Edge Slope Research Articles

The cavity’s effect on the bearing capacity of a shallow footing in reinforced slope sand

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study for the effect of the cavity on the behaviour of a strip footing positioned on a reinforced sand slope. This study used a new type of geosynthetics called fiber carbon and fiber glass. These components have the potential to isolate the soil inside the geosynthetic and prevent shears stress mobilization. The investigation aimed to determine the effect of cavity depth (h) and the number of reinforcing layers (N) on the bearing capacity and settlement characteristics of footing, empirically for investigating the effect of cavity on the bearing capacity, some parameters were assumed constant in all tests, for example, relative density, a distance of the footing from the slope edge, and length between layers of reinforcement. The variable parameters are the distance between footings and centre of cavity and the number of reinforcing layers. The results show that the settlement behaviour of footing adjacent to a soil slope is significantly affected by h and N. It is observed that qu, which represents the ultimate bearing capacity, improves with an increase in N. The influence of the cavity appeared insignificant when it was positioned at a depth equal to twice the width of footing.

Retracted: Slope Shape and Edge Intelligent Recognition Technology Based on Deep Neural Sensing Network

Retracted: Slope Shape and Edge Intelligent Recognition Technology Based on Deep Neural Sensing Network

Significant Wave Height Retrieval Based on Multivariable Regression Models Developed With CYGNSS Data

This study utilizes L1B level data from reflected global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals from the Cyclone GNSS (CYGNSS) mission to estimate sea surface significant wave height (SWH). The normalized bistatic radar cross Section (NBRCS), the leading edge slope (LES), the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and the delay-Doppler map average (DDMA) are used as the key variables for the SWH retrieval. Eight other parameters, including instrument gain and scatter area, are also utilized as auxiliary variables to enhance the SWH retrieval performance. A variety of multivariable regression models are investigated to clarify the relationship between the SWH and the variables by using the following five methods: stepwise linear regression, Gaussian support vector machine, artificial neural network, sparrow search algorithm–extreme learning machine, and bagging tree (BT). Results show that, among the five regression models developed, the BT model performs the best with the root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.48 m and the correlation coefficient (CC) of 0.82 when testing one million sets of data randomly selected, while the RMSE and CC of BT model are 0.44 m and 0.73 in the 4500 National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) buoy testing dataset. Meanwhile, the BT model also has the best generalization ability, which means that it performs well in practical applications. In addition, the impacts of different input variables, the size of the training dataset, and the sea surface wind speed are also investigated. These findings are anticipated to serve as helpful guides for creating future SWH retrieval algorithms that are more advanced.

Seasonal variations of canopy spectra and their indications to carbon fluxes in a temperate forest in northeast China

The seasonal variations of forest canopy spectral characteristics are critical to improving the utilization of remote sensing methodology to quantify forest physiology, especially forest carbon sink. However, the seasonal variations of forest canopy spectra are poorly understood. Combined field survey and EO-1 Hyperion imageries, we extracted the spectral curves of seven forest types of Changbai Mountain in China in seven periods. We also calculated various remote sensing indexes and analyzed their seasonal change of spectral characteristics among different forest types. Optimal indexes were selected to indicate the seasonal variation of forest carbon fluxes. Our results showed that there were differences in spectral curves among forest types. The reflectance of coniferous forests was lower than that of broad-leaved forests in growing season. Changbai Scotch pine forest owned the lowest spectral reflectance, whereas the reflectance of Mongolian oak forest was the highest, especially in the near-infrared region. The red edge slope (RES) of broad-leaved forest was higher than coniferous forest in spring and summer. The RES of broad-leaved and coniferous forests was similar in autumn. The red edge position of various forest types showed slight shift in different seasons. Four typical forest types showed different spectral characteristics with seasonal changes. The seasonal variation of coniferous forest spectral curves was not obvious. The seasonal variation of broad-leaved forest spectra was the largest. Most of the spectral indexes can indicate the seasonal variation characteristics of each forest type. Enhanced vegetation index (EVI) is better than normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) to indicate the forest phenology. Seasonal curves of spectral indexes were different in all forest types. Spectral indexes of coniferous forests were most stable throughout the year. The curves of each index in broad-leaved forests showed significant difference in autumn, which may be influenced by the understory vegetation after their defoliation. For broad-leaved Korean (BK) pine forest, the scaled value of photochemical reflectance index (SPRI)*EVI owned the highest correlation with gross primary productivity (R = 0.99 and P < 0.01) and net ecosystem exchange (R = − 0.77 and P < 0.05), respectively. SPRI*NDVI showed the highest correlation with ecosystem respiration (R = 0.96 and P < 0.01). The seasonal variation of carbon fluxes of different forest types retrieved from the optimal remote sensing index were consistent, but their peaks occurred at different times.

Considering behavioral state when predicting habitat use: Behavior-specific spatial models for the endangered Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle

Effective planning for species conservation often requires an understanding of habitat use. The resources an animal selects within the landscape relate to its behavioral state and, therefore, incorporating behavior into habitat selection analyses can help inform management of threatened species. Here we present an approach for developing behavior-specific spatial habitat-use models using large quantities of GPS telemetry data. Using hidden Markov models, we first characterize 231,478 GPS fixes from 22 recently fledged endangered Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles (Aquila audax fleayi) as reflective of either perching, short-distance flight, or long-distance flight. We then use a multivariate habitat selection ratio to develop spatial models predicting where these behavioral states occur. Recently fledged Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles selected for areas close to forest edges during perching and short distance flights, whereas they selected more strongly for areas with steep topography (slopes > 15°) and further from forest edges for longer flights. Models using distance to forest edge and topographic slope effectively predicted where eagles engaged in long flights (R2 > 0.91, rs > 0.90) in each of six regions, whereas the performance varied by region for models describing perching (R2 = 0.43–0.97, rs = 0.80–0.97) and short flights (R2 = 0.34–0.93, rs = 0.63–1.00). Our study provides a detailed understanding of habitat use by young Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagles, which has multiple applications in the ongoing conservation of the population. Our method illustrates a framework for spatially explicit and behavior-specific habitat selection analyses that can be applied to other species of conservation concern.

Estimation of Swell Height Using Spaceborne GNSS-R Data from Eight CYGNSS Satellites

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) technology has opened a new window for ocean remote sensing because of its unique advantages, including short revisit period, low observation cost, and high spatial-temporal resolution. In this article, we investigated the potential of estimating swell height from delay-Doppler maps (DDMs) data generated by spaceborne GNSS-R. Three observables extracted from the DDM are introduced for swell height estimation, including delay-Doppler map average (DDMA), the leading edge slope (LES) of the integrated delay waveform (IDW), and trailing edge slope (TES) of the IDW. We propose one modeling scheme for each observable. To improve the swell height estimation performance of a single observable-based method, we present a data fusion approach based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). Furthermore, a simulated annealing aided PSO (SA-PSO) algorithm is proposed to handle the problem of local optimal solution for the PSO algorithm. Extensive testing has been performed and the results show that the swell height estimated by the proposed methods is highly consistent with reference data, i.e., the ERA5 swell height. The correlation coefficient (CC) is 0.86 and the root mean square error (RMSE) is 0.56 m. Particularly, the SA-PSO method achieved the best performance, with RMSE, CC, and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) being 0.39 m, 0.92, and 18.98%, respectively. Compared with the DDMA, LES, TES, and PSO methods, the RMSE of the SA-PSO method is improved by 23.53%, 26.42%, 30.36%, and 7.14%, respectively.

Combined ultraviolet- and electron-beam lithography with Micro-Resist-Technology GmbH ma-N1400 resist

We present a “mix-and-match” process to create large structures with submicrometer features by combining UV contact lithography and 100 kV electron-beam lithography in a single layer of negative-tone resist: Micro-Resist-Technology ma-N1405. The resist is successfully applied for the fabrication of an on-chip terahertz spectrometer, where the design requires 450 nm wide lines and 300 nm wide trenches in a 150 nm thick niobium-titanium-nitride layer, tolerating errors of ±30 nm. We use a resist thickness of 500 nm, optimized to allow reliable SF6/O2-based reactive ion etching of structures with 30 nm accuracy. We find that resist requires an electron-beam cross-linking dose of 1100 μC/cm2 for an acceleration voltage of 100 kV in combination with a 180 s 100 °C bake on a hot plate and 45 s development. The smallest resist bars made with our dedicated recipe are 100 nm wide, with the smallest gaps about 300 nm. The difference between the designed and realized feature size is between 2 and 30 nm for structures up to 700 nm wide. The optical exposure dose is 300 mJ/cm2 for the same development time and is optimized to produce a positive sloped edge profile allowing good step coverage for subsequent layers. The resist can be applied, shipped, and processed in a time span of a couple of days without notable deterioration of patterning quality.

Evaluation of CYGNSS Observations for Snow Properties, a Case Study in Tibetan Plateau, China

Snow plays an important role in the water cycle and global climate change, and the accurate monitoring of changes in snow depth is an important task. However, monitoring snow properties is still challenging and unclear, particularly in the Tibetan Plateau, which has rough land and uneven terrain. The traditional monitoring methods have some limitations in monitoring snow depth changes, and the Global Navigation Satellite System-Reflectometry (GNSS-R) provides a new opportunity for snow monitoring. This paper employed data from the Cyclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) to discover the effect of snow properties. Firstly, the observations of CYGNSS were used to find the sensitive to snow properties, and the relationships between signal to noise ratio (SNR), leading edge slope (LES), surface reflectivity (SR), and snow depth were studied and analyzed, respectively. It is found that the correlation between the first two parameters and snow depth is poor, while SR can indicate the changes in snow depth, and is proposed as an indicator of SR change, namely, surface reflectivity–difference ratio factor (SR–DR factor). Furthermore, the long-time series data in the Tibetan Plateau (2018–2019) are used to analyze its effects on the time series of the SR–DR factor, while the influences of the soil freeze/thaw (F/T) process and soil moisture are excluded during the analysis. The results indicate that the SR–DR factor can be a good indicator and discriminator for snow depth. Our work shows that space-borne GNSS-R has the potential for the monitoring of snow properties.

Simulation of Winter Deep Slope Convection in Peter the Great Bay (Japan Sea)

In wintertime, a high-density water forms on the shallow shelf in the vast Peter the Great Bay (Japan Sea). The steep continental slope with deep canyons and cold winters in the area provide suitable conditions for the implementation of deep slope convection—an important phenomenon in the formation of intermediate and bottom waters that occurs at a few locations in some semi-enclosed seas, including the Japan Sea. The descent of dense shelf water down the continental slope of Peter the Great Bay usually occurs to 1000–1200 m; however, in anomalously cold winters, it has been observed at greater than 2000 m depth supporting renewal and deep ventilation of intermediate and bottom waters in the Japan Sea. The deep slope convection is a rare episodic phenomenon with durations ranging from several hours to several days, that has never been simulated in Peter the Great Bay with a realistic numerical model of circulation. We apply the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) with a 600 m horizontal resolution to simulate the deep slope convection in the anomalously cold winter of 2001 when it has been observed in cruises. The results are compared with propagation of deep shelf water in the regular winter of 2010 when hydrological characteristics of this water were recorded by a profiler “Aqualog” installed at the shelf break. Using Lagrangian methods, we track and analyze the formation of dense shelf water, its advection to the slope edge in the bottom layer and descent down the slope. Special attention is payed to the role of coastal eddies arising due to a symmetric instability. These eddies promote the cross-shelf transport of the dense shelf water towards the continental slope edge. The simulation results are compared with rare observations of the deep slope convection in Peter the Great Bay.

Characteristics of Cambrian tectonic-lithofacies paleogeography in China and the controls on hydrocarbons

In early Cambrian, the earth was in a state of active super-continental disintegration, ocean basin expansion, and seawater transgression. It was a critical period for hydrocarbons source rocks development on a global scale. In China for example, hydrocarbons reservoirs, including conventional and unconventional, have been discovered in the Cambrian rocks. By using regional tectonic analysis, stratigraphic correlation, and lithofacies comparison, we compiled a tectonic-lithofacies paleogeographic map and determined the lithofacies paleogeographic characteristics of the main plates of the early Cambrian period in China. Our results show that although the North China Plate was deposited in shallow-water shore facies, it was later uplifted and exposed to long-term denudation; and thus, lacked the depositional conditions necessary to form hydrocarbon source rocks. In contrast, both the South China and the Tarim Plates contain the complete platform-slope-basin facies sequence, which is the required depositional conditions to promote the formation of hydrocarbon source rocks. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that, during the period of Meishucun and Qiongzhusi formations, South China Plate was composed of deep-water sediments. Correspondingly, during the sedimentation of the Yuertusi Formation, several areas such as the Kalpin, Tabei, and Taxinan in the Tarim Basin, formed a gentle-sloping continental shelf sedimentary sequence of phosphorous siliceous rocks, muddy shales, marlstones, and doloarenite. In addition, we demonstrate that (1) abundant nutrients provided by the hydrothermal and coastal upwelling events, combined with the “periodic anoxic” bottom water conditions, resulted in the formation of high-quality hydrocarbon source rocks in the Yuertus Formation in the Tarim Basin; and (2) the intracratonic sag and continental shelf edge slope settings controlled the deposition of hydrocarbon source rocks in the Sichuan Basin.

Comparative Safety Analyses of Slope-Shallow Foundation Interaction under Static and Dynamic Loading Conditions

This study is focused on the safety analysis of the shallow foundations located on cohesive homogenous slopes that has different shear strength characteristics. Static and dynamic analyses have been conducted with a well-known commercial finite element logic-based two dimensional numerical software. Dynamic analyses are performed with regard to the consideration of the Samos-İzmir earth-quake that happened in 30 October 2020. The change of the slope geometry depending on the differentiation of the slope height and inclination is also considered. The interaction between the slope-shallow foundation is investigated regarding different relative distances of the foundation from the slope edge and considering various loading magnitudes for the foundation. The results of the analyses are evaluated in terms of the factor of safety values to interpret the degree of the effects of foreseen variants on the integrated system stability.

Artificial aquatic habitats impoverish amphibian diversity in agricultural landscapes of central Argentina

Abstract In central Argentina, agro‐ecosystems constitute the dominant landscape, representing the replacement of extensive grassland areas by crops and pastures. Agriculture has caused the loss of extensive areas of Pampean inland wetlands through drainage and the construction of artificial aquatic habitats such as ditches and ponds. This study evaluated the availability and amphibian breeding use of 194 natural and artificial open water habitats and identified those attributes that affect amphibian diversity (richness, abundance and species occurrence). Interviews with farmers revealed that all artificial ditches, drainage channels and ponds were constructed directly or indirectly to support agricultural activities, and 61.5% of them were created at the expense of natural wetlands. The results from generalized linear mixed models) indicated a significant decrease (P &lt; 0.05) in amphibian richness (14.2–35.7%) and abundance (35.3–86.6%) in artificial habitats compared with natural habitats. Overall, vegetation cover, average depth and edge slope emerged as the most important attributes affecting amphibian diversity in artificial open water habitats. Vegetation cover had a significant (P &lt; 0.05) positive influence on species richness and abundance, whereas average depth and edge slope had the opposite effect. Given the substantial modification of inland wetlands in central Argentina, natural aquatic habitats should be considered top priorities for conservation, and law enforcement is urgently needed to control the drainage and levelling of lagoons, ponds and low‐lying areas. The appropriate design and planning of constructed wetlands, including shallow depth and slightly sloping edges, could greatly improve the ability of artificial wetlands to favour native amphibians in these altered landscapes. Artificial wetlands could offer complementary habitats to natural habitats for amphibians and aquatic wildlife if actions leading to sustainable management and territorial planning are applied.

Bolide impact effects on the West Florida Platform, Gulf of Mexico: End Cretaceous and late Eocene

Abstract This study documents seismic reflection evidence that two different bolide impacts significantly disrupted stratigraphic and depositional processes on the West Florida Platform (Gulf of Mexico). The first impact terminated the Late Cretaceous Epoch (Chicxulub impact, Mexico; ca. 66 Ma; end-Maastrichtian age). The second took place in the late Eocene (Chesapeake Bay impact, Virginia, USA, portion of the Chesapeake Bay; ca. 35 Ma; Priabonian age). Both impacts produced far-reaching seismic shaking and ground roll followed by an impact-generated tsunami, the effects of which are evident in the seismostratigraphic record. The Chicxulub seismic shaking caused collapse and shoreward retreat of the Florida Escarpment and widely disrupted (faulting, folding, slumping) normal flat-lying shelf beds. The associated tsunami currents redistributed these shelf deposits and mixed them together with collapse debris from the escarpment to form a thick wedge of sediments along the base of the escarpment. The Chesapeake Bay impact created a mounded sedimentary deposit near the outer edge of the late Eocene ramp slope. This deposit also has a bipartite origin. A lower layer is marked by en echelon faulting created in situ by seismic shaking, whereas an upper layer represents sediments redistributed from the late Eocene shelf and upper ramp slope by tsunami-driven bottom currents (debris flows, contour currents, slumps). This is the first report of seismic effects from the Chesapeake Bay impact in the Gulf of Mexico. These results further demonstrate that large-scale marine bolide impacts have widespread effects on the stratigraphic and depositional record of Earth.

Variability of Longshore Surface Current on the Shelf Edge and Continental Slope off the West Coast of Canada

The shelf-edge and continental slope current off the west coast of Canada has been monitored at a site off West Vancouver Island since 1985. However, observations at this site may not represent the characteristics of the shelf-edge and slope current off the entire west coast of Canada. Here, we use along-track satellite altimetry data over six transects to investigate the characteristics of the surface geostrophic currents over the shelf edge and continental slope off the west coast of Canada from 1992 to 2020. It is shown that along-track satellite altimetry is well suited for monitoring longshore and climatic variations of the near-surface shelf-edge and slope currents off the west coast of Canada. It is found that the surface current over the shelf edge and slope has different features from the south to the north. While the surface current is poleward in winter and equatorward in summer off South Vancouver Island, it is poleward year-round off the rest of the west coast of Canada. The seasonal current anomalies show longshore correlation significant at the 95% confidence level, except at the North Haida Gwaii transect. The first empirical orthogonal function mode of the seasonal current anomalies is correlated with the longshore wind anomalies both off South Vancouver Island and off Oregon. However, this first mode is not correlated with either the Niño 3.4 index or the Pacific Decadal Oscillation index, though they often show large episodic events during strong El Niño and La Niña years. Consistent with previous findings, the present study indicates that the surface currents over the shelf edge and continental slope off the west coast of Canada are related to regional and remote longshore wind forcing.

Rapid seafloor changes associated with the degradation of Arctic submarine permafrost

SignificanceTemperature increases in Arctic regions have focused attention on permafrost degradation on land, whereas little is known about the dynamics of extensive glacial-age permafrost bodies now submerged under the vast Arctic Continental shelves. Repeated high-resolution bathymetric surveys show that extraordinarily rapid morphologic changes are occurring at the edge of the continental slope of the Canadian Beaufort Sea along what was once the seaward limit of relict Pleistocene permafrost. How widespread similar changes are on the Arctic shelves is unknown, as this is one of the first areas in the Arctic subjected to multiple multibeam bathymetric surveys. Rapid morphologic changes associated with active submarine permafrost thawing may be an important process in sculpturing the seafloor in other submarine permafrost settings.

Topographic amplification and debris remobilization as a cause for increasing rockfall hazard in seismic areas: A case study in Central Italy

The long-lasting earthquake sequence of Central Italy in 2016 triggered around 1370 landslides, most of which were observed close to ridge areas. The area of San Pellegrino di Norcia (PG) was badly affected by the 6.5 Mw Norcia earthquake that triggered 95 rock falls and slides with volumes ranging from 0.5 m3 to 380 m3 over an area of 0.6 km2. The presence of such a large number of coseismic landslides in a small area provided a suitable case study for investigating triggering mechanisms related to slope morphology and the subsequent propagation dynamics of rockfalls. To this aim, detailed field data collection and up-to-date terrain modelling based on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) imagery were carried out. They permitted to perform morphometric analyses oriented at defining: (a) the frequency of occurrence of rockfall with reference to the energy relief, (b) the relationships between extensions of source and propagation areas and (c) the change in the shape of the propagation area as a function of the different terrains crossed by rockfalls. The results of the morphometric study were compared with dynamic analyses of rock-slides onset and simulations of rockfall propagation. They highlighted that, disregarding the presence of steep rock faces, the failures were located close to ridge and slope edges, thus pointing out the role of topography on triggering of landslides.Moreover, it was possible to observe that even small-sized rockfalls had a widening effect in the foothill characterized by longer runouts compared to rockfall simulations. This issue was due to the mobilization of the talus debris covering the limestone bedrock. This study investigates an area where a significant increase in rockfall hazard can be expected due to the coupled effect of topographic amplification and debris remobilization.

Prediction of the mechanical properties of timber members in existing structures using the dynamic modulus of elasticity and visual grading parameters

The modulus of elasticity and bending strength of 45 structural Salzmann pine timber pieces with nominal dimensions of 150x200x5400 mm3 from an existing 18th century structure were estimated by semi-destructive density estimation probing method (drilling chips extraction) and acoustic wave velocity (stress and ultrasound wave). Bending strength, modulus of elasticity and density were obtained according to the EN 408 European standard, and visual grading singularities were recorded. Visual grading methods are highly ineffective for existing timber structures. Sample mechanical properties show a typical profile of material from existing structures, and this was compared with the results of similar works. MOE and MOR predictive models were proposed with determination coefficients r2 of 66–68% and 51–52%, respectively, using dynamic MOE, relative edge knot diameter and slope of grain as independent variables. MOR prediction improved when these grading parameters were included.

A Rare Cause of Nonhealing Ulcer in an Immunocompetent Person.

Sir, A 58-year-old lady, a homemaker, presented with a nonhealing ulcer over the right lower limb for 1.5 months. There was a history of trauma following which she had developed the wound. The patient had received oral antibiotics (a combination of amoxicillin–clavulanic acid and metronidazole), but no clinical improvement was observed. There was no history suggestive of diabetes mellitus, peripheral vascular disease, varicose veins, or recurrent infections in past. There was no significant history of hospitalization before this episode. On examination, the patient was hemodynamically stable, all peripheral pulses were palpable. A 3 cm × 3 cm ulcer with sloping edges, red granulation tissue with purulent discharge on the right lateral malleolus (Gaiter's area), surrounding edema, erythema, and hyperpigmentation were seen [Figure 1].Figure 1: A 3 cm × 3 cm ulcer with sloping edges, red granulation tissue with purulent discharge on the right lateral malleolus, with surrounding edema, erythema, and pigmentationThe patient was evaluated for a nonhealing ulcer. Complete blood count was suggestive of elevated total lymphocyte count with neutrophilic predominance, with no atypical cells on the peripheral blood smear. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate 67 mm/h. Serology for HIV, HBsAg, anti-HCV antibodies was negative, and HbA1c was 5.1%. The blood culture and urine culture were sterile. Among radiological studies, a chest radiograph was normal, and the venous and arterial Dopplers of the lower limb were normal. Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed a normal study. Pus samples for acid-fast bacillus smear and culture, KOH mount, and fungal culture were also negative. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lower limb was suggestive of soft-tissue swelling and osteomyelitis of the fibular bone. Levels of immunoglobulins A, immunoglobulins M, and immunoglobulins G were 92 mg/dl, 206 mg/dl, and 976 mg/dl, respectively. Her CD4 count was 789 cells/uL. Gram stain and culture sensitivity of pus showed heavy growth of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia with sensitivity to ceftazidime, cefepime, aztreonam, and colistin. The patient was started on injection colistin, which she received for 21 days along with supportive measures. By day 14, there was a gross improvement with complete healing of the wound in a month. S. maltophilia is a gram-negative bacillus with intrinsic drug resistance to various antimicrobials including beta-lactams, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides.[1] It is known to cause a variety of infections in immunocompromised individuals, especially candidates with hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation, receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy, and those with neutropenia.[1] It commonly causes infection in immunodeficient individuals; however, in recent times, a surge in the number of cases of immunocompetent individuals developing skin and soft-tissue infection has been observed. Our patient acquired infection of S. maltophilia probably from the environment despite being immunocompetent.[2] Since the patient showed a dramatic response to culture-guided antibiotics with complete healing of the wound, the possibility of colonization was less likely. Therefore, we conclude that a possibility of S. maltophilia should also be kept as a possibility in cases of nonhealing ulcers even in immunocompetent individuals. Declaration of patient consent The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patient has given her consent for her images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understands that her name and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed. Research quality and ethics statement The authors followed applicable EQUATOR Network (http://www.equator-network.org/) guidelines, notably the CARE guideline, during the conduct of this report. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.

Significant Wave Height Retrieval Method Based on Spaceborne GNSS Reflectometry

A geophysical model function (GMF) for significant wave height (SWH) retrieval is developed based on the spaceborne Global Navigation Satellite System Reflectometry (GNSS-R) data measured by the Cyclone GNSS (CYGNSS) satellites. The spreading characteristics of delay-Doppler maps (DDMs) generated by receivers onboard satellites are affected by the surface roughness, which is closely related to the SWH. Four GNSS-R observables [i.e., leading edge slope (LES) of normalized integrated delay waveform (NIDW), LES of normalized central delay waveform (NCDW), trailing edge slope (TES) of NCDW, leading edge waveform summation (LEWS) of NCDW] derived from DDM are first used in this letter to retrieve SWH. Collocated ERA5 SWH data are used as the ground truth to develop and evaluate the SWH models based on the four GNSS-R observables. The results show that there is high consistency between the SWH estimates and the ground truth, with a correlation coefficient of 0.88 and a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.503 m. This letter demonstrates the feasibility of the spaceborne GNSS-R in SWH retrieval.

Impact Of Underground Cavity on A Strip Footing at The Edge of a Cohesionless Slope and Subjected to Eccentric Load

Owing to the comeback of small-scale models, this paper presents results of an experimental study based on the effect of underground circular voids on strip footing placed on the edge of a cohesionless slope and subjected to eccentric loads. The bearing capacity-settlement relationship of footing on the slope and impact of diverse variables are expressed using dimensionless parameters such as the top vertical distance of the void from the base of footing, horizontal space linking the void-footing centre, and load eccentricity. The results verified that the stability of strip footing is influenced by the underground void, as well as the critical depth between the soil and top layer of the void. The critical horizontal distancebetween the void and the centre were also affected by the underground void. Furthermore, the results also verified that the influence of the void appeared insignificant when it was positioned at a depth or eccentricity equal to twice the width of footing.