining 18 patients, 14 became pregnant, and three of them became pregnant twice. Considering these 17 pregnancies, there was one miscarriage (5.9%) and one twin birth (5.9%). On average, childbirth occurred 44 months after the NOTES procedure. With regard to the type of delivery, 10 vaginal births (58.8%) and 7 caesarean sections (41.2%) occurred. Thus, the rate of fulfilled desire for children was 77.8%. Compared with the literature, no difference to the normal course could be detected.

Conclusion

There is no sign that the transvaginal approach in Hybrid-NOTES, with removal of the specimen through the vagina, has a negative effect on conception, the course during pregnancy, or the type of delivery.
Didelphis spp. opossums and their parasites in the Americas: A One Health perspective
Authors: Bezerra-Santos Marcos Antônio , Ramos Rafael Antonio Nascimento , Campos Artur Kanadani , Dantas-Torres Filipe , Otranto Domenico
Published: March 2021

Medium sized opossums (Didelphisspp.) are among the most fascinating mammals of the Americas, playing important ecological roles (e.g., dispersal of seeds and control of insect populations) in the environment they inhabit. Nevertheless, as synanthropic animals, they are well adapted to human dwellings, occupying shelters within the cities, peripheral areas, and rural settings. These marsupials can harbor numerous pathogens, which may affect people, pets, and livestock. Among those, some protozoa (e.g.,Leishmania infantum,Trypanosoma cruzi,Toxoplasma gondii), helminths (e.g.,Ancylostoma caninum,Trichinella spiralis,Alaria marcianae,Paragonimusspp.) and arthropods (e.g., ticks, fleas) present substantial public health and veterinary importance, due to their capacity to cause disease in humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Here, we reviewed the role played by opossums on the spreading of zoonotic parasites, vectors, and vector-borne pathogens, highlighting the risks of pathogens transmission due to the direct and indirect interaction of humans and domestic animals withDidelphisspp. in the Americas.