bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Weyl invariant Jacobi forms along Higgsing trees
Authors: Duan Zhihao , Duque David Jaramillo , Kashani-Poor Amir-Kian
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Using topological string techniques, we compute BPS counting functions of 5d gauge theories which descend from 6d superconformal field theories upon circle compactification. Such theories are naturally organized in terms of nodes of Higgsing trees. We demonstrate that the specialization of the partition function as we move from the crown to the root of a tree is determined by homomorphisms between rings of Weyl invariant Jacobi forms. Our computations are made feasible by the fact that symmetry enhancements of the gauge theory which are manifest on the massless spectrum are inherited by the entire tower of BPS particles. In some cases, these symmetry enhancements have a nice relation to the 1-form symmetry of the associated gauge theory.
Implant-based multiplane breast augmentation—a personal surgical concept for dynamic implant–tissue interaction providing sustainable shape stability
Authors: Vogt Peter M. , Mackowski Marian S. , Dastagir Khaled
Published: April 2021

Background

The aesthetic long-term stability in shape, symmetry, and natural appearance of an aesthetically augmented breast remains a constant challenge. It has become clear that the results depend strongly on the technique applied and the experience of the surgeon. An ongoing controversy concerns the positioning of the implants. Subglandular, submuscular, partial submuscular, and subfascial pockets have different tradeoffs and advantages. However, secondary deformity, unnatural feel, and appearance are not addressed uniformly. The aim of the following study was to establish a standard procedure allowing for the desired and reproducible results to provide long-term stability and aesthetic quality.

Methods

The authors have developed a standardized dissection of a dynamic implant pocket. In this approach, a submuscular dissection with lower and medial release of the pectoralis muscle is combined with a wide subfascial release of the breast gland and a scoring of the deep plane of the superficial glandular fascia. In the final step, the deep layer of the glandular fascia is sutured tightly and firmly to the deep layer of the abdomino-pectoral fascia. A total of 867 patients received a 4D pocket–based breast implant by the authors. A subset of 33 patients was further analyzed for long-term results. Retrospectively, all data were analyzed from the electronic patient information system and files of patients using GraphPad 8. For comparison of multiple experimental groups, one-way ANOVA was performed where indicated.

Results

The concept not only addresses the biplanar approach of submuscular implant placement (3D) but adds the 4th dimension (4D) of an aesthetically pleasing dynamic shape of the augmented breast providing long-term stability. Measurements—taken at 3 months, and 1, 2, 3, 5, and ≥ 7 years post augmentation—for SN-N, N-IMF, N-ML, and MC-N distances did not show any significant changes over time. In the patient cohort of 867 patients (1734 implants), the overall complication rate was < 5%. Revisions for bleeding were below 0.5%. Shape stability was observed over 7 years in more than 95% of the patients.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that our technique of multiplane breast augmentation provides long-term stability and aesthetic quality. It may solve some of the existing tradeoffs of the different methods by combining the benefits of each technique supported by an additional shaping through a controlled deep fasciotomy.

Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.
Innovative management accounting practices for sustainability of manufacturing small and medium enterprises
Authors: Nartey S. N. , van der Poll H. M.
Published: April 2021

The environment in which manufacturing small and medium enterprises operate has become very complex, and therefore manufacturing SME’s owners need to be aware of the impact their decisions have on the environment and society. The aim of the research was to identify which innovative management accounting practices can be integrated into manufacturing SMEs’ strategies to overcome the challenge of being blamed by stakeholders as contributors to social and environmental problems. Published articles were sourced from the University of South Africa’s online library using keywords. A systematic literature review was employed to discover themes and concepts during secondary data gathering to detect traditional and innovative MAPs in management accounting literature all over the globe. The qualitative data analysis and research software, Atlas.ti was used to synthesise the data. Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the occurrence of words, phrases, themes, metaphors, and the construction of concepts in MAPs literature. During the analysis, seven innovative MAPs (activity base costing/budgeting; product life cycle costing; total quality management; environmental costing; target costing; kaizen costing and value analysis) were identified. It is recommended that manufacturing SMEs integrate these innovative MAPs into their strategies to impact their environmental, social, supply chain management and recycling policies to promote operational efficiency to achieve sustainability. Further research to identify influencing factors; strategic procedures; and the environmental and social benefits of integrating these identified innovative MAPs into manufacturing SMEs to achieve sustainability, should be undertaken.
Optimization of decellularized human placental macroporous scaffolds for spermatogonial stem cells homing
Authors: Asgari Fatemeh , Asgari Hamid Reza , Najafi Mohammad , Eftekhari Behnaz Sadat , Vardiani Mina , Gholipourmalekabadi Mazaher , Koruji Morteza
Published: April 2021

Decellularized scaffolds have been found to be excellent platforms for tissue engineering applications. The attempts are still being made to optimize a decellularization protocol with successful removal of the cells with minimal damages to extracellular matrix components. We examined twelve decellularization procedures using different concentrations of Sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100 (alone or in combination), and incubation time points of 15 or 30 min. Then, the potential of the decellularized scaffold as a three-dimensional substrate for colony formation capacity of mouse spermatogonial stem cells was determined. The morphological, degradation, biocompatibility, and swelling properties of the samples were fully characterized. The 0.5%/30 SDS/Triton showed optimal decellularization with minimal negative effects on ECM (P ≤ 0.05). The swelling ratios increased with the increase of SDS and Triton concentration and incubation time. Only 0.5%/15 and 30 SDS showed a significant decrease in the SSCs viability compared with other groups (P < 0.05). The SSCs colony formation was clearly observed under SEM and H&E stained slides. The cells infiltrated into the subcutaneously implanted scaffold at days 7 and 30 post-implantation with no sign of graft rejection. Our data suggest the %0.5/30 SDS/Triton as an excellent platform for tissue engineering and reproductive biology applications.
Bulk and Confined Benzene-Cyclohexane Mixtures Studied by an Integrated Total Neutron Scattering and NMR Method
Authors: Hughes Terri-Louise , Falkowska Marta , Leutzsch Markus , Sederman Andrew J. , Mantle Mick D. , Headen Thomas F. , Youngs Tristan G. A. , Bowron Daniel T. , Hardacre Christopher
Published: April 2021

Herein mixtures of cyclohexane and benzene have been investigated in both the bulk liquid phase and when confined in MCM-41 mesopores. The bulk mixtures have been studied using total neutron scattering (TNS), and the confined mixtures have been studied by a new flow-utilising, integrated TNS and NMR system (Flow NeuNMR), all systems have been analysed using empirical potential structure refinement (EPSR). The Flow NeuNMR setup provided precise time-resolved chemical sample composition through NMR, overcoming the difficulties of ensuring compositional consistency for computational simulation of data ordinarily found in TNS experiments of changing chemical composition—such as chemical reactions. Unique to the liquid mixtures, perpendicularly oriented benzene molecules have been found at short distances from the cyclohexane rings in the regions perpendicular to the carbon–carbon bonds. Upon confinement of the hydrocarbon mixtures, a stronger parallel orientational preference of unlike molecular dimers, at short distances, has been found. At longer first coordination shell distances, the like benzene molecular spatial organisation within the mixture has also found to be altered upon confinement.
IPR Law Protection and Enforcement and the Effect on Horizontal Productivity Spillovers from Inward FDI to Domestic Firms: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Christopoulou Danai , Papageorgiadis Nikolaos , Wang Chengang , Magkonis Georgios
Published: April 2021

We study the role of the strength of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) law protection and enforcement in influencing horizontal productivity spillovers from inward FDI to domestic firms in host countries. While most WTO countries adopted strong IPR legislation due to exogenous pressure resulting from the signing of the Trade-Related Aspects of IPR (TRIPS) agreement, public IPR enforcement strength continues to vary significantly between countries. We meta-analyse 49 studies and find that public IPR enforcement strength has a direct positive effect on horizontal productivity spillovers from inward FDI to domestic firms and a negative moderating effect on the relationship between IPR law protection strength and horizontal productivity spillovers from inward FDI to domestic firms.
Hydrothermal liquefaction of wood chips under supercritical and subcritical water reaction conditions
Authors: Shimizu Naoto , Zeng Bingyao , Kushima Keisuke
Published: April 2021

This work describes batch-type hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) treatments of conifer wood chips at 180–425 °C, under either air or nitrogen atmosphere. Such experiments allow efficient extraction of 5-hydroxymethyl furfural (HMF) and other valuable chemical substances, such as glycolic acid and acetic acid, from the lignocellulosic biomass. These compounds and their decomposition products present in the samples after HTL are analyzed and quantified using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. In general, the relatively higher-pressure nitrogen atmospheric condition is more suitable for obtaining the desired products, relative to the air atmosphere. Based on the quantitative results, the optimal temperatures for producing acetic acid, glycolic acid, and HMF are 300 °C, 250 °C, and 180 °C, respectively. The interesting relationship between HMF yield and temperature is also discussed; as the temperature increases, the yield of HMF first decreases and then increases. This phenomenon is explained by the exothermic nature of the HMF decomposition reaction, which is inhibited by excessively high temperature (in the range from 380 to 425 °C). At moderately high temperatures (optimized conditions; 300 °C), the generation rate of HMF exceeds its decomposition rate, resulting in a high yield of HMF. Based on the results of the experiments conducted in this study, the decomposition mechanism describing HTL treatment of wood chips can be elucidated. This study therefore provides guidance for future work involving HMF extraction from lignocellulosic biomass.
Industry 4.0: a step towards achieving the SDGs? A critical literature review
Authors: Beier Grischa , Niehoff Silke , Hoffmann Mandy
Published: April 2021

The transformation of industrial production is one of the big challenges on the pathway to sustainable development. Therefore, expectations regarding the contribution of Industry 4.0 are high. So far there is only little research focusing on the relation between the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the digitalization of industrial processes. We argue that sustainability aspects must be an integral part of Industry 4.0 implementation to support a sustainable development. For that reason, the digital manufacturing concept itself must take essential characteristics of sustainability into account. Our analysis has investigated to what extent sustainability aspects are currently reflected in the most recognized articles about Industry 4.0. For that purpose, we have conducted a systematic literature review, in which we have analysed the top cohort of most frequently cited articles published after 2013 on GoogleScholar dealing with “Industry 4.0”. Our literature review reveals that the descriptions reflect many expectations and hopes while only few of them are evidence-based. According to our results Industry 4.0 mainly deals with the economic dimension of sustainability such as growth and productivity. Although there are expectations that Industry 4.0 creates a window of opportunity for a more sustainable production, we could not find evidence to support this idea. Instead of targeting a more sustainable production, many descriptions draw a picture in which Industry 4.0 processes run exactly as before, just in a digital way.
ALCAPA syndrome
Authors: Ferreras Cristina , Mota Sílvia , Sarmento João Antunes , Granja Sofia , Grilo Marta , Ribeiro Augusto
Published: April 2021

ALCAPA syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease and a cause of myocardial ischemia in pediatric population. The authors present the case of a 10-year-old girl admitted to the emergency room after experiencing cardiac arrest at school. In the echocardiogram, the inability to identify the origin of the left coronary artery raised the hypothesis of abnormal origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA). A CT-scan and a cardiac catheterization were performed confirming the diagnosis. Infants with the syndrome may have myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure. She successfully underwent cardiac surgery. Most undiagnosed patients die within the first year of life, and it is necessary to develop an extensive network of collaterals to ensure survival. ALCAPA syndrome rarely manifests in late childhood, teenagers, and adults and may be an important cause of sudden cardiac arrest.
Shakespeare in Print
Authors: Murphy Andrew
Published: April 2021

Described by the TLS as 'a formidable bibliographical achievement … destined to become a key reference work for Shakespeareans', Shakespeare in Print is now issued in a revised and expanded edition offering a wealth of new material, including a chapter which maps the history of digital editions from the earliest computer-generated texts to the very latest digital resources. Murphy's narrative offers a masterful overview of the history of Shakespeare publishing and editing, teasing out the greater cultural significance of the ways in which the plays and poems have been disseminated and received over the centuries from Shakespeare's time to our own. The opening chapters have been completely rewritten to offer close engagement with the careers of the network of publishers and printers who first brought Shakespeare to print, additional material has been added to all chapters, and the chronological appendix has been updated and expanded.
Using the nuclear LEAFY gene to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships among invasive knotweed (Reynoutria, Polygonaceae) populations
Authors: Tippery Nicholas P. , Olson Alyssa L. , Wendtlandt Jenni L.
Published: April 2021

Knotweed species in the genus Reynoutria are native to eastern Asia but have become noxious weeds in Europe and North America. In the United States, invasive populations of Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica Houtt.), giant knotweed [Reynoutria sachalinensis (F. Schmidt) Nakai], and their interspecific hybrid known as Bohemian knotweed (R. × bohemica Chrtek & Chrtková) continue to expand their ranges. Although these plants are among the most invasive terrestrial species, there are relatively few molecular tools for identifying the parental species, the F1 hybrid, or subsequent hybrids or introgressed individuals. We studied Reynoutria populations in Wisconsin, a state where all three taxa grow, to determine whether molecular data would be useful for distinguishing species and identifying hybrids. We obtained DNA sequence data from the plastid matK gene and the nuclear LEAFY gene and compared these to previously published sequences. Data from the uniparentally inherited matK region included haplotypes attributable to R. japonica and R. sachalinensis. Nuclear data indicated that R. sachalinensis plants are most similar to native plants in Japan, with two Wisconsin accessions exhibiting a monomorphic genotype for the LEAFY gene. Three Wisconsin accessions of R. japonica were each characterized by having three distinct kinds of LEAFY sequence. Most plants in our study were found to possess two or three phylogenetically distinct copies of the LEAFY gene, with the copies being most closely related to R. japonica and R. sachalinensis, respectively, and these were inferred to be interspecific hybrids. Altogether, five kinds of interspecific hybrids were identified, reflecting various combinations of LEAFY sequence types from the parental species. The widespread existence of hybrid plants in Wisconsin, many of which are morphologically identifiable as R. japonica, indicates a cryptic genetic diversity that should be examined more broadly in North America using molecular tools.
On particle fountains in a stratified environment
Authors: Newland Eric L. , Woods Andrew W.
Published: April 2021

We present a series of experiments to explore the dynamics of particle-laden fountains rising through a stratified environment with zero buoyancy flux at the source. We find that the ratio

$U$

between the particle sedimentation speed

$V_s$

and the characteristic fountain velocity

$(M_0N^{2})^{1/4}$

, where

$M_0$

is the initial momentum flux and

$N$

the frequency of the ambient stratification, has a profound effect on the structure of the fountain and the dispersal of the particles. In a mono-disperse particle fountain, when the settling speed of the particles is small in comparison to the characteristic fountain speed (

$U\ll 1$

) the flow initially behaves in an analogous fashion to a single-phase fountain, forming an intrusion at a height of approximately 0.5 of the maximum fountain height. As the fluid–particle mixture spreads out, the particles gradually sediment to the tank floor. The intruding fluid subsequently rises and forms a new intrusion at its neutral buoyancy height. Some of the particles are carried up from the original intrusion with the rising fluid. This leads to the formation of a sedimenting column of particles with a characteristic radius. We observe a transition in the behaviour of the particle fountains in the vicinity of

$U\sim 0.1$

, with the particles now separating from the fluid near the top of the fountain. The separation of the particles leads to a reduction in the steady-state height of the particle-laden fountain, while the fluid in the fountain continues upwards until reaching its neutral buoyancy height and forming an intrusion above the fountain top. We compare the experimental data with two models of turbulent fountains to help rationalise the trends observed as a function of the dimensionless fall speed

$U$

. We briefly consider the dynamics of poly-disperse particle fountains and relate their dynamics to the regimes observed in their mono-disperse counterparts. We discuss the implications of this work for the dispersal of different sized particles from submarine volcanic eruptions.
Am I obliged to vote? A regression discontinuity analysis of compulsory voting with ill-informed voters
Authors: Turgeon Mathieu , Blais André
Published: April 2021

We study the impact of compulsory voting in Brazil, where voting is mandatory from age 18 to 70 and voluntary for those aged 16, 17 and 70+. Using a survey sample of 8008 respondents, we document voter confusion about how the age criterion applies. Some people falsely believe that what matters is one's age in an election year rather than on Election Day. Next, we perform a regression discontinuity (RD) analysis of compulsory voting among young voters with register-based data from six Brazilian elections (2008–2018). We find that the effect of compulsory voting is seriously underestimated if we focus solely on the discontinuities prescribed by the law. Our findings carry important implications for studies adopting the RD design where knowledge of the cutoff is expected of the units of interest (like those about compulsory voting) and confirm that compulsory voting is a strong institutional arrangement that promotes greater electoral participation.
Tobacco-Taking and Identity-Making in Early Modern Britain and North America
Authors: McShane Angela
Published: April 2021

This article explores the praxis of transatlantic snuff- and tobacco-taking and its importance to personal and national identity-making over the long eighteenth century. It focuses in particular on the role of snuff- and tobacco boxes, which uniquely provided white middling-sorts on both sides of the Atlantic with a socialized canvas upon which significant statements of status, personality, and sensibility could be made. However, a closer study of these objects during America's revolutionary period reveals stark contrasts in the social, political, and gendered meanings ascribed to tobacco-taking between Britain and America. The material evidence, it is argued, suggests that for men, and especially for women in revolutionary America, snuff- and tobacco-taking became almost synonymous with loyalty to the republic.
Sampling designs for rare time-dependent exposures: a comparison of the nested exposure case-control design and exposure density sampling
Authors: Feifel J. , von Cube M. , Ohneberg K. , Ershova K. , Wolkewitz M. , Beyersmann J. , Schumacher M.
Published: April 2021

In extensive cohort studies, the ascertainment of covariate information on all individuals can be challenging. In hospital epidemiology, an additional issue is often the time-dependency of the exposure of interest. We revisit and compare two sampling designs constructed for rare time-dependent exposures and possibly common outcomes – the nested exposure case-control design and exposure density sampling. Both designs enable efficient hazard ratio estimation by sampling all exposed individuals but only a small fraction of the unexposed ones. Moreover, they account for time-dependent exposure to avoid immortal time bias. We evaluate and compare their performance using data of patients hospitalised in the neuro-intensive care unit at the Burdenko Neurosurgery Institute in Moscow, Russia. Three different types of hospital-acquired infections with different prevalence are considered. Additionally, inflation factors, a primary performance measure, are discussed. We enhance both designs to allow for a competitive analysis of combined and competing endpoints compared to the full cohort approach while substantially reducing the amount of necessary information. Nonetheless, exposure density sampling outperforms the nested exposure case-control design concerning efficiency and accuracy in most considered settings.
Clicking, but connecting? L2 learning engagement on an ab initio Irish language LMOOC
Authors: Mac Lochlainn Conchúr , Nic Giolla Mhichíl Mairéad , Beirne Elaine
Published: April 2021

Language massive open online courses (LMOOCs) represent an exciting prospect for language teachers and instructors around the globe (Bárcena & Martín-Monje, 2014). In this paper, we report on the dynamics of participation and learner behaviour in an ab initio Irish language course. The course, Irish 101, ran during March 2019, and we used a mixed-methods approach to analyse both typical patterns of behaviour among course participants and learner reflections upon their reasons for doing so. Findings suggest that most learners use the course resources in an assessing and exploratory manner and are far less likely to produce, or to examine, second language (L2) output, either written or spoken. Learners were found to be selective and to demonstrate significant metacognitive awareness (Wenden, 1998) in their interactions and learning methods, displaying agency and exploiting affordances beyond the design of the course itself. Implications for LMOOC design, including the need to question whether courses should emphasise L2 production or resource provision, are considered, in addition to a general need for more granular, dynamic research, so as to better understand the types of learners who engage in LMOOCs and to better cater to diverse learning needs.
The regulatory role of miR-20a in bovine cumulus cells and its contribution to oocyte maturation
Authors: Andreas Eryk , Pandey Hari Om , Hoelker Michael , Salilew-Wondim Dessie , Gebremedhn Samuel , Schellander Karl , Tesfaye Dawit
Published: April 2021

Dynamic changes in microRNAs in oocyte and cumulus cells before and after maturation may explain the spatiotemporal post-transcriptional gene regulation within bovine follicular cells during the oocyte maturation process. miR-20a has been previously shown to regulate proliferation and differentiation as well as progesterone levels in cultured bovine granulosa cells. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the function of miR-20a during the bovine oocyte maturation process. Maturation of cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) was performed at 39°C in an humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2 in air. The expression of miR-20a was investigated in the cumulus cells and oocytes at 22 h post culture. The functional role of miR-20a was examined by modulating the expression of miR-20a in COCs during in vitro maturation (IVM). We found that the miR-20a expression was increased in cumulus cells but decreased in oocytes after IVM. Overexpression of miR-20a increased the oocyte maturation rate. Even though not statistically significant, miR-20a overexpression during IVM increased progesterone levels in the spent medium. This was further supported by the expression of STAR and CYP11A1 genes in cumulus cells. The phenotypes observed due to overexpression of miR-20a were validated by BMP15 supplementation during IVM and subsequent transfection of BMP15-treated COCs using miR-20a mimic or BMPR2 siRNA. We found that miR-20a mimic or BMPR2 siRNA transfection rescued BMP15-reduced oocyte maturation and progesterone levels. We concluded that miR-20a regulates oocyte maturation by increasing cumulus cell progesterone synthesis by simultaneous suppression of BMPR2 expression.
The Political Impact of the Case Law of the Court of Justice of the European Union
Authors: Mieńkowska-Norkiene Renata
Published: April 2021

Conceptual framework for understanding the degree and scope of the political impact of the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union – Definition of ‘the political’ – Carl Schmitt’s concept of political realism – Chantal Mouffe’s agonistic theory of ‘the political’ – ‘The political’ in the light of three classical categories: (1) polity, (2) policy, and (3) politics – Framework for understanding polity as competing values, policy as conflicts over resources, politics as fights for power – Criteria of political significance and impact of the Court of Justice case law – Two illustrations: Case C-391/09 Runevič-Vardyn v Vilniaus miesto savivaldybės administracija and Case C-192/18 European Commission v Republic of Poland set against the broader context of politically significant cases from the Court of Justice of the European Union.
Kriteriumsorientiertes adaptives Testen mit der KAT-HS-App
Authors: Fink Aron , Spoden Christian , Frey Andreas , Naumann Patrick
Published: April 2021

Zusammenfassung. In dieser Softwareinformation werden die Möglichkeiten zur Konstruktion, Administration und Auswertung kriteriumsorientierter, computerisierter adaptiver und nicht-adaptiver Tests mit der R-basierten open-source KAT-HS-App erläutert. Die App ermöglicht unter anderem auch die Anwendung der kontinuierlichen Kalibrierungsstrategie von Fink, Born, Spoden und Frey (2018 ).
Higher Suicide Intent in Patients Attempting Suicide With Violent Methods Versus Self-Poisoning
Authors: Persett Per Sverre , Ekeberg Øivind , Jacobsen Dag , Bjornaas Mari Asphjell , Myhren Hilde
Published: April 2021

Abstract. Background: Suicidal intent for patients attempting suicide using violent methods (VMs) is assumed to be higher than for those using self-poisoning (SP), which may explain the higher mortality observed in follow-up studies. However, this has not been studied prospectively. Aims: We aimed to compare patients attempting suicide using VMs with those using SP regarding suicidal intent, suicidal ideation, depression, and hopelessness during hospital stay and after 1 year. Methods: Patients hospitalized after suicide attempt by VMs ( n = 80) or SP ( n = 81) completed the Beck scales for Suicide Intent, Suicide Ideation, Depression Inventory, and Hopelessness on admission and at the 12-month follow-up. Results: On admission, those using VMs had higher suicidal intent than those using SP ( M = 16.2 vs. 13.3, p < .001), but lower depression scores ( M = 22.2 vs. 26.8, p < .05). No significant differences were found in suicidal ideation ( M = 20.1 vs. 23.1) or hopelessness ( M = 10.1 vs. 11.9). At 12-month follow-up, depression scores decreased significantly for both groups, while hopelessness decreased only for the SP group. Limitations: The statistical power achieved was lower than intended. Conclusion: The higher levels of suicidal intent, but lower levels of depression, may indicate more impulsivity among people attempting suicide using VMs. Suicidal ideation was relatively stable.
The Distribution Characteristics of GPS Cycle Slip Over the China Mainland and Adjacent Region During the Declining Solar Activity (2015–2018) Period of Solar Cycle 24
Authors: Geng Wei , Huang Wengeng , Liu Guoqi , Liu Siqing , Luo Binxian , Chen Yanhong
Published: April 2021

The Global Positioning System (GPS) cycle slip has a marked impact on the application of communication and navigation systems and therefore is one of the main concerns of the user and designer of terminal systems. In this study, we analyzed the temporal and spatial characteristics of cycle slip events using the GPS data detected from 260 observations in the China sector during the period of the year 2015–2018. The results show that the temporal variations of cycle slips are dependent on the local time, seasons, and solar activity. It occurs from 20:00 LT to midnight and more frequently in the equinox months, especially in solar maximum years. The spatial distribution occurs mainly at southern sector below 25°N, which should be associated with the solar condition and ionospheric irregularities in the equatorial region, and the case analyses reveal that the variation of cycle slips has a similar tendency with the ionospheric scintillation monitored at low‐latitude station Guangzhou explaining this relationship. Our results reflect the performance of the GPS signals monitored in the China area during the declining period of solar activity to some degree.
Global Positioning System Observations of Ionospheric Total Electron Content Variations During the 15th January 2010 and 21st June 2020 Solar Eclipse
Authors: Silwal A. , Gautam S. P. , Poudel P. , Karki M. , Adhikari B. , Chapagain N. P. , Mishra R. K. , Ghimire B. D. , Migoya‐Orue Y.
Published: April 2021

The dual‐frequency global positioning system (GPS) data acquired from the UNAVCO over different places of Nepal were processed to examine the eclipse‐triggered consequences on total electron content (TEC) in response to the annular solar eclipse of 15th January 2010 and 21st June 2020. These occasions were exceptional since they occurred during solar minimum, additionally as in a magnetically quiet period. The eclipse phase coincided with the peak ionization‐time at the equatorial and low latitude regions. The solar eclipse of 21st June 2020 was an annular solar eclipse with a magnitude of 0.994. Nepal has witnessed a partial eclipse, starting at ∼10:53 NST (05:08 UT), reached the maximum at ∼12:40 NST (6:55 UT), and ended at ∼14:24 NST (8:39 UT) with the total duration of 3 h and 31 min. The annular solar eclipse of 15th January 2010 had the magnitude of 0.919 and Nepal has witnessed a partial eclipse starting at ∼12:24 NST (6:39 UT), reached the maximum at ∼14:10 NST (8:25 UT), and ended at ∼15:40 NST (9:55 UT). The eclipse effect occurs as a trough‐like depression in the curve of TEC at all the GPS stations indicates the effect of sudden attenuation of solar extreme ultra‐violet irradiation on decayed electron content in the ionosphere over the region. Moreover, the extent of the exhaustion in ionospheric TEC was studied by comparing the eclipse day TEC with mean diurnal ionospheric TEC of five quietest days of the month to investigate the eclipse effect on the electron density of the ionosphere over the stations. The study additionally reveals that the measure of the decrease in vertical value of total electron content is proportional to the obscuration of the lunar disc, that is closely associated with the electron production via the photoionization process. Observing the values of TEC during the eclipse day and comparing it with other quiet days, our study showed an apparent variation during the time of the eclipse, which agrees with previous studies on ionospheric responses to the eclipse as well as theoretical assumptions.
Why Rivers Need Their Floodplains
Authors: Wohl Ellen
Published: April 2021

Floodplain storage of water, nutrients, and sediment is critical to sustaining river ecosystems but has been reduced by human activities.
Rising Sea Levels Bring a Tidal Change to Tourism
Authors: Sima Richard
Published: April 2021

A series of industry posters reimagines iconic locales in light of sea level rise and issues a call for action against climate change.
VHF Imaging Radar Observations and Theory of Banded Midlatitude Sporadic E Ionization Layers
Authors: Hysell D. L. , Larsen M. F.
Published: April 2021

Observations of backscatter from field‐aligned plasma density irregularities in sporadic E (Es) layers made with a 30‐MHz coherent scatter radar imager in Ithaca, New York are presented and analyzed. The volume probed by the radar lies at approximately 54° geomagnetic latitude, under the midlatitude trough and at the extreme northern edge of the zone where Es layers are prevalent. Nonetheless, the irregularities exhibit many of the characteristics of quasiperiodic echoes observed commonly at lower middle latitudes. These include a tendency to occur in elongated bands stretching from the northwest to southeast in the Northern hemisphere separated by tens of kilometers and propagating to the southwest. In addition, the irregularities were found to exhibit finer‐scale structures with secondary bands oriented nearly normally to the primary bands. We investigate the proposition that the primary bands are telltale of Es‐layer structuring caused by neutral Kelvin Helmholtz (KH) instability in the lower thermosphere and that the secondary bands signify secondary KH instability. Results from a 3D numerical simulation of KH support this proposition.
Projected incremental changes to extreme wind-driven wave heights for the twenty-first century
Authors: O’Grady J. G. , Hemer M. A. , McInnes K. L. , Trenham C. E. , Stephenson A. G.
Published: April 2021

Global climate change will alter wind sea and swell waves, modifying the severity, frequency and impact of episodic coastal flooding and morphological change. Global-scale estimates of increases to coastal impacts have been typically attributed to sea level rise and not specifically to changes to waves on their own. This study provides a reduced complexity method for applying projected extreme wave changes to local scale impact studies. We use non-stationary extreme value analysis to distil an incremental change signal in extreme wave heights and associate this with a change in the frequency of events globally. Extreme wave heights are not projected to increase everywhere. We find that the largest increases will typically be experienced at higher latitudes, and that there is high ensemble model agreement on an increase (doubling of events) for the waters south of Australia, the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Guinea by the end of the twenty-first century.
Projected shifts in loggerhead sea turtle thermal habitat in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean due to climate change
Authors: Patel Samir H. , Winton Megan V. , Hatch Joshua M. , Haas Heather L. , Saba Vincent S. , Fay Gavin , Smolowitz Ronald J.
Published: April 2021

It is well established that sea turtles are vulnerable to atmospheric and oceanographic shifts associated with climate change. However, few studies have formally projected how their seasonal marine habitat may shift in response to warming ocean temperatures. Here we used a high-resolution global climate model and a large satellite tagging dataset to project changes in the future distribution of suitable thermal habitat for loggerheads along the northeastern continental shelf of the United States. Between 2009 and 2018, we deployed 196 satellite tags on loggerheads within the Middle Atlantic Bight (MAB) of the Northwest Atlantic continental shelf region, a seasonal foraging area. Tag location data combined with depth and remotely sensed sea surface temperature (SST) were used to characterize the species’ current thermal range in the MAB. The best-fitting model indicated that the habitat envelope for tagged loggerheads consisted of SST ranging from 11.0° to 29.7 °C and depths between 0 and 105.0 m. The calculated core bathythermal range consisted of SSTs between 15.0° and 28.0 °C and depths between 8.0 and 92.0 m, with the highest probability of presence occurred in regions with SST between 17.7° and 25.3 °C and at depths between 26.1 and 74.2 m. This model was then forced by a high-resolution global climate model under a doubling of atmospheric CO2to project loggerhead probability of presence over the next 80 years. Our results suggest that loggerhead thermal habitat and seasonal duration will likely increase in northern regions of the NW Atlantic shelf. This change in spatiotemporal range for sea turtles in a region of high anthropogenic use may prompt adjustments to the localized protected species conservation measures.
Sleep parameters improvement in PTSD soldiers after symptoms remission
Authors: Rousseau P. F. , Vallat R. , Coste O. , Cadis H. , Nicolas F. , Trousselard M. , Ruby P. , Khalfa S.
Published: April 2021

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a psychotherapy for the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is still unclear whether symptoms remission through EMDR therapy is associated with a beneficial effect on one of the PTSD symptoms, sleep disturbance. Our objective was therefore to study sleep parameters before and after symptom remission in soldiers with PTSD. The control group consisted of 20 healthy active duty military men who slept in a sleep lab with standard polysomnography (PSG) on two sessions separated by one month. The patient group consisted of 17 active duty military with PTSD who underwent EMDR therapy. PSG-recorded sleep was assessed 1 week before the EMDR therapy began and 1 week after PTSD remission. We found that the increased REMs density after remission was positively correlated with a greater decrease of symptoms. Also, the number of EMDR sessions required to reach remission was correlated with intra-sleep awakenings before treatment. These results confirm the improvement of some sleep parameters in PTSD after symptoms remission in a soldier's population and provide a possible predictor of treatment success. Further experiments will be required to establish whether this effect is specific to the EMDR therapy.
Measuring chemical abundances with infrared nebular lines: HII-CHI-MISTRY-IR
Authors: Fernández-Ontiveros J. A. , Pérez-Montero E. , Vílchez J. M. , Amorín R. , Spinoglio L.
Published: April 2021

We provide a new method for deriving heavy element abundances taking advantage of the unique suite of fine-structure lines in the mid- to far-infrared (IR) range. Using grids of photo-ionisation models that cover a wide range in O/H and N/O abundances and ionisation parameter, our code HII-CHI-MISTRY-IR (HCM-IR) provides model-based abundances based on extinction-free and temperature-insensitive tracers. These are two significant advantages over optical diagnostics when they are applied to dust-obscured regions or unresolved (stratified) nebulae, typical conditions found in high-z galaxies. The performance of the code is probed using three different samples of galaxies that extend over a wide range in metallicity, 7.2 ≲ 12 + log(O/H) ≲ 8.9, with available mid- to far-IR spectroscopic observations from Spitzer and Herschel, respectively. The samples correspond to 28 low-metallicity dwarf galaxies, 19 nearby starbursts, and 9 luminous IR galaxies. The IR model-based metallicities obtained are robust within a scatter of 0.03 dex when the hydrogen recombination lines, which are typically faint transitions in the IR range, are not available. When compared to the optical abundances obtained with the direct method, model-based methods, and strong-line calibrations, HCM-IR estimates show a typical dispersion of ∼ 0.2 dex. This is in line with previous studies comparing IR and optical abundances and does not introduce a noticeable systematic above 12 + log(O/H) ≳ 7.6. This accuracy can be achieved by measuring the sulphur ([S IV]10.5 μm and [S III]18.7, 33.5 μm) and the neon lines ([Ne III]15.6 μm and [Ne II]12.8 μm). Additionally, HCM-IR provides an independent N/O measurement when the oxygen ([O III]52, 88 μm) and nitrogen ([N III]57 μm) transitions are measured. The derived abundances in this case do not rely on particular assumptions on the N/O ratio. Large uncertainties (∼ 0.4 dex) may affect the abundance determinations of galaxies at sub- or over-solar metallicities when a solar-like N/O ratio is adopted. Finally, the code has been applied to 8 galaxies located at 1.8 < z < 7.5 with ground-based detections of far-IR lines redshifted in the submillimetre range, revealing solar-like N/O and O/H abundances in agreement with recent studies. A script to derive chemical abundances with HCM-IR has been made publicly available online.
Power transformer life analysis based on Lambert W function
Authors: Wang Jingyang , Fu Liyou
Published: April 2021

As the core equipment of many construction electric fields, reasonable life management of power transformer plays an important role in ensuring the safety production and economic benefits of public and enterprises. Based on Lambert W function, the exact solution is obtained by calculating the annual apportioned total cost. The variable values that may have errors in the function model are deeply analyzed. Combined with the inherent characteristics of power transformer, the factors influencing the economic life in the results are analyzed. The reliability of this method is proved by an example. Compared with the traditional tabulation method, this method is convenient for further analysis of the influencing factors and changing rules of economic life. At the same time, this method can also be used in other equipment to study its economic life since the specific problems are analyzed. It has the value of popularization.
Research on energy storage depth planning of AC / DC distribution network based on toughness enhancement technology
Authors: Hu Yidan
Published: April 2021

At present, due to the abnormal objective function setting result of AC / DC distribution network energy storage depth planning method, the operation cost of power supply network has been increased frequently. Therefore, the energy storage depth planning method of AC / DC distribution network based on toughness enhancement technology is designed. The minimum peak valley difference, maximum load rate and minimum load change are taken as the energy storage depth planning objectives of AC / DC distribution network. The economic mathematical model of distribution network planning is constructed by using toughness enhancement technology and objective function to complete the in-depth planning of distribution network. So far, the energy storage depth planning method of AC / DC distribution network based on toughness enhancement technology has been completed. Simulation experiment has been constructed. Through the comparison, it can be seen that this method has better effect than the original method, possessing stronger control ability for operation components.
Section Location Technology Based on Minkowski Distance of Three-phase Asymmetric Current Components
Authors: Kejian Shi , Yidong Zhu , Zimo Zheng , Xinyu Zhang , Ye Tian , Weili Xu , Shili Wang
Published: April 2021

Fault components in the fault path and the non-fault path differ due to the unbalanced distribution of positive, negative and zero-sequence components in the line in the case of a single-phase earth fault in the power distribution network. Therefore, this paper proposes an improved fault section location algorithm based on phase current, which obtains the fault component current by the subtraction of currents before and after the fault and the fundamental wave amplitude of the corresponding current through Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Meanwhile, considering that the fault section location cannot be completed accurately with the amplitude relationship alone, the Minkowski distance calculation formula is introduced to strengthen the difference between the fault path and the non-fault path, and the relationship between the calculation results of different sections and the threshold is compared by threshold setting to complete the section location. This paper proposes the specific fault section location process and criteria and verifies the feasibility of the algorithm through simulation experiment.
A Fast Positioning Technology for Compensation Hole of Automobile Brake Master Cylinder
Authors: Zhao Changfu , Ding Hongchang , Cao Guohua , Hou Han
Published: April 2021

The compensation hole of the automobile brake master cylinder is an important structural part for adjusting the reservoir and pressure chamber of the brake master cylinder. Its detection accuracy is strictly controlled. However, because the compensation hole is located on the inner wall of the blind hole, the existing detection method cannot meet the testing needs. Therefore, this paper introduces the SSD model into the detection of the compensation hole of the brake master cylinder, and realizes the rapid positioning of the compensation hole by means of network fine-tuning. The compensation hole positioning detection is carried out on the self-developed automobile brake master cylinder compensation hole detector. The entire detection process time is about 5s, and the positioning accuracy is high. We apply the fine-tuning SSD model to the detection of the compensation hole of automobile brake master cylinder, which replaces the traditional method based on human-computer interaction to determine the position of the compensation hole. It has better detection accuracy and faster detection speed, and lays the foundation for the subsequent detection of the size of the compensation hole.