On the Relationship between Spring NAO and Snowmelt in the Upper Southwestern United States

This study examines the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and snowmelt in spring in the upper southwestern states of the United States (UP_SW) including California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, using SNOTEL datasets for 34 yr (1980–2014). Statistically significant negative correlations are found between NAO averages in the snowmelt period and timings of snowmelt (i.e., positive NAO phases in spring enhance snowmelt, and vice versa). It is also found that correlations between El Niño–Southern Oscillation and snowmelt are negligible in the region. The NAO–snowmelt relationship is most pronounced below the 2800-m level; above this level, the relationship becomes weaker. The underlying mechanism for this link is that a positioning of upper-tropospheric anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulations over the western United States that are associated with development of the positive (negative) NAO phases tends to bring warmer and drier (colder and wetter) spring weather conditions to the region. The temperature variations related with the NAO phases also strongly modulate the snowfall–rainfall partitioning. The relationship between the NAO and spring snowmelt can serve as key information for the warm season water resources management in the UP_SW

Regional Variations of Optimal Sowing Dates of Maize for the Southwestern U.S.

Sowing date (SD) is sensitive to regional climate characteristics; thus, it is critical to systematically examine the effects of SD on crop yields for various temperature regimes. We performed a sensitivity study of SD for maize in the southwestern U.S. using the regionally extended version of the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) model. The model was run utilizing North American Regional Reanalysis at a 32 km resolution from 1991 to 2011, with an irrigation threshold at 95% of the soil water-holding capacity. Two types of SD optimizations maximizing yield potential (Yp), varying spatially or interannually, revealed that the optimal SD varies according to regional climate characteristics and depends on the base temperature climatology during the growing season. For cool regions at high elevations (e.g., northern California and northern Nevada) and in coastal areas, earlier sowing results in higher Yp, allowing longer growing seasons. In these regions, yearly varying of SD to reduce the negative effects of springtime cold events can also enhance Yp significantly. In low-elevation warm regions (e.g., southern Central Valley, southern California, and southwestern Arizona), the length of the growing season rarely impacts Yp, and early planting is crucial to avoid adverse impacts of extremely hot conditions in the summer. For transitional regions (e.g., the southern Great Basin in Nevada and the Colorado River basin in Arizona), high Yp can be obtained in a short growing season due to the optimal temperature range of the growing season. Thus, for the transitional regions, SD optimization does not have much impact on Yp

On the Relationship Between the North Atlantic Oscillation and Early Warm Season Temperatures in the Southwestern United States

It is reported herein that the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), which has been known to directly affect winter weather conditions in western Europe and the eastern United States, is also linked to surface air temperature over the broad southwestern U.S. (SWUS) region, encompassing California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado, in the early warm season. The authors have performed monthly time-scale correlations and composite analyses using three different multidecadal temperature datasets. Results from these analyses reveal that NAO-related upstream circulation positively affects not only the means, but also the extremes, of the daily maximum and minimum temperatures in the SWUS. This NAO effect is primarily linked with the positioning of upper-tropospheric anticyclones over the western United States that are associated with development of the positive NAO phase through changes in lower-tropospheric wind directions as well as suppression of precipitation and enhanced shortwave radiation at the surface. The effect is observed in the SWUS only during the March–June period because the monthly migration of anticyclones over the western United States follows the migration of the NAO center over the subtropical Atlantic Ocean. The link between the SWUS temperatures and NAO has been strengthened in the last 30-yr period (1980–2009), compared to the previous 30-yr period (1950–79). In contrast to the NAO–SWUS temperature relationship, El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) show only marginal correlation strengths in several limited regions for the same 60-yr period

Transparent conductive oxide films mixed with gallium oxide nanoparticle/single-walled carbon nanotube layer for deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes

We propose a transparent conductive oxide electrode scheme of gallium oxide nanoparticle mixed with a single-walled carbon nanotube (Ga(2)O(3) NP/SWNT) layer for deep ultraviolet light-emitting diodes using spin and dipping methods. We investigated the electrical, optical and morphological properties of the Ga(2)O(3) NP/SWNT layers by increasing the thickness of SWNTs via multiple dipping processes. Compared with the undoped Ga(2)O(3) films (current level 9.9 × 10(-9) A @ 1 V, transmittance 68% @ 280 nm), the current level flowing in the Ga(2)O(3) NP/SWNT increased by approximately 4 × 10(5) times and the transmittance improved by 9% after 15 times dip-coating (current level 4 × 10(-4) A at 1 V; transmittance 77.0% at 280 nm). These improvements result from both native high transparency of Ga(2)O(3) NPs and high conductivity and effective current spreading of SWNTs

Megarthrus of Korea, with description of a new species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Proteininae)

A taxonomic study of Megarthrus Curtis in Korea is presented. The genus is represented in Korea by 10 species including M. coreanus Kim and Cuccodoro sp. nov. Megarthrus corticalis Sharp, M. fennicus Lahtinen, M. incubifer Cuccodoro, M. japonicus Sharp, M. montanus Sawada, M. sawadai Cuccodoro, and M. zerchei Cuccodoro and Löbl are reported from Korea for the first time. A diagnosis of the genus and a key to the Korean species are provided. The new species is diagnosed, described, and illustrated and the other species are diagnosed and illustrated. Species distributions are presented, and the effect of these Korean findings on the level of endemism of the Megarthrus fauna of Japan and Far East Russia is discusse

Sensitivity of Maize Yield Potential to Regional Climate in the Southwestern U.S.

The sensitivity of maize yields to the regional climate in the Southwestern U.S. (SWUS) has been investigated by using the Agricultural Production Systems sIMulator (APSIM) model in conjunction with meteorological forcings [daily maximum and minimum temperature (Tmax and Tmin), precipitation, and radiation] from the North American Regional Reanalysis (NARR) dataset. Sensitivity experiments showed that potential crop production responded nonlinearly to variations in Tmax, Tmin, and downwelling solar radiation at the surface. Mean annual yield potential (Yp) was changed by -3.0 and 1.79 Mg ha-1 for the +1 and -1 standard deviations (σ) of Tmax variation for entire the SWUS. The impact of Tmin changes were opposite to that of Tmax, with 2.84 and -5.11 Mg ha-1, respectively. Radiation changes only affected Yp decreases by 3.02 Mg ha-1 in the -1 σ case. Yield sensitivity varied geographically according to regional mean climate states. For warmer areas of the SWUS, including southern California and Arizona, maize productivity responded positively to a lower Tmax and higher Tmin. For cooler regions, such as northern California and high-elevation Nevada, a higher Tmax and higher Tmin were favorable for higher yields. The Tmin effect (e.g., cold surges) was larger during the planting period, and the Tmax effect (e.g., heat waves) was larger in the growing season. Downwelling solar radiation at the surface also played an important role in coastal regions and the Central Valley of California

An Efficient Building Evacuation Algorithm in Congested Networks

This paper proposes a new network model for the building evacuation problem considering congestion levels and provides a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) model and an efficient heuristic algorithm solving the problem. Constructing an optimization model with several congestion levels, we introduce a new network called the multi-class time-expanded (MCTE) network having several exclusive arcs connecting the same tail and head nodes. The MCTE networks make both the MILP model and the heuristic algorithm reflect a realistic situation in congested networks. Considering MCTE networks makes the problem difficult to solve, which motivates us to develop an efficient heuristic algorithm. We test our heuristic algorithm using several real-world networks such as a multiplex cinema, a subway station, and a large-size complex shopping mall in addition to an artificial network for clear comparison between the proposed algorithm and the MILP approaches. The results indicate that the proposed algorithm runs fast and produces a near-optimal solution compared with those from MILP models with a commercial solver.11Ysciescopu

Future development strategies for KODISA journals: overview of 2016 and strategic plans for the future

Purpose – With the rise of the fourth industrial revolution, it has converged with the existing industrial revolution to give shape to increased accessibility of knowledge and information. As a result, it has become easier for scholars to actively pursue and compile research in various fields. This current study aims to focus and assess the current standing of KODISA: the Journal of Distribution Science (JDS), International Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business (IJIDB), the East Asian Journal of Business Management (EAJBM), the Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business (JAFEB) in a rapidly evolving era. Novel strategies for creating the future vision of KODISA 2020 will also be examined. Research design, data, and methodology – The current research will analyze published journals of KODISA in order to offer a vision for the KODISA 2020 future. In part 1, this paper will observe the current address of the KODISA journal and its overview of past achievements. Next, part 2 will discuss the activities that will be needed for journals of KODISA, JDS, IJIDB, EAJBM, JAFEB to branch out internationally and significant journals will be statistically analyzed in part 3. The last part 4 will offer strategies for the continued growth of KODISA and visions for KODISA 2020. Results – Among the KODISA publications, IJIDB was second, JDS was 23rd (in economic publications of 54 journals), and EAJBM was 22nd (out of 79 publications in management field journals). This shows the high quality of the KODISA publication journals. According to 2016 publication analysis, JDS, IJIDB, etc. each had 157 publications, 15 publications, 16 publications, and 28 publications. In the case of JDS, it showed an increase of 14% compared to last year. Additionally, JAFEB showed a significant increase of 68%. This shows that compared to other journals, it had a higher rate of paper submission. IJIDB and EAJBM did not show any significant increases. In JDS, it showed many studies related to the distribution, management of distribution, and consumer behavior. In order to increase the status of the KODISA journal to a SCI status, many more international conferences will open to increase its international recognition levels. Second, the systematic functions of the journal will be developed further to increase its stability. Third, future graduate schools will open to foster future potential leaders in this field and build a platform for innovators and leaders. Conclusions – In KODISA, JDS was first published in 1999, and has been registered in SCOPUS February 2017. Other sister publications within the KODISA are preparing for SCOPUS registration as well. KODISA journals will prepare to be an innovative journal for 2020 and the future beyond

A synthetic approach to a fullerene-rich dendron and its linear polymer via ring-opening metathesis polymerization

Through the esterification of an acyl chloride functionalized fullerene precursor with dendritic alcohol, a fullerene-rich dendron containing a norbornene unit at the focal point is prepared for ring-opening metathesis polymerization to obtain its linear polymer with a unimodal and narrow molar mass distribution (PDI = 1.08) by a progressive addition of catalysts.close181