bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultra-High-Speed Magnetic Abrasive Surface Micro-Machining of AISI 304 Cylindrical Bar
Authors: Yin Cheng , Wang Rui , Kim Jeong , Lee Sang , Mun Sang
Published: April 2019

The ultra-high-speed magnetic abrasive machining (UHSMAM) process is a surface improvement technique, which has been widely used to minimize the surface accuracy and change the precision morphology of difficult-to-machine materials. Surface integrity plays an important role in the machining process, because it is used to evaluate the high stress and the loaded components on the machined surface. It is important to evaluate the plastically deformed layers in ultra-precision machining surface of material. However, the usual plastic strains in the ultra-precision machining surface are significantly difficult to consider. In this paper, an ultra-high-speed magnetic abrasive machining technique is used to improve the surface accuracy and dimensional accuracy of an AISI 304 bars. Additionally, the subsequent recrystallizations technique is used for measuring the plastic strain on machined surface of AISI 304 bars. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of an UHSMAM process on the plastic strains and the strain energy of the machined surface, and to evaluate the residual strain in the plastic deformation of AISI 304 bars materials by analyzing a plastically deformed layer. The results showed that the plastic strain of the material did not change after machined by an UHSMAM process. Based on the results, an UHSMAM process could significantly improve the surface roughness, micro-diameter, and removal weight of AISI 304 bars effectively. The surface roughness Ra of AISI 304 bars was improved from 0.32 µm to 0.03 µm for 40 s of machining time at 80,000 rpm of workpiece revolution speed.
A Novel Approach for Detecting Rotational Angles of a Precision Spherical Joint Based on a Capacitive Sensor
Authors: Wang Wen , Yang He , Zhang Min , Chen Zhanfeng , Shi Guang , Lu Keqing , Xiang Kui , Ju Bingfeng
Published: April 2019

Precision spherical joints are commonly employed as multiple degree-of-freedom (DOF) mechanical hinges in many engineering applications, e.g., robots and parallel manipulators. Real-time and precise measurement of the rotational angles of spherical joints is not only beneficial to the real-time and closed-loop control of mechanical transmission systems, but also is of great significance in the prediction and compensation of their motion errors. This work presents a novel approach for rotational angle measurement of spherical joints with a capacitive sensor. First, the 3-DOF angular motions of a spherical joint were analyzed. Then, the structure of the proposed capacitive sensor was presented, and the mathematical model for the rotational angles of a spherical joint and the capacitance of the capacitors was deduced. Finally, the capacitance values of the capacitors at different rotations were simulated using Ansoft Maxwell software. The simulation results show that the variation in the simulated capacitance values of the capacitors is similar to that of the theoretical values, suggesting the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed capacitive detection method for rotational angles of spherical joints.
Portable Rice Disease Spores Capture and Detection Method Using Diffraction Fingerprints on Microfluidic Chip
Authors: Yang Ning , Chen Chiyuan , Li Tao , Li Zhuo , Zou Lirong , Zhang Rongbiao , Mao Hanping
Published: April 2019

Crop diseases cause great harm to food security, 90% of these are caused by fungal spores. This paper proposes a crop diseases spore detection method, based on the lensfree diffraction fingerprint and microfluidic chip. The spore diffraction images are obtained by a designed large field of view lensless diffraction detection platform which contains the spore enrichment microfluidic chip and lensless imaging module. By using the microfluidic chip to enrich and isolate spores in advance, the required particles can be captured in the chip enrichment area, and other impurities can be filtered to reduce the interference of impurities on spore detection. The light source emits partially coherent light and irradiates the target to generate diffraction fingerprints, which can be used to distinguish spores and impurities. According to the theoretical analysis, two parameters, Peak to Center ratio (PCR) and Peak to Valley ratio (PVR), are found to quantify these spores. The correlation coefficient between the detection results of rice blast spores by the constructed device and the results of microscopic artificial identification was up to 0.99, and the average error rate of the proposed device was only 5.91%. The size of the device is only 4 cm × 4 cm × 5 cm, and the cost is less than $150, which is one thousandth of the existing equipment. Therefore, it may be widely used as an early detection method for crop disease caused by spores.
A Review on Sulfonated Polymer Composite/Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Membranes to Address Methanol Barrier Issue for Methanol Fuel Cells
Authors: Dhanapal Duraibabu , Xiao Min , Wang Shuanjin , Meng Yuezhong
Published: April 2019

This paper focuses on a literature analysis and review of sulfonated polymer (s-Poly) composites, sulfonated organic, inorganic, and organic–inorganic hybrid membranes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEM) systems, particularly for methanol fuel cell applications. In this review, we focused mainly on the detailed analysis of the distinct segment of s-Poly composites/organic–inorganic hybrid membranes, the relationship between composite/organic– inorganic materials, structure, and performance. The ion exchange membrane, their size distribution and interfacial adhesion between the s-Poly composites, nanofillers, and functionalized nanofillers are also discussed. The paper emphasizes the enhancement of the s-Poly composites/organic–inorganic hybrid membrane properties such as low electronic conductivity, high proton conductivity, high mechanical properties, thermal stability, and water uptake are evaluated and compared with commercially available Nafion® membrane.
What Evidence Do We Have for Pharmaceutical Galactagogues in the Treatment of Lactation Insufficiency?—A Narrative Review
Authors: Grzeskowiak Luke E. , Wlodek Mary E. , Geddes Donna T.
Published: April 2019

Inadequate breast milk supply is a frequently reported reason for early discontinuation of breastfeeding and represents a critical opportunity for intervening to improve breastfeeding outcomes. For women who continue to experience insufficient milk supply despite the utilisation of non-pharmacological lactation support strategies, pharmacological intervention with medications used to augment lactation, commonly referred to as galactagogues, is common. Galactagogues exert their pharmacological effects through altering the complex hormonal milieu regulating lactation, particularly prolactin and oxytocin. This narrative review provides an appraisal of the existing evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of pharmaceutical treatments for lactation insufficiency to guide their use in clinical practice. The greatest body of evidence surrounds the use of domperidone, with studies demonstrating moderate short-term improvements in breast milk supply. Evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of metoclopramide is less robust, but given that it shares the same mechanism of action as domperidone it may represent a potential treatment alternative where domperidone is unsuitable. Data on remaining interventions such as oxytocin, prolactin and metformin is too limited to support their use in clinical practice. The review provides an overview of key evidence gaps and areas of future research, including the impacts of pharmaceutical galactagogues on breast milk composition and understanding factors contributing to individual treatment response to pharmaceutical galactagogues.
Adherence to a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Higher Quality of Life in a Cohort of Italian Adults
Authors: Godos Justyna , Castellano Sabrina , Marranzano Marina
Published: April 2019

Background: The observed rise in non-communicable diseases may be attributed to the ongoing changes of urban environment and society, as well as greater awareness of health-related issues and subsequent higher rates of diagnosis, which all contribute to the overall quality of life. The aim of the study was to test the association between adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern and self-reported quality of life in a cohort of Italian adults. Methods: The demographic and dietary characteristics of 2044 adults living in southern Italy were analyzed. Food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) and a Mediterranean diet adherence score were used to assess dietary intake. The Manchester Short Appraisal (MANSA) was used to assess self-rated quality of life. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to test the associations. Results: A significant linear trend of association was found for the overall quality of life and adherence to Mediterranean diet score. All of the components of the MANSA, with the exception of self-rated mental health, were individually associated with higher adherence to this dietary pattern. Conclusions: Adherence to a healthy dietary pattern is associated with the measures of better overall perceived quality of life.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel Robigovirus Species from Sweet Cherry in Turkey
Authors: Çağlayan Kadriye , Roumi Vahid , Gazel Mona , Elçi Eminur , Acioğlu Mehtap , Mavric Plesko Irena , Reynard Jean-Sebastien , Maclot Francois , Massart Sebastien
Published: April 2019

High throughput sequencing of total RNA isolated from symptomatic leaves of a sweet cherry tree (Prunus avium cv. 0900 Ziraat) from Turkey identified a new member of the genus Robigovirus designated cherry virus Turkey (CVTR). The presence of the virus was confirmed by electron microscopy and overlapping RT-PCR for sequencing its whole-genome. The virus has a ssRNA genome of 8464 nucleotides which encodes five open reading frames (ORFs) and comprises two non-coding regions, 5′ UTR and 3′ UTR of 97 and 296 nt, respectively. Compared to the five most closely related robigoviruses, RdRp, TGB1, TGB2, TGB3 and CP share amino acid identities ranging from 43–53%, 44–60%, 39–43%, 38–44% and 45–50%, respectively. Unlike the four cherry robigoviruses, CVTR lacks ORFs 2a and 5a. Its genome organization is therefore more similar to African oil palm ringspot virus (AOPRV). Using specific primers, the presence of CVTR was confirmed in 15 sweet cherries and two sour cherries out of 156 tested samples collected from three regions in Turkey. Among them, five samples were showing slight chlorotic symptoms on the leaves. It seems that CVTR infects cherry trees with or without eliciting obvious symptoms, but these data should be confirmed by bioassays in woody and possible herbaceous hosts in future studies.
Anticoagulant Polyethylene Terephthalate Surface by Plasma-Mediated Fucoidan Immobilization
Authors: Ozaltin Kadir , Lehocky Marian , Humpolicek Petr , Pelkova Jana , Di Martino Antonio , Karakurt Ilkay , Saha Petr
Published: April 2019

Biomaterial-based blood clot formation is one of the biggest drawbacks of blood-contacting devices. To avoid blood clot formation, their surface must be tailored to increase hemocompatibility. Most synthetic polymeric biomaterials are inert and lack bonding sites for chemical agents to bond or tailor to the surface. In this study, polyethylene terephthalate was subjected to direct current air plasma treatment to enhance its surface energy and to bring oxidative functional binding sites. Marine-sourced anticoagulant sulphated polysaccharide fucoidan from Fucus vesiculosus was then immobilized onto the treated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) surface at different pH values to optimize chemical bonding behavior and therefore anticoagulant performance. Surface properties of samples were monitored using the water contact angle; chemical analyses were performed by FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and their anticoagulant activity was tested by means of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time. On each of the fucoidan-immobilized surfaces, anticoagulation activity was performed by extending the thrombin time threshold and their pH 5 counterpart performed the best result compared to others.
Enhancing the Interfacial Strength of Carbon Fiber/Poly(ether ether ketone) Hybrid Composites by Plasma Treatments
Authors: Lu Chunrui , Qiu Si , Lu Xue , Wang Jian , Xiao Lin , Zheng Ting , Wang Xiaodong , Zhang Dongxing
Published: April 2019

As a promising alternative to traditional prepreg, carbon fiber/poly(ether ether ketone) (CF/PEEK) hybrid composites have attracted wide public interest for their flexibility and conformability. However, modification methods focused on the hybrid premix have not been previously studied. In the present work, the interfacial strength of the hybrid composite was improved by treating the carbon and PEEK fibers together in a radiofrequency (RF) plasma containing one of the following gases to achieve surface activation: air, Ar, or Ar–air. After plasma treatment, the increased roughness of CF and the grafted chemical groups of CFs and PEEK fibers were propitious to the mechanical interlocking and interfacial strength. Significant interfacial shear strength (IFSS) enhancement was achieved after Ar 1 min, air 1 min plasma treatment. This study offers an alternative method for improving the interfacial properties of CF/PEEK composites by focusing on the boundary layer and modifying and controlling the fiber–matrix interface.
Research on Identification of LVRT Characteristics of Photovoltaic Inverters Based on Data Testing and PSO Algorithm
Authors: Han Pingping , Fan Guijun , Sun Weizhen , Shi Bolong , Zhang Xiaoan
Published: April 2019

With the continuous increment of photovoltaic (PV) energy connection into a power grid, the accuracy of control parameters of PV power generation systems becomes the key to the stable operation of the power grid. At present, parameter identification based on an intelligent algorithm is a common means to obtain control parameters. However, most of the data used for identification are simulation data and the identified parameters are difficult to use in practical engineering. Therefore, aiming at the acquisition of low voltage ride through (LVRT) control parameters of PV unit, a method of identification of LVRT parameters of the PV unit is proposed, which combines sensitivity analysis with field measurement. In this paper, the test scheme of the required data is put forward through sensitivity analysis of the identified parameters, and the intelligent algorithm is used to identify the low voltage traverse parameters of the data. Finally, the optimal value is extracted from the identification results and substituted into the model. The accuracy of the parameter identification results is verified by calculating the error between the output of the model and the real operation data. The method considers the errors caused by different power levels of the inverters with highly accurate and consistent identification results, which is applicable to practical engineering calculation.
Emittance Spectroscopy and Broadband Thermal Remote Sensing Applied to Phosphorite and Its Utility in Geoexploration: A Study in the Parts of Rajasthan, India
Authors: Guha Arindam , Yamaguchi Yasushi , Chatterjee Snehamoy , Rani Komal , Vinod Kumar Kumranchat
Published: April 2019

The contrast in the emissivity spectra of phosphorite and associated carbonate rock can be used as a guide to delineate phosphorite within dolomite. The thermal emissivity spectrum of phosphorite is characterized by a strong doublet emissivity feature with their absorption minima at 9 µm and 9.5 µm; whereas, host rock dolomite has relatively subdued emissivity minima at ~9 µm. Using the contrast in the emissivity spectra of phosphorite and dolomite, data obtained by the thermal bands of Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) sensor were processed to delineate phosphorite within dolomite. A decorrelation stretched ASTER radiance composite could not enhance phosphorite rich zones within the dolomite host rock. However, a decorrelation stretched image composite of selected emissivity bands derived using the emissivity normalization method was suitable to enhance large surface exposures of phosphorite. We have found that the depth of the emissivity minima of phosphorite gradually has increased from dolomite to high-grade phosphorite, while low-grade phosphate has an intermediate emissivity value and the emissivity feature can be studied using three thermal bands of ASTER. In this context, we also propose a relative band depth (RBD) image using selected emissivity bands (bands 11, 12, and 13) to delineate phosphorite from the host rock. We also propose that the RBD image can be used as a proxy to estimate the relative grades of phosphorites, provided the surface exposures of phosphorite are large enough to subdue the role of intrapixel spectral mixing, which can also influence the depth of the diagnostic feature along with the grade. We have validated the phosphorite pixels of the RBD image in the field by carrying out colorimetric analysis to confirm the presence of phosphorite. The result of the study indicates the utility of the proposed relative band depth image derived using ASTER TIR bands for delineating Proterozoic carbonate-hosted phosphorite.
Automated Extraction of Consistent Time-Variable Water Surfaces of Lakes and Reservoirs Based on Landsat and Sentinel-2
Authors: Schwatke Christian , Scherer Daniel , Dettmering Denise
Published: April 2019

In this study, a new approach for the automated extraction of high-resolution time-variable water surfaces is presented. For that purpose, optical images from Landsat and Sentinel-2 are used between January 1984 and June 2018. The first part of this new approach is the extraction of land-water masks by combining five water indexes and using an automated threshold computation. In the second part of this approach, all data gaps caused by voids, clouds, cloud shadows, or snow are filled by using a long-term water probability mask. This mask is finally used in an iterative approach for filling remaining data gaps in all monthly masks which leads to a gap-less surface area time series for lakes and reservoirs. The results of this new approach are validated by comparing the surface area changes with water level time series from gauging stations. For inland waters in remote areas without in situ data water level time series from satellite altimetry are used. Overall, 32 globally distributed lakes and reservoirs of different extents up to 2482.27 km 2 are investigated. The average correlation coefficients between surface area time series and water levels from in situ and satellite altimetry have increased from 0.611 to 0.862 after filling the data gaps which is an improvement of about 41%. This new approach clearly demonstrates the quality improvement for the estimated land-water masks but also the strong impact of a reliable data gap-filling approach. All presented surface area time series are freely available on the Database of Hydrological Time Series of Inland (DAHITI).
RT-Seg: A Real-Time Semantic Segmentation Network for Side-Scan Sonar Images
Authors: Wang Qi , Wu Meihan , Yu Fei , Feng Chen , Li Kaige , Zhu Yuemei , Rigall Eric , He Bo
Published: April 2019

Real-time processing of high-resolution sonar images is of great significance for the autonomy and intelligence of autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) in complex marine environments. In this paper, we propose a real-time semantic segmentation network termed RT-Seg for Side-Scan Sonar (SSS) images. The proposed architecture is based on a novel encoder-decoder structure, in which the encoder blocks utilized Depth-Wise Separable Convolution and a 2-way branch for improving performance, and a corresponding decoder network is implemented to restore the details of the targets, followed by a pixel-wise classification layer. Moreover, we use patch-wise strategy for splitting the high-resolution image into local patches and applying them to network training. The well-trained model is used for testing high-resolution SSS images produced by sonar sensor in an onboard Graphic Processing Unit (GPU). The experimental results show that RT-Seg can greatly reduce the number of parameters and floating point operations compared to other networks. It runs at 25.67 frames per second on an NVIDIA Jetson AGX Xavier on 500*500 inputs with excellent segmentation result. Further insights on the speed and accuracy trade-off are discussed in this paper.
Public Participation in the Development Process of a Mobility Assistance System for Visually Impaired Pedestrians
Authors: Weinberger Nora , Winkelmann Markus , Müller Karin , Ritterbusch Sebastian , Stiefelhagen Rainer
Published: April 2019

Blind and visually impaired people have to cope with the safe movement through public space and the (lack of) knowledge of spatial issues and walkable routes. These challenges often lead to a fear of accidents and collisions, frequently also of disorientation. This, in turn, can result in a reduced radius of action, restricted mobility, and later on, in social isolation. Against this background, the project TERRAIN aims at developing a technical guidance system for orientation and navigation in urban space. For the development of this assistance system, the project pursues an approach in which reflexive, responsive, and deliberative dimensions have been integrated to address the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) in a co-design process. This paper focuses on the participation of citizens independent of vision impairments in the project which provided a variety of relevant indications of impacts and potential technical adaptations from an ‘outer’ point of view. In addition, conclusions can be drawn about the existing desirability and acceptance of the technical solution among the potential users as well as their social environment of potential users. In addition, it turned out that the citizen participation process raised different expectations among the project partners. Therefore, this article evaluates the participation results from the perspective of the technology developers and the technology assessors.
‘The Highest Attainable Standard’: The Right to Health for Refugees with Disabilities
Authors: Smith-Khan Laura , Crock Mary
Published: April 2019

The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) creates duties for States Parties and UN agencies to ensure that individuals under their protection have equal enjoyment of the full range of human rights. This includes the Article 25 right to enjoy ‘the highest attainable standard of health without discrimination on the basis of disability.’ However, refugees, who are forced to seek protection outside their state, face particular obstacles to maintaining an adequate level of wellbeing and accessing services to meet their health needs. Among this group, those who have a disability may confront multiple intersecting challenges. This paper draws on the findings of research across countries that play host to significant refugee populations. It explores the contribution of the CRPD to the international human rights framework for refugees, with particular attention to the right to health. Incorporating evidence from the field, it discusses the implementation of these rights and related duties in humanitarian responses across the world. This article discusses common barriers to health services for refugees with disabilities in six host countries. Based on the broad conceptualization of health and wellbeing established in the international legal framework, it also examines the relationship between the fulfilment of Article 25 and other basic socioeconomic rights. It provides examples of good practice and identifies strategies to better ensure the rights set out in Article 25 of the CRPD.
Imaginary Numbers of Climate Change Migrants?
Authors: Kelman Ilan
Published: April 2019

Within the extensive scientific and policy discussions about climate change migrants, detailed analyses continue to highlight the lack of evidence thus far for climate change directly causing migration. To understand better how climate change might or might not lead to migration, this paper explores possibilities for developing a robust, repeatable, and verifiable method to count or calculate the number of people migrating or not migrating due to climate change. The discussion starts by examining definitions of “climate change” and “migration”, then looking at how to determine numbers of climate change migrants based on those definitions. These points lead to descriptions of the subjectivity and arbitrariness of the decisions needed for counting or calculating climate change migrants and non-migrants. While the scientific study of working out numbers of climate change migrants and non-migrants is challenging and interesting, especially due to its complexity, changing baselines alongside legitimate concerns about necessary assumptions lead to questions regarding the usefulness of the calculations for policy and action. Ultimately, labelling, counting, and calculating climate change migrants and non-migrants depend on political choices, so any numbers reached might not be scientifically robust. Improved understanding of people’s motivations for migrating and not migrating under different circumstances, including under climate change and perceptions thereof, would be preferable to a starting point assuming that climate change inevitably causes migration.
Quantifying Positive and Negative Human-Modified Droughts in the Anthropocene: Illustration with Two Iranian Catchments
Authors: Kakaei Elham , Moradi Hamid Reza , Moghaddam Nia Alireza , Van Lanen Henny A.J.
Published: April 2019

In the Anthropocene, hydrological processes and the state of water in different parts of the terrestrial phase of the hydrological cycle can be altered both directly and indirectly due to human interventions and natural phenomena. Adaption and mitigation of future severe droughts need precise insights into the natural and anthropogenic drivers of droughts and understanding how variability in human drivers can alter anthropogenic droughts in positive or negative ways. The aim of the current study was expanding the “observation-modelling” approach to quantify different types of natural and human droughts. In addition, quantifying enhanced or alleviated modified droughts was the second parallel purpose of the research. The main principle of this approach is the simulation of the condition that would have happened in the absence of human interventions. The extended approach was tested in two Iranian catchments with notable human interventions and different climatic conditions. The drought events were identified through hydrological modelling by the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) model, naturalizing the time series of hydrometeorological data for a period with no significant human interventions, and anomaly analysis. The obtained results have demonstrated that both catchments were almost the same in experiencing longer and more severe negative modified droughts than positive ones because of the negative pressure of human activities on the hydrological system. A large number of natural droughts have also been transformed into modified droughts because of the intensive exploitation of surface and sub-surface water resources and the lack of hydrological system recovery. The results show that the extended approach can detect and quantify different drought types in our human-influenced era.
The Impacts of Climate Variation and Land Use Changes on Streamflow in the Yihe River, China
Authors: Xu Shanshan , Qin Mingzhou , Ding Shengyan , Zhao Qinghe , Liu Huimin , Li Cangyu , Yang Xiaojie , Li Yanyan , Yang Jiaxin , Ji Xiaoyu
Published: April 2019

Climate variation and land use changes have been widely recognized as two major factors that impact hydrological processes. However, it is difficult to distinguish their contributions to changes in streamflow. Quantifying their contributions to alteration of streamflow is especially important for the sustainable management of water resources. In this study, the changes in streamflow for the period of 1960–2008 at two stations (Dongwan and Luhun) were analyzed in the Yihe watershed in China based on hydrological data series and climate parameters. Using a non-parametric Mann–Kendall (MK) and Pettitt’s test, as well as Budyko analysis, we first examined the trends of hydroclimatic variables and the breakpoint of annual streamflow over the past 50 years. Subsequently, we evaluated the contributions of annual precipitation (P), potential evapotranspiration (PET), and land use condition (represented by w), respectively, to streamflow variation. We observed a decreasing trend for P, as well as increasing trends for PET and w. Annual streamflow showed a significant downward trend with an abrupt change occurring in 1985 during the period of 1960–2008. Accordingly, we divided the studied period into two sub-periods: period I (1960–1985) and period II (1986–2008). The sensitivity of the streamflow to the different environmental factors concerned in this study differed. Streamflow was more sensitive to P than to PET and w. The decrease in P was the greatest contributor to the decline in streamflow, which accounted for 50.01% for Dongwan and 55.36% for Luhun, followed by PET, which accounted for 24.25% for Dongwan and 24.45% for Luhun, and land use change was responsible for 25.25% for Dongwan and 20.19% for Luhun. Although land use change plays a smaller role in streamflow reduction, land use optimization and adjustment still have great significance for future water resource management, since climate variation is difficult to control; however, the pattern optimization of land use can be achieved subjectively.
Integrating Landsat TM/ETM+ and Numerical Modeling to Estimate Water Temperature in the Tigris River under Future Climate and Management Scenarios
Authors: Al-Murib Muhanned D. , Wells Scott A. , Talke Stefan A.
Published: April 2019

Modeling the water quality of rivers and assessing the effects of changing conditions is often hindered by a lack of in situ measurements for calibration. Here, we use a combination of satellite measurements, statistical models, and numerical modeling with CE-QUAL-W2 to overcome in situ data limitations and evaluate the effect of changing hydrologic and climate conditions on water temperature (Tw) in the Tigris River, one of the largest rivers in the Middle East. Because few in situ estimates of Tw were available, remotely-sensed estimates of Tw were obtained from Landsat satellite images at roughly 2 week intervals for the year 2009 at the upstream model boundary (Mosul Dam) and two locations further downstream, Baeji and Baghdad. A regression was then developed between air temperature and Landsat Tw in order to estimate daily Tw. These daily Tw were then used for the upstream model boundary condition and for model calibration downstream. Modeled Tw at downstream locations agreed well with Landsat-based statistical estimates with an absolute mean error of <1 °C. A model sensitivity analysis suggested that altering upstream river discharge had little impact on downstream Tw. By contrast, a climate change scenario in which air temperatures were increased by 2 °C resulted in a 0.9 °C and 1.5 °C increase in Tw at Baeji and Baghdad, respectively. Since Tw is a fundamental state variable in water quality models, our approach can be used to improve water quality models when in situ data are scarce.
Influence of Power Operations of Cascade Hydropower Stations under Climate Change and Human Activities and Revised Optimal Operation Strategies: A Case Study in the Upper Han River, China
Authors: Wu Lianzhou , Bai Tao , Huang Qiang , Zhang Ming , Mu Pengfei
Published: April 2019

Climate change and human activities are two driving factors that affect the hydrological cycle of watersheds and water resource evolution. As a pivotal input to hydropower stations, changes in runoff processes may reduce the effectiveness of existing operation procedures. Therefore, it is important to analyze the influences of cascade hydropower stations under climate change and human activities and to propose revised optimal operation strategies. For the present study, three runoff series conditions including: Initial runoff, affected by only climate change, and affected by both climate change and human activities are examined by a simulation model to analyze the influence on power generation with four schemes. Additionally, an optimal operation model of cascade power stations is proposed based on the simulation model to generate single and joint optimal operation charts for future hydrological scenarios. The paper also proposes to change human activities based on optimizing operation rules to reduce its influence on downstream power stations. This procedure is theoretically applied and varied for three power stations in the upper Han River, China. The results show that the influence of climate change is greater than that of human activities in that power generation decreased by 17.95% and 12.83%, respectively, whereas combined, there is a reduction of 25.71%. Under existing hydrological conditions, the modified single and joint operation charts would increase power generation by about 32 million and 47 million kWh. Furthermore, after optimizing the upstream project, the abandoned water and power generation of these cascade power stations would reduce by 150 million m3 and 5 million kWh, respectively. This study has practical significance for the efficient operation of cascade hydropower stations and is helpful for developing reservoir operation theory under changing environments.
Projected Rainfall Erosivity Over Central Asia Based on CMIP5 Climate Models
Authors: Duulatov Eldiiar , Chen Xi , Amanambu Amobichukwu C. , Ochege Friday U. , Orozbaev Rustam , Issanova Gulnura , Omurakunova Gulkaiyr
Published: April 2019

Climate change-induced precipitation variability is the leading cause of rainfall erosivity that leads to excessive soil losses in most countries of the world. In this paper, four global climate models (GCMs) were used to characterize the spatiotemporal prediction of rainfall erosivity and assess the effect of variations of rainfall erosivity in Central Asia. The GCMs (BCCCSM1-1, IPSLCM5BLR, MIROC5, and MPIESMLR) were statistically downscaled using the delta method under Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) 2.6 and 8.5 for two time periods: “Near” and “Far” future (2030s and 2070s). These GCMs data were used to estimate rainfall erosivity and its projected changes over Central Asia. WorldClim data was used as the present baseline precipitation scenario for the study area. The rainfall erosivity (R) factor of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) was used to determine rainfall erosivity. The results show an increase in the future periods of the annual rainfall erosivity compared to the baseline. For all GCMs, with an average change in rainfall erosivity of about 5.6% (424.49 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 year−1) in 2030s and 9.6% (440.57 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 year−1) in 2070s as compared to the baseline of 402 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 year−1. The magnitude of the change varies with the GCMs, with the largest change being 26.6% (508.85 MJ mm ha−1 h−1 year−1), occurring in the MIROC-5 RCP8.5 scenario in the 2070s. Although annual rainfall erosivity shows a steady increase, IPSLCM5ALR (both RCPs and periods) shows a decrease in the average erosivity. Higher rainfall amounts were the prime causes of increasing spatial-temporal rainfall erosivity.
Response Surface Analysis of Fenobucarb Removal by Electrochemically Generated Chlorine
Authors: Le Giang Truong , Ta Nguyen Thuy , Pham Trung Quoc , Dao Yen Hai
Published: April 2019

The aim of the present study was to investigate the electrochemical formation of active chlorine and its subsequent use for the degradation of the pesticide fenobucarb. Initially, the process of electrochemical active chlorine production was investigated using an electrochemical flow-cell with a Ti/RuO2 plate electrode. The contribution of four main factors (chloride concentration, current density, the retention time of chloride in the cell (flow rate), and initial pH of inlet solution) to form active chlorine was determined by a central composite design (CCD). The influence of the four variables was statistically significant, and the contributions of flow rate, chloride concentration, pH, and current density were found to be 37.2%, 33.59%, 18.28%, and 10.93%, respectively. A mathematical model was established to predict and optimize the operating conditions for fenobucarb removal in the NaCl electrolysis process. The main transformation products (seven compound structures) were detected by liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC–HRMS). The results of the model and transformation products indicated that fenobucarb was degraded due to direct oxidation on the electrode surface, and indirectly by active chlorine and other radicals present during the NaCl electrolysis process.
Allocating Water Environmental Capacity to Meet Water Quality Control by Considering Both Point and Non-Point Source Pollution Using a Mathematical Model: Tidal River Network Case Study
Authors: Chen Lina , Han Longxi , Ling Hong , Wu Junfeng , Tan Junyi , Chen Bo , Zhang Fangxiu , Liu Zixin , Fan Yubo , Zhou Mengtian , Lin Youren
Published: April 2019

Based on the principles of fairness and feasibility, a nonlinear optimization allocation method for pollutants was developed based on controlled section water quality standards, considering the synergetic influence of point and surface sources. The maximum allowable emission of pollutants from point and surface sources were taken as the objective function. The water quality attainment rate of controlled sections, the control requirements of pollution sources, and technical parameters of pollution control engineering were taken as constraints. A nonlinear optimization allocation model was established, and a genetic algorithm was used to solve the problem. As an example, the model was applied to a certain area in the Taihu Lake basin, southern Jiangsu province, China. The analysis results showed that the annual number of days for ammonia-nitrogen and total phosphorus meeting the standard were 334 and 332 days, respectively, under maximum allowable emissions for each pollutant, and the water quality compliance rates of the control section were 91.5% and 91%, respectively. The ammonia-nitrogen and total phosphorus concentrations in the controlled section achieved related water quality compliance rate targets of 90%. These all met the water quality compliance rate requirements of the control section. The results indicate that this method reflects the feasibility of optimizing the total allocation results systematically and intuitively, overcomes the insufficiency in the feasibility of the optimized allocation method, and provides effective and reliable technical support for control and management of the total pollutant amount based on water quality improvement.
Recent and Future Changes in Rainfall Erosivity and Implications for the Soil Erosion Risk in Brandenburg, NE Germany
Authors: Gericke Andreas , Kiesel Jens , Deumlich Detlef , Venohr Markus
Published: April 2019

The universal soil loss equation (USLE) is widely used to identify areas of erosion risk at regional scales. In Brandenburg, USLE R factors are usually estimated from summer rainfall, based on a relationship from the 1990s. We compared estimated and calculated factors of 22 stations with 10-min rainfall data. To obtain more realistic estimations, we regressed the latter to three rainfall indices (total and heavy-rainfall sums). These models were applied to estimate future R factors of 188 climate stations. To assess uncertainties, we derived eight scenarios from 15 climate models and two representative concentration pathways (RCP), and compared the effects of index choice to the choices of climate model, RCP, and bias correction. The existing regression model underestimated the calculated R factors by 40%. Moreover, using heavy-rainfall sums instead of total sums explained the variability of current R factors better, increased their future changes, and reduced the model uncertainty. The impact of index choice on future R factors was similar to the other choices. Despite all uncertainties, the results indicate that average R factors will remain above past values. Instead, the extent of arable land experiencing excessive soil loss might double until the mid-century with RCP 8.5 and unchanged land management.
Structural characteristics of hematite and goethite and their relationships with kaolinite in a laterite from Cameroon. A TEM study
Authors: Boudeulle Micheline , Muller Jean-Pierre
Published: April 2019

Une étude en microscopie et diffraction électroniques a été réalisée sur des échantillons de goethite et d'hématite, associées aux kaolinites, prélevés le long de profils d'altération latéritique (Cameroun). La morphologie de la goethite varie suivant le site de développement, au contraire de celle de l'hématite. Des phases intermédiaires entre ces deux minéraux, soit natives, soit résultant d'une transformation topotactique hématite-goethite ont été identifiées. Des surcroissances de goethite sur hématite et l'épitaxie de la goethite sur la kaolinite ont été observées.

Ces résultats sont discutés en termes de mode de développement, de stabilité et de relations génétiques entre les minéraux. Des implications pétrologiques en sont tirées.
Surgical Attitudes toward Preoperative Breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Authors: Mukherjee Som D. , Hodgson N. , Lovrics P.J. , Dhamanaskar K. , Chambers S. , Sussman J.
Published: April 2019

Background: Preoperative breast magnetic resonance imaging (mri) is commonly requested by surgeons in the initial workup of women with breast cancer; however, its use is controversial. We performed a survey of breast cancer surgeons across Canada to investigate current knowledge about, attitudes to, and self-reported use of preoperative breast mri in a publicly funded health care system in light of the limited evidence to support it. Methods: All identified general surgeons in Canada were mailed a survey instrument designed to probe current practice and knowledge of published trials. Results: Of 403 responding surgeons, 233 (58%) indicated that they performed breast cancer surgery. Of those 233, 218 (94%) had access to breast mri and completed the entire survey. Overall, 54.6% of responding surgeons felt that breast mri was useful in surgical planning, and more than half (58.3%) indicated that their frequency of use was likely to increase over the next 5 years. Surgeons found preoperative mri most useful in detecting mammographically occult disease (71.5% of respondents) and in planning for breast-conserving surgery (57.3%). The main limitations reported were timely access to mri (51%) and false positives (36.7%). Responses suggest a knowledge gap in awareness of published trials in breast mri. Conclusions: Our study found that, in early-stage breast cancer, self-reported use of mri by breast cancer surgeons in Canada varied widely. Reported indications did not align with published data, and significant gaps in self-reported knowledge of the data were evident. Our results would support the development and dissemination of guidelines to optimize use of mri.
Review of Bruton Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for the Treatment of Relapsed or Refractory Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Owen C. , Berinstein N.L. , Christofides A. , Sehn L.H.
Published: April 2019

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a rare subtype of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that remains incurable with standard therapy. Patients typically require multiple lines of therapy, and those with relapsed or refractory (R/R) disease have a very poor prognosis. The Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib has proven to be an effective agent for patients with R/R MCL. Although usually well tolerated, ibrutinib can be associated with unique toxicities, requiring discontinuation in some patients. Effective and well-tolerated alternatives to ibrutinib for patients with R/R MCL are therefore needed. Novel btk inhibitors such as acalabrutinib, zanubrutinib, and tirabrutinib are designed to improve on the safety and efficacy of first-generation btk inhibitors such as ibrutinib. Data from single-arm clinical trials suggest that, compared with ibrutinib, second-generation btk inhibitors have comparable efficacy and might have a more favourable toxicity profile. Those newer btk inhibitors might therefore provide a viable treatment option for patients with R/R MCL.
The Economic Impact of the Transition from Branded to Generic Oncology Drugs
Authors: Cheung W.Y. , Kornelsen E.A. , Mittmann N. , Leighl N.B. , Cheung M. , Chan K.K. , Bradbury P.A. , Ng R.C.H. , Chen B.E. , Ding K. , Pater J.L. , Tu D. , Hay A.E.
Published: April 2019

Background: Economic evaluations are an integral component of many clinical trials. Costs used in those analyses are based on the prices of branded drugs when they first enter the market. The effect of genericization on the cost-effectiveness (CE) or cost–utility (CU) of an intervention is unknown because economic analyses are rarely updated using the costs of generic drugs. Methods: We re-examined the CE or CU of regimens previously evaluated in Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) studies that included prospective economic evaluations and where genericization has occurred or is anticipated in Canada. We incorporated the new costs of generic drugs to characterize changes in CE or CU. We also determined acceptable cost levels of generic drugs that would make regimens reimbursable in a publicly funded health care system. Results: The four randomized controlled trials included (representing 1979 patients) were CCTG BR.10 (early lung cancer, adjuvant vinorelbine–cisplatin vs. observation, n = 172), CCTG BR.21 (metastatic lung cancer, erlotinib vs. placebo, n = 731), CCTG CO.17 (metastatic colon cancer, cetuximab vs. best supportive care, n = 557), and CCTG LY.12 (relapsed or refractory lymphoma, gemcitabine–dexamethasone–cisplatin vs. cytarabine–dexamethasone–cisplatin, n = 619). Since the initial publication of those trials, the genericization of vinorelbine, erlotinib, cetuximab, and cisplatin has taken place or is expected in Canada. Costs of generics improved the ces and cus of treatment significantly. For example, genericization of erlotinib ($1460.25 per 30 days) resulted in an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $45,746 per life-year gained compared with $94,638 for branded erlotinib. Likewise, genericization of cetuximab ($275.80 per 100 mg) produced an icer of $261,126 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained compared with $299,613 for branded cetuximab. Decreases in the cost of generic cetuximab to $129.39 and $63.51 would further improve the icer to $150,000 and $100,000 per QALY respectively. Conclusions: Genericization of a costly oncology drug can modify the CE and CU of a regimen significantly. Failure to revisit economic analyses with the costs of generics could be a missed opportunity for funding bodies to optimize value-based allocation of health care resources. At current levels, the costs of generics might not be sufficiently low to sustain publicly funded health care systems.