bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulbauweisen im Verbundbrückenbau
Authors: Lechner Thomas , Schmitt Victor , Fischer Oliver , Kempf Johannes 
Published: January 2021

AbstractDie modulare Konstruktion von Brückenbauwerken stellt in vielen Ländern mittlerweile den anerkannten Stand der Technik dar und wird dort stetig eingesetzt und weiterentwickelt. Insbesondere im europäischen Ausland, in den USA und im asiatischen Raum wird bereits eine Vielzahl der neuen Brücken in Segmentbauweise aus Stahlbeton‐ oder Spannbetonfertigteilen errichtet. Auch modulare Bauweisen in Stahlverbund kommen zum Einsatz. Die Vorteile von Modulbauweisen im Brückenbau liegen neben der qualitativ hochwertigen Fertigung der Einzelteile im Werk insbesondere in der deutlich verkürzten Bauzeit. Vor allem mit Blick auf das hoch ausgelastete Straßennetz werden auch in Deutschland (insbesondere für Ersatzneubauten) Entwürfe benötigt, die in kurzer Bauzeit bei minimaler Beeinträchtigung der Umwelt und des Verkehrs realisiert werden können. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden verschiedene Modulbauweisen für den Verbundbrückenbau vorgestellt. Es wird zunächst ein kurzer Rückblick gegeben, bevor auf aktuelle Tendenzen und neue Entwicklungen eingegangen wird.
FZD5 regulates cellular senescence in human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
Authors: Harada Seiko , Mabuchi Yo , Kohyama Jun , Shimojo Daisuke , Suzuki Sadafumi , Kawamura Yoshimi , Araki Daisuke , Suyama Takashi , Kajikawa Masunori , Akazawa Chihiro , Okano Hideyuki , Matsuzaki Yumi 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) have garnered enormous interest as a potential resource for cell-based therapies. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating senescence in hMSCs remain unclear. To elucidate these mechanisms, we performed gene expression profiling to compare clonal immature MSCs exhibiting multipotency with less potent MSCs. We found that the transcription factor Frizzled 5 (FZD5) is expressed specifically in immature hMSCs. The FZD5 cell surface antigen was also highly expressed in the primary MSC fraction (LNGFR+THY-1+) and cultured MSCs. Treatment of cells with the FZD5 ligand WNT5A promoted their proliferation. Upon FZD5 knockdown, hMSCs exhibited markedly attenuated proliferation and differentiation ability. The observed increase in the levels of senescence markers suggested that FZD5 knockdown promotes cellular senescence by regulating the noncanonical Wnt pathway. Conversely, FZD5 overexpression delayed cell cycle arrest during the continued culture of hMSCs. These results indicated that the intrinsic activation of FZD5 plays an essential role in negatively regulating senescence in hMSCs and suggested that controlling FZD5 signaling offers the potential to regulate hMSC quality and improve the efficacy of cell-replacement therapies using hMSCs.
Numerical analysis on shear resistance of ultra‐high performance concrete‐normal strength concrete composite beam
Authors: He Ji , Chao Liu 
Published: January 2021

AbstractUltra‐high performance concrete‐normal strength concrete (UHPC‐NC) composite beam is a brand‐new composite structure. UHPC‐NC composite beam not only has the interfacial problem of the two materials, but its shear resistance should be investigated, which directly determines the mechanical performance and engineering value. In this article, the finite element analysis (FEA) method combined with the UHPC‐NC composite beam shear experiment are used to analyze the shear resistance of the composite beam and the influence of the interfacial zone on the shear behavior. The shear span‐to‐depth ratio, UHPC layer, and longitudinal reinforcement of specimens are designed to study the shear mechanism. Then the FEA model is used to simulate the cooperative working properties of the concrete beam and the UHPC layer, which includes two conditions—slip and no‐slip. The shear resistance, load‐span deflection curve and the strain of longitudinal reinforcement of the UHPC‐NC composite beams are analyzed and studied in combination with the results of shear experiment. The results show that the UHPC‐NC composite beam can effectively improve the ultimate shear resistance and ductility of the beam. At the same time, the interfacial zone of UHPC‐NC composite beam at the ultimate stage is a weak area, the cracking of that will has adverse effects on the mechanical properties of the composite beam, which needs to be paid attention to in the structural design.
A systems‐theoretic articulation of stakeholder needs and system requirements
Authors: Salado Alejandro 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe literature shows disparities in how fundamental systems engineering concepts in the area of requirements engineering, such as stakeholder needs, system requirements, requirements elicitation, requirements derivation, and requirements decomposition, are used within the communities‐of‐practice and in research. Such disparities can lead to conceptual and application inconsistencies, which have been shown to contribute to the formulation of poor requirements. In this paper, such concepts are articulated using systems theory as the underlying theoretical framework. The concepts of problem space, solution space, open system, and closed system are central to this work. It is argued that the proposed articulations facilitate avoiding usage disparity, ultimately resulting in better formulation of requirements. These articulations are supported by in‐depth examples that comprehensively cover different types of needs and requirements, and provide step‐by‐step insights into how elicitation, derivation, and decomposition occur within a problem formulation effort.
The Growth of an Electrochemical Garden on a Zinc Electrode
Authors: Spanoudaki Dimitra , Pavlidou Eleni , Sazou Dimitra 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe far‐from equilibrium precipitation reaction of chemical gardens can lead to the formation of biomimetic and complex structures providing a new route for the rational architectural design of functional materials. Inspired by recent developments in the field of chemical gardens, we put forward a new scientific question: “Is it possible to create an electrochemical garden?” By implementing state‐of‐the‐art electrochemical techniques and using the phenomenon of metal corrosion, we sculpture self‐organized structures on a zinc disc‐electrode surface by a mechanism similar to that of chemical gardens. A deeper search in the formation mechanism reveals that ion‐selective membranes are the driving force for the growth of an electrochemical garden. At last, electrochemical instabilities, introduced under proper conditions, result in the emergence of current oscillations in the region where electrochemical gardens were discovered. Current oscillations sculpture the electrode surface with a variety of self‐organized precipitate structures.
Factors Influencing Rainbow Trout Annual Growth in a Large Regulated River
Authors: Dunnigan James L. , Terrazas Marc M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe construction and operation of dams represents one of the most significant anthropogenic impacts to the aquatic environment of freshwater ecosystems and includes changes in flow, temperature, water chemistry, sedimentation, and nutrient delivery. Despite the substantial changes caused by dams, we have a limited understanding of how dams influence important rate functions of fish, including growth rates. This study measured the growth rates of Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykissfrom successive captures of individually marked fish over seven annual increments within four river sections downstream of Libby Dam on the Kootenai River, Montana. We modeled the influence of hydropower‐related environmental variables on Rainbow Trout length and weight growth rates using linear mixed‐effects models. The top models predicting annual length and weight growth rates contained measures of water chemistry (ratio of total N to total P [N:P]) during the growing season, winter substrate coverage by the diatomDidymosphenia geminata, and an interactive term between winterD. geminatacoverage and fish size at tagging. WinterD. geminatacoverage and N:P were negatively correlated with annual growth rates, but the interactive term indicates that the influence of winterD. geminatacoverage disproportionally affects smaller fish more than larger fish. We hypothesize that N:P andD. geminataare influencing Rainbow Trout growth rates through lower‐trophic‐level impacts. Top Rainbow Trout length and weight growth models explained 94.6% and 92.2%, respectively, of the annual variability in growth rates, of which 87.7% and 76.2%, respectively, were attributable to fixed effects. An experimental nutrient addition study and robust trophic monitoring efforts in the Kootenai River downstream of Libby Dam would be an effective means of independent corroboration of these study results. If successful, nutrient addition may be an effective management strategy to improve annual Rainbow Trout growth rates, mitigating for the nutrient retention occurring in the large reservoir upstream of Libby Dam.
GMI, a fungal immunomodulatory protein from Ganoderma microsporum, induce apoptosis via β‐catenin suppression in lung cancer cells
Authors: Hsin I‐Lun , Hsu Jen‐Chieh , Wu Wen‐Jun , Lu Hsueh‐Ju , Wu Ming‐Fang , Ko Jiunn‐Liang 
Published: January 2021

Abstractβ‐catenin is important in development of lung cancer. In our previous study, GMI, a fungal immunomodulatory protein, inhibits lung cancer cell survival. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of GMI on β‐catenin inhibition and apoptosis induction. GMI induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells bearing wild‐type and mutated EGFR. GMI did not reduce the β‐catenin mRNA expression but suppressed the protein expressions of β‐catenin that resulted in the transcriptional downregulation of its target genes: survivin and cyclin‐D1. The transcriptional activation activity of β‐catenin was demonstrated by TOPFLASH/FOPFLASH luciferase reporter assay. Inhibition of GSK‐3β and proteasome blocked the inhibiting effect of GMI on β‐catenin and its target genes. β‐catenin silencing increased activation of apoptosis in GMI‐treated H1355 cells. This is the first study to reveal the novel function of GMI in inducing apoptosis via β‐catenin inhibition. These results provide a new potential of GMI in against lung cancer.
Perinatal outcomes of iatrogenic chorioamniotic separation following fetoscopic surgery: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Nassr A. A. , Hessami K. , Shazly S. A. , Meshinchi N. , Corroenne R. , Espinoza J. , Donepudi R. , Sanz Cortes M. , Belfort M. A. , Shamshirsaz A. A. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo compare the perinatal outcomes between pregnancies with and those without iatrogenic chorioamniotic separation (iCAS) following fetoscopic intervention.MethodsWe performed a search in PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar from inception up to December 2020 for studies comparing perinatal outcomes between pregnancies that developed and those that did not develop iCAS after fetoscopic intervention for twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS), open neural tube defect (ONTD) or congenital diaphragmatic hernia. A random‐effects model was used to pool the mean differences (MD) or odds ratios (OR) and the corresponding 95% CI. The primary outcome was neonatal survival. Secondary outcomes included gestational age (GA) at intervention and at delivery, interval from intervention to delivery and incidence of preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) and preterm delivery. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the Newcastle–Ottawa scale.ResultsThe search identified 348 records, of which seven studies (six on fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP) for TTTS and one on fetoscopic repair for ONTD) assessed the perinatal outcomes of pregnancies that developed iCAS after fetoscopic intervention. Given that only one study reported on fetoscopic ONTD repair, the meta‐analysis was limited to TTTS pregnancies and included six studies (total of 1881 pregnancies). Pregnancies that developed iCAS after FLP for TTTS, compared with those that did not, had significantly lower GA at the time of intervention (weeks) (MD, −1.07 (95% CI, −1.89 to −0.24); P = 0.01) and at delivery (weeks) (MD, −1.74 (95% CI, −3.13 to −0.34); P = 0.01) and significantly lower neonatal survival (OR, 0.41 (95% CI, 0.24–0.70); P = 0.001). In addition, development of iCAS after FLP for TTTS increased significantly the risk for PPROM < 34 weeks' gestation (OR, 3.98 (95% CI, 1.76–9.03); P < 0.001) and preterm delivery < 32 weeks (OR, 1.80 (95% CI, 1.16–2.80); P = 0.008).ConclusionsiCAS is a common complication after FLP for TTTS. In patients undergoing FLP for TTTS, iCAS develops more often with earlier GA at intervention and is associated with earlier GA at delivery, higher risk of PPROM < 34 weeks' gestation and preterm delivery < 32 weeks and lower neonatal survival. Given the limitations of this meta‐analysis and lack of literature reporting on other types of fetoscopic intervention, the presented findings should be interpreted with caution and should not be generalized to fetoscopic procedures used to treat other fetal conditions. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Assessment of levator hiatal area using 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis and superficial dyspareunia treated with pelvic floor muscle physiotherapy: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Del Forno S. , Arena A. , Pellizzone V. , Lenzi J. , Raimondo D. , Cocchi L. , Paradisi R. , Youssef A. , Casadio P. , Seracchioli R. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACTObjectivesDeep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) is associated with chronic pelvic pain, dyspareunia and pelvic floor muscle hypertonia. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pelvic floor physiotherapy (PFP) on the area of levator ani hiatus during Valsalva maneuver, assessed using transperineal ultrasound, in women with DIE suffering from superficial dyspareunia.MethodsThis was a randomized controlled trial of 34 nulliparous women diagnosed with DIE and associated superficial dyspareunia. After an initial clinical examination, all patients underwent three‐dimensional/four‐dimensional (3D/4D) transperineal ultrasound to measure the levator hiatal area (LHA) at rest, on maximum pelvic floor muscle contraction and on maximum Valsalva maneuver, and were asked to rate their pain symptoms using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Eligible women were assigned randomly (1:1 ratio) to no intervention (control group, 17 women) or treatment with five individual sessions of PFP (study group, 17 women). Four months after the first examination, all women underwent a second evaluation of pain symptoms and LHA on transperineal ultrasound. The primary outcome measure was the percentage change in LHA on maximum Valsalva maneuver between the baseline and follow‐up examinations. The percentage changes in pain symptoms between the two examinations, including superficial and deep dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain, dysuria and dyschezia, were also evaluated.ResultsThirty women, comprising 17 in the study group and 13 in the control group, completed the study and were included in the analysis. The percentage change in LHA on maximum Valsalva maneuver between the two examinations was higher in the study group than in the control group (20.0 ± 24.8% vs –0.5 ± 3.3%; P = 0.02), indicating better pelvic floor muscle relaxation. After PFP treatment, the NRS score for superficial dyspareunia remained almost unchanged in the control group (median change in NRS (Δ‐NRS), 0 (interquartile range (IQR), 0–0)) while a marked reduction was observed in the study group (median Δ‐NRS, –3 (IQR, –4 to –2); P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the PFP and control groups with regards to the change in chronic pelvic pain (median Δ‐NRS, 0 (IQR, –2 to 0) vs 0 (IQR, 0–1); P = 0.01).ConclusionsIn women with DIE, PFP seems to result in increased LHA on Valsalva maneuver, as observed by 3D/4D transperineal ultrasound, leading to improved superficial dyspareunia, chronic pelvic pain and pelvic floor muscle relaxation. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Pestivirus apparent prevalence in sheep and goats in Northern Ireland: A serological survey
Authors: Campbell Emma , McConville James , Clarke Joe , Donaghy Aoibheann , Moyce Asa , Byrne Andrew W. , Verner Sharon , Strain Sam , McKeown Ignatius M. , Borne Paul , Guelbenzu‐Gonzalo Maria 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackground: Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and border disease virus (BDV) can cause significant health problems in ruminants and economic impacts for farmers. The aim of this study was to evaluate pestivirus exposure in Northern Ireland sheep and goat flocks, and to compare findings with a previous study from the region.Methods: Up to 20 animals were sampled from 188 sheep and 9 goat flocks (n = 3,418 animals; 3,372 sheep and 46 goats) for pestivirus antibodies. Differentiation of the causative agent in positive samples was inferred using serum neutralisation. Abortion samples from 177 ovine cases were tested by BVDV reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and antigen ELISA.Results: Apparent animal and flock (one antibody positive animal within a flock) prevalence was 1.7% and 17.3%, respectively, a statistically significant drop in apparent prevalence since a survey in 1999. 52.6% of samples testing positive had higher antibody titres to BVDV than to BDV. Of the ovine abortion samples, only one positive foetal fluid sample was detected by ELISA.Conclusion: The present study found that, since 1999, there has been a decrease in apparent animal and flock prevalence of 3.7 and 12.8 percentage points respectively, suggesting pestivirus prevalence has decreased across Northern Ireland between 1999 and 2018.
Preparation and characterization of PVC/CsxWO3 composite film with excellent near‐infrared light shielding and high visible light transmission
Authors: Su Keshun , Mao Zepeng , Yang Zhangbin , Zhang Jun 
Published: January 2021

AbstractNear‐infrared (NIR) shielding is essential not only in the building and automobile glass films but also in achieving energy conservation. However, effectively shielding NIR and maintaining high transmittance in the visible light region have been great challenges in the past decade. Recently, hexagonal cesium tungsten bronze (CsxWO3) nanoparticles have been widely studied due to the excellent transparency in the visible light region and strong heat‐shielding ability in the NIR region. Herein, a design concept of transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/CsxWO3 composite film, as a heat insulation material for glasses, was proposed. To achieve this purpose, the PVC/CsxWO3 composite film was prepared by incorporating CsxWO3 slurry with better dispersion than traditional CsxWO3 nanoparticles powder into a transparent PVC matrix. By the UV‐Vis‐NIR spectrophotometer characterization, the PVC/CsxWO3 composite film containing 2.1 phr CsxWO3 slurry displays high blocking of NIR (78%) and high transmittance of visible light (76%). In order to further understand the actual heat insulation effect from the PVC/CsxWO3 composite films, the indoor sunlight simulation test and outdoor cooling experiment with solar illumination variations were carried out, which both showed heat insulation that is superior to the antimony tin oxide and indium tin oxide thin films prepared in our previous work. In addition, the mechanical property of PVC/CsxWO3 composite films shows almost no change with the increase of CsxWO3 slurry. The PVC/CsxWO3 composite films simultaneously achieve excellent shielding of NIR and high transmittance of visible light, which makes it an ideal material to alleviate the current building energy consumption issues.
Development and application of quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics methods with advanced polarizable potentials
Authors: Nochebuena Jorge , Naseem‐Khan Sehr , Cisneros G. Andrés 
Published: January 2021

AbstractQuantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) simulations are a popular approach to study various features of large systems. A common application of QM/MM calculations is in the investigation of reaction mechanisms in condensed‐phase and biological systems. The combination of QM and MM methods to represent a system gives rise to several challenges that need to be addressed. The increase in computational speed has allowed the expanded use of more complicated and accurate methods for both QM and MM simulations. Here, we review some approaches that address several common challenges encountered in QM/MM simulations with advanced polarizable potentials, from methods to account for boundary across covalent bonds and long‐range effects, to polarization and advanced embedding potentials.This article is categorized under:
Electronic Structure Theory > Combined QM/MM Methods
Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Interactions
Software > Simulation Methods
Metabolic patterns reveal enhanced anammox activity at low nitrogen conditions in the integrated I‐ABR
Authors: Pan Juejun , Huo Tangran , Yang Hui , Li Zhenshan , Chen Liming , Niu Zhao , Ni Shouqing , Liu Sitong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSubstrate concentrations greatly influence bacterial growth and metabolism. However, optimal nitrogen concentrations for anammox bacteria in nitrogen‐limited environments remain unclear. Here, we observed enhanced nitrogen metabolism and anabolism of anammox bacteria at low nitrogen conditions. Efficient nitrogen removal was achieved at ammonium and nitrite influent concentration of 30 mg/L under HRT of 1 hr, with an average nitrogen removal rate (NRR) of 0.73 kg N/(m3·day) in I‐ABR composed of four compartments. The highest anammox activity of 6.25 mmol N/ (gVSS·hr) was observed in the fourth compartment (C4) with the lowest substrate levels (ammonium and nitrite of 11.6 mg/L and 7 mg/L). This could be resulted from the highest expression level of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism in C4, which was 1.49–1.67 times higher than that in other compartments. Besides, the second compartment (C2) exhibited the most active anabolism at ammonium and nitrite of 17 mg/L and 13 mg/L, respectively, which contributed to the most active amino acid synthesis and thus the highest EPS (1.35 times higher) in C2. This enhanced amino acid auxotrophy between anammox bacteria with heterotrophs, and consequently, heterotrophs thrived and competed for nitrite. These results hint at the potential application of anammox process in micro‐polluted water.Practitioner points

High nitrogen removal and efficient biomass retention at low nitrogen concentrations under short HRT was achieved in I‐ABR.
Optimal concentrations for anammox nitrogen removal and anabolism were discussed under low nitrogen concentrations.
More active anabolism contributed to enhanced amino acid synthesis and thus higher EPS contents.
Low substrate levels led to enhanced expression of genes involved in nitrogen metabolism and thus high anammox activity.