bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An oral and maxillofacial surgery pro forma for improving compliance with sepsis six
Authors: Collins L. , Beech A.N. , Gormley M. , Farrier J.N.
Published: September 2020

Background

Patients presenting to the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS) department with odontogenic or cervico‐facial infections are at risk of sepsis. The Sepsis Six bundle significantly reduces mortality if completed within 1 h. This study describes the use of a novel pro forma for OMFS which aims to improve compliance with Sepsis Six.

Methods

A pilot retrospective audit was completed to determine compliance with the Sepsis Six bundle. Data were collected from consecutive patient case notes referred to a single UK OMFS department. A custom pro forma sheet was designed. Two further audit cycles were carried out over a 4‐year period and dental core trainees focus group gave feedback on the new pro forma.

Results

A pilot retrospective audit showed no compliance with the original Sepsis Six bundle. Completion of the new pro forma for patients presenting with cervico‐facial and odontogenic infection increased to 59% in the second cycle. There was a 66% increase in the delivery of intravenous antibiotics within the first hour and lactate measurement rose to 50% by the second cycle. Importantly, initial observation of vital signs improved throughout the audit, reaching 97%. The focus group generally supported improvements in compliance, effective communication, and good record‐keeping using the pro forma.

Conclusion

The introduction of a custom pro forma for OMFS appears to improve completion of the Sepsis Six bundle which could reduce morbidity and mortality. Continual team education is required, and further audit would be useful to determine if this intervention alone is the reason for increased compliance.
Trismus: an unusual cause and its implications
Authors: Greenstein A. , Mistry C. , Lees R. , Lowe T.
Published: September 2020

Systemic diseases can manifest in many ways and subtle clues to these processes can often declare themselves in the maxillofacial region. This report highlights one usual and rare presentation of such case. A 64‐year‐old woman, presented to her general practitioner with worsening right‐sided jaw pain and trismus. She was referred to the local maxillofacial services and her mouth opening was measured at 1cm at presentation. An orthopantomogram (OPG) taken was unremarkable. She underwent an MRI of the head and neck that showed a soft tissue mass invading the right lateral and medial pterygoid muscles and plate with involvement of the ramus of the mandible. A staging CT was performed that revealed a mass of the proximal sigmoid colon. A colonoscopy performed with biopsy revealed a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma with extensive metastasis, including the right masticatory space. She was presented at the multi‐disciplinary meeting where it was decided to treat her palliatively and she died 6 weeks after her diagnosis.
Real‐World Analysis: Long‐Term Effect of Spinal Cord Stimulation With Different Waveforms for Patients With Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
Authors: Do Thoai T. , Smet Iris , Jerjir Ali , Vandamme Katrien , Devos Marieke , Van Buyten Jean‐Pierre
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is effective for patients with failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS). SCS improves their pain, as well as their functionality and health‐related quality of life. Different waveforms for SCS have emerged that show improvement in small prospective studies. Analysis of real‐world data shows the clinical implementation and the effect of different waveforms in SCS.

Methods

A real‐world analysis was performed of 208 patients with FBSS who were treated over 3 years. Stimulators with tonic, burst, high‐density, and 10‐kHz high‐frequency (HF10) waveforms were implanted in patients with FBSS who had predominant pain in the back, legs, or both back and legs. Pain as measured by the VAS, functional disability as measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and health‐related quality of life as measured by the 3‐level EuroQol 5‐Dimension (EQ5D‐3L) questionnaire were determined at baseline and for outcome assessment.

Results

SCS is effective for patients with FBSS. This analysis showed a change in baseline VAS score from 8.0 to 4.7 (P < 0.0001) at 24 months. The EQ5D‐3L score improved from 0.29 to 0.49 (P < 0.0001) at 24 months. The ODI score improved from 54% to 42% (P < 0.0001) at 24 months. The unanticipated explantation rate was only 1.6%.

Conclusion

This study of SCS showed significant long‐term improvement in pain, disability, and quality of life in a large dataset of patients with FBSS. Strict selection procedures and a strong opioid policy contributed to the high success rate and low unanticipated explantation rate. There was no difference in pain reduction between tonic and HF10 stimulation. Further investigation is necessary to detect any difference between other waveforms of SCS.
Mechanical stimulation is a risk factor for phlebitis associated with peripherally inserted central venous catheter in neonates
Authors: Igarashi Aiko , Okuno Takashi , Shimizu Tatsuto , Ohta Genrei , Ohshima Yusei
Published: September 2020

Background

Our peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) management plan for neonates previously included routine inspection for swelling and induration of the insertion site of a PICC using palpation. However, we discontinued routine palpation from July 13, 2018, owing to a peculiarly high incidence of PICC‐related phlebitis. The aim of this study was to prove that routine palpation was the cause of PICC‐related phlebitis.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed medical records of infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and underwent PICC placement from January 2018 to January 2019. The infants were classified into palpating (before July 13, 2018) and non‐palpating (after or on July 13, 2018) groups. We analyzed and compared the incidence of PICC‐related phlebitis in the two groups.

Results

Phlebitis related to PICC was more frequently observed in the palpating group (10/29 infants, 34.5%) than in the non‐palpating group (1/31, 3.2%) (P = 0.002). After discontinuation of routine palpating in PICC management, the frequency of non‐scheduled removal of the PICC due to phlebitis decreased. The indwelling period was significantly longer in the non‐palpating group than in the palpating group.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that mechanical stimulation using palpation of the insertion site was the cause of PICC‐related phlebitis, resulting in early non‐scheduled removal.
Management and prevention of varicella and measles infections in pediatric solid organ transplant candidates and recipients: An IPTA survey of current practice
Authors: Pittet Laure F. , Danziger‐Isakov Lara , Allen Upton D. , Ardura Monica I. , Chaudhuri Abanti , Goddard Elizabeth , Höcker Britta , Michaels Marian G. , Van der Linden Dimitri , Green Michael , Posfay‐Barbe Klara M.
Published: September 2020

Background

Varicella and measles infections can be life‐threatening after solid organ transplantation (SOT) but may be preventable with live‐attenuated vaccines (LAV).

Methods

This survey conducted in January 2019 among subscribers of the International Pediatric Transplantation Association listserv aimed to explore the current strategies to prevent and manage both infections in the pediatric SOT population, including recommending LAV after SOT.

Results

The answers given by 95 pediatric SOT healthcare workers show that these strategies are not yet optimal and call for further education. In particular, 59% of respondents are unnecessarily waiting for a SOT candidate to be >1 year of age to start administrating LAV before SOT. Interestingly, most respondents are willing to administer LAV after SOT (57%), and a fifth (21%) are already doing so, off‐label. The survey queried the precautions taken to improve safety evaluations after LAV, and identified knowledge gaps and practitioners’ concerns.

Conclusion

The results of this survey could be used as a starting point for education and promotion of the safe administration of LAV in carefully selected SOT recipients; in turn, this would increase available data that would contribute to the development of evidence‐based guidelines by the transplant societies and ultimately prevent these infections after SOT.
A retrospective, descriptive study of patients with Mycosis fungoides treated by phototherapy (oral PUVA, NB‐UVB) with a twice‐weekly regimen at the Institute of Dermatology, Bangkok, Thailand, with an experiential timeline of 13 years
Authors: Pattamadilok Bensachee , Poomputsar Thanida
Published: September 2020

Background

Phototherapy has been a first‐line treatment for early‐stage mycosis fungoides (MF) since 1976. Oral 8‐methoxypsoralen plus ultraviolet A (oral PUVA) and narrow‐band ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) are favorable modalities owing to their availability. In previous studies, phototherapy was conducted thrice per week initially, which is not feasible for many patients.

Objectives

To evaluate the initial clinical responses and time to relapse in patients with early‐stage MF treated with oral PUVA and NB‐UVB at a twice‐weekly regimen.

Methods

We reviewed the records of patients with biopsy‐proven MF who received oral PUVA or NB‐UVB in 2002‐2014. Demographic data, staging, response to initial course of phototherapy, and initial relapse‐free interval were collected.

Results

Among 70 patients, 14 (20%) and 56 (80%) were treated with oral PUVA and NB‐UVB, respectively. The majority had early‐stage MF (IA, 22.9%, IB, 57.1%, and IIA, 4.3%). Oral PUVA led to a complete response (CR) in 2 (14.3%) patients and partial response (PR) in 7 (50%) patients; 17 (30.4%) and 25 (44.6%) patients, respectively, achieved CR and PR with NB‐UVB. The number of treatments was similar in both groups. The cumulative dose was 520.7 J/cm2 for PUVA and 41.6 J/cm2 for NB‐UVB. There was no initial relapse in the 2 (100%) patients and in 10 (58.8%) patients treated with oral PUVA and NB‐UVB at 18 months and 9.14 months of follow‐up, respectively.

Conclusion

Patients with early‐stage MF can achieve clinical response with oral PUVA and NB‐UVB, with a twice per week regimen. The initial relapse‐free interval was longer than 1 year.
Practical knowledge and error in action
Authors: Kietzmann Christian
Published: September 2020

G.E.M. Anscombe’s account of practical knowledge raises a puzzle for cases of practical error, i.e. cases where, due to a mistake of mine, I am not in fact doing what I mean to be doing. It can seem that in such cases, we must both affirm and deny the presence of practical knowledge. It must be present, because practical error presupposes that there is an intentional action in which the mistake occurs, which in turn presupposes practical knowledge as a formal‐causal condition. At the same time, practical knowledge can’t be present, because I am not doing what I think I am doing, and therefore can’t have knowledge of what I am doing. I discuss and reject various attempts to deal with the problem. The solution I propose and defend against objections relies on applying the Aristotelian‐Thomistic conceptual framework of form and matter to intentional action.
The governance of marine restoration: insights from three cases in two European seas
Authors: van Tatenhove Jan P. M. , Ramírez‐Monsalve Paulina , Carballo‐Cárdenas Eira , Papadopoulou Nadia , Smith Chris J. , Alferink Lieke , Ounanian Kristen , Long Ronan
Published: September 2020

This article analyses three different cases of assisted marine restoration in Europe to understand how governance and legal aspects enable or constrain marine restoration in practice. The aim of this article is to enhance understanding of the enabling and constraining conditions of the governance of marine ecological restoration. To understand the governance of marine restoration, we use the concepts of governance arrangement and institutionalization. A marine restoration governance arrangement consists of different coalitions of public and private actors, who—through their different ways of conceptualizing and understanding the problem (discourses)—try to influence and design the marine restoration activities and initiatives, the managing of often shared, limited resources, and defining rules of the game (on different levels). Institutionalization refers to the production and reproduction of governance arrangements. This article gives insight in the governance arrangements of three cases: artificial habitat as in the Rigs‐to‐Reefs debate, in the context of North Sea oil and gas decommissioning, and restoration of key sedimentary and hard natural habitats of the fan mussel (Pinna nobilis) and red coral (Corallium rubrum) cases in the Mediterranean. The analysis shows how discourses shape the arrangements that currently govern the decommissioning of obsolete oil and gas structures in the North Sea, and the protection and management of two emblematic and endangered species in the Mediterranean. Based on the analysis we formulated enabling and constraining conditions for the institutionalization of “active restoration” governance arrangements, resulting in recommendations for how to strengthen restoration in policies and legislation.
Saved through technology: Exploring the soteriology and eschatology of transhumanism
Authors: Leidenhag Mikael
Published: September 2020

According to the intellectual and cultural movement of transhumanism, human beings are in the early stages of development, and it encourages the use of modern science to radically enhance physical, intellectual, psychological and moral capacities. This article offers an overview of transhumanism by outlining its historical roots and some current debates within this movement. This article will further describe several theological responses to transhumanist ambitions and predictions about the future. As will be seen in this article, how one understands ‘salvation’ affects whether the relationship between Christianity and transhumanism can be framed in terms of a conflict or cautious friendship. The article will end by showing the ways in which transhumanism itself gives rise to both soteriological and eschatological beliefs about human nature and the wider cosmos.
Soil fertility and bacterial community composition in a semiarid Mediterranean agricultural soil under long‐term tillage management
Authors: Yaghoubi Khanghahi Mohammad , Cucci Giovanna , Lacolla Giovanni , Lanzellotti Loredana , Crecchio Carmine
Published: September 2020

This research attempted to investigate a part of the United Nations sustainable development goal 15, dealing with preventing land degradation and halting the loss of microorganisms’ diversity. Since soil deterioration and biodiversity loss in the Mediterranean area are occurring because of intensive management, we evaluated some biochemical and microbiological parameters and bacterial biodiversity under long‐term conventional tillage (CT) and no‐tillage (NT) practices, in Basilicata, a typical Region of Southern Italy, characterized by a semiarid ecosystem. The highest biological fertility index (BFI) (composed of soil organic matter, microbial biomass C, cumulative microbial respiration during 25 days of incubation, basal respiration, metabolic quotient and mineralization quotient) was determined for the 0–20 cm of NT soil (class V, high biological fertility level). The analysis of the taxonomic composition at the phylum level revealed the higher relative abundance of copiotrophic bacteria such as Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes in the NT soil samples as compared to the CT soil. These copiotrophic phyla, more important decomposers of soil organic matter (SOM) than oligotrophic phyla, are responsible of a higher microbial C use efficiency (CUE) in tilled soil, being microbial community composition, C substrates content and CUE closely linked. The higher Chao1 and Shannon indices, under the NT management, also supported the hypothesis that the bacterial diversity and richness increased in the no‐till soils. In conclusion, we can assume that the long‐term no‐tillage can preserve an agricultural soil in a semiarid ecosystem, enhancing soil biological fertility level and bacterial diversity.
The perils of ‘yo‐yo’ thinking: Positioning culture in Pentecostal healing
Authors: Eves Richard
Published: September 2020

Like other Pentecostals, the Lelet of central New Ireland, Papua New Guinea, are urged to reject significant aspects of their cultural tradition in order to become born‐again Christians. Most Lelet Pentecostals say that all use of magic must be abandoned. I use the example of healing to show how commitments to break with the past are influenced by life’s exigencies, such as illness. Pragmatic responses to illness may see people move between forms of therapy that are considered mutually exclusive – that is, between Christian healing and magic. Some judge this wavering derisively as “yo‐yo” thinking. I suggest that a more subtle and open‐minded appreciation of the Pentecostal stress on breaking with the past is to see this as situational – that is, as necessarily influenced by contingencies. Despite the rhetoric of absolute rupture being widely proclaimed, putting this into practice while negotiating the exigencies of life is a decidedly more complex and fluid matter. Lelet pragmatism sometimes stands in the way of the radical idealism of Pentecostalism.
Punctate fluorescein staining scores in dogs with or without aqueous tear deficiency
Authors: Saito Akihiko , Iwashita Hiroko , Kitamura Yasunari , Miwa Yukihiro , Arita Reiko
Published: September 2020

Objective

To compare the superficial punctate fluorescein staining in dogs with and without aqueous tear deficiency.

Procedures

An eye from each client‐owned dogs presented to Triangle Animal Eye Clinic between January and December 2018 underwent tear and ocular surface tests, which included the Schirmer tear test (STT), phenol red thread test (PRT), and strip meniscometry tube tear test (SMT). Punctate fluorescein staining of the cornea (PFS‐C) and the upper palpebral conjunctiva (PFS‐UPC) were also performed. Fifty‐seven dogs with STT results of <15 mm/min had aqueous tear deficiency (AD); 31 dogs had <10 mm/min and 26 dogs had ≥10 mm/min. The 162 dogs with STT results of ≥15 mm/min did not have AD. The test results of the groups were compared using Kruskal‐Wallis and Steel‐Dwass multiple comparison tests.

Results

Two hundred and nineteen eyes from 219 dogs were enrolled in this study. The PRT and SMT results, presented as mean ± SD, were significantly lower in the AD group than in the non‐AD group (PRT: 29.5 ± 8.1 vs 36.9 ± 5.6 mm/15 s; SMT: 6.2 ± 3.8 vs 10.8 ± 2.8 mm/5 s). The PFS scores were significantly higher in the AD group than in the non‐AD group (PFS‐C: 4.4 ± 0.7 and 3.7 ± 0.8; PFS‐UPC: 2.3 ± 0.5 and 1.7 ± 0.5).

Conclusions

These results suggest that aqueous tear deficiency is not only reflected by PRT and SMT but also PFS‐C and PFS‐UPC.
Whole blood haemostatic function throughout a 28‐day cold storage period: an in vitro study
Authors: McRae Hannah L. , Kara Ferhat , Milito Chelsea , Cahill Christine , Blumberg Neil , Refaai Majed A.
Published: September 2020

Background

In recent years, there has been renewed interest in whole blood (WB) transfusion, particularly in damage control resuscitation, in part due to the ability to provide the adequate ratio of blood components in a single transfusion. However, there is insufficient evidence to suggest that WB units maintain their haemostatic function during storage, which could compromise their quality and efficacy if transfused. Here, we evaluate the in vitro haemostatic function of stored WB units over a 28‐day refrigeration period.

Methods

Standard WB units were collected from healthy volunteers and stored at 4°C for 28 days. Samples were collected from each unit on several days throughout the storage period and tested for complete blood count (CBC), WB aggregation, clot kinetics as measured by thromboelastography (TEG), closure time and plasma‐free haemoglobin.

Results

Throughout the storage period, there were gradual, significant decreases in platelet count and function, including WB aggregation in response to collagen (P < 0·05) and closure time with epinephrine (P < 0·0005). Plasma‐free haemoglobin increased substantially (by 163%) throughout the storage period. However, TEG results remained relatively stable for 3 weeks, indicating possible preservation of haemostatic function during that time.

Conclusion

This study shows that clot kinetics (as measured by TEG) in WB units stored at 4°C are preserved for up to 21 days. However, high levels of free haemoglobin raise concern for the potential risks of transfusing stored WB. Clinical studies are required to evaluate optimal storage times and outcomes of patients resuscitated with WB as compared to blood components.
Angiogenic potential is reduced in skeletal muscle of aged women
Authors: Olsen L. N. , Hoier B. , Hansen C. V. , Leinum M. , Carter H. H. , Jorgensen T. S. , Bangsbo J. , Hellsten Y.
Published: September 2020

Key points

The risk of cardiovascular disease and associated skeletal muscle microvascular rarefaction is enhanced in women after menopause, yet knowledge about the angiogenic potential in ageing women is generally sparse.

Aged healthy and sedentary women were found to present a markedly impaired capacity for proliferation of skeletal muscle derived microvascular endothelial cells compared to young women.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in skeletal muscle myocytes and release of VEGF from myocytes tended to be lower in aged compared to young women.

The aged women did not show a detectable increase in skeletal muscle capillarization with 8 weeks of intense aerobic cycle training.

Combined, the findings indicate that aged women have a reduced potential for capillary growth in skeletal muscle which, with ageing, may lead to age‐induced microvascular rarefaction.

Skeletal muscle angiogenic potential was examined in cell cultures derived from aged and young women, and the effect of 8 weeks of intense cycle training on muscle capillary growth was determined in the group of aged women. Basal muscle samples were obtained from healthy sedentary aged (n = 12; 64 ± 4.2 years) and young women (n = 5; 24 ± 3.2 years) for endothelial cell and skeletal muscle myocyte isolation and experiments. In addition, the aged women completed an 8‐week training intervention. Peak oxygen uptake and muscle samples for histology and protein determination were obtained before and after the training period. Before training, muscle microdialysate was collected from the aged women at rest and during exercise. In Part 1 of the experiments, growth‐supplement stimulated proliferation of endothelial cells was ∼75% lower in cells from aged compared to young women (P < 0.001). There was a tendency for a lower vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentration in muscle conditioned media (P = 0.0696) and for a lower VEGF content in the myocytes (P = 0.0705) from aged compared to young women. Endothelial proliferation was found to be highly dependent on mitochondrial function. Acute exercise resulted in a modest (1.3‐fold; P = 0.0073) increase in muscle interstitial VEGF protein in the aged women. In Part 2, 8 weeks of intense training did not change muscle capillarization (P ≥ 0.1502) in the aged women, but led to an increased amount of muscle VEGF (P = 0.0339). In conclusion, aged women have impaired angiogenic potential, which is associated with a compromised response both at the skeletal muscle myocyte and microvascular endothelial cell level.
Rapamycin and mTORC2 inhibition synergistically reduce contraction‐stimulated muscle protein synthesis
Authors: Ogasawara Riki , Knudsen Jonas R. , Li Jingwen , Ato Satoru , Jensen Thomas E.
Published: September 2020

Key points

Muscle contractions increase protein synthesis in a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐dependent manner, yet it is unclear which/how mTOR complexes regulate muscle protein synthesis.

We investigated the requirement of mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2) in contraction‐stimulated muscle protein synthesis.

mTORC2 inhibition by muscle‐specific Rictor knockout (Rictor mKO) did not prevent contraction‐induced muscle protein synthesis.

Rapamycin prevented contraction‐induced muscle protein synthesis in Rictor mKO but not wild‐type mice.

Protein synthesis increases following muscle contractions. Previous studies have shown that inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) suppresses the early but not late muscle protein synthesis response, while inhibition of both mTORC1 and mTORC2 abolishes the two effects. Therefore, we hypothesized that mTORC2 regulates muscle protein synthesis following muscle contractions. To test this, we investigated the effect of mTORC2 inhibition by mouse muscle‐specific Rictor knockout (Rictor mKO) on muscle protein synthesis 3 h after contraction. The right gastrocnemius muscles of Rictor mKO and wild‐type (WT) mice were isometrically contracted using percutaneous electrical stimulation, while the left gastrocnemius muscles served as controls. Vehicle or the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin (1.5 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 1 h before contraction. Treatment of WT mice with rapamycin and Rictor mKO lowered protein synthesis in general, but the response to contractions was intact 3 h after contractions in both conditions. Rapamycin treatment in Rictor mKO mice prevented contraction‐stimulated muscle protein synthesis. Notably, signalling traditionally associated with mTORC1 was increased by muscle contractions despite rapamycin treatment. In rapamycin‐treated Rictor mKO mice, the same mTORC1 signalling was blocked following contractions. Our results indicate that although neither rapamycin‐sensitive mTOR/mTORC1 nor mTORC2 is necessary for contraction‐induced muscle protein synthesis, combined inhibition of rapamycin‐sensitive mTOR/mTORC1 and mTORC2 synergistically inhibits contraction‐induced muscle protein synthesis.
Temperature Gradients at the Solidification Front of Deep Hybrid Laser Welds
Authors: Farrokhi Farhang , Endelt Benny , Andersen Rasmus S. , Kristiansen Morten
Published: September 2020

Grain refinement and the avoidance of columnar solidification is a great challenge in the deep penetration laser welds of thick-section steels. Further knowledge about the heat distribution and the temperature gradients in laser welds is vital for future attempts on the grain refinement of such welds. In this study, a comparative investigation was carried out for full and partial penetration hybrid laser welding of structural steel. The transient temperature distribution and temperature gradients were calculated for the experiments using a simplified three-dimensional finite element analysis. A comparative analysis was presented to investigate the influence of penetration mode on the temperature gradient in the liquid at different weld depths. The results of the numerical analysis suggested that, for given welding process parameters, full penetration welds have lower temperature gradients at the solidification front, meaning that they potentially have a higher chance of grain refinement, compared with partial penetration welds.
Progress on Understanding Rayleigh–Taylor Flow and Mixing Using Synergy Between Simulation, Modeling, and Experiment
Authors: Schilling Oleg
Published: September 2020

Simultaneous advances in numerical methods and computing, theoretical techniques, and experimental diagnostics have all led independently to better understanding of Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability, turbulence, and mixing. In particular, experiments have provided significant motivation for many simulation and modeling studies, as well as validation data. Numerical simulations have also provided data that is not currently measurable or very difficult to measure accurately in RT unstable flows. Thus, simulations have also motivated new measurements in this class of buoyancy-driven flows. This overview discusses simulation and modeling studies synergistic with experiments and examples of how experiments have motivated simulations and models of RT instability, flow, and mixing. First, a brief summary of measured experimental and calculated simulation quantities, of experimental approaches, and of issues and challenges in the simulation and modeling of RT experiments is presented. Implicit large-eddy, direct numerical, and large-eddy simulations validated using RT experimental data are then discussed. This is followed by a discussion of modeling using analytical, modal, buoyancy–drag, and turbulent transport models of RT mixing experiments. The discussion will focus on three-dimensional RT mixing arising from multimode perturbations. Finally, this focused review concludes with a perspective on future simulation, modeling, and experimental directions for further research. Research in simulation and modeling of RT unstable flows, coupled with experiments, has made significant progress over the past several decades. This overview serves as an opportunity to both discuss progress and to stimulate future research on simulation and modeling of this unique class of hydrodynamically unstable turbulent flows.
Practical Applications of Net Energy Analysis of Upstream Oil and Gas Processes
Authors: Grassian David , Olsen Daniel B.
Published: September 2020

Net energy analysis (NEA) has traditionally been utilized by nonindustry actors, such as academics, economists, and regulators. It has not been widely accepted as a beneficial method within the oil and gas industry with regard to oil extraction systems. This research describes several NEA metrics, such at the energy return on energy investment (EROI), and the energy intensity ratio (EIR), and suggests several practical benefits to oil and gas owner/operators of applying them. The benefits are primarily realized by integrating NEA into economic analysis at the field level, facility level, and well level. The high level impact of energy on both capital and operational (OPEX and CAPEX) expenditures is explored. The case is made that NEA can be used to illuminate the drivers behind energy intensive oil and gas extraction processes, and thus can be used to reveal important economic risks and opportunities.
Effects of the use of Auxectic Structures for structural damping in composite sandwich core panels for wind turbine blades
Authors: Ahsan Khalid Seher , Khan Abdul Munem , Shah Owaisur Rahman
Published: September 2020

With the ever increasing demand of energy necessitates the utilization of renewable energy sources such as wind energy. Wind turbines are widely used to convert wind energy into electrical and mechanical energy, with constant improvement in design so as to increase the efficiency and performance. The turbine blades are considered as long spanned unsupported structures that are prone to vibrations which reduces the performance of turbine. Honey comb and closed celled foam sandwich structure have been used to make the skin of turbine blades. This research work proposes the use of auxectic core instead of honeycomb core for use in wind turbine blades. The benefits of using auxectic core for improvement in structural damping are particularly studied. Different auxectic topologies are studied and compared using half power method and their vibration and damping behavior is analyzed in comparison to conventional honeycomb core.
Estimating the Moon-to-Earth Radius Ratio with a Smartphone, a Telescope, and an Eclipse
Authors: Caerols Hugo , Asenjo Felipe A.
Published: September 2020

From ancient times, the different features of planets and moons have created a huge interest. Aristarchus was one of the first to study the relative relations among Earth, Moon, and Sun. This interest has remained until today, and therefore it is always relevant to make this knowledge more appealing to the younger generations. Nowadays, smartphone technology has become an important tool to teach physics, and this gives us a huge opportunity to bring science closer to students in a simpler manner. In this work, we show how simple photographs of a partial lunar eclipse are sufficiently good to estimate the ratio between the Moon and Earth radii. After taking the photographs, the procedure for the calculation is straightforward and it can be reproduced easily in a one–hour class.
Effective Ammeter-Voltmeter Method
Authors: Salgueiro da Silva M. A. , Seixas T. M.
Published: September 2020

The ammeter-voltmeter method is a general method for measuring electrical resistances that is widely used in the introductory physics laboratory, mostly for pedagogical reasons. Simultaneous readings of current (I) and voltage (V) allow the calculation of electrical resistance (R) using Ohm’s law: R = V/I. It is implicitly assumed that electrical wire and contact resistances present in the measuring circuit can be neglected. Two measuring configurations are usually proposed, depending on the relative values of R and the internal resistances of the ammeter and voltmeter. In this work, we highlight the deficiencies of this standard approach and propose a modified ammeter-voltmeter method that can be used with more generality and better performance.
Beyond Recurring Free-Body Force Diagrams: Educational Pros and Cons of Alternative Means of Representing Forces and Interactions
Authors: Garcia-Lladó Àngela , López Víctor
Published: September 2020

Despite the fact that the free-body diagram is the most common method of representing forces in physics education, alternative means have been proposed over the years. Here we present a summary of the proposals found in the literature on physics education. We aim to discuss the pros and cons of these proposals, examine their degree of iconicity, and analyze their suitability for helping students understand the sum of forces (Newton’s second law), the action-reaction principle (Newton’s third law), and the nature of interaction (fundamental forces).
Expanding minds through explorations of our expanding universe
Authors: Sutter Jessica
Published: September 2020

Science is the observation of patterns inherent in the universe, composing the language by which the natural world communicates. To provide non-STEM students a meaningful experience of science, I developed a series of engaging, investigative activities through which students in an introductory astronomy course act as scientists to explore the world they inhabit. These activities focus on having students use real data they gather, or data gathered from academic journals and databases, to reach important conclusions about the nature of our universe. As an example, one activity focuses on using Type Ia supernova magnitudes to measure the accelerating expansion of the universe and is the focus of this paper. By including this and other similar activities throughout the course, the students engage in scientific thinking in a fun and exciting way. To evaluate the success of these activities, students were asked an open-ended experimental design question at the start and end of the course. The growth shown by the 11 students in the six-week summer class is an indicator that the inclusion of these activities helped these students learn about the tools available to astronomers, while also facilitating an environment to foster scientific thinking.
Quantifying scattering from dense media using two-dimensional impedance maps
Authors: Tamura Kazuki , Mamou Jonathan , Yoshida Kenji , Yamaguchi Tadashi , Franceschini Emilie
Published: September 2020

A better understanding of ultrasound scattering in a three-dimensional (3D) medium can provide more accurate methods for ultrasound tissue characterization. The possibility of using two-dimensional impedance maps (2DZMs) based on correlation coefficients has shown promise in the case of isotropic and sparse medium [Luchies and Oelze, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 139, 1557–1564 (2016)]. The present study investigates the use of 2DZMs in order to quantify 3D scatterer properties of dense media from two-dimensional (2D) histological slices. Two 2DZM approaches were studied: one based on the correlation coefficient and the other based on the 2D Fourier transform of 2DZMs. Both 2DZM approaches consist in estimating the backscatter coefficient (BSC) from several 2DZMs, and then the resulting BSC was fit to the theoretical polydisperse structure factor model to yield 3D scatterer properties. Simulation studies were performed to evaluate the ability of both 2DZM approaches to quantify scattering of a 3D medium containing randomly distributed polydisperse spheres or monodisperse ellipsoids. Experimental studies were also performed using the histology photomicrographs obtained from HT29 cell pellet phantoms. Results demonstrate that the 2DZM Fourier transform–based approach was more suitable than the correlation coefficient–based approach for estimating scatterer properties when using a small number of 2DZMs.
Implementing a bidirectional impulse turbine into a thermoacoustic refrigerator
Authors: Timmer Michael A. G. , de Blok Kees , van der Meer Theo H.
Published: September 2020

A thermoacoustic model is used to efficiently implement a bidirectional impulse turbine into a thermoacoustic refrigerator. Experiments are done for several gas types and mean pressures to identify its influence on the turbine efficiency. A scaling is investigated in an attempt to provide a unique function of the turbine efficiency for all operating conditions. Furthermore, the ratio of acoustic power absorbed by the turbine over to the total amount of available power is examined for varying conditions. Finally, the results are used to present a case study in which the turbine is used to drive the fluid pumps of the device. The remaining acoustic power is used for cooling, thus providing an off-grid thermoacoustic refrigerator that works purely with low-grade heat as an input.
Longitudinal Metatranscriptomic Analysis of a Meat Spoilage Microbiome Detects Abundant Continued Fermentation and Environmental Stress Responses during Shelf Life and Beyond
Authors: Hultman Jenni , Johansson Per , Björkroth Johanna
Published: September 2020

It is generally known which organisms are the typical SSO in foods, whereas the actively transcribed genes and pathways during microbial succession are poorly understood. This knowledge is important, since better approaches to food quality evaluation and shelf life determination are needed. Therefore, we conducted this study to find longitudinal markers that are connected to quality deterioration in a MAP beef product. This kind of RNA marker could be used to develop novel types of rapid quality analysis tools in the future. New tools are needed, since even though SSO can be detected and their concentrations determined using the current microbiological methods, results from these analyses cannot predict how close in time a spoilage community is to the production of clear sensory defects. The main reason for this is that the species composition of a spoilage community does not change dramatically during late shelf life, whereas the ongoing metabolic activities lead to the development of notable sensory deterioration.
Active Soil Nitrifying Communities Revealed by
In Situ
Transcriptomics and Microcosm-Based Stable-Isotope Probing
Authors: Xia Wei-Wei , Zhao Jun , Zheng Yan , Zhang Hui-Min , Zhang Jia-Bao , Chen Rui-Rui , Lin Xian-Gui , Jia Zhong-Jun
Published: September 2020

The role of manipulated microcosms in microbial ecology has been much debated, because they cannot entirely represent the
in situ
situation. We collected soil samples from 20 field plots, including 5 different treatments with and without nitrogen fertilizers for 22 years, in order to assess active nitrifying communities by
in situ
transcriptomics and microcosm-based stable-isotope probing. The results showed that chronic N enrichment led to competitive advantages of
Nitrosospira
cluster 3-like AOB over
N. viennensis
-like AOA in soils under field conditions. Microcosm labeling revealed similar results for active AOA and AOB, although an apparent discrepancy was observed for nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. This study suggests that the soil microbiome represents a relatively stable community resulting from complex evolutionary processes over a large time scale, and microcosms can serve as powerful tools to test the theory of environmental filtering on the key functional microbial guilds.
A Highly Pathogenic H5N1 Influenza A Virus Isolated from a Flamingo on the Caspian Sea Shore
Authors: Karamendin Kobey , Kydyrmanov Aidyn , Kasymbekov Yermukhammet , Daulbayeva Klara , Khan Elizaveta , Seidalina Aigerim , Sayatov Marat
Published: September 2020

In 2015, in the Kazakh part of the northern Caspian Sea region, during the monitoring of wild birds for avian influenza viruses, a highly pathogenic A/flamingo/Mangistau/6570/2015(H5N1) influenza virus was isolated from a dead flamingo. This study aimed to obtain the complete genome sequence of the isolate.
Complete Coding Sequences of Three Chicken Parvovirus Isolates from the United States
Authors: Goraichuk Iryna V. , Davis James F. , Afonso Claudio L. , Suarez David L.
Published: September 2020

Parvoviruses are commonly found in U.S. poultry and are associated with clinical disease. Here, we report the complete coding sequences of three chicken parvoviruses from broiler chickens from commercial farms in the state of Georgia.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Tepidicella baoligensis Strain Isolated from an Oil Reservoir
Authors: Hong Shan , Wang Guan , Yu Jiliang , You Jing , Xue Yanfen
Published: September 2020

We report the draft genome sequence of
Tepidicella baoligensis
strain B18-50
T
, isolated from a high-temperature oil well in Baolige Oilfield, China. The estimated genome is 2.87 Mb, with 2,653 protein-coding sequences.
Complete Genome Sequences of Two Akabane Virus Strains Causing Bovine Postnatal Encephalomyelitis in Japan
Authors: Okajima Misuzu , Ozawa Makoto , Kojima Isshu , Shirafuji Hiroaki , Yanase Tohru , Masatani Tatsunori
Published: September 2020

Akabane virus (AKAV) (genus
Orthobunyavirus
, family
Peribunyaviridae
) is an arthropod-borne virus that causes congenital abnormalities in ruminants. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of two AKAV strains causing nonsuppurative encephalomyelitis in cattle by postnatal infection in Japan.
Rapid emplacement of massive Duluth Complex intrusions within the North American Midcontinent Rift
Authors: Swanson-Hysell Nicholas L. , Hoaglund Steven A. , Crowley James L. , Schmitz Mark D. , Zhang Yiming , Miller James D.
Published: September 2020

The Duluth Complex (Minnesota, USA) is one of the largest mafic intrusive complexes on Earth. It was emplaced as the Midcontinent Rift developed in Laurentia’s interior during an interval of magmatism and extension from ca. 1109 to 1084 Ma. This duration of magmatic activity is more protracted than is typical for large igneous provinces interpreted to have formed from decompression melting of upwelling mantle plumes. While the overall duration was protracted, there were intervals of more voluminous magmatism. New 206Pb/238U zircon dates for the anorthositic and layered series of the Duluth Complex constrain these units to have been emplaced ca. 1096 Ma in <1 m.y. (duration of 500 ± 260 k.y.). Comparison of paleomagnetic data from these units with Laurentia’s apparent polar wander path supports this interpretation. This rapid emplacement bears similarities to the geologically short duration of well-dated large igneous provinces. These data support hypotheses that call upon the co-location of lithospheric extension and anomalously hot upwelling mantle. This rapid magmatic pulse occurred >10 m.y. after initial magmatism following >20° of latitudinal plate motion. A likely scenario is one in which upwelling mantle encountered the base of Laurentian lithosphere and flowed via “upside-down drainage” to locally thinned lithosphere of the Midcontinent Rift.
The deep magmatic cumulate roots of the Acadian orogen, eastern North America
Authors: Tassara S. , Ague J.J. , Valencia V.
Published: September 2020

The dearth of cumulate magmatic roots in accretionary orogens is a cornerstone of models that postulate redistribution of mass and energy within the crust for the genesis of intermediate to silicic magmatism. Likewise, the origin of the evolved Acadian (Devonian) plutonism in the New England Appalachians (northeastern USA) has long been explained by closed-system crustal melting due to the absence of associated coeval deep mafic counterparts. Here, we report the discovery of Acadian hydrous ultramafic cumulate rocks that formed by deep-seated (∼1.1 GPa) fractional crystallization processes from a mantle-derived parental melt (Connecticut, southern New England, USA). These rocks are the first of their kind identified in the Appalachian orogen, and one of only a handful of preserved deep subarc hydrous cumulates worldwide. We propose a genetic link between the studied rocks and the evolved coeval plutonism in central-southern New England, where the former represent the missing deep cumulate roots of the same magmatic arc. Our findings support the hypothesis that differentiation of mantle-derived hydrous magmas by fractional crystallization and assimilation processes in the deep crust is a fundamental process in the production of intermediate to silicic magmatism and the geochemical evolution of the continental crust.
A link between rift-related volcanism and end-Ediacaran extinction? Integrated chemostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and U-Pb geochronology from Sonora, Mexico
Authors: Hodgin Eben B. , Nelson Lyle L. , Wall Corey J. , Barrón-Díaz Arturo J. , Webb Lucy C. , Schmitz Mark D. , Fike David A. , Hagadorn James W. , Smith Emily F.
Published: September 2020

We present chemostratigraphy, biostratigraphy, and geochronology from a succession that spans the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary in Sonora, Mexico. A sandy hematite-rich dolostone bed, which occurs 20 m above carbonates that record the nadir of the basal Cambrian carbon isotope excursion within the La Ciénega Formation, yielded a maximum depositional age of 539.40 ± 0.23 Ma using U-Pb chemical abrasion–isotope dilution–thermal ionization mass spectrometry on a population of sharply faceted volcanic zircon crystals. This bed, interpreted to contain reworked tuffaceous material, is above the last occurrences of late Ediacaran body fossils and below the first occurrence of the Cambrian trace fossil Treptichnus pedum, and so the age calibrates key markers of the Ediacaran-Cambrian boundary. The temporal coincidence of rift-related flood basalt volcanism in southern Laurentia (>250,000 km3 of basalt), a negative carbon isotope excursion, and biological turnover is consistent with a mechanistic link between the eruption of a large igneous province and end-Ediacaran extinction.
Redefining East African Rift System kinematics
Authors: Stamps D.S. , Kreemer C. , Fernandes R. , Rajaonarison T.A. , Rambolamanana G.
Published: September 2020

East African Rift System plate geometries and surface motions are some of the least constrained in the context of global plate motion models. In this study, we used GPS data to constrain Somalian plate rotation and to suggest a new tectonic plate geometry for the region. In addition, we tested geologic data from the Southwest Indian Ridge and new GPS data on Madagascar to determine refined kinematics of the Lwandle microplate. A zone of broad deformation was discovered, extending from the eastern boundary of the Rovuma microplate, across the Comoros Islands, and including parts of central and northern Madagascar. Madagascar is fragmenting, with southern Madagascar rotating with the Lwandle microplate and a piece of eastern and south-central Madagascar moving with the Somalian plate. Divergence of the Nubian-Somalian plate system across the East African Rift System involves both diffuse deformation and strain accommodation along narrow rift segments that bound rigid blocks.
Supplemental Material: Post-collisional crustal thickening and plateau uplift of southern Tibet: Insights from Cenozoic magmatism in the Wuyu area of the eastern Lhasa block
Authors: Hao Lu-Lu , Wang Qiang , al. et
Published: September 2020

The analytical methods and results for the Wuyu Cenozoic magmatic rocks from the eastern Lhasa block of southern Tibet.