bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Amygdala stimulation ameliorates memory impairments and promotes c‐Fos activity in fimbria‐fornix‐lesioned rats
Authors: Mercerón‐Martínez Daymara , Almaguer‐Melian William , Alberti‐Amador Esteban , Calderón‐Peña Rául , Bergado Jorge A.
Published: July 2020

Recently we provided data showing that amygdala stimulation can ameliorate spatial memory impairments in rats with lesion in the fimbria‐fornix (FF). The mechanisms for this improvement involve early gene expression and synthesis of BDNF, MAP‐2, and GAP43 in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. Now we have studied which brain structures are activated by the amygdala using c‐Fos as a marker of neural activation. First, we studied neuronal activation after tetanic stimulation to the amygdala in intact rats. We then carried out a second study in FF‐lesioned rats in which the amygdala was stimulated 15 min after daily spatial memory training in the water maze. Our results showed that amygdala stimulation produces widespread brain activation, that includes cortical, thalamic, and brain stem structures. Activation was particularly intense in the dentate gyrus and the prefrontal cortex. Training in the water maze increased c‐Fos positive nuclei in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and in medial prefrontal cortex. Amygdala stimulation to trained FF‐lesioned rats induced an increase of neural activity in the dentate gyrus and medial prefrontal cortex relative to the FF‐lesioned, but not stimulated group, like the c‐Fos activity seen in trained control rats. Based on these and previous results we explain the mechanisms of amygdala reinforcement of neural plasticity and the partial recovery of spatial memory deficits.
The destruction of Escherichia coli adhered to pipe surfaces in a model drinking water distribution system via various antibiofilm agents
Authors: A. Hemdan Bahaa , Azab El‐Liethy Mohamed , El‐Taweel Gamila E.
Published: July 2020

The aim of the study is to estimate the effectiveness of three antibiofilm agents against Escherichia coli biofilm that formed in six different types of pipelines. A laboratory‐scale water system was built for this work to allow for the creation of biofilm in the pipelines studied. The level of the growth rate of E. coli biofilm cells was monitored over 90 days on those tested pipe materials. The results of bacterial cell densities displayed that the highest biofilm growth was observed in the biofilm formed on the iron (Fe) pipe. In contrast, the biofilm formation rate was significantly lower on copper (Cu) pipe compared to other materials. Three antibiofilm agents, including chlorine, silver ions (Ag+), and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), were employed to eradicate the biofilm cells. E. coli counts indicated that AgNPs are more efficient in destructing any formed biofilm cells on all tested materials. At the same time, the chlorine was only useful in the case of biofilm developed on plastic and Cu. However, the antibiofilm efficiency of Ag+ performs similarly to chlorine against E. coli biofilm cells. Ultimately, AgNPs are considred the most powerful antibiofilm agent among the other agents toward the biofilm cells in their maturation stage, which offers an encouraging way for the long‐term functioning of water systems.

Practitioner points

The growth rate of E. coli biofilm cells was investigated on different materials.

The count of biofilm cells developed on iron pipes was higher than other materials.

The E. coli biofilm on iron pipe could resist chlorine and AgNPs to a large extent.

The developed biofilm on copper pipe was more sensitive to chlorine, Ag+. and AgNPs.

The biofilm cells could be easily eradicated from plastic‐based materials with all tested disinfectants.
Fractionated volatile solids for understanding thermophilic pretreatment of waste activated sludge at 55, 65, and 75°C
Authors: Hirmiz Yousif , Kim Younggy
Published: July 2020

Autohydrolysis or enzyme hydrolysis pretreatment under thermophilic conditions significantly accelerates organic solubilization of waste activated sludge (WAS), allowing enhanced methanogenesis in subsequent mesophilic anaerobic digestion. Solubilization mechanisms can hardly be explained and clarified using only conventional analytical measurements, such as soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) and volatile suspended solids (VSS). Here, we proposed a new but readily available analytical method where volatile solids (VS) are fractionized into high volatile solids (VS205), moderate volatile solids (VS350), and low volatile solids (VS505). In a laboratory‐scale experiment, anaerobic digesters were operated at 55, 65, and 75°C with thickened WAS. The high volatile solids (VS205) sensitively reflected the temperature effect while the low volatility solids (VS505) showed relatively insensitive results to the examined temperature conditions. This finding indicates that hydrolysis of high volatile solids (VS205) was accelerated more effectively with the increased temperature. Also, based on the experimental results with the fractionized volatile solids, we recommend that autohydrolysis pretreatment should be operated at 75°C for 5 hr to achieve both rapid hydrolysis and reduced energy consumption.

Practitioner points

The volatile solids (VS) were divided into high volatile, moderate volatile, and low volatile fractions.

The fractionated VS showed how organic solids were hydrolyzed in thermophilic pretreatment of thickened waste activated sludge.

At the higher temperature (75°C), the high volatile fraction increased substantially compared to 55 or 65°C.

The fractionated VS responded more sensitively to the thermophilic temperatures compared to common analysis parameters (COD, VSS).

We recommend thermophilic pretreatment at 75°C for 5 hr for thickened waste activated sludge.
On taking the D → 4 limit of Gauss-Bonnet gravity: theory and solutions
Authors: Hennigar Robie A. , Kubizňák David , Mann Robert B. , Pollack Christopher
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We comment on the recently introduced Gauss-Bonnet gravity in four dimensions. We argue that it does not make sense to consider this theory to be defined by a set of D → 4 solutions of the higher-dimensional Gauss-Bonnet gravity. We show that a well-defined D → 4 limit of Gauss-Bonnet Gravity is obtained generalizing a method employed by Mann and Ross to obtain a limit of the Einstein gravity in D = 2 dimensions. This is a scalar-tensor theory of the Horndeski type obtained by dimensional reduction methods. By considering simple spacetimes beyond spherical symmetry (Taub-NUT spaces) we show that the naive limit of the higher-dimensional theory to D = 4 is not well defined and contrast the resultant metrics with the actual solutions of the new theory.
Superconformal block from holographic geometry
Authors: Chen Heng-Yu , Sakamoto Jun-ichi
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We explicitly construct the holographic dual configuration for the four dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 superconformal block containing half-BPS scalar primary operators by considering its full AdS5× S5 dual geometry. We extend the embedding space formalism and the related Harmonic analysis to general d-dimensional sphere Sd, and obtain precisely the R-symmetry contribution to the half-BPS scalar superconformal blocks, which we refer as “R-symmetry block”. We also observe that the R-symmetry quadratic Casimir operator can be mapped to BC2 Calogero-Sutherland system Hamiltonian, such that R-symmetry block is in terms identified as its bound state wave function.
The second Higgs at the lifetime frontier
Authors: Alipour-Fard Samuel , Craig Nathaniel , Gori Stefania , Koren Seth , Redigolo Diego
Published: July 2020

Abstract

We assess the current coverage and the future discovery potential of LHC searches for heavy Higgs bosons decaying into long-lived particles (LLPs), focusing primarily on the production of pairs of LLPs with hadronic final states. These signatures are generic in dark sectors where a heavy scalar decays into pairs of lighter states which subsequently mix with the Standard Model Higgs. We show that a handful of existing analyses provide broad coverage of LLP decay lengths ranging from millimeters to tens of meters, and explore the complementarity between searches for displaced and prompt final states in several simplified models. For both heavy singlet and heavy doublet scalars, LLP searches typically provide the leading sensitivity in current data and exhibit the strongest discovery potential in future LHC runs. We further translate the impact of these searches into the parameter space of various Twin Higgs models, demonstrating that LLP searches are a promising avenue for discovering a Twin Higgs with displaced decays. Finally, we propose a variety of additional search channels that would improve coverage of the second Higgs at the lifetime frontier.
The de Rham functor for logarithmic D-modules
Authors: Koppensteiner Clemens
Published: July 2020

In the first part we deepen the six-functor theory of (holonomic) logarithmic D-modules, in particular with respect to duality and pushforward along projective morphisms. Then, inspired by work of Ogus, we define a logarithmic analogue of the de Rham functor, sending logarithmic D-modules to certain graded sheaves on the so-called Kato–Nakayama space. For holonomic modules we show that the associated sheaves have finitely generated stalks and that the de Rham functor intertwines duality for D-modules with a version of Poincaré–Verdier duality on the Kato–Nakayama space. Finally, we explain how the grading on the Kato–Nakayama space is related to the classical Kashiwara–Malgrange V-filtration for holonomic D-modules.
Wie Stadtarchitektur die Gesundheit beeinflusst: das PAKARA-Modell
Authors: Vollmer Tanja C. , Koppen Gemma , Kohler Katharina
Published: July 2020

Der Mensch steht in ständiger Wechselwirkung mit seiner Umwelt. Führt diese Interaktion zur individuellen Verinnerlichung der Umwelt, die in der Psychologie als „Aneignung“ bezeichnet wird, wirkt sie sich positiv auf seine Gesundheit und sein Wohlbefinden aus. Zur Förderung der Aneignung muss Stadtarchitektur auf menschliche Bedürfnisse reagieren. Das PAKARA-Modell, das im Jahr 2019 an der Technischen Universität München entwickelt wurde, verdeutlicht die dynamische Interaktion dieser Bedürfnisse mit der Stadtarchitektur und unterscheidet dabei die 3 Sektoren präventiver, kurativer und rehabilitativer Architektur.

Im Artikel werden neben dem Modell 3 zentrale Bedürfnisse in ihrer gesundheitsförderlichen Sättigung beziehungsweise gesundheitsschädlichen Über- und Untersättigung durch die Stadtarchitektur exemplarisch erläutert: Stimulation, Identifikation und Privatheit. Schlussfolgernd zeigt sich, dass die zukünftige Herausforderung darin besteht, vor dem Hintergrund des drastischen Anstiegs der weltweiten Stadtbevölkerung und der damit verbundenen Komplexität bedürfnisorientierter Gestaltung den Weg enger interdisziplinärer Zusammenarbeit auszubauen. Die Bedürfnisse des Einzelnen sind – auch wenn sie einander widersprechen und sich im Laufe des Lebens wandeln – der Motor der Gesundheit einer ganzen Gemeinschaft. Stadtarchitektur hat das Potenzial, diesen Motor in Gang zu halten oder zu zerstören.
Histopathologische Befunde bei therapierter und nichttherapierter SARS-CoV-2-Infektion – Bericht über 3 Autopsien
Authors: Dettmeyer R. , Lasczkowski G. , Weber A. , Wolter T. , Kernbach-Wighton G.
Published: July 2020

Bei letalem Verlauf einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion kommt nach bisherigem Kenntnisstand eine Beteiligung mehrerer innerer Organe in Betracht. Im Vordergrund stehen pathologische Befunde im Lungengewebe, berichtet wird aber auch von direkt oder indirekt als Folge einer Infektion mit SARS-CoV‑2 auftretenden (histo-)pathologischen Befunden im Nierengewebe, in der Leber und im Myokard. Der Vergleich der histopathologischen Diagnostik mit konventionell-histologischen Färbungen bei 3 im Zusammenhang mit einer SARS-CoV-2-Infektion verstorbenen Männern zeigt teils identische Befunde und erlaubt Überlegungen zu Chronologie und Pathophysiologie des Krankheitsverlaufes. Zwei Männer wurden intensivmedizinisch invasiv beatmet; ein Mann starb nach 8 Tagen häuslicher Quarantäne ohne Therapie. Es zeigt sich ein großes Spektrum SARS-CoV-2-assoziierter Befunde.
Photochemical activation of carbon dioxide in Mg+(CO2)(H2O)0,1
Authors: Pascher Tobias F. , Barwa Erik , van der Linde Christian , Beyer Martin K. , Ončák Milan
Published: July 2020

We combine multi-reference ab initio calculations with UV–VIS action spectroscopy to study photochemical activation of CO2 on a singly charged magnesium ion, [MgCO2(H2O)0,1]+, as a model system for the metal/ligand interactions relevant in CO2 photochemistry. For the non-hydrated species, two separated Mg+ 3s–3p bands are observed within 5.0 eV. The low-energy band splits upon hydration with one water molecule. [Mg(CO2)]+ decomposes highly state-selectively, predominantly via multiphoton processes. Within the low-energy band, CO2 is exclusively lost within the excited state manifold. For the high-energy band, an additional pathway becomes accessible: the CO2 ligand is activated via a charge transfer, with photochemistry taking place on the CO2– moiety eventually leading to a loss of CO after absorption of a second photon. Upon hydration, already excitation into the first and second excited state leads to CO2 activation in the excited state minimum; however, CO2 predominantly evaporates upon fluorescence or absorption of another photon.
Conjectures and results about parabolic induction of representations of $${\text {GL}}_n(F)$$
Authors: Lapid Erez , Mínguez Alberto
Published: July 2020

In 1980 Zelevinsky introduced certain commuting varieties whose irreducible components classify complex, irreducible representations of the general linear group over a non-archimedean local field with a given supercuspidal support. We formulate geometric conditions for certain triples of such components and conjecture that these conditions are related to irreducibility of parabolic induction. The conditions are in the spirit of the Geiss–Leclerc–Schröer condition that occurs in the conjectural characterization of $$\square $$
□
-irreducible representations. We verify some special cases of the new conjecture and check that the geometric and representation-theoretic conditions are compatible in various ways.
Romidepsin (FK228) regulates the expression of the immune checkpoint ligand PD-L1 and suppresses cellular immune functions in colon cancer
Authors: Shi Yehui , Fu Ying , Zhang Xin , Zhao Gang , Yao Yuan , Guo Yan , Ma Gang , Bai Shuai , Li Hui
Published: July 2020

Romidepsin (FK228), a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), has anti-tumor effects against several types of solid tumors. Studies have suggested that HDACi could upregulate PD-L1 expression in tumor cells and change the state of anti-tumor immune responses in vivo. However, the influence of enhanced PD-L1 expression in tumor cells induced by romidepsin on anti-tumor immune responses is still under debate. So, the purpose of this study was to explore the anti-tumor effects and influence on immune responses of romidepsin in colon cancer. The results indicated that romidepsin inhibited proliferation, induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and increased apoptosis in CT26 and MC38 cells. Romidepsin treatment increased PD-L1 expression in vivo and in vitro via increasing the acetylation levels of histones H3 and H4 and regulating the transcription factor BRD4. In subcutaneous transplant tumor mice and colitis-associated cancer (CAC) mice, romidepsin increased the percentage of FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), decreased the ratio of Th1/Th2 cells and the percentage of IFN-γ+ CD8+ T cells in the peripheral blood and the tumor microenvironment. Upon combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody, the anti-tumor effects of romidepsin were enhanced and the influence on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells was partially reversed. Therefore, the combination of romidepsin and anti-PD-1 immunotherapy provides a more potential treatment for colon cancer.
META Score: An International Consensus Scoring System on Mesh‐Tissue Adhesions
Authors: van den Hil L. C. L. , Mommers E. H. H. , Bosmans J. W. A. M. , Morales‐Conde S. , Gómez‐Gil V. , LeBlanc K. , Vanlander A. , Reynvoet E. , Berrevoet F. , Gruber‐Blum S. , Altinli E. , Deeken C. R. , Fortelny R. H. , Greve J. W. , Chiers K. , Kaufmann R. , Lange J. F. , Klinge U. , Miserez M. , Petter‐Puchner A. H. , Schreinemacher M. H. F. , Bouvy N. D.
Published: July 2020

Background

Currently, the lack of consensus on postoperative mesh‐tissue adhesion scoring leads to incomparable scientific results. The aim of this study was to develop an adhesion score recognized by experts in the field of hernia surgery.

Methods

Authors of three or more previously published articles on both mesh‐tissue adhesion scores and postoperative adhesions were marked as experts. They were queried on seven items using a modified Delphi method. The items concerned the utility of adhesion scoring models, the appropriateness of macroscopic and microscopic variables, the range and use of composite scores or subscores, adhesion‐related complications and follow‐up length. This study comprised two questionnaire‐based rounds and one consensus meeting.

Results

The first round was completed by 23 experts (82%), the second round by 18 experts (64%). Of those 18 experts, ten were able to participate in the final consensus meeting and all approved the final proposal. From a total of 158 items, consensus was reached on 90 items. The amount of mesh surface covered with adhesions, tenacity and thickness of adhesions and organ involvement was concluded to be a minimal set of variables to be communicated separately in each future study on mesh adhesions.

Conclusion

The MEsh Tissue Adhesion scoring system is the first consensus‐based scoring system with a wide backing of renowned experts and can be used to assess mesh‐related adhesions. By including this minimal set of variables in future research interstudy comparability and objectivity can be increased and eventually linked to clinically relevant outcomes.
Center for Code Excellence Trends – Eine Plattform für Trends in Softwaretechnologien
Authors: Kroß Johannes , Bludau Peter , Pretschner Alexander
Published: July 2020

Neue Softwaretechnologien entstehen täglich. Da deren Vielfalt wächst und deren Lebensdauer aber abnimmt, müssen Unternehmen und Fachleute Trends erkennen und Technologien bewerten können, um fundierte Designentscheidungen für nachhaltige Softwaresysteme zu treffen. Die Wahrnehmung neuer Trends außerhalb der eigenen Fachkompetenz kann jedoch schwierig sein und die Entscheidung für bestimmte Technologien kann durch persönliche Vorurteile beeinflusst werden. In diesem Beitrag stellen wir unsere Plattform vor, um Trends und Beziehungen von Softwaretechnologien zu visualisieren. Basierend auf öffentlichen Stellenanzeigen, Open-Source-Projekten und Online-Diskussionen erkennen wir (i) automatisch neue Technologien, Kompetenzen und Techniken, (ii) lernen Beziehungen zwischen ihnen und (iii) bewerten ihre Trendentwicklung. Wir demonstrieren die Ergebnisse unseres Ansatzes, indem wir exemplarische Vergleiche und Zusammenhänge aufzeigen. Unsere Plattform soll Organisationen und Einzelpersonen eine unabhängige Bewertung und Informationsquelle zur Entscheidungsunterstützung bieten.
Impact of volcanic aerosol hemispheric symmetry on Sahel rainfall
Authors: Jacobson Tess W. P. , Yang Wenchang , Vecchi Gabriel A. , Horowitz Larry W.
Published: July 2020

The semi-arid African Sahel region is highly sensitive to changes in monsoon precipitation, as much of the region’s workforce is employed in the agricultural industry (Hamro-Drotz and Programme 2011). Thus, studying the response of rainfall and aridity in this region to radiative perturbations is a matter of pressing humanitarian relevance. In addition, there is evidence to suggest that spatially asymmetric volcanic aerosols produce different hydroclimatic responses based on their hemispheric symmetry, both globally and in the Sahel. We use two different climate models, GFDL’s FLOR model (Vecchi et al. in J Clim 27(21):7994–8016, 2014) and NCAR’s CESM 1.1 model (Otto-Bliesner et al. in Bull Am Meteorol Soc 97(5):735–754, 2016), to characterize the response of rainfall in the Sahel to large volcanic eruptions based on the meridional symmetry of the volcanic eruptions. We find that in both the FLOR experiments simulating three large twentieth century eruptions and in the CESM Last Millennium Ensemble simulations of 46 historic volcanic eruptions, asymmetric Northern Hemisphere cooling causes a subsequent drying response in the Sahel, and Southern Hemisphere cooling causes a wetting, or “greening” response. Symmetric volcanic eruptions have a relatively small effect on rainfall in the Sahel. We also find that the FLOR results show a consistent response in the annual rainfall cycle in the Sahel for all three of the eruptions analyzed, with a reduction in rainfall in early summer followed by an increased rainfall in late summer. The annual cycle response of rainfall in the Sahel from the CESM experiments is different, in that the SH eruptions cause a rainfall maximum in August, NH eruptions cause a rainfall minimum in September, and symmetric eruptions show a slight increase in August and a decrease in October. Our results highlight the need for accurate meridional structures in historic volcanic forcing data used for climate models as well as the need for further study on regional effects of hemispherically asymmetric radiative forcing, especially as they might pertain to aerosol geoengineering.
Hydration for health hypothesis: a narrative review of supporting evidence
Authors: Perrier Erica T. , Armstrong Lawrence E. , Bottin Jeanne H. , Clark William F. , Dolci Alberto , Guelinckx Isabelle , Iroz Alison , Kavouras Stavros A. , Lang Florian , Lieberman Harris R. , Melander Olle , Morin Clementine , Seksek Isabelle , Stookey Jodi D. , Tack Ivan , Vanhaecke Tiphaine , Vecchio Mariacristina , Péronnet François
Published: July 2020

Purpose

An increasing body of evidence suggests that excreting a generous volume of diluted urine is associated with short- and long-term beneficial health effects, especially for kidney and metabolic function. However, water intake and hydration remain under-investigated and optimal hydration is poorly and inconsistently defined. This review tests the hypothesis that optimal chronic water intake positively impacts various aspects of health and proposes an evidence-based definition of optimal hydration.

Methods

Search strategy included PubMed and Google Scholar using relevant keywords for each health outcome, complemented by manual search of article reference lists and the expertise of relevant practitioners for each area studied.

Results

The available literature suggest the effects of increased water intake on health may be direct, due to increased urine flow or urine dilution, or indirect, mediated by a reduction in osmotically -stimulated vasopressin (AVP). Urine flow affects the formation of kidney stones and recurrence of urinary tract infection, while increased circulating AVP is implicated in metabolic disease, chronic kidney disease, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Conclusion

In order to ensure optimal hydration, it is proposed that optimal total water intake should approach 2.5 to 3.5 L day−1 to allow for the daily excretion of 2 to 3 L of dilute (< 500 mOsm kg−1) urine. Simple urinary markers of hydration such as urine color or void frequency may be used to monitor and adjust intake.
Correction to: Prebiotic effect of inulin‑type fructans on faecal microbiota and short‑chain fatty acids in type 2 diabetes: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Birkeland Eline , Gharagozlian Sedegheh , Birkeland Kåre I. , Valeur Jørgen , Måge Ingrid , Rud Ida , Aas Anne-Marie
Published: July 2020

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake. The presentation of Fig. 4 was incorrect.
The Power of Linear-Time Data Reduction for Maximum Matching
Authors: Mertzios George B. , Nichterlein André , Niedermeier Rolf
Published: July 2020

Finding maximum-cardinality matchings in undirected graphs is arguably one of the most central graph primitives. For m-edge and n-vertex graphs, it is well-known to be solvable in $$O(m\sqrt{n})$$

O
(
m

n

)

 time; however, for several applications this running time is still too slow. We investigate how linear-time (and almost linear-time) data reduction (used as preprocessing) can alleviate the situation. More specifically, we focus on linear-time kernelization. We start a deeper and systematic study both for general graphs and for bipartite graphs. Our data reduction algorithms easily comply (in form of preprocessing) with every solution strategy (exact, approximate, heuristic), thus making them attractive in various settings.
Machine learning for total cloud cover prediction
Authors: Baran Ágnes , Lerch Sebastian , El Ayari Mehrez , Baran Sándor
Published: July 2020

Accurate and reliable forecasting of total cloud cover (TCC) is vital for many areas such as astronomy, energy demand and production, or agriculture. Most meteorological centres issue ensemble forecasts of TCC; however, these forecasts are often uncalibrated and exhibit worse forecast skill than ensemble forecasts of other weather variables. Hence, some form of post-processing is strongly required to improve predictive performance. As TCC observations are usually reported on a discrete scale taking just nine different values called oktas, statistical calibration of TCC ensemble forecasts can be considered a classification problem with outputs given by the probabilities of the oktas. This is a classical area where machine learning methods are applied. We investigate the performance of post-processing using multilayer perceptron (MLP) neural networks, gradient boosting machines (GBM) and random forest (RF) methods. Based on the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts global TCC ensemble forecasts for 2002–2014, we compare these approaches with the proportional odds logistic regression (POLR) and multiclass logistic regression (MLR) models, as well as the raw TCC ensemble forecasts. We further assess whether improvements in forecast skill can be obtained by incorporating ensemble forecasts of precipitation as additional predictor. Compared to the raw ensemble, all calibration methods result in a significant improvement in forecast skill. RF models provide the smallest increase in predictive performance, while MLP, POLR and GBM approaches perform best. The use of precipitation forecast data leads to further improvements in forecast skill, and except for very short lead times the extended MLP model shows the best overall performance.
Plain random test generation with PRTest
Authors: Lemberger Thomas
Published: July 2020

Automatic test-suite generation tools are often complex and their behavior is not predictable. To provide a minimum baseline that test-suite generators should be able to surpass, we present PRTest, a random black-box test-suite generator for C programs: To create a test, PRTest natively executes the program under test and creates a new, random test value whenever an input value is required. After execution, PRTest checks whether any new program branches were covered and, if this is the case, the created test is added to the test suite. This way, tests are rapidly created either until a crash is found, or until the user aborts the creation. While this naive mechanism is not competitive with more sophisticated, state-of-the-art test-suite generation tools, it is able to provide a good baseline for Test-Comp and a fast alternative for automatic test-suite generation for programs with simple control flow. PRTest is publicly available and open source.
Selbstintoxikation mit Lachgaskartusche
Authors: Michael M. , Schulte K. , Erkens R. , Schaper A. , Bernhard M.
Published: July 2020

Intoxikationen stellen einen häufigen Grund der Notfallbehandlung im Rettungs- und Notarztdienst und in der zentralen Notaufnahme dar. An erster Stelle stehen hierbei Alkohol- gefolgt von Medikamentenintoxikationen (z. B. mit Benzodiazepinen). Der Gebrauch von Lachgas und daraus resultierende Intoxikationen sind in den letzten Jahren vermehrt berichtet worden. Auch Mischintoxikationen in Kombination mit Lachgas sind beschrieben. Der vorliegende Fallbericht stellt eine Mischintoxikation mit zunächst unklarer Vigilanzminderung vor und beleuchtet die systematische Abarbeitung wesentlicher Differenzialdiagnosen.
The sum-of-squares hierarchy on the sphere and applications in quantum information theory
Authors: Fang Kun , Fawzi Hamza
Published: July 2020

We consider the problem of maximizing a homogeneous polynomial on the unit sphere and its hierarchy of sum-of-squares relaxations. Exploiting the polynomial kernel technique, we obtain a quadratic improvement of the known convergence rate by Reznick and Doherty and Wehner. Specifically, we show that the rate of convergence is no worse than $$O(d^2/\ell ^2)$$

O
(

d
2

/

ℓ
2

)

in the regime $$\ell = \Omega (d)$$

ℓ
=
Ω
(
d
)

where $$\ell $$
ℓ
is the level of the hierarchy and d the dimension, solving a problem left open in the recent paper by de Klerk and Laurent (arXiv:1904.08828 ). Importantly, our analysis also works for matrix-valued polynomials on the sphere which has applications in quantum information for the Best Separable State problem. By exploiting the duality relation between sums of squares and the Doherty–Parrilo–Spedalieri hierarchy in quantum information theory, we show that our result generalizes to nonquadratic polynomials the convergence rates of Navascués, Owari and Plenio.
Iterative Potts Minimization for the Recovery of Signals with Discontinuities from Indirect Measurements: The Multivariate Case
Authors: Kiefer Lukas , Storath Martin , Weinmann Andreas
Published: July 2020

Signals and images with discontinuities appear in many problems in such diverse areas as biology, medicine, mechanics and electrical engineering. The concrete data are often discrete, indirect and noisy measurements of some quantities describing the signal under consideration. A frequent task is to find the segments of the signal or image which corresponds to finding the discontinuities or jumps in the data. Methods based on minimizing the piecewise constant Mumford–Shah functional—whose discretized version is known as Potts energy—are advantageous in this scenario, in particular, in connection with segmentation. However, due to their non-convexity, minimization of such energies is challenging. In this paper, we propose a new iterative minimization strategy for the multivariate Potts energy dealing with indirect, noisy measurements. We provide a convergence analysis and underpin our findings with numerical experiments.
Synthetic biology, systems biology, and metabolic engineering of Yarrowia lipolytica toward a sustainable biorefinery platform
Authors: Ma Jingbo , Gu Yang , Marsafari Monireh , Xu Peng
Published: July 2020

Yarrowia lipolytica is an oleaginous yeast that has been substantially engineered for production of oleochemicals and drop-in transportation fuels. The unique acetyl-CoA/malonyl-CoA supply mode along with the versatile carbon-utilization pathways makes this yeast a superior host to upgrade low-value carbons into high-value secondary metabolites and fatty acid-based chemicals. The expanded synthetic biology toolkits enabled us to explore a large portfolio of specialized metabolism beyond fatty acids and lipid-based chemicals. In this review, we will summarize the recent advances in genetic, omics, and computational tool development that enables us to streamline the genetic or genomic modification for Y. lipolytica. We will also summarize various metabolic engineering strategies to harness the endogenous acetyl-CoA/malonyl-CoA/HMG-CoA pathway for production of complex oleochemicals, polyols, terpenes, polyketides, and commodity chemicals. We envision that Y. lipolytica will be an excellent microbial chassis to expand nature’s biosynthetic capacity to produce plant secondary metabolites, industrially relevant oleochemicals, agrochemicals, commodity, and specialty chemicals and empower us to build a sustainable biorefinery platform that contributes to the prosperity of a bio-based economy in the future.
Rosistilla oblonga gen. nov., sp. nov. and Rosistilla carotiformis sp. nov., isolated from biotic or abiotic surfaces in Northern Germany, Mallorca, Spain and California, USA
Authors: Waqqas Muhammad , Salbreiter Markus , Kallscheuer Nicolai , Jogler Mareike , Wiegand Sandra , Heuer Anja , Rast Patrick , Peeters Stijn H. , Boedeker Christian , Jetten Mike S. M. , Rohde Manfred , Jogler Christian
Published: July 2020

Planctomycetes are ubiquitous bacteria with fascinating cell biological features. Strains available as axenic cultures in most cases have been isolated from aquatic environments and serve as a basis to study planctomycetal cell biology and interactions in further detail. As a contribution to the current collection of axenic cultures, here we characterise three closely related strains, Poly24T, CA51T and Mal33, which were isolated from the Baltic Sea, the Pacific Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, respectively. The strains display cell biological features typical for related Planctomycetes, such as division by polar budding, presence of crateriform structures and formation of rosettes. Optimal growth was observed at temperatures of 30–33 °C and at pH 7.5, which led to maximal growth rates of 0.065–0.079 h−1, corresponding to generation times of 9–11 h. The genomes of the novel isolates have a size of 7.3–7.5 Mb and a G + C content of 57.7–58.2%. Phylogenetic analyses place the strains in the family Pirellulaceae and suggest that Roseimaritima ulvae and Roseimaritima sediminicola are the current closest relatives. Analysis of five different phylogenetic markers, however, supports the delineation of the strains from members of the genus Roseimaritima and other characterised genera in the family. Supported by morphological and physiological differences, we conclude that the strains belong to the novel genus Rosistilla gen. nov. and constitute two novel species, for which we propose the names Rosistilla carotiformis sp. nov. and Rosistilla oblonga sp. nov. (the type species). The two novel species are represented by the type strains Poly24T (= DSM 102938T = VKM B-3434T = LMG 31347T = CECT 9848T) and CA51T (= DSM 104080T = LMG 29702T), respectively.
Technology led to more abstract causal reasoning
Authors: Gärdenfors Peter , Lombard Marlize
Published: July 2020

Many animal species use tools, but human technical engagement is more complex. We argue that there is coevolution between technical engagement (the manufacturing and use of tools) and advanced forms of causal cognition in the human (Homo) lineage. As an analytic tool, we present a classification of different forms of causal thinking. Human causal thinking has become detached from space and time, so that instead of just reacting to perceptual input, our minds can simulate actions and forces and their causal consequences. Our main thesis is that, unlike the situation for other primate species, an increasing emphasis on technical engagement made some hominins capable of reasoning about the forces involved in causal processes. This thesis is supported in three ways: (1) We compare the casual thinking about forces of hominins with that of other primates. (2) We analyze the causal thinking required for Stone Age hunting technologies such as throwing spears, bow hunting and the use of poisoned arrows, arguing that they may serve as examples of the expansion of casual cognition about forces. (3) We present neurophysiological results that indicate the facilitation of advanced causal thinking.
Gestational bisphenol A exposure induces fatty liver development in male offspring mice through the inhibition of HNF1b and upregulation of PPARγ
Authors: Long Zi , Fan Junshu , Wu Guangyuan , Liu Xiyu , Wu Hao , Liu Jiangzheng , Chen Yao , Su Shuhao , Cheng Xiaodong , Xu Zhongrui , Su Hongfei , Cao Meng , Zhang Chunping , Hai Chunxu , Wang Xin
Published: July 2020

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The effects of gestational BPA exposure on hepatic lipid accumulation in offspring are not fully understood. Here, we investigate the sex-dependent effects of gestational BPA exposure on hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism in the offspring of mice to reveal the mechanisms underlying gestational BPA exposure-associated NAFLD. Pregnant mice were administered gavage with or without 1 μg kg−1 day−1 BPA at embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5)–E16.5. Hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism were evaluated in these models. Both male and female offspring mice exhibited hepatic fatty liver after BPA treatment. Lipid accumulation and dysfunction of glucose metabolism were observed in male offspring. We revealed abnormal expression of lipid regulators in the liver and that inhibition of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) repressed hepatic lipid accumulation induced by gestational BPA exposure. We also found a sex-dependent decrease of hepatocyte nuclear factor 1b (HNF1b) expression in male offspring. The transcriptional repression of PPARγ by HNF1b was confirmed in L02 cells. Downregulation of HNF1b, upregulation of PPARγ, and subsequent upregulation of hepatic lipid accumulation were essential for NAFLD development in male offspring gestationally exposed to BPA as well as BPA-exposed adult male mice. Dysregulation of the HNF1b/PPARγ pathway may be involved in gestational BPA exposure-induced NAFLD in male offspring. These data provide new insights into the mechanism of gestational BPA exposure-associated sex-dependent glucose and lipid metabolic dysfunction.
Will South Asia Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030? Learning from the MDGs Experience
Authors: Asadullah M. Niaz , Savoia Antonio , Sen Kunal
Published: July 2020

This paper contributes to the debate on the Sustainable Development Goals progress by evaluating the MDGs achievements in South Asia and the policy and institutional challenges deriving from such experience. Using cross-country regressions and aggregate indicators of poverty, health, education and gender parity outcomes, we offer three sets of findings. First, comparative evidence shows that, while South Asia has converged with richer regions, there is still significant variation in gender equality, universal primary education, and income poverty achievements across countries. Second, projections based on past trends on where SDGs are expected to be by 2030 reveal that there is a long way to go, where emblematic targets as income poverty eradication may not be met in the populous South Asian countries. Finally, considering the expanded set of development targets in the SDGs and the growth slowdown in South Asia, we argue that further progress would simultaneously require increased public spending on health and education and reforms improving state capacity. A simulation exercise confirms that such a combination of interventions would deliver significant benefits in the region, particularly in areas that are critical to progress on the goals of ‘No Poverty’, ‘Quality Education’, ‘Gender Equality’, and ‘Inclusive Growth’.
Recent advances in the electrochemical oxidation water treatment: Spotlight on byproduct control
Authors: Yang Yang
Published: July 2020

Electrochemical oxidation (EO) is a promising technique for decentralized wastewater treatment, owing to its modular design, high efficiency, and ease of automation and transportation. The catalytic destruction of recalcitrant, non-biodegradable pollutants (per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), pharmaceuticals, and personal care products (PPCPs), pesticides, etc.) is an appropriate niche for EO. EO can be more effective than homogeneous advanced oxidation processes for the degradation of recalcitrant chemicals inert to radical-mediated oxidation, because the potential of the anode can be made much higher than that of hydroxyl radicals (EOH = 2.7 V vs. NHE), forcing the direct transfer of electrons from pollutants to electrodes. Unfortunately, at such high anodic potential, chloride ions, which are ubiquitous in natural water systems, will be readily oxidized to chlorine and perchlorate. Perchlorate is a to-be-regulated byproduct, and chlorine can react with matrix organics to produce organic halogen compounds. In the past ten years, novel electrode materials and processes have been developed. However, spotlights were rarely focused on the control of byproduct formation during EO processes in a real-world context. When we use EO techniques to eliminate target contaminants with concentrations at µg/L-levels, byproducts at mg/L-levels might be produced. Is it a good trade-off? Is it possible to inhibit byproduct formation without compromising the performance of EO? In this minireview, we will summarize the recent advances and provide perspectives to address the above questions.
The Italian value chain in the pandemic: the input–output impact of Covid-19 lockdown
Authors: Giammetti Raffaele , Papi Luca , Teobaldelli Désirée , Ticchi Davide
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates the role of the domestic value chain in transmitting the economic impact of Covid-19 lockdown measures. By employing techniques of complex networks analysis and input–output traditional tools, the study identifies those sectors that are key in the complex structure of the Italian supply chain and provides different rankings of the most ‘systemically important’ industries involved in the Covid-19 lockdown. The results suggest that by stopping the production process of many key sectors, the lockdown has led to a drop in input and output that, in turn, has generated a lock of about 52% of total circulating value added, 30% of which has been locked within indirect value chains. Further, by adding sectoral physical proximity indexes to the scenarios analysis, the method developed here provides a tool to guide governments in designing safe and efficient reopening policies.
Correction to: A multi-model approach toward understanding iron fouling at rock-fill drainage sites along roadways in New Hampshire, USA
Authors: Lombard Melissa A. , Lombard Pamela J. , Brown Craig J. , Degnan James R.
Published: July 2020

The article A multi-model approach toward understanding iron fouling at rock-fill drainage sites along roadways in New Hampshire, USA.
On radial Schrödinger operators with a Coulomb potential: general boundary conditions
Authors: Dereziński Jan , Faupin Jérémy , Nguyen Quang Nhat , Richard Serge
Published: July 2020

This paper presents the spectral analysis of 1-dimensional Schrödinger operator on the half-line whose potential is a linear combination of theCoulomb term1/rand thecentrifugal term$$1/r^2$$1/r2. The coupling constants are allowed to be complex, and all possible boundary conditions at 0 are considered. The resulting closed operators are organized in three holomorphic families. These operators are closely related to theWhittaker equation. Solutions of this equation are thoroughly studied in a large appendix to this paper. Various special cases of this equation are analyzed, namely thedegenerate, theLaguerreand thedoubly degeneratecases. A new solution to the Whittaker equation in the doubly degenerate case is also introduced.
A co-design approach to examine and develop pathways to open employment for people with acquired brain injury
Authors: Bould Em , Callaway Libby
Published: July 2020

Background and objectives:

People with acquired brain injury (ABI) have traditionally experienced low employment rates, compared with the national average and others with disability in Australia. To positively impact mainstream economic participation following ABI, a co-design approach was used to investigate open employment pathways available and consider necessary pathway features to enable employment for people with ABI.

Method:

A qualitative focus group methodology was used with four groups: people with ABI; health professionals working with this group; employers providing work for people with ABI and social and injury insurers funding employment services. The project was delivered in two phases: (1) review existing work pathways in Australia and gather knowledge about enablers and barriers to employment following ABI and (2) use ABI lived experience, employers’ experience and allied health and social insurer expertise to develop a new pathway to mainstream employment.

Results:

Co-design helped to identify enablers and barriers to employment of people with ABI, as well as practical strategies to facilitate workplace diversity and inclusion. Enablers included replacing interviews with an onsite assessment to meet key staff and trial work tasks, employer education on ABI, the use of compensatory cognitive aides and graded on-the-job support. This guided the development of a new employment pathway, tailored for people with ABI, called ‘Employment CoLab’.

Conclusions:

The Employment CoLab pathway, when coupled with person-centred collaborative and effective social disability insurance approaches, offers opportunities to build inclusive, sustainable and scalable economic participation and mainstream wages for people with ABI.
The DIAMOND portal: An innovative platform for sharing translational research workforce training and assessment resources
Authors: Ianni Phillip A. , Perorazio Thomas E. , Samuels Elias M. , Eakin Brenda L. , Jones Carolynn T. , Bigelow Victoria J. , Chung Haejung , Martina Camille A. , Murphy Susan L. , Rushforth Alice M. , Peyre Sarah E. , Ellingrod Vicki L.
Published: July 2020

Although several initiatives have produced core competency domains for training the translational science workforce, training resources to help clinical research professionals advance these skills reside primarily within local departments or institutions. The Development, Implementation, and AssessMent of Novel Training in Domain (DIAMOND) project was designed to make this training more readily and publicly available. DIAMOND includes a digital portal to catalog publicly available educational resources and an ePortfolio to document professional development. DIAMOND is a nationally crowdsourced, federated, online catalog providing a platform for practitioners to find and share training and assessment materials. Contributors can share their own educational materials using a simple intake form that creates an electronic record; the portal enables users to browse or search this catalog of digital records and access the resources. Since September 2018, the portal has been visited more than 5,700 times and received over 280 contributions from professionals. The portal facilitates opportunities to connect and collaborate regarding future applications of these resources. Consequently, growing the collection and increasing numbers of both contributors and users remains a priority. Results from a small subset of users indicated over half accomplished their purpose for visiting the site, while qualitative results showed that users identified several benefits and helpful features of the ePortfolio.