bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Musical development during adolescence: Perceptual skills, cognitive resources, and musical training
Authors: Müllensiefen Daniel , Elvers Paul , Frieler Klaus
Published: October 2022

Longitudinal studies on musical development can provide very valuable insights and potentially evidence for causal mechanisms driving the development of musical skills and cognitive resources, such as working memory and intelligence. Nonetheless, quantitative longitudinal studies on musical and cognitive development are very rare in the published literature. Hence, the aim of this paper is to document available longitudinal evidence on musical development from three different sources. In part I, data from a systematic literature review are presented in a graphical format, making developmental trends from five previous longitudinal studies comparable. Part II presents a model of musical development derived from music‐related variables that are part of the British Millennium Cohort Study. In part III, data from the ongoing LongGold project are analyzed answering five questions on the change of musical skills and cognitive resources across adolescence and on the role that musical training and activities might play in these developmental processes. Results provide evidence for substantial near transfer effects (from musical training to musical skills) and weaker evidence for far‐transfer to cognitive variables. But results also show evidence of cognitive profiles of high intelligence and working memory capacity that are conducive to strong subsequent growth rates of musical development.
Mesenchymal β‐catenin signaling affects palatogenesis by regulating α‐actinin‐4 and F‐actin
Authors: Wang Xiaoming , Liu Weilong , Luo Xiao , Zheng Qian , Shi Bing , Liu Renkai , Li Chenghao
Published: October 2022

Objective

Our previous research have found that mesenchymal β‐catenin may be involved in palatal shelf (PS) elevation by regulating F‐actin. Here, we further investigated the exact mechanism of β‐catenin/F‐actin in the PS mesenchyme to regulate palatal reorientation.

Materials and Methods

(1) Firstly, Ctnnb1ex3f (β‐catenin) mice were conditionally overexpressed in the palatal mesenchyme by crossing with the Sox9‐creERT2 mice (induced by Tamoxifen injections); (2) Subsequently, histology and immunohistochemistry were used to characterize the variations of PS morphology and expression of key molecules associated with developmental process; (3) Finally, experiments in vivo and ex vivo were employed to identify the critical mechanisms in β‐catenin silenced and overexpressed models.

Results

We found that the Sox9CreER; Ctnnb1ex3f mice exhibited failed palatal elevation and visible cleft palate, and overexpression of β‐catenin disturbed the F‐actin responsible for cytoskeletal remodeling in palatal mesenchymal cells. qRT‐PCR results showed mRNA levels of α‐actinin4, a gene involved in F‐actin cross‐linking, were associated with knockdown or overexpression of β‐catenin in ex vivo, respectively. Experiments in vivo revealed that mesenchymal specific inactivation or overexpression of β‐catenin exhibited decreased or increased α‐actinin‐4 expression.

Conclusions

Mesenchymal β‐catenin/F‐actin plays an essential role in PS reorientation, which mediate α‐actinin‐4 to regulate F‐actin cytoskeleton reorganization.
Environmental drivers of taxonomic and functional turnover of tree assemblages in Europe
Authors: Padullés Cubino Josep
Published: October 2022

Understanding how species turnover responds to environmental change may provide insights into the ecological factors influencing biogeographical patterns. Here, I examined geographic patterns in taxonomic and functional turnover of tree assemblages in Europe and compared the influence of environmental factors on turnover. I conducted a principal component analysis with nine above‐ and below‐ground plant traits for 210 tree species. I used the resulting four principal components (82% of the variance) to create five functional dendrograms considering all trait dimensions together and individually. Further, I used species composition and the functional dendrograms to calculate pairwise taxonomic and functional turnover between tree assemblages in 100 × 100 km grid cells across Europe. To assess the influence of temperature, precipitation, precipitation seasonality, soil pH and geographic distance on taxonomic and functional turnover, I conducted multiple regression on distance matrices (MRM). I also compared the slope of the relationship between functional turnover and environmental distance among trait dimensions to detect what ecological strategies may be more sensitive to environmental changes. I found that mean taxonomic and functional turnover was particularly high in lowland areas of the Mediterranean Basin. Geographic patterns of individual trait dimensions largely reproduced those considering all trait dimensions together, additionally revealing some regional differences. MRM explained a similar fraction of the variation in taxonomic and functional turnover. The influence of environmental distance was stronger for trait dimensions related to tree size and woodiness than for trait dimensions related to the leaf and root economics. I conclude that geographic patterns in the turnover of tree assemblages in Europe coincide with major biome transitions. Deterministic assembly processes act differently on key ecological strategies of tree assemblages at the continental scale.
Transcultural adaptation of the revised caregiving appraisal scale (RCAS) in the Spanish population
Authors: Cueli Arce Monica , Santibañez Miguel , Sarabia Carmen , Paras‐Bravo Paula , Gomez Marta , Alconero‐Camarero Ana Rosa
Published: October 2022

Aim

To develop a transcultural adaptation of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale among Spanish caregivers of dependent older people and to test the psychometric properties of the scale.

Design

Cross‐sectional study.

Methods

The Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale was transculturally adapted to the Spanish population following the methodology of direct and back translation. The Spanish version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale was administered to a total of 182 family caregivers of older dependent people. The study began in January 2016 and ended in December of the same year. The construct validity was studied by means of the scree plot and parallel analysis. The exploratory factorial analysis was carried out, and the correlation between factors was studied. To verify the reliability of the process, Cronbach's alpha and homogeneity were calculated by the corrected total item correlation. The validity of the convergent criterion was studied by means of the Pearson correlation coefficient, using the Zarit Caregiver Load Interview and the Family Satisfaction Scale as the gold standard.

Results

The construct validity revealed three factors: ‘Subjective Burden’ (15 items), ‘Satisfaction’ (7 items) and ‘Competence’ (3 items). The Cronbach alpha was .86 for ‘Subjective Burden’, .74 for ‘Satisfaction’ and .74 for ‘Competence’. The corrected total item correlation was greater than .25. The validity of the convergent criterion of the ‘Subjective Burden’ and ‘Competence’ factors with the ‘Zarit Caregiver's Load Interview’ presented a very high statistically significant correlation, unlike ‘Satisfaction’ which presented a low positive correlation with the ‘Family Satisfaction Scale’.

Conclusion

The Spanish version of the Revised Caregiving Appraisal Scale is a valid and reliable scale according to the tests performed on a random sample of family caregivers of older dependent people in Spain.

Impact

This scale will enable the simultaneous assessment of negative (‘Subjective Burden’ and ‘Competence’) and positive (‘Satisfaction’) perceptions among family caregivers of older dependent people.
Treatment of Aneurysmal Bone Cysts by Minimally Invasive Curettage and Allogenic Bone Impaction Grafting: Mid‐to Long‐term Results
Authors: Yasin Mohamad , Alisi Mohammed , Hammad Yazan , Samarah Omar , Hassan Freih Abu
Published: October 2022

Objective

Recurrence is the main hinderance in treatment of aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs). Therefore, several treatment modalities and adjuvant therapies have been proposed. In this study, we aim to evaluate the long‐term effectiveness of percutaneous curettage and allogenic bone grafting as a new, minimally invasive modality in treating ABCs.

Methods

We performed a retrospective review of the medical records of patients diagnosed with primary ABCs at a university hospital over a 10‐year period (2000–2010). We selected all patients who were diagnosed with primary ABC in the extremities and pelvis, treated with the same surgical procedure, and were followed for at least 2 years postoperatively. All patients underwent the same procedure of percutaneous curettage and impaction of allogenic pulverized fine bone fragments (harvested from locally stored femoral heads) mixed with autologous bone marrow aspirate from the iliac bone. We reported patient's characteristics (age and gender), site and size of the lesion, presenting symptoms, Capanna classification, follow‐up duration, and post‐operative complications. Assessment of cyst healing was based on the appearance on radiographs according to the modified Neer classification.

Results

Nineteen patients were included in this study; 10 patients were males and nine were females. The mean age was 9.6 years (range 3–15). The location of the lesions was as follows: femur (eight), tibia (four), pelvis (four), proximal humerus (one), distal radius (one), and calcaneus (one). The most common presenting symptom was pain in the involved area. Pathological fracture was the presenting feature in two patients. The mean follow‐up duration was 6.4 years (range 2–18). The earliest radiological sign of incorporation of the allograft was seen at 3 months after surgery. All patients showed bone remodeling and radiographic resolution (classified as either A or B on the modified Neer classification) of their cystic lesions within 6 months. No local recurrence, infection, or pathological fractures occurred during the follow‐up period.

Conclusion

Percutaneous curettage and impaction of allogenic bone graft mixed with autogenic bone marrow aspirate is an efficient, minimally invasive, reproducible, and affordable procedure for the treatment of primary ABCs.
Diagnosis and management of food allergy‐associated gastroesophageal reflux disease in young children—EAACI position paper
Authors: Meyer Rosan , Vandenplas Yvan , Lozinsky Adriana Chebar , Vieira Mario C. , Canani Roberto Berni , Dupont Christophe , Uysal Pinar , Cavkaytar Ozlem , Knibb Rebecca , Fleischer David M. , Nowak‐Wegrzyn Anna , Venter Carina
Published: October 2022

Gastro‐oesophageal reflux (GOR) and food allergy (FA) are common conditions, especially during the first 12 months of life. When GOR leads to troublesome symptoms, that affect the daily functioning of the infant and family, it is referred to as GOR disease (GORD). The role of food allergens as a cause of GORD remains controversial. This European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) position paper aims to review the evidence for FA‐associated GORD in young children and translate this into clinical practice that guides healthcare professionals through the diagnosis of suspected FA‐associated GORD and medical and dietary management. The task force (TF) on non‐IgE mediated allergy consists of EAACI experts in paediatric gastroenterology, allergy, dietetics and psychology from Europe, United Kingdom, United States, Turkey and Brazil. Six clinical questions were formulated, amended and approved by the TF to guide this publication. A systematic literature search using PubMed, Cochrane and EMBASE databases (until June 2021) using predefined inclusion criteria based on the 6 questions was used. The TF also gained access to the database from the European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology working group, who published guidelines on GORD and ensured that all publications used within that position paper were included. For each of the 6 questions, practice points were formulated, followed by a modified Delphi method consisting of anonymous web‐based voting that was repeated with modified practice points where required, until at least 80% consensus for each practice point was achieved. This TF position paper shares the process, the discussion and consensus on all practice points on FA‐associated GORD.
Are tax and expenditure limitations constraining institutions or institutionally irrelevant? Evidence from Minnesota
Authors: Shumberger Jason , Singla Akheil
Published: October 2022

State‐imposed limitations on local government taxation and expenditures (TELs) are a common part of American federalism. But the consequences of TELs are the subject of debate. Are TELs institutional constraints that harm local governments? Or are TELs institutionally irrelevant veils easily pierced by political actors? This research uses the removal of an assessment restriction in Minnesota to evaluate the effect of TELs on the financial health of local governments. It finds that TEL removal had no effect on the financial health of Minnesota cities. Additional tests demonstrate that the results are not driven by a lack of bindingness in the TEL, by increases in property tax rates, or by new non‐property tax revenue. It concludes that TELs are closer to institutionally irrelevant than to meaningful constraints.
A meta‐analysis on morphological, physiological and biochemical responses of plants with PGPR inoculation under drought stress
Authors: Zhao Xiaowen , Yuan Xiaomai , Xing Yuanjun , Dao Jicao , Zhao Deqiang , Li Yuze , Li Weiwei , Wang Ziting
Published: October 2022

Plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) can help plants to resist drought stress. However, the mechanisms of how PGPR inoculation affect plant status under drought remain incompletely understood. We performed a meta‐analysis of plant response to PGPR inoculation by compiling data from 57 PGPR‐inoculation studies, including 2, 387 paired observations on morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters under drought and well‐watered conditions. We compare the PGPR effect on plants performances among different groups of controls and treatments. Our results reveal that PGPR enables plants to restore themselves from drought‐stressed to near a well‐watered state, and that C4 plants recover better from drought stress than C3 plants. Furthermore, PGPR is more effective underdrought than well‐watered conditions in increasing plant biomass, enhancing photosynthesis and inhibiting oxidant damage, and the responses of C4 plants to the PGPR effect was stronger than that of C3 plants under drought conditions. Additionally, PGPR belonging to different taxa and PGPR with different functional traits have varying degrees of drought‐resistance effects on plants. These results are important to improve our understanding of the PGPR beneficial effects on enhanced drought‐resistance of plants.
After the break‐up: How divorcing affects individuals at work
Authors: Wanberg Connie R. , Csillag Borbala , Duffy Michelle K.
Published: October 2022

Divorce is one of life's most stressful events. By pairing two studies, using mixed‐methods, and drawing on conservation of resources theory, we contribute new and previously unavailable information about three questions. How and to what extent does going through a divorce affect individuals at work? What factors differentiate a lower versus higher impact on work? Do work outcomes improve after a divorce has been completed? In Study 1, individuals currently in the process of divorcing report more negative mood at work, lower job performance, and lower health in comparison to employees recently divorced, divorced over 5 years ago, or never divorced. Qualitative findings illustrate vivid reports of intrusive negative affect and reduced focus at work. At the same time, nearly 39% of individuals reported that divorcing had a positive impact on their job, work, or career. Qualitative findings reveal that for some, divorcing frees up time and energy and amplifies motivation for work. Study 2 is a longitudinal survey study of individuals in the process of a divorce. Findings indicate that levels of divorce‐related grief, quality of the dissolving marriage, the presence of children, and anticipated post‐divorce financial stability differentiate between those with better and worse work outcomes. Individuals improve on work‐related cognitive and physical engagement, job performance, and health after their divorces are completed. Our results extend empirical knowledge and theory with new insights about work outcomes associated with divorcing as well as the recovery of work outcomes over time.
Development and validation of a novel rapid in vitro assay for determining resistance of potato cultivars to root attachment by Spongospora subterranea zoospores
Authors: Yu Xian , Tegg Robert S. , Eyles Alieta , Wilson Annabel J. , Wilson Calum R.
Published: October 2022

Spongospora subterranea f. sp. subterranea is a major pathogen of potatoes leading to losses in tuber quality and yield. Disease can be expressed as root infection, root galling and tuber lesions, the latter known as powdery scab. Attachment of zoospores to potato root hairs is the first step before infection of roots and disease development. Root hair infection results in root dysfunction leading to impaired plant productivity and yield. Varieties vary in their susceptibility to root and tuber disease; however, varietal screening is both time and resource intensive. Furthermore, traditional screens assess root galling or tuber disease and not root infection. In this study, we determined optimal conditions for zoospore release and attachment of zoospores to plant roots and used this information to develop an in vitro bioassay to assess resistance to zoospore root attachment among 153 potato lines and cultivars. Optimal zoospore release occurred at 20°C in Hoagland's solution in a rapid and synchronized manner over the first 2 days, followed by a steep decline. The extent of zoospore root attachment varied with cultivar (Iwa > Agria > Russet Burbank > Gladiator), region of the root maturation zone (lower > middle > upper) and temperature (greatest zoospore root attachment occurring at 15°C). Further comparisons suggested efficiency of zoospore root attachment was also generally associated with known variety resistance to powdery scab, zoosporangial infection and root galling, with a few notable exceptions. The bioassay proved to be a rapid and robust method for screening cultivar resistance to zoospore root attachment.
A novel, patented method for semen collection in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)
Authors: Mansour Nabil
Published: October 2022

In the current article, a developed, patented method denoted the ‘Camel Semen Collection Kit‐CSCK’, was designed to solve the problem of semen collection in dromedary camels. CSCK is composed of three main parts: (1) Semen collection sac: made from supersensitive flexible low‐density polyethylene‐ (LDPE); (2) Metal stainless steel applicator: designed to introduce the collection sac intravaginally and fixate it to the vaginal wall of a female camel through air insufflation; (3) Fixation sticker: a cushion sheet sticker is used to secure the outer portion of the collection sac to the female's perineal area. Semen was collected twice a week from eight dromedary bulls by using electroejaculation (EJ), artificial vagina (AV) and CSCK. Successful semen collections were 81.3%, 84.4% and 43.8% using EJ, CSCK and AV techniques respectively. Semen obtained by EJ technique showed lower semen volume, gross activity, sperm concentration, total sperm motility and percentage of live sperm cells compared to the other two techniques. Semen collected by CSCK showed a longer collection period and higher volume, gross activity, sperm motility and percentage of live spermatozoa and a lower rate of visible contamination compared to AV technique. The advantages and disadvantages of the three techniques were compared and discussed. In conclusion, CSCK represents a practical and easy method to reliably collect high‐quality semen from any untrained male dromedary camel and may facilitate the widespread application of assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) on a large scale in this species.
Upskilling as integration policy: Making the most of refugees' human capital in a context of skill shortage
Authors: Bonoli Giuliano , Otmani Ihssane
Published: October 2022

The integration of refugees is a serious social policy problem in many advanced countries, and current trends suggest that this issue is unlikely to disappear soon. At the same time, these countries are also experiencing skill shortages in expanding sectors. These twin pressures create an opportunity to use education as a tool to pursue refugee integration. We investigate how refugees are trained in a country, Switzerland, where employers play an important role in vocational training. We discuss the national strategy for refugee integration and then focus on the implementation in one French speaking Canton (Vaud) on the basis of a qualitative vignette survey among case workers in charge of supporting refugee integration. At implementation, we do not find much evidence of a generalised upskilling strategy being applied in Switzerland. On the contrary, the main emphasis is on quick access to employment, supported by vocational training mostly in the low‐skill segment. We conclude that the lack of an upskilling strategy is due to lack of coordination among policy areas and limited interest by employers.
A simple approach for detecting HLA‐A*02 alleles in archival formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissue samples and an application example for studying cancer immunoediting
Authors: Witt Johannes , Haupt Saskia , Ahadova Aysel , Bohaumilitzky Lena , Fuchs Vera , Ballhausen Alexej , Przybilla Moritz Jakob , Jendrusch Michael , Seppälä Toni T. , Fürst Daniel , Walle Thomas , Busch Elena , Haag Georg Martin , Hüneburg Robert , Nattermann Jacob , von Knebel Doeberitz Magnus , Heuveline Vincent , Kloor Matthias
Published: October 2022

The HLA system represents a central component of the antigen presentation machinery. As every patient possesses a defined set of HLA molecules, only certain antigens can be presented on the cell surface. Thus, studying HLA type‐dependent antigen presentation can improve the understanding of variation in susceptibility to various diseases, including infectious diseases and cancer. In archival formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) tissue, the HLA type is difficult to analyze because of fragmentation of DNA, hindering the application of commonly used assays that rely on long DNA stretches. Addressing these difficulties, we present a refined approach for characterizing presence or absence of HLA‐A*02, the most common HLA‐A allele in the Caucasian population, in archival samples. We validated our genotyping strategy in a cohort of 90 samples with HLA status obtained by an NGS‐based method. 90% (n = 81) of the samples could be analyzed with the approach. For all of them, the presence or absence of HLA‐A*02 alleles was correctly determined with the method, demonstrating 100% sensitivity and specificity (95% CI: 91.40%–100% and 91.19%–100%). Furthermore, we provide an example of application in an independent cohort of 73 FFPE microsatellite‐unstable (MSI) colorectal cancer samples. As MSI cancer cells encompass a high number of mutations in coding microsatellites, leading to the generation of highly immunogenic frameshift peptide antigens, they are ideally suited for studying relations between the mutational landscape of tumor cells and interindividual differences in the immune system, including the HLA genotype. Overall, our method can help to promote studying HLA type‐dependency during the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, making archival and historic tissue samples accessible for identifying HLA‐A*02 alleles.
Ediacaran mafic magmatism recorded in Cambrian eclogites of the Ross orogen, Antarctica: Implications for the Neoproterozoic rifting episodes along the Pacific‐Gondwana margin
Authors: Kim Taehwan , Kim Yoonsup , Cheong Wonseok , Cho Moonsup , Lee Jong Ik
Published: October 2022

We report the first finding of Ediacaran mafic magmatism in northern Victoria Land of the Ross orogen, Antarctica, based on ca. 600–590 Ma magmatic zircon cores in Cambrian eclogites. The mafic magmatism could be either linked to ca. 615–590 Ma incipient convergent margin magmatism in central segment of the Ross orogen, or ca. 600–580 Ma continental rift‐related volcanism widespread in eastern Australia. The latter is preferred based on the trace‐element compositions distinctive from those of arc‐related basalts and the depleted mantle‐like Hf isotopic compositions of zircon. Our results suggest dual rifting episodes during both the Ediacaran and Cryogenian (ca. 670–650 Ma) in the East Antarctic margin, correlative with those in eastern Australia. A spatial distribution of coeval rifting and subduction along the Ediacaran margin of East Antarctica is readily accounted for by rift inheritance; the upper‐ and lower‐plate geometry resulting from detachment and transform faulting.
Accretion of the NW Himalayan foreland pre‐dates Late Cenozoic climate change
Authors: Lamont Ellen A. , Sousa Francis J. , Meigs Andrew J. , Jayangondaperumal Ramakrishna , Flowers Rebecca M. , Anilkumar Aravind , Woodring Danielle , Sobel Edward R.
Published: October 2022

Conceptual models demonstrate that climate can control the structural evolution of mountain belts and that Pliocene–Quaternary global climate change modulated Himalayan wedge behaviour. A key test of this hypothesis is the timing of foreland accretion. If foreland accretion pre‐dates climate change, then climate is not the primary driver of mountain building. New apatite (U–Th)/He data from NW Himalaya foreland thrust sheets suggest that accretion had occurred by the latest 4 Ma, prior to the Pliocene–Quaternary global climate change. Climate cannot, therefore, be invoked as the principal driver of Himalayan tectonics in the late Cenozoic.

Statement of significance

This paper presents 66 new, single grain apatite (U–Th)/He (AHe) dates from the foreland basin that constrain NW Himalayan evolution through the late Cenozoic. We show that accretion of the NW sub‐Himalayan foreland was underway by 4 Ma at the latest, several million years earlier than previous estimates, and was followed by distributed, wedge‐internal deformation by 2 Ma. These and other published data present a consistent pattern and timing of deformation observed over nearly 600 km of the NW sub‐Himalaya. Our new constraints on orogen evolution provide key insights into the relative importance of climate and tectonics in driving orogenic systems.
Lessons from the famous 17th‐century paradox of the Chevalier de Méré
Authors: López‐Barrientos José Daniel , Silva Eliud , Lemus‐Rodríguez Enrique
Published: October 2022

We take advantage of a combinatorial misconception and the famous paradox of the Chevalier de Méré to present the multiplication rule for independent events; the principle of inclusion and exclusion in the presence of disjoint events; the median of a discrete‐type random variable, and a confidence interval for a large sample. Moreover, we pay tribute to our original bibliographic sources by providing two computational tools to facilitate the students' insights on these topics.
Comparison of skeletal scintigraphy and standing 18F‐NaF positron emission tomography for imaging of the fetlock in 33 Thoroughbred racehorses
Authors: Spriet Mathieu , Arndt Stefanie , Pige Charlene , Pye Jannah , O'Brion Julie , Carpenter Ryan , Blea Jeff , Dowd Joseph P.
Published: October 2022

This retrospective, methods comparison study aimed to compare skeletal scintigraphy and 18F‐NaF positron emission tomography (PET) for the detection of abnormalities in the fetlocks of Thoroughbred racehorses. Thirty‐three horses (72 limbs) imaged with both scintigraphy and 18F‐NaF PET, for investigation of lameness or poor performance related to the fetlock, were included. Seven observers, including experienced racetrack practitioners, surgery and imaging residents, and a board‐certified veterinary radiologist, independently reviewed all data for evidence of increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in 10 different regions of interest. The interobserver agreement was higher for PET (Kappa‐weighted (K‐w) 0.73 (0.51–0.84)) (median (range)) than for scintigraphy (0.61 (0.40–0.77)) (P < 0.0001). When scintigraphy and PET were compared, the agreement was fair (K‐w 0.29). More sites of increased uptake were identified using PET compared with scintigraphy. Agreement between the two modalities was higher for the palmar/plantar metacarpal/metatarsal condylar regions (K‐w 0.59) than for the proximal sesamoid bones (K‐w 0.25). Increased radiopharmaceutical uptake was detected in the medial proximal sesamoid bone in 6.9% and 22.2% of limbs with scintigraphy and PET, respectively. The high interobserver agreement for PET, despite the recent introduction of this technique, demonstrates the ease of clinical interpretation of PET scans. The higher number of lesions detected with PET compared with scintigraphy can be explained by the higher spatial resolution and cross‐sectional nature of this modality. Study findings supported using PET in a clinical population of racehorses, in particular for the assessment of the proximal sesamoid bones.
Changes of the biophysical properties of voltage‐gated Na+currents during maturation of the sodium‐taste cells in rat fungiform papillae
Authors: Bigiani Albertino , Tirindelli Roberto , Bigiani Lorenzo , Mapelli Jonathan
Published: October 2022

Taste cells are a heterogeneous population of sensory receptors that undergo continuous turnover. Different chemo‐sensitive cell lines rely on action potentials to release the neurotransmitter onto nerve endings. The electrical excitability is due to the presence of a tetrodotoxin‐sensitive, voltage‐gated sodium current (INa) similar to that found in neurons. Since the biophysical properties of neuronalINachange during development, we wondered whether the same also occurred in taste cells. Here, we used the patch‐clamp recording technique to studyINain salt‐sensing cells (sodium cells) of rat fungiform papillae. We identified these cells by exploiting the known blocking effect of amiloride on ENaC, the sodium (salt) receptor. Based on the amplitude ofINa, which is known to increase during development, we subdivided sodium cells into two groups: cells with small sodium current (SSC cells;INa < 1 nA) and cells with large sodium current (LSC cells;INa > 1 nA). We found that: the voltage dependence of activation and inactivation significantly differed between these subsets; a slowly inactivating sodium current was more prominent in LSC cells; membrane capacitance in SSC cells was larger than in LSC cells. mRNA expression analysis of the α‐subunits of voltage‐gated sodium channels in fungiform taste buds supported the functional data. Lucifer Yellow labelling of recorded cells revealed that our electrophysiological criterion for distinguishing two broad groups of taste cells was in good agreement with morphological observations for cell maturity. Thus, all these findings are consistent with developmental changes in the voltage‐dependent properties of sodium‐taste cells.

image

Key points

Taste cells are sensory receptors that undergo continuous turnover while they detect food chemicals and communicate with afferent nerve fibres.

The voltage‐gated sodium current (INa) is a key ion current for generating action potentials in fully differentiated and chemo‐sensitive taste cells, which use electrical signalling to release neurotransmitters.

Here we show that, during the maturation of rat taste cells involved in salt detection (sodium cells), the biophysical properties ofINa, such as voltage dependence of activation and inactivation, change significantly.

Our results help reveal how taste cells gain electrical excitability during turnover, a property critical to their operation as chemical detectors that relay sensory information to nerve fibres.
New Methodology for Precise UAV Surveys with a Single Ground Control Point
Authors: Carneiro Marciano , Peroni Rodrigo De Lemos , Bruch Alexandre Felipe , Cirolini Angélica , Thum Adriane Brill
Published: October 2022

The advances in aerial mapping using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly allowing for the surveying of areas that are difficult or unsafe to access. Considering that the cameras boarded on UAVs are non-photogrammetric sensors, positional accuracy and precision are paramount to ensuring that the final product is geometrically consistent and that its coordinates are precise enough within an acceptable range (which depends on the purpose of each application). With this in mind, this work evaluates the positional accuracy of aerial surveys with UAVs supported by the post- processed kinematic (PPK) technique for the generation of cartographic products in compliance with the Brazilian cartographic accuracy standard PEC-PCD. Furthermore, this study proposes a methodology for inserting virtual control points using coordinates adjusted and inserted into the main point of selected images, using the package of solutions for GNSS RTKLIB processing, to forgo Ground Control Points (GCPs) without loss of quality of the cartographic product. This research used a UAV from DJI (model Mavic 2 Pro), equipped with a dual frequency GNSS receiver, where positional records were synchronized with the camera’s shooting times. To validate the technique, 20 checkpoints with known coordinates were selected, and these points were used in statistical tests to assess the accuracy and precision of the survey. The orthomosaic and the digital elevation model were used as the reference for positional coordinates to be compared against the PEC-PCD standards. The results show that the discrepancy is, on average, 0.126 m for planimetric coordinates and 0.066 m for altimetry. No outliers were found, suggesting a Gaussian sampling distribution. The application of Student’s t- test indicated the existence of a small bias, suggesting the displacement of coordinates along the three axes. The chi-square test showed results below the tabulated limits, attesting to the high precision of the survey. Finally, the root mean squared error (RMSE) was lower than the standard error limit for PEC-PCD class A planialtimetric cartographic products on a 1:1,000 scale. The viability of this technique is thus confirmed.
A Gray Target Calculation–Cloud Gravity Center Health Assessment Method for Gas Turbine Engine
Authors: Ao Ran , Cao Yunpeng , Luan Junqi , Han Xiaoyu , Li Shuying , Yan Li
Published: October 2022

Since the health status of gas turbine engine is difficult to quantify, which brings great challenges to health assessment and remaining useful life predictions. To solve this problem, a gray target calculation and cloud gravity center (GTC–CGC) health assessment method is proposed. The three-dimensional data normalization process is to characterize the different initial states between samples. The empirical signal-to-noise ratio and entropy weight are used to calculate the subjective and objective weights of health indicators, and convex optimization is used to realize the fusion assessment. The sliding time window method is used to calculate the real-time health state of the gas turbine engine. Finally, health assessment and remaining useful life prediction tests were conducted on turbofan engines using the NASA C-MAPSS dataset. The experimental results show that compared with the self-organizing neural network, the monotonicity, robustness, and trend of the health assessment results were improved by 0.3216, 0.0843, and 0.0355, respectively. The third-order linear regression algorithm was used for remaining useful life prediction, the prediction score of this model is 265, and root mean squared error is 26.1542, which is equivalent to the prediction accuracy of mainstream intelligent prediction methods such as neural network.
The Effect of Rectangular Confinement Aspect Ratio on the Flame Transfer Function of a Turbulent Swirling Flame
Authors: Ånestad Aksel , Ahn Byeonguk , Nygård Håkon T. , Worth Nicholas A.
Published: October 2022

The flame transfer function (FTF) has been experimentally investigated for a premixed, turbulent and highly swirled flame in rectangular enclosures with varying aspect ratio. A range of equivalence ratios and inlet bulk velocities are considered to vary the length of the flame. Increasing confinement is also shown to increase flame length. More confined flames become increasingly asymmetric, with significant changes to the mean flame shape. Characteristic peaks and dips are observed in the FTF gain for several configurations, caused by constructive and destructive interference between different sources of flow perturbations. Changes in the geometrical confinement distinctly affects these interactions, with FTFs in the most confined chamber containing more pronounced peaks and dips. Analysis of the phase-averaged dynamics has been conducted for two limiting operational conditions in the least and most confined enclosures: a short flame at a low bulk velocity and high equivalence ratio condition; and a long flame at a high velocity and low equivalence ratio condition. The analysis of the short flames shows similar behavior in both enclosures, both in terms of the global response and the local structure of the heat release rate oscillations. Small differences in local response symmetry in the flame due to the close confinement do not affect the global flame response. By comparison, close confinement significantly affects the symmetry of the flame dynamics in the long flame. However, the changes in symmetry do not significantly modify the response, and more important is the change in flame length, which significantly alters the cutoff frequency, reducing the gain at high frequencies.
Process Development for Printed Copper With Surface Mount Devices on Inkjet Metallization
Authors: Lall Pradeep , Goyal Kartik , Hill Curtis
Published: October 2022

Printed electronics is a fastest growing and emerging technology that have shown much potential in several industries including automotive, wearables, healthcare, and aerospace. Its applications can be found not only in flexible but also in large area electronics. The technology provides an effective and convenient method to additively deposit conductive and insulating materials on any type of substrate. Despite its status, it is not without its challenges. Inkjet technology has gained much attention due to its low cost, low-material consumption, and capability for mass manufacturing. The preferred conductive metal of choice has been mostly silver due to its excellent electrical properties and ease in sintering. However, silver comes to be expensive than its counterpart copper. Since copper is prone to oxidation, much focus has been given toward photonic sintering that involves sudden burst of pulsed light at certain energy to sinter the copper nanoparticles. With this technique, only the printed material gets sintered in a matter of seconds without having a great impact on its substrate. With all the knowledge, there is still a large gap in the process side with copper where it is important to look how the print process affects the electrical and mechanical properties of copper. With the process developed, the resistivity of printed copper was found to be five times the bulk copper. In regards to adhesion to the polyimide film, mechanical shear load to failure was found to be within 15–20 gF. To demonstrate the complete process, commercial-off-the-shelf components are also mounted on the additively printed pads. Statistically, control charting technique is implemented to understand any process variation over long duration of prints.
A Transient Resistance/Capacitance Network-Based Model for Heat Spreading in Substrate Stacks Having Multiple Anisotropic Layers
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Soumya , Weibel Justin A.
Published: October 2022

Heat spreading from local, time-dependent heat sources in electronic packages results in the propagation of temperature nonuniformities through the stack of material layers attached to the chip. Available models either predict the chip temperatures only in the steady-state or a single substrate for transient analysis, without the ability to predict the transient response in compound substrates having multiple anisotropic layers. We develop a transient resistance/capacitance network-based modeling approach capable of predicting the spatiotemporal temperature fields for this chip-on-stack geometry, accounting for in-plane heat spreading, through-plane heat conduction, and the effective convection resistance boundary conditions. The transient heat spreading resistance for an anisotropic substrate has been formulated by converting it to an effective isotropic substrate for which there is an available half-space solution. The transient heat spreading model for a step heat input to a single substrate is subsequently extended to any arbitrary transient heat input using a Fourier series and extending the half-space formulation from a step heat input to sinusoidal heat input. For obtaining the transient spreading resistance for heat inputs into multiple stacked substrates, a method has been outlined to convert the multisubstrate stack to a single substrate with effective isotropic properties by properly accounting for the in-plane and through-plane thermal conductivities, and the heat capacity. The estimates from the present model are validated with direct comparison to a finite volume numerical model for three-dimensional heat conduction. Case studies are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed network-based model and compare its estimates with the numerical conduction solution. In the presence of a step heat input, the results demonstrate that the model accurately captures the transient temperature rise across the multisubstrate stack comprising layers with different anisotropic properties. For a case where the rectangular stack is exposed to a sinusoidally varying heat input, the model is able to capture the general trends in the transient temperature fields in the plane where the heat source is applied to the multisubstrate stack. In summary, the developed resistance/capacitance network-based transient model offers a low-computational-cost method to predict the spatiotemporal temperature distribution over an arbitrary transient heat source interfacing with a multilayer stack of substrates.
Research on the Influence of Impeller Tip Clearance on the Internal Flow Loss of Axial Circulating Pump Under Unpowered Driven Condition
Authors: Jia XiaoQi , Lv Hao , Zhu ZuChao
Published: October 2022

An axial-flow pump (AFP) a key hydraulic component in the circulating water system of large ships. When the speed of a large ship meets certain requirements, the AFP operates in the unpowered driven condition and has the characteristics of low speed, positive rotation and driven rotation, thereby achieving energy recovery efficiency without investing in the driving device. The unsteady internal flow characteristics of the AFP under the unpowered driven condition differ from those of conventional conditions. The blade tip clearance (TC) is an essential basis for the comprehensive technical indicators of the lift pump and the safe and stable operation of the circulating water system. In this study, the performance of the AFP with different TCs under the unpowered driven condition is investigated based on experimental tests and numerical simulations. Based on the entropy production theory, the energy loss characteristics of the AFP with different TCs are studied, and it is concluded that increasing the TC increases the strength of tip leakage flow. Particularly at large TCs, the energy loss of the pump increases significantly, causing flow separation on the blade surface and the formation of large-area vortex structures on the blade. In addition, under the large spacing TC, the instantaneous entropy production of the pump is unstable, and the entropy production frequency and amplitude are much larger than those of the conventional TC.
Fabrication of Micro-Channels on Biomaterial Ti-6Al-4V ELI Using Micro Abrasive Jet Machining
Authors: Tomy Anu , Hiremath Somashekhar S.
Published: October 2022

The paper primarily explores the suitability of using Abrasive jet machining (AJM) in fabricating microchannels on Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy. The work evaluates the microchannels generated using process parameters such as air pressure, feed rate, and standoff distance and their effect on channel geometries like width, depth, surface roughness, and topography. Since Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy is commonly used in bio-implants, the contact angle and surface free energy of generated microchannels is measured using the sessile drop technique and Chibowski approach, respectively to assess the benefits of creating such features using AJM, which can have probable applications in the medical field. The result indicates that AJM can produce hydrophilic microchannels with nanolevel surface roughness without the effects of heat-affected zone (HAZ), resolidification, burrs, and particle embedment.
Tribological Behavior of Annealed Ni-xFe-yCo Alloys: Effect of Co and Fe Additions
Authors: Ntholeng Nthabiseng , Mphasha Nthape Percyval , Bopape Itshepeng Mogaleadi Christinah , Ogunmuyiwa Enoch Nifise , Shongwe Mxolisi Brendon
Published: October 2022

The influence of annealing on the microstructure, mechanical and sliding wear characteristics of Ni-based alloys produced by spark plasma sintering (SPS) was investigated. As-sintered alloys had a lamellar-like microstructure consisting of (γ′)-FeNi3 and γ-(NiFe) phases blended together. Lower Co contents (i.e., 30, 35 wt%) led to the formation of poorly bonded coarse γ precipitate islands. Annealed Ni-5Fe-45Co alloy exhibited the most excellent wear performance with the lowest coefficients of friction (0.142 ± 0.05) and wear-rate (0.3 ± 0.02 × 10−4 mm3/Nm). Annealing resulted in alloys with good strength-ductility combinations due to appreciable γ′ precipitation enhancement.
Thermoacoustic modeling of Fluidyne engine with a gas-coupled water pumping line
Authors: Biwa T. , Prastowo M. , Shoji E.
Published: October 2022

A Fluidyne engine is a Stirling engine with liquid pistons that automatically start to oscillate when the engine's regenerator is differentially heated to a certain level. This study investigates the thermally induced oscillations of the working gas and liquid in the Fluidyne engine using the results of the thermoacoustic theory. Further, the water pump performance of the Fluidyne engine is evaluated when it is coupled to the pumping line. The theoretical formulation and calculation results were verified by experimental tests on the onset temperature ratio and pump performance.