bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Outcome following neurectomy of the deep branch lateral plantar nerve and plantar fasciotomy for hindlimb proximal suspensory desmopathy in western performance horses: 21 cases
Authors: Tatarniuk Dane M. , Hill Jacqueline A. , Modesto Rolf B. , Swor Tamara M. , Caston Stephanie S. , Kersh Kevin D. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo report the outcome of horses used in western performance disciplines after deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy/fasciotomy surgery for hind limb proximal suspensory desmopathy (PSD).Study designRetrospective analysis.Sample populationTwenty‐one client‐owned horses.MethodsMedical records were reviewed (2009‐2019) for horses involved in western performance disciplines that had been treated with deep branch lateral plantar neurectomy and plantar fasciotomy for lameness due to hind limb PSD. Follow‐up was obtained by reexamination and/or verbal interviews with owners >2 years postoperatively.ResultsSixteen quarter horses and five paints were used for western pleasure (14/21), barrel racing (2/21), cutting (1/21), steer wrestling (1/21), working cow horse (1/21), team roping (1/21) and reining (1/21). A median duration of 8 months was required before horses were able to resume training or athletic work. Nine horses were able to return to a similar or higher level of athletic use, nine horses returned to a lower level of athletic performance, and three horses could not return to intended function. Owner satisfaction with outcome after the procedure was high (16/21), average (3/21), and low (2/21).ConclusionDeep branch lateral plantar neurectomy and plantar fasciotomy allowed most horses to resume some athletic function as western performance horses.Clinical significanceThese results provide evidence of potential outcomes when considering surgical treatment of hind limb PSD in western performance horses.
A hypolimnetic aeration system to meet the hypolimnetic oxygen demand by increasing the natural assimilation capacity of a reservoir
Authors: Göncü Serdar 
Published: December 2020

AbstractHypolimnetic aeration is a viable method to increase the assimilation capacity of lakes. In this study two lakes, one relatively small pond were chosen where aeration equipment was installed and one larger reservoir lake where the required aeration amount was found by calculation. A laboratory‐scale hypolimnetic aeration system (HAS) was designed. A hybrid system using wind and solar energy was implemented which was scaled up from the lab‐scale system. The pilot‐scale system was tested in the smaller volume Borabey Pond and the system’s efficiency was assessed. An aerial hypolimnetic oxygen demand (AHOD) decrease by 33% was observed in the pond due to the operation of the HAS. It was found that, although renewable wind and solar energy sources are applicable for small water bodies, conventional energy sources are needed for large water bodies.
Analysis of Novel Regenerative Thermo-Mechanical Refrigeration System Integrated With Isobaric Engine
Authors: Sleiti Ahmad K. , Al-Ammari Wahib A. , Al-Khawaja Mohammed 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Refrigerants of the conventional cooling systems contribute to global warming and ozone depletion significantly, therefore it is necessary to develop new cooling systems that use renewable energy resources and waste heat to perform the cooling function with eco-friendly working fluids. To address this, the present study introduces and analyzes a novel regenerative thermo-mechanical refrigeration system that can be powered by renewable heat sources (solar, geothermal, or waste heat). The system consists of a novel expander–compressor unit (ECU) integrated with a vapor-compression refrigeration system. The integrated system operates at the higher-performance supercritical conditions of the working fluids as opposed to the lower-performance subcritical conditions. The performance of the system is evaluated based on several indicators including the power loop efficiency, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the cooling loop, and the expander–compressor diameters. Several working fluids were selected and compared for their suitability based on their performance and environmental effects. It was found that for heat source temperature below 100 °C, adding the regenerator to the system has no benefit. However, the regenerator increases the power efficiency by about 1% for a heat source temperature above 130 °C. This was achieved with a very small size regenerator (Dr = 6.5 mm, Lr = 142 mm). Results show that there is a tradeoff between high-performance fluids and their environmental effects. Using R32 as a working fluid at heat source temperature Th = 150 °C and cold temperature Tc1 = 40 °C, the system produces a cooling capacity of 1 kW with power efficiency of 10.23%, expander diameter of 53.12 mm, and compressor diameter of 75.4 mm.
A new modelling approach to sediment bypass prediction applied to the East Coast Basin, New Zealand
Authors: Crisóstomo-Figueroa Adriana , McArthur Adam D. , Dorrell Robert M. , Amy Lawrence , McCaffrey William D. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPredicting when turbidity currents are erosional or depositional (i.e., leaving no depositional record versus leaving a deposit) remains challenging. Here we combine observations from submarine channel morphology with a new sediment transport model to derive thresholds for net erosional, equilibrium, or net depositional flow to predict how far turbidity currents can transport different grain size classes down the channel. The approach was applied to the modern Madden and Omakere Channels, which traverse the Hikurangi subduction margin of the North Island of New Zealand. A bathymetric data set was used to establish the downstream change of channel geometry. Taking account of centripetal and Coriolis forces, the flow superelevation method was used to estimate variations in flow velocity and concentration along the channels. These parameters were used as model inputs to estimate the potential distribution of sand in the system assuming the separate cases of well-sorted and poorly-sorted sediment in suspension. The predicted sand distribution maps deposited by poorly-sorted flows in the channels show good agreement with root mean square amplitude mapping of the seafloor. These results confirm that thicker flows, and those carrying well-sorted suspensions, can bypass sediment over lower slopes than thinner flows and those carrying more poorly-sorted suspensions. The net erosion and net deposition thresholds derived from this study may help to guide and constrain predictions of potential sediment bypass zones in seafloor and subsurface systems and hence better constrain the predicted loci of deposition.
High-fat meal increases peripheral blood mononuclear cell pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in African-American women
Authors: Pearson Regis C. , Olenick Alyssa A. , Shaker Nuha , Blankenship Maire M. , Tinius Rachel A. , Winchester Lee J. , Oregon Evie , Maples Jill M. 
Published: December 2020

African-American (AA) women have elevated predominance of inflammatory diseases concurrent with local inflammation resulting in compromised metabolic function. The purpose of the study was 2-fold: 1) to examine the gene and protein expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from AA and Caucasian-American (CA) women in response to an acute high-fat meal; and 2) to explore the influence of race (AA vs. CA) on PBMC reactivity. Ten AA and 11 CA women consumed a high-fat meal with baseline and 4 h postprandial venous blood draws. PBMCs were incubated for 3 h then messenger RNA expression and supernatant protein concentration was used to examine inflammatory profiles. All women had a postprandial increase in interleukin (IL)-8 gene expression, IL-8 protein concentration, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) protein concentration (P < 0.05). AA women had a postprandial increase in IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α protein concentration (P < 0.05). AA women had higher postprandial IL-1β protein concentration and IL-8 gene expression compared with CA women (P < 0.05). Our data uncovers the specific impact of race and time on pro-inflammatory PBMC (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α) expression profiles in response to an acute high-fat meal challenge. Novelty: African Americans have higher predominance of inflammatory disease. We explored the potential race impact on peripheral blood mononuclear cell reactivity in response to a meal. A pro-inflammatory response to an acute high-fat meal with race impact was observed possibly contributing to health disparities impacting African-American women.
Clusters as surrogate for explicit short-range correlations in relativistic mean-field models
Authors: Typel Stefan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe formation of clusters at sub-saturation densities in nuclear matter can be seen as a result of many-body correlations. Various theoretical models have been developed to take this effect into account, mostly on a phenomenological level using energy density functionals. These models are constructed in such a way that clusters appear solely in dilute matter and dissolve when the density approaches the nuclear saturation density. At higher densities only nucleons survive as quasi-particles and no explicit correlations between the constituents of nuclear matter are considered. The possible description of correlations with cluster degrees of freedom at supra-saturation densities is explored using the example of a quasi-deuteron in a generalized relativistic density functional. The required change in the density dependence of the cluster mass shift, responsible for describing the cluster dissolution in the present model, is derived for nuclear matter at zero temperature.
Hydrogen, helium and lithium plasmas at high pressures
Authors: Ebeling Werner , Reinholz Heidi , Röpke Gerd 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe equations of state (EoS) and other thermodynamic properties of plasmas of the light elements H, He, and Li, are calculated using inverted fugacity expansions. Fugacity expansions are known as an alternative to density expansions but show often an inferior convergence. If, however, the inversion can be solved, the fugacity representations may be very efficient. In particular, the contributions of deeply bound states are included in the fugacity expansion in a very effective way. The mathematical problems on nonlinearity connected with the inversion of fugacities to densities are reduced to solvable algebraic problems. The inversion of fugacities to densities is solved separately for two density regions: (i) In the low density, non-degenerate region we consider ring contributions describing screening effects and ladder contributions describing bound state formation. (ii) In the high density, degenerate region the electrons are described by the Fermi–Dirac distribution. Hartree–Fock contributions and Pauli blocking have to be taken into account. The ions are considered as classical, strongly correlated subsystem eventually forming a Wigner lattice. We solve the inversion problem for each of the regions. Near the crossing point, the separate solutions are connected to each other, either by smooth concatenation at the crossing point or by Padé approximations.
Deconfinement of heavy quarks at finite density and strong magnetic field
Authors: Szymański Michał 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe study the simultaneous effect of the external magnetic field and finite chemical potential on deconfinement of heavy quarks, probed by the Polyakov loop and its fluctuations. We calculate the Polyakov loop, its real and imaginary susceptibilities, their ratio, as well as the heavy quark and anti-quark entropies. We find that these quantities are sensitive probes of deconfinement. Especially, the real Polyakov loop susceptibility and heavy quark and anti-quark entropies diverge at the critical point.
Impact of quark deconfinement in neutron star mergers and hybrid star mergers
Authors: Bauswein Andreas , Blacker Sebastian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe describe an unambiguous gravitational-wave signature to identify the occurrence of a strong phase transition from hadronic matter to deconfined quark matter in neutron star mergers. Such a phase transition leads to a strong softening of the equation of state and hence to more compact merger remnants compared to purely hadronic models. If a phase transition takes place during merging, this results in a characteristic increase of the dominant postmerger gravitational-wave frequency relative to the tidal deformability characterizing the inspiral phase. By comparing results from different purely hadronic and hybrid models we show that a strong phase transition can be identified from a single, simultaneous measurement of pre- and postmerger gravitational waves. Furthermore, we present new results for hybrid star mergers, which contain quark matter already during the inspiral stage. Also for these systems we find that the postmerger GW frequency is increased compared to purely hadronic models. We thus conclude that also hybrid star mergers with an onset of the hadron-quark phase transition at relatively low densities may lead to the very same characteristic signature of quark deconfinement in the postmerger GW signal as systems undergoing the phase transition during merging.
Testate amoebae as non-pollen palynomorphs in pollen slides: usefulness and application in palaeoenvironmental reconstruction
Authors: Andrews L. O. , Payne R. J. , Swindles G. T. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Testate amoebae are a frequently used palaeoecological proxy for reconstructing changes in palaeohydrological conditions, particularly in studies of
Sphagnum
-dominated peatlands. Their use in palaeoecological studies has increased following the development of transfer functions, allowing for the quantitative reconstruction of water-table depth changes through time. Increasingly, they are included in non-pollen palynomorph (NPP) studies alongside a wide range of other proxies, representing a valuable tool, particularly in multi-proxy studies.

Testate amoebae have been used for qualitative assessment of palaeohydrology in NPP studies and may aid the verification of environmental interpretations of conditions inferred from curves of NPP with unknown ecology and taxonomy. Their usefulness in such studies is limited by the destruction of tests owing to harsh chemical treatments used in pollen preparation methods. This makes community distribution data of testate amoebae derived by these methods largely unsuitable for quantitative assessment of water-table depth. Furthermore, many palynological studies combine testate amoebae as one single curve, losing further ecological detail. Patterns of change of surviving species, most commonly of
Assulina
,
Archerella
,
Arcella
,
Hyalosphenia
and
Archerella flavum
, remain relatively unaffected and therefore can still be useful for interpreting qualitative changes in hydrological conditions through time, particularly when coupled with other proxies.
Early land plant phytodebris
Authors: Wellman Charles H. , Ball Alexander C. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract

Historically, phytodebris (often considered a type of non-pollen palynomorph – NPP) has played a prominent role in research into the fossil record of early land plants. This phytodebris consists of cuticles and cuticle-like sheets, various tubular structures (including tracheids and tracheid-like tubes) and sundry other enigmatic fragments. Initial research focused on elucidating their morphology, attempts to identify them
in situ
in plant megafossils and comparisons with potentially homologous structures in extant plants. The fragmentary nature of these remains, and associated difficulties in positively identifying their presence in fossil/extant plants, resulted in vigorous debate regarding what many of these microfossils actually represented and their relevance to early land plant studies. More recently a wider array of analytical techniques has been applied (e.g. ultrastructural analysis, geochemistry and taphonomic experiments). However, positive identification of the affinities of at least some of these enigmatic fossils remained elusive. Ongoing investigations based on exceptionally preserved material from Lagerstätten (charcoalified and silicified) seem to have finally demonstrated that the more enigmatic of these remains derive from nematophytes that probably represent fungi and possibly also lichenized fungi.
Role of the Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Noncritically Ill Patients during the SARS-CoV-2 Epidemic
Authors: Taton Olivier , Papleux Emmanuelle , Bondue Benjamin , Knoop Christiane , Van Laethem Sébastien , Bauler Alain , Martiny Delphine , Montesinos Isabel , Delforge Marie-Luce , Elmaouhab Kahina , Leduc Dimitri 
Published: December 2020

Background. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is currently not recommended in noncritically ill patients for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Indeed, the diagnosis is based on the RT-PCR test on a nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) and abnormal findings on the chest CT scan. However, the sensitivity of the NPS and the specificity of the chest CT scan are low. Results of BAL in case of negative NPS testing are underreported, especially in the subgroup of immunocompromised patients. Objectives. The added value of BAL in the management of unstable, but noncritically ill patients, suspected of having SARS-CoV-2 infection despite one previous negative NPS and the side effects of the procedure for the patients and the health-care providers, were assessed during the epidemic peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in Belgium. Methods. This multicentric study included all consecutive noncritically ill patients hospitalized with a clinical and radiological suspicion of SARS-CoV-2 infection but with a negative NPS. BAL was performed according to a predefined decisional algorithm based on their state of immunocompetence, the chest CT scan features, and their respiratory status. Results. Among the 55 patients included in the study, 14 patients were diagnosed with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Interestingly, there was a relationship between the cycle threshold of the RT-PCR and the interval of time between the symptom onset and the BAL procedure (

Pearso

n

’

s

correlation

coefficient
=
0.8

,

p
=
0.0004

). Therapeutic management was changed in 33 patients because another infectious agent was identified in 23 patients or because an alternative diagnosis was made in 10 patients. In immunocompromised patients, the impact of BAL was even more marked (change in therapy for 13/17 patients). No significant adverse event was noted for patients or health-care staff. All health-care workers remained negative for SARS-CoV-2 NPS and serology at the end of the study. Conclusions. In this real-life study, BAL can be performed safely in selected noncritically ill patients suspected of SARS-CoV-2 infection, providing significant clinical benefits that outweigh the risks.
Impact of Combined “CHADS-BLED” Score to Predict Short-Term Outcomes in Transfemoral and Transapical Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Veulemans Verena , Maier Oliver , Bosbach Georg , Hellhammer Katharina , Afzal Shazia , Piayda Kerstin , Polzin Amin , Jung Christian , Westenfeld Ralf , Mehdiani Arash , Lichtenberg Artur , Kelm Malte , Zeus Tobias 
Published: December 2020

Background. High CHA2DS2-VASC and HAS-BLED scores are linked to increased mortality in structural and nonstructural cardiovascular interventions irrespective of the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF) or oral anticoagulation. We aimed to use the aforementioned scores to quantify the risk of 30-day mortality, major vascular and bleeding events (MVASC/BARC), and cerebrovascular insults (CVI) in patients undergoing different access routes in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods. Out of 1329 patients, 980 transfemoral (TF) TAVR (73.7%) and 349 transapical (TA) TAVR (26.3%) were included. CHA2DS2-VASC, HAS-BLED, and combined “CHADS-BLED” scores were calculated and compared to the predictive value of the established EuroSCORE and STS score. Results. In all-comers TF TAVR patients, the applied risk models showed only poor association with 30-day mortality while, in patients with concomitant AF, a strong association was observed using the combined CHADS-BLED score (c-index: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.76–0.91;

p

< 0.0001). Concerning 30-day mortality, only the STS score for TF TAVR (c-index: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.59–0.76;

p

= 0.001) and EuroSCORE for TA TAVR (c-index: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.56–0.76;

p

= 0.005) could show some predictive value. High CHADS-BLED was associated with enhanced CVI (3.0% vs. 7.2%;

p
=

0.0039

∗

) and more frequent MVASC/BARC (3.2% vs. 6.3%;

p

= 0.0362) in the all-comers TAVR cohort. All risk models failed in the prediction of CVI and MVASC/BARC for TA TAVR patients. Conclusion. The combined CHADS-BLED score was a strong predictor for 30-day mortality in TF TAVR patients with AF. A high CHADS-BLED score showed a good predictive value for major vascular and bleeding events as well as CVI in TF TAVR patients. This study is registered at clinical trials (NCT01805739).
Abstract A04: Interaction of VRK2 with Akt at lysosomes controls induction of autophagy
Authors: Noguchi Masayuki , Hirata Noriyuki , Suizu Futoshi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Serine–threonine kinase Akt (also known as PKB, protein kinase B), a core intracellular mediator of survival, is involved in various human cancers and has been suggested to play an important role in the regulation of autophagy in mammalian cells. Nonetheless, the physiologic function of Akt at the lysosomes is currently unknown. We have reported previously that PtdIns(3)P-dependent lysosomal accumulation of the Akt–Phafin2 complex is a critical step for autophagy induction. Here, to characterize the molecular function of activated Akt at the lysosomes in the process of autophagy, we searched for the molecules that interact with the Akt complex at the lysosomes after induction of autophagy. By time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF/MS) analysis, kinases of the VRK family, a unique serine–threonine family of kinases in the human kinome, were identified. VRK2 interacts with Akt1 and Akt2, but not with Akt3; the C terminus of Akt and the N terminus of VRK2 facilitate the interaction of Akt and VRK2 in mammalian cells. The kinase-dead form of VRK2A (KD VRK2A) failed to interact with Akt in co-immunoprecipitation assays. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) experiments showed that at the lysosomes, Akt interacted with VRK2A, but not with VRK2B or KD VRK2A. Immunofluorescent assays revealed that VRK2 and phosphorylated Akt accumulated at the lysosomes after autophagy induction. WT VRK2A, but not KD VRK2A or VRK2B, facilitated accumulation of phosphorylated Akt at the lysosomes. Downregulation of VRK2 abrogated the lysosomal accumulation of phosphorylated Akt and impaired nuclear localization of TFEB; these events coincided with inhibition of autophagy induction. The VRK2–Akt complex is required for control of lysosomal size, acidification, bacterial degradation, and for viral replication. Moreover, lysosomal VRK2–Akt controls cellular proliferation and mitochondrial outer-membrane stabilization. Given the roles of autophagy in the pathogenesis of human cancer, the current study provides a novel insight into the oncogenic activity of VRK2–Akt complexes at the lysosomes via the modulation of autophagy.
Citation Format: Masayuki Noguchi, Noriyuki Hirata, Futoshi Suizu. Interaction of VRK2 with Akt at lysosomes controls induction of autophagy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Targeting PI3K/mTOR Signaling; 2018 Nov 30-Dec 8; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Res 2020;18(10_Suppl):Abstract nr A04.