bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Periodic Hexagon Tiling Model and Non-Hermitian Orthogonal Polynomials
Authors: Charlier C. , Duits M. , Kuijlaars A. B. J. , Lenells J.
Published: May 2020

We study a one-parameter family of probability measures on lozenge tilings of large regular hexagons that interpolates between the uniform measure on all possible tilings and a particular fully frozen tiling. The description of the asymptotic behavior can be separated into two regimes: the low and the high temperature regime. Our main results are the computations of the disordered regions in both regimes and the limiting densities of the different lozenges there. For low temperatures, the disordered region consists of two disjoint ellipses. In the high temperature regime the two ellipses merge into a single simply connected region. At the transition from the low to the high temperature a tacnode appears. The key to our asymptotic study is a recent approach introduced by Duits and Kuijlaars providing a double integral representation for the correlation kernel. One of the factors in the integrand is the Christoffel–Darboux kernel associated to polynomials that satisfy non-Hermitian orthogonality relations with respect to a complex-valued weight on a contour in the complex plane. We compute the asymptotic behavior of these orthogonal polynomials and the Christoffel–Darboux kernel by means of a Riemann–Hilbert analysis. After substituting the resulting asymptotic formulas into the double integral we prove our main results by classical steepest descent arguments.
Primary breast tumours but not lung metastases induce protective anti-tumour immune responses after Treg-depletion
Authors: Hughes Ellyn , Lauder Sarah N. , Smart Kathryn , Bloom Anja , Scott Jake , Jones Emma , Somerville Michelle , Browne Molly , Blainey Andrew , Godkin Andrew , Ager Ann , Gallimore Awen
Published: May 2020

Although metastatic disease is responsible for the majority of cancer deaths, tests of novel immunotherapies in mouse tumour models often focus on primary tumours without determining whether these therapies also target metastatic disease. This study examined the impact of depleting Foxp3+regulatory T cells (Treg), on lung metastases, using a mouse model of breast cancer. After Treg-depletion, generation of an immune response to the primary tumour was a critical determinant for limiting development of metastasis. Indeed, resection of the primary tumour abrogated any effect of Treg-depletion on metastases. In addition, whilst the immune response, generated by the primary tumour, prevented metastases development, it had little impact on controlling established disease. Collectively, the data indicate that metastatic cells in the lung are not controlled by immune responses induced by the primary tumour. These findings indicate that targeting Tregs alone will not suffice for treating lung metastases.
Identifying New Frontiers for Social Media Engagement in Global Surgery: An Observational Study
Authors: Navarro Sergio M. , Mazingi Dennis , Keil Evan , Dube Andile , Dedeker Connor , Stewart Kelsey A. , Ncube Thando , Rickard Jennifer L. , Lavy Chris , Tuttle Todd M.
Published: May 2020

Background

The purpose of this observational study is to characterize the use of social media content pertaining to global surgery.

Methods

A search for public posts on social media related to global surgery was performed over a 3‐month window, from January 1st, 2019, to March 31st, 2019. Two public domains were included in the search: Instagram and Twitter. Posts were selected by filtering for one hashtag: #GlobalSurgery. A binary scoring system was used for media format, perspective of the poster, timing of the post, tone, and post content. Data were analyzed using Chi‐squared tests with significance set to p < 0.05.

Results

Overall, 2633 posts with the hashtag #GlobalSurgery were publicly shared on these two social media platforms over the 3‐month period. Of these, 2272 (86.3%) referenced content related to global surgery and were original posts. Physicians and other health professionals authored a majority (60.5%, 1083/1788) of posts on Twitter, whereas organizations comprised a majority of the posts on Instagram (59.9%, 290/484). Posts either had a positive (50.2%, 1140/2272) or neutral (49.6%, 1126/2272) tone, with only 0.3% or 6/2272 of posts being explicitly negative. The content of the posts varied, but most frequently (43.4%, 986/2272) focused on promoting communication and engagement within the community, followed by educational content (21.3%, 486/2272), advertisements (18.8%, 427/2272), and published research (13.2%, 299/2272). The majority of global surgery posts originated from the USA, UK, or Canada (67.6%, 1537/2272), followed by international organizations (11.5%, 261/2272). Chi‐squared analysis comparing Instagram with Twitter performed examining media content, tone, perspective, and content, finding statistically significant differences (p < 0.001) the two platforms for each of the categories.

Conclusion

The online social media community with respect to global surgery engagement is predominantly composed of surgeons and health care professionals, focused primarily on promoting dialogue within the online community. Social media platforms may provide a scalable tool that can augment engagement between global surgeons, with remaining opportunity to foster global collaboration, community engagement, education and awareness.
Preoperative Potassium Iodide Treatment in Patients Undergoing Thyroidectomy for Graves' Disease—Perspective of a European High‐Volume Center
Authors: Lindner Kirsten , Kußmann Jochen , Fendrich Volker
Published: May 2020

Background

Potassium iodide (KI) treatment affects the vascularity of the thyroid gland and therefore may improve intraoperative visualization of essential structures. However, clear evidence for its usage is lacking, and its implementation in patients suffering from Graves' disease is becoming rare. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess the impact of KI treatment on the intraoperative course and the outcome of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for Graves' diseases.

Methods

The study included 442 patients: 125 patients (28.3%) who received a preoperative treatment with KI (“Group KI”) and 317 patients (71.7%) without a KI therapy (“Group No‐KI”). Indication for KI treatment was a thyroid bruit (82.5%), as well as hyperthyroidism refractive to medical treatment with antithyroid drugs (17.4%).

Results

All patients underwent total thyroidectomy. Permanent vocal cord paresis and permanent hypoparathyroidism were similar in both groups. KI treatment was associated with a significantly longer operative time (142 vs. 128 min, p < 0.001) and a significant higher weight of the thyroid gland. KI treatment did not impact duration of hospital stay or occurrence of secondary hemorrhage.

Conclusions

The complication rate of this study population with clinically severe GD was very low—which may be caused by pre‐treatment of patients. The complementary option of a potassium iodide treatment before surgery remains a possibility and should be implemented individually.
Overview of the CMIP6 Historical Experiment Datasets with the Climate System Model CAS FGOALS-f3-L
Authors: Guo Yuyang , Yu Yongqiang , Lin Pengfei , Liu Hailong , He Bian , Bao Qing , Zhao Shuwen , Wang Xiaowei
Published: May 2020

The three-member historical simulations by the Chinese Academy of Sciences Flexible Global Ocean-Atmosphere-Land System model, version f3-L (CAS FGOALS-f3-L), which is contributing to phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6), are described in this study. The details of the CAS FGOALS-f3-L model, experiment settings and output datasets are briefly introduced. The datasets include monthly and daily outputs from the atmospheric, oceanic, land and sea-ice component models of CAS FGOALS-f3-L, and all these data have been published online in the Earth System Grid Federation (ESGF, https://esgf-node.llnl.gov/projects/cmip6/). The three ensembles are initialized from the 600th, 650th and 700th model year of the preindustrial experiment (piControl) and forced by the same historical forcing provided by CMIP6 from 1850 to 2014. The performance of the coupled model is validated in comparison with some recent observed atmospheric and oceanic datasets. It is shown that CAS FGOALS-f3-L is able to reproduce the main features of the modern climate, including the climatology of air surface temperature and precipitation, the long-term changes in global mean surface air temperature, ocean heat content and sea surface steric height, and the horizontal and vertical distribution of temperature in the ocean and atmosphere. Meanwhile, like other state-of-the-art coupled GCMs, there are still some obvious biases in the historical simulations, which are also illustrated. This paper can help users to better understand the advantages and biases of the model and the datasets.
Cryo-Electron microscopy for the study of self-assembled poly(ionic liquid) nanoparticles and protein supramolecular structures
Authors: Kochovski Zdravko , Chen Guosong , Yuan Jiayin , Lu Yan
Published: May 2020

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is a powerful structure determination technique that is well-suited to the study of protein and polymer self-assembly in solution. In contrast to conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) sample preparation, which often times involves drying and staining, the frozen-hydrated sample preparation allows the specimens to be kept and imaged in a state closest to their native one. Here, we give a short overview of the basic principles of Cryo-EM and review our results on applying it to the study of different protein and polymer self-assembled nanostructures. More specifically, we show how we have applied cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to visualize the internal morphology of self-assembled poly(ionic liquid) nanoparticles and cryo-EM single particle analysis (SPA) to determine the three-dimensional (3D) structures of artificial protein microtubules.
Decision making for concomitant high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in cartilage repair patients based on a nationwide cohort study of 4968 patients
Authors: Faber Svea , Zellner Johannes , Angele Peter , Spahn Gunter , Löer Ingo , Zinser Wolfgang , Niemeyer Philipp
Published: May 2020

Background

High tibial osteotomy (HTO) for varus deformities is a common concomitant treatment in cartilage surgery. Aim of the present study was to analyze factors influencing the decision towards accompanying HTO in patients with cartilage defects of the medial femoral condyle, such as the amount of varus deformity.

Methods

Data from 4986 patients treated for cartilage defects of the knee from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) were used for the current analysis. Seven hundred and thirty-six patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Their data were analyzed for factors influencing the decision towards performing a concomitant HTO using t test, univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression models.

Results

The break point at which the majority of patients receive a concomitant HTO is 3° of varus deformity. Several factors apart from the amount of varus deformity (5.61 ± 2.73° vs. 1.72 ± 2.38°, p < 0.00) differed significantly between the group of patients with HTO and those without. These included defect size (441.6 ± 225.3 mm2 vs. 386.5 ± 204.2 mm2, p = 0.001), symptom duration (29.53 ± 44.58 months vs. 21.85 ± 34.17 months, p = 0.021), defect grade (62.5% IVa/IVb vs. 57.3% IVa/IVb, p = 0.014), integrity of corresponding joint surface (10.8% grade III–IV vs. 0.2% grade III–IV, p < 0.001), meniscus status (15.5% > 1/3 resected vs. 4.4% > 1/3 resected, p < 0.001) and number of previous surgeries (1.01 ± 1.06 vs. 0.75 ± 1.00, p = 0.001). In the stepwise multivariate binary logistic regression test, only the amount of varus deformity, symptom duration and quality of the corresponding joint surface remained significant predictors associated with performing a concomitant HTO.

Conclusion

Based upon data from a nationwide cohort, additional HTO in context with cartilage repair procedures of the medial femoral condyle is frequently performed even in mild varus deformities less than 5°. Other factors also seem to influence decision for HTO.
Neonatal and young infant sepsis by Group B Streptococci and Escherichia coli: a single-center retrospective analysis in Germany—GBS screening implementation gaps and reduction in antibiotic resistance
Authors: Doenhardt Maren , Seipolt Barbara , Mense Lars , Winkler Jennifer Lucia , Thürmer Alexander , Rüdiger Mario , Berner Reinhard , Armann Jakob
Published: May 2020

The last nationwide surveillance study on neonatal and young infant sepsis due to Group B Streptococci (GBS) and Escherichia coli in Germany was conducted between 2009 and 2010. The aim of this study is to provide longitudinal epidemiological data on neonatal and young infant sepsis caused by GBS and E. coli to reevaluate existing data and to inform clinical decision-making. Every positive blood culture for GBS and E. coli within the first 90 days of life that occurred at our center from 2008 until 2018 was identified. The epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and microbiological data of all affected patients were analyzed through retrospective chart review, along with the pathogen’s antimicrobial susceptibility results. In total, 106 episodes of neonatal sepsis were described; 31% (n = 33) being caused by GBS and 69% (n = 73) by E. coli; 87% of GBS early-onset disease (EOD) cases did not receive intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). Contrary to general trends, the proportion of resistant E. coli isolates decreased for all tested antibiotics over time. Coincidentally, antenatal antibiotic use beyond IAP during that period decreased significantly in our center.

Conclusions: (1) Data at our center suggests at least a regional implementation gap in GBS screening and IAP. (2) The decline in the resistance rate of E. coli for all antimicrobial substances might indicate that the reduction of prenatal antibiotics use is beneficial and that neonatal antibiotic stewardship programs should include pregnant women as well.

What is Known:• GBS screening and intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis led to a 32%-reduction in GBS disease in Germany with a 0.75 (92:122) ratio of early-onset disease to late-onset disease in 2009–2010.• Prenatal antibiotic use might increase the risk of E. coli early-onset disease and antibiotic resistances.

What is New:• The GBS early-onset disease rates were twice as high as those of late-onset disease, the ratio was 1.75 (21:12) in 2008–2018 at our institution. This suggests that there are at least regional implementation gaps in the antenatal GBS screening in Germany.• We found a decline in E. coli resistance rates over time for all antimicrobial substances. Reduction in use of prenatal antibiotics might be an explanation.
Subsidence after total lumbar disc replacement is predictable and related to clinical outcome
Authors: Kitzen J. , Verbiest V. , Buil I. , Schotanus M. G. M. , van Rietbergen B. , van Kuijk S. M. J. , van Rhijn L. W. , Willems P. C. P. H.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

As yet, there are no studies describing a relationship between radiographic subsidence after lumbar total disc replacement (TDR) and patient symptoms. To investigate if subsidence, in terms of penetrated bone volume or angular rotation over time (ΔPBV and ΔAR), is related to clinical outcome. To assess if subsidence can be predicted by position implant asymmetry (IA) or relative size of the TDR, areal undersizing index (AUI) on direct post-operative radiographs.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study consists of 209 consecutive patients with lumbar TDR for degenerative disc disease. A three-dimensional graphical representation of the implant in relation to the bony endplates was created on conventional radiographs. Consequently, the PBV, AR, IA and AUI were calculated, direct post-operative (DPO) and at last follow-up (LFU). For clinical evaluation, patients with substantial pain (VAS ≥ 50) and malfunction (ODI ≥ 40) were considered failures.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 16.7 years, 152 patients (73%) were available for analysis. In 32 patients, revision by spinal fusion had been performed. Both ΔAR (4.33° vs. 1.83°, p = 0.019) and ΔPBV (1448.4 mm3 vs. 747.3 mm3, p = 0.003) were significantly higher in the failure-compared to the success-group. Using ROC curves, thresholds for symptomatic subsidence were defined as ΔPBV ≥ 829 mm3 or PBV-LFU ≥ 1223 mm3 [area under the curve (AUC) 0.723, p = 0.003 and 0.724, p = 0.005, respectively]. Associations between symptomatic subsidence and AUI-DPO ≥ 0.50 (AUC 0.750, p = 0.002) and AR-DPO ≥ 3.95° (AUC 0.690, p = 0.022) were found.

Conclusion

Subsidence of a TDR is associated with a worse clinical outcome. The occurrence of subsidence is higher in case of incorrect placement or shape mismatch.
Long non-coding RNA VIM Antisense RNA 1 (VIM-AS1) sponges microRNA-29 to participate in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Zeng Feng , Luo Gang , Lu Yamei , Zhang Zhaotian , Zhou Yuanqing , Chen Yonging , Zhou Zhiyan
Published: May 2020

Aims

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) VIM Antisense RNA 1 (VIM-AS1) has been reported to be correlated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) susceptibility, while the roles of this lncRNA in T2D and its complications remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the role of VIM-AS1 in diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods

Gene expression levels in both human specimens and in vitro cultivated cells were determined by qPCR and western blot. Overexpression experiments were performed to analyze gene interactions. Cell apoptosis after transfections was detected by cell apoptosis assay.

Results

We found that VIM-AS1 was significantly downregulated in T2D patients in comparison with that in healthy controls. Specifically, the expression levels of VIM-AS1 were lowest among T2D patients complicated with DR. Bioinformatics analysis showed that VIM-AS1 can interact with microRNA 29 (miR-29), which is a critical player in high glucose-induced apoptosis of human retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPEs). Dual-luciferase assay also revealed the direct interaction between them. High glucose treatment led to upregulated miR-29 and downregulated VIM-AS1. However, overexpression of VIM-AS1 and miR-29 did not affect the expression of each other. Cell apoptosis analysis showed that overexpression of VIM-AS1 reduced the enhancing effects of miR-29 overexpression on RPEs cell proliferation.

Conclusions

Therefore, VIM-AS1 may sponge miR-29 to participate in DR.
Quantifizierung lokaler Grundwassereintritte in die Spree und deren Bedeutung für die Verockerungsproblematik in der Laustiz
Authors: Frei Sven , Wismeth Fabian , Gilfedder Benjamin Silas
Published: May 2020

Eine unbekannte, schwer zu bestimmende aber zentrale Komponente in der Verockerungs-Problematik der Spree ist der lokale Grundwasserzufluss. Als Teil dieser Studie wurden mithilfe des natürlichen Tracers Radon (222Rn) die lokalen Grundwasserzuflüsse in die Spree und Kleine Spree im Lausitzer Braunkohlerevier bestimmt. Der gesamte Grundwasserzufluss, für das 20 km lange Teilstück der Kleinen Spree und den 34 km langen Abschnitt der Spree, variierte je nach Messkampagne zwischen ~3.000 und ~7.000 m3 d−1 (Kleine Spree) sowie ~20.000 und ~38.000 m3 d−1 (Spree). Entlang der Spreewitzer Rinne, einem vom Tagebauabraum geprägten Aquifer, wurden Flussabschnitte mit besonders hohem, präferenziellem Grundwassereintritt identifiziert (bis zu 70 % des gesamten Zustromes). Für diese Bereiche gelangen große Mengen an gelöstem Eisen aus dem Grundwasser in die Fließgewässer. Basierend auf gemessenen lokalen Eisen- und Sulfatfrachten in beiden Fließgewässern, wurde für das Einzugsgebiet die Menge an zurückgehaltenem Eisen quantifiziert. Für das gesamte untersuchte Einzugsgebiet der Spree liegt die Menge an zurückgehaltenem Eisen durch die Eisenhydroxid-Bildung bei bis zu 120 Tonnen/Tag.
The Inverted Philosopher’s Stone: how to turn silver to a base metal
Authors: Radtke Valentin , Pütz Katharina , Himmel Daniel , Krossing Ingo
Published: May 2020

Metals often are classified as “noble” or “base”—characterizing their reduction potential as one of the most important chemical properties. We show that metals are only as noble as allowed by their environment, i.e. this is a relative term, and the “frame of reference” simply is the solvent in which the redox system is present. We prove that silver is a prime example for a noble metal that forfeits its noble character in the simple ionic liquid HMIM Br (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide) as an example for such a solvent.
Risk screening of the potential invasiveness of non-native freshwater fishes in the River Ob basin (West Siberian Plain, Russia)
Authors: Interesova Elena , Vilizzi Lorenzo , Copp Gordon H.
Published: May 2020

To inform regional managers of potentially invasive non-native (NN) freshwater fishes in the principal hydrosystem that drains the West Siberian Plain, the River Ob basin, 31 extant and potential future NN fish species were screened using the Aquatic Species Invasiveness Screening Kit (AS-ISK) with respect to current and projected future climate conditions. Calibration of the AS-ISK scores, using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, identified ‘basic risk assessment’ and ‘climate change assessment’ threshold scores of 27.5 and 34.75, respectively, with which to distinguish species that pose a high risk of being invasive in the Ob basin and those that pose a low-to-medium risk. Of the species screened, 12 ranked as high risk (black bullhead Ameiurus melas, brown bullhead Ameiurus nebulosus, grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella, common carp Cyprinus carpio, eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki, silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, oriental weatherfish Misgurnus anguillicaudatus, rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, Chinese (Amur) sleeper Perccottus glenii, topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva, brown trout Salmo trutta, pikeperch Sander lucioperca and rudd Scardinius erythrophthalmus). The remaining species ranked as medium or low risk. Although the risk scores increased in 68% of species under climate change conditions, this affected the risk rankings of only two species: Salmo trutta decreased in rank from high to medium and Sander lucioperca increased in rank from medium to high. The outcomes of the present study, which identified 12 species for which full risk assessments are recommended, serves to inform the development of NN species policy and management in Russia.
Macroeconomic and health care aspects of the coronavirus epidemic: EU, US and global perspectives
Authors: Welfens Paul J. J.
Published: May 2020

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic represents a major challenge for the world economy. While a detailed longer-term diffusion path of the new virus cannot be anticipated for individual countries, one may anticipate international supply shocks and declining GDP growth in many OECD countries and China in 2020; and one should expect falling asset prices in Asia, the United States and the European Union plus the United Kingdom – except for the price of risk-free government bonds. In the course of 2020/21 the US, the EU and the UK, as well as other countries, will face both an increasing number of infected patients as well as a higher case fatality ratio. Health care expenditures in the US could increase more than in the Eurozone and the EU in the medium term, a development that undermines the international competitiveness of the United States. The analysis suggests that per capita income is a positive function of the effective trade openness and of the new Global Health Security Index indicator from the NTI/Johns Hopkins University. A rising health care-GDP ratio in the US is equivalent to a rising US export tariff. As regards the coronavirus challenge, the ratio of acute care beds to the elderly in OECD countries shows considerable variation. Due to international tourism contraction alone, output growth in the Eurozone, the US and China can be expected to fall by about 1.6% in 2020. The COVID-19 challenge for the US Trump Administration is a serious one, since the lack of experts in the Administration will become more apparent in such a systemic stress situation – and this might well affect the November 2020 US presidential election which, in turn, would itself have considerable impacts on the UK and the EU27 as well as EU-UK trade negotiations. Integrating the health care sector into macroeconomics, which should include growth analysis, is an important task. The role of health quality - and health insurance coverage - for endogenous time horizons and economic welfare, respectively, is emphasized.
Protection of Sacubitril/Valsartan against Pathological Cardiac Remodeling by Inhibiting the NLRP3 Inflammasome after Relief of Pressure Overload in Mice
Authors: Li Xueling , Zhu Qin , Wang Qingcheng , Zhang Qinggang , Zheng Yaru , Wang Lihong , Jin Qinyang
Published: May 2020

Background/aims

The persistent existence of pathological cardiac remodeling, resulting from aortic stenosis, is related to poor clinical prognosis after successful transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Sacubitril/valsartan (Sac/Val), comprising an angiotensin receptor blocker and a neprilysin inhibitor, has been demonstrated to have a beneficial effect against pathological cardiac remodeling, including cardiac fibrosis and inflammation in heart failure. The aim of this study was to determine whether Sac/Val exerts a cardioprotective effect after pressure unloading in mice.

Methods and results

Male C57BL/6 J mice were subjected to debanding (DB) surgery after 8 weeks (wk) of aortic banding (AB). Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography, which indicated a protective effect of Sac/Val after DB. After treatment with Sac/Val post DB, decreased heart weight and myocardial cell size were observed in mouse hearts. In addition, histological analysis, immunofluorescence, and western blot results showed that Sac/Val attenuated cardiac fibrosis and inflammation after DB. Finally, our data indicated that Sac/Val treatment could significantly suppress NF-κB signaling and NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mice after relief of pressure overload.

Conclusion

Sac/Val exerted its beneficial effects to prevent maladaptive cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction in mice following pressure unloading, which was at least partly due to the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
The Stroke-Induced Increase of Somatostatin-Expressing Neurons is Inhibited by Diabetes: A Potential Mechanism at the Basis of Impaired Stroke Recovery
Authors: Chiazza Fausto , Pintana Hiranya , Lietzau Grazyna , Nyström Thomas , Patrone Cesare , Darsalia Vladimer
Published: May 2020

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) hampers recovery after stroke, but the underling mechanisms are mostly unknown. In a recently published study (Pintana et al. in Clin Sci (Lond) 133(13):1367–1386, 2019), we showed that impaired recovery in T2D was associated with persistent atrophy of parvalbumin+ interneurons in the damaged striatum. In the current work, which is an extension of the abovementioned study, we investigated whether somatostatin (SOM)+ interneurons are also affected by T2D during the stroke recovery phase. C57Bl/6j mice were fed with high-fat diet or standard diet (SD) for 12 months and subjected to 30-min transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). SOM+ cell number/density in the striatum was assessed by immunohistochemistry 2 and 6 weeks after tMCAO in peri-infarct and infarct areas. This was possible by establishing a computer-based quantification method that compensates the post-stroke tissue deformation and the irregular cell distribution. SOM+ interneurons largely survived the stroke as seen at 2 weeks. Remarkably, 6 weeks after stroke, the number of SOM+ interneurons increased (vs. contralateral striatum) in SD-fed mice in both peri-infarct and infarct areas. However, this increase did not result from neurogenesis. T2D completely abolished this effect specifically in the in the infarct area. The results suggest that the up-regulation of SOM expression in the post-stroke phase could be related to neurological recovery and T2D could inhibit this process. We also present a new and precise method for cell counting in the stroke-damaged striatum that allows to reveal accurate, area-related effects of stroke on cell number.
Diffusivities of an Equimolar Methane–Propane Mixture Across the Two-Phase Region by Dynamic Light Scattering
Authors: Piszko Maximilian , Giraudet Cédric , Fröba Andreas P.
Published: May 2020

The present contribution examines the accessibility of diffusivities across the two-phase region of an equimolar methane–propane mixture for dynamic light scattering (DLS) experiments. Heterodyne DLS experiments and theoretical calculations of the Rayleigh ratio were performed at 125 different thermodynamic states including the gas, liquid, supercritical, and the two-phase region. The present measurements document that two diffusivities can be determined simultaneously in the liquid state and saturated liquid phase for temperatures and pressures which correspond to densities larger than 1.15 times the critical density. Based on a rigorous assignment of the signals detected in this work, the slow and fast diffusivities could be associated with the Fick and thermal diffusivities. For all other thermodynamic states, a single hydrodynamic mode or signal was obtained experimentally. With the help of theoretical Rayleigh ratios as well as from the general behavior of the diffusivities as a function of temperature and pressure, the signals were identified to be related to the Fick diffusivity in the supercritical state and to a mixed diffusivity in the gas state and the saturated vapor phase. The results are discussed in connection with the behavior of the diffusivities along certain paths in the pressure–temperature projection of the phase diagram of the mixture.
Size control of Au nanoparticles from the scalable and solvent-free matrix assembly cluster source
Authors: Spadaro Maria Chiara , Cao Lu , Terry William , Balog Richard , Yin Feng , Palmer Richard E.
Published: May 2020

Nanostructured gold is an intriguing system for heterogeneous catalysis at low temperature. Its activity is related to choice of support selection, particle-support interaction, and especially the particle size. Here, we investigate the possibility of controlling the size of Au clusters (nanoparticles) in the novel Matrix Assembly Cluster Source (MACS), a solvent-free nanoparticle source with potential for scale-up to the gram level. The novelty of the MACS is the idea of making clusters by sputtering a pre-condensed matrix of metal atoms embedded in a condensed non-reactive gas, e.g., Ar. This concept, introduced in 2016, has already proved deposition rates several orders of magnitude higher than conventional cluster beam routes. Such scale-up in the cluster production rate is crucial for industrial research on nanocatalysis under realistic reaction condition. Here, we report a systematic study of how Au metal loading in the matrix affects the size distribution of clusters generated. Furthermore, the obtained dependence of cluster size on deposition time provides clear confirmation of cluster formation inside the matrix by ion irradiation, rather than by aggregation of atoms on the TEM support after deposition.
Is Localization of Wireless Sensor Networks in Irregular Fields a Challenge?
Authors: Bhat Soumya J. , Santhosh K. V.
Published: May 2020

Wireless sensor networks have been considered as an emerging technology for numerous applications of cyber-physical systems. These applications often require the deployment of sensor nodes in various anisotropic fields. Localization in anisotropic fields is a challenge because of the factors such as non-line of sight communications, irregularities of terrains, and network holes. Traditional localization techniques, when applied to anisotropic or irregular fields, result in colossal location estimation errors. To improve location estimations, this paper presents a comparative analysis of available localization techniques based on taxonomy framework. A detailed discussion on the importance of localization of sensor nodes in irregular fields from the reported real-life applications is presented along with challenges faced by existing localization techniques. Further, taxonomy based on techniques adopted by localization methods to address the effects of irregular fields on location estimations is reported. Finally, using the designed taxonomy framework, a comparative analysis of different localization techniques addressing irregularities and the directions towards the development of an optimal localization technique is addressed.
Red-leafed species for urban “greening” in the age of global climate change
Authors: Lo Piccolo Ermes , Landi Marco
Published: May 2020

Urban trees provide vital ecosystem services such as mitigating heat island, improving air quality by removing various air pollutants, capturing rainwater, and acting as topsoil carbon storage. The aesthetic value of urban trees is also another feature that has to be considered in the context of urban greening. Classical criteria for the selection of urban trees have to respond to new challenges imposed to the cities in a near future. Global climate change factors increase the harshness of our cities, and thereby the plant resilience to abiotic stresses has also to be seriously considered for planning the urban greening. Red-leafed species, characterized by the permanent presence of foliar anthocyanins, show a greater tolerance to different environmental cues than green-leafed species commonly used in our cities. In addition, red tree species own a great aesthetic value which has been underestimated in the context of urban areas, especially in the harsh Mediterranean cities. In this study, we emphasize the “privilege of being red” from different point of view, in order to drive the attention to the possibility to increase the use of red-leafed species for urban “greening”. Some possible negative aspects related to their use are rebutted and the direction of future researches are proposed.
Iron and Manganese Retention of Juvenile Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Exposed to Contaminated Dietary Zooplankton (Daphnia pulex)—a Model Experiment
Authors: Herman Petra , Fehér Milán , Molnár Áron , Harangi Sándor , Sajtos Zsófi , Stündl László , Fábián István , Baranyai Edina
Published: May 2020

In present study the effect of iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) contamination was assessed by modeling a freshwater food web of water, zooplankton (Daphnia pulex), and zebrafish (Danio rerio) under laboratory conditions. Metals were added to the rearing media of D. pulex, and enriched zooplankton was fed to zebrafish in a feeding trial. The elemental analysis of rearing water, zooplankton, and fish revealed significant difference in the treatments compared to the control. In D. pulex the Mn level increased almost in parallel with the dose of supplementation, as well as the Fe level differed statistically. A negative influence of the supplementation on the fish growth was observed: specific growth rate (SGR%) and weight gain (WG) decreased in Fe and Mn containing treatments. The redundancy analysis (RDA) of concentration data showed strong correlation between the rearing water and D. pulex, as well as the prey organism of Fe- and Mn-enriched D. pulex and the predator organism of D. rerio. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) calculated for water to zooplankton further proved the relationship between the Fe and Mn dosage applied in the treatments and measured in D. pulex. Trophic transfer factor (TTF) results also indicate that significant retention of the metals occurred in D. rerio individuals, however, in a much lower extent than in the water to zooplankton stage. Our study suggests that Fe and Mn significantly accumulate in the lower part of the trophic chain and retention is effective through the digestive track of zebrafish, yet no biomagnification occurs.
Gene Expression Programming (GEP) to predict coefficient of discharge for oblique side weir
Authors: Mohammed Ahmed Y. , Sharifi Ali
Published: May 2020

In irrigation and drainage structures, side weir is widely used for flow diversion from main to branch channels. Side weir is also used as a measuring device for discharge measurements, so discharge coefficient was mainly studied in many previous studies. Skew side weir was not taking a good highlight in previous studies and literature, so the present work discharge coefficient calculation for the skew side weir was adopted and studied. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Gene Expression Programming (GEP) tools were used in the present study and compared with observed values ofCd. The mean absolute error forCdobserved and calculated in MLR and GEP was not exceeded 5%. TheCdvalues for skew side weir ranged from (0.65) to (0.85), while its values for straight vertical side from previous literature weir ranged from (0.45) to (0.65); this mean skew side weir can be used for increase in discharge diversion to the branch channel at the same water levels by 27%. The Akaike information criteria (AIC) with (AICs), root-mean-square error (RMSE), mean absolute relative error (MARE) and scatter index (SI) are used in this study for measuring the GEP model performance. From results, the GEP model has AIC = − 216.51, AICs = − 918.51, RMSE = 0.004653, MARE = 0.005234,R2 = 0.994 and SI = 0.006231 performed the best. According to previous results, the new equation presented through GEP can be adopted for discharge coefficient calculation in skew side weir.
Investigating the effects of fault reactivation and CO2 migration during combined CO2-EOR and sequestration within a mature oil reservoir
Authors: Pulchan Shawn , Alexander David , Boodlal Donnie
Published: May 2020

The investigation into the combined processes of CO2-EOR and geologic carbon sequestration was seen to be a viable solution to reducing CO2 emissions from the atmosphere, while boosting production from mature oil fields. However, the practicality of the combined process hinges on the determination of an optimum injection pressure to maximize the application of both methods. In addition, the success of these two operations is also contingent upon the dynamic sealing capacity of bounding faults, to allow hydrocarbon accumulation and trapping of injected CO2. Consequentially, the goal of this research is to optimize the implementation of combined CO2-EOR with simultaneous CO2 sequestration and investigate the enhancing/diminishing aspects of fault reactivation and CO2 migration. The study was approached from two scenarios; the first was the determination of an optimum injection pressure for the combined process, with the main focus on maximizing recovery from a mature oil field. The results saw a maximum cumulative recovery of 73.7090 Mbbls being facilitated at an optimal injection rate of 722 Scf/day. The second scenario entailed the investigation of the occurrence or lack thereof, of injection-induced fault reactivation at this predetermined injection rate of 722 Scf/day. Simulations reflecting the characteristics of fault reactivation were conducted, and are indicative of relations between fault opening stress, reactivation time, hydraulic fracture permeability, fracture propagation length, and leakage. Conclusively, the viability of the combination of CO2-EOR and sequestration were seen to depend on the technicalities of fault reactivation. In some cases, reactivation resulted in increases of accessible storage capacity, whereas, in other instances, it led to the leakage of the injected CO2.
Existence of variational solutions to a Cauchy–Dirichlet problem with time-dependent boundary data on metric measure spaces
Authors: Collins Michael
Published: May 2020

The objective of this work is an existence proof for variational solutionsuto parabolic minimizing problems. Here, the functions being considered are defined on a metric measure space$$({\mathcal {X}}, d, \mu )$$(X,d,μ). For such parabolic minimizers that coincide with Cauchy-Dirichlet data$$\eta $$ηon the parabolic boundary of a space-time-cylinder$$\varOmega \times (0, T)$$Ω×(0,T)with an open subset$$\varOmega \subset {\mathcal {X}}$$Ω⊂Xand$$T > 0$$T>0, we prove existence in the parabolic Newtonian space$$L^p(0, T; {\mathcal {N}}^{1,p}(\varOmega ))$$Lp(0,T;N1,p(Ω)). In this paper we generalize results from Collins and Herán (Nonlinear Anal 176:56–83, 2018) where only time-independent Cauchy–Dirichlet data have been considered. We argue completely on a variational level.
Progress in the treatment of osteoarthritis with umbilical cord stem cells
Authors: Liang Hanguang , Suo Haiqiang , Wang Zhiwei , Feng Wei
Published: May 2020

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease with an incidence of 81% among people aged over 65 years in China. Osteoarthritis significantly decreases the quality of life of patients, causing physical and psychological damage and posing a serious economic burden. Clinical treatments for osteoarthritis include drug and surgical treatments. Drug treatment can successfully alleviate pain but not satisfactorily reverse joint damage, while surgical intervention is typically used to treat end-stage disease. Stem cells are multi-potential progenitor cells with self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation abilities, and can differentiate into many kinds of cells, including chondrocytes. Umbilical cord stem cells, also known as Wharton’s jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), have become the first choice for cartilage regeneration engineering owing to their availability and convenience of collection. This article reviews the biological characterization of WJ-MSCs in recent years, their advantages compared with other stem cells, and their application in the treatment of osteoarthritis in animal experiments and clinical trials.
Gender, Judicatory Respect and Pastors’ Well-Being in Closing Churches
Authors: Cafferata Gail
Published: May 2020

This study of over 130 clergy in five old-line Protestant denominations (Episcopal, Lutheran, United Methodist, Presbyterian and UCC) who dissolved their congregations examines the relationships of gender, judicatory respect and pastors’ well-being in their experience of closing a church and vocational transition afterwards; respondents completed a written survey and most also participated in in-depth interviews. Survey results show significant gender differences in the experience of respect from and satisfaction with relationships with the middle administrative part of the wider church called here the judicatory (e.g., synod, conference, diocese or presbytery), and with the experience of stress after their churches closed. Women clergy experienced greater loneliness and isolation, financial strain and thinking that closure affected their job search; their job search was also significantly longer than that of men. Respectful judicatory relationships are negatively related to many but not all vocational stresses. Comparisons with the experience of secular professionals suggest the stigma of closing a church adversely affects women clergy's vocational journey more than men's. The paper closes with implications for judicatory support of clergy leading churches to closure.
Adipogenesis Inhibitory Activity of Hypersampsone P from Hypericum subsessile
Authors: Zhou Hui-Min , Ye Yan-Song , Jiang Na-Na , Mu Rong-Fang , Wang Qian , Hu Jing , Liu Xia , Qin Wan-Ying , Xu Gang , Xiong Wen-Yong
Published: May 2020

Adamantane polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols (PPAPs) with caged architecture, a special class of hybrid natural products, is specifically rich in the plant family Guttiferae, especially Hypericum or Garcinia genus. Hypersampsone P is one of Adamantane PPAPs compounds extracted from Hypericum subsessile. Here we have chosen, screened ten PPAPs and identified one of them showed an activity in inhibiting of adipocytes differentiation. Particularly, the compound, hypersampsone P, blunted the adipocyte differentiation dose-dependently. Moreover, hypersampsone P down-regulated the expressions of several key regulators for adipogenesis, including PPARγ and FABP4. The treatment of cells at the early stage of adipogenesis by hypersampsone P induced the greatest blunting of adipocyte differentiation and the effect might be involved in the LKB1-AMPK signaling pathway.

Graphic Abstract
Building Magnetoresponsive Composite Elastomers for Bionic Locomotion Applications
Authors: Lei Yi , Sheng Zhizhi , Zhang Jian , Liu Jing , Lv Wei , Hou Xu
Published: May 2020

The ability of natural living organisms, transferring deformations into locomotion, has attracted researchers’ increasing attention in building bionic actuators and smart systems. As a typical category of functional materials, magnetoresponsive composite elastomers, comprised of flexible elastomer matrices and rigid magnetic particles, have been playing critical roles in this field of research due to their dynamic changes in response to applied magnetic field direction and intensity. The magnetically driven bionic actuators based on magnetoresponsive composite elastomers have been developed to achieve some specific functions in some special fields. For instance, under the control of the applied magnetic field, the bionic actuators can not only generate time-varying deformation, but also motion in diverse environments, suggesting new possibilities for target gripping and directional transporting especially in the field of artificial soft robots and biological engineering. Therefore, this review comprehensively introduces the component, fabrication, and bionic locomotion application of magnetoresponsive composite elastomers. Moreover, existing challenges and future perspectives are further discussed.
A Facile Modifier-free Approach to Fabricate Antistatic Superhydrophobic Composite Coatings with Remarkable Thermal Stability and Corrosion Resistance
Authors: Liu Xiang , Zhang Dekun , Guo Zhiguang
Published: May 2020

Research on antistatic superhydrophobic surfaces has attracted widespread attention in some fields. However, in the application of superhydrophobic materials, fabricating stable and practical superhydrophobic surfaces through facile and low-cost approaches still faces considerable challenges. Herein, a polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)-based antistatic superhydrophobic composite coating with a high water contact angle (166°) and a low sliding angle (2°) was fabricated on a Q345 steel surface through a simple spray-coating method without any modifier. Furthermore, the as-prepared superhydrophobic coating also displayed excellent superhydrophobicity for water droplets at different pH values, as well as self-cleaning, anti-fouling and anti-icing properties. Importantly, the superhydrophobic coating still exhibited superhydrophobicity after calcination at 350 °C for 1 h, indicating its outstanding thermal stability. Excellent antistatic and anticorrosion properties were obtained on the prepared coating surface, which allows the coating to be applied under harsh conditions. Benefiting from the above characteristics, compared with the commercial coating, the as-obtained antistatic superhydrophobic coating may be applied more widely in related fields.