bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Genetic Assessment of Missouri's Lake Sturgeon after 30 Years of Restoration Releases
Authors: Berkman Leah K. , Anderson Michelle R. , Herzog David P. , Moore Travis L. , Eggert Lori S.
Published: March 2020

The Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens is native to three major watersheds in the USA: the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and Mississippi River drainages. However, they have declined across much of their range due to overfishing, pollution, and major river alterations. After their near extirpation in Missouri, the Missouri Department of Conservation initiated a reintroduction program to restore the Lake Sturgeon in the state's largest waterways. From 1984 to 2015, offspring originating from Lake Winnebago (1984–2001) and from upper Mississippi River tributaries (2004–2015) were reared in captivity and released into portions of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. After 32 years of restorative releases, we screened Lake Sturgeon samples from the state of Missouri by using 11 microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA control region sequences. We examined overall genetic diversity and genetic structure of Lake Sturgeon captured in the Mississippi and Missouri rivers for differences between rivers and among groups within rivers. We found high levels of genetic diversity within both rivers, with very little genetic differentiation between them. Higher-than-average relatedness within sample groups and heterozygote excess were consistent with the pattern expected from stocked fish and suggested that closely related fish may have aggregated at stocking sites. We detected two genetic groups in Missouri, reflecting the change in stock source. Haplotypes that may be unique to the Mississippi and Ohio River systems were observed at very low frequencies. Though largely the product of stocking, reproductively mature Lake Sturgeon will likely have sufficient genetic diversity and will have experienced selection pressures in Missouri's large rivers, making them the most appropriate source for further supplementation if it is deemed necessary. We recommend continued research and monitoring of reproductive habits and preservation of multiple spawning sites to continue the long path toward a self-sustaining Lake Sturgeon population in Missouri's waters.
Von Willebrand Factor Deficiency Improves Hepatic Steatosis, Insulin Resistance, and Inflammation in Mice Fed High‐Fat Diet
Authors: Yang Juan , Lu Yan , Lou Xudan , Wang Jian , Yu Huilin , Bao Zhijun , Wang Haidong
Published: March 2020

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Von Willebrand factor (VWF) on high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and inflammation in mice.

Methods

The expression of VWF was detected in obese mice. Wild‐type and VWF knockout mice were fed a normal chow diet or an HFD, and then biomedical, histological, and metabolic analyses were conducted to identify pathologic alterations. Inflammatory cytokine levels and the number of hepatic macrophages were determined in these mice fed an HFD.

Results

VWF expression was significantly increased in obese mice. VWF−/− mice were less obese and had improved hepatic steatosis, balance of lipid metabolism, and insulin resistance in response to HFD. Furthermore, VWF deficiency attenuated HFD‐induced systemic and hepatic inflammation. In addition, VWF deficiency rescued the abnormal accumulation of hepatic macrophages.

Conclusions

These data demonstrated VWF deficiency improves hepatic steatosis, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Furthermore, the protective effects are mediated via regulation of hepatic macrophages.
Prefrontal Cortex Neuromodulation Enhances Frontal Asymmetry and Reduces Caloric Intake in Patients with Morbid Obesity
Authors: Forcano Laura , Castellano Marta , Cuenca‐Royo Aida , Goday‐Arno Albert , Pastor Antoni , Langohr Klaus , Castañer Olga , Pérez‐Vega Karla Alejandra , Serra Carme , Ruffini Giulio , Alonso‐Alonso Miguel , Soria‐Frisch Aureli , de la Torre Rafael
Published: March 2020

Objective

The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of a combined intervention involving transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and cognitive training (CT). Short‐term effects on food consumption, cognition, endocannabinoid (eCB) levels, and electroencephalogram (EEG) markers of future weight loss were explored.

Methods

Eighteen healthy volunteers with morbid obesity were randomized in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, parallel trial. Participants received sham or active tDCS plus CT for four consecutive days. Cognitive performance, daily food intake, and eCB blood samples were collected before and after the intervention; EEG data were gathered before and after daily training.

Results

The active tDCS + CT group reversed left‐dominant frontal asymmetry and increased frontal coherence (FC) in the γ‐band (30‐45 Hz) after the intervention. The strength of the latter predicted BMI reduction. Additionally, a large intervention effect on food intake was shown in the active tDCS + CT group at follow‐up (−339.6 ± 639 kcal on average), and there was a decrease of plasma eCB concentrations.

Conclusions

dlPFC modulation through tDCS + CT is an effective tool to restore right dominance of the dlPFC and enhance FC in patients with morbid obesity. Moreover, the effect of the strength of FC on BMI suggests that the interhemispheric FC at the dlPFC is functionally relevant for the efficient regulation of food choice.
Validity of Slaughter Equations and Bioelectrical Impedance Against Dual‐Energy X‐Ray Absorptiometry in Children
Authors: Martín‐Matillas Miguel , Mora‐Gonzalez Jose , Migueles Jairo H. , Ubago‐Guisado Esther , Gracia‐Marco Luis , Ortega Francisco B.
Published: March 2020

Objective

This study aimed to 1) analyze the criterion validity of the Slaughter equations (Slg‐Eq) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) to estimate body fat percentage (BFP) and fat mass index (FMI) at different degrees of obesity in children compared with dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) and 2) determine their agreement over time.

Methods

Ninety‐two children with overweight or obesity (10.0 [SD 1.2] years; 34.8% girls) participated in this 20‐week study. Anthropometric, BIA, and DXA measurements were performed.

Results

Both Slg‐Eq and BIA methods underestimated BFP and FMI against DXA, and the bias was markedly larger with BIA (mean absolute percentage error = 11% for Slg‐Eq vs. 18%‐21% for BIA); a larger underestimation was observed in girls compared with boys for Slg‐Eq (P ≤ 0.001), and the observed underestimation in adiposity was reduced as weight status increased. Systematic errors were kept constant over time, so no large differences between methods were observed in the change in adiposity.

Conclusions

At the group level, Slg‐Eq provides a more valid estimation of BFP and FMI than BIA. At the individual level, Slg‐Eq shows larger estimation errors. The validity of these methods might differ in sex and weight status. Nevertheless, both methods seem to be valid for monitoring changes in adiposity.
Ginsenoside Rd Ameliorates High Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity by Enhancing Adaptive Thermogenesis in a cAMP‐Dependent Manner
Authors: Yao Lu , Han Zaiqi , Zhao Guoyan , Xiao Yanfang , Zhou Xuenan , Dai Rongzheng , Han Meijing , Wang Zilin , Xin Rongshuang , Wang Shuran
Published: March 2020

Objective

With the discovery of thermogenic adipocytes in humans, it has been hypothesized that enhancing adaptive thermogenesis may improve obesity. Although many studies have found that ginseng can improve obesity, the beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rd on obesity and its mechanisms have not been studied.

Methods

High‐fat diet‐induced obese mice were used as the study subjects, with intraperitoneal injection of Rd daily at a dose of 15 mg/kg. Body weight and energy metabolism were observed. The effects of Rd on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and cold tolerance were tested. The expression of genes associated with thermogenesis was analyzed. Finally, the mechanisms by which Rd regulates adaptive thermogenesis were studied.

Results

Rd ameliorated obesity and insulin resistance. Rd increased cold tolerance through enhancing thermogenic gene expression in brown adipose tissue and increased the browning of white adipose tissue induced by cold stress. Rd increased intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) content. Decreasing intracellular cAMP levels by an inhibitor of adenylyl cyclase SQ22536 abolished the promoting effects of Rd on the expression of thermogenic genes.

Conclusions

Rd improves obesity and insulin resistance. The upregulation of thermogenesis by Rd is dependent on the cAMP/protein kinase A signaling pathway.
Baseline Habitual Physical Activity Predicts Weight Loss, Weight Compensation, and Energy Intake During Aerobic Exercise
Authors: Höchsmann Christoph , Dorling James L. , Apolzan John W. , Johannsen Neil M. , Hsia Daniel S. , Martin Corby K.
Published: March 2020

Objective

This study aimed to determine whether different measures of habitual physical activity (PA) at baseline predict weight change, weight compensation, and changes in energy intake (EI) during a 24‐week supervised aerobic exercise intervention.

Methods

Data from 108 participants (78 women; 48.7 [SD: 11.6] years; BMI 31.4 [SD: 4.6] kg/m2), randomly assigned to either the moderate‐dose exercise group (8 kcal/kg of body weight per week) or the high‐dose exercise group (20 kcal/kg of body weight per week) of the Examination of Mechanisms of Exercise‐induced Weight Compensation (E‐MECHANIC) trial, were analyzed. Moderate‐to‐vigorous PA (MVPA), steps per day, and PA energy expenditure (PAEE) were measured with SenseWear armbands (BodyMedia, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and total activity energy expenditure and EI were estimated with doubly labeled water, all over 2 weeks, before and toward the end of the intervention. Multiple linear regression models, adjusted for sex, exercise group, and baseline value of the outcome, were used.

Results

Baseline habitual MVPA levels predicted weight change (β = −0.275; P = 0.020), weight compensation (β = −0.238; P = 0.043), and change in EI (β = −0.318; P = 0.001). Associations between baseline PAEE and outcomes were comparable, whereas steps per day and, importantly, total activity energy expenditure (via doubly labeled water) did not significantly predict change in weight‐related outcomes.

Conclusions

While acknowledging substantial variability in the data, on average, lower baseline habitual MVPA and PAEE levels were associated with less weight loss from exercise, higher compensation, and increased EI.
Enhancing crystallization behavior for optimized performances of poly(TMC‐b‐(LLA‐ran‐GA)) by PDLA/PLLA stereocomplex crystallization
Authors: Fan Tiantang , Qin Jingwen , Lin Shengli , Ye Wuyou , Liu Qing , Fan Zhongyong , Wang Ye
Published: March 2020

The blends of poly(1,3‐trimethylene carbonate‐b‐(l‐lactide‐ran‐glycolide)) (PTLG) with poly(d‐lactide) (PDLA) were prepared via solution‐casting method using CH2Cl2 as solvent. The poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) segments of PTLG with PDLA chain constructed as stereocomplex structures and growth stereocomplex crystals of PLA (sc‐PLA). The effects of sc‐PLA crystals on thermal behavior, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition of the PTLG/PDLA blends were investigated, respectively. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD) results showed that the total crystallinity of the PTLG/PDLA blends was increased with the PDLA content increasing. Heterogeneous nucleation of sc‐PLA crystals induced crystallization of the PLLA segments in PTLG. The crystallization temperature of samples shifted to 107.5°C for the PTLG/PDLA‐20 blends compared with that of the PTLG matrix, and decreased the half‐time of crystallization. The mechanical measurement results indicated that the tensile strength of the PTLG/PDLA blends was improved from 21.1 MPa of the PTLG matrix to 39.5 MPa of PTLG/PDLA‐20 blends. The results of kinetics of thermal decomposition of the PTLG/PDLA blends by TGA showed that the apparent activation energy of the PTLG/PDLA blends was increased from 59.1 to 72.1 kJ/mol with the increasing of the PDLA content from 3 wt% to 20 wt%, which indicated the enhancement of thermal stability of the PTLG/PDLA blends by addition of PDLA. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of the PTLG/PDLA blends cultured with human adipose‐derived stem cells was evaluated by CCK‐8 and live/dead staining. The experiment results proved the PTLG/PDLA blends were a kind of biomaterial with excellent physical performances with very low cytotoxicity.
Preparation of graphene oxide modified glass fibers and their application in flame retardant polyamide 6
Authors: Zhu Jiawen , Shentu Xuanyu , Xu Xiang , Zheng Anna , Guan Yong , Wei Dafu
Published: March 2020

In order to improve the flame retardancy of glass fibers (GFs) reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) composites and eliminate the “wicking effect,” the preparation and application of graphene oxide (GO) modified GFs were investigated in this work. Flame retardant PA6 was prepared by blending graphene oxide modified GFs reinforced PA6 and aluminum diethyl phosphonate. For the GFs reinforced PA6, the limiting oxygen index of the composite increased from 20.6% to 22.3%, and peak heat release rate decreased by 37.2% in cone calorimeter test via introducing graphene oxide onto the surface of GFs. Comparing PA6/GF30/ADP15 and PA6/GF‐GO30/ADP15, LOI of the later increased to 31.2%, the vertical burning test (UL‐94) reached V‐0, and the peak heat release rate decreased by 18.0%. The interface compatibility was greatly improved after the introduction of GO. The sheet structure of the GO on the GFs surface could block the combustible gas spillage and the flow of melt along the GFs, thus significantly attenuating the “wicking effect” and improving the flame retardancy of composites.
Estimating and parameterizing mismatch power loss in bifacial photovoltaic systems
Authors: Deline Chris , Ayala Pelaez Silvana , MacAlpine Sara , Olalla Carlos
Published: March 2020

Nonuniform irradiance on the rear side of bifacial photovoltaic (PV) systems can cause additional mismatch loss, which may not be appropriately captured in PV energy production estimates and software. We evaluated several scenarios including horizontal single‐axis tracking (HSAT) over natural ground‐cover and rooftop‐mounted systems over high albedo reflective roofs. We found mismatch losses of up to 1.5% annual loss for very close‐mounted (0.15 m) rooftop systems, but losses for HSAT systems and high‐ground‐clearance rooftop systems were lower (<0.5%). A simplified empirical relationship was found that links the spatial variation of irradiance (specifically, the mean absolute difference of irradiance) to the resulting mismatch loss factor, with an R2 better than .99. This approximate relationship was experimentally validated on mismatched PV modules, and it provides a basis for rapidly estimating bifacial mismatch loss factors for use in hourly PV performance simulations such as PVSyst or SAM. Additional parameters investigated include (a) climate dependence and module orientation, which were not found to have a strong impact on bifacial mismatch losses and (b) PV module fill factor and bifaciality ratio, which did have a strong linear impact on mismatch losses.
Energy‐based graph convolutional networks for scoring protein docking models
Authors: Cao Yue , Shen Yang
Published: March 2020

Structural information about protein‐protein interactions, often missing at the interactome scale, is important for mechanistic understanding of cells and rational discovery of therapeutics. Protein docking provides a computational alternative for such information. However, ranking near‐native docked models high among a large number of candidates, often known as the scoring problem, remains a critical challenge. Moreover, estimating model quality, also known as the quality assessment problem, is rarely addressed in protein docking. In this study, the two challenging problems in protein docking are regarded as relative and absolute scoring, respectively, and addressed in one physics‐inspired deep learning framework. We represent protein and complex structures as intra‐ and inter‐molecular residue contact graphs with atom‐resolution node and edge features. And we propose a novel graph convolutional kernel that aggregates interacting nodes’ features through edges so that generalized interaction energies can be learned directly from 3D data. The resulting energy‐based graph convolutional networks (EGCN) with multihead attention are trained to predict intra‐ and inter‐molecular energies, binding affinities, and quality measures (interface RMSD) for encounter complexes. Compared to a state‐of‐the‐art scoring function for model ranking, EGCN significantly improves ranking for a critical assessment of predicted interactions (CAPRI) test set involving homology docking; and is comparable or slightly better for Score_set, a CAPRI benchmark set generated by diverse community‐wide docking protocols not known to training data. For Score_set quality assessment, EGCN shows about 27% improvement to our previous efforts. Directly learning from 3D structure data in graph representation, EGCN represents the first successful development of graph convolutional networks for protein docking.
Preparation and Application of Photonic Crystal Paints with Tunable Structural Colors
Authors: Wu Yu , Liu Guojin , Li Hui , Han Penshuai , Cheng Jinyu , Zhou Lan
Published: March 2020

A simple and fast paint drawing method is applied in fabricating patterned photonic crystals (PCs) on white paper substrates. The paints with structural colors are simply fabricated using monodispersed black disperse dye@poly(styrene–butyl acrylate–methacrylate) (P(St–BA–MAA)) microspheres via a rapid centrifugal treatment. Specifically, the centrifugal speeds and centrifugal times of dye@P(St–BA–MAA) microspheres are systematically optimized, and the apparent colors of prepared paints are simply characterized, and then the paints are used to fabricate photonic crystal patterns (PCPs) by paintbrushes. It is confirmed that the suitable paints can be prepared at 8000 rpm centrifugal speed and 30 min centrifugal time. The prepared paints display bright and iridescent structural colors, which indicates that the dye@P(St–BA–MAA) microspheres of paints undergo a certain degree of self‐assembly during the driving of centrifugal forces. The prepared paints fabricate 3D PCPs with bright and iridescent structural colors within 10–20 s. Moreover, when the diameter of microspheres decreases or the viewing angle increases, the resultant structural colors produce a blue shift according to Bragg's diffraction law. It is believed that the paints for fabricating PCPs with tunable structural colors have wide applications in painting fields.
Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Using Interdigitated Gold–Polypyrrole Electrode Combination
Authors: Kremers Tom , Menzel Nora , Freitag Fabian , Laaf Dominic , Heine Viktoria , Elling Lothar , Schnakenberg Uwe
Published: March 2020

A novel electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) sensor design, based on a standard interdigitated electrode arrangement in which the working electrode consists of gold and the combined counter and reference electrodes of polypyrrole doped with polystyrene sulfonate (PPy:PSS), is evaluated for biosensing applications. The performance is successfully proved by immobilization of a thiolated biotin as a self‐assembled monolayer (SAM), followed by streptavidin and a biotinylated horseradish peroxidase. It is shown that specific binding of biomolecules takes place only at the gold electrode. The binding activities are not influenced by the addition of small amounts of the nonionic surfactant Pluronic F‐68. The immobilization process is monitored online with EIS showing an excellent repeatability of the EIS signals in comparison with Au–Au electrode configuration even after electrode regeneration.
The 1200 nm‐Band InAs/GaAs Quantum Dot Intermixing by Dry Etching and Ion Implantation
Authors: Hiraishi Yu , Shirai Tomohiro , Kwoen Jinkwan , Ito Taisei , Matsushima Yuichi , Ishikawa Hiroshi , Arakawa Yasuhiko , Utaka Katsuyuki
Published: March 2020

In this article, the quantum dot intermixing (QDI) technique previously developed for 1550 nm‐band InAs/InAlGaAs QD is applied to 1200 nm‐band InAs/GaAs QD. Three methods of defect introduction for triggering the QDI are used such as inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching (ICP‐RIE) (Ar+) and ion implantation (Ar+ and B+). As a result, about 80 nm photoluminescence (PL) peak wavelength shift is obtained for ICP‐RIE when annealing is performed at 575 °C, after etching down to 450 nm to the QD layer. On the contrary, about 110 nm PL peak wavelength shift is obtained for B+ ion implantation at an acceleration energy of 120 keV and a dose of 1.0 × 1014 cm−2 and subsequent annealing. Cross‐sectional image analyses by scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) clarified the modification of InAs QD structures by the QDI process.
Phase Evolution, Microstructure, Electrical, and Magnetic Properties of Bi0.5(Na0.68K0.22Li0.10)0.5TiO3 Ceramics with Fe3+ Substitution
Authors: Bhupaijit Pamornnarumol , Kidkhunthod Pinit , Gupta Sanu Kumar , Nuntawong Noppadon , Prasertpalichat Sasipohn , Pinitsoontorn Supree , Horprathum Mati , Bongkarn Theerachai
Published: March 2020

Herein, the effect of Fe3+ ions substitution on the phase evolution, microstructure, electrical, and magnetic properties of Bi0.5(Na0.68K0.22Li0.10)0.5Ti1−xFexO3 (BNKLT‐xFe) ceramics with 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.020 is investigated. The BNKLT‐xFe ceramics are synthesized via the solid‐state combustion method. All BNKLT‐xFe compositions use a calcination temperature of 750 °C for 2 h and a sintering temperature of 1025 °C for 2 h. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectra illustrate coexisting rhombohedral (R) and tetragonal (T) phases in all compositions and the R phase increases with increasing Fe content. The X‐ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) technique confirms that the local R symmetry increases from 38.8% to 67.0% with increasing x content from 0 to 0.020. The average grain size gradually increases from 0.52 to 0.84 μm when the x content increases from 0 to 0.020. At x = 0.010, the ceramic has high ferroelectric properties (Pr ≈ 26.8 μC cm−2, Ec ≈ 20.4 kV cm−1) and the highest normalized strain () of 386 pm V−1. In addition, the maximum value of the temperature‐dependent dielectric constant of 6136 is found at x = 0.015. Although BNKLT‐0Fe ceramic show diamagnetic behavior, paramagnetic behavior is observed in all Fe3+ substituted samples.
Nearest Neighbor Distances in SrTiO3 and BaTiO3 from the Projection Analysis of the Extended X‐Ray Absorption Fine Structure
Authors: Bayat Alireza , Chassé Angelika , Denecke Reinhard , Förster Stefan , Huth Paula , Zollner Eva Maria , Schindler Karl-Michael
Published: March 2020

An analysis of the extended X‐ray absorption fine structure is developed, in which experimental modulations are projected onto calculated ones from backscattering at single neighboring atoms. From the extended X‐ray absorption fine structures of single crystals of SrTiO3 and BaTiO3, initial values for nearest neighbor distances are obtained. In addition, a preference for the element of the next nearest neighbor can be given.
Oxygen Vacancy Engineering in Photocatalysis
Authors: Huang Yanmei , Yu Yu , Yu Yifu , Zhang Bin
Published: March 2020

Photocatalysis, which converts natural solar energy into chemical energy, has emerged as one of the most appealing technologies in the past decades. However, photocatalytic performances are limited by the poor absorption of visible light, charge‐carrier recombination during migration, and a high energy barrier for activating reactants. Oxygen vacancies in semiconductive metal oxides are reported to be vital to improve their photocatalytic efficiency. In this regard, this review provides a concise overview of oxygen vacancies in transition metal oxides in photocatalytic systems, including their functions, construction strategies, characterization methods, and applications. Moreover, an outlook on the current challenges and promising opportunities in this field is provided.
An Alkoxy‐Solubilizing Decacyclic Electron Acceptor for Efficient Ecofriendly As‐Cast Blade‐Coated Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Han Xiaona , Zhu Jingshuai , Xiao Yiqun , Jiang Haotian , Zhang Zhenzhen , Wang Jiayu , Li Zhen , Lin Yuze , Lu Xinhui , Zhan Xiaowei
Published: March 2020

The rapid development of organic solar cells (OSCs) based on nonfullerene acceptors has achieved significant breakthroughs in the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of spin‐coated devices. However, the spin‐coating method in a protective atmosphere seems unsuitable for the practical printing of high‐performance solar panels. In addition, the use of highly toxic solvents is also a stumbling block to the commercial application of OSCs. Thus, photoactive materials for scalable coating and ecofriendly manufacturing approaches are necessary to be developed for OSCs. Herein, a fused‐ring electron acceptor named F10IC2 bearing a decacycle core and solubilizing alkoxyl side chains is synthesized and applied in as‐cast blade‐coated OSCs by blending with polymer donor PTB7‐Th. As‐cast OSCs based on PTB7‐Th: F10IC2 blended films fabricated from chlorobenzene or chlorine‐free o‐xylene solvents in air without any posttreatment deliver a PCE of 12.5% and 11.4%, respectively, which are among the highest values reported for as‐cast blade‐coated OSCs. Herein, a strategy of alkoxyl solubilizing to design high‐performance material systems for ecofriendly scalable OSCs is provided, which is suitable for future industrial production.
An estimate on in‐construction differential settlement of super high‐rise frame core–tube buildings
Authors: He Zheng , Lu Yi , Liu Fengning , Pan Feng , He Shuaishuai
Published: March 2020

To physically identify the mechanisms behind the development of in‐construction settlement of super high‐rise frame core–tube buildings, a simplified approach is developed by the full understanding about the typical structural layouts, specific construction feature, and load transfer path of those buildings as well as time‐dependent effects. With the reference to several typical structural layouts, a simplified one‐bay multistory model is developed that consists of two overall vertical components and horizontal components representing the exterior columns, core tubes, and beams (or mega trusses), respectively, in those super high‐rise buildings. Based on this model, a simplified approach with a so‐called “global–local” strategy is proposed to account for the difference in the settlement of the corner columns and side columns. The leading construction and final screwing at the rigid connections between beams (or trusses) and exterior columns, which are commonly implemented during the construction of those buildings, are seriously addressed in the simplified approach, as well as strengthened floors and time‐dependent effects. The applicability and accuracy of the proposed approach is demonstrated by a 128‐story 606‐m‐level super high‐rise frame core–tube building. The proposed simplified approach can be helpful for the development of preliminary construction schemes and the control strategy for differential settlement.
A short argument from modal rationalism to fundamental scrutability
Authors: Rabin Gabriel Oak ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2020

I argue that those who accept modal rationalism, the idea that all of modal space is accessible to a priori reflection, must also accept a seemingly much more ambitious thesis: fundamental scrutability, which says that from a description of the world's fundamental layer, one can reason a priori to all truths.
Anti-adipogenic signals at the onset of obesity-related inflammation in white adipose tissue
Authors: Caputo Tiziana , Tran Van Du T. , Bararpour Nasim , Winkler Carine , Aguileta Gabriela , Trang Khanh Bao , Giordano Attianese Greta M. P. , Wilson Anne , Thomas Aurelien , Pagni Marco , Guex Nicolas , Desvergne Béatrice , Gilardi Federica
Published: March 2020

Chronic inflammation that affects primarily metabolic organs, such as white adipose tissue (WAT), is considered as a major cause of human obesity-associated co-morbidities. However, the molecular mechanisms initiating this inflammation in WAT are poorly understood. By combining transcriptomics, ChIP-seq and modeling approaches, we studied the global early and late responses to a high-fat diet (HFD) in visceral (vWAT) and subcutaneous (scWAT) AT, the first being more prone to obesity-induced inflammation. HFD rapidly triggers proliferation of adipocyte precursors within vWAT. However, concomitant antiadipogenic signals limit vWAT hyperplastic expansion by interfering with the differentiation of proliferating adipocyte precursors. Conversely, in scWAT, residing beige adipocytes lose their oxidizing properties and allow storage of excessive fatty acids. This phase is followed by tissue hyperplastic growth and increased angiogenic signals, which further enable scWAT expansion without generating inflammation. Our data indicate that scWAT and vWAT differential ability to modulate adipocyte number and differentiation in response to obesogenic stimuli has a crucial impact on the different susceptibility to obesity-related inflammation of these adipose tissue depots.
BRAID GROUP ACTION AND ROOT VECTORS FOR THE q-ONSAGER ALGEBRA
Authors: BASEILHAC PASCAL , KOLB STEFAN
Published: March 2020

We define two algebra automorphisms Ͳ0 and Ͳ1 of the q-Onsager algebra $$ {\mathcal{B}}_c $$Bc, which provide an analog of G. Lusztig's braid group action for quantum groups. These automorphisms are used to define root vectors which give rise to a PBW basis for $$ {\mathcal{B}}_c $$Bc. We show that the root vectors satisfy q-analogs of Onsager's original commutation relations. The paper is much inspired by I. Damiani's construction and investigation of root vectors for the quantized enveloping algebra of $$ \hat{\mathfrak{s}{\mathfrak{l}}_2} $$sl2̂.
Layout optimization of simplified trusses using mixed integer linear programming with runtime generation of constraints
Authors: Fairclough H. , Gilbert M.
Published: March 2020

Traditional truss layout optimization employing the ground structure method will often generate layouts that are too complex to fabricate in practice. To address this, mixed integer linear programming can be used to enforce buildability constraints, leading to simplified truss forms. Limits on the number of joints in the structure and/or the minimum angle between connected members can be imposed, with the joints arising from crossover of pairs of members accounted for. However, in layout optimization, the number of constraints arising from ‘crossover joints’ increases rapidly with problem size, along with computational expense. To address this, crossover constraints are here dynamically generated and added at runtime only as required (so-called lazy constraints); speedups of more than 20 times are observed whilst ensuring that there is no loss of solution quality. Also, results from the layout optimization step are shown to provide a suitable starting point for a non-linear geometry optimization step, enabling results to be obtained that are in agreement with literature solutions. It is also shown that symmetric problems may not have symmetric optimal solutions, and that multiple distinct and equally optimal solutions may be found.
The Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score is a responsive primary outcome measure: an evaluation of the Dutch version including minimally important change
Authors: Dams Olivier C. , Reininga Inge H. F. , Zwerver Johannes , Diercks Ronald L. , van den Akker-Scheek Inge
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Aim of this study was to evaluate the responsiveness of the Dutch version of the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS-NL).

Methods

Patients (N = 47) completed the ATRS-NL at 3 and 6 months after Achilles tendon rupture (ATR). Additionally, they filled out the Euroqol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) and Global Rating of Change Score (GRoC). Effect sizes (ES) and standardized response means (SRM) were calculated. The anchor-based method for determining the minimally important change (MIC) was used. GRoC and improvement on the items mobility and usual activities on the EQ-5D-5L served as external criteria. The scores on these anchors were used to categorize patients’ physical functioning as improved or unchanged between 3 and 6 months after ATR. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was performed, with the calculation of the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and the estimation of MIC values using the optimal cut-off points.

Results

There was a large change (ES: 1.58) and good responsiveness (SRM: 1.19) of the ATRS-NL between 3 and 6 months after ATR. Using ROC analysis, the MIC values ranged from 13.5 to 28.5 for reporting improvement on EQ-5D-5L mobility and GRoC, respectively. The AUC of improvement on mobility and improvement on GRoC were > 0.70.

Conclusion

The ATRS-NL showed good responsiveness in ATR patients between 3 and 6 months after injury. Use of this questionnaire is recommended in clinical follow-up and longitudinal research of ATR patients. MIC values of 13.5 and 28.5 are recommended to consider ATR patients as improved and greatly improved between 3 and 6 months after ATR.

Level of evidence

II.
The effect of bank branch closures on new firm formation: the Swedish case
Authors: Ho Cynthia Sin Tian , Berggren Björn
Published: March 2020

In this paper, the effect of local bank branch closures on new firm formation in Sweden is analysed using a panel database that captures the geographical locations of all Swedish bank branches in 2007 and 2013.
The previous research has shown that the further a firm is located away from the bank, the higher the monitoring costs will be for the banks. Furthermore, an increase in the distance to the banks will also increase information asymmetry because of the banks’ eroded ability to collect and analyse soft information. Due to the high risks associated with the lack of information and uncertainty, banks might not be as willing to extend credits to a distant firm compared to a nearby firm. Using spatial econometric analysis at a municipal level, it is shown that bank proximity to firms, unemployment rate, industry structures, income growth, change in housing price and percentage of immigrants are vital for new firm formation in Sweden. From the spatial Durbin model with fixed effects, an increase in the weighted distance to the nearest bank branches is shown to affect new firm formation negatively.
Blow-ups and infinitesimal automorphisms of CR-manifolds
Authors: Kruglikov Boris
Published: March 2020

For a real-analytic connected CR-hypersurfaceMof CR-dimension$$n\geqslant 1$$n⩾1having a point of Levi-nondegeneracy the following alternative is demonstrated for its symmetry algebra$$\mathfrak {s}={\mathfrak {s}}(M)$$s=s(M): (i) either$$\dim {\mathfrak {s}}=n^2+4n+3$$dims=n2+4n+3andMis spherical everywhere; (ii) or$$\dim {\mathfrak {s}}\leqslant n^2+2n+2+\delta _{2,n}$$dims⩽n2+2n+2+δ2,nand in the case of equalityMis spherical and has fixed signature of the Levi form in the complement to its Levi-degeneracy locus. A version of this result is proved for the Lie group of global automorphisms ofM. Explicit examples of CR-hypersurfaces and their infinitesimal and global automorphisms realizing the bound in (ii) are constructed. We provide many other models with large symmetry using the technique of blow-up, in particular we realize all maximal parabolic subalgebras of the pseudo-unitary algebras as a symmetry.
A critical review of recent trends, and a future perspective of optical spectroscopy as PAT in biopharmaceutical downstream processing
Authors: Rolinger Laura , Rüdt Matthias , Hubbuch Jürgen
Published: March 2020

As competition in the biopharmaceutical market gets keener due to the market entry of biosimilars, process analytical technologies (PATs) play an important role for process automation and cost reduction. This article will give a general overview and address the recent innovations and applications of spectroscopic methods as PAT tools in the downstream processing of biologics. As data analysis strategies are a crucial part of PAT, the review discusses frequently used data analysis techniques and addresses data fusion methodologies as the combination of several sensors is moving forward in the field. The last chapter will give an outlook on the application of spectroscopic methods in combination with chemometrics and model predictive control (MPC) for downstream processes.
The role of fatal family history and mode of inheritance in prostate cancer for long-term outcomes following radical prostatectomy
Authors: Meissner Valentin H. , Strüh Jamila G. H. , Kron Martina , Liesenfeld Lea A. , Kranz Stephanie , Gschwend Jürgen E. , Herkommer Kathleen
Published: March 2020

Purpose

To determine whether fatal family history (FFH) or mode of inheritance in prostate cancer (PCa) has an impact on long-term outcomes following radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods

1076 PCa patients after RP with at least one deceased first-degree relative with PCa were included and stratified by FFH (four subgroups: fraternal, paternal, multiple, and none) and by mode of inheritance (two subgroups: male to male, non-male to male). We compared clinicopathological characteristics between subgroups with Fisher’s exact or Chi-square tests. Biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were analyzed using the method of Kaplan and Meier. Simple and multiple Cox regression with backward elimination were performed to select prognostic factors for BRFS and CSS.

Results

Median age at surgery was 63.3 (range 35.9–79.4) years. The overall Kaplan–Meier estimated BRFS rate at 10 and 15 years was 65.6% and 57.0%, respectively. The overall Kaplan–Meier estimated CSS rate at 10 and 15 years was 98.1% and 95.7%, respectively. Neither FFH nor mode of inheritance were factors associated with worse BRFS. However, in multiple Cox regression, paternal FFH was an important prognostic factor for a better CSS (HR 0.19, CI 0.05–0.71, p = 0.014) compared to non-FFH.

Conclusion

FFH and mode of inheritance do not seem to be prognostic factors of worse long-term outcomes following RP. Rather, a paternal FFH was associated with a better CSS; however, the reasons remain unclear. Nevertheless, patients after RP and FFH could be reassured that their own PCa diagnosis is not associated with a worse long-term outcome.
Components of one-carbon metabolism and renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Clasen Joanna L. , Heath Alicia K. , Scelo Ghislaine , Muller David C.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Little is known about the aetiology of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Components of one-carbon (1C) metabolism, which are required for nucleotide synthesis and methylation reactions, may be related to risk of RCC but existing evidence is inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review and independent exposure-specific meta-analyses of dietary intake and circulating biomarkers of 1C metabolites and RCC risk.

Methods

Medline and Embase databases were searched for observational studies investigating RCC or kidney cancer incidence or mortality in relation to components of 1C metabolism and 12 eligible articles were included in the meta-analyses. We used Bayesian meta-analyses to estimate summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% credible intervals (CrIs) comparing the highest versus lowest categories as well as the between-study heterogeneity.

Results

We did not find convincing evidence of an association between any exposure (riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, methionine, homocysteine, choline, or betaine) and RCC risk. However, vitamin B6 biomarker status did have a protective (RR = 0.62) but imprecise (95% CrI 0.39–1.14) effect estimate and folate intake had a notable association as well (RR = 0.85, 95% CrI 0.71–1.01).

Conclusion

There was a lack of precision due largely to the low number of studies. Further investigation is warranted, especially for folate and vitamin B6, which had consistent suggestive evidence of a protective effect for both dietary intake and biomarker status. A unique strength of this review is the use of Bayesian meta-analyses which allowed for robust estimation of between-study heterogeneity.
Carbonic anhydrases CA1 and CA4 function in atmospheric CO2-modulated disease resistance
Authors: Zhou Yeling , Vroegop-Vos Irene A. , Van Dijken Anja J. H. , Van der Does Dieuwertje , Zipfel Cyril , Pieterse Corné M. J. , Van Wees Saskia C. M.
Published: March 2020

Main conclusion

Carbonic anhydrases CA1 and CA4 attenuate plant immunity and can contribute to altered disease resistance levels in response to changing atmospheric CO2 conditions.

β-Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) play an important role in CO2 metabolism and plant development, but have also been implicated in plant immunity. Here we show that the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae and application of the microbe-associated molecular pattern (MAMP) flg22 repress CA1 and CA4 gene expression in Arabidopsis thaliana. Using the CA double-mutant ca1ca4, we provide evidence that CA1 and CA4 play an attenuating role in pathogen- and flg22-triggered immune responses. In line with this, ca1ca4 plants exhibited enhanced resistance against P. syringae, which was accompanied by an increased expression of the defense-related genes FRK1 and ICS1. Under low atmospheric CO2 conditions (150 ppm), when CA activity is typically low, the levels of CA1 transcription and resistance to P. syringae in wild-type Col-0 were similar to those observed in ca1ca4. However, under ambient (400 ppm) and elevated (800 ppm) atmospheric CO2 conditions, CA1 transcription was enhanced and resistance to P. syringae reduced. Together, these results suggest that CA1 and CA4 attenuate plant immunity and that differential CA gene expression in response to changing atmospheric CO2 conditions contribute to altered disease resistance levels.
Stabilized mixed formulation for phase-field computation of deviatoric fracture in elastic and poroelastic materials
Authors: Gavagnin Claudio , Sanavia Lorenzo , De Lorenzis Laura
Published: March 2020

In the numerical approximation of phase-field models of fracture in porous media with the finite element method, the problem of numerical locking may occur. The causes can be traced both to the hydraulic and to the mechanical properties of the material. In this work we present a mixed finite element formulation for phase-field modeling of brittle fracture in elastic solids based on a volumetric-deviatoric energy split and its extension to water saturated porous media. For the latter, two alternative mixed formulations are proposed. To be able to use finite elements with linear interpolation for all the field variables, which violates the Ladyzenskaja–Babuska–Brezzi condition, a stabilization technique based on polynomial pressure projections, proposed and tested by previous authors in fluid mechanics and poromechanics, is introduced. We develop an extension of this stabilization to phase-field mixed models of brittle fracture in porous media. Several numerical examples are illustrated, to show the occurrence of different locking phenomena and to compare the solutions obtained with different unstable, stable and stabilized low order finite elements.
A low-distortion mesh moving method based on fiber-reinforced hyperelasticity and optimized zero-stress state
Authors: Takizawa Kenji , Tezduyar Tayfun E. , Avsar Reha
Published: March 2020

In computation of flow problems with moving boundaries and interfaces, including fluid–structure interaction, moving-mesh methods enable mesh-resolution control near the interface and consequently high-resolution representation of the boundary layers. Good moving-mesh methods require good mesh moving methods. We introduce a low-distortion mesh moving method based on fiber-reinforced hyperelasticity and optimized zero-stress state (ZSS). The method has been developed targeting isogeometric discretization but is also applicable to finite element discretization. With the large-deformation mechanics equations, we can expect to have a unique mesh associated with each step of the boundary or interface motion. With the fibers placed in multiple directions, we stiffen the element in those directions for the purpose of reducing the distortion during the mesh deformation. We optimize the ZSS by seeking orthogonality of the parametric directions, by mesh relaxation, and by making the ZSS time-dependent as needed. We present 2D and 3D test computations with isogeometric discretization. The computations show that the mesh moving method introduced performs well.
TcMEP threshold change is superior to A-train detection when predicting facial nerve outcome in CPA tumour surgery
Authors: Hendriks Tom , Kunst Henricus P. M. , Huppelschoten Maarten , Doorduin Jonne , Ter Laan Mark
Published: March 2020

Object

Surgery of tumours in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) can lead to loss of facial nerve function. Different methods of intra-operative nerve monitoring (IOM) (including free-running EMG, direct nerve stimulation and transcranial motor evoked potentials (TcMEP)) have been used to predict facial nerve outcome during surgery. Recent research has shown TcMEP threshold increase and the occurrence of A-trains on the EMG to have great potential in doing so. This study compares these two methods and correlates them to House-Brackmann (HB) scores post-op in patients with tumours in the cerebellopontine angle.

Method

Forty-three patients (one was operated twice) with large CPA tumours treated surgically in the Radboud University Medical Center between 2015 and 2019 were included in this study. During surgery, TcMEP threshold increases and A-train activity were measured. Because our treatment paradigm aims at facial nerve preservation (accepting residual tumour), TcMEP threshold increase of over 20 mA or occurrence of A-trains were considered as warning signs and used as a guide for terminating surgery. HB scores were measured post-op, at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after surgery. Spearman’s correlation was calculated between the IOM-values and the HB scores for a homogeneous subgroup of 30 patients with vestibular schwannoma (VS) without neurofibromatosis type II (NF-II) and all patients collectively.

Results

TcMEP threshold was successfully measured in 39 (90.7%) procedures. In the homogeneous VS non-NFII group, we found a statistically significant moderate-to-strong correlation between TcMEP threshold increase and House Brackmann score immediately post-op, at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after surgery (Spearman’s rho of 0.79 (p < 0.001), 0.74 (p < 0.001), 0.64 (p < 0.001) and 0.58 (p = 0.002), respectively). For A-trains, no correlation was found. Similar results were found when including all patients with CPA tumours. A threshold increase of < 20 mA was a predictor of good facial nerve outcome.

Conclusion

These results show that TcMEP threshold increases are strongly correlated to post-operative HB scores, while A-trains are not. This suggests TcMEP threshold increases can be a valuable predictor for facial nerve outcome in patients with large tumours when facial nerve preservation is prioritized over total resection. In this study, we found no use for A-trains to prevent facial nerve deficits.