bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of biotin supplementation in infant formula: A multi‐center study in Japan
Authors: Takahashi Naoto , Shoji Hiromichi , Arai Hiroko , Tanaka Kyoko , Kakiuchi Satsuki , Yoda Hitoshi , Shimizu Toshiaki
Published: September 2022

Background

This non‐randomized intervention study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing infant formula with biotin on biotin metabolism and on development.

Methods

We enrolled healthy Japanese infants (n = 84) and assigned them to groups offered Formula A (total biotin, 0.5 μg/100 kcal) or Formula B (total biotin, 2.4 μg/100 kcal) until they were 6 months of age, and completed an additional follow up to age 36 months. Urinary biotin concentrations were measured at 1 and 6 months, and were compared among breast‐fed, Formula A‐fed, and Formula B‐fed infants at each age. In a follow‐up subgroup analysis, we compared scores on the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, version 3 (ASQ‐3), from 9 to 36 months among infants continuously fed Formula A, Formula B, or breastmilk.

Results

No adverse events occurred during the intervention period. At 1 month, urinary biotin concentrations were highest in Formula B‐fed infants and lowest in Formula A‐fed infants. At 6 months, Formula B‐fed infants retained higher biotin levels than Formula A‐fed and breast‐fed infants. Both differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The breast‐fed, Formula A‐fed, and Formula B‐fed groups had similar ASQ scores at 9–36 months.

Conclusions

Biotin supplementation of infant formula contributed to improving biotin status in formula‐fed infants. The results support the official approval of the use of biotin in infant formula by the government of Japan in 2014.
Supply chain challenges in the post–Covid Era
Authors: Graves Stephen C. , Tomlin Brian T. , Willems Sean P.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we reflect on the supply chain issues and operational challenges that we experienced through the various stages of the Covid‐19 pandemic. We identify some phenomena that were attributable in some way to the pandemic, and apply core principles of operations management, and a simple numerical model, to explain and understand their occurrence. We highlight some key lessons and discuss implications for supply chain design and planning, to prepare for the next global disruption.
Preparedness with a system integrating inventory, capacity, and capability for future pandemics and other disasters
Authors: Li Musen Kingsley , Sodhi ManMohan S. , Tang Christopher S. , Yu Jiayi Joey
Published: September 2022

The chaotic response of the US Strategic National Stockpile to COVID‐19 during 2020 highlighted the inadequacy of the inventory‐based approaches to disaster response. This paper examines the integration of stockpile inventory, backup capacity, and standby capability to meet the disaster‐related surge in demand in the future. We present a two‐period model of such an integrated system for consumable items with uncertain demand that follows a general probability distribution. Our model incorporates standby capability in period 1 that can be converted to additional capacity for use in period 2, with the conversion yield being deterministic or stochastic. Our main results are: (1) Adding capacity in addition to inventory is beneficial only when the capacity reservation‐related costs are relatively lower than the inventory‐related costs. In this case, adding capacity will decrease the inventory needed in both periods, the shortfall probability, and the total expected cost. (2) Adding capability in period 1 is cost‐effective only when the ratio of capability‐development cost to conversion yield is lower than the capacity reservation cost. In this case, investing in capability results in less inventory and less reserved capacity in period 2. (3) Higher uncertainty in capability conversion yield reduces the attraction of developing capability in period 1. Consequently, less capability would be developed in period 1, while more inventory and capacity would be needed in period 2 in the face of a higher shortfall probability.
Strategies to be prepared for a risk communication crisis
Authors: Greenberg Michael
Published: September 2022

This introductory article describes a multistep process for communicating complex information from the perspective of the communicator. As part of the introduction to a special issue, it suggests three premises grounded in the literature and practice. One is an organization cannot risk communicate its way out of problems created by poor risk assessment and risk management. Second, poor risk communication can undermine satisfactory risk assessment and management. Third, a proactive plan grounded in risk analysis is essential and implemented with periodic training exercises. The article presents a step‐by‐step communication planning process that has been used in the field. Much of the special issue is devoted to the experiences of practitioners and communication experts in successfully communicating and listening to government and private organization representatives, media representatives, and the public about complex risk issues, focusing on nuclear‐related ones. The goal is to add to our collective experience on practices that work and do not work under the many conditions that involve risk communications. The ground is changing under risk communication because of the rapid expansion of media sources and technologies. What worked a decade ago may no longer be best practice. Common to success across media and audience is the need for a planning process that is adaptable to changing conditions.
The Germin‐like protein OsGER4 is involved in promoting crown root development under exogenous jasmonic acid treatment in rice
Authors: To Huong Thi Mai , Pham Dan The , Le Thi Van Anh , Nguyen Trang Thi , Tran Tuan Anh , Ta Anh Son , Chu Ha Hoang , Do Phat Tien
Published: September 2022

In rice (Oryza sativa L.), crown roots (CRs) have many important roles in processes such as root system expansion, water and mineral uptake, and adaptation to environmental stresses. Phytohormones such as auxin, cytokinin, and ethylene are known to control CR initiation and development in rice. However, the role of jasmonic acid (JA) in CR development remained elusive. Here, we report that JA promotes CR development by regulating OsGER4, a rice Germin‐like protein. Root phenotyping analysis revealed that exogenous JA treatment induced an increase in CR number in a concentration‐dependent manner. A subsequent genome‐wide association study and gene expression analyses pinpointed a strong association between the Germin‐like protein OsGER4 and the increase in CR number under exogenous JA treatment. The ProGER4::GUS reporter line showed that OsGER4 is a hormone‐responsive gene involved in various stress responses, mainly confined to epidermal and vascular tissues during CR primordia development and to vascular bundles of mature crown and lateral roots. Notable changes in OsGER4 expression patterns caused by the polar auxin transport inhibitor NPA support its connection to auxin signaling. Phenotyping experiments with OsGER4 knockout mutants confirmed that this gene is required for CR development under exogenous JA treatment. Overall, our results provide important insights into JA‐mediated regulation of CR development in rice.
Accuracy of anatomic 3‐dimensionally printed canine humeral models
Authors: Marturello Danielle M. , James Jordan C. , Perry Karen L. , Déjardin Loïc M.
Published: September 2022

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy of various three‐dimensional print (3DP) technologies using morphometric measurements.

Study design

Experimental.

Sample population

Cadaveric canine humeri and size‐matched 3DP models.

Methods

Fiduciary radiopaque markers were affixed to canine humeri of three different sizes (4, 13, 29 kg) at predetermined anatomical landmarks. 3DP models were created using one of three printers; desktop printers Form 3L and Ultimaker 5S, and industrial printer Objet Connex (n = 5/group/printer). Marker based morphometric dimensions between cadavers and 3DP models were statistically compared using 2‐factor repeated measures ANOVA followed by Tukey's post‐hoc test (p < .05).

Results

Bone size and printer type both significantly affected 3DP accuracy, with size having the larger effect (p < .0001 and p < .02, respectively). Regardless of printing technology, model size was smaller than native bone in most cases. At the humeral condylar level, the best accuracy was seen in the medium‐sized humerus with the Ultimaker printer ([0.09 mm], p < .03). Accuracy was reduced in the proximal humerus in all groups.

Conclusion

Desktop printers were overall more accurate than the industrial printer. Although significant differences were identified between models of different sizes, the submillimetric magnitude of these differences is unlikely to be clinically relevant.

Clinical significance

While preoperative planning using 3DP models is becoming mainstream, accurate representation of the actual bone is critical. This study demonstrates that common desktop printers are suitable for this purpose.
Early initiation of electrical stimulation paired with range of motion after a volumetric muscle loss injury does not benefit muscle function
Authors: Basten Alec M. , Raymond‐Pope Christiana J. , Hoffman Daniel B. , Call Jarrod A. , Greising Sarah M.
Published: September 2022

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) injury occurs when a substantial volume of muscle is lost by surgical removal or trauma, resulting in an irrecoverable deficit in muscle function. Recently, it was suggested that VML impacts whole‐body and muscle‐specific metabolism, which might contribute to the inability of the muscle to respond to treatments such as physical rehabilitation. The aim of this work was to understand the complex relationship between physical activity and the response to rehabilitation after VML in an animal model, evaluating the rehabilitation response by measurement of muscle function and whole‐body metabolism. Adult male mice (n = 24) underwent a multi‐muscle, full‐thickness VML injury to the gastrocnemius, soleus and plantaris muscles and were randomized into one of three groups: (1) untreated; (2) rehabilitation (i.e., combined electrical stimulation and range of motion, twice per week, beginning 72 h post‐injury, for ∼8 weeks); or (3) rehabilitation and restriction of physical activity. There was a lack of positive adaption associated with electrical stimulation and range of motion intervention alone; however, maximal isometric torque of the posterior muscle group was greater in mice receiving treatment with activity restriction (P = 0.008). Physical activity and whole‐body metabolism were measured ∼6 weeks post‐injury; metabolic rate decreased (P = 0.001) and respiratory exchange ratio increased (P = 0.022) with activity restriction. Therefore, restricting physical activity might enhance an intervention delivered to the injured muscle group but impair whole‐body metabolism. It is possible that restricting activity is important initially post‐injury to protect the muscle from excess demand. A gradual increase in activity throughout the course of treatment might optimize muscle function and whole‐body metabolism.
Circulating Notch1 in response to altered vascular wall shear stress in adults
Authors: Badour Matthew I. , Stone Rachel M. , Parikh Khushali S. , Lester Nicholas J. , Meloche Olivia L. , Wulterkens Renee N. , Bain Anthony R.
Published: September 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Is the plasma concentration of Notch1 extracellular domain altered in response to decreased and increased vascular wall shear stress in the forearm in humans?

What is the main finding and its importance?

Notch1 extracellular domain is increased with acute increases in antegrade shear rate but does not change with 20 min of decreased shear rate caused by distal forearm occlusion. A novel and integral endothelial mechanosensor in humans that can help explain vascular endothelial adjustments in response to increases in antegrade shear stress was characterized.

Notch1 has been proposed as a novel endothelial mechanosensor that is central for signalling adjustments in response to changes in vascular wall shear stress. However, there remains no controlled in vivo study in humans. Accordingly, we sought to address the question of whether plasma concentrations of Notch1 extracellular domain (ECD) is altered in response to transient changes in vascular wall shear stress. In 10 young healthy adults (6M/4F), alterations in shear stress were induced by supra‐systolic cuff inflation around the wrist. The opposite arm was treated as a time control with no wrist cuff inflation. Plasma was collected from an antecubital vein of both arms at baseline, 20 min of wrist cuff inflation (low shear), as well as 1–2 min (high shear) and 15 min following (recovery) wrist cuff release. The Notch1 ECD was quantified using a commercially available ELISA. Duplex ultrasound was used to confirm alterations in shear stress. In the experimental arm, concentrations of Notch1 ECD remained statistically similar to baseline at all time points except for immediately following cuff release where it was elevated by ∼50% (P = 0.033), coinciding with the condition of high antegrade shear rate. Concentrations of Notch1 ECD remained unchanged in the control arm through all time points. These data indicate that Notch1 is a viable biomarker for quantifying mechanotransduction in response to increased shear stress in humans, and it may underlie the vascular adaptations or mal‐adaptations associated with conditions that impact antegrade shear.
La ciudadanía, educación y migración internacional: el caso de México, 2007-2020
Authors: Fernández-Tapia Joselito
Published: September 2022

El objetivo es analizar la relación entre la educación como derecho y el acceso a la educación igualitaria, incluyendo a los inmigrantes (extranjeros), para caracterizar semejanzas y diferencias en relación con los estudiantes mexicanos. Los resultados son analizados desde las teorías de ciudadanía, derechos humanos y desarrollo humano. Metodológicamente se utiliza el análisis documental de la legislación, las políticas públicas y de estudios empíricos, y entrevistas semiestructuradas a expertos. Resultados: reconocimiento de la educación de inmigrantes como derecho, problemas de acceso y ejercicio de derecho en la práctica, sin políticas integrales para su ejercicio y ausencia de una pedagogía inclusiva e intercultural (de la complejidad).
Liderar una escuela con orientación intercultural: discursos, tensiones y paradojas
Authors: Valdés René , Fardella Carla
Published: September 2022

La figura del equipo directivo en la inclusión de estudiantes extranjeros resulta relevante en un sistema donde predomina la nueva gestión pública (NGP). El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar las políticas de interculturalidad en función de las demandas y los desafíos que se le asignan a los equipos directivos en el contexto de la NGP. Para ello, se realizó un análisis del discurso a través de repertorios interpretativos a 30 documentos oficiales. Los resultados destacan la figura de un equipo directivo altamente demandado, con poca incidencia en los procesos pedagógicos y culturales y tensionado por los principios de la NGP.
Methodology for the Redesign of Compressor Blades Undergoing Nonlinear Structural Interactions: Application to Blade-Tip/Casing Contacts
Authors: Kojtych Solène , Nyssen Florence , Audet Charles , Batailly Alain
Published: September 2022

Over the past decade, the drive towards more efficient aircraft engines has pushed the boundaries of operating ranges far beyond a linear structural context. Nonlinear interfaces, such as blade-tip/casing contacts, are to be expected in nominal operating conditions. However, current blade design methodologies still rely on empirical structural considerations, often linear, which may lead to costly redesign operations. This work aims at proposing a methodology for the redesign of blades undergoing nonlinear structural interactions. A three-step redesign process is considered: (1) parameterization of an existing blade, (2) update of blade parameters with respect to a surrogate performance criterion, and (3) performance check of the optimized blade. An original two-way parameterization method is proposed to parameterize existing blades and generate models from blade parameters. As a proof-of-concept, the redesign of the NASA compressor blade rotor 37 and fan blade rotor 67 with respect to blade-tip/casing contacts is considered. High-fidelity parameterized models of the initial blades are obtained and their dynamic response to contact interactions are analyzed. Geometries are updated with respect to their clearance consumption, as its minimization has shown beneficial effects on the considered contact interactions. The proposed methodology allows us to better assess the relevance of this performance criterion in the context of blade-tip/casing contacts.
A New Simulation-Based Methodology to Improve Medium-Speed Diesel Engines BSFC/NOx Tradeoff With an Optimized Air Charging System
Authors: Xavier Tauzia , Cyril Rondeau , Simon Poiret , Pascal Chesse , Georges Salameh
Published: September 2022

This paper aims at introducing an original, simulation based, methodology to optimize air charging system of a medium speed engine in order to improve fuel consumption/NOx tradeoff, over a given load profile. A preliminary study is performed on an engine originally equipped with fixed geometry turbocharger (TC) matched at full load. It shows that improving the TC efficiency has a positive impact at matching point but an adverse effect at lower loads. Therefore, matching the TC at part load is more promising when the whole engine operating range is considered. However, this requires using a relief system to avoid unacceptable peak firing pressure (PFP) at full load, and may alter regulated NOx emission. A new, original methodology is then proposed. Using an advanced existing algorithm, it allows for simultaneous optimization of injection timing, main TC matching and relief system design. The objective is to minimize fuel consumption averaged over several operating points (corresponding to actual load profile). At the same time, NOx emission, evaluated on regulatory cycle, is kept below a given limit and others reliability constrains are fulfilled.

The methodology is assessed with several case studies:

• First, various relief systems (blow-off valve, waste gate (WG) and parallel sequential turbocharger (PTC)) are compared on a given load profile.

• Then, the dimensioning of a TC + WG system is performed for two different load profiles.

In both cases, the proposed methodology leads to a charging system design customized for a given user profile, which enables a significant fuel consumption reduction.
Investigation of Self-Heating During Ultrasonic Fatigue Testing and Effect on Very High Cycle Fatigue Behavior of Titanium 6Al-4V
Authors: Celli Dino A. , Scott-Emuakpor Onome , Warner Justin , George Tommy
Published: September 2022

Very high cycle fatigue (VHCF) data and experiments, 107–109 cycles to failure, have traditionally been both a cumbersome and costly task to perform. However, characterizing VHCF behavior of material systems is critical for the design and sustainability of turbine engines as outlined in the turbine engine structural integrity program (ENSIP). With recent advancements, ultrasonic fatigue (UF) test systems have become increasingly available to generate VHCF fatigue data. A primary consideration for ultrasonic fatigue testing is the frequency of loading, the resulting thermal evolution, and its effect on fatigue life. To mitigate the heat generation within the specimen during experiments, cooling air is directed to the specimen and cyclic loading is performed by selecting an appropriate test frequency or defining a duty cycle rather than continuously subjected to fatigue. However, standardization of experimental test procedures remains ongoing and continues to be developed. In this study, a Shimadzu USF-1000A ultrasonic fatigue test system is used to characterize VHCF behavior of Ti-6Al-4V to understand the effect of duty cycle and thermal evolution on fatigue life for ultrasonic fatigue testing. Titanium 6Al-4V test specimens are subjected to fully reversed axial fatigue at 20 kHz exciting resonance in an axial mode to better characterize the experimental process. Three duty cycle-cooling air configurations and their effect on fatigue life due to self-generated heat during the experiment are investigated. Heat generation is monitored in situ via a single-point optical pyrometer, and in situ mechanical and thermal data are collected and compared to standardized servohydraulic fatigue test data performed in this study as well as from data found in the literature.
Attribute-Sentiment-Guided Summarization of User Opinions From Online Reviews
Authors: Han Yi , Nanda Gaurav , Moghaddam Mohsen
Published: September 2022

Eliciting informative user opinions from online reviews is a key success factor for innovative product design and development. The unstructured, noisy, and verbose nature of user reviews, however, often complicate large-scale need finding in a format useful for designers without losing important information. Recent advances in abstractive text summarization have created the opportunity to systematically generate opinion summaries from online reviews to inform the early stages of product design and development. However, two knowledge gaps hinder the applicability of opinion summarization methods in practice. First, there is a lack of formal mechanisms to guide the generative process with respect to different categories of product attributes and user sentiments. Second, the annotated training datasets needed for supervised training of abstractive summarization models are often difficult and costly to create. This article addresses these gaps by (1) devising an efficient computational framework for abstractive opinion summarization guided by specific product attributes and sentiment polarities, and (2) automatically generating a synthetic training dataset that captures various degrees of granularity and polarity. A hierarchical multi-instance attribute-sentiment inference model is developed for assembling a high-quality synthetic dataset, which is utilized to fine-tune a pretrained language model for abstractive summary generation. Numerical experiments conducted on a large dataset scraped from three major e-Commerce retail stores for apparel and footwear products indicate the performance, feasibility, and potentials of the developed framework. Several directions are provided for future exploration in the area of automated opinion summarization for user-centered design.
Bio-Inspired Avenues for Advancing Brain Injury Prevention
Authors: Ezemba Jessica , Layton Astrid
Published: September 2022

Bio-inspired design is a highly promising avenue for uncovering novel traumatic brain injury prevention equipment designs. Nature has a history of providing inspiration for breakthrough innovations, particularly in cases when the traditional engineering mindset has failed to advance problem- solving. This work identifies patterns and trends in the ways that nature defends against external stimuli and predators, investigating them with the goal of highlighting promising inspiration for brain injury prevention. Two key strategies were found missing in engineering applications while identifying patterns and strategies used in nature: (1) connections between layers in multilayered material structures and (2) the use of multiple strategies in a single design. Nine organisms are highlighted in detail as examples of patterns in biological methods of protection, both on a macro and microscale. These findings include the coconut’s shell, the pomelo fruit’s peel, the golden scale snail’s shell, the ironclad beetle’s exoskeleton, the woodpecker’s skull, the Arapaima fish’s scales, conch shells, and the dactyl club of shrimp. The results highlight knowledge gaps preventing these findings from being applied as well as recommendations for moving toward their use in engineering design.
The Importance of Shape in Particle Rebound Behaviors
Authors: Wilson Jacob , Qiao Rui , Kappes Matthew , Loebig James , Clarkson Rory
Published: September 2022

Physics-based particle rebound models are essential for the accurate tracking of particles in aero engines. Current models are often informed by analysis of spherical particle impact, but particles ingested in engines typically feature edges and corners. Understanding the effects of particle shape on rebound behavior is critical for ascertaining the range of validity of existing models and for developing improved models. Here, we report on first-principle simulations of cubical particles impacting Ti-6Al-4V targets. Our simulations reveal that, in the case of normal impact at a given incident speed, the coefficient of restitution (CoR) of cubes exhibits significant scattering. The scattering and median of computed CoR show good agreement with recent experiments using sand particles of the same volume-based size, sphericity, and incident speed. Comparison with spheres impacting the same target shows that the median CoR of cubes is significantly lower than that of spheres. Further, the rebound of cubes features significant rotation and transverse velocity, which can account for ∼60% of a rebounding cube’s energy but are negligible modes of energy transfer in impacts involving spheres. We identify that the moment arm length, a parameter that characterizes the mass distribution of angular particles impacting a target, plays a key role in particle rebound, and its distribution is strongly correlated with rebound stochasticity. These findings can benefit the development of physics-based low-order models of angular particle rebound.
Multiphysics Numerical Study of Solar Receiver Tube for Enhanced Thermal Efficiency and Durability in Concentrated Solar Power Tower Plant
Authors: Hatcher Shawn , Khadka Rajan , Pidaparthi Bharath , Missoum Samy , Li Peiwen , Xu Ben
Published: September 2022

In the search for advanced and more substantial ways to use renewable energy, concentrated solar power (CSP) is one of the leading research ideas with the ability to have higher thermal efficiencies and capability of storing energy. Among the various CSP systems, the receiver tube in concentrated solar power tower (CSPT) plant is one of the most crucial components subjected to extreme working conditions. For tubular receiver operates with temperatures above 700°C, preliminary simulations shown an egregious temperature gradient greater than from the sunny side to the shadow region for a smooth tube, and the intense heat on the tube surface also causes deformation and buckling, therefore circumferential flow needs to be induced in order to create more flow mixing for a more uniform temperature distribution. In this study, COMSOL Multiphysics was adopted to explore the coupled hydro-thermal-mechanical effects when the receiver tubes have internal fins. The solar receiver tube is a hybrid material made of Inconel 718 and Boron mixture. The simulation showcases both forced and natural convection along with the solar radiation on one half of the tube. Multiple fins designs were simulated and compared in terms of heat transfer enhancement and minimized pressure drop, and the design of 7-head helical fins was chosen. By introducing the internal fins, the circumferential flow was observed in the flow domain, therefore it eventually led to a more uniform temperature profile for both the outer surface and bulk fluid temperatures. With a more uniform, lower surface temperature, the convective heat losses are considerably lower. The thermal efficiency was enhanced from 79.4% to 80.4%, and the structural deformation was reduced by 21.4%. Simulations were conducted to explore the effect of tube surface roughness on the absorbance and reflectivity. Various randomly generated curves with changing roughness heights were considered. The results proved that the increased surface roughness enhances the solar absorption from 0.55 to 0.80 with the hybrid mixture. This study has potential to transform the design and manufacturing of solar receiver tubes for high temperature applications, and it can directly support the current on-going efforts to reach the US Department of Energy (DOE) CSP 2030 goal.
Numerical Analysis of Flow Over Slitted Cylinder and Experimental Validation Using Soap-Film Technique
Authors: Janajreh Isam , Hassan Hussain , Abderrahmane Hamid Ait , Ali Ussama , Islam Md
Published: September 2022

Low Reynolds number flow (Re = 100) over a slitted 2D cylinder was examined to analyze the flow characteristics within the slit and the role it plays on the shedding frequency. The goal of this work is to explore the enhancement of the lift and reduction of the drag for energy harvesting purposes. One way of achieving this goal is by controlling the separation of the incompressible laminar boundary layer through blowing and suction. However, in this work it is passively controlled by the cylinder slit. Different slit orientation (azimuth angles: 0, π/12, π/6, π/4, 5π/12, and π/2) at 10% slit-to-diameter ratio was considered. The work was carried out numerically by seeking solution to the unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. Validation was done experimentally utilizing the 2D vertical soap film tunnel available in our laboratory at Khalifa University. The visualization in soap film tunnel exploits the optical properties of soap film and relies on the wake formation patterns and the frequency at which vortices shed using well developed imaging techniques. These flow visualizations of the vortex shedding behind the cylinder with and without slit were recorded and analyzed to infer its Strouhal number (St = f.D/U). From the common Roshko’s graph (Re vs St) the Reynolds number was determined, and the film property was evaluated. Using common flow as baseline the technique can be used to validate numerous 2D-flow simulations, airfoils, bluff bodies, and even the oscillating flow around them. The details of the soap-film technique and parameters for successful experimentation are provided and demonstrated on slitted cylinder. The results are validated using numerical technique and the results from the literature.
GPS-Synchronized Data Collection and Time Stamping
Authors: Baird William , Pizano Adrian , Ruff Jordan
Published: September 2022

The global positioning system (GPS) must be familiar to every user of a smartphone as a way to locate one’s position on Earth to within several meters. The constellation of orbiting atomic clocks equipped with radio transmitters allows receivers on Earth to determine their own position by measuring the travel times of radio signals from multiple satellites. A physics laboratory for an upper-level majors course involving GPS signals might be assumed to focus on relativistic effects (either special or general), but this paper demonstrates that the ultra-precise time signal from a GPS receiver can be used for a variety of data collection purposes.
A Microcontroller-Based Experiment to Determine the Magnetic Field Near a Straight Current-Carrying Wire
Authors: Önder Fatih , Önder Esra Bilal , Ogur Mehmet
Published: September 2022

It is well known that the needle of a compass in a magnetic field deflects, and that a compass near a conductive wire carrying a stable electric current deflects its needle. The only explanation of this observation is that the current-carrying wire creates a magnetic field around it. The strength of the magnetic field at any point near the wire depends on the strength of the current and the distance from the wire. Analysis of the magnetic field created by a long straight current-carrying wire has an important place in magnetism teaching. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a low-cost experimental setup to collect real-time data for the analysis of the magnetic field near a long straight wire.
Carbon Nanodots in Beer and Cola: An Interesting Way to Introduce Nanomaterials and Their Applications
Authors: Quang Ngo Khoa
Published: September 2022

This article describes a simple way to introduce nanomaterials using the presence of carbon nanodots (CNDs) in widely available food. Budweiser® beer and Coca-Cola®, commercial foods that are commonly accessible, were utilized to demonstrate the optical property of nanoparticles. Specifically, green and violet laser pointers were employed for the observation of excitation-dependent photoluminescence of CNDs. To represent the application of CNDs, we obtained multiple-color emissions in onion cells that were imaged by using Budweiser beer and Coca-Cola as a dye. The demonstration could offer a perspective on the use of food in teaching nanomaterials at the high school and undergraduate levels.
A z-axis tunneling microscope for undergraduate labs
Authors: Lindgren Randy , Kozan Wesley , Fuerst Noah , Knapp Douglas , Veazey Joshua P.
Published: September 2022

We present the design and construction of a laboratory apparatus that provides advanced undergraduates with hands-on observations of electron quantum tunneling and the electronic density of states of various materials. The instrument is inspired by the scanning tunneling microscope (STM), but its implementation is simplified by limiting the tip motion to the single dimension along the tip-sample separation (z-axis); we refer to the device as the z-axis tunneling microscope (ZTM). Students are able to use the ZTM to measure electron tunneling probability as a function of barrier width, estimate relative material work functions, and observe differences in local electronic structure among metals, semimetals, and semiconductors. We share results obtained by third-year undergraduate physics students using the instrument for their final projects in an advanced instructional lab course.
Molecular analysis of individual differences in talker search at the cocktail-party
Authors: Lutfi Robert A. , Pastore Torben , Rodriguez Briana , Yost William A. , Lee Jungmee
Published: September 2022

A molecular (trial-by-trial) analysis of data from a cocktail-party, target-talker search task was used to test two general classes of explanations accounting for individual differences in listener performance: cue weighting models for which errors are tied to the speech features talkers have in common with the target and internal noise models for which errors are largely independent of these features. The speech of eight different talkers was played simultaneously over eight different loudspeakers surrounding the listener. The locations of the eight talkers varied at random from trial to trial. The listener's task was to identify the location of a target talker with which they had previously been familiarized. An analysis of the response counts to individual talkers showed predominant confusion with one talker sharing the same fundamental frequency and timbre as the target and, secondarily, other talkers sharing the same timbre. The confusions occurred for a roughly constant 31% of all of the trials for all of the listeners. The remaining errors were uniformly distributed across the remaining talkers and responsible for the large individual differences in performances observed. The results are consistent with a model in which largely stimulus-independent factors (internal noise) are responsible for the wide variation in performance across listeners.
CHAP-Adult: A Reliable and Valid Algorithm to Classify Sitting and Measure Sitting Patterns Using Data From Hip-Worn Accelerometers in Adults Aged 35+
Authors: Bellettiere John , Nakandala Supun , Tuz-Zahra Fatima , Winkler Elisabeth A.H. , Hibbing Paul R. , Healy Genevieve N. , Dunstan David W. , Owen Neville , Anne Greenwood-Hickman Mikael , Rosenberg Dori E. , Zou Jingjing , Carlson Jordan A. , Di Chongzhi , Dillon Lindsay W. , Jankowska Marta M. , LaCroix Andrea Z. , Ridgers Nicola D. , Zablocki Rong , Kumar Arun , Natarajan Loki
Published: September 2022

Background: Hip-worn accelerometers are commonly used, but data processed using the 100 counts per minute cut point do not accurately measure sitting patterns. We developed and validated a model to accurately classify sitting and sitting patterns using hip-worn accelerometer data from a wide age range of older adults. Methods: Deep learning models were trained with 30-Hz triaxial hip-worn accelerometer data as inputs and activPAL sitting/nonsitting events as ground truth. Data from 981 adults aged 35–99 years from cohorts in two continents were used to train the model, which we call CHAP-Adult (Convolutional Neural Network Hip Accelerometer Posture-Adult). Validation was conducted among 419 randomly selected adults not included in model training. Results: Mean errors (activPAL − CHAP-Adult) and 95% limits of agreement were: sedentary time −10.5 (−63.0, 42.0) min/day, breaks in sedentary time 1.9 (−9.2, 12.9) breaks/day, mean bout duration −0.6 (−4.0, 2.7) min, usual bout duration −1.4 (−8.3, 5.4) min, alpha .00 (−.04, .04), and time in ≥30-min bouts −15.1 (−84.3, 54.1) min/day. Respective mean (and absolute) percent errors were: −2.0% (4.0%), −4.7% (12.2%), 4.1% (11.6%), −4.4% (9.6%), 0.0% (1.4%), and 5.4% (9.6%). Pearson’s correlations were: .96, .92, .86, .92, .78, and .96. Error was generally consistent across age, gender, and body mass index groups with the largest deviations observed for those with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2. Conclusions: Overall, these strong validation results indicate CHAP-Adult represents a significant advancement in the ambulatory measurement of sitting and sitting patterns using hip-worn accelerometers. Pending external validation, it could be widely applied to data from around the world to extend understanding of the epidemiology and health consequences of sitting.
Provably efficient machine learning for quantum many-body problems
Authors: Huang Hsin-Yuan , Kueng Richard , Torlai Giacomo , Albert Victor V. , Preskill John
Published: September 2022

Classical machine learning (ML) provides a potentially powerful approach to solving challenging quantum many-body problems in physics and chemistry. However, the advantages of ML over traditional methods have not been firmly established. In this work, we prove that classical ML algorithms can efficiently predict ground-state properties of gapped Hamiltonians after learning from other Hamiltonians in the same quantum phase of matter. By contrast, under a widely accepted conjecture, classical algorithms that do not learn from data cannot achieve the same guarantee. We also prove that classical ML algorithms can efficiently classify a wide range of quantum phases. Extensive numerical experiments corroborate our theoretical results in a variety of scenarios, including Rydberg atom systems, two-dimensional random Heisenberg models, symmetry-protected topological phases, and topologically ordered phases.
Genetic diversity loss in the Anthropocene
Authors: Exposito-Alonso Moises , Booker Tom R. , Czech Lucas , Gillespie Lauren , Hateley Shannon , Kyriazis Christopher C. , Lang Patricia L. M. , Leventhal Laura , Nogues-Bravo David , Pagowski Veronica , Ruffley Megan , Spence Jeffrey P. , Toro Arana Sebastian E. , Weiß Clemens L. , Zess Erin
Published: September 2022

Anthropogenic habitat loss and climate change are reducing species’ geographic ranges, increasing extinction risk and losses of species’ genetic diversity. Although preserving genetic diversity is key to maintaining species’ adaptability, we lack predictive tools and global estimates of genetic diversity loss across ecosystems. We introduce a mathematical framework that bridges biodiversity theory and population genetics to understand the loss of naturally occurring DNA mutations with decreasing habitat. By analyzing genomic variation of 10,095 georeferenced individuals from 20 plant and animal species, we show that genome-wide diversity follows a mutations-area relationship power law with geographic area, which can predict genetic diversity loss from local population extinctions. We estimate that more than 10% of genetic diversity may already be lost for many threatened and nonthreatened species, surpassing the United Nations’ post-2020 targets for genetic preservation.
Deterministic fabrication of 3D/2D perovskite bilayer stacks for durable and efficient solar cells
Authors: Sidhik Siraj , Wang Yafei , De Siena Michael , Asadpour Reza , Torma Andrew J. , Terlier Tanguy , Ho Kevin , Li Wenbin , Puthirath Anand B. , Shuai Xinting , Agrawal Ayush , Traore Boubacar , Jones Matthew , Giridharagopal Rajiv , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Strzalka Joseph , Ginger David S. , Katan Claudine , Alam Muhammad Ashraful , Even Jacky , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. , Mohite Aditya D.
Published: September 2022

Realizing solution-processed heterostructures is a long-enduring challenge in halide perovskites because of solvent incompatibilities that disrupt the underlying layer. By leveraging the solvent dielectric constant and Gutmann donor number, we could grow phase-pure two-dimensional (2D) halide perovskite stacks of the desired composition, thickness, and bandgap onto 3D perovskites without dissolving the underlying substrate. Characterization reveals a 3D–2D transition region of 20 nanometers mainly determined by the roughness of the bottom 3D layer. Thickness dependence of the 2D perovskite layer reveals the anticipated trends for n-i-p and p-i-n architectures, which is consistent with band alignment and carrier transport limits for 2D perovskites. We measured a photovoltaic efficiency of 24.5%, with exceptional stability ofT99(time required to preserve 99% of initial photovoltaic efficiency) of >2000 hours, implying that the 3D/2D bilayer inherits the intrinsic durability of 2D perovskite without compromising efficiency.
Estimating global genetic diversity loss
Authors: Ruegg Kristen , Turbek Sheela
Published: September 2022

A mathematical framework may help inform conservation efforts
Genome Sequences and Characteristics of Six Cluster B1 Mycobacteriophages Discovered at Saint Joseph’s University
Authors: Winkler Anne , Pivonka April , Conry-Murray Aidan , Petruconis Cecilia , Patterne Isabella , Bergman Bernadette , Binder Elizabeth , Blackley Joshua , Brown Rachel , Commale Katherine , Costello Emily , Cromer Taylor , Davila Jasmine , DeSanto Olivia , Dunn Mary Agnus , Duong Deborah , Feingold Sophia , Flanders Kayla , Frattara Mary , Fryczynski Tate , Givvines Leya , Glavin Dana , Hartman Reid , Iacovella Julia , Koestler Katherine , Kominick Caroline , Lam Andy , Mashkovich Sharon , McCarthy Jordan , Merlino Corinne , Mihaita Alexa , Moulton Kara , Nguyen Thientrinh , Niblock Danielle , Paoli Isabella , Rodriguez Skye , Stefanic Isabella , Stoneroad Jenna , Teague Caren , Tort-Umpierre Fabiana , Varano Arianna , Vlahovic Alexandra , Braverman John , King-Smith Christina , Lee-Soety Julia Y.
Published: September 2022

We report on six new siphoviruses infecting
Mycobacterium smegmatis
that were isolated from soil samples collected on the campus of Saint Joseph’s University, on the western edge of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All phages have circularly permuted genomes that are 68,721 to 68,929 bp long, with an average G+C content of 66.4%.
Geographically Associated Fungus-Bacterium Interactions Contribute to the Formation of Geography-Dependent Flavor during High-Complexity Spontaneous Fermentation
Authors: Tan Yuwei , Du Hai , Zhang Hongxia , Fang Chen , Jin Guangyuan , Chen Shuang , Wu Qun , Zhang Yan , Zhang Menghui , Xu Yan
Published: September 2022

People consume many spontaneously fermented foods and beverages with different flavors on a daily basis. One crucial and hotly discussed question is how to reproduce fermented food flavor without geographical limitations to meet diverse human demands.
Inhibiting Intestinal Krüppel-Like Factor 5 Impairs the Beneficial Role of Renal Denervation in Gut Microbiota in Rats with Heart Failure
Authors: Guo Zhiqin , Chen Fuyan , Chen Yufeng , Liu Chao , Li Shaonan , Chen Pingan
Published: September 2022

Krüppel-like factor 5 (KLF5) is critical for the maintenance of intestinal barrier function. It is unclear whether intestinal KLF5 expression can be affected by renal denervation (RDN) in heart failure (HF) and whether inhibiting intestinal KLF5 expression exacerbates the gut microbiome and weakens the role of RDN in mitigating gut microbiome aberrations in HF rats after RDN.
Modulation of the Catalytic Properties of Immobilized Recombinant Lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus in the Reaction of Esterification by the Selection of an Adsorbent
Authors: Kovalenko G. A. , Perminova L. V. , Beklemishev A. B. , Pykhtina M. B. , Holyavka M. G. , Buchelnikova V. A. , Artyukhov V. G.
Published: September 2022

Biocatalysts with lipase activity (BLAs) were prepared by adsorptive immobilization of recombinant lipase (rPichia/lip) from thermophilic microscopic fungi Thermomyces lanuginosus produced by a genetically engineered strain of methylotrophic yeast Komagataella phafii (Pichia pastoris). Supports with different physicochemical properties were used as adsorbents: mesoporous hydrophilic silica (SiO2) and macroporous hydrophobic carbon aerogel (MCA). The enzymatic activity, substrate specificity and operational stability of BLAs were studied in the esterification of saturated fatty acids with aliphatic alcohols differing in the number of carbon atoms in the molecule from 2 to 18. Matrices of relative activities were compiled for more than 60 pairs of substrates, an acid and an alcohol, by comparing the reaction rates of the esterification under identical conditions, which allowed us to reveal differences in the specificity of adsorbed lipase depending on the chemical nature of the support. It was found that for both types of biocatalysts, rPichia/lip on SiO2 (PLSi) and rPichia/lip on MCA (PLC), the maximum reaction rate was observed under esterification of heptanoic acid (C7) with butyl alcohol (C4). Under the same conditions of the synthesis of esters (20 ± 2°C, 1 bar, a mixture of hexane and diethyl ether as an organic solvent), including the synthesis of butylheptanoate, rPichia/lip adsorbed on silica showed an order of magnitude lower activity than lipase adsorbed on carbon aerogel. The catalytic constants, equal to 3.7 s–1 and 1.1 × 102 s–1, respectively, differed by 30 times. It was found that esters of short chain fatty acids C4–C7 and ethyl alcohol C2 were synthesized 2–3 times faster using the hydrophobic PLC type than using the hydrophilic PLSi type of BLAs. At the same time, esters of high-molecular-weight acids С9, C10, С18 and alcohols С8–С16 with pronounced hydrophobicity were synthesized 1.5–2 times faster using of PLSi type BLAs. The operational stability of the biocatalysts was quite high: the prepared BLAs retained 82–99% of their initial activity after more than 30 reaction cycles, while the duration of each cycle to reach an acid conversion above 85% was several hours (4–6 h).
Enzymatically Synthesized Polyaniline Doped with Copper Ions: Physico-Chemical and Antimicrobial Properties of the Product
Authors: Vasil’eva I. S. , Shumakovich G. P. , Morozova O. V. , Yaropolov A. I.
Published: September 2022

Enzymatic synthesis of the polyaniline (PANI)/sodium polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) interpolyelectrolyte complex, in which PANI is doped with Cu(II) ions, has been developed. The biocatalyst for aniline (ANI) polymerization was the fungal laccaseTrametes hirsutaand the oxidizing agent was atmospheric oxygen. The resulting PANI-Cu/PSS complex was studied by UV–visible and FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence analysis. The copper content in PANI‑Cu/PSS was ~8 wt %. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the PANI-Cu/PSS complex against gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria was 2.65 and 0.66 mg/mL, respectively.