bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision tree scoring system to guide selection for consumer preference in sweetpotato breeding trials
Authors: Nakitto Mariam , Ssali Reuben T , Johanningsmeier Suzanne D , Moyo Mukani , de Kock Henriette , Berget Ingunn , Okello Julius J , Mayanja Sarah , Tinyiro Samuel Edgar , Mendes Thiago , Benard Yada , Chelengat Doreen , Osaru Florence , Bugaud Christophe
Published: July 2023

BACKGROUND

Previously, a lexicon and protocol for quantitative descriptive analysis (QDA) was established for the Uganda sweetpotato breeding program. The implication of QDA scores for priority sensory attributes on consumer preference should be determined to interpret results efficiently and make decisions effectively. The present study aimed to develop a gender‐responsive decision tree to obtain an overall sweetpotato eating quality score to facilitate demand‐led targeted breeding selection. It focused on Kamuli and Hoima districts (Uganda) and uses pre‐lease advanced clones (‘NKB3’, ‘NKB105’, ‘NKB135’, ‘D11’ and ‘D20’), released varieties (‘NASPOT 8’ and ‘NAROSPOT 1’) and landraces (‘Muwulu‐Aduduma’, ‘Umbrella’).

RESULTS

Including boiled sweetpotato sensory characteristics, namely mealy, sweet taste, sweetpotato smell, firm and not fibrous, in breeding design would benefit end‐users, especially women given their role in varietal selection, food preparation and marketing. ‘D20’, ‘NASPOT 8’ and ‘NAROSPOT 1’ were most liked in both districts. ‘NKB3’ and ‘D11’ were the least liked in Hoima, whereas ‘Muwulu‐Aduduma’ was the least liked in Kamuli. There was a positive correlation between color and overall liking (r2 = 0.8) and consumers liked the color (average rating ≥ 6 on a nine‐point hedonic scale) of all genotypes. Threshold values (average rating on 11‐point scales) for consumer acceptability were identified (sweet taste = 6, sweetpotato aroma and flavor = 6, firmness = 3, and mealiness = 4). A regression decision tree tool was created to calculate an eating quality selection index when screening lines in breeding programs using the values.

CONCLUSION

Decision trees that include consumer needs and gender considerations would facilitate demand‐led breeding and make varietal selection in sweetpotato breeding programs more effective. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Inter‐ and Intra‐Operator Variability of Regularized Backscatter Quantitative Ultrasound for the Characterization of Breast Masses
Authors: Argueta‐Lozano Ana K. , Castañeda‐Martinez Laura , Bass Vivian , Mateos Maria‐Julieta , Castillo‐López Jorge P. , Perez‐Badillo M. Patricia , Aguilar‐Cortazar Lesvia O. , Porras‐Reyes Fanny , Sollozo‐Dupont M. Isabel , Torres‐Robles Fabian , Márquez‐Flores Jorge , Villaseñor‐Navarro Yolanda , Esquivel‐Sirvent Raul , Rosado‐Mendez Ivan M.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

Here we report on the intra‐ and inter‐operator variability of the backscatter coefficient (BSC) estimated with a new low‐variance quantitative ultrasound (QUS) approach applied to breast lesions in vivo.

Methods

Radiofrequency (RF) echo signals were acquired from 29 BIRADS 4 and 5 breast lesions in 2 sequential cohorts following 2 imaging protocols: cohort 1) radial and antiradial views, and cohort 2) short‐ and long‐axis views. Protocol 2 was implemented after retraining and discussion on how to improve reproducibility. Each patient was scanned by at least 2 of 3 radiologists; each performed 3 acquisitions with transducer and patient repositioning in between acquisitions. BSC was estimated using a low‐variance QUS approach based on regularization. Intra‐ and inter‐operator variability of the intra‐lesion median BSC was evaluated with a multifactorial ANOVA test (P‐values) and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).

Results

Inter‐operator variability was only significant in the first protocol (P < .007); ICCinter = .77 (95% CI .71–.82), indicating good inter‐operator agreement. In the second protocol, the inter‐operator variability was not significant (P > .05) and agreement was excellent (ICCinter = .92 [.89–.94]). In both protocols, the intra‐operator variability was not significant.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate the need for standardizing image acquisition protocols for backscatter‐based QUS to reduce inter‐operator variability and ensure its successful translation to the characterization of suspicious breast masses.
RNA sequencing resolves novel DYNC2H1 variants causing short‐rib thoracic dysplasia type 3: Case report
Authors: Marshall Aren E. , MacDonald Stella K. , Liang Yijing , Couse Madeline ,   Care4Rare Canada Consortium, Boycott Kym M. , Richer Julie , Kernohan Kristin D.
Published: July 2023

Background

Intronic variants outside the canonical splice site are challenging to interpret and therefore likely represent an underreported cause of human disease. Autosomal recessive variants in DYNC2H1 are associated with short‐rib thoracic dysplasia 3 with or without polydactyly (SRTD3), a clinically heterogeneous disease generally presenting with short ribs, shortened tubular bones, narrow thorax and acetabular roof anomalies. We describe a case of SRTD3 with compound heterozygous frameshift and intronic variants and highlight the essential role of RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) in variant interpretation.

Methods

Following inconclusive clinical genetic testing identifying a likely pathogenic frameshift variant and an intronic variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in DYNC2H1 in trans, the family enrolled in the Care4Rare Canada research program, where RNA‐Seq studies were performed.

Results

The proband presented with post‐axial polydactyly of all four limbs, a significantly small chest with a pectus excavatum and anterior flaring of the ribs. RNA‐Seq investigations revealed a novel splice junction as a result of the intronic VUS and significantly decreased DYNC2H1 gene expression in the proband.

Conclusion

This case demonstrates the diagnostic utility of RNA‐Seq for variant interpretation following inconclusive clinical testing, which can ultimately lead to diagnosis for patients with rare disease.
Effect of copepod Apocyclops dengizicus addition on growth, survival, and proximate composition of Macrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae cultured in brackish-water biofloc system
Authors: Hosain Md. Eilious , Amin S. M. Nurul , Arshad Aziz , Kamarudin Mohd Salleh , Karim Murni , Shohaimi Shamarina , Naser Md. Niamul , Romano Nicholas
Published: July 2023

Objective

The effects of periodically adding the cyclopoid copepod Apocyclops dengizicus (every 4 days at a rate of 4 individuals/mL) with biofloc technology (BFT-C) was compared with conventional biofloc technology (BFT; without copepod) or a clear-water control for Macrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae nursery culture.

Methods

Survival, growth, proximate composition, and economics of SMacrobrachium rosenbergii postlarvae was calculated. Water quality and biofloc proximate composition were also measured among treatments. For the BFT, maize starch was applied to achieve a C:N ratio of 20:1. Triplicate 125-L polyethylene tanks containing 500 postlarvae each (9.40 ± 1.88 mg) were evaluated.

Result

Specific growth rate was significantly greater in the BFT-C group (8.40 ± 0.24% per day) than BFT (7.23 ± 0.21% per day) and control (7.12 ± 0.42% per day) groups. Postlarvae survival was significantly increased with the BFT-C (94.46%) treatment compared with the BFT (87.33%) and control (82.60%). A significantly lower food conversion ratio (1.08) was obtained in BFT-C than both the BFT (1.73) and control (1.90), possibly due to significantly higher biofloc crude protein and lipid contents in the BFT-C than BFT. Postlarvae whole-body protein and lipid contents were significantly elevated in BFT-C compared to the BFT and control treatments. Economics of gross return, net return, and cost-benefit ratio were significantly better at BFT-C than in either the BFT or control groups.

Conclusion

This study indicates that copepod additions with BFT enhanced prawn postlarvae survival, growth, and whole body protein and lipid, as well as economics, which could augment productivity and sustainability in this industry.
Pacific Lamprey and Western River Lamprey marine ecology: Insight from new ocean collections
Authors: Weitkamp Laurie A. , Tuttle Vanessa , Ward Eric J. , Kamikawa Daniel , Billings Alicia , Buchanan John , Hess Jon E.
Published: July 2023

Objective

Little is known about the marine ecology of anadromous Pacific Lamprey Entosphenus tridentatus and Western River Lamprey Lampetra ayresii. This information is needed to determine how marine life regulates adult abundances and to identify management actions that may benefit declining populations.

Methods

To address this deficit, we compiled historic data, collected lamprey from marine stock assessment surveys and commercial fisheries, and documented fish with Pacific Lamprey wounds.

Result

Pacific Lamprey were most commonly caught by midwater trawls targeting Pacific Hake Merluccius productus along the continental shelf break from northern California to northern Washington. Pacific Lamprey ranged in size from 115 mm total length (TL) and 2.9 g to 714 mm TL and 655 g (n = 1912) and were expected to represent multiple ocean ages. The vast majority (93%) of Pacific Lamprey were small (≤300 mm TL) and thus were likely in their first year in marine waters. Growth for small Pacific Lamprey was estimated as 0.37 mm/day and 0.13 g/day over the summer. Gut fullness for Pacific Lamprey was high (5.5% of body weight [BW]), but it was highly variable for larger individuals (range = 0–55% BW). Our results suggest that there is a positive relationship between calendar day and lamprey length and condition factor in most years, while the effect of latitude varies by life stage. We documented Pacific Lamprey wounds on 240 individual fish representing 16 species, of which six species are newly identified as lamprey hosts. We had comparably few records for Western River Lamprey (n = 72; mean length = 285.5 mm TL), which were primarily found in surface waters on the continental shelf from northern California to southern British Columbia.

Conclusion

Our results have implications for both fisheries and conservation management, including development of best practices for lamprey caught by net fisheries and the use of new marine information to inform conservation actions.
High‐performance epoxy hybrid non‐isocyanate polyurethanes prepared from diol‐cyclocarbonation bisphenol A dicyclocarbonate
Authors: Liu Xiang‐nan , Wang Yuan‐meng , Li Xiang‐yuan , Zhang Jun‐ying , Zhao Jing‐bo
Published: July 2023

A new synthesis route different from convenient epoxy/CO2 method was established to synthesize a five‐membered dicyclocarbonate of bisphenol A (BisA‐5dCC), and its hybrid non‐isocyanate polyurethanes with epoxy resins (HNIPUs) were reported. Bisphenol A was first reacted with 3‐chloro‐1,2‐propanediol to prepare a bisphenol A tetraol (BisA‐4OH), and then was reacted with excess diethyl carbonate to obtain BisA‐5dCC. Three polyhydroxyurethanes with H2N‐terminal groups (PHUs) were synthesized from the aminolysis polyaddition of BisA‐5dCC and excess hexanediamine. The PHUs were crosslinked with 1,4‐butanediol diglycidyl ether and bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, respectively, and different HNIPUs were prepared. The structures of BisA‐4OH, BisA‐5dCC, and PHUs were confirmed, and the HNIPUs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile tests. HNIPUs prepared from aromatic epoxy showed higher Tg (up to 81°C) and better tensile strength (as high as 60 MPa) than those from aliphatic epoxy. High‐performance HNIPUs with excellent thermal and mechanical properties were successfully synthesized.

Highlights

Dicyclocarbonate of bisphenol A (BisA‐5dCC) was prepared from a BisA tetraol.

H2N‐terminated PHUs were synthesized further from the aminolysis of BisA‐5dCC.

Hybrid non‐isocyanate polyurethanes (HNIPUs) were obtained from PHUs and epoxys.

HNIPUs prepared from aromatic epoxy showed high Tg up to 81°C.

They showed excellent tensile strength as high as 60 MPa.
Examining values in community stories of the electronic platform for adult learning in Europe
Authors: Durnali Mehmet , Ocak Mehmet Akif
Published: July 2023

This research aimed to examine the community stories of the Electronic Platform for Adult Learning in Europe (EPALE) to understand and manage the de facto learning needs of adults in Europe and whether it has the functional capacity to be considered an innovative tool. The EPALE demands high‐quality publication and provides users with six key content types (news, blogs, resources, events, discussions, and community stories) to read, write, and comment on. Specifically, this research delved just into the community stories. We used a qualitative research approach while designing the research in phenomenology. The series of data included adult educators' and learners' stories in the 2020 and 2021 EPALE Community Story Books, and in the EPALE. We employed descriptive and content analysis approaches to find values in the content of the community stories, including the views of 214 users regarding their experiences with adult education. Accordingly, the participants' community tales for 2020 were categorized into four key themes: social inclusion, work skills, basic skills, and culture. The 2021 community stories were categorized into three key themes: inclusive social change, digital transition, and life and work skills. These findings showed the de facto learning themes of adults in Europe. As a result, we understood that community stories and the EPALE are effective adult education tools for gathering and disseminating users' views and experiences to understand diverse learning patterns, which has an influence on the success of adult education implementations.
Preparation of nitro‐phenothiazine‐based oxime esters as dual photo/thermal initiators for 3D printing
Authors: Zhang Xiaoxiang , Peng Xiaotong , Zhu Di , Zhang Yijun , Le Dot Marie , Ozen Serife , Schmitt Michael , Morlet‐Savary Fabrice , Xiao Pu , Dumur Frédéric , Lalevée Jacques
Published: July 2023

Nowadays, photopolymerization has spanned across all academic and industrial applications due to its appealing features such as energy saving, environmentally‐friendly polymerization conditions, high monomer conversions, rapid polymerization kinetics and so on. Photoinitiator (PI), as a crucial component of the photoinitiating system (PIS) are capable of interacting with light efficiently, enabling to generate initiating species in mono or multicomponent systems. In this work, 13 phenothiazine‐based oxime esters (OXEs) (never reported before) were synthesized and their photoinitiation abilities for the free radical photopolymerization (FRP) of acrylates were examined upon irradiation with LED@405 nm. Parallel to their photochemical reactivities, their abilities to initiate thermal polymerization processes were also investigated. Finally, these OXEs exhibited excellent photo/thermal initiation performances, demonstrating their dual initiation properties. Phenothiazine‐based oxime esters can be used as PIs in 3D printing as well as thermal initiator in the manufacturing of carbon fiber composites.
Black Hole Solutions with Dark Matter Halos in the Four‐Dimensional Einstein‐Gauss‐Bonnet Gravity
Authors: Errehymy Abdelghani , Maurya S. K. , Mustafa G. , Hansraj Sudan , Alrebdi H. I. , Abdel‐Aty Abdel‐Haleem
Published: July 2023

Black holes (BHs) convey information about different matter‐energy distributions in their immediate environment, as they bear the imprints of the intrinsic spacetime geometry and exotic surrounding matter. In this regard, exact spherically symmetric regular black hole (BH) solutions supported by two phenomenological distributions of dark matter galactic halos in Eintein‐Gauss‐Bonnet gravity are explored. Analytical solutions for the metric and the corresponding thermodynamic properties, including heat capacity (), Gibbs' free energy (), and Hawking temperature () associated with the BH's horizon radius and quasinormal modes (QNMs) are found. The specific heat is investigated, and it is discovered that a Hawking‐Page phase transition with divergent occurred at a critical radius, . Consequently, the authors have regular BHs with Cauchy and event horizons, and evaporation results in thermodynamically stable double‐horizon BH remnants with zero temperatures. The QNMs of the scalar field perturbations on the regular background of the BHs are then discussed comprehensively.
Remote sensing of Antarctic polychaete reefs (Serpula narconensis): reproducible workflows for quantifying benthic structural complexity with action cameras, remotely operated vehicles and structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry
Authors: Montes‐Herrera Juan C. , Hill Nicole , Cummings Vonda J. , Johnstone Glenn J. , Stark Jonathan S. , Lucieer Vanessa
Published: July 2023

Quantifying the structural complexity provided by biogenic habitat structures is important in ecology, conservation and management, and yet remains a challenging task, particularly in deep sea and polar environments, that current photogrammetry tools can alleviate. In this study, we demonstrate how small remotely operated vehicles and compact underwater GoPro® action cameras can be easily integrated into coastal Antarctic surveys to quantify structural complexity of under‐ice benthos via underwater photogrammetry. Forty‐four pairs of 1 m2 quadrats at 1 cm resolution, each comprising an orthomosaic and three‐dimensional reconstructions, were analyzed to describe relationships between benthic cover and structural complexity metrics. The study case provided insights into a unique biogenic habitat, highlighting the role of integrating structural complexity metrics in Antarctic benthic surveys. Although no clear relationships between structural complexity and biodiversity were found, high cover of live reef‐building polychaetes was associated with higher levels of structural complexity, particularly fractal dimension (D). Further, broken biogenic structures, product of disturbance events retain habitat structural complexity known to be associated with larvae settlement and biogenic reef growth. This suggests that D can be used as a metric for detecting subtle changes in biogenic structural complexity. We build from available open‐source code, a reproducible scientific workflow that is expected to facilitate the acquisition and analysis of structural complexity metrics. The workflow presented aims to encourage and accelerate the use of photogrammetry tools for benthic studies aiming to quantify biogenic structural complexity across depths and latitudes.
Estimating animal density using the Space‐to‐Event model and bootstrap resampling with motion‐triggered camera‐trap data
Authors: Lyet Arnaud , Waller Scott , Chambert Thierry , Acevedo Pelayo , Howe Eric , Kühl Hjalmar S. , Naidoo Robin , O'Brien Timothy , Palencia Pablo , Soutyrina Svetlana V. , Vicente Joaquin , Wearn Oliver R. , Gray Thomas N. E.
Published: July 2023

Over the past few decades, the use of camera‐traps has revolutionized our ability to monitor populations of wild terrestrial mammals. While methods to estimate abundance from individually‐identifiable animals are well‐established, they are mostly restricted to species with clear natural markings or else necessitate invasive and often costly animal tagging campaigns. Estimating abundance or density from unmarked animals remains challenging. Several models recently developed to deal with this issue are promising, but are not widely used by field ecologists. Here, we developed a framework for applying the Space‐To‐Event (STE) model—originally designed to be used with time‐lapse images—on motion‐triggered camera‐trap data. Our approach involves performing bootstrap resampling on the photographic dataset to generate multiple datasets that are then used as input to the STE model. We tested our approach on 29 datasets, including 17 ungulate species from eight sites, in six different countries and various ecosystems. Then, we conducted a regression analysis to evaluate how variations in ecological and sampling conditions across studies affected the bias and precision of our STE density estimates. Our study shows that with a bootstrap resampling approach and information on animal activity and effective detection distances to animals, the STE model can be used to analyze motion‐trigger datasets and provide population density estimates that are similar to those from other methods. We found that measuring the camera viewshed was critical to prevent major negative biases in density estimates. Moreover, using a 1‐s sampling window was important to avoid the positive bias that results from violating the instantaneous‐sampling assumption. We found that precision increased with greater sampling effort and higher density populations. Based on these results, we highlight several issues from past studies that have applied the original timelapse‐based STE to motion‐trigger datasets, issues that our bootstrap resampling approach addresses. We caution that the STE model, whether applied to timelapse or motion‐triggered datasets, relies on strict assumptions. Any violations of these assumptions, such as non‐instantaneous sampling or the application of angle and distance of detection provided by the camera manufacturer, can cause biases in multiple directions that may be difficult to differentiate.
Fractionation and transport of compost‐derived dissolved organic matter fractions in saturated red soil and black soil columns
Authors: Miao Chuanghe , Zhou Hu , Rong Hui , Shang Jianying , Lv Yizhong
Published: July 2023

The fractionation and transport of compost‐derived dissolved organic matter (DOMC) could affect the transport and fate of nutrients and DOM‐associated pollutants in the soil environment. In this study, the humic acid fraction of DOMC (HAC) and fulvic acid fraction of DOMC (FAC) were selected to investigate the fractionation and transport of DOMC in repacked soil columns of a red soil and a black soil under different KCl concentrations. The effluent DOMC fractions were monitored by ultraviolet (UV)‐visible (Vis) light and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the molecular weight (MW) of the effluent DOM approached that of the influent DOMC fractions with the injection of DOMC fractions. Three‐dimensional fluorescence excitation emission matrices (3D‐EEMs) coupled with parallel factor analysis resolved three fluorescent components, that is, low MW UV humic‐like substances (C1), high MW UV humic‐like substances (C2), and protein‐like substances (C3). The mobility of HAC and FAC decreased with increasing KCl concentrations (1 mM–50 mM), implying that electrostatic interaction was an important mechanism for the retention of DOMC in soil columns. The fact that the mobility of DOMC fractions in the black soil was greater than that in the red soil could be attributed to the high free Fe oxide content in the red soil. The retained DOMC fractions did not entirely desorb by the background electrolyte solution, suggesting that a part of the DOMC fractions retained in soil columns was strongly bound. These results are helpful in understanding the fractionation and transport of DOMC in soil environments.
Re‐designing Social Impact Assessment to enhance community resilience for Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Action and Sustainable Development
Authors: Imperiale Angelo Jonas , Vanclay Frank
Published: July 2023

Enhancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) and community resilience are fundamental for sustainable development. However, cultural and political‐institutional barriers hinder governments from progressing towards sustainability. We propose a redesign of social impact assessment (SIA) to make it more applicable to the field of regional and urban planning, and we discuss the role SIA can have in enhancing community resilience to achieve DRR and sustainable development in localities. We argue that, to convert SIA into a tool that can inform regional recovery and development planning, a rethinking of SIA and of the role of SIA practitioners is needed. We therefore expound the SIA Framework for Action and we enhance it to be a community‐based process focussed on informing regional policies and plans and decisions about the projects to be included in such plans. Application of the SIA Framework for Action will help governments overcome the barriers to DRR and sustainable development.
Experimental and Quantum Chemical Studies of Hydrazone‐based Organic Chromophores: Synthesis, Spectroscopic and Nonlinear Optical Properties
Authors: Haroon Muhammad , Akhtar Tashfeen , Khalid Muhammad , Mehmood Hasnain , Braga Ataualpa A. C. , Alhokbany Norah , Ahmed Sarfraz
Published: July 2023

Different strategies are utilized to design and synthesize remarkable non‐linear optical (NLO) materials. Herein, we have synthesized hydrazinylthiazole‐4‐carbohydrazides based eight derivatives (HZ1–HZ8) by condensation reaction of thiazole‐4‐carboxylates with hydrazine monohydrate. The structural interpretation of carbohydrazides was carried out with spectroscopic techniques i. e. FT‐IR, 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR and HRMS. For the exploration of varied terminal moieties impact, NLO properties of entitled compounds (HZ1–HZ8) were investigated via employing density functional theory (DFT) computations at B3LYP level along with 6‐31G(d,p) basis set. Aforementioned functional was utilized to acquire optimized geometries at true minima, non‐linear optical (NLO), UV‐Visible (UV‐Vis), frontier molecular orbital (FMO) and natural bond orbital (NBO) analyses. Moreover, dipole moment (μ), average linear polarizability  and first order hyperpolarizability (βtot.) were computed for all the synthesized chromophores (HZ1–HZ8). However, HZ5 displayed the maximum value of βtot (2710.8 a.u.) as compared to all the other investigated compounds. From the discussion, it can be concluded that, this study of hydrazone‐based derivatives believed to be a significant contribution for achieving proficient NLO materials. In a nutshell, HZ5 might be contemplated as a highly efficient material for advanced NLO applications owing to its maximum nonlinear optical response.
Cashing in on the culture wars?CEOactivism, wokewashing, and firm value
Authors: Melloni Gaia , Patacconi Andrea , Vikander Nick
Published: July 2023

Research Summary

In this article, we examine under what conditions CEO activism—the practice of corporate leaders to take public stances on sociopolitical issues—can create firm value. In our model consumers care about the type of firm they buy from, but also understand that corporate leaders can make false or misleading statements to pander to valuable demographics. We show that, although the profitability of CEO activism is severely compromised by this wokewashing, under some conditions credible, value‐enhancing sociopolitical communications can still take place. We characterize (i) when corporate leaders prefer to stay silent; (ii) when wokewashing is so widespread that no credible communication is possible; and (iii) when instead some credible communication can take place. We also show how an intrinsically motivated CEO can destroy or increase firm value.

Managerial Summary

Many corporate leaders take public stances on sociopolitical issues and observers suggest that this practice can sometimes create firm value. A problem with the idea, however, is that, if taking a certain stance is indeed value enhancing, then many other CEOs may be tempted to take the same stance opportunistically. In this article, we study how CEO activism can be profitable when wokewashing is a real concern. We show that credible, value‐enhancing sociopolitical communications require controversial messages, as significant opposition from consumers with different worldviews is necessary to ensure the credibility of communications. Far from being a “bug,” controversy is a feature of credible CEO activism. We also demonstrate that a CEO's intrinsic motivation to take a stand can sometimes create value by making communications more credible. Obliquely, then, a CEO not primarily motivated by profits may be the best at maximizing profits.
Size‐Dependent Locomotion Ability of Surface Microrollers on Physiologically Relevant Microtopographical Surfaces
Authors: Bozuyuk Ugur , Yildiz Erdost , Han Mertcan , Demir Sinan Ozgun , Sitti Metin
Published: July 2023

Controlled microrobotic navigation inside the body possesses significant potential for various biomedical engineering applications. Successful application requires considering imaging, control, and biocompatibility. Interaction with biological environments is also a crucial factor in ensuring safe application, but can also pose counterintuitive hydrodynamic barriers, limiting the use of microrobots. Surface rolling microrobots or surface microrollers is a robust microrobotic platform with significant potential for various applications; however, conventional spherical microrollers have limited locomotion ability over biological surfaces due to microtopography effects resulting from cell microtopography in the size range of 2–5 µm. Here, the impact of the microtopography effect on spherical microrollers of different sizes (5, 10, 25, and 50 µm) is investigated using computational fluid dynamics simulations and experiments. Simulations revealed that the microtopography effect becomes insignificant for increasing microroller sizes, such as 50 µm. Moreover, it is demonstrated that 50 µm microrollers exhibited smooth locomotion ability on in vitro cell layers and inside blood vessels of a chicken embryo model. These findings offer rational design principles for surface microrollers for their potential practical biomedical applications.
A Bioinspired Atomically Thin Nanodot Supported Single‐Atom Nanozyme for Antibacterial Textile Coating
Authors: Dai Xiaohui , Liu Huan , Cai Bin , Liu Yang , Song Kepeng , Chen Jing , Ni Shou‐Qing , Kong Lingshuai , Zhan Jinhua
Published: July 2023

Surface antibacterial coatings with outstanding antibacterial efficiency have attracted increasing attention in medical protective clothing and cotton surgical clothing. Although nanozymes, as a new generation of antibiotics, are used to combat bacteria, their catalytic performance remains far from satisfactory as alternatives to natural enzymes. Single‐atom nanodots provide a solution to the low catalytic activity bottleneck of nanozymes. Here, atomically thin C3N4 nanodots supported single Cu atom nanozymes (Cu‐CNNDs) are developed by a self‐tailoring approach, which exhibits catalytic efficiency of 8.09 × 105 M−1 s−1, similar to that of natural enzyme. Experimental and theoretical calculations show that excellent peroxidase‐like activity stems from the size effect of carrier optimizing the coordination structure, leading to full exposure of Cu‐N3 active site, which improves the ability of H2O2 to generate hydroxyl radicals (•OH). Notably, Cu‐CNNDs exhibit over 99% superior antibacterial efficacy and are successfully grafted onto cotton fabrics. Thus, Cu‐CNNDs blaze an avenue for exquisite biomimetic nanozyme design and have great potential applications in antibacterial textiles.
DNA Nanoflower Eye Drops with Antibiotic‐Resistant Gene Regulation Ability for MRSA Keratitis Target Treatment
Authors: Ran Meixin , Sun Rong , Yan Jiaqi , Pulliainen Arto T. , Zhang Yu , Zhang Hongbo
Published: July 2023

Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) biofilm‐associated bacterial keratitis is highly intractable, with strong resistance to β‐lactam antibiotics. Inhibiting the MRSA resistance gene mecR1 to downregulate penicillin‐binding protein PBP2a has been implicated in the sensitization of β‐lactam antibiotics to MRSA. However, oligonucleotide gene regulators struggle to penetrate dense biofilms, let alone achieve efficient gene regulation inside bacteria cells. Herein, an eye‐drop system capable of penetrating biofilms and targeting bacteria for chemo‐gene therapy in MRSA‐caused bacterial keratitis is developed. This system employed rolling circle amplification to prepare DNA nanoflowers (DNFs) encoding MRSA‐specific aptamers and mecR1 deoxyribozymes (DNAzymes). Subsequently, β‐lactam antibiotic ampicillin (Amp) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are sequentially loaded into the DNFs (ZnO/Amp@DNFs). Upon application, ZnO on the surface of the nanosystem disrupts the dense structure of biofilm and fully exposes free bacteria. Later, bearing encoded aptamer, the nanoflower system is intensively endocytosed by bacteria, and releases DNAzyme under acidic conditions to cleave the mecR1 gene for PBP2a down‐regulation, and ampicillin for efficient MRSA elimination. In vivo tests showed that the system effectively cleared bacterial and biofilm in the cornea, suppressed proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 1β （IL‐1β） and tumor neocrosis factor‐alpha （TNF‐α）, and is safe for corneal epithelial cells. Overall, this design offers a promising approach for treating MRSA‐induced keratitis.
Stray compositions of hatchery-origin Chinook Salmon and steelhead in natural spawning populations of the upper Columbia watershed
Authors: Pearsons Todd N. , Miller Mark D.
Published: July 2023

Objective

One of the biggest concerns of operating hatchery salmonid programs is high straying of returning adults into nontarget populations and the possible homogenization of genetic diversity among populations caused by spawning of stray fish. The composition of hatchery-origin stray Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha and steelhead O. mykiss relative to the natural spawning populations, termed “recipient population stray composition,” was evaluated at three spatial scales in the upper Columbia River basin, where stray target limits were 5–10%.

Methods

Chinook Salmon carcasses were collected from 1999 to 2018 in spawning areas shortly after spawning, and carcasses were examined to determine origin. Steelhead strays and spawning escapement were evaluated using passive integrated transponder tags between 2013 and 2018. We calculated mean stray compositions for 1999–2018 and for 2014–2018.

Result

The mean recipient population stray compositions ranged between 0.02% and 87.35% and increased with decreasing spatial scale. Recipient stray compositions of all taxa at the basin scale were <3%, and summer and fall Chinook Salmon were <0.5%. Stray compositions in subbasins for all taxa ranged between 0.07% and 33.04%. Spring and summer Chinook Salmon exceeded 5% and 10% (summer Chinook Salmon) in some periods in the Entiat and Methow River subbasins, but stray compositions for all Chinook Salmon were <5% in the Wenatchee, Okanogan, and Hanford Reach subbasins for all periods. All steelhead stray compositions in subbasins exceeded 5%, except for those in the Wenatchee subbasin. Stray compositions of spring Chinook Salmon in tributaries ranged between 0.61% and 87.35%. Only the Chiwawa, Icicle, and Twisp rivers were consistently below 10%.

Conclusion

In cases where recipient stray management targets were exceeded, some were the result of single hatchery contributions but others were the result of cumulative contributions from multiple hatcheries. Some solutions to reduce recipient stray compositions will likely involve a combination of changes to hatchery, harvest, and habitat management.
Access Control Management System for Edge Computing Environment Using Tag‐Based Matching and Cache Injection
Authors: Shimahara Shogo , Nohara Masato , Nishi Hiroaki
Published: July 2023

With increasing attention to the secondary use of data, privacy protection laws such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) have come into force to protect residents from unauthorized exploitation of personal data. Flow management is an effective method to track the distribution of user data in a multi‐domain network environment. Transparency in the relationship between data and service providers is essential to track the status of data provision. Vendor and Consumer Relationship Management (VCRM) manages this relationship by regulating relevant flow information. VCRM is expected to collaborate with the edge‐computing environment in the management of regional unit flow, wherein all access to personal user data should be restricted in accordance with the stakeholders' requests. Accordingly, this study proposes a packet processing function that collaborates with VCRM to manage the access control of flows passing through a regional network. Moreover, this paper proposes methods to reduce packet processing time on the switch, and requests to the switch controller. Using tag‐based matching and cache injection methods, the number of requests to the controller decreased to 33.4% of the original figure. Our proposed method also reduces the total processing time on flow management switches in the network environment in the analysis of encrypted TCP streams such as HTTP over TLS and MQTT over TLS. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Improved calculation of soil hydraulic conductivity with the simplified evaporation method
Authors: Inforsato Leonardo , Iden Sascha , Durner Wolfgang , Peters Andre , De Jong van Lier Quirijn
Published: July 2023

Numerical modeling of soil water dynamics and storage is generally based on the Richards equation. Its solution requires knowledge of the soil hydraulic properties (SHP): the soil water retention function and the hydraulic conductivity function. To determine SHP, laboratory evaporation experiments are particularly popular because they provide data for both SHP functions. The evaluation by the simplified evaporation method (SEM) method, originally proposed by Schindler and subsequently improved by several authors, relies on linearization assumptions that allow for a relatively simple calculation scheme but result in biased conductivity data for some soils. The objective of this study is to propose and test an improved computational scheme for the hydraulic conductivity function. We present the new theory and show that it leads generally to higher accuracy of the conductivity function. The improvement is most pronounced for sandy soils and soil water pressure heads below −100 cm, where the original method provided data with bias.
Enhancing local governance through community‐based conservation: lessons learned from a Utah local working group
Authors: Small Justin R. , Messmer Terry A. , Brunson Mark W. , Thacker Eric T. , Dahlgren David K.
Published: July 2023

Because home ranges for many sensitive wildlife species often transcend jurisdictions, species conservation requires collaborative efforts to engage multiple stakeholders. The West Box Elder County Coordinated Resource Management (CRM) in northwestern Utah initially organized as a greater sage‐grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) local working group (LWG), evolved through a CRM process, to enhance local governance across jurisdictional boundaries by engaging a wider range of public and private partners in species conservation and community development. By completing landscape scale management and development projects, the CRM has benefitted wildlife and local ranchers and contributed to enhancing the social and economic well‐being of rural residents in the county. In 2019, to identify the operational mechanisms of governance that enabled the CRM to achieve long‐term sustainability while meeting community and species conservation needs, we interviewed 17 key stakeholders (8 private, 6 state, and 3 federal) who had been involved in both the LWG and CRM since their inception. Each interview addressed the CRM's origin, support and synergy, administration, communications, outcomes, and improvements. Qualitative analysis of responses revealed that 1) participation by representatives of federal and state government agencies was paramount for funding and program structure, 2) landowner involvement was necessary for long‐term stability and persistence, 3) intergroup communication has improved, and 4) trust of local landowners between state and federal agencies has been enhanced. However, respondents were concerned that the CRM governance process should be re‐evaluated periodically to mitigate stakeholder burnout and group cohesion deterioration. The re‐evaluation could help temper unrealistic expectations relative to sustaining momentum the CRM has achieved over the last decade and establish new goals to better address current conservation issues. Our results may be applicable by other rural communities who desire enhanced local governance to identify and address emerging community development needs and species conservation.
Towards Gestural Interaction with 3D Industrial Measurement Data Using HMD AR
Authors: Walczak Natalia , Sobiech Franciszek , Buczek Aleksandra , Jeanty Mathias , Kupiński Kamil , Chaniecki Zbigniew , Romanowski Andrzej , Grudzień Krzysztof
Published: July 2023

Despite the spread of augmented reality (AR) systems and its applications onto a number of various areas, the adoption of AR in industrial context is relatively limited. We decided to conduct an exploratory user study to define the eventual singularities that might be associated with the barriers for HMD AR technology adoption in the industrial settings, as recent works presented potential benefits of its applications with regard to specific 3D measurement data interpretation. The task-based study was designed to engage users with interaction of volumetric data of static and time series nature. We compared actions of users performed in lab vs. in situ conditions simulating real, process tomography measurement data visualisations for granular bulk solids flow in large containers. Study results revealed concrete directions for further work that might eventually enable wider adoption of HMD AR systems in the industrial context in terms of specific gestural interaction and visualisation techniques development.
Versatile Robotic Workstation for Electronic Skin - Problems and Solutions
Authors: Klimaszewski Jan
Published: July 2023

In the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0), collaborative robots have become one of the key pillars of development. Thanks to their sensors, they allow increased flexibility and safety while working in a shared space with humans. One such sensor is the electronic skin (e-skin), which enhances human-robot collaboration through physical contact. This paper presents the developed versatile robotic workstation that allows, among other things, the calibration of e-skin touch measurements. In particular, the problems encountered with the use of a standard industrial robot are presented and ways to solve them are discussed. The presented approach allows the automatic acquisition of calibration measurements of e-skin sensors within the reach of the robot.
Virtual Reality Simulations of the Snake Robot
Authors: Sibilska-Mroziewicz Anna , Hameed Ayesha , Możaryn Jakub , Ordys Andrzej
Published: July 2023

The following paper introduces a new way of presenting the results of engineering simulations. The object of consideration is the motion of the snake robot on a flat surface. The robot’s trajectory and control signals are calculated in MATLAB. Different approaches have been presented to show how the robot moves - from 2D plots and 3D animations observed from a computer screen to realistic visualisations displayed in the Virtual Reality headset. The proposed VR simulation will allow watching the simulation results and manipulating simulation parameters from inside of VR.
Prototype of Virtual Reality Game to Support Post-stroke Recovery in Patients with Spatial Neglect Syndrome
Authors: Matys-Popielska Katarzyna , Popielski Krzysztof , Sibilska-Mroziewicz Anna
Published: July 2023

Stroke is the second cause of mortality and one of the leading causes of disability in adults. Post-stroke complications involve many different systems through which they involve difficulties in daily life. A very common complication that involves about 25–30% of post-stroke patients is spatial neglect syndrome, which involves the impaired perception of one’s body and space. An important aspect of treatment for stroke patients is rehabilitation, both while still in the hospital and later in rehabilitation facilities as well as at home. Many studies have shown effective virtual reality (VR)-based general therapy systems after stroke. In particular, systems for motor function rehabilitation. In the following paper, a game proposal for the rehabilitation of patients with unilateral spatial neglect syndrome is shown. This game takes into account the specific perception and special motor skills of patients with spatial neglect syndrome. The described game was presented to a team of rehabilitation specialists working at the Department of Neurology and Stroke Unit of the University Clinical Hospital in Białystok and was evaluated by these specialists.
Representation of Observations in Reinforcement Learning for Playing Arcade Fighting Game
Authors: Du Huaiyu , Jóźwiak Rafał
Published: July 2023

Reinforcement learning (RL) is one of three basic machine learning paradigms, alongside supervised learning and unsupervised learning. Reinforcement learning algorithms have become very popular in simple computer games and games like chess and GO. However, playing classical arcade fighting games would be challenging because of the complexity of the command system (the character makes moves according to the sequence of input) and combo system. In this paper, a creation of a game environment of The King of Fighters ’97 (KOF ’97), which implements the open gym env interface, is described. Based on the characteristics of the game, an innovative approach to represent the observations from the last few steps has been proposed, which guarantees the preservation of Markov’s property. The observations are coded using the “one-hot encoding” technique to form a binary vector, while the sequence of stacked vectors from successive steps creates a binary image. This image encodes the character’s input and behavioural pattern, which are then retrieved and recognized by the CNN network. A network structure based on the Advantage Actor-Critic network was proposed. In the experimental verification, the RL agent performing basic combos and complex moves (including the so-called “desperation moves”) was able to defeat characters using the highest level of AI built into the game.
A Competent Deep Learning Model to Detect COVID-19 Using Chest CT Images
Authors: Chakraborty Somenath , Murali Beddhu
Published: July 2023

The ongoing terrifying wave of COVID-19 which is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 or SARS-CoV-2 continues to affect human life and disrupt healthcare systems. Chest computed tomography (CT) is an effective clinical tool for estimating the patient’s severity levels and deciding appropriate treatment regimes. In this paper, we use a deep learning method for detecting COVID-19 using chest CT images with the more advanced balanced dataset. We used a dataset of 8054 real patient CT scans, of which 5427 had COVID-19 and 4223 were Non-COVID-19 patient images. Our model had an average detection accuracy of 91.96% on the test dataset. In conclusion, Automated Deep Learning (DL) methodologies allow for speedy evaluation of CT images to detect COVID-19.
Rhetoriken? Versuch einer kritischen Standortbestimmung und Reflexion
Authors: Schnetter Marcus
Published: July 2023

Die zahlreichen Blickweisen auf die Rhetorik und ihre vielfältige Verwendung in den unterschiedlichen Wissenschaften rechtfertigen es, von ‚Rhetoriken‘ im Plural zu sprechen. Wo sind diese Rhetoriken aber in der Forschungslandschaft zu verorten, wie agieren sie miteinander und auf welchen gemeinsamen oder divergierenden Wissenstraditionen bauen sie auf? Das sind Fragen, die die abschließende Reflexion dieses Bandes zu beantworten sucht.
A Generalization of NTRUEncrypt
Authors: Zhiyong Zheng , Fengxia Liu , Wenlin Huang , Jie Xu , Kun Tian
Published: July 2023

The main purpose of this chapter is to give a more general construction of NTRU based on ideal matrices and q-ary lattice theory. To understand our construction, first we discuss a more general form of the ordinary cyclic code, namely $$\phi $$
ϕ
-cyclic code, which firstly appeared in (Lopez-Permouth et al., 2009; Shi et al., 2020); thus, we give a more generalized NTRUEncrypt from replacing finite field by real number field $$\mathbb {R}$$
R
.