bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Infants' neutral facial expressions elicit the strongest initial attentional bias in adults: Behavioral and electrophysiological evidence
Authors: Jia Yun Cheng , Ding Fang Yuan , Cheng Gang , Liu Yong , Yu Wei , Zou Yan , Zhang Da Jun
Published: September 2021

Recent studies that used adult faces as the baseline have revealed that attentional bias toward infant faces is the strongest for neutral expressions than for happy and sad expressions. However, the time course of the strongest attentional bias toward infant neutral expressions is unclear. To clarify this time course, we combined a behavioral dot‐probe task with electrophysiological event‐related potentials (ERPs) to measure adults' responses to infant and adult faces with happy, neutral, and sad expressions derived from the same face. The results indicated that compared with the corresponding expressions in adult faces, attentional bias toward infant faces with various expressions resulted in different patterns during rapid and prolonged attention stages. In particular, first, neutral expressions in infant faces elicited greater behavioral attentional bias and P1 responses than happy and sad ones did. Second, sad expressions in infant faces elicited greater N170 responses than neutral and happy ones did; notably, sad expressions elicited greater N170 responses in the left hemisphere in women than in men. Third, late positive potential (LPP) responses were greater for infant faces than for adult faces under each expression condition. Thus, we propose a three‐stage model of attentional allocation patterns that reveals the time course of attentional bias toward infant faces with various expressions. This model highlights the prominent role of neutral facial expressions in the attentional bias toward infant faces.
Influence of dental magnets on human brain activity: A quantitative EEG analysis
Authors: Elias Angel , Raza Fathima Banu , Vaidyanathan Anand Kumar , Thallam Veeravalli Padmanabhan
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The magnetic field is known to attenuate mental depression, but it is not clear on the effect of dental magnets on human brain activity. Therefore, this study was to determine the influence of magnetic field from intraoral magnets on the human brain activity by analyzing the changes in alpha waves.

Materials and Methods

Twenty complete denture male patients aged between 50 and 60 years were included after their consent. The neodymium‐iron‐boron sintered magnet was incorporated into the existing mandibular denture bilaterally in canine region. The participants were subjected to electroencephalogram (EEG) and the output measured alpha waves at three phases: (i) without placement of magnets (WM0), (ii) 30 days post‐magnet placement in the mandibular denture (WM), and (iii) after 6 months post‐removal of magnets (WM6). The data obtained was skewed (non‐parametric), and hence multivariate analysis using Friedman test, and bivariate analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank test and Mann–Whitney test were done to assess the significant difference among the groups.

Results

The comparison of alpha waves between different phases showed a significant difference in all the pairs (p < .05) except WM‐WM6. Comparison of alpha waves between right and left hemisphere showed no statistically significant difference (p > .05).

Conclusion

We concluded that dental magnets had an influential effect on the alpha waves in the brain on both the left and right hemispheres. The removal of dental magnets retained the changes in brain activity even after 6 months of removal, denoting the alternative therapy to management of mental depression.
A culture of whiteness: How integration failed in cities, suburbs, and small towns
Authors: Walton Emily
Published: September 2021

As America's neighborhoods have become more racially diverse in the last half century, are these shared spaces fulfilling the “promise of integration”? In this study, I review the literature on desegregation as it occurs in urban, suburban, and rural places, illuminating how a culture of whiteness works in each of these types of places to reproduce racial domination. The literature on multiethnic urban areas demonstrates how a culture of whiteness reframes gentrification as ‘revitalization’ and nostalgia, which result in social control and cultural displacement of non‐white residents. In suburban places, I draw out the ways a culture of whiteness is expressed as ‘niceness’ and ‘governmentality’, resulting in symbolic exclusion and forced assimilation of people of color. Finally, in rural places, a culture of whiteness uses narratives of ‘pollution’ and ‘parasitism’ to understand often low‐income migrants of color, which renders them invisible and reproduces their structural disadvantage in the community. Revealing the subtle and obscure mechanisms through which a culture of whiteness reproduces racial domination in diverse places ultimately provides the key to their undoing and opens the door to the promise of integration.
The effectiveness and safety of low dose trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole for the treatment of pneumocystis pneumonia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tritle Brandon J. , Hejazi Andre A. , Timbrook Tristan T.
Published: September 2021

Background

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) is an opportunistic fungal infection causing significant morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The conventional treatment of PJP is sulfamethoxazole‐trimethoprim (SMX‐TMP) dosed at 15–20 mg/kg/day of the trimethoprim component. Several studies have suggested similar mortality outcomes and an improved adverse effect profile using a lower dose (<15 mg/kg/day) SMX‐TMP regimen. Our objective of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of lower dose SMX‐TMP for PJP pneumonia.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of the existing literature according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. MEDLINE and Embase databases were searched from inception to January 15, 2020, for studies in English evaluating low‐dose SMX‐TMP (<15 mg/kg/day) compared to conventional dosing for the treatment of PJP. Outcomes evaluated in our meta‐analysis include survival and adverse reactions.

Results

After excluding studies that did not meet our inclusion criteria, four studies were analyzed for adverse reactions and three for mortality. Overall, there was no significant difference in mortality between low‐dose and conventional‐dose SMX‐TMP groups (relative risk [RR]: 0.55, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18–1.70). There was a significant decrease in the rate of adverse reactions for the low‐dose group compared with the conventional‐dose group (RR: 0.70, 95% CI, 0.53–0.91).

Conclusions

This meta‐analysis shows a significant decrease in adverse reactions and similar mortality rates with lower‐dose SMX‐TMP compared to conventional dosing. A low‐dose SMX‐TMP regimen in the treatment of PJP should be considered a viable option as it could potentially decrease treatment discontinuation rates and reduce patient harm.
X‐irradiation and gamma‐irradiation inactivate lymphocytes in blood components
Authors: Davis April M. , Aung Htet Htet , Costa Marylia J. , Dennington Peta M. , van der Wal Dianne E. , Marks Denese C.
Published: September 2021

Background

Irradiation of selected blood components is standard practice for the prevention of transfusion‐associated graft‐versus‐host disease (TA‐GvHD). Currently, gamma‐irradiation is the most widely used form of irradiation, but there is an increasing interest in X‐irradiation, which is considered to be functionally equivalent and safer. However, there is a paucity of contemporary data regarding the ability of X‐irradiation to inactivate lymphocytes in blood components. Therefore, the effect of gamma‐ and X‐irradiation on lymphocyte viability and function in blood components was compared.

Study design and methods

Lymphocytes were isolated from venous blood by density gradient centrifugation, spiked into plasma/SSP+ to simulate a blood component, and either gamma‐ or X‐irradiated. The phenotype of the isolated lymphocytes was confirmed. Lymphocyte viability was measured using a LIVE/DEAD assay, and function was assessed using mixed lymphocyte culture and CD69 expression post‐phorbol‐12 myristate 13‐acetate (PMA) stimulation.

Results

Lymphocyte viability and CD69 expression following PMA stimulation were significantly reduced by both gamma‐irradiation and X‐irradiation in simulated blood components. Allorecognition and allostimulation were also significantly reduced by both gamma‐irradiation and X‐irradiation.

Conclusion

Lymphocyte viability and function are reduced to a similar extent by gamma‐ and X‐irradiation in simulated blood components. As such, X‐irradiation is suitable for the irradiation of blood components and, in terms of lymphocyte inactivation, could be used instead of gamma‐irradiation.
Retrospective evaluation of gastrointestinal foreign bodies and presurgical predictors for enterectomy versus enterotomy in dogs (2013–2016): 82 cases
Authors: Hoffman Christopher L. , Mastrocco Alicia , Drobatz Kenneth J.
Published: September 2021

Objective

To evaluate preoperative diagnostics in dogs with gastrointestinal foreign body (GIFB) obstruction and to identify clinical variables associated with the performance of simple enterotomy (EO) versus enterectomy (EC).

Design

Retrospective case control study from October 2013 to January 2016.

Setting

Veterinary Teaching Hospital.

Animals

Eighty‐two client‐owned dogs diagnosed at the time of surgery with GIFB obstruction.

Measurements and Main Results

Data were collected from medical records regarding history, initial physical examination, clinicopathologic testing, diagnostic imaging, and surgical reports. Based on univariate analysis, dogs that required EC were ill (P < 0.0001) and anorexic (P = 0.0007) for a longer duration; had a higher vomiting severity score (P = 0.005); and had worse perfusion parameters (mucous membrane color [P = 0.028] and quality [P = 0.032], poorer pulse quality [P = 0.0015], relatively lower blood pressure [P = 0.0328], greater heart rates [P = 0.0011]). Dogs undergoing EC were more likely to have altered peritoneal detail on radiographs (P = 0.0014; odds ratio [OR] = 25.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.4, 275.7) and echogenic peritoneal effusion on ultrasound (P = 0.0101; OR = 12.5; 95% CI: 1.3, 120.9), compared to the EO group. Heart rate (adjusted P = 0.028; OR = 1.07; 95% CI: 1.0, 1.1) and vomiting severity score (adjusted P = 0.028; OR = 5.6; 95% CI: 1.2, 26.1) maintained significance after multiple logistic regression.

Conclusions

Multiple factors in the preoperative clinical evaluation were different between dogs undergoing EO versus EC for GIFB obstruction. However, many of these variables become insignificant with multiple logistic regression. The presence of an increased heart rate or increased vomiting severity score at presentation was independently associated with undergoing enterectomy. Prospective studies with greater number of animals are warranted to validate these results.
The crested caracara (Caracara plancus) eye: Morphologic observations and results of selected diagnostic tests
Authors: Baldotto Suelen Berger , Somma André Tavares , Lange Rogério Ribas , Machado Marcello , Moore Bret A. , Montiani‐Ferreira Fabiano
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To provide a descriptive investigation about relevant features of the crested caracara's eye (Caracara plancus) and bony orbit, as well as provide data for ophthalmic tests.

Methods

Morphological observations and the following diagnostic tests were performed: Schirmer tear test (STT), conjunctival flora evaluation, corneal touch threshold (CTT), intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), B‐mode ocular biometry, palpebral fissure length (PFL), and corneal diameter (CD) in 19 healthy birds, plus two macerated skulls. Not all birds were used for each test.

Results

STT: 7.84 ± 3.05 mm/min; CTT: 2.46 ± 1.10 cm; IOP: 19.18 ± 3.07 mmHg; CCT: 0.31 ± 0.02 mm; PFL: 13.32 ± 1.06 mm; CD: 10.26 ± 2.43 mm; Axial globe length: 1.89 ± 0.06 cm; Anterior chamber depth: 0.27 ± 0.06 cm; Lens axial length: 4.55 ± 0.06 cm; Vitreous chamber depth: 1.2 ± 0.07 cm. The most frequent conjunctival bacterial isolates wereCorynebacteriumsp. (10/23.8%),Staphylococcussp. (9/21.42%),Streptococcussp. (7/16.6%), andE. coli(7/16.66%). The large lateral part of the palatine bone likely plays a role in the ventral protection of the globe against the impact of prey. Observed results are generally reflective of increased body mass compared to other Falconiformes, with values approaching those of similar sized Accipitriformes.

Conclusions

These data may help veterinarians recognize peculiar morphologic features and perform a more accurate diagnosis of eye diseases of this avian species.
Dynamic encoding of saccade sequences in primate frontal eye field
Authors: Jia Jing , Puyang Zhen , Wang Qingjun , Jin Xin , Chen Aihua
Published: September 2021

The frontal eye field (FEF) is a key part of the oculomotor system, with dominant responses to the direction of single saccades. However, whether and how FEF contributes to sequential saccades remain largely unknown. By training rhesus monkeys to perform saccade sequences, we found sequence‐related activities in FEF neurons, whose selectivity to saccade direction undergoes dynamic changes during sequential vs. single saccades. These sequence‐related activities are context‐dependent, exhibiting different firing activities during memory‐ vs. visually guided sequences. When the monkey was performing the sequential saccade task, the thresholds of microstimulation to evoke saccades in FEF were increased and the percentage of the successfully induced saccades was significantly reduced compared with the fixation condition. Pharmacological inactivation of FEF impaired the monkey's performance of previously learned sequential saccades, with different effects on the same actions depending on its position within the sequence. These results reveal the context‐dependent, sequence‐specific dynamic encoding of saccades in FEF, and underscore the crucial role of FEF in the planning and execution of sequential saccades.

Key points

FEF neurons respond differently during sequential vs. single saccades

Sequence‐related FEF activity is context‐dependent

The microstimulation threshold in FEF was increased during the sequential task but the evoked saccade did not alter the sequence structure

FEF inactivation severely impaired the performance of sequential saccades
Influence of Pulse Characteristics on Turbocharger Radial Turbine
Authors: Mosca Roberto , Lim Shyang Maw , Mihaescu Mihai
Published: September 2021

Turbocharging has been demonstrated as a key technology to enhance fuel efficiency in the automotive field that faces increasingly stringent emission regulations. Due to the reciprocating engine, pulsating flow feds the turbocharger turbine, which experiences conditions far from a continuous flow scenario. In this work, the effects of the characteristics of the mass flow pulse, parameterized through amplitude, frequency, and temporal gradient, are decoupled and studied via unsteady computational fluid dynamics calculations under on-engine operating conditions. First, the model is validated based on comparisons with experimental data in gas-stand conditions. Then, the effect of each parameter on the exergy budget is assessed by considering a ±10% variation with respect to a baseline pulse. The other factors defining the operating conditions (e.g., mass flow, shaft speed, and inflow exergy) are kept the same as the baseline. The adopted approach enables to completely isolate the effects of each parameter in contrast with previous literature studies. Based on the results observed, pulse amplitude is identified as the primary parameter affecting the hot-side system response in terms of turbine performance, heat transfer, and entropy generation, while frequency and temporal gradient show a smaller influence compared to it. As the pulse amplitude increases, the turbine work is reported to improve up to 9.4%. Smaller variations are otherwise observed for the frequency and temporal gradient analysis. With a 10% increase of the pulse frequency, the turbine work is registered to improve by 5.0%, while the same percentage reduction of the temporal gradient leads to an increase of the turbine work equal to 3.6%.
Data-Driven Approach for Identifying Mistuning in As-Manufactured Blisks
Authors: Kelly Sean T. , Lupini Andrea , Epureanu Bogdan I.
Published: September 2021

Sector-to-sector geometry or material property variations in as-manufactured bladed disks, or blisks, can result in significantly greater vibration responses during operation compared to nominally cyclic symmetric designs. The dynamics of blisks are sensitive to these unavoidable deviations, known as mistuning, making the identification of mistuning in as-manufactured blisks necessary for accurately predicting their vibration. As in previous mistuning modeling and identification approaches, the mistuning of interest is small and is parameterized by using deviations in cantilever blade-alone frequencies. Such mistuning parameterization is popular because it can be applied through blade-to-blade stiffness deviations in computational reduced-order models used to predict blisk dynamics. Previous approaches to identify such mistuning parameters often require the identification of modal information or blade-isolation techniques such as blade detuning using masses or adding damping pads. However, modal information can be difficult to obtain accurately even in optimal bench conditions. In addition, in practice it can be difficult to isolate individual blades by restricting blade motion around the blisk or detuning individual blades through added masses due to geometric constraints. In this article, we present a method for mistuning identification using a data-driven approach based on a neural network. The network is first trained using surrogate computational data. Thus, the data-driven portion of the approach is executed using surrogate computational methods. With the trained network, mistuning in all sectors of blisks with the same nominal geometry can be identified by using a small number of forced responses and the forcing phase information from traveling-wave excitation. In this approach, no system or sector-level modal response information, restrictive blade isolation, or mass detuning are required. We additionally present a method for forcing frequency selection and response conditioning to improve identification accuracy. Validation of this approach is presented using a finite element blisk model containing stiffness mistuning within the blades to create computationally generated surrogate data. It is shown that mistuning can be predicted accurately using forced responses containing a significant amount of absolute and relative measurement noise, mimicking responses collected from experimental measurements. In addition, it is shown that mistuning can be predicted independently and accurately using different engine orders of excitation in regions of high modal density.
Turn-Down Capability of Ansaldo Energia's GT26
Authors: Jakoby Ralf , Rinn Jörg , Appel Christoph , Studerus Adrien
Published: September 2021

The operational flexibility of heavy-duty gas turbines is of increasing importance in today's power generation market. Fast startup, fast loading, grid frequency support, fuel flexibility, and turn-down capability are only some of the keywords that describe the challenges for GT manufacturers. This paper reports Ansaldo Energia's activities to further reduce the minimum environmental load of the GT26. The difficulties related to operation at very low loads and the solutions that were developed are explained. Furthermore, the results of engine validation tests of the new extended low load operation and extended low part load operation concepts are presented. The enhancement of the operational flexibility of the GT26 is in the focus of Ansaldo's development activities since many years. Its sequential combustion system is a very good basis for flexible and emission compliant operation down to very low loads. Ansaldo Energia's low part load (LPL) and low load operation (LLO) concepts are standard products in the GT26 flexibility portfolio and established in the market for many years. LPL operation extends the standard operating range down to low loads by switching off individual burners in the second combustor (sequential environmental (burner) (SEV) combustor). The compressor mass flow can be varied between idle and base load levels. Low load operation is characterized by a combination of idle compressor mass flow and base load temperatures in the first combustor (environmental (burner) combustor). The SEV combustor is switched off. LLO is intended to be a “parking point,” where the plant can operate in combined cycle mode during times of low electricity demand. Ansaldo Energia has conducted a development project in the past two years to further reduce the minimum simple cycle and combined cycle loads. The extension of the LLO and LPL operating ranges and their combination into one single feature are the main targets of the project.
Efficient Reliability-Based Mission Planning of Off-Road Autonomous Ground Vehicles Using an Outcrossing Approach
Authors: Jiang Chen , Liu Yixuan , Mourelatos Zissimos P. , Gorsich David , Fu Yan , Hu Zhen
Published: September 2021

Reliability-based mission planning of off-road autonomous ground vehicles (AGVs) aims to identify an optimal path under uncertain and deformable terrain environment, while satisfying specific mission mobility reliability (MMR) constraints. The repeated evaluation of MMR during path planning poses computational challenges for practical applications. This paper presents an efficient reliability-based mission planning using an outcrossing approach that has a similar computational complexity compared to deterministic mission planning. A Gaussian random field is employed to represent the spatially dependent uncertainty sources in the terrain environment. The latter are then used in conjunction with a vehicle mobility model to generate a stochastic mobility map. Based on the stochastic mobility map, outcrossing rate maps are generated using the outcrossing concept which is widely used in time-dependent reliability. Integration of the outcrossing rate map with a rapidly exploring random tree (RRT*) algorithm allows for efficient path planning of AGVs subject to MMR constraints. A reliable RRT* algorithm using the outcrossing approach (RRT*-OC) is developed to implement the proposed efficient reliability-based mission planning. Results of a case study with two scenarios verify the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed algorithm.
Accessibility Versus Feasibility: Optimizing Function Allocation for Accommodation of Heterogeneous Populations
Authors: Knisely Benjamin M. , Vaughn-Cooke Monifa
Published: September 2021

Human beings are physically and cognitively variable, leading to a wide array of potential system use cases. To design safe and effective systems for highly heterogeneous populations, engineers must cater to this variability to minimize the chance of error and system failure. This can be a challenge because of the increasing costs associated with providing additional product variety. Most guidance for navigating these trade-offs is intended for late-stage design, when significant resources have been expended, thus risking expensive redesign or exclusion of users when new human concerns become apparent. Despite the critical need to evaluate accommodation-cost trade-offs in early stages of design, there is currently a lack of structured guidance. In this work, an approach to function modeling is proposed that allows the simultaneous consideration of human and machine functionality. This modeling approach facilitates the allocation of system functions to humans and machines to be used as an accessible baseline for concept development. Further, a multi-objective optimization model was developed to allocate functions with metrics for accommodation and cost. The model was demonstrated in a design case study. About 16 senior mechanical engineering students were recruited and tasked with performing the allocation task manually. The results were compared to the output of the optimization model. Results indicated that participants were unable to produce concepts with the same accommodation-cost efficiency as the optimization model. Further, the optimization model successfully produced a wide range of potential product concepts, demonstrating its utility as a decision-aid.
Optimization of a Radiant System for Hydrothermal Performance Using Taguchi and Utility Concept
Authors: Nath Ratnadeep , Verma Vikas , Tarodiya Rahul
Published: September 2021

Radiant floor panel technology is gaining popularity as an alternative system over the conventional heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to maintain the room temperature for the desired comfort. This research paper aims to optimize the hydrothermal performance of a radiant system by implementing the Taguchi technique and utility concept for cooling and heating mode of operation. Five geometrical and thermal parameters such as pipe diameter, pipe spacing, concrete layer thickness, wall temperature, and inlet and outlet water temperature difference with three levels are chosen as controlling factors to perform optimization. Considering five parameters and three levels, a total of 27 trial runs (L27) are constructed and computed by mathematical calculation. Two different sets of optimum parameters are obtained for maximizing heat flux and minimizing pressure drop. Furthermore, the utility concept is employed to get a single set of parameters to achieve maximum utilization of the radiant system. Taguchi analysis revealed that thermal parameters like temperature difference and wall temperature are the most influential parameters to reach maximum heat transfer and minimum pressure drop followed by geometrical parameters like pipe spacing and diameter for heat flux and pressure drop, respectively. Providing more weightage to heat flux than pressure drop, utility analysis showed 32% and 42% augmentation in heat flux for cooling and heating mode, respectively, at the cost of an increase in pressure drop.
An Enhanced Failure Mode Effect Analysis-Based Risk Assessment for Subsea Compressor Systems
Authors: Ge Haiyang , Gao Haibo , Chen Nian-Zhong , Lin Zhiguo
Published: September 2021

An enhanced failure mode effect analysis (FMEA) based risk assessment for subsea compressor systems was proposed in this study. The enhanced model was established using a combination of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP), fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, and FMEA. Different from the traditional FMEA model, the model improved the capability to identify system faults and to further measure the risk of a subsea compressor system through effective qualitative and quantitative analyses. A case study was then conducted to demonstrate the capability of the developed method in a complete risk assessment for a subsea compressor system and the subsystems and subcomponents with low reliabilities were identified. Comparing the enhanced model with previous models, it is found that the potential risks of some components are changed, and the components with higher potential risks in the system are identified. Sensitivity analysis to investigate the impact of parameters of subcomponents on system reliability was also performed.
Wave Propagation in Tapered Periodic Curved Meta-Frame Using Floquet Theory
Authors: Prasad Rajan , Baxy Ajinkya , Banerjee Arnab
Published: September 2021

In this work, the elastic wave propagation and dispersion characteristics of a curved tapered frame structure are investigated analytically. Separately, wave propagation through uniform curved and straight tapered beam was reported in the existing literature; however, no literature reports the influence of simultaneous bent and taper on the wave propagation. In particular, the band characteristics for the curved and tapered beam with two types of cross sections, i.e., rectangular and circular, are presented. The paper elucidates that introducing a small periodic bent angle cross section produces a complete, viz., axial and flexural bandgap in the low-frequency region, and conicity enhances the width of the band. It is also evidenced that a curved tapered frame with a solid circular cross section induces a wider bandgap than the rectangular section. A complete first normalized bandwidth of 159% is achievable for the circular cross section and 123% in the case of the rectangular section. The complete result is presented in a non-dimensional framework for wider applicability. An analysis of a finite tapered curved frame structure also demonstrates the attenuating characteristics obtained from the band structure of the infinite structure. The partial wave mode conversion, i.e., generation of coupled axial and flexural mode from a purely axial or flexural mode in an uncoupled medium, is observed. This wave conversion is perceived in reflected and transmitted waves while this curved tapered frame is inserted between the two uniform cross-sectional straight frames.
“Who’s Who?”: Identifying Cycling Coaches’ Biographies
Authors: Wood Samuel , Richardson David , Roberts Simon
Published: September 2021

Consideration of a learners’ biography is deemed to impact on their engagement with formal education and their connection with, and perceived relevance of, educational course content. It is considered equally important to understand coaches who enrol on formal coach learning in sport—their motivations, beliefs, values, existing knowledge, and previous life experiences. This research explored the individual biographies of eight neophyte cycling coaches over an 18-month period following the successful completion of a national governing body coach award. Following 23 formal semistructured interviews and 26 unstructured interviews, deductive thematic narrative analysis revealed three different typologies of coach: the “performance coach”; the “parent-coach”; and the “community coach.” Although the subjective details of the life stories varied according to their idiosyncratic perspective, all participants’ stories broadly followed one of these three identifiable narratives. Identifying different “typologies” of cycling coaches’ answers calls from coach developers to account for the specific backgrounds of coaches’ practices. It is hoped this research will begin the process of developing more personalised approaches to coach education.
Real Versus Ideal: Understanding How Coaches Gain Knowledge
Authors: Van Woezik Rachel A. , McLaren Colin D. , Côté Jean , Erickson Karl , Law Barbi , Lafrance Horning Denyse , Callary Bettina , Bruner Mark W.
Published: September 2021

In an ever-evolving society, sport coaches are presented with a number of avenues through which they can acquire and refine their coaching knowledge. The purpose of this research was to replicate and extend past research to gain an up-to-date understanding of how coaches are presently gaining knowledge. This was done through a constructive replication using a sequential explanatory mixed-method design. Study 1 included 798 coaches who completed an online questionnaire detailing their use of 16 sources of coaching knowledge. Coaches’ top three most used sources were interacting with coaches, learning by doing, and observing others. In contrast, the top three most preferred sources were observing others, interacting with coaches, and having a mentor. To contextualize these findings, Study 2 used a qualitative design in which 14 coaches were interviewed to understand their experiences with different knowledge sources. Five distinct narrative types were identified: recent elite athletes, parent coaches, coach developers, teacher coaches, and experienced coaches. Coaches reported engaging in more social and unstructured learning experiences, and the reasons for their preferences appeared to differ based on lifestyle and perceived barriers. Collectively, these findings highlight how coaches gain knowledge and why they prefer certain sources over others.
Evidence of humans in North America during the Last Glacial Maximum
Authors: Bennett Matthew R. , Bustos David , Pigati Jeffrey S. , Springer Kathleen B. , Urban Thomas M. , Holliday Vance T. , Reynolds Sally C. , Budka Marcin , Honke Jeffrey S. , Hudson Adam M. , Fenerty Brendan , Connelly Clare , Martinez Patrick J. , Santucci Vincent L. , Odess Daniel
Published: September 2021

Early footsteps in the Americas

Despite a plethora of archaeological research over the past century, the timing of human migration into the Americas is still far from resolved. In a study of exposed outcrops of Lake Otero in White Sands National Park in New Mexico, Bennett
et al
. reveal numerous human footprints dating to about 23,000 to 21,000 years ago. These finds indicate the presence of humans in North America for approximately two millennia during the Last Glacial Maximum south of the migratory barrier created by the ice sheets to the north. This timing coincided with a Northern Hemispheric abrupt warming event, Dansgaard-Oeschger event 2, which drew down lake levels and allowed humans and megafauna to walk on newly exposed surfaces, creating tracks that became preserved in the geologic record. —AMS
Distinct allosteric mechanisms of first-generation MsbA inhibitors
Authors: Thélot François A. , Zhang Wenyi , Song KangKang , Xu Chen , Huang Jing , Liao Maofu
Published: September 2021

Distinct mechanisms to block transporters

Transmembrane ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are crucial cellular machines that move molecules small and large across membranes. In Gram-negative bacteria, outer membrane biogenesis is aided by an ABC transporter called MsbA, which flips lipopolysaccharide from the inner face of the cell membrane to the periplasmic face. Thélot
et al
. determined structures of two first-generation inhibitors bound to MsbA, TBT1 and G247, and found that they have distinct binding modes. Unlike most inhibitors, TBT1 triggers unproductive ATPase activity and induces a conformation similar to substrate bound. These structures will provide valuable information for the design of potential antimicrobial drugs. The authors have already identified a new lead compound from virtual screening based on the TBT1-induced conformation. —MAF
Baby steps
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: September 2021

Sequencing every newborn’s genome to detect diseases faces ethical and practical obstacles, but the United Kingdom is pushing ahead with a major test
Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequence of the Gulf Coast Tick (Amblyomma maculatum)
Authors: Brenner Amanda E. , Raghavan Rahul
Published: September 2021

The complete circularized mitochondrial genome sequence of
Amblyomma maculatum
is 14,803 bp long. It encodes 13 protein coding genes, 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, 2 tick box motifs, and 2 control regions. The gene arrangement and content are consistent with those of previously reported Metastriata tick mitochondrial genomes.
Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia Phage 590B, Active against an Extensively Drug-Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolate
Authors: Chaudhary Naveen , Singh Dharminder , Narayan Chandradeo , Samui Bhaskar , Mohan Balvinder , Mavuduru Ravimohan S. , Taneja Neelam
Published: September 2021

Escherichia
phage 590B, which was isolated from community sewage water in Chandigarh, India, exhibited lytic activity against an extensively drug-resistant uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
isolate. The genome of the phage is linear, double-stranded, and 44.39 kb long. Phage 590B is a member of the
Siphoviridae
family and is closest to phage vB_EcoS_XY2, which was isolated in China.
Draft Genome Sequences of 142 Mycobacterium avium subsp.
paratuberculosis
Strains Isolated from Naturally Infected Dairy Cattle
Authors: Conde Cyril , Branger Maxime , Cochard Thierry , Rossignol Marie-Noëlle , Fourichon Christine , Delafosse Arnaud , Davergne Aurore , Joly Alain , Ngwa-Mbot David , Journaux Laurent , Guatteo Raphael , Schibler Laurent , Biet Franck
Published: September 2021

Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
is the etiological agent of Johne’s disease in ruminants. Here, we report the annotated draft genome sequences of 142
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
strains that were isolated from dairy cattle in France between 2014 and 2018. The genomes of these strains were sequenced using Illumina technology.
Numerical Simulation of Disturbance Evolution in the Supersonic Boundary Layer over an Expansion Corner
Authors: Chuvakhov P. V. , Egorov I. V.
Published: September 2021

Abstract—

The linear and nonlinear stages of disturbance development in the supersonic boundary layer over a 10° expansion corner is investigated numerically within the framework of Navier—Stokes equations for Mach number 3. The effect of sudden flow expansion on the disturbance evolution is analyzed. The flow stabilization effect observable in the aerodynamic experiment is also discussed.
Highly twisted α-diketone-based thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters and their use in organic light-emitting diodes
Authors: Gupta Abhishek Kumar , Matulaitis Tomas , Cordes David B. , Slawin Alexandra M.Z. , Samuel Ifor D.W. , Zysman-Colman Eli
Published: September 2021

We have designed a highly twisted small thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitter PXZ-α-DK based on an α-diketone (α-DK) as a strong acceptor and phenoxazine (PXZ) as a strong donor to obtain red-shifted emission in comparison with the equivalent α-diketone linked to 9,9-dimethyl-9,10-dihydroacridine (DMAC). The PXZ-α-DK shows emission at 586 nm and DMAC-α-DK shows emission at 548 nm in 1,3-bis(N-carbazolyl)benzene (mCP) host at 1.5 wt% doping of the emitter, with short-delayed lifetimes of 6.9 μs for PXZ-α-DK and 7.6 μs for DMAC-α-DK. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) fabricated using these emitters show green electroluminescence at 555 nm for DMAC-α-DK, with a maximum external quantum efficiency, EQEmax, of 6.3%, and orange electroluminescence at 585 nm for PXZ-α-DK, with an EQEmax of 0.8%. We corroborate the optoelectronic properties of these emitters with DFT calculations.
Parallel Network Analysis and Communities Detection (PANC) Pipeline for the Analysis and Visualization of COVID-19 Data
Authors: Agapito Giuseppe , Milano Marianna , Cannataro Mario
Published: September 2021

A new coronavirus, causing a severe acute respiratory syndrome (COVID-19), was started at Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The epidemic has rapidly spread across the world becoming a pandemic that, as of today, has affected more than 70 million people causing over 2 million deaths. To better understand the evolution of spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed PANC (Parallel Network Analysis and Communities Detection), a new parallel preprocessing methodology for network-based analysis and communities detection on Italian COVID-19 data. The goal of the methodology is to analyze set of homogeneous datasets (i.e. COVID-19 data in several regions) using a statistical test to find similar/dissimilar behaviours, mapping such similarity information on a graph and then using community detection algorithm to visualize and analyze the initial dataset. The methodology includes the following steps: (i) a parallel methodology to build similarity matrices that represent similar or dissimilar regions with respect to data; (ii) an effective workload balancing function to improve performance; (iii) the mapping of similarity matrices into networks where nodes represent Italian regions, and edges represent similarity relationships; (iv) the discovering and visualization of communities of regions that show similar behaviour. The methodology is general and can be applied to world-wide data about COVID-19, as well as to all types of data sets in tabular and matrix format. To estimate the scalability with increasing workloads, we analyzed three synthetic COVID-19 datasets with the size of 90.0[Formula: see text]MB, 180.0[Formula: see text]MB, and 360.0[Formula: see text]MB. Experiments was performed on showing the amount of data that can be analyzed in a given amount of time increases almost linearly with the number of computing resources available. Instead, to perform communities detection, we employed the real data set.
Effective mass of the discrete values as a hidden feature of the one-dimensional harmonic oscillator model: Exact solution of the Schrödinger equation with a mass varying by position
Authors: Jafarov E. I. , Nagiyev S. M.
Published: September 2021

In this paper, exactly solvable model of the quantum harmonic oscillator is proposed. Wave functions of the stationary states and energy spectrum of the model are obtained through the solution of the corresponding Schrödinger equation with the assumption that the mass of the quantum oscillator system varies with position. We have shown that the solution of the Schrödinger equation in terms of the wave functions of the stationary states is expressed by the pseudo Jacobi polynomials and the mass varying with position depends from the positive integer [Formula: see text]. As a consequence of the positive integer [Formula: see text], energy spectrum is not only non-equidistant, but also there are only a finite number of energy levels. Under the limit, when [Formula: see text], the dependence of effective mass from the position disappears and the system recovers known non-relativistic quantum harmonic oscillator in the canonical approach where wave functions are expressed by the Hermite polynomials.
Symmetries and reduction Part II — Lagrangian and Hamilton–Jacobi picture
Authors: Marmo Giuseppe , Schiavone Luca , Zampini Alessandro
Published: September 2021

Following the analysis we have presented in a previous paper (that we refer to as [I]), we describe a Noether theorem related to symmetries, with the associated reduction procedures, for classical dynamics within the Lagrangian and the Hamilton–Jacobi formalism.
Fuzzy Geometric Spaces and Transitivity of β-Relation on Fuzzy Hypergroups
Authors: Ameri R. , Nozari T. , Norouzi M.
Published: September 2021

In this paper, the notion of a fuzzy geometric space is introduced. Some structures related to it are studied and connections of them are investigated. By using fuzzy blocks of a fuzzy geometric space, the concept of strongly transitivity of fuzzy geometric spaces is defined and studied. Finally, it is proved that the relation [Formula: see text] is transitive on fuzzy hypergroups, by associating strongly transitivity fuzzy geometric spaces to fuzzy hypergroups.
Role of Symmetry in Quantum Search via Continuous-Time Quantum Walk
Authors: Wang Yunkai , Wu Shengjun
Published: September 2021

For quantum search via the continuous-time quantum walk, the evolution of the whole system is usually limited in a small subspace. In this paper, we discuss how the symmetries of the graphs are related to the existence of such an invariant subspace, which also suggests a dimensionality reduction method based on group representation theory. We observe that in the one-dimensional subspace spanned by each desired basis state which assembles the identically evolving original basis states, we always get a trivial representation of the symmetry group. So, we could find the desired basis by exploiting the projection operator of the trivial representation. Besides being technical guidance in this type of problem, this discussion also suggests that all the symmetries are used up in the invariant subspace and the asymmetric part of the Hamiltonian is very important for the purpose of quantum search.
Understanding geo-archaeology in Trans-Himalaya: a case study based on lithic assemblages from Dzamathang, Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh, India
Authors: Singh Ekta , Patel Raman , Bhatt Rakesh Chandra
Published: September 2021

The Spiti Valley is located in the Trans-Himalayan terrain of India, from where non-geometrical microliths have been discovered. While the Siwalik Hills have been subjected to extensive prehistoric surveys, this is the first evidence of lithic tools discovered in the Trans-Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India. Due to its topographical and intense climatic features, the Trans-Himalayan region has generally been regarded as a barrier since prehistoric times. However, Dzamathang cannot be considered as an isolated site in the Trans-Himalayas. In fact, in the adjoining areas of Ladakh, Tibet and Nepal, similar lithics have been reported from several sites and been assigned to the Middle and Upper Palaeolithic. The discovery of this site suggests that the Trans-Himalayan zone may have acted as a possible route rather than a barrier during human migration. Large numbers of lithics have been recovered in the Dzamathang area of the Spiti Valley. Based on the collection of the artefacts from the surface, this paper tries to understand the geological and geographical setting of the area, particularly concerning prehistoric settlements in the Trans-Himalayas. This assemblage consists of assorted artefacts, which include a unifacial chopper, microlithic cores, flakes, blades, bladelets, burin and a large amount of debitage fragments. The majority of artefacts are on quartzite or quartzarenite. Future surveys will be targeted at recovering primary context sites for excavations and absolute dating.
Detrital gold as an indicator mineral
Authors: Chapman Robert J. , Moles Norman R. , Bluemel Britt , Walshaw Richard D.
Published: September 2021

Detrital gold fulfils the criteria of chemical inertia and physical durability required by indicator minerals but it has not found wide application in this role because it may be formed in different deposit types. This problem is soluble, because the generic compositional features of hydrothermal gold differ according to mineralization environment. The wide distribution of gold as a minor component of mineralization where other commodities are the principal exploration target extends the potential of an indicator methodology based on detrital gold to beyond the search for gold itself. Here we highlight how distinctive gold compositional signatures derived from alloy composition and deposit- specific suites of mineral inclusions could contribute to exploration for Cu–Au porphyries, redox-controlled uranium mineralization and ultramafic-hosted PGE mineralization. Future refinement this approach will focus on establishing the spatial distribution of elements at trace levels within gold particle sections using ToF-LA-ICP-MS and application of Exploratory Data Analysis to the resulting datasets. This approach is in its infancy, but aims to develop a classification algorithm useful to researchers irrespective of their previous experience. A pilot study has shown that random forests provide the best approach to establishing gold particle origins.
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Child Health
Authors: Ghassabian Akhgar , Vandenberg Laura , Kannan Kurunthachalam , Trasande Leonardo
Published: September 2021

While definitions vary, endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have two fundamental features: their disruption of hormone function and their contribution to disease and disability. The unique vulnerability of children to low-level EDC exposures has eroded the notion that only the dose makes the thing a poison, requiring a paradigm shift in scientific and policy practice. In this review, we discuss the unique vulnerability of children as early as fetal life and provide an overview of epidemiological studies on programming effects of EDCs on neuronal, metabolic, and immune pathways as well as on endocrine, reproductive, and renal systems. Building on this accumulating evidence, we dispel and address existing myths about the health effects of EDCs with examples from child health research. Finally, we provide a list of effective actions to reduce exposure and subsequent harm that are applicable to individuals, communities, and policy-makers.