bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a moisture treatment cream containing three critical elements of natural skin moisturization
Authors: McDaniel David H. , Dover Jeffrey S. , Wortzman Mitchell , Nelson Diane B.
Published: March 2020

Objectives

To evaluate skin barrier and hydration effects of a new rebalancing moisture treatment (TRMT) and to assess efficacy and tolerability in subjects with photodamaged skin.

Methods

In an epidermal skin model, tissues (n = 5/group) were topically treated with 25 µL of TRMT, 25 µL of a market‐leading moisturizer (MLM), or untreated for 60 minutes. Hydration was measured at 0, 15, and 30 minutes. Tissues were harvested for gene expression analysis of markers associated with skin barrier and hydration: Claudin (CLD), Aquaporin (AQP), Hyaluronic Acid Syntheses (HAS), and Hyaluronidase (HYAL). A clinical study evaluated twice‐daily application of TRMT, assessing changes in fine lines/wrinkles, brightness, texture, erythema, and tolerability from baseline through week 8. Hydration was measured using electrical impedance.

Results

TRMT and MLM demonstrated significant increases in hydration vs untreated tissue at each timepoint (P < .005), with greater hydration effects observed for TRMT vs MLM. TRMT‐treated tissues demonstrated greater expression of CLD, AQP, and HA, and reduced expression of HYAL vs untreated and MLM‐treated tissues. Twice‐daily application of TRMT demonstrated significant improvements at 2 weeks in fine lines/wrinkles (P < .001), brightness (P < .0001), texture (P < .0004), and hydration (P < .004). At 8 weeks, statistically significant improvements were achieved in all categories.

Conclusion

In an epidermal skin model, TRMT demonstrated significant increases in hydration, greater hydration effects, and expression of key markers associated with skin barrier and hydration vs a MLM. Twice‐daily application of TRMT was well tolerated and resulted in early, significant improvements in hydration and visible improvements in skin brightness, texture, fine lines/wrinkles, and erythema at 8 weeks.
Comparison of term and preterm labor procalcitonin and leukocyte cell volume, conductivity and light scatter (VCS) parameters in order to demonstrate the impact of inflammation on the triggering mechanisms of preterm uterin contractions
Authors: Unal Canan , Karatas Esra , Fadıloglu Erdem , Portakal Oytun , Beksac Mehmet Sinan
Published: March 2020

Aim

Comparison of mean channels of cell volume, conductivity and light scatter (VCS) parameters of neutrophil, monocyte and lymphocyte, procalcitonin (PCT) and white blood cell count (WBC) during term and preterm labor to evaluate the impact of inflammation on the triggering mechanisms of uterine contractions.

Methods

This study is consisted of 16 preterm and 60 term pregnancies at the beginning of the first stages of the labor. Leukocyte VCS parameters, PCT plasma levels and WBC count were evaluated.

Results

We could not demonstrate statistically significant difference in between leukocyte VCS parameters in preterm and term deliveries (P ˃ 0.050 for all). WBC counts were 10.6 and 11.8 × 103/μL in the preterm and term groups respectively (P = 0.270). PCT levels were 0.04 and 0.03 ng/mL for preterm and term pregnancies (P = 0.062).

Conclusion

Inflammation related markers such as leukocyte VCS parameters, PCT values and WBC count does not differentiate at the first stage of labor in preterm and term deliveries. These variables do not seem to have a prominent role at the biological events behind preterm contractions.
Reducing Discrimination and Fostering Prosociality Towards Ex‐Prisoners in Nigeria and the United States
Authors: Schneider Claudia R. , Weber Elke U.
Published: March 2020

Fair treatment and social acceptance are paramount to human well‐being, yet, society often withholds these crucial needs and discriminates against certain groups, including ex‐prisoners. Discrimination and lack of social support by the public reduces ex‐prisoners’ well‐being and threatens successful reintegration into society after release from prison, perpetuating conflict and impeding social justice. Identifying strategies to reduce discrimination against ex‐prisoners and to foster prosocial behaviors towards them is therefore of high relevance. Building on past evidence, we assess the viability of a values affirmation intervention given to members of the general public to reduce their discrimination against ex‐prisoners and to foster prosocial motivation towards them. Across two studies in two cultural contexts, Nigeria and the United States, we provide evidence that engaging in values affirmation can significantly reduce discriminatory behavioral tendencies, for instance in the employment sector, and motivate prosociality towards ex‐prisoners, such as supporting educational rehabilitation programs. These results point towards a potential avenue for shifting the public's discriminatory views and behavioral tendencies towards ex‐prisoners, in an effort to support reintegration and to further social justice.
Neogene and Quaternary climate changes shaped the lineage differentiation and demographic history of Fokienia hodginsii (Cupressaceae s.l.), a Tertiary relict in East Asia
Authors: Yin Qian‐Yi , Fan Qiang , Li Pan , Truong DoVan , Zhao Wan‐Yi , Zhou Ren‐Chao , Chen Su‐Fang , Liao Wen‐Bo
Published: March 2020

Historical climate oscillations and tectonic events have influenced the speciation and evolutionary history of many organisms. In this study, we chose Fokienia hodginsii (Dunn) A. Henry & H. H. Thomas (Cupressaceae s.l.), a Tertiary relict conifer, for the inference of the demographic history since the Neogene. Five chloroplast regions and two single‐copy nuclear genes were amplified and sequenced in 497 individuals from 28 populations. The chloroplast data showed that F. hodginsii presented a high level of genetic diversity (H

T
 = 0.860 ± 0.0279) and significant phylogeographic structure (N

ST
 > G

ST
, P < 0.05). According tobeast analysis, the divergence time of the two major lineages indicated by the phylogenetic construction produced from chloroplast and nuclear data could be dated to the early Miocene (ca. 19.34–19.95 Ma), which coincided with the onset and intensification of the Asian monsoon. During this time, environmental adaption under the different climatic conditions on either side of the Tanaka Line could have played important roles in maintaining and/or reinforcing the divergence of the two major lineages. The ecological niche modeling results showed that F. hodginsii experienced habitat fragmentation and strengthening of genetic barriers during the Last Glacial Maximum, followed by local expansion during postglacial periods. Our findings show that paleoclimate changes since the Neogene might have triggered the extinction of all but one Fokienia species and its intraspecific lineage differentiation. This study also suggests that Tertiary relicts in subtropical and tropical areas might have had a complex evolutionary history and their intraspecific differentiation time might have been earlier than expected.
Cash and voucher assistance and children's nutrition status in Somalia
Authors: Doocy Shannon , Busingye Martin , Lyles Emily , Colantouni Elizabeth , Aidam Bridget , Ebulu George , Savage Kevin
Published: March 2020

To address ongoing food insecurity and acute malnutrition in Somalia, a broad range of assistance modalities are used, including in‐kind food, food vouchers, and cash transfers. Evidence of the impact of cash and voucher assistance (CVA) on prevention of acute malnutrition is limited in humanitarian and development settings. This study examined the impact of CVA on prevention of child acute malnutrition in 2017/2018 in the context of the Somalia food crisis. Changes in diet and acute malnutrition were measured over a 4‐month period among children age 6–59 months from households receiving household transfers of approximately US$450 delivered either as food vouchers or a mix of in‐kind food, vouchers, and cash. Baseline to endline change in children's dietary diversity, meal frequency, minimum acceptable diet (MAD), mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), and acute malnutrition (MUAC < 12.5 cm) were compared using difference‐in‐difference analysis with inverse probability weighting. There were no statistically significant changes in dietary diversity, meal frequency, or the proportion of children with MAD for either intervention group. Adjusted change in mean MUAC showed increases of 0.5 cm (confidence interval [CI; 0.0, 0.7 cm]) in the food voucher group and 0.1 cm (CI [−0.1, 0.4]) in the mixed transfer group. In adjusted analysis, prevalence of acute malnutrition among children under 5 years increased by 0.7% (CI [−13.4, 14.4%]) among food voucher recipients and decreased by 4.8% (CI [−9.9, 8.1%]) in mixed transfer recipients. The change over time in both mean MUAC and acute malnutrition prevalence was similar for both interventions, suggesting that cash and vouchers had similar effects on child nutrition status.
Calibration of the descent local search algorithm parameters using orthogonal arrays
Authors: Gisbert Carlos M. , Lozano‐Galant Jose A. , Paya‐Zaforteza Ignacio , Turmo Jose
Published: March 2020

Solving optimization problems using heuristic algorithms requires the selection of its parameters. Traditionally, these parameters are selected by a trial and error process that cannot guarantee the quality of the results obtained because not all the potential combinations of parameters are checked. To fill this gap, this paper proposes the application of Taguchi's orthogonal arrays to calibrate the parameters of a heuristic optimization algorithm (the descent local search algorithm). This process is based on the study of the combinations of discrete values of the heuristic tool parameters and it enables optimization of the heuristic tool performance with a reduced computational effort. To check its efficiency, this methodology is applied to a technical challenge never studied before: the optimization of the tensioning process of cable‐stayed bridges. The statistical improvement of the heuristic tool performance is studied by the optimization of the tensioning process of a real cable‐stayed bridge. Results show that the proposed calibration technique provided robust values of the objective function (with lower minimum and mean values, and lower standard deviation) with reduced computational cost.
Effects of simulated anisometropia and aniseikonia on stereopsis
Authors: Atchison David A , Lee Jeongmin , Lu Jianing , Webber Ann L , Hess Robert F , Baldwin Alex S , Schmid Katrina L
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Stereopsis depends on horizontally disparate retinal images but otherwise concordance between eyes. Here we investigate the effect of spherical and meridional simulated anisometropia and aniseikonia on stereopsis thresholds. The aims were to determine effects of meridian, magnitude and the relative effects of the two conditions.

Methods

Ten participants with normal binocular vision viewed McGill modified random dot stereograms through synchronised shutter glasses. Stereoacuities were determined using a four‐alternative forced‐choice procedure. To induce anisometropia, trial lenses of varying power and axes were placed in front of right eyes. Seventeen combinations were used: zero (no lens) and both positive and negative, 1 and 2 D powers, at 45, 90 and 180 axes; spherical lenses were also tested. To induce aniseikonia 17 magnification power and axis combinations were used. This included zero (no lens), and 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% at axes 45, 90 and 180; overall magnifications were also tested.

Results

For induced anisometropia, stereopsis loss increased as cylindrical axis rotated from 180° to 90°, at which the loss was similar to that for spherical blur. For example, for 2 D meridional anisometropia threshold increased from 1.53 log sec arc (i.e. 34 sec arc) for x 180 to 1.89 log sec arc (78 sec arc) for x 90. Anisometropia induced with either positive or negative lenses had similar detrimental effects on stereopsis. Unlike anisometropia, the stereopsis loss with induced meridional aniseikonia was not affected by axis and was about 64% of that for overall aniseikonia of the same amount. Approximately, each 1 D of induced anisometropia had the same effect on threshold as did each 6% of induced aniseikonia.

Conclusion

The axes of meridional anisometropia but not aniseikonia affected stereopsis. This suggests differences in the way that monocular blur (anisometropia) and interocular shape differences (aniseikonia) are processed during the production of stereopsis.
Photodynamic Therapy and Immunity: An Update
Authors: Falk‐Mahapatra Riddhi , Gollnick Sandra O.
Published: March 2020

Dr. Thomas Dougherty and his Oncology Foundation of Buffalo were the first to support my (S.O.G.) research into the effects of photodynamic therapy (PDT) on the host immune system. The small grant I was awarded in 2002 launched my career as an independent researcher; at the time, there were few studies on the importance of the immune response on the efficacy of PDT and no studies demonstrating the ability of PDT to enhance antitumor immunity. Over the last decades, the interest in PDT as an enhancer of antitumor immunity and our understanding of the mechanisms by which PDT enhances antitumor immunity have dramatically increased. In this review article, we look back on the studies that laid the foundation for our understanding and provide an update on current advances and therapies that take advantage of PDT enhancement of immunity.
What do we mean by broadening participation? Race, inequality, and diversity in tech work
Authors: Alegria Sharla N.
Published: March 2020

In this article, I review the literature on race and racism in tech work and show that challenges related to increasing diversity and inclusion for racial and ethnic minorities are complicated and shaped by both immigration regimes and gender inequalities that do not impact all minority workers the same. I show that people of color are especially likely to be excluded from decision‐making leadership positions, limiting contributions that would shape the form and function of new technologies. Despite the complexity of these obstacles, I argue that addressing them is critical since the technology on which we increasingly rely may embed old racial inequity in an emerging technological landscape. Building from the existing literature, I show that (a) Black and Latinx workers are under‐represented numerically in tech work and those who do enter the field confront racial bias and (b) even though Asians are not numerically underrepresented, workplace practices, often supported by immigration policy and stereotype driven biases, interrupt full participation in decision making. I conclude by arguing that technological products reflect this lack of diversity in ways that further disadvantage communities of color.
It’s All in the Definition: Color‐Blind Interpretations of School Diversity
Authors: Petts Amy L.
Published: March 2020

Color‐blind theory posits that ignoring race is a purposeful tool for protecting white privilege. Implicit in this theory is the idea that color blindness arises in times of racial threat because color‐blind attitudes provide individuals with a tool for justifying racialized practices. Schools provide an ideal context for testing these implicit assumptions of color‐blind theory. Public schools have shifted from using race conscious practices, such as forced busing, to racially ambiguous ones, such as touting diversity to address racial integration. Diversity is racially ambiguous because it can be interpreted as the inclusion of racial minorities but can also have a broader, color‐blind meaning. In this study, I use a survey experiment to test whether experiencing racial threat leads white participants to have a color‐blind interpretation of school diversity and whether racialized practices (in this case, picking a whiter school) mediates that relationship. I find evidence corroborating color‐blind theory. Experiencing racial threat increases the probability that participants have a color‐blind understanding of school diversity. Further, I find evidence that the mechanism explaining this relationship is participants picking whiter schools, highlighting that color blindness can be used as a tool to justify racialized practices.
Identification of the novel HLA‐DQB1*03:280 allele by polymerase chain reaction sequence‐based typing
Authors: Zhao Shuoxian , Fu Rui , Wang Fang , He Ji , Zhu Faming
Published: March 2020

HLA‐DQB1*03:280 shows a substitution A to G at position 247 when compared with HLA‐DQB1*03:03:02.
WOOLLY, interacting with MYB transcription factor MYB31, regulates cuticular wax biosynthesis by modulating CER6 expression in tomato
Authors: Xiong Cheng , Xie Qingmin , Yang Qihong , Sun Pengya , Gao Shenghua , Li Hanxia , Zhang Junhong , Wang Taotao , Ye Zhibiao , Yang Changxian
Published: March 2020

Cuticular waxes play a crucial role not only in plant defense against biotic and abiotic stresses, but also in the quality and storability of fruits, such as the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Although the biosynthetic pathways of waxes have been extensively characterized, the regulatory mechanisms underlying wax biosynthesis in tomato remain largely unclear. Here, we show that Woolly (Wo), a multicellular trichome regulator, is involved in modulating wax biosynthesis in tomato. Wo enhances the expression of the wax biosynthetic genes SlCER6, SlKCR1, and SlPAS2, and the wax transporter gene SlLTP, and thereby promotes wax accumulation. Furthermore, Wo directly binds to the L1‐box in the promoter of SlCER6, an essential element of the very‐long‐chain fatty acid elongase complex. Intriguingly, overexpression (OE) or knock‐down of SlMYB31, an MYB transcription factor that physically interacts with Wo in vivo and in vitro, produces marked changes in wax composition, and whereas Wo knock‐down inhibits wax accumulation in SlMYB31‐OE lines, SlMYB31 knock‐down inhibits wax accumulation in Wo‐OE lines, implying that these two genes function in the same pathway. Lastly, SlCER6 expression is induced by abscisic acid in a manner that is partially dependent on Wo. These results demonstrate that Wo and SlMYB31 cooperatively control tomato cuticular wax biosynthesis by regulating the expression of SlCER6.
Making and unmaking political subjectivities: Climate justice, activism, and care
Authors: Bond Sophie , Thomas Amanda , Diprose Gradon
Published: March 2020

Much recent work on climate justice and activism focuses on the broader socio‐political economic contexts in which contestation occurs. These contestatory spaces in neoliberalised economies are frequently depoliticised through a variety of processes, strategies, practices, and actors. Recently this has been framed as the post‐political – whereby dissent is legitimised as “democratic” only when it does not challenge the status quo of business‐as‐usual. Most of the analysis and commentary on the post‐political has focused on policy or democratic decision‐making processes and conflict at relatively broad scales, rather than nuanced empirical case studies. In this paper we draw on an empirical case study to explore how processes of delegitimisation affect climate justice activists in emotional and personal ways. We argue that while the political subjectivities of climate justice activists are fragile achievements, a key aspect that sustains them is an ethic of care for humans and non‐humans, both near and more distant, who are affected by climate change. Fostering this ethic of care is one key way for climate activists to continue enacting responsibility for climate justice in a way that contests depoliticising and delegitimisation processes.
Fending off waste from the west: The impact of China's Operation Green Fence on the international waste trade
Authors: Balkevicius Adomas , Sanctuary Mark , Zvirblyte Sigita
Published: March 2020

China launched the first Operation Green Fence (OGF) on 1 February 2013 to fend off inflows of illegal waste. The main objective of OGF was to enforce waste trade policies already adopted by China and thereby restrict illegal waste imports. We use a gravity model of international trade with annual bilateral waste trade data at the 6‐digit HS code level to assess the impact of OGF on the international waste trade. First, we study the direct impact of OGF and find that the intervention resulted in a 26% drop in low‐quality waste exports to China from developed countries. Second, we assess the impact of OGF on exports from developed countries to developing countries, excluding China. We do not find a statistically significant effect of OGF on low‐quality waste exports from developed countries to developing countries (excluding China). We also test the waste haven hypothesis and do not find evidence that waste exports were disproportionately diverted to countries with lax environmental regulation.
Dimensionless Groups of Parameters Governing the Ice-Seabed Interaction Process
Authors: Azimi Hamed , Shiri Hodjat
Published: March 2020

Prediction of subgouge soil deformation during an ice gouging event is a challenging design factor in Arctic subsea pipelines. An accurate assessment of ice keel–seabed interaction requires expensive model testing and large deformation finite element analysis. Proposing reliable analytical/empirical solutions needs a deep understanding of the key parameters governing the problem. In this study, dimensional analysis of subgouge soil deformations was conducted and eight dimensionless groups of parameters were identified to facilitate proposing potential new solutions. A comprehensive dataset was established for horizontal and vertical subgouge deformations in both sand and clay seabed. Using the identified dimensionless groups, linear regression (LR) models were developed to estimate the horizontal and vertical deformation. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis (SA), as well as an uncertainty analysis (UA), was carried out to identify the superior LR models and the most influential parameter group. A high range of correlation coefficient (R), Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency coefficient (NSC), and variance accounted for (VAF) along with a low range of errors was achieved for the best LR model. The results of the superior LR models were also compared with the existing empirical equations. The study showed that the shear strength parameters of the seabed soil and the ratio of gouge depth to gouge width are the governing dimensionless parameters to model the horizontal and vertical subgouge soil deformations.
Analysis of the Effect of a Series of Back Twist Blade Configurations for an Active Pitch-To-Stall Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Ward Dawn , Collu Maurizio , Sumner Joy
Published: March 2020

For a turbine mounted on a floating platform, extreme induced loads can be increased by up to 1.6 times those experienced by a turbine situated on a fixed base. If these loads cannot be reduced, towers must be strengthened which will result in increased costs and weight. These tower loads would be additionally exasperated for a pitch-to-feather controlled turbine by a phenomenon generally referred to as “negative damping,” if it were not avoided. Preventing negative damping from occurring on a pitch-to-feather controlled floating platform negatively affects rotor speed control and regulated power performance. However, minimizing the blade bending moment response can result in a reduction in the tower fore-aft moment response, which can increase the tower life. A variable-speed, variable pitch-to-stall (VSVP-S) floating semi-submersible wind turbine, which does not suffer from the negative damping and hence provides a more regulated power output, is presented. This incorporates a back twist blade profile such that the blade twist, starting at the root, initially twists toward stall and, at some pre-determined “initiation” point, changes direction to twist back toward feather until the tip. Wind frequency weighting was applied to the tower axial fatigue life trends of different blade profiles and a preferred blade back twist profile was identified. This had a back twist angle of −3 deg and started at 87.5% along the blade length and achieved a 5.1% increase in the tower fatigue life.
Mechanical Energy and Equivalent Viscous Damping for Fractional Zener Oscillator
Authors: Yuan Jian , Gao Song , Xiu Guozhong , Wang Liying
Published: March 2020

This paper presents mechanical energy and equivalent viscous damping for a single-degree-of-freedom fractional Zener oscillator. Differential equation of motion is derived in terms of fractional Zener constitutive equation of viscoelastic materials. A virtual fractional oscillator is generated via a state transformation. Then, based on the diffusive model for fractional integrators, the stored energy in fractional derivatives with orders lying in (0, 1) and (2, 3) is determined. Thus, the total mechanical energy in the virtual oscillator is determined. Finally, fractional derivatives are split into three parts: the equivalent viscous damping, equivalent stiffness, and equivalent mass. In this way, the fractional differential equation is simplified into an integer-order differential equation, which is much more convenient to handle in engineering.
An Extended Bayesian Optimization Approach to Decentralized Swarm Robotic Search
Authors: Ghassemi Payam , Chowdhury Souma
Published: March 2020

Swarm robotic search aims at searching targets using a large number of collaborating simple mobile robots, with applications to search and rescue and hazard localization. In this regard, decentralized swarm systems are touted for their coverage scalability, time efficiency, and fault tolerance. To guide the behavior of such swarm systems, two broad classes of approaches are available, namely, nature-inspired swarm heuristics and multi-robotic search methods. However, the ability to simultaneously achieve efficient scalability and provide fundamental insights into the exhibited behavior (as opposed to exhibiting a black-box behavior) remains an open problem. To address this problem, this paper extends the underlying search approach in batch-Bayesian optimization to perform search with embodied swarm agents operating in a (simulated) physical 2D arena. Key contributions lie in (1) designing an acquisition function that not only balances exploration and exploitation across the swarm but also allows modeling knowledge extraction over trajectories and (2) developing its distributed implementation to allow asynchronous task inference and path planning by the swarm robots. The resulting collective informative path planning approach is tested on target-search case studies of varying complexity, where the target produces a spatially varying (measurable) signal. Notably, superior performance, in terms of mission completion efficiency, is observed compared to exhaustive search and random walk baselines as well as a swarm optimization-based state-of-the-art method. Favorable scalability characteristics are also demonstrated.
A Voxel Model-Based Process-Planning Method for Five-Axis Machining of Complicated Parts
Authors: Li Yamin , Tang Kai , Zeng Long
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a new process planning method for five-axis machining, which is particularly suitable for parts with complex features or weak structures. First, we represent the in-process workpiece as a voxel model. Facilitated by the voxel representation, a scalar field called subtraction field is then established between the blank surface and the part surface, whose value at any voxel identifies its removal sequence. This subtraction field helps identify a sequence of intermediate machining layers, which are always accessible to the tool and are free of self-intersection and the layer redundancy problem as suffered, respectively, by the traditional offset layering method and the morphing method. Iso-planar collision-free five-axis tool paths are then determined on the interface surfaces of these machining layers. In addition, to mitigate the deformation of the in-process workpiece and avoid potential dynamic problems such as chattering, we also propose a new machining strategy of alternating between the roughing and finishing operations, which is able to achieve a much higher stiffness of the in-process workpiece. Ample experiments in both computer simulation and physical cutting are performed, and the experimental results convincingly confirm the advantages of our method.
Effect of Laser Parameters on Microstructure and Fracture Properties of Repaired Cracks with Micro/Nano Material Addition
Authors: Jiang Wei , Li Yinyin , Fang Guanglei , Guo FengLei
Published: March 2020

Compact tension specimens with prefabricated cracks are repaired by laser with micro/nano materials added at the crack tip. Different combinations of laser parameters, i.e., laser power, laser spot diameter and heating time, were applied to investigate their effects on the microstructures and fracture properties of repaired specimens. J-integrals were calculated according to the digital image correlation (DIC) measurements, and microstructures were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). When suitable laser parameters were used, homogeneous and compact equiaxed grains with no cracks, pores, and agglomeration are observed in the repaired layer, and the J-integral of repaired specimens is approximately 20% less than that of unrepaired specimen. The paper reveals relations among laser parameters, J-integrals, and microstructures, and provides a guideline for the selection of laser repair parameters.
Thermally Mediated Double Emulsion Breakup in Bifurcating Bi-Layer Microchannel
Authors: Ren Yong , Chan Yue , Yang Can , Wang Jing
Published: March 2020

In this paper, we report the breakup dynamics of double emulsion droplets, as they flow through the bifurcating junction in bi-layer microchannel. Two cases have been investigated: the first involves double emulsion with core of water and shell of silicone oil with constant interfacial tension, this case shows that breakup dynamics of double emulsion can be demarcated into three regimes when the thermal effect is not dominant; whilst the second involves double emulsion with core of water and shell of dodecanoic acid where the thermocapillarity effect arises from change of interfacial tension subject to temperature variations. As demonstrated in the case, the Marangoni stress induced by the thermocapillary effect plays an important role in controlling the stability and release kinetics of double emulsion when flowing through complex microstructures. Our work will inspire novel applications, including droplet fission and actuation controlled by Marangoni flow via thermal mediation.
New FGD Developments in Europe
Authors: Licata Anthony , Schuettenhelm Wolfgang , Kubisa Ryszard
Published: March 2020

In Europe over the past 40 years there has been considerable social, regulatory, and economic pressures to manage solid waste in a manner that is beneficial to mankind. There have been many successful programs to minimize waste, recycle and reuse waste through energy conversion. As part of the energy conversion process strict air emissions emission standards have been adopted for waste-to-energy plants.
Area-selective chemical vapor deposition of cobalt from dicobalt octacarbonyl: Enhancement of dielectric-dielectric selectivity by adding a coflow of NH3
Authors: Zhang Zhejun V. , Liu Sumeng , Girolami Gregory S. , Abelson John R.
Published: March 2020

The authors describe the enhancement of the area-selective chemical vapor deposition of cobalt films on one oxide surface over another from the precursor Co2(CO)8 by addition of the nucleation inhibitor ammonia (NH3). In the absence of an NH3 coflow, the Co2(CO)8 precursor exhibits a weak intrinsic selectivity: at 70 °C, Co nucleates quickly on Al2O3 but more slowly on SiO2. The addition of an NH3 coflow, however, greatly amplifies the selectivity between different oxide surfaces. Thus, NH3 significantly inhibits nucleation on acidic oxides such as SiO2 and WO3 but has little effect on more basic oxides such as Al2O3, HfO2, and MgO. Comparison of growth on fully hydroxylated and dehydroxylated SiO2 suggests that hydroxyl groups are the nucleation sites that are affected by the addition of NH3. The mechanism of nucleation appears to be disproportionation of Co2(CO)8 to Co2+ (the intermediate that leads to nucleation) and Co(CO)4−: this disproportionation occurs readily on basic oxides but not on acidic oxides. The addition of NH3 has little effect on Co nucleation on basic oxides, probably because ammonia binds poorly to such surfaces, but NH3 greatly retards nucleation on acidic oxides such as SiO2; the authors propose that the latter result is either a site blocking effect or the result of conversion of Co2+ to inactive Co(NH3)x2+ species. Nucleation of cobalt is facile on gold (a very unreactive metal) even in the presence of NH3. The authors have found, however, that the deposition of Co on tungsten can be inhibited by exposing the surface briefly to ozone; no deposition occurs on the resulting thin tungsten oxide overlayer from Co2(CO)8 in the presence of NH3. In other words, this thin oxide overlayer affords the same selective inhibition behavior as seen on bulk WO3. In this way, both metal-on-metal and metal-on-oxide selectivity can be achieved. Cobalt films grown in the absence and presence of ammonia have resistivities of 11–20 and 15–25 μΩ cm, respectively.
Durability study of a gellan gum-based tissue-mimicking phantom for ultrasonic thermal therapy
Authors: Cortela Guillermo A. , Negreira Carlos A. , Pereira Wagner C. A.
Published: March 2020

Stability and duration of ultrasonic phantoms are still subjects of research. This work presents a tissue-mimicking material (TMM) to evaluate high-intensity therapeutic ultrasound (HITU) devices, composed of gellan gum (matrix), microparticles (scatterers), and chemicals. The ultrasonic velocity and attenuation coefficient were characterized as a function of temperature (range 20 °C–85 °C). The nonlinear parameter B/A was determined by the finite amplitude insertion substitution (FAIS) method, and the shear modulus was determined by a transient elastography technique. The thermal conductivity and specific heat were determined by the line source method. The attenuation was stable for 60 days, and in an almost linear frequency dependence (0.51f0.96 dB cm−1), at 20 °C (1–10 MHz). All other evaluated physical parameters are also close to typical soft tissue values. Longitudinal ultrasonic velocities were between 1.49 and 1.75 mm μs−1, the B/A parameter was 7.8 at 30 °C, and Young's modulus was 23.4 kPa. The thermal conductivity and specific heat values were 0.7 W(m K)−1 and 4.7 kJ(kg K)−1, respectively. Consistent temperature increases and thermal doses occurred under identical HITU exposures. Low cost, longevity, thermal stability, and thermal repeatability make TMM an excellent material for ultrasonic thermal applications. The TMM developed has the potential to assess the efficacy of hyperthermia devices and could be used to adjust the ultrasonic emission of HITU devices.
Differences in Rotational Kinetics and Kinematics for Professional Baseball Pitchers With Higher Versus Lower Pitch Velocities
Authors: Luera Micheal J. , Dowling Brittany , Muddle Tyler W.D. , Jenkins Nathaniel D.M.
Published: March 2020

Pitch velocity (PV) is important for pitching success, and the pelvis and trunk likely influence pitch performance. The purposes of this study were to examine the differences in pelvis and trunk kinetics and kinematics in professional baseball pitchers who throw at lower versus higher velocities (HVPs) and to examine the relationships among pelvis and trunk kinetics and kinematics and PV during each phase of the pitch delivery. The pitch velocity, pelvis and trunk peak angular velocities, kinetic energies and torques, and elbow and shoulder loads were compared among HVPs (n = 71; PV ≥ 40.2 m/s) and lower velocities pitchers (n = 78; PV < 39.8 m/s), as were trunk and pelvis rotation, flexion, and obliquity among 7 phases of the pitching delivery. Relationships among the kinetic and kinematic variables and PVs were examined. Higher velocity pitchers achieved greater upper trunk rotation at hand separation (+7.2°,P < .001) and elbow extension (+5.81°,P = .002) and were able to generate greater upper trunk angular velocities (+36.6 m/s,P = .01) compared with lower velocity pitcher. Trunk angular velocity (r = .29) and upper trunk rotation at hand separation (r = .18) and foot contact (r = .17) were weakly related to PV. Therefore, HVPs rotate their upper trunk to a greater degree during the early phases of the pitching motion and subsequently generate greater trunk angular velocities and PV.
A Longitudinal Examination of the Relations Between Moral Disengagement and Antisocial Behavior in Sport
Authors: Boardley Ian David , Matosic Doris , Bruner Mark William
Published: March 2020

Moral disengagement (MD) has been positively associated with antisocial behavior (AB) in sport. However, the longitudinal associations between MD and AB are unexamined to date. Adopting a three-wave cross-lagged panel design, the authors examined the reciprocal relations between MD and two forms of AB (i.e., toward opponents and teammates) across a competitive season with a sample of 407 team-sport athletes (Mage = 15.7 years) from Canada. Using structural equation modeling, the authors found strong positive autoregressive effects for MD and both forms of AB across both time periods. They also identified strong positive synchronous correlations between MD and both types of AB at each time point. Finally, cross-lagged effects were only found between MD and AB toward opponents; effects from MD to AB toward opponents were stronger than the reciprocal effects. These findings contribute important knowledge on the regulation of AB in sport.
A neurodevelopmental origin of behavioral individuality in the
Drosophila
visual system
Authors: Linneweber Gerit Arne , Andriatsilavo Maheva , Dutta Suchetana Bias , Bengochea Mercedes , Hellbruegge Liz , Liu Guangda , Ejsmont Radoslaw K. , Straw Andrew D. , Wernet Mathias , Hiesinger Peter Robin , Hassan Bassem A.
Published: March 2020

Diversity from development

When given a line to follow, some fruit flies do so carefully and others weave. Linneweber
et al.
now show that these behaviors are stable for an individual but diverse in an isogenic population. Key to generating individual diversity in the population is the inherent chaos of normal development. A set of neurons in the visual system is wired up in a variable manner, resulting in brain circuit asymmetry unique to each fly that guides its line-walking behavior. With more asymmetry in its brain circuit, a fly is better able to orient to the line.

Science
, this issue p.
1112
Topological structure and dynamics of three-dimensional active nematics
Authors: Duclos Guillaume , Adkins Raymond , Banerjee Debarghya , Peterson Matthew S. E. , Varghese Minu , Kolvin Itamar , Baskaran Arvind , Pelcovits Robert A. , Powers Thomas R. , Baskaran Aparna , Toschi Federico , Hagan Michael F. , Streichan Sebastian J. , Vitelli Vincenzo , Beller Daniel A. , Dogic Zvonimir
Published: March 2020

Watching defects flow and grow

Orientational topological defects in liquid crystals, known as disclinations, have been visualized in polymeric materials or through mesoscale simulations of the local orientation of the molecules. Duclos
et al.
report the experimental visualization of the structure and dynamics of disclination loops in active, three-dimensional nematics using light-sheet microscopy to watch the motion of nematic molecules driven by the motion of microtubule bundles (see the Perspective by Bartolo). This setup makes it possible to directly watch the nucleation, deformation, recombination, and collapse of spatially extended topological defects in three dimensions.

Science
, this issue p.
1120
; see also p.
1075
A central master driver of psychosocial stress responses in the rat
Authors: Kataoka Naoya , Shima Yuta , Nakajima Keisuke , Nakamura Kazuhiro
Published: March 2020

A major psychosocial stress circuit

Psychological stress induces various physiological responses by activating the sympathetic nervous system. The brain circuits involved in these functions are still not completely understood. In a rat model, Kataoka
et al.
combined anatomical tracing, immediate early gene expression analysis, pharmacology, optogenetics, electrophysiology, and genetic cell ablation to provide evidence for the prominent role of a ventral part of the medial prefrontal cortex in sympathetic responses to social defeat stress. This brain region sends excitatory projections to the dorsomedial hypothalamus as a central coordinator of the psychosocial stress responses. This pathway is crucial for understanding how psychosocial stress influences a variety of body functions.

Science
, this issue p.
1105
Blocking EGFR palmitoylation suppresses PI3K signaling and mutant KRAS lung tumorigenesis
Authors: Kharbanda Akriti , Walter David M. , Gudiel Andrea A. , Schek Nancy , Feldser David M. , Witze Eric S.
Published: March 2020

Receptor palmitoylation operates a growth factor pathway switch in KRAS-mutant tumor cells.
Emergence of a Novel Coronavirus, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: Biology and Therapeutic Options
Authors: Khan Suliman , Siddique Rabeea , Shereen Muhammad Adnan , Ali Ashaq , Liu Jianbo , Bai Qian , Bashir Nadia , Xue Mengzhou
Published: March 2020

The new decade of the 21
st
century (2020) started with the emergence of a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 that caused an epidemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China. It is the third highly pathogenic and transmissible coronavirus after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) emerged in humans. The source of origin, transmission to humans, and mechanisms associated with the pathogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 are not yet clear, however, its resemblance to SARS-CoV and several other bat coronaviruses was recently confirmed through genome sequencing-related studies.
Health and social care-associated harm amongst vulnerable children in primary care: mixed methods analysis of national safety reports
Authors: Omar Adhnan , Rees Philippa , Cooper Alison , Evans Huw , Williams Huw , Hibbert Peter , Makeham Meredith , Parry Gareth , Donaldson Liam , Edwards Adrian , Carson-Stevens Andrew
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Patient safety failures are recognised as a global threat to public health, yet remain a leading cause of death internationally. Vulnerable children are inversely more in need of high-quality primary health and social-care but little is known about the quality of care received. Using national patient safety data, this study aimed to characterise primary care-related safety incidents among vulnerable children.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional mixed methods study of a national database of patient safety incident reports occurring in primary care settings. Free-text incident reports were coded to describe incident types, contributory factors, harm severity and incident outcomes. Subsequent thematic analyses of a purposive sample of reports was undertaken to understand factors underpinning problem areas.

Results

Of 1183 reports identified, 572 (48%) described harm to vulnerable children. Sociodemographic analysis showed that included children had child protection-related (517, 44%); social (353, 30%); psychological (189, 16%) or physical (124, 11%) vulnerabilities. Priority safety issues included: poor recognition of needs and subsequent provision of adequate care; insufficient provider access to accurate information about vulnerable children, and delayed referrals between providers.

Conclusion

This is the first national study using incident report data to explore unsafe care amongst vulnerable children. Several system failures affecting vulnerable children are highlighted, many of which pose internationally recognised challenges to providers aiming to deliver safe care to this at-risk cohort. We encourage healthcare organisations globally to build on our findings and explore the safety and reliability of their healthcare systems, in order to sustainably mitigate harm to vulnerable children.
A lumbar arteriovenous fistula presenting with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus
Authors: Miller Brandon A , Spears Robert Christopher , Hines Thomas K , Alhajeri Abdulnasser , Fraser Justin F
Published: March 2020

Pediatric spinal vascular malformations are rare entities that typically present with symptoms from their effect on surrounding structures. Here we report a unique case of lumbar spinal dural/perimedullary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) that presented with intraventricular hemorrhage and hydrocephalus. The previously healthy child presented with lethargy and headache, and initial imaging revealed only ventriculomegaly with trace intraventricular blood. His mental status improved with CSF diversion via an external ventricular drain. Further workup revealed a spinal AVF that was treated via endovascular embolization. His course was complicated by vasospasm requiring endovascular treatment and he eventually required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. He made a full recovery and has returned to his normal activities. This is a unique case of spinal AVF presentation and highlights the importance of considering imaging of the entire neuroaxis during workup for hydrocephalus.