bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and associated risk factors of recurrent otitis media with effusion in children in Upper Egypt
Authors: Saad Khaled , Abdelmoghny Abobakr , Abdel‐Raheem Yasser F. , Gad Eman Fathalla , Elhoufey Amira 
Published: September 2020

ObjectiveWe conducted this study to determine the associations of possible risk factors and prevalence of recurrent otitis media with effusion (OME) in a cohort of children in Upper Egypt.MethodsThis was a cross‐sectional study undertaken in two tertiary referral centers in Upper Egypt. Associations of possible risk factors with prevalence of recurrent OME were studied. Multi‐factor logistic regression analysis was done to recognize the statistically significant risk factors associated with recurrent OME.ResultsWe collected the data of 2003 pediatric patients, of which 1016 were males (50.7%). A total number of 310 children have OME, including 159 males (51.3%). The prevalence rate of OME in our cohort was 15.5%. Multi‐factor logistic regression analysis of the risk factors related to recurrent OME showed it was strongly associated with adenoid hypertrophy (P < 0.0001), tonsil hypertrophy (P < 0.0001), sinusitis (P < 0.0001), posterior nostril polyps (P = 0.009), allergic rhinitis (P < 0.0001), recurrent URTIs (P = 0.029) and gastroesophageal reflux (P = 0.031).ConclusionsOur study showed that recurrent OME in children in Upper Egypt is a common multifactorial problem, especially in young age. In our locality, allergic rhinitis, recurrent upper respiratory tract infections, gastroesophageal reflux, adenoid and tonsil hypertrophy were the most important associated factors related to the etiopathogenesis of OME.
Research on Fading Characteristics of Ultrahigh Frequency Signals in Karst Landform Around Radio Quiet Zone of FAST
Authors: Wang Jian , Shi Yafei , Yang Cheng , Ji Shengyun , Su Haibin 
Published: September 2020

AbstractUltrahigh frequency wireless signals are mainly influenced by the geomorphological environment during the transmission process, resulting in fading channels, especially in mountainous regions. The experiment was conducted in the Karst landform of Guizhou Province, China, in order to explore fading distribution characteristics for mainly analyzing electro magnetic compatibility (EMC) specialties between Five‐hundred‐meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST) and wireless radiation equipment around radio quiet zone of this telescope. Based on the channel variation data of six frequencies, which are mainly used by the electrical and electronic equipment of public facilities around FAST, the fading distribution was analyzed by using the Kolmogorov‐Smirnov statistic method. And finally we determined the optimal distribution model with the fading range, fading depth, and fading rate. The results show that (1) the polarization type and signal frequency have a definite influence on the fading distribution types in the Karst landform; (2) Rice distribution is the optimal and stable distribution model in the Karst landform, and the log‐normal distribution model is proposed to characterize the Rice K‐factor distribution; and (3) the line‐of‐sight (LoS) components of the normalized envelopes are 0.6837, 0.8939, 0.5963, 0.6332, 0.5516, and 0.4806. And the multipath scattered components of those are 0.2134, 0.0630, 0.2436, 0.2224, 0.2678, and 0.2880. The research results provide a potential support for the deployment and optimization of wireless communication networks in Karst landform, especially around radio quiet zone of FAST.
Imbalanced Stoichiometric Reservoir Sedimentation Regulates Methane Accumulation in China's Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Li Zhe , Lu Lunhui , Lv Pingyu , Zhang Zengyu , Guo Jinsong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe river‐reservoir continuum drives a separation of sedimentation along the longitudinal hydrodynamic gradients, potentially causing imbalanced stoichiometric sedimentation. However, there are still uncertainties regarding the contribution of imbalanced stoichiometric sedimentation to methane emissions along this continuum. A 2‐year field survey and in situ experiments were conducted in China's Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), a river‐valley‐dammed reservoir. Sediments were trapped and collected to analyze for particulate carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) concentrations of different sizes in the summer flooded and winter dry seasons along the mainstem. Large amounts of sediments were deposited in the middle part of the TGR, particularly in the summer flood season. Hydrodynamic gradients structured imbalanced stoichiometric sedimentation patterns. Averaged particulate C:N:P proportions in the sediment layer along the upper, middle, and lower parts of the TGR in the first 30 years of reservoir operation were estimated to be 68:7:1, 97:8:1, and 151:13:1, respectively. The middle part of the TGR, being the “control point” of methane accumulation based on seasons, exhibited a shift in stoichiometry and stable isotope signatures, indicating that there was likely a shift in sources of POM. P, specifically in smaller size particles (<10 μm), seemed to be the potential key driver that regulates particulate C:N:P in the sediment of the TGR. Its sedimentation, primarily in the middle part of the TGR, contributed to the significant decreases in particulate C/P ratios and could possibly regulate long‐term CH4 accumulation in the reservoir.
Integrating Lateral Inflows Into a SWOT Mission River Discharge Algorithm
Authors: Nickles Cassandra , Beighley Edward , Durand Michael , Prata de Moraes Frasson Renato 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEstimating river discharge from observed surface water extents and elevations is central to the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission. Although near global in coverage, SWOT will only observe rivers wider than 50 to 100 m, overlooking smaller tributaries draining into observable river reaches. This is problematic for the Metropolis‐Manning (MetroMan) discharge algorithm, which assumes changes in discharge per location must be balanced by a change in cross‐sectional area, not accounting for potential flow contributions SWOT will not observe within the inversion region analyzed. Here, we quantify the effect of these lateral inflows on the performance of estimated discharges along the Muskingum River using MetroMan. Three scenarios are considered: (1) disregarding lateral inflows, (2) providing MetroMan with observed lateral inflows, and (3) providing MetroMan with uncertain model‐derived lateral inflows to assess the discharge algorithm's effectiveness. Scenarios are expanded to consider multiple lateral inflow magnitudes and distributions. Results indicate discharge retrievals were degraded once unaccounted lateral inflows exceeded 5% of average river discharge. When MetroMan is informed by observed lateral inflows, the derived discharges have a relative root‐mean‐square error (rRMSE) of 23% as compared to 360% when lateral inflows are neglected. More importantly, when MetroMan uses simulated lateral inflows, with peak flow condition percent errors as high as 93%, discharge retrieval performance is similar (rRMSE = 17%). These findings highlight the importance of accounting for lateral flows, even in the absence of perfect measurements.
Optimal Control for Precision Irrigation of a Large‐Scale Plantation
Authors: Kassing Ruud , De Schutter Bart , Abraham Edo 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDistributing water optimally is a complex problem that many farmers face yearly, especially in times of drought. In this work, we propose optimization‐based feedback control to improve crop yield and water productivity in agriculture irrigation for a plantation consisting of multiple fields. The interaction between soil, water, crop (sugarcane in this work), and the atmosphere is characterized by an agrohydrological model using the crop water productivity modeling software AquaCrop‐OS. To optimally distribute water over the fields, we propose a two‐level optimal control approach. In this approach, the seasonal irrigation planner determines the optimal allocation of water over the fields for the entire growth season to maximize the crop yield, by considering an approximation of the crop productivity function. In addition, the model predictive controller takes care of the daily regulation of the soil moisture, respecting the water distribution decided on by the seasonal planner. To reduce the computational complexity of the daily controller, a mixed‐logic dynamical model is identified based on the AquaCrop‐OS model. This dynamical model incorporates saturation dynamics explicitly to improve model quality. To further improve performance, we create an evapotranspiration model by considering the expected development of the crop over the season using remote‐sensing‐based measurements of the canopy cover. The performance of the two‐level approach is evaluated through a closed‐loop simulation in AquaCrop‐OS of a real sugarcane plantation in Mozambique. Our optimal control approach boosts water productivity by up to 30% compared to local heuristics and can respect water use constraints that arise in times of drought.
Downward Migration of the Zonal‐Mean Circulation in the Tropical Atmosphere
Authors: DallaSanta Kevin , Gerber Edwin P. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe annular modes of the extratropical atmosphere have received much attention for quantifying variability of the jet streams and storm tracks, despite the fact that the midlatitude circulation itself does not vary uniformly with longitude. While tropical fluctuations in geopotential height have lower amplitude than in the extratropics, they exhibit stronger zonal coherence, or dynamical annularity. A simple index is developed to characterize zonal‐mean anomalies of the tropical circulation. It reveals that anomalies in geopotential height and zonal wind migrate downward from the upper troposphere to the surface on a time scale of about 10 days. These features are distinguishable from known modes of tropical variability, the Madden‐Julian Oscillation in particular. Evidence from reanalysis and idealized model experiments confirms that this downward migration is quite generic and driven by mechanically forced variations in the strength of the Hadley circulation on subseasonal time scales.
In Situ Observations of Light‐Absorbing Carbonaceous Aerosols at Himalaya: Analysis of the South Asian Sources and Trans‐Himalayan Valleys Transport Pathways
Authors: Yuan Qi , Wan Xin , Cong Zhiyuan , Li Mengmeng , Liu Lei , Shu Shoujuan , Liu Rui , Xu Liang , Zhang Jian , Ding Xiaokun , Li Weijun 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe mountain‐valleys along the south margin of the Himalaya‐Tibetan Plateau (HTP), referred to as trans‐Himalayan valleys, are transport pathways of atmospheric pollutants from the South Asia lifting to the HTP based on atmospheric models and satellite detections. However, few field studies can be conducted to confirm the aerosol transport along these valleys due to the harsh environment and limited power supply. Individual particle collection instruments offer the unique advantage of collecting samples and tracing particle sources in remote areas due to their portability and efficiency. In this study, transmission electron microscopy was used to study individual particles collected in two trans‐Himalayan valleys. We found that 49–70% of thousands of particles were light‐absorbing carbonaceous aerosols including soot‐bearing and tarball‐bearing particles in December of 2017. The dominant sizes of soot‐bearing and tarball‐bearing particles were 151–370 and 198–255 nm, respectively. The WRF‐Chem model and wind field analyses show that the intense regional air pollution with high mass concentrations of light‐absorbing carbonaceous aerosol occurred in the South Asia and southwest wind normally prevailed along the trans‐Himalayan valleys in the afternoon of each day during wintertime. Backward trajectory and CALIPSO data further confirm that these light‐absorbing carbonaceous aerosols from the South Asia were transported to the southern HTP. These carbonaceous aerosols exhibited significantly internally mixing with secondary sulfates. Here individual particle analysis coupled with the WRF‐Chem model, the meteorological observation data, and satellite data confirm the trans‐Himalayan valleys as the direct channels for abundant carbonaceous aerosols lifting from the South Asia to the HTP.
Physical Properties of Basalt Ejecta Boulders at Lonar Crater, India: Insights Into the Target Heterogeneity and Impact Spallation Processes in Basalt With Application to Mars
Authors: Lakshmi K. Jaya Prasanna , Kumar P. Senthil 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe 1.88‐km‐diameter Lonar crater emplaced in the Deccan basalt is an excellent terrestrial analog of bowl‐shaped impact craters on Mars. It contains a pristine ejecta blanket with abundant basalt boulders. We measured the density, porosity, P and S wave velocities and attenuation, magnetic susceptibility, uniaxial compressive strength, and tensile strength of 313 core specimens from 65 basalt ejecta boulders. Using these values, we quantified the gross physical properties of preimpact target and applied them in the cratering equations and estimated the spall plate dimensions and ejection distances. The impact of 35‐m‐radius projectile with 20 km/s velocity on the basaltic target with 77.2‐MPa dynamic tensile strength, 4,163 m/s P wave velocity, and 2.56 g/cm3 density gives a spall thickness range (0.2 to 9.7 m) similar to the observed boulder sizes at Lonar crater. Because aqueous weathering and vesicularity are present in the target, the Lonar impact produced smaller spall sizes than those expected from a massive basalt target. We also measured the ejecta boulder sizes and shapes around a fresh impact crater (of similar size and target to Lonar) in Arcadia Planitia on Mars and calculated the spall thicknesses. The low‐velocity impact (5.5 km/s) of 50‐m‐radius projectile on the target similar to Lonar basalt gives a spall thickness range (1 to 25 m) similar to the observed boulder sizes at the Martian impact crater. The impact craters of similar sizes and targets on Earth and Mars produced different spall boulder size distributions reflecting the distinct impact conditions on these planets.
Frost Quakes: Crack Formation by Thermal Stress
Authors: Okkonen J. , Neupauer R. M. , Kozlovskaya E. , Afonin N. , Moisio K. , Taewook K. , Muurinen E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFractures in frozen soils (frost quakes) can cause damage to buildings and other infrastructure, but their formation mechanisms remain poorly understood. A methodology was developed to assess thermal stress on soil due to changes in climate and weather conditions and to investigate the connection between thermal stress and frost quakes in central Finland due to brittle fracturing in uppermost soils. A hydrological model was used to simulate snow accumulation and melt, and a soil temperature model was used to simulate soil temperature at different depths beneath the snow pack. The results of modeling, together with measurements of air temperature, snow cover thickness, and soil temperature, were used to calculate temporal variations in thermal stress in soil. We show that frost quakes occur when thermal stress caused by a rapid decrease in temperature exceeds fracture toughness and strength of the soil‐ice mixture. We compared calculated thermal stress on soil, critical stress intensity factor, and a seismogram recorded in a suburban region in central Finland. Our results suggest that this methodology can be used to predict thermal stresses on soil and identify stress values that may lead to fractures of frozen soils, that is, frost quakes.
The Lability and Source of Particulate Organic Matter in the Northern Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone
Authors: Liu Zhanfei , Xue Jianhong 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDecomposition of particulate organic matter (POM) plays a key role in the formation of hypoxia in subsurface waters of coastal ocean, yet little is known about the lability and transformation of POM in the hypoxic zone. Suspended particles were collected from surface waters to overlying waters (~30 cm above the sediment‐water interface) along the shelf of northern Gulf of Mexico (nGOM) in late spring/early summer of 2010–2013. Total hydrolyzable amino acids (THAA) and pigments were measured in these particulate samples to trace organic matter lability. The degradation indices, derived from the THAA and chloropigments, were positively correlated with dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the shelf region, suggesting that decomposition of POM contributed greatly to DO utilization. Bacterial degradation appears to be the major pathway for POM decomposition on both inner and mid shelves, while zooplankton grazing played a minor role. POM samples in the overlying water on the inner shelf were the most degraded from the THAA and pigment results, and they also had high C/N ratios (9–14) and depleted δ 13C values (−29‰ to −24‰), pointing to a source of terrestrial C3 plant material. This distinct terrestrial signal of POM in the overlying water suggests strong selective degradation of marine‐sourced organic matter, but how the terrestrial organic matter is settled to this layer and its ultimate fate remain unclear. Taken together, these data offer new angles looking into the lability and degradation pathways of POM, and mechanisms of hypoxia formation in coastal waters.
Seismotectonics at the Transition Between Opposite‐Dipping Slabs (Western Alpine Region)
Authors: Eva E. , Malusà M. G. , Solarino S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe analyze a fully reprocessed data set of ~9,000 seismic events recorded in the western Alpine region during the past 30 yr, in order to understand how convergence between Africa and Eurasia is presently accommodated at the transition between the opposite‐dipping Alpine and Apenninic slabs. We confirm that seismicity in the Internal Zone of the Western Alps is clustered along two different arcs (Briançonnais and Piedmont arcs), clearly outlined by events in the 0–12 km depth range. The Piedmont Arc is best outlined by events in the 12–30 km depth range, forming a narrow belt that matches the shape and location of the Ivrea gravity anomaly. In the Internal Zone, σ3, is oblique to the orogen trend. Although the mountain range is spreading gravitationally at a shallow level, spreading occurs intermittently with other earthquakes that are more directly related to plate interactions. Strike‐slip solutions are predominant for events of magnitude Ml > 4, and reverse solutions are dominant along the Piedmont Arc for events of magnitude Ml < 4. Nodal planes have dominant NNW‐SSE and ENE‐WSW orientations that are common to major faults mapped in the study area. Integration with available tectonic and geodynamic constraints indicates that lithology distribution in the subduction wedge, orientation of major faults within and outside the subduction zone, and the exhumation of mantle rocks at shallow depth concurrently determine a complex seismotectonic scenario that may be expected in other subduction zones worldwide.
Nonuniform Flows in a Compound Open‐Channel: Assessment of a Hybrid RANS‐LES Approach
Authors: Chatelain M. , Proust S. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractOverbank flows in rivers, also termed compound open‐channel flows, are rarely uniform in the streamwise direction. Flow nonuniformity involves transverse currents directed from the river main channel (MC) to adjacent floodplains (FPs) or vice versa. Depending on their direction and magnitude, the transverse currents can laterally displace the planform shear layer that forms at the interface between MC and FP. They can also modify the cross‐sectional distribution of the helical secondary currents (SCs). This paper reports a numerical study that focuses on assessing the ability of a hybrid RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier‐Stokes) ‐ LES (Large Eddy Simulation) approach, namely, the Scale Adaptive Simulation (SAS), to capture the evolving structure of both depth‐uniform and nonuniform flows in a straight compound open‐channel. The simulated flows have recently been studied in an 18 m long and 3 m wide laboratory flume by Proust and Nikora (2020, https://doi.org/10.1017/jfm.2019.973). The originality of the study lies in the modeling of flows over the entire flume length and in the estimate of the length‐scales of the large Kelvin‐Helmholtz‐type coherent structures (KHCSs). The SAS approach can accurately predict the longitudinal evolution of: (i) the streamwise time‐averaged flow, including the planform shear layer width, (ii) the SC patterns, and (iii) the turbulence statistics. The emergence and development of the KHCSs are qualitatively retrieved and are confirmed to be controlled by dimensionless velocity shear irrespective of flow depth. The simulations also show that SC patterns depend on the magnitude and direction of the transverse currents and also on the development of KHCSs.
Evaluating Domestic Well Vulnerability to Contamination From Unconventional Oil and Gas Development Sites
Authors: Soriano Mario A. , Siegel Helen G. , Gutchess Kristina M. , Clark Cassandra J. , Li Yunpo , Xiong Boya , Plata Desiree L. , Deziel Nicole C. , Saiers James E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe rapid expansion of unconventional oil and gas development (UD), made possible by horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing, has triggered concerns over groundwater contamination and public health risks. To improve our understanding of the risks posed by UD, we develop a physically based, spatially explicit framework for evaluating groundwater well vulnerability to aqueous phase contaminants released from surface spills and leaks at UD well pad locations. The proposed framework utilizes the concept of capture probability and incorporates decision‐relevant planning horizons and acceptable risks to support goal‐oriented modeling for groundwater protection. We illustrate the approach in northeastern Pennsylvania, where a high intensity of UD activity overlaps with local dependence on domestic groundwater wells. Using two alternative models of the bedrock aquifer and a precautionary paradigm to integrate their results, we found that most domestic wells in the domain had low vulnerability as the extent of their modeled probabilistic capture zones were smaller than distances to the nearest existing UD well pad. We also found that simulated capture probability and vulnerability were most sensitive to the model parameters of matrix hydraulic conductivity, porosity, pumping rate, and the ratio of fracture to matrix conductivity. Our analysis demonstrated the potential inadequacy of current state‐mandated setback distances that allow UD within the boundaries of delineated capture zones. The proposed framework, while limited to aqueous phase contamination, emphasizes the need to incorporate information on flow paths and transport timescales into policies aiming to protect groundwater from contamination by UD.
Reply to Comment by Wang, Che, and Ghidaoui on “Bayesian Update and Method of Distributions: Application to Leak Detection in Transmission Mains”
Authors: Alawadhi Abdulrahman , Tartakovsky Daniel M. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe thank the Comment's authors for pointing out the need for further developments of our leak detection method. We identify strategies for dealing with uncertainty in wave speed.
Single-cell genomics to understand disease pathogenesis
Authors: Nomura Seitaro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCells are minimal functional units in biological phenomena, and therefore single-cell analysis is needed to understand the molecular behavior leading to cellular function in organisms. In addition, omics analysis technology can be used to identify essential molecular mechanisms in an unbiased manner. Recently, single-cell genomics has unveiled hidden molecular systems leading to disease pathogenesis in patients. In this review, I summarize the recent advances in single-cell genomics for the understanding of disease pathogenesis and discuss future perspectives.