Validation of Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model Predictions with New Jersey Seasonal Monitoring Data

Author(s):  
Zubair Ahmed ◽  
Ivana Marukic ◽  
Sameh Zaghloul ◽  
Nick Vitillo

Environment is one of the essential factors that influence pavement material behavior and consequently its performance. The variation of climatic patterns from region to region, coupled with the variation of site-specific conditions across North America, makes it difficult to develop standard models to account for seasonal variation in material properties that apply for all regions. Consequently, the need to develop regional models becomes an essential requirement for most transportation departments. The enhanced integrated climatic model (EICM) was evaluated to determine its suitability in predicting subsurface temperature and moisture conditions within New Jersey sites. The validation of the model used environmental data collected through pavement instrumentation of a large-scale research study under the sponsorship of the New Jersey Department of Transportation. Site-specific data were input to the model, and the model output parameters were compared against field-measured values. The results of the validation for two of the instrumented sites are reported. Results of the study do not indicate a high correlation between field-measured values and EICM-predicted temperature and moisture profiles for the various pavement layers.

Author(s):  
Benjamin Wassermann ◽  
Nina Korshunova ◽  
Stefan Kollmannsberger ◽  
Ernst Rank ◽  
Gershon Elber

AbstractThis paper proposes an extension of the finite cell method (FCM) to V-rep models, a novel geometric framework for volumetric representations. This combination of an embedded domain approach (FCM) and a new modeling framework (V-rep) forms the basis for an efficient and accurate simulation of mechanical artifacts, which are not only characterized by complex shapes but also by their non-standard interior structure. These types of objects gain more and more interest in the context of the new design opportunities opened by additive manufacturing, in particular when graded or micro-structured material is applied. Two different types of functionally graded materials (FGM) are considered: The first one, multi-material FGM is described using the inherent property of V-rep models to assign different properties throughout the interior of a domain. The second, single-material FGM—which is heterogeneously micro-structured—characterizes the effective material behavior of representative volume elements by homogenization and performs large-scale simulations using the embedded domain approach.


Gut ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. gutjnl-2020-322545
Author(s):  
Han-Mo Chiu ◽  
Grace Hsiao-Hsuan Jen ◽  
Ying-Wei Wang ◽  
Jean Ching-Yuan Fann ◽  
Chen-Yang Hsu ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo measure the effects of faecal immunochemical test (FIT) for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening on overall and site-specific long-term effectiveness of population-based organised service screening.DesignA prospective cohort study of Taiwanese nationwide biennial FIT screening was performed. A total of 5 417 699 eligible subjects were invited to attend screening from 2004 through 2009 and were followed up until 2014. We estimated the adjusted relative rates (aRRs) on the effectiveness of reducing advanced-stage CRC (stage II+) and CRC death by Bayesian Poisson regression models with the full adjustment for a cascade of self-selection factors (including the screening rate and the colonoscopy rate) and the completeness of colonoscopy together with demographic features.ResultsFIT screening (exposed vs unexposed) reduced the incidence of advanced-stage CRC (48.4 vs 75.7 per 100 000) and mortality (20.3 vs 41.3 per 100 000). Statistically significant reductions of both incidence of advanced-stage CRCs (aRR=0.66, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.70) and deaths from CRC (aRR=0.60, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.64) were noted. FIT screening was more effective in reducing distal advanced-stage CRCs (aRR=0.61, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.64) and CRC mortality (aRR=0.56, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.69) than proximal advanced CRCs (aRR=0.84, 95% CI 0.77 to 0.92) and CRC mortality (aRR=0.72, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.80).ConclusionA large-scale population-based biennial FIT screening demonstrates 34% significant reduction of advanced-stage CRCs and 40% reduction of death from CRC with larger long-term effectiveness in the distal colon than the proximal colon. Our findings provide a strong and consistent evidence-based policy for supporting a sustainable population-based FIT organised service screening worldwide. The disparity of site-specific long-term effectiveness also provides an insight into the remedy for lower effectiveness of FIT screening in the proximal colon.


Author(s):  
Sami Demiroluk ◽  
Hani Nassif ◽  
Kaan Ozbay ◽  
Chaekuk Na

The roadway infrastructure constantly deteriorates because of environmental conditions, but other factors such as exposure to heavy trucks exacerbates the rate of deterioration. Therefore, decision-makers are constantly searching for ways to optimize allocation of the limited funds for repair, maintenance, and rehabilitation of New Jersey’s infrastructure. New Jersey legislation requires operators of overweight (OW) trucks to obtain a permit to use the infrastructure. The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) issues a variety of permits based on the types of goods carried. These permits allow OW trucks to use the infrastructure either for a single trip or for multiple trips. Therefore, one major concern is whether the permit revenue of the agency can recoup the actual cost of damage to the infrastructure caused by these OW trucks. This study investigates whether NJDOT’s current permit fee program can collect enough revenue to meet the actual cost of damage to the infrastructure caused by these heavy-weight permit trucks. The infrastructure damage is estimated by using pavement and bridge deterioration models and New Jersey permit data from 2013 to 2018 containing vehicle configuration and vehicle route. The analysis indicates that although the cost of infrastructure damage can be recovered for certain permit types, there is room for improvement in the permit program. Moreover, based on permit rules in other states, the overall rank of the New Jersey permit program is evaluated and possible revisions are recommended for future permit policies.


1993 ◽  
Vol 23 (6) ◽  
pp. 1213-1222 ◽  
Author(s):  
E.A. Johnson ◽  
D.R. Wowchuk

In this paper we present evidence for a large-scale (synoptic-scale) meteorological mechanism controlling the fire frequency in the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. This large-scale control may explain the similarity in average fire frequencies and timing of change in average fire frequencies for the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Over the last 86 years the size distribution of fires (annual area burned) in the southern Canadian Rockies was distinctly bimodal, with a separation between small- and large-fire years at approximately 10–25 ha annual area burned. During the last 35 years, large-fire years had significantly lower fuel moisture conditions and many mid-tropospheric surface-blocking events (high-pressure upper level ridges) during July and August (the period of greatest fire activity). Small-fire years in this period exhibited significantly higher fuel moisture conditions and fewer persistent mid-tropospheric surface-blocking events during July and August. Mid-tropospheric surface-blocking events during large-fire years were teleconnected (spatially and temporally correlated in 50 kPa heights) to upper level troughs in the North Pacific and eastern North America. This relationship takes the form of the positive mode of the Pacific North America pattern.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Shi ◽  
Wenmao Huang ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Yue Zhou ◽  
Zhongqiu Li ◽  
...  

<p>The growth of atomically dispersed metal catalysts (ADMCs) remains a great challenge owing to the thermodynamically driven atom aggregation. Here we report a surface-limited electrodeposition technique that uses site-specific substrates for the rapid and room-temperature synthesis of ADMCs. We obtained ADMCs by the underpotential deposition (UPD) of a single-atom nonnoble metal onto the chalcogen atoms of chemically exfoliated transition metal dichalcogenides and subsequent galvanic displacement with a more-noble single-atom metal. The site-specific electrodeposition (SSED) enables the formation of energetically favorable metal–support bonds, and then automatically terminates the sequential formation of metallic bonding. The self-terminating effect restricts the metal deposition to the atomic scale. The modulated ADMCs exhibit remarkable activity and stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction compared to state-of-the-art single-atom electrocatalysts. We demonstrate that this SSED methodology could be extended to the synthesis of a variety of ADMCs (for example, Pt, Pd, Rh, Cu, Pb, Bi, and Sn single atoms), showing its general scope for the large-scale production of functional ADMCs in heterogenous catalysis. </p>


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi Shi ◽  
Wenmao Huang ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
Yue Zhou ◽  
Zhongqiu Li ◽  
...  

<p>The growth of atomically dispersed metal catalysts (ADMCs) remains a great challenge owing to the thermodynamically driven atom aggregation. Here we report a surface-limited electrodeposition technique that uses site-specific substrates for the rapid and room-temperature synthesis of ADMCs. We obtained ADMCs by the underpotential deposition (UPD) of a single-atom nonnoble metal onto the chalcogen atoms of chemically exfoliated transition metal dichalcogenides and subsequent galvanic displacement with a more-noble single-atom metal. The site-specific electrodeposition (SSED) enables the formation of energetically favorable metal–support bonds, and then automatically terminates the sequential formation of metallic bonding. The self-terminating effect restricts the metal deposition to the atomic scale. The modulated ADMCs exhibit remarkable activity and stability in the hydrogen evolution reaction compared to state-of-the-art single-atom electrocatalysts. We demonstrate that this SSED methodology could be extended to the synthesis of a variety of ADMCs (for example, Pt, Pd, Rh, Cu, Pb, Bi, and Sn single atoms), showing its general scope for the large-scale production of functional ADMCs in heterogenous catalysis. </p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rabin Bhattarai ◽  
◽  
Yufan Zhang ◽  
Jacob Wood ◽  
◽  
...  

Construction activities entail substantial disturbance of topsoil and vegetative cover. As a result, stormwater runoff and erosion rates are increased significantly. If the soil erosion and subsequently generated sediment are not contained within the site, they would have a negative off-site impact as well as a detrimental influence on the receiving water body. In this study, replicable large-scale tests were used to analyze the ability of products to prevent sediment from exiting the perimeter of a site via sheet flow. The goal of these tests was to compare products to examine how well they retain sediment and how much ponding occurs upstream, as well as other criteria of interest to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The products analyzed were silt fence, woven monofilament geotextile, Filtrexx Siltsoxx, ERTEC ProWattle, triangular silt dike, sediment log, coconut coir log, Siltworm, GeoRidge, straw wattles, and Terra-Tube. Joint tests and vegetated buffer strip tests were also conducted. The duration of each test was 30 minutes, and 116 pounds of clay-loam soil were mixed with water in a 300 gallon tank. The solution was continuously mixed throughout the test. The sediment-water slurry was uniformly discharged over an 8 ft by 20 ft impervious 3:1 slope. The bottom of the slope had a permeable zone (8 ft by 8 ft) constructed from the same soil used in the mixing. The product was installed near the center of this zone. Water samples were collected at 5 minute intervals upstream and downstream of the product. These samples were analyzed for total sediment concentration to determine the effectiveness of each product. The performance of each product was evaluated in terms of sediment removal, ponding, ease of installation, and sustainability.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiming Liu ◽  
Lianchun Wang ◽  
Caowen Sun ◽  
Benye Xi ◽  
Doudou Li ◽  
...  

AbstractSapindus (Sapindus L.) is a widely distributed economically important tree genus that provides biodiesel, biomedical and biochemical products. However, with climate change, deforestation, and economic development, the diversity of Sapindus germplasms may face the risk of destruction. Therefore, utilising historical environmental data and future climate projections from the BCC-CSM2-MR global climate database, we simulated the current and future global distributions of suitable habitats for Sapindus using a Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) model. The estimated ecological thresholds for critical environmental factors were: a minimum temperature of 0–20 °C in the coldest month, soil moisture levels of 40–140 mm, a mean temperature of 2–25 °C in the driest quarter, a mean temperature of 19–28 °C in the wettest quarter, and a soil pH of 5.6–7.6. The total suitable habitat area was 6059.97 × 104 km2, which was unevenly distributed across six continents. As greenhouse gas emissions increased over time, the area of suitable habitats contracted in lower latitudes and expanded in higher latitudes. Consequently, surveys and conservation should be prioritised in southern hemisphere areas which are in danger of becoming unsuitable. In contrast, other areas in northern and central America, China, and India can be used for conservation and large-scale cultivation in the future.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weiqian Cao ◽  
Siyuan Kong ◽  
Wenfeng Zeng ◽  
Pengyun Gong ◽  
Biyun Jiang ◽  
...  

Interpreting large-scale glycoproteomic data for intact glycopeptide identification has been tremendously advanced by software tools. However, software tools for quantitative analysis of intact glycopeptides remain lagging behind, which greatly hinders exploring the differential expression and functions of site-specific glycosylation in organisms. Here, we report pGlycoQuant, a generic software tool for accurate and convenient quantitative intact glycopeptide analysis, supporting both primary and tandem mass spectrometry quantitation for multiple quantitative strategies. pGlycoQuant enables intact glycopeptide quantitation with very low missing values via a deep residual network, thus greatly expanding the quantitative function of several powerful search engines, currently including pGlyco 2.0, pGlyco3, Byonic and MSFragger-Glyco. The pGlycoQuant-based site-specific N-glycoproteomic study conducted here quantifies 6435 intact N-glycopeptides in three hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines with different metastatic potentials and, together with in vitro molecular biology experiments, illustrates core fucosylation at site 979 of the L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) as a potential regulator of HCC metastasis. pGlycoQuant is freely available at https://github.com/expellir-arma/pGlycoQuant/releases/. We have demonstrated pGlycoQuant to be a powerful tool for the quantitative analysis of site-specific glycosylation and the exploration of potential glycosylation-related biomarker candidates, and we expect further applications in glycoproteomic studies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document