bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrieving H2O/HDO columns over cloudy and clear-sky scenes from the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI)
Authors: Schneider Andreas , Borsdorff Tobias , aan de Brugh Joost , Lorente Alba , Aemisegger Franziska , Noone David , Henze Dean , Kivi Rigel , Landgraf Jochen
Published: April 2022

Abstract. This paper presents an extended scientific HDO/H2O total column data product from short-wave infrared (SWIR) measurements by the Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument (TROPOMI) including clear-sky and cloudy scenes. The retrieval employs a forward model which accounts for scattering, and the algorithm infers the trace gas column information, surface properties, and effective cloud parameters from the observations. Compared to the previous clear-sky-only data product, coverage is greatly enhanced by including scenes over low clouds, particularly enabling data over oceans as the albedo of water in the SWIR spectral range is too low to retrieve under cloud-free conditions.
The new dataset is validated against co-located ground-based Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) observations by the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). The median bias for clear-sky scenes is 1.4×1021 molec cm−2 (2.9 %) in H2O columns and 1.1×1017 molec cm−2 (−0.3 %) in HDO columns, which corresponds to −17 ‰ (9.9 %) in a posteriori δD. The bias for cloudy scenes is 4.9×1021 molec cm−2 (11 %) in H2O, 1.1×1018 molec cm−2 (7.9 %) in HDO, and −20 ‰ (9.7 %) in a posteriori δD.
At low-altitude stations, the bias is small at low and middle latitudes and has a larger value at high latitudes.
At high-altitude stations, an altitude correction is required to compensate for different partial columns seen by the station and the satellite. The bias in a posteriori δD after altitude correction depends on sensitivity due to shielding by clouds and on realistic a priori profile shapes for both isotopologues. Cloudy scenes generally involve low sensitivity below the clouds, and since the information is filled up by the prior, a realistic shape of the prior is important for realistic total column estimation in these cases.
Over oceans, aircraft measurements with the Water Isotope System for Precipitation and Entrainment Research (WISPER) instrument from a field campaign in 2018 are used for validation, yielding biases of −3.9 % in H2O and −3 ‰ in δD over clouds.
To demonstrate the added value of the new dataset, a short case study of a cold air outbreak over the Atlantic Ocean in January 2020 is presented, showing the daily evolution of the event with single-overpass results.
Characteristics of the derived energy dissipation rate using the 1 Hz commercial aircraft quick access recorder (QAR) data
Authors: Kim Soo-Hyun , Kim Jeonghoe , Kim Jung-Hoon , Chun Hye-Yeong
Published: April 2022

Abstract. The cube root of the energy dissipation rate (EDR), as a
standard reporting metric of atmospheric turbulence, is estimated using 1 Hz
quick access recorder (QAR) data from Korean-based national air carriers
with two different types of aircraft (Boeing 737 (B737) and Boeing 777 (B777)), archived
for 12 months from January to December 2012. The EDRs are estimated using
three wind components (zonal, meridional, and derived vertical wind) and the
derived equivalent vertical gust (DEVG) of the 1 Hz post-flight data by
applying all possible EDR methods. Wind components are used to calculate
three different EDRs, utilizing the second-order structure function, power
spectral density, and von Kármán wind spectrum and maximum-likelihood method. In addition, two DEVG-based EDRs are calculated using the
lognormal mapping technique and the predefined parabolic relationship
between the observed EDR and DEVG. When the reliability of lower-rate (1 Hz)
data to estimate the EDR is examined using the higher-rate (20 Hz) wind data
obtained from a tall tower observatory, it is found that the 1 Hz EDR can be
underestimated (2.19 %–12.56 %) or overestimated (9.32 %–10.91 %). In this
study, it is also found that the structure-function-based EDR shows lower
uncertainty (2.19 %–8.14 %) than the energy spectrum-based EDRs
(9.32 %–12.56 %) when the 1 Hz datasets are used. The observed EDR estimates
using 1 Hz QAR data are examined in three strong turbulence cases that are
relevant to clear-air turbulence (CAT), mountain wave turbulence (MWT), and
convectively induced turbulence (CIT). The observed EDR estimates derived
from three different wind components show different characteristics
depending on potential sources of atmospheric turbulence at cruising
altitudes, indicating good agreement with selected strong turbulence cases
with respect to turbulence intensity and incident time. Zonal wind-based
EDRs are stronger in the CAT case that is affected by synoptic-scale forcing
such as upper-level jet/frontal system. In the CIT case, vertical wind-based
EDRs are stronger, which is related to convectively induced gravity waves
outside the cloud boundary. The MWT case has a peak of the EDR based on both
the zonal and vertical winds, which can be related to the propagation of
mountain waves and their subsequent breaking. It is also found that the CAT
and MWT cases occurred by synoptic-scale forcing have longer variations in
the observed EDRs before and after the turbulence incident, while the CIT
case triggered by a mesoscale convective cell has an isolated peak of the
EDR. Current results suggest that the 1 Hz aircraft data can be an
additional source of the EDR estimations contributing to expand more EDR
information at the cruising altitudes in the world and that these data can
be helpful to provide a better climatology of aviation turbulence and a
situational awareness of cruising aircraft.
The eVe reference polarisation lidar system for the calibration and validation of the Aeolus L2A product
Authors: Paschou Peristera , Siomos Nikolaos , Tsekeri Alexandra , Louridas Alexandros , Georgoussis George , Freudenthaler Volker , Binietoglou Ioannis , Tsaknakis George , Tavernarakis Alexandros , Evangelatos Christos , von Bismarck Jonas , Kanitz Thomas , Meleti Charikleia , Marinou Eleni , Amiridis Vassilis
Published: April 2022

Abstract. The eVe dual-laser/dual-telescope lidar system is introduced here, focusing
on the optical and mechanical parts of the system's emission and receiver
units. The compact design of the linear–circular emission unit along with
the linear–circular analyser in the receiver unit allows eVe to
simultaneously reproduce the operation of the ALADIN lidar on board Aeolus
as well as to operate it as a traditional ground-based polarisation lidar
system with linear emission. As such, the eVe lidar aims to provide (a) ground reference measurements for the validation of the Aeolus L2A aerosol
products and (b) the conditions for which linear polarisation lidar systems
can be considered for Aeolus L2A validation, by identifying any possible
biases arising from the different polarisation state in the emission between
ALADIN and these systems, and the detection of only the co-polar component
of the returned signal from ALADIN for the L2A products' retrieval. In
addition, a brief description is given concerning the polarisation
calibration techniques that are applied in the system, as well as the
developed software for the analysis of the collected signals and the
retrieval of the optical products. More specifically, the system's dual
configuration enables the retrieval of the optical properties of particle
backscatter and extinction coefficients originating from the two different
polarisation states of the emission and the linear and circular depolarisation
ratios, as well as the direct calculation of the Aeolus-like backscatter
coefficient, i.e. the backscatter coefficient that Aeolus would measure
from the ground. Two cases, one with slightly depolarising particles and one
with moderately depolarising particles, were selected from the first
conducted measurements of eVe in Athens in September 2020, in order to
demonstrate the system's capabilities. In the slightly depolarising scene,
the Aeolus-like backscatter coefficient agrees well with the actual
backscatter coefficient, which is also true when non-depolarising particles
are present. The agreement however fades out for strongly depolarising
scenes, where an underestimation of ∼18 % of the Aeolus
like backscatter coefficient is observed when moderately depolarising
particles are probed.
Organic matter characteristics of a rapidly eroding permafrost cliff in NE Siberia (Lena Delta, Laptev Sea region)
Authors: Haugk Charlotte , Jongejans Loeka L. , Mangelsdorf Kai , Fuchs Matthias , Ogneva Olga , Palmtag Juri , Mollenhauer Gesine , Mann Paul J. , Overduin P. Paul , Grosse Guido , Sanders Tina , Tuerena Robyn E. , Schirrmeister Lutz , Wetterich Sebastian , Kizyakov Alexander , Karger Cornelia , Strauss Jens
Published: April 2022

Abstract. Organic carbon (OC) stored in Arctic permafrost
represents one of Earth's largest and most vulnerable terrestrial carbon
pools. Amplified climate warming across the Arctic results in widespread
permafrost thaw. Permafrost deposits exposed at river cliffs and coasts are
particularly susceptible to thawing processes. Accelerating erosion of
terrestrial permafrost along shorelines leads to increased transfer of
organic matter (OM) to nearshore waters. However, the amount of terrestrial
permafrost carbon and nitrogen as well as the OM quality in these deposits
is still poorly quantified. We define the OM quality as the intrinsic
potential for further transformation, decomposition and mineralisation. Here,
we characterise the sources and the quality of OM supplied to the Lena River
at a rapidly eroding permafrost river shoreline cliff in the eastern part of
the delta (Sobo-Sise Island). Our multi-proxy approach captures bulk
elemental, molecular geochemical and carbon isotopic analyses of Late
Pleistocene Yedoma permafrost and Holocene cover deposits, discontinuously
spanning the last ∼52 kyr. We showed that the ancient
permafrost exposed in the Sobo-Sise cliff has a high organic carbon content
(mean of about 5 wt %). The oldest sediments stem from Marine Isotope
Stage (MIS) 3 interstadial deposits (dated to 52 to 28 cal ka BP) and are
overlaid by last glacial MIS 2 (dated to 28 to 15 cal ka BP) and Holocene
MIS 1 (dated to 7–0 cal ka BP) deposits. The relatively high average chain
length (ACL) index of n-alkanes along the cliff profile indicates a
predominant contribution of vascular plants to the OM composition. The
elevated ratio of iso- and anteiso-branched fatty acids (FAs) relative to mid- and long-chain (C ≥ 20) n-FAs in the interstadial MIS 3 and the interglacial MIS 1 deposits
suggests stronger microbial activity and consequently higher input of
bacterial biomass during these climatically warmer periods. The overall high
carbon preference index (CPI) and higher plant fatty acid (HPFA) values as
well as high C/N ratios point to a good quality of the preserved OM and thus
to a high potential of the OM for decomposition upon thaw. A decrease in
HPFA values downwards along the profile probably indicates stronger OM decomposition in the oldest (MIS 3) deposits of the cliff. The
characterisation of OM from eroding permafrost leads to a better assessment
of the greenhouse gas potential of the OC released into river and nearshore
waters in the future.
Interannual variability of the initiation of the phytoplankton growing period in two French coastal ecosystems
Authors: Poppeschi Coline , Charria Guillaume , Daniel Anne , Verney Romaric , Rimmelin-Maury Peggy , Retho Michaël , Goberville Eric , Grossteffan Emilie , Plus Martin
Published: April 2022

Abstract. Abstract. Decadal time series of chlorophyll-a concentrations sampled at high and low frequencies are explored to study climate-induced changes on the processes inducing interannual variations in the Initiation of the Phytoplankton Growing Period (IPGP) in early spring. In this study, we specifically detail the IPGP in two contrasting French coastal ecosystems: the Bay of Brest and the Bay of Vilaine. A large interannual variability in the IPGP is observed in both ecosystems in connection with variations of environmental drivers (solar radiation, sea temperature, wind direction and intensity, precipitation, river flow, sea level, currents and turbidity). We show that the IPGP is delayed by around 30 days in 2019 in comparison with 2010. The use of a one-dimensional vertical model coupling hydrodynamics, biogeochemistry and sediment dynamics shows that the IPGP is generally dependent on the interaction between several drivers. Interannual changes are therefore not associated with a unique driver (such as increasing sea surface temperature). Extreme events also impact the IPGP. In both bays, IPGP is sensitive to cold spells and flood events. The interannual variability of the IPGP is significant and strongly conditioned, at the local scale, by a combination of several environmental parameters, with a larger sensitivity to sea temperature and light conditions, linked to the turbidity of the system. While both bays are hydrodynamically contrasted, the processes that modulate IPGP are similar. Keywords Phytoplankton biomass, Long-term in situ observations, Coastal ecosystems, Extreme events, Climate change.
Insights from 20 years of temperature parallel measurements in Mauritius around the turn of the 20th century
Authors: Awe Samuel O. , Mahony Martin , Michaud Edley , Murphy Conor , Noone Simon J. , Venema Victor K. C. , Thorne Thomas G. , Thorne Peter W.
Published: April 2022

Abstract. There is considerable import in creating more complete,
better understood holdings of early meteorological data. Such data permit
an improved understanding of climate variability and long-term changes.
Early records are particularly incomplete in the tropics, with implications
for estimates of global and regional temperature. There is also a relatively low level of scientific understanding of how these early measurements were made and, as a result, of their homogeneity and comparability to more modern
techniques and measurements. Herein we describe and analyse a newly rescued
set of long-term, up to six-way parallel measurements undertaken over
1884–1903 in Mauritius, an island situated in the southern Indian Ocean.
Data include (i) measurements from a well-ventilated room, (ii) a shaded
thermograph, (iii) instruments housed in a manner broadly equivalent to a
modern Stevenson screen, (iv) a set of measurements by a hygrometer mounted
in a Stevenson screen, and for a much shorter period (v) two additional Stevenson screen configurations. All measurements were undertaken within an ∼ 80 m radius of each other. To our knowledge this is the first such multidecadal multi-instrument assessment of meteorological instrument transition impacts ever undertaken, providing potentially unique insights. The intercomparison also considers the impact of different ways of
deriving daily and monthly averages. The long-term comparison is sufficient
to robustly characterize systematic offsets between all the instruments and
seasonally varying impacts. Differences between all techniques range from
tenths of a degree Celsius to more than 1 ∘C and are
considerably larger for maximum and minimum temperatures than for means or
averages. Systematic differences of several tenths of a degree Celsius also
exist for the different ways of deriving average and mean temperatures. All
differences, except two average temperature series pairs, are significant at the
0.01 level using a paired t test. Given that all thermometers were regularly calibrated against a primary Kew standard thermometer maintained by the observatory, this analysis highlights significant impacts of instrument exposure, housing, siting, and measurement practices in early meteorological records. These results reaffirm the importance of thoroughly assessing the homogeneity of early meteorological records.
Reconstructing 6-hourly PM2.5 datasets from 1960 to 2020 in China
Authors: Zhong Junting , Zhang Xiaoye , Gui Ke , Liao Jie , Fei Ye , Jiang Lipeng , Guo Lifeng , Liu Liangke , Che Huizheng , Wang Yaqiang , Wang Deying , Zhou Zijiang
Published: April 2022

Abstract. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has altered radiation balance on earth and raised environmental and health risks for decades, but only been monitored widely since 2013 in China. Historical long-term PM2.5 records with high temporal resolution are essential but lacking for both research and environmental management. Here, we reconstruct a site-based PM2.5 dataset at 6-hour intervals from 1960 to 2020 that combines long-term visibility, conventional meteorological observations, emissions, and elevation. The PM2.5 concentration at each site is estimated based on an advanced machine learning model, LightGBM, that takes advantage of spatial features from 20 surrounding meteorological stations. Our model's performance is comparable or even better than those of previous studies in by-year cross validation (CV) (R2=0.7) and spatial CV (R2=0.76), and more advantageous in long-term records and high temporal resolution. This model also reconstructs a 0.25°×0.25°, 6-hourly, gridded PM2.5 dataset by incorporating spatial features. The results show PM2.5 pollution worsens gradually or maintains before 2010 from an interdecadal scale but mitigates in the following decade. Although the turning points vary in different regions, PM2.5 mass concentrations in key regions decreased significantly after 2013 due to clean air actions. In particular, the annual average value of PM2.5 in 2020 is nearly at the lowest value in history since 1960. These two PM2.5 datasets (publicly available at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6372847) provide spatiotemporal variations at high resolution, which lay the foundation of research studies associated with air pollution, climate change, and atmospheric chemical reanalysis.
Evaluation of the global-blockage effect on power performance through simulations and measurements
Authors: Sebastiani Alessandro , Peña Alfredo , Troldborg Niels , Meyer Forsting Alexander
Published: April 2022

Abstract. Blockage effects due to the interaction of five wind turbines in a row are investigated through both Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations and site measurements. Since power performance tests are often carried out at sites consisting of several turbines in a row, the objective of this study is to evaluate whether the power performance of the five turbines differs from that of an isolated turbine. A number of simulations are performed, in which we vary the turbine inter-spacing (1.8, 2 and 3 rotor diameters) and the inflow angle between the incoming wind and the orthogonal line to the row (from 0 to 45∘). Different values of the free-stream velocity are considered to cover a broad wind speed range of the power curve. Numerical results show consistent power deviations for all five turbines when compared to the isolated case. The amplitude of these deviations depends on the location of the turbine within the row, the inflow angle, the inter-spacing and the power curve region of operation. We show that the power variations do not cancel out when averaging over a large inflow sector (from −45 to +45∘) and find an increase in the power output of up to +1 % when compared to the isolated case under idealised conditions (neutral atmospheric conditions, no vertical wind shear or ground effects). We simulate power performance “measurements” with both a virtual mast and nacelle-mounted lidar and find a combination of power output increase and upstream velocity reduction, which causes an increase of +4 % in the power coefficient under idealised conditions. We also use measurements from a real site consisting of a row of five wind turbines to validate the numerical results. From the analysis of the measurements, we also show that the power performance is impacted by the neighbouring turbines. Compared to when the inflow is perpendicular to the row, the power output varies by +1.8 % and −1.8 % when the turbine is the most downwind and upwind of the line, respectively.
Analysing the effectiveness of different offshore maintenance base options for floating wind farms
Authors: Avanessova Nadezda , Gray Anthony , Lazakis Iraklis , Thomson R. Camilla , Rinaldi Giovanni
Published: April 2022

Abstract. With the growth of the floating wind industry, new operation and maintenance (O&M) research has emerged evaluating tow-to-port strategies (Offshore Wind Innovation Hub, 2020), but limited work has been done on analysing other logistical strategies for offshore floating wind farms. In particular, what logistical solutions are the best for farms located far offshore that cannot be reached by crew transfer vessels (CTVs)? Previous studies have looked at the use of surface effect ships (SES) and CTVs during the operation and maintenance (O&M) of bottom-fixed wind farms, but only some of them included service operation vessels (SOVs). This study analyses two strategies that could be used for floating wind farms located far from shore using ORE Catapult's in-house O&M simulation tool. One strategy comprises of having a SOV performing most of the maintenance on the wind farm, and the other strategy uses an offshore maintenance base (OMB) instead, which would be located next to the offshore substation and would accommodate three CTVs. This paper provides an overview of the tool and the inputs used to run it, including failure rates of floating wind turbine subsea components and their replacement costs. In total six types of simulations were run with two strategies, two different weather limits for CTVs and two weather datasets ERA5 and ERA-20C. The results of this study show that the operational expenditure (OPEX) costs for the strategy with an OMB are 5 %–8 % (depending on the inputs) lower than with SOV, but if capital expenditure (CAPEX) costs are included in the analysis and the net present value (NPV) is taken into account then the fixed costs associated with building the offshore maintenance base have a significant impact on selecting a preferred strategy. It was found that for the case study presented in this paper the OMB would have to share the foundation with a substation in order to be cost competitive with the SOV strategy.
Gastrointestinal bleeding risk of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants versus warfarin in general and after polypectomy: a population-based study with propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Pae Jong Yop , Kim Eun Soo , Kim Sung Kook , Jung Min Kyu , Heo Jun , Lee Jang Hoon , Park Min Ae
Published: April 2022

Background/Aims: Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) risk for non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with warfarin is largely unknown. We aimed to determine the risk of overall and post-polypectomy GIB for NOACs and warfarin. Methods: Using the Korean National Health Insurance database, we created a cohort of patients who were newly prescribed NOACs or warfarin between July 2015 and December 2017 using propensity score matching (PSM). Kaplan-Meier analysis with log-rank test was performed to compare the risk of overall and post-polypectomy GIB between NOACs (apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban) and warfarin. Post-polypectomy GIB was defined as bleeding within 1 month after gastrointestinal endoscopic polypectomy.Results: Out of 234,206 patients taking anticoagulants (187,687 NOACs and 46,519 warfarin), we selected 39,764 pairs of NOACs and warfarin users after PSM. NOACs patients showed significantly lower risk of overall GIB than warfarin patients (log-rank P<0.001, hazard ratio, 0.86; 95% confidence interval, 0.78–0.94; P=0.001). Among NOACs, apixaban showed the lowest risk of GIB. In the subgroup of 7,525 patients who underwent gastrointestinal polypectomy (lower gastrointestinal polypectomy 93.1%), 1,546 pairs were chosen for each group after PSM. The NOACs group showed a high risk of post-polypectomy GIB compared with the warfarin group (log-rank P=0.001, hazard ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.16–3.33; P=0.012).Conclusions: This nationwide, population-based study demonstrates that risk of overall GIB is lower for NOACs than for warfarin, while risk of post-polypectomy GIB is higher for NOACs than for warfarin.
ԽԱՂՈՂԻ ՀԱՂԹԱՆԱԿ ՍՈՐՏԻՑ ՎԱՐԴԱԳՈՒՅՆ ԳԻՆՈՒ ԱՐՏԱԴՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՏԵԽՆՈԼՈԳԻԱՅԻ ՆԵՐԴՐՈՒՄ ԵՎ ԿԱՏԱՐԵԼԱԳՈՐԾՈՒՄ
Authors: Gabrielyan A.H.
Published: April 2022

The demand for high quality and unique wines is eventually increasing in Armenia. Therefore, research was carried out to develop, introduce and improve a technology for rose wine production from “Haghtanak” grape variety in line with international standards.
Throughout the experiments rose´ wines were produced from the mentioned variety through different technologies and investigations on some physicochemical and organoleptic indices of must and wine material was carried out.
It is worth mentioning that the produced wine is already available in the market and has won positive reviews from consumers due to its unique brand.
ԲՈՒՍԱԿԱՆ ՀԱՎԵԼԱՆՅՈՒԹԵՐՈՎ ՄԱՆԿԱԿԱՆ ՆՐԲԵՐՇԻԿՆԵՐԻ ԱՐՏԱԴՐՈՒԹՅԱՆ ՏԵԽՆՈԼՈԳԻԱՅԻ ՄՇԱԿՈՒՄ
Authors: Balayan E.B.
Published: April 2022

Healthy eating from an early age is vital for a child’s growth and development. Therefore, a task has been set to develop a new technology for the production of a new sausage product for children rich in nutrients needed for the body and with safe-health level. Rabbit meat has served as the fresh sausage meat, while the pumpkin pulp has been used (with 15 % optimal portion) as vegetable-based supplement. Such a combination of plant- and animal-based food products promotes the increase of the food’s biological value. At the same time, it boosts up the development of rabbit breeding sector and consumption of local raw stuff.
Facile Chemical Synthesis of Cadmium and Neodymium doped Copper Chromite by Sol gel Method
Authors: Batool Kiran , Tariq Kashmala , Mehmood Arshad , Ahmad Shah Aqeel , Chandio Alidad , Batool Farwa , Shafique Rubia , Akhter Naseem , Yaqoob Tahira
Published: April 2022

Using a simple and inexpensive sol-gel synthesis technique, Nd and Cd doped copper chromite spinel nanoparticles (MxCu1-xCr2O4) with x=0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8 were investigated. The crystal structure, elemental composition, nanoparticles nature, and bandgap of the synthesized nanoparticles were determined using XRD, EDS, SEM, Raman spectroscopy, and Photoluminescence. As prepared calcined at 750°C for four hours, resulting in an increase in average grain size from 37nm to 41nm, as demonstrated by XRD results. XRD tells us about the crystal size and dislocation density of samples. The value of 2???? for the XRD patterns is ranging from 25 to 55 . The band gap is calculated from the PL spectra and is 4.96 eV for the parent compound. When we doped elements with different concentrations in parent compound, the value of band gap decreases to 2.43 eV for Neodymium and 2.42eV for Cadmium. Similarly, SEM results show that the structure of pure copper chromites is tetragonal, and that after doping with other compounds, the structure will change according to the characteristics of Nano particles. In the PL spectra, four peaks are obtained: one at 347nm, one at 380nm, one at 500nm, and one at 600nm.EDS demonstrated that Cadmium and Neodymium was successfully doped in copper chromite and completely merged
Distinctive Computational Approaches for Solution of Energy Optimization of Particles
Authors: Akhter Naseem , Laraib Asghar  , Sobia Arbab  , Batool Farwa
Published: April 2022

The “Thomson problem’ is used to determine the minimum energy configuration of electrons on the sphere’ s surface. We turned this difficulty into an optimization problem, which we addressed with the help of intelligent computational techniques like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO). To enhance the system’s global searching ability, a Quantum behaved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm is designed. The Thomson’s problem is investigated and appraised, and has fewer parameters to govern, according to simulation data. In this work QPSO is extremely effective and successful at delivering near- optimal results, as we compared the results with Genetic Algorithm and PSO.
Controlling of Home Devices by using MTMF Technique without using IC
Authors: Ayub Usama , Quamar khan Muhammad Habib ur Rehman
Published: April 2022

The idea behind our study is to develop a system that would control our home electrical devices wirelessly by using a cellphone. Nowadays advancement in technology has made home automation as one of the emerging trends in modernization of controlling home devices. Conventionally all the home electrical devices are controlled via switches which utilizes the manual work and human effort. As the world is modernizing day by day so the cellular communication has given us a chance to control home appliances automatically from any place wirelessly. The proposed system will utilize the use of DTMF (Dual Tone Multiple Frequency) technique present in cellphones to produce MTMF (Multiple Tone Multiple Frequency) technique for our algorithm designed in MATLAB. This system provides controlling of home appliances through mobile phone by dialing a particular number and the digital output would be generated by DTMF and MTMF by receiving the command from cell phone. Hence the proposed system will meet the demand of people by providing them control of their home devices wirelessly from any place. Thus, the developed system reduces the human effort and the living environment will be more comfortable and satisfactory.
A Taxonomic Study comparing the two types of Medicinal Leeches available in Iraq
Authors: Khalid Islam , Sobhi Nayyef Najah , M. Merkhan Marwan
Published: April 2022

Medical leeches are ectoparasites invertebrates which are widely used in medical and surgical treatments because it was found since the ancient time that many diseases can be cured by medicinal leeches, then it was discovered that leech saliva contains anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, anticoagulant, and even anticancer enzymes, also they found that medicinal leeches have a great role in treating diabetic ulcers. Tow samples of leeches were collected from two regions in Iraq from September to the end of December 2020. These samples were examined a live by dissecting microscope and then they were examined after fixing them in formaldehyde 5%. The samples of leeches that were used to analyze their genetic DNA were fixed and preserved in absolute ethanol. The classification process was done through a molecular diagnosis of samples of medical leeches by using polymerase chain reaction PCR and technique tracking nitrogenous bases in the nucleic acid chain, and the molecular diagnosis depending on Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), and then the result of PCR of medical leech samples was sent with the primers of the resulting bands and the gene sequences were read depending on the Genetic Analyser Device 3130 supplied by Japanese Hitachi company. Then the gene sequences were matched with gene sequences documented in the National Center Biotechnology Information NCBI. The results were analyzed depending on the BLAST program through which two types of medical leeches were detected Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo verbena.
CAD/CAM FIBER-REINFORCED COMPOSITE SPLINT FOR IMMOBILIZATION OF PERIODONTALLY COMPROMISED TEETH
Authors:   Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Plovdiv Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria., Zhekov Yanko , Firkova Elena ,   Department of Periodontology and Oral diseases, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria., Kissov Hristo ,   Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Plovdiv Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria., Aleksandrov Svetlin ,   Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Plovdiv Medical University, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
Published: April 2022

A digital technique for planning and manufacturing a periodontal splint from composite material reinforced with glass fibers is presented. The lingual surface of the permanent mandibular anterior teeth is scanned intraorally. An accurate periodontal splint of the mandibular anterior teeth with increased mobility is fabricated. Digital planning and fabrication of an immobilizing splint minimize the human factor that affects the accuracy of the restoration.
Bancos de germoplasma de INFOR. Boletín anual 2021
Authors:   Instituto Forestal (Chile), Koch Laura , Chung Patricio
Published: April 2022

En el presente boletín anual se presentan algunos antecedentes de los Bancos de Germoplasma (de plantas y hongos) que INFOR mantiene en su Sede Biobío, detallándose aspectos de su infraestructura, servicios, material resguardado y los datos de contacto de los investigadores involucrados.
Penerapan Algoritma K-Nearest Neighbor pada Twitter untuk Analisis Sentimen Masyarakat Terhadap Larangan Mudik 2021
Authors: Lestari Diah Ayu , Mahdiana Deni
Published: April 2022

Media sosial Twitter merupakan media yang banyak digunakan oleh masyarakat dalam menyampaikan sebuah opini yang sedang hangat dibahas. Kebijakan larangan mudik yang diterapkan oleh pemerintah saat ini belum diketahui opini atau pendapat masyarakat terhadap pelaksanaan larangan mudik 2021 ini, sehingga pemerintah kesulitan dalam mengevaluasi kebijakan larangan mudik tersebut. Penelitian ini akan melakukan analisis sentimen menggunakan algoritma K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN) dan menerapkan metodologi Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining (CRIPS-DM). Pada penelitian ini data bersih yang digunakan berjumlah 4.799 tweet, yang diambil dari media sosial twitter pada 04 April 2021 – 17 Mei 2021 dengan sentimen positif berjumlah 834 tweet dan 3.965 tweet sentimen negatif. Penelitian ini menghasilkan bahwa K-NN dapat diimplementasikan dengan baik dikarenakan mencapai nilai akurasi sebesar 86.67 % dengan nilai recall 39.52 %, precision 70.97 % dan spencificity sebesar 96.60%  menggunakan split data perbandingan 80 untuk data training dan 20 untuk data testing dengan nilai k=3. Sehingga dapat dikatakan bahwa algoritma K-NN dapat mengklasifikasikan data secara benar dan baik.
A Buddha Land in This World
Authors: Brons Lajos
Published: April 2022

In the early twentieth century, Uchiyama Gudō, Seno’o Girō, Lin Qiuwu, and others advocated a Buddhism that was radical in two respects. Firstly, they adopted a more or less naturalist stance with respect to Buddhist doctrine and related matters, rejecting karma or other supernatural beliefs. And secondly, they held political and economic views that were radically anti-hegemonic, anti-capitalist, and revolutionary. Taking the idea of such a “radical Buddhism” seriously, A Buddha Land in This World: Philosophy, Utopia, and Radical Buddhism asks whether it is possible to develop a philosophy that is simultaneously naturalist, anti-capitalist, Buddhist, and consistent. Rather than a study of radical Buddhism, then, this book is an attempt to radicalize it.

The foundations of this “radicalized radical Buddhism” are provided by a realist interpretation of Yogācāra, elucidated and elaborated with some help from thinkers in the broader Tiantai/Tendai tradition and American philosophers Donald Davidson and W.V.O. Quine. A key implication of this foundation is that only this world and only this life are real, from which it follows that if Buddhism aims to alleviate suffering, it has to do so in this world and in this life. Twentieth-century radical Buddhists (as well as some engaged Buddhists) came to a similar conclusion, often expressed in their aim to realize “a Buddha land in this world.”

Building on this foundation, but also on Mahāyāna moral philosophy, this book argues for an ethics and social philosophy based on a definition of evil as that what is or should be expected to cause death or suffering. On that ground, capitalism should be rejected indeed, but utopianism must be treated with caution as well, which raises questions about what it means – from a radicalized radical Buddhist perspective – to aim for a Buddha land in this world.
What challenges do people face in response to the long-term use of face masks?
Authors: Raziani Yosra , Nazari Ahmad , Raziani Sheno
Published: April 2022

Background: The world is ceaselessly adapting to the ever-changing circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, and face masks have become a part of our daily routine. Considering the fact that face masks are here to stay, there are challenges people experience regarding wearing them. In this descriptive study, we aimed to investigate the frequent outcomes of long-term use of face masks in the general population.

Methods: Twenty-five nursing students who attended the university wearing face masks owing to the current pandemic were selected. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed according to the qualitative content analysis according to the Graneheim and Lundman method.

Results: The mean current age of the students was 20 (standard deviation [SD] = 2.5) years, and 60% of the students were women. The two main themes that emerged during data analysis were:

1. Physical health related problems, which included 3 categories; a) skin reactions, b) respiratory consequences, and c) visual complaints

2. Socioeconomic problems, including the 3 categories of; a) communication failure, b) personal style and appearance, and c) economic factors.

Conclusion: We support the necessity of face masks for a safe reopening of communities. Considering their advantages, some basic measurements are necessary to reduce the abovementioned concerns.
Off-label use of omalizumab in a 6-year-old child with severe atopic dermatitis
Authors: Alzyoud Raed
Published: April 2022

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder that affects up to 3% of adults and 15%-20% of children across the world. Although the mainstay of treatment is topical corticosteroids and/or calcineurin inhibitors, a majority of patients will not achieve a control of their condition and will need systemic treatment with steroids and immunosuppressants (1). Omalizumab is a humanized anti-IgE antibody licensed by the European Medical Agency for treatment of severe allergic asthma and spontaneous chronic urticaria in children older than 6 and 12 years, respectively; and a promising efficacy of omalizumab in the treatment of severe refractory AD has been shown by the ADAPT randomized clinical trial (2).

Case report: A 6-year-old male patient being treated and followed at a pediatric dermatology clinic for a diagnosis of AD since the age of 3 years, showed unresponsive disease to different topical treatment options and non-pharmacological measures. The patient was referred to our clinic for systemic treatment when his SCORAD index was 70/103. At our immunology clinic, we did an extensive workup to unveil a comorbid or underlying disease. His labs showed high IgE levels at 2500 IU/mL, hypereosinophilia, and normal IgA, IgM, and lymphocyte subsets. We started him on different lines of immunosuppressants, including cyclosporine, prednisolone, tacrolimus, and intensive topical treatment; however, the patient did not show any noticeable response for 2 years. We then started him on omalizumab 300 mg twice weekly, and the SCORAD index dropped to 57 at 12 weeks and 55 at 18 weeks. The drug is still well tolerated, and we were able to stop systemic steroids at 15 weeks of treatment.

Conclusion: Off-label use of omalizumab in a 6-year-old child with refractory severe AD was effective and safe in controlling the disease even though conventional systemic immunosuppressants proved ineffective.
Sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim induced fixed drug eruption in a patient with Chronic Granulomatous Disease
Authors: Rahim Thalappil Sherin , A Al-Nesf Maryam
Published: April 2022

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a known Primary immunodeficiency disease that results in recurrent, life-threatening bacterial, fungal infections and granuloma formation which requires lifelong antibacterial and antifungal prophylaxis. Sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim (TMP-SMX/Septrin) is the prophylactic antibacterial drug of choice. Adverse drug reactions, including Fixed Drug Eruption (FDE) to TMP-SMX in CGD patients, are challenging as it may result in serious complications and difficulties in management.

A seventeen-year-old Qatari female diagnosed with CGD was maintained on prophylactic TMP-SMX and itraconazole since childhood. She developed bullous skin lesions involving the face, neck, and trunk sparing the limbs. The skin lesion was confirmed to be FDE by skin biopsy. TMP-SMX was discontinued as it was suspected to be the causative agent. Atovaquone 1500 mg and clarithromycin 250 mg daily were started as an alternative, but the patient could not tolerate them. TMP-SMX slow graded challenge and desensitization were performed; however, the patient developed similar lesions in the previous affected areas on day 3 of desensitization, which responded well to discontinuation of TMP-SMX along with administration of steroid. FDE to TMP-SMX as the causative agent was confirmed. An MDT meeting was conducted to evaluate other available options for treatment. Also, the case was discussed with international immunology colleagues. The recommendation was to go for bone marrow transplantation to treat the primary disease. Six years post transplants, the patient is doing well and is not on any medications apart from the hormonal replacement therapy patch.

CGD predisposes to several gram-positive, gram-negative bacterial (Staphylococcus aureus, Burkholderia cepacia complex, Serratia marcescens, Nocardia species) and fungal infections. TMP-SMX is an ideal antibiotic as it is relatively cheap with good coverage and orally available. In the medical literature, desensitization can be tried in FDE, especially if there is no alternative for the needed drug. FDE signs should be observed when administered TMP-SMX.
Hypopigmentation following intradermal allergy skin testing performed as part of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine allergy evaluation
Authors: Imameldin Asaad , Ibrahim Yaldez , Ibrahim Tayseer , Mobayed Hassan
Published: April 2022

Background: Skin prick test (SPT) and intradermal test (IDT) are standard procedures in the allergy practice that are safe when performed. Individuals with a history of allergic reaction to the COVID-19 vaccine can undergo allergy skin testing for polyethylene glycol and polysorbate 80 to determine their eligibility for the same vaccine or a safe alternative.

Hypopigmentation is an infrequent adverse effect of corticosteroids, including triamcinolone acetonide, following local and intralesional treatment. Exposure to high potency corticosteroids for a long duration and the intradermal injection route are risk factors for hypopigmentation.

In this case report, we describe the development of hypopigmentation following triamcinolone ID testing.

Case report: A 29-year-old lady with a history of immediate severe allergic reaction following the first dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine (Pfizer) underwent SPT and IDT for polysorbate 80 and polyethylene glycol. Triamcinolone acetonide and Prevnar 13 were used as an indicator of polysorbate 80. Following a negative SPT, IDT for triamcinolone acetonide was negative at 1:10 of 40 mg/mL and positive at 1:1 of 40 mg/mL. A few days later, she noticed hypopigmented lesions at the site of the intradermal skin test for both concentrations of triamcinolone. The lesions have increased in size since then (see image). The patient was diagnosed with steroid-induced hypopigmentation secondary to triamcinolone IDT injection.

Conclusion: Skin hypopigmentation following intraarticular and intralesional triamcinolone injection has been reported previously. However, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of steroid-induced hypopigmentation following intradermal skin testing. Furthermore, this report highlights that even a low dose of local triamcinolone can cause hypopigmentation. We believe that this case report regarding the rare adverse event will alert clinicians to the potential complication of corticosteroid IDT and help them counsel the patients and provide a thorough explanation before any procedure.
ROLUL ȘI IMPORTANȚA UNEI STRATEGII NAȚIONALE DE SECURITATE MARITIMĂ DIN PERSPECTIVA „HIBRIDIZĂRII” DOMENIULUI MARITIM
Authors: ȚUȚUIANU Bogdan
Published: April 2022

Strategiile maritime au fost dintotdeauna o soluție pentru consolidarea securității maritime. În actualul mediu geopolitic, aflat în perpetuă schimbare, pare firesc ca și ele să sufere modificări pentru a se adapta la cu totul alte tipuri de amenințări decât în trecut, mai precis la amenințările de tip hibrid. Pentru a putea face față acestui gen nou de amenințare pe care o constituie totalitatea elementelor alcătuind fenomenul hibrid, există o nevoie imperioasă de a găsi opțiuni strategice revizuite, chiar inovative, de răspuns. Scopul prezentei lucrări este de a dovedi că singura modalitate de a oferi factorilor de decizie o viziune coerentă și pe deplin integrată, menită să asigure securitatea traficului și infrastructurii maritime, este construirea și implementarea unei strategii maritime. Deși este posibil să nu fie o soluție universală și complet garantată în acest sens, concluzia articolului arată că este singurul răspuns viabil, adecvat hibridității maritime aflate în plină desfășurare.
THE GEOPOLITICAL IMPACT OF THE EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
Authors: POPESCU Alba Iulia Catrinel
Published: April 2022

In addition to the cortege of disasters generated by the SARS-COV II pandemic, the current global medical crisis has also had a positive effect. More than ever, it has brought up the fundamental role played by scientific and technological research in the progress of mankind and in its defence against disruptive threats. The modern technological age of the Third Millennium has changed the human-machine relationship. Today, technologies seem to go beyond their status as a tool of power, turning into active players, who determine policies, sharpen stakes, trigger competitions. Step by step, artificial intelligence (AI), 5G, cyber security, robotics, semiconductors and microprocessors, cloud computing, cloud combat and digital networks have taken over human activities and, by extension, international geopolitical dynamics. And, all the subsequent consequences of the technological “sprint” (political, strategic, economic and social) are involving states, international organizations and private companies. The dynamics of competition and international cooperation are being transformed. This article aims to present the impact of the state-of-the-art technologies on contemporary geopolitical dynamics and, in extenso, on Romania's security.
COMMAND STRUCTURES OF MILITARY ENGINEERING BRANCH, FROM THE ROMANIAN ARMY, IN THE PERIOD 1941-1946
Authors: CÎRJĂU Cristian Gabriel
Published: April 2022

The situation during the years 1941-1946 was particularly complex, a period in which the Romanian Army participated in military operations, both in the Eastern campaign against the Russian Army and in the Western campaign against the German Army, which was allied to us for a time. For the leadership and coordination of military actions, the existing Romanian commands, or those established according to current needs, cooperated closely with both the German and as well as the Russian ones from the moment we turned our weapons against the Germans. During both campaigns, the structures within the Romanian commands were some newly established and others organized and reorganized according to the needs required by the current situation. Among these structures, there are those of military engineering, who led and coordinated all specific activities. In this study I aimed to identify the organization and role of military engineering structures, within the Romanian commands, in leading and coordinating engineering actions during 1941-1946, in order to make later, in another study, a comparative analysis with the military engineering  structures of the Romanian Army existing at this date.