bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Precision, reliability and application of the Wilkins Rate of Reading Test
Authors: Gilchrist James M , Allen Peter M , Monger Laura , Srinivasan Krithica , Wilkins Arnold
Published: September 2021

Background

The Wilkins Rate of Reading Test (WRRT) enables rapid measurement of reading speed using text passages that have no semantic content and demand minimal word recognition skills. It is suited to applications where the primary interest is in the influence of visual and ocular motor factors on reading rate.

Methods

We obtained estimates of precision and reliability of WRRT from four data samples (A‐D) collected independently by the authors: (A) n = 118 adults; (B) n = 90 adults; (C) n = 787 children; (D) n = 134 children. Each participant was asked to read aloud as quickly and accurately as possible, for 1 min, and results were recorded as number of words read correctly per minute (wcpm).

Results

Estimates of precision are given by the within‐subjects standard deviation sw, and reliability by the intraclass correlation coefficient for single measurements r1. For each sample these estimates were (A) sw = 11.5 wcpm, r1 = 0.85; (B) sw = 3.8 wcpm, r1 = 0.98; (C) sw = 6.7 wcpm, r1 = 0.93; (D) sw = 6.2 wcpm, r1 = 0.94.

Conclusion

The reliability of WRRT reflects large variation in reading rate between individuals compared to within‐individual variability, indicating that it is a good test for discriminating differences in reading speed between individuals. The precision of the test varies from 3.8 wcpm to 11.5 wcpm among samples, and the pooled value of 7.2 wcpm, provides a basis for setting a population‐wide criterion for minimum detectable change of reading rate in individuals over time. Nevertheless, a preferable way of monitoring change in an individual would be to use a criterion determined from estimates of that individual's baseline variation in WRRT scores.
Mini‐synplastomes for plastid genetic engineering
Authors: Occhialini Alessandro , Pfotenhauer Alexander C. , Li Li , Harbison Stacee A. , Lail Andrew J. , Burris Jason N. , Piasecki Cristiano , Piatek Agnieszka A. , Daniell Henry , Stewart C. Neal , Lenaghan Scott C.
Published: September 2021

In the age of synthetic biology, plastid engineering requires a nimble platform to introduce novel synthetic circuits in plants. While effective for integrating relatively small constructs into the plastome, plastid engineering via homologous recombination of transgenes is over 30 years old. Here we show the design–build–test of a novel synthetic genome structure that does not disturb the native plastome: the ‘mini‐synplastome’. The mini‐synplastome was inspired by dinoflagellate plastome organization, which is comprised of numerous minicircles residing in the plastid instead of a single organellar genome molecule. The first mini‐synplastome in plants was developed in vitro to meet the following criteria: (i) episomal replication in plastids; (ii) facile cloning; (iii) predictable transgene expression in plastids; (iv) non‐integration of vector sequences into the endogenous plastome; and (v) autonomous persistence in the plant over generations in the absence of exogenous selection pressure. Mini‐synplastomes are anticipated to revolutionize chloroplast biotechnology, enable facile marker‐free plastid engineering, and provide an unparalleled platform for one‐step metabolic engineering in plants.
Evaluation of micronutrient levels in children with cerebral palsy
Authors: Carman Kursat Bora , Aydın Kursad , Kilic Aydin Betul , Cansu Ali , Direk Meltem Cobanogullari , Durmus Selver , Dündar Nihal Olgaç , Gencpinar Pinar , Gungor Serdal , Gurkas Esra , Hur Ozgen , Karadag Meral , Karademir Cefa Nil , Ozkan Kart Pinar , Okuyaz Cetin , Oz Nefise Arıbas , Peduk Yakup , Per Huseyin , Serin Mine Hepsen , Tekgul Hasan , Unay Bulent , Yarar Coskun , Yildirim Gonca Kilic
Published: September 2021

Background

Many studies evaluating the nutritional status of children with cerebral palsy (CP) have focused on energy requirements and protein intake. The present work aimed to assess nutritional status and micronutrient levels of children with (CP).

Methods

This multicenter, cross‐sectional and observational study was conducted in 10 different cities in Turkey. Data were available for 398 participants. Anthropometric measurements, feeding mode, nutritional status, and micronutrient levels were evaluated.

Results

The study was conducted with 398 participants (303 patients and 95 healthy controls). Statistical analysis showed that according to the Gomez Classification, weight‐for‐age (WFA) revealed malnutrition in 92.6% of children with CP, based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention percentiles. Measurements of micronutrient levels showed that zinc levels were low in patients, whereas vitamin A levels were low in controls. Phosphorous and manganese levels were significantly lower in malnourished children than in typical children. The results revealed that children consuming enteral nutrition solutions had higher selenium and lower zinc levels than non‐consumers.

Conclusions

Malnutrition is not only a protein‐ or calorie‐based problem; micronutrient deficiencies might cause severe health problems. Children with chronic neurological disabilities must be carefully evaluated for these issues. Therefore, nutritional interventions should be adapted to nutrition.
Reversible glomerular damage in disseminated intravascular coagulation
Authors: Labbadia Raffaella , Diomedi Camassei Francesca , Antonucci Luca , Guzzo Isabella , Onetti Muda Andrea , Spada Marco , Dello Strologo Luca
Published: September 2021

Background

Brain death secondary to traumatic brain injury is one of the main sources of organs for transplantation but it can be associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation, which has been considered a relative contraindication for kidney donation.

Methods

We describe two successful pediatric cases of kidney transplantation from a single donor with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Results

A 17‐year‐old male donor died from head injury and both kidneys were offered to our center. Within 24 h, donor's Hb and platelets dropped to 8.3 g/dl and 32 000/mcl, respectively, serum creatinine reached 2.01 mg/dl, and urinalysis showed proteinuria (300 mg/dl). Pre‐implant biopsy showed massive occlusion of glomerular capillaries by fibrin thrombi containing fragmented red blood cells and inflammatory cells, and acute tubular damage. Arterioles and small arteries were spared. A diagnosis of DIC was made. The kidneys were transplanted in a 16‐year‐old girl and a 13‐year‐old boy. Slow recovery of graft function was observed in both recipients. On post‐operative day 3, platelets dropped to a minimum value of 66 000 and 86 000/mcl, respectively. Diuresis was always present. On day 4, platelets started to rise. Six months later, both recipients attained normal renal function. A six‐month protocol biopsy showed no microthrombi or other signs of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Conclusions

Despite the limited data available in literature, the outcome of these two cases is positive. Thus, pre‐implant kidney biopsy, even if it reveals massive thrombotic occlusion of glomerular capillaries compatible with diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation, should not be considered an absolute contraindication to transplantation.
Effects of visible light on mechanisms of skin photoaging
Authors: Pourang Aunna , Tisack Aaron , Ezekwe Nneamaka , Torres Angeli E. , Kohli Indermeet , Hamzavi Iltefat H. , Lim Henry W.
Published: September 2021

Human skin is not only affected by ultraviolet radiation but also by visible light wavelengths emitted by sunlight, electronic devices, and light emitting diodes. Similar to the ultraviolet radiation, visible light has been implicated in photoaging. In this review, the effects of blue light, yellow light, red light, and broad visible light are discussed in relation with photoaging. Different visible light wavelengths likely contribute beneficial and deleterious effects on photoaging by way of interaction with specific photoreceptors, ROS production, and other photon‐mediated reactions. Further in vivo studies are needed to determine the mechanism and action spectrum of photoaging in humans, as well as optimal photoprotection with coverage against visible light wavelengths.
Organizing the Biden Presidency
Authors: Pfiffner James P.
Published: September 2021

After the disruptive term of Donald Trump, President Biden initiated a restoration of the regular order of the presidency, which had been established by presidents of both parties over the past half‐century, this article will examine the establishment of the Biden presidency, beginning with his transition into office. It will analyze the White House staff and organization as well as Biden's use of his cabinet secretaries and the recruitment of political appointees.
FLOCponics: The integration of biofloc technology with plant production
Authors: Pinho Sara M , de Lima Jéssica P , David Luiz H , Emerenciano Maurício G C , Goddek Simon , Verdegem Marc C J , Keesman Karel J , Portella Maria Célia
Published: September 2021

FLOCponics is an alternative type of aquaponics that integrates biofloc technology (BFT) with soilless plant production. The aims of this paper are to present a detailed overview of the FLOCponics system's designs and performance, discuss their sustainability, highlight the current challenges, and give directions for future research. Data sources include papers containing the keywords bioflocs and hydroponics, aquaponics and/or plant production. In view of the small number of publications and the lack of standardization in experimental design and system setup, it was concluded that FLOCponics is still in its initial research stage. With respect to the animal and plant yields in FLOCponics, inconsistent results were found. Some investigations presented better or similar yield results in this system compared to traditional cultures, while others found the opposite. One of the key challenges of using FLOCponics is the effective control of solids. Refining the system's design was the main recommended improvement. Moreover, this paper highlights that the commercial application of FLOCponics will require extensive research that clarifies its technical and economic aspects, originating from experimental or pilot‐scale setups with characteristics similar to commercial production. This review provides and discusses information that can be useful for the effective development of FLOCponics, guiding further research to make FLOCponics commercially feasible and thus contributing to sustainable aquaculture production.
Risk Amplification and Attenuation as Communication Strategies in Climate Adaptation in Urban Areas
Authors: Dow Kirstin , Tuler Seth
Published: September 2021

Climate risks are motivating adaptation with local municipal actors becoming key participants in a complex web of climate risk communication. Some cities have created civil service positions focused on climate resilience. We conducted interviews with six such individuals in four U.S. Atlantic coast cities to investigate how they think about and negotiate communication challenges associated with implementation of climate resilience strategies. We grounded our study in the Social Amplification of Risk Framework (SARF), which despite its longevity and wide usage has rarely been used to understand the role of government actors. We found substantial complexity in how these government representatives develop both amplifying and attenuating communication strategies as they often simultaneously reach multiple audiences holding different perspectives. They are familiar with and employ risk communication practices. However, they report needing to modify their efforts as climate adaptation issues and goals evolve over time, and experiment in situations, such as discussions of retreat, where established communication practices provide insufficient guidance. In order to develop a deeper understanding of the governmental risk communication actors, we suggest four potential avenues for taking advantage of the strengths of SARF as a framework for connecting and integrating with other models and theories. We also propose several directions for research based on the challenges these practitioners are finding in their work to facilitate adaptation to climate risks. The activity of government actors is rich in its applied risk communication practice and its challenges offer new questions to expand our thinking about the SARF and risk communication more broadly.
Managing Physical and Economic Risk for Systems with Multidirectional Network Interdependencies
Authors: Tatar Unal , Santos Joost R. , Thekdi Shital A.
Published: September 2021

Critical infrastructure networks, such as transportation and supply chains, are becoming increasingly interdependent. As the operability of network nodes relies on the operability of connected nodes, network disruptions have the potential to spread across entire networks, having catastrophic consequences in the realms of physical network performance and also economic performance. While risk‐informed physical network models and economic models have been well‐studied in the literature, there is limited study of how physical features of network performance interact with sector‐specific economic performance, particularly as these physical networks recover from disruptions of varying durations. In this article, we create a generalizable framework for integrating Functional Dependency Network Analysis (FDNA) and Dynamic Inoperability Input–Output Models (DIIM), to assess the extent to which disruptions to critical infrastructure could degrade its functionality over a period of time. We demonstrate the framework using disruptive scenarios for a critical transportation network in Virginia, USA. We consider scenarios involving: (a) mild case that is relatively more frequent such as recurring traffic conditions; (b) moderate case involving an incident with a multihour delay, and (c) severe case that is relatively less frequent such as evacuation after a major hurricane. The results will be useful for network managers, policymakers, and stakeholders who are seeking to invest in risk mitigation for network functionality and economic activity.
A network meta‐analysis of the effectiveness and safety of drugs for restless legs syndrome in dialysis patients
Authors: Tang Meng , Ge Jie , Sun Ke‐Xin , Cui Bin , Guan Yue , Wang Jing‐Wen
Published: September 2021

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nine pharmacological interventions for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in dialysis patients. Methods: An electronic database was used to retrieve eligible trials from PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Web of Science. Stata 14.2 software was used to perform network meta‐analysis. The primary measure was the RLS score, and the secondary measure was used to evaluate the side effects of the drug. The surface under the cumulative ranking curve method was used to rank the merits of intervention measures. A comparison of the two interventions is shown on a league table. Results: Finally, nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 377 participants were included. From the results of the network meta‐analysis, all treatments ranked higher than placebo in terms of improving clinical symptoms, but only vitamin C (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −1.47 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.89, −0.05) showed significant differences compared with placebo. In terms of safety, there were no serious adverse reactions to any of the treatments compared to placebo. Conclusion: Currently, existing evidence suggests that vitamin C may be the most ideal drug to improve the symptoms of RLS in dialysis patients.
Perceived social stigma, self‐concealment, and suicide risk among North Korean refugee women exposed to traumatic events
Authors: Nam Boyoung , Kim JoonBeom , Ryu Wonjung , Kim Dam I , Frey Jodi J. , DeVylder Jordan
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Suicide among North Korean (NK) refugee women is one of the most concerning public health problems in South Korea. Pre‐resettlement trauma exposure and post‐resettlement factors can contribute to suicide risk among NK refugee women; however, few studies have explored these associations.

Methods

This study aimed to assess suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among NK refugee women in South Korea (N = 212) and to examine the impact of pre‐resettlement trauma exposure on suicide risk. Perceived social stigma and self‐concealment in the post‐resettlement phases were investigated as moderating factors for suicide risk related to trauma exposure using multiple regression analyses.

Results

Trauma exposure significantly increased suicidal ideation severity and the risk of suicide attempt. Furthermore, perceived social stigma significantly moderated this relationship such that the impact of trauma exposure in the pre‐resettlement phases was amplified as perceived social stigma increased.

Conclusion

Based on our study findings, professionals working with refugee populations should assess for perceived social stigma and exposure to traumatic events to reduce and prevent suicidal ideation and attempts.
Ancient rapid functional differentiation and fixation of the duplicated members in riceDofgenes after whole genome duplication
Authors: Yu Luyao , Ma Shiying , Zhang Xiaohui , Tian Dacheng , Yang Sihai , Jia Xianqing , Traw Milton Brian
Published: September 2021

Whole genome duplication (WGD) in plants is typically followed by genomic downsizing, where large portions of the new genome are lost. Whether this downsizing is accompanied by increased or decreased evolutionary rates of the remaining genes is poorly known, not least because homeolog pairings are often obscured by chromosomal rearrangement. Here, we use the newly published genome from a sedge, namelyKobresia littledalei, and CRISPR/Cas‐9 editing to investigate how the Rho WGD event 70 million years ago (MYA) affected transcription factor evolutionary rates, fates, and function in rice (Oryza sativa) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor). We focus on the 30‐member DNA‐binding with one zinc finger (Dof) transcription factor family in both crops due to their agronomic importance. Using the known speciation dates of rice fromKobresia(97 MYA) and sorghum (50 MYA), we find that rates of amino acid substitution in the critical Dof domain region were over twofold higher during the 20‐million‐year period following the WGD than before or afterward. Through comparison of synteny blocks, we report that at least 11% ofDofgenes were purged from 70 to 50 MYA, while only 6% have been lost in the most recent 50‐million‐year interval. CRISPR/Cas9 editing revealed widespread fitness‐related defects in flowering and lack of redundancy of paired members, as well as significant differences in expression between gene pairs. Together these findings demonstrate the strength ofDofgenes as a model for deep evolutionary study and offer one of the most detailed portraits yet of the Rho WGD impact on a gene lineage.
Structural variation of mitochondrial genomes sheds light on evolutionary history of soybeans
Authors: Liu Hao , Yu Junping , Yu Xiaoxia , Zhang Dan , Chang Han , Li Wei , Song Haifeng , Cui Zheng , Wang Peng , Luo Yixin , Wang Fei , Wang Dagang , Li Zhi , Huang Zhiping , Fu Aigen , Xu Min
Published: September 2021

The architecture and genetic diversity of mitogenome (mtDNA) are largely unknown in cultivated soybean (Glycine max), which is domesticated from the wild progenitor, Glycine soja, 5000 years ago. Here, we de novo assembled the mitogenome of the cultivar ‘Williams 82’ (Wm82_mtDNA) with Illumina PE300 deep sequencing data, and verified it with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Southern blot analyses. Wm82_mtDNA maps as two autonomous circular chromosomes (370 871‐bp Chr‐m1 and 62 661‐bp Chr‐m2). Its structure is extensively divergent from that of the mono‐chromosomal mitogenome reported in the landrace ‘Aiganhuang’ (AGH_mtDNA). Synteny analysis showed that the structural variations (SVs) between two genomes are mainly attributed to ectopic and illegitimate recombination. Moreover, Wm82_mtDNA and AGH_mtDNA each possess six and four specific regions, which are absent in their counterparts and likely result from differential sequence‐loss events. Mitogenome SV was further studied in 39 wild and 182 cultivated soybean accessions distributed world‐widely with PCR/Southern analyses or a comparable in silico analysis. The results classified both wild and cultivated soybeans into five cytoplasmic groups, named as GSa–GSe and G1–G5; ‘Williams 82’ and ‘Aiganhuang’ belong to G1 and G5, respectively. Notably, except for members in GSe and G5, all accessions carry a bi‐chromosomal mitogenome with a common Chr‐m2. Phylogenetic analyses based on mtDNA structures and chloroplast gene sequences both inferred that G1–G3, representing >90% of cultigens, likely inherited cytoplasm from the ancestor of domestic soybean, while G4 and G5 likely inherited cytoplasm from wild soybeans carrying GSa‐ and GSe‐like cytoplasm through interspecific hybridization, offering new insights into soybean cultivation history.
Waiting for Brexit: Crisis, conjuncture, method
Authors: Hall Sarah Marie
Published: September 2021

UK geopolitics for the last five years has been heavily dominated by Brexit. The lead up to the referendum, the result, negotiations, intervening general election, extensions, further negotiations, and impending exit from the European Union have captured both academic and public interest. This paper contributes to geographical and wider social science research on the everyday geographies of socio‐economic change, with a particular focus on Brexit and the temporal politics of waiting. Emerging analyses focus on Brexit as an event, as uncertainty, and a discrete period for and of research on public moods. I illustrate how exploring Brexit through the lens of waiting provides new ways of thinking through the time‐spaces of Brexit, by drawing on data collected during an ethnographic participatory project in Gorse Hill, Greater Manchester (2018–2020). Analysis of group discussions, peer‐led research projects, podcast recordings, vox pops, and ethnographic fieldnotes highlight the embodied, everyday, endured, and emplaced experience of waiting for Brexit. More specifically, findings make the case for this waiting as crisis, as conjuncture, and as method. The paper closes with a discussion of the pace and timeliness of research, and the implications of waiting for, in, and with Brexit and other forms of socio‐economic change.
Human zoonotic infectious disease caused by Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus
Authors: Kim Misun , Heo Sang Taek , Oh Hyunjoo , Kim Miyeon , Jo Jaemin , Kim Young Ree , Lee Keun Hwa , Yoo Jeong Rae
Published: September 2021

Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) is a highly contagious infectious organism that causes disease in horses. SEZ is seldom isolated from humans; however, zoonotic infections are occasionally reported in individuals exposed to horses and other livestock. Herein, we report three human cases of SEZ in individuals, one with direct horse contact and two among individuals who had eaten raw horse meat. The phylogenetic tree showed that the genotypes of SEZ isolates from two of the cases on Jeju Island, South Korea, were similar to those of isolates from the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
La forma perfecta: Sarlo lee a Saer
Authors: Dalmaroni Miguel
Published: September 2021

La característica principal de la lectura sarliana de Saer es una modalidad particular de formalismo. Este se trata de un impulso de lectura que reside en la articulación del enfoque en la técnica artística (poética, narrativa), considerada semánticamente funcional, recuperable y decidible; y en la relación entre esa poética de la forma y un programa intertextual en cuyo centro está Borges, con el lugar que le corresponde a Saer en la historia literaria argentina, y como consecuencia de la constancia vertebradora de esa apuesta formal e intertextual, un juicio acerca del valor máximo de la obra de Saer, que para Sarlo es “perfecta”. Al mismo tiempo, se ensayan aquí aproximaciones a un eventual punto ciego de esa lectura.
Figuras de santidad en el virreinato de Perú: lo queer, la alteridad
Authors: Espitia Durán Pilar
Published: September 2021

La santidad y sus manifestaciones son un tema que se vuelve primordial en los estudios culturales de la colonia latinoamericana: es a través de la construcción de figuras de santidad que identificamos los deseos sociales y diversas tensiones étnicas, de clase y de género, y también podemos encontrar espacios fluidos y de hibridez. Este ensayo, que forma parte de mi disertación doctoral, expone la santidad católica en el virreinato de Perú a través de los casos de Santa Rosa de Lima y San Martín de Porras. Al estudiar el misticismo, propongo pensar las figuras de santidad como sujetos queer, es decir, como sujetos que retaban, alteraban y cuestionaban las estructuras coloniales.
El papel de la academia. Sobre Filosofía y Letras (1998) de Pablo De Santis
Authors: Maltz Hernán
Published: September 2021

En el marco de un corpus de escritores de relatos policiales académicos argentinos (que incluye a autores como Ricardo Piglia y Guillermo Martínez), en este escrito planteamos un acercamiento a dicho subgénero a partir de la novela Filosofía y Letras (1998) de Pablo De Santis. De este modo, mostramos y analizamos tres aspectos sustantivos de esta obra: la representación de los académicos como sujetos locos y miserables, la construcción de una trama policial que carece de una figura detectivesca fuerte y la representación del edificio de la Facultad de Filosofía y Letras (edificio que termina por ser el gran protagonista de la novela).
¿Voz, derechos, o dinero en efectivo? ¿Qué factores determinan el éxito de los procesos de DDR?
Authors: Kreutz Joakim
Published: September 2021

¿Qué componentes de los procesos de desarme, desmovilización y reintegración (DDR) son claves para asegurar la paz tras una guerra civil? Aunque prácticamente todos los procesos de paz en el mundo incluyen algún tipo de programa de DDR para ayudar a los excombatientes a convertirse en civiles después de una guerra civil, las razones por las cuales son exitosos en unos casos y no en otros son poco conocidas. Centrándose en tres factores abordados habitualmente por estos procesos ⸻oportunidades políticas, judiciales y económicas para los excombatientes más allá de las ofrecidas en la sociedad en general⸻, este estudio analiza cinco casos en los que la paz prevaleció durante más de una década, y cinco más donde no fue este el caso. El análisis revela la importancia de un equilibrio entre lo ofrecido a los excombatientes y el dividendo de paz para la sociedad en su conjunto, y señala que garantizar el acceso político de los antiguos grupos beligerantes es menos exitoso que permitirles competir en el proceso electoral.
Design Strategy Network: A deep hierarchical framework to represent generative design strategies in complex action spaces
Authors: Raina Ayush , Cagan Jonathan , McComb Christopher
Published: September 2021

Generative design problems often encompass complex action spaces that may be divergent over time, contain state-dependent constraints, or involve hybrid (discrete and continuous) domains. To address those challenges, this work introduces Design Strategy Network (DSN), a data-driven deep hierarchical framework that can learn strategies over these arbitrary complex action spaces. The hierarchical architecture decomposes every action decision into first predicting a preferred spatial region in the design space and then outputting a probability distribution over a set of possible actions from that region. This framework comprises a convolutional encoder to work with image-based design state representations, a multi-layer perceptron to predict a spatial region, and a weight-sharing network to generate a probability distribution over unordered set-based inputs of feasible actions. Applied to a truss design study, the framework learns to predict the actions of human designers in the study, capturing their truss generation strategies in the process. Results show that DSNs significantly outperform non-hierarchical methods of policy representation, demonstrating their superiority in complex action space problems.
Ultra-Rapid Laser Calorimetry for the Assessment of Crystallization in Low-Concentration Cryoprotectants
Authors: Kangas Joseph , Zhan Li , Liu Yilin , Natesan Harishankar , Khosla Kanav , Bischof John
Published: September 2021

Cryoprotective agents (CPAs) are routinely used to vitrify, attain an amorphous glass state void of crystallization, and thereby cryopreserve biomaterials. Two vital characteristics of a CPA-loaded system are the critical cooling and warming rates (CCR and CWR), the temperature rates needed to achieve and return from a vitrified state, respectively. Due to the toxicity associated with CPAs, it is often desirable to use the lowest concentrations possible, driving up CWR and making it increasingly difficult to measure. This paper describes a novel method for assessing CWR between the 0.4 × 105 and 107 °C/min in microliter CPA-loaded droplet systems with a new ultrarapid laser calorimetric approach. Cooling was achieved by direct quenching in liquid nitrogen, while warming was achieved by the irradiation of plasmonic gold nanoparticle-loaded vitrified droplets by a high-power 1064 nm millisecond pulsed laser. We assume “apparent” vitrification is achieved provided ice is not visually apparent (i.e., opacity) upon imaging with a camera (CCR) during cooling or highspeed camera (CWR) during warming. Using this approach, we were able to investigate CWRs in single CPA systems such as propylene glycol (PG), glycerol, and Trehalose in water, as well as mixtures of glycerol-trehalose-water and propylene glycol-trehalose-water CPA at low concentrations (20–40 wt %). Further, a phenomenological model for determining the CCRs and CWRs of CPAs was developed which allowed for predictions of CCR or CWR of single component CPA and mixtures (within and outside of the regime their constituents were measured in), providing an avenue for optimizing CCR and CWR and perhaps future CPA cocktail discovery.
Warm Forming Process for an AA5754 Train Window Panel
Authors: Piccininni A. , Lo Franco A. , Palumbo G.
Published: September 2021

A warm forming process is designed for AA5754 to overcome low room temperature formability. The solution includes increased working temperature and is demonstrated with a railway vehicle component. A finite element (FE)-based methodology was adopted to design the process taking into account also the starting condition of the alloy. In fact, the component's dent resistance can be enhanced if the yield point is increased accordingly: the stamping process was thus designed considering the blank in both the H111 (annealed and slightly hardened) and H32 (strain-hardened and stabilized) conditions that were preliminarily characterized. Tensile and formability tests were carried out at different temperature and strain rate levels, thus providing the data to be implemented within the FE model (ABAQUS/CAE): the stamping was at first simulated at room temperature to evaluate the blank critical regions. Subsequently, the warm forming process was designed by means of an uncoupled thermo-mechanical approach. Thermal simulations were run to properly design the heating strategy and achieve an optimal temperature distribution over the blank deformation zone (according to the results of the material characterization). Such a distribution was then imported as a boundary condition into the mechanical step (ABAQUS/Explicit) to determine the optimal process parameters and obtain a sound component (strain severity was monitored implementing a forming limit diagram (FLD))-based damage criterion). The simulation model was validated experimentally with stamping trials to fabricate a sound component using the optimized heating strategy and punch stroke profile.
Stator Blades Manufacturing Geometrical Variability in Axial Compressors and Impact on the Aeroelastic Excitation Forces
Authors: Gambitta Marco , Kühhorn Arnold , Beirow Bernd , Schrape Sven
Published: September 2021

The manufacturing geometrical variability is a source of uncertainty, which cannot be avoided in the realization of machinery components. Deviations of a part geometry from its nominal design are inevitably present due to the manufacturing process. In the case of the aeroelastic forced response problem within axial compressors, these uncertainties may affect the vibration characteristics. For this reason, the impact of geometrical uncertainties due to the manufacturing process onto the modal forcing of axial compressor blades is investigated in this study. The research focuses on the vibrational behavior of an axial compressor rotor blisk. In particular, the amplitude of the forces acting as a source of excitation on the vibrating blades is studied. The geometrical variability of the upstream stator is investigated as input uncertainty. The variability is modeled starting from a series of optical surface scans. A stochastic model is created to represent the measured manufacturing geometrical deviations from the nominal model. A data reduction methodology is proposed in order to represent the uncertainty with a minimal set of variables. The manufacturing geometrical variability model allows to represent the input uncertainty and probabilistically evaluate its impact on the aeroelastic problem. An uncertainty quantification is performed in order to evaluate the resulting variability on the modal forcing acting on the vibrating rotor blades. Of particular interest is the possible rise of low engine orders due to the mistuned flow field along the annulus. A reconstruction algorithm allows the representation of the variability during one rotor revolution. The uncertainty on low harmonics of the modal rotor forcing can be therefore identified and quantified.
Can We Localize an Autonomous Vehicle From a Single Image? Deep-Geometric Six Degrees-of-Freedom Localization in Topo-Metric Maps
Authors: Chakravarty Punarjay , Roussel Tom , Pandey Gaurav , Tuytelaars Tinne
Published: September 2021

We describe a deep-geometric localizer that is able to estimate the full six degrees-of-freedom (DOF) global pose of the camera from a single image in a previously mapped environment. Our map is a topo-metric one, with discrete topological nodes whose 6DOF poses are known. Each topo-node in our map also comprises of a set of points, whose 2D features and 3D locations are stored as part of the mapping process. For the mapping phase, we utilize a stereo camera and a regular stereo visual SLAM pipeline. During the localization phase, we take a single camera image, localize it to a topological node using deep learning, and use a geometric algorithm (perspective-n-point (PnP)) on the matched 2D features (and their 3D positions in the topo map) to determine the full 6DOF globally consistent pose of the camera. Our method divorces the mapping and the localization algorithms and sensors (stereo and mono) and allows accurate 6DOF pose estimation in a previously mapped environment using a single camera. With results in simulated and real environments, our hybrid algorithm is particularly useful for autonomous vehicles (AVs) and shuttles that might repeatedly traverse the same route.
A Pipeline DNA Approach Within Fitness-For-Purpose Assessments
Authors: Edwards Jason
Published: September 2021

Establishing a robust knowledge of material properties forms the basis of any FFP assessment. In light of the revised Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations in the US, operators of gas transmission pipelines are required to possess Traceable, Verifiable and Complete (TVC) records for input into FFP assessments and to support MAOP. ROSEN has been engaged by several operators to reconfirm the MAOP along the full pipeline length using the Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) approach. This is a data integration approach using multiple ILI technologies to detect, identify and quantify the inputs required for a robust FFP assessment.

A crucial aspect was the use of TVC material properties in the ECA, in which the RoMat Pipe Grade Sensor (PGS) service was used as the foundation for material property verification, ensuring accurate material properties are used in the ECA. Traditionally, ILI has not been able to provide strength data. However, with the addition of ROSEN’s Pipe Grade Sensor (PGS) technology, pipe populations; defined as a group of pipes with shared material properties and characteristics, can now be reliably identified and a strength grade assigned to each population.

New NDT technologies already available on the market allow us to increase the confidence within the population assessment as well as further characterize the populations of pipes. This “Pipeline DNA” approach, incorporating both the PGS technology and in-field material property verification, ensures accurate or representative material properties are used in any future integrity studies.

This paper describes the ROSEN approach to “Pipeline DNA”, and how it can be used in combination with material verification as a foundation for FFP assessments in an effort to reconfirm MAOP.
Monitoring and Maintenance of CP System in MGL
Authors: Duraisamy Kokila
Published: September 2021

Mahanagar Gas Limited is a City Gas distribution (CGD) company based out of the city of Mumbai and around. MGL currently has around 480 Kms of Steel gas pipelines for transportation of natural gas. The diameters of these pipelines are ranging from 2” to 18” and almost all are coated with 3 layer Poly Ethylene coating (3LPE). We are installing Permanent Cathodic Protection (PCP) for all commissioned pipelines and Temporary Cathodic Protection (TCP) having a design life of 5 years for un-commissioned pipelines during the projects stage itself.

This paper shall basically outline the CP system in MGL along with various practices being followed in MGL to ascertain the effectiveness of CP. MGL has installed various CP assets like CP stations, Diode stations, external ER probes, corrosion coupons to ascertain the CP effectiveness. This paper shall outline the detailed monitoring procedure along with monitoring frequency of all the assets. MGL is also carrying out health adequacy surveys like DCVG, CIPL etc over the steel pipeline network. Few case studies arising out of these monitoring results shall be presented in this paper.

(1) Casing carrier short at Taloja Railway crossing. The detailed procedure of monitoring and rectification shall be presented.

(2) Case study on CP under-protection at Andheri which was resolved using a flange isolation kit.
Utilization of High Resolution Integrated Indirect Inspection Survey Technologies as Part of the Direct Assessment Methodology of Ageing Non-Cathodically Protected Pipeline Network
Authors: Bujarbaruah Prankush , Monlai Sukungta , Chakrabarty Satyajit , Gogoi Sidhartha , Choudhury Manash , Khera Ashish , Baniah Bidyut B.
Published: September 2021

There is an old adage “if it is not broken, do not fix it” and this could be applicable for our day-to-day menial activities, but could prove fatally disastrous if followed by any pipeline owners globally. Although, pipelines are statistically the safest means of transporting hydrocarbon — the consequence to an event could be exponential, even if the probability of the event to occur is low. The magnitude of consequence only goes higher with the ever-burgeoning population.

To this effect, Oil India Limited (OIL) owns an intensive network of spider-webbed carbon steel pipelines in Upper Assam, India geographical area with varying vintage.

Understanding the associated risks of operating such critical pipeline systems, it was decided for the pipelines to undergo code-compliant integrity assessment.

It is well known that non-CP protected pipelines are electrically continuous conductors without any insulation (isolation) joints to separate the above-ground station piping to the cross-country underground pipeline sections. With respect to this, OIL deployed a state-of-the-art integrated indirect inspection survey tool to assist in conducting Direct Assessment based integrity assessment. This paper provides an insight into such a scenario where the operator proactively employed the use of advanced high-resolution integrated survey technology to their non-cathodically protected, but coated pipeline assets.

Due to the age and design of these “temporary” pipeline systems, there were no prior readily available records in terms of construction, drawings, maps, alignment sheets, operational or historical maintenance data for these pipelines.

The advanced Integrated survey played a vital role in decluttering these extensively jumbled network of non-CP pipelines. Firstly, by actually locating the pipeline based on sub meter accuracy and secondly performing simultaneous above ground survey for coating assessment and susceptibility for corrosion. The adaptability of integrated survey as per given situation helped overcome the difficult pipeline route conditions and customize the assessment for these highly challenging pipelines and make ECDA feasible as per NACE SP0502 Standard Practice for this very complex spider web network of pipelines.
In-Line-Inspection (ILI) of a Pipeline in Constrained Condition and Establishing Integrity of the Pipeline
Authors: Bose Partha
Published: September 2021

One 24” Diameter and around 40 km length Natural Gas pipeline caters as energy life line for Mumbai city; supplying app 4.5 MMSCMD Gas for Auto Sectors (CNG), House Hold (PNG), Power, Fertiliser, Petrochemical Sectors. Though line is equipped with Launcher & Receiver; but onward became challenging one for executing pigging for many constraints:

- Presence of One SR bend

- Presence of 1.5 D bends

- Presence of 1.5 D bends with Back to Back configuration

- Three (3) no Thermal Expansion Loops, in 2 Km stretch passing as above ground pipeline through bridge (above Creek) section

The pipe line is passing through High Consequence areas, including its interim stretch of 2km passing as above ground section through bridge structure.

Intelligent pigging is an obvious first preference for online precise integrity assessment for any pipeline.

Site Specific Assessment, Detail Engineering & Committed approach resulted in Feasibility & Development of ILI Tool, Practical Testing in fore hand before actual pigging & onward Integrity Assessment of the pipeline conducted by accomplishing Successful ILI run.
Formation, evolution, and prevention of thermally induced defects on germanium and silicon upon high-temperature vacuum annealing
Authors: Kim Taeyeong , Jeong Mun Goung , Lee Bong Jae , Lee Jungchul
Published: September 2021

This Letter reports the formation, evolution, and prevention of thermally induced defects on germanium upon high-temperature (up to 890 °C) vacuum (2×10−6 Torr or 2.67×10−6 mbar) annealing. It is found that the shape of defects evolves depending on the annealing temperature and duration. The defect shape can be classified into three groups (pyramid, expanded pyramid, and doughnut), considering the interplay of chemical desorption and surface diffusion. The effects of annealing conditions on the density and size of defects are also investigated with scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. To prevent thermally induced defects, a simple covering method is proposed and demonstrated. In addition, formation and prevention of defects resulting from high-temperature (1150 °C) vacuum annealing are applied to silicon.
ACOUSTICAL NEWS
Authors: Moran Elaine
Published: September 2021

Editor's Note: Readers of this journal are encouraged to submit news items on awards, appointments, and other activities about themselves or their colleagues. Deadline dates for news and notices are 2 months prior to publication.
Transmission loss of plates with embedded multi-scale and tuned acoustic black holes
Authors: Xiong Yu , Smith Edward C. , Conlon Stephen C.
Published: September 2021

An acoustic black hole (ABH) plate is a lightweight and high loss panel structure for effective reduction of vibration and radiated sound. It is understood that the high loss local ABH modes can be designed at desired frequencies by changing the size of the ABH cell(s). The ABH cell diameter (size) and minimum thickness play dominant roles in the performance of the ABH effect. In addition, attaching tuning masses at the center of the ABH cells has been shown to alter the local ABH modes with the result of improved low-frequency performance. In this work, the transmission loss (TL) of an embedded multi-scale ABH plate was investigated. The embedded large and small ABH cells were particularly designed to cut-on below and above the critical frequency of the plate, respectively. The results were compared with a uniform plate and an embedded single-scale ABH plate. Discrete tuning masses were attached at the ABH cells' center to manipulate the ABH cut-on modes to increase the TL further. The results show that the damped multi-scale ABH plate achieved a 10 dB TL increase, flattened the TL curve, and nearly eliminated the plate coincidence dip. Manipulating the high loss ABH modes by adding tuning masses (20 g each) demonstrated a 2 dB increase at low frequencies within the mass-law range. Although damping material was applied, adding some mass, an overall weight advantage was still attained compared to the uniform plate. The damped multi-scale ABH plate is 7% lighter than the uniform plate.
Plyometrics Did Not Improve Jump-Landing Biomechanics in Individuals With a History of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Jeon Hyunjae , Krysak Sean , Pfeiffer Steven J. , Thomas Abbey C.
Published: September 2021

Second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has similar biomechanical risk factors as primary injury. Standard of care rehabilitation does not adequately mitigate these biomechanical risks. This study examined the effectiveness of a 4-week plyometric intervention on biomechanical risk factors of second ACL injury versus no intervention in patients with a history of ACL reconstruction. Thirty adults post-ACL reconstruction received 12 sessions of plyometric (age: 19.9 ± 1.62 years; body mass index: 23.9 ± 2.6 kg/m2; months postoperative: 35.7 ± 24.2) or no (age: 21.3 ± 3.5 years; body mass index: 27.7 ± 4.8 kg/m2; months postoperative: 45.3 ± 25.4) exercise intervention. Hip and knee biomechanics were quantified during a jump-landing task before and after the intervention. Individual response to the intervention was evaluated via minimal detectable change. Hip flexion angle had the greatest response to plyometric training. Overall, focused plyometric intervention did not adequately mitigate biomechanical risk factors of second ACL injury; thus, development of interventions capable of modifying biomechanics known to contribute to ACL injury risk remains necessary.
The Effectiveness of a Psychoeducational Program in Increasing Mental Health Knowledge in Collegiate Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Peters Alexis , Tapia Julliana , Clines Stephanie H.
Published: September 2021

Focused Clinical Question: Does the implementation of a psychoeducational program increase mental health knowledge among collegiate student-athletes? Clinical Bottom Line: There is consistent, limited-quality patient-oriented evidence to suggest that implementation of a psychoeducational program is effective in increasing mental health knowledge in collegiate student-athletes based on the guidelines of the strength of recommendation taxonomy.