bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Notes on the Growth Rates of Anolis sagrei Duméril & Bibron, 1837 from a Small Betelnut Palm (Areca catechu, L.) Plantation in Southwestern Taiwan
Authors: Norval Gerrut , Huang Shao-Chang , Mao Jean-Jay
Published: July 2021

We collected and individually marked 210 male and 143 female Anolis sagrei from a small Betelnut Palm (Areca catechu, L.) plantation in Santzepu, Sheishan District, Chiayi County, southwestern Taiwan, during the period mid-January through mid-December 2004. Of these 353 lizards, only 35 males and 17 females were recaptured and used to calculate monthly growth rates and monthly growth percentages. Results indicated that at least some individuals experienced active growth throughout the year, that smaller individuals of both sexes grew faster than larger conspecifics of the same gender, and that males grew faster than females. We also determined that growth rates of both sexes decreased during the peak reproductive period.
Keeping and breeding the Algerian Whipsnake Hemorrhois algirus (Jan, 1863) in captivity
Authors: Dyadichko Vasiliy G.
Published: July 2021

I describe the first instance off successful captive propagation of Algerian Whipsnakes (Hemorrhois algurus) in 2012–2013. In 2010–2012, a juvenile male and an adult pair were maintained separately. After two months of hibernation (October–December 2012) at 10–16 °C, the adults were introduced and subsequently housed together. The female laid six eggs on 23 March. They were incubated at 27–29 °C and one young hatched on 25 May, but died after 11 days during the first shed. The remaining eggs were dissected and found to contain dead embryos. On 1 June 2013, the female laid a second clutch of five eggs. They were incubated at 25–27 °C at night and 26–30 °C during the day. The young hatched between 3 and 15 August (exact dates unknown). After the first shed, they started to feed on small lizards, and later began to accept newborn mice.
Amphibian and Reptilian Inventories Augmented by Sampling at Heronries
Authors: Vyas Raju , Parasharya B.M.
Published: July 2021

An alternate method for supporting amphibian and reptilian inventory was tested. This experimental method involved the collection of regurgitated food from water bird nestlings from a total of 10 heronries: four mixed-species and six single-species heronries in Gujarat State, India, during 1997 to 1999. We verified the presence of twelve species of amphibians, and twelve species of reptiles were recovered intact.

Various methods are used to evaluate the diversity of amphibians and reptiles, many of which are resource-dependent in terms of both time and money (e.g., Heyer et al. 1994). The verification process in such diversity surveys generally requires the collection of voucher specimens for establishing the credibility of the work (Dubois and Nemesio 2007; Funk et al. 2005). Vouchers also facilitate further taxonomic studies and the identification of cryptic species, especially when species complexes occupy the area being surveyed. The collection of specimens requires permission from the appropriate government authority. Because relevant authorities in India are often hardcore believers of the philosophy of “Jiv Daya” (a Jainist concept involving compassion for all beings) and unaware of the need for voucher specimens, acquisition of permits to collect in protected areas (sanctuaries and national parks), even for studies of biodiversity and environmental assessments is extremely difficult. Even when permission for voucher collection is granted, strict time constraints are imposed. These render surveys of large areas almost impossible, particularly because vouchers ideally involve a series of specimens of various species (Goodman and Lanyon 1994) and collection methods often are very time consuming. Consequently, methods that are less time-consuming and less expensive are needed. Herein, we test one such alternative.
Notes on reproduction of Caraiba andreae peninsulae
Authors: Rodríguez-Cabrera Tomás M. , Rodríguez González Alejandro M. , Torres Javier
Published: July 2021

The Cuban Lesser Racer (Caraiba andreae) belongs to a monotypic genus endemic to the Cuban Archipelago. The species comprises six subspecies, some of which have restricted distributions. The natural history, particularly the reproductive biology, of some subspecies is virtually unknown. Herein we provide the first data on reproduction and growth of C. a. peninsulae, a subspecies restricted to the westernmost tip of the main island.
On the taxonomy of snakes in the genus Leptodeira, with an emphasis on Costa Rican species
Authors: Barrio-Amorós César L.
Published: July 2021

Considerable confusion surrounds the taxonomy of snakes in the genus Leptodeira, which contains 12 currently recognized species. Herein I review the genus and recognize 15 species based on previously published morphological and genetic data. Easily recognized traits can be used to identify Costa Rican species of Leptodeira, and taxonomic insights into all species in the L. annulata-septentrionalis complex are discussed. Photographs of all currently recognized species and subspecies are included.
Reformas educativas y reconfiguración de la subjetividad docente en la Argentina
Authors: Tosoni Cecilia
Published: July 2021

El artículo presenta una investigación sobre la tarea y la comprensión que de ella y de sí tienen los docentes desde la perspectiva de los estudios de gubernamentalidad. El estudio de caso se llevó adelante durante 2017-2018, a partir de entrevistas en profundidad realizadas a maestras de una escuela primaria de sectores populares del Gran Mendoza, Argentina. Particularmente, se indagó sobre la puesta en práctica de las reformas en la evaluación de los aprendizajes escolares introducidas por las reglamentaciones derivadas de la Ley de Educación Nacional Nº 26.206. En este trabajo, se analizan los dichos de las docentes, considerando que la normativa implica la ruptura del examen como forma de evaluación propia del disciplinamiento e introduce el ejercicio de la gubernamentalidad a través de la evaluación formativa, con características propias del monitoreo. Los resultados muestran cómo, en la puesta en práctica de las reformas, las maestras modifican su modo de evaluar y se resubjetivan como tales. Lo cual evidencia cómo se introduciría, a partir de la reforma de la evaluación de los aprendizajes, una forma de conducción de la conducta de la población propia de la gubernamentalidad neoliberal, característica de las políticas educativas recientes en la Argentina. Asimismo, se advierten indicios de una contraconducta de las docentes, cercana a la mística, que permite reconocerlas como agentes activos de la puesta en práctica de las decisiones de las autoridades educativas.
Paulo Freire e Educação Física: uma análise a partir de periódicos da área
Authors: de Carvalho Duarte Leonardo , Garcia Neira Marcos
Published: July 2021

O artigo, fruto de pesquisa, objetivou identificar e analisar a presença e contribuições do construto freiriano para a Educação Física nos dois principais periódicos da área que publicam pesquisas pedagógicas. A pesquisa bibliográfica compilou 42 artigos, publicados entre 2010 e 2020, que relacionam obras de Paulo Freire nas referências, dois que discutem diretamente o legado freiriano para o ensino do componente e um faz análise de como a obra do autor vem sendo estudada pela comunidade acadêmica da Educação Física. A quantidade de autores envolvidos, qualificação e inserção dos mesmos indicam potencialidades da abrangência e influência do pensamento de Freire na Educação Física. Esses resultados convergem com outros trabalhos sobre a atualidade e importância do autor e aponta caminhos para estudos posteriores.
Paulo Freire. Los años del exilio en Chile
Authors: Gajardo Jimenez Marcela
Published: July 2021

Este artículo se propone aportar nuevos antecedentes, empíricos y conceptuales, sobre la teoría y la práctica de Paulo Freire en Chile. Se trata de una reflexión a partir de una investigación documental sobre los años que Freire vivió exiliado en Chile. de estudios y experiencia propia. Basada en la mejor evidencia disponible, argumentaré que la relevancia y trascendencia que adquirieron las ideas filosóficas y el método pedagógico de Paulo Freire, tanto en América Latina como en su proyección global, se deben, por una parte, a su inserción en contextos que favorecieron su adaptación a diversas situaciones sociales, incidiendo positivamente en una renovación de políticas y prácticas para mejorar la pertinencia y relevancia de los programas de alfabetización y educación de adultos; por otra, a la renovación de metodologías pedagógicas para mejorar la calidad, equidad y efectividad de los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje. Hallazgos y conclusiones están enteramente basados en investigaciones históricas y testimonios que dan cuenta del significado que, los años en Chile, tuvieron en el ideario y prácticas de este educador, ahora universal.
@Freire.P #Nética en las redes sociales para la autonomía en la hiperrealidad
Authors: Martín Hurtado María Daniela , González Novoa Andrés
Published: July 2021

Freire cumpliría cien años y en esta era digital eso se traduciría en un post con el #tbt —Throwback Thursday, la tendencia en redes que significa una publicación que induce al recuerdo—. Este artículo de reflexión presenta una mirada sobre cómo se podría traducir la libertad, la opresión, la esperanza y la indignación de Freire en el mundo de la eterna conexión digital. ¿Cómo habría sido la interacción de Freire en este mundo de aplicaciones, algoritmos e influencers? y ¿cómo interactuamos todos en el mundo de las redes sociales? El texto orienta la mirada a las redes como ejemplificación de las sociedades en transición freireanas, sociedades llenas de contradicciones; de las nuevas aristas del analfabetismo, esta vez digital; y, la aun actualizada noción de la educación como escenario estratégico para lo político y lo ético, aun dentro de las redes sociales. Reclama a un Freire influencer que nos enfrente al extrañamiento de los algoritmos.
Por uma pedagogia da pergunta em tempos pandêmicos: diálogos freireanos entre coletivos docentes latino-americanos
Authors: Araujo Mairce da Silva , Correia Trindade Regina Aparecida , Borges de Faria Danusa Tederiche
Published: July 2021

Este artigo de investigação tem como base empírica narrativas de docentes participantes do Projeto Memórias da Quarentena: diálogos entre Brasil e Peru, realizado em 2020, entre coletivos de professores/as brasileiros/as e peruanos/as. As narrativas compartilhadas no projeto sobre as experiências nos/com os tempos pandêmicos, aconteceram por meio de encontros virtuais e foram desencadeadas por uma pergunta problematizadora refletindo sobre o espaçotempo, sobre o pensarfazer docente. Tendocomo suporte teóricometodológico reflexões do campo investigativoformativo e dos estudos do/no/com cotidiano, a pesquisa teceu diálogos entre as narrativas docentes e a obra de Paulo Freire, como processo formativo, coletivo e investigativo, problematizando a realidade deste tempo histórico e pandêmico da COVID-19.
FLUORESCENCE CHARACTERISTICS OF FLUORESCEIN AND EOSIN Y SOLUTIONS IN WATER-MICELLAR SURFACTANT MEDIA
Authors: Klovak V. , Nechpai L. , Lelyushok S. , Kulichenko S.
Published: July 2021

The effect of cationic, anionic and nonionic surfactants on the fluorescence properties of fluorescein and eosin Y aqueous solutions has been investigated. It has been found that sodium dodecyl sulfate does not affect the position of the maximum wavelengths of solutions of fluorescein and eosin Y in the study of the effect of an anionic surfactant on the fluorescence emission intensity of dyes. The intensity of the signal of the dye solutions when changing the concentration of anionic surfactant changes little. As the concentration of non-ionic surfactant increases, the fluorescence emission intensity of the fluorescein solutions decreases. In contrast, with increasing concentration of Triton X-100, there is an increase in the signal intensity of solutions of more hydrophobic eosin Y with subsequent access to the "plateau" at СТХ-100≥5.1·10–2 mol/L. The position of the maxima fluorescence emission wavelengths for the fluorescein solutions in the 0-1.0·10–5 mol/L range of concentrations of cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride remain unchanged. The position of the maxima shifts to the long-wavelength region of the spectrum at higher concentrations of CPC. The nature of the position dependence of the fluorescence emission maxima of eosin Y solutions in the presence of cationic surfactants is similar. The effect of fluorescence quenching has also been shown in the study of the influence of organic substances of cationic nature on the signal intensity of fluorescein solutions. It has been shown that the concentration dependence is linear in the (0.1–4.0)·10–1 mol/L range of isoniazid molecule concentrations. The data obtained can be implemented in the development of conditions and methods for the determination of pharmacologically active substances of cationic nature by reaction with fluorescein in medicines.
Book reviews, Selim 26
Authors: Wade Erik , Breeze Andrew , Conde-Silvestre Camilo , Lee Stuart D. , Killilea Alison E.
Published: July 2021

No Abstract
Identifying the Old English exponent for the semantic prime LIVE
Authors: Mateo Mendaza Raquel
Published: July 2021

The aim of this article is to identify the Old English exponent for the semantic prime LIVE following the principles of the Natural Semantic Metalanguage theory (Wierzbicka 1996, Goddard & Wierzbicka 2002, Goddard 2011). The methodology applied in the study is based on previous research in Old English semantic primes. In these terms, a search for those Old English words conveying the meaning of the semantic prime LIVE is made. This search selects the verbs (ge)buan, drohtian, (ge)eardian, (ge)libban, and wunian as candidate words for prime exponent. Then, these verbs are analysed in terms of morphological, textual, semantic, and syntactic criteria. With this purpose, relevant information on these words has been gathered from different lexicographical and textual sources in Old English, such as the Dictionary of Old English, the Dictionary of Old English Corpus, and the lexical database of Old English Nerthus. After the analysis of these verbs, the conclusion is drawn that the Old English verb (ge)libban is selected as prime exponent, as it satisfies the requirements proposed by each criterion.
Features of postural control in children with severe forms of idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Nikityuk I. E. , Vissarionov S. V.
Published: July 2021

Objective. The study of postural stability in children with severe degrees of idiopathic scoliosis and assessment of body balance disorders after surgical correction of spinal deformity.

Material and methods. The study of 18 patients aged 1417 years with idiopathic scoliosis of the IIIIV degree with localization of the main arc according to Lenke I, III, V and VI was conducted. The vertical balance of the body was evaluated using a stabilometric platform MBN "Biomechanica" (LLC "MBN", Moscow) before and 910 days after the surgical correction of spinal deformity using transpedicular spinal systems. The results were compared with a stabilometric survey of 18 healthy children.

Results. In patients with idiopathic scoliosis before surgery, a decrease in the stability of the vertical balance of the body, manifested by pronounced deviations from the nominal values of the stabilometric parameters, was revealed. The correlation analysis showed a pathologically strong relationship between the length L, the area S and the amplitude of fluctuations of the pressure center A in patients statokinesiograms compared to the group of healthy children.

In the immediate postoperative period, the postural control system disorders are aggravated in patients.

Conclusions. In children with severe idiopathic scoliosis, violations of the postural control system were revealed, which led to the formation of a suboptimal motor stereotype due to dysfunction of sensorimotor integration.
Morphological basis for possibility of applying electrochemical method with use of nanotechnological biosensors in diagnosis of colorectal cancer
Authors: Belkin A. N. , Freind G. G. , Kochetov A. G.
Published: July 2021

Objective. To assess the efficacy of electrochemical method using biosensors for studying the activity of alkaline phosphatase as a marker of functional atypism in the fresh and formalin-fixed biopsies of the colorectal cancer by means of comparing with the results of morphological study.

Materials and methods. Electrochemical method was used to study the fragments of tumors (adenocarcinomas) of the colon and colon mucosa from 78 patients who underwent endoscopic study of the colon. The results of electrochemical and morphological studied were assessed and compared.

Results. In the material from 70 patients, a mean value of the current strength, obtained while studying the tumor fragments, was 49.2 (95 % CI 41.3 88.9) nA and 33.1 (95 % CI 9.5 44.2) nA in case of fresh and formalin-fixed biopsies, respectively. A mean value of the current strength, obtained while studying mucosa fragments, was 119.7 (95 % CI 96.8 167.1) nА and 59.6 (95 % CI 48.3 71) nA in case of fresh and formalin-fixed biopsies, respectively. While conducting immunohistochemical study, in the tumor tissue a low expression of alkaline phosphatase compared to unchanged mucosa was detected.

Conclusions. Electrochemical method applying nanotechnological biosensors was shown to be used for a rapid, direct estimation of alkaline phosphatase content in the biopsies of the colorectal carcinoma. The obtained results allow considering electrochemical method as an additional method for assessment of functional atypism of tumor cells.
Emergency Department Nurses' Perception and Knowledge of the Athletic Trainer
Authors:   , McCormick Barbara Ann , Rundio Al , Kemery Dana C.
Published: July 2021

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that each year more than 2.6 million children are treated in emergency departments for sports-related injuries. Emergency department nurses work in this fast-paced, high-stress environment and are expected to know a vast amount of knowledge to treat injuries and manage illness for any age group. Emergency department nurses are frequently faced with unique challenges that requires utilization of other members of the healthcare team to provide high quality care. Educating the public to prevent injury and promote wellness is a key role for emergency departments that must be supported by interprofessional collaborative practice team members such as nurses, physicians, pharmacists, social workers, emergency medical services, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, behavioral health, and athletic trainers. Understanding and respecting each professions' scope of practice may promote communication that may translate into value-based outcomes such as higher satisfaction scores and quality-driven transition of care. Interprofessional collaborative practice is essential for various healthcare providers to communicate their perspectives when delivering care to individual patients, families, and communities. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Project was two-fold. First to assess the emergency department nurse's knowledge and perception of the role of athletic trainers for sports-related injuries through an on-line survey of more than 300 emergency nurses which demonstrated that knowledge deficits exist. The second purpose championed athletic trainers as valued members of the interprofessional healthcare team for enhanced sports injury care and seamless transition of care for both admission and discharge from the emergency department.
ABLE
Authors:   , Mindas Rachael , Devereaux Christina
Published: July 2021

ABLE, an informed practice approach and application for dance/movement therapy in the medical rehabilitation setting, was developed during a six and a half month internship at a medical rehabilitation hospital in Philadelphia, PA. This approach focuses on the use of adaptive tools and ambulatory equipment to promote creative movement, self-expression, and increased coping skills for individuals in this environment. Integrative techniques were explored and applied during dance/movement therapy sessions, as well as physical and occupational therapy co-treatments, while working with individuals recovering from traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and stroke. Current literature was reviewed on relevant topics such as: disability models, grief and loss, physical outcomes, and adaptive equipment. Three case vignettes were included to demonstrate several techniques used throughout the process. The project highlights a need for further education and research in this area and provides suggestion for future application. Keywords: Dance/movement therapy, adaptive equipment, chronic sorrow, ambiguous loss, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke.
A Quality Improvement Project to Promote Teach-Back Education provided by Cardiac Nurses Using the Teach-Back Method
Authors:   , Brant Esther Williams , Wilson Linda
Published: July 2021

Evidence-based literature suggests that Teach-back is an effective patient education strategy. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to reeducate the nurses on the effective use of Teach-back on a cardiac unit at a community hospital in Maryland. The aim of promoting Teach-back (TB) is to assist nurses in becoming comfortable and competent in using Teach-back effectively. The goal is to improve patient education documentation, increase the use of Teach-back for patient education, close the loop on nurse-patient communication, encourage patient's engagement, and enhance health literacy, and improve patient outcomes. This quality improvement (QI) project took place over a four-week period. Pre-and post-intervention questionnaires were given to cardiac nurses at the hospital before and after the implementation of the educational intervention. A pre- and -post-test design was used to evaluate the increase use of Teach-back. Descriptive analysis was performed to determine if the Teach-back reeducation of the nurses would improve the use of Teach-back. The findings indicated a considerable improvement in the nurses' competence and confidence in using Teach-back for patient education after the intervention. The findings can contribute to positive change by improving the quality of cardiac care, preventing readmissions, and reducing healthcare costs in cardiac facilities. Keywords: Teach-back, education, teaching, health literacy, literacy, patient education.
pH Dependent Lyotropic Liquid Crystal Characteristics for Optical pH Sensing at Nanoscales
Authors:   , Abdolazimi Vahideh , Fontecchio Adam
Published: July 2021

Determination of hydrogen ion concentration is important in many metabolic interactions and physiological pathways. Nanotechnology has offered novel materials for pH sensing with applications in medical, biological, and pharmacological studies and in real-time monitoring of several biological interactions. A pH sensor platform can be used as an analytical tool for monitoring or diagnostic purposes, a drug delivery module for point-of-care therapy, or a combination of these modalities depending on the sensor's design and range of sensitivity. Lyotropic Liquid Crystal (LLC) nanostructures made of doped Monolinolein, a commercial food grade monoglyceride, with Linoleic Acid in aqueous conditions have shown exceptional properties as a pH dependent drug delivery system for therapeutic applications. This study aims to investigate the Raman pH dependent characteristics of these LLCs to demonstrate the capability of the matrices as dual-modality platforms for drug delivery and pH sensing at cellular interfaces. The study also explores release and load profiles of the LLCs per use of fluorescent dyes, as model guest drugs, to demonstrate the feasibility of these host systems in target delivery of fluorescent agents at biological sites. This approach can facilitate contrast enhanced imaging of biological interfaces which represent a pH gradient to their surroundings such as tumors.
Applications of Automated Machine Learning Diagnosis in Medical Ultrasound
Authors:   , Wang Shuo , Eisenbrey John Robert
Published: July 2021

While medical ultrasound has been a well poised imaging technique for the early detection and diagnosis of breast cancer, thyroid cancer, and fatty liver diseases, it has suboptimal operator and reader dependence. The use of machine learning in ultrasound-based detection and diagnosis has shown an ability to increase diagnostic accuracy, decrease time and resources requirements for diagnosis, and reduce reader variability. Hence, this project investigated the use of Google AutoML Vision (Google, Mountain View, CA), a commercially available machine learning service, to characterize indeterminate breast lesions, thyroid nodules, and fatty liver disease on B-mode ultrasound. The performances of two sub-models from AutoML Vision, the Image Classification Model and the Object Detection Model were evaluated, while also investigating training strategies to enhance model performance. For breast cancer identification and classification, the best model from the Image Classification Model had an AUC of 0.91 and 76.9% accuracy of prediction testing, while training under unbalanced training condition (147 benign vs 117 malignant). The Object Detection Model on breast lesion identification had an AUC of 0.74 with only 67% accurate from prediction testing but showed the location of the lesions and provided a higher percent confidence in correctly classified lesions (98%) than the Image Classification Model (83%). The thyroid nodules Object Detection Model had an AUC of 0.89 during model validation and subsequently classified 34 out of 51 images correctly (66.7% prediction accuracy) with 100% lesion detection. For fatty liver classification, data accrual is ongoing, but to date the model has an AUC of 0.88 during model validation and classified 29 out of 40 images correctly (72.5% prediction accuracy) when used for prospective prediction. In conclusion, the two models appear to be useful tools to assist radiologists in classifying and identifying suspicious areas on breast, thyroid, and liver ultrasound.
Optogenetically mediated neuromodulation paired with exercised based rehabilitation in adult transected rats enhances voluntary control of trunk muscle segments below injury leading to alterations in spinal circuitry
Authors:   , Schmidt Kendall Ankudovich , Giszter Simon F.
Published: July 2021

After a complete T9/T10 spinal cord injury (SCI) in adult rats, trunk control becomes very important for postural stability, and crucial for function if stepping of hindlimbs is enabled. We have developed a neuromodulatory technique aimed at promoting plasticity and motor learning in the trunk motor cortex after SCI, by using subthreshold optogenetic stimulation of cortex via virally delivered Channelrhodopsin (ChR2). Virally delivered enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP) was used as a control. When optogenetically mediated neuromodulation was paired with a 25 day robot assisted rehabilitation paradigm, motor mapping studies revealed a significant increase in cortical representation of trunk muscle segments nominally below the injury in the ChR2+robot rats, both with and without brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) induced spinal stepping, but not in EYFP+robot rats with or without spinal stepping enabled by BDNF. Activation of caudal trunk enabled by these representational changes also caused plastic changes in spinal circuitry below the injury by influencing sensory input and motor output from the spinal cord caudal to injury. Frequency Dependent Depression (FDD) analysis of monosynaptic reflexes is used widely to test spinal excitability. To understand chronic spinal circuit-level changes mediating trunk reflexes below injury in external oblique and longissimus, we implanted a stimulating cuff around the T13 spinal nerve and monitored trunk muscle responses through 13 paired trunk electromyogram electrodes, spaced both above and below injury, over the course of robot rehabilitation. Due to the proximity of the stimulating cuff to the spinal cord, in ipsilateral muscle segments caudal to injury, the motor response and the reflex response overlapped. An artificial neural network was used to separate the two signals. However, we have also discovered contralateral trunk reflex responses of comparable latency, believed to be monosynaptic, which are readily analyzed. In addition, these bilateral trunk reflexes are exhibited at multiple trunk muscle segments both above and below the injury. Neuromodulation of trunk motor cortex exhibited chronic spinal excitability and FDD differences below the injury in non-stepping rats studied and above the injury in stepping rats studied. This study highlights the multisegmental innervation of trunk muscles and the potential of trunk as a rehabilitation target after SCI.
Development of Viscoelastic PML and Deconvolution of Input Motion at Depth for Soil-Structure Interaction
Authors:   , Khazaei Poul Masoud , Zerva Aspasia
Published: July 2021

The numerical modeling of Soil-Structure-Interaction (SSI) is one of the most challenging issues in structural earthquake engineering. Due to the computational cost and complexity of SSI analyses, some simplifications and assumptions have to be made to the real system so that the numerical modeling becomes more tractable. Certainly, such simplifications and assumptions impose uncertainties on the results. This research study examines the limitations of commonly made simplifications and assumptions in the numerical evaluation of structures considering SSI effects, and improves the reliability and accuracy of SSI analyses by developing new analytical and computational approaches. As an example application, a comprehensive model of a dam-foundation system is developed for the seismic response evaluation of concrete gravity dams. To improve the accuracy of SSI analyses a new deconvolution process, the phase-amplitude modification procedure, is proposed to deconvolve both horizontal and vertical target (design) surface ground motions in multi-layered, equivalent-linear viscoelastic media for use in finite element time-domain structural analyses. It is shown that the approach can accurately estimate the seismic excitations at depth of soil profiles. In addition, a viscoelastic Perfectly Matched Layer (PML) formulation with Rayleigh-type damping is developed and implemented in ABAQUS/Standard by merging it with a User-Defined Element (UEL) subroutine in Fortran90. The performance of the viscoelastic PML vs. the commonly-used viscous Absorbing Boundary Conditions (ABCs) is examined through numerical examples under different types of dynamic excitations including uniform and spatially variable seismic ground motions. The numerical results highlight the excellent performance of the PML approach to model the unbounded domain under all types of excitations. The proposed numerical models are implemented in the finite element seismic evaluation of a concrete gravity dams, and the results are compared to the simplified dam-foundation models that are being used widely by both academicians and practitioners. It is shown that the use of the massless foundation model as well as the massed foundation model with viscous-type ABCs can lead to substantial errors in the dynamic response of concrete dams. This is the first study ever that rigorously evaluates the effect of foundation modeling on the dam response under uniform and spatially variable excitations.
Long Term Inhibition of Biofilm Formation on Urinary Catheters Utilizing Thin Film Coatings
Authors:   , Nix Camilla A. , Zhong Yinghui , Allen Fred D.
Published: July 2021

An indwelling urinary catheter is an implanted medical device used for urine collection from patients with limited mobility and/or urinary incontinence. A patient will receive a short-term catheter (less than 14 days) or a "chronic" catheter (greater than 30 days) depending on their medical need. Approximately 23% of hospitalized patients may require short or long-term use of a catheter during their hospital stay, however the use of a catheter greatly increases patient morbidity because it increases the risk for the development of a urinary tract infection. CAUTI was reported to occur in 50% patients when the catheter is in operation for more than 5 days. For patients who require the use of a chronic catheter , up to 71% will develop a urinary tract infection with the highest risk factor being the number of days the catheter is in place. Biofilm formation is the main cause of Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI). Inhibition of biofilm formation can be achieved via surface modification of the urinary catheters with anti-fouling or drug eluting coatings. Antifouling coatings include antiadhesive coatings which are made from polymer brushes and hydrophilic polymers to prevent adhesion, and positive charged bactericidal polymers that kill bacteria upon contact. Drug-releasing coatings allow for elution of antibiotics, antimicrobials, or bactericidal compounds to kill nonadherent bacteria. Anti-fouling coatings are usually not as effective as drug-releasing coatings in inhibiting CAUTI, especially for long-term usage. However, for preventive purpose drug administration should be minimized unless necessary. Therefore, the overall goal of this dissertation was to design, develop and characterize an effective anti-adhesive coating and an effective drug-releasing coating for short-term and long-term catheters, respectively. We found that the antiadhesive coating could inhibit up to 85% of cell adhesion and 60% of cell viability over a 30-day period, and the drug-releasing coating could inhibit up 99% of cell viability over a 30-day period Additionally, we studied if a combined anti-adhesive and drug-releasing coating was more effective than either alone. We found that the combined coating was equally as effective as the drug-releasing coating with significantly less total drug release compared to the drug-releasing coating, representing a safer coating design.
A Microstructural Analysis of the Mechanical Behavior of Cortical Bone Through Histology and Image Processing
Authors:   , Josephson Timothy Oscar , Najafi Ahmad Raeisi
Published: July 2021

The interplay between mechanical and biological phenomena in bone, coupled with the significance of bone health to quality of life makes bone a uniquely interesting material. Studying the mechanical behavior of bone allows for a better understanding of how biological processes, such as remodeling, influence functional behavior. The increasing efficiency of computational methods and technology make computational modeling an attractive method for investigating the mechanical behavior of bone. The goal of this work is to utilize a histological procedure for the imaging of cortical bone and develop an image processing procedure in order to perform an automated segmentation of osteons and Haversian canals from cortical bone images. A morphological and mechanical analysis are then performed using the data obtained from the images to investigate both the cortical microstructure and the efficacy of the developed image processing procedure. A methenamine-silver nitrate stain is used to demarcate the cement lines in order to more clearly identify osteonal boundaries. This procedure is beneficial regardless of the segmentation procedure utilized as it allows for superior visualization of the cortical microstructure over other staining procedures, but is particularly beneficial for automated segmentation. The image processing procedure developed in this work utilizes a combination of image processing techniques,including thresholding, Canny edge detection, and watershed image segmentation. The combination of these methods allows for the automated segmentation of osteons in a given image. An optimization approach is taken to maximize the quality of the segmentation by finding optimal parameters for the image processing methods used in the procedure. Morphological parameters of cortical bone are assessed in order to identify trends that exist in different regions and ages of human tibias and compared to similar studies in the literature. Aphase field damage model is utilized in order to examine the differences between manual segmentation, automated segmentation, and the elliptical approximations commonly made in computation models of the cortical microstructure. The damage analysis further reveals how variations in the cortical microstructure influence the mechanical behavior of bone.
Mechanical Response and Damage Evolution of Microstructural Cortical Bone Under Compression and Tension
Authors:   , Moore Jason Phyllip , Najafi Ahmad Raeisi
Published: July 2021

Cortical bone exhibits an array of toughening mechanisms under deformation to inhibit crack propagation. Understanding how these toughening mechanisms and the individual microstructural constituents of cortical bone affect damage evolution has been an area of interest for research due to its engineering implications and potential influence on bio-inspired and bio-mimetic designs. In the present study, phase field method is identified as an effective tool capable of handling the complex geometries of microstructural cortical bone, as well as for capturing the relevant extrinsic toughening mechanisms in the transverse orientation, though further refinement seems necessary. Two dimensional models were created based on the manual segmentation of Methenamine-Silver Nitrate stained anterior and posterior regions of human tibial cortical bone at 50\% from the distal side, aged 60. For simplicity, only the interstitial tissue, osteonal tissue, and cement lines were considered. The diffusive damage properties of compression were taken advantage of to initiate microcracks within cortical bone, allowing for naturally forming microcracks. Tension was then applied to the damaged model perpendicular to the crack growth to investigate how the existing microcracks alter the damage evolution of cortical bone in the transverse plane and to verify microcracking as an effective toughening mechanism. Further simulations were conducted with microcracks initiated under tension to differentiate between damage initiation of cortical bone under compression and tension, and with varying material properties to determine how an increased or decreased heterogeneity affects crack trajectory. When applicable, results were linked to the morphological data to identify trends, although the current data set is not statistically significant. Results indicate an increased microcracking being beneficial for inhibiting crack growth and for increasing the final fracture displacement, validating microcracking as a toughening mechanism. A morphological comparison is made between the quantity of pores and its effect on creating a network of microcracks throughout the domain. Additionally, a possible link between heterogeneity and cement line interaction is identified.
Design Optimization of Structures Subjected to Transient Dynamic Loads Under Uncertainty
Authors:   , Vitola Ronald J. , Najafi Ahmad Raeisi
Published: July 2021

Structural design optimization is a useful computational tool to improve the performance of a structural system, develop non-intuitive solutions to a problem, and explore a design space. It has been predominantly developed for and applied to static scenarios. Although a wide variety of systems can be optimized under static conditions, situations where time-dependent and inertial effects need to be taken into consideration often necessitate the use of dynamic solution techniques. These situations include designing for impacts, controlling elastic wave propagation, and mitigating noise and vibration. For these cases, a dynamic response optimization method should be employed. Similarly, most designs are optimized under deterministic conditions. This can be problematic, because without considering the randomness and uncertainty often present in reality, the final solution will most likely be sub-optimal and could end in failure. To address these topics, this work develops a finite-element-based structural topology optimization framework capable of solving transient dynamic problems in the time domain under both deterministic and uncertain conditions. The components of the optimization framework are the primal analysis solved using a Newmark method, the sensitivity analysis performed using the adjoint variable method, the gradient-based optimization routine conducted with the method of moving asymptotes, and the uncertainty module which utilizes a non-intrusive polynomial chaos expansion approach to handle any sources of uncertainty in the material properties, load, boundary conditions, etc. In this density-based topology optimization approach, the solid isotropic material with penalization scheme and a design variable filter are used to prevent instability in the solution, to ensure mesh-independence, and to reduce the presence of intermediate volume fractions in the final design. Examples are solved to illustrate when dynamic response optimization is necessary, how its results compare to a statically optimized case, some of its notable characteristics, and the importance of considering uncertainty in optimization.
The Proliferation of Indecent and Profane Content on Modern Broadcast Television
Authors:   , Wildes Hannah Elizabeth , Tedesco Albert S.
Published: July 2021

Television is a malleable medium designed to reflect and entertain society. The fluidity of the medium allows for ample opportunity to regularly, thoroughly analyze and reassess data. This study serves to update the data on the usage of profanity, sexual activity, and other indecent nonviolent content on broadcast primetime television.
The rise and reign of reality TV
Authors:   , Butler Jessica Lynn , Tedesco Albert S. , Cowart Helen Claire
Published: July 2021

The primary purpose of this study is to predict the future trends and possibilities of the reality television genre, using historical data and input from professionals in that field. This study focused on the major events in television history that have collectively made modern reality TV as we know it today. Those events were analyzed and used to help identify assumptions about the genre in the current and future landscape. Data were collected in the form of statements that were retrieved from interviewing reality TV professionals in New York City. All interviews were recorded with informed consent and the interviewees' names and companies were omitted for the purpose of anonymity. Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the international translation of reality TV content overseas is greatly affected by the culture within the recipient country and the familiarity of the culture represented in the program. It can also be concluded that international formats have the potential to take over the market where countries' original content currently rules. This data also expresses that there is no set formula for the success of a given reality TV program, but there are several factors that may increase the likelihood of releasing a hit show.
Digital Streaming and Its Impact on the Viewing Habits of People
Authors:   , Salandria Ryan G. , Tedesco Albert S.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this study is to give a clear understanding of how audiences have changed their viewing habits with digital streaming becoming a more viable option versus traditional cable. Traditional cable allows viewers the ability to view broadcast using a television set that sends a signal with a coax cable and a subscription from a provider like Comcast. The researcher will look at how usage patterns will impact businesses, and what television management professionals must do to understand younger viewers, while presenting information about how older viewers utilize cable and their devices. With these devices common place among adolescents, it is only a matter of time until the traditional TV set and cable hook up become obsolete. From experience observing teens and young adults firsthand as a teacher in high school, the researcher has already witnessed a change in how younger audiences consume content and recognize that even greater change is coming. This is happening because many audience members, specifically young adults, are no longer tethered to a schedule and are finding other ways to watch content not on the traditional set. The younger audience members also are watching more in isolation and not as a communal experience. Devices and streaming entertainment are not limited to just a house. They've found their way into classrooms as well. The researcher sought observational insight from other teachers and administrators about their observation of teenagers and their interactions with technology and others in the classroom. Research was also done through interviews with parents about how they have seen their children utilize devices for entertainment purposes. For years we have seen a steady rise in the use of devices like cell phones and iPads as means by which consumers receive content. From 2005 to the present streaming services have progressed rapidly. Now there is a push for more and more people to "cut the cord" of their cable providers and function solely off a digital platform. With more devices finding their way into the hands of younger audience members, the content they consume and amount will lead to sweeping changes in not only the way content is delivered, but also the type that is produced for viewers.
Exploring the Evolution of Planetary Systems within Stellar Open Clusters
Authors:   , Glaser Joseph P. , McMillan Stephen L. W.
Published: July 2021

To fully understand the diverse population of exoplanets, we must study their early lives within open clusters, the birthplace of most stars with masses >0.5M_[Sun] (including those currently in the field). Indeed, when we observe planets within clustered environments, we notice highly eccentric and odd systems that suggest the importance of dynamical pathways created by interactions with additional bodies (as in the case of HD 285507b). However, it has proven difficult to investigate these effects, as many current numerical solvers for the multi-scale N-body problem are simplified and limited in scope. To remedy this, we aim to create a physically complete computational solution to explore the role of stellar close encounters and interplanetary interactions in producing the observed exoplanet populations for both open cluster stars and field stars. We present a new code, TYCHO, which employs a variety of different computational techniques, including multiple N-body integration methods, close encounter handling, modified Monte Carlo scattering experiments, and a variety of empirically informed initial conditions. We discuss the methodology in detail, and its implementation within the AMUSE software framework. Approximately 1% of our systems are promptly disrupted by star-star encounters contributing to the rogue planets occurrence rate. Additionally, we find that close encounters which perturb long-period planets lead to 38.3% of solar-system-like planetary systems becoming long-term unstable. Additionally, we discuss improvements to TYCHO to leverage secular integration for multi-encounter stars and its use in validating observational results via planet-planet interactions.