bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shopping streets as an instrument of architectural and design formation of consumer and investment attractiveness of functional-planning structure of city
Authors: Karakova T V , Kolesnikov S A , Radulova J I , Vorontsova Y S
Published: April 2020

In this article the authors consider formation of shopping streets as a powerful instrument of social-functional, composite-spatial rehabilitation of the urban environment and increase of its consumer value. The article provides an overview of the works of a number of well-known sociologists, urbanists, architects who have made a significant contribution to the concept of interdisciplinary consideration of the functional-spatial, planning, socio-economic and organizational-trade component in the transformation of the urban planning structure. This article describes the methods of research of the functional and planning structure of the city in order to identify and research centers of social activity as the basis for the formation of the complex system of shopping streets. The materials of the article reveal the need to create a system of functional filling, improvement and design of shopping streets in the planning structure of a city, consider the interaction of internal and external space in the modern environment of trading streets of the Russian city and determine the issues of their integration. This paper reveals the role and ways of implementing medium attractions in shopping streets. As a result of interdisciplinary approach to the theoretical and experimental parts of the study, the authors identified key aspects of solving issues in the field of theory and design practice of architectural and design formation of shopping streets, creation of a comfortable and attractive environment saturated with navigation and artistic components.
Features of underground space formation at the base of high-rise buildings
Authors: Loseva E S , Osokin A I , Kopteva A I
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the relevance of high-rise construction and the factors that determine the possibility of large-scale development of underground space. The analysis of the engineering-and-geological conditions of the site, the trial design as a search for the optimal solution for the construction of foundations, the basic architectural and design solutions for the arrangement of the underground space at the base of a high-rise building, the design-basis justification of the stability of excavation pit shoring, the technology of geotechnical operations are given.
Method of reconstruction of Samara yard in educational designing
Authors: Pastushenko V L , Rybacheva O S , Slastenin P V
Published: April 2020

The authors consider the method of reconstruction of the development of the central part of Samara, based on historical planning structure of quarters. The features of forming architectural-planning organization of Samara yard space as planning the quarter planning module are analyzed. Project goals, which solution is going to contribute to the preservation and tactful renovation of the existing environment, are determined. The method of experimental-search design is demonstrated on course projects of ASA SamGTU 3rd grade students, which are taken as an example. The proposed algorithm for the restoration of homing yards (households) includes the preservation and restoration of valuable and capital buildings, the replacement of farm buildings with new facilities, the replenishment and restoration of lost fragments of buildings, and modern landscaping of the courtyard. As a result of an experimental search design necessity for a number of regulatory requirements to ensure authentic reconstruction and renovation of the historical environment is identified.
Criteria of comfort of housing in cities of future
Authors: Zhigulina A Y , Ponomarenko A M , Mogilnikova N V
Published: April 2020

The article presents the author’s systematization of the requirements for modern comfortable urban housing in the Russian Federation. Particular attention is paid to compliance with the principle of environmental safety of home. This is a worldwide trend related to the increase in public attention to various factors associated with environmental protection issues and toughening requirements for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency. Promising areas and trends in the development of the concept of comfort of urban housing are given.
Masterplan as a strategy of spatial city development based on the model of conflict-free reconstruction
Authors: Repina E A
Published: April 2020

The global urbanistic situation of post-Soviet cities with a million-plus population is in the focus of attention of the article. As an example the problems of Samara’s modern existence are described, the reasons of the ones are analysed and the methods of their solution are suggested. Thus, the main problems are as follows: loss of historical heritage and settled population, urban sprawl in conditions of insufficient urban density, falling of human capital index. The reasons of this are the absence of modern managerial, project, economic mechanisms, lack of social consolidation, incomprehension of the unique value of historical heritage as a self-worth phenomenon (housing development, live street, parcelling, typology “house-yard”, micro neighbourhood, opportunities for self-development), tremendous economic resource (non-subsidized reconstruction) and as a model of an “ideal city”. As a solution to the problem the conception of the Strategy of spatial development of historical environment on the basis of search and consolidation of hidden resources, involvement of citizens is suggested and developed by volunteer-professionals in the course of an interdisciplinary interaction. The article demonstrates that only the change of the professional paradigm and the involved attitude of the society to the problems of the city can lead to prosperity of the environment and its dwellers, the work also gives the examples of concrete initiatives launching the Strategy in different localities.
Ecological and economic efficiency of the life cycle of railway territorial-industrial complexes
Authors: Strelkov A K , Teplykh S Y
Published: April 2020

The paper focuses on the development of the life cycle and its corresponding stages for the new concept of railway territorial-industrial complexes (RTIC). The life cycle calculation methodology (LCC) together with traditional methods of evaluating investment projects makes it possible to carry out an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of investment projects in accordance with the recommendations of international standards. Here we mean such investment projects as RTIC of surface wastewater coming from railway stations purification. The life cycle of RTIC of surface wastewater treatment facilities can be divided into temporary stages with their technical and technogenic parts. The research also provides mathematical calculations done with account of railway territorial-industrial complexes specific character.
Main directions of sustainable development of transport systems of major cities and agglomerations
Authors: Zhogoleva A V , Vinogradov K I
Published: April 2020

This article considers the main directions of sustainable development of transport systems of major cities and urban agglomerations. The authors notice the factors affecting the operation of transport systems, formation and redistribution of transport flows. The work analyzes conditions for ensuring interaction between different modes of transport in different urban planning conditions. This article indicates the features and prospects of wide use of public transport. In this work characteristics of the development of transport systems of urban agglomerations are indicated, including in conditions of repackaging of urban areas. The authors define the measures necessary for the improvement of transport framework of agglomerations and formation of intermodal transport system.
Multifunctional urban environment and building typologies. Mix of functions at the ensemble and object level in Russia - challenges and limitations
Authors: Pidodnia M A
Published: April 2020

A critical part of the livable city approach, mixing of functions has become an essential instrument of contemporary urban planning. What are the ways then, mixed-use is implemented in present-day Russia? What western projects can we reference as precedents? Many circumstances must come together to enable implementation of mixed-use in a city: conducive overarching planning ideology and relevant policies; favorable conditions of the real estate market; appropriate governing principles of the development plan; as well as creativity of an architect. This study examines the situation at different scales from citywide and district level plans, to individual buildings, and proposes a methodology for comparing the regulatory conditions for the implementation of mixed-use in the Land Use Rules of several large Russian cities. It is possible to conclude, that mixed-use has been established as a planning objective. What remains to be done is the change in the conditions under which these goals can be achieved.
Adaptive reuse of parking in the cities of the future
Authors: Malysheva E , Generalova E
Published: April 2020

The article considers the problems of modern highly urbanized cities caused by the irrational development of transport infrastructure, emphasizes the need for sustainable transport systems. The problem of reducing the life cycle of automotive infrastructure (parking garages) is considered. The international experience of reconstruction and adaptation of parking lots is analyzed. Typological features of the design of parking lots with the possibility of their subsequent adaptation are revealed.
Principles of forming a polycentric system in a metropolis based on the reorganization of historical industrial areas (a case study of the Vyborgskaya Side in Saint Petersburg)
Authors: Perov F V , Zavarikhin S P , Kurbatov Y I
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the analysis and methodological foundations related to the formation of new public centers in non-central districts of a city, integrated development of territories, balanced provision of the urban environment not only with service functions but with jobs as well. The historical industrial belt of Saint Petersburg has a unique potential in terms of the creation of new attraction places. Introduction of reorganized industrial areas into the polycentric development model and wise use of their features related to the location in the buffer zone between the historical center and dormitory districts will make it possible to shorten transport links, reduce daily labor migration, decrease the load on the city center in terms of selective cultural and social service.
Basics of architectural typology of modern fitness centers
Authors: Zhdanova I V , Kayasova D S , Kuznetsova A A , Kalinkina N A
Published: April 2020

The article pays attention to the increased interest to sport not only between professionals, but also the people who are doing fitness. The requirements for design and construction of sports facilities are changing. Due attention is paid for application of environmentally innovative solutions and satisfaction of requirements of modern consumer. However, there is no document in Russia that meets the modern requirements of fitness center design. Generalization of various factors made it possible to formulate the basis of architectural typology of fitness objects: taking into account the requirements of accessibility of a low-mobility group of the population; consumer orientation of different social groups; ensuring multifunctional facilities; transformation’s possibility not only of halls, but also of public spaces; incorporating the natural environment into the interior and exterior and providing energy-saving technologies. As a result, it was concluded that it is necessary to develop in Russia a new architectural typology of fitness centers, oriented to the needs of the modern consumer and meeting the requirements of “green” standards. The results of the study can be used to develop the regulatory framework and used in course and real design.
Indoor temperature monitoring for cultural heritage
Authors: Abramkina D V , Agakhanova K M
Published: April 2020

The preservation of cultural heritage is one of the most important tasks in considering heat and humidity mode of museum premises, which should be as stable as possible. The choice of exhibiting place can significantly affect the safety of museum collections. The formation of temperature gradient on the picture’s surface can cause breaks and cracks of colorful layer and substrate (canvas, paper, wood). Moisture, penetrating in gaps of colorful layer of painting, accelerates the aging processes. Increasing relative humidity and indoor air temperature can cause mold growing in glue layer. To reduce risk of thermal stresses throughout a year, it is necessary to provide thermographic measurements of building envelope and exhibit places.
Architecture of Cossack fortresses in the Middle Volga in the 18th century
Authors: Ponomarenko E V , Ivanova L I
Published: April 2020

The urgency of the problem under investigation is determined by the ever increasing interest in architectural traditions of ethnical and sub-ethnical communities in various Russia’s regions, including the Cossacks. The purpose of the paper is to reveal regularities in how Cossacks’ early settlements emerged and their architectural development shaped itself in the Middle Volga. The methodology of the study is based on a comprehensive architectural historical analysis of the layouts and housing of early Cossack settlements in the region. The author analyzes a wide range of issues related to the architectural layout, composition and character of Cossack settlements in the 16th–18th centuries. The paper reveals an interesting stratum of regional heritage. It contains a description and analysis of little-known architectural monuments based on the author’s field surveys of the remaining settlements. The work includes examination of comprehensive archival data from local and central archives, as well as rich graphical material. Based on the surveys and data analysis, the author identifies formation patterns and peculiarities of the architecture of the early Cossack settlements located in the region. The findings in this paper can provide a framework to further research in the area of town planning culture of the Cossacks in the Mid Volga regions.
Study of efficiency of mechanical and contact flocculation tanks
Authors: Govorova Zh M
Published: April 2020

The paper presents the data on the efficiency of using mechanical and contact flocculation tanks as a part of clarification and chromaticity removal technological scheme. The dynamics of variation in contaminants concentration depending on the dose of coagulant was studied. The curves of sedimentation of suspended matter in the settlement tank after the preliminary reagent treatment in the agitator and two different types of flocculation tanks. For low turbidity and low colored water reducing the chemical dosage requires more rapid and long-lasting water mixing in flocculation tanks. The studies have shown that the contact flocculation tank works effectively with a filtration rate up from 5 to 10 m/h, and a mechanical flocculation tank with a velocity gradient from 70.6 to 73.1 s−1. The duration time of water in tanks should be at least 20-25 minutes. In addition, the parameters of contact flocculation tank flushing when the washing of the media is achieved.
Electronic classifier of natural water treatment technologies
Authors: Shikulskaya O M , Boronina L V , Abuova G B , Usynina A E
Published: April 2020

The choice of methods of water treatment in conditions of increasing requirements for drinking water quality, lack of funding for the commissioning of new water supply capacities and non-decreasing anthropogenic loads on water sources, is dominant in the design of new and reconstruction of existing water treatment stations. The authors developed an electronic classifier of natural water treatment technologies for computer support of selection and feasibility study of optimal design solution of water supply on the basis of classifiers of technological schemes of water treatment, developed by the team of authors under scientific and methodological guidance of M.G. Jurba. Use of this system allows to increase efficiency of design of new water treatment stations and reconstruction of existing ones due to reduction of selection time of technological schemes, to minimize probability of selection error. It provides the best value for money for the project.
Methods for estimating ice adhesion to surface
Authors: Loganina V I
Published: April 2020

A technique for assessing adhesion of ice is described. A composition for anti-icing coatings is proposed. The composition includes silicone resin and filler – Aerosil. The results of comparative tests of adhesion of ice to a super hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface are presented. It is shown that adhesion of ice values depend on temperature and test conditions. It is established that the technique for estimating ice under lateral constraint conditions gives overestimated results of adhesion values. The presence of an anti-icing coating on the surface reduces adhesion of ice by 2-4 times. The increase in test temperature leads to a significant decrease in ice adhesion.
Structural mechanics and theory of structural analysis
Authors: Aleynikova M A , Soytu N Yu
Published: April 2020

The article is devoted to the study of modern methods of structural analysis and modeling. Special attention is paid to software systems and tools for creating 2D and 3D equipment layout diagrams. The features of calculating the load on the slab are considered on the example of a steel-reinforced concrete structure. Using the mixed method of structural mechanics, the forces and displacements in the characteristic sections of the system in statically indeterminate composite structures were calculated when changing the mathematical axis position in the stiffening girder. The data obtained were confirmed not only by numerical, but also by full-scale experiment using Autodesk Inventor.
How to assess the reliability of performing the comfort function by a residential building
Authors: Dormidontova T V , Evdokimov S V , Rakova E V
Published: April 2020

Residential buildings should provide comfort for occupants. This can be ensured by the following elements: thermal, moisture, odor, vibration and noise protection and other indicators. The purpose of this research is to assess the reliability of performing the comfort function by residential buildings, which depends on the probabilities of failure-free operation of the above elements. To do that it is necessary to represent its elements in the form of serial and parallel connections of elements. This representation is made difficult by different functional specifications of elements. In addition, the moment and probability of the comfort function failure is difficult to predict. The set objectives were achieved using theoretical and experimental calculation methods. The authors propose the method for defining the time and probability of the comfort function failure and develop the methodology for designing statistical distributions and finding the best distribution law assessing the probability of structural failure and reliability.
Solution of equation of extreme streamline with free flowing of a torrential stream behind rectangular pipe
Authors: Kohanenko V N , Kelekhsaev D B , Kondratenko A I , Evtushenko S I
Published: April 2020

The article discusses the methods of modeling two-dimensional in terms of turbulent flows. Their difference and advantages are described. The equations of flow motion in the plane of the hodograph are given, as well as the velocity and depth of the flow in the entire region of its flow. Next, a new method is proposed, the purpose of which is to solve a system of differential equations. Using a differential equation connecting the physical cavity of the flow stream and the plane of the travel time curve, a simple model of the flow of a steady, vortex-free water flow in a wide horizontal, smooth outlet channel is proposed. The flow model in the vicinity of the outlet from the pressureless pipe uses the fact that the resistance forces of the flow to the bottom of the outlet channel are small compared with the forces of inertia. The obtained solutions allow us to calculate the flow parameters with an accuracy sufficient for the design of hydraulic structures of the drainage system from the upper pool to the lower one under roads and railways. This model allows you to identify the basis of the laws of the real spreading of the flow and on its basis there is an opportunity for further building models taking into account the resistance forces in order to increase the correspondence of the mathematical model to the real flow.
Investigation of nodal coupling of reinforced concrete column and floor in buildings with monolithic assembly framework by ANSYS
Authors: Ariskin M V , Komrakov I N
Published: April 2020

The ANSYS software and computer system is used to investigate the work of the nodal joint of the reinforced concrete column and the slab of the frames of residential buildings. It is proved that modeling of the assembly-monolithic frame unit with the help of the automated design system is the most rational way to solve the problem of increasing the safety of the node reinforced concrete joints.
Analysis of the factors influencing prolongation of inter-repair terms of capital repairs of the apartment house
Authors: Korol O A , Dekhtyar E V
Published: April 2020

In modern conditions, the most important method of ensuring the safety of the housing stock and improving the living conditions of the population is capital repairs, as a form of simple reproduction of the housing stock, inextricably interrelated with the process of expanded reproduction (construction, reconstruction and modernization). However, at the present time, despite the long, protracted process of reforming the housing and communal sector and a number of significant transformations and changes, the housing problem remains still unresolved. At the same time, it is impossible not to recognize the fact that the unsatisfactory state of the housing stock significantly reduces the level of socio-economic development of our country and the comfort of living of citizens. The article identifies the main factors that affect the prolongation of the inter-repair terms of capital repairs of an apartment building, and the ranking of ranks was made because of expert assessments. The vector of priorities for drawing up a curve of indicators of importance of estimated criteria is calculated.
Processes controlling programmed cell death of root velamen radicum in an epiphytic orchid
Authors: Li Jia-Wei , Zhang Shi-Bao , Xi Hui-Peng , Bradshaw Corey J A , Zhang Jiao-Lin
Published: April 2020

Background and Aims

Development of the velamen radicum on the outer surface of the root epidermis is an important characteristic for water uptake and retention in some plant families, particularly epiphytic orchids, for survival under water-limited environments. Velamen radicum cells derive from the primary root meristem; however, following this development, velamen radicum cells die by incompletely understood processes of programmed cell death (PCD).

Methods

We combined the use of transmission electron microscopy, X-ray micro-tomography and transcriptome methods to characterize the major anatomical and molecular changes that occur during the development and death of velamen radicum cells of Cymbidium tracyanum, a typical epiphytic orchid, to determine how PCD occurs.

Key Results

Typical changes of PCD in anatomy and gene expression were observed in the development of velamen radicum cells. During the initiation of PCD, we found that both cell and vacuole size increased, and several genes involved in brassinosteroid and ethylene pathways were upregulated. In the stage of secondary cell wall formation, significant anatomical changes included DNA degradation, cytoplasm thinning, organelle decrease, vacuole rupture and cell wall thickening. Changes were found in the expression of genes related to the biosynthesis of cellulose and lignin, which are instrumental in the formation of secondary cell walls, and are regulated by cytoskeleton-related factors and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. In the final stage of PCD, cell autolysis was terminated from the outside to the inside of the velamen radicum. The regulation of genes related to autophagy, vacuolar processing enzyme, cysteine proteases and metacaspase was involved in the final execution of cell death and autolysis.

Conclusions

Our results showed that the development of the root velamen radicum in an epiphytic orchid was controlled by the process of PCD, which included initiation of PCD, followed by formation of the secondary cell wall, and execution of autolysis following cell death.
The BODY-Q Cellulite Scale: A Development and Validation Study
Authors: Klassen Anne F , Kaur Manraj N , de Vries Claire E E , Poulsen Lotte , Breitkopf Trisia , Pusic Andrea
Published: April 2020

Background

Cellulite is a localized metabolic disorder of the subcutaneous tissue. To measure the impact of cellulite and its treatment(s) on patients’ health-related quality of life, a psychometrically sound patient-reported outcome measure is needed.

Objectives

The authors sought to develop and field test a new BODY-Q cellulite scale to measure the appearance of cellulite.

Methods

Appearance-related codes from the original BODY-Q qualitative interviews were reexamined, and a set of cellulite-specific items was developed and refined through cognitive patient interviews (n = 10) and expert input (n = 17). This scale was field-tested in adults with cellulite through 2 crowdworking platforms. Rasch Measurement Theory analysis was employed to refine the scale and examine its psychometric properties.

Results

The field-test sample included 2129 participants. The 15-item scale was reduced in length to 11 items. Data from the sample fit the Rasch model (X2 [99] = 21.32, P = 0.06). All items had ordered thresholds and mapped out a targeted clinical hierarchy. The reliability statistics for the person separation index was 0.94 and for Cronbach’s alpha was 0.97. In terms of validity, worse scores on the cellulite scale were associated with being more bothered by how the cellulite looked overall, having more severe cellulite on the Patient-Reported Photo-numeric Cellulite Severity Scale, and having more self-reported cellulite and more areas of the body with cellulite.

Conclusions

The BODY-Q cellulite scale can be utilized to measure appearance of cellulite and provides a solid basis for future studies evaluating the impact of cellulite and its treatment.
Different community assembly mechanisms underlie similar biogeography of bacteria and microeukaryotes in Tibetan lakes
Authors: Liu Keshao , Liu Yongqin , Hu Anyi , Wang Feng , Chen Yuying , Gu Zhengquan , Anslan Sten , Hou Juzhi
Published: April 2020

Geographic patterns of bacteria and microeukaryotes have attracted increasing attention. However, mechanisms underlying geographic patterns in the community composition of both microbial groups are still poorly resolved. In particular, knowledge of whether bacterial communities and microeukaryotic communities are subject to the same or different assembly mechanisms is still limited. In this study, we investigated the biogeographic patterns of bacterial and microeukaryotic communities of 23 lakes on the Tibetan Plateau and quantified the relative influence of assembly mechanisms in shaping both microbial communities. Results showed that water salinity was the major driving force in controlling the community structures of bacteria and microeukaryotes. Although bacterial and microeukaryotic communities exhibited similar distance-decay patterns, the bacterial communities were mainly governed by environmental filtering (a niche-related process), whereas microeukaryotic communities were strongly driven by dispersal limitation (a neutral-related process). Furthermore, we found that bacteria exhibited wider niche breadths and higher dispersal ability but lower community stabilities than microeukaryotes. The similar distribution patterns but contrasting assembly mechanisms effecting bacteria and microeukaryotes resulted from the differences in dispersal ability and community stability. Our results highlight the importance of considering organism types in studies of the assembly mechanisms that shape microbial communities in microbial ecology.
Economic Sanctions in Flux: Enduring Challenges, New Policies, and Defining the Future Research Agenda
Authors: Early Bryan R , Cilizoglu Menevis
Published: April 2020

Policymakers employ economic sanctions to deal with a wide range of international challenges, making them an indispensable foreign policy tool. While scholarship on sanctions has tended to focus on the factors affecting their success, newer research programs have emerged that explore the reasons for why sanctions are threatened and initiated, the ways they are designed and enforced, and their consequences. This scholarship has yielded a wealth of new insights into how economic sanctions work, but most of those insights are based on sanctions observations from the 20th Century. The ways that policymakers employ sanctions have fundamentally changed over the past two decades, though, raising concerns about whether historically derived insights are still relevant to contemporary sanctions policies. In this forum, the contributors discuss the scholarly and policy-relevant insights of existing research on sanctions and then explore what gaps remain in our knowledge and new trends in sanctions policymaking. This forum will inform readers on the state of the art in sanctions research and propose avenues for future research.
YC-1 sensitizes the antitumor effects of boron neutron capture therapy in hypoxic tumor cells
Authors: Harada Takaomi , Hirose Katsumi , Wada Yuki , Sato Mariko , Ichise Koji , Aoki Masahiko , Kato Takahiro , Takeda Ken , Takai Yoshihiro
Published: April 2020

The uptake of boron into tumor cells is a key factor in the biological effects of boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). The uptake of boron agents is suppressed in hypoxic conditions, but the mechanism of hypoxia-induced modulation of suppression of boron uptake is not clear. Therefore, we evaluated whether hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) contributes to attenuation of the antitumor effects of BNCT in hypoxic tumor cells. We also tested whether YC-1, a HIF-1α-targeting inhibitor, has therapeutic potential with BNCT. To elucidate the mechanism of attenuation of the effects of BNCT caused by hypoxia, deferoxamine (DFO) was used in experiments. Cells were incubated in normal oxygen, hypoxic conditions (1% O2) or 5 μM DFO for 24 h. Then, cells were treated with 10B-boronophenylalanine (BPA) for 2 h and boron accumulation in cells was evaluated. To clarify the relationship between HIF-1α and L-type amino acid transporter 1 (LAT1), gene expression was evaluated by a using HIF-1α gene knockdown technique. Finally, to improve attenuation of the effects of BNCT in hypoxic cells, BNCT was combined with YC-1. Boron uptake was continuously suppressed up to 2 h after administration of BPA by 5 μM DFO treatment. In cells treated with 5 μM DFO, LAT1 expression was restored in HIF-1α-knocked down samples in all cell lines, revealing that HIF-1α suppresses LAT1 expression in hypoxic cells. From the results of the surviving fraction after BNCT combined with YC-1, treatment with YC-1 sensitized the antitumor effects of BNCT in cells cultured in hypoxia.
Survey of Gravitationally lensed Objects in HSC Imaging (SuGOHI) – V. Group-to-cluster scale lens search from the HSC–SSP Survey
Authors: Jaelani Anton T , More Anupreeta , Oguri Masamune , Sonnenfeld Alessandro , Suyu Sherry H , Rusu Cristian E , Wong Kenneth C , Chan James H H , Kayo Issha , Lee Chien-Hsiu , Chao Dani C-Y , Coupon Jean , Inoue Kaiki T , Futamase Toshifumi
Published: April 2020

We report the largest sample of candidate strong gravitational lenses belonging to the Survey of Gravitationally lensed Objects in HSC Imaging for group-to-cluster scale (SuGOHI-c) systems. These candidates are compiled from the S18A data release of the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program (HSC–SSP) Survey. We visually inspect ∼39 500 galaxy clusters, selected from several catalogues, overlapping with the Wide, Deep, and UltraDeep fields, spanning the cluster redshift range of 0.05 < zcl < 1.38. We discover 641 candidate lens systems, of which 536 are new. From the full sample, 47 are almost certainly bona fide lenses, 181 of them are highly probable lenses, and 413 are possible lens systems. Additionally, we present 131 lens candidates at galaxy scale serendipitously discovered during the inspection. We obtained spectroscopic follow-up of 10 candidates using the X-shooter. With this follow-up, we confirm eight systems as strong gravitational lenses. Of the remaining two, one of the sources is too faint to detect any emission, and the other has a tentative redshift close to the lens redshift, but additional arcs in this system are yet to be observed spectroscopically. Since the HSC–SSP is an ongoing survey, we expect to find ∼600 definite or probable lenses using this procedure and even more if combined with other lens finding methods.
Properties of the environment around active galactic nucleus / luminous galaxy pairs through the HSC wide survey
Authors: Shirasaki Yuji , Akiyama Masayuki , Toba Yoshiki , He Wanqiu , Goto Tomotsugu
Published: April 2020

We investigated the properties of active galactic nucleus (AGN) environments, particularly environments where the association of a luminous galaxy (LG) is found within 4 Mpc from an AGN with redshift 0.8–1.1. For comparison, three additional AGN environments, (namely, AGNs of all types, type 1 AGNs with X-ray and/or radio detection, and type 2 AGNs) and an environment of blue M*, the characteristic luminosity of the Schechter function, galaxies were investigated. The cross-correlation function with the surrounding galaxies was measured and compared between the AGN and blue galaxy samples. We also compared the distributions of color, absolute magnitude, and stellar mass of the galaxies around such target objects. The properties of clusters detected using surrounding galaxies selected based on a photometric redshift were examined and compared for different samples. The target AGNs were drawn from the Million Quasars (MILLIQUAS) catalog, and the blue galaxies were drawn from six redshift survey catalogs (SDSS, WiggleZ, DEEP2, VVDS, VIPERS, and PRIMUS). The galaxies used as a measure of the environment around the targets were drawn from the S18a internal data released by the Hyper Suprime-Cam Subaru Strategic Program. We found that, among the five AGN and blue galaxy samples considered, the environment of AGN–LG pairs is the most enriched with luminous galaxies. We also found an enhancement in the number of mass-selected clusters in the AGN–LG pair sample against those in the other samples. The results obtained in this study indicate that existence of multiple clusters is the major driver in the association of AGNs and LGs, rather than a single large-mass dark matter halo hosting the AGN.
Shifting prosocial intuitions: neurocognitive evidence for a value-based account of group-based cooperation
Authors: Hackel Leor M , Wills Julian A , Van Bavel Jay J
Published: April 2020

Cooperation is necessary for solving numerous social issues, including climate change, effective governance and economic stability. Value-based decision models contend that prosocial tendencies and social context shape people’s preferences for cooperative or selfish behavior. Using functional neuroimaging and computational modeling, we tested these predictions by comparing activity in brain regions previously linked to valuation and executive function during decision-making—the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), respectively. Participants played Public Goods Games with students from fictitious universities, where social norms were selfish or cooperative. Prosocial participants showed greater vmPFC activity when cooperating and dlPFC-vmPFC connectivity when acting selfishly, whereas selfish participants displayed the opposite pattern. Norm-sensitive participants showed greater dlPFC-vmPFC connectivity when defying group norms. Modeling expectations of cooperation was associated with activity near the right temporoparietal junction. Consistent with value-based models, this suggests that prosocial tendencies and contextual norms flexibly determine whether people prefer cooperation or defection.
Effect of ammoniation and harvest method on waste and consumption of corn residue bales fed to cows in a round bale feeder
Authors: Conway Ashley C , Carlson Zac , Hilscher Fred , MacDonald Jim C , Klopfenstein Terry J , Drewnoski Mary E
Published: April 2020

To determine the effects of harvest method and ammoniation (3.7% of dry matter) on consumption and waste of baled corn residue, a 6 × 6 Latin square with a 3 × 2 factorial treatment structure was conducted. Six treatments consisted of either nonammoniated or ammoniated residue, harvested one of three ways: conventional rake and bale (CONV), New Holland Cornrower with two rows of stem chopped into the windrow with tailings (2ROW), or EZBale system (EZB) with a disengaged combine spreader and tailings dropped in a windrow. Open cows were grouped by body weight to produce a light block of two pens (448 kg ± 49.6) and a heavy block of four pens (649 kg ± 65.9). One bale was fed to each pen during each of six 7-d periods using round bale ring feeders with closed bottom panels. Residue falling around (waste) and remaining in (refusals) the feeder was collected. The daily nutrient intake was estimated as the difference between what was offered and what remained (waste plus refusals). Crude protein (CP) of residue offered did not differ (P = 0.58) among harvest methods. The digestible organic matter (DOM) content of residue offered in 2ROW and EZB bales did not differ (P = 0.86) and was greater (P < 0.01) than CONV. Ammoniation increased (P < 0.01) CP and DOM content of the residue offered. Total wasted and refused residue did not differ (P = 0.12) between 2ROW (29%) and EZB (37%), while CONV (42%) was greater (P = 0.02) than 2ROW but did not differ (P = 0.34) from EZB. Ammoniation reduced (P = 0.03) total waste and refusals from 41% to 32%. The nutrient content of both waste and refusals did not differ (P ≥ 0.34) among harvest methods and, with the exception of CP, was not affected (P ≥ 0.15) by ammoniation. The CP content of the waste was greater (P = 0.02) and refusals tended to be greater (P = 0.08) from ammoniated bales. The CP intake of 2ROW was greater (P ≤ 0.02) than both EZB and CONV, while EZB tended (P = 0.06) to be greater than CONV. The CP intake of all ammoniated residues was greater (P < 0.01) than the nonammoniated residue. The DOM intake of nonammoniated 2ROW and EZB did not differ (P = 0.61) but was greater than nonammoniated CONV (P < 0.01). Ammoniation increased (P < 0.01) DOM intake. Overall, ammoniation had much larger effects than harvest method, resulting in reduced waste and refusals and greater intake of DOM and CP. However, the combination of both ammoniation and selective harvest (2ROW or EZB) was needed to result in energy and protein intakes that would meet the needs of a mature cow in mid-gestation.
Effect of RhoA/Rho‐kinase inhibitor in Human Internal Mammary Artery and Clinical Implications
Authors: Hou Hai-Tao , Wang Jun , Wang Zheng-Qing , Yang Qin , He Guo-Wei
Published: April 2020

Objectives

Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is the treatment of choice for severe coronary artery disease (CAD). Graft failure is a common complication after CABG. Different biological mechanisms contribute to the pathophysiology of vascular graft failure including vasospasm. RhoA/Rho‐kinase (ROCK) pathway plays an important role in cell contraction of cardiovascular disease. ROCK is a downstream effector of small GTP‐binding protein RhoA and has two isoforms, ROCK1 and ROCK2. This study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect of ROCK inhibitor fasudil on the vasoconstriction in human internal mammary artery (IMA) from patients undergoing CABG and to explore whether the combination of fasudil and nitroglycerin (NTG) is superior than being used alone.

Methods

Isolated human IMA rings (n=8 in each experimental group) taken from 58 patients undergoing CABG were studied in myograph. Cumulative concentration‐relaxation curves for fasudil (−9 to −3.5 log M) were established in IMA precontracted with KCl (30 mM) and U46619 (−8 log M). Cumulative concentration‐contraction curves for KCl (5 to 120 mM) and U46619 (−9 to −4.5 log M) were also established in two ways: (1) in three groups pretreated with the plasma concentration (−6.3 log M) and 10‐fold higher concentration of fasudil (−5.3 log M) or vehicle to estimate the depression effect of fasudil; (2) in four groups pretreated with fasudil (−6.3 log M), NTG (0.1 μM), the combination, and vehicle for 40 minutes. Western Blot was used to measure the change of the ROCK2 protein.

Results

Fasudil caused similar cumulative relaxation in KCl‐ or U46619‐ contracted (p > 0.05) rings. Pretreatment with −5.3 log M fasudil significantly depressed subsequent contraction by KCl (P < 0.01 vs. control, P < 0.05 vs. −6.3 log M) and U46619 (P < 0.05 vs. control or −6.3 log M). Pretreatment with the combination of NTG and fasudil significantly depressed the cumulative contraction by KCl (P < 0.01 vs. control; P < 0.05 vs. −5.3 log M; P < 0.01 vs. NTG). Similarly, in U46619‐induced contraction, the combination also significantly depressed the contraction (P < 0.001 vs. control; P < 0.05 vs. −5.3 log M fasudil; P < 0.01 vs. NTG). Fasudil also caused a decrease of ROCK2 protein content (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Fasudil has a potent inhibitory effect on the vasoconstriction mediated by KCl and U46619 in human conduit arteries. Combination of fasudil and NTG is more effective than fasudil or NTG alone. These findings provide a new antispastic method in CABG and may be beneficial to long‐term patency of the grafts.

Support or Funding Information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81870288 & 81870227]; the Non‐profit Central Research Institute Fund of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences [2019XK310001 & 2018TX31002]; Tianjin Science and Technology Committee[18PTZWHZ00060];Binhai New Area Health Bureau (2016BWKY007 & 2018BWKZ005).
Heterologous Expression and Characterization of Ancient Orphaned Type II Polyketide Synthase Enzymes
Authors: Klein Joshua G. , Kokona Bashkim , Charkoudian Louise K.
Published: April 2020

Type II polyketides are polyaromatic bacterial secondary metabolites which have seen great success in the clinic. Doxorubicin and tetracycline are two such FDA‐approved drugs which showcase the potential anticancer and antibiotic properties of type II polyketides. These molecules are produced via enzymatic assembly lines (polyketide synthases; PKSs) encoded by biosynthetic gene clusters. Further study of diverse type II PKSs can allow for a greater understanding into how enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway interact to form structurally complex and pharmacologically relevant molecules. Our research focuses on the in vitro characterization of key enzymes in the type II PKSs encoded by ancient and orphaned biosynthetic gene clusters. We have been able to heterologously express several of these key enzymes from various previously‐unstudied bacterial strains. We have also characterized and confirmed the expression of these enzymes via various analytical techniques including gel electrophoresis, sedimentation velocity analytical ultracentrifugation, and fast protein liquid chromatography. These methods of characterization will allow for novel insights into the in vitro structure of these type II PKS enzymes. By harnessing the powerful biosynthetic capability of type II PKSs and studying how these enzymes interact with their native partners, we can develop tools to attain new chemical diversity through chemical engineering approaches.

Support or Funding Information

This research is funded by the National Science Foundation Career Grant #1652424, awarded to LKC. Conference support has also been provided from the Marian E. Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center.
SPARC ‐ Anatomical Analysis and Optogenetic Stimulation of TRPV1+ Sensory Fibers in the Renal Cortex
Authors: Tyshynsky Roman , Van Helden Dusty , Larson Erin , Sensarma Sulagna , Schramm Lawrence P. , Vulchanova Lucy , Osborn John W.
Published: April 2020

Hypertension is a major health concern throughout the world and is the leading contributor to cardiovascular‐related deaths. While drug‐based treatments exist, many patients are drug‐resistant while others do not adhere to their prescribed treatment. To combat these obstacles, clinical trials are currently underway investigating the efficacy of renal denervation (RDN) for the treatment of hypertension. While recent clinical trials support the concept that RDN is efficacious, it is nonspecifically destructive in nature, ablating both sympathetic (efferent) and sensory (afferent) renal nerves. Previous experiments from our group showed via afferent‐specific renal denervation that sensory nerves drive the development and maintenance of the DOCA‐Salt model of hypertension in rats. However, the roles that specific subtypes of sensory renal nerves play in regulating cardiovascular function in a non‐pathophysiological state remain to be elucidated. With this objective in mind, we use large volume tissue clearing and imaging techniques, as well as kidney‐targeted optogenetic modulation of TRPV1+ sensory fibers to better understand the anatomy and function of this subtype of sensory renal nerves.

While previous anatomical studies of sensory renal nerves have focused on the innervation of the pelvic wall, here we report a close anatomical relationship between renal glomeruli and sensory fibers. To the best of our knowledge, this has not been quantified previously. Approximately half of the glomeruli analyzed are in close proximity to CGRP+ and/or TRPV1+ sensory fibers. These fibers occasionally appear to penetrate Bowman’s capsules, and they often follow a periglomerular path, contrasting the arteriolar interactions describing sympathetic fibers. Based on these observations and the expression profiles of these sensory fibers, our working hypothesis is that they sense changes in glomerular function, such as glomerular pressure. Further ongoing experiments will directly test this hypothesis.

Furthermore, experiments investigating the roles of TRPV1+ renal sensory fibers in cardiovascular regulation and renal function are in progress. Using a custom‐designed optogenetic kidney cup, LED stimulation is applied to the renal cortex in transgenic mice that express channel rhodopsin in TRPV1+ nerve fibers. To define the functions of these fibers, we measure mean arterial pressure and cortical blood flow as physiological outputs of their optogenetic activation. Unilateral optogenetic stimulation applied to the cortex of the mouse kidney results in a decrease in renal cortical blood flow, no change in systemic arterial pressure, and therefore an increase in renal resistance. These results suggest that glomerular TRPV1+ renal sensory fibers may function in a novel sympathoexcitatory reflex.

Support or Funding Information

NIH SPARC Award 1U01DK116320‐02, 2018‐2019 MnDRIVE Fellowship