bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Oral Prednisolone Treatment of Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss: 16 A Three Year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Daulatuzzaman Md. , Mazumder SM K A , Khan EH , Hossain FMS , Hossain O , Quddus MA
Published: November 2020

Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss (SSNHL) is a serious medical condition and requires prompt medical attention. The study was done to estimate the effect of different protocols of oral Prednisolone plus high dose vitamin B-complex and vitamin BI, 132. Be in patients with unilateral SSNHL who have failed to respond to treatment. A retrospective study was done from January 2015 to January 2018 at the outdoor patient department of Holy Family Red Crescent Medical College Hospital, Dhaka among 75 randomly selected patients with a mean age of 46.32 years (range 25-69 years). with the preselected criteria. Each of the patient received one of the four standard oral Prednisolone dosing protocols along with high dose of vitamin B-complex and BI, 132, Be orally 20mg four times for a total dose of 80mg daily for one week, Group A, n=18; orally 20 mg three times, for a total dose of 60mg daily for one week Group B, n=18; orally 20mg two times for a total dose of 40mg daily for one week Group C, n=18; orally 10mg three times for a total dose of 30mg daily for one week. Group a n=18. All the doses were then tapered for next 5 days. Patient characteristics and pharmacological effects were compared among the 4 groups. The mean age, average duration of symptoms from onset to treatment, and degree of hearing loss were analyzed by means oft-test Treatment effects were analyzed by means of Chi-square test. P<0.05 was considered significant. Improvement of hearing was assessed by pure tone audiogram. The total effective rate was 88.89% 83.33%, 77.78% 66.67% for each treatment protocol, respectively, with no significant statistical difference between them (p00.05). The results suggest that a total dose of 80 mg is the most appropriate protocol. Prednisolone significantly improves the prognosis of SSNHL. Further multicenter studies are needed to determine the more standard treatment protocol.
Ant Colony Optimization. A Computational Intelligence Technique
Authors: Nanda Bijaya Kumar , Das Gyanesh
Published: November 2020

Ant colony optimization (ACO) is a novel computational technique inspired by a foraging behavior of ants has been successfully applied for solving real world optimization problems. This behavioral pattern inspires artificial ants for the search of solutions to the various types of optimization problems. ACO is a probabilistic search approach founded on the idea of evolutionary process. In this paper, we present an overview of ant colony optimization and ACO variants up to now. we also summarize various types of applications. Finally we focus on some research efforts directed at receiving a dipper understanding of the ant colony optimization algorithms.
Image Restoration Using M-Flann
Authors: Pattnaik Gayatri , Mehena J.
Published: November 2020

In this paper a Modified Functional Link Artificial. Neural Network (M-FLANN) is proposed which is simpler than a Multilayer Perceptron (MLP). It have been implemented for image restoration in this paper. Its computational complexity and speed and generalization ability to cancel Gaussian noise is compared with that of MLP. In contrast to a feed forward ANN structure i.e. a multiplayer perceptron (MLP) the M-FLANN is basically a single layer structure in which non-linearity is introduced by enhancing the input pattern with nonlinear function expansion. With the proper choice of functional expansion in a FLANN problem of denoising of an image. In the single layer functional link ANN (FLANN) the need of hidden layer is eliminated.The novelty of the FLANN structure is that it requires much less computation than that of MLP. In the presence of additive white Gaussian noise, salt and pepper noise, Random variable impulse noise and mixed noise in the image the performance of the proposed network is compared with that of MLP in this thesis. The Performance of the of algorithm is evaluated for six different situations i.e. for single layer neural network, MLP and four different types of expansion in FLANN and comparison in terms of computational complexity also carried out.
Impact of Body Mass Index on the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Infertile South Indian Women
Authors: Vembu Radha , Devi Mathivanan Nandini , Nellepalli Sanjeeva R , Pandurangi Monna , Nagireddy Siddhartha
Published: November 2020

Aim and objective

To study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MBS) in different body mass index (BMI) group infertile women in both polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and non-PCOS subgroups.

Materials and methods

A prospective cross-sectional study of all infertile women attending the outpatient in the department of reproductive medicine and surgery in a tertiary care center catering patients from South India was conducted. These women were categorized based on BMI into groups as ≤23 kg/m2, 23.1–25 kg/m2, 25.1–27 kg/m2, 27.1–30 kg/m2, and >30 kg/m2. They were further subdivided as PCOS and non-PCOS based on Rotterdam criteria (2003). These women underwent screening for MBS according to the modified American Heart Association/National Heart Lung Blood Institute AHA/NHLBI (ATP III 2005) definition. The results were analyzed for significance by the unpairedttest and the Chi-square test.

Results

A total of 1,030 infertile women were analyzed. The mean age was 28.8 ± 4.5 years; mean BMI was 26.9 ± 3.7 kg/m2. More than 90% of women had waist circumference >80 cm. The prevalence of MBS among the infertile women was 35.3% and among PCOS and non-PCOS women was 44.7 and 28.9%, respectively. Even though there was statistically no significant difference in the metabolic parameters among PCOS and non-PCOS subgroups in different BMI cutoff levels, there was an increase in abnormal metabolic parameters with increase in BMI. The prevalence of MBS in the BMI groups among PCOS women was 11.1, 28.1, 29.7, 51.8, and 73.6%, respectively (p= 0.0005) and among non-PCOS women was 4.9, 20.4, 24.6, 41.6, and 66.7%, respectively (p= 0.0005).

Conclusion

The BMI is an independent risk factor for MBS in both PCOS and non-PCOS infertile women.

Clinical significance

Screening for MBS in infertile women helps in early identification and primary prevention by lifestyle modification helps in delaying long-term consequences of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases.

How to cite this article

Vembu R, Nandini Devi M, Nellepalli SR,et al. Impact of Body Mass Index on the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome among Infertile South Indian Women. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2019;10(3):42–45.
Complicated Triplet Gestation Reduced to Twins with Partial Hydatidiform Mole and a Coexisting Live Fetus: A Case Report Managed in a Tertiary Care Center
Authors: Kulkarni Ketki S , Dhanvij Minal P , Goel Anchal
Published: November 2020

Pregnancies with hydatidiform mole and a live fetus are extremely rare, arising in about 1 in 20,000–100,000 pregnancies. Multifetal gestations are increasing due to increase in infertility treatment, and so the complications related to it are on the verge of rising. Also, the partial mole with live fetus is a rare entity, and only few cases are reported in the literature. The objective of the study is reporting a rare case and reviewing the available literature in an attempt to make clinical guidelines. We are reporting a case of 36-year-old, elderly primigravida within vitrofertilization conception at 29.1 weeks of gestation with severe preeclampsia. She was triplet gestation in early ultrasonography scan reports, and fetal reduction was done at 11 weeks and reduced to twins. A lower segment cesarean section was done, and a healthy male fetus of 1,100 g was delivered. Placenta of the live triplet and the fetus papyraceous (200 g) was delivered with a thin cord attached to hydatidiform molar placenta and vesicles. The dilemma is whether to continue such pregnancy or to terminate it, as it is a critical issue to solve. The watchful monitoring of such cases can provide optimum outcome and prevention of metastasis.

How to cite this article:Kulkarni KS, Dhanvij MP, Goel A. Complicated Triplet Gestation Reduced to Twins with Partial Hydatidiform Mole and a Coexisting Live Fetus: A Case Report Managed in a Tertiary Care Center. Int J Infertil Fetal Med 2019;10(3):58–62.
O consumo de bebidas energéticas e seus efeitos à saúde
Authors: Yonamine Maurício , K. Teng Tatiana
Published: November 2020

Introdução: Acredita-se que as bebidas energéticas possam trazer benefícios físicos e mentais, e são cada vez mais populares entre jovens. No entanto, o seu consumo gera preocupações quanto aos riscos para a saúde, pelo excesso de cafeína ingerida, interação desconhecida de seus ingredientes e seus efeitos adversos. Objetivo: essa revisão tem como objetivo investigar na literatura os efeitos das bebidas energéticas e seus padrões de consumo na atualidade. Material e Métodos: foram pesquisados estudos nas bases de dados PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science, datados entre 2006 a 2019. Resultados: Bebidas energéticas podem apresentar benefícios ao desempenho físico e mental, porém, mais estudos devem ser conduzidos para confirmar tais efeitos. Os eventos adversos do consumo agudo de bebidas energéticas incluem sintomas do sistema nervoso, cardiovasculares e gastrointestinais e a ingestão de bebidas energéticas com álcool também podem gerar riscos. O consumo excessivo e crescente de cafeína preocupa muitas instituições e órgãos governamentais, levando a medidas de regulamentação do consumo e venda de bebidas energéticas. Conclusões: as bebidas energéticas podem oferecer benefícios, mas os riscos de seu consumo devem ser levados em consideração. O consumo excessivo de bebidas energéticas por populações cada vez mais jovens é preocupante, e é importante que os países adotem políticas efetivas de controle de vendas e consumo para evitar eventos adversos graves.
Mobile monitoring of urban air quality at high spatial resolution by
low-cost sensors: Impacts of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown
Authors: Wang Shibao , Ma Yun , Wang Zhongrui , Wang Lei , Chi Xuguang , Ding Aijun , Yao Mingzhi , Li Yunpeng , Li Qilin , Wu Mengxian , Zhang Ling , Xiao Yongle , Zhang Yanxu
Published: November 2020

Abstract. The development of low-cost sensors and novel calibration algorithms provides new hints to complement conventional ground-based observation sites to evaluate the spatial and temporal distribution of pollutants on hyper-local scales (tens of meters). Here we use sensors deployed on a taxi fleet to explore the air quality in the road network of Nanjing over the course of a year (Oct. 2019–Sep. 2020). Based on GIS technology, we develop a grid analysis method to obtain 50 m resolution maps of major air pollutants (CO, NO2, and O3). Through hotspots identification analysis, we find three main sources of air pollutants including traffic, industrial emissions, and cooking fumes. We find that CO and NO2 concentrations show a pattern: highways > arterial roads > secondary roads > branch roads > residential streets, reflecting traffic volume. While the O3 concentrations in these five road types are in opposite order due to the titration effect of NOx. Combined the mobile measurements and the stationary station data, we diagnose that the contribution of traffic-related emissions to CO and NO2 are 42.6 % and 26.3 %, respectively. Compared to the pre-COVID period, the concentrations of CO and NO2 during COVID-lockdown period decreased for 44.9 % and 47.1 %, respectively, and the contribution of traffic-related emissions to them both decreased by more than 50 %. With the end of the COVID-lockdown period, traffic emissions and air pollutant concentrations rebounded substantially, indicating that traffic emissions have a crucial impact on the variation of air pollutants levels in urban regions. This research demonstrates the sense power of mobile monitoring for urban air pollution, which provides detailed information for source attribution, accurate traceability, and potential mitigation strategies at urban micro-scale.
Estimating Upper Silesian coal mine methane emissions from
airborne in situ observations and dispersion modeling
Authors: Kostinek Julian , Roiger Anke , Eckl Maximilian , Fiehn Alina , Luther Andreas , Wildmann Norman , Klausner Theresa , Fix Andreas , Knote Christoph , Stohl Andreas , Butz André
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Abundant mining and industrial activities located in the Upper Silesian Coal Basin (USCB) lead to large emissions of the potent greenhouse gas (GHG) methane (CH4). The strong localization of CH4 emitters (mostly confined to known coal mine ventilation shafts) and the large emissions of 448/720 kt CH4 yr−1 reported in the European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (E-PRTR 2017) and the Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR v4.3.2) make the USCB a prime research target for validating and improving CH4 flux estimation techniques. High-precision observations of this GHG were made downwind of local (e.g. single facilities) to regional-scale sources (e.g. agglomerations) in the context of the CoMet 1.0 campaign in early summer 2018. A Quantum Cascade/Interband Cascade Laser (QCL/ICL) based spectrometer adapted for airborne research was deployed aboard the German Aerospace Centers (DLR) Cessna 208B to sample the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in situ. Regional CH4 emission estimates for the USCB are derived using a model approach including assimilated wind soundings from three ground-based Doppler lidars. Although retrieving estimates for individual emitters is difficult using only single flights, due to sparse data availability, the combination of two flights allows for exploiting different meteorological conditions (analogous to a sparse tomography algorithm) to establish confidence on facility level estimates. Emission rates from individual sources are not only needed for unambiguous comparisons between bottom-up and top-down inventories but become indispensable if (independently verifiable) sanctions are to be imposed on individual companies emitting GHGs. An uncertainty analysis is presented for both the regional scale and facility level emission estimates. We find instantaneous emission estimates of 452/442 ± 78/75 kt CH4 yr−1 for the morning/afternoon flight of June 6th, 2018. The derived emission rates coincide (±2 %) with annual-average inventorial data from E-PRTR 2017 albeit they are distinctly lower (−37 %/−40 %) than values reported in EDGAR v4.3.2. Discrepancies in available emission inventories could potentially be narrowed down with sufficient observations using the method described herein to bridge the gap between instantaneous emission estimates and yearly averaged inventories.
Modeling total electron content derived from radio occultation measurements by COSMIC satellites over the African region
Authors: Mungufeni Patrick , Samireddipalle Sripathi , Migoya-Orué Yenca , Kim Yong Ha
Published: November 2020

Abstract. This study developed a model of total electron content (TEC) over the
African region. The TEC data were obtained from radio occultation
measurements done by the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology,
Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) satellites. Data during geomagnetically
quiet time (Kp < 3 and Dst > −20 nT) for the years 2008–2011
and 2013–2017 were
binned according to local time, seasons, solar flux level, and geographic
longitude and latitude. B splines were fitted to the binned data to obtain
model coefficients. The model was validated using actual COSMIC TEC data of
the years 2012 and 2018. The validation exercise revealed that
approximation of observed TEC data by our model produces a root mean square
error of 5.02 TECU (total electron content unit). Moreover, the modeled TEC data correlated highly with
the observed TEC data (r=0.93). Due to the extensive input data and the
applied modeling technique, we were able to reproduce well-known TEC
features such as local time, seasonal, solar activity cycle, and spatial
variations over the African region. Further validation of our model using
TEC measured by ionosonde stations over South Africa at Hermanus,
Grahamstown, and Louisville revealed r values > 0.92 and root mean square error (RMSE)
< 5.56 TECU. These validation results imply that our model can
estimate TEC fairly well that would be measured by ionosondes over
locations
which do not have the instrument. Another element of the significance of this study is the
fact that it has shown the potential of using basis spline functions for
modeling ionospheric parameters such as TEC over the entire African region.
A deep insight into the ion foreshock with the help of test particle two-dimensional simulations
Authors: Savoini Philippe , Lembège Bertrand
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Two-dimensional (2D) test particle simulations based on shock profiles issued from 2D full particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations are used in order to analyze the formation processes of ions back streaming within the upstream region after interacting with a quasi-perpendicular curved shock front. Two different types of simulations have been performed based on (i) a fully consistent expansion (FCE) model, which includes all self-consistent shock profiles at different times, and (ii) a homothetic expansion (HE) model in which shock profiles are fixed at certain times and artificially expanded in space. The comparison of both configurations allows one to analyze the impact of the front nonstationarity on the back-streaming population. Moreover, the role of the space charge electric field El is analyzed by either including or canceling the El component in the simulations.
A detailed comparison of these last two different configurations allows one to show that this El component plays a key role in the ion reflection process within the whole quasi-perpendicular propagation range. Simulations provide evidence that the different field-aligned beam (FAB) and gyro-phase bunched (GPB) populations observed in situ are essentially formed by a Et×B drift in the velocity space involving the convective electric field Et. Simultaneously, the study emphasizes (i) the essential action of the magnetic field component on the GPB population (i.e., mirror reflection) and (ii) the leading role of the convective field Et in the FAB energy gain. In addition, the electrostatic field component El is essential for reflecting ions at high θBn angles and, in particular, at the edge of the ion foreshock around 70∘. Moreover, the HE model shows that the rate BI% of back-streaming ions is strongly dependent on the shock front profile, which varies because of the shock front nonstationarity. In particular, reflected ions appear to escape periodically from the shock front as bursts with an occurrence time period associated to the self-reformation of the shock front.
Hypersaline tidal flats as important Blue Carbon systems: A case
study from three ecosystems
Authors: Brown Dylan R. , Marrota Humberto , Peixoto Roberta B. , Enrich-Prast Alex , Barroso Glenda C. , Soares Mario L. G. , Machado Wilson , Pérez Alexander , Smoak Joseph M. , Sanders Luciana M. , Conrad Stephen , Sippo James Z. , Santos Isaac R. , Maher Damien T. , Sanders Christian J.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Hypersaline tidal flats (HTFs) are coastal ecosystems with freshwater deficits often occurring in arid or semi-arid regions near mangrove supratidal zones with no major fluvial contributions. Here, we estimate that organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) are being buried at rates averaging 21 (± 6), 1.7 (± 0.3), and 1.4 (± 0.3) g m−2 y−1, respectively, during the previous century in three contrasting HTFs systems, one in Brazil (eutrophic) and two in Australia (oligotrophic). Although these rates are lower than those from nearby mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass systems, the importance of HTFs as sinks for OC, TN and TP may be significant given their extensive coverage. Despite the measured short-term variability between net air-saltpan CO2 influx and emission estimates found during the dry and wet season in the Brazilian HTF, the only site with seasonal CO2 fluxes measurements, the OC sedimentary profiles over several decades suggests efficient OC burial at all sites. Indeed, the stable isotopes of OC and TN (δ13C and δ15N) along with C : N ratios show that microphytobenthos are the major source of the buried OC in these HTFs. Our findings highlight a previously unquantified carbon as well as nutrient sink and suggest that coastal HTF ecosystems could be included in the emerging blue carbon framework.
Development of global temperature and pH calibrations based
on bacterial 3-hydroxy fatty acids in soils
Authors: Véquaud Pierre , Derenne Sylvie , Thibault Alexandre , Anquetil Christelle , Bonanomi Giuliano , Collin Sylvie , Contreras Sergio , Nottingham Andrew , Sabatier Pierre , Salinas Norma , Scott Wesley Philip , Werne Josef P. , Huguet Arnaud
Published: November 2020

Abstract. 3-hydroxy fatty acids (3-OH FAs) with 10 to 18 C atoms are membrane lipids mainly produced by Gram-negative bacteria. They have been recently proposed as temperature and pH proxies in terrestrial settings. Nevertheless, the existing correlations between pH/temperature and indices derived from 3-OH FA distribution (RIAN, RAN15 and RAN17) are based on a small soil dataset (ca. 70 samples) and only applicable regionally. The aim of this study was to investigate the applicability of 3-OH FAs as mean annual air temperature (MAAT) and pH proxies at the global level. This was achieved using an extended soil dataset of 168 topsoils distributed worldwide, covering a wide range of temperatures (5 °C to 30 °C) and pH (3 to 8). The response of 3-OH FAs to temperature and pH was compared to that of established branched GDGT-based proxies (MBT'5Me/CBT). Strong linear relationships between 3-OH FA-derived indices (RAN15, RAN17 and RIAN) and MAAT/pH could only be obtained locally, for some of the individual transects. This suggests that these indices cannot be used as paleoproxies at the global scale using simple linear regression models, in contrast with the MBT'5Me and CBT. However, strong global correlations between 3-OH FA relative abundances and MAAT/pH were shown by using other algorithms (multiple linear regression, k-NN and random forest models). The applicability of the k-NN and random forest models for paleotemperature reconstruction was tested and compared with the MAAT record from a Chinese speleothem. The calibration based on the random forest model appeared to be the most robust. It showed similar trends with previously available records and highlighted known climatic events poorly visible when using local 3-OH FA calibrations. Altogether, these results demonstrate the potential of 3-OH FAs as paleoproxies in terrestrial settings.
A Schwarz iterative method to evaluate ocean- atmosphere coupling
schemes. Implementation and diagnostics in IPSL-CM6-SW-VLR
Authors: Marti Olivier , Nguyen Sébastien , Braconnot Pascale , Valcke Sophie , Lemarié Florian , Blayo Eric
Published: November 2020

Abstract. State-of-the-art Earth System models, like the ones used in the CMIP6 intercomparison project, suffer from temporal inconsistencies at the ocean-atmosphere interface. Indeed, the coupling algorithms generally implemented in those models do not allow for a correct phasing between the ocean and the atmosphere, and hence between their diurnal cycles. A possibility to remove these temporal inconsistencies is to use an iterative coupling algorithm based on Schwarz methods. Despite the fact that the computational cost is large compared to standard coupling methods, which makes the method impractical as is for production runs, Schwarz algorithms are useful to evaluate some of the errors made in state-of-the-art ocean-atmosphere coupled models (e.g. in the representation of the processes related to diurnal cycle), as illustrated by the present study. A new coupling scheme based on such iterative method has been implemented in the IPSL coupled model. Comparisons between coupled solutions obtained with this new scheme and the standard IPSL coupling scheme show large differences at sunrise and sunset, when the external forcing (insolation at top of atmosphere) has the fastest pace of change. At these times of the day, the difference between the two numerical solutions is often larger than 100 % of the solution, even with a small coupling time step, thus suggesting that significant errors are potentially made with current coupling methods. Most of those differences can be strongly reduced by making only two iterations of the Schwarz method which leads to a doubling of the computing cost. A thorough design of the first guess to initialize the iterative process may yield a solution that reduces the error with only one iteration. The present study focuses on the ocean-atmosphere interface, with no sea-ice. The problem with three components (ocean/sea-ice/atmosphere) remains to be investigated.
FaIRv2.0.0: a generalised impulse-response model for climate
uncertainty and future scenario exploration
Authors: Leach Nicholas J. , Jenkins Stuart , Nicholls Zebedee , Smith Christopher J. , Lynch John , Cain Michelle , Walsh Tristram , Wu Bill , Tsutsui Junichi , Allen Myles R.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Here we present an update to the FaIR model for use in probabilistic future climate and scenario exploration, integrated assessment, policy analysis and education. In this update we have focussed on identifying a minimum level of structural complexity in the model. The result is a set of six equations, five of which correspond to the standard Impulse Response model used for greenhouse gas (GHG) metric calculations in the IPCC's fifth assessment report, plus one additional physically-motivated additional equation to represent state-dependent feedbacks on the response timescales of each greenhouse gas cycle. This additional equation is necessary to reproduce non-linearities in the carbon cycle apparent in both Earth System Models and observations. These six equations are transparent and sufficiently simple that the model is able to be written in standard tabular data analysis packages, such as Excel; increasing the potential user base considerably. However, we demonstrate that the equations are flexible enough to be tuned to emulate the behaviour of several key processes within more complex models from CMIP6. The model is exceptionally quick to run, making it ideal for integrating large probabilistic ensembles. We apply a constraint based on the current estimates of the global warming trend to a one million member ensemble, using the constrained ensemble to make scenario dependent projections and infer ranges for properties of the climate system. Through these analyses, we reaffirm that simple climate models (unlike more complex models) are not themselves intrinsically biased hot or cold: it is the choice of parameters and how those are selected that determines the model response, something that appears to have been misunderstood in the past. This updated FaIR model is able to reproduce the global climate system response to GHG and aerosol emissions with sufficient accuracy to be useful in a wide range of applications; and therefore could be used as a lowest common denominator model to provide consistency in different contexts. The fact that FaIR can be written down in just six equations greatly aids transparency in such contexts.
A hydrography upscaling method for scale invariant
parametrization of distributed hydrological models
Authors: Eilander Dirk , van Verseveld Willem , Yamazaki Dai , Weerts Albrecht , Winsemius Hessel C. , Ward Philip J.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Distributed hydrological models rely on hydrography data such as flow direction, river length, slope and width. For large-scale applications, many of these models still rely on a few flow-direction datasets, which are often manually derived. We propose the Iterative Hydrography Upscaling (IHU) method to upscale high-resolution flow direction data to the typically coarser resolutions of distributed hydrological models. The IHU aims to preserve the upstream-downstream relationship of river structure, including basin boundaries, river meanders and confluences, in the D8 format, which is commonly used to describe river networks in models. Additionally, it derives sub-grid river attributes such as drainage area, river length, slope and width. We derived the multi-resolution MERIT Hydro IHU dataset at resolutions of 30 arcsec (~1 km), 5 arcmin (~10 km) and 15 arcmin (~30 km) by applying IHU to the recently published 3 arcsec MERIT Hydro data. Results indicate improved accuracy of IHU at all resolutions studied compared to other often applied methods. Furthermore, we show that using IHU-derived hydrography data minimizes the errors made in timing and magnitude of simulated peak discharge throughout the Rhine basin compared to simulations at the native data resolutions. As the method is fully automated, it can be applied to other high-resolution hydrography datasets to increase the accuracy and enhance the uptake of new datasets in distributed hydrological models in the future.
Variability in epilimnion depth estimations in lakes
Authors: Wilson Harriet L. , Ayala Ana I. , Jones Ian D. , Rolston Alec , Pierson Don , de Eyto Elvira , Grossart Hans-Peter , Perga Marie-Elodie , Woolway R. Iestyn , Jennings Eleanor
Published: November 2020

Abstract. The epilimnion is the surface layer of a lake typically characterised as well mixed and is decoupled from the metalimnion due to a steep change in density. The concept of the epilimnion (and, more widely, the three-layered structure of a stratified lake) is fundamental in limnology, and calculating the depth of the epilimnion is essential to understanding many physical and ecological lake processes. Despite the ubiquity of the term, however, there is no objective or generic approach for defining the epilimnion, and a diverse number of approaches prevail in the literature. Given the increasing availability of water temperature and density profile data from lakes with a high spatio-temporal resolution, automated calculations, using such data, are particularly common, and they have vast potential for use with evolving long-term globally measured and modelled datasets. However, multi-site and multi-year studies, including those related to future climate impacts, require robust and automated algorithms for epilimnion depth estimation. In this study, we undertook a comprehensive comparison of commonly used epilimnion depth estimation methods, using a combined 17-year dataset, with over 4700 daily temperature profiles from two European lakes. Overall, we found a very large degree of variability in the estimated epilimnion depth across all methods and thresholds investigated and for both lakes. These differences, manifesting over high-frequency data, led to fundamentally different understandings of the epilimnion depth. In addition, estimations of the epilimnion depth were highly sensitive to small changes in the threshold value, complex thermal water column structures, and vertical data resolution. These results call into question the custom of arbitrary method selection and the potential problems this may cause for studies interested in estimating the ecological processes occurring within the epilimnion, multi-lake comparisons, or long-term time series analysis. We also identified important systematic differences between methods, which demonstrated how and why methods diverged. These results may provide rationale for future studies to select an appropriate epilimnion definition in light of their particular purpose and with awareness of the limitations of individual methods. While there is no prescribed rationale for selecting a particular method, the method which defined the epilimnion depth as the shallowest depth, where the density was 0.1 kg m−3 more than the surface density, may be particularly useful as a generic method.
New flood frequency estimates for the largest river in Norway based on the combination of short and long time series
Authors: Engeland Kolbjørn , Aano Anna , Steffensen Ida , Støren Eivind , Paasche Øyvind
Published: November 2020

Abstract. The Glomma River is the largest in Norway, with a catchment area of 154 450 km2. People living near the shores of this river are frequently exposed to destructive floods that impair local cities and communities. Unfortunately, design flood predictions are hampered by uncertainty since the standard flood records are much shorter than the
requested return period and the climate is also expected to change in the coming decades. Here we combine systematic historical and paleo information in an effort to improve flood frequency analysis and better understand potential linkages to both climate and non-climatic forcing. Specifically, we (i) compile historical flood data from the existing literature, (ii) produce high-resolution X-ray fluorescence (XRF), magnetic susceptibility (MS), and computed tomography (CT) scanning data from a sediment core covering the last 10 300 years, and (iii) integrate these data sets in order to better estimate design floods and assess non-stationarities. Based on observations from Lake Flyginnsjøen, receiving sediments from Glomma only when it reaches a certain threshold, we can estimate flood frequency in a moving window of 50 years across millennia revealing that past flood frequency is non-stationary on different timescales. We observe that periods with increased flood activity (4000–2000 years ago and <1000 years ago) correspond broadly to intervals with lower than average summer temperatures and glacier growth, whereas intervals with higher than average summer temperatures and receding glaciers overlap with periods of reduced numbers of floods (10 000 to 4000 years ago and 2200 to 1000 years ago). The flood frequency shows significant non-stationarities within periods with increased flood activity, as was the case for the 18th century, including the 1789 CE (“Stor-Ofsen”) flood, the largest on record for the last 10 300 years at this site. Using the identified non-stationarities in the paleoflood record allowed us to estimate non-stationary design floods. In particular, we found that the design flood was 23 % higher during the 18th century than today and that long-term trends in flood variability are intrinsically linked to the availability of snow in late spring linking climate change to adjustments in flood frequency.
CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF 3D ASSET MANAGEMENT BASED ON MYSPATA TO SUPPORT SMART CITY APPLICATION IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Nasir A. A. M. , Azri S. , Ujang U. , Majid Z.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Urbanization is the access to modernization and development around the world. Nowadays, with the current technology development, smart cities are seen as a new approach in urban management and development. 3D asset management is one of the components to support the idea of smart city. 3D asset management is important to assist the monitoring and maintenance of asset in smart city by enabling visualization of 3D models, locating and query in real-time based. In Malaysia, the government is looking seriously at the issues of asset management and maintenance. This is happened because asset management in present day is already moving towards the revolution of smart city but still considered as time consuming and open to human errors as the asset managers or authorities still considering on paper-dependent and manual inspection practise. In the past few years, Malaysia has developing an electronic-based asset management, MySPATA that is made prior to the inefficiency on the asset management system. MySPATA has been introduced as electronic based asset management solution for immovable assets that belong to various department and ministries. However, the creation of MySPATA is considered as bland and time-consuming as its application only storing and displaying asset information. Thus, the implementation of 3D asset management is required for a better and effective management. In this paper, we proposed the conceptual model of 3D asset management by incorporating with the new CityGML standard. The proposed 3D asset management is based on MySPATA module. CityGML plays an important role in demonstrating the 3D asset management for modelling, string and exchanging city models in the international standard. So, the 3D asset management is developed based on MySPATA module that integrated with new CityGML concept. Therefore, with this new approach and concept, the managing of assets will lead for better management and maintenance.
LAST MILE LOGISTICS IN THE FRAMEWORK OF SMART CITIES: A TYPOLOGY OF CITY LOGISTICS SCHEMES
Authors: Özbekler T. M. , Karaman Akgül A.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. As current cities are attributed to particular dynamism consists of population density and increased urbanization, urban areas are facing some challenges for city logistics, both in terms of economic, environmental, and social impact. Especially, the debates over last-mile logistics are arising with inefficiencies in delivery cost (half truckload on delivery) and delivery time per parcel (unnecessary waiting-load periods at multiple stops) while inner-urban areas are especially suffered from traffic congestion, emission, and noise pollution. In this regard, smart cities as a concept with the potential to produce sustainable solutions to urban problems bring along with the need for innovative urban logistics systems to make conventional distribution channels of the city up to date. The key objective tackled in this paper can be defined as the identification of the city logistics schemes with highlighting current approaches in smart cities. The study adopts a systemic approach based on the typology of consolidation-distribution schemes in city logistics to define the feasibility of micro logistics initiatives from the scope of the smart city consisting of mobility, sustainability, and liveability. Thanks to a detailed examination of city logistics dynamics, this study can contribute theoretically to smart city logistics literature as well as practically the logistics sector.
VISUALISING URBAN AIR QUALITY USING AERMOD, CALPUFF AND CFD MODELS: A CRITICAL REVIEW
Authors: Ridzuan N. , Ujang U. , Azri S. , Choon T. L.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Degradation of air quality level can affect human’s health especially respiratory and circulatory system. This is because the harmful particles will penetrate into human’s body through exposure to surrounding. The existence of air pollution event is one of the causes for air quality to be low in affected urban area. To monitor this event, a proper management of urban air quality is required to solve and reduce the impact on human and environment. One of the ways to manage urban air quality is by modelling ambient air pollutants. So, this paper reviews three modelling tools which are AERMOD, CALPUFF and CFD in order to visualise the air pollutants in urban area. These three tools have its own capability in modelling the air quality. AERMOD is better to be used in short range dispersion model while CALPUFF is for wide range of dispersion model. Somehow, it is different for CFD model as this model can be used in wide range of application such as air ventilation in clothing and not specifically for air quality modelling only. Because of this, AERMOD and CALPUFF model can be classified in air quality modelling tools group whereas CFD modelling tool is classified into different group namely a non-specific modelling tool group which can be implemented in many fields of study. Earlier air quality researches produced results in two-dimensional (2D) visualization. But there are several of disadvantages for this technique. It cannot provide height information and exact location of pollutants in three-dimensional (3D) as perceived in real world. Moreover, it cannot show a good representation of wind movement throughout the study area. To overcome this problem, the 3D visualization needs to be implemented in the urban air quality study. Thus, this paper intended to give a better understanding on modeling tools with the visualization technique used for the result of performed research.
TOWARDS GREEN SMART CITIES: IMPORTANCE OF URBAN FORESTRY AND URBAN VEGETATION
Authors: Uçar Z. , Akay A. E. , Bilici E.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. More than half of the total world’s population lives in urban areas, and it is expected that 66% of all them will live in urban areas by 2050. The population growth and continuing urbanization in the world cause many social, economic, technical, and organizational problems related to transportation, businesses, communication networks, services, and utilities that can risk the cities’ economic and environmental sustainability. Recently, a smart city concept has been developed to provide a solution to improve citizens’ quality of life in urban areas with the adoption of smart and digital technologies and infrastructure for energy, water, mobility, buildings, and government. The smart city concept considers “zero vision” that refers to the use of smart city technologies, Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Internet of Things (IoT) tools, to minimize negative impacts (i.e., zero traffic accident, zero CO2 emission, zero waste, zero crime) in the cities. However, the research in this zero-vision approach mainly focused on transportation and energy. Urban forestry and urban vegetated areas in the cities inherently provide benefits such as reducing air pollution, urban heat island effects, and flood risk and increasing the water quality, aesthetic value, and value of the property that improve citizens’ quality of life. The smart city concept switched towards to sustainable smart city concept that takes into account the services provided by urban forestry and urban vegetation. In this study, the shifts in the smart city concept towards the sustainable smart city, the role of the urban forestry and urban vegetation in this shift was presented. Also, ICTs and IoT tools specifically designed for monitoring, assessing, and managing urban forestry and urban vegetation was reviewed.
5G: ARCHITECTURE OVERVIEW AND DEPLOYMENTS SCENARIOS
Authors: Zaame I. , Mazri T. , Elrhayour A.
Published: November 2020

Abstract. Due to the exclusory, growth in the number of connected devices- predicted 50 billion connected devices in 2020 (Gary Davis, 2020) that demand internet access, an upgraded network is required. The fifth generation is the newest mobile network replacing the 4G technology. Deployed from 2020 in many countries, 5G will provide revolutionary innovations in mobile technologies that will reach various high-level goals to the costumers as well as Companies .To benefit from 5G network services, the whole word is growing up rapidly towards the 5G by developing a clear perspective to include the main challenges, opportunities and key technology components. In this paper, an attempt has been made to provide an overview about the evolution of mobile generations from 1G to 5G by comparing the challenges and features that have evolved from each generation, describe the various scenario of 5G deployment, and discuss the best choice Implementation of 5G NR.
Deep learning of the aftershock hysteresis effect based on the elastic dislocation theory
Authors: Chen Jin , Tang Hong , Chen Wenkai
Published: November 2020

Abstract. This paper selects fault source models of typical
earthquakes across the globe and uses a volume extending 100 km horizontally
from each mainshock rupture plane and 50 km vertically as the primary area
of earthquake influence for calculation and analysis. A deep neural network
is constructed to model the relationship between elastic stress tensor
components and aftershock state at multiple timescales, and the model is
evaluated. Finally, based on the aftershock hysteresis model, the aftershock
hysteresis effect of the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 and Tohoku earthquake
in 2011 is analyzed, and the aftershock hysteresis effect at different
depths is compared and analyzed. The correlation between the aftershock
hysteresis effect and the Omori formula is also discussed and analyzed. The
constructed aftershock hysteresis model has a good fit to the data and can
predict the aftershock pattern at multiple timescales after a large
earthquake. Compared with the traditional aftershock spatial analysis
method, the model is more effective and fully considers the distribution of
actual faults, instead of treating the earthquake as a point source. The
expansion rate of the aftershock pattern is negatively correlated with time,
and the aftershock patterns at all timescales are roughly similar and
anisotropic.
The improvements to the regional South China Sea
Operational Oceanography Forecasting System
Authors: Zhu Xueming , Zu Ziqing , Ren Shihe , Zhang Yunfei , Zhang Miaoyin , Wang Hui
Published: November 2020

Abstract. South China Sea Operational Oceanography Forecasting System (SCSOFS) had been built up and operated in National Marine Environmental Forecasting Center of China to provide daily updated hydrodynamic forecasting in SCS for the future 5 days since 2013. This paper presents comprehensive updates had been conducted to the configurations of the physical model and data assimilation scheme in order to improve SCSOFS forecasting skills in recent years. It highlights three of the most sensitive updates, sea surface atmospheric forcing method, tracers advection discrete scheme, and modification of data assimilation scheme. Scientific inter-comparison and accuracy assessment among five versions during the whole upgrading processes are performed by employing Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment OceanView Inter-comparison and Validation Task Team Class4 metrics. The results indicate that remarkable improvements have been achieved in SCSOFSv2 with respect to the original version SCSOFSv1. Domain averaged monthly mean root mean square errors decrease from 1.21 °C to 0.52 °C for sea surface temperature, from 21.6 cm to 8.5 cm for sea level anomaly, respectively.
Kim D Weinert, Karen Crawley and Kieran Tranter (eds) (2020) Law, Lawyers and Justice: Through Australian Lenses. Abingdon: Routledge
Authors: Newman Daniel
Published: November 2020

Daniel Newman reviews Kim D Weinert, Karen Crawley and Kieran Tranter (eds) (2020) Law, Lawyers and Justice: Through Australian Lenses.
The United States Information Service magazine World Today: American Cold War Politics and the Cultural Nationalism of Overseas Chinese
Authors: Du Ying
Published: November 2020

This article discusses the United States Information Service (USIS)-sponsored Chinese-language magazine World Today (15 March 1952–December 1980) from its establishment to its editorial principle of being written by and for Chinese with a localized editorial mechanism. This article argues that the itinerary of World Today and its contents indicate the localization of American Cold War values and culture in Hong Kong by interweaving them with the cultivation of sentiment for Chinese cultural nationalism, and the transnationality of this sentiment by both targeting and engaging overseas Chinese around the world. This article also reflects on the difficulty that the USIS propaganda strategy had simultaneously accommodating the cultivation of Chinese nationalist sentiment, the promotion of American racial integration, and the transnationality of their target Chinese audiences.