bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simplified Numerical Analysis of Soil–Structure Systems Subjected to Monotonically Increasing Lateral Load
Authors: Brandis Adriana , Kraus Ivan , Petrovčič Simon
Published: May 2021

Numerical modelling of the soil in seismic design of structures is always a daunting task. The goal of this article is to develop a simplistic numerical modelling technique for shallow founded buildings on compliant soils. An existing large-scale experimental research (TRISEE) was used for calibration. The physical model comprised of a rigid square foundation placed on a sand bed connected to a rigid column and was subjected to a dynamic sine loading. The results from the TRISEE experiment are well known and commonly used by researchers in this field, yet none of the numerical studies were conducted considering the loose sand case. Nonlinear link elements and linear springs were used for representing the soil. It was determined that the soil behavior is highly influenced by the stiffness, selected hysteresis model, and the p-y curve. Considering the software limitations, numerical models represent the experimental behavior in a good manner. Based on the results obtained from the experiment, a case study on a steel frame building with SSI effects included was conducted. Considering the results from this research, the authors recommend implementation of SSI effects into the building’s design phase since they exhibit unfavorable impacts on the seismic behavior and can lead to underdesigned structural elements. However, it has to be emphasized that certain limitations exist due to simplified modelling approaches that were used for this research.
Design and Manufacturing of a Body-Powered Hook with Force Regulation System and Composite-Based Nanomaterials
Authors: Trejo-Letechipia Manuel Alejandro , Rodriguez-Sanchez David Arturo , González-González Reyna Berenice , Perez-Sanpablo Alberto Isaac , Arizmendi-Morquecho Ana María , Lara-Ceniceros Tania E. , Bonilla-Cruz Jose , Cortes-Ramirez Jorge Armando
Published: May 2021

New developments in upper limb prostheses are based almost exclusively on myoelectric technology, which prioritizes the needs and infrastructure of developed countries. However, 80% of people with disabilities living in developing countries cannot afford these devices. The main needs of users in developing countries were identified through the I-Corps program, to select the ideal prosthesis type and generate a list of design requirements to improve prosthetic performance. A body-powered hook was developed through a four-stage process: conceptual design, detailed design, design for manufacturing, and manufacturing. The result was the lightweight body-powered hook with a voluntary open mechanism; it weighed 100 g and was manufactured on carbon fiber enriched with nanomaterials to provide hydrophobic and antibacterial properties. Furthermore, this prosthesis contains a novel continuous force regulation system, which allows a constant griping force from 0 to 30 N, providing the user with proprioceptive force to enable accurate and quick-responsive control. Due to its high functionality, robustness and comfort, the upper limb prosthesis developed in this study is an appropriate alternative for most users, regardless of their economic condition or the infrastructure of their country.
Comparative Study of Kilowatt-Scale Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Stacks Designed with Serpentine Flow Fields and Split Manifolds
Authors: Gundlapalli Ravendra , Jayanti Sreenivas
Published: May 2021

A low-pressure drop stack design with minimal shunt losses was explored for vanadium redox flow batteries, which, due to their low energy density, are used invariably in stationary applications. Three kilowatt-scale stacks, having cell sizes in the range of 400 to 1500 cm2, were built with thick graphite plates grooved with serpentine flow fields and external split manifolds for electrolyte circulation, and they were tested over a range of current densities and flow rates. The results show that stacks of different cell sizes have different optimal flow rate conditions, but under their individual optimal flow conditions, all three cell sizes exhibit similar electrochemical performance including stack resistivity. Stacks having larger cell sizes can be operated at lower stoichiometric factors, resulting in lower parasitic pumping losses. Further, these can be operated at a fixed flow rate for power variations of ±25% without any significant changes in discharge capacity and efficiency; this is attributed to the use of serpentine flow fields, which ensure uniform distribution of the electrolyte over a range of flow rates and cell sizes.
Variations in Gut Microbiome are Associated with Prognosis of Hypertriglyceridemia-Associated Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Hu Xiaomin , Gong Liang , Zhou Ruilin , Han Ziying , Ji Li , Zhang Yan , Zhang Shuyang , Wu Dong
Published: May 2021

Hypertriglyceridemia-associated acute pancreatitis (HTGAP) is linked with increased severity and morbidity. Intestinal flora plays an important role in the progression of acute pancreatitis (AP). However, pathogenetic association between gut microbiota and HTGAP remains unknown. In this study, we enrolled 30 HTGAP patients and 30 patients with AP that is evoked by other causes. The V3–V4 regions of 16S rRNA sequences of the gut microbiota were analyzed. Clinical characteristics, microbial diversity, taxonomic profile, microbiome composition, microbiological phenotype, and functional pathways were compared between the two groups. Our results showed that the HTGAP group had a higher proportion of severe AP (46.7% vs. 20.0%), organ failure (56.7% vs. 30.0%), and a longer hospital stay (18.0 days vs. 6.5 days). HTGAP group also had poorer microbial diversity, higher abundances of Escherichia/Shigella and Enterococcus, but lower abundances of Dorea longicatena, Blautia wexlerae, and Bacteroides ovatus as compared with non-HTGAP group. Correlation analysis revealed that gut bacterial taxonomic and functional changes were linked with local and systemic complications, ICU admission, and mortality. This study revealed that alterations of gut microbiota were associated with disease severity and poor prognosis in HTGAP patients, indicating a potential pathophysiological link between gut microbiota and hypertriglyceridemia related acute pancreatitis.
CD4+ T Cells in Chronic Hepatitis B and T Cell-Directed Immunotherapy
Authors: Buschow Sonja I. , Jansen Diahann T. S. L.
Published: May 2021

The impaired T cell responses observed in chronic hepatitis B (HBV) patients are considered to contribute to the chronicity of the infection. Research on this impairment has been focused on CD8+ T cells because of their cytotoxic effector function; however, CD4+ T cells are crucial in the proper development of these long-lasting effector CD8+ T cells. In this review, we summarize what is known about CD4+ T cells in chronic HBV infection and discuss the importance and opportunities of including CD4+ T cells in T cell-directed immunotherapeutic strategies to cure chronic HBV.
Elevated Free Phosphatidylcholine Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid Distinguish Bacterial from Viral CNS Infections
Authors: Al-Mekhlafi Amani , Sühs Kurt-Wolfram , Schuchardt Sven , Kuhn Maike , Müller-Vahl Kirsten , Trebst Corinna , Skripuletz Thomas , Klawonn Frank , Stangel Martin , Pessler Frank
Published: May 2021

The identification of CSF biomarkers for bacterial meningitis can potentially improve diagnosis and understanding of pathogenesis, and the differentiation from viral CNS infections is of particular clinical importance. Considering that substantial changes in CSF metabolites in CNS infections have recently been demonstrated, we compared concentrations of 188 metabolites in CSF samples from patients with bacterial meningitis (n = 32), viral meningitis/encephalitis (n = 34), and noninflamed controls (n = 66). Metabolite reprogramming in bacterial meningitis was greatest among phosphatidylcholines, and concentrations of all 54 phosphatidylcholines were significantly (p = 1.2 × 10−25–1.5 × 10−4) higher than in controls. Indeed, all biomarkers for bacterial meningitis vs. viral meningitis/encephalitis with an AUC ≥ 0.86 (ROC curve analysis) were phosphatidylcholines. Four of the five most accurate (AUC ≥ 0.9) phosphatidylcholine biomarkers had higher sensitivity and negative predictive values than CSF lactate or cell count. Concentrations of the 10 most accurate phosphatidylcholine biomarkers were lower in meningitis due to opportunistic pathogens than in meningitis due to typical meningitis pathogens, and they correlated most strongly with parameters reflecting blood–CSF barrier dysfunction and CSF lactate (r = 0.73–0.82), less so with CSF cell count, and not with blood CRP. In contrast to the elevated phosphatidylcholine concentrations in CSF, serum concentrations remained relatively unchanged. Taken together, these results suggest that increased free CSF phosphatidylcholines are sensitive biomarkers for bacterial meningitis and do not merely reflect inflammation but are associated with local disease and a shift in CNS metabolism.
PEDF-Mediated Mitophagy Triggers the Visual Cycle by Enhancing Mitochondrial Functions in a H2O2-Injured Rat Model
Authors: Kim Jae Yeon , Park Sohae , Park Hee Jung , Kim Se Ho , Lew Helen , Kim Gi Jin
Published: May 2021

Retinal degenerative diseases result from oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to the loss of visual acuity. Damaged retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) and photoreceptor cells undergo mitophagy. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) protects from oxidative stress in RPE and improves mitochondrial functions. Overexpression of PEDF in placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs; PD-MSCsPEDF) provides therapeutic effects in retinal degenerative diseases. Here, we investigated whether PD-MSCsPEDF restored the visual cycle through a mitophagic mechanism in RPE cells in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-injured rat retinas. Compared with naïve PD-MSCs, PD-MSCsPEDF augmented mitochondrial biogenesis and translation markers as well as mitochondrial respiratory states. In the H2O2-injured rat model, intravitreal administration of PD-MSCsPEDF restored total retinal layer thickness compared to that of naïve PD-MSCs. In particular, PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), which is the major mitophagy marker, exhibited increased expression in retinal layers and RPE cells after PD-MSCPEDF transplantation. Similarly, expression of the visual cycle enzyme retinol dehydrogenase 11 (RDH11) showed the same patterns as PINK1 levels, resulting in improved visual activity. Taken together, these findings suggest that PD-MSCsPEDF facilitate mitophagy and restore the loss of visual cycles in H2O2-injured rat retinas and RPE cells. These data indicate a new strategy for next-generation MSC-based treatment of retinal degenerative diseases.
Multifaceted Role of AMPK in Viral Infections
Authors: Bhutta Maimoona , Gallo Elisa , Borenstein Ronen
Published: May 2021

Viral pathogens often exploit host cell regulatory and signaling pathways to ensure an optimal environment for growth and survival. Several studies have suggested that 5′-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), an intracellular serine/threonine kinase, plays a significant role in the modulation of infection. Traditionally, AMPK is a key energy regulator of cell growth and proliferation, host autophagy, stress responses, metabolic reprogramming, mitochondrial homeostasis, fatty acid β-oxidation and host immune function. In this review, we highlight the modulation of host AMPK by various viruses under physiological conditions. These intracellular pathogens trigger metabolic changes altering AMPK signaling activity that then facilitates or inhibits viral replication. Considering the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the regulation of AMPK signaling following infection can shed light on the development of more effective therapeutic strategies against viral infectious diseases.
Silicon Nitride, a Close to Ideal Ceramic Material for Medical Application
Authors: Heimann Robert B.
Published: May 2021

This topical review describes the salient results of recent research on silicon nitride, a ceramic material with unique properties. The outcome of this ongoing research strongly encourages the use of monolithic silicon nitride and coatings as contemporary and future biomaterial for a variety of medical applications. Crystallographic structure, the synthesis and processing of monolithic structures and coatings, as well as examples of their medical applications that relate to spinal, orthopedic and dental implants, bone grafts and scaffolds, platforms for intelligent synthetic neural circuits, antibacterial and antiviral particles and coatings, optical biosensors, and nano-photonic waveguides for sophisticated medical diagnostic devices are all covered in the research reviewed herein. The examples provided convincingly show that silicon nitride is destined to become a leader to replace titanium and other entrenched biomaterials in many fields of medicine.
Simulation of a Downdraft Gasifier for Production of Syngas from Different Biomass Feedstocks
Authors: Paiva Mateus , Vieira Admilson , Gomes Helder T. , Brito Paulo
Published: May 2021

In the evaluation of gasification processes, estimating the composition of the fuel gas for different conditions is fundamental to identify the best operating conditions. In this way, modeling and simulation of gasification provide an analysis of the process performance, allowing for resource and time savings in pilot-scale process operation, as it predicts the behavior and analyzes the effects of different variables on the process. Thus, the focus of this work was the modeling and simulation of biomass gasification processes using the UniSim Design chemical process software, in order to satisfactorily reproduce the operation behavior of a downdraft gasifier. The study was performed for two residual biomasses (forest and agricultural) in order to predict the produced syngas composition. The reactors simulated gasification by minimizing the free energy of Gibbs. The main operating parameters considered were the equivalence ratio (ER), steam to biomass ratio (SBR), and gasification temperature (independent variables). In the simulations, a sensitivity analysis was carried out, where the effects of these parameters on the composition of syngas, flow of syngas, and heating value (dependent variables) were studied, in order to maximize these three variables in the process with the choice of the best parameters of operation. The model is able to predict the performance of the gasifier and it is qualified to analyze the behavior of the independent parameters in the gasification results. With a temperature between 850 and 950 °C, SBR up to 0.2, and ER between 0.3 and 0.5, the best operating conditions are obtained for maximizing the composition of the syngas in CO and H2.
Bidirectional Loading History for Seismic Testing of 3D Frame Joints
Authors: Mahadik Vinay , Sharma Akanshu
Published: May 2021

Beam-column-joints (BCJ) in reinforced concrete (RC) frames are known to be critical against seismic actions. Hence, several researchers have conducted related investigations. The loading history used in the experimental investigations must be a sufficiently accurate and conservative representation of seismic loading on the structure and should trigger all possible critical failure mechanisms in the subassembly. Presently, there is significant diversity in the loading histories used for seismic investigation of structural subassemblies. This paper intends to propose an optimum loading history for considering bidirectional (horizontal) seismic action on 3D-RC BCJ subassemblies. To this end, the available loading histories (unidirectional and bidirectional) for simulation of seismic loads on RC joint subassemblies are reviewed in the context of the demands they impose on the joints. Finite element modeling and analyses are used as a tool for investigating the response of 3D-BCJ subassembly under different bidirectional loading states.
Validation Framework for Sleep Stage Scoring in Wearable Sleep Trackers and Monitors with Polysomnography Ground Truth
Authors: Nguyen Quyen N. T. , Le Toan , Huynh Quyen B. T. , Setty Arveity , Vo Toi V. , Le Trung Q.
Published: May 2021

The rapid growth of point-of-care polysomnographic alternatives has necessitated standardized evaluation and validation frameworks. The current average across participant validation methods may overestimate the agreement between wearable sleep tracker devices and polysomnography (PSG) systems because of the high base rate of sleep during the night and the interindividual difference across the sampling population. This study proposes an evaluation framework to assess the aggregating differences of the sleep architecture features and the chronologically epoch-by-epoch mismatch of the wearable sleep tracker devices and the PSG ground truth. An AASM-based sleep stage categorizing method was proposed to standardize the sleep stages scored by different types of wearable trackers. Sleep features and sleep stage architecture were extracted from the PSG and the wearable device’s hypnograms. Therefrom, a localized quantifier index was developed to characterize the local mismatch of sleep scoring. We evaluated different commonly used wearable sleep tracking devices with the data collected from 22 different subjects over 30 nights of 8-h sleeping. The proposed localization quantifiers can characterize the chronologically localized mismatches over the sleeping time. The outperformance of the proposed method over existing evaluation methods was reported. The proposed evaluation method can be utilized for the improvement of the sensor design and scoring algorithm.
Machine Learning Study in Caries Markers in Oral Microbiota from Monozygotic Twin Children
Authors: Alia-García Esther , Ponce-Alonso Manuel , Saralegui Claudia , Halperin Ana , Cortés Marta Paz , Baquero María Rosario , Parra-Pecharromán David , Galeano Javier , del Campo Rosa
Published: May 2021

In recent years, the etiology of caries has evolved from a simplistic infectious perspective based on Streptococcus mutans and/or Lactobacillus activity, to a multifactorial disease involving a complex oral microbiota, the human genetic background and the environment. The aim of this work was to identify bacterial markers associated with early caries using massive 16S rDNA. To minimize the other factors, the composition of the oral microbiota of twins in which only one of them had caries was compared with their healthy sibling. Twenty-one monozygotic twin pairs without a previous diagnosis of caries were recruited in the context of their orthodontic treatment and divided into two categories: (1) caries group in which only one of the twins had caries; and (2) control group in which neither of the twins had caries. Each participant contributed a single oral lavage sample in which the bacterial composition was determined by 16S rDNA amplification and further high-throughput sequencing. Data analysis included statistical comparison of alpha and beta diversity, as well as differential taxa abundance between groups. Our results show that twins of the control group have a closer bacterial composition than those from the caries group. However, statistical differences were not detected and we were unable to find any particular bacterial marker by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing that could be useful for prevention strategies. Although these results should be validated in a larger population, including children from other places or ethnicities, we conclude that the occurrence of caries is not related to the increase of any particular bacterial population.
A Stepwise Approach Using Metastatic Lymph Node Ratio-Combined Thyroglobulin for Customization of [18F]FDG-PET/CT Indication to Detect Persistent Disease in Patients with Papillary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Piao Hong Hua , Jeon Subin , Yoo Su Woong , Ryu Young Jae , Kim Dong-Yeon , Pyo Ayoung , Bom Hee-Seung , Min Jung-Joon , Kwon Seong Young
Published: May 2021

We investigated whether an indication for [18F]FDG-PET/CT to detect FDG-avid persistent disease (PD) could be identified precisely using the extent of metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients. This retrospective study included 429 PTC patients who underwent surgery and radioactive iodine (RAI) therapy. [18F]FDG-PET/CT and serum Tg were evaluated just before RAI therapy. The MLN ratio (LNR) was defined as the ratio of the number of MLNs to the number of removed LNs. To derive the LNR-combined criteria, different Tg cut-off values for identifying the PET/CT-indicated group for PD detection were applied individually to subgroups initially classified based on LNR cut-off values. The cut-off values for serum Tg, the number of MLNs, and LNR for a PET/CT indication were 6.0 ng/mL, 5, and 0.51, respectively. Compared to a single parameter (serum Tg, total number of MLNs, and LNR), the LNR-combined criteria showed significantly superior diagnostic performance in detecting FDG-avid PD (p < 0.001). The diagnostic performance of PET/CT in detecting FDG-avid PD was significantly improved when the PET/CT-indicated group was identified through the LNR-combined criteria in a stepwise manner; this can contribute to a customized PET/CT indication in PTC patients.
Enhancing Student Interest to Promote Learning in Science: The Case of the Concept of Energy
Authors: Toli Georgia , Kallery Maria
Published: May 2021

This paper presents an intervention aiming to promote students’ learning by enhancing their interest in the concept of energy. Junior high school students’ learning and interest is evaluated after engaging in activities on work and energy. The intervention integrated hands-on and simulated experiments included a structured series of guided investigative tasks and whole-class discussions. The intervention was delivered to an experimental group consisting of 110 junior high school students. The control group consisted of 96 students of the same grade level, where students were taught about energy in the traditional sense, i.e., via the standard textbook. Written tests were then handed to all students to assess their learning outcomes. The results showed that the learning outcomes of students in the experimental group were significantly better than those of students in the control group. A notable increase in interest from students in the experimental group compared to that of the control group was also observed. Findings also showed a significant positive correlation between interest and academic achievement. This study reconfirms that enhancing interest could lead to better learning outcomes and its evidence-based methodology can be equally applied when introducing students to other difficult concepts of science.
An Experimental Analysis of Water–Air Two-Phase Flow Pattern and Air Entrainment Rate in Self-Entrainment Venturi Nozzles
Authors: Bae Hyunwoo , Sung Jaeyong
Published: May 2021

For self-entrainment venturi nozzles, the effects of nozzle shapes and operating conditions on the water–air two-phase flow pattern, and the characteristics of the air entrainment rate have been investigated. A rectangular venturi nozzle with width and height dimensions of 3 mm and 0.5 mm was used with a vertically downward flow direction. The pressure ratio, which is the ratio of the inlet and outlet pressures, water flow rate, and diverging angle were set as experimental parameters. From the flow visualization, annular and bubbly flows were observed. In the case of bubbly flow, the more bubbles that are generated with a higher water flow rate, the smaller the pressure ratio. In the case of annular flow, the increased pressure ratio and water flow rate induce the breakup of air core in the diverging area and make the interfacial oscillation stronger, which finally causes the flow transition from annular to bubbly flow, by accompanying a sharp increase in the air entrainment rate. During this flow transition, the frictional pressure drop of the two-phase flow is reduced, showing that a two-phase multiplier gets smaller.
Modification of Hardwood Derived Biochar to Improve Phosphorus Adsorption
Authors: Arbelaez Breton Laura , Mahdi Zainab , Pratt Chris , El Hanandeh Ali
Published: May 2021

The excessive application of phosphorus in agricultural lands leads to serious environmental issues. Efficient application is beneficial from an economic and environmental perspectives. Biochar can be used as a carrier for slow release of phosphate. However, its adsorption capacity is limited. In this work, biochar was prepared at different pyrolysis temperatures (350–550 °C). The biochar prepared at 550 °C had the highest adsorption capacity and was selected for modification by magnesium impregnation. Magnesium modification enhanced the adsorption capacity by 34% to a theoretical max adsorption capacity of 463.5 mg·g−1. The adsorbed phosphate can be desorbed. The desorption was bi-phasic with fast- and slow-release fractions. The distribution of the phosphate fractions was pH dependent with slow release being most prominent in neutral conditions. Mg modified biochar can be used to recover phosphate and then used as a carrier for slow release of phosphate. The bi-phasic desorption behaviour is useful as the fast release fraction can provide the immediate phosphate needed during plant establishment, while the slow-release fraction maintains steady supply over extended periods.
An Income Model Using Historical Data, Power-Law Distributions and Monte Carlo Method for University Technology Transfer Offices
Authors: Polasko Ken , Ponce Pedro , Molina Arturo
Published: May 2021

Engineering education pushes the creation of new technology to solve community problems. The process of technology transfer promotes educational innovation in universities, a vital process that can improve citizens’ quality of life in cities and rural communities. As a result, university technology transfer offices (TTOs) have to create strategies that motivate students and researchers to generate technology. Thus, a primary challenge that TTOs face is to know and communicate the income potential compared to their much more predictable and limited expense budgets. Institutional budgeting for a TTO’s growth would be simplified if the office were on a solid financial footing, i.e., breaking even or making a financial return. Many offices assume that income is unpredictable, that it is a lottery, luck, and more stakes in the fire improve the odds of hitting a winner, etc. These common assumptions or beliefs provide only a vague insight into how to move an intellectual property (IP) portfolio strategy forward. How can a TTO be assessed for quantitative value and not just be a cost center adding qualitative value? This paper illustrates the first steps to understanding how to project potential income versus a much more predictable expense budget, which would allow universities to improve their technology transfer strategy and results. As a result, TTOs would operate under a more sustainable IP portfolio strategy, promote educational innovation in universities, and generate a more significant community impact.
Statistical Analysis of Mechanical Stressing in Short Fiber Reinforced Composites by Means of Statistical and Representative Volume Elements
Authors: Breuer Kevin , Spickenheuer Axel , Stommel Markus
Published: May 2021

Analyzing representative volume elements with the finite element method is one method to calculate the local stress at the microscale of short fiber reinforced plastics. It can be shown with Monte-Carlo simulations that the stress distribution depends on the local arrangement of the fibers and is therefore unique for each fiber constellation. In this contribution the stress distribution and the effective composite properties are examined as a function of the considered volume of the representative volume elements. Moreover, the influence of locally varying fiber volume fraction is examined, using statistical volume elements. The results show that the average stress probability distribution is independent of the number of fibers and independent of local fluctuation of the fiber volume fraction. Furthermore, it is derived from the stress distributions that the statistical deviation of the effective composite properties should not be neglected in the case of injection molded components. A finite element analysis indicates that the macroscopic stresses and strains on component level are significantly influenced by local, statistical fluctuation of the composite properties.
Atmospheric Trends of CO and CH4 from Extreme Wildfires in Portugal Using Sentinel-5P TROPOMI Level-2 Data
Authors: Magro Cátia , Nunes Leónia , Gonçalves Oriana , Neng Nuno , Nogueira José , Rego Francisco , Vieira Pedro
Published: May 2021

Large forest fires have repeatedly affected Europe, in particular the Mediterranean countries. It is now crucial to continue the effort to feed the several layers of prediction models and understand how wildfire spreads in order to develop modern preventative and mitigation methods. The present study evaluates the performance of Sentinel 5-P TROPOMI for the monitoring of carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH4) during extreme fire events in Portugal, focusing on the Monchique (2018) and Vila de Rei/Mação (2019) wildfires, which devastated 27,154 ha and 9249 ha, respectively. The spatial distribution and trend of CO and CH4 prior to, during, and following the fire event were accessed and linked with in situ data in a qualitative and quantitative exploration. Large CO plumes were observed with CO columns exceeding 4.5 × 1018 and 6 × 1018 molecules/cm2 on 21 July 2019, and 7 August 2018, respectively. CO distribution profiles after consecutive digital processing steps showed the ability to follow CO fluctuations according to the fire spread. Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found between CO emissions inside and outside the burning area in both fire events. Finally, the CO2 estimated through CO column data presented an emission of 7.6 × 1019 molecules/cm2 for the uppermost emission day on 7 August 2018. Although CH4 monitoring is still unwavering to draw exact conclusions, the CO patterns during extreme fire events show promising and consistent data when compared with in situ data.
Effects of Vermicompost Leachate versus Inorganic Fertilizer on Morphology and Microbial Traits in the Early Development Growth Stage in Mint (Mentha spicata L.) And Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Plants under Closed Hydroponic System
Authors: Loera-Muro Abraham , Troyo-Diéguez Enrique , Murillo-Amador Bernardo , Barraza Aarón , Caamal-Chan Goretty , Lucero-Vega Gregorio , Nieto-Garibay Alejandra
Published: May 2021

The objective of this study was to compare the morphology of M. spicata and R. officinalis plants, and the relative abundance quantification, colony-forming units, ribotypes, and biofilm former bacteria under an inorganic fertilizer and the use of vermicompost leachate in the rhizosphere under a closed hydroponic system. In mint (Mentha spicata) plants treated with the vermicompost leachate, growth increase was determined mainly in root length from an average of 38 cm in plants under inorganic fertilizer to 74 cm under vermicompost leachate. In rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), no changes were determined between the two treatments. There were differences in the compositions of microbial communities: For R. officinalis, eight ribotypes were identified, seven for inorganic fertilizer and four for vermicompost leachate. For M. spicata, eight ribotypes were identified, three of them exclusive to vermicompost leachate. However, no changes were observed in microbial communities between the two treatments. Otherwise, some changes were observed in the compositions of these communities over time. In both cases, the main found phylum was Firmicutes, with 60% for R. officinalis and 80% for M. spicata represented by the Bacillus genus. In conclusion, the use of vermicompost leachate under the hydroponic system is a viable alternative to achieve an increase in the production of M. spicata, and for both plants (mint and rosemary), the quality of the product and the microbial communities that inhabited them remained unaltered.
Identification of Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) Volatiles as Drosophila suzukii Attractants
Authors: Dewitte Peter , Van Kerckvoorde Vincent , Beliën Tim , Bylemans Dany , Wenseleers Tom
Published: May 2021

The spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive pest species from Southeast Asia that was recently introduced in Europe and North America. As this fruit fly lays its eggs in ripening soft-skinned fruit, it causes great damage to a variety of crops, including cherries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, plums and strawberries. Consequently, there is a great demand for an effective and species-specific lure, which requires the development of successful attractants. Until now, there is no lure available that is species-specific and can detect the presence of D. suzukii before infestation. As blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) is one of the preferred host crops of D. suzukii, the volatile compounds of R. fruticosus berries are here identified and quantified using multiple headspace SPME (solid phase micro extraction) GC-MS (gas chromatography–mass spectrometry). Subsequently, the attractivity of 33 of the identified compounds was tested with a two-choice laboratory bioassay. Acetaldehyde, hexyl acetate, linalool, myrtenol, L-limonene and camphene came out as significantly attractive to D. suzukii. The first four attractive compounds induced the strongest effect and therefore provided the best prospects to be implemented in a potential lure. These findings could contribute towards the development of more effective attractants for monitoring and mass trapping D. suzukii.
Using Citizen Science to Complement IoT Data Collection: A Survey of Motivational and Engagement Factors in Technology-Centric Citizen Science Projects
Authors: Ali Muhammad Uzar , Mishra Bhupesh Kumar , Thakker Dhavalkumar , Mazumdar Suvodeep , Simpson Sydney
Published: May 2021

A key aspect of the development of Smart Cities involves the efficient and effective management of resources to improve liveability. Achieving this requires large volumes of sensors strategically deployed across urban areas. In many cases, however, it is not feasible to install devices in remote and inaccessible areas, resulting in incomplete data coverage. In such situations, citizens can often play a crucial role in filling this data collection gap. A popular complimentary science to traditional sensor-based data collection is to design Citizen Science (CS) activities in collaboration with citizens and local communities. Such activities are also designed with a feedback loop where the Citizens benefit from their participation by gaining a greater sense of awareness of their local issues while also influencing how the activities can align best with their local contexts. The participation and engagement of citizens are vital and yet often a real challenge in ensuring the long-term continuity of CS projects. In this paper, we explore engagement factors, factors that help keeping engagement high, in technology-centric CS projects where technology is a key enabler to support CS activities. We outline a literature review of exploring and understanding various motivational and engagement factors that influence the participation of citizens in technology-driven CS activities. Based on this literature, we present a mobile-based flood monitoring citizen science application aimed at supporting data collection activities in a real-world CS project as part of an EU project. We discuss the results of a user evaluation of this app, and finally discuss our findings within the context of citizens’ engagement.
The Emperor Has No Clothes? Searching for Dysregulation in Sepsis
Authors: Alcock Joe
Published: May 2021

The core conception of sepsis—that it is a dysregulated state—is a powerful and durable idea that has inspired decades of research. But is it true that the body’s response to sepsis is dysregulated? To answer that question, this review surveyed the history of trials of experimental sepsis treatments targeting the host response. Sepsis survival is not improved by blocking one or many immune pathways. Similarly, sepsis is resistant to treatment by normalizing one or many physiologic parameters simultaneously. The vast majority of interventions are either ineffective or harmful. With this track record of failure, it is time to consider the alternative hypothesis—regulation instead of dysregulation—and the possibility that sepsis traits are often functional, and that some physiologic alterations in sepsis do more good than harm, while others are neutral. This review discusses the implications of this perspective for the future of sepsis research.
Automotive Vulnerability Disclosure: Stakeholders, Opportunities, Challenges
Authors: Bolz Robin , Kriesten Reiner
Published: May 2021

Since several years, the overall awareness for the necessity to consider a vehicle as a potentially vulnerable system is facing accelerated growth. In 2015, the safety relevant exploitability of vulnerabilities through cyber attacks was exposed to a broader public for the first time. Only a few months after this attack has reached public awareness, affected manufacturer implemented one of the first bug bounty programs within the automotive field. Since then, many others followed by adapting some of ITs good practices for handling and responsibly disclose found and reported vulnerabilities for the automotive field. Nevertheless, this work points out that much remains to be done concerning quantity and quality of these measures. In order to cope with this, this present paper deals with what can be learned from IT and which conclusions can be drawn from these findings in the light of special conditions in the automotive environment. Furthermore, current handling and challenges regarding the disclosure process of vulnerabilities in the automotive sector are presented. These challenges are addressed by discussing desirable conditions for a beneficial disclosure culture as well as requirements and responsibilities of all parties involved in the disclosure process.
Initial Evidence for the Hypersensitivity Hypothesis: Emotional Intelligence as a Magnifier of Emotional Experience
Authors: Fiori Marina , Ortony Andrew
Published: May 2021

In this article, we provide preliminary evidence for the ‘hypersensitivity hypothesis’, according to which Emotional Intelligence (EI) functions as a magnifier of emotional experience, enhancing the effect of emotion and emotion information on thinking and social perception. Measuring ability EI, and in particular Emotion Understanding, we describe an experiment designed to determine whether, relative to those low in EI, individuals high in EI were more affected by the valence of a scenario describing a target when making an affective social judgment. Employing a sample of individuals from the general population, high EI participants were found to provide more extreme (positive or negative) impressions of the target as a function of the scenario valence: positive information about the target increased high EI participants’ positive impressions more than it increased low EI participants’ impressions, and negative information increased their negative impressions more. In addition, EI affected the amount of recalled information and this led high EI individuals to intensify their affective ratings of the target. These initial results show that individuals high on EI may be particularly sensitive to emotions and emotion information, and they suggest that this hypersensitivity might account for both the beneficial and detrimental effects of EI documented in the literature. Implications are discussed.
Simulation Study on Single-Lip Deep Hole Drilling Using Design of Experiments
Authors: Fandiño Daniel , Guski Vinzenz , Wegert Robert , Möhring Hans-Christian , Schmauder Siegfried
Published: May 2021

Single-lip deep hole drilling (SLD) is characterized by a high surface quality and compressive residual stress in the subsurface of the drill hole. These properties are strongly dependent on the cutting parameters of the SLD process and the actual geometry of the insert and the guide pads. In the present work, full 3D FE simulations of the SLD process were carried out to analyze the thermo-mechanical as-is state in the drilling contact zone by evaluating the feed force, the temperature, as well as the residual stress in the drill hole subsurface. An extensive simulation study was conducted on the effect of the process parameters on the properties using design of experiments (DoE). For the simulations, the Johnson–Cook (JC) constitutive law and the element elimination technique (EET) were applied to represent the material behavior of the workpiece, including chip formation. In-process measurements as well as results from the hole-drilling method to determine residual stresses were conducted to verify the numerical results. By means of DoE and analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression models were developed to describe the effect of the feed rate, cutting speed, and guide pad height on the temperature, feed force, and residual stress in the subsurface.
From Island Biogeography to Conservation: A Multi-Taxon and Multi-Taxonomic Rank Approach in the Tuscan Archipelago
Authors: Ruzzier Enrico , Forbicioni Leonardo , Gentili Rodolfo , Tormen Nicola , Dondina Olivia , Orioli Valerio , Bani Luciano
Published: May 2021

Investigating the drivers that support species richness (S) in insular contexts can give insights for the conservation of insular biodiversity. Our aim was to decouple the effect of drivers (island area, distance from mainland and habitat diversity) accounted in three hypotheses or a combination of them in explaining S in seven islands of the Tuscan Archipelago: Area (species–area relationship, SAR), area and distance from mainland (equilibrium hypothesis, EQH) and habitat (habitat diversity hypothesis, HDH). We used published and original datasets to assess S (except aliens) for 42 taxa (14 animal and 28 plant taxa) in each island, and we used S as the dependent variable and the drivers as covariates in regression models. In 31 taxa, the data supported one of the tested hypotheses or a combination of them, and the most commonly supported hypotheses were SAR (12 taxa) and EQH (10 taxa). The effect of the area was also evident in SAR + HDH (five taxa) and EQH + HDH (one taxon), making it the prevailing driver in explaining S. Since distances are relatively short, and three out of four islands are land-bridge islands, the effect of distance was significant for 12 taxa. The effects of habitat diversity were evident for just nine taxa. The multi-taxon approach allowed us to understand the differential effect of drivers among taxa in influencing S in a single archipelago. Moreover, the multi-taxonomic rank approach highlighted how the information contained within higher taxonomic ranks (e.g., Division) can be substantially different from that derived from lower ranks (e.g., Family). These insights are of particular importance from a conservation perspective of the archipelago’s biodiversity, and this approach can be transferred to mainland fragmented systems.
Testing the Likeable, Therefore Abundant Hypothesis: Bird Species Likeability by Urban Residents Varies Significantly with Species Traits
Authors: Collins Lillian , Paton Grant D. , Gagné Sara A.
Published: May 2021

The urbanization of landscapes filters bird communities to favor particular species traits, driven in part by the changes that homeowners make to the amount and quality of habitat in yards. We suggest that an ultimate driver of these proximate mechanisms underlying bird community change with respect to urbanization is the likeability of species traits by urban residents. We hypothesize that bird species likeability, modulated by species traits, influences the degree to which homeowners alter the availability and quality of habitat on their properties and thereby affects species population sizes in urbanized landscapes. We refer to this new hypothesis as the Likeable, therefore Abundant Hypothesis. The Likeable, therefore Abundant Hypothesis predicts that (1) bird species likeability varies with species morphological and behavioral traits, (2) homeowners use trait-based likeability as a motivator to modify habitat availability and quality on their properties, and (3) residential habitat availability and quality influences species populations at landscape scales. We tested the first prediction of the Likeable, therefore Abundant Hypothesis using a survey of 298 undergraduate students at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte who were asked to rank their preferences for 85 forest generalist and edge/open country songbird species grouped according to 10 morphological and behavioral traits. Survey respondents preferred very small, primarily blue or black species that are insectivorous, aerial or bark foragers, residents, and culturally unimportant. On the other hand, respondents disliked large or very large, primarily yellow or orange species that forage on the ground and/or forage by flycatching, are migratory, and are culturally important. If the Likeable, therefore Abundant Hypothesis is true, natural resource managers and planners could capitalize on the high likeability of species that are nevertheless negatively affected by urbanization to convince homeowners and residents to actively manage their properties for species conservation.
Use of the Er:YAG Laser in Conservative Dentistry: Evaluation of the Microbial Population in Carious Lesions
Authors: Valenti Chiara , Pagano Stefano , Bozza Silvia , Ciurnella Enrico , Lomurno Giuseppe , Capobianco Benito , Coniglio Maddalena , Cianetti Stefano , Marinucci Lorella
Published: May 2021

The aim of this study is to investigate the Erbium:Yttrio-Aluminum-Granate (Er:YAG) laser photothermal and mechanical effects on cariogenic species concentration and on the microbial load composition of therapeutic cavities, in order to evaluate the possible micro-organisms reduction and make a comparison with manual and rotating conventional therapy (CT). A clinical trial was designed, including adults with active deep carious lesions on permanent teeth who were divided into two groups, i.e., control group and intervention group treated with CT and Er:YAG therapy, respectively. Before and after any conservative treatment, two oral samples were collected using a small sterile microbrush scrubbed within the base of the dentinal cavity tissue. The percentage of reduction and the colony-forming units (CFUs) count after Er:YAG and conventional treatments were compared for total microorganisms, including Candida spp., Streptococcus spp., and Lactobacillus spp. The microbial reduction varied from 90.2% to 100% and was significantly observed for total microorganisms and Streptococcus spp. (p < 0.05). The Er:YAG laser shows the potential for clinical applications, especially with paediatric and complicated patients, thanks to its minimally invasive properties and its effect on the reduction of microbial load.