bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychoactive medication therapy and delirium screening in skilled nursing facilities
Authors: Briesacher Becky A. , Olivieri‐Mui Brianne L. , Koethe Benjamin , Saczynski Jane S. , Fick Donna Marie , Devlin John W. , Marcantonio Edward R.
Published: January 2022

Background

A positive delirium screen at skilled‐nursing facility (SNF) admission can trigger a simultaneous diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia (AD/ADRD) and lead to psychoactive medication treatment despite a lack of evidence supporting use.

Methods

This was a nationwide historical cohort study of 849,086 Medicare enrollees from 2011–2013 who were admitted to the SNF from a hospital without a history of dementia. Delirium was determined through positive Confusion Assessment Method screen and incident AD/ADRD through active diagnosis or claims. Cox proportional hazard models predicted the risk of receiving one of three psychoactive medications (i.e., antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics) within 7 days of SNF admission and within the entire SNF stay.

Results

Of 849,086 newly‐admitted SNF patients (62.6% female, mean age 78), 6.1% had delirium (of which 35.4% received an incident diagnosis of AD/ADRD); 12.6% received antipsychotics, 30.4% benzodiazepines, and 5.8% antiepileptics. Within 7 days of admission, patients with delirium and incident dementia were more likely to receive an antipsychotic (relative risk [RR] 3.09; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.99 to 3.20), or a benzodiazepine (RR 1.23; 95% CI 1.19 to 1.27) than patients without either condition. By the end of the SNF stay, patients with both delirium and incident dementia were more likely to receive an antipsychotic (RR 3.04; 95% CI 2.95 to 3.14) and benzodiazepine (RR 1.32; 95% CI 1.29 to 1.36) than patients without either condition.

Conclusion

In this historical cohort, a positive delirium screen was associated with a higher risk of receiving psychoactive medication within 7 days of SNF admission, particularly in patients with an incident AD/ADRD diagnosis. Future research should examine strategies to reduce inappropriate psychoactive medication prescribing in older adults admitted with delirium to SNFs.
MicroProteins: Dynamic and accurate regulation of protein activity
Authors: Wu Qingqing , Zhong Shangwei , Shi Hui
Published: January 2022

Proteins usually assemble oligomers or high‐order complexes to increase their efficiency and specificity in biological processes. The dynamic equilibrium of complex formation and disruption imposes reversible regulation of protein function. MicroProteins are small, single‐domain proteins that directly bind target protein complexes and disrupt their assembly. Growing evidence shows that microProteins are efficient regulators of protein activity at the post‐translational level. In the last few decades, thousands of plant microProteins have been predicted by computational approaches, but only a few have been experimentally validated. Recent studies highlighted the mechanistic working modes of newly‐identified microProteins in Arabidopsis and other plant species. Here, we review characterized microProteins, including their biological roles, regulatory targets, and modes of action. In particular, we focus on microProtein‐directed allosteric modulation of key components in light signaling pathways, and we summarize the biogenesis and evolutionary trajectory of known microProteins in plants. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of microProteins is an important step towards potential utilization of microProteins as versatile biotechnological tools in crop bioengineering.
Co‐residence beliefs 1973–2018: Older adults feel differently than younger adults
Authors: Patterson Sarah E. , Reyes Adriana M.
Published: January 2022

Objective

This brief study examines support for co‐residence (i.e., aging parents living with their adult children), and how age predicts support for this belief considering the rapidly aging US population.

Background

Co‐residence, a form of intergenerational transfer between family members, can help facilitate care for aging parents as well as help older adults age in the community. Support for this type of co‐residence was on the rise in the 1970s and 1980s.

Method

Support for co‐residence of older adults living with their adult children is estimated using 36,843 responses from the U.S. General Social Survey from 1973 to 2018. Descriptive analyses, logistic regression, and decomposition analyzes are used to test explanatory factors in trends, focusing on differences for older (age 65 and older) versus younger (under 65) respondents.

Results

Older adults are less supportive than younger adults of co‐residence even as support has generally increased across time. Decomposition results show that a little over half of the difference between younger and older adults is explained by cohort replacement, with two‐fifths of the difference unexplained by social or demographic factors.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that although cohort replacement has contributed to an attitude shift over time, important age differences in attitudes remain. Older adults are less supportive of co‐residence than younger adults.
Multicomponent drug Neurexan mitigates acute stress‐induced insomnia in rats
Authors: Davis Christopher J. , Schmidt Michelle A. , Hemmer Kathrin , Krömmelbein Natascha , Seilheimer Bernd
Published: January 2022

The aim of this study was to determine whether the multicomponent drug Neurexan could mitigate acute insomnia after exposure to a psychosocial stressor. We administered Neurexan orally to rats and examined stress‐induced insomnia using the male rat dirty cage exchange method. The neurocircuitry and electrophysiological correlates of the model are characterised, and it represents various human insomnia conditions. Male rats were randomly assigned in a crossover design to six treatment groups and electroencephalography (EEG) electrodes attached. Three groups were exposed to a cage inhabited by another male rat for a week and the other three groups received a clean cage. Prior to cage change, rats were given either no drug, vehicle control or Neurexan. Non‐rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, REM sleep, and waking were assessed manually via EEG recordings. Group means were compared for sleep latency and for the 2 h after cage change for: time in each state, state‐specific episode duration/frequency, in addition to NREM delta, gamma and REM theta EEG spectral power. Rats administered Neurexan fell asleep faster than vehicle‐treated rats and spent less time awake with shorter, albeit more waking episodes and increased NREM episodes after dirty cage exposure. Neurexan‐treated rats given dirty cages were not statistically different on any outcomes from Neurexan‐treated rats given clean cages, thereby mitigating the stressor. In the EEG power spectra analysed, changes between treatment groups were not detected. This research confirms that Neurexan treatment has somnogenic effects and ameliorates psychological stressor‐induced acute insomnia.
Racing‐associated fatalities in Norwegian and Swedish harness racehorses: Incidence rates, risk factors, and principalpostmortemfindings
Authors: Hellings Ingunn Risnes , Skjerve Eystein , Karlstam Erika , Valheim Mette , Ihler Carl Fredrik , Fintl Constanze
Published: January 2022

Background

There are no reports on the number of fatalities or causes of death in the Norwegian and Swedish harness racehorses.

Objectives

The incidence rates (IRs), risk factors, andpostmortemfindings in horses that died or were euthanized associated with racing between 2014 and 2019 were investigated.

Animals

Thirty‐eight Standardbreds and 10Norwegian‐SwedishColdblooded Trotters died or were euthanized associated with racing. A total of 816 085 race‐starts were recorded.

Methods

Incidence rates were calculated for both countries and horse breeds. Risk factors for sudden death were identified using a case‐control logistic model.Postmortemexaminations were performed in 43 horses.

Results

The overall fatality IR was 0.059/1000 race‐starts. Traumatic injuries accounted for 14.5%, while sudden death for 85.5% of fatalities. Only minor differences between countries and breeds were recorded. The number of starts within the last 30 days increased the risk of sudden death (5 starts odds ratio (OR) 228.80, confidence interval (CI) 10.9‐4793). An opposite non‐linear effect was observed in number of starts the last 180 days (>10 starts OR 0.12, CI 0.02‐0.68). Seven horses were euthanized because of catastrophic injury. Acute circulatory collapse because of suspected cardiac or pulmonary failure or both was recorded in 30 horses, while major hemorrhage after vessel rupture was the primary cause of death in 10 cases. One horse collapsed and died but was not submitted for autopsy.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Comparatively low rates of catastrophic orthopedic fatalities were reported, while causes and IR of sudden death were similar to previous studies.
Geographical indications and sustainable development of handicraft communities in developing countries
Authors: Shafi Mohsin
Published: January 2022

This study investigates the potential benefits of geographical indications (GIs) for the sustainable development of handicraft communities in developing countries. The current research also explored the challenges faced by developing countries regarding GI legislation and suggested relevant policies to address the identified problems for the sustainable development of the handicraft communities. This study is exploratory and based on a thorough review of relevant theoretical and empirical literature, including policy documents. Secondary data regarding Handicraft GIs worldwide were utilized to provide empirical evidence of GI legislation's importance for developing countries. This study argues that protected GIs potential benefits include not only social and economic but also cultural and environmental, which previous studies have not explored deeply. Arguably, in the case of handicrafts, besides economic benefits (such as value addition, price premium, quality assurance, increase in sales, and profit), GIs also help in the development of local communities through generating employment opportunities, improving living condition, poverty alleviation, and social cohesion (social benefits). GIs also play a crucial role in promoting, elevating, reinforcing, and preserving cultural traditions (cultural benefit). Finally, GIs also help in biodiversity and sustainable use of raw materials (environmental benefit). This study also underlined key challenges regarding GI legislation in developing countries.
Epiphytic fungal communities vary by substrate type and at submetre spatial scales
Authors: Cook Kel , Sharma Jyotsna , Taylor Andrew D. , Herriott Ian , Taylor D. Lee
Published: January 2022

Fungal species have numerous important environmental functions. Where these functions occur will depend on how fungi are spatially distributed, but the spatial structures of fungal communities are largely unknown, especially in understudied hyperdiverse tropical tree canopy systems. Here we explore fungal communities in a Costa Rican tropical rainforest canopy, with a focus on local‐scale spatial structure and substrate specificity of fungi. Samples of ~1 cm3 were collected from 135 points along five adjacent tree branches, with intersample distances from 1 to 800 cm, and dissected into four substrates: outer host tree bark, inner bark, dead bryophytes and living bryophytes. We sequenced the ITS2 region to characterize total fungal communities. Fungal community composition and diversity varied among substrate types, even when multiple substrates were in direct contact. Fungi were most diverse in living bryophytes, with 39% of all operational taxonomic units (OTUs) found exclusively in this substrate, and the least diverse in inner bark. Fungal communities had significant positive spatial autocorrelation and distance decay of similarity only at distances less than 1 m. Similarity among samples declined by half in less than 10 cm, and even at these short distances, similarities were low with few OTUs shared among samples. These results indicate that community turnover is high and occurs at very small spatial scales, with any two locations sharing very few fungi in common. High heterogeneity of fungal communities in space and among substrates may have implications for the distributions, population dynamics and diversity of other tree canopy organisms, including epiphytic plants.
Toward a general unsupervised novelty detection framework in structural health monitoring
Authors: Soleimani‐Babakamali Mohammad Hesam , Sepasdar Reza , Nasrollahzadeh Kourosh , Lourentzou Ismini , Sarlo Rodrigo
Published: January 2022

This study proposes an unsupervised, online structural health monitoring framework robust to the sensor configuration, that is, the number and placement of sensors. The proposed methodology leverages generative adversarial networks (GANs). The GAN's discriminator network is the novelty detector, while its generator provides additional data to tune the detection threshold. GAN models are trained with the fast Fourier transform of structural accelerations as input, avoiding the need for any structure‐specific feature extraction. Dense, convolutional (convolutional neural network), and long short‐term memory (LSTM) units are evaluated as discriminators under different GAN training loss patterns, that is, the differences between discriminator and generator training losses. Results show that the LSTM‐based discriminators and the suggested threshold tuning technique to be robust even in loss patterns with overfitted discriminators, a probable outcome of limited training sets. The framework is evaluated on two benchmark datasets. With only 100 s of training data, it achieved 95% novelty detection accuracy, distinguishing between different damage classes and identifying their resurgence under varying sensor configurations. Finally, the majority‐vote‐ensemble of discriminator‐generator pairs at different training epochs is introduced to reduce false alarms, improve novelty detection accuracy and stability.
Correlates of Contemporary Gender Preference for Children in South Korea
Authors: Seo Giyeon , Koropeckyj‐Cox Tanya , Kim Sanghag
Published: January 2022

This study explores gender preference for children in South Korea, where a strong, traditional son preference has recently shifted to a greater preference for daughters or no preference. Using data from the 2008 Panel Study on Korean Children (PSKC; N = 1,836) and 2012 Korean General Social Survey (KGSS; N = 1,355), we examined social and attitudinal correlates of child gender preference, including kinship patterns, perceived prospects for the future, and attitudes about the value of children, including potentially gendered expectations. Logistic regressions of child gender preference showed that mothers receiving support from maternal grandparents reported lower son preference (PSKC). Attitudes about both the instrumental (social, economic) and emotional value of children were also related to son preference. In the KGSS, individuals who preferred sons reported more traditional gender attitudes, positive future prospects, and greater expectations of help in old age and were more likely to be men, older, rural, or Buddhist. There were few differences between those who favored a daughter compared to no preference. Overall, the decline in son preference appears to reflect shifts in intergenerational relations and societal changes that have redefined the meaning and value of children in the context of economic uncertainties, very low fertility, and population aging.
QTL mapping, whole genome resequencing, and marker‐assisted selection provide basics of early flowering in pumpkin
Authors: Abbas Hafiz Muhammad Khalid , Zhou Yang Yang , Huang He Xun , Qamar Muhammad Tahir ul , Wang Man Man , Lu Sen , Xu Congping , Liu Zhanshu , Wu Ting Quan , Zhong Yu Juan
Published: January 2022

Finding the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and uncovering the genes controlling early flowering in pumpkin are the basic needs to select appropriate varieties for cultivation. Two QTLs related to first female flowering node (FFFN) and four QTLs related to first male flowering node (FMFN) were detected based on high‐density genetic map of pumpkin. Based on annotation information, two candidate genes, flowering locus T‐like protein (FLT) associated with FFFN on chr10 and flowering locus T‐like 2 (FLT2) associated with FMFN on chr11, were identified which were the homologues of flowering time switching gene, flowering Locus T (FT), in different crops. Seven different insertion–deletions (InDels) in promoter regions of FLT and FLT2 were identified by the analysis of wholegenome resequencing data of parental lines. Our results suggested that FLT and FLT2 are candidate genes for controlling FFFN and FMFN traits in pumpkin, respectively. Two insertion–deletion molecular markers were developed to distinguish the lower flowering node F2 individuals. This research will provide the theoretical and practical basis for the selection and cultivation of early flowering pumpkin varieties.
A queueing‐theoretic framework for evaluating transmission risks in service facilities during a pandemic
Authors: Kang Kang , Doroudi Sherwin , Delasay Mohammad , Wickeham Alexander
Published: January 2022

We propose a new modeling framework for evaluating the risk of disease transmission during a pandemic in small‐scale settings driven by stochasticity in the arrival and service processes, that is, congestion‐prone confined‐space service facilities. We propose a novel metric, system‐specific basic reproduction rate, inspired by the “basic reproduction rate” concept from epidemiology, which measures the transmissibility of infectious diseases. We derive our metric for various queueing models of service facilities by leveraging a novel queueing‐theoretic notion: sojourn time overlaps. We showcase how our metric can be used to explore the efficacy of a variety of interventions aimed at curbing the spread of disease inside service facilities. Specifically, we focus on some prevalent interventions employed during the COVID‐19 pandemic: limiting the occupancy of service facilities, protecting high‐risk customers (via prioritization or designated time windows), and increasing the service speed (or limiting patronage duration). We discuss a variety of directions for adapting our transmission model to incorporate some more nuanced features of disease transmission, including heterogeneity in the population immunity level, varying levels of mask usage, and spatial considerations in disease transmission.
Mitigating Psychological Costs—The Role of Citizens’ Administrative Literacy and Social Capital
Authors: Döring Matthias , Madsen Jonas Krogh
Published: January 2022

A key claim in the administrative burden framework is that citizens do not experience interactions with public programs as equally burdensome. Existing research has argued that citizens' generic human capital may influence the severity of these experiences. In this article, we argue that a specific form of human capital specific to interactions with public programs—administrative literacy—affects the psychological costs recipients are facing. Specifically, we propose that administrative literacy is positively associated with autonomy maintenance in the face of burdensome rules, and that autonomy maintenance is negatively associated with stress. In doing so, we investigate a theoretically founded differentiation of psychological costs. We test these propositions using structural equation modeling on a unique survey of 915 unemployment insurance recipients in Denmark. The findings support our arguments, suggesting that accumulation or training of program‐specific human capital may help recipients to cope with the strains of unemployment.
Epiphytism, diseases and grazing in seaweed aquaculture: A comprehensive review
Authors: Behera Durga Prasad , Ingle Kapilkumar N. , Mathew Doniya Elze , Dhimmar Asmita , Sahastrabudhe Harshal , Sahu Sunil Kumar , Krishnan M. Gobala , Shinde Pramod. B. , Ganesan M. , Mantri Vaibhav. A.
Published: January 2022

Seaweeds are macroscopic forms of phylogenetically diverse assemblage of marine algae that grow in oceans, thriving among profoundly harsh environmental conditions. They are cultivated in many maritime nations primarily for edible applications; besides hydrocolloid extraction is the second largest domain of utility for this renewable biomass. The farming practices have been traditionally evolved in different Southeast Asian countries. Nevertheless, advancement in the knowledge about their life‐history traits and control over reproduction has paved ways for commencement of large‐scale commercial farming. Food and Agriculture Organisation of United Nations reported the availability of 35.8 million tons of seaweed biomass globally of which 97% accounted for farming. Although cultivation is on the rise due to relevant to social gains, epiphytic infestation, diseases and grazing have been identified as leading causes that result in substantially lower yield, deteriorated quality of product and skewed economics. Epiphytes may considerably impact the interaction of seaweed hosts with other beneficial communities also. Epidemiological studies in natural seaweed populations are scarce and this makes the understanding of the cross‐talk involving host specificity, and their role obscure. An overview of the diversity of epiphytes, understanding of mechanism of action, factors responsible, chemistry behind their interaction will help in deciphering the solutions to overcome infestation. A comprehensive report of seaweed epiphytism, diseases and grazing from the aspects of host–epiphyte interaction and their resultant consequences is presented along with the studies on economic impacts. The role of multi‐omics approaches in delineating seaweed epiphytic interactions is also included.
The Changing Landscape of Affordable Housing in the Rural and Urban United States, 1990–2016*
Authors: Brooks Matthew M.
Published: January 2022

Affordable housing has declined in recent decades, yet limited research has examined the demographic and economic changes influencing place‐level affordability—especially outside of large metros. In this study I examine the effects of county‐level population growth and decline, population aging, and natural amenity development on rates of affordable housing, income, and housing costs across four types of counties. While declines in affordability from 1990 to 2016 were universal between rural and urban counties, population growth is associated with decreases in affordability in rural counties but increased affordability in large metros counties due to estimated decreases in housing costs. Population aging is estimated to improve affordability in large and small metro counties, despite the associated decrease in income and housing costs across all county types. The effects of aging vary greatly between owners and renters. Natural amenity development, despite its theoretical importance, is not associated with changes in affordability for rural counties.
The necrotrophic effector ToxA from Parastagonospora nodorum interacts with wheat NHL proteins to facilitate Tsn1‐mediated necrosis
Authors: Dagvadorj Bayantes , Outram Megan A. , Williams Simon J. , Solomon Peter S.
Published: January 2022

The plant pathogen Parastagonospora nodorum secretes necrotrophic effectors to promote disease. These effectors induce cell death on wheat cultivars carrying dominant susceptibility genes in an inverse gene‐for‐gene manner. However, the molecular mechanisms underpinning these interactions and resulting cell death remain unclear. Here, we used a yeast two‐hybrid library approach to identify wheat proteins that interact with the necrotrophic effector ToxA. Using this strategy, we identified an interaction between ToxA and a wheat transmembrane NDR/HIN1‐like protein (TaNHL10) and confirmed the interaction using in planta co‐immunoprecipitation and confocal microscopy co‐localization analysis. We showed that the C‐terminus of TaNHL10 is extracellular whilst the N‐terminus is localized in the cytoplasm. Further analyses using yeast two‐hybrid and confocal microscopy co‐localization showed that ToxA interacts with the C‐terminal LEA2 extracellular domain of TaNHL10. Random mutagenesis was then used to identify a ToxA mutant, ToxAN109D, which was unable to interact with TaNHL10 in yeast two‐hybrid assays. Subsequent heterologous expression and purification of ToxAN109D in Nicotiania benthamiana revealed that the mutated protein was unable to induce necrosis on Tsn1‐dominant wheat cultivars, confirming that the interaction of ToxA with TaNHL10 is required to induce cell death. Collectively, these data advance our understanding on how ToxA induces cell death during infection and further highlight the importance of host cell surface interactions in necrotrophic pathosystems.
Phosphate‐induced resistance to pathogen infection in Arabidopsis
Authors: Val‐Torregrosa Beatriz , Bundó Mireia , Martín‐Cardoso Héctor , Bach‐Pages Marcel , Chiou Tzyy‐Jen , Flors Victor , Segundo Blanca San
Published: January 2022

In nature, plants are concurrently exposed to a number of abiotic and biotic stresses. Our understanding of convergence points between responses to combined biotic/abiotic stress pathways remains, however, rudimentary. Here we show that MIR399 overexpression, loss‐of‐function of PHOSPHATE2 (PHO2), or treatment with high phosphate (Pi) levels is accompanied by an increase in Pi content and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Arabidopsis thaliana. High Pi plants (e.g., miR399 overexpressors, pho2 mutants, and plants grown under high Pi supply) exhibited resistance to infection by necrotrophic and hemibiotrophic fungal pathogens. In the absence of pathogen infection, the expression levels of genes in the salicylic acid (SA)‐ and jasmonic acid (JA)‐dependent signaling pathways were higher in high Pi plants compared to wild‐type plants grown under control conditions, which is consistent with increased levels of SA and JA in non‐infected high Pi plants. During infection, an opposite regulation in the two branches of the JA pathway (ERF1/PDF1.2 and MYC2/VSP2) occurs in high Pi plants. Thus, while pathogen infection induces PDF1.2 expression in miR399 OE and pho2 plants, VSP2 expression is downregulated by pathogen infection in these plants. This study supports the notion that Pi accumulation promotes resistance to infection by fungal pathogens in Arabidopsis, while providing a basis to better understand interactions between Pi signaling and hormonal signaling pathways for modulation of plant immune responses.
Recognition of Distributed Combustion Regime From Deep Learning
Authors: Roy Rishi , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: January 2022

Swirl-assisted distributed combustion was examined using a deep-learning framework. High intensity distributed combustion was fostered from a 5.72 MW/m3 atm thermal intensity swirl combustor (with methane fuel at equivalence ratio 0.9) by diluting the flowfield with carbon dioxide. Dilution of the flowfield caused reduction of global oxygen (%) content of the inlet mixture from 21% to 16% (in distributed combustion). The adiabatic flame temperature gradually reduced, resulting in decreased flame luminosity and increased flame thermal field uniformity. Gradual reduction of flame chemiluminescence was captured using high-speed imaging without any spectral filtering at different oxygen concentration (%) levels to gather the data input. Convolutional neural network (CNN) was developed from these images (with 85% of total data used for training and 15% for testing) for flames at O2 = 16%, 18%, 19%, and 21%. Hyperparameters were varied to optimize the model. New flame images at O2 = 20% and 17% were introduced to verify the image recognition capability of the trained model in terms of training image data. The results showed good promise of developed deep-learning-based convolutional neural network or machine learning neural network for efficient and effective recognition of the distributed combustion regime.
Mechanics of Distortion of Incident Signals Due to Screw Threads in a Tensile Split-Hopkinson Bar
Authors: Pant S. , Tamboli S. , Khaderi S. N.
Published: January 2022

A common method of generating a tensile wave in Split-Hopkinson bar experiments is to impact a hollow striker on an anvil/collar attached to the incident bar. When the anvil/collar is attached to the incident bar using screw threads, the incident signals usually deviate from the classical trapezoidal form. In order to minimize this deviation, it is a common practice to sufficiently tighten these threads. However, the fundamental reasons for (i) the signal distortion when the threads are not tightened and (ii) how the distortion is eliminated or minimized on tightening are lacking. For a given diameter of the incident bar, the parameters of the thread that govern the incident signals are its pitch and backlash between the mating threads. The effect of these two parameters is investigated using the finite element method. The finite element results show that in the absence of a backlash, the incident signals obtained from a collar that is integral to the incident bar and a collar that is attached by screw threads are practically identical. When threaded collars are used, the pitch of the screw threads does not influence the incident wave. However, the backlash leads to a dramatic distortion of the incident signals under certain conditions. Insights from the finite element analysis are used to develop a one-dimensional analytical model that explains the distortion of the incident signals. The model is also validated against experiments.
Effect of Al2O3 Nanoparticles as Reinforcement on the Wear Properties of A356/Al2O3 Nanocomposites Produced by Powder Metallurgy
Authors: Sunar Talha , Özyürek Dursun
Published: January 2022

In this study, microstructure and wear properties of A356 aluminum matrix nanocomposites reinforced with nano-Al2O3 particles were investigated. The powder metallurgy method was used for the production of 1 wt% and 2 wt% nano-Al2O3 particle reinforced nanocomposites. After 1 h of mechanical milling of A356 and nano-Al2O3 powders, green compacts were obtained by cold pressing. Green compacts were sintered at 550 °C in a vacuum environment (10−6 mbar) for 1 h. Samples were characterized by density, hardness measurements, scanning electron microscopy investigations, and wear tests. As the reinforcement ratio increased, there was a decrease in the densities of the nanocomposites, as well as an increase in the porosity. The highest hardness and the lowest weight loss values were obtained in 1 wt% Al2O3 reinforced nanocomposites. A decrease in hardness was measured at 2 wt% Al2O3 reinforced nanocomposites.
Prognostics of Gear Manufacturing Errors for Planetary Gear Systems Based on Power Flow Theory
Authors: Zhan Zhaobin , Liu Hui , Feeny Brian F. , Wang Zhen , Xie Yunkun
Published: January 2022

Gear manufacturing errors are key parameters in planetary gear trains and have effects on load sharing, tooth stress, and so on. Accurate estimation of manufacturing errors can help monitor the conditions of planetary gear systems. This study investigates the dynamic response sensitivity to model parameters for a nonlinear single-stage planetary gear set with coupled lateral and torsional motions. Power flow theory is introduced to assess the gear vibration and the parameter sensitivity. The response sensitivity equations are deduced with the direct method (DM). The influence of the rotating speed is considered in the sensitivity analysis. Then, the identifiability of the parameter estimation is investigated based on the sensitivity results. The Gauss-Newton method is applied to estimate the manufacturing errors. Gear meshing is a primary factor in gear vibration, so the sensitivities of its vibration power to the parameters are analyzed in this paper. The estimated results are accurate when the collected data contain a lower noise signal. The sensitivity and parameter estimation make it possible to provide support for the design and diagnosis of a planetary gear set.
Investigating and improving student understanding of the basics for a system of identical particles
Authors: Keebaugh Christof , Marshman Emily , Singh Chandralekha
Published: January 2022

We discuss an investigation of students' difficulties with systems of non-interacting identical particles. The investigation was carried out in advanced quantum mechanics courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels by administering free-response and multiple-choice questions and conducting individual interviews with students. This research on student difficulties was used as a guide to develop and evaluate a Quantum Interactive Learning Tutorial (QuILT) that helps students develop a functional understanding of the concepts necessary for determining the many-particle Hamiltonian and stationary state wavefunctions for a system of non-interacting identical particles.
Illustrations of loosely bound and resonant states in atomic nuclei
Authors: Dassie A. C. , Gerdau F. , Gonzalez F. J. , Moyano M. , Id Betan R. M.
Published: January 2022

Using the one-dimensional potential well with realistic parameters for atomic nuclei, we illustrate the movement of the poles of the S-matrix and the transmission coefficient when the well supports an anti-bound state. We calculate the phase shift of the atomic nuclei 5He using the three-dimensional potential well and compare it with the experimental one. The paper gives an introduction to some of the properties found in realistic loosely bound and resonant nuclear systems, using mathematics accessible to undergraduate students.
A classical analog for defects in quantum band formation
Authors: Francisco Paolo , Cobb Tadan , Hilbert Shawn A. , Carr Scott
Published: January 2022

When many individual atoms come together to form a solid, their interaction splits their electronic energy levels to form continuous bands separated by forbidden energy ranges known as band gaps. Introducing defects in a solid results in new electron energy levels that may lie inside the bandgaps. The presence of these defect levels is the heart of the semiconductor-based devices that play a significant role in the modern world. Quantum mechanics provides the best description of interacting atoms. However, band formation is not unique to small-scale atomic interactions but rather is a result of the wave-nature of Schrödinger's equation, which governs quantum mechanics. Using oscillations in a mass-spring system, we present a table-top, classical analog to the quantum system illustrating how defects in a one-dimensional lattice produce changes to the band structure. A pair of masses connected by a spring plays the role of a single atom. Interactions between “atoms” are introduced with weak coupling springs producing two distinct frequency bands from the translational and fundamental modes. Defects are introduced by altering an oscillator pair's total mass or internal spring constant. We provide the theoretical groundwork and experimental verification of the model along with a discussion of the value and limitations of the model as a macroscopic tool to visualize the microscopic world.
Subtle features in projectile motion with quadratic drag found through Taylor series expansions
Authors: Corvo Antonio
Published: January 2022

Many attempts have been made at finding the trajectory for the projectile problem with quadratic drag. However, no complete analytical solution is possible due to the nonlinear coupling between differential equations describing the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) velocity components that result in the final trajectory solution, y = f(x). Over the years, a number of approximate analytical methods, including Taylor series expansions, have been applied to the problem. However, whereas prior works expanded Vx by assuming Vx = Vx(t), the expansion here is based on the faster converging 1/Vx(t), whose reciprocal better captures the monotonically decreasing nature of Vx.
Time-Frequency analysis of acoustic signals from tyre-pavement interaction
Authors: Radhika B , Pannala Vishala , Singh Sudhanshu , Sundar Sriram , Biligiri Krishna Prapoorna
Published: January 2022

The acoustic responses of a dynamical system reflect the characteristics of the external excitation and vibrating system. The objective in an identification problem is to characterise the system and excitation from the measured responses. This becomes challenging if the characteristics of the dynamical system are time-varying. The analysis of the acoustic signal generated as a result of the tyre-pavement interaction (TPI) is one such situation, where in order to study the time-varying nature there is a need to obtain the characteristics of the instantaneous response. This study explores the single frequency filtering analysis of signals to examine the time-varying characteristics of tyre-pavement interaction noise (TPIN). Field measurements of TPI acoustic signals were obtained for a two-wheeler driven at different speeds on asphalt and cement concrete pavements. The time-frequency characteristics of the tyre tread impact and of the air cavity resonances are analysed by investigating the effect of vehicular speed and pavement type on TPIN. The specific features of TPIN such as the harmonics due to periodic tread impact and the frequency response due to resonances of the air cavities are examined in detail. The analysis presented in this paper will be useful in developing methods for health monitoring of tyre and pavement systems.
Enzymatic transfer of acetate on histones from lysine reservoir sites to lysine activating sites
Authors: Mendoza Mariel , Egervari Gabor , Sidoli Simone , Donahue Greg , Alexander Desi C. , Sen Payel , Garcia Benjamin A. , Berger Shelley L.
Published: January 2022

Histone acetylation is governed by nuclear acetyl-CoA pools generated, in part, from local acetate by metabolic enzyme acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2). We hypothesize that during gene activation, a local transfer of intact acetate occurs via sequential action of epigenetic and metabolic enzymes. Using stable isotope labeling, we detect transfer between histone acetylation sites both in vitro using purified mammalian enzymes and in vivo using quiescence exit in
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
as a change-of-state model. We show that Acs2, the yeast ortholog of ACSS2, is recruited to chromatin during quiescence exit and observe dynamic histone acetylation changes proximal to Acs2 peaks. We find that Acs2 is preferentially associated with the most up-regulated genes, suggesting that acetyl group transfer plays an important role in gene activation. Overall, our data reveal direct transfer of acetate between histone lysine residues to facilitate rapid transcriptional induction, an exchange that may be critical during changes in nutrient availability.
Layer-resolved release of epitaxial layers in III-V heterostructure via a buffer-free mechanical separation technique
Authors: Park Honghwi , Won Heungsup , Lim Changhee , Zhang Yuxuan , Han Won Seok , Bae Sung-Bum , Lee Chang-Ju , Noh Yeho , Lee Junyeong , Lee Jonghyung , Jung Sunghwan , Choi Muhan , Lee Sunghwan , Park Hongsik
Published: January 2022

Layer-release techniques for producing freestanding III-V epitaxial layers have been actively developed for heterointegration of single-crystalline compound semiconductors with Si platforms. However, for the release of target epitaxial layers from III-V heterostructures, it is required to embed a mechanically or chemically weak sacrificial buffer beneath the target layers. This requirement severely limits the scope of processable materials and their epi-structures and makes the growth and layer-release process complicated. Here, we report that epitaxial layers in commonly used III-V heterostructures can be precisely released with an atomic-scale surface flatness via a buffer-free separation technique. This result shows that heteroepitaxial interfaces of a normal lattice-matched III-V heterostructure can be mechanically separated without a sacrificial buffer and the target interface for separation can be selectively determined by adjusting process conditions. This technique of selective release of epitaxial layers in III-V heterostructures will provide high fabrication flexibility in compound semiconductor technology.
Identifying the positive role of lithium hydride in stabilizing Li metal anodes
Authors: Zhang Hongyu , Ju Shunlong , Xia Guanglin , Yu Xuebin
Published: January 2022

Lithium hydride has been widely identified as the major component of the solid-electrolyte interphase of Li metal batteries (LMBs), but is often regarded as being detrimental to the stabilization of LMBs. Here, we identify the positive and important role of LiH in promoting fast diffusion of Li ions by building a unique three-dimensional (3D) Li metal anode composed of LiMg alloys uniformly confined into graphene-supported LiH nanoparticles. The built-in electric field at the interface between LiH with high Li ion conductivity and LiMg alloys effectively boosts Li diffusion kinetics toward favorable Li plating into lithiophilic LiMg alloys through the surface of LiH. Therefore, the diffusion coefficient of Li ions of the thus-formed 3D structured Li metal anode is 10 times higher than the identical anode without the presence of LiH, and it exhibits a long cycle life of over 1200 hours at 3 mA cm
−2
under 5 mA hour cm
−2
.
Injectable bottlebrush hydrogels with tissue-mimetic mechanical properties
Authors: Vashahi Foad , Martinez Michael R. , Dashtimoghadam Erfan , Fahimipour Farahnaz , Keith Andrew N. , Bersenev Egor A. , Ivanov Dimitri A. , Zhulina Ekaterina B. , Popryadukhin Pavel , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof , Vatankhah-Varnosfaderani Mohammad , Sheiko Sergei S.
Published: January 2022

Injectable hydrogels are desired in many biomedical applications due to their minimally invasive deployment to the body and their ability to introduce drugs. However, current injectables suffer from mechanical mismatch with tissue, fragility, water expulsion, and high viscosity. To address these issues, we design brush-like macromolecules that concurrently provide softness, firmness, strength, fluidity, and swellability. The synthesized linear-bottlebrush-linear (LBL) copolymers facilitate improved injectability as the compact conformation of bottlebrush blocks results in low solution viscosity, while the thermoresponsive linear blocks permit prompt gelation at 37°C. The resulting hydrogels mimic the deformation response of supersoft tissues such as adipose and brain while withstanding deformations of 700% and precluding water expulsion upon gelation. Given their low cytotoxicity and mild inflammation in vivo, the developed materials will have vital implications for reconstructive surgery, tissue engineering, and drug delivery applications.
Supplemental Material: Oligocene onset of uplift and inversion of the Cascadia forearc basin, southern Oregon Coast Range, USA
Authors: Darin Michael H. , al. et
Published: January 2022

Expanded methods, Figures S1–S6, sample information, and detrital zircon U-Pb analytical data.
Fifteen-minute consultation: Management of paediatric minor burns
Authors: McAlister Peter , Hagan Gary , Lowry Christopher , Mullen Stephen
Published: January 2022

Burn injuries are a common presentation to the paediatric emergency department (PED) and are painful, distressing and may have long-term sequelae. In adhering to the first aid principles of burns management, we aim to alleviate pain, prevent bacterial contamination and minimise the extent of injury. First aid involves cooling the burn and covering with an appropriate material while simultaneously providing analgesia. Assessing the severity (depth and total body surface area) of the burn are important for prognostication with implications for management. It is imperative to consider non-accidental injury in burns, which be present in 10% of cases .
Thyroid teratoma in a newborn
Authors: Roscamp Joseph , Balasubramanian Sabapathy , Gupta Sanjeev L
Published: January 2022

A newborn girl presenting with respiratory distress soon after birth was found to have a neck mass and required transfer to a paediatric intensive care unit with neonatal expertise. She subsequently underwent endoscopic airway assessment with microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy proceeding to open excision of the lesion in the right thyroid lobe on day thirteen of life, resulting in resolution of airway compromise and complete pathological clearance. The baby was discharged 10 days after surgery. Histology confirmed a thyroid teratoma. At 12 months, the child was thriving with no evidence of recurrence. This case illustrates a rare but serious diagnosis that, if not managed in a timely manner, can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
Disseminated histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient with COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Perez Del Nogal Genesis , Mata Andres , Ernest Prince , Salinas Ivania
Published: January 2022

Disseminated histoplasmosis is usually associated with immunosuppressive conditions like AIDS. People with respiratory distress syndrome secondary to SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia are vulnerable to bacterial infections. Additionally, coinfection with fungal pathogens should be considered as a differential diagnosis even in immunocompetent patients who remain on mechanical ventilation secondary to COVID-19. The case presents a 61-year-old immunocompetent man, admitted to the medical ward due to COVID-19 pneumonia. Despite appropriate therapy, the patient required transfer to the intensive care unit for invasive mechanical ventilation. He remained critically ill with worsening respiratory failure. Two weeks later, coinfection by disseminated histoplasmosis was detected. After immediate treatment with amphotericin B and itraconazole, the patient tolerated weaning from mechanical ventilation until extubation. Awareness of this possible fungal coinfection in immunocompetent patients is essential to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment, and prevent severe illness and death.
Biological and sociocultural determinants of increased blood pressure among women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus in rural China: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Guo Jia , Lv Wencong , Jiang Shan , Tang Yujia , Long Qing , Yang Jundi , Wiley James Allen , Parry Monica
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) increases the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular events among mothers later in life. This risk has not been well recognised by healthcare professionals in rural China. Our objectives were to (1) describe the proportion of rural women with increased blood pressure and a history of GDM; and (2) explore the biological and sociocultural factors associated with increased blood pressure.

Design

A retrospective cohort study using data from a cross-sectional survey.

Setting

Data were collected in two county-level hospitals in the central south of China between November 2017 and June 2018.

Participants

Postpartum women aged >18 years with a history of GDM (N=397).

Methods

Biological and sociocultural variables were examined. We used bivariate analyses to examine the associations between time since delivery and 2-hour postload glucose, and logistic regression to determine the biological and sociocultural factors associated with increased postpartum blood pressure.

Results

Approximately 20% (n=78) of women had increased blood pressure, defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥130 mm Hg and/or a diastolic blood pressure ≥85 mm Hg. The biological factors of advanced age, family history of hypertension and abnormal 2-hour postload plasma glucose levels were positively associated with increased blood pressure (p<0.05). General self-efficacy was the only sociocultural factor negatively associated with increased blood pressure (p<0.05).

Conclusions

One in five rural Chinese postpartum women with a history of GDM were found to have increased blood pressure. Biological and sociocultural factors were associated with increased postpartum blood pressure; women with lower general self-efficacy were more likely to have increased blood pressure. Disseminating knowledge about the high risk of developing increased blood pressure among women with prior GDM in rural China is indicated. Diabetes prevention programmes could consider adding general self-efficacy promotion strategies in this population.