bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Columnar Vertical Profile (CVP) Methodology for Validating Polarimetric Radar Retrievals in Ice Using In Situ Aircraft Measurements
Authors: Murphy Amanda M. , Ryzhkov Alexander , Zhang Pengfei
Published: August 2020

A novel way to process polarimetric radar data collected via plan position indicator (PPI) scans and display those data in a time–height format is introduced. The columnar vertical profile (CVP) methodology uses radar data collected via multiple elevation scans, limited to data within a set region in range and azimuth relative to the radar, to create vertical profiles of polarimetric radar data representative of that limited region in space. This technique is compared to others existing in the literature, and various applications are discussed. Polarimetric ice microphysical retrievals are performed on CVPs created within the stratiform rain region of two mesoscale convective systems sampled during two field campaigns, where CVPs follow the track of research aircraft. Aircraft in situ data are collocated to microphysical retrieval data, and the accuracy of these retrievals is tested against other retrieval techniques in the literature.
Investigation of Compression and Reconstruction Methods for Solar Radiation Spectra above, within, and below the Sea Ice in Polar Environments
Authors: Wang Hangzhou , Nan Liwen , Wang Xiaoping , Tu Jiuzhou , Chen Ying
Published: August 2020

To reduce the amount of data transmitted, while retaining essential information on the original signal after reconstruction, this study investigated three different compression and reconstruction methods for the solar irradiance signals at different levels of the Arctic sea ice. To achieve this, characteristics of solar irradiance at different depths of the Arctic sea ice were analyzed; the solar irradiance profile was measured using a fiber optic spectrometer system at several ice packs from 11 to 25 August 2018, during the ninth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition. Based on these measurements, three potential methods—fast Fourier transform (FFT), discrete wavelet transform (DWT), and Prony’s method—were selected and applied for the compression and reconstruction of a group of 12 measurements from one profile. The results indicated that the FFT method was generally superior to the DWT method considering the corrected reconstruction rate Rc, under the same compression ratio C. The FFT method had the highest Rc for signals with higher roughness, whereas Prony’s method was more suitable for smoother signals. To ensure that Rc was at least 80% and C was as large as possible, the compression and reconstruction method proposed in this study included the FFT method (C = 6.4) for the signals rougher than 1.5 and Prony’s method employing the matrix pencil method (C = 8) for the smoother signals. The proposed method was successfully verified using an independent group of solar irradiance measurements from another profile in the Arctic sea ice.
Investigation of the Transient Nature of Thunderstorm Winds from Europe, the United States, and Australia Using a New Method for Detection of Changepoints in Wind Speed Records
Authors: Romanic Djordje , Chowdhury Junayed , Chowdhury Jubayer , Hangan Horia
Published: August 2020

This paper investigates the transient characteristics in 41 velocity records of 19 thunderstorm events from around the world—9 from Europe, 9 from the United States, and 1 from Australia. The transient features of thunderstorm winds were examined by introducing an objective method for the detection of changepoints in the time series. The methodology divides velocity records into segments characterized by different statistical properties. The segmentation is based on the following properties of the isolated segments: mean (M) and the standard deviation (SD). This study demonstrated that the maximum velocity during the thunderstorm peak in the events from Europe is typically 2–4 times larger than the mean wind speed before the thunderstorm. The duration of the thunderstorm velocity peak was 2–5 min in approximately 60% of the analyzed records using the M statistic and 5–10 min when analyzed using the SD statistic. Therefore, the velocity fluctuations caused by thunderstorm winds last longer than the abrupt changes in the mean wind field. Similarly, the ramp-up time was longer when the records were analyzed using the SD statistic. The segmentation methodology was tested for different duration of velocity records and using data with different sampling frequencies. The performances of the introduced method were compared against the results of two other segmentation procedures proposed in the literature. One of the practical applications of this method is the physical separation between the thunderstorm and nonthunderstorm components of a wind event.

Significance Statement

Thunderstorm outflow winds are short-lived phenomena produced by cold downdrafts that originate in thunderstorm clouds. This study analyzes the transient nature of thunderstorm winds from Europe, the United States, and Australia using a segmentation method applied to anemometer velocity records. This segmentation method identifies abrupt changes of mean wind speed and wind fluctuations in the velocity data. This research provides the means of isolating different segments within the thunderstorm wind records in an objective way that is based on rigorous mathematical principles. The proposed method can automatically distinguish thunderstorm from nonthunderstorm winds. The peak velocities in thunderstorm outflows are 2–4 times the mean wind speed before the thunderstorm. The most intense episodes of thunderstorm winds usually last 2–5 min.
Diurnal Variation of the Convective Area and Eye Size Associated with the Rapid Intensification of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Lee Jae-Deok , Wu Chun-Chieh , Ito Kosuke
Published: August 2020

This study examines the diurnal variation of the convective area and eye size of 30 rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones (RI TCs) that occurred in the western North Pacific from 2015 to 2017 utilizing Himawari-8 satellite imagery. The convective area can be divided into the active convective area (ACA), mixed phase, and inactive convective area (IACA) based on specific thresholds of brightness temperature. In general, ACA tends to develop vigorously from late afternoon to early the next morning, while mixed phase and IACA develop during the day. This diurnal pattern indicates the potential for ACA to evolve into mixed phase or IACA over time. From the 30 samples, RI TCs tend to have at least a single-completed diurnal signal of ACA inside the radius of maximum wind (RMW) during the rapidly intensifying period. In the same period, the RMW also contracts significantly. Meanwhile, more intense storms such as those of category 4 or 5 hurricane intensity are apt to have continuous ACA inside the RMW and maintain eyewall convective clouds. These diurnal patterns of the ACA could vary depending on the impact of large-scale environments such as vertical wind shear, ocean heat content, environmental mesoscale convection, and terrain. The linear regression analysis shows that from the tropical storm stage, RI commences after a slow intensification period, which enhances both the primary circulation and eyewall convective cloud. Finally, after the eye structure appears in satellite imagery, its size changes inversely to the diurnal variation of the convective activity (e.g., the eye size becomes larger during the daytime).
Factors Affecting the Weakening Rate of Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Fei Rong , Xu Jing , Wang Yuqing , Yang Chi
Published: August 2020

In this study, based on the 6-hourly tropical cyclone (TC) best track data and the ERA-Interim reanalysis data, statistical analyses as well as a machine learning approach, XGBoost, are used to identify and quantify factors that affect the overwater weakening rate (WR) of TCs over the western North Pacific (WNP) during 1980–2017. Statistical analyses show that the TC rapid weakening events usually occur when intense TCs cross regions with a sharp decrease in sea surface temperature (DSST) with relatively faster eastward or northward translational speeds, and move into regions with large environmental vertical wind shear (VWS) and dry conditions in the upshear-left quadrant. Results from XGBoost indicate that the relative intensity of TC (TC intensity normalized by its maximum potential intensity), DSST, and VWS are dominant factors determining TC WR, contributing 26.0%, 18.3%, and 14.9% to TC WR, and 9, 5, and 5 m s−1 day−1 to the variability of TC WR, respectively. Relative humidity in the upshear-left quadrant of VWS, zonal translational speed, divergence at 200 hPa, and meridional translational speed contribute 12.1%, 11.8%, 8.8%, and 8.1% to TC WR, respectively, but only contribute 2–3 m s−1 day−1 to the variability of TC WR individually. These findings suggest that the improved accurate analysis and prediction of the dominant factors may lead to substantial improvements in the prediction of TC WR.
Gravity Waves and Other Mechanisms Modulating the Diurnal Precipitation over One of the Rainiest Spots on Earth: Observations and Simulations in 2016
Authors: Yepes Johanna , Mejía John F. , Mapes Brian , Poveda Germán
Published: August 2020

The diurnal cycle of precipitation and thermodynamic profiles over western Colombia are examined in new GPM satellite rainfall products, first-ever research balloon launches during 2016 over both sea and land, and numerical simulations with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. This paper evaluates the Mapes et al. mechanism for midnight–early morning coastal convection that propagates offshore: reduction of inhibition in the crests of lower-tropospheric internal waves. Shipborne balloon launches confirm the evening development of such inhibition by a warm overhang in saturation moist static energy (SMSE) near 700–800 hPa. This feature relaxes overnight, consistent with the disinhibition hypothesis for early morning rains. Over the coastal plain, soundings also show late afternoon increases in near-surface MSE large enough to predominate over the overhang’s inhibition effect, driving a second peak in the rainfall diurnal cycle. Parameterized convection simulations fail to simulate the observed coastal rainfall. Still, during a November 2016 wet spell, a cloud-permitting one-way nested 4 km simulation performs better, simulating morning coastal rainfall. In that simulation, however, early morning cooling in the 700–800 hPa layer appears mainly as a standing signal resembling the local radiative effect rather than as a propagating wave. We consider the additional hypothesis that the offshore propagation of that morning convection could involve advection or wind shear effects on organized convective systems. Strong easterlies at mountaintop level were indeed simulated, but that is one of the model’s strongest biases, so the mechanisms of the model’s partial success in simulating diurnal rainfall remain ambiguous.
Statistical and Empirical Relationships between Tornado Intensity and Both Topography and Land Cover Using Rapid-Scan Radar Observations and a GIS
Authors: Houser Jana B. , McGinnis Nathaniel , Butler Kelly M. , Bluestein Howard B. , Snyder Jeffrey C. , French Michael M.
Published: August 2020

This study presents an investigation into relationships among topographic elevation, surface land cover, and tornado intensity using rapid scan, mobile Doppler radar observations of four tornadoes from the U.S. Central Plains. High spatiotemporal resolution observations of tornadic vortex signatures from the radar’s lowest elevation angle data (in most cases ranging from ~100 to 350 m above ground level) are coupled with digital elevation model (DEM) and 2011 National Land Cover Database (NLCD) data using a geographic information system (GIS). The relationships between 1) tornado intensity and topographic elevation or surface roughness and 2) changes in tornado intensity and changes in topographic elevation or surface roughness are investigated qualitatively, and statistical relationships are quantified and analyzed using a bootstrap permutation method for individual case studies and all cases collectively. Results suggest that there are statistically significant relationships for individual cases, but the relationships defy generalization and are different on a case-by-case basis, which may imply that they are coincidental, indicating a null correlation.
A Two-Stage Fourth-Order Multimoment Global Shallow-Water Model on the Cubed Sphere
Authors: Che Yuzhang , Chen Chungang , Xiao Feng , Li Xingliang , Shen Xueshun
Published: August 2020

A new multimoment global shallow-water model on the cubed sphere is proposed by adopting a two-stage fourth-order Runge–Kutta time integration. Through calculating the values of predicted variables at half time step t = tn + (1/2)Δt by a second-order formulation, a fourth-order scheme can be derived using only two stages within one time step. This time integration method is implemented in our multimoment global shallow-water model to build and validate a new and more efficient numerical integration framework for dynamical cores. As the key task, the numerical formulation for evaluating the derivatives in time has been developed through the Cauchy–Kowalewski procedure and the spatial discretization of the multimoment finite-volume method, which ensures fourth-order accuracy in both time and space. Several major benchmark tests are used to verify the proposed numerical framework in comparison with the existing four-stage fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, which is based on the method of lines framework. The two-stage fourth-order scheme saves about 30% of the computational cost in comparison with the four-stage Runge–Kutta scheme for global advection and shallow-water models. The proposed two-stage fourth-order framework offers a new option to develop high-performance time marching strategy of practical significance in dynamical cores for atmospheric and oceanic models.
Choices in the Verification of S2S Forecasts and Their Implications for Climate Services
Authors: Manrique-Suñén Andrea , Gonzalez-Reviriego Nube , Torralba Verónica , Cortesi Nicola , Doblas-Reyes Francisco J.
Published: August 2020

Subseasonal predictions bridge the gap between medium-range weather forecasts and seasonal climate predictions. This time scale is crucial for operations and planning in many sectors such as energy and agriculture. For users to trust these predictions and efficiently make use of them in decision-making, the quality of predicted near-surface parameters needs to be systematically assessed. However, the method to follow in a probabilistic evaluation of subseasonal predictions is not trivial. This study aims to offer an illustration of the impact that the verification setup might have on the calculation of the skill scores, thus providing some guidelines for subseasonal forecast evaluation. For this, several forecast verification setups to calculate the fair ranked probability skill score for tercile categories have been designed. These setups use different number of samples to compute the fair RPSS as well as different ways to define the climatology, characterized by different time periods to average (week or month). These setups have been tested by evaluating 2-m temperature in ECMWF-Ext-ENS 20-yr hindcasts for all of the initializations in 2016 against the ERA-Interim reanalysis. Then, the implications on skill score values of each of the setups are analyzed. Results show that to obtain a robust skill score several start dates need to be employed. It is also shown that a constant monthly climatology over each calendar month may introduce spurious skill score associated with the seasonal cycle. A weekly climatology bears similar results to a monthly running-window climatology; however, the latter provides a better reference climatology when bias adjustment is applied.
Convection Initiation and Growth at the Coast of South China. Part I: Effect of the Marine Boundary Layer Jet
Authors: Du Yu , Chen Guixing , Han Bin , Mai Chuying , Bai Lanqiang , Li Minghua
Published: August 2020

Convection initiation (CI) and the subsequent upscale convective growth (UCG) at the coast of South China in a warm-sector heavy rainfall event are shown to be closely linked to a varying marine boundary layer jet (MBLJ) over the northern South China Sea (NSCS). To elucidate the dynamic and thermodynamic roles of the MBLJ in CI and UCG, we conducted and analyzed convection-permitting numerical simulations and observations. Compared to radar observations, the simulations captured CI locations and the following southwest–northeast-oriented convection development. The nocturnal MBLJ peaks at 950 hPa and significantly intensifies with turning from southwesterly to nearly southerly by inertial oscillation. The strengthened MBLJ promotes mesoscale ascent on its northwestern edge and terminus where enhanced convergence zones occur. Located directly downstream of the MBLJ, the coastal CI and UCG are dynamically supported by mesoscale ascent. From a thermodynamic perspective, a warm moist tongue over the NSCS is strengthened by the MBLJ-driven mesoscale ascent as well as by a high sea surface temperature. The warm moist tongue farther extends northeastward by horizontal transport and arrives at the coast where CI and UCG occur. Near the CI location, rapid development of a low-level saturated layer is mainly attributed to the mesoscale ascent and low-level moistening associated with the MBLJ. In addition, subsequent CI happens on either side of the original CI along the coast due to the delay of low-level moistening, which partly contributes to linear convective growth. Furthermore, ensemble simulations confirmed that a stronger MBLJ is more favorable to CI and UCG near the coast.
An Artificially Intelligent System for the Automated Issuance of Tornado Warnings in Simulated Convective Storms
Authors: Steinkruger Dylan , Markowski Paul , Young George
Published: August 2020

The utility of employing artificial intelligence (AI) to issue tornado warnings is explored using an ensemble of 128 idealized simulations. Over 700 tornadoes develop within the ensemble of simulations, varying in duration, length, and associated storm mode. Machine-learning models are trained to forecast the temporal and spatial probabilities of tornado formation for a specific lead time. The machine-learning probabilities are used to produce tornado warning decisions for each grid point and lead time. An optimization function is defined, such that warning thresholds are modified to optimize the performance of the AI system on a specified metric (e.g., increased lead time, minimized false alarms, etc.). Using genetic algorithms, multiple AI systems are developed with different optimization functions. The different AI systems yield unique warning output depending on the desired attributes of the optimization function. The effects of the different optimization functions on warning performance are explored. Overall, performance is encouraging and suggests that automated tornado warning guidance is worth exploring with real-time data.
Identifying Subseasonal Variability Relevant to Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Activity
Authors: Hansen Kurt A. , Majumdar Sharanya J. , Kirtman Ben P.
Published: August 2020

The primary atmospheric oscillations and variables associated with subseasonal Atlantic tropical cyclone (TC) activity are identified, based on 37 years of reanalysis data. TC activity, represented by accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), is computed for combined phases of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). The MJO influence on TC activity becomes greater when the ENSO state is cooler. There is also a shift in the favorable MJO phase for TC activity with ENSO state. For strong La Niñas, MJO phases 4 and 5 (enhanced convection over the Maritime Continent) are most likely to have above-average ACE. To investigate other potential factors that influence subseasonal TC activity, two novel methods are developed: ACE by year (ABY) and seasonal and climatology removed (SNCR). Both methods isolate subseasonal signals of environmental conditions in association with a variable of interest. Vorticity, sea surface temperature, relative humidity, and genesis potential all show little signal in association with subseasonal Atlantic TC activity. The most important identifier of enhanced TC activity is negative vertical wind shear anomalies in the main development region of the Atlantic basin, and positive shear anomalies in the subtropical Atlantic. The shear pattern associated with a favorable MJO for TCs is similar to but distinct from the shear pattern associated with enhanced subseasonal TC activity. These findings demonstrate a nonlinear MJO–ENSO interaction and a pattern of wind shear anomalies that is linked to subseasonal TC activity.
The 23 June 2016 West Virginia Flash Flood Event as Observed through Two Hydrometeorology Testbed Experiments
Authors: Martinaitis Steven M. , Albright Benjamin , Gourley Jonathan J. , Perfater Sarah , Meyer Tiffany , Flamig Zachary L. , Clark Robert A. , Vergara Humberto , Klein Mark
Published: August 2020

The flash flood event of 23 June 2016 devastated portions of West Virginia and west-central Virginia, resulting in 23 fatalities and 5 new record river crests. The flash flooding was part of a multiday event that was classified as a billion-dollar disaster. The 23 June 2016 event occurred during real-time operations by two Hydrometeorology Testbed (HMT) experiments. The Flash Flood and Intense Rainfall (FFaIR) experiment focused on the 6–24-h forecast through the utilization of experimental high-resolution deterministic and ensemble numerical weather prediction and hydrologic model guidance. The HMT Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor Hydro (HMT-Hydro) experiment concentrated on the 0–6-h time frame for the prediction and warning of flash floods primarily through the experimental Flooded Locations and Simulated Hydrographs product suite. This study describes the various model guidance, applications, and evaluations from both testbed experiments during the 23 June 2016 flash flood event. Various model outputs provided a significant precipitation signal that increased the confidence of FFaIR experiment participants to issue a high risk for flash flooding for the region between 1800 UTC 23 June and 0000 UTC 24 June. Experimental flash flood warnings issued during the HMT-Hydro experiment for this event improved the probability of detection and resulted in a 63.8% increase in lead time to 84.2 min. Isolated flash floods in Kentucky demonstrated the potential to reduce the warned area. Participants characterized how different model guidance and analysis products influenced the decision-making process and how the experimental products can help shape future national and local flash flood operations.
A Comparison of Neural-Network and Surrogate-Severe Probabilistic Convective Hazard Guidance Derived from a Convection-Allowing Model
Authors: Sobash Ryan A. , Romine Glen S. , Schwartz Craig S.
Published: August 2020

A feed-forward neural network (NN) was trained to produce gridded probabilistic convective hazard predictions over the contiguous United States. Input fields to the NN included 174 predictors, derived from 38 variables output by 497 convection-allowing model forecasts, with observed severe storm reports used for training and verification. These NN probability forecasts (NNPFs) were compared to surrogate-severe probability forecasts (SSPFs), generated by smoothing a field of surrogate reports derived with updraft helicity (UH). NNPFs and SSPFs were produced each forecast hour on an 80-km grid, with forecasts valid for the occurrence of any severe weather report within 40 or 120 km, and 2 h, of each 80-km grid box. NNPFs were superior to SSPFs, producing statistically significant improvements in forecast reliability and resolution. Additionally, NNPFs retained more large magnitude probabilities (>50%) compared to SSPFs since NNPFs did not use spatial smoothing, improving forecast sharpness. NNPFs were most skillful relative to SSPFs when predicting hazards on larger scales (e.g., 120 vs 40 km) and in situations where using UH was detrimental to forecast skill. These included model spinup, nocturnal periods, and regions and environments where supercells were less common, such as the western and eastern United States and high-shear, low-CAPE regimes. NNPFs trained with fewer predictors were more skillful than SSPFs, but not as skillful as the full-predictor NNPFs, with predictor importance being a function of forecast lead time. Placing NNPF skill in the context of existing baselines is a first step toward integrating machine learning–based forecasts into the operational forecasting process.
The Antitrust Revolution: A Microcosm of the Antitrust Enterprise
Authors: Moss Diana L.
Published: August 2020

The Antitrust Revolution remains the only comprehensive framework for understanding major developments in antitrust through the economic case study device. In putting the debate over the role of economics in modern antitrust at center stage, The Antitrust Revolution identifies the broader themes that have emerged in antitrust enforcement over the last four decades. This article explores The Antitrust Revolution as a “microcosm” of antitrust, and valuable pedagogical tool, by unpacking the coeditors’ approach to case selection across seven editions. The analysis highlights how The Antitrust Revolution has, in retrospect, identified with remarkable accuracy the major developments and conflicts in antitrust law and economics over a critical period of time in U.S. history.
An improved memetic algorithm for the flexible job shop scheduling problem with transportation times
Authors: Zhang Guohui , Sun Jinghe , Lu Xixi , Zhang Haijun
Published: August 2020

In the practical production, the transportation of jobs is existed between different machines. These transportation operations directly affect the production cycle and the production efficiency. In this study, an improved memetic algorithm is proposed to solve the flexible job shop scheduling problem with transportation times, and the optimization objective is minimizing the makespan. In the improved memetic algorithm, an effective simulated annealing algorithm is adopted in the local search process, which combines the elite library and mutation operation. All the feasible solutions are divided into general solutions and local optimal solutions according to the elite library. The general solutions are executed by the simulated annealing algorithm to improve the quality, and the local optimal solutions are executed by the mutation operation to increase the diversity of the solution set. Comparison experiments with the improved genetic algorithm show that the improved memetic algorithm has better search performance and stability.
Six Years a Slave: The Confessio of St Patrick as Early Christian Slave Narrative
Authors: Beavis Mary Ann
Published: August 2020

This article interprets St Patrick’s Confessio, supplemented by his Letter to the Soldiers of Coroticus, in the light of North American slave narratives, arguing that Patrick’s account of his enslavement in Ireland shares many of the characteristics of North American slave narratives identified by James Olney. In addition, Patrick’s account of his conversion shares all of the characteristics of North American slave conversions discussed by Albert J. Raboteau. As such, although not intended as such, Patrick’s confession can be described as the only extant example of an early Christian slave narrative, which makes it of great significance for the study of slavery in early Christianity.
A Proposal to Augment the Plausibility of William Lane Craig’s Deductive Moral Argument
Authors: Breitenbach Zachary
Published: August 2020

The plausibility—though not the soundness—of William Lane Craig’s deductive moral argument for God’s existence has been insightfully challenged by David Baggett, who prefers to formulate the argument abductively. This paper proposes a way of couching and defending Craig’s argument so as to avoid the potholes Baggett identifies and preserve the value of the deductive form of the argument. Central to this proposal is justifying key criteria that any adequate ontological foundation for objective moral values and duties must possess, highlighting key insights in the history of moral apologetics that support these criteria. Defending the argument in this way both avoids the sting of Baggett’s critiques and offers what amounts to a cumulative case of ontologically focused moral arguments.
Teacher Educator Technology Integration Preparation Practices Around TPACK in the United States
Authors: Voithofer Rick , Nelson Michael J.
Published: August 2020

Given the strong influence of teachers educators’ pedagogical modeling on new teachers’ capacity to use technology to support student learning, this study sought to answer two interrelated questions: (a) How are teacher educators and teacher education programs currently working to prepare teachers to integrate technology? and (b) How are teacher educators implementing the TPACK (complex integration of technological [T], pedagogical [P], and content [C] knowledge [K]) model? The evidence to answer these questions was derived from an analysis of quantitative and qualitative survey responses from 843 teacher educators from approximately half ( n = 541) of the accredited teacher education programs in the country. The results showed that teacher educators are increasingly integrating technology across the curriculum, that there is a fairly low level of TPACK adoption, and that conceptions of TPACK vary greatly. The study helps to better understand these teacher educator practices in relationship to the literature on preparing teachers to use technology to support student learning.
Factors Influencing Chinese Professional Caregivers’ Bereavement Experiences After Patient Deaths: A Secondary Qualitative Study
Authors: Du Lina , Chen Chuqian , Yang Changsong
Published: August 2020

This study aims to identify the factors that influence Chinese professional caregivers’ bereavement experiences after patient deaths. Through a content analysis, the study reanalyzed the qualitative data initially collected to understand the lived experiences of professional bereavement in Mainland China. Specifically, the study assessed semi-structured interview transcripts conducted with 24 Chinese physicians and nurses and generated 15 open codes, reflecting the influencing factors. These were further categorized into four themes: dying and death conditions, professional caregivers' characteristics, professional caregivers’ involvement, and the bereaved family. The results revealed that professional bereavement experiences and the unveiled factors relate to both the personal and professional lives of the interviewees. Overall, the health care system and cultural backgrounds should be listed as influencing factors for professional bereavement experiences in addition to the aforementioned four.
Main symptoms in patients presenting in the COVID-19 period
Authors: Çalıca Utku Aylin , Budak Gökçen , Karabay Oğuz , Güçlü Ertuğrul , Okan Hüseyin Doğuş , Vatan Aslı
Published: August 2020

Background

The first case of a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) infection was detected in Wuhan, fever and respiratory symptoms have been frequently reported in patients infected with this virus.

Aim

It was aimed to compare the symptoms of patients with COVID-19 positivity and patients without COVID-19 positivity hospitalized with suspicion of COVID-19.

Methods

Patients presenting to the Sakarya University Training and Research Hospital with suspicion of COVID-19 were included in the study. Samples were obtained from the patients and PCR tests were performed; the patients were grouped as COVID-19 positive and COVID-19 negative; these two groups were questioned for 15 symptoms and the results were compared.

Results

A total of 297 patients with suspicion of COVID-19 were included in the study. COVID-19 was positive in 143 patients and negative in 154 patients. The most common symptoms in the COVID-19 positive group were: cough (56.6%), weakness (56.6%), taste disorder (35.7%), myalgia (34.3%), and fever (33.6%); and in the COVID-19 negative group: cough (63%), weakness (45.5%), dyspnea (29.9%), headache (27.3%) and fever (24.7%). When these two groups were compared, taste disorder, smell disorder and diarrhea were significantly higher in the COVID-19 positive group (p = <0,00001, p = 0,00001 and p = 0,02).

Conclusion

Our study showed that taste and smell disorders and diarrhea were important markers in COVID-19 infection.
Dodging the burden of proof: A reply to Manville, Lens and Mönkkönen
Authors: Rodríguez-Pose Andrés , Storper Michael
Published: August 2020

Manville, Lens, Mönkkönen’s reply to our ‘Housing, urban growth and inequalities’ Urban Studies article is welcome. However, it fails to engage with our two main criticisms of the housing-as-opportunity literature: that (a) deregulation and upzoning in large and dynamic cities are unlikely to benefit those at the bottom of the income pyramid facing the greatest affordability problems; and that (b) greater deregulation will not facilitate interregional migration from low opportunity regions to booming cities, thus having no discernible impact on within-city and cross-regional inequality. We also argue that because they publicly endorse legislation making bold claims in this respect, the burden of proof lies on them and others who propose sweeping policy experiments with our cities.
Building Community in Asynchronous Online Higher Education Courses Through Collaborative Annotation
Authors: Adams Brittany , Wilson Nance S.
Published: August 2020

This design-based research study examines how a collaborative annotation tool, Perusall, supported the development of community within an asynchronous online graduate course. Students read and engaged with assigned texts uploaded to Perusall each week, providing numerous opportunities for students to interact and collaborate with each other using the tool’s various sharing and communication features. Both text interactions and peer-to-peer interactions on Perusall increased throughout the course, with peer-to-peer interactions increasing at a greater rate, indicative of community growth within the course. Collaborative annotation tools capture students’ thinking and processing in the moment, more closely mirroring the learning that one might see in a face-to-face class when students discuss content with their instructor and/or classmates. This study offers insights for teachers, teacher educators, and school leaders about new approaches for developing community in online educational contexts, especially considering the drastic shift to online learning as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Can Indigenous and Community-Based Ecotourism Serve as a Catalyst for Land Sparing in Latin America?
Authors: Gunter Ulrich , Ceddia M. Graziano
Published: August 2020

The present study investigates the role of ecotourism as a potential catalyst for land sparing in Latin America, with a particular focus on indigenous and community-based ecotourism. The research question is investigated within a comprehensive empirical land sparing–agricultural expansion framework, which uses the Jevons paradox as its theoretical foundation. It also allows for environmental governance and includes several socioeconomic control variables. In doing so, a panel data set based on secondary data from institutional sources and comprising 10 Latin American countries for the period from 1995 to 2015 is employed, which resulted in 209 observations in total. Panel estimation results show that there is only moderate evidence of land sparing associated with ecotourism, when it occurs on indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ land. To achieve land sparing through ecotourism, titling land to indigenous peoples and local communities as stakeholders is therefore crucial, but this beneficial effect should not be overestimated.
Vehicular hyperthermia deaths in Indian children: a little recognised mode of fatal injury
Authors: Siddiqui Shahid Akhtar , Siddiqui Gulnaz Fatima , Singh Mukesh Vir
Published: August 2020

Parked vehicles can create deadly environments for young children who are left unattended. This study was a descriptive analysis to describe circumstances leading to death in children left unattended in parked motor vehicles in India. Between 2011 and 2018, there were 16 incidents that resulted in 28 fatalities across India, mostly in the summer months. The majority of children (19/28) were aged 4–6 years, of whom 25 (89%) gained access to unattended vehicles and became accidentally locked in. Hyperthermia-related deaths are a poorly recognised type of vehicular injury in India; there has been no analysis to describe circumstances leading to such fatalities.
The Programmatic Shifts in the PT’s Constitutionalist Agenda (1988–2013)
Authors: Funari Gabriel
Published: August 2020

The historical trajectory of the Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) has been influenced by its fluctuating policies with regard to the 1988 Constitution and its efforts to mediate the demands of its marginalized constituents and its commitment to abide by the constituted distribution of power. Case studies of the PT’s policy proposals during the 1987–1988 constituent assembly and the party’s constitutional plebiscite proposal in response to the mass protests of June 2013 reveal the unresolved contradictions underpinning constituent and constituted power that have bound it to the constitutional disputes defining Brazil’s democratic regime.

A trajetória histórica do Partido dos Trabalhadores (PT) foi influenciada por suas políticas flutuantes em relação à Constituição de 1988, em seus esforços para mediar as demandas de seus constituintes marginalizados e seu compromisso de respeitar a distribuição de poder constituída. Estudos de caso das propostas de política do PT durante a assembléia constituinte de 1987-1988 e a proposta de plebiscito constitucional do partido em resposta aos protestos em massa de junho de 2013 revelam as contradições não resolvidas subjacentes ao constituinte e ao poder constituído que vincularam o partido às disputas constitucionais que definem o regime democrático do Brasil.
Broadening the Perspective on Military Cohesion? A Reply
Authors: King Anthony
Published: August 2020

In 2018, Ilmari Käihkö published a special collection in Armed Forces & Society on the debate about small unit cohesion. Later, in reaction to a response by Guy Siebold, he published a further intervention with Peter Haldén. Focusing on my 2006 article in the journal and my subsequent debate, Käihkö has claimed that the cohesion debate is too narrow. It ignores organizational factors in the armed forces and wider political factors, including nationalism and state policy. Consequently, it is incapable of analyzing non-Western state or irregular forces and is only relevant for the 20th and 21st centuries. This response shows that while Käihkö’s extension of the empirical archive to non-Western armed groups is to be welcomed, none of his theoretical claims are sustainable.
Oil chemometrics and geochemical correlation in the Weixinan Sag, Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea
Authors: Wang Yao-Ping , Zhan Xin , Luo Tao , Gao Yuan , Xia Jia , Wang Sibo , Zou Yan-Rong
Published: August 2020

The oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations, also termed as geochemical correlations, play an essential role in the construction of petroleum systems, guidance of petroleum exploration, and definition of reservoir compartments. In this study, the problems arising from oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations were investigated using chemometric methods on oil and source rock samples from the WZ12 oil field in the Weixinan sag in the Beibuwan Basin. Crude oil from the WZ12 oil field can be classified into two genetic families: group A and B, using multidimensional scaling and principal component analysis. Similarly, source rocks of the Liushagang Formation, including its first, second, and third members, can be classified into group I and II, corresponding to group B and A crude oils, respectively. The principle geochemical parameters in the geochemical correlation for the characterisation and classification of crude oils and source rocks were 4MSI, C27Dia/C27S, and C24 Tet/C26 TT. This study provides insights into the selection of appropriate geochemical parameters for oil–oil and oil–source rock correlations, which can also be applied to other sedimentary basins.
How a critical Humean naturalism is possible: Contesting the Neo-Aristotelian reading
Authors: Hartmann Martin
Published: August 2020

Ethical naturalists such as Philippa Foot, John McDowell or Sabina Lovibond have critically distinguished their version of naturalism from the version ascribed to David Hume. This article defends Hume’s naturalism against this criticism in constructing a more plausible version of it. The article briefly delineates John McDowell’s reading of Hume in his well-known ‘Two Sorts of Naturalism’. Based on Nietzsche, the article then offers the concept of ‘historical naturalism’ as alternative to McDowell’s reading, concentrating in particular on the charge of Hume’s naturalism being narrowly empiricistic. The concept of historical naturalism will be contrasted with David Wiggins’ Humean variant of vindicatory naturalism. In conclusion, Annette Baier’s suggestion of reconstructing Hume’s naturalism as critical is taken up and elaborated upon. While the spirit of Baier’s approach is adopted, its application to the problem of deeply entrenched sexism will be treated as overly optimistic.
Risk Factors for Laryngectomy for Dysfunctional Larynx After Organ Preservation Protocols: A Case‐Control Analysis
Authors: Wu Michael P. , Goldsmith Tessa , Holman Allison , Kammer Rachael , Parikh Anuraag , Devore Elliana K. , Emerick Kevin S. , Lin Derrick T. , Deschler Daniel G. , Richmon Jeremy D. , Varvares Mark A. , Naunheim Matthew R.
Published: August 2020

Objective

(1) To identify factors associated with severe dysfunctional larynx leading to total laryngectomy after curative treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and (2) to describe swallowing and voice outcomes.

Study Design

Retrospective single‐institution case‐control study.

Setting

Tertiary care referral center.

Methods

A 10‐year chart review was performed for patients who had previously undergone radiation or chemoradiation for head and neck mucosal squamous cell carcinoma and planned to undergo total laryngectomy for dysfunctional larynx, as well as a control group of matched patients. Controls were patients who had undergone radiation or chemoradiation for mucosal squamous cell carcinoma but did not have severe dysfunction warranting laryngectomy; these were matched to cases by tumor subsite, T stage, and time from last treatment to video swallow study. Main outcomes assessed were postoperative diet, alaryngeal voice, pharyngeal dilations, and complications.

Results

Twenty‐six patients were scheduled for laryngectomy for dysfunctional larynx, of which 23 underwent surgery. Originally treated tumor subsites included the larynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, oral cavity, and a tumor of unknown origin. The median time from end of cancer treatment to laryngectomy was 11.5 years. All cases were feeding tube or tracheostomy dependent or both prior to laryngectomy. As compared with matched controls, cases were significantly less likely to have undergone IMRT (intensity‐modified radiotherapy) and more likely to have pulmonary comorbidities. Eighty‐nine percent of cases with follow‐up achieved functional alaryngeal voice, and all were able to have oral intake.

Conclusion

Non‐IMRT approaches and pulmonary comorbidities are associated with laryngectomy for dysfunction after radiation or chemoradiation.
Management of Type 1 Laryngeal Clefts: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Timashpolsky Alisa , Schild Sam D. , Ballard Daniel P. , Leventer Sarah P. , Rosenfeld Richard M. , Plum Ann W.
Published: August 2020

Objective

Endoscopic surgical management or injection laryngoplasty of type 1 laryngeal clefts in pediatric patients is used in those who do not respond to conservative treatment. This study compares conservative treatment, endoscopic surgical repair, and injection laryngoplasty for the management of type 1 laryngeal clefts.

Data Sources

PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase.

Review Methods

This systematic review included studies of patients with type 1 laryngeal clefts who were managed with conservative treatment, injection laryngoplasty, or endoscopic repair, and all studies reported postintervention outcomes. Two independent investigators assessed study eligibility, rated the quality, and extracted data for analysis. A random effects model was used for meta‐analysis of pooled data.

Results

Of the 1209 studies identified, 27 met inclusion criteria. There were 543 patients with type 1 laryngeal clefts represented in the studies, with outcomes reported for 537. Conservative therapy had a 52% (95% CI, 37%‐66%; I2 = 63%) success rate at improving symptoms, while endoscopic repair had a significantly higher percentage resolution of symptoms (70%; 95% CI, 59%‐79%; I2 = 62%, P <. 001) as compared with conservative treatment (51%; 95% CI, 36%‐65%; I2 = 62%) or injection laryngoplasty (36%; 95% CI, 20%‐57%; I2 = 70%). The quality scores of the studies ranged from 7 to 12 out of 16.

Conclusion

Our systematic review demonstrated significant improvement and resolution of symptoms for patients with type 1 laryngeal clefts treated with endoscopic repair as compared with other modalities. More prospective and controlled studies comparing treatment strategies with validated instruments to measure outcomes are necessary to determine their efficacy in the management of type 1 laryngeal clefts.
Measuring the Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health: A Scoping Review of the Existing Scales
Authors: Chandu Viswa Chaitanya , Marella Yamuna , Panga Gnana Sarita , Pachava Srinivas , Vadapalli Viswanath
Published: August 2020

Background:

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, associated with the economic consequences of non-pharmaceutical interventions such as lockdown, has led to mental health consequences among people worldwide. Protecting the mental well-being of populations is an imperative component of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. This scoping review attempts to present an overview of the existing tools to measure COVID-19-related mental health problems.

Methods:

Literature search was conducted in the PubMed electronic database using developed key search terms. Reference lists of the identified eligible articles were reviewed to locate relevant articles missed from the electronic database search. Fifteen scales measuring COVID-19-associated mental health problems, validated among diverse populations across the world, were included in this review.

Results:

The majority of these scales were validated among middle-aged adults in Turkey. Only a few validated scales encompass the negative socioeconomic consequences of COVID-19. None of the available scales focused on the aspects of suicidal ideation or behavioral responses/coping strategies, neither were they inclusive of participants from diverse age, geographic, and COVID-19 exposure groups.

Conclusion:

This scoping review highlights the need for future research to develop and validate comprehensive psychometric tools to assess COVID-19-associated mental health problems. Also, in view of the vulnerable nature of healthcare professionals for developing mental health concerns in the course of providing services for COVID-19-affected individuals, future psychometric research needs to concentrate on the development of measures specific for these professionals.