Many foodborne illness outbreaks originate in food service establishments. We tested two behavioural interventions designed to improve the duration and quality of handwashing. We ran a three-armed parallel trial in a laboratory kitchen, from 7 March to 27 May 2022. Participants were n = 195 workers who handle food. We randomly allocated participants to three groups: Timer – tap-mounted timer that counted seconds while participants washed their hands; Precommitment – agreed to five statements on good hand hygiene before attending the kitchen; and Control. Participants completed a food preparation task under time pressure. Cameras focused on the sink captured handwashing. Outcome measures were number of times participants washed their hands; number of times they washed their hands using soap; number of times they washed using soap and washed the backs of their hands; and mean duration of handwashing attempts using soap. Participants in Timer washed their hands for 1.9 s longer on average than Control (β = 2.20, 95% CI = 0.34-4.06, p = 0.021). Participants in Precommitment washed their hands for 2.5 s longer on average than Control (β = 2.30, 95% CI = 0.33-4.27, p = 0.022). We found no statistically significant differences on any other outcome measure.

We show that demand effects generated by institutional frictions can influence systematic return predictability patterns in stocks and mutual funds. Identification relies on a reform to the Morningstar rating system, which we show caused a structural break in style-level positive feedback trading by mutual funds. As a result, momentum-related factors in stocks, as well as performance persistence and the “dumb money effect” in mutual funds, experienced a sharp decline. Consistent with the proposed channel, return predictability declined right after the reform, was limited to the U.S. market, and was concentrated in factors and mutual funds most exposed to the mechanism.

Cap-shaped skeletal fossils are the earliest undisputed body fossils of mollusks appearing in the basal Cambrian. A study on the morphometry of cap-shaped fossils from the Nanjiang area (North Sichuan, China) is undertaken to understand the origin and evolution of the early mollusks. The distribution of these fossil cap-shaped mollusks indicates a stepwise increase in their diversity during the early Cambrian. Maikhanella Zhegallo in Voronin et al., 1982 co-occuring with the spinose sclerites of siphogonuchitids, is regarded as the earliest scleritized mollusk. It is followed by other maikhanellids, e.g., Purella Missarzhevsky, 1974 and Yunnanopleura Yu, 1987, which co-occur with the earliest univalved helcionellids, e.g., Igorella Missarzhevsky in Rozanov et al., 1969. Cluster analysis of their morphometric characteristics shows that the Maikhanella group is similar to the Purella and Yunnanopleura groups, but is less comparable with univalved helcionellids. The maikhanellids are interpreted as representatives of the stem group Aculifera, although it remains uncertain if one or two larger cap-shaped shell plates were present on the elongate slug-like body, comparable to those of Halkieria Poulsen, 1967 or Orthrozanclus Conway Morris and Caron, 2007. Maikhanellids are characterized by the prominent protrusions or scales on the cap-shaped shell plates arranged in a concentric pattern around the shell apex. Evolutionarily, the protrusions or scales are reduced in younger strata, whereas subsequently a typically concentric ornament developed, the cap-shaped shell plates developed higher profiles, and the apical region became increasingly bare of scales. Meanwhile, the cap-shaped shell plates gradually evolved into a helcionellid-like appearance with an anteroposteriorly inclined apex. The morphological evolution of the earliest sclerotized mollusks reflects biotic evolution and environmental adaption among the stem-group mollusks during the early Cambrian.

This study investigates the dynamics of low-viscosity nanodroplets impacting surfaces with static contact angles from θ = 73° to 180° via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Two typical morphologies of impacting nanodroplets are observed at the maximum spreading state, a Hertz-ball-like in a low-Weber-number range and a thin-film-like in a high-Weber-number range. Only inertial and capillary forces dominate the impact for the former, whereas viscous force also becomes dominant for the latter. Regardless of morphologies at the maximum spreading state, the ratio of spreading time to contact time always remains constant on an ideal superhydrophobic surface with θ = 180°. With the help of different kinematic approximations of the spreading time and scaling laws of the contact time, scaling laws of the maximum spreading factor ${\beta _{max}}\sim W{e^{1/5}}$ in the low-Weber-number range (capillary regime) and ${\beta _{max}}\sim W{e^{2/3}}R{e^{ - 1/3}}$ (or ${\beta _{max}}\sim W{e^{1/2}}O{h^{1/3}}$) in the high-Weber-number range (cross-over regime) are obtained. Here, We, Re, and Oh are the Weber number, Reynolds number, and Ohnesorge number, respectively. Although the scaling laws are proposed only for the ideal superhydrophobic surface, they are tested valid for θ over 73° owing to the ignorable zero-velocity spreading effect. Furthermore, combining the two scaling laws leads to an impact number, $W{e^{3/10}}O{h^{1/3}} = 2.1$. This impact number can be used to determine whether viscous force is ignorable for impacting nanodroplets, thereby distinguishing the capillary regime from the cross-over regime.

The Ediacaran tubular fossils Cloudina, Sinotubulites, and Conotubus are taxonomically revised with type materials. It is proposed that Aulophycus lucianoi Beurlen and Sommer, 1957, is not a senior synonym of Cloudina hartmannae Germs, 1972. Instead, most of its syntypes may be assigned to Sinotubulites or other taxa. Lectotypes of Sinotubulites baimatuoensis Chen et al., 1981, and Conotubus hemiannulatus Zhang and Lin in Lin et al., 1986, are designated from rediscovered syntypes. Sinotubulites baimatuoensis Chen et al., 1981, is reported from the Mooifontein Member of Nama Group at Aar Farm, Namibia. Cloudina waldei Hahn and Pflug, 1985, is assigned to Sinotubulites baimatuoensis, and thus its occurrence range is extended to Brazil. The lectotype of Conotubus hemiannulatus shows corrugations and annulations on the surface distinguishing it from Cloudina and other collared Ediacaran tubular fossils. Based on the taxonomic revision, we propose a Cloudina hartmannae Interval Zone for the terminal Ediacaran with the upper boundary defined by the first appearance datum of Protohertzina anabarica (i.e., the index fossil of the early Cambrian Anabarites trisulcatus-Protohertzina anabarica Assemblage Zone).

Thermocapillary patterning, namely, the formation of micro/nano patterns in a liquid film by surface deformation induced by an imposed thermal gradient, has enjoyed widespread applications in engineering. In this paper, we present the development of analytical and numerical models and model analyses to predict the equilibrium states of a deformed liquid polymer film under the action of thermocapillary forces. The deformation is found to be dependent on a non-dimensional parameter $\Im \equiv Ma \, Ca$, with Ma denoting the Marangoni number and Ca the capillary number. Model analyses show that a hysteresis phenomenon is associated with the thermocapillary deformation of the film with increasing and then decreasing $\Im$. When $\Im$ is increased above a critical value ${\Im _{c,1}}$, significant deformation occurs in the film until the polymer touches the top solid template. Then, if $\Im$ is allowed to decrease, the polymer film would not detach from the template until $\Im$ is decreased below another critical value ${\Im _{c,2}}$ (usually ${\Im _{c,2}} < {\Im _{c,1}}$). With $\Im \in [{\Im _{c,2}},\;{\Im _{c,1}}]$, there exist multiple (three at the maximum) equilibrium states. The Lyapunov energy analysis of these states reveals that one equilibrium state is stable, another is metastable and the third one is unstable.

In patients with β-lactam allergies, administration of non–β-lactam surgical prophylaxis is associated with increased risk of infection. Although many patients self-report β-lactam allergies, most are unconfirmed or mislabeled. A quality improvement process, utilizing a structured β-lactam allergy tool, was implemented to improve the utilization of preferred β-lactam surgical prophylaxis.

A numerical analysis is presented of the Rayleigh–Taylor instability (RTI) in the presence of an external electric field, with an emphasis on nonlinear phenomena associated with the evolution of complex interfacial morphology. The Poisson equation for the electric field and the Navier–Stokes equation for fluid flow field are solved simultaneously along with the Cahn–Hilliard phase field equation for interface deformation and morphology development. Numerical model is validated against the existing data and the results of linear analysis. Extensive numerical simulations are carried out for a wide range of fluid flow and electric field conditions. Computed results show that, in both linear and nonlinear regimes, a horizontal field suppresses the RTI, while a vertical electric field aggravates it. However, the vertical field does not affect the secondary instability; specifically, it does not contribute to the baroclinical generation of vorticity and consequently does not affect the roll-up formation. Linear analysis predicts that the RTI remains the same with the interchange of the dielectric constants of the two fluids, which is also confirmed by the numerical model for small interface deformations. This prediction, however, does not hold true in the nonlinear regimes in that complex interfacial morphology may evolve quite differently if the dielectric constants of two fluids are interchanged.

Advances in technological innovation have been deployed to support autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles in many industries. A question that remains unanswered is why very little progress has been made in remote pilotage over the past 15 years. This paper draws together theories from innovation management and the high reliability organisation literatures to shed light on this question. Using a case study of two Australian ports, we examine a business case for remote pilotage demonstrating that despite positive cost benefit models, ambiguities in benefits exist throughout the ecosystem. The discussion sheds light on unique challenges that port executives face where it is necessary to simultaneously develop a strategy to: (1) manage the internal innovation process, and (2) manage the external consequences of the innovation by mobilising allies, managing opponents, and converting those who are indifferent to the innovation. The main contribution of this paper is to show that any assessment of the innovation challenge facing remote pilotage and enhanced navigational assistance requires the maritime industry to ask new questions not previously considered.

In order to solve the problem of a strapdown Inertial Navigation System (INS) under a vibrating base, a ground fine alignment method is proposed in this paper, and it is about reconstructing the error equations of a strapdown INS. In this method, the effects aroused by the linear and angular vibration are considered as system and measurement noise; in addition, they are also regarded as the components of a system matrix. This setting avoids the effects of linear and angular vibration under a vibrating base. The results of simulation and experiment show that our method is suitable for a ground fine alignment of a strapdown INS under a vibrating base.

The challenges associated with meeting 20nm technology requirements for better Cu CMP process uniformity and lower defectivity have been studied. Required improvements in uniformity were obtained through platen process optimization along with evaluation & selection of specific Cu slurries and pads and their performance reported. The principal factors influencing defect formation, including Cu barrier metallurgy, interconnect pattern density and process queue times were studied. Specific new post CMP clean chemistries were evaluated to assess their capability to suppress defect formation and their performance reported. The trade off between uniformity and defect suppression as a function slurry, pad and post Cu CMP clean chemistry is described.

Dental remineralization may be achieved by mediating the interactions between tooth surfaces with free ions and biomimetic peptides. We recently developed octuplet repeats of aspartate-serine-serine (DSS-8) peptide, which occurs in high abundance in naturally occurring proteins that are critical for tooth remineralization. In this paper, we evaluated the possible role of DSS-8 in dentin remineralization. Human dentin specimens were demineralized, exposed briefly to DSS-8 solution, and then exposed to concentrated ionic solutions that favor remineralization. Dentin nano-mechanical behaviors, hardness and elastic modulus, at various stages of treatment were determined by nanoindentation. The phase, microstructure and morphology of the resultant surfaces were characterized using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, variable pressure scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy, respectively. Nanoindentation results show that DSS-8 remineralization effectively improves the mechanical and elastic properties of native dentin. Moreover, the hardness and elastic modulus for the DSS-8 treated dentin were significantly higher than surfaces remineralized without DSS-8.

Dental remineralization may be achieved by mediating the interactions between tooth surfaces with free ions and biomimetic peptides. We recently developed octuplet repeats of aspartate-serine-serine (DSS-8) peptide, which occurs in high abundance in naturally occurring proteins that are critical for tooth remineralization. In this paper, we evaluated the possible role of DSS-8 in enamel remineralization. Human enamel specimens were demineralized, exposed briefly to DSS-8 solution, and then exposed to concentrated ionic solutions that favor remineralization. Enamel nano-mechanical behaviors, hardness and elastic modulus, at various stages of treatment were determined by nanoindentation. The phase, microstructure and morphology of the resultant surfaces were characterized using the grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXD), variable pressure scanning electron microscopy (VPSEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Nanoindentation results show that the DSS-8 remineralization effectively improves the mechanical and elastic properties for demineralized enamel.

Diamond like carbon (DLC) films are synthesized on various substrates using a pulsed KrF excimer laser ablation deposition technique. Variations of laser power density, substrate temperature, angle and distance between the substrate and target yield different sizes of porous surfaces of DLC films. Microscope is used to examine the surfaces. Raman scattering is used to characterize the samples, and the typical G and D bands have been identified. Intensities and profiles of the G and D bands closely depend on laser power density. The relationship between the deposition rate and the power density is also studied.

The homology of the sequences, reported and registered in GenBank, of different strains of Avian influenza virus (AIV), Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) and Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), was analysed and compared with each other. According to the properties of these viruses, the conservative domain of the M gene for AIV, the F gene for NDV, the 5' non-coding domain end for CSFV and the 2B gene for FMDV were selected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. In order to prevent the formation of conformational dimers between different primers, four pairs of primers designed with the DNAsis system under the condition of G+C (50–60%),18–25 bp in length and Tm (72–85), were analysed using the VNTI5.5 system. The specific fragments amplified were as follows: 141 bp for FMDV, 200 bp for CSFV, 319 bp for NDV and 471 bp for AIV. The optimal conditions of PCR for each virus mentioned above were determined by orthogonal assay, and two or four of the four pairs of primers were then combined and used for amplification trials. The results showed that four specific fragments of different lengths would be successfully amplified in one tube at the same time. The products of PCR were tested to be specific by sequencing. Out of 46 pathological samples detected with the multiple PCR, there were 5 AIVs, 7 NDVs, 15 CSFVs and 6 FMDVs. The amplification above was identified with a single PCR. On the other hand, the results corresponded to those of electronic microscopy, haemagglutination (HA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The method described here is practicable, sensitive, specific, simple and cheap. It could be used for diagnosing AIV, NDV, CSFV and FMDV in different animals.

Al/Mg2Si composites were in situ fabricated by the usual die-casting technique, and effects of the Si contents in the composites on microstructures and tensile strengths were investigated. Experimental results show that extra Si contents in Al/Mg2Si composites induce a ductile matrix and a uniform distribution of in situ particles. The refined microstructures lead to an obvious increase in both strength and ductility of the metal matrix composites (MMCs). The effects of extra Si on both the solidification process and fracture characteristics of the Al/Mg2Si composites were analyzed.