bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reference soil condition for intensity prediction equations derived from seismological and geophysical data at seismic stations
Authors: Panzera Francesco , Bergamo Paolo , Fäh Donat
Published: October 2020

In 2011, an amplification map achieved by macroseismic information was developed for Switzerland using the collection of macroseismic intensity observations of past earthquakes. For each village, a ΔIm was first derived, which reflects the difference between observed and expected macroseismic intensities from a region-specific intensity prediction equation. The ΔIm values are then grouped into geological/tectonic classes, which are then presented in the macroseismic amplification map. Both, the intensity prediction equation and the macroseismic amplification map are referenced to the same reference soil condition which so far was only roughly estimated. This reference soil condition is assessed in this contribution using geophysical and seismological data collected by the Swiss Seismological Service. Geophysical data consist of shear-wave velocity profiles measured at the seismic stations and earthquake recordings, used to retrieve empirical amplification functions at the sensor locations. Amplification functions are referenced to a generic rock profile (Swiss reference rock condition) that is well defined, and it is used for the national seismic hazard maps. Macroseismic amplification factors Af, derived from empirical amplification functions, are assigned to each seismic station using ground motion to intensity conversions. We then assess the factors dΔf defined as the difference between Af and ΔIm. The factor dΔf accounts for the difference between the reference soil condition for the intensity prediction equation and the Swiss reference rock. We finally analysed relationships between Af and proxies for shear-wave velocity profiles in terms of average shear-wave velocity over defined depth ranges, such as VS,30, providing an estimate of the reference shear velocity for the intensity prediction equation and macroseismic amplification map. This study allows linking macroseismic intensity observations with experimental geophysical data, highlighting a good correspondence within the uncertainty range of macroseismic observations. However, statistical significance tests point out that the seismic stations are not evenly distributed among the various geological–tectonic classes of the macroseismic amplification map and its revision could be planned merging classes with similar behaviour or by defining a new classification scheme.
Combined thermal analysis of fluid plasticizers
Authors: Ihemaguba Chukwuemeka L. , Marossy Kálmán
Published: October 2020

The paper deals with the study of plasticizers using different thermal methods. The literature data on the melting points of plasticizers proved uncertain; we intended to gather the data by other methods, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermally stimulated discharge (TSD). Results of ten plasticizers are demonstrated. During this work, we found that most of plasticizers have no well-defined melting point, and the solidification of plasticizer is similar to the glass transition of polymers. Only the di-n-butyl-phthalate showed regular crystallization. Thermally stimulated discharge current (TSD) method revealed that these compounds have several transitions –dispersion ranges assigned to different molecular motions.
Detecting Ordinal Subcascades
Authors: Lausser Ludwig , Schäfer Lisa M. , Kühlwein Silke D. , Kestler Angelika M. R. , Kestler Hans A.
Published: October 2020

Ordinal classifier cascades are constrained by a hypothesised order of the semantic class labels of a dataset. This order determines the overall structure of the decision regions in feature space. Assuming the correct order on these class labels will allow a high generalisation performance, while an incorrect one will lead to diminished results. In this way ordinal classifier systems can facilitate explorative data analysis allowing to screen for potential candidate orders of the class labels. Previously, we have shown that screening is possible for total orders of all class labels. However, as datasets might comprise samples of ordinal as well as non-ordinal classes, the assumption of a total ordering might be not appropriate. An analysis of subsets of classes is required to detect such hidden ordinal substructures. In this work, we devise a novel screening procedure for exhaustive evaluations of all order permutations of all subsets of classes by bounding the number of enumerations we have to examine. Experiments with multi-class data from diverse applications revealed ordinal substructures that generate new and support known relations.
Space Weather Magnetometer Aboard GEO-KOMPSAT-2A
Authors: Magnes W. , Hillenmaier O. , Auster H.-U. , Brown P. , Kraft S. , Seon J. , Delva M. , Valavanoglou A. , Leitner S. , Fischer D. , Berghofer G. , Narita Y. , Plaschke F. , Volwerk M. , Wilfinger J. , Strauch C. , Ludwig J. , Constantinescu D. , Fornacon K.-H. , Gebauer K. , Hercik D. , Richter I. , Eastwood J. P. , Luntama J. P. , Hilgers A. , Heil M. , Na G. W. , Lee C. H.
Published: October 2020

The South Korean meteorological and environmental satellite GEO-KOMPSAT-2A (GK-2A) was launched into geostationary orbit at $128.2^{\circ}$

128.2
∘

East on 4 December 2018. The space weather observation aboard GK-2A is performed by the Korea Space Environment Monitor. It consists of three particle detectors, a charging monitor and a four-sensor Service Oriented Spacecraft Magnetometer (SOSMAG).

The magnetometer design aims for avoiding strict magnetic cleanliness requirements for the hosting spacecraft and an automated on-board correction of the dynamic stray fields which are generated by the spacecraft. This is achieved through the use of two science grade fluxgate sensors on an approximately one meter long boom and two additional magnetoresistance sensors mounted within the spacecraft body.

This paper describes the instrument design, discusses the ground calibration methods and results, presents the post-launch correction and calibration achievements based on the data which were acquired during the first year in orbit and demonstrates the in-flight performance of SOSMAG with two science cases.

The dynamic stray fields from the GK-2A spacecraft, which was built without specific magnetic cleanliness considerations, are reduced up to a maximum factor of 35. The magnitude of the largest remnant field from an active spacecraft disturber is 2.0 nT. Due to a daily shadowing of the SOSMAG boom, sensor intrinsic offset oscillations with a periodicity up to 60 minutes and peak-to-peak values up to 5 nT remain in the corrected data product.

The comparison of the cleaned SOSMAG data with the Tsyganenko 2004 magnetic field model and the magnetic field data from the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission demonstrates that the offset error is less than the required 5 nT for all three components and that the drift of the offsets over 10 months is less than 7 nT.

Future work will include a further reduction of the remaining artefacts in the final data product with the focus on lessening the temperature driven sensor oscillations with an epoch based identification and correction.
Thermomechanical Processing Map in Retaining {100}//ND texture via Strain-Induced Boundary Migration Recrystallization Mechanism
Authors: Ji Mo , Slater Carl , Davis Claire
Published: October 2020

The feasibility of establishing thermomechanical conditions to promote {100}//ND fiber texture via strain-induced boundary migration (SIBM) recrystallization mechanism in a non-grain oriented (NGO) electrical steel was investigated. Single-hit uniaxial compression at various temperatures and strains has been applied on Fe-6 wt pct Si to establish the relationship between stored energy and the softening mechanisms. Recovery only and recrystallization by SIBM or by subgrain growth (SGG) have been observed depending on the stored energy level. A strong {100}//ND fiber recrystallization texture, i.e., 45 pct area fraction, was seen in the sample which was deformed to 0.2 strain at 650 °C and then annealed at 1000 °C for 15 minutes, whereas only 13 pct {100}//ND fiber component was observed after 0.4 strain at 500 °C followed by the same annealing treatment. By examining the same microstructural region before and after annealing via EBSD, it has been shown that {100}//ND textured recrystallized grains were formed adjacent to the {100}// ND textured deformed matrix. Low stored energy has been shown to favor the formation of {100}//ND texture recrystallized grains via SIBM recrystallization mechanism attributed to its slow recrystallization nucleation rate. The results from the deformation studies have been used to suggest a processing window map concept to define the recovery, SIBM, and SGG regions for the starting as-cast columnar microstructure.
Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Depression: Role of Body Image
Authors: Behrens Simone C. , Lenhard Konrad , Junne Florian , Ziser Katrin , Lange Jessica , Zipfel Stephan , Giel Katrin E. , Teufel Martin , Mack Isabelle
Published: October 2020

Background

It has been suggested that psychosocial functioning improves after bariatric surgery, but the mechanism of this effect remains unclear. We propose that body image mediates the association between %EWL and improvement in depressive symptoms.

Materials and Methods

To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a mediation analysis in longitudinal data from 52 patients after LSG.

Results

%EWL had no direct effect on depressive symptoms as assessed through the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), but a small indirect effect that was mediated through negative evaluation of the body (BIQ-20).

Conclusions

We interpret this observation in the context of complex individual etiologies of obesity and argue for a stronger focus on psychological interventions in aftercare regimes. This may be specifically relevant for patients with eating disorders or a desire for body contouring surgery.
How reliable is BMI? Bioimpedance analysis of body composition in underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese women
Authors: Lebiedowska Agata , Hartman-Petrycka Magdalena , Błońska-Fajfrowska Barbara
Published: October 2020

Background

The human body consists of water, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and minerals that build cells, tissues, and organs. In healthy people, the content of these molecules remains nearly constant. The body mass index (BMI) is commonly used to classify abnormal body composition among adults. According to the WHO, a high BMI is a major risk factor for many diseases. Bioelectrical impedance analysis is a commonly used method for assessing body composition in clinical practice and medical research.

Aims

The aim of this study was to identify the advantages and disadvantages of using BMI in diagnosis of underweight, overweight, and obesity, by comparing the value of the index with the values of body composition analysis parameters.

Methods

A total of 267 healthy women 18 to 35 years of age participated in this study. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was performed on all participants at the beginning of the experiment with an InBodyS10 device.

Results

In the BMI categories of overweight and obese, only women with excessive BFM were measured with BIA. The BMI category of normal body weight, apart from women with normal body composition, includes people with both deficient and excess body components, e.g., body fat or lean body mass. The BMI category of underweight includes women with different body compositions as well as people with excessive fat content.

Conclusions

The BMI is useful to provide a warning of excessive fat content in overweight and obese women, whereas among normal weight and underweight women, it may mask various types of body composition defects.
Assessment of Karmi Landslide Zone, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, India
Authors: Tiwari V. N. , Pandey V. H. R. , Kainthola Ashutosh , Singh P. K. , Singh K. H. , Singh T. N.
Published: October 2020

Slope instability is a big challenge for the population in mountainous regions. It poses a threat to life, economy, and infrastructure. For the safety of people, various prevention and precautions are taken and hence many scientific studies are going on. In the present study, the stability of the Karmi landslides zone, Bageshwar, Uttarakhand, India is assessed. Karmi village lies quite close to the northern border of India and the excavated roads are the only means of commute. The area lies in a tectonically active lesser Himalayan zone with high relief. Slope geometry was extracted using a total station, and seven different slope geometries were plotted. Soil and rock mass samples were taken and evaluated from various field and laboratory investigations. The direct shear test was performed to assess the friction angle and cohesion of the soil and rock mass. Numerical simulations viz., finite element analysis and probabilistic analysis have been applied on all seven slope sections and found that the mean and median safety factor of all the modeled slopes was 0.78 and 0.81, respectively. The study ascertains that the whole area to be quite vulnerable to failure, especially during rains, since the pore pressure build-up diminishes the shear strength of the slope forming material. Possible mitigation measures have been suggested based on the examined instability of the hill slopes.
Delineation of Groundwater Potential Zones using Integrated Approach in Semi-Arid Hard Rock Terrain, Kanavi Halla Sub-Basin, Belagavi District, Karnataka
Authors: Patil Venkanagouda B.B. , Lokesh K. N. , Krishnamurthy M. P. , Nadagoudar H. V.
Published: October 2020

Water scarcity has become a major problem especially in arid and semi-arid regions due to insufficient rainfall throughout the globe. This has led in serious search for groundwater resources. Kanavi Halla Sub Basin (KHSB) of Ghataprabha River basin drained by Ghataprabha River, Belagavi District of Karnataka state in India has been considered for present study. Electrical resistivity survey was carried out at selected sites using Schlumberger method with four electrode configuration. A total of 22 Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES) were conducted throughout KHSB and representative of different litho units were considered. Data obtained were then interpreted using curve matching technique with IPI2Win software. The interpreted graphs show three to six layers. The various interpreted curve types are of AAK-type, HA-type, A- type, KH-type, HAA-type, KQH-type, AK-type, K-type, HQH-type, H-type and AKQH-type. From the results it shows that the maximum number of curves are associated with A type which refers to hard rock terrain, whereas curve associated with H type indicates water potential site. The expected subsurface strata are interpreted on the basis of observed bore well drilling data. Borewell log reveals soil formation followed by moderately weathered formation, weathered jointed formation, jointed formation, hard formation from top to bottom. Further deep, the formation is devoid of joints and fractures. Therefore, the weathered, jointed formation may be interpreted as water bearing zone. 2-D geo-electric section has been drawn using IPI2WIN over eight selected trends to understand the geometry of the aquifer formed. The investigation was meant to characterize the aquifer in KHSB along with the risk assessment for contaminants through seepage in terms of protective capacity with the help of Dar-Zarrouk (D-Z) parameters such as longitudinal unit conductance (S), longitudinal resitivity (ρl), transverse unit resistance (T), transverse resistivity (ρt), Electrical anisotropy(λ) and root mean square resistivity (ρm). These were evaluated to know the aquifer conditions in order to demarcate the freshwater bearing zones. South eastern part of KHSB might be contaminated and 30% of the area is weak to poor capacity protective zone for contaminants. The work adequately highlights the practical use of geophysical techniques, combination of geo-electrical modelling, D-Z parameters, borehole log in the groundwater resource assessment process. This technique is highly recommended for the area with similar geological setup.
Stability in Kelvin–Voigt poroelasticity
Authors: Straughan Brian
Published: October 2020

Hölder continuous dependence of solutions upon the initial data is established for the linear theory of Kelvin–Voigt poroelasticity requiring only symmetry conditions upon the elastic coefficients. A novel functional is introduced to which a logarithmic convexity technique is employed.
Design and development of a machine vision system using artificial neural network-based algorithm for automated coal characterization
Authors: Gorai Amit Kumar , Raval Simit , Patel Ashok Kumar , Chatterjee Snehamoy , Gautam Tarini
Published: October 2020

Coal is heterogeneous in nature, and thus the characterization of coal is essential before its use for a specific purpose. Thus, the current study aims to develop a machine vision system for automated coal characterizations. The model was calibrated using 80 image samples that are captured for different coal samples in different angles. All the images were captured in RGB color space and converted into five other color spaces (HSI, CMYK, Lab, xyz, Gray) for feature extraction. The intensity component image of HSI color space was further transformed into four frequency components (discrete cosine transform, discrete wavelet transform, discrete Fourier transform, and Gabor filter) for the texture features extraction. A total of 280 image features was extracted and optimized using a step-wise linear regression-based algorithm for model development. The datasets of the optimized features were used as an input for the model, and their respective coal characteristics (analyzed in the laboratory) were used as outputs of the model. The R-squared values were found to be 0.89, 0.92, 0.92, and 0.84, respectively, for fixed carbon, ash content, volatile matter, and moisture content. The performance of the proposed artificial neural network model was also compared with the performances of performances of Gaussian process regression, support vector regression, and radial basis neural network models. The study demonstrates the potential of the machine vision system in automated coal characterization.
Heterogeneous CPU-GPU Epsilon Grid Joins: Static and Dynamic Work Partitioning Strategies
Authors: Gallet Benoit , Gowanlock Michael
Published: October 2020

Given two datasets (or tables) A and B and a search distance $$\epsilon$$
ϵ
, the distance similarity join, denoted as $$A \ltimes _\epsilon B$$

A

⋉
ϵ

B

, finds the pairs of points ($$p_a$$

p
a

, $$p_b$$

p
b

), where $$p_a \in A$$

p
a

∈
A

and $$p_b \in B$$

p
b

∈
B

, and such that the distance between $$p_a$$

p
a

and $$p_b$$

p
b

is $$\le \epsilon$$

≤
ϵ

. If $$A = B$$

A
=
B

, then the similarity join is equivalent to a similarity self-join, denoted as $$A \bowtie _\epsilon A$$

A

⋈
ϵ

A

. We propose in this paper Heterogeneous Epsilon Grid Joins (HEGJoin), a heterogeneous CPU-GPU distance similarity join algorithm. Efficiently partitioning the work between the CPU and the GPU is a challenge. Indeed, the work partitioning strategy needs to consider the different characteristics and computational throughput of the processors (CPU and GPU), as well as the data-dependent nature of the similarity join that accounts in the overall execution time (e.g., the number of queries, their distribution, the dimensionality, etc.). In addition to HEGJoin, we design in this paper a dynamic and two static work partitioning strategies. We also propose a performance model for each static partitioning strategy to perform the distribution of the work between the processors. We evaluate the performance of all three partitioning methods by considering the execution time and the load imbalance between the CPU and GPU as performance metrics. HEGJoin achieves a speedup of up to $$5.46\times$$

5.46
×

($$3.97\times$$

3.97
×

) over the GPU-only (CPU-only) algorithms on our first test platform and up to $$1.97\times$$

1.97
×

($$12.07\times$$

12.07
×

) on our second test platform over the GPU-only (CPU-only) algorithms.
Bubble motion and reaction in different viscous liquids
Authors: Hlawitschka Mark W. , Kováts P. , Dönmez B. , Zähringer K. , Bart H.-J.
Published: October 2020

Reactive bubble columns are omnipresent in the chemical industry. The layout of these columns is still limited by correlations and therefore improved simulation techniques are required to describe the complex hydrodynamics/reaction interaction. In this work, we focus on the numerical and experimental study of the viscosity influence on bubble motion and reaction using an Euler-Lagrange framework with an added oscillation and reaction model to bring the column layout base closer to a predictive level. For comparison and validation, experimental data in various water-glycerol solutions was obtained in a cylindrical bubble column at low gas hold-up, where the main parameters such as bubble size, motion, and velocities were detected. Glycerol leads thereby to a change in viscosity and surface tension. Further, the surface tension was modified by addition of a surfactant. The bubble oscillating motion in low to higher viscosity could be described using an Euler-Lagrange framework and enables a description of industrial bubble flows. In addition, the simulations were in good agreement concerning reactive mass transfer investigations at higher viscosity of the liquid which led to an overall lower mass transfer compared to the cases with lower viscosity.
Biologia futura: animal testing in drug development—the past, the present and the future
Authors: Sántha Miklós
Published: October 2020

Animal experiments have served to improve our knowledge on diseases and treatment approaches since ancient times. Today, animal experiments are widely used in medical, biomedical and veterinary research, and are essential means of drug development and preclinical testing, including toxicology and safety studies. Recently, great efforts have been made to replace animal experiments with in vitro organoid culture methods and in silico predictions, in agreement with the 3R strategy to “reduce, refine and replace” animals in experimental testing, as outlined by the European Commission. Here we present a mini-review on the development of animal testing, as well as on alternative in vitro and in silico methods, that may at least partly replace animal experiments in the near future.
Basic considerations on seasonal breeding in mammals including their testing by comparing natural habitats and zoos
Authors: Clauss Marcus , Zerbe Philipp , Bingaman Lackey Laurie , Codron Daryl , Müller Dennis W. H.
Published: October 2020

Seasonal reproduction is common in mammals. Whereas specific conditions triggering a seasonal response can only be identified in controlled experiments, large-scale comparisons of reproduction in natural habitats and zoos can advance knowledge for taxa unavailable for experimentation. We outline how such a comparison can identify species whose seasonal physiology is linked to photoperiodic triggers, and those whose perceived seasonality in the wild is the consequence of fluctuating resources without a photoperiodic trigger. This concept groups species into those that do not change their aseasonal pattern between natural habitats and zoos because they are not constrained by resources in the wild, those that do not change a seasonal pattern between natural habitats and zoos because they are triggered by photoperiod irrespective of resources, and those that change from a more seasonal pattern in the natural habitat to an aseasonal pattern in zoos because the zoo environment alleviates resource limitations experienced in the wild. We explain how detailed comparisons of mating season timing in both environments can provide clues whether a specific daylength or a specific number of days after an equinox or solstice is the likely phototrigger for a taxon. We outline relationships between life history strategies and seasonality, with special focus on relative shortening of gestation periods in more seasonal mammals. Irrespective of whether such shortening results from the adaptive value of fitting a reproductive cycle within one seasonal cycle (minimizing ‘lost opportunity’), or from benefits deriving from separating birth and mating (to optimize resource use, or to reduce infanticide), reproductive seasonality may emerge as a relevant driver of life history acceleration. Comparisons of data from natural habitats and zoos will facilitate testing some of the resulting hypotheses.
Grassroots Environmentalism
Authors: Staggenborg Suzanne
Published: October 2020

Grassroots activism is essential to the success of the contemporary environmental movement, which depends on the organization of local activists as well as state, national, and international organizations. Yet grassroots activists confront numerous challenges as they attempt to organize diverse participants and devise fresh strategies and tactics. Drawing on more than seven years of fieldwork following diverse organizations in Pittsburgh over time, this book sheds light on the struggles that activists face and the factors that sustain movements. Suzanne Staggenborg examines individual motivations and participation, organizational structures and cultures, relationships in movement communities, and strategies and tactics, including issue framing. The book shows that collective action campaigns and tactics generate solidarity, maintain involvement, and bring in new participants even as organizers struggle to devise effective new types of actions.
Political Conflict in East Ulster, 1920–22
Authors: Magill Christopher
Published: October 2020

Reassesses the context in which the state of Northern Ireland was created.
Writing History in the Community of St Cuthbert, c.700–1130
Authors: Rozier Charles C.
Published: October 2020

An examination of the extraordinary texts produced by the community of St Cuthbert, showing how they were used to construct and define an identity.
Identifying causes of delay in interfacility transfer of patients by air ambulance
Authors: Wong Alanna , McParland Aidan , Nolan Brodie
Published: October 2020

Objectives

Population density can limit the level of care that can be provided in local facilities in Ontario, and as such, patients with severe illnesses often require interfacility transfers to access specialized care. This study aimed to identify causes of delay in interfacility transport by air ambulance in Ontario.

Methods

Causes of delay were identified by manual review of electronic patient care records (ePCRs). All emergent interfacility transfers conducted by Ornge, the sole provider of air-based medical transport in Ontario, between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016 were included. The ePCRs were reviewed if they met one or more of the following: (1) contained a standardized delay code; (2) contained free text including “delay”, “wait”, or “duty-out”; (3) were above the 75th percentile in total transport time; or (4) were above the 90th percentile in time to bedside, time at the sending hospital, or time to receiving facility.

Results

Our search strategy identified 1,220 ePCRs for manual review, which identified a total of 872 delays. Common delays cited included aircraft refueling (234 delays), waiting for land emergency medical service (EMS) escort (146), and staffing- or dispatch-related issues (124). Other delays included weather/environmental hazards (43); mechanical issues (36); and procedures, imaging, or stabilization (80).

Conclusions

Some common causes of interfacility delay are potentially modifiable: better trip planning around refueling and improved coordination with local EMS, could reduce delays experienced during interfacility trips. To better understand causes of delay, we would benefit from improved documentation and record availability which limited the results in this study.
Individual and team competencies in translational teams
Authors: Lotrecchiano Gaetano R. , DiazGranados Deborah , Sprecher Jennifer , McCormack Wayne T. , Ranwala Damayanthi , Wooten Kevin , Lackland Daniel , Billings Heather , Brasier Allan R.
Published: October 2020

Translational scientists create, advance, and translate knowledge as a result of research, learning, and application. Translational teams are composed of dynamic and diverse interprofessional and cross-disciplinary members that generate new knowledge to address a shared translational objective. The objective involves advancing an interventional product, behavioral intervention, or evidence-based approach to improve human health. This paper focuses on identifying individual and team competencies using a modified Delphi method to reach a consensus on the competencies needed by translational teams (TTs).
Environmental contamination in a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) intensive care unit—What is the risk?
Authors: Ong Sean Wei Xiang , Lee Pei Hua , Tan Yian Kim , Ling Li Min , Ho Benjamin Choon Heng , Ng Ching Ging , Wang Dong Ling , Tan Boon Huan , Leo Yee-Sin , Ng Oon-Tek , Wong Michelle Su Yen , Marimuthu Kalisvar
Published: October 2020

Background:

The risk of environmental contamination by severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the intensive care unit (ICU) is unclear. We evaluated the extent of environmental contamination in the ICU and correlated this with patient and disease factors, including the impact of different ventilatory modalities.

Methods:

In this observational study, surface environmental samples collected from ICU patient rooms and common areas were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Select samples from the common area were tested by cell culture. Clinical data were collected and correlated to the presence of environmental contamination. Results were compared to historical data from a previous study in general wards.

Results:

In total, 200 samples from 20 patient rooms and 75 samples from common areas and the staff pantry were tested. The results showed that 14 rooms had at least 1 site contaminated, with an overall contamination rate of 14% (28 of 200 samples). Environmental contamination was not associated with day of illness, ventilatory mode, aerosol-generating procedures, or viral load. The frequency of environmental contamination was lower in the ICU than in general ward rooms. Eight samples from the common area were positive, though all were negative on cell culture.

Conclusion:

Environmental contamination in the ICU was lower than in the general wards. The use of mechanical ventilation or high-flow nasal oxygen was not associated with greater surface contamination, supporting their use and safety from an infection control perspective. Transmission risk via environmental surfaces in the ICUs is likely to be low. Nonetheless, infection control practices should be strictly reinforced, and transmission risk via droplet or airborne spread remains.
CHRONOLOGY OF THE BURIAL ACTIVITY OF THE LAST HUNTER-GATHERERS IN THE SOUTHWESTERN IBERIAN PENINSULA, PORTUGAL
Authors: Peyroteo-Stjerna R
Published: October 2020

For most of human history, funerary burial has been unusual. Archaeology shows a shift in funerary practices in postglacial hunter-gatherers, in parts of Europe during the Late Mesolithic. This is documented by the burial grounds in the Tagus and Sado valleys in the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, Portugal, where ca. 376 burials were excavated. This study presents a chronology for the burial activity in these sites and contextualizes the start and end activity phases within regional environmental changes and cultural developments. The dataset consists of 76 14C dates on human bone (19 new, 57 published) including new dates from contexts in Portugal outside these valleys. Bayesian chronological models were defined in OxCal, and protein carbon contributions of marine foods were estimated by the Bayesian mixing model FRUITS. The results indicate a broader timeframe for the Late Mesolithic in Portugal, than previously suggested, starting during a period of significant environmental changes, ca. 8500–8300 cal BP, and ending ca. 7000 cal BP. The burial activity decreased during the establishment of Neolithic farmers in southwestern Iberia from ca. 7450 cal BP, however, these burial grounds continued to be used by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers, showing that diverse social structures and worldviews coexisted for several generations.
Kinetic entropy-based measures of distribution function non-Maxwellianity: theory and simulations
Authors: Liang Haoming , Barbhuiya M. Hasan , Cassak P. A. , Pezzi O. , Servidio S. , Valentini F. , Zank G. P.
Published: October 2020

We investigate kinetic entropy-based measures of the non-Maxwellianity of distribution functions in plasmas, i.e. entropy-based measures of the departure of a local distribution function from an associated Maxwellian distribution function with the same density, bulk flow and temperature as the local distribution. First, we consider a form previously employed by Kaufmann & Paterson (J. Geophys. Res., vol. 114, 2009, A00D04), assessing its properties and deriving equivalent forms. To provide a quantitative understanding of it, we derive analytical expressions for three common non-Maxwellian plasma distribution functions. We show that there are undesirable features of this non-Maxwellianity measure including that it can diverge in various physical limits and elucidate the reason for the divergence. We then introduce a new kinetic entropy-based non-Maxwellianity measure based on the velocity-space kinetic entropy density, which has a meaningful physical interpretation and does not diverge. We use collisionless particle-in-cell simulations of two-dimensional anti-parallel magnetic reconnection to assess the kinetic entropy-based non-Maxwellianity measures. We show that regions of non-zero non-Maxwellianity are linked to kinetic processes occurring during magnetic reconnection. We also show the simulated non-Maxwellianity agrees reasonably well with predictions for distributions resembling those calculated analytically. These results can be important for applications, as non-Maxwellianity can be used to identify regions of kinetic-scale physics or increased dissipation in plasmas.
Governmentality and Translation: Re-thinking the Cultural Politics of Lineage Landscapes in Contemporary Rural China
Authors: Chen Ningning
Published: October 2020

This paper explores the cultural politics of lineage landscapes in contemporary rural China. Drawing on a combined governmentality/translation approach and ethnographic fieldwork in rural Wenzhou, it examines how the state governs the production of lineage landscapes and how local lineages translate governmental technologies in complex ways. Empirical evidence reveals that the government develops diversified rationalities and modes of governance to direct the (re)construction of lineage landscapes. It is also found that local lineages are skilled at appropriating state discourses and practices as well as enrolling other (non-)human actors, thereby legitimizing their landscape projects of ancestral tombs and memorials. On the ground, they often displace state objectives with the production of their preferred landscape (for example, “chair” tombs). Respectful of ancestors, state agents sometimes turn a blind eye to local displacement; however, while encountering challenges from the higher-level government, they intensify regulation, but lineages still retain the capacity to negotiate with them. With sensitivity to the entanglement of diversified actors and their dynamic interactions, this paper underlines the multiplicity and contingency of state governance and societal responses. It also foregrounds the cultural politics of lineage landscapes as a process of translating governmental technologies characterized by continuous mobilization, displacement and negotiation in a heterogeneous network.
The concept of ‘palimpsest’ in a reconceptualization of biodiversity conservation
Authors: Rivera-Núñez Tlacaelel , Fargher Lane
Published: October 2020

The concept of the Anthropocene has highlighted the significant global impact of human activities on ecological systems on a geological scale (Crutzen 2002). This concept has come to significantly influence a scientific and political agenda orientated towards documenting and denouncing multiple negative anthropogenic factors that have led to global change. Nevertheless, not all large-scale environmental transformations by human societies have been intrinsically destructive. Many indigenous communities in the Neotropics, Palearctic, sub-Saharan Africa, North America, Indo-Malaya and Australasia have radically – albeit often constructively – modified the physical and biotic conditions of the ecological systems that they inhabit (Ellis 2015). It is necessary to revise the assumption that human actions always degrade the environment, through a reconceptualization that we have previously called ‘anthropogenesis’ (Rivera-Núñez et al. 2020). Instead of the naïve portrayal of the ‘good Anthropocene’ (Hamilton 2015, Fremaux & Barry 2019), anthropogenesis seeks to enrich the biodiversity debate with the historical human expressions of constructed environments that the conservation-focused ‘Edenic sciences’ and the ‘pristine syndrome’ (Robbins & Moore 2013) tend to ignore, or ‘Anthropo-not-see’ (de la Cadena 2019). The objective of this comment paper is to urge the academic community, grassroots organizations and governments to employ a concept of ‘palimpsest’ (from the Ancient Greek for ‘again scraped’, implying that something is scraped clear ready to be used again) in the reconceptualization of biodiversity conservation from a historical perspective that implements research and policy agendas that incorporate the human propensity for environmental construction in a deeper and more inclusive manner.
Does reduced cardiopulmonary exercise testing performance predict poorer quality of life in adult patients with Fontan physiology?
Authors: Suter Blair , Kay William A. , Kuhlenhoelter Alisha M. , Ebenroth Eric S.
Published: October 2020

Background:

Cardiopulmonary exercise testing performance has been shown to be a predictor of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life in patients with Fontan physiology; however, the role of exercise performance along with other diagnostics is not fully understood. We evaluated the hypothesis that reduced exercise performance correlates with poorer quality of life in Fontan patients as they continue to age.

Methods:

Chart review was performed on patients 12 years and older with Fontan who had completed cardiopulmonary exercise testing and age-appropriate quality of life surveys. Quality of life outcomes were analysed against exercise performance and other descriptive data.

Results:

For the younger cohort (n = 22), exercise performance predicted quality of life with different measures across domains and had a stronger correlation than echocardiographic parameters. For the older cohort (n = 34), exercise performance did not predict quality of life.

Conclusions:

Objective exercise performance was a useful marker for general, physical, emotional, social, and school quality of life in a younger cohort but less helpful in older adults. This is perhaps due to older patients accommodating to their conditions over time. The role of exercise performance and objective data in predicting quality of life in patients with Fontan physiology is incompletely understood and additional prospective evaluation should be undertaken.
Assessment of Prorated Scoring of an Abbreviated Protocol for the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Cognition Battery
Authors: Rebchuk Alexander D. , Alimohammadi Arshia , Yuan Michelle , Cairncross Molly , Torres Ivan J. , Silverberg Noah D. , Field Thalia S.
Published: October 2020

Objective:

To evaluate an abbreviated NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) protocol that can be administered remotely without any in-person assessments, and explore the agreement between prorated scores from the abbreviated protocol and standard scores from the full protocol.

Methods:

Participant-level age-corrected NIHTB-CB data were extracted from six studies in individuals with a history of stroke, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), treatment-resistant psychosis, and healthy controls, with testing administered under standard conditions. Prorated fluid and total cognition scores were estimated using regression equations that excluded the three fluid cognition NIHTB-CB instruments which cannot be administered remotely. Paired t tests and intraclass correlations (ICCs) were used to compare the standard and prorated scores.

Results:

Data were available for 245 participants. For fluid cognition, overall prorated scores were higher than standard scores (mean difference = +4.5, SD = 14.3; p < 0.001; ICC = 0.86). For total cognition, overall prorated scores were higher than standard scores (mean difference = +2.7, SD = 8.3; p < 0.001; ICC = 0.88). These differences were significant in the stroke and mTBI groups, but not in the healthy control or psychosis groups.

Conclusions:

Prorated scores from an abbreviated NIHTB-CB protocol are not a valid replacement for the scores from the standard protocol. Alternative approaches to administering the full protocol, or corrections to scoring of the abbreviated protocol, require further study and validation.
Vivaldi antennas: a historical review and current state of art
Authors: Bhattacharjee Anindita , Bhawal Abhirup , Karmakar Anirban , Saha Anuradha , Bhattacharya Diptendu
Published: October 2020

The progressions in the field of wireless technology can be highly attributed to the development of antennas, which can access high data rates, provide significant gain and uniform radiation characteristics. One such antenna called the Vivaldi antenna has attracted the utmost attention of the researchers owing to its high gain, wide bandwidth, low cross-polarization, and stable radiation characteristics. Over the years, different procedures have been proposed by several researchers to improve the performance of the Vivaldi antennas. Some of these different approaches are feeding mechanisms, integration of slots, dielectric substrate selection, and radiator shape. Correspondingly, the performance of a Vivaldi antenna can be increased by including dielectric lens, parasitic patch in between two radiators, corrugations, as well as metamaterials. This paper gives a systematic identification, location, and analysis of a large number of performance enhancement methods of Vivaldi antenna design depicting their concepts, advantages, drawbacks, and applications. The principal emphasis of this article is to offer an outline of the developments in the design of Vivaldi antennas over the last few years, where the most important offerings, mostly from IEEE publications, have been emphasized. This review work aims to reveal a promising path to antenna researchers for its advancement using Vivaldi antennas.
Swell Modulation on Wind Stress in the Constant Flux Layer
Authors: Chen Sheng , Qiao Fangli , Zhang Jun A. , Ma Hongyu , Xue Yuhuan , Chen Siyu
Published: October 2020

The impact of swell on wind stress is investigated through direct three‐layer flux measurements taken by a fixed tower in the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Observations confirm that the assumption of constant momentum flux layer is valid under swell‐dominated conditions around the reference height of 10 m. The swell can modulate the total wind stress to be less than the turbulent stress derived from the first‐order closure method, and the extent of this modulation decreases with height. The critical layer that represents the top of the layer affected by stronger swells is estimated to reach 45‐m altitude, and the depth of this layer decreases as the swells weaken and the wind speed increases. Furthermore, a simple swell correction scheme for the total stress calculation is developed, showing good performance against observations.
A Hybrid Dynamical‐Statistical Model for Advancing Subseasonal Tropical Cyclone Prediction Over the Western North Pacific
Authors: Qian Yitian , Hsu Pang‐Chi , Murakami Hiroyuki , Xiang Baoqiang , You Lijun
Published: October 2020

Tropical cyclone (TC) genesis prediction at the extended‐range to subseasonal timescale (a week to several weeks) is a gap between weather and climate predictions. The current dynamical prediction systems and statistical models show limited skills in TC genesis forecasting at the lead time of 1–3 weeks. A hybrid dynamical‐statistical model is developed that reveals capability in predicting basin‐wide TC frequency in every 10‐day period over the western North Pacific at a 25‐day forecast lead, which is superior to the statistical and dynamical model‐based predictions examined in this study. In this hybrid model, the cyclogenesis counts for different TC clusters are predicted, respectively, using the statistical models in which the large‐scale predictors associated with intraseasonal oscillation evolutions are provided by a dynamical model. A probabilistic map of TC tracks at the subseasonal timescale is further predicted by incorporating the climatological probability of track distributions of these TC clusters.
Dependence of Atmospheric Transport Into the Arctic on the Meridional Extent of the Hadley Cell
Authors: Yang Huang , Waugh Darryn W. , Orbe Clara , Chen Gang
Published: October 2020

Recent studies have shown a large spread in the transport of atmospheric tracers into the Arctic among a suite of chemistry climate models and have suggested that this is related to the spread in the meridional extent of the Hadley Cell (HC). Here we examine the HC‐transport relationship using an idealized model, where we vary the mean circulation and isolate its impact on transport to the Arctic. It is shown that the poleward transport depends on the relative position between the northern edge of the HC and the tracer source, with maximum transport occurring when the HC edge lies near the middle of the source region. Such dependence highlights the critical role of near‐surface transport by the Eulerian mean circulation rather than eddy mixing in the free troposphere and suggests that variations in the HC edge and the tracer source region are both important for modeling Arctic composition.
Measured Constraints on Cloud Top Entrainment to Reduce Uncertainty of Nonprecipitating Stratocumulus Shortwave Radiative Forcing in the Southern Ocean
Authors: Sanchez K. J. , Roberts G. C. , Diao M. , Russell L. M.
Published: October 2020

Stratocumulus cloud top entrainment has a significant effect on cloud properties, but there are few observations quantifying its impact. Using explicit 0‐D parcel model simulations, initialized with below‐cloud in situ measurements, and validated with in situ measurements of cloud properties, the shortwave cloud radiative forcing (SWCF) was reduced by up to 100 W m−2 by cloud top entrainment in the Southern Ocean. The impact of entrainment‐corrected SWCF is between 2 and 20 times that of changes in the aerosol particle concentration or updraft at cloud base. The variability in entrainment‐corrected SWCF accounts for up to 50 W m−2 uncertainty in estimating cloud forcing. Measurements necessary for estimating the impact of entrainment on cloud properties can be constrained from existing airborne platforms and provide a first‐order approximation for cloud radiative properties of nonprecipitating stratocumulus clouds. These measurement‐derived estimates of entrainment can be used to validate and improve parameterizations of entrainment in Global Climate Models.