bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tuning the cathode/solid electrolyte interface for high‐performance solid‐state Na‐ion batteries
Authors: Thirupathi Raghunayakula , Sharma Saurabh , Bhattacharyya Sandipan , Omar Shobit
Published: August 2024

This study examines and compares the impact of various interfacial modification strategies in optimizing the contact resistance between the rigid ceramic electrolyte and cathode active material (AM) in solid‐state sodium‐ion batteries (SSBs). All the cells are fabricated using Na3.1V2P2.9Si0.1O12, Na3.456Mg0.128Zr1.872Si2.2P0.8O12, and Na as a cathode AM, solid electrolyte (SE) and anode, respectively. The AM/SE interface is modified by (1) wetting the interface with organic liquid electrolyte (LE), (2) slurry casting and sintering a thin layer of composite cathode, and (3) infiltrating AM precursors inside the porous SE structure followed by drying and sintering. Despite exhibiting a stable cyclability performance, the SSBs prepared using the LE modification and composite cathode approach possess a low AM loading of < 1 mg·cm−2. On the other hand, the SSBs with infiltrated‐cathode exhibit a superior discharge capacity of ∼ 102 mAh·g−1 at 0.2C and less than 5% capacity fading after 50 cycles at room temperature. Notably, these cells contain a high AM loading of 2.12 mg·cm−2. The microstructural analysis reveals the presence of AM particles inside the pores of the porous SE, allowing for the efficient insertion/removal of sodium ions. The porous scaffold of SE not only provides continuous sodium‐ion conduction pathways inside the cathode structure but also renders stability by accommodating stress induced by volume change during repeated cycling. The outcomes of this work demonstrate the effectiveness of the wet‐chemical infiltration technique in improving the AM loading and storage capacity performance of SSBs working at 25°C.
Design, development and testing of BodoRao—A markerless augmented reality application for endangered language in primary education
Authors: Basumatary Dipali , Maity Ranjan
Published: August 2024

Background

Augmented reality can provide a 3D virtual experience, widely used in modern education. However, the impact of these applications on the underdeveloped tribal community has yet to be investigated. To our knowledge, no markerless augmented reality application has been developed especially for learning the language of the Bodo tribe. Therefore, we have developed a markerless augmented reality application—BodoRao to teach the alphabet and numerals of the Bodo tribal language.

Objective

This study aims to assess the usability and efficacy of the BodoRao application. To investigate how augmented reality apps affect students' academic achievement in language acquisition. Also, assess the students' attitude towards using an augmented reality application.

Method

A mixed‐method approach that combined quantitative and qualitative methods was used to gather the data. A total of 80 students drawn from two user groups: native speakers and non‐native speakers were evaluated, to determine if the BodoRao application can benefit a variety of speakers. Furthermore, from each of the user groups, experimental and control groups were formed. The experimental group used an augmented reality application to learn while the control group studied using a traditional textbook. Eight teachers were also interviewed to get their opinions on the BodoRao application.

Results and Conclusion

The findings found a significant difference in the achievement test results between the experimental and control groups for both native and non‐native users. Students' positive attitudes toward the application were also observed, as represented by their high application satisfaction, low anxiety and readiness for use. Additionally, it was observed that there was a positive and significant correlation between the academic achievements and attitudes of native and non‐native students in the experimental group.
Factors affecting deep learning of EFL students in higher vocational colleges under small private online courses‐based settings: A grounded theory approach
Authors: Jiang Liping , Lv Menglei , Cheng Mengmeng , Chen Xia , Peng Changhong
Published: August 2024

Background

The introduction of Small Private Online Courses (SPOCs) in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) instruction at Higher Vocational Colleges (HVCs) signifies a shift in education. Understanding the factors that affect deep learning in this SPOC context is crucial for improving educational outcomes.

Objectives

By employing grounded theory, we seek to explore the key factors that shape deep learning experiences for students in SPOC learning environments at HVCs and clarify the interrelationships among these influencing factors.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 18 EFL students and 4 teachers and NVivo 11 software was utilised to aid in the qualitative analysis of the collected data. Through a rigorous three‐tier coding analysis, an “environment‐person‐mediation ‐behaviour” (EPMB) model was constructed, aiming to clarify the mechanisms that influence deep learning among EFL students in HVCs.

Results

Our findings reveal that intrinsic motivation and cognitive abilities are crucial for deep learning among EFL students in HVCs. Blended learning settings, English curriculum satisfaction, and English teachers' teaching methods serve as situational influencing factors. These factors are interconnected, mediating positive or negative effects on deep learning through various intermediaries like continuity, attraction, guidance, motivation, and regulation.

Implications

The findings offer pedagogical insights for HVC stakeholders, enabling them to enhance students' deep learning experiences.
The impact of changing disclosure requirements, competition, and private capital on firm exit methods and premiums
Authors: Brau James C. , Sutton Ninon K. , Zheng Qiancheng
Published: August 2024

Changing disclosure requirements and the evolution of US markets in the 21st century have created historic shifts in the exit strategies and payoffs for private firms. The propensity to sell to an acquirer has dominated firm exits in recent decades, especially for smaller private firms in highly concentrated industries. Exceptions to the merger exit preference are venture capital‐backed firms, which exhibit an enduring preference for IPOs, likely due to the reputation effects associated with this strategy. While the premium for IPO exits has exceeded that for M&A exits in the past, we document a reversal in this pricing trend: in more recent years firms that sell out earn higher risk‐adjusted premiums than firms that conduct IPOs. Our empirical tests examine potential drivers of this effect. We believe we are the first to document this reversal in the economics of the exit decision.
Gestational diabetes mellitus management according to ultrasound fetal growth versus strict glycemic treatment in singleton pregnancies: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials
Authors: Fernández‐Alonso Ana M. , Monterrosa‐Blanco Angélica , Monterrosa‐Castro Álvaro , Pérez‐López Faustino R.
Published: August 2024

Aim

The objective of this meta‐analysis was to evaluate obstetric outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) patients treated with flexible management based on intrauterine ultrasound fetal growth (FMIUFG) or strict maternal glycemic adjustment (SMGA).

Methods

We performed a comprehensive systematic review of electronic databases for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing obstetrics outcomes of singleton GDM patients managed according to FMIUFG or SMGA. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD497888). Searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and LILACS. Primary outcomes were gestational age at delivery and birth weight. Random‐effect model meta‐analyses were used to minimize the effects of uncertainty associated with inter‐study variability. Results are reported as standardized mean differences (SMDs) or as odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence interval (CI). Heterogeneity between studies was estimated using the I2 statistic. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Scale was used to assess the quality of studies. There were five RCTs with low to moderate risk of bias, including 450 patients managed according to the FMIUFSG and 381 according to the SMGA.

Results

The macrosomia (birthweight >4000 g) rate was lower in pregnancies managed according to FMIUFG than SMGA adjustments (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.16, 0.71). There were no significant differences in hypertensive disorder, cesarean section, neonatal intensive care unit admission, and large newborn for gestational age rates.

Conclusions

The macrosomia rate was lower in women managed with the FMIUFG. There were no significant differences in other obstetric and neonate outcomes.
Measuring student mindsets at scale in resource‐constrained settings: A toolkit with an application to Brazil during the pandemic
Authors: Lichand Guilherme , Ash Elliot , Arold Benjamin , Gudino Jairo , Doria Carlos Alberto , Trindade Ana , Bettinger Eric , Yeager David
Published: August 2024

Mounting evidence that growth mindset—the belief that intelligence is not fixed and can be developed—improves educational outcomes has spurred additional interest in how to measure and promote it in other contexts. Most of this research, however, focuses on high‐income countries, where the most common protocols for measuring and intervening on student mindsets rely on connected devices—often unavailable in low‐ and middle‐income countries' schools. This paper develops a toolkit to measure student mindsets in resource‐constrained settings, specifically in the context of Brazilian secondary public schools. Concretely, we convert the computer‐based survey instruments into text messages (SMS). Collecting mindset survey data from 3570 students in São Paulo State as schools gradually reopened in early 2021, we validate our methodology by matching key patterns in our data to previous findings in the literature. We also train a machine learning model on our data and show that it can (1) accurately classify students' SMS responses, (2) accurately classify student mindsets even based on text written in other media, and (3) rate the fidelity of different interventions to the published growth mindset curricula.
Chromosome‐level genome assembly of a deep‐sea Venus flytrap sea anemone sheds light upon adaptations to an extremely oligotrophic environment
Authors: Li Junyuan , Zhan Zifeng , Li Yang , Sun Yanan , Zhou Tong , Xu Kuidong
Published: August 2024

The Venus flytrap sea anemone Actinoscyphia liui inhabits the nutrient‐limited deep ocean in the tropical western Pacific. Compared with most other sea anemones, it has undergone a distinct modification of body shape similar to that of the botanic flytrap. However, the molecular mechanism by which such a peculiar sea anemone adapts to a deep‐sea oligotrophic environment is unknown. Here, we report the chromosomal‐level genome of A. liui constructed from PacBio and Hi‐C data. The assembled genome is 522 Mb in size and exhibits a continuous scaffold N50 of 58.4 Mb. Different from most other sea anemones, which typically possess 14–18 chromosomes per haplotype, A. liui has only 11. The reduced number of chromosomes is associated with chromosome fusion, which likely represents an adaptive strategy to economize energy in oligotrophic deep‐sea environments. Comparative analysis with other deep‐sea sea anemones revealed adaptive evolution in genes related to cellular autophagy (TMBIM6, SESN1, SCOCB and RPTOR) and mitochondrial energy metabolism (MDH1B and KAD2), which may aid in A. liui coping with severe food scarcity. Meanwhile, the genome has undergone at least two rounds of expansion in gene families associated with fast synaptic transmission, facilitating rapid responses to water currents and prey. Positive selection was detected on putative phosphorylation sites of muscle contraction‐related proteins, possibly further improving feeding efficiency. Overall, the present study provides insights into the molecular adaptation to deep‐sea oligotrophic environments and sheds light upon potential effects of a novel morphology on the evolution of Cnidaria.
Recurrent selection shapes the genomic landscape of differentiation between a pair of host‐specialized haplodiploids that diverged with gene flow
Authors: Glover Ashleigh N. , Sousa Vitor C. , Ridenbaugh Ryan D. , Sim Sheina B. , Geib Scott M. , Linnen Catherine R.
Published: August 2024

Understanding the genetics of adaptation and speciation is critical for a complete picture of how biodiversity is generated and maintained. Heterogeneous genomic differentiation between diverging taxa is commonly documented, with genomic regions of high differentiation interpreted as resulting from differential gene flow, linked selection and reduced recombination rates. Disentangling the roles of each of these non‐exclusive processes in shaping genome‐wide patterns of divergence is challenging but will enhance our knowledge of the repeatability of genomic landscapes across taxa. Here, we combine whole‐genome resequencing and genome feature data to investigate the processes shaping the genomic landscape of differentiation for a sister‐species pair of haplodiploid pine sawflies, Neodiprion lecontei and Neodiprion pinetum. We find genome‐wide correlations between genome features and summary statistics are consistent with pervasive linked selection, with patterns of diversity and divergence more consistently predicted by exon density and recombination rate than the neutral mutation rate (approximated by dS). We also find that both global and local patterns of FST, dXY and π provide strong support for recurrent selection as the primary selective process shaping variation across pine sawfly genomes, with some contribution from balancing selection and lineage‐specific linked selection. Because inheritance patterns for haplodiploid genomes are analogous to those of sex chromosomes, we hypothesize that haplodiploids may be especially prone to recurrent selection, even if gene flow occurred throughout divergence. Overall, our study helps fill an important taxonomic gap in the genomic landscape literature and contributes to our understanding of the processes that shape genome‐wide patterns of genetic variation.
Data‐driven identification of environmental variables influencing phenotypic plasticity to facilitate breeding for future climates
Authors: Kusmec Aaron , Yeh Cheng‐Ting ‘Eddy’ ,   The Genomes to Fields Initiative, Schnable Patrick S.
Published: August 2024

Phenotypic plasticity describes a genotype's ability to produce different phenotypes in response to different environments. Breeding crops that exhibit appropriate levels of plasticity for future climates will be crucial to meeting global demand, but knowledge of the critical environmental factors is limited to a handful of well‐studied major crops.

Using 727 maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids phenotyped for grain yield in 45 environments, we investigated the ability of a genetic algorithm and two other methods to identify environmental determinants of grain yield from a large set of candidate environmental variables constructed using minimal assumptions.

The genetic algorithm identified pre‐ and postanthesis maximum temperature, mid‐season solar radiation, and whole season net evapotranspiration as the four most important variables from a candidate set of 9150. Importantly, these four variables are supported by previous literature. After calculating reaction norms for each environmental variable, candidate genes were identified and gene annotations investigated to demonstrate how this method can generate insights into phenotypic plasticity.

The genetic algorithm successfully identified known environmental determinants of hybrid maize grain yield. This demonstrates that the methodology could be applied to other less well‐studied phenotypes and crops to improve understanding of phenotypic plasticity and facilitate breeding crops for future climates.
TaNAC1 boosts powdery mildew resistance by phosphorylation‐dependent regulation of TaSec1a and TaCAMTA4 via PP2Ac/CDPK20
Authors: Liu Yuanming , You Hongguang , Li Hanping , Zhang Chujun , Guo Huan , Huang Xueling , Zhang Qiong , Zhang Xiangyu , Ma Chuang , Wang Yajuan , Li Tingdong , Ji Wanquan , Kang Zhensheng , Zhang Hong
Published: August 2024

The integrity of wheat (Triticum aestivum) production is increasingly jeopardized by the fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici (Bgt), particularly amid the vicissitudes of climate change.

Here, we delineated the role of a wheat transcription factor, TaNAC1, which precipitates cellular apoptosis and fortifies resistance against Bgt. Utilizing BiFC, co‐immunoprecipitation, protein quantification, luciferase report assays, we determined that cytoplasmic TaNAC1‐7A undergoes phosphorylation at the S184/S258 sites by TaCDPK20, facilitating its nuclear translocation. This migration appears to prime further phosphorylation by TaMPK1, thereby enhancing transcriptional regulatory activity. Notably, the apoptotic activity of phosphorylated TaNAC1‐7A is negatively modulated by the nuclear protein phosphatase PP2Ac.

Furthermore, activation of TaNAC1 phosphorylation initiates transcription of downstream genes TaSec1a and TaCAMTA4, through binding to the C[T/G]T[N7]A[A/C]G nucleic acid motif. Suppression of TaNAC1, TaCDPK20, and TaMPK1 in wheat compromises its resistance to Bgt strain E09, whereas overexpression of TaNAC1 and silencing of PP2Ac markedly elevate resistance levels.

Our results reveal the pivotal role of TaNAC1 in basal resistance which is mediated by its effects on homotypic fusion, vacuolar protein sorting, and the expression of defense‐related genes. The findings highlight the potential through targeting TaNAC1 and its regulators as a strategy for improving wheat's resistance to fungal pathogens.
Is Trust in Local Government Influenced by the “Marketplace” of Choice?
Authors: Peng Lanjun , Ross Justin M.
Published: August 2024

Governments are subjected to many sources of competition that can be productive or destructive to their ability to maintain citizen trust. This paper explores the role of competition in the local government marketplace as a determinant of trust in local government. Using individual respondent data from the Gallup Poll Social Series in the United States from 2001 to 2022, this paper explores the effect of policy space autonomy and availability of choice in government on trust in local government. We find evidence of productive competition increasing with the number of local governments in the respondent's labor market. Similarly, states that restrict the diversity of choice through tax and expenditure limits reduce productive competition, while limits on issuing debt enhance local trust. The results are supported by numerous robustness checks and a placebo test on trust in the federal government.
Development of alginate/chitosan hydrogel loaded with obestatin and evaluation of collagen type I, III, VEGF and TGF‐β1 gene expression for skin repair in a rat model (in vitro and in vitro study)
Authors: Toumaj Nazanin , Salehi Majid , Zamani Sepehr , Arabpour Zohreh , Djalian Ali R. , Rahmati Majid
Published: August 2024

Background

Skin injuries have long been recognized as a prevalent type of physical injury. As a result, numerous research studies have been performed to discover an effective mechanism for wound healing. Therefore, tissue engineering of skin has developed as a potential solution for traditional methods of treating skin injuries.

Methods and materials

Alginate/Chitosan hydrogel was mixed with 1, 10, 100, and 150 µM Obestatin, and evaluated the morphology, cumulative release, hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility, water absorption, cell viability, weight loss, and antibacterial characteristics of three‐dimensional (3D) alginate (Alg) and chitosan (Cs) hydrogels during the process of wound curing. Various concentrations of Obestatin (Obes) were utilized for this purpose. Finally, the hydrogels that were made were tested on a full‐thickness dermal wound in a Wistar rat model. The curative effects were determined by analyzing RNA expression and examining tissue stained with Masson's trichrome (MT) and hematoxylin‐eosin (H&E).

Results

The biodegradability of this hydrogel was verified using weight loss testing, which demonstrated a reduction of around 90% after a period of 3 days. Furthermore, the MTT assay demonstrated that hydrogels have a beneficial effect on cell proliferation without inducing any harmful effects. Furthermore, the hydrogels produced demonstrated higher wound closure in vivo compared to the wounds treated with gauze (negative control group). Among the hydrogel groups, the chitosan/alginate/obestatin 100 µM group exhibited the apical percentage of wound closure, gene expression, and secondary epithelialization, but in 150 µM concentrations, we saw a lower rate of cell growth and proliferation and increase in hemolysis. In addition, RT‐PCR analysis demonstrated that a concentration of 100 µM obestatin resulted in an upregulation in the expression of mRNA for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), collagen type I & type III, and transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β).

Conclusion

The present study suggests that 3D Alg/Cs hydrogels with a concentration of 100 µM obestatin have the potential for clinical application in the treatment of skin injuries.
Elevated Tropical Sea Surface Temperatures During the Globally Warm Miocene Caused Heat Stress for Caribbean Coral Reefs
Authors: Brachert Thomas C. , Schwark Lorenz
Published: August 2024

The warm Miocene (23.0–5.3 Ma) is considered a model case for the global climate of the near future. In view of the current coral reef crisis, studies on Miocene reefs can contribute to predictions regarding the stress resilience of today's reefs against global warming. A Late Miocene (6.2–5.5 Ma) reef coral fauna from Hispaniola Island (Caribbean) characterised by ecologically tolerant taxa was originally interpreted to reflect cool‐eutrophic waters. However, the associated planktonic foraminifer assemblage and new TEX86H–based temperature reconstructions document an oligotrophic shallow‐water environment harbouring 30–31°C. Thus, in conjunction with unusually low vertical growth rates and erratic trace element signatures of massive reef corals, the coral fauna documents critically high temperatures and a response to heat stress rather than cool upwelling. The findings demonstrate the relevance of understanding shallow‐water ecosystems from past warm periods for developing scenarios of a future, warmer world.
Cytomegalovirus viral load at initiation of pre‐emptive antiviral therapy impacts cytomegalovirus dynamics in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients
Authors: Gutierrez Valentina , Stanek Joseph , Ardura Monica I. , Song Eunkyung
Published: August 2024

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) contributes to morbidity and mortality in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo‐HCT) recipients. Pre‐emptive antiviral therapy (PET) reduces the incidence of CMV end‐organ disease (EOD), though relevant viral thresholds to initiate PET remain undefined. We evaluated the impact of viral loads (VLs) at PET initiation on virologic and clinical outcomes following pediatric allo‐HCT.

Methods

Single‐center retrospective cohort analysis of children who underwent their first allo‐HCT from January 2014 to December 2020. Weekly quantitative plasma CMV polymerase chain reaction was performed until Day +100 and PET was initiated once VL exceeded a pre‐defined threshold per institutional guidelines. Patients were followed for 1‐year post‐HCT to evaluate virologic and clinical outcomes including end‐organ disease (EOD), overall survival (OS), and non‐relapse mortality (NRM).

Results

Among 146 allo‐HCT recipients, CMV DNAemia occurred in 40 patients (27%) at a median of 15 days post‐HCT (interquartile range 6–28.5). Ten percent (n = 4) had spontaneous resolution of DNAemia, while 90% (n = 36) required PET. PET initiated when CMV VL was ≥ 1000 IU/mL (n = 21) vs when VL < 1000 IU/mL (n = 15) resulted in higher peak CMV VL (12,670 vs. 1284 IU/mL, p = 0.0001) and longer time to CMV DNAemia resolution (36 vs. 24 days, p = 0.035). There were no differences in EOD, OS, or NRM at 12 months post‐HCT based on VL at PET initiation.

Conclusions

Initiating PET when CMV VL was ≥1000 IU/mL resulted in significantly higher peak VL and prolonged DNAemia, with no differences in EOD, OS, or NRM at 12 months post pediatric HCT.

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The effectiveness of telephone surveys on the return of first‐time donors: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Marsano Vanessa C. , Hasenclever Dirk , Henschler Reinhard
Published: August 2024

Background

The management of blood supply depends, among other factors, on the effective remobilization of first‐time donors (FTDs). This study investigates the efficacy of telephone calls to increase second donation rates.

Study Design and Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 418 first‐time blood donors. In the telephone group (TG, n = 206), men were contacted 9–10 and women 13–14 weeks after their first donation. They were asked about satisfaction and intention to return, and offered an appointment. The primary outcome was the return rate within 6 months after the first donation.

Results

The mean age was 28.8 ± 10.0 years and 59.9% of FTDs were female. In the TG, 89.3% were reached. Approximately 50% of each group had donated a second time by 24.2 weeks for the control group (CG) and 14.8 weeks for the TG. The six‐month return rate was 65.0% in the TG and 54.3% in the CG (95%‐CI [0.9%; 20.6%]; p = .033). The restricted mean time to return within 6 months was 19.4 weeks in the CG compared to 17.2 weeks in the TG (95%‐CI [0.7; 3.7]; p = .004). The intervention effect tended to be larger in men than in women.

Discussion

Contacting FTDs by phone after their first donation increases the six‐month return rate and reduces the interval to a second donation. Male donors appear to be more receptive to this intervention. Whether the effect of the intervention helps to establish a donor identity in the long term should be the subject of further studies.
Clinical features and outcome of dogs and cats with gastrointestinal pneumatosis: 30 cases (2010–2021)
Authors: Jones Nadine , Humm Karen , Dirrig Helen , Espinoza Melissa Beth Glenn , Yankin Igor , Birkbeck Rachael , Cole Laura
Published: August 2024

Objectives

To describe the presentation, etiology, and outcome of dogs and cats diagnosed with gastrointestinal pneumatosis (GP).

Design

Retrospective study.

Setting

Three referral institutions.

Animals

Twenty‐six dogs and 4 cats.

Interventions

None.

Measurements and Main Results

The most common sites of GP were the stomach (n = 19), followed by the colon (n = 8) and small intestine (n = 2). One case had pneumatosis of both the stomach and the colon. GP was most commonly associated with gastrointestinal disease in dogs (18/26 [69%]) and cats (3/4 [75%]), with common diagnoses including gastric dilatation and volvulus (n = 5), acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (n = 4), and gastrointestinal ulceration (n = 4). Of the 4 cases of gastrointestinal ulceration, 3 were dogs with a history of glucocorticosteroid or nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug administration and vomiting and diarrhea. Six of 30 cases (20%), all of which were dogs, were determined to have a surgical indication for exploratory celiotomy, although not solely on the basis of diagnosis of GP. Five cases underwent exploratory celiotomy, of which 1 (20%) survived to hospital discharge. Of the medically managed cases, 13 of 24 (54%) survived to hospital discharge. Overall, 14 of 30 cases (47%) survived to hospital discharge.

Conclusions

GP is an uncommon diagnostic imaging finding that is associated with a variety of disease processes. Its development is often related to primary gastrointestinal diseases. In the absence of other surgical disease, exploratory celiotomy based solely on the diagnosis of GP is unlikely to be indicated.
Use of cardiac gated computed tomography in the diagnosis of a rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly in an adult alpaca
Authors: Friel Zoe , England Devon , Loehr Christiane , Newsom Lauren
Published: August 2024

A 5‐year‐old female alpaca was presented with respiratory distress and lethargy. Thoracic radiographs revealed a cranioventrally distributed alveolar pattern, caudodorsal bronchial pattern, cardiomegaly, increased soft tissue opaque content in the ventral thorax, and rounded soft tissue opaque structures craniodorsal to the carina. Cardiac gated CT demonstrated a patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect, complete left atrioventricular valve atresia, partial anomalous venous connections from the cranial pulmonary veins to the azygous and cranial vena cava, severe right‐sided cardiomegaly, pleural and peritoneal fluid, and severe hepatic congestion. These findings were confirmed with necropsy.
The interplay between bounded ranks of tensors arising from partitions
Authors: Karam Thomas
Published: August 2024

Let be integers. Using a fragmentation technique, we characterise ‐tuples of non‐empty families of partitions of such that it suffices that an order‐ tensor has bounded ‐rank for each for it to have bounded ‐rank. On the way, we prove power lower bounds on suitable products of diagonal tensors, providing a qualitative answer to a question of Naslund.
Radiation Monitoring for Volatilized Zinc Contamination Using Gamma-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy
Authors: Nwadeyi Valerie E. , Judy Adam , Whiteside Tad
Published: August 2024

Gamma-ray imaging is a tool that has grown in importance in the applications of non-destructive assay (NDA) for radioactive survey and analysis of nuclear facilities. Imaging techniques have shown great promise in providing valuable information involving radioactive waste management and contamination prevention. For the application studied in this work, 65Zn has been identified as a radioactive contaminant during tritium extraction. Due to the volatile nature of 65Zn under the pressure and temperature changes during extraction operations, 65Zn can easily travel through components of the extraction system as vapor, making it difficult to trap. Previous research involving the development of a filtration system showed that the 65Zn can be trapped, mitigating product contamination. However, during the extraction process, direct analysis of the equipment to confirm that zinc contamination is trapped in the filter and has not spread to other components is impractical. In this situation, the need to assay the location of the contamination with little-to-no interference with operations is vital. In this work, we demonstrate the use of a commercialized 3D position-sensitive CdZnTe (CZT) gamma-ray imaging spectrometer to provide analysis of the 65Zn contamination. Onsite measurements during an extraction process are studied to assess the location and migration of the 65Zn. The results obtained from real-time glovebox monitoring demonstrate the feasibility of gamma-ray imaging for localizing the contamination and providing a preliminary qualitative assessment that is intended to be used in future work quantifying the contamination build-up and activity over time.
Heat Flux Correlations for Condensation From Steam and Air Mixtures on Vertical Flat Plates
Authors: Murase Michio , Takaki Toshiya
Published: August 2024

In this study, heat fluxes qc for condensation from steam and air mixtures on vertical flat plates were evaluated by using existing experimental data and qc correlations, in order to provide one of boundary conditions for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis in a primary containment vessel (PCV) of nuclear power plants during accident conditions. Existing qc,fc correlations for forced convection condensation overestimated or underestimated experimental data qc,exp measured with the CONAN facility, and a combination of the selected existing qc,fc correlation and the suction correction factor θC was proposed to obtain good agreement between the qc,cal values computed with the combination and the qc,exp values. For natural convection condensation, it was found that the qc,nc values were largely different between those measured in closed vessels with evaporation and condensation and in flow channels with decreasing the mixture velocity, and hence, the present evaluation focused on qc,nc obtained in the flow channels. It was also found that uncertainty became large when the qc,nc values were computed by changing the Sherwood number Shfc in the qc,fc correlation to Shnc for natural convection. The qc,exp values measured with the COPAIN facility were well expressed by the qc,nc correlation proposed by Corradini (1984, “Turbulent Condensation on a Cold Wall in the Presence of a Noncondensable Gas,” Nucl. Technol., 64(2), pp. 186–195), but the published data were few. Therefore, collection of experimental or numerical qc,nc values is necessary in the future.
A Novel Thermally Integrated CO2-Carnot Battery (TI-PTES) Utilizing Cold Thermal Storage
Authors: Shamsi Syed Safeer Mehdi , Barberis Stefano , Burlando Andrea , Maccarini Simone , Traverso Alberto
Published: August 2024

The growing integration of renewable energy sources in the energy grid presents intermittency and negative pricing challenges, necessitating large-scale energy storage solutions. Pumped thermal energy storage (PTES) can address these issues by storing and delivering substantial energy whenever required. High-temperature heat pump development is crucial to deploying PTES for storing heat at sink temperatures that are well above the ambient temperature(>450 °C) to ensure a reasonable round-trip efficiency (RTE). Currently, however, it is not a technological possibility for heat pumps to achieve these temperatures even with the support of freely available heat (200 °C to 400 °C) as source temperatures. This study explores a potential layout of the TI-PTES system that exploits commercially available equipment by storing heat below the ambient temperature while still being able to utilize the freely available heat source (Solar, Waste heat, biomass, etc.) to support the overall RTE. The charging phase employs a well-established CO2-refrigeration cycle to accumulate energy below the ambient temperature in cold thermal storage. While the discharging phase runs a trans-critical CO2 power cycle between the freely available heat source and the cold thermal storage. Overall, offering a practically implementable model for the PTES system with market-available components. The study investigates the design of this innovative system presenting the relevance of different operating and machine parameters as well as the contribution of freely available heat sources to the overall performance. Finally, benchmarking the technology with other long-duration energy storages.
Application of an Improved Workflow for the Identification of Flame Dynamics to Swirl-Stabilized Wet Combustion
Authors: Désor Marcel , Haeringer Matthias , Hiestermann Marian , Niebler Korbinian , Silva Camilo F. , Polifke Wolfgang
Published: August 2024

The estimation of flame transfer functions (FTF) from time series data generated by large eddy simulation (LES) via system identification (SI) is an important element of thermoacoustic analysis. A continuous time series of adequate length is required to achieve low uncertainty, especially when dealing with turbulent noise. Limited scalability of LES codes implies that the wall-clock-time required for generating such time series may be excessive. The present paper tackles this challenge by exploring how the superposition of multiple simulations with the same excitation signal, but varying initial conditions, increases signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and leads to more robust identification. In addition, the established SI approach, which relies on broadband excitation, is compared to excitation with approximate Dirac and Heaviside signals, promising simpler pre- and postprocessing. Results demonstrate that the proposed workflow reduces significantly the wall-clock-time required for robust FTF identification. This reduction in wall-clock-time requires more parallel computational resources, but it does not significantly increase the overall computational cost while also enabling FTF estimation using Heaviside excitation. The proposed method is assessed on a partially premixed, steam enriched water-enhanced turbofan (“WET”) swirl burner with significant turbulent noise levels. Steam enrichment is a combustion concept that reduces harmful emissions such as NOx and CO2 while increasing engine efficiency. However, the effect of steam on the flame response needs to be better understood. To this end, a combustion model including an optimized global chemical mechanism for partially premixed wet methane combustion is presented and validated against experimental data.
Synthetic, self-oscillating vocal fold models for voice production research
Authors: Thomson Scott L.
Published: August 2024

Sound for the human voice is produced by vocal fold flow-induced vibration and involves a complex coupling between flow dynamics, tissue motion, and acoustics. Over the past three decades, synthetic, self-oscillating vocal fold models have played an increasingly important role in the study of these complex physical interactions. In particular, two types of models have been established: “membranous” vocal fold models, such as a water-filled latex tube, and “elastic solid” models, such as ultrasoft silicone formed into a vocal fold-like shape and in some cases with multiple layers of differing stiffness to mimic the human vocal fold tissue structure. In this review, the designs, capabilities, and limitations of these two types of models are presented. Considerations unique to the implementation of elastic solid models, including fabrication processes and materials, are discussed. Applications in which these models have been used to study the underlying mechanical principles that govern phonation are surveyed, and experimental techniques and configurations are reviewed. Finally, recommendations for continued development of these models for even more lifelike response and clinical relevance are summarized.
¿Qué mueve a profesores y profesoras de Educación Física en formación a impartir clase con distintos estilos (des)motivadores? Un estudio basado en el modelo circular
Authors: Mayo-Rota Carlos , García-González Luis , Diloy-Peña Sergio , García-Cazorla Javier , Abós Ángel
Published: August 2024

Objetivo: Analizar el proceso motivacional del profesorado de Educación Física en formación y su influencia sobre el estilo motivacional docente en función del género. Método: Siguiendo un diseño transversal, un total de 502 docentes de Educación Física en formación (i.e., estudiantes de Máster) (Medad = 25.31; DT = 4.64; 32.1% mujeres), de distintas universidades españolas participaron en el estudio. Resultados: Los profesores en formación reportaron puntuaciones más altas en la satisfacción de competencia, la motivación controlada, la desmotivación, las conductas controladoras y caóticas, y más bajas en las conductas de apoyo a la autonomía que las profesoras. En ambos géneros, la satisfacción de competencia, a través de la motivación autónoma, predijo las conductas participativas y adaptativas, mientras que, la frustración de competencia, a través de la motivación controlada y la desmotivación, predijo las conductas controladoras y caóticas. Conclusión: La satisfacción de competencia del profesorado en formación de Educación Física parece ser un elemento clave para poder desarrollar un proceso motivacional autodeterminado y el uso de unas conductas docentes motivadoras para su futuro alumnado.
Impact of Soccer-Based Training Interventions on Anthropometric Measures Among Children and Adolescents With Overweight/Obesity: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Assessment of Certainty of Evidence
Authors: Kerkeni Manel , Trabelsi Khaled , Kerkeni Mohamed , Ammar Achraf , Aziz Abdul Rashid , Glenn Jordan M. , Moalla Wassim , Chtourou Hamdi , Jahrami Haitham
Published: August 2024

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically examine and summarize recent evidence on the effects of soccer-based training (SBT) on anthropometric measures in children and adolescents with overweight/obesity. Methods: Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines, a thorough literature search across 7 electronic databases was conducted on October 11, 2023. The studies’ methodological quality was evaluated using the QualSyst tool, followed by conducting a meta-analysis with a random-effects model, and the certainty of evidence was assessed. Results: Six studies were included, with 4 studies of strong methodological quality and 2 studies of moderate methodological quality. The results of the meta-analysis revealed SBT decreases fat mass percentage (effect size [ES] = 0.47 [small]; P = .002), with no significant effect of SBT on body mass index (ES = 0.180 [small]; P = .275), body mass (ES = 0.183 [trivial]; P = .212), fat-free mass (ES = 0.074 [trivial]; P = .635), or waist circumference (ES = 0.358 [small]; P = .053). The certainty of evidence was moderate for all outcomes. Conclusions: SBT appears to decrease fat mass percentage, without affecting body mass, body mass index, fat-free mass, or waist circumference in obese/overweight children and adolescents. These findings require further investigation given the moderate certainty of evidence. Registration: The protocol of this review was registered in the Open Science Framework database (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8P4V2).
Cellular stiffness sensing through talin 1 in tissue mechanical homeostasis
Authors: Chanduri Manasa , Kumar Abhishek , Weiss Dar , Emuna Nir , Barsukov Igor , Shi Miusi , Tanaka Keiichiro , Wang Xinzhe , Datye Amit , Kanyo Jean , Collin Florine , Lam TuKiet , Schwarz Udo D. , Bai Suxia , Nottoli Timothy , Goult Benjamin T , Humphrey Jay D. , Schwartz Martin A.
Published: August 2024

Tissue mechanical properties are determined mainly by the extracellular matrix (ECM) and actively maintained by resident cells. Despite its broad importance to biology and medicine, tissue mechanical homeostasis remains poorly understood. To explore cell-mediated control of tissue stiffness, we developed mutations in the mechanosensitive protein talin 1 to alter cellular sensing of ECM. Mutation of a mechanosensitive site between talin 1 rod-domain helix bundles R1 and R2 increased cell spreading and tension exertion on compliant substrates. These mutations promote binding of the ARP2/3 complex subunit ARPC5L, which mediates the change in substrate stiffness sensing. Ascending aortas from mice bearing these mutations showed less fibrillar collagen, reduced axial stiffness, and lower rupture pressure. Together, these results demonstrate that cellular stiffness sensing contributes to ECM mechanics, directly supporting the mechanical homeostasis hypothesis and identifying a mechanosensitive interaction within talin that contributes to this mechanism.
Narrative reversals and story success
Authors: Knight Samsun , Rocklage Matthew D. , Bart Yakov
Published: August 2024

Storytelling is a powerful tool that connects us and shapes our understanding of the world. Theories of effective storytelling boast an intellectual history dating back millennia, highlighting the significance of narratives across civilizations. Yet, despite all this theorizing, empirically predicting what makes a story successful has remained elusive. We propose narrative reversals, key turning points in a story, as pivotal facets that predict story success. Drawing on narrative theory, we conceptualize reversals as plot: essential moments that push narratives forward and shape audience reception. Across 30,000 movies, TV shows, novels, and fundraising pitches, we use computational linguistics and trend detection analysis to develop a quantitative method for measuring narrative reversals via shifts in valence. We find that stories with more‚ and more dramatic, turning points are more successful. Our findings shed light on this age-old art form and provide a practical approach to understanding and predicting the impact of storytelling.
Phosphoglycerate kinase is a central leverage point in Parkinson’s disease–driven neuronal metabolic deficits
Authors: Kokotos Alexandros C. , Antoniazzi Aldana M. , Unda Santiago R. , Ko Myung Soo , Park Daehun , Eliezer David , Kaplitt Michael G. , De Camilli Pietro , Ryan Timothy A.
Published: August 2024

Although certain drivers of familial Parkinson’s disease (PD) compromise mitochondrial integrity, whether metabolic deficits underly other idiopathic or genetic origins of PD is unclear. Here, we demonstrate that phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), a gene in the PARK12 susceptibility locus, is rate limiting in neuronal glycolysis and that modestly increasing PGK1 expression boosts neuronal adenosine 5′-triphosphate production kinetics that is sufficient to suppress PARK20-driven synaptic dysfunction. We found that this activity enhancement depends on the molecular chaperone PARK7/DJ-1, whose loss of function significantly disrupts axonal bioenergetics. In vivo, viral expression of PGK1 confers protection of striatal dopamine axons against metabolic lesions. These data support the notion that bioenergetic deficits may underpin PD-associated pathologies and point to improving neuronal adenosine 5′-triphosphate production kinetics as a promising path forward in PD therapeutics.
Giant chiral amplification of chiral 2D perovskites via dynamic crystal reconstruction
Authors: Kim Hongki , Choi Wonbin , Kim Yu Jin , Kim Jihoon , Ahn Jaeyong , Song Inho , Kwak Minjoon , Kim Jongchan , Park Jonghyun , Yoo Dongwon , Park Jungwon , Kwak Sang Kyu , Oh Joon Hak
Published: August 2024

Chiral hybrid perovskites show promise for advanced spin-resolved optoelectronics due to their excellent polarization-sensitive properties. However, chiral perovskites developed to date rely solely on the interaction between chiral organic ligand cations exhibiting point chirality and an inorganic framework, leading to a poorly ordered short-range chiral system. Here, we report a powerful method to overcome this limitation using dynamic long-range organization of chiral perovskites guided by the incorporation of chiral dopants, which induces strong interactions between chiral dopants and chiral cations. The additional interplay of chiral cations with chiral dopants reorganizes the morphological and crystallographic properties of chiral perovskites, notably enhancing the asymmetric behavior of chiral 2D perovskites by more than 10-fold, along with the highest dissymmetry factor of photocurrent (
g
Ph
) of ~1.16 reported to date. Our findings present a pioneering approach to efficiently amplify the chiroptical response in chiral perovskites, opening avenues for exploring their potential in cutting-edge optoelectronic applications.
Attosecond electron microscopy and diffraction
Authors: Hui Dandan , Alqattan Husain , Sennary Mohamed , Golubev Nikolay V. , Hassan Mohammed Th.
Published: August 2024

Advances in attosecond spectroscopy have enabled tracing and controlling the electron motion dynamics in matter, although they have yielded insufficient information about the electron dynamic in the space domain. Hence, ultrafast electron and x-ray imaging tools have been developed to image the ultrafast dynamics of matter in real time and space. The cutting-edge temporal resolution of these imaging tools is on the order of a few tens to a hundred femtoseconds, limiting imaging to the atomic dynamics and leaving electron motion imaging out of reach. Here, we obtained the attosecond temporal resolution in the transmission electron microscope, which we coined “attomicroscopy.” We demonstrated this resolution by the attosecond diffraction measurements of the field-driven electron dynamics in graphene. This attosecond imaging tool would provide more insights into electron motion and directly connect it to the structural dynamics of matter in real-time and space domains, opening the door for long-anticipated real-life attosecond science applications in quantum physics, chemistry, and biology.