bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Research Problems in Construction, as Analysed Using Survey Studies
Authors: Radziszewska – Zielina Elżbieta
Published: December 2021

This paper is a review of the literature and focuses on recent studies in construction, specifically construction project engineering, in which surveys and/or interviews were used. This allowed an identification of current research trends in construction project engineering, essential and topical problems of contemporary construction, which were studied using surveys. Second, it was possible to demonstrate that surveys, despite often being used in the social sciences and finding rare use in the technical sciences, are nevertheless a highly effective tool that can be used to solve research problems in construction. They provide useful data that is then analysed, mostly using statistics, and the findings of such analyses and the conclusions that can be drawn from them support decision-makers in construction. The presented research problems that were solved using surveys are highly diverse and concern, among others: building information modelling (BIM), identifying adverse risk factors, design and execution errors, assessing a building’s technical condition, assessing comfort, satisfaction and the social aspect of construction, conflicts and disagreements, cooperation and trust, management, success factors, prefabrication, technologies, waste, green building, sustainable development, safety and cost. In summary, the review of research problems analysed using surveys, as presented, can act as proof that such methods are recognised by scholars all around the world and are used in practically all thematic fields that concern construction project engineering. Survey study methods are a source of valuable data, either independently or in combination with other methods, and supply precious information that can diagnose and aid forecasting phenomena and problems, controlling processes and supporting decision-makers in the difficult process of making decisions, and are often the basis for specific choices.
Effect of Heat Transfer between Potable Water Cold and the Environment Inside Building on Water Quality
Authors: Macková Dominika , Peráčková Jana
Published: December 2021

In the face of a coronavirus pandemic, many buildings or facilities are closed. The sudden closing of schools, factories or offices has caused a reduction in the water consumption inside buildings. The lack of chlorinated water flowing through the pipes, combined with temperature changes, poses a real risk to potable water from the bacteria multiplication point of view. The contribution focuses on the requirements for the temperature of potable water cold (PWC) in the water pipeline system inside buildings. The main goal of the research is to evaluate the effect of heat transfer between the PWC and the surrounding air during the water stagnation. Temperature differences between the PWC and the indoor air in building are leading to the heat transfer by convection. The result of the heat transfer is an undesired increase of the PWC temperature. The paper assesses the increase in PWC temperature over time using two methodologies - mathematical analysis and computer simulation. The results show that with an increasing pipe diameter and insulation thickness, the temperature of PWC during stagnation increases more slowly. The article points out the fact that the first 10 mm of insulation has the greatest impact on preventing the heating of PWC from the surrounding environment. Regarding the material design of the pipeline, only small deviations in the results were calculated between steel and plastic pipe. Mathematical analysis and computer simulation show that the issue of PWC stagnation in the pipeline has a significant effect on the temperature and thus the quality of water in buildings.
Structural Health Monitoring Issues Using Inclinometers on Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridge Decks
Authors: Bertagnoli Gabriele , Anerdi Costanza , Ferrara Mario
Published: December 2021

In the last decades, assessment and rehabilitation of the existing built environment constitute one of the major challenges for engineers, practitioners and code-makers all over the world. Aging, deterioration processes, lack of or improper maintenance, and increasing occurrence of extreme events have led to the need of more efficient methods for the safety assessment and retrofitting/rehabilitation of existing concrete structures like bridges. New approaches deriving from research should be able to provide solutions devoted to reduce and/or avoid the necessity of interventions, verifying the safety conditions for human life and performances for serviceability on aged infrastructures. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of existing bridges has become a key issue in all western world as most of the infrastructures of each Country are reaching the end of their design life. SHM can be divided classically in two approaches: static and dynamic. Static SHM is based on the measure of displacements and their derivatives like rotations or strains regardless of the dynamic behaviour of the structure. Clinometers are among the most used devices to measure angles on structures; they can provide high accuracy when used in static mode as advanced techniques of signal processing can be used to reduce the noise of the signal working on acquisitions that can last several seconds to provide one single accurate measure of angle. Nevertheless, many issues one the affidability and the correct use of measures done with clinometers have to be addressed to achieve a trustworthy SHM using such devices. In this paper the most relevant issues related to the f.e.m. modelling of a bridge deck in view of the use of clinometers for SHM are presented providing explanation using a test case bridge that has been under continuous investigation for many months. A brief explanation of the process for data cleaning and interpretation is also given, stressing out the limits of the technology and the possible outcomes.
Impact of the Application of Grinding and Grooving of a Concrete Road Pavement on Noise Level in the Environment
Authors: Nowoświat Artur , Żuchowski Rafał , Bukała Michał
Published: December 2021

A growing number of cars and trucks moving around on our roads contributes to the rise of noise level to which people in their immediate vicinity are exposed. The regulations in force impose on road managers the obligation to limit road noise to the permissible level in compliance with the applicable regulations. The obligation to ensure protection against traffic noise applies equally to newly designed roads and to the existing ones which are being extended or modernized. This type of noise is generated principally by the interaction between tires and road pavement. Therefore, the design and construction of quiet pavements plays a very important role in reducing environmental noise and may in some cases be an alternative to other noise reduction methods. The article undertakes the task of assessing the impact of grinding technology and grooving technology of the existing concrete pavement on the reduction of noise propagation in the environment. The article involves the tests of road pavement made of cement concrete. The tests were carried out on the road section before and after the above-mentioned works, using the method similar to Close Proximity Method (CPX) and the noise measurement method at road edge at a distance of 10.0 m and height of 4.0 m. The obtained results were illustrated with a noise range map for the modified and standard road pavements.
Elastic Analysis of Steel-Concrete Composite Beams with Partial Interaction
Authors: Buru Stefan M. , Chiorean Cosmin G. , Botez Mircea
Published: December 2021

The paper presents an exact analytical method for the elastic analysis of steel-concrete composite beams with partial interaction. Accepting the basic assumptions of the Newmark analytical model and adopting the axial force in the concrete slab as the main unknown, the second order nonhomogeneous differential equation of the steel-concrete composite element with partial interaction is derived. Further, the complete solutions for simply supported and fixed-ended composite beams subjected to concentrated and uniform loads respectively, are developed. The solution of the homogeneous equation is determined by imposing proper Dirichlet or Neumann boundary conditions depending on the static scheme of the element. The particular solutions are then derived for the considered loading conditions. It is shown that the internal axial force in concrete slab associated to composite beams with partial interaction can be expressed as a fraction of the axial force in concrete slab under full interaction through a non-dimensional function f(aL) which takes into account the connection’s stiffness, the mechanical properties and also the length of the element. Moreover, the solutions are included in a flexibility-based approach to derive the force-displacement relations of the beam element with partial interaction. For the resulted 2-noded beam-column element with 6DOF, the stiffness matrix is derived, showing that the partial composite action may be included at the element level by means of a series of correction factors applied to the standard full-interaction stiffness matrix coefficients. A numerical example is provided to demonstrate the accuracy and performance of the proposed method. Within the elastic range, the predicted load-midspan deflection curve is in very good agreement with both experimental and other numerical results retrieved from international literature. A parametric study was conducted to investigate the influence of the shear connection degree on the beam’s midspan deflection and the results were compared with those computed by using code provisions.
From Traditional to Smart Building Materials in Architecture
Authors: Dobrescu Laura Andreea
Published: December 2021

Building materials from traditional to contemporary and from traditional to high-performance materials in architecture and their implementation in energy-efficient constructions can be compared with smart ones? Can we bring these materials to superior performance? Building materials in general, either smart, energy efficient or with new performance, are based on the same traditional materials. A material is considered to have special properties only when it contributes to the improvement of construction criteria. With all these advances in construction techniques and architecture, along with end-user demand for 2021 buildings, as architects we will need to introduce something new and smart to meet their requirements and needs. We can build intelligently and at the same time use traditional materials or current construction, needs guide us to a new era of building materials, high-performance materials, smart, etc. This abstract is a comparison between the high performance direction that is foreseen in the future in building with intelligent materials and returning to nature by using traditional building materials to build just as efficiently. This transformation is possible and to what extent the new requirements can bring traditional materials to these standards. The paper is an overview of the types of materials that can be used in construction and architecture, thus offering a new perspective on innovative techniques that will be available or are already available that improve this field. The comparison between classical concrete and concrete that changes the image of architecture through the created image or between traditional and performance materials for building envelopes are only a small part of the options available for use in construction and architecture.
Habitability and Hygrothermal Comfort Analysis of Social Housing in Ecuador, Temperate Continental Climatic Zone
Authors: Calle Juan Carlos Vázquez , Calle Doris Alexandra Alvear , Farfán Julio Pintado
Published: December 2021

Housing sector plays an essential role in the sustainable development of the countries; however, there are significant problems in terms of its ability to access which promotes the occurrence of solutions that guide the housing deficit reduction as well as economic savings and natural resources preservation. One key strategic would be the use of social housing as a mechanism to ensure a decent house accessed by vulnerable population. The general housing design requires satisfying characteristics of indoor environmental comfort, arising the need outlook technical solutions. This research aims to propose functional and hygrothermal improvements for social housing located in a temperate continental climate zone in The Sierra region of Ecuador. The methodology was focused on energy simulations using Design Builder software and comparing the results with the application of passive bioclimatic recommendations. In addition, based on the quantitative housing deficit this research achieves qualitative contributions in order to improve the living conditions of low-income population whose get access to social housing in Ecuador. An experimental case study, located in Azogues a canton of the province of Cañar, has been selected for the simulation analysis which belongs to a housing governmental program named Manuela Espejo promoted by the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing and special designed for people with disabilities. The research has an applicative nature approach, with a sectional scope and explanatory depth, based on primary and secondary information sources; data collection techniques were social perception surveys used to determine comfort levels of the social housing users. The results show, based on the energy simulations carried out, improvements in terms of habitability conditions and an architectural proposal compiles passive bioclimatic recommendations focused on the design of social housing in Ecuador. Therefore, this research contributes to the implementation of new social housing plans that not only would help to reduce the housing deficit, but also contribute to improving the housing indoor environmental comfort perceived by the users.
Sustainability Assessment Methods in Existing Buildings: Comparative Analysis in Heritage Assets Signed for Public Use in Girón, Ecuador
Authors: Calle Marco Andrés Reinoso , Ullauri María del Cisne Aguirre
Published: December 2021

This paper compares sustainability assessment methods applicable to existing buildings. It also uses the most influential international certifications (BREEAM, LEED and VERDE) and their guidelines to evaluate their application in three heritage buildings in the Girón canton (Ecuador), which allows us to establish that the LEDD BO&M certification is the one with the greatest technical feasibility and professional suitability. Thus, it is known that, with small adaptations to the initial mechanisms, the sustainability of a heritage building could be certified, especially when it is intended for public use, as is the case of the study universe, where through the recommended interventions it is possible to overcome the range of compliance positioned between 8 and 27% up to 80 and 90%. In turn, this is feasible on the basis of guidelines, categories and a valuation system applicable to the sustainable valuation of a heritage building in the context of the study and its peers.
Wind Energy Collection System Based on Phase Change System and Deformable Materials
Authors: Ma Long , Cao Maoqing , Wang Wei , Yin Yanli , Meng Yang , Geng QiChen
Published: December 2021

The purpose of this paper is to design and discover a new system, which can realize the collection, transformation and storage of energy from wind energy in the environment ^ temperature/physical deformation → material phase change → energy storage, so as to achieve the effect of green energy saving. At the same time, it can provide theoretical support and design basis for the design of high-rise Garden residential suite in cold region. Wind energy is collected through the narrow channel effect. With the help of deformation induced ferrite phase transformation technology and memory alloy materials, the collected energy is stored in the new colloid/graphene battery equipment. With the help of the relevant content research parameters, a systematic digital model is formed, and the basic database is established to simulate the external environment of high-rise Garden residential buildings in cold areas. Through the design of a new wind energy collection system and embedded in the simulation environment, the wind energy utilization in cold, low sunshine, low wind speed or unstable wind speed areas is realized, and the green energy conservation, environmental protection and sustainable development in such areas are realized. Then, the feasibility and effectiveness of the system are demonstrated according to the experimental results, and a systematic theory is formed.
A distributed localization method for mobile nodes
Authors: Liu Chao , Luo Qinghua , Yan Xiaozhen , Shao Yang , Yang Kexin , Ju Chunyu
Published: December 2021

In Wireless Sensor Networks(WSNs), the location services are the basis of many application scenarios. However, for the range-based localization method, the localization accuracy and the system robustness of the distributed localization system are difficult to guarantee, due to the uncertainty of the distance estimation and position calculation are affected by the node state and communication uncertainty. In this paper, we propose the distributed localization method based on anchor node selection and Particle Filter optimization. In this method, we analyze the uncertainty of error propagation in the Least-squares method and find that there is a proportional relation between localization error and uncertainty propagation. According to this relationship, we propose the corresponding optimization criterion methods of anchor nodes. To optimize the initial localization results, we present the distributed localization method based on anchor node optimal selection and Particle Filter. Simulation results show that the methods we proposed could effectively improve the localization accuracy of the mobile nodes and the robustness of the system.
Research on torsional vibration monitoring system of ship power shafting
Authors: Xue Shufei , Wu Shuochen , Tang Qing , Liu Shulin , Liu Bai
Published: December 2021

In this paper, the real-time monitoring technology of ship power system torsional vibration is studied. The photoelectric non-contact measurement method is used to measure the torsional vibration intensity of shafting, and the analysis service network management platform is established to realize the functions of real-time monitoring of shafting torsional vibration and upload and collect alarm data, through the front-end system, the torsional vibration strength and other parameters of the shafting are collected and transmitted to the background. The data of the background system is used to calculate and analyze, and the status of the shafting is alarmed. The system realizes continuous monitoring and data recording of torsional vibration index of ship power system, and ensures the operation performance and safe operation of ship power system. It provides theoretical and technical support for the future development of new technologies and related research, such as durability simulation and durability virtual test of ship power critical parts.
A gas turbine thermal performance prediction method based on dynamic neural network
Authors: Hao Yansong , Jin Yunfeng , Liu Chao , Hao Jiangang , Huang Haizhou , Jiang Dongxiang
Published: December 2021

In order to ensure safety and reliability of energy transportation, it is necessary to understand and predict the performance of the gas turbine components. A prediction frame of the gas turbine compressor isentropic efficiency is established using the neural time series theory based on the Dynamic Neural Network. In order to obtain appropriate parameters for the network, a validation set is introduced to generalize the model. The compressor isentropic efficiency can be predicted based on the suggested model which provides an effective technical mean for the early warning of gas turbine performance. The experiment verified that the performance calculation model and the isentropic entropy efficiency prediction model based on the neural time series are effective.
Remaining Useful Life Prediction of Aero-engines by Appropriate Utilization of Multi-sensor Signals
Authors: Zhang Bin , Huang Ning , Luo Jiufei , Zhang Yi
Published: December 2021

This paper presents the prediction of remaining useful life (RUL) with appropriate fusion of multi-sensor signals for the aero-engine, which is the heart of an aircraft. With the rapid development of information technology, health condition of one aero-engine is usually monitored with multiple sensors. To properly utilize these multi-sensor condition information for degradation modeling and RUL prediction is one of the key challenges for condition-based maintenance of the whole aircraft. Thus this paper proposes one statistical method based on health indicator (HI) construction and empirical parametric model for aero-engines RUL prediction. The method is validated with run-to-failure data sets of an aircraft gas turbine engine test-bed developed by NASA. Results show that the proposed method can effectively fuse multi-sensor signals to describe the degradation and predict RUL of the aero-engine.
RETRACTED: Research on 3D reconstruction method of wear particle dynamic image based on multi contour space mapping
Authors: Wang Han , Zuo Hongfu , Liu Zhenzhen , Fei Hang , Liu Yan , Jiang Zhiqiang
Published: December 2021

Aiming at the problems of current image monitoring methods of lubrication oil wear particles, this paper designs and builds a dynamic monitoring system for oil wear particles based on microfluidic microscopic images. A contour-based 3D reconstruction method of debris particle images is proposed. The image sequences of rotating wear particles tracked by a single target are used as data, and the contour of the wear particle is extracted and the data is stored. The minimum area external rectangle method is used to correct the rotation of the particle images for the problem of deflection. And an algorithm based on cylindrical coordinate space conversion is used to convert the discrete contour point data into three-dimensional space. Complete the 3D model reconstruction of microfluidic wear particles. The ability to analyse wear particles in oil online monitoring technology is improved, which also shows new ideas for wear status monitoring and fault diagnosis technology.
Exploiting graph neural network with one-shot learning for fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment
Authors: Yang Shuai , Chen Xu , Bai Yun
Published: December 2021

For the classification of mechanical fault diagnosis, a graph neural network (GNN) method with one-shot learning is proposed. Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is used to extract the feature vectors and One-Hot coding from images of Fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment. Inputting feature vectors and One-Hot coding into GNN, according to the Adjacency Matrix between vertices in the Graph, and is used for classification and inference. The method with one-shot learning is used for fault diagnosis classification. Through the fault classification for the industrial robot RV reducer and public data set CWRU pictures, the effectiveness of the method is verified. Five categories are used for fault diagnosis and classification in RV Reducer of the industrial robots. 80 categories are used in the public data set CWRU, and 55 categories are used as the training set. GNN is employed to spread the label information from the supervised sample of the unlabeled query data. The large-scale dataset can then be used as baseline classes to learn transferable knowledge for classifying novelties with one-shot samples. The one-shot learning with graph neural network GNN significantly improves the classification accuracy. The results show that the proposed method is superior to other similar methods and has a substantial potential for improvement in Fault diagnosis of mechanical equipment.
Evidence for spatial and temporal variation in mating system ofTolpis macrorhiza(Asteraceae), a species endemic to Madeira
Authors: Crawford Daniel J , Menezes De Sequeira Miguel , Mort Mark E , Kerbs Benjamin , Kelly John K
Published: December 2021

There have been many studies of morphological and genetic variation in island plant radiations, but few have shown how the mating system has shaped the patterns of variation. In this study, outcrossing rates and paternity in eight populations of the Madeiran endemic Tolpis macrorhiza were estimated using genome-wide RADseq genotyping. The species is believed to have evolved early in the geological history of the island, and we here examine mating system evolution during colonization and establishment of populations across Madeira. The mating system is highly outcrossing in seven populations and mixed mating in one. Some maternal plants in highly outcrossing populations were inbred, suggesting that mating system varies temporally as well as spatially. This mating system may provide flexibility for establishment of new populations in the dynamic landscapes of oceanic islands while maintaining genetic diversity within populations. Multiple paternity is prevalent in populations, indicating that compatible mates are not limited to a few sires. Our analyses of T. macrorhiza were enabled by several methodological advances included in the v.3 release of the BORICE estimation program. These include SNP filtering programs to generate valid likelihoods and post-processing scripts to partition mating system variation among populations and among maternal plants within populations.
Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children—United States, February 2020–July 2021
Authors: Miller Allison D , Zambrano Laura D , Yousaf Anna R , Abrams Joseph Y , Meng Lu , Wu Michael J , Melgar Michael , Oster Matthew E , Godfred Cato Shana E , Belay Ermias D , Campbell Angela P ,   MIS-C Surveillance Authorship Group, Anyalechi Gloria E , Bowen Anna , Do Tuyen , Gastañaduy Paul A , Lindsey Katherine , St. Cyr Sancta B , Kaur Ramandeep , Pompa Xandy Peterson , Le Marchand Chloe E , Singson Jason Robert C , O’Brien Shannon C , Schmitz Ann M , Torres Díaz Carola I , Elbedewy Walaa M , Tobin-D’Angelo Melissa J , Reid Heather D , Fricchione Marielle J , Hallyburton Sara J , Richardson Gillian , Hand Julie P , Leach Dylan H , Burkholder Cole P , Lim Sarah , Thomas Deepam , Gowie Donna L , Dufort Elizabeth M , Lee Ellen H , Falodun Ayotola A , Dewart Courtney M , Colles Zachary J , Wallace Jennifer L , Johnson LaKita D , Herring Kristina L , Liptack Andrea R
Published: December 2021

Background

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a severe hyperinflammatory condition in persons aged <21 years associated with antecedent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Our objective was to describe MIS-C cases reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) national surveillance since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began.

Methods

We included patients meeting the MIS-C case definition with onset date from 19 February 2020 through 31 July 2021, using CDC’s MIS-C case report form, which collects information on demographics, clinical presentation, and laboratory results. Trends over time across 3 MIS-C pandemic waves were assessed using Cochran-Armitage test for categorical and Jonckheere-Terpstra test for continuous variables.

Results

Of 4901 reported cases, 4470 met inclusion criteria. Median patient age increased over time (P < .001), with a median of 9 years (interquartile range, 5–13 years) during the most recent (third) wave. Male predominance also increased (62% in third wave, P < .001). A significant (P < .001) increase in severe hematologic and gastrointestinal involvement was observed across the study period. Frequency of several cardiovascular complications (ie, cardiac dysfunction, myocarditis, and shock/vasopressor receipt) and renal failure declined (P < .001). Provision of critical care including mechanical ventilation (P < .001) and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO; P = .046) decreased, as did duration of hospitalization and mortality (each P < .001).

Conclusions

Over the first 3 pandemic waves of MIS-C in the United States, cardiovascular complications and clinical outcomes including length of hospitalization, receipt of ECMO, and death decreased over time. These data serve as a baseline for monitoring future trends associated with SARS-CoV-2 B.1.617.2 (Delta) or other variants and increased COVID-19 vaccination among children.
Host Predictors of Broadly Cross-Reactive Antibodies Against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants of Concern Differ Between Infection and Vaccination
Authors: Tang Li , Cherry Sean , Tuomanen Elaine I , Kirkpatrick Roubidoux Ericka , Lin Chun Yang , Allison Kim J , Gowen Ashleigh , Freiden Pamela , Allen E Kaitlynn , Su Yin , Gaur Aditya H , Estepp Jeremie H , McGargill Maureen A , Krammer Florian , Thomas Paul G , Schultz-Cherry Stacey , Wolf Joshua ,   St. Jude Investigative Team, Mori Tomi , Hijano Diego R , Hakim Hana , Dallas Ronald H , Cortez Valerie , Vazquez-Pagan Ana , Webby Richard J , Fabrizio Thomas , Russell-Bell Jamie , Brice David C , Castellaw Ashley , Bajracharya Resha , Clark Brandi L , Van de Velde Lee Ann , Awad Walid , Wilson Taylor L , Kirk Allison M , Hodges Jason , Sparks James , WIttman David E , Hayden Randall T , Hoffman James
Published: December 2021

Background

Following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or vaccination there is significant variability between individuals in protective antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2, and within individuals against different virus variants. However, host demographic or clinical characteristics that predict variability in cross-reactive antibody levels are not well-described. These data could inform clinicians, researchers, and policymakers on the populations most likely to require vaccine booster shots.

Methods

In an institutional review board–approved prospective observational cohort study of staff at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we identified participants with plasma samples collected after SARS-CoV-2 infection, after mRNA vaccination, and after vaccination following infection, and quantitated immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to the spike receptor binding domain (RBD) from 5 important SARS-CoV-2 variants (Wuhan Hu-1, B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, and B.1.617.2). We used regression models to identify factors that contributed to cross-reactive IgG against 1 or multiple viral variants.

Results

Following infection, a minority of the cohort generated cross-reactive antibodies, IgG antibodies that bound all tested variants. Those who did had increased disease severity, poor metabolic health, and were of a particular ancestry. Vaccination increased the levels of cross-reactive IgG levels in all populations, including immunocompromised, elderly, and persons with poor metabolic health. Younger people with a healthy weight mounted the highest responses.

Conclusions

Our findings provide important new information on individual antibody responses to infection/vaccination that could inform clinicians on populations that may require follow-on immunization.
Psychometric Properties of Instruments Measuring Dyadic Communication and Environment in Dementia Care: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kim Sohyun , Liu Wen
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives

A valid and reliable assessment of dementia dyadic communication and environment is essential to understand and facilitate social interaction and quality care. This review described the characteristics and evaluated psychometric properties of instruments that assess dyadic communication and environment between persons living with dementia and their caregivers.

Research Design and Methods

A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline. Literature published until June 30, 2021, was searched. Ten psychometric properties and the ratio of sample size to the number of items were evaluated using the Psychometric Assessment for Self-report and Observational Tool.

Results

A total of 3,708 scholarly records was identified, and 24 eligible instruments from 48 scholarly records were evaluated. Twenty-two instruments assessed dyadic communication, and 2 assessed both dyadic communication and environment. Eighteen instruments were developed to assess task-related communication and 15 for paid (professional) caregivers. All instruments were scored as low psychometric quality (score range = 0–7). Behavioral Observation Scoring System was scored the highest (total score = 7), followed by Dyadic Dementia Coding System, Grid for observation of physical and verbal behaviors of caregiver and resident, and Trouble-Indicating Behaviors and Repair (total score = 6). These instruments had low psychometric evidence for internal consistency, content validity, and structural validity.

Discussion and Implications

Existing instruments are in the early stages of development and validation in dementia population. Further testing is needed in diverse communication types in paid and unpaid dementia caregiver populations.
Seismic scattering and absorption of oceanic lithosphericSwaves in the Eastern North Atlantic
Authors: Hannemann Katrin , Eulenfeld Tom , Krüger Frank , Dahm Torsten
Published: December 2021

The scattering and absorption of high-frequency seismic waves in the oceanic lithosphere is to date only poorly constrained by observations. Such estimates would not only improve our understanding of the propagation of seismic waves, but also unravel the small-scale nature of the lithosphere and its variability. Our study benefits from two exceptional situations: (1) we deployed over 10 months a mid-aperture seismological array in the central part of the Eastern North Atlantic in 5 km water depth and (2) we could observe in total 340 high-frequency (up to 30 Hz) Po and So arrivals with tens to hundreds of seconds long seismic coda from local and regional earthquakes in a wide range of backazimuths and epicentral distances up to 850 km with a travel path in the oceanic lithosphere. Moreover, the array was located about 100 km north of the Gloria fault, defining the plate boundary between the Eurasian and African plates at this location which also allows an investigation of the influence of an abrupt change in lithospheric age (20 Ma in this case) on seismic waves. The waves travel with velocities indicating upper-mantle material. We use So waves and their coda of pre-selected earthquakes to estimate frequency-dependent seismic scattering and intrinsic attenuation parameters. The estimated scattering attenuation coefficients are between 10−4 and 4 × 10−5 m−1 and are typical for the lithosphere or the upper mantle. Furthermore, the total quality factors for So waves below 5 Hz are between 20 and 500 and are well below estimates from previous modelling for observations in the Pacific Ocean. This implies that the Atlantic Ocean is more attenuative for So waves compared to the Pacific Ocean, which is inline with the expected behaviour for the lithospheric structures resulting from the slower spreading rates in the Atlantic Ocean. The results for the analysed events indicate that for frequencies above 3 Hz, intrinsic attenuation is equal to or slightly stronger than scattering attenuation and that the So-wave coda is weakly influenced by the oceanic crust. Both observations are in agreement with the proposed propagation mechanism of scattering in the oceanic mantle lithosphere. Furthermore, we observe an age dependence which shows that an increase in lithospheric age is associated with a decrease in attenuation. However, we also observe a trade-off of this age-dependent effect with either a change in lithospheric thickness or thermal variations, for example due to small-scale upwellings in the upper mantle in the southeast close to Madeira and the Canaries. Moreover, the influence of the nearby Gloria fault is visible in a reduction of the intrinsic attenuation below 3 Hz for estimates across the fault. This is the first study to estimate seismic scattering and absorption parameters of So waves for an area with several hundreds of kilometres radius centred in the Eastern North Atlantic and using them to characterize the nature of the oceanic lithosphere.
Considerations for development of child abuse and neglect phenotype with implications for reduction of racial bias: a qualitative study
Authors: Landau Aviv Y , Blanchard Ashley , Cato Kenrick , Atkins Nia , Salazar Stephanie , Patton Desmond U , Topaz Maxim
Published: December 2021

Objective

The study provides considerations for generating a phenotype of child abuse and neglect in Emergency Departments (ED) using secondary data from electronic health records (EHR). Implications will be provided for racial bias reduction and the development of further decision support tools to assist in identifying child abuse and neglect.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with 20 pediatric clinicians working in a single pediatric ED to gain insights about generating an EHR-based phenotype to identify children at risk for abuse and neglect.

Results

Three central themes emerged from the interviews: (1) Challenges in diagnosing child abuse and neglect, (2) Health Discipline Differences in Documentation Styles in EHR, and (3) Identification of potential racial bias through documentation.

Discussion

Our findings highlight important considerations for generating a phenotype for child abuse and neglect using EHR data. First, information-related challenges include lack of proper previous visit history due to limited information exchanges and scattered documentation within EHRs. Second, there are differences in documentation styles by health disciplines, and clinicians tend to document abuse in different document types within EHRs. Finally, documentation can help identify potential racial bias in suspicion of child abuse and neglect by revealing potential discrepancies in quality of care, and in the language used to document abuse and neglect.

Conclusions

Our findings highlight challenges in building an EHR-based risk phenotype for child abuse and neglect. Further research is needed to validate these findings and integrate them into creation of an EHR-based risk phenotype.
Source or Sink? The Role of Residential Host Plants in Asian Citrus Psyllid Infestation of Commercial Citrus Groves
Authors: Sétamou Mamoudou , Tarshis Moreno Aleena , Patt Joseph M
Published: December 2021

Citriculture landscapes in the U.S. are typically habitat mosaics of commercial groves interspersed with residential areas supporting a variety of unmanaged citrus. Diaphorina citri the vector of Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, the causal agent of Huanglongbing feeds on citrus in both habitats. We postulated that residential citrus function as a ‘source’ of D. citri that infest groves, functioning as sinks. Here we report on an experimental mark-release-recapture study conducted at the interface of a residential neighborhood and groves. Adult D. citri marked with colored fluorescent powders were released in both habitats (n = 15,300) and their movement within and between milieus monitored. Although the recapture rate of marked psyllids was very low (0.23%), the results were instructive. Most of the recaptured psyllids in residential trees (84.6%) were released within that habitat. In contrast, approximately half of the marked psyllids recovered in groves were released in residential areas. Of all the recaptured psyllids, about 40% changed habitats, but the change was skewed toward movement from residential to grove habitat. These data strongly suggest that there is a constant exchange of D. citri adults between the two habitats, with residential citrus trees functioning as a source habitat of psyllids. The further the residential trees are located from groves, the less likely they will serve as sources of D. citri. Hence, to reduce the risks of citrus grove colonization by D. citri, new groves should be established away from residential habitats where possible, and psyllid management practices must also be implemented in residential habitats.
Transit timings variations in the three-planet system: TOI-270
Authors: Kaye Laurel , Vissapragada Shreyas , Günther Maximilian N , Aigrain Suzanne , Mikal-Evans Thomas , Jensen Eric L N , Parviainen Hannu , Pozuelos Francisco J , Abe Lyu , Acton Jack S , Agabi Abdelkrim , Alves Douglas R , Anderson David R , Armstrong David J , Barkaoui Khalid , Barragán Oscar , Benneke Björn , Boyd Patricia T , Brahm Rafael , Bruni Ivan , Bryant Edward M , Burleigh Matthew R , Casewell Sarah L , Ciardi David , Cloutier Ryan , Collins Karen A , Collins Kevin I , Conti Dennis M , Crossfield Ian J M , Crouzet Nicolas , Daylan Tansu , Dragomir Diana , Dransfield Georgina , Fabrycky Daniel , Fausnaugh Michael , Fuűrész Gábor , Gan Tianjun , Gill Samuel , Gillon Michaël , Goad Michael R , Gorjian Varoujan , Greklek-McKeon Michael , Guerrero Natalia , Guillot Tristan , Jehin Emmanuël , Jenkins J S , Lendl Monika , Kamler Jacob , Kane Stephen R , Kielkopf John F , Kunimoto Michelle , Marie-Sainte Wenceslas , McCormac James , Mékarnia Djamel , Morales Farisa Y , Moyano Maximiliano , Palle Enric , Parmentier Vivien , Relles Howard M , Schmider François-Xavier , Schwarz Richard P , Seager S , Smith Alexis M S , Tan Thiam-Guan , Taylor Jake , Triaud Amaury H M J , Twicken Joseph D , Udry Stephane , Vines J I , Wang Gavin , Wheatley Peter J , Winn Joshua N
Published: December 2021

We present ground- and space-based photometric observations of TOI-270 (L231-32), a system of three transiting planets consisting of one super-Earth and two sub-Neptunes discovered by TESS around a bright (K-mag = 8.25) M3V dwarf. The planets orbit near low-order mean-motion resonances (5:3 and 2:1) and are thus expected to exhibit large transit timing variations (TTVs). Following an extensive observing campaign using eight different observatories between 2018 and 2020, we now report a clear detection of TTVs for planets c and d, with amplitudes of ∼10 min and a super-period of ∼3 yr, as well as significantly refined estimates of the radii and mean orbital periods of all three planets. Dynamical modelling of the TTVs alone puts strong constraints on the mass ratio of planets c and d and on their eccentricities. When incorporating recently published constraints from radial velocity observations, we obtain masses of $M_{\mathrm{b}}=1.48\pm 0.18\, M_\oplus$, $M_{\mathrm{c}}=6.20\pm 0.31\, M_\oplus$, and $M_{\mathrm{d}}=4.20\pm 0.16\, M_\oplus$ for planets b, c, and d, respectively. We also detect small but significant eccentricities for all three planets : eb = 0.0167 ± 0.0084, ec = 0.0044 ± 0.0006, and ed = 0.0066 ± 0.0020. Our findings imply an Earth-like rocky composition for the inner planet, and Earth-like cores with an additional He/H2O atmosphere for the outer two. TOI-270 is now one of the best constrained systems of small transiting planets, and it remains an excellent target for atmospheric characterization.
IQRM: real-time adaptive RFI masking for radio transient and pulsar searches
Authors: Morello V , Rajwade K M , Stappers B W
Published: December 2021

In a search for short-time-scale astrophysical transients in time-domain data, radio-frequency interference (RFI) causes both large quantities of false positive candidates and a significant reduction in sensitivity if not correctly mitigated. Here, we propose an algorithm that infers a time-variable frequency channel mask directly from short-duration (∼1 s) data blocks: the method consists of computing a spectral statistic that correlates well with the presence of RFI, and then finding high outliers among the resulting values. For the latter task, we propose an outlier detection algorithm called Inter-Quartile Range Mitigation (IQRM), which is both non-parametric and robust to the presence of a trend in sequential data. The method requires no training and can, in principle, adapt to any telescope and RFI environment; its efficiency is shown on data from both the MeerKAT and Lovell 76-m radio telescopes. IQRM is fast enough to be used in a streaming search and has been integrated into the MeerTRAP real-time transient search pipeline. Open-source python and C++ implementations are also provided.
Can tides explain the low dark matter density in Fornax?
Authors: Genina Anna , Read Justin I , Fattahi Azadeh , Frenk Carlos S
Published: December 2021

The low dark matter density in the Fornax dwarf galaxy is often interpreted as being due to the presence of a constant density ‘core’, but it could also be explained by the effects of Galactic tides. The latter interpretation has been disfavoured because it is apparently inconsistent with the orbital parameters and star formation history of Fornax. We revisit these arguments with the help of the APOSTLE cosmological hydrodynamics simulations. We show that simulated dwarfs with similar properties to Fornax are able to form stars after infall, so that star formation is not necessarily a good tracer of infall time. We also examine the constraints on the pericentre of Fornax and point out that small pericentres (<50 kpc) are not currently ruled out by the data, allowing for Fornax to be tidally influenced on its current orbit. Furthermore, we find that some dwarfs with large orbital pericentres can be stripped prior to infall due to interactions with more massive galaxies. Tidal effects lead to a reduction in the dark matter density, while the profile remains cuspy. Navarro–Frenk–White profiles are consistent with the kinematic data within 3σ in the innermost regions, while profiles with shallow cusps or cores provide a better fit. We predict that if the reduction of the dark matter density in Fornax occurs, at least in part, because of the action of Galactic tides, then tidal tails should be visible with a surface brightness limit of ∼35–36 mag arcsec−2 over a survey area of ≳100 deg2.
The MAGIC project – III. Radial and azimuthal Galactic abundance gradients using classical Cepheids
Authors: Kovtyukh V , Lemasle B , Bono G , Usenko I A , da Silva R , Kniazev A , Grebel E K , Andronov I L , Shakun L , Chinarova L
Published: December 2021

Radial abundance gradients provide sound constraints for chemo-dynamical models of galaxies. Azimuthal variations of abundance ratios are solid diagnostics to understand their chemical enrichment. In this paper, we investigate azimuthal variations of abundances in the Milky Way using Cepheids. We provide the detailed chemical composition (25 elements) of 105 Classical Cepheids from high-resolution SALT spectra observed by the MAGIC project. Negative abundance gradients, with abundances decreasing from the inner to the outer disc, have been reported both in the Milky Way and in external galaxies, and our results are in full agreement with literature results. We find azimuthal variations of the oxygen abundance [O/H]. While a large number of external spirals show negligible azimuthal variations, the Milky Way seems to be one of the few galaxies with noticeable [O/H] azimuthal asymmetries. They reach ≈0.2 dex in the inner Galaxy and in the outer disc, where they are the largest, thus supporting similar findings for nearby spiral galaxies, as well as recent 2D chemo-dynamical models.