NASA’s all-sky survey mission, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), is specifically engineered to detect exoplanets that transit bright stars. Thus far, TESS has successfully identified approximately 400 transiting exoplanets, in addition to roughly 6 000 candidate exoplanets pending confirmation. In this study, we present the results of our ongoing project, the Validation of Transiting Exoplanets using Statistical Tools (VaTEST). Our dedicated effort is focused on the confirmation and characterisation of new exoplanets through the application of statistical validation tools. Through a combination of ground-based telescope data, high-resolution imaging, and the utilisation of the statistical validation tool known as TRICERATOPS, we have successfully discovered eight potential super-Earths. These planets bear the designations: TOI-238b (1.61$^{+0.09} _{-0.10}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-771b (1.42$^{+0.11} _{-0.09}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-871b (1.66$^{+0.11} _{-0.11}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-1467b (1.83$^{+0.16} _{-0.15}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-1739b (1.69$^{+0.10} _{-0.08}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-2068b (1.82$^{+0.16} _{-0.15}$ R$_\oplus$), TOI-4559b (1.42$^{+0.13} _{-0.11}$ R$_\oplus$), and TOI-5799b (1.62$^{+0.19} _{-0.13}$ R$_\oplus$). Among all these planets, six of them fall within the region known as ‘keystone planets’, which makes them particularly interesting for study. Based on the location of TOI-771b and TOI-4559b below the radius valley we characterised them as likely super-Earths, though radial velocity mass measurements for these planets will provide more details about their characterisation. It is noteworthy that planets within the size range investigated herein are absent from our own solar system, making their study crucial for gaining insights into the evolutionary stages between Earth and Neptune.

Our earth is immersed in the near-earth space plasma environment, which plays a vital role in protecting our planet against the solar-wind impact and influencing space activities. It is significant to investigate the physical processes dominating the environment, for deepening our scientific understanding of it and improving the ability to forecast the space weather. As a crucial part of the National Major Scientific and Technological Infrastructure–Space Environment Simulation Research Infrastructure (SESRI) in Harbin, the Space Plasma Environment Research Facility (SPERF) builds a system to replicate the near-earth space plasma environment in the laboratory. The system aims to simulate the three-dimensional (3-D) structure and processes of the terrestrial magnetosphere for the first time in the world, providing a unique platform to reveal the physics of the 3-D asymmetric magnetic reconnection relevant to the earth's magnetopause, wave–particle interaction in the earth's radiation belt, particles’ dynamics during the geomagnetic storm, etc. The paper will present the engineering design and construction of the near-earth space plasma simulation system of the SPERF, with a focus on the critical technologies that have been resolved to achieve the scientific goals. Meanwhile, the possible physical issues that can be studied based on the apparatus are sketched briefly. The earth-based system is of great value in understanding the space plasma environment and supporting space exploration.

We provide a natural simple argument using anistropic flows to prove the existence of weak solutions to Lutwak’s $L^p$-Minkowski problem on $S^n$ which were obtained by other methods.

Progressive capillary waves on the interface between two homogeneous fluids confined in a channel with rigid walls parallel to the undisturbed interface are investigated. This problem is formulated as a system of integrodifferential equations that can be solved numerically via a boundary integral equation method coupled with series expansions of the unknown functions. With this highly accurate scheme and numerical continuation, we explore the global bifurcation of periodic travelling waves. It is found that there are two types of limiting profile, self-intersecting and boundary-touching, which appear either along a primary branch bifurcating from infinitesimal periodic waves or on an isolated branch existing above a certain finite amplitude. For particular sets of parameters, these two types of bifurcation curves can intersect, which can be viewed as a secondary bifurcation phenomenon occurring on the primary branch. Based on asymptotic and numerical analyses of the almost limiting waves, it is found that the boundary-touching solutions feature a circular geometry, i.e. the interface is pieced together by circular arcs of the same radius. A theoretical investigation yields the necessary conditions for the existence of these extreme waves, whereby we can predict the limiting configurations for most parameter sets. The comparisons between theoretical predictions and numerical results show good agreement.

Two-dimensional periodic interfacial gravity waves travelling between two homogeneous fluids of finite depth are considered. A boundary-integral-equation method coupled with Fourier expansions of the unknown functions is used to obtain highly accurate solutions. Our numerical results show excellent agreement with those already obtained by Maklakov & Sharipov using a different scheme (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 856, 2018, pp. 673–708). We explore the global bifurcation mechanism of periodic interfacial waves and find three types of limiting wave profiles. The new families of solutions appear either as isolated branches or as secondary branches bifurcating from the primary branch of solutions.

The limiting configuration of interfacial solitary waves between two homogeneous fluids consisting of a sharp $120^{\circ }$ angle with an enclosed bubble of stagnant heavier fluid on top is investigated numerically. We use a boundary integral equation method to compute the almost limiting profiles which are nearly self-intersecting and thus extend the work of Pullin & Grimshaw (Phys. Fluids, vol. 31, 1988, pp. 3550–3559) by obtaining the overhanging solutions for very small density ratios. To further study the local configuration of the limiting profile, we propose a reduced model that replaces the $120^{\circ }$ angle with two straight solid walls intersecting at the bottom of the bubble. Using a series truncation method, a one-parameter family of solutions depending on the angle between the two solid walls (denoted by $\gamma$) is found. When $\gamma = {2{\rm \pi} }/{3}$, it is shown that the simplified model agrees well with the near-limiting wave profile if the density ratio is small, and thus provides a good local approximation to the assumed limiting configuration. Interesting solutions for other values of $\gamma$ are also explored.

ABSTRACT IMPACT: Study findings can guide improvements of the Summer Food Service Program to maximize the program’s desired effects on child summer nutrition and related health outcomes. OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) addresses food insecurity during summer months. Project specific aims are to: 1. Describe characteristics of children participating in the SFSP. 2. Determine the nutritional quality of the SFSP foods. 3. Evaluate changes in children’s food insecurity, diet quality, and body mass index by SFSP participation. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: A single group, prospective, staggered cohort design will be used for the proposed study. Two cohorts of 30 (N=60) elementary students and their parents will be recruited during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school year. Each participant will complete a measurement session at three time-points: Baseline (spring), Post-Program (program end), and Follow-Up (following spring). Parents will complete an online survey about household food insecurity and family socio-demographic characteristics. Children will complete three 24-hour dietary recall interviews, and their heights, weight and percent body fat will be measured. The menus of at least ten SFSP sites will be analyzed to determine the nutritional adequacy of the site menus by using the Healthy Eating Index-2015. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Study hypotheses are as followed: Aim 1. Not all of the children participating in the SFSP are from food-insecure or low-income households. Aim 2. Meals served at the SFSP will be higher in sugar and fat and lower in fruits and vegetables compared to recommendations in the 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Additionally, the Healthy Eating Index-2015 score of the SFSP menus will be lower than that of the National School Lunch Program menus. Aim 3. Consistent SFSP participation will have a positive effect on reducing food insecurity, but not on increasing diet quality and reducing body mass index and percent body fat in children. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF FINDINGS: Program user information will determine if the program is reaching the target audience. Program managers will utilize menu analysis results to improve their menu nutritional quality. Changes in food insecurity, diet quality and anthropometric measures will inform whether the program needs to be improved to prevent any untoward excess weight gain.

This paper is concerned with the interaction of vertically sheared currents with two-dimensional flexural–gravity waves in finite depth. A third-order Stokes expansion is carried out and fully nonlinear computations are performed for symmetric, steadily travelling waves on a linear shear current. For upstream periodic waves, two global bifurcation mechanisms are discovered. Both branches bifurcate from infinitesimal periodic waves, with one stopping at another infinitesimal wave of different phase speed, and the other terminating at a stationary configuration. Generalised solitary waves are found for downstream waves. More surprisingly, the central pulse of the generalised solitary wave can become wide and flat as the computational domain is enlarged. This provides strong evidence for the existence of wave fronts in single-layer free-surface waves. Particle trajectories and streamline structures are studied numerically for the fully nonlinear equations. Two patterns, closed orbits and pure horizontal transport, are observed for both periodic and solitary waves in moving frames. The most striking phenomenon is the existence of net vertical transport of particles beneath some solitary waves due to wave–current interactions. The streamline patterns alternate between net vertical transport and a closed orbit, resulting in the formation of a series of nested cat's-eye structures.

Maltreatment adversely impacts the development of children across a host of domains. One way in which maltreatment may exert its deleterious effects is by becoming embedded in the activity of neurophysiological systems that regulate metabolic function. This paper reviews the literature regarding the association between childhood maltreatment and the activity of three systems: the parasympathetic nervous system, the sympathetic nervous system, and the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. A particular emphasis is placed on the extent to which the literature supports a common account of activity across these systems under conditions of homeostasis and stress. The paper concludes with an outline of directions for future research and the implications of the literature for policy and practice.

Ketosis is a metabolic disease of dairy cows often characterized by high concentrations of ketone bodies and fatty acids, but low milk protein and milk production. The Janus kinase 2 (JAK2)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways are central for the regulation of milk protein synthesis. The effect of high levels of fatty acids on these pathways and β-casein synthesis are unknown in dairy cows with clinical ketosis. Mammary gland tissue and blood samples were collected from healthy (n = 15) and clinically-ketotic (n = 15) cows. In addition, bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMEC) were treated with fatty acids, methionine (Met) or prolactin (PRL), respectively. In vivo, the serum concentration of fatty acids was greater (P > 0.05) and the percentage of milk protein (P > 0.05) was lower in cows with clinical ketosis. The JAK2-STAT5 and mTOR signaling pathways were inhibited and the abundance of β-casein was lower in mammary tissue of cows with clinical ketosis (P > 0.05). In vitro, high levels of fatty acids inhibited the JAK2-STAT5 and mTOR signaling pathways (P > 0.05) and further decreased the β-casein synthesis (P > 0.05) in BMEC. Methionine or PRL treatment, as positive regulators, activated the JAK2-STAT5 and mTOR signaling pathways to increase the β-casein synthesis. Importantly, the high concentration of fatty acids attenuated the positive effect of Met or PRL on mTOR, JAK2-STAT5 pathways and the abundance of β-casein (P > 0.05). Overall, these data indicate that the high concentrations of fatty acids that reach the mammary cells during clinical ketosis inhibit mTOR and JAK2-STAT5 signaling pathways, and further suppress β-casein synthesis.

This paper presents a numerical approach to predict the thermal residual stresses in polymer nanocomposites reinforced with a periodic array of wavy carbon nanotubes. A three dimensional unit cell model is established to accurately account for the waviness of the nanotube. Periodic boundary conditions are determined for the unit cell with a pair of curved surfaces. Appropriate methods to evaluate the macroscopic stresses and strains are also determined for the unit cell model in which the interior pores of the nanotubes are explicitly included. It is demonstrated that the macroscopic behavior of the nanocomposites is orthotropic due to the symmetries manifested. By employing material properties of the two constituents, the thermal residual stresses and strains induced by high temperature curing and cooling-down are predicted for an epoxy/wavy-nanotube composite. It is also demonstrated that the curing process tends to increase the waviness of the nanotube and the waviness has a significant influence on the distribution of the microscopic residual stresses.

A greater understanding of the rumen microbiota and its function may help find new strategies to improve feed efficiency in cattle. This study aimed to investigate whether the cattle breed affects specific ruminal taxonomic microbial groups and functions associated with feed conversion ratio (FCR), using two genetically related Angus breeds as a model. Total RNA was extracted from 24 rumen content samples collected from purebred Black and Red Angus bulls fed the same forage diet and then subjected to metatranscriptomic analysis. Multivariate discriminant analysis (sparse partial least square discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA)) and analysis of composition of microbiomes were conducted to identify microbial signatures characterizing Black and Red Angus cattle. Our analyses revealed relationships among bacterial signatures, host breeds and FCR. Although Black and Red Angus are genetically similar, sPLS-DA detected 25 bacterial species and 10 functions that differentiated the rumen microbial signatures between those two breeds. In Black Angus, we identified bacterial taxa Chitinophaga pinensis, Clostridium stercorarium and microbial functions with large and small subunits ribosomal proteins L16 and S7 exhibiting a higher abundance in the rumen microbiome. In Red Angus, nonetheless, we identified the poorly characterized bacterial taxon Oscillibacter valericigenes with a higher abundance and pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism. Analysis of composition of microbiomes revealed that C. pinensis and C. stercorarium exhibited a higher abundance in Black Angus compared to Red Angus associated with FCR, suggesting that these bacterial species may play a key role in the feed conversion efficiency of forage-fed bulls. This study highlights how the discovery of signatures of bacterial taxa and their functions can be used to harness the full potential of the rumen microbiome in Angus cattle.

Chitinase is responsible for insect chitin hydrolyzation, which is a key process in insect molting and pupation. However, little is known about the chitinase of Spodoptera exigua (SeChi). In this study, based on the SeChi gene (ADI24346) identified in our laboratory, we constructed the recombinant baculovirus P-Chi for the expression of recombinant SeChi (rSeChi) in Hi5 cells. The rSeChi was purified by chelate affinity chromatography, and the purified protein showed activity comparable with that of a commercial SgChi, suggesting that we harvested active SeChi for the first time. The purified protein was subsequently tested for enzymatic properties and revealed to exhibit its highest activity at pH 8 and 40 C. Using homology modeling and molecular docking techniques, the three-dimensional model of SeChi was constructed and screened for inhibitors. In two rounds of screening, twenty compounds were selected. With the purified rSeChi, we tested each of the twenty compounds for inhibitor activity against rSeChi, and seven compounds showed obvious activity. This study provided new information for the chitinase of beet armyworm and for chitinase inhibitor development.

BioEmbroidery for medical applications offers the potential of a directed fiber alignment, density and distribution and allows the production of properties that are customized to the needs. The adaption of the mechanical properties of biomaterials to the requirements of human tissues often results in substrates with space-resolved distribution of stress and thus highly anisotropic behavior. A demonstrative example for such a material would be a stress adapted hernia mesh showing a high stiffness in the area of the abdominal opening and a graduated transition in the marginal area discharging into the material properties of the surrounding tissue. For evaluating the influence of the reinforcement patterns a measuring method had to be established featured by the optical measuring system ARAMIS. This study was drafted to establish a method to analyze embroidered reinforcement structures by optical measurement. A feasible base material had to be identified showing a high and isotropic elasticity assuring no influence on the measuring outcomes. A proper procedure had to be established to gain suitable data and to define significant criterions. An embroidered reinforcement pattern could be applied on an isotropic polyurethane foil (Ellastolan soft 45, BASF Polyurethanes, Germany) and tested in a biaxial texting device successfully in uni- and equibiaxial direction. The images could be edited with ARAMIS software, the deformation visualized and local strains determined. An optimum tuning for the ARAMIS parameters facet size and grid point distance could be identified. By placing section lines parallel to the x- and y- axis during deformation a medium strain could be calculated, allowing the quantification of an anisotropy criterion. A higher anisotropy of the reinforced embroidered samples compared to the plain foils could be proved. The measuring set-up established a method to evaluate the influence of different embroidered reinforcement patterns on the anisotropy of the base material.

Understanding food choices made for meals in overweight and obese individuals may aid strategies for weight loss tailored to their eating habits. However, limited studies have explored food choices at meal occasions. The aim of this study was to identify the usual food choices for meals of overweight and obese volunteers for a weight-loss trial. A cross-sectional analysis was performed using screening diet history data from a 12-month weight-loss trial (the HealthTrack study). A descriptive data mining tool, the Apriori algorithm of association rules, was applied to identify food choices at meal occasions using a nested hierarchical food group classification system. Overall, 432 breakfasts, 428 lunches, 432 dinners and 433 others (meals) were identified from the intake data (n 433 participants). A total of 142 items of closely related food clusters were identified at three food group levels. At the first sub-food group level, bread emerged as central to food combinations at lunch, but unprocessed meat appeared for this at dinner. The dinner meal was characterised by more varieties of vegetables and of foods in general. The definitions of food groups played a pivotal role in identifying food choice patterns at main meals. Given the large number of foods available, having an understanding of eating patterns in which key foods drive overall meal content can help translate and develop novel dietary strategies for weight loss at the individual level.

High dynamic range (HDR) technology is rapidly changing today's video landscape by offering spectacular visual experiences. The development in display technology to support higher luminance levels for commercial and consumer electronic devices such as TVs, smartphones, projectors etc., has created an exponential demand for delivering HDR content to viewers. The essential component of the HDR technology is “expanded contrast,” which allows richer black levels and enhanced brightness, providing dramatic contrast that reveals finer details. The use of “wide color gamut” allows wider color spectrum and richer colors providing aesthetically pleasing true-to-life feel. Such visual enhancements clearly establish HDR as one of the most significant upcoming video technologies.

In this paper, we review major technical advances in this exciting field of study. Quantization of HDR signals is reviewed in the context of transfer functions that convert optical signals to electrical signals and vice versa. They mainly consist of Perceptual Quantization and Hybrid-Log-Gamma approaches. Compression of HDR content is another broad area of study involving several coding approaches, often categorized in terms of backward-compatibility and single/dual layer methods. Some key industry applications of HDR processing systems are also discussed, followed by some future directions of HDR technology.

Characterizing ruminal parameters in the context of sampling routine and feed efficiency is fundamental to understand the efficiency of feed utilization in the bovine. Therefore, we evaluated microbial and volatile fatty acid (VFA) profiles, rumen papillae epithelial and stratum corneum thickness and rumen pH (RpH) and temperature (RT) in feedlot cattle. In all, 48 cattle (32 steers plus 16 bulls), fed a high moisture corn and haylage-based ration, underwent a productive performance test to determine residual feed intake (RFI) using feed intake, growth, BW and composition traits. Rumen fluid was collected, then RpH and RT logger were inserted 5.5±1 days before slaughter. At slaughter, the logger was recovered and rumen fluid and rumen tissue were sampled. The relative daily time spent in specific RpH and RT ranges were determined. Polynomial regression analysis was used to characterize RpH and RT circadian patterns. Animals were divided into efficient and inefficient groups based on RFI to compare productive performance and ruminal parameters. Efficient animals consumed 1.8 kg/day less dry matter than inefficient cattle (P⩽0.05) while achieving the same productive performance (P⩾0.10). Ruminal bacteria population was higher (P⩽0.05) (7.6×1011v. 4.3×1011 copy number of 16S rRNA gene/ml rumen fluid) and methanogen population was lower (P⩽0.05) (2.3×109v. 4.9×109 copy number of 16S rRNA gene/ml rumen fluid) in efficient compared with inefficient cattle at slaughter with no differences (P⩾0.10) between samples collected on-farm. No differences (P⩾0.10) in rumen fluid VFA were also observed between feed efficiency groups either on-farm or at slaughter. However, increased (P⩽0.05) acetate, and decreased (P⩽0.05) propionate, butyrate, valerate and caproate concentrations were observed at slaughter compared with on-farm. Efficient had increased (P⩽0.05) rumen epithelium thickness (136 v. 126 µm) compared with inefficient cattle. Efficient animals also spent 318% and 93.2% more time (P⩽0.05) in acidotic (4.14% v. 1.30%) (pH⩽5.6) and optimal (5.6<pH<6.0) (8.53% v. 4.42%) RpH range compared with inefficient cattle. The circadian patterns revealed lower (P⩽0.05) RpH and no differences (P⩾0.10) in RT pre-, during, and post-prandial periods in efficient compared with inefficient cattle. In essence, superior feed efficiency in cattle seems linked to rumen features consistent with improved efficiency of feed utilization. Microbial abundance, rumen epithelial histomorphology, and RpH, may serve as indicators for feed efficiency in cattle. The divergences of assessments made on-farm and at slaughter should be considered in the development of proxies for feed efficiency.

In the near future, ruminants may be forced to consume low-quality water since potable drinking water will become increasingly scarce in some regions of the world. A completely randomized design trial was completed to evaluate the effect of increasing concentrations of total dissolved salts (TDS) (640, 3187, 5740 and 8326 mg TDS/l) in drinking water on the performance, diet digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, nitrogen (N) and water balance using 24 Red Sindhi heifers (200 ± 5 kg) that were fed Buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris) grass hay and concentrate in a ratio of 50 : 50. After a 15-day diet adaptation period, the digestion study was completed over a 5-day period and the performance trial was completed over a 56-day period. Dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed:gain, intake and digestibility of most feed components were unaffected by the concentration of salt in the water. However, intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fibre declined linearly as TDS inclusion rate increased. Further, the inclusion of TDS resulted in a linear increase in the intake of drinking water and total (food plus drinking) water intake. Similarly, TDS inclusion levels resulted in a linear increase in total water excretion, with urine being the major route of water excretion. In contrast, increasing concentrations of TDS caused a linear decrease in creatinine and allantoin excretions. Finally, increasing the inclusion rate of TDS resulted in a linear decrease in N retention and a linear increase in urinary N excretion, which may pose a considerable challenge for farmers with respect to the reduction and management of nutrient losses.