bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GhKNL1 controls fiber elongation and secondary cell wall synthesis by repressing its downstream genes in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)
Authors: Wang Yao , Li Yang , Gong Si‐Ying , Qin Li‐Xia , Nie Xiao‐Ying , Liu Dong , Zheng Yong , Li Xue‐Bao
Published: November 2021

Cotton which produces natural fiber materials for the textile industry is one of the most important crops in the world. Class II KNOX proteins are often considered as transcription factors in regulating plant secondary cell wall (SCW) formation. However, the molecular mechanism of the KNOX transcription factor‐regulated SCW synthesis in plants (especially in cotton) remains unclear in details so far. In this study, we show a cotton class II KNOX protein (GhKNL1) as a transcription repressor functioning in fiber development. The GhKNL1‐silenced transgenic cotton produced longer fibers with thicker SCWs, whereas GhKNL1 dominant repression transgenic lines displayed the opposite fiber phenotype, compared with controls. Further experiments revealed that GhKNL1 could directly bind to promoters of GhCesA4‐2/4‐4/8‐2 and GhMYB46 for modulating cellulose synthesis during fiber SCW development in cotton. On the other hand, GhKNL1 could also suppress expressions of GhEXPA2D/4A‐1/4D‐1/13A through binding to their promoters for regulating fiber elongation of cotton. Taken together, these data revealed GhKNL1 functions in fiber elongation and SCW formation by directly repressing expressions of its target genes related to cell elongation and cellulose synthesis. Thus, our data provide an effective clue for potentially improving fiber quality by genetic manipulation of GhKNL1 in cotton breeding.
Predictors of nurses’ reporting for work at the time of epidemics and natural disasters; solutions for hospital surge capacity
Authors: Ghavami Vahid , Kokabi Saghi Fatemeh , Asghari Ali , Shabanikiya Hamidreza
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To identify the predictors of nurses’ presence at hospitals at the time of three types of disasters.

Design

This cross‐sectional study was performed using a researcher‐generated questionnaire.

Methods

This study was performed on 350 nurses of five public hospitals. Data was collected using a questionnaire in which the respondents were asked about their decisions on reporting for work in the event of three scenarios: epidemic of an unknown contagious respiratory disease, earthquake, and flood. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The four predictors of nurses reporting for work include receiving trainings on disasters, and concerns on the non‐compensation for providing services following the disaster, concerns about family safety and workplace safety.

Conclusion

Although slightly different factors affect the willingness of participants to report for work in each scenario, they can be put in two main categories; namely as personal and impersonal. Devising a family disaster plan and providing educational programs on self‐care are two main strategies to increase the chances of presence at work following disasters.

Clinical relevance

The presence of more nurses in the hospital at the time of disasters can significantly improve the quality of care, and clinical outcomes of patients and disaster victims.
The clinical utility of contemporary oral epithelial dysplasia grading systems
Authors: Sathasivam Hans Prakash , Sloan Philip , Thomson Peter J. , Robinson Max
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Clinical management of oral potentially malignant disorders relies on accurate histopathological assessment of the presence and grade of oral epithelial dysplasia. While adjunctive laboratory tests have provided useful prognostic information, none are in widespread clinical use. This study was performed to assess the clinical utility of two contemporary oral epithelial dysplasia grading systems.

Methods

Patients were identified from a clinical database. Oral epithelial dysplasia grading was performed by three oral and maxillofacial pathologists blinded to clinical outcome using the WHO 2017 system and a binary classification. The primary outcome measure was the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma, termed ‘malignant transformation’.

Results

One hundred thirty‐one cases satisfied the inclusion criteria, of which 23 underwent malignant transformation. There was substantial inter‐rater agreement between the study pathologists for both grading systems, measured using kappa statistics (κ = 0.753 – 0.784). However, there was only moderate agreement between the consensus WHO 2017 dysplasia grade for the study against the original grade assigned by a pool of six pathologists in the context of the clinical service (κ = 0.491). Higher grade categories correlated with an increased risk of developing cancer using both grading systems.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the WHO 2017 and binary grading systems are reproducible between calibrated pathologists and that consensus reporting is likely to improve the consistency of grading. The WHO and binary systems were prognostically comparable. We recommend that institutions implement consensus oral epithelial dysplasia grading and prospectively audit the effectiveness of risk stratifying their patients with oral potentially malignant disorders.

(249 words).
Pre‐treatment neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is an independent prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: Meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Mariani Pierluigi , Russo Diana , Maisto Marco , Troiano Giuseppe , Caponio Vito Carlo Alberto , Annunziata Marco , Laino Luigi
Published: November 2021

Inflammation seems to play a critical role in the development and progression of different cancers. Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easily measurable marker of systemic inflammation. The purpose of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to evaluate the prognostic role of the pre‐treatment NLR, in terms of overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS), in patients with primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated by surgery alone or followed by chemo/radiotherapy. This systematic review was performed according to the guidelines reported in the Cochrane Handbook and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) statement. Meta‐analysis of OS and DFS was performed using the inverse of variance test. Fixed‐effect models were used on the basis of the presence of heterogeneity. Risk of bias assessment and trial sequential analysis (TSA) were also performed; the quality of the evidence was evaluated via the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. The analysis revealed that a higher value of pre‐treatment NLR correlates with a statistically significant decrease of OS (HR, 1.56; 95% CI: [1.35, 1.80]; p < 0.00001) and a lower DFS (HR, 1.64; 95% CI: [1.30, 2.07]; p < 0.0001) in HNSCC patients.
Post‐operative outcomes in canine eyes receiving a rhexis‐fixated prosthetic intra‐ocular lens: 30 cases (2014‐2020)
Authors: Lewin G. A. , Dixon C. J.
Published: November 2021

Objectives

To report the outcomes following the insertion of a rhexis‐fixated prosthetic intraocular lens (IOL) in dogs undergoing lens removal.

Materials and Methods

The results are from 30 eyes of 28 dogs, undergoing lendectomy, in which the lens capsule could not accommodate a conventional prostheticendo‐capsular IOL. The reported cases had sustained either spontaneous or traumatic lens capsule rupture, or accidental intra‐operative iatrogenic lens capsule disruption, or had required a planned, large, anterior or posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, all of which precluded insertion of a prosthetic IOL within the lens capsule. An acrylic IOL (XVET; Medicontur) was modified and positioned across the anterior and/or posterior capsulorhexes.

Results

Other than haptic luxation in three cases, no complications were seen that were directly attributable to the rhexis‐fixated lens. Over a follow‐up period from three to 76 months (mean 20.7 months) 26/30 eyes remained visual. Blindness developed in three eyes due to retinal detachment and one eye was enucleated due to regrowth of a ciliary body adenoma.

Clinical Significance

Rhexis fixation provided an alternative method to implant a prosthetic IOL when the lens capsule was unable to accommodate a conventionalendo‐capsular IOL.
I, we and they: A linguistic and narrative exploration of the authorship process
Authors: Konopasky Abigail , O'Brien Bridget C. , Artino Anthony R. , Driessen Erik W. , Watling Christopher J. , Maggio Lauren A.
Published: November 2021

Introduction

While authorship plays a powerful role in the academy, research indicates many authors engage in questionable practices like honorary authorship. This suggests that authorship may be a contested space where individuals must exercise agency—a dynamic and emergent process, embedded in context—to negotiate potentially conflicting norms among published criteria, disciplines and informal practices. This study explores how authors narrate their own and others' agency in making authorship decisions.

Method

We conducted a mixed‐methods analysis of 24 first authors' accounts of authorship decisions on a recent multi‐author paper. Authors included 14 females and 10 males in health professions education (HPE) from U.S. and Canadian institutions (10 assistant, 6 associate and 8 full professors). Analysis took place in three phases: (1) linguistic analysis of grammatical structures shown to be associated with agency (coding for main clause subjects and verb types); (2) narrative analysis to create a ‘moral’ and ‘title’ for each account; and (3) dialectic integration of (1) and (2).

Results

Descriptive statistics suggested that female participants used we subjects and material verbs (of doing) more than men and that full professors used relational verbs (of being and having) more than assistant and associate. Three broad types of agency were narrated: distributed (n = 15 participants), focusing on how resources and work were spread across team members; individual (n = 6), focusing on the first author's action; and collaborative (n = 3), focusing on group actions. These three types of agency contained four subtypes, e.g. supported, contested, task‐based and negotiated.

Discussion

This study highlights the complex and emergent nature of agency narrated by authors when making authorship decisions. Published criteria offer us starting point—the stated rules of the authorship game; this paper offers us a next step—the enacted and narrated approach to the game.
Does resource exchange in ectomycorrhizal symbiosis vary with competitive context and nitrogen addition?
Authors: Bogar Laura M. , Tavasieff Oceana S. , Raab Ted K. , Peay Kabir G.
Published: November 2021

Ectomycorrhizal symbiosis is essential for the nutrition of most temperate forest trees and helps regulate the movement of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) through forested ecosystems. The factors governing the exchange of plant C for fungal N, however, remain obscure.

Because competition and soil resources may influence ectomycorrhizal resource movement, we performed a 10‐month split‐root microcosm study using Pinus muricata seedlings with Thelephora terrestris, Suillus pungens, or no ectomycorrhizal fungus, under two N concentrations in artificial soil. Fungi competed directly with roots and indirectly with each other. We used stable isotope enrichment to track plant photosynthate and fungal N.

For T. terrestris, plants received N commensurate with the C given to their fungal partners. Thelephora terrestris was a superior mutualist under high‐N conditions. For S. pungens, plant C and fungal N exchange were not coupled. However, in low‐N conditions, plants preferentially allocated C to S. pungens rather than T. terrestris.

Our results suggest that ectomycorrhizal resource transfer depends on competitive and nutritional context. Plants can exchange C for fungal N, but coupling of these resources can depend on the fungal species and soil N. Understanding the diversity of fungal strategies, and how they change with environmental context, reveals mechanisms driving this important symbiosis.
A systematic review of metabolomic studies of childhood obesity: State of the evidence for metabolic determinants and consequences
Authors: Handakas Evangelos , Lau Chung Ho , Alfano Rossella , Chatzi Vaia Lida , Plusquin Michelle , Vineis Paolo , Robinson Oliver
Published: November 2021

Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic and carries significant long‐term consequences to physical and mental health. Metabolomics, the global profiling of small molecules or metabolites, may reveal the mechanisms of development of childhood obesity and clarify links between obesity and metabolic disease. A systematic review of metabolomic studies of childhood obesity was conducted, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) guidelines, searching across Scopus, Ovid, Web of Science and PubMed databases for articles published from January 1, 2005 to July 8, 2020, retrieving 1271 different records and retaining 41 articles for qualitative synthesis. Study quality was assessed using a modified Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Thirty‐three studies were conducted on blood, six on urine, three on umbilical cord blood, and one on saliva. Thirty studies were primarily cross‐sectional, five studies were primarily longitudinal, and seven studies examined effects of weight‐loss following a life‐style intervention. A consistent metabolic profile of childhood obesity was observed including amino acids (particularly branched chain and aromatic), carnitines, lipids, and steroids. Although the use of metabolomics in childhood obesity research is still developing, the identified metabolites have provided additional insight into the pathogenesis of many obesity‐related diseases. Further longitudinal research is needed into the role of metabolic profiles and child obesity risk.
Lung and airway ultrasound in pediatric anesthesia
Authors: Adler Adam C. , Siddiqui Asad , Chandrakantan Arvind , Matava Clyde T.
Published: November 2021

Perioperative lung ultrasound is a continuously evolving modality with numerous applications for the pediatric anesthesiologist. Lung ultrasound can be used at the bedside, including intraoperatively, to augment traditional physical examination methods of assessing cardiopulmonary structures and identifying the presence of specific and clinically significant pathology. With regard to the lungs, ultrasound has been shown to be highly sensitive at identification of pulmonary pathologies, particularly those of interest in the acute care setting (eg, pleural effusion, pneumothorax). With its relative ease of performance, lung ultrasound should be considered in the initial evaluation of intraoperative hypoxemia particularly when traditional modes of evaluation are nonexplanatory. This educational review introduces the basic concepts of lung ultrasound as they relate to pediatric anesthesia patients.
Hydropower, Social Capital, Community Impacts, and Self‐Rated Health in the Amazon*
Authors: Mayer Adam , Lopez Maria Claudia , Cavallini Johansen Igor , Moran Emilio
Published: November 2021

Nations in the global South have developed hydropower projects at a rapid pace in recent decades, most notably Brazil and China. These projects have long‐documented impacts on social and ecological systems, yet the implications of hydropower for human well‐being and health are not fully understood. In this paper, we examine eight Brazilian Amazon communities in the Madeira river basin, near the Jirau and Santo Antônio dams (sample size: 536 households). We evaluate how impacts on community resources, social capital, and the experience of resettlement influence self‐rated health in these communities. Results suggest that the dams strained community resources and social capital, which were associated with reductions in self‐rated health. In particular, cognitive social capital (i.e., trust) is lower after the dams' construction. The effect of resettlement and compensation is more nuanced and qualified. This work suggests that hydropower projects have broad deleterious impacts on well‐being and health of human populations in hosting regions and that better directed efforts are required on the part of dam developers to reduce these negative outcomes.
Elevated tyrosine results in the cytosolic retention of 3‐deoxy‐d‐arabino‐heptulosonate 7‐phosphate synthase inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Kanaris Michael , Poulin Jimmy , Shahinas Dea , Johnson Daniel , Crowley Valerie M. , Fucile Geoffrey , Provart Nicholas , Christendat Dinesh
Published: November 2021

The shikimate pathway plays a central role in the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and specialized metabolites in plants. The first enzyme, 3‐deoxy‐d‐arabino‐heptulosonate 7‐phosphate synthase (DAHPS) serves as a key regulatory point for the pathway in various organisms. These enzymes are important in regulating the shikimate pathway in multiple microbial systems. The mechanism of regulation of DAHPS is poorly understood in plants, and the role of tyrosine (Tyr) with respect to the three DAHPS isozymes fromArabidopsis thalianawas investigated.In vitroenzymatic analyses established that Tyr does not function as an allosteric regulator for theA.thalianaDAHPS isozymes. In contrast,ArabidopsisT‐DNA insertional mutants for theDAHPS1locus,dahps1, are hypersensitive to elevated Tyr. Tyr hypersensitivity can be reversed with tryptophan and phenylalanine supplementation, indicating that Tyr is affecting the shikimate pathway flux in thedahps1mutant. Tyr treatment ofArabidopsisseedlings showed reduced accumulation of overexpressed DAHPS2 in the chloroplast. Further, bimolecular fluorescence complementation studies revealed that DAHPS2 interacts with a 14‐3‐3 protein in the cytosol, and this interaction is enhanced with Tyr treatment. This interaction with 14‐3‐3 may retain DAHPS2 in the cytosol, which prevents its ability to function in the chloroplast with elevated Tyr.
Breed‐specific vertebral heart score, vertebral left atrial size, and radiographic left atrial dimension in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: Reference interval study
Authors: Bagardi Mara , Locatelli Chiara , Manfredi Martina , Bassi Jessica , Spediacci Carlotta , Ghilardi Sara , Zani Davide D. , Brambilla Paola G.
Published: November 2021

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) are predisposed to developing myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), with radiographs frequently used to screen for evidence of left‐sided cardiomegaly secondary to MMVD. Vertebral heart size (VHS), vertebral left atrial size (VLAS), modified VLAS (M‐VLAS), and radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD) are reported as objective measurements of global heart size and left atrial size. Normal VHS in CKCS (10.6 ± 0.5) is reportedly higher than the non‐breed‐specific value (9.7±0.5). Breed‐specific VLAS, M‐VLAS, and RLAD cut‐offs have not been reported in CKCS. The aim of this prospective reference interval study was to describe the VHS, VLAS, M‐VLAS, and RLAD values for 30 clinically healthy adult CKCS. Inclusion criteria were unremarkable physical examination, normal echocardiography, and thoracic radiographs without malposition/abnormalities. There were 22 female and eight male dogs. Ages ranged from 1 to 6 years. The VHS mean value in our sample was 10.08 ± 0.56 (95% range, 9.87‐10.29). This was significantly greater than a previously published general canine reference value of 9.7 ± 0.5 and significantly less than a previously published CKCS breed‐specific value of 10.6 ± 0.5 (P < 0.01). Mean VLAS, M‐VLAS, and the RLAD values in our study were 1.79 ± 0.3 (95% range, 1.68‐1.9), 2.23 ± 0.44 (95% range, 2.06‐2.39), and 1.2 ± 0.34 (95% range, 1.07‐1.33), respectively. These were significantly less than previously published reference interval values (P < 0.001). The VHS, M‐VLAS, and the RLAD were not affected by sex, body weight, or BCS; whereas the VLAS was moderately affected by body weight. Findings from this study can be used as background for future thoracic radiographic assessments in CKCS.
Application of Conditional Space-Time Proper Orthogonal Decomposition to Engine In-Cylinder Flow Analysis
Authors: Gao Rui , Teh Kwee-Yan , Zhao Fengnian , Liu Mengqi , Hung David L. S.
Published: November 2021

The cycle-to-cycle variation of engine in-cylinder flow is critical for the improvement of performance for spark-ignition internal combustion engines. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD), with its ability to extract the most energetic fluctuation structure, is widely used to analyze the in-cylinder flow and understand the variation of its evolution in different cycles. However, both of the two existing approaches to use POD for engine flow analysis encounter difficulties when applied for this purpose. Phase-dependent POD decomposes a data set in which all samples are taken at a certain engine phase (crank angle) from different cycles, but the POD results at neighboring engine phases do not necessarily evolve coherently. Phase-invariant POD, when applied to analyze tumble flow, stretches/compresses and interpolates the flow fields obtained at different engine phases onto the same grid, and this deformation means that phase-invariant POD results are no longer significant in energy sense. To overcome these difficulties, we propose an adaptation of conditional space-time POD to work with engine flow, with which the flow within a range of engine phases in each cycle is considered as one sample. It is shown that the low-order modes obtained with conditional space-time POD capture fluctuation structures that evolve coherently, and these results are compared and contrasted with those of the two existing POD approaches. A reduced-order model of the engine in-cylinder flow is constructed based on the partial sum of the modes and coefficients obtained from the conditional space-time POD, and it is shown that this new reduced-order model identifies structure that is both coherent spatially and temporally.
Boosting the Capabilities of Gas Stand Data Acquisition and Control Systems by Using a Digital Twin Based on a Holistic Turbocharger Model
Authors: Serrano José R. , García-Cuevas Luis Miguel , Samala Vishnu , López-Carrillo Juan Antonio , Mai Holger
Published: November 2021

During the last decade, increasingly advanced turbocharger models have been developed for sizing, engine matching and one-dimensional modeling. This work goes further and, instead of using these models for turbocharged engines design or analysis, it implements them in the data acquisition and control system of a turbocharger gas stand. This way, interesting new capabilities arise. The paper shows that there are important synergies between advanced turbocharger gas stand data acquisition and control systems and the modern turbocharger holistic models that have not been deeply exploited until now. They can be summarized as: on-line heat fluxes analysis, in-situ outlier testing points detection, testing time saving and using digital-twin techniques to monitor turbocharger health during testing.
Environment and Economic Assessment of CNG and Gasoline Engines: An Experimental Analysis
Authors: Sahoo Sridhar , Srivastava Dhananjay Kumar
Published: November 2021

The application of alternative fuels in automobile engines is gaining more popularity among the scientific community than ever. Most of the research emphasis is on the performance and combustion aspect of the engine. The environmental and economic evaluation of these fuels is also equally important for sustainability, which is relatively unexplored and needs to be evaluated. The present work compares the environmental and economic aspects of a spark ignition (SI) engine fueled with gasoline and compressed natural gas (CNG). To study the environmental impact, regulated and unregulated emissions coming out from the engine exhaust were compared. For economic assessment, annual fuel consumption and associated fuel cost were compared under similar engine operating conditions. The economic cost associated with the environmental impact was calculated based on carbon dioxide emissions and compared using carbon pricing. Experiments on an SI engine were performed at various engine loads to achieve a range of operating conditions to evaluate fuel consumption and engine-out emissions. Results show that a CNG fueled engine has 12.7% lower brake specific fuel consumption than the gasoline engine, which leads to 56% lower fuel cost. It is due to the cumulative effect of higher calorific value and the lower fuel price of CNG compared to gasoline. Additionally, average environment emission and associated cost due to carbon dioxide (CO2) emission reduced by 29% using CNG over gasoline. This study shows that CNG can lead to lesser fuel consumption and its associated fuel and environment cost compared to gasoline.
Development of Simplified Analysis Process for Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) of Exhaust Manifold During Concept Stage
Authors: Ghodke Nilesh , Pimpalkar Prashant , Saikia Bhaskarjyoti , Miller Joshua , Kulkarni Girish , Meyer Brandon , Deshpande Sanjay
Published: November 2021

The exhaust manifold is one of the key components of an engine exhaust system. Exhaust manifold simulations are time-consuming as they require modeling of complex thermal loading and multiple non-linearities like friction and plasticity. This proves to be a big constraint for using Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) for exhaust manifolds as it involves running a large number of models specified by a Design of Experiments (DOE). Also, during the initial phase of design development, it seems reasonable to compromise the accuracy of simulations at the cost of speed for getting correct feedback on design direction. Hence, the main objective of the current work was to a develop simplified analysis process for Thermomechanical Fatigue (TMF) and modal analysis of exhaust manifold.

At the concept stage, due to the lack of availability of accurate thermal Boundary Conditions (BCs) and the goal to simplify modeling, thermal BCs are assumed with the help of thermal data history instead of accurate thermal BCs from test cells. Similarly, other aspects such as ‘level of component assembly required’, ‘mechanical loading’, and ‘outputs to be monitored for making design decisions were also investigated to come up with a simplified approach. The proposed approach was quick compared to the conventional one. This approach was implemented on a few heavy-duty and mid-range engine programs to check repeatability. It was observed that the proposed analysis approach provides correct design direction with a significantly reduced computational time of up to 80%. Incorporating the simplified approach for the MDO process has made it more practical and feasible for implementation during the concept design cycle in the early stage of an engine development program.
The Interaction Between the Pilot Diesel and Main NG Injection in an HPDI Engine
Authors: Diepstraten N. , Seykens X. L. J. , Somers L. M. T.
Published: November 2021

High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) is a promising combustion concept for the medium- to heavy-duty industry to combat climate change. It uses a pilot diesel injection to ignite the main fuel consisting of Natural Gas (NG). Both fuels are injected directly in the combustion chamber using a dedicated HPDI injector. A significant reduction in carbon dioxide and Particulate Matter is achieved due to the use of the low carbon fuel NG. It is seen in literature that a small change in pilot injection can have profound consequences for the HPDI combustion. This research investigates the interaction between the pilot diesel and main NG injection. A relevant Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation environment is setup for this purpose. It is observed that the main NG injection needs a certain pilot trigger to ignite. Furthermore, local conditions are derived to investigate driving factors of the ignition of NG on a fundamental level. A homogeneous reactor model is used to study Ignition Delay (ID) behavior by varying the initial temperature as well as concentrations of radicals H and OH. It is observed that both factors influence the ID. The initial temperature has to be higher than 1110 K in order to ignite the NG under enginelike conditions. It is also observed that species mole fractions H or OH encountered in the CFD simulation can reduce the ID up to 5.5 crank angle degrees at a speed of 1400 RPM.
The Taut Wire Harmonograph
Authors: Greenslade Thomas B.
Published: November 2021

George M. Hopkins (1842-1902) wrote a series of articles on demonstrating physical phenomena in the Scientific American during the last years of the 19th century. These were collected in a book, Experimental Science, that was first published in 1890, with revisions in 1892 and 1902. It must have been well received, for the 27th edition came out in 1911. When discussing the taut wire harmonograph in Fig. 1, he writes that “as incidental to scientific work, the effects of beautiful experiments on the latter class may be worth a little consideration, as it not infrequently happens that the mere onlooker is lured into the paths of science by such means.”
Analysis of partially coherent acoustic wavefields from multichannel sound reproduction systems
Authors: Driscoll Erin , Bocko Mark , Smith Sarah R.
Published: November 2021

This work analyzes the performance of multichannel sound reproduction systems using the theory of partially coherent wavefields to model the acoustic velocity vector at the listener’s location. In this framework, the original signal is modelled as a narrowband, locally stationary random process, defined by a coherence time. The system model incorporates attenuation and delays from both positioning of the listener relative to the loudspeakers and any processing used in the reproduction system (e.g., panning). Given the finite coherence time of the signal, the magnitude and direction of the resultant velocity vector fluctuates in time. The location and spread of the virtual source that a human listener infers is determined by the distribution of velocity vector directions and a psychoacoustic averaging time associated with the precedence effect. Using this framework, we demonstrate the relative importance of three time constants in forming a stable image of the source location: the signal coherence time, the acoustic decay time, and the perceptual averaging time. This framework can be extended to incorporate early reflections in the listening environment and generalized to encompass natural sounds, such as speech or music, which can be modelled as a sum of narrowband components.
SpeechCollectR: An R package for web-based speech data collection
Authors: Thomas Abbey L. , Assmann Peter F.
Published: November 2021

To accommodate web-based speech production and perception data collection during the COVID-19 pandemic, we developed the R package, SpeechCollectR (https://github.com/abbey-thomas/speechcollectr), designed for speech scientists familiar with R [R Core Team, R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, 2021]. SpeechCollectR employs existing R functions for acoustic analysis, allowing researchers to collect, visualize, and analyze speech production and perception data with a single program. SpeechCollectR lets researchers construct interfaces that embed experimental tasks in games to sustain participant attention amid distractions in non-laboratory environments. The application for production experiments saves uncompressed audio data as WAV files, one recording per trial. Amplitude envelope features are used to isolate a speech token in each recording. This token is compared to the remainder of the recording to assess signal-to-noise ratio. Performing this analysis after each trial, we can supply the participant with feedback to improve recording quality. We tested the efficacy of using SpeechCollectR, collecting 1344 recordings of three types of affective prosody from 32 participants. 83% of these recordings were usable for analysis of prosodic variables. We present a bootstrap analysis demonstrating reliability of affective prosodic features despite variations in recording equipment and environment.
Unleashing nanofabrication through thermomechanical nanomolding
Authors: Liu Naijia , Liu Guannan , Raj Arindam , Sohn Sungwoo , Morales-Acosta Mayra Daniela , Liu Jingbei , Schroers Jan
Published: November 2021

Thermomechanical nanomolding puts a wide range of materials combinations in reach for nanofabrication.
A perception-based nanosensor platform to detect cancer biomarkers
Authors: Yaari Zvi , Yang Yoona , Apfelbaum Elana , Cupo Christian , Settle Alex H. , Cullen Quinlan , Cai Winson , Roche Kara Long , Levine Douglas A. , Fleisher Martin , Ramanathan Lakshmi , Zheng Ming , Jagota Anand , Heller Daniel A.
Published: November 2021

Machine learning–enabled perception-based detection of protein biomarkers was achieved in gynecologic cancer patient biofluids.
Kinesin-binding protein remodels the kinesin motor to prevent microtubule binding
Authors: Solon April L. , Tan Zhenyu , Schutt Katherine L. , Jepsen Lauren , Haynes Sarah E. , Nesvizhskii Alexey I. , Sept David , Stumpff Jason , Ohi Ryoma , Cianfrocco Michael A.
Published: November 2021

Kinesin-binding protein inhibits kinesin activity through structural alterations of the kinesin motor domain.
Direct growth of wafer-scale highly oriented graphene on sapphire
Authors: Chen Zhaolong , Xie Chunyu , Wang Wendong , Zhao Jinpei , Liu Bingyao , Shan Jingyuan , Wang Xueyan , Hong Min , Lin Li , Huang Li , Lin Xiao , Yang Shenyuan , Gao Xuan , Zhang Yanfeng , Gao Peng , Novoselov Kostya S. , Sun Jingyu , Liu Zhongfan
Published: November 2021

Wafer-scale highly oriented graphene harvesting a high carrier mobility and a low sheet resistance is directly grown on sapphire.
Formation of discrete periodic nanolayered coatings through tailoring of nanointerfaces—Toward zero macroscale wear
Authors: Khadem Mahdi , Penkov Oleksiy V. , Jais Jibi , Bae Su-Min , Dhandapani Vishnu Shankar , Kang Bongchul , Kim Dae-Eun
Published: November 2021

By engineering the interfaces, a coating with superior properties compared to conventional nanolayered coatings was designed.
Clinical manifestations and outcome in children with COVID-19 infection in Abu Dhabi: a retrospective single-centre study
Authors: Alattas Bushra , Azaz Amer , Rawat David , Miqdady Mohamad , Bitar Rana
Published: November 2021

We conducted a retrospective cohort review of 180 patients aged 0–18 years with positive COVID-19 nasal PCR swab admitted to the only designated paediatric COVID-19 hospital in Abu Dhabi from 1 March to 1 June 2020. 60 (33%) patients were asymptomatic, 117 (65%) patients had mild or moderate symptoms and 3 patients required intensive care with no mortality reported. Symptoms at presentation were fever in 84 patients, cough in 62 patients and gastrointestinal symptoms in 48 patients.
Evaluation of CPAP mask performance during 3 years of mask usage: time for reconsideration of renewal policies?
Authors: Laaka Atte , Hollmén Maria , Bachour Adel
Published: November 2021

Background

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask renewal policies vary inside and between countries. There are no independent studies on the optimal mask renewal frequency. We aimed to evaluate CPAP mask function over time in a real-life clinical setting, and to compare the results against current renewal policies.

Methods

Daily performance data of 1846 CPAP masks (65% nasal, 22% nasal pillows, 12% oronasal) were recorded from 450 participants (68% male, mean age 59 years) with obstructive sleep apnoea. The unintentional leak, Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (CPAP-AHI) and usage data were exported from the CPAP device.

Results

Of 656 324 nights of CPAP usage, the mean renewal time was 497 days (SD 327), mean leak 5.7 L/min (SD 8.1) and CPAP-AHI 3.8 events/h (SD 3.6). The difference in mean leak between one (5.2 L/min, SD 7.5), 12 (6.0 L/min, SD 10.2) and 24 months (5.8 L/min, SD 7.5) was minimal (p=0.59). Mean CPAP-AHI remained normal and unchanged in nasal masks and pillows up to 30 months, and was highest in oronasal masks. Different mask manufacturers performed similarly. Masks’ daily or total usage did not affect the results. Shifting the mask renewal policy to 24 months could reduce the mask-related cost up to 50%–88%.

Conclusions

Nasal masks and pillows could be used at least 2 years without significant changes in unintentional leak and CPAP-AHI. We suggest updating the mask renewal policies of nasal masks and pillows; results on oronasal masks and other manufacturers CPAP devices need further verification.
A rapid method for sex identification in Cannabis sativa using high resolution melt analysis
Authors: Gilchrist Erin J. , Hegebarth Daniela , Wang Shumin , Quilichini Teagen D. , Sawler Jason , Toh Shir Yi , Foley Cody , Page Jonathan E.
Published: November 2021

We report the identification of two single nucleotide polymorphisms in Cannabis sativa L. that are associated with female and male plant sex phenotypes and are located on the top arm of the X chromosome. High resolution melt analysis was used to develop and validate a novel, rapid method for sex identification in medical and (or) recreational cannabis as well as in hemp. This method can distinguish between dioecious male (XY) and dioecious female (XX) cannabis plants with 100% accuracy and can also be used to differentiate between male and female Humulus lupulus L. (hop) plants.
On the role of leptonic CPV phases in cLFV observables
Authors: Abada A. , Kriewald J. , Teixeira A. M.
Published: November 2021

In extensions of the standard model by Majorana fermions, the presence of additional CP violating phases has been shown to play a crucial role in lepton number violating processes. In this work we show that (Dirac and Majorana) CP violating phases can also lead to important effects in charged lepton flavour violating (cLFV) transitions and decays, in some cases with a significant impact for the predicted rates of cLFV observables. We conduct a thorough exploration of these effects in several cLFV observables, and discuss the implications for future observation. We emphasise how the presence of leptonic CP violating phases might lead to modified cLFV rates, and to a possible loss of correlation between cLFV observables.
Airborne quantum key distribution with boundary layer effects
Authors: Yu Hui-Cun , Tang Bang-Ying , Chen Huan , Xue Yang , Tang Jie , Yu Wan-Rong , Liu Bo , Shi Lei
Published: November 2021

With the substantial progress of terrestrial fiber-based quantum networks and satellite-based quantum nodes, airborne quantum key distribution (QKD) is now becoming a flexible bond between terrestrial fiber and satellite, which is an efficient solution to establish a mobile, on-demand, and real-time coverage quantum network. However, the random distributed boundary layer is always surrounded to the surface of the aircraft when the flight speed larger than 0.3 Ma, which would introduce random wavefront aberration, jitter and extra intensity attenuation to the transmitted photons. In this article, we propose a performance evaluation scheme of airborne QKD with boundary layer effects. The analyzed results about the photon deflection angle and wavefront aberration effects, show that the aero-optical effects caused by the boundary layer can not be ignored, which would heavily decrease the final secure key rate. In our proposed airborne QKD scenario, the boundary layer would introduce ∼3.5 dB loss to the transmitted photons and decrease ∼70.9% of the secure key rate. With tolerated quantum bit error rate set to 8%, the suggested quantum communication azimuth angle between the aircraft and the ground station is within 55∘. Furthermore, the optimal beacon laser module and adaptive optics module are suggested to be employed, to improve the performance of airborne QKD system. Our detailed airborne QKD performance evaluation study can be performed to the future airborne quantum communication designs.
On Minimal Fuzzy Realization in Category Theoretic Setting
Authors: Singh Shailendra , Sahni Amarjit Kaur , Pandey Jayanti Tripathi
Published: November 2021

This paper aims to study the minimal fuzzy realization for a fuzzy language with membership values in a complete residuated lattice by using category theory. Specifically, we introduce the concept of a category [Formula: see text], whose object-class is complete transition residuated lattices corresponding to deterministic [Formula: see text]-semiautomata. We give the categorical characterization of reachability and observability maps for a given deterministic fuzzy automaton. In another direction, we demonstrate that the category [Formula: see text] is a subcategory of the categories [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]-coalgebras and [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]-dialgebras. Also, we discuss the concept of bisimulation between [Formula: see text]-coalgebras. Next, we introduce a general theory of minimal fuzzy realization for a given fuzzy language in a category theory setting. Strikingly, we demonstrate that all minimal fuzzy realization for a given fuzzy language is one of a kind up to isomorphism.
On Deferred Statistical Convergence of Fuzzy Difference Sequence and Applications
Authors: Baliarsingh P. , Nayak L.
Published: November 2021

In this paper, we introduce the idea of deferred statistical convergence using fractional difference operator of order [Formula: see text] for the sequence of fuzzy numbers. Also, we establish some relations between this idea and the strong deferred-summable fractional difference sequences of fuzzy numbers. As an application, we apply the idea of newly defined statistical convergence for proving fuzzy Korovkin-type approximation theorem.
High Efficiency for Methanol Electrooxidation of Self-Supporting 3D Nanoporous PdAg Alloy Foams
Authors: Song Yanyan , Chen Ying , He Lizhong , Wu Yunlong , He Xinhai , Su Xiaolei
Published: November 2021

The self-supporting three-dimensional (3D) nanoporous PdAg alloy (NP–PdAg) foams have been prepared by a simple one-step dealloying melt-spun Al–Pd–Ag ribbons in a 20[Formula: see text]wt.% NaOH aqueous solution at 90∘C for 1.5[Formula: see text]h. The structure is advantageous to the diffusion and removal of the intermediate products and the transmission of the methanol molecules. The NP–PdAg foams exhibit better electrocatalytic performance than the NP-Pd foam toward the methanol oxidation in potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. The optimal atomic ratio of Pd to Ag in the NP–PdAg foams is 1:1, and its electrocatalytic activity is about 2.6 times that of the NP–Pd foam. The significant improvement in the electrocatalytic performance is attributed to the addition of a moderate amount of Ag. In the whole electrocatalytic process, Ag can provide OHads to oxidize the intermediate products on the surface of active Pd sites into carbon dioxide or other cleaning products. Also, the Ag can increase electrochemical active surface area and the adsorption energy of Pd to methanol molecules and OHads. These significantly prevent the accumulation of poisoning intermediates on the surface of Pd and quickly release more active Pd sites.
Timing and kinematics of the Variscan orogenic cycle at the Moldanubian periphery of the central Bohemian Massif
Authors: Machek Matěj , Soejono Igor , Sláma Jiří , Žáčková Eliška
Published: November 2021

The high-grade metamorphic complexes along the northern Moldanubian periphery of the central Bohemian Massif provide an outstanding structural record of all episodes of the collisional evolution of the Variscan Orogeny. The kinematics and timing of the orogenic processes were examined by structural and microstructural studies of middle and lower crustal rocks combined with xenotime and monazite geochronology. Four distinct tectonic events were identified. A first relict sub-horizontal fabric S1 associated with high-pressure–high-temperature metamorphism was only developed in the lower crustal rocks and was related to back-arc extension or lower crustal flow in a supra-subduction domain. This fabric was completely reworked to the subvertical foliation S2 at
c.
340 Ma by major collisional thickening, leading to juxtaposition of the lower and middle crust. Thereafter, extensional collapse of the thickened orogenic system caused strong refolding to the high-temperature sub-horizontal fabric at
c.
325 Ma. The region was subsequently affected by NNE–SSW-oriented horizontal shortening related to dextral shearing and the clockwise rotation of crustal blocks adjacent to the large-scale dextral shear zone (the Elbe Zone). This led to fragmentation and reorientation of the Moldanubian margin to its current position.

Supplementary material:
A summary of the main microstructural features related to the defined deformation phases, the results of the U–Pb laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses of xenotime and monazite, back-scattered electron images and rare earth element compositional maps are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5708800.v1
Datasheets for datasets
Authors: Gebru Timnit , Morgenstern Jamie , Vecchione Briana , Vaughan Jennifer Wortman , Wallach Hanna , III Hal Daumé , Crawford Kate
Published: November 2021

Documentation to facilitate communication between dataset creators and consumers.
Accelerator-level parallelism
Authors: Hill Mark D. , Reddi Vijay Janapa
Published: November 2021

Charging computer scientists to develop the science needed to best achieve the performance and cost goals of accelerator-level parallelism hardware and software.
What every engineer and computer scientist should know
Authors: Picard Rosalind
Published: November 2021

Seeking the fundamental factors instrumental to happiness.
Exploring the promise of quantum computing
Authors: Hoffmann Leah
Published: November 2021

ACM Computing Prize recipient Scott Aaronson discusses his work in quantum complexity.
Speculative taint tracking (STT)
Authors: Yu Jiyong , Yan Mengjia , Khyzha Artem , Morrison Adam , Torrellas Josep , Fletcher Christopher W.
Published: November 2021

Speculative execution attacks present an enormous security threat, capable of reading arbitrary program data under malicious speculation, and later exfiltrating that data over microarchitectural covert channels. This paper proposes speculative taint tracking (STT), a high security and high performance hardware mechanism to block these attacks. The main idea is that it is safe to execute and selectively forward the results of speculative instructions that read secrets, as long as we can prove that the forwarded results do not reach potential covert channels. The technical core of the paper is a new abstraction to help identify all micro-architectural covert channels, and an architecture to quickly identify when a covert channel is no longer a threat. We further conduct a detailed formal analysis on the scheme in a companion document. When evaluated on SPEC06 workloads, STT incurs 8.5% or 14.5% performance overhead relative to an insecure machine.
Translating Basic Research to Animal Agriculture
Authors: Seidel George E.
Published: November 2021

Procedures to maintain viability of mammalian gametes and embryos in vitro, including cryopreservation, have been exceedingly valuable for my research over the past 55 years. Keeping sperm viable in vitro enables artificial insemination, which, when combined with selective breeding, often is the most effective approach to making rapid genetic change in a population. Superovulation and embryo transfer constitute a parallel approach for amplifying reproduction of female mammals. More recent developments include sexing of semen, in vitro fertilization, cloning by nuclear transfer, and genetic modification of germline cells, tools that are enabled by artificial insemination and/or embryo transfer for implementation. I have been fortunate in being able to contribute to the development of many of the above techniques, and to use them for research and applications for improving animal agriculture. Others have built on this work to circumvent human infertility, assist reproduction of companion animals, and rescue endangered species. It also has been a privilege to teach, mentor, and be mentored in this area. Resulting worldwide friendships have enriched me personally and professionally.