Pennsylvania State University

Coils wound with High Temperature Superconductors have found increasing use in recent years in the development of high field magnets for several applications, including nuclear fusion. This is primarily due to their unparalleled ability to carry large currents in the presence of high magnetic fields, as well as their mechanical robustness. This work presents a novel approach to hot-spot detection and coil diagnostics that is applicable to both insulated and non-insulated REBCO pancake coils. The essence of the idea consists of embedding one or more optical fibers within the coil-to-coil insulation, or spacer material, that is typically used in magnets made of single or double pancake coils. We show a proof of concept of this approach via fabrication of SMART insulation samples and experimental demonstration of its capabilities on a REBCO NI Coil.

Nowadays, partly thanks to the development of novel manufacturing techniques, more complex multiscale configurations whose microstructural building blocks can vary smoothly in space, have gained increasing research interest. Compared with periodic multiscale structures, the microstructural variance in spatially varying multiscale configuration (SVMSC) leads to innumerate cell problems to solve, if it is analysed with asymptotic homogenisation (AH). Algorithms and/or softwares for the compliance evaluation of SVMSCs are naturally needed. Zhu et al. proposed an improved asymptotic homogenisation method (AH plus) for evaluating the stiffness performance of SVMSC. Then to facilitate practical application, machine learning models are trained to summarise the macro-micro transition indicated by the cell problems. However, the implementation and application of this algorithm still present challenges due to these complex mathematical treatments behind the realisation of theory in computation. In order to offer a shortcut to readers doing spatially varying multiscale analysis on their owns, this article provides and explains a set of MATLAB codes based on the AH plus method for the performance evaluation of multiscale structures, especially when the structure exhibits spatial gradients. This code package is composed of three moduli: an 88-line script to compute the homogenised properties of a given irregular-shaped building block, a 48-line script to train a neural network expressing the homogenised properties, and an 88-line script to conduct online compliance computation. Several numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and accuracy of the code presented in this article. The complete Matlab codes are given in the Appendixes and can be downloaded from the web-site https://github.com/DLUTMARG/MLBAH88-48-88.

The ability of organisms to effectively respond to challenges is critical for survival. We investigated how an acute stressor affected corticosterone, mitochondrial function, and DNA oxidative damage in a wild population of Leach's storm-petrels (Hydrobates leucorhous). We conducted a standardized 20-min handling procedure on storm-petrel chicks and collected baseline and post-handling blood samples. We measured plasma corticosterone and red blood cell DNA oxidative damage levels through the detection of a mutated DNA base 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). In addition, we quantified six measures of mitochondrial aerobic metabolism from red blood cells. Overall, the handling stressor increased plasma corticosterone levels and decreased mitochondrial efficiency to produce ATP. Although the increase in corticosterone was inversely related to the change in DNA oxidative damage, the decrease in mitochondrial efficiency was positively correlated with the change in DNA oxidative damage. Thus, over an acute stress response, individuals who had the largest increase in corticosterone also had the least amount of oxidative damage. In addition, individuals who prioritized ATP production during the acute stress also showed higher levels of oxidative damage. This work highlights the complex pathways by which corticosterone and mitochondrial efficiency affect oxidative damage during acute stress, providing new insights into the trade-offs underlying physiological responses in wild animals.

Coalition initiatives that use evidence-based practices (EBPs) have been shown to reduce youth substance use. Despite the importance of promoting community coalitions’ EBP use, there is little empirical evidence about how to do so. This study aimed to identify distinct coalition profiles that foster EBP use by examining clusters of coalitions characteristics and the type of coalition model followed. We analyzed data from 67 coalitions participating in the Coalition Check-Up, a cluster randomized trial designed to increase community anti-drug coalition capacity. Using k-means clustering approach, we identified subgroups of coalitions based on two domains of coalition capacity—functioning and collaborative structure, each also considering coalition model type. We then examined, using analysis of variance (ANOVA), the degree to which each subgroup of coalitions used EBPs. We found that (a) coalitions with higher levels of functioning characterized by sustainability, science-based approaches to prevention, community knowledge, and efficiency, using explicit theory-based models were associated with higher use of EBPs, (b) coalitions with lower levels of collaborative structure defined by formalized procedures, decentralization, sectoral diversity, and intersectoral communication, using explicit theory-based models were associated with higher EBP use, and (c) low functioning coalitions using no model were associated with the lowest level of EBP use. Characterizing coalitions’ functioning, collaborative structure, and models used may help coalition leaders and technical assistance providers enhance coalition capacity that enables the use of EBPs. Findings also indicated the importance of using explicit theory-based models to increase coalition impact.

Rather than propose a unified concept of noise, this chapter examines the complexity of noise and the fluctuating indeterminacy of its conceptualization through different registers of analysis—music, semiotics, literary, philosophical, cultural, historical—for the purpose of mapping conceptual transformations without arriving at a definitive concept called “noise.” The range of aspects and authors covered in this chapter—including musical examples such as Joy Division, Roland Barthes and Michel Serres, the epics of Homer and Gilgamesh, and literary references in Kafka and Rilke—is deliberately fashioned to represent so many tunings on a valve-radio-set, turning the frequency knob left and right, moving up and down across a spectrum of live transmissions, not to capture the Noise and so still the noise, but always still to hear noise, and still some more.

thinking and concrete thinking shape how we interpret and interact with the world. One of the most influential approaches to abstract and concrete construals is Construal Level Theory, which has primarily taken a situational approach to studying construal level. The current research develops the General Construal Questionnaire to measure individuals’ general tendencies toward abstract and concrete thinking, opening possibilities for new research that extends past the focus on situational construal. Distinguishing abstract and concrete construals as distinct factors reveals that they have unique effects. Abstract construal correlates with extraversion, openness to experience, a focus on the future, promotion, and desirability, a preference for cognition, tolerance for uncertainty, and a tendency to perceive similarities, stereotype, and evaluate. Concrete construal correlates with conscientiousness, a focus on the present, prevention, and feasibility, a preference for certainty and perfectionism, and a tendency to perceive differences and make daily progress.

Background Nearly half of the world population is infected by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy (BQT) has shown favorable outcomes. This study compares 10‐day and 14‐day BQT regimens to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and compliance rates. Methods We searched electronic databases from their inception until May 2024 to retrieve all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared 10‐day and 14‐day BQT regimens for H. pylori eradication. Meta‐analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. Dichotomous outcomes were compared using the risk ratio (RR). Results Seven RCTs and a total of 2424 patients were included in the meta‐analysis. There was no significant difference in the intention‐to‐treat eradication rate (RR 0.97; 95% CI 0.94, 1.01) and the per‐protocol eradication rate (RR 0.96; 95% CI 0.93, 1.00) between the 10‐day BQT and 14‐day BQT groups. Commonly reported adverse events in both groups were epigastric pain and discomfort, nausea, and vomiting. There was no significant difference in the risk of adverse events between the two groups (RR 0.85; 95% CI 0.70, 1.03). There was no significant difference in the compliance rate between the two groups (RR 1.02; 95% CI 1.00, 1.04). Conclusion The eradication rates, risk of adverse events, and compliance rates were comparable between the two groups. Future research comparing similar drug doses with larger sample sizes and longer patient follow‐ups can improve the quality of results.

The field of microbiome research continues to grow at a rapid pace, with multi-omics approaches becoming widely used to interrogate diverse microbiome samples. However, due to lagging awareness and implementation of standards and data stewardship, many datasets are produced that are not comparable, reproducible, or reusable. In 2021, the National Microbiome Data Collaborative launched its Ambassador Program, which utilizes a community-learning model to annually train a cohort of early-career researchers in microbiome data stewardship best practices. These Ambassadors then host workshops and other events to communicate these themes to their respective microbiome research communities. To quantify the impact of this learning model for promoting awareness of and experience with microbiome data, we conducted a survey of workshop participants from events hosted by the 2023 Ambassador cohort. The 2023 cohort of 13 National Microbiome Data Collaborative Ambassadors collectively hosted 21 events, reaching over 550 researchers. The Ambassadors distributed an anonymous post-workshop survey to their event participants to quantify the effectiveness of the training materials, the workshop format, and the thematic content. From the 21 events, survey results were successfully collected for 15 of those events from a total of 122 researchers. Overall, 122 participants working with a range of microbiome types and from a variety of institutions responded to the survey and reported overwhelmingly positive experiences with the workshop content and materials, with 98% of respondents reporting that they gained knowledge from the event. Participants across the events also reported an increase in their post-workshop understanding of metadata standards, principles for microbiome data management and reporting, and the importance of standardization in microbiome data processing. Participants also expressed a willingness to apply what they learned about microbiome data stewardship to their own research. The results of this study demonstrate the effectiveness of hands-on workshops and community-learning for communicating data stewardship best practices to microbiome researchers. The lessons learned and details about the implementation of this cohort-based learning model contained herein are intended to assist other groups in their efforts to create or improve similar learning strategies.

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) root extract has been used as a natural medicine and sweetener for a long time in many parts of the world. As a result, there has been a considerable emphasis on developing efficient and environmentally friendly methods for extracting bioactive components from Liquorice root. This work aims to examine extracting extract from Liquorice root using a combined ultrasonic-cold plasma reactor to elevate the extraction efficiency. Different parameters, including extraction time, ultrasonic power, and the argon-to-air ratio, were investigated using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken design to raise extract quality. The total phenol and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity were calculated to evaluate this approach, and Glycyrrhizic acid content was quantified by HPLC (High-performance liquid chromatography). Results showed that combining ultrasonic-cold plasma extraction greatly raised the yield of extract and bioactive components compared to conventional maceration and single-method methods. Particularly, The content of total phenol 10.23, 15.96, and 13.29%, total flavonoid content 21.47, 22.19, and 42.41%, and Glycyrrhizic acid 10.84%, 12.38%, and 15.89% increased by ultrasonic, cold plasma, and combined ultrasonic-cold plasma technique, respectively, compared to the maceration technique. Optimization of different extraction techniques showed that the best extract quality came from a mix of ultrasonic power, plasma composition, and extraction time. This study demonstrates that the combined ultrasonic-cold plasma technique is effective and efficient, and this technology has the potential for a new extraction method to present a more sustainable and effective substitute for premium Liquorice extracts for medicinal and commercial uses.

Novel transdisciplinary programs have developed that train graduate students to combat traditional disciplinary siloes and emphasize collaborative, boundary-crossing approaches. Insights into how to improve such programs usually originate from the limited number of faculty who have either founded or taught in such programs. However, graduate students have long fostered the development of transdisciplinary approaches and continue to identify avenues for addressing the nuanced socio-ecological issues of today. The perspectives of graduate students engaged in transdisciplinary education can offer universities insights into how to promote ethical community engagement and integrate action-oriented thinking into program development. As students across the first four cohorts in a transdisciplinary graduate program (Penn State’s LandscapeU), we identify elements of research approaches that can enhance transdisciplinary graduate education based on our collective experiences and explore how our experiences relate to our graduate student peers in transdisciplinary programs within the extant literature. We synthesize this material to present 19 recommendations for improving transdisciplinary education that can be generalized across contexts. Graduate students, faculty, and administrators should consider implementing our recommendations to strengthen their existing programs, advocate for more effective community engagement, and integrate into proposals for future transdisciplinary graduate programs. Given the increasing complexity of socio-ecological problems, this work draws attention to the vast resources available from graduate student experiences and how these experiences can be used to advance transdisciplinary science.

Graphene molecule has very important properties such as high conductivity and high stability as well as remarkable optical properties, so it is suitable for use in many purposes. However, its use as an NH3 adsorbent is limited. In this research, new nanobud structures were designed from the interaction of graphene and boron nitride nanocages. After designing the nanobud structures, quantum calculations were performed to determine their electrical and optical structural characteristics. Finally, the possibility of using nanobuds as ammonia absorbers and their efficiency in comparison with graphene and boron nitride were investigated. As a result of the calculations, it was shown that the imaginary frequency was not observed in the calculated IR spectrum of the designed nanobuds and the calculated coherent energy for these structures also confirmed the possibility of their formation. Calculation of the electrical properties of the designed nanobuds showed that their electrical properties are similar to graphene, indicating the presence of B12N12 does not have a great effect on the electrical properties of the nanobuds. Also, it was shown that the nonlinear optical properties calculated for the nanobuds are not only similar to graphene, but also better than graphene. Also, the absorption of visible and ultraviolet light by nanobuds is more similar to graphene, and even in some cases, the number of absorption lines for nanobuds is more than that of graphene. Finally, the calculations showed that unlike graphene, which is not a suitable absorbent for ammonia, the designed nanobud structure is suitable absorbent for ammonia molecules. It also predicted that the nanobud created by attaching a large number of B12N12 to the surface of graphene has electrical properties similar to graphene and absorption properties similar to B12N12.

Background and Objectives The purpose of this paper is to describe the pre-implementation process utilized to identify potential substantive barriers and facilitators to implementing the Individualized Positive Psychosocial Interaction (IPPI) across 9 nursing home communities prior to recruitment for an embedded pragmatic clinical trial. Research Design and Methods We conducted 9 focus groups with n=65 staff during regularly scheduled interdisciplinary care team meetings. Sessions included a description of the IPPI program and utilized a pre-mortem exercise to solicit feedback on all the reasons why implementation of the IPPI would fail or succeed. To include additional stakeholders, we conducted individual interviews with n=56 staff, n=37 residents, n=17 family members, and n=1 volunteer. Data were thematically coded for barriers and facilitators informed by the Inner Setting Domain of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research version 2.0. Results Overall, participants reported the human-equality centered culture, relative priority, and mission alignment of the IPPI with the organizational priorities as major facilitators. Potential barriers to IPPI implementation were related to structural characteristics, specifically staffing concerns around not having enough staff along with communication challenges with residents and finding appropriate space to conduct IPPIs as an available resource. Discussion and Implications Utilizing the pre-mortem exercise to engage staff, residents, and family was successful for relationship building between researchers and end users. Several substantive barriers and facilitators to IPPI implementation were identified, helping to inform implementation strategies for a future embedded pragmatic clinical trial.

Background and Objectives Little work has explored how pragmatic data (i.e., usual care delivery data) can be used as an indicator of preference-based care delivery in nursing homes (NH) and how we can link these data to health of NH residents. The Preference Match Tracker (PMT) uses electronic medical records data to track the number of recreation activities NH residents attend weekly that match their important preferences. We explored how PMT data were linked to NH residents’ reports of pain and functional impairment over time. Research Design and Methods Preferences were assessed with the Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory (PEL-NH) and MDS 3.0 and used to tabulate weekly PMT data for 586 residents from January 2016 to March 2020. Health indicators of pain/no pain (dichotomous) and functional impairment (continuous) were extracted from MDS 3.0 clinical assessments in the electronic medical record. We employed repeated measures logistic regression and mixed linear modeling approaches, with covariates, to examine the association of attendance/refusing to attend preferred and non-preferred activities over 1-year with pain and function. Results Pain symptoms decreased over time; functional impairment remained relatively stable. After accounting for covariates, attendance in recreational activities (preferred and non-preferred activities) was associated with less pain and less functional impairment over time. Interestingly, refusing to attend activities (both preferred or non-preferred) was also associated with less reported pain. Discussion There is an association of activity attendance with pain and functional ability. Tracking recreational activity attendance may help staff to support NH residents’ health and well-being.

Chiral metamaterials based on mirror‐symmetry broken resonators are engineered to achieve a strong interaction with circularly polarized (CP) waves. However, in contrast to the widely‐observed enhanced circular dichroism (CD), moderate/narrow‐band optical activity (OA) responses are usually seen in chiral metadevices. Here, by engineering the chirality parameter that determines the effective refractive indices associated with the two CP eigenstates, a three‐dimensional (3D) metamaterial consisting of 3D‐printed ceramic meta‐atoms exhibiting broadband strong OA with nondispersive near‐zero ellipticity in the millimeter‐wave regime is demonstrated. With four‐fold rotational symmetry ( C 4 ), the 3D dielectric metamaterial shows near‐identical co‐polarized transmission magnitude but distinct phase retardations under left‐handed circularly polarized (LCP) and right‐handed circularly polarized (RCP) illumination over a broad frequency range. Field analysis indicates that the observed OA behavior originates from the handedness‐dependent light‐matter interaction between the chiral meta‐atoms and CP waves. Furthermore, large transmission CD and CP polarization conversion are observed in a metamaterial with C 2 ‐symmetry, demonstrating the proposed systems’ versatility in CP wave control. As revealed by the present study, coherently exploring the complex parametric space offered by 3D meta‐atoms based on state‐of‐the‐art 3D fabrication techniques can become a promising paradigm for engineering metamaterials with sophisticated functionalities.