bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The difference-based equivalent static load method: an improvement of the ESL method’s nonlinear approximation quality
Authors: Triller J. , Immel R. , Timmer A. , Harzheim L.
Published: April 2021

Nonlinear dynamic structural optimization is a real challenge, in particular for problems that require the use of explicit solvers, e.g., crash. Here, the number of design variables is typically very limited. A way to overcome this drawback is to use linear auxiliary load cases which are derived from nonlinear dynamic analysis results in order to enable the application of linear static response optimization. The equivalent static load method (ESLM) provides a well-defined procedure to create such linear auxiliary load cases. The main idea here is that after the selection of a number of representative time steps, a set of equivalent static loads (ESLs) is computed for each time step such that the resulting displacement field in the linear static analysis is identical to the respective field in the nonlinear dynamic analysis. Each set of ESLs defines an auxiliary load case, which is used in the linear static response optimization. The crucial point is that the finite element (FE)-model for each auxiliary load case describes the undeformed initial geometry. This can lead to insufficient approximation quality in the linear static system for highly nonlinear problems. To overcome this drawback, a difference-based extension of the ESL method called DiESL has been developed for nonlinear dynamic response optimization problems. Here, the FE-model for each auxiliary load case describes the deformed nonlinear geometry at the respective time, and the corresponding ESLs create only the displacement field leading to the deformed state of the subsequent ESL time step. Consequently, responses in each linear auxiliary load case (corresponding to a time step) are computed as the accumulated sum of the previous linear auxiliary load cases. Furthermore, the linear static response optimization problem consists not only of one but ofnTFE-models wherenTis the number of selected time steps. Such a multi-model optimization (MMO) can be solved with commercial FE solvers. It turns out that the DiESL approach leads to a significant improvement of the nonlinear approximation quality and faster convergence to the optimum when compared to standard ESLM. This will be demonstrated and discussed based on selected test examples.
Group matrix ring codes and constructions of self-dual codes
Authors: Dougherty S. T. , Korban Adrian , Şahinkaya Serap , Ustun Deniz
Published: April 2021

In this work, we study codes generated by elements that come from group matrix rings. We present a matrix construction which we use to generate codes in two different ambient spaces: the matrix ring $$M_k(R)$$

M
k

(
R
)

and the ring R,  where R is the commutative Frobenius ring. We show that codes over the ring $$M_k(R)$$

M
k

(
R
)

are one sided ideals in the group matrix ring $$M_k(R)G$$

M
k

(
R
)

G

and the corresponding codes over the ring R are $$G^k$$

G
k

-codes of length kn. Additionally, we give a generator matrix for self-dual codes, which consist of the mentioned above matrix construction. We employ this generator matrix to search for binary self-dual codes with parameters [72, 36, 12] and find new singly-even and doubly-even codes of this type. In particular, we construct 16 new Type I and 4 new Type II binary [72, 36, 12] self-dual codes.
Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection Repair: Customized Approach and Outcomes
Authors: Mathis Lauren , Crethers Danielle , Buckman Bert , Jensen Michael , Polimenakos Anastasios C
Published: April 2021

Alternative options for the correction of partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection (PAPVC) have been proposed. Each can be associated with variable risk for dysrhythmias, caval or pulmonary venous (PV) obstruction. A selective customized strategy to address PAPVC taking into account atrial shunt (AS) and growth potential was pursued. Between September 2014 and August 2018 21 PAPVC patients were identified. Two levels of reference determined the chosen repair strategy; azygous vein (AzV) and cavoatrial junction (CAJ). Six (Group-A) with PAPVC entering SVC cephalad to AV underwent a combined in-situ cavoatrial autologous reconstruction with atrial appendage advancement flap (CARAF). PAPVC entering caudally to AzV (Group-B) underwent alternative repair (caval division/Warden-type or intraatrial rerouting) (n = 15). Age was 8.3 (IQR:4.2–18.5) years for Group-A (vs 11.9; IQR:8.8–34.7 in Group-B) (p = 0.07). In Group-A 5(83%) had AS (vs 12[80%] Group-B; p = 0.9). None had left SVC in Group-A (vs 1 in Group-B; p = 0.9). Preoperative advanced imaging and echocardiographic hemodynamic evaluation was undertaken. Follow-up was complete (median 2.9; IQR:1.2–3.7 years). Freedom from atrial dysrhythmias, caval or PV obstruction was assessed. There were no early or late deaths. ICU and hospital length of stay were 1.8 ± 1.1 and 3.2 ± 0.5 days, respectively. No atrial dysrhythmias occurred postoperatively in Group-A (vs 1 in Group-B; p = 0.9). No permanent pacemaker was implanted. All patients remained in normal sinus rhythm. There were no early or late caval/PV obstruction. A customized approach reserves the advantages of each technique tailored to patient’s needs. Expanding surgical capacity with favorable outlook for all PAPVC variations, irrespective of association with AS, can maximize efficiency and reproducibility paired with the lowest morbidity.
Analytical model for the depth progress of percussion drilling with ultrashort laser pulses
Authors: Holder Daniel , Weber Rudolf , Graf Thomas , Onuseit Volkher , Brinkmeier David , Förster Daniel J. , Feuer Anne
Published: April 2021

A simplified analytical model is presented that predicts the depth progress during and the final hole depth obtained by laser percussion drilling in metals with ultrashort laser pulses. The model is based on the assumption that drilled microholes exhibit a conical shape and that the absorbed fluence linearly increases with the depth of the hole. The depth progress is calculated recursively based on the depth changes induced by the successive pulses. The experimental validation confirms the model and its assumptions for percussion drilling in stainless steel with picosecond pulses and different pulse energies.
Residual stresses in hot bulk formed parts: microscopic stress analysis for austenite-to-martensite phase transformation
Authors: Uebing Sonja , Brands Dominik , Scheunemann Lisa , Schröder Jörg
Published: April 2021

In this contribution, the two-scale analysis of residual stress states in a hot bulk formed part with subsequent cooling in the framework of the$$\hbox {FE}^2$$FE2-method is presented. The induction of specific residual stress states in order to improve a component’s properties is an area of current research. In general, residual stresses can be induced inside a component in different ways, e.g., quenching, phase transformation in hot forming processes or dislocation movements. It is widely known that different types of residual stresses can be characterized based on the scale the type acts on. In addition to the macroscopic residual stress analysis, in which residual stresses of first type are considered, this contribution specifically analyzes the microscopic residual stress evolution as a consequence of the cooling of the component.
Effectiveness and tolerability of a squalane and dimethicone-based treatment for head lice
Authors: Martínez de Murguía Fernández Leticia , Puig Algora Gemma , Bajona Roig Marta , Bacchini Gabriela
Published: April 2021

Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) are worldwide obligate human ectoparasites, with high implications in pediatrics. In Europe, first-line topical neurotoxic insecticidal therapeutic strategies are being replaced by topical physically acting agents as the first-choice treatment. Safety of the active ingredients and high efficacy in a one-time single-dose treatment with a brief treatment application time are key issues for consumer use and effective compliance. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro efficacy of a newly developed squalane and dimethicone-based pediculicidal formula, against motile head lice and eggs after 2 and 5 min immersion in the product, as well as its skin tolerance and acceptability under dermatological and pediatric expert control in children with atopic skin. The results indicate that at both time points, 100% mortality rate of head lice crawling stages and late-stage eggs was achieved. The formula was well tolerated and suitable for children with atopic skin from 12 months of age. Showing high in vitro efficacy and good skin acceptability, this solution is presented as a new safe alternative therapy for treatment of head lice infestations.
Treuhand transdisziplinär: Deformation, Disruption, Dynamik, Devaluation
Authors: Böick Marcus
Published: April 2021

Die Geschichte des wirtschaftlichen Wiederaufbaus im post-sozialistischen Ostdeutschland nach 1990 ist vor allem mit der viel diskutierten Treuhandanstalt verbunden. Verschiedene Narrative beleuchten langfristige strukturelle Veränderungen, kurzfristige Brüche, mittelfristige Dynamiken sowie die Rahmung kultureller Reflexionen auf individueller oder kollektiver Ebene. Diese Muster könnten nicht nur helfen, heuristische Brücken zwischen verschiedenen Disziplinen wie Sozialwissenschaften, Ökonomie oder Geschichte in diesem neu aufkommenden Wissenschaftsbereich zu bauen, sondern auch dazu beitragen, diese Forschung in breitere Themen auf europäischer oder sogar globaler Ebene einzubetten.
Quantile-based optimal portfolio selection
Authors: Bodnar Taras , Lindholm Mathias , Thorsén Erik , Tyrcha Joanna
Published: April 2021

In this paper the concept of quantile-based optimal portfolio selection is introduced and a specific portfolio connected to it, the conditional value-of-return (CVoR) portfolio, is proposed. The CVoR is defined as the mean excess return or the conditional value-at-risk (CVaR) of the return distribution. The portfolio selection consists solely of quantile-based risk and return measures. Financial institutions that work in the context of Basel 4 use CVaR as a risk measure. In this regulatory framework sufficient and necessary conditions for optimality of the CVoR portfolio are provided under a general distributional assumption. Moreover, it is shown that the CVoR portfolio is mean-variance efficient when the returns are assumed to follow an elliptically contoured distribution. Under this assumption the closed-form expression for the weights and characteristics of the CVoR portfolio are obtained. Finally, the introduced methods are illustrated in an empirical study based on monthly data of returns on stocks included in the S&P index. It is shown that the new portfolio selection strategy outperforms several alternatives in terms of the final investor wealth.
The Use of the Intensive Longitudinal Methods to Study Financial Well-Being: A Scoping Review and Future Research Agenda
Authors: Sorgente Angela , Totenhagen Casey J. , Lanz Margherita
Published: April 2021

Financial well-being is a positive financial condition that has an objective (e.g., income) and a subjective (e.g., financial satisfaction) side. Much research has examined financial well-being using cross-sectional and classic longitudinal designs. More recently, researchers have begun to examine financial well-being using intensive longitudinal designs, collecting data in a repeated (at least five measurements) and intensive (short time interval between measurements) way. The goal of the current study was to systematically review all published research on financial well-being using intensive longitudinal methods, summarize themes from this work, and suggest future research directions. Searching three databases (Scopus, PsycINFO, Econpapers), we found nine articles that respected inclusion and exclusion criteria. From each selected article, we extracted information about (1) research field diffusion, (2) data collection methods, (3) financial well-being’s definition and operationalization, (4) research questions addressed and (5) data analysis. Findings showed that most of the studies adopted an interval-contingent research design, collecting data once a day; that both the objective and subjective sides of the construct were assessed, and that, most of the time, the construct was conceptualized as financial stress (lack of financial well-being). Different kinds of research questions were addressed across studies and these were often analyzed using multilevel analysis. In the discussion section, future research directions are suggested.
Does Religion Influence the Motivations of Future Healthcare Professionals to Volunteer During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland? An Exploratory Study
Authors: Domaradzki Jan , Walkowiak Dariusz
Published: April 2021

This study was designed to determine the relation between religion and the motivations of future healthcare professionals to volunteer during the COVID-19 outbreak in Poland. Data were collected from 417 healthcare students via an online questionnaire. The results indicated that although students’ religiosity was not a significant predictor of volunteering during the pandemic, it played a key role in determining their motivations to join the fight against COVID-19. There was a significant positive relationship between students’ religiosity and their eagerness to commit for the sake of the community rather than for personal or egoistic motives.
Transcriptome sequencing analysis of maize roots reveals the effects of substrate and root hair formation in a spatial context
Authors: Ganther Minh , Vetterlein Doris , Heintz-Buschart Anna , Tarkka Mika Tapio
Published: April 2021

Background

Plant roots sense and respond to changes in their soil environment, but conversely contribute to rhizosphere organization through chemical, mechanical and biotic interactions. Transcriptomic profiling of plant roots can be used to assess how the plant adjusts its gene expression in relation to environment, genotype and rhizosphere processes; thus enabling us to achieve a better understanding of root-soil interactions.

Methods

We used a standardized soil column experimental platform to investigate the impact of soil texture (loam, sand) and root hair formation (wildtype, root hair defective rth3 mutant) in a spatial context (three sampling depths) and assessed maize root transcriptomic profiles using next-generation RNA sequencing.

Results

Substrate induced the largest changes in root gene expression patterns, affecting gene functions related to immunity, stress, growth and water uptake. Genes with column depth-related expression levels were associated with growth and plant defense. The influence of root hairs mainly manifested in differential expression of epidermal cell differentiation and cell wall organization, and defense response-related genes. Substrate type strongly modified the transcriptomic patterns related to column depth and root hair elongation, highlighting the strong impact of soil texture.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that substrate, sampling depth and plant genotype interactively affect maize gene expression, and suggest feedback processes between the plant, the soil and the microbiome. The obtained results form a foundational basis for the integration and interpretation of future experiments utilizing the same experimental platform.
Législation pénale à l’époque stalinienne en Pologne—analyse jurilinguistique
Authors: Pieprzyca Piotr
Published: April 2021

L’article aborde la problématique des actes normatifs de droit pénal adoptés en Pologne dans les années 1944–1956. L’auteur essaie de répondre à la question : comment le régime politique et l’idéologie stalinienne ont-ils influencé la manière de rédiger les textes juridiques de cette branche du droit lors des plus grandes répressions par le pouvoir d’après-guerre en Pologne ? À partir de 1944, le droit pénal a été adapté aux besoins des autorités communistes, contrôlées par l’Union soviétique. Dans la période analysée, on a introduit en Pologne plus de cent actes normatifs englobant des dispositions pénales. L’idéologisation du droit pénal est visible dans toutes les parties des actes normatifs : titres, préambules et dispositions juridiques. On retrouve dans leur contenu les valeurs politiques, économiques et sociales fondamentales pour l’idéologie du stalinisme, dont les thèses ont été mises en œuvre en Pologne après la fin de l’occupation allemande.
Earth’s Nitrogen and Carbon Cycles
Authors: Halama Ralf , Bebout Gray
Published: April 2021

Understanding the Earth’s geological nitrogen (N) and carbon (C) cycles is fundamental for assessing the distribution of these volatiles between solid Earth (core, mantle and crust), oceans and atmosphere. This Special Communication about the Earth’s N and C cycles contains material that is relevant for researchers who are interested in the Topical Collection on planetary evolution “Reading Terrestrial Planet Evolution in Isotopes and Element Measurements”. Variations in the fluxes of N and C between these major reservoirs through geological time influenced the evolution and determined the unique composition of the Earth’s atmosphere. Here we review several key geological aspects of the N and C cycles of which our understanding has significantly advanced during the last decade through field-based, experimental and theoretical studies. Subduction zones are the most important pathway of both N and C from the Earth’s surface into the deep Earth. A key question in the flux quantification is how much of the volatile elements is stored in the downgoing slab and introduced into the mantle and how much is returned back to the surface and the atmosphere through arc magmatism. For N, the retention of N as $\text{NH}_{4}^{+}$

NH
4
+

in minerals has a major influence on fluxes between reservoirs. The temperature-dependent stability of $\text{NH}_{4}^{+}$

NH
4
+

-bearing minerals determines whether N is predominantly retained in the slab to mantle depths (in subduction zones with a low geothermal gradient) or devolatilized (in subduction zones with a high geothermal gradient). Several lines of evidence suggest that the mantle is regassing with respect to N due to a net influx of subducted N over time, but this issue is highly debated and evidence to the contrary also exists. Nevertheless, there is consensus that the majority of the planetary N budget is stored in the Earth’s mantle, with the continental crust also constituting a significant N reservoir. For C, release from the subducting slab occurs through decarbonation reactions, dissolution and formation of carbonatitic liquids, but reprecipitation of C in the slab or the forearc mantle wedge may limit the effectiveness of direct return of C into the atmosphere. Carbon release through regional metamorphism in collision zone orogens also has potentially profound effects on C release into the atmosphere and consensus has emerged that such orogens are sources rather than sinks of atmospheric CO2. On shorter timescales, contact metamorphism through interaction of mantle-derived magmas with C-bearing country rocks, and the resulting release of large quantities of CH4 and/or CO2, has been linked to global warming events.
Conditionals and specific links—an experimental study
Authors: Rostworowski Wojciech , Pietrulewicz Natalia , Bedkowski Marcin
Published: April 2021

Based on the new experimental evidence, we argue that a link between a conditional antecedent and the consequent is semantically expressed rather than pragmatically conveyed. In our paper, we focus on particular kinds of links which conditionals may convey in a context. For instance, a conditional ‘Ifp,q’ may convey a thought equivalent to ‘pwill causeq’, ‘pis the best explanation forq’, ‘qfollows fromp’, etcetera. The traditional theoretical literature on conditionals seems to imply that these specific links are generated pragmatically and are akin to conversational implicatures. In order to test this hypothesis, we used a well-recognized linguistic test from ‘reinforceability’ (i.e., susceptibility to a non-redundant affirmation), which serves to distinguish between a semantic and pragmatic level of meaning, and we designed an experimental study based on that test. The outcome of our study is that specific links conveyed by conditionals exhibit features of semantic entailments rather than conversational implicatures. This result accords with some of the recent findings in empirical investigations on conditionals. In the final part of our paper, we discuss various accounts of conditionals which can accommodate the results of our study.
An Algorithmic Approach to Identify the Optimum Network Architecture and WLAN Protocol for VoIP Application
Authors: Mohd Ali Ali , Dhimish Mahmoud , Alsmadi Malek M. , Mather Peter
Published: April 2021

To determine the optimal network architecture between the Basic Service Set, the Extended Service Set and the Independent Basic Service Set, this study established a new algorithm to assess Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) metrics of different IEEE 802.11 technologies. An important coefficient for each VoIP metric parameter has been invented to rank the different IEEE 802.11 standards and to identify the most efficient one for the VoIP application. The best overall network performance that offers good voice quality is ensured by determining the optimum network architecture and technology. Moreover, for the VoIP efficiency parameters, it meets the acceptance threshold values. This algorithm was implemented in different sizes of rooms ranging from 1 × 1 m to 10 × 10 m, and the number of nodes varied from 1 to 65. End to end delay, jitter, throughput and packet loss were the quality of service parameters used.
Differentiation between infectious spondylodiscitis versus inflammatory or degenerative spinal changes: How can magnetic resonance imaging help the clinician?
Authors: Salaffi Fausto , Ceccarelli Luca , Carotti Marina , Di Carlo Marco , Polonara Gabriele , Facchini Giancarlo , Golfieri Rita , Giovagnoni Andrea
Published: April 2021

Spondylodiscitis is a complex disease whose diagnosis and management are still challenging. The differentiation between infectious and non-infectious aetiology is mandatory to avoid delays in the treatment of life-threatening infectious conditions. Imaging methods, in particular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), play a key role in differential diagnosis. MRI provides detailed anatomical information, especially regarding the epidural space and spinal cord, and may allow differential diagnosis by assessing the characteristics of certain infectious and inflammatory/degenerative lesions. In this article, we provide an overview of the radiological characteristics and differentiating features of non-infectious inflammatory spinal disorders and infectious spondylodiscitis, focussing on MRI results and presenting relevant clinical and pathological features that help early diagnosis.
Cycling properties of Na3V2(PO4)2F3 as positive material for sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Pianta Nicolò , Locatelli Davide , Ruffo Riccardo
Published: April 2021

The research into sodium-ion battery requires the development of high voltage cathodic materials to compensate for the potential of the negative electrode materials which is usually higher than the lithium counterparts. In this framework, the polyanionic compound Na3V2(PO4)2F3 was prepared by an easy-to-scale-up carbothermal method and characterized to evaluate its electrochemical performances in half cell vs. metallic sodium. The material shows a specific capacity (115 mAh g−1) close to the theoretical limit, good coulombic efficiency (>99%) and an excellent stability over several hundred cycles at high rate. High-loading free-standing electrodes were also tested, which showed interesting performances in terms of areal capacity and cyclability.
Isothermal and Non-isothermal Crystallization Kinetics of Mold Fluxes used in Continuous Casting of Steel: A Review
Authors: Sarkar Rahul , Li Zushu
Published: April 2021

Casting powders or mold fluxes, as they are more commonly known, are used in the continuous casting of steel to prevent the steel shell from sticking to the copper mold. The powders first melt and create a pool of liquid flux above the liquid steel in the mold, and then the liquid mold fluxes penetrate into the gap between water-cooled copper mold and steel shell, where crystallization of solid phases takes place as the temperatures gradually drop. It is important to understand the crystallization behavior of these mold fluxes used in the continuous casting of steel because the crystalline phase fraction in the slag films plays a crucial role in determining the horizontal heat flux during the casting process. In this work, the existing literature on the crystallization kinetics of conventional and fluoride-free mold fluxes used in the continuous casting of steel has been reviewed. The review has been divided into two main sections viz. the isothermal crystallization kinetics and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics. Under each of these sections, three of the most widely used techniques for studying the crystallization kinetics have been included viz. thermoanalytical techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry/differential thermal analysis (DSC/DTA), the single and double hot thermocouple technique (SHTT and DHTT), and the confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). For each of these techniques, the available literature related to the crystallization kinetics of mold fluxes has been summarized thereby encompassing a wide range of investigations comprising of both conventional and fluoride-free fluxes. Summaries have been included after each section with critical comments and insights by the authors. Finally, the relative merits and demerits of these methods vis-à-vis their application in studying the crystallization kinetics of mold fluxes have been discussed.
Phase Relations in the ZrO2-MgO-FeOx System: Experimental Data and Assessment of Thermodynamic Parameters
Authors: Saenko Ivan , Fabrichnaya O.
Published: April 2021

Thermodynamic parameters were assessed for the MgO–FeOx system and combined with already available descriptions of ZrO2-FeOx and ZrO2-MgO systems to calculate preliminary phase diagrams for planning experimental investigations. Samples of selected compositions were heat treated at 1523, 1673 and 1873 K and characterized using x-ray and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). Experiments indicated extension of cubic ZrO2 solid solution into the ternary system at 1873 K (75 mol.% ZrO2, 10 mol.% FeOx and 15 mol.% MgO) and limited solubility of 4 mol.% ZrO2 in spinel phase. Based on the obtained results thermodynamic parameters of C-ZrO2 and spinel phase were optimized.
Practical approach to prevent COVID-19 infection at breast cancer screening
Authors: Takada Mamoru , Tanaka Gaku , Hashimoto Hideyuki , Hirai Yasuyuki , Fukushima Taichi , Nagashima Takeshi , Otsuka Masayuki , Imazeki Fumio
Published: April 2021

Background

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) undermines the benefits of cancer screening. To date, no study has identified specific infection control methods. We aimed to provide practical methods for COVID-19 risk reduction during breast cancer screening mammography (MMG) by examining an overview of potential contamination routes of aerosols and possible risks for patients and health care providers.

Methods

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted for airflow and aerosol dispersion in a 3D virtual model of a mobile MMG laboratory room. This model was constructed based on the actual mobile screening MMG bus ‘Cosmos’ in the Chiba Foundation for Health Promotion & Disease Prevention. Examiner and patient geometries were obtained by scanning an actual human using a 3D Scanner. Contamination of the room was evaluated by counting the numbers of suspended and deposited aerosols.

Results

We applied the CFD simulation model to the exhalation of small or large aerosols from a patient and examiner in the MMG laboratory. Only 14.5% and 54.5% of large and small aerosols, respectively, were discharged out of the room with two doors open. In contrast, the proportion of large and small aerosols discharged out of the room increased to 96.6% and 97.9%, respectively, with the addition of forced gentle wind by the blower fan. This simulation was verified by a mist aerosol experiment conducted in the mobile MMG laboratory.

Conclusion

Adding forced ventilation to a MMG laboratory with two doors open may enable risk reduction dramatically. This could be applied to other clinical situations.
Study on the Quantitative Relationship Among Canopy Hyperspectral Reflectance, Vegetation Index and Cotton Leaf Nitrogen Content
Authors: Yin Caixia , Lin Jiao , Ma Lulu , Zhang Ze , Hou Tongyu , Zhang Lifu , Lv Xin
Published: April 2021

Study the response mechanism of Canopy spectral reflectance (CSR) to cotton nitrogen fertilizer, propose the sensitive band and center wavelength of cotton leaf nitrogen content (LNC), and compare the response characteristics of various vegetation indexes to LNC, propose a vegetation index that responds well to LNC and construct estimating model. This experiment sets five nitrogen fertilizer levels, namely N0 (control), N120 (120 kg/hm2), N240 (240 kg/hm2), N360 (360 kg/hm2), N480 (480 kg/hm2). Among them, referring to the conventional nitrogen fertilizer is applied by local farmers (N330, 330 kg/hm2). The results showed the following: (1) Visible light and near-infrared (NIR) can be used as two large ranges for precise monitoring of nitrogen, especially the CSR in the NIR range differs significantly under different nitrogen fertilizers. In the early stage of cotton growth, the CSR decreased with the nitrogen application rate increase, in a suitable nitrogen environment (360 kg/hm2), and beyond N360, vice versa. In the later growth period, the CSR increases with the increase in nitrogen fertilizer. This trend is most evident in the short-wave NIR regions;(2) the range of 690–709 nm, 717–753 nm, and 940–958, which can be remote sensed by the spectral reflectance when cotton is affected in poor or rich nitrogen. The center wavelength corresponding to the nitrogen-sensitive band, respectively, are 697 nm, 735 nm, 953 nm, the band width can maintain 5–15 nm, generally not more than 20 nm;(3) compared with the ratio vegetation index, difference vegetation index, and normalized vegetation index, the combined vegetation index of more than two bands has a better effect on cotton LNC monitoring, of which the index (R560−R670)/(R560 + R670−R450), (R700−1.7 × R670 + 0.7 × R450)/(R700 + 2.3 × R670−1.3 × R450) are significantly related to LNC in this papers, and the correlation coefficients can reach, respectively, 0.935* and 0.936*. These findings help to estimate the model of LNC. The model is as follows: Y = 19.883 × x + 42.285, where x refers to the combined vegetation index (R700−1.7 × R670 + 0.7 × R450)/(R700 + 2.3 × R670−1.3 × R450), Y is LNC, but the model accuracy will be affected in the crop different phenological stage, and the model has the highest monitoring accuracy during the bud period.
Rare Association of Fetal Chondrodysplasia Punctata in Maternal SLE: A Case Report
Authors: Elayedatt Rinshi Abid , Krishnan Vivek
Published: April 2021

Chondrodysplasia punctata (CDP) is a rare congenital skeletal dysplasia characterised by punctate bony calcification associated with a diverse spectrum of etiologies, genetic syndromes and prenatal exposures resulting in varied outcomes. The association with maternal autoimmune disease are less reported in prenatal literature. We present a case of fetal CDP detected on prenatal ultrasound in a mother with maternal systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Karyotype, postnatal X-ray and genetic mutation analysis were done to confirm the etiology. The purpose of this study was to increase the clinician’s awareness of the association of CDP with maternal SLE in cases with negative reports for genetic mutation analysis, chromosomal abnormality and in the absence of any history of teratogenic drug intake or maternal infection.
Assessing climate change impacts on crops by adopting a set of crop performance indicators
Authors: Moriondo M. , Bindi M. , Brilli L. , Costafreda-Aumedes S. , Dibari C. , Leolini L. , Padovan G. , Trombi G. , Karali A. , Varotsos K. V. , Lemesios G. , Giannakopoulos C. , Papadaskalopoulou C. , Merante P.
Published: April 2021

The impact of climate change on the agricultural systems of three major islands in the Mediterranean basin, namely Sicily, Crete and Cyprus, was evaluated using a suite of specifically calibrated crop models and the outputs of a regional circulation model for Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 downscaled to 12 km of resolution and tested for its effectiveness in reproducing the local meteorological data. The most important annual (wheat, barley, tomato and potato) and perennial (grapevine and olive tree) crops were selected to represent the agricultural systems of the islands. The same modelling framework was used to test the effectiveness of autonomous adaptation options, such as shifting sowing date and the use of varieties with different growing season length. The results highlighted that, on average, warmer temperatures advanced both anthesis and maturity of the selected crops, but at different magnitudes depending on the crop and the island. Winter crops (barley, wheat and potato) experienced the lowest impact in terms of yield loss with respect to the baseline, with even some positive effects, especially in Sicily where both wheat and barley showed a general increase of 9% as compared to the baseline, while potato increased up to + 17%. Amongst perennial crops, olive tree showed low variation under RCP 4.5, but on average increased by 7% under RCP 8.5 on the three islands. Climate change had a detrimental effect specifically on tomato (− 2% on average in RCP 8.5 and 4.5 on the three islands) and grapevine (− 7%). The use of different sowing dates, or different varieties, revealed that for winter crops early autumn sowing is still the best option for producing wheat and barley in future periods on the three islands under both future scenarios. For tomato and potato, advancing sowing date to early winter is a winning strategy that may even increase final yield (+ 9% for tomato and + 17% for potato, on average). For grapevine, the use of late varieties, while suffering the most from increasing temperatures and reduced rainfall (− 15%, on average), is still a valuable option to keep high yield levels with respect to earlier varieties, which even if showing some increases with respect to the baseline have a generally much lower production level. The same may be applied to olive tree although the production differences between late and early varieties are less evident and climate change exerts a favourable influence (+ 4 and + 3% for early and late varieties, respectively).
Antiracist Discourse
Authors: van Dijk Teun A.
Published: April 2021

Antiracism is a global and historical social movement of resistance and solidarity, yet there have been relatively few books focusing on it as a subject in its own right. After his earlier books on racist discourse, Teun A. van Dijk provides a theory of antiracism along with a history of discourse against slavery, racism and antisemitism. He first develops a multidisciplinary theory of antiracism, highlighting especially the role of discourse and cognition as forms of resistance and solidarity. He then covers the history of antiracist discourse, including antislavery and abolition discourse between the 16th and 19th century, antiracist discourse by white and black authors until the Civil Rights Movement and Black Lives Matter, and Jewish critical analysis of antisemitic ideas and discourse since the early 19th century. It is essential reading for anyone interested in how racism and antisemitism have been critically analysed and resisted in antislavery and antiracist discourse.
Automatic Fault Mapping in Remote Optical Images and Topographic Data With Deep Learning
Authors: Mattéo Lionel , Manighetti Isabelle , Tarabalka Yuliya , Gaucel Jean‐Michel , van den Ende Martijn , Mercier Antoine , Tasar Onur , Girard Nicolas , Leclerc Frédérique , Giampetro Tiziano , Dominguez Stéphane , Malavieille Jacques
Published: April 2021

Faults form dense, complex multi‐scale networks generally featuring a master fault and myriads of smaller‐scale faults and fractures off its trace, often referred to as damage. Quantification of the architecture of these complex networks is critical to understanding fault and earthquake mechanics. Commonly, faults are mapped manually in the field or from optical images and topographic data through the recognition of the specific curvilinear traces they form at the ground surface. However, manual mapping is time‐consuming, which limits our capacity to produce complete representations and measurements of the fault networks. To overcome this problem, we have adopted a machine learning approach, namely a U‐Net Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), to automate the identification and mapping of fractures and faults in optical images and topographic data. Intentionally, we trained the CNN with a moderate amount of manually created fracture and fault maps of low resolution and basic quality, extracted from one type of optical images (standard camera photographs of the ground surface). Based on a number of performance tests, we select the best performing model, MRef, and demonstrate its capacity to predict fractures and faults accurately in image data of various types and resolutions (ground photographs, drone and satellite images and topographic data). MRefexhibits good generalization capacities, making it a viable tool for fast and accurate mapping of fracture and fault networks in image and topographic data. The MRefmodel can thus be used to analyze fault organization, geometry, and statistics at various scales, key information to understand fault and earthquake mechanics.
Observations of Lightning NOx Production From GOES‐R Post Launch Test Field Campaign Flights
Authors: Allen Dale J. , Pickering Kenneth E. , Lamsal Lok , Mach Douglas M. , Quick Mason G. , Lapierre Jeff , Janz Scott , Koshak William , Kowalewski Matthew , Blakeslee Richard
Published: April 2021

A primary goal of the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite R‐series Post Launch Test (GOES‐R PLT) Field Campaign during spring 2017 was the performance evaluation of the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) aboard the GOES‐16 satellite. The NASA Goddard Geo‐CAPE Airborne Simulator (GCAS), an ultra‐violet visible spectrometer, piggybacked on the aircraft mission to allow continuous hyper‐spectral measurements at high spectral and spatial resolutions simultaneously with optical lightning detection by the Fly’s Eye GLM Simulator while overflying convective systems. NO2 columns retrieved from GCAS were used to estimate the moles of NOx produced per flash, referred to as lightning NOx production efficiency (LNOx PE) for convective systems over the United States and western Atlantic. The mean PE was determined to be 360 ± 180 mol per flash for optically detected GLM flashes and 230 ± 115 mol per flash for radio‐wave detected Earth Networks Total Lightning Network flashes. These values span the commonly cited range of 100–500 mol per flash for midlatitude flashes. LNOx PE was found to be positively correlated with GLM flash multiplicity and flash optical energy but negatively correlated with flash density. The positive correlations provide encouragement for PE parameterizations in terms of flash energy or multiplicity. Observations during the GOES‐R PLT field campaign provide a preview of the analysis that will be possible when continuous lightning detection is coupled with hourly NO2 columns from a geostationary instrument such as Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution.
Trans‐Regional Transport of Haze Particles From the North China Plain to Yangtze River Delta During Winter
Authors: Zhang Jian , Yuan Qi , Liu Lei , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yinxiao , Xu Liang , Pang Yuner , Zhu Yanhong , Niu Hongya , Shao Longyi , Yang Shushen , Liu Hang , Pan Xiaole , Shi Zongbo , Hu Min , Fu Pingqing , Li Weijun
Published: April 2021

According to atmospheric modeling and satellite observations, cold fronts can cause trans‐regional transport (TRT) of haze particles from the North China Plain (NCP) to Yangtze River Delta (YRD) in winter. However, compositions and aging of haze aerosols during the TRT have not been studied. We showed the TRT PM2.5 dominated by organic matter (OM) (30%) and secondary inorganic ions (36%) in the NCP and 29% and 60% in the YRD. Following the TRT, abundant spherical primary OM particles (i.e., tarballs) (71% by number) mainly from residential coal burning in rural areas of the NCP unexpectedly occurred in the YRD. The inert tarballs display similar sizes (∼300 nm) and O/C ratios (∼0.15), but the mixture of nitrate, sulfate, and secondary OM as the coatings completely convert the hydrophobic tarballs into hydrophilic ones in the TRT. The aging and transport of tarballs from the NCP to YRD further indicate that the TRT not only brought various trace gases (e.g., CO, SO2, NOx, and VOCs) but also carried large numbers of nanosized primary particles (e.g., tarball, metal, fly ash, and soot) with secondary coatings over 1,000 km. The findings suggest that these many nanosized tarballs containing brown carbon and highly toxic species in the NCP influence regional climate and human health in northern and eastern China, which needs more attention. Although the NCP and YRD have different energy consumption structures in winter and are two isolated administrative regions, we emphasize the need for a coordinated cross‐regional emission reduction strategy for TRT haze control.
The Effect of Upstream Orography on the Onset of Sundowner Winds in Coastal Santa Barbara, CA
Authors: Duine Gert‐Jan , Carvalho Leila M.V. , Jones Charles , Zigner Katelyn
Published: April 2021

The impact of upstream terrain on the diurnal variability of downslope windstorms on the south‐facing slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains (SYM) is investigated using numerical simulations. These windstorms, called Sundowners due to their typical onset around sunset, have intensified all major wildfires in the area. This study investigates the role of the orography upstream of the SYM in the diurnal behavior of Sundowners. Two types of Sundowners are examined: western sundowners (winds with dominant northwesterly direction) and eastern Sundowners (winds with dominant northeasterly direction). By using semi‐idealized simulations, in which we progressively reduce the upstream terrain, we show that the onset of the lee slope jet occurs in the late afternoon only when the flow approaches the SYM from the northeast, after interacting with a considerably higher mountain barrier. We demonstrate that during the eastern regime, the progressive reduction of the upstream terrain results in strong lee slope winds throughout the day. Conversely, the diurnal cycle of downslope winds during the western regime is less sensitive to the reduction of the upstream terrain. The Sundowner diurnal cycle during the eastern regime can be explained by boundary‐layer processes in the valley and the blocking effect of high mountains upstream of the SYM. These results contribute to a better understanding of the influence of upstream orography in the cycle and intensity of downslope windstorms in coastal mountains.
A Four‐Parameter Model for Estimating Diurnal Temperature Cycle From MODIS Land Surface Temperature Product
Authors: Lu L. , Zhou X. M.
Published: April 2021

Land surface diurnal temperature cycle (LSDTC) is an important element in climate system. Diurnal temperature cycle (DTC) models are potential for deriving diurnal variation of land surface temperature (LST) over extended regions from satellite observations. To estimate the LSDTC at high spatial resolution from clear‐sky Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) data, this study reduced the parameter number of a five‐parameter DTC model to only four by fitting the time of maximum temperature as a function of normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI), elevation and latitude. Using the ground‐based LSTs, the proposed four‐parameter DTC (FPD) model was evaluated for 48 and 4 available LST observations per day. The results showed that the root mean square errors (RMSEs) were 2.08 K, 0.88 K, 1.14 K, 1.31 K, 2.27 K, and 1.12 K for grassland, cropland, swamp meadow, desert steppe, desert shrub, and sand desert, respectively, for 48 observations. Comparatively, RMSEs for four observations corresponding to the MODIS overpass times were increased by less than 1 K, except for swamp meadow with an elevation greater than 3,500 m that the error was increased by 1.5 K. Applying the FPD model to MODIS LST product showed that the model could capture the variation of LSTs during a day, and the accuracy of the modeled LSTs depended on the accuracy of MODIS LST product. Generally, the proposed FPD model is simple and easy to be applied to MODIS four LSTs per day under clear skies to acquire LSDTC over extended regions with high spatial resolution.
Temperature and Density on the Forsterite Liquid‐Vapor Phase Boundary
Authors: Davies E. J. , Duncan M. S. , Root S. , Kraus R. G. , Spaulding D. K. , Jacobsen S. B. , Stewart S. T.
Published: April 2021

The physical processes during planet formation span a large range of pressures and temperatures. Giant impacts, such as the one that formed the Moon, achieve peak pressures of 100s of GPa. The peak shock states generate sufficient entropy such that subsequent decompression to low pressures intersects the liquid‐vapor phase boundary. The entire shock‐and‐release thermodynamic path must be calculated accurately in order to predict the post‐impact structures of planetary bodies. Forsterite (Mg2SiO4) is a commonly used mineral to represent the mantles of differentiated bodies in hydrocode models of planetary collisions. Here, we performed shock experiments on the Sandia Z Machine to obtain the density and temperature of the liquid branch of the liquid‐vapor phase boundary of forsterite. This work is combined with previous work constraining pressure, density, temperature, and entropy of the forsterite principal Hugoniot. We find that the vapor curves in previous forsterite equation of state models used in giant impacts vary substantially from our experimental results, and we compare our results to a recently updated equation of state. We have also found that due to under‐predicted entropy production on the principal Hugoniot and elevated temperatures of the liquid vapor phase boundary of these past models, past impact studies may have underestimated vapor production. Furthermore, our results provide experimental support to the idea that giant impacts can transform much of the mantles of rocky planets into supercritical fluids.