bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Best candidate routing algorithms integrated with minimum processing time and low blocking probability for modern parallel computing systems
Authors: M. Alatwi Aadel , Zaki Rashed Ahmed Nabih , El-Eraki Ahmed M. , Sadegh Amiri Iraj
Published: May 2020

This study has clarified the best candidate routing algorithms integrated with minimum processing times and low blocking probabilities for modern parallel computing systems. Different methods were employed, such as the fast window method (FWM), fast bitwise window method (FBWM), and fast improved window method (FIWM), to upgrade the processing time and reduce the network delay time. In addition, different algorithms were studied such as the fast window ascending, the fast window descending, the fast window sequential algorithm, and the fast window sequential down algorithms; these were studied to show the numerical results of the networks’ blocking probabilities, processing times, and delay times.
A review of microstrip antenna designs for TV white space applications
Authors: Vithanawasam Chamath Kalanaka , Then Yi Lung , Su Hieng Tiong
Published: May 2020

A review on prominent microstrip antennas fabricated for TV White Space applications is presented. This paper will delve into some of the most notable microstrip antenna designs in this frequency band that have come up in recent years. They will be analyzed to identify their strengths and weaknesses, and feedback is provided on their perceived usefulness. These antennas are designed with specific intentions, such as being placed in areas prone to harsh weather, or for long distance communications. One of the most recent antenna types to enter mainstream discussion is the microstrip patch antenna, which can easily be altered to fit various applications. Methods of connectivity such as TV White Space are enthusiastically used in various applications pertaining to connectivity and various microstrip antennas have been designed for this purpose. A conclusion was reached on the compact shorted printed monopole antenna being the most plausible choice from the antennas that have been considered and discussed.
Fused faster RCNNs for efficient detection of the license plates
Authors: Omar Naaman , Mohsin Abdulazeez Adnan , Sengur Abdulkadir , Saeed Al-Ali Salim Ganim
Published: May 2020

Automatic License Plate Detection and Recognition (ALPD-R) is an important and challenging application for traffic surveillance, traffic safety, security, services purposes and parking management. Generally, traditional image processing routines have been used in ALPD-R. Although the general approaches perform well on ALPD-R, new and efficient approaches are needed to improve the detection accuracies. Thus, in this paper, a new approach, which is based on fusing of multiple Faster Regions with Convolutional Neutral Network (Faster- RCNN) architectures, is proposed. More specially, the Deep Learning (DL) is used to detect license plates in given images. The proposed license plate detection method uses three Faster- RCNN modules where each faster RCNN module uses a pre-trained CNN model namely AlexNet, VGG16 and VGG19. Each Faster-RCNN module is trained independently and their results are fused in fusing layer. Fusing layer use average operator on the X and Y coordinates of the outputs of the Faster-RCNN modules and maximum operator is employed on the width and height outputs of the Faster-RCNN modules. A publicly available dataset is used in experiments. The accuracy is used as a performance indicator of the proposed method. For 100 testing images, the proposed method detects the exact location of license plates for 97 images. The accuracy of the proposed method is 97%.
An efficient and optimized tracking framework through optimizing algorithm in a deep forest using NFC
Authors: Ali Khan Md. Abbas , Hanif Ali Mohammad , Fazlul Haque A.K.M , Debnath Chandan , Bhowmik Shohag Kumar
Published: May 2020

NFC is applying in various field of contemporary technology. Especially of convenience tag usability in any place. One of the facilities which can be added in the tracking system is the implementation of Near Field Communication in order to guide each tourist in the deep forest or any other location. In the deep forest, tracking or location detection activities need to be done efficiently, like desired path finding in a deep forest. At present, the tracking procedure in deep forest is working with the help of guides or local citizens. Currently, in any restricted area such as the “Sundarban” forest, no outside general people are allowed to travel in the jungle without any authorized guide which is not an efficient way to travel smoothly. The use of Near Field Communication can solve the problem related to lost the way, safety, and easily help the travelers to track the desired destination without the help of human resources or any guide. The NFC tags that hold mapping information of the area, in the point of tag setup all tags will be set up on several trees along with sequence.
Multi-level cyber security system for VANET
Authors: Naeem Yasir Muntadher , Sadik Croock Muayad
Published: May 2020

Recently, the cyber security of vehicular ad-hoc network (VANET) including two practicable: car-to-car and car-to-infrastructure has been considered due to importance. It has become possible to keep pace with the development in the world, where the safety of people is a priority in the development of technology in general and in particular in the field of VANET. In this paper, a cyber security system for VANET has been proposed to tackle the DOS attacks. The proposed system includes three security levels. Firstly, the registeration level that ask vehicles to be registered in the system, in which the network exclude the unrigestered ones. Secondly, the authentication level that checks the vehicles before joining the network. This is done by applying a proposed algorithm that considers the hash function and factory number. Thirdly, the proposed system ables to detect the DOS attack by any involved vehicle using the monitoring algorithm that allocate such vehicle to be excluded from the network. The obtained results show the efficient performance of the proposed system in managing the security of the VANET network. The multi-level system increases the security of the network, in which the attacks can be eliminated.
Deep learning versus traditional methods for parking lots occupancy classification
Authors: Sayed Farag Mohamed , Mohie El Din Mostafa Mohamed , Elshenbary Hassan Ahmed
Published: May 2020

Due to the increase in number of cars and slow city developments, there is a need for smart parking system. One of the main issues in smart parking systems is parking lot occupancy status classification, so this paper introduce two methods for parking lot classification. The first method uses the mean, after converting the colored image to grayscale, then to black/white. If the mean is greater than a given threshold it is classified as occupied, otherwise it is empty. This method gave 90% correct classification rate on cnrall database. It overcome the alexnet deep learning method trained and tested on the same database (the mean method has no training time). The second method, which depends on deep learning is a deep learning neural network consists of 11 layers, trained and tested on the same database. It gave 93% correct classification rate, when trained on cnrall and tested on the same database. As shown, this method overcome the alexnet deep learning and the mean methods on the same database. On the Pklot database the alexnet and our deep learning network have a close resutls, overcome
 the mean method (greater than 95%).
Test suites effectiveness evolution in open source systems: empirical study
Authors: Akour Mohammed , Alenezi Mamdouh
Published: May 2020

Test suite code coverage is usually used to indicate the capability of a test suite in detecting faults. Earlier research studies, which explored the relationship among test suite effectiveness and code coverage, have not addressed this relationship evolutionally. Moreover, some of these works were studied small or identical domain systems, which make the result generalization process unclear for other systems. Finally, some of these studies were conducted with automatically generated test suites, which might not present the real situation for studied systems, so the results cannot be generalized to real test suites. In this paper, the authors empirically explore three open-source software systems along with their 11 versions. These versions are evolved over time and might have more sources of code and test suites. This work objective is to study the correlation between test suite effectiveness, the size of the test suite, and coverage for three Java programs during their evolution. In this work, the code coverage, test suite LOC and mutation testing coverage are measured to assess the correlation between the effectiveness of fault detection, code coverage, and test suite size. Based on the result we cannot generalize the assumption that test size is always revealing a positive correlation with its eﬀectiveness, but still weak to the high correlation between test effectiveness, test size, and coverage.
 
Estudos de software televisuais: uma extensão dos estudos de produção
Authors: Marquioni Carlos Eduardo
Published: May 2020

Este artigo brevemente apresenta a necessidade potencial de desenvolver uma extensão para os estudos de produção (intitulada aqui como estudos de software televisuais). Tal extensão engloba processos relacionados à gestão, integração e sincronização de desenvolvimento de software, que seriam executados por produtores de TV durante a produção dos programas televisivos para posterior fornecimento de companion apps pelas emissoras para sincronização de anúncios publicitários entre telas. É argumentado que, apesar de a alternativa complexificar a produção de TV, ela pode também minimizar o risco de que a distração da audiência durante suas materializações de experiências de múltiplas telas promova uma redução no patrocínio dos programas de TV.
Metabolic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance in Obesity
Authors: Wu Huaizhu , Ballantyne Christie M.
Published: May 2020

Obesity is becoming an epidemic in the United States and worldwide and increases risk for many diseases, particularly insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms linking obesity with these diseases remain incompletely understood. Over the past 2 to 3 decades, it has been recognized that in obesity, inflammation, with increased accumulation and inflammatory polarization of immune cells, takes place in various tissues, including adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, liver, gut, pancreatic islet, and brain and may contribute to obesity-linked metabolic dysfunctions, leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therapies targeting inflammation have shed light on certain obesity-linked diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but remain to be tested further and confirmed in clinical trials. This review focuses on inflammation in adipose tissue and its potential role in insulin resistance associated with obesity.
Treatment of Obesity in Mitigating Metabolic Risk
Authors: Heffron Sean P. , Parham Johnathon S. , Pendse Jay , Alemán José O.
Published: May 2020

Through diverse mechanisms, obesity contributes to worsened cardiometabolic health and increases rates of cardiovascular events. Effective treatment of obesity is necessary to reduce the associated burdens of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and death. Despite increasing cardiovascular outcome data on obesity interventions, only a small fraction of the population with obesity are optimally treated. This is a primary impetus for this article in which we describe the typical weight loss, as well as the associated impact on both traditional and novel cardiovascular disease risk factors, provided by the 4 primary modalities for obtaining weight loss in obesity—dietary modification, increasing physical activity, pharmacotherapy, and surgery. We also attempt to highlight instances where changes in metabolic risk are relatively specific to particular interventions and appear at least somewhat independent of weight loss. Finally, we suggest important areas for further research to reduce and prevent adverse cardiovascular consequences due to obesity.
Metabolomics and Proteomics in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Chen Zsu-Zsu , Gerszten Robert E.
Published: May 2020

The persistent increase in the worldwide burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and the accompanying rise of its complications, including cardiovascular disease, necessitates our understanding of the metabolic disturbances that cause diabetes mellitus. Metabolomics and proteomics, facilitated by recent advances in high-throughput technologies, have given us unprecedented insight into circulating biomarkers of T2D even over a decade before overt disease. These markers may be effective tools for diabetes mellitus screening, diagnosis, and prognosis. As participants of metabolic pathways, metabolite and protein markers may also highlight pathways involved in T2D development. The integration of metabolomics and proteomics with genomics in multiomics strategies provides an analytical method that can begin to decipher causal associations. These methods are not without their limitations; however, with careful study design and sample handling, these methods represent powerful scientific tools that can be leveraged for the study of T2D. In this article, we aim to give a timely overview of circulating metabolomics and proteomics findings with T2D observed in large human population studies to provide the reader with a snapshot into these emerging fields of research.
An Eclectic Cast of Cellular Actors Orchestrates Innate Immune Responses in the Mechanisms Driving Obesity and Metabolic Perturbation
Authors: Arivazhagan Lakshmi , Ruiz Henry H. , Wilson Robin A. , Manigrasso Michaele B. , Gugger Paul F. , Fisher Edward A. , Moore Kathryn J. , Ramasamy Ravichandran , Schmidt Ann Marie
Published: May 2020

The escalating problem of obesity and its multiple metabolic and cardiovascular complications threatens the health and longevity of humans throughout the world. The cause of obesity and one of its chief complications, insulin resistance, involves the participation of multiple distinct organs and cell types. From the brain to the periphery, cell-intrinsic and intercellular networks converge to stimulate and propagate increases in body mass and adiposity, as well as disturbances of insulin sensitivity. This review focuses on the roles of the cadre of innate immune cells, both those that are resident in metabolic organs and those that are recruited into these organs in response to cues elicited by stressors such as overnutrition and reduced physical activity. Beyond the typical cast of innate immune characters invoked in the mechanisms of metabolic perturbation in these settings, such as neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, these actors are joined by bone marrow–derived cells, such as eosinophils and mast cells and the intriguing innate lymphoid cells, which are present in the circulation and in metabolic organ depots. Upon high-fat feeding or reduced physical activity, phenotypic modulation of the cast of plastic innate immune cells ensues, leading to the production of mediators that affect inflammation, lipid handling, and metabolic signaling. Furthermore, their consequent interactions with adaptive immune cells, including myriad T-cell and B-cell subsets, compound these complexities. Notably, many of these innate immune cell-elicited signals in overnutrition may be modulated by weight loss, such as that induced by bariatric surgery. Recently, exciting insights into the biology and pathobiology of these cell type–specific niches are being uncovered by state-of-the-art techniques such as single-cell RNA-sequencing. This review considers the evolution of this field of research on innate immunity in obesity and metabolic perturbation, as well as future directions.
Basic Mechanisms of Diabetic Heart Disease
Authors: Ritchie Rebecca H. , Abel E. Dale
Published: May 2020

Diabetes mellitus predisposes affected individuals to a significant spectrum of cardiovascular complications, one of the most debilitating in terms of prognosis is heart failure. Indeed, the increasing global prevalence of diabetes mellitus and an aging population has given rise to an epidemic of diabetes mellitus–induced heart failure. Despite the significant research attention this phenomenon, termed diabetic cardiomyopathy, has received over several decades, understanding of the full spectrum of potential contributing mechanisms, and their relative contribution to this heart failure phenotype in the specific context of diabetes mellitus, has not yet been fully resolved. Key recent preclinical discoveries that comprise the current state-of-the-art understanding of the basic mechanisms of the complex phenotype, that is, the diabetic heart, form the basis of this review. Abnormalities in each of cardiac metabolism, physiological and pathophysiological signaling, and the mitochondrial compartment, in addition to oxidative stress, inflammation, myocardial cell death pathways, and neurohumoral mechanisms, are addressed. Further, the interactions between each of these contributing mechanisms and how they align to the functional, morphological, and structural impairments that characterize the diabetic heart are considered in light of the clinical context: from the disease burden, its current management in the clinic, and where the knowledge gaps remain. The need for continued interrogation of these mechanisms (both known and those yet to be identified) is essential to not only decipher the how and why of diabetes mellitus–induced heart failure but also to facilitate improved inroads into the clinical management of this pervasive clinical challenge.
What is the Relationship between the Two Ancient Syriac Peshitta Versions of 1 Maccabees? A New Proposal that Challenges the Classical Explanation
Authors: Carbajosa Ignacio
Published: May 2020

The Syriac version of 1 Macc. that is preserved in Codex Ambrosianus (7a1) is very different from the one attested in the rest of the manuscripts of the Peshitta. This double attestation is typically explained by a hypothesis first put forward by G. Schmidt in 1897 that sees the version of 7a1 (Syr-2) as a revision of the original Syriac translation (Syr-1), which is the one attested in the majority of the manuscripts. This article aims to challenge this theory. In fact, this study shows that there is no relationship between Syr-1 and Syr-2, that is, Syr-2 cannot be considered a revision of Syr-1 (intended to eliminate additions), but must be understood as a new translation made from the Greek. For its part, Syr-1 is characterised by a number of double readings that could be interpreted as the work of an editor who preserves readings from two different Syriac versions of 1 Macc.
The First Book of Maccabees in Syriac: Dating and Context
Authors: Forness Philip Michael
Published: May 2020

Syriac literature exhibits interest in narratives associated with the Maccabees by the fourth century. Seventh-century manuscripts preserve two different Syriac translations of 1 Maccabees. The translation of this book into Syriac is not part of the Peshitta Old Testament translated from the Hebrew Bible in the second century CE. Its dating and the possible context for its production have not yet been the topic of scholarly investigation. This article examines quotations of and allusions to 1 Maccabees in Aphrahat, Ephrem, and the Martyrdom of Simeon bar Ṣabbāʿē. The last of these texts, likely produced in the early fifth century, offers the earliest evidence for a Syriac translation of 1 Maccabees. The production of a Syriac translation of 1 Maccabees in the fourth or perhaps early fifth century reflects efforts of Christian communities around this time to appropriate the Maccabean narrative for their own interests.
Marginalia to the Qillirian Rhyme System
Authors: Rand Michael
Published: May 2020

Michael Rand draws attention to some features in the so-called ‘Qillirian’ rhyme scheme, named after the great poet

Eleazar be-Rabbi Qillir, who invented and introduced it into Hebrew piyyuṭ. In piyyuṭim with this type of rhyme, morphological elements, namely, two root consonants, form the basis of rhymes. Rand elucidates different ways in which this feature is implemented and how it may encompass both a linguistic reality and a poetic tool. Some rhymes reflect historical phonetic changes that took place in the pronunciation of Hebrew; others constitute poetic techniques. It is shown that in some cases /a/ rhymes with /e/, which is likely to reflect a phonetic reality rooted in the speech of the poets.
Calibrating Human Attention as Indicator Monitoring #drought in the Twittersphere
Authors: Smith Kelly Helm , Tyre Andrew J. , Tang Zhenghong , Hayes Michael J. , Akyuz F. Adnan
Published: May 2020

State climatologists and other expert drought observers have speculated about the value of monitoring Twitter for #drought and related hashtags. This study statistically examines the relationships between the rate of tweeting using #drought and related hashtags, within states, accounting for drought status and news coverage of drought. We collected and geolocated tweets, 2017–18, and used regression analysis and a diversity statistic to explain expected and identify unexpected volumes of tweets. This provides a quantifiable means to detect state-weeks with a volume of tweets that exceeds the upper limit of the prediction interval. To filter out instances where a high volume of tweets is related to the activities of one person or very few people, a diversity statistic was used to eliminate anomalous state-weeks where the diversity statistic did not exceed the 75th percentile of the range for that state’s diversity statistic. Anomalous state-weeks in a few cases preceded the onset of drought but more often coincided with or lagged increases in drought. Tweets are both a means of sharing original experience and a means of discussing news and other recent events, and anomalous weeks occurred throughout the course of a drought, not just at the beginning. A sum-to-zero contrast coefficient for each state revealed a difference in the propensity of different states to tweet about drought, apparently reflecting recent and long-term experience in those states, and suggesting locales that would be most predisposed to drought policy innovation.
Principal Component Analysis for Extremes and Application to U.S. Precipitation
Authors: Jiang Yujing , Cooley Daniel , Wehner Michael F.
Published: May 2020

We propose a method for analyzing extremal behavior through the lens of a most efficient basis of vectors. The method is analogous to principal component analysis, but is based on methods from extreme value analysis. Specifically, rather than decomposing a covariance or correlation matrix, we obtain our basis vectors by performing an eigendecomposition of a matrix that describes pairwise extremal dependence. We apply the method to precipitation observations over the contiguous United States. We find that the time series of large coefficients associated with the leading eigenvector shows very strong evidence of a positive trend, and there is evidence that large coefficients of other eigenvectors have relationships with El Niño–Southern Oscillation.
Near-Surface Salinity Reveals the Oceanic Sources of Moisture for Australian Precipitation through Atmospheric Moisture Transport
Authors: Rathore Saurabh , Bindoff Nathaniel L. , Ummenhofer Caroline C. , Phillips Helen E. , Feng Ming
Published: May 2020

The long-term trend of sea surface salinity (SSS) reveals an intensification of the global hydrological cycle due to human-induced climate change. This study demonstrates that SSS variability can also be used as a measure of terrestrial precipitation on interseasonal to interannual time scales, and to locate the source of moisture. Seasonal composites during El Niño–Southern Oscillation/Indian Ocean dipole (ENSO/IOD) events are used to understand the variations of moisture transport and precipitation over Australia, and their association with SSS variability. As ENSO/IOD events evolve, patterns of positive or negative SSS anomaly emerge in the Indo-Pacific warm pool region and are accompanied by atmospheric moisture transport anomalies toward Australia. During co-occurring La Niña and negative IOD events, salty anomalies around the Maritime Continent (north of Australia) indicate freshwater export and are associated with a significant moisture transport that converges over Australia to create anomalous wet conditions. In contrast, during co-occurring El Niño and positive IOD events, a moisture transport divergence anomaly over Australia results in anomalous dry conditions. The relationship between SSS and atmospheric moisture transport also holds for pure ENSO/IOD events but varies in magnitude and spatial pattern. The significant pattern correlation between the moisture flux divergence and SSS anomaly during the ENSO/IOD events highlights the associated ocean–atmosphere coupling. A case study of the extreme hydroclimatic events of Australia (e.g., the 2010/11 Brisbane flood) demonstrates that the changes in SSS occur before the peak of ENSO/IOD events. This raises the prospect that tracking of SSS variability could aid the prediction of Australian rainfall.
Whither the Chukchi Slope Current?
Authors: Boury Samuel , Pickart Robert S. , Odier Philippe , Lin Peigen , Li Min , Fine Elizabeth C. , Simmons Harper L. , MacKinnon Jennifer A. , Peacock Thomas
Published: May 2020

Recent measurements and modeling indicate that roughly half of the Pacific-origin water exiting the Chukchi Sea shelf through Barrow Canyon forms a westward-flowing current known as the Chukchi Slope Current (CSC), yet the trajectory and fate of this current is presently unknown. In this study, through the combined use of shipboard velocity data and information from five profiling floats deployed as quasi-Lagrangian particles, we delve further into the trajectory and the fate of the CSC. During the period of observation, from early September to early October 2018, the CSC progressed far to the north into the Chukchi Borderland. The northward excursion is believed to result from the current negotiating Hanna Canyon on the Chukchi slope, consistent with potential vorticity dynamics. The volume transport of the CSC, calculated using a set of shipboard transects, decreased from approximately 2 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) to near zero over a period of 4 days. This variation can be explained by a concomitant change in the wind stress curl over the Chukchi shelf from positive to negative. After turning northward, the CSC was disrupted and four of the five floats veered offshore, with one of the floats permanently leaving the current. It is hypothesized that the observed disruption was due to an anticyclonic eddy interacting with the CSC, which has been observed previously. These results demonstrate that, at times, the CSC can get entrained into the Beaufort Gyre.
Sounding Characteristics that Yield Significant Convective Inhibition Errors due to Ascent Rate and Sensor Response of In Situ Profiling Systems
Authors: Houston Adam L. , Keeler Jason M.
Published: May 2020

Accurate measurements of the convective inhibition (CIN) associated with capping inversions are critical to forecasts of deep convection initiation. The goal of this work is to determine the sounding characteristics most vulnerable to CIN errors arising from hysteresis associated with sensor response and ascent rate of profiling systems. This examination uses 5058 steady-state analytic soundings prescribed using three free parameters that control inversion depth, static stability, and moisture content. A theoretical well-aspirated first-order sensor mounted on a platform that does not disturb its environment is “flown” in these soundings. Sounding characteristics that result in the largest relative CIN errors are also the characteristics that result in the smallest CIN. Because they are more likely to support deep convection initiation, it is particularly critical that environments with small CIN are represented accurately. The relationship between relative CIN error and CIN exists because sounding characteristics that contribute to large CIN do not proportionally increase the CIN error. Analysis also considers CIN intervals with (operationally important) CIN on the threshold between environments that will and will not support deep convection initiation. For these soundings, CIN error is found to be largest for deep, dry inversions characterized by small static stability.
What is the Intrinsic Predictability of Tornadic Supercell Thunderstorms?
Authors: Markowski Paul M.
Published: May 2020

A 25-member ensemble of relatively high-resolution (75-m horizontal grid spacing) numerical simulations of tornadic supercell storms is used to obtain insight on their intrinsic predictability. The storm environments contain large and directionally varying wind shear, particularly in the boundary layer, large convective available potential energy, and a low lifting condensation level. Thus, the environments are extremely favorable for tornadic supercells. Small random temperature perturbations present in the initial conditions trigger turbulence within the boundary layers. The turbulent boundary layers are given 12 h to evolve to a quasi–steady state before storms are initiated via the introduction of a warm bubble. The spatially averaged environments are identical within the ensemble; only the random number seed and/or warm bubble location is varied. All of the simulated storms are long-lived supercells with intense updrafts and strong mesocyclones extending to the lowest model level. Even the storms with the weakest near-surface rotation probably can be regarded as weakly tornadic. However, despite the statistically identical environments, there is considerable divergence in the finescale details of the simulated storms. The intensities of the tornado-like vortices that develop in the simulations range from EF0 to EF3, with large differences in formation time and duration also being exhibited. The simulation differences only can be explained by differences in how the initial warm bubbles and/or storms interact with turbulent boundary layer structures. The results suggest very limited intrinsic predictability with respect to predicting the formation time, duration, and intensity of tornadoes.
Assessing the Impact of Stochastic Perturbations in Cloud Microphysics using GOES-16 Infrared Brightness Temperatures
Authors: Griffin Sarah M. , Otkin Jason A. , Thompson Gregory , Frediani Maria , Berner Judith , Kong Fanyou
Published: May 2020

In this study, infrared brightness temperatures (BTs) are used to examine how applying stochastic perturbed parameter (SPP) methodology to the widely used Thompson–Eidhammer cloud microphysics scheme impacts the cloud field in high-resolution forecasts. Modifications are made to add stochastic perturbations to three parameters controlling cloud generation and dissipation processes. Two five-member ensembles are generated, one using the microphysics parameter perturbations (SPP-MP) and another where white noise perturbations were added to potential temperature fields at initialization time (Control). The impact of the SPP method was assessed using simulated and observed GOES-16 BTs. This analysis uses pixel-based and object-based methods to assess the impact on the cloud field. Pixel-based methods revealed that the SPP-MP BTs are slightly more accurate than the Control BTs. However, too few pixels with a BT lower than 270 K result in a positive bias compared to the observations. A negative bias compared to the observations is observed when only analyzing lower BTs. The spread of the ensemble BTs was analyzed using the continuous ranked probability score differences, with the SPP-MP ensemble BTs having less (more) spread during May (January) compared to the Control. Object-based analysis using the Method for Object-Based Diagnostic Evaluation revealed the upper-level cloud objects are smaller in the SPP-MP ensemble than the Control but a lower bias exists in the SPP-MP BTs compared to the Control BTs when overlapping matching objects. However, there is no clear distinction between the SPP-MP and Control ensemble members during the evolution of objects, Overall, the SPP-MP perturbations result in lower BTs compared to the Control ensemble and more cloudy pixels.
US Trade Actions Against China: A Supply Chain Perspective
Authors: Walmsley Terrie , Minor Peter
Published: May 2020

In 2018, the United States (US) Administration initiated several trade actions, including tariffs on China for unfair trade practices outlined by the US Trade Representative (USTR). In response, China filed requests for consultations with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and has implemented or threatened to implement increased tariffs on US products. In this article, the implications of current and potential US trade actions and responses by China on the US and global economy are estimated. We employ a dynamic supply chain model based on the widely used Global Trade Analysis Project (GTAP) Data Base and model. Our analysis finds that US gross domestic product (GDP) would be reduced by a projected –0.86 per cent in 2030 (or US$227.8 billion in 2017 dollars), as the role of the USA in global supply chains declines significantly. China’s GDP would also decline considerably by 2.84 per cent as a result of the actions imposed against it, while the rest of the world gain, as they fill the gaps left by US and Chinese producers.

JEL: F16, C68
Aversive Response Towards Culture Fusion Is Moderated by the Source of Foreign Cultural Inflow
Authors: Cheon Bobby K. , Hong Ying-yi
Published: May 2020

Culture fusion reflects blending of elements from distinct cultures that produces a novel, hybrid cultural representation. Prior research among participants in the USA revealed that fusion of cultural elements from the USA and China could be perceived as contamination of one’s local culture and evokes disgust. It remains unknown whether this aversion to culture fusion generalizes to other samples and is contingent on perceivers’ attitudes toward the source of the foreign culture. Here, we tested these questions across two studies. Participants were exposed to different patterns of culture mixing of their own local culture and two foreign cultures (one relatively favored and one relatively disfavored). Across both studies (Singaporean participants in Study 1 and Hong Kong participants in Study 2), the results replicated prior findings suggesting that culture fusion elicits stronger negative evaluations (e.g., disgust, discomfort) compared to other patterns of culture mixing (i.e., presentation of local and foreign elements side-by-side). Importantly, a Mixing Type × Foreign Source interaction emerged, such that participants in both studies reacted more negatively to culture mixing involving a less favored (China) than a more favored (USA) culture, with negative reactions especially pronounced toward culture fusion. This aversive response was moderated by patriotism in Singapore but not in Hong Kong. These findings demonstrate that response to culture mixing depends on intergroup attitudes toward foreign cultures, and culture fusion is especially aversive when involving cultural inflows from a disfavored out-group. The contribution of geopolitical differences between Singapore and Hong Kong on these findings are also considered.
Fetal Pain: The Science Behind Why It Is the Medical Standard of Care
Authors: Pierucci Robin
Published: May 2020

Despite pain as the fifth vital sign in adult and pediatric care, many still dismiss the fact that immature human beings (whether a fetus, a preterm, or term baby) are capable of being affected by pain. Studies have demonstrated that avoiding, minimizing, and treating pain in babies, particularly when premature, improves their outcomes. Informed by the evidence, treating neonatal pain has become the medical standard of care for physicians in neonatology and anesthesiology. This article provides a brief overview of relevant publications that explain the clinical evolution that has led to the treatment of neonatal pain. This article also examines three arguments against the existence of fetal pain and presents evidence that refutes them. Informed by the research, a revised definition of pain is offered.
Myocardial bridge pathology and preventable accidents during physical activity of healthy subjects: A case report and a literature review
Authors: Zerbo Stefania , Lanzarone Antonietta , Raimondi Marco , Martino Lorena De , Malta Ginevra , Cappello Francesco , Argo Antonina
Published: May 2020

Myocardial bridging is a congenital coronary pathology described as a segment of coronary artery which courses through the myocardial wall under the muscle bridge. Although the prognosis of myocardial bridging is benign, sports medicine recognises myocardial bridging as a leading cause of sudden death among young basketball, football and soccer players. The authors report a case of a 42-year-old man who collapsed while playing football. He died notwithstanding prompt medical assistance and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. At autopsy, gross examination of the heart revealed the intramural course of the left anterior descending coronary artery to be 2 cm from its coronary ostial origin. Histological examination of ventricular septal and left myocardium showed early signs of ischaemic injury without disease of small coronary vessels and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The cause of the death was due to malignant ventricular arrhythmia during intense physical activity.
Covid-19 emergency in prison: Current management and forensic perspectives
Authors: Caputo Fiorella , Gratteri Santo , Sacco Matteo Antonio , Scalise Carmen , Cacciatore Giulia , Bonetta Filippo , Zibetti Angelica , Aloe Luigi De , Sicilia Francesco , Cordasco Fabrizio , Ricci Pietrantonio , Aquila Isabella
Published: May 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic is currently a major worldwide public health problem. Contagion within prisons and in other custodial settings will need to be addressed promptly, but the management of preventive measures will be difficult due to overcrowding and inmates and officers' close physical contact. There may also be less access to care than in community settings. Accordingly, prisons are particularly vulnerable to outbreaks of infection, and in addition to the likely greater risks of contagion attention must be paid to the psychological problems that the pandemic can have on the prison population. Riots and episodes of violence have already taken place in various prisons. With the inevitable restrictions on social contact and family meetings, prisoners who already are at increased risk of mental illness and suicide are more susceptible to adverse psychological repercussions. From a forensic point of view, therefore, we stress the need for the development of a strong support network by mental health workers for the prison population.
When Less Is More: How Complexity Impacts Goal Setting, Judgment Accuracy, and Deals in Negotiation
Authors: Arnold Josh A. , O’Connor Kathleen M.
Published: May 2020

In two studies, we examine how objective complexity—in terms of numbers of negotiable issues—affects negotiators’ aspirations, perceptions, actions, and ultimately, the quality of agreements they reach. We hypothesized and found that when negotiators had a greater number of issues to resolve, they were less ambitious for their own outcomes and developed less accurate insights into their partners’ interests.
Secularization theories in the twenty-first century: Ideas, evidence, and problems. Presidential address
Authors: Stolz Jörg
Published: May 2020

This article argues that quantitative secularization research has made important progress in the last 20 years in seven areas. We have gained knowledge of how religion and religiosity are connected to insecurity, education, socialization, secular transition, secular competition, pluralism, and regulation. This has led to a better understanding of the causes and the form of the secularization process. In this article, the author discusses the new ideas that have led to these advances, the evidence that supports the claims, and the new problems that have appeared due to the progress made.
Relationship between drying parameters and drying performance in domestic tumble dryers
Authors: Yu Xinchen , Li Yi , Ding Xuemei
Published: May 2020

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of drying parameters on drying performance in an air-vented tumble dryer, and to optimize its drying performance by adjusting parameters. The critical drying parameters that influenced specific moisture extraction rate (SMER), final moisture content, evenness of drying, and smoothness appearance were determined by the analysis of variance in JMP software, which were rotational speed of the motor and load size, with clearly significant individual effects and binary interactions. In order to improve the applicability of the outcomes obtained in this study and to take into account the interactions between drying parameters and drum structure parameters on drying efficiency, non-dimensional analysis was used and the correlation between drying efficiency and dimensionless variables was studied. The Buckingham Pi theorem was applied to the problem to derive dimensionless Pi terms upon which the drying efficiency depends. A step regression analysis was then conducted to test the assumption that SMER was influenced by the dimensionless parameters based on the standard least squares fitting. Results indicated that the regression model showed an explanatory power of 73.8%. By adjusting the dimensionless parameters in the model, an optimized energy-saving drying program was obtained with the desirability goal of reducing the value of SMER. Compared with the original program, energy efficiency was improved by 32.4%.
Organizations as Actors: Microfoundations of Organizational Intentionality
Authors: Little Daniel
Published: May 2020

The article addresses the topic of “group agency” with respect to large organizations. It undertakes to analyze some of the concrete micro- and meso-level processes (microfoundations) through which large organizations arrive at collective “knowledge” and “action.” The article makes use of the theory of strategic action fields to analyze processes of knowledge and the implementation of organizational intentions. The article describes some of the dysfunctions and disunities that should be expected from these individual-level processes, including principal–agent problems, conflicts of interests and priorities among organizational actors, loose coupling among subunits, and outcomes that are influenced by powerful outsiders. It argues for a limited conception of “ bounded localistic organizational rationality” in which organizations have limited coherence, unity, and consistency over time in their beliefs and actions.
Racial Variation in Mental Health Court Experiences and the Associations of These Experiences With Recidivism
Authors: Han Woojae , Matejkowski Jason , Lee Sungkyu
Published: May 2020

Little is known about how mental health court (MHC) experiences (including satisfaction and sanctioning, incentivizing, and life change events) differ by race and how this variation affects recidivism among MHC participants. This study examined how MHC experiences and recidivism differ between White ( n = 170) and Black ( n = 132) participants from four different MHCs in the United Sates. Negative binomial regression models, conducted separately for the two groups, indicated that life changes were associated with decreased arrests and that court sanctions were associated with increased number of arrests for both White and Black participants. Higher program satisfaction was positively associated with recidivism among Black participants only. To provide equitable services for people convicted of a crime with mental illness, professionals should acknowledge racial variation in the experiences of MHC participants (both within the MHC and the communities in which they are situated) and how these experiences relate to recidivism.
Anosmia Is a Key Symptom of COVID-19 Infection and Should Be Used as a Diagnostic Tool
Authors: Lechien Jerome R. , Barillari Maria Rosaria , Jouffe Lionel , Saussez Sven
Published: May 2020

Based on observations described in our letter, we can draw the following conclusions: (1) anosmia must imperatively be added to the list of specific symptoms of COVID-19 infection, (2) anosmia can serve as a free and specific diagnostic tool for developing countries currently affected by the pandemic, (3) the mechanisms of COVID-19 anosmia seem not to directly involve nasal obstruction but rather seem to be related to damage the olfactory neuroepithelium.
Why Is Part-time Unpaid Parental Leave (Still) Gendered? Narratives and Strategies of Couples in Spain
Authors: Bueno Xiana , Grau-Grau Marc
Published: May 2020

This article examines men’s and women’s reasoning regarding part-time unpaid parental leave use intentions once paid leave ends by using 52 original interviews conducted with highly educated men and women aged 24 years to 35 years in stable partnerships in Spain. We identify three part-time unpaid parental leave use strategies concealing six different narratives. Our results offer interesting gender discrepancies that reveal intended unpaid leave use arrangements. Our comparison of men’s and women’s narratives suggests that men seem to overestimate the egalitarianism within their relationships by being highly predisposed to take unpaid leave. Our analysis indicates that economic uncertainty and labor-market barriers (including persistent gender inequality) perpetuate a gendered use of this gender-neutral policy even among couples who show strong gender-egalitarian attitudes.
Fathers’ Time Off Work, Co-Residence, and Paternal Engagement among Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Fathers
Authors: Pragg Brianne
Published: May 2020

Research consistently finds that fathers who take time off work when their children are born exhibit higher levels of paternal engagement relative to fathers who do not take time off work. This study aims to identify one possible mediating factor: fathers’ co-residence with their children and their children’s biological mothers over time. The current study uses data from the Fragile Families and Wellbeing Study and structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine the relationships between fathers’ time off work when their children were born, residence with their children and their children’s biological mothers, and levels of father-child engagement ( n = 2,453). Results indicated that the number of weeks taken off work was positively associated with men’s subsequent residence with their children and children’s mothers when their children were five-years-old, which in turn was positively associated with paternal engagement.
Alternatives to the frozen elephant trunk in acute type A aortic dissection
Authors: Velayudhan Bashi V , Idhrees A Mohammed
Published: May 2020

Acute type A aortic dissection remains one of the most challenging condition in cardiothoracic surgery, with a high mortality rate. Various improvements and innovations have happened over the years to better the outcome of this lethal condition. The frozen elephant trunk prosthesis has been developed to negate the long-term complications of acute type A aortic dissection, but at the cost of increased morbidity compared to hemiarch replacement. Although hemiarch and total arch replacement seem have less morbidity than the frozen elephant trunk technique, they do not address the long-term complications of the distal dissected aorta. Few surgeons now suggest hybrid aortic arch repair as a solution for acute type A aortic dissection. The long-term results need to be studied in all procedures before standardizing them. Although multiple strategies are evolving, the short-term goal of acute type A aortic dissection has not changed: to save the patient’s life. The surgical strategy has to be tailored according to the patient’s condition and the surgeon’s experience.