bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ecological Disturbance Through Patch‐Burn Grazing Influences Lesser Prairie‐Chicken Space Use
Authors: Lautenbach Jonathan D. , Haukos David A. , Lautenbach Joseph M. , Hagen Christian A.
Published: September 2021

Across portions of the western Great Plains in North America, natural fire has been removed from grassland ecosystems, decreasing vegetation heterogeneity and allowing woody encroachment. The loss of fire has implications for grassland species requiring diverse vegetation patches and structure or patches that have limited occurrence in the absence of fire. The lesser prairie‐chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) is a declining species of prairie‐grouse that requires heterogeneous grasslands throughout its life history and fire has been removed from much of its occupied range. Patch‐burn grazing is a management strategy that re‐establishes the fire‐grazing interaction to a grassland system, increasing heterogeneity in vegetation structure and composition. We evaluated the effects of patch‐burn grazing on lesser prairie‐chicken space use, habitat features, and vegetation selection during a 4‐year field study from 2014–2017. Female lesser prairie‐chickens selected 1‐ and 2‐year post‐fire patches during the lekking season, ≥4‐year post‐fire patches during the nesting season, and year‐of‐fire and 1‐year post‐fire patches during post‐nesting and nonbreeding seasons. Vegetation selection during the lekking season was not similar to available vegetation in selected patches, suggesting that lesser prairie‐chickens cue in on other factors during the lekking season. During the nesting season, females selected nest sites with greater visual obstruction, which was available in ≥4‐year post‐fire patches; during the post‐nesting season, females selected sites with 15–25% bare ground, which was available in the year‐of‐fire, 1‐year post‐fire, and 2‐year post‐fire patches; and during the nonbreeding season they selected sites with lower visual obstruction, available in the year‐of‐fire and 1‐year post‐fire patches. Because lesser prairie‐chickens selected all available time‐since‐fire patches during their life history, patch‐burn grazing may be a viable management tool to restore and maintain lesser prairie‐chicken habitat on the landscape. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
The Risk of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo After Head Trauma
Authors: Andersson Helene , Jablonski Greg Eigner , Nordahl Stein Helge Glad , Nordfalk Karl , Helseth Eirik , Martens Camilla , Røysland Kjetil , Goplen Frederik Kragerud
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Head trauma may cause dislodgement of otoconia and development of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The risk of developing BPPV is expected to be highest shortly after the trauma, then decrease and approach the risk seen in the general population. The aim of this study was to estimate the risk‐time curve of BPPV development after head trauma.

Study Design

Prospective observational study.

Methods

Patients with minimal, mild, or moderate head trauma treated at the Department of Neurosurgery or the Department of Orthopedic Emergency at Oslo University Hospital, were interviewed and examined for BPPV using the Dix‐Hallpike and supine roll maneuvers. BPPV was diagnosed according to the International diagnostic criteria of the Bárány Society. Telephone interviews were conducted at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after the first examination.

Results

Out of 117 patients, 21% developed traumatic BPPV within 3 months after the trauma. The corresponding numbers were 12% with minimal trauma, 24% with mild, and 40% with moderate trauma. The difference in prevalence between the groups was significant (P = .018). During the first 4 weeks after the trauma, it was observed 20, 3, 0, and 1 BPPV onsets, respectively. No BPPV cases were seen for the remainder of the 3‐month follow‐up.

Conclusion

The risk of developing BPPV after minimal‐to‐moderate head trauma is considerable and related to trauma severity. Most cases occur within few days after the trauma, but any BPPV occurring within the first 2 weeks after head trauma are likely due to the traumatic event.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 132:443–448, 2022
Chemical derivatization strategy for mass spectrometry‐based lipidomics
Authors: Xia Fangbo , Wan Jian‐Bo
Published: September 2021

Lipids, serving as the structural components of cellular membranes, energy storage, and signaling molecules, play the essential and multiple roles in biological functions of mammals. Mass spectrometry (MS) is widely accepted as the first choice for lipid analysis, offering good performance in sensitivity, accuracy, and structural characterization. However, the untargeted qualitative profiling and absolute quantitation of lipids are still challenged by great structural diversity and high structural similarity. In recent decade, chemical derivatization mainly targeting carboxyl group and carbon‐carbon double bond of lipids have been developed for lipidomic analysis with diverse advantages: (i) offering more characteristic structural information; (ii) improving the analytical performance, including chromatographic separation and MS sensitivity; (iii) providing one‐to‐one chemical isotope labeling internal standards based on the isotope derivatization regent in quantitative analysis. Moreover, the chemical derivatization strategy has shown great potential in combination with ion mobility mass spectrometry and ambient mass spectrometry. Herein, we summarized the current states and advances in chemical derivatization‐assisted MS techniques for lipidomic analysis, and their strengths and challenges are also given. In summary, the chemical derivatization‐based lipidomic approach has become a promising and reliable technique for the analysis of lipidome in complex biological samples.
A low profile artificial magnetic conductor based tri‐band antenna for wearable applications
Authors: Lai Jianjun , Wang Ji , Sun Wei , Zhao Ruijuan , Zeng Hui
Published: September 2021

A wearable flexible tri‐annular square ring monopole antenna with artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) is proposed. The antenna operates at the ISM band (2.28–2.51 GHz, 5.2–6 GHz) and at WiMAX band (3.5‐4GHz) for wireless body area network (WBAN) applications. The number of antenna operating bands is determined by the number of square rings. A tri‐band AMC array is integrated to reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR) and the antenna profile. The overall size of antenna with AMC array is 90 × 90 × 6 mm3. The peak gain of the antenna is 4.8, 5.1, and 6.2 dBi at three frequency bands, respectively. The proposed antenna and AMC were printed on a flexible polyimide film. The antenna has good conformity, easy processing, lightweight and low profile of 0.048 λ0 at 2.4 GHz. The antenna was fabricated and measured where a very good agreement between simulated and measured results for S11 and radiation pattern. The measured antenna radiation efficiency is more than 70% in the operating frequency band.
Toward magnetic resonance fingerprinting for low‐field MR‐guided radiation therapy
Authors: Mickevicius Nikolai J. , Kim Joshua P. , Zhao Jiwei , Morris Zachary S. , Hurst Newton J. , Glide‐Hurst Carri K.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The acquisition of multiparametric quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (qMRI) is becoming increasingly important for functional characterization of cancer prior to‐ and throughout the course of radiation therapy. The feasibility of a qMRI method known as magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) for rapid T1 and T2 mapping was assessed on a low‐field MR‐linac system.

Methods

A three‐dimensional MRF sequence was implemented on a 0.35T MR‐guided radiotherapy system. MRF‐derived measurements of T1 and T2 were compared to those obtained with gold standard single spin echo methods, and the impacts of the radiofrequency field homogeneity and scan times ranging between 6 and 48 min were analyzed by acquiring between 1 and 8 spokes per time point in a standard quantitative system phantom. The short‐term repeatability of MRF was assessed over three measurements taken over a 10‐h period. To evaluate transferability, MRF measurements were acquired on two additional MR‐guided radiotherapy systems. Preliminary human volunteer studies were performed.

Results

The phantom benchmarking studies showed that MRF is capable of mapping T1 and T2 values within 8% and 10% of gold standard measures, respectively, at 0.35T. The coefficient of variation of T1 and T2 estimates over three repeated scans was < 5% over a broad range of relaxation times. The T1 and T2 times derived using a single‐spoke MRF acquisition across three scanners were near unity and mean percent errors in T1 and T2 estimates using the same phantom were < 3%. The mean percent differences in T1 and T2 as a result of truncating the scan time to 6 min over the large range of relaxation times in the system phantom were 0.65% and 4.05%, respectively.

Conclusions

The technical feasibility and accuracy of MRF on a low‐field MR‐guided radiation therapy device has been demonstrated. MRF can be used to measure accurate T1 and T2 maps in three dimensions from a brief 6‐min scan, offering strong potential for efficient and reproducible qMRI for future clinical trials in functional plan adaptation and tumor/normal tissue response assessment.
Mirabegron has longer treatment persistence than antimuscarinics: Real‐world data from a Korean national cohort database
Authors: Lee Kyu‐Sung , Park Hyejeong , Kang Danbee , Byun Hye J. , Foo Chee Y. , Hadi Farid A. , Kim Soyoung , Cho Juhee
Published: September 2021

Aims

To descriptively evaluate treatment persistence among adults who received mirabegron or antimuscarinics in South Korea.

Methods

This study involved a retrospective analysis of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database. Patients (≥18 years) who had a new prescription for an overactive bladder (OAB) target medication (mirabegron/antimuscarinic) within an 8‐month index period (July 1, 2015–February 29, 2016) were included. The date when the target (index) medication was dispensed was the index date. The 6‐month period before the index date was used to assess patient eligibility. A 12‐month post‐index period was used to assess medication persistence, which was defined as the time to discontinuation. Overall data were analyzed and the results were also stratified by age group (≤65, >65 years), sex, or prior OAB medication experience. Persistence rates were calculated after the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months.

Results

A data set of 52 722 cases was obtained (mirabegron: 11 424, antimuscarinics: 41 298). The mean age was 60.9 ± 16.1 years and the majority of the patients were female (30 862 [58.5%] patients). Median persistence was longer with mirabegron (51 days) versus antimuscarinics (25 days). The persistence rate with mirabegron was higher throughout the study compared with all the antimuscarinics (12‐month data: 13.5% and 4.9%, respectively). Longer treatment persistence was noted in older, male, and treatment‐experienced patients.

Conclusion

The results from the HIRA database showed that persistence was longer with mirabegron than with antimuscarinics in South Korea. This finding may help inform clinical decision‐making within the South Korean healthcare system.
Veritaa: A distributed public key infrastructure with signature store
Authors: Schaerer Jakob , Zumbrunn Severin , Braun Torsten
Published: September 2021

Today, the integrity and authenticity of digital documents and data are often hard to verify. Existing public key infrastructures (PKIs) are capable of certifying digital identities but do not provide solutions to store signatures immutably, and the process of certification is often not transparent. We propose Veritaa, a distributed public key infrastructure with an integrated signature store (DPKISS). The central part of Veritaa is the Graph of Trust that manages identity claims and singed declarations between identity claims and document identifiers. An application‐specific distributed ledger is used to store the transactions that form the Graph of Trust immutably. For the distributed certification of identity claims, a reputation system based on signed trust declarations and domain vetting is used. In this work, we have designed and implemented the proposed architecture of Veritaa, created a testbed, and performed several experiments. The experiments show the benefits and the high performance of Veritaa.
Combined treatment modality in pediatric infratentorial midline high‐grade glioma can lead to long‐term survival: A case study and review of literature
Authors: Das Majumdar Saroj , Dhar Sovan Sarang , Lalsangzuala Chinzah , Sahu Rabi , Purkait Suvendu , Parida Dillip
Published: September 2021

Central nervous system high‐grade glioma (HGG) occurring in an infratentorial midline location is not commonly found in the pediatric population. Though pediatric HGGs appear similar to their adult counterparts histopathologically, they differ in molecular, genetic, and clinical characteristics. Evidence for the management of HGG is sparse in the literature. Surgery in the form of maximum safe resection is the backbone of management and has been variably supplemented with external beam radiotherapy and cytotoxic chemotherapy. The outcome, though largely dismal, has some positive surprises too. As shown in the presented case, the combined modality of management in a 5‐year‐old female child has resulted in a disease‐free survival of 3.5 years.
Prediction and characterization of the T cell epitopes for the major soybean protein allergens using bioinformatics approaches
Authors: Zhou Fanlin , He Shudong , Zhang Yi , Wang Yongfei , Sun Hanju , Liu Qian
Published: September 2021

Protein allergens is a health risk for consumption of soybeans. To understand allerginicity mechanism, T cell epitopes of 7 soybean allergens were predicted and screened by abilities to induce cytokine interleukin (IL) 4. The relationships among amino acid composition, properties, allergenicity, and pepsin hydrolysis sites were analyzed. Among the 138 T cell epitopes identified, YIKDVFRVIPSEVLS, KDVFRVIPSEVLSNS, DVFRVIPSEVLSNSY of Gly m 6.0501 (P04347), and AKADALFKAIEAYLL, ADALFKAIEAYLLAH of Gly m 4.0101 (P26987) were the most possible epitope candidates. In T cell epitopes pattern, the frequencies of amino acids Q, D, E, P, and G decreased, while F, I, N, V, K, H, A, L, and S increased. Hydrophobic residues at positions p1 and p2 and positively charged residues in positions p13 might contribute to allergenicity. Most of epitopes could be hydrolyzed by pepsin into small polypeptides within 12 residues length, and the anti‐digestive epitope regions contained I, V, S, N, and Q residues. T cell epitopes EEQRQQEGVIVELSK from Gly m 5.03 (P25974) showed resistance to pepsin hydrolysis and would cause a higher Th2 cell response. This research provides basis for the development of hypoallergenic soybean products in the soybean industry as well as for the immunotherapy design for protein allergy.
Chitin metabolism as a potential target for RNAi‐based control of the forestry pest Hyblaea pueraCramer (Lepidoptera: Hyblaeidae)
Authors: Kottaipalayam‐Somasundaram Sowmiya R , Jacob John P , Aiyar Balasubramanian , Merzendorfer Hans , Nambiar‐Veetil Mathish
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Hyblaea puera, commonly known as the teak defoliator, is a serious pest in teak plantations. Despite the availability of control measures, this pest causes losses in yield and quality of timber through voracious feeding. RNA interference (RNAi) is a promising strategy for the control of this pest. Chitin metabolism, which is vital for the growth and development of arthropods, is a potential target for developing RNAi‐based insecticides.

RESULTS

To assess the effects of chitin metabolism inhibition, H. puera larvae were treated with a chitin synthesis inhibitor, diflubenzuron (DFB). DFB treatment caused pupal deformities and disrupted eclosion. Partial gene sequences for three key genes of H. puera chitin metabolism were cloned and sequenced: chitin synthase 1 (HpCHS1), chitinase‐h (HpChi‐h) and ecdysone receptor (HpEcR). Feeding dsRNA cognate for these three target genes to the first instar of H. puera resulted in mortality and reduction in the corresponding transcript levels as assessed through qRT‐PCR. This is the first report of RNAi in this forestry pest. The highest mortality was 45.9%, in response to dsHpEcR treatment; HpChi‐h transcripts were the most down‐regulated in response to dsHpEcR feeding. DsHpEcR RNAi resulted in growth inhibition and molting arrest. The mortalities were 29.7% and 32.4% for dsHpCHS1 and dsHpChi‐h feeding, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Chitin metabolism could be a potential target for RNAi‐based control of H. puera, and HpCHS1, HpChi‐h and HpEcR could be suitable target genes. However, the RNAi efficacy needs to be improved through formulations that improve stability and uptake, and employing better delivery strategies. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A likelihood‐based ORESTE method for failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) based risk analysis problem under interval type‐2 fuzzy environment
Authors: Zheng Qiaohong , Liu Xinwang , Wang Weizhong
Published: September 2021

The failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA) model is an effective safety system analysis method to identify and analyze potential risks. Nevertheless, the traditional FMEA possesses deficiencies associating with questionable multiplication procedure, overlooking uncertainty and interaction relationships among risk factors. Besides, determining the risk priority considering the detailed interrelation among the failure modes is beyond the capability of current FMEA models, especially in the case of complex preference information. Thus, this paper proposed an extended FMEA by integrating ORESTE (organization, rangement et Synthèse de données relarionnelles, in French) method, Heronian Mean (HM) operator, and interval type‐2 fuzzy sets (IT2FSs). First, the IT2FSs are utilized to depict the complex risk preference information. Second, the HM operator, as an aggregated tool, is utilized to obtain collective evaluation information, which can fully reflect the overall correlations among individual risk assessment information. Then, an extended ORESTE method based on the likelihood of IT2FSs is utilized to obtain the priority ranking orders of failure modes. In this extended method, a new IT2FSs global preference score is constructed to determine the weak ranking. And, three new preference intensities based on the likelihood of IT2FSs are constructed to determine PIR (preference, indifference, and incomparability) structure which can show the detailed relationships between failure modes. Finally, an illustrative example of a nuclear reheat valve system is selected to verify its application and efficiency.
Benchmarking procedures for characterizing the extent of rater agreement: a comparative study
Authors: Vanacore Amalia , Pellegrino Maria Sole
Published: September 2021

Decision making processes often rely on subjective evaluations provided by human raters. In the absence of a gold standard against which check evaluation trueness, rater's evaluative performance is generally measured through rater agreement coefficients. In this study some parametric and non‐parametric inferential benchmarking procedures for characterizing the extent of rater agreement—assessed via kappa‐type agreement coefficients—are illustrated. A Monte Carlo simulation study has been conducted to compare the performance of each procedure in terms of weighted misclassification rate computed for all agreement categories. Moreover, in order to investigate whether the procedures overestimate or underestimate the level of agreement, misclassifications have been computed also for each specific category alone. The practical application of coefficients and inferential benchmarking procedures has been illustrated via two real data sets exemplifying different experimental conditions so as to highlight performance differences due to sample size.
Whole‐Device Entanglement in a 65‐Qubit Superconducting Quantum Computer
Authors: Mooney Gary J. , White Gregory A. L. , Hill Charles D. , Hollenberg Lloyd C. L.
Published: September 2021

The ability to generate large‐scale entanglement is an important progenitor of quantum information processing capability in noisy intermediate‐scale quantum (NISQ) devices. In this paper, the extent to which entangled quantum states over large numbers of qubits can be prepared on current superconducting quantum devices is investigated. Native‐graph states on the IBM Quantum 65‐qubit ibmq_manhattan device and the 53‐qubit ibmq_rochester device are prepared and quantum readout‐error mitigation (QREM) is applied. Connected entanglement graphs spanning each of the full devices are detected, indicating bipartite entanglement over the whole of each device. The application of QREM is shown to increase the observed entanglement within all measurements, in particular, the detected number of entangled pairs of qubits found within ibmq_rochester increases from 31 to 56 of the total 58 connected pairs. The results of this work indicate full bipartite entanglement in two of the largest superconducting devices to date.
Highly Efficient Degradation of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Surfactant by MIL‐53 (Fe) Metal Organic Framework Derived Electro‐Fenton Applicable in Water Treatments
Authors: Ghodsi Javad , Rafati Amir Abbas , Joghani Roghaiyeh Asadpour
Published: September 2021

MIL‐53 (Fe) Metal‐organic framework (MOF) was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and characterized by SEM, XRD, FT‐IR, and Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller techniques. The synthesized MOF was successfully applied as an efficient catalyst in Electro‐Fenton degradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) surfactant, so that degradation rate constant, Kapp, for LAS degradation showed significantly higher amounts in presence of Fe MOF. Effect of experimental parameters on Electro‐Fenton degradation including pH, MOF amount, applied current, Fe (II) concentration, and electrodes distance were investigated and optimized amounts were found. Applying of MOF caused efficient removal of LAS in compared to when MOF was not applied. Catalytic electrochemical degradation in this work showed removal of more than 98 % of initial surfactant in 150 min which was completely satisfying for LAS removal.
FeCo@N‐Doped Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Polyacrylamide‐Derived Carbon Nanocages as a Functional Filler for Polyethylene System
Authors: Dzhardimalieva Gulzhian , Aydemir Timur , Prokofiev Michail , Golubeva Nina , Yumashev Oleg , Bubnova Maria , Zarrelli Mauro , Uflyand Igor , Kydralieva Kamila
Published: September 2021

In this work, using the advantages of Fe and Co nitrates acting as nucleation sites, we polymerized acrylamide (AAm) complexes using frontal polymerization to obtain FeCo alloy/N‐doped carbon composites by converting its original precursor. The results of PAAm coating were found to be extremely useful in suppressing the collapse of the FeCo microstructure during pyrolysis, resulting in a unique hierarchical FeCo@C−N core‐shell nanoparticle architecture encapsulated in PAAm‐derived carbon nanocages. The thermal, mechanical and magnetic properties of the resulting FeCo/C−N filling polyethylene system have been investigated and presented.
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Oximes, Amines, and Lactams of Fusidane Triterpenoids
Authors: Salimova Elena V. , Parfenova Lyudmila V.
Published: September 2021

The article presents the synthesis and study of the antimicrobial and antitumor activity of fusidic acid derivatives containing oxime, amino substituents, and a caprolactam ring. The introduction of a caprolactam fragment into the molecule provides a high antibacterial effect comparable to that of fusidic acid and contributes to a 5.8‐fold decrease in hemolytic activity compared to that of the native antibiotic. The presence of two oxime groups in the methylfusidate molecule ensures a high antiproliferative effect against H522 cells of non‐small cell lung cancer, leading to 57 % of the lethality of this cell line.
A Bifunctional “Off‐On” Fluorescence Probe Based on Naphthalene for the Detection of Ag+ and Al3+ and Its Application in Practical Water Samples, as a Logic gate and as Test Paper
Authors: Yang Dong , Zhu Bin , Zhang Dongmei , Zhang Xia , Liu Wenbo , Xue Jing , Wei Yaoyi , Bi Caifeng , Fan Yuhua
Published: September 2021

A bifunctional fluorescence probe (PCT) based on 2‐Hydroxy‐1‐naphthaldehyde and thiosemicarbazide was developed. The probe PCT can selectively detect Ag+ and Al3+ with two clear fluorescence color changes from colorless to yellow and blue violet, respectively. According to the Job's plots and mass spectrum, the binding stoichiometry of the probe PCT with Ag+ and Al3+ was 1 : 1, respectively. Moreover, the detection limit values of PCT for Ag+ and Al3+ in neutral solutions were 1.97 and 1.63 nM and these values were remarkably lower than allowed Ag+ and Al3+ concentrations in potable water determined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The distinct different binding mode were elucidated in this paper. Finally, the probe PCT has been used successfully for the detection of Ag+ and Al3+ in real water samples, logic gate and test paper.
Polystyrene Microspheres Decorated with Au4Cu5 Nanoclusters and their Application in Catalytic Reduction of 4‐Nitrophenol
Authors: Zhen Yaru , Liu Danyu , Zhou Manman , Lin Zhenzhen , Jin Shan , Chen Shuang , Hu Daqiao , Zhu Manzhou
Published: September 2021

Ultrasmall nanoclusters are emerging nanocatalysts due to their distinct physico‐chemical properties. However, the instability and agglomeration of these nanoclusters restrict their practical application. Herein, we designed a negatively charged cross‐linked polystyrene (PS) microsphere as support and decorated it with positively charged ultrasmall [Au4Cu5(Dppm)2(C6H11S)6]+[BPh4]− (Au4Cu5, in which Dppm stands for bis‐(diphenylphosphino)methane) nanoclusters through strong electrostatic adsorption, as evidenced by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The PS@Au4Cu5 nanocomposites were well‐dispersed in water, exhibiting enhanced catalytic activity for the reduction reaction of 4‐nitrophenol to produce 4‐aminophenol. These findings open promising opportunities for supported nanocluster catalysis.
In Situ Construction of Flexible VNi Redox Centers over Ni‐Based MOF Nanosheet Arrays for Electrochemical Water Oxidation
Authors: Sun Xuan , Zhang Xiuxiu , Li Yuanli , Xu Yanzhi , Su Hui , Che Wei , He Jingfu , Zhang Hui , Liu Meihuan , Zhou Wanlin , Cheng Weiren , Liu Qinghua
Published: September 2021

Atomic‐level design and construction of synergistic active centers are central to develop advanced oxygen electrocatalysts toward efficient energy conversion. Herein, an in situ construction strategy to introduce flexible redox sites of VNi centers onto Ni‐based metal–organic framework (MOF) nanosheet arrays (NiV‐MOF NAs) as a promising oxygen electrocatalyst is developed. The abundant redox VNi centers with flexible metal valence states of V+3/+4/+5 and Ni+3/+2 enable NiV‐MOF NAs excellent oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity and a long‐term stability under high current densities, achieving current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm−2 at recorded overpotentials of 189 and 290 mV, respectively, and showing ignorable decay of initial activity at 100 mA cm−2 after 100 h OER operation. Operando synchrotron radiation Fourier transform infrared combined with quasi in situ X‐ray absorption fine structure spectroscopies reveal at atomic level that the flexible V sites can continuously accept electrons from adjacent active Ni sites to accelerate OER kinetics for NiV‐MOF NAs during the reaction process, accompanied by a self‐optimized structural distortion of VO6 octahedron for promoting the electrochemical stability.
Risk assessment concerning the heavy metals in sediment around Taihu Lake, China
Authors: Liu Hou‐Qi , Zhang Yan , Yuan Zi‐Jiao , Sun Cong
Published: September 2021

The present study sought to determine the systematic pollution status of the heavy metals (HMs) found in the sediment around Taihu Lake, China. The concentrations and speciations of the HMs in the sediment were measured. The Ni and Cr concentrations exceeded the probable effect level (PEL), while the concentrations of the other HMs (except Hg) were between the threshold effect level and the PEL. The enrichment factor values for all HMs indicated slight enrichment. The geoaccumulation index revealed that the HMs represented light pollution, while the average contaminant factor value of the HMs indicated moderate pollution. The ecological risk factor value indicated a medium ecological risk, with Cd and Hg being associated with a high and considerable potential ecological risk, respectively. The ecological risk index indicated that the ecological risk posed by the HMs was high. The contamination degree revealed a moderate level of metal pollution, while the pollution load index indicated a heavy pollution level. The extractable proportion of the HMs (except for Cr and As) exceeded 50%. In the case of Cd, the exchangeable proportion was 51.11%, which indicated it to be extremely unstable.

Practitioner Points

Heavy metals (except for Cr and As) have a high potential ecological risk.

All selected heavy metals implying varying degrees of instability.

Cd was the most serious pollutant based on the Igeo, Cf and EF analyses.
Leadership assessments: A history and overview of empirical and practical considerations
Authors: Troy Adam B. , Lewis Jamie L. , Vaughn Cassandra M.
Published: September 2021

Assessment instruments are critical to assist in the selection and development of strong, effective leaders. Developing a strong understanding of what makes a tool empirically sound, based on solid scientific concepts, can mean the difference between choosing an assessment that provides targeted, actionable, and accurate information versus an instrument that yields information that is biased, unhelpful, or even harmful to individuals and organizations. This article discusses the history of leadership assessments and how to critically evaluate available leadership instruments in order to enhance decision‐making about what tool to use.
Critical considerations for the effective use of leadership inventories and assessments
Authors: Satterwhite Rian
Published: September 2021

Leadership education ideally prepares learners for not only the world we now know, but also the anticipated global challenges that the practice of leadership will be tasked with addressing in the future. Towards this end, centering criticality, integrating both horizontal and vertical development, and balancing leader and leadership development become important goals. This article addresses how leadership educators can utilize inventories and assessments to advance these goals.
From inventories to inquiry: The use of leadership inventories in the context of an undergraduate research living–learning program
Authors: Tobin Leah K. , Lee Jessica , Skendall Kristan Cilente
Published: September 2021

Team research that is designed to maximize social impact first requires an in‐depth understanding of self, values, personal characteristics, and collaboration. This article explores how leadership assessments and inventories can be utilized to enhance the development of the research process in the context of an intentionally scaffolded first‐year course and the complementary curricula and team experience that follows. True Colors, Character Values Scale, Myers–Briggs Type Indicator, CliftonStrengths, and the Thomas–Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument will be discussed in this article.
Sensitivity of a tonne-scale NEXT detector for neutrinoless double-beta decay searches
Authors:   The NEXT collaboration, Adams C. , Álvarez V. , Arazi L. , Arnquist I. J. , Azevedo C. D. R , Bailey K. , Ballester F. , Benlloch-Rodríguez J. M. , Borges F. I. G. M. , Byrnes N. , Cárcel S. , Carrión J. V. , Cebrián S. , Church E. , Conde C. A. N. , Contreras T. , Denisenko A. A. , Díaz G. , Díaz J. , Escada J. , Esteve R. , Felkai R. , Fernandes L. M. P. , Ferrario P. , Ferreira A. L. , Foss F. , Freitas E. D. C. , Freixa Z. , Generowicz J. , Goldschmidt A. , Gómez-Cadenas J. J. , González R. , González-Díaz D. , Gosh S. , Guenette R. , Gutiérrez R. M. , Haefner J. , Hafidi K. , Hauptman J. , Henriques C. A. O. , Hernando Morata J. A. , Herrero P. , Herrero V. , Ho J. , Ifergan Y. , Jones B. J. P. , Kekic M. , Labarga L. , Laing A. , Lebrun P. , López-March N. , Losada M. , Mano R. D. P. , Martín-Albo J. , Martínez A. , Martínez-Vara M. , Martínez-Lema G. , McDonald A. D. , Meziani Z. E. , Monrabal F. , Monteiro C. M. B. , Mora F. J. , Muñoz Vidal J. , Newhouse C. , Novella P. , Nygren D. R. , Oblak E. , Palmeiro B. , Para A. , Pérez J. , Querol M. , Redwine A. , Renner J. , Ripoll L. , Rivilla I. , Rodríguez García Y. , Rodríguez J. , Rogero C. , Rogers L. , Romeo B. , Romo-Luque C. , Santos F. P. , dos Santos J. M. F. , Simón A. , Sorel M. , Stanford C. , Teixeira J. M. R. , Thapa P. , Toledo J. F. , Torrent J. , Usón A. , Veloso J. F. C. A. , Vuong T. T. , Webb R. , Weiss-Babai R. , White J. T. , Woodruff K. , Yahlali N.
Published: September 2021

Abstract

TheNeutrino Experiment with a Xenon TPC(NEXT) searches for the neutrinoless double-beta (0νββ) decay of136Xe using high-pressure xenon gas TPCs with electroluminescent amplification. A scaled-up version of this technology with about 1 tonne of enriched xenon could reach in less than 5 years of operation a sensitivity to the half-life of 0νββdecay better than 1027years, improving the current limits by at least one order of magnitude. This prediction is based on a well-understood background model dominated by radiogenic sources. The detector concept presented here represents a first step on a compelling path towards sensitivity to the parameter space defined by the inverted ordering of neutrino masses, and beyond.
Influence through mixing: hotspots as benchmarks for basic black-hole behaviour
Authors: Kaplanek G. , Burgess C.P. , Holman R.
Published: September 2021

Abstract

Effective theories are being developed for fields outside black holes, often with an unusual open-system feel due to the influence of large number of degrees of freedom that lie out of reach beyond the horizon. What is often difficult when interpreting such theories is the absence of comparisons to simpler systems that share these features. We propose here such a simple model, involving a single external scalar field that mixes in a limited region of space with a ‘hotspot’ containing a large number of hot internal degrees of freedom. Since the model is at heart gaussian it can be solved explicitly, and we do so for the mode functions and correlation functions for the external field once the hotspot fields are traced out. We compare with calculations that work perturbatively in the mixing parameter, and by doing so can precisely identify its domain of validity. We also show how renormalization-group EFT methods can allow some perturbative contributions to be resummed beyond leading order, verifying the result using the exact expression.
Gravitational edge modes, coadjoint orbits, and hydrodynamics
Authors: Donnelly William , Freidel Laurent , Moosavian Seyed Faroogh , Speranza Antony J.
Published: September 2021

Abstract

The phase space of general relativity in a finite subregion is characterized by edge modes localized at the codimension-2 boundary, transforming under an infinite-dimensional group of symmetries. The quantization of this symmetry algebra is conjectured to be an important aspect of quantum gravity. As a step towards quantization, we derive a complete classification of the positive-area coadjoint orbits of this group for boundaries that are topologically a 2-sphere. This classification parallels Wigner’s famous classification of representations of the Poincaré group since both groups have the structure of a semidirect product. We find that the total area is a Casimir of the algebra, analogous to mass in the Poincaré group. A further infinite family of Casimirs can be constructed from the curvature of the normal bundle of the boundary surface. These arise as invariants of the little group, which is the group of area-preserving diffeomorphisms, and are the analogues of spin. Additionally, we show that the symmetry group of hydrodynamics appears as a reduction of the corner symmetries of general relativity. Coadjoint orbits of both groups are classified by the same set of invariants, and, in the case of the hydrodynamical group, the invariants are interpreted as the generalized enstrophies of the fluid.
Continuity of the temperature in a multi-phase transition problem
Authors: Gianazza Ugo , Liao Naian
Published: September 2021

Locally bounded, local weak solutions to a doubly nonlinear parabolic equation, which models the multi-phase transition of a material, is shown to be locally continuous. Moreover, an explicit modulus of continuity is given. The effect of the p-Laplacian type diffusion is also considered.
Highly migratory species predictive spatial modeling (PRiSM): an analytical framework for assessing the performance of spatial fisheries management
Authors: Crear Daniel P. , Curtis Tobey H. , Durkee Stephen J. , Carlson John K.
Published: September 2021

Spatial management for highly migratory species (HMS) is difficult due to many species’ mobile habits and the dynamic nature of oceanic habitats. Current static spatial management areas for fisheries in the United States have been in place for extended periods of time with limited data collection inside the areas, making any analysis of their efficacy challenging. Spatial modeling approaches can be specifically designed to integrate species data from outside of closed areas to project species distributions inside and outside closed areas relative to the fishery. We developed HMS-PRedictive Spatial Modeling (PRiSM), which uses fishery-dependent observer data of species’ presence–absence, oceanographic covariates, and gear covariates in a generalized additive model (GAM) framework to produce fishery interaction spatial models. Species fishery interaction distributions were generated monthly within the domain of two HMS longline fisheries and used to produce a series of performance metrics for HMS closed areas. PRiSM was tested on bycatch species, including shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus), billfish (Istiophoridae), and leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) in a pelagic longline fishery, and sandbar shark (Carcharhinus plumbeus), dusky shark (C. obscurus), and scalloped hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) in a bottom longline fishery. Model validation procedures suggest PRiSM performed well for these species. The closed area performance metrics provided an objective and flexible framework to compare distributions between closed and open areas under recent environmental conditions. Fisheries managers can use the metrics generated by PRiSM to supplement other streams of information and guide spatial management decisions to support sustainable fisheries.
Life in the Wheat Litter: Effects of Future Climate on Microbiome and Function During the Early Phase of Decomposition
Authors: Wahdan Sara Fareed Mohamed , Hossen Shakhawat , Tanunchai Benjawan , Sansupa Chakriya , Schädler Martin , Noll Matthias , Dawoud Turki M. , Wu Yu-Ting , Buscot François , Purahong Witoon
Published: September 2021

Even though it is widely acknowledged that litter decomposition can be impacted by climate change, the functional roles of microbes involved in the decomposition and their answer to climate change are less understood. This study used a field experimental facility settled in Central Germany to analyze the effects of ambient vs. future climate that is expected in 50–80 years on mass loss and physicochemical parameters of wheat litter in agricultural cropland at the early phase of litter decomposition process. Additionally, the effects of climate change were assessed on microbial richness, community compositions, interactions, and their functions (production of extracellular enzymes), as well as litter physicochemical factors shaping their colonization. The initial physicochemical properties of wheat litter did not change between both climate conditions; however, future climate significantly accelerated litter mass loss as compared with ambient one. Using MiSeq Illumina sequencing, we found that future climate significantly increased fungal richness and altered fungal communities over time, while bacterial communities were more resistant in wheat residues. Changes on fungal richness and/or community composition corresponded to different physicochemical factors of litter under ambient (Ca2+, and pH) and future (C/N, N, P, K+, Ca2+, pH, and moisture) climate conditions. Moreover, highly correlative interactions between richness of bacteria and fungi were detected under future climate. Furthermore, the co-occurrence networks patterns among dominant microorganisms inhabiting wheat residues were strongly distinct between future and ambient climates. Activities of microbial β-glucosidase and N-acetylglucosaminidase in wheat litter were increased over time. Such increased enzymatic activities were coupled with a significant positive correlation between microbial (both bacteria and fungi) richness and community compositions with these two enzymatic activities only under future climate. Overall, we provide evidence that future climate significantly impacted the early phase of wheat litter decomposition through direct effects on fungal communities and through indirect effects on microbial interactions as well as corresponding enzyme production.
Temporal and non-temporal contextual saliency analysis for generalized wide-area search within unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) video
Authors: Gökstorp Simon G. E. , Breckon Toby P.
Published: September 2021

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) can be used to great effect for wide-area searches such as search and rescue operations. UAV enable search and rescue teams to cover large areas more efficiently and in less time. However, using UAV for this purpose involves the creation of large amounts of data, typically in video format, which must be analysed before any potential findings can be uncovered and actions taken. This is a slow and expensive process which can result in significant delays to the response time after a target is seen by the UAV. To solve this problem we propose a deep model architecture using a visual saliency approach to automatically analyse and detect anomalies in UAV video. Our Temporal Contextual Saliency (TeCS) approach is based on the state-of-the-art in visual saliency detection using deep Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and considers local and scene context, with novel additions in utilizing temporal information through a convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) layer and modifications to the base model architecture. We additionally evaluate the impact of temporal vs non-temporal reasoning for this task. Our model achieves improved results on a benchmark dataset with the addition of temporal reasoning showing significantly improved results compared to the state-of-the-art in saliency detection.
Validation of a new objective method to assess lipid layer thickness without the need of an interferometer
Authors: García-Marqués José Vicente , Talens-Estarelles Cristian , García-Lázaro Santiago , Cerviño Alejandro
Published: September 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to develop and validate new metrics to objectively assess the lipid layer thickness (LLT) through the analysis of grey intensity values obtained from the Placido disk pattern reflected onto the tear film.

Methods

Ocular surface parameters were measured using Oculus Keratograph 5 M in 94 healthy volunteers (43.8 ± 26.8 years). Subjects’ LLT was subjectively classified into 4 groups using an interferometry-based grading scale. New metrics based on the intensity of the Placido disk images were calculated and compared between groups. The repeatability of the new metrics and their diagnostic ability was analysed through receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The level of agreement between the new objective tool and the existing subjective classification scale was analysed by means accuracy, weighted Kappa index and F-measure.

Results

Mean pixel intensity, median pixel intensity and relative energy at 5.33 s after blinking achieved the highest performance, with a correlation with LLT between r = 0.655 and 0.674 (p < 0.001), sensitivity between 0.92 and 0.94, specificity between 0.79 and 0.81, area under the ROC curve between 0.89 and 0.91, accuracy between 0.76 and 0.77, weighted Kappa index of 0.77 and F-measure between 0.86 and 0.87.

Conclusion

The analysis of grey intensity values in videokeratography can be used as an objective tool to assess LLT. These new metrics could be included in a battery of clinical tests as an easy, repeatable, objective and accessible method to improve the detection and monitoring of dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction.
Resource use and economic burden of eye injuries in Southern Finland
Authors: Sahraravand Ahmad , Haavisto Anna-Kaisa , Leivo Tiina
Published: September 2021

Objective

To estimate resource use and the costs of eye injuries in 2011–2012 in the Helsinki University Eye Hospital (HUEH), which covers 1.6 million people in Southern Finland.

Methods

This population-based study consisted of all new patients (1,151) with eye injuries in one year. The data were from hospital records, internal HUEH accountancy, and prospectively from questionnaires. The costs of direct health care, transportation, and lost productivity were obtained and estimated for the follow-up period of three months. The estimated future costs were discussed.

Results

During the follow-up, the total cost was 2,899,000 Euros (EUR) (= EUR 1,870,300/one million population), including lost productivity (EUR 1,415,000), direct health care (EUR 1,244,000), and transportation (EUR 240,000). The resources used included 6,902 days of lost productivity, 2,436 admissions and transportations, 314 minor procedures, 313 inpatient days, 248 major surgeries, and 86 radiological images. One open globe injury was the costliest (EUR 13,420/patient), but contusions had the highest overall cost (EUR 1,019,500), due to their high occurrence and number of follow-ups.

Conclusions

Eye injuries cause a major burden through high costs of direct health care and lost productivity: the imminent costs were EUR 1,870,000/one million population, and the future costs were estimated to EUR 3,741,400/one million population. Prevention remains the main factor to consider for better cost-efficiency.