Electroplastic deformation studies of an Al-Cu eutectic alloy using nanoindentation

A promising approach to deform various groups of materials with poor deformability, such as metallic-intermetallic composite materials, is the exploitation of the electroplastic effect, which lowers the yield strength and enhances the elongation to fracture. However, its underlying metal physical phaenomena are not well understood yet. Since any experimental attempts to further understand the effect have been limited to the macroscopic scale so far, we developed an in-situ electro-nanomechanical testing setup which enables us to apply electric current pulses during indentation. This allows us to electroplastically deform single crystalline phases of defined orientation. Additionally, due to the microscopic contact area, high current densities can be achieved with this setup. Here, we present our experimental setup as well as recent results on the deformation of the eutectic Al-Al2Cu system as well as on the single crystalline Al2Cu phase. These results reveal displacement shifts upon pulsing, with a larger displacement shift following on the first current pulse, indicating that depinning of dislocations from obstacles is the underlying mechanism. Furthermore, a change in shift direction during unloading was observed which is assumed to be caused by long-range internal stress fields present in the deformed microstructure

Synthesis of Zeolites from Fine-Grained Perlite and Their Application as Sorbents

The hydrothermal alteration of perlite into zeolites was studied using a two-step approach. Firstly, perlite powder was transformed into Na-P1 (GIS) or hydro(xy)sodalite (SOD) zeolites at 100 °C and 24 h using 2 or 5 M NaOH solutions. Secondly, the Si:Al molar ratio of the reacted Si-rich solution was adjusted to 1 by Na-aluminate addition to produce zeolite A (LTA) at 65 or 95 °C and 6 or 24 h at an efficiency of 90 ± 9% for Al and 93 ± 6% for Si conversion. The performance of these zeolites for metal ion removal and water softening applications was assessed by sorption experiments using an artificial waste solution containing 4 mmol/L of metal ions (Me(2+): Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Ba(2+) and Zn(2+)) and local tap water (2.1 mmol/L Ca(2+) and 0.6 mmol/L Mg(2+)) at 25 °C. The removal capacity of the LTA-zeolite ranged from 2.69 to 2.86 mmol/g for Me(2+) (=240–275 mg/g), which is similar to commercial zeolite A (2.73 mmol/g) and GIS-zeolite (2.69 mmol/g), and significantly higher compared to the perlite powder (0.56 mmol/g) and SOD-zeolite (0.88 mmol/g). The best-performing LTA-zeolite removed 99.8% Ca(2+) and 93.4% Mg(2+) from tap water. Our results demonstrate the applicability of the LTA-zeolites from perlite for water treatment and softening applications

The temporal dynamics of attention:Thinking about oneself comes at a cost in sub‐clinical depression but not in healthy participants

Self-relevant stimuli seem to automatically draw attention, but it is unclear whether this comes at a cost for processing subsequent stimuli, and whether the effect is depending on one’s mental state (i.e. depression). To address this question, we performed two experiments. In Experiment 1, 45 participants were to report two words (T1 and T2) in an attentional blink (AB) paradigm. T1 was a personality characteristic varying in self-rated self-relevance, whereas T2 was a neutral word. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) was applied to compare the T1 and T2 accuracies when T1 was high or low self-relevant. A positive effect of self-relevance was found on T1, without observable carry-over effects on T2 performance. However, in Experiment 2, a GLMM applied on 93 participants showed that T1 self-relevance can affect T2, showing opposite effects depending on sub-clinical depression score. Our findings imply that people with low depression scores process self-relevant stimuli more efficiently, which is reflected in a reduced AB. In contrast, individuals with higher scores in depression demonstrated a difficulty to withdraw attention from self-relevant information, reflected in an increased AB. Our findings thus reveal that a processing advantage for highly self-relevant stimuli comes at either a subsequent cost or benefit in temporal attention depending on one’s mental disposition

Subsurface heat channel drove sea surface warming in the high-latitude North Atlantic during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition

© The Author(s), 2021. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. The definitive version was published in Catunda, M. C. A., Bahr, A., Kaboth-Bahr, S., Zhang, X., Foukal, N. P., & Friedrich, O. Subsurface heat channel drove sea surface warming in the high-latitude North Atlantic during the Mid-Pleistocene Transition. Geophysical Research Letters, 48(11), (2021): e2020GL091899, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL091899.The Mid-Pleistocene Transition (MPT, 1,200–600 ka) marks the rapid expansion of Northern Hemisphere (NH) continental ice sheets and stronger precession pacing of glacial/interglacial cyclicity. Here, we investigate the relationship between thermocline depth in the central North Atlantic, subsurface northward heat transport and the initiation of the 100-kyr cyclicity during the MPT. To reconstruct deep-thermocline temperatures, we generated a Mg/Ca-based temperature record of deep-dwelling (∼800 m) planktonic foraminifera from mid-latitude North Atlantic at Site U1313. This record shows phases of pronounced heat accumulation at subsurface levels during the mid-MPT glacial driven by increased outflow of the Mediterranean Sea. Concurrent warming of the subtropical thermocline and subpolar surface waters indicates enhanced (subsurface) inter-gyre transport of warm water to the subpolar North Atlantic, which provided moisture for ice-sheet growth. Precession-modulated variability in the northward transport of subtropical waters imprinted this orbital cyclicity into NH ice-sheets after Marine Isotope Stage 24.Catunda and A. Bahr were funded by DFG project BA 3809/8, O.F. by DFG project FR 2544/11. S. Kaboth-Bahr acknowledges an Open-Topic Post-Doc Grant from the University of Potsdam. X.Z. was funded via the Lanzhou University (project 225000–830006) and National Science Foundation of China (Grant 42075047). N.F. was funded by the NSF Grant 1756361. Open access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL

Associations between BMI and the FTO Gene Are Age Dependent: Results from the GINI and LISA Birth Cohort Studies up to Age 6 Years

Objective: The association between polymorphisms in intron 1 of the fat mass and obesity associated gene (FTO) and obesity-related traits is one of the most robust associations reported for complex traits and is established both in adults and children. However, little is known about the longitudinal dynamics of these polymorphisms on body mass index (BMI), overweight, and obesity. Methods: This study is based on the 2,732 full-term neonates of the German GINI-plus and LISA-plus birth cohorts, for whom genotyping data on the FTO variants rs1558902 (T>A) or rs9935401 (G>A) were available. Children were followed from birth up to age 6 years. Up to 9 anthropometric measurements of BMI were obtained. Fractional-Polynomial-Generalized-Estimation-Equation modeling was used to assess developmental trends and their potential dependence on genotype status. Results: We observed no evidence for BMI differences between genotypes of both variants for the first 3 years of life. However, from age 3 years onwards, we noted a higher BMI for the homozygous minor alleles carriers in comparison to the other two genotype groups. However, evidence for statistical significance was reached from the age of 4 years onwards. Conclusions: This is one of the first studies investigating in detail the development of BMI depending on FTO genotype between birth and the age of 6 years in a birth cohort not selected for the phenotype studied. We observed that the association between BMI and FTO genotype evolves gradually and becomes descriptively detectable from the age of 3 years onwards

Fecal 20-oxo-pregnane concentrations in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) treated with porcine zona pellucida vaccine

Because of overpopulation of African elephants in South Africa and the consequent threat to biodiversity, the need for a method of population control has become evident. In this regard, the potential use of the porcine zona pellucida (pZP) vaccine as an effective means for population control is explored. While potential effects of pZP treatment on social behavior of African elephants have been investigated, no examination of the influence of pZP vaccination on the endocrine correlates in treated females has been undertaken. In this study, ovarian activity of free-ranging, pZP-treated African elephant females was monitored noninvasively for 1 yr at Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, South Africa, by measuring fecal 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations via enzyme immunoassay. A total of 719 fecal samples from 19 individuals were collected over the study period, averaging 38 samples collected per individual (minimum, maximum: 16, 52). Simultaneously, behavioral observations were made to record the occurrence of estrous behavior for comparison. Each elephant under study showed 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations rising above baseline at some period during the study indicating luteal activity. Average 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations were 1.61 0.46 g/g (mean SD). Within sampled females, 42.9% exhibited estrous cycles within the range reported for captive African elephants, 14.3% had irregular cycles, and 42.9% did not appear to be cycling. Average estrous cycle duration was 14.72 0.85 wk. Estrous behavior coincided with the onset of the luteal phase and a subsequent rise in 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations. Average 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on levels positively correlated with rainfall. No association between average individual 5 -pregnan-3 -ol-20-on concentrations or cyclicity status with age or parity were detected. Earlier determination of efficacy was established via fecal hormone analysis with no pregnancies determined 22 mo post-treatment and onward. Results indicate the presence of ovarian activity amongst pZP-treated female African elephants in 2 yr after initial immunization. Further study should now be aimed toward investigating the long-term effects of pZP vaccination on the reproductive function of female African elephants.Thornybush Private Nature Reserve, the US Fish and Wildlife Service-African Elephant Conservation Fund, Humane Society International, and the University of Pretoria.http://www.theriojournal.comab201

Reactivated endogenous retroviruses promote protein aggregate spreading

Endogenous retroviruses, or genomic relics of ancient viral infection, have been associated with certain neurodegenerative diseases. Here, Liu et al. report a pathway by which reactivated viral gene products contribute to intercellular protein aggregate spreading. Prion-like spreading of protein misfolding is a characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases, but the exact mechanisms of intercellular protein aggregate dissemination remain unresolved. Evidence accumulates that endogenous retroviruses, remnants of viral germline infections that are normally epigenetically silenced, become upregulated in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and tauopathies. Here we uncover that activation of endogenous retroviruses affects prion-like spreading of proteopathic seeds. We show that upregulation of endogenous retroviruses drastically increases the dissemination of protein aggregates between cells in culture, a process that can be inhibited by targeting the viral envelope protein or viral protein processing. Human endogenous retrovirus envelopes of four different clades also elevate intercellular spreading of proteopathic seeds, including pathological Tau. Our data support a role of endogenous retroviruses in protein misfolding diseases and suggest that antiviral drugs could represent promising candidates for inhibiting protein aggregate spreading

Non-invasive assessment of adrenocortical function in captive Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus)

The occurrence of stress-inducing factors in captive crocodilians is a concern, since chronic stress can negatively affect animal health and reproduction, and hence production. Monitoring stress in wild crocodiles could also be beneficial for assessing the state of health in populations which are potentially threatened by environmental pollution. In both cases, a non-invasive approach to assess adrenocortical function as a measure of stress would be preferable, as animals are not disturbed during sample collection, and therefore sampling is feedback-free. So far, however, such a non-invasive method has not been established for any crocodilian species. As an initial step,we therefore examined the suitability of two enzyme-immunoassays, detecting faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGMs) with a 11β,21-diol-20-one and 5β-3α-ol-11-one structure, respectively, for monitoring stress-related physiological responses in captive Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus). An adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) challenge was performed on 10 sub-adult crocodiles, resulting in an overall increase in serum corticosterone levels of 272% above the pre-injection levels 5 h post-injection. Saline-treated control animals (n=8) showed an overall increase of 156% in serum corticosterone levels 5 h post-administration. Faecal samples pre- and post-injection could be obtained from three of the six individually housed crocodiles, resulting in FGMconcentrations 136–380% above pre-injection levels, always detected in the first sample collected post-treatment (7–15 days post-injection). FGM concentrations seem comparatively stable at ambient temperatures for up to 72 h post-defaecation. In conclusion, non-invasive hormone monitoring can be used for assessing adrenocortical function in captive Nile crocodiles based on FGM analysis.University of Pretoria.The IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group (SRAS Project 10/12) and Novartis/SAVF Wildlife Research Fundhttp://www.elsevier.com/locate/cbpahb201

Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Task Group 11 Report Underwater Noise and Other Forms of Energy

The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC) (MSFD) requires that the European Commis-sion (by 15 July 2010) should lay down criteria and methodological standards to allow consistency in approach in evaluating the extent to which Good Environmental Status (GES) is being achieved. ICES and JRC were contracted to provide scientific support for the Commission in meeting this obligation. A total of 10 reports have been prepared relating to the descriptors of GES listed in Annex I of the Directive. Eight reports have been prepared by groups of independent experts coordinated by JRC and ICES in response to this contract. In addition, reports for two descriptors (Contaminants in fish and other seafood and Marine Litter) were written by expert groups coordinated by DG SANCO and IFREMER respectively. A Task Group was established for each of the qualitative Descriptors. Each Task Group consisted of selected experts providing experience related to the four marine regions (the Baltic Sea, the North-east Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea) and an appropriate scope of relevant scien-tific expertise. Observers from the Regional Seas Conventions were also invited to each Task Group to help ensure the inclusion of relevant work by those Conventions. This is the report of Task Group 11 Underwater noise and other forms of energy.JRC.DDG.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Moderate effects of noninvasive brain stimulation of the frontal cortex for improving negative symptoms in schizophrenia:meta-analysis of controlled trials

Background: Negative symptoms in schizophrenia concern a clinically relevant reduction of goal-directed behavior that strongly and negatively impacts daily functioning. Existing treatments are of marginal effect and novel approaches are needed. Noninvasive neurostimulation by means of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) are novel approaches that may hold promise. Objectives: To provide a quantitative integration of the published evidence regarding effects of rTMS and tDCS over the frontal cortex on negative symptoms, including an analysis of effects of sham stimulation. Methods: Meta-analysis was applied, using a random effects model, to calculate mean weighted effect sizes (Cohen's d). Heterogeneity was assessed by using Cochrans Q and I-2 tests. Results: For rTMS treatment, the mean weighted effect size compared to sham stimulation was 0.64 (0.32-0.96; k = 22, total N = 827). Studies with younger participants showed stronger effects as compared to studies with older participants. For tDCS studies a mean weighted effect size of 0.50 (-0.07 to 1.07; k = 5, total N = 134) was found. For all frontal noninvasive neurostimulation studies together (i.e., TMS and tDCS studies combined) active stimulation was superior to sham, the mean weighted effect size was 0.61 (24 studies, 27 comparisons, 95% confidence interval 0.33-0.89; total N = 961). Sham rTMS (baseline-posttreatment comparison) showed a significant improvement of negative symptoms, d = 0.31 (0.09-0.52; k = 16, total N = 333). Whereas previous meta-analyses were underpowered, our meta-analysis had a power of 0.87 to detect a small effect. Conclusions: The available evidence indicates that noninvasive prefrontal neurostimulation can improve negative symptoms. This finding suggests a causal role for the lateral frontal cortex in self-initiated goal-directed behavior. The evidence is stronger for rTMS than for tDCS, although this may be due to the small number of studies as yet with tDCS. More research is needed to establish moderator variables that may affect response to neurostimulation and to optimize treatment parameters in order to achieve stable and durable (and thus clinically relevant) effects