bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Invasive Snake Activity Before and After Automated Aerial Baiting
Authors: Siers Shane R. , Shiels Aaron B. , Barnhart Patrick D. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTAerially delivered toxic baits have proven effective for landscape‐level control of numerous invasive vertebrate populations with major benefits for conservation and ecosystem function, but this technique has not been broadly adapted for control of invasive reptiles. Nonnative brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis) on the Pacific island of Guam have caused severe ecological and economic damage and pose an invasion risk on other islands, making them a high‐profile candidate for application of aerial baiting methods. Although terrestrial applications of traps, toxicants, and hand‐removal are standard brown treesnake management practices, these methods are not cost‐effective for control in the island's large tracts of remote, rugged forest. In 2016, the first major in situ evaluation of a helicopter‐borne automated aerial bait delivery system applied snake‐targeted toxic baits at an effective rate of approximately 120 baits/ha over a 110‐ha forested test plot on Guam. We evaluated the extent and duration of the suppressive effect of this toxic bait application on brown treesnakes by measuring nontoxic bait take rates as a proxy index of relative snake abundance before and after toxic bait application in a treatment plot and surrounding reference area. We placed 4,420 nontoxic baits in random transects at georeferenced locations, from 1 month before until nearly 12 months after toxic bait application, allowing temporal analysis of the suppressive effect and spatial analysis of treatment plot reinvasion. Over the first 30 days after toxic bait application, average nontoxic bait take rate in the treatment plot was 41.2% lower than the pre‐application rate, and there was no immediate decrease in bait take in the reference area. Reduced snake activity was still evident nearly 12 months after bait application. Roads forming a portion of the treatment boundary appeared to slow snake movement between treated area and surrounding untreated area. Trail cameras monitoring a subset of bait tubes showed that 97.5% of baits removed were taken by snakes rather than nontarget species. We indexed rodent abundance in the treatment plot and reference area, and found no indication of a rodent population increase following toxic bait application. Our results show that automated aerial bait applications can suppress brown treesnake abundance over a large area and that reinvasion from surrounding untreated habitat occurs over several months. We anticipate that repeated bait applications could achieve and maintain greatly reduced brown treesnake abundance on a landscape scale, potentially improving biosecurity and enabling experimental reintroduction of native birds extirpated by brown treesnake predation. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. The Journal of Wildlife Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Wildlife Society.
Control of LED Emission with Functional Dielectric Metasurfaces
Authors: Khaidarov Egor , Liu Zhengtong , Paniagua‐Domínguez Ramón , Ha Son Tung , Valuckas Vytautas , Liang Xinan , Akimov Yuriy , Bai Ping , Png Ching Eng , Demir Hilmi Volkan , Kuznetsov Arseniy I. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe improvement of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) is one of the major goals of optoelectronics and photonics research. LED integration to complex photonic devices requires precise control of the wavefront of the emitted light. Metasurfaces are spatial arrangements of engineered scatters that may enable this light manipulation capability with unprecedented resolution. Most of these devices, however, are only able to function properly under irradiation of laser light with a large spatial coherence. LEDs, on the other hand, have angularly broad, Lambertian‐like emission patterns characterized by a low spatial coherence, which makes the integration of metasurface devices on LEDs challenging. A novel concept for metasurface integration on LED is proposed, using a cavity to increase the LED spatial coherence through an angular collimation. The experimental demonstration of the proposed concept is implemented on a GaP LED architecture including a hybrid metallic‐Bragg cavity. By integrating a silicon metasurface on top, two different functionalities of these compact devices are demonstrated: directional LED emission at a desired angle and LED emission of a vortex beam with an orbital angular momentum. The presented concept is general, being applicable to other incoherent light sources and enabling metasurfaces designed for plane waves to work with incoherent light emitters.
Asymmetrically Substituted Poly(diitaconates) Obtained by Reversible Addition‐Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Polymerization: Synthesis, Copolymerization Parameters, and Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Himmelsbach Andreas , Schneider‐Chaabane Alexandra , Lienkamp Karen 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAsymmetrically substituted poly(diitaconate) copolymers are synthesized from 1‐((N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐2‐aminoethyl)‐4‐propyl diitaconate (PrIA) and different comonomers (N,N‐dimethyl‐acrylamide, DMAA; acrylic acid; or ((N‐tert‐butoxycarbonyl)‐2‐aminoethyl)methacrylate) by reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer polymerization (RAFT). The RAFT copolymerization parameters of PrIA and DMAA are rDMAA = 0.49 and rPrIA = 0.17, compared to rDMAA = 0.52 and rPrIA = 0.54 obtained by free radical copolymerization (FRP). Thus, the RAFT process has a stronger trend to alternating polymerization than the FRP process. The polydispersity index of the RAFT copolymers is around 1.2–1.8, compared to 2.8–2.9 for the corresponding FRP copolymers. After removal of the tert‐butoxycarbonyl protective groups, antimicrobially active synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides are obtained. The thus activated poly(PrIA‐co‐DMAA) copolymers (repeat unit ratio 1:1) have an increasing activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus with increasing molar mass. The RAFT copolymers are slightly more active and less toxic than comparable FRP polymers, leading to a higher selectivity for bacteria over mammalian cells. Higher molar fractions of PrIA in poly(PrIA‐co‐DMAA) copolymers (up to 80 mol%) do not increase their antimicrobial activity; reduction of the BuIA content in poly(BuIA‐DMAA) (down to 10 mol%) leads to a loss of activity against both E. coli and S. aureus.
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 alters muscle twitch properties, spinal reflexes, and perturbation‐induced trans‐cortical reflexes
Authors: Shields Richard K. , Lee Jinhyun , Buelow Aaron , Petrie Michael , Dudley‐Javoroski Shauna , Cross Stephen , Gutmann Laurie , Nopoulos Peggy C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundNeurophysiologic biomarkers are needed for clinical trials of therapies for myotonic dystrophy (DM1). We characterized muscle properties, spinal reflexes (H‐reflexes), and trans‐cortical long‐latency reflexes (LLRs) in a cohort with mild/moderate DM1.MethodsTwenty‐four people with DM1 and 25 matched controls underwent assessment of tibial nerve H‐reflexes and soleus muscle twitch properties. Quadriceps LLRs were elicited by delivering an unexpected perturbation during a single‐limb squat (SLS) visuomotor tracking task.ResultsDM1 was associated with decreased H‐reflex depression. The efficacy of doublet stimulation was enhanced, yielding an elevated double‐single twitch ratio. DM1 participants demonstrated greater error during the SLS task. DM1 individuals with the least‐robust LLR responses showed the greatest loss of spinal H‐reflex depression.ConclusionsDM1 is associated with abnormalities of muscle twitch properties. Co‐occurring alterations of spinal and trans‐cortical reflex properties underscore the central nervous system manifestations of this disorder and may assist in gauging efficacy during clinical trials.
Fascicular constrictions above elbow typify anterior interosseous nerve syndrome
Authors: Sneag Darryl B. , Arányi Zsuzsanna , Zusstone Esther M. , Feinberg Joseph H. , Queler Sophie C. , Nwawka O. Kenechi , Lee Steve K. , Wolfe Scott W. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionIn this study we tested the hypothesis that fascicular constrictions (FCs) of the median nerve proximal to the elbow joint characterize anterior interosseous nerve syndrome (AINS).MethodsMagnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and ultrasound (US) examinations were evaluated in 45 patients with clinically suspected AINS. All 22 patients at site 1 underwent MRN and 8 underwent US; all 23 patients at site 2 underwent US.ResultsMedian nerve FCs were identified in all MRN cases; FCs and/or fascicular enlargements were identified in 88% of US cases. Most FCs were in the mediannerve posterior/posteromedial region and were proximal to the elbow joint line (mean distance: MRN, 5.4 cm; US, 7.5 cm), with the exception of a single FC (located 1 cm distal). No extrinsic compression of median or anterior interosseous nerves was identified in the arm or forearm.DiscussionAINS is a noncompressive neuropathy characterized by median nerve FCs in the arm.
A mobile telehealth program for behavioral treatment of urinary incontinence in women veterans: Development and pilot evaluation of MyHealtheBladder
Authors: Goode Patricia S. , Markland Alayne D. , Echt Katharina V. , Slay Laurie , Barnacastle Susan , Hale Galen , Wright M. Kate , Lane T. Renea , Burgio Kathryn L. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAimTo develop and pilot test an interactive mobile telehealth program (mHealth) for behavioral treatment of women veterans with urinary incontinence (UI).MethodsWe developed an evidence‐based 8‐week behavioral mHealth program, MyHealtheBladder, with input from women veterans, behavioral medicine and health education experts, and clinical providers treating UI in the VA system. The program was story‐based and included pelvic floor muscle exercises, bladder control strategies, fluid management, risk factor reduction, and self‐monitoring. Participants were women veterans seeking outpatient treatment for UI occurring at least twice weekly. The primary efficacy estimate was the change in UI frequency, volume and impact on the quality of life as measured by the validated International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire‐Short Form (ICIQ‐SF; range: 0‐21, 2.5 points for minimal clinically important difference [MCID]).ResultsWe enrolled 29 women veterans (ages 29‐77 years; mean = 54.4 ± 10.4), including 15 (52%) African‐American women, 13 (45%) women with high school education, and 16 (55%) with a college degree. Twenty of 29 women (69%) completed all 8 weeks of the intervention with a 97% adherence rate to the daily sessions among completers. We found reductions in ICIQ‐SF scores from a mean 12.6 ± 3.9 at baseline to 10.4 ± 4.11 at 5 weeks, to 8.7 ± 4.0 at the end of the 8‐week intervention.ConclusionsWomen veterans using an 8‐week behavioral mHealth program for the treatment of UI had symptom improvements that exceeded the MCID for the ICIQ‐SF. Our next step involves comparing the effectiveness of MyHealtheBladder to usual care in a larger clinical trial.
Development of an app for lung cancer survivors (iEXHALE) to increase exercise activity and improve symptoms of fatigue, breathlessness and depression
Authors: Henshall Catherine , Davey Zoe 
Published: November 2019

AbstractObjectiveExercise‐based self‐management interventions are recommended for lung cancer survivors and can provide physical, psychosocial and emotional relief. Mobile health technologies can encourage self‐management; however, currently, no cancer‐related app addresses exercise‐specific needs of lung cancer survivors. This paper details the design, development and testing of an exercise app for lung cancer survivors (iEXHALE), which aims to increase exercise activity and improve symptoms.MethodsThe research had two stages: (1) focus groups with healthcare professionals, patients and family members (n=21) and (2) app development and usability study with lung cancer survivors (n=6). The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation‐Behaviour model was used as a theoretical framework; data were thematically analysed.ResultsFocus group findings identified many helpful exercises for managing lung cancer survivors' symptoms. These findings, alongside relevant literature, informed iEXHALE's content and design. The usability study found that lung cancer survivors valued iEXHALE's self‐management capabilities but identified potential modifications including improved self‐monitoring diaries and navigation.ConclusionsiEXHALE's development has been theoretically and empirically informed, showing value as a self‐management tool. Next, we will test its effectiveness, acceptability and cost‐effectiveness.
Modeling Hot Spot Experiments on Shocked Octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐Tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐Tetrazocine
Authors: Springer H. Keo , Bassett Will P. , Bastea Sorin , Stekovic Svjetlana , Tarver Craig M. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractFor the first time, mesoscale simulations of shocked explosives are validated with hot spot temperature data. Following recent experiments, we simulate a 25 μm aluminum flyer impacting a powder bed of octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine (HMX) with an initial speed of 1.4 to 3.6 km s−1. The powder bed has a density of 0.56 g cm3, or 29 % crystal density, and an average grain size of 4
m. Simulations are performed in the multi‐physics code, ALE3D. We employ a comprehensive HMX material model that accounts for the chemistry, unreacted and product equation‐of‐states (EOSs), elastic‐plastic response, as well as melting and melt viscosity. Simulations show compaction, reaction, and gas jetting during the initial stages of shock in the powder bed. Shock reflection at the glass window interface increases hot spot temperatures in HMX product gas in excess of 7000 K at higher impact speeds which is readily observable using pyrometry techniques. We extract a temperature histogram from simulations at discrete times, using it to calculate an effective emission spectrum and effective temperature, Teff, for comparison to data. Simple T‐ and T4‐based methods inadequately weight the higher temperature regions and result in a low Teff that is in poor agreement with data. However, calculating Teff based on Planck's Law with a gray body assumption demonstrates good agreement with hot spot temperature data. A modified Arrhenius model is fit to the normalized reaction rates predicted by mesoscale simulations and inferred temperatures range from 1544 K to 1779 K; these temperatures are approximately 4x lower than the peak hot spot temperatures but 2‐3x higher than the bulk shock temperatures. The agreement with experimental results validates our mesoscale simulations as useful tools for elucidating the role of hot spot mechanisms in the shock initiation of heterogeneous explosives.
Favoured cycles and other features of anomalous forecast uncertainty as revealed by time series of TIGGE data
Authors: McLay J. G. , Hodyss D. , Reynolds C. A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe time evolution of forecast uncertainty for a given lead time is examined using 9 years of daily ensemble data from the TIGGE archive and a classical time‐series approach, with a focus on anomalies in the ensemble variance of T+120h 500 hPa geopotential height averaged over select regions. Spectral analysis suggests the presence of favoured cycles in the anomaly time series, manifested by strong peaks in the spectra at certain periods between 10 and 40 days. Such favoured cycles imply that the time evolution of the forecast uncertainty has some element of predictability. Coincident with these cycles are episodes of two‐week to monthly time‐scale local trends (“ramp ups” and “ramp downs”) in the variance anomaly series. A correlation analysis with typical flow indices is carried out to gauge what physical processes might influence the behaviour of the variance anomaly time series. From the broadest perspective, the Eady index is clearly the most influential of the indices and it is inferred that low‐frequency peaks in anomalously positive Eady index presage low‐frequency peaks in anomalously positive variance. Considering particular regions and conditioning on season and MJO phase helps reveal the influences of the other indices. There are also indications that anomalously high forecast uncertainty preferentially occurs during specific changes in sign of the indices. Nonetheless, the correlation analysis suggests that much of the behaviour of the variance anomaly time series remains to be explained. Principal component analysis and k‐means cluster analysis identify a leading mode of variability in which the variance is jointly elevated or suppressed across the hemisphere (with concentration in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans storm tracks).
Improved three‐filament thermal ionization mass spectrometry ion source for isotope ratio determination of two samples
Authors: Pacek Adrian , Pieńkos Tomasz , Czarnacki Maciej , Hałas Stanisław , Pelc Andrzej 
Published: November 2019

RationaleIn order to make a single‐filament thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) instrument more versatile and efficient in element isotope analysis, a multifilament ion source has to be employed. In the currently used three‐filament ion sources, the same sample must be loaded on all the evaporator filaments, because of the possibility of cross‐contamination.MethodsThe elimination of cross‐contamination in a TIMS three‐filament ion source was achieved by installation of a wide ionizer filament (ribbon shape) perpendicular to the extracting slit plane between two parallel evaporators. In such a configuration, the ionizer filament serves also as a screen separating two evaporator filaments on which two different samples can be loaded.ResultsThe lack of cross‐contamination (on a measurement uncertainty 1σ level of 0.3‰) has been demonstrated by measurements of the isotope ratios of a potassium chloride sample (39K/41K = 13.7801 ± 0.0023) versus a spike (39K/41K = 1.5670 ± 0.0003). The reproducibility of the isotope ratios for potassium 41K/39K and lithium 7Li/6Li is about 600 ppm (1σ).ConclusionsThe small change of the ionizer filament configuration significantly improves the functionality of the ion source. The proposed modification enables us to perform alternating isotope analyses under the same working conditions for two different samples (e.g. studied sample and standard).
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization behavior of neat linear and cyclic poly(L‐lactide)s and their blends
Authors: Weidner Steffen M. , Kricheldorf Hans R. 
Published: November 2019

RationaleNumerous new tin catalysts that enable the synthesis of cyclic polylactides with broad variation in their molecular mass were recently developed. The abundance of cyclics in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectra is, however, frequently reported to greatly exceed that of linears. Thus, the MALDI ionization behavior of various end‐capped linear poly(L‐lactide)s and one cyclic poly(L‐lactide) was investigated and compared.MethodsNeat compounds and various blends of cyclic and linear species were prepared and studied under identical conditions with regard to sample preparation and instrumental condition, except for the laser power. For this purpose, two different MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometers were applied.ResultsOur results reveal that cyclics indeed show a slightly better ionization in MALDI, although their ionization as a neat compound seems to be less effective than that of linear polylactides. The ionization of most linear polylactides investigated does not depend on the end group structure. However, linear polylactides containing 12‐bromododecyl end groups reveal an unexpected saturation effect that is not caused by fragmentation of the polymer or the end group, or by electronic saturation of the detector digitizer. Furthermore, polylactides with a 2‐bromoethyl end group did not show such a saturation effect.ConclusionsAn overestimation of cyclic species in MALDI‐TOF mass spectra of poly(L‐lactide)s must be considered, but the commonly assumed peak suppression of linear polymers in mixtures of both structures can be excluded.
Risk assessment methodology for trajectory planning in keyhole neurosurgery using genetic algorithms
Authors: Villanueva‐Naquid Iván , Soubervielle‐Montalvo Carlos , Aguilar‐Ponce Ruth M. , Tovar‐Arriaga Saúl , Cuevas‐Tello Juan C. , Puente‐Montejano Cesar A. , Mejia‐Carlos Marcela , Torres‐Corzo Jaime G. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackground: Preoperative assessment to find the safest trajectory in keyhole neurosurgery can reduce post operative complications.Methods: We introduced a novel preoperative risk assessment semiautomated methodology based on the sum of N maximum risk values using a generic genetic algorithm for the safest trajectory search.Results: A set of candidates trajectories were found for two surgical procedures. The trajectories search is done using a risk map considering the proximity of voxels within risk structures in multiple points and a genetic algorithm to avoid an exhaustive search. The trajectories were validated by a group of neurosurgeons.Conclusions: The trajectories obtained with the proposal method were shorter in 5% and have greater distance from the voxels within the blood vessels in 4.7%. The use of genetic algorithm (GA) speeds up the search for the safest trajectory, decreasing in 99.9% the time required for an exhaustive search.
Considerations in the application of two dimensional shear wave elastography in muscle
Authors: Mackintosh S. , Young A. , Lee A. , Sim J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThere is hope that the development of 2D shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE) technology will enhance clinical assessment of muscles. In addition to structural information obtained from traditional sonography, knowledge of muscle biomechanical properties may add diagnostic value in the investigation of pathological processes and functions of the musculoskeletal system. 2D‐SWE offers benefits over traditional biomechanical testing tools and may be adapted to assess muscle at rest, or in contracted or lengthened states.To date, disparate research methodologies and proprietary technological differences limit comparison of research findings. Consensus guidelines exist for clinical utilisation of elastography in fields such as liver, breast and thyroid imaging. Presently, no such consensus has been reached for 2D‐SWE muscle utilisation. This paper explores the current literature to describe the technical considerations and challenges of 2D‐SWE in the assessment of skeletal muscle.
Asymptotic charges, large gauge transformations and inequivalence of different gauges in external current QED
Authors: Dybalski Wojciech , Wegener Benedikt 
Published: November 2019

Abstract
In this paper we consider external current QED in the Coulomb gauge and in axial gauges for various spatial directions of the axis. For a non-zero electric charge of the current, we demonstrate that any two different gauges from this class correspond to quantum theories which are not unitarily equivalent. We show that the spacelike asymptotic flux of the electromagnetic field is the underlying superselected quantity. We also express the large gauge transformation linking two distinct axial gauges by the Wilson loop over a contour limited by the two axes. Thus the underlying physical mechanism appears to be related to the Aharonov-Bohm effect.