bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modelling the Age-Hardening Precipitation by a Revised Langer and Schwartz Approach with Log-Normal Size Distribution
Authors: Zhao Dongdong , Xu Yijiang , Gouttebroze Sylvain , Friis Jesper , Li Yanjun
Published: July 2020

A new numerical modelling approach integrating the Langer and Schwartz approach and log-normal particle size distribution has been developed to depict the precipitation kinetics of age-hardening precipitates in Al alloys. The modelling framework has been implemented to predict the precipitation behavior of the key secondary phases in 6xxx and 7xxx Al alloys subjected to artificial aging. The simulation results are in good agreement with the available experimental data in terms of precipitate number density, radius, and volume fraction. The initial shape parameter of the log-normal size distribution entering the modeling framework turns to play an important role in affecting the later-stage evolution of precipitation. It is revealed that the evolution of size distribution is not significant when a small shape parameter is adopted in the modelling, while an initial large shape parameter will cause substantial broadening of the particle size distribution during aging. Regardless of the magnitude of shape parameter, a broadening of the particle size distribution as predicted by the present model is in agreement with experimental observations. It is also shown that large shape parameter will accelerate the coarsening rate at later aging stage, which induces fast decreasing of number density and increased growth rate of mean/critical radius. A comparison to the Euler-like multi-class approach demonstrates that the integration of more realistic log-normal distribution and Langer and Schwartz model make the present modelling faster and equivalently accurate in precipitation prediction.
A multidisciplinary consensus on the morphological and functional responses to immunotherapy treatment
Authors: Leon-Mateos L. , Garcia-Velloso M. J. , García-Figueiras R. , Rodriguez-Moreno J. F. , Vercher-Conejero J. L. , Sánchez M. , Perez Gracia J. L. , Simo-Perdigo M. , Gorospe L.
Published: July 2020

The implementation of immunotherapy has radically changed the treatment of oncological patients. Currently, immunotherapy is indicated in the treatment of patients with head and neck tumors, melanoma, lung cancer, bladder tumors, colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, liver cancer, leukemia and lymphomas. However, its efficacy is restricted to a limited number of cases. The challenge is, therefore, to identify which subset of patients would benefit from immunotherapy. To this end, the establishment of immunotherapy response criteria and predictive and prognostic biomarkers is of paramount interest. In this report, a group of experts of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM), and Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SEMNIM) provide an up-to-date review and a consensus guide on these issues.
Comparison of Long-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Catheter Evacuation for the Treatment of Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage
Authors: Li Leiyang , Liu Haixiao , Luo Jianing , Tan Zhijun , Gao Junmei , Wang Ping , Jing Wenting , Fan Ruixi , Zhang Xiaoyang , Guo Hao , Bai Hao , Cui Wenxing , Wu Xun , Qu Yan , Guo Wei
Published: July 2020

Recently, minimally invasive techniques, including endoscopic evacuation and minimally invasive catheter (MIC) evacuation, have been used for the treatment of patients with spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage (SCH). However, credible evidence is still needed to validate the effects of these techniques. To explore the long-term outcomes of both surgical techniques in the treatment of SCH. Fifty-two patients with SCH who received endoscopic evacuation or MIC evacuation were retrospectively reviewed. Six-month mortality and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to assess the effects of the different surgical techniques on patient outcomes. In the present study, the mortality rate for the entire cohort was 34.6%. Univariate analysis showed that the surgical technique and preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score affected 6-month mortality. However, no variables were found to be correlated with 6-month mRS scores. Further multivariate analysis demonstrated that 6-month mortality in the endoscopic evacuation group was significantly lower than that in the MIC evacuation group (OR = 4.346, 95% CI 1.056 to 17.886). The 6-month mortality rate in the preoperative GCS 9–14 group was significantly lower than that in the GCS 3–8 group (OR = 7.328, 95% CI 1.723 to 31.170). Compared with MIC evacuation, endoscopic evacuation significantly decreased 6-month mortality in SCH patients. These preliminary results warrant further large, prospective, randomized studies.
Biological Consequences of Psychological Distress in Caregivers of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and its Potential Relevance to Other Chronic Diseases Including Cancer
Authors: Dijkstra-de Neijs L. , Leenen P. J. M. , Hays J. P. , van der Valk E. S. , Kraaij R. , van Rossum E. F. C. , Ester W. A.
Published: July 2020

Purpose of Review

Caregivers of children with a chronic illness are a neglected group in medical research and patient care, and are frequently confronted with chronic psychological distress. The biological consequences of this chronic distress are unclear but highly relevant, as these caregivers have a lifelong task in caring for their child. In this review, the authors specifically describe caregiver distress related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the review may be relevant to other chronic diseases, including cancer.

Recent Findings

Epidemiological evidence illustrates the increased mortality risk in caregivers of children with ASD although some individual factors appear to diminish these risks. Biological studies demonstrate that caregiver distress can lead to dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis, a pro-inflammatory state of the immune and central nervous system, and gut microbiome imbalance.

Caregivers of children with a chronic illness like ASD deserve more health-related attention with respect to their psychological and physical well-being. Such attention would benefit individual caregivers, as well as their children, as both are highly interconnected. Structural psychological and physical screening of caregivers can be considered.
Agency in the face of path dependence: how organizations can regain scope for maneuver
Authors: Fortwengel Johann , Keller Arne
Published: July 2020

This paper tackles a key problem in path dependence research: how can locked-in organizations regain their scope for maneuver? Leveraging insights from two surprising and thus revelatory cases of organizations that have successfully escaped from path dependence, we develop the theoretical argument that regaining scope for maneuver can be achieved by interrupting the logic of a path’s underlying self-reinforcing mechanisms. More specifically, we argue that, through a targeted interruption of the working of these mechanisms, hyper-stable patterns inscribed in an organization can be gradually rewound—and alternative futures become possible. We position our paper within larger debates around the role of agency in path dependence theorizing, and we outline research frontiers to better understand the necessary antecedents of and exact relationship between mechanisms interruption and pattern unwinding.
How to digitalize inseparable service processes: the enabling role of internal and external support for innovation
Authors: Moker Anna , Brosi Prisca , Welpe Isabell M.
Published: July 2020

Across industries, firms face the need to digitalize their service processes, i.e., transform the service delivery from a physical into a digital form or enhance it through digital technologies. Therefore, one important challenge can arise due to the inseparability of service processes, which describes the necessity for a customer to consume a service the moment which a service provider produces it. Since existing research has failed to examine inseparability as a predictor of service digitalization, this study aims to explore whether inseparability hinders the digitalization of service processes and whether internal support in form of innovation culture and external support from third parties can help to mitigate the influence of inseparability. Data from an online survey of 204 German service employees and managers confirm our hypotheses. These results demonstrate to practitioners that although it may be more difficult to digitalize service processes due to their inseparability, firms may rely on internal and external support for innovation to overcome this challenge.
Effect of shoulder features during friction spot extrusion welding of 2024-T3 to 6061-T6 aluminium alloys
Authors: Han Jinzhen , Paidar M. , Vignesh R. Vaira , Mehta Kush P. , Heidarzadeh A. , Ojo O. O.
Published: July 2020

Friction spot extrusion welding process is successfully performed on dissimilar aluminum alloys of AA2024-T3 and AA6061-T6 under the influence of shoulder features. The joints were analysed by microstructural features and mechanical properties using conventional and advanced tools of visual inspection, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron back scattered diffractions, tensile testing and hardness testing. The results revealed that the joining was obtained by combination of mechanical locking from extruded material of top surface to predrilled bottom surface and diffusion in solid state. The stir zone and plastically deformed metal flow zone were influenced by scroll shoulder and smooth shoulder features. The tensile specimen of scroll shoulder was resulted to higher fracture load of 6381 N whereas the same was 4916 N in case of smooth shoulder. The interface of between plastically deformed metal flow zone and base material of AA6061-T6 can be considered as critical/weakest zone in case of friction spot extrusion. The variations of hardness were observed in stir zone, plastically deformed metal flow zone and thermo-mechanically affected zone in case of friction spot extrusion welding process.
Exposure to general anesthesia before 4 years of age did not affect growth and development: A nationwide retrospective cohort study using an early childhood health screening database
Authors: Ahn Eun-Jin , Bang Si Ra
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

There is little evidence that anesthetics are associated with neurotoxicity in children. In this study, we used a nationwide database to evaluate the association between general anesthesia and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in pediatric patients.

Methods:

We retrospectively analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service-infant medical checkup cohort database. We included all pediatric patients born in 2008 and 2009 and classified them into two groups according to their history of exposure to general anesthesia. Group G included pediatric patients who had been exposed to general anesthesia at least once before 4 years of age. Group O included a 1:4 matched cohort based on birth weight, sex, and income decile. The primary outcome was the prevalence of ADHD. Secondary outcomes included head circumference, height, weight, visual and auditory development.

Results:

Among 17,451 participants, 315 (1.8%) underwent general anesthesia before 4 years of age. After propensity score matching, 1259 participants were selected in group O, with no significant differences between the groups in terms of birth weight, sex, income decile, and prematurity. Among all 1574 participants, 17 (1.08%) were diagnosed with ADHD, without a significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.33). There was also no significant difference in head circumference, height, weight, auditory and visual development (P = 0.43, 0.45, 0.49, 0.32, 0.13, respectively).

Conclusion:

Children who underwent surgery requiring general anesthesia before 4 years of age did not have an increased risk of ADHD or developmental disorders. Future studies should assess the association between duration of surgery and occurrence of ADHD.

Highlights:
An Innovative Strategy for Non-Grafting Penile Enlargement: A Novel Paradigm for Tunica Expansion Procedures
Authors: Egydio Paulo H.
Published: July 2020

Background

Peyronie’s disease, diabetes, trauma, pelvic surgeries, and aging are conditions that promote penile fibrosis and trigger erectile dysfunction associated with penile reduction. These pathologies require an objective preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative management of penile shrinkage.

Aim

The goal is to develop a non-grafting procedure to promote lengthening using geometric patterns of multiple staggered small cuts on the tunica albuginea with an optimal ratio between tissue expansion and resistance to confine the cylinders inside the corpora cavernosa.

Methods

Between February 2016 and February 2019, 416 patients suffering penile shortening with or without Peyronie’s disease received implants using the tunica expansion procedures (TEP). Incisions were distributed in respective areas of the tunica to allow maximum expansion while maintaining strength to confine prosthetic cylinders within the corpora cavernosa to prevent bulges and denting.

Outcomes

In accordance with these principles, surgical objectives and patient satisfaction were achieved in length and girth restoration regardless of the type of implant used to obtain adequate axial rigidity.

Results

The sample of 416 patients included 287 cases of Peyronie’s disease having a mean axial deviation of 51° (0–90°) whose curvature was corrected in surgery, with pressure from the cylinders maintaining straightness for malleable and inflatable devices. Tunica constriction in 40.86% of cases was corrected with vertical relaxing incisions. Ventral glanspexy was performed intraoperatively in 92.8% of patients to prevent hypermobility. A penile gain of 3.3 cm (2–6) was measured intraoperatively.

Clinical Implications

Diagnosis of penile shortening was performed by a stretch length test and pharmacologically induced erection together with the patient’s subjective opinion of penile loss. Lengthening procedure depends on the limit of the dissected neurovascular bundle. The patient and surgeon select the type of implant in accordance with his individual anatomic characteristics.

Strengths and Limitations

The TEP strategy is a non-grafting procedure based on tissue restitution by expansion instead of substitution, which provides surgeons a solution for penile enlargement to the limit of the dissected neurovascular bundle.

Conclusions

The TEP strategy has been demonstrated to be safe and effective to resolve problems of penile size reduction independently of penile curvature. It eliminates grafting and improves penile lengthening techniques using small, staggered cuts on the tunica albuginea, while maintaining tunica structural resistance to contain cylinders inside the corpora, preventing bulges and denting, facilitating tissue regeneration, and improving axial rigidity.
Materials go west
Authors: Nickels Liz
Published: July 2020

Liz Nickels reports on a new research center in Wales that promises to link together academia and industry to step up innovation in the field of engineering and materials research.
Septoplasty alone is not suitable for most structural nasal obstructions
Authors: Liu Jin‐Feng , Yan Zhan‐Feng , Zhang Zhi‐Jin , Wang Ning‐Yu
Published: July 2020

Septoplasty is widely used in the treatment of structural nasal obstructions, and it also has a good effect and a high degree of postoperative satisfaction. However, there a large number of structures demonstrate abnormalities related to structural nasal obstruction, including the external nose, maxilla, nasal cavity and paranasal sinus. Nasal septum deviation is only one signs of structural nasal obstruction and does not represent all possible structural abnormalities of the nasal cavity and its surrounding structure. Septoplasty is only performed to correct deviations of the nasal septum, which in many cases is obviously insufficient in restoring the symmetry of the nasal structure. Therefore, septoplasty alone is not suitable for the treatment of most structural nasal obstructions. Nasal ventilation expansion surgery, which typically covers more abnormal structural correction procedures than septoplasty, should be used when describing the treatment of structural nasal obstruction.
Synergistic Impacts of Rainfall Variability and Land Use Heterogeneity on Nitrate Retention in River Networks: Exacerbation or Compensation?
Authors: Ye Sheng , Sivapalan Murugesu , Ran Qihua
Published: July 2020

Eutrophication of rivers and receiving waters has become a major environmental issue worldwide, which may further intensify due to projected climate changes and expansion of urbanization or agricultural development to meet the needs of increased human population. However, our understanding of climatic and land use change impacts on riverine nutrient retention and export to receiving waters is limited due to lack of empirical measurements and uncertainties about the nature of future climate changes. The aim of this paper is to analyze the response of nitrate transport and transformation in river systems to potential changes in climate and land use management, individually, and in combination. A coupled hydrological and biogeochemical model is implemented in a hypothetical river basin, with realistic inputs and parameters, for the simulation of nitrate dynamics in river networks. Results indicate that for the same annual rainfall, increased within‐year rainfall variability propagates to increased streamflow variability and a significant reduction in nitrate retention. Analysis of the effects of the spatial distribution of nitrate inputs around the river network showed that for the same total nitrate input from land, nitrate retention increased considerably through locating land use types with high nitrate input away from the river outlet. Simulation results also indicated that even without a reduction in total nitrogen input from land, optimized land use distribution around the river network can compensate the enhanced nitrogen input that may arise from increased rainfall variability. These findings offer viable strategies for catchment management to mitigate increased water quality degradation caused by expected future climate changes.
Processes of Stratification and Destratification During An Extreme River Discharge Event in the German Bight ROFI
Authors: Chegini Fatemeh , Holtermann Peter , Kerimoglu Onur , Becker Marius , Kreus Markus , Klingbeil Knut , Gräwe Ulf , Winter Christian , Burchard Hans
Published: July 2020

Processes of stratification and destratification in the German Bight region of fresh water influence (ROFI) are investigated following an extreme river discharge event in June 2013. For this purpose, a high‐resolution baroclinic ocean model is set up and validated against field data. The model results are used to study the temporal and spatial variability of stratification and the duration of persistent stratification in 2013. The relevant processes affecting stratification are investigated by analyzing the potential energy anomaly budget, with a focus on mixing and tidal straining. It is shown that the stratification in the German Bight is highly affected by the spring‐neap tidal cycle, with generally less stratification at spring tides due to dominant tidal mixing. It is also shown that the location of the river plume can modify this pattern. During spring tides, if the river plume is confined to the eastern region, stratification decreases significantly, as expected, due to the dominance of mixing over tidal straining. On the other hand, if the river plume moves toward deeper regions at spring tides, strong tidal straining becomes present. In this condition, mixing is weak, and the dominant tidal straining results in persistent stratification.
Within‐Stand Boundary Effects on Snow Water Equivalent Distribution in Forested Areas
Authors: Webb R. W. , Raleigh M. S. , McGrath D. , Molotch N. P. , Elder K. , Hiemstra C. , Brucker L. , Marshall H. P.
Published: July 2020

Forested areas exhibit high spatial variability in the distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE). Previous work has focused on forested areas with respect to snow accumulation in adjacent clearings. There is generally less snow in forested areas with greater variability relative to open areas due to the influence of tree canopies. However, the length scale of the transition from open areas to forested conditions is uncertain. Hence, the goal of this paper is to determine the length scales associated with forest boundary effects on SWE accumulation distribution patterns within forest stands. To accomplish this, we utilize a unique ground‐penetrating radar data set collected during the NASA SnowEx campaign on Grand Mesa, Colorado, in February 2017 to determine spatial SWE distribution patterns of areas under canopy and in clearings, and the length scales of transitions between these patterns (i.e., the size of within‐stand boundary areas). We define within‐stand boundary areas as the transitional zone from a clearing to relatively stable SWE distribution, or background distribution patterns, within forest stands. The largest within‐stand boundary effect occurred on the leeward side of stands with a mean extent of 44 m, or 4.3 mean canopy heights. In contrast, windward within‐stand boundary effects showed a mean extent of 28 m, or 3.7 mean canopy heights. We present a conceptual framework of the complex wind dynamics that occur in forest stands to explain the within‐stand boundary effects on SWE distribution. Future investigations could improve understanding of this complex process and associated driving variables.
Determinants of the Asymmetric Parameter in the Generalized Complementary Principle of Evaporation
Authors: Wang Liming , Tian Fuqiang , Han Songjun , Wei Zhongwang
Published: July 2020

The complementary principle, which was first proposed by Bouchet (1963), illustrates a complementary relationship among the actual evaporation, the potential evaporation, and the apparent potential evaporation. It has generated increasing attention for estimating evaporation by using only routinely observed meteorological variables (radiation, wind speed, air temperature, and humidity) without complex surface property parameters. However, this principle still poses great challenges because of the underlying uncertainties in estimating its critical parameter, namely, asymmetric parameter b. In this study, we adopted a sigmoid generalized complementary function and utilized the eddy covariance (EC) data from 217 sites around the world to determine b values in different ecosystems and their correlation with environmental factors. We found b has a mean value of 6.01 ± 0.08. The asymmetric parameter b is small in dry regions (i.e., the desert ecosystem, 0.42 ± 0.02) and increases as the land surface wetness improves. The ecosystem mean air temperature and vapor pressure deficit have negative correlations with b (Pearson correlation coefficients are −0.57 and −0.52, respectively), and the mean soil water content has a positive correlation with b (0.69). Besides, the sigmoid function has a favorable capability in estimating evaporation no matter based on the site‐specific b values or the ecosystem mean b values. The ecosystem mean b values given in the current study also perform acceptably in the independent verifications, indicating these values can be applied extendedly for regional and global studies.
New Simplified Models of Single‐Well Push‐Pull Tests With Mixing Effect
Authors: Shi Wenguang , Wang Quanrong , Zhan Hongbin
Published: July 2020

When using single‐well push‐pull (SWPP) tests to characterize in situ aquifer related to reactive transport, approximate analytical solutions were preferred to determine the aquifer dispersivity and other parameters, due to its computational efficiency. Simplified models were proposed in this study to estimate the retardation factor for a SWPP test with a reactive tracer, where the dispersivity had to be determined firstly using a SWPP test with a conservative tracer. Here, we find that previous models associated with SWPP tests contain an untested assumption when dealing with solute transport in the wellbore, probably causing great errors when interpreting the test data. This assumption states that the wellbore mixing effect is negligible in both injection and extraction phases, where the mixing effect refers to the mixing process between the native wellbore water and solute introduced into the wellbore. In this study, new approximate analytical solutions of the SWPP test are proposed for a fully penetrating well and a point‐source well by specifically considering the wellbore mixing effect. The new models of this study are tested by semianalytical solutions in Laplace domain and finite difference solutions. Results indicate that the new models perform substantially better than previous models of ignoring the wellbore mixing effect, which should not be overlooked when interpreting SWPP test data.
Seasonal Variations of Carbonate Chemistry at Two Western Atlantic Coral Reefs
Authors: Meléndez Melissa , Salisbury Joseph , Gledhill Dwight , Langdon Chris , Morell Julio M. , Manzello Derek , Rodriguez‐Abudo Sylvia , Musielewicz Sylvia , Sutton Adrienne
Published: July 2020

Time series from open ocean fixed stations have robustly documented secular changes in carbonate chemistry and long‐term ocean acidification (OA) trends as a direct response to increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). However, few high‐frequency coastal carbon time series are available in reef systems, where most affected tropical marine organisms reside. Seasonal variations in carbonate chemistry at Cheeca Rocks (CR), Florida, and La Parguera (LP), Puerto Rico, are presented based on 8 and 10 years of continuous, high‐quality measurements, respectively. We synthesized and modeled carbonate chemistry to understand how physical and biological processes affect seasonal carbonate chemistry at both locations. The results showed that differences in biology and thermodynamic cycles between the two systems caused higher amplitudes at CR despite the shorter residence times relative to LP. Analyses based on oxygen and temperature‐normalized pCO2sw showed that temperature effects on pCO2sw at CR were largely counteracted by primary productivity, while thermodynamics alone explained a majority of the pCO2sw dynamics at LP. Heterotrophy dominated from late spring to fall, and autotrophy dominated from winter to early spring. Observations suggested that organic respiration decreased the carbonate mineral saturation state (Ω) during late summer/fall. The interactive effects between the inorganic and organic carbon cycles and the assumed effects of benthic metabolism on the water chemistry at both sites appeared to cause seasonal hysteresis with the carbonate chemistry. Improved integration of observational data to modeling approaches will help better forecast how physical and biogeochemical processes will affect Ω and carbonate chemistry in coastal areas.
Balloon‐Borne Observations of Short Vertical Wavelength Gravity Waves and Interaction With QBO Winds
Authors: Vincent Robert A. , Alexander M. Joan
Published: July 2020

The quasi‐biennial oscillation (QBO), a ubiquitous feature of the zonal mean zonal winds in the equatorial lower stratosphere, is forced by selective dissipation of atmospheric waves that range in periods from days to hours. However, QBO circulations in numerical models tend to be weak compared with observations, probably because of limited vertical resolution that cannot adequately resolve gravity waves and the height range over which they dissipate. Observations are required to help quantify wave effects. The passage of a superpressure balloon (SPB) near a radiosonde launch site in the equatorial Western Pacific during the transition from the eastward to westward phase of the QBO at 20 km permits a coordinated study of the intrinsic frequencies and vertical structures of two inertia‐gravity wave packets with periods near 1 day and 3 days, respectively. Both waves have large horizontal wavelengths of about 970 and 5,500 km. The complementary nature of the observations provided information on their momentum fluxes and the evolution of the waves in the vertical. The near 1 day westward propagating wave has a critical level near 20 km, while the eastward propagating 3‐day wave is able to propagate through to heights near 30 km before dissipation. Estimates of the forcing provided by the momentum flux convergence, taking into account the duration and scale of the forcing, suggests zonal force of about 0.3–0.4 m s−1 day−1 for the 1‐day wave and about 0.4–0.6 m s−1 day−1 for the 3‐day wave, which acts for several days.
Low Dust Generation Potential From Active Sand Grains by Wind Abrasion
Authors: Swet N. , Kok J. F. , Huang Y. , Yizhaq H. , Katra I.
Published: July 2020

Wind‐driven dust emission has a major impact on many environmental and socioeconomic issues such as climate change, soil loss, biogeochemical cycles, and air pollution. It is generally assumed that the main global dust sources consist of nonsandy soils with high percentages of fine‐sized clay and silt particles. However, in recent years, it has been hypothesized that active sand bodies can generate significant dust emissions through the mechanism of sand abrasion. Moreover, sand abrasion has been used to explain the formation of certain soils on Earth and Mars. Here, we test the hypothesis that sand abrasion can generate substantial dust emissions by performing targeted wind tunnel experiments on sand grains in the absence of clay and silt particles. We find only minor emissions of particulate matter from noncoated active sands under wind conditions typical of natural sand transport. The findings suggest that the dust generated by the mechanism of sand abrasion is less than dust generated by the removal of clay minerals coated on sand grain surfaces; both mechanisms on active sands produce far less dust than nonsandy soils. Feldspar sand was found to be slightly more effective at generating dust through abrasion than quartz sand. However, due to the low spatial coverage of feldspar sands in active sands worldwide, dust generated from feldspar abrasion may produce a relatively small contribution to global dust emissions. We thus conclude that sand abrasion by wind transport has a low potential to generate dust‐sized particles from active sands.
Freezing Level Forecast Error Can Consume Reservoir Flood Control Storage: Potentials for Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar Reservoirs in California
Authors: Sumargo Edwin , Cannon Forest , Ralph F. Martin , Henn Brian
Published: July 2020

The atmospheric freezing level (ZFL) determines the rain‐snow transition zone at the surface, how much rainfall is available for runoff, and the flood risk during a precipitation event. An accurate ZFL forecast is thus critical for reservoir operation, especially in mountain watersheds with narrow elevation bands like the Feather and North Fork Yuba in California, where a 500‐m elevation gain can amount to >50% of the watershed area. Using a ±350‐m ZFL forecast error, we find inflow volume uncertainties of <10% to >50% of the flood pool storages at Lake Oroville and New Bullards Bar reservoirs, depending on the ZFL, antecedent moisture condition, and the precipitation event magnitude. The uncertainties can increase by up to >3% per inch (25.4 mm) of precipitation, depending on the ZFL and antecedent moisture condition. This result substantiates the significant impact of ZFL forecast error and the critical need of ZFL forecast accuracy to support reservoir flood control operations in the two watersheds.
LIDA: A Land Integrated Data Assimilation Framework for Mapping Land Surface Heat and Evaporative Fluxes by Assimilating Space‐Borne Soil Moisture and Land Surface Temperature
Authors: Abdolghafoorian Abedeh , Farhadi Leila
Published: July 2020

Land surface heat and evaporative fluxes exchanged between the land and atmosphere play a crucial role in the terrestrial water and energy balance. Regional mapping of these fluxes is hampered by the lack of in situ measurements (with the required coverage and duration) and the high spatial heterogeneity. In this paper, we propose a Land Integrated Data Assimilation framework (LIDA) based on the variational data assimilation technique to estimate the key parameters of surface heat and evaporative fluxes by jointly assimilating Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) data and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) surface temperature data into a coupled parsimonious land water and energy balance model. The method is implemented over an area of 31,500 km2 in the U.S. Southern Great Plains, and its performance is evaluated through consistency tests, comparison tests, and uncertainty analyses. The maps of retrieved heat and evaporative fluxes are used to analyze a range of feedback mechanisms in land‐atmosphere interaction, such as the dependence of evapotranspiration on vegetation and water availability.
Synthesis of novel Co(ii) complexed bipyrimidine polyimide and preparation of thin film composite membranes
Authors: Zhang Jianrui , Han Xiaocui , Yue Cheng , Liu Di , Lin Ziyu , Sun Yirong , Chen Liyuan , Pang Jinhui , Jiang Zhenhua
Published: July 2020

A systematic study was carried out on the effect of the polyimide complexed with Co2+ as the selective layer of thin film composite membranes on gas separation.
Ring-expansion approach towards extended asymmetric benzopentafulvalenes: overcrowded olefinic structure and chain length-dependent properties
Authors: Wang Xinhao , Zhang Zihong , Guo Jing , Liu Chunyan , Hu Yuanyuan , Xiao Huiping , Xie Sheng , Wu Jishan , Zeng Zebing
Published: July 2020

A strain energy-induced ring-expansion is described to construct novel asymmetric benzopentafulvalenes precisely, which show chain length-dependent physical properties and air-stable ambipolar carrier transport.
Sonochemically activated synthesis of gradationally complexed Ag/TEMPO-oxidized cellulose for multifunctional textiles with high electrical conductivity, super-hydrophobicity, and efficient EMI shielding
Authors: Hong Sunghwan , Yoo Seong Soo , Lee Jun Young , Yoo Pil J.
Published: July 2020

With growing concerns over electronic device malfunction and the resulting information loss caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI), extensive studies have been performed in developing EMI shielding techniques.
Tuning the ferroelectric phase transition of PVDF by uniaxially stretching crosslinked PVDF films with CFCH bonds
Authors: Wang Xiao , Qiao Baobao , Tan Shaobo , Zhu Weiwei , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: July 2020

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based relaxor ferroelectric polymers show great potential for applications in transducers, sensors and artificial muscles for their excellent electrostrictive properties.
The Yellow Sea Warm Current flushes the Bohai Sea microbial community in winter
Authors: Wang Caixia , Wang Yibo , Liu Pengyuan , Wu Lin , Paterson James S. , Mitchell James G. , Revill Andrew T. , Hu Xiaoke
Published: July 2020

The effect of the Yellow Sea Warm Current (YSWC) on virio- and bacterioplankton communities in the Bohai Sea is unknown. In this study, the composition and dynamic changes of virio- and bacterioplankton at the entrance of the Bohai Sea were measured to determine the influence of the YSWC on those communities and vice versa. In the Bohai Strait, there were east to west gradients of water chemistry and hydrology. The turbulent mixing between the deep north-western ‘warm’ current, which is 9°C, and the cold, nutrient-rich Bohai Sea water at 7–8°C appears to stimulate the abundance of both viruses and heterotrophic bacteria, with numbers at the junction of ‘warm’ and cold water being almost 10-fold greater than in the low-thermohaline areas, and peaking where the temperature is the highest. The average viral and bacterial abundances in the north-eastern area are much higher than in the south-western area. It proved that the YSWC entered the Bohai Sea with poor biomass and exited with rich biomass, which, in turn, enriches the Yellow Sea microbial loop. Our results showed the dramatic effect of temperature rise and increasing eutrophication on microbial abundance and marine microbial communities.
Argument structure and the role of the body and space in Kenyan Sign Language
Authors: Morgan Hope E.
Published: July 2020

This paper investigates how systematically a young macro-community sign language, Kenyan Sign Language, uses two
different means to communicate about events: (i) word order, and (ii) verb agreement using spatial co-reference. The study finds
that KSL signers rely primarily on word order and using the body as a referent, rather than verb agreement, when representing
transitive events. Yet, by looking separately at how KSL signers use the sub-components of verb agreement, a pattern emerges that
indicates a possible path toward ‘canonical verb agreement’. These sub-components are evaluated using Meir’s stages/types of
grammaticalization of verb agreement (Meir 2011, 2016), and compared with other young and emerging sign languages.
Spatial metaphors in antonym pairs across sign languages
Authors: Börstell Carl , Lepic Ryan
Published: July 2020

We analyze sign locations in 776 signs from 16 antonym pairs across 27 sign languages to examine metaphorical mappings of
emotional valence (positive vs. negative) along different spatial axes. We conduct both an automatic and a manual analysis of sign location
and movement direction, to investigate cross-linguistic patterns of spatial valence contrasts. Contrary to our hypothesis, negative valence
concepts are generally articulated higher up than their positive counterparts. However, when we consider movement in space, we find that
although signs generally move downward over time, positive valence concepts are associated with upward movements more often than their
negative counterparts. This points to a systematic pattern for vertical valence contrasts – a known metaphor across languages – iconically
mapped onto physical sign articulation. We similarly, but surprisingly, find a difference in movements along the sagittal axis, such that
outward movement is associated with positive valence concepts more often than negative.
From a demonstrative to a relative clause marker
Authors: Dachkovsky Svetlana
Published: July 2020

Demonstratives provide an important link between gesture, discourse and grammar due to their communicative function to coordinate the interlocutor’s focus of attention. This underlies their frequent cross-linguistic development into a wide range of function words and morphemes (Diessel 1999). The present study provides evidence for a link between gesture and grammar by tracking diachronic development of a relative clause marker in Israeli Sign Language (ISL) restrictive relative clauses, which starts as a gestural locative pointing sign, and grammaticalizes into a relative pronoun connecting relative and main clauses and agreeing with referent loci, and then into an invariant relativizer. Diachronic changes are inferred from the data collected from three generations of signers. The results reveal that the behavior of demonstratives in the data varied with the signers’ ages according to four diagnostic criteria of grammaticalization (e.g., Hopper & Traugott 2003): increased systematicity, distributional and morphological changes, and phonetic reduction.
Security-development nexus and the securitization of university spaces in the #FeesMustFall protests in South Africa 2016–2018
Authors: Sempijja Norman , Letlhogile Resego Reamogetse
Published: July 2020

The rhetoric espoused by the opponents of the #FeesMustFall protests and universities’ management in South Africa framed the discourse around the need to securitize campuses against the protestors who were a danger to students and the wider university community. The protestors framed their arguments within the security-development context, arguing that without free education they were bound to be excluded from education and later from jobs and a good livelihood, hence endangering their security. The stalemate quickly resulted in the securitization of university spaces a development that was backed up with the brutal force of police and private security companies pushing the students to engage in extreme measures like burning buildings to be heard. Through the use of securitization theory, this paper explores the rationale for the securitization of university spaces. The Security-Development nexus perspective sheds more light on the motives behind the #Feesmustfall movement. The paper further explores whether the combination of the securitization of university spaces and the funding offered by President Zuma were enough to quell the protest. The paper further delves into the new reality of private security companies expanding their role in the securitization of South Africa and the waning role of the police in the protection of public spaces. Key findings of the study are that both the students and universities had different interests during the fees must fall and without a mediator, the use of force ensued. Although the South African government has invested more money into universities, the relationship between the university management and the students remains fractured. Plus the lack of trained police unit to deal with student protests leaves the police unable to maintain law and order without resorting to extreme violence.
The utilization of Safe Parking Application (SPR) for motorcycle security using Global Positioning System (GPS) in Indonesia
Authors: Henuk A T , Mandala R , Hadisukmana N , Henuk D A , Mesinario W , Zendrato N , Henuk Y L
Published: July 2020

This study aims to create a Safe Parking Application (SPR) using Rapid Application Development (RAD) and Global Positioning System (GPS) which will control and secure motorcycles. Vehicle theft cases increase from year to year in Indonesia’s big cities. This application will be a solution to vehicle theft prevention in Indonesia’s big cities. It will alert the owner when the motorcycle is moved from its parking position. The owner will receive some detail information about the motorcycle movement i.e. the vehicle location, the history, and the live GPS. In conclusion, the utilization of SPR is a solution to prevent the increase of motorcycle theft in Indonesia’s big cities. This application uses a low-cost device as a substitute for an alarm or transmitter.
Riau Forest Fire Prediction using Supervised Machine Learning
Authors: Negara B S , Kurniawan R , Nazri M Z A , Abdullah S N H S , Saputra R W , Ismanto A
Published: July 2020

Forest fire is one of the environmental problems in terms of economically and ecologically detrimental. The number hotspot of forest fires in Indonesia has become increasing dramatically in September 2019 with 16178 hotspots that caused hazardous haze. The hazardous haze has disturbed about 1.04 million and 6.5 million people in Pekanbaru City and Riau Province subsequently. Hence, the development of early warning systems may provide effective strategic information plus accurate prediction results tailored for forest fire prevention and control. Weather data can be used as the main source for analyzing forest fires. This study aims to predict forest fire in Riau, Indonesia. This study has used 1733 weather data in five years (2015-2019). The forest fire prediction models were developed by using two supervised machine-learning techniques namely Decision Tree (DT) and Bayesian Network (BN). The experimental result shows that BN outperforms DT with accuracy rate and RMSE value in pairs of 99.62% and 0.076, and 93.18% and 0.244 subsequently. Despite its low performance, DT able to extract the main factors that caused the forest and land fires efficiently. Thus, it can be concluded that the prediction model using BN has the potential to be used effectively but still has plenty of room for improvement.
Received signal consideration for the through the earth radio-based underground object detection
Authors: Suherman S , Rambe A H , Wijayanto E , Mubarakah N
Published: July 2020

Underground object detections usually employ ground penetration radar (GPR). However, GPR produces data taken only from the earth’s surface. This paper proposes radio through the earth (TTE) propagation path or received signal profile for three-dimensional detection. The propagation model and the three-dimensional propagation line equation are employed. Collections of transmission paths are classified into two-part, blocked and unblocked signals. Both classified signals are compared for signal processing. The study reveals that a number of the transmission path is a function of vertical edge to probe n, the deep of edge l, and transmitter step s. It is suggested the blocked signal paths are used for signal processing analysis as the volume is usually smaller than the evaluated space.
Byteless CTS for passive load balancing in 802.11 networks
Authors: Suherman S , Jasman R , Pinem M , Gunawan
Published: July 2020

Load balancing in 802.11 networks is aimed at distributing traffics among access points (APs) to avoid overloaded access. Existing works may be classified into passive and active algorithms depending on the Ethernet changes in the user side. Since Ethernet 802.11 has been installed in millions of computers, changes in these user premises are not preferred. Software intervention on manufactured access points should also be kept as minimum as possible. Therefore, this work proposes a passive load balancing algorithm that transmitting byteless clear to send (CTS) signal in response to a request to send (RTS) sent by unwanted users when AP experiences overloaded. This method causes excessive users will passively be encouraged to find an alternative AP. There is no Ethernet change on the user side. Minor improvement is required in AP software to determine whether overload or not, and to decide which node(s) receiving byteless CTS. Evaluations show that average throughput to all connected users decreases as unwanted users failed to transmit. However, the average throughput to prioritized users increases significantly.
Answering Islamic Questions with a Chatbot using Fuzzy String-Matching Algorithm
Authors: Sihotang M T , Jaya I , Hizriadi A , Hardi S M
Published: July 2020

The guidance of Muslims in worship refers to the holy Quran and the hadith. Not all people understand the law related to a case in accordance with Islamic teachings. Questions relating to a matter based on Islamic law are widely circulated on the Internet with long and detailed answers. This is good but for some people, a short and direct answer to the core is the desired answer, of course in accordance with the majority of Muslim scholars. One of the many technologies that can be used to answer questions is chatbot. A chatbot is one of many implementations of Natural Language Preprocessing. In this study, the chatbot can find answers to questions in accordance with Islamic law using the fuzzy string-matching algorithm. The research test data were obtained from several people who used chatbot directly by looking at pairs of questions and answers whether they were appropriate or not. The accuracy of the test is 70.37% and the chatbot’s performance is quite good.
K-Means method for analysis of accident-prone areas in Palangka Raya
Authors: Sitohang H , Rosmiati  , Merni S
Published: July 2020

Traffic accidents are the most feared thing for everyone. Even though people are careful using vehicles, accidents can occur. This can be caused by humans not obeying traffic rules, drowsiness, damaged roads, and bad weather. In recent years the accident rate in Palangka Raya has increased sharply and even resulted in death. Accidents often occur in different places and times, making it difficult to determine accident-prone areas. By utilizing data mining techniques using the K-Means method, it can explore information on areas where accidents occur frequently. So that it helps the police in providing signs of accident-prone areas. The results of the study stated the K-Means Clustering algorithm in determining the accident-prone point of success obtained by 68%.