bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Economic analysis of a novel design of microtracked concentrating photovoltaic modules
Authors: Wright David , Liu Lauren , Parvan Laura , Majumdar Zigurts , Giebink Noel C.
Published: December 2020

A new design for microtracked concentrating photovoltaics (mCPVs) published by one of us in Nature Energy has the same form factor as PV. This paper analyzes the cost below which it would compete with PV in behind‐the‐meter applications for commercial electricity customers in four cities in southern United States, assuming that the only significant differences between mCPV and PV are mCPV's higher efficiency and mCPV's inability to utilize sunlight that is either diffuse or has a high angle of incidence. The analysis first optimizes PV and mCPV microgrids and then selects the battery capacity that maximizes the internal rate of return (IRR) and selects a target mCPV installed cost for which the optimal mCPV IRR matches the optimal PV IRR. The result for projects starting in 2020 is $1.2/W in Lancaster, CA and Las Vegas, cities with similar ratios of direct to total irradiance. Modesto, CA and Kansas City have target mCPV installed costs of $1.07/W and $0.94/W, respectively. The electricity tariff and battery costs impact both PV and mCPV and have a minimal effect on the mCPV cost at which the two technologies compete. mCPV occupies 33.2% less area per watt than PV reducing some components of installed cost. In 2020, target mCPV module costs are $0.33/W in Lancaster and Las Vegas, $0.25/W in Modesto, and $0.17/W in Kansas City. These target costs decline by on average 9.6% per year for projects starting 2021–2025, similar to the 9.3% rate of decline in projected PV module costs over this period.
Recover possibilities of potential induced degradation caused by the micro‐cracked locations in p‐type crystalline silicon solar cells
Authors: Nguyen Dong C. , Ishikawa Yasuaki , Uraoka Yukiharu
Published: December 2020

Potential induced degradation (PID) has been affecting the performance, durability, and reliability of crystalline Si solar cells/modules. The authors demonstrate that micro‐cracks also act as the additional recombination centers, which reduce short‐circuit current density (Jsc), open‐circuit voltage (Voc), and the effective lifetime of carriers in solar cells, in PID condition. This hypothesis was confirmed by external quantum efficiency measurements and microwave photo‐conductance decay method at the micro‐cracked areas before and after PID stress tests. In addition, the PID recovery was made significantly but non‐fully for the laminated micro‐cracked modules owing to the electrical PID recovery method. In addition, the authors showed and discussed the challenging problems in recovering the performance of the PID‐affected micro‐cracked solar modules without lamination. The achieved results from 11 cycles of PID stress/recovery tests with the same duration of PID stress and recovery processes showed that an exponentially decreasing function fits the correlation between the relative losses of Pmax, Voc, fill factor (FF), and Jsc due to the PID stress process and the number of the PID stress/recovery cycles. This provides a model for the estimation of the relative losses of Pmax, Voc, FF, and Jsc due to the PID stress process versus the number of the PID stress/recovery cycles. Finally, based on the decreasing tendency in the performance loss of the PID‐affected laminated micro‐cracked solar modules after PID stress/recovery cycles, the authors suggest that cyclic PID tests with suitable conditions might be a reasonable approach to control PID.
A theoretical study towards understanding the origin of DNA oxidation products
Authors: Zhao Shuang , Jiang Shan , Wang Min , Cao Chunyan , Wan Xin
Published: December 2020

Reactivity of thymine peroxy radical in DNA and its fate under oxygen‐less condition are studied at DFT B3LYP and M06‐2X functionals together with 6‐31+G(d,p) and aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis sets. The irreversible reaction between OH free radical‐induced C6‐yl and O2 molecule leads to the two main conformers. The spaciously accessible H2′ on the sugar can be abstracted by C6‐peroxy with the estimated barriers of 15.7–21.0 kcal/mol, dependent on various theoretical methods and the conformers. The calculations show that C6‐peroxy has a highly more reactivity towards C (sp3)‐H abstraction reactions than its relative C6‐yl, which is a counter‐intuitive case. Based on the classical Arrhenius rate formula, we find that the vertical electron affinities and proton affinities of the H‐atom acceptors are strongly relevant to electron transfer rate and proton transfer rate, respectively, in the C‐H abstraction reactions. The formed hydroperoxide with the C6‐OaObH2′ constituent can ultrafastly transfer ObH2′ to C2′ radical of the same sugar with a very low barrier (approximately 1.6 kcal/mol) and very strong exothermicity. The results show that the formed hydroperoxide product is too unstable so that it could be quickly transformed into other species and thus is very hard to be experimentally observed. Afterwards, H2′ can be again abstracted by C6‐oxyl radical to result in formation of thymine glycol. The parallel C5‐C6 bond scission reaction leads to formation of the precursor to 5‐hydroxy‐5‐methylhydantion. The two competitive reactions have very low or even negative barriers, dependent on the used functional. Thus, the new radical reaction paths to formation of both thymine glycol and 5‐hydroxy‐5‐methylhydantion are discovered under oxygen‐less condition, which is different from the previously suggested paths under high oxygen concentration surroundings. The influences of the relevant side reactions on formation of the two oxidation damage biomarker molecules are also discussed.
A qualitative assessment of body image in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer
Authors: Moore Justin B. , Canzona Mollie R. , Puccinelli‐Ortega Nicole , Little‐Greene Denisha , Duckworth Katie E. , Fingeret Michelle C. , Ip Edward H. , Sanford Stacy D. , Salsman John M.
Published: December 2020

Context

Among adolescents and young adults (AYAs), cancer and its treatment can disturb body image in distinct ways compared to younger or older individuals.

Objective

Since AYA body image is not well understood, this study was designed to develop a conceptual framework for body image in AYAs with cancer.

Methods

Concept elicitation interviews were conducted with 36 AYA patients [10 adolescents (15–17 years), 12 emerging adults (18–25 years), 14 young adults (26–39 years)] and health care providers (n = 36). The constant comparative method was used to analyze for themes and properties, with themes considered saturated if they were present and salient across participant sets.

Results

Twenty themes emerged from participant data. Three themes illustrate a shared understanding of patients' experience of body image: (1) physical changes produce shifts in identity and experience of self; (2) precancer body image shapes how the AYA experiences cancer‐related physical changes, and (3) changes to the body are upsetting. Nine themes were unique to patients while eight themes were unique to providers. Patient body image experiences were found to evolve over time, largely affected by concerns about how others view them. Providers appeared attuned to AYA patient body image but recognized that it is not systematically addressed with patients.

Conclusion

More striking than differences between patient groups is the consistency of themes that emerged. The conceptual framework of body image developed from these data offers an important step toward addressing body image concerns for AYA patients.
A general theory of rock glacier creep based on in‐situ and remote sensing observations
Authors: Cicoira Alessandro , Marcer Marco , Gärtner‐Roer Isabelle , Bodin Xavier , Arenson Lukas U. , Vieli Andreas
Published: December 2020

The ongoing acceleration in rock glacier velocities concurrent with increasing air temperatures, and the widespread onset of rock glacier destabilization have reinforced the interest in rock glacier dynamics and in its coupling to the climate system. Despite the increasing number of studies investigating this phenomenon, our knowledge of both the fundamental mechanisms controlling rock glacier dynamics, and their long‐term behaviour at the regional scale remain limited. We present a general theory to investigate rock glacier dynamics, its spatial patterns and temporal trends at both regional and local scale. To this end, we combine a model to calculate rock glacier thickness with an empirical creep model for ice‐rich debris, in order to derive the Bulk Creep Factor (BCF), which allows to disentangle the two contributions to the surface velocities from (i) material properties and (ii) geometry. Thereafter, we provide two examples of possible applications of this approach at a regional and local scale.
Sleep‐disordered breathing, respiratory patterns during wakefulness and functional capacity in pediatric patients with rapid‐onset obesity with hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation and autonomic dysregulation syndrome
Authors: Selvadurai Sarah , Benzon David , Voutsas Giorge , Hamilton Jill , Yeh Ann , Cifra Barbara , Narang Indra
Published: December 2020

Objective

To characterize the clinical presentation of sleep‐disordered breathing and respiratory patterns at rest and during a 6‐min walk test (6MWT) in children with rapid‐onset obesity, hypothalamic dysfunction, hypoventilation, and autonomic dysregulation (ROHHAD) syndrome.

Methods

Retrospective study of children with ROHHAD who had a diagnostic baseline polysomnography, daytime cardiorespiratory monitoring at rest and a 6MWT. Polysomnography data were also compared with body mass index‐, age‐, and sex‐matched controls.

Results

Of the eight children with ROHHAD, all eight (100%) had obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and 2/8 (25%) had nocturnal hypoventilation (NH) on their baseline polysomnography. Comparing the ROHHAD group to the control group, there were no significant differences in the median (interquartile range [IQR]) obstructive apnea‐hypopnea index (11.1 [4.3–58.4] vs. 14.4 [10.3–23.3] events/h, respectively; p = .78). However, children with ROHHAD showed a significantly higher desaturation index compared to the control group (37.9 [13.7–59.8] vs. 14.7 [4.3–27.6] events/h; p = .05). While awake at rest, some children with ROHHAD experienced significant desaturations associated with central pauses. During the 6MWT, no significant desaturations were observed, but two children showed moderate functional limitation.

Conclusions

Among children with ROHHAD, respiratory instability may be demonstrated by a significant number and severity of oxygen desaturations during sleep in the presence of OSA, with or without NH, and oxygen desaturations with central pauses at rest during wakefulness. Interestingly, during daily activities that require submaximal effort, children may not experience oxygen desaturations. Early recognition of respiratory abnormalities and targeted therapeutic interventions are important to limit associated morbidity and mortality in ROHHAD.
Thermal and Damp Heat Stability of High‐Mobility In2O3‐Based Transparent Conducting Films Fabricated at Low Process Temperatures
Authors: Koida Takashi , Ueno Yuko
Published: December 2020

High electron mobility of transparent conductive oxide (TCO) facilitates high conductivity at a moderate carrier density, resulting in an extension of the degree of transparency from visible to near‐infrared due to less free carrier absorption. These broadband TCO electrodes provide opportunities to improve the performance of optoelectronic devices. Herein, the thermal and damp heat stability characteristics of TCO films are described. It is found that the difference in the crystal growth method has a significant influence on the initial electrical properties and stability characteristics. Polycrystalline In2O3:Me (Me: W, Ce) films deposited at 200 °C exhibit a relatively high mobility of 70–80 cm2 V−1 s−1, are stable after a damp heat test, and improve the mobility of 110–140 cm2 V−1 s−1 after postannealing at temperatures greater than the deposition temperature. Conversely, solid‐phase crystallized In2O3:Me,H films prepared by postannealing amorphous films exhibit an extremely high mobility of 100–160 cm2 V−1 s−1; however, they exhibit reduced stability characteristics after the damp heat test and high‐temperature annealing process compared to the polycrystalline films. The deterioration of the electrical properties increases as the hydrogen content in the films increases. The results suggest that polycrystalline and solid‐phase crystallized films should be used properly, according to the device manufacturing processes.
Curcumol and FTY720 synergistically induce apoptosis and differentiation in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia via multiple signaling pathways
Authors: Zhao Mingri , Yang Chaoying , Chai Siyu , Yuan Yijun , Zhang Ji , Cao Pengfei , Wang Yanpeng , Xiao Xiaojuan , Wu Kunlu , Yan Huiwen , Liu Jing , Sun Shuming
Published: December 2020

Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CML) is a myeloid tumor characterized by MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome) and MPN (myeloproliferative neoplasms). Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, chemotherapy, interferon, and targeted therapy are the main treatment methods for CML. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are also a treatment option, and patients are currently recommended to take these drugs throughout their lives to prevent CML recurrence. Therefore, there is a need to investigate and identify other potential chemotherapy drugs. Currently, research on CML treatment with a single drug has shown little progress. Fingolimod (FTY720), an FDA‐approved drug used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis, has also shown great potential in the treatment of lymphocytic leukemia. In our study, we find that FTY720 and curcumol have a significant inhibitory effect on K562 cells, K562/ADR cells, and CD34+ cells from CML patients. RNAseq data analysis shows that regulation of apoptosis and differentiation pathways are key pathways in this process. Besides, BCR/ABL–Jak2/STAT3 signaling, PI3K/Akt–Jnk signaling, and activation of BH3‐only genes are involved in CML inhibition. In a K562 xenograft mouse model, therapy with curcumol and FTY720 led to significant inhibition of tumor growth and induction of apoptosis. To summarize, curcumol and FTY720 synergistically inhibit proliferation involved in differentiation and induce apoptosis in CML cells. Therefore, synergistic treatment with two drugs could be the next choice of treatment for CML.
Treating schizophrenia: What we can do now
Authors: Price Lawrence H.
Published: December 2020

If you are a regular reader of the American Journal of Psychiatry, you might have noticed at the back of a recent issue a brief article under the heading “APA Official Actions” announcing the publication of a new practice guideline for the treatment of schizophrenia, the third edition of this guideline since its inception in 1997. If you took the time to read the contents, you encountered some background material about the disorder, a description of how the guideline was developed, and a one‐page summary of the guideline recommendations. Assuming you've had training in psychiatry, you would have been unsurprised by the recommendations themselves. Indeed, the reason we're not covering this article in this month's Update is that there's nothing really new in it and, frankly, the recommendations are pretty basic (e.g., “that patients with schizophrenia be treated with an antipsychotic medication and monitored for effectiveness and side effects”). Definitely not the cutting‐edge content we try to bring you every month.
On developing an exponentially weighted moving average chart under progressive setup: An efficient approach to manufacturing processes—Discussion
Authors: Alevizakos Vasileios , Chatterjee Kashinath , Koukouvinos Christos
Published: December 2020

A mixed exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA)–progressive mean (PM) control chart (regarded as MEP) has been recently proposed in the literature for monitoring the process mean. Unfortunately, the variance of MEP statistic is incorrect. In this article, we provide the correct variance of charting statistic along with the corresponding control limits and we also evaluate the run‐length characteristics of the MEP chart. A comparison study with existing control charts indicates that the MEP chart is more effective for small to moderate process shifts. However, the PM, which is a special case of it, and the EWMA charts outperform the MEP chart in detecting small to moderate and large shifts, respectively.
Ab initio molecular dynamics study of the structure and supramolecular organization in mesogenic lanthanum(III) complexes with β‐diketones and Lewis bases
Authors: Romanova Ksenia , Kremleva Alena , Galyametdinov Yuriy
Published: December 2020

Simulation technique for the study of the structural properties and supramolecular organization of mesogenic lanthanum(III) complexes with β‐diketones and Lewis bases with the combination of high‐level quantum chemical methods and ab initio molecular dynamics was proposed and approved. Three representatives of La(III) complexes with ligands of various nature were investigated and relations between their structural properties and liquid‐crystalline (LC) behavior were studied. It has been shown that the structure of β‐diketones and their substitutes mostly define the number and type of LC mesophases. The Lewis base ligand generally determines the appearance of LC properties. Estimated anisotropy of geometry values for two complexes were found above the known threshold value defining the presence of LC phases. Thus, these complexes are expected to exhibit LC properties, while the third complex not, which is in agreement with the experimental data. We also used Voronoi–Dirichlet polyhedral (VDP) approach to analyze the first coordination sphere of the La(III) complexes. Calculated parameters of VDP helped to evaluate the forces of intermolecular interactions. The unitless normalized second moment of inertia for three exemplary La(III) complexes was found to correlate with the number of the LC phases of the corresponding complexes.
Manipulating rangeland soil microclimate with juniper biochar for improved native seedling establishment
Authors: Phillips Claire L. , Meyer Kylie M. , Hanson Chad V. , Biraud Sébastien C. , Trippe Kristin M.
Published: December 2020

Encroachment of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) and invasive grasses have substantially degraded sagebrush‐steppe ecosystems of the western United States. Here we evaluated whether juniper that is converted to biochar could be used in restoration seeding to improve establishment of native bunchgrasses. We hypothesized that juniper biochar could expand the window of favorable soil climate conditions for seedling establishment, either by darkening the soil surface and hastening warming in the early spring, or by enhancing soil water retention and slowing drying in the late spring. The influence of biochar application on soil albedo, temperature, and moisture were evaluated over 2 yr, along with impacts to soil fertility and establishment of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] Á. Löve). Plots amended with biochar (14 Mg ha−1) were compared with plots with burn scars, where cut juniper had been piled and burned, and control plots that were areas located between burn scars where no biochar was applied. Biochar caused a small decrease in surface albedo, but no change in soil temperature or in situ soil moisture. Biochar had no impact on seedling establishment or growth over 2 yr compared with control plots. Seedling establishment was greatest in burn scars, possibly due to greater N availability. Biochar had minimal effects on soil physical and chemical characteristics, even when applied at a higher amendment rate than could be provisioned by the abundance of juniper biomass on the landscape. This trial showed juniper biochar caused no harm, but provided no clear benefits for native seedling establishment.
Quantum‐Matter Bi/TiO2 Heterostructure Embedded in N‐Doped Porous Carbon Nanosheets for Enhanced Sodium Storage
Authors: Huang Man , Xi Baojuan , Shi Nianxiang , Feng Jinkui , Qian Yitai , Xue Dongfeng , Xiong Shenglin
Published: December 2020

Combining the strength of heterostructure engineering with the properties of quantum materials, quantum‐scale heterostructure will open up a new stage for material design. Herein, a kind of anode material with heterostructures made of Bi/TiO2 quantum dots embedded into N‐doped carbon nanosheets (Bi/TiO2 HQDs⊂NC) is reported. Importantly, unique electronic states, structural distortions and defects, and functionalities can be integrated in the quantum‐scale heterostructure, giving rise to opportunities for reducing the ion‐diffusion resistance and facilitating interfacial charge transport at interface during the storage process. The integrated design greatly reduces the migration energy barrier of Na+, promotes the electron/Na+ transportation, buffers the volume variation of electrodes upon cycling, heightens the electric conductivity and electrochemical reactivity of the hybrids, and provides rich active interfacial sites for sodium uptake. Due to these merits, these Bi/TiO2 HQDs⊂NC hybrid nanosheets manifest excellent sodium storage properties in terms of a high reversible capacity of 299.1 at 0.2 A g−1 with an ultrahigh rate capability up to 20 A g−1 with a capacity of 132.7 mAh g−1 and an ultralong cycle life over 10 000 cycles.
Theranostic Approach for the Protein Corona of Polysaccharide Nanoparticles
Authors: Skalickova Sylvie , Horky Pavel , Mlejnkova Veronika , Skladanka Jiri , Hosnedlova Bozena , Ruttkay‐Nedecky Branislav , Fernandez Carlos , Kizek Rene
Published: December 2020

Polysaccharide nanoparticles are promising materials in the wide range of disciplines such as medicine, nutrition, food production, agriculture, material science and others. They excel not only in their non‐toxicity and biodegradability but also in their easy preparation. As well as inorganic particles, a protein corona (PC) around polysaccharide nanoparticles is formed in biofluids. Moreover, it has been considered that the overall response of the organism to nanoparticles presence depends on the PC. This review summarises scientific publications about the structural chemistry of polysaccharide nanoparticles and their impact on theranostic applications. Three strategies of implementation of the PC in theranostics have been discussed: I) Utilisation of the PC in therapy; II) How the composition of the PC is analysed for specific disease markers; III) How the formed PC can interact with the immune system and enhances the immunomodulation or immunoelimination. Thus, the findings from this review can contribute to improve the design of drug delivery systems. However, it is still necessary to elucidate the mechanisms of nano‐bio interactions and discover new connections in nanoscale research.
Nimbolide induces cell death in T lymphoma cells: Implication of altered apoptosis and glucose metabolism
Authors: Jaiswara Pradip Kumar , Gupta Vishal Kumar , Sonker Pratishtha , Rawat Shiv Govind , Tiwari Rajan Kumar , Pathak Chandramani , Kumar Santosh , Kumar Ajay
Published: December 2020

Nimbolide is a tetranortriterpenoid derived from the leaves and flowers of Azadirachta indica (Neem). It exhibits anticancer activity against a variety of cancers by modulating various crucial features, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion and metastasis. More importantly, the cytotoxic effect of nimbolide has also been observed against T cell lymphoma, but the underlying mechanisms are still unexplored. So far, no study has been conducted to observe the effect of nimbolide on cancer cell metabolism. Therefore, the present investigation was designed to explore the molecular mechanisms of the antitumor potential of nimbolide against T cell lymphoma, a neoplastic disorder of thymic origin. In addition, we also unraveled the anti‐glycolytic activity of nimbolide against T lymphoma cells with possible molecular mechanisms. Our results showed the cytotoxic action of nimbolide against three different cell lines of T cell lymphoma, namely Dalton's lymphoma, HuT‐78, and J6. Nimbolide‐induced apoptosis in T lymphoma cells by altering the level of reactive oxygen species, p53, Bcl2, Bax, and cytochrome c, with subsequent cleavage of caspase 3. Remarkably, nimbolide inhibited the expression of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α, glucose transporter 3, hexokinase II, and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1, which led to the suppression of glycolysis with concomitant activation of oxidative phosphorylation. Hence, the results of the present investigation demonstrate that nimbolide exerts tumoricidal activity against T lymphoma cells via augmentation of apoptosis and reversal of altered cell metabolism. Thus, the present study provides a new insight for the therapeutic utilization of nimbolide against T cell lymphoma.
Ein Diffusionsmodell für Plasmanitrierprozesse austenitischer Stähle
Authors: Reinders Phillip M. , Patel Rohit R. , Kaestner Peter , Bräuer Günter
Published: December 2020

Das Plasmantrieren ist ein wichtiges Verfahren zur Erhöhung der Verschleißfestigkeit metallischer Werkstoffe, insbesondere auch austenitischer Stähle. Eine entscheidende Rolle für den Härteanstieg spielt die Gitteraufweitung durch eindiffundierte Stickstoffatome, die zur Bildung der sogenannten s‐Phase („extended austenite“) führt. Im Rahmen einer Masterarbeit am Institut für Oberflächentechnik der Technischen Universität Braunschweig wurde ein Modell zur Vorhersage der s‐Phasendicke für Plasmanitrierprozesse von vier austenitischen rostfreien Stählen entwickelt. Das Modell wurde durch eine Reihe von Kontrollversuchen validiert. Es zeigt aufgrund des geringen relativen Fehlers von weniger als 6 % eine sehr gute Annäherung an die experimentell ermittelten Werte.
A little relief: Ecological functions and autogenesis of wetland microtopography
Authors: Diamond Jacob S. , Epstein Joshua M. , Cohen Matthew J. , McLaughlin Daniel L. , Hsueh Yu‐Hsin , Keim Richard F. , Duberstein Jamie A.
Published: December 2020

Microtopography, or the small‐scale variation in ground surface height (10−1–100 m) over short (100–102 m) spatial scales, is a ubiquitous feature of wetlands globally. This variation in elevation, characterized by local high (“hummocks”) and low (“hollows”) patches, is more structured than what is observed in uplands, and is intertwined with concordantly structured spatiotemporal variability in hydrologic regimes and associated ecological processes. The importance of microtopography in wetlands is manifold, with critical influence on local hydrological, biogeochemical, and biological processes. Further, the creation and maintenance of wetland microtopography is a balance between activation processes (i.e., those that induce random elevation variation) and autogenic reinforcement processes (i.e., those that provide the feedbacks necessary for the persistence of microtopography). While there are many mechanisms that create vertical structure (e.g., tree falls, accumulation of roots and soil organic matter, and sediment deposition), they all yield a similar core feedback to enhance and sustain microtopographic structure. Finally, microtopography contributes to spatial patterning that confers emergent ecosystem‐scale functions such as hydrologic storage and flows, carbon cycling, organism dispersal, and biodiversity. There is an ongoing need to study the origins and implications of this fine‐scale variation in elevation, as well as the utility of including microtopography in model predictions and ecological restoration efforts.

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Toward catchment hydro‐biogeochemical theories
Authors: Li Li , Sullivan Pamela L. , Benettin Paolo , Cirpka Olaf A. , Bishop Kevin , Brantley Susan L. , Knapp Julia L. A. , van Meerveld Ilja , Rinaldo Andrea , Seibert Jan , Wen Hang , Kirchner James W.
Published: December 2020

Headwater catchments are the fundamental units that connect the land to the ocean. Hydrological flow and biogeochemical processes are intricately coupled, yet their respective sciences have progressed without much integration. Reaction kinetic theories that prescribe rate dependence on environmental variables (e.g., temperature and water content) have advanced substantially, mostly in well‐mixed reactors, columns, and warming experiments without considering the characteristics of hydrological flow at the catchment scale. These theories have shown significant divergence from observations in natural systems. On the other hand, hydrological theories, including transit time theory, have progressed substantially yet have not been incorporated into understanding reactions at the catchment scale. Here we advocate for the development of integrated hydro‐biogeochemical theories across gradients of climate, vegetation, and geology conditions. The lack of such theories presents barriers for understanding mechanisms and forecasting the future of the Critical Zone under human‐ and climate‐induced perturbations. Although integration has started and co‐located measurements are well under way, tremendous challenges remain. In particular, even in this era of “big data,” we are still limited by data and will need to (1) intensify measurements beyond river channels and characterize the vertical connectivity and broadly the shallow and deep subsurface; (2) expand to older water dating beyond the time scales reflected in stable water isotopes; (3) combine the use of reactive solutes, nonreactive tracers, and isotopes; and (4) augment measurements in environments that are undergoing rapid changes. To develop integrated theories, it is essential to (1) engage models at all stages to develop model‐informed data collection strategies and to maximize data usage; (2) adopt a “simple but not simplistic,” or fit‐for‐purpose approach to include essential processes in process‐based models; (3) blend the use of process‐based and data‐driven models in the framework of “theory‐guided data science.” Within the framework of hypothesis testing, model‐data fusion can advance integrated theories that mechanistically link catchments' internal structures and external drivers to their functioning. It can not only advance the field of hydro‐biogeochemistry, but also enable hind‐ and fore‐casting and serve the society at large. Broadly, future education will need to cultivate thinkers at the intersections of traditional disciplines with hollistic approaches for understanding interacting processes in complex earth systems.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Methods
New Order in (BiS)1.19(Bi1/3Cr2S4) Misfit Layer Compound.
Authors: Gómez‐Herrero A. , Landa‐Cánovas A. R. , Otero‐Díaz L. C.
Published: December 2020

In a sample with nominal composition BiCr2S5 a new misfit layer compound has been synthesized and studied via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It presents a composite modulated structure with a composition that can be formulated as (BiS)1.19[(CrS2)‐Bi1/3‐(CrS2)]. It consists of the periodic stacking of a Q layer (BiS) with two H layers (CrS2), …QHHQHH…, with additional bismuth atoms inserted between the H layers. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns show an almost commensurate fit between the pseudo‐tetragonal Q (BiS) and the pseudo‐orthohexagonal H (Bi1/3Cr2S4) subcells along the misfit direction a, being b the same for both sublattices and c the layers stacking direction. In addition to the characteristic misfit modulation between the two sub‐structures, a second modulation is observed in the H sub‐structure produced by the ordering of bismuth atoms within the Van der Waals gap that occurs between consecutive H layers. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images show ordered stacking sequences between the (BiS) and (Bi1/3Cr2S4) layers. Besides, disordered intergrowths have been occasionally found as well as different kinds of twinning defects.
The Polymorphic Nature of M3BiBr6 Halides (M=Cs, Rb) and their Reversible Intercalation with Water to Isomorphous Hydrates at Room Temperature
Authors: Chang Jen‐Hui , Wang Yiran , Doert Thomas , Ruck Michael
Published: December 2020

Bismuthates with composition M3BiBr6 (M=Rb, Cs) form series of polymorphs capable of reversible H2O incorporation at room temperature. The host compounds were synthesized by annealing mixtures of MBr/BiBr3, or by precipitation from acidic solution and removing water molecules from the host framework of the hydrates in a thermal dehydration reaction. While the compound oP‐Rb3BiBr6 (space group Pbnm) is known from previous work, mP‐Rb3BiBr6 crystallizes with a new type of structure (space group P21/c). For Cs3BiBr6, the oP‐phase crystallizes isostructural to Cs3NdCl6 (space group Pbcm), the mC‐phase isostructural to Cs3BiCl6 (space group C2/c) and the tP‐phase isostructural to Tl3BiCl6 (space group P42/m). All crystal structures were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffraction data. In both systems, the crystal structures of orthorhombic and the monoclinic phases are polytypes and differ by stacking sequence only. By intercalation of water molecules, all polytypes of M3BiBr6 transform to semi‐hydrates M3BiBr6 ⋅ 
H2O. Both, the incorporation of water and the reverse process proceed without the host structure being changed. The inclusion of crystal water was also confirmed by IR‐spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis and mass spectrometry. The modification tP‐Cs3BiBr6 features a crystal structure with higher density and does not accommodate water.
Barriers to Effective Climate Change Management in Zimbabwe’s Rural Communities
Authors: Nyahunda Louis , Tirivangasi Happy Mathew
Published: December 2020

The daunting effects of climate change are more visible and acute among rural people in most developing countries. Smallholder farmers in rural communities are more encumbered by climate change impacts and they have been reeling with climate induced shocks for some time. Their vulnerability to climate change impacts is aggravated by high dependence on the climate volatile natural resource base, high poverty levels, lack of adaptive capacity, low educational levels, and lack of technoscience-based technologies among other key compounding factors. In the light of this, Zimbabwe is still crawling to implement and administer effective climate change management measures aimed at disaster risk reduction and management, vulnerability reduction, social resilience, and capacity building because of political and socioeconomic quagmires trapping the country. Consequently, rural people are the hardest hit by these developments. Climate change management connotes a human intervention to reduce the sources or enhance the sinks of greenhouse gases and adjustment to actual or expected climate and its effects, in order to moderate harm or exploit beneficial opportunities through mitigation and adaptation. Nevertheless, rural people are on record of engaging in a plethora of activities to manage climate change and its actual or potential risks. However, their efforts are marred by an avalanche of setbacks which serve as barriers to climate change management. Against this backdrop, this book chapter intends to delineate the factors serving as barriers to climate change management in Zimbabwe’s rural communities.
A Taste of the Sea: Artisanal Fishing Communities in the Philippines
Authors: Turgo Nelson
Published: December 2020

The Philippines remains one of the top suppliers of seafarers to the global merchant fleet. In the 2015 BIMCO Manpower Report on seafarer supply countries, the Philippines ranked first for ratings and second for officers with 363,832 Filipino seafarers deployed to ocean-going merchant vessels in 2014 and accounting for 28% of the global supply of seafarers (MARINA 2015). Seafarers are crucial in keeping the Philippine economy afloat and in 2018, Filipino seafarers sent home USD 6.14 billion (Hellenic Shipping News 2019), accounting for about a fifth of the USD 32.2 billion overseas workers sent home that year (Inquirer 2019). The Philippines has developed as a major player in the crewing sector of the global maritime industry primarily because of its maritime history (Giraldez 2015; Mercene 2007; Schurz 1939), its maritime geography and the continued centrality of the sea to many people’s lives (as attested to by the presence of the myriad fishing communities dotted around the many islands of the country) (Warren 2003, 2007), the economic liberalisation of the 1970s and the concomitant institutionalisation of the labour export policies as enacted by Philippine governments since the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos whose latter policy saw many Filipinos seeking employment overseas (Asis 2017; Kaur 2016; Wozniak 2015).
The Rhythms of Shipboard Life: Work, Hierarchy, Occupational Culture and Multinational Crews
Authors: Sampson Helen
Published: December 2020

Several words repeatedly crop up when you ask a seafarer working in the international cargo fleet to describe a life at sea: ‘boring’, is one; ‘lonely’ is another; and the word ‘sacrifice’ is used very frequently as well. Most contemporary seafarers are recruited from developing economies where well-paid opportunities for work ashore are scarce and, if they can be found at all, are only available to highly skilled or qualified personnel. As a result, the money that can be earned at sea by both officers and ratings is often unparalleled and this encourages people to seek work as a seafarer when they are young. It also keeps many of them coming back to sea as they get older (as described so vividly by Baum-Talmor in Chap. 5) despite having come to grips with some of the rather unglamorous aspects of the job.
Adaptation, Migration, Advocacy. A Climate Change Curriculum for Out-of-School Children in Badin, Sindh
Authors: Japanwala Natasha
Published: December 2020

This chapter identifies the urgency for climate change education in vulnerable communities that are already experiencing the effects of climate change-related disasters. Designing curricula for vulnerable communities, in this case out-of-school youth in Badin, a rural district in Pakistan’s Sindh province, demands a focus on strategies that can be leveraged for survival. This chapter illustrates the need to match curriculum design with research and reportage about the needs communities are facing. In Badin, where the local economy is driven by agriculture and threatened by the salinization of land as well as an increased risk to flooding, the possibility of migration is real. This shifts our understanding of what adaptation and mitigation mean for this population—youth need to be prepared not only to survive where they are, but to survive where they might end up.

Vulnerable communities tend to reside in districts where the rates of literacy, school enrolment and retention are low—this is certainly the case in Badin. This curriculum had to rely on pedagogies for which literacy was not a pre-requisite. Project-based learning provided a unique solution to the conundrum of designing a no-literacy curriculum to teach strategies for survival in a community where best practices for adaptation, mitigation or migration have not yet been established: it allowed youth to work in teams, building their social and collaborative skills, to develop their own solutions and recognize the power of their own voice to advocate for their rights.
Applied Artifact-Based Analysis for Architecture Consistency Checking
Authors: Greifenberg Timo , Hillemacher Steffen , Hölldobler Katrin
Published: December 2020

The usage of models within model-driven software development aims at facilitating complexity management of the system under development and closing the gap between the problem and the solution domain. Utilizing model-driven software development (MDD) tools for agile development can also increase the complexity within a project. The huge number of different artifacts and relations, their different kinds, and the high degree of automation hinder the understanding, maintenance, and evolution within MDD projects. A systematic approach to understand and manage MDD projects with a focus on its artifacts and corresponding relations is necessary to handle the complexity. The artifact-based analysis presented in this paper is such an approach. This paper gives an overview of different contributions of the artifact-based analysis but focuses on a specific kind of analysis: architecture consistency checking of model-driven development projects. By applying this kind of analyses, differences between the desired architecture and the actual architecture of the project at a specific point in time can be revealed.
An Overview of Chinese Thinking About Deterrence
Authors: Cheng Dean
Published: December 2020

All major powers undertake deterrence behaviour, as an integral part of their foreign and security policy. This includes the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The PRC, however, comes from a different strategic tradition than the United States; therefore, understanding Chinese views of deterrence has become salient. This is complicated by the evolution in Chinese thinking about deterrence, as it has sought to incorporate various elements of national power.
All Deterrence Is Local: The Utility and Application of Localised Deterrence in Counterinsurgency
Authors: Kitzen Martijn , van Kuijck Christina
Published: December 2020

The deterrence of non-state actors is a relatively understudied and not particularly well-understood aspect of deterrence studies. This chapter contributes to the emerging body of knowledge on this matter by coining the idea of localised deterrence. Based on a discussion of counterinsurgency theory it is argued that tailored measures can be effectively employed for deterring violent non-state actors by targeting their relations with the local populace. Subsequently, this chapter explores theoretical as well as practical aspects of localised deterrence in order to explain how this concept can be conceptualised and operationalised to effectively deter insurgents and their supporters amongst the local populace. Ultimately, this allows us to reflect upon the concept and set an agenda for embedding localised deterrence within the wider body of deterrence studies by identifying new avenues of research.
Understanding Deterrence
Authors: Mazarr Michael J.
Published: December 2020

The challenge of deterrence—discouraging states from taking unwanted actions, especially military aggression—has again become a principal theme in U.S. defence policy. This chapter reviews the fundamentals of deterrence in theory and practice. It surveys basic definitions and types of deterrence, including central versus extended deterrence and techniques of deterring by denial or punishment. The chapter argues that it in inaccurate to equate deterrence strength with the local military balance, which is one important factor in deterrence success, but not the only one. It examines three essential conditions for deterrence success: The level of aggressor motivation, clarity about the object of deterrence and the actions the defender will take, and the defender’s capability and will to fulfil threats.
Deterrence Rediscovered: NATO and Russia
Authors: Rynning Sten
Published: December 2020

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is back in the business of deterring aggression on the part of Russia. This return to great power deterrence has brought widely acknowledged military challenges related to power projection, force modernization, and burden sharing but also and notably a political challenge of defining NATO’s collective political ambitions for a continental order in which Russia will not become like the West. Like during the Cold War, the most convincing posture for NATO has become one of deterrence by punishment, building on a fairly dynamic military ability to strike Russia at a point of choosing, as opposed to defending every entry point to Alliance territory. However, NATO, not sure of what political order it represents, struggles to read Russia’s political character and intent and size its military posture accordingly. NATO’s political deficit effectively robs it of a middle ground from where it can build its military posture and invest in its upkeep. In the 1960s, NATO forged such a middle ground as an essential platform for strategic adaptation; today, NATO’s full deterrence posture is suffering from the absence of such a middle ground. Thus, a comprehensive politico-military posture of deterrence vis-à-vis Russia will require NATO’s reengagement with its own political fundamentals.
Deterrence à la Ruse: Its Uniqueness, Sources and Implications
Authors: Adamsky Dmitry
Published: December 2020

This chapter traces the evolution of Russian thinking on deterrence and makes three arguments. First, the Russian approach to deterrence differs from the Western conceptualization of this term. Deterrence a la Ruse is much broader than the meaning that Western experts have in mind. It stands for the use of threats to maintain the status quo, to change it, to shape the strategic environment within which the interaction occurs, to prevent escalation and to de-escalate. The term is used to describe activities towards and during military conflict, and spans all phases of war. Second, the peculiar usage of the term deterrence in the Russian expert community reflects the imprint of Russian strategic culture, and of the Russian military transformation that has been ongoing since the Soviet collapse. Finally, the unique Russian conceptualization of deterrence has implications for both practitioners and theoreticians of international security policy.
Arthroskopische Versorgung einer suprakondylären Femurfraktur bei einliegender Knietotalendoprothese mittels retrogradem Femurnagel
Authors: Schitz Florian , Rilk Sebastian , Schabus Rudolf
Published: December 2020

Hintergrund

Durch das stetig zunehmende Alter der Bevölkerung, die vermehrten Implantationen von Knietotalendoprothesen (Knie-TEP) und die gesteigerte körperliche Aktivität der Menschen im Alter erhöht sich dementsprechend die absolute Anzahl periprothetischer Frakturen. Die Behandlung dieser Frakturen stellt eine Herausforderung dar und kann operativ durch den Einsatz einer LCP-Platte („locking compression plate“), eines Stems, eines Sleeves oder eines retrograden Marknagels versorgt werden. Ein entscheidender Faktor für die erfolgreiche Therapie ist die richtige Klassifikation der Fraktur.

Fallbericht

Eine 80-jährige Patientin stellte sich, nach Sturz in der Häuslichkeit, in der Klinik mit einer periprothetischen Fraktur vor. Die Röntgendiagnostik ergab im Bereich des linken distalen Oberschenkels eine suprakondyläre, schräg verlaufende Fraktur mit einer Dislokation des distalen Fragments nach lateral. Die periprothetische Fraktur wurde unter arthroskopischer Sicht mittels eines retrograden Marknagels versorgt.

Schlussfolgerung

Die Versorgung distaler periprothetischer Frakturen stellt weiterhin eine Herausforderung für den Operateur dar. Beide Operationsmethoden haben ihre Berechtigung in der Versorgung distaler periprothetischer Femurfrakturen.