bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fiber bridging in polypropylene‐reinforced high‐strength concrete: An experimental and numerical survey
Authors: Khaloo Alireza , Daneshyar Alireza , Rezaei Benyamin , Fartash Ali 
Published: July 2021

AbstractFracture process of fiber‐reinforced concrete notched beams is investigated here. Polypropylene macrosynthetic fibers are utilized for reinforcing concrete specimens, and a high‐strength mix design is used to produce strong bonds between the embossed polypropylene fibers and the cementitious matrix of beams. Considering different locations for the notch, this study focuses on bridging mechanism under different conditions using both experimental and numerical approaches. First mode of fracture occurs due to opening of crack faces. This mode of failure is simulated by imposing symmetric boundary conditions on middle‐notched beams. Inducing the notch with an offset from the middle, mixed‐mode condition is achieved, wherein a combination of opening and sliding of crack surfaces occurs. Plain and reinforced concretes are used to cast each setup of test in order to analyze the bridging effects in different cases. Nonlinear behavior of the cementitious matrix is reproduced numerically using a continuum damage model, and instead of the common phenomenological representation of fibers (e.g., via cohesive crack method), fibers are explicitly modeled in direct numerical simulations. Once the nonlinear response of fibers is obtained, the method can provide valid responses in general loading conditions. This feature distinguishes the proposed approach from the cohesive crack method, wherein the contribution of opening mode, shearing mode, and even tearing mode in three‐dimensional cases are required for simulating a general mixed‐mode test. Different distributions with random locations and random orientations of fibers are generated in order to assure the objectivity of results. It is found that the prevailing dissipative mechanism within the reinforced specimens is resulted by the sliding resistance of fiber–matrix interfaces. In addition, owing to the high tensile strength of polypropylene fibers, instead of sudden cracking due to fiber rupture, ductile post‐peak responses with tremendous amount of energy dissipation are obtained. Low elastic modulus of polypropylene fibers, on the other hand, leads to negligible change in pre‐peak responses as the fibers are added to the mixtures.
Generative Models for Relief Perspective Architectures
Authors: Baglioni Leonardo , Fallavollita Federico 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe present essay investigates the potential of generative representation applied to the study of relief perspective architectures realized in Italy between the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In arts, and architecture in particular, relief perspective is a three-dimensional structure able to create the illusion of great depths in small spaces. A method of investigation applied to the case study of the Avila Chapel in Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome (Antonio Gherardi 1678) is proposed. The research methodology can be extended to other cases and is based on the use of a Relief Perspective Camera, which can create both a linear perspective and a relief perspective. Experimenting mechanically and automatically the perspective transformations from the affine space to the illusory space and vice versa has allowed us to see the case study in a different light.
ZBED6 counteracts high-fat diet-induced glucose intolerance by maintaining beta cell area and reducing excess mitochondrial activation
Authors: Wang Xuan , Younis Shady , Cen Jing , Wang Yun , Krizhanovskii Camilla , Andersson Leif , Welsh Nils 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Aims/hypothesis
ZBED6 (zinc finger, BED-type containing 6) is known to regulate muscle mass by suppression of Igf2 gene transcription. In insulin-producing cell lines, ZBED6 maintains proliferative capacity at the expense of differentiation and beta cell function. The aim was to study the impact of Zbed6 knockout on beta cell function and glucose tolerance in C57BL/6 mice.

Methods
Beta cell area and proliferation were determined in Zbed6 knockout mice using immunohistochemical analysis. Muscle and fat distribution were assessed using micro-computed tomography. Islet gene expression was assessed by RNA sequencing. Effects of a high-fat diet were analysed by glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance tests. ZBED6 was overexpressed in EndoC-βH1 cells and human islet cells using an adenoviral vector. Beta cell cell-cycle analysis, insulin release and mitochondrial function were studied in vitro using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry, ELISA, the Seahorse technique, and the fluorescent probes JC-1 and MitoSox.

Results
Islets from Zbed6 knockout mice showed lowered expression of the cell cycle gene Pttg1, decreased beta cell proliferation and decreased beta cell area, which occurred independently from ZBED6 effects on Igf2 gene expression. Zbed6 knockout mice, but not wild-type mice, developed glucose intolerance when given a high-fat diet. The high-fat diet Zbed6 knockout islets displayed upregulated expression of oxidative phosphorylation genes and genes associated with beta cell differentiation. In vitro, ZBED6 overexpression resulted in increased EndoC-βH1 cell proliferation and a reduced glucose-stimulated insulin release in human islets. ZBED6 also reduced mitochondrial JC-1 J-aggregate formation, mitochondrial oxygen consumption rates (OCR) and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, both at basal and palmitate + high glucose-stimulated conditions. ZBED6-induced inhibition of OCR was not rescued by IGF2 addition. ZBED6 reduced levels of the mitochondrial regulator PPAR-γ related coactivator 1 protein (PRC) and bound its promoter/enhancer region. Knockdown of PRC resulted in a lowered OCR.

Conclusions/interpretation
It is concluded that ZBED6 is required for normal beta cell replication and also limits excessive beta cell mitochondrial activation in response to an increased functional demand. ZBED6 may act, at least in part, by restricting PRC-mediated mitochondrial activation/ROS production, which may lead to protection against beta cell dysfunction and glucose intolerance in vivo.

Graphical abstract
Phase-Field Approximation of Functionals Defined on Piecewise-Rigid Maps
Authors: Cicalese Marco , Focardi Matteo , Zeppieri Caterina Ida 
Published: July 2021

AbstractWe provide a variational approximation of Ambrosio–Tortorelli type for brittle fracture energies of piecewise-rigid solids. Our result covers both the case of geometrically nonlinear elasticity and that of linearised elasticity.
Age-Related miRNA-Mediated Regulatory Networks Orchestrating Chronological Development of Meristems in Larix Kaempferi
Authors: Li Wan-Feng , Qi Li-Wang , Yang Wen-Hua 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPlant growth and development is usually characterized by chronological age over the plants’ lifetimes. Age-related changes actually originate with meristems because they control if, where, when, and how new tissues are formed along the axis of the shoot. The “time-keeping” of plant meristem development is a complex process. To uncover the post-transcriptional regulation underlying the chronological development of Larix kaempferi (Japanese larch) meristems, we investigated the miRNA-mediated regulatory network in the defoliated, uppermost main stems of 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 25-, and 50-year-old L. kaempferi using RNA-seq methods. We identified 29 high-confidence miRNAs, three of which were defined, age-related miRNAs whose expression changed depending on L. kaempferi age, and 17 showed coordinated expression patterns with three age-related miRNAs based on hierarchical correlations. All hierarchically coordinated miRNAs and their targets constituted a miRNA-mediated regulatory network. The developmental timing pathway lka-miR-1-5p-156-SBP/SPL (Squamosa Promoter Binding Protein-Like), the lignin biosynthesis pathway lka-miR-7,13-5p-397-LAC (Laccase), and an unknown pathway lka-miR-3-5p-CMSS1 (Cms1 Ribosomal Small Subunit Homolog) were age-driven, and information from auxin and light could be integrated by the lka-miR-9-5p-390-TAS/ARF (Trans-Acting siRNA3/Auxin Response Factor) and lka-miR-8-5p-IRL4 (Plant Intracellular Ras-Group-Related LRR Protein 4) pathways, respectively. Age-driven regulatory network will lead the way to understand which and how genes mutually cross-regulate their activity orchestrating development of meristems of L. kaempferi with age. We also discussed and contributed to miRNA annotation and nomenclature.
The clinical and prognostic value of late Gadolinium enhancement imaging in heart failure with mid-range and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: van Woerden Gijs , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Gorter Thomas M. , Willems Tineke P. , van Empel Vanessa P. M. , Peters Aniek , Pundziute Gabija , op den Akker Jeroen W. , Rienstra Michiel , Westenbrink B. Daan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHeart failure (HF) with mid-range or preserved ejection fraction (HFmrEF; HFpEF) is a heterogeneous disorder that could benefit from strategies to identify subpopulations at increased risk. We tested the hypothesis that HFmrEF and HFpEF patients with myocardial scars detected with late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) are at increased risk for all-cause mortality. Symptomatic HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 40%, who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging were included. The presence of myocardial LGE lesions was visually assessed. T1 mapping was performed to calculate extracellular volume (ECV). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine associations between clinical characteristics and LGE. Cox regression analyses were used to assess the association between LGE and all-cause mortality. A total of 110 consecutive patients were included (mean age 71 ± 10 years, 49% women, median N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) 1259 pg/ml). LGE lesions were detected in 37 (34%) patients. Previous myocardial infarction and increased LV mass index were strong and independent predictors for the presence of LGE (odds ratio 6.32, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.07–19.31, p = 0.001 and 1.68 (1.03–2.73), p = 0.04, respectively). ECV was increased in patients with LGE lesions compared to those without (28.6 vs. 26.6%, p = 0.04). The presence of LGE lesions was associated with a fivefold increase in the incidence of all-cause mortality (hazards ratio 5.3, CI 1.5–18.1, p = 0.009), independent of age, sex, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, NT-proBNP, LGE mass and LVEF. Myocardial scarring on CMR is associated with increased mortality in HF patients with LVEF > 40% and may aid in selecting a subpopulation at increased risk.
Pacific contribution to decadal surface temperature trends in the Arctic during the twentieth century
Authors: Svendsen Lea , Keenlyside Noel , Muilwijk Morven , Bethke Ingo , Omrani Nour-Eddine , Gao Yongqi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInstrumental records suggest multidecadal variability in Arctic surface temperature throughout the twentieth century. This variability is caused by a combination of external forcing and internal variability, but their relative importance remains unclear. Since the early twentieth century Arctic warming has been linked to decadal variability in the Pacific, we hypothesize that the Pacific could impact decadal temperature trends in the Arctic throughout the twentieth century. To investigate this, we compare two ensembles of historical all-forcing twentieth century simulations with the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM): (1) a fully coupled ensemble and (2) an ensemble where momentum flux anomalies from reanalysis are prescribed over the Indo-Pacific Ocean to constrain Pacific sea surface temperature variability. We find that the combined effect of tropical and extratropical Pacific decadal variability can explain up to ~ 50% of the observed decadal surface temperature trends in the Arctic. The Pacific-Arctic connection involves both lower tropospheric horizontal advection and subsidence-induced adiabatic heating, mediated by Aleutian Low variations. This link is detected across the twentieth century, but the response in Arctic surface temperature is moderated by external forcing and surface feedbacks. Our results also indicate that increased ocean heat transport from the Atlantic to the Arctic could have compensated for the impact of a cooling Pacific at the turn of the twenty-first century. These results have implications for understanding the present Arctic warming and future climate variations.
Bjerknes compensation in a coupled global box model
Authors: Shi Jiaqi , Yang Haijun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe Earth climate system has an intrinsic mechanism to maintain its energy conservation by impelling opposite changes in meridional ocean and atmosphere heat transports. This mechanism is briefed as the Bjerknes compensation (BJC). We set up a global coupled two-hemisphere box model in this study, and obtain an analytical solution to the BJC of this system. In the two-hemisphere model, the thermohaline circulation is interhemispheric and parameterized by the density difference between two polar boxes. The symmetric poleward atmosphere heat and moisture transports are considered and parameterized by the temperature gradient between tropical and polar boxes. Different from the BJC in the one-hemisphere box model that depends only on the local climate feedback, the BJC here is determined by both local climate feedback and temperature change. The asymmetric thermohaline circulation leads to a better BJC in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. Furthermore, an analytical solution to the probability of a valid BJC (i.e., negative BJC) is derived, which is determined only by the local climate feedback. The probability of a valid BJC is very high under reasonable climate feedback. Based on observational data, the climate feedback can be estimated and the BJC in real world can be calculated using the analytical formulae. It is found that at the decadal and longer timescales the BJC for both hemispheres are robust in reality.
Chronic rhinosinusitis in cystic fibrosis: a review of therapeutic options
Authors: Krajewska Joanna , Zub Krzysztof , Słowikowski Adam , Zatoński Tomasz 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Purpose
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is observed in almost 100% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF-related CRS treatment is extremely challenging because of the underlying genetic defect leading to its development. CRS in CF is often refractory to standard therapy, while recurrences after surgical treatment are inevitable in the majority of patients. This study provides a precise review of the current knowledge regarding possible therapeutic options for CF-related CRS.

Methods
The Medline and Web of Science databases were searched without a time limit using the terms “cystic fibrosis” in conjunction with “otorhinolaryngological manifestation”, “rhinology” and “sinusitis”.

Results
Precise guidelines for CF-induced CRS therapy are lacking due to the lack of large cohort randomized controlled trials. None of the existing therapeutic agents has already been recommended for CRS in CF. Therapy targeting the underlying genetic defect, intranasal dornase alfa administration, and topical delivery of colistin and tobramycin showed promising results in CF-related CRS therapy. Besides the potential effectiveness of nasal steroids, strong recommendations for their usage in CF have not been provided yet. Systemic corticosteroid usage is controversial due to its potential negative influence on pulmonary disease. Ibuprofen revealed some positive effects on CF-related CRS in molecular and small cohort studies. Intranasal irrigation with saline solutions could relieve sinonasal symptoms. Nasal decongestants are not recommended. Endoscopic sinus surgery is the first-line surgical option for refractory CRS. Extensive surgical approaches should be considered as they could improve long-term outcomes in CRS.

Conclusion
Further studies are warranted to establish consensus for CF-related CRS therapy.
Driving forces on dislocations: finite element analysis in the context of the non-singular dislocation theory
Authors: Zhou Xiandong , Reimuth Christoph , Stein Peter , Xu Bai-Xiang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis work presents a regularized eigenstrain formulation around the slip plane of dislocations and the resultant non-singular solutions for various dislocation configurations. Moreover, we derive the generalized Eshelby stress tensor of the configurational force theory in the context of the proposed dislocation model. Based on the non-singular finite element solutions and the generalized configurational force formulation, we calculate the driving force on dislocations of various configurations, including single edge/screw dislocation, dislocation loop, interaction between a vacancy dislocation loop and an edge dislocation, as well as a dislocation cluster. The non-singular solutions and the driving force results are well benchmarked for different cases. The proposed formulation and the numerical scheme can be applied to any general dislocation configuration with complex geometry and loading conditions.
Afforestation with Pinus nigra Arn ssp salzmannii along an elevation gradient: controlling factors and implications for climate change adaptation
Authors: Lucas-Borja Manuel Esteban , Jing Xin , Candel-Perez David , Parhizkar Misagh , Rocha Francisco , Heydari Mehdi , Muñoz-Rojas Miriam , Zema Demetrio Antonio 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Key Message
The first bottleneck in Spanish black pine survival through afforestation is the lack of resistance to drought in their initial life stages.

Abstract
Spanish black pine (Pinus nigra Arn ssp. salzmannii) is the most widely distributed pine species in mountain areas of the Mediterranean Basin and is commonly used for afforestation in endangered and degraded areas. Despite its importance, little is known regarding the factors driving seedling survival for this species, which may hamper afforestation success in Mediterranean areas. In this study, we assessed the effects of seed origin and plantation site along a natural gradient with contrasting elevation and climatic conditions in a Mediterranean forest in Central-Eastern Spain. Our results showed: (1) higher seedling survival rates when seed origin differed from plantation site (25.3 ± 5.4%) compared to same origin and plantation site (5.3 ± 2.7%); (2) higher survival probability (~ 20%) for high and medium elevation seeds (colder and wetter locations) compared to the warmer and drier low elevation sites (15%); (3) higher seedling survival (~ 40%) at higher elevation sites compared to low-elevation sites (< 20%); and (4) increased hazard of seedling death with decreasing elevation of the plantation site. We also reported a complete mortality at the drier sites after the first summer following the plantation. Overall, the combination of seeds from medium elevation and high elevation plantation sites increased the survival of Spanish black pine. These results have direct implications for forest management of Spanish black pine in Mediterranean regions, particularly in current and future climate change scenarios.
Implementation of the BERT-derived architectures to tackle disinformation challenges
Authors: Kula Sebastian , Kozik Rafał , Choraś Michał 
Published: July 2021

AbstractRecent progress in the area of modern technologies confirms that information is not only a commodity but can also become a tool for competition and rivalry among governments and corporations, or can be applied by ill-willed people to use it in their hate speech practices. The impact of information is overpowering and can lead to many socially undesirable phenomena, such as panic or political instability. To eliminate the threats of fake news publishing, modern computer security systems need flexible and intelligent tools. The design of models meeting the above-mentioned criteria is enabled by artificial intelligence and, above all, by the state-of-the-art neural network architectures, applied in NLP tasks. The BERT neural network belongs to this type of architectures. This paper presents Transformer-based hybrid architectures applied to create models for detecting fake news.
HBeAg-positive patients with HBsAg  < 100 IU/mL and negative HBV RNA have lower risk of virological relapse after nucleos(t)ide analogues cessation
Authors: Xie Yandi , Li Minghui , Ou Xiaojuan , Zheng Sujun , Gao Yinjie , Xu Xiaoyuan , Yang Ying , Ma Anlin , Li Jia , Huang Yuan , Nan Yuemin , Zheng Huanwei , Feng Bo 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Background
Nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs) cessation is not widely practiced and remains a controversial, but highly relevant subject in patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). We aimed to explore the related factors for safe NAs cessation.

Methods
This is a multicenter prospective cohort study. Overall, 139 initially HBV e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients meeting the stopping criteria were included in 12 hospitals in China. Enrolled patients ceased NAs and were followed up every 3 months for 24 months or until clinical relapse (CR).

Results
The 24 month cumulative rates of virological relapse (VR), CR, HBeAg reversion and HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) loss were 50.4, 24.5, 11.5 and 9.4%, respectively. Patients with end of treatment (EOT) HBsAg  < 100 IU/mL plus negative HBV RNA had the lowest 24 month cumulative VR rate (5 vs 58%, p < 0.001). EOT HBsAg  ≥ 2 log10 IU/mL [odds ratio (OR) = 6.686, p = 0.006], EOT positive HBV RNA (OR = 3.453, p = 0.008) and EOT hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg)  ≥ 4log U/mL (OR = 3.702, p = 0.002) were found to independently predict the risk of VR. To predict VR, the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (AUROC) value of the EOT HBsAg  < 100 IU/mL plus EOT HBV RNA negative was 0.698 (p < 0.001), which was higher than other parameters alone or combinations.

Conclusions
NAs cessation is suitable only for a small and selected patients. An EOT HBsAg  < 100 IU/mL and EOT negative HBV RNA identified a patient with low risk of off-treatment VR.
CO2 dynamics and heterogeneity in a cave atmosphere: role of ventilation patterns and airflow pathways
Authors: Kukuljan Lovel , Gabrovšek Franci , Covington Matthew D. , Johnston Vanessa E. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractUnderstanding the dynamics and distribution of CO2 in the subsurface atmosphere of carbonate karst massifs provides important insights into dissolution and precipitation processes, the role of karst systems in the global carbon cycle, and the use of speleothems for paleoclimate reconstructions. We discuss long-term microclimatic observations in a passage of Postojna Cave, Slovenia, focusing on high spatial and temporal variations of pCO2. We show (1) that the airflow through the massif is determined by the combined action of the chimney effect and external winds and (2) that the relationship between the direction of the airflow, the geometry of the airflow pathways, and the position of the observation point explains the observed variations of pCO2. Namely, in the terminal chamber of the passage, the pCO2 is low and uniform during updraft, when outside air flows to the site through a system of large open galleries. When the airflow reverses direction to downdraft, the chamber is fed by inlets with diverse flow rates and pCO2, which enter via small conduits and fractures embedded in a CO2-rich vadose zone. If the spatial distribution of inlets and outlets produces minimal mixing between low and high pCO2 inflows, high and persistent gradients in pCO2 are formed. Such is the case in the chamber, where vertical gradients of up to 1000 ppm/m are observed during downdraft. The results presented in this work provide new insights into the dynamics and composition of the subsurface atmosphere and demonstrate the importance of long-term and spatially distributed observations.