bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are northern bobwhites an umbrella species for open‐land birds in Ohio?
Authors: Rosenblatt Connor J. , Matthews Stephen N. , Gates Robert J. , Peterman William E. , Shumar Matthew B.
Published: December 2021

Birds that inhabit open lands such as grasslands and shrublands are rapidly declining across North America. A common practice for multi‐species management is to focus on umbrella species whose habitat requirements overlap with several other species. We evaluated whether the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; bobwhite) could serve as an umbrella species for open‐land birds in Ohio, USA. We related landscape metrics to abundance patterns and assessed whether bobwhite occupancy positively predicts presence of open‐land birds. We combined bird survey data from the second Ohio Breeding Bird Atlas (2006–2011) with land cover data from the 2011 National Land Cover Database (Homer et al. 2015) to construct single‐season N‐mixture models to identify landscape metrics that influence bobwhite abundance. Bobwhite abundance was positively predicted by forest cohesion, percent agriculture, percent barren, and percent grassland. Of the 34 focal species, bobwhites were a significant positive predictor for 12, and a significant negative predictor for 10. The model with only bobwhite occupancy probability as a predictor was the best supported model for only willow flycatcher (Empidonax traillii). These results suggest that bobwhite land cover type requirements are too specialized to meet the needs of broader species guilds, instead affording protection for a narrower range of individual species that share specific habitat requirements with bobwhites. Management for bobwhites may still be able to promote co‐occurrence for declining species across multiple guilds by identifying locations where focused management can create more suitable conditions for species with positive co‐occurrence.
Spatio‐temporal occurrence and sensitivity to livestock husbandry of Pallas's cat in the Mongolian Altai
Authors: Greco Ilaria , Oberosler Valentina , Monti Ibra Edoardo , Augugliaro Claudio , Barashkova Anna , Rovero Francesco
Published: December 2021

Biased research and conservation efforts result in some faunal groups (e.g., small felids) being understudied, and hence these groups are often declining without adequate knowledge to manage for threat reduction. The Pallas's cat (Otocolobus manul) occurs across central and western Asia with declining populations and the largest population is likely in Mongolia. A potential threat to this felid is livestock encroachment across its range, including within protected areas, yet we lack a clear understanding of the impact of livestock husbandry on this cat. We used motion‐sensitive camera data from 216 sites in 4 study areas in western Mongolia to study the occurrence probability of Pallas's cat in relation to habitat characteristics and occurrence of livestock, and conducted a local assessment within a strictly protected area where we obtained the highest number of detections. We estimated a relatively low occupancy (0.33 ± 0.10), which is associated with sites with natural vegetation, steeper slopes, and greater prey abundance. Occupancy also increased with increasing livestock occurrence, particularly large herds of sheep and goats. Such co‐occurrence was partially adjusted by diel activity segregation, presumably to limit direct encounters. Our results suggest that the preferred habitat by Pallas's cat in the study region coincides with areas encroached by livestock. The Pallas's cat's habitat is specialized and its dependence on areas that are increasingly used for grazing may eventually threaten the cat with habitat degradation, prey depletion, predation by dogs, and poisoning from pest control. Relevant conservation actions should regulate livestock encroachment within protected areas and improve grazing regimes. The Pallas's cat is an indicator species of mountainous and steppe ecosystems in central Asia; hence, further research towards the preservation of its populations would also benefit other key species across its range.
MoS2@PDA@Ag/PVA Hybrid Hydrogel with Excellent Light‐Responsive Antibacterial Activity and Enhanced Mechanical Properties for Wound Dressing
Authors: Yan Pengfei , Li Mengya , Liu Jie , Hu Yadi , Tang Keyong
Published: December 2021

Hydrogel is an ideal wound dressing material because of its 3D network structure, which is similar to that of the extracellular matrix. However, it is a challenge to design antibiotic‐free hydrogels with both antibacterial activity and enhanced mechanical strength. In this study, a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hybrid hydrogel incorporated with molybdenum disulfide@polydopamine@silver (MoS2@PDA@Ag) is prepared for rapid killing of bacteria under irradiation with near‐infrared (NIR) light. The interpenetration of MoS2‐based nanoparticles and PVA molecular chain significantly improves the mechanical property of the hydrogel. The hydrogels demonstrate an excellent photothermal effect and antibacterial activity, and the photocatalytic properties are considerably enhanced by Ag doping. The hydrogel exhibits favorable antibacterial activity after irradiation with 808 nm NIR light for 15 min due to the synergistic effect of reactive oxygen species and hyperthermia. Meanwhile, in vitro 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay further demonstrated that all hydrogels are nontoxic when their effects are examined against mouse fibroblasts (L929) cells. In addition, the MoS2@PDA@Ag/PVA hydrogel can promote wound healing compared with the pure PVA hydrogel, demonstrating its significant potential in mitigating bacterial infection of wounds.
Designing benefit distribution driven innovation strategy for local enterprises under the global value chain system
Authors: Wang Ying , Mao Xiangyu , Zameer Hashim
Published: December 2021

The threat from multinational enterprises to local enterprises in developing countries is increasing with the in‐depth development of global value chain cooperation. To increase the profit distribution of local enterprises in global value chain, it is necessary to analyze the cooperation strategy between local enterprises and multinational enterprises. In this paper, cooperative game theory is applied to form a better understanding of cooperation between local enterprises and multinational enterprises. The Shapley values under different cooperative models are analyzed. Based on the analysis, the paper provides some suggestions for local enterprises to enhance the profit distribution of cooperation with multinational enterprises.
Reimagining ‘normal’ in 2022
Authors: Gillison Daniel H.
Published: December 2021

I think we could all agree that the last two years have been anything but “normal.” A global pandemic, an attack on our nation's Capitol — between social distancing and social unrest, both 2020 and 2021 have presented a variety of challenges to our mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health.
Study of effective permittivity and loss reduction of SISL using ring resonator
Authors: Liu Zhiyi , Ma Kaixue , Yan Ningning
Published: December 2021

A ring resonator used to study the effective permittivity and the loss of substrate integrated suspended line (SISL) is presented in this article. The effective permittivity is obtained by calculating resonant frequency and the relative value of loss is calculated by comparing unloaded quality factor (Q factor). For the four cases of uniform ring resonators, their S‐parameter, effective permittivity, unloaded Q factors are simulated, measured and investigated. The effect caused by the height of air cavity, the material of dielectric substrate, dielectric loss tangent is also investigated. Finally, the calculated results indicate that the effective permittivity of SISL structure at operating frequency is very closed to 1, which manifests that within a certain substrate‐material range the relative permittivity of substrate has little influence on SISL platform that is instructive for SISL circuits design. And the use of metalized via‐hole connection with dielectric removal can reduce the circuit loss dramatically.
Simultaneous 3D acquisition of1H MRF and23Na MRI
Authors: Yu Zidan , Hodono Shota , Dergachyova Olga , Hilbert Tom , Wang Bili , Zhang Bei , Brown Ryan , Sodickson Daniel K. , Madelin Guillaume , Cloos Martijn A.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

To develop a 3D MR technique to simultaneously acquire proton multiparametric maps (T1, T2, and proton density) and sodium density weighted images over the whole brain.

Methods

We implemented a 3D stack‐of‐stars MR pulse sequence which consists of interleaved proton (1H) and sodium (23Na) excitations, tailored slice encoding gradients that can encode the same slice for both nuclei, and simultaneous readout with different radial trajectories (1H, full‐radial;23Na, center‐out radial). The receive chain of our 7T scanner was modified to enable simultaneous acquisition of1H and23Na signal. A heuristically optimized flip angle train was implemented for proton MR fingerprinting (MRF). The SNR and the accuracy of proton T1and T2were evaluated in phantoms. Finally, in vivo application of the method was demonstrated in five healthy subjects.

Results

The SNR for the simultaneous measurement was almost identical to that for the single‐nucleus measurements (<2% change). The proton T1and T2maps remained similar to the results from a reference 2D MRF technique (normalized RMS error in T1≈ 4.2% and T2≈ 11.3%). Measurements in healthy subjects corroborated these results and demonstrated the feasibility of our method for in vivo application. The in vivo T1values measured using our method were lower than the results measured by other conventional techniques.

Conclusions

With the 3D simultaneous implementation, we were able to acquire sodium and proton density weighted images in addition to proton T1, T2, andfrom1H MRF that covers the whole brain volume within 21 min.
Multi‐band echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging of hyperpolarized 13C probes in a compact preclinical PET/MR scanner
Authors: von Morze Cornelius , Blazey Tyler , Baeza Richard , Garipov Ruslan , Whitehead Timothy , Reed Galen D. , Garbow Joel R. , Shoghi Kooresh I.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

Hyperpolarized (HP) 13C MRI has enabled real‐time imaging of specific enzyme‐catalyzed metabolic reactions, but advanced pulse sequences are necessary to capture the dynamic, localized metabolic information. Herein we describe the design, implementation, and testing of a rapid and efficient HP 13C pulse sequence strategy on a cryogen‐free simultaneous positron emission tomography/MR molecular imaging platform with compact footprint.

Methods

We developed an echo planar spectroscopic imaging pulse sequence incorporating multi‐band spectral–spatial radiofrequency (SSRF) pulses for spatially coregistered excitation of 13C metabolites with differential individual flip angles. Excitation profiles were measured in phantoms, and the SSRF‐echo planar spectroscopic imaging sequence was tested in rats in vivo and compared to conventional echo planar spectroscopic imaging. The new sequence was applied for 2D dynamic metabolic imaging of HP [1‐13C]pyruvate and its molecular analog [1‐13C]‐ketobutyrate at a spatial resolution of 5 mm × 5 mm × 20 mm and temporal resolution of 4 s. We also obtained simultaneous 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography data for comparison with HP [1‐13C]pyruvate data acquired during the same scan session.

Results

Measured SSRF excitation profiles corresponded well to Bloch simulations. Multi‐band SSRF excitation facilitated efficient sampling of the multi‐spectral kinetics of [1‐13C]pyruvate and [1‐13C]‐. Whereas high pyruvate to lactate conversion was observed in liver, corresponding reduction of ‐ketobutyrate to [1‐13C]‐hydroxybutyrate (HB) was largely restricted to the kidneys and heart, consistent with the known expression pattern of lactate dehydrogenase B.

Conclusion

Advanced 13C SSRF imaging approaches are feasible on our compact positron emission tomography/MR platform, maximizing the potential of HP 13C technology and facilitating direct comparison with positron emission tomography.
A probabilistic proof of the Perron–Frobenius theorem
Authors: Glynn Peter W. , Desai Paritosh Y.
Published: December 2021

The Perron–Frobenius theorem plays an important role in many areas of management science and operations research. This article provides a probabilistic perspective on the theorem, by discussing a proof that exploits a probabilistic representation of the Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue and eigenvectors in terms of the dynamics of a Markov chain. The proof recovers conditions in both the finite‐dimensional and infinite‐dimensional settings under which the Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue and eigenvectors have been shown to exist by other methods. In addition to providing new insights, the probabilistic representations that arise can be used to produce a Monte–Carlo algorithm for computing the Perron–Frobenius eigenvalue and eigenvectors that will be explored elsewhere.
Ultrahigh field brain magnetic resonance imaging using semiadiabatic radiofrequency pulses
Authors: Ordidge Roger , Blunck Yasmin , Glarin Rebecca , Moffat Bradford , Johnston Leigh
Published: December 2021

Great attention is being paid to solving, or mitigating, the technical problems associated with MRI at ultrahigh field strengths of 7 T and higher. This paper explores the use of the semiadiabatic spin‐echo (SA‐SE) pulse sequence, which uses semiadiabatic radiofrequency (RF) pulses to remove and/or mitigate the effects of the nonuniform B1 excitation field and B0 inhomogeneity associated with the electromagnetic properties of the human brain. A semiadiabatic RF pulse version of the recently published serial transmit excitation pulse (STEP) RF pulse sequence is also presented that now incorporates semiadiabatic pulses, henceforth is called SA‐STEP. As demonstrated by computer simulation, and confirmed using head imaging, both techniques can produce multislice SE MR imaging at 7 T. These new methods use relatively low RF power and achieve good coverage of the human brain in a single scan.
Potential of in vitro nuclear magnetic resonance of biofluids and tissues in clinical research
Authors: Dubey Richa , Sinha Neeraj , Jagannathan Naranamangalam R.
Published: December 2021

Body fluids, cells, and tissues contain a wide variety of metabolites that consist of a mixture of various low‐molecular‐weight compounds, including amino acids, peptides, lipids, nucleic acids, and organic acids, which makes comprehensive analysis more difficult. Quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a well‐established analytical technique for analyzing the metabolic profiles of body fluids, cells, and tissues. It enables fast and comprehensive detection, characterization, a high level of experimental reproducibility, minimal sample preparation, and quantification of various endogenous metabolites. In recent times, NMR‐based metabolomics has been appreciably utilized in diverse branches of medicine, including microbiology, toxicology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, nutritional intervention, and disease diagnosis/prognosis. In this review, the utility of NMR‐based metabolomics in clinical studies is discussed. The significance of in vitro NMR‐based metabolomics as an effective tool for detecting metabolites and their variations in different diseases are discussed, together with the possibility of identifying specific biomarkers that can contribute to early detection and diagnosis of disease.
Family bonding as a result of the family talk intervention in pediatric oncology: Siblings’ experiences
Authors: Ivéus Kerstin , Eklund Rakel , Kreicbergs Ulrika , Lövgren Malin
Published: December 2021

Background

Childhood cancer affects the whole family. Illness‐related stressors increase the risk for poor family communication, affecting the family's well‐being. Siblings describe worry and poor illness‐related information. As there are few evaluated family interventions in pediatric oncology, this study aimed to pilot‐test a family‐centered intervention, the family talk intervention (FTI), in pediatric oncology. This paper examined the feasibility in terms of acceptability from the siblings’ perspectives.

Methods

This study derives from a pilot study of 26 families including 37 siblings recruited from one pediatric oncology center. Standard FTI comprises six meetings with the family, led by two interventionists, with the main goal to facilitate family communication on illness‐related topics (e.g., prognosis, the invisibility of healthy siblings). This paper focuses on interview and survey data from siblings after participation in FTI. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier NCT03650530).

Results

The siblings, aged 6 to 24 years, stated that the interventionists made the meetings feel like a safe environment and that it was a relief for the siblings to talk. They reported that FTI helped the family talk openly about illness‐related topics, which they felt led to increased family understanding and improved relationships. The siblings described that FTI also helped them with their school situation. The majority of the siblings reported that FTI came at the right time and involved an appropriate number of meetings.

Conclusion

According to the siblings, the timing, content, and structure of FTI were appropriate. FTI showed benefits for both the siblings and each family as a whole.
Neurocognitive functioning in preschool children with sickle cell disease
Authors: Heitzer Andrew M. , Cohen Diana L. , Okhomina Victoria I. , Trpchevska Ana , Potter Brian , Longoria Jennifer , Porter Jerlym S. , Estepp Jeremie H. , King Allison , Henley Misham , Kang Guolian , Hankins Jane S.
Published: December 2021

Background

Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience neurodevelopmental delays; however, there is limited research with preschool‐age children. This study examined neurocognitive risk and protective factors in preschoolers with SCD.

Procedure

Sixty‐two patients with SCD (60% HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia; 40% HbSC/HbSβ+‐thalassemia) between the ages of 3 and 6 years (mean = 4.77 years) received a neuropsychological evaluation as routine systematic surveillance. Patients were not selected for disease severity, prior central nervous system findings, or existing cognitive concerns. Thirty‐four patients (82% HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia) were prescribed hydroxyurea (HU) at the time of their neuropsychological evaluation. On average, these patients had been prescribed HU at 2.15 (standard deviation = 1.45) years of age. The average dose was 28.8 mg/kg/day. Besides genotype, there were no group differences in medical or demographic factors based on HU treatment status.

Results

Patients with HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia scored below normative expectations on measures of intelligence, verbal comprehension, and school readiness (false discovery rate‐adjusted p‐value [pFDR] < .05). Age, sickle genotype, and HU treatment exposure were not associated with measured neurocognitive outcomes (pFDR > .05). Greater social vulnerability at the community level was associated with poorer performance on measures of intellectual functioning, verbal comprehension, visuomotor control, and school readiness, as well as parent report of executive dysfunction (pFDR < .05). Greater household socioeconomic status was positively associated with academic readiness.

Conclusions

Preschoolers with severe SCD (HbSS/HbSβ0‐thalassemia) perform below age expectations on measures of intelligence and academic readiness. Sociodemographic factors were stronger drivers of neurocognitive performance than disease severity or disease‐modifying treatment. Neurodevelopmental interventions targeting the home and broader community environment are needed.
Perioperative risk factors for long‐term intelligence in children with postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome after medulloblastoma surgery
Authors: Aarsen Femke K. , van Veelen‐Vincent Marie‐Lise C. , Partanen Marita , Catsman‐Berrevoets Coriene E.
Published: December 2021

Objective

Approximately 7%–50% of children with medulloblastoma (MB) develop postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome (pCMS). pCMS has a short‐term negative impact on intelligence, but effects on long‐term outcomes are contradictory. The aim of this study was to assess long‐term effects of pCMS in MB patients on aspects of intelligence quotient (IQ) and its perioperative risk factors.

Methods

In this single‐center retrospective cohort study, 31 children were included (14 pCMS). Perioperative risk factors included brainstem invasion, vermis incision, hydrocephalus, tumor size, severity of pCMS, neurological symptoms, mean body temperature (BT) on days 1–4 post surgery, and age at resection. Age‐appropriate Wechsler Intelligence tests were assessed at least 2 years after tumor resection.

Results

Mean interval between tumor resection and neuropsychological evaluation was 3.9 years in pCMS and 4 years and 11 months in the no‐pCMS group. No significant differences in IQ scores were found between groups. The pCMS group had a clinically relevant difference of 10 points when compared to age norms on verbal IQ (VIQ). Bilateral pyramidal and swallowing problems were risk factors for lower performance. In the overall group, tumor size, younger age at surgery, and raised mean BT were negatively correlated with aspects of IQ.

Conclusions

We found a clinically significant reduction of VIQ in the pCMS patient group. pCMS patients with a larger tumor size, younger age at surgery, a higher mean BT in the first days after surgery, bilateral pyramidal symptoms, and swallowing problems 10 days post surgery are more at risk for VIQ deficits at long‐term.
Assessment of bronchodilator response by forced oscillation technique in a preterm infant with evolving bronchopulmonary dysplasia: A case report
Authors: Rigotti Camilla , Zannin Emanuela , Abdelfattah Abedulrhman S. , Ventura Maria Luisa , Dellacà Raffaele L.
Published: December 2021

Inhaled bronchodilators are often given in preterm infants with evolving or established bronchopulmonary dysplasia. However, it is unclear which patients may benefit from it and when it is the best time to start treatment. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) is a noninvasive method for assessing lung mechanics that proved sensitive to airway obstruction reversibility in children and adults. FOT does not need patient cooperation, which is ideal for infants. Bedside tools for applying FOT in infants during spontaneous breathing and different respiratory support modes are becoming available. This case report illustrates for the first time that FOT has potential value in assessing airway obstruction reversibility in preterm infants, informing which infants may manifest a clinical benefit from the treatment with bronchodilators.
Evolution of Deep Traps in GaN‐Based RF High Electron Mobility Transistors under High Voltage OFF‐State Stress
Authors: Li Min , Huang Sen , Wang Xinhua , Guo Fuqiang , Yao Yixu , Shi Jingyuan , Wei Ke , Liu Xinyu
Published: December 2021

An unrecoverable degradation of gate leakage is observed in AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) under high OFF‐state drain bias stress up to 200 V. Current‐mode deep‐level transient spectroscopy is developed for in situ observation of evolution of traps in the HEMTs before and after stress. It is revealed that two discrete traps, with activation energy of 0.54 and 0.69 eV, have converted into a deeper and broader trap (0.86 eV) after the stress, along with an increased apparent capture cross section (from 1.71 × 10−17–1.11 × 10−15 cm2 to 9.05 × 10−15 cm2). The conversion lowers down the tunneling barrier between metal and the AlGaN barrier, which facilitates trap‐assisted gate leakage in reversed biased AlGaN/GaN HEMTs. Engineering of deep traps in the AlGaN/GaN epilayers is essential for promoting and upgrading of power capability of GaN‐based RF HEMTs.
Giant Optical Oscillator Strengths in Perturbed Hexagonal Germanium
Authors: Belabbes Abderrezak , Bechstedt Friedhelm , Botti Silvana
Published: December 2021

By means of ab initio calculations we demonstrate that perturbed hexagonal germanium is a superior material for active optoelectronic devices in the infrared spectral region. Perfect lonsdaleite germanium is a pseudodirect semiconductor, with a direct fundamental band gap but almost vanishing optical transitions. Perturbing the system by replacing a germanium atom with a silicon atom in the primitive cell increases the oscillator strength at the onset gap by orders of magnitude, with a concurrent blue shift of the transition energies. This effect is mainly due to the increased s character of the lowest conduction band because of the perturbation‐induced wave function mixing. A structural distortion of pure lonsdaleite Ge can enhance as well optical oscillator strengths, but their magnitude significantly depends on the specific details of the resulting atomic geometry. In particular, moderate tensile uniaxial strain can induce an order inversion of the two lowest conduction bands, leading to an extremely efficient enhancement of the dipole matrix elements at the minimum gap. In general, chemical and/or structural perturbations are shown to make lonsdaleite germanium a suitable material for light emitting devices.
Analysis of Improved 2D Electron Gas Mobility in InAlN/AlN/InGaN High‐Electron‐Mobility Transistors with GaN Interlayer
Authors: Tang Jinjin , Liu Guipeng , Mao Bangyao , Zhao Guijuan , Yang Jianhong
Published: December 2021

Herein, the physical mechanism of the GaN interlayer for improving 2D electron gas (2DEG) mobility in the InGaN channel using an intersub‐band scattering model is systematically elucidated. The model takes into account various scattering mechanisms between the first four sub‐bands, in which the wavefunction of each sub‐band is obtained by self‐consistently solving 1D Schrödinger−Poisson equations. The total 2DEG mobility is obtained by averaging the sub‐band mobility by the percentage of electrons in the different sub‐bands. The effect of introducing different thicknesses of the GaN interlayer on the mobility limited by various scattering mechanisms is discussed in detail, especially polar optical phonon scattering and alloy disorder scattering. The calculated results are well supported by the reported experimental data, validating the correctness of the model.
Survey of FMEA methods with improvement on performance inconsistency
Authors: Ouyang Linhan , Yan Ling , Han Mei , Gu Xiaoguang
Published: December 2021

Failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) is an effective risk assessment tool for detecting and reducing possible risks during a manufacturing process. However, traditional FMEA has some shortcomings when used in the real world. In recent years, improved FMEA approaches have been proposed to eliminate the inherent shortcomings of FMEA, but the risk ranking result obtained from those FMEA approaches may be inconsistent. Therefore, this paper integrates six FMEA approaches by using an ensemble learning technique to obtain comprehensive and reliable rankings for failure modes. Data from the assembly process of spark plugs are used to check the performance of the proposed method. Meanwhile, a comparation is designed to illustrate that the proposed FMEA method can not only obtain reliable results, but also provide meaningful management insights for practitioners.
A graph sequence neural architecture for code completion with semantic structure features
Authors: Yang Kang , Yu Huiqun , Fan Guisheng , Yang Xingguang , Huang Zijie
Published: December 2021

Code completion plays an important role in intelligent software development for accelerating coding efficiency. Recently, the prediction models based on deep learning have achieved good performance in code completion task. However, the existing models cannot avoid three drawbacks: (i) In the existing models, the code representation loses the information (parent–child information between nodes) and lacks many effective features (orientation between nodes). (ii) The known code structure information is not fully utilized, which will cause the model to generate completely irrelevant results. (iii) Simple sequence modeling ignores repeated patterns and structural information. Besides, previous works cannot capture the characteristics of correlation and directionality between nodes. In this paper, we propose a Code Completion approach named CC‐GGNN, which is graph model based on Gated Graph Neural Networks (GGNNs) to address the problems. We introduce a new architecture to obtain the effective code features from code representation. In order to utilize the known information, we propose Classification Mechanism, which classifies the representation of the node using the known parent node and constructs training graph in the model. The experimental results show that our model outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods MRR@5 at most 9.2% and ACC at most 11.4% in datasets.
Evaluation of design pattern alternatives in Java
Authors: Bijlsma Lex A. , Kok Arjan J. F. , Passier Harrie J. M. , Pootjes Harold J. , Stuurman Sylvia
Published: December 2021

Design patterns are standard solutions to common design problems. The famous Gang of Four book describes more than twenty design patterns for the object‐oriented paradigm. These patterns were developed more than twenty‐five years ago, using the programming language concepts available at that time. Patterns do not always fit underlying domain concepts. For example, even when a concrete strategy is a pure function, the classical strategy pattern represents this as a separate subclass and as such obscures the intent of this pattern with extra complexities due to the inheritance‐based implementation. Due to the ongoing development of oo‐languages, a relevant question is whether the implementation of these patterns can be improved using new language features, such that they fit more closely with the intent. An additional question is then how we can decide which implementation is to be preferred. In this article, we investigate both questions, using the strategy pattern as an example. Our main contribution is that we show how to reason about different implementations, using both the description of a design pattern and design principles as guidance.
Effect of the core sample in low aspect ratio on concrete compressive strength
Authors: Yang Suhang , Chen Chuan , Xu Zhifeng
Published: December 2021

Cores with diameters of 100, 75, and 50 mm and with varied length‐to‐diameter (l/d) ratios of 1.0, 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, and 0.6 were extracted from concrete panels of 11 different concrete mixtures and prepared in the lab. Compressive strength tests of concrete cores and cubic samples were performed at 7, 28, 60, and 120 days, respectively. Strengths of cores withl/dratios ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 could be converted by the strength correction coefficient into that of the core with thel/dratio of 1.0. The evidence for the reliability of compressive strength of cores with lowl/dratios is very seldom in literatures. The test results indicated that correction factors gradually decreased with the decrease inl/dratio, the strength of the core increased and the effect was more pronounced for cores with smaller diameter and the maximum aggregate size. Correction factors of cores drilled from river gravel aggregate concrete are slightly higher than that from crushed stone aggregate concrete. The longer the age of concrete is, the lower the correction coefficient becomes. The proposed correction factor values for core test samples with thel/dratios ranging from 0.6 to 1.0 differ from the prior researches. For compliance with the requirement of the test data variability, there is no reason to limit the ratio of aggregate sizes (da) to the diameter of the core (d) to a minimum of 3.0 (d/da). The results show that the concrete core with a diameter less than the standard size andl/dless than 1.0 can effectively reflect the variation of concrete strength with acceptable reliability. Drilling‐core with lowl/dratios will facilitate the reduction of the damage to the structures, so the members with thickness less than 150 mm (e.g., slab and shearwall) can be drilled and tested.
Disentangling the historical collection of José Jerónimo Triana from the República de la Nueva Granada between 1851 and 1857
Authors: Reinales Sandra , Parra‐O. Carlos
Published: December 2021

The specimens collected by José Jerónimo Triana are an important legacy of the first major scientific expedition organized by the government of Nueva Granada, present‐day Colombia: the Chorographic Commission. After finishing his duties in the Commission, Triana gave to the Colombian government a complete set of his specimens in 1856, along with a catalog where he taxonomically organized and numbered his collections. After traveling to Europe in May 1857, carrying part of his herbarium, Triana prepared a new catalog in which he reorganized the numbering of his collections, and added at least three additional number series: the serial numbers (i.e., Triana “collection numbers”), the “Linden” numbers, and the number of duplicates for each gathering. The use of different number series in the two catalogs and on the labels of duplicates of the same gathering stored in numerous herbaria around the world has produced ambiguity in the designation of type specimens collected by Triana. These nomenclatural issues were analyzed, and a guideline is presented for lectotypifying plant names for which Triana's specimens were used as types. Sixty‐five Triana specimens already deposited in COL were newly identified as types of 62 species names from 36 families, after establishing their proper correspondence to duplicates currently stored in different European herbaria.
Synthesis of Unsymmetrical Biheteroarenes via Dehydrogenative and Decarboxylative Coupling: a Decade Update
Authors: Majumder Souvik , Ghosh Sumit , Pyne Pranjal , Ghosh Anogh , Ghosh Debashis , Hajra Alakananda
Published: December 2021

The design and development of robust and efficient methods for installing one heterocycle with another is endowed as a ubiquitous and powerful synthetic strategy to access complex organic biheterocycles in recent days due to their pervasive applications in medicinal as well as material chemistry. This perspective presents an overview on the recent findings and developments for the synthesis of unsymmetrical biheteroarenes via dehydrogenative and decarboxylative couplings with literature coverage mainly extending from 2011 to 2021. For simplification of the readers, the article has been subcategorized based on the catalysts used in the reactions.
Numerical Simulation for Analyzing Re‐strike Phenomenon of Arc Plasma Considering Application of Recovery Voltage at Direct Current Circuit Breaker
Authors: Ren Zhenwei , Nemoto Yusuke , Suzuki Yuki , Iwao Toru
Published: December 2021

To simulate the arc plasma movement and its physical properties during the interruption process of a direct current circuit breaker (DCCB), a numerical method was established in this study for applying recovery voltage during this interruption process considering the molten metal bridge, electrode opening process, and external magnetic field. The results reveal that the re‐strike phenomenon was triggered by either the residue of high‐temperature gas between the electrodes or the rebound flow velocity distribution at the periphery of arc plasma. Furthermore, suggestions for improving the DCCB design are provided herein. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Preparation, characterization, and application of hydrogel derived from chitin with lithium chloride for growth and development of rosemary plants
Authors: Truong Trang Thi Cam , Kobayashi Takaomi , Van Tran Lam
Published: December 2021

In this study, the N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc) solution with different lithium chloride concentrations of 3 wt%, 5 wt%, and 7 wt% by phase inversion in ethanol vapor to produce chitin hydrogels for plant growth. The chitin hydrogel prepared with a higher concentration of lithium chloride showed improvements in elastic and mechanical properties. The tensile strength was enhanced from 275.8 to 434 kPa for the chitin hydrogel with 3% and 7% of LiCl. While the reduction in water content suggested forming a denser hydrogel structure at higher LiCl concentrations; the water contact angle (WCA) value indicated that chitin‐derived hydrogels are hydrophilic. Moreover, the bio‐degradation experiment indicated the degradable percent of the chitin hydrogel placed in 10 mg/L of aqueous lysozyme solutions at 37°C increases during 7 to 28 days from 4.72 wt% to 5.45 wt%. The obtained hydrogel was suitable for the growth and development on rosemary plants. The condition CE15 with the hydrogel of 85 wt% chitin‐derived hydrogel and 15 wt% cellulose as best medium planting with the largest effect on the height, the crown's diameters and the number of level‐one branches of the rosemary plants.
The Worldwide Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative: ADNI‐3 updates and global perspectives
Authors: Weber Christopher J. , Carrillo Maria C. , Jagust William , Jack Clifford R. , Shaw Leslie M. , Trojanowski John Q. , Saykin Andrew J. , Beckett Laurel A. , Sur Cyrille , Rao Naren P. , Mendez Patricio Chrem , Black Sandra E. , Li Kuncheng , Iwatsubo Takeshi , Chang Chiung‐Chih , Sosa Ana Luisa , Rowe Christopher C. , Perrin Richard J. , Morris John C. , Healan Amanda M.B. , Hall Stephen E. , Weiner Michael W.
Published: December 2021

The Worldwide Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (WW‐ADNI) is a collaborative effort to investigate imaging and biofluid markers that can inform Alzheimer's disease treatment trials. It is a public‐private partnership that spans North America, Argentina, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan. In 2004, ADNI researchers began a naturalistic, longitudinal study that continues today around the globe. Through several successive phases (ADNI‐1, ADNI‐GO, ADNI‐2, and ADNI‐3), the study has fueled amyloid and tau phenotyping and refined neuroimaging methodologies. WW‐ADNI researchers have successfully standardized analyses and openly share data without embargo, providing a rich data set for other investigators. On August 26, 2020, the Alzheimer's Association convened WW‐ADNI researchers who shared updates from ADNI‐3 and their vision for ADNI‐4.
Estimation of dementia prevalence at the local level in the United States
Authors: Bennett Erin E. , Kwan Abraham , Gianattasio Kan Z. , Engelman Brittany , Dowling N. Maritza , Power Melinda C.
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Ensuring adequate and equitable distribution of resources to support persons living with dementia relies on understanding the burden and distribution of dementia in a population. Our goal was to develop an approach to estimate dementia prevalence at the local level in the United States using publicly available data.

Methods

Our approach combines publicly available data on dementia prevalence and demographic data from the US Census to estimate dementia prevalence. We illustrate this approach by estimating dementia prevalence in persons aged 65 and older in Philadelphia, PA; Chicago, IL; and Atlanta, GA.

Results

Overall, we estimate the prevalence of dementia among those 65 and older to be 11.9% in Philadelphia, 11.8% Chicago, and 12.3% in Atlanta. Estimates across Philadelphia localities vary from 9.3% to 15.9%.

Discussion

Our approach provides a cost‐effective method to generate estimates of dementia prevalence at the local level.

HIGHLIGHTS

Brain health needs assessments require understanding of local dementia prevalence.

Our approach can be used to estimate dementia prevalence in individual communities.

This information can inform decisions about distribution of resources.
Machine learning activation energies of chemical reactions
Authors: Lewis‐Atwell Toby , Townsend Piers A. , Grayson Matthew N.
Published: December 2021

Application of machine learning (ML) to the prediction of reaction activation barriers is a new and exciting field for these algorithms. The works covered here are specifically those in which ML is trained to predict the activation energies of homogeneous chemical reactions, where the activation energy is given by the energy difference between the reactants and transition state of a reaction. Particular attention is paid to works that have applied ML to directly predict reaction activation energies, the limitations that may be found in these studies, and where comparisons of different types of chemical features for ML models have been made. Also explored are models that have been able to obtain high predictive accuracies, but with reduced datasets, using the Gaussian process regression ML model. In these studies, the chemical reactions for which activation barriers are modeled include those involving small organic molecules, aromatic rings, and organometallic catalysts. Also provided are brief explanations of some of the most popular types of ML models used in chemistry, as a beginner's guide for those unfamiliar.

This article is categorized under:

Structure and Mechanism > Reaction Mechanisms and Catalysis

Computer and Information Science > Visualization
Improving the Understanding of a Remote Environment by Immersive Man-Machine Interaction
Authors: Böken David , Schluse Michael , Rossmann Jürgen
Published: December 2021

In a changing world, the way we interact with machines must change as well. Teleoperation becomes more important. This poses its own set of challenges. To solve these a new Human-Machine interface must be developed. By developing this HMI around the concept of immersion, these challenges can be solved. This new kind of HMI can be applied to different fields. Examples using forestry or remote robot operations are demonstrated.
Evaluation of ML-Based Grasping Approaches in the Field of Automated Assembly
Authors: Petrovic Oliver , Blanke Philipp , Belke Manuel , Wefelnberg Eike , Storms Simon , Brecher Christian
Published: December 2021

Current trends in the manufacturing industry lead to high competitive pressure and requirements regarding process autonomy and flexibility in the production environment. Especially in assembly, automation systems are confronted with a high number of variants. Robot-based processes are a powerful tool for addressing these challenges. For this purpose, robots must be made capable of grasping a variety of diverse components, which are often provided in unknown poses. In addition to existing analytical algorithms, empirical ML-based approaches have been developed, which offer great potentials in increasing flexibility. In this paper, the functionalities and potentials of these approaches will be presented and then compared to the requirements from production processes in order to analyze the status quo of ML-based grasping. Functional gaps are identified that still need to be overcome in order to enable the technology for the use in industrial assembly.
An Invitation to Civic Dialogue
Authors: Brown Marvin T.
Published: December 2021

Those of us who have benefited from the climate of injustice need an invitation from others to join with them in changing our social climate to a climate of justice. The controversaries over national monuments opens the door to explore the question of who needs an invitation from whom and what white people need to learn in order to respond to the civilian invitation from others. The others include future generations, Syrian refugees, migrants at our Southern border, and personal invitations from People of Color. Personal invitations depend on our aptitude in engaging in dialogue, as is illustrated by an imaginary dialogue involving a white man and a black woman. Such dialogues can create the conditions for good conversations, and these conversation can move us toward a climate of justice—an ethical foundation for developing policies to protect our habitat for future generations.
Article 16: The Right to Protection of Privacy
Authors: Whalen Christian
Published: January 2022

This chapter provides a brief overview of article 16 of the UN Convention on the rights of the child and of its legislative history as outlined in the Travaux Préparatoires. It outlines the principle threats to children’s privacy today and summarizes the substantive content of Article 16, particularly in relation to the General Principles of child rights in Articles 2, 3, 6, and 12, as well as the nexus between the right to privacy and several other rights of children under the Convention as well as other international human rights instruments. It then puts forward four main attributes of the child’s right to privacy as aspects of the right which State Parties should monitor as a means of measuring the effective implementation of Article 16. The essential attributes of Article 16 and the child’s right to privacy are State protection against: (1) interference with privacy; (2) interference with family, home or correspondence; (3) unlawful attacks upon honour and reputation; and (4) protection of the law against unlawful interference or attacks.
Chapter 7: Article 21—Adoption
Authors: Lansdown Gerison
Published: January 2022

‘For me when a child is adopted, he should be able to know what his past is like, who his parents are, etc. And you can’t adopt a child without his consent.’ (Eastern Europe)
Article 25: The Right to Periodic Review of Treatment and All Other Circumstances of Placement
Authors: Lansdown Gerison , Vaghri Ziba
Published: January 2022

‘More in-depth screening process for foster parents to ensure the housing placement will be safe before the follow-up.’ (Western Europe/Other)
Article 33: The Right to Protection from Illicit Use of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances
Authors: Barrett Damon , Vaghri Ziba
Published: January 2022

Schools have courses for students and communities to understand well the consequences of harmful drug and know how to deal with the activities of drug trading.(Asia-Pacific)
Article 39: The Right to Physical and Psychological Recovery of Child Victims
Authors: Vaghri Ziba , Covell Katherine , Lansdown Gerison
Published: January 2022

‘All youth protection services should be free.’(Western Europe/Other)
Article 34: The Right to Protection from All Forms of Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse
Authors: Arkadas-Thibert Adem
Published: January 2022

Government and schools have communication activities to raise awareness on preventing sexual abuse against children. (Asia-Pacific)
Article 7: The Right to a Name, Nationality, and to Know and Be Cared for by Parents
Authors: Arkadas-Thibert Adem , Lansdown Gerison
Published: January 2022

‘Government should provide birth certificates and medical reports to let the children know where they came from.’(Asia-Pacific)
Article 14: The Right to Freedom of Thought, Conscience, and Religion
Authors: Ruggiero Roberta
Published: January 2022

‘There would be places of worship and religious texts from a variety of religions in each municipality.’(Western Europe/Other)
Vergleich der Wirkung der explorativen Tympanoskopie inkl. Obliteration der runden/ovalen Fensternische mit autologem Bindegewebe mit intratympanalen Kortikoidinjektionen bei der Behandlung des Hörsturzes
Authors: Eichhorn Thomas
Published: December 2021

Die intra-/transtympanalen Steroidinjektionen (ITST) stellen unseres Erachtens das Verfahren in der Behandlung des Hörsturzes dar, das in seinem Indikationsbereich mit dem der explorativen Tympanoskopie einschließlich Abdichtung des runden/ovalen Fensters (TYMP) am ehesten verglichen werden kann und zur Zeit sicher von beiden Methoden weltweit (noch) am häufigsten im Second-Line-Vorgehen Verwendung findet. Deshalb sollen in diesem Kapitel die aus der Literatur ableitbaren Hördaten beider Therapieregimes einander gegenübergestellt werden.
Tomato, Onion and Potato (TOP) Value Chains
Authors: Gulati Ashok , Wardhan Harsh , Sharma Pravesh
Published: December 2021

Tomatoes, onions and potatoes, popularly known as the TOP vegetables, are the three largest cultivated, produced and consumed vegetables in India. Their production has increased dramatically over the years, making India the second-largest producer of all the three vegetables in the world just after China. Recent figures put tomato production at 19 million metric tonnes (MMT), onion production at 22.8 MMT and potato production at 50.2 MMT in 2018–19.