bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Triage practice in emergency departments in tertiary hospitals across China: A multicenter national descriptive survey
Authors: Peng Lingli , Luo Zhen , Wu Lixiang
Published: April 2021

Triage procedure remains at a developing stage in mainland China, and few studies have reported the current status. This study aimed to explore the triage practices presently implemented in emergency departments in mainland China. A descriptive online national survey was administered to nurses with experience in emergency department triage who worked in 64 hospitals in 2019. A total of 361 participants completed the survey. Only 210 nurses (58.2%) used triage systems. Approximately 5% of the participants reported that no nurse was allocated to triage during the evening and night shifts in their emergency departments. Most participants had fewer than 5 years of nursing experience (47%) and emergency nursing experience (58.2%) before fulfilling the triage role. This study shows the variability in triage guidelines as well as the inconsistency between different hospitals in nurses' entry qualifications to triage, in hospital workforce arrangements, and in triage training. These problems underscore the need to unify triage guidelines and to establish reasonable entry qualifications and appropriate workforce arrangements for triage nurses that ensure high triage quality and high levels of patient safety.
Medicago truncatula Yellow Stripe‐Like7 encodes a peptide transporter participating in symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Authors: Castro‐Rodríguez Rosario , Escudero Viviana , Reguera María , Gil‐Díez Patricia , Quintana Julia , Prieto Rosa Isabel , Kumar Rakesh K. , Brear Ella , Grillet Louis , Wen Jiangqi , Mysore Kirankumar S. , Walker Elsbeth L. , Smith Penelope M. C. , Imperial Juan , González‐Guerrero Manuel
Published: April 2021

Yellow Stripe‐Like (YSL) proteins are a family of plant transporters that are typically involved in transition metal homeostasis. Three of the four YSL clades (I, II and IV) transport metals complexed with the non‐proteinogenic amino acid nicotianamine or its derivatives. No such capability has been shown for any member of clade III, but the link between these YSLs and metal homeostasis could be masked by functional redundancy. We studied the role of the clade III YSL protein MtSYL7 in Medicago truncatula nodules. MtYSL7, which encodes a plasma membrane‐bound protein, is mainly expressed in the pericycle and cortex cells of the root nodules. Yeast complementation assays revealed that MtSYL7 can transport short peptides. M. truncatula transposon insertion mutants with decreased expression of MtYSL7 had lower nitrogen fixation rates and showed reduced plant growth whether grown in symbiosis with rhizobia or not. YSL7 mutants accumulated more copper and iron in the nodules, which is likely to result from the increased expression of iron uptake and delivery genes in roots. Taken together, these data suggest that MtYSL7 plays an important role in the transition metal homeostasis of nodules and symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Skeletons in the Sanskrit closet
Authors: Venkatkrishnan Anand
Published: April 2021

This essay proposes that we cannot write a history of Sanskrit studies without locating it in the settler colonial history of the United States. It provides examples of anti‐Black racism in the writings of early Sanskritists, and recommends that we understand them as Americans. It concludes by arguing for alternative minority histories in the field.
‘The Rose and Lily Queen’: Henrietta Maria’s fair face and the power of beauty at the Stuart court
Authors: Griffey Erin
Published: April 2021

The marriage of Henrietta Maria (1609–69) and Charles I (1600–49) was presented in literature and prints as the joining of the ‘lily’ (France, the queen) and the ‘rose’ (England, the king). Harnessing these floral analogies, this article examines how Henrietta Maria’s fair face was invested with social, political and medical import, and as such was widely cultivated and enhanced through physic, sartorial choices and painted representations. Her skin texture and colouring were considered a mirror of her dynastic pedigree, marital status and good health. The white and red palette of the lily and the rose were intrinsic to longstanding ideals of facial colouring, and to youthful bloom and fertility. This colouring was marshalled by painters such as Anthony van Dyck in her portraits, and strategically deployed through her clothing. Her physician, Theodore de Mayerne, also provided her with prescriptions to clean, smooth and restore her face. As such, the queen’s facial skin functioned as a mirror of her quality, a paradigm of health and a canvas for artists, wardrobe specialists and physicians to cultivate and highlight her natural beauty. The analysis is built on a range of primary sources including treatises, wardrobe accounts, herbals and cosmetic recipes.
Signature of modern glacial lake outburst floods in fjord sediments (Baker River, southern Chile)
Authors: Vandekerkhove Elke , Bertrand Sebastien , Torrejón Fernando , Kylander Malin E. , Reid Brian , Saunders Krystyna M.
Published: April 2021

Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) constitute a major hazard in glacierized regions. They are particularly pronounced in the Baker River watershed (Chilean Patagonia, 48°S), where 23 events occurred between 2008 and 2020. Although GLOF deposits have previously been studied in lake settings, how modern GLOFs are recorded in fjord sediments remains mostly unknown. To address this issue, ten sediment cores collected in the fjord immediately downstream of the Baker River (Martínez Channel) were investigated and compared to the recent GLOF history of the river. Results show that sediments accumulate at 2.0 to 3.4 cm year−1 and that GLOF deposits can be distinguished from background sediments by their finer grain size (5.98 ± 0.82 μm) and lower organic carbon content (0.31 ± 0.06%), reflecting the release and transport in suspension of high amounts of glacial rock flour during GLOFs. Although 21 GLOFs from Cachet 2 Lake occurred between 2008 and 2017, the first events left a stronger imprint in the sediment, suggesting that more sediment of glacial origin was released during those initial events, possibly due to lake‐bed erosion. An older GLOF deposit was tentatively linked to the outburst of Las Lengas Lake in 1988. The sediment cores also contain fine‐grained turbidites, especially in the prodelta area. These turbidites confirm recent channel activity, but most of them seem to have been triggered by processes other than GLOFs. Overall, the results of this study suggest that GLOF deposits are distinct from typical flood turbidites. They are best identified by their low grain size and total organic carbon content, and best archived on the delta slope, away from any submarine channel influence. Finally, these results highlight the potential of fjord sediment archives to establish pre‐historical GLOF records and ultimately improve GLOF hazard assessments.
Facies characteristics and stratigraphy of an Upper Cretaceous mud‐dominated subaqueous delta: Medicine Hat Member (Niobrara Formation), Alberta, Canada
Authors: La Croix Andrew D. , Gingras Murray K.
Published: April 2021

The Medicine Hat Member in Alberta, Canada, is a muddy interval with thin sandstones. However, the sedimentology and stratigraphy are poorly understood – a reflection of the limited knowledge of mud‐dominated successions. Here facies analysis and stratigraphy from core and wireline logs were used to construct a depositional framework for the interval in a stratigraphical context. Sedimentological and ichnological results show that the Medicine Hat Member was deposited in shallow water within a mud‐dominated subaqueous delta system under the combined influence of river flow, waves, storms and longshore currents. Four facies are recognized, which are interpreted as distal delta front, proximal prodelta, distal prodelta and interdistributary bay deposits. The distal delta front is dominated by sandy storm deposits and thin storm‐flood hyperpycnites. The prodelta, on the other hand, is characterized by muddy storm deposits and wave‐enhanced sediment gravity flow deposits, with only subordinate hyperpycnites. Ichnological assemblages in both the delta front and prodelta are impoverished, indicating persistent physico‐chemical environmental stresses. Interdistributary bay deposits are uncommon and are differentiated based on more robust ichnological assemblages and higher bioturbation intensities. Subsurface correlations reveal shallowing‐upward parasequences that have aggradational and progradational stacking patterns and a very low depositional gradient (ca 0.03° to 0.1°). The stratigraphy reflects rapid progradation with fixed accommodation in a low‐gradient setting; coeval flexural subsidence in the foredeep was dampened by underlying basement structures. Furthermore, previous suggestions that the Bow Island Arch impacted sediment distributions are not substantiated by the low angle geometry of clinoforms. Data from this study supports the interpretation that Medicine Hat deltas were fed by rivers flowing north through Montana because parasequences are sandier towards the south. This study fills a crucial gap in the literature by providing a rock record example of a mud‐dominated subaqueous delta system and serves as a basis for comparison in core studies of similar units globally.
Toward a political sociology of privatized punishment: Contestation, state structures, and stratification
Authors: Burkhardt Brett C. , Connor Brian T.
Published: April 2021

Privatized punishment—in which nonstate actors carry out state‐mandated criminal punishments—has developed into a common practice since its rise in the 1980s. Many disciplines, including criminology, political science, public administration, and economics, have examined its use over the past four decades. However, privatized punishment has not garnered much attention in sociology. This is surprising, as privatized punishment touches on the key themes in sociology, and in the political sociology in particular. In this paper, we attempt to insert privatized punishment into classic and contemporary discussions in political sociology. Below, we offer an overview of privatized punishment and provide a high‐level review of how other social scientific disciplines have studied the phenomenon. Then we argue that political sociology provides a useful, if underutilized, lens for studying privatized punishment. In particular, we highlight three political sociological themes—contestation,state structures, andstratification—that can be fruitfully applied to the study of privatized punishment, and we sketch multiple lines of future research informed by these themes.
Examining knowledge translation in blood donor research: A review of vasovagal reaction literature
Authors: Thijsen Amanda , Masser Barbara , Davison Tanya E. , Kruse Sarah P. , Williamson Anna
Published: April 2021

Background

Knowledge translation focuses on the transfer of research findings into policy and practice. To provide insight into the state of knowledge translation in blood donor research, we undertook a rapid review of a key research area in the field with high potential for translation, vasovagal reactions (VVRs). We examined the number and nature of VVR‐related studies to determine the availability of research evidence, and mapped the included articles along the research‐to‐practice trajectory using the Knowledge to Action framework.

Study Design and Methods

PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE were searched for peer‐reviewed journal articles from inception to October 2019 using the terms blood don* AND vasovagal OR faint* OR syncope.

Results

A total of 176 articles met our inclusion criteria. Studies relating to VVRs increased substantially from 1942 to 2019, with 84% published in the last 20 years. Articles were predominately observation (non‐intervention) studies (117; 66%), followed by intervention (knowledge inquiry) studies (31; 18%) and review (knowledge synthesis) studies (20; 11%). The evidence from intervention research was limited, with 14 strategies tested in 31 studies and often by the same research groups. Only 5 (3%) implementation and evaluation studies were found; all focused on evaluating the effects of a newly introduced intervention on VVR rates through uncontrolled or cross‐sectional study designs.

Discussion

VVR research is in the early stages of knowledge translation. More intervention research is needed to provide a robust evidence base as well as more published implementation research to share knowledge of translating research into policy and practice.
The impact of a surgical checklist on surgical outcomes in an academic institution
Authors: Thieman Mankin Kelley M. , Jeffery Nicholas D. , Kerwin Sharon C.
Published: April 2021

Objective

To determine the influence of a surgical checklist (SC) on morbidities and compliance with safety measures.

Study Design

Before‐and‐after‐intervention study.

Sample Population

Three thousand two hundred eighty‐six dogs: 1375 dogs pre‐SC and 1911 post‐SC.

Methods

Completion of safety measures and occurrence of morbidity and/or mortality during hospitalization and up to death or 30‐days postoperatively were recorded.

Results

Safety measures were more frequently completed post‐SC, including oral confirmation of patient identity (467/1177 [40%] vs. 1911/1911 [100%]) and oral confirmation of surgical site (568/1175 [48%] vs. 1911/1911 [100%]). In addition, duration of anesthesia decreased from 241 to 232 min (t= 2.824;p= .005); a greater proportion of animals that were intended to receive antibiotics did so prior to incision (1142/1316 [86.8%] vs. 1656/1845 [89.8%] [χ2= 6.70,p= .01]); and fewer dogs had unplanned return to the OR (32/1065 [3.0%], vs. 21/1472 [1.4%]) (χ2= 7.52,p= .006). No difference in surgical site infection (adjusted odds ratio 1.02 [95%CI: 0.63–1.66]); morbidity, (adjusted odds ratio 1.00 [95%CI: 0.77–1.29]); or death within 30 days (adjusted odds ratio 1.15 [95%CI: 0.72–1.83]) was detected on multivariable logistic regression analysis. The checklist prevented one wrong‐site surgery.

Conclusion

Implementation of the checklist at our institution led to a decrease in anesthesia duration, increased administration of planned perioperative antibiotics before incision, increased completion of safety measures, and decreased unexpected return to the OR.

Impact

Despite the lack of effect on morbidities, the use of SC is recommended to improve compliance with safety measures and potentially prevent rare catastrophic events.
Treatment of a mining water effluent for the sorption of heavy metal ions using polymer composite beads in a continuous column
Authors: Arenas‐Flores Edgar R. , Almeida‐Escalante Omayra , Conejo‐Flores Ricardo , García‐González Juan M. , Rojas‐Amaro Antonio , Terres‐Rojas Eduardo , Guzmán‐Pantoja Javier
Published: April 2021

The performance of novel chitosan‐poly(vinyl alcohol) gel beads was evaluated removing lead, cadmium and chromium from mining‐influenced groundwater (MIGW) under hydrodynamic conditions employing column sorption experiments. To elicit the efficiency of the synthesized materials, the sorbent bed height within the packed column and volumetric flow were varied; the column configuration was changed using packed and fluidized arrangements. The fluidized bed configuration presented higher sorption efficiency for Pb, Cd and Cr ions than the fixed bed configuration: 78%, 52% and 62% against 60%, 35% and 37%. The packed bed data were processed using the Clark, Dose–Response, Yoon‐Nelson and Woldborska models. The best fitting was obtained with the Dose–Response model. The experimental output confirmed the effective reduction of the harmful metals in MIGW at a very short breakthrough time from 3 to 15 min, which is strategic due to the global effects on both human health and environment.
Numerical Investigation on Bubble Growth and Merger in Microchannel Flow Boiling With Self-Rewetting Fluid
Authors: Li Wei , Lin Yuhao , Luo Yang
Published: April 2021

There exist some problems such as flow instability and critical heat flux (CHF) caused by the local dryout phenomenon, which is an obstacle to the application of microchannel flow boiling heat sink. Utilizing self-rewetting fluid is one of the promising ways to minimize the dryout area, thus increasing the heat transfer coefficient and CHF. To investigate the heat transfer performance of self-rewetting fluid in microchannel flow boiling, a numerical investigation is carried out in this study using the volume of fluid (VOF) method, phase-change model, and continuum surface force model with surface tension versus temperature. A three-dimensional numerical investigation of bubble growth and merger is carried out with water and 0.2 wt % heptanol solution. The single bubble growing cases, two x-direction/y-direction bubbles' merging cases, and three bubbles' merging cases are conducted. Since the bubbles never detach the heated walls, the dryout area and regions nearby the contact line with thin liquid film dominated the heat transfer process during the bubbles' growth and merger. The self-rewetting fluid can minimize the local dryout area and achieve larger thin liquid film area around the contact line due to the Marangoni effect and thermocapillary force, thus resulting in higher wall heat flux. The two x-direction bubbles' merging case performed best for heat transfer in the microchannel, in which self-rewetting fluid achieves heat transfer enhancement for over 50%.
Water Hammer Simulation in a Steel Pipeline System With a Sudden Cross Section Change
Authors: Malesińska A. , Kubrak M. , Rogulski M. , Puntorieri P. , Fiamma V. , Barbaro G.
Published: April 2021

Contractions and expansions are common features in various types of pipeline systems. The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of a sudden cross section change on transient pressure waves. The paper presents laboratory data and numerical calculations of pressure oscillations during the valve-induced water hammer in serially connected steel pipes. Five different variants of experiments were conducted which included recording pressure changes at the downstream end of the pipeline system. The more sections with different diameters there are connected in series, the more complex the transient wave recorded is. Laboratory data indicate a significant influence of individual pipeline sections on the final course of pressure oscillations. Transient equations were solved using the explicit MacCormack scheme. In order to numerically simulate water hammers in pipe series, the improved junction boundary condition was established. It involves assigning two sets of values, which describe flow parameters, to the connection node thus causing it to act as two separate nodes. The numerical model was calibrated with the unsteady friction factor. The derivation of equations that take into account a sudden change in diameter in the connected pipes allowed the reproduction of the wave nature of the water hammer phenomenon, results were satisfactory as compared to experimental data. The numerical model correctly reproduced pressure wave interactions and pressure amplitudes.
Direct Position Analysis of a Particular Translational 3-URU Manipulator
Authors: Di Gregorio Raffaele
Published: April 2021

Direct position analysis (DPA) of parallel manipulators (PMs) is in general difficult to solve. Over on PMs’ topology, DPA complexity depends on the choice of the actuated joints. From an analytic point of view, the system of algebraic equations that one must solve to implement PMs’ DPA is usually expressible in an apparently simple form, but such a form does not allow an analytic solution and even the problem formalization is relevant in PMs’ DPAs. The ample literature on the DPA of Stewart platforms well documents this point. This paper addresses the DPA of a particular translational PM of 3-URU type, which has the actuators on the frame while the actuated joints are not adjacent to the frame. The problem formulation brings to a closure-equation system consisting of three irrational equations in three unknowns. Such a system is transformed into an algebraic system of four quadratic equations in four unknowns that yields a univariate irrational equation in one of the four unknowns and three explicit expressions of the remaining three unknowns. Then, an algorithm is proposed which is able to find only the real solutions of the DPA. The proposed solution technique can be applied to other DPAs reducible to a similar system of irrational equations and, as far as this author is aware, is novel.
A Comparative Numerical Study of the Combustion Performance of the Syngas-Fueled HCCI Engine Using a Toroidal Piston, Square Bowl Piston, and Flat Piston Shape at Different Loads
Authors: Ali Kabbir , Kim Changup , Lee Yonggyu , Oh Seungmook , Kim Kiseong
Published: April 2021

This study analyzes the combustion performance of a syngas-fueled homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engine using a toroidal piston (baseline piston), square bowl, and flat piston shape, at low, medium, and high loads, with a constant compression ratio of 17.1. In this study, the square bowl shape is optimized by reducing the piston bowl depth and squish area ratio (squish area/cylinder cross-sectional area) from 34 to 20, 10, and 2.5% and compared with the flat piston shape and toroidal piston shape. This HCCI engine operates under an overly lean air–fuel mixture condition for power plant usage. ansys forte cfd package with GRI Mech3.0 chemical kinetics is used for combustion analysis, and the calculated results are validated by the experimental results. All simulations are accomplished at maximum brake torque (MBT) by altering the air–fuel mixture temperature at intake valve closing (IVC) (TIVC) with a constant equivalence ratio of 0.27. This study reveals that the main factors that affect the start of combustion (SOC), maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR), combustion efficiency, and thermal efficiency by changing the piston shape are the squish flow and reverse squish flow effects. Therefore, the square bowl piston D is the optimized piston shape that offers low MPRR and high combustion performance for the syngas-fueled HCCI engine, due to the weak squish flow and low heat loss rate through the combustion chamber wall, respectively, when compared with the other piston shapes of square bowl piston A, B, and C, flat piston, and toroidal (baseline) piston shape.
COVID-19 and the Global Shift Progress to Clean Energy
Authors: Hoang Anh Tuan , Nguyen Xuan Phuong , Le Anh Tuan , Huynh Thanh Tung , Pham Van Viet
Published: April 2021

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has presented us with an unprecedented global emergency that severely threatens the lives of millions of people around the world. In response to this existential crisis, state governments have taken drastic containment measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The consequential lockdowns have disrupted production and economic activity and had profound impacts on major industries. The heightened financial risk has significantly slowed down new investments while stoking fears of a looming economic recession. Indeed, the pandemic-induced strong reduction in global demand has resulted in sharp falls in energy prices leading to a temporary market distortion that may impede progress in the deployment of new renewable energy projects. Besides, some countries could be at risk of falling short of their 2020 national binding targets given the lack of effective policies required to facilitate new renewable energy investments. Considering the present impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global energy market, there are opportunities to highlight the important role of renewables while making the case for clean energy investments, especially in the electricity sector. This review aims to provide important insights by analyzing the significant impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global energy market. On the other hand, sustainable energy strategies are also discussed in detail. Finally, lessons learned amidst the costly battle against this invisible enemy could help policymakers and government leaders in identifying the appropriate renewable energy paths for their countries in a post-pandemic future.
Smart Identification of Petroleum Reservoir Well Testing Models Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks (GoogleNet)
Authors: Alizadeh S. M. , Khodabakhshi A. , Abaei Hassani P. , Vaferi B.
Published: April 2021

Identification of reservoir interpretation model from pressure transient signals is a well-established technique in petroleum engineering. This technique aims to detect wellbore, reservoir, and boundary models employing an efficient matching process. The matching was first done manually; it then tried to be automated using artificial intelligence techniques. The level of uncertainty of matching outputs sharply increases, especially for noisy and incomplete signals. In this study, the pretrained GoogleNet (a novel combination of continuous wavelet transforms and deep convolutional neural networks) is used to decrease the uncertainty of matching results. Based on our best knowledge, it is the first application of GoogleNet to analyze transient signals in petroleum engineering. This technique is used to classify a relatively huge database, including synthetic, noisy, incomplete, and real-field signals. The GoogleNet can correctly discriminate among different reservoir interpretation classes with an overall classification accuracy of 98.36%. Moreover, it can successfully handle noisy, incomplete, and real-field pressure transient signals.
Thermodynamic Analysis of Using Ethanol—Methanol— Gasoline Blends in a Turbocharged, Spark-Ignition Engine
Authors: Feng Hongqing , Xiao Shuwen , Nan Zhirong , Wang Di , Yang Chaohe
Published: April 2021

Low-carbon alcohols have been universally acknowledged as an alternative to fossil fuel in the world, which is environmentally friendly and clean. In this paper, the detailed exergy and energy analysis was carried out on a turbocharged, spark-ignition (SI) engine fueled with methanol−ethanol−gasoline (GEM) under non-knock conditions. The results indicated that increasing the alcohols proportion in blends could slightly improve the exergy efficiency and thermal efficiency and increase the percentage of total irreversibility in the total exergy. The thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency increased to a maximum value and then decreased, while the proportion of total irreversibility in the total exergy increased significantly with the spark timing retarded from the earliest timing. The exergy efficiency and thermal efficiency increased as the engine load increased. Additionally, the total irreversibility increased but the proportion of total irreversibility in the total exergy presented a trend of decreasing as the engine load increased.
Multi-Physical Simulation of Stirring Effect on Heating Uniformity in a Microwave Reactor With an Interlayer
Authors: Zou Pengcheng , Jin Guangyuan , Nie Guoyu , Song Chunfang , Cui Zhengwei
Published: April 2021

Due to the exhaustion of fossil fuels and environmental degradation, biodiesel has attracted much attention as a new energy source. Currently, microwave reactors are used extensively for producing biodiesel. However, nonuniform heating of producing biodiesel in microwave reactors is a major problem. In order to solve the problem, a microwave reactor with an interlayer which can obviously improve the uniformity of microwave heating was designed. In this work, the heating efficiency and heating uniformity of the reactor were discussed from two aspects of waveguide position and interlayer thickness by means of multi-physical coupling calculation. According to the calculation results, the optimization model of a microwave reactor with an interlayer was obtained. Then, based on the above optimization model of a microwave reactor with an interlayer, a stirrer that can improve the heat transfer of the fluid material was introduced. The Maxwell equation, heat transfer equation, and flow equation were coupled by the multi-physical field simulation method to explore the influence of different factors of the stirrer on power consumption and heating uniformity. Through response surface analysis, it was found that the primary and secondary order of stirring factors affecting microwave heating uniformity was stirring speed > impeller diameter > bottom clearance, and there was an interaction between different factors. From the two aspects of stirring power consumption and heating uniformity, the best stirring effect was obtained.
A framework for designing head-related transfer function distance metrics that capture localization perception
Authors: Ananthabhotla Ishwarya , Ithapu Vamsi Krishna , Brimijoin W. Owen
Published: April 2021

Linear comparisons can fail to describe perceptual differences between head-related transfer functions (HRTFs), reducing their utility for perceptual tests, HRTF selection methods, and prediction algorithms. This work introduces a machine learning framework for constructing a perceptual error metric that is aligned with performance in human sound localization. A neural network is first trained to predict measurement locations from a large database of HRTFs and then fine-tuned with perceptual data. It demonstrates robust model performance over a standard spectral difference error metric. A statistical test is employed to quantify the information gain from the perceptual observations as a function of space.
Evidence for non-Rayleigh characteristics in ship underwater acoustic signatures
Authors: Trevorrow Mark V.
Published: April 2021

This work examines ship underwater acoustic signature amplitude statistics and statistical distributions and explores the hypothesis that ship signatures exhibit amplitude fluctuations that are different from Rayleigh-distributed ambient ocean noise. Signature measurements from a small oceanographic ship conducting a variety of maneuvers are examined, focusing on those conditions where propeller cavitation and broadband signal modulation occur, specifically during maximum speed runs and turning maneuvers. A key difference for a ship signature is the amplitude modulation generated by propeller cavitation, and this is found to be associated with super-Rayleigh signal characteristics. Cyclostationary processing techniques are used to estimate propeller shaft- and blade-rate modulation. Under conditions of clearly observable propeller modulation, time-series statistics scintillation index and skewness showed values significantly in excess of Rayleigh-distributed values. Ship signature amplitude probability density functions were found to be better matched by a K-distribution model with small shape factor, indicating clearly non-Rayleigh behavior. Evidence for a secondary, high-amplitude, lognormally distributed sound generation mechanism was observed during maximum helm turns.
Athletic Trainers’ Experiences Working With Athletes With a Physical Disability in School-Based Sports
Authors: Snyder Valier Alison R. , Picha Kelsey J. , Fay Deanne R.
Published: April 2021

This study describes the experiences of over 500 school-based athletic trainers (ATs) and their familiarity, knowledge, comfort, and confidence working with athletes with a disability. ATs’ experiences in managing the health care of school-based athletes with a physical disability are unknown. Half of the respondents indicated experience providing services to these athletes, while 70% indicated little to no specific training/education. About half of the ATs reported being comfortable and confident in managing the care of athletes with a physical disability, while a quarter reported being knowledgeable. Findings suggest that experience helps provide ATs with comfort and confidence in caring for these athletes, but educational opportunities are still needed.
Recess Behaviors of Urban Children 16 Months After a Green Schoolyard Renovation
Authors: Raney Marcella A. , Bowers Abbie L. , Rissberger Amanda L.
Published: April 2021

Background: Green schoolyard renovations lead to immediate positive changes in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and social behavior. This pilot study examines whether these benefits are equally distributed across gender and age and maintained 16 months postgreening. Methods: Physical activity and social interactions during recess were recorded at control (n = 389) and experimental (n = 642) Title I urban elementary schools with direct observation and accelerometers. Results: Activity profiles were similar to 4-month postgreening and to baseline for experimental girls and boys, respectively. There was no difference in MVPA minutes between sexes (girls = 11.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.1 to 12.5]; boys = 12.8; 95% CI, 12.0 to 13.4) and no difference in sitting minutes between age groups (first to fourth = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.5 to 2.6; fifth to sixth = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.4) in green areas. Experimental students spent more time in MVPA (11.2 min; 95% CI, 10.6 to 11.8 vs 8.9 min; 95% CI, 8.3 to 9.3), in small groups (10.6 min; 95% CI, 10.2 to 11.0 vs 9.2 min; 95% CI, 8.5 to 9.9), and engaged in more prosocial interactions (5.5; 95% CI, 5.1 to 6.3 vs 3.7; 95% CI, 3.0 to 4.2) than control students. Conclusions: Green schoolyard renovations result in persistent changes to recess behavior that are characteristic of a more collaborative community and counteract age-related declines in MVPA, particularly for girls.
Blockade of IL-7 signaling suppresses inflammatory responses and reverses alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice
Authors: Dai Zhenpeng , Wang Eddy Hsi Chun , Petukhova Lynn , Chang Yuqian , Lee Eunice Yoojin , Christiano Angela M.
Published: April 2021

Blocking the overexpression of IL-7 in lesional alopecis skin can reverse alopecia areata in C3H/HeJ mice.
Experimental observation of the elastic range scaling in turbulent flow with polymer additives
Authors: Zhang Yi-Bao , Bodenschatz Eberhard , Xu Haitao , Xi Heng-Dong
Published: April 2021

The elastic range in polymeric fluid turbulence is experimentally observed, and its scaling exponent is identified.
Earth’s carbon deficit caused by early loss through irreversible sublimation
Authors: Li J. , Bergin E. A. , Blake G. A. , Ciesla F. J. , Hirschmann M. M.
Published: April 2021

Earth’s precursor material lost most carbon through sublimation in the nebular disk shortly after the Sun’s birth.
Predicting tissue-specific gene expression from whole blood transcriptome
Authors: Basu Mahashweta , Wang Kun , Ruppin Eytan , Hannenhalli Sridhar
Published: April 2021

Machine learning tool TEEBoT predicts an individual’s tissue-specific gene expression from his/her blood transcriptome.
Topological insulator metamaterial with giant circular photogalvanic effect
Authors: Sun X. , Adamo G. , Eginligil M. , Krishnamoorthy H. N. S. , Zheludev N. I. , Soci C.
Published: April 2021

Nanostructuring of topological insulators with metamaterials creates a large enhancement of their surface chiral photocurrents.
Switchable positioning of plate-like inclusions in lipid membranes: Elastically mediated interactions of planar colloids in 2D fluids
Authors: Xin Weiyue , Wu Hao , Grason Gregory M. , Santore Maria M.
Published: April 2021

Mechanical stimuli direct reversible intramembrane positioning of flat rigid microdomains on scales up to tens of micrometers.
Animal welfare risks of global aquaculture
Authors: Franks Becca , Ewell Christopher , Jacquet Jennifer
Published: April 2021

Modern aquaculture, which produces billions of animals from hundreds of species each year, is generating unprecedented welfare risks.
Activation of the Listeria monocytogenes Stressosome in the Intracellular Eukaryotic Environment
Authors: Dessaux Charlotte , Pucciarelli M. Graciela , Guerreiro Duarte N. , O’Byrne Conor P. , García-del Portillo Francisco
Published: April 2021

The response to stress mediated by the alternative sigma factor SigB has been extensively characterized in
Bacillus subtilis
and
Listeria monocytogenes
. These bacteria sense stress using a supramacromolecular complex, the stressosome, which triggers a cascade that releases SigB from its anti-sigma factor.
Rhizosphere Microbiomes in a Historical Maize-Soybean Rotation System Respond to Host Species and Nitrogen Fertilization at the Genus and Subgenus Levels
Authors: Meier Michael A. , Lopez-Guerrero Martha G. , Guo Ming , Schmer Marty R. , Herr Joshua R. , Schnable James C. , Alfano James R. , Yang Jinliang
Published: April 2021

Plant roots are colonized by large numbers of microbes, some of which may help the plant acquire nutrients and fight diseases. Our study contributes to a better understanding of root-colonizing microbes in the widespread and economically important maize-soybean crop rotation system.
The Selenophosphate Synthetase Gene,
selD
, Is Important for Clostridioides difficile Physiology
Authors: McAllister Kathleen N. , Martinez Aguirre Andrea , Sorg Joseph A.
Published: April 2021

C. difficile
is a Gram-positive, anaerobic gut pathogen which infects thousands of individuals each year. In order to stop the
C. difficile
life cycle, other nonantibiotic treatment options are in urgent need of development.
Development and Validation of a Multiplex Microsphere Immunoassay Using Dried Blood Spots for SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence: Application in First Responders in Colorado, USA
Authors: Schultz Jonathan S. , McCarthy Mary K. , Rester Cody , Sabourin Katherine R. , Annen Kyle , DomBourian Melkon , Eisenmesser Elan , Frazer-Abel Ashley , Knight Vijaya , Jaenisch Thomas , Morrison Thomas E. , Rochford Rosemary , Kedl Ross M.
Published: April 2021

Serological testing of large representative populations for antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 is needed to estimate seroprevalence, transmission dynamics, and the duration of antibody responses from natural infection and vaccination. In this study, a high-throughput SARS-CoV-2 multiplex microsphere immunoassay (MMIA) was developed for the receptor binding domain (RBD) and nucleocapsid (N) that was more sensitive than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (98% versus 87%).
Postcaldera intrusive magmatism at the Platoro caldera complex, Southern Rocky Mountain volcanic field, Colorado, USA
Authors: Gilmer Amy K. , Thompson Ren A. , Lipman Peter W. , Vazquez Jorge A. , Souders A. Kate
Published: April 2021

The Oligocene Platoro caldera complex of the San Juan volcanic locus in Colorado (USA) features numerous exposed plutons both within the caldera and outside its margins, enabling investigation of the timing and evolution of postcaldera magmatism. Intrusion whole-rock geochemistry and phenocryst and/or mineral trace element compositions coupled with new zircon U-Pb geochronology and zircon in situ Lu-Hf isotopes document distinct pulses of magma from beneath the caldera complex. Fourteen intrusions, the Chiquito Peak Tuff, and the dacite of Fisher Gulch were dated, showing intrusive magmatism began after the 28.8 Ma eruption of the Chiquito Peak Tuff and continued to 24 Ma. Additionally, magmatic-hydrothermal mineralization is associated with the intrusive magmatism within and around the margins of the Platoro caldera complex.

After caldera collapse, three plutons were emplaced within the subsided block between ca. 28.8 and 28.6 Ma. These have broadly similar modal mineralogy and whole-rock geochemistry. Despite close temporal relations between the tuff and the intrusions, mineral textures and compositions indicate that the larger two intracaldera intrusions are discrete later pulses of magma. Intrusions outside the caldera are younger, ca. 28–26.3 Ma, and smaller in exposed area. They contain abundant glomerocrysts and show evidence of open-system processes such as magma mixing and crystal entrainment. The protracted magmatic history at the Platoro caldera complex documents the diversity of the multiple discrete magma pulses needed to generate large composite volcanic fields.
Tracheal cartilaginous sleeve in Pfeiffer syndrome: lesson learnt from its rarity
Authors: Mahmud Nurhamizah , Abdul Latif Hasniah , Mohd Zaki Faizah , Goh Bee See
Published: April 2021

Pfeiffer syndrome is a rare inherited craniofacial disorder. Upper airway obstruction is common among patients with Pfeiffer syndrome due to craniosynostosis. They may also present with lower respiratory tract obstruction due to a rare congenital airway malformation called tracheal cartilaginous sleeve (TCS). We report the case of a patient with Pfeiffer syndrome who presented with recurrent bronchopneumonia, discovered incidentally to have TCS via direct visualisation during tracheostomy. Relevant literature for this rare clinical condition are reviewed and discussed. Clinicians should be aware of TCS when encountering patients with craniosynostosis who present with recurrent lower respiratory tract infections. Careful and meticulous investigations should be performed to look for TCS, especially in patients with craniosynostosis.
Trauma-induced myasthenia gravis: coincidence or causal relationship?
Authors: Siriratnam Pakeeran , Zhang Wenwen , Faragher Mark
Published: April 2021

We report a case of a 55-year-old man presenting with diplopia, masticatory weakness and dysarthria several weeks post multitrauma. The clinical suspicion of myasthenia gravis (MG) was supported with positive acetylcholine receptor antibodies and abnormal repetitive stimulation study. He responded well to pyridostigmine, intravenous immunoglobulin and oral prednisolone. In this report, we describe the timing and progression of MG in our patient, and review the literature pertaining to the relationship between trauma and MG. The search for definitive evidence of causation may be impractical, but should not delay the recognition and management of a treatable condition.
Bilateral retinal artery occlusions as the first manifestation of extramedullary central nervous system involvement in relapsed acute myeloid leukaemia
Authors: Khair Diana , Mehanna Carl-Joe , Ghannam Alaa Bou , Kheir Wajiha Jurdi
Published: April 2021

Retinal artery and vein occlusion are rare devastating complications of central nervous system (CNS) leukaemic infiltrates of the retina and its vasculature. Only a handful of reports exist wherein CNS relapse presents with retinal vascular occlusions. This is usually accompanied by optic nerve swelling and subretinal infiltrates. We present a case of bilateral retinal artery occlusion as a first manifestation of CNS relapse in a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia without optic disc oedema and retinal infiltrates.
Chronic otorrhoea, otalgia and hearing loss not responding to antibiotics and tympanoplasty surgery
Authors: Brandt Hannes Hermann , Metternich Frank Uwe , Fürer Raffaela
Published: April 2021

Chronic otorrhoea from a tympanic membrane perforation is common. We present the case of a patient who had already received seemingly adequate treatment for his condition in the past. Yet, he presented to our outpatient clinic with worsening otalgia and otorrhoea, progressive hearing loss and a new tympanic membrane perforation. After a thorough otological evaluation, the patient’s medical history and the histological specimen from a previous operation were reviewed. The findings met the diagnostic criteria of eosinophilic otitis media. After treatment with topic triamcinolone through the perforated tympanic membrane, the patient’s otalgia subsided, hearing levels were improved and the size of the tympanic membrane perforation decreased.
One-year myopia control efficacy of spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets
Authors: Bao Jinhua , Yang Adeline , Huang Yingying , Li Xue , Pan Yiguo , Ding Chenglu , Lim Ee Woon , Zheng Jingwei , Spiegel Daniel P , Drobe Björn , Lu Fan , Chen Hao
Published: April 2021

Aims

To evaluate the 1-year efficacy of two new myopia control spectacle lenses with lenslets of different asphericity.

Methods

One hundred seventy schoolchildren aged 8–13 years with myopia of −0.75 D to −4.75 D were randomised to receive spectacle lenses with highly aspherical lenslets (HAL), spectacle lenses with slightly aspherical lenslets (SAL), or single-vision spectacle lenses (SVL). Cycloplegic autorefraction (spherical equivalent refraction (SER)), axial length (AL) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were measured at baseline and 6-month intervals. Adaptation and compliance questionnaires were administered during all visits.

Results

After 1 year, the mean changes in the SER (±SE) and AL (±SE) in the SVL group were −0.81±0.06 D and 0.36±0.02 mm. Compared with SVL, the myopia control efficacy measured using SER was 67% (difference of 0.53 D) for HAL and 41% (difference of 0.33 D) for SAL, and the efficacy measured using AL was 64% (difference of 0.23 mm) for HAL and 31% (difference of 0.11 mm) for SAL (all p<0.01). HAL resulted in significantly greater myopia control than SAL for SER (difference of 0.21 D, p<0.001) and AL (difference of 0.12 mm, p<0.001). The mean BCVA (−0.01±0.1 logMAR, p=0.22) and mean daily wearing time (13.2±2.6 hours, p=0.26) were similar among the three groups. All groups adapted to their lenses with no reported adverse events, complaints or discomfort.

Conclusions

Spectacle lenses with aspherical lenslets effectively slow myopia progression and axial elongation compared with SVL. Myopia control efficacy increased with lenslet asphericity.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR1800017683.
Association of polymorphisms in ZFHX1B, KCNQ5 and GJD2 with myopia progression and polygenic risk prediction in children
Authors: Chen Li Jia , Li Fen Fen , Lu Shi Yao , Zhang Xiu Juan , Kam Ka Wai , Tang Shu Min , Tam Pancy OS , Yip Wilson WK , Young Alvin L , Tham Clement C , Pang Chi Pui , Yam Jason C
Published: April 2021

Aims

To assess the association of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with myopia progression for polygenic risk prediction in children.

Methods

Six SNPs (ZC3H11B rs4373767, ZFHX1B rs13382811, KCNQ5 rs7744813, MET rs2073560, SNTB1 rs7839488 and GJD2 rs524952) were analysed in 1043 school children, who completed 3-year follow-up, using TaqMan genotyping assays. SNP associations with progression in spherical equivalent (SE) were analysed by logistic regression. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were applied for computing the sum of the risk alleles of multiple SNPs corresponding to myopia progression, weighted by the effect sizes of corresponding SNPs.

Results

GJD2 rs524952 showed significant association with fast progression (OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.59; p=0.003) and KCNQ5 rs7744813 had nominal association (OR=1.32, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.67; p=0.02). In quantitative traits locus analysis, GJD2 rs524952 and KCNQ5 rs7744813 were associated with progression in SE (β=−0.038 D/year, p=0.008 and β=−0.042 D/year, p=0.02) and axial elongation (β=0.016 mm/year, p=0.01 and β=0.017 mm/year, p=0.027). ZFHX1B rs13382811 also showed nominal association with faster progression in SE (β=−0.041 D/year, p=0.02). PRS analysis showed that children with the highest PRS defined by rs13382811, rs7744813 and rs524952 had a 2.26-fold of increased risk of fast myopia progression (p=4.61×10−5). PRS was also significantly associated with SE progression (R2=1.6%, p=3.15×10−5) and axial elongation (R2=1.2%, p=2.6×10−4).

Conclusions

In this study, multi-tiered evidence suggested SNPs in ZFHX1B, KCNQ5 and GJD2 as risk factors for myopia progression in children. Additional attention and appropriate interventions should be given for myopic children with high-risk PRS as defined by GJD2 rs524952, KCNQ5 rs7744813 and ZFHX1B rs13382811.