bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimum design for unbonded posttensioned precast concrete frames with damping
Authors: Chen Yue , Cai Kejian , Sheng Tao , Wu Hao
Published: June 2020

Precast concrete facilitates the construction process using durable and rapidly erectable prefabricated members to create cost‐effective and high‐quality structures, which has been widely used in some areas including those with high seismicity. A member of this precast structure family, the unbonded posttensioned precast concrete frames with damping, was proposed in the Precast Seismic Structural Systems (PRESSS) program. The PRESSS had presented a design procedure for the new system, which requires a time‐consuming iteration using trial and error. The aim of this study is to develop an automatic optimum design procedure as an alternative to the design of this system. Specifically, the objective of the optimum process is to find the minimum area of PT tendons, the maximum area of mild steel reinforcement, and the minimum unbonded length for mild steel while obtaining the maximum energy dissipation, maintaining moment capacity similar to design moment, and achieving zero residual drift, simultaneously. To this end, computer program MATLAB was utilized to develop an optimization design procedure using a genetic algorithm (GA). Comparing the results with that from the existing method indicates the proposed optimum design program is accurate, efficient, and direct. In addition, the program can present the optimum result within 1 min. Therefore, the existing iterative, step‐by‐step design method could be replaced.
Identification of regions under selection and loci controlling agronomic traits in a soft red winter wheat population
Authors: Gaire Rupesh , Ohm Herbert , Brown‐Guedira Gina , Mohammadi Mohsen
Published: June 2020

Comprehensive information of a breeding population is a necessity to design promising crosses. This study was conducted to characterize a soft red winter wheat breeding population that was subject of intensive germplasm introductions and introgression from exotic germplasm. We used genome‐wide markers and phenotypic assessment to identify signatures of selection and loci controlling agronomic traits in a soft red winter wheat population. The study of linkage disequilibrium (LD) revealed that the extent of LD and its decay varied among chromosomes with chromosomes 2B and 7D showing the most extended islands of high‐LD with slow rates of decay. Four sub‐populations, two with North American origin and two with Australian and Chinese origins, were identified. Genome‐wide scans for selection signatures using FST and hapFLK identified 13 genomic regions under selection, of which five loci (LT, Fr‐A2, Vrn‐A1, Vrn‐B1, Vrn3) were associated with environmental adaptation and two loci were associated with disease resistance genes (Sr36 and Fhb1). Genome‐wide association studies identified major loci controlling yield and yield related traits. For days to heading and plant height, major loci with effects sizes of 2.2 days and 5 cm were identified on chromosomes 7B and 6A respectively. For test weight, number of spikes per square meter, and number of kernels per square meter, large effect loci were identified on chromosomes 1A, 4B, and 5A, respectively. However, for yield alone, no major loci were detected. A combination of selection for large effect loci for yield components and genomic selection could be a promising approach for yield improvement.
Effects of cysteine and ascorbic acid in freezing extender on sperm characteristics and level of enzymes in post‐thawed stallion semen
Authors: Alamaary Mohaammed S. , Haron Abd W. , Hiew Mark W. H. , Ali Mohamed
Published: June 2020

Present study aimed to investigate the effect of adding antioxidants, cysteine and ascorbic acid on the levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic‐pyruvate (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) enzymes of post‐thawed stallion sperm. Ten ejaculates were collected each from four healthy stallions and cryopreserved using HF‐20 freezing extender containing either 0 mg/ml cysteine or ascorbic acid, 0.5 mg/ml cysteine and 0.5 mg/ml ascorbic acid. All samples in freezing extender containing cysteine or ascorbic acid or none of them were assessed for sperm motility, viability, plasma membrane integrity, morphology and enzymes concentration. The ALP, LDH and GGT were significantly higher in 0‐group compared with cysteine and ascorbic acid groups. The sperm motility of frozen‐thawed semen with 0‐group was significantly better compared with cysteine and ascorbic acid groups. The variation on viability, sperm membrane integrity and morphology were insignificant between all treated groups. Therefore, these enzymes were reduced when using antioxidants in the freezing extender. Results of the present study suggest that concentration of ALP, LDH and GGT enzymes could be used as parameters for prediction of frozen‐thawed stallion semen.
Membrane processes
Authors: Arabi Sara , Pellegrin Marie‐Laure , Aguinaldo Jorge , Sadler Mary E. , McCandless Robert , Sadreddini Sara , Wong Joseph , Burbano Marie S. , Koduri Srikanth , Abella Karla , Moskal Jeff , Alimoradi Sirwan , Azimi Yaldah , Dow Andrew , Tootchi Leila , Kinser Karla , Kaushik Vishakha , Saldanha Valetta
Published: June 2020

This literature review provides a review for publications in 2018 and 2019 and includes information membrane processes findings for municipal and industrial applications. This review is a subsection of the annual Water Environment Federation literature review for Treatment Systems section. The following topics are covered in this literature review: industrial wastewater and membrane. Bioreactor (MBR) configuration, membrane fouling, design, reuse, nutrient removal, operation, anaerobic membrane systems, microconstituents removal, membrane technology advances, and modeling. Other sub‐sections of the Treatment Systems section that might relate to this literature review include the following: Biological Fixed‐Film Systems, Activated Sludge, and Other Aerobic Suspended Culture Processes, Anaerobic Processes, and Water Reclamation and Reuse. This publication might also have related information on membrane processes: Industrial Wastes, Hazardous Wastes, and Fate and Effects of Pollutants.
Dilaton gravity with a boundary: from unitarity to black hole evaporation
Authors: Fitkevich Maxim , Levkov Dmitry , Zenkevich Yegor
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We point out that two-dimensional Russo-Susskind-Thorlacius (RST) model for evaporating black holes is locally equivalent — at the full quantum level — to flat-space Jackiw-Teitelboim (JT) gravity that was recently shown to be unitary. Globally, the two models differ by a reflective spacetime boundary added in the RST model. Treating the boundary as a local and covariant deformation of quantum JT theory, we develop sensible semiclassical description of evaporating RST black holes. Nevertheless, our semiclassical solutions fail to resolve the information recovery problem, and they do not indicate formation of remnants. This means that either the standard semiclassical method incorrectly describes the evaporation process or the RST boundary makes the flat-space JT model fundamentally inconsistent.
Minimal flavor violation in the see-saw portal
Authors: Barducci Daniele , Bertuzzo Enrico , Caputo Andrea , Hernandez Pilar
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We consider an extension of the Standard Model with two singlet leptons, with masses in the electroweak range, that induce neutrino masses via the see-saw mechanism, plus a generic new physics sector at a higher scale, Λ. We apply the minimal flavor violation (MFV) principle to the corresponding Effective Field Theory (νSMEFT) valid at energy scales E ≪ Λ. We identify the irreducible sources of lepton flavor and lepton number violation at the renormalizable level, and apply the MFV ansätz to derive the scaling of the Wilson coefficients of the νSMEFT operators up to dimension six. We highlight the most important phenomenological consequences of this hypothesis in the rates for exotic Higgs decays, the decay length of the heavy neutrinos, and their production modes at present and future colliders. We also comment on possible astrophysical implications.
Study on the wettability of Pannónia poplar (P.x euramericana Pannónia) from two Hungarian plantations: Győr and Solt
Authors: Rábai L. , Horváth N. , Kánnár A. , Csiha Cs.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In Hungary, large stocks of plantation poplar reached their cutting age. The present paper is a part-time report of the OTKA project on the wettability of Pannónia poplar samples originating from two Hungarian plantations: Győr and Solt. The main question was whether the different sites of origin have a significant influence on the properties of the boards. Samples from the two plantation sites were collected from different trunks, and laboratory samples with tangential cut were prepared by planing. Wettability was measured by sessile drop method, both with distilled water and diiodomethane, using a PGX goniometer. Surface tension was calculated according to the Fowkes method.
Effect of size and shape of specimens on the mass loss caused by Coniophora puteana in wood durability tests
Authors: Brischke Christian , Grünwald Leopold K. , Bollmus Susanne
Published: June 2020

The experimental basis for testing the biological durability of wood often includes incubation experiments with wood-destroying basidiomycetes. Numerous parameters can affect the mass loss by fungal decay (MLF) in laboratory durability tests and therefore being decisive for the resulting durability classification. Among others, the dimension of the wood specimen and the time of incubation impact on fungal decay. Hence, both parameters were examined within this study using 19 different specimen formats and four different incubation times. Specimens of larch heartwood (Larix decidua Mill.) were incubated with pure cultures of the brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana. Scots pine sapwood (Pinus sylvestris L.) was used as a reference. The wood specimens’ format turned out to significantly affect both mass loss by fungal decay (MLF) and resulting x-values when MLF of larch was compared with that of the reference Scots pine sapwood. Both measures were highest for specimen formats with moderate surface-volume ratios. MLF and x-values depended on specimen size and shape as well as on the time of incubation. Reducing the specimen volume generally led to higher MLF at a given incubation time, but prolonging incubation times led to higher x-values and thus to lower durability expressed as durability classes (DC). In summary, it appeared highly questionable that results of basidiomycete durability tests can be easily compared to each other when specimen format and/or incubation time deviate from the standard conditions.
Perfusion in hand arthritis on dynamic contrast-enhanced computed tomography: a randomized prospective study using MRI as a standard of reference
Authors: Ulas Sevtap Tugce , Hermann Kay Geert , Makowski Marcus R. , Biesen Robert , Proft Fabian , Schilling Ralph , Diekhoff Torsten
Published: June 2020

Objective

To evaluate the performance of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT (DCE-CT) in detecting and quantitatively assessing perfusion parameters in patients with arthritis of the hand compared with dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) as a standard of reference.

Materials and methods

In this IRB-approved randomized prospective single-centre study, 36 consecutive patients with suspected rheumatoid arthritis underwent DCE-CT (320-row, tube voltage 80 kVp, tube current 8.25 mAs) and DCE-MRI (1.5 T) of the hand. Perfusion maps were calculated separately for mean transit time (MTT), time to peak (TTP), relative blood volume (rBV), and relative blood flow (rBF) using four different decomposition techniques. Region of interest (ROI) analysis was performed in metacarpophalangeal joints II–V and in the wrist. Pairs of perfusion parameters in DCE-CT and DCE-MRI were compared using a two-tailed t test for paired samples and interpreted for effect size (Cohen’s d). According to the Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (RAMRIS) scoring results, differentiation of synovitis-positive and synovitis-negative joints with both modalities was assessed with the independent t test.

Results

The two modalities yielded similar perfusion parameters. Identified differences had small effects (d 0.01–0.4). DCE-CT additionally differentiates inflamed and noninflamed joints based on rBF and rBV but tends to underestimate these parameters in severe inflammation. The total dose-length product (DLP) was 48 mGy*cm with an estimated effective dose of 0.038 mSv.

Conclusion

DCE-CT is a promising imaging technique in arthritis. In patients with a contraindication to MRI or when MRI is not available, DCE-CT is a suitable alternative to detect and assess arthritis.
Wie wirken mediale Altersbilder auf ältere Menschen? – Ergebnisse einer Rezeptionsstudie
Authors: Wangler Julian , Jansky Michael
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund

Seit Längerem wird über die Bedeutung medienvermittelter Altersbilder diskutiert. Dennoch gibt es bislang kaum empirische Anhaltspunkte, inwiefern solche durch Medien kommunizierte (Re)Präsentationen des höheren Lebensalters einstellungsverändernde Effekte bei Rezipienten auslösen können. Im Zentrum der Studie steht die Frage, wie sich (prototypische) mediale Altersdarstellungen auf Einstellungen zum Alter (Altersfremdbild) und zum persönlichen Älterwerden (Altersselbstbild) auswirken.

Material und Methoden

Im Zuge einer Inhaltsanalyse wurden 3 verbreitete Altersdarstellungen in den Nachrichtenmagazinen Spiegel, Stern und Focus bestimmt und, darauf aufbauend, prototypisches Stimulusmaterial selektiert („frames“). Anschließend wurden 910 Teilnehmende zwischen 60 und 94 Jahren, die in 3 Experimentalgruppen eingeteilt wurden, im Zuge einer quasiexperimentellen Befragung mit jeweils einem Alters-Frame konfrontiert. Im Mittelpunkt stand ein Vorher-nachher-Vergleich von Indikatoren zu Altersfremdbild und -selbstbild.

Ergebnisse

Im Vorher-nachher-Vergleich verändern sich die Indikatoren zum Altersfremdbild stärker als das Altersselbstbild. Zudem klaffen Selbst- und Fremdbildindikatoren auseinander. Die Vorlage des negativen Alters-Frame führt zu einer Verbesserung des Selbstbilds, während sich das Fremdbild deutlich verschlechtert. Umgekehrt verbessert sich nach Vorlage des positiven Frame das Fremdbild stark, während das Selbstbild Einbußen erleidet.

Diskussion

Mediale Altersdarstellungen scheinen sich nicht in der Weise auf das Altersfremdbild und -selbstbild älterer Personen auswirken, wie man auf Basis ihrer inhaltlichen Beschaffenheit vermuten könnte. Hingegen scheinen sie von Rezipienten für soziale Vergleiche genutzt zu werden. So scheinen negative Effekte z. B. dann einzutreten, wenn Mediendarstellungen älteren Rezipienten durch Präsentation (über)positiv inszenierter „best ager“ das eigene Alter(n) bewusst machen. Im Lichte dieser Ergebnisse lässt sich folglich die Theorie sozialer Vergleichsprozesse heranziehen, derzufolge Medien Rezipienten Vergleichsmaßstäbe an die Hand geben. Angesichts solcher Befunde sollten gängige Annahmen zur Wirkung von Altersbildern überdacht werden. Auch die Interaktion von Altersfremdbild und -selbstbild sollte verstärkt beachtet werden.
The adulterated XANAX pill: a fatal intoxication with etizolam and caffeine
Authors: Kolbe V. , Rentsch D. , Boy D. , Schmidt B. , Kegler R. , Büttner A.
Published: June 2020

A 49-year old man was found dead at home next to a glass containing a dried, white, crystalline substance and near a bag containing pills with the imprint XANAX, the trade name of alprazolam. A comprehensive screening of material collected during the autopsy revealed the presence of etizolam and caffeine in lethal concentrations (0.77 μg/mL and 190 μg/mL) but no trace of alprazolam. Benzodiazepine analogue etizolam is rarely prescribed in Germany, and as a result there are not many reports about fatal cases. It has anxiolytic, hypnotic, sedative and muscle-relaxant properties and is used for the short-term treatment of anxiety and panic attacks. The purine alkaloid caffeine, conversely, is the most widely used central nervous system stimulant. The following report outlines potentially the first reported case of a lethal combination of the downer etizolam and the upper caffeine in medical literature.
Detection of doxorubicin, cisplatin and therapeutic antibodies in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded human cancer cells
Authors: Böckelmann Lukas , Starzonek Christin , Niehoff Ann-Christin , Karst Uwe , Thomale Jürgen , Schlüter Hartmut , Bokemeyer Carsten , Aigner Achim , Schumacher Udo
Published: June 2020

A major limitation in the pharmacological treatment of clinically detectable primary cancers and their metastases is their limited accessibility to anti-cancer drugs (cytostatics, inhibitory antibodies, small-molecule inhibitors) critically impairing therapeutic efficacies. Investigations on the tissue distribution of such drugs are rare and have only been based on fresh frozen material or methanol-fixed cell culture cells so far. In this paper, we expand the detection of cisplatin-induced DNA adducts and anthracyclines as well as therapeutic antibodies to routinely prepared formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections (FFPE). Using pre-treated cell lines prepared as FFPE samples comparable to tissues from routine analysis, we demonstrate that our method allows for the detection of chemotherapeutics (anthracyclines by autofluorescence, cisplatin by immune detection of DNA adducts) as well as therapeutic antibodies. This methodology thus allows for analyzing archival FFPE tissues, as demonstrated here for the detection of cisplatin, doxorubicin and trastuzumab in FFPE sections of tumor xenografts from drug-treated mice. Analyzing human tumor samples, this will lead to new insights into the tissue penetration of drugs.
Influence of protein (human galectin-3) design on aspects of lectin activity
Authors: García Caballero Gabriel , Beckwith Donella , Shilova Nadezhda V. , Gabba Adele , Kutzner Tanja J. , Ludwig Anna-Kristin , Manning Joachim C. , Kaltner Herbert , Sinowatz Fred , Cudic Mare , Bovin Nicolai V. , Murphy Paul V. , Gabius Hans-Joachim
Published: June 2020

The concept of biomedical significance of the functional pairing between tissue lectins and their glycoconjugate counterreceptors has reached the mainstream of research on the flow of biological information. A major challenge now is to identify the principles of structure–activity relationships that underlie specificity of recognition and the ensuing post-binding processes. Toward this end, we focus on a distinct feature on the side of the lectin, i.e. its architecture to present the carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). Working with a multifunctional human lectin, i.e. galectin-3, as model, its CRD is used in protein engineering to build variants with different modular assembly. Hereby, it becomes possible to compare activity features of the natural design, i.e. CRD attached to an N-terminal tail, with those of homo- and heterodimers and the tail-free protein. Thermodynamics of binding disaccharides proved full activity of all proteins at very similar affinity. The following glycan array testing revealed maintained preferential contact formation withN-acetyllactosamine oligomers and histo-blood group ABH epitopes irrespective of variant design. The study of carbohydrate-inhibitable binding of the test panel disclosed up to qualitative cell-type-dependent differences in sections of fixed murine epididymis and especially jejunum. By probing topological aspects of binding, the susceptibility to inhibition by a tetravalent glycocluster was markedly different for the wild-type vs the homodimeric variant proteins. The results teach the salient lesson that protein design matters: the type of CRD presentation can have a profound bearing on whether basically suited oligosaccharides, which for example tested positively in an array, will become binding partners in situ.When lectin-glycoconjugate aggregates (lattices) are formed, their structural organization will depend on this parameter. Further testing (ga)lectin variants will thus be instrumental (i) to define the full range of impact of altering protein assembly and (ii) to explain why certain types of design have been favored during the course of evolution, besides opening biomedical perspectives for potential applications of the novel galectin forms.
Developmental patterns in human blood–brain barrier and blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier ABC drug transporter expression
Authors: Verscheijden L. F. M. , van Hattem A. C. , Pertijs J. C. L. M. , de Jongh C. A. , Verdijk R. M. , Smeets B. , Koenderink J. B. , Russel F. G. M. , de Wildt S. N.
Published: June 2020

When drugs exert their effects in the brain, linear extrapolation of doses from adults could be harmful for children as the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and blood–CSF barrier (BCSFB) function is still immature. More specifically, age-related variation in membrane transporters may impact brain disposition. As human data on brain transporter expression is scarce, age dependent [gestational age (GA), postnatal age (PNA), and postmenstrual age (PMA)] variation in immunohistochemical localization and staining intensity of the ABC transporters P-glycoprotein (Pgp), breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and multidrug resistance-associated proteins 1, 2, 4, and 5 (MRP1/2/4/5) was investigated. Post mortem brain cortical and ventricular tissue was derived from 23 fetuses (GA range 12.9–39 weeks), 17 neonates (GA range 24.6–41.3 weeks, PNA range 0.004–3.5 weeks), 8 children (PNA range 0.1–3 years), and 4 adults who died from a wide variety of underlying conditions. In brain cortical BBB, immunostaining increased with age for Pgp and BCRP, while in contrast, MRP1 and MRP2 staining intensity appeared higher in fetuses, neonates, and children, as compared to adults. BCSFB was positively stained for Pgp, MRP1, and MRP2 and appeared stable across age, while BCRP was not detected. MRP4 and MRP5 were not detected in BBB or BCSFB. In conclusion, human BBB and BCSFB ABC membrane transporters show brain location and transporter-specific maturation.
Cytoplasmic VDR expression as an independent risk factor for ovarian cancer
Authors: Czogalla Bastian , Deuster Eileen , Liao Yue , Mayr Doris , Schmoeckel Elisa , Sattler Cornelia , Kolben Thomas , Hester Anna , Fürst Sophie , Burges Alexander , Mahner Sven , Jeschke Udo , Trillsch Fabian
Published: June 2020

The vitamin D receptor (VDR), primarily known as a crucial mediator of calcium homeostasis and metabolism, has been shown to play a significant role in various cancer entities. Previous studies have focused on vitamin D and its receptor in gynecological cancers, noting that the receptor is upregulated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). The aim of this study is to analyze the prognostic impact of VDR and its functional significance in ovarian cancer. Through immunohistochemistry, VDR staining was examined in 156 ovarian cancer samples. Evaluation of VDR staining was conducted in the nucleus and the cytoplasm using the semi-quantitative immunoreactive score, and the scores were classified into high- and low-level expressions. Expression levels were correlated with clinical and pathological parameters as well as with overall survival to assess for prognostic impact. Differences in cytoplasmic VDR expression were identified between the histological subtypes (p = 0.001). Serous, clear cell, and endometrioid subtypes showed the highest staining, while the mucinous subtype showed the lowest. Cytoplasmic VDR correlated with higher FIGO stage (p = 0.013;Cc = 0.203), positive lymph node status (p = 0.023;Cc = 0.236), high-grade serous histology (p = 0.000;Cc = 0.298) and grading from the distinct histological subtypes (p = 0.006;Cc = − 0.225). Nuclear VDR did not correlate with clinicopathological data. High cytoplasmic expression of VDR was associated with impaired overall survival (HR 2.218, 32.5 months vs. median not reached;p < 0.001) and was confirmed as a statistically independent prognostic factor in the Cox regression multivariate analysis. Additional knowledge of VDR as a biomarker and its interactions within the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway could potentially improve the prognosis of therapeutic approaches for specific subgroups in EOC.
Neuronal α2δ proteins and brain disorders
Authors: Ablinger Cornelia , Geisler Stefanie M. , Stanika Ruslan I. , Klein Christian T. , Obermair Gerald J.
Published: June 2020

α2δ proteins are membrane-anchored extracellular glycoproteins which are abundantly expressed in the brain and the peripheral nervous system. They serve as regulatory subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels and, particularly in nerve cells, regulate presynaptic and postsynaptic functions independently from their role as channel subunits. α2δ proteins are the targets of the widely prescribed anti-epileptic and anti-allodynic drugs gabapentin and pregabalin, particularly for the treatment of neuropathic pain conditions. Recently, the human genes (CACNA2D1–4) encoding for the four known α2δ proteins (isoforms α2δ-1 to α2δ-4) have been linked to a large variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, and depressive disorders. Here, we provide an overview of the hitherto identified disease associations of all known α2δ genes, hypothesize on the pathophysiological mechanisms considering their known physiological roles, and discuss the most immanent future research questions. Elucidating their specific physiological and pathophysiological mechanisms may open the way for developing entirely novel therapeutic paradigms for treating brain disorders.
CD68- and CD163-positive tumor-associated macrophages in triple negative cancer of the breast
Authors: Jamiyan Tsengelmaa , Kuroda Hajime , Yamaguchi Rin , Abe Akihito , Hayashi Mitsuhiro
Published: June 2020

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) have recently been reported as an important factor in tumor growth and the progression of cancer. The prognostic significance of localizations and densities of TAMs in triple negative cancer (TNC) of the breast is not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the localizations and densities of the TAMs subtype in TNC and examine their clinicopathological features. The study was based on 107 TNC cases operated on at Dokkyo Medical University Hospital using the pan-macrophage marker CD68 and the M2 macrophage marker CD163 in the tumor stroma (TS) and tumor nest (TN), respectively, and examined the clinicopathological significance. Multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed that age and CD163+ TAMs in both the TS and TN were independent prognostic factors for relapse-free survival and overall survival. No correlation was found between the number of CD68+ cells or the CD163/CD68 ratio either in TS or TN, or clinicopathological features. Our study found that infiltration of CD163+ TAMs, rather than CD68+, in both TS and TN was associated with poor prognosis in TNC patients by multivariate analysis. This suggests that CD163+ TAMs may affect the prognosis of TNC by not only regulating the immune reaction by TAMs in TS, but also because of their direct influence on TN.
Disabled-2: a positive regulator of the early differentiation of myoblasts
Authors: Shang Na , Lee Juliana Tsz Yan , Huang Taida , Wang Chengdong , Lee Tin Lap , Mok Samuel C. , Zhao Hui , Chan Wood Yee
Published: June 2020

Dab2 is an adaptor protein and a tumor suppressor. Our previous study has found that Dab2 was expressed in early differentiating skeletal muscles in mouse embryos. In this study, we determined the role of Dab2 in the skeletal muscle differentiation using C2C12 myoblasts in vitro and Xenopus laevis embryos in vivo. The expression of Dab2 was increased in C2C12 myoblasts during the formation of myotubes in vitro. Knockdown of Dab2 expression in C2C12 myoblasts resulted in a reduction of myotube formation, whereas the myotube formation was enhanced upon overexpression of Dab2. Re-expression of Dab2 in C2C12 myoblasts with downregulated expression of Dab2 restored their capacity to form myotubes. Microarray profiling and subsequent network analyses on the 155 differentially expressed genes after Dab2 knockdown showed that Mef2c was an important myogenic transcription factor regulated by Dab2 through the p38 MAPK pathway. It was also involved in other pathways that are associated with muscular development and functions. In Xenopus embryos developed in vivo, XDab2 was expressed in the myotome of somites where various myogenic markers were also expressed. Knockdown of XDab2 expression with antisense morpholinos downregulated the expression of myogenic markers in somites. In conclusion, this study is the first to provide solid evidence to show that Dab2 is a positive regulator of the early myoblast differentiation.
Four rational squares in arithmetic progressions and a family of elliptic curves with positive Mordell-Weil rank
Authors: Knaf Hagen , Selder Erich , Spindler Karlheinz
Published: June 2020

We study the question at which relative distances four squares of rational numbers can occur as terms in an arithmetic progression. This number-theoretical problem is seen to be equivalent to finding rational points on certain elliptic curves. Both number-theoretical results and results concerning the associated elliptic curves are derived; i.e., the correspondence between rational squares in arithmetic progressions and elliptic curves is exploited both ways.
Shrubs and Degraded Permafrost Pave the Way for Tree Establishment in Subarctic Peatlands
Authors: Limpens Juul , Fijen Thijs P. M. , Keizer Iris , Meijer Johan , Olsthoorn Fanny , Pereira Ana , Postma Roel , Suyker Mariette , Vasander Harri , Holmgren Milena
Published: June 2020

Arctic and subarctic ecosystems are changing rapidly in species composition and functioning as they warm twice as fast as the global average. It has been suggested that tree-less boreal landscapes may shift abruptly to tree-dominated states as climate warms. Yet, we insufficiently understand the conditions and mechanisms underlying tree establishment in the subarctic and arctic regions to anticipate how climate change may further affect ecosystem structure and functioning. We conducted a field experiment to assess the role of permafrost presence, micro-topography and shrub canopy on tree establishment in almost tree-less subarctic peatlands of northern Finland. We introduced seeds and seedlings of four tree-line species and monitored seedling survival and environmental conditions for six growing seasons. Our results show that once seedlings have emerged, the absence of permafrost can enhance early tree seedling survival, but shrub cover is the most important driver of subsequent tree seedling survival in subarctic peatlands. Tree seedling survival was twice as high under an intact shrub canopy than in open conditions after shrub canopy removal. Under unclipped control conditions, seedling survival was positively associated with dense shrub canopies for half of the tree species studied. These strong positive interactions between shrubs and trees may facilitate the transition from today’s treeless subarctic landscapes towards tree-dominated states. Our results suggest that climate warming may accelerate this vegetation shift as permafrost is lost, and shrubs further expand across the subarctic.
Large Infaunal Bivalves Determine Community Uptake of Macroalgal Detritus and Food Web Pathways
Authors: Karlson Agnes M. L. , Pilditch Conrad A. , Probert P. Keith , Leduc Daniel , Savage Candida
Published: June 2020

Human activities alter biodiversity, influencing bottom-up and top-down control on food webs which can affect ecosystem functioning. In marine ecosystems, large bivalves play a critical role in benthic–pelagic coupling including nutrient cycling; however, their influence on the uptake of detrital organic matter by benthic communities is less understood. In a replicated factorial field experiment, we examined how the presence or absence (overharvesting scenario) of a large suspension-feeding clam on an intertidal sandflat and the addition of isotopically enriched macroalgal (Ulva sp.) detritus (eutrophication scenario) influenced infaunal biodiversity, and how changes in trophic interactions influenced key ecosystem functions (nutrient cycling and benthic metabolism and primary production). Both clams and Ulva increased community metabolism, but only clams had an effect on nutrient regeneration. We used the 13C- and 15N-enriched Ulva to quantify the effect of clams on detritus uptake in fauna and recovery in sediment. Due to their large biomass, nitrogen incorporation by clams constituted one-third of the infaunal community uptake after 14 days. Clam uptake likely resulted from ingestion of resuspended microphytobentos which had utilized 15N leaking out from decomposing Ulva. In plots without Ulva addition, the effect of clams on the overall resource utilization by the benthic community using natural abundance isotope niche metrics were tested. In plots without clams, the isotope niche of the community was reduced, and less carbon of pelagic origin was channelled into the infaunal food web. Our results imply that the loss of clams changes trophic pathways and reduces community uptake of macroalgal detritus, potentially exacerbating eutrophication.

Graphic Abstract
Rethinking groundwater flow on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, USA: characterizing recharge sources and flow paths with environmental tracers
Authors: Solder John E. , Beisner Kimberly R. , Anderson Jessica , Bills Don J.
Published: June 2020

In the arid landscape south of the Grand Canyon, natural springs and seeps are a critical resource for endemic species and Native American tribes. Groundwater is potentially threatened by expanding populations, tourism, and mineral extraction activities. Environmental tracers, including noble gases, stable isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen in water, tritium, and carbon-14, were used to characterize recharge sources and flow paths in South Rim aquifers. Results confirm the regional Redwall-Muav aquifer is the primary groundwater source to springs. However, a second local recharge source is required to explain the detection of tritium. Probable sources are: (1) low-elevation infiltration of surface run-off with warm recharge temperatures and high excess air determined from noble gas models, and relatively low fractions of winter recharge, and (2) high-elevation plateau recharge with cool recharge temperatures, low excess air, and fraction of winter recharge of approximately 1. Previous investigators have linked spring occurrence with regional faults and fractures. Such features also likely control the chemical mixing between the regional and local groundwater sources, the transport of deeply sourced and local recharge fluids, groundwater age, and thus the relative vulnerability of groundwater to depletion and contamination. The new conceptual model of groundwater sources and flow paths suggests that many South Rim springs may respond on the order of tens to hundreds of years to groundwater depletion and contamination, even though the majority of groundwater flow is along longer flow paths with longer lag times. The magnitude of response to short-term changes in the flow system remains unclear.
Determination of 17 Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Sediments Using Automated Solid Phase Extraction and Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Gałęzowska Grażyna , Rogowska Justyna , Olkowska Ewa , Wolska Lidia
Published: June 2020

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are used in a variety of industrial and household applications. Unfortunately, they are released to the environment including aquatic ecosystems and undergo accumulation processes (e.g., in sediment). Due to these aspects but also toxicity, PFASs can pose a threat to the environment and humans, so their determination (mainly with liquid chromatography) in environmental samples is very important. In this study, a new analytical procedure is shown which allows the determination of 17 PFASs (13 carboxylic and 4 sulfonic acids) in sediment using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry detection (UHPLC–MS/MS). Extracts were cleaned up by automated solid phase extraction using a commercially available weakly basic secondary and tertiary ammonium polymeric anion exchange sorbent. The method precision range was 0.29–9.8% for all PFASs. Recoveries of extraction for automated system were acceptable (for all PFASs 60–105%) and better than manual extraction. The method detection limit range was from 0.090 to 3.7 pg g−1 dry weight (d.w.) of sediment. The proposed method is rapid, sensitive and suitable for determination of up to 17 PFASs in sediment. These are the first studies in the area of the mouth of the Vistula River. Generally, in most collected sediments samples no analytes were detected above the method detection limits.
Extremely large-amplitude oscillation of soft pipes conveying fluid under gravity
Authors: Chen Wei , Hu Ziyang , Dai Huliang , Wang Lin
Published: June 2020

In this work, the nonlinear behaviors of soft cantilevered pipes containing internal fluid flow are studied based on a geometrically exact model, with particular focus on the mechanism of large-amplitude oscillations of the pipe under gravity. Four key parameters, including the flow velocity, the mass ratio, the gravity parameter, and the inclination angle between the pipe length and the gravity direction, are considered to affect the static and dynamic behaviors of the soft pipe. The stability analyses show that, provided that the inclination angle is not equal to π, the soft pipe is stable at a low flow velocity and becomes unstable via flutter once the flow velocity is beyond a critical value. As the inclination angle is equal to π, the pipe experiences, in turn, buckling instability, regaining stability, and flutter instability with the increase in the flow velocity. Interestingly, the stability of the pipe can be either enhanced or weakened by varying the gravity parameter, mainly dependent on the value of the inclination angle. In the nonlinear dynamic analysis, it is demonstrated that the post-flutter amplitude of the soft pipe can be extremely large in the form of limit-cycle oscillations. Besides, the oscillating shapes for various inclination angles are provided to display interesting dynamical behaviors of the inclined soft pipe conveying fluid.
Correction to: Digital Economy as a Factor in the Technological Development of the Mineral Sector
Authors: Litvinenko V. S.
Published: June 2020

The article Digital Economy as a Factor in the Technological Development of the Mineral Sector.
Lying, more or less: a computer simulation study of graded lies and trust dynamics
Authors: Trpin Borut , Dobrosovestnova Anna , Götzendorfer Sebastian J.
Published: June 2020

Partial lying denotes the cases where we partially believe something to be false but nevertheless assert it with the intent to deceive the addressee. We investigate how the severity of partial lying may be determined and how partial lies can be classified. We also study how much epistemic damage an agent suffers depending on the level of trust that she invests in the liar and the severity of the lies she is told. Our analysis is based on the results from exploratory computer simulations of an arguably rational Bayesian agent who is trying to determine how biased a coin is while observing the coin tosses and listening to a (partial) liar’s misleading predictions about the outcomes. Our results provide an interesting testable hypothesis at the intersection of epistemology and ethics, namely that in the longer term partial lies lead to more epistemic damage than outright lies.
An international survey in Latin America on the practice of interventional cardiology during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a particular focus on myocardial infarction
Authors: Mayol J. , Artucio C. , Batista I. , Puentes A. , Villegas J. , Quizpe R , Rojas V. , Mangione J. , Belardi J. ,   STEMI Working Group of Stent-Save a Life! LATAM and SOLACI (Latin American Society of Interventional Cardiology), Mayol Jorge , Artucio Carolina , Batista Ignacio , Puentes Angel , Gough John , Urna Luis , Villegas Jorge , Gutiérrez Jaikel Luis , Aroche Ronald , Quizpe Ricardo , Fuentes Marco , Mora Hector , Somoza Francisco , Ortiz Patricio , Meneses Daniel , Marchena Alfaro , Rojas Victor , Conde Cesar , Gomez Aramis , Hidalgo Pedro , Mangione Jose , Belardi Jorge
Published: June 2020

Introduction

A reduction in the number of interventional cardiology procedures has emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. A survey was performed to quantify this decrease and the impact on the management of myocardial infarction in Latin America.

Methods

A telematic survey was conducted for all countries in Latin America. Diagnostic catheterisations, coronary and structural interventions, as well as the incidence and delay to reperfusion therapy of myocardial infarction (STEMI), were recorded. Two periods were compared: from 24 February to 8 March 2020 (pre-COVID-19) and another 2‑week period that varied according to country (COVID-19).

Results

Responses were obtained from 79 centres in 20 countries. There was a significant decrease in the number of diagnostic procedures (−65.2%), coronary interventions (−59.4%), structural therapeutics (−86.1%) and STEMI care (−51.2%). A decrease was noted in the incidence of STEMI, but also a delay in the time to STEMI reperfusion. While there was a variation in activity in interventional cardiology between countries, patient behaviour was rather homogeneous.

Conclusions

A significant reduction in healthcare activity has been noted during the COVID-19 pandemic, including STEMI care, with the risk of increased mortality and/or morbidity following STEMI. Healthcare providers should encourage patients with suspected symptoms of STEMI to call for emergency care to ensure rapid diagnosis and timely reperfusion treatment.
Comparative evaluation of imperialist competitive algorithm and artificial neural networks for estimation of reservoirs storage capacity
Authors: Emami Somayyeh , Parsa Javad
Published: June 2020

Reservoirs provide rural and municipal water supply for various purposes such as drinking water, irrigation, hydropower, industrial purposes and recreational activities. Supplying these demands depends strongly on the dam reservoir capacity. Hence, reservoir storage capacity prediction is a determining factor in water resources planning and management, drought risk management, flood risk assessment and management. In the present study, imperialist competitive algorithm as a relatively new socio-political-based global search technique introduced for solving different optimization problems employed to predict reservoir storage capacity of Shaharchay dam located in the Urmia lake basin in northwest of Iran. The high convergence rate of imperialist competitive algorithm along with its capability in finding global optimal is striking aspect of the algorithm. The results obtained from this algorithm were compared with those of Artificial Neural Network. The comparison of the results with the measured ones by means of error measures indicates the superiority of imperialist competitive algorithm over Artificial Neural Network.
Nitrate contamination of groundwater in Ambohidrapeto–Antananarivo-Madagascar using hydrochemistry and multivariate analysis
Authors: Ramaroson Voahirana , Randriantsivery Jean Rémi , Rajaobelison Joel , Fareze Lahimamy Paul , Rakotomalala Christian Ulrich , Razafitsalama Falintsoa A. , Rasolofonirina Mamiseheno
Published: June 2020

Nitrate contamination of groundwater was assessed in the crowded area of Ambohidrapeto, Antananarivo city-Madagascar using hydrochemistry and multivariate analysis. Seventeen dug well waters and three spring waters were collected and measured in the field for physical parameters and in the laboratory for major ions. The results showed that all water samples have nitrate concentration above the standard value of 50 mg/L-NO3 set by the World Health Organization, with a minimum value of 79.3 mg/L-NO3 and a maximum value of 394.5 mg/L-NO3. Anthropogenic activities, from the surrounding pit latrines are the main sources of the groundwater nitrate contamination and are dominant over natural processes, which contribute to a lower degree to the groundwater mineralization. Ionic ratios indicated the occurrence of mineral dissolution and silicate weathering as the natural sources of magnesium and sodium, respectively. Furthermore, the correlation between calcium and sodium as well as the Piper diagram revealed the occurrence of ion exchange, resulting in sodium being the dominant cation over calcium. Forty percent (40%) of the water samples have the hydrochemical facies Na–Mg–Cl, followed by Na–Mg–Ca–Cl facies for 25% and Na–Mg–Cl–HCO3 facies for 20%. By applying principal component analysis, the influence of anthropogenic activities is confirmed. The first principal component extracted, which explained 52.88% of the total variance showed strong positive loadings on TDS, NO3−, Cl−, Mg2+, Na+, K+ and Ca2+, indicating that these ions contribute as anthropogenic sources, although Mg2+, Na+, K+ and Ca2+ contribute to a lesser extent than NO3−, and Cl−.
Comparing a visual and verbal semantic memory test on the effects of gender, age and education as assessed in a cognitively healthy sample
Authors: Heidinger Theresa , Lehrner Johann
Published: June 2020

Background

Due to the increase of dementia diagnoses and individuals interested in monitoring their cognitive status, practical new neuropsychological tests are needed. Tablet-based tests offer a good alternative to traditional paper–pencil tests, as they can be completed remotely and independently. This study assessed two semantic memory tests (verbal and visual memory), in the scope of the creation of a new tablet-based battery—the International Neurocognitive Profil (INCP)—on the influences of demographic variables.

Methods

In all, 46 cognitively healthy participants who recruited at the memory clinic of the Medical University of Vienna were included in this study. They were asked to complete two tests of semantic memory and implicit learning: Capital Knowledge (CK) using verbal input and Flag Knowledge (FK) using visual input. Performance on the two tests was analysed according to influences of gender and age using two analyses of variance. Post hoc comparisons between age and gender groups were performed. In addition, correlational analyses were computed to assess strengths of association with age, gender and education.

Results

FK- and CK-based measures were found to be influenced by demographic variables with semantic memory measures being significantly influenced by gender and education while incidental memory measures were influenced by age. Performances differed between FK and CK showing that the mode of testing (visual, verbal) affected participant’s performance.

Conclusion

These findings are important for the creation of normative samples for both CK and FK. Furthermore, this study underlines the importance of using different testing modes when assessing individuals’ semantic memory.