bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Potential for Electric Vehicle Adoption to Mitigate Extreme Air Quality Events in China
Authors: Schnell J. L. , Peters D. R. , Wong D. C. , Lu X. , Guo H. , Zhang H. , Kinney P. L. , Horton D. E.
Published: December 2020

Electric vehicle (EV) adoption promises potential air pollutant and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction co‐benefits. As such, China has aggressively incentivized EV adoption, however much remains unknown with regard to EVs’ mitigation potential, including optimal vehicle type prioritization, power generation contingencies, effects of Clean Air regulations, and the ability of EVs to reduce acute impacts of extreme air quality events. Here, we present a suite of scenarios with a chemistry transport model that assess the potential co‐benefits of EVs during an extreme winter air quality event. We find that regardless of power generation source, heavy‐duty vehicle (HDV) electrification consistently improves air quality in terms of NO2 and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), potentially avoiding 562 deaths due to acute pollutant exposure during the infamous January 2013 pollution episode (∼1% of total premature mortality). However, HDV electrification does not reduce GHG emissions without enhanced emission‐free electricity generation. In contrast, due to differing emission profiles, light‐duty vehicle (LDV) electrification in China consistently reduces GHG emissions (∼2 Mt CO2), but results in fewer air quality and human health improvements (145 avoided deaths). The calculated economic impacts for human health endpoints and CO2 reductions for LDV electrification are nearly double those of HDV electrification in present‐day (155M vs. 87M US$), but are within ∼25% when enhanced emission‐free generation is used to power them. Overall, we find only a modest benefit for EVs to ameliorate severe wintertime pollution events, and that continued emission reductions in the power generation sector will have the greatest human health and economic benefits.
Collaborative Graduate Student Training in a Virtual World
Authors: Loheide II Steven
Published: December 2020

With higher education increasingly moving online, a 3-year-old interinstitutional graduate student training program offers a model for universities to pool resources and expand course offerings.
Drinking Water Quality and Provision in Six Low‐Income, Peri‐Urban Communities of Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Reaver Kristen M. , Levy Jonathan , Nyambe Imasiku , Hay M. Cameron , Mutiti Sam , Chandipo Rodwell , Meiman Joseph
Published: December 2020

Lusaka, Zambia, is a rapidly growing city located on a vulnerable karstic dolomite aquifer that provides most of the city's drinking water. Over 65% of residents live in peri‐urban communities with inadequate sanitation leading to widespread groundwater contamination and the spread of waterborne diseases such as cholera. To fill the water service gap, Water Trusts were created: public/private partnerships designed to provide clean water to peri‐urban community residents. Water Trusts extract groundwater via boreholes, treat it with chlorine, and distribute it to residents via public kiosks. We investigated the efficacy of drinking water provision to residents in six of Lusaka's peri‐urban communities with Water Trusts. Water samples were collected from Water Trust boreholes and kiosks, privately owned boreholes, and shallow wells during four sampling efforts. To assess potential risk to human health, water samples were analyzed for Escherichia coli (E. coli) and nitrate. Shallow wells were significantly more contaminated with E. coli than Water Trust boreholes, kiosks, and private boreholes (Tukey‐adjusted p values of 9.9 × 10−6). Shallow wells and private boreholes had significantly higher nitrate‐N concentrations (mean of 29.6 mg/L) than the Water Trust boreholes and kiosks (mean of 8.8 mg/L) (p value = 1.1 × 10−4). In 2016, a questionnaire was distributed to Water Trust managers to assess their ability to meet demands. In the six communities studied, Water Trusts served only about 60% of their residents. Water Trusts provide a much safer alternative to shallow wells with respect to nitrate and E. coli, but they struggle to keep pace with growing demand.
Variability and Trends of the South Atlantic Subtropical Gyre
Authors: Drouin Kimberley L. , Lozier M. Susan , Johns William E.
Published: December 2020

Previous studies have suggested that the South Atlantic subtropical gyre has been expanding, shifting poleward, and intensifying. We investigate these possibilities from an observational standpoint by analyzing the seasonal and interannual variability, and the long‐term trends, in sea surface height, steric height, and ocean mass. For our analysis, we employ satellite altimetry from AVISO (1993–2018), steric height fields reconstructed from the Roemmich‐Gilson Argo Climatology (2004–2016), and ocean mass fields from GRACE (2002–2019). Seasonal variabilities in the gyre position and size are influenced by the positions of the northern and eastern boundaries, as well as the Brazil‐Malvinas Confluence. The gyre strength follows the seasonal heating and cooling of the upper ocean and is largely influenced by variability in the sea surface height gyre maximum. Variability in the ocean mass is driven by the wind stress curl and out of phase with the steric signal. Interannual changes to the southern boundary and strength of the gyre are related to the wind stress curl. We find a significant southward migration of the southern gyre boundary but no trends in the gyre size or gyre strength from 1993 to 2018.
Rare genetic variants in the gene encoding histone lysine demethylase 4C (KDM4C) and their contributions to susceptibility to schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Kato Hidekazu , Kushima Itaru , Mori Daisuke , Yoshimi Akira , Aleksic Branko , Nawa Yoshihiro , Toyama Miho , Furuta Sho , Yu Yanjie , Ishizuka Kanako , Kimura Hiroki , Arioka Yuko , Tsujimura Keita , Morikawa Mako , Okada Takashi , Inada Toshiya , Nakatochi Masahiro , Shinjo Keiko , Kondo Yutaka , Kaibuchi Kozo , Funabiki Yasuko , Kimura Ryo , Suzuki Toshimitsu , Yamakawa Kazuhiro , Ikeda Masashi , Iwata Nakao , Takahashi Tsutomu , Suzuki Michio , Okahisa Yuko , Takaki Manabu , Egawa Jun , Someya Toshiyuki , Ozaki Norio
Published: December 2020

Dysregulation of epigenetic processes involving histone methylation induces neurodevelopmental impairments and has been implicated in schizophrenia (SCZ) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Variants in the gene encoding lysine demethylase 4C (KDM4C) have been suggested to confer a risk for such disorders. However, rare genetic variants in KDM4C have not been fully evaluated, and the functional impact of the variants has not been studied using patient-derived cells. In this study, we conducted copy number variant (CNV) analysis in a Japanese sample set (2605 SCZ and 1141 ASD cases, and 2310 controls). We found evidence for significant associations between CNVs in KDM4C and SCZ (p = 0.003) and ASD (p = 0.04). We also observed a significant association between deletions in KDM4C and SCZ (corrected p = 0.04). Next, to explore the contribution of single nucleotide variants in KDM4C, we sequenced the coding exons in a second sample set (370 SCZ and 192 ASD cases) and detected 18 rare missense variants, including p.D160N within the JmjC domain of KDM4C. We, then, performed association analysis for p.D160N in a third sample set (1751 SCZ and 377 ASD cases, and 2276 controls), but did not find a statistical association with these disorders. Immunoblotting analysis using lymphoblastoid cell lines from a case with KDM4C deletion revealed reduced KDM4C protein expression and altered histone methylation patterns. In conclusion, this study strengthens the evidence for associations between KDM4C CNVs and these two disorders and for their potential functional effect on histone methylation patterns.
HDAC8-dependent deacetylation of PKM2 directs nuclear localization and glycolysis to promote proliferation in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Ruixue , Shen Mengqin , Wu Chunhua , Chen Yumei , Lu Jiani , Li Jiajin , Zhao Li , Meng Huannan , Zhou Xiang , Huang Gang , Zhao Xiaoping , Liu Jianjun
Published: December 2020

Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) is not only a key rate-limiting enzyme that guides glycolysis, but also acts as a non-metabolic protein in regulating gene transcription. In recent years, a series of studies have confirmed that post-translational modification has become an important mechanism for regulating the function of PKM2, which in turn affects tumorigenesis. In this study, we found that K62 residues were deacetylated, which is related to the prognosis of HCC. Further studies indicate that HDAC8 binds and deacetylates the K62 residue of PKM2. Mechanistically, K62 deacetylation facilitate PKM2 transport into the nucleus and bind β-catenin, thereby promoting CCND1 gene transcription and cell cycle progression. In addition, the deacetylation of K62 affects the enzyme activity of PKM2 and the flux of glucose metabolism. Therefore, these results suggest that HDAC8 / PKM2 signaling may become a new target for the treatment of HCC.
Autocrine IL-6/STAT3 signaling aids development of acquired drug resistance in Group 3 medulloblastoma
Authors: Sreenivasan Lakshana , Wang Hui , Yap Shyong Quin , Leclair Pascal , Tam Anthony , Lim Chinten James
Published: December 2020

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a high-grade pediatric brain malignancy that originates from neuronal precursors located in the posterior cranial fossa. In this study, we evaluated the role of STAT3 and IL-6 in a tumor microenvironment mediated drug resistance in human MBs. We established that the Group 3 MB cell line, Med8A, is chemosensitive (hence Med8A-S), and this is correlated with a basal low phosphorylated state of STAT3, while treatment with IL-6 induced robust increases in pY705-STAT3. Via incremental selection with vincristine, we derived the stably chemoresistant variant, Med8A-R, that exhibited multi-drug resistance, enhanced IL-6 induced pY705-STAT3 levels, and increased IL6R expression. Consequently, abrogation of STAT3 or IL6R expression in Med8A-R led to restored chemosensitivity to vincristine, highlighting a prominent role for canonical IL-6/STAT3 signaling in acquired drug resistance. Furthermore, Med8A-S subjected to conditioning exposure with IL-6, termed Med8A-IL6+ cells, exhibited enhanced vincristine resistance, increased expression of pY705-STAT3 and IL6R, and increased secretion of IL-6. When cocultured with Med8A-IL6+ cells, Med8A-S cells exhibited increased pY705-STAT3 and increased IL-6 secretion, suggesting a cytokine feedback loop responsible for amplifying STAT3 activity. Similar IL-6 induced phenomena were also observed in the Group 3 MB cell lines, D283 and D341, including increased pY705-STAT3, drug resistance, IL-6 secretion and IL6R expression. Our study unveiled autocrine IL-6 as a promoter of STAT3 signaling in development of drug resistance, and suggests therapeutic benefits for targeting the IL-6/STAT3 signaling axis in Group 3 MBs.
BMP signaling is a therapeutic target in ovarian cancer
Authors: Fukuda Tomohiko , Fukuda Risa , Tanabe Ryo , Koinuma Daizo , Koyama Hiroo , Hashizume Yoshinobu , Moustakas Aristidis , Miyazono Kohei , Heldin Carl-Henrik
Published: December 2020

BMP signaling has been found to have tumor-promoting as well as tumor-suppressing effects in different types of tumors. In this study, we investigated the effects of BMP signaling and of BMP inhibitors on ovarian cancer (OC) cells in vitro and in vivo. High expression of BMP receptor 2 (BMPR2) correlated with poor overall survival of OC patients in the TCGA dataset. Both BMP2 and BMPR2 enhanced OC cell proliferation, whereas BMP receptor kinase inhibitors inhibited OC cell growth in cell culture as well as in a mouse model. BMP2 also augmented sphere formation, migration, and invasion of OC cells, and induced EMT. High BMP2 expression was observed after chemotherapy of OC patients in the GSE109934 dataset. In accordance, carboplatin, used for the treatment of OC patients, increased BMP2 secretion from OC cells, and induced EMT partially via activation of BMP signaling. Our data suggest that BMP signaling has tumor-promoting effects in OC, and that BMP inhibitors might be useful therapeutic agents for OC patients. Considering that carboplatin treatment augmented BMP2 secretion, the possibility to use a combination of BMP inhibitors and carboplatin in the treatment of OC patients, would be worth exploring.
Novel pilot protection scheme for line‐commutated converter high voltage direct current transmission lines based on behaviour of characteristic harmonic impedances
Authors: Dehghan Marvasti Farzad , Mirzaei Ahmad , Hamedani Golshan Mohamad Esmail
Published: December 2020

Transient behaviour of high‐voltage direct current transmission lines under direct current faults can be easily affected by many factors, namely, fault location, fault resistance and transmission line length. In order to design a suitable protective scheme, the impact of these factors should be thoroughly investigated. An impedance‐based analysis is more suitable in evaluating high‐voltage direct current system behaviour during direct current line faults, and consequently, in comparison to similar harmonic current or voltage‐based schemes, a characteristic harmonic impedance‐based protection is more capable in fault detection. Therefore, this paper presents a novel pilot protection method for line‐commutated converter based high‐voltage direct current transmission lines, which relies on continuous monitoring of characteristic harmonic impedances. The proposed method can accurately calculate location of faults along the line, and estimate additional valuable information, such as fault resistance. The validity of the proposed method is evaluated by a wide range of fault scenarios using the CIGRE high‐voltage direct current benchmark model, simulated in PSCAD/EMTDC and codes written in MATLAB software environments. It will be shown that the proposed protection method sounds promising, and can serve as an excellent backup option in the case of primary protection malfunction.
Blind atmospheric turbulence deconvolution
Authors: Deledalle Charles‐Alban , Gilles Jérôme
Published: December 2020

A new blind image deconvolution technique is developed for atmospheric turbulence deblurring to overcome limitations of ‘generic’ blind deconvolution algorithms that do not take into account the complicated physics of the turbulence. The originality of the proposed approach relies on an actual physical model, known as the Fried kernel, that quantifies the impact of the atmospheric turbulence on the optical resolution of images. While the original expression of the Fried kernel can seem cumbersome at first sight, the authors show that it can be reparameterised in a much simpler form. This simple expression allows to efficiently embed this kernel in the proposed blind atmospheric turbulence deconvolution (BATUD) algorithm. BATUD is an iterative algorithm that alternately performs deconvolution and estimates the Fried kernel by jointly relying on a Gaussian mixture model prior to natural image patches and controlling for the square Euclidean norm of the Fried kernel. Numerical experiments show that the proposed blind deconvolution algorithm behaves well in different simulated turbulence scenarios, as well as on real images. Not only BATUD outperforms state‐of‐the‐art approaches used in atmospheric turbulence deconvolution in terms of image quality metrics but is also faster.
Bi‐level optimal bidding strategy of an aggregator in competition with rival aggregators
Authors: Abbasi Mohammad Hossein , Taki Mehrdad , Zhang Jiangfeng
Published: December 2020

This study formulates a stochastic bi‐level optimisation model for an aggregator participating in a two‐settlement pool‐based market while competing with rival aggregators. The market structure comprises a day‐ahead and a balancing market. The upper level problem maximises the profit of the aggregator, while the lower level problem minimises the cost of energy procurement. The novelty of this work is that the aggregator is considered as a price‐maker in both markets in which it participates in the day‐ahead market by offering energy and price bids, and in the balancing market by offering only energy bids. Therefore, this study formulates an optimisation model where the price‐maker economic bidding problem is considered without simplification, and serves as a reference for future studies. The proposed formulation is non‐linear due to its bi‐level structure and price‐maker offers. The problem is then properly linearised into a single‐level problem. The concept of conditional value at risk (CVaR) has been applied in the problem formulation to maximise average profit under worst scenarios. Finally, numerical results are presented through an illustrative case study to assess the performance of the proposed model. The results show that the profit of economic bidding is over 100% more than that of self‐schedule in low risk cases.
Research on semi‐supervised community discovery algorithm based on new annealing
Authors: Wang Jinghong , Yang Jiateng , He Yichao
Published: December 2020

Based on the similarity of the community detection methods, the Givern‐Newman (GN) algorithm is fast and accurate but has a higher running time. In order to improve the efficiency of GN Algorithm, this study presents a semi‐supervised GN algorithm based on node similarity. By making full use of the constraint set of the prior knowledge must‐link and cannot‐link, the prior information is extended by the derived rules, and the extended information is verified by the method of distance measurement. Using new annealing maximisation algorithm to calculate node similarity iteratively, and validated using artificial and real networks. It proves that the proposed algorithm reduces the GN algorithm's running time and improves efficiency.
Fibrous and flexible electrodes comprising hierarchical nanostructure graphene for supercapacitors
Authors: Zhang Xiong , Wang Qian
Published: December 2020

Flexible electrodes have important potential applications in energy storage of multi‐functional portable electronic devices because of their powerful structural properties. Here, fibrous and flexible electrodes comprising hierarchical nanostructure graphene for use in advanced supercapacitors have been fabricated with an electrochemical deposition method in one step. Excellent electrochemical performance of the fibrous and flexible nanostructure material was achieved, with the areal capacitance of 48.83 mF cm−2, according to the galvanostatic charge/discharge analysis at a current density of 0.199 mA cm−2. The electrodes also showed a good cycle performance, with 91.2% of the original capacity retained after 4000 cycles. Such electrodes may provide new design opportunities for wearable electronics and energy storage applications.
A partitioned numerical scheme for fluid–structure interaction with slip
Authors: Bukač Martina , Čanić Sunčica
Published: December 2020

We present a loosely coupled, partitioned scheme for solving fluid–structure interaction (FSI) problems with the Navier slip boundary condition. The fluid flow is modeled by the Navier–Stokes equations for an incompressible, viscous fluid, interacting with a thin elastic structure modeled by the membrane or Koiter shell type equations. The fluid and structure are coupled via two sets of coupling conditions: a dynamic coupling condition describing balance of forces, and a kinematic coupling condition describing fluid slipping tangentially to the moving fluid–structure interface, with no penetration in the normal direction. Problems of this type arise in, e.g., FSI with hydrophobic structures or surfaces treated with a no-stick coating, and in biologic FSI involving rough surfaces of elastic tissues or tissue scaffolds. We propose a novel, efficient partitioned scheme where the fluid sub-problem is solved separately from the structure sub-problem, and there is no need for sub-iterations at every time step to achieve stability, convergence, and its first-order accuracy. We derive energy estimates, which prove that the proposed scheme is unconditionally stable for the corresponding linear problem. Moreover, we present convergence analysis and show that under a time-step condition, the method is first-order accurate in time and optimally convergent in space for a Finite Element Method-based spatial discretization. The theoretical rates of convergence in time are confirmed numerically on an example with an explicit solution using the method of manufactured solutions, and on a benchmark problem describing propagation of a pressure pulse in a two-dimensional channel. The effects of the slip rate and fluid viscosity on the FSI solution are numerically investigated in two additional examples: a 2D cylindrical FSI example for which an exact Navier slip Poiseuille-type solution is found and used for comparison, and a squeezed ketchup bottle example with gravity enhanced flow. We show that the Navier-slip boundary condition increases the outflow mass flow rate by 21% for a bottle angled at 45 degrees pointing downward, in the direction of gravity.
Atemwegsmanagement im Rettungsdienst
Authors: Michael Mark , Tautz Juliane , Sensen Frank , Bernhard Michael
Published: December 2020

Zusammenhang

Im Einsatzspektrum des professionellen Rettungsdienstes stellen Atemwegsnotfälle („A-Probleme“) einen seltenen, respiratorische Notfälle („B-Probleme“) hingegen einen häufigen Einsatzgrund dar. Die Vorhaltung entsprechenden Materials, Schulung und regelmäßiges Training, die Etablierung von SOPs und gelebtes Teamwork sind wesentliche Aspekte für ein erfolgreiches Atemwegsmanagement, für das die S1-Leitlinie „Prähospitales Atemwegsmanagement“ einen praktischen Leitfaden bietet.
Review: Optikussonografie – ein update 2020
Authors: Hansen Hans-Christian , Helmke Knut
Published: December 2020

Die Optikus-Sonografie bildet Papille, Sehnerv sowie dessen perineuralenLiquorraum ab und eröffnet damit u. a. einen diagnostischen Zugang zumintrakraniellen Liquorsystem und dessen Druck(ICP). Auf diese Weise lässt sich eine relevante ICP-Erhöhung über 20 mmHg nicht-invasiv und bettseitig belegen. Mit Einzelmessungen und Verlaufskontrollen hilft die Methode u. a. vor und nach der Etablierung eines invasiven ICP-Monitorings in der Intensiv- und Notfallmedizin sowie bei der Beurteilung chronischer Dysregulationen des ICP.
Das 10–20-Elektrodensystem – praktisch
Authors: Milnik Volker , Buchner Helmut , Blankenstein Jens
Published: December 2020

Die Elektrodenplatzierung nach dem 10-20-System mit allen 21 Elektroden ist eine Mindestanforderung an eine qualifizierte EEG-Registrierung. Die Arbeit erklärt das 10–20-System und Schritt für Schritt die Durchführung einer EEG-Ableitung.
Bestimmung von Sexualsteroiden in abgestoßener Haut der Gila-Krustenechse (Heloderma suspectum)
Authors: Schuler Gerhard , Feller Sabine , Schwandt Hans-Joachim
Published: December 2020

Gegenstand und Ziel Die Messung in Hautanhangsgebilden wie Haaren oder Klauen bei Säugern oder in Federn bei Vögeln wird zur nicht invasiven Bestimmung von Steroidhormonen angewendet. Ziel dieser Arbeit war, in einer Pilotstudie an der Gila-Krustenechse zu testen, ob die Messung von Sexualsteroiden in abgeschilferter Haut bei Reptilien zur Erfassung der endokrinen Gonadenfunktion bzw. zur Geschlechtsbestimmung eingesetzt werden kann.

Material und Methoden Für die Untersuchungen standen abgestoßene Häute von 11 weiblichen und 7 männlichen adulten, geschlechtsreifen Tieren zur Verfügung. Große Hautstücke wurden zunächst mit einer Schere zerkleinert, unter flüssigem Stickstoff fein zermörsert und die Proben schließlich mit organischen Lösungsmitteln extrahiert. Die folgenden Parameter wurden in den getrockneten und rückgelösten Extrakten radioimmunologisch bestimmt: Progesteron (P4), Estradiol-17β (E2), Testosteron (T), freie Gesamtöstrogene (fGÖ) sowie freie plus konjugierte Gesamtöstrogene (fkGÖ).

Ergebnisse Für P4 (p = 0,0052) und E2 (p = 0,0079) wurden signifikante Geschlechtsunterschiede mit höheren Konzentrationen bei weiblichen im Vergleich zu männlichen Tieren gefunden. Unerwarteterweise ergaben sich bei weiblichen Tieren auch signifikant (p = 0,0232) höhere T-Messwerte als bei männlichen, wobei die Konzentrationen insgesamt nur geringfügig über der Nachweisgrenze lagen. Im Vergleich zu fGÖ waren die Konzentrationen an fkGÖ nur geringgradig höher und zwischen den beiden Geschlechtern bestanden keine signifikanten Unterschiede.

Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz Auch wenn die in dieser Pilotstudie angewendeten Methoden aufgrund von Überlappungen zwischen den Geschlechtern weder allein noch in Kombination eine zuverlässige Geschlechtsbestimmung bei einzelnen Tieren erlaubten, könnte die Messung von Sexualsteroiden in abgestoßenen Häuten grundsätzlich eine nützliche Methode für die nicht invasive Geschlechtsbestimmung oder die Erfassung der endokrinen Gonadenfunktion bei bestimmten Reptilienarten sein.
Food antigen-specific IgE in dogs with suspected food hypersensitivity
Authors: Baumann Sandra A. , Fritz Cornelius , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: December 2020

Objective Knowledge of cross-reactions in food-sensitive dogs will influence the choice of elimination diets and the long-term management of those patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate food allergen-specific IgE tests of suspected allergic dogs for concurrent positive reactions as possible evidence for cross reactions between allergens.

Material and methods Results of serum IgE tests from 760 suspected allergic dogs submitted to 2 laboratories were evaluated statistically. After the tested allergens were grouped by their phylogenetic relationship, odds ratios as well as a sensitivity analysis of the odds ratios were performed to evaluate if concurrent positive IgE results to 2 allergens occurred more often than expected.

Results Within related allergen pairs 27% (laboratory 1) and 72% (laboratory 2) of the pairs could be considered as associated. For the unrelated allergen pairs only 6.8% and 10.6% of the analyzed pairs were considered associated respectively. Strong correlations were shown in the group of ruminant allergens, especially beef and lamb, and grain allergens. High rates of concurrent reactions were also detected in the poultry group, especially between chicken and duck, as well as between pork and ruminant allergens, and soy and grain allergens.

Conclusion As our results showed not only correlations within related but also between non-related allergens, the possible relevance of carbohydrate moieties as well as panallergens for canine hypersensitivities warrants further study. Further investigations are necessary to distinguish co-sensitization from cross-reactions and determine the clinical relevance of food-specific IgE reactivity.

Clinical relevance Due to possible cross reactivity related allergens, especially beef and lamb as well as grain allergens, should not be used for an elimination diet to avoid false results.
Serosazysten am Uterus der Hündin – Fallbericht und Literaturübersicht zu kaninen Uteruszysten
Authors: Sievert Maren , Ganz Sebastian , Hartung Svenja , Köhler Kernt , Wehrend Axel
Published: December 2020

Uterine Zysten bei Hündinnen werden in der Regel mit pathologischen Zuständen in Verbindung gebracht. Eine Ausnahme stellen Serosazysten dar. Diese dünnwandigen, singulär oder multipel auf der Oberfläche des Uterus entstehenden Zysten besitzen keine endokrine Aktivität oder Abhängigkeit. Daher verursachen sie i. d. R. keine klinischen Symptome und sind in ihrem Auftreten nicht zyklusassoziiert. Serosazysten kommen vor allem bei älteren, multiparen Hündinnen großer Rassen vor. Die Diagnose ist mittels transabdominaler Sonografie möglich. Da sich Serosazysten häufig an der Uterushornspitze befinden, lassen sie sich mitunter schwer von Ovarialzysten differenzieren. In diesem Bericht wird der Fall einer Zuchthündin mit multiplen uterinen Serosazysten vorgestellt, die während einer Sectio caesarea detektiert wurden. Die Konzentrationen von Östradiol 17β und Progesteron in der Zystenflüssigkeit entsprachen der Konzentration der Hormone im Blut bei einer Hündin in der Geburt. Die Konzentrationen von Gesamtkalzium, Zink, Kupfer und Eisen in der Zystenflüssigkeit lagen unterhalb der Referenzwerte im Blut von Hunden. Die Konzentrationen von Magnesium, Phosphor, Natrium und Kalium des Zysteninhalts entsprachen den Werten im Blut.
GnRH-Agonisten in der Kleintierpraxis – Was wissen wir 13 Jahre nach der EU-Zulassung?
Authors: Stempel Sabrina , Goericke-Pesch Sandra
Published: December 2020

Die Verfügbarkeit von GnRH-Agonist-Implantaten bietet die Möglichkeit der reversiblen, temporären Downregulation der endokrinen und germinativen Hodenfunktion bei Rüden und Frettchenrüden. Diese Übersichtsarbeit liefert einen Überblick über die zugelassene Indikation, Erzielung einer vorübergehenden Unfruchtbarkeit bei gesunden, unkastrierten, geschlechtsreifen Rüden (4,7 und 9,4 mg Deslorelin) und Frettchenrüden (9,4 mg Deslorelin) sowie über verschiedene Off-Label-Indikationen. Die Off-Label-Anwendung erfordert eine strenge Indikationsstellung, Besitzeraufklärung und einen Therapienotstand. Off-Label-Indikationen beim Rüden sind sexualhormonabhängiges (störendes) Verhalten, benigne Prostatahyperplasie, Adenome der perinealen Drüsen und Alopezie X. Die Anwendung erfolgt beim Frettchen zur Unterdrückung der Fertilität und des Zyklus, aber auch zur medikamentösen Therapie des Hyperadrenokortizismus. Bei Katze und Kater kann ebenso eine Unterdrückung der Fortpflanzung induziert werden. Problematisch sind hier insbesondere der variable Wirkeintritt und die unterschiedliche, z. T. sehr lange Wirkdauer. Während kein (ausreichend) kontrazeptiver Effekt bei männlichen Kaninchen und Meerschweinchen nachgewiesen wurde, kann das Implantat den Zyklus bei weiblichen Kaninchen und Meerschweinchen sowie die Reproduktion bei Ratten beiderlei Geschlechts unterdrücken. Bei Vögeln und Reptilien bestehen signifikante speziespezifische Unterschiede hinsichtlich Wirksamkeit, Wirkeintritt und Wirkdauer. Ein erfolgreicher Einsatz ist bei Huhn, Japanwachtel und Psittaziden hinsichtlich Verhinderung der Eiablage beschrieben, bei Tauben kommt es nur zur Reduktion der Eiablage. Berichte zum erfolgreichen Einsatz bei reproduktionsassoziierten Verhaltensproblemen (Federpicken, Aggressivität) liegen ebenfalls vor. Bei männlichen Tieren einzelner Vogelspezies (Japanwachtel, Zebrafink) bewirkt das Deslorelin-Implantat eine Reduktion der Testosteronkonzentration. Therapeutisch ist der erfolgreiche Einsatz beim Wellensittich mit hormonproduzierendem Sertoli-Zell-Tumor sowie beim Truthahn zur Verhaltensmodulation und Haltungserleichterung (Reduktion der Aggression) beschrieben. Bei Leguanen unterdrückt das Implantat die Ovaraktivität.
Progesterone receptor blockers: historical perspective, mode of function and insights into clinical and scientific applications
Authors: Kowalewski Mariusz P. , Pereira Miguel Tavares , Papa Paula , Gram Aykut
Published: December 2020

Antigestagene (Antiprogestine) sind funktionelle Antagonisten von Progesteron (P4), welche die Vermittlung der biologischen Wirkungen von P4 verhindern, indem sie entweder seine Produktion oder seine Funktionen unterdrücken. Unter Letzteren befinden sich Progesteronrezeptorantagonisten, die die Bindung von P4 an seinen nukleären Rezeptor PGR kompetitiv hemmen. Diese finden sowohl in der Human- als auch in der Veterinärmedizin Anwendung, in der Kleintiermedizin insbesondere zur Nidationsverhütung und zum Trächtigkeitsabbruch. Progesteronrezeptorantagonisten können entsprechend ihrer Wirkungsweise in 2 Klassen eingeteilt werden. Klasse-I-Antagonisten binden an den PGR ohne eine Bindung an Promotoren von Zielgenen zu induzieren (kompetitive Inhibitoren). Antigestagene der Klasse II, einschließlich des in der Veterinärmedizin verwendeten Aglepristons, binden an den PGR, aktivieren dessen Assoziation mit einem Promoter, interferieren jedoch mit den nachgeschalteten Signalkaskaden, z. B. durch Rekrutierung von Transkriptionsrepressoren. Sie wirken dabei als transdominante Repressoren, die negative Auswirkungen auf die Zielgenexpression haben. Wichtig für die experimentellen Wissenschaften ist, dass Antagonisten der Klasse II, als aktive Antagonisten, für ihre Wirkung nicht die Anwesenheit des natürlichen Liganden benötigen. Neben ihrer klinischen Anwendung werden Antigestagene in der Forschung zur Untersuchung P4-abhängiger physiologischer und pathologischer Prozesse eingesetzt. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die Geschichte und den aktuellen Einsatz von Progesteronrezeptorblockern in der Veterinärmedizin und Forschung.
Nahrungsergänzungsmittel versus gesunde Nahrungsmittel – eine kontroverse Diskussion
Authors: Schulze Frank
Published: December 2020

Bei der Diskussion um die ggf. zusätzlich notwendige Supplementation bestimmter Nährstoffe bei bestimmten Bevölkerungsgruppen versus einer gesunden, ausgewogenen Ernährungsweise stehen sich selbst die wissenschaftlichen Meinungen kontrovers gegenüber. Wer hat Recht, oder trifft beides zu? Dieser Beitrag unternimmt einen Versuch, Licht ins Dunkel der Positionen zu bringen.
Stabilization of Mitochondrial Function by Ellagic Acid Prevents Celecoxib-induced Toxicity in Rat Cardiomyocytes and Isolated Mitochondria
Authors: Atashbar Saman , Sabzalipour Towhid , Salimi Ahmad
Published: December 2020

The possible action of polyphenolic compounds in the reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial toxicity may suggest them as putative agents for the treatment of drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiotoxicity. This study was designed to explore protective effect of ellagic acid (EA) against celecoxib-induced cellular and mitochondrial toxicity in cardiomyocytes and their isolated mitochondria. In order to do this, isolated cardiomyocytes and mitochondria were pretreated with 3 different concentrations of EA (10, 50 and 100 µM), after which celecoxib (16 µg/ml) was added to promote deleterious effects on cells and mitochondria. Using flow cytometry and biochemical methods, the parameters of cellular and mitochondrial toxicity were investigated. Our results showed that celecoxib (16 µg/ml) caused a significant decrease in cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), glutathione (GSH) in intact cardiomyocytes and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity, MMP collapse, and mitochondrial swelling, and a significant increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, lipid peroxidation (LP) and oxidative stress in isolated mitochondria. Also, our results revealed that co-administration of EA (50 and 100 µM) with celecoxib significantly attenuated the cellular and mitochondrial toxicity effects. In this study, we showed that simultaneous treatment with of EA ameliorated the cellular and mitochondrial toxicity induced by celecoxib, with cardiomyocytes presenting normal activity compared to the control group, and mitochondria retaining their normal activity.
Development and validation of a potent and specific inhibitor for the CLC-2 chloride channel
Authors: Koster Anna K. , Reese Austin L. , Kuryshev Yuri , Wen Xianlan , McKiernan Keri A. , Gray Erin E. , Wu Caiyun , Huguenard John R. , Maduke Merritt , Du Bois J.
Published: December 2020

Significance

The CLC-2 ion channel facilitates selective passage of Cl
–
ions across cell membranes. In the central nervous system, CLC-2 is expressed in both neurons and glia and is proposed to regulate electrical excitability and ion homeostasis. CLC-2 has been implicated in various central nervous system disorders, including certain types of epilepsy and leukodystrophy. Establishing a causative role for CLC-2 in neuropathologies, however, has been limited by the absence of selective reagents that enable acute and specific channel modulation. Our studies have resulted in the identification of a highly potent, small-molecule inhibitor that enables specific block of CLC-2 Cl
–
currents in hippocampal brain slices. This precise molecular tool should enable future efforts to identify and treat CLC-2–related disease.
The genetic structure and adaptation of Andean highlanders and Amazonians are influenced by the interplay between geography and culture
Authors: Borda Víctor , Alvim Isabela , Mendes Marla , Silva-Carvalho Carolina , Soares-Souza Giordano B. , Leal Thiago P. , Furlan Vinicius , Scliar Marilia O. , Zamudio Roxana , Zolini Camila , Araújo Gilderlanio S. , Luizon Marcelo R. , Padilla Carlos , Cáceres Omar , Levano Kelly , Sánchez César , Trujillo Omar , Flores-Villanueva Pedro O. , Dean Michael , Fuselli Silvia , Machado Moara , Romero Pedro E. , Tassi Francesca , Yeager Meredith , O’Connor Timothy D. , Gilman Robert H. , Tarazona-Santos Eduardo , Guio Heinner
Published: December 2020

Significance

Native Americans are neglected in human genetics studies, despite recent interest in the study of ancient DNA of their ancestors. Our findings on Andean and Amazonian populations exemplify how the current pattern of genetic diversity in human populations is influenced by the interaction of history and environment. In the present case, this pattern is influenced by 1) altitudinal and climatic differences among the northern, lower, and fertile Andes versus the southern, higher, and arid Andes and 2) the sharp differences between the Andean highlands and the Amazon lowlands, where natural selection and other evolutionary forces acted for millennia, shaping differences in the frequencies of genetic variants related to immune response, drug response, and cardiovascular and hematological functions.
Elongated neutrophil-derived structures are blood-borne microparticles formed by rolling neutrophils during sepsis
Authors: Marki Alex , Buscher Konrad , Lorenzini Cristina , Meyer Matthew , Saigusa Ryosuke , Fan Zhichao , Yeh Yi-Ting , Hartmann Nadine , Dan Jennifer M. , Kiosses William B. , Golden Gregory J. , Ganesan Rajee , Winkels Holger , Orecchioni Marco , McArdle Sara , Mikulski Zbigniew , Altman Yoav , Bui Jack , Kronenberg Mitchell , Chien Shu , Esko Jeffrey D. , Nizet Victor , Smalley David , Roth Johannes , Ley Klaus
Published: December 2020

Rolling neutrophils form tethers with submicron diameters. Here, we report that these tethers detach, forming elongated neutrophil-derived structures (ENDS) in the vessel lumen. We studied ENDS formation in mice and humans in vitro and in vivo. ENDS do not contain mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, or DNA, but are enriched for S100A8, S100A9, and 57 other proteins. Within hours of formation, ENDS round up, and some of them begin to present phosphatidylserine on their surface (detected by annexin-5 binding) and release S100A8–S100A9 complex, a damage-associated molecular pattern protein that is a known biomarker of neutrophilic inflammation. ENDS appear in blood plasma of mice upon induction of septic shock. Compared with healthy donors, ENDS are 10–100-fold elevated in blood plasma of septic patients. Unlike neutrophil-derived extracellular vesicles, most ENDS are negative for the tetraspanins CD9, CD63, and CD81. We conclude that ENDS are a new class of bloodborne submicron particles with a formation mechanism linked to neutrophil rolling on the vessel wall.
1D potential wells of the form

Vx<a=−Vo1−xnan
Authors: Corrigan Abby , Shertzer Janine
Published: December 2020

We consider the finite potential well defined by

V

x

<
a

=
−

V

o

1
−

x

n

a

n

,where n is an integer. The Schrödinger equation is recast into dimensionless form; the size of the well is characterized by a single parameter

α
=

2
m

V

o

a
/
ℏ

. We use three different mathematical techniques to solve for the energy eigenvalues and wave functions. Analytic solutions are given for the triangular well (n = 1), the parabolic well (n = 2), and the square well (n → ∞). The finite element method is used to obtain accurate numerical results for 1 ⩽ n ⩽ ∞ over a full range of α. Finally, both the energy and wave function are expanded in a Taylor series in order to study the analytic behavior of the ground state energy (as a function of n) as α → 0.
Organic–inorganic hybrid and inorganic halide perovskites: structural and chemical engineering, interfaces and optoelectronic properties
Authors: Krishnamurthy Shrreya , Pandey Padmini , Kaur Jagjit , Chakraborty Sudip , Nayak Pabitra K , Sadhanala Aditya , Ogale Satishchandra
Published: December 2020

This review aims to capture the emergent scenario of research in the field of organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites and inorganic halide perovskites as fuelled by the continuing excitement about these materials, their unique properties and their immense application potential in photovoltaics and optoelectronics. While some spectacular successes have already been achieved in respect of these applications, several challenges have also been encountered in terms of the stability of these materials under different ambients and stimuli, and their integration with other functional materials to generate new device architectures. Towards this end, this review discusses pertinent strategies to tune and control their device-worthy properties and eliminate their shortcomings to the extent feasible. These include (a) intelligent doping in these structurally and chemically sensitive systems, (b) the role of defects and strategies to mitigate them via innovative synthetic controls, (c) molecular engineering to control the dimensionality and new phases in these materials, and (d) the emergent understanding about the structure–chemistry–property relationships, especially the photophysical properties. We also address the bearing that these issues have on the ultimate realisation of robust high-efficiency solar cells, either in stand-alone or tandem configurations, as well as on high-performance light-emitting diodes. The insights gained by first-principles density functional theory calculations to understand the experimental observations and to predict new material designs are also discussed. The review is concluded with a section on the summary and outlook, wherein the authors’ perspective on the emergent scenario is presented.
Ultraviolet plasmonic enhancement of the native fluorescence of tryptophan on aluminum nano-hole arrays
Authors: Lee Ji-Young , Cheng Xueling , Wang Yunshan
Published: December 2020

The native fluorescence of biomolecules has been used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of an analyte. However, detecting biomolecules based on their intrinsic fluorescence at low concentration is challenging due to their small quantum yield and poor photon stability. Ultraviolet plasmonics have been reported to increase the photon yield and the photon stability of the native fluorescence of biomolecules such as DNA, peptides, and proteins. However, the experimentally reported count rate, or net enhancement factor, is small-with

<

80× for DNA and

<

14× for amino acids. Here we report native fluorescence enhancement of tryptophan on aluminum hole-arrays. By optimizing excitation geometry and the hole spacings, we are able to achieve a 47× net enhancement factor, the highest reported in the literature for tryptophan molecules. We conducted photobleaching experiments and observed a 2.3× reduction in the fast photon bleaching rate and 1.9× reduction in the slow photon bleaching rate on an aluminum hole-array with 300 nm periodicity compared to an aluminum thin film. The enhancement of the total photon yield reaches 58×, which is a result of the enhanced radiative rate. This study shows that periodic aluminum hole-arrays allow detection of tryptophan at concentration levels lower than previously reported, underpinning further research into label-free biosensing.
Simplification of calibration of low-cost MEMS accelerometer and its temperature compensation without accurate laboratory equipment
Authors: Khankalantary Saeed , Ranjbaran Saeed , Ebadollahi Saeed
Published: December 2020

A nonlinear cost function is defined for field calibration of the accelerometer, using the rule that the norm of the measured vector in a static state is equal to the magnitude of the gravity vector. To solve this cost function, various optimization methods like Newton and Levenberg–Marquardt have been presented in different references. However, these methods are complicated, time-consuming, and require an initial value. This study presents a method that simplifies the cost function and obtains the error coefficients, including bias, scale factor, and non-orthogonality using the linear least-squares method which is simpler and faster than other optimization methods and does not need initial values. Also, the output of the low-cost MEMS accelerometer depends on temperature due to its silicon property. Thus, by finding the dependency of the error coefficients on temperature, they can be compensated. This paper models dependency of error coefficients on temperature using cubic spline interpolation and minimizes the temperature effect. Simulation results of MATLAB and the proposed field calibration method and temperature compensation on the low-cost MPU6050 sensor show its good performance.
LOSGAN: latent optimized stable GAN for intelligent fault diagnosis with limited data in rotating machinery
Authors: Liu Shen , Chen Jinglong , Qu Cheng , Hou Rujie , Lv Haixin , Pan Tongyang
Published: December 2020

Despite the great achievements of the intelligent diagnosis methods of rotating machinery based on being data-driven, it still suffers from the problem of scarce labeled data. Therefore, this paper focuses on developing a data augmentation method of few-shot learning for fault diagnosis under small sample size conditions. Firstly, we developed the latent optimized stable generative adversarial network to adaptively augment the small sample size data without prior knowledge. Furthermore, penalty terms based on the distance metric for differences in distributions are adopted to constrain the optimization objective of the model. And self-attention and spectral normalization are applied in the model to stabilize the training process. Then, supervised classifier training is conducted based on the augmented sample set. Comparative analysis of the frequency spectrum verified the authenticity and reliability of the generated samples. Finally, the performance of the proposed method is validated with a comparative study on three cases of rolling bearing fault diagnosis experiments. The average accuracy can achieve 99.71%, 99.7%, and 96.27% in 10-shot sample fault diagnosis.