bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quadric SFDI for Laplacian Discretisation in Lagrangian Meshless Methods
Authors: Yan Shiqiang , Ma Q. W. , Wang Jinghua 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn the Lagrangian meshless (particle) methods, such as the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH), moving particle semi-implicit (MPS) method and meshless local Petrov-Galerkin method based on Rankine source solution (MLPG_R), the Laplacian discretisation is often required in order to solve the governing equations and/or estimate physical quantities (such as the viscous stresses). In some meshless applications, the Laplacians are also needed as stabilisation operators to enhance the pressure calculation. The particles in the Lagrangian methods move following the material velocity, yielding a disordered (random) particle distribution even though they may be distributed uniformly in the initial state. Different schemes have been developed for a direct estimation of second derivatives using finite difference, kernel integrations and weighted/moving least square method. Some of the schemes suffer from a poor convergent rate. Some have a better convergent rate but require inversions of high order matrices, yielding high computational costs. This paper presents a quadric semi-analytical finite-difference interpolation (QSFDI) scheme, which can achieve the same degree of the convergent rate as the best schemes available to date but requires the inversion of significant lower-order matrices, i.e. 3 × 3 for 3D cases, compared with 6 × 6 or 10 × 10 in the schemes with the best convergent rate. Systematic patch tests have been carried out for either estimating the Laplacian of given functions or solving Poisson’s equations. The convergence, accuracy and robustness of the present schemes are compared with the existing schemes. It will show that the present scheme requires considerably less computational time to achieve the same accuracy as the best schemes available in literatures, particularly for estimating the Laplacian of given functions.
Analyse von zirkulären RNAs mithilfe der rolling circle amplification
Authors: Boss Marcel , Arenz Christoph 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCircular RNA (circRNA) represents a group of long non-coding RNAs with specific biological functions. The investigation of this class of RNAs is very challenging as they are often poorly expressed and in the simultaneous presence of their linear counterparts. Rolling circle amplification (RCA) has been little used so far for this application, but it makes ideal use of the specific properties of circRNAs. Moreover, it can be combined with all other common PCR methods.
Arsen in Grundwasser und Reis — Ursachen und Konsequenzen
Authors: Joss Hanna , Muehe E. Marie , Kappler Andreas 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe toxic metalloid arsenic (As) is present in the environment often associated with iron(III) oxide minerals. Arsenic can be mobilized into groundwater by iron(III)-reducing, and thus, mineral-dissolving bacteria. We investigate in situ natural organic matter and methane as electron donors fueling microbial iron(III) reduction, the removal of As by iron oxides in drinking water filters, and the effect of climate change on redox processes in the rice rhizosphere and on uptake of As into rice.
Export von Gefahrgut: Helicobacter pylori und sein CagA-Protein
Authors: Lettl Clara , Fischer Wolfgang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPathogenic bacteria often utilize type IV secretion systems to interact with host cells and to modify their microenvironment in a favourable way. The human pathogen Helicobacter pylori produces such a system to inject only a single protein, CagA, into gastric cells, but this injection represents a major risk factor for gastric cancer development. Here, we discuss the unusual structure of the Cag secretion nanomachine and other features that make it unique among bacterial protein transporters.
Sporenbildung bei Bacillus subtilis: Masse oder Klasse?
Authors: Bischofs Ilka 
Published: October 2020

AbstractRecent timelapse microscopy studies suggest that endospore forming bacteria encounter a quantity-quality tradeoff: Bacillus subtilis can either make more or better spores. Natural isolates employ different life-cycle strategies that are beneficial under different revival conditions. These findings have implications for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of sporulating bacteria and their use in biotechnological applications.
Multi-Enzymsystem zur Herstellung eines alternativen Zuckersirups
Authors: Lutz-Wahl Sabine , Pross Eva , Hinrichs Jörg , Fischer Lutz 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEnergy-rich foods lead to an increase of overweight people in our societies. Mainly the fat and sugar content in foods is responsible for this progress. However, both components are very important for the taste and acceptance of foods. Thus, the abundant available lactose will be enzymatically modified by using the enzymes β-galactosidase, L-arabinose isomerase and glucose isomerase in order to generate a new natural sugar syrup. The new sugar mixture will be much sweeter than lactose.
Neue Möglichkeiten für die Strukturbestimmung von Membranproteinen
Authors: Gewering Theresa , Möller Arne 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMembrane proteins establish the connection between the outside and the inside of a cell. Even though 30 percent of proteins in a cell are membrane associated, their structural data is strongly underrepresented due to the high flexibility and low purification yield. The resolution revolution in cryo-EM opened up new opportunities to solve structures of dynamic membrane proteins that can only be purified in small quantities.
Development of a Middle Bronze Age (1900–1500 cal BC) house at the site of Százhalombatta-Földvár, Hungary: detecting choice of materials by the means of archaeological thin section soil micromorphology and phytolith analysis
Authors: Kovács Gabriella , Pető Ákos , Vicze Magdolna 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSzázhalombatta-Földvár Bronze Age tell settlement is one of the most extensively studied sites of Hungary. Interdisciplinary approach is one of the key factors in understanding the past here. Therefore, a range of natural scientific methods are applied, including thin section soil micromorphology and phytolith analysis. The high resolution of these techniques is used to add details that are impossible via traditional archaeological means. In this paper, we aim to look at decision-making in choices of construction materials. A Middle Bronze Age house (ID 3147), belonging to the so-called Vatya Culture, was sampled to investigate the used materials, the building techniques and space use. Earthen floors, clay floor, wall and hearth material are under the microscope for a better understanding of Bronze Age construction and everyday life. Micro fragments are traced to investigate space use and activities inside the house. It is also our intention to further test the conjoint application of the abovementioned methods to add data and encourage work between the experts of the two fields as there is only a handful of such studies available.
Disruptions of Anaerobic Gut Bacteria Are Associated with Stroke and Post-stroke Infection: a Prospective Case–Control Study
Authors: Haak Bastiaan W. , Westendorp Willeke F. , van Engelen Tjitske S. R. , Brands Xanthe , Brouwer Matthijs C. , Vermeij Jan-Dirk , Hugenholtz Floor , Verhoeven Aswin , Derks Rico J. , Giera Martin , Nederkoorn Paul J. , de Vos Willem M. , van de Beek Diederik , Wiersinga W. Joost 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn recent years, preclinical studies have illustrated the potential role of intestinal bacterial composition in the risk of stroke and post-stroke infections. The results of these studies suggest that bacteria capable of producing volatile metabolites, including trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) and butyrate, play opposing, yet important roles in the cascade of events leading to stroke. However, no large-scale studies have been undertaken to determine the abundance of these bacterial communities in stroke patients and to assess the impact of disrupted compositions of the intestinal microbiota on patient outcomes. In this prospective case–control study, rectal swabs from 349 ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients (median age, 71 years; IQR: 67–75) were collected within 24 h of hospital admission. Samples were subjected to 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and subsequently compared with samples obtained from 51 outpatient age- and sex-matched controls (median age, 72 years; IQR, 62–80) with similar cardiovascular risk profiles but without active signs of stroke. Plasma protein biomarkers were analyzed using a combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Alpha and beta diversity analyses revealed higher disruption of intestinal communities during ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke compared with non-stroke matched control subjects. Additionally, we observed an enrichment of bacteria implicated in TMAO production and a loss of butyrate-producing bacteria. Stroke patients displayed two-fold lower plasma levels of TMAO than controls (median 1.97 vs 4.03 μM, Wilcoxonp < 0.0001). Finally, lower abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria within 24 h of hospital admission was an independent predictor of enhanced risk of post-stroke infection (odds ratio 0.77,p = 0.005), but not of mortality or functional patient outcome. In conclusion, aberrations in trimethylamine- and butyrate-producing gut bacteria are associated with stroke and stroke-associated infections.
Psychological symptoms in Chinese nurses may be associated with predisposition to chronic disease: a cross-sectional study of suboptimal health status
Authors: Zhu Jinxiu , Ying Wenjuan , Zhang Li , Peng Gangyi , Chen Weiju , Anto Enoch Odame , Wang Xueqing , Lu Nan , Gao Shanshan , Wu Guihai , Yan Jingyi , Ye Jianfeng , Wu Shenglin , Yu Chengzhi , Yue Minghui , Huang Xiru , Xu Nuo , Ying Pengxiang , Chen Yanhong , Tan Xuerui , Wang Wei 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Suboptimal health status (SHS) is a reversible state between ideal health and illness and it can be effectively reversed by risk prediction, disease prevention, and personalized medicine under the global background of predictive, preventive, and personalized medicine (PPPM) concepts. More and more Chinese nurses have been troubled by psychological symptoms (PS). The correlation between PS and SHS is unclear in nurses. The purpose of current study is to investigate the prevalence of SHS and PS in Chinese nurses and the relationship between SHS and PS along with predisposing factors as well as to discuss the feasibility of improving health status and preventing diseases according to PPPM concepts in Chinese nurses.

Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted with the cluster sampling method among 9793 registered nurses in Foshan city, China. SHS was evaluated with the Suboptimal Health Status Questionnaire-25 (SHSQ-25). Meanwhile, the PS of depression and anxiety were evaluated with Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) self-assessment questionnaires. The relationship between PS and SHS in Chinese nurses was subsequently analyzed.

Results
Among the 9793 participants, 6107 nurses were included in the final analysis. The prevalence of SHS in the participants was 74.21% (4532/6107) while the symptoms of depression and anxiety were 47.62% (2908/6107) and 24.59% (1502/6107) respectively. The prevalence of SHS in the participants with depression and anxiety was significantly higher than those without the symptoms of depression (83.3% vs 16.7%, P < 0.001) and anxiety (94.2% vs 5.8%, P < 0.0001). The ratio of exercise habit was significantly lower than that of non-exercise habit (68.8% vs 78.4%, P < 0.001) in SHS group.

Conclusions
There is a high prevalence of SHS and PS in Chinese nurses. PS in Chinese nurses are associated with SHS. Physical exercise is a protective factor for SHS and PS so that the exercise should be strongly recommended as a valuable preventive measure well in the agreement with PPPM philosophy. Along with SDS and SAS, SHSQ-25 should also be highly recommended and applied as a novel predictive/preventive tool for the health measures from the perspectives of PPPM in view of susceptible population and individual screening, the predisposition to chronic disease preventing, personalization of intervention, and the ideal health state restoring.
Role of CK2 inhibitor CX-4945 in anti-cancer combination therapy – potential clinical relevance
Authors: D’Amore Claudio , Borgo Christian , Sarno Stefania , Salvi Mauro 
Published: October 2020

Abstract
Background
Protein kinase CK2 inhibition has long been considered as an attractive anti-cancer strategy based on the following considerations: CK2 is a pro-survival kinase, it is frequently over-expressed in human tumours and its over-expression correlates with a worse prognosis. Preclinical evidence strongly supports the feasibility of this target and, although dozens of CK2 inhibitors have been described in the literature so far, CX-4945 (silmitasertib) was the first that entered into clinical trials for the treatment of both human haematological and solid tumours. However, kinase inhibitor monotherapies turned out to be effective only in a limited number of malignancies, probably due to the multifaceted causes that underlie them, supporting the emerging view that multi-targeted approaches to treat human tumours could be more effective.

Conclusions
In this review, we will address combined anti-cancer therapeutic strategies described so far which involve the use of CX-4945. Data from preclinical studies clearly show the ability of CX-4945 to synergistically cooperate with different classes of anti-neoplastic agents, thereby contributing to an orchestrated anti-tumour action against multiple targets. Overall, these promising outcomes support the translation of CX-4945 combined therapies into clinical anti-cancer applications.
Peyronie’s Disease and the Female Sexual Partner: A Comparison of the Male and Female Experience
Authors: Farrell M. Ryan , Ziegelmann Matthew J. , Bajic Petar , Levine Laurence A. 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
Peyronie’s disease (PD) is characterized by penile pain, deformity, and sexual dysfunction, often resulting in an impaired sexual experience and significant psychological bother for the patient. However, there are limited data on the impact of PD on female sexual partners (FSPs).

Aim
To compare the psychosexual experience of men with PD and their FSPs.

Methods
We retrospectively reviewed all prospectively enrolled men and their FSPs who presented for initial PD evaluation to our sexual health clinic from July 2018 to February 2020. All men completed a PD-specific survey and the PD questionnaire (PDQ). If the patient was accompanied by an FSP during initial evaluation, she completed the PDQ for Female Sexual Partners and Female Sexual Function Index. We further queried our database that included information on patient demographics and clinical characteristics.

Outcomes
The main outcome of this study is retrospective comparison of responses with the PDQ and PDQ for Female Sexual Partners.

Results
Data were available for 44 men with PD (median age, 56 years; interquartile range, 49–63) and their FSPs (median age, 54 years; interquartile range, 50–61). The majority of men presented in the chronic phase (35 of 44, 79.5%), and median objective composite curvature was 75° (interquartile range, 50–90°). Owing to PD, female and male partners reported similar difficulty with vaginal intercourse (VI) (74.3% vs 81.5%, P = .555), decreased frequency of VI (70.6% vs 85.2%, P = .228), and at least moderate discomfort/pain with VI (48.6% vs 33.3%, P = .232). FSPs were “very” or “extremely” bothered by the appearance of their partner’s erect penis less often than male partners (20.0% vs 59.3%, P &lt; .001). FSPs were “very” or “extremely” bothered by their partner’s PD during VI less often than men with PD (32.3% vs 65.2%, P = .017). Few FSPs (22.9%) had “severe” or “very severe” concern with damaging their partner’s penis during VI.

Clinical Implications
The sexual experience for men with PD and their FSPs differs, thus emphasizing the importance of active engagement of both men with PD and FSP during initial PD evaluation.

Strengths and Limitations
This initial study draws data from a single, high-volume men’s health clinic with a limited sample size. Survey responses may have been shared by patients with PD and their FSPs.

Conclusion
PD impacts the sexual experience for both men and FSPs. A similarly large proportion of men with PD and FSP noted decreased frequency of and difficulty with vaginal intercourse. Yet, FSPs were less bothered by the appearance of the erect penis and the deformity during VI compared with men.
The treatment of mental illness in faith-based and traditional healing centres in Ghana: perspectives of service users and healers
Authors: Lambert Jessica E. , Nantogmah Fred , Dokurugu Adam Yahaya , Alhassan Hanan , Azuure Sandow Stanislaus , Yaro Peter Badimak , Kørner Jeanette 
Published: October 2020

Abstract

Background
The maltreatment of people with mental illness in Ghana's traditional and faith-based healing centres, including shackling, flogging, and forced fasting, has been documented by numerous sources. Such treatment is potentially traumatising and may exacerbate mental health problems. Despite widespread use, few studies have focused on experiences and characteristics of people who seek traditional healing for mental illness or healers' perspectives treatment of these conditions.

Method
Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 82 individuals who were treated in healing centres and 40 traditional healers; all took part in semi-structured interviews. Those treated were asked about experiences in centres and assessed for prior trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress, and functional impairment. Healers were asked about beliefs and practices related to the treatment of mental illness.

Results
Individuals treated in centres and healers generally believed that mental illness has a spiritual cause. Approximately 30.5% of those treated in centres were exposed to maltreatment; despite this, half would return. Individuals with a history of trauma were more likely to report maltreatment in the centre and had higher symptoms of posttraumatic stress. Most participants had impaired functioning. Healers who used practices like shackling believed they were necessary. Most healers were willing to collaborate with the official health structure.

Conclusion
Results provide insight into the treatment of mental illness by traditional healers in Ghana and the need for trauma-informed mental health services. Findings also highlight the importance of considering cultural beliefs when attempting to implement mental health interventions in the region.
Long-term treatment leads to reduction of tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) populations in the Buffalo National River
Authors: Young Craig C. , Bell Jordan C. , Morrison Lloyd W. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn this case study, we used point mapping data to evaluate long-term treatment of invasive tree-of-heaven [Ailanthus altissima(Mill.) Swingle]. This study at the Buffalo National River included 21 project areas ranging in size from 0.02 to 11.3 ha and spanned 5 to 8 yr depending on the site. The control techniques varied depending on the year and included the application of herbicide, which also varied over the course of the study and included imazapyr, triclopyr, and triclopyr+fluroxypyr. Treatments during the first year reduced localA. altissimapopulations by an average of 66%. Long-term repeated treatments led to decreases of at least 90% in 70% of the project areas and at least 73% in 95% of the project areas. Only one project area was found to support no plants during the final treatment year.Ailanthus altissimaincreased at most project areas during an unusually wet year and was more likely to increase than decrease in intervals >1 yr with no treatment. Over the temporal and spatial scales of this case study, we observed high levels of control that will likely meet the specified levels and ecological benefits required in many similar efforts. Land managers must, however, make a long-term commitment of resources to achieve lasting control of this invasive species.
An Experimental Correction Method for Relative Indentation of Normal Contact
Authors: Peng P. , Di C. A. , Chen G. S. 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTRelative indentation is the input signal estimating contact force model parameters, so the signal is required to have a higher precision to ensure the accuracy of the estimated contact force model parameters. However, in the impact experiment, the vibration displacements in multiple directions are often coupled in the relative indentation, resulting in a large error of the measured relative indentation. This paper presents an experimental correction method for the relative indentation. Firstly, the relative indentation is decoupled by the established model of the spatial position of the hammerhead relative to the sample to reduce the errors caused by the rotation of the pendulum boom and the vibration of the base. A pendulum impact test device is established to verify the correction method of relative indentation. The results show that the maximum relative error between the contact force estimated by using the corrected relative indentation as the input signal and the measured contact force is less than 3%. The estimated contact force is in good agreement with the measured value, and the correlation coefficient is above 0.92. It shows that the experimental correction of the relative indentation has achieved good results, which verifies the accuracy of the correction method.
Design and Simulation Analysis of A Z Axis Microactuator with Low Mode Cross-Talk
Authors: Van Hieu Dang , Van Tam Le , Van Duong Nguyen , Duy Vy Nguyen , Manh Hoang Chu 
Published: October 2020

ABSTRACTFor a vibration system, the best designed spring is compliant to a desired vibration mode while it is robust to other undesired modes. There are several types of spring design for displacing the proofmass along the x and y axes, however, very few designs of spring compliant to the z axis are introduced. Therefore, we propose a z axis microactuator in which the suspending spring is designed so that it is only compliant to vibration along the z axis. The suspending spring consists of straight beam stages mechanically coupled with each other via frames which are symmetrically designed around a center plate. The operation characteristics of the microactuator is investigated by theoretical expresses and numerical simulation. The frequency split between the z axis mode and undesired modes can obtain more than 45%. The operation frequency can be modified in a wide range, from 68 kHz to 400 kHz, by changing the dimensional parameters of spring beams. The spring beams can be lengthened to increase displacement in the z axis while the mode cross-talk is still suppressed. Compared to the previously reported researches, the current microactuator shows robustness to undesired vibration modes, which is potential for integration in low mode cross-talk multi-axis micro-stages and low-noise mechanical sensors.