bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fixação suspensiva percutânea de luxação crônica da articulação radioulnar distal (ARUD) usando um dispositivo de endobutton de laço ajustável: Relato de caso
Authors: Iqbal Mohammed Schezan , Mishra Anil Kumar , Kaul Rajiv
Published: September 2020

Luxação crônica da articulação radioulnar distal (ARUD) foi tratada historicamente com osteotomias complexas e procedimentos reconstrutivos, geralmente resultando em rigidez intratável e perda de função. É desejável usar uma técnica de fixação que não apenas restaure a biomecânica do punho, mas também seja esteticamente atraente para o indivíduo. Apresentamos uma nova técnica de redução e fixação de uma ARUD deslocada cronicamente em um homem de 26 anos, usando uma abordagem minimamente invasiva, com restauração bem-sucedida da função da ARUD e sem complicações pós-operatórias.
Outcomes after Multiligament Knee Injury Reconstruction using Novel Graft Constructs and Techniques
Authors: Lee John Hee-Young , Cook James L. , Wilson Nichole , Rucinski Kylee , Stannard James P.
Published: September 2020

Clinical outcomes after reconstruction for multiligamentous knee injury (MLKI) can be consistently favorable. However, recent implants and technique advances may allow for improvement in outcomes. Our institution has developed novel graft constructs and techniques for reconstructions with preclinical data supporting clinical use. Our study purpose was to assess clinical outcomes after reconstruction for MKLI using our constructs and techniques. Overall success rate, failure/revision rates, return to work (RTW)/return to sports (RTS) rates, and complications were evaluated testing the hypothesis that novel methods would be associated with clinical benefits with respect to applications and outcomes compared with historical results. We reviewed a single-surgeon, longitudinal database of 42 patients who underwent multiligament reconstruction at our institution using these techniques for at least two-ligament injuries. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score and PROMIS (patient-reported outcomes measurement information system) were collected preoperatively and postoperatively at a minimum 1-year follow-up. Among these patients, 33 patients (mean age of 28.9 years, mean body mass index (BMI) of 33.2 kg/m2, mean follow-up of 14.2 months) were included for outcomes analyses. With the definition of success as having a VAS score of less than or equal to 2 without revision/salvage surgery due to recurrent/residual instability or arthritis, overall success rate was 88% (29/33). The mean VAS scores improved from 5 ± 2 to 2 ± 2. The mean preoperative PROMIS mental health score was 36.2 ± 7, general health was 33.5 ± 6, pain was 62.7 ± 8, and physical function score was 29.4 ± 3. At the final follow-up, PROMIS MH was 50.2 ± 10, GH was 44.4 ± 9, pain was 54.3 ± 9, and PF was 42.6 ± 8.4. Return to work rate was 94% (31/33), and 52% (17/33) of patients were able to RTS at any level. Our results demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes associated with a primary success rate of 88% and RTW rate of 94%. Intraoperative complications occurred in 9.5% of cases and revision and failure rates were 9% and 3%, respectively. Our initial results suggest that multiligament reconstructions using novel graft constructs and techniques are safe and effective and can be considered an appropriate option for reconstruction of the full clinical spectrum of MLKIs.
High-pressure apparatus for monitoring solid–liquid phase transitions
Authors: Jones Margaret C. , Campbell Kristen B. , Coffey Mary Jane , Marina Olga A. , Coffey Gregory W. , Heredia-Langner Alejandro , Linehan John C. , Thomsen Edwin C. , Bays J. Timothy
Published: September 2020

This work presents a new technique for evaluating the solid–liquid phase transformations in complex diesel fuel blends and diesel surrogates under high-pressure conditions intended to simulate those occurring in vehicle fuel injectors. A high-pressure apparatus based on a visual identification of freezing and thawing has been designed and built to monitor phase behavior and determine the crystallization temperature of complex fuels to predict wax precipitation. The proposed methodology was validated using pure substances—n-hexadecane (C16H34), cyclohexane (C6H12), and a mixture of 0.5848 mol fraction n-hexadecane in cyclohexane. The crystallization temperatures of these compounds were measured from atmospheric pressure to 400 MPa for temperatures varying from 290 K to 363 K and compared to those reported in the literature. The standard error of the estimated temperatures for the experimental data obtained in this work, based on a given pressure, was compared to data from the literature. This methodology will be extended to investigate the properties of more complex fuel mixtures.
A workflow for exploring ligand dissociation from a macromolecule: Efficient random acceleration molecular dynamics simulation and interaction fingerprint analysis of ligand trajectories
Authors: Kokh Daria B. , Doser Bernd , Richter Stefan , Ormersbach Fabian , Cheng Xingyi , Wade Rebecca C.
Published: September 2020

The dissociation of ligands from proteins and other biomacromolecules occurs over a wide range of timescales. For most pharmaceutically relevant inhibitors, these timescales are far beyond those that are accessible by conventional molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Consequently, to explore ligand egress mechanisms and compute dissociation rates, it is necessary to enhance the sampling of ligand unbinding. Random Acceleration MD (RAMD) is a simple method to enhance ligand egress from a macromolecular binding site, which enables the exploration of ligand egress routes without prior knowledge of the reaction coordinates. Furthermore, the τRAMD procedure can be used to compute the relative residence times of ligands. When combined with a machine-learning analysis of protein–ligand interaction fingerprints (IFPs), molecular features that affect ligand unbinding kinetics can be identified. Here, we describe the implementation of RAMD in GROMACS 2020, which provides significantly improved computational performance, with scaling to large molecular systems. For the automated analysis of RAMD results, we developed MD-IFP, a set of tools for the generation of IFPs along unbinding trajectories and for their use in the exploration of ligand dynamics. We demonstrate that the analysis of ligand dissociation trajectories by mapping them onto the IFP space enables the characterization of ligand dissociation routes and metastable states. The combined implementation of RAMD and MD-IFP provides a computationally efficient and freely available workflow that can be applied to hundreds of compounds in a reasonable computational time and will facilitate the use of τRAMD in drug design.
Coexistence of two ferroelectric phases and improved room-temperature multiferroic properties in the (0.70)BiFe1 − xCoxO3–(0.30)PbTiO3 system
Authors: Sharma Subhash , Dwivedi R. K. , Siqueiros J. M. , Raymond Herrera O.
Published: September 2020

In the present time, the focus of many researchers is to enhance the multiferroic properties of pure and doped BiFeO3 (BFO) based materials. However, the materials community has not yet achieved the desired multiferroic properties in single doped BiFeO3. Therefore, we decided to start with the well known system BiFeO3–PbTiO3, with good ferroelectric properties, as compared to undoped BFO and Co2+ as dopant, to obtain the (0.70)BiFe1 − xCoxO3–(0.30)PbTiO3 system. In this paper, the structural, magnetic, and ferroelectric properties of (0.70)BiFe1 − xCoxO3–(0.30)PbTiO3, with 0.00 ≤ × ≤ 0.12, prepared by a simple solgel route is presented. The inclusion of Co2+ leads to notable changes in the structural and magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the samples crystallize into two ferroelectric phases: rhombohedral (R3c) and tetragonal (P4mm) up to x = 0.06; afterward, it leads to nearly a single phase tetragonal structure for x = 0.09 and 0.12. The magnetic properties are enhanced in a significant manner with Co2+ doping and are ascribed to structural changes (change in Fe–O–Fe bond length) and the suppression of the spiral spin structure characteristic of BiFeO3. The theoretical analysis of the magnetic data shows that the ferromagnetic part also increases with Co2+ doping. Ferroelectric properties are also enhanced with Co doping due to a decrease in the DC current density. The observed room temperature multiferroic properties of this compound foresee great potential for magnetoelectric devices.
Polymer nanodielectrics—Short history and future perspective
Authors: Schadler Linda S. , Nelson J. Keith
Published: September 2020

This article provides a perspective on the development of polymer nanodielectrics for electrical insulation applications. It includes a short history of the development of the field, barriers to implementation, a chemical toolbox available for optimizing properties, some examples of potential commercial development, and the latest advances. It offers opinions on critical research needed to fully develop the models needed to predict the behavior and to develop design tools. Key findings include the need for quantification of nanofiller dispersion, investment in long term aging data research, better scale-up methods, a data resource that brings the broad data together in a format that enables faster scientific discovery, and a commercial entity willing to take the risk in implementing these promising materials.
Acoustic radiation forces on magnetically actuated helical swimmers
Authors: Caldag Hakan O. , Yesilyurt Serhat
Published: September 2020

Artificial microswimmers have gained significant attention recently for use in biomedical applications, such as drug delivery, and microfluidic applications, such as mixing. The small scale of the swimmers requires external actuation mechanisms, such as magnetic fields. Acoustic actuation, due to its biocompatible nature, can be used alongside magnetic fields to improve swimming performance. Several experimental studies have already shown the propulsion of both non-helical and helical swimmers with acoustic fields. Here, we present a simple model to evaluate the acoustic radiation force on helices. The methodology can be applied to solve for the force on other complicated structures as well, reducing the high computational cost required with other methods, such as the finite-element method. The approach is coupled with a resistive force theory-based model of slender magnetized helices to evaluate the complete three-dimensional trajectories of the swimmers under acoustic and magnetic fields. Traveling waves are shown to reduce swimmer wobbling significantly while also generating a significant push. Standing waves, on the other hand, are observed to place the swimmer in a unique position and orientation, which can be exploited for accurate positioning or micro-mixing.
An economic framework to evaluate alternative management strategies for beef enterprises in northern Australia
Authors: Bowen M. K. , Chudleigh F.
Published: September 2020

Context
Beef producers in northern Australia are continually presented with new technologies and opportunities to enhance beef production. They need to be able to accurately and efficiently assess the potential impact of alternative strategies on profitability, risk and the period of time before benefits can be expected.

Aims
Our aim was to demonstrate the value of the farm-management economics framework for assessing alternative management strategies applicable to beef cattle enterprises in northern Australia.

Methods
Beef cattle herd models incorporated into a farm-level partial discounted cash-flow framework were used to evaluate the potential effects of alternative management strategies on the performance of enterprises. This was undertaken using constructed, representative beef enterprises developed for the following three regions in Queensland: Central, Northern Downs and Northern Gulf, and the Katherine region of the Northern Territory. The analysis considered the expected response to change in the management of the base herd. Strategies that targeted (1) overall herd or property performance, (2) breeder reproductive performance, (3) steer growth rates, (4) alternative beef cattle marketing options, or (5) enterprise expansion were assessed. All of the changes considered to the current management strategy of the base herd and property were put forward by industry participants as potentially positive.

Key results
The framework efficiently identified substantial differences in net benefits among strategies and allowed ranking of the alternatives at the property level. Strategies that improved profitability also generally increased management complexity and financial risk. While strategies that could substantially improve profitability were identified, many other strategies were likely to reduce profitability at the property level. Key insights were gained into the time taken to implement the strategies, the complexity of implementation, and the level of financial risk incurred.

Conclusions
This study (1) demonstrated the appropriate framework to compare management options and support decision making, (2) efficiently indicated the potential range of outcomes, and (3) provided insight into the risks associated with development processes and technology adoption.

Implications
This farm-management economics framework could be used to assess alternative strategies for individual beef enterprises and to guide appropriate adoption of technology.
Status of wetland research in China
Authors: Zhang Jie , An Shuqing , Leng Xin
Published: September 2020

This study used a bibliometric approach to quantitatively evaluate the status of wetland research in China using detailed information from 31794 articles retrieved from the Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) database and published from 1999 to 2019. We outline the progress of wetland research in China in terms of the number of articles published, active research institutions, funding provided, research directions, dynamic changes in the focus of the research and development trends. By analysing high-frequency keywords, we conclude that there are four focus areas of wetlands research in China: (1) climate change; (2) wetland pollution; (3) wetland plants and microorganisms; and (4) the conservation and management of wetlands. By combining focus area and high-citation analysis, we show that carbon storage and organic carbon mineralisation, biological remediation, constructed wetlands for the treatment of waste water and the sustainable use of ecological services are currently the most notable research areas, with a marked increase since 2009. These topics are in line with the focus of research globally over the past 6 years and are likely to become a primary research focus in future. The results of this study provide a useful theoretical basis and directions for further research in the sustainable development of wetland resources in China.
Alternative proton-binding site and long-distance coupling in
Escherichia coli
sodium–proton antiporter NhaA
Authors: Henderson Jack A. , Huang Yandong , Beckstein Oliver , Shen Jana
Published: September 2020

Significance

NhaA is the
Escherichia coli
sodium–proton antiporter responsible for maintaining cellular ion and volume homeostasis; however, despite two decades of research, the electrogenic transport mechanism remains poorly understood. To address an ongoing debate centering on the identity of the second proton-binding site, we carried out state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulations of several NhaA mutants in which the proton-binding residue in question is mutated. Our simulations suggested that the mutants maintain the electrogenic transport of NhaA by utilizing an alternative proton-binding aspartate and in some cases two distant aspartates that can jointly bind one or two protons. Alternative proton-binding site and proton sharing between distant aspartates may represent important general mechanisms of proton-coupled transport in secondary active transporters.
Glide symmetry breaking and Ising criticality in the quasi-1D magnet CoNb
2
O
6
Authors: Fava Michele , Coldea Radu , Parameswaran S. A.
Published: September 2020

Significance

The quasi-1D magnetic insulator

C
o
N
b

2

O

6

hosts a paradigmatic example of a quantum phase transition in the 1D Ising universality class. While the physics near the transition is largely insensitive to the microscopic Hamiltonian, several features observed in neutron-scattering experiments have hitherto remained unexplained. We propose a microscopic Hamiltonian that reproduces the entirety of the experimental phenomenology. This is based on a symmetry analysis of the material where a glide symmetry (translation composed with reflection) plays a crucial role. Strikingly, this sheds light on the microscopic mechanism of the transition itself, linking the Ising order to the breaking of both magnetic and spatial symmetries. We lay the groundwork for future high-precision investigations of Ising criticality, quasiparticle confinement, and quasiparticle decay in a quantum material.
A risk table to address concerns external to stock assessments when developing fisheries harvest recommendations
Authors: Dorn Martin W. , Zador Stephani G.
Published: September 2020

This paper develops a risk table to facilitate incorporation of additional information into the fisheries stock assessment and management process. The risk table is designed to evaluate unanticipated ecosystem and environmental impacts on marine resources that may require a rapid management response. The risk table is a standardized framework to document concerns about the assessment model, population dynamics, and the ecosystem/environment that are not explicitly addressed within the stock assessment model. A scoring procedure is used to evaluate the severity of the concern. These concerns can then be evaluated in support for or against a reduction from the maximum Acceptable Biological Catch while providing reviewers and stakeholders transparent documentation of the concerns. The risk table was applied successfully to several stocks on a trial basis during the 2018 groundfish assessment cycle for the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and will be used for all full groundfish assessments in 2019. Rapid changes in climate are likely for Alaska marine ecosystems in coming decades, and these changes are not entirely predicable. Therefore, we avocate that the risk table approach should be included in the suite of management tools used to address the effects of climate change on Alaska marine resources.
Inflammasome signaling in human placental trophoblasts regulates immune defense against Listeria monocytogenes infection
Authors: Megli Christina , Morosky Stefanie , Rajasundaram Dhivyaa , Coyne Carolyn B.
Published: September 2020

The human placenta is a dynamic organ that modulates physiological adaptations to pregnancy. To define the immunological signature of the human placenta, we performed unbiased profiling of secreted immune factors from human chorionic villi isolated from placentas at mid and late stages of pregnancy. We show that placental trophoblasts constitutively secrete the inflammasome-associated cytokines IL-1β and IL-18, which is blocked by NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors and occurs without detectable gasdermin D cleavage. We further show that placenta-derived IL-1β primes monocytes for inflammasome induction to protect against Listeria monocytogenes infection. Last, we show that the human placenta responds to L. monocytogenes infection through additional inflammasome activation and that inhibition of this pathway sensitizes villi to infection. Our results thus identify the inflammasome as an important mechanism by which the human placenta regulates systemic and local immunity during pregnancy to defend against L. monocytogenes infection.
Surface wave direction control on curved surfaces
Authors: Wei Chenwei , Cen Mengjia , Chui Hsiang-Chen , Cao Tun
Published: September 2020

Transformation optics (TO) has been recognized as an established scheme that can precisely manipulate electromagnetic surface wave propagations. Utilising the advantages of the TO technique, we proposed a TO device which can control the propagation direction of surface waves. The device is based on a generalized Eaton lens and can be realized on curved surfaces. Such a device can be composed of stacked ring layers, where the refractive index of each ring segment can be individually engineered. By engineering the refractive index, the stacked ring structure can guide the propagation direction of the surface wave. It may open a new door to manipulate surface wave propagation on demand.
Effect of the anode material on the evolution of the vacuum breakdown process
Authors: Zhou Zhipeng , Kyritsakis Andreas , Wang Zhenxing , Li Yi , Geng Yingsan , Djurabekova Flyura
Published: September 2020

Vacuum breakdown, also known as vacuum discharge, is a common phenomenon in nature and is gaining an increasingly important role in modern technologies. In spite of a remarkable advance in our understanding of the nature of the breakdown, the role of the anode, i.e. the positively charged electrode, in the development of the breakdown is still completely unclear. In this paper, we employ a streak camera with picosecond time resolution to observe precisely the evolution of anodic glow from different anode materials.

The results show that the choice of the anode material does not affect either the delay time between the cathodic and anodic flares or the formation of the conductive channel. Furthermore, we show that the heating of the anode surface by runaway electron currents is not sufficient to evaporate enough atoms for the anodic glow. On the other hand, we show that the neutrals for the anodic flare can be produced by the ions from the expanding cathode plasma by sputtering.

Finally, the coincidence in time of the voltage collapse and the anode glow is consistent with the fast expansion of the cathode plasma, which causes both the voltage collapse and the anode glow when it reaches the anode, and densifies by sputtering and reflection. However, the two events are not in direct dependence of one another, since the order of their appearance is random, implying that a fully conductive channel can be established without any light emission from the anode.
Ab initio calculations of the phase diagrams of tin and lead under pressures up to a few TPa
Authors: Smirnov N A
Published: September 2020

The paper studies relative structural stability for various crystal phases of tin and lead from first principles with the full-potential all-electron full-potential all-electron linear muffin-tin orbital method to pressures of a few TPa both at zero temperature and at T > 0. Using data from our calculations we construct phase diagrams for the two metals in the region of very high compressions and obtain their melting curves. For tin at pressures <100 GPa and zero temperature, we did not find the region of stability of the body-centered orthorhombic (bco) phase, as it was earlier observed in experiments by Salamat et al [2013 Phys. Rev. B 88 104104]. Our calculations suggest that one structural transition from the tetragonal to cubic phase, bct → bcc, occurs in perfect Sn crystal at T = 0 K in the pressure range of about 27–32 GPa. But any deviation from perfection may cause an orthorhombic distortion of its tetragonal phase. At pressures above 100 GPa, the bcc → hexagonal close-packed (hcp) transition exists in both metals, and the phase boundary has a domed shape and does not rise in temperature above 2 kK. This behavior of the phase boundary with the increasing temperature is caused by the softer phonon modes of the bcc structure and the smaller contribution of lattice vibrations to the free energy of the crystal compared to the hcp phase. At pressures above 2.5 TPa and T ≲ 1 kK, lead can also undergo another structural transition, hcp → fcc, but at T > 1.5 kK there must exist the more energetically preferable bcc → fcc transition.
Single image molecular tagging velocimetry
Authors: de Souza Matos Pedro Antonio , Barreta Luiz Gilberto , Martins Cristiane Aparecida , Carinhana Jr Dermeval
Published: September 2020

A single-image nitric-oxide molecular tagging velocimetry (NO-MTV) is reported and employed in a real air driven hypersonic shock tunnel and provided velocities of 3240  ±  170(5.2%) and 3030  ±  160(5.3%) m

s

−
1

, insignificantly different from previous results of 3037  ±  98(3.2%) obtained by an ordinary multi-image MTV technique. The proposed methodology relies on an one-dimensional analytical description of the spatial intensity profile registered by a single MTV image.
Neutral-layer-free directed self-assembly of block copolymer in trench using capillary force-induced meniscus
Authors: Shin Jin Yong , Lee Bom , Lim Heo Yeon , Kim Simon , Jeong Seong-Jun
Published: September 2020

We propose trench-directed self-assembly (TDSA) of a block copolymer (BCP) driven by a capillary force-induced meniscus as a facile scalable nanolithography method. Unlike conventional directed self-assembly methods, TDSA enables the achievement of neutral surface-free vertical orientations of the BCP nanopatterns irrespective of the polarizability of the substrate, which may be, for example, a ceramic (SiO2) on Semiconductor (Si). In our demonstration of the proposed method, we generated various morphologies of the BCP nanopatterns by varying the trench width, and molecular weight of the BCP. The proposed TDSA method is potentially advantageous for the design of a process/device layout required for the development of an effective manufacturing process.
Performance improvement of ultrasonic spray deposited polymer solar cell through droplet boundary reduction assisted by acoustic substrate vibration
Authors: Waheed Sobia , Pareek Saurabh , Sharma Punit , Karak Supravat
Published: September 2020

This study demonstrates the performance improvement of ultrasonic spray deposited bulk heterojunction type polymer solar cells through droplet boundary reduction assisted by acoustic substrate vibration of varying frequencies between 0–20 kHz. The optimum performance was achieved at 15 kHz of applied frequency, where ∼68% improvement in short-circuit current density and ∼85% improvement in overall cell efficiency were observed compared to the reference devices fabricated on stationary substrates. The performance enhancement is mainly attributed to the improved film morphology due to uniform and homogenous droplet spreading and coalescence under the influence of acoustic vibration. Systematic improvement was observed until 15 kHz when smooth films with significantly reduced droplet boundaries were observed with surface roughness around 10 nm only. However, beyond this point, higher frequencies were found to have detrimental effect on film formation. Significant improvement was observed for every cell parameter for 15 kHz samples. Almost ∼16% enhancement in carrier generation rate and ∼46% enhancement in exciton dissociation probability were observed, as estimated from the photo-current analysis. Urbach energy estimation reveals that the films, prepared at 15 kHz substrate vibration, forms less amount of band edge localized defect states (Eu
(no vibration) = 161 meV and Eu
(15 kHz) = 120 meV), resulting into reduced non-radiative recombination and better performances. The presented approach opens up new pathways for uniform and scalable thin film growth through acoustic substrate vibration assisted ultrasonic spray deposition technique, which would be beneficial for large scale industrial organic photovoltaic production.
Towards the continuum coupling in nuclear lattice effective field theory I: A three-particle model *
Authors: Wu J.-J. , Meißner Ulf-G.
Published: September 2020

Weakly bound states often occur in nuclear physics. To precisely understand their properties, the coupling to the continuum should be worked out explicitly. As the first step, we use a simple nuclear model in the continuum and on a lattice to investigate the influence of a third particle on a loosely bound state of a particle and a heavy core. Our approach is consistent with the Lüscher formalism.
A Study of Low-Temperature Neutron Star Atmospheres
Authors: Calder A C , Karpov P I , Medin Z , Lattimer J M
Published: September 2020

We present a study of how a low-temperature accreted atmosphere influences the emitted X-ray spectrum of a neutron star. The atmosphere models and spectra were computed with Zcode, a multigroup radiation transfer code developed at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. Though the underlying hot neutron star behaves as a blackbody, the atmosphere shifts the peak of spectrum away from a blackbody and toward higher energies, producing an emitted spectrum similar to a dilute blackbody. Quantifying the effects of this atmosphere will remove a source of uncertainty in X-ray observations and better constrain the mass-radius relation for neutron stars and thus the equation of state of dense matter. We present a suite of these atmospheres with varying compositions and temperatures as well as the resulting spectra.
Galactic cosmic ray propagation models using Picard
Authors: Kissmann R. , Thaler J. , Reimer O.
Published: September 2020

We will give an overview of recent developments in numerical modelling of CR transport in our Galaxy with the PICARD code. Corresponding numerical models aim at reproducing CR spectra and also diffuse gamma-ray emission from the Galaxy by solving the cosmic-ray transport problem in a three-dimensional model of the Galaxy. We address the impact of different transport physics processes on the flux and distribution of diffuse Galactic gamma rays: we investigate CR transport using different cosmic-ray source distribution models ranging from smooth source distributions to localised sources related to high-energy gamma-ray observations. Additionally, we consider anisotropic cosmic-ray diffusion in an improved Galactic magnetic field model. The choice of changing the different transport parameters is most readily visible in the inverse-Compton channel, which shows features not present in commonly-used axisymmetric transport models.
Investigation of the 2016 Eurasia heat wave as an event of the recent warming
Authors: Seo Eunkyo , Lee Myong-In , Schubert Siegfried D , Koster Randal D , Kang Hyun-Suk
Published: September 2020

This study investigates the physical mechanisms that contributed to the 2016 Eurasian heat wave during boreal summer season (July–August, JA), characterized by much higher than normal temperatures over eastern Europe, East Asia, and the Kamchatka Peninsula. It is found that the 2016 JA mean surface air temperature, upper-tropospheric height, and soil moisture anomalies are characterized by a tri-pole pattern over the Eurasia continent and a wave train-like structure not dissimilar to recent (1980–2016) trends in those quantities. A series of forecast experiments designed to isolate the impacts of the land, ocean, and sea ice conditions on the development of the heat wave is carried out with the Global Seasonal Forecast System version 5. The results suggest that the tri-pole blocking pattern over Eurasia, which appears to be instrumental in the development of the 2016 summer heat wave, can be viewed as an expression of the recent trends, amplified by record-breaking oceanic warming and internal land-atmosphere interactions.
Global greenness in relation to reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases: ischemic heart disease and stroke
Authors: Asri Aji Kusumaning , Yu Chia-Pin , Pan Wen-Chi , Guo Yue Leon , Su Huey-Jen , Lung Shih-Chun Candice , Wu Chih-Da , Spengler John D
Published: September 2020

This ecological study aimed to identify the association between greenness and cardiovascular diseases in terms of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and stroke in 183 countries worldwide. The country-level disability-adjusted life year (DALY) database provided by the WHO was used to represent the health burden due to IHD and stroke for the study countries. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI—MOD13A3) was assessed to estimate the greenness in each country. After considering potential covariates, the generalized linear mixed model penalized quasi-likelihood coupled with a sensitivity test was applied to identify the greenness in relation to DALY loss due to IHD and stroke. Stratified analysis was then conducted to determine the effects of greenness among the different levels of gender, age, and economic status. A consistently significant negative association was found between greenness and both IHD and stroke; the NDVI coefficients of the main model were −11.245 (95% CI: −16.770, −5.720) and −4.387 (95% CI:−7.926, −0.085), respectively, in the DALY changes based on the increase of NDVI from 0 to 1. The stratified analysis recognized these effects in both females and males. Negative associations between greenness and IHD as well as stroke were also found in various age groups and were confirmed as significant in low and middle-income countries.
Dynamic behaviour of reinforced soil retaining wall under horizontal seismic loading
Authors: Li Sihan , Cai Xiaoguang , Xu Honglu , Jing Liping , Huang Xin , Zhu Chen
Published: September 2020

Based on the status that the reinforced soil retaining wall (RSRW) is difficult to popularize in highway in high earthquake intensity region of China. The dynamic behavior of modular-block RSRW was investigated by large-scale shaking table tests. The standard soil was taken as the backfill. The concrete blocks were selected as panel. The geogrid was reinforcement. The failure mode of the wall was observed, and dynamic response and the displacements were measured. The results showed that, the middle of retaining wall panel was slightly bulged under the inputted earthquake motion, the mortar on the surface of wall was breaking down. When the input motion was WL2.0g (model scale: 1/2), the blocks at the top fell down, then the retaining wall was destroyed. The settlements of the soil and lateral displacement of the wall increased with the increase of the acceleration motion. The acceleration amplification factor is decreased with the increase of input acceleration. When the input acceleration was larger than 0.8g, the acceleration amplification factor of upper wall gradually is decreased less than 1. When model scale and inputting earthquake motion is different, the range of acceleration amplification factor is different. Shaking table tests results of RSRW with different panel forms and reinforced materials are summarized. The results show that seismic behaviour of RSRW is excellent. It is advise to revise some items of “Chinese Specification of Seismic Design for Highway Engineering” in order to promote the application of RSRW in highway.
Establish a plateau aviation search and rescue system Improving the ability of civil aviation to search and rescue lost-aircraft in plateau and mountain areas
Authors: Pan Weijun , Chen Li , Zhang Hengheng
Published: September 2020

In view of the current lack of a mature plateau aviation search and rescue system both in China and internationally, this paper summarizes the existing organizational system and rescue equipment of China’s plateau search and rescue aircraft through the analysis of typical aircraft out-of-connection incidents occurring in helicopters operating in the plateau in western China. And major issues such as personnel and materials, from institutional mechanisms to specific fleet construction, equipment personnel and materials construction, service assurance and safety culture construction, etc., suggestions were made to improve the ability of civil aviation to search and rescue missing aircraft in high mountain areas.
Flood season partition and flood limit water level determination for cascade reservoirs downstream jinshajiang river
Authors: Ju Bin , Yu Yucong , Zhang Fahong , Lei Xiaohui , You Fenghua
Published: September 2020

The internal contradiction between flood risk and power generation benefit can be alleviated by studying the flood season and flood limit level of reservoir.It is of great significance to adjust the floodwater storage in flood season. In this paper, based on the normal distribution theory improved fuzzy set analysis method, according to the inflow flood of cascade reservoirs downstream Jinshajiang River, the flood season is divided into stages. The flood limit water level of cascade reservoir is determined by the mapping relationship between subordinate degree and flood control storage capacity.A intertemporal sampling method is proposed to correct the staging results and flood limit water level. The research results show that the end of the pre-flood season of cascade reservoirs downstream Jinshajiang River is July 15, and the beginning of the post-flood season is September 16, and the reasonable flood limit water levels of the four reservoirs from upstream to downstream are 962m, 800m, 575m and 374m respectively. The rationality of the stage flood limit water level is tested by the flood process with different typical flood magnification. The results of the lower stages of the Jinshajiang River and the stage water level of each reservoir can improve the economic benefits such as reservoir power generation and improve the utilization ratio of flood resources in flood season to a certain extent.
Analysis of movable fluid distribution in a clastic rock reservoir using nuclear magnetic resonance and computed tomography
Authors: Yu Hongwei , Zhou Daiyu , Li Shi , Cheng Hui , Chen Xinglong , Han Haishui , Wang Fuyong
Published: September 2020

Studying influence factors of movable fluid distribution is of significance for the development of clastic reservoirs. In this paper, the characteristics of movable fluid distribution in clastic core samples from Tarim Oilfield were studied with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tests and computed tomography (CT) scanning. The movable fluid saturations of each core sample under centrifugal pressure of 3 psi, 10 psi, 50 psi, 100 psi, and 500 psi were measured, respectively. The main factors influencing the movable fluid saturation were analysed. The results show that the movable water saturation is strongly dependent on the centrifugal pressure used. When the centrifugal pressure increased to 100 psi, the movable fluid saturation increased sharply. The CT scanning indicates that the movable fluid saturation is mainly dominated by pore sizes of core samples, and the larger the average pore size is, the higher the fluid saturation will be.
Analysis on water-inrush the process of deep excavation in karst area caused by soil internal erosion
Authors: Chen Juyan , Zhu Bin , Wei Zhuan
Published: September 2020

Non-negligible internal erosion threatens deep foundation pit excavation safety and stability. A water-inrush incident in Guilin city, a typical karst area, is thoroughly analysed theoretically after revealing groundwater seepage effects on hydraulic conductivity, internal erosion degree and water-flooding probability. The distribution characteristics of the main granular soils at the site are examined. Internal erosion by suffusion of readily erodible gap-graded soil, widely distributed in situ, is specifically studied. The hydraulic conductivity of soil can be determined by the internal erosion extent, S (%), directly calculated by the effective particle size. Comparing the influences of different parameters on permeability, it is found that the formula with uniform coefficient Cu
is more practical, because it is more applicable in gap-graded soil with a wide range of hydraulic conductivity, such as the permeability coefficient range of 10−6 to 101
cm/s. The permeability coefficient-based relationship between seepage velocity and hydraulic gradient is determined. By establishing and implementing a numerical model, the pore-pressure history in each excavation phase reveals that the pore pressure notably increases during excavation, especially in areas adjacent to ancient collapse bodies. Seepage flow driven by excess pore pressure potentially generates a penetrating flow upward through the overlaying soil, possibly triggering a water-inrush incident at a maximum seepage velocity of 8.0×10−1
cm/s. Several suggestions are proposed to prevent water-inrush incidents during deep foundation pit excavation in similar geological setting areas.
Optimal application of multi-agent environmental decisionmaking model in the replication and relocation of traditional villages in areas prone to geological hazards—taking wengcao village, a traditional village in Guzhang county, western Hunan as an example
Authors: Nie Changhong , Tang Yuanqiang , Ou Sanren , Chen Yuxiang , Tang Yuanxing , Long Shaoqiu , Zhang Li , Feng Xiangzhong , Jiao Sheng
Published: September 2020

Wengcao Village, listed in the fourth batch of traditional villages in China, is a remote Miao village which built in a landslide-prone risk, and always at the risk of geological hazard-prone area. In order to solve the contradiction between the protection of traditional villages and the economic development of traditional villages, on the basis of environmental behavior, spatial behavior and complex theory, the author combined with the investigation. For the first time, a four-dimensional collaboration model of expert supervision, enterprise leadership, government guidance, and public participation was creatively proposed to ensure the replication and relocation of traditional villages. Aim to ensure the smooth progress of the replication and construction of traditional villages, the current popular neural network prediction model and reinforcement learning multi-agent model are combined to build a replication and construction decision model and its optimize to avoid possible future risks.
Research on optimal control of low power thermal plasma field for waste gas treatment
Authors: Xu Congyu , Xu Jun , Hu Zongjiu , Yang Yaru , Gao Yuting
Published: September 2020

The innocuous treatment of solid waste, waste gas and other pollutants has become a major environmental protection problem that needs to be solved urgently in China’s green development. Aiming at the problems of low efficiency and secondary pollution of traditional waste gas treatment methods, the use of high temperature generated by thermal plasma and active particles to quickly decompose and destroy pollutants and eventually form stable harmless substances has proven to be an effective way. This article studies a method that can stably generate thermal plasma in a low-voltage. By adding an auxiliary high-voltage electrode to the front end of a hot plasma sliding arc, it helps the thermal plasma device to more easily penetrate the air for arcing. By using a flow meter and a fan to change the flow field of channel. The arcing conditions of the device under different flow fields was investigated. And by studying the influence of input power and air flow velocity on the arc length and period of the arc, the contact situation between the thermal plasma arc and the gas is obtained. The experimental results show that a stable and appropriate flow field environment is the key to the efficient work of thermal plasma.
Research on two methods of atmospheric environmental impact assessment a case study of lead zinc smelter
Authors: Li Li , Yu Miao , Lin Xingjie , Chu jingling
Published: September 2020

Two methods of atmospheric environmental impact assessment for enterprises were discussed in this paper. One was the pollutant contribution rate assessment based on regional maximum value point and sensitive sites, the other was the global pollutant contribution rate assessment method based on all grids in the region. The emission contributions to the atmospheric SO2 concentrations from the lead zinc smelting enterprise were simulated by AERMOD using 100m scale grids within 25 square kilometres in 2018. The results showed that the change of environmental benefits caused by the increase of chimney height presented different trends by using the two assessment method, and the regional assessment method was disturbed by the terrain factor. The further research should be doing in order to reflect the pollution diffusion of emission contributions better.
QSPR studies on the blood-air partition coefficient of volatile organic compounds using theoretical descriptors derived from electrostatic potentials on molecular surface
Authors: Wang Wei , Xu Huiying
Published: September 2020

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a sort of important environmental pollutant. Based on study on Quantitative Structure-Property Relationship (QSPR), geometrical optimization and electrostatic potential calculations have been performed for 143 VOC molecules at the HF/6-31G* level of theory. A number of statistically-based parameters have been obtained. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and back-propagation artificial neural network (BP-ANN) nonlinear regression are used for the model building. The result shows that the BP-ANN can better expresses the relation between molecule surface electrostatic potential and blood-air partition coefficient than MLR, and the QSPR model established has comparatively stronger stability and predictive ability using BP-ANN method. The result also proves the applicability of molecule surface electrostatic potential parameter in QSPR study of Volatile organic chemical.
Comparison of different calibration algorithms for the medium resolution spectral imager in infrared band
Authors: Ai Jingjing , Jing Jian , Gao Peng , Fang Li
Published: September 2020

As a key payload on the Fengyun-3C (FY-3C) polarorbit meteorological satellite, the medium resolution spectral imager (MERSI) is installed to provide the global coverage of top-of-atmosphere radiances. In order to ensure the on-orbit radiometric data quality of the MERSI, the modified calibration equation for the thermal infrared channel can be obtained by the blackbody (BB) and deep space view (SV). Different calibration algorithms are investigated to obtain the time series of the calibration coefficients a
0, a
1 and a
2, and the accuracy of the radiometric calibration is evaluated by comparing the BB irradiance calculated by those calibration coefficients and the standard BB irradiance, whose irradiance differences are within the order of 10−4 W/m2/μm/sr. Moreover, the differences of the BB inversed and equivalent temperatures by different algorithms show a similar behavior, whose values changing from 0.26 K to 0.28 K. These works provide important information for tracking the instrument performance along with the quantitative remote sensing application.
Deep convolutional neural network structure design for remote sensing image scene classification based on transfer learning
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxia , Guo Yong , Zhang Xia
Published: September 2020

To obtain an ideal scene classification effect when applying a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to remote sensing images, a DCNN named ConNet-3F based on transfer learning was constructed. Firstly, the initial 13 layers of VGG16 were used as the main architecture, and then 6 layers were added to the end of it to extract deeper features. The pruned model of VGG16 acted as the feature extractor to extract features from remote sensing images. Subsequently, the parameters trained on the ImageNet were set as initialization. Finally, parameters of all layers were trained on the remote sensing data to obtain the favorable model. The results on the Moving and Stationary Target Acquisition and Recognition (MSTAR) dataset demonstrate that this method achieves higher classification accuracy compared with other mentioned methods. Especially, even if the ratio of training data was reduced on the NWPU-RESISC45 dataset, classification accuracies of the proposed method always stay above 90%.