bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ Generation of Electrolyte inside Pyridine‐Based Covalent Triazine Frameworks for Direct Supercapacitor Integration
Authors: Troschke Erik , Leistenschneider Desirée , Rensch Tilo , Grätz Sven , Maschita Johannes , Ehrling Sebastian , Klemmed Benjamin , Lotsch Bettina V. , Eychmüller Alexander , Borchardt Lars , Kaskel Stefan
Published: April 2020

The synthesis of porous electrode materials is often linked with the generation of waste that results from extensive purification steps and low mass yield. In contrast to porous carbons, covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) display modular properties on a molecular basis through appropriate choice of the monomer. Herein, the synthesis of a new pyridine‐based CTF material is showcased. The porosity and nitrogen‐doping are tuned by a careful choice of the reaction temperature. An in‐depth structural characterization by using Ar physisorption, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy was conducted to give a rational explanation of the material properties. Without any purification, the samples were applied as symmetrical supercapacitors and showed a specific capacitance of 141 F g−1. Residual ZnCl2, which acted formerly as the porogen, was used directly as the electrolyte salt. Upon the addition of water, ZnCl2 was dissolved to form the aqueous electrolyte in situ. Thereby, extensive and time‐consuming washing steps could be circumvented.
Outage and ergodic sum‐rate performance of cooperative MIMO‐NOMA with imperfect CSI and SIC
Authors: Aldababsa Mahmoud , Kucur Oğuz
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we examine a half‐duplex cooperative multiple‐input multiple‐output non‐orthogonal multiple access system with imperfect channel state information (CSI) and successive interference cancelation. The base station (BS) and mobile users with multi‐antenna communicate by the assistance of a CSI based or fixed gain amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relay with a single antenna. The diversity schemes, transmit antenna selection, and maximal ratio combining are applied at the BS and mobile users, respectively. We study the system performance in terms of outage probability (OP) and ergodic sum‐rate. Accordingly, the exact OP expressions are first derived jointly for the CSI based and fixed gain AF relay cases in Nakagami‐m fading channels. Next, the corresponding lower and upper bound expressions of the OP are obtained. The high signal‐to‐noise ratio analyses are also carried out to demonstrate the error floor value resulted in the practical case and achievable diversity order and array gain in the ideal case. Moreover, the lower and upper bounds of the ergodic sum‐rate expressions are derived together for the CSI based and fixed gain AF relay cases. Finally, the Monte‐Carlo simulations are used to verify the correctness of the analytical results.
PRPS polymerization influences lens fiber organization in zebrafish
Authors: Begovich Kyle , Yelon Deborah , Wilhelm James E.
Published: April 2020

Background

The self‐assembly of metabolic enzymes into filaments or foci highlights an intriguing mechanism for the regulation of metabolic activity. Recently, we identified the conserved polymerization of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate synthetase (PRPS), which catalyzes the first step in purine nucleotide synthesis, in yeast and cultured mammalian cells. While previous work has revealed that loss of PRPS activity regulates retinal development in zebrafish, the extent to which PRPS filament formation affects tissue development remains unknown.

Results

By generating novel alleles in the zebrafish PRPS paralogs, prps1a and prps1b, we gained new insight into the role of PRPS filaments during eye development. We found that mutations in prps1a alone are sufficient to generate abnormally small eyes along with defects in head size, pigmentation, and swim bladder inflation. Furthermore, a loss‐of‐function mutation that truncates the Prps1a protein resulted in the failure of PRPS filament assembly. Lastly, in mutants that fail to assemble PRPS filaments, we observed disorganization of the actin network in the lens fibers.

Conclusions

The truncation of Prps1a blocked PRPS filament formation and resulted in a disorganized lens fiber actin network. Altogether, these findings highlight a potential role for PRPS filaments during lens fiber organization in zebrafish.
Species specificity and intraspecific variation in the chemical profiles of Heliconius butterflies across a large geographic range
Authors: Darragh Kathy , Montejo‐Kovacevich Gabriela , Kozak Krzysztof M. , Morrison Colin R. , Figueiredo Clarisse M. E. , Ready Jonathan S. , Salazar Camilo , Linares Mauricio , Byers Kelsey J. R. P. , Merrill Richard M. , McMillan W. Owen , Schulz Stefan , Jiggins Chris D.
Published: April 2020

In many animals, mate choice is important for the maintenance of reproductive isolation between species. Traits important for mate choice and behavioral isolation are predicted to be under strong stabilizing selection within species; however, such traits can also exhibit variation at the population level driven by neutral and adaptive evolutionary processes. Here, we describe patterns of divergence among androconial and genital chemical profiles at inter‐ and intraspecific levels in mimetic Heliconius butterflies. Most variation in chemical bouquets was found between species, but there were also quantitative differences at the population level. We found a strong correlation between interspecific chemical and genetic divergence, but this correlation varied in intraspecific comparisons. We identified “indicator” compounds characteristic of particular species that included compounds already known to elicit a behavioral response, suggesting an approach for identification of candidate compounds for future behavioral studies in novel systems. Overall, the strong signal of species identity suggests a role for these compounds in species recognition, but with additional potentially neutral variation at the population level.
The evolution of extended parental care in glassfrogs: Do egg‐clutch phenotypes mediate coevolution between the sexes?
Authors: Delia Jesse , Bravo‐Valencia Laura , Warkentin Karen M.
Published: April 2020

Many animals improve offspring survival through parental care. Research on coevolution between parents has provided key insight into the genesis and maintenance of biparental care. However, understanding family dynamics more broadly requires assessing potential male–female coevolutionary processes in the more widespread and common context of uniparental care. Here, we explore how pre‐zygotic maternal contributions, jelly coats and oviposition sites, influence offspring dependency and change with the evolution of male‐only care in glassfrogs. Egg care appears ubiquitous among glassfrogs, with repeated evolutionary transitions from brief female‐only to extended male‐only care. Glassfrogs also exhibit a diversity of sex‐specific parental traits involving maternal egg‐jelly contributions, oviposition‐site choice, and egg‐attendance behaviors. We hypothesize these form functionally interchangeable suites of traits that mediate embryos' susceptibility to environmental risk. First, using parent‐removal field experiments, egg‐hydration assays, and comparative analyses, we found no evidence that evolutionary transitions in caring sex or care duration alter the adaptive functions or overall benefits of care (across eight species). Rather, the jelly contributions and oviposition‐site use associated with brief care influence embryo susceptibility to the same risks that are reduced by prolonged care. Next, we examined the diversity and evolutionary history of pre‐ and post‐zygotic parental traits, applying phylogenetic comparative methods to literature records and our field observations of 40 species (71 total, ~ 47 % of the family). Because pre‐zygotic maternal contributions determine embryo requirements, the evolution of male care might enable and/or compensate for reduced maternal contributions. Supporting this hypothesis, we found that the repeated evolution of complex male care is always associated with reductions in egg‐jelly and changes in oviposition sites. This phylogenetic pattern suggests that clutch phenotype might provide a general mechanism for the coevolution of parental investment in species with uniparental care. If different combinations of egg phenotypes and post‐zygotic care are ecologically equivalent, their interchangeability could allow parental traits to coevolve between the sexes without compromising offspring survival. Male‐only care is widespread in oviparous metazoans, occurring among annelids, molluscs, arthropods, fishes, and amphibians. Investigations of egg and clutch phenotypes offer new prospects for broadening research on the coevolutionary dynamics of parental care.
Critical transition of soil bacterial diversity and composition triggered by nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Liu Weixing , Jiang Lin , Yang Sen , Wang Zhou , Tian Rui , Peng Ziyang , Chen Yongliang , Zhang Xingxu , Kuang Jialiang , Ling Ning , Wang Shaopeng , Liu Lingli
Published: April 2020

Soil bacterial communities are pivotal in regulating terrestrial biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions. The increase in global nitrogen (N) deposition has impacted various aspects of terrestrial ecosystems, but we still have a rudimentary understanding of whether there is a threshold for N input level beyond which soil bacterial communities will experience critical transitions. Using high‐throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we examined soil bacterial responses to a long‐term (13 yr), multi‐level, N addition experiment in a temperate steppe of northern China. We found that plant diversity decreased in a linear fashion with increasing N addition. However, bacterial diversity responded nonlinearly to N addition, such that it was unaffected by N input below 16 g N·m−2·yr−1, but decreased substantially when N input exceeded 32 g N·m−2·yr−1. A meta‐analysis across four N addition experiments in the same study region further confirmed this nonlinear response of bacterial diversity to N inputs. Substantial changes in soil bacterial community structure also occurred between N input levels of 16 to 32 g N·m−2·yr−1. Further analysis revealed that the loss of soil bacterial diversity was primarily attributed to the reduction in soil pH, whereas changes in soil bacterial community were driven by the combination of increased N availability, reduced soil pH, and changes in plant community structure. In addition, we found that N addition shifted bacterial communities toward more putatively copiotrophic taxa. Overall, our study identified a threshold of N input level for bacterial diversity and community composition. The nonlinear response of bacterial diversity to N input observed in our study indicates that although bacterial communities are resistant to low levels of N input, further increase in N input could trigger a critical transition, shifting bacterial communities to a low‐diversity state.
The social responsiveness scale is an efficient screening tool for autism spectrum disorder traits in adults with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Kerr‐Gaffney Jess , Harrison Amy , Tchanturia Kate
Published: April 2020

Objective

A significant proportion of individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN) show high levels of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) traits, a factor associated with poorer treatment outcomes. An important question for both researchers and clinicians relates to how ASD traits should be assessed in individuals with AN. This study aimed to examine scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale adult self‐report version (SRS‐2) in individuals in the acute (AN) and recovered stages (REC) of illness compared to healthy controls (HCs). We also aimed to examine associations between the SRS‐2 and an observational diagnostic measure, the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule ‐ second edition (ADOS‐2).

Method

The SRS‐2 and ADOS‐2 were administered to 142 adults with AN, REC, and HCs. Eating disorder (ED) psychopathology and functional impairment were also assessed.

Results

AN and REC scored significantly higher than HCs on the SRS‐2. SRS‐2 scores significantly predicted ADOS‐2 classification and were positively associated with ED psychopathology and functional impairment. SRS‐2 scores were not associated with BMI or illness duration.

Conclusions

The SRS‐2 may be a useful tool in screening for ASD traits in individuals with AN. Although cross‐sectional, the results also suggest ASD symptoms are independent of BMI and persist in individuals recovered from AN.
Serologic markers of Chlamydia trachomatis and other sexually transmitted infections and subsequent ovarian cancer risk: Results from the EPIC cohort
Authors: Idahl Annika , Le Cornet Charlotte , González Maldonado Sandra , Waterboer Tim , Bender Noemi , Tjønneland Anne , Hansen Louise , Boutron‐Ruault Marie‐Christine , Fournier Agnès , Kvaskoff Marina , Boeing Heiner , Trichopoulou Antonia , Valanou Elisavet , Peppa Eleni , Palli Domenico , Agnoli Claudia , Mattiello Amalia , Tumino Rosario , Sacerdote Carlotta , Onland‐Moret N. Charlotte , Gram Inger T. , Weiderpass Elisabete , Quirós Jose R. , Duell Eric J. , Sánchez Maria‐Jose , Chirlaque Maria‐Dolores , Barricarte Aurelio , Gil Leire , Brändstedt Jenny , Riesbeck Kristian , Lundin Eva , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Perez‐Cornago Aurora , Gunter Marc J. , Dossus Laure , Kaaks Rudolf , Fortner Renée T.
Published: April 2020

A substantial proportion of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) arises in the fallopian tube and other epithelia of the upper genital tract; these epithelia may incur damage and neoplastic transformation after sexually transmitted infections (STI) and pelvic inflammatory disease. We investigated the hypothesis that past STI infection, particularly Chlamydia trachomatis, is associated with higher EOC risk in a nested case‐control study within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort including 791 cases and 1669 matched controls. Serum antibodies against C. trachomatis, Mycoplasma genitalium, herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV‐2) and human papillomavirus (HPV) 16, 18 and 45 were assessed using multiplex fluorescent bead‐based serology. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) comparing women with positive vs. negative serology. A total of 40% of the study population was seropositive to at least one STI. Positive serology to C. trachomatis Pgp3 antibodies was not associated with EOC risk overall, but with higher risk of the mucinous histotype (RR = 2.30 [95% CI = 1.22‐4.32]). Positive serology for chlamydia heat shock protein 60 (cHSP60‐1) was associated with higher risk of EOC overall (1.36 [1.13‐1.64]) and with the serous subtype (1.44 [1.12‐1.85]). None of the other evaluated STIs were associated with EOC risk overall; however, HSV‐2 was associated with higher risk of endometrioid EOC (2.35 [1.24‐4.43]). The findings of our study suggest a potential role of C. trachomatis in the carcinogenesis of serous and mucinous EOC, while HSV‐2 might promote the development of endometrioid disease.
Age‐ and Sex‐Specific Reference Values for Atrial and Ventricular Structures in the Validated Normal Chinese Population: A Comprehensive Measurement by Cardiac MRI
Authors: Zhuang Baiyan , Li Shuang , Xu Jing , Zhou Di , Yin Gang , Zhao Shihua , Lu Minjie
Published: April 2020

Background

Left and right cardiac structures have been shown to provide important prognostic information in patients with various cardiac disorders. They have always been important biomarkers in patients with heart failure and are crucial in the judgment of a variety of heart diseases.

Purpose

To provide age‐ and sex‐specific reference values of the normal cardiac structure of Chinese adults.

Study Type

Prospective study.

Population

In all, 200 healthy adult volunteers with 20 men and 20 women in each of five age deciles from 20 to 70 years.

Field Strength

3.0T, steady‐state free precession (SSFP), turbo spin‐echo (TSE) sequence.

Assessment

The reference range of cardiac structure values was normalized to age, gender, and body surface area (BSA). The height, weight, blood pressure, and body mass index were measured as well.

Statistic Tests

Kolmogorov–Smirnov's, independent‐sample t‐tests, one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson's coefficient, and linear regression.

Results

The normalized left atrial (LA) transverse diameter (two‐chamber view) at end‐systolic, and left ventricular outflow tract diameter (LVOT) were significantly larger in females compared to males (all P < 0.001), while LA volume at end‐systole was found higher in males (males: 36.25 ± 10.03 mL vs. females: 32.78 ± 10.27 mL). With increasing age, there was a weak but significant decrease in normalized LA transverse diameter (two‐chamber view) at end‐ systolic (r = −0.25, P < 0.001). The normalized RA volume at end‐systole and RVOT diameter showed significant decrease with advancing age (r = −0.22, P = 0.002; r = −0.34, P < 0.001). The indexed left and right ventricular volumes were mostly smaller with advancing age. The LA longitudinal parameters correlated significantly with LA area measured in the two‐chamber view at end‐systole (r = 0.78, P < 0.001).

Data Conclusion

Reference values for the morphological parameters of the intracardiac structure by sex and age distribution are provided in a Chinese population.

Level of Evidence

2

Technical Efficacy

Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:1031–1043.
The impact of knowledge management on urban governance: A study in Tabriz, Iran
Authors: Firoozi Mohammad A. , Rostaei Shahrivar , Kamelifar Mohammad J.
Published: April 2020

Recent management studies have shown that knowledge management plays an imperative role in the efficacy of organizations. In the present article, the effect of knowledge management on urban governance in Tabriz city was examined employing a structural equation model. The required data was collected by survey via two base questionnaires (for knowledge management and urban governance). The participants were 130 experts including faculty members in different relevant fields as well as employees of municipality. Findings showed that knowledge management imposes a positive and significant effect on urban governance. Additionally, the strongest relationship among the studied variables was found between knowledge management and participation (β= .594,p= .000). Finally, the results suggested that extension of knowledge management through municipalities could tremendously promote their efficacy by influencing urban governance indices.
Genetics of Postlingual Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Ahmadmehrabi Shadi , Brant Jason , Epstein Douglas J. , Ruckenstein Michael J. , Rader Daniel J
Published: April 2020

Literature and clinical practice around adult‐onset hearing loss (HL) has traditionally focused on environmental risk factors, including noise exposure, ototoxic drug exposure, and cardiovascular disease. The most common diagnosis in adult‐onset HL is presbycusis. However, the age of onset of presbycusis varies, and patients often describe family history of HL as well as individual variation in progression and severity. In recent years, there has been accumulating evidence of gene–environment interactions underlying adult cases of HL. Susceptibility loci for age‐related HL have been identified, and genes related to postlingual nonsyndromic HL continue to be discovered through individual reports and genome‐wide association studies. This review will outline main concepts in genetics as related to HL, identify implicated genes, and discuss clinical implications. Laryngoscope, 131:401–409, 2021
Surrounding Interactions on Phase Transition Temperature Promoted by Organometallic Complexes in Functionalized Poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide‐co‐dopamine methacrylamide) Copolymers
Authors: Wang Yu , García‐Peñas Alberto , Gómez‐Ruiz Santiago , Stadler Florian J.
Published: April 2020

The functionalization of different structures with organometallic complexes provides exciting properties in terms of applicability due to its ability to provide multiple benefits for catalysis and biomedicine as well as in other fields. This work reports the direct, facile functionalization of copolymers based onN‐isopropylacrylamide and dopamine methacrylamide with bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium (IV) dichloride (Cp2TiCl2, Cp = η5‐C5H5), which can offer an easy preparation method in comparison with other functionalization procedures. In addition, the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) is studied through aqueous solutions of new structures, which is affected by the presence of the metallocene moieties. UV–vis spectroscopy shows an average of the LCST‐behavior in comparison with rheology that provides essential information about the changes of the phase transition temperature associated with the composition of the polymeric chains and their interactions with the medium. Then, the inclusion of an organometallic complex along the polymeric chain can partially modify the phase transition temperature due to the interactions promoted by the organometallic complex of surroundings over the polymeric sections free of comonomer content.
Small business loan eligibility promising for nonprofits
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: April 2020

Nonprofit organizations receiving Medicaid payments are encouraged that they are now eligible for small business loans courtesy of the $2 trillion COVID‐19 relief package (see story, beginning on page 1). Just a few short weeks ago, in an earlier version of the legislation, mental health providers with Medicaid‐participating business were excluded from being eligible for these important loans.
Eight‐node conforming straight‐side quadrilateral element with high‐order completeness (QH8‐C1)
Authors: Zhang Guoxiang , Xiang Junyu
Published: April 2020

A new eight‐node conforming quadrilateral element with high‐order completeness, denoted as QH8‐C1, is proposed in this article. First, expressions for the interpolation displacement function satisfying the requirements for high‐order completeness in the global coordinate system are constructed. Second, the displacement function expression in global coordinates is transformed into isoparametric coordinates, and the relationships between the two series of coefficients for the two kinds of displacement function expressions are found. Third, the displacement function expression is modified to satisfy the requirements of nodal freedom and interelement boundary continuity. The key to the new element construction is the derivation of the linear relationship expressions among 12 coefficients of element displacement interpolation polynomials in the global and isoparametric coordinate systems. As a result, the relationship between quadratic completeness and interelement continuity is explicitly given, and a proof of the completeness and the continuity was conducted to theoretically guarantee the validity of the derivation results. Furthermore, in order to verify the correctness of the theoretical work, nine numerical examples were performed. The computation results from these examples demonstrate that QH8‐C1 exhibited excellent performance, including high simulation accuracy, fast convergence, insensitivity to mesh distortion, and monotonic convergence.
Influence of surface modified graphene oxide on the mechanical performance and curing kinetics of epoxy resin
Authors: Li Lu , Liao Xia , Sheng Xingyue , Liu Pan , Hao Zengheng , He Leilei , Qin Geng
Published: April 2020

In this study, the hyperbranched polyester were successfully grafted onto graphene oxide (GO). The mechanical performance and curing kinetics of epoxy resin (EP), EP/ graphene oxide (EP/GO), and EP/ hyperbranched polyester grafted GO (EP/GO‐B) were investigated by means of mechanical tests and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results revealed that the presence of GO lowered the cure temperature and accelerated the curing of EP, and the addition of GO‐B exhibited a stronger effect in accelerating the cure of EP compared with GO. Activation energies were calculated using Kissinger approach, and Ozawa approach, respectively. Results revealed lowered activation energy after the addition of GO or GO‐B at low degrees of cure, indicating that GO had a large effect on the curing reaction. The presence of GO facilitated the curing reaction, especially the initial epoxy‐amine reaction. Moreover, GO‐B exhibited better performance. Related mechanism was proposed.
Statistical distribution of mechanical properties and energy absorption of laminated cotton fabric reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Shao Bo , Fang Yiqun , Chen Bo , Shen Jing , Xu Shihua , Ou Rongxian , Wang Qingwen
Published: April 2020

In this work, the statistical distribution of mechanical properties and energy absorption at break of laminated cotton fabric reinforced epoxy composites was determined. The static mechanical tests showed that the cotton fabric significantly influenced the mechanical performance of epoxy resin, where tensile strength, tensile modulus, tensile elongation at break, flexural modulus, and impact strength increased significantly, while flexural strength decreased. The energy absorption behaviors in the tensile tests were investigated, where more energy at tensile break was absorbed when cotton fabric was incorporated, as shown by the 684% to 2707% increase. The similar increases were observed in the flexural and impact tests, which were 92% to 355% and 309% to 833%, in different directions, respectively. The statistical distribution patterns of the mechanical properties parameters in variously direction of cotton fabric reinforced laminate were mapped. The results showed the distribution patterns of tensile modulus, flexural modulus, tensile strength, flexural strength, and energy absorption before maximum stress in the flexural test correlated with fiber angle in the laminate, while the distribution patterns of tensile elongation, impact strength, and energy absorption in the flexural and tensile tests agreed well with distribution of fiber content in the test cross section. With the incorporation of cotton fabric, the breakage behavior of epoxy transitioned from brittle fracture to toughened fracture as shown in distribution patterns of fracture energy absorption. The viscoelastic properties of the cotton fiber‐reinforced laminates were investigated via DMA. The cotton fiber‐reinforced laminates possessed higher transition temperatures, the storage modulus (E') and loss modulus (E"), compared to epoxy.
Estimation of ramipril and telmisartan in human plasma by LC–MS/MS: Application in pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Palakurthi Ashok Kumar , Dongala Thirupathi , Yadlapalli Siva Sankara Rao
Published: April 2020

A highly sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed for simultaneous estimation of Ramipril and Telmisartan in human plasma using Ramipril d5 and telmisartan d3 as internal standards. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry was operated under the multiple reaction monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique. Simple liquid–liquid extraction process was used to extract Ramipril, Telmisartan, and internal standard from human plasma. The total run time was 2.5 min and the elution of ramipril and telmisartan were 0.97 and 1.17 min, respectively. This was achieved with a mobile phase consisting of 2 mM ammonium acetate in 0.1% formic acid as mobile phase A and 100% acetonitrile as mobile phase B in the ratio 20:80 with a flow rate of 0.7 mL/min on a betasil C18 column. The developed method was validated in human plasma with a lower limit of quantitation of 0.5 and 0.98 ng/mL for ramipril and telmisartan, respectively. A linear response function was established for the range of concentrations 0.5–50.0 ng/mL (r > 0.998) and 0.98–800.0 ng/mL (r > 0.998) for ramipril and telmisartan, respectively. The intra‐ and interday precision values for ramipril and telmisartan met the acceptance as per United States Food and Drug Administration guidelines. Ramipril and telmisartan were stable in a battery of stability studies viz., bench‐top, auto‐sampler, and freeze–thaw cycles, long‐term matrix stability. The developed method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in humans.
Punching shear design of RC flat slabs supported on wall corners
Authors: Setiawan Andri , Vollum Robert L , Macorini Lorenzo , Izzuddin Bassam A
Published: April 2020

Reinforced concrete buildings are typically braced with shear walls positioned around lift shafts and stairs. Vertical transfer of load from slab to walls leads to a concentration of shear stress in the slab at wall ends and corners, which needs to be considered in punching shear design. This issue is not addressed in EN 1992 (2004) and only partially addressed in fib Model Code 2010 leaving engineers to resort to their own judgment. Consequently, consideration of punching shear at wall corners can be overlooked entirely or not properly addressed through lack of knowledge. The paper addresses this issue by proposing a method for calculating the design shear stress at wall corners for use in conjunction with the Critical Shear Crack Theory. The method is initially validated against test results for slabs supported on elongated columns as well as numerical simulations. Subsequently, the method is extended to the punching design of a slab supported by a wall corner. The proposed analysis of the slab‐wall corner junction is validated against the predictions of nonlinear finite element analysis (NLFEA) employing 3‐D solid elements as well as the joint‐shell punching model (JSPM) previously developed by the authors.
How to understand the knowledge norm of assertion
Authors: McIntosh Jonny ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: April 2020

Julian Schlöder (2018) examines Timothy Williamson's proposal that knowledge is the norm of assertion within the context of deontic logic. He argues for two claims, one concerning the formalisation of the thesis that knowledge is a norm of assertion and another concerning the formalisation of the thesis that knowledge is the only norm of assertion. On the basis of these claims, Schlöder goes on to raise a series of problems for Williamson's proposal. In response, I argue that both of Schlöder's claims can—and should—be rejected.
Understanding attitude, practices and knowledge of zoonotic infectious disease risks among poultry farmers in Ghana
Authors: Ayim‐Akonor Matilda , Krumkamp Ralf , May Jürgen , Mertens Eva
Published: April 2020

Zoonotic infectious diseases (ZIDs) are increasing globally, and livestock farmers in low‐ and middle‐income countries are at particularly high risk. An evaluation of farmer's behaviour on farms can be used to identify the risk factors and to develop tailored control strategies. This study documents the knowledge of zoonotic poultry diseases (ZPD) among 152 poultry farm workers (respondents) from 76 farms in the Ashanti region of Ghana and assessed their on‐farm attitude and practices that increase their risk to exposure of ZPD. The median age of respondents was 29 years, 91.4% (n = 139) had a formal education, and 80.9% (n = 123) had worked on the farm for more than 1 year. The majority of farms (n = 69, 90.8%) had multiple flocks and 27.6% (n = 21) kept other animals, of which 57.1% (n = 12) were pigs. The majority of respondents had good knowledge about poultry diseases but not about ZPD. A higher level of education and longer work experience improved respondents’ knowledge of poultry and ZPD. Although respondents identified the wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a major ZPD preventive measure, the majority did not put that knowledge into practice. Most farms (71.1%, n = 54) had no footbath and 55.3% (n = 42) deposited farm‐waste on the farm. While 97.4% (n = 148) of respondents washed their hands after working, only 48.7% (n = 74) wore protective footwear, 2.7% (n = 4) wore overalls, 2% (n = 3) wore nose masks and none (n = 0) wore gloves. The husbandry practices and attitude of farmers expose them to pathogens on the farm and increase their risk of becoming infected with ZPD in the sub‐region. The results from this study could be used to promote human health among farm workers in Ghana.
Detection ofBrucellaantibodies in domestic animals of southern Cameroon: Implications for the control of brucellosis
Authors: Kamga Rolin M. N. , Silatsa Barberine A. , Farikou Oumarou , Kuiate Jules‐Roger , Simo Gustave
Published: April 2020

Brucellosis is one of the world's most widespread bacterial zoonoses caused byBrucella.It leads to considerable economic losses as a result of low productivity of infected animals and the long debilitating illness in humans. Despite its impact on human and animal health, little attention has been paid onBrucellainfections in domestic animals. It is in this light that the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies was determined in domestic animals with the overarching goal of improving our knowledge on brucellosis in southern Cameroon. During cross‐sectional studies conducted from December 2016 to August 2018 in five sites of southern Cameroon, blood samples were collected in cattle, sheep, goat, pig and dog. Plasma was obtained from each blood sample andBrucellaantibodies were detected using the Rose Bengal test and the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). From 1873 animals that were sampled, the overall prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies using Indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (i‐ELISA) was 6.35% (118/1873): 9.12% (78/855) in cattle; 8.04% (30/373) in sheep; 6.06% (2/33) in dog, 1.87% (3/160) in pig and 1.1% (5/452) in goat. Between animal species (p‐value < .0001,x2 = 33.63) as well as sampling sites (p‐value = .0001,x2 = 18.97), significant differences were observed in the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies. Yoko and Noun localities have shown the highest prevalence of 8.6% (30/348) and 7.2% (78/1070), respectively. This prevalence was significantly higher (p = .03,x2 = 1.25) in female than male cattle. Between adult (16.923%) and young cattle (7.8%), significant difference (p = .04,x2 = 6.42) was observed in the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies. This study shows that the prevalence ofBrucellaantibodies varies between animal species and localities. It also shows several domestic animals of southern Cameroon that have been in contact withBrucella. It enabled to identify villages where investigations on the transmission dynamic must be focused for the final goal of developing control measures for this neglected zoonotic disease.
A 2-year longitudinal study of neuropsychological functioning, psychosocial adjustment and rehospitalisation in schizophrenia and major depression
Authors: Annette Schaub , Stephan Goerigk , Mueser Kim T. , Martin Hautzinger , Elisabeth Roth , Ulrich Goldmann , Marketa Charypar , Rolf Engel , Hans-Jürgen Möller , Peter Falkai
Published: April 2020

Neuropsychological functioning turns out to be a rate-limiting factor in psychiatry. However, little is known when comparing neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning in inpatients with schizophrenia or severe depression in their treatment pathways including add-on psychoeducation or the latter combined with cognitive behavioral therapy up to 2-year follow-up. To evaluate this question, we investigated these variables in two randomised controlled trials including 196 patients with DSM-IV schizophrenia and 177 patients with major depression. Outcome measures were assessed in the hospital at pre- and posttreatment and following discharge until 2-year follow-up. We focused on neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning regarding its differences and changes over time in data of two pooled trials. There were significant time effects indicating gains in knowledge about the illness, short and medium-term memory (VLMT) and psychosocial functioning (GAF), however, the latter was the only variable showing a time x study/diagnosis interaction effect at 2-year follow-up, showing significant better outcome in depression compared to schizophrenia. Moderator analysis showed no changes in psychosocial and neuropsychological functioning in schizophrenia and in affective disorders due to age, duration of illness or sex. Looking at the rehospitalisation rates there were no significant differences between both disorders. Both groups treated with psychoeducation or a combination of psychoeducation and CBT improved in neuropsychological and psychosocial functioning as well as knowledge about the illness at 2-year follow-up, however, patients with major depression showed greater gains in psychosocial functioning compared to patients with schizophrenia. Possible implications of these findings were discussed.
Psychometric properties of the Activities Scale for Kids-performance after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in adolescents and children
Authors: Lawitschka Anita , Brunmair Matthias , Bauer Dorothea , Zubarovskaya Natalia , Felder-Puig Rosemarie , Strahm Brigitte , Bader Peter , Strauss Gabriele , Albert Michael , von Luettichau Irene , Greinix Hildegard , Wolff Daniel , Peters Christina
Published: April 2020

Background

The psychometric properties of an instrument, the Activity Scale for Kids-performance (ASKp), were assessed which was proposed to capture physical functioning after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Additionally, this multicenter observational prospective study investigated the influence of clinical correlates focusing on chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD).

Methods

Patient-reported ASKp, clinician-reported Karnofsky/Lansky status (KPS/PSS), patient characteristics and cGVHD details were assessed of 55 patients with a median age of 12 years at baseline after day +100 post-HSCT and every 3 months during the next 18 months. The psychometric properties were evaluated and ASKp and KPS/PSS status was compared using ANOVAS and multiple regression models.

Results

The German version of the ASKp showed good psychometric properties except for ceiling effects. Discrimination ability of the ASKp was good regarding the need for devices but failed to predict cGVHD patients. Both the ASKp and the KPS/PSS were associated with patients after adoptive cell therapy being in need for devices, suffering from overlap cGVHD and from steroid side effects but not with patients’ age and gender. In contrast to the KPS/PSS the ASKp only showed significant differences after merging moderate and severe cGHVD patients when comparing them to No-cGVHD (F = 4.050; p = 0.049), being outperformed by the KPS/PSS (F = 20.082; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The ASKp showed no clear advantages compared to KPS/PSS even though economical and patients’ effort was higher. Further application range may be limited through ceiling effects. Both should be taken into consideration. Therefore, the results may not support the usage of ASKp after HSCT and rather suggest KPS/PSS, both patient and clinician reported.
Feasibility and Efficacy of the Addition of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback to a Remote Digital Health Intervention for Depression
Authors: Economides Marcos , Lehrer Paul , Ranta Kristian , Nazander Albert , Hilgert Outi , Raevuori Anu , Gevirtz Richard , Khazan Inna , Forman-Hoffman Valerie L.
Published: April 2020

A rise in the prevalence of depression underscores the need for accessible and effective interventions. The objectives of this study were to determine if the addition of a treatment component showing promise in treating depression, heart rate variability-biofeedback (HRV-B), to our original smartphone-based, 8-week digital intervention was feasible and whether patients in the HRV-B (“enhanced”) intervention were more likely to experience clinically significant improvements in depressive symptoms than patients in our original (“standard”) intervention. We used a quasi-experimental, non-equivalent (matched) groups design to compare changes in symptoms of depression in the enhanced group (n = 48) to historical outcome data from the standard group (n = 48). Patients in the enhanced group completed a total average of 3.86 h of HRV-B practice across 25.8 sessions, and were more likely to report a clinically significant improvement in depressive symptom score post-intervention than participants in the standard group, even after adjusting for differences in demographics and engagement between groups (adjusted OR 3.44, 95% CI [1.28–9.26], P = .015). Our findings suggest that adding HRV-B to an app-based, smartphone-delivered, remote intervention for depression is feasible and may enhance treatment outcomes.
Surveying perceptions and practices of high-end climate change
Authors: Taylor Richard , Butterfield Ruth , Capela Lourenço Tiago , Dzebo Adis , Carlsen Henrik , Klein Richard J. T.
Published: April 2020

We surveyed members of the adaptation community about their views on high-end climate change—here defined as global average temperature increase exceeding 2 °C at the end of the century—at consecutive conferences in 2016 and 2018. Most strikingly our surveys show that a majority of the community disagrees that the Paris Agreement has reduced the possibility of the world reaching dangerous levels of climate change. Consistent with this, around two thirds of people consulted are considering high-end climate change or using high-end scenarios in their work all the time, or starting to. However, this is still not done by all. Preparedness for the specific threats posed by high-end impacts is not keeping pace, and more work needs to be done to strengthen the research basis and understand adaptation needs under high-end climate change. Moreover, views on finding information on impacts and tools for decision-making have not changed between 2016 and 2018, showing that there is no improvement. This situation underlines that the adaptation community needs to do better in supporting exchange of information and data between all actors—in addition to finding and filling knowledge gaps. Despite this, there is widespread support for avoiding delaying large-scale adaptation until we have more certainty.
Orientation-dependent toxic effect of human papillomavirus type 33 long control region DNA in Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Gyöngyösi Eszter , Szalmás Anita , Kónya József , Veress György
Published: April 2020

The functional analysis of human papillomavirus (HPV) sequence variation requires the molecular cloning of different genomic regions of virus variants. In this study, we report an unexpected difficulty experienced when trying to clone HPV33 long control region (LCR) variants in Escherichia coli. Standard cloning strategies proved to be inappropriate to clone HPV33 LCR variants in the forward orientation into a eukaryotic reporter vector (pGL2-Basic). However, by slight modification of culture conditions (incubation at 25 °C instead of 37 °C), constructs containing the HPV33 LCR variants in the forward orientation were obtained. Transformation experiments performed with different HPV33 LCR constructs indicated that there is a sequence element in the 5′ LCR of HPV33 causing temperature-dependent toxic effect in E. coli. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of an open reading frame (ORF) in the 5′ part of HPV33 LCR potentially encoding a 116-amino acid polypeptide. Protein structure prediction suggested that this putative protein might have a structural similarity to transmembrane proteins. Even a low-level expression of this protein may cause significant toxicity in the host bacteria. In silico analysis of the LCR of HPV33 and some other HPV types belonging to the species Alphapapillomavirus 9 (HPV31, 35 and 58) seemed to support the assumption that the ORFs found in the 5′ LCR of these HPVs are protein-coding sequences. Further studies should be performed to prove that these putative proteins are really expressed in the infected host cells and to identify their function.
An LC-QToF MS based method for untargeted metabolomics of human fecal samples
Authors: Cheng Ken , Brunius Carl , Fristedt Rikard , Landberg Rikard
Published: April 2020

Introduction

Consensus in sample preparation for untargeted human fecal metabolomics is lacking.

Objectives

To obtain sample preparation with broad metabolite coverage for high-throughput LC–MS.

Methods

Extraction solvent, solvent ratio and fresh frozen-vs-lyophilized samples were evaluated by metabolite feature quality.

Results

Methanol at 5 mL per g wet feces provided a wide metabolite coverage with optimal balance between signal intensity and saturation for both fresh frozen and lyophilized samples. Lyophilization did not affect SCFA and is recommended because of convenience in normalizing to dry matter.

Conclusion

The suggested sample preparation is simple, efficient and suitable for large-scale human fecal metabolomics.
Objektive Informationsquelle, Watchdog und Sprachrohr der Bürger? Die Bewertung der gesellschaftlichen Leistungen von Medien durch die Bevölkerung
Authors: Fawzi Nayla
Published: April 2020

Die Massenmedien sehen sich derzeit einer umfassenden öffentlichen Kritik ausgesetzt, die u. a. die politischen und sozialen Funktionen der Medien ins Visier nimmt: Von „Lügenpresse“-Vorwürfen über das Infragestellen der journalistischen Autonomie bis zu Kritik an der Breite des Meinungsspektrums in der Berichterstattung. Es stellt sich daher die Frage, inwiefern die Medien aus der Perspektive des Publikums in der Lage sind, die von ihnen erwarteten Leistungen tatsächlich zu erfüllen. Vor diesem Hintergrund liefert die Studie auf Basis einer repräsentativen Bevölkerungsumfrage deskriptive Befunde zur Zufriedenheit mit den Leistungen der Medien und untersucht, welche Faktoren diese Performanzbewertungen erklären. Dabei zeigt sich, dass die Medien aus Sicht der Bürger*innen ihre Kritik- und Kontrollfunktion sowie die Informations- und Meinungsbildungsfunktion relativ gut erfüllen. Deutlich weniger zufrieden ist das Publikum mit den Integrations‑, Artikulations- und Orientierungsleistungen. Politisches Interesse, Demokratiezufriedenheit und Politikvertrauen sowie selektive Mediennutzung, Hostile-Media-Wahrnehmung und Presumed media influence sind ausschlaggebend für diese Bewertungen; das Medienrepertoire spielt dagegen keine Rolle.
Labelling in Mediterranean agroforestry landscapes: a Delphi study on relevant sustainability indicators
Authors: Flinzberger Lukas , Zinngrebe Yves , Plieninger Tobias
Published: April 2020

In the face of unsustainable land-use changes including intensified agricultural production and land abandonment, agroforestry systems have the potential to support a diversity of social and ecological functions in agricultural landscapes. Mediterranean agroforestry landscapes have been conserved through traditional practices, and new concepts are necessary to assure the viability of these practices. Labels bear the opportunity to indicate sustainable management along the supply chain and, at the same time, generate higher incomes for sustainably producing farms. We have used an expert-based Delphi survey with three iterative surveys to analyse (1) the relevance of different sustainability aspects in agroforestry systems, (2) the suitability of derived indicators for labelling, and (3) the specific potentials and barriers for labelling agroforestry production or ecological UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)—are considered relevant for agroforestry systems. Translating these goals into suitable indicators is the more challenging step, revealing the lack of appropriate data, the complexity of sustainability challenges, and a low willingness for producers to adapt their practices as key limiting factors. The assessment of the labelling schemes indicated coherent responses despite the diverse backgrounds of participants. Alongside eco-labels and social labels, Geographic Indications were suggested as the most suitable options for the agroforestry context, although these have not been invented for reflecting sustainability in the first place. Although experts are highly aware of social-cultural values of agroforestry systems, they see little potential to use those social-cultural aspects for labelling agroforestry products. Initial costs and missing consumer awareness for agroforestry are major reasons for not joining labelling schemes. We discuss the possibility of an agroforestry label and why elements of Geographic Indication labels may fit well for this purpose.