bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Subjective evaluation of colourized images with different colorization models
Authors: Teng Xiao , Li Zhijiang , Liu Qiang , Pointer Michael R. , Huang Zheng , Sun Hongguang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTwo psychophysical experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of grayscale image colorization models, and to verify the objective image quality metrics adopted in grayscale image colorization. Twenty representative grayscale images were colourized by four colorization models and three typical metrics, root mean square error (RMSE), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index (SSIM), were used to characterize the objective quality of the colourized images. Forty observers were asked to evaluate those images based on their subjective preference in a pair‐comparison experiment, and to evaluate the perceived similarity between the generated and reference colour images using a seven‐point rating scale. The experimental results indicate that different colorization models and objective metrics exhibit different performance in different scenarios. Each colorization method has its own advantages and disadvantages while none of the tested models performed well for all images. For preference, the model proposed by Iizuka et al based on ImageNet performed better while for perceived similarity the models proposed by Zhang et al and Iizuka et al, also based on ImageNet, outperformed the models of Larsson et al and Iizuka et al which were based on the Places dataset. Due to the fact that many objects have instances of distinct colour, a colorization algorithm cannot correctly reconstruct ground truth image for most gray level images, although it was found that perceived similarity and preference ratings of observers were correlated. In addition, it was found that the tested objective metrics correlated poorly with the subjective judgments of the human observers and their performance varied significantly with image content. These findings demonstrate the limitations of current image colorization studies, and it is suggested that due consideration must be given to human visual perception when evaluating the performance of colorization models.
Efficient fault‐tolerant logical Hadamard gates implementation in Reed–Muller quantum codes
Authors: Quan DongXiao , Niu Li , Zhu LiLi , Pei ChangXing 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe investigate the implementation of fault‐tolerant logical Hadamard gates in Reed–Muller quantum codes (RMQCs). During the realization, we consider the influences of random single‐qubit errors and some error‐detecting stabilizers are simplified by the existing syndromes. We first identify the errors and modify the gauge‐fixing syndromes, then refer to the modified syndromes to select the fix operations, and finally perform the error‐correcting and fix operations together. Furthermore, we establish a graph model for the RMQCs and exhibit a progress of finding the fix operations for the unsatisfied stabilizers. For the circuit design, we optimize the choice of gauge operators, the positions of the ancillary qubits and design a parallel circuit for implementing a fault‐tolerant logical Hadamard gate in 15‐qubit RMQC. We simulate the progress of finding corresponding fix operations for 31‐qubit and 63‐qubit RMQCs and the whole process of realizing logical Hadamard gate with random single‐qubit errors for 15‐qubit and 31‐qubit RMQCs. Results show that correct fix operations can be obtained and fault‐tolerant logical Hadamard gates can be realized as expected. The performance comparisons are also given and the results show that our method can achieve a higher success rate with a reasonable higher cost. With the implementation of the logical Hadamard gate, a universal fault‐tolerant gate set is achieved in single RMQC.
Sustainability stewardship: Does roundtable on sustainable palm oil certification create shareholder value?
Authors: Tey Yeong Sheng , Brindal Mark 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe adoption of sustainability standards is often viewed as a profitability conundrum by palm oil firms and their shareholders. This study examines whether, considering the inherent risk, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) sustainability initiative creates shareholder value. Based on the panel information of plantation firms listed on the Indonesia and Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchanges, RSPO‐certified firms earned mixed risk‐adjusted performance results relative to non‐RSPO and total palm oil portfolios. They also demonstrated a limited probability for upside growth. Additionally, it is possible that institutionalized sustainability standards do not address all the environmental, social and governance pillars that should constitute sustainable investing. Consequently, business operators and investors seeking improved performance should focus on the fundamentals whilst incorporating sustainability standards.
OMIP 071: A 31‐Parameter Flow Cytometry Panel for In‐Depth Immunophenotyping of Human T‐Cell Subsets Using Surface Markers
Authors: Wang Song‐Rong , Zhong Na , Zhang Xin‐Mei , Zhao Zhi‐Bin , Balderas Robert , Li Liang , Lian Zhe‐Xiong 
Published: November 2020

AbstractDissecting the functional diversity of T cells is critical in elucidating mechanisms and in developing therapies for various diseases. Here, we designed a 31‐parameter (29‐color) panel to enable the characterization of T‐cell subsets and immunophenotyping of the human peripheral blood and lymph nodes using cell surface staining. In addition to adaptive T‐cell markers, TCR Vα24‐Jα18, TCR γδ, TCR Vɑ7.2, and CD161 were included to identify iNKT, γδ T, and MAIT cells, respectively, which are innate‐like T cells. C‐X‐C chemokine receptors (CXCR3, CXCR4, CXCR5, CXCR6) and C‐C motif chemokine receptors (CCR4, CCR6, CCR7) were included to enable the identification of Th cell subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17), Tfh cell subsets (Tfh1, Tfh2, Tfh17), and Th cells with specific homing capacities. Furthermore, in this panel, we also used markers for assessing cell differentiation (CD45RO, CD7), activation (CD57, CD95, HLA‐DR) and the expression of some cosignaling molecules (PD‐1, NKG2D, CD28). Particularly, CD69 and CD103 were included for the further analysis of tissue resident memory T (Trm) cells. This panel would enable the in‐depth immunophenotyping of human T‐cell subsets, and may be applied in the monitoring, prognosis, and mechanistic studies of various immune‐related diseases.
Endoscopic ultrasonography‐fine needle aspiration of solid pancreatic masses: Do we need the fourth pass? A prospective study
Authors: Teodorescu Casandra , Gheorghiu Marcel , Zaharie Teodor , Rusu Ioana , Pojoga Cristina , Bolboacă Sorana D. , Seicean Radu , Petrusel Livia , Seicean Andrada 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundEndoscopic ultrasonography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) is important for the differential diagnosis of solid pancreatic lesions. Sample adequacy is related to the number of needle passes, and European guidelines recommend three to four needle passes with a standard EUS‐FNA needle.We aimed to evaluate the optimal number of passes with standard EUS‐FNA needles in solid pancreatic lesions.MethodsPatients with solid pancreatic masses without cystic component >20% on computed tomography scan, and without biliary metallic stents, or coagulation problems were included prospectively. Standard 22G needles were used (maximum four passes); each sample was paraffin‐embedded and analyzed separately. Final diagnosis was established by EUS‐FNA, repeat EUS‐FNA, surgery, or follow‐up.ResultsSixty‐one of 65 patients were included. The final diagnoses were adenocarcinoma (n = 44, 72%), neuroendocrine tumor (NET) (n = 10, 16%), metastasis (n = 1, 4%) and nonmalignant lesion (n = 6, 10%). Immunohistochemical staining was possible in 17 cases. The diagnosis was established by the first pass in 62% of cases (n = 38), by the second in 15% (n = 9), by the third in 15% (n = 9), and by the fourth in 3% (n = 2). The diagnostic accuracy for all four passes compared to the first three passes was 95% vs 92% (P = .5). The contribution of the fourth pass was not different between adenocarcinoma and NET (2% vs 10%, respectively; P = .667).ConclusionThree passes with standard EUS‐FNA was optimal for a specific diagnosis of solid pancreatic masses, regardless of the histological type of the lesion.
A systematic review of MRI studies of language development from birth to 2 years of age
Authors: Silver Eero , Korja Riikka , Mainela‐Arnold Elina , Pulli Elmo P. , Saukko Ekaterina , Nolvi Saara , Kataja Eeva‐Leena , Karlsson Linnea , Karlsson Hasse , Tuulari Jetro J. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractNeurocognitive functions supporting language development start to develop well before first words are spoken during the first years of life. This process coincides with the initial growth spurt of the brain. While the core components of the language network are well characterized in adults and children, the initial neural correlates of language skills are still relatively unknown. We reviewed 10 studies identified via a systematic search that combined magnetic resonance imaging and language‐related measures in healthy infants from birth to 2 years of age. We aimed to describe the current knowledge as well as point out viable future directions for similar studies. Expectedly, the implicated cerebral areas included many established components of the language networks, including frontal and temporal regions. A volumetric leftward asymmetry of the brain was suggested as a determinant of language skills, yet with marked interindividual variation. Overall, temporal and frontal brain volumes associated positively with language skills. Positive associations were described between the maturation of language related white matter tracts and language skills. The language networks showed adult‐like structural similarities already in neonates, with weaker asymmetry compared to adults. In summary, we found some evidence that the language circuit described in older age groups is also associated to language skills during the first 2 years of life. However, across the reviewed studies there were no systematic neural correlates of language skills, which is partly explained by a modest number of studies, scattered representation of ages in measurements and the variance in the used methods.
Spatial optimization of invasive species control informed by management practices
Authors: Nishimoto Makoto , Miyashita Tadashi , Yokomizo Hiroyuki , Matsuda Hiroyuki , Imazu Takeshi , Takahashi Hiroo , Hasegawa Masami , Fukasawa Keita 
Published: November 2020

AbstractOptimization of spatial resource allocation is crucial for the successful control of invasive species under a limited budget but requires labor‐intensive surveys to estimate population parameters. In this study, we devised a novel framework for the spatially explicit optimization of capture effort allocation using state‐space population models from past capture records. We applied it to a control program for invasive snapping turtles to determine effort allocation strategies that minimize the population density over the whole area. We found that spatially heterogeneous density dependence and capture pressure limit the abundance of snapping turtles. Optimal effort allocation effectively improved the control effect, but the degree of improvement varied substantially depending on the total effort. The degree of improvement by the spatial optimization of allocation effort was only 3.21% when the total effort was maintained at the 2016 level. However, when the total effort was increased by two, four, and eight times, spatial optimization resulted in improvements of 4.65%, 8.33%, and 20.35%, respectively. To achieve the management goal for snapping turtles in our study area, increasing the current total effort by more than four times was necessary, in addition to optimizing the spatial effort. The snapping turtle population is expected to reach the target density one year after the optimal management strategy is implemented, and this rapid response can be explained by high population growth rate coupled with density‐dependent feedback regulation. Our results demonstrated that combining a state‐space model with optimization makes it possible to adaptively improve the management of invasive species and decision‐making. The method used in this study, based on removal records from an invasive management program, can be easily applied to monitoring data for wildlife and pest control management using traps in a variety of ecosystems.
Learning principles of evolution during a crisis: An exploratory analysis of student barriers one week and one month into the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Driessen Emily , Beatty Abby , Stokes Alexis , Wood Sara , Ballen Cissy 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) outbreak forced an emergency transition to online classes across the world with little warning or instruction for faculty and students. The goal of this research was to document how this response impacted undergraduate students studying the principles of evolution in an introductory organismal biology class over time; specifically, how their study habits for exams differed (a) one week and (b) one month after a university's decision to transition to emergency remote instruction. We asked students about the extent to which COVID‐19 impacted their study habits, and we categorized students’ responses using open coding. We identified a number of consistent similarities—as well as dramatic differences—in their responses as the time away from campus increased. The report that follows is a summary of the documented barriers and recommendations based on literature concerning crises and equitable practices.
Evaluating wildlife translocations using genomics: A bighorn sheep case study
Authors: Flesch Elizabeth P. , Graves Tabitha A. , Thomson Jennifer M. , Proffitt Kelly M. , White P. J. , Stephenson Thomas R. , Garrott Robert A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWildlife restoration often involves translocation efforts to reintroduce species and supplement small, fragmented populations. We examined the genomic consequences of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) translocations and population isolation to enhance understanding of evolutionary processes that affect population genetics and inform future restoration strategies. We conducted a population genomic analysis of 511 bighorn sheep from 17 areas, including native and reintroduced populations that received 0–10 translocations. Using the Illumina High Density Ovine array, we generated datasets of 6,155 to 33,289 single nucleotide polymorphisms and completed clustering, population tree, and kinship analyses. Our analyses determined that natural gene flow did not occur between most populations, including two pairs of native herds that had past connectivity. We synthesized genomic evidence across analyses to evaluate 24 different translocation events and detected eight successful reintroductions (i.e., lack of signal for recolonization from nearby populations) and five successful augmentations (i.e., reproductive success of translocated individuals) based on genetic similarity with the source populations. A single native population founded six of the reintroduced herds, suggesting that environmental conditions did not need to match for populations to persist following reintroduction. Augmentations consisting of 18–57 animals including males and females succeeded, whereas augmentations of two males did not result in a detectable genetic signature. Our results provide insight on genomic distinctiveness of native and reintroduced herds, information on the relative success of reintroduction and augmentation efforts and their associated attributes, and guidance to enhance genetic contribution of augmentations and reintroductions to aid in bighorn sheep restoration.
UV radiation affects antipredatory defense traits in Daphnia pulex
Authors: Eshun‐Wilson Franceen , Wolf Raoul , Andersen Tom , Hessen Dag O. , Sperfeld Erik 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn aquatic environments, prey perceive predator threats by chemical cues called kairomones, which can induce changes in their morphology, life histories, and behavior. Predator‐induced defenses have allowed for prey, such as Daphnia pulex, to avert capture by common invertebrate predators, such as Chaoborus sp. larvae. However, the influence of additional stressors, such as ultraviolet radiation (UVR), on the Daphnia–Chaoborus interaction is not settled as UVR may for instance deactivate the kairomone. In laboratory experiments, we investigated the combined effect of kairomones and UVR at ecologically relevant levels on induced morphological defenses of two D. pulex clones. We found that kairomones were not deactivated by UVR exposure. Instead, UVR exposure suppressed induced morphological defense traits of D. pulex juveniles under predation threat by generally decreasing the number of neckteeth and especially by decreasing the size of the pedestal beneath the neckteeth. UVR exposure also decreased the body length, body width, and tail spine length of juveniles, likely additionally increasing the vulnerability to Chaoborus predation. Our results suggest potential detrimental effects on fitness and survival of D. pulex subject to UVR stress, with consequences on community composition and food web structure in clear and shallow water bodies.
Repeated convergent evolution of parthenogenesis in Acariformes (Acari)
Authors: Pachl Patrick , Uusitalo Matti , Scheu Stefan , Schaefer Ina , Maraun Mark 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe existence of old species‐rich parthenogenetic taxa is a conundrum in evolutionary biology. Such taxa point to ancient parthenogenetic radiations resulting in morphologically distinct species. Ancient parthenogenetic taxa have been proposed to exist in bdelloid rotifers, darwinulid ostracods, and in several taxa of acariform mites (Acariformes, Acari), especially in oribatid mites (Oribatida, Acari). Here, we investigate the diversification of Acariformes and their ancestral mode of reproduction using 18S rRNA. Because parthenogenetic taxa tend to be more frequent in phylogenetically old taxa of Acariformes, we sequenced a wide range of members of this taxon, including early‐derivative taxa of Prostigmata, Astigmata, Endeostigmata, and Oribatida. Ancestral character state reconstruction indicated that (a) Acariformes as well as Oribatida evolved from a sexual ancestor, (b) the primary mode of reproduction during evolution of Acariformes was sexual; however, species‐rich parthenogenetic taxa radiated independently at least four times (in Brachychthonioidea (Oribatida), Enarthronota (Oribatida), and twice in Nothrina (Oribatida), (c) parthenogenesis additionally evolved frequently in species‐poor taxa, for example,Tectocepheus,Oppiella,Rostrozetes,Limnozetes, andAtropacarus, and (d) sexual reproduction likely re‐evolved at least three times from species‐rich parthenogenetic clusters, inCrotonia(Nothrina), inMesoplophora/Apoplophora(Mesoplophoridae, Enarthronota), and inSphaerochthonius/Prototritia(Protoplophoridae, Enarthronota). We discuss possible reasons that favored the frequent diversification of parthenogenetic taxa including the continuous long‐term availability of dead organic matter resources as well as generalist feeding of species as indicated by natural variations in stable isotope ratios.
Vegetation cover at the water surface best explains seed retention in open channels
Authors: Rudi Gabrielle , Belaud Gilles , Troiano Sébastien , Bailly Jean‐Stéphane , Vinatier Fabrice 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHydrochorous dispersal through agricultural channels plays a role in structuring plant communities across agricultural landscapes. To date, research on seed retention in vegetated areas has mainly focused on vegetation types with simple architecture (often cylinders), which consequently do not represent real vegetation features. Here, we test the hypothesis that vegetation cover estimated at the water surface best explains floating seed retention in open channels. We therefore proposed an experiment to measure seed retention in a controlled environment across a large range of hydraulic conditions and vegetation architecture types. We used three types of artificial plants with contrasting morphotypes, and real seeds of Rumex crispus. Vegetation metrics were calculated on the basis of 3D plant models. We also tested the additivity of seed retention as a function of the length of vegetated area crossed by the seeds. We developed a semi‐empirical formula for predicting seed retention. The main results of the experiment show that (i) the seed retention rate reacts differently to changes in density according to species, (ii) vegetation cover at the free water surface, potentially in contact with seeds, is a generic predictor of floating seed retention whatever the nature of the vegetated cover, and (iii) 95% of seed retention was reached for a large range of surface vegetation ratios and length of vegetation cover. The proposed formula could be used by stakeholders (farmers and ecologists) to estimate the amount of vegetation needed in a channel to limit or enhance seed dispersal.
The characteristic time of ecological communities
Authors: Ontiveros Vicente J. , Capitán José A. , Casamayor Emilio O. , Alonso David 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA simple description of temporal dynamics of ecological communities may help us understand how community assembly proceeds, predict ecological responses to environmental disturbances, and improve the performance of biological conservation actions. Although community changes take place at multiple temporal scales, the variation of species composition and richness over time across communities and habitats shows general patterns that may potentially reveal the main drivers of community dynamics. We used the simplest stochastic model of island biogeography to propose two quantities to characterize community dynamics: the community characteristic time, as a measure of the typical time scale of species‐richness change, and the characteristic Jaccard index, as a measure of temporal β diversity, that is, the variation of community composition over time. In addition, the community characteristic time, which sets the temporal scale at which null, noninteracting species assemblages operate, allowed us to define a relative sampling frequency (to the characteristic time). Here we estimate these quantities across microbial and macroscopic species assemblages to highlight two related results. First, we illustrated both characteristic time and Jaccard index and their relation with classic time‐series in ecology, and found that the most thoroughly sampled communities, relative to their characteristic time, presented the largest similarity between consecutive samples. Second, our analysis across a variety of habitats and taxa show that communities span a large range of species turnover, from potentially very fast (short characteristic times) to rather slow (long characteristic times) communities. This was in agreement with previous knowledge, but indicated that some habitats may have been sampled less frequently than required. Our work provides new perspectives to explore the temporal component in ecological studies and highlights the usefulness of simple approximations to the complex dynamics of ecological communities.