bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Range of Earth Observation Techniques for Assessing Plant Diversity
Authors: Lausch Angela , Heurich Marco , Magdon Paul , Rocchini Duccio , Schulz Karsten , Bumberger Jan , King Doug J.
Published: June 2020

Vegetation diversity and health is multidimensional and only partially understood due to its complexity. So far there is no single monitoring approach that can sufficiently assess and predict vegetation health and resilience. To gain a better understanding of the different remote sensing (RS) approaches that are available, this chapter reviews the range of Earth observation (EO) platforms, sensors, and techniques for assessing vegetation diversity. Platforms include close-range EO platforms, spectral laboratories, plant phenomics facilities, ecotrons, wireless sensor networks (WSNs), towers, air- and spaceborne EO platforms, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Sensors include spectrometers, optical imaging systems, Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), and radar. Applications and approaches to vegetation diversity modeling and mapping with air- and spaceborne EO data are also presented. The chapter concludes with recommendations for the future direction of monitoring vegetation diversity using RS.
How the Optical Properties of Leaves Modify the Absorption and Scattering of Energy and Enhance Leaf Functionality
Authors: Ustin Susan L. , Jacquemoud Stéphane
Published: June 2020

Leaves absorb, scatter, and transmit sunlight at all wavelengths across the visible, near-infrared, and shortwave-infrared spectrum. The optical properties of a leaf are determined by its biochemical and biophysical characteristics, including its 3-D cellular organization. The absorption and scattering properties of leaves together create the shape of their reflectance spectra. Terrestrial seed plant species share similar physiological and metabolic processes for fluxes of gases (CO2, O2, H2O), nutrients, and energy, while differences are primarily consequences of how these properties are distributed and their physical structures. Related species generally share biochemical and biophysical traits, and their optical properties are also similar, providing a mechanism for identification. However, it is often the minor differences in spectral properties throughout the wavelengths of the solar spectrum that define a species or groups of related species. This chapter provides a review and summary of the most common interactions between leaf properties and light and the physical processes that regulate the outcomes of these interactions.
Integrating Biodiversity, Remote Sensing, and Auxiliary Information for the Study of Ecosystem Functioning and Conservation at Large Spatial Scales
Authors: Schrodt Franziska , de la Barreda Bautista Betsabe , Williams Christopher , Boyd Doreen S. , Schaepman-Strub Gabriela , Santos Maria J.
Published: June 2020

Assessing patterns and processes of plant functional, taxonomic, genetic, and structural biodiversity at large scales is essential across many disciplines, including ecosystem management, agriculture, ecosystem risk and service assessment, conservation science, and forestry. In situ data housed in databases necessary to perform such assessments over large parts of the world are growing steadily. Integrating these in situ data with remote sensing (RS) products helps not only to improve data completeness and quality but also to account for limitations and uncertainties associated with each data product. Here, we outline how auxiliary environmental and socioeconomic data might be integrated with biodiversity and RS data to expand our knowledge about ecosystem functioning and inform the conservation of biodiversity. We discuss concepts, data, and methods necessary to assess plant species and ecosystem properties across scales of space and time and provide a critical discussion of outstanding issues.
Prospects and Pitfalls for Spectroscopic Remote Sensing of Biodiversity at the Global Scale
Authors: Schimel David , Townsend Philip A. , Pavlick Ryan
Published: June 2020

Imaging spectroscopy is a powerful new approach for observing aspects of the biological diversity of the Earth, conveying information about plant functional traits, habitat, and plant diversity itself. For decades, spectroscopic data suitable for this application have mainly been collected by aircraft. But in the next decade, global coverage from space by high-quality spectroscopic data will become available, preceded by instruments providing “global access”—not wall-to-wall coverage but data from almost anywhere in the world. For decades, scientists have experimented with and discussed optimal strategies for collecting spectroscopic data, but the next set of missions is now sufficiently well-defined that ecologists should consider how best to use the data that can now be expected. The anticipated flood of data will provide a new window on diversity, characterizing it in new ways that comprehensively sample space and change over time. Spectroscopic data will be peta-scale or larger, perhaps as much as 10 TB per day, and the data themselves will be high dimensional, requiring and allowing advanced big data techniques to be fully exploited. These data raise specific challenges such as how to characterize aggregate ecosystem characteristics, since the traits observed will change with phenology. Pixels will be fixed at ~30 m, 10–106times larger than the plants they sample; other instrument objectives are likely in the range of 10 nm spectral sampling, coverage from 400 to 2500 nm with signal to noise in the range of 250–400. Imaging spectroscopy from space represents a huge opportunity for global ecology, but many conceptual, algorithmic, and theoretical issues will challenge the users.
Applying Remote Sensing to Biodiversity Science
Authors: Cavender-Bares Jeannine , Schweiger Anna K. , Pinto-Ledezma Jesús N. , Meireles Jose Eduardo
Published: June 2020

Biodiversity is organized hierarchically from individuals to populations to major lineages in the tree of life. This hierarchical structure has consequences for remote sensing of plant phenotypes and leads to the expectation that more distantly related plants will be more spectrally distinct. Applying remote sensing to understand ecological processes from biodiversity patterns builds on prior efforts that integrate functional and phylogenetic information of organisms with their environmental distributions to discern assembly processes and the rules that govern species distributions. Spectral diversity metrics critical to detecting biodiversity patterns expand on the many metrics for quantifying multiple dimensions of biodiversity—taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional—and can be applied at local (alpha diversity) to regional (gamma diversity) scales to examine variation among communities (beta diversity). Remote-sensing technologies stand to illuminate the nature of biodiversity-ecosystem function relationships and ecosystem service trade-offs over large spatial extents and to estimate their uncertainties. Such advances will improve our capacity to manage natural resources in the Anthropocene.
The Laegeren Site: An Augmented Forest Laboratory
Authors: Morsdorf Felix , Schneider Fabian D. , Gullien Carla , Kükenbrink Daniel , Leiterer Reik , Schaepman Michael E.
Published: June 2020

Given the increased pressure on forests and their diversity in the context of global change, new ways of monitoring diversity are needed. Remote sensing has the potential to inform essential biodiversity variables on the global scale, but validation of data and products, particularly in remote areas, is difficult. We show how radiative transfer (RT) models, parameterized with a detailed 3-D forest reconstruction based on laser scanning, can be used to upscale leaf-level information to canopy scale. The simulation approach is compared with actual remote sensing data, showing very good agreement in both the spectral and spatial domains. In addition, we compute a set of physiological and morphological traits from airborne imaging spectroscopy and laser scanning data and show how these traits can be used to estimate the functional richness of a forest at regional scale. The presented RT modeling framework has the potential to prototype and validate future spaceborne observation concepts aimed at informing variables of biodiversity, while the trait-based mapping of diversity could augment in situ networks of diversity, providing effective spatiotemporal gap filling for a comprehensive assessment of changes to diversity.
Erratum to: Instantons from blow-up
Authors: Kim Joonho , Kim Sung-Soo , Lee Ki-Hong , Lee Kimyeong , Song Jaewon
Published: June 2020

Corrected the authors’ affiliations. Affiliation a and c were swapped.
Deformation quantizations from vertex operator algebras
Authors: Pan Yiwen , Peelaers Wolfger
Published: June 2020

Abstract

In this note we address the question whether one can recover from the vertex operator algebra associated with a four-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2 superconformal field theory the deformation quantization of the Higgs branch of vacua that appears as a protected subsector in the three-dimensional circle-reduced theory. We answer this question positively if the UV R-symmetries do not mix with accidental (topological) symmetries along the renormalization group flow from the four-dimensional theory on a circle to the three-dimensional theory. If they do mix, we still find a deformation quantization but at different values of its period.
On the classification of duality webs for graded quivers
Authors: Franco Sebastián , Hasan Azeem , Yu Xingyang
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We study the m-graded quiver theories associated to CY (m+2)-folds and their order (m + 1) dualities. We investigate how monodromies give rise to mutation invariants, which in turn can be formulated as Diophantine equations characterizing the space of dual theories associated to a given geometry. We discuss these ideas in general and illustrate them in the case of orbifold theories. Interestingly, we observe that even in this simple context the corresponding Diophantine equations may admit an infinite number of seeds for m ≥ 2, which translates into an infinite number of disconnected duality webs. Finally, we comment on the possible generalization of duality cascades beyond m = 1.
Ester and amide derivatives of rhodamine B exert cytotoxic effects on different human tumor cell lines
Authors: Serbian Immo , Hoenke Sophie , Kraft Oliver , Csuk René
Published: June 2020

Three esters of rhodamine B (1–3) differing in their alkyl chain lengths as well as several rhodamine B amides (4–9) were synthesized in good yields and tested for their cytotoxicity in SRB assays employing several human tumor cell lines. The rhodamine B esters were unselective but showed cytotoxicity of as low as EC50 = 0.15 ± 0.02 µM. The rhodamine B amides were slightly less cytotoxic but showed good selectivity against MCF-7 and A2780 tumor cell lines. Especially a morpholinyl derivative 4 was ~20 time more cytotoxic for MCF-7 than for nonmalignant NIH 3T3 cells.
Establishing an oncocardiology service
Authors: Lehmann L. H. , Totzeck M.
Published: June 2020

Oncocardiology is an emerging field in cardiovascular healthcare. Besides establishing surveillance and follow-up strategies for cancer patients, it will be essential to set up specialized oncocardiology services. However, there is a lack of clinical studies to give evidence-based recommendations regarding cardiological diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for cancer patients. An oncocardiology service is a patient-centered structure that aims to integrate research and interdisciplinary patient care to bridge this gap. We discuss the current challenges in developing an oncocardiology service and review the literature on this topic. We further provide an overview of the essential diagnostic tools and upcoming ethical issues to be considered in the management of oncology patients.
Method of average voltages in integration step: theory and application
Authors: Plakhtyna O. , Kutsyk A. , Lozynskyy A.
Published: June 2020

A numerical one-step method of average voltage values in integration step, which allows to algebraize the differential equations for electric circuits of electromechanical systems with semiconductor converters, was described in the paper. The method is proposed for the creation of digital power circuit real-time models of electrical systems in hybrid models that combine digital and physical components. Digital models in hybrid systems must continuously function over a long time period in conjunction with physical objects. The indicated method provides stability of mathematical models, and is also effective in the sense of the amount of calculations. The article describes the application of the method of average voltage values in the integration step to create a hybrid model of power generation system for a ship's power plant with diesel generator. The digital component of the hybrid model, in this case, is power conversion system that includes a synchronous generator driven by a diesel engine, while the physical part is real excitation controller of generator with automatic voltage regulator. The research results obtained on the hybrid model and their comparison with the results of the physical experiment at the laboratory plant are presented.
Characterization of charge transfer excited states in [2Fe–2S] iron–sulfur clusters using conventional configuration interaction techniques
Authors: Kubas Adam
Published: June 2020

The experimental UV–Vis spectra of the biologically relevant [2Fe–2S] iron–sulfur clusters feature typically three bands in the 300–800 nm range. Based on ground-state orbitals and using the one electron transition picture, these bands are said to be of charge transfer character. The key complication in the electronic structure calculations of these compounds are the antiferromagnetic coupling of the iron centers and high covalency of Fe–S bonds. Thus, the examples of the direct computations of electronically excited states of these systems are rare. Whereas low lying electronic excited states were subject of recent studies, higher energy states computed with many-body theories were never reported. In this work we present, for the first time, calculations of the electronic spectra of [Fe2S2](SMe)42−biomimetic compound. We demonstrate that spin-averaged restricted open-shell Hartree–Fock orbitals are superior to high-spin orbitals and are convenient reference for subsequent configuration interaction calculations. Moreover, the use of conventional configuration interaction methods enabled us to study the nature of the excited states in details with the difference density maps. By systematic extension of the donor orbital space we show that key excitations in the 300–800 nm range are of Fe 3d ← (μ-S) character.
Examining Land Use Changes to Evaluate the Effects of Land Management in a Complex, Dynamic Landscape
Authors: Martin Amanda K. , Root Karen V.
Published: June 2020

Anthropogenic alterations to landscapes have increased as the human population continues to rise, leading to detrimental changes in natural habitats. Ecological restoration assists in recovery by altering habitats to improve conditions and foster biodiversity. We examined land cover changes over time within a complex, dynamic region in the Midwest to assess the long-term effects of conservation. We used Landsat 8 bands for a 15-class land cover map of Oak Openings Region using supervised classification. We validated our map and achieved an overall accuracy of 71.2% from correctly classified points out of total visited points. Change over 10 years, from 2006 to 2016, was explored by comparing class statistics from FRAGSTATS between our map and original land cover map. We found that natural land, i.e., forest and early successional, covered 33%, with 10% permanently protected, while human-modified land, i.e., agricultural and developed, covered 67% of the region. Over 10 years, natural classes increased, and cultural classes decreased by 5.8%. There were decreases for the three forest communities and increases for the two early successional communities. These changes are likely the result of natural recovery and disturbance, and conservation efforts by the Green Ribbon Initiative. Changes in habitat also came with distribution changes, e.g., increased fragmentation for some classes, which was readily visible. Our useful method measured functionality by emphasizing changes in composition and configuration. Our approach provides a tool for assessing cumulative regional-scale effects from site-level management and conservation. This large-scale view for conservation is needed to effectively mitigate future changes.
Vascular Corrosion Casting: Review of Advantages and Limitations in the Application of Some Simple Quantitative Methods
Authors: Hossler Fred E. , Douglas John E.
Published: June 2020

Vascular corrosion casting has been used for about 40 years to produce replicas of normal and abnormal vasculature and microvasculature of various tissues and organs that could be viewed at the ultrastructural level. In combination with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the primary application of corrosion casting has been to describe the morphology and anatomical distribution of blood vessels in these tissues. However, such replicas should also contain quantitative information about that vasculature. This report summarizes some simple quantitative applications of vascular corrosion casting. Casts were prepared by infusing Mercox resin or diluted Mercox resin into the vasculature. Surrounding tissues were removed with KOH, hot water, and formic acid, and the resulting dried casts were observed with routine SEM. The orientation, size, and frequency of vascular endothelial cells were determined from endothelial nuclear imprints on various cast surfaces. Vascular volumes of heart, lung, and avian salt gland were calculated using tissue and resin densities, and weights. Changes in vascular volume and functional capillary density in an experimentally induced emphysema model were estimated from confocal images of casts. Clearly, corrosion casts lend themselves to quantitative analysis. However, because blood vessels differ in their compliances, in their responses to the toxicity of casting resins, and in their response to varying conditions of corrosion casting procedures, it is prudent to use care in interpreting this quantitative data. Some of the applications and limitations of quantitative methodology with corrosion casts are reviewed here.
Development of a Nanoindenter for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Stach Eric A. , Freeman Tony , Minor Andrew M. , Owen Doug K. , Cumings John , Wall Mark A. , Chraska Tomas , Hull Robert , Morris J.W. , Zettl A. , Dahmen Ulrich
Published: June 2020

In situ transmission electron microscopy is an established experimental technique that permits direct observation of the dynamics and mechanisms of dislocation motion and deformation behavior. In this article, we detail the development of a novel specimen goniometer that allows real-time observations of the mechanical response of materials to indentation loads. The technology of the scanning tunneling microscope is adopted to allow nanometer-scale positioning of a sharp, conductive diamond tip onto the edge of an electron-transparent sample. This allows application of loads to nanometer-scale material volumes coupled with simultaneous imaging of the material’s response. The emphasis in this report is qualitative and technique oriented, with particular attention given to sample geometry and other technical requirements. Examples of the deformation of aluminum and titanium carbide as well as the fracture of silicon will be presented.
Accurate Recording and Measurement of Electron Diffraction Data in Structural and Difference Fourier Studies of Proteins
Authors: Downing Kenneth H. , Li Huilin
Published: June 2020

Many of the techniques that have been developed in X-ray crystallography are being applied in electron crystallographic studies of proteins. Electron crystallography has the advantage of measuring structure factor phases directly from high resolution images with an accuracy substantially higher than is common in X-ray crystallography. However, electron diffraction amplitudes are often not as precise as those obtained in X-ray work. We discuss here some approaches to maximizing the reliability of the diffraction amplitudes through choice of exposure and data processing schemes. With accurate measurement of diffraction data, Fourier difference methods can be used in electron crystallographic studies of small, localized changes of proteins that exist in two-dimensional crystals. The mathematical basis for the power of these methods in detecting small changes is reviewed. We then discuss several issues related to optimizing the quality of the diffraction data and derive an expression for the best exposure for recording diffraction patterns. An application of Fourier difference maps in localizing drug binding sites on the protein tubulin is discussed.
Surface Kinetics of Copper Oxidation Investigated by In Situ Ultra-high Vacuum Transmission Electron Microscopy
Authors: Yang Judith C. , Bharadwaj Mridula D. , Zhou Guangwen , Tropia Lori
Published: June 2020

We review our studies of the initial oxidation stages of Cu(001) thin films as investigated by in situ ultra-high vacuum transmission electron microscopy. We present our observations of surface reconstruction and the nucleation to coalescence of copper oxide during in situ oxidation in O2. We have proposed a semi-quantitative model, where oxygen surface diffusion is the dominant mechanism of the initial oxidation stages of Cu. We have also investigated the effect of water vapor on copper oxidation. We have observed that the presence of water vapor in the oxidizing atmosphere retards the rate of Cu oxidation and Cu2O is reduced when exposed directly to steam.
Transmission Electron Microscope Specimen Preparation of Metal Matrix Composites Using the Focused Ion Beam Miller
Authors: Cairney Julie M. , Smith Robert D. , Munroe Paul R.
Published: June 2020

Transmission electron microscope samples of two types of metal matrix composites were prepared using both traditional thinning methods and the more novel focused ion beam miller. Electropolishing methods were able to produce, very rapidly, thin foils where the matrix was electron transparent, but the ceramic reinforcement particles remained unthinned. Thus, it was not possible in these foils to study either the matrix-reinforcement interface or the microstructure of the reinforcement particles themselves. In contrast, both phases in the composites prepared using the focused ion beam miller thinned uniformly. The interfaces in these materials were clearly visible and the ceramic reinforcement was electron transparent. However, microstructural artifacts associated with ion beam damage were also observed. The extent of these artifacts and methods of minimizing their effect were dependent on both the materials and the milling conditions used.
Fluorescence Microscopy Study of Heterogeneity in Polymer-supported Luminescence-based Oxygen Sensors
Authors: Kneas Kristi A. , Demas J.N. , DeGraff B.A. , Periasamy Ammasi
Published: June 2020

Despite the great potential of fluorescence microscopy, its application to date has largely been in the study of biological specimens. It will be shown that conventional fluorescence microscopy provides an invaluable tool with which to study the photophysics of polymer-supported luminescence-based oxygen sensors. The design of the imaging system, the measurement methods, and the data analysis used in the investigation of sensor systems are described. Fluorescence microscopic images of sensor films in which microheterogeneous regions exhibiting enhanced luminescence intensity and poorer oxygen quenching relative to the bulk response are shown. This is the first direct evidence that sensor molecules in various domains of the polymer support can exhibit different oxygen quenching properties. It will be shown that μ- and nano-crystallization of the sensor molecule are the probable source of both the observed heterogeneous microscopic responses and the microscopic and macroscopic nonlinear Stern-Volmer plots. The implications of these results in the rational design of luminescence-based oxygen sensors are discussed.
Extracellular Adenosine Triphosphate Triggers Arrhythmias and Elemental Redistribution in Electrically Stimulated Rat Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Zhang Bin-Xian , Desnoyer Russell W. , Bond Meredith
Published: June 2020

An increase in extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is arrhythmogenic in rat cardiac myocytes and extracellular ATP levels are elevated during cardiac ischemia. To gain insight into the mechanism by which the arrhythmic contractions are generated, we investigated changes in subcellular elemental content by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) in isolated adult rat cardiac myocytes stimulated by the ATP analog, 2-methylthio- ATP (2-M-S-ATP). We also measured the effects of 2-M-S-ATP stimulation on myocyte cell shortening. In electrically stimulated myocytes, 2-M-S-ATP stimulation generated arrhythmic contractions and also increased the amplitude of cell shortening. However, only the arrhythmic contractions were reversed by 2-MS- ATP washout. EPMA of freeze-dried cryosections of rapidly frozen 2-M-S-ATP-stimulated myocytes showed increased cytosolic Na and Cl, decreased K, but no significant change in mitochondrial Ca upon 2-M-S-ATP stimulation. The arrhythmias were abolished upon 2-M-S-ATP washout, and the observed changes in cytosolic elemental content also reversed upon agonist washout, thus suggesting that the increased Na and Cl, and decreased K, are specifically associated with the ATP-dependent spontaneous contractile activity. The observed increase in intracellular Na upon 2-M-S-ATP stimulation may explain our observation of prolonged relaxation time of 2-M-S-ATP-stimulated contractions. This may be due to inhibition of Ca2+ efflux via the Na+ Ca2+ exchanger.
Preparation and Certification of K-411 Glass Microspheres
Authors: Marinenko Ryna B. , Roberson Sonya , Small John S. , Thorne Barbara B. , Blackburn Douglas , Kauffman Dale , Leigh Stefan
Published: June 2020

The production and characterization of NBS K-411 glass microspheres in the 2–40 μm range for certification as NIST Standard Reference Material® 2066 (SRM®) are described. Quantitative analysis and heterogeneity testing of the microspheres were done with an electron probe microanalyzer-X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EPMA-EDS) automated particle analysis procedure. Results for the trimmed and normalized data produced mean compositions for the elements Mg, Si, Ca, Fe, and O (calculated from stoichiometry) that are in good agreement with the certified values for the K-411 bulk glass (NBS SRM 470 Glasses for Mineral Analysis), but with uncertainties about twice as large as those for the bulk material. Differences from the bulk are attributable to microsphere geometry as well as mass and size effects.
Morphometrical Method for Estimating Mean Cell Volume of Phagocytosing Cells
Authors: Bos Hendrik , de Souza Wanderley
Published: June 2020

A method is described for the estimation of mean cell volume of phagocytosing cells. The cells are coembedded with yeast particles of known size. By combination of data obtained from morphometrical analysis of sections in both the light and transmission electron microscopes, an estimate of the ratio between cell volume and yeast particle volume is obtained. The method makes use of the dissector but does not require measurements on serial sections or knowledge of section thickness. Evaluation of the method was done by studying the effect of phagocytosis of latex beads on macrophage cell volume and surface area. It was found that the surface area of phagocytosing macrophages remained constant although the cell volume increased by 27%. Furthermore, in phagocytosing macrophages, the amount of membrane enclosing intracellular vacuoles decreased by 28%, but this loss of membrane was balanced by the appearance of membrane enclosing the phagocytosed latex beads. The method described here may prove useful for morphometrical studies on phagocytosing leukocytes, as well as on intracellular parasites located within these cells.
Cardiac Defects Associated with the Absence of the Platelet-derived Growth Factor α Receptor in the Patch Mouse
Authors: Price Robert L. , Thielen Thomas E. , Borg Thomas K. , Terracio Louis
Published: June 2020

In this report, we describe the distribution of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) by immunolocalization in the embryonic day 10.5 mouse heart and defects in heart development associated with the absence of this receptor in the Patch mouse. The Patch mouse is a naturally occurring mutant that has been accepted as a model for determining the role of the PDGFRα in early cardiac development. Even though other genetic defects exist in this naturally occurring mutant, most defects associated with cardiac development are believed to be a result of the absence of this receptor. Gross morphological defects including improper septation of the outflow tract, dysmorphic shape of the heart, and lack of trabecular development are similar to those that have been previously described. Many of these defects have been attributed to the failure of a subset of non-neuronal neural crest cells to properly migrate into the region of the developing outflow tract. In these studies, we have also used confocal scanning laser and transmission electron microscopy to describe and compare the organization and differentiation of the cytoskeletal proteins actin and myosin in littermate control and Patch mouse hearts. Cytoskeletal organization of the cardiac myocytes in Patch mouse hearts has not previously been described. In most cardiac myocytes of Patch mice, actin was found only on the periphery of the cells, and the organization of actin, myosin, and precursor Z-band material into distinct myofibrils was greatly reduced.
Method for Cross-sectional Thin Specimen Preparation from a Specific Site Using a Combination of a Focused Ion Beam System and Intermediate Voltage Electron Microscope and Its Application to the Characterization of a Precipitate in a Steel
Authors: Yaguchi Toshie , Matsumoto Hiroaki , Kamino Takeo , Ishitani Tohru , Urao Ryoichi
Published: June 2020

In this study, we discuss a method for cross-sectional thin specimen preparation from a specific site using a combination of a focused ion beam (FIB) system and an intermediate voltage transmission electron microscope (TEM). A FIB-TEM compatible specimen holder was newly developed for the method. The thinning of the specimen using the FIB system and the observation of inside structure of the ion milled area in a TEM to localize a specific site were alternately carried out. The TEM fitted with both scanning transmitted electron detector and secondary electron detector enabled us to localize the specific site in a halfway milled specimen with the positional accuracy of better than 0.1 µm. The method was applied to the characterization of a precipitate in a steel. A submicron large precipitate was thinned exactly at its center for the characterization by a high-resolution electron microscopy and an elemental mapping.
The Golden Age of Microanalysis
Authors: Heinrich Kurt F.J.
Published: June 2020

The history of electron probe analysis in the USA in its first two
decades is reviewed, with reference to the personalities which were
involved, the development of instrumentation and theory, and the technical
problems and limitations of that era.
Scanning Probe Microscope Observation of Recorded Marks in Phase Change Disks
Authors: Kikukawa Takashi , Utsunomiya Hajime
Published: June 2020

This is the first report on observation of phase change recorded marks by use of the scanning probe microscope (SPM). The amorphous mark and crystalline blank were clearly observed by surface potential mode (SPoM) that visualized the surface potential difference among phases or materials. SPoM observation has an advantage over conventional transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation in that the sample preparation is much easier, and that amorphous mark and crystalline blank are clearly distinguished. The possibility of a novel readout method of phase change disks, and the possibility of the novel medium with a surface potential detection method are also proposed.
Ultra Flat Gold Surfaces for Use in Chemical Force Microscopy: Scanning Probe Microscopy Studies of the Effect of Preparation Regime on Surface Morphology
Authors: Masens Carl , Schulte Jurgen , Phillips Matthew , Dligatch Svetlana
Published: June 2020

The preparation of ultra flat gold surfaces for use in chemical force microscopy (CFM) has been
studied. The surfaces were studied in terms of substrate effects by comparing mica, Si (110) wafer and glass
slides. The effect of different annealing regimes was also investigated. Measurements on these surfaces were
made by both atomic force microscopy (AFM) (in contact and tapping mode) and by scanning tunneling
microscopy (STM). The films contain different morphologies with respect to grain size and topography.
Calculations of surface roughness present values less than 2.5 nm for all surfaces studied, making the choice of
the flattest surface difficult if based on criteria of surface roughness alone. Additionally, it is shown that
different acquisition parameters can produce dissimilar images that have stability and reproducibility.
Anisotropy of Surface Roughness on Aluminium Sheet Studied by Atomic Force Microscopy
Authors: Ryan George W.
Published: June 2020

Atomic force microscope images of aluminium sheet are used to calculate the mean roughness Ra and
the root mean square roughness Rq for different directions ([theta]) across the samples. The angle determined values
of Ra([theta] and Rq([theta]) are significantly lower in the rolling direction than in any other direction. The results
provide a clear demonstration of the vector nature of surface roughness. Local features in an angle determined
Rq([theta]) profile are also compared with the positions of peaks and valleys in the matching topographical crosssection
of the surface running at right angles to [theta]. It is further found that the distribution of z heights for an
imaged sample is usually not Gaussian in shape unless the z heights are measured about mean lines constructed
across the surface parallel with the rolling direction. The results are relevant for controlling lubrication
performance in the aluminium rolling process.
Meeting of the Australian Scanned Probe Microscope
Society, University of Sydney, February 16–19, 1999:
Introduction
Authors: Griffin Brenden J.
Published: June 2020

In February 1999, the second Scanned Probe Microscopy conference (SPM II) of the Australian Scanned Probe Microscope Society was held in Sydney, Australia, in conjunction with the fifth biennial symposium of the Australian Microbeam Analysis Society (AMAS V). This issue of Microscopy and Microanalysis presents selected full-length papers arising from that meeting.
Deep learning-based effective fine-grained weather forecasting model
Authors: Hewage Pradeep , Trovati Marcello , Pereira Ella , Behera Ardhendu
Published: June 2020

It is well-known that numerical weather prediction (NWP) models require considerable computer power to solve complex mathematical equations to obtain a forecast based on current weather conditions. In this article, we propose a novel lightweight data-driven weather forecasting model by exploring temporal modelling approaches of long short-term memory (LSTM) and temporal convolutional networks (TCN) and compare its performance with the existing classical machine learning approaches, statistical forecasting approaches, and a dynamic ensemble method, as well as the well-established weather research and forecasting (WRF) NWP model. More specifically Standard Regression (SR), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and Random Forest (RF) are implemented as the classical machine learning approaches, and Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA), Vector Auto Regression (VAR), and Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) are implemented as the statistical forecasting approaches. Furthermore, Arbitrage of Forecasting Expert (AFE) is implemented as the dynamic ensemble method in this article. Weather information is captured by time-series data and thus, we explore the state-of-art LSTM and TCN models, which is a specialised form of neural network for weather prediction. The proposed deep model consists of a number of layers that use surface weather parameters over a given period of time for weather forecasting. The proposed deep learning networks with LSTM and TCN layers are assessed in two different regressions, namely multi-input multi-output and multi-input single-output. Our experiment shows that the proposed lightweight model produces better results compared to the well-known and complex WRF model, demonstrating its potential for efficient and accurate weather forecasting up to 12 h.
An outcome of expert-oriented digitalization of university processes
Authors: Lagstedt Altti , Lindstedt Juha P. , Kauppinen Raine
Published: June 2020

Digitalization challenges the way in which business processes are seen. The potential for enhancement is even recognized in business areas that traditionally have little to do with IT. Even though universities have long-standing traditions of how work is organized, they have not been eager to adopt digitalized processes. Because core university processes rely on highly skilled experts, digitalizing processes are not as straightforward as they would be in more mechanical work. We developed an expert-oriented digitalization model (EXOD) for the digitalization of university processes and tested it using a case study. After digitalizing a core process, we interviewed the experts involved. The results show the usefulness and adaptability of the model. Based on the results, we recommend further studies to refine and test the model more comprehensively. In addition, based on the adaptability of the model, we recommend it as a baseline for university process digitalization projects in general.
The effect of crop residues, cover crops, manures and nitrogen fertilization on soil organic carbon changes in agroecosystems: a synthesis of reviews
Authors: Bolinder Martin A. , Crotty Felicity , Elsen Annemie , Frac Magdalena , Kismányoky Tamás , Lipiec Jerzy , Tits Mia , Tóth Zoltán , Kätterer Thomas
Published: June 2020

International initiatives are emphasizing the capture of atmospheric CO2 in soil organic C (SOC) to reduce the climatic footprint from agroecosystems. One approach to quantify the contribution of management practices towards that goal is through analysis of long-term experiments (LTEs). Our objectives were to analyze knowledge gained in literature reviews on SOC changes in LTEs, to evaluate the results regarding interactions with pedo-climatological factors, and to discuss disparities among reviews in data selection criteria. We summarized mean response ratios (RRs) and stock change rate (SCR) effect size indices from twenty reviews using paired comparisons (N). The highest RRs were found with manure applications (30%, N = 418), followed by aboveground crop residue retention and the use of cover crops (9–10%, N = 995 and 129), while the effect of nitrogen fertilization was lowest (6%, N = 846). SCR for nitrogen fertilization exceeded that for aboveground crop residue retention (233 versus 117 kg C ha−1 year−1, N = 183 and 279) and was highest for manure applications and cover crops (409 and 331 kg C ha−1 year−1, N = 217 and 176). When data allows, we recommend calculating both RR and SCR because it improves the interpretation. Our synthesis shows that results are not always consistent among reviews and that interaction with texture and climate remain inconclusive. Selection criteria for study durations are highly variable, resulting in irregular conclusions for the effect of time on changes in SOC. We also discuss the relationships of SOC changes with yield and cropping systems, as well as conceptual problems when scaling-up results obtained from field studies to regional levels.
Is reading a feminine domain? The role of gender identity and stereotypes in reading motivation in Chile
Authors: Espinoza Ana María , Strasser Katherine
Published: June 2020

In Chile, as in other countries, there are large gender gaps in reading achievement. One factor that may explain some of these results is male and female students’ motivation towards reading and books. The present study examined gender-related factors that contribute to explain students’ reading motivation. One hundred and fifteen Chilean secondary students completed measures of reading motivation, gender identity and reading gender stereotypes. A multivariate analysis of variance showed that after controlling for language arts achievement, female students exhibited higher levels of reading motivation, in both dimensions: self-concept and value. Paired samples t-tests showed that all participants, male and female, viewed reading as a more feminine endeavor, revealing reading gender stereotypes. A multiple regression analysis showed that reading gender stereotypes explained significant variance in students’ reading self-concept. Expressive identity traits (stereotypically feminine) as well as self-reported sexism both explained significant variance in the value that students associated with reading. The study offers empirical evidence about a relevant but understudied topic, especially in this region. These findings may contribute to the promotion of equal literacy development opportunities for students of both sexes in Latin America.
Differences in influence: different types of university employees compared
Authors: Kallenberg Ton
Published: June 2020

Changes, improvements and innovations in university organisations regularly end up in sluggish processes and get stuck ‘somewhere’ in the organisation. It is argued that cooperation and mutual influencing of work processes between academic and professional employees of different departments can have a positive effect on these innovations. Because little is known about this mutual influence of work processes, research has been conducted on the extent of the experienced and desired influence on different types of university employees’ own work processes and the work processes of other departments. This article reports the results of a survey among different types of employees from universities from three different countries (the Netherlands, Flanders, Denmark), in which four groups of employees have been distinguished (academic staff, professional staff, academic middle managers and educational administrators). The results of the survey (N = 1397) show that the university may be seen as a patchwork in which departments and teams work independently of each other. A comparison between the groups shows that the academic middle managers and educational administrators do experience significant more influence on various processes. It is argued that these groups can play an important role during changes, improvements and innovation processes.
Latent Feature Extraction for Process Data via Multidimensional Scaling
Authors: Tang Xueying , Wang Zhi , He Qiwei , Liu Jingchen , Ying Zhiliang
Published: June 2020

Computer-based interactive items have become prevalent in recent educational assessments. In such items, detailed human–computer interactive process, known as response process, is recorded in a log file. The recorded response processes provide great opportunities to understand individuals’ problem solving processes. However, difficulties exist in analyzing these data as they are high-dimensional sequences in a nonstandard format. This paper aims at extracting useful information from response processes. In particular, we consider an exploratory analysis that extracts latent variables from process data through a multidimensional scaling framework. A dissimilarity measure is described to quantify the discrepancy between two response processes. The proposed method is applied to both simulated data and real process data from 14 PSTRE items in PIAAC 2012. A prediction procedure is used to examine the information contained in the extracted latent variables. We find that the extracted latent variables preserve a substantial amount of information in the process and have reasonable interpretability. We also empirically prove that process data contains more information than classic binary item responses in terms of out-of-sample prediction of many variables.
Level set band method: A combination of density-based and level set methods for the topology optimization of continuums
Authors: Wei Peng , Wang Wenwen , Yang Yang , Wang Michael Yu
Published: June 2020

The level set method (LSM), which is transplanted from the computer graphics field, has been successfully introduced into the structural topology optimization field for about two decades, but it still has not been widely applied to practical engineering problems as density-based methods do. One of the reasons is that it acts as a boundary evolution algorithm, which is not as flexible as density-based methods at controlling topology changes. In this study, a level set band method is proposed to overcome this drawback in handling topology changes in the level set framework. This scheme is proposed to improve the continuity of objective and constraint functions by incorporating one parameter, namely, level set band, to seamlessly combine LSM and density-based method to utilize their advantages. The proposed method demonstrates a flexible topology change by applying a certain size of the level set band and can converge to a clear boundary representation methodology. The method is easy to implement for improving existing LSMs and does not require the introduction of penalization or filtering factors that are prone to numerical issues. Several 2D and 3D numerical examples of compliance minimization problems are studied to illustrate the effects of the proposed method.
Patrolling the Borders: Experience with Multiple Out-Group Members is Associated with the Own-Ethnicity Effect
Authors: Sporer Siegfried Ludwig , Gehrke Jürgen , McClure Kimberley A.
Published: June 2020

The own-ethnicity effect (OEE) is a recognition deficit for faces of other ethnic groups compared to one’s own group. Thirty-two border patrol (i.e., police) officers at a major international airport expected to have high frequency contact with multiple other ethnic group faces were compared with 32 bank employees and 64 students. German participants viewed out-group faces of African Americans, Mexican Americans/Mexican Nationals, and Turkish faces and German (in-group) faces in a standard recognition and a delayed-matching task. Generally, performance was better as a function of self-reported daily job contact for both tasks. Patrol officers were better with Black faces, while students were better with German faces for the standard recognition task. Although an OEE was present for all groups, it was attenuated for border patrol officers. Job contact with multiple out-groups was associated with face processing. Errors in recognition and matching faces of other ethnic groups pose problems for security in an increasingly global society. Customs agencies and security organizations employing an ethnically diverse workforce along with perceptual training for recognizing and matching out-group members will be better prepared to meet the demands of international security.