bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different heating of Maxwellian and kappa distributions at shocks
Authors: Gedalin Michael , Ganushkina Natalia
Published: September 2022

Ion heating in collisionless shocks is non-adiabatic and efficient. The amount of heating and the downstream distributions depend on the shock parameters and on the incident ion distribution. The number of reflected ions and their distribution depend on the detailed shape of the tail of the distribution. In supercritical shocks the reflected ion contribution is significant. Kappa distributed ions are heated more strongly and have a larger fraction of reflected ions than Maxwellian distributed ions with the same upstream temperature and the same shock parameters. For kappa distributions the phase space dips are shallower.
Prosocial activity in later life: are informal help and care associated with volunteering and charity?
Authors: Tanskanen Antti O. , Hämäläinen Hans , Arpino Bruno , Danielsbacka Mirkka
Published: September 2022

Older adults' engagement in various prosocial activities is a salient question in present-day societies that aim to promote active ageing. However, there are only a few studies focusing on associations between several types of prosocial activities, and they have rarely considered help to relatives and friends separately. Moreover, there is lack of studies considering informal monetary help and charity donations when analysing multiple prosocial activities. Using population-based data of older Finns (N = 2,184), we examined whether providing informal help (i.e.practical help, financial support or personal care) to relatives and friends is associated with participation in volunteering and charity, respectively. Overall, 5 per cent of the participants provided all examined forms of informal help and volunteered, 16 per cent provided two types of help and volunteered, and 23 per cent provided one type of help and volunteered. In addition, 9 per cent of the participants provided all types of informal help and made charitable donations, 33 per cent provided two types of help and made charitable donations, and 54 per cent provided one type of help and made charitable donations. Practical help and care channelled outside the household were associated with an increased probability of volunteering, although they were not associated with the probability of making charitable donations. Practical help, financial support and personal care provided to friends were particularly important predictors of volunteering and charity. These results are discussed in the context of the role overload and role extension hypotheses.
Development and feasibility of a communication training to assist caregivers with advanced care planning
Authors: Applebaum Allison J. , Gebert Rebecca , Behrens Mia , Loschiavo Morgan , Parker Patricia A. , Shaffer Kelly M. , Carver Alan , Diamond Eli L.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Caregivers are critical in advanced care planning (ACP) discussions, which are difficult but necessary to carry out patients’ goals of care. We developed and evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a communication training to equip caregivers of patients with malignant brain tumors with skills to navigate ACP conversations.

Method

Caregivers completed a 2-h virtual training addressing ACP Discussions with Your Loved One and ACP Discussions with the Medical Team. A pre-training assessment was completed at baseline and a training evaluation was completed one day post-training. A subset of participants completed semi-structured interviews 2 months post-training.

Results

Of 15 caregivers recruited, 9 attended the training and 4 completed qualitative interviews. Post-training, 40% felt confident in discussing ACP with loved ones and 67% felt confident doing so with healthcare professionals; 100% reported feeling confident in using skills learned in the training to facilitate these conversations. Data from qualitative interviews highlighted additional benefits of the training in empathic communication skills and fostering social support.

Significance of results

Our communication skills training shows promise in supporting caregivers’ skills and confidence in engaging in ACP discussions with patients and healthcare providers. A future randomized controlled trial with a larger and more diverse caregiving sample is needed to determine training efficacy.
The authors of economics journals revisited: evidence from a large-scale replication of Hodgson and Rothman (1999)
Authors: Aistleitner Matthias , Kapeller Jakob , Kronberger Dominik
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we present results from of a large-scale replication of Hodgson and Rothman's (1999, The Economic Journal, 109(453): 165–186) seminal analysis of the institutional and geographical concentration of authors publishing in top economic journals. We analyze bibliometric data of more than 49,000 articles published in a set of 30 highly influential economic journals between 1990 and 2018. Based on a random sample of 3,253 authors, we further analyze the PhD-granting institutions of the authors under study to better scrutinize the claim of an ‘institutional oligopoly’. The findings confirm the long-term persistence of strong oligopolistic structures in terms of both, author affiliations as well as PhD-granting institutions.
Decadal Cooling Events in the South Indian Ocean During the Argo Era
Authors: Huang Lei , Zhuang Wei , Wu Zelun , Meng Lingsheng , Edwing Deanna , Edwing Kelsea , Wang Lina , Yan Xiao‐Hai
Published: September 2022

Despite the rapid warming in the south Indian Ocean (SIO) during the recent two decades, the upper 300 m of the tropical southwest Indian Ocean (SWIO) experienced significant cooling during 2005–2011. The decreasing rate of the observed temperature reached −0.50 ± 0.1°C/decade. Heat budget analysis reveals that the cooling trend over SWIO results from the competing effect between local air‐sea heat flux and horizontal heat advection. Moreover, all the three observational datasets indicate that in the subtropical SIO, a prolonged cooling event occurred beneath the thermocline during 2010–2016. Although there exist some discrepancies between the observations and estimating the circulation and climate of the ocean (ECCO) reanalysis before 2010, the observations and ECCO reanalysis agree in terms of the post–2010 temperature variability in the intermediate layer of the subtropical region, probably because of the better constraint of the ECCO assimilation product by the increased sampling of Argo floats in the deeper ocean. The heat budget analysis indicates that during the period 2010–2016, the decadal cooling in the 400–1,000 m layer is primarily modulated by vertical ocean advection, and the horizontal ocean advection makes a secondary contribution. This study expands our knowledge of the decadal temperature variability and heat balance in the SIO during the Argo era.
Enhanced Atmospheric Pollutants Strengthened Winter Convective Mixing and Phytoplankton Blooms in the Northern Arabian Sea
Authors: Sridevi B. , Sarma V. V. S. S.
Published: September 2022

The recent increase in atmospheric pollutants (aerosols) over the northern Indian Ocean due to an increase in industrial activity in South and Southeast Asia decreased air temperature (AT) leading to the strengthening of winter convective mixing and promotion of phytoplankton blooms in the northern Arabian Sea (AS). To test this hypothesis, the variability in meteorological and surface ocean properties was analyzed for a period of 4 decades (1979–2018) in the northern AS. The total and anthropogenic aerosol optical depth (AOD) increased at a rate of 0.05 and 0.07 per decade respectively in the recent decades associated with a decrease in AT over the northern AS during winter. The estimated decrease in AT due to increasing AOD accounts for 0.18°C over the AS and it is close to that of the mean decrease in AT from 1994 to 2018 of 0.25°C. This increased the difference in temperature between the sea surface and atmosphere and enhanced specific humidity in the atmosphere resulting in the strengthening of convective mixing in the northern AS as evidenced by the deepening of the depth of 20°C isotherm in the recent decades during winter. Enhanced nutrient concentration and phytoplankton biomass were observed in the photic zone during winter further confirming that convective mixing strengthened in the recent decades in the northern AS than hitherto hypothesized as weakening due to the warming of the Eurasian landmass. The enhanced nutrients supported diatoms blooms, which are prey for Noctiluca scintillans to initiate the bloom in the AS in the recent decades.
Paleomagnetic Constraints From 925 Ma Mafic Dykes in North China and Brazil: Implications for the Paleogeography of Rodinia
Authors: Hu Yuyang , Zhao Xixi , Peng Peng , Yang Fengli , D'Agrella‐Filho Manoel S. , Chen Weiwei , Xu Mingchen
Published: September 2022

Coeval Neoproterozoic mafic dykes with a well‐constrained isotopic age of 925 Ma are distributed in the North China Craton (NCC) of China and São Francisco Craton (SFC) of Brazil. Several recent studies favor the hypothesis that these two cratons were connected during 925 Ma and constituted building cratons for the supercontinent Rodinia. However, the paleo‐positions of the two cratons in Rodinia have not yet been paleomagnetically resolved. This paper presents the paleomagnetic results of these dykes in both NCC and SFC. Detailed thermal and alternating‐field demagnetization revealed that these dykes record stable components of magnetization with unblocking temperatures below the Curie temperature of magnetite. Rock magnetic results and scanning electron microscope analysis further confirm that the major magnetic minerals in dyke samples are pseudo‐single domain titanomagnetites. The mean directions of the characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) of the dykes are distinct from those of rocks of different ages in the sampling localities, and are supported by positive baked contact tests, indicating primary remanent magnetization. The ChRM of the SFC dykes also exhibits dual polarity. Our results suggest that the NCC and SFC were in the moderate to high paleolatitudes of the Southern Hemisphere during approximately 925 Ma, suggesting a possible paleogeographic connection between the two cratons. A new paleogeographic reconstruction of both cratons during 925 Ma is proposed, which is supported by other geological evidence.
Clone wars: From molecules to cell competition in intestinal stem cell homeostasis and disease
Authors: Colozza Gabriele , Park So-Yeon , Koo Bon-Kyoung
Published: September 2022

The small intestine is among the fastest self-renewing tissues in adult mammals. This rapid turnover is fueled by the intestinal stem cells residing in the intestinal crypt. Wnt signaling plays a pivotal role in regulating intestinal stem cell renewal and differentiation, and the dysregulation of this pathway leads to cancer formation. Several studies demonstrate that intestinal stem cells follow neutral drift dynamics, as they divide symmetrically to generate other equipotent stem cells. Competition for niche space and extrinsic signals in the intestinal crypt is the governing mechanism that regulates stemness versus cell differentiation, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still poorly understood, and it is not yet clear how this process changes during disease. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms that regulate stem cell homeostasis in the small intestine, focusing on Wnt signaling and its regulation by RNF43 and ZNRF3, key inhibitors of the Wnt pathway. Furthermore, we summarize the evidence supporting the current model of intestinal stem cell regulation, highlighting the principles of neutral drift at the basis of intestinal stem cell homeostasis. Finally, we discuss recent studies showing how cancer cells bypass this mechanism to gain a competitive advantage against neighboring normal cells.
Genetic aetiologies for childhood speech disorder: novel pathways co-expressed during brain development
Authors: Kaspi Antony , Hildebrand Michael S. , Jackson Victoria E. , Braden Ruth , van Reyk Olivia , Howell Tegan , Debono Simone , Lauretta Mariana , Morison Lottie , Coleman Matthew J. , Webster Richard , Coman David , Goel Himanshu , Wallis Mathew , Dabscheck Gabriel , Downie Lilian , Baker Emma K. , Parry-Fielder Bronwyn , Ballard Kirrie , Harrold Eva , Ziegenfusz Shaun , Bennett Mark F. , Robertson Erandee , Wang Longfei , Boys Amber , Fisher Simon E. , Amor David J. , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Bahlo Melanie , Morgan Angela T.
Published: September 2022

Childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), the prototypic severe childhood speech disorder, is characterized by motor programming and planning deficits. Genetic factors make substantive contributions to CAS aetiology, with a monogenic pathogenic variant identified in a third of cases, implicating around 20 single genes to date. Here we aimed to identify molecular causation in 70 unrelated probands ascertained with CAS. We performed trio genome sequencing. Our bioinformatic analysis examined single nucleotide, indel, copy number, structural and short tandem repeat variants. We prioritised appropriate variants arising de novo or inherited that were expected to be damaging based on in silico predictions. We identified high confidence variants in 18/70 (26%) probands, almost doubling the current number of candidate genes for CAS. Three of the 18 variants affected SETBP1, SETD1A and DDX3X, thus confirming their roles in CAS, while the remaining 15 occurred in genes not previously associated with this disorder. Fifteen variants arose de novo and three were inherited. We provide further novel insights into the biology of child speech disorder, highlighting the roles of chromatin organization and gene regulation in CAS, and confirm that genes involved in CAS are co-expressed during brain development. Our findings confirm a diagnostic yield comparable to, or even higher, than other neurodevelopmental disorders with substantial de novo variant burden. Data also support the increasingly recognised overlaps between genes conferring risk for a range of neurodevelopmental disorders. Understanding the aetiological basis of CAS is critical to end the diagnostic odyssey and ensure affected individuals are poised for precision medicine trials.
Preparation and application of chitosan-based fluorescent probes
Authors: Lv Shenghua , Liang Shan , Zuo Jingjing , Zhang Shanshan , Wei Dequan
Published: September 2022

Biomass materials have abundant natural resources, renewability and good biochemical compatibility, so biomass-based fluorescent materials prepared from biomass materials have gradually become a research hotspot.
Design of a nanocomposite with gold nanoparticles as the core and casein-templated gold nanoclusters as the shell with ultra-low protein corona for enhanced photodynamic therapy
Authors: Zhang Yue , Huang Yuan , Chen Hao , Luo Xinxin , Zhang Jinzhi , Wang Hangxing , Zou Qichao , Wang Suxiao
Published: September 2022

The photodynamic therapy efficiency of AuNPs-CS-AuNCs can be well enhanced by the synergy effect of CS-AuNCs and AuNPs which is due to the surface plasmonic amplification and energy transfer from AuNPs to AuNCs.
Three-Dimensional Orientation of the Native Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Morales Jorge Rolando Ortiz , López Laura , Herrera Juan Sebastián , Martínez José Tomás , Buitrago Giancarlo
Published: September 2022

The aim of this study was to describe the three-dimensional orientation of the native anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by calculating the angles of inclination in relation to the axial plane which is given for the knee joint line in a group of healthy individuals. These could help to establish guidelines that may be used for the surgical positioning of bone tunnels during ACL reconstruction. A total of 290 MRI scans of patients with integrity of the ACL were evaluated; three observers identified the coordinates of the femoral and tibial insertion sites, then it is defined the vector and evaluated its angles with respect to axial axis and calculated the angles with trigonometric equations. The data were analyzed according to the age, sex, side, BMI, and height of the patients, and the interobserver reliability was calculated. The patient demographics were as follows: age average: 45 years old, BMI average: 27.1, 54% right knees, and 60% female. The average angle for all the measurements was 76.95 degrees (SD ± 6.8 degrees) in the sagittal plane, 81.65 degrees (SD ± 7.79 degrees) in the coronal plane and 33.17 degrees (SD ± 4.98 degrees) in the axial plane. No statistically significant differences were found between the categorical variables mentioned; moderate to substantial interobserver reliability strength was found with an average kappa of 0.791 for all measurements. The three-dimensional orientation of the native ACL in a group of healthy individuals was established. The findings can be helpful for performing anatomical reconstructions of the ACL in injured patients using as reference the average calculated angles, or measure of the contralateral non-injured knee for surgical planning; these results serve as a basis for the design of a technique that optimizes the three-dimensional position of the ACL when it undergoes reconstruction in the trend toward greater precision for better functional results. Biomechanical and clinical-surgical studies are required to further evaluate our results.
Does Preoperative Opioid Consumption Influence Patient Satisfaction following Total Knee Arthroplasty?
Authors: Smith Austin F. , Smith Nolan S. , Smith Langan S. , Yakkanti Madhusudhan R. , Malkani Arthur L.
Published: September 2022

Chronic opioid use prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has been implicated in adverse outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcome measures and patient satisfaction in patients with a history of preoperative chronic opioid use undergoing primary TKA. A retrospective cohort study was performed on 296 consecutive patients undergoing primary TKA. Seventy-four (25%) patients were identified with chronic preoperative opioid use (study group; 22 males, 52 females). A 3:1 matched cohort ratio of control versus study group was utilized resulting in a control group consisting of 222 patients (97 males, 125 females) without chronic opioid use prior to surgery. There was no statistically significant difference in age, BMI, or follow-up. Average follow-up was 23.4 months in the control group and 23.6 months in the study group (p = 0.87). Clinical data including patient satisfaction (Likert score), Knee Society (KS) Knee scores, KS Function scores, Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), length of stay (LOS), and complications were evaluated. Patient satisfaction at the most recent visit was 92.8% in the control group versus 83.8% in the chronic opioid group (p = 0.0016). Differences in patient-reported outcomes measures comparing the control and study cohorts included KS Function Score of 83.23 versus 75.31 (p = 0.0034). The FJS of 63.7 versus 58 (p = 0.1883) and the KS Knee Score of 89.5 versus 88.1 (p = 0.4075) were not significant. Postoperative opioid usage for the control versus the study group was 62/222 (27.9%) versus 56/74 (75.7%) at 4 to 8 weeks (p <0.0001), and 4/222 (1.80%) versus 27/74 (36.5%) at 12 months (p <0.0001). Overall complication occurrence was 18.9% in the study group versus 11.3% in the control group (p = 0.11). Patients with history of chronic preoperative opioid use had significantly lower patient satisfaction and KS Function scores and increased postoperative opioid usage at 12 months compared with patients without a history of opioid use prior to TKA.
Novel Endoscopic Bariatric Therapies for the Management of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis
Authors: Gala Khushboo , Razzak Farah Abdul , Rapaka Babusai , Abu Dayyeh Barham K.
Published: September 2022

Obesity is strongly associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease as well as advanced forms of the disease such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. While lifestyle and diet modifications have been the cornerstone of treatment for NASH thus far, they are only effective for less than half of the patients. New endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBTs) have already proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, and may provide an intermediate, less invasive, cost-effective option for patients with NASH. In this review, we aim to describe the data and evidence as well as outline future areas of development for endobariatric therapies for the treatment of NASH. In conclusion, EBTs present an effective and safe therapeutic modality for use in the growing pandemic of obesity-related liver disease and should be investigated further with large-scale trials in this patient population.
Computational Investigation of the Aza-Cope Rearrangement Leading to Angularly Substituted 1-Azabicyclic Rings
Authors: Maryasin Boris , Meyrelles Ricardo , Fetisleam Yener
Published: September 2022

A computational study of the aza-Cope rearrangement leading to angularly substituted 1-azabicyclic ring systems is presented. The calculations estimate the probability of the proton transfer between reaction intermediates and protic solvents, explain the experimentally observed reaction selectivity, and suggest new potentially more efficient systems for further in vitro and in silico investigations.
Variations among Electronic Health Record and Physiologic Streaming Vital Signs for Use in Predictive Algorithms in Pediatric Severe Sepsis
Authors: Dziorny Adam C. , Lindell Robert B. , Fitzgerald Julie C. , Bonafide Christopher P.
Published: September 2022

Objective This study sought to describe the similarities and differences among physiologic streaming vital signs (PSVSs) and electronic health record (EHR)-documented vital signs (EVSs) in pediatric sepsis.

Methods In this retrospective cohort study, we identified sepsis patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. We compared PSVS and EVS measures of heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, oxyhemoglobin saturation, and blood pressure (BP) across domains of completeness, concordance, plausibility, and currency.

Results We report 1,095 epochs comprising vital sign data from 541 unique patients. While counts of PSVS measurements per epoch were substantially higher, increased missingness was observed compared with EVS. Concordance was highest among HR and lowest among BP measurements, with bias present in all measures. Percent of time above or below defined plausibility cutoffs significantly differed by measure. All EVS measures demonstrated a mean delay from time recorded at the patient to EHR entry.

Conclusion We measured differences between vital sign sources across all data domains. Bias direction differed by measure, possibly related to bedside monitor measurement artifact. Plausibility differences may reflect the more granular nature of PSVS which can be critical in illness detection. Delays in EVS measure currency may impact real-time decision support systems. Technical limitations increased missingness in PSVS measures and reflect the importance of systems monitoring for data continuity. Both PSVS and EVS have advantages and disadvantages that must be weighed when making use of vital signs in decision support systems or as covariates in retrospective analyses.
COVID-19 and the Electronic Health Record: Tool Design and Evolution at the U.S. Pandemic Epicenter
Authors: Tsega Surafel , Vijayaraghavan Mahima , Chronister Marianne , Srinivas Sindhu , Bassily-Marcus Adel , Gumprecht Jeffrey , Shetreat-Klein Avniel , Darrow Bruce , Craven Catherine K.
Published: September 2022

Objective We detail inpatient electronic health record (EHR) system tools created at Mount Sinai Health System for the clinical management of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the early pandemic months in the U.S. epicenter, New York City. We discuss how we revised these tools to create a robust Care pathway, unlike other tools reported, that helped providers care for these patients as guidelines evolved.

Methods Mount Sinai Health System launched a Command Center on March 8, 2020. The Chief Medical Information Officer launched a workgroup of clinical informaticists and Epic analysts tasked with rapidly creating COVID-19-related EHR tools for the inpatient setting.

Results Initial EHR tools focused on inpatient order sets for care standardization and resource utilization. In preparation for a fall 2020-winter 2021 surge, we created a clinician-facing, integrated Care pathway incorporating additional Epic System-specific tools: a Care Path, a dedicated Navigator, Summary and Timeline Reports, and SmartTexts.

Discussion Initial tools offered standard functionality but included complex decision-making support to account for the lack of COVID-19 clinical knowledge, operational challenges during a dramatic patient surge, and resource limitations. We revised content and built a more comprehensive Care pathway that provided real-time clinical data along with treatment recommendations as knowledge evolved, e.g., convalescent plasma.

Conclusion We have provided a framework that can inform future informaticists in developing EHR tools during an evolving pandemic.
Gap effects on the aerodynamic characteristics around three rectangular boxes in tandem arrangement
Authors: Meng Hao , Chen Wen-Li , Duan Yanghao , Li Hui , Gao Donglai
Published: September 2022

Multiple-box structures have become increasingly important in practical engineering; for example, some recent large-span bridges were creatively designed using triple-box decks. The flow characteristics and flow-induced responses of multiple-box structures are notably complex due to the existence of gaps. Herein, we conducted a detailed investigation on the effects of gap width on the aerodynamics and flow characteristics of three boxes in a tandem arrangement, that is, a triple-box model. The test model comprised three rectangular cylinders with a side ratio of 3.7 (i.e., SR = 3.7), and it was arranged in line with the incoming airflow. The gap ratio (L/D = the ratio of the gap width L to the height of the box D) was varied from 0 to 10.260. Surface pressure measurement and smoke-wire flow visualization were conducted in the wind tunnel tests. For the pressure measurements, the Reynolds number (Re) was varied from 1.01 × 104 to 2.20 × 104. The smoke-wire flow visualization was performed at a relatively low Re of 6767. The results showed that the gap ratio significantly influenced the pressure distributions, aerodynamic forces, and surrounding flow patterns. A “dual-frequency” phenomenon was observed at low and moderate gap ratios; that is, a dominant frequency and secondary frequency were found. Moreover, the secondary frequency was closely related to the secondary vortices. Furthermore, the dual-frequency phenomenon disappeared at large gap ratios, which was different from the tandem circular cylinders. Based on the experimental results, the flow patterns around the triple-box model were categorized into four basic types, depending on the gap ratio.
Visibility analysis of boundary layer transition
Authors: Perrone D. , Ridolfi L. , Scarsoglio S.
Published: September 2022

We study the transition to turbulence in a flat plate boundary layer by means of visibility analysis of velocity time-series extracted across the flow domain. By taking into account the mutual visibility of sampled values, visibility graphs are constructed from each time series. The latter are, thus, transformed into a geometrical object, whose main features can be explored using measures typical of network science that provide a reduced order representation of the underlying flow properties. Using these metrics, we observe the evolution of the flow from laminarity to turbulence and the effects exerted by the free-stream turbulence. Different from other methods requiring an extensive amount of spatiotemporal data (e.g., full velocity field) or a set of parameters and thresholds arbitrarily chosen by the user, the present network-based approach is able to identify the onset markers for transition by means of the streamwise velocity time-series alone.
A well-posed multilayer model for granular avalanches: Comparisons with laboratory experiments
Authors: Sarno L. , Wang Y. , Tai Y.-C. , Papa M. N. , Villani P. , Oberlack M.
Published: September 2022

Granular avalanches are dangerous phenomena characterized by the rapid gravity-driven motion of granular solids. The complex dynamics of these flows can be effectively modeled by a multilayer approach, which, however, requires particular attention to the derivation of the model equations in order to allow stable solutions. In this work, we use a well-posed multilayer model, in which the μ(I)-rheology is employed and a dilatancy law, depending on the inertial number I, is also taken into account, and systematically compare it with various laboratory experiments. The model, whose well-posedness is guaranteed by a physically based viscous regularization, describes the evolution of a preset number of superimposed granular layers. As the sidewall friction is relevant under most experimental conditions, the model is fitted here with suitable resistance terms. Moreover, non-trivial closures for the mass exchanges are introduced to avoid any unrealistic partitioning of the flow domain during the avalanche evolution, and, hence, guarantee a regular spatial discretization along the normal to flow direction. The velocity fields are compared with different experiments in unsteady state, and comparisons of both velocity and volume fraction profiles are provided with steady uniform flow experiments. The results confirm the good capabilities of the multilayer model and the underlying μ(I)-rheology in capturing the granular flow dynamics. The experimental volume fraction profiles are qualitatively well reproduced by the proposed dilatancy law, while an overestimation is observed only in the upper, more dilute flow region with a thickness of a few grain diameters.
Study on the sedimentation and interaction of two squirmers in a vertical channel
Authors: Ying Yuxiang , Jiang Tongxiao , Nie Deming , Lin Jianzhong
Published: September 2022

We simulated the sedimentation of two self-propelled particles in a two-dimensional (2D) vertical channel using the lattice Boltzmann method. A 2D squirmer model was employed to simulate the microswimmers, and five typical locomotive modes were obtained for a single squirmer, namely, central steady sedimentation, near-wall steady motion, wall-attracted oscillation, large-amplitude oscillation, and small-amplitude oscillation. The locomotive modes of two squirmers are obtained by combinations of different locomotive modes of a single squirmer. It was found that the motion of two squirmers was much more complex than that of a single squirmer, and this complex locomotive mode could be explained by the pressure distribution of the two squirmers. Moreover, we performed a comprehensive analysis of the obtained locomotive modes and determined that the angle at which the two squirmers separated from each other and swimming speed were crucial, which may be the reason for the different locomotive modes of the squirmers that switch from each other.
Experimental study on the pressure drop characteristics of supercritical CO2 in horizontal rectangular microchannels
Authors: Zhang Hongfei , Shi Lingfeng , Wang Xuan , Sun Rui , Yuan Ping , Tian Hua , Shu Gequn
Published: September 2022

The pressure drop characteristics of supercritical carbon dioxide (S-CO2) are experimentally studied in horizontal rectangular microchannels with hydraulic diameters of 1 and 2 mm, which are used in printed circuit heat exchangers. The operating conditions include an operating pressure of 9–12 MPa, a mass flux of 290–1200 kg/m2 s, and a heat flux of 25–50 kW/m2. The four contributors to pressure drop in the S-CO2 microchannels were investigated. The results indicate that the total pressure drop decreases for lower operating pressures and mass fluxes, whereas the heat flux has little impact. The most significant contributor to the total pressure drop is the frictional pressure drop. The accelerational pressure drop increases with the heat flux. Eventually, a new frictional resistance correlation is proposed where the microchannel size and thermophysical property variations are considered.
Necessary conditions for the instability of quasigeostrophic waves induced by trace shortwave radiative absorbers
Authors: Nathan Terrence R. , Grogan Dustin F. P.
Published: September 2022

Necessary conditions for radiative–dynamical instability of quasigeostrophic waves induced by trace shortwave radiative absorbers are derived. The analysis pivots on a pseudomomentum conservation equation that is obtained by combining conservation equations for quasigeostrophic potential vorticity, thermodynamic energy, and trace absorber mixing ratio. Under the assumptions that the absorber-induced diabatic heating rate is small and the zonal-mean basic state is hydrodynamically neutral, a perturbation analysis of the pseudomomentum equation yields the conditions for instability. The conditions, which only require knowledge of the zonally averaged background distributions of wind and absorber, expose the physical processes involved in destabilization—processes not exposed in previous analytical and modeling studies of trace absorber-induced instabilities. The simplicity of instability conditions underscores their utility as a tool that is both interpretive and predictive. The conditions for instability, which have broad application to synoptic-scale waves in Earth's and other planetary atmospheres, are discussed in light of previous instability studies involving stratospheric ozone and Saharan mineral dust aerosols.
Note for 100 years of Hanswalter Giesekus
Authors: Tanner Roger I.
Published: September 2022

This note comments on the author's interaction with Professor Hanswalter Giesekus and his rheological work.
Heat-processed bovine blood–rumen digesta meal and vegetable oil concentrate as partial replacement for soybean meal in broiler finisher diet
Authors: Diarra Siaka S. , Vi Samuela , Seuseu Faasoa , Molimau-Iosefa Tulia
Published: September 2022

Context Blood and rumen contents, which are currently considered wastes in many abattoirs, could be valuable ingredients in poultry feeding; however, several factors including high fibre and low energy may limit their dietary inclusion. There is need for more research on feed processing and diet formulation to maximise utilisation of these by-products in poultry feeding. Aim We investigated the effect on broiler finisher performance of feeding bovine blood, rumen digesta and vegetable oil concentrate as a partial replacement for soybean meal. Methods Three isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets were formulated: a control diet based on maize and soybean meal, and two test diets. In the test diets, heat-processed blood–rumen digesta meal and vegetable oil concentrate replaced 50% of the soybean meal, with and without exogenous enzymes. Diets were allocated to five replicate pens containing six Ross broilers aged 21 days in a completely randomised design for a period of 21 days. Key results Results showed no treatment effect (P > 0.05) on average daily feed intake but birds fed the test diets gained more weight (P < 0.05) and converted their feed more efficiently (P < 0.05) than the control group. Enzyme supplementation had no additional effect (P > 0.05) on growth performance. There were no dietary effects (P > 0.05) on relative weights of carcass and gut segments. Feed cost of liveweight gain and carcass weight was reduced (P < 0.05) on the test diets. Conclusion Heat-processed blood–rumen digesta meal and vegetable oil concentrate can replace up to 50% of soybean meal in broiler fishier diets. At this level of replacement, enzyme supplementation is not required. Implications The use of blood and rumen content in poultry diets has cost and environmental benefits.
Nest remains are insufficient to identify predators of waterfowl nests
Authors: Kemink Kaylan M. , Kuechle Kyle J. , Sieges Mason L. , Krohn Sam , Isaacson Cailey D. , Palarski John , Conrad Nick , Nelson Allicyn , Liu Boyan , Buhl Thomas K. , Ellis-Felege Susan N.
Published: September 2022

Context Nest predation is a leading cause of nest failure for most ground-nesting birds. Methods that allow for accurate classification of fate and identification of predators are important for understanding productivity and conservation strategies. Past studies have used a visual inspection of nest remains to determine nest fate and predict predator identity. Most formal assessments of these methods have addressed small-bodied birds nesting in trees or shrubs, and have revealed that use of evidence at nests can be relatively accurate for determining nest fate but may lead to incorrect conclusions regarding predator identity. However, few have tested the latter hypothesis for larger ground-nesting birds with precocial young. Aim We aimed to evaluate a classification system developed for determining nest fate and identifying predators of waterfowl nests, at both the scale of individual nests and across the study area. Methods From 2016 to 2020, we located 989 blue-winged teal (Spatula discors), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) and gadwall (Mareca strepera) nests in central North Dakota. We placed cameras at a subset of 249 nests and recorded evidence of nest remains at depredated nests. Key results The most common predators were American badgers (Taxidea taxus), followed by striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis), raccoons (Procyon lotor) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Using evidence of nest remains, we determined nest fates with high accuracy (98.0%). However, evidence of nest remains was only sufficient for identifying predators at 50% of nests, and the classification system was correct only 69.7% of the time. The predicted proportion of predators across the study area differed between the classification system and our video evidence as well. Conclusions The accuracy of predator identifications based upon the classification system that we evaluated was not supported at any scale. Implications Our results suggest that evidence of nest remains can be used to determine nest fate for large-bodied precocial, ground-nesting birds, but accurate identification of nest predators will require alternative methods such as nest cameras.
Can decreased cost-sharing reduce the vulnerability of sick families to poverty? An analysis of the multi-level social health insurance scheme in China
Authors: Dong Shiju , Fu Wenhao , Yu Zexuan , Li Jiajia
Published: September 2022

In recent years, China has been increasing social health insurance benefits to alleviate poverty due to illness. In 2015, China introduced the Critical Illness Insurance for patients with high out-of-pocket expenses as supplementary to the social health insurance, which categorized patients with different medical expenses into different cost-sharing policies. We conducted a survey on households with high-cost patients in rural Shandong in 2019 and employed the instrumental variables estimation approach to determine how different cost-sharing measures affect households’ poverty vulnerability. We found that cost-sharing reduction significantly decreases the vulnerability of sick families to poverty. Moreover, we found that the positive effect is attributed to a reduction in health burden and household livelihood capital shocks. The vulnerability to poverty is still exceptionally high owing to the heavy health burden in rural China and other developing countries. The results of our study provide insights into poverty alleviation by improving social health insurance in developing economies.
The Threshold for Stacked Triangulations
Authors: Lubetzky Eyal , Peled Yuval
Published: September 2022

A stacked triangulation of a $d$-simplex $\mathbf {o}=\{1,\ldots ,d+1\}$ ($d\geq 2$) is a triangulation obtained by repeatedly subdividing a $d$-simplex into $d+1$ new ones via a new vertex (the case $d=2$ is known as an Appolonian network). We study the occurrence of such a triangulation in the Linial–Meshulam model, that is, for which $p$ does the random simplicial complex $Y\sim {\mathcal {Y}}_d(n,p)$ contain the faces of a stacked triangulation of the $d$-simplex $\mathbf {o}$, with its internal vertices labeled in $[n]$. In the language of bootstrap percolation in hypergraphs, it pertains to the threshold for $K_{d+2}^{d+1}$, the $(d+1)$-uniform clique on $d+2$ vertices. Our main result identifies this threshold for every $d\geq 2$, showing it is asymptotically $(\alpha _d n)^{-1/d}$, where $\alpha _d$ is the growth rate of the Fuss–Catalan numbers of order $d$. The proof hinges on a second moment argument in the supercritical regime and on Kalai’s algebraic shifting in the subcritical regime.
Comprehensive coverage of particle acceleration and kinetic feedback from the stellar mass black hole V404 Cygni
Authors: Fender R P , Mooley K P , Motta S E , Bright J S , Williams D R A , Rushton A P , Beswick R J , Miller-Jones J C A , Kimura M , Isogai K , Kato T
Published: September 2022

We present analysis of comprehensive radio observations of the black hole V404 Cyg during its 2015 outburst. These data represent the best ever coverage of jet production and particle acceleration from any black hole. We report for the first time a clear and near-linear flux–rms correlation in the radio flux densities. Investigation of individual flares reveals in nearly all cases the peak corresponds to the transition from optically thick to thin to synchrotron emission, but an extended phase of particle acceleration is required in contrast to simple impulsive injection models. The largest radio flare is preceded by a phase of optical oscillations and followed one day later by a smaller but optically thin flare, likely due to ejecta interacting with the interstellar medium. Comparing the radio emission to contemporaneous X-ray and optical data, we find that the X-ray and radio measurements are correlated on all time-scales from seconds to one day. Correlation with the optical flux densities is weak at short time-scales, but becomes significant on time-scales greater than a few hours. We evaluate the physical conditions (size, magnetic field, and internal energy) associated with 86 individual radio flares, which in turn allows us to place a lower limit on the kinetic feedback over the 15 d of intense activity. If this energy was deposited locally to the source, as implied by the failure to detect jets on angular scales larger than milliarcsec, then we predict that a nova-like shell could have been formed.
A new window to tidal asteroseismology: non-linearly excited stellar eigenmodes and the period spacing pattern in KOI-54
Authors: Guo Zhao , Ogilvie Gordon I , Li Gang , Townsend Richard H D , Sun Meng
Published: September 2022

We revisit the tidally excited oscillations (TEOs) in the A-type main-sequence eccentric binary KOI-54, the prototype of heartbeat stars. Although the linear tidal response of the star is a series of orbital-harmonic frequencies which are not stellar eigenfrequencies, we show that the non-linearly excited non-orbital-harmonic TEOs are eigenmodes. By carefully choosing the modes which satisfy the mode-coupling selection rules, a period spacing (ΔP) pattern of quadrupole gravity modes (ΔP ≈ 2520–2535 s) can be discerned in the Fourier spectrum, with a detection significance level of $99.9{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$. The inferred period spacing value agrees remarkably well with the theoretical l = 2, m = 0 g modes from a stellar model with the measured mass, radius, and effective temperature. We also find that the two largest-amplitude TEOs at N = 90, 91 harmonics are very close to resonance with l = 2, m = 0 eigenmodes, and likely come from different stars. Previous works on tidal oscillations primarily focus on the modelling of TEO amplitudes and phases, the high sensitivity of TEO amplitude to the frequency detuning (tidal forcing frequency minus the closest stellar eigenfrequency) requires extremely dense grids of stellar models and prevents us from constraining the stellar physical parameters easily. This work, however, opens the window of real tidal asteroseismology by using the eigenfrequencies of the star inferred from the non-linear TEOs and possibly very-close-to-resonance linear TEOs. Our seismic modelling of these identified eigen g-modes shows that the best-matching stellar models have (M ≈ 2.20, 2.35 M⊙) and super-solar metallicity, in good agreement with previous measurements.
Withdrawal of MTX in rheumatoid arthritis patients on bDMARD/tsDMARD plus methotrexate at target: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Xiangpeng , Tang Ziyi , Huang Tianwen , Hu Huifang , Zhao Yaxi , Liu Yi
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of MTX withdrawal on disease activity and remission rate in patients at target after treatment with biologic DMARDs (bDMARDs)/targeted synthetic DMARDs (tsDMARDs) plus MTX.

Material and methods

We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) databases for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on MTX withdrawal in patients with RA at target after combination therapy from inception to 7 March 2022 in order to extract data, including: the change from withdrawal in DAS28 at the endpoint; proportion of low disease activity (LDA) assessed by DAS28, Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI) or Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI); proportion of remission assessed by DAS28, SDAI CDAI or ACR/EULAR Boolean remission. The Cochrane Q test and I2 test were used to assess heterogeneity, and random-effects models were used for data synthesis. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022303891).

Results

Six articles were included for qualitative and quantitative analysis, all of which were noninferior RCTs involving 1430 patients (734 in the withdrawal group and 696 in the continuation group). Compared with continuing combination therapy, tapering off or discontinuing MTX increased DAS28 by 0.20 (95% CI 0.09, 0.32, I2 = 0%) and decreased the percentage of patients with LDA assessed by DAS28 to <3.2 [risk ratio (RR) 0.88 (0.80, 0.97), I2 = 0%]. However, MTX withdrawal did not decrease remission rates assessed by DAS28, SDAI, CDAI or ACR/EULAR Boolean remission [RR 0.90 (0.81, 1.01), 0.93 (0.77, 1.11), 0.90 (0.74, 1.11), 0.95 (0.70, 1.29), respectively].

Conclusions

Withdrawing MTX slightly increases the RA disease activity in patients treated at target with bDMARDs/tsDMARDs plus MTX and has limited effects for patients with deep remission.
Omicron detection with large language models and YouTube audio data
Authors: Anibal James T. , Landa Adam J. , Hang Nguyen T. T. , Song Miranda J. , Peltekian Alec K. , Shin Ashley , Huth Hannah B. , Hazen Lindsey A. , Christou Anna S. , Rivera Jocelyne , Morhard Robert A. , Bagci Ulas , Li Ming , Bensoussan Yael , Clifton David A. , Wood Bradford J.
Published: September 2022

Publicly available audio data presents a unique opportunity for the development of digital health technologies with large language models (LLMs). In this study, YouTube was mined to collect audio data from individuals with self-declared positive COVID-19 tests as well as those with other upper respiratory infections (URI) and healthy subjects discussing a diverse range of topics. The resulting dataset was transcribed with the Whisper model and used to assess the capacity of LLMs for detecting self-reported COVID-19 cases and performing variant classification. Following prompt optimization, LLMs achieved accuracies of 0.89, 0.97, respectively, in the tasks of identifying self-reported COVID-19 cases and other respiratory illnesses. The model also obtained a mean accuracy of 0.77 at identifying the variant of self-reported COVID-19 cases using only symptoms and other health-related factors described in the YouTube videos. In comparison with past studies, which used scripted, standardized voice samples to capture biomarkers, this study focused on extracting meaningful information from public online audio data. This work introduced novel design paradigms for pandemic management tools, showing the potential of audio data in clinical and public health applications.