Unequal Sizes Research Articles

P-514 Unequal pronucleus size is indicative of higher rates of diploidy in 3PN blastocysts

Abstract Study question What proportion of blastocysts developed from 3PN embryos are diploid, and is this associated with the relative size of the pronuclei? Summary answer Most 3PN blastocysts with even-sized pronuclei are triploid, while most 3PN blastocysts with uneven-sized pronuclei are diploid. What is known already Fertilised oocytes with three pronuclei (3PN, or tripronuclear) are generally considered unsuitable for use due to the high likelihood of triploidy, which is not compatible with an ongoing healthy pregnancy. Recent data on 3PNs with uneven-sized pronuclei (micro-3PN, or 2.1PN) indicates that many may actually be diploid if they form a good quality blastocyst. Study design, size, duration Prospective multi-centre study from October 2020 to December 2023. 81 3PN blastocysts from 69 patients were biopsied. Participants/materials, setting, methods ICSI-inseminated embryos were assessed on Day 1 and pronuclear size at 18 h post insemination was measured using EmbryoViewer software. Biopsy was performed at the blastocyst stage and genetic testing was performed using the Human Karyomap-12 SNP array to ascertain ploidy status. Pronuclei were classified as “Equal”, “Unequal” (smallest pronucleus is 61%-75% of the largest), or “Micro” (smallest pronucleus is < 60% of the largest). Main results and the role of chance 94% of the 3PN blastocysts with equal size pronuclei were triploid, and the remaining 6% were complex aneuploid or had genome wide uniparental disomy (n = 36). Of the 3PN blastocysts with unequal pronuclei (n = 19), 42% were triploid, whereas none of the embryos with a micro pronucleus were triploid (n = 26). Limitations, reasons for caution Only 3PN embryos that formed a good quality expanded blastocyst were biopsied. Only ICSI-inseminated embryos were included, not IVF. No 3PN embryos were transferred in the study, so any additional pregnancy and birth risks from diploid 3PN embryos are unknown. Wider implications of the findings Blastocysts that develop from 3PN oocytes with uneven pronuclei have a greater than 80% chance of diploidy and could be considered for clinical use with PGT. More data is needed to inform clinical guidelines. Trial registration number N/A

Estimator Comparison for the Prediction of Election Results

Cluster randomized experiments and estimator comparisons are well-documented topics. In this paper, using the datasets of the popular vote in the presidential elections of the United States of America (2012, 2016, 2020), we evaluate the properties (SE, MSE) of three cluster sampling estimators: Ratio estimator, Horvitz–Thompson estimator and the linear regression estimator. While both the Ratio and Horvitz–Thompson estimators are widely used in cluster analysis, we propose a linear regression estimator defined for unequal cluster sizes, which, in many scenarios, performs better than the other two. The main objective of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to indicate which estimator is most suited for predicting the outcome of the popular vote in the United States of America. We do so by applying the single-stage cluster sampling technique to our data. In the first partition, we use the 50 states plus the District of Columbia as primary sampling units, whereas in the second one, we use 3112 counties instead. Secondly, based on the results of the aforementioned procedure, we estimate the number of clusters in a sample for a set standard error while also considering the diminishing returns from increasing the number of clusters in the sample. The linear regression estimator is best in the majority of the examined cases. This type of comparison can also be used for the estimation of any other country’s elections if prior voting results are available.

Development of a 166.6MHz β = 1 higher-order-mode-damped superconducting cavity.

The storage ring of the high energy photon source will be driven by five 166.6MHz β = 1 quarter-wave superconducting cavities operating at 4K. A higher-order-mode-damped superconducting cavity was designed with excellent rf and mechanical properties based on the successful development of the proof-of-principle cavity. The mechanical design of the dressed cavity was focused on addressing stress safety throughout the processes, tunability, frequency detuning due to pressure fluctuation, and Lorentz force, among other factors. A new liquid helium vessel was designed along with a comprehensive stiffening scheme to mitigate the surging peak stress on the cavity resulting from the significantly unequal beam pipe size. In the first batch, three cavities were manufactured, and surface preparations were carefully conducted to eliminate defects and etching traces while ensuring cleanliness. The cavity's Q0 at the design voltage of 1.5 MV reached 3.8 × 109 at 4K, comfortably surpassing the design goal. Field emission onset was not observed during the entire test up to a peak electric field of 60 MV/m, thanks to the optimized processing procedures. Subsequently, one cavity was welded with the newly designed helium vessel and vertically tested at 2K, achieving an rf performance comparable to the bare cavities, demonstrating the success of the jacketed cavity. This paper presents the design, fabrication, surface preparation, and cryogenic tests of the first higher-order-mode-damped 166.6MHz β = 1 superconducting cavity.

Family Relationship and Attitude towards Children with Disability among Households with Children living with Disability in Southeast Nigeria: Implication to Sustainable Development

Disability has come to stay with humanity and now placing demand on our technological, scientific, spirituality and humanitarian management prowess and capability in adapting and managing it as global community. However, there are different levels and contexts at which people living with disability are highlighted and practically require our cooperation and assistance, which included family setting. In sub-Saharan Africa and other developing nations, families with children living with disability have found it a difficult task to meet the needs of these ones especially the children. This study investigated the relationship challenges faced by children living with disability among their siblings in southeast Nigeria among households with children living with disability. The study applied cross-sectional survey design; one hundred and eighteen (118) adolescent participants that have at least one sibling with any form of physical disability took part in the study, while attitude towards disabled sibling scale developed by the researchers using some adaptations from the Attitude Scale of Parents towards their mentally retarded children (Govender, 2002). A 2 x 3 x 2 Analysis of Variance (Three-way ANOVA) technique from unequal sample size was used to analyze the data. According to the major findings, there is significant interaction of birth order and Parental level of Education (PLoE) on attitude of siblings towards their physically disabled brother/sister, F(1,108)=7.568, p

The safety effect of increased pedestrian protection, autonomous emergency braking for pedestrians and bicyclists on passenger cars, and speed management

This was the first retrospective study to estimate the effect of increased pedestrian protection, autonomous emergency braking, and speed management to reduce serious injuries among pedestrians and bicyclists. More specifically, the aim was to estimate the injury mitigating effects of the following interventions: AEB with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, Euro NCAP pedestrian test score, active bonnet, traffic calming at pedestrian and bicycle crossings, and additionally, the combined effect of the above-mentioned treatments. The main source of data was the Swedish traffic data acquisition system (Strada), where information of road traffic crashes between passenger cars and pedestrians or bicyclists for the period 1 January 2003–31 December 2022 was obtained. Cars with optional fitment of AEB systems were identified, and the license registration number was used to access individual car equipment lists to identify whether the vehicle was equipped with AEB with pedestrian and/or cyclist detection. Information about traffic calming at pedestrian and bicycle crossings was obtained from the Swedish Transport Administration. The injury metric used was risk of permanent medical impairment (RPMI) of at least one percent and ten percent. RPMI captures the risk of long-term medical impairment based on a diagnosed injury location and Abbreviated Injury Severity (AIS) score. The relative difference between the mean values of RPMI (mRPMI1%+ and mRPMI10%+) was calculated and tested using an independent two sample t-test which was conducted for unequal sample sizes and variance. Although many results were found to be statistically non-significant, the following results were found to be significant at least at 90% level. Pedestrian mRPMI10%+ was reduced by 44% in speed zones ≤ 50 km/h comparing the group struck by cars equipped with AEB with pedestrian detection compared to the group struck by cars without the system. For cyclists, the mRPMI10%+ was reduced by 35% in speed zones ≤ 50 km/h. For crashes within ± 20 meters from a pedestrian or bicycle crossing, the AEB system reduced 60% of pedestrians mRPMI10%+ at crossings with good safety standard compared to crossings of poor safety standard. The comparison of cars with poor performance (1–9 points) in the NCAP pedestrian test and cars with a high score (28–36 points) showed that pedestrian mRPMI10%+ was reduced by 48% across all speed limits, and by 64% including only those aged ≤ 64 years. For bicyclists, a significant reduction of cyclist mRPMI10%+ was found comparing low scoring cars to high scoring cars in ≤ 30 km/h speed limit (-73%) and across all speed limits (-36%). Including only those aged ≤ 64 years, the reduction was 49%. For the active bonnet, a significant reduction of mRPMI1%+ by 24% was observed but given that the rate of helmet wearing was higher in the group struck by cars with active bonnet, this difference cannot be attributed to an effect of an active bonnet. The STA safety rating of pedestrian and bicycle crossings showed that overall pedestrian mRPMI1%+ was reduced by 15%, while cyclists mRPMI10%+ was reduced by 32% comparing crossings of high safety level to crossings of poor safety level. The analysis of combined interventions showed that the total reduction of pedestrians and cyclists mRPMI10%+ together was 69%, from 6.4% to 2%. This paper demonstrates that a road environment with adapted infrastructure and speed, combined with passenger car technologies that improve the safety for vulnerable road users, can create significant reductions of serious (long-term) injuries among pedestrians and bicyclists.

Cell size induced bias of current density in hypertrophic cardiomyocytes

ABSTRACT Alterations in ion channel expression and function known as “electrical remodeling” contribute to the development of hypertrophy and to the emergence of arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. However, comparing current density values – an electrophysiological parameter commonly utilized to assess ion channel function – between normal and hypertrophied cells may be flawed when current amplitude does not scale with cell size. Even more, common routines to study equally sized cells or to discard measurements when large currents do not allow proper voltage-clamp control may introduce a selection bias and thereby confound direct comparison. To test a possible dependence of current density on cell size and shape, we employed whole-cell patch-clamp recording of voltage-gated sodium and calcium currents in Langendorff-isolated ventricular cardiomyocytes and Purkinje myocytes, as well as in cardiomyocytes derived from trans-aortic constriction operated mice. Here, we describe a distinct inverse relationship between voltage-gated sodium and calcium current densities and cell capacitance both in normal and hypertrophied cells. This inverse relationship was well fit by an exponential function and may be due to physiological adaptations that do not scale proportionally with cell size or may be explained by a selection bias. Our study emphasizes the need to consider cell size bias when comparing current densities in cardiomyocytes of different sizes, particularly in hypertrophic cells. Conventional comparisons based solely on mean current density may be inadequate for groups with unequal cell size or non-proportional current amplitude and cell size scaling.

Evaluation of 278 New Bluephase Style Light Curing Units Purchased Over Six Years.

This study measured 278 new curing lights (LCUs) to determine if they met the manufacturer's specifications. Over a 6-year period, the light output from 278 Bluephase Style LCUs was measured before the LCUs were given to students (41 in 2017, 44 in 2018, 46 in 2019, 48 in 2020, 50 in 2021, and 49 in 2022). The radiant exitance (mW/cm²) from each year was compared using ANOVA and Tukey- Kramer multiple comparisons test with adjustment for the unequal sample sizes (α=0.05). The results were also compared against the manufacturer's stated radiant exitance of 1200 mW/cm². The 278 LCUs delivered an average (± standard deviation) radiant exitance of 1203 ± 16.7 mW/cm². The lowest radiant exitance was 1149 mW/cm² and the highest was 1257 mW/cm². Although there were statistically significant differences in the LCUs from each year, these values were within the manufacturer's tolerance of values of ± 10%. Approximately 13% of the emitted light was below 420 nm, and 87% was above 420 nm. These new LCUs were all multiple peak LCUs that emitted an average radiant exitance of 1,203 mW/cm² (range 1149 to 1257 mW/cm². Purchasers of the Style LCU can be confident that their new LCU will meet the manufacturer's specifications.

Dynamic content layout optimization for news website front pages

Purpose The home page design of a digital news website is a key factor in determining its attractiveness to readers. This study aims to propose an approach to manage the frequent adjustment of the dynamic layout of the news content on the website home page in a real-time environment to increase its attractiveness to readers. Design/methodology/approach This paper shows that this news website layout design problem can be modeled as an optimization problem based on the information of news contents that change within a multiple-period planning horizon similar to the dynamic facility layout problem. A hybrid genetic algorithm-based approach integrated with local search heuristic methods is also proposed to improve the solution. Findings This paper finds that the DPLP model is effective in modeling the changing layout of a digital news website. The problem can solved in a timely manner using the proposed hybrid genetic algorithm. Research limitations/implications This paper was based on hypothetical data and on the assumption of equal section size. Actual data would help fine-tune the application of the dynamic facility layout model. As well the algorithm could be enhanced for unequal size sections. Practical implications The model should help online newspapers apply sophisticated algorithms to optimize the layout of news websites dynamically in a timely manner. Social implications News websites are increasingly the desired medium to consume news. So it has an important role in educating society. Thus optimizing and improving the process will help in this regard. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first one to apply the DPLP model to the digital newspaper website dynamic design problem.

Sample size and power calculation for testing treatment effect heterogeneity in cluster randomized crossover designs.

The cluster randomized crossover design has been proposed to improve efficiency over the traditional parallel-arm cluster randomized design. While statistical methods have been developed for designing cluster randomized crossover trials, they have exclusively focused on testing the overall average treatment effect, with little attention to differential treatment effects across subpopulations. Recently, interest has grown in understanding whether treatment effects may vary across pre-specified patient subpopulations, such as those defined by demographic or clinical characteristics. In this article, we consider the two-treatment two-period cluster randomized crossover design under either a cross-sectional or closed-cohort sampling scheme, where it is of interest to detect the heterogeneity of treatment effect via an interaction test. Assuming a patterned correlation structure for both the covariate and the outcome, we derive new sample size formulas for testing the heterogeneity of treatment effect with continuous outcomes based on linear mixed models. Our formulas also address unequal cluster sizes and therefore allow us to analytically assess the impact of unequal cluster sizes on the power of the interaction test in cluster randomized crossover designs. We conduct simulations to confirm the accuracy of the proposed methods, and illustrate their application in two real cluster randomized crossover trials.

A case of dedifferentiated liposarcoma discovered due to an intrascrotal calcified ossification.

Dedifferentiated liposarcoma is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. A 52-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of a mass in his left scrotum. He came with suspected testicular tumor, but all the measured tumor markers were negative. Imaging test showed approximately 2cm diameter mass accompanied by calcification with some substantial components between the testis and epididymis. Left high testicular resection was performed. The tumor had no continuity between the testis and epididymis, and the spermatic cord transection was negative. Pathological findings showed well differentiated fatty component and a dedifferentiated component around the trabecular bone-like tissue. We observed dedifferentiated dysmorphic cells mixed with fatty droplets of unequal size. Immunostaining led to the diagnosis of dedifferentiated liposarcoma. No additional postoperative therapy was performed. The possibility of dedifferentiated liposarcoma should be kept in mind even if mass is confined to the scrotum and consisted of calcification. In the case of an intrascrotal calcified mass with malignant perspective, radical surgery is highly recommended.

An Evaluation of Racial and Ethnic Representation in Research Conducted with Young Adults Diagnosed with Cancer: Challenges and Considerations for Building More Equitable and Inclusive Research Practices.

The psychosocial outcomes of adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer are poorer compared to their peers without cancer. However, AYAs with cancer from diverse racial and ethnic groups have been under-represented in research, which contributes to an incomplete understanding of the psychosocial outcomes of all AYAs with cancer. This paper evaluated the racial and ethnic representation in research on AYAs diagnosed with cancer using observational, cross-sectional data from the large Young Adults with Cancer in Their Prime (YACPRIME) study. The purpose was to better understand the psychosocial outcomes for those from diverse racial and ethnic groups. A total of 622 participants with a mean age of 34.15 years completed an online survey, including measures of post-traumatic growth, quality of life, psychological distress, and social support. Of this sample, 2% (n = 13) of the participants self-identified as Indigenous, 3% (n = 21) as Asian, 3% (n = 20) as "other," 4% (n = 25) as multi-racial, and 87% (n = 543) as White. A one-way ANOVA indicated a statistically significant difference between racial and ethnic groups in relation to spiritual change, a subscale of post-traumatic growth, F(4,548) = 6.02, p < 0.001. Post hoc analyses showed that those under the "other" category endorsed greater levels of spiritual change than those who identified as multi-racial (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [2.49,7.09]) and those who identified as White (p < 0.001, 95% CI = [1.60,5.04]). Similarly, participants that identified as Indigenous endorsed greater levels of spiritual change than those that identified as White (p = 0.03, 95% CI = [1.16,4.08]) and those that identified as multi-racial (p = 0.005, 95% CI = [1.10,6.07]). We provided an extensive discussion on the challenges and limitations of interpreting these findings, given the unequal and small sample sizes across groups. We concluded by outlining key recommendations for researchers to move towards greater equity, inclusivity, and culturally responsiveness in future work.

Fluid structure interaction problem for flow past three unequal sized square cylinders at different Reynolds numbers

The flow past three square cylinders of unequal size placed in an inline arrangement is studied using the lattice Boltzmann method at different Reynolds numbers [Re = (u∞ d)/ν] within the range of Re = 120, 150, 160, 175, and 200 for various gap spacings (g = s/d), ranging from 1 to 6. This study focused on the symmetric examination of flow behavior for various gap spacing within the three unequal-sized square cylinders. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Reynolds numbers and gap spacing for flow structure mechanism and vortex shedding suppression in between the gap and down-stream position of all three cylinders. Results are obtained in terms of vorticity contours visualization, drag and lift coefficients, Strouhal number, and physical parameters. In vorticity contour visualization, different flow behaviors are observed, known as flow regimes, and are named according to their characteristics, and they are (i) steady flow regime, (ii) shear layer reattachment flow regime (SLR), (iii) fully developed vortex shedding flow regime, (iv) two-row fully developed vortex shedding flow regime, and (v) fully developed irregular vortex shedding flow regime. The present study also includes a discussion on aerodynamic forces, namely the mean drag coefficient (Cdmean), root mean square of the lift coefficient (Clrms), and Strouhal numbers (St) for three cylinders with sizes d = 20, d1 = 15, and d2 = 10, respectively. The maximum value of Cdmean for the first cylinder (C1) is obtained at (Re, g) = (200, 3) that is, 1.5156, where the existing flow regime is the SLR flow regime, while for C2 and C3, the maximum Cdmean values are examined at critical flow behaviors, where the existing flow regime is a fully developed irregular vortex shedding flow regime. Negative values of Cdmean are also examined for cylinders C2 and C3 at some combinations of (Re, g), attributed to the effect of thrust. Furthermore, it is noticed that the values of Strouhal number are increased with an increment in values of gap spacing. The highest value of the Strouhal number for all three cylinders is observed for C1 at (Re, g) = (120, 5), reaching 0.1556 along with a two-row fully developed flow regime. Furthermore, it is investigated from the present problem that the position of unequal sized square cylinders strongly influenced the flow structure mechanism. The information found and discussed in this study could be effective for structure designing arrangement in the case of three square cylinders of unequal size placed in a horizontal arrangement.

Mathematical simulation of transverse cut in the fiber of a composite reinforced with unidirectional fibers with linear cohesion cracks

In the reviewed paper, the case of a transverse displacement plane with two pairs of biperiodic (corresponding to the X and Y axes) cohesive cracks of unequal size, weakened by biperiodic circular holes, is considered. The circular holes are filled with reinforcing fibers and the surface is covered with a thin homogeneous non-metallic material of the same thickness. In this case, boundary issues between filler and coating, coating and matrix, and boundary issues along cohesion cracks are determined. For both cases, the solution to the problem is sought in the form of an analytical function with complex variables. According to the boundary conditions of the case, a system of unequal algebraic equations is found along the holes, and singular integral equations are constructed along the cohesion cracks. Currently, the singular integral equations are brought to the system of finite linear algebraic equations with the help of mathematical transformations. Both systems are solved together using the Gaussian method and the crack growth is determined using the stress intensity factor formulas at the crack tips. During the solution of the problem, the stress intensity coefficients at the end are found by the variation of the length of the cracks based on the radius of the circular holes.

Hierarchical Principal Components for Data-Driven Multiresolution fMRI Analyses.

Understanding the organization of neural processing is a fundamental goal of neuroscience. Recent work suggests that these systems are organized as a multiscale hierarchy, with increasingly specialized subsystems nested inside general processing systems. Current neuroimaging methods, such as independent component analysis (ICA), cannot fully capture this hierarchy since they are limited to a single spatial scale. In this manuscript, we introduce multiresolution hierarchical principal components analysis (hPCA) and compare it to ICA using simulated fMRI datasets. Furthermore, we describe a parametric statistical filtering method developed to focus analyses on biologically relevant features. Lastly, we apply hPCA to the Human Connectome Project (HCP) to demonstrate its ability to estimate a hierarchy from real fMRI data. hPCA accurately estimated spatial maps and time series from networks with diverse hierarchical structures. Simulated hierarchies varied in the degree of branching, such as two-way or three-way subdivisions, and the total number of levels, with varying equal or unequal subdivision sizes at each branch. In each case, as well as in the HCP, hPCA was able to reconstruct a known hierarchy of networks. Our results suggest that hPCA can facilitate more detailed and comprehensive analyses of the brain's network of networks and the multiscale regional specializations underlying neural processing and cognition.

A Huber Loss Minimization Approach to Byzantine Robust Federated Learning

Federated learning systems are susceptible to adversarial attacks. To combat this, we introduce a novel aggregator based on Huber loss minimization, and provide a comprehensive theoretical analysis. Under independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) assumption, our approach has several advantages compared to existing methods. Firstly, it has optimal dependence on epsilon, which stands for the ratio of attacked clients. Secondly, our approach does not need precise knowledge of epsilon. Thirdly, it allows different clients to have unequal data sizes. We then broaden our analysis to include non-i.i.d data, such that clients have slightly different distributions.

Prevalence of Lameness in Dairy Cows and Associated Risk Factors at Hawassa Town Dairy Farms, Ethiopia.

Lameness is one of the greatest constraints on the productivity, health, and welfare of dairy cattle. A cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2021 to September 2021 in Hawassa town with the aim of assessing the prevalence and identifying the associated risk factors of lameness in dairy farms. The study was conducted on 440 animals belonging to 19 randomly selected intensive dairy farms. Data regarding lameness and its possible risk factors were collected both at animal and farm level using a questionnaire. The results showed that the overall prevalence of lameness was 10.2% (n = 45/440). The association of lameness prevalence with various risk factors including milking status, exercise, age, parity, milk yield, and lactation stage was statistically tested using logistic regression model. There was a significant variation in the prevalence of lameness (P < 0.05) between cattle with different milking status, age, parity, milk yield, and stage of lactation by the univariable analysis result. According to the multivariable analysis, only milk yield and lactation stage were statistically associated with the occurrence of lameness. Milking animals (8%) had higher prevalence of lameness than nonmilking (2.2%). The occurrence of lameness increased with milk yield. The highest prevalence of lameness was recorded in the early stage of lactation. Lameness was more frequent in hind limbs (6.6%) than in forelimbs (3.6%). The main causes of lameness observed in this study were both claw overgrowth 10 (2.3%), unequal claw size 10 (2.3%), solar ulcer 8 (1.8%), interdigital necrobacillosis 2 (0.5%), interdigital hyperplasia 2 (0.5%), and digital dermatitis 1 (0.2%). There was no means of early lameness diagnosis in 94.7% of farms. Lameness was found to be an important disease in dairy cows at Hawassa town. Prevention and early diagnosis leading to prompt treatment of lameness in cows should be part of dairy farm management practice.

Towards improving online learning in physical education: Gender differences and determinants of motivation, psychological needs satisfaction, and academic achievement in Saudi students.

Studies on students' perceptions and expectations during physical education (PE) online learning remain scarce. Centered on self-determination theory, the present cross-sectional study aims to identify gender differences and predictors affecting motivation, psychological needs satisfaction (PNS), and academic achievement during PE online learning. Data were collected from Saudi students' (N = 308, 161 females and 147 males) responses to the PE autonomy, relatedness, competence, and motivation questionnaires. Welch's t-test for unequal sample sizes, multiple linear regression, and binary logistic regression were used to compare means and to predict the relationships between the independent and dependent variables. The results showed higher autonomy and competence perceptions in female than in male students, but no differences were observed in relatedness. Female students presented higher intrinsic motivations, lower amotivation perceptions than males. However, no gender differences were recorded in extrinsic motivation. Students with less experience in online learning and weak grade point averages (GPAs) are more susceptible to having a high level of amotivation. Gender, GPA, and prior experience with online learning are the common predictors for all PNS and amotivation, while GPA and prior experience with online learning are the determinants of intrinsic motivation. GPA is affected by prior experience with online learning, autonomy, competence, intrinsic motivation, and amotivation. Therefore, teachers are encouraged to adapt their didactic-pedagogical behaviors during PE online learning according to students' motivation and autonomy perceptions. Structuring teaching activities with more individualized support for autonomy, competence, intrinsic motivation, and students' online skills/competencies ensures better learning efficiency and academic achievements.

Research on cavitation bubble behaviors between a dual-particle pair

The interactions between particle clusters and cavitation bubbles play an important role in several industrial applications, e.g., the abrasive erosion of hydraulic machinery, the efficiency improvement of ultrasonic cleaning, and the mineral flotation. This paper explores the influence of a dual-particle pair of unequal sizes on the bubble collapse dynamics based on a Kelvin impulse model and high-speed photography. The impact of the radius ratio of the dual-particle pair (ranging from 1.0 to 3.0), defined as the ratio of the large-particle radius to the small-particle radius, on the bubble interface deformation, collapse jet, and the translational movement of the bubble is analyzed. The main findings are as follows: (1) the Kelvin impulse based on the Weiss theorem can effectively predict the asymmetric bubble behaviors in terms of the moving distance and the direction of the bubble centroid during the bubble collapse; (2) the particle radius ratio is a key parameter affecting the intensity and direction of the Kelvin impulse, as well as the bubble centroid moving distance; and (3) the zero-Kelvin-impulse point is always biased toward the smaller particle in the dual-particle pair.

Control of successive unequal cell divisions by neural cell fate regulators determines embryonic neuroblast cell size.

Asymmetric cell divisions often generate daughter cells of unequal size in addition to different fates. In some contexts, daughter cell size asymmetry is thought to be a key input to specific binary cell fate decisions. An alternative possibility is that unequal division is a mechanism by which a variety of cells of different sizes are generated during embryonic development. We show here that two unequal cell divisions precede neuroblast formation in the C lineage of Caenorhabditis elegans. The equalisation of these divisions in a pig-1/MELK mutant background has little effect on neuroblast specification. Instead, we demonstrate that let-19/MDT13 is a regulator of the proneural basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor hlh-14/ASCL1 and find that both are required to concomitantly regulate the acquisition of neuroblast identity and neuroblast cell size. Thus, embryonic neuroblast cell size in this lineage is progressively regulated in parallel with identity by key neural cell fate regulators. We propose that key cell fate determinants have a previously unappreciated function in regulating unequal cleavage, and therefore cell size, of the progenitor cells whose daughter cell fates they then go on to specify.

Improving incomplete mixing modeling for junctions of water distribution networks

Abstract Most of the existing water quality models for water distribution networks assume complete mixing at junctions. Albeit few models offer the possibility to consider incomplete mixing (IM) at junctions, most of them were developed under laboratory conditions and for equal pipe size junctions. In real-world distribution networks, however, cross junctions of 150 × 100 × 150 × 100 mm or 100 × 150 × 150 × 150 mm are common, yet no model has been developed for these configurations. This paper presents a new equation to compute concentrations in cross junction outlets while considering IM for six cross junction configurations, including unequal pipe sizes and 150 mm pipes. For each cross junction configuration, mixing was studied under 25 flow scenarios in the laboratory and 40 simulated flow scenarios using OpenFOAM software. Two new flow rate ratios were selected as independent variables to compute different outlet concentrations. For two specific cross junctions with equal pipe sizes, the root-mean-squared error between the observed and simulated concentrations of the newly developed model was 0.02, while it was 0.05 and 0.07, respectively, for the AZRED IM model and the Shao et al. IM model.