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Reproducible Semantic Data Management Workflow for Materials Data Science: Generating Knowledge Graphs with Robust FAIRifcation Pipelines
No full textCombining data from multiple sources is crucial for efficient knowledge aggregation in materials data science. FAIR data from ontology and Linked Data principles enable this. Semantic data management streamlines data exchange and aggregation, ensuring information is available and extractable. FAIRLinked and GraphDB provide solutions for consolidating, hosting, and extracting meaningful insight from multimodal data
Are There Ecological Consequences of Urban Adaptation? A Test of Eco-evolutionary Dynamics in a Terrestrial Isopod (Oniscus asellus)
No full textUrbanization affects many aspects of the environment with the potential to alter both ecological and evolutionary processes. However, while examples of urban evolution are accumulating, tests of urban eco-evolutionary dynamics are rare. We carried out a reciprocal transplantation experiment using the terrestrial isopod Oniscus asellus to test how adaptation to the urban heat island influenced ecological processes. As isopods are important decomposers, we asked if leaf-litter decomposition differed among reciprocal transplant treatments and used a separate laboratory experiment to isolate the effects of temperature on rates of isopod leaf consumption. We found that leaf-litter decomposition was greater in urban habitats, and that leaf consumption was elevated at higher laboratory temperatures and for rural isopods compared with urbanisopods. Although we found evidence for local adaption to both environments, fitness was lower overall within urban environments. However, urban adaptation did not feedback to influence leaf-decomposition. As fitness was depressed in urban environments, our results suggest that populations could struggle to keep pace with anthropogenic change. Additionally, our results for leaf-litter decomposition indicate that the warmed environment of cities has the potential to alter important ecological processes, but that contemporary urban adaptation does not necessarily cause further urban eco-evolutionary feedbacks
FAIRmaterials: Ontology Tools with Data FAIRification in Development
No full textThe bilingual FAIRmaterials package simplifies the creation and visualization of materials and data science ontologies. FAIRmaterials, available in the Python and R languages, addresses the complexities associated with traditional ontology editors based on manual user input such as Protege (Musen, 2015) with an intuitive workflow and easy-to-use templates, making it accessible to users both experienced and inexperienced with ontologies. The FAIRmaterials package is its ability to programatically convert simple and structured CSV inputs into rich, well-defined ontologies. This capability is designed to support the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability (FAIR) (Wilkinson et al., 2016) of research data and serve as a tool in the process of data FAIRification. Its additional features, such as automated ontology merging, static visualizations, and comprehensive documentation for outputs extend its utility, making it a valuable tool for any researcher engaged in knowledge management
Flapping Dynamics and Wing Flexibility Enhance Odor Detection in Blue Bottle Flies
No full textOne of the most ancient and evolutionarily conserved behaviors in the animal kingdom involves utilizing wind-borne odor plumes to track essential elements such as food, mates, and predators. Insects, particularly flies, demonstrate a remarkable proficiency in this behavior, efficiently processing complex odor information encompassing concentrations, direction, and speed through their olfactory system, thereby facilitating effective odor-guided navigation. Recent years have witnessed substantial research explaining the impact of wing flexibility and kinematics on the aerodynamics and flow field physics governing the flight of insects. However, the relationship between the flow field and olfactory functions remains largely unexplored, presenting an attractive frontier with numerous intriguing questions. One such question pertains to whether flies intentionally manipulate the flow field around their antennae using their wing structure and kinematics to augment their olfactory capabilities. To address this question, we first reconstructed the wing kinematics based on high-speed video recordings of wing surface deformation. Subsequently, we simulated the unsteady flow field and odorant transport during the forward flight of blue bottle flies (Calliphora vomitoria) by solving the Navier-Stokes equations and odorant advection-diffusion equations using an in-house computational fluid dynamics solver. Our simulation results demonstrated that flexible wings generated greater cycle-averaged aerodynamic forces compared to purely rigid flapping wings, underscoring the aerodynamic advantages of wing flexibility. Additionally, flexible wings produced 25% greater odor intensity, enhancing the insect’s ability to detect and interpret olfactory cues. This study not only advances our understanding of the intricate interplay between wing motion, aerodynamics, and olfactory capabilities in flying insects but also raises intriguing questions about the intentional modulation of flow fields for sensory purposes in other behaviors
Experimental Investigation of External Flow Condensation Heat Transfer in Horizontal Tube-In-Tube Configuration
No full textFlow condensation is an important process used to achieve heat rejection across thermal power and energy systems. Studies on tube condensation have concentrated on the condensing fluid flowing in the inner tube. However, common heat exchanger configurations like the shell-and-tube types see the condensing fluid on the outer surface of the tubes. To address this gap, in this study, we investigate the local and channel-averaged heat transfer characteristics of flow condensation happening on the exterior of a horizontal tube in the tube-in-tube configuration. An external flow condensation module is developed and tested to obtain heat transfer and flow visualization data, with PF-5060 as the condensing fluid flowing outside the tube and de-ionized water as the cooling fluid flowing inside the tube in the counter-current direction. Densely arranged thermocouples are installed on the exterior surface of the 12.7-mm outer-diameter tube and embedded within the water flow to measure variations in wall and water temperatures respectively, which determines the local heat transfer characteristics along a 683.6-mm condensation path. Flow visualization is achieved using a transparent polycarbonate plate that serves as the PF-5060 flow channel. The test conditions cover PF-5060 inlet mass velocities of 26.66 – 58.67 kg/m²·s, water mass velocities of 330.9 – 463.26 kg/m²·s, PF-5060 inlet pressures of 124.76 – 155.24 kPa, and PF-5060 inlet superheats of 4.39 – 5.63 °C. The local condensation heat transfer coefficient is highest near the upstream region and decreases monotonically in the downstream direction due to the thickening of liquid film and transition of flow regimes along the condensation path. Further, the heat transfer coefficient increases with both PF-5060 and water flow rates, with the PF-5060 showing a more pronounced effect. Pressure effects are also examined, showing the heat transfer coefficient decreases with the increase in operating pressure. Further, common correlations for internal flow condensation show underprediction in measured heat transfer coefficient for external flow condensation. Finally, flow visualization of external flow condensation reveals continuous detachment of liquid film at tube\u27s underside, highlighting a clear distinction from the internal flow condensation
TNF-α-Driven Changes in Polarized EGF Receptor Trafficking Facilitate Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B Signaling from the Apical Surface of MDCK Epithelial Cells
No full textThis manuscript describes a novel unconventional secretory pathway that facilitates EGF receptor (EGFR) signaling from apical membranes in polarized epithelial cells responding to immune cell mediators. Epithelial tissues provide a physical barrier between our bodies and the external environment and share an intimate relationship with circulating and local immune cells. Our studies describe an unexpected connection between the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and EGFR typically localized to basolateral membranes in polarized epithelial cells. These two molecules sit atop complex biological networks with a long history of shared investigative interest from the vantage point of signaling pathway interactions. We have discovered that TNF-α alters the functional landscape of fully polarized epithelial cells by changing the speed and direction of EGFR secretion. Our results show apical EGFR delivery occurs within minutes of de novo synthesis likely via a direct route from the endoplasmic reticulum without passage through the Golgi complex. Additionally, our studies have revealed that apical cellular compartmentalization constitutes an important mechanism to specify EGFR signaling via phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/protein-kinase-B pathways. Our study paves the way for a better understanding of how inflammatory cytokines fine-tune local homeostatic and inflammatory responses by altering the spatial organization of epithelial cell signaling systems
Capturing Interfacial Phase Change and Flow Physics During Vertical Downflow Condensation
No full textTwo-phase configurations can address the urgent demand for effective heat dissipation solutions in Naval power and energy systems. A better understanding of thermal transport processes in phase-change flows is critical for developing novel two-phase design tools for naval scientists and engineers. This study investigates interfacial phase change and flow dynamics during condensation flow through numerical simulations. An enhanced phase change model, incorporating a mass transfer intensity coefficient dependent on condensation film thickness, is implemented for vertical downflow condensation. A two-dimensional homogeneous two-phase Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes model, coupled with the Shear-Stress Transport k-ω turbulence model, is employed. The developed solver is thoroughly evaluated against varying mass transfer functions and mesh resolutions, demonstrating minimal dependence on condensation surface temperature predictions. Subsequently, four test cases with varying mass flow rates of 108.67 – 413.0 kg/m²s and surface heat fluxes of 3.46 – 8.67 W/cm² are investigated to validate the model against experimental data. The predicted surface temperature profiles along the tube show excellent agreement with measurements, with mean absolute errors below 2.0 % across all cases. Additionally, detailed interfacial phase change and flow characteristics, including temperature and velocity distributions, are analyzed. The results reveal that the liquid film condensation thickness increases and becomes progressively unstable along the tube. Condensation mass transfer predominantly occurs at the liquid-vapor interface within a thin boundary layer. Furthermore, temperature and velocity profiles within the liquid film exhibit high gradients near the condensation surface and the liquid-vapor interface, following similar trends. Lastly, the influence of turbulence modeling on thermal transport is investigated, particularly the damping factor, and is found to significantly affect surface condensation heat transfer and interfacial liquid-vapor dynamics
Non-Traditional Socio-Environmental and Geospatial Determinants of Alzheimer\u27s Disease-Related Dementia Mortality
No full textImportance: Recent data point to the impact of non-traditional environmental and social factors on Alzheimer\u27s Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) mortality. Our study aimed to determine the extent to which antecedent air pollution, social vulnerability, and geospatial features in the environment associate with ADRD mortality. Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted across the mainland United States. County level Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) were linked to ADRD mortality. Patient Rule Induction Method (PRIM) was used for delineating and characterizing “bumps” or spikes in mortality. SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) values were used to rank variables by predictivity and association with directional changes in ADRD mortality. Exposures: PM2.5 data was acquired from 1 × 1 km spatial grids using aerosol optical depth from the Atmospheric Analysis Composition Group at Washington University St. Louis. SVI was acquired from the CDC\u27s ATSDR Data, which is a composite index scale that characterizes socio-environmental vulnerability. Google Street View imagery coupled with deep learning computational techniques was used to extract features of neighborhood level environment characteristics from across the United States. Results: There was a significant interaction effect between PM2.5 and SVI on ADRD mortality (β = 31.100, p \u3c 0.001). Two clusters of elevated ADRD mortality were identified: counties with high PM2.5 and SVI (HH) and with low PM2.5 and SVI (LL). Analysis of LL subset revealed associations between ADRD mortality and specific SVI subdomains, as well as built environment variables. Geospatial mapping indicated a split in these clusters along northern and southern latitudes, with differences in temperature and sunlight intensity (p \u3c 0.001) rather than urbanization driving the distribution. Conclusions: Ambient air pollution interacts with SVI to influence ADRD mortality rates. Our findings support a role for non-traditional factors including elements of the built environment, geographical location, and natural environmental exposures contributing to ADRD mortality
Response to Comment On: Does Every Transgender Person Want Gender Affirming Surgery? A Survey of Transgender Individuals in the Midwestern United States
Full text linkTelehealth vs Clinic Postoperative Visit After Hysterectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Full text linkIntroduction and Hypothesis: Telehealth is becoming more common, but there is a paucity of literature investigating the role of telehealth in perioperative gynecologic care. The authors hypothesized that patients evaluated via telehealth 4 weeks after minimally invasive hysterectomy would not have lower satisfaction than patients evaluated in clinic. Methods: This was a randomized controlled noninferiority trial of patients who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy at a single academic medical center. Participants were randomized to postoperative clinic visit or telehealth visit 4 weeks after hysterectomy. After the 4-week postoperative visit, patients were sent a satisfaction questionnaire. The primary outcome was overall patient satisfaction on a 100 mm visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes were 90-day postoperative complications and unplanned events. Results: One hundred one patients who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy were identified for inclusion. Complete data were collected for 47 in the clinic group and 45 in the telehealth group. Overall postoperative visit satisfaction did not differ between groups (94.3 clinic vs. 92.0 telehealth, p = 0.47). The clinic group was significantly more likely to contact the clinic two or more times (p = 0.02); both groups were similarly likely to contact the clinic at least once (57.4% vs. 51.1%). Postoperative complications did not differ between groups, nor did unplanned clinic visits or emergency department (ED) visits. Conclusions: Postoperative visit satisfaction of patients evaluated via telehealth was noninferior to the satisfaction of patients seen in the clinic 4 weeks after minimally invasive hysterectomy. Unplanned clinic visits and ED visits did not differ between groups, nor did 90-day postoperative complications
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