bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nursing Journal Policies on Disclosure and Management of Conflicts of Interest
Authors: Barnsteiner Jane , (Shawn) Kennedy Maureen , Flanagin Annette , Sietmann Caroline
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Concerns about conflicts of interest (COIs) in research and health care are well known, but recent reports of authors failing to disclose potential COIs in journal articles threatens the integrity of the scholarly literature. While many nursing journals have published editorials on this topic, review of nursing journal policies on and experiences with COIs has not been reported. The purposes of this study were to examine the extent to which nursing journals have COI policies and require disclosures by authors, peer reviewers, editorial board members, and editors who have a role in journal content decisions.

Design

This cohort study addressed top‐ranked nursing journal policies about and experiences with COIs in scholarly publications.

Methods

An analysis of COI policies in the instructions for authors of 118 journals listed in the nursing category of Clarivate Analytics Journal Citation Reports was completed in 2019. An electronic survey of the editors was also conducted to determine their awareness and experience with COI policies for their journals. Characteristics of the journals and policies were assessed. Information on polices about COIs for editors and peer reviewers were also reviewed. A content analysis of the policies included assessment of best practices and gaps in requirements.

Findings

For the journal policy assessment, 116 journals that publish only in the English language were eligible. The majority (n = 113; 97.4%) of journals had a statement on COI policies for authors, but only 42 (36.2%) had statements for peer reviewers and only 37 (31.9%) had statements for editors. A total of 117 journal editors were sent the survey. One declined to participate, leaving a total of 116 eligible editors; 82 (70.6%) responded and 34 did not respond. Sixty‐seven (81.7%) of the 82 editors indicated that their journal had a policy about COIs for authors. Seventy‐four editors (63.7%) responded to the question about their journal having a policy about COIs for peer reviewers and editors. Thirty‐three (44.5%) of the respondents indicated their journal had a COI policy for peer reviewers, and 29 (39.1%) stated they had a policy for editors. Few editors (n = 7; 9%) indicated that they had encountered problems pertaining to author COIs.

Conclusions

Findings from this study may help promote ethical publication practices through comprehensive policies on disclosure and management of nursing journal authors, peer reviewers, and editors.

Clinical Relevance

Declarations of potential conflicts of interest promote transparency and allows the consumer of research to take that into consideration when considering the findings of a study.
Retinal ganglion cell topography and spatial resolution in the Japanese smelt Hypomesus nipponensis (McAllister, 1963)
Authors: Pushchin Igor , Kondrashev Sergei , Kamenev Yaroslav
Published: October 2020

Vision plays a crucial role in the life of the vast majority of vertebrate species. The spatial arrangement of retinal ganglion cells has been reported to be related to a species’ visual behavior. There are many studies focusing on the ganglion cell topography in bony fish species. However, there are still large gaps in our knowledge on the subject. We studied the topography of retinal ganglion cells (GCs) in the Japanese smelt Hypomesus nipponensis, a highly visual teleostean fish with a complex life cycle. DAPI labeling was used to visualize cell nuclei in the ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers. The ganglion cell layer was relatively thin (about 6‐8 μm), even in areas of increased cell density (area retinae temporalis), and was normally composed of a single layer of cells. In all retinal regions, rare cells occurred in the inner plexiform layer. Nissl‐stained retinae were used to estimate the proportion of displaced amacrine cells and glia in different retinal regions. In all retinal regions, about 84.5% of cells in the GC layer were found to be ganglion cells. The density of GCs varied across the retina in a regular way. It was minimum (3990 and 2380 cells/mm2 in the smaller and larger fish, respectively) in the dorsal and ventral periphery. It gradually increased centripetally and reached a maximum of 14,275 and 10,960 cells/mm2 (in the smaller and larger fish, respectively) in the temporal retina, where a pronounced area retinae temporalis was detected. The total number of GCs varied from 177 × 103 (smaller fish) to 212 × 103 cells (larger fish). The theoretical anatomical spatial resolution (the anatomical estimate of the upper limit of visual acuity calculated from the density of GCs and eye geometry and expressed in cycles per degree) was minimum in the ventral periphery (smaller fish, 1.46 cpd; larger fish, 1.26 cpd) and maximum in area retinae temporalis (smaller fish, 2.83 cpd; larger fish, 2.75 cpd). The relatively high density of GCs and the presence of area retinae temporalis in the Japanese smelt are consistent with its highly visual behavior. The present findings contribute to our understanding of the factors affecting the topography of retinal ganglion cells and visual acuity in fish.
Invasive mole with lung metastasis after an abdominal complete hydatidiform mole treatment
Authors: Suzuki Shiho , Takahashi Kenta , Obayashi Satoshi , Kitazawa Masafumi , Kuroda Hajime , Fukasawa Ichio
Published: October 2020

A 27‐year‐old woman, gravida 1, para 0, was transferred to our hospital with acute abdominal pain. Her serum human chorionic gonadotropin level was 60 231 mIU/mL. Transabdominal ultrasound revealed an echo‐free space, and emergency laparoscopy‐assisted surgery was performed with a preoperative diagnosis of ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The pelvic cavity was filled with clots, and the peritoneal surface of the uterine fundus was swollen and showed continuous bleeding. The lesion was located on peritoneum and not connected with the uterine cavity. Histological examination of the conceptus showed features of a complete hydatidiform mole. After a mild decrease, hCG levels adversely increased 3 weeks later with multiple lung nodules. With a diagnosis of invasive moles, the patient was administered chemotherapy. This case demonstrates that it is important to recognize the potential of ectopic hydatidiform moles through abdominal pregnancy. This is the first report of an invasive abdominal hydatidiform mole, and hCG monitoring seemed to be essential for gestational trophoblastic neoplasia detection.
Getting Tough on China: Are Campaign Ads a Signal of Future Policy or Just Cheap Talk?
Authors: Wichowsky Amber , Weiss Jessica Chen
Published: October 2020

Is tough‐on‐China campaign rhetoric cheap talk or a signal of policy attention? Analyzing China‐related campaign advertisements during the 2010 midterm elections and subsequent cosponsorship of China‐related bills, we find that campaign ads are a noisy predictor of legislative attention. Challengers who attacked on China were more likely to cosponsor China‐related legislation, while incumbents who were attacked for being soft on China took tougher positions on China after reelection. By demonstrating the correspondence between anti‐China campaign appeals and subsequent legislative attention, our findings add to a growing body of evidence linking campaign rhetoric to members’ legislative agendas. This research note provides the first evidence demonstrating the connection between campaign appeals and legislative attention on a foreign policy issue like China.
The Partisanship of House Committees and Member Self‐Selection
Authors: Ryan Josh M.
Published: October 2020

The extant literature suggests that members choose committees for distributive reasons and seek more prestigious committees as they move up the seniority ranks. But why do some members chose committees like Rules and Judiciary which are not distributive in nature? I claim that committees also offer representational benefits: namely, the ability to signal ideological preferences to constituents. Members from moderate districts seek out committees with jurisdictions over consensual issues, while members from extreme districts prefer committees with highly partisan jurisdictions. Using a unique dataset of committee partisanship constructed from committee roll‐call votes, I show that members are more likely to select ideologically congruent committees and more likely to leave noncongruent committees, though this relationship is conditioned by the distributive value of the committee. This research has implications for committee selection and theories of legislative organization by demonstrating that committees offer ideological representation benefits as well as distributive ones.
Loudness and Intelligibility of Irrelevant Background Speech Differentially Hinder Children's Short Story Reading
Authors: Guerra Giada , Tijms Jurgen , Vaessen Anniek , Tierney Adam , Dick Frederic , Bonte Milene
Published: October 2020

Reading skills are usually assessed in silent conditions, but children often experience noisy educational settings. Effects of auditory distraction on children's reading skills remain relatively unexplored. The present study investigates the influence of two features of background speech—intelligibility and loudness—on children's reading speed and comprehension. Sixty‐three 8‐to‐10‐year‐old elementary school children performed a reading task in the context of single‐talker background speech. Background speech was either intelligible or unintelligible and presented at low (45–50 dB SPL) or moderate (65–72 dB SPL) sound intensity (here termed “loudness”). Results showed a differential effect of intelligibility and loudness, respectively affecting children's comprehension and reading speed. In addition, the intelligibility effect was larger in children with lower interference control, as assessed with an auditory Stroop task. Our findings provide evidence for the influence of different properties of background speech on children's text reading with implications for reading in everyday classroom environments.

Lay Summary

Children often read in noisy environments, but we know little about how background chatter might affect their reading. Here, we found that 8–10‐year‐old children read stories more slowly with louder background speech. The children also understood less about a story if the background voice was speaking in their own language—especially those who, in a different task, were less able to ignore irrelevant but attention‐grabbing information. This suggests background speech differentially affects beginning readers.
Environmental DNA effectively captures functional diversity of coastal fish communities
Authors: Aglieri Giorgio , Baillie Charles , Mariani Stefano , Cattano Carlo , Calò Antonio , Turco Gabriele , Spatafora Davide , Di Franco Antonio , Di Lorenzo Manfredi , Guidetti Paolo , Milazzo Marco
Published: October 2020

Robust assessments of taxonomic and functional diversity are essential components of research programmes aimed at understanding current biodiversity patterns and forecasting trajectories of ecological changes. Yet, evaluating marine biodiversity along its dimensions is challenging and dependent on the power and accuracy of the available data collection methods. Here we combine three traditional survey methodologies (underwater visual census strip transects [UVCt], baited underwater videos [BUV] and small‐scale fishery catches [SSFc]), and one novel molecular technique (environmental DNA metabarcoding [eDNA]—12S rRNA and cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 [COI]) to investigate their efficiency and complementarity in assessing fish diversity. We analysed 1,716 multimethod replicates at a basin scale to measure the taxonomic and functional diversity of Mediterranean fish assemblages. Taxonomic identities were investigated at species, genus and family levels. Functional identities were assessed using combinations of morphological, behavioural and trophic traits. We show that: (a) SSFc provided the higher taxonomic diversity estimates followed by eDNA, and then UVCt and BUV; (b) eDNA was the only method able to gather the whole spectrum of considered functional traits, showing the most functionally diversified and least redundant fish assemblages; and (c) the effectiveness of eDNA in describing functional structure reflected its lack of selectivity towards any considered functional trait. Our findings suggest that the reach of eDNA analysis stretches beyond taxon detection efficiency and provides new insights into the potential of metabarcoding in ecological studies.
SUMOylation of PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3 promotes photomorphogenesis in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Bernula Péter , Pettkó‐Szandtner Aladár , Hajdu Anita , Kozma‐Bognár László , Josse Eve‐Marie , Ádám Éva , Nagy Ferenc , Viczián András
Published: October 2020

In Arabidopsis thaliana, phytochrome B (phyB) is the dominant receptor of photomorphogenic development under red light. Phytochrome B interacts with a set of downstream regulatory proteins, including PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 3 (PIF3). The interaction between PIF3 and photoactivated phyB leads to the rapid phosphorylation and degradation of PIF3 and also to the degradation of phyB, events which are required for proper photomorphogenesis.

Here we report that PIF3 is SUMOylated at the Lys13 (K13) residue and that we could detect this posttranslational modification in a heterologous experimental system and also in planta.

We also found that the SUMO acceptor site mutant PIF3(K13R) binds more strongly to the target promoters than its SUMOylated, wild‐type counterpart. Seedlings expressing PIF3(K13R) show an elongated hypocotyl response, elevated photoprotection and higher transcriptional induction of red‐light responsive genes compared with plantlets expressing wild‐type PIF3.

These observations are supported by the lower level of phyB in plants which possess only PIF3(K13R), indicating that SUMOylation of PIF3 also alters photomorphogenesis via the regulation of phyB levels. In conclusion, whereas SUMOylation is generally connected to different stress responses, it also fine‐tunes light signalling by reducing the biological activity of PIF3, thus promoting photomorphogenesis.
Functional study of novel PAX9 variants: The paired domain and non‐syndromic oligodontia
Authors: Sun Kai , Yu Miao , Yeh Iting , Zhang Liutao , Liu Haochen , Cai Tao , Feng Hailan , Liu Yang , Han Dong
Published: October 2020

Objectives

To investigate pathogenic variants of the paired box 9 (PAX9) gene in patients with non‐syndromic oligodontia, and the functional impact of these variants.

Subjects and Methods

Whole exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing were utilized to detect gene variants in a cohort of 80 patients diagnosed with non‐syndromic oligodontia. Bioinformatic and conformational analyses, fluorescence microscopy and luciferase reporter assay were employed to explore the functional impact.

Results

We identified three novel variants in the PAX9, including two frameshift variants (c.211_212insA; p.I71Nfs*246 and c.236_237insAC; p.T80Lfs*6), and one missense variant (c.229C > G; p.R77G). Familial co‐segregation verified an autosomal‐dominant inheritance pattern. Conformational analyses revealed that the variants resided in the paired domain, and could cause corresponding structural impairment of the PAX9 protein. Fluorescence microscopy showed abnormal subcellular localizations of frameshift variants, and luciferase assay showed impaired downstream transactivation activities of the bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) gene in all variants.

Conclusions

Our findings broaden the spectrum of PAX9 variants in patients with non‐syndromic oligodontia and support that paired domain structural impairment and the dominant‐negative effect are likely the underlying mechanisms of PAX9‐related non‐syndromic oligodontia. Our findings will facilitate genetic diagnosis and counselling, and help lay the foundation for precise oral health therapies.
Identification of Abnormal Spindle Microtubule Assembly as a Promising Therapeutic Target for Osteosarcoma
Authors: Lin Peng , Liang Li‐yan , Dong Yao‐zhong , Ren Zhi‐peng , Zhao He‐jun , Li Gui‐shi
Published: October 2020

Objective

To demonstrate the expression of abnormal spindle microtubule assembly (ASPM) in clinical osteosarcoma tissue specimens collected in our hospital, and to explore the function of ASPM in osteosarcoma in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Tissue specimens from 82 cases of osteosarcoma were collected and analyzed by immunohistochemistry assay. We also investigated the relationship between ASPM expression and clinicopathological characteristics in the patients. We transfected shASPM plasmid and the empty control plasmid, respectively, and then used quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis to detect ASPM expression. Cell colony assay and MTT were used to observe the proliferation ability. In vivo study was undertaken to explore the ASPM function further.

Results

In this study, ASPM showed high expression in osteosarcoma tissue samples compared with non‐tumor normal tissues. ASPM was positively correlated with clinical pathological characteristics, including tumor size (P = 0.024) and clinical stage (P = 0.045). Our results further showed that ASPM depletion dramatically inhibited the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells (with fewer cells in the sh‐RNA‐ASPM group compared with the control group(P < 0.05, respectively), and the in vivo assays further confirmed that ASPM ablation markedly blocked tumor growth compared with control (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our data provides strong evidence that the high expression of ASPM in osteosarcoma promotes proliferation in vitro and in vivo, indicating its potential role as an osteosarcoma therapeutic target.
Primordial odontogenic tumor occurred in the maxilla with unique calcifications and its crucial points for differential diagnosis
Authors: Kayamori Kou , Tsuchiya Maiko , Michi Yasuyuki , Kuribayashi Ami , Mikami Toshinari , Sakamoto Kei , Yoda Tetsuya , Ikeda Tohru
Published: October 2020

Primordial odontogenic tumor (POT) is a newly classified, mixed epithelial and mesenchymal odontogenic tumor, with only 17 reported cases to date. Herein, we report a case of POT that occurred in the right maxilla of a 10‐year‐old boy and reveal unique features in comparison with those previously reported. Radiologically, the lesion presented as a well‐defined, unilocular radiolucency with notable radiopaque foci on the periphery. Microscopically, the tumor was mainly composed of dental papilla‐like myxoid fibrous connective tissue, largely surrounded by non‐keratinized squamous epithelium with numerous calcified particles, and partly enclosed by inner enamel epithelium‐like columnar cells and enamel organ‐like structures accompanied with cuboidal and/or stellate reticulum‐like cells. Immunohistochemically, the epithelium tested positive for cytokeratin 14 and 19. Moreover, amelogenin and ameloblastin, matrix proteins relating to enamel formation, were positive in the covering epithelium. The tumor was enucleated as a whole, and no recurrence was recorded thereafter. Although the presence of numerous calcified particles was unique, we diagnosed this lesion as POT based on the above‐described features. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of the differential diagnosis of POT and other odontogenic tumors that resemble corresponding tooth germ components.
The transcription factors of tall fescue in response to temperature stress
Authors: Li X.Y. , Wang Y. , Dai Y. , He Y. , Li C.X. , Mao P. , Ma X.R.
Published: October 2020

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is an important grass species worldwide, but temperature stress severely affects its distribution and yield. Transcription factors (TFs), as the master switches in sophisticated regulatory networks, play essential roles in plant growth development and abiotic stress responses.

In this study, the comparative transcriptome analysis was performed to explore the commonalities and differences in the response of TFs to the heat (40 °C), cold (10 °C) and control (22 °C) conditions.

A total of 877 TF genes belonging to 35 families were identified. Most of them (784) were differentially expressed genes (DEG), indicating TF genes actively responded to temperature stress. The expression of bZIP and GTF family members was up‐regulated when exposed to both heat and cold, but conversely, the expression of the most WRKY and NAC families members decreased. The HSF and GTE families and DREB2B were up‐regulated upon heat, while bHLH, MYB, HD‐ZIP and ERF families were elevated under cold stress. The TFs involved in ‘Plant hormone signal transduction’, ‘Plant‐pathogen interaction’, ‘Circadian rhythm’ play major roles in responding to temperature stresses.

The results showed the temperature threats up‐regulated the expression of stress tolerance‐related genes, and down‐regulated those genes associated with growth and disease resistance, indicating TFs exert crucial roles in plant adaptation to an adverse environment. This study profiled the responsive pattern of TFs to temperature stresses, partially explained the mechanism of adaptations of cold‐season forage crops and screened many candidate stress‐tolerant TF genes.
Seasonal variations in the skin parameters of Caucasian women from Central Europe
Authors: Dolečková Iva , Čápová Aneta , Machková Lenka , Moravčíková Soňa , Marešová Markéta , Velebný Vladimír
Published: October 2020

Background

The human skin is greatly affected by external factors such as UV radiation (UVR), ambient temperature (T), and air humidity. These factors oscillate during the year giving rise to the seasonal variations in the skin properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of seasons, environmental T, relative and absolute humidity on the skin parameters of Caucasian women, perform a literature review and discuss the possible factors lying behind the found changes.

Materials and Methods

We measured stratum corneum (SC) hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum level, erythema index, and elasticity parameters R2 and R7 on the forehead and the cheek of Caucasian women from the Czech Republic throughout the year. We also performed a non‐systematic literature review focused on the seasonal variations in these skin parameters.

Results

We confirmed a well‐documented low SC hydration and sebum production in winter. In spring, we found the lowest TEWL (on the forehead) and the highest SC hydration but also the highest erythema index and the lowest elasticity presumably indicating skin photodamage. For most of the skin parameters, the seasonal variations probably arise due to a complex action of different factors as we extensively discussed.

Conclusion

The data about the seasonal variations in the skin parameters are still highly inconsistent and further studies are needed for better understanding of the normal skin changes throughout the year.
The HLA‐DRB1*11:23:02 allele confirmed in a Chinese individual by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Zhou Dan , Zou Hong‐Yan
Published: October 2020

DRB1*11:23:02 differs from DRB1*11:23:01 by one nucleotide change at nucleotide 357 in exon 2 from G to A.
Statistical edutainment that lines up and fits
Authors: Pearl Dennis K. , Lesser Lawrence M.
Published: October 2020

Jokes, cartoons, songs, poems, and games can be useful ways to engage students in discussion and learning key concepts about regression.
Reviewer Acknowledgements
Authors: Smith Robert
Published: October 2020

Journal of Education and Training Studies (JETS) would like to acknowledge the following reviewers for their assistance with peer review of manuscripts for this issue. Many authors, regardless of whether JETS publishes their work, appreciate the helpful feedback provided by the reviewers. Their comments and suggestions were of great help to the authors in improving the quality of their papers. Each of the reviewers listed below returned at least one review for this issue.Reviewers for Volume 8, Number 11 Alphonce John Amuli, ADEM, TanzaniaDonna Smith, The Open University, UKIntakhab Khan, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi ArabiaJohn Cowan, Edinburgh Napier University, UKJonathan Chitiyo, University of Pittsburgh Bradford, USAKeyla Ferrari Lopes, UNICAMP, BrazilLaura Bruno, The College of New Jersey, USALucy Lugo Mawang, Kenyatta University, KenyaMary Sciaraffa, Eastern Kentucky University, USAMaurizio Sajeva, Pellervo Economic Research PTT, FinlandMeral Seker, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, TurkeyMinh Duc Duong, Thai Nguyen University, VietnamMustafa Çakır, Marmara University, TurkeyNiveen M. Zayed, MENA College of Management, JordanRachel Geesa, Ball State University, USARichard Penny, University of Washington Bothell, USASaadet Korucu Kis, Necmettin Erbakan University, TurkeySelloane Pitikoe, University of Eswatini, EswatiniThada Jantakoon, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, ThailandVjacheslav Ivanovich Babich, Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, UkraineYuChun Chen, Louisiana Tech University, USA    Robert SmithEditorial AssistantOn behalf of,The Editorial Board of Journal of Education and Training StudiesRedfame Publishing9450 SW Gemini Dr. #99416Beaverton, OR 97008, USAE-mail 1: jets@redfame.comE-mail 2: jets@redfame.orgURL: http://jets.redfame.com
Strategic Damping Placement in Viscoelastic Bandgap Structures: Dissecting the Metadamping Phenomenon in Multiresonator Metamaterials
Authors: Aladwani A. , Nouh M.
Published: October 2020

Energy dissipation in polymeric composite metamaterials requires special mathematical models owing to the viscoelastic nature of their constituents, namely, the polymeric matrix, bonding agent, and local resonators. Unlike traditional composites, viscoelastic metamaterials possess a unique ability to exhibit strong wave attenuation while retaining high stiffness as a result of the “metadamping” phenomenon attributed to local resonances. The objective of this work is to investigate viscoelastic metadamping in one-dimensional multibandgap metamaterials by combining the linear hereditary theory of viscoelasticity with the Floquet-Bloch theory of wave propagation in infinite elastic media. Important distinctions between metamaterial and phononic unit cell models are explained based on the free wave approach with wavenumber-eliminated damping-frequency band structures. The developed model enables viscoelastic metadamping to be investigated by varying two independent relaxation parameters describing the viscoelasticity level in the host structure and the integrated resonators. The dispersion mechanics within high damping regimes and the effects of boundary conditions on the damped response are detailed. The results reveal that in a multiresonator cell, strategic damping placement in the individual resonators plays a profound role in shaping intermediate dispersion branches and dictating the primary and secondary frequency regions of interest, within which attenuation is most required.
Arbitrarily Patterned Active Wrinkles in Highly Stretched Substrate-Free Dielectric Elastic Membrane
Authors: Xiang Junxiang , Guo Jiaojiao , Li Bo , Li Yingwei , Ouyang Linhui , Shui Langquan , Liu Ze
Published: October 2020

Dynamic wrinkle patterns provide an effective approach for on-demand tuning of membrane optical and mechanical properties to realize a smart membrane. Related applications depend on forming and controlling of a sophisticated wrinkling region. Herein, by using strip-structured electrode couples, we enable regular and ordered wrinkling patterns in an arbitrarily shaped region in a pre-stretched substrate-free dielectric elastic membrane. By considering the electromechanical coupling in a substrate-free hyperelastic membrane, the winkling condition and wavelength are predicated theoretically. Supported by the theoretical results, a series of experimental and numerical demonstrations are realized. The method proposed in this work provides a general framework for forming controllable highly ordered wrinkling patterns in a complex/large area of a substrate-free membrane, which could provide useful guidance for the application of dielectric elastomers in intelligent materials and structures.
Determining a Lower Bound Mixed Mode Failure Curve for An Interface Crack Between Single Crystal Silicon and Silicone Rubber
Authors: Matli Subramanyam Reddy , Rubin Ella , Banks-Sills Leslie
Published: October 2020

An interface crack between single crystal silicon (SC-Si) and silicone rubber is examined. The first term of the asymptotic solution for this interface crack is derived. Mixed mode fracture tests were performed on Brazilian disk specimens at different mode mixities. Finite element analyses (FEAs) of these tests were carried out in abaqus. A cubic (anisotropic) material model is used for SC-Si. Two different material models were used for silicone rubber: a linear elastic model for the asymptotic solution and a Mooney–Rivlin (hyperelastic) model for the FEA. The FEAs showed that large deformations were relegated to a small region surrounding the crack tip. Hence, a K-dominate region exists in which linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) may be used. From the FEAs of the Brazilian disk specimens, energy release rates were determined using the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) and displacement extrapolation (DE) methods which were corroborated by J-integral values evaluated using the contour integral method. Elsewhere, it was demonstrated that properly implemented, the VCCT method may be used for interface cracks. A mixed mode failure criterion is obtained from the energy release rate data. The SC-Si failed before the interface crack propagated. Hence, the failure curve obtained in this study should be considered as a lower bound of the critical energy release rate for this material pair.
Dent Imperfections in Shell Buckling: The Role of Geometry, Residual Stress, and Plasticity
Authors: Gerasimidis S. , Hutchinson J. W.
Published: October 2020

Departures of the geometry of the middle surface of a thin shell from the perfect shape have long been regarded as the most deleterious imperfections responsible for reducing a shell’s buckling capacity. Here, systematic simulations are conducted for both spherical and cylindrical metal shells whereby, in the first step, dimple-shaped dents are created by indenting a perfect shell into the plastic range. Then, in the second step, buckling of the dented shell is analyzed, under external pressure for the spherical shells and in axial compression for the cylindrical shells. Three distinct buckling analyses are carried out: (1) elastic buckling accounting only for the geometry of the dent, (2) elastic buckling accounting for both dent geometry and residual stresses, and (3) a full elastic–plastic buckling analysis accounting for both the dent geometry and residual stresses. The analyses reveal the relative importance of the geometry and the residual stress associated with the dent, and they also provide a clear indicator of whether plasticity is important in establishing the buckling load of the dented shells.
Risk Analysis of Engineering Change for Distributed Product Design
Authors: Yin Leilei , Sun Quan , Xu Youxiong , Shao Li , Tang Dunbing
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, customer demand for satisfactory product developed in limited time is rapidly posing a major challenge to product design, and more distributed products are developed to address these concerns. In the distributed product design, engineering change (EC) is an inevitable phenomenon and consumes much production time. It is necessary to assess the design change effectively in advance. Some methods and tools to predict and analyze the change propagation influence have been provided. From the perspective of design change duration, our work extends the method of assessing design change by incorporating risk factors from different working groups in multiple design sites, and functional maintenance during the change propagation. The primary result of this work is the provision of a design support to acquire the optimal design change scheme by estimating the duration. In this paper, risk factor for distributed design is applied to the influence evaluation of change propagation, which implies an increase of change propagation influence due to the varying levels of expertise and possible lack of communication. Besides, a deterministic simulation model is proposed to assess the change propagation schemes. The model combines the effects of design change parallelism, iteration, and change propagation for the distributed product design. Based on the simulation results, a more focused discussion and identification of suitable design change schemes can be made. A case study of an assembly tooling for the reinforced frame is implemented to demonstrate how the developed method can be applied. Finally, the method is initially discussed and evaluated.
Does a Finite-Time Double Support Period Increase Walking Stability for Planar Bipeds?
Authors: Williams Daniel S. , Martin Anne E.
Published: October 2020

For many planar bipedal models, each step is divided into a finite time single support period and an instantaneous double support period. During single support, the biped is typically underactuated and thus has limited ability to reject disturbances. The instantaneous nature of the double support period prevents nonimpulsive control during this period. However, if the double support period is expanded to finite time, it becomes overactuated. While it has been hypothesized that this overactuation during a finite-time double support period may improve disturbance rejection capabilities, this has not yet been tested. This paper presents a refined biped model by developing a finite-time, adaptive double support controller capable of handling the overactuation and limiting slip. Using simulations, we quantify the disturbance rejection capabilities of this controller and directly compare them to a typical, instantaneous double support model for a range of gait speeds and perturbations. We find that the finite-time double support controller increased the walking stability of the biped in approximately half of the cases, indicating that a finite-time double support period does not automatically increase disturbance rejection capabilities. We also find that the timing and magnitude of the perturbation can affect if a finite-time double support period enhances stability. Finally, we demonstrate that the adaptive controller reduces slipping.
Interaction Between Coriolis Forces and Mistuning on a Cyclic Symmetric Structure With Geometrical Nonlinearity
Authors: Tacher Anthony , Thouverez Fabrice , Armand Jason
Published: October 2020

An investigation of the interaction between Coriolis forces and mistuning on a cyclic symmetric structure is presented in this paper. The sensitivity of the eigenvalues and eigenvectors to mistuning is first studied with the perturbation method. A lumped parameter model is used to perform a modal analysis using a numerical approach after which geometrical nonlinearity is added to compare behavior with the linear case. Two different modes are thoroughly investigated for different rotational speeds, the first with an eigenvalue isolated from the others and the second presenting a frequency veering zone. The evolution from a standing wave domination at low speeds to a traveling wave domination at high speeds is observed for the isolated mode, whereas a standing wave domination remains around the veering zone for the second mode studied. It is also shown that the geometrical nonlinearity reinforces the mistuning effect versus the Coriolis forces.
Simulation of Optimizing the Partial Load Performance of a Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Using Exhaust Heat Recuperation and Inlet Bleed Heating
Authors: Moon Seong Won , Kim Tong Seop
Published: October 2020

This paper proposes a novel method to extend the operating range and improve the partial load efficiency of the gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC). The combination of exhaust heat recuperation and inlet bleed heating (IBH) was evaluated through a cycle simulation. The degree of heat recuperation was modulated during partial load operation to enhance the cycle efficiency. The recuperation ratio was modulated before control of the variable inlet guide vane (VIGV) began. This means that the recuperation control covers the high partial load regime. The gas turbine power remained almost constant in this regime because the inlet flow rate and turbine inlet temperature (TIT) were kept constant. In contrast, the power of the bottoming cycle decreased with increasing recuperation ratio due to the decrease in exhaust gas energy. After the recuperation ratio reached a limit, the load control was the same, as in conventional plants: VIGV control followed by fuel only control. The purpose of using IBH was to reduce CO emissions in the low load regime. Some of the compressor discharge air was recirculated to the compressor inlet, and the combustion temperature was maintained at a high level. Both IBH and recuperation were effective in extending the operating range. The turndown ratio was predicted to decrease by approximately 10%p. The efficiency remained higher than the full load efficiency over a wide partial load range. The efficiency of the recuperated GTCC was 4.1%p higher at 50% power than that of the conventional GTCC.
Bioprinting Using Algae: Effects of Extrusion Pressure and Needle Diameter on Cell Quantity in Printed Samples
Authors: Thakare Ketan , Jerpseth Laura , Qin Hongmin , Pei Zhijian
Published: October 2020

Bioprinting is the fabrication of structures based on layer-by-layer deposition of biomaterials. Applications of bioprinting using plant or algae cells include the production of metabolites for use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Reported studies regarding effects of extrusion pressure and needle diameter on cell viability in bioprinting have used animal cells. There are no reports regarding effects of extrusion pressure and needle diameter on cell viability using plant or algae cells. This paper fills this knowledge gap by reporting an experimental investigation on effects of extrusion pressure and needle diameter on cell quantity (an indicator of cell viability) in extrusion-based bioprinting of hydrogel-based bioink containing Chlamydomonas reinhardtii algae cells. Extrusion pressure levels used in this study were 3, 5, and 7 bar, and needle diameter levels were 200, 250, and 400 µm. Algae cell quantity in printed samples was measured on the third day and sixth day post bioprinting. Results show that, when extrusion pressure increases or needle diameter decreases, algae cell quantity in printed samples decreases.
Laboratory Investigation on Oil Increment and Water Cut Control of CO2, N2, and Gas Mixture Huff-n-Puff in Edge-Water Fault-Block Reservoirs
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhao Fenglan , Huang Shijun , Zhang Meng , Feng Hairu , Li Yan , Song Liguang
Published: October 2020

Excessive water production is a common matter that seriously affects production efficiency during the development of edge-water fault-block reservoirs. Gas huff-n-puff is an effective water shutoff technology that has the characteristics of small injection volume, no interwell connectivity impact, and minor gas channeling. However, gas injection can destroy the stability of the asphaltene to induce asphaltene deposition. In this article, the laboratory experiment had been conducted to investigate the effect of injection ratio and injection sequence on oil increment and water cut control for gas mixture huff-n-puff. Experimental results indicated that the effect of N2 huff-n-puff on water cut control was the most obvious, while CO2 huff-n-puff had the best performance on oil increment. Oil increment and water cut control of gas mixture huff-n-puff with CO2 injected in advance were obviously better than that of N2 injection preferentially. Subsequently, PVTsim Nova was utilized to investigate whether reducing CO2 injection volume can inhibit asphaltene deposition and predict the possibility of asphaltene deposition at reservoir conditions. Simulation results demonstrated that the asphaltenes were easily deposited with CO2 injection while N2 injection will be unlikely to induce asphaltene deposition. Asphaltene deposition pressure envelope can qualitatively analyze the possibility of asphaltene deposition and provide a reference for screening the appropriate gas injection ratio based on giving full play to the synergistic effect of CO2 and N2. In this study, 7:3 is selected as the optimum injection ratio considering the synergistic effect and the possibility of asphaltene deposition.
Large Eddy Simulation on the Effects of Coal Particles Size on Turbulent Combustion Characteristics and NOx Formation Inside a Corner-Fired Furnace
Authors: Sun Wenjing , Zhong Wenqi , Zhang Jingzhou , Echekki Tarek
Published: October 2020

The effects of pulverized coal particles’ sizes on the coal combustion characteristics are numerically studied in a laboratory-scale tangentially fired furnace. The turbulent gas flow and the coal particle motion are solved by employing the large eddy simulation (LES) and the discrete phase model (DPM). The mixture fraction probability density function (MF-PDF) is coupled to simulate the non-premixed pulverized coal combustion. It is found that the coal combustion efficiency is positively affected by the dispersion of coal powders. The particle dispersion and the coal combustion are augmented by the intensive impingement caused by the corner-injected flow. Large coal particles, with their greater inertia, enhance particle agglomerations, which limit the combustion of volatile and char. Accordingly, the average flame temperature decreases with the growing particle sizes. Also, the O2 concentration increases slightly because of the incomplete coal combustion, and the CO2 concentration decreases gradually. In contrast, the CO concentration increases markedly in the furnace center due to the presence of a reducing atmosphere. The NO concentration exhibits an exponential decline with the increased particle size. A relatively stable combustion and a relatively low NOx formation are acquired inside such a corner-fired furnace when the particle Stokes number is a little greater than 1.
Optimized Pneumatic Drives Through Combined Downstream and Adaptive Upstream Throttling
Authors: Reinertz Olivier , Schmitz Katharina
Published: October 2020

Compressed air production is responsible for approximately 10% of the industrial electricity consumption within the European Union. Meanwhile, inefficient downstream throttling is mostly used for speed control of pneumatic drives. Thus, in the past, more efficient control strategies have been in focus of multiple research projects. Nevertheless, negative impacts of the resulting systems on simplicity in implementation and commissioning as well as on procurement costs are hindering a broader application. Therefore, the focus of this paper lies on a novel compressed air saving switching scheme, looking not for the utmost efficiency, but for simple and cheap implementation.

The solution bases on simple to implement state of the art circuits, the up- and downstream throttling. The novel system aims to combine the benefits of the two before mentioned circuits in a compact, simple to implement component. The paper presents the three before-mentioned systems and compares these by means of analytical equations and lumped parameter simulations. The study reveals a broad applicability of the novel switching scheme and significant efficiency improvements.
Brightness perception for musical instrument sounds: Relation to timbre dissimilarity and source-cause categories
Authors: Saitis Charalampos , Siedenburg Kai
Published: October 2020

Timbre dissimilarity of orchestral sounds is well-known to be multidimensional, with attack time and spectral centroid representing its two most robust acoustical correlates. The centroid dimension is traditionally considered as reflecting timbral brightness. However, the question of whether multiple continuous acoustical and/or categorical cues influence brightness perception has not been addressed comprehensively. A triangulation approach was used to examine the dimensionality of timbral brightness, its robustness across different psychoacoustical contexts, and relation to perception of the sounds' source-cause. Listeners compared 14 acoustic instrument sounds in three distinct tasks that collected general dissimilarity, brightness dissimilarity, and direct multi-stimulus brightness ratings. Results confirmed that brightness is a robust unitary auditory dimension, with direct ratings recovering the centroid dimension of general dissimilarity. When a two-dimensional space of brightness dissimilarity was considered, its second dimension correlated with the attack-time dimension of general dissimilarity, which was interpreted as reflecting a potential infiltration of the latter into brightness dissimilarity. Dissimilarity data were further modeled using partial least-squares regression with audio descriptors as predictors. Adding predictors derived from instrument family and the type of resonator and excitation did not improve the model fit, indicating that brightness perception is underpinned primarily by acoustical rather than source-cause cues.
The integrated stress response: From mechanism to disease
Authors: Costa-Mattioli Mauro , Walter Peter
Published: October 2020

Proteostasis dISRupted

Despite their importance, many crucial networks for protein quality control within cells diminish with age. The resulting loss of proteostasis, the process by which the health of a cell's proteins is monitored and maintained, is associated with a wide range of age-related human diseases. Costa-Mattioli and Walter review the integrated stress response (ISR), a central signaling network that responds to proteostasis defects by tuning protein synthesis. The ISR is activated in a wide range of pathological conditions, so a mechanistic understanding of its pathway may help in the development of therapeutic tools through which it can be modulated.

Science
, this issue p.
eaat5314
Determination of the melanocortin-4 receptor structure identifies Ca
2+
as a cofactor for ligand binding
Authors: Yu Jing , Gimenez Luis E. , Hernandez Ciria C. , Wu Yiran , Wein Ariel H. , Han Gye Won , McClary Kyle , Mittal Sanraj R. , Burdsall Kylie , Stauch Benjamin , Wu Lijie , Stevens Sophia N. , Peisley Alys , Williams Savannah Y. , Chen Valerie , Millhauser Glenn L. , Zhao Suwen , Cone Roger D. , Stevens Raymond C.
Published: October 2020

Some calcium is required for binding

The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) coordinates food intake and energy expenditure and is a target for treating obesity. MC4R is an unusual G protein–coupled receptor, in part because it binds either an endogenous agonist or an endogenous antagonist, leading to reduced appetite or increased food intake, respectively. Yu
et al.
determined the structure of MC4R bound to an antagonist (see the Perspective by Chaturvedi and Shukla). This structure revealed a calcium ion coordinated by the receptor and the antagonist. Biochemical studies showed that the calcium ion also increased the affinity for endogenous agonist, which translated into increased potency. The authors also confirm a previous finding that MC4R directly couples to the ion channel Kir7.1 and regulates channel gating.

Science
, this issue p.
428
; see also p.
369
Mary Lowe Good (1931–2019)
Authors: Cavanaugh Margaret A.
Published: October 2020

Renowned chemist, respected leader, and inspiring mentor