bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Sulfur Content on Evolution of Nonmetallic Inclusions in Low Sulfur Al‐Killed Steels during Heat Treatment
Authors: Cheng Lin , Li Weifu , Zhang Lifeng , Ren Ying
Published: October 2021

Herein, the effect of total sulfur (T.S) on the transformation of inclusions in Al‐killed steels is investigated through lab experiments and kinetic calculations. During the heating process, CaS content in inclusions obviously rises up, while the CaO content reduces. The CaO content in inclusions with 11 ppm S in steel is higher than 15%, while it is less 5% for the steel with 25 ppm S. The initial CaO–Al2O3 inclusions before heating change to CaS–MgO–Al2O3 at 1200 °C. The higher T.S promotes the transformation of inclusions in low sulfur Al‐killed steels, leading to the higher CaS content in inclusions after the heat treatment. A kinetic model is developed to predict the transformation of inclusions in low sulfur Al‐killed steels during the heat treatment. The transformation fraction of inclusions decreases with the larger size of inclusions and increases with the higher T.S content in steel at the heating temperature.
Cluster‐Bridging‐Coordinated Bimetallic Metal−Organic Framework as High‐Performance Anode Material for Lithium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Yan Wen , Fan Kun , Zheng Li-Min , Jin Zhong
Published: October 2021

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) are potential electrode materials for energy storage owing to abundance of active sites, structural versatility, and well‐organized porous framework. Herein, a cluster‐bridging‐coordinated bimetallic Co4(μ4‐O)[Ir(ppy‐COO)3]2 MOF (Co4‐Ir MOF) with high conductivity and desirable porosity is proposed as promising anode materials for Li+ storage. The Co4‐Ir MOF consists of Co4(μ4‐O) clusters bridge‐coordinated by Ir(ppy‐COOH)3, leading to electrical conductivity four orders of magnitude higher than that of conventional insulating MOFs and Li+ diffusion coefficient two orders of magnitude higher than that of graphite, thus boosting rate capability. The laminated stacking structure and ordered porous framework of Co4‐Ir MOF ensure rapid Li+ transport and storage without large volume variation. As a result, Co4‐Ir MOF anodes deliver high capacity of 1202 mAh g−1, outstanding rate performance (515 mAh g−1 at 3000 mA g−1), and good cycling stability (average capacity decay of 0.041% per cycle for 1000 cycles). Soft‐packed full batteries assembled with Co4‐Ir MOF anodes and LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 cathodes exhibit good stability and flexibility. Moreover, Co4‐Ir MOF anode with fast kinetics is applied in hybrid lithium‐ion capacitor, demonstrating good compatibility with capacitor‐type cathode. This work suggests great potential to rationally design MOF materials with intriguing structures and performances for sustainable energy storage applications.
Improvement in Freeze‐Thaw Stability of Rice Starch by Soybean Protein Hydrolysates‐Xanthan Gum Blends and its Mechanism
Authors: Luo Yunmei , Cheng Hao , Niu Liya , Xiao Jianhui
Published: October 2021

To improve the freeze‐thaw stability of rice starch (RS), the soybean protein hydrolysates (SPHs), xanthan gum (XG), and the blends of SPHs with XG (SPHs‐XG) are added. The syneresis, thermal, texture, rheological properties, and morphological features of samples during seven freeze‐thaw cycles (FTCs) are investigated by syneresis measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), textural properties analysis (TPA), dynamic rheological, NMR, and SEM. As a result, SPHs‐XG is more effective for improving the freeze‐thaw stability and showed improved structure manifestations with the lower retrogradation rate (22.78%), hardness (153.29 g), gumminess (54.57), and solid‐like structure (p < 0.05). Moreover, the water‐holding capacity is increased and the microstructure is effectively stabilized. All these results suggested that SPHs‐XG could be a potential ingredient to improve the quality of rice starch‐based frozen foods.
Review of European design provisions for buckling of aluminium members with longitudinal welds – part 2
Authors: Misiek Thomas , Norlin Bert , Gitter Reinhold , Höglund Torsten
Published: October 2021

As part of the ongoing revision of the Eurocodes, design provisions in EN 1999‐1‐1 on the buckling of longitudinally welded aluminium compression members have been subjected to a critical review. The numerical investigations described in part 1 of the paper were conducted because a need for improvement was identified. In part 2 of the paper, the main observations are presented in qualitative terms. Those observations are: the influence of the allocation of the materials to buckling classes, the influence of the imperfections plus the cross‐section geometry including the position and size of the HAZ within the cross‐section. Part 3 will conclude this paper by discussing the proposed design approaches in detail.
Increased levels of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 are associated with adverse outcome in pregnant women with COVID‐19
Authors: Torres‐Torres J. , Espino‐y‐Sosa S. , Poon L. C. , Solis‐Paredes J. M. , Estrada‐Gutierrez G. , Espejel‐Nuñez A. , Juarez‐Reyes A. , Etchegaray‐Solana A. , Alfonso‐Guillen Y. , Aguilar‐Andrade L. , Hernández‐Pacheco J. A. , Villafan‐Bernal J. R. , Martinez‐Portilla R. J.
Published: October 2021

Objective

In addition to the lungs, the placenta and the endothelium can be affected by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). Soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) are markers of endothelial dysfunction and could potentially serve as predictors of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). We aimed to investigate the association of serum concentrations of sFlt‐1 and PlGF with the severity of COVID‐19 in pregnancy.

Methods

This was a prospective cohort study carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Mexico City, Mexico. Symptomatic pregnant women with a positive reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction test for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection who fulfilled the criteria for hospitalization were included. The primary outcome was severe pneumonia due to COVID‐19. Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit (ICU) admission, viral sepsis and maternal death. sFlt‐1 levels were expressed as multiples of the median (MoM). The association between sFlt‐1 and each adverse outcome was explored by logistic regression analysis, adjusted for gestational age for outcomes occurring in more than five patients, and the predictive performance was assessed by receiver‐operating‐characteristics‐curve analysis.

Results

Among 113 pregnant women with COVID‐19, higher sFlt‐1 MoM was associated with an increased probability of severe pneumonia (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 1.817 (95% CI, 1.365–2.418)), ICU admission (aOR, 2.195 (95% CI, 1.582–3.047)), viral sepsis (aOR, 2.318 (95% CI, 1.407–3.820)) and maternal death (unadjusted OR, 5.504 (95% CI, 1.079–28.076)). At a 10% false‐positive rate, sFlt‐1 MoM had detection rates of 45.2%, 66.7%, 83.3% and 100% for severe COVID‐19 pneumonia, ICU admission, viral sepsis and maternal death, respectively. PlGF values were similar between women with severe and those with non‐severe COVID‐19 pneumonia.

Conclusion

sFlt‐1 MoM is higher in pregnant women with severe COVID‐19 and has the capability to predict serious adverse pregnancy events, such as severe pneumonia, ICU admission, viral sepsis and maternal death. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Construction and second‐order nonlinear optical properties of two 1D zigzag chains with crisscross and parallel arrangements
Authors: Huang Yong‐Qing , Wang Yang , Ding Qi‐Hui , Zhao Yue
Published: October 2021

Two noncentrosymmetric d10 metal centered coordination polymers with formula [Zn(PTA)Cl2] ⋅ H2O (1) and [Hg3(PTA)3Cl6] (2) have been successfully prepared by the reaction of rigid non‐centrosymmetric ligand 3,5‐dimethyl‐N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethylene)‐4H‐1,2,4‐triazole‐4‐amine (PTA) and corresponding metal salts ZnCl2 and HgCl2. Both 1 and 2 feature acentric 1D zigzag chain arrangements, in which each chain is composed of linear 2‐connected PTA ligands and V‐shaped 2‐connected metal nodes Zn(II) or Hg(II). Complex 1 possesses C2 symmetric eqitlateral 1D zigzag chain structure and corresponding crisscross array. In contrast with 1, 2 displays dissymmetric ineqitlateral 1D zigzag chain structure and common parallel arrangement. Being their acentric essence as well as colorless and transparent merits, the preliminary powder NLO properties of 1 and 2 were invesigated in solid‐state. The results indicated that the SHG intensities of 1 and 2 are about 1 and o.5 times that of commercial KDP.
Drawing with SAT: four methods and A tool for producing railway infrastructure schematics
Authors: Luteberget Bjørnar , Johansen Christian
Published: October 2021

Schematic drawings showing railway tracks and equipment are commonly used
to visualize railway operations and to communicate system specifications and
construction blueprints. Recent advances in on-line collaboration and modeling
tools have raised the expectations for quickly making changes to models,
resulting in frequent changes to layouts, text, and/or symbols in schematic
drawings. Automating the creation of high-quality schematic views from
geographical and topological models can help engineers produce and update
drawings efficiently. This paper introduces four methods for automatically producing
schematic railway drawings
with increasing level of quality and control
over the result. The final method, implemented in the open-source tool that we have developed,
can use any combination of the following optimization criteria, which can have
different priorities in different use cases: width and height of the drawing,
the diagonal line lengths, and the number of bends. We show how to encode schematic railway drawings as an optimization
problem over Boolean and numerical domains, using combinations of unary number
encoding, lazy difference constraints, and numerical optimization into an
incremental SAT formulation. We compare drawings resulting from each of the four methods, applied to
models of real-world engineering projects and existing railway infrastructure.
We also show how to add symbols and labels to the track plan, which is
important for the usefulness of the final outputs. Since the proposed tool is
customizable and efficiently produces high-quality drawings from railML 2.x
models, it can be used (as it is or extended) both as an integrated module in
an industrial design tool like RailCOMPLETE, or by researchers for
visualization purposes.
Gender differences in examination behavior of 4th grade medical students
Authors: Pavo Noemi , Niedermaier Thomas , Seitz Stefanie , Jäger Harald , Strametz-Juranek Jeanette , Rieder Anita , Anvari-Pirsch Anahit
Published: October 2021

Background

Computer-assisted teaching is becoming increasingly more important to acquire new knowledge and skills in medical curricula. The consequence of gender-characteristic personality traits on academic performance in e‑learning examinations are difficult to forecast. This study investigated gender-related differences in examination behavior among undergraduate medical students taking a web-based quiz.

Methods

A total of 1315 4th grade medical students at the Medical University of Vienna completing the compulsory online moodle-based ECG quiz 2017/2018 were enrolled into this observational study. Individual data of examination behavior and quiz results as well as results of the final annual exam were extracted. Students were grouped into 10 strata according to academic performance. Variables between both sexes were compared using a nonparametrical test. Examination variables were correlated to performance.

Results

Of the total study population 686 (52%) were female and 629 (48%) were male. The time until the first attempt and number of attempts performed was comparable between both sexes, however female students spent more time on the first attempt compared to their male colleagues (1592 sec [Q1–Q3: 999–2536] vs 1405 sec [Q1–Q3: 828–2395], p = 0.002), suggesting a higher self-discipline and risk-aversity. There was no difference regarding quiz scores or final ECG examination scores between female and male students (p = 0.869 and p = 0.396). Students who accessed the quiz earlier and less time spent for the first attempt tended to perform better at the final examination (rs = 0.20, p < 0.001 and rs = −0.15, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Gender-related differences in examination behavior already described for nononline based examinations are similarly observable in e‑learning. For this test, gender-immanent traits seem not to twist final examination results and impact academic performance.
Effects of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, high-density polyethylene, and polystyrene microplastic on Nelumbo nucifera (Lotus) in water and sediment
Authors: Esterhuizen Maranda , Kim Young Jun
Published: October 2021

Plastic waste is recognised as hazardous, with the risk increasing as the polymers break down in nature to secondary microplastics or even nanoplastics. The number of studies reporting on the prevalence of microplastic in every perceivable niche and bioavailable to biota is dramatically increasing. Knowledge of the ecotoxicology of microplastic is advancing as well; however, information regarding plants, specifically aquatic macrophytes, is still lacking. The present study aimed to gain more information on the ecotoxicological effects of six different polymer types as 4 mm microplastic on the morphology (germination and growth) and the physiology (catalase and glutathione S-transferase activity) of the rooted aquatic macrophyte, Nelumbo nucifera. The role of sediment was also considered by conducting all exposure both in a sediment-containing and sediment-free exposure system. Polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane exposures caused the highest inhibition of germination and growth compared to the control. However, the presence of sediment significantly decreased the adverse effects. Catalase activity was increased with exposure to polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, and polystyrene, both in the presence and absence of sediment but more so in the sediment-free system. Glutathione S-transferase activity was significantly increased with exposure to polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate in the sediment-free system and exposure to polyethylene terephthalate and polyurethane in the absence of sediment. There was no clear correlation between the morphological and physiological effects observed. Further studies are required to understand the underlying toxicity mechanism of microplastics.
Mathematical Modeling of the Early Stage of Clogging of the SEN During Continuous Casting of Ti-ULC Steel
Authors: Barati Hadi , Wu Menghuai , Michelic Susanne , Ilie Sergiu , Kharicha Abdellah , Ludwig Andreas , Kang Youn-Bae
Published: October 2021

The clogging of the submerged entry nozzle (SEN) during the continuous casting of steel can be divided into two stages: the “early stage,” when the initial layer of the clog covers the SEN refractory surface owing to chemical reactions, and the “late stage,” when the clog layer continues to grow because of the deposition of non-metallic inclusions (NMIs). In this paper, a mathematical formulation is proposed for the build-up of the initial oxide. The chemical reaction mechanism is based on the work of Lee and Kang (Lee et al. in ISIJ Int 58:1257–1266, 2018): a reaction among SEN refractory constituents produces CO gas, which can re-oxidize the steel melt and consequently form an oxide layer on the SEN surface. The proposed formulation was further incorporated as a sub-model in a transient clogging model, which was previously developed by the current authors to track the late stage of clogging. The thermodynamics and kinetics of CO production, depending on the local pressure and temperature, must be considered for the sub-model of early-stage clogging. Test simulations based on a section of an actual industrial SEN were conducted, and it was verified that the clogging phenomenon is related to the SEN refractory, the chemical reaction with the steel melt, the local temperature and pressure, and the transport of NMIs by the turbulent melt flow in the SEN. The model was qualitatively validated through laboratory experiments. The uncertainty of some parameters that govern the reaction kinetics and permeability of the oxide layer is discussed.
Scaling up of cluster beam deposition technology for catalysis application
Authors: Sanzone Giuseppe , Yin Jinlong , Sun Hailin
Published: October 2021

Many research works have demonstrated that the combination of atomically precise cluster deposition and theoretical calculations is able to address fundamental aspects of size-effects, cluster-support interactions, and reaction mechanisms of cluster materials. Although the wet chemistry method has been widely used to synthesize nanoparticles, the gas-phase synthesis and size-selected strategy was the only method to prepare supported metal clusters with precise numbers of atoms for a long time. However, the low throughput of the physical synthesis method has severely constrained its wider adoption for catalysis applications. In this review, we introduce the latest progress on three types of cluster source which have the most promising potential for scale-up, including sputtering gas aggregation source, pulsed microplasma cluster source, and matrix assembly cluster source. While the sputtering gas aggregation source is leading ahead with a production rate of ∼20 mg·h−1, the pulsed microplasma source has the smallest physical dimensions which makes it possible to compact multiple such devices into a small volume for multiplied production rate. The matrix assembly source has the shortest development history, but already show an impressive deposition rate of ~10 mg·h−1. At the end of the review, the possible routes for further throughput scale-up are envisaged.
What have we known so far about microplastics in drinking water treatment? A timely review
Authors: Xue Jinkai , Samaei Seyed Hesam-Aldin , Chen Jianfei , Doucet Ariana , Ng Kelvin Tsun Wai
Published: October 2021

Microplastics (MPs) have been widely detected in drinking water sources and tap water, raising the concern of the effectiveness of drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in protecting the public from exposure to MPs through drinking water. We collected and analyzed the available research articles up to August 2021 on MPs in drinking water treatment (DWT), including laboratory- and full-scale studies. This article summarizes the major MP compositions (materials, sizes, shapes, and concentrations) in drinking water sources, and critically reviews the removal efficiency and impacts of MPs in various drinking water treatment processes. The discussed drinking water treatment processes include coagulation-flocculation (CF), membrane filtration, sand filtration, and granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration. Current DWT processes that are purposed for particle removal are generally effective in reducing MPs in water. Various influential factors to MP removal are discussed, such as coagulant type and dose, MP material, shape and size, and water quality. It is anticipated that better MP removal can be achieved by optimizing the treatment conditions. Moreover, the article framed the major challenges and future research directions on MPs and nanoplastics (NPs) in DWT.
Vulnerable Jugendliche in sich verändernden Risikoumgebungen
Authors: Sowa Frank , Fahnøe Kristian , Roy Alastair , Farrier Alan , Heinrich Marco , Kronbæk Mette
Published: October 2021

Dieses Projekt stellt die Frage, wie die COVID-19-Pandemie Prozesse der sozialen Inklusion und Exklusion von wohnungslosen Jugendlichen beeinflusst. Anhand von drei internationalen Fallstudien soll das Verständnis dafür verbessert werden, wie Pandemien die Risiken und die zugänglichen wohlfahrtsstaatlichen Ressourcen für junge Menschen mit Wohnungslosigkeitserfahrung prägen. Das Wissen, das in dieser vergleichenden Studie entwickelt wird, kann dazu beitragen, die Art und Weise zu verbessern, wie Organisationen der Wohnungslosenhilfe auf neue, veränderte oder verstärkte Probleme und Bedürfnisse von jungen wohnungslosen Menschen reagieren.
Symmetry breaking of turbulent flow in porous media composed of periodically arranged solid obstacles
Authors: Srikanth Vishal , Huang Ching-Wei , Su Timothy S. , Kuznetsov Andrey V.
Published: October 2021

The focus of this paper is a numerical simulation study of the flow dynamics in a periodic porous medium to analyse the physics of a symmetry-breaking phenomenon, which causes a deviation in the direction of the macroscale flow from that of the applied pressure gradient. The phenomenon is prominent in the range of porosity from 0.43 to 0.72 for circular solid obstacles. It is the result of the flow instabilities formed when the surface forces on the solid obstacles compete with the inertial force of the fluid flow in the turbulent regime. We report the origin and mechanism of the symmetry-breaking phenomenon in periodic porous media. Large-eddy simulation (LES) is used to simulate turbulent flow in a homogeneous porous medium consisting of a periodic, square lattice arrangement of cylindrical solid obstacles. Direct numerical simulation is used to simulate the transient stages during symmetry breakdown and also to validate the LES method. Quantitative and qualitative observations are made from the following approaches: (1) macroscale momentum budget and (2) two- and three-dimensional flow visualization. The phenomenon draws its roots from the amplification of a flow instability that emerges from the vortex shedding process. The symmetry-breaking phenomenon is a pitchfork bifurcation that can exhibit multiple modes depending on the local vortex shedding process. The phenomenon is observed to be sensitive to the porosity, solid obstacle shape and Reynolds number. It is a source of macroscale turbulence anisotropy in porous media for symmetric solid-obstacle geometries. In the macroscale, the principal axis of the Reynolds stress tensor is not aligned with any of the geometric axes of symmetry, nor with the direction of flow. Thus, symmetry breaking in porous media involves unresolved flow physics that should be taken into consideration while modelling flow inhomogeneity in the macroscale.
The structure of a highly decelerated axisymmetric turbulent boundary layer
Authors: Balantrapu N. Agastya , Hickling Christopher , Alexander W. Nathan , Devenport William
Published: October 2021

Experiments were performed over a body of revolution at a length-based Reynolds number of 1.9 million. While the lateral curvature parameters are moderate (

$\delta /r_s < 2, r_s^+>500$

, where

$\delta$

is the boundary layer thickness and r
s
is the radius of curvature), the pressure gradient is increasingly adverse (

$\beta _{C} \in [5 \text {--} 18]$

where

$\beta_{C}$

is Clauser’s pressure gradient parameter), representative of vehicle-relevant conditions. The mean flow in the outer regions of this fully attached boundary layer displays some properties of a free-shear layer, with the mean-velocity and turbulence intensity profiles attaining self-similarity with the ‘embedded shear layer’ scaling (Schatzman & Thomas, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 815, 2017, pp. 592–642). Spectral analysis of the streamwise turbulence revealed that, as the mean flow decelerates, the large-scale motions energize across the boundary layer, growing proportionally with the boundary layer thickness. When scaled with the shear layer parameters, the distribution of the energy in the low-frequency region is approximately self-similar, emphasizing the role of the embedded shear layer in the large-scale motions. The correlation structure of the boundary layer is discussed at length to supply information towards the development of turbulence and aeroacoustic models. One major finding is that the estimation of integral turbulence length scales from single-point measurements, via Taylor's hypothesis, requires significant corrections to the convection velocity in the inner 50 % of the boundary layer. The apparent convection velocity (estimated from the ratio of integral length scale to the time scale), is approximately 40 % greater than the local mean velocity, suggesting the turbulence is convected much faster than previously thought. Closer to the wall even higher corrections are required.
Toward Complete, Candid, and Unbiased International Consensus Statements on Concussion in Sport
Authors: Casper Stephen T. , Bachynski Kathleen E. , Buckland Michael E. , Comrie Don , Gandy Sam , Gates Judith , Goldberg Daniel S. , Henne Kathryn , Hind Karen , Morrison Daniel , Ortega Francisco , Pearce Alan J. , Philpott-Jones Sean , Sandel Elizabeth , Tatos Ted , Tucker Sally , Finkel Adam M.
Published: October 2021

Five international consensus statements on concussion in sports have been published. This commentary argues that there is a strong need for a new approach to them that foregrounds public health expertise and patient-centered guidance. Doing so will help players, parents and practitioners keep perspective about these potentially life-altering injuries especially when they recur.
Telehealth to Address Health Disparities: Potential, Pitfalls, and Paths Ahead
Authors: Simon David A. , Shachar Carmel
Published: October 2021

Telehealth has the potential to address health disparities, but not without deliberate choices about how to implement it. To support vulnerable patients, health policy leaders must pursue creative solutions such as public-private partnerships, broadband infrastructure, and value-based payment. Without these initiatives or others like them, health disparities are likely to persist despite telehealth’s tantalizing potential.
Indonesia’s Cigarette Culture Wars: Contesting Tobacco Regulations in the Postcolony
Authors: Welker Marina
Published: October 2021

This article juxtaposes representations of Indonesia’s tobacco control as temporally backwards with a counter-discourse defending its clove-laced cigarettes—called kretek—as a form of distinctive cultural heritage. These opposing discourses, which I characterize as public health evolutionism and commodity nationalism, structure clashes over Indonesian tobacco regulations. Public health evolutionism can take the form of voyeuristic, exoticizing, and Othering representations, but it can also be used to argue for more equitable access to global tobacco control knowledge and practices. Commodity nationalists insist that the kretek industry should be a source of pride rather than shame, depicting tobacco control as a neocolonial plot to destroy an indigenous industry that benefits small farmers, factory workers, and home industries. This subaltern emphasis obscures the fact that a few large companies dominate the industry, which is increasingly foreign-owned and mechanizing to increase production while reducing employment. The cigarette industry takes advantage of both discourses by marketing supposedly safer products to consumers alarmed by public health messaging, while also promoting the cigarettes-as-national-heritage narrative and undermining regulations. The stakes of these debates are high in the world’s second largest cigarette market, with over three hundred billion sticks smoked each year and more than two hundred thousand tobacco-related deaths.
Intercropping with Chinese leek decreasedMeloidogyne javanicapopulation and shifted microbial community structure in Sacha Inchi plantation
Authors: Nie C. R. , Feng Y. , Cheng X. H. , Cai Z. Q.
Published: October 2021

The root-knot nematode,Meloidogyne javanica, is a major problem for the production of Sacha Inchi plants. We examined the effects of strip intercropping of Sacha Inchi/Chinese leek of 3–4 years on the seasonal dynamics of plant and soil traits in tropical China. Results indicated that in the intercropping system, a partially temporal divergence of belowground resource acquisition via niche separation occurred throughout the growing seasons, besides a complete spatially-separated plant height between the two crops. Compared with Sacha Inchi monoculture, the increased seed yield per unit area in the intercropping system was mainly attributed to the higher plant survival rate, rather than the enhanced plant traits of healthy plants. Intercropping greatly suppressedM. javanicapopulations only in the wet season, compared with monoculture; which may be associated with the combined effects of the direct allelopathy and indigenous microbe induced-suppressiveness. Intercropping did not affect microbial richness andα-diversity in the rhizosphere, except for the decreased fungal richness. Both bacterial and fungal composition and structure were diverged between monoculturev.intercropping system. The relative abundances of the dominant bacterial genera (Bacillus,Gaiellales,Lactococcus,MassiliaandLysobacter, etc.) differed significantly between the two cropping systems. For fungi, intercropping decreased the relative abundances ofFusariumandGibberella, but increased those ofNectriaceae_unclassified,Chaetomiaceae,HumicolaandMortierella. Overall, Sacha Inchi/Chinese leek intercropping suppressedM. javanicapopulations and shifted microbial compositions (especially decreased pathogen-containingFusarium). The increased yield and economic returns in this intercropping system provide valid information for the effective agricultural management.
Female wanted for the world's rarest turtle: prioritizing areas where Rafetus swinhoei may persist in the wild
Authors: Pham Thong Van , Le Duc Olivier , Bordes Cédric , Leprince Benjamin , Ducotterd Charlotte , Zuklin Tomas , Quang Vinh Luu , Dinh Duc Ha , Luiselli Luca
Published: October 2021

The Yangtze giant softshell turtle Rafetus swinhoei is the rarest turtle species, with just two individuals known to be surviving, one male in a zoo in China and one individual recently identified as a female in the wild in Viet Nam. As the species is on the brink of extinction, it is an urgent priority to search for additional individuals in the wild, and for areas where it may still be present. Here, we analysed areas where the species may still occur, identified through interview surveys in Viet Nam. In addition, we introduced a novel system for evaluating the potential for occurrence of this rare and elusive freshwater turtle, using a conservation priority index. This index was based on three recorded variables: (1) probability of the species' presence based on interviews with local fishers, (2) degree of habitat alteration, and (3) fishing intensity, with the latter two based on experts’ evaluation of the sites where the species could potentially be present. There were at least 13 independent, reliable sightings in the 2010s, seven of which were in 2018–2019, indicating that R. swinhoei potentially persists in the wild. Although the species was confirmed at only one site, there are at least three more sites where it is likely to be present, and 13 sites of conservation interest. We provide a description of all sites where the species is potentially present, and a summary of relevant interviews. The Da River system has the highest number of recent sightings. We recommend that a research and conservation project be initiated urgently, and outline how such a project could be implemented.
Metformin improves the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose albendazole against experimental alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Loos Julia A. , Coccimiglio Magalí , Nicolao María Celeste , Rodrigues Christian Rodriguez , Cumino Andrea C.
Published: October 2021

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. Its chemotherapeutic treatment is based on benzimidazoles, which are rarely curative and cause several adverse effects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative and safer chemotherapeutic strategies against AE. It has previously been shown that metformin (Met) exhibits considerable in vivo activity on an early-infection model of AE when administered at 50 mg kg−1 day−1 for 8 weeks. Here, the challenge is heightened by a 2-fold increase in parasite inoculum or by starting the treatment 6 weeks post-infection. In both cases, only the combination of Met (100 mg kg−1 day−1) together with a sub-optimal dose of albendazole (ABZ) (5 mg kg−1 day−1) led to a significant reduction in parasite weight compared to the untreated group. Coincidentally, drug combination showed the highest level of damage in E. multilocularis metacestodes. Likewise, Met alone or combined with ABZ led to a decrease in parasite glucose availability, which was evidenced as a lower intracystic glucose concentration. Therefore, the results demonstrate that combination therapy with Met and ABZ offers an alternative to improve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of the high-dose ABZ monotherapy currently employed.
Bicuspid aortic valve and anomalous right coronary artery from the opposite coronary sinus
Authors: Giusti Giuliano , Villano Mariantonia , Pozzi Marco
Published: October 2021

We report on a patient with bicuspid aortic valve and anomalous right coronary artery from the opposite sinus without evidence of intramural course. Different authors support the universal presence of intramural course in patients with origin of the right coronary artery from the opposite sinus of Valsalva in normal heart. The occurrence of both bicuspid aortic valve and the absence of intramural course may not be accidental. This might suggest a developmental interaction between bicuspid aortic valve and anomalous coronary artery. Large observational study including characterisation by intravascular ultrasonography in patients with bicuspid aortic valve and anomalous coronary is needed.
Daily Assessment of Executive Functioning and Expressive Suppression Predict Daily Functioning among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Brothers Stacey L. , Suchy Yana
Published: October 2021

Objective:

Executive functioning (EF) is known to be associated with performance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). However, prior research has found that the degree to which EF fluctuates was more predictive of self-reported cognitive and IADL lapses than was average EF performance. One source of such EF fluctuations is engagement in an emotion regulation strategy known as expressive suppression (ES). Importantly, ES has also been shown to relate to IADL performance, presumably due to its impact on EF. However, past research is limited due to assessing IADLs only in the laboratory or via self-report. The present study examined (a) the association of daily EF and ES fluctuations with performance of actual IADL tasks in participants’ homes, and (b) whether any significant association between ES fluctuations and daily IADLs would be mediated by daily EF variability.

Method:

Participants were 52 older adults aged 60 to 95. Over the course of 18 days while at home, participants completed daily IADL tasks as well as daily measures of EF and ES via ecological momentary assessment.

Results:

Contrary to our hypothesis, average EF across days predicted at-home IADLs above and beyond daily EF variability, which itself was also predictive. ES variability also predicted daily IADLs, and this association was fully mediated by average daily EF.

Conclusions:

Daily fluctuations in ES appear to have a deleterious impact on performance of IADLs at home, likely due to the impact of such fluctuations on EF, although the average level of EF capacity is also important.
Governor Partisanship Explains the Adoption of Statewide Mask Mandates in Response to COVID-19
Authors: Adolph Christopher , Amano Kenya , Bang-Jensen Bree , Fullman Nancy , Magistro Beatrice , Reinke Grace , Wilkerson John
Published: October 2021

Public mask use has emerged as a key tool in response to COVID-19. We develop a classification of statewide mask mandates that reveals variation in their scope and timing. Some US states quickly mandated wearing of face coverings in most public spaces, whereas others issued narrow mandates or no mandate at all. We consider how differences in COVID-19 epidemiological indicators and partisan politics affect when states adopted broad mask mandates, starting with the earliest mandates in April 2020 and continuing through the end of 2020. The most important predictor is the presence of a Republican governor, delaying statewide indoor mask mandates an estimated 98.0 days on average. COVID-19 indicators such as confirmed case or death rates are much less important predictors. This finding highlights a key challenge to public efforts to increase mask wearing, one of the most effective tools for preventing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 while restoring economic activity.
Methane Growth Rate Estimation and Its Causes in Western Canada Using Satellite Observations
Authors: Islam S. M. Nazrul , Jackson Peter L. , Sweeney Colm , McKain Kathryn , Frankenberg Christian , Aben Ilse , Parker Robert J. , Boesch Hartmut , Wunch Debra
Published: October 2021

In this study, the GOSAT Proxy Retrieval (v9.0) data product of column‐averaged dry‐air mole fractions of atmospheric methane (XCH4) for the period 2009–2019 was analyzed to detect methane (CH4) trends in the three western Canadian provinces where oil and gas development activities have changed significantly over the last decade. Although we found statistically significant increasing XCH4 trends in all subdomains (northeast British Columbia‐NE, Alberta‐AB, southern Saskatchewan‐SK), XCH4 trends are not higher than the background trend (7.25 ± 0.30 ppb/yr) and enhancement trends (ΔXCH4, after removing the background quantity) are not detectable at any subdomain during 2009–2019. For further insight into trends in all subdomains, we divided the whole period (2009–2019) into two shorter periods (2009–2013 and 2014–2019) and estimated trends. We found XCH4 trends are higher than background trends particularly in the AB and SK subdomains during 2009–2013, and their ΔXCH4 trends are positive and also marginally statistically significant. However, we do not find any detectable ΔXCH4 trend if we consider either long‐term (2009–2019) or the second shorter period (2014–2019), suggesting local emission sources are dominating year to year fluctuation. From the source attribution analysis, we found both wetland and oil and gas sectors are controlling the CH4 growth rate in western Canada, but the oil and gas sector is the dominant driver in NE and SK subdomains. We also found the satellite‐based average ΔXCH4 trend (15.43 ± 8.19%/yr) between 2009 and 2013 likely reflects a trend in oil and gas CH4 emissions in AB and SK for the same period.
Orbital Influences on Conditions Favorable for Glacial Inception
Authors: O'Neill Grainne R. , Broccoli Anthony J.
Published: October 2021

Glacial cycles are driven by cyclical changes in Earth's orbital parameters: obliquity, precession, and eccentricity. A common interpretation of Milankovitch's orbital theory suggests high‐latitude June insolation is the dominant forcing in driving glacial cycles, which places emphasis on the importance of precession. However, there is abundant evidence for the importance of obliquity. Here, we use linear reconstructions based on single‐forcing climate model simulations to produce time series of climate variables important in the growth and decay of ice sheets to examine the relative influences of obliquity and precession in locations important to glacial inception. We show that obliquity can cause changes in positive degree‐days (sum of mean daily temperatures above 0°C) of larger magnitude than those of precession for Scandinavia and Baffin Island. Our positive degree‐day time series were best represented by Milankovitch's caloric summer insolation metric. Snowfall is dominated by obliquity in Scandinavia and by precession in Baffin Island.
Local Hydraulic Resistance in Heterogeneous Porous Media
Authors: Krol Quirine , Fouxon Itzhak , Corso Pascal , Holzner Markus
Published: October 2021

We examine the validity of the commonly used Hagen‐Poiseuille model of local resistance of porous media using direct numerical simulations. We provide theoretical arguments that highlight possible limitations of this model and formulate a new constitutive model that is based on the circularity of iso‐pressure surfaces. We compare the performance of both models on three different three‐dimensional artificial porous media. We show that the new model improves the root‐mean‐squared‐relative error from , and for the HP model to , and for the three porous media respectively. We anticipate that our approach may find broad application in network models of porous media that are typically build from 3D images with intricate pore geometries.
The El Niño–Southern Oscillation Pattern Effect
Authors: Ceppi Paulo , Fueglistaler Stephan
Published: October 2021

El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability is accompanied by out‐of‐phase anomalies in the top‐of‐atmosphere tropical radiation budget, with anomalous downward flux (i.e., net radiative heating) before El Niño and anomalous upward flux thereafter (and vice versa for La Niña). Here, we show that these radiative anomalies result mainly from a sea surface temperature (SST) “pattern effect,” mediated by changes in tropical‐mean tropospheric stability. These stability changes are caused by SST anomalies migrating from climatologically cool to warm regions over the ENSO cycle. Our results are suggestive of a two‐way coupling between SST variability and radiation, where ENSO‐induced radiative changes may in turn feed back onto SST during ENSO.
Observations and Modeling of Strong Thermospheric Winds at High Latitudes and Their Impact on the Lower Thermosphere
Authors: Barreto‐Schuler Christian W. , Shepherd Gordon G. , Chen Yongsheng , Shepherd Marianna G.
Published: October 2021

A strong westward wind pattern at altitudes of ∼140–250 km at high latitudes (∼65°) in the approximate longitude range of 100°E–200°E in the Southern Hemisphere, and from 200°E to 300°E in the Northern Hemisphere, known as a “wind wall,” is investigated. Simulations from the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere extension (WACCM‐X) and the Global Airglow (GLOW) model, along with Wind Imaging Interferometer (WINDII) observations, allowed the description of most of the wind wall features. The results indicate that the wind wall is linked to the well‐known high‐latitude wind convection pattern. This atmospheric circulation is significantly stronger during active geomagnetic conditions, where its dusk anticyclonic circulation cell is also enhanced, which results in the origin of the wind wall. The study also reveals the impacts of the wind wall on the vertical velocity and its consequences for the O(1S) green line emission on the lower thermosphere, as well as its influence on the atomic oxygen depletion at high latitudes, which is mainly a response to the complex high‐latitude wind convection pattern and its spatial and temporal variation.
Representation of Stony Surface‐Atmosphere Interactions in WRF Reduces Cold and Wet Biases for the Southern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yue Siyu , Yang Kun , Lu Hui , Zhou Xu , Chen Deliang , Guo Weidong
Published: October 2021

Current regional and global climate models often have significant cold and wet biases in the simulation of climate for the Southern Tibetan Plateau (STP). This region has complex terrain and steep slopes, and the underlying surface in many areas is stony with little soil and vegetation, which causes negligible infiltration and rapid runoff. The default soil type (loam) in the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) is thus replaced with bedrock to improve the representation of the mountainous hydrological processes in this region. The domain of bedrock is identified by using satellite‐based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and terrain elevation standard deviation. The model results demonstrate that the WRF‐simulated precipitation and temperature are sensitive to soil type setting in this region. After the soil type is corrected, the mean precipitation bias at weather stations in the STP is reduced from 35 mm to −6 mm and the cold bias of 2 m air temperature is reduced from 1.5°C to 0.8°C when evaluated against weather station data. The relevant land and atmospheric processes are explored. The revision of the soil type from loam to bedrock results in increased sensible heat flux and decreased evaporation. A higher sensible heat flux results in higher air temperature, and the suppressed evaporation attenuates precipitation‐evaporation feedback. The altered energy budget enhances the valley wind, resulting in a sinking motion anomaly and reduced precipitation over lower elevations. The study highlights the critical role of soil type in the realistic representation of land‐atmosphere interactions by numerical models for the unique region.
Microphysical Characteristics of the Coexisting Frontal and Warm‐Sector Heavy Rainfall in South China
Authors: Han Bin , Du Yu , Wu Chong , Liu Xi
Published: October 2021

Inland frontal heavy rainfall (FR) and coastal warm‐sector heavy rainfall (WR) are two typical types of precipitation in South China during the pre‐summer rainy season. FR and WR are found to be generated by different mechanisms, but their differences in microphysical features and relevant possible reasons are not well understood. In the present study, dual‐polarization observations merged from 10 radars are utilized to investigate microphysical characteristics of two coexisting convective systems producing FR and WR. Overall, the WR has a stronger convection intensity, larger raindrop size, and higher liquid water content than the FR. The larger raindrops might be partly attributed to the deeper warm‐sector convection evidenced by stronger convective updrafts, which could potentially promote mixed‐phase processes. Raindrops in the WR are still larger even when the WR has a similar convection intensity with the FR, which might be explained by the active warm rain processes associated with higher low‐level humidity and more evident low‐level rotation in the WR. In addition, the FR was originally developed near the front and then vacated from the front into the warm sector, exhibiting an obvious temporal evolution in microphysical characteristics. Despite weaker convection intensity, the FR away from the front manifests a larger mean raindrop size than the FR near the front possibly because of more abundant environmental moisture in the warm sector.
Remotely Sensed Land Surface Temperature Can Be Used to Estimate Ecosystem Respiration in Intact and Disturbed Northern Peatlands
Authors: Burdun Iuliia , Kull Ain , Maddison Martin , Veber Gert , Karasov Oleksandr , Sagris Valentina , Mander Ülo
Published: October 2021

Remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST) enables global modeling and monitoring of CO2 fluxes from peatlands. We aimed to provide the first overview of the potential for using LST to monitor ecosystem respiration (Reco) in disturbed (drained and extracted) peatlands. We used chamber‐measured data (2017–2020) from five disturbed and two intact northern peatlands and LST data from Landsat 7, 8, and MODIS missions. First, we studied the strength of the relationships between fluxes and their in situ drivers (i.e., thermal and moisture conditions). Second, we examined the association between LST and in situ temperatures. Third, we compared chamber‐measured Reco with the modeled Reco driven by in situ measured water table depth and (a) in situ measured surface temperature and (b) remotely sensed MODIS LST data. In situ temperatures were a stronger driver of CO2 fluxes in disturbed sites (repeated measures correlation rmR = 0.8–0.9) than in intact ones (rmR = 0.5–0.8). LST had a higher association with in situ measured temperatures in disturbed sites (mean rmR = 0.79 for MODIS) and weaker in the intact (hummocks and hollows) peatlands (mean rmR = 0.38 for Landsat and 0.48 for MODIS). Reco models driven by MODIS LST and in situ surface temperature yielded similar accuracy: R2 was 0.27, 0.66, and 0.67 and 0.29, 0.70, and 0.66 for intact and for drained and extracted sites, respectively. Overall, these findings suggest the applicability of LST as a proxy of the thermal regime in Reco models, particularly for disturbed peatlands.