bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contrasting responses of above- and below-ground herbivore communities along elevation
Authors: Pitteloud Camille , Descombes Patrice , Sànchez-Moreno Sara , Kergunteuil Alan , Ibanez Sébastien , Rasmann Sergio , Pellissier Loïc 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAbove- and below-ground herbivory are key ecosystem processes that can be substantially altered by environmental changes. However, direct comparisons of the coupled variations of above- and below-ground herbivore communities along elevation gradients remain sparse. Here, we studied the variation in assemblages of two dominant groups of herbivores, namely, aboveground orthoptera and belowground nematodes, in grasslands along six elevation gradients in the Swiss Alps. By examining variations of community properties of herbivores and their food plants along montane clines, we sought to determine whether the structure and functional properties of these taxonomic groups change with elevation. We found that orthoptera decreased in both species richness and abundance with elevation. In contrast with aboveground herbivores, the taxonomic richness and the total abundance of nematode did not covary with elevation. We further found a stronger shift in above- than below-ground functional properties along elevation, where the mandibular strength of orthoptera matched a shift in leaf toughness. Nematodes showed a weaker pattern of declined sedentary behavior and increased mobility with elevation. In contrast to the direct exposal of aboveground organisms to the surface climate, conditions may be buffered belowground, which together with the influence of edaphic factors on the biodiversity of soil biota, may explain the differences between elevational patterns of above- and below-ground communities. Our study emphasizes the necessity to consider both the above- and below-ground compartments to understand the impact of current and future climatic variation on ecosystems, from a functional perspective of species interactions.
Rapid response flow cytometric assay for the detection of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Lapuente Dennis , Maier Clara , Irrgang Pascal , Hübner Julian , Peter Antonia Sophia , Hoffmann Markus , Ensser Armin , Ziegler Katharina , Winkler Thomas H. , Birkholz Torsten , Kremer Andreas E. , Steininger Philipp , Korn Klaus , Neipel Frank , Überla Klaus , Tenbusch Matthias 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a previously unknown zoonotic coronavirus that spread worldwide causing a serious pandemic. While reliable nucleic acid–based diagnostic assays were rapidly available, only a limited number of validated serological assays were available in the early phase of the pandemic. Here, we evaluated a novel flow cytometric approach to assess spike-specific antibody responses.HEK 293T cells expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in its natural confirmation on the surface were used to detect specific IgG and IgM antibody responses in patient sera by flow cytometry. A soluble angiotensin-converting-enzyme 2 (ACE-2) variant was developed as external standard to quantify spike-specific antibody responses on different assay platforms. Analyses of 201 pre-COVID-19 sera proved a high assay specificity in comparison to commercially available CLIA and ELISA systems, while also revealing the highest sensitivity in specimens from PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. The external standard allowed robust quantification of antibody responses among different assay platforms. In conclusion, our newly established flow cytometric assay allows sensitive and quantitative detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, which can be easily adopted in different laboratories and does not rely on external supply of assay kits. The flow cytometric assay also provides a blueprint for rapid development of serological tests to other emerging viral infections
Seismic effectiveness and robustness of tuned mass dampers versus nonlinear energy sinks in a lifecycle cost perspective
Authors: Matta Emiliano 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTuned mass dampers (TMDs) and nonlinear energy sinks (NESs) are two viable options for passively absorbing structural vibrations. In seismic applications, a trade-off exists in their performance, because TMDs’ effectiveness varies with the structural stiffness while NESs’ effectiveness varies with the earthquake intensity. To investigate this trade-off systematically, a lifecycle cost- (LCC-) oriented robust analysis and design method is here proposed, in which the effectiveness of a solution is measured by the reduction it entails in the expected cost of future seismic losses. In it, structural stiffness variability is modelled using a worst-case approach with lower and upper bounds, while seismic intensity variability is inherently captured by the incremental dynamic analyses underlying every LCC evaluation. The resulting worst-case lifetime cost provides a rational metric for discussing pros and cons of TMDs and NESs, and becomes the objective function for their robust optimization. The method is applied to the design of TMDs and NESs on a variety of single- and multi-story linear building models, located in a moderate-to-high seismic hazard region. Mass ratios from 1 to 10% and structural stiffness reductions up to 4 times are considered. Results show that TMDs are consistently more effective than NESs even in the presence of large stiffness reductions, provided that structural stiffness uncertainty is considered in design. They also show that a conventional robust H∞ design provides for TMDs a solution which is very close to that obtained by minimizing the proposed LCC metric.
Exploring Lived Experiences of Parents of Youth and Youth with a Foreign Background in Sweden
Authors: Ferrer-Wreder Laura , Bernhard-Oettel Claudia , Trost Kari , Hau Stephan , Lindfors Petra 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundSweden is in transition when it comes to the immigrant experience. More research is needed to document the life circumstances and adjustment of those with foreign background living in Sweden.ObjectiveThis study investigated the lived experiences of parents of youths and young people themselves who have an Iraqi or Syrian background and are living in Sweden.MethodThis cross-sectional qualitative interview study focused on a sample of parents of youth and youth (N = 26) with a foreign background. Participants were either born in Syria or Iraq or had one or both parents born in these countries and had migrated to Sweden. Participant interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsIn relation to the study aim, the analysis indicated three main themes in participants’ responses which concerned life in Sweden, feeling at home, and coping.ConclusionsOverall, these themes reflected how the perception of everyday experiences relates to adjustment within a multi-cultural urban Swedish context. This study showed how participants with a foreign background are rich in their own diversity of experiences and viewpoints. Results also pointed towards the promise of social policy and services aimed at benefiting those with a foreign background if such efforts are situated in the microsystems that provide life daily structure, as well as in contexts that offer socialization and networking opportunities (e.g., training, education, work, and school). Further, such action should consider the importance of the extended family as part of family-focused initiatives.
Autotrophic nitrogen removal for decentralized treatment of ammonia-rich industrial textile wastewater: process assessment, stabilization and modelling
Authors: Visigalli Simone , Turolla Andrea , Bellandi Giacomo , Bellucci Micol , Clagnan Elisa , Brusetti Lorenzo , Jia Mingsheng , Di Cosmo Roberto , Menin Glauco , Bargna Martina , Bergna Giovanni , Canziani Roberto 
Published: October 2020

AbstractDigital textile printing (DTP) is a game-changer technology that is rapidly expanding worldwide. On the other hand, process wastewater is rich in ammoniacal and organic nitrogen, resulting in relevant issues for discharge into sewer system and treatment in centralized plants. The present research is focused on the assessment of the partial nitritation/anammox process in a single-stage granular sequencing batch reactor for on-site decentralized treatment. The technical feasibility of the process was assessed by treating wastewater from five DTP industries in a laboratory-scale reactor, in one case investigating long-term process stabilization. While experimental results indicated nitrogen removal efficiencies up to about 70%, complying with regulations on discharge in sewer system, these data were used as input for process modelling, whose successful parameter calibration was carried out. The model was applied to the simulation of two scenarios: (i) the current situation of a DTP company, in which wastewater is discharged into the sewer system and treated in a centralized plant, (ii) the modified situation in which on-site decentralized treatment for DTP wastewater is implemented. The second scenario resulted in significant improvements, including reduced energy consumption (− 15%), reduced greenhouse gases emission, elimination of external carbon source for completing denitrification at centralized WWTP and reduced sludge production (− 25%).
Current Opinion on Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Treatment: a Survey of the Indian Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (ISPSM)
Authors: Martin David , Grass F. , Deo S. V. S. , Ashwin K. R. , Maheshwari A. , Hübner M. , Somashekhar S. P. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) are increasingly treated with multidisciplinary combined approaches. The study aim was to assess current practice and perceptions of treatment modalities of PC.

Methods
Indian Society of Peritoneal Surface Malignancies (ISPSM) members were invited to complete an online survey. Current practice and perceptions of treatment modalities were assessed through 19 closed questions. Scores were assessed using a Likert scale (0: not important, 5: very important). Treatment modality satisfaction was assessed using a semantic scale (frustrated: 0, perfectly happy: 10). Participants were sent 3 reminders at 4-week intervals.

Results
Fifty-seven out of 182 members completed the survey (31%). Forty percent of participants had an experience of at least 10 years, and 75% stated treating less than 20 PC patients per year. Main treatment goals for patients with PC were cure (5/5) and symptom relief (4/5). Participant’s satisfaction with treatment modalities for ovarian, colorectal, and gastric PC were 6/10, 5/10, and 2/10, respectively. Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) for ovarian (57%) and colorectal (44%) origins were considered to be useful. Clinical usefulness of chemotherapy for gastric PC was rated to be low (17%).

Conclusions
Current treatment modalities fall short to satisfy the needs (cure, symptom relief) of patients with PC. Alternative systemic and intraperitoneal treatment modalities should be assessed.
Production and Easy One-Step Purification of Bluetongue Recombinant VP7 from Infected Sf9 Supernatant for an Immunoenzymatic Assay (ELISA)
Authors: Ulisse S. , Iorio M. , Armillotta G. , Laguardia C. , Testa L. , Capista S. , Centorame P. , Traini S. , Serroni A. , Monaco F. , Caporale M. , Mercante M. T. , Di Ventura M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBluetongue (BT) is non-contagious, vector-borne viral disease of domestic and wild ruminants, transmitted by midges (Culicoides spp.) and is caused by Bluetongue virus (BTV). BTV is the type species of the Orbivirus genus within the Reoviridae family and possesses a genome consisting of 10 double-stranded RNA segments encoding 7 structural and 4 nonstructural proteins. Viral Protein 7 (VP7) is the major sera group-specific protein and is a good antigen candidate for immunoenzymatic assays for the BT diagnosis. In our work, BTV-2 recombinant VP7 (BTV-2 recVP7), expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) cells using a baculovirus system, was produced and purified by affinity chromatography from the supernatant of infected cell culture. The use of the supernatant allowed us to obtain a high quantity of recombinant protein with high purity level by an easy one-step procedure, rather than the multistep purification from the pellet. RecVP7-BTV2 was detected using a MAb anti-BTV in Western blot and it was used to develop an immunoenzymatic assay.
Exploring the Immediate Effects of COVID-19 Containment Policies on Crime: an Empirical Analysis of the Short-Term Aftermath in Los Angeles
Authors: Campedelli Gian Maria , Aziani Alberto , Favarin Serena 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis work investigates whether and how COVID-19 containment policies had an immediate impact on crime trends in Los Angeles. The analysis is conducted using Bayesian structural time-series and focuses on nine crime categories and on the overall crime count, daily monitored from January 1st 2017 to March 28th 2020. We concentrate on two post-intervention time windows—from March 4th to March 16th and from March 4th to March 28th 2020—to dynamically assess the short-term effects of mild and strict policies. In Los Angeles, overall crime has significantly decreased, as well as robbery, shoplifting, theft, and battery. No significant effect has been detected for vehicle theft, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon, intimate partner assault, and homicide. Results suggest that, in the first weeks after the interventions are put in place, social distancing impacts more directly on instrumental and less serious crimes. Policy implications are also discussed.
Crown ethers as shift reagents in peptide epimer differentiation –conclusions from examination of ac-(H)FRW-NH2 petide sequences
Authors: Zimnicka Magdalena M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCrown ethers with different ring sizes and substituents (18-crown-6, dibenzo-18-crown-6, dicyclohexano-18-crown-6, a chiral tetracarboxylic acid-18-crown-6 ether, dibenzo-21-crown-7, and dibenzo-30-crown-10) were evaluated as shift reagents to differentiate epimeric model peptides (tri-and tetrapeptides) using ion mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS). The stable associates of peptide epimers with crown ethers were detected and examined using traveling-wave ion mobility time-of-flight mass spectrometer (Synapt G2-S HDMS) equipped with an electrospray ion source. The overall decrease of the epimer separation upon crown ether complexation was observed. The increase of the effectiveness of the microsolvation of a basic moiety - guanidine or ammonium group in the peptide had no or little effect on the epimer discrimination. Any increase of the epimer separation, which referred to the specific association mode between crown substituents and a given peptide sequence, was drastically reduced for the longer peptide sequence (tetrapeptide). The obtained results suggest that the application of the crown ethers as shift reagents in ion mobility mass spectrometry is limited to the formation of complexes differing in stoichiometry rather than it refers to a specific coordination mode between a crown ether and a peptide molecule.
Systemic Inflammatory Burden Correlates with Severity and Predicts Outcomes in Patients with Cardiogenic Shock Supported by a Percutaneous Mechanical Assist Device
Authors: Diakos Nikolaos A. , Thayer Katherine , Swain Lija , Goud Maithri , Jain Pankaj , Kapur Navin K. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn-hospital mortality associated with cardiogenic shock (CS) remains high despite introduction of mechanical circulatory support. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether systemic inflammation is associated with clinical outcomes in CS. We retrospectively analyzed systemic cytokine levels and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), a marker of low-grade inflammation, among 134 patients with CS supported by VA-ECMO or Impella. Sixty-one percent of patients survived CS and either underwent device explantation or were bridged to LVAD or cardiac transplant. IL6 was the predominant circulating cytokine. IL6 levels were reduced after circulatory support in survivors. NLR pre-device implantation was significantly lower in patients with earlier stages of cardiogenic shock. Compared with non-survivors, survivors had a lower pre-device NLR and NLR was independently predictive of survival after adjusting for other covariates. In summary, NLR is a widely available marker of inflammation and correlates with in-hospital mortality among patients with cardiogenic shock requiring percutaneous mechanical circulatory support.
Strategies for Reducing the Impact of Cycling on the Perineum in Healthy Males: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Litwinowicz Kamil , Choroszy Marcin , Wróbel Anna 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionPerineal pressure associated with bicycle riding is the cause of several genitourinary pathologies, most notably Alcock’s syndrome and subsequent perineal numbness. The possible link between cycling-induced perineal numbness and erectile dysfunction makes the development of strategies for perineal protection in bicycle users critical.ObjectiveTo assess the effectiveness of strategies for reducing the impact of cycling on the perineum in healthy males.MethodsWe have conducted a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies examining various means of reducing the impact of cycling on the perineum under the PRISMA guidelines.ResultsOut of 2217 screened studies, 22 met our inclusion criteria, and 6 qualified for meta-analysis. The strategies included various designs of saddles, changes in the cycling position, seat shock absorber, shorts with different padding, using the recumbent bike. Using the no-nose saddle and recumbent bike resulted in a significant reduction of perineal pressure and higher penile oxygen pressure compared with a standard saddle. Indirect evidence supports the protective effect of standing on the pedals every few minutes during cycling. More evidence is needed to support—or dismiss—other strategies.ConclusionsCurrent evidence supports the use of no-nose saddles as a mean to reduce the negative impact of cycling on the perineum in healthy males at the cost of worse stability and increase of posterior seat pressure. Standing on the pedals every ten minutes might be an effective and potentially widely applicable strategy. The use of a recumbent bike appears to protect the perineum, but several concerns prevent its widespread use.
Instrumental and Pavlovian Mechanisms in Alcohol Use Disorder
Authors: Doñamayor Nuria , Ebrahimi Claudia , Garbusow Maria , Wedemeyer Friederike , Schlagenhauf Florian , Heinz Andreas 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Current theories of alcohol use disorders (AUD) highlight the importance of Pavlovian and instrumental learning processes mainly based on preclinical animal studies. Here, we summarize available evidence for alterations of those processes in human participants with AUD with a focus on habitual versus goal-directed instrumental learning, Pavlovian conditioning, and Pavlovian-to-instrumental transfer (PIT) paradigms.

Recent Findings
The balance between habitual and goal-directed control in AUD participants has been studied using outcome devaluation or sequential decision-making procedures, which have found some evidence of reduced goal-directed/model-based control, but little evidence for stronger habitual responding. The employed Pavlovian learning and PIT paradigms have shown considerable differences regarding experimental procedures, e.g., alcohol-related or conventional reinforcers or stimuli.

Summary
While studies of basic learning processes in human participants with AUD support a role of Pavlovian and instrumental learning mechanisms in the development and maintenance of drug addiction, current studies are characterized by large variability regarding methodology, sample characteristics, and results, and translation from animal paradigms to human research remains challenging. Longitudinal approaches with reliable and ecologically valid paradigms of Pavlovian and instrumental processes, including alcohol-related cues and outcomes, are warranted and should be combined with state-of-the-art imaging techniques, computational approaches, and ecological momentary assessment methods.
Replanting a Deserted Field: Kardecism’s New Establishment in German-Speaking Countries
Authors: Kleinhempel Ullrich Relebogilwe 
Published: October 2020

AbstractKardecism has been reintroduced to all German-speaking countries over the past four decades. Here, its lines of tradition have factually been severed, since the Second World War. It has been reintroduced successfully by a handful of local influential personalities engaged in quests for new orientation in the fields of spirituality, therapy and medicine, striving for integrated views and practices and by Kardecist Brazilian professionals established here. This essay retraces the lines of tradition in countries of German culture which have influenced the genesis of Kardecism and which have contributed to its development here. In a systemic perspective, it takes aspects of therapy, philosophy, culture, religion, science and spirituality into view, including resonances to related movements from the 19th entry to the present. These factors are discussed as conditioning the reception and claim to legitimacy in present German-speaking societies. In addition to the perspectives of cultural and social history, the composition and developments on the realm of religious adherence here are taken into view as conditioning the reception of Kardecism. Its activities and organisation are presented. An account of its reintroduction is given from personal sources. The outlook for its further development and integration here are considered.
MERACLE: Constructive Layer-Wise Conversion of a Tensor Train into a MERA
Authors: Batselier Kim , Cichocki Andrzej , Wong Ngai 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this article, two new algorithms are presented that convert a given data tensor train into either a Tucker decomposition with orthogonal matrix factors or a multi-scale entanglement renormalization ansatz (MERA). The Tucker core tensor is never explicitly computed but stored as a tensor train instead, resulting in both computationally and storage efficient algorithms. Both the multilinear Tucker-ranks as well as the MERA-ranks are automatically determined by the algorithm for a given upper bound on the relative approximation error. In addition, an iterative algorithm with low computational complexity based on solving an orthogonal Procrustes problem is proposed for the first time to retrieve optimal rank-lowering disentangler tensors, which are a crucial component in the construction of a low-rank MERA. Numerical experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms together with the potential storage benefit of a low-rank MERA over a tensor train.
Early Detection of Covid-19 in Canadian Provinces and its Anticipatory Measures for a Medical Emergency
Authors: Kamboj Vikram Kumar , Verma Chaman , Gupta Anish 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe spread of COVID-19 is incearsing day by day and it has put the entire world and the whole humankind at the stack. The assets of probably the biggest economies are worried because of the enormous infectivity, and transmissibility of this ailment. Because of the developing extent of the number of cases and its ensuing weight on the organization and wellbeing experts, some expectation strategies would be required to anticipate the quantity of evidence in the future. In this paper, we have utilized time series forecasting approach entitled autoregressive integrated moving average, and bend fitting for the forecast of the quantity of COVID-19 cases in Canadian Province for 30 days ahead. The estimates of different parameters (number of positive cases, number of recouped cases, and decrease cases) got by the proposed strategy is exact inside a specific range, and will be a beneficial apparatus for overseers, and wellbeing officials to organize the clinical office in the distinctive Canadian Province.