Single Location Research Articles

Outcomes of Proton Therapy to Infradiaphragmatic Sites in Pediatric Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients

Purpose: When treating pediatric patients with radiotherapy (RT), an important area of optimization is reducing integral dose with the goal of minimizing toxicity. As a result, proton radiation (PT) is a well-established RT modality for certain clinical indications within pediatrics. However, there is limited data on outcomes of PT in pediatric patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who receive RT to infradiaphragmatic targets. We report on radiation planning details, doses achieved to organs at risk (OARs), and outcomes for this population, and additionally provide comparative dosimetric data between photon and proton plans for a patient subset. Methods: This is a single-institution retrospective study of pediatric patients with Hodgkin lymphoma who received curative intent PT to infradiaphragmatic targets between 2011-2022. Demographic and clinical factors were collected from the electronic medical record, and toxicity was reported using CTCAE version 5.0. Dosimetric and clinical factors associated with toxicity and oncologic outcomes were assessed via Cox regression, while the paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used for dosimetric analyses. Photon comparison plans were generated for a subset of 10 patients who received PT to a range of infradiaphragmatic subsites, and doses to key OARs were compared across modalities via the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. Results: Twenty-one patients comprising 22 PT courses were included. Median follow-up was 4.8 years. Mean age at the time of RT was 14.2 years (range 4-22 years) and 48% were male. Median dose was 21 Gray equivalent (GyE) over 14 fractions. 50% of patients received PT to multiple subdiaphragmatic sites, and top locations treated in single-target PT courses included spleen (32%), retroperitoneum (14%), and pelvis (3%). Most common acute grade 1 (G1) toxicities were fatigue (59%) and anorexia (36%). Rates of acute G2 and G3+ toxicity were 18% and 0%, respectively. The average maximum dose (Dmax) to the spinal cord was 15.3 Gy and bowel bag (BB) was 19.9 Gy. Multiple BB metrics were significantly different between patients who developed nausea and those who did not: V5 Gy (median 42% vs. 2%, p=.0068), V15 Gy (median 30% vs. 1%, p=.0056), V20 Gy (median 26% vs. 0%, p=.0038), mean (median 949 vs. 35 cGy, p=.0063), and Dmax (median 2295 vs. 2184 cGy, p=.0301). Rectum Dmax also significantly varied between those who did or did not develop abdominal discomfort (median 119 vs. 0 cGy, p=.0071). No other OAR metrics were significantly different based on acute toxicity. Following PT, two patients developed persistent gastrointestinal issues of unclear etiology, and one patient developed chronic kidney disease (CKD). No statistically significant differences in doses to BB (V5 Gy, V15 Gy, V20 Gy, Dmax, or mean) or kidney (mean or V5 Gy) were detected between these patients and those without chronic abdominopelvic sequelae. Kidney V18 Gy and V20 Gy for the patient with subsequent CKD was 2% and 0%, respectively. No patients developed a second malignancy after PT, and 0% experienced progression of disease (POD) after final course of PT. In our 10 patient subset with photon comparison plans, protons achieved numerically lower averages for all OARs assessed with the exception of spinal cord Dmax (889 vs. 851 cGy), although these differences were not statistically significant (all p>0.05). Conclusions: PT is well-tolerated when utilized to target single or multiple infradiaphragmatic locations in pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma patients and leads to excellent oncologic and toxicity outcomes with long-term follow-up. PT may confer dosimetric advantages when compared to photons, although larger patient subsets are needed.

Aerosolized Insecticide Spray Distributions and Relationships to Efficacy against Stored Product Pests.

Aerosol insecticides are widely used in stored product insect management programs in food facilities. Previous research has shown spatial variation in aerosol efficacy within facilities, but information on how spatial patterns of aerosol droplet concentration, size distribution, dispersal, and deposition contribute to this variation in efficacy is limited. This study involved two aerosol application systems: a high-pressure cylinder containing TurboCide Py-75® with pyriproxyfen IGR (ChemTech Ltd., Des Moines, IA, USA) and a hand-held fogger containing Pyrocide 100® (MGK, Minneapolis, MN, USA) with Diacon II which contains methoprene IGR (Wellmark, Schaumburg, IL, USA). These systems were used at single or multiple application locations. The spray trials were conducted in a small-scale flour mill, Hall Ross Flour Mill (Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA). The droplet size distributions were monitored at multiple positions within the room using nine aerodynamic particle sizing (APS, TSI Incorp, Shoreview, MN, USA) instruments. The APS data collected over the treatment period were summarized into a mass concentration index (MCI), which ranged from 155 to 2549 mg/m3 for Turbocide and 235-5658 mg/m3 for Pyrocide. A second parameter called the Deposition Index (Dep.Idx) was derived to estimate potential insecticide depositions on the floor and has units of g/m2. The Dep.Idx was below 5.3 g/m2 for most Turbocide applications, while the Dep.Idx was below 8.4 g/m2 for most Pyrocide applications. The MCI and Dep.Idx values varied with APS position and spray application location, with proximity to the aerosol application location and degree of obstruction between the release point and APS position contributing to this variation. We assessed the relationship between aerosol droplet parameters and insect efficacy using Tribolium confusum Jacqueline DuVal, the confused flour beetle. The adults were treated directly, while the larvae were treated two weeks later during the residual test (previously published). For Turbocide, efficacy against adults increased with MCI and Dep.Idx values, but for residual efficacy of the IGR, efficacy was high at all aerosol droplet values, so no relationship was apparent. In contrast, the relationship between Pyrocide deposition and adult insect efficacy was highly variable. But with larval insect efficacy, residual larvae control was directly related to increases in Pyrocide MCI and Dep.Idx. Contour plots of Dep.Idx values were developed, which could be used to predict areas of the mill that are not receiving an adequate application rate, and this could be used to develop more effective application strategies for aerosol insecticides in food facilities.

Dual carbonate clumped isotope (Δ47-Δ48) measurements constrain different sources of kinetic isotope effects and quasi-equilibrium signatures in cave carbonates

Cave carbonate minerals are an important terrestrial paleoclimate archive. A few studies have explored the potential for applying carbonate clumped isotope thermometry to speleothems as a tool for constraining past temperatures. To date, most papers utilizing this method have focused on mass-47 clumped isotope values (Δ47) at a single location and reported that cave carbonate minerals rarely achieve isotopic equilibrium, with kinetic isotope effects (KIEs) attributed to CO2 degassing. More recently, studies have shown that mass-47 and mass-48 CO2 from acid digested carbonate minerals (Δ47 and Δ48) can be used together to assess equilibrium and probe KIEs. Here, we examined 44 natural and synthetic modern cave carbonate mineral samples from 13 localities with varying environmental conditions (ventilation, water level, pCO2, temperature) for (dis)equilibrium using Δ47-Δ48 values, in concert with traditional stable carbon (δ13C) and oxygen (δ18O) isotope ratios. Data showed that 19 of 44 samples exhibited Δ47-Δ48 values indistinguishable from isotopic equilibrium, and 18 (95 %) of these samples yield Δ47-predicted temperatures within error of measured modern temperatures. Conversely, 25 samples exhibited isotopic disequilibria, 13 of which yield erroneous temperature estimates. Within some speleothem samples, we find Δ47-Δ48 values consistent with CO2 degassing effects, however, the majority of samples with KIEs are consistent with other processes being dominant. We hypothesize that these values reflect isotopic buffering effects on clumped isotopes that can be considerable and cannot be overlooked. Using a Raleigh Distillation Model, we examined carbon and oxygen isotope exchange trajectories and their relationships with dual clumped isotope disequilibria. Carbon isotope exchange is associated with depletion of both Δ47 and Δ48 relative to equilibrium, while oxygen isotope exchange is associated with enrichment of both Δ47 and Δ48 relative to equilibrium. Cave rafts collected from proximate locations in Mexico exhibit the largest average departures from equilibrium (ΔΔ47¯ = −0.032 ± 0.007, ΔΔ48¯ = −0.104 ± 0.035, where ΔΔi is the measured value – the equilibrium value). This study shows how the Δ47-Δ48 dual carbonate clumped isotope framework can be applied to a variety of tcave carbonate mineral samples, enabling identification of isotopic equilibria and therefore quantitative application of clumped isotope thermometry for paleoclimate reconstruction, or alternatively, constraining the mechanisms of kinetic effects.

Single-species dinoflagellate cyst carbon isotope fractionation in core-top sediments: environmental controls, CO2 dependency and proxy potential

Abstract. Sedimentary bulk organic matter and various molecular organic components exhibit strong CO2-dependent carbon isotope fractionation relative to dissolved inorganic carbon sources. This fractionation (εp) has been employed as a proxy for paleo-pCO2. Yet, culture experiments indicate that CO2-dependent εp is highly specific at genus and even species level, potentially hampering the use of bulk organic matter and non-species-specific organic compounds. In recent years, significant progress has been made towards a CO2 proxy using controlled growth experiments with dinoflagellate species, also showing highly species-specific εp values. These values were, however, based on motile specimens, and it remains unknown whether these relations also hold for the organic-walled resting cysts (dinocysts) produced by these dinoflagellate species in their natural environment. We here analyze dinocysts isolated from core tops from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, representing several species (Spiniferites elongatus, S. (cf.) ramosus, S. mirabilis, Operculodinium centrocarpum sensu Wall and Dale (1966) (hereafter referred to as O. centrocarpum) and Impagidinium aculeatum) using laser ablation–nano-combustion–gas-chromatography–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (LA/nC/GC-IRMS). We find that the dinocysts produced in the natural environment are all appreciably more 13C-depleted compared to the cultured motile dinoflagellate cells, implying higher overall εp values, and, moreover, exhibit large isotope variability. Where several species could be analyzed from a single location, we often record significant differences in isotopic variance and offsets in mean δ13C values between species, highlighting the importance of single-species carbon isotope analyses. The most geographically expanded dataset, based on O. centrocarpum, shows that εp correlates significantly with various environmental parameters. Importantly, O. centrocarpum shows a CO2-dependent εp above ∼ 240 µatm pCO2. Similar to other marine autotrophs, relative insensitivity at low pCO2 is in line with active carbon-concentrating mechanisms at low pCO2, although we here cannot fully exclude that we partly underestimated εp sensitivity at low pCO2 values due to the relatively sparse sampling in that range. Finally, we use the relation between εp and pCO2 in O. centrocarpum to propose a first pCO2 proxy based on a single dinocyst species.

Landslide susceptibility mapping for the Red Sea Mountains: A multi-criteria decision analysis approach

The Earth's climate system is clearly warming. Unquestionably, climate change has an impact on landslides by affecting the stability of both naturally occurring and artificially constructed slopes. Less certain are the type, extent, degree, and direction of the changes in stability conditions as well as the location, abundance, activity, and frequency of landslides in response to the expected climate changes. Climate change threatens global ecosystems, causing severe human and economic losses through sea level rise, hurricanes, flooding, landslides, and heat waves. Landslides in high mountains could become more common as a result of these changes. The high-speed electric train project in Egypt seeks to provide sustainable transportation, lessen climate change, and enhance public health. The study area was conducted along a 70-km track in the Eastern Desert, Egypt, across steep and rugged basement rocks of the Red Sea mountain chain (RSM). The geographic pinpointing of landslide susceptibility zones plays a significant role in promoting hazards mitigation in mountainous areas, such as RSM. The aim of this research project is to create a landslide susceptibility map (LSM) utilizing multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) in the region using information value (IV) and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) approaches that encompass the third proposed track of the high-speed electric railroad Qena-Hurghada between the RSM. The landslide inventory map, which has a total of 12 single landslide locations, was created based on fieldwork using hand-held GPS and Landsat 8 images. The two decision-making techniques were used to contrast the LSM factors based on the knowledge of experts using the qualitative method of AHP with the statistical approach that depends on the field data IV. Ten landslide-influencing parameters taken into consideration are slope, lithology, rainfall distribution, distance to fault, distance to track, seismicity of area, distance to epicenter, land cover, distance to stream, and aspect. The parameters were obtained using LANDSAT8 and SRTM DEM of a 30 m resolution, vectorized lithological structure units from a 1:2000, 000 map, and data between (1913–2000) for yearly precipitation and (1997–2018) for seismic activity of the research area. A GIS-based method produces a themed layer map for each geoenvironmental element, weighing each parameter after examination. A LSM was produced using a combination of thematic layers that were then separated into four grades: low, moderate, high, and very high, based on the intensity of the landslide vulnerability. According to AUC data, the IV model has a better success rate 0.85 than the AHP model 0.82. The study's models, especially when applied to the IV method, showed good accuracy in forecasting landslide vulnerability. The method shows rising landslide percentages with susceptibility and delivers accurate results that are compatible with the landslide inventory map. Environmental decisions often lead to unintended consequences due to lost information, incorrect factor selection, limited expert expertise, and ignoring uncertainty. This investigation emphasizes the importance of LSM as a tool for decision-makers to minimize landslide losses and damage.

Arctic cinema: from horror through dramas and thrillers To Actiоn movies and fiction (Part II)

The article examines Arctic thrillers, action films and fantasy films. Presented kaleidoscope of horror, drama, thriller, science fiction and action films, with all its plot differences, is united by almost a single location, the Arctic north. Against his background, all maginable and unimaginable events occur. It enhances or weakens the role of what is happening with its whiteness, making the viewer’s screen even whiter. This is an artistic space in which characters are placed and actions, are performed. The silence of the Arctic is its action. The films reviewed are extremely different, responding to the spirit of the time when they were filmed. Their placement about genres is conditional since they all have a cinematic hybridity. Each tape combines all kinds of genres under consideration. We tried to correlate a number of films with temporary political-social processes.

Food Packaging Target Location and Recognition Technology Based on Machine Vision

In the 21st century, people have an increased demand for food in their lives. Packaging manufacturers product a mass of outer packaging in order to satisfy the demand of food before they access to market for sale. What’s more, food packaging needs to be identified and tested, sorted, and shipped to the food producers. Machine vision has many advantages over than human eyes: high detection efficiency, high accuracy, no controlled by fatigue and so on. So, article takes the outer packaging of food as the research object and research on target location and recognition technology of food packaging based on machine vision was carried out. This article has certain practical application value. The research content is as follows. Firstly, the function of edge detection is recommended. Then three categories of edge detection are introduced. Through the five edge detections are introduced and the experimental results are compared, Canny algorithm is the best scheme. Secondly, this section learns the function and advantages of the HOG. The food packaging image is exacted features with HOG method. Thirdly, this section also introduces the function and the advantage of SIFT. The food packaging image features are taken experiments and recognized. Fourthly, this section recommends the experimental procedure and advantages of single target image location technique. In the end, this article concludes all the experiments and points out the shortcomings of the previous mentioned experimental steps.

Managing Carbon Footprint at Music Festivals: A Study at Glastonbury Festival

The Glastonbury Festival, renowned as one of the greatest music festivals globally, has come under environmental scrutiny due to its substantial expansion. While the festival undeniably benefits the economy, it also has adverse effects by contributing to the carbon footprint. This phenomenon is a result of congregating a large number of individuals in a single location concurrently for an extended period of time. The carbon footprint generated is substantial, and when combined with the garbage generated, it can result in significant environmental harm. Recognizing this concern, the organizer has implemented a comprehensive strategy to reduce and control its carbon emissions. Hence, this study evaluated the efficacy of various approaches by employing the framework of energy consumption, trash generation, and transportation emissions (Fredline et al., 2005). The outcome demonstrates that Glastonbury Festival's endeavor to achieve environmental sustainability underscores its dedication to diminishing its carbon emissions while safeguarding its core identity. Glastonbury has implemented novel energy solutions, such as solar and wind power, biodiesel, and recycled vegetable oil waste, to reduce emissions and include sustainable energy sources. Furthermore, waste management has effectively diminished the usage of disposable plastic bottles, decreased trash through recycling efforts, and promoted the practice of participants taking their possessions with them. Lastly, the transportation emissions, which account for the largest proportion of the total emissions, still require a solution, since they remain the primary concern of the event. The Glastonbury Festival's sustainability could be improved by the implementation of additional measures, educational initiatives, and partnerships with environmental organizations.

Target-path planning and manufacturability check for robotic CLT machining operations from BIM information

Mass timber is one of the trending construction styles in the last years thanks to its sustainability and offsite manufacturing properties, where cross laminated timber (CLT) is the most common material used. In an effort to link design and manufacturing information in a single location, this study proposes a generative process planning algorithm for CLT machining in robotic environments. The algorithm focuses on automatic feature-based interpretation of the geometry of CLT panels to obtain the targets required to guide the robots for its machining. The method developed detects primitives geometries of the CLT panels, determines the appropriate operations (either sawing, drilling, or milling), select the robot based on manufacturing capabilities (reach and tool availability), and generates the target-path planning for its machining process. The proposed method is tested in a robotic machining station for CLT panels simulated in RobotStudio® as a case study. The results showcase the capabilities of the proposed algorithm to provide manufacturing results out of the process planning process from geometric information available at the design stage. These results include process duration, path planning, resource allocation and utilization. This study provides a framework to include manufacturing information in design decisions to facilitate planning or cost estimations and anticipate issues downstream generated during the design phase.

Evaluation of Photovoltaic Penetration on System Grid with Minimum Loading Approach

The Indonesian government has also set a target to increase the contribution of renewable energy in the national energy mix to 23% by 2025 and 31% by 2050. In this paper, an analysis of Maximum PV Capacity was used on the transmission network with a minimum loading approach using the Power Factory15.1 simulation. From the simulation that has been done, it can be seen that the placement of two PV location points gets better results than the placement of one PV location point. This can be seen that the feeder load for PV location point of 74.3%, while for two PV location points of 35.8% which value is still within safe limits, but for two PV location points get better results. PV trip state frequency values obtained for single location point and two PV location points get a result of 2% of 50 Hz which is still within safe limits.

Exergy and energy analysis of a hybrid natural Gas/Hydrogen liquefaction cycle combined with methanol production plant

This paper presents an innovative renewable multi-generation system designed to simultaneously produce various fuels, including biomass-based methanol, liquid hydrogen, and liquid natural gas. This system is part of a broader strategy aimed at streamlining different processes within a comprehensive plant, enabling the simultaneous production of multiple biomass-based fuels at a single location. The implementation of this system in regions where natural gas liquefaction plants coexist with abundant forest resources allows for the efficient production of all required fuels. In this process, a new configuration leverages to regenerate the waste heat of methanol synthesis process in the diffusion absorption refrigeration cycle integrated to the natural gas liquefaction process to maximize energy and exergy efficiencies. Additionally, three hydrogen liquefaction processes are evaluated to identify the most suitable option based on performance, efficiency, and power consumption. The investigations reveal that the combined mixed refrigerant cycle (CMRC) emerges as the ideal choice for hydrogen liquefaction process, characterized by lower power consumption and a higher coefficient of performance. The energy and exergy efficiencies of biomass gasification and methanol synthesis processes are 87.54% and 80.41%. The energetic coefficient of performance of the natural gas liquefaction process and CMRC is 0.9 and 0.2209. The specific power consumption of natural gas liquefaction process is 0.225 kWh/kgLNG, and the specific power consumption of CMRC is 5.462 kWh/kgLH2. The natural gas liquefaction process is responsible for the highest portion of the total exergy destruction, with 32%.

A multi-study analysis of gut microbiome data from the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) emphasises the impact of depuration on biological interpretation.

The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) is a suspension feeder which has been used in gut-microbiome surveys. Although raw 16S sequence data are often publicly available, unifying secondary analyses are lacking. The present work analysed raw data from seven projects conducted by one group over 7 years. Although each project had different motivations, experimental designs and conclusions, all selected samples were from the guts of M. edulis collected from a single location in Long Island Sound. The goal of this analysis was to determine which independent factors (e.g., collection date, depuration status) were responsible for governing composition and diversity in the gut microbiomes. Results indicated that whether mussels had undergone depuration, defined here as voidance of faeces in a controlled, no-food period, was the primary factor that governed gut microbiome composition. Gut microbiomes from non-depurated mussels were mixtures of resident and transient communities and were influenced by temporal factors. Resident communities from depurated mussels were influenced by the final food source and length of time host mussels were held under laboratory conditions. These findings reinforce the paradigm that gut microbiota are divided into resident and transient components and suggest that depuration status should be taken into consideration when designing and interpreting future experiments.

Observation and Modelling on the Shipping Noise in Shallow Waters with Complex Islands and Reefs of the East China Sea

The impact of the noise radiated from merchant ships on marine life has become an active area of research. In this paper, a methodology integrating observation at a single location and modelling the whole noise field in shallow waters is presented. Specifically, underwater radiated noise data of opportunistic merchant ships in the waters of Zhoushan Archipelago were collected at least one day in each month from January 2015 to November 2016. The noise data were analyzed and a modified empirical spectral source level (SSL) model of merchant ships was proposed inspired by the RANDI-3 model (Research Ambient Noise Directionality) methodology. Then combining the modified model with the realistic geoacoustic parameters and AIS data of observed merchant ships, the noise mappings in this area were performed with N×2D of Normal Mode calculations, in which the SSL of each ship was estimated using the modified model. The sound propagation at different receiving positions is different due to the shielding effect of islands and bottom topography. The methodology proposed in this paper may provide a reference for modelling shipping noise in shallow waters with islands and reefs.

Hot spots and hot moments of greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural peatlands

AbstractDrained agricultural peatlands occupy only 1% of agricultural land but are estimated to be responsible for approximately one third of global cropland greenhouse gas emissions. However, recent studies show that greenhouse gases fluxes from agricultural peatlands can vary by orders of magnitude over time. The relationship between these hot moments (individual fluxes with disproportionate impact on annual budgets) of greenhouse gas emissions and individual chamber locations (i.e. hot spots with disproportionate observations of hot moments) is poorly understood, but may help elucidate patterns and drivers of high greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural peatland soils. We used continuous chamber-based flux measurements across three land uses (corn, alfalfa, and pasture) to quantify the spatiotemporal patterns of soil greenhouse gas emissions from temperate agricultural peatlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta of California. We found that the location of hot spots of emissions varied over time and were not consistent across annual timescales. Hot moments of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) fluxes were more evenly distributed across space than methane (CH4). In the corn system, hot moments of CH4 flux were often isolated to a single location but locations were not consistent across years. Spatiotemporal variability in soil moisture, soil oxygen, and temperature helped explain patterns in N2O fluxes in the annual corn agroecosystem but were less informative for perennial alfalfa N2O fluxes or CH4 fluxes across ecosystems, potentially due to insufficient spatiotemporal resolution of the associated drivers. Overall, our results do not support the concept of persistent hot spots of soil CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions in these drained agricultural peatlands. Hot moments of high flux events generally varied in space and time and thus required high sample densities. Our results highlight the importance of constraining hot moments and their controls to better quantify ecosystem greenhouse gas budgets.

Sleeved waveguide ultrasonic sensor for monitoring concrete health

This article reports the development of a novel embedded waveguide ultrasonic sensor for detecting the onset of damage in reinforced concrete structures. A sleeved waveguide is proposed to confine guided ultrasonic waves in one-dimension, with leakage to the surrounding media only through specially created openings, thus reducing attenuation losses and enhancing the capability to inspect large structures from a single transducer location. The test frequency and mode are identified through modelling, and the interaction of leaky guided ultrasonic waves with delamination within the concrete volume is studied. Numerical simulations validated by experiments are used to study the changes in wave features such as mode velocity, wavelength and wave reflection in the delamination region, helping to estimate its location. Further simulation studies are carried out to demonstrate the possibility of using multiple waveguide sensors and sleeve openings to provide a full view of the concrete volume. The results are encouraging for practical long-range and large-scale monitoring of concrete volumes using the proposed sleeved waveguide ultrasonic sensors.

Injection strategy – a driver of atmospheric circulation and ozone response to stratospheric aerosol geoengineering

Abstract. Despite offsetting global mean surface temperature, various studies demonstrated that stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) could influence the recovery of stratospheric ozone and have important impacts on stratospheric and tropospheric circulation, thereby potentially playing an important role in modulating regional and seasonal climate variability. However, so far, most of the assessments of such an approach have come from climate model simulations in which SO2 is injected only in a single location or a set of locations. Here we use CESM2-WACCM6 SAI simulations under a comprehensive set of SAI strategies achieving the same global mean surface temperature with different locations and/or timing of injections, namely an equatorial injection, an annual injection of equal amounts of SO2 at 15∘ N and 15∘ S, an annual injection of equal amounts of SO2 at 30∘ N and 30∘ S, and a polar strategy injecting SO2 at 60∘ N and 60∘ S only in spring in each hemisphere. We demonstrate that despite achieving the same global mean surface temperature, the different strategies result in contrastingly different magnitudes of the aerosol-induced lower stratospheric warming, stratospheric moistening, strengthening of stratospheric polar jets in both hemispheres, and changes in the speed of the residual circulation. These impacts tend to maximise under the equatorial injection strategy and become smaller as the aerosols are injected away from the Equator into the subtropics and higher latitudes. In conjunction with the differences in direct radiative impacts at the surface, these different stratospheric changes drive different impacts on the extratropical modes of variability (Northern and Southern Annular modes), including important consequences on the northern winter surface climate, and on the intensity of tropical tropospheric Walker and Hadley circulations, which drive tropical precipitation patterns. Finally, we demonstrate that the choice of injection strategy also plays a first-order role in the future evolution of stratospheric ozone under SAI throughout the globe. Overall, our results contribute to an increased understanding of the fine interplay of various radiative, dynamical, and chemical processes driving the atmospheric circulation and ozone response to SAI and lay the foundation for designing an optimal SAI strategy that could form a basis of future multi-model intercomparisons.

Investigating the Magnetic Structure of Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections Using Simultaneous Multispacecraft In Situ Measurements

In situ measurements from spacecraft typically provide a time series at a single location through coronal mass ejections (CMEs), and they have been one of the main methods to investigate CMEs. The CME properties derived from these in situ measurements are affected by temporal changes that occur as the CME passes over the spacecraft, such as radial expansion and aging, as well as spatial variations within a CME. This study uses multispacecraft measurements of the same CME at close separations to investigate both the spatial variability (how different a CME profile is when probed by two spacecraft close to each other) and the so-called aging effect (the effect of the time evolution on in situ properties). We compile a database of 19 events from the past 4 decades measured by two spacecraft with a radial separation of <0.2 au and an angular separation of <10°. We find that the average magnetic field strength measured by the two spacecraft differs by 18% of the typical average value, which highlights nonnegligible spatial or temporal variations. For one particular event, measurements taken by the two spacecraft allow us to quantify and significantly reduce the aging effect to estimate the asymmetry of the magnetic field strength profile. This study reveals that single-spacecraft time series near 1 au can be strongly affected by aging and that correcting for self-similar expansion does not capture the whole aging effect.

Restructuring and serving web-accessible streamflow data from the NOAA National Water Model historic simulations

In 2016, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration deployed the first iteration of an operational National Water Model (NWM) to forecast the water cycle in the continental United States. With many versions, an hourly, multi-decadal historic simulation is made available to the public. In all released to date, the files containing simulated streamflow contain a snapshot of model conditions across the entire domain for a single timestep which makes accessing time series a technical and resource-intensive challenge. In the most recent release, extracting a complete streamflow time series for a single location requires managing 367,920 files (~16.2 TB). In this work we describe a reproducible process for restructuring a sequential set of NWM steamflow files for efficient time series access and provide restructured datasets for versions 1.2 (1993–2018), 2.0 (1993–2020), and 2.1 (1979–2022). These datasets have been made accessible via an OPeNDAP enabled THREDDS data server for public use and a brief analysis highlights the latest version of the model should not be assumed best for all locations. Lastly we describe an R package that expedites data retrieval with examples for multiple use-cases.

Advanced Corneal Imaging in Keratoconus: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

To review the published literature on the diagnostic capabilities of the newest generation of corneal imaging devices for the identification of keratoconus. Corneal imaging devices studied included tomographic platforms (Scheimpflug photography, OCT) and functional biomechanical devices (imaging an air impulse on the cornea). A literature search in the PubMed database for English language studies was last conducted in February 2023. The search yielded 469 citations, which were reviewed in abstract form. Of these, 147 were relevant to the assessment objectives and underwent full-text review. Forty-five articles met the criteria for inclusion and were assigned a level of evidence rating by the panel methodologist. Twenty-six articles were rated level II, and 19 articles were rated level III. There were no level I evidence studies of corneal imaging for the diagnosis of keratoconus found in the literature. To provide a common cross-study outcome measure, diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were extracted. (A perfect diagnostic test that identifies all cases properly has an AUC of 1.0.) RESULTS: For the detection of keratoconus, sensitivities for all devices and parameters (e.g., anterior or posterior corneal curvature, corneal thickness) ranged from 65% to 100%. The majority of studies and parameters had sensitivities greater than 90%. The AUCs ranged from 0.82 to 1.00, with the majority greater than 0.90. Combined indices that integrated multiple parameters had an AUC in the mid-0.90 range. Keratoconus suspect detection performance was lower with AUCs ranging from 0.66 to 0.99, but most devices and parameters had sensitivities less than 90%. Modern corneal imaging devices provide improved characterization of the cornea and are accurate in detecting keratoconus with high AUCs ranging from 0.82 to 1.00. The detection of keratoconus suspects is less accurate with AUCs ranging from 0.66 to 0.99. Parameters based on single anatomic locations had a wide range of AUCs. Studies with combined indices using more data and parameters consistently reported high AUCs. Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

The impact of dam removal on county level earnings

In recent years, the dam removal movement, driven by concerns about dam safety, populations of native aquatic species, and the conservation of overall habitats, has gone mainstream. Although many studies focus on the ecological benefits of the removal of a particular dam, research on economic changes at the county level are limited. Most studies concerned with this topic examine a single location and fail to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the overall impact of dam removal on the broader economy. We address this gap in the literature using a difference-in-differences approach to estimate the effect of dam removal on earnings in the Leisure and Hospitality Supersector (NAICS 71 and NAICS 72). Results show little effect on earnings at the county level. This means that policymakers, when evaluating dam removal, should focus on other economic, environmental, and aesthetic factors that are specific to a particular dam site.