bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Undergraduate medical education interventions aimed at managing patients with obesity: A systematic review of educational effectiveness
Authors: Katz Nathan J. , Neary Emma , Tang Natasha , Braund Heather , Cofie Nicholas , Zevin Boris
Published: August 2021

The growing obesity epidemic requires an evidence‐based approach to management of patients with obesity. Two systematic reviews on obesity‐management interventions in undergraduate medical education, both published in 2012, reported discrepant findings. This study aimed to build on previous research by identifying, systematically reviewing, and synthesizing current literature on the effectiveness of educational interventions aimed at teaching management of patients with obesity to medical students. A comprehensive search of seven databases was performed with no date or language restrictions. Database search identified 6462 studies; 5373 were screened against title and abstract, 156 full‐text articles were retrieved, 31 met eligibility criteria, and 17 were included after critical appraisal of study methodology. Nine cohort‐studies, three qualitative, two case–controls, two mixed‐methods, and one randomized controlled trial were included. Findings supported the educational effectiveness of brief (<3 h) educational interventions, the value of video‐clips to deliver content, and the importance of in‐person teaching. Findings also demonstrated an increase in the number of studies describing educational interventions aimed at teaching management of patients with obesity to medical students. These results can be used by medical educators to inform the design of educationally effective curricula focused on the management of patients with obesity in undergraduate medical education.
Inheritance and molecular mapping of resistance against mungbean yellow mosaic India virus in soybean (Glycine max)
Authors: Khosla Gaurav , Gill Balwinder Singh , Sirari Asmita , Sharma Pankaj , Singh Sarvjeet
Published: August 2021

Yellow mosaic disease (YMD) caused by mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) is a devastating disease of soybean in India and has all the potential to spread into new areas. In the present study, inheritance and molecular mapping of YMD resistance in soybean was investigated. Phenotypic ratios in F2 of four resistant × susceptible crosses and F2:3 and BC1F2 of one cross indicated inhibitory gene interaction for YMD resistance. Out of 267 SSR markers, 114 markers showing parental polymorphism were used for bulked segregant analysis (BSA) of F2 population derived from cross SL 958 (resistant) × AGS 456 (susceptible). Composite interval mapping revealed one major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 6 flanked by markers Satt281 and Sat_076 and one on chromosome 2 flanked by markers BARCSOYSSR_02_0423 and BARCSOYSSR_02_0425. Further, gene annotation with these QTLs on soybean genome also located two candidate genes, namely, RDRP1 and SGS3 in these regions having role in resistance against begomoviruses. Markers identified in this study will be helpful in marker‐assisted breeding for YMD resistance in soybean.
Dual Function Antibody Conjugates for Multimodal Imaging and Photoimmunotherapy of Cancer Cells
Authors: Saad Mohammad A. , Xavierselvan Marvin , Sharif Hamza A. , Selfridge Scott , Pawle Robert , Varvares Mark , Mallidi Srivalleesha , Hasan Tayyaba
Published: August 2021

Precision imaging, utilizing molecular targeted agents, is an important tool in cancer diagnostics and guiding therapies. While there are limitations associated with single mode imaging probes, multimodal molecular imaging probes enabling target visualization through complementary imaging technologies provides an attractive alternative. However, there are several challenges associated with designing molecular probes carrying contrast agents for complementary multimodal imaging. Here, we propose a dual function antibody conjugate (DFAC) comprising an FDA approved photosensitizer Benzoporphyrin derivative (BPD) and a naphthalocyanine‐based photoacoustic dye (SiNc(OH)) for multimodal infrared (IR) imaging. While fluorescence imaging, through BPD, provides sensitivity, complementing it with photoacoustic imaging, through SiNc(OH), provides a depth‐resolved spatial resolution much beyond the optical diffusion limits of fluorescence measurements. Through a series of in vitro experiments, we demonstrate the development and utilization of DFACs for multimodal imaging and photodynamic treatment of squamous cell carcinoma (A431) cell line. The proposed DFACs have potential use in precision imaging applications such as guiding tumor resection surgeries and photodynamic treatment of residual microscopic disease thereby minimizing local recurrence. The data demonstrated in this study merits further investigation for its preclinical and clinical translation.
Ground and Grain
Authors: Fritz Peter
Published: August 2021

Current views of metaphysical ground suggest that a true conjunction is immediately grounded in its conjuncts, and only its conjuncts. Similar principles are suggested for disjunction and universal quantification. Here, it is shown that these principles are jointly inconsistent: They require that there is a distinct truth for any plurality of truths. By a variant of Cantor’s Theorem, such a fine‐grained individuation of truths is inconsistent. This shows that the notion of grounding is either not in good standing, or that natural assumptions about it need to be revised.
Coordinating Inventory and Pricing Decisions Under Total Minimum Commitment Contracts
Authors: Gong Xiting , Chen Youhua (Frank) , Yuan Quan
Published: August 2021

A total minimum commitment contract is a supply contract under which a firm commits to buying a minimum quantity of a product from its supplier during the contract duration (e.g., 1 year). Such contracts are widely used in industries, because they provide the buyer with flexibility in terms of the timing and size of each order and the supplier with a guaranteed total order volume. Previous studies on such contracts have focused primarily on the firm's inventory decisions, and none of them has considered the coordination of inventory and pricing decisions. In this study, we fill this gap by studying dynamic inventory and pricing problems under a commitment contract. Under a general demand model with backlogging and zero lead time, we prove that the optimal policy is a committed‐inventory‐position‐dependent base‐stock list‐price policy and characterize its structural properties. We also conduct an extensive numerical study to derive further managerial insights. In particular, we find that dynamic pricing can substantially improve the firm's profitability and enables it to select contracts with large committed quantities and price discount rates, and that ignoring the commitment in joint pricing and ordering decisions can result in substantial profit loss. Finally, we partly extend our results to a lost‐sales model and a backlogging model with lead times.
Use of dimethylformamide to cryopreserve alpaca semen previously incubated with collagenase
Authors: Flores Huarco Nils H. , Giuliano Susana M. , Fumuso Fernanda G. , Miragaya Marcelo H. , Cucho Dolmos Hernán C. , Carretero María I.
Published: August 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of collagenase and two final dimethylformamide (DMF) concentrations (4% and 7%) on alpaca frozen‐thawed sperm quality. A total of 25 ejaculates from 5 alpaca were obtained using electroejaculation. Each individual ejaculate was evaluated and then diluted 4:1 in a solution of 1 mg/ml collagenase in HEPES‐TALP medium and incubated for 4 min at 37°C. Subsequently, samples were diluted in TRIS‐fructose‐citric acid‐egg yolk and cooled to 5°C. Then, each sample was divided in two aliquots and DMF at final concentration of 4% or 7% was added, equilibrated for 1 hr at 5°C and frozen over liquid nitrogen vapours. A Kruskal–Wallis test was used to evaluate the sperm morphometry, and Completely Random Block designs were used to analyse sperm motility, viability, membrane function and acrosome status. After collagenase incubation, none of the samples showed thread formation, and sperm parameters were preserved. Non‐progressive motile sperm were higher (p < .05) in equilibrated samples (4% DMF: 31.8 ± 8.3% and 7% DMF: 36.3 ± 11.8%) compared to raw (10.1 ± 4.3%) and frozen‐thawed semen (4% DMF: 9.7 ± 1.8% and 7% DMF: 7.5 ± 3.2%). Sperm membrane function, membrane integrity and intact acrosomes were higher (p < .05) in raw semen (40.1 ± 12.2%, 94.6 ± 3.2% and 91.3 ± 8.1%) compared to frozen‐thawed samples (4% DMF: 19.8 ± 4.7%, 53.2 ± 2.7%, 65.7 ± 8.7% and 7% DMF: 20.4 ± 4.5%, 54.1 ± 1.4%, 64.6 ± 9.1%). Length of the sperm head was lower in frozen‐thawed samples, being statistically different with 4% DMF compared to pre‐freezing samples. The ratio between acrosome and head areas was greater (p < .05) in frozen‐thawed samples. Incubation of raw alpaca semen with collagenase decreased the thread formation without affecting sperm quality. Frozen of collagenase treated alpaca semen with 4% or 7% DMF did not preserve the sperm parameters in thawed samples.
Simple indicators are good proxies for ecological complexity when assessing Atlantic Forest restoration success
Authors: Massi Klécia G. , Chaves Rafael B. , Tambosi Leandro R.
Published: August 2021

Legal regulation related to restoration monitoring should be supported and validated by studies that evaluate the performance of indicators. In Brazil, a specific state regulation uses three indicators to attest recovery: ground cover with native vegetation (i.e. canopy cover, for tropical forest restoration projects) and density and richness of native plants spontaneously regenerating. Thus, we adopted other three ecological parameters: richness of zoochorous regenerant species (a functioning indicator linked to seed dispersal), the density of non‐pioneer regenerants (a composition indicator), and dominance (a structure indicator), to test whether the indicators of the legal state monitoring protocol were associated to these more qualified indicators and we discussed the state protocol effectiveness. We evaluated 10 sites under restoration in the Atlantic Forest ranging from 9 to 45 years old and a reference area. Our results showed that the three indicators of the state monitoring protocol were associated to more qualified indicators in different restored sites and they can be considered proxies of ecological parameters to monitor and attest restoration success of tropical rainforest. In addition, dominance was strongly associated with richness of regenerants, but it was not associated to density, implying that richness and density of regenerants are not redundant and both should be monitored in the field. This kind of analysis could be usefully applied to define powerful and integrative indicators elsewhere, simplifying them without losing effectiveness as a means to stimulate wide adoption of monitoring protocols in the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.
Genetic variation and structure change when producing and using mixed‐source seed lots for restoration
Authors: Kucera Katherine F. , Fant Jeremie B. , Jensen Scott , Landeen Melissa , Orr Emily , Kramer Andrea T.
Published: August 2021

Large‐scale ecological restoration efforts increasingly require large quantities of genetically diverse seeds adapted to a range of potential sites. To meet this demand, there is a growing emphasis on mixing multiple, regionally sourced source populations in production settings to produce large quantities of genetically diverse seeds. However, because few empirical studies are available, it is unclear how source population representation and genetic diversity shift through production and restoration use of mixed‐source seed lots. We used neutral genetic markers and assays of variation in seed germination requirements to investigate how genetic diversity and source population representation shift following the use of a mixed‐source seed lot to establish a seed production field and 10 restoration sites. Our mixed‐source seed lot contained 19 source populations of the perennial forb, Penstemon pachyphyllus, from six mountain ranges in the Great Basin, U.S.A. We found that, while populations from all six mountain ranges used in the mixed‐source seed lot were present in production and restoration sites, representation of each source mountain range shifted unpredictably. Populations from one mountain range were particularly overrepresented at the production site relative to its composition in the original seed mix. We also found that, despite using the same mixed‐source seed lot for production and restoration sites, resulting source population composition varied greatly, suggesting that local conditions favored some populations over others. Significant among‐population variation in seed germination requirements may, in part, explain shifts in source population representation in the production and restoration sites.
Measuring and framing support for universal basic income
Authors: Jordan Soren , Ferguson Grant , Haglin Kathryn
Published: August 2021

We execute an original survey experiment to examine the extent and determinants of support for a nascent policy issue, universal basic income (UBI), in the American public. We explore the effects of how UBI is framed (either in the context of values or the context of policy), finding three key results. First, UBI is primarily a Democratic and liberal policy. Second, negative arguments against UBI move support for UBI more than positive arguments. Third, and surprisingly, respondents are equally affected by both policy‐driven and value‐driven arguments about UBI. In conclusion, an increase in messaging about UBI is likely to widen existing partisan differences in UBI support. These differences are unlikely to be won over by policy or values arguments.
Direct and indirect influences of political regimes on corruption
Authors: Goel Rajeev K. , Nelson Michael A.
Published: August 2021

Objective

This paper studies the direct and indirect impacts of political regimes on corruption. Whereas the interplay of government is fundamental to corrupt acts, the present research sheds new light by showing the direct and indirect influences of dimensions of government structure on corruption.

Methods

We employ two different estimation techniques. First, we use OLS regressions, with year and regional dummies. Second, we employ mediation analysis to account for the intermediate role of government size in the relation between government structure and corruption in order to gauge the direct and indirect influences on corruption

Results

Results show that government structure, across various dimensions of authoritarian and nonauthoritarian regimes, significantly impacted cross‐national corruption. In particular, a nation's stock of democracy and parliamentary systems lowered corruption, while executive tenure and dimensions of authoritarianism added to corruption. On the other hand, the size of the legislature did not matter when it came to corruption. However, the direct influences of these government structure variables are mitigated or reinforced when the intermediate role of government size is considered in a mediation analysis.

Conclusions

The breakdown into the direct and indirect effects on corruption is a novel insight of this work, with useful policy implications.
Implementation has failed, implementation studies have failed even more: Racism and the future of systemic change
Authors: Tormos‐Aponte Fernando , Wright James E. , Brown Heath
Published: August 2021

Objective

This article identifies the role of structural racism in policy implementation and argues that a starting point to evaluate the potential outcomes of calls for systemic change is to better situate racism in the study of policy implementation.

Method

This article reviews existing policy implementation literature to assess the extent to which they account for structural racism in their analyses of policy implementation success and failure.

Result

Policy failures have been attributed to multiple factors, including hierarchies and communication problems, but rarely to racism.

Conclusion

If racism is to be taken seriously by public administration scholars, then a new conceptual understanding is called for along with better efforts to operationalize the crippling impact racism has on public organizations.
State‐level immigration legislation and social life: The impact of the “show me your papers” laws
Authors: Maggio Christopher
Published: August 2021

Objective

From 2010 to 2011, several states passed legislation aimed at identifying and deporting undocumented immigrants. Despite partial or full enjoinment at various times, there are reasons to believe that the passage of these laws could have had a negative impact on social life for immigrants and Hispanics. This study attempts to quantify the impact of these restrictive laws on time spent socializing, as reported in the American Time Use Survey.

Method

This study uses a natural experiment and difference in differences design.

Results

I find that Hispanics in states that passed these laws spent less time socializing after their passage, though only in counties with relatively low Hispanic populations around the time of passage.

Conclusion

Overall, this study provides evidence of a negative impact of extreme immigration policy on social life in the Hispanic community.
Comparison of digital elevation models through the analysis of geomorphic surface remnants in the Desatoya Mountains, Nevada
Authors: Dobre Bernadett , Kovács István P. , Bugya Titusz
Published: August 2021

This article explores the advantages and limitations of open‐source digital elevation models (DEMs) generated from various acquisition methods and at various spatial resolutions, through extracting geomorphic surface remnants in a semi‐arid, mountainous topographic environment. Even if the tested models have well‐known vertical accuracy and precision, their reliability for peak detection is still waiting to be studied. In this research, we investigate peaks as remnants of degraded geomorphic surfaces. Peaks of surface remnants can help to reconstruct geomorphic surfaces and evaluate DEM applicabilities, since they can enhance the identification of overall accuracy. Our methodology uses a well‐known open‐source GRASS GIS Geomorphons module (r.geomorphon) on several recently released and widely used DEMs covering the Desatoya Mountains study area. We conclude that, despite the characteristic differences in the accuracy of the analyzed DEMs, all of those examined proved to be appropriate to detect surface remnants.
Epithelial–immune crosstalk with the skin microbiota in homeostasis and atopic dermatitis – a mini review
Authors: Kobayashi Tetsuro , Imanishi Ichiro
Published: August 2021

The skin is a complex and dynamic ecosystem, wherein epithelial cells, immune cells and the skin microbiota actively interact and maintain barrier integrity and functional immunity. Skin microbes actively tune the functions of the resident immune cells. Dysbiosis – alterations in the resident microbiota – leads to the dysregulation of host immunity. Microbiome analyses in humans and dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) have shown shifts in microbial diversity, and in particular, an increased proportion of staphylococci. Monogenic diseases that manifest AD‐like symptoms provide insights into the pathogenesis of AD and the mechanisms of dysbiosis, from both the epithelial and immunological perspectives. The symbiotic relationships between the host and microbiota must be maintained constitutively. Detailed mechanisms of how host immunity regulates commensal bacteria in the steady state have been reported. The skin harbours multiple tissue‐resident immune cells, including both innate and adaptive immune cells. Recent studies have highlighted the fundamental role of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in the maintenance of barrier functions and tissue homeostasis. ILCs directly respond to tissue‐derived signals and are instrumental in barrier immunity. Epithelial cells produce alarmins such as thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and interleukins (IL)‐33 and IL‐25, all of which activate group 2 ILCs (ILC2s), which produce type 2 cytokines, such as IL‐5 and IL‐13, boosting type 2 immune reactions. Dysregulation of the epithelial–ILC crosstalk results in allergic inflammation. This review highlights our understanding of the active interactions between the host epithelial and immune cells, and microbiota, providing a foundation for novel therapeutic strategies for inflammatory skin diseases.
The establishment and spread of the stem‐boring weevil Listronotus setosipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) released against the invasive weed Parthenium hysterophorus L. (Asteraceae) in Ethiopia
Authors: Mersie Wondi , Amare Tesfay , Chala Lidya Alemayehu , Negeri Mulugeta , McNamee Clyde
Published: August 2021

The establishment and spread of the stem‐boring weevil, Listronotus setosipennis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) released in 2017 for the control of the invasive weed, Parthenium hysterophorus (L.) (Asteraceae) at four locations in northeastern Ethiopia were assessed over a 4‐year period. The number of L. setosipennis eggs on parthenium in 0.5 m × 0.5 m quadrats was recorded at each location where the weevil was originally released and where it spread later. The weevil damage to parthenium and the distance it spread were also recorded. At all release locations, the number of L. setosipennis eggs detected increased over the 4‐year assessment period indicating the build‐up of the weevil population where it was released. At one of these locations, Chorisa, the number of eggs increased from 2.7 ± 1.3 m−2 in 2017 to 92 ± 6.1 m−2 in 2020. Similarly, at the site where the weevil spread (dispersal site), the number of L. setosipennis eggs detected on parthenium rose over the 4‐year period. L. setosipennis larvae damage to parthenium was evident at all release locations ranging from 13.3 ± 3.3% to 36.7 ± 6.7%. Similar level of damage (36.7 ± 5% to 66.7 ± 8.3%) was also recorded at the dispersal sites. After 4 years, the maximum distance L. setosipennis spread from its original release spots was 185.3 ± 12.0 m. The establishment and spread of the weevil were slow but was steady at all locations in northeastern Ethiopia.
A new approach to quantify weed suppression, crop tolerance and weed‐free yield in cereal variety trials without weed‐free plots
Authors: Rasmussen Jesper , Jensen Signe M. , Mariegaard Pedersen Tove
Published: August 2021

Cereal varieties are commonly tested in the presence of weeds in organic agriculture, and a variety of test programmes with weeds are relevant in relation to fields containing herbicide‐resistant weeds. However, the interpretation of results from variety trials with weeds is complex because different levels of weed pressure affect the yield differently. Crop yield is a result of the combined effect of weed suppression, crop tolerance and the weed‐free yield. Until now, there has been no attempt to separate weed suppression, crop tolerance and weed‐free yield in ordinary variety trials without weed‐free plots. This study applied a new approach based on the combination of functional trait analysis and analysis of variance (ANOVA). A total of 16 variety trials were analysed with early crop coverage, final canopy height and disease severity as functional traits. The main objectives were to quantify weed suppression, crop tolerance and weed‐free yield in spring barley varieties, and to evaluate the importance of the trade‐off between weed suppression and weed‐free yield. Results showed that early crop coverage and final canopy height both increased weed suppression, and taller cultivars tolerated weeds better than shorter cultivars. However, a trade‐off between canopy height and weed‐free yield made it difficult to justify the selection of tall varieties unless the weed pressure was at its maximum level in the trials. Large early crop coverage was an advantage in terms of weed suppression and weed‐free yield, making early coverage a better selection criterion than final canopy height under the condition that early coverage is a result of genotypic variation. Future studies have to show how well genotypic and phenotypic variations are related in terms of early coverage and final canopy height.
Longitudinal environmental Staphylococcus contamination in a new small animal veterinary hospital and utility of cleaning checklists
Authors: Hunter Noelle D. , Hoet Armando E. , van Balen Joany , Stull Jason W.
Published: August 2021

Staphylococci are inhabitants of skin and mucous membranes with Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (SP) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) serving as important pathogens for animals and people, respectively. Previous research has identified the environment as potentially important in hospital‐associated infections and zoonotic transmission in veterinary settings. The objective of this pilot study was to determine the longitudinal prevalence over repeated samplings of environmental coagulase‐positive Staphylococcus (CPS) in a new veterinary hospital and evaluate associations between contamination and environmental and clinical (caseload, cleaning checklists and staff numbers) factors. Cleaning and disinfection compliance, based on staff‐completed checklists, were reviewed for the three shifts immediately prior to sampling. We hypothesized that over time, environmental contamination would increase as the clinic developed and caseload increased and compliance to cleaning checklists would decrease with increasing caseload. Over 18 months, 351 environmental samples were collected at five sampling times (sampling occurred before opening the hospital and every 3 to 6 months thereafter). Overall contamination with CPS was 30.8% (108/351), with SA (16.8%) and SP (13.1%) identified from the contaminated surfaces. Overall, methicillin‐resistant strains (MRSA and MRSP) were infrequently recovered (combined n = 3; <1%). Point prevalence of CPS contamination was relatively stable over the study period (22.5%–28.4%), with the exception of an increase at the fourth sampling (52.9%). Cleaning compliance varied over the study period (57.9%–100%); the lowest reported cleaning coincided with the highest proportion of CPS contamination. The most commonly contaminated surfaces were chairs (7/15; 46.7%), examination tables (19/47; 40.4%) and computers (12/35; 34.3%); these items were infrequently included on cleaning lists. Surfaces not included in the checklist were 2.3 times more likely to be contaminated by CPS than those that were included (OR: 2.3, CI 95%: 1.02 –5.35, p‐value=.04). MRSA and MRSP were rarely isolated from the environment in the newly opened hospital, indicating it may take time for resistant strains to enter the environment and persist on surfaces. This study identified the possible utility of cleaning checklists for directing cleaning practices and reducing the environmental contamination.
A Study on Fundamental Combustion Properties of Oxymethylene Ether-2
Authors: Ngugi John M. , Richter Sandra , Braun-Unkhoff Marina , Naumann Clemens , Köhler Markus , Riedel Uwe
Published: August 2021

Oxymethylene ethers (OMEn, n = 1–5) are a promising class of synthetic fuels that have the potential to be used as additives or substitutes to diesel in compression ignition engines. A comprehensive understanding of their combustion properties is required for their safe and efficient utilization. In this study, the results of a combined experimental and modeling work on oxidation of OME2 are reported: (i) Ignition delay time measurements of stoichiometric OME2/synthetic air mixtures diluted 1:5 with nitrogen using the shock tube method at pressures of 1, 4, and 16 bar, and (ii) laminar flame speeds of OME2/air mixtures using the cone angle method at atmospheric and elevated pressures of 3 and 6 bar. The experimental data sets obtained have been used for validation of three detailed reaction mechanisms of OME2 obtained from literature. The results of ignition delay time measurements showed that ignition of OME2 is characterized by pre-ignition activity at the low temperature side of the measurements regardless of the pressure. Regarding the performance of the different reaction mechanisms, the model from Cai et al. (2020, “Auto-Ignition of Oxymethylene Ethers (OMEn, n = 2–4) as Promising Synthetic e-Fuels From Renewable Electricity: Shock Tube Experiments and Automatic Mechanism Generation,” Fuel, 264, p. 116711) best predicted the temperature and pressure dependence of ignition delay times. For laminar flame speeds, the experimental data were well matched by the mechanism from Ren et al. (2019) at p = 1, 3, and 6 bar and for all equivalence ratios considered. From sensitivity analyses calculations, it was observed that chain reactions involving small radicals, i.e., H, O, OH, HO2, and CH3 control the oxidation of OME2. The comparison of the results of this work and our previous work (Ngugi et al. (2021)) on OME1 show that these two fuels have similar oxidation pathways. The results obtained in this work will contribute to a better understanding of the combustion of oxymethylene ethers, and thus, to the design and optimization of burners and engines as well.
Accurate Inlet Boundary Conditions to Capture Combustion Chamber and Turbine Coupling With Large-Eddy Simulation
Authors: Martin Benjamin , Duchaine Florent , Gicquel Laurent , Odier Nicolas , Dombard Jérôme
Published: August 2021

The coupling between different components of a turbomachinery is becoming more widely studied especially by use of computational fluid dynamics. Such simulations are of particular interest especially at the interface between a combustion chamber and a turbine, for which the prediction of the migration of hotspots generated in the chamber is of paramount importance for performance and life-duration issues. Despite this need for fully integrated simulations, typical turbomachinery simulations however often only consider isolated components with either time-averaged constant value, radial profile or least frequently two-dimensional maps imposed at their inlet boundaries preventing any accurate two-way coupling. The objective of this study is to investigate available solutions to perform isolated simulations while taking into account the effect of multicomponent coupling. Investigations presented in the paper focus on the full aero-thermal combustor-turbine interaction research (FACTOR) configuration. The first step of the proposed method is to record conservative variables solved by the large-eddy simulation (LES) code at the interface plane between the chamber and the turbine of a reference simulation. Then, using the spectral proper orthogonal decomposition (SPOD) method, the recorded data is analyzed and can be partially reconstructed using different numbers of frequencies. Using the partial reconstructions, it is then possible to replicate a realistic inlet boundary condition for isolated turbine simulations with both velocity and temperature fluctuations, while reducing the storage cost compared to the initial database. The integrated simulation is then compared to the isolated simulations as well as against simulations making use of averaged quantities with or without synthetic turbulence injection at their inlet. The isolated simulations for which the inlet condition is reconstructed with a large number of frequencies show very good agreement with the fully integrated simulation compared to the typical isolated simulation using average quantities at the inlet. As expected, decreasing the number of frequencies in the reconstructed signal deteriorates the accuracy of the resulting signal compared to the full recorded database. However, isolated simulations with a low number of frequencies still perform better than standard boundary conditions, especially from an aero-thermal point of view.
Life-Limiting Aspects of an Melt-Infiltrated Silicon Carbide Fiber-Reinforced Silicon Carbide Matrix Ceramic Matrix Composite in Interlaminar Shear at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Kane S. , Stanley A. , Sanchez L. , Faucett D. C. , Choi S. R.
Published: August 2021

Life-limiting behavior of a melt-infiltrated (MI) silicon carbide fiber-reinforced silicon carbide matrix (SiC/SiC) ceramic matrix composite (CMC) was determined under interlaminar shear at 1316 °C in air using double-notch-shear test specimens. The three different shear loading configurations of dynamic fatigue, static fatigue, and cyclic fatigue were employed to assess their individual respective lives. The MI SiC/SiC CMC exhibited low susceptibility to fatigue (“slow crack growth”) regardless of loading configuration. A life prediction model for interlaminar shear in cyclic fatigue was developed based on the fracture mechanics framework. The newly developed cyclic fatigue model as well as the previously developed dynamic and static fatigue models were all in good agreement with the experimental data, indicating that the governing failure mechanism under interlaminar shear was consistent, independent of fatigue loading configuration.
Coupled Calculations of Data Center Cooling and Power Distribution Systems
Authors: Wemhoff Aaron P. , Ahmed Faisal
Published: August 2021

Physics-based modeling aids in designing efficient data center power and cooling systems. These systems have traditionally been modeled independently under the assumption that the inherent coupling of effects between the systems has negligible impact. This study tests the assumption through uncertainty quantification of models for a typical 300 kW data center supplied through either an alternating current (AC)-based or direct current (DC)-based power distribution system. A novel calculation scheme is introduced that couples the calculations of these two systems to estimate the resultant impact on predicted power usage effectiveness (PUE), computer room air conditioning (CRAC) return temperature, total system power requirement, and system power loss values. A two-sample z-test for comparing means is used to test for statistical significance with 95% confidence. The power distribution component efficiencies are calibrated to available published and experimental data. The predictions for a typical data center with an AC-based system suggest that the coupling of system calculations results in statistically significant differences for the cooling system PUE, the overall PUE, the CRAC return air temperature, and total electrical losses. However, none of the tested metrics are statistically significant for a DC-based system. The predictions also suggest that a DC-based system provides statistically significant lower overall PUE and electrical losses compared to the AC-based system, but only when coupled calculations are used. These results indicate that the coupled calculations impact predicted general energy efficiency metrics and enable statistically significant conclusions when comparing different data center cooling and power distribution strategies.
Love Wave or Slip Wave?
Authors: Ranjith Kunnath
Published: August 2021

Conventional models of the structure of the Earth, such as the Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM), assume a bonded interface between the crust and the upper mantle. The bonded contact model is consistent with the observation of Love waves during an earthquake. However, anomalies in the Love wave dispersion have been reported in the literature. When slip occurs at the crust-mantle interface, another kind of an interfacial wave, called the slip wave can exist. It is shown that the dispersion relation of the slip wave, with a slip weakening friction law, appears to be in agreement with the observations at seismic frequencies. This suggests that slip could occur at the crust-mantle interface.
X-ray spectroscopic identification of strain and structure-based resonances in a series of saturated carbon-cage molecules: Adamantane, twistane, octahedrane, and cubane
Authors: Willey Trevor M. , Lee Jonathan R. I. , Brehmer Daniel , Paredes Mellone Oscar A. , Landt Lasse , Schreiner Peter R. , Fokin Andrey A. , Tkachenko Boryslav A. , de Meijere Armin , Kozhushkov Sergei , van Buuren Anthony W.
Published: August 2021

Novel nanocarbons such as fullerenes, nanotubes, graphene, and nanodiamond reside at the cutting edge of nanoscience and technology. Along with chemical functionalization, geometric constraints (such as extreme curvature in nanotubes or defects within or at the surfaces of diamond nanoparticles) significantly alter the electronic states of the nanocarbon material. Understanding the effects of steric strain on the electronic structure is critical to developing nanoelectronic applications based on these materials. This paper presents a fundamental study of how strain affects the electronic structure in a benchmark series of some fundamental saturated carbon cage compounds. Adamantane, C10H16, the smallest diamondoid and arguably the smallest nanodiamond crystallite, has carbon atoms essentially commensurate with diamond lattice positions and possesses by far the least molecular strain of this series. Twistane also is a C10H16 isomer but the fixed cyclohexane twist conformation of the central ring introduces additional strain into the cage. Octahedrane [(CH)12] and cubane [(CH)8] are considerably more strained, culminating in cubane where carbon–carbon bonds lie either parallel or orthogonal to one another. Using gas-phase near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy to probe the unoccupied electronic states, we observe two major progressions across this series. First, a broad C–C σ* resonance in the absorption splits into two more narrow and intense resonances with increasing strain. Second, the first manifold of states previously associated with tertiary C–H σ* in the diamondoid series appears to broaden and shift to lower energy. This feature is more than twice as intense in cubane than in octahedrane, even though these two molecules have only tertiary carbons, with the chemical formula (CH)x. The spectral differences are entirely due to the shape of the molecules; in particular, in cubane, the features arise from a high degree of p-p interaction between parallel C–C bonds. In contrast to the conventional wisdom that near-edge x-ray absorption is primarily an atomically localized spectroscopy, molecular shape and associated strain lead to the dominant features in spectra acquired from this fundamental series of carbon cage structures.
A deep neural-network classifier for photograph-based estimation of hearing protection attenuation and fit
Authors: Smalt Christopher J. , Ciccarelli Gregory A. , Rodriguez Aaron R. , Murphy William J.
Published: August 2021

Occupational and recreational acoustic noise exposure is known to cause permanent hearing damage and reduced quality of life, which indicates the importance of noise controls including hearing protection devices (HPDs) in situations where high noise levels exist. While HPDs can provide adequate protection for many noise exposures, it is often a challenge to properly train HPD users and maintain compliance with usage guidelines. HPD fit-testing systems are commercially available to ensure proper attenuation is achieved, but they often require specific facilities designed for hearing testing (e.g., a quiet room or an audiometric booth) or special equipment (e.g., modified HPDs designed specifically for fit testing). In this study, we explored using visual information from a photograph of an HPD inserted into the ear to estimate hearing protector attenuation. Our dataset consists of 960 unique photographs from four types of hearing protectors across 160 individuals. We achieved 73% classification accuracy in predicting if the fit was greater or less than the median measured attenuation (29 dB at 1 kHz) using a deep neural network. Ultimately, the fit-test technique developed in this research could be used for training as well as for automated compliance monitoring in noisy environments to prevent hearing loss.
Examining Situational Interest in Physical Education: A New Inventory
Authors: Wang Hongying , Shen Bo , Bo Jin
Published: August 2021

Purpose: With the belief that situational interest (SI) can be characterized as being triggered and maintained, the authors conducted this study to identify the underlying structure of SI and to develop a new measurement in physical education. Method: There were 558 students from two urban high schools in Shanghai, China, who served as participants. The authors developed the Situational Interest Inventory-Physical Education through three systematic stages. Both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. Results: An exploratory factor analysis provided preliminary support, with a model comprising three components: triggered SI, maintained SI feeling, and maintained SI value. The three-component model was further corroborated through a confirmatory factor analysis. Its predictive validity was supported with significant correlations to in-class engagement. Conclusion: The findings lend initial evidence to the theoretical mechanism of interest development. Clarifying how SI is related to the mode of teachers’ instruction and learning content may help design effective motivational strategies and nurture long-term individual interest.
Examining Marginality, Isolation, and Emotions and Their Relationship With Physical Educator Intrapersonal Job Beliefs
Authors: Simonton Kelly L. , Gaudreault Karen L. , Olive Caitlin
Published: August 2021

Purpose: Marginality and isolation have been found to negatively impact physical educators. Despite a significant body of research, few studies have included important personal attributes like teacher emotions. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships of teacher marginality, isolation, and emotions (enjoyment, anger, and anxiety) with intrapersonal job beliefs (turnover intention, perceived accomplishment, and organizational commitment). Methods: Physical educators (N = 227; 51% female) from the United States participated in the study. Results: Experienced teachers reported higher enjoyment, those with less experience reported more anger, and teachers in urban and secondary schools reported higher turnover intention. Hierarchical regression showed emotions add significant variance in relationships with job beliefs, and the interaction between marginality and emotions may help explain teacher perceptions and agency. Discussion/Conclusion: Marginality and teacher emotions, together, impact teacher well-being and job beliefs. Emotions warrant further investigation and may provide mechanisms to understand reactions to marginality and coping.
Brain-wide neural dynamics of poststroke recovery induced by optogenetic stimulation
Authors: Vahdat Shahabeddin , Pendharkar Arjun Vivek , Chiang Terrance , Harvey Sean , Uchino Haruto , Cao Zhijuan , Kim Anika , Choy ManKin , Chen Hansen , Lee Hyun Joo , Cheng Michelle Y. , Lee Jin Hyung , Steinberg Gary K.
Published: August 2021

Optogenetic fMRI highlights the involvement of corticothalamic circuit as an early mediator of recovery after stroke.
Quantitative hyperspectral coherent diffractive imaging spectroscopy of a solid-state phase transition in vanadium dioxide
Authors: Johnson Allan S. , Conesa Jordi Valls , Vidas Luciana , Perez-Salinas Daniel , Günther Christian M. , Pfau Bastian , Hallman Kent A. , Haglund Richard F. , Eisebitt Stefan , Wall Simon
Published: August 2021

Phase coexistence during a solid-to-solid transition in a quantum material is measured using x-ray coherent diffractive imaging.
Single-molecule measurements reveal that PARP1 condenses DNA by loop stabilization
Authors: Bell Nicholas A. W. , Haynes Philip J. , Brunner Katharina , de Oliveira Taiana Maia , Flocco Maria M. , Hoogenboom Bart W. , Molloy Justin E.
Published: August 2021

A combination of single-molecule methods shows that PARP1 condenses double-stranded DNA by a loop stabilization mechanism.
A general model for the demographic signatures of the transition from pandemic emergence to endemicity
Authors: Li Ruiyun , Metcalf C. Jessica E. , Stenseth Nils Chr. , Bjørnstad Ottar N.
Published: August 2021

A realistic age-structured model predicts plausible scenarios for future Covid-19 burden.
Room temperature crack-healing in an atomically layered ternary carbide
Authors: Rathod Hemant J. , Ouisse Thierry , Radovic Miladin , Srivastava Ankit
Published: August 2021

Kinking induced local deformation and rotation can lead to autonomous crack-healing in atomically layered ceramic materials.
Quantum stochastic resonance of individual Fe atoms
Authors: Hänze Max , McMurtrie Gregory , Baumann Susanne , Malavolti Luigi , Coppersmith Susan N. , Loth Sebastian
Published: August 2021

Magnetic atoms on surfaces exhibit quantum stochastic resonance that synchronizes the atoms’ dynamics to a harmonic drive voltage.
Spatial concepts of number, size, and time in an indigenous culture
Authors: Pitt Benjamin , Ferrigno Stephen , Cantlon Jessica F. , Casasanto Daniel , Gibson Edward , Piantadosi Steven T.
Published: August 2021

Among the Tsimane’ people of Bolivia, concepts of number, size, and time have spatial structure but no consistent direction.
Emergence of robust self-organized undulatory swimming based on local hydrodynamic force sensing
Authors: Thandiackal Robin , Melo Kamilo , Paez Laura , Herault Johann , Kano Takeshi , Akiyama Kyoichi , Boyer Frédéric , Ryczko Dimitri , Ishiguro Akio , Ijspeert Auke J.
Published: August 2021

Using a robot, we show that hydrodynamic feedback loops and redundancy of peripheral and central mechanisms produce robust swimming.
Modeling the effect of vaccination on selection for antibiotic resistance in
Streptococcus pneumonia
e
Authors: Davies Nicholas G. , Flasche Stefan , Jit Mark , Atkins Katherine E.
Published: August 2021

Microbial competition and diversity may influence selection for antibiotic-resistant bacteria after vaccination.
Engineering sperm-binding IgG antibodies for the development of an effective nonhormonal female contraception
Authors: Shrestha Bhawana , Schaefer Alison , Zhu Yong , Saada Jamal , Jacobs Timothy M. , Chavez Elizabeth C. , Olmsted Stuart S. , Cruz-Teran Carlos A. , Vaca Gabriela Baldeon , Vincent Kathleen , Moench Thomas R. , Lai Samuel K.
Published: August 2021

Many women risk unintended pregnancy because of medical contraindications or dissatisfaction with contraceptive methods, including real and perceived side effects associated with the use of exogenous hormones. We pursued direct vaginal delivery of sperm-binding monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that can limit progressive sperm motility in the female reproductive tract as a strategy for effective nonhormonal contraception. Here, motivated by the greater agglutination potencies of polyvalent immunoglobulins but the bioprocessing ease and stability of immunoglobulin G (IgG), we engineered a panel of sperm-binding IgGs with 6 to 10 antigen-binding fragments (Fabs), isolated from a healthy immune-infertile woman against a unique surface antigen universally present on human sperm. These highly multivalent IgGs (HM-IgGs) were at least 10- to 16-fold more potent and faster at agglutinating sperm than the parent IgG while preserving the crystallizable fragment (Fc) of IgG that mediates trapping of individual spermatozoa in mucus. The increased potencies translated into effective (>99.9%) reduction of progressively motile sperm in the sheep vagina using as little as 33 μg of the 10-Fab HM-IgG. HM-IgGs were produced at comparable yields and had identical thermal stability to the parent IgG, with greater homogeneity. HM-IgGs represent not only promising biologics for nonhormonal contraception but also a promising platform for engineering potent multivalent mAbs for other biomedical applications.
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AlbB
Wolbachia
Transinfection Displays Stable Phenotypic Effects across Divergent Aedes aegypti Mosquito Backgrounds
Authors: Ross Perran A. , Gu Xinyue , Robinson Katie L. , Yang Qiong , Cottingham Ellen , Zhang Yifan , Yeap Heng Lin , Xu Xuefen , Endersby-Harshman Nancy M. , Hoffmann Ary A.
Published: August 2021

Wolbachia
bacteria are being used to control the transmission of dengue virus and other arboviruses by mosquitoes. For
Wolbachia
release programs to be effective globally,
Wolbachia
infections must be stable across mosquito populations from different locations.