Opposite Conditions Research Articles

Aircraft Observations Reveal the Relationship Between Cumulus Entrainment Rate and Aerosol Loading

AbstractThe influence of entrainment, a key process characterized by the entrainment rate in cumulus parameterization, on aerosol‐cloud interactions has been widely recognized. However, despite qualitative links established between entrainment and aerosol loading, a quantitative relationship based on observational evidence remains elusive. This study utilizes aircraft observations of cumulus clouds during two field campaigns to determine the quantitative relationship between entrainment rate and aerosol loading. In both campaigns, the entrainment rate is negatively correlated with aerosol loading. It is speculated that increased aerosol loading enhances cloud edge droplet evaporation, which leads to increased buoyancy and vertical velocity within the cloud, thereby reducing the entrainment rate. Further analysis shows that the response of entrainment rate to aerosol perturbations is more significant in smaller cumulus clouds with weak buoyancy and less pronounced under opposite conditions. These findings shed new light on improving the description of aerosol‐cloud interactions in cumulus parameterizations.

Changes monitoring in Hongjiannao Lake from 1987 to 2023 using Google Earth Engine and analysis of climatic and anthropogenic forces

The research aimed to quantify the lake area dynamics, evaluate the changes in distance and rate of lake shorelines quantitatively and spatially and investigate the key factors influencing the Hongjiannao Lake (HL) area shrinkage. The study used remote sensing (RS) data from Landsat TM/ETM+ and OLI images and Google Earth Engine (GEE), a cloud platform for obtaining the lake surface area and island information from 1987 to 2023. A modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) was applied to water area extraction. Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) was employed to assess net shoreline movement (NSM) and depict the lake shoreline length and rate changes. Furthermore, the water level was derived by ASTER GDEM V2 using the waterline method and lake boundaries. Six climatic features (temperature, precipitation, potential and actual evaporation, aridity index, and actual water difference) were investigated to find the driving factors of lake area shrinkage by correlation and factor analysis. The results reveal that during 1987–2023, the HL area has undergone four separate phases: stable (1987–1997), shrinkage (1998–2015), growth (2016–2019), and reduction (2020–2023). The most substantial negative change (−7.45%) in the HL area was observed in 1998. NSM analysis demonstrates that the lake has experienced both expansion and shrinkage at various times and locations. According to Water Balance Method, the water volume of HL exhibited variations, ranging from −0.1895 to −0.009 km³. The average yearly change in lake volume, water level, and area displayed similar characteristics with high inconstancy. Correlation and factor analysis of lake area and climatic factors demonstrate that higher precipitation, low temperatures, less potential evaporation level, lower actual evaporation rates, and more minor differences in water levels are associated with an increase in lake area. In contrast, the opposite conditions lead to a reduction in lake size.

Benefits, barriers, and levels of e-commerce adoption: study of traditional beverage SMEs

Purpose. This study analyses the perceived benefits and barriers of e-commerce use by traditional micro, small, and medium beverage enterprises (SMEs). The research also identifies the level of e-commerce adoption by SMEs and further analyses the effect of benefits and barriers on e-commerce adoption levels in traditional beverage SMEs. Methodology / approach. This is quantitative research. This study examines the influence of benefits and barriers on the level of e-commerce adoption using statistical procedures. The object of the study is traditional beverage SMEs in Yogyakarta Province, Indonesia. The research samples are 330 traditional beverage SMEs that have used e-commerce for at least a year. Samples are taken proportionally in five regencies and cities in Yogyakarta. Data collection using survey technique through interviews with SMEs. The indicators are measured using five Likert scales from strongly disagree to strongly agree. Analysis of perceived benefits and barriers of e-commerce use is carried out descriptively. The adoption level is measured by reference to the 6 levels of e-commerce. Analysis of the effect of benefits and barriers on the level of e-commerce adoption is carried out using multiple linear regression tests. Results. The results show that the benefits are highly perceived by SMEs: e-commerce facilitates interaction with consumers, facilitates data access, improves customer services, and eases online product distribution. Moderate barriers include limited mastery of knowledge and skills about e-commerce, inadequate mastery of foreign language skills, and SMEs’ tendency to depend on conventional marketing. The most e-commerce adoption level is level 4 (electronic transactions), followed by level 6 (site optimisation) and level 5 (relationship building). The study also confirms that benefits and barriers significantly affect e-commerce adoption levels. Originality / scientific novelty. This research was conducted based on the perceived benefits and barriers of e-commerce use by traditional beverage SMEs, which had never been carried out in the study area. This study reveals the fact of positive transition and expectations for increasing the level of e-commerce adoption at the SME level whereas previous studies show rather the opposite conditions. The study categorised e-commerce adoption levels into three categories (low, moderate, and high) based on the 6 stages model of e-commerce adoption. Practical value / implications. Efforts to provide solutions are necessary to encourage the level of e-commerce adoption through intensive socialsation, motivation, training, and mentoring to improve knowledge and skills on e-commerce and foreign language skills as well as encourage e-commerce to become a daily culture for SMEs.

Myxedema in Both Hyperthyroidism and Hypothyroidism: A Hormetic Response?

Myxedema is a potentially life-threatening condition typically observed in severe hypothyroidism. However, localized or diffuse myxedema is also observed in hyperthyroidism. The exact cause and mechanism of this paradoxical situation is not clear. We report here the analysis of body fluid distribution by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in 103 thyroid patients, subdivided according to their functional status. All BIA parameters measured in subclinical thyroid dysfunctions did not significantly differ from those observed in euthyroid controls. On the contrary, they were clearly altered in the two extreme, opposite conditions of thyroid dysfunctions, namely overt hyperthyroidism and severe hypothyroidism, indicating the occurrence of a typical hormetic condition. Surprisingly, differences in BIA parameters related to fluid body composition were even more evident in hyperthyroidism than in hypothyroidism. A hormetic response to thyroid hormone (TH)s was previously reported to explain the paradoxical, biphasic, time- and dose-dependent effects on other conditions. Our results indicate that myxedema, observed in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid conditions, represents another example of a hormetic-type response to THs. BIA offers no additional valuable information in evaluating fluid body composition in subclinical thyroid dysfunctions, but it represents a valuable method to analyze and monitor body fluid composition and distribution in overt and severe thyroid dysfunctions.

Mechanomemory of pulmonary fibroblasts demonstrates reversibility of transcriptomics and contraction phenotypes

Fibroblasts are cells responsible for producing extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which provides physical support for organs. Although these mesenchymal cells are responsive to mechanical cues in their environment, the permanence of these mechanophenotypes is not well defined. We investigated the mechanomemory of lung fibroblasts and determined how switching culture conditions modulate cell responses and function. Primary murine lung fibroblasts were isolated and cultured on 2D tissue culture plates or within 3D collagen hydrogels and were then passaged within the same or opposite culture condition to assess changes in gene expression, protein production, fibroblast subpopulation, contractile behavior, and traction forces. Compared to fibroblasts isolated on 2D tissue culture plates, fibroblasts within 3D hydrogels exhibited a decreased activation phenotype including reduced contraction profiles, diminished cell traction forces and decreased αSMA gene expression. Cells initially isolated via 2D culture and then cultured in 3D hydrogels exhibited a reversal in activation phenotype as measured by gene expression and contraction profiles. Bulk RNAseq identified groups of genes that exhibit reversible and non-reversable expression patterns. Overall, these findings indicate that lung fibroblasts have a mechanical memory that is altered by culture condition and can be reversible through precondition of cells within a softer 3D microenvironment.

ALIH USAHATANI PADI SAWAH KE TANAMAN JERUK NIPIS (Citrus auratifolia) DI DESA TRIDANA MULYA KECAMATAN LANDONO KABUPATEN KONAWE SELATAN

The objective of this study is to ascertain the underlying factors that precipitate the transition from wet-rice farming to lime farming, as well as to examine the impact of such farming conversions among farmers in Tridana Mulya Village. The study population was comprised of two groups: a group of 31 lime farmers and a group of seven rice farmers. The sampling technique employed was the census method, which entailed the inclusion of the entire population, resulting in a research sample of 38 individuals (31 lime farmers and 7 rice paddy farmers). Data were collected through the use of interview techniques, observation, and documentation of media sources in the form of questionnaires. The variables under investigation are the factors that influence the transfer of farming and the impact of such transfer. The data were analyzed using a descriptive method and an income formula. The results demonstrated that the factors that precipitated the transition from paddy rice farming to lime farming were attributable to a confluence of production, economic, and cultivation-related considerations. The production yield factor of lime farming has demonstrated an increase in production compared to paddy rice farming in Tridana Mulya Village. In terms of economic factors, lime farming has been shown to yield higher profits for farmers than paddy rice farming. Additionally, the cultivation factors associated with lime farming are considerably more straightforward, as the land only requires processing once, due to the fact that lime is a long-term crop, in contrast to paddy rice farming, which is dependent on seasonal conditions. The impact of switching farms includes both economic and environmental consequences. From an economic standpoint, farmers' income may change after switching from paddy rice farming to lime crops. This is because lime crops may yield higher profits than paddy rice, depending on various factors. From an environmental standpoint, the lack of use of chemical fertilizers or pesticides in lime farming may reduce the impact on the environment. This is in contrast to the opposite condition observed in paddy rice farming.

Ultimate internal pressure bearing capacity of unconstrained and constrained X80 oil and gas pipelines with three typical dents

Three typical dents, denoted as types I, II, and III, encapsulate the prevailing manifestations of mechanical impairment encountered by oil and gas pipelines. Presently, scholarly attention is predominantly directed towards the scrutiny of load-bearing capabilities in pipelines afflicted by a solitary type of dent. To unravel the intricate impact of three typical dents on the performances of dented pipelines, three distinct models of pipeline dents under different constraints were studied in this work. These findings reveal that unconstrained dents consistently exhibit greater plastic strain and deformation zone dimensions compared to their constrained counterparts. The spring-back and rebound performances in unconstrained pipelines were fortified and the external load resistance in constrained pipelines was enhanced by augmenting the indenter diameter and introducing internal pressure. Both unconstrained dents and type I constrained dents failed consistently in the non-dented region, with their ultimate internal pressure resistance unaffected by the constraining factors. In contrast, type II and III constrained dents, featuring smaller indenters, greater dent depths, and reduced diameter-to-thickness ratios, failed within the dented region, which results in a weakened ultimate internal pressure-bearing capacity. Failure occurred in the non-dented region under opposite conditions, leaving the internal pressure resistance unaffected. Finally, dimensionless predictive formulas for the ultimate internal pressures of the type II constrained and type III X80 dented pipelines were obtained through nonlinear fitting. This comprehensive exploration revealed the variations in the ultimate internal pressure-bearing capacities induced by dents, thereby providing valuable insights for pipeline design and safety considerations.

Effects of heterogenous forest environments on ground‐dwelling beetles in a conifer plantation

AbstractIt is widely recognized that heterogeneous environments promote biodiversity. Consequently, we investigated whether heterogeneous environments influence the diversity of ground‐dwelling beetles within a well‐managed conifer plantation forest. We collected carabid beetles, and necrophagous silphid and dung beetles (necrophagous beetles) using pitfall traps at 37 sites with or without fish meat bait. The result of a two‐dimensional principal component analysis (PCA) utilizing environmental indices measured at each site suggested that the environmental heterogeneity depended on the survival density of planted conifers, serving as an indicator of historical gap formation levels. Gaps populated by invading broadleaved trees exhibited low canopy opening percentages and understory cover degrees, while those filled by the growth of planted conifers displayed the opposite conditions. The presence of bait had a negligible impact on carabid beetles but significantly influenced necrophagous beetles. No significant relationships were found between the scores of PCA components and the beetle species richness, suggesting that a heterogeneous environment does not increase the beetle species diversities. However, significant relationships were observed with the scores on nonmetric multidimensional scaling axes, indicating that a heterogeneous environment contributes to the complexity of beetle assemblages. The most dominant carabid, Synuchus cycloderus, was abundant in areas where historical gap formation was thought to be more prevalent. Among necrophagous beetles, Pherotrupes laevistriatus and Panelus parvulus preferred habitats with darker environments, in contrast to Onthophagus fodiens and O. nitidus. This study will aid in developing forestry practices aimed at conserving specific ground‐dwelling beetle species within conifer plantations.

Observed Global Mean State Changes Modulating the Collective Influence of the Tropical Atlantic and Indian Oceans on ENSO

Abstract In the last decades, many efforts have been made to understand how different tropical oceanic basins are able to impact El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). However, the collective connectivity among the tropical oceans and their associated influence on ENSO are less understood. Using a complex network methodology, the degree of collective connectivity among the tropical oceans is analyzed focusing on the detection of periods when the tropical basins collectively interact and the Atlantic and Indian basins influence the equatorial Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs). The background state for the periods of strong collective connectivity is also investigated. Our results show a marked multidecadal variability in the tropical interbasin connection, with periods of stronger and weaker collective connectivity. These changes seem to be modulated by changes in the North Atlantic Ocean mean state a decade in advance. In particular, strong connectivity occurs in periods with colder than average tropical North Atlantic surface ocean. Associated with this cooling, an anomalous convergence of the vertical integral of total energy flux (VIEF) takes place over the tropical north–west Atlantic, associated with anomalous divergence of VIEF over the equatorial eastern Pacific. In turn, an anomalous zonal surface pressure gradient over the tropical Pacific weakens the trades over the western equatorial Pacific. Consequently, a shallower thermocline emerges over the western equatorial Pacific, which can enhance thermocline feedbacks, the triggering of ENSO events, and therefore, ENSO variability. By construction, our results put forward opposite conditions for periods of weak tropical basin connectivity. These results have important implications for seasonal to decadal predictions.

Extreme precipitation events over the east coast of northeast Brazil: Synoptic study and MPAS simulation

In the present study two extreme events that occurred in the East Coast of Northeast Brazil (ENEB) during 2022 and 2023 were evaluated. These events are becoming increasingly frequent in all regions of Brazil, associated with significant material and human losses, emphasizing the significance of a deeper comprehension of these events. ERA5 global reanalysis data, GOES-16 satellite imagery and pluviometric stations were used for the analysis. Model simulations were also conducted using the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) with variable resolution (60–3 km). Both events corresponded to Easterly Wave Disturbances (EWDs) that occurred under opposite large-scale conditions of the ENSO cycle, since extreme events are becoming increasingly frequent in all regions of Brazil and could be responsible for significant material and human losses. Thus, an emphasis was given to characterize the synoptic conditions. Both analyzed cases occurred along the ENEB, specifically over the Alagoas state. The trough axis penetrating the studied area was observed on both examined dates, with a very characteristic relative vorticity of this tropical disturbance. In general, moisture convergence resulted from the high flow of moisture prevailing over the region combined with upward movements caused by the trough present at low levels, which combined with local factors in the region such as topography, contributed to the increase in rainfall over the study area in both analyzed cases. The MPAS showed excellent spatial representation when compared to station data, highlighting intense precipitation over parts of Alagoas.

Interplay of electromagnetically induced transparency and Doppler broadening in hot atomic vapors

For multi-level systems in hot atomic vapors the interplay between the Doppler shift due to atomic motion and the wavenumber mismatch between driving laser fields strongly influences transmission and absorption properties of the atomic medium. In a three-level atomic ladder-system, Doppler broadening limits the visibility of electromagnetically-induced transparency (EIT) when the probe and control fields are co-propagating, while EIT is recovered under the opposite condition of counter-propagating geometry and kp<kc , with kp and kc being the wavenumbers of the probe and control fields, respectively. This effect has been studied and experimentally demonstrated as an efficient mechanism to realize non-reciprocal probe light transmission, which may enable applications as magnetic-field free optical isolators. Here, we describe the basics of this effect and discuss a simple picture for the underlying mechanism. We illustrate how the non-reciprocity scales with wavelength mismatch and show how to experimentally demonstrate the effect in a simple Rydberg-EIT system using thermal Rubidium atoms.

Interactions between natural resources and false democracy?

A substantial political economy literature argues that it does not support a positive relationship between natural resources and autocracy. This study introduces a theoretical model and empirically estimates the relationship between natural resource endowment, democratic electoral systems, and electoral fraud. Electoral fraud and the introduction of a democratic electoral system have opposite positive and negative implications for democratization. This study examines the possibility that the opposite conditions are going on at the same time. In previous studies, indicators of Polity, a variable of institutional quality, have been used to identify not only the relationship between natural resources and institutions but also the relationship between natural resources and democratization.Our work uses data from around the world since 1800 to examine whether the executive is autocratic but would introduce proportional representation, a more democratic electoral system than the constituency system, to gain international support. It also examines whether a false democracy is compatible with the separation of powers gained by the executive branch respecting the judiciary and the legislature. The results of the analysis show that natural resources can be used to finance the consolidation of dictatorships and promote false democracy. The higher the natural resource endowment, the more money that can be obtained from natural resources can be used by politicians for political funding. Politicians introduce democratic political institutions and acquire political power through electoral fraud. At first glance, this is not a dictatorship but essentially suggests that political authorities are not replaced, giving rise to a more robust dictatorship. These theoretical and empirical analyses show that the degree of respect of the executive branch for the judiciary and legislature, the existence of a system of unconstitutional review, and political regimes such as military regimes and authoritarianism affect electoral fraud and false democracy by analyzing by region, degree of inequality and by income.

Aqueductal CSF stroke volume is associated with the burden of perivascular space enlargement in chronic adult hydrocephalus

The inflow of CSF into perivascular spaces (PVS) in the brain is crucial for clearing waste molecules. Inefficiency in PVS flow leads to neurodegeneration. Failure of PVS flushing is associated with CSF flow impairment in the intracranial hydrodynamic condition of CSF hypo-pulsatility. However, enlarged PVS (ePVS), a finding indicative of PVS flow dysfunction, is also present in patients with derangement of CSF dynamics characterized by CSF hyper-pulsatility, which increases CSF flow. Intriguingly, two opposite intracranial hydrodynamic conditions would lead to the same result of impairing the PVS flushing. To investigate this issue, we assessed the subsistence of a dysfunctional interplay between CSF and PVS flows and, if the case, the mechanisms preventing a hyper-pulsatile brain from providing an effective PVS flushing. We analyzed the association between phase contrast MRI aqueductal CSF stroke volume (aqSV), a proxy of CSF pulsatility, and the burden of ePVS in chronic adult hydrocephalus, a disease involving a broad spectrum of intracranial hydrodynamics disturbances. In the 147 (85 males, 62 females) patients, the age at diagnosis ranged between 28 and 88 years (median 73 years). Ninety-seven patients had tri-ventriculomegaly and 50 tetra-ventriculomegaly. According to the extent of ePVS, 113 patients had a high ePVS burden, while 34 had a low ePVS burden. aqSV, which ranged between 0 and 562 μL (median 86 μL), was increased with respect to healthy subjects. Patients presenting with less ePVS burden had higher aqSV (p < 0.002, corrected for the multiple comparisons) than those with higher ePVS burden. The present study confirmed the association between CSF dynamics and PVS flow disturbances and demonstrated this association in intracranial hyper-pulsatility. Further studies should investigate the association between PVS flow failure and CSF hypo- and hyper-pulsatility as responsible/co-responsible for glymphatic failure in other neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in diseases in which CSF disturbances can be corrected, as in chronic adult hydrocephalus.

The effect of chemically modified wood particles on the termite durability of sandwich particleboard from Cotylelobium melanoxylon and Gigantochloa pruriens

The tropical region of Indonesia is a preferred habitat for termites. High humidity is very supportive of the growth of these organisms. The impact resulting from these conditions is the vulnerability to the durability of products made from lignocellulosic because this material is the main feed source for termites. Chemical modification treatment is needed in the manufacturing process to increase product durability. This study aims to analyze the resistance of sandwich particleboard to attack by subterranean termites due to chemical modification of the particles. The sample used in this study was chemically modified particleboard made of raru wood (Cotylelobium melanoxylon) particles and belangke bamboo (Gigantochloa pruriens) strand. Then the samples were fed to subterranean termites (Coptotermes curvignathus) regarding SNI 01.7202-2006. Parameters observed included the percentage of termite weight loss and mortality. The results showed that sandwich particleboard, which was dominated by 80% bamboo and 20% raru wood with acid and alkaline treatment, was not resistant to subterranean termite attack. The weight loss value produced in this study ranged from 11.97 - 15.83%, included in the durable class IV classification. The higher concentration of acetic acid in particle immersion resulted in a decrease in the value of the board’s weight loss, and the opposite condition was experienced by panels with particle immersion treatment using sodium hydroxide (NaOH).

Combustion characteristics of Al/PTFE materials with different microstructures

The microstructures play a crucial role in the combustion of aluminum/polytetrafluoroethylene (Al/PTFE) materials. Mechanically activated Al/PTFE typically demonstrates higher reactivity but a lower combustion rate compared to physically mixed Al/PTFE. Recently, the combustion performance of fuel-rich Al/PTFE has been well explained by the microexplosion mechanism. In this study, the combustion characteristics of stoichiometric Al/PTFE (26.5:73.5 wt%) materials with varying microstructures were investigated to further the understanding of their combustion mechanism and offer insights for their potential applications in metal cutting. The Al/PTFE materials with different microstructures were prepared using sonication and ball milling methods. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis suggest that the sonicated Al/PTFE (s-Al/PTFE) containing spherical Al particles displayed a loosely dispersed structure, while the milled Al/PTFE (m-Al/PTFE) exhibited a densely layered structure with flake-like Al particles coated by the PTFE matrix. The milled Al/PTFE was found to be mechanically activated. Combustion in quartz tubes was recorded using a high-speed camera and a video. Combustion of s-Al/PTFE demonstrated a high-temperature flame (∼2346 K) and obvious microexplosions featuring hot particles ejection, while combustion of m-Al/PTFE showed a weak flame (∼2037 K) and slow-burning, featuring dense carbon smoke. Increasing the powder density was observed to slightly decrease (∼100 K) flame temperature. Microstructure and phase analysis of combustion products were systematically conducted to elucidate the combustion behaviors. The results suggest that the residue of s-Al/PTFE contained high AlF3 and low carbon content, whereas the residue of m-Al/PTFE exhibited the opposite condition. The results of the combustion tests suggest that microexplosions promoted the oxidation of hot Al particles and carbon products, consequently leading to a fast reaction, high flame temperature, and enhanced heat transfer capability.

P1, N170, and N250 Event-related Potential Components Reflect Temporal Perception Processing in Face and Body Personal Identification.

Human faces and bodies represent various socially important signals. Although adults encounter numerous new people in daily life, they can recognize hundreds to thousands of different individuals. However, the neural mechanisms that differentiate one person from another person are unclear. This study aimed to clarify the temporal dynamics of the cognitive processes of face and body personal identification using face-sensitive ERP components (P1, N170, and N250). The present study performed three blocks (face-face, face-body, and body-body) of different ERP adaptation paradigms. Furthermore, in the above three blocks, ERP components were used to compare brain biomarkers under three conditions (same person, different person of the same sex, and different person of the opposite sex). The results showed that the P1 amplitude for the face-face block was significantly greater than that for the body-body block, that the N170 amplitude for a different person of the same sex condition was greater than that for the same person condition in the right hemisphere only, and that the N250 amplitude gradually increased as the degree of face and body sex-social categorization grew closer (i.e., same person condition > different person of the same sex condition > different person of the opposite sex condition). These results suggest that early processing of the face and body processes the face and body separately and that structural encoding and personal identification of the face and body process the face and body collaboratively.

Opposite Hydrological Conditions between the Younger Dryas and the 8.2 ka Event Revealed by Stalagmite from Northwest Madagascar in East Africa

As prominent abrupt climatic events during the last deglaciation and the early Holocene, the Younger Dryas (YD) and the 8.2 ka events have been intensely discussed to reveal the relationship between their phases and intensities, and their underlying mechanisms based on massive marine and terrestrial archives. However, the related paleoclimate records with sufficient resolution and/or precise age constraints from the Southern Hemisphere, especially East Africa, are relatively sparse, hindering our comprehensive understanding about the phases of these two events. Here, we provide a precisely dated record of an aragonite-calcite stalagmite covering 11.3–13.5 ka BP from northwest Madagascar to unravel the arid conditions during the YD, in contrast to the pluvial conditions in the 8.2 ka event that has been evidenced before. Changes in austral summer precipitation related to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) have always been interpreted to be the primary means of controlling regional rainfall amounts and thus the δ18O variations in stalagmite. However, ITCZ’s meridional migration alone is not enough to interpret the opposite hydroclimatic conditions during the YD and the 8.2 ka events in northwest Madagascar. The variation in convection intensity within the ITCZ combined with the rainfall dipole mode in East Africa, and the redistribution of the duration of the ITCZ’s presence at different latitudes might be responsible for this phenomenon. In addition, sea surface temperature could play a nonnegligible role.

Entry under placement uncertainty

We present a model of firm entry in an industry that operates under an aggregate production quota or cap-and-trade (CAT) regulation. Firms are heterogeneous in their own productivity; each knows its costs of production but is uncertain about where its costs rank among an entrant population. We show the existence of a unique, symmetric, dominance solvable, Bayesian Nash equilibrium in switching strategies in a parameterized game with a continuum of players. Our main result is that uncertainty over one's productivity rank is sufficient to cause socially inefficient over-entry when the average cost in the population of potential entrants is low. We find socially inefficient under-entry when the opposite conditions hold. Within both the class of models on global games with strategic substitutes and the class of models on firm entry, our model offers innovative insights into inefficient over-entry, under-entry, and introduces a novel underlying mechanism that drives entry bias.

Analytical and experimental analyses on cooling performances of radiative SkyCool radiators with various interior flowing channels

This study presents an analytical model for the radiative SkyCool radiators (RSCR) with various interior flowing channels by using Laplace transformations. Moreover, the convolution theory is applied to solve the problem of nonuniform temperature distribution on the RSCR. Then, an outdoor experiment is carried out to verify the proposed model. Subsequently, the influence of different channel geometries, flow rates, tilt angles and wind velocities on the cooling performances of RSCRs are investigated. The results indicate that increasing the RSCR's length, enlarging the pipe spacing, and decreasing the flow rate and thickness of RSCR can definitely intensify the cooling performances. The application suggestions for S-channel RSCR (SRSCR) and I-channel RSCR (IRSCR) are given. When the pipe spacing ratio is smaller than five, the IRSCR is recommended because of lower thermal interferences. By contrast, SRSCR is recommended once the dimensionless pipe spacing is greater than ten. For cases with smaller tilt angles but larger wind velocities, IRSCR is suggested, while SRSCR is prioritized for cases with opposite conditions. This research provides an effective analytical tool in the evaluation of cooling power generation by producing cold water, contributing valuable insights for the optimization of cooling efficiencies of RSCRs under varied configuration scenarios.

Acute Hemodynamic, Metabolic, and Hormonal Responses to a Boxing Exergame with and without Blood Flow Restriction in Non-Athlete Young Individuals.

This study aimed to compare acute hemodynamic, metabolic (glucose and blood lactate concentrations), hormonal (growth hormone and normetanephrine), heart rate variability (HRV), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) responses before and after bouts of a boxing exergame with and without blood flow restriction (BFR) in non-athlete young individuals. Fourteen participants (age: 30 ± 10 y; BMI: 21 ± 3 kg.m-2) participated in two sessions of a 20 min boxing exergame. During week one, the participants were randomly divided into two groups and played against one another under normal (n = 7) and BFR (n = 7) conditions. Over the next exercise session, participants were then reallocated to the opposite condition (normal vs. BFR) for data collection. Hemodynamic, metabolic, HRV, and hormonal parameters were measured before and immediately after the exercise protocols. Playing exergame led to a significant increase in hemodynamic variables (except for diastolic blood pressure) regardless of BFR condition with no between-group differences. Regarding HRV, significant reductions in total power (TP) and low-frequency (LF) waves were identified in the non-BFR group (p < 0.0001) compared with the BFR group. Conversely, a significant increase in very LF (VLF) waves was noted for the BFR group (p = 0.050), compared with the non-BFR group. Significant increases were observed in serum concentrations of growth hormone, normetanephrine, and blood lactate concentration from pre- to post-exercise under both conditions (p ≤ 0.05), with no significant differences between the groups. Moreover, no statistically significant changes were observed in glucose levels. RPE responses were significantly greater (p ≤ 0.05) in the BFR group compared with the non-BFR group throughout the exercise session. We observed similar hemodynamic, hormonal, and metabolic responses after an acute boxing exergame session in young individuals, whether conducted with or without BFR. However, notable differences were observed in certain HRV markers and RPE. Specifically, the inclusion of BFR resulted in an elevation of VLF and a heightened perceived exertion. These findings suggest that BFR may alter cardiac autonomic and perceptual responses during exergaming. Further research is warranted to understand the long-term implications and potential benefits of incorporating BFR into exergaming routines.