bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanical characterization of arhar biomass based porous nano activated carbon polymer composites
Authors: Om Prakash Minugu , Gujjala Raghavendra , Panchal Manoj , Ojha Shakuntala
Published: April 2020

Activated carbon material was synthesized by two stage pyrolysis and chemical activation method using arhar fiber biomass as precursor. The effect of activation temperature on the characteristics of activated carbon materials was explored. Temperatures of 700°C, 800°C, and 900°C were used for the production of activated carbon materials. BET surface area, pore size, and pore volume were studied using N2 adsorption analysis. Activated carbon prepared at 800°C temperature was found to be effective; exhibited 504.6 m2/g surface area and pore volume of 0.245569 cm3/g with micropores of less than 20 Å diameter. XRD analysis of the material exhibited broad and sharp peaks in the range of 18 to 30 (2θ), confirming amorphous structure. From thermogravimetric analysis, it was noticed that activated carbon has high thermal stability. It was left with 62% of residual mass when subjected to 1400°C temperature. Activated carbon material synthesized at 800°C was used as filler while epoxy functioned as matrix material for fabrication of composites. The effect of filler loading on the tensile strength of composites was studied. Tensile strength of composite material increased with addition of filler loading. It was observed that composite with 2% filler loading had a maximum tensile strength of 56 MPa.
Association of eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem with complex sleep behaviors resulting in serious injuries, including death
Authors: Harbourt Kelly , Nevo Ofir N. , Zhang Rongmei , Chan Vicky , Croteau David
Published: April 2020

Purpose

To identify and analyze postmarketing cases of complex sleep behaviors (CSBs) resulting in serious injuries, including death, associated with eszopiclone, zaleplon, or zolpidem (Z‐drugs).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 16 December 1992 through 27 February 2018 and medical literature using PubMed and EMBASE. We used random sampling and descriptive statistics.

Results

We identified 66 cases that met inclusion and exclusion criteria, four of which were identified in the medical literature. Twenty cases reported death and 46 cases reported serious injuries in association with CSBs occurring after the use of a Z‐drug. Fatal cases described events, such as carbon monoxide poisoning, drowning, falls, hypothermia, motor vehicle collisions, and apparent completed suicide. Nonfatal cases resulting in serious injuries described events, such as accidental overdoses, falls, gunshot wounds, hypothermia, third‐degree burns, and self‐injuries or suicide attempts. Twenty‐two cases reported a previous episode of a CSB while taking a Z‐drug prior to the event reported in this case series.

Conclusions

The FAERS and medical literature cases support the need for increased awareness of the consequences that may occur because of CSBs associated with the use of Z‐drugs. Therefore, to protect public health, regulatory actions were taken, including adding a Boxed Warning, a Contraindication in patients who have experienced a prior episode of a CSB with a Z‐drug, and updating the existing Warnings and Precautions. An FDA Drug Safety Communication was also disseminated to alert healthcare professionals and the public of this potential risk.
Significant Enhancement of Spin Polarization and Magnetism in the Surface State of Full‐Heusler Structural Cr2CoGa
Authors: Zheng Anmin , Tao Zhiming , Gao Guoying , Zheng Hepeng
Published: April 2020

For pristine full‐Heusler structural L21‐Cr2CoGa thin films, full‐potential ab initio density‐functional theory (DFT) simulations within the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) are used to investigate the structural stability, the electronic and magnetic properties of the two possible (001) surfaces. It is found that: 1) the spin polarization at the CoGa‐terminated (001) surface state decreases to 27% from 69% in bulk due to the screening of the p‐electrons of the nonmagnetic sp atom Ga at surface; 2) the spin polarization at the Cr1Cr2‐terminated (001) surface state is remarkably increased to 92% owing to the much lower density of states of minority‐spin surface states at the Fermi level. Cr1 (Cr2) atomic magnetic moments at the Cr1Cr2‐terminated (001) surface are greatly increased compared to bulk. Furthermore, it is unveiled that the Cr1Cr2‐terminated (001) surface is more stable than the CoGa‐terminated (001) for the lower surface energy over the whole effective chemical potential. This surprising report indicates that the full‐Heusler structural L21‐type Cr2CoGa thin films are promising candidates for the next‐generation spintronic materials.
High‐Performance Three‐Dimensional Li Anode Scaffold Enabled by Homogeneous Zn Nanoclusters
Authors: Xia Shuixin , Zhang Xun , Zhao Haojie , Xie Jin , Chou Lien‐Yang , Yu Yi , Liu Wei
Published: April 2020

The large‐scale implementation of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) has long been plagued by the uncontrollable Li deposition triggered safety issues. Herein, a lithiophilic three‐dimensional Li anode scaffold, which is prepared by molten Li infusion aided by confined growth of low‐cost Zn clusters, is rationally constructed for high‐performance LMBs. Owing to the synergy of the carbon host and the effective regulation from the Zn nanoclusters, the large volumetric change of Li metal is well mitigated and shows a smooth and dendrite‐free behavior. The Li anode scaffold can deliver much improved Coulombic efficiency, superior rate performance, and long cycle lifespan with much lower voltage polarization. Furthermore, the half cells of Li anode scaffold paired with LiFePO4/LiCoO2/sulfur can achieve a higher specific capacity and longer stable cycling life than those with conventional Li foil. The Li|LFP cells can achieve a stable cycling over 250 cycles at 1C with a higher capacity retention of ≈90.8%, and a higher initial discharge capacity of 924.6 mAh g−1 with a high capacity retention over 300 cycles can also be obtained in Li|S cells at 1C. This work demonstrates a cost‐effective and scalable strategy for stable Li metal anode toward next‐generation and high‐performance LMBs.
Multicriteria decision‐making taxonomy for DevOps challenging factors using analytical hierarchy process
Authors: Khan Arif Ali , Shameem Mohammad
Published: April 2020

Development and operations (DevOps) practices significantly accelerate and automate the continuous delivery and deployment of software systems. However, adopting DevOps concepts is not a straightforward job. Most organizations are not able to keep pace with the rhythm of continuous delivery and deployment, which are key DevOps attributes. Despite the significance of DevOps programs, it is still unknown why software development firms are demotivated or unable to adopt them. We tried to fill this gap by investigating, prioritizing, and developing the taxonomy of the key factors that could impact the adaptation and implementation of DevOps practices. We extracted a total of 16 factors from the available literature and empirically assessed them using the survey approach. The identified factors are further classified into three core categories of the software process improvement (SPI) manifesto. The analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approach was used to calculate the prioritization weight for each factor and present it as a taxonomy. The developed taxonomy provides a roadmap to tackle the key challenges to implementing DevOps and offers suggestions for streamlining DevOps practices.
Masked convolutional neural network for supervised learning problems
Authors: Liu Leo Yu‐Feng , Liu Yufeng , Zhu Hongtu
Published: April 2020

Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have exhibited superior performance in various types of classification and prediction tasks, but their interpretability remains to be low despite years of research effort. It is crucial to improve the ability of existing models to interpret deep neural networks from both theoretical and practical perspectives and to develop new neural network models with interpretable representations. The aim of this paper is to propose a set of novel masked CNN (MCNN) models with better ability to interpret networks and more accurate prediction. The key ideas behind MCNNs are to introduce a latent binary network to extract informative regions of interest that contain important signals for prediction and to integrate the latent binary network with CNNs to achieve better prediction in various supervised learning problems. Extensive numerical studies demonstrate the competitive performance of the proposed MCNN models.
Through veiled mirrors: Fish fins giving insight into size regulation
Authors: Harris Matthew P. , Daane Jacob M. , Lanni Jennifer
Published: April 2020

Faithful establishment and maintenance of proportion is seen across biological systems and provides a glimpse at fundamental rules of scaling that underlie development and evolution. Dysregulation of proportion is observed in a range of human diseases and growth disorders, indicating that proper scaling is an essential component of normal anatomy and physiology. However, when viewed through an evolutionary lens, shifts in the regulation of relative proportion are one of the most striking sources of morphological diversity among organisms. To date, the mechanisms via which relative proportion is specified and maintained remain unclear. Through the application of powerful experimental, genetic and molecular approaches, the teleost fin has provided an effective model to investigate the regulation of scaling, size, and relative growth in vertebrate organisms.

This article is categorized under:

Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Regulation of Size, Proportion, and Timing

Adult Stem Cells, Tissue Renewal, and Regeneration > Regeneration

Comparative Development and Evolution > Regulation of Organ Diversity
An introduction to postmortem interval estimation in medicolegal death investigations
Authors: Sutton Lerah , Byrd Jason
Published: April 2020

Throughout the history of forensic medicine, the postmortem interval has been one of the most commonly and thoroughly investigated problems. The importance of an accurate PMI in the context of a medicolegal death investigation cannot be understated due to its utility and application toward investigative determinations including inclusion or exclusion of suspects, determination of time of assault versus time of death, and preliminary victim identification. However, despite its importance, the question of postmortem interval estimation is often answered with a low degree of accuracy as compared to the rates of certainty within other forensic disciplines. While there are various methods that may be utilized for answering the time of death question including both scientific and investigative techniques, the variables that affect the application of these methods to death investigations are abundant. As a result, there are numerous limitations associated with time of death determination in a medicolegal death investigation and the estimation of the postmortem interval must be done with caution and deference to the many variables that affect its accuracy.

This article is categorized under:

Forensic Anthropology > Time Since Death Estimation

Forensic Medicine > Death Scene Investigation

Crime Scene Investigation > Education and Formation
Thinking Multidimensionally About Ambitious Educational Change
Authors: Reimers Fernando M.
Published: April 2020

As the demands for civic and economic participation increase, the result of technological, economic and social transformations, and in response to a rapidly changing world and to new challenges, many governments have turned to schools to provide students with opportunities to develop the skills necessary to thrive. This chapter traces the roots of education reforms that seek to develop a breadth of skills, to educate the whole child, reviewing the emergence of the field of comparative education as the first public education systems were created, and examining the role of the international development architecture built after world war II in advancing the global education movement. The chapter then examines the more recent efforts to develop twenty-first century skills. It then introduces the present comparative study of education reforms in Brazil, Finland, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Poland, Portugal and Russia, describing the basic tenets of each of those reforms. The chapter then examines how instruction and learning compare in these countries, using data from the latest survey of teacher practices conducted by the OECD (TALIS – The OECD teaching and learning international survey. http://www.oecd.org/education/talis/. Accessed 3 Dec 2019).

The core argument of the chapter is that education reforms can be framed in five alternative ways, depending on which elements of the process of educational change they highlight: cultural, psychological, professional, institutional and political. Each of these frames is explicated and used to discuss the reforms examined in this book. The analysis shows that in practice, none of the reforms adopts a comprehensive multidimensional approach that draws from these five perspectives. Institutional and political perspectives are more common, and cultural and psychological perspective less so.
From the “Best-in-the World” Soviet School to a Modern Globally Competitive School System
Authors: Froumin Isak , Remorenko Igor
Published: April 2020

The dramatic story of moving from knowledge-based to competence-based education is the main focus of the chapter. This transition was very difficult because many people believed that the Soviet schools were best-in-the-world, because teachers and parents were not ready to change the schools. The paradigm change in Russian education has still heterogenic impact on schools, assessment system, education policy, curricula.
What Will We Use?
Authors: Willison John
Published: April 2020

This chapter is titled ‘What should we use?’ to achieve the educational purpose discussed in Chap. 1, and so the Models of Engaged Learning and Teaching (MELT) are offered for use and explained in detail, emphasising the shared features of the six facets of sophisticated thinking and a consideration of how much guidance students need in terms of learning autonomy. The chapter reveals the MELT features by analysing stories from primary school, high school and the account of a university graduate.
How Do We Relate?
Authors: Willison John
Published: April 2020

This chapter asks ‘How do we relate?’ in regard to humanity’s relationship with itself and the planet, and why things seemed to have panned out in a way that leads us inevitably to environmental devastation. The chapter proposes ways in which the MELT may be part of a solution that doesn’t cause more problems.
Living Safety Testbed Group
Authors: Kitamura Koji , Nishida Yoshifumi
Published: April 2020

Safety technology for everyday activities is strongly needed for children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. However, it is difficult to understand problems related to everyday life from injury data, medical data, and so on because such data are distributed over multiple organizations and cannot easily be shared or integrated due to privacy protection concerns. To address this issue, our project is developing technologies for integrating and utilizing multi-organizational distributed big data based on security technology. The authors research school safety based on the developed technologies. In this chapter, the authors describe a trend analysis technology for time series injury data, a cliff analysis technology for extracting serious injury situation, and child behavior prediction technology as the necessary functions for finding and predicting serious injuries and evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention. We also present some analysis examples using the developed function. Furthermore, we describe some social implementation projects for injury prevention for the serious injuries found by analyzing injury data using our developed system.
Balance task difficulty affects postural sway and cortical activity in healthy adolescents
Authors: Gebel Arnd , Lehmann Tim , Granacher Urs
Published: April 2020

Electroencephalographic (EEG) research indicates changes in adults’ low frequency bands of frontoparietal brain areas executing different balance tasks with increasing postural demands. However, this issue is unsolved for adolescents when performing the same balance task with increasing difficulty. Therefore, we examined the effects of a progressively increasing balance task difficulty on balance performance and brain activity in adolescents. Thirteen healthy adolescents aged 16–17 year performed tests in bipedal upright stance on a balance board with six progressively increasing levels of task difficulty. Postural sway and cortical activity were recorded simultaneously using a pressure sensitive measuring system and EEG. The power spectrum was analyzed for theta (4–7 Hz) and alpha-2 (10–12 Hz) frequency bands in pre-defined frontal, central, and parietal clusters of electrocortical sources. Repeated measures analysis of variance (rmANOVA) showed a significant main effect of task difficulty for postural sway (p < 0.001;d = 6.36). Concomitantly, the power spectrum changed in frontal, bilateral central, and bilateral parietal clusters. RmANOVAs revealed significant main effects of task difficulty for theta band power in the frontal (p < 0.001,d = 1.80) and both central clusters (left:p < 0.001,d = 1.49; right:p < 0.001,d = 1.42) as well as for alpha-2 band power in both parietal clusters (left:p < 0.001,d = 1.39; right:p < 0.001,d = 1.05) and in the central right cluster (p = 0.005,d = 0.92). Increases in theta band power (frontal, central) and decreases in alpha-2 power (central, parietal) with increasing balance task difficulty may reflect increased attentional processes and/or error monitoring as well as increased sensory information processing due to increasing postural demands. In general, our findings are mostly in agreement with studies conducted in adults. Similar to adult studies, our data with adolescents indicated the involvement of frontoparietal brain areas in the regulation of postural control. In addition, we detected that activity of selected brain areas (e.g., bilateral central) changed with increasing postural demands.
Comparison of Lobectomy and Total Thyroidectomy in Unilateral Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma Patients with Ipsilateral Lateral Lymph Node Metastasis Without Gross Extrathyroidal Extension
Authors: Song Jianlu , Qiu Wangwang , Yan Ting , Wu Bo , Guo Minggao , Fan Youben , Yang Zhili
Published: April 2020

Background

Lateral lymph node metastasis (LLNM) occurs in a few of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) cases by the time of diagnosis. Total thyroidectomy (TT) is recommended in the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines as the initial surgical procedure for thyroid carcinoma patients with clinically apparent cervical lymph node metastasis. However, none of the controlled studies have focused on the proper extent of surgery for patients who have PTMC with concomitant LLNM without gross extrathyroidal extension (ETE).

Methods

A total of 2373 consecutive patients with PTMC were retrospectively reviewed. Finally, 129 unilateral PTMC patients with ipsilateral LLNM without gross ETE were enrolled in this study and classified into two groups: those who underwent unilateral lobectomy (LT) plus lymph node dissection (LND) (Group I) and those who underwent TT plus LND (Group II). Surgical outcomes and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) during the follow‐up period were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were 62 patients in Group I and 67 patients in Group II. Cases in Group II had a longer median operation time (150 min vs. 120 min, p < 0.001) and a higher incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism (p < 0.001), especially permanent hypoparathyroidism, than cases in Group I. But the RFS showed no statistically significant difference (p = 0.6005) between the two groups during a median follow‐up period of 60 months.

Conclusion

Thyroid LT alone plus ipsilateral LND may be an optimum initial procedure for unilateral PTMC patients with ipsilateral LLNM without gross ETE. A long‐term follow‐up, prospective, randomized controlled trial is warranted.
Should We Consider the Resected Lung Volume in Primary Spontaneous Pneumothorax?
Authors: Jeon Hyun Woo , Kim Young‐Du , Sim Sung Bo
Published: April 2020

Background

Although bullectomy is the most curative treatment in primary spontaneous pneumothorax (PSP), postoperative recurrence is not uncommon. New bulla formation at the staple line is the most common cause of recurrence. However, the mechanism is not known. We believe that the pressure gradient plays the main role in new bulla formation. A large resection amount induces a prolonged pressure gradient for obliteration of the residual space. This study aimed to identify the association between resected lung volume and recurrence.

Methods

The medical records of patients who underwent video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) bullectomy were reviewed between October 2010 and December 2017. A total of 396 patients underwent surgery for spontaneous pneumothorax. The electronic medical records (EMRs) of the patients were reviewed. Patients with secondary spontaneous pneumothorax were excluded. Patients who were diagnosed with emphysema on CT were excluded. Patients with PSP were excluded from the study if the bulla was not located in the apex or if there was no ruptured bulla at the time of the operation. Patients who lacked EMRs were also excluded. We reviewed the medical records of 276 patients. The apical resected lung volume was estimated using a conical volumetric formula with the use of the specimen size. The risk factors for postoperative recurrence were analyzed.

Results

The median age was 19 years old (range 13–36). A total of 261 patients were male (94.6%). The median body weight and body mass index (BMI) were 58 kg (range 40–82) and 18.92 (range 15.21–26.47), respectively. In 24 patients, both sides were operated on simultaneously. The resected lung volume was obtained by using a conical volumetric formula, and the value was divided by the BMI value. The median value was 1.43 (0.03–5.67). The median operative time was 35 min (range 15–120). The median postoperative day was 4 (range 2–12). Age (p = 0.006), the value of the resected lung volume divided by BMI (p = 0.003), bilateral bullectomy (p = 0.013) and transverse diameter (p = 0.034) were associated with postoperative recurrence according to the univariate analysis. According to the multivariate analysis, age and the value of the lung volume divided by BMI were significant risk factors for postoperative recurrence.

Conclusions

Younger age and a large resected lung volume and a low BMI are associated with postoperative recurrence after VATS bullectomy for PSP.
5-Aminouracil and other inhibitors of DNA replication induce biphasic interphase–mitotic cells in apical root meristems of Allium cepa
Authors: Żabka Aneta , Winnicki Konrad , Polit Justyna Teresa , Bernasińska-Słomczewska Joanna , Maszewski Janusz
Published: April 2020

Key message

Induction of biphasic interphase–mitotic cells and PCC is connected with an increased level of metabolism in root meristem cells of Allium cepa.

Previous experiments using primary roots of Allium cepa exposed to low concentrations of hydroxyurea have shown that long-term DNA replication stress (DRS) disrupts essential links of the S–M checkpoint mechanism, leading meristem cells either to premature chromosome condensation (PCC) or to a specific form of chromatin condensation, establishing biphasic organization of cell nuclei with both interphase and mitotic domains (IM cells). The present study supplements and extends these observations by describing general conditions under which both abnormal types of M-phase cells may occur. The analysis of root apical meristem (RAM) cell proliferation after prolonged mild DRS indicates that a broad spectrum of inhibitors is capable of generating PCC and IM organization of cell nuclei. These included: 5-aminouracil (5-AU, a thymine antagonist), characterized by the highest efficiency in creating cells with the IM phenotype, aphidicolin (APH), an inhibitor of DNA polymerase α, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR), an inhibitor of thymidylate synthetase, methotrexate (MTX), a folic acid analog that inhibits purine and pyrimidine synthesis, and cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), which inhibits DNA replication by forming cleavage complexes with topoisomerase I. As evidenced using fluorescence-based click chemistry assays, continuous treatment of onion RAM cells with 5-AU is associated with an accelerated dynamics of the DNA replication machinery and significantly enhanced levels of transcription and translation. Furthermore, DRS conditions bring about an intensified production of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH), and some increase in DNA fragmentation, associated with only a slight increase in apoptosis-like programmed cell death events.
Does pre-operative multifidus morphology on MRI predict clinical outcomes in adults following surgical treatment for degenerative lumbar spine disease? A systematic review
Authors: Jermy Joe E. , Copley Phil C. , Poon Michael T. C. , Demetriades Andreas K.
Published: April 2020

Aim

Low back pain (LBP) resulting from degenerative lumbar spine disease is a leading contributor to global disability. Changes in the morphology of the lumbar multifidus muscle on magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with worse LBP and disability, but the association between multifidus morphology and post-operative outcomes is not known. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between pre-operative multifidus morphology and post-operative changes in pain and disability.

Methods

We performed a systematic search using the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL and Scopus databases covering the period from January 1946 to January 2018. The literature was searched and assessed by independent reviewers according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement. All relevant papers were assessed for risk of bias according to the Quality in Prognosis Studies tool.

Results

The initial search yielded 436 studies, of which 6 studies were included in the analysis. Four studies were at a low risk of bias. These studies included a total of 873 patients undergoing spinal surgery. An association between low fat infiltration and greater improvement in LBP and disability following surgery was identified. There was insufficient evidence to identify a relationship between cross-sectional area (CSA) and LBP or disability.

Conclusions

This systematic review found evidence for an association between low multifidus fat infiltration on MRI at baseline and greater reductions in measures of LBP and disability following surgical treatment. There is also limited evidence for an association between larger pre-operative multifidus CSA and improvements in disability, but not pain. The findings of this review should be interpreted with caution due to the small quantity of the available literature.
The Hoyle Family: The Search for Alpha-Condensate States in Light Nuclei
Authors: Smith R. , Bishop J. , Hirst J. , Kokalova Tz. , Wheldon C.
Published: April 2020

Our present understanding of the structure of the Hoyle state in $$^{12}$$12C and other near-threshold states in $$\alpha $$α-conjugate nuclei is reviewed in the framework of the $$\alpha $$α-condensate model. The $$^{12}$$12C Hoyle state, in particular, is a candidate for $$\alpha $$α-condensation, due to its large radius and $$\alpha $$α-cluster structure. The predicted features of nuclear $$\alpha $$α-particle condensates are reviewed along with a discussion of their experimental indicators, with a focus on precision break-up measurements. Two experiments are discussed in detail, firstly concerning the break-up of $$^{12}$$12C and then the decays of heavier nuclei. With more theoretical input, and increasingly complex detector setups, precision break-up measurements can, in principle, provide insight into the structures of states in $$\alpha $$α-conjugate nuclei. However, the commonly-held belief that the decay of a condensate state will result in N$$\alpha $$α-particles is challenged. We further conclude that unambiguously characterising excited states built on $$\alpha $$α-condensates is difficult, despite improvements in detector technology.
Regional climate downscaling over Europe: perspectives from the EURO-CORDEX community
Authors: Jacob Daniela , Teichmann Claas , Sobolowski Stefan , Katragkou Eleni , Anders Ivonne , Belda Michal , Benestad Rasmus , Boberg Fredrik , Buonomo Erasmo , Cardoso Rita M. , Casanueva Ana , Christensen Ole B. , Christensen Jens Hesselbjerg , Coppola Erika , De Cruz Lesley , Davin Edouard L. , Dobler Andreas , Domínguez Marta , Fealy Rowan , Fernandez Jesus , Gaertner Miguel Angel , García-Díez Markel , Giorgi Filippo , Gobiet Andreas , Goergen Klaus , Gómez-Navarro Juan José , Alemán Juan Jesús González , Gutiérrez Claudia , Gutiérrez José M. , Güttler Ivan , Haensler Andreas , Halenka Tomáš , Jerez Sonia , Jiménez-Guerrero Pedro , Jones Richard G. , Keuler Klaus , Kjellström Erik , Knist Sebastian , Kotlarski Sven , Maraun Douglas , van Meijgaard Erik , Mercogliano Paola , Montávez Juan Pedro , Navarra Antonio , Nikulin Grigory , de Noblet-Ducoudré Nathalie , Panitz Hans-Juergen , Pfeifer Susanne , Piazza Marie , Pichelli Emanuela , Pietikäinen Joni-Pekka , Prein Andreas F. , Preuschmann Swantje , Rechid Diana , Rockel Burkhardt , Romera Raquel , Sánchez Enrique , Sieck Kevin , Soares Pedro M. M. , Somot Samuel , Srnec Lidija , Sørland Silje Lund , Termonia Piet , Truhetz Heimo , Vautard Robert , Warrach-Sagi Kirsten , Wulfmeyer Volker
Published: April 2020

The European CORDEX (EURO-CORDEX) initiative is a large voluntary effort that seeks to advance regional climate and Earth system science in Europe. As part of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) - Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX), it shares the broader goals of providing a model evaluation and climate projection framework and improving communication with both the General Circulation Model (GCM) and climate data user communities. EURO-CORDEX oversees the design and coordination of ongoing ensembles of regional climate projections of unprecedented size and resolution (0.11° EUR-11 and 0.44° EUR-44 domains). Additionally, the inclusion of empirical-statistical downscaling allows investigation of much larger multi-model ensembles. These complementary approaches provide a foundation for scientific studies within the climate research community and others. The value of the EURO-CORDEX ensemble is shown via numerous peer-reviewed studies and its use in the development of climate services. Evaluations of the EUR-44 and EUR-11 ensembles also show the benefits of higher resolution. However, significant challenges remain. To further advance scientific understanding, two flagship pilot studies (FPS) were initiated. The first investigates local-regional phenomena at convection-permitting scales over central Europe and the Mediterranean in collaboration with the Med-CORDEX community. The second investigates the impacts of land cover changes on European climate across spatial and temporal scales. Over the coming years, the EURO-CORDEX community looks forward to closer collaboration with other communities, new advances, supporting international initiatives such as the IPCC reports, and continuing to provide the basis for research on regional climate impacts and adaptation in Europe.
Shock-Wave/Boundary-Layer Interactions in Transitional Rectangular Duct Flows
Authors: Lusher David J. , Sandham Neil D.
Published: April 2020

Shock-wave/boundary-layer interactions (SBLI) are an important feature of high-speed gas dynamics. In many numerical studies of SBLI span-periodicity is assumed to reduce computational complexity. However, span-periodicity is not a valid assumption for aeronautical applications such as supersonic engine intakes where lateral confinement leads to highly three-dimensional behaviour. In this work transitional oblique SBLI are simulated for a rectangular duct with a $$\theta _{sg} = 5^{\circ }$$

θ

sg

=

5
∘

shock generator ramp at Mach 2. The baseline configuration is a duct with an aspect ratio of 0.5. Time-dependent disturbances are added to the base laminar flow via wall localised blowing/suction strips to obtain intermittent transition upstream of the SBLI. Two forcing configurations are evaluated to assess the response of the SBLI to different tripping locations. The transition is observed to develop first in the low-momentum corners of the duct and spread out in a wedge shape. The central separation bubble is seen to react dynamically to oncoming turbulent spots, shifting laterally across the span. While instantaneous corner separations do occur, the time-averaged corner flow remains attached. Comparisons to a one-to-one aspect ratio duct show that the SBLI is heavily dependent on aspect ratio; the wider duct exhibited significantly larger regions of flow-reversal due to a strengthened interaction.
Aerodynamic Effects of Uniform Blowing and Suction on a NACA4412 Airfoil
Authors: Atzori Marco , Vinuesa Ricardo , Fahland Georg , Stroh Alexander , Gatti Davide , Frohnapfel Bettina , Schlatter Philipp
Published: April 2020

We carried out high-fidelity large-eddy simulations to investigate the effects of uniform blowing and uniform suction on the aerodynamic efficiency of a NACA4412 airfoil at the moderate Reynolds number based on chord length and incoming velocity of $$Re_c=200{,}000$$

R

e
c

=
200
,
000

. We found that uniform blowing applied at the suction side reduces the aerodynamics efficiency, while uniform suction increases it. This result is due to the combined impact of blowing and suction on skin friction, pressure drag and lift. When applied to the pressure side, uniform blowing improves aerodynamic efficiency. The Reynolds-number dependence of the relative contributions of pressure and friction to the total drag for the reference case is analysed via Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations up to $$Re_c=10{,}000{,}000$$

R

e
c

=
10
,
000
,
000

. The results suggest that our conclusions on the control effect can tentatively be extended to a broader range of Reynolds numbers.
Early Motor Differences in Infants at Elevated Likelihood of Autism Spectrum Disorder and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Authors:   and the BASIS/STAARS Team, Begum Ali Jannath , Charman Tony , Johnson Mark H. , Jones Emily J. H.
Published: April 2020

We investigated infant’s manual motor behaviour; specifically behaviours crossing the body midline. Infants at elevated likelihood of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) produced fewer manual behaviours that cross the midline compared to infants with a typical likelihood of developing these disorders; however this effect was limited to 10-month-olds and not apparent at age 5 and 14 months. Although, midline crossing did not predict ASD traits, it was related to ADHD traits at 2 years of age. We rule out motor ability and hand dominance as possible explanations for this pattern of behaviour, positing that these results may be a consequence of multisensory integration abilities, and the neurobehavioural shift period, in the first year of life.
Understanding How Parents Make Meaning of Their Child’s Behaviors During Screening for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Longitudinal Qualitative Investigation
Authors: Mackie Thomas I. , Schaefer Ana J. , Ramella Leah , Carter Alice S. , Eisenhower Abbey , Jimenez Manuel E. , Fettig Angel , Sheldrick R. Christopher
Published: April 2020

A family’s journey in understanding their child’s behaviors in relation to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) frequently begins with screening. This study aimed to characterize the interpretive processes that unfold for parents. We employed longitudinal interviews with 19 families engaged in a community-based multi-stage screening protocol. Parents participated in 1–6 interviews dependent upon children’s length of engagement in the screening protocol; data were analyzed through modified grounded theory. Parents who moved towards understanding their child’s behaviors as ASD expressed (1) sensitization to ASD symptoms, (2) differentiation from other developmental conditions, and (3) use of the ASD diagnosis to explain the etiology of concerning behaviors. Identifying interpretive processes involved during ASD screening provides new opportunities for shared decision-making.
Molecular circumscription of new species of Gyrocotyle Diesing, 1850 (Cestoda) from deep-sea chimaeriform holocephalans in the North Atlantic
Authors: Bray Rodney A. , Waeschenbach Andrea , Littlewood D. Timothy J. , Halvorsen Odd , Olson Peter D.
Published: April 2020

Chimaeras, or ratfishes, are the only extant group of holocephalan fishes and are the sole host group of gyrocotylidean cestodes, which represent a sister group of the true tapeworms (Eucestoda). These unique, non-segmented cestodes have been known since the 1850s and multiple species and genera have been erected despite a general agreement that the delineation of species on the basis of morphology is effectively impossible. Thus, in the absence of molecular studies, the validity of gyrocotylid taxa and their specific host associations has remained highly speculative. Here we report the presence ofGyrocotylespp. from rarely-caught deep-sea chimaeras collected in the North-East Atlantic, and describe two new species:G. haffiin. sp. from the bent-nose chimaera,Harriota raleighanaGoode & Bean, andG. discoveryin. sp. from the large-eyed rabbit fish,Hydrolagus mirabilis(Collett). Nuclear ribosomal sequence data were generated for individual parasites taken from different host species collected on different dates and from different localities and were combined with previously published sequences. Phylogenetic analyses supported the recognition of independent lineages and clusters, indicative of species, but were indecisive in recovering the root of the tree in analyses that included non-gyrocotylid outgroup taxa. The molecular data reveal variation not reflected in morphology and point to a complex picture of genetic divergence shaped by both isolation and migration in the deep-sea environment.
Spatial Interpolation of Gauge Measured Rainfall Using Compressed Sensing
Authors: Ryu Soorok , Song Joon Jin , Kim Yongku , Jung Sung-Hwa , Do Younghae , Lee GyuWon
Published: April 2020

In this work, we suggest new spatial precipitation interpolation schemes using compressed sensing (CS), which is a new framework for signal acquisition and smart sensor design. Using CS, the precipitation maps are recovered in high resolution by obtaining sparse coefficients of radial basis functions(RBFs). Two types of methods are designed according to the construction methods of CS matrix. In the first type, the CS matrix is derived as the product of an m × n (n ≫ m) weights matrix of inverse distance weighting (IDW) and an n × n radial basis function (RBF) matrix. The second type of CS matrix consists of an m × n RBF matrix that depends on a few observation vectors and a number of n unknown vectors. The advantage of the proposed CS methods is that it can be represented at a high resolution because it is interpolated based on a large number of bases (or degrees of freedom). This prevents the variance value from being much smaller than the actual value due to interpolation using a few observation scales. To test our CS interpolation schemes, interpolation results were compared with IDW, Ordinary Kriging (OK) and RBF interpolation methods for analytic test function and some actual rainfall data. In the case of an analytic test function, when the proposed method is compared at high resolution, the error from the true value is the smallest. In real rainfall data, comparison with real values is not possible at high resolutions, but the error with the observed data is the smallest in terms of ‘spatial variogram’. In addition, the proposed CS method generates hight resolution data from rainfall cases, showing promising results when identifying peaks.
Bioactive properties of streptomyces may affect the dominance of Tricholoma matsutake in shiro
Authors: Vaario Lu-Min , Asamizu Shumpei , Sarjala Tytti , Matsushita Norihisa , Onaka Hiroyasu , Xia Yan , Kurokochi Hiroyuki , Morinaga Shin-Ichi , Huang Jian , Zhang Shijie , Lian Chunlan
Published: April 2020

Tricholoma matsutake is known to be the dominant fungal species in matsutake fruitbody neighboring (shiro) soil. To understand the mechanisms behind matsutake dominance, we studied the bacterial communities in matsutake dominant shiro soil and non-shiro soil, isolated the strains of Streptomyces from matsutake mycorrhizal root tips both from shiro soil and from the Pinus densiflora seedlings cultivated in shiro soil. Further, we investigated three Streptomyces spp. for their ability to inhibit fungal growth and Pinus densiflora seedling root elongation as well as two strains for their antifungal and antioxidative properties.

Our results showed that Actinobacteria was the most abundant phylum in shiro soil. However, the differences in the Actinobacterial community composition (phylum or order level) between shiro and non-shiro soils were not significant, as indicated by PERMANOVA analyses. A genus belonging to Actinobacteria, Streptomyces, was present on the matsutake mycorrhizas, although in minority. The two antifungal assays revealed that the broths of three Streptomyces spp. had either inhibitory, neutral or promoting effects on the growth of different forest soil fungi as well as on the root elongation of the seedlings. The extracts of two strains, including one isolated from the P. densiflora seedlings, inhibited the growth of either pathogenic or ectomycorrhizal fungi. The effect depended on the medium used to cultivate the strains, but not the solvent used for the extraction. Two Streptomyces spp. showed antioxidant activity in one out of three assays used, in a ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. The observed properties seem to have several functions in matsutake shiro soil and they may contribute to the protection of the shiro area for T. matsutake dominance.
Characterization of textile dyeing effluent and its treatment using polyaluminum chloride
Authors: Islam M. Rafiqul , Mostafa M. G.
Published: April 2020

The study aimed to expose the level of pollution owing to textile dyeing effluents and assess the coagulant efficiency of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) for treating the textile dyeing effluents. The discharged of untreated textile dyeing effluents have severely polluted water and soils, threatened the entire environment. The study analyzed the discharged and treated effluents using standard methods of analysis. The optimized parameters of the coagulant PAC were the dose, contact time, temperature, and agitation speed. The color removal efficiency study observed that the coagulant PAC removed the color from 85 to 95% of three dyeing effluents at optimum conditions. The result showed that the maximum reduction of EC, TDS, TSS, COD, BOD, Cl−, HCO3−and SO42−were found to be 83.66, 85.7, 82.05, 82.05, 83.45, 66.91, 66.91 and 72.88%, respectively. It also showed that the coagulant efficiently reduced heavy metals and the highest percentage of reduction achieved was 72.7 and 98.52 for Fe and Pb, respectively, from the effluents. Hence, the PAC would be a potential coagulant for treating the textile dyeing effluents that help to build a sustainable environment.
Estimating suspended sediment concentration at different time scales in Northeastern Algeria
Authors: Tachi Salah Eddine , Bouguerra Hamza , Derdous Oussama , Djabri Larbi , Benmamar Saâdia
Published: April 2020

It is known that water erosion and their suspended sediments transport, generally in the Maghreb region and particularly in Algeria, record very high values; knowledge of these sediments is a very important step in planning erosion control measures. In this study, we modeled and quantified suspended sediment in the Ressoul wadi, Seybouse basin in northeastern Algeria. The study was carried out at different time scales, during a period of 32 years from 1968/69 to 1999/2000 by establishing regressions between the measured sediment concentration and the water discharge at the watershed outlet. The results obtained by the proposed method indicate that the use of two regressions based on means of discharge classes technique reveals very good estimation of the suspended sediment load in the Ressoul wadi, with an error of 3.04% and a specific average degradation transported to the downstream of the watershed of 316.45 t/km2/year in the period of 32 years.
Influence of contact points of helicopter skid landing gears on ground resonance stability
Authors: Lojewski Reinhard , Kessler Christoph , Bartels Rainer
Published: April 2020

Soft-in-plane rotor systems are susceptible to a self-induced vibration phenomenon called ground resonance. This dynamic instability results from lag motions of the rotor blades coupling with airframe degrees of freedom, while the helicopter is in ground contact. As an addition to slope landing studies in the past and investigations of non-linear landing gear effects, this work focuses on a systematic study of partial skid contact. A ground resonance test environment was created. It encompasses 3D helicopter models with flexible landing gear models using direct finite-element models and applying modal reduction to embed CAD-derived landing gear models. Both approaches are used in a multibody dynamics simulation. The models showed acceptable results for the simulation of non-linear dynamic behaviour including typical non-linear effects like limit cycles. Special focus is given to different methods of contact simulation, using 3D spring–damper elements and polygonal contact elements for multi-directional contacts. The simulations showed two counteracting effects for partial ground contact and time-variant contact conditions. On one hand, the reduction of restoring forces in partial ground contact should lead to more unstable conditions. On the other hand, energy dissipation shows a larger influence on the system stability behaviour after a sudden disturbance. This effect is of high interest for soft, partial landing conditions.
The effect of fumigation with microencapsulated allyl isothiocyanate in a gas-barrier bag against Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
Authors: Hashimoto Yoshiaki , Sakamoto Hironori , Asai Hiromi , Yasoshima Masamitsu , Lin Hui-Min , Goka Koichi
Published: April 2020

Red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), which are among the most harmful alien ants, were first detected in Japan in a shipping container from China in May 2017, and continue to enter Japan via this trade pathway. Fumigation is one of the most effective ways to eliminate S. invicta from goods transported in containers. The present study is the first to evaluate the effect of fumigation with allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) against S. invicta. Fumigation using microencapsulated AITC pellets in a gas-barrier bag for 24 h completely killed S. invicta. Furthermore, our fumigation system was able to maintain a high concentration of AITC vapor for at least 13 days. AITC, a naturally occurring compound in wasabi [Eutrema japonicum (Miq.) Koidz], has been demonstrated to be safe for humans and the environment, but its use as a fumigant is limited by its strong volatility and pungency. However, its encapsulation solves this problem by allowing controlled vapor release. Thus, the use of microencapsulated AITC in combination with a gas-barrier bag has considerable potential to provide an effective and easy-to-use protocol for fumigation of S. invicta.