bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Prospects for a Monist Theory of Non-causal Explanation in Science and Mathematics
Authors: Reutlinger Alexander , Colyvan Mark , Krzyżanowska Karolina
Published: May 2020

We explore the prospects of a monist account of explanation for both non-causal explanations in science and pure mathematics. Our starting point is the counterfactual theory of explanation (CTE) for explanations in science, as advocated in the recent literature on explanation. We argue that, despite the obvious differences between mathematical and scientific explanation, the CTE can be extended to cover both non-causal explanations in science and mathematical explanations. In particular, a successful application of the CTE to mathematical explanations requires us to rely on counterpossibles. We conclude that the CTE is a promising candidate for a monist account of explanation in both science and mathematics.
Scheduling and loading problem for multiple, identical dry kilns
Authors: Huka Maria Anna , Rindler Christian , Gronalt Manfred
Published: May 2020

The drying of sawn lumber is one of the major processing steps in sawmills with high production volumes. Existing publications on kiln drying analyse and improve technological conditions, while this paper focuses on the scheduling and loading planning with time availability of the individual dried packages. To improve dry kiln scheduling for multiple and identical kilns in large softwood processing sawmills, heuristic approaches are developed that generate kiln allocation plans according to existing production specifications. The aim is to minimise total tardiness for the drying of all sawn lumber packages while considering technological and capacity restrictions. These heuristics calculate the position, time and kiln for each package, thus solving scheduling and loading problems caused by capacity and stacking limitations. Several heuristic approaches are illustrated and tested with actual production data. In addition, the difference between static and dynamic scheduling for group and batch generation is analysed. Further improvements are possible through: drying of different lumber assortments in one batch, outsourcing the drying of special assortments or investing in supplementary kilns for drying smaller volumes within more flexible time slots.
Anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system—from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic applications
Authors: Sobczuk Paweł , Czerwińska Magdalena , Kleibert Marcin , Cudnoch-Jędrzejewska Agnieszka
Published: May 2020

Few millions of new cancer cases are diagnosed worldwide every year. Due to significant progress in understanding cancer biology and developing new therapies, the mortality rates are decreasing with many of patients that can be completely cured. However, vast majority of them require chemotherapy which comes with high medical costs in terms of adverse events, of which cardiotoxicity is one of the most serious and challenging. Anthracyclines (doxorubicin, epirubicin) are a class of cytotoxic agents used in treatment of breast cancer, sarcomas, or hematological malignancies that are associated with high risk of cardiotoxicity that is observed in even up to 30% of patients and can be diagnosed years after the therapy. The mechanism, in which anthracyclines cause cardiotoxicity are not well known, but it is proposed that dysregulation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), one of main humoral regulators of cardiovascular system, may play a significant role. There is increasing evidence that drugs targeting this system can be effective in the prevention and treatment of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity what has recently found reflection in the recommendation of some scientific societies. In this review, we comprehensively describe possible mechanisms how anthracyclines affect RAAS and lead to cardiotoxicity. Moreover, we critically review available preclinical and clinical data on use of RAAS inhibitors in the primary and secondary prevention and treatment of cardiac adverse events associated with anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
Clinical inertia in the treatment of heart failure: a major issue to tackle
Authors: Verhestraeten Caroline , Heggermont Ward A. , Maris Michael
Published: May 2020

Despite an enormous improvement in heart failure management during the last decades, the hospitalization and mortality rate of heart failure patients still remain very high. Clinical inertia, defined as the lack of treatment intensification in a patient not at evidence-based goals for care, is an important underlying cause. Clinical inertia is extensively described in hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus, but increasingly recognized in heart failure as well. Given the well-established guidelines for the management of heart failure, these are still not being reflected in clinical practice. While the absolute majority of patients were treated by guideline-directed heart failure drugs, only a small percentage of these patients reached the correct guideline-recommended target dose of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, beta-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors. This considerable under-treatment leads to a large number of avoidable hospitalizations and deaths. This review discusses clinical inertia in heart failure and explains its major contributing factors (i.e., physician, patient, and system) and touches upon some recommendations to prevent clinical inertia and ameliorate heart failure treatment.
Pure Functions in C: A Small Keyword for Automatic Parallelization
Authors: Süß Tim , Nagel Lars , Vef Marc-André , Brinkmann André , Feld Dustin , Soddemann Thomas
Published: May 2020

The need for parallel task execution has been steadily growing in recent years since manufacturers mainly improve processor performance by increasing the number of installed cores instead of scaling the processor’s frequency. To make use of this potential, an essential technique to increase the parallelism of a program is to parallelize loops. Severalautomatic loop nest parallelizershave been developed in the past such as PluTo. The main restriction of these tools is that the loops must be statically analyzable which, among other things, disallows function calls within the loops. In this article, we present a seemingly simple extension to the C programming language which marks functions without side-effects. These functions can then basically be ignored when the automatic parallelizer checks the parallelizability of loops. We integrated the approach into the GCC compiler toolchain and evaluated it by running several real-world applications. Our experiments show that the C extension helps to identify additional parallelization opportunities and, thus, to significantly increase the performance of applications.
On the Assessed Strength of Agents’ Bias
Authors: Landes Jürgen , Osimani Barbara
Published: May 2020

Recent work in social epistemology has shown that, in certain situations, less communication leads to better outcomes for epistemic groups. In this paper, we show that, ceteris paribus, a Bayesian agent may believe less strongly that a single agent is biased than that an entire group of independent agents is biased. We explain this initially surprising result and show that it is in fact a consequence one may conceive on the basis of commonsense reasoning.
Scenario-based seismic hazard analysis using spectral element method in northeastern Pakistan
Authors: Khan Saad , van der Meijde Mark , van der Werff Harald , Shafique Muhammad
Published: May 2020

Seismic hazard analysis is carried out in this study by estimating ground motion for hypothetical earthquakes in the area of Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, with the MT solution of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake. The earth’s topography influences seismic waves by scattering and reflecting it, thereby causing spatial variation in seismic response. Using the moment tensor solution of the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, we perform 25 spectral element method (SEM)-based 3D simulations along major faults in the study area. The SEM model incorporates the topography and homogeneous half-space characteristics. Our results show that, beside topography, the relative location of the source with respect to slopes also has an influence on the observed variation in ground shaking amplitudes. By integrating the mean and standard deviation of estimated ground shaking from 25 simulations, we present a seismic hazard map for the study area. The map summarizes the topographic and potential source location effect on seismic-induced ground shaking in the study area. It provides a classification from hazardous to safe in relative terms and can be used as a guide in earthquake preparedness.
Association of health literacy and cognition levels with severity of adverse drug reactions in cancer patients: a South Asian experience
Authors: Gupta Vishal , Shivaprakash Gangachannaiah , Bhattacherjee Dipanjan , Udupa Karthik , Poojar Basavaraj , Sori Ravi , Mishra Shubhangi
Published: May 2020

Background The occurrence of adverse drug reactions with chemotherapy among cancer patients is a well-documented phenomenon. However, the understanding of contributoring factors and their influence on the severity of adverse drug reactions is incomplete without the psychosocial factors affecting them. Objective The present study was done to understand if factors like Health literacy and cognition levels have an association with the severity of adverse drug reactions of cancer chemotherapy. Setting This study was done in the Department of Medical Oncology in a tertiary care hospital in India. Method Two hundred and twenty-four patients meeting the study inclusion and exclusion criteria took part in the study. Details of adverse drug reactions were collected as per the central drugs standard control organization format and severity of adverse drug reactions assessed with National Cancer Institute common terminology criteria of adverse events, version 5.0. Health Literacy and Cognition Levels of patients were assessed using standardized questionnaires, i.e., Short test of functional health literacy in adults and short portable mental status questionnaire, respectively. Data were anonymized and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 16.0 software. Pearson’s Chi square test (p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant) was used to study the associations. Main outcome measure The associations of Health Literacy and Cognition Levels with the severity of adverse drug reactions. Result We found that both Health Literacy and Cognition Levels had a statistically significant association with Grade 3 and above adverse drug reactions in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Conclusion An initial assessment of Health Literacy and Cognition Levels in cancer patients by cancer care providers can help identify patients at high risk of developing severe adverse drug reactions. Interventional measures for improving Health Literacy by healthcare providers can help reduce the overall burden of disease on the patient due to adverse drug reactions.
Jurilinguistics: Ways Forward Beyond Law, Translation, and Discourse
Authors: Monzó-Nebot Esther , Moreno-Rivero Javier
Published: May 2020

This is the guest editors’ introductory paper to the special issue “Situating jurilinguistics across cultures using translation and discourse approaches.” The introduction showcases the interdisciplinary vocation of jurilinguistics from its conception almost forty years ago. It is argued that jurilinguistics has achieved its current maturity by diversifying the disciplinary lenses of the originally contributing disciplines of legal translation and legal studies while keeping faithful to its original principles—facing practical problems with a rigorous outlook, venturing into any new domains that may prove enlightening, and combining professional and academic perspectives. The authors highlight how the series of conferences “Jurilinguistics: Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Study of Language and Law” have been instrumental in enhancing the scope of jurilinguistics. Finally, the articles gathered in this special issue are presented and their contributions in advancing the knowledge available for practitioners and scholars meeting at the interface between law and language are underscored.
Numerical Modeling of Momentum Dispersion in Porous Media Based on the Pore Scale Prevalence Hypothesis
Authors: Rao Feixiong , Kuznetsov Andrey V. , Jin Yan
Published: May 2020

A macroscopic model that accounts for the effect of momentum dispersion on flows in porous media is proposed. The model is based on the pore scale prevalence hypothesis (PSPH). The effects of macroscopic velocity gradient on momentum transport are approximated using a Laplacian term. A local Reynolds number Red, which characterizes the strength of momentum dispersion, is introduced to calculate the effective viscosity. The characteristic length used in defining Red is the pore size, while the characteristic velocity is the mixing velocity. A Taylor expansion is made for the effective viscosity with respect to Red. The two leading-order terms of the Taylor series are adopted in the present PSPH momentum-dispersion model. The model constants are determined from the direct numerical simulation results of a flow in the same porous medium bounded by two walls. The effective viscosity approaches the molecular viscosity when the porosity is increased to 1. It approaches infinity when the porosity approaches 0. The benchmark studies show that the effects of the macroscopic velocity gradient can be approximated by the Laplacian term. The proposed PSPH momentum-dispersion model is highly accurate in a wide range of Reynolds and Darcy numbers as well as porosities.
Effect of oxygen limitation on the enrichment of bacteria degrading either benzene or toluene and the identification of Malikia spinosa (Comamonadaceae) as prominent aerobic benzene-, toluene-, and ethylbenzene-degrading bacterium: enrichment, isolation and whole-genome analysis
Authors: Révész Fruzsina , Farkas Milán , Kriszt Balázs , Szoboszlay Sándor , Benedek Tibor , Táncsics András
Published: May 2020

The primary aims of this present study were to evaluate the effect of oxygen limitation on the bacterial community structure of enrichment cultures degrading either benzene or toluene and to clarify the role of Malikia-related bacteria in the aerobic degradation of BTEX compounds. Accordingly, parallel aerobic and microaerobic enrichment cultures were set up and the bacterial communities were investigated through cultivation and 16S rDNA Illumina amplicon sequencing. In the aerobic benzene-degrading enrichment cultures, the overwhelming dominance of Malikia spinosa was observed and it was abundant in the aerobic toluene-degrading enrichment cultures as well. Successful isolation of a Malikia spinosa strain shed light on the fact that this bacterium harbours a catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) gene encoding a subfamily I.2.C-type extradiol dioxygenase and it is able to degrade benzene, toluene and ethylbenzene under clear aerobic conditions. While quick degradation of the aromatic substrates was observable in the case of the aerobic enrichments, no significant benzene degradation, and the slow degradation of toluene was observed in the microaerobic enrichments. Despite harbouring a subfamily I.2.C-type C23O gene, Malikia spinosa was not found in the microaerobic enrichments; instead, members of the Pseudomonas veronii/extremaustralis lineage dominated these communities. Whole-genome analysis of M. spinosa strain AB6 revealed that the C23O gene was part of a phenol-degrading gene cluster, which was acquired by the strain through a horizontal gene transfer event. Results of the present study revealed that bacteria, which encode subfamily I.2.C-type extradiol dioxygenase enzyme, will not be automatically able to degrade monoaromatic hydrocarbons under microaerobic conditions.
Evaluating the effects of layered soils on water flow, solute transport, and crop growth with a coupled agro-eco-hydrological model
Authors: Chen Shuai , Mao Xiaomin , Shukla Manoj K.
Published: May 2020

Purpose

Soil salinization and degradation in the arid and semiarid areas are a worldwide phenomenon. Soil capping with capillary barriers is a potential practice to hydraulically isolate contaminated soils, which may improve the soil environment for plant growth. This study aims to investigate the influences of soil capping on crop growth and soil salinization control in the arid area with shallow groundwater tables.

Materials and methods

A one-dimensional agro-eco-hydrological model, LAWSTAC, capable of simulating water and solute transport in layered soil coupled with crop growth, was applied for simulating sunflower growth under field condition in Arid Northwest China. The model was calibrated and validated with the experimental data of 2012 and 2013 crop seasons. The calibrated model was then used to explore how the soil capping consisting of combinations of fine soil (10, 15, 17, 19, and 20 cm thick) and coarse sand (10, 5, 3, 1, and 0 cm thick correspondingly) would influence the soil water and salt dynamics, and seed yield.

Results and discussion

Simulation results by LAWSTAC compared well with the observed soil water content, salt concentration, leaf area index, and seed yield. Further scenario simulations showed that a sand layer in the soil capping could greatly affect the water and salt distribution in the soil above and below the sand layer. Though soil capping could decrease the water storage (WS) in the root zone, it caused no obvious increase in water stress to root uptake for sand thickness of 1–3 cm and also considerably reduced the root zone salt content (SC) in crop season compared with that without soil capping. The average WS during the crop season showed a negative correlation with the thickness of sand layer in the soil capping. The average SC from planting to harvest was significantly lower for thicker sand in the soil capping. To soils with high background salinization, the increase of sand thickness would be helpful for enhancing seed yield, until it reached a critical value.

Conclusions

Coarse soil layer in the soil capping could prevent salt moving into the root zone, while fine soil could supply water to plant once water in coarse soil was low. Thus, in a long run, the soil capping consisting of combinations of fine and coarse soils with certain thicknesses would be an alternative practice for saline soil reclamation and improving crop production in arid area with shallow groundwater tables and soil salinization.
Role of the Secondary Phase η During High-Temperature Compression of ATI 718Plus®
Authors: Kienl Christiane , Mandal Paranjayee , Lalvani Himanshu , Rae Catherine M. F.
Published: May 2020

High-temperature compression tests were performed on a Ni-base superalloy with a multi-phase microstructure. Particular attention was given on the influence of the η phase on recrystallization of ATI 718Plus®. The compression tests were performed at two temperatures over a variety of strains and strain rates. Meta-dynamic recrystallization was studied by exposing the samples to a set dwell time at the test temperature after deformation. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) was used to investigate the microstructures after the tests. Secondary electron imaging (SEI) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) were utilized in order to investigate the deformation behavior of η and obtaining a detailed understanding of the recrystallization mechanism. The secondary η phase was found to increase the recrystallized fraction compared to η free tests. However, clusters of thin lamellar η inhibited recrystallization. The flow curve softening was distinctly stronger in the microstructure containing precipitates. It could be shown by SE images that this was due to the breakage and realignment of η. In addition, η was also found to accommodate the stresses by a remarkable deformation without breaking up. This was considered to be due to the composite nature of the precipitate as well as the ongoing recrystallization in the surrounding matrix.
Detailed study on the effect of different ignition enhancers in the binary blends of diesel/biodiesel as a possible substitute for unaltered compression ignition engine
Authors: Devarajan Yuvarajan , Munuswamy Dineshbabu , Nagappan Beemkumar , Ganesan S.
Published: May 2020

This study examines the impact of the oxygenated additives namely DTBP (Di-Tetra-Butyl-Phenol) and 1-Pentadecanol (1-DEC) on emissions, combustion and performance patterns of Karanja biodiesel/diesel blends. Two additives were selected as ignition improver owing to their improved physicochemical properties. The additives were mixed at 10% volume with the equal blends of diesel and biodiesel. Experimental results revealed that by adding additives and biodiesel to diesel found no phase separation. HRR and peak pressure were highest for diesel and least for KBD/D blends. However, blending the additives enhanced its HRR and peak pressure. Addition of additives lowered the harmful emissions significantly with a slight increase in NO emissions to the KBD/D blends. In addition, a noteworthy increase in performance aspects was observed for KBD/D blends by adding DTBP and 1-Pentadecanol.
Providential Tides: the Double Low Water of Narragansett Bay
Authors: Bowers D. G. , Brubaker J. M.
Published: May 2020

We investigate a mechanism for producing double-lows and double-highs in the semi-diurnal tide by selective amplification of higher harmonics in a resonant gulf. A double low water is observed at Providence, RI, near the head of Narragansett Bay on days when there is a flattening of the low water tidal curve at Newport, at the mouth of the bay. The flattening is caused by an unusually large quarter-diurnal component to the tide at Newport. The quarter diurnal component has the right phase (a maximum close to the time of the minimum in the semi-diurnal tide) to produce a prolonged flattening of the tidal curve around low water. The natural period of Narragansett Bay (for quarter-wavelength resonance) is close to 4 h and the quarter diurnal tide is amplified, relative to the semi-diurnal tide, within the bay. The selective amplification of the higher harmonic further prolongs the flattening effect at Providence and, occasionally, is sufficient to create a double low water at the head of the bay from quarter and semi-diurnal tides alone. More often, though, a sixth-diurnal harmonic produced within the bay, added to the flattened low water at Providence, creates the double low water. This mechanism of selective amplification of tidal harmonics could be relevant to double tides elsewhere.
Correction to: Still Life, a Mirror: Phasic memory and re-encounters with artworks
Authors: Mac Cumhaill Clare
Published: May 2020

The initial online publication contained typesetting errors in section headings and running heads.
Versatility of algae—exploring the potential of algae for nutrient circulation
Authors: Kuenz Anja , Grimm Daniel , Rahmann Gerold
Published: May 2020

For feeding the world in 2100, the global agriculture, the entire food chain, as well as the behavior of all consumers must be change fundamentally. Essential resources needed to intensify agriculture and use barren land, such as phosphorus, water, and fossil fuels, are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. An ecological form of agriculture that uses these resources more responsibly requires more land for the same yields. Therefore, new concepts for food and feed production have to be developed, in which nutrients are recycled beyond these areas. A possible starting point could be bioreactors, since these are enormously efficient and enable resource-efficient land use. Wastewater treatment as a means of nutrient recycling will be one of the most important tasks in the future. Hereby, not only the heterotrophic bioreactors currently used for this purpose but also autotrophic photobioreactors show great potential, especially if these two reactor types would be combined. Because of the ability to use inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus for their growth as well as the ability to produce a wide range of metabolites, microalgae offer an integrated approach. This review provides an overview of the potential of microalgae as components of a sustainable, circular agricultural system for feed and food production.
Evaluating rheological properties and recovery performance of polymeric anionic surfactant (PSURFC) synthesized from non-edible seed oil on heavy crude recovery
Authors: Temiloluwa Ojo , Tomiwa Oguntade , Babalola Oni
Published: May 2020

This research focuses on heavy crude recovery using the dual recovery process of macromolecules formulated from environmentally friendly seed oil and polymer (Xanthan gum) with both hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. The inexpensive, non-toxic polymeric surfactant (PSURFC) is synthesized through free radical polymerization technique involving novel non-edible seed oil surfactant and xanthan gum. Rheology shows a shear-thinning behavior at room temperature indicates an improvement in the rheology on surfactant addition to the mixture. As a macromolecule, PSURFC combines dual oil recovery nature in a single component thereby influencing interfacial tension (IFT) and mobility ratio simultaneously. Its performance during enhanced oil recovery (EOR) was evaluated through core flooding, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), IFT and rheology. EOR was conducted using OFITE®’s reservoir permeability tester (RPT) as the core flooding apparatus on five set of Berea sandstone core samples. Its implementation in EOR improved oil recovery when compared with water flooding, surfactant and polymer flooding. Sequel to the conventional water flooding, efficiency of PSURFC gave additional recoveries of 54%, 60% and 70% of the initial oil in place. This result validates the ability of polymeric surfactant to effectively mobilize residual oil under typical sandstone reservoir conditions.
Refill friction stir spot and resistance spot welding of aluminium joints with large total sheet thicknesses (III-1965-19)
Authors: Schmal Christopher , Meschut Gerson
Published: May 2020

Refill friction stir spot welding (RFSSW) is a highly flexible and promising solid-state joining method for aluminium alloys. Alternatively, resistance spot welding (RSW) can be stated as an appropriate joining method which can be automated and used within a high-volume production due to short process times. Both processes do not need any additional elements and a flat surface on both sides of the joints can be realised. In order to meet the modern requirements for crash safety and structural stiffness, thermal and mechanical joining methods are mainly combined by using single-component epoxy resin adhesives. Due to an insufficient knowledge about the application of both thermal joining methods for the abovementioned material combinations combined with additional adhesives, deeper investigations were done regarding the interactions of the polymers and the joining processes. Starting with a brief presentation of the boundary conditions of the investigations and the refill friction stir spot welding and resistance spot welding of high-strength aluminium alloys with sheet thicknesses bigger than 5.8 mm, the paper introduces the process-related joint properties of friction-based and resistance-based welded joints. Afterwards, the paper discusses the influences of the process parameter on the metallographic joint formation and load-bearing capacities for a selected two-sheet and four-sheet material combination. When combining the spot welding technologies with adhesives, the process parameters of the RFSSW process have to be adapted for the two-sheet combination by adding a squeeze-out step, while for RSW, just the preholding time has to be increased. Different challenges for both joining methods are shown. For RFSSW, the gap formation has to be considered when welding big total sheet thicknesses, while for RSW, the shape of the weld nugget is more important for an appropriate joint performance. Additionally, process optimisations for less adhesive incineration will be discussed for both joining processes, and the influences of the adhesive on the joint formation will be addressed with the help of load-bearing capacity evaluations. The paper closes with specific recommendations for the realisation of refill friction stir and resistance spot-welded joints with and without adhesive in the field of Al joints with big total sheet thicknesses which meet the quality demands and an outlook for further research steps will be given.
Using the Perceptual Experience Laboratory (PEL) to simulate tourism environments for hedonic wellbeing
Authors: Baldwin Joe , Haven-Tang Claire , Gill Steve , Morgan Nigel , Pritchard Annette
Published: May 2020

Measuring the relationship between stress, mood and tourism in natural settings is problematic in terms of the ability to undertake detailed, systematic and accurate monitoring. This paper presents the results of a preliminary investigation into the use of an immersive simulated tourism environment to measure tourisms’ potential to alleviate physiological and psychological stress and enhance mood. The objectives of the study were to record and analyse participants’ heart-rate data before, during and after three experiences (workplace setting, TV-watching setting and simulated tourism setting) and to undertake completion of mood questionnaires before and after each of these three experiences, allowing comparative pre- and post-mood analysis. Qualitative data was also gathered from the participants about these three experiences, in particular the simulated tourism environment. The preliminary results demonstrate that PEL effectively creates a simulated tourism environment which can be used for measuring stress and mood as signifiers of hedonic wellbeing.
Snackomat - A Vending Machine To Create Positive Experiences By Bringing People In Contact And Initiating Small Talk In Waiting Situations
Authors: Burmester Michael , Laib Magdalena , Tille Ralph
Published: May 2020

The “Snackomat” is a vending machine offering snacks for free, installed in waiting situations, and is designed to initiate small talk and therewith to create a positive experience. Here, we experimentally compare the effect on user experience of the Snackomat to the effect of a coffee machine as control condition with 58 participants. Participants’ behaviour was observed in waiting situations where observers were blind to the study’s objective. The two experimental conditions were compared with an analysis of covariance. The alpha levels were Bonferroni corrected. Significant results with strong effect size indicate that the Snackomat was more effective in creating positive experiences than a coffee machine in a control condition. However, the experimental setting most likely attenuated differences between the two conditions. Future studies should thus replicate the findings in a natural setting. Nevertheless the Snackomat is a promising application example of designing for positive experiences.
“And Now Close Your Eyes or Lower Your Gaze”: Exploring Novice Meditators and Their Attentional Processes During Meditation
Authors: Sprawson Isabella , Wood Jeffrey , Mantzios Michail
Published: May 2020

Brief mindfulness meditation practices are associated with a wealth of benefits; however, factors that may influence the success of meditation sessions have rarely been explored. The present study explored the effects of the visual environment as a factor of successful meditation. Eye-tracking techniques were employed to objectively measure attention within three attention-deviating conditions with basic meditation instructions, and the potential influence of personality traits as assessed through administering the HEXACO-60-PI, a self-report measure, to participants. Statistically significant results were uncovered regarding decreased fixation durations and increased state mindfulness scores of participants within the blank screen conditions over the two eyes-open conditions. No significant effect was found regarding fixation counts, which decreased within the blank screen condition. The findings regarding reduced state anxiety did not reach significance and there were no significant differences regarding the six personality types between conditions. The present study offers a step towards understanding how brief mindfulness meditation sessions can be optimised.
Gastric bezoar
Authors: Sulaiman Ambusaidi Farida Mohsin , Al-Yaqoubi Maryam
Published: May 2020

Gastric bezoar is an accumulation of indigestible masses in stomach. Depending on the composites of these masses, descriptive names are given like tricobezoar if the mass contains hair. Most of the patients have psychological issues that result in their desire to eat hair which predispose them to have gastric tricobezoar. Unfortunately, the presentation is usually very late with signs of gastric outlet obstruction which include abdominal pain, distension, nausea and vomiting. There are typical findings seen in abdominal radiograph like large intraluminal filling defect with mottled translucency and ultrasound finding of shadowing intra-luminal masses. The treatment of such cases includes laproscopic trial to remove the bezoar and if not successful to proceed for gastrostomy.
Perceptions of democracy among Islamic education teachers in Israeli Arab high schools
Authors: Saada Najwan
Published: May 2020

This qualitative study explores the perceptions of democracy and citizenship among 14 teachers of Islamic religious education in the Israeli Arab and secondary schools in Israel. It expands the knowledge on how religious (Muslim) teachers conceptualize the meaning of democracy and citizenship education. The first theme addresses three critiques of democracy: the ethnopolitical (the failure of democratic regimes, including Israel, to protect the rights of religious minorities); epistemological (the shortcoming of the rule of majority in ensuring a decent and just life for all citizens); and theological (moral). The second theme highlights the cultural obstacles for achieving democracy in Arab society in Israel and the possible contribution of Islamic education to detribalizing and depersonalizing the meaning and practice of democracy in this society.
Telehealth in the times of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection for the otolaryngologist
Authors: Huang Victoria W. , Imam Sarah A. , Nguyen Shaun A.
Published: May 2020

Objective

In response to the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery's recommendations to limit patient care activities in the times of SARS‐CoV‐2, many elective surgeries have been canceled without patient clinics transitioning to virtual visits. With regulations for telemedicine loosened, new possibilities for the practice of otolaryngology have opened. To address the uncertain duration of this pandemic, a review was conducted of current literature on use of telemedicine services in the current SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic and in previous national emergencies to reveal the role telemedicine can play for otolaryngology practices.

Data sources

Pubmed articles with an independent search query were utilized.

Methods

Literature review performed by one author searched for all published English‐language literature on telehealth in the SARS‐CoV‐2 era. Articles were considered for discussion if they provided relevant developments for telemedicine in the context of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic.

Results

Telemedicine can be up‐scaled in the current SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic where exposure containment is of the utmost priority. With patient interaction possible through virtual communication, telemedicine allows continued patient care while minimizing the risk of viral spread. In the realm of otolaryngology, telemedicine has been used in the past during disasters with other studies demonstrating high diagnostic concordance with inpatient visits. Many institutions have recognized the potential for such care as they begin utilize both virtual visits and in‐person care during this pandemic.

Conclusion

To limit the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2, we support the AAO‐HNS recommendation for the adoption of novel ways to employ telemedicine in this era. Many emergency departments and health care systems have the infrastructure necessary for synchronous video telemedicine visits that can be leveraged to provide quality care with patients. With the continued need to socially distance, telemedicine can protect both physicians and patients from unnecessary exposure to the virus.
Emergent and urgent otologic surgeries during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic: a protocol and review of literature
Authors: Zhao Elise E. , Lee Joshua A. , McRackan Theodore R. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Meyer Ted A.
Published: May 2020

Objective

To review guidelines for otologic procedures during the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic and to present a protocol for emergent or urgent mastoidectomy at our institution.

Data sources

Guidelines regarding emergent and urgent otologic procedures from otolaryngologic societies are reviewed. We described a protocol for emergent or urgent mastoidectomy at our institution.

Conclusion

Patients requiring urgent or emergent mastoidectomy during the COVID‐19 pandemic require prompt treatment. We make the following recommendations: Emergent or urgent otologic procedures should be performed in a contained environment, such as a tent created by the microscope drape. The surgical team should practice using instruments in the tent setup to prepare for real cases. Otologic procedures should adhere to guidelines set for high‐risk procedures.
Constraining an Ocean Model Under Getz Ice Shelf, Antarctica, Using A Gravity‐Derived Bathymetry
Authors: Millan Romain , St‐Laurent Pierre , Rignot Eric , Morlighem Mathieu , Mouginot Jeremie , Scheuchl Bernd
Published: May 2020

Getz Ice Shelf, the largest producer of ice shelf meltwater in Antarctica, buttresses glaciers that hold enough ice to raise sea level by 22 cm. We present a new bathymetry of its sub‐ice shelf cavity using a three‐dimensional inversion of airborne gravity data constrained by multibeam bathymetry at sea and a reconstruction of the bedrock from mass conservation on land. The new bathymetry is deeper than previously estimated with differences exceeding 500 m in a number of regions. When incorporated into an ocean model, it yields a better description of the spatial distribution of ice shelf melt, specifically along glacier grounding lines. While the melt intensity is overestimated because of a positive bias in ocean thermal forcing, the study reveals the main pathways along which warm oceanic water enters the cavity and corroborates the observed rapid retreat of Berry Glacier along a deep channel with a retrograde bed slope.
Spatial Variation of Reactive Nitrogen Emissions From China's Croplands Codetermined by Regional Urbanization and Its Feedback to Global Climate Change
Authors: Xu Peng , Chen Anping , Houlton Benjamin Z. , Zeng Zhenzhong , Wei Song , Zhao Chenxu , Lu Haiyan , Liao Yajun , Zheng Zhonghua , Luan Shengji , Zheng Yi
Published: May 2020

Reactive gaseous nitrogen (Ngr) emissions significantly affect Earth's climate system. Disagreement exists, however, over Ngr contributions to short‐ versus long‐term climate forcing, from local to global scales and among different gaseous forms, including NH3, NOx, and N2O. Here, we provide a comprehensive inventory of Ngr from China's croplands based on a new bottom‐up, mass flow‐based approach integrated with fine‐resolution agricultural activity data and nitrogen emission factors. We demonstrate that China's croplands emit about 8.87 Tg N to the atmosphere in 2014. Across different prefectures, Ngr emission per capita conforms to a “Kuznets curve,” that is, first increases then decreases, along the gradient of increasing urbanization. Ngr emission per gross domestic productivity (GDP) decreases exponentially with increasing urbanization or per capita GDP. Furthermore, climate change impact analyses suggest that the global‐scale warming effect of China's cropland N2O emissions dominate over local cooling effects ascribed to its NH3 and NOx emissions.
Attenuation of Rock Salt: Ultrasonic Lab Analysis of Gulf of Mexico Coastal Samples
Authors: Zong Jingjing , Stewart Robert R. , Dyaur Nikolay
Published: May 2020

In an effort to achieve higher‐resolution imaging as well as detailed lithology descriptions, it is important to consider attenuation as an aid in compensating for seismic wave amplitude and phase distortions due to the viscoelastic properties of natural rocks. We have evaluated elastic‐wave attenuation on a variety of Gulf of Mexico (GoM) rock salt samples (>95% halite by weight) in the laboratory using the ultrasonic pulse‐transmission technique and the spectral ratio (SR) method. Under conditions of 297 K (75°F) and relative humidity of 46%, the estimated P‐ and S‐wave quality factors QP and QS range from 26 to 74 and 29 to 44 in the unjacketed core samples, respectively. Increasing triaxial pressure elevates Q (decreases attenuation), possibly due to the crack closure and rock frame compaction. For example, a 40 MPa confining pressure increases QP to 275 at 297 K (75°F). Elevating temperature does not show a significant effect on Q values until raised from 339 to 366 K (150°F to 200°F), during which QP drops sharply (attenuation increases). The attenuation mechanisms may include thermal cracking and grain boundary condition changes. We have determined well‐constrained empirical relationships between Q and velocity (V) for both P‐ and S‐waves. These measurements and empirical relationships can further inform us about salt properties and assist with images of and through salt bodies.
Indo‐Pacific Hydroclimate in Response to Changes of the Intertropical Convergence Zone: Discrepancy on Precession and Obliquity Bands Over the Last 410 kyr
Authors: Zhang Peng , Xu Jian , Holbourn Ann , Kuhnt Wolfgang , Beil Sebastian , Li Tiegang , Xiong Zhifang , Dang Haowen , Yan Hong , Pei Renjie , Ran Yazhou , Wu Hanning
Published: May 2020

The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), which is the heaviest rain belt on Earth, significantly influences global hydroclimate change and livelihood of nearly 40% of the global population. However, long‐term precipitation records are sparse from the Indo‐Pacific region, especially from the southern margin of the Indo‐Pacific ITCZ, restricting our understanding of the overall natural variability of the ITCZ in the past. In this study, we present a new summer monsoonal precipitation record that spans the last 410 kyr from the southern margin of the Indo‐Pacific ITCZ, based on the logarithmic ratio between terrigenous fraction K and pelagic fraction Ca (ln(K/Ca)). Contents of both elements were derived from X‐ray fluorescence scanning on sediment cores from Site U1483 (13°05.24′S, 121°48.25′E, water depth 1,733 m) that was drilled offshore northwestern Australia during International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 363. Comparison of the new precipitation record with published precipitation records from the northern margin and meteorological center of the Indo‐Pacific ITCZ shows that precipitation changed nearly in‐phase between the hemispheres on the precession band, possibly linked to expansion and contraction in the latitudinal extent of the Indo‐Pacific ITCZ. In contrast, interhemispheric precipitation was nearly in anti‐phase on the obliquity band, likely due to latitudinal migration of the Indo‐Pacific ITCZ. Our findings imply that tropical hydroclimate cycles were regulated by the orbital forcing but with significantly different response to changes of the ITCZ on precession and obliquity bands.
Assessing Temperate Forest Growth and Climate Sensitivity in Response to a Long‐Term Whole‐Watershed Acidification Experiment
Authors: Malcomb Jacob D. , Scanlon Todd M. , Epstein Howard E. , Druckenbrod Daniel L. , Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Lanning Matthew , Adams Mary Beth , Wang Lixin
Published: May 2020

Acid deposition is a major biogeochemical driver in forest ecosystems, but the impacts of long‐term changes in deposition on forest productivity remain unclear. Using a combination of tree ring and forest inventory data, we examined tree growth and climate sensitivity in response to 26 years of whole‐watershed ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4) additions at the Fernow Experimental Forest (West Virginia, USA). Linear mixed effects models revealed species‐specific responses to both treatment and hydroclimate variables. When controlling for environmental covariates, growth of northern red oak (Quercus rubra), red maple (Acer rubrum), and tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) was greater (40%, 52%, and 42%, respectively) in the control watershed compared to the treated watershed, but there was no difference in black cherry (Prunus serotina). Stem growth was generally positively associated with growing season water availability and spring temperature and negatively associated with vapor pressure deficit. Sensitivity of northern red oak, red maple, and tulip poplar growth to water availability was greater in the control watershed, suggesting that acidification treatment has altered tree response to climate. Results indicate that chronic acid deposition may reduce both forest growth and climate sensitivity, with potentially significant implications for forest carbon and water cycling in deposition‐affected regions.
Understanding Anthropogenic Impacts on pH and Aragonite Saturation State in Chesapeake Bay: Insights From a 30‐Year Model Study
Authors: Shen Chunqi , Testa Jeremy M. , Li Ming , Cai Wei‐Jun
Published: May 2020

Ocean acidification (OA) is often defined as the gradual decline in pH and aragonite saturation state (ΩAr) for open ocean waters as a result of increasing atmospheric pCO2. Potential long‐term trends in pH and ΩAr in estuarine environments are often obscured by a variety of other factors, including changes in watershed land use and associated riverine carbonate chemistry and estuarine ecosystem metabolism. In this work, we investigated the anthropogenic impacts on pH and ΩAr over three decades (1986–2015) in Chesapeake Bay using retrospective coupled hydrodynamic‐biogeochemical model simulations. Simulation results demonstrated a clear estuarine acidification signal in the midbay region, with a long‐term increase in the annual duration of acidified bottom waters (pH < 7.5, ~2 days/yr) as well as a shallowing of the saturation horizon (~0.1 m/yr). In contrast, scenario results revealed basification in the upper bay consistent with increased alkalinization of the Susquehanna River. Significant long‐term pH and ΩAr declines in the lower bay were driven by nearly equal contributions from OA and lowered surface ecosystem production. The midbay pH variability was primarily influenced by OA and biological processes, while river basification along with OA played a key role in regulating the long‐term ΩAr variability. This study quantifies the contributions from multiple anthropogenic drivers to changes in estuarine carbonate chemistry over three decades, highlighting the complex interactions in regulating the dynamics of pH and ΩAr and informing regional natural resource management and ecosystem restoration.