bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of Meteorological Conditions, Aerosol Radiative Feedbacks, and Emission Reduction Scenarios on the Coastal Haze Episodes in Southeastern China in December 2013
Authors: Zhan Jianqiong , Chang Wenyuan , Li Wei , Wang Yanming , Chen Liqi , Yan Jinpei 
Published: January 2017

AbstractFujian Province in southeastern coastal China is a relatively clean region with low emissions, as its high altitude isolates it from the rest of the country. However, the region experienced haze episodes on 3–14 December 2013. The authors performed simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model coupled with chemistry (WRF-Chem) to examine the impacts of meteorological conditions, aerosol radiative feedbacks (ARFs; including aerosol direct and nearly first indirect effect), and internal and external emissions reduction scenarios on particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm (PM2.5) concentrations. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first time the WRF-Chem model has been used to study air quality in this region. The model reasonably reproduced the meteorological conditions and PM2.5 concentrations. The analysis demonstrated that the highest-PM2.5 event was associated with a cold surge that promoted the impingement of northern pollutants on the region, and PM2.5 concentrations were sensitive to the emissions from the Yangtze River delta (16.6%) and the North China Plain (12.1%). This suggests that efforts toward coastal air quality improvement require regional cooperation to reduce emissions. Noticeably, ARFs were unlikely to increase PM2.5 concentrations in the coastal region, which was in contrast to the case in northern China. ARFs induced strong clean wind anomalies in the coastal region and also lowered the inland planetary boundary layer, which enhanced the blocking of northern pollutants crossing the high terrain in the north of Fujian Province. This indicates that ARFs tend to weaken the haze intensity in the southeastern coastal region.
Spatial Characterization of Flood Magnitudes over the Drainage Network of the Delaware River Basin
Authors: Lu Ping , Smith James A. , Lin Ning 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
A framework to characterize the distribution of flood magnitudes over large river networks is developed using the Delaware River basin in the northeastern United States as a principal study region. Flood magnitudes are characterized by the flood index, which is defined as the ratio of the flood peak for a flood event to the historical 10-yr flood magnitude. Event flood peaks are computed continuously over the drainage network using a distributed hydrologic model, CUENCAS, with high-resolution radar rainfall fields as the principal forcing. The historical 10-yr flood is calculated based on scaling relationships between the 10-yr flood and drainage area. Summary statistics for characterizing the probability distribution and spatial correlation of flood magnitudes over the drainage network are developed based on the flood index. This framework is applied to four flood events in the Delaware River basin that reflect the principal flood-generating mechanisms in the eastern United States: landfalling tropical cyclones (Hurricane Ivan in September 2004 and Hurricane Irene in August 2011), late winter/early spring extratropical systems (April 2005), and warm season convective systems (June 2006). The framework can be utilized to characterize the spatial distribution of floods, most notably for floods caused by landfalling tropical cyclones, which play an important role in controlling the upper tail of flood peak magnitudes over much of the eastern United States.
Spatial Sensitivity Analysis of Simulated Land Surface Patterns in a Catchment Model Using a Set of Innovative Spatial Performance Metrics
Authors: Koch Julian , Mendiguren Gorka , Mariethoz Gregoire , Stisen Simon 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Distributed hydrological models simulate states and fluxes of water and energy in the terrestrial hydrosphere at each cell. The predicted spatial patterns result from complex nonlinear relationships and feedbacks. Spatial patterns are often neglected during the modeling process, and therefore a spatial sensitivity analysis framework that highlights their importance is proposed. This study features a comprehensive analysis of spatial patterns of actual evapotranspiration (ET) and land surface temperature (LST), with the aim of quantifying the extent to which forcing data and model parameters drive these patterns. This framework is applied on a distributed model [MIKE Système Hydrologique Européen (MIKE SHE)] coupled to a land surface model [Shuttleworth and Wallace–Evapotranspiration (SW-ET)] of a catchment in Denmark. Twenty-two scenarios are defined, each having a simplified representation of a potential driver of spatial variability. A baseline model that incorporates full spatial detail is used to assess sensitivity. High sensitivity can be attested in scenarios where the simulated spatial patterns differ significantly from the baseline. The core novelty of this study is that the analysis is based on a set of innovative spatial performance metrics that enable a reliable spatial pattern comparison. Overall, LST is very sensitive to air temperature and wind speed whereas ET is rather driven by vegetation. Both are sensitive to groundwater coupling and precipitation. The conclusions may be limited to the selected catchment and to the applied modeling system, but the suggested framework is generically relevant for the modeling community. While the applied metrics focus on specific spatial information, they partly exhibit redundant information. Thus, a combination of metrics is the ideal approach to evaluate spatial patterns in models outputs.
Influences of Larger-Scale Vortex Variability on Tornado Pressure Minima in an Outer-Flow Region: Explorations Using a Parametric Tangential Wind Model
Authors: Wood Vincent T. , Tanamachi Robin L. , White Luther W. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
Previous studies have neglected to distinguish between a central pressure deficit due to a tornado itself and due to a parent mesocyclone in which the tornado is embedded. To obtain improved understanding of the influences of larger-scale vortex variability on smaller-scale tornado pressure deficits, a parametric tangential wind model supplemented with a cyclostrophic speed equation was used to explore the role that the variability plays in influencing radial pressure deficits by deducing radial pressure deficit distributions from radial profiles of hypothetically superpositioned, dual-maxima tangential velocities in the free atmosphere, where a dominant swirling flow was in approximate cyclostrophic balance. The cyclostrophic approximation was partitioned into two separate components, allowing one to scrutinize and determine which of the concentric vortices contributes most significantly to the tornado pressure minima. The model parametrically constructed a smaller-scale, stronger vortex (rapidly swirling flow) that was centered within a larger-scale, weaker vortex (slowly swirling flow) to represent a tornado centered within a supercell, low-level, parent mesocyclone above a tornado boundary layer. The radial pressure deficit fluctuations were varied by changing one of five key velocity-controlling parameters assigned to one vortex to represent a variety of vortex strengths. Based on eight experiments, the larger-scale, weaker (smaller scale, stronger) vortex contributed less (more) to the total pressure deficit than the smaller-scale, stronger (larger scale, weaker) vortex. The stronger vortex centered within the larger-scale, weaker vortex has a larger central pressure minimum than it does in the absence of the larger-scale vortex.
Role of the Convection Scheme in Modeling Initiation and Intensification of Tropical Depressions over the North Atlantic
Authors: Duvel J.-P. , Camargo S. J. , Sobel A. H. 
Published: January 2017

Abstract
The authors analyze how modifications of the convective scheme modify the initiation of tropical depression vortices (TDVs) and their intensification into stronger warm-cored tropical cyclone–like vortices (TCs) in global climate model (GCM) simulations. The model’s original convection scheme has entrainment and cloud-base mass flux closures based on moisture convergence. Two modifications are considered: one in which entrainment is dependent on relative humidity and another in which the closure is based on the convective available potential energy (CAPE).
Compared to reanalysis, TDVs are more numerous and intense in all three simulations, probably as a result of excessive parameterized deep convection at the expense of convection detraining at midlevel. The relative humidity–dependent entrainment rate increases both TDV initiation and intensification relative to the control. This is because this entrainment rate is reduced in the moist center of the TDVs, giving more intense convective precipitation, and also because it generates a moister environment that may favor the development of early stage TDVs. The CAPE closure inhibits the parameterized convection in strong TDVs, thus limiting their development despite a slight increase in the resolved convection. However, the maximum intensity reached by TC-like TDVs is similar in the three simulations, showing the statistical character of these tendencies.
The simulated TCs develop from TDVs with different dynamical origins than those observed. For instance, too many TDVs and TCs initiate near or over southern West Africa in the GCM, collocated with the maximum in easterly wave activity, whose characteristics are also dependent on the convection scheme considered.
Metformin Prevents the Progression of Dysplastic Mucosa of the Head and Neck to Carcinoma in Nondiabetic Patients
Authors: Lerner Michael Zvi , Mor Niv , Paek Hyung , Blitzer Andrew , Strome Marshall 
Published: January 2017

Objective: Metformin is an oral anti-hyperglycemic agent used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In vitro and animal models have shown that metformin can prevent the progression of oral lesions to carcinoma; however, there is conflicting data in the clinical literature regarding risk reduction for malignancy in head and neck cancer (HNC). Study Design: Case series. Methods: We present 3 cases in which adjuvant metformin therapy was used to treat recurrent and multifocal dysplastic lesions in previously treated nondiabetic HNC patients. Results: Patients included 1 with a history of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 2 with a history of laryngeal SCC. Follow-up time ranged between 3 and 33 months. All 3 patients showed complete or partial regression of the remaining mucosal lesions and did not require any additional surgeries. Conclusion: We present 3 cases of nondiabetic HNC patients with field cancerization who showed a good response to adjuvant therapy with metformin. The nondiabetic population is not affected by confounding factors such as increased risk of malignancy and decreased overall survival that is itself associated with abnormal glucose metabolism and is therefore an excellent cohort in which to study the use of adjuvant metformin therapy in HNC patients.
Trial Vocal Fold Injection Predicts Thyroplasty Outcomes in Nonparalytic Glottic Incompetence
Authors: Dumberger Lukas D. , Overton Lewis , Buckmire Robert A. , Shah Rupali N. 
Published: January 2017

Objectives: Trial vocal fold injection (TVFI) may be used prior to permanent medialization when voice outcome is uncertain. We aimed to determine whether voice outcomes of TVFI are predictive of, or correlate with outcomes after type I Gore-Tex medialization thyroplasty (GMT) in patients with nonparalytic glottic incompetence (GI). Methods: Thirty-five patients with nonparalytic GI who underwent TVFI followed by GMT were retrospectively reviewed. Change in voice-related quality of life (VRQOL) after TVFI was compared to change in VRQOL 3 to 9 months after GMT. Similar comparisons were made for change in glottal function index (GFI) and change in grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain (GRBAS). Sample correlation coefficients were calculated. Results: Change in VRQOL after TVFI showed good correlation with change in VRQOL after GMT, r = 0.55. Change in GFI after TVFI showed strong correlation with change in GFI after GMT, r = 0.74. Change in GRBAS after TVFI showed excellent correlation with change in GRBAS after GMT, r = 0.90. Conclusion: The TVFI is a useful tool in nonparalytic GI when outcomes from glottic closure procedures are not clear. Voice outcome measures after TVFI strongly correlate with outcomes from GMT. These data may be used to more confidently counsel patients regarding their predicted outcomes of permanent medialization.
Functional electrical stimulation therapy for severe hemiplegia: Randomized control trial revisited
Authors: Marquez-Chin Cesar , Bagher Shaghayegh , Zivanovic Vera , Popovic Milos R. 
Published: January 2017

Background.Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability. Stroke survivors seldom improve their upper-limb function when their deficit is severe, despite recently developed therapies.Purpose.This study aims to assess the efficacy of functional electrical stimulation therapy in improving voluntary reaching and grasping after severe hemiplegia.Method.A post hoc analysis of a previously completed randomized control trial ( clinicaltrials.gov , No. NCT00221078) was carried out involving 21 participants with severe upper-limb hemiplegia (i.e., Fugl-Meyer Assessment–Upper Extremity [FMA-UE] ≤ 15) resulting from stroke.Findings.Functional Independence Measure Self-Care subscores increased 22.8 (±6.7) points in the intervention group and 9 (±6.5) in the control group, following 40 hr of equal-intensity therapy. FMA-UE score changes were 27.2 (±13.5) and 5.3 (±11.0) for the intervention and control groups, respectively.Implications.The results may represent the largest upper-limb function improvements in any stroke population to date, especially in those with severe upper-limb deficit.
Convergent Validity of the Erwin Identity Scale
Authors: Dary Erwin T. , Schmidt Marlin R. 
Published: January 2017

Evidence is presented partially supporting the convergent validity of the Erwin Identity Scale from use of two samples of high school students. Two EIS subscales, Confidence and Sexual Identity, were moderately correlated with Simmons's Identity Achievement Scale and Rotter's Internal-External Scale. No relationship was found between the third EIS subscale, Conceptions About Body and Appearance, and either Simmons's or Rotter's scales. The development of identity has been recognized as an important aspect of human development for years (Bourne, 1980; James, 1890). What was strictly a psychological concept has now become common conversation in the American culture, manifest by phrases such as “seeking an identity” or “identity crisis.” Although Erikson (1950, 1968) has been given the distinction for advancing the psychological theory of identity, he has also been given credit for contributing to confusion of the concept (Thayer, 1963). Because of this confusion, several interpretations of Erikson's work have been proposed. The conceptualizations of Marcia and Chickering have been two of the most widely discussed (Bourne, 1980; Parker, 1978).
Dynamic Competitive Position between the Foreign Joint Venture and NICs’ Indigenous Firms
Authors: Kwon Yung Chul , Ryans John K. 
Published: January 2017

Three years ago, South Korea exported hardly any cars. In 1987, it will probably send more than 450,000 cars abroad; most will go to the United States. It is a prospect that thrills the South Koreans, worries protectionist Americans, and frightens the Japanese carmakers, whose dominance of the small-car market the South Koreans are challenging. ("South Korea's Carmakers Count Their Blessings," The Economist, 3 January 1987, p. 45)
Evaluation of a Psychomotor Vigilance Task for Touch Screen Devices
Authors: Arsintescu Lucia , Mulligan Jeffrey B. , Flynn-Evans Erin E. 
Published: January 2017

Objective: Our goals were to compare three techniques for performing a psychomotor vigilance task (PVT) on a touch screen device (fifth-generation iPod) and to determine the device latency. Background: The PVT is a reaction-time test that is sensitive to sleep loss and circadian misalignment. Several PVT tests have been developed for touch screen devices, but unlike the standard PVT developed for laboratory use, these tests allow for touch responses to be recorded at any location on the device, with contact from any finger. In addition, touch screen devices exhibit latency in processing time between the touch response and the time registered by the device. Method: Thirteen participants completed a 5-min PVT on a touch screen device held in three positions (on a table with index finger, handheld portrait with index finger, handheld landscape with thumb). We compared reaction-time outcomes in each orientation condition using paired t tests. We recorded the first session using a high-speed video camera to determine the latency between the touch response and the documented response time. Results: The participants had significantly faster reaction times in the landscape-oriented position using the thumb, compared with the portrait-oriented position using the index ( M = 224.13 and M = 244.26, p = .045). Using data from 1,241 unique touch events, we found a mean device latency of 68.53 ms that varied highly between individuals. Conclusion: Device orientation and device latency should be considered when using a touch screen version of a PVT. Application: Our findings apply to researchers administering touch screen versions of the PVT.
Nonisothermal Melting and Crystallization of Foamed Crosslinked Polyethylene
Authors: Kotzev G. , Touleshkov N. , Christova D. , Nedkov E. 
Published: January 2017

Foamed crosslinked specimens of low density polyethylene are produced by hot mould injection moulding. Dicumylperoxide, as crosslinking agent and azodicarbonamide as blowing agent, were used. The three components are blended and granulated in advance in an extruder-granulator at temperatures of 100-125°C. The contents of blowing and crosslinking agents in the composites studied are 5-15 and 0.08-0.6, respectively, in percents by weight. The ability for maximum foaming was studied by determining the overall density of the specimens. The crosslinking degree was calculated from the equilibrium strain value defined at temperature 140°C and pressure stress 0.045 MPa. The same parameter was estimated also by the melt flow index. The LDPE morphological parameters were determined on the basis of DSC-graphics obtained by a Perkin-Elmer DSC-7 differential scanning calorimeter at heating and cooling rates of 10°C/min. The activation energy for transport through phase boundary crystal melt, the surface energy of the crystal, the long period and the degree of the crystallinity were calculated by computer programs using formulae of non-isothermal melting and crystallization kinetics theory. It is found that the overall density of the specimens increases with the increase of the crosslinking agent concentration in the range of 0.08-0.6% by wt. At low concentrations of dicumylperoxide, the increase of the blowing agent concentration results in a decrease of the density, while at high crosslinking agent concentration the opposite trend is observed. The crosslinking degree of the foamed polyethylene increases with the increase of the concentrations of dicumylperoxide and azodicarbonamide, and the flowability of the foamed polyethylene melt decreases correspondingly. The crosslinking of the foamed LDPE affects the non-isothermal phase transitions. With the increase of the crosslinking degree, the phase transition temperatures and the degree of crystallinity decrease. The values obtained for the energies of activation for transport through the phase boundary, the surface energy of the crystal and the long period are comparable with the values obtained by other authors.
Experimental Determination of the Vapor Phase Thermal Conductivity of Blowing Agents for Polyurethane Rigid Foam
Authors: Heinemann T. , Klaen W. , Yourd R. , Dohrn R. 
Published: January 2017

Blowing agents are mainly responsible for the insulation properties of polyurethane rigid foams. Detailed knowledge about the vapor conductivity of blowing agents and their mixtures is essential for their basic understanding. In addition to their insulation properties, blowing agents to a large extent determine the mechanical properties of the foam. Today, blowing agent mixtures are often used in an attempt to combine both worlds, low thermal conductivity and high vapor pressure at low temperatures. Our investigations aim at a better understanding of the relevant practical properties of blowing agents and their mixtures and to focus on their meaning for actual and potential foam systems of interest to the rigid foam insulation market. A newly developed transient hot wire method was used to determine the vapor phase thermal conductivity of various blowing agents used in rigid polyurethane foam. Data for CFC-11, HCFC-141b, HFC-365mfc, HFC-356mffm, HFC-245fa, HFC-245ca, cyclopentane, isopentane, n-pentane, isobutane, n-butane, and carbon dioxide have been generated. In addition to measurements of the pure compounds, current market mixtures of cyclopentane with low boiling hydrocarbons have been investigated. Experiments have been performed at pressures between 0.2 MPa and 1.5 MPa and temperatures between 298 K and 421 K.
Comparison of Technology and New Developments with Hydrocarbon Blown Rigid Foams Shows a Clear Tendency to Cyclopentane/Hydrocarbon Blends
Authors: Altoe P. , Dean G. H. , Parenti V. , Clavel P. 
Published: January 2017

Rigid foams blown with hydrocarbons have shown a great progress since this technology was implemented in 1992 in Europe, and culminated, last year, in the introduction of blends of hydrocarbons and more particularly cyclopentane/isobutane. Also recently, other blends have found favor where the more complicated handling of butane may present some difficulties. In the hydrocarbon family, cyclopentane is the best option in terms of gas k-factor, but its high boiling point requires higher density and shot weights in cabinets to guarantee long term dimensional stability. The best cost option is provided by the iso-/n-pentane blend. However, the foams produced show inferior k-factor, although final energy consumption is not affected to the same degree. In general, the addition of another co-blowing hydrocarbon such as isobutane, isopentane or c-pentane negatively affects the insulation performance of the foam, but recent polyurethane system developments have allowed the retention of the same k-factor values as those of pure cyclopentane blown foams. This paper aims to compare the different hydrocarbon blowing agent alternatives introduced during the past period and includes theoretical cell gas modeling, creep performance and compressive strength ageing tests. These methods have been used to evaluate and predict, during the foam development phase, the short and long term dimensional stability of the foam. An attempt will be made to understand if the combination of all of them is necessary for getting reliable information. Results from cabinets foamed with these cyclopentane based hydrocarbon blends have confirmed the initial findings and are discussed. It is a further objective of this paper to give the OEMs the data that they require to select the optimum technology to answer their needs in terms of cost, processing performance and insulation value.