bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
COVID-19 Transmission Within Danish Households: A Nationwide Study from Lockdown to Reopening
Authors: Lyngse Frederik Plesner , Kirkeby Carsten Thure , Halasa Tariq , Andreasen Viggo , Skov Robert Leo , Møller Frederik Trier , Krause Tyra Grove , Mølbak Kåre
Published: September 2020

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic is one of the most serious global public health threats in recent times. Understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is of utmost importance to be able to respond to outbreaks and take action against spread of the disease. Transmission within the household is a concern, especially because infection control is difficult to apply within the household domain.

Methods

We used comprehensive administrative register data from Denmark, comprising the full population and all COVID-19 tests, to estimate household transmission risk and attack rate.

Results

We studied the testing dynamics for COVID-19 and found that the day after receiving a positive test result within the household, 35% of potential secondary cases were tested and 13% of these were positive. After a primary case in 6,782 households, 82% of potential secondary cases were tested within 14 days, of which 17% tested positive as secondary cases, implying an attack rate of 17%. Among primary cases, those aged 0-24 were underrepresented when compared with the total population. We found an approximately linearly increasing relationship between attack rate and age. We investigated the transmission risk from primary cases by age, and found an increasing risk with age of primary cases for adults, while the risk seems to decrease with age for children.

Conclusions

Although there is an increasing attack rate and transmission risk of SARS-CoV-2 with age, children are also able to transmit SARS-CoV-2 within the household.
Cofilin1 oxidation links oxidative distress to mitochondrial demise and neuronal cell death
Authors: Hoffmann Lena , Waclawczyk Marcel S. , Hanschmann Eva-Maria , Gellert Manuela , Rust Marco B. , Culmsee Carsten
Published: September 2020

Many cell death pathways, including apoptosis, regulated necrosis and ferroptosis are relevant for neuronal cell death and share common mechanisms such as the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, which molecular signaling pathways contribute to related pathologies and how they are interconnected remains elusive.

Here, we present the role of cofilin1 in regulating mitochondrial functions and neuronal impairment. Cofilin1 deletion in neuronal HT22 cells exerted increased mitochondrial resilience, assessed by quantification of mitochondrial ROS production, mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels. HT22 cells deficient for cofilin1 exhibited a profound glycolytic shift to meet their energy demand in conditions of erastin and glutamate toxicity, whereas control cells were metabolically impaired and underwent ferroptosis and oxytosis, respectively. Further, cofilin1 was confirmed as a key player in glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity in primary cortical neurons isolated from cofilin1flx/flx, CaMKIIα-Creknock-out mice. Mitochondrial respiration and cell viability were significantly preserved in cofilin1-/-primary neurons under conditions of excitotoxicity.

Using isolated mitochondria and recombinant cofilin1, we provide a further link to toxicity-related mitochondrial impairment mediated by oxidized cofilin1. Wildtype cofilin1 directly affected the mitochondrial membrane potential, mitochondrial ROS accumulation and mitochondrial respiration. The detrimental impact of cofilin1 on mitochondria depends on oxidation of cysteine residues at positions 139 and 147.

Our findings show that the actin-regulating protein cofilin1 acts as a redox sensor in oxidative cell death pathways of ferroptosis and oxytosis, and also promotes glutamate excitotoxicity. Oxidized cofilin1 links ROS accumulation to mitochondrial demise and neuronal cell death. Protective effects by cofilin1 inhibition are particularly attributed to preserved mitochondrial integrity and function. Thus, interfering with the oxidation and pathological activation of cofilin1 may offer an effective therapeutic strategy in neurodegenerative diseases.
Activity-based work and its implications for the academic work environment
Authors: Muhonen Tuija , Berthelsen Hanne
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The aim of the current interview study was to investigate how the university staff and their immediate managers perceived the academic work environment after a transition to activity-based workplaces (ABW).

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with 11 university lecturers/researchers and 12 academic middle managers, that is, heads of departments or units in a Swedish university.

Findings

The qualitative content analysis revealed four central themes indicating how the academic environment had been affected: challenges related to decision-making and implementation of ABW, interpersonal relations and communication, consequences for academic identity and issues related to the physical work environment.

Research limitations/implications

The non-purposive sampling of participants coming from a single university is a limitation of the current study. More studies are needed to deepen the knowledge and to further corroborate the transferability of the findings.

Practical implications

The savings the universities expect to achieve in terms of reduced costs for premises, when introducing ABW, may lead to other kinds of costs, such as jeopardizing employee performance, comfort and well-being. It is therefore important that the academic staff is empowered and involved during the planning and implementation process of new offices.

Originality/value

The study contributes new knowledge concerning implementation of ABW and its consequences for the academic work environment.
Differences in the influence of aesthetic experience on the innovative behaviors of Thai students and Chinese international students
Authors: Chang Yuan-Cheng , Jaisook Napawan
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study aims to understand if there are any differences in the influence of aesthetic experience and creative self-efficacy on innovative behaviors of Thai students and Chinese international students and whether creative self-efficacy has a mediating effect between aesthetic experience and innovative behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Three Thai universities with Chinese international students were selected through purposive sampling. There were 329 valid responses, consisting of responses from 170 Thai students and 159 Chinese students. The data were analyzed by employing multigroup structural equation modeling.

Findings

The analysis of the differences between the students of the two countries shows that the influence of aesthetic experience on creative self-efficacy, as well as the creative self-efficacy on innovative behavior of Chinese international students, is greater than that of Thai students, while the influence of aesthetic experience on innovative behavior of Thai students is greater than that of Chinese international students.

Originality/value

There are some differences between Thai and Chinese students, which could be attributed to their differing environments, cultures and prior learning experiences.
Operations-based classification of the bullwhip effect
Authors: Gupta Sachin , Saxena Anurag
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Present study deals with the most discussed rather than addressed yet still an unsolved problem of supply chain known as the bullwhip effect. Operational variables affecting the bullwhip effect are identified and their role in causing the bullwhip effect has been explored using artificial neural networks. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of identified operational reasons that affect the bullwhip effect and to analyze the bunch of variables that are more prominent in explaining the phenomenon of the bullwhip effect.

Design/methodology/approach

Ten major sectors of the Indian economy are analyzed for the bullwhip effect in the present study, and the operational variables affecting the bullwhip effect in these sectors are identified. The bullwhip metric is developed as the ratio of variance in production to the variance in the demand. The impact of identified operation variables on the bullwhip effect has been discussed using the artificial neural network technique known as multilayer perceptron. The classification is also performed using neural network, logistic regression and discriminant analysis.

Findings

The operation variables are found to be varying with respect to sectors. The study emphasizes that analyzing the right set of operation variables with respect to the sector is required to deal with the complex problem, the bullwhip effect. The operational variables affecting the bullwhip effect are identified. The classification result of the neural network is compared with those of the logistic regression and discriminant analysis, and it is found that the dynamism present in the bullwhip effect is better classified by neural network.

Research limitations/implications

The study used 11 years of observations to analyze the bullwhip effect on the basis of operational variables. The bullwhip effect is a complex phenomenon, and it is explained on the basis of an extensive set of operational variables which is not exhaustive. Further, the behavioral aspect (bullwhip because of decision-making) is not explored in the present study.

Practical implications

The operational aspect plays a gigantic role to explain and deal with the bullwhip effect. Strategies to mitigate the bullwhip effect must be in accordance with the operational variables impacting the sector.

Originality/value

The study suggests a novel approach to study the bullwhip effect in supply chain management using the application of neural networks in which operational variables are taken as predictor variables.
Quality of life among patients with common mental disorders attending monk healers and primary care clinics in Thailand
Authors: Pengpid Supa , Peltzer Karl
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Common mental disorders are not only highly prevalent in primary health-care settings but also negatively affect patients’ quality of life (QoL). This study aims to assess the levels of QoL among patients with common mental disorders seeking care from a monk healer or primary care setting and to determine the comparative QoL of users in two different types of care settings in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

Consecutively attending clients or patients (N = 1251) of three faith healing or three health centres were assessed with measures of depression, anxiety and somatization disorder and QoL.

Findings

The overall QoL was 67.8 and among the four QoL domains, social QoL was the highest (72.3), followed by physical QoL (69.4), environmental QoL (64.8) and psychological QoL (64.6). In adjusted linear regression analyses, sociodemographic factors, such as higher educational level, being employed, having high debt and consulting a health centre, were associated with higher overall QoL. Compared to being a client with a monk healer, patients at a health centre had a higher overall QoL, environmental and psychological QoL. Having a general anxiety or major depressive disorder was negatively associated with overall QoL and all four QoL sub-domains, whereas somatization disorder was not associated with any QoL sub-domains.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate QoL in common mental disorder attenders with a monk healer in comparison with primary care patients. Primary care patients with a common mental disorder had significantly higher overall QoL (p<0.01), higher psychological QoL (p<0.001) and higher environmental QoL (p<0.001) than clients with a common mental disorder attending monk healers. This study extends previous research showing a negative association between anxiety and depressive disorders and QoL calling for integration of QoL in the management of common mental disorders in both complementary and public primary care in Thailand.
Global competitive pressures and career ecosystems: contrasting the performance management systems in UK and French business schools
Authors: Gribling Maria , Duberley Joanne
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to compare the effects of global competitive pressures on the UK and French B-schools' management systems through the lens of career ecosystems.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative inquiry employing in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 44 business school academics in the two countries.

Findings

This paper demonstrates the importance of top-down and bottom-up ecosystem influences for creating contrasting performance management systems in competitive B-schools in the two countries, to different outcomes for institutions and faculty careers.

Research limitations/implications

The authors focus on faculty working in top business schools, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Future research could apply the ecosystem lens to other institutions and geographical areas to highlight best practices and evaluate their transferability across borders.

Practical implications

The study highlights alternative HR practices and potentially workable adjustments to current systems that could be envisaged in order to enhance performance of individuals and institutions without jeopardizing the chances of valuable human resources to bring their contributions to the success of B-schools.

Originality/value

This paper compares and contrasts different performance management systems, taking into account exogenous and endogenous influences on B-schools that operate in a highly competitive and rapidly changing global management education market.
A consumer engagement systematic review: synthesis and research agenda
Authors: Bilro Ricardo Godinho , Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia
Published: September 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to review the existing literature about consumer engagement, provide an accurate mapping of this research field, propose a consumer engagement typology and a conceptual framework and offer a research agenda for this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review using several quality filters was performed, producing a top-quality pool of 41 papers. After that, a text mining analysis was conducted, and five major research streams emerged.

Findings

This paper proposes five distinct research streams based on the text mining analysis, namely, consumer engagement, online brand community engagement, consumer-brand engagement, consumer engagement behaviours and media engagement. Based on this, a consumer engagement typology and a conceptual framework are suggested and a research agenda is proposed.

Originality/value

This paper presents scientific value and originality because of the new character of the topic and the research methods used. This research is the first study to perform a systematic review and using a text-mining approach to examine the literature on consumer engagement. Based on this, the authors define consumer engagement typology. A research agenda underlining emerging future research topics for this domain is also proposed.
Opening Up the “Black Box” of Audit Firms: The Effects of Audit Partner Ownership on Audit Adjustments
Authors: LENNOX CLIVE , WANG CHUNFEI , WU XI
Published: September 2020

Audit firms need to provide high‐quality audits but they also need to please their clients. We argue that these conflicting incentives become manifest when comparing the incentive effects of equity ownership on engagement quality (EQ) reviewers and audit engagement partners. We predict that EQ reviewers monitor audit quality more closely when they hold greater ownership. In contrast, we expect that equity ownership has conflicting effects on the incentives of engagement partners because they need to please their clients as well as provide high‐quality audits. Consistent with these predictions, we find that the associations between audit adjustments and partner equity ownership are (1) significantly positive for EQ reviewers, (2) significantly negative or insignificant for audit engagement partners, and (3) significantly more positive for EQ reviewers than engagement partners. Our findings suggest that larger ownership stakes motivate EQ reviewers to monitor audit quality more closely, whereas larger ownership stakes do not motivate engagement partners to deliver higher quality audits.
Pre‐treatment magnetic resonance enterography findings predict the response to TNF‐alpha inhibitors in Crohn's disease
Authors: Rimola Jordi , Fernàndez‐Clotet Agnès , Capozzi Nunzia , Rojas‐Farreras Sònia , Alfaro Ignacio , Rodríguez Sonia , Masamunt Maria‐Carme , Ricart Elena , Ordás Ingrid , Panés Julian
Published: September 2020

Background

Identifying predictors of therapeutic response is the cornerstone of personalised medicine.

Aim

To identify predictors of long‐term healing of severe inflammatory lesions based on magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) findings in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) treated with tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) inhibitors.

Methods

This prospective longitudinal single‐centre study included patients with clinically active CD requiring treatment with TNF‐α inhibitors with at least one intestinal segment with a severe inflammatory lesion detected by MRE (segmental MaRIA ≥11). MRE data were obtained at baseline, and at weeks 14 and 46. The primary endpoint was healing of severe inflammatory lesions (MaRIA <11) in each segment. The secondary endpoint was healing of all severe inflammatory lesions on a per‐patient analysis.

Results

We included 58 patients with 86 intestinal segments with severe inflammatory lesions. At week 46, healing of severe lesions was found in 51/86 (59.3%) segments, and complete healing of inflammatory lesions in all segments was found in 28/58 (48.6%) patients. Multivariable analysis found baseline‐negative predictors of long‐term healing of severe inflammation were ileal (as opposed to colonic) location (OR 0.00, [0.00‐0.56] P = 0.002) and presence of creeping fat on MRE (OR 0.00 [0.00‐0.57]; P = 0.001). Persistence of segmental MaRIA score >10.6 at week 14 was a negative predictor of healing at week 46 (OR 0.3 [0.04‐‐0.38]; P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In patients with CD, the absence of creeping fat detected at baseline MRE and location of severe inflammatory lesions are clinically relevant predictors of long‐term healing of severe inflammation under treatment with TNF‐α inhibitors.
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation training for high school students using an immersive 360‐degree virtual reality environment
Authors: Barsom E. Z. , Duijm R. D. , Dusseljee‐Peute L. W. P. , Landman‐van der Boom E. B. , van Lieshout E. J. , Jaspers M. W. , Schijven M. P.
Published: September 2020

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving emergency procedure. To increase survival rates, it is recommended to increase the number of high school students who know how to perform CPR. We have developed an immersive “Virtual Reality (VR) Resuscitation Training” to train the theoretical knowledge of CPR in which trainees must save the life of the patient in a virtual environment. This paper presents a randomized controlled study with a pre‐posttest design to explore whether a VR enhanced curriculum improves high school students’ theoretical CPR knowledge. Forty students without previous CPR experience in the past year were randomly assigned to either the VR group or the standard group. The VR group had a significant higher increase of correct answers in comparison with the Standard group. More importantly, the gain in score on taking the correct sequence of CPR steps was significant favouring the VR‐enhanced protocol over the Standard protocol. Therefore, the use of a VR training for CPR training appears to be an effective learning method for non‐medical students and may be of great value skilling high school students in becoming adequate CPR providers.

Practitioner Notes

What is already known about this topic

CPR education leads to an increase in CPR knowledge and increases trainees’ willingness to initiate CPR in a real‐life situation.

Training CPR in a classroom setting has a lack of realism that bystanders experience during an actual life threatening situation. The experienced gap between the classroom and reality has a negative impact on self‐confidence which is known to be an important motive to actually initiate CPR.

Smartphone‐based VR combined with immersive scenarios has the ability to engage trainees in a real‐life setting using immersive interactive scenarios.

What this paper adds

This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that a VR enhanced curriculum results in a higher increase of CPR knowledge in comparison to a standard curriculum featuring an e‐learning with 2D videos.

This study shows that participants report higher self‐confidence in performing CPR.

Implications for practice and/or policy

VR training provides opportunities to keep CPR knowledge up to date to preserve self‐confidence in CPR‐providers.

VR immersive environments improve the learning experience significantly.
Circulating BiP/Grp78 is a novel prognostic marker for sepsis‐mediated immune cell death
Authors: Doerflinger Marcel , Reljic Boris , Menassa Joseph , Nedeva Christina , Jose Irvin , Faou Pierre , Mackiewicz Liana , Mansell Ashley , Pellegrini Marc , Hotchkiss Richard , Puthalakath Hamsa
Published: September 2020

Sepsis remains to be a major contributor to mortality in ICUs, and immune suppression caused by immune cell apoptosis determines the overall patient survival. However, diagnosis of sepsis‐induced lymphopenia remains problematic with no accurate prognostic techniques or biomarkers for cell death available. Developing reliable prognostic tools for sepsis‐mediated cell death is not only important for identifying patients at increased risk of immune suppression but also to monitor treatment progress of currently trialed immunotherapy strategies. We have previously shown an important role for endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) in inducing sepsis‐mediated cell death and here report on the identification of a secreted form of the ER chaperone BiP (immunoglobulin binding protein) as a novel circulating prognostic biomarker for immune cell death and ER stress during sepsis. Using biochemical purification and mass spectrometry coupled with an established in vitro sepsis cell death assay, we identified BiP/Grp78 as a factor secreted by lipopolysaccharide‐activated macrophages that is capable of inducing cell death in target cells. Quantitative ELISA analysis showed significantly elevated levels of circulating BiP in mice undergoing polymicrobial sepsis, which was absent in Bim−/− mice that are protected from sepsis‐induced lymphopenia. Using blood serum from human sepsis patients, we could detect a significant difference in levels of secreted BiP in sepsis patients compared to nonseptic controls, suggesting that secreted circulating BiP could indeed be used as a prognostic marker that is directly correlative to immune cell death during sepsis.
Staying with nursing: the impact of conflictual communication, stress and organizational problem‐solving
Authors: Siket Ujváriné A. , Gál M. , Harcsa Jakabné E. , Sárváry A. , Zrínyi M. , Fullér N. , Oláh A.
Published: September 2020

Aim

To predict nurses’ intent to stay on the job as a function of organizational culture.

Background

Organizational climate significantly contributes to retention of nurses. Communication by conflict and organizational control over problem‐solving has not thoroughly been studied.

Methods

A cross‐sectional design was used with a randomly selected final sample of 367 nurses from regional hospitals in Hungary. Organizational climate, perceived stress, locus of control and self‐esteem were assessed as main measures. Nurses indicated their intent to stay for the next 5 years. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate associations. Bivariate logistic regression was performed to predict intent to stay in nursing.

Findings

Organizational climate was negatively correlated with perceived stress and personal locus of control and positively with personal self‐esteem. Organizational level internal locus of control (belief that employees have control over problem‐solving) doubled the probability of staying on the job. Conflictual communication and perceived stress both decreased intent to stay by 50%.

Discussion and conclusions

Organizational internal locus of control, stress and conflictual communication were main predictors of intent to stay. The belief that nurses had collective control over problem‐solving capabilities had a positive and greater impact on nurse retention compared to other measures.

Implication for nursing policy

Healthcare organizations should routinely scan workplace culture for conflictual communication, stress and organizational problem‐solving capacities. Graduate nurse and nurse manager training should include practices that enable developing positive work atmospheres. Hospital managements should allocate training budget to stimulate and achieve cultural change.

Implications for nursing practice

Nurse managers should promote internal trainings to help staff nurses adopt techniques that minimize conflict and emphasize positive impact of collaborative problem‐solving.
The relationship among enterprise clustering, prices, and productivity in Ethiopia’s manufacturing sector
Authors: Siba Eyerusalem , Söderbom Måns , Bigsten Arne , Gebreeyesus Mulu
Published: September 2020

We use census panel data on Ethiopian manufacturing firms to analyze how enterprise clustering in local markets covaries with firm‐level output prices and physical productivity. We find a negative and statistically significant relationship between the density of firms that produce a given product in a given location and the local price of that product. We also find a positive and statistically significant relationship between the density of firms that produce a given product in a location and the physical productivity of same‐product firms in the location. These results are consistent with the notion that increased clustering of firms generates higher competitive pressure and positive externalities. Across firms that produce different products, we find no statistically significant relationship between enterprise clustering and firm‐level output prices and productivity. We also find no clustering effects across towns. Our results suggest that while clustering can impact firm performance, the advantages are narrow in scope.
Business School International Alumni: A Story of Grit
Authors: Andrade Maureen Snow , Davis Shaylana
Published: September 2020

Business is a top choice of study for international students in countries such as the U.S., UK, Australia, and Canada; however, knowledge about the post-graduation experiences of international business school graduates varies across hosting countries and is somewhat limited. Few business schools in the U.S. survey alumni to determine how their learning experiences have impacted their professional success. Fewer still have explored the role of English language proficiency for these graduates. This study collected data from online surveys to examine the on-campus and post-graduation experiences of international alumni to determine factors that impacted their academic and professional success, with an emphasis on English language development. Findings identified five themes—achievement-oriented, long-term commitment, involvement, sense of belonging, and experiential learning. Although participant success was largely due to their own grit, schools of business and their professors could do more to contribute to this success, particularly in the areas of curriculum and pedagogy.
Overview of Laser Applications in Manufacturing and Materials Processing in Recent Years
Authors: Shin Yung C. , Wu Benxin , Lei Shuting , Cheng Gary J. , Lawrence Yao Y.
Published: September 2020

This article is to capture some of the important developments in the rapidly growing areas of laser-based manufacturing and materials processing and also to describe important technological issues pertaining to various laser-based manufacturing processes. The topics to be covered in this paper include more popularly used processes in industry such as laser additive manufacturing, laser-assisted machining, laser micromachining, laser forming, laser surface texturing, laser welding, and laser shock peening, although there are several additional areas of laser applications. In each section, a brief overview of the process is provided, followed by critical issues in implementing the process, such as properties, predictive modeling, and process monitoring, and finally some remarks on future issues that can guide researchers and practitioners.
System Design of a 2.0 MWth Sodium/Molten Salt Pilot System
Authors: Armijo Kenneth M. , Carlson Matthew D. , Dorsey Dwight S. , Christian Joshua M. , Turchi Craig S.
Published: September 2020

Nitrate molten salt concentrating solar power (CSP) systems are currently deployed globally and are considered state-of the art heat transfer fluids (HTFs) for present day high-temperature operation. Although slightly higher limits may be possible with molten salt, to fully realize SunShot efficiency goals of $15/kWhth HTFs and an LCOE of 6¢/kWh, HTF technologies working at higher temperatures (e.g., 650 °C to 750 °C) will require an alternative to molten salts, such as with alkali metal systems. This investigation explores the development of a 2.0 MWth sodium receiver system that employs a sodium receiver as the HTF, as well as with a ternary chloride (20%NaCl/40%MgCl/40%KCl by mol wt.%) salt as a thermal energy storage (TES) medium to facilitate a 6-hr. storage duration. A sodium-to-salt heat exchanger model as well as a salt-to-sCO2 primary heat exchanger model are employed and evaluated in this investigation. A thermodynamic system design model was developed using Engineering Equation Solver (EES) where state properties were calculated at inlets and outlets along both hot and cold legs of the pilot-scale plant. This investigation assesses receiver performance as well as system efficiency studies for the pump and system operational ranges. Results found that high efficiency sodium receivers were found to have higher heat transfer coefficients and required far less spreading of incident flux. The system performance model results suggest that for a pump speed of 2400 RPM, respective hot and cold pump TDH values were determined to be 260.1–307 ft. and 260.1–307 ft for pump flow rates of 90–120 GPM.
High-Temperature Particle Flow Testing in Parallel Plates for Particle-to-Supercritical CO2 Heat Exchanger Applications
Authors: Laubscher Hendrik F. , Albrecht Kevin J. , Ho Clifford K.
Published: September 2020

Realizing cost-effective, dispatchable, renewable energy production using concentrated solar power (CSP) relies on reaching high process temperatures to increase the thermal-to-electrical efficiency. Ceramic based particles used as both the energy storage medium and heat transfer fluid is a promising approach to increasing the operating temperature of next generation CSP plants. The particle-to-supercritical CO2 (sCO2) heat exchanger is a critical component in the development of this technology for transferring thermal energy from the heated ceramic particles to the sCO2 working fluid of the power cycle. The leading design for the particle-to-sCO2 heat exchanger is a shell-and-plate configuration. Currently, design work is focused on optimizing the performance of the heat exchanger through reducing the plate spacing. However, the particle channel geometry is limited by uniformity and reliability of particle flow in narrow vertical channels. Results of high temperature experimental particle flow testing are presented in this paper.
AI Based Energy Optimization in Association With Class Environment
Authors: Yu Kuan-Heng , Jaimes Emanuel , Wang Chi-Chuan
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the performance of an optimal indoor environment in a campus classroom. The control system is able to regulate and balance the needs for illuminance, thermal comfort, air quality, and energy saving. By incorporating with Machine Learning and illumination algorithm associated with Internet of Things, wireless communication and adapted control, optimal energy saving and environment control can be achieved. Additionally, by using Video Image Detection to analyze the number of occupants and distribution in the classroom offers better energy optimization. In this study, the split-type air conditioning system has been used which is different from that in most literatures. About 30 tests are conducted and the occupant numbers range from 1 to 2 hours and each hour is 50 minutes. The class types include normal lecture and examination which shows completely different characteristics. The proposed AI agent contains the benefits not only for small or medium indoor space, but also for residences. In order to adjust the indoor illuminance, wireless and adjustable illuminance level LED were installed. Under the control of the illumination algorithm, the illuminance of each area of the classroom can be optimized according to the occupant distribution. The test results indicate that, by maintaining thermal comfort and air quality, when comparing with fixed setting point control 25 degrees, the average energy saving is 19%, and the average CO2 concentration is decreased by 21.3%. When comparing with setting point temperature of 26 degrees, the average energy saving is 15% the average CO2 is decreased by 12.9%.
Study of Coalescence-Induced Jumping Droplets on Biphilic Nanostructured Surfaces for Thermal Diodes in Thermal Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Zhu Y. , Tso C. Y. , Ho T. C. , Chao Christopher Y. H.
Published: September 2020

Thermal energy can be better harvested and stored by integrating thermal diodes with thermal energy storage systems. Among different types of thermal diodes, jumping-droplet thermal diodes exploiting superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic surfaces yield greater thermal rectification performance (i.e. diodicity) due to high latent heat. However, the condensation heat transfer and coalescing-jumping droplets are restricted by the ability of water to nucleate on the superhydrophobic surface, leading to a limited maximum jumping height, finally resulting in degradation of diodicity of the thermal diode. To solve this problem, we propose coating hydrophilic bumps on the superhydrophobic surface which can provide preferable nucleation sites, forming a new type of nanostructured surface, called biphilic surface. This work aims to investigate coalescence-induced jumping droplets on biphilic surfaces to enhance diodicity of phase change thermal diodes. Our experimental results show that the jumping height and jumping volumetric flux of the coalescence-induced jumping droplets on a biphilic surface are enhanced by 42% and 254% compared to those on a superhydrophobic surface, respectively. Based on the jumping droplet results, a mathematical model for diodicity is built. 244% improvement can be achieved in the thermal diode with an optimized biphilic surface as compared to that with a superhydrophobic surface, which provides an effective strategy to improve the diodicity of a phase change thermal diode and an alternative approach to enhance the energy harvesting and storage capability in thermal energy storage systems.
Use of Silica Coated Zinc Nanoparticles for Enhancement in Thermal Properties of Carbonate Eutectic Salt for Concentrated Solar Power Plants
Authors: Rizvi Syed Muhammad Mujtaba , Nayfeh Yousof , El Far Baha , Shin Donghyun
Published: September 2020

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) is one of the most efficient mega-scale renewable Energy sources. However, the overall cost of energy production is not viable for commercial usage and supplanting with fossil fuels or energy produced by nuclear ways. Its operational cost mainly lies in the electrical and thermal systems of the plant. The thermal system comprises of heat storage and heat transfer system. Any enhancement to heat storage or transfer system will directly reduce the cost of operation and increase the yield. Conventionally, oils stable up to 400C were used to transfer and store heat, however more recently, molten salts have been operational in the field for purpose of heat transfer but still, their thermal storage and conduction are limited. The current work explores the possibility of boosting the thermal storage capacity of molten salts through the latent heat of added phase change materials and increasing the specific heat at the same time by adding silica encapsulated zinc nanoparticles. We studied the advantage of adding coated Zn nano-sized particles to carbonate eutectic mixture for enhanced thermal energy storage and heat capacity enhancement. Zinc particles (40nm–60nm) obtained from the commercial sources were coated with silica shells using the solgel process under alkaline conditions. The nano-capsules were then dispersed in a mixture of carbonate salts. A differential scanning calorimeter was employed to characterize the thermal properties of the mixture. Tranmission electron miocroscopy was employed to characterize nanoparticles and electron diffraction Spectroscopy was performed to characterize materials and strcutures involved.
Ga-contamination-free scanning transmission electron microscope sample preparation by rectangular-shaped oxygen-ion-beam thinning using projection ion beam optical system
Authors: Shichi Hiroyasu , Tomimatsu Satoshi
Published: September 2020

Rectangular-shaped oxygen O2+ ion beam thinning for scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) sample preparation was investigated using a projection ion beam optical system equipped with a duoplasmatron gas ion source. The ion current can be increased by increasing the area of the rectangular-shaped oxygen ion beam and thereby overcome the low brightness of the ion source. Rectangular-shaped O2+ ion beams with different amounts of projection beam edge blur were formed in the X and Y directions by using a limiting mask between the ion source and projection mask. Gallium-contamination-free STEM sample preparation (rough, medium, and fine milling) was demonstrated using a projection ion beam optical system and three types of rectangular-shaped oxygen ion beams.
Temperature dependence of elastic and plastic deformation behavior of a refractory high-entropy alloy
Authors: Lee Chanho , Kim George , Chou Yi , Musicó Brianna L. , Gao Michael C. , An Ke , Song Gian , Chou Yi-Chia , Keppens Veerle , Chen Wei , Liaw Peter K.
Published: September 2020

The present work discovers the unique deformation behavior of a refractory high-entropy alloy at elevated temperatures.
The optoretinogram reveals the primary steps of phototransduction in the living human eye
Authors: Pandiyan Vimal Prabhu , Maloney-Bertelli Aiden , Kuchenbecker James A. , Boyle Kevin C. , Ling Tong , Chen Zhijie Charles , Park B. Hyle , Roorda Austin , Palanker Daniel , Sabesan Ramkumar
Published: September 2020

Human cone photoreceptors undergo rapid nanometer-scale mechanical deformations during the first step of phototransduction.
Revealing hidden medium-range order in amorphous materials using topological data analysis
Authors: Sørensen Søren S. , Biscio Christophe A. N. , Bauchy Mathieu , Fajstrup Lisbeth , Smedskjaer Morten M.
Published: September 2020

Hidden medium-range structural features of disordered materials can be extracted through persistent homology analyses.
The distribution of biodiversity richness in the tropics
Authors: Raven Peter H. , Gereau Roy E. , Phillipson Peter B. , Chatelain Cyrille , Jenkins Clinton N. , Ulloa Ulloa Carmen
Published: September 2020

Latin America has more than twice as many vascular plant species as Africa south of the Sahara plus Madagascar, in a smaller area.
A patient-based model of RNA mis-splicing uncovers treatment targets in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Boussaad Ibrahim , Obermaier Carolin D. , Hanss Zoé , Bobbili Dheeraj R. , Bolognin Silvia , Glaab Enrico , Wołyńska Katarzyna , Weisschuh Nicole , De Conti Laura , May Caroline , Giesert Florian , Grossmann Dajana , Lambert Annika , Kirchen Susanne , Biryukov Maria , Burbulla Lena F. , Massart Francois , Bohler Jill , Cruciani Gérald , Schmid Benjamin , Kurz-Drexler Annerose , May Patrick , Duga Stefano , Klein Christine , Schwamborn Jens C. , Marcus Katrin , Woitalla Dirk , Vogt Weisenhorn Daniela M. , Wurst Wolfgang , Baralle Marco , Krainc Dimitri , Gasser Thomas , Wissinger Bernd , Krüger Rejko
Published: September 2020

The genetic and pharmacological rescue of pathogenic U1-dependent exon skipping in c.192G>CPARK7restores PD-associated cellular abnormalities in vitro.
DrpB (YedR) Is a Nonessential Cell Division Protein in Escherichia coli
Authors: Yahashiri Atsushi , Babor Jill T. , Anwar Ariel L. , Bezy Ryan P. , Piette Evan W. , Arends S. J. Ryan , Müh Ute , Steffen Monica R. , Cline Jeremy M. , Stanek David N. , Lister Steven D. , Swanson Shauna M. , Weiss David S.
Published: September 2020

A thorough understanding of bacterial cell division requires identifying and characterizing all of the proteins that participate in this process. Our discovery of DrpB brings us one step closer to this goal in
E. coli
.
Disruption of Adaptive Immunity Enhances Disease in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Syrian Hamsters
Authors: Brocato Rebecca L. , Principe Lucia M. , Kim Robert K. , Zeng Xiankun , Williams Janice A. , Liu Yanan , Li Rong , Smith Jeffrey M. , Golden Joseph W. , Gangemi Dave , Youssef Sawsan , Wang Zhongde , Glanville Jacob , Hooper Jay W.
Published: September 2020

Syrian hamsters are in use as a model of disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Pathology is pronounced in the upper and lower respiratory tract, and disease signs and endpoints include weight loss and viral RNA and/or infectious virus in swabs and organs (e.g., lungs). However, a high dose of virus is needed to produce disease, and the disease resolves rapidly. Here, we demonstrate that immunosuppressed hamsters are susceptible to low doses of virus and develop more severe and prolonged disease. We demonstrate the efficacy of a novel neutralizing monoclonal antibody using the cyclophosphamide transient suppression model. Furthermore, we demonstrate that
RAG2
knockout hamsters develop severe/fatal disease when exposed to SARS-CoV-2. These immunosuppressed hamster models provide researchers with new tools for evaluating therapies and vaccines and understanding COVID-19 pathogenesis.
Complete Genome Sequence of Rahnella aquatilis MEM40, a Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Isolated from Rice Rhizosphere Soil, with Antagonism against Magnaporthe oryzae and Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Sun Xiaowen , Ma Wei , Xu Yin , Jin Xinmeng , Ni Hong
Published: September 2020

Rahnella aquatilis
strain MEM40 is a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) with antagonism against
Magnaporthe oryzae
and
Fusarium graminearum
that was isolated from rice rhizosphere soil in Hubei, China. Here, we report its complete genome sequence, which will increase our understanding of the mechanisms of plant growth promotion and biocontrol.
Draft Genome Sequence of Bacillus licheniformis Strain UASWS1606, a Plant Biostimulant for Agriculture
Authors: Crovadore Julien , Cochard Bastien , Grizard Damien , Chablais Romain , Baillarguet Marine , Comby Morgane , Lefort François
Published: September 2020

Bacillus licheniformis
is a well-known industrial bacterium. New strains show interesting properties of biostimulants and biological control agents for agriculture. Here, we report the draft genome sequence, obtained with an Illumina MiniSeq system, of strain UASWS1606 of the bacterium
Bacillus licheniformis
, which is being developed as an agricultural biostimulant.
Draft Genome Sequence of Streptococcus thermophilus Strain CBC-S77, Isolated from Homemade Dairy Foods in Bulgaria
Authors: Shehata Hanan R. , Chandler Richmond A. , Newmaster Steven G.
Published: September 2020

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
Streptococcus thermophilus
strain CBC-S77. The strain was originally isolated from naturally processed, homemade dairy foods in West Rhode Mountain, Bulgaria. The genome was assembled in 148 contigs with a total length of 1,707,130 bp, with 1,563 coding genes and a GC content of 39.11%.
Genome Sequences of Novel Torque Teno Viruses Identified in Human Brain Tissue
Authors: Kraberger Simona , Mastroeni Diego , Delvaux Elaine , Varsani Arvind
Published: September 2020

Complete genome sequences of two novel torque teno viruses (TTVs) were identified in human brain tissue. These sequences are 3,245 nucleotides (nt) and 2,900 nt long and share 68% and 72% open reading frame 1 (ORF1) identity, respectively, with other human TTVs. This report extends the identification of TTV sequences in the brain.
Supplemental Material: The formation of continental roots
Authors: Priestley Keith , al. et
Published: September 2020

Supplemental Figures S1–S8.
Supplemental Material: Timing and magnitude of progressive exhumation and deformation associated with Eocene arc-continent collision in the NE Caribbean plate
Authors: Román Y.A. , al. et
Published: September 2020

Supplemental tables contain the location, rock type, and apatite and zircon isotopic data and ages.
Bioprosthetic aortic valve haemodynamic deterioration secondary to a thrombus
Authors: Chacon-Portillo Martin A , Dhakal Bishnu , Janardhanan Rajesh
Published: September 2020

A 77-year-old man with a history of coronary artery bypass grafting and surgical aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis 2 years prior presented with exertional chest pain and shortness of breath. The patient underwent a thorough initial evaluation including a transthoracic echocardiogram and coronary angiogram without significant findings. One month later the patient presented with worsened symptoms and a repeat echocardiogram showed an increased mean aortic valve gradient of 87 mm Hg. The patient had to undergo reoperation for a surgical aortic valve replacement and was found to have an aortic bioprosthetic valve thrombus. This case suggests a mismatch between the aortic prosthesis and the patient’s aortic root size.
Case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children presenting as fever and abdominal pain
Authors: Mahajan Neha , Chang Huan Ting , Leeman Rachel , Manalo Rachel , Glaberson Wendy Robin
Published: September 2020

This case aims to remind all providers to scrutinise for atypical presentations of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) which may mimic a more routine diagnosis. In the absence of mucocutaneous symptoms, the diagnosis of MIS-C can be missed. Given the potential for rapid deterioration of patients with MIS-C, early treatment and inpatient interventions are necessary.
Acute cerebrovascular event in a COVID-19 positive patient immediately after commencing non-invasive ventilation
Authors: Burkert Julia , Patil Shashank
Published: September 2020

A 71-year-old man presented to the emergency department (ED) with low oxygen saturations and symptoms consistent with COVID-19 infection. Apart from a small left-sided ischaemic stroke 10 years prior with very minor residual deficit, he had been well and in full-time employment until development of symptoms. Within minutes of commencing non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in the ED, he developed a complete left-sided paralysis and hemineglect. This case highlights the significance of the prothrombotic complications associated with COVID-19 infection. It also raises the question whether pressure changes upon commencing NIV could lead to clot migration.