bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experiential Learning in Basic Design Studio: Body, Space and the Design Process
Authors: Caner Yüksel Çağla , Dinç Uyaroğlu İlkay
Published: July 2021

Basic Design is the beginning of design course series in architectural education which initiates architecture students to both architectural education and the profession. First‐year design curricula have generally common goals of students’ acquisitions about design knowledge, skill and competence; however, ways of teaching may vary. Here, we discuss our approach to teaching basic design during the second semester focusing on a particular phase of the curriculum. The aim of the article is to evaluate our teaching method, which is based on Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and targets at developing students’ comprehension and internalisation of body and space relations. Experiential Learning Theory underscores a four‐stage learning cycle: concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualisation and active experimentation. Referring to this cycle, we prioritised real‐life experiences to encourage students to explore various ways, modes and stages of designing. The cycle begins with lived experiences of body movements and space through ‘contact improvisation’ which simultaneously involves discovering movements of one’s body in relation to other bodies and space using basics of sharing improvised touch and movement consciousness. While practising contact improvisation in groups, students reflect on their experiences through sketches, photographs and videos. Based on their reflections, they produce three‐dimensional abstractions, which later transform into spatial designs. By the end, we state that these experimental exercises positively contribute to teaching/learning ‘body, scale and space’ within the basic design curriculum and question how future studies can be articulated to enhance design learning.
Disruptions Encouraged: Ubiquitous Technologies and Teaching Complex Studio Processes
Authors: Makemson Justin
Published: July 2021

Teaching complex studio processes requires methods beyond linear step‐by‐step instruction and methods more consistent with authentic studio practices. Instructors have to be able to deconstruct their own decision‐making processes, processes that have become somewhat automatic through experience, and then use this insight to anticipate how learners with less experience might respond when presented with a similar series of creative dilemmas. The author outlines a project in which pre‐service art teachers in a secondary methods course employ technology‐mediated methods, i.e. graphic organisers, instructional videos and online learning guides, to better understand complex studio processes and how to teach those processes through ubiquitous technologies The qualities of this work became evident during the 2020 coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic and consequent school closures, when the pandemic presented teacher preparation programmes with a unique challenge in how to negotiate pre‐service teaching practicums in a semester where students did not have ready access to a secondary art classroom.
Evaluation of serum calcium differences in hypertensive crises and control patients: A randomly matched case‐control study
Authors: Onor IfeanyiChukwu O. , Duchane Rose M. , Payne Casey J. , Lambert Hannah Naquin , Mitchner DeMaurian M. , Beyl Robbie A. , Nguyen Anh T. , Bilbe Sarah E. , White Andrea Arriaga , Johnson Mariah W. , Faciane Amber I. , Kouagou Emmanuel , Hymel Stephanie A. , Wates Bria M. , Sanders Asia D. , Vo Phillip C. B. , Bates Jordan D. , Spooner Raven J. , Gillard Christopher J. , Okogbaa John I. , Sarpong Daniel F. , Hadgu Rim M. , Okpechi Samuel C. , Onor Gabriel I. , Okoronkwo Michael C. , Naljayan Mihran V. , Guillory Shane G. , Sanne Shane E. ,   CardioRenal Research Group (CRRG)
Published: July 2021

The role of calcium in blood pressure has been widely studied among hypertensive patients; however, no study has explored the role of calcium in hypertensive crises. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the differences in serum calcium levels between hypertensive crises patients and a 1:1 random matched controls (age‐, sex‐, race‐, diabetes, and body mass index matched). This study is a single‐center, retrospective, chart review, case‐control study of patients with hypertensive crises (case group) and patients without hypertensive crises (control group). Patients were included in the case group if they were 18 years of age or older with hypertensive crises and have a documented calcium level. The control group patients were required to be 18 years of age or older, have a documented calcium level, and have no diagnosis of hypertensive crises. The primary outcome of the study was to compare the mean serum calcium in patients with hypertensive crises vs patients without hypertensive crises. Five hundred and sixty‐six patients were included in the study: 283 patients in both the case group and control group. The primary outcome results showed that serum calcium concentration was not significantly different between the case group (8.99 ± 0.78 mg/dL) and control group (8.96 ± 0.75 mg/dL) (P = .606). This study found no significant difference in serum calcium levels in patients with hypertensive crises compared to a random matched control group. Larger observational or experimental studies may be useful to evaluate the effect of calcium on blood pressure in hypertensive crises.
SD‐36 promotes growth inhibition and induces apoptosis via suppression of Mcl‐1 in glioma
Authors: Kong Shiqi , Ge Xinbo , Li Xin , Liu Zhenbo , Zhang Rui , Yang Ming , Wang Zhenhai , Li Zhenzhong
Published: July 2021

Glioma is one of the most commonly observed tumours, representing approximately 75% of brain tumours in the adult population. Generally, glioma therapy includes surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The transcription factor STAT3 (signal transducer and activator of transcription 3) is a promising target for the treatment of cancer and several other diseases. At nanomolar concentrations, SD‐36 induces rapid cellular degradation of STAT3 but cannot degrade other STAT proteins. The current study demonstrates the therapeutic efficacies of the STAT3 degraders SD‐36 against glioma, as well as understanding the elucidating mechanisms and identifying molecular markers that determine cell sensitivity to STAT3 degraders. Glioma cell lines possessed similar response patterns to SD‐36 but different responses to the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic. SD‐36 potently induced apoptosis in glioma cells along with a reduction in Mcl‐1 levels, which are critical for mediating the induction of apoptosis and enhancing TMZ‐induced apoptosis. Accordingly, SD‐36 sensitizes the antitumour effect of TMZ in patient‐derived xenograft. In addition, the downregulation of Mcl‐1 expression‐mediated antitumour effect of SD‐36 was analysed in cell‐derived xenograft. These observations need to be validated clinically to confirm the efficacy of STAT3 degraders in glioma.
Effects of anticholinergic and sedative medication use on fractures: A self‐controlled design study
Authors: Shmuel Shahar , Pate Virginia , Pepin Marc J. , Bailey Janine C. , Golightly Yvonne M. , Hanson Laura C. , Stürmer Til , Naumann Rebecca B. , Gnjidic Danijela , Lund Jennifer L.
Published: July 2021

Background/Objectives

Unintentional falls are a leading cause of injury for older adults, and evidence is needed to understand modifiable risk factors. We evaluated 1‐year fall‐related fracture risk and whether dispensing of medications with anticholinergic/sedating properties is temporally associated with an increased odds of these fractures.

Design

A retrospective cohort study with nested self‐controlled analyses conducted between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2016.

Setting

Twenty percent nationwide, random sample of US Medicare beneficiaries.

Participants

New users of medications with anticholinergic/sedating properties who were 66+ years old and had Medicare Parts A, B, and D coverage but no claims for medications with anticholinergic/sedating properties in the year before initiation were eligible.

Measurements

We followed new users of medications with anticholinergic/sedating properties until first non‐vertebral, fall‐related fracture (primary outcome), Medicare disenrollment, death, or end of study data. We estimated the 1‐year risk with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of first fracture after new use. We applied the self‐controlled case‐crossover and case‐time‐control designs to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs by comparing anticholinergic and/or sedating medication exposure (any vs. none) during a 14‐day hazard period preceding the fracture to exposure to these medications during an earlier 14‐day control period.

Results

A total of 1,097,989 Medicare beneficiaries initiated medications with anticholinergic/sedating properties in the study period. The 1‐year cumulative incidence of fall‐related fracture, accounting for death as a competing risk, was 5.0% (95% CI: 5.0%–5.0%). Using the case‐crossover design (n = 41,889), the adjusted OR for the association between anticholinergic/sedating medications and fractures was 1.03 (95% CI: 0.99, 1.08). Accounting for the noted temporal trend using the case‐time‐control design (n = 209,395), the adjusted OR was 1.60 (95% CI: 1.52, 1.69).

Conclusion

Use of anticholinergic/sedating medication was temporally associated with an increased odds of fall‐related fractures. Patients and their healthcare providers should consider pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic treatments for the target condition that are safer.
Modern slavery footprints in global supply chains
Authors: Shilling Hannah‐Jayne , Wiedmann Thomas , Malik Arunima
Published: July 2021

Slavery is more prevalent today than at any point in human history. Society's heightened scrutiny and new government policy is forcing businesses and nations to act in lieu of reputational, financial, and legal repercussions. However, slavery hides within complex supply chains, making it difficult to identify instances of human exploitation. This study takes a consumption perspective by investigating the potential of footprinting in exposing modern slavery impacts embodied in upstream supply chains. A multi‐regional input–output analysis extended with a slavery satellite account enables footprints of direct and indirect incidents of modern slavery to be quantified. The footprints reveal a displacement of slavery from developed to developing nations through the global supply chains of production. Accountability for enslavement significantly increases for countries and regions like North America, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan due to a high dependence on imports with embodied human exploitation. The results expose hotspot sectors, including construction, trade, and agriculture. These footprints go beyond current estimates of slavery in supply chains, revealing hidden impacts and the true risk, which may enable more effective action into improving global social sustainability and support companies to responsibly manage their supply chains.
Growth performance, rumen fermentation and economic analysis of Malpura lambs raised on milk replacer at different weaning age under semiarid conditions
Authors: Bhatt Randhir Singh , Sarkar Srobana , Sahoo Artabandhu , Sankhyan Surendra Kumar
Published: July 2021

Pre‐weaning nutrition has significant influence on post‐weaning performance of lambs. Strategic weaning management on milk replacer allowance at this phase can be a promising approach for harvesting desired carcass trait in finisher phase. Therefore, present experiment aimed economizing pre‐weaning weight gain in lambs by feeding milk replacer and subsequently minimizing weaning age. A study of 90 days duration was conducted to determine the production performance, nutrient utilization and rumen fermentation of lambs on milk replacer allowance at different weaning age. Sixty‐six Malpura lambs (10 days of age) were randomly divided into 3 equal groups. Lambs in control group were allowed conventional free suckling of dam up to 90 day of age, whereas lambs in the two treatment groups, that is W60 and W90 were offered milk replacer and weaned at 60 and 90 days, respectively. Lambs in all groups were offered ad‐libitum creep mixture, Ziziphus nummularia leaves, Vigna unguiculata hay and fresh Ailanthus excelsa leaves. Overall weight gain was 12.7 per cent higher (p < 0.05) in W90 than control whereas in W60 group it was statistically comparable with both control and W90 groups. Overall average daily gain was 12.1 per cent higher (p < 0.05) in W90 group as compared to control. In case of nutrient digestibility, there was significant depression of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) by 16.9, 17.2, 9.3 and 32.0 per cent in W60 than control; however, in W90, CP digestibility was higher (p < 0.05) than control and W60. Considering economic analysis, the net return obtained from W90 (90 days weaning plus milk replacer allowance) was more 20.0 per cent higher than control. Therefore, it can be concluded that lamb rearing on milk replacer and weaning at 90 days have a sustained positive effect on lambs’ production performance and is more profitable than the practice of milk replacer allowance and early weaning in semiarid conditions.
Trends in Free‐access Genomic Data Accelerate Advances in Cyanobacteria Taxonomy
Authors: Dextro Rafael B. , Delbaje Endrews , Cotta Simone R. , Zehr Jonathan P. , Fiore Marli F.
Published: July 2021

Free access databases of DNA sequences containing microbial genetic information have changed the way scientists look at the microbial world. Currently, the NCBI database includes about 516 distinct search results for Cyanobacterial genomes distributed in a taxonomy based on a polyphasic approach. While their classification and taxonomic relationships are widely used as is, recent proposals to alter their grouping include further exploring the relationship between Cyanobacteria and Melainabacteria. Nowadays, most cyanobacteria still are named under the Botanical Code; however, there is a proposal made by the Genome Taxonomy Database (GTDB) to harmonize cyanobacteria nomenclature with the other bacteria, an initiative to standardize microbial taxonomy based on genome phylogeny, in order to contribute to an overall better phylogenetic resolution of microbiota. Furthermore, the assembly level of the genomes and their geographical origin demonstrates some trends of cyanobacteria genomics on the scientific community, such as low availability of complete genomes and underexplored sampling locations. By describing how available cyanobacterial genomes from free‐access databases fit within different taxonomic classifications, this mini‐review provides a holistic view of the current knowledge of cyanobacteria and indicates some steps towards improving our efforts to create a more cohesive and inclusive classifying system, which can be greatly improved by using large‐scale sequencing and metagenomic techniques.
Risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis B and D virus co‐infected patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of longitudinal studies
Authors: Kamal Habiba , Fornes Romina , Simin Johanna , Stål Per , Duberg Ann‐Sofi , Brusselaers Nele , Aleman Soo
Published: July 2021

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection causes a severe chronic viral hepatitis with accelerated development of liver cirrhosis and decompensation, but whether it further increases the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unclear. We performed a comprehensive systematic review of the published literature and meta‐analysis to assess the risk of HCC in HDV and hepatitis B virus (HBV) co‐infected, compared to HBV mono‐infected patients. The study was conducted per a priori defined protocol, including only longitudinal studies, thus excluding cross‐sectional studies. Random‐effects models were used to determine aggregate effect sizes (ES) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta‐regression was used to examine the associations among study level characteristics. Twelve cohort studies comprising a total of 6099 HBV/HDV co‐infected and 57,620 chronic HBV mono‐infected patients were analysed. The overall pooled ES showed that HBV/HDV co‐infected patients were at 2‐fold increased risk of HCC compared to HBV mono‐infected patients (ES = 2.12, 95% CI 1.14–3.95, I2 = 72%, N = 12). A six‐fold significant increased risk of HCC was noted among HIV/HBV/HDV triple‐infected, compared to HIV/HBV co‐infected patients. The magnitude of ES did not differ significantly after adjustment for study design and quality, publication year and follow‐up duration in univariable meta‐regression analysis. This systematic review and meta‐analysis shows that infection with HDV is associated with a 2‐fold higher risk of HCC development compared to HBV mono‐infection. HCC surveillance strategies taking this increased risk into account, and new treatment options against HDV, are warranted.
Exposure history, petrology, and shock‐induced sulfidization reaction of Alatage Mountain 001 strewn field samples
Authors: Li Shijie , Leya Ingo , Wang Shijie , Smith Thomas , Bao Huiming , Fan Yan , Mo Bing
Published: July 2021

Several hundred meteorites with a total mass of over 100 kg were collected as the Alatage Mountain (AM) strewn field located in the Kumtag desert, Xinjiang Province, China. Twelve AM meteorites were studied in this work. Petrography, mineralogy, bulk chemistry, bulk oxygen isotopic compositions, and light noble gas concentrations and isotopic compositions were determined for all or for a selection of the meteorites. The studied meteorites are L‐chondrites that suffered a very strong impact; impact melt veins and melt pockets are widely distributed. More than 50% of the troilite exists in the form of blebs and veins in olivine and pyroxene. Some of these meteorites are impact melt recrystallized rocks (e.g., AM 037). The strong impact caused the decomposition of troilite, which led in AM 034 to the sulfidization reaction of olivine. The metal in most meteorites is almost completely altered, and the troilite has been significantly oxidized. Weathering resulted in the depletion of Mg, Fe, Co, and Ni, and the enrichment of Sr, Ba, Pb, and U in these meteorites. The cosmic ray exposure (CRE) ages measured for these specimens range between 6.2 ± 1.9 Ma and 9.0 ± 2.7 Ma, depending on the cosmogenic nuclide used. The average CRE age is 7.6 ± 1.3 Ma. Both4He and40Ar gas retention ages indicate that the strong impact which caused the shock effects occurred about 320 Ma ago.
Associations between prepregnancy body mass index, gestational weight gain and weight catch‐up in small‐for‐gestational‐age children
Authors: Huang Lihua , Jiang Shiwei , Xu Jian , Lei Xiaoping , Zhang Jun
Published: July 2021

Inadequate gestational weight gain (GWG) was related with a higher incidence of small‐for‐gestational‐age (SGA) births than appropriate GWG; however, the long‐term association of maternal GWG with weight catch‐up growth in SGA children remains unknown. The objective of this study is to evaluate the associations between prepregnancy body mass index (pBMI), GWG and weight catch‐up patterns in SGA children. Data were from the Collaborative Perinatal Project, an American multicentre prospective cohort study. A total of 56,990 gravidas were recruited at the first prenatal visit, and children were followed up until school age. Maternal pBMI, GWG and physical growth of the offspring at birth, 4 months, 1 year, 4 years and 7 years old were recorded. The latent class analysis was employed to form weight catch‐up growth patterns (appropriate, excessive, slow, regression and no catch‐up patterns) in SGA children. SGA children who developed the ‘appropriate catch‐up growth’ pattern and whose mothers had appropriate pBMI and GWG were chosen as the reference. Associations between GWG for different pBMI and weight catch‐up patterns were analysed by multivariate logistic regression models. A total of 1619 infants (9.45%) were born term SGA. After adjusting for relevant confounders, compared with SGA children whose mothers had appropriate pBMI and GWG, SGA children with maternal prepregnancy underweight (for inadequate GWG, GWG below recommendations, adjusted OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.13–7.31; for appropriate/excessive GWG, adjusted OR: 3.07, 95% CI: 1.74–5.42) or with prepregnancy normal weight but inadequate GWG (adjusted OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.36–3.38) were at a higher risk of having the ‘no catch‐up growth’ pattern. We suggest that SGA children with maternal prepregnancy underweight or inadequate GWG tend to have a poor weight catch‐up growth at least until school age.
Differential diagnosis checklists reduce diagnostic error differentially: A randomised experiment
Authors: Kämmer Juliane E. , Schauber Stefan K. , Hautz Stefanie C. , Stroben Fabian , Hautz Wolf E.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Wrong and missed diagnoses contribute substantially to medical error. Can a prompt to generate alternative diagnoses (prompt) or a differential diagnosis checklist (DDXC) increase diagnostic accuracy? How do these interventions affect the diagnostic process and self‐monitoring?

Methods

Advanced medical students (N = 90) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions to complete six computer‐based patient cases: group 1 (prompt) was instructed to write down all diagnoses they considered while acquiring diagnostic test results and to finally rank them. Groups 2 and 3 received the same instruction plus a list of 17 differential diagnoses for the chief complaint of the patient. For half of the cases, the DDXC contained the correct diagnosis (DDXC+), and for the other half, it did not (DDXC−; counterbalanced). Group 4 (control) was only instructed to indicate their final diagnosis. Mixed‐effects models were used to analyse results.

Results

Students using a DDXC that contained the correct diagnosis had better diagnostic accuracy, mean (standard deviation), 0.75 (0.44), compared to controls without a checklist, 0.49 (0.50), P < 0.001, but those using a DDXC that did not contain the correct diagnosis did slightly worse, 0.43 (0.50), P = 0.602. The number and relevance of diagnostic tests acquired were not affected by condition, nor was self‐monitoring. However, participants spent more time on a case in the DDXC−, 4:20 min (2:36), P ≤ 0.001, and DDXC+ condition, 3:52 min (2:09), than in the control condition, 2:59 min (1:44), P ≤ 0.001.

Discussion

Being provided a list of possible diagnoses improves diagnostic accuracy compared with a prompt to create a differential diagnosis list, if the provided list contains the correct diagnosis. However, being provided a diagnosis list without the correct diagnosis did not improve and might have slightly reduced diagnostic accuracy. Interventions neither affected information gathering nor self‐monitoring.
Severance of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal mycelial networks in restoration grasslands enhances seedling biomass
Authors: Dassen Sigrid , van der Putten Wim H. , De Deyn Gerlinde B.
Published: July 2021

Establishment and growth of grassland plant species is generally promoted by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) when grown in isolation. However, in grassland communities AMF form networks that may connect individual plants of different ages within and between species. Here, we use an ingrowth core approach to examine how mycorrhizal networks influences performance of seedlings in grasslands.

We selected four grass and four forb species with known negative or neutral‐positive plant–soil feedback and grew them individually in steel mesh cores filled with living field soil. Cores were placed in six restored grasslands, three grasslands were of relatively young and three were of older successional age.

Ingrowing mycorrhizal fungal hyphae were severed twice a week in half of all cores, which resulted into reduced AMF colonization and increased seedling biomass, irrespective of the fields' succession stage, and the plants' grass/forb group, or plant–soil feedback type. In the control cores, root colonization by AMF was negatively correlated to seedling biomass, whereas there was no such relationships in the cores that had been lifted.

We conclude that connections to arbuscular mycorrhizal networks of surrounding plants had a negative impact on biomass of establishing forb and grass seedlings.
Market competition, exchange rate uncertainty, and foreign direct investment
Authors: Lin Chia‐Ching , Chen Kun‐Ming
Published: July 2021

This paper applies a real option game approach to examine the impact of market competition on the timing of foreign direct investment under exchange rate uncertainty both theoretically and empirically. Theoretically, we establish that a more competitive foreign market deters a market‐seeking firm from entering the market earlier if it faces exchange rate uncertainty. By contrast, a more competitive home market might induce a cost‐oriented firm to shift its production to a low‐wage foreign country earlier. A recent survey data set of Taiwanese firm investment into China is employed to assess the validity of our theoretical framework. With event history modeling, our empirical results are generally consistent with our theoretical prediction.
Effect of silver diamine fluoride on hyperplastic gingivitis in an adult with intellectual disability—A case report
Authors: Lim Guang Xu David , Yang Jingrong
Published: July 2021

Silver diamine fluoride 38% (SDF) may possess therapeutic effects beyond desensitization, caries prevention and arresting. We report the case of a 41‐year‐old male with intellectual disability. He had generalized gingivitis on a reduced periodontium and presented with enlarged gingiva with mobile teeth, particularly on the upper anterior and upper left. The inflammation could not be fully resolved despite multiple debridement treatments. Due to prevalent demineralization and hypersensitive teeth on the upper left area, SDF was applied. This not only reduced the perceived hypersensitivity, but significantly improved his periodontal condition and tooth mobility over the applied areas. We discuss the potential of SDF beyond its current use.
Mirabolic Satake equivalence and supergroups
Authors: Braverman Alexander , Finkelberg Michael , Ginzburg Victor , Travkin Roman
Published: July 2021

We construct a mirabolic analogue of the geometric Satake equivalence. We also prove an equivalence that relates representations of a supergroup to the category of $\operatorname{GL}(N-1,{\mathbb {C}}[\![t]\!])$-equivariant perverse sheaves on the affine Grassmannian of $\operatorname{GL}_N$. We explain how our equivalences fit into a more general framework of conjectures due to Gaiotto and to Ben-Zvi, Sakellaridis and Venkatesh.
Li-Ion Capacitors Based on Activated Ferric Oxide as an Anode
Authors: Zhao Xinhui , Ren Qingqing
Published: July 2021

Low-cost Fe-based electrode materials for Li-ion energy storage devices attract lots of attention. In this work, porous Fe2O3 nanoparticles are synthesized by a simple route. First, their lithium storage performance is investigated by assembling half-cell configurations with Li foil as the counter electrode. During initial dozens of cycles, capacities of Fe2O3 nanoparticles fall off rapidly, which is related to continuous growth of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). Amazingly, the capacities show an upturn in extended cycles. The pseudocapacitance of activated capacities is revealed by executing cyclic voltammetry (CV) tests at various scan rates on 500-cycled Fe2O3 electrodes. Based on electrochemical results, we speculate this special cycling performance of Fe2O3 nanoparticles may be associated with reversible electrochemical processes of SEI under the catalysis of nano-size Fe. Further, 500-cycled Fe2O3 anodes are reassembled with activated carbon cathodes for Li-ion capacitors (LICs). The LICs show energy densities of 110 Wh kg−1 at power densities of 136 W kg−1, and 72.8% capacity retention after 3000 cycles at 2 A g−1. We report an interesting electrochemical behavior of porous Fe2O3 nanoparticles, and a high-performance LIC based on activated Fe2O3 as an anode. This work may offer a new understanding for lithium storage capacities of metal oxide anodes.
Assessment of Particle Candidates for Falling Particle Receiver Applications Through Irradiance and Thermal Cycling
Authors: Schroeder Nathan , Albrecht Kevin
Published: July 2021

Falling particle receiver (FPR) systems are a rapidly developing technology for concentrating solar power applications. Solid particles are used as both the heat transfer fluid and system thermal energy storage media. Through the direct irradiation of the solid particles, flux and temperature limitations of tube-bundle receives can be overcome, leading to higher operating temperatures and energy conversion efficiencies. Candidate particles for FPR systems must be resistant to changes in optical properties during long term exposure to high temperatures and thermal cycling using highly concentrated solar irradiance. Five candidate particles, CARBOBEAD HSP 40/70, CARBOBEAD CP 40/100, including three novel particles, CARBOBEAD MAX HD 35, CARBOBEAD HD 350, and WanLi Diamond Black, were tested using simulated solar flux cycling and tube furnace thermal aging. Each particle candidate was exposed for 10 000 cycles (simulating the exposure of a 30-year lifetime) using a shutter to attenuate the solar simulator flux. Feedback from a pyrometer temperature measurement of the irradiated particle surface was used to control the maximum temperatures of 775 °C and 975 °C. Particle solar-weighted absorptivity and emissivity were measured at 2000 cycle intervals. Particle thermal degradation was also studied by heating particles to 800 °C, 900 °C, and 1000 °C for 300 hours in a tube furnace purged with bottled unpurified air. Here particle absorptivity and emissivity were measured at 100-hour intervals. Measurements taken after irradiance cycling and thermal aging were compared to measurements taken from as-received particles. WanLi Diamond Black particles had the highest initial value for solar weighted absorptance, 96%, but degraded up to 4% in irradiance cycling and 6% in thermal aging. CARBOBEAD HSP 40/70 particles currently in use in the prototype FPR at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility had an initial value of 95% solar absorptance with up to a 1% drop after irradiance cycling and 4% drop after 1000 °C thermal aging.
Numerical Assessment of Packing Structures for Gas-Particle Trickle Flow Heat Exchanger for Application in CSP Plants
Authors: Reichart Markus , Neises-von Puttkamer Martina , Buck Reiner , Pitz-Paal Robert
Published: July 2021

The centrifugal particle receiver (CentRec), a direct absorbing receiver operating with ceramic particles, demonstrated at the Julich solar power tower under solar conditions technical large-scale feasibility, generating particle outlet temperatures up to 965 °C. To push particle based CSP technology further towards commercial application the high particle temperatures have to be transferred to a working fluid, like air. A gas-particle trickle flow direct contact heat exchanger (TFHX) has been identified with great potential for high efficiency heat transfer. Inspired by chemical trickle flow reactors and previous work in literature focusing on the gas-particle TFHX concept for temperatures up to 500 °C, the approach and its applicability for high temperature heat exchanger shall be developed further in future. In preparation for subsequent research activities, the present work focuses on the preliminary selection of suitable packing structures for the TFHX. Packing assessment criteria are defined and used to assess the particle behavior within a variety of 44 different packing geometries. The analysis was performed using the open source DEM software LIGGHTS-PUBLIC whereas at this early stage of investigation gas presence was neglected. In the analysis process the packing structures are assessed with the previously defined assessment criteria and reduced to one type of a favorable geometry type. In conclusion, the advantageous characteristics of the identified geometry type are discussed. The presented study gives a methodical selection for packing structures and first starting point for further investigating in the field of the gas-particle TFHX whereas in subsequent work the influence of gas flow to the particle dynamic must be investigated by experimental and simulation work.
Particle Plume Velocities Extracted From High-Speed Thermograms Through Particle Image Velocimetry
Authors: Ortega Jesus D. , Anaya Guillermo , Vorobieff Peter , Ho Clifford K. , Mohan Gowtham
Published: July 2021

Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) measurements are commonly used to determine velocity fields from a flow, given that sufficient tracers can be added and tracked to determine their motion. While these types of measurements are typically completed using high-speed cameras to capture the trajectories of the tracer particles, the experiments performed at the University of New Mexico generated extensive time-resolved infrared temperature image (i.e. thermogram) sets of a free-falling particle curtain captured at 300 Hz. The camera used for such measurements was an ImageIR8300 high-speed IR camera which provides a resolution of 640 × 512. The thermogram sets acquired have been extensively analyzed with two commonly used commercial PIV analysis packages, DaVis and PIVlab. The comparison between the two software packages showed consistent velocity fields and contours, along with corresponding average velocity as functions of discharge position. As expected, the vertical velocity component of these gravity-driven curtains follows a trend that resembles a free-falling sphere rather than a falling sphere experiencing drag. The study also found that the discharge velocity showed negligible effects due to the inlet particle temperature of the curtain. These results will be applied to the development of a methodology to estimate the mass flow rate of particle curtain and plumes using a novel non-intrusive image correlation methodology.
Performance of Bio-Inspired Oscillating Hydrofoil Turbine; a Computational Fluid Dynamics Study
Authors: Osman Sameer , Mansour Esraa
Published: July 2021

Renewable energy has seen significant growth in the past decades because it is sustainable, has no pollution effects, and not subject to oil or gas reserves. Hydroelectric power is the cheapest type of renewable energy worldwide, even though it had limited growth in the past decades. Oscillating-hydrofoil turbine is a new type of hydroelectric turbines operating in continuous streams of water currents. In this study, a two-dimensional, unsteady computational model was developed to predict the oscillating-hydrofoil turbine’s performance using different foil sections. This model was validated with the existing experimental data in the literature. Standard symmetric foil and non-standard foils that are bio-inspired from hummingbird wings were investigated for their impact on the turbine’s performance. Results for the lift, drag, and power coefficients for these foils were compared throughout the cycle to the NACA symmetric foil used previously. Results of the vorticity contours show that the leading-edge curvature of the foil has a significant effect on the formation of the leading-edge vortex, therefore, affecting the dynamic lift force. Furthermore, using bio-inspired foils with a slight camber, the unit’s power density and efficiency increased significantly during the upward lift stroke. However, the downward lift stroke was adversely affected, which introduced the suggestion of using two reversed foils in tandem operation to obtain maximum efficiency. The largest power coefficient was obtained for the NACA0015 foil, which was equal to 0.37, and the second-best was for the RAF-19 foil with a value of 0.368.
Upper and Lower Threshold Limit of Chilled and Condenser Water Temperature Set-Points During ANN Based Optimized Control
Authors: Yeon Sang Hun , Kang Won Hee , Lee Je Hyeon , Song Kwan Woo , Chae Young Tae , Lee Kwang Ho
Published: July 2021

In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) based real-time predictive control and optimization algorithm for a chiller-based cooling system was developed and applied to an actual building to analyze its cooling energy saving effects through in-situ application and actual measurements. For this purpose, we set the cooling tower’s condenser water outlet temperature and the chiller’s chilled water outlet temperature as the system control variables. During the analysis, unexpected abnormal data were observed due to insufficient training data and a limited consideration of the outdoor air wet-bulb temperature when determining the condenser water temperature set-point. Therefore, it is necessary to build training data under a wide range of conditions and to set the condenser water temperature set-point lower limit to be outdoor air wet-bulb temperature +3.6°C in the outdoor wet-bulb temperature region above 23°C, so that further energy savings can be achieved.
Europe's deadly floods leave scientists stunned
Authors: Cornwall Warren
Published: July 2021

Despite improvements, flood forecasts sometimes failed to flag risks along smaller streams.
A few lucky researchers return to the field
Authors: Pennisi Elizabeth
Published: July 2021

The pandemic has transformed fieldwork and upended careers.
DNA plucked from air identifies nearby animals
Authors: Stokstad Erik
Published: July 2021

Analysis of airborne cells could survey biodiversity, two studies of zoo animals suggest.
Event Horizon Telescope images second black hole's jets
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: July 2021

Globe-spanning instrument's snapshot of Centaurus A galaxy suggests all black holes operate similarly.
WHO chief pressures China on pandemic origin
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2021

Agency director calls for lab audits and more studies of how SARS-CoV-2 emerged.
Revealing enzyme functional architecture via high-throughput microfluidic enzyme kinetics
Authors: Markin C. J. , Mokhtari D. A. , Sunden F. , Appel M. J. , Akiva E. , Longwell S. A. , Sabatti C. , Herschlag D. , Fordyce P. M.
Published: July 2021

Go big or you'll get lost

Rational mutagenesis is a common approach to investigating or engineering enzyme function in vitro, but the ease with which one can manipulate protein sequences belies many pitfalls in connecting sparse activity data to an enzyme's true functional landscape. Using a high-throughput platform, Markin
et al.
expressed, purified, and performed an array of kinetic measurements on a target esterase, collecting data from >1000 mutations spanning the entire protein (see the Perspective by Baumer and Whitehead). Protein misfolding into an inactive state, rather than decreased equilibrium stability, was a crucial factor in negatively affected variants spread throughout the protein. When combined with prior mechanistic understanding and structures, four “functional components” help to rationalize the otherwise complex spatial pattern of effects of mutations on different aspects of enzyme function, all of which would be invisible from mutagenesis of just a few residues.

Science
, abf8761, this issue p.
eabf8761
; see also abj8346, p.
391
The interior of Mars revealed
Authors: Cottaar Sanne , Koelemeijer Paula
Published: July 2021

Direct seismic observations provide clues to the red planet's structure and evolution
Coherent manipulation of a spin qubit
Authors: Wendin Göran , Shumeiko Vitaly
Published: July 2021

A new device opens new avenues for spin qubits
Draft Genome Sequences of Corynebacterium diphtheriae Clinical Isolates from Colombia
Authors: Montilla-Escudero Efraín Andrés , Bernal Johan Fabian
Published: July 2021

Since the implementation of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DPT) vaccine in Colombia, there has been a decrease in the reporting of cases. Here, we report two isolates of
Corynebacterium diphtheriae
bv. mitis isolated in the reference laboratory at Instituto Nacional de Salud from samples received from Norte de Santander and La Guajira; both areas are located on the northeast border of Colombia.
LGAAP:
Leishmaniinae
Genome Assembly and Annotation Pipeline
Authors: Almutairi Hatim , Urbaniak Michael D. , Bates Michelle D. , Jariyapan Narissara , Kwakye-Nuako Godwin , Thomaz-Soccol Vanete , Al-Salem Waleed S. , Dillon Rod J. , Bates Paul A. , Gatherer Derek
Published: July 2021

We present the LGAAP computational pipeline, which was successfully used to assemble six genomes of the parasite subfamily
Leishmaniinae
to chromosome-scale completeness from a combination of long- and short-read sequencing data. LGAAP is open source, and we suggest that it may easily be ported for assembly of any genome of comparable size (∼35 Mb).
Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Viruses Collected during the Ending Phase of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Bangladesh
Authors: Jahan Munira , Bhattacharjee Arittra , Rahmat Raad , Islam S. M. Rashedul , Akhter Tahmina , Ahammad Ishtiaque , Hossain Mohammad Uzzal , Munshi Saif Ullah , Salimullah M.
Published: July 2021

Mutations, deletions, and the emergence of new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may pose a serious health threat. Here, we report the genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 viruses that were collected from SARS-CoV-2-infected patients during the end phase of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Draft Genome Sequence of Rhodococcus erythropolis VKPM Ac-1659, a Putative Oil-Degrading Strain Isolated from Polluted Soil in Siberia
Authors: Korzhenkov A. A. , Bakhmutova E. D. , Izotova A. O. , Bavtushnyi A. A. , Sidoruk K. V. , Patrusheva E. V. , Patrushev M. V. , Toshchakov S. V.
Published: July 2021

The draft genome sequence of
Rhodococcus erythropolis
Ac-1659, a putative oil-degrading strain, is reported. This genome sequence may provide better insights into the diversity and evolution of the genes responsible for hydrocarbon degradation in soil microorganisms.
Anisocoria in an intubated patient with COVID-19
Authors: Myers Sam , Bhalla Minak , Jolly Rohit , Jain Saurabh
Published: July 2021

The effects of COVID-19 on the eye are still widely unknown. We describe a case of a patient who was intubated and proned in the intensive care unit (ICU) for COVID-19 and developed unilateral anisocoria. CT venogram excluded a cavernous sinus thrombosis. MRI of the head showed microhaemorrhages in the midbrain where the pupil reflex nuclei are located. After the patient was stepped down from ICU, intraocular pressure (IOP) was found to be raised in that eye. A diagnosis of subacute closed angle glaucoma was made. It is important for clinicians to rule out thrombotic causes in patients who develop acute anisocoria. It is also crucial to measure IOP in patients who develop ophthalmic pathology and have been proned for extended periods.
Penile and scrotal oedema along with urinary retention after insulin therapy
Authors: Takeda Yoshimichi , Karashima Shigehiro , Kometani Mitsuhiro , Yoneda Takashi
Published: July 2021

Insulin oedema is a rare complication of insulin treatment characterised by an absence of heart, liver and renal involvement. Insulin oedema typically develops in the lower extremities or, less frequently, as generalised oedema after initiation of insulin therapy. We report a 59-year-old man with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes who developed oedema in his penis and scrotum accompanied by weight gain following intensive insulin therapy. His oedema improved after reduction of the daily insulin injection dose and treatment for urinary retention. Penile and scrotal oedema is a rare physical finding for the patient with diabetes. Therefore, in patients with poorly controlled diabetes who have started insulin therapy, physicians should pay attention to urinary retention and do not miss changes in weight gain or oedema in the lower body, including the perineal region.
Feeding gastrostomy stoma site cutaneous myiasis: a rare entity
Authors: Das Snehasis , Gaur Naveen Kumar , Shaikh Oseen Hajilal , Kumbhar Uday Shamrao
Published: July 2021

Infestation of any dead or necrotic tissues by the larvae of flies (maggots) is myiasis. This form of habitation is not restricted to any particular tissues in the body and can occur anywhere. However, myiasis at the surgical stoma site is very rare. We present a 55-year-old woman diagnosed with metastatic carcinoma of the oesophagus who underwent feeding gastrostomy (FG). The patient later presented with worms at the FG site. We removed the FG tube, cleared all the maggots, thoroughly cleaned the wound and placed a new FG tube. Although its occurrences have been reported enough in medical history, there are only two documented cases of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy stoma site myiasis. Hence, we present the first case in the literature of cutaneous myiasis around an FG stoma site.
Building a multisystemic understanding of societal resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Wernli Didier , Clausin Mia , Antulov-Fantulin Nino , Berezowski John , Biller-Andorno Nikola , Blanchet Karl , Böttcher Lucas , Burton-Jeangros Claudine , Escher Gérard , Flahault Antoine , Fukuda Keiji , Helbing Dirk , Jaffé Philip D , Søgaard Jørgensen Peter , Kaspiarovich Yuliya , Krishnakumar Jaya , Lawrence Roderick John , Lee Kelley , Léger Anaïs , Levrat Nicolas , Martischang Romain , Morel Chantal M , Pittet Didier , Stauffer Maxime , Tediosi Fabrizio , Vanackere Flore , Vassalli Jean-Dominique , Wolff Gaélane , Young Oran
Published: July 2021

The current global systemic crisis reveals how globalised societies are unprepared to face a pandemic. Beyond the dramatic loss of human life, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered widespread disturbances in health, social, economic, environmental and governance systems in many countries across the world. Resilience describes the capacities of natural and human systems to prevent, react to and recover from shocks. Societal resilience to the current COVID-19 pandemic relates to the ability of societies in maintaining their core functions while minimising the impact of the pandemic and other societal effects. Drawing on the emerging evidence about resilience in health, social, economic, environmental and governance systems, this paper delineates a multisystemic understanding of societal resilience to COVID-19. Such an understanding provides the foundation for an integrated approach to build societal resilience to current and future pandemics.