bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primeiro registro de ossos pós-cranianos de Titanosauria (Sauropoda) no município de Alfredo Marcondes (estado de São Paulo), formação adamantina (Turoniano-Santoniano), Bacia Bauru
Authors: Azevedo Rodrigo Pinto Fernandes de , Candeiro Carlos Roberto dos Anjos , Bergqvist Lílian Paglarelli
Published: July 2021

Sauropod dinosaurs (Titanosauria) remains were collected in Upper Cretaceous sandstones, at Alfredo Marcondes site, Adamantina Formation, São Paulo state. These fossils comprise a fragmentary right femur and a proximal portion of a right tibia. The femur was assigned to the family Titanosauridae on the basis of the following features: straight shape, somewhat anteroposteriorly flattened; fourth trochanter slightly medially pronounced right above of the middle part of the bone's lenght; a proximolateral proeminence of the greater trochanter and a medial deflection of the proximal end of the femur. The tibia described here shares similar features with Titanosauria taxa like a well developed cnemial crest only slightly curved laterally; a deep longitudinal concavity separating the crest from the tibial shaft and a very anteroposteriorly expanded proximal end. These are the first fossil bones of dinosaurs recovered from Alfredo Marcondes municipality.
Histórico da Paleontologia no Museu Nacional
Authors: Fernandes Antonio Carlos Sequeira , Fonseca Vera Maria Medina da , Henriques Deise Dias Rêgo
Published: July 2021

The Museu Nacional founded in 1818, houses important Brazilian and foreign paleoinvertebrate, paleovertebrate and fossil plant material. This paleontological patrimony is the result of not only the first acquisitions during the 19th century, specially those made by the end of it by the Imperial Geological Commission, but also of the 20th century paleontological activities, which mixes the history of the Paleontology in the Museu Nacional with the own history of the institution
Desenvolvimento de atividade lúdica para o auxílio do ensino e divulgação científica da paleontologia
Authors: Melo Diogo Jorge de , Bastos Ana Carolina Fortes , Rodrigues Vanessa Maria da Costa , Monção Vinícius De Moraes
Published: July 2021

Herein is described the development of a ludical activity in Paleontology with the purpose to apply the concepts of the geological time and the processes that occurred along the history of the Earth. This activity, that was teste in the event "Bio na Rua" of the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, consisted on the use of didactic panels concerning paleontological themes, geological time chart, fossil and ichnofossil concepts, the development of a board game showing the Earth history and origami workshops.
Concentração superficial de contaminantes simulada por um Modelo Euleriano de Dispersão utilizando perfis de vento obtidos pelos modelos OML e RAMS
Authors: Campos Cláudia Rejane Jacondino de , Jesus James Adryani Avelar de , Pinto Luciana Barros
Published: July 2021

In this work was tested the use of output data from Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS) as input to an Eulerian Dispersion Model (EDM). Specifically was compared the ground level cross-wind integrated concentration simulated by EDM, using an eddy diffusivity valid to the Convective Boundary Layer (CBL) and two wind profiles: the first obtained by the Operationelle Meteorologiske Luftkvalitetsmodeller model (OML) and the second generated by RAMS mesoscale model. To accomplish the simulations with EDM were used data collected on the 07/06/1979 during Copenhagen tracer experiment (emission rate, source height, convective velocity scale, CBL height, friction velocity, Monin-Obukhov length in the surface layer and roughness length). The performance of the two simulations was tested confronting the ground level cross-wind integrated concentration generated with those observed in referred experiment. For simple topography area, such as the study area, the results showed that the use of a diagnosis model (OML) or a prognostic model (RAMS) to simulate the wind profile didn't generate great differences between ground level cross-wind integrated concentration simulated by EDM.
Fácies orgânica da Formação La Luna, Bacia do Valle Superior Del Magdalena, Colômbia: implicações para a geração de petróleo e caracterização paleoambiental
Authors: Iemini Juliana Andrade , Mendonça Filho João Graciano , Gonçalves Felix Thadeu Teixeira , Menezes Taíssa Rêgo
Published: July 2021

Upper Cretaceous pelitic rocks generate most of the oil reserves in Colombia. In Del Magdalena Upper Valley (MUV), the existence of good quality outcrops and thermal evolution levels that vary from immaturity to the end of the oil generation "window" makes it one of the most appropriate regions for the study of primary migration and generation of oil in Upper Cretaceous. The main objectives of this work were to study the organic facies of La Luna Formation in an outcrop section called Riacho Bambuca (Bambuca Creek), determine the oil generation potential and characterize the paleoenvironment. For this research, 24 samples were used in palynofacies analysis (characterization of the kerogen components assembly) and in organic geochemistry analysis (Total Organic Carbon - TOC analysis and Rock-Eval pyrolysis, provided by Colombia Oil Institute - ECOPETROL). The palynofacies analysis included the use of microscopy techniques (transmitted white light and incident blue light). Furthermore, a Spore Coloration Index (SCI) analysis was made in order to determine the thermal maturation stage. The studied material was composed mainly of an amorphous organic substance, with its fluorescent coloration varying from yellow to bright orange. The palynomorph group is represented by spore morph and dinoflagellate cysts. The ligneous material are present in very low percentages; they are mainly opaque phytoclasts. The results of geochemical analysis showed TOC contents ranging from medium to high, excellent potential for the generation of hydrocarbons (PG >; 4 mg HC/g of rock), hydrogen index ranging from 329 to 589 mg HC/g, and low values of oxygen index, characterizing type II kerogen. The low degree of thermal maturation was determined by Spore Coloration Index values ranging from 2,5 to 3,0, Tmax values below 440ºC and Hydrocarbon Production Index inferior to 0,2. According to the organic facies data, La Luna Formation deposited in a marine environment with facies from disoxic-anoxic distal shelf and suboxic-oxic distal basin; there was kerogen of excellent quality, and its quantity was adequate for the generation of oil.
Mapeamento geológico-geotécnico preliminar, utilizando geoprocessamento, no município de Campos dos Goytacazes, Estado do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Costa Aline Nogueira , Polivanov Helena , Alves Maria Da Glória
Published: July 2021

Campos dos Goytacazes County is located on the north coast of Rio de Janeiro State. The city of Campos dos Goytacazes was developed on a flooding plain and due to the fragility of the physical environment; the city has been suffering serious environmental problems. The methodology used base in acquisition of data bank, remote sensoring techniques, Field Information and application of SIG ArcGis9. In a first step, the themes geology, pedology and geomorphology units was overlaying, where could obtain a Geological-Geotechnical Units Map, with lowed and elevated units, the which had been defined in accordance with its characteristics. The purpose of this map, as well as the objective of the work is to plan the territory for the future generations
Biodisponibilidade de metilmercúrio, zinco e cobre em distintas frações granulométricas de solo contaminado utilizando oligoquetas da espécie Eisenia andrei
Authors: Cesar Ricardo Gonçalves , Egler Silvia Gonçalves , Polivanov Helena , Castilhos Zuleica Carmen , Rodrigues Ana Paula de Castro , Correa Araujo Patricia
Published: July 2021

The scientific community has been concerned about heavy metals contamination and their effects on human health and the environment. Rural areas of Descoberto municipality, southern Minas Gerais State, were submitted to gold extraction using rudimentary techniques of mineral processing. In 2002, local population detected metallic mercury presence on soil surface, and in 2005 Environmental Foundation of Minas Gerais State (FEAM) delimited a critical contamination area. This works proposes bioavailability assessment of mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in distinct grain sizes of a soil sample collected into the critical area delimited by FEAM. Granulometric analysis was done using nylon sieves of 200 # (75 Âµm), 100 # (150 Âµm), 80 # (180 Âµm), 42 # (350 Âµm) and 10 # (1700 Âµm). Mineralogical characterization was executed using X-ray difratometry. Earthworms acute toxicity test follows ASTM (2004) procedures. Metals determination in soil and earthworms was performed using Atomic Absorption technique. Methylmercury (MeHg) quantification was made using Gas Chromatography. Grain sizes analysis showed sand predominance. Total chemical analysis demonstrated a very high level of contamination of Hg, Zn and Cu, confirming previous studies executed by FEAM. It was observed an affinity between grain size and metals concentrations, which is related to increasing specific surface. Acute toxicity test denoted that earthworms absorbed Hg and Cu from the soil, and Zn uptake involved absorption and bioaccumulation for smaller grain sizes. Total chemical analysis of metals in earthworms revealed that finer granulometric intervals showed higher levels of heavy metals bioavaibility. MeHg quantification denoted concentrations about 21 a 33% of total Hg. In conclusion, it is expected that these results can give an important support for future decisions in medical geology programs and in environmental control actions
Caracterização de voçorocas na ilha do Maranhão
Authors: Sathler Rafael , Polivanov Helena , Guerra Antonio José Teixeira , Barroso Emílio Velloso
Published: July 2021

The soil erosion is a significant problem that beyond the environmental degradation, can involve risks of material damage and human lives losses, mainly in urban areas. Prevention or recovery actions are important and demands planning that consider the socio-economic urban conditions and environmental particularities. In that sense, this study presents an erosive features characterization in the Island of the Maranhão, reacting to the large occurrence of the soil erosion in this area, in contribution for its causal understanding. The applied methodology consisted on field analysis, acquisition of representative soil samples, and laboratorial procedures, where the samples were characterized according to their chemical, physical and mineralogical characteristics. The analytical results show that the soils are, in general, very sandy or silty; generally not plastic and predominately kaolinitic. Soil penetration resistance and infiltration taxes were measured and show differences to resistance compacting and soil infiltration, induced for different soil uses, disclosing narrow correlations between the soil behaviour and human activities.
Virtual Test Bench for the Design of Control Strategies for Water Heaters
Authors: Quintã André F. , Oliveira Jonathan D. , Ferreira Jorge A. F. , Costa Vítor A. F. , Martins N.
Published: July 2021

An innovative methodology and a virtual test bench (VTB) are proposed to support the design of water heaters’ control strategies. This platform allows to speed up the development and evaluation of control systems even before the existence of prototypes or real test environments. By simulating the environmental conditions and the state of the different device components, it will be possible to detect and correct possible initial errors in the control system design which can be time consuming and costly due to subsequent modifications to the system or equipment components. The architecture of the proposed system establishes four operating modes: open-loop data acquisition, real-time simulation, hardware-in-the-loop simulation, and test of the complete real system, the incorporation of these functionalities in the same platform is not reported in the literature for domestic water heaters. The virtual test bench was designed to accommodate different water heaters including, but not limited to, gas, electric, and heat pumps, for instantaneous hot water production or including hot water storage. The prototype of the virtual test bench is described emphasizing the hardware-in-the-loop methodologies and embedded control. The particular case study of a tankless gas water heater (TGWH) is presented implementing the different operation modes in the virtual test bench. The water heater models, control strategies, simulation, and experimental data are presented and discussed.
Role of Inlet Boundary Conditions on Fuel-Air Mixing at Supercritical Conditions
Authors: Harris Zachary , Bittle Joshua , Agrawal Ajay
Published: July 2021

Advanced engine design and alternative fuels present the possibility of fuel injection at purely supercritical conditions in diesel engines and gas turbines. The complex interactions that govern this phenomenon still need significant research, particularly the boundary conditions for fuel injection are critical for accurate simulation. However, the flow inside the injector itself is often omitted to reduce the computational efforts, and thus, velocity, mass flux, or total pressure is specified at the injector exit (or domain inlet), often with simplified velocity profiles and turbulence levels. This simplified inlet boundary treatment has minimal effects on results for conventional fuel injection conditions, however, the validity of this approach at supercritical conditions has not been assessed. Comprehensive real-gas and binary fluid mixing models have been implemented for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of fuel-air mixing at supercritical conditions. The model is verified using prior CFD results from the literature. The model is used to investigate the effects of the shape of axial velocity and mass fraction profiles at the inlet boundary with the goal to improve the comparison of predictions to experimental data. Results show that the boundary conditions have a significant effect on the predictions, and none of the cases match precisely with experimental data. The study reveals that the physical location of the inlet boundary might be difficult to infer correctly from the experiments and highlights the need for high-quality, repeatable measurements at supercritical conditions to support the development of relevant high-fidelity models for fuel-air mixing.
Numerical and Experimental Study on the Impact of Mild Cold Exhaust Gas Recirculation on Exhaust Emissions in a Biodiesel-Fueled Diesel Engine
Authors: de Oliveira Alex , Yang Junfeng , Sodré José Ricardo
Published: July 2021

This work evaluated the effect of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on fuel consumption and pollutant emissions from a diesel engine fueled with B8 (a blend of biodiesel and no. diesel 8:92% by volume), experimentally and numerically. Experiments were carried out on a diesel power generator with varying loads from 5 kW to 35 kW and 10% of cold EGR ratio. Exhaust emissions (e.g., total hydrocarbons (THCs), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), etc.) were measured and evaluated. The results showed mild EGR and low biodiesel content have minor impact of engine-specific fuel consumption, fuel conversion efficiency, and in-cylinder pressure. Meanwhile, the combination of EGR and biodiesel reduced THC and NOx up to 52% and 59%, which shows promising effect on overcoming the particulate matter–NOx tradeoff from diesel engine. A three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics engine model incorporated with detailed biodiesel combustion kinetics and NOx formation kinetics was validated against measured in-cylinder pressure, temperature, and engine-out nitric oxide emission from diesel engine. This valid model was then employed to investigate the in-cylinder temperature and equivalence ratio distribution that predominate NOx formation. The critical results showed that the reduction of NOx emission by EGR and biodiesel is obtained by a little reduction of the local in-cylinder temperature and, mainly, by creating comparatively rich combusting mixture, which makes the combustion path pass through lower NOx zone in the ϕ–T diagram.
Performance of a Long Smooth Multiphase Pump Seal in Different Flow Regimes
Authors: Zhang Min , Childs Dara W.
Published: July 2021

Demanding for multiphase pumps introduces new challenges to the pump design. To prevent machine failures, the performance of the pump (noncontact) annular seal under multiphase conditions needs to be studied. The air addition into the oil flow not only changes the properties of the fluid but also can change the flow status in the seal clearance. The flow status can significantly affect the performance of the pump seal and thereby impact the pump vibration performance. Within the seal annulus, the axial direction flow is dominated by the pressure drop through the seal and can be considered as a Poiseuille flow. The circumferential direction flow is driven by the rotor rotation and can be considered as a Couette flow. The regime of the flow in the seal is controlled by the axial Reynolds number and the circumferential Reynolds number. Published test results on the boundaries between the laminar, transitional, and turbulent regimes in an annular seal are scant. This article will first draw these boundaries based on the test data for long smooth pump seals. Then, this article will show the performance of the long smooth pump seal in different flow regimes. Predictions will also be presented to compare with test results under different flow conditions.
Noise Characteristics of Automobile Cooling Fan Based on Circumferential Mode Analysis
Authors: Chai Pengfei , Sun Zonghan , Chang Zhiqiang , Peng Zhigang , Tian Jie , Ouyang Hua
Published: July 2021

The fan is the main component of the cooling system of an automobile engine. A typical automobile cooling fan consists of a shrouded axial fan, stator vanes, a deflector, and a cover. With recent developments in the automobile industry, the increase in the speed of rotation and blade load of cooling fans has increased the noise generated by them. To reduce it, it is important to analyze the characteristics of this noise. This paper uses an acoustic test to examine the characteristics of flow and noise of automobile cooling fans. The frequency spectrum and far-field radiation of the noise of the fan are first analyzed through far-field measurements, and the influence of the single rotor, tip clearance of the blade, and cover on fan noise is studied. The distribution of the mode spectrum and characteristics of sound propagation of discrete tonal noise are then examined using the circumferential mode test. The influence of the flow structure on fan noise is also studied. The flow characteristics and distribution of the source of noise of the automobile cooling fan are then used to analyze the influence of the structure of the fan on the noise generated by it. The results can help develop designs to reduce the noise of automobile cooling fans.
Investigation on the Robustness of Rotor/Stator Contact Interactions With Respect to Small Mistuning
Authors: Nyssen Florence , Batailly Alain
Published: July 2021

In this work, the impact of small mistuning on rotor/stator contact interactions is investigated. First, a detailed study of a rotor/stator interaction between the first bending modes and the second engine order is presented in the tuned case. Then, a numerical investigation on the effect of mistuning on the studied rotor/stator contact interaction is carried out. In particular, a stochastic analysis is performed to evaluate the robustness of the interaction with respect to the mistuning level. Simulations are conducted using a reducedo rder model (ROM) of an industrial-bladed disk that combines both physical degrees-of-freedom (along blades tip for contact treatment) and modal coordinates. Mistuning is introduced in the tuned ROM by means of a modified version of the component mode mistuning method that allows to keep physical degrees-of-freedom within the reduced basis. Nonlinear amplification factors, i.e., the amplification factors in the context of contact nonlinearities, are compared with their linear counterparts, and the latter are computed using a linear forcing on each blade using a two nodal diameters traveling wave excitation on the mistuned and the tuned bladed disk. The comparison between the linear and nonlinear amplification factor for each sample highlights that no correlation exists between a mistuning pattern leading to high amplifications in a linear context or when contact nonlinearities are taken into account. Therefore, dedicated analyses on the effect of mistuning should be undertaken with contact nonlinearities considerations at the design stage especially if intentional mistuning is considered.
On the Use of an Inflatable Rubber Lip to Improve the Reverse Thrust Flow Field in a Variable Pitch Fan
Authors: Rajendran David John , Pachidis Vassilios
Published: July 2021

The installed variable pitch fan (VPF) reverse thrust flow field is obtained from the flow solution of an integrated airframe-engine research model for the complete reverser engagement regime during the aircraft landing run from 140 knots to 40 knots. The model includes a twin-engine airframe, complete flow path representation of a future 40 000 lbf high bypass ratio geared turbofan engine, and a bespoke reverse flow-capable VPF design. The reverse thrust flow field, at all speeds, indicates that the reverse flow out of the nacelle inlet is washed downstream by the freestream toward the engine exit regions. Consequently, reverse flow enters the engine through the bypass nozzle from a 180 deg turn of the washed-down stream. This results in a region of circumferentially varying separated flow at the nozzle lip that acts as a blockage to the reverse flow entry into the engine. To mitigate the blockage issue, smooth guidance of the reverse flow into the engine to avoid separation can be achieved by using an inflatable rubber lip that would define a bell-mouth-like geometric feature with a round radius at the nacelle exit region. In nominal engine operation, the rubber lip would be stowed flush within the contours of the optimized nacelle surface. The design space of the rubber lip is studied by considering different rounding radii and locations of the turn radius with respect to the nacelle trailing edge. The choices of the design parameters are chosen by considering the nacelle edge thickness, inflation air volume requirement, weight, and thickness of support structures. The effect of these designs on the reverse thrust flow field is studied by incorporating the designs into the integrated model, with realistic installation-related restrictions. It is observed that a rounding radius of 0.1× nacelle length is sufficient to reduce the blockage and increase the ingested reverse flow by 47% to 18% in the 140–40 knots landing speed range. The inflatable rubber lip represents a design modification that can aid in the improvement of VPF reverse thrust operation, in cases where an augmentation of reverse thrust capability over the baseline is desired.
Long term field emission current stability characterization of planar field emitter devices
Authors: Bhattacharya Ranajoy , Turchetti Marco , Keathley P. Donald , Berggren Karl K. , Browning Jim
Published: July 2021

Lateral field emission devices have been characterized and degradation tested for >1000 h to study stability and reliability. Two types of planar device structures, diode and bowtie, were studied. These nanoscale devices have 10–20 nm tip to tip or tip to collector dimensions with the tips fabricated from Au/Ti. Typical currents of 2–6 nA at 6 V were measured. The devices were placed on lifetime tests in a vacuum of <10−8 Torr and biased at 6 V DC for >1000 h. Seven total devices were tested with one failing at 300 h. and three of the devices showed <5% degradation in current until 1400 h when testing was stopped, and three other devices showed a sudden drop of ≈20% ranging from 700 to 900 h. Optical microscope images of one of the devices that failed catastrophically at 350 h show physical arc damage where the bond pad narrows to the emitter trace. Scanning electron microscope images of a bowtie part that completed 1400 h of operation showed no obvious erosion or damage to the tips.
Numerical study of bulk acoustofluidic devices driven by thin-film transducers and whole-system resonance modes
Authors: Steckel André G. , Bruus Henrik
Published: July 2021

In bulk acoustofluidic devices, acoustic resonance modes for fluid and microparticle handling are traditionally excited by bulk piezoelectric (PZE) transducers. In this work, it is demonstrated by numerical simulations in three dimensions that integrated PZE thin-film transducers, constituting less than 0.1% of the bulk device, work equally well. The simulations are performed using a well-tested and experimentally validated numerical model. A water-filled straight channel embedded in a mm-sized bulk glass chip with a 1-μm-thick thin-film transducer made of Al0.6Sc0.4N is presented as a proof-of-concept example. The acoustic energy, radiation force, and microparticle focusing times are computed and shown to be comparable to those of a conventional bulk silicon-glass device actuated by a bulk lead-zirconate-titanate transducer. The ability of thin-film transducers to create the desired acoustofluidic effects in bulk acoustofluidic devices relies on three physical aspects: the in-plane-expansion of the thin-film transducer under the applied orthogonal electric field, the acoustic whole-system resonance of the device, and the high Q-factor of the elastic solid, constituting the bulk part of the device. Consequently, the thin-film device is remarkably insensitive to the Q-factor and resonance properties of the thin-film transducer.
Climate panel confronts implausibly hot models
Authors: Voosen Paul
Published: July 2021

Major IPCC report likely to curb near-term projections with measured warming trend
A lighter burden
Authors: Couzin-Frankel Jennifer
Published: July 2021

Obesity doesn't always mean ill health. Should findings from DNA, animals, and people reframe medical care?
Half-integer quantized anomalous thermal Hall effect in the Kitaev material candidate α-RuCl
3
Authors: Yokoi T. , Ma S. , Kasahara Y. , Kasahara S. , Shibauchi T. , Kurita N. , Tanaka H. , Nasu J. , Motome Y. , Hickey C. , Trebst S. , Matsuda Y.
Published: July 2021

A thermal signature

Although the material α-ruthenium chloride exhibits some of the physics associated with Kitaev spin liquids, it is not a perfect representation of this model. Yokoi
et al
. probed the limits of the Kitaev description by studying the thermal Hall response in this material. Applying an external magnetic field both in the plane of the sample and at an angle to it, the researchers observed a half-integer quantization of the thermal Hall signal. The findings suggest the formation of a topological state consistent with the Kitaev model. —JS
Counteracting age-related VEGF signaling insufficiency promotes healthy aging and extends life span
Authors: Grunewald M. , Kumar S. , Sharife H. , Volinsky E. , Gileles-Hillel A. , Licht T. , Permyakova A. , Hinden L. , Azar S. , Friedmann Y. , Kupetz P. , Tzuberi R. , Anisimov A. , Alitalo K. , Horwitz M. , Leebhoff S. , Khoma O. Z. , Hlushchuk R. , Djonov V. , Abramovitch R. , Tam J. , Keshet E.
Published: July 2021

More VEGF, more life—and health span

Advanced aging is celebrated but its ill effects, deterioration at the cell, tissue, and organ levels, are not. Grunewald
et al
. provide evidence for the vascular theory of aging, which reports that age-related decrease of vascular function is a driver of organismal aging at large (see the Perspective by Augustin and Kipnis). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling insufficiency underlies this vascular insufficiency in aged mice. A modest compensatory increase in circulatory VEGF was sufficient to preserve a young-like vascular homeostasis, alleviate multiple adverse age-related processes, and ameliorate a host of age-associated pathologies in mice. —BAP
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin induces adipose loss through sebum hypersecretion
Authors: Choa Ruth , Tohyama Junichiro , Wada Shogo , Meng Hu , Hu Jian , Okumura Mariko , May Rebecca M. , Robertson Tanner F. , Pai Ruth-Anne Langan , Nace Arben , Hopkins Christian , Jacobsen Elizabeth A. , Haldar Malay , FitzGerald Garret A. , Behrens Edward M. , Minn Andy J. , Seale Patrick , Cotsarelis George , Kim Brian , Seykora John T. , Li Mingyao , Arany Zoltan , Kambayashi Taku
Published: July 2021

Sweat out the fat with TSLP!

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is a cytokine that can promote immune responses that characterize allergic diseases. Choa
et al
. found that mice engineered to produce elevated TSLP displayed selective white adipose tissue loss that protected them from obesity, insulin resistance, and steatohepatitis (see the Perspective by Schneider). Protection was not mediated by eosinophils, regulatory T cells, or innate lymphoid cells. Rather, TLSP induced the migration of conventional T cells to sebaceous glands in the skin. Once there, these T cells promoted white adipose tissue loss by the hypersecretion of sebum, a lipid-rich substance that augments the skin’s barrier function. This mechanism, which likely evolved to enhance cutaneous antimicrobial defenses, could be possibly targeted in future treatments for obesity. —STS
Developmental and evolutionary dynamics of cis-regulatory elements in mouse cerebellar cells
Authors: Sarropoulos Ioannis , Sepp Mari , Frömel Robert , Leiss Kevin , Trost Nils , Leushkin Evgeny , Okonechnikov Konstantin , Joshi Piyush , Giere Peter , Kutscher Lena M. , Cardoso-Moreira Margarida , Pfister Stefan M. , Kaessmann Henrik
Published: July 2021

The cerebellum reveals its genetic programs

Gene-regulatory networks govern the development of organs. Sarropoulos
et al
. analyzed mouse cerebellar development in the context of gene-regulatory networks. Single nuclear profiles analyzing chromatin accessibility in about 90,000 cells revealed diversity in progenitor cells and genetic programs guiding cellular differentiation. The footsteps of evolution were apparent in varying constraints on different cell types. —PJH
Liquid medium annealing for fabricating durable perovskite solar cells with improved reproducibility
Authors: Li Nengxu , Niu Xiuxiu , Li Liang , Wang Hao , Huang Zijian , Zhang Yu , Chen Yihua , Zhang Xiao , Zhu Cheng , Zai Huachao , Bai Yang , Ma Sai , Liu Huifen , Liu Xixia , Guo Zhenyu , Liu Guilin , Fan Rundong , Chen Hong , Wang Jianpu , Lun Yingzhuo , Wang Xueyun , Hong Jiawang , Xie Haipeng , Jakob Devon S. , Xu Xiaoji G. , Chen Qi , Zhou Huanping
Published: July 2021

Evening out the heat

The conversion of precursors into the active layer of perovskite solar cells normally occurs by heating the underlying substrate. Conversion tends to occur near the top of the film, where solvent is lost, and unwanted preheating of reactants occurs near the substrate before the reaction. Li
et al
. show that the use of a surrounding heat transfer oil (anisole) leads to more rapid and even heating, removes solvent, and avoids air and water contamination effects. The larger grains and more uniform films led a much greater retention of efficiency in moving from small-area to large-area devices. —PDS
Linked Weyl surfaces and Weyl arcs in photonic metamaterials
Authors: Ma Shaojie , Bi Yangang , Guo Qinghua , Yang Biao , You Oubo , Feng Jing , Sun Hong-Bo , Zhang Shuang
Published: July 2021

Topology in higher dimensions

In condensed-matter systems, the band structure of a material has often been equated with functionality. However, consideration of the topology of the band structure now provides a route to develop a functionality that goes far beyond the expected properties of the materials. Using electromagnetic metamaterials as building blocks, Ma
et al
. realized a five-dimensional generalization of a topological Weyl semimetal. Along with the three real momentum dimensions, these included two bi-anisotropy material parameters as synthetic dimensions to demonstrate both linked Weyl surfaces and Yang monopoles. The metamaterial platform provides a powerful route to explore the exotic physics associated with higher-order topological phenomena. —ISO
Response to Comment on “Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women”
Authors: Klein Samuel , Yoshino Mihoko
Published: July 2021

Nicotinamide mononucleotide increases muscle insulin sensitivity in prediabetic women

In evaluating any randomized clinical trial, it is important to determine whether baseline differences between groups could have affected the primary outcome. In our study, muscle insulin sensitivity, which was identical in both groups at baseline, improved after nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), not placebo, therapy. Differences in baseline intrahepatic triglyceride content between groups do not negate the effects of NMN observed in muscle.
Draft Genome Sequence of an Epiphytic Strain,
Bacillus
sp. Strain WL1, Isolated from the Surface of Nostoc flagelliforme Colonies in Yinchuan, Ningxia, China
Authors: Gao Xiang , Zheng Tao , Yuan Xiaolong , Li Zhengke , Wei Yongjun
Published: July 2021

Bacilli
species are Gram-positive, aerobic, spore-forming bacteria that are widely spread in soil, dust, and water. One strain,
Bacillus
sp. strain WL1, was isolated from the surface of the cyanobacterium
Nostoc flagelliforme
in Yinchuan, Ningxia, China. The draft genome sequence of this strain was 5.62 Mbp.
Draft Genome Sequences of Two Bacteria from the
Roseobacter
Group
Authors: Deogaygay Xavier , Delherbe Nathalie , Shikuma Nicholas J.
Published: July 2021

Here, we report the draft genome sequences of strains HS012 and HS039, which were isolated from cnidarian polyps that had recently undergone metamorphosis. Genomic analyses place these strains within the
Phaeobacter
and
Leisingera
genera, members of the
Roseobacter
group.
Draft Genome Sequence of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus AWA1501, Isolated from Awa-bancha
Authors: Ito F. , Niwa R. , Syaputri Y. , Ikagawa Y. , Mizuno T. , Horie M. , Iwahashi H.
Published: July 2021

Lactiplantibacillus pentosus
AWA1501 was isolated from the traditional Japanese tea Awa-bancha. Previous studies have reported that this species becomes predominant after the anaerobic fermentation process. In this study, we report the whole-genome sequence of this strain. The draft genome sequence comprises 3,714,221 nucleotides and 3,374 coding DNA sequences, with an average G+C content of 46.02%.
Omalizumab-associated eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: cause or coincidence?
Authors: Carson Luke Nessan , Pradhan Ashish , Subramanian Deepak
Published: July 2021

Omalizumab is an anti-IgE monoclonal antibody used in severe allergic asthma. Herein, we describe a case of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, which manifested 3 months after initiation of omalizumab therapy, while maintenance corticosteroid therapy dose was unchanged.
Systemic arteriopulmonary venous fistula (APVF): case presentation of an asymptomatic individual and a review of the literature
Authors: Jenkins Paul , Dissanayake Prageeth , Riordan Richard
Published: July 2021

Abnormal communications between the systemic and pulmonary venous systems are rare but can present as a opacity on chest radiograph. A solitary vessel communicating as a fistula directly between the systemic arterial circulation and the pulmonary venous system is not widely described. These may have significant implications in the long-term cardiovascular health of an individual acting as a left to right shunt. There is no clear consensus as to the management, but surgical management and endovascular embolisation have been successfully used. We present a case where a systemic arteriaopulmonary fistula originating from the abdominal aorta and connecting to the right inferior pulmonary vein manifested as an incidental finding on a chest radiograph and was further evaluated on cross-sectional imaging in a young patient. Chest radiographs are non-specific and it is important to be aware of the less frequent but important pathologies that can be picked up on plain chest radiographs, which inturn should warrant further investigation. This is presented in conjunction with a review of the available literature along with a discussion regarding the differential diagnosis and management applicable to the general clinician.
Maple syrup urine disease associated with nephrotic syndrome in a Filipino child
Authors: Maceda Ebner Bon G , Abadingo Michelle E , Magbanua-Calalo Cheryll J , Dator Melissa A , Resontoc Lourdes Paula R , Castro-Hamoy Leniza De , Abacan Mary Ann R , Chiong Mary Anne D , Estrada Sylvia C
Published: July 2021

A 22-month-old female child with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) presented with generalised oedema. Diagnostic evaluation revealed nephrotic range proteinuria, hypoalbuminaemia and dyslipidaemia supporting the diagnosis of nephrotic syndrome (NS). Diet, being at the core of the management plan for both MSUD and NS, necessitated regular monitoring and evaluation via dried blood spot collection of leucine. The opposing requirement for total protein for both disorders (that is protein restriction in MSUD and protein supplementation in NS) prompted a careful balancing act of the dietary management. The monitoring, which revealed normal leucine levels on multiple determinations, allowed an eventual increase in dietary protein and daily administration of albumin to address the NS. Dietary protein increase, both in total protein (3.5 g/kg/day) and natural protein (1 g/kg/day) levels, was instituted. It was observed that NS does not trigger leucinosis and allowed easing of protein restriction in MSUD.
When diamniotic twins suddenly become monoamniotic twins: spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membrane
Authors: Vidal Angela , Nastasia Cristina , Hodel Markus , Kohl Joachim
Published: July 2021

In twin pregnancies, amnionicity and chorionicity are crucial as they strongly determine prenatal and perinatal management. First trimester ultrasound allows a highly reliable diagnosis of amnionicity and chorionicity, making it an internationally accepted standard in antenatal care. However, in rare cases, amnionicity can change from diamniotic to monoamniotic throughout pregnancy, substantially impacting perinatal management. We report the case of a confirmed monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy with a diagnosis of spontaneous septostomy of the dividing membrane (SSDM) at 28 weeks of gestation, resulting in a pseudomonoamniotic pregnancy. Even though SSDM is a rare condition and its sonographic diagnosis might be challenging, it should be considered if, in a known diamniotic pregnancy, there is a sudden failure to visualise the intertwin membrane truly separating both twins.
Mucormycosis in a patient with COVID-19 with uncontrolled diabetes
Authors: Shakir Muhammad , Maan Muhammad Hassaan Arif , Waheed Shahan
Published: July 2021

A wide range of bacterial and fungal coinfections may be associated with COVID-19. We report a case of rhino-orbital mucormycosis in a patient with COVID-19. A 67-year-old man, known case of diabetes, hypertension and ischaemic heart disease, was being treated for COVID-19 pneumonia when he developed right cheek eschar and ophthalmoplegia. Imaging studies revealed pansinusitis of bilateral maxillary and sphenoid sinuses with thickening and enhancement of right-sided soft tissue, lacrimal gland, mastication muscles, temporal lobe infiltrate and cerebellum infarct. Emergency right face debridement, right eye exenteration and bilateral functional endoscopic sinus surgery were done. Histopathological examination confirmed mucormycosis diagnosis. He was given amphotericin B and broad-spectrum antibiotics. It is important to have high index of suspicion for fungal coinfections in patients with COVID-19 with pre-existing medical conditions. There is a need to emphasise judicious and evidence-based use of immunomodulators in patients with COVID-19 to avoid triggering and flaring up of fungal infections.
Interplay between worsening kidney function and cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes: an analysis from the ACCORD trial
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Ferrao Diana , Rossignol Patrick , Zannad Faiez , Sharma Abhinav , Vasques-Novoa Francisco , Leite-Moreira Adelino
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have an increased risk of worsening kidney function (WKF) over time compared with patients without diabetes. Data evaluating the inter-relation between WKF, cardiovascular risk, and clinical events are scarce. We aim to study the association of WKF with subsequent cardiovascular events and the probabilities of transition from WKF to hospitalization or death according to patients’ risk. We have used a large population of patients with T2D and a high cardiovascular risk enrolled in the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Study.

Research design and methods

Time-updated, joint, and multistate modeling were used. WKF was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline greater than 40% from baseline. A total of 10 251 patients were included, of whom 1213 (11.8%) presented WKF over a median (percentile25–75) follow-up time of 5.0 (4.1–5.7) years.

Results

Patients who experienced WKF were slightly older, more frequently women, and had longer diabetes duration. Patients experiencing WKF, regardless of baseline kidney function, had a higher risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, including the composite of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure (HHF), with ≈2-fold higher risk. Joint modeling showed that renal function deterioration frequently occurs even among patients who did not experience a cardiovascular event. In multistate models, patients with a medium-high cardiovascular risk (compared with those with a low cardiovascular risk) are at higher risk of HHF or cardiovascular death first (HR=4.76, 95% CI 3.63 to 6.23) than of WKF first (HR=1.37, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.56); remarkably, the risk of cardiovascular death or HHF is highest after a WKF event (HR=6.20, 95% CI 2.71 to 14.8).

Conclusions

In patients with T2D and a high cardiovascular risk, WKF occurs in more than 10% of patients and is independently associated with risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, irrespective of baseline eGFR. Preventing serious WKF and the transition from WKF to HHF or cardiovascular death is an important objective of future trials.

Trial registration number

NCT00000620.
Performance management in complex adaptive systems: a conceptual framework for health systems
Authors: Newton-Lewis Tom , Munar Wolfgang , Chanturidze Tata
Published: July 2021

Existing performance management approaches in health systems in low-income and middle-income countries are generally ineffective at driving organisational-level and population-level outcomes. They are largely directive: they try to control behaviour using targets, performance monitoring, incentives and answerability to hierarchies. In contrast, enabling approaches aim to leverage intrinsic motivation, foster collective responsibility, and empower teams to self-organise and use data for shared sensemaking and decision-making.

The current evidence base is too limited to guide reforms to strengthen performance management in a particular context. Further, existing conceptual frameworks are undertheorised and do not consider the complexity of dynamic, multilevel health systems. As a result, they are not able to guide reforms, particularly on the contextually appropriate balance between directive and enabling approaches. This paper presents a framework that attempts to situate performance management within complex adaptive systems. Building on theoretical and empirical literature across disciplines, it identifies interdependencies between organisational performance management, organisational culture and software, system-level performance management, and the system-derived enabling environment. It uses these interdependencies to identify when more directive or enabling approaches may be more appropriate. The framework is intended to help those working to strengthen performance management to achieve greater effectiveness in organisational and system performance. The paper provides insights from the literature and examples of pitfalls and successes to aid this thinking. The complexity of the framework and the interdependencies it describes reinforce that there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for performance management, and interventions must be carefully calibrated to the health system context.
Artificial intelligence projects in healthcare: 10 practical tips for success in a clinical environment
Authors: Wilson Anthony , Saeed Haroon , Pringle Catherine , Eleftheriou Iliada , Bromiley Paul A , Brass Andy
Published: July 2021

There is much discussion concerning ‘digital transformation’ in healthcare and the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare systems. Yet it remains rare to find AI solutions deployed in routine healthcare settings. This is in part due to the numerous challenges inherent in delivering an AI project in a clinical environment. In this article, several UK healthcare professionals and academics reflect on the challenges they have faced in building AI solutions using routinely collected healthcare data.

These personal reflections are summarised as 10 practical tips. In our experience, these are essential considerations for an AI healthcare project to succeed. They are organised into four phases: conceptualisation, data management, AI application and clinical deployment. There is a focus on conceptualisation, reflecting our view that initial set-up is vital to success. We hope that our personal experiences will provide useful insights to others looking to improve patient care through optimal data use.
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial evaluating the clinical effect of antibiotic prophylaxis in children with recurrent respiratory tract infections: the Approach study
Authors: Peeters Daphne , van Geloven Nan , Visser Loes E , Bogaert Debby , van Rossum Annemarie M C , Driessen Gertjan J A , Verhagen Lilly M
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) affect children all over the world and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In particular, recurrent RTIs cause a high burden of disease and lead to frequent doctor visits. Children with recurrent RTIs generally have no significant alterations or deficits in systemic immunity. In an attempt to treat the assumed bacterial component involved, they are often treated with prolonged courses of prophylactic antibiotics taken on a daily basis. Despite its common use, there is no evidence that this is beneficial. Studies assessing the clinical effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis as well as potential adverse effects and antibiotic resistance development, are therefore urgently needed.

Methods and analysis

We present a protocol for a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial comparing co-trimoxazole with placebo treatment in children with recurrent RTIs. A total of 158 children (aged 6 months–10 years) with recurrent RTIs without significant comorbidity will be enrolled from a minimum of 10 Dutch hospitals. One group receives co-trimoxazole 18 mg/kg two times per day (36 mg/kg/day) and the other group receives a placebo two times per day for a period of 3 months. The main objective is to determine whether antibiotic prophylaxis is more effective than placebo to prevent/reduce respiratory symptoms in children with recurrent RTIs. Respiratory symptoms will be scored by parents on a daily basis in both study arms by the use of a mobile phone application. Our primary outcome will be the number of days with at least two respiratory symptoms during the treatment.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethics approval was obtained from the Medical Ethics Research Committee Zuidwest Holland/LDD. A manuscript with the study results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. All participants will be informed about the study results. The results of the study will inform clinical guidelines regarding the prophylactic treatment of children with recurrent RTIs.

Trial registration number

NL7044.