bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nematodes and their bacterial prey improve phosphorus acquisition by wheat
Authors: Jiang Ying , Wang Zhonghua , Liu Ye , Han Yanlai , Wang Yi , Wang Qiang , Liu Ting
Published: October 2022

Plant growth is greatly influenced by the rhizosphere microbiome, which has been traditionally investigated from a bottom‐up perspective assessing how resources such as root exudates stimulate microbial growth and drive microbiome assembly. However, the importance of predation as top‐down force on the soil microbiome remains largely underestimated.

Here, we planted wheat both in natural and in sterilized soils inoculated with the key microbiome predators – bacterivorous nematodes – to assess how plant performance responds to top‐down predation of the soil microbiome and specific plant growth‐promoting bacteria, namely phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria.

We found that nematodes enriched certain groups (e.g. Actinobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Firmicutes) and strengthened microbial connectance (e.g. Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria). These changes in microbiome structure were associated with phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria that facilitated phosphorus (P) cycling, leading to greater P uptake and biomass of wheat in both soils. However, the enhancement varied between nematode species, which may be attributed to the divergence of feeding behavior, as nematodes with weaker grazing intensity supported greater abundance of phosphate‐solubilizing bacteria and better plant performance compared with nematodes with greater grazing intensity.

These results confirmed the ecological importance of soil nematodes for ecosystem functions via microbial co‐occurrence networks and suggested that the predation strength of nematodes determines the soil bacteria contribution to P biogeochemical cycling and plant growth.
Root architecture plasticity in response to endoparasitic cyst nematodes is mediated by damage signaling
Authors: Guarneri Nina , Willig Jaap‐Jan , Sterken Mark G. , Zhou Wenkun , Hasan M. Shamim , Sharon Letia , Grundler Florian M. W. , Willemsen Viola , Goverse Aska , Smant Geert , Lozano‐Torres Jose L.
Published: October 2022

Plant root architecture plasticity in response to biotic stresses has not been thoroughly investigated. Infection by endoparasitic cyst nematodes induces root architectural changes that involve the formation of secondary roots at infection sites. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating secondary root formation in response to cyst nematode infection remain largely unknown.

We first assessed whether secondary roots form in a nematode density‐dependent manner by challenging wild‐type Arabidopsis plants with increasing numbers of cyst nematodes (Heterodera schachtii). Next, using jasmonate‐related reporter lines and knockout mutants, we tested whether tissue damage by nematodes triggers jasmonate‐dependent secondary root formation. Finally, we verified whether damage‐induced secondary root formation depends on local auxin biosynthesis at nematode infection sites.

Intracellular host invasion by H. schachtii triggers a transient local increase in jasmonates, which activates the expression of ERF109 in a COI1‐dependent manner. Knockout mutations in COI1 and ERF109 disrupt the nematode density‐dependent increase in secondary roots observed in wild‐type plants. Furthermore, ERF109 regulates secondary root formation upon H. schachtii infection via local auxin biosynthesis.

Host invasion by H. schachtii triggers secondary root formation via the damage‐induced jasmonate‐dependent ERF109 pathway. This points at a novel mechanism underlying plant root plasticity in response to biotic stress.
Leaf physiology variations are modulated by natural variations that underlie stomatal morphology in Populus
Authors: Li Lianzheng , Jin Zhuoying , Huang Rui , Zhou Jiaxuan , Song Fangyuan , Yao Liangchen , Li Peng , Lu Wenjie , Xiao Liang , Quan Mingyang , Zhang Deqiang , Du Qingzhang
Published: October 2022

Stomata are essential for photosynthesis and abiotic stress tolerance. Here, we used multiomics approaches to dissect the genetic architecture and adaptive mechanisms that underlie stomatal morphology in Populus tomentosa juvenile natural population (303 accessions). We detected 46 candidate genes and 15 epistatic gene‐pairs, associated with 5 stomatal morphologies and 18 leaf development and photosynthesis traits, through genome‐wide association studies. Expression quantitative trait locus mapping revealed that stomata‐associated gene loci were significantly associated with the expression of leaf‐related genes; selective sweep analysis uncovered significant differentiation in the allele frequencies of genes that underlie stomatal variations. An allelic regulatory network operating under drought stress and adequate precipitation conditions, with three key regulators (DUF538, TRA2 and AbFH2) and eight interacting genes, was identified that might regulate leaf physiology via modulation of stomatal shape and density. Validation of candidate gene variations in drought‐tolerant and F1 hybrid populations of P. tomentosa showed that the DUF538, TRA2 and AbFH2 loci cause functional stabilisation of spatiotemporal regulatory, whose favourable alleles can be faithfully transmitted to offspring. This study provides insights concerning leaf physiology and stress tolerance via the regulation of stomatal determination in perennial plants.
Virtual cardiac fitness training in pediatric heart transplant patients: A pilot study
Authors: Ziebell Daniel , Stark Megan , Xiang Yijin , Mckane Megan , Mao Chad
Published: October 2022

Background

Cardiac fitness training in pediatric heart transplant recipients can improve functional capacity. Widespread implementation has been limited mostly due to logistical constraints, specifically related to travel. The aim of this study was to implement and assess a virtual cardiac fitness program for pediatric heart transplant patients.

Methods

Participants were between the age of 10 and 20 years old. All subjects completed an initial 6MWT, strength/flexibility assessment, and QOL assessment with the PROMIS measurement. Participants then underwent a 16‐week intervention with exercise sessions twice weekly for 30 min with a trained exercise physiologist over a virtual platform. At the end of the intervention period, participants repeated a 6MWT, strength/flexibility assessment, and PROMIS measurement. Throughout the study, patients wore a FitBit accelerometer to monitor daily activity levels.

Results

Thirteen individuals were enrolled. Mean age was 15.4 years (SD =3.4) with a mean post‐transplant period of 9.7 years (SD = 4.3). Session attendance was 83%. Post‐intervention measurements showed improvements in 6MWT (median, +21 m, p = .02), push‐up repetitions (median, +5 rep, p = .0005), wall‐sit duration (median, +10 s, p = .001), plank duration (median, +9 s, p = .03), sit‐up repetitions (median, +7 rep, p = .002), and sit and reach distance (median, +5 cm, p = .04). PROMIS measurement showed significant improvements in self‐reported fatigue (Δz‐score, −7.7, p = .008) and sleep impairment (Δz‐score, −5.9, p = .002). Average daily step count increased 1464 steps per day per patient (p = .008).

Conclusion

We have demonstrated the successful implementation of a virtual cardiac fitness with excellent adherence and improvement in physical fitness and QOL metrics.
Objectivity in feminist epistemology
Authors: Toole Briana
Published: October 2022

It used to be that the touchstone of objectivity was the elimination of subjective features, like our values, biases, assumptions, and so on. Part of what motivates this narrow conception of objectivity is the thought that objective reality is the way that it is regardless of our relationship to it, and that our ability to accurately describe or depict this reality is distorted by this relationship. But what if that understanding is wrong, and removing these features takes us farther away from truth and knowledge, rather than closer to them? This is the claim I advance. In this article, I trace this narrow conception to its political origins, and advance a broader understanding of objectivity that reimagines a new use for, rather than ignoring entirely, features that are thought to be subjective.
Deep Disagreement (Part 2): Epistemology of Deep Disagreement
Authors: Ranalli Chris , Lagewaard Thirza
Published: October 2022

What is the epistemological significance of deep disagreement? Part I explored the nature of deep disagreement, while Part II considers its epistemological significance. It focuses on two core problems: the incommensurability and the rational resolvability problems. We critically survey key responses to these challenges, before raising worries for a variety of responses to them, including skeptical, relativist, and absolutist responses to the incommensurability problem, and to certain steadfast and conciliatory responses to the rational resolvability problem. We then pivot to the ethical and political dimensions of deep disagreement. We focus on whether an unwillingness to engage with positions one considers to be immoral or repugnant might be good, and conclude with some reflections on the moral risks of engagement.
Socio‐functional foundations in science: The case of measurement
Authors: Khalifa Kareem , Goldberg Sanford C.
Published: October 2022

We present a novel kind of “socio‐functional” foundationalism rooted in the division of scientific labor. Our foundationalism is social in that it involves a socio‐epistemic phenomenon we dub epistemic outsourcing, whereby claims from one group of scientists provide epistemological foundations for another group of scientists. We argue that: (1) epistemic outsourcing results in a legitimate form of epistemic foundationalism, (2) this sort of foundationalism can be used to shed light on the epistemology of measurement; and (3) epistemic outsourcing is a distinctively collective epistemic phenomenon.
Drivers of (in)equity in collaborative environmental governance
Authors: Dobbin Kristin Babson , Kuo Michael , Lubell Mark , Bostic Darcy , Mendoza Jessica , Echeveste Ernest
Published: October 2022

Collaborative environmental governance seeks to engage diverse stakeholders to tackle complex challenges efficiently, sustainably, and equitably. However, mixed empirical evidence underscores a need to understand the conditions under which particularly equity is or is not achieved. Here, we use the empirical case of California Sustainable Groundwater Management to quantify the extent to which vulnerable small and rural drinking water users' needs are addressed in collaborative groundwater planning. Drawing on a diverse array of mixed method data, we then employ Boosted Regression and Classification Trees (BRCT) to assess potential driving factors including collaboration, representation, elite capture, stakeholder engagement, and problem severity/salience. We find each to be influential, highlighting their relevance for equitable planning. We also find evidence that these relationships are complex and outcome specific. Nonetheless, the overall effect on the three equity measures is modest at best. More institutional analysis of collaborative governance regimes from diverse contexts is needed to build a comprehensive understanding of how to meaningfully advance social and environmental equity in such decentralized reforms. Based on our results, we suggest the answer, if there is one, may transcend current focal domains such as stakeholder representation and engagement.
General Bayesian Loss Function Selection and the use of Improper Models
Authors: Jewson Jack , Rossell David
Published: October 2022

Statisticians often face the choice between using probability models or a paradigm defined by minimising a loss function. Both approaches are useful and, if the loss can be re-cast into a proper probability model, there are many tools to decide which model or loss is more appropriate for the observed data, in the sense of explaining the data's nature. However, when the loss leads to an improper model, there are no principled ways to guide this choice. We address this task by combining the Hyvärinen score, which naturally targets infinitesimal relative probabilities, and general Bayesian updating, which provides a unifying framework for inference on losses and models. Specifically we propose the ℋ-score, a general Bayesian selection criterion and prove that it consistently selects the (possibly improper) model closest to the data-generating truth in Fisher's divergence. We also prove that an associated ℋ-posterior consistently learns optimal hyper-parameters featuring in loss functions, including a challenging tempering parameter in generalised Bayesian inference. As salient examples, we consider robust regression and non-parametric density estimation where popular loss functions define improper models for the data and hence cannot be dealt with using standard model selection tools. These examples illustrate advantages in robustness-efficiency trade-offs and enable Bayesian inference for kernel density estimation, opening a new avenue for Bayesian non-parametrics.
Evaluation of a novel moving threshold gating strategy for assessment of reticulated platelets in dogs using the ADVIA 2120 analyzer
Authors: Kuhn Anja , Weiler Kristina , Gibbs Graham , Prechtl Gottfried , Bauer Natali , Moritz Andreas
Published: October 2022

Background

A novel method using a moving threshold (r‐PLTmt) to determine canine r‐PLTs (reticulated platelets) has been introduced for ADVIA 2120 software v6.11.7.

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate absolute (ar‐PLTmt) and percent (%r‐PLTmt) prior to and after visual inspection of scattergrams (ar‐PLTmtv, %rPLTmtv) compared with flow cytometry (flow) and to determine reference intervals (RIs) in 120 dogs.

Methods

For method comparison, 42 blood samples of healthy and thrombocytopenic dogs were included. Calculation of Spearman's rho, Bland–Altman, and Passing‐Bablok analysis was performed. Coefficients of variation (CVs) were determined for three concentration levels.

Results

Moderate correlations between %r‐PLTmt and %r‐PLTmtv (rs 0.75–0.76) were seen compared with flow cytometry. The CV for medium %r‐PLTs counts assessed with flow cytometry was 12.9%. Comparable CVs were obtained for ar‐PLTmt (14.4%) and %r‐PLTmt (15.7%), and ar‐PLTmtv and %r‐PLTmtv (10.9% and 12.9%, respectively). At low and high concentration levels, CVs for % and absolute r‐PLTmt/rPLTmtv ranged between 23%–30% and 15%–20%. In patients with microcytic hypochromic erythrocytes, CVs for ar‐PLTmt and %r‐PLTmt were 36%–66%. Visual inspection of scattergrams resulted in a marked decrease in CV ranging between 15% and 20%. A proportional bias of 10.8% between %r‐PLTmt and flow cytometry became lower (9.7%) after visual validation of scattergrams. Passing‐Bablok analysis showed proportional and constant error. RIs for r‐PLTmt and r‐PLTmtv were 0.2%–3.8% and 0.6–10.2 × 109/L and 0.3%–4.5% and 1.1–10.3 × 109/L, respectively. Median values for %r‐PLTmtv were higher in young adults (≤2 years) than in older dogs (P = 0.03).

Conclusions

r‐PLTmt and r‐PLTmtv were moderately correlated with flow cytometry. Visual inspection of scattergrams is recommended.
Potassium penicillin and gentamicin pharmacokinetics in healthy conscious and anesthetized horses
Authors: Wilson Katherine E. , Bogers Sophie H. , Council‐Troche R. McAlister , Davis Jennifer L.
Published: October 2022

Objective

To determine the effects of general anesthesia on the safety and efficacy of co‐administered potassium penicillin G (PEN) and gentamicin (GENT) in horses.

Study design

Nonrandomized crossover.

Animals

Six adult, Thoroughbred horses.

Methods

Horses were administered PEN (22 000 IU/kg IV) and GENT (6.6 mg/kg IV). Plasma samples were collected over a 6 h period and synovial fluid was collected at 30 min and 6 h respectively. Drug administration and sample collection protocols were repeated after at least a 48 hour washout period and induction of anesthesia using xylazine/ketamine and maintenance with isoflurane gas. Drug concentrations were determined using ultrapressure liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. A 2‐compartment model was used to determine pharmacokinetics and differences were determined between conscious and anesthetized horses using pairedt‐tests (significanceP < .05).

Results

Potassium penicillin g and GENT had higher minimum plasma concentrations (PEN 0.44 vs. 0.11 μg/mL,P = .002; GENT 3.0 vs. 1.9 μg/mL,P = .009), longer half lives (PEN 71 vs. 59 min,P = .018; GENT 149 vs. 109 min,P = .038), and slower clearances (PEN 3.41 vs. 5.1 mL/kg/min,P = .005; GENT 1.18 vs. 1.48 mL/kg/min,P = .028) in anesthetized horses vs. conscious horses. The PEN concentrations remained above the breakpoint minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC, 0.5 μg/mL) for 332 min in anesthetized vs. 199 min in conscious horses. The GENT concentrations reached 10 times higher than the breakpoint MIC (2 μg/mL) in all horses and were maintained for 58 vs. 59 min in anesthetized and conscious states, respectively.

Synovial fluid concentrations were higher in conscious horses vs. anesthetized horses at 30 min for PEN (7.0 vs. 0.93 μg/mL,P < .001) and 30 (5.3 μg/mL vs. 0.79 μg/mL,P < .001) and 360 min (3.4 vs. 1.82 μg/mL,P <.003) for GENT.

Conclusion

General anesthesia resulted in lower intrasynovial concentrations and delayed clearance of PEN/GENT in horses.

Clinical significance

Redosing healthy anesthetized horses with PEN prior to 4‐5 h is not necessary. When administered to anesthetized horses, intravenous PEN/GENT may not reach adequate intrasynovial concentrations to treat or prevent common pathogens. The doses or dosing intervals of antimicrobials administered to horses undergoing anesthesia may need to be adjusted to ensure maintenance of safe and effective plasma concentrations.
The ryanodine receptor–calstabin interaction stabilizer S107 protects hippocampal neurons from GABAergic synaptic alterations induced by Abeta42 oligomers
Authors: Hidisoglu Enis , Chiantia Giuseppe , Franchino Claudio , Tomagra Giulia , Giustetto Maurizio , Carbone Emilio , Carabelli Valentina , Marcantoni Andrea
Published: October 2022

The oligomeric form of the peptide amyloid beta 42 (Abeta42) contributes to the development of synaptic abnormalities and cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To date, there is a gap in knowledge regarding how Abeta42 alters the elementary parameters of GABAergic synaptic function. Here we found that Abeta42 increased the frequency and amplitude of miniature GABAergic currents as well as the amplitude of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents. When we focused on paired pulse depression (PPD) to establish whether GABA release probability was affected by Abeta42, we did not observe any significant change. On the other hand, a more detailed investigation of the presynaptic effects induced by Abeta42 by means of multiple probability fluctuation analysis and cumulative amplitude analysis showed an increase in both the size of the readily releasable pool responsible for synchronous release and the number of release sites. We further explored whether ryanodine receptors (RyRs) contributed to exacerbating these changes by stabilizing the interaction between RyRs and the accessory protein calstabin. We observed that the RyR–calstabin interaction stabilizer S107 restored the synaptic parameters to values comparable to those measured in control conditions. In conclusion, our results clarify the mechanisms of potentiation of GABAergic synapses induced by Abeta42. We further suggest that RyRs are involved in the control of synaptic activity during the early stage of AD onset and that their stabilization could represent a new therapeutical approach for AD treatment.

image

Key points

Accumulation of the peptide amyloid beta 42 (Abeta42) is a key characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and causes synaptic dysfunctions. To date, the effects of Abeta42 accumulation on GABAergic synapses are poorly understood.

The findings reported here suggest that, similarly to what is observed on glutamatergic synapses, Abeta42 modifies GABAergic synapses by targeting ryanodine receptors and causing calcium dysregulation.

The GABAergic impairments can be restored by the ryanodine receptor–calstabin interaction stabilizer S107.

Based on this research, RyRs stabilization may represent a novel pharmaceutical strategy for preventing or delaying AD.
High altitude differentially modulates potassium channel‐evoked vasodilatation in pregnant human myometrial arteries
Authors: Fallahi Sahand , Houck Julie A. , Euser Anna G. , Julian Colleen G. , Moore Lorna G. , Lorca Ramón A.
Published: October 2022

High‐altitude (>2500 m or 8200 ft) residence reduces uterine artery blood flow during pregnancy, contributing to an increased incidence of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. However, not all pregnancies are affected by the chronic hypoxic conditions of high‐altitude residence. K+ channels play important roles in the uterine vascular adaptation to pregnancy, promoting a reduction in myogenic tone and an increase in blood flow. We hypothesized that, in pregnancies with normal fetal growth at high altitude, K+ channel‐dependent vasodilatation of myometrial arteries is increased compared to those from healthy pregnant women at a lower altitude (∼1700 m). Using pharmacological modulation of two K+ channels, ATP‐sensitive (KATP) and large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated (BKCa) K+ channels, we assessed the vasodilatation of myometrial arteries from appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies in women living at high or low altitudes. In addition, we evaluated the localization of these channels in the myometrial arteries using immunofluorescence. Our results showed an endothelium‐dependent increase in KATP‐dependent vasodilatation in myometrial arteries from high versus low altitude, whereas vasodilatation induced by BKCa activation was reduced in these vessels. Additionally, KATP channel co‐localization with endothelial markers was reduced in the high‐altitude myometrial arteries, which suggested that the functional increase in KATP activity may be by mechanisms other than regulation of channel localization. These observations highlight an important contribution of K+ channels to the human uterine vascular adaptation to pregnancy at high altitude serving to maintain normal fetal growth under conditions of chronic hypoxia.

image

Key points

High‐altitude (>2500 m or 8200 ft) residence reduces uterine blood flow during pregnancy and fetal growth. Animal models of high altitude/chronic hypoxia suggest that these reductions are partially due to reduced vascular K+. channel responses, such as those elicited by large conductance Ca2+‐activated (BKCa) and ATP‐sensitive (KATP) K+ channel activation.

We found that women residing at high versus low altitude during pregnancy showed diminished myometrial artery vasodilatory responses to endothelium‐independent BKCa channel activation but greater responses to endothelium‐dependent KATP channel activation.

Our observations indicate that KATP channels play an adaptive role in maintaining myometrial artery vasodilator sensitivity under chronic hypoxic conditions during pregnancy. Thus, KATP channels represent potential therapeutic targets for augmenting uteroplacental blood flow and, in turn, preserving fetal growth in cases of uteroplacental hypoperfusion.
Recent Progress and Challenges in Microscale Urban Heat Modeling and Measurement for Urban Engineering Applications
Authors: Dey Shuv , Joshi Yogendra
Published: October 2022

This review focuses on progress and emerging challenges in experimentally validated modeling of microscale urban thermal environments over the last two decades. In the last few decades, there has been a surge in urban energy contribution resulting in elevated urban day-/night-time air temperatures. While there is no single solution to urban heat, mitigation strategies can be implemented to minimize the harmful effects of urban heat both on humans and the environment. To study the effects of urban heat, numerical modeling of urban thermal environments has seen a rise in usage of several application specific atmospheric modeling software packages, and multiple studies and reviews have already covered the prolific engineering use cases. However, there are inherent and unintentional biases introduced by each modeling software package, that inhibit validity and accuracy for general engineering use. This review critically analyzes the limitations of current state-of-the-art (SOA) microscale atmospheric modeling approaches and identify necessary areas for improvement. Urban thermal environment models must be validated with measurements to gain confidence in the predictive capabilities. This review will additionally examine the next generation of measurement techniques that leverage advances in computing and communications to create distributed meteorological sensor networks for improved spatial and temporal resolutions, that can provide a rich platform for model validation. High fidelity and accurate simulations of urban thermal environments improve confidence in the study of urban heat, its mitigation, and its impact on urban engineering applications in building energy usage and sustainability.
Tow Out Calculations for Floating Wind Turbines
Authors: Crowle A. P. , Thies P. R.
Published: October 2022

Floating wind turbines are becoming an important part of renewable offshore power generation, offering an opportunity to deliver green energy. The floating nature of the substructures permits wind turbine placement in deep water locations, probably out of sight of land. This paper presents the tow out design method requirements for the installation of floating offshore wind turbines.

Most existing floating offshore wind turbines substructures are barge, semi submersible, TLP and Spar types and their installation methods have been developed from those used on offshore oil and gas structures. Whilst the turbines are derived from those used on fixed bottom offshore wind turbines. The paper summarises the weather window limitations for the various substructure types and installations phases, including the transportation to and from the offshore site and during the connection of mooring lines and electrical cables. The choice of construction materials i.e. steel or concrete, influence the draft of the substructure at the fit-out quay and hence during the tow offshore.

Semi submersible and barge types are of shallow draft and can be fitted out alongside a quay. Spar types typically require deep water for construction in sheltered inshore waters. The Tension Leg Platform (TLP) floating wind turbine has minimum water plane area and hence has low intact stability during ocean tow and thus TLPs may require modified crane vessels for offshore installation.

The paper will present recent advances in the tow out requirements of floating offshore wind turbines. Data will be provided on intact stability, damage stability, tow forces and motions during tow from fit out port to the offshore location.
A Novel Zero-Discharge Supercritical Water-Based Wave Energy Desalination System
Authors: Filho Faete , Glosson Gabriel , McMorris Jason , Abdel-Salam Tarek , Duba Kurabachew , Tran Thanh Toan , Husain Salman
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a sustainable and innovative wave-energy-based water desalination system combined with an emerging supercritical water process for a zero-liquid-discharge technology. There is growing demand for producing clean water. Within desalination technologies, reverse osmosis, one of the most popular methods, uses a semipermeable membrane that separates fresh water from pressurized seawater. However, this technology produces brine, which is harmful to the environment. Supercritical water desalination is employed here as a means of using the brine to extract more fresh water and eliminate this environmentally toxic output. Wave energy is integrated with reverse osmosis to provide direct seawater pressurization for the first stage in the process. This wave energy converter converts the motion of waves into pressurized water through a power takeoff unit.
Wake Interaction Between Two Floating Offshore Wind Turbines With Blade Deformation
Authors: Huang Yang , Xiao Qing , Wan Decheng
Published: October 2022

With the increasing size and flexibility of wind turbine blades, the impacts of blade deformation on the aerodynamic performance of wind turbines are becoming more and more important. To better understand the influence of blade flexibility on the wake interaction of FOWTs, a coupled analysis tool composed of an improved ALM and in-house CFD code based on OpenFOAM is employed to perform numerical simulations for two spar-type FOWTs with a tandem layout under given regular wave and uniform wind conditions. Coupled aero-hydro-elastic responses of the floating wind turbine are compared for rigid blades and flexible blades scenarios to examine the impacts of blade deformation on the wake interaction. The variations of aerodynamic loads, wake characteristics, and floating platform dynamics motions’ responses are fully examined. Our results show that the blade deformation of downstream FOWT is smaller than that of upstream FOWT due to the turbine wake. The time-mean aerodynamic load coefficients of both upstream and downstream FOWT decrease due to the shape deformation of the blade. Moreover, the wake vortexes are found to be more stable when the blade is flexible.
A Review of End-of-Life Decision Making for Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Boyd David , Karimirad Madjid , Sivakumar Vinayagamoothy , Jalilvand Soroosh , Desmond Cian
Published: October 2022

Offshore wind is set to play a major role in the global shift to renewable energy generation due to its low carbon footprint, high capacity factor and availability of suitable sites close to population centres. Offshore wind is a relatively young industry, with the majority of installed capacity having occurred in the past 10 years. As the industry matures, questions related to the effective management of ageing assets and end-of-life decision making are becoming increasingly important. Broadly speaking, three end-of-life options exist for turbines: life extension, repowering and decommissioning. There is a need to update the end-of-life guidelines and improve the decision-making framework to identify the most sustainable option for a particular offshore wind farm. This paper reviews the current criteria for deciding the most suitable end-of-life solution for offshore wind turbines, with a particular focus on the structural health of monopile foundations. This will lay the groundwork for creating a digital model which can be used to investigate the impact of certain key parameters on the turbine’s health and remaining useful life, as well as for future work in creating a decision support framework to aid in deciding the most sustainable end-of-life solution for offshore wind turbines.
Impact of Rotor Solidity on the Design Optimization of Floating Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Authors: Gao Ju , Griffith D. Todd , Jafari Mohammad , Yao Shulong , Ahsan Faraz
Published: October 2022

Increasing the solidity of a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) leads to increases in annual energy production and aerodynamic loads. To explore the effects of solidity on design and optimization of floating VAWTs, the rotor solidity is varied by changing the blade chord size of a 5MW floating VAWT while other geometry parameters of the rotor are kept same. A series of 5MW Darrieus-type rotors with different solidities are designed and optimized according to the rotor design loop including satisfying strength, deflection, fatigue, buckling, dynamics and flutter requirements. A cost analysis is performed by evaluating tradeoff in the rotor material cost versus the AEP (Annual Energy production) to decide the optimal solidity for the structural design. The tension leg platforms (TLPs) are designed and optimized to support the optimal rotors. Dynamic responses of the optimized platforms subject to various environmental conditions are evaluated using a semi-coupled aero-servo-hydro numerical model.
Simulation of VIM of an Offshore Floating Wind Turbine
Authors: Passano Elizabeth , Grytøyr Guttorm , Haslum Herbjørn , Lie Halvor , Yin Decao
Published: October 2022

This paper presents results from a case study of vortex-induced motions (VIM) of a floating, spar type offshore wind turbine. VIM response can lead to increased motions of the wind turbine tower as well as contribute to fatigue of moorings and cables. Reliable predictions of VIM response are therefore needed for safe and cost-effective design. One option is to extend the use of analysis methods developed for vortex-induced vibrations (VIV) of slender structures. Three different analysis methods are compared in the present work:

• Linear frequency domain analysis with coefficient-based VIV loads.

• Nonlinear time domain simulation with a harmonic load found using a VIM design curve.

• Nonlinear time domain simulation with the recently developed time domain VIV load model.

The nonlinear time domain simulations can include the dynamic wave and wind loads together with the VIM loads. Nonlinear interaction effects can then be included, and fatigue damage can be calculated from the total response instead of combining damages calculated separately.

Only the analysis with time domain VIV loads gives in-line VIM response. The results show that if in-line motions occur, they may give significant contributions to the mooring line tensions and fatigue.

The effects of the higher Reynolds number and the low length to diameter ratio of floating spars must be investigated. Comparisons with full-scale measurements and adjustment of load coefficients are necessary before a time domain VIM load model is established.
Influence of the Semi-Submersible Platform Flexibility on the Dynamic Response of the Wind Turbine
Authors: Sizova Sofya , Maillot Elise , Moreau Suzanne , Féron Marie
Published: October 2022

As the offshore wind turbines increase in size, the structural flexibility of the tower, the blades and the platforms are becoming more significant and may impact the dynamic response of the wind turbine. To assess properly the design life of a floating wind turbine, the modal analysis needs then to consider the interaction between all elements.

In this study, a modal analysis of the IEA 15 MW wind turbine on a floating NereWind™ semi-submersible support is performed with finite element modelling and the hydro-structure calculation software HOMER. The natural modes of the tower are calculated in several configurations to study the impact of the local stiffness variations, the global platform flexibility, the added mass and the hydrostatic stiffness.

This work will allow floating offshore wind farms developers and floating concept designers to understand better the impact of the structural and geometrical arrangement on the modal turbine behaviour.
Wave Record Gap-Filling Using a Low-Rank Tensor Completion Model
Authors: Chen Jiaxin , Ashton Ian G. C. , Pillai Ajit C.
Published: October 2022

The offshore wind farm industry has identified further refinement of marine operations as necessary to realize the lower strike prices seen in recent subsidy auctions. This requires extending working times by taking advantage of weather windows, even when operating in more remote sites. Key to this will be increasing the accuracy of forecasts and live metocean data from site for effective and safe operation scheduling. In recent years, statistical models or deep learning-based models, by learning spatial and temporal patterns in observations have shown their potential to support or even partly replace numerical weather modelling to provide accurate forecasts.

The present paper implements a machine learning approach utilizing a nonconvex low-rank tensor completion considering truncated nuclear norm algorithm (LRTC-TNN) which can characterize the spatial and temporal dependencies rooted in the data to fill gaps in measurement data from wave buoys. The performance is assessed by manually masking valid data thereby introducing three types of missing entries. The proposed method is shown to successfully fill datasets missing up to 20% of the data with R2 values exceeding 0.9. The results are also compared against other intuitive methods including linear interpolation, cubic spline interpolation, and mean historical. Compared to these, the present method is shown to have more reasonable trends. Finally, sensitivity considering the ratio of missing data, the type of missing data, and two hyper-parameters of the algorithm were compared to characterize their impacts on the results and advise potential improvements.

This work demonstrates multivariate time series gap-filling with arbitrary missing ratio and sensor availability that can be extended and deployed to sensor networks for possible forecasting applications.
Hydrodynamic Performance of a Vertical-Axis Tidal Current Turbine in Surge Motion Using a 2-D Vortex Panel Model
Authors: Perassi Federica , Jarquin Laguna Antonio , Simao Ferreira Carlos
Published: October 2022

Under real sea conditions, floating vertical-axis tidal current turbines experience motions in six degrees of freedom which impact the hydrodynamic performance. In this paper, a 2D free-wake vortex panel method (U2DiVA) is adopted as a time effective tool to assess the hydrodynamic response of an existing floating vertical-axis tidal turbine under platform’s surge motion in uniform tidal current. The results of the numerical simulations show that the surge motion modifies the flow field perceived at the blades, affecting the instantaneous value of the tip speed ratio and the time evolution of the induction field. Consequently, surge motion impacts on the structural strength of the turbine by introducing multiple frequencies of oscillation of the hydrodynamic coefficients and increasing the peak loading on the rotor. Surge motion is found to be beneficial to the average power extraction while only marginally affecting the mean loading. The preliminary findings of this research provide insights about critical aspects for the design and evaluation of floating vertical-axis tidal turbine systems.
Dynamic Analysis of an Integrated Structure Consists of Jacket Offshore Wind Turbine and Aquaculture Cage
Authors: Li Na , Zhao Haisheng , Shi Wei , Wang Wenhua , Li Xin
Published: October 2022

The intensive exploration of marine resources is announced by Chinese government. The abundant offshore wind energy in the water depth of 30–50 m shall be developed in the offshore regions in China during the next decades, which are also feasible areas for marine farming. In view of structural safety and economic benefits, a multi-utility offshore structure is proposed in the study with the intension of realizing the ocean resources with high quality exploration. The recommended offshore structure is consists of a jacket offshore wind turbine and a steel cage (JOWT-SC). In order to investigate the influence of the additional aquaculture cage, the finite element models of JOWT-SC is established in SACS, the hydrodynamic model of the aquaculture cage is equivalented as Morison model. The comparisons of the dynamic characteristics and structural responses with the original jacket offshore wind turbine (JOWT) are carried out. There are the remarkable discrepancies between the natural modes of JOWT-SC and JOWT due to the added aquaculture cage. Meanwhile, the remarkably increased hydrodynamic forces on JOWT-SC under wave and current loads are observed. The influence of aquaculture cage on the dynamic characteristics and hydrodynamics of JOWT-SC are discussed.
Effectiveness and Benefits of Exercise on Older People Living With Mental Illness’ Physical and Psychological Outcomes in Regional Australia: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: McNamara Gabrielle , Robertson Caroline , Hartmann Tegan , Rossiter Rachel
Published: October 2022

Regular exercise is reported to improve depressive symptoms and quality of life for people experiencing mental illness. For older adults, including strength and balance can also decrease falls. Mental health services seldom include funding for Accredited Exercise Physiologist programs. A 9-week Accredited Exercise Physiologist-led program for older adults receiving mental health treatment with a community Older People’s Mental Health Service was trialed in regional Australia. This clinician-conceived small-scale feasibility study utilized a two-phase concurrent triangulation mixed-method design to evaluate physical and psychological program outcomes and identify factors related to engaging in physical activity. This tailored exercise program led to improvements in measures of psychological distress and physical and psychological function. These changes corresponded with participants identifying benefits of exercising as a group of adults living with mental illness. Such findings suggest a supervised, individualized program for older mental health consumers confers physical and psychological benefits; however, further research evaluating exercise interventions with this population is required.
Many roads lead to CASM: Diverse stimuli of noncanonical autophagy share a unifying molecular mechanism
Authors: Durgan Joanne , Florey Oliver
Published: October 2022

Autophagy is a fundamental catabolic process coordinated by a network of autophagy-related (ATG) proteins. These ATG proteins also perform an important parallel role in “noncanonical” autophagy, a lysosome-associated signaling pathway with key functions in immunity, inflammation, cancer, and neurodegeneration. While the noncanonical autophagy pathway shares the common ATG machinery, it bears key mechanistic and functional distinctions, and is characterized by conjugation of ATG8 to single membranes (CASM). Here, we review the diverse, and still expanding, collection of stimuli and processes now known to harness the noncanonical autophagy pathway, including engulfment processes, drug treatments, TRPML1 and STING signaling, viral infection, and other pathogenic factors. We discuss the multiple associated routes to CASM and assess their shared and distinctive molecular features. By integrating these findings, we propose an updated and unifying mechanism for noncanonical autophagy, centered on ATG16L1 and V-ATPase.
Rapid and precise measurement of carbonate clumped isotopes using laser spectroscopy
Authors: Yanay Nitzan , Wang Zhennan , Dettman David L. , Quade Jay , Huntington Katharine W. , Schauer Andrew J. , Nelson David D. , McManus J. Barry , Thirumalai Kaustubh , Sakai Saburo , Rebaza Morillo Anna , Mallik Ananya
Published: October 2022

Carbonate clumped isotope abundance is an important paleothermometer, but measurement is difficult, slow, and subject to cardinal mass (
m/z
) interferences using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). Here, we describe an optical spectroscopic measurement of carbonate clumped isotopes. We have adapted a tunable infrared laser differential absorption spectrometer (TILDAS) system to measure the abundances of four CO
2
isotopologues used for clumped isotope thermometry. TILDAS achieves the same precision (0.01‰ SE) as IRMS measurements rapidly (∼50 min per carbonate analysis) and using small samples (<2 mg of calcite), without making assumptions about
17
O abundance in the sample. A temperature calibration based on 406 analyses of CO
2
produced by digestion of 51 synthetic carbonates equilibrated at 6° to 1100°C is consistent with results for natural carbonates and previous calibrations. Our system results were indistinguishable from IRMS systems after replicating the InterCarb interlaboratory calibration. Measurement by TILDAS could change the landscape for clumped isotope analysis.
Nanoparticle contact printing with interfacial engineering for deterministic integration into functional structures
Authors: Zhu Weikun , Satterthwaite Peter F. , Jastrzebska-Perfect Patricia , Brenes Roberto , Niroui Farnaz
Published: October 2022

Deterministic, pristine, and scalable integration of individual nanoparticles onto arbitrary surfaces is an ongoing challenge, yet essential for harnessing their unique properties for functional nanoscale devices. To address this challenge, we present a versatile technique where spatially arranged nanoparticles assembled in a topographical template are printed onto diverse surfaces, through a single contact-and-release step, with >95% transfer yield and <50-nanometer placement accuracy. Through engineering of interfacial interactions, our approach uniquely promotes high-yield transfer of individual particles without needing solvents, surface treatments, and polymer sacrificial layers, which are conventionally inevitable. By avoiding these mediation steps, surfaces can remain damage and contamination free and accessible to integrate into functional structures. We demonstrate this in a particle-on-mirror model system, where >2000 precisely defined nanocavities display a consistent plasmonic response with minimized interstructure variability. Through fabricating arrays of emitter-coupled nanocavities, we further highlight the integration opportunities offered by our contact printing.
De novo selected hACE2 mimics that integrate hotspot peptides with aptameric scaffolds for binding tolerance of SARS-CoV-2 variants
Authors: Lee Minjong , Kang Byunghwa , Lee Juhwa , Lee Jisun , Jung Sang Taek , Son Chang Yun , Oh Seung Soo
Published: October 2022

The frequent occurrence of viral variants is a critical problem in developing antiviral prophylaxis and therapy; along with stronger recognition of host cell receptors, the variants evade the immune system–based vaccines and neutralizing agents more easily. In this work, we focus on enhanced receptor binding of viral variants and demonstrate generation of receptor-mimicking synthetic reagents, capable of strongly interacting with viruses and their variants. The hotspot interaction of viruses with receptor-derived short peptides is maximized by aptamer-like scaffolds, the compact and stable architectures of which can be in vitro selected from a myriad of the hotspot peptide-coupled random nucleic acids. We successfully created the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor–mimicking hybrid ligand that recruits the hACE2-derived receptor binding domain–interacting peptide to directly interact with a binding hotspot of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Experiencing affinity boosting by ~500% to Omicron, the de novo selected hACE2 mimic exhibited a great binding tolerance to all SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
Wireless, fully implantable cardiac stimulation and recording with on-device computation for closed-loop pacing and defibrillation
Authors: Ausra Jokubas , Madrid Micah , Yin Rose T. , Hanna Jessica , Arnott Suzanne , Brennan Jaclyn A. , Peralta Roberto , Clausen David , Bakall Jakob A. , Efimov Igor R. , Gutruf Philipp
Published: October 2022

Monitoring and control of cardiac function are critical for investigation of cardiovascular pathophysiology and developing life-saving therapies. However, chronic stimulation of the heart in freely moving small animal subjects, which offer a variety of genotypes and phenotypes, is currently difficult. Specifically, real-time control of cardiac function with high spatial and temporal resolution is currently not possible. Here, we introduce a wireless battery-free device with on-board computation for real-time cardiac control with multisite stimulation enabling optogenetic modulation of the entire rodent heart. Seamless integration of the biointerface with the heart is enabled by machine learning–guided design of ultrathin arrays. Long-term pacing, recording, and on-board computation are demonstrated in freely moving animals. This device class enables new heart failure models and offers a platform to test real-time therapeutic paradigms over chronic time scales by providing means to control cardiac function continuously over the lifetime of the subject.