bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency and intensity discrimination measured in a maximum-likelihood procedure from young and aged normal-hearing subjects
Authors: He Ning-ji , Dubno Judy R. , Mills John H.
Published: July 2002

A maximum-likelihood method was applied in measurements of frequency and intensity discrimination for aged and young normal-hearing subjects with closely matched audiograms. This method was preferred over other psychophysical procedures because it is efficient and controls experimental variance, features that are highly desirable for testing aged subjects. In order to implement the method, psychometric functions for each task were also measured from young subjects using a constant-stimuli procedure. For the young subjects, the differential thresholds obtained from these two procedures were generally comparable. Further, both sets of data were consistent with previous literature, indicating that the maximum-likelihood method was successfully applied for frequency and intensity discrimination. A frequency-dependent difference between young and aged subjects in both frequency and intensity discrimination was observed. Even with closely matched audiograms, aged subjects demonstrated poorer discrimination abilities than young subjects. The age-related difference was always largest at 500 Hz and decreased as frequency increased.
A unified approach to volume and roughness scattering
Authors: Ivakin Anatoliy N.
Published: July 2002

A unified approach is proposed to study scattering from a fluid medium with irregularities of different types: volume inhomogeneities (spatial fluctuations of the compressibility and density) and roughness of the interfaces. The approach considers the roughness as a volume perturbation of a specific kind near flat (unperturbed) interfaces. It permits a description of the scattering problem on the basis of a unique integral equation with a kernel including both types of irregularities. In the case of small perturbations, the first-order solution of this equation is used to obtain the scattering amplitude and scattering cross section for a stratified randomly inhomogeneous fluid medium with an arbitrary number of rough interfaces. Expressions for the roughness and volume scattering cross section are obtained involving cross-correlation matrixes between the roughness of different interfaces and between the volume fluctuations of different parameters. Also, an example is considered where roughness–volume correlations are important. The results are generalized to the case when the fluid is placed over an arbitrary basement characterized by its own reflection coefficient and scattering amplitude.
Using fish sounds to identify spawning activity of weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) in nature
Authors: Sprague Mark W. , Luczkovich Joseph J. , Johnson Stephen E.
Published: July 2002

In the coastal systems of the southeastern United States, populations of weakfish (Cynoscion regalis) and red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are in decline, and knowledge of their spawning areas is important for the for- mulation of fisheries management plans. Weakfish and red drum, both members of Family Sciaenidae, use their swim bladders to produce species-specific sounds associated with spawning activity. Large spawning aggregations of these fish can produce sound levels as high as 145 dB (re:1 μPa), and these sounds can be used to identify spawning areas. Recordings and spectrograms of spawning sounds will be presented for each species. Water depth, bottom type and contour, sound-speed gradient, and water current gradient all affect the propagation of the fish sounds through the water. Measurements of these factors and the sound level of the fish calls are used to obtain an approximate range to the spawning aggregation. [Work supported by North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.]
Plant uncertainty analysis in a duct active noise control problem by using the H∞ theory
Authors: Bai Mingsian R. , Lin Hsinhong
Published: July 2002

Plant uncertainty is one of the major contributing factors that could affect the performance as well as stability of active noise control (ANC) systems. Plant uncertainty may be caused by either the errors in modeling, computation, and measurement, or the perturbations in physical conditions. These factors lead to deviations of the plant from the nominal model, which will in turn affect the robustness of the control system. In this paper, the effects due to changes in physical conditions on the ANC system are investigated. The analysis is carried out in terms of performance and robustness by using a general framework of the H∞ robust control theory. The size of plant uncertainty is estimated according to the infinity norm of the perturbations to physical conditions, which provides useful information for subsequent controller design that accommodates both performance and stability in an optimal and robust manner. The guidelines for designing the ANC systems with reference to plant uncertainties are also addressed.
Dynamic specification of coarticulated German vowels: Perceptual and acoustical studies
Authors: Strange Winifred , Bohn Ocke-Schwen
Published: July 2002

To examine the generality of Strange’s Dynamic Specification Theory of vowel perception, two perceptual experiments investigated whether dynamic (time-varying) acoustic information about vowel gestures was critical for identification of coarticulated vowels in German, a language without diphthongization. The perception by native North German (NG) speakers of electronically modified /dVt/ syllables produced in carrier sentences was assessed using the “silent-center” paradigm. The relative efficacy of static target information, dynamic spectral information (defined over syllable onsets and offsets together), and intrinsic vowel length was investigated in listening conditions in which the centers (silent-center conditions) or the onsets and offsets (vowel-center conditions) of the syllables were silenced. Listeners correctly identified most vowels in silent-center syllables and in vowel-center stimuli when both conditions included information about intrinsic vowel length. When duration information was removed, errors increased significantly, but performance was relatively better for silent-center syllables than for vowel-center stimuli. Acoustical analyses of the effects of coarticulation on target formant frequencies, vocalic duration, and dynamic spectro-temporal patterns in the stimulus materials were performed to elucidate the nature of the dynamic spectral information. In comparison with vowels produced in citation form /hVt/ syllables by the same speaker, the coarticulated /dVt/ utterances showed considerable “target undershoot” of formant frequencies and reduced duration differences between tense and lax vowel pairs. This suggests that both static spectral cues and relative duration information for NG vowels may not remain perceptually distinctive in continuous speech. Analysis of formant movement within syllable nuclei corroborated descriptions of German vowels as monophthongal. However, an analysis of first formant temporal trajectories revealed distinct patterns for tense and lax vowels that could be used by listeners to disambiguate coarticulated NG vowels.
Torsional wave scattering from a diameter step in a rod
Authors: Engan Helge E.
Published: July 2002

The propagation and scattering of torsional waves in circular rods of infinite length with a free surface that have an abrupt diameter change is discussed. A mode expansion technique involving propagating and cut-off modes is applied to obtain numerical results for a range of parameter values. The calculated results are compared with simplified models valid in the high- and low-frequency regions, respectively. The calculations show that higher radial modes have strong influence at higher frequencies. In particular, near the cut-off frequencies both amplitude and phase responses are strongly influenced. It is further found that the approximation accuracy results depend on the number of modes used in the modal expansion. It is demonstrated that in order to obtain an accuracy (as judged from convergence) that is sufficient for typical parameters chosen, all propagating modes plus a few cut-off modes should be included in the calculations.
Time-domain modeling and numerical simulation of a kettledrum
Authors: Rhaouti Leïla , Chaigne Antoine , Joly Patrick
Published: July 2002

A kettledrum is made of a circular elastic membrane stretched over an enclosed air cavity. It is set into vibration by the impact of the mallet. The motion of the membrane is coupled with both the external and internal sound field. A time-domain modeling of this instrument is presented which describes the motion of the mallet and its nonlinear interaction with the membrane, the transverse displacement of the membrane, and the sound pressure inside and outside the cavity. Based on a variational formulation of the problem, which uses the pressure jump over the boundaries of the instrument as a new variable, a numerical scheme is derived by means of three-dimensional finite elements. Higher-order absorbing conditions are used to simulate the free space. The validity of the model is illustrated by successive snapshots showing the pressure fields and the displacement of the membrane. In addition, time histories of energetic quantities help in explaining how the energy is balanced between mallet, membrane, and acoustic field in real instruments. Simulated external pressures show particularly good agreement with the sound field radiated by real instruments in both time and frequency domains.
Elongational flow of a liquid crystalline polymer solution under a transverse electric field
Authors: Yang I-Kuan
Published: July 2002

The behavior of elongation flows for a liquid crystal polymer (LCP) solution under an electric field was theoretically studied using the Doi model. The behavior and the alignment of the nematic phase were found to be strongly dependent upon the mutual interactions between external fields such as the electric and flow fields. The effects of these interactions on the alignment were thoroughly examined in this study. The orientation of the nematic phase exhibits the typical behavior of the Fréedericksz transition where an abrupt change in the orientation occurs at the applied electric field above a threshold value. The results from the normal stress difference on the LCP solution indicate that this difference is attributed to the Maxwell stress effect and varies with respect to the flow direction. A dramatic reduction in this difference was found when the director of the nematic phase is switched from a direction parallel to the flow to a direction perpendicular to the flow.
Thermistor Analogs for Model Viscous and Viscoelastic Systems
Authors: Gruntfest I. J.
Published: July 2002

The physical and mathematical similarity of the resistance-temperature relation in thermistors to the viscosity-temperature relation in typical liquids makes it possible to simulate the essential nonlinearity of the flow of model Newtonian liquids by the use of an electric analog. Simple measurements of current and voltage take the place of detailed computation. Circuits containing a thermistor and capacitor provide a model for nonlinear viscoelastic materials. A transmission line containing thermistors would be applicable where inertial terms are important and both the time and space variation of the stress would be significant. The behavior of simple analogs described here agrees with available numerical computations. In addition, it duplicates experimentally observed temperature effects and apparent departures from Newtonian behavior in liquids as well as necking, yield, fracture, creep, strain hardening, and stick-slip effects in solids. This electric analog literally simulates the model mechanical system. In contrast, the widely discussed simulation of linear viscoelasticity by electric networks is figurative. That is, there, the well-developed mathematics of linear circuits was applied to the mechanical system. The new simulation is effective over wide ranges of stress, strain, and time even with a single thermistor.
A Critical Evaluation of the Effect of Thermal Feedback in Liquid Flow
Authors: Brodnyan John G.
Published: July 2002

In a recent series of articles Gruntfest has obtained numerical solutions of the equations relating the effects of a dissipative process like viscous flow on the observable flow patterns of a heat-sensitive material. Gruntfest has implied that non-Newtonian flow is at least partially due to this thermal feedback, and he has demonstrated its significance in the flow of polymer-modified oils reported on by Philippoff. This raises the question of how important these effects are in general, i.e., is non-Newtonian flow an experimental artifact. In this paper the qualitative and quantitative predictions of Grantfest's analysis are examined. These predictions are then compared to some experimental data obtained with simple fluids, polymer solutions, polymer melts, and colloidal dispersions. It is shown that non-Newtonian flow usually appears well before the rates of shear at which thermal effects would be noticed. Hence, non-Newtonian flow is not an experimental artifact brought about by the inability to transfer thermal energy away from heat-sensitive materials.
The Effect of Molecular Weight and Molecular Weight Distribution on the Non-Newtonian Behavior of Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Polymers
Authors: Shih C. K.
Published: July 2002

The non-Newtonian melt viscosity-shear rate relationships of a number of fractions and blends of fractions of ethylene-propylene-diene polymers was determined using the Instron Capillary Rheometer. The effect of molecular weight, molecular weight distribution, and temperature of measurements was examined in view of the theoretical derivations by Bueche, and Middleman. The present results could not be correlated by Bueche's expression. The effect of polymer molecular weight distribution given by Middleman was modified by the introduction of chain entanglement. The non-Newtonian behavior of polymer blends was calculated using the modified equation from the behaviors of individual components. Reasonable agreements were obtained on comparison with experimental results. Empirical relationships for the shear dependence of melt viscosity were derived for the ethylene-propylene-diene polymer system. The non-Newtonian melt viscosity (η)-shear stress (τw) relationship was correlated by the equation: Log ηη0=−Kτw over the range of shear stress from 106 to 2.5×106 dynes/cm2. The parameter, η0, increased with molecular weight and decreased with temperature; whereas the parameter, K, increased with the breadth of the molecular weight distribution over the range of Mw/Mn=1–20. Samples of very broad molecular weight distributions gave anomolous results. The viscosity at a given shear stress of the polymer fractions is proportional to M̄vb with the exponent b essentially constant (b=3.6) over the range of shear stress studied.
Determination of the Shear Rates of Non-Newtonian Fluids from Rotational Viscometric Data. I. Concentric Cylinder Viscometer
Authors: Huang Ching-Rong
Published: July 2002

A method is proposed for determination of the shear rate of non-Newtonian fluids sheared in a concentric cylinder viscometer. The mathematical expression of the shear rate is an exact solution. The method has been shown to be convenient. Furthermore, only one set of experimental data, torque versus angular velocity, is needed in the calculation. Three examples are given to illustrate the application of the proposed method.
Biaxial Bond Stress Analysis in Peeling
Authors: Kaelble D. H. , Ho C. L.
Published: July 2002

A new instrument has been developed which permits direct measurement of the stress distribution functions for cleavage (normal stress) and shear (tangential stress) mechanisms of boundary fracture in peeling of viscoelastic material. The design theory, construction, and operation of the instrument are reviewed in detail. The influence of peeling angle upon the cleavage and shear stress distributions is investigated and analyzed. The results show that the cleavage and shear stress distributions correlate with different time scales of rheological response as predicted by available viscoelastic theory of fracture in peeling.
Evaluation of Material Functions for Steady Elongational Flows
Authors: Stevenson James F. , Chung Simon C.-K. , Jenkins James T.
Published: July 2002

A general method is suggested for classifying steady, isochoric elongational flows. A procedure is outlined to determine from experimental data the material functions which, as shown by Coleman and Noll, characterize incompressible simple fluids in steady elongational flows. For uniaxial and biaxial elongation, two possible definitions of these material functions are obtained. As an illustration, predictions for material functions are given for Lodge's rubberlike liquid constitutive equation.
Rheological Applications of a Drop Elongation Experiment
Authors: Hsu Joseph C. , Flumerfelt Raymond W.
Published: July 2002

A new method for determining the extensional flow properties of polymer solutions and melts is proposed and analyzed. The physical principle behind the method is that when a fluid drop is placed in a rotating field of a higher density fluid it will experience axisymmetrical extension or contraction when the rotational speed is varied with time. Under rather general conditions, an analysis is possible of the dynamic response of the drop in terms of measurable and controllable variables. This gives rise to a number of different steady and transient extensional flow experiments. Such experiments are described, and a specific unsteady experiment is used to verify the assumptions of the analysis and to indicate the quantitative accuracy of the method.
Significance of Predicting the First Normal Stress Difference and the Dynamic Moduli from the Steady-Flow Viscosity
Authors: Shroff Ramesh N. , Shida Mitsuzo
Published: July 2002

Based on the integral constitutive equation and using a specific functional form of the response function which is shear rate dependent, the dynamic moduli and the first normal stress difference are quantitatively predicted from the steady-flow viscosity for linear polyethylene melts of varying molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. No arbitrary constant is involved in the procedure. The significance of the prediction is that at least for linear polyethylene melts, the elastic properties are obtained exclusively from knowing the manner in which the viscous parameter, namely the steady-flow viscosity, changes with shear rate.
Transient Shear and Elongational Data for Polyisobutylene Melts
Authors: Acierno Domenico , La Mantia Francesco P. , De Cindio Bruno , Nicodemo Luigi
Published: July 2002

For a commercial polyisobutylene, at room temperature, stress relaxation after a sudden imposition of a shear or elongational strain has been performed in the limit of linear viscoelasticity. Transient shear and elongational stresses have been determined in the non-linear region by using a Universal Instron Testing Machine. While for shear flow steady-state conditions were reached in some cases, the elongational results are only transient because the experimental procedure gives a rate of stretching which decreases in time. Some steady shear results have been obtained at higher temperatures with a capillary viscometer. The results have been interpreted by means of a one-parameter model which attributes the non-linearities arising from the change in the spectrum of relaxation times to modification of the entangled network. The Bogue-White model has been also considered for comparison.
The Shift From Criminalization to Legalization of Abortion in Argentina
Authors: Romero Mariana , Ramón Michel Agustina
Published: November 2022

This Viewpoint discusses passage and implementation of Law 27.610, which legalized abortion in Argentina under certain circumstances, and examines the ongoing clinical issues and legal challenges to the law.
Ask Me Anything
Authors: Wellbery Caroline
Published: November 2022

In this narrative medicine essay, a retired family physician considers whether it is appropriate to offer medical advice to friends and family and ultimately decides that these consults are fine as long as the individual talks with their physician.
Advancing Birth Equity in a Post-Dobbs US
Authors: Crear-Perry Joia , Hassan Asha , Daniel Sara
Published: November 2022

This Viewpoint discusses the US Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization, describes how that decision threatens birth equity for some racial and social groups, and suggests a reproductive justice approach to address racial and social inequalities and ensure reproductive freedom and autonomy for all people.
The Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization Supreme Court Decision—Concerns, Challenges, and Consequences for Health Care
Authors: Schreiber Courtney A. , Khabele Dineo , Gehrig Paola A.
Published: November 2022

This Viewpoint discusses potential consequences that the US Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization may have for patient outcomes, public health, training and legal challenges for health care professionals, and the patient-practitioner relationship.
An Instrument for Measuring Critical Appraisal Self‐Efficacy in Rheumatology Trainees
Authors: Aizer Juliet , Abramson Erika L. , Berman Jessica R. , Paget Stephen A. , Frey Marianna B. , Cooley Victoria , Li Ying , Hoffman Katherine L. , Schell Julie A. , Tiongson Michael D. , Lin Myriam A. , Mandl Lisa A.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Self‐efficacy, the internal belief that one can perform a specific task successfully, influences behavior. To promote critical appraisal of medical literature, rheumatology training programs should foster both competence and self‐efficacy for critical appraisal. This study aimed to investigate whether select items from the Clinical Research Appraisal Inventory (CRAI), an instrument measuring clinical research self‐efficacy, could be used to measure critical appraisal self‐efficacy (CASE).

Methods

One hundred twenty‐five trainees from 33 rheumatology programs were sent a questionnaire that included two sections of the CRAI. Six CRAI items relevant to CASE were identified a priori; responses generated a CASE score (total score range 0‐10; higher = greater confidence in one's ability to perform a specific task successfully). CASE scores' internal structure and relation to domain‐concordant variables were analyzed.

Results

Questionnaires were completed by 112 of 125 (89.6%) trainees. CASE scores ranged from 0.5 to 8.2. The six CRAI items contributing to the CASE score demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.95) and unidimensionality. Criterion validity was supported by the findings that participants with higher CASE scores rated their epidemiology and biostatistics understanding higher than that of peers (P < 0.0001) and were more likely to report referring to studies to answer clinical questions (odds ratio 2.47, 95% confidence interval 1.41‐4.33; P = 0.002). The correlation of CASE scores with percentage of questions answered correctly was only moderate, supporting discriminant validity.

Conclusion

The six‐item CASE instrument demonstrated content validity, internal consistency, discriminative capability, and criterion validity, including correlation with self‐reported behavior, supporting its potential as a useful measure of critical appraisal self‐efficacy.
Controlled Nitrogen Doping in Crumpled Graphene for Improved Alkali Metal‐Ion Storage under Low‐Temperature Conditions
Authors: Lee Kyungbin , Lee Michael J. , Lim Jeonghoon , Ryu Kun , Li Mochen , Noda Suguru , Kwon Seok Joon , Lee Seung Woo
Published: November 2022

The significant performance decay in conventional graphite anodes under low‐temperature conditions is attributed to the slow diffusion of alkali metal ions, requiring new strategies to enhance the charge storage kinetics at low temperatures. Here, nitrogen (N)‐doped defective crumpled graphene (NCG) is employed as a promising anode to enable stable low‐temperature operation of alkali metal‐ion storage by exploiting the surface‐controlled charge storage mechanisms. At a low temperature of −40 °C, the NCG anodes maintain high capacities of ≈172 mAh g−1 for lithium (Li)‐ion, ≈107 mAh g−1 for sodium (Na)‐ion, and ≈118 mAh g−1 for potassium (K)‐ion at 0.01 A g−1 with outstanding rate‐capability and cycling stability. A combination of density functional theory (DFT) and electrochemical analysis further reveals the role of the N‐functional groups and defect sites in improving the utilization of the surface‐controlled charge storage mechanisms. In addition, the full cell with the NCG anode and a LiFePO4 cathode shows a high capacity of ≈73 mAh g−1 at 0.5 °C even at −40 °C. The results highlight the importance of utilizing the surface‐controlled charge storage mechanisms with controlled defect structures and functional groups on the carbon surface to improve the charge storage performance of alkali metal‐ion under low‐temperature conditions.
Regulation and Reconstruction of Cell Phenotype Gradients Along the Tendon‐Bone Interface
Authors: Dang Gao‐Peng , Qin Wen , Wan Qian‐Qian , Gu Jun‐Ting , Wang Kai‐Yan , Mu Zhao , Gao Bo , Jiao Kai , Tay Franklin R. , Niu Li‐Na
Published: November 2022

Tendon–bone interface is prevalent in the human body. It is divided into four zones: tendon (soft tissue), unmineralized fibrocartilage, mineralized fibrocartilage, and bone (hard tissue). Tendon–bone interface is characterized by a cell phenotype gradient that appears in the different zones. The cell phenotype gradients at the tendon–bone interface are orchestrated by specific intracellular molecular mechanisms, extracellular factors, immune signals, and neurovascular factors. These features have inspired scientists to design systems that mimic natural cell phenotype gradients. These biomimetic systems include the construction of cell sheets, regulation of cellular microenvironments, and the design of gradient functional scaffolds. Exploration of methods to mimic cell phenotype gradients is instructional for future clinical applications in reconstituting the tendon–bone interface. The present review elucidates the gradient composition of the tendon–bone interface. The associated regulatory mechanisms and applications are discussed, with the anticipation of creating a mise en scène for future research in interface tissue engineering.
Modulation of Imine‐based Aggregation‐Induced Emission Fluorescence Performance Through the Extension of Molecular Linkers
Authors: Gan Weijin , Zhang Zhaohui , Zheng Xuhan , Yu Zefang , Xie Chenxiao , Wen Hongqi , Sun Lishu , Zhao Yingjie
Published: November 2022

The aggregation‐induced emission fluorescent structures based on the imine bonds usually suffer fluorescence quenching owing to the possible charge transfer process between the lone pair electrons from the imine to the fluorescent luminogens. In this work, it was found that the extended molecular linker between the imine units and the TPE core can inhibit the charge transfer process and result in high AIE fluorescent property. A good regularity was found and summarized with a mechanism study. This work may help to solve the problem of the construction of AIE fluorescent structures based on the imine bond.
Ultrasound‐guided femoral nerve block and intravenous fentanyl in pain management of the patients with hip fracture: a prospective, randomized, single blinded clinical trial
Authors: Mayel Masoud , Foroughian Mahdi , Zamani Nasim , Shahabinejad Nazanin , Hassanian‐Moghaddam Hossein
Published: November 2022

Aim

Proximal femoral fracture is a painful condition. Pain alleviation is a treatment cornerstone to both comfort the patient and reduce adverse effects. This study aimed to evaluate and compare ultrasound‐guided femoral nerve block and intravenous fentanyl administration in relieving the pain of patients with hip fractures.

Methods

The present interventional clinical trial was conducted on 40 patients referred to Shahid‐Bahonar Hospital with unilateral isolated proximal femur fracture and American Society of Anesthesiologists I and II. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: intravenous fentanyl and ultrasound‐guided femoral nerve block for pain management. Pain severity was assessed by a numerical rating scale before and after the intervention in both groups and the groups were then compared.

Results

Forty patients were enrolled in to study; 27 (67.5%) were male. There was no significant difference in demographic variables between the two groups. Fourteen (35%) were older than 80 years. Pain significantly decreased three scores compared to the pre‐intervention level in both groups (95% confidence interval, 2–4). This was slightly higher in the femoral nerve block group. The largest strength of association for age and numerical rating scale of pain was found in the differences between the pre‐intervention and after‐intervention in femoral nerve block group (r = −0.775, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

We found similar pain severity between the two groups. Considering the possible side effects of fentanyl, an ultrasound‐guided femoral nerve block shows may provide safer pain control and may be particularly suitable for patients with opioid dependence.
Entanglement and Asymmetric Steering Between Distant Magnon and Mechanical Modes in an Optomagnonic‐Mechanical System
Authors: Cheng Jing , Liu Yu‐Mu , Wang Hong‐Fu , Yi Xuexi
Published: November 2022

A scheme is proposed to generate long‐distance entanglement and asymmetric steering between mechanical oscillator and magnon mode across the frequency difference of ≈10 GHz in an optomagnonic‐mechanical system composed of a magnon, a mechanical oscillator, and two cavities. The calculated results reveal that the long‐distance magnon–phonon entanglement can be achieved due to the fact that the quantum correlation of the two‐mode squeezed vacuum microwave field is successively transferred to the magnon mode and the phonon mode. Moreover, the entanglement is strong enough such that the quantum steering between magnon mode and phonon mode can be achieved in an asymmetric manner. Furthermore, the direction of quantum steering can be flexibly adjusted via changing the magnon damping rate, coupling strength, squeezing parameter, and bath temperature. The proposed scheme provides the possibility for the generation of macroscopic quantum entanglement and steering and has potential applications in quantum information processing.
Hand–foot coordination is significantly influenced by motion direction in individuals with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Umesawa Yumi , Matsushima Kanae , Fukatsu Reiko , Terao Yasuo , Ide Masakazu
Published: November 2022

Generally, when individuals attempt to move two limbs rhythmically in the opposite direction (e.g., flex the left hand and extend the left foot along the sagittal plane), the movements tend to be instead performed in the same direction. This phenomenon, known as directional constraint, can be harnessed to examine the difficulties in movement coordination exhibited by most individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While such difficulties have already been investigated through standardized clinical assessments, they have not been examined through kinematic methods. Thus, we employed a clinical assessment scale in an experimentally controlled environment to investigate whether stronger directional constraint during the rhythmic movement of two limbs is more pronounced and associated with decreased movement coordination in individuals with ASD. ASD and typically developing (TD) participants were asked to rhythmically move two limbs either in the same or opposite directions. In addition, the coordination skills of participants were assessed using the Bruininks‐Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Second Edition (BOT‐2). Subjects with ASD showed significantly stronger directional constraint than TD participants during the contralateral and ipsilateral movement of the hand and foot. According to the pooled data from both groups, participants who showed stronger directional constraint during these two movement conditions also exhibited poorer coordinated movement skills in the BOT‐2. These results suggest that people with ASD may have difficulties in inhibiting the neural signals that synchronize the direction of inter‐limb movements, thus resulting in coordination disabilities.

Lay Summary

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often exhibit difficulties in coordinated movements. We asked those with ASD and typically developing (TD) participants to move two limbs (e.g., left hand and left foot) either in the same or the opposite direction. Results demonstrated that participants with ASD had more difficulties in counteracting the tendency of their hand and foot to synchronously move in the same direction. Our findings suggested that difficulties to suppress synchronized movements of the hand and foot result in coordination disabilities.
Thinking Outside the Bill: Connecting People to Affordable Service
Authors: Locklear Henrietta , Cromwell Katie , Weinberg Rachel , Eastman Lucas B. , Elliott Melissa
Published: November 2022

Key Takeaways

It is incumbent upon water utilities to ensure affordable services for customers who may be struggling more than ever to keep up with rate increases and other economic challenges.

The third edition of a guide from AWWA helps utilities assess water affordability issues in their community and determine the best ways to support customers while managing their own costs.

Through research, collaboration, and communication, a utility can develop affordability programs and other strategies to effectively benefit its customers.
The Next Frontier: Individualized Rates Based on Cost of Service
Authors: Atwater Drew , Mukherjee Monobina , Vanjavakam Anudeep
Published: November 2022

Key Takeaways

Traditional cost‐of‐service structures for water rates have been based on customer classes, which can overlook the stresses put on a distribution system through peak usage and unfairly charge some customers.

With more and better data, an individualized approach that ties rates to effects on the water system is possible, meaning utilities can capture each customer's water‐use patterns and tailor rates accordingly.

Individualized rates enabled by smart meters can result in more equitable pricing for customers, help them understand their water use, and provide a budgetary benefit for utilities.
Coming into clear sight at last: Ancestral and derived events during chelicerate visual system development
Authors: Friedrich Markus
Published: November 2022

Pioneering molecular work on chelicerate visual system development in the horseshoe crabLimulus polyphemussurprised with the possibility that this process may not depend on the deeply conserved retinal determination function ofPax6transcription factors. Genomic, transcriptomic, and developmental studies in spiders now reveal that the arthropodPax6homologseyelessandtwin of eyelessact as ancestral determinants of the ocular head segment in chelicerates, which clarifies deep gene regulatory and structural homologies and recommends more unified terminologies in the comparison of arthropod visual systems. Following this phylotypic stage, chelicerate visual system development differs fundamentally from other arthropods during the compartmentalization of the ocular segment in that eye and optic neuropil primordia originate independently from each other. Comparative analyses of this phase identified further gene regulatory homologies but also major differences, most notably the possibly compensatory replacement ofPax6byPax2in lateral eye specification. Also see the video abstract here:https://youtu.be/Hdfr3z5kEXU
Nucleosomes and flipons exchange energy to alter chromatin conformation, the readout of genomic information, and cell fate
Authors: Herbert Alan
Published: November 2022

Alternative non‐B‐DNA conformations formed under physiological conditions by sequences called flipons include left‐handed Z‐DNA, three‐stranded triplexes, and four‐stranded i‐motifs and quadruplexes. These conformations accumulate and release energy to enable the local assembly of cellular machines in a context specific manner. In these transactions, nucleosomes store power, serving like rechargeable batteries, while flipons smooth energy flows from source to sink by acting as capacitors or resistors. Here, I review the known biological roles for flipons. I present recent and unequivocal findings showing how innate immune responses are regulated by Z‐flipons that identify endogenous RNAs as self. Evidence is also presented supporting important roles for other flipon classes. In these examples, the dynamic exchange of energy between flipons and nucleosomes enables rapid switching of genetic programs without altering flipon sequence. The increased phenotypic diversity enabled by flipons drives their natural selection, with adaptations evolving faster than is possible by codon mutation alone.
Lycopene: Sojourn from kitchen to an effective therapy in Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Kapoor Bhupinder , Gulati Monica , Rani Pooja , Kochhar Rajpal Singh , Atanasov Atanas G. , Gupta Reena , Sharma Deepika , Kapoor Deepak
Published: November 2022

Reports on a significant positive correlation between consumption of carotenoid‐rich food and prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD) led to the investigation of carotenoids for the treatment and prevention of AD. More than 1100 types of carotenoids are found naturally, out of which only around 50 are absorbed and metabolized in human body. Lycopene is one of the most commonly ingested members of fat‐soluble carotenoid family that gives vegetables and fruits their red, yellow, or orange color. Lycopene has established itself as a promising therapy for AD owing to its neuroprotective activities, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiamyloidogenic properties. In this review, we highlight the various in vitro and preclinical studies demonstrating the neuroprotective effect of lycopene. Also, some epidemiological and interventional studies investigating the protective effect of lycopene in AD have been discussed. Diving deeper, we also discuss various significant mechanisms, through which lycopene exerts its remissive effects in AD. Finally, to overcome the issue of poor chemical stability and bioavailability of lycopene, some of the novel delivery systems developed for lycopene have also been briefly highlighted.
Study on the adhesion behaviour of oil droplets in water on solid surfaces with different wettability and inclination
Authors: Rong Feng , He Limin , Lü Yuling , Wang Ce , Wang Shipeng
Published: November 2022

Microscopic adhesion of oil droplets is a hot research topic within multiphase flow systems in the petrochemical field in recent years, and it is also the key to revealing the mechanism of oil droplet–wall interaction. In this paper, a high‐speed camera was used to capture the dynamic process of oil droplets impacting stainless steel, polyethylene, brass, and other materials in water, deeply analyze the influence mechanism of material wettability, droplet size, and inclination on adhesion behaviour in this process, and draw the Re~θeq phase diagram. The experimental results show that properly enhancing the lipophilicity of the material can prolong the drainage time and effectively inhibit adhesion. Too much lipophilicity can dramatically shorten the drainage time instead, which easily leads to the rapid adhesion of oil droplets. An increase in droplet size can also prolong the drainage time; at Re ≥46.31, the excessive initial kinetic energy is consumed in the form of oil droplet rebound, which is not conducive to adhesion, and the more lipophilic the material is, the more significant the rebound effect. In addition, although an increase in the inclination can inhibit oil droplet bounce off, it also decreases the wall restraint to oil droplets, resulting in lateral and normal displacements, which greatly increases the drainage time. The findings can facilitate the understanding of oil droplet–wall interaction and provide a scientific basis for the design and development of efficient separation equipment and the optimization of the low‐temperature gathering and transportation of high water‐bearing crude oil.
Dual functions of activated carbon air‐cathode: Nitrobenzene removal and electricity production in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Zuo Zhifang , Huang Ting , Zhu Xiaoting , Jia Xiaoyu , Zhang Enren
Published: November 2022

The removal of nitrobenzene (NB) in microbial electrochemical systems generally requires electrical power to operate systems in the mode of microbial electrolysis cells (MECs). The present study demonstrates that single‐chamber microbial fuel cells (S‐MFCs) assembled with a bioanode and an activated carbon (AC) air cathode could simultaneously remove NB and generate electricity. S‐MFCs with 1 mM NB exhibit long term NB tolerance and stable electricity production, with NB removal up to 98% in an operation cycle and a maximum power of 16.2 ± 1.3 W m−3. High NB loadings significantly inhibited the activity of anodic biofilms, but the inhibition was reversible. Investigating the removal of NB and its reduction product aniline (AN) in different operations supported the fact that the adsorption at the AC air cathode is the main pathway for the removal of NB and AN from solution, except for the partial conversion of NB to AN by anaerobic reduction in solution. In S‐MFCs, the activated carbon in the cathode plays both functions: catalyzing the oxygen reduction reaction and adsorbing NB and AN, so that the S‐MFC assembled with the AC air cathode, unlike most NB removing MECs, functions as a system with both NB removal and electricity production.
Theoretical and experimental investigation ofCO2solubility in nanofluids containingNaPzeolite nanocrystals and [C12mim][Cl] ionic liquid
Authors: Zare Abdolhamid , Darvishi Parviz , Lashanizadegan Asghar , Zerafat Mohammad M.
Published: November 2022

Today, CO2separation is very important, both as an environmental issue and also in various industries. In this study, the water‐based nanofluid of NaP zeolite nanocrystals and 1‐dodecyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([C12mim][Cl]) ionic liquid were mixed and tested experimentally for CO2absorption in an isothermal high pressure cell equipped with magnetic stirring. Zeolite nanocrystals were synthesized via the hydrothermal approach and characterized. A series of experiments were performed at different conditions to investigate the impact of various parameters, including nanoparticle type, nanoparticle concentration, stabilizer concentration, and the vessel's initial pressure, on CO2solubility. It was found that 0.02 wt.% of zeolite nanoparticles, 0.4 wt.% of [C12mim][Cl] ionic liquid, and 0.05 wt.% of sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (SDBS) in nanofluids result in higher absorption of CO2compared to other concentrations. Furthermore, CO2absorption was increased by increasing ionic liquid and surfactant concentration up to a certain value near critical micelle concentration, but after that the CO2absorption was decreased. The overall CO2absorption enhancement at 20 bar for 0.02 wt.% zeolite and ZnO water‐based nanofluids with 0.4% [C12mim][Cl] ionic liquid and 0.02 wt.% SDBS were 26.9%, 21.5%, 21.2%, and 17% in comparison to pure water, respectively. In an absorption process using nanofluids, besides the influence of the mentioned parameters, the micro‐convection caused by Brownian motion and the grazing effect of nanoparticles should be noted. Considering the micro‐convection and grazing effects, a theoretical model should take into account the Brownian motion and grazing effects on the mass transfer rate in nanofluids to investigate the absorption enhancement by nano‐particles.
Influence of n‐butanol and isomers on the combustion mechanisms of isooctane and coke formation based on ReaxFF simulation
Authors: Liu Yang , Wei Xin , Sun Weizhen , Zhao Ling
Published: November 2022

Fuel additives play a significant role in enhancing the thermal stability of fuel combustion. The effect of additives on the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels and the combustion performances of isooctane with three different isomer additives, (n‐butanol (1‐BuOH), diethyl ether (DEE), and 2‐butanol(2‐BuOH)), and additive‐free isooctane were explored by ReaxFF simulation in this work. The simulation system was heated to 3000 K at a heating rate of 10 K/ps and kept stable at 3000 K. A variety of combustion products (e.g., small gas molecules and C1‐C8 hydrocarbon compounds) in each system were analyzed, and the reaction paths were speculated based on the computed trajectory. The simulation results showed that the CC bond scission reaction dominated the combustion process of the three additives. All three additives promote the formation of toxic carbonyl compounds such as formaldehyde, while the pure DEE additive has the best inhibition effect on the formation of the coke precursor, C2H2, C3H4, and C3H6. The pure 1‐BuOH additive can shorten the initial reaction time of the reactants. The effects of DEE/1‐BuOH additive on the combustion of isooctane were investigated to obtain a desirable additive mixture with good performance. The expansion of the DEE proportion (80%/20% DEF/1‐BuOH) shows a slightly better coke (C3H4 and C3H6) reduction effect, while the inhibition effect is not as obvious as that of a pure DEE additive.
Cell morphologies in the nervous system: Glia steal the limelight
Authors: Ascoli Giorgio A.
Published: November 2022

Neurons and glia have distinct yet interactive functions but are both characterized by branching morphology. Dendritic trees have been digitally traced for over 40 years in many animal species, anatomical regions, and neuron types. Recently, long‐range axons also are being reconstructed throughout the brain of many organisms from invertebrates to primates. In contrast, less attention has been paid until lately to glial morphology. Thus, although glia and neurons are similarly abundant in the nervous systems of humans and most animal models, glia have traditionally been much less represented than neurons in morphological reconstruction repositories such as NeuroMorpho.Org. This is rapidly changing with the advent of high‐throughput glia tracing. NeuroMorpho.Org introduced glial cells in 2017 and today they constitute nearly a third of the database content. It took NeuroMorpho.Org 10 years to collect the first 40,000 neurons and now that amount of data can be produced in a single publication. This not only demonstrates the spectacular technological progress in data production, but also demands a corresponding advancement in informatics processing. At the same time, these publicly available data also open new opportunities for quantitative analysis and computational modeling to identify universal or cell‐type‐specific design principles in the cellular architecture of nervous systems. As a first application, we demonstrated that supervised machine learning of tree geometry classifies neurons and glia with practically perfect accuracy. Furthermore, we discovered a new morphometric biomarker capable of robustly separating these cell classes across multiple species, brain regions, and experimental preparations, with only sparse sampling of branch measurements.