bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Impact of Understory Vegetation Density on Solid Obstacle Detection for Off-Road Autonomous Ground Vehicles
Authors: Foroutan Morteza , Tian Wenmeng , Goodin Christopher T.
Published: August 2020

In autonomous driving systems, advanced sensing technologies (such as Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) devices and cameras) can capture high volume of data for real-time traversability analysis. Off-road autonomy is more challenging than other autonomous applications due to the highly unstructured environment with various types of vegetation. The understory with unknown density can create extremely challenging scenarios (such as negative obstacles masked by dense vegetation) by concealing potential obstacles in the terrain, leading to severe vehicle damage, significant financial loss, and even operator injury or death. This paper investigates the impact of understory vegetation density on obstacle detection in off-road traversability analysis. By leveraging a physics-based autonomous driving simulator, a machine learning–based framework is proposed for obstacle detection based on point cloud data captured by LIDAR. It is observed that the increase in the density of understory vegetation adversely affects the classification performance in correctly detecting solid obstacles. With the cumulative approach used in this paper, however, sensitivity results for different density levels converge as the vehicles incorporates more time frame data into the classification algorithm.
Data-Driven Detection and Classification of Regimes in Chaotic Systems Via Hidden Markov Modeling
Authors: Bhattacharya Chandrachur , Ray Asok
Published: August 2020

Chaotic dynamical systems are essentially nonlinear and are highly sensitive to variations in initial conditions and process parameters. Chaos may appear both in natural (e.g., heartbeat rhythms and weather fluctuations) and human-engineered (e.g., thermo-fluid, urban traffic, and stock market) systems. For prediction and control of such systems, it is often necessary to be able to distinguish between non-chaotic and chaotic behavior; several methods exist to detect the presence (or absence) of chaos, specially in noisy signals. A dynamical system may exhibit multiple chaotic regimes, and apparently, there exist no methods, reported in open literature, to classify these regimes individually. This paper demonstrates an application of standard hidden Markov modeling (HMM), which is a commonly used supervised method, as a technique to classify multiple regimes from a time series of dynamical systems, where classified regimes could be chaotic or non-chaotic. The proposed HMM-based method of regime classification has been tested using numerical data obtained from several well-known chaotic dynamical systems (e.g., Hénon, forced Duffing, Rössler, and Lorenz attractor). It is apparently well-suited to serve as a bench mark for the development of alternative data-driven methods to enhance the performance (e.g., accuracy and computational speed) of regime classification in chaotic dynamical systems.
Effects of Inlet/Outlet Manifold Configuration on the Thermo-Hydrodynamic Performance of Recharging Microchannel Heat Sink
Authors: Samal Sangram Kumar , Moharana Manoj Kumar
Published: August 2020

Thermal performance of microchannel heat sink can be augmented by designing inlet/outlet manifolds such that fluid flow distribution is uniform across microchannels. In this work, the effect of inlet/outlet manifold configurations on the thermo-hydrodynamic performance of recharging microchannel heat sink (RMCHS) is investigated numerically. For this purpose branched, rectangular, trapezoidal, and triangular manifold configurations are considered. All the numerical simulations are performed for channel Reynolds number of 50–300 and constant heat flux of 10 W/cm2 applied on the substrate bottom surface of the RMCHS. The results reveal that branched manifold configuration shows uniform fluid flow distribution across all the microchannels of heat sink and also shows uniform temperature distribution on the substrate bottom surface of RMCHS. Branched manifold configuration reduces thermal resistance by 16% and enhances average Nusselt number by 9.5% compared to rectangular manifold configuration. However, branched manifold configuration shows higher pressure drop in spite of enhancements in thermal performance and flow distribution uniformity. Overall performance analysis indicates that RMCHS with branched manifold configuration can be advantageous for high heat flux removal applications if there is no restriction on pumping power requirement.
High-Temperature Distillation Using N-Parallel Evacuated Tube Collector Integrated With Double Slope Solar Still in Force Mode
Authors: Dubey Aseem , Arora Akhilesh
Published: August 2020

In the present communication, a performance investigation of a double-slope solar still augmented with parallel evacuated tubes under forced mode is carried out for a modified geometry. A comprehensive mathematical model is used for the numerical simulation using the experimental data and incorporating the effect of variable flowrate, water depth, and the number of tubes. An optimum flowrate range ∼0.006–0.007 kg/s/tube is found irrespective of the number of tubes and basin water depth to extract optimal energy. The flowrate is validated with other experiments, carried out by various authors. At optimal flowrate with ten tubes and 0.005 m basin water depth, the system yields 6.644 kg, while overall energetic and exergetic efficiencies are observed as ∼33.8% and 4.9%, respectively. With an increase in the tubes as 20 and 30, the respective yields are found to be increased by ∼2.64% and ∼6.62% for nearly the same collector output temperature attainable (≈98.5°C), while the energy and exergy efficiencies decreased significantly by ∼24.6% and ∼38.6%, compared with ten tubes arrangement. Daily yield and overall exergy efficiency are increased by 13.3% and 19.3%, respectively, using a diffused reflector.
Thermal Performance of a Phase Change Material-Based Heat Sink Subject to Constant and Power Surge Heat Loads: A Numerical Study
Authors: Akula Rajesh , Balaji C.
Published: August 2020

A power surge is a frequent phenomenon that occurs in electronics. Inadequate and improper cooling during power surges results in a rapid increase in operating temperatures that may lead to failure of the electronics. In the present investigation, the thermal characteristics of a phase change material (PCM)-based heat sinks, having different configurations and orientations of fins, subject to (i) constant heat load and (ii) heat load with a power surge, are studied numerically. Preliminary investigations showed that a heat sink with PCM gets heated at a much lower temperature than an air cooled heat sink. Following this, four finned heat sinks are considered for further investigations. The heat sink with PCM, sans fins, is used for baseline comparison. The orientation of fins in the other four heat sinks is either vertical or horizontal with square and rectangular cross sections. The heat sink and fins are made of aluminum, and the PCM used is n-eicosane (C20 H42). The enthalpy-porosity method is used to model the solid–liquid phase change in the PCM. All the transient three-dimensional numerical simulations are carried out using ansys fluent 15.0. For a constant heat load of 5 W and power surges of various magnitudes at different time instants, the heat sink with vertical square fins shows superior performance. However, the performance variation among the heat sinks with different fin configurations is insignificant for constant heat load. Even so, for power surges, the location and the configuration of fins have a significant effect on the heater temperature. Cases with high power surge and shorter duration of the surge were also considered to critically examine the effect of fins in controlling the maximum temperature in the heat sink. The numerical results of the best-performing heat sink, i.e., the heat sink with vertical square fins, are finally validated against in-house experiments.
Investigation on Microstructure Characteristics and Tribological Properties of Self-Lubricating Metallic Composites Based on Hexagonal Boron Nitride and Molybdenum Disulphide
Authors: Zhao Biao , Ding Wenfeng , Jiang Guohua , Li Xianying , Xu Jiuhua
Published: August 2020

In this work, hexagonal boron nitride (hBN)- and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2)-embedded metallic composites were fabricated via liquid-phase sintering. The mechanical property and tribological performance of different samples that contain 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15 wt% solid lubricants were evaluated. Morphologies, such as micropores and ball and scratch, were characterized after the rotating sliding tests. A high lubricant concentration could adversely affect the flexural strength of as-sintered samples because of the formation and coalescences of micropores. In comparison with MoS2-containing samples under the same lubricant concentrations, the hBN-containing samples exhibited lower flexural strength and density caused by amounts of spherical small and irregular large micropores. Furthermore, the best tribological combination could be achieved in terms of the friction coefficient, wear-rate, and morphologies of balls by applying 7.5 wt% MoS2 particles in the metallic matrix.
Tribological Response of Mechanical Attrition Treated Surface of AISI 316L Steel: The Role of Velocity of Colliding Balls
Authors: Joshi Manoj D. , Kumar Vikesh , Singh Indrasen , Hosmani Santosh S.
Published: August 2020

Current work focuses on studying the tribological response of the severely deformed surface of AISI 316L steel specimens using a ball-on-disk tribometer. Specimens are investigated under dry and lubricated (using engine-oil) conditions using different loads and sliding velocities. Surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) using 6 mm diameter balls improves the surface hardness of steel by 56%. The wear performance of the severely deformed surface is significantly better than the non-treated steel under the investigated wear conditions. Under the lubricated condition, an improvement in the tribological response of attrition treated specimens is substantially greater than in the dry sliding condition. Steel surface collided with higher velocity balls shows the maximum reduction in wear-rate, which is about 44% and 88% under dry and lubricated conditions, respectively. Under the lubricated condition, the steel surface treated with a lower velocity of the colliding balls shows about a 97% reduction in wear-rate. The lowest specific wear-rates of the attrition treated specimens are 2.32 × 10−4 and 0.11 × 10−6 mm3/(N m) under dry and lubricated conditions, respectively. The contact angle of the lubricating engine-oil on the attrition treated surface (32.65–41.75 deg) is higher than the non-treated surface (19.2 deg). The coefficient of friction (COF) decreases with an increase in the contact angle on the treated surface. COF of the attrition treated specimen ranges from 0.04 to 0.07 under the lubricated sliding condition.
System Deformation Behavior of Friction Pair in Fretting Wear
Authors: Wang Jianfei , Xue Weihai , Gao Siyang , Wu Bi , Li Shu , Duan Deli
Published: August 2020

Several criteria for fretting wear behavior evaluation have been established since the proposal and establishment of the fretting loop concept. In this article, system deformation and system deformation ratio were defined. In addition, the fretting running conditions were distinguished from the evolution of system deformation with fretting cycles during fretting wear tests under different applied displacements and loads. In the gross slip regime, the system deformation was independent of the applied displacement and increased as the load increased, whereas in the partial slip regime, the system deformation was independent of the load and increased with the applied displacement. Furthermore, a linear relationship between the system deformation and the applied load in gross slip regime was found for the first time. Based on this linear relationship, the system deformation ratio can forecast the running regime with a given load and displacement. For the titanium alloy fretting pairs studied in this article, the fretting wear was found to run in the gross slip regime if the system deformation ratio was smaller than 0.9. Based on these observations, the system deformation ratio exhibited applicability in assisting the mechanical design of equipment suffering from fretting wear.
Bringing Automated Fault Detection and Diagnostics Tools for HVAC&R Into the Mainstream
Authors: Albayati Mohammed , Gorthala Ravi , Thompson Amy , Patil Prathamesh , Hacker Annika
Published: August 2020

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems consume over 5 quads of energy annually, representing 30% of energy consumption in the U.S. commercial buildings. Additionally, commercial refrigeration (R) systems add about 1 quad to commercial buildings energy consumption. Most HVAC systems operate with one or more faults that result in increased energy consumption. Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) tools have been developed to address this national issue, and many tools are commercially available. FDD tools have the potential to save considerable energy for an existing commercial rooftop unit (RTU) and refrigeration systems. These devices can be used for both retro commissioning and, when faults are addressed, continuous commissioning. However, there appears to be multiple market barriers for this technology. Although there are efforts to develop FDD tool standards, currently there are no standards and methods to define functions, capabilities, accuracy, and reliability of FDD tools in the field. Moreover, most of the commercial FDD tools have not been verified in the field independently. This paper presents a comprehensive approach for bringing HVAC FDD tools into the mainstream. The approach involves demonstrating ten commercially available FDD tools installed at ten different sites, independent testing and evaluation of the FDD tools, communication with various stakeholders, identifying and assessing market barriers, creating a process evaluation methodology, and assisting utility companies in developing incentive programs. The preliminary baseline results from the case study demonstrate how the use of an independent monitoring system (IMS) can be used for ground-truth in evaluating FDD tools in the field.
Local Communication in Populations of Thermostatically Controlled Loads
Authors: Kuwada Jason , Schwartz Ryan , Gardner John F.
Published: August 2020

Thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) have shown great potential for demand response (DR) in electric grid operations. However, it has been commonly seen that DR events using TCLs may cause load synchronization and unwanted oscillatory effects, especially in homogeneous populations. In an attempt to mitigate the negative impacts of DR events, a decentralized method is proposed that modifies each thermostat behavior based on the activity of a small number of nearby TCLs. This feedback introduces the possibility of instability in the aggregate behavior. A stability analysis is performed on a linearized model of the aggregate system and the results of that analysis compared to simulation results. The proposed modification of thermostat behavior results in fourfold reduction in the post-DR peak while suppressing ensuing oscillations at the expense of a modest increase in compressor cycling. The linearized model also provides insight into the aggregate behavior of the population.
Fracture Behavior of Heavily Cross-Linked Epoxy: Testing, Fractography, and Numerical Modeling
Authors: Elruby A. Y. , Handrigan Stephen M. , Nakhla Sam
Published: August 2020

Heavily cross-linked epoxy was characterized under different types of loading. The scope of work involves detailed testing procedures utilizing high-precision digital image correlation (DIC) system for all strain measurements. Fractographic analyses using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also provided. Besides, computed tomography (CT) scans were employed to characterize existing manufacturing imperfections, i.e., voids. Numerical modeling using extended finite element method (XFEM) utilizing the actual microstructure is conducted. Testing results and fractographic analyses showed that microvoids led to failure initiation at micro lengths. An unstable fracture behavior dominated the final failure under different types of loading. Global plastic deformation was observed in the case of uniaxial tension, while local plasticity was observed in specimens under three-point loading. It can be concluded that epoxies failure under a combined state of stresses is sophisticated, and straightforward stress/strain-based failure criteria are not well-suited for failure predictions.
Aerodynamic Rotor Performance of a 3300-kW Modern Commercial Large-Scale Wind Turbine Installed in a Wind Farm
Authors: Bilgili Mehmet , Tontu Mehmet , Sahin Besir
Published: August 2020

Wind turbine technology in the world has been developed by continuously improving turbine performance, design, and efficiency. Over the last 40 years, the rated capacity and dimension of the commercial wind turbines have increased dramatically, so the energy cost has declined significantly, and the industry has moved from an idealistic position to an acknowledged component of the power generation industry. For this reason, a thorough examination of the aerodynamic rotor performance of a modern large-scale wind turbine working on existing onshore wind farms is critically important to monitor and control the turbine performance and also for forecasting turbine power. This study focuses on the aerodynamic rotor performance of a 3300-kW modern commercial large-scale wind turbine operating on an existing onshore wind farm based on the measurement data. First, frequency distributions of wind speeds and directions were obtained using measurements over one year. Then, wind turbine parameters such as free-stream wind speed (U∞), far wake wind speed (UW), axial flow induction factor (a), wind turbine power coefficient (CP), tangential flow induction factor (a′), thrust force coefficient (CT), thrust force (T), tip-speed ratio (λ), and flow angle (ϕ) were calculated using the measured rotor disc wind speed (UD), atmospheric air temperature (Tatm), turbine rotational speed (Ω), and turbine power output (P) parameters. According to the results obtained, the maximum P, CP, CT, T, and Ω were calculated as approximately 3.3 MW, 0.45, 0.6, 330 kN, and 12.9 rpm, respectively, while the optimum λ, ϕ, U∞, and Ω for the maximum CP were determined as 7.5–8.5, 6–6.3°, 5–10 m/s, and 6–10 rpm, respectively. These calculated results can contribute to assessing the economic and technical feasibility of modern commercial large-scale wind turbines and supporting future developments in wind energy and turbine technology.
Finite Element Model of a Melting Terminal Debris Bed in a CANDU Calandria
Authors: David R.
Published: August 2020

Melting of the terminal debris bed at the bottom of a Canada deuterium uranium (CANDU) 6 calandria vessel during a severe accident is studied using a three-dimensional transient finite element analysis. Settling of the debris is modeled, as are the effects of changing temperature and porosity on debris material properties. The time and magnitude of maximum heat rejection from the debris bed, and the maximum mass of molten debris, are calculated as functions of the accident timing. The results are compared with those from the modular accident analysis program (MAAP)-CANDU severe accident code.
The tyranny of distance: The social effects and practice adaptations resulting from Covid-19 lockdown rules
Authors: Keddell Emily , Beddoe Liz
Published: August 2020

This reflective commentary identifies and discusses the effects of the social distancing rules required by the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowni. The rules required rapid adaptation that many found challenging, creating new norms for behaviour that were governed by both the state and many citizens. These rules changed patterns of social interaction, attitudes towards others and how families and communities were defined. Existing inequities relating to class were exacerbated, and inequities relating to gender and childcare made more visible. Those with more resources and secure jobs that could be undertaken “from home” were less exposed to the economic fallout and the virus itself. Attitudes towards the body and its physicality were heightened as the body became the target for intervention and isolation. Place-based communities of the neighbourhood were strengthened while other types of physical communities diminished.All these changes created new opportunities for accelerating the morphing of people with the digital world, intensifying the use of online technologies to mediate the self, and shape employment practices, social work provision, and personal relationships. While some experienced this rapid transition online as a barrier to relationships, others, especially those already proficient in online technologies, experienced areas of improved functionality and efficiencies. Social work practice also adapted to this environment, finding new ways to meet the practice, support and ethical commitments of the profession.
He waka eke noa!
Authors: Perkinson Eliza
Published: August 2020

Out of the response to Covid-19 emerged a message: he waka eke noa. This whakatauki, which directly translates to mean, “we are all in this together”, was used to unite Aotearoa New Zealand in our efforts against the virus. It refers to a waka of collective consciousness guiding us on the same journey. But were we united? Were we truly in this waka (canoe), of five million together?
Letters of an antifascist. Marianne Angermann to her parents, antifascists in Germany from 7 / 5 / 1936 to 14 / 7 / 1936.
Authors: Angermann Marianne
Published: August 2020

Marianne Angermann was a German biochemist who emigrated to  New Zealand in 1948 when her husband, the German-Jewish physician Franz David Bielschowsky, took up a position in Dunedin as director of research for the British Empire Cancer Research Fund (today, the New Zealand Cancer Society). This publication focuses on copies of her letters from 1936 which are held in the Hocken Collections at the University of Otago. The letters were written to her parents in Germany (Langenberg and Berlin) from Spain where Marianne had moved to take up a position at the Instituto de investigaciones médicas (Institute of Medical Research) at the invitation of Professor Carlos Jiménez Díaz. Her colleagues were drawn from the elite of Spanish scientific researchers and included future Nobel laureate Severo Ochoa de Albornoz. Angermann describes daily life in Madrid and makes references to the country's political tensions as the nation headed towards the Spanish Civil War (1936 - 1939). She also discusses the work undertaken to establish Jiménez Díaz's institute based at the medical faculty on the new Madrid University campus (the Ciudad Universitaria). In November 1936 this facility would become the site of bitter fighting between Republicans and Franco's Nationalist forces. The introduction provides biographical information on Marianne Angermann: her upbringing in the Rhineland, her father's position as mayor of Langenberg, the political turmoil of the 1920s (inflation, French occupation of the Rhineland), her study at the universities of Greifswald and Freiburg, the difficulties faced by women in the field of chemistry, and the fates of her Jewish colleagues and friends when the Nazis seized power in 1933. Keywords: Angermann, Bielschowsky, medical, research, Dunedin, Jews, migration, New Zealand, National Socialism, anti-Semitism, Spain, Spanish Civil War, Madrid, university, Carlos Jiménez Díaz, Germany, Instituto de investigaciones médicas, Spanish Republic, Nationalists
Briefe einer Antifaschistin. Marianne Angermann an ihre Eltern, Antifaschisten in Deutschland vom 7. 5. 1936 bis 14. 7. 1936.
Authors: Angermann Marianne
Published: August 2020

Marianne Angermann war eine deutsche Biochemikerin, die, zusammen mit ihrem Ehemann, dem deutsch-jüdischen Arzt Franz David Bielschowsky, 1948 nach Neuseeland auswanderte. Bielschowsky war kurz zuvor als Leiter des British Empire Cancer Research Fund (heute: New Zealand Cancer Society) in Dunedin angestellt worden. Die vorliegende Publikation beschäftigt sich mit Kopien der an ihre Eltern gerichteten Korrespondenz von Marianne Angermann aus dem Jahre 1936, die sich in den Sammlungen der der Universität Otago angeschlossenen Hocken Collections befindet. Angermann hielt sich zu diesem Zeitpunkt in Spanien auf, wohin sie Ende 1935 auf Einladung des renommierten spanischen Mediziners Professor Carlos Jiménez Díaz übersiedelte. In ihren Briefen beschreibt Angermann das alltägliche Leben in Madrid und bezieht sich dabei öfter auf die politischen Spannungen in der Zweiten Spanischen Republik, die sich immer schneller auf den verheerenden Bürgerkrieg der Jahre 1936 - 1939 zu bewegte. Sie beschreibt auch ihren Beitrag zu den Vorarbeiten am Institut von Jiménez Díaz, das der medizinischen Fakultät der Madrid Universität (Ciudad Universitaria) angegliedert war und erst Mitte 1936 eröffnet wurde. Im November 1936 wurde die Fakultät zu einem Kriegsschauplatz als dort bittere Kämpfe zwischen Republikanern und in die Hauptstadt eindringenden Nationalisten ausgetragen wurden. In der Einleitung umreißen wir Kindheit, Jugend und Studienjahre von Marianne Angermann:  ihren familiären Hintergrund in Sachsen und im Rheinland, die Stellung ihres Vaters als Bürgermeister von Langenberg, den politischen Tumult der 1920er Jahre (Hyperinflation, Besetzung des Rheinlandes), ihr Studium an den Universitäten von Greifswald und Freiburg, ihre beruflichen Schwierigkeiten als promovierte Frau, und das Schicksal ihrer jüdischen Kollegen und Freunde nach der Machtergreifung der Nationalsozialisten 1933.  Keywords: Angermann, Bielschowsky, Medizin, Forschung, Dunedin, Neuseeland, Spanien, Bürgerkried, Madrid, Universität, Carlos Jiménez Díaz, Deutschland, Langenberg, Instituto de investigaciones médicas, Spanische Republik, Nationalisten
Anomalous minority carrier behavior induced by chemical surface passivation solution in p-type GaSb metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitors on Si substrates
Authors: Sasaki Shun , Dropiewski Katherine , Madisetti Shailesh , Tokranov Vadim , Yakimov Michael , Oktyabrsky Serge
Published: August 2020

p-type GaSb metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitors with thin InAs surface capping layers were prepared on Si(001) substrates. Epitaxial structures with superlattice metamorphic buffer layers were grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Chemical surface treatment and atomic layer deposition methods were employed for a semiconductor surface passivation and Al2O3 high-k oxide fabrication, respectively. Capacitance-voltage measurements and scanning and transmission electron microscopies were used to correlate electrical properties with the oxide-semiconductor interface structure of the capacitors. Unexpectedly, fast minority carrier response present down to liquid nitrogen temperature was observed in the capacitors passivated by an ammonium sulfide solution. This fast response was found to be related to etch pitlike surface morphology developed upon chemical passivation at the surface steps formed by microtwins and antiphase domain boundaries. Preferential InAs etching by ammonium sulfide at the surface defects was confirmed by analytical TEM studies. Very low activation energy of minority carrier response suggests the presence of electron sources under the gate; they result from growth-related surface defects that give rise to potential fluctuations of as high as half the GaSb bandgap.
Highly variable upper and abyssal overturning cells in the South Atlantic
Authors: Kersalé M. , Meinen C. S. , Perez R. C. , Le Hénaff M. , Valla D. , Lamont T. , Sato O. T. , Dong S. , Terre T. , van Caspel M. , Chidichimo M. P. , van den Berg M. , Speich S. , Piola A. R. , Campos E. J. D. , Ansorge I. , Volkov D. L. , Lumpkin R. , Garzoli S. L.
Published: August 2020

We present the first-ever daily time series of the full-depth volume transports by the overturning circulation cells at 34.5°S.
Daxx maintains endogenous retroviral silencing and restricts cellular plasticity in vivo
Authors: Wasylishen Amanda R. , Sun Chang , Moyer Sydney M. , Qi Yuan , Chau Gilda P. , Aryal Neeraj K. , McAllister Florencia , Kim Michael P. , Barton Michelle C. , Estrella Jeannelyn S. , Su Xiaoping , Lozano Guillermina
Published: August 2020

Daxx loss causes coordinate dysregulation of ERVs and protein-coding genes after physiologic stress and impairs tissue recovery.
Using the fast impact of anthropogenic aerosols on regional land temperature to constrain aerosol forcing
Authors: Shen Zhaoyi , Ming Yi , Held Isaac M.
Published: August 2020

Atmospheric simulations of regional land temperature suggest a powerful approach for constraining historical aerosol forcing.
Herbivores at the highest risk of extinction among mammals, birds, and reptiles
Authors: Atwood Trisha B. , Valentine Shaley A. , Hammill Edd , McCauley Douglas J. , Madin Elizabeth M. P. , Beard Karen H. , Pearse William D.
Published: August 2020

Herbivores have the highest representation of at-risk species in the present day, the recent past, and the late Pleistocene.
Fentanyl vapor self-administration model in mice to study opioid addiction
Authors: Moussawi K. , Ortiz M. M. , Gantz S. C. , Tunstall B. J. , Marchette R. C. N. , Bonci A. , Koob G. F. , Vendruscolo L. F.
Published: August 2020

Fentanyl vapor self-administration in mice provides a novel and noninvasive model to study opioid addiction.
Solid-phase inclusion as a mechanism for regulating unfolded proteins in the mitochondrial matrix
Authors: Ruan Linhao , McNamara Joshua T. , Zhang Xi , Chang Alexander Chih-Chieh , Zhu Jin , Dong Yi , Sun Gordon , Peterson Amy , Na Chan Hyun , Li Rong
Published: August 2020

Formation of solid-phase protein aggregates in mitochondria is associated with mitochondrial lipid metabolism.
CytoPAN—Portable cellular analyses for rapid point-of-care cancer diagnosis
Authors: Min Jouha , Chin Lip Ket , Oh Juhyun , Landeros Christian , Vinegoni Claudio , Lee Jeeyeon , Lee Soo Jung , Park Jee Young , Liu Ai-Qun , Castro Cesar M. , Lee Hakho , Im Hyungsoon , Weissleder Ralph
Published: August 2020

An automated image cytometry system was developed to enable rapid cancer profiling of scant cellular specimens obtained by fine needle aspiration.
Confetti illuminates the cryptic way calorie restriction protects from cancer
Authors: Gallagher Emily J.
Published: August 2020

Calorie restriction increases intestinal stem cell competition and decreases the retention of stem cells with mutations in mice.
Chrono-immunization with BCG: It is about “time”!
Authors: Sengupta Shaon
Published: August 2020

Morning vaccination with BCG enhances immunity.
Characterization of the Exopolysaccharide Biosynthesis Pathway in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Pérez-Burgos María , García-Romero Inmaculada , Jung Jana , Schander Eugenia , Valvano Miguel A. , Søgaard-Andersen Lotte
Published: August 2020

The secreted polysaccharide referred to as exopolysaccharide (EPS) has important functions in the social life cycle of
M. xanthus
; however, little is known about how EPS is synthesized. Here, we characterized the EPS biosynthetic machinery and showed that it makes up a Wzx/Wzy-dependent pathway for polysaccharide biosynthesis. Mutants lacking a component of this pathway had reduced type IV pilus-dependent motility and a conditional defect in development. These analyses also suggest that EPS and/or the EPS biosynthetic machinery is important for type IV pilus formation.
Genome Sequences of Three African Swine Fever Viruses of Genotypes IV and XX from Zaire and South Africa, Isolated from a Domestic Pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), a Warthog (Phacochoerus africanus), and a European Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
Authors: Ndlovu S. , Williamson A.-L. , Heath L. , Carulei O.
Published: August 2020

We report here the genome sequences of three African swine fever virus isolates obtained from a domestic pig (Zaire [Zaire]), a warthog (RSA/W1/1999 [South Africa]), and a European wild boar (RSA/2/2004 [South Africa]) belonging to genotypes IV, XX, and XX, respectively. This report increases the number of genotype XX, wild boar, and warthog reference sequences available.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Type Strain Pectobacterium punjabense SS95, Isolated from a Potato Plant with Blackleg Symptoms
Authors: Sarfraz Sohaib , Oulghazi Saïd , Cigna Jérémy , Sahi Shahbaz Talib , Riaz Kashif , Tufail Muhammad Rizwan , Fayyaz Amna , Naveed Khalid , Hameed Akhtar , Lopez-Roques Céline , Vandecasteele Céline , Faure Denis
Published: August 2020

Pectobacterium punjabense
is a newly described species causing blackleg disease in potato plants. Therefore, by the combination of long (Oxford Nanopore Technologies, MinION) and short (Illumina MiSeq) reads, we sequenced the complete genome of
P. punjabense
SS95
T
, which contains a circular chromosome of 4.793 Mb with a GC content of 50.7%.
Metagenome Sequences of a Wastewater Treatment Plant Digester Sludge-Derived Enrichment Culture
Authors: Nacke Heiko , Kirck Laura L. , Schwarz Sophia , Schneider Dominik , Poehlein Anja , Daniel Rolf
Published: August 2020

We sequenced the metagenome of a microbial community enriched under strictly anaerobic conditions from wastewater treatment plant-derived digester sludge. The metagenomic analysis of the enrichment revealed that
Acetobacterium
and methanogenic archaea belonged to the dominant prokaryotes, and genes encoding components of the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway were identified.
Identification of a Metagenome-Assembled Genome of an Uncultured
Methyloceanibacter
sp. Strain Acquired from an Activated Sludge System Used for Landfill Leachate Treatment
Authors: Yasuda Shohei , Suenaga Toshikazu , Orschler Laura , Agrawal Shelesh , Lackner Susanne , Terada Akihiko
Published: August 2020

Using metagenome sequencing, a nearly complete genome sequence was retrieved for the uncultured
Methyloceanibacter
sp. strain A49, recovered from an activated sludge system used for landfill leachate treatment at a closed landfill site. The total size and encoded sequences are 3,407,434 bp and 3,280 genes, respectively.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Prototrophic Bacillus subtilis subsp.
subtilis
Strain SP1
Authors: Richts Björn , Hertel Robert , Potot Sébastien , Poehlein Anja , Daniel Rolf , Schyns Ghislain , Prágai Zoltán , Commichau Fabian M.
Published: August 2020

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of the
Bacillus subtilis
strain SP1. This strain is a descendant of the laboratory strain 168. The strain is suitable for biotechnological applications because the prototrophy for tryptophan has been restored. Due to laboratory cultivation, the strain has acquired 24 additional sequence variations.
Tectonic origin of the Bainaimiao arc terrane in the southern Central Asian orogenic belt: Evidence from sedimentary and magmatic rocks in the Damao region
Authors: Zhou Hai , Zhao Guochun , Han Yigui , Wang Bo , Pei Xianzhi
Published: August 2020

As a main part of the North China craton collage system, the tectonic origin of the Bainaimiao arc terrane is still hotly debated, especially its relationship with the North China craton. Thus, we report on a field-based petrological and zircon U-Pb-Hf isotopic study of (meta-)sedimentary and volcanic rocks from the Bainaimiao arc terrane and northern margin of the North China craton in the Damao region. The lower and middle successions of the Bayan Obo Group from the northern North China craton, including the Dulahala, Jianshan, Halahuogete, and Bilute Formations, were deposited ca. 1.81–1.35 Ga and show age peaks at 1.85, 1.90, 2.0, and 2.5 Ga. This age pattern is in accordance with the coeval and extensively outcropped metamorphosed basement rocks of the northern North China craton. The upper succession, including the Bayinbaolage and Hujiertu Formations, deposited ca. 1.19–0.92 Ga, shows age peaks at ca. 1.35, 1.57, and 1.69 Ga, and sediments were derived from coeval rift-related magmatism characterized by a significant increase in positive εHf(t) values in detrital zircons. Thus, the Bayan Obo Group can be subdivided into North China craton basement–derived sediments and Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic rift-derived sediments, and the change of the provenance was probably caused by the ca. 1.35–1.30 Ga rifting event related to the breakup of the Nuna supercontinent. In the Bainaimiao arc terrane, zircon U-Pb geochronological results of (meta-)sedimentary rocks indicate they were formed in the Neoproterozoic and Paleozoic and have mainly late Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic ages (ca. 0.6–0.9, 1.1–1.2, 1.4–1.7, and 1.8–2.0 Ga) with peaks at ca. 0.86, 0.96, 1.15, 1.47, 1.66, 1.75, 1.80–1.87, and 1.94 Ga. The abundant Neoproterozoic ages for the Bainaimiao arc terrane detrital zircons are distinct from the scarcity of these ages in the northern North China craton, southern Siberia (age peaks at ca. 1.87, 1.92, and 2.0 Ga), and Mongolia (age peak at ca. 0.62, 0.83, 0.93, 1.84, and 2.0 Ga), but they are similar to the features of the Tarim craton (age peaks at ca. 0.62, 0.85, 1.15, 1.47, 1.66, 1.75–1.80, 1.85, and 1.94 Ga). Together with the recognition of a possible preexisting Proterozoic basement (ca. 0.7–2.0 Ga) in the Bainaimiao arc terrane, as evidenced by the Hf model ages of continental arc magmatism in the Bainaimiao arc terrane, this late Paleoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic detritus probably resulted from local recycled sedimentation, and the preexisting Bainaimiao arc terrane basement rifted away from a continent with Tarim craton affinity. The rifting probably occurred between ca. 0.6 and 0.52 Ga, because the reworking of the Precambrian rocks in the North China collage system occurred between ca. 520 and 230 Ma.
Civil-military relations: a review of major guidelines and their relevance during public health emergencies
Authors: Boland Samuel T , McInnes C , Gordon S , Lillywhite L
Published: August 2020

The operational and policy complexity of civil-military relations (CMR) during public health emergencies, especially those involving militaries from outside the state concerned, is addressed in several guiding international documents. Generally, these documents reflect humanitarian perspectives and doctrine at the time of their drafting, and primarily address foreign military involvement in natural and humanitarian disasters. However, in the past decade, there have been significant changes in the geopolitical environment and global health landscapes. Foreign militaries have been increasingly deployed to public health emergencies with responses grounded in public health (rather than humanitarian) approaches, while public health issues are of increasing importance in other deployments. This paper reviews key international policy documents that regulate, guide or otherwise inform CMR in the context of recent events involving international CMR during public health emergency responses, grounded in analysis of a March 2017 Chatham House roundtable event on the subject. Major thematic concerns regarding the application of existing CMR guiding documents to public health emergencies became evident. These include a lack of consideration of public health factors as distinct from a humanitarian approach; the assertion of state sovereignty vis-à-vis the deployment of national militaries; the emergence of new armed, military and security groups and a lack of consensus surrounding the ‘principle of last resort’. These criticisms and gaps—in particular, a consideration for public health contexts and approaches therein—should form the basis of future CMR drafting or revision processes to ensure effective, safe, and sustainable CMR during public health emergency response.
Remote training for combat medics during the COVID-19 era: lessons learnt for future crises?
Authors: Hodgetts James Michael , Claireaux H A , Naumann D N
Published: August 2020

Background

In response to COVID-19, the UK government ordered strict social distancing measures. The UK Armed Forces followed these to protect the force and ensure readiness to respond to various tasking requests. Clinical training has adapted to ensure geographically dispersed medical personnel are trained while social distancing is maintained. This study aimed to evaluate remote training for Combat Medical Technicians, Medical Assistants and Royal Air Force Medics (CMTs/MAs/RAFMs) during the COVID-19 pandemic and the views of trainers on how this should be delivered now and in the future.

Methods

A mixed quantitative and qualitative survey study was conducted to determine the experiences of a sample of Defence Medical Services personnel with remote training during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical and nursing officers involved in teaching CMTs/MAs/RAFMs were eligible to participate.

Results

There were 52 survey respondents. 78% delivered remote training to CMTs/MAs/RAFMs, predominantly using teleconferencing and small-group webinars. 70% of respondents report CMTs/MAs/RAFMs received more training during the COVID-19 pandemic than before. 94% of respondents felt webinar-based remote training should continue after COVID-19. The perceived benefits of webinar-based training included reduced travel time, more training continuity and greater clinical development of learners.

Conclusions

The challenge of continuing education of medical personnel while maintaining readiness for deployment and adhering to the Government’s social distancing measures was perceived to have been met within our study sample. This suggests that such an approach, along with clear training objectives and teleconferencing, may enable personnel to deliver high-quality training in an innovative and secure way.
FIRST-line support for assistance in breathing in children (FIRST-ABC): a master protocol of two randomised trials to evaluate the non-inferiority of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) versus continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for non-invasive respiratory support in paediatric critical care
Authors: Richards-Belle Alvin , Davis Peter , Drikite Laura , Feltbower Richard , Grieve Richard , Harrison David A , Lester Julie , Morris Kevin P , Mouncey Paul R , Peters Mark J , Rowan Kathryn M , Sadique Zia , Tume Lyvonne N , Ramnarayan Padmanabhan
Published: August 2020

Introduction

Even though respiratory support is a common intervention in paediatric critical care, there is no randomised controlled trial (RCT) evidence regarding the effectiveness of two commonly used modes of non-invasive respiratory support (NRS), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) and high-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC). FIRST-line support for assistance in breathing in children is a master protocol of two pragmatic non-inferiority RCTs to evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of HFNC (compared with CPAP) as the first-line mode of support in critically ill children.

Methods and analysis

We will recruit participants over a 30-month period at 25 UK paediatric critical care units (paediatric intensive care units/high-dependency units). Patients are eligible if admitted/accepted for admission, aged >36 weeks corrected gestational age and <16 years, and assessed by the treating clinician to require NRS for an acute illness (step-up RCT) or within 72 hours of extubation following a period of invasive ventilation (step-down RCT). Due to the emergency nature of the treatment, written informed consent will be deferred to after randomisation. Randomisation will occur 1:1 to CPAP or HFNC, stratified by site and age (<12 vs ≥12 months). The primary outcome is time to liberation from respiratory support for a continuous period of 48 hours. A total sample size of 600 patients in each RCT will provide 90% power with a type I error rate of 2.5% (one sided) to exclude the prespecified non-inferiority margin of HR of 0.75. Primary analyses will be undertaken separately in each RCT in both the intention-to-treat and per-protocol populations.

Ethics and dissemination

This master protocol received favourable ethical opinion from National Health Service East of England—Cambridge South Research Ethics Committee (reference: 19/EE/0185) and approval from the Health Research Authority (reference: 260536). Results will be disseminated via publications in peer-reviewed medical journals and presentations at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

ISRCTN60048867
Reprocessing filtering facepiece respirators in primary care using medical autoclave: prospective, bench-to-bedside, single-centre study
Authors: Harskamp Ralf E , van Straten Bart , Bouman Jonathan , van Maltha-van Santvoort Bernadette , van den Dobbelsteen John J , van der Sijp Joost RM , Horeman Tim
Published: August 2020

Objective

There are widespread shortages of personal protective equipment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reprocessing filtering facepiece particle (FFP)-type respirators may provide an alternative solution in keeping healthcare professionals safe.

Design

Prospective, bench-to-bedside.

Setting

A primary care-based study using FFP-2 respirators without exhalation valve (3M Aura 1862+ (20 samples), Maco Pharma ZZM002 (14 samples)), FFP-2 respirators with valve (3M Aura 9322+ (six samples) and San Huei 2920V (16 samples)) and valved FFP type 3 respirators (Safe Worker 1016 (10 samples)).

Interventions

All masks were reprocessed using a medical autoclave (17 min at 121°C with 34 min total cycle time) and subsequently tested up to three times whether these respirators retained their integrity (seal check and pressure drop) and ability to filter small particles (0.3–5.0 µm) in the laboratory using a particle penetration test.

Results

We tested 33 respirators and 66 samples for filter capacity. All FFP-2 respirators retained their shape, whereas half of the decontaminated FFP-3 respirators showed deformities and failed the seal check. The filtering capacity of the 3M Aura 1862 was best retained after one, two and three decontamination cycles (0.3 µm: 99.3%±0.3% (new) vs 97.0±1.3, 94.2±1.3% or 94.4±1.6; p<0.001). Of the other FFP-2 respirators, the San Huei 2920 V had 95.5%±0.7% at baseline vs 92.3%±1.7% vs 90.0±0.7 after one-time and two-time decontaminations, respectively (p<0.001). The tested FFP-3 respirator (Safe Worker 1016) had a filter capacity of 96.5%±0.7% at baseline and 60.3%±5.7% after one-time decontamination (p<0.001). Breathing and pressure resistance tests indicated no relevant pressure changes between respirators that were used once, twice or thrice.

Conclusion

This small single-centre study shows that selected FFP-2 respirators may be reprocessed for use in primary care, as the tested masks retain their shape, ability to retain particles and breathing comfort after decontamination using a medical autoclave.
Oesophageal eosinophilia and oesophageal diseases in children: are the limits clear?
Authors: Diaz-Oliva Sarah Esther , Aguilera-Matos Idalmis , Villa Jiménez Oscar Manuel , Escobedo Angel A
Published: August 2020

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease, eosinophilic oesophagitis and oesophageal motility disorders are among the most common diseases accompanying oesophageal eosinophilia. They have similarities and their limits are frequently not well defined. This article reviews the main characteristics relating to their similarities and differences, highlighting existing controversies among these diseases, in addition to current knowledge. In the case of a patient with symptoms of oesophageal dysfunction, it is suggested to carry out an integral analysis of the clinical features and diagnostic test results, including histology, while individualising each case before confirming a definitive diagnosis. Future investigation in paediatric patients is necessary to assess eosinophilic infiltration in the various layers of the oesophageal tissue, along with its clinical and pathophysiological implications.